THE ELDER. 



Sambucus nigra. 



Natural Order — Caprifoliace^. 

 Class — Pent AND RiA. Order — Trigynia. 



This tree, which possesses neither picturesque 

 beauty nor fragrance, comes to us recommended by 

 ancient authors for its numerous medicinal pro- 

 perties. Pliny furnishes us with a long list of the 

 virtues supposed to reside in the various parts of 

 the Elder, and our own historian of trees, Evelyn, 

 is no less eloquent in its praises: If," he says, 

 ^^the medicinal properties of the leaves, bark, 

 berries, &c., were thoroughly known, I cannot 

 tell what our countrymen could ail, for which 

 he might not find a remedy from every hedge, 

 either for sickness or wound. The inner bark of 

 Elder applied to any burning, takes out the fire 

 immediately; that, or, in season, the buds boiled 

 in water-grewel for a breakfast, has efifected won- 

 ders in a fever ; and the decoction is admirable 

 to assuage inflammation. But an extract may be 

 composed of the berries, which is not only greatly 

 efiicacious to assist longevity, but is a kind of 

 catholicon [universal remedy] against all infirmities 

 whatever: and of the same berries is made an 

 incomparable spirit, which, drunk by itself, or 

 mingled with wine, is not only an excellent drink, 

 but admirable in the dropsy. The ointment made 

 with the young buds and leaves in May with but- 



