while in Wales it is popularly known as "Flowering Sunday," because
persons assemble in the churchyard and spread fresh flowers upon the
graves of their friends and relatives.
In Germany, on Palm Sunday, the palm is credited with mystic
virtues; and if as many twigs, as there are women of a family, be thrown
on a fire--each with a name inscribed on it--the person whose leaf burns
soonest will be the first to die.
On Good Friday, in the North of England, an herb pudding was
formerly eaten, in which the leaves of the passion-dock (Polygonum
bistorta) formed the principal ingredient. In Lancashire fig-sue is made, a
mixture consisting of sliced figs, nutmeg, ale, and bread.
Wreaths of elder are hung up in Germany after sunset on Good
Friday, as charms against lightning; and in Swabia a twig of hazel cut on
this day enables the possessor to strike an absent person. In the Tyrol,
too, the hazel must be cut on Good Friday to be effectual as a divining-
rod. A Bohemian charm against fleas is curious. During Holy Week a leaf
of palm must be placed behind a picture of the Virgin, and on Easter
morning taken down with this formula: "Depart, all animals without
bones." If this rite is observed there will be no more fleas in the house for
the remainder of the year.
Of the flowers associated with Eastertide may be mentioned the
garden daffodil and the purple pasque flower, another name for the
anemone (Anemone pulsatilla), in allusion to the Passover and Paschal
ceremonies. White broom is also in request, and indeed all white flowers
are dedicated to this festival. On Easter Day the Bavarian peasants make
garlands of coltsfoot and throw them into the fire; and in the district of
Lechrain every household brings to the sacred fire which is lighted at
Easter a walnut branch, which, when partially burned, is laid on the
hearth-fire during tempests as a charm against lightning. In Slavonian
regions the palm is supposed to specially protect the locality where it
grows from inclement weather and its hurtful effects; while, in
Pomerania, the apple is eaten against fevers.
In Bareuth young girls go at midnight on Easter Day to a fountain
silently, and taking care to escape notice, throw into the water little
willow rings with their friends' names inscribed thereon, the person
whose ring sinks the quickest being the first to die.
In years past the milkwort (Polygala vulgaris), from being carried in
procession during Rogation Week, was known by such names as the
rogation-flower, gang-flower, procession-flower, and cross-flower, a
custom noticed by Gerarde, who tells us how, "the maidens which use in
the countries to walke the procession do make themselves garlands and
nosegaies of the milkwort."
On Ascension Day the Swiss make wreaths of the edelweisse,
hanging them over their doors and windows; another plant selected for
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