28 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES ASPHODEL 



stems 3 to 4 feet high, bearing white flowers, known as the Silver 

 Rod. It is found in great abundance in the vicinity of 

 Palmyra in Syria, where its roots are extensively collected, and 

 form an article of trade to Damascus and other places in 

 Palestine. They are ground into meal, and made into paste 

 used in bookbinding, shoemaking, and such like. 



Asphodel, Lancashire {Nartludum ossifragum), a pretty 

 yellow -flowered perennial herb of the Lily family (Liliaceffi), 

 abundant in boggy places in this country. It is said to be 

 injurious to the bones of sheep, hence the name ossifragum, 

 which means " bone-breaking." 



Assai, in Para the name of a drink made from the berries of 

 Euterpe edulis, a slender, smoothed-stemmed, wing-leaved palm 

 (Palmae), attaining the height of about 30 feet, a native of Brazil, 

 especially of the lower countries of the Amazon, Orinoco, and 

 other rivers. Its fruit is about the size of a sloe, of a bluish 

 colour, a great number being produced in a bunch. They con- 

 tain a small quantity of pulpy matter between the skin and the 

 nut, which is removed by rubbing in water ; it is then strained 

 off, and sugar and cassava flour are added to the liquor, which 

 forms an important article of food to the people of Para, and is 

 hawked in the streets. 



Atropine. {See JSTightshade.) 



Aucuba, the Japanese name for the well-known garden 

 shrub called botanically Aucuha japonica, belonging to the 

 Dogwood family (Cornacese). It is a native of Japan, is dioecious, 

 and the female plant was introduced to this country in 1V83. 

 In 1862 the male plant was introduced by Mr. Fortune, and 

 before long the female plants were seen in most gardens covered 

 with beautiful red berries, wliich adds greatly to its previous 

 ornamental character. 



Auricula {Primida Auricula). — This word is derived from the 

 supposed resemblance of the leaves to the ears of the bear, hence 

 the Enghsh name Bear's Ear for this favourite plant, the 

 typical form being known by the name of Yellow Auricula, an 

 evergreen herbaceous plant of the Primrose family (Primulacese), 



