May 11, 2026
CONJUGALIS HERBA
This herb, De Gubernatis considers
to be, in all probability, the same as is known in Piedmont
as Concordia (according to Gerarde, a kind of wild Tansy), concerning
which M. Bernadotti had sent him the following particulars:—“In
the valleys of Lanzo, when two lovers wish to assure themselves
that their marriage will take place, they proceed to search
for the plant called Concordia. They say that this plant is exceedingly
scarce, and hence very difficult to find. Its root is divided
into two parts, each representing a hand with five fingers. On
finding this plant, it is necessary to uproot it in order to see if the
two hands are united—a certain sign that the union will take place.
If, on the contrary, the two hands are separated, the marriage will
be broken off.”