61 



cowslip, which changes to a putrid and most 

 disagreeable scent, particularly towards the 

 evening and at the decay of the flowers. 

 I have a barberry-tree in my garden near 

 twenty feet in height, the branches of which 

 extend over a circumference of sixty-feet. 

 It has been covered with blossom this spring, 

 and had a pleasing effect in the shrubbery ; 

 but was so offensive for about a fortnight, 

 that no one would walk near it during that 

 time. It seems particularly attractive to 

 singing birds wherever it is planted, espe- 

 cially the bullfinch and the goldfinch, both 

 of which often build in these bushes. 



A very singular circumstance has been 

 stated respecting the barberry-shrub, that 

 corn sown near it, proves abortive, the ears 

 being in general destitute of grain; and 

 that this influence is sometimes extended to 

 a distance of three or four hundred yards 

 across a field. This is a just cause for ba- 

 nishing it from the hedge-rows of our arable 

 fields, for which, otherwise, it's thorny branches 

 would have made a desirable fence. When 

 this coral-like fruit is ripe, it adds much to 

 the beauty of the garden ; but it's acidity is 

 so great, that even the birds refuse to eat it. 



I conclude it is the fruit called appen- 

 dices by the ancients. Pliny says, " There 



