DUKE

UNIVERSITY

LIBRARY

Treasure %oom

THE

NATURAL HISTORY

OF

VEGETABLES,

As well Foreign as Indigenous ;

Including an Account

Of their Roots, Barks, Woods, Leaves,
Flov/ers, Fruits, Seeds, Resins^ Gums,
and Concreted Juices.

As alfo tb^ir

Prdperties, Virtues, and Ufes in Medicine.

TOGETHER. WITH

The ^Method of Cultivating thofe planted
in Gardens.

By R. BROOKE S, M. D.

Author of the General PraPjcc of Phyjic. ■

V O L. VL

L O N D O N:

Printed for J. Newbery, at the Bible and Sun, in
St. Paul's Church- Yard.

MDCCLXIIL

THE

CONTENTS.

PART I.

TNTRODUCriON.

Of foreign Vegetables^ and their RootSi Bark?, Woodsy

Leaves t Thiers ^ FruifSf Sefdi^ P f^nh (rt^mSf and

conereted Juices.

CHAP. I. Of Roots, -f

CHAP. ir. OfBarkf, 23

CHAP. Iir. OfJVoods, 29

CHAP. IV. Of Leaves and FIcnjoers, 3 4

CHAP. V. Of Fruits and Seeds, 41'

CHAP. Vr. Of Liquid Refns; 64

C H A P. VI I. Of Solid Refins, 6q

CHAP. VIII. Of Gums, 7S

CHAP. IX. Of Gum-Reftns, « 80

CHAP. X. Of Juices ex traced by art from Plants, S^

CHAP. XI. Of Tuberay Fungi, and Suhfances that

adhere io certain Vegetables, 50

PART II.

Of indigenous Herbs , Plants, Shrubs, and Trees ; and their

Vfes in Medicine i 93

An Alphabetical Index of their Englifh "Names, 438

ERRATUM.

Tbe Plate of the If;;z5«7V^^fliould be placed in page 161,
A 2

INTROD UCTION.

0/ B O T A N Y in Ge.veral.

5:^ F we confider the difrerent method? in
^i r h"^ vvliich the knowledge of Botany has been
t^i V-i treated of late, we fhall find that none

"^^ of the fcieftces fo much require abridg-

**• ■** ment. The fcienceof Vegetables may pro-
perly enough be divided into three parts, namely that
of their arrangement ia the Botanical Nomenclature,
their culture and their properties. The lad is the only
one of real importance, the two former being fubfer-
vient to it, and of no other benefit but as tending to
make the latter more ferviceable or more readily com-
prehended.

When the knov^edge of Vegetables is once reduced
into a fcicnce, it is r^quifite that their names and dif-
tJ-ibution fnould be the firfc thing delivered; but thofe
who fir H attempted to learn the fcience from Nature
berfelf, knew the plant and its properties before they
afiigned it a name. We have been nourifhed with the
fruits, we have been clad with the leaves or barks, and
have built huts of the wood of trees ; before we be-
came folicitous as to their appellations, chance rather
than fagacity firfl taught us the ufe of plants, and their
namps followed their known utility. Hence it is
obvious, that thofe immenfe labours which fomc late
Botanifts have undergone to give us a lift of irtie names
of Plants, can tend but little towards the difcovcry of
their properties.

One would be led to fuppofe from the repeated en-
deavours to fyftem<itife this fcience, that the naming
of plants was all they thought Students had to
learn. There have been more attempts made, and time
confumed in making catalogues of this nature, than

I N T R O D U C r ION. v

if properly direfted, would have difcovered feveral new
properiies in the vegetable world, as yet unknown.
There have been numberlefs efforts made to imprefs
dil^inft ideas of each plant, without giving the whole
defcription, but every botanical fyflem has hithertb
failed in this particular, and nothing but a perfedl
defcription of each can give an adequate idea. For this
reafon, leaving fuch fyllems to the Speculative, I have
in the following work purfued the common method,
and given a pesfe«^ account of every vegetable ; its
roots, leaves, ftalks, height, flower, and feeds. Such
compleat defcriptions are abfolutely neceifary to
difdnguifh one objeft from another throughout every
department of Natural Hiftory, but particularly in this
where the objects are fo numerous. The deviations of
nature are not to be reduced into fyftems'; there are ia
plants no parts which are manifefted in all the fpecies,
the flowers and the feeds which feem the moil eflential,
and of confeguence the moft invariable are not to be
found fimilar in many of the fame forts, although our
Tiiofl boafted fyftems are wholly founded upon the fi-
militude in the parts of fruclification.

I hope therefore Students will excufe me for not
having adopted either the fyftems of Toumeforty or
Linnaus^ in contradiftion to nature and experience ;
Yry.y defign being not to amufe the fpeculativ'e, but to
direft the induftricus. Their attempts to reduce the
names of plants into a fyftem, has rendered the ftudy
more difficult and more fubjeft to error, than it would
kave been if the Student had only ufed his fight for the
diftinguifhing of plants, and his memory for regiftring
them. The number aifo of vegetables which they
have undertaken to regifter, is equally prejudicial to .
this ufeful ftudy, not iefs than twenty thoufand fpecies
have been claffed, a multitude the mere remembring
of which v/ould employ all that time which might be
more ufefully fpent in the veftigation of their particu-.
lar ufes. Inftead therefore of expatiating upon fo large,
yet barren a field, I have only taken care to defcrrbe
all fuch Exotics as are ufeful to us, either in medicine
or manufaftures, and all indigenous plants that
have been at any time in ufe, which though now ob-
A 3 fglete

vi INTRODUCTION.

fo'ete may deferve one day an attention of which at
prefent they are thought undefcrving.

* Leaving therefore fyflematical arrangement, let
us treat this fubjed in the manner of the ancients, as
Pliny and Arijiotle, (if the work upon this fubjeft
afcribcd to him be genuine) have handled it. Such as
have been found already ufeful to mankind, we fhall
take particular care minutely to del'cribe, and leave to
pollerity and clrance to find out the ufes of thofe now
unnoticed.

In every vegetable produftion we may confider either
the (teiy the root, the leaf, the bark, the ftalk, the
pith and the fiov.'cr. All of which are' ncccflary in
carrying on the bufmefs of vegetation, and tranlinit-
ting the fpecies from feafon to feafon without interrup-
tion. But though the principles of vegetation rcfide
in every part of the plant, yet we generally find
greater proportions of oil in the more elaborate and
exalted parts of vegetables, namely the feed. This
containing the rudiments of the future vegetable, it
was neccffary that it Ihould be well llored with princi-
ples that would preferve the feed from putrefadion,
and tend to promote vegetation. When the feed is
fown, in a few days it imbibes fo much moifture, as to
fwell, fo that it produces the radicale or incipient root,
v.ith fomc force, which when fliot into the ground,
imbibes nourifnment from thence, and what it receives
becomes in a fhort time the chief fupply of future
growth. ^yVhen the root is thus far grown, it fupplies
the plume with nourifhment, till this by expanding
and glowing thinner, turns to green leaves, which are
of fuch importance to the incipient plant, that it pe-
riflies, and will not thrive if they are pulled off. But
when the plume is fo far come to maturity, as to have
branches and expanded ler.ves to draw up nouriihm.ent,
thcfe feminal leaves being no longer ufeful, perifh ;
their perfpiration being impeded by the newly produ-
ced leaves that over Ihadow them, and their fap being

* Such as would defire to be more fully convinced af the Terti-
Jity (A the Eotanical fyflem, may ronfult a memoir written by'^Mr.
D^ulif.tcv, the pr':iert keeper oi the royp] cabinet at Pant. " Au
Mot, Bounitjue tncyclp. (ol. vol, ii. p. 340,

drawn

INTRODUCTION. vli

drawn away by the larger channels of the upper foliage.

As the plant advances in ftature, the hrlt, fecond,
third, and fourth order of lateral branches llioot out,
each lower order being larger than thofe immediately
above them, not only on account of their having a
longer time to grow, but becaufe being inferted in
larger parts of the trunk, and nearer the root which is
the grand fupply, they are provided wirii greater plen-
ty of fap, from whence we generally fee trees tapering
beautifully to the top.

Upon the difcovery of the circulation of the blood in
animals, Botanifts feemed willing to think from the
analogy there was between all the works of nature,
that the fame circulation mull alfo have prevailed in Ve-
getables ; and fome have actually -undertaken to prove,
that the fap firft rifes to the tops of trees by the pith, and
then again defcends to the root by the bark, vv'ith the
fwiftefl motion. This was long a received opinion, 'till
the learned Do£lor Hales undertook by experiment, to
undeceive the public, and has ledmany tobeof his opi-
nion : When, fays he, the fap has firfl paiTed through
that thick and fine ftrainer, the bark of the root (which
may be regarded as the llomach of Vegetables in gene-
ral, where the greateft part of the nourilhment is pre-
pared and taken in) there it is found in great quantities
in the raoft lax part between the bark and the wood,
early in the fpring it begins to rife. But as this fap is
imbibed from the earth in great quantities, its celerity,
continues he, would be incredible if that quantity firft
afcended to the top of the tree, and then defcended again
before it were carried off by perfpiration. The de-
feat of circulation, however, in vegetables, he accounts
for by the fiiperior quantity of liquor carried ofF
by perfpiration than what is perfpired by animals,
having fhevvn that a Sun-flower, bulk for bulk, im-
bibes and perfpires feventeen times more frelh li-
quor than a man, c^every twenty four hours. So that
though the fap afcends with great velocity in Vegeta-
bles, from this great quantity of fubtile. fluid carried off
by the leaves, yet there feems no reafon for its defcent
in any fuch proportion, nor would it have fufficient
time 10 fupply the plant with nutrition, if it went round

fo

Vui INTRODUCTION.

fo brifkly. Such was the opinion of this great Natu-
ralilh Mr. Duhamely however, who has written fince
|iis time, has unaertaken to prove the delcent of the
fap in \'egecables, as well as its afcent, by making a
circular incificn on the baiks of trees, ana finding the
fweliing of the fca. k above the incifion was greater than
that below it, which equally anfwered if the plant and
its pot were inverted, the roots being in air, the bran-
ches downward. However, this may be certain, that
there is a conftant flow of juices through cvery'plant,
the roots furniihing it in great quantities, while the
leaves fprcading an extended furface to the fun, have
their moiHure attracted in very large quantities, and
v/hen the influence of his beams no longer continue,
tj.ey at night aft as fponges, and imbibe the humidity
©f the air. Thus we fee that the leaves are ablolutely
uecefl^ary in the work of vegetation ; they like young
animals are furnifhed with inftruments to fuck it from
thence ; and befide this, they feperate and carry ofl'the
redundant watery fluid, which by being long detained,
would turn rancid, and become noxious to the plant.

But as the leaves are found to exhale moiflure, fo they
are known to imbibe nouriftiment from the air. The
acid and fulphureous fpiritwith which the air is fraught,
is thence extracted by the leaves of plants, fo that it is
probable the mofl exalted and aromatic principles of
Vegetables, are derived from this fource, rather than
from the groiTer watery fluid of the fap. Leaves are
found to perform in I'ome meafure the fame office, for
the fupport of vegetative life, that the lungs of ani-
mals do for the fupport of animal life ; but as plants
have not a pov/er oi' contra£ling or dilating the cheft,
their infpiraticns will depend v.hoUy on the alternate
changes of the air. Plants of the more rich and racy
juices, imbibe greater quantities of nutriment from tha
air, than the more vapid and fuculent plants, which are
fcund to abound more in fap. The Vine, for inftar.cc,
is known by experiment to draw but little watery nutri-
ment from the earth by its roots, and therefore it im-
bibes greater quantities of dew, impregnated with air
by night, from whence it derives its richnefs of flavour ;
and this may be the reafon why plants in hot countries,

abouad

INTRODUCTION. ix

abound more with fine aromatic principles, than northern
vegetables, the former chiefly extradling their juices
from the air by the leaf, the latter theirs from the earth
by the root.

Nothing can exceed the regularity with which leaves
are placed on every plant, and Bonetius has been at the
pains of defcribing the different difpoiitions they affijme,
the alternate, the cofTing, the vertical, the quincunx,
and the fpiral, are the divifions he makes of their ar-
rangements. But the care which, when budding, Na-
ture feenis to take of the young fhoots, ftill deferves
greater admiration, for the moil tender parts are ever
defended by thofe which have acquired a greater degree
cf ilrength. Befides this, the leaf, as may be eafily
feen, has two different furfaces, the upper which Teems
more fmooth and polifhed, the lower in v/hich the ribs
are more prominent, and the colour of a paler green ;
the caufe of this difference has not a little puzzled the
Botanifls of every age ; perhaps the upper polifhed
furface from its pofition being more liable to the exter-
nal injuries of the air and rains, is thus formed rather
to defend the lower part, in which probably the attrac-
tive powers may rcfide.

In this manner the leaves cf trees contribute to im-
prove the flavour of the fruits, and regulate the vegeta-
tion. When trees Hand thick together in woods or
groves, the lower branches, being ihaded by thofe
of neighbouring trees, can perfpire little, and im-
bibe lefs, wherefore they perifh : But the top branches
being expofed to a free air, they perfpire plentifully,
and by this means drawing the fap to the top, they ad-
vance in height rather than extent: So that Doilor
Hales compares a tree to a complicated engine, which
hath as many different powers of attra£l:on, as it hath
arms or branches, each drawing from their common
fountain of life, the root. The younger the plant, the
greater its power of attraflion, while as it grows older
the vefTels of circulation become more rigid, and the
parts to be produced more inflexible, till at laft the
parts no longer capable from the rigidity of age, either
of protrufion or dilatation, the plant acquires its greateft
degree of hardnefs, but continues to vegetate no

longer*

X INTRODUCTION.

longer. So that in all we fee the admirable contrivance
of the author of Nature, in adapting different ways of
conveying nourifhmentto the different circumftances of
her productions. In the embryb Hate the quantity
which the bud demands relative to its fize, is very-
great, when it is encreafed, though a much greater
quantity of nouriihment is then neceffary, yet lefs fuffi-
ces each particular part, fo that nature produces no or-
ganized being, which it is not able to fupply.

Bat the afllduity of nature in the protedlion of the
grovsing plant, is not greater than her care to preferve
the feeds which are to j)ropagate the future Vegetable
uninjured. The curious expanfion of bloflbms and
flowers, feeni to be appointed by nature, not only to
protedl, but alfa to convey nouriihment to the embryo
feed. Mr. Valiant even feems to regard flowers as the
criterion which conllitute the difference of fex in plants j
he pretends that the leaves of flowers are nothing more
ihan coverings, which ferve to wrap up the organs of
generation, with which ail plants are furniflied, they
Having not lefs than animals their different fexes.

Tcuruefortj whofe name we have adopted, diftinguifhes
five parts in flowers, namely the petal, the ftamen, the
fipcX, uic piiiil, and calix, or cup; thefe parts, hovvever>
are not found united in all flowers, but fome have one
part, fome another. To give the ignorant an idea of
thefe, let us take the Carnation, a common flower, for
an example, as containing them all. The leaves or pe-
tals of flowers are fo called to diftinguifti them from the
leaf of the plant. The petals are therefore the beautiful
llriped leaves that compofe the flower of the Carnation ;.
the flamen is that fmall flender ftalk, feveral of which
are found growing in the midft of the petals ; the apex
is the little head with which every ftamen is terminated ;
the pillil is that fingle eminence, in the midft of all ter-
minated by two or three crooked filaments ; while the
calix or cup, is that exterior green part of the flower,
which cnclofes and fupports the reft. Such flowers as
Jiave ftamina with apexes at the end, in general have
two little receptacles, containing a duft ox farina y but
produce no fruit, they are called male plants ; fuch, on
the contrary, as have only a pillil, which is fucceeded by

the

INTRODUCTION. xi

the fruit, are called female ; thofe, on the other hand,
which have both llamina and piftils, are called Herma-
phrodite Plants, as uniting both fexes in one. In order to
perform the bufmefs of faecundity, it has been fuppofed
that the dull or fnrina, contained in the apex of the male
flcnver, was fcattered by the wind, or other wife upon the
piftil of the female flowers, which was adapted with a pro-
per aparatus for receiving it, and became by this means
prolific. It has been alio found by experience, that
when the n.ale and female flowers were feperated by an
high wall, or otherwife, the latter continued barren and
produced no feed ; however, this whole theory has of
late been.rtrongly oppofed by many eminent Botanifts,
particularly the late Do6tor Aljhn of Edinburgh, a man
ofextenflve knowledge in fuch fubjedls, and of indefati-
gable induftry.

The fruits- in general ferve to fupply the feed with
moifture, and may be compared to a chymicai elabora-
tory, in which the oleogenous juices are prepared ; thofe
kernels in particular which are enclofed within a thick
Ihell, and receive nourifliment from the fruit expanded
round it, have the veflels which fupply this nut, running
perpendicularly inward, but making convolutions round
the edges of the fliell, in order to prepare the oils in
ilill greater perfeftion.

In all fruits Linnaeus dillingui/hes the pericardium, or
inner covering, in which the feed is lodged, the femen,
or feed, and the receptaculum, or hulk, as we call it,
which is the part which fupports the feed or the flower,
or both together.

The Pericardium he divides into eight kinds, to wit.

1. The Capfula, or Pod, which is compofed of feveral
elaftic cells, which generally open of themfelves when
ripe, and which incJofe the feed in one or more cells,

2. The Ccnceptaculum which only difl^ers from the
Capfula, in that it is void of elalHcity. 3. The Siliqua.
4. The Lcgun.en. 5. The Drupa. 6. The Pomum.
7. The Bdcca. 8. The Scrobilusor Cone. Such are the
divifions this Naturalift has thought proper to make in
fruits ; but if we examine Nature, we fhall find that
thefe are perfedly arbitrary, and that to underHand thefe

minute

XH TNTRODUCTION.

minute diflinftions, is more difficult than to become ac-
quainted with her real productions.

But though fruits in general are the moft inconfider-
able agents in promodng the work of vegetation,
being, as has been already obferved, only dellined
for fupplying the feed with proper moifture and nou-
ri(hment ; yet, with refpccl to man, they make the moil
ufeful and pleafing part of vegetable produdions.
Their general proptriies, as conllitu-.ing a part of our
food, may be confidered as ariling from their different
degices of maturity. In general, while unripe, they
may be confidered as aftringeut, and in fome meafure
partaking of the qualities of the bark of their refpedive
trees ; when come to a uifficient degree of maturity, they
cool and attenuate, but from too great a power, in
thcfe refpefts, they often bring en dilbrders that are
fatal, particularly in warmer climates, where their juices
are poflefled of thofe qualities Hill more than with us.
la our climates, however, this feldom happens, and they
probably do not make a fufficient part of our diet.

As many expedients have beeen tried among us, for
preferving fruit frefh all the year, I Ihall beg leave to
give one communicated to the public by the Chevalier
Southzve//, and which has been ufed in France with fue-
cefs. Take of Salt Petre one pound, of Bole Armenic
tv/o pounds, of common Sand well freed from its earthy
parts, four pounds, and mix all together ; after this let
the frut be gathered with the hand before it be tho-
roiigh ripe, each fruit being handled only by the ftalk ;
lay (hem regularly, and in order, in a large wide
mouthed glafs veffel ; then cover the top of the glafs
yXikh an uiled paper, and carrying it into a dry ptaccj
fct it in a box filed all round to about four inches
thicknt-fb, with the aforefaid preparations, fo that no
p^^rt of the glafs veffel fhall appear, being buried in a
mmner in the prepared Nitre ; and at the end of the year
fiiLh frirts may be taken out as beautiful as they were
when firll put in.

N. ['. In our defcriution of the ftommon Hemlock, we have
tak-'o m> rv.tice of the properties afcr.bed to it by Dr, Stork i for
thcuth we ^re.4tly rt^ecm that gentleman, and beJieve what he
fa vs re' pf 'fiPtt that plant, and its efTecls in Gerwavy, yet we have
thr: morcitication to find that it docs not produce the fam« cffciti
here.

