130 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
ST. JOHN'S WORT. 
SUPERSTITION. 
This plant, to which ancient superstition attribut- 
ed the virtue of defending persons from phantoms 
and spectres, and driving away devils, whence 
it was called Fuga Demonum, has been named by 
modern bigotry St. John's-wort. For the same 
reason it was also called Solterrestres, the Terres- 
trial Sun, because the spirits of darkness were 
believed to vanish at the approach of that luminary. 
Growing close to the earth, its large yellow flower, 
whose hundreds of chives form so many rays, headed 
by spark-like anthers, it reminds us of small wheel- 
fireworks, and forms a happy contrast with the 
azure flowers of the periwinkle. 
It forms an appropriate emblem of superstition, 
but by some is regarded as a symbol of happiness, 
on account of the happy confidence with which it 
inspires the fond believers in its imaginary virtues. 
