THYMELACES. 85 
of leaves. Tube of the perianth pubescent exteriorly; segments oval- 
oblong, acute, nearly as long as the tube. Drupe ovoid, red. 
In woods. Rare and local, but widely distributed over England, 
though probably in many instances, possibly in all, introduced by the 
agency of birds. The counties where it is most probably native are 
Dorset, Sussex, Hants, Herts, Bucks, Berks, and Gloucester, 
England [Scotland]. Shrub. Early Spring. 
A small shrub 1 to 4 feet high, with spreading ascending branches 
clothed with brownish grey bark. Leaves 2 to 3 inches long, sub- 
petiolate, subobtuse, entire. Flowers very fragrant, in clusters of 2 
to 4 together, produced from buds formed in the axils of the leaves 
of the preceding year, opening at the same time as the leaf buds 
which terminate the branches, or often before them. Perianth about 
% inch across, pale purplish pink within, darker on the outside of the 
segments and tube. Anthers yellow. Drupe berry-like, scarcely the 
size of a red currant, bright red, pointed, with a thin skin. Plant dull 
green; leaves paler and somewhat glaucous beneath, glabrous; the 
branches of the year pubescent; the flower-buds with purple scales. 
Mezereon. 
French, Daphné bois gentil. German, Gemeiner Kellerhals. 
The specific name of this shrub is said to be derived from Madzaryon, the Persian 
name by which it is known. It is a well known and favourite object in our gardens, 
valued on account of the beanty of its fruit and flowers. Its flowers appear before 
the leaves in February or March, when, as Cowper tells us, its branches are, 
“Though leafless, well attired, and thick beset 
With blushing wreaths, investing every spray.” 
The whole plant is a powerful irritant, both bark, leaves, and fruit acting poisonously 
if taken in large quantities, and readily causing inflammation when applied to the 
skin or mucous membranes. A few of the berries have been known to cause death 
when swallowed, and the decoction of the bark, when administered medicinally, has 
produced unpleasant symptoms. Dr. Taylor, in his work on Poisons, details several 
cases of poisoning from swallowing the berries, which, however, were treated in time 
to prevent fatal results. The bark of the root is employed in this country, in the form 
of a decoction, as a sudorific, alterative, and deobstruent in rheumatism, scrofula, and 
some cutaneous diseases, being frequently given with sarsaparilla. We find it recog- 
nised in the British Pharmacopceia in a decoction. The bark and wood are similarly 
used on the Continent. An ointment prepared from the bark has been found bene- 
ficial to ulcers. The decoction with carbonate of ammonia is said to have revived 
patients from collapse resulting from typhus and scarlet fever. It has sometimes 
remoyed paralysis of the mouth and the throat. In France the bark is constantly 
used as an irritant application to the skin as a substitute for blistering: A piece of 
the fresh bark is dipped in vinegar, applied with the inner surface to the part, and 
covered over with an ivy or plantain leaf, and renewed twice aday. It soon produces 
a serous discharge, and, though it affects the skin, is seldom known to raise a blister, 
