oreover, if we admit that the sculptors of the thirteenth century
introduced the acanthus on account of its emollient qualities, the oak
because it is emblematic of strength, and the water-lily because its
broad leaves are accepted as a figure of charity, we ought no less to
conclude that at the end of the fifteenth century, when the mystery of
symbolism was not as yet altogether lost, the toothed bunches of curled
cabbage, of thistles and other deeply-cut leaves mingling with
true-love-knots, as in the church at Brou, might have had some meaning.
But it is perfectly certain that these vegetable forms were chosen only
for their elaborately elegant growth, and the fragile and mannered grace
of their outline. Otherwise we might assert that this later ornament has
a different tale to tell from that set forth in the flora of Reims and
Amiens, Rouen and Chartres.

"In point of fact, the natural form which most frequently occurs in the
capitals of our cathedral--by no means a remarkably flowery one--is the
episcopal crozier as seen in the young shoots of the fern."

"No doubt. But does not the fern bear a symbolical meaning?"

"In a general sense, it is emblematic of humility, evidently in allusion
to its habit of growing as much as possible far from the high road, in
the depths of woods. But by consulting the Treatise of St. Hildegarde we
learn that the plant she calls _Fern_, or bracken, has magical
properties.

"Just as sunshine disperses darkness, says the Abbess of Rupertsberg,
the _Fern_ puts nightmares to flight. The devil hates and flees from it,
and thunder and hail rarely fall on spots where it takes shelter; also
the man who wears it about him escapes witchcraft and spells."

"Then St. Hildegarde made a study of natural history in its relations to
medicine and magic?"

"Yes; but the book remains unknown because it has never yet been
translated.

"She sometimes assigns very singular talismanic virtues to certain
flowers. Would you like some instances?

"According to her, the plantain cures anyone who has eaten or drunk
poison, and the pimpernel has the same virtue when hung round the neck.
Myrrh must be warmed against the body till it is quite soft, and then it
nullifies the wizard's malignant arts, delivers the mind from phantoms,
and is an antidote to philtres. It also puts to flight all lascivious
dreaming, if worn on the breast or the stomach; only, as it eliminates
every carnal suggestion it depresses