T II E

NATURAL HISTORY

O F

VEGETABLES,

And their ufes in Medieine.

PART I.

Of foreign ^egetahlesy and their roots, barks, nvoods,
lea'vesy fonvers, fruits^ fieds, rejtns, gu?ns, and con-^
creted juices,

CHAP. I.

Of Roots,

M^M)^HE CALAMUS AROMATICUS, or
JOj _ 5@^ j^corus Ferus, is the fweet fmelling flag of
^ 5§C ^^y* ^'^^ ^^^ Tweet fcented flag of other

w www authors, has a long oblique geniculated root
about as thick as a man's finger, and a lit-
tle compreffed ; when frefh, it is of a whitifh green co-
lour, but afterwards, turns of a reddiih yellow. It is
white and fpungy within, has a (harp b^tterifli aroma-
tic tafte, with a diftant relifh of that of garlick, and
a fragrant aromatic fmell. When it is frefh, fragrant,
and not mufty, rank, or rotten, it is good.

From the root, that lies near the furface of the earth/
there arife leaves, fome of which are a cubit in length,
others half as much, and its peculiar characlerillic is

Vol. VL B a fimple

t THE NATURAL HISTORY

a {jmple elegant iu!u?, with leaves, like the aromatic
flower de luce. They are fharp at the point, of a plea-
fant green, fmooth, and above a quarter of an inch
broad. The receptacle of fr unification is in the Ihape
of a man's finger, covered with fmall flowers. They
have fix petals, which are b!unt, hollow, loofe, thick
above and truncated below. 1 here are fix thickifh fi-
laments, a little longer than the corolla. The antherse
are thickilh, and jom to the dedymas. The germen is
gibbous, longi{h, and there is ro ftyle ; but the lligma
is a prominent point. The capfula is Ihort, triangular,
and confills of three cells. The feeds are of an oblong
oval. *

Dr. Fetit, a Ikilful botanift, afiirms, the flowers are
without petals, and confifl; of fix Ilamina, difpofed into
a compact fpike, between which the embryoes are bred,
and furrounded with very fmall flat leaves or fcales.
Each embryo turns into a quadrangular feed, and all the
parts are connefted to a thick axis, formed into a coni-
cal or horned fpike, and are contained in a furrowed
leaf that is thicker than the reft. The reader may per-
ceive there is fome difi^srence between thefe two de-
fcriptions, but which of them is right, is hard to fay ;
but perhaps they may not both mean the fame plant.
However, as the root is very well known, it is not of
any great confequence. It abounds with'a volatile ef-
fential oil, and a little urinous fpirit. It is commended
for llrengthening the liomach, difcufling wind, eafing
gripes, and for obfiruftions of the womb, and fpleen j
but it is not much depended on in thefe cafes. It i« given
in fubftance, from twelve grains to thirty, and in in-
fufion to two dramb.

The INDIAN ACORUS, by fome called the true
ylfian Calamus Aramatkus^ has a root not unlike the
former, but more tender and «' f a pleafantcr fmell ; the
tafte is bitterifh, but not dilagreeable. It is found both
in the Eafl and IVeJi hidies, and is in fhape much like
the former. It is recommended for inciding cold grofs
humours, and fome pretend it is good againll poifons.

* The defer! pMon of this flower is from Linnaus, whofe terms
cannot be properly trari/laied into Engli/h, but the learned reader
will readily undcrftand them.

The

OF VEGETABLES. 3

The BASTARD ACORUS has a knotty root, and
is red both within and without. It has little or no fmell,
and is without tafte at firit, but after a while it bites the
tongue very much. It has formerly been kept in the
fhops inflead of the true Acorus ; but is now out of
ufe,

ANGELICA is placed by ^ay among the umbellife-
rous herbs with a (horter feed. The flower according
to Linnaus is a large convex umbe'la, and the univerfal
corolla is uniform ; but the proper confifls of five oval
concave petals, that are nearly equal to each other.
There are five fimple filaments, and roundifli antherje.
The germen is beneath the receptacle, and there are two
jlimple ereft ftyles of the length of the corolla, and the
iligmata are capitated. The fruit is oval oblong, flreak-
ed, and may be feparated into two parts. There are
two oval oblong feeds convex and flreaked on the one
fide, and the other plain. The root is three digits thick
with many fibres, black and wrinkled on the outfide,
but within white, foft, juicy, Iharpifh and bitterifli.
The ftalk grows to two cubits and upwards in height,
and is hollow, full of branches, with large leaves like
thofe of meadow Imallage, but much fharper. Geoffrey
fays the flowers are in the form of a rofe, and white
with five petals, and a calyx, or cup, which turns to
a fruit compofed of two oblorg flreaked Oeds. The
dried root is brought to us from Bohemia^ the Alps^ and
the Pyrenees. The beft is thick, of a dufky colour
without, whitifli within, and with a mort fragrant fmell,
a little inclining to mu/k, and of an acrid aromatic tafte.
The roots brought from Spain are recommended by our
college, and it is accounted fomevvhat cordial, and good
for the ftomach ; but they are very feldtm prefcribtd
now upon any occafion. Our own candid Angelica
roots are well known to ^vtiy one as a fweetmeat.

ANTHORA, in Englijh Monk's hood, or nvhoJe/ome
Wolfs Bane, is the Aconitumof'Tournefort, and the flower
has five unequal petals fet oppofite to each other in pairs,
the uppermoll of which is galeated with its back turned
upward, and the point fliarp and refleded towards the
bafe. The two on the fides are broad, round! (h and
concivent ; but the lowermoft two aie cblcng, and
B 2 turned

4 THE NATURAL HISTORY
turned downwards. There are two neftaria under the
higheft petal which is filtulousand crooked. There are
feveral imall fubulated filament?, which are broader at
the bafe, and inclined towards the higheft petal. The
anthers are erefi and fmall, and the three germina are
oblong, terminating in ftyles of the length of the Ilamina.
The lligmata are fimple and reflefted ; and there are
three capfuJae fubulated, oval, upright, univalved, and
ending inwards ; the feeds are many, angular, and
wrinkled. Others fay that the flower is anomalous,
and confifts of five petal?, and unlike each other, refem-
bling a man's head with a cowl thereon. The colour is
of a paliQi yellow, and the piftil turns to a fruit, in
which are colleded, as into a head, corniculated mem-
branaceous {heaths, full of angular wrinkled blackilh
feedi. The plant is generally about nine inches high,
and fometimes it is above a cubit, v/ith a fingrl-ir lliiF
angular hairy ftalk, on which the leaves are fet alter-
nately, which are like thofe of the Aeon itum, only they
are more flender and not fo {leaning ; they are whitifh
below, ard have a bitterilh tafie. The root has been in
ufe, and was fuppofed to be an antklote againft poifons ;
however its vertuesare uncertain, and fome think the ufe
of it is dangerous ; though Geoffrey affirms he has often
given it for the killing of worms, and never obferved ic
bad any violent purging or other bad quality. He
thinks it very proper to incide grofs glutinous humours,
and prefcribes it from a fcruple to a dram againft gripes
and for killing of worms.

ARI3TOLOCHIA is of feveral kinds, as the round,
the long, the clematitis, and the flender. Arijlola-
chia Rotunda, or Round Birthwort, according to Lin-
rceus, has a fingle unequal petal, with a ventricous bafe ;
and i't confifts of an oblong tube of a hexagon cylindrick
ihape and a broad edge, extended downwards like a long
tongue. There are fix antherai joined to the lower part
of the ftigmata, and the gernien is oblong, angular, and
under the receptacle. Ihere is fcarce any ftyle, and
the ftigma is roundilb, concave, and divided into fix
parts. The capfula is large, hexangular, and confifling
of fix ceils. There are many flat feeds, and the fruic
is round. Geoffrey obferves that the flowers confift of a

fingle

OF VEGETABLES. ^

^ngle petal in the form of a tongue, and are of a dark
purpliili black colour, with a calyx that changes to a
eapfular fruit, which is roundifh, divided into fix cells
that contain blackifti, broad, comprefTed feeds, lying
one upon another, among which are certain membranes,
and white fpungy matter, which is likewife common to
the reft of the Birthivorts. It confifts of a great num-
ber of ftalks proceeding from a fmgle root, which are a
cubit high, and the leaves are placed alternately on the
ftalks almoft without any pedicle. They are roundifli,
of a dufky green colour, and as it were embrace the
ftalks. The flowers proceed from the wings, the root
is tuberofe, folid, three inches thick, roundiih, wrinkled,
with a few iibres duiky on the outfide, of a palifli yellow
colour within, and covered with a thick bark j and the
tafte is acrid, 'aromatic, and bitterifti.

ARISTOLOCHIA LONGA, long Birth^crt, has
the fame fort of flower as the former, only it is of a
whitifti green colour within, and outwai-dly of a herba-
ceous colour. The fjuit is terminated like a top, and
when it is ripe it gapes, fhowing a broad reddilh feed,
which at length turns to a duiky colour. The leaves are
much like the former ; but the root is oblong and about
an inch thick, though fometimes it grows to the thick-
nefs of a man*s arm; and it is wrinkled, and of a dufky
colour without, but within it is yellowifli, and the tafte
is much like the former, but fomewhat more faint.

ARISTOLOCHIA CLEM ATITIS has a long creep-
ing root, divided into feveral iibres ; it is fmall, for it is
feldom thicker than a goofe- quill, it is duiky without,
and yellowifti within ; and it has a bitter tafte, with a
fmell ftronger than the former. The ftalks are a cubit
in length, and are rounder, harder, and ftronger than
thofe of the former ; likewife the leaves are larger, full
of veins, and of a pale green colour, with longer pedicles
than the reft. The flowers are pale, but (haped like
thofe of rofc-w^ 5/r//^wo;7 but lefs, and the fruit is like
that of long Birth'wort but bigger, they being of the
fize of fmali apples, likewife the feeds are larger.

ARISTOLOCHIA TENUIS, Jlender Bhthnvort -,

otherwife called Pijiilochia, has a root which confifts of

long flender filaments, meeting in one head of a yellowifti

B 3 colour,

6 THE NATURAL HISTORY
colour, with an aromatic fmell, and an acrid bitter tafte.
The ftalks are about nine inches high, and flender.
They are angular and ftreaked, and full of branches,
with the leaves more pointed than the round Birth^vort^
but lefs wrinkled and a little finuous on the tQ^z^. 1 he
flowers are like thofe of the round BtrthnxorthxiXXtky
and fometimes black ; but fometimes they are of an
herbaceous yellowifh colour, with fruit like thofe of the
round. When they are ripe they gape at the part next
the pedicle, and the feeds are like thofe of the round
Birthixort.

All the kinds are reckoned to be opening and a little
cleanfing, and fome eileem the round fort as bell. They
are faid to be good againll catarrhs and diforders of the
breaft from grofs humours ; as alfo againll wind, pains
of the cholic, and obilrufcions of the vifcera. Of late
they have been cried up by the German phyficians as
excellent againfl the gout, that is when a tindure is ex-
traded from them with fpirit of wine ; becaufe the re-
fmous part is accounted the belt. Thus a pint of the
fpirit that contains about two ounces of the refin, may
be given to fifty drops ; or the extradl may be prefcribed
in the form of pills, to the quantity of fifteen grains.
This is looked upon by many to be a certain cure for
the gout, when taking. in a morning failing for a con-
fiderable time.

BEHEN ALBUM, '■johi!e Behen, is a root which is
brought to us in pieces about as thick as a man's finger ;
of an afn colour without, with a ccntradled wrinkled
furfacc, but pale and pulpy within, and of an acrid
taile.

BEHEN RUBRUM, red Behen, is a root brought to
us in pifces like jalap, and is dry, thick, and of a
blackilh red colour, with a talte and fmell like the former,
but more faintifh. They are both brought from ^yria
and other places. Authors have been long at variance
about the plant to which this root belong-^, ; but at length
fjmc of the feeds have been brought by Tourne/ort into
Eufope, and is by him called J ace a Orientalise that is.
Oriental Knap-vsort, and is the white Behen of Rautuoif.
It has a long geniculated root with no hairy fibres, and
is creeping like Liquorice which it refembles both in

ihapc

OF VEGETABLES. 7

ftiapeand thicknefs ; but it is whiter on theinfide. As
for red Behen we are ftill uncertain what it is. It is faid
to be llrengthening, and to be good in tremblings. How-
ever it is ft'ldom or never in ufe.

BUTUA, or Pareira bra'va is a Brajilian plant, and
the root is woody, hard, contorted, dufky, and wrinkled
without, as well lengthways as circularly ; within it is
of a dufky yellow colour, and feems to be interwoven
with various fibres ; fo that when it is cut tranfverfeiy,
they appear like fo many concentric circles, with feve-
ral rays or fibres reaching from the center to the circum-
ference. It is without fmell but of a bitterifh tafle,
with a fweetnefs not unlike liquorice. It is as thick as
a man's finger, and fometimes as a child's arm.

The Portuguefe and Brajillam are very lavlfh in
praifing its vertuet ; and it'is found in thofe parts to be
excellent in pains of the gravel, and fuppreffion of urine,
fometimes relieving the pitient almoil in an inflant. It
is alfo good in ulcers of the bladder and kidnies, and
when mixed with a little balfam of capivi it will cer-
tainly cure them. Geoffrey has found it good in the
moilt arthmi, when other things have been tried in
vain, for it promotes expeifloration to a wonder. Like-
wife in the yellow jaundice proceeding from an in-
fpiffated bile it has performed wonders, when exhibited
in the form of a decoilion ; and three cups have oeen
'given of it in the fpace of an hour and a half; for the
third cup cured a wcmm who had the jaundice, atten-
ded with pains cf the cholic ; that is^it cured the cholic,
and was Itill continued every fourth hour, till at length
the yellow colour of the fkin vanifhed, and the patient
was quite reflored. The dofe is from twelve grains to
thirty in lubfiance j and from two drams to three in
decodion.

CARLINA, or Chamalion alhus of the fhops, is a
root a palm or two in length, and of the thicknefs of a
man's thumb ; it is red without, and has a furface
which feems to have been corroded ; it is white within,
with an acrid aromatic tafte, and a fragrant fmell. It
is brought from the Alps and Pyrenees^ and fiiould be
chofen frefh, dry, and not carious. It is now of little or
no ufe in medicine.

B 4 CASU-

« THE NATURAL HISTORY

CASUMUNAR is an Eajl-India root, and is tubc-
Tofe. It is as thick as a man's thumb and upwards,
ard is cut into tranfverfe pieces; it is marked on the
furface with circles like galangal, and is a little genicu-
lated. It is afh coloured without, yellowifh within,
with a fubacrid, bitterifli, aromatic tafle. What plant this
belongs to is uncertain ; however it is laid to ilrengthen
the neivee, refrelh the fpirits, corroborate the ftomach,
and repel wind. Some cry up its vertues in the apoplexy,
falling ficknefs, fwimming of the head, the hypocon-
driac paffion, and hyfterick fits. It is given in fub-
ftance from ten grains to thirty, and the tindure from
twenty drops to thirty. The extraft is alfo given from
fix grains to fifteen ; but the chiefeft ufe made of it h
to help digeftion and difpel wind.

CHINA, is a long root, and is fo called from the
place it is brought from. However there are now two
forts, one of which is brought from the Eaji, and the
other from the H^eji- Indies. It is a thick arundinaceous
geniculated, heavy, woody root, befet with unequal
tubercles, and the colour without is of a d'j&y red, but
within of a rcddifti white. The talle while frefli is a
*Itiie acrio*, but wueh dry it nas a fiiiaj! degree of an
earthy allringent tafte, and without fmell ; if it is good
it (eems to be fat and unduous when chewed. The
plant to which It belongs is called the rough Chinefe
fmilax, or bind weed. This root was unknown to the
ancients j but among the moderns it has been celebrated
for its vertues againft venereal difeafes ; though it is now
pretty much ]ai(^afide, and gives way to more powerful
medicines. Sonn. ajSlrm it refolves thick humours, and
promotes infenfible perfpiration ; others recommend it
againUt all difeafes of the nerves as well as the gout are
fcrcphulous fwellings ; but it is now little ufed for thofe
purpofes, and it is never given alone, though it has been
prefcribed in fubftance from half a dram to a dram and
a half. The American China differs from the former
only in being of a darker colour without, and redder
within.

CONTRAYERVA is a root an inch or two in length,
and about half an inch thick, and is knotty on the out-
fide » it is hard, thick, reddilh or blackifh without,

wrinkled.

J^^

O/u/Ut ,'A<>rf^!

A

?^^ s

OF VEGETABLES. 9

wrinkled, and the protuberances are as it were covered
with fcales ; it has alfo many flender filaments, or
threads, but within it is pale, and has a fomewbat
aftringent bitterifli tafte, with a fweet fort of acrimony
when it has been held long in the mouth. The tubercle
part is only to be chofen ; for the filaments are of no
value. It grows in fev^eral parts of the IVeft Indies^ and
is brought to us from Spahiy It is a mild alexif harmac,
and has been counted excellent againfl: all forts of coagu-
lating poifons. It ftrengthens the flomach, helps di-
geftion, and difculTes wind ; it is alfo ufed by fome in
malignant fevers. The dofe is generally a fcruple, but
it may be given to a dram and upwards. It is certainly
very good to promote a diaphorefis.

COST US is by authors faid to be of various kinds,
but that in ufe with us is the fweet Coftus of the (hops,
and is brought from the E aft -Indies. It is cut into ob-
long pieces, which are about the thicknefs of a man's
thumb ; which are light and porous, but hard and brit-
tle, and a little refinous. Sometimes it is whitifh, and
fometimes of a yellowifh afh colour, with an acrid aro-
matic bitterifti tafte ; but the fmell is fragrant, and not
unlike that of violets. It is faid to attenuate vifcid hu-
mours, to promote expedoraticn, and is by fome reck-
oned a cephalic, as well as to be good for promoting a
diaphorefis and urine. It is very feldom ufed, but when
it is it may be given to half a dram in fubitance, and to
half an ounce in infiifion.

CURCUMA, Tumeric^ is a root brought from the
EaJ}' Indies, and is oblong, flender, tuberofe, knotty,
and of a yellow or faffron colour ; the tafte is fubacrid,
and bitterifti, with a fmell like that of ginger, but
weaker. It is a very ufeful root to the dyers, and as it
is very much in requeft, there is fcarce a garden in the
Eaft-hdies where \X. is not cultivated, and they ufe it
with their vi(5luals as a fort of a fpice. It is reccm-
mended againft obftrudions of the lungs, liver, {]^\zQn,
mefentery, and womb ; but its principal vertue is againil
the jaundice, in which it is looked upon as a fpecific.
It is given in fubftance from a fcruple to a dram, and
in infufion to two drams.

B 5 CYPE-

lo THE NATURAL HISTORY

CYPERUS LONG A, hngCyferufs, is a long (lencJer
knotty contorttd root, not eafily broken ; it is b!acki(h
without, and whitifh within ; and of a fweet fubacrid
aromatic talie, with a fragrant fmell like that of nard.
It is generally brought to us from Italy, and care {hould
/ be taken that it ha? a lively fmell, and is not carious.
There is another root caWt^ round Cyperufs^ which has
been brought from the Lsnjant, and is a roundiih and
taibinated root, of the fize and fnape of an olive. Ic
is rough, llreaked, reddifh without, and fometimes black j
but it is white within, and there are feveral fibres or
threads depending from a fingle head. The fmell and
tafte is the fame as the former. It has been cried up as
a great aperient, and good for opening obilruflions. It
has alio been looked upon as a fpecific in ulcers of the
blar^der, and has been given to a dram in fubllance, and
in infufion to an ounce; but in the preient pradlice it is
feldom ufed.

