ICOSANDRIA DIGYNIA. 25; 



autumn, and rendering it a great ornament to flirub- 

 beries and other plantations. 



They have an aiUingent quality, but in no hurtful 

 degree : in the ifland of Jura they ufe the juice 

 of them as an acid for punch : birds of the 

 thrufh kind are very fond of them, and the high- 

 landers often eat them when thoroughly ripe, 

 and in fome places diftil a very good fpirlt from 

 them. The fame ufe is made of them in Cani- 

 Jchatca^ as we are inform'd by Gmelin. The 

 wood is hard and durable, fit for many oecono- 

 mical purpofes, fuch as mill-work, fcrews for 

 preffes, fpokes for wheels, &c. 



It is probable that this tree was in high elleem with 

 the Druids^ for it may to this day be obferved to 

 grow more frequently than any other in the neigh- 

 borhood of thofe Bruidical circles of ftones, fo 

 often feen in North-Britain ; and the fuperftitious 

 ftill continue to retain a great veneration for it, 

 which was undoubtedly handed down to them 

 from early antiquity. They believe that nny fmail 

 part of this tree carried about them, will prove 

 a fovereign charm againft all the dire effects of 

 enchantment or witchcraft. 'I heir cattle alfo, as 

 well as themfelves, are fuppofed to be preferved 

 by it from evil ; for the dairy-maid will not for- 

 get to drive them to xh^ /Jo eatings or fummer paf- 

 tures with a rod of the Roan-tree^ which ilie care- 

 fully lays up over the door of the JJjeal locthy\ 

 or fummer-houfe, and drives rhem home again 

 S ^Mt!l 



