pPaat "bore, "begent)/, cm^ "bi^ric/-. 255 



refers to an okl custom of strippinj^ the bark of the tree prior to 

 converting it into the yule log. The tree known in the Highlands 

 as the Drooping Birk is often grown in churchyards, where, as 

 Scott says, " Weeps the Birch of silver bark with long dishevell'd 

 hair." In Scottish ballads, the Birch is associated with the dead, 

 and more especially with the wraiths or spirits of those who appear 

 to be living after death. The following is a good example : — 



" I dreamed a dreary dream last nicht ; 

 God keep us a' frae sorrow ! 

 I dreamed I pu'd the Birk sae green 

 Wi' my true love on Yarrow. 



" I'll redde your dream, my sister dear, 

 I'll tell you a' your sorrow; 

 You pu'd the Birk wi' your true love; 

 He's killed, he's killed on Yarrow-" 



The Birch-tree is held to be under the dominion of Venus. 



Bitter-sweet. — See Solanum. 



BITTER VETCH.— The Orobus, or Bitter Vetch, is sup- 

 posed to represent the herb mentioned in a passage in Pulci, which 

 relates how an enchanter preserves two knights from starvation, 

 during a long journey, by giving them a herb which, being held in 

 the mouth, answers all the purposes of food. The Scotch High- 

 landers have a great esteem for the tubercles of the Orobus root 

 (which they call Corr or Cormeille) ; they use them as masticatories, 

 to flavour their liquor. They also affirm that by the use of them 

 they are enabled to repel hunger and thirst for a considerable time. 

 In times of scarcity, the roots have served as a substitute for bread, 

 and many think that the Bitter Vetch is the Chara, mentioned by 

 Caesar, as affording food to his famished soldiers at the siege of 

 Dyrrhachium. The seeds, ground and tempered with wine, were 

 applied to heal the bitings of dogs and venomous beasts. 



Black-thorn. — See Thorn. 



Blaeberry. — See Bilberry and Whortleberry. 



BLUE-BELL. — The Blue-bells of Scotland have long since 

 become household words. The flower {Campanula latifolia) is the 

 finest and most stately of the species, and although common 

 enough on its native hills, is scarce in England. It is associated 

 with the feast of St. George. (See Campanula.) 



Blue-bottle and Bluet. — See Centaury. 



Bo-tree. — See Peepul. 



BORAGE. — In former days, Borage {Borago officvmlis) was 

 noted as one of the four "cordial flowers" most deserving of 

 esteem for cheering the spirits — the other three being the Rose, 

 Violet, and Alkanet. Pliny called Borage Euphrosynuvi, because it 

 made men merry and joyful : and to the same purport is the old 