DfCrAMNUS CRETICUS, dittany of Crete, is a
'kind of Origany, and is now only ufed in Venice treacle ;
it is brought to us from Candy, and is faid to grow on
mount Ida. There is another fort called lAjhite Dittanyt
which is a fort oi Fraxinella, which is now of fome ufe
in many parts of Europe. The root, or rather bark of
the root, is thickidi, white, and is generally brought to
us wrapped up in the fame manner as cinnamon; it is
of a bitterifti tafte with a little acredity, and has a fra-
grant, and pretty ftrorg fmell when freih. It is faid to
be an alexipharmac, to promote fweat, urine, the
menfes ; to kill worms, and to refill putrefaction. The
dofe is from half a dram to two drams in fubllance, and
in infufion to an ounce.

DORONICUM ROMANUM, ^oman Wolfsbane,
is a tuberofe root full of knots and tubercles, which are
hardly fo big as fmall hazel nuts ; it is yellowifli with-
out, and whitiih within, and the tafte is fweetiih, clam-
my, and a litile llyptic. It is brought to us from the
jilps. 1 here has been a great difpute among authors
whether it is poifonous or not ; for many affirm it will
kill dogs in feven hours time ; but fome in anfwer to
this affirm, that what is poifonous to a dog may be falu-
tary to a man, and particularly Gefner informs us, that

he

OF VEGETABLES. ii

he has taken fome of it without any harm. But be this
as it will, if the vertues of this root are doubtful, it will
be the fafeft to abllain from it.

GxALANGA MINOR, the lejfer Galangal, is a tube-
rofe, knotty, geniculated root, and is divided into
branches, as well as encompafled with circular rings ;
is uneven, hard, folid, and about as thick as the little
finger; of a dufky colour without, and reddifh within ;
with an acrid, aromatic, bitter, pungent tafte, burning
the mouth like pepper or ginger, and has an arcmatic or
fragrant fmell while it is frefh, it is ufed in the Eq/i'
Indies as a fpice. Jt is a warm ftomachic bitter, and is
given to promote digeftion. It is good to difcuis wind,
and in all diforders that proceed from a weak llomach,
liime have a great opinion of it as a purifier of the blood.
The dofe is from fifteen grains to thirty in fubftarce, and
from half a dram to two drams in infufion. "When this
root is reduced to a mafs, with the juice of plantain, and
applied with a red cloth to the region of the heart, it is by
fome looked upon as a fpeclfic againft its palpitation.

GENTIAN A, Givtian, is a root fometimes a foot in
length, and near an inch in diameter, but fcmetimes
snore ; it is dufky on the outfide, but of a yeliowifh red
within, and a talle intenfely bitter, likewife the fubftance
is a little fpungy. It grows among the /dps, FyreneeSy
and other mountains, and is brought to us from Ger-
many. Not many years ago there was a poifoncus root
fold inftead of Gentian ; but it may be readily dif-
tinguifh'^d from it, it being of a whitifn coiour within,
and without its bitter tafte. It is ufually prefcribed as-
a bitter to flrengthen the ilomach, and to help digeftion.
The dofe is from half a dram to two drams. It is
frequently ufed as a tent by furgeons to dilate ulcers
and wound?.

GLYCYRRHIZA, Liquorice^ is a root extremely
well known almoll to every body. The ll?Jks rife to
three or four cubits in height, and are divided into feve-
ral branches, with roundilh leaves of a r'"aint green co«
lour. They fiand upon the llalks by pairs, that is, one
©n each fide, but at the end there is one that is fingle.
The flowers are papilionaceous, fmall, blueiQi, and afc
the top difpofed as it were into a fpike. The piful thar
B 6 i\k^

12 THE NATURAL HISTORY
rires from the calyx turns into a reddifh pod, half ant
inch long, which has two valve? and a fmgle cell con-
taining the feeds, v.'hich are fmall, hard, flat, and in
the iliape of kidnies. According to Linnrvus the flowers
have a fingle leaved, tubulated, bilabiated perianthium,
and the upper lip is divided into two parts ; but the
under lip is very fimple. The corolla is papilionaceous
and tttrapetalous. The vexil'um is oval like a latince,
as well as ilrait and long, and the wings are oblong and
a little bigger than the carina, which is dipetalcus and
acute, with a nail as long as the calyx. The fl:ameii
IS fimple and hid in the carina ; the antheras are f mple
?.nd roundifh. 7'he gormen is fiicrter than the calyx ;
the ^Ly\G fubulated and of the length of the {lamina ;
bu: the iligma is blunt. The pod is oval or oblong,
flat and iliarp, with a fingle cell.

Liquorice grows fpontaneoufly in Spain, Italy, Francey
and Germafr^>, and is alfo common with us in England,
The root temperates fait acrid humours, and is good in
difeafes of the breaft. It is often prefcribed in decoc-
tions, as well to appeafe the heats of the fluids as to
abate their acrimony. As for the dofe it is not cafily
determined, for it is ufually chewed by children in large
quantities, v/ithout any bad confequence. The infpiflTated
juice which is brought from Spain is of a blackifli colour,
ar;d is commonly called SpaniJ?j liquorice, it has the
fame vertue as the root but itronger.

KELLEBORUS ALDUS, nvhits Bellehore, is an ob-
J.".rg tuberofe root, fometimes as thick as the thumb,
ci>C:y without, and white within, with a great number
of v»hitifli fibres ; the tafte is acrid, a little bitterifli,
fubailringcnt, difagreeablc and naufeous. The inward
ufe is not very fafe ; nor indeed the outward, for when
the pov\der is applied to an iflTue it will cccafion violent
purging. When taken inwardly it is a flrong emetic,
and has been obfervtd fometimes to occafion ccnvulfions
and other terrible diforders. However in defpcrate cafes
it njay be fometimes ventured upon ; particularly
agaiijfl madnefs ; and the dofe in this difeafe is a fcruple ;
however it cuglit always to be ufed with the utmoll
c2utioQ.

HEL.

OF VEGETABLES. 13

HELLEBORUS NIGER, black Hellebore, \i a tube-
rofe knotty root, from which as a head many fibres
hang, which are thick and black without, but white
within, and of an acrid biferifli tafte j the fmell while
frefh \^ exceeding ftrong. '\'\\z inward ufe of this is much
fafer than the former, and it is accounted a great mela-
uagcguc, that is, a proper purge ?.gainll melancholic
and atrabilarious diforders. It ad:s particularly on the
ilrait gut, for which reafon it promotes the pileso
Whether this be the Hellebore or not fo famous amor^g
the ancients for curing of madnefs' is uncertain ; for
Tournefort made ufe of that in the Le'vant, which was
efteemed the true Hellebore ; but he found the efFeds
fo violent and uncertain, that he was obliged to leave it
cff. ^incy fays he has frequently given fifteen or
twenty grains of black Hellebore as an alterative and
fudorific with good fuccefs ; but it could hardly be the
right fort, becaufs all authors agree that it is violent in
its operation.

HERMODACTILUS, HermodaayU is a hard tube-
Tofe triangular root, or rather in the fhape of half a
heart, it being flat on one fide and tuberofe on the other,
terminating as it were in a point ; it is reddifn v.'ithout,
white within, and is eafily reduced into a meal by
pounding ; it is of a clammy fvveetifh tafte with a flight
acrimony. While Hermoda^^lyls are frefh they are faid
to operate both by vomit and ftool ; but when they are
dried and toalted, the Egyptians, particularly the women,
eat them, becaufe they are of an opinion they make
them fat j however they are always dried when they are
brought to U5, and have been thought to purge grofs
humours, particularly of the joints, whence they have
been efteemed as excellent in the gout ; however their
purgative quality is but weak. It is given in fubftance
from half a dram to two, and in decodion to an ounce j
but it is feldom or never ufed alone.

JALAPA, Jalap, is an oblong turbinated thick denfe
root, cut into tranfverfe pieces, and is heavy and blackifh
without, but within dufky or afh coloured. It is re-
fmous, hiird to be broken, and has a tafle that is fome-
thing acrid and naufeous. It is the root of an American
convolvulus, and i^ called by fome h'lexican night fhade

with

14 THE NATURAL HISTORY
with a large flower. It is in great ufe as a purge, and
is of the ftronger fort, though it ftldom or never pro-
duces any bad conftquences. It is belt given in fub-
Hance bccaufe then it operates bell ; for the refin is apt
to occaficn gripes, and the watery extract is too weak.
It is very ufeful in a cold phlegmatic habit of body ;
but is not at all proper in feverifh diiorders, nor ia
hot aiid dry conliitution., nor yet in melancholic, or
fcorburjc diforders. Geoffrey affirms it is good in chil-
drens difeafes, which iio^,/?;,^^ cenies ; for I.e afilrts it
will deilrc y the appetite and weaken the body ; however
it has been frequently given without any fuch bad con-
fequtnces. But yet it is moft fafe to give it with faline
fubfiances ; as for inliance, fifteen grains of jalap with
half a fcruple of vitriolic tartar, or cream of tartar,
A fcruple is the ufual dofe to grown perlons.

IMPbRATORlA, Mafier-^j^ort, is not the fame
plant called by that name with us, for it is brought
from the Alpi and Vyrenean mountains -, and is an ob-
long root as thick as a man's thumb, and wrinkled ; it
is fomewhat geniculated, and is dufky without, and
white within, with a very acrid aromatic taile, violently
vellicating the torgue, and heating the mouth ; it has
a moll fragrant fmell but inclinable to what is commonly
called phyficky. it has betn reckoned an alixipharmac,
and has been recommended by Cafper Hoffman as a
divine remedy in the cholic and windy diiorders. It is
faid to help digeftlon, open obllru£tions, and to help the
afthma. The dofe is from half a dram in fubllance,
and to two drams in infufipn ; but it is not now much.
in ufe with us.

IPECACUANHA, is brought from America, and
is of two kinds, the Peruvian and the Brafttian. The
Ferwuian is not a quattcr of an inch thick, and is
crooked, and a? it were rough with circular rings ; it
is of a light brown or alli colour, and is dcnfe, hard,
brittle, rcfinous, with a fmall nerve which runs through
its Ficart the whole kngth of the rcot ; the talle is
fubacrid, b.tterifii, and wi'.h little fmell. 'Y\\q. Brafilian
liecacuanha is of a brownifh colour and Is crooked and
rough, with rings like the former, but more rufTged,
and it is little more than the twcli'th of an inch in thick -

nefs ;

^

a^e^ IS-

t^/i?/'e?t;6{^?^w (y?7'/,)

J'nuti/oc ,

OF VEGETABLES. 15

fiefs ; it is brown or blackifti without, but white within,
and of a (1 ghtly bitterifh talte. The ijohite Ipecacuanha
is a baftard fort, and is {lender, woody, without wrinkles
or bitternefs. It is fometimes imported by the mer-
chants for the true Ipecacuanha, but may be readily
diltinguilhed from it; for b fides the marks already
mentioned, it is of a whitifh yellow colour, neither will
it work upwards nor downwards like the two former.
Thefe lail are now of great ufe in the beginning of
dy fenterieb and other fluxes of the belly ; but the Peru-
'vian is accounted the beft. Thofe that have not been
cautious in pounding it, have often found bad efteda
from it ; for they have been taken with fhortnefs
of breath, fpitting of blood, or bleeding at the nofe;
however thefe fymptoms will go off of themfelves. Eight
ounces of the root will yield ten drams of refin, whea
the extrad is made with fpiiit of wine. It has formerly
been given to the quantity of a dram, but now from
fix to ten grains are judged to be fufficient. In a con-
iirmed dyfentery if the dofes are fo fmall as not to be
ftrong enough to purge, and given feveral times a day,
it will cure th^ ulcers of the inteftines. It is now mgre
generally uTed as an emetic than any thing elfe.

IRIS FLORENTINA, Florentine orris, \s a root
which is brought to us in oblong piece?, and it is geni-
culated, a little flat, white, with a yellow reddifli bark,
which when taken off, the root has a bitter acrid tafte,
with a fragrant violet fmell. It is fometimes twice as
thick as a inan*s thumb. The Iris nojlras purpurea, the
common purple Jij<wer de luce, is of the fame kind as the
formtr ; for the roots, leaves, and flowers, are of the
fame Ihape, though the colour is different. Florentine
orris attenuates ar,d incides the thick lympha lodged in
the breaft, and promotes its expedloration ; whence it
is good in the ailhma> ftiortnefs of breath, and coughs ;
but it is chiefly ufed as a perfume, and is often mixed
with fnuffs. The dofe is from a fcruple to a dram.
The root of common purple flower de lace when frefh,
will work upwards and downwards, and from two to
three ounces of the juice have been given againft the
dropfy every other day ; but it is fo acrimonious, that it
creates heats in the fauces, ilomach, and bowels, and

there-

i6 THE NATURAL HISTORY
therefore is feldom ufed for that purpofe. However
when the juice is fnufFed up the nofe it brings away a
great quantity of ferum ; and mixed with bean meal it
is faid to take awav freckles.

MECHOACANNA, Mechoacan, is a root brought
from South America in white pieces, and is covered with
a wrinkled bark. The lubftance is foftilh with fcarce any
fibres, and the tafte is fweetifh, with a litcle acredity,
which fometimes caufes a naufea. It has rings fomewhat
like briony, but differs from it in beii<g compa6>, and in
having no bitter talte, nor a ftrong difagreeable fmell.
It was looked upon at fiiit as a moft excellent purge,
but is not fo much cried up row fince j ilap became in
ufe j however it is mild and fafe, and cleanfes the body
from grofs, clammy, ferous humours ,• whence it is good
in cold diforders of all kinds, particularly in dropiies.
The dofe is from a dram to two drams, and fome have
given it to an ounce.

MEUM ATHAMANTICUM, ^pgneU is an ob-
long root about as thick as the little finger and branched j
it is covered with a bark of a ferruginous colour, but
it Js pale within, a little gummous, and contains a
whitifh pith. It fmells alnicll like parlnip?, though
more aromatic, and the tafte is not difagreeable, though
it is acrid and a little bitter. It grows among they^^/
and the Pjrenean mf.untaina. . It is faid to attenuate thick
grofs humours, and is reccmmended in the humoral
allhma -, it is good for wind in the flomach, the gripes
and fuppreflion of urine. 1 he dofe is from half a
dram to a dram in fubftance, but it is now but fel-
dom ufed

NARDUS^CELTICA, Celtkk-'Nard, is a fibrous,
capillary, reddifh root, covered with fmall fcales, of a
yellowilh green colour ; with an acrid bitterilli aro-
matic talle, and a fragrant ftrongifh fmell. It is faid
to be a carminative, to ftrengthen a weak llomach, and
to help digellion ; but it is row chiefiy ufed in venice
treacle and mithridate. The dofe is from half a dram
to two drams.

NARDUS INDICA, Indian Spikenard, is a hairy
root, cr rather a congeries of (lender capillinients ad-
hering to a head, which id about as thick as tl;e finger,

and

OF VEGETABLES. xy

and as long, and of tlie colour of rally iron ; the tafte
is bitter, acrid, aromatic ; and the fmell agreeable. It
is faid to ftrengthen the ilomach, and to difcufs wind ;
but its principal ufe now is in venice treacle and mith*
ridate.

NINZIN, and GINSJNG, are generally taken for
the fame roots, but they are dillin6l from each other i
however their outer appearance and vertues are much the
fame, though Gins-ing bears the much greater price.
The root of Ninzin is in the fliape of a parfnip, and is
three inches in length, and is about as thick as the little
£nger, with a few fibres proceeding from it. It is
pulpy, whitilh, and has fome faintiih cracks on the
out fide ; but below it is divided into two branches. It
has the fmell of the yellow parfnip, and the tafte of
ikirrets, but it is not quite fo fweet, and there feems to
be a little bltteriHi tafle. It grows in Koreuy from
whence it is brought to 'Japan, and is in high efteem ia
thofe parts. For they pretend it is endowed with ex-
traordinary vertues. However it is of no ufe with, us,
GinS'ing is a root of an inch long, and about as thick
as the little finger j it is flightly wrinkled, and gene-
rally divided into two branches, but fometimes inta
more ; and at the fmall ends there are (lender fibres.
It is a little reddifh without, but yellowifh within, and
the tafle is fubacrid, a litde bitterifh and aromatic, with
an aromatic fmell. On the top there are a row of knots
placed in an irregular order, which feem to tell the
years of its growth. It was thought only to grow in
China and Tartary, between thirty-nine and forty-feven
degrees of north latitude ; but it is now found in Mary*
land and other parts near it, from whence it is brought
to London, and fent to the Eaji-Indiesi where it bears a
great price ; for it is confidently affirmed, that in China
they wjll give three pounds of filver for a pound of this
root.^ It is looked upon by the inh^biiinrs as a panacea,
and is their hit Jcruge in all kinds of disorders. The
piiyficians in hatanjia recommend it in fainting?, weak-
neffes, and lofs of memory. The dofe is from a fcruple
to two in fubflance, and from a dram to two in in-
fufion,

PYRE-

i8 THE NATURAL HISTORY

PYRETHRUM, Pellitory of Spain, is about the
length and thicknefs of a man's finger, and without it is
of a blackifti red, but it is white within, and has a
moll acrid burning taile, though it is without fmel!.
This is brought from the kingdom of Tunis ; but there
is another kind which is more flender, and not fo acrid.
They have large quantities of this root fent to Conjian-
timple and Cairo candied with fugar ; and they eat it in
pains of the breaft and teeth. This root is remarkable
for opening the faJivai du£\s, and for procuring plenty of
fpittle, hence it is by fome looked upon as a fpecific
in the tcoth-ach, from cbllruflions and catarrhs. It is
likewife good in fleepy difeafes, and the palfy of the
tongue, when chewed and held in the mouth. It is fel-
dom or never given inwardly except in glyllers againll
fleepy difeafes.

RHABARBARUM VERUM, true Rhubarb, is a
root brought to us in thick unequal pieces, from four
inches to five or fix in length, and three or four thick.
Jt is a little heavy, and of a duficy yel'ovv on the outfide,
but within it is of a faffron colour, and variegated with
yellow in the fame manner as a nutmeg ; it n a little
fungous, of a fubacrid bitteriijh and Ibmevvhat aftringent
talle, with an aromatic fmell but foniewhat firong. It
grows in China, and though we have had feveral figures
of tlie plant, it is not certain that any of them are
like it, which is fomev/hat lirange, fince it grows in all
parts of that country, though principally near the great
wall ; it was formerly brought from China through Tav
tary to Aleppo, and from thence to Alexandria, and at
length to Venice-, but we have it now from the Eaji-
Indies and RuJJla. There is a fort has been fent to
JuJJifU, and is called Rhubarb njjith an oblong curled
undulated leaf . Jt was fent to him for the true China
Kliubaib, and is now growing in the phyfick garden at
"Paris, and there is alfo fome of it in the phyfick garden
at Chelfea. It was brought to Mr. Rar.d, the then gardiner,
and was called by him the Rhubarb with an undulated
fmooth leaf like Burdock. Theie were generally thought
to be the right fort, becaufe their feeds are exadly like
thofe fent from China by a Paris phyfician, and the
roots agree in every refpcd. The lOot is thick, peren-

nial^

OF VEGETABLES. 19

Dial, almoft round, and defcends into the earth to the
length of a cubit, and is then divided into thick branches,
and thefe again into lefs. This account is taken from
Geoffroy, but Mr. Milter the prefent gardiner affirms
that was nothing elfe than the Rhaponiicu?n. However
fince that time Mr. Miller has received feme of the true
feeds as they were thought; but he fays that the roots
that grow here are not comparable to the common
Rhubarb, for which reafon (ome imagine that there are
feveral fpfcies of Rhubarb, which grow in different
countries, and that the fort here mentioned is not the
bell. The faculties of Rhubarb are wel! known both
for its purging quality, and for its general aftridlion of
the flomach and inteftines. It is fuppofed to open ob-
ftru£lions of the liver ; from whence it is called by forae
the foul of the liver, and it is excellent in loofenefTes.
It is fo mild that it may be given to all ages and fexes
at all times. However it is not very proper when the
inteftines are very hot, and there is a feverifh heat. It
is good in the jaundice that proceeds from a clammy
thick bile, which ftops up the biliary dudls. vSome
chew it in a morning before breakfaft cr dinner to help
digelHon. It is given in fubftance from half a fcruple
to a dram, and in infufion to two drams.

l^he true RHAPONTIC, is the Rhubarb of DioCo-
rides and of the ancients, and is by feme called the
Engli/h Rhubarb. The impalement of the flower is
compofed of three fmall leaves, which are turned back ;
and the flower itfelf has three leaves, which are larger
than thofe of the impalement, and are coloured. In the
center of the flower is feated the three cornered pointal
fupporting three fmali ^y'tSj and is attended by fix
ftamina, the pointal afterwards becomes a triangular
feed inclofed by the petals of the flower. It is frequently
cultivated in gardens, and of late years the firft ftalks of
the leaves have been ufed for making of tarts in the
fpring of the year, but they muft have their outward
Jkin peeled off, otherwife they will be very ftringy ;
they have an agreeable acid flavour. When they are
propagated for ufe they fliould be planted three feet
afunder, and in rich ground.

