155 



The fungous excrescences, which are often 

 found growing on the trunk of the elder-tree, 

 bearing the resemblance of an ear, black in 

 the inside and of a whitish colour on the out- 

 side, (called auricula Judaorwn) are accounted 

 good for inflammations and swellings of the 

 tonsils, sore throats, and quinsies. 



The wine made from elder-berries is too 

 well known by families in the country to 

 require any encomiums : it is the only wine 

 the cottager can procure, and, when well 

 made, is a most excellent and wholesome 

 drink, taken warm before going to bed. It 

 causes gentle perspiration, and is a mild 

 opiate ; and may be taken safely, and with 

 advantage, by those of costive habits. 



If a rich syrup be made from ripe elder- 

 berries and a few bitter almonds, when added 

 to brandy it has all the flavour of the very 

 best cherry-brandy. 



The white elder-berries, when ripe, make 

 wine, much resembling rich grape-wine. 



The buds and the young tender shoots 

 are greatly admired as a pickle. 



The leaves of the elder-tree are often put 

 into the subterraneous paths of moles, to 

 drive those noxious little animals from the 

 garden. If fruit-trees, flowering shrubs, corn, 

 *>r other vegetables, be whipped with the 



