IVY BUSH. 183 



beaten small, and made hot with some rose-water, in the 

 rind of a pomegranate, being dropt into the ear, on the 

 contrary side, will cure an aching tooth. 



The wood i.s soft and porous, so as to transmit liquids, 

 it' turned of a sufficient degree of thinness ; the roots are 

 used by leather-cutters to whet their knives upon. " Of 

 the roots of Ivy,"" says Evelyn, " which shrub may, 

 with small industry, be made a beautiful standard, are 

 made curiously polished and flecked cups and boxes, 

 and even tables of great value." 



Homer describes his heroes as drinking out of a cup 

 made of Ivy- wood. 



The beechen cup of Alcimedon had a lid of Ivy, 

 carved with grapes : 



" The lids are ivy ; grapes in clusters lurk 

 Beneath the carving of the curious work." 



DRYDEN'S Virgil, pastoral iii. 



Sheep are fond of Ivy, and in severe weather it is 

 a warm and wholesome food for them ; therefore the 

 shepherds in the winter cut down branches for their 

 flocks to browse on. Cato directs that cattle should be 

 fed with it, in scarcity of hay- The ancients held Ivy in 

 great esteem ; it was consecrated to Bacchus, who is repre- 

 sented as crowned with it ; and was often twined with the 

 laurel in the poet's wreath. When Bacchus was seized 

 by the pirates, his presence was made manifest by many 

 wondrous changes that took place in different parts of 

 the vessel : 



" For first, a fountain of sweet smelling wine 

 Came gushing o'er the deck with sprightly shine, 

 And odours, not of earth, their senses took. 

 The pallid wonder spread from look to look ; 



