MULBERRY. 153 



yields, by fermentation, a pleasant wine, which is sometimes, 

 particularly in Devonshire, mixed with cyder, and forms what 

 is called Mulberry-cyder, which possesses a very pleasant taste 

 and a deep red colour, similar to that of port wine. The leaves 

 of this tree, however, are the most important as furnishing food 

 for silk-worms (the larvae of the Phalcena Mori). Hence it is 

 extensively cultivated in the East, as well as in Italy and the 

 South of France. Attempts have been made in England to 

 naturalize the silk-worm, but without success. James I. en- 

 deavoured to establish a silk manufactory here, but the project 

 after a time was given up. Some of the fine specimens of this 

 tree in the old gardens near London are said to have been 

 planted at that period. 



The Mulberry is propagated by layers, but it may also be 

 increased by other methods. It is generally grown as a standard 

 in orchards, but will sooner produce fruit as an espalier or wall 

 tree. It is remarkable that old Mulberry trees bear larger and 

 finer fruit than the young ones, and that for some years after 

 they begin to blossom, they put forth only stamineous or male 

 blossoms. The tree developes its leaves at a later period of 

 the year than almost any other, so as to be in no danger of 

 frosts ; hence it was regarded by the ancients as the wisest of 

 trees, and by heralds as hieroglyphic of wisdom. It is re- 

 corded in sacred history, as a signal instance of the Almighty's 

 displeasure, that " He destroyed the Mulberry trees with 

 frosts." 



Qualities. — The bark has rather a heavy odour, and an 

 austere, bitter, subsaline taste. The fruit is inodorous, has a 

 pleasant acidulous taste, and contains a large quantity of deep 

 crimson red juice. The juice tinges the cuticle of a reddish 

 purple colour, and turns black by the addition of sulphate of 

 iron and a little water. Hermstadt found that the acidity of 

 the fruit is owing to tartaric acid, and Dr. Thomson has 

 detected in it jelly and mucus. According to Dr. Paris, two 

 distinct species of colouring matter have been detected in the 

 juice of Mulberries : — the mingled blood of the unfortunate 

 Pyramus and Thisbe, 



" Signa tene ccedis : pullosque et luctibus aptos 

 Semper habe foetus, gemmae monumenta eruoris." 



0*id. Met. lib. iv. 160. 



