The Trailing Pearlwort (_Sagina procumbens_), which grows in very dry places and on old walls, was one of the most efficacious plants against the powers of darkness. This efficacy was attributed to its being the first plant trodden on by Christ when He came on earth. Placed on the lintel of the door (_san àrd dorus_), it kept the spirits of the dead, if they returned, from entering the house. If in the bull’s hoof, at the time of being with the cow, the offspring’s milk could not be taken away by witches. When placed below the right knee of a woman in labour, it defeated the machinations of the fairy women. It must be pulled with certain words: “I will pull the pearlwort, The plant that Christ ordained, No fear has it of fire-burning Or wars of Fairy women.”[22] ST. JOHN’S WORT (_Achlasan Challum Chille_). The Gaelic name of the Upright St. John’s Wort (_hypericum pulchrum_) means literally St. Columba’s axillary one. Why so called does not appear. To be of use it must be found when neither sought for nor wanted. If sought for, it has no efficacy more than another plant, but if accidentally fallen in with, and preserved, it wards off fever and keeps its owner from being taken away in his sleep by the Fairies. One version of the rhyme to be said in pulling it is in these words: “The axillary plant of Colum-Cill, Unsought for, unwanted, They will not take you from your sleep Nor will you take fever. I will pull the brown-leaved one, A plant found beside a cleft, No man will have it from me, Without more than my blessing.”[23] Another version runs: “I will pull the axillary one, ’Tis the plant of fair women, ’Tis the graceful feast And the luxurious court; A male plant, a female plant, A plant the birds of the streams had, A plant the Good Being had in his need, And Christ had among strangers, So better be its reward to the right hand That holds it.”[24] JUNIPER (_Iubhar-beinne_, lit. Mountain Yew). This plant is a protection by sea and land, and no house in which it is will take fire. It must be pulled by the roots, with its branches made into four bunches, and taken between the five fingers, saying: “I will pull the bounteous yew Through the five bent ribs of Christ, In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Against drowning, danger, and confusion.”[25] The plant is also called _aiteal_ in Gaelic. YARROW (_Chathair làir_). This plant of power was also pulled with mystic words, of which but four lines have been recovered. “I will pull the yarrow, As Mary pulled it with her two hands, I will pull it with my strength, I will pull it with the hollow of my hand,”[26] etc. In many parts of the Highlands the yarrow is called _Cathair-thalanda_, which means the same as _c. làir_, lit. the ground chair. “THE ENTICING PLANT” (_Lus an tàlaidh_).