HOLLY AND MLSTLETOE. 89 



single seed enclosed in a very glutinous pulp, and 

 ripens about the middle of December. The very 

 word "viscid" by wliich we describe such sticky 

 substances is itself derived from the Latin vlsciim, 

 the name of the mistletoe in the tongue of the 

 Romans. Like the holly, the berries of the mis- 

 tletoe are accused of being poisonous, and deaths 

 are even said to have occurred from eating them ; 

 but, if so, the danger must be due rather to their 

 glutinous nature than to any active poisonous 

 principle, none such being discoverable within the 

 pulp of the berry. It may be taken for granted, 

 however, that the alarming increase in infant 

 indigestion which usually manifests itself imme- 

 diately after the Christmas festivities is due rather 

 to excessive indulgence in plum-pudding and 

 mince-pie than to the deleterious properties of 

 holly and mistletoe. 



