108 . THE BLACKTHORN. 



converted into "old port " in a few days by the addition 

 of catechu^ The corks may be stained by being soaked in 

 a strong decoction of brazil-wood and a little alum ; and 

 even bottles are manufactured which contain a sufficient 

 quantity of lime to be sensibly acted on by the acid, and 

 to produce a counterfeit " crust ! " 



In France the unripe fruit is sometimes pickled and 

 sent to table as a substitute for olives, and in Germany 

 and Kussia it is crushed and fermented with water, and 

 a spirit distilled from it. In Dauphine, the juice of the 

 ripe fruit is used for colouring wine. Letters marked on 

 linen or woollen with this juice will not wash out. The 

 substance sold by druggists under the name of German 

 Acacia is prepared from the juice of the unripe fruit. 1 



The bark, according to Dr. Lindley, is one of the sub- 

 stances which has been reported to resemble " Jesuits' 

 bark " in its effects. It may be used for tanning leather ; 

 a decoction of it with alkali dyes yellow, and it may be 

 employed with advantage as a substitute for galls in the 

 manufacture of ink. There are several varieties, differing 

 principally in the size of the leaf and fruit ; but the only 

 one deserving notice is the double flowered, which is 

 cultivated and said to be highly prized in Japan and China 

 for the abundance of its blossom. 



On the whole, the Blackthorn, in its natural state, 

 possesses few valuable qualities. It certainly does not 

 recommend itself to our favourable consideration on the 

 score of beauty, and being employed to adulterate some 

 substances, and as an indifferent substitute for others, we 

 are inclined to suspect its honesty ; and as it is, moreover, a 

 great enemy to the agriculturist, we do not scruple to include 

 it among the " thorns and thistles " of the primaeval curse. 

 Yet, strange to say, as if to be both a memorial of the 

 curse, and of the implied promise, that the industry of 



chips of the heart-wood of Acacia catechu ; it is a dark-coloured, 

 powerful astringent. 



1 The true or Egyptian Acacia is the production Acacia Nilotica, 

 and is used in medicine as a mild astringent. 



