, quoted by Mr. Thiselton-Dyer,
says that when tempestuous weather is coming the clover will 'start and
rise up as if it were afraid of an assault.'

It is probable that the association of good luck with the four-bladed
clover arose from its fancied resemblance to the cross. Support is given
to this hypothesis by the traditional origin of the shamrock as the
badge of Ireland. In the account given of St. Patrick in The Book of
Days, it is stated that once when the Saint wanted to illustrate the
doctrine of the Trinity to his pagan hearers, he plucked a piece of the
common white clover. Now, it seems that the trefoil is called
_shamrakh_ in Arabic, and was held sacred in Persia. And it is
remarkable that Pliny says the trefoil is an antidote against the bites
of snakes and scorpions. It is not by any means certain that the common
clover was the original shamrock of Ireland; and even to this day many
claim the title for the wood-sorrel. Still, for fifty years, at any
rate, the popular belief has been that the trefoil-clover is the plant
which was plucked by St. Patrick, who drove out the snakes from Ireland,
who is still her patron-saint, and whose badge is worn to this day.

But how did the name come from Arabia, and what is the connection
between Pliny's theory and the legend, of St. Patrick's victory over the
vermin? These remain among the unsolved mysteries of folk-lore.

With the emblem of Scotland--the thistle--not so many classical
associations and active superstitions are to be found, but yet it is not
devoid of folk-lore. Of course opinions differ as to what was or is the
true Scotch thistle, but of the several varieties of thistles many
beliefs are entertained. One variety--the Carline--is esteemed in some
parts as a barometer, as it closes up when rain is approaching. In
Tartary there is a variety which grows to such a size that it is planted
for shelter on the windward side of the huts on the Steppes. This
thistle is called the 'Wind Witch,' because, after the heat of the
summer is past, the dried portions take the form of a ball, with which
the spirits are supposed to make merry in the autumnal gales.

The origin of the name thistle is probably Scandinavian, and associated
with Thor. The plant was, at any rate, sacred to the Scandinavian god,
and was believed by the old Vikings to receive the colour of the
lightning into its blossom, which thereupon became endowed with high
curative and protective virtues.