OF NOVA SCOTIA. — PREST. 401 



liglit green below. Berries round or slightly flat at end, i^o in. 

 to 1% in. thick, with 2 eyes or flower marks, the only conuiion 

 doubly marked berry we have, scarlet, almost tasteless or 

 slightly sweet, nearly dry, fleshy, white pulp, remaining unin- 

 jured over winter and improving with time. Has 1 or 2 large 

 seeds. Of little value as food. 



In dr}' shady mossy woods where other plants are rare. 

 Generall}^ distributed, but not plentiful. 



31. Sambiicus Canadensis L. Common Canadian or Black- 

 berried Elder. 

 Shrub 4 ft. to 9 ft. high, leaf stalks branching at almost 

 riofht anofles with stalk, woody, with large core of white pith. 



OCT ' v' ' O i 



Bark, outside grey and paper-like, inside green and tender with 

 a strong and disagreeable smell when bruised ; often used for 

 makinof a salve. Leaves 7 to 11 on ea(;h leaf stalk, 4 in. long, 

 oblong, taper-pointed, notched, smooch. Berries round, 5^0 in. 

 thick, dark purple, our smallest berry, in thick, flat-topped 

 bunches of 20 to 60 ; with purple juicy pulp, 3-seeded, peculiar 

 acid taste. Liked by some people, disagreeable to others on 

 account of taste. Probably nourishing if taste can be overcome. 

 In rich soil, open woods, burnt land, around old fields and 

 brooks. Widely distributed, abundant in some places. 



52. Saynbiicus piihens Mx. Red-berried Elder, "Boltry." 

 With large pyramidical clusters of red berries. Character 



very similar to those of the last mentioned. 



53. Aralia nudicaidis L. Wild Sarsaparilla. 



Stem 8 in. to 10 in. high, dividing at top into 3 leaf stalks, 

 stems annual. Leaflets, 15 in number, viz., on each leaf 

 stalk, 2 in. to 4 in. long, oblong, taper-pointed, finely notched, 

 altogether distinct from fruit stalks, though growing from the 

 same long white far-reaching aromatic roots. Berries roughly 

 round, dark brown to black, ^ in. thick, with a few shart spines 



