148 CAPBIFOLIACE.E. 



any ailment ; and Dr. Boerhaave, of Leyden, thought so highly 

 of its qualities, that he never passed the tree without taking 

 off his hat. But Pliny differed in opinion, and slightingly 

 declared, in allusion to the hollow stems, that "the plant it 

 was all skin and bones." Wine and syrup are made of the 

 berries, both of which are very good for colds, and a great 

 consolation to children for the annoyance of early going to bed. 

 There is also a delectable wine made from the flowers. The 

 " Elder ointment " is profoundly disbelieved in by the faculty, 

 and declared to be even hurtful. 



The Dwarf Elder (S. ebulus), has poisonous qualities ; a 

 decoction of its root, and one of its inner bark, has proved fatal. 

 It is a smaller bush ; I have heard of it near Edinburgh, and 

 have a specimen from the neighbourhood of Darlington. The 

 flowers are somewhat larger than in the common Elder, and 

 they are tinted with lilac at the back of the petals. 



The HONEYSUCKLE family comes next. 



The pretty climbing Honeysuckle stands at the head of 

 the family. Its fragrant tubular flowers, and simple, slightly- 

 glaucous leaves, placed in pairs, are familiar to us, and scarcely 

 less so are the small heads of brilliant crimson berries which 

 succeed them. The Woodbine, or Honeysuckle (Lonicera 

 periclymenum, Plate X., fig. 3), is a favourite theme of 

 poets. 



" But, from Flora's fairy realm, 



Token would' st thou bring for me ? 

 Go where round yon towering Elm 



Clings the Woodbine tenderly. 

 Not to Fancy's ear alone, 



Doth it kindly thought impart. 

 Would'st thou soar, and strength hast none ? 



Clings to earth thy grovelling heart ? 

 Seek, like yonder fragile flower, 



Fitting prop round which to twine ; 

 There's an Arm of love and power, 



Lean on it, and heaven is thine." 



I have a specimen of the Perfoliate Honeysuckle, but it is 

 from a garden. The flowers of this species are always pale, 



