ICOSANDRIA DIGYNIA. 257 



autumn, and rendering it a great ornament to Hirub- 



beries and other plantations. 

 They have an aftringent quality, but in no hurtful 

 degree : in the ifland of Jura they ufe the juice 

 of them as an acid for punch : birds of the 

 thrulh kind are very fond of them, and the high- 

 landers often eat them when thoroughly ripe, 

 and in fome places diftil a very good fpirit from 

 them. The fame ufe is made of them in Cam- 

 Jchatca^ as we are inform'd by Gmelin. The 

 wood is hard and durable, fit for many oecono- 

 mical purpofes, fuch as mill- work, fcrews for 

 prefTes, fpokes for wheels, &c. 

 It is probable that this tree was in high efteem with 

 the Druids^ for it may to this day be obferved to 

 grow more frequently than any other in the neigh- 

 borhood of thofe Druidical circles of ftones, fo 

 often ^Gcn in North-Britdin ; and the fupcrftitious 

 ftill continue to retain a great veneration for it, 

 which was undoubtedly handed down to them, 

 from early antiquity. They believe that any fmall 

 part of this tree carried about them, will prove 

 a fovereign charm againfl all the dire effeds of 

 enchantment or witchcraft. 1 heir cattle alfo, as 

 well as themfelves, are fuppofed to be preferved 

 by it from evil •, for the dairy-maid will not for- 

 get to drive them to the /healings or fummer paf. 

 tures with a rod of the Roan-tree^ which Ihe care- 

 fully lays up over the door of the /heal hoGthy\ 

 or -fummer-houfe, and drives them home again 



S vMth 



