BLACK BRYONY 189 



Flora," 1 published in 1784, we find the bryony root 

 again in demand, this time " to dye the hair of a 

 flaxen colour." As the prescription includes also 

 vine- twigs, lily, celandine, and saffron roots, the 

 flowers of mullein, broom, and St. John's-wort, it 

 is, perhaps, a little difficult to assign to each 

 ingredient its share in the total result. 



The mediaeval carvers of the fourteenth century 

 were fully appreciative of the charm of the red- 

 berried bryony, and introduced it very effectively : 

 we remember seeing in the Cathedral of Rouen a 

 particularly charming example, a running moulding, 

 where the berries, tendrils, and foliage were intro- 

 duced with evident appreciation of their artistic 

 value. 



The black bryony, no less admirable a climber, 

 may be readily recognised by its large heart-shaped 

 and glossy leaves. The flowers are small and 

 greenish-white in colour, and growing in long 

 clusters, each plant bearing flowers of but one sex. 

 The berries are large in size, and dark red in colour, 

 and remain in conspicuous bunches after the leaves 

 have decayed. The young shoots have sometimes 

 been eaten, dressed like asparagus, and the root, 



1 " A Collection of the most Simple and Approved Methods 

 of Preparing Essences, Pomatums, Powders, Perfumes, and 

 Sweet-Scented Waters, with Receipts for Cosmetics of every 

 kind that can smooth and brighten the Skin, give force to 

 Beauty, and take off the Appearance of Old Age and Decay. 

 For the Use of the Ladies." 



