BARBERR Y 93 



nearing decay soon becomes very disagreeable.^ The 

 stamens are curiously sensitive. When the flower is first 

 expanded they spread outwards, but when their bases are 

 touched by insects they spring inwards, and the pollen is 

 brought into contact with the central organ. One can 

 readily produce the effect by touching them with a pin 

 or piece of twig. 



The berries are somewhat small. They are described 

 as being ovoid, long oval, cylindrical, and so forth, but, if 

 the dignity of the subject will permit of the homely 

 comparison, we may venture to say that they are the shape 

 of a sausage. They are generally a little curved, and of 

 a brilliant scarlet colour, each being tipped with the little 

 black style. Their texture and appearance is very coral- 

 like. They are exceedingly sour to the taste, and strongly 

 astringent, so that one is not tempted to try more than the 

 first. In France large quantities of malic acid are prepared 

 from them. Even birds decline acquaintance with these 

 berries, tempting as they look, but, on being made by the 

 housekeeper into a jelly or conserve, with due proportion 

 of sugar, they are very acceptable, or they may be gathered 

 while yet green and pickled. Medicinally they have been 

 employed from their cooling eflicacy, " in fevers, and they 



' The author had a barberry-tree in his garden near twenty feet in height, 

 the branches of which extended over a circumference of sixty feet. When 

 covered with blossom in the Spring, it had a pleasing effect in the shrubbery, 

 but was so offensive for about a fortnight, that no one could walk near it 

 during that time. — Phillips, Companion for the Orchard. 



• The fruit is cooling, quenching thirst and restraining Chollerick and 

 pestillentiall Vapors, and is of very good use in Agues, if either the Conserve 

 or the Syrup thereof be taken with the Syrup of Violettes. Thesaydjuyce 

 also or the Berries themselves is often used for those that loath their Meat, 

 to procure an Appetite. It is good also to fasten loose Teeth. — Adam iti 

 Eden. 



