120 FLOVVERIXG SHRUBS. 



Though its most usual locality is on the banks of streams and in 

 low wettish ground, it will also thrive and increase rapidly on dry soil, 

 and on account of its stout woody stem it seems well suited for hedges. 

 The Prickly Ash will grow both from seed and by shoots sent up from 

 the roots. The fruit is ripe in August and September. The dry seed- 

 pods are in great request by smokers, who mix them with tobacco and 

 regard the fine spicy scent as a great luxury when they can obtain the 

 berries from the Indians. 



The following valuable remarks on the medicinal uses of this 

 interesting shrub were copied for me by my late much-valued friend, 

 Dr. Low, of Bowmanville, from the Journal of Materia Medica, No. 

 XII., December 1859, by Dr. Charles Lee, on the Medicinal Plants of 

 North America : — 



" The ' Prickly Ash ' is known also by the name of 'Yellow-wood.' 

 The bark contains a fixed volatile oil, resinous colouring matter; gum and 

 a crystalizable substance. The berries contain a large amount of oil, 

 one pound yielding four fluid ounces when treated with alcoholic ether. 

 The Prickly Ash is employed as a remedy for affections of the spine, 

 marrow, and vascular system. The active properties consist of an 

 ethereal oil, like oil of turpentine, it is decidedly stimulant in languid 

 cases of the nervous system. 



" In Asiatic cliolera, during the years 1848-50, it was used with 

 great success by American physicians in Cincinnati . it acted like 

 electricity, so sudden and diffusive was the effect on the system. 



" In the Summer complaint of young children it is also used with 

 great success. The following is an excellent receipt for that disease 

 among children : — 



" Rhubarb root, Colombo, Cinnamon — of each i drachm ; Prickly 

 Ash Berries, 3 drachms ; Good Brandy, half a pint. Add the bruised 

 articles to the brandy, shaking them for three or four days occasionally. 

 The dose for a child of two years old is a teaspoonful thrice a day in 

 sweetened water. Where any swelling of the body is apparent, equal 

 parts of the tincture of Prickly Ash Berries and Olive Oil is of great use 

 rubbed in over the abdomen. In typhus and typhoid fevers, the value 

 of this tincture is very great. A teaspoonful diluted with water may be 

 given, in cases of great depression and prostration, everv twenty minutes ; 

 it is also used most successfully in chronic rheumatism." 



I make no apology for introducing the above, thinking it may 

 prove a valuable receipt. 



Another of our lovely creeping forest evergreens is the 



