WOOD SORREL 27 



This tree was held in veneration, and superstitious people might 

 formerly often be seen carrying sickly children to a forest for the 

 purpose of dragging them through the holes so commonly to be found 

 in this tree. 



Garlands of flowers were tied with bark of the lime at banquets in 

 the old days to prevent intoxication. 



" Nay, nay, my boy, 't is not for me 

 This studious pomp of Eastern luxury. 

 Give me no various garlands fine 



With linden twine, 

 Nor seek where latest lingering flows 



The solitary rose." 



The inner bark or bast is used for matting in the garden, and, 

 imported from Archangel, it is called Russian. The wood was used 

 formerly in the days of wood engraving for wood blocks, and Holbein's 

 work is said to have been done with lime blocks. The box is now 

 very largely used in its place. Honey made by insects from this tree 

 is said to be the best honey. The wood is used for turned bowls 

 and dishes and pill -boxes. Baskets and cradles are made from the 

 twigs. The bark was once used for writing tablets, and also rope. 

 Formerly leather was cut on planks of the lime. 



The Lime was formerly used largely in wood carving. Gibbons 

 executed much good work in it, to be seen in churches and else- 

 where, e.g. St. Paul's, Trinity College library, Cambridge, Chatsworth 

 Hall. 



Sugar is made from the sap. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



65. Tilia vnlgaris, Hayne. Tall tree, leaves large, glabrous, with 

 woolly tufts in axils of veins beneath, flowers yellow, in a cyme, with 

 an oblong, leafy bract, fruit not ribbed, downy. 



Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella, L.) 



Seeds have been found in late Glacial beds at Edinburgh, and in 

 Neolithic beds there and in Essex. The North and Arctic Temperate 

 Zones describe its limit, the plant occurring in Arctic Europe, North 

 Africa, N. and W. Asia to the Himalayas, and N. America. It is 

 found in most parts of Great Britain, but not in Hunts, Cardigan, 

 South Lines, Mid Lanes, Shetlands, elsewhere as far north as the 

 Orkneys. It ascends to nearly 4000 ft. in the Highlands. It is found 

 in Ireland and in the Channel Islands. 