The

20 THE NATURAL HISTORT

The RHAPONTIC that was formerly ufed in thr
fliops is an oblong thick branched root, brown on the
outfide and of a faiFron colour within ; when cut tranf-
verfely it is found ftreaked with rays proceeding from
the center to the circumference. It is of a loofe texture,
with a bitterifii, fubaflringent, fubacrid tafie, and after
icme time it becomes clammy in the mouth ; the fmell
is not diiagreeable. It grows in many parts of Tartaryr
and is now cultivated in the gardens of Europe. It purges
moderately, and is given in lubftance fiom two drams to
half an ounce, and in infufion or decotlion frcm half an
ounce to fix drams. It binds more powerfully than the
true Rhubarb, and therefore is no deipicable remedy in 3
diarrhoea and dyfentery.

SARSAP.ARILLA, the root of this name is made
like a rod of feveral ells in length, whofe twigs are of
the thicknefs of a goofe quill, and are tough and flexible
and ftreaked lengthways. The bark is thin, and the
colour without is reddifh, butafh coloured within ; under
this there is a white mealy fubftance, which is fo fofr,
that it may be reduced to powder between the fingers r
the t^Re is bitterifii and clammy, but not difagreeable.
Under this in the middle there is a woody bright tough
fubftance, which is not eafily broken. All thefe twigs
or llrings proceed from a ftngle head as thick as a man's
thumb, and {cdly. It is brought from Keiv Spain, Peru,
and Brafil, It is fudorific, and attenuates grofs humours.
It has been reckoned a fpecific againft the venereal dif-
cafe, the gout, the palfy, and other chronic diforders ;
but its vertues are now moft approved againft the firft ;
for it performs wonders when mercury has fjilcd of a
cure. The method of ufir-g it is thus ; to three ounces
©f th5 firings, which are good and not fpoilcd with age
©r other accident^ three quarts of river water muft be
added, and it muft be made to boil as fcon as poftible
in an open veflel till two pints of the ftrained liquor re-
main. This quantity is enough for twenty-four hours,
and may be given at two or three times, either warm or
cold. It muft be made frefti every other day, and the
patient's diet Ihculd be ilender while he takes it. Some
have given it from half a drain to two drams in fub-
ftance.

OF VEGETABLES. 21

fiance, and to half an ounce in decodlion ; but the for-
mer method is beft.

SENEKA, is the Toot of a plant called Tolygala Vir-
pniana, with oblong leaves and white flowers ; but it
is known to us by the name of the Rattle Snake root.
It is ufuajly about the thicknefs of the little finger, and
is varioufly bent or contorted, and is divided into many
branches with lateral fibres, and there is a prominent
membranaceous margin running lengthv/ays; and it is
yellowiih without, but white within, and it has an acrid
bitterifli tafte, but fomewhat aromatic. In America it
is looked upon as a fpecific againft the bite of the Rattle
Snake, by giving it inwardly, and applying it outward-
ly to the wound. It is likewife thought to be good in
all other diforders proceeding from a thick blood, par-
ticularly in the pleurify and inflammation of the lung?,
iirft letting the patient blood. Three fpoonfuls of the
following tindure have been given every fix hours, till
the fymptoms have abated. Take of Seneka root three
ounces, of wild Valerian root one ounce and a half,
pound them in a mortar, and then add a quart of fack,
digelt them in a fand heat, fix hours, and then decant
for ufe. With thefe was given fifteen drops of balfam
of Capivi and Sal volatile Oleofuni in the ufual drink,
two hours after each dofe of the tiniflure. It has like-
wife been prefcribed in nervous diforders, and flow fevers
with fuccefs. The ufual dofe of the powder is about
thirty grains, and feveral French phyficians, after vari-
ous tryals, have declared it has had great fuccefs in the
above difeafes, and likewife in the dropfy, when the
common remedies have failed. It will fometimes vomit
and purge ; but if the patient cannot bear it, it may
be prevented by mixing a tellaceous powder with the
tindlure, or by giving twelve grains of fait of tartar in
weak cinnamon water.

SERPENTARIA VIRGINIANA, Virginian ^nake-
root, is flender, fibrous, light, brown without, and yel-
lowifli within, with a fubacrid bitterifh tafle, and a fra-
grant aromatic fmell, not unlike that of zedoary. It is
now reckoned a fpecics of the Arijiokchia, and is brought
from Virginia and Carolina, It confifts of a great num-
ber of ilrings or fibres matted together, that proceed

from

21 THE NATURAL HISTORY
from a fmgle head. It is accounted a great alexlphar-
mac, and is frequently given in malignant fevers, and
epidemical difeafes. It may be given in fubllance from
ten to thirty grains, and in infufion to two drams.

TURPETHUM, Turbeth, is a root, or ratlier the
bark of a root, cut into oblong piece? about as thick as
the finger, and it is brown or afh coloured without,
but whitifh within, with a fubacrid raufeous tafte. It
is bell when it is frefh, refmou?, not wrinkled, and
eafily broken. It belorgs to an Indian Convolvulus.
It has been thought a proper remedy to pnrge cfF thick
grofs humours from the remote parts of the body, and
has been commended in cold chronic difeafes, especially
in the gout, pal fy, and dropfy. The dofe is from
fifteen grains to a dram, but an extract made of fpirits
of wine is beft, of which a fcruple is a dofe ; but it is now
not much in ufe.

ZEDOARy, is a tuberofe root that is denfe, folid,
from three to fix inches in length, and about as thick as
a man's finger, terminating both ways in a blunt point ;
it is afh coloured without, and white within, with an
acrid, bitterjfh, aromatic tafle, and fragrant fmell, which
is moil remarkable when it is chewed or pounded, and
is fomewhat like camphire. There is another fort called
round Zedoary, and is in fubftance, weight, folidity, fmell,
and tafte like the former j for it only differs in the fhape,
which is roundifh and only an inch in diameter. They
are both brought from Chinuy but the latter is feldom
found in the fhops. Zedoary diftilled with common
water yields a thick oil, which concretes into a fort of
camphire. It has been greatly celebrated for its vertues i
it promotes fweat, incides grofs phlegm in the lungs,
as well as in the ilcmach and inteltines, it difcuifes
wind, and cures the cholic proceeding from thence ;
it raifes the fpirits, and ha^ been given in feveral chronic
ditbrders i he dofe in fubftance is from fix grains to
thirty, and two drams will ferve as an infufon to be
drank in the manner of tea. Rcdlified fpirit of wine
extracts the aromatic part, leaving the bitter behind,
which may be afterwards extradled in water.

ZERUiViliETH, is a tuberofe geniculated root, with
an unequal fur face, and is from the thicknels of a man's

Uiumb

L ^

Troudoc .

OF VEGETABLES. 23

thumb to that of his arm ; it is a little flattilh, and of a
whitilh yellow, colour, with an acrid talle, not unlike
ginger, and a fragrant fmell ; it is feldom or never kept
in the fhops. It is faid to be good againft acrid crudicies
of the flomach, and wind. When it is dried and re-
duced to meal they make bread of it in the Eajl- Indies
when corn is dear.

ZINGIBER, Ginger, is a well known tuberofe root,
knotty, branched, and flattifh, the fubilance is a little
fibrous, and of a pale or yellowifh colour, and covered
with a brownilh fkin, which is commonly taken cif be-
fore it is brought to us. The tafte is very acrid, hot,
and aromatic, with a very fragrant fmell. It is brought
both from the Eaji and Wejl- Indies^ where it is looked
upon while freih as an excellent remedy againft the
chohc, loofeneiTes of the belly, and windy diforders.
It ftrengthens the ftomach, helps digeftion, and is faid
to llrengthen the memory. It is often added to purges
to correal them. But it fhould not be given in hot con-
llitulions, for then it will do more harm than good. It
may be taken in fubftance from five to fifteen grains,
but it is oftener taken in infufion or decc6lion from half
a dram to half an ounce ; but the dofe of that which is
brought over candied, is from a dram to an ounce.

CHAP. II.

Of Roots.

CINNAMOMUM, Cinnamon, is a well known fpice,
it being a bark that is fometimes exceeding thin,
and fometimes pretty thick, and rolled up into a fort
of tubes or pipes of different lengths. The fubftance is
ligneous and fibrous, but brittle j and the colour is of a
yellowifh red, with an acrid, pungent, pleafant, agreeable
tafte, and a moft delightful fmell. It is the fccond and
inward bark of a tree called Canella Zeylanica. It is
commonly taken from trees that are three years old in
the fpring or autumn j and the afh coloured outfide is

taken

24 THE NATURAL HISTORY
taken off, nnd then it is cut into pieces and expofed to
the fun, and when it is drying it rolls itfelf up in the
manner it is brought to us. When the tree is ftrippetf
of its bark, it continues naked for two or three years,
sand then another grows again, whicli ferves for the fame
purpcfe. When it is dillilled frefn it yields plenty of
oil, but when old and dry very little j however it is of
two forts, one of which fmks to tiie bottom of the water,
and the other fwims on the furface. This lall is pale,
but the former is of a reddiQi yellow colour, but they are
both limpid and of a moft fragrant fmell ; but when they
are tailed they are exceeding pungent. When the bark
of the root is diltilled it yields an oil, with a volatile fait
or camphire which is lighter than water, limpid, yel-
lowifh, and foon flies away. It has a ftrong Imell be-
tween camphire and cinnamon, and has a very pungent^
tafte. The camphire got from it is exceeding whitcj^
and has a much finer fmell than the common fort ; but
it is extremely volatile, and takes fire immediately,
whofe flame leave nothing behind it. The fruit of this
tree is an oblong roundifli berry, foftiewhat above a'
third of an inch long, and is fmooih, green at firll:, but
afterwards turns to a duiky blue, fprinkled with whitifh
fpecks. Under the green pulp there is a thin brittle
(hell containing a roundifli kernel. It is common in the
ifland of Ceylon, where it is as plenty as hazel trees with
US. Cinnamon is heating, drying, aperient, difcutient,
and alexipharmatic ; it ilrengthens the vifcera, recreates
the fpirits, helps digeftion, and difcufles wirid. It is
given in fubilance i'rom a fcruple to a dram, and in
infufion from one dram to two. The oil is fo hot and
burning that it is never prefcribed alone, but it may be
mixed with fugar and then given with any fluid. The
dofe is from one drop to three. A Angle drop on a dofe
of fugar is an excellent remedy againft hiccoughing.
Likewife if a drop of it be put with cotton into a hol-
low tooth it cures the tooth-ach by drying and burning
the nerve. Cinnamon is commonly ufed as a fpice,
however it Ihould be avoided when the ftomach is in-
clinable to an inflammation, for then it does more harm
than good ; nor is it proper for hot and dry con-
iiitucions,

CASSIA

OF VEGETABLES. 2<;

CASSIA LIGNE A, Pf^oo^y CaJJla, is a bark brought
to us in rolls like cinnamon, and has fomewhat of the
fmell and tafte, but weaker, for which reafon it may be
eafily diftinguiflied from it ; befides which it is clammy
when tafted ; however the bell is that which approaches
neareft to Cinnamon. It has much the fame vertues as
Cinnamon, though in a fmaller^'degree ; and when given
as an aftringent it is preferred to it, on account of its
glutinous quality ; it is good in loofenefTes and to
ftrengthen the vifcera. The dofe in fubftance is two
fcruples, and when infufed in half a pint of white
wine an ounce.

CASSIA CARYOPHYLLATA, is the bark of e
tree called the Clooje berry tree, and is found in the
iiland of Cuba, and other parts of the fVefi Indies. It
is as thin as Cinnamon, and of a dufky yellow colour.
It is brought in rolls like cinnamon, and has a tafte be-
tween cloves and that bark ; but that of cloves is th^
moll predominant. It grows llronger by length of
time, and at length becomes fo acrimonious, that tha
tongue is affeded as though it was burnt with a ilight
cauflic. It has the fame vertues as cloves, but fainter,
and the inhabitants where it grows ufe it as a fpice in
their Head.

• CANELLA ALBA, by fome called Winten-bark-,
jcnd by others nxsild Cinnamon^ is rolled up in oblong
tJjbes, in the fame manner as cinnamon, but larger. It
is thicker than cinnamon, and has an acrid, pungent,
aromatic tafte, as if it had been mixed with cinnamon,
ginger, and cloves. Some imagine there are two forts,
but they only differ in the largenefs and thicknefs of the
tubes ; the one being taken from the trunk of the tree,
and the other from the branches. It is not only ufed as
a fpice in the Wejl-Indiesy but is alfo accounted a gocd
remedy againft the fcurv7. It difcufTes wind, and is
fometimes ufed in diforders proceeding from catarrhs.
It is alfo ufed as a corre6lor in hiera picra. The dofe
is from half a fcruple to a dram in lubitancc, and to
two drams in infufion.

CORTEX WINTER ANUS VERUS, tht true rwin^

ten bark, is brought over in tubes like the former ; and

it is of an afh <:olour without, that is, it has a covering

Vol. VI. C of

26 THE NATURAL HISTORY
of that colour, that is foft. fungous, unequal, and full of
chinks j but within it is folid, denfe, and of the colour
of rufty iron, with an acrid, aromatic, pungent, burn-
ing taite, but the fmell is extremely fragrant. It was
brought from the Straits of Magellan, by William
Winter, in 1567. It has been accounted excellent
againll the fcurvy, for which fome reckon it a fpecific.
However it is feldom or never to be met with in the
fliops. The dofe in fubftance is from half a dram to a
dram, and in deco6\ion to two drams. The Canella
Alba is now ufed inllead of it.

CORTEX PERUVIANUS, Peruvian or Jefuitt
hark, is generally from the fixth part of an inch to the
fourth of an inch thick, and is rough on the outfide, it
being of a bro>frifli colour, but fcmetimes it is covered
with a hoary mofs ; it isfmooth within, a little refinous,
and of a reddifh rully colour, with an intenfely bitterifti
tafte, and fomewhat of aftringency. Sometimes it is
brought in large pieces, three or four inches in length
or upwards, and an inch broad, and not rolled up, be-
caufe it is taken from the trunk of the tree ; fcmetimes
inclining to lubes, like cinnamon, though but flightly,
and it is marked with fhallow circular chaps or fiffures ;
this is taken from the flender branches ; there is likewife
a lefier fort, which is yellowifh v/ithin, and hoary with-
out, which is faid to be obtained from the roots, and is "
in high efteem in Spain. It grows in South America^
and particularly in Peru. It was at firft gi-eatly cele-
brated for its febrifuge qualities, and is ftill in the higheft
cileem upon that account. However it has many other
vertues which have been difcovered one after another ;
but that which was iirlt remarked was its power in
flopping mortifications. It is given in various forms
for agues of every kind, and its tinfture with fafFron and
fnake-root is excellent in nervous fevers, as well as in
fpotted fevers. It alfo cures bilious fevers of the camp,
when there are (hort intermiffions, as well as the ma-
lignant quinfey. It is good in the meaflcs, and cures
the ftrumous ophthalmia, hedic fever, and has been
found excellent in the epilepfy as well as St. Fitu/s
dance, the hooping cough, and fpitting of blood. It is
of great ufe in a confumption, and in the intermitting

putrid

OF VEGETABLES. 2f

putrid fevers of that difeafe, as alfo in the hyfteric
paffion. It is good in the king's evil, cures a pimpled
face, and malignant ulcers. It is excellent for hemor-
rhages in general, and for hyfteric convulfions. It is
ufeful in tremblings, in languors, againft the worms, as
well as in a diabetes, and colliquative fvveats, in which
laft cafe it performs wonders ; and laftly, it cures aphthse
in fevers ; in (hort there is no fmgle remedy yet found
out that is endowed with fo many excellent qualities.
However there is one not yet mentioned, which
mufl: not be forgot, and that is its being an excellent
prefervative in fickly aguifh countries in all parts of the
world, and in fickly feafons. Many who have taken
the bark three times a day, or the infufion of it in a
fmall quantity of brandy, have continued in health
while others have died about them like rotten fheep.
The dofe of the bark in powder is half a dram, though
fome have given it to two drams; and if an ounce is
infufed in a pint of generous red wine, fix ounces is a
dofe ; however it is certain that when it is given in
fubltance it is mucn more efficacious than either in in-
fufion or decodion ; bat when patients refufe to take ic
in fubiiance, the infufion in wine is undoubtedly the
bell. In whatever form this medicine is given, it muft
always be repeated every third or fourth hour, and in
agues muft be repeated again in eight days time from
the cure ; and it will be flill better to give it a ftcond
or a third time, that is, a few dofes of it every eight
days J and this p^ocefs is generally neceffary for autumnal
agues ; befides it rauft be obferved, that no evacuations
of any kind muft be made after taking the bark for fome
weeks, or even months after a cure is performed

CORTEX ELUTHERIyE. is known abroad by the
name of Cafcanlla^ and has been fold for the Jefuits
bark ; and it us iliil called by Ibme the grey Peruvian
bark. It is rolled up in tubes of the thicknefs of the
finger, and from two to four inches in length. It is
thinner than the Peruvian bark, and is of a White alh
colour without, but within of the colour of rufty iron,
with a bitter aromatic tafte, and a fragrant fmell when
burnt; however fome think it s^^xy difagreeable, and
cannot bear it becaufe it affedls their heads. It was
C 2 formerly

28 THE NATURAL HISTORY
formerly ufed mixed with tobacco for fmoaking, becaufe
it was fuppofed to corredl its fmell ; but it is now laid
afide. It has a refolvent, diaphoretic, and fedative qua-
lity, and is thought to be good in difeafes of the breail,
particularly the pleurify and inflammation of the lungs ;
as alfo in loofenelTes attending acute fevers. It was for-
merly cried up in malignant and contagious fevers ;
but now its vertues in thofe cafes is not allowed. Some
prefer it to the Jefuits bark for the cure of agues, but
very improperly. By its fedative quality it is uleful in
inflammations, though it is bad in the quinfy. It
has produced good efFeds in internal hemorrhages, and in
enormous vomiting, as well as in all fluxes of the belly.
The dofe is from fix grains to a fcruple, though it has
been given to a dram three or four times a day.

COD AG A PA LA, is a bark of a duflcy reddifli co-
lour, ana fometimes vvhitifli, with a bitter and fomevvhat
pungent tafte. Tiie tree that produces it is common on
the coail of Malabar and the ifland of Ceylon. This
bark reduced to powder and drank in four milk is re-
commended in fluxes of the belly j as alfo is the bark of
the root. If it be boiled in water wherein rice has been
v^aflied, it is good for the quinfy when fomented there-
with, as well as in pains of the gout. It has been given
in Scotland when reduced to a powder and made up into
an eledluary with fyrup of oranges, to the quantity of
half an ounce or upwards every fourth hour for three or
four days, againil fluxes of the belly. The flools at
firft are more frequent, but without gripes j the next
day they are of a better colour, and the third or fourth
they become of the natural colour and confiflence, if
the cure has fucceeded.

