304 
NATURAL HISTORY OF THE MISTLETOE. 
who were not in such an unfortunate predicament, were either merrily or 
stratagetically escorted to the Mistletoe, whose berries, being pure white, of course 
could not fail to intimate the bridal wreath, and white satin ribband. Arch¬ 
deacon Nares, who has written very learnedly on this subject, and seems to 
have been a great friend to the mystic rites of the Mistletoe, deprecates any 
unreasonable resistance on the part of ladies taken or caught under the sacred 
plant; as he states that a non-performance of the usual ceremonial brings in 
its train all the evils of old-maidenism. It appears that berries of the plant 
alone constituted its privilege; one was to be plucked at every salute, and various 
authorities insist that when the last berry is plucked from the bush, its potential 
and venerated character ceases. 
“ One single berry yet remains 
Untouch’d by rude and vulgar swains ; 
By all unpluck’d, it seems to say 
YVhate’er has passed is Christmas play •, 
But now, ere comes the vernal breeze. 
The last chance fortune offers—seize!’’ 
The most remarkable circumstance, however, in the history of the Mistletoe is 
its growth. It is always found growing upon and imbibing its support from the 
juices of some tree; it has never been met with attached to earth, nor can any 
treatment induce it to grow there. It is, therefore, termed by analogy a parasite; 
but a vegetable parasite is somewhat different from a human one. Dr. Johnson 
defines a parasite to be “ one that frequents rich men’s tables, and earns his wel¬ 
come by flattery;” and Shakspere denominates parasites as 
“ Most smiling smooth detested parasites: 
Courteous destroyers, affable W olves, meek Bears.” 
But our vegetable parasites, when they have once taken up their post, have no 
need to be e< affable Wolves/’ as they cannot be got rid of by any process; but, 
rather tyrants than parasites, prey upon the tree they have taken possession of, 
and retain their hold till death; Epiphytes are very common among vegetables, 
the greater number of the Lichen tribe being so, as well as many of the Fungi; 
but it is rather uncommon to find a true parasite, the epiphytes only living upon 
other plants as a nidus, and not deriving subsistence from them as is the case with 
the Mistletoe. 
Some have considered the Ivy to be a parasite, but in fact it takes a tree as a 
fulcrum or prop only, and merely exemplifies the conduct of those good-natured 
friends who will kill you with their officiousness sooner than deprive themselves 
of the pleasure of your company. Orobanchece , Lathrcea squamaria , and Listera 
nidus-avis , have all been considered parasites, but in fact they only shelter them¬ 
selves among the roots of trees as a secure asylum, their very nature demanding 
