and flowers to this country but also the superstitions which were 
firmly believed and taught ; many of which remain. 
Gerard, a delightful person living in England in 1607 wrote 
a Botany for Family Use, giving the properties of "simples," 
their superstitions and medicinal values, with enough description 
to identify them with our plants today. 
Hogweed, or Eoman Wormwood, Ambrosia art emisiae folia, 
Gerard recommends for "weak eyes and stomach, fainting fits, 
worms and jaundice, if one takes ten teaspoonsfull of the tea 
three times a day." It also "with-stands putrefaction," and as 
a "poultice drives away gnats." 
The Asiatics often used Wormwood to burn in their torches 
to keep off insects, and Artemesia Wormwood, (a sister of Rag- 
weed), was used as a charm against witchcraft. Gerard says 
too, "it helps them that are strangled with mushrooms." 
The most useful advice which an early writer vouchsafes 
concerning Ragweed is that "taken with wine it counteracts the 
bites of shrew mouse and sea dragon." Another attribute of 
Wormwood much to be desired was that of keeping "infants 
neither hot nor cold, provided the child's hands were rubbed 
with the juice before the infant was twelve days old." Woe be 
to the mother who neglected this application until the thirteenth 
day, however ! It was a very lucky person who upon awakening 
remembered he had dreamed of Wormwood, for this dream 
always brought great joy, especially domestic happiness. 
St. John's-Wort, (Hypericum perforatum), was so called 
because of the blood-red spots which appeared upon the leaf on 
August 29th, the date that St. John was beheaded. This flower 
was picked with much ceremony on St. John's Day, June 24th, 
and hung in windows to keep away evil spirits, storm and 
thunder. The Italians called it "Devil-chaser," and put it over 
their doorways to keep out wandering evil spirits. St. John's- 
wort salve is still used and was an early cure for wounds and 
especially for lovers suffering with ' ' heart melancholy. ' ' It had 
also power to soothe the maniac and drive away tormenting 
spirits. AVe are told the Scotch wore it to avert the evil eye 
and if gathered before sunrise it was certain protection from 
lightning and hydrophobia. 
Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus Carota,) called Birds' Xest, 
which we find in every door-yard, was introduced into Great 
Britain for culinary purposes by Flemish gardeners during 
Elizabeth's time. It has always "served for love matters." 
Pliny writes that "its use wrnneth love," and it is a well known 
fact that its root, "exciteth the passions," and that " to dream 
of carrot signified profit and strength to them that are low for 
an inheritance." 
Katherine T. Gary. 
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