SIMARUBA, is the bark of a tree hitherto un-
defcribed ; but it grows in Guiana in South America. It
is of a yellowifli white colour, and corfills of clammy
fibres, and is of a bitterifli talle, but hai no fmell. It
is taken from the root of the tree as well as the body
and branches, from which it readily itparates. The
bitternefs is but fl'ght, and yet it ftrengthens the Ilomach
by its balfamic uni^tuous particles, which are known
from the whitifli colour it gives the water in which it is
boiled. It is good againft the gripes and other pains,

and

OF VEGETABLES. 29

and it flops hemorrhages and fluxes of the belly. It was
firft brought to France in 171 3, when it was ufed fre-
quently againft dyfenterical fluxes of the belly, as well as
in 1 71 8, when there was another epidemical difeafe of
that kind, and which could not be cured by ipecacuan-
rah. It was frrft given decoded in a fmall quantity of
water, from half an ounce to an ounce, and then it
occafloned vomiting, profufe fweatirg, and other dif-
orders ; but it was after exhibited to two drams decoded
in a quart of water, and in fubftance to half a dram ;
but then the rafpings mud be given and not the powder.
It eafes the pain m twenty-Tour hours time, and the
fleep returns i befides it promotes plenty of limpid urine,
and the llinking fmeil of the excrements ceafes, and
the appetite likewife returns. The loofenefs is fome-
times cured with a dofe or two, unlefs there is a caco-
chymia, and then feveral dofes are neceflary.

CHAP. IIL

Of Woods.

AGALLOCHUM, or LIGNUM ALOES, Aloes
Wood, is of three kinds, and the firft which is bell
is called Calambac by the Eaji Indians. It is light,
refinous, and as foft as malHck, for it will ftick to the
teeth and nails, and it will melt over the fire with a very
fweet fmell ; but the tafte is bitterilh and aromatic.
The Agallochvm of the fliops is brought to us in frag-
ments of various fizes, which are heavy, denfe, and of
a bay colour, variegated with blackilb and refinous
ftreaks ; fometimes there are holes in it, as if it was
rotten, but they are filled with a fort of reddifli refin,
and then the colour of the wood is of a purplifli black.
The tafte of this is fubacrid, bitter, and aromatic, and the
fmell is very agreeable. When it is laid upon red hot
iron it emits a refinous fluid, which fwells in bubbles
with a fweet and fomewhat acid fmoke. It grows in
the ifland of Sumatra, in Camhayuy and more efpecially
C I in

30 THE NATURAL HISTORY
in Cochin China. It is oftener met with in the Ihojs
than the former, becaufe the price of that is exceeding
great.

AGALLOCHUM, or UGNUM ALOES OF
MEXICO, is more light, porous, and not fo refinous as
that of the fhops -, the colour is of a brownifh green, and
the fmell is fweet and fragrant, not unlike that of the
true lignum aloes, but the tafte is bitter. It is not only
met with in Mexico but in the iflands of ^olor and Timor
in the Eaji-hdies. It is feldom or never taken notice
of as a medicine, but is ufed in making boxes, chei'ls of
drawers, and other things of that kind. Bontius affirms
that the power of the agallochum of the fhops cures the
cholera morbus and all cold diforders cf the ftomach and
inteflines, as well as kills worms in children. The
eflential oil that may be readily got from it is good i»
fainting fits, and the palfy, and is praifcd by fome for
ftrengthening the memory. It was formerly in ufe with
us for curing the gou: and rheumatifm,but it is now laid
afide ; though the eiTential oil would undoubtedly ferve
for many excellent purpofed. It is looked upon as a
cordial -by Hofman, and an excellent*'ftrengthener.

LIGNUlCl RHODIUM, Rbsdium Wood, is a name
given to woods of feveral kinds. It had its name from
the ifland from whence it was brought, and it was a!fo
called Cyprinum, becaufe it was had from the iiland of
Cyprus. This is fuppefed by fome to be the Afpala-
thum of the ancients. This weed is of a pale ytllow
at iirrt, but in time grows reddifh j and it is thick, hard,
and fbiid, and marked with fat refinous knots, fmelling
like a rofe. There is another fort of Rhodium brought
from the ifland of Jamaica, and though it fmells like
the true it appears to be different on a careful examina-
tion. The Dutch extraft an effential oil from Rhodium
which is well known, and only is ufed as a perfume,
though it has doubtlefs many good medicinal qualities.
It is ufed by fome in apopleiftic balfams.

GUAIACUM, is otherrucife called Lignum Sandum
and Lignum Vita i the <v:ood of Guaiac, is a folid, denfe,
heavy, and refinous wood, whofe middle part or heart is
of a blackidi green, and variegated with pale, green,
and black colours , but the external part is of a paiifh

yellow

OF VEGETABLES. 31

yellow like box ; it is of a bitterifh and fomewhat
aromatic tafte with a mild acrimony, and tlie fmell when
burnt is fomewhat fragrant and not difagreeable. The
bark is woody, thin, denfe, fmooth, and fomewhat re-
fmous, and confifts as it were of feveral thin plates laid
one upon another ; the colour without is of an afh
coloured green or blackifti, or variegated more or lefs
with green fpots, intermixed with a livid or lead colour ;
it is pale within, of an acrid talle, and difagreeably
bitter. It grows in the Weji-hdies, and particularly
Mexico and Ne^w Spain : This wood is full of refin, in-
fomuch as a pint of rectified fpirit of wine will extract
lead at two ounces thereof. When it is boiled in water
for a confiderable time and afterwards gently evaporated,
it will leave a mafs that looks fomething like refin,
which i? balfamic, of an agreeable fmel!, and a fome-
what acrid tafte ; when it is quite dry and reduced into
powder and taken as fnuff, it will bring a large quantity
of ferum from the nofe ; befides which it is very friendly^
to the nervous parts of the head. Jt has been formerly
given very much againfi: the venereal difeafe, before the
vertues of mercury were found out, and the decoiflion is
ftill prefcribed by fome for that purpofe. The oil of
guaiac is heavy, and when juft dilliJled, if it be mixed
with the fame quantity of rediified fpirit of nitre, it will
prefently ferment, fwell, and afterwards emit a flame.
When the deflagration is over it leaves behind it a fpungy
light fhining infipid fubftance, which cannot be changed
afterwards by any ant. Guaiac incides and attenuates
grofs humours, opens ob(lru6lions, promotes fweat and
urine, ilrengthens the fl:omach, as well as all the reft of
the vifcera, and cures inveterate obflru(f\ions of the liver
and fpleen, and is prevalent againft the jaundice, dropfy,
and other diforders thence arifing. It is alfo good in
the gout, rheumatifm, and all forts of pains in the joints.
It is a great friend to the nerves, and brings all cold hard
fwellings to fuppuration ; and yet it is never attended
with the leaft bad confequence. The bark has the
fame vertues as the wood, and is given as an antivene-
real like wife. Twelve ounces of the wood macerated
in three quarts of water for a day, and then boiled over
a gentle fire till half or more is evaporated, and then
C 4 llrained

32 THE NATURAL HISTORY

flrained off, is called the cream of guaiac. If the re-
mainder is boiled in four quarts of water to two, this new
decodllon is generally given for common drink. While the
patient is taking thefe decoftions he muft be fhut up in a
clofe room during the courfe of the cure, drinking a cup
of the llronger decodion twice in a day, that is, morn-
ing and evening ; then he mult be carefully covered
with the bedcloaths for fome hours, till he falls into a
fweat, which afterwards muft be wiped off with a very
warm linnen cloth. About three or four hours after the
fweat he may eat a meal of two ounces of bifcuit with
currants ordamafcene prunes, and fometimes he may be
allowed young chickens and pigeons, but not very freely.
The weaker deccdl ion mull be for common drink, and
the body mult be kept open all the time of the cure.
On the feventeenth day he muft take a pretty ftrong
purge J and this courfe muft be continued twenty or
thirty days, or till the venereal poifon is quite deftroyed,
which may be known by the vanilhing of all the fymp-
toms. He muft continue drinking the wealr decodlion
for forty days afterwards, and be brought to his ufual
method of living by degrees. This was the old method
of curing the pox, which is now in a great meafure laid
afide, becaufe it may be done by mercury in a quicker
manner.

LIGxNUM TINCTILE CAMPECHENSE, log-
^jQody is well known as a dye, and is commonly brought
from Campeachy in the Bay of Honduras. It is but lately
ufed as a medicine, and that in loofeneiTes, in which it
is very efficacious ; for if two ounces of the chips are
boiled in a quart of milk, and a quart of water to one
quart, and a tea-cup full of this decciflion be given every
three hours, it feldom fails to cure a common diarrhoea.
V/hat other vertues it may have is uncertain ; but
there is little queftion to be made but it has many good
qualities.

LIGNUM NEPHRITICUM, Nephritic n^:cod, is
whitifti or of a palilh yellow colour, and is folid and
heavy, with a fubacrid and a little bitterilh tafte ; the
bark is blackifli, and the heart reddilh or brownifti.
When this wood is macerated in water for half aa
hour, it turns it of the colour of an opal, that is, a

mixture

OF VEGETABLES. 33

mixture of blue and yellow, but not united, for in one
light it appears blue, and in another yellow. When
the tindure of this wood is put into a glafs veflel, and
placed between the eye and the light, it appears to be
of a gold colour ; but if the eye is between the light and
the vefTel, it then feems to be blue. The wood has been
recommended againft diforders of the kidnies, and dif-
ficulty of urine. Some have prefcribed feven ounces of
the decoction every morning upon an empty ftomach ;
others give it feveral times a day mixed with wine.
However, its vertues are not fo remarkable as to be
brought into the prefent practice.

SANTALUM CITRINUM, yeUtnu Sanders, is a
heavy folid wood brought from the Eaji-Indies in large
llrait pieces ; it is of a pale reddifh or yellowifh colour,
with an aromatic bitterifh tafte, and a fragrant fmcll,
inclining to that of mulk and rofes.

SAN TALUM RUBRUiVl, red Sanders, is a folid,
denfe, heavy wood, brought over from the Eaft- Indies
fometimes in ftrak and fometimes in crooked pieces. It
is the heart of the tree, and has no remarkable fmell,
but it has a flight aftringent, and aullere tafte. The
vertues of thefe woods is not agreed upon by authors,
for fome fay they are cooling, and others hcvatingj how-
ever they generally agree that they are inciding, atte-
nuating, aftringent, and ftrengthening. But the yellow is
the moft powerful incider, and is more aftringent than
the red. Some recommend them as a moft powerful re-
medy in the beginning of a confumption, and in ob-
ftinate fluxes of blocd. The dcfe of the yellow in fub-
ftance is from a fcruple to a dram, and of the red to
two drams ; but in deco6lion half an ounce. If the
yellanxj Sanders be digefted in reflified fpirit of wine,
it will yield a fine yellow tindure ; and then if the ""
fpirit be drawn off by diftillation, it will leave an ex-
traft much more efHcacious than the wood itfelf ; and
it is recommended by Hoffman as a great reftorative.

SASSAFRAS, is the root of a large American tree,
and is brought to us in long ftrait pieces, which are
very light and of a fpungy tafte. It is of a whitifti
led colour, and the bark is fpungy, afh coloured witn-
out, but within of the colour of ruft- of iron. The tafte
C 5 of

34 THE NATURAL HISTORY
of the wood is acrid, fweetifh, and aromatic, with a
fragrant fmell, not unlike that of fennel. Its vertues
are fudorific and inciding ; and it is good in the cachexy,
green ficknefs, and dropfy. It was formerly cried up
again ft the venereal difeafe, but in that refpefl has not
anfwered its charader. Six pounds of the wood mixed
with twelve quarts of river water, and properly diftilled
after four days maceration, will yield an ounce and fix
drams of oil as limpid as water, and yet will fmk to the
bottom when put into water. This oil will diffolve
entirely in reflified fpirit of wine, when it is genuine ;
but if water be poured upon it, it will immediately fmk
to the bottom. It is good in diforders of the breall,
and particularly in coughs, pains, and fpafms. It may
be taken alone or dropped upon fugar, or a; drop or two
may he- mixed with a powder good for the fame pur-
pofes. The decodlion, after the diftillation of the oil».
Ihould be llrained, and infpiffated with a gentle heat,
till it comes to the confiftence of an extract. This is of
a bitterifh and fubaltringent tafte, and the dofe of it is a
fcruple. It is good in a cachexy, to ftrengthen the tone
of the vifcera, and in the declenfion of intermitting
fevers, as well as to allay the fpafms arifing from a
fault in the hypocondria. It is a medicine not very
commonly known, but exceeding ufeful ; Sajn/ras is
alfb made ufe of like tea.

CHAP. IV.

0/ ka'vei and Jl(nvers,

CORALLINA, Sea mofs, is a fmall marine plant,
divided into a great number of fprigs, which are
Sender, brittle, and confift of feveral joints. Without
it feems to be covered with a fort of a whitifh ftony
fubftance, and the colour is various ; for it is either
white, reddifli, yellovvifh, afh coloured or black, and
fometimes of the colour of giafs. It has an naufeous
fifhy fmtli, with a faltifh difagreeable tafte, and crackles

between

OF VEGETABLES. 35

between the teeth ; it may readily be reduced to pow-
der by rubbing it between the fingers. It is feldom
above an inch and a half, or two inches long, it is
found growing in rocks on the fea, as well as on Hones,
fhells, coral, and the like. It has no root, and is very
plentiful on the fhore of the Mediterranean fea. That
is efteemed the belt which is whitilh or afh coloured.
It is greatly cried up for its vertue in killing worms,
and is given in powder from half a dram to a dram.

SCHOENANTHUS, Camels hay, this is brought in
fprigs with the leaves, and fometimes with the flowers
from Arabia ; they are dry, fliff, round, fhining, geni-
culated, and about a foot in length ; it is full of a
fpungy pith, and is of a pale yellowifh colour at the
root, but near the top it is green or purplilh j the tafie
is hot, fubacrid, bitterifli, aromatic, and not difagreeable.
It is by fome recommended in obftruftions of the
bowels, in inflammations of the ftomach, and in diffi-
culty of urine. The dofe in powder is to a dram, and
of the decoiflion to two drams ; but it is now out of
ufe, except as an ingredient in venice treacle and mith-
ridate.

MALABATHRUM, the Indian leaf, is like that of
the cinnamon tree, and differs nothing from it except in
fmell and tafte ; for it is oblong, acuminated, denfe,
and fmooth, and there are three nerves which run from
the pedicle to the point ; it has an aromatic fmell, not
unlike chat of cloves. The tree to which this leaf be-
longs is called the white cinnamon tree q^ Malabar. It
is now only made ufe of in venice treacle and mith-
ridate.

SExNNA, or SENA, confifls of fmall, dry, flattilh,
firm, (harp, and as it were lanceolated leaves of a yel-
lowifh green. The fmell is not very ftrong, but the
tarte is iubacrid, bitterifli, and naufeous. It is of two
forts, the Alexandrine and that of Tripoly ; which lall is
\\\t worll, and the leaves are green and large, with a
blunt point and rough to the touch. This m.edicine is
in great ufe as a purge, becaufe it is feldom or never
attended with the bad confequences of drailic purges.
Authors greatly differ with regard to the humours it
brings away, which is a flrong proof of its operating
G 6 univerfaily.-

36 THE NATURAL HISTORY

univerfally. It has been greatly praifed by fome for
bringing away all noxious humours, and it is faid to be
good in all chronic obftru6lions, particularly in flow
fevers, melancholy, the epilepfy, itch, and other defe-
dations of the fkin. However it is apt to gripe, for
which reafon phyficians have endeavoured to correal it
in various manners j fome with ginger, others with cin-
namon, and others again with fpikenard. Some mix it
with prunes, jujubs, raifms, violets, marfli mallows,
and polypody of the oak ; others with things that difcufs
wind, and incide grofs glutinous humours, fuch as fen-
nel-feeds, anifeeds, coriander- feeds, and fait of tartar.
However thofe things are bell that extend its refmous
fubflance, fuch as a plenty of fluid, alkalious falts, and
oils, in which refms readily difTolve. Senna is not good
in thofe diforders in which the fluids are hot, and the
folids tend loan inflammation, particularly in he^lorrhage5,
all inflammations whatever, and difeafes of the breaft.
Some authors are in doubt whether the leaves of Senna
or pods are beft ; however there is no great difference,
only the pods are faid to gripe leaft, and to be fome-
what weaker as a purge. It is given in fubflance from
a fcruple to a dram, though very feldom, becaufe it al-
ways gripes moft exhibited in this manner. In an in-
fufion or gentle decodlion it is prefcribed from a dram to
half an ounce, either alone or with other purging medi-
cines. Some have endeavoured to correal its difagreeable
tafle by various additions, which however have not fuc-
ceeded extremely well ; particularly they have recom-
mended the greater water fig-wort for that purpofe, but
as it has a flrong fmell and a naufeous bitter tafle it can
do little good this way ; others have recommended bohea
tea with as little fuccefs.

DICTAMNUM CRETICUM, or DICTAMNUS
CRETICA, Dittany of Crete, is a leaf of a roundifli
fhape, about an inch long, and of a greenifli colour,
and covered with a thick white down. It is generally
brought over with the ftalks, from whofe tops a fort of
fpike of fcaly leaves xlepend, of a purplifli colour. The
imell is fragrant and not difagreeable, and the tafle is
acrid, aromatic, and hot. Some authors make didlam-
nus to be of the mafculine gender, but whether properly

or

.1

^f€■ 37

OF VEGETABLES. 37

or not is of no great confequence. It was commended
by the ancients for its extraordinary vertues, efpecially
in healing wounds. The dofe in powder is from half a
dram to a dram, and in infufion from a dram to half an
ounce ; but it is only ufed with us in venice treacle and
mithridate.

THE A, Tea^ is a fmall dried curled leaf, with a tafte
bitterifh in a fmall degree, and flightly aftringent ; the
fmell is very agreeable and by fome is likened to that of
new hay, or violets. It is brought from Chinuy and has
variety of names ; but it may principally be divided
into three kinds, namely, the green, the imperial, and
the bohea. The green is of feveral forts, and is of va-
rious degrees of goodnefs, from the common coarfe
green tea to the hyfon, which is now the deareft and
accounted the beft of all. The imperial tea is fo called
becaufe it is chiefly ufed by the emperor and great men
in China and J apan. The leaf is large, and not fo
much rolled up as in the other kinds : the colour is
greenifh, lively, and of a fine fmell, with an agreeable
tafte. This, not many years ago, was in great requeft
with us ; but now we either have it not at all, or it is
fold under a different name. The bohea is of a reddiih
brown colour, and the leaf is fmall rolled up, and tinges
the water of a brownifti colour j but the difference of
tafte of thefe teas are fo well known they need not be
infifted on. Some authors affure us there is no difference
between the green and bohea teas, but what arifes from
the manner of curing them, for the bohea is faid to be
higher dried or rather burned, from which it receives its
different tatte and colour. The natives throw the bohea
into a brafs veffel full of water, and boiled over a flow
fire, where they keep it the whole day and it ferves for
common drink j but thefe are the common fort, for
others are much more nice and careful in preparing it.
The Japonefe grind their tea into a fmall powder, and
then put a fpoonful of it into one of their cups, power-
ing hot water thereon, and then they beat them toge-
ther with a forf of a brufti compofed of long bridles,
till a foam arifes thereon ; but the Chineje make ufe of
it in the fame manner as we do. The Chinefe pretend
it is endowed with extraordinary vertues, fach as clean-
ing

38 THE NATURAL HISTORY

fing the blood, curing the vertigo, eafing pains of the
head, and helping thedropfy. However it is certainly
of fome ufe in abating the acrimony of the humours,
and in keeping people awake, but more efpecia'liy in
thofe who drink it but feldom j however when others
take it late at night it very often prevents their fleeping
found. Some phyficians pretend that the J apavefe who
drink it conftantly, are never troubled with the ftone or
gravel, bat we find no fuch efFeds in thefe parts. It is
gently aftringent, for which reafon it hinders the water
from weakening the flomach, and in thofe that take it
but feldcm it will prevent the operation of a purge. It
has indeed fome power in preventing the gravel, but
then it does not arife from the tea, for hot water alone
will do the fame. In general it may be obferved, that
tea has different efFecfts on different people, and there-
fore though it may be good for fpme it is hurtful to
others.

