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G O R S E .—The Whin Gorse, or Furze (Ulex)—“ the nevep
bloomless Furze ’’—caused Dillenius the greatest delight', and is
said to have so affefled Linnseus, when he first came to England
and saw a common covered with its golden blossoms, that he fell
down on his knees in a rapture at the sight, and thanked God for
its loveliness. He attempted in vain to introduce it into Sweden ;
but although hardy enough in England, yet it would not grow even
in the garden in which Linnaeus planted it. The old English
names for this shrub were Fursbush, Furrs, Whins, and Goss.------
Gorse is held to be under the dominion of Mars.
G O R Y -D EW .—A minute Alga bears the name of Gory-dew
from its resemblance to blood-drops. During the Middle Ages, it
caused much dismay by appearing like a sudden shower of blood,
and it was thought to portend battle, murder, and sudden death.
G R A S S .—In India, several kinds of Grass, such as the Kusa,
a species of Andropogon, and Eragrostis, are held sacred by the
Hindus, and employed in their temples. In Prussia, the northern
Holy Grass (Holcus odoratus) is used for strewing the floors of
churches at Whitsuntide. In some parts of Germany, Holy Grass
(Hierochloe borealis) is strewn before church doors on holidays.------
Wheat would appear to be only the cultivated form of the AEgihps,
a Grass infesting Barley-fields on the shores of the Mediterranean.
Grip-grass [Galium Aparine) is so called from its gripping or seizing
with its hooked prickles whatever comes in its way. The Potentilla
reptans is called Five-Finger Grass, on account of its five leaflets.
The only poisonous Grass (Darnel) is supposed to be the Tares of the
Scriptures: Linnseus says of this Grass [Lolium temulentum) that if
the seeds are baked in bread it is very hurtful, and if malted with
Barley it produces giddinness. In Norfolk, coarse marshy Grass
is called Hassock, hence the application of this name to church hassocks,
which are often made of a large Sedge, the Carex paniculata.
In connexion with Tussack-grass [Aira cespitosa), Mr. Sikes
relates the following tradition current in Wales:—The son of a
farmer at Drws Coed was permitted to marry a fairy-wife on condition
that she should never be touched by iron. They had several
children, and lived happily enough until one unfortunate day her
horse sank in the deep mire, and as her husband was helping her
to remount, his stirrup struck her knee. At once sweet singing
was heard on the hill top, and she was parted from him ; but,
though no longer allowed to walk the earth with man, she used to
haunt the turf lake (Llyn y dywarchen). This lake has moving
islands of Tussack-grass, like Derwentwater, so on one of these
islands she used to stand for hours and hold converse with her
bereaved husband. “ Fairy Rings ” is the popular name for the
circles of dark-green Grass occasionally seen on grassy downs and
old pastures, round which, according to popular belief, the
“ Elfe-queen, with her jolly compagnie,
Danced full oft in many a grene mede.”
On this dark Grass rustic superstition avers that no sheep or lamb
will browse. Disregarding the poetical charm which lingers
around the fairy superstition, and oblivious of the poet’s asseveration
that—
“ O f old the merry elves ivere seen
Pacing with printless feet the dewy green,”
some naturalists have ascribed the phenomenon of these rings to
lightning ; others to the work of ants ; and others, again, to the
growth of a small esculent Fungus called Agaricus Orcades. However,
Edmund Jones, a celebrated preacher, of Monmouth, who in
1813 wrote a book on apparitions, declares that in St. Matthew
xii., 43, is to be found an authority for the popular belief. He says,
“ The fairy rings are found in dry places, and the Scripture saith
that the walk of evil spirits is in dry places.” In Sussex, elves
and fairies are sometimes called “ Pharisees ” by the countryfolk, and
in Tarberry Hill, on Harting, are Pharisees’ rings, where the simple
people say the Pharisees dance on Midsummer Eve. To dream
of Grass is a good omen; if the Grass be fresh and green, the dream
portends long life, good luck, and great wealth; but if withered and
decayed, misfortunes and sickness may be expefled, if not the death
of loved ones. To dream of cutting Grass betokens great troubles.
G R O U N D H E E L E .—This plant, known in Germany as
Grundheil, and in France as Herbe aux Ladres, is identified by Docflor
Prior with Veronica officinalis, which he says was so called from its
having cured a king of France of a leprosy, from which he had
suffered some eight years—a disease, called in Germany, grind.
Quoting from Brunschwygk, our author tells us that a shepherd
had seen a stag, whose hind quarter was covered with a scabby
eruption from the bite of a wolf, cure itself by eating of this plant,
and rolling itself upon i t ; and that thereupon he recommended the
king to try it.
G r o u n d - I v y .— See Ivy.
G R O U N D S E L .—The Senecio vulgaris is called, in Scotland,
Grundy Swallow, a term derived from the Anglo-Saxon word
grundswelge, ground glutton, and of which Groundsel is evidently a
corruption, Senecio Saracenicus is said to have been used by the
Saracens in the cure of wounds. Common Groundsel has the
power of softening water if it be poured while boiling on the plant.
The Highland women often wear a piece of its root as an amulet
to guard them from the E v il Eye. A bunch of Groundsel worn
on the bare bosom was formerly reputed to be an efficacious
charm against the ague. Pliny prescribes Groundsel for the toothache.
A root must be pulled up, and a portion of it cut off with
a sharp razor; then the Groundsel must be immediately replanted,
and the excised portion applied three or four times to the ailing
tooth. A cure is probable, says Pliny, provided the mutilated and
replanted Groundsel should thrive: if otherwise, the tooth will