136 



THE HAZEL. 



the divining rod. The virtue of this mysterious 

 instrument is not confined to the pointing out of 

 metal in its natural state^ but extends to the dis- 

 covery of hidden treasures. The effect is not sup- 

 posed to depend on any exercise of witchcraft, but 

 on a natural sympathy between the rod and metal- 

 lic substances ; and strange to say, both the practi- 

 tioner and his deluded employers are frequently 

 men who have correct scientific views in other re- 

 spects. Still more wonderful properties were attri- 

 buted to the Hazel in Evelyn's time ; but he ex- 

 presses himself on the subject very cautiously: — 

 ^^Lastly, for riding switches, and divinator}^ rods for 

 the detecting and finding out of minerals ; at least, 

 if that tradition be no imposture. By whatsoever 

 occult virtue the forked stick, so cut and skilfully 

 held, becomes impregnated with those invisible 

 steams and exhalations, as by its spontaneous 

 bending from an horizontal posture, to discover 

 not only mines and subterraneous treasure, and 

 springs of water, but criminals guilty of murder, 

 &c., made out so solemnly, by the attestation of 

 magistrates, and divers other learned and credible 

 persons, who have critically examined matters of 

 fact, is certainly next to a miracle, and requires a 

 strong faith." 



The usual form of the Hazel in its wild state, 

 is a straggling bush, consisting of a number of 

 long flexible stems from the same root. The 

 bark on the young branches is ash-coloured and 

 hairy, that on the old stems mottled with bright 

 brown and grey. The leaves are rounded, stalked, 

 and rough, and furnished at the base vdth oblong 

 stipules, which soon fall off". The flowers are 

 among the very earliest harbingers of returning 