STOECHAS ARABICA, French lavender, confifts
©f the florid tops of the plant which when dried are
called Stoechai ; they are oblong, fcaly, and of a pur-
plifh colour, v;ith a fubacrid^ bitterifh tafte, and a fra-
grant pleafant fmell. Though it is called the Arabian
Stoechas it is brought from the fouth parts of Francey
where it grows fpontaneoijfly ; it is now cultivated
with us by fowing the feeds upon a bed of light dry foil
in March. When the plants are come up, they fhould
be carefully cleared from weed?, till they are two inches
high, at which time they fhould be removed into a
light dry level ground prepared for that purpofe, and
fet at about five or fix inches diitant from each other,
obferving to water and fhade them well till they have
taken root. It has a labiated flower, confiding of one
leaf, whofe upper lip is upright and cut into two ; but
the under lip, or beard, is cut into three parts ; but both
are fo divided as at firil: to appear like a flower cut into
five fegments, out of whofe flower cup rifes the pointal,
attended by fouV embryoes, which afterwards become fo
many roundiih feeds inclofed in the flc^wer cup. The
flowers are ranged in various rows with fcaly heads, out
of the top of which peep fome fmall leaves which look
\tiy beautiiuily. 7ne ijtoechas ufed in the fhops is

iliU

OF VEGETABLES. 39

flill brought from the fouth parts of France ; but as it is
apt to contraft a mouldinefs in its pafTage, it is not near
fo good as that gathered frefh in England. It is recom-
mended in cold diforders of the head and nerve?; how-
ever it is rarely met with in prefcription, but is ufed in
Venice treacle and mithridate.

CROCUS, Saffron, grows in various parts of the
world, but it is no where better, if fo good, as in Eng-
land. At prefent it grows plentifully in Cambridge/hire ,
and in all that large trail of ground between Saffron-
Walden and Canibridge. They begin to plough the
ground in the beginning of Jprilf and about five weeks
after they lay between twenty and thirty loads of dung
upon each acre of ground, and the ihorteft rotten dung
is bed ; and this they plough into the ground. Soon
after Midfummer they plough it again, and the time of
planting is the latter end of July -, the method of which
is this, one man with a fliovel raifes between three and
four inches of- eart^ and throws it before him about
{ix inches ; two women follow him with the heads of
faffron, and place them in the fartheft edges of the
trench that is made at three inches diftance from each
other. As foon as the digger has gone once the breadth
of a ridge he begins again at the other fide, and digging
before covers the root laft fet, and makes room for the
fettej-s to place a new row ; and thus they go on till a
whole ridge is planted. The quantity of roots planted
in one acre, is generally about a hundred and twenty-
eight bufhels. When the leaves are ready to fhow them-
felves above ground, they pare the ground with a fhort
hoe, and take off the weeds. Sometime afterwards the
faffron flowers appear, which are gathered before as
well as after they are full blown, and the moft proper
time is early in the morning. They carry them home
in bafkets, fpread them on a large table, and pick out
the chives with a pretty large part of the Ilyle itfelf ;
but the reft of the flower they throw away as ufelefs.
They then dry them on a kiln which is built on a thick
plank fupported by four fhort legs, that it may be re-
moved from place to place. It is fet in the lighteft
part of the houfe, and they begin by laying five or fix
iheets of white paper on a hair cloth, upon which they

fpread

40 THE NATURAL HISTORY
fpread tlie wet faffron between two and three inehcs
thick ; this they cover with other iheets of paper, and
over all they lay a coarfe blanket five or fix times
doubled. At firft they give the kiln sb pretty flrong
heat to make the chives fweat. When it has been dried
about an hour, they tarn the papers and faftron upfide
down, covering them as before. The fame heat is con-
tinued for an hour longer, and then they take cfF the
papers, cover the f^^ffron as before, and lay on a weight.
Then they have nothing more to do than to keep a gen-
tle fire, ard turn the cakes every half hour till thorough-
ly dried, which is generally performed in twenty-foar
hours.

Saffron has a flower confiding of one leaf, which is
fhaped like a lilly, and fillulous underneath ; the tube
widening into fix fegments and refting on a foot fi:alk ;
the pointal rifes out of the bottom of the flower, and is
divided into three headed and crefted capillaments ; but
the impalement afterwards turns to an oblong triangular
fruit, divided into three cells, and is full of roundifii
feeds. It has a tuberofe root and long graify leaves,
with a longitudinal white furrow through the middle of
each. The parts of the flower ufed in medicine are the
three long flamina or chives, of a reddifli flame colour.
Saffron is endowed with great venues, for it refreflies the
fpirits, and is good againil fainting fits and the palpi-
tation of the heart ; it ftrengthens the liomach, helps
digeftion, cleanfes the lungs, and is good in coughs. It
is faid to open obftrudlions of the vifcera, and is good in
hyfteric diforders. However, the ufe of it ought to be
moderate and feafonable, {qv when the dofe is too large
it produces a heavinefs of the head and a fleepinefb ;
fome have fallen into an immoderate convulfive laughter,
which ended in death. A few grains of this is com-
/nonly a dofe, though fome have prefcribed it from
half a fcruple to a fcruple and a half.

CHAP.

OF VEGETABLES. 41

C H A P. V.
Of fruits and feeds^

DACTYL I, Dates, are oblong fruit of a round! fh
fhape, of the thicknefs of a thumb and the length
of a finger. They are in the form of acorns, and com-
pofed of a thin dufky yellow flcin, with a fat, firm,
fweet pulp j and a thick, oblong, hard ftone, furrowed
longways. Thofe are beil that are large, foft, yellowifh-,
with: few or no wrinkles, and full of pulp. Dates are
diftinguifhed according to their degrees of ripenefs, the
firfl is when the end begins to grow ripe, the fecond
when it is ripe to the middle, and the third when it is
ripe in every part. With regard to the vertues of Dates,
they are (aid to flrengthen the ftomach, flop loofenefle^
and corroborate the intellines ; they are alfo good in
difeafes of the bread, and promote the expedloration of
grofs humours. The tree that produces them grows in
feveral parts of the world, particularly in Arabia, Syria,
Perjia, Africa, as well as in Greece, Italy, and the
fouth parts of France ; but they do not thrive fo vvtll in
thefe laft places, and the fruit feldom comes to perfec-
tion. Dates are commonly eaten by the inhabitants of
Egypt and other parts of Africa, it being their principal
food in feme places. They are fometimes ufed in pec-
toral decodions in fome parts af Europe.

JUJUBE, Jujubs, are a fruit which when a little
dried in the fun become wrinkled, and are in the fize
and Ihape of olives; they confill of a blackifh fkin, of
a reddifh yellaw colour, and a whitifn pulp, which is
foft and fpungy, together with an oblong ilone ftiarp on
each fide, and wrinkled ; they have a fweet vinous
tafte. They are faid to be good to allay the irritations
cf the breail and lungs, to cure violent coughing pro-
ceeding from an acrid phlegm ; but they are now out
of ufe with us, and are not fo much as kept in the
ihops.

SEBESTEN.

42 THE NATURAL HISTORY

SEBESTEN, is a fruit not unlike fmall plumbs,
which are blackifh, turbinated, pointed at the top, and
wrinkled. They conf}lt of a duiky clammy pulp of a
Aveetifh tifte, which adheres firm.ly to the ftone. It is
in common ufe in feme parts of Europe to abate the
acrimony of the humour5, and to appeale coughs pro-
ceeding from a foft phlegm, as well as in hoarfenefles
and heat of urine; they likevvife foften and loofen the
belly, though in a very fmall degree. T hey are out of
ufe with us, and confequently are not kept in the
ihops.

UV^ PASSiE, Raiftns, are the ripe fruit of the vine
dried in the heat of the fun, and are univerfally known.
There are feveral forts, though not all known to us, as
the raifins of Damafcus, which are the largeft ; the
raifins oi Presence, v.hich are of a middle fize ; and the
raifins of Corinth, with us commonly called currants.
Thofe of Dama/cus are moft in ufe with us, and are
named raifms of the fun. There is alfo another fort
brought from ^/i^z^, which are pretty much in ufe, call-
ed h'hlaga raifins. The vine that produces the larger
raifins is like other vines, only the leaves are bigger,
and not divided fo much on the edges. The common
ufe and talle is known to every one, and as to their
phyficai ufe they are faid to attenuate grofs humour?,
and to abate their acrimony. Thofe called jar raifins
being iloned and eaten frequently, are excellent in ob-
ftinate hoarfenefles. They are fometimes ufcd in pec-
toral ptifanf, and in feveral decc6lions to abate the dif-
agreeable talle of other medicines.

CARlCiE, dried Figs, are fo well known that they
need no defcription. The flowers are always inclofed in
the middle of the fruit, confiit of a fingle leaf, and are
male and female in the fame fruit, the male flowers are
feated towards the crown of the fruit, and the female
which grow nearer the ftalk, are fucceeded by fmall
hard feeds. The entire fruit is for the moft part tur-
binated and globular, or or an oval Ihape ; and is fieftiy
and of a fweet tafte. Frefh figs, as well as thofe which
are dried, ferves among other things for food in fome
diftant countries ; and when they are ripe they are eafy
of digeftion, and perhaps more fo than any common fruit

what-

T.4-Z

OF VEGETABLES. 43

whatever. Galen informs us that he forfook all forts of
fruits when he came to be twenty-eight years of age ex-
cept ripe figs and grapes. They are moderately nouriih-
ing, foften the belly, and are good in diforders of the
lungs, kidnies, and bladder ; however the too frequent
ufe of them is hurtful, becaufe they generate wind.
When they are dried they have the fame qualities, but
are better for medical purpofes. They are fometimes
ufed in peroral decodions, and fix figs are enough for
every pint of liquor. Externally they are fometimes
applied in the form of a cataplafm, to difcufs or ripen
fwellings ; being pounded with yeaft and fait they bring
peftilential buboes to a fuppuration in a fhort time.
Some roaft them, and apply them to fwellings of the
gujns, and others to eafe the pains of the piles.

MYROBALANf, Myrobalans, are of feveral forts,
but the yellow are principally ufed in medicine, and
are a dried fruit, of an oblong roundifh turbinated (hape,
,and an inch and a quarter in length, and three quarters
-of an inch in breadth i they are blunt at both ends, and
of a yellov/ifh or citrine cofour. Thy are marked gene-
rally with five larger ftreaks, and as many that are fmall
between them ; under the glutinous and as it were gum-
mous bark, or rind, half a quarter of an inch thick,
which is bitter, aullere, and lubacri-d. there is a ftone
that is of a lighter colour, that is angular and oblong,
with feveral pits or cavities; the kernel is vvhitiih, and
covered with an exceeding thin dark yellow membrane.
The rind or pulp, for they are both together, is the
only part in ufe. They proceed from a tree like that of
wild plumbs, whofe leaves are fet by pairs like thofe of
the alTi tree.

The GHEBULE MYROBALANSi, are the hrgeft,
and are oblong, angular, and faid to purge phlegm.
They are like the former, but bigger, and more turbina-
ted, and have likewife five high ribs made by the ftreaks
or furrows ; but they are of a darker colour, and more
inclinable to brown ; within they are of a blackifh red,
but tafte as the former, though the pulp is thicker, and
the kernel is fat, oblong, and of the fame tafte. They
grow on a tree not unlike a peach tree.

Indian

44 THE NATURAL HISTORY

Indian or hlack MYROB ALANS, are lefs than the
yellow, and are marked with nine oblong lines ; they
are rather wrinkled than ftreaked, and are blunt at
both ends. They are black on the outfide, and within
they are of a fhining black like pitch. The talle is
fubacrid, acerb, bitterifh, and a lit le acrid j they ad-
here to the teeth and provoke fpittle. The tree grows to
the fize of a wild plumb-tree that has leaves like thofc of
willows.

The BELLIRIC MYROBALANS, are a roundifh
fruit, and are of the colour and (hape of a nutmeg, but
a little more yellow and alnioft an inch in length ; the
rind is bitter, auftere, and allringent ; under which lies
a ftone of a lighter colour, containing a kernel like that
ef a hazel nut.

EMBLIC MYROBALANS, are a dried fruit of a
round fhape, but marked with fix angles, and of a
blackifh afh colour. They are half an inch in diameter,
and under the rind, uhich when ripe open in fix places,
there is a white lightilh flone of the fize of a hazel nut
divided into three cells. Generally fpeaking there is
nothing but the dried fegments of the pulp or rind
brought over, which are of a blackifh colour, and of a
tartifh auflere tafle. They grow on a tree higher than
any of the former, but we have no accurate defcription
thereof, nor indeed of any of the former. The Indians
make ufe of thefe myrcbalans for drefiing leather and
making ink ; as al o when pickled they eat them to
procure an appetite ; they are all brought from the
Eajl- Indies^ and particularly from BengaU Cambay, and
the coafts of Malabar. They have been looked upon
to have a purgative faculty, without producing the leaft
weaknefles ; and by their aftringency they Itrengthen
the bowels. The dofe is from an ounce to an ounce and
a half, but the prefent practice has laid them afide.
Among the yellow fort, there is another brought over
called the Bengal bean, which fome look upon to be
this fruit not come to perfeftion ; and others the nidus
of fome infeil. It is a denfe, wrinkled, round, com-
preffed fubflance, with a cavity like a navel, and about
an inch broad, brownifh without, and blackifh within ;
it has a llyptic allringent talle but no fmell. It is a

great

I

&a/tpui ^Ccj-hi/^ri^ .

JWj4i/,/C

OF VEGETABLES. 45

great aftrlngent, and might be of good ufe agalnft
hsemorrhages, particularly fpitting of biood, and likevvife
proper to confolidate ruptures.

COLOCYNTHIS, Coloquintida, or hitter apple, is
about the fize of an orange, of a roundifh ihape, and
the pulp when dried is fpungv, and as it were, full of
cells ; it confiils of fmall membranaceous leaves, which
are dry, white, and exceeding light when brought to us.
It is of a very bitter, acrid, naufeous taile, and it has
fmall, flat, hard, white or reddifh feeds, of the fize of
thofe of a cucumber, but rounder and harder ; it is
brought from Aleppo.

From eight ounces of the pulp of Coloquintida, may
be obtained three ounces of a gummous extrad ; and
from the fame quantity of pulp in fpirit of wine, hilf
an ounce of a refinous extradl. The refinous extra(5t
purges very little, but it caufes intolerable gripes; but
the gummy extrafl is more mild and purgative. It
is now in ufe as a medicine and is a moft llrong vio-
lent purge ; and therefore only proper to be ufed in def-
perate cafes, and in obftinate inveterate dileafes. It
has fometimes very dangerous efFeds, for it greatly in-
jures the ftomacb, vifcera, nerves, and even the whole
body ; it alfo corrodes the inteilines, produces intolera-
ble gripes, and fometimes occafions hiemorrhages in the
bowels. There have been various methods ufed to
corred it, but very improperly, becaufe it need only
be made ufe of when violent purges are required. The
beft way of ufing it is to extend and divide the particles,
and then it v/lU net have fuch dangerous effeds ; be-
Udes, prailitioners fliould be very careful in their dofes,
and then there will not be fo much reafon to complain
of it. It is often m.ixed with other purgative?, to render
the opt: ration more quick, and particularly with aloes
and fcammony. The dofe of it, when given alone, is
from five grains to twenty, when reduced to a fine pow-
der. It has fuch a purging faculty, that when laid to
the navel with oxes gall it not only purges bat kills
worms.

CASSIA FISTULARIS, the pudding pipe tree, is an
exotic fruit contained in pods fo^netimes half a yard
long, and about an inch in dianieccf ; it confiils of a

wooiy

46 THE NATURAL HISTORY
wcx)dy (hell, of a dark brown colour, but though it is
hard it is thin. It is divided into feveral cells with
partitions tranfverfely placed, and parallel to^ch other ;
the pulp is foft, black, fweetiih, and of the confiftence
of honey; and contains oblong, roandifh, flattifh feeds,
that are hard, (hining, and of a dulky yellow. Thofe
pods are beil that are frefti, full, and will not rattle
when (haken. The pulp is only in ufe which is taken
from the pods, and is pafied through a fieve. It is look-
ed upon as a mild, gentle, harmlefs purge, agreeing^
with all fexes and ages. The tree from whence it pro-
ceeds has been planted in the JVeJi-Indies, but it did
not grow naturally there, nor does it fucceed very well ;
for it has a thicker fhell, and the pulp ib acrid and
naufeous. As a cathartic it mull be given in a large
dofe, but a fmall one is fufficient to keep the body open.
Some have complained cf its bad effeds, and fay it
produces wind in the ftcmach and intellines ; but by mix-
ing it with cream of tartar, or boiling with tamarinds,
this may be prevented. It is very efficacious in taking
away the painful tenfion of the abdomen, which fome-
timcs fucceeds the injudicious ufe of antimonials. The
pulpof caffia may be given to new born infants to purge
off the meconium, by diffolving two drams of it in veal
broth or whey, and giving it by fpconfuls for eight or
twelve hours. The common dofe to adults is from two
diams to an ounce and a half, either alone or mixed with
other purgative medicines.

TAMARINDI, Tamarinds, are a fruit with a thick
clammy pulp, and they are brought to us in mafles of
a blackilh colour, with an acrid tafte, and mixed with
the rinus of the pods as well as membranes, nerves, and
filaments ; as alio with the hard feeds or Hones. That
pulp is bell that is clammy, of a blackifh red, acrid
and moift. It is to be cleanfed from the membrane?,
filaments, and feeds, before it is ufed. It is brought
from Egypt, and the Eaji and Wejl- Indies.

The flower confifls of feveral leaves, which are fo
placeci as to refcmble in fome fenfe one that is papiliona-
ceous ; but they expand circularly, and from the many
leaved flower cup there arifes a pointal, which after-
wards becomes a flat pod, containing many flat angular

Iceds,

OF VEGETABLES. 47

leeds, furrounded with an acrid blackilh pulp. The
pods of the tamarind- tree in the Eajl-lndies contain fix
or feven feeds in each i whereas thofe of the Weft- Indies
have feldom more than three or four. They may be
propagated in England, hy fowing the feeds on a hot
bed in the fpring, and when the plants are come ap they
fhould each be fet in a feparate fmall pot, filled with
light rich earth and plunged into a hot bed of tanners
bark to bring them forward, obferving to water and
fhade them till they have taken root. They muft be
conliantly kept in the bark ilove both winter and fum-
mer. When rightly managed they will grow to the
height of three feet in one fummer from the feed. Ta-
marinds, befides their purging quality, temperate the
acrimony of the humours, abate the heat of the bile
and blood, quench third, and are good in acute burning
fevers. They ferve to corred^ the faults of violent pur-
gatives, and they quicken thofe that are fluggifh. The
dofe is from one dram to an ounce, and in deco<ltion
from one dram to three ounces.

