252 Instructions for the formation of a Wiltshire Herbarium. 



watchful expectation, he found the old toado in the same posture 

 to gratify the great pangs of his whole night's restlesness." 



During the middle ages, it was a very general practice to wear 

 in rings certain objects which were supposed to act as charms to 

 preserve the wearer from the " evil eye," and other malign in- 

 fluences. Some were considered to possess medicinal properties, 

 for example, the hoof of an ass was thought to protect the wearer 

 from epilepsy. 



In the special exhibition of works of art, at South Kensington, 

 in 1862, a large silver ring having a " toadstone " set in it, was 

 contributed by the late Cardinal "Wiseman. In the same collection 

 was a ring formed of hoof, surrounded by a thin band of silver 

 having on the bezel a crapaudine mounted in silver. We may 

 fairly conclude that this was a very potent charm, for by the union 

 of two such important substances in one ring, the wearer doubtless 

 felt himself secure from most earthly evils. 



"Whatever may have been the fancied virtues of the " toadstone/'' 

 it is certain that it was much valued, and the superstitions con- 

 nected with it maintained a hold on the popular belief for a much 

 longer period on the continent than in this countrj 7 . 



The locket described above was most probably worn not only as 

 an ornament, but as a charm ; and as such, being highly valued, 

 was buried with its possessor. 



INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE 



Jwrnsttott of u Miltsjjire pakrium* 



By Thomas Bruges Flowek, M.R.C.S., F.L.S., &c, &c. 



a previous number of this Magazine (vol. iv., p. 191), it 

 U was proposed to commence the formation of a " County 

 Herbarium " for future reference and study; resident botanists were 

 particularly invited to collect and dry for the Society duplicates of 

 such Wiltshire plants as they could conveniently spare, in order 

 that they might be preserved and deposited in the Museum. This 



