CHAPTER XV.
FABULOUS PLANTS.
The curious traditions of imaginary plants found amongst most
nations have partly a purely mythological origin. Frequently, too, they
may be attributed to the exaggerated accounts given by old travellers,
who, "influenced by a desire to make themselves famous, have gone so
far as to pretend that they saw these fancied objects." Anyhow, from
whatever source sprung, these productions of ignorance and superstition
have from a very early period been firmly credited. But, like the accounts
given us of fabulous animals, they have long ago been acknowledged as
survivals of popular errors, which owed their existence to the absence of
botanical knowledge.
We have elsewhere referred to the great world tree, and of the
primitive idea of a human descent from trees. Indeed, according to the
early and uncultured belief of certain communities, there were various
kinds of animal-producing trees, accounts of which are very curious.
Among these may be mentioned the vegetable lamb, concerning which
olden writers have given the most marvellous description. Thus Sir John
Maundeville, who in his "Voyage and Travel" has recorded many
marvellous sights which either came under his notice, or were reported
to him during his travels, has not omitted to speak of this remarkable
tree. Thus, to quote his words:--"There groweth a manner of fruit as
though it were gourdes; and when they be ripe men cut them in two, and
men find within a little beast, in flesh, in bone, and blood--as though it
were a little lamb withouten wolle--and men eat both the fruit and the
beast, and that is a great marvel; of that fruit I have eaten although it
were wonderful; but that I know well that God is marvellous in His
works." Various accounts have been given of this wondrous plant, and in
Parkinson's "Paradisus" it is represented as one of the plants which grew
in the Garden of Eden. Its local name is the Scythian or Tartarian Lamb;
and, as it grows, it might at a short distance be taken for an animal rather
than a vegetable production. It is one of the genus Polypodium; root
decumbent, thickly clothed with a very soft close hoal, of a deep yellow
colour. It is also called by the Tartars "Barometz," and a Chinese
nickname is "Rufous dog." Mr. Bell, in his "Journey to Ispahan," thus
describes a specimen which he saw:--"It seemed to be made by art to
imitate a lamb. It is said to eat up and devour all the grass and weeds
within its reach. Though it may be thought that an opinion so very
absurd could never find credit with people of the meanest
understanding, yet I have conversed with some who were much inclined