VANILLA, Fanelis, is an narrow pod almoll round,
though a little flat, about fix inches lono and a quarter
of an inch broad j it is wrir.kled, redofh, foft, oily,
flat, and yet brittle j witl^out it is as it \NtTt coriaceous,
and within -he pulp is recidifii and full of a vail num-
ber of exceeding fmall, black, fliining feeds, and of a
fubacrid, fat, aromatic tafte, with a fmeli like that of
balfam of Peru. It is brought from Peru and Mexico,
The tree bears an anomalous flosver, confilling of fix
leaves, five of which are placed in a circular order, and
the other in the middle is concave ; the impalement
afterwards becomes an horned, jott, flcfliy fruit, filled
with very fmall feeds. It is much ufed by the Spaniards
to fcent their chocolate, and it grows cientifuily in the
bay oi Campeachy, where it L uiuahy fold \.o the Enji/h
for three pence each pod. 1 here are three kind of this
fruit, one of which has a thicker and (horter pod. and
is called by the Spaniard pompona or ho\ ^ ; the fecond
has a more flender and longer pod, wnicn is the right
fort; but the third ia the imailefl: in every lenle, and is
called the fimarona or hafiard njanilla. 'i^.is fruit is
gathered from the latter end oi September to the end of

June,

48 THE NATURAL HISTORY
Juncy and takes from fifteen to twenty days in drying,
that the fuperfluous or rather noxious moifture may be -
exhaled. This fruit is faid to ftrengthen and warm the i
ftomach, to promote digellion, to difcufs wind, to help
the cold diforders of the brain, and to flrengthen the
memory ; but it is feldom ufed in phyfic. Some have
looked upon it as a fpecific in melancholy diforders,
and the dofe is from twelve grains to half a dram in-
fufed or decoded in fome convenient liquor.

CARDEMOMUM, Cardomumy is of feveral kinds,
of all which fome account will be given. The feeds of
the greater Cardomum are contained in a dried oblong
fruir, about the fjze of a fig and much of the fame
fhape, with a broad circular navel .at the top, divided
in the middle into three parts, and including in a thin,
membranaceous, tougS, fibrous, wrinkled, brown or
reddi{h colour, a great number of feeds in three cells,
which are uneven, (liining, reddifh, and lodged in a
fort of membranes that lye between them.

MELt.GUETTA, or MALAGUETA, by fome
called Guiney pepper, is a fhinirg angu'ar feed lefs than
pepper, with a reddifli or bay furface, but white within,
and of an acrid, hot, burning tafte, like pepper or gin-
ger ; and much of the fame fmtll. It is brought from
Africa, the ifland of Madagafcar, and the hnjl Indies.

The middle fiz.ed C aRDOMUM of Matthiolus, or
the greater Cardomum of Bontius^ is an oblong fruit, of
the length of an inch or an inch and a half, but flen-
d^tXy triangular, llreaked and blunt at the top ; it is of
an afh colour, not eafily broken, and divided into three
cells that contain a great number of feeds wrapped up in
thin white membranes. They are oblong, angular,
thin, and on one fide divided by a fort of fmall pipe,
and there are feveral trar.fverfe lines run acrofs it ;
they are of a reddifh white colour, with an acrid aro-
matic tafle. This fort is very common.

The leffer CARDOMUM of Matthiolusy is the CarJo-
mum of the ancient Greeks, and is a dried fruit with a
fliort membranaceous pod, not half an inch in length ;
and of a triangular fhape, but fharpefl at the pedicle,
and blunt at the extremity j it of a reddifh colour,
flreaked, and has a much thinner fhell than the middle

fized

OF VEGETABLES. 49

fixed Cardomum. When it is fully ripe the three cor-
ners gape, and difcover three cells, containing a double
row of angular, wrinkled, reddilh' yellow feeds, but
white within, and of an acrid, bitterilh, aromatic tafte,
fomewhat like camphire. It is brought from the Eaft-
Indies. In the places where they all grow they are ufed
as fpices, and they are faid to help digeftion, to flrengthen
the ftomach and brain, and to promote urine. The
dofe is from ten grains to a fcruple in fubllance, and in
decodion to half an ounce. They are much ufed in
the prefent praftice, that is the greater fort, and are a
very warm grateful fpice.

AMOMUM VERUM, the true Amomuniy is brought
from the Baji- Indies, is a dried fruit growing in fmall
bunches, confifting often or twelve berries or membra-
naceous bladders, which are membranaceous, fibrous,
and brittle, lying clofe to each other without pedicles.
The bunch is fupported by a woody fprig, which is
fibrous, round, and the length of a man's thumb. It
is adorned with leaves as well as a row of fmall fcales
where there are no berries, and there are fix long
leaves furrounding each berry or grape like a flower cup.
Three of the longeft leaves are half an inch in length,
but the other three are fmaller, and fcarce fhow them-
felves above the grapes. The thicknefs and fhape of
the berries are like that of a middle fized grape, and
each contains three rows of feeds, feparated from each
other by a thin membrane, and each row confifls of fe-
veral angular leeds, wrapped up in the fame thin mem-
brane, and lying fo clofely together that they appear to
be only three long feeds. The whole bunches are of a
wood colour, but paler in fome than others. The feeds
are folid but brittle, and the fmell is fragrant, not much
unlike that of lavender, but fweeter; however, when
they are taken out of their fliells the fmell is more acri-
monious, and they have an acrid tafte. They are faid
to contain many vertues, but at prefent are only ufed in
Venice treacle.

CUBEBiE, Cubehs, ofthejhops^ are a fruit, or round

dried grains like pepper, and fometimes bigger, with a

long flender pedicle, and a wrinkled darkilh aih colour-

YoL. VI. D e4

53 THE NATURAL HISTORY
ed fhcll, containing a fmgle feed of a roundifh ITiape,
blackilli without, and white within, with a fvveet, acrid,
aromatic taile, but not fo hot as pepper. They are faid
to be good in difeafes of the head, to create an appetite,
to ilrergthen the lloniach, and to difcufs wind ; fome
alfo commend them in hoarfenefles. The dole is from
three grains to a fcruple, and infufed in wine from a
dram to two drams.

PIPER, Pepper, is of feveral kinds, 2i^ black pepper,
nuhite pepper ^ long pepper y and Jamaica pepper.

PltER NIGRUM, black pepper, is a dried fruiter
grain, of the fize of a fmall pea, with a wrinkled,
brown or black rind, which taken off, a hardifh com-
padl fubftance appears of a yellowifli green colour, but
white within ; the tafte is acrid and hot, and feems as it
were to bite the tongue. It grows on a (hrub, with a
fmall, fibrous, tough, blackifn root, which fends out
many Ihoots that are tough, flexible, green, and wocdy,
which lye on the ground like hops, unlefs they are
propped up ; there are feveral knees, or knots, which
when they lye upon the ground will ferd out ihoots ;
and at each knot there are leaves alternately difpofed,
and oppofite to each other, that are roundifh, and two
or three inches broad, and four long, terminating in
points ; the texture is thkk and firm, and on the upper
part they are of a fhining dufky green ; but beneath
they are of a light green, and have ihort, thick, green
pedicles. The flowers grow in bunches, and they are
monopetalous, but divided into three parts at the edges,
to which fucceed the grains, which are ten, twenty, or
thirty in number upon one pedicle, and they are green
2t firll, but red when ripe ; but in drying they grow
black and wrinkled. When the rind of black pepper is
taken off it becomes white, and is the only fort brought
to us by the name of white pepper ; though authors give
us an account of one which is naturally white ; however
there is faid to be no difference between the plants that
produce them, except in the colour of the pepper. They
ai'e now very rare, and only to be found in certain
Traces of Mfilabar and Malacca ; whereas black pepper
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OF VEGETABLES. 51

Js met with in Javay Sumatra ^ and on all the coafts of
Malabar.

Long ' PEPPER, is an unripe dried fruit, about zr^
inch or an inch and a half long. It is oblong, round,
cylindraceous, and as it were llreaked with fpiral lines,
with tubercles placed in the form of a net ; within it is
divided into feveral fmall cells, containing each a fmall
round feed, fcarcely the twelfth of an inch in breadth,
blackilh without, but whitifh within, with an acrid,
hot, bitterilh tafte.

Black pepper is of more common and general ufe
than the reft, and is every where employed as a fpice, to
create an appetite and help digeftion. Long pepper is
commonly pickled, and is in high efteem among fome.
It is very good in cold phlegmatic ccnftitutions. They
have all much the fame vertues, for they heat, dry, at-
tenuate, refolve, open and ftrengthen relaxed fibres of
thevifcera; and by exciting an ofcillation therein, re-
frefh the fpirits, divide grofs humours, and encreafe the
circulation of the blood. Some cry it up in intermitting
fevers, advifing feven, eight, or nine corns fwallowed
whole, fome hours before the fit j but this remedy does not
agree with all ; and if it be taken near the fit, it ra-
ther increafes than abates the fever i and indeed in all
hot difeafes it is altogether improper.

PIMENTA, Jamaica pepper^ by fome called all fpice,
becaufe it has fomewhat of the talle of every one. It is
a dried unripe fruit, of a roundifh fhape, and generally
fomewhat larger than black pepper ; the ikin is brown
and wrinkled, with a navel or corolla on the top, which
is divided into four parts; and it contains two black
kernels covered with a greenifli black membrane. Tha
tafte is a litde acrid, aromatic, and fomewhat like that
of cloves. It grows in feveral parts of the JVeJi-Indies,
and is gathered while green, and dried in the fun for
many days, but they are taken in night and morning
to avoid the dew. It is ufed as a fpice, ftrengthens the
ftomach, helps digeftion, and refrefhes the fpirits.

CARYOPHYLLI AROMATICI, CU^esi are a

dried unripe fruit, fomewhat in the fhape of a nail,

and a little quadrangular, wrinkled, and of a blackifti

D 2 red.

52 THE NATURAL HISTORY

red. On the top there is a head, much about the
magnitude of a very fmall pea, which is compofed of
fcales wrapped one into another, and round about it
there are four fmall leaves, not unlike a flower cup,
and difpofed like a flar, between which, in a cavity,
there is a fmall quadrangular flyle of the fame colour.
The talle is acrid, bitterifh, and agreeable, with a mod
fragrant fmell. Cloves are the flower cups and embryoes
of the fruit before the flowers are expanded, and are
gathered from the month of OSiober to February. When
frefh they are of a dark red, for they come blackifli by
being dried in the fun and by fmoke ; for they are
placed for fome days in ba&ets over fmoke, and then
are dried in the fun. They grow in feveral iflands of
the Eaji- Indies t which are all now in the hands of the
Dutch. While they are frefli they yield an oil by ex-
preflion, which is thick, reddifh, and fragrant ; but the
eflential oil is gained by diftillation, and is at flrft yel-
low, afterwards reddifli, and finks to the bottom of
water. Its principal ufe is as a fpice, though it is laid
to be good againft all cold diforders of the brain, fwim-
ming of the head, and weaknefs of fight j it is alfo
good for a cold ftomach, and hyfterical diforders. The
dofe in fubftance is from three grains to a fcruple, but
in infufion from thirty grains to two drams.

ANACARDIUM, the Malacca Bean-tree^ produces
fruit, or rather a kernel, in the fliape of a bird's heart,
and is blackifh, fliining, and about an inch long, ter-
minating in an obtufe point, with a wrinkled pedicle at
the bafe, including under a double cover a whitifh ker-
nel of a fweetifli taile like almonds orchefnuts. Thofe
are beft that are frefli, very black, heavy, with a white
kernel, and plenty of a fluid liquor. Moft phyficians
agree that it is not fit for internal ufe, becaufe fome
have run mad that have eat it. Some have given it in
coW difeafes to excite a fort of a fever ; but it is the
wifeft way to abftain entirely from its ufe.

ACAJOUS, or CAJOUS, by fome called the oc-
cidental anacardium, and by the French the nut of
Jcagoust but by the Englijh the cajhe^-nuty is a fruit,
or rather a nut, of the fliape of a kidney, and of the

fize

OF VEGETABLES. 5^3

fize of a chefnut ; it is covered with an a(h-coloi>red, or
brown fkin, about a twelfth part of an inch thick, hard
and tough ; it feems to confiil of a double membrane
with a fungous fubftance, which in its cells contains a
fort of oily fluid of the confiftence of honey ; it is of a
reddilh colour, extremely acrid, bitter, and biting ; for
if a drop of it falls on the fkin, it feems to burn it like a
cauftic ; and if any one through ignorance fhould bite
the nut, the lips and tongue are immediately afFcded
with a very fharp pain. Under this is the kernel,
which is covered with another brown fkin of the thick-
refs of paper, whofe fubftance is extremely white, com-
pa6l, oily, and of a more agreeable tafte than almonds.
The tree that produces this nut is one of the bell fruit-
trees in all Americuy fome of which are of the fize of
ilandard apricot- trees ; and fometimes are pretty re-
gular, but generally the branches are crooked, knotty,
and are llrangely contoned among each other. The
wood is greyifh, pretty ftrong, tough, and heavy ; the
bark is thin, fmooth, and of a dirty white, a little va-
riegated with brown fpecks and lines. The leaf is
large, firm, well fed, pretty thick, and more round at the
top than at the bottom. The flowers are fmall, and
grow in tufts, and when they are opened they are di-
vided into five leaves, which form a flower cup of fmall
ftamina of a yellow golden colour, that furround a
piftil of the fame colour but longer ; the leaves that
compofe the flower are whitifli at firft, and afterwards
turn to a purple mixed with white lines ; but they are
of fmall duration, for the piftil foon changes to a fruit.
The tree, either fpontaneoufly or cut, yields plenty of
gum, that is reddifh, tranfparent, and folid v it will
difiblve in water like gum-arabic, and fupplies the place
of glew ; when the juice is expreflTed from the fruit and
fermented, it becomes a fort of heady wine, whicK
greatly promotes urine, and the fpirit diftilled from it is
very good. The thick fluid abovementioned tinges
linnen of a rufty iron colour, which can hardly be got
out. Seme get an oil out of it which will flain linnen
with a black colour that can never be got out, and if
any wood be fmeared with it, it preferves it from rot-
D 3, ting*

54 THE NATURAL HISTORY
ting. The oily fluid firll taken notice of is ufcd for
taking off warts and corns, when mix^d v;ith the black
wax of Guadaloupe, or warm water. The ladies make
ufe of it to take off freckles, for it foon delli-oys the
cuticle which is fucceeded with one that is fair and of
a good colour. When the kernels are put into water the
ikm will readily come off, and then they are fit to eat i
but when they are dry they open it a little with a knife,
and then lay them over the fire, hy which means the
fkin may be eafily taken cff. 1 hey are in very high
t'lleem among the inhabitants of the Wejl- Indies^ not
only to eat by themfelves, but to make mackeroons and
marchpains ,• befide? which they give to rofa folis and
other liquors a very fine flavour. They may be tranf-
ported to any diftant country, and will continue good for
many years.

BEN, is the Balams Myrep/ica of the Jhops, and is a
nut of the fize of a hazle-nut, and is of different fliapesj
for it is fometimes oblong, roundifli, or of a triangular
fhape 'i it is covertd with a whitifli fliell, which is pretty
thck and brittle, and contains a kernel covered with a
fungous fkin as white as fnow, and of the fame con-
fiflence as an almond ; it is fat and of a bitterifli tafte;
Eight pounds of the kernels will yield thirty ounces of a
yellow limpid oil by expreffion. This nut was formerly
ufed inwardly upon feveral accounts ; but it has beca
iince found to hurt the llomach, to dillurb the vifcera-,
and to procure cold fweats ; but fome Hill make ufe of
the oil againft difeafes of the Ccin. It is of great ufe
among the perfumers for extraf^ing the fine fmell out
of flowers, becaufe it will never grow rancid, and has no
fmell cf its own.

There is another nut of this name brought from the
Eaji-Indies, particularly Ceylon, and is called Moringa j
btfjdes which the tree grov/s in the fandy places of Ma-
labar and elfewhere. It is alfo cultivated in gardens for
the fake of the fruit, which is much in requeft. Of the
leaves, bark, and of the root, and fruit, they prepare pills,
which are faid to have an antifpafmodic quality. The
juice of the bark mixed with water and garlic, and drank,
is good againfl pains of the joints proceeding from cold ;

the

^■JS

OF VEGETABLES. t--"

the juice of the root with garlic and pepper is faid to be
excellent againil cramps and flitches, if the temples are
anointed therewith. The juice of the green tree is ufed
againll all pains of the joints and head proceeding frora
the venereal difeafe.

CACAO, or COCAO, the chocolate-nut, are Tome-
what like piftachio-nuts, but larger, they being oblong,
roundifh, and of the fize of olives ; and they are covered
with a thin, hard, brittle, blackilTi Ihell, which being
taken ofF there remains a firm, denier, dr}', flattifh ker-
nel, of a du<ky yellow on the outfide, and reddifh, or of
a bay colour within. They confift of feveral pieces
clofely united together, and have a little bitterifii and
flightly acerb, but not a difagreeable tafle. Some take
notice of four forts of the trees, which grow fpon-
taneoufly, and without any cultivation, in many parts
of America between the tropics ; particularly near the
river of the Jma%ons there are whole foreits of them.
The wild cocoa-tree is very large, and thick of bran-
ches ; but thofe that are planted are cultivated in fuch a
manner that they never exceed twelve or fifteen feet in
heighth, not only that the fruit may be gathered more
eafily, but that they may not be too much expofed to
the wind. The leaf is generally eight or- nine inches
long, and fometimes more, but feldom lefs ; and the
breadth is one third of the length. It is pointed at both
etds, and has a flrong flalk two or three inches long.
It is of a lively green above, but deeper beneath, and
the edges, from the place where it is broadell to the
point, is of a very fine flelh colour. The fibres or nerves
are like thofe of the cherry tree. This tree is never en-
tirely deprived of leaves, for when fome drop off there
are others ready to fucceed them. It bears fruit twice a
a year, as well as mofl of the trees in thefe parts of
America, but more properly fpeaking, it is never with-
out flowers or fruit ; however the produce is moft plenti-
ful near both the folflices, but that near Chrijimas is al-
ways the beft. The flower is fmall, and it has fix leaves
when opened, which form a fmall cup, in the center of
which is a longilh button, furrounded with five filaments
and five flamina. The leaves of the flower are of a pale
D 4 ileih

S6 THE NATURAL HISTORY
flefh colour variegated with red fpots and fpecks ; the
iilaments are of a reddilh purple, and the ftamina are of
a fine filver colour ; but the button is of a duller white,
and it is this that produces the fruit. The flowers do
not proceed from the branches as in the European trees, ^
but from the root up to ore third part of the five large
branches. The fruit that fucceed thefe flowers refemble
cucumbers, and are pointed at the end ; but on the
fides there are furrows like thofe on melons, among
which are fmall unequal tubercles, and thefe contain the
nuts before defcribed ; befides which they contain a fub-
(lance, or pulp, of a palifli colour, which is is very
light and delicate, and of the fame tafle as pomegranates.
Within this pulp are the nuts, of which there are twenty-
five in number in each pod. The trees are in greateft
perfedion when they are ten or twelve years old, not
becaufe they bear more, but the largeft fruit. Labat
denies that there are feveral kinds of this tree, for he
affirms upon his own knowledge there is no difference
except in the fize of the fruit. The chief ufe of thefe
nuts is for making chocolate, which is every where very
well known, and is faid to have reftorative qualities,
for which reafon it is good in confumptions, prepared
wiih milk, for then it abates the acrimony of the hu-
n^curs.

PISTACHIA, Tijlachio-nuts, are of the fize and
fhape of hazle-nuts, only they are a little angular, a^d
higiier on one fide than the other. They are covered
with a double ftiell, the outermoft of which is membra-
raceous, dry, thin, brittle, and reddifti when ripe ; but
the other is woody, brittle, fmooth, and white, under
which is a kernel of a pale greenifti colour, and of an
oily, bitterjlh, fvveetifh taile, and agreeable to the pa-
late ; it is covered with a red fkin. It grows in Perfia^
Jrabia, Syria, and the Eaji- Indies ; and is cultivated in
Jialy, Sicily y and the fouthern parts of France. They
yield good nouriihment, and are faid to be reftorative,
caufing thofe that are fallen away to regain their flcfli
very (oon. They have been ufed to make emulfions in
the fame manner as almonds,

PINE!

