The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-01
LORE OF THE MIsTLEToE.
How 1t Was Viewed by Druids and
 Scandinavians.

How It Was Viewed by Druids and
 Scandinavians.
 New York Tribune. The Christmas season never S3fs, during the period of its annual vista ton, to renovate the unfiagging peren- nial interest in it's usual mistletoe ceremonies, says American Medicine. The almost weird attraction which the unique individuality of this member of the vegetable kingdom has secured In the folklore as well as in the botanic and even medical--literature of so many countries for period of more than 2,000 years. may we'll furnish food for reflection to the philosopher as well as to the scientist. The writings or Theophrastus and of the elder Pliny prove that even before the dawn of the Christian era the viscum album was not only an object of wondering and curious inquiry to the scientific botan- ist and a factor of special importance in the hands of the epterprising bird catcher; 1t was highly accredited team of the therapeutic armamentarium and an object of the most devout atten- tion to the priesthood of Celtic DrutdA ism and of their unnunbered followers. In this respect 1t rivalled the lotos of the ''CelestiaT' and the (ancient) Egyp- tian Empires, It's prominence far out shining that of the Irish shamrock or of the Swiss edelweiss in later times. Tn his encyclopedia compilation of the knowledge of natural history obtain able from the literature and the folk lore of the nations of antiquity. Caius Plinius Secundus informs his readers that. as ivy destroys the vitality of the trees to which 1t clings;
 The like is to bee said Gin some sorO of the Misselto. although 1t Is generally f that fha harnna fharehV is not so soon seen"
 Then he proceeds to observe;
 And this you must thinke, that this Misselto Is not to be taken for the fruit of tree. and therefore as great won der it Is in nature as any other; for some things there be, that not willing to grow out of the earth, engender in trees & having no proper place of their own habitation to seat themselves in. sojourn as it were & make their abode with others. and of this nature Is the Misselto."
 And after enumeration of the names and respective habitats of the other known parasitic plants, the grand old natural annalist goes on to say Gin the quaint language of Philemon Hollands version)
 But to return againe to Misselto. there bee three kinds thereof. For that WnlCn BFOWeln on the FtIIS 1uN Larch tree is called Stetis in Euboea, and Hyphear in Arcadia And as for that which properly is Misselto, in deed. most men are of opinion, that 1t groweth fast to the common Oke. tho wild Robur, the Holme. wild Plumtree, and the Terebinth, and not lightly on any other trees. Howbeit. in greatest plenty it is seen upon the Oke, and that Is named Dryos Hyphear. A difference there is in the Hyphear and Misselto. on what tree soeuer they are found (except the Holm and common Oke) In regard of the sauor. which is strong and stinking In the one more than the other. The leafe of them both hath no pleasant smel. and in the Misselto it, Is bitter, clammy. and viscous be- sides. There Is moreouer. by mems saying. another difference in Mis- selto-for that which groweth vpon trees, shedding their leaues in winter Ioseth also his owne leaues; but com trariwise, it continueth always green ypon such as hold their leaues all the yeare long. Moreouer, set or SOW this Misselto in what way soeuer you will, 1t will neuer take and grow; 1t comes