Its character as an embodiment of fire is manifested in a remarkable Swedish legend given in Grimm’s ‘German Mythology.’ Some seafaring people, it is said, received an Ash-tree from a giant, with directions to set it upon the altar of a church he wished to destroy. Instead, however, of carrying out his instructions, they placed the Ash on the mound over a grave, which to their astonishment instantly burst into flames. There is an old belief that to prevent pearls from being discoloured, it is sufficient to keep them shut up with a piece of Ash-root. Astrologers appear to be divided in their opinions as to whether the Ash is under the dominion of the Sun or of Jupiter. =ASVATTHA.=--The Indian Veda prescribes that for the purpose of kindling the sacred fire, the wood of an _Asvattha_ (_Ficus religiosa_), growing upon a _Sami_ (_Mimosa Suma_), should be employed. The idea of a marriage suggested by such a union of the two trees is also developed in the Vedas with much minuteness of detail. The process by which, in the Hindu temples, fire is obtained from wood resembles churning. It consists in drilling one piece of wood (the _Asvattha_, symbolising the male element) into another (the _Sami_, representing the female element). This is effected by pulling a string tied to it, with a jerk, with one hand, while the other is slackened, and so alternately until the wood takes fire. The fire is received on cotton or flax held in the hand of an assistant Brahman. This Indian fire-generator is known as the “chark.” (See also SAMI and PEEPUL). =AURICULA.=--The old Latin name of this plant was _Auricula ursi_, from the shape of the leaves resembling a bear’s ear. It is thought to be the _Alisma_ of Dioscorides. Matthiolus and Pena call it _Sanicula Alpina_, from its potency in healing wounds. Old herbalists have also named it _Paralytica_ on account of its being esteemed a remedy for the palsy. Gerarde calls it Bear’s-ear, or Mountain Cowslip, and tells us that the root was in great request among Alpine hunters, for the effect it produced in strengthening the head and preventing giddiness and swimming of the brain overtaking them on high elevations. The plant is reputed to be somewhat carnivorous, and cultivators place juicy pieces of meat about the roots, so that they may absorb the blood.----In Germany, the Auricula is considered emblematical of love of home. =AVAKA.=--The _Avaka_ or _Sîpâla_ is an India aquatic plant, which plays an important part in their funeral ceremonies. It is placed in a cavity made, according to their custom, to the north-east of the sacred fire _Ahavanîya_, and it is believed that the soul of the deceased person passes into this cavity, and thence ascends with the smoke to heaven. The _Avaka_ or _Sîpâla_ forms the food of the Gandharvas, who preside over the India waters. AVENS.--See Herb Bennett.