146 THE HERB-GARDEN 



be regarded with respect. It grows wild in the 

 stoniest places, and for its many virtues was once 

 called the ' Simpler 's Joy.' Its juice cured the 

 plague, and as to its magic, to that there is no end. 

 It was a sacred Herb and worn as an amulet. 

 When gathered for this purpose, ' firste they crosse 

 the herbe with their hand, and then they blesse it.' 



' Hallowed be thou, Vervein, 



As thou growest on the ground. 

 For in the Mount of Calvary, 

 There thou was first found.' 



Fumitory is such a pretty weed that many people 

 cannot bear to pull it up. Its rose-coloured flowers, 

 with little dark purple heads, look something Uke 

 dressed-up dollies, and children in many parts of 

 Kent speak of the weed affectionately by the name 

 of 'Wax-Dolls.' Why is it called Fumitory? 

 Some say because, when burned, the smoke was 

 used in sorcery. Others have it that, instead of 

 growing from seed, it is produced from vapours 

 rising from the earth. The yellow - flowered 

 Fumitory is even prettier than the purple, and 

 the way in which it spreads about, covering 

 large bare spaces with lightning rapidity, makes 

 one understand why it is called ' Earth-smoke.' 

 No wonder it spreads quickly : the seed-pods burst 



