ApniL. 55 



but it is in very ill repute with tlie farmer, as 

 it is believed to be injurious to corn. How 

 far this reproach is merited, is a question still 

 much discussed by botanical v/riters. The 

 injury is supposed to originate with an insect, 

 which is very fond of the berberry tree, and 

 very generally found upon it, and this is thought 

 to cause a kind of powder, which, being scat- 

 tered over the neighbouring cornfield, alights 

 upon the wheat and barley, ancf produces a 

 sort of fungus, rendering the plant unhealtliy, 

 and giving it the appearance of mildewed corn. 

 Several naturalists of eminence have advocated 

 this popular opinion. The flowers of the com- 

 mon species possess stamens of so irritable a 

 nature, that Linnreus observed them all to tend 

 towards the central column, or pistil, if touched 

 ever so lightly by the bee ; and their singular 

 sensibility may be easily seen, by touching one 

 of the stamens with a pin, when they all imme- 

 diately curve and meet at the point. There is 

 a great degree of acidity in the red fruits of 

 this plant, and they are considered to afford 

 a good medicine in cases of fever ; Avhile they 

 hang untouched by the birds, which do not 

 relish their sour flavour. These fruits are 

 used for preserves, for garnishing dishes, and, 

 enclosed in sugar, are prepared as comfits by 

 confectioners. A great degree of the acidity is 

 also found in the bluish green leaves of the 

 berberry. The roots yield a yellow colour, 

 which is much used in Poland for dying lea- 

 ther; and the astringent bark and stem are 



