this, but it is clearly an ancient magical practice, based on the theory of the powers of mandrake as an antidote.

In view of what has been stated with regard to the taming of beasts by Kirké, and the doctrine of charm and countercharm, we need have little hesitation in saying that if the Greek gods, as Dionysos and Artemis, are affirmed to have tamed wild panthers, lions, etc., there is no need to remove the operations of these deities from the catalogue of herbs used in medicine. The only difficulty lies in the determination of the particular herbs that may be involved in the subjection of any particular wild beast. All we can do is to collect the primitive stimulants and anti-stimulants and to infer that this herb will make a man into a beast, and the counter herb will turn a beast into the gentleness of a man. Some of these herbs have already come to light in a preceding inquiry.

THE MUGWORT IN ANGLO-SAXON MEDICINE.

It will be interesting to register some of the references to the mugwort as medicine which occur in the Anglo-Saxon medical works. In Cockayne's Anglo-Saxon Leechdoms we shall find a number of these books of healing and of charm translated. Here are some extracts :—

66

This

(i. p. 103.) (Artemisia Vulgaris) Mugwort XI. (Midgewort). wort, which is called Artemisia and by another name mugwort, is produced in stony places and in sandy places. Then if any propose a journey, let him take to him in hand this wort Artemisia, and let him have it with him, then he will not feel much toil in his journey. And it also puts to flight devil-sickness (demoniac possession); and in the house in which he hath it within, it forbiddeth evil leechcrafts, and also it turneth away the 'evil' of evil men. For sore of inwards, take the same wort, and mix it with new beer; give it to drink, soon it relieves the sore of the inwards. For sore of the feet, take the same wort, and pound it with lard, lay it to the feet; it removes the soreness of the feet.”

eyes

(Artemisia dranunculus) Mugwort XII. (The Saxon says Herba Artemisia traganthes (1. taygetes) that is mugwort.) "For sore of the bladder, and in case that a man cannot pass water, take juice of this wort, which is also called mugwort; it is, however, of another sort; and boil it in hot water or in wine, and give it to drink.

"For sore of thighs, take this same wort, and pound it with lard, and wash it well with vinegar, bind it next to the sore; and on the third day it will be well with them.

"For sore of sinews and for swelling take the same wort Artemisia; pound it with oil well boiled; lay it thereto, it heals wonderfully.

"If one be much and heavily troubled with gout, then take two roots of this same wort, give them to eat in honey, and soon after he will be healed and cleansed, so that thou wilt not think that it (the wort) has so great efficacy.

"If one be affected with fevers, let him take the juice of this same wort with oil, and smear it (on him); it soon will do away the fever."

(Artemisis Pontica) Mugwort XIII. "This wort the third which is called Meπtópuλλos, and by another name mugwort, is produced about ditches and on old barrows. If thou breakest the blossoms, it has a flavour as elder.

"For sore of the maw take this wort and pound it, and boil it well with oil of almond, in the manner that thou wouldest work a plaister, put it then on a clean cloth and lay it thereto; within five days he will be whole. And if a root of this wort be hung over the door of any house, then may not any man damage the house.

"For quaking of the sinews take juice of the same wort, mixed with oil, smear them then therewith; they will cease the quaking and it will take away all the mischief. Verily of these three worts, which we named Artemisias, it is said that Diana should find (found) them, and delivered their powers and leechdoms to Chiron, the Centaur, who first from these worts set forth a leechdom, and he named these roots from the name of Diana, 'Apreμioía, that is Artemisias.

All the foregoing mixture of magic and medicine, agreeing closely with Dioscorides, is taken from the Herbarium of Apuleius.

Note especially the cure of gout and of travel-weariness.

In the same collection we shall find in a book of recipes (vol. iii. 31) there is a charm to be said over mugwort, as follows:

Have a mind, mugwort,
What thou mentionedst,
What thou preparedst
At the prime telling.
Una thou highest
Eldest of worts :

Thou hast might for three
And against thirty;

For venom availest,

For flying vile things,
Mighty against loathed ones

That through the land rove.

Other herbs are addressed in somewhat similar language: we note the

underlying mater herbarum ("eldest of worts") as a description of mugwort.

In a leech-book (vol. ii. p. 155 of the same collection from the MS.. Reg. 12 D. XVII) we again find the use of mugwort to travellers emphasised, as follows::

"For mickle travelling overland, lest he tire, let him take mugwort to him in hand, or put it into his shoe, lest he should weary, and when he will pluck it before the upgoing of the sun, let him say first these words, 'I will take thee, Artemisia, lest I be weary on the way etc.'. Sign it with the sign of the cross, when thou pullest it up.'

A pretty transition from pagan medicine to Christian!