78 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



signatures," the juice was considered a remedy for 

 jaundice. The berries are acid and tart, containing 

 malic acid, and used for preserves and tarts. A dye 

 suitable for leather, linen, cotton and wool, permanent 

 with alum, can be prepared from the bark. The 

 bark is astringent, and has been used for tanning, 

 and for Russian leather. The barberry bark has 

 also been used in place of quinine. The berries have 

 been eaten raw, dried, or boiled in wine for stomach 

 complaints. 



Barberry has been known in different parts by the 

 following names : Barbaryn, Barboranne, Berber, 

 Guild, Jaundice Berry, Maiden Barberry, Pepperidge, 

 Piperidge, Piperidges, Piprage, Piperidge Tree, 

 Rilts, Woodsore, Woodsour, or Woodsower. 



Among Italians a species of Barberry bore the 

 name of Holy Thorn, as it was supposed to have 

 formed the Crown of Thorns. 



Longfellow^ in his song of Hiawatha refers to the 

 Barberry thus : 



" Where the tangled barberry bushes 

 Hang their tufts of crimson berries." 



Berberis vulgaris. — The illmtvation {Fig. 8), 

 shows the plant in fruit, the shiny surface of the berries 

 being well-shown. The innermost leaf-like leaves of the 

 short shoots are seen in the axils of the spines, which are 

 viodified leaves. 



