Page 5 Advertisements Column 2

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20543, 19 February 1935, Page 5

“ Touching wood ” is a survival of the ancient custom of wapentake (weapon touch). Dutch warriors cherished the custom of touching each other’s spears in token that they would join arms in a common cause; and this touching of the wooden spearshafts became symbolic of mutual protection. One of the natural curiosities of South Africa is the “ sneeze-wood ” tree, which is so called because one cannot cut it with a saw without sneezing, as the fine dust has exactly the effect of snuff. Even in planing the wood it will sometimes cause sneezing. No insect or worm will touch it: it is very bitter to the taste and when placed in water it sinks.