TIIYMELACEiE. 85 



of leaves. Tube of the perianth pubescent exteriorly ; segments oval- 

 oblong, acute, nearly as long as the tube. Drupe ovoid, red. 



In woods. Rare and local, but widely distributed over England, 

 though probably m many instances, possibly in all, introduced by the 

 agency of birds. The counties where it is most probably native arc 

 Dorset, Sussex, Hants, Plerts, Berks, and Gloucester. 



England [Scotland]. Shrub. Early Spring. 



A small shrub 1 to 4 feet high, with spreading ascending branches 

 clothed with brownish grey bark. Leaves 2 to 3 inches long, sub- 

 petiolate, subobtuse, entire. Flowers very fragrant, in clusters of 2 

 to 4 together, produced from buds formed in the axils of the leaves 

 of the preceding year, opening at the same time as the leaf buds 

 which terminate the branches, or often before them. Perianth about 

 |- inch across, pale purplish pink within, darker on the outside of the 

 segments and tube. Anthers yellow. Drupe berry-like, scarcely the 

 size of a red. currant, bright red, pointed, with a thin skin. Plant dull 

 green ; leaves paler and somewhat glaucous beneath, glabrous ; the 

 branches of the year pubescent; the flower-buds with purple scales. 



Mezereon. 



Fi'oiich, Dajjhne bois gentil. German, Gemeiiier KeUerhals. 



The specific name of tliis shrub is said to be derived from MadrMnjon, the Persian 

 name by which it is known. It is a well known and favourite object in our gardens, 

 valued on account of the beauty of its fruit and flowers. Its flowers appear before 

 the leaves in February or March, when, as Cowper tells us, its branches ai*e, 



" Though leafless, well attired, and thick beset 

 With blushing wreaths, investing every spray." 



The whole plant is a powerful irritant, both bark, leaves, and fruit acting poisonously 

 if taken in large quantities, and readily causing inflammation when applied to the 

 skin or mucous membranes. A few of the berries have been known to cause death 

 when swallowed, and the decoction of the bark, when administered medicinally, has 

 produced unpleasant symptoms. Dr. Taylor, in his woi-k on Poisons, details several 

 cases of poisoning from swallowing the berries, which, however, were treated in time 

 to prevent fatal results. The bark of the root is employed in this country, in the form 

 of a decoction, as a sudorific, alterative, and deobstruent in rheumatism, scrofula, and 

 some cutaneous diseases, being frequently given with sarsaparilla. We find it recog- 

 nised in the British Pharmacopoeia in a decoction. The bark and wood are similarly 

 used on the Continent. An ointment prepared from the bark has been found bene- 

 ficial to ulcers. The decoction with carbonate of ammonia is said to have revived 

 patients from collapse resulting from typhus and scarlet fever. It has sometimes 

 removed paralysis of the mouth" and the throat. In France the bark is constantly 

 used as an irritant application to the skin as a substitute for blisteiung. A piece of 

 the fresh bark is dipped in vinegar, applied with the inner surface to the part, and 

 covered over with an ivy or plantain leaf, and renewed twice a day. It soon produces 

 a serous discharge, and, though it aficcts the skin, is seldom known to raise a blister, 



