One fell lame shortly after; soon after each of the others lost an eye, and he that felled the tree, though warned of these misfortunes of the other men, would, notwithstanding, adventure to do it, and shortly afterwards broke his leg; as if the Hamadryads had resolved to take an ample revenge for the injury done to their venerable and sacred oak." We can understand, then, how the custom originated of planting the oak on the boundaries of lands, a survival of which still remains in the so-called gospel oaks of many of our English parishes.

With Thor's tree thus standing our forefathers felt a sense of security which materially added to the peace and comfort of their daily life.
But its sacred attributes were not limited to this country, many a legend on the Continent testifying to the safety afforded by its sheltering branches.

Indeed, so great are its virtues that, according to a Westphalian tradition, the Wandering Jew can only rest where he shall happen to find two oaks growing in the form of a cross.

A further proof of its exalted character may be gathered from the fact that around its roots Scandinavian mythology has gathered fairyland, and hence in Germany the holes in its trunk are the pathways for elves.

But the connection between lightning and plants extends over a wide area, and Germany is rich in legends relative to this species of folk-lore.