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271
The Folk-lore of Plants
·
T. F. Thiselton-Dyer
184
25.
Ibid.,
pp,
150-160.
CHAPTER
XVII.
PLANTS
AND
THE
CALENDAR.
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,
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