the spirit and makes it 'arid'; and
for this reason, adds the saint, it should never be eaten but under
great necessity.

"It is true that as a remedy against the dejection caused by myrrh we
may apply the 'hymelsloszel' (Himmelschluessel), which is--or appears to
be--_Primula officinalis_, the cowslip, whose bunches of fragrant yellow
blossoms are to be seen in moist woods and meadows. This plant is
'warm,' and imbibes its qualities from the light. Hence it can drive
away melancholy, which, says St. Hildegarde, spoils men's good manners,
making them utter speech contrary to God, on hearing which words the
spirits of the air gather about him who has spoken them, and finally
drive him mad.

"I may also tell you of the mandragora, a plant 'warm and watery,' that
may symbolize the human being it resembles; and it is more susceptible
than all other plants to the suggestion of the devil; but I would rather
quote a recipe that you might perhaps think useful.

"Here is our Abbess's prescription _a propos_ to the iris or lily: Take
the tip of the root, bruise it in rancid fat, heat this ointment and rub
it on any who are afflicted with red or white leprosy, and they will
soon be healed.

"But enough of these old-world recipes and counter-charms; we will study
the symbolism of plants.

"Flowers in general are emblematic of what is good. According to Durand
of Mende, both flowers and trees represent good works, of which the
virtues are the roots; according to Honorius, the hermit, green herbs
are for wisdom; those in flower are for progress; those in fruit are the
perfect souls; finally, we are told by old treatises on symbolical
theology that all plants embody the allegory of the Resurrection, while
the idea of eternity attaches more particularly to the vine, the cedar
and the palm."

"And you may add," the Abbe Gevresin put in, "that in the Psalms the
palm figures the righteous man, while according to the interpretation of
Gregory the Great its rugged bark and the golden strings of dates are
emblematical of the wood of the Cross, hard to the touch, but bearing
fruit that is sweet to those who are worthy to taste them."

"Well," said Durtal, "but supposing that Madame Bavoil should wish to
plant a liturgical garden, what should she select for it?

"Can we, to begin with, compose a dictionary of plants representing the
capital sins and their antithetical virtues, sketch a basis of
operations, and pick out by certain rul