WINTER CHERRY. 387 



gined from its supposed virtues against the diseases 

 of the bladder, for which purpose it was hglily 

 extolled by the Arabian physicians. 



The Winter Cherry appears to have been much 

 more common in the time of Gerard than at pre- 

 sent, as he observes, " The Redde Winter Cherrie 

 growcth vpon olde broken wals, about the borders 

 of fieldes, and in moist shadowie places, and in most 

 gardens, where some conserue it for the beautie of 

 the berries, and others for the great and woorthy 

 vertues thereof." 



This plant grows naturally in many parts of the 

 South of Europe, Germany, China, and Cochin- 

 China. The German peasants eat the berries by 

 handfuls, and they are frequently brought to table 

 in Spain and Switzerland ; they have an acidulous 

 and not unpleasant taste, followed by a slight bit- 

 terness. They are esteemed detergent and aperient, 

 but are principally recommended as a diuretic, 

 which is thought to remove obstructions occasioned 

 by gravel or mucus. 



At present the berries are seldom used with 

 us, excepting to mingle in bouquets of dried 

 flowers to ornament the chimney-pieces of cottage 

 parlours. 



This species of Physalis is easily propagated 

 by parting the roots after the stalks are decayed. 



S 2 



