E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Antip’athy (of animals).
According to tradition, wolves have a mortal antipathy to scillaroots; geese to the soil of Whitby; snakes to soil of Ireland; cats to dogs; all animals dislike the castoroil plant; camphor keeps off insects; Russian leather is disliked by bookworms; paraffin by flies; cedar-wood is used for wardrobes, because its odour is disliked by moths. Ants dislike green sage.
