Personality of plants

RELIGION IN THE PLANT WORLD
Romans called it "the sacred herb" and regarded
it as an aid in divinations and omens.
On New Year's Day, it was sent to friends as
a token of greeting. The Roman generals wore
a sprig in their pockets as a protection against
bodily injury.
The Soma or Moon-Plant of India (Ascle-
pias Acida) is a climbing vine with milky juice
which is said to confer immortality upon its ad-
mirers.
Pomegranate was long reverenced by the
Persians and Jews as the forbidden fruit of the
Garden of Eden.
The Indian plant Basil for many centuries
has been held in good repute by the Hindus,
having been made sacred to Vishnu.
Mahomet pronounced Henna, the Egyptian
Privet, "chief of the flowers of this world and
the next." Wormwood was dedicated to the
goddess Iris.
If there are many plants which man's adora-
tion has made religious, there are almost an
equal number which his suspicion and pervers-
ity have branded irreligious. A famous plant of
this kind is the Enchanter's Nightshade which
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