CHAPTER XXIX

NAMES AND SUPERSTITIONS

Giving names the first amusement--Curious and odd names--A spiteful naturalist--The melancholy Bartzia--Common names--British orchids--Dancing girls and columbines--Susans--Biblical names--Almond, apple, locust--Spikenard--Tares--Effects of darnel--Daffodil--Acanthus leaf--Ghost-disturbing branches--Elder or bour tree--Its powers and medicinal advantage--Danewort--Mandrake--How to pull it up--The insane root--Its properties--Plants which make bones pink--The betel nut--Henna--Egyptian and Persian uses--Castor oil--Leeks, onions, and garlic--Ancient use of them 363

INDEX 375

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

FACE PAGE

I. A SENTINEL PALM IN THE ANDREAS CAÑON, CALIFORNIA 24

II. THE GARDEN OF EDEN 32

III. A GIANT DOUGLAS FIR 40

IV. A DRAGON TREE IN THE CANARY ISLANDS 48

V. SHOOTING THE HOZU RAPIDS IN JAPAN 52

VI. A FOREST FIRE 66

VII. THRASHING CORN IN CHILE 83

VIII. WISTARIA IN KAMAIDO PARK, JAPAN 98

IX. GATHERING OLIVES IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE 108

X. THE EGYPTIAN QUEEN HATARU'S EXPEDITION 113

XI. WEIGHING THE DAY'S WORK 120

XII. A TOBACCO PLANTATION IN CUBA 127

XIII. GIANT CACTUS NEAR ACONCAGUA VALLEY, CHILE 134

XIV. THEN 146

XV. AND NOW 147

XVI. A RICEFIELD IN CHINA 160

XVII. CULTIVATED BAMBOO IN A CHINESE PLANTATION 178

XVIII. CALTHROPS 185

XIX. A LEAF RAFT 205

XX. FELLING OF GIANT TREES IN CALIFORNIA 215

XXI. A BUSHMAN DIGGING UP ELEPHANT'S FOOT 220

XXII. PINEAPPLES AS A FIELD CROP 240

XXIII. BANANA CARRIERS IN JAMAICA 248

XXIV. A COCOANUT GROVE IN CEYLON 259

XXV. COTTON-FIELDS IN GEORGIA, U.S.A. 265

XXVI. RICEFIELDS IN THE CEYLON HILLS 272

XXVII. SUGAR CANE IN QUEENSLAND 279

XXVIII. GATHERING RUBBER IN TEHUANTEPEC 304

XXIX. A LIVING BRIDGE 313

XXX. IN A KENTISH HOP GARDEN 316

XXXI. CINNAMON PEELING IN CEYLON 331

XXXII. FUNGUS IN CATERPILLAR 340

XXXIII. AN ARCTIC ALPINE PLANT 354

XXXIV. LAKE DWELLINGS IN EARLY BRITAIN 359

THE ROMANCE OF PLANT LIFE