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We have been led very naturally to this train of 
thought by the subject selected for illustration, — the 
far-famed misletoe. This plant, especially when found 
growing on the oak, was held in the greatest veneration 
by the Druids, which, having no attachment to earth, 
they considered to be of celestial origin. The utmost 
solemnity was used in the gathering of it; it took place 
always at the close of the year, when the moon was just 
six days old. Two white bulls, which had never felt the 
yoke, were fastened by their horns to the fortunate oak 
whereon the misletoe had been discovered; a priest, 
clad in a white vesture, then ascended the tree, and 
detached the plant with a golden hook or bill, whilst 
others stood ready to receive it in a white woollen 
cloth: this done, they then prepared to offer the best 
of their flocks and herds in sacrifice, “ mumbling many 
orisons, and praying devoutly that it would please 
God to bless this gift of his to the good and benefit 
of all those to whom he had vouchsafed to give it.” 
Water, in which it had been steeped, they considered 
a panacea for diseases of every description; hence the 
name they gave it, “ omnia sanans,” or all-heal.” 
This superstitious regard for the misletoe was com¬ 
mon to most of the northern nations. In the Edda 
there is a wild legion connected with it, an abstract of 
