322 



THE ELDER. 



are pinnate, slightly notched, and of a peculiarly strong 

 and offensive odour, which is said to be unwholesome. 

 " I do by no means," said Evelyn, "commend the scent of 

 it, which is very noxious to the air; and therefore, though 

 I do not undertake that all things which sweeten the air 



LEAF AND FLOWER OF THE ELDER. 



are salubrious, nor all ill savours pernicious, yet, as for its 

 beauty, so neither for its smell would I plant Elder near 

 my habitation ; since we learn from Biesius, that a certain 

 house in Spain, seated among many Elder-trees, diseased 

 and killed almost all the inhabitants, which, when at last 

 they were grubbed up, became a very healthy and whole- 



