The populace of Madrid were long accustomed, on St. John’s Eve, to wander about the fields in search of Vervain, from a superstitious notion that this plant possesses preternatural powers when gathered at twelve o’clock on St. John’s Eve. In some parts of Russia the country people heat their baths on the Eve of St. John and place in them the herb _Kunalnitza_ (_Ranunculus_); in other parts they place herbs, gathered on the same anniversary, upon the roofs of houses and stables, as a safeguard against evil spirits. The French peasantry rub the udders of their cows with similar herbs, to ensure plenty of milk, and place them over the doorways of cattle sheds and stables. On the Eve of St. John, Lilies, Orpine, Fennel, and every variety of _Hypericum_ are hung over doors and windows. Garlands of Vervain and Flax are also suspended inside houses; but the true St. John’s garland is composed of seven elements, namely white Lilies, green Birch, Fennel, _Hypericum_, Wormwood, and the legs of game birds: these are believed to have immense power against evil spirits. After daybreak on St. John’s Day it is dangerous to pluck herbs; the gatherer running the risk of being afflicted with cancer. According to Bauhin, the following plants are consecrated to St. John:--First and specially the _Hypericum_, or perforated St. John’s Wort, the _fuga dæmonum_, or devil’s flight, so named from the virtue ascribed to it of frightening away evil spirits, and acting as a charm against witchcraft, enchantment, storms, and thunder. It is also called _Tutsan_, or All-heal, from its virtues in curing all kinds of wounds; and _Sanguis hominis_, because of the blood-red juice of its flowers. The leaves of the common St. John’s Wort are marked with blood-like spots, which alway appear on the 29th of August, the day on which the Baptist was beheaded. The “Flower of St. John” is the _Chrysanthemum_ (Corn Marigold), or, according to others, the _Buphthalmus_ (Ox-Eye) or the _Anacyclus_. Grapes of St. John are Currants. The Belt or Girdle of St. John is Wormwood. The Herbs of St. John comprise also _Mentha sarracenica_ or _Costus hortensis_; _Gallithricum sativum_ or _Centrum galli_ or _Orminum sylvestre_; in Picardy _Abrotanum_ (a species of Southernwood); and, according to others, the _Androsæmon_ (Tutsan), the _Scrophularia_, and the _Crassula major_. The scarlet _Lychnis Coronaria_ is said to be lighted up on his day, and was formerly called _Candelabrum ingens_. A species of nut is named after the Saint. The Carob is St. John’s Mead, so called because it is supposed to have supplied him with food in the wilderness, and to be the “locusts” mentioned in the Scriptures.