CUCKOO-PINT 97 



indicated, one finds the spike of berries. These berries; 

 are very lightly attached to the flesh stem, so that on 

 the slightest provocation they come away. There will be 

 noticed oii each of our pieces, and especially on the right 

 hand one, the scars where they have been detached. They 

 are, though at first green, of a brilliant and rather orange- 

 scarlet colour, globose, and succulent ; each berry is one- 

 celled, containing one or more hard seeds. Being of a 

 rather soft nature one finds them when packed closely 

 together losing somewhat of their roundness under this 

 pressure. They are devoured by many birds, pheasants, 

 and others. 



The whole plant is very violent in its action and to 

 be carefully eschewed by humanity. The root is in its 

 raw state very poisonous, inodorous, and at first insipid, 

 but soon causing an intensely strong burning and pricking 

 sensation in the throat that may last for hours. Coles, in 

 the year 1657, finds an extraordinary use for it. He declares 

 that " the fresh Roots cut small and mixed with a Sallet, 

 will make excellent sport with a sawcey guest, and drive him 

 away from his over-much boldness, and so will the Powder 

 of the dry Root, sterewed upon any dainty bit that is given 

 him to eat. For either way, within a while after the taking 

 it, it will so burn, and pinch his mouth and throat that he 

 shall not be able to eat any more, or scarce to speak for 

 pain." When we can feel that the hint has been taken, we 

 may, " to take away the stinging, give the party so served new 

 milk and fresh butter." Starch and flour have both been 

 made from the dried root, the action of heat removing the 

 deleterious properties. " The Juyce of the Berries boyled in 

 Oyl of Roses easeth pains in the Ears, and a dram or more 



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