102 BRYONY, 



SYRUP OF BRYONY. 



Take of Expressed juice of Bryony root, one pint ; 



Refined sugar a pound and half. 



Let the juice stand in a basin till the fecnlencies subside, then pour 

 off the clear liquor and boil it with the sugar to the consistence of a 

 syrup. 



EXTRACT OF BRYONY. 



Take of Root of Bryony, one pound ; 

 Spring water . . six pounds. 



Macerate for four days in a warm place, then boil gently ; filter and ex- 

 press the liquid, and evaporate the straining to the consistence of an ex- 

 tract. 



Dose. — From five to fifteen grains. 



The oxymel of Bryony, recommended in asthma and old 

 coughs, may be prepared thus : 



Take of Expressed juice of white Bryony (after the feculenciea 

 have subsided) one pint ; 

 Honey, a pound and half ; 

 Vinegar, three quarters of a pint. 



Simmer the whole together over a slow fire, carefully removing the scum 

 as long as it rises, and when it has boiled a few minutes pour it off into an 

 unglazed earthen vessel for use. 



The Black Bryony (Tamus Vulgaris) is sometimes confound- 

 ed with the plant just described. It is, however, quite distinct, 

 belonging to the Dicecia, Hexandria of Linnaeus, Smilacece of 

 Jussieu. It has a small, greenish-white perianth, divided into 

 six deep segments, in the female flowers contracted at the 

 neck* ; ovate, shining, red berries ; heart-shaped, acute, entire 

 leaves, of a bright green colour ; very long, twining stems ; and 

 a large fleshy root, black externally. It flowers in June. Dr. 

 Withering states, that the young shoots are good eating, dressed 

 like asparagus. The Moors eat them boiled with oil and salt. 

 The root, which very much resembles that of the Br7jojiia dioica, 

 except in colour, has been extolled by some writers, while 

 others deny that it possesses any medicinal virtues. Sir John 



* Kence the name " Lady's Seal," and that of " Sigillum beala Virginis," 

 by which the plant is designated in Gerard's Herbal, and in I>ord Bacon's 

 Sylva Sylvarum. 



