THE QUICKER TREE. 49 



pleafure, it arrives at a confiderable fize. 

 It is chiefly valued as an ornamental addi- 

 tion to plantations, on account of the ele- 

 gant lightnefs of its foliage, and the beauty 

 of its red berries, which remain on the tree 

 during the whole winter. It will thrive in 

 any good foil, but delights moft in a hilly 

 fituation. The wood is tough and folid, 

 and is valued by the whecl-wright and tool- 

 maker. When bows were in ufe, it was 

 regarded as next to the yew for making 

 thofe weapons. The berries will make a 

 fermented liquor, and are fometimes added 

 to malt in brewing. When dried and 

 powdered, they afford a kind of wholefome 

 bread. Thrufhes are exceedingly fond of 

 them ; and in hard winters refort in num- 

 bers to the quicken trees, from which they 

 can fcareely be driven away. When the 

 fuperftitious belief in witchcraft prevailed, 

 the wood of this tree was ftippofed to be 

 a prefervative againft its efle&s. 



THE 



