Question

The Physiologus claims that elephants use these objects as aphrodisiacs. Josephus described a place called Baaras where these objects shine in the evening. To collect these objects, a dog is tied to one of them and then encouraged to lunge forward, (-5[1])causing the dog’s death. These objects (15[1])share their name in German with a spirit who knows many secrets called the alrune. (15[1])The Hand of Glory may derive from a French corruption of the word for these objects, which arise from the urine or semen (15[1])of (*) hanged men. (10[1])In the Book of Genesis, (-5[1])the (10[1])dudaim (“doo-dah-EEM”) that Rachel bartered from Leah in exchange for a night with Jacob are often identified with these plants, whose fertility power is also referenced in a John Donne poem beginning “Go and catch a falling star (-5[1])/ get with child [one of these plants].” These plants can be harvested using wax to seal the ears. For 10 points, name this human-shaped (10[1])root with a lethal scream. ■END■ (10[3])

Buzzes

Summary