Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics: Embracing the Myths, Traditions, Superstitions, and Folk-Lore of the Plant Kingdom

thus accumulated, with a view to its subsequent publication, and I have since been enabled to enrich the collection with much Continental and Indian lore (which I believe is quite unknown to the great majority of English readers) from the vast store to be found in Signor De Gubernatis’ volumes on plant tradition, a French edition of which appeared two years ago, under the title of La Mythologie des Plantes . To render the present work comprehensive and at the same time easy of reference, I have divided the volume into two sections, the first of which is, in point of fact, a digest of the second; and I have endeavoured to enhance its interest by introducing some few reproductions of curious illustrations pertaining to the subjects treated of. Whilst preferring no claim for anything beyond the exercise of considerable industry, I would state that great care and attention has been paid to the revision of the work, and that as I am both author and printer of my book, I am debarred in that dual capacity from even palliating my mistakes by describing them as “errors of the press.” In tendering my acknowledgments to Prof. De Gubernatis and other authors I have consulted on the various branches of my subject, I would draw attention to the annexed list of the principal works to which reference is made in these pages. RICHARD FOLKARD, Jun. Cricklewood , August, 1884 . Principal Works Referred to. Adams, H. C. ‘Flowers; their Moral, Language, and Poetry.’ Albertus Magnus. De Mirabilibus Mundi. Aldrovandus. Ornithologia. Bacon, Lord. ‘ Sylva Sylvarum ,’ and ‘Essay on Gardens.’ Bauhin, C. De plantis a divis sanctisve nomen habentibus (1591). Brand, J. ‘Popular Antiquities.’ Bright, H. A. ‘A Year in a Lancashire Garden.’ Campbell, J. F. ‘Tales of the Western Highlands.’ ‘Choice Notes from Notes and Queries .’ Coles, W. ‘Adam in Eden’ (1657); and ‘The Art of Simpling’ (1656). ‘The Compleat English Gardener’ (1683). ‘The Countryman’s Recreation’ (1640). Croker, T. C. ‘Fairy Legends of the South of Ireland.’ Culpeper, N. ‘British Herbal.’ Cutts, Rev. E. ‘Decoration of Churches.’ Darwin, E. ‘The Botanic Garden’: a Poem. Dasent, Sir G. W. ‘Popular Tales from the Norse.’ Daubeny, C. ‘Trees and Shrubs of the Ancients.’ Day, Rev. Lal Behari. ‘Folk-Tales of Bengal.’ De Gubernatis, A. La Mythologie des Plantes; ou les Légendes du Règne Végétal. Dixon, W. G. ‘The Land of the Morning:…