CHAPTER VI.
PLANTS IN DEMONOLOGY.
The association of certain plants with the devil forms an extensive
and important division in their folk-lore, and in many respects is closely
connected with their mystic history. It is by no means easy always to
account for some of our most beautiful flowers having Satanic
surroundings, although frequently the explanation must be sought in
their poisonous and deadly qualities. In some cases, too, the student of
comparative mythology may trace their evil reputation to those early
traditions which were the expressions of certain primitive beliefs, the
survivals of which nowadays are found in many an apparently
meaningless superstition. Anyhow, the subject is a very wide one, and is
equally represented in most countries. It should be remembered,
moreover, that rudimentary forms of dualism--the antagonism of a good
and evil deity[1]--have from a remote period occupied men's minds, a
system of belief known even among the lower races of mankind. Hence,
just as some plants would in process of time acquire a sacred character,
others would do the reverse. Amongst the legendary stories and
folktales of most countries we find frequent allusion to the devil as an
active agent in utilising various flowers for his mischievous pursuits;
and on the Continent we are told of a certain evil spirit named Kleure
who transforms himself into a tree to escape notice, a superstition which
under a variety of forms still lingers here and there.[2] It would seem,
too, that in some of our old legends and superstitions the terms Puck and
Devil are synonymous, a circumstance which explains the meaning,
otherwise unintelligible, of many items of plant-lore in our own and
other countries. Thus the word "Puck" has been identified with Pogge --
toad, under which form the devil was supposed to be personified; and
hence probably originated such expressions as toadstools, paddock-
stools, &c. The thorns of the eglantine are said to point downwards,
because when the devil was excluded from heaven he tried to regain his
lost position by means of a ladder composed of its thorns. But when the
eglantine was only allowed to grow as a bush, out of spite he placed its
thorns in their present eccentric position. The seed of the parsley, "is apt
to come up only partially, according as the devil takes his tithe of it."[3]
In Germany "devil's oaks" are of frequent occurrence, and "one of these
at Gotha is held in great regard."[4] and Gerarde, describing the vervain,
with its manifold mystic virtues, says that "the devil did reveal it as a
secret and divine medicine." Belladonna, writes Mr. Conway, is
esteemed in Bohemia a favourite plant of the devil, who watches it, but