BLACK ALDER. 145 
have ho more striking operation; and in this 
property they differ in a degree somewhat pro- 
portionate to their bitterness and astringency. 
Judging by these criterions, the Prinos is not 
entitled to hold a very exalted rank in the list of 
tonics. As a bitter it is at best but of the second 
rate, and in astringency it falls below a multitude 
of the common forest trees. 
The berries are recommended by the writers 
above cited, as possessing the same tonic proper- 
ties with the bark. They certainly possess some 
activity, which, in large quantity, is not of the 
tonic kind. I have known sickness and vomiting 
produced in a person by eating a number of these 
berries found in the woods in autumn. 
BOTANICAL REFERENCES. 
Prinos verticillatus, Lov, Sp. pl.—Purss, i. 220.—Prinos Gro- 
novii, Mrcnavx, ii. 236.—Prinos padifolius, Witt. Enum. Berot. 
394, 
MEDICAL REFERENCES. 
B. S. Barroy, Collections, ii. 5—THacHER, Disp. 324, 
