IVY. 335 



The ivy is found wild in most parts of 

 Europe ; but Linnaeus observes, that it is by 

 no means common in Sweden; Kalm remarks, 

 that he never saw the common ivy in North 

 America, excepting in one instance, against 

 a stone building, which was most probably 

 brought from Europe, and planted there. Ac- 

 cording to Thunberg, it is found in Japan ; 

 but he observes, that its leaves are never 

 lobed there as with us. 



Our nurserymen furnish us with a variety 

 with white or silver striped leaves, and ano- 

 ther with yellowish leaves, both of which mav 

 be ornamentally employed. 



Modern practice has abandoned the use of 

 this plant in medicine, but it is not long since 

 the leaves were in use, to put over issues to 

 keep them cool and free from inflammation. 

 Pliny enumerates the various disorders for 

 which it was anciently used ; but he remarks, 

 that in physic, the ivy is both doubtful and 

 dangerous. A decoction of ivy leaves was for- 

 merly used to dye the hair of the head black, 

 which was a colour the ancients seemed as 

 anxious to possess as our modern grandmamas 

 are to retain flaxen locks. 



The roots of the ivy are used by leather- 

 cutters to whet their knives upon. 



