Each fog, each blight, and dedicate to peace
Thy classic shade."
In Sweden the miliary fever is said by the peasantry to be caused by
the elf-mote or meeting with elves, as a remedy for which the lichen
aphosus or lichen caninus is sought.
The toadstools often found near these so-called fairy-rings were also
thought to be their workmanship, and in some localities are styled pixy-
stools, and in the North of Wales "fairy-tables," while the "cheeses," or
fruit of the mallow, are known in the North of England as "fairy-
cheeses."
A species of wood fungus found about the roots of old trees is
designated "fairy-butter," because after rain, and when in a certain
degree of putrefaction, it is reduced to a consistency which, together
with its colour, makes it not unlike butter. The fairy-butter of the Welsh
is a substance found at a great depth in cavities of limestone rocks.
Ritson, in his "Fairy Tales," speaking of the fairies who frequented many
parts of Durham, relates how "a woman who had been in their society
challenged one of the guests whom she espied in the market selling
fairy-butter," an accusation, however, which was deeply resented.
Browne, in his "Britannia's Pastorals," makes the table on which they
feast consist of:
"A little mushroom, that was now grown thinner
By being one time shaven for the dinner."
Fairies have always been jealous of their rights, and are said to resent
any infringement of their privileges, one of these being the property of
fruit out of season. Any apples, too, remaining after the crop has been
gathered in, they claim as their own; and hence, in the West of England,
to ensure their goodwill and friendship, a few stray ones are purposely
left on the trees. This may partially perhaps explain the ill-luck of
plucking flowers out of season[8]. A Netherlandish piece of folk-lore
informs us that certain wicked elves prepare poison in some plants.
Hence experienced shepherds are careful not to let their flocks feed after
sunset. One of these plants, they say, is nightwort, "which belongs to the
elves, and whoever touches it must die[9]." The disease known in Poland
as "elf-lock" is said to be the work of evil fairies or demons, and is cured
by burying thistle-seed in the ground. Similarly, in Iceland, says Mr.
Conway, "the farmer guards the grass around his field lest the elves
abiding in them invade his crops." Likewise the globe-flower has been
designated the troll-flower, from the malignant trolls or elves, on account
of its poisonous qualities. On the other hand, the Bavarian peasant has a
notion that the elves are very fond of strawberries; and in order that they