ARBOR DA Y MANUAL. 
77 
bark of the elder tree would be enabled to detect witches anywhere. The 
same property, according to German folk lore, is possessed by the wild radish, 
ivy and saxifrage on Walpurgis Night. Among other plants which have had 
the reputation of averting the crafts and subtleties of witchcraft, the juniper, 
holiy, mistletoe, little pimpernel, herb paris, cyclamen,' angelica, herb betony, 
rowan tree, bracken, and twigs of the ash may be mentioned. In the Rhine 
district the water lily is regarded as antagonistic to sorcery. Lavender is be¬ 
lieved in Tuscany to possess the power of averting the evil eye. Olive- 
branches are said to keep the witches from the cottage doors in the rural dis¬ 
tricts of Italy, and the Russian peasantry will lay aspen upon the grave of a 
witch to prevent her spirit from walking abroad or exercising any evil influence- 
over her neighbors. 
The Gentlemen’s Magazine. 
THE BLUEBIRD. 
'IS early spring; the distant hills 
I Are flecked with drifts of dingy snow, 
And bird-notes from the lofty trees 
Come down in warblings soft and low. 
The bluebird seeks his home again, 
He sings sweet love songs to his mate; 
They choose the dear old a'pple tree 
Whos'e branches shade our garden gate. 
One door, one window in their cot — 
All elge is safe from wind and rain; 
The ruffled nest of former years 
Is soo’n made new and warm again. 
And now I watch with keen delight 
This shady home so near our door, 
Till busy parents come to bring 
Their dainties to the fledglings four. 
How sweet to climb the bended trunk, 
To gaze upon the tiny brood, 
And see four little gaping mouths 
Upraised imploringly for food. 
Dear warblers of my early years ! 
A child again, once more I wait, 
And watch you in the apple tree 
Whose branches shade our garden gate. 
C. F. Gerry. 
