Note 83 — Chapter II · THE ANTHESTERIA. The Ritual of Ghosts and Sprites.

Diosc. De mat. med. I. 119 λέγεται δὲ καὶ κλῶνας αὐτῆς θύραις ἢ θύρασι προστεθέντας ἀποκρούειν τὰς τῶν φαρμακῶν κακουργίας. For this reference I am indebted to the kindness of Dr Frazer, who also notes that in Ovid spina alba, white thorn, is placed in a window to keep off tristes noxas and striges (Ovid, Fasti VI. 129-163), and compares the English notion that hawthorn keeps off witches (see Golden Bough, second edit. vol. I. p. 124, note 3). Miss M. C. Harrison tells me that to this day rue (ruta) is eaten on Ascension Day at Pratola Peligna and other places in the Abruzzi, “that the witches may not come to torment our children” (noi mangiamo la ruta affinche le streghe non vengano a tormentare le creature nostre); see A. De Nino, Usi Abruzzesi I. p. 168.