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The condition or property of being binding; obligatory quality. Coleridge.

ing sap of the birch. -- Oil of birch. (a) An oil obtained from the bark of the common European birch (Betula alba), and used in the preparation of genuine ( and sometimes of the imitation) Russia leather, to which it gives its peculiar odor. (b) An oil prepared from the black birch (B. lenta), said to be identical wi…

A shrub (Prunus Padus ) found in Northern and Central Europe. It bears small black cherries.

the related plant, Trigonella ornithopodioides, is also European.

A small European minnow (Leuciscus phoxinus).

plant (Trillium erectum), and its astringent rootstock, which is said to have medicinal properties.

A genus of herbs and shrubs (Aristolochia), reputed to have medicinal properties.

The aurochs or European bison.

Possessing the property of touching at two points. -- n.

To cause a smarting sensation; to have a property which causes such a sensation; to be pungent; as, it bites like pepper or mustard.

er salt, Epsom salts;; magnesium sulphate. -- Bitter vetch (Bot.), a name given to two European leguminous herbs, Vicia Orobus and Ervum Ervilia. -- To the bitter end, to the last extremity, however calamitous.

A roachlike European fish (Rhodima amarus).

A pestilence which ravaged Europe and Asia in the fourteenth century.

A sweet and juicy variety of European grape, of a dark purplish black color, much grown under glass in northern latitudes.

nd of sausage made of blood, suet, etc., thickened with meal. And fat black puddings, -- proper food, For warriors that delight in blood. Hudibras.

A small European song bird (Sylvia atricapilla), with a black crown; the mock nightingale.

The male of the European black grouse (Tetrao tetrix, Linn.); - - so called by sportsmen. The female is called gray hen. See Heath grouse.

A fish of southern Europe (Centrolophus pompilus) of the Mackerel family.

Properly, the leaf, or flat part of the leaf, of any plant, especially of gramineous plants. The term is sometimes applied to the spire of grasses. The crimson dulse . . . with its waving blade. Percival. First the blade, then ear, after that the full corn in the ear. Mark iv. 28.

A long, thin, marine fish of Europe (Trichiurus lepturus); the ribbon fish.