“Now you see, Mary, that of the trees or fruits offered in the Temple of Jerusalem, or the church of Rome, the willow is the only one which is found in the northern countries of Europe, and therefore the only one likely to be used by us on Palm Sunday.”
“I am sure,” said old Molly, when Mr. Lumley had done speaking, “we shall not easily forget why we gather willows and carry them instead of palms, eight days or so before Easter. Can your reverence tell us if the poor Jews preserve any of these customs now?”
“A great many; although the glory is departed from their temple, many with true hearts continue to perform their ceremonies, and to the best of their power, to make their offerings in their synagogues. At present, I have not time to tell you more than that they spare no expense to procure fair citrons and flowering myrtles: the willow, you know, they find everywhere; but they generally supply the place of palm by the branch of an almond tree.”
Mary’s half hour was now spent. The minute-hand of Molly’s great clock pointed to half-past three. Mamma expected her and papa home by four; so, tying on her bonnet, she bade Molly and Jane good-bye, and followed by Sam, with a bundle of palms for her brothers, she set out gaily on her walk home, gathering fresh flowers for her own flower-pot, and arranging the new things she had learned that day in her little head, by the help of a question to papa every now and then about citrons, myrtles, willows, and palms.
BOTANICAL NAMES OF LITTLE MARY’S FLOWERS.
March Violet _Viola Odorata_ Primrose _Primula Vulgaris_ Cowslip _Primula Veris_ Pilewort _Ranunculus Ficuria_ Lady’s-smocks _Cardamine Pratensis_ Wood Sorrel _Oxalis Acetosella_ Pasque Flower _Anemone Pulsatilla_ White Wood Anemone _Anemone Nemerosa_ Adder’s Tongue _Ophioglossum Vulgaris_ Sallow _Salix Aquatica_.
MEDICINAL USES ACKNOWLEDGED BY LINDLEY IN HIS “FLORA MEDICA, 1838.”
VIOLET.—Flowers anodyne, and roots emetic. Used in the Grand Seignor’s Sherbet.
COWSLIP.—Pleasant sedative, particularly in wine.
PILEWORT.—Very acrid. Used sometimes for blisters, or for drawing-plaisters, but with great caution.
LADY’S-SMOCKS.—Lindley does not seem to know its use in agues, but says it is a popular remedy for falling-sickness in children.