CHAPTER VI. 64

Usefulness of the Ash-tree--Its position among Sacred Trees-- The Queen of Trees--Mythology of the Ash--Scotch Superstitious Usages--The "Ash Faggot Ball" of Somersetshire--Pliny and others on the Serpent and the Ash--The Ash as a medium of cure of complaints--Anecdotes--Phallic Associations--The New-birth-- Ireland and the Ash--The Juniper-Tree--The Madonna and the Juniper--The Elm-tree--Mythology of the Elm--The Apple-tree-- Mythological allusions to the Apple-tree--The Pine-tree--Wind Spirits--German Superstitions--The Oak-tree--Universal Sacredness of the Oak--The Oak of the Hebrew Scriptures--Classic Oaks--Socrates and his Oath--Greek Sayings--The Trees Speaking-- Sacred Ash of Dodona--Legend of Philemon and Baucis--The Hamadryads--The Yule Log--St. Boniface--Mysteries connected with the Oak--Christmas-trees.