T
-ti :
m
•)
® ^ f ^ i ^I^®l^®g^® ^"i^s5 * ^ .sm is ^ S !i^ * ^ i
C H A P T E R V I I I .
p P a n t / tP ie ©e'S^iP,
E have seen, in a former chapter, how intimate has
been the association between flowers and the
Fairies, Pixies, or Elves, and, therefore, it is not
surprising to find that the King of Fairies, Puck,
has a plant specially dedicated to him. This is
the Lycoperdon, or Puckfist. Dr. Prior points out
that in some old works Puck, who has the credit
of being partial to coarse practical jokes, is
alluded to as no other than the Devil. His very name would seem
to be derived from Pogge, a toad, which in popular opinion was the
impersonation of the D e v il: hence Toadstools, Pixie-stools, or
Paddock-stools, were thought to be but Devil’s droppings—the
work of those Elves
“ Whose pastime
Is to make moonlight Mushrooms.”
In Sussex, the Puff-ball is called Puck’s Stool, and the needle of
the Scandix Pecten is called Pook-needle.
Loki, the Scandinavian malignant spirit, possesses many of
the characteristics of Puck, and is in point of fact the Devil of the
old Norse mythology. In Jutland, Polytfichuwi cowimune is called
Loki’s Oats, and the Yellow Rattle is known there as Loki’s Pursq.
The Trolls, a race of gigantic demons, or evil spirits, spoken of in
Northern mythology, have given their name to the Globe-flower
(Tvollins), which is also known as the Troll-flower, probably on
account of its acrid and poisonous qualities having suggested its
use by these followers of the Devil.
Speaking generally, trees, plants, and herbs of evil omen may
be placed in the category of plants of the Devil, and amongst them
must be included such as have the reputation of being accursed,
enchanted, unlucky, and sorrowful. The plants dedicated to
Hecate, the Grecian goddess of Hell, who presided over magic
and enchantments, as well as those made use of by her daughters
Medea and Circe, in their sorceries, were all satanic. Circe was
specially distinguished for her knowledge of venomous herbs, and
in later times the plants used by her were universally employed by
witches and sorcerers in their incantations. The spells of wizards,
magicians, witches, and others who were acquainted with the
secrets appertaining to the black art, were always made in the
name of the D e v il: hence all herbs and plants employed by them
became veritable plants of the Devil. These plants are particularised
in the chapter on Plants of the Witches.
The belief that certain trees are haunted by the Devil, or
by malignant demons who act as his satellites, is of world-wide
extent, and, in connection with tree spirits, the subject has been
incidentally touched upon in the previous chapter, A Russian
proverb says that “ From all old trees proceeds either an owl or a
D e v il; ” and in many countries where a tree becomes old and past
bearing, its sterility is attributed to a demon. The Albanians
believe that trees are haunted by Devils which they call a'erico.
Certain trees are especially affected by these aerial demons : these
are the Fig, the Walnut, the wild Plum, the Mulberry, the Sycamore,
the Pimpernel, the Willow, and in general all fruit trees (but
especially the Cherry) when they are old and cease to bear. As
regards sterile fruit trees, the belief that they are haunted by Devils
is common to many countries. In some parts of England, Blackberries
are never picked after Michaelmas-day, when the Devil is
supposed to stamp them with his hoof. Mrs. Latham has .told us
that the watchfulness of the Devil makes it dangerous to' go out
nutting on a Sunday, and worthy mothers may be heard warning
their children against k by assuring them that if they do so, “ the
Devil will hold down the branches for them.” Mr. Sawyer has
pointed out that the Sussex saying, “ as black as the Devil’s nutting
3ag,” is associated with this belief. St. Ouen, writing in the 17th
century, cautioned shepherds and others never to let their flocks
pass a hollow tree, because by some means or other the Devil
was sure to have taken possession of it.
Moore, in ‘ The Light of the Harani,’ speaks of the Siltim, a
demon which is thought to haunt the forests of Persia, and to lurk
among the trees in human form. The Indian demons hhiitiis and
pigacds are represented as dwelling in trees.
In the vicinity of Mount Etna the country people have a very
strong aversion to sleep beneath trees on St. John’s Eve, lest they
should become possessed of an evil spirit ; for according to popular
tradition, on that night-—the shortest of the year—the demons
inhabiting trees and plants quit their leafy habitations, and seek
refuge in the first object they come across.
In Germany, numerous demons are recognised as dwelling
in trees ; and, according to Prof. Mannhardt, whole troops of
emissaries of the Devil are thought to haunt the fields, and lurk
among the crops of Wheat and vegetables. Among the most
noticeable of this satanic legion are the Aprilochse, a demon infesting
the fields in April; Auesau, or Sow of the Wheatsheaf,
a spirit which lies concealed among the Corn ; Baumesel, a goblin
! '
i"
V
\
!1 .‘1ij
1 t