number of absolutely dissimilar senses which the oldest symbolists
attribute to the buckthorn. Saint Methodus uses it for virginity;
Theodoret for sin; Saint Jerome ascribes it to the devil; and Saint
Bernard takes it as symbolizing humility. Again, in the '_Theologia
Symbolica_' of Maximilian Sandaeus, this shrub is made to signify the
worldly prelacy, while the olive, vine, and fig, with which the author
contrasts it, are the contemplative Orders. In this, no doubt, we may
see an allusion to the thorns which Bishops were not always unready to
thrust on the long-suffering Heads of monasteries.

"You have forgotten, too, in the blazonry of your chapel, the reed which
formed the sceptre of mockery forced into the Son's hands. But the reed,
like the buckthorn, is a sort of Jack-of-all-trades. Saint Melito
defines it as the Incarnation and the Scriptures; Raban Maur as the
Preacher, the hypocrite, and the Gentiles; Saint Eucher as the sinner;
the Anonymous monk of Clairvaux as Christ; and others which I have
forgotten."

"These are many meanings for a single plant," observed Durtal. "But now
if we want to specialize some chapels as dedicated to saints, nothing
can be easier; at any rate, for such as have lent their names to plants.

"For instance, the Valerian, known as Herb Saint George, the white
flower with a hollow stem, which grows in moist, places, and its popular
name is quite intelligible since it was used in treating nervous
diseases, for which the saint's intercession was invoked.

"Then we have the plant or plants dedicated to Saint Roch: the
pennyroyal, and two species of _Inula_, one with bright yellow flowers,
a purgative that cures the itch. Formerly on Saint Roch's day branches
of this herb were blessed and hung in the cow-houses to preserve the
cattle from epidemics.

"Saint Anne's wort, a humble creeper, the samphire--an emblem of
poverty.

"Herb Barbara, the winter-cress, a cruciferous plant, anti-scorbutic--a
poverty-stricken flower, creeping along the wayside like a beggar.

"To Saint Fiacre is dedicated the mullein, with its emollient leaves;
boiled to make a poultice, it relieves colic, which this saint has a
reputation for curing.

"Saint Stephen's wort is the enchanter's nightshade, a beneficent plant
with red berries on a hairy stem. And there are many others.

"For the crypt, supposing we dig one out, it must certainly be filled
with the trees mentioned in the Old Testament, of which