The _wood_ of the plum-tree is of little value; but the _bark_ is in occasional request as affording a yellow dye. 158. _The BULLACE PLUM is a small violet-coloured fruit of globular shape, produced by a shrub_ (Prunus insititia) _which grows wild in our hedges, and is known by its branches being thorny, and its fruit-stalks in pairs._ The plum has a rough, but not unpleasantly acid taste, especially after it has been mellowed by the frost. A conserve, called _bullace cheese_, is sometimes prepared by mixture of the pulp of the bullace with about thrice its weight of sugar. In several parts of Germany this fruit is preserved in vinegar and spice; and is occasionally used, in the manner of cherries, for the flavouring of brandy. An infusion of the _flowers_, sweetened with sugar, is sometimes used medicinally for children. The _wood_ is pleasingly veined, and is much valued by turners. 159. _The SLOE is a small, round, and nearly black kind of plum_ (Prunus spinosa), _of extremely austere taste, which is common in thickets and hedges throughout nearly every part of England._ _The shrub that produces it has thorny branches, and the fruit-stalks are single._ The harshness and austerity of the sloe are proverbial. Its _juice_, if mixed with British made wines, communicates to them a red colour, and an astringent flavour, somewhat resembling that of port wine; a fact too well known to some of the dealers in that favourite liquor. The juice of unripe sloes, dried over a gentle fire, so nearly resembles the Egyptian acacia (273), that it has in many instances been substituted for that substance; it is, however, harder, heavier, of darker colour, and somewhat sharper taste than the genuine kind. A conserve of this fruit, made with three times its weight of double-refined sugar, has been used with success as a gargle for sore throats. An infusion of the _flowers_ in water, or the flowers boiled in milk, are sometimes employed medicinally; and the _bark_, reduced to powder, has been efficaciously administered in agues. If boiled in ley, the bark yields a red dye. The young and tender _leaves_ of the sloe afford a substitute for tea, but some persons consider them unwholesome. The juice of the fruit, mixed with green vitriol, becomes an indelible black fluid, either for dyeing linen, or as writing-ink. The _wood_, being extremely tough, is converted into walking-sticks, and made into the teeth of rakes; it is also sometimes used by turners. Dr. Withering has remarked, that, from certain effects which he observed to follow the prick of the _thorns_ of the sloe, he was inclined to consider they had some poisonous quality, especially in autumn. PENTAGYNIA.