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271
The Folk-lore of Plants
·
T. F. Thiselton-Dyer
39
It
is
not
surprising,
therefore,
that
extraordinary
virtues
were
ascribed
to
these
lightning
plants,
qualities
which,
in
no
small
degree,
distinguish
their
representatives
at
the
present
day.
Thus
we
are
told
how
in
India
the
mimosa
is
known
as
the
imperial
tree
on
account
of
its
remarkable
properties,
being
credited
as
an
efficacious
charm
against
all
sorts
of
malignant
influences,
such
as
the
evil
eye.
Not
unlike
in
colour
to
the
blossom
of
the
Indian
palasa
are
the
red
berries
of
the
rowan
or
mountain-ash
(Pyrus
aucuparia),
a
tree
which
has
acquired
European
renown
from
the
Aryan
tradition
of
its
being
an
embodiment
of
the
lightning
from
which
it
was
sprung.
It
has
acquired,
therefore,
a
mystic
character,
evidences
of
which
are
numerously
represented
throughout
Europe,
where
its
leaves
are
reverenced
as
being
the
most
potent
talisman
against
the
darker
powers.
At
the
present
day
we
still
find
the
Highland
milkmaid
carrying
with
her
a
rowan-cross
against
unforeseen
danger,
just
as
in
many
a
German
village
twigs
are
put
over
stables
to
keep
out
witches.
Illustrations
of
this
kind
support
its
widespread
reputation
for
supernatural
virtues,
besides
showing
how
closely
allied
is
much
of
the
folk-lore
of
our
own
with
that
of
continental
countries.
At
the
same
time,
we
feel
inclined
to
agree
with
Mr.
Farrer
that
the
red
berries
of
the
mountain-ash
probably
singled
it
out
from
among
trees
for
worship
long
before
our
ancestors
had
arrived
at
any
idea
of
abstract
divinities.
The
beauty
of
its
berries,
added
to
their
brilliant
red
colour,
would
naturally
excite
feelings
of
admiration
and
awe,
and
hence
it
would
in
process
of
time
become
invested
with
a
sacred
significance.
It
must
be
remembered,
too,
that
all
over
the
world
there
is
a
regard
for
things
red,
this
colour
having
been
once
held
sacred
to
Thor,
and
Grimm
suggests
that
it
was
on
this
account
the
robin
acquired
its
sacred
character.
Similarly,
the
Highland
women
tie
a
piece
of
red
worsted
thread
round
their
cows'
tails
previous
to
turning
them
out
to
grass
for
the
first
time
in
spring,
for,
in
accordance
with
an
old
adage:
Marker
Marker
Fine marker
White-out
Fine white-out
Circle
Paint
Unmarker
Hand
Scalpel
Dice
Sieve
Purify
Undo
Redo
Start over
