OR, PLAIN TEACHING. 



267 



twigged, and privet leaved. They 

 are all ornamental, and the fruit 

 of many of them eatable. 



The cowberry, 8, is another of 

 these varieties, and is evergreen. 

 It is of smaller growth, with 

 leaves shining above and dotted 

 beneath. The flowers, 9, are white 

 and waxen, presenting a pretty 

 contrast with the dark green of 

 the leaves. The berries, 10, are 



8 



677. 



sometimes used for tarts and 

 jellies, and they are also used as 

 a household remedy for coughs, 

 colds, &c. In some countries 

 they are pickled. 



The spindle tree, 1 1 , is a neat 

 little tree, remarkable in the 

 autumn for its curious seed cap- 

 sules, 12, which separate into 

 several segments, and opening 

 expose to view the brilliant 

 orange-skinned seeds within. The 

 leaves exhibit very rich autumnal 

 tints, and the seed capsules, 



quivering upon their slender 

 stalks, and displaying a rosy and 

 glossy colour, might easily be 



678. 



mistaken for flowers. The tree 

 takes its name from the fact of its 

 wood having been used in the 

 manufacture of spindles. 



The elder, 13, is a deciduous 

 tree, rendered conspicuous to the 

 country wanderer by the broad 

 heads of cream-coloured flowers 

 with which it is frequently co- 

 vered. The common elder pro- 

 duces berries that are detrimental 

 to poultry, but make an agree- 

 able wine, in much esteem among 

 country people. The flowers 

 possess medicinal properties, and 

 a fragrant water is distilled from 

 them, and used as a lotion for 

 the skin. The pith, which is 

 of large growth, is used for the 

 manufacture of the little tumbler 

 toys, and for balls used in elec- 

 trical experiments. The cater- 

 pillars of various moths feed 

 upon the leaves, among which 

 are the remarkable death's head 

 moth, and the privet, dog's tooth, 

 marble dot, &c. There are seve- 

 ral varieties of the elder, which 



