witch’s butter In old Swedish lore, the yellow vomit of
witches’ cats found in gardens. In centuries past, it was
believed that the Devi l gave witches ca ts, called carriers.
The witches sent the cats out into the neighborhood
to steal food. The cats were wont to gorge themselves on
the stolen food, which they then vomited in their neighbors’
yards.
Witches’ butter also refers to a genus of the lowest
group of freshwater algae, Nostoc, also called star spittle.
After summer rain, Nostoc swells suddenly to a gelatinous
mass, giving the appearance of having fallen from the sky.
