10. The "receipt," so called, was the formula of magic words to be employed during the process. See Grindon's "Shakspere Flora," 1883, p. 242.
12. "Indo-European Tradition and Folk-lore," p. 197.
13. See Dr. Prior's "Popular Names of British Plants," p. 130; Phillips' "Flora Historica," i. 163.
14. See Sowerby's "English Botany," 1864, i., p. 144.
15. See "Folk-lore of British Plants," _Dublin University Magazine_, September 1873, p. 318.
15. See Thorpe's "Northern Mythology," 1852, iii. 168.
17. "Sketches of Imposture, Deception, and Credulity," 1837, p. 300.
18. See Phillips' "Pomarium Britannicum," 1821, p. 351.
19. "Plant-lore of Shakespeare," 1878, p. 101.
20. See Dr. Prior's "Popular Names of British Plants," p. 154.
22. See Friend's "Flowers and Flower-lore," ii. 355.
23. "Mystic Trees and Flowers," _Fraser's Magazine_, November 1870, p. 591.
24. "Plant Lore Legends and Lyrics," p. 341.
A goodly array of plants have cast their attractions round the festivals of the year, giving an outward beauty to the ceremonies and observances celebrated in their honour. These vary in different countries, although we frequently find the same flower almost universally adopted to commemorate a particular festival. Many plants, again, have had a superstitious connection, having in this respect exercised a powerful influence among the credulous of all ages, numerous survivals of which exist at the present day. Thus, in Westphalia, it is said that if the sun makes its appearance on New Year's Day, the flax will be straight; and there is a belief current in Hessia, that an apple must not be eaten on New Year's Day, as it will produce an abscess.
According to an old adage, the laurestinus, dedicated to St. Faine (January 1), an Irish abbess in the sixth century, may be seen in bloom:--
"Whether the weather be snow or rain, We are sure to see the flower of St. Faine; Rain comes but seldom and often snow, And yet the viburnum is sure to blow."
And James Montgomery notices this cheerful plant, speaking of it as the,
"Fair tree of winter, fresh and flowering, When all around is dead and dry, Whose ruby buds, though storms are lowering, Spread their white blossoms to the sky."
Then there is the dead nettle, which in Italy is assigned to St. Vincent; and the Christmas rose (_Helleboris niger_), dedicated to St. Agnes (21st January), is known in Germany as the flower of St. Agnes, and yet this flower has generally been regarded a plant of evil omen, being coupled by Campbell with the hemlock, as growing "by the witches' tower," where it seems to weave,