The Bramble. 101 



The flowers, which are large and white, grow in clusters ; the 

 calyx short, with awl-shaped divisions ; the fruit, at first green, 

 and then red, is, when ripe, a black color, agreeable both to sight 

 and taste. 



Its bark has been considered a valuable and powerful astrin- 

 gent, about which Professors Bigelow and Chapman express 

 decided and very favorable opinions. The former says he has 

 tested its efficacy, both internally and externally, in a sufficient 

 number of cases to become satisfied of its efficacy wherever 

 astringents are required ; and the latter remarks — " that of all the 

 vegetable astringents, this, I have reason to believe, is among the 

 most active and decidedly efficacious in certain cases. To the 

 declining stages of dysentery, after 'the symptoms of active in- 

 flammation are removed, it is well suited, though I have given 

 it, I think, with greater advantage under nearly similar circum- 

 stances in cholera infantum. To check the inordinate evacua- 

 tions which commonly attend the protracted cases of this disease, 

 no remedy has ever done so much in my hands. Even two or 

 three doses will so bind the bowels that purgatives become 

 necessary. Being so powerfully astringent, this medicine is use- 

 ful in all excessive purgings, and especially in the diarrhoea of 

 very old people, as well as when it occurs at the close of dis- 

 eases. During my attendance at our public institutions I had 

 abundant opportunities of testing its efficacy in those cases." 

 The flowers appear in May, and continue till July ; the fruit 

 ripening generally some time in August. The jelly made from 

 the berries is very useful, both as an article of diet and remedy 

 in dysenteric affection. The roots are branching, cylindrical, and 

 of all sizes, from the thickness of the thumb down to that of a 

 straw ; they are woody, and except the thin bark, whose proper- 

 ties we have described, are inert ; on this account the small roots 

 only should be selected. A pint and a half of water is poured 

 on an ounce of the roots and boiled to a pint, a wine glass of 

 which is given four times during the day. Twenty-five grains 

 of the powdered root is its general dose. 



Rubus Trivialis — Dewberry. This is often called low black- 

 ben*y, to distinguish it from the other. The stem is very slender, 

 £nd like most of the genus, prickly ; it* is very pliable, running 

 along the ground, and when accidentally buried, and somewhat 

 bruised, putting forth roots. Both leaf and flower-stalks are 



