60 BICTIONARY OF POPXJLAK NAMES BRAMBLE 



the Queen of the Fairies. It was considered that those who 

 possessed fern seed could make themselves invisible at pleasure. 

 A more practical notion of the supposed power of ferns^ is, that 

 the burning of it brings down rain, of which the following is a 

 curious illustration. In a volume containing a miscellaneous 

 collection by Dr. Pdchard Pocock, in the British Museum, is the 

 copy of a letter written by Phihp Herbert, third Earl of Pem- 

 broke, Lord Chamberlain, to the Sheriff of Staffordshire. It is 

 as follows : — " Sir — His Majesty, taking notice that the burning 

 of Feme doth draw down rain, and being desirous that the 

 country and himself may enjoy fair weather as long as he 

 remains in these parts, his Majesty has commanded me to write 

 to you to cause all burning of Fern to be forborne until his 

 Majesty be past the country. Wherein, not doubting but the 

 consideration of their own interest, as well as of his Majesty's, 

 will invite the country to a ready observance of this his 

 Majesty's commands, I rest, your very loving friend, Pembboke 



AND MONTaOMEHY." 



Bramble, or Blackberry {Riibusfncticosus\ a trailing prickly 

 shrub of the Rose family (Piosaceae), native of this country, found 

 growing in hedges and waste places. The fruits are black, and 

 are used for puddings, tarts, and preserves, as well as for making 

 and colouring wines, both in France and England. They are 

 generally considered astringent. The long rods and twigs are 

 used for fixing thatch and for other domestic purposes. Many 

 other species of Rulus of low growth extend to the limits of 

 vegetable life in the northern hemisphere. The fruit of several 

 such as Dewberry (Buhis cmsius), Cloudberry (i2. Chammmorus), 

 are used in ISTorthern countries for making wine. They also 

 furnish food for moor and other wild fowl. 



Bran, one of the coarser products of wheat, which with pol- 

 lards is separated in the process of milhng in the preparation of 

 flour, the latter forming an important article of food to the 

 peasants of Italy. 



Brank. {See Buckwheat.) 



Brazil or Braziletto Wood {Gmalpinia ecUnata), a rugged 



