352 OBSERVATIONS ON VEGETABLES. 



old chestnut trees, which are very long ; in several places 

 the woodpeckers had begun to bore them. The timber and 

 bark of these trees are so very like oak, as might easily 

 deceive an indifferent observer ; but the wood is very shakey, 

 and, towards the heart cup-shakey (that is to say, apt to 

 separate in round pieces like cups), so that the inward parts 

 are of no use. They are bought for the purpose of cooperage, 

 but must make but ordinary barrels, buckets, &c. Chestnut 

 sells for half the price of oak ; but has sometimes been sent 

 into the king's dock, and passed off instead of oak. 



WHITE. 



LIME BLOSSOMS. Dr. Chandler tells, that in the south 

 of "France an infusion of the blossoms of the lime-tree (tilia) 

 is in much esteem as a remedy for coughs, hoarsenesses, 

 fevers, &c. ; and that at Nismes, he saw an avenue of limes 

 that was quite ravaged and torn in pieces by people greedily 

 gathering the bloom, which they dried and kept for these 

 purposes. 



TJpon the strength of the information, we made some tea 

 of lime blossoms ; and found it a very soft, well-flavoured, 

 pleasant, saccharine julep, in taste much resembling the 

 juice of liquorice. WHITE. 



BLACKTHORN. This tree usually blossoms while cold 

 N.E. winds blow; so that the harsh rugged weather ob- 

 taining at this season, is called by the country people black- 

 thorn winter.* WHITE. 



IVY BERRIES. Ivy berries afford a noble and providential 

 supply for birds in winter and spring ; for the first severe 

 frost 'freezes and spoils all the haws, sometimes by the 

 middle of November. Ivy berries do not seem to freeze. 



WHITE. 



* " Fled is the blasted verdure of the fields, 



And, shrunk into their beds, the flowery race 



Their sunny robes resign. E'en what remain' d 



Of stronger fruits, falls from the naked tree ; 



And woods, fields, gardens, orchards, all around 



The desolated prospect thrills the soul." THOMSON. ED. 



