276 THE ANDROMEDA. 



nearly globular shape. These flowers are much neater and 

 more beautiful on examination than those of the blue- 

 berry, and resemble clusters of white beads. They are 

 succeeded by a dry capsular fruit, bearing a superficial 

 resemblance to white peppercorns. The fishermen of our 

 coast have always employed the branches of this shrub, 

 with those of the clethra, on account of their firmness 

 and durability, as coverings to the "flakes" which are 

 used for the spreading and drying of codfish. These two 

 shrubs were formerly distinguished by them as the " black 

 and the white pepper-bush," one having berries of a lighter 

 color than the other. 