OF VEGETABLES. 57

PINEI NUCLEI, Pwe-app/e-nufs, 2ire ohlong, round,
white, fat, fvveet, and covered with a reddifhcoat ; and
they are included in a thick hard fhell. Thefe nuts
are contained in the pine-apple, or cones, between their
hard and woody fcales. They contain a great deal of
oil, which may be gained by expreflion ; they are faid to
be very nourilhing, but they are not eafily digefted.
Some account them good for confumptive-patients, be-
caufe they deftroy the acrimony of the humours j they
are alfo good in heat of urine, and in ulcers of the kid-
nies and bladder.

RICINI NUCLEI, Mexico feeds, are oblong, oval,
gibbous on one fide, and flat on the other, and with a
lort of a fmall head, or navel, placed on the top ; they
are covered with a thin brittle ihell, variegated witK
white and black fpots, elegantly mixed, under which is
a £rm flefhy pulp of a white colour, and not unlike an
almond ; it is divided into two parts, and has a fatty,
acrid, fweetifli, naufeous talle. There are three feeds
in a fingle fruit, which is triangular, tricapfular, and a
little rough or echinated. They contain plenty of a
fweet temperate oil ; befides which there is one of ano-
ther fort, which is fo cauftic that it burns the mouth,
and on this the cathartic faculty depends. They are of
no ufe in medicine, becaufe the eating of them has been
attended with great danger. Diofcorides affirms, that
the oil being drank brings off water by ftools, and kills
worms ; but Dr. Stuhbs in the philofophical tranfa^tions
affures us it will not purge at all, though a perfon (hould
fwallow a (poonful.

PilCINUS AMERICANUS MAJOR SEMINE
NIGRO, (he American Rlcinus ^joith a black feed, nvhofk
fruit are called Barbadoes nuts, have a faculty of purg-
ing upwards and downwards, for if three or four of them
be eaten they work fo violently as to put a perfon in
danger of his life. In Barbadoes they are called phyfic
nuts, and they are recommended by Pifo in inveterate
obllrudions of the vifcera ; he fays four or five of them
are a dofe, but then he would have both the inner and
outer Ikins taken off, after which they are to be roalled,
and lleeped in wine. The inhabitants of Braftl, and
D 5 other

58 THE NATURAL HISTORY
ether parts o^ Atnerica, exprefs an oil therefrom, which
they ufe in their lamps. Some affirm it is excellent ia
all difcafes proceeding from cold humours, and therefore
they ufe it in all dropfies, by anointing the belly there.-
uith, and give a few drops in wine. If contraded
limbs are anointed therewith, it does excellent fervice by
loftening the tendons. If the bellies of children are
anointed therewith it deflroys worms, efpecially if a
drop or two be given at the fame time in milk.

RICJNUS AMERICANUSTENUITER DIVISO
FOLIO, produces a fruit called /»r^/z?j- ww/j, from their
purging quality, which is not lefs than any of the for-
mer, for one nut eaten with a little butter, is fufficient
for that purpofe. Jf ten or twelve leaves of the tree are
mixed with a falad they are faid to purge gently with-
out gripes, and are greatly commended againil the
jaundice,

RICINUS ARBOR INDICA COSTICA PUR-
GANS, has various other names, but the fruit, as the
former, are called -purging nuts. Under a thin fhell
there is a fat, white, oily kernel, of an acrid burning
talie. The tree is cultivated on the coaft of Malabar^
and other parts of the Eaji- Indies. "While they are frefh
they purge cfF ferous humours upwards and downwards,
and leave a painful inflammation in the anus ; but when
they are dry they are a gentle cathartic, and given
in a fmall dofe promote fweat. They are accounted a
fpecifiC in dropfies, and other chtonical difeafes. The
dole of the old is from a fcruple to half a dram in fub-
llance, but in infufion or decodion half an ounce. If it be
given to promote fweat, then ten grains is fufficient in
iubftance, and two drams in dccciiion. Some fay four
or five grains are fufficient for a purge, and that three
will produce five ftools. The exprefltd oil is ufed to
anoint the navel when the body is too coftive.

COFFEE, is a hard Iced in an oval form, and fcme-
V. hat above a third of an inch long, and a quarter of
an inch broad ; one fide is convex and the other flat,
marked v/ith a remarkable furrow. It is yellowifh or
of an afh coloured palifh green ; it has a farinaceous
lalle, and before it is loailed it has not much fmell.

The

!

OF VEGETABLES. 59

The cup of the flower confifts of one leaf, that is divided
at the top into five fegments, and the flower likewife
confillsof one leaf in the ftape of a funnel, and divided
into five fegments ; the flowers are fucceeded by berries,
which fplic in the middle. The coffee tree is propagated
by feeds, which fhould be fown foon after they are
gathered, otberwife they will not grow, which is the
reafon that all other countries except Arabia, have been
fo long without it. It was neceflTary to get trees that
were growing, which has been at length done, and there
are now many of them as well in Europe as in America ;
but they fucceed beft in the Caribee iflands ; however
the coffee is not accounted fo good as the Arabian. The
berries are commonly ripe with us in Aprils at which
time they fhould be fown in pots of frefh light earth,
covering them about half an inch thick with the fame ;
and then the pots fiiould be plunged into a moderate
hot bed of tanner's bark, obferving to refrefh them often
with water ; as alfo to raife the glafles in the heat of the
day to admit frefii air ; and in very hot weather it will
be proper to ftiade the glaflfes with mats.

The bloffoms, or flowers, are white, and fhoot out
juft where the flalks of the leaves join the branches ;
and when the bloffoms fall CJ?" there remains a fmall fruit,
which is green at firft, but as it ripens becomes as red as a
cherry, and not unlike one; and it is very good to eat,
being ftrengthening and refrefliing ; under the flefli of
the fruit inftead of a flone there is the berry, covered
with a fine thin fkin. When the fruit has been dried by
the fun, the pulp becomes a fhell of a deep brown co-
lour, under which there is a thick brown liquor ex-
tremely bitter. Some diredt the taking off the pulp of
the berries before they are fowed, but this is a millake,
for they will come up fooner when it is left on, and
produce ftronger plants. There are two feeds in each
berry which feldom fail to grow ; but when the plants
are young they may be eafily parted and fet in different
pots ; that is, when they are about an inch and a half
high. In the winter feafon they fiiould be placed in a
bark flove, kept up to the heat proper for pine-apples.
In Arabia they bear ripe fruit twice or thrice in a year.

The

6o THE NATURAL HISTORY
The ufe of coffee is now well known every where, and
the liquor made with it is generally fuppoi'ed to be good
in weakneffes of the ftomach, in want of appetite, and
in the flatulent cholic. It prevents fleepinefs, and is
good in fleepy difeafes, for which reafon it refrefhes the
brain and the animal fpirits. It is good for thofe that
are fat, and abound with thick grofs humours ; but with
thofe that are lean and have hot conftitutions it does not
fo well agree, nor yet with thofe of melancholy difpc-
fitions. When mixed with cream it is very proper for
fuch as are emaciated.

NUX M03CHATA, or NUX MYRISTICA, the
Nutmegs is very firm and compad, and yet is very eafily
pounded in a mortar. It is wrinkled without, and fome-
what of an afh colour ; but within it is variegated with
a whitifh yellow, and a bay colour, running in veins
without any regularity. The trees that bear nutmegs
are now entirely in polTeifion of the Diitch^ as are ali the
fpice iflands ; they are like pear-tree?, and have an afh
coloured bark, with a fpungy wood. The flowers, or
bloflbms are yellowifh, with five leaves, not unlike
thofe of cherries ; to thefe fucceed the fruit, hanging to
a long pedicle. It is fomewhat like a walnut, and the
kernel, or nutmeg, is covered with three coats, the firfl
of which is flefhy, foft, and juicy, about as thick as a
man's finger, but villous and red, and variegated with
yellow, gold colour, and purple fpotf, like a peach.
When it is ripe it gapes fpontaneoufly, and is of an
auflere tafte. Under this there is another reticular co-
vering, or rather divided into feveral parts, which is of
an oily clammy confiftence, and as it were cartilagi-
nous, but thin, and of an agreeable aromatic fmell, and
of an acrid aromatic tafte, with a fort of bitternefs. It
is of a fafFron colour, and is what we call mace. Be-
tween the clefts of this there is a third covering, which
is a hard, woody, thin fhell, of a dufky reddifh colour,
and brittle i and in this the nutmeg is contained. It is
foft at firll, but grows dry and hard in time. The tafte
and fmell is too well known to need a defcription.
Nutmegs abound with an efTential oil, which may be
gained by dillillation, and t\^xy pound will yield an

ounce ;

OF VEGETABLES. 6t

ounce ; befides which there is another oil which will
fwim on the furface of the water, and is thick like
fuet, but has little vertue. Every fixteen ounces of
nutmegs will yield three ounces and two drams of oil
by expreffion, which is of the confiftence of fuet, and
has both the fmell and tafte of the nutmeg. The
principal ufe of nutmegs is as a fpice, and they are good
to promote digellion, to llop vomitting, to difcufs wind,
and to eafe pains of the cholic. However the immode-
rate ufe is bad, for it will afFe£l the head, and produce
(leepy difeafes, as they have found by experience in the
Eaji- Indies. When toaft^d they have a binding quality,
and are good in fluxes of the belly, and are given to the
quantity of a dram.

MACIS, Mace, is a membranaceous, thick, and as
it were cartilaginous fubftance, lying like a net on the
woody Ihell of the nutmeg. It is at iirft of a beautiful
reddifli colour ; but after it has been cxpofed to the air
it turns a little yellowifh. It has an agreeable aromatic
tafte, with fomewhat of a bitternefs ; and when quite
frefh it will yield a fort of an oil by expreffion. Mace
has the fame vertues as nutmegs, but is lefs binding.
It affeds the head as well as the former, for C a/par
Hoffman mentions a young woman who took too much
of it, and fell into a delirium for feme hours.

NUX VOMICA, the Vomic nut, is round, fiat, de-
prefied, about an inch broad, and a quarter of an inch
thick ; it is of a hard horny fubftance, of an afh colour,
and a little downy without, with a navel on the middle
of each fide ; but one fide is flatter than the other, and
the tafte is bitter ; it is brought from the Eafi-hidies
with fnake-wcod. It kills all quadrupedes that come
into the world blind ; and it will likewife intoxicate
crows, thrufhes, and many other birds ; and fome fay
that two drams of it will kill a man, though many have
placed it in the rank of alexipharmacs. There is ano-
ther nux 'vomica which is only one third as big as the
former, but it is of the fame Ihape, colour, and con-
fiftence, the wood of the tree they proceed from, is
called fnake-wood, becaufe it is faid to cure the bites
of the ferpents called cohrai de capdh. It is commended

by

62 THE NATURAL HISTORY
by feme for curing agues, and killing worms ; as alfo
for expelling noxious humours by fweat ; but if the dofe
h too large it produces ccnvulfions ; however it is never
uTed but when it is old, for when it is only of a year*s
growth it caufes madnefs, the gripes, vomiting, and ccn-
vulfions. The dofe in infufion is from two drams to
half an ounce j however the ufe of it is bell laid
afide.

FAB A Fehrifuga et FAB A fancti Ignatii, the bean
of St, Ignatius, is of a roundifh unequal Ihape, and as it
were knotty ; but it is very hard, femi-tranfparent, and
of a horney fubftance. Jt is of the fize of a hazle-nut,
ar.d has a very bitter tade. It has been lately brought
into Europe from the Fhilipfhu ifiands, by the miffiona-
ries. The natives of thofe iilands think it will cure all
difeafes, and many have ihem.hanging about their necks,
thinking them to be a prefervative againft poifons, the
plague, and all kinds of contagious difeafes. But not-
wiihilanding thefe encomium;, a certain perfon of a
melancholy conflitution, after taking a fcruple of the
powder of it, was affected with a vomitting and loofe-
nefs, with a great plenty of wind, and acrid belchings j
after this he had an univerfal tremor, attended with ccn-
vulfions; however at laft he grew entirely well. But
yet there is a diftinftion to be made, for though it af-
ftf\s the Spaniards in this manner, the natives take it
without any detriment. There are German phyficians
who have cried this bean up in many chronic difeafes,
and particularly for curing agues in fucking children ;
but the ufe of it is better omitted.

CART RAMUS, Bajiard Saff'ron,^roA\JiCts feeds that
are fometimes ufed in medicine, but the flowers very
feldom, for they are chiefly ufed as a (\yQ. It agrees
with thirties in moil of its charadlers, only the feeds
are always without down. It is greatly cultivated in
Germany, and is brought into England from thence, for
the ufe of the dyerf. It is fown in the open fields in the
fpring of the year, and when come up they hoe it out
thin, as v/e do turnips, leaving the plants about eight or
ten inches dillant every way. Thele plants divide inta
a great many branches, each of which bears a flower at

ihe

GF VEGETABLES. 63

the top of the (hoot, which when fully blown they pull
oiF, and is the part the dyers make ufe of. The feed is
fometimes called parrots- feed> becaufe parrots are fond
of it, and it makes them grow fat; however it purges
mankind, and brings away ferous grofs humours, and
is accounted very good in the dropfy and jaundice.
When it is given in fubiiance the feeds muft be free
from the hufks, and then the dofe is from one dram to
two ; but it is a naufeous medicine, and as we have
much better purges, it ought to be laid afide.

SANTONICUM SEMEN, JVorm feed, is a groii
powder, confiRing of oblong, fcaly, yellowiih, green
grains, of a difagreeable bitter taile, with fomewhat of
an aromatic acrimony, the fmell is a little aromatic,
but naufeous, and there feem to be diminutive leaves
and exceeding fmall ftreaked ftalks among it. What this
drug is, is a doubt, for fome would have it to be one thing
and fome another ; Herman believes it to be a fort
of fouthernwood that is brought from the eaftern coun-
tries to Ferjia ; and that they are not perfe£l feeds, but
their coverings, which from thence are difperfed all
over the world. However we are not certain what fort
of plant it belongs to. Its chief vertue is againft worms,
befides which it is faid to flrengthen the ftomach, difcufs
wind, and excite an appetite ; the dofe is from a fcruple
to a dram.

ANISUM INDICUM STELLATUM, is a fruit in
the form of a liar, which confiils of fix, feven, or more
capfulae, meeting like rays in the center ; they are of a
triangular fliape, and from near half an inch to an^inch
in length, and from a quarter to near half an inch
broad. They are a little flat and united at their bafe,
being compofed of a double rind, the outermoll of
which is hard, rough, wrinkled, and of a bay or ruily
colour J but the infide is hard, fmooth, and fhining,
and has tv/o valves, which gape on the upper part in
thofe that are dry and old. There is in twexy one a
kernel, which is fmooth, Ihining, oblong, flat, and
near a quarter of an inch long, and a twelfth broad, of
the colour of linfeed, which in a flender britde fliell con-
tains a whitifti, fat, fweet flefli, or pulp, agreeable to

the

64 THE NATURAL HISTORY

the palate, and of a tafte between anifeed and fennel-
feeds, but flronger. The capfula has the tafte of fennel
mixed with fomewhat of an acidity, and the fmell is
like it, but more fragrant. It is brought from China,
Tartar}\ and the Philippine iflands. They have the
fame vertues as anifeeds and fennel-feeds, but ftronger.
They ftrengthen the ftomach, difcufs wind, and pro-
mote urine. They are chewed by the Chinefe for the
fake of a fweet breath, and as a remedy againlt conta-
gious air ; they diftil an ardent fpirit from it, which by
the Dutch is called anife arack.

CHAP. VI.
Of liquid re/ins.

TH E fluids that flow fpontaneonfly from any plant
or tree, or from the wounded bark, either con-
crete into a refin, or gum, or fon;ewhat of a middle na-
ture bf-tween a gum and a refin, which ought carefully
10 be diftinguifhed frcm each ether.

A refm is a fat, oleaginous, inflammable fubflance,
that will not difiblve in water, bat will in oil or fpirit
of wine. It is of two forts, for one is clammy, liquid,
and tenacious ; and the other dry and brittle, which
however will grow fofc with heat.

A gum is a concreted juice that readily difTolves in
water, but will neither melt nor take fire. A gum refm
is that which will dilTclve equally in water or oil, or at
leaft for the greateft part, and is compofed of reflnous
and gummous particles.

OPOBALSAMUM, Paht of Gilead, is a liquid re-
fm, of a very light yellowifh colour, and of a fragrant
fmell, not unlike that of citrons, but the tafte is acrid
and aromatic. Some authors have faid that the tree
that produces it giew only in Judea, whence it has
been called Jeivs balfam ; however Diofcorides affirmp,
it not only grew in Judea, but alfo in Egypt -, Strabo

in-

OF VEGETABLES. 65

informs us it grew in Arabia near the fea. But be that
as it will it is now only to be met with in Arabia Felix,
and has different vertues according to its age, for when
frelh it has a much greater efficacy than when old. It is
given inwardly againll putrefaftion of the vifcera, and
abcefles of the lungs, liver, and kidnies. The dofe is
from two fcruples to a dram, and it is in high efteem
among the Egyptians for curing almoft all forts of dif-
orders, but more particularly for healing wounds ; it alfo
cleanfes foul ulcers, and heals them in a fhort time ; but
it is hard to be met with genuine, and very little that is
fo is brought over to us.

BALSAMUM PERUVIANUM, of which there are
two or three forts, as the Balfamum Perunjiamim album,
the 'white Balfamof Peru^ that is fluid, and thinner than
turpentine, but of a clammy confiflence, and is refinous,
inflammable, limpid, and of a yellowifh white colour.
The tafte is a little acrid and bitterifh, but the fmell is
fvveet and fragrant, approaching to that of florax. It is
brought from Spani/h America.

BALSAMUM PERUVIANUM FUSCUM, bro-.vn
Balfam of Peru y is fluid, refinous, clammy, and nearly
of the confluence of turpentine ; the colour is brown or
of a reddifli black, with a mofl fragrant fmell like that
of benjamin ; but the tafte is fubacrid, and is a little pan-
gent on the tongue. It will readily take fire and flame,
the fmoke of which fmells extremely agreeable. That
which is quite black is bad. They both are the juice of
the fame tree, and the one proceeds from the wounded
bark of the tree ; but the other is obtained by boiling.
They cut the wood, bark, and branches, into very fmaJl
bits, and then boil them in water for a confiderable
time ; when the water is cold the balfam will fwim on
the top, which they put in fliells and keep for ufe.
They are both faid to have the fame vertues as opobal-
fanmniy and the dofc is from four drops to twelve in an
afthma, confuraption of the lungs, fits of the gravel,
and fupprelfion of the menfes. Outwardly they eafe
pains proceeding from cold humours, and are excellent
in healing wounds.

BALSA«

66 THE NATURAL HISTORY

BALSAMUMTOLUTANUM, Bal/amofTok, is
a refinous clammy juice, and of a middle confidence be-
tween a fluid and a folid ; the colour is bay, inclining to
that of gold, and it has a moll fragrant fmell ; and the
tafte is fweet and agreeable, for it does not create an
naufea like other balfams. It is brought in fmall gourd
Iheils from South America^ and particularly from T^ch.
In length of time it becomes dry, hard, and brittle. It
has the fame vertues as balfam of Peru, and is of great
ufe in confumptions oi the lungs, and internal ulcers.
It is very efficacious in curing wounds, and ferves to
make what is called the ladies black flicking plaller,
now fo much in vogue.

BALSAMUM COPAIBA, Balfam of Capiat, is a
refmous liquid juice, and while frefli is of the confidence
of oil, but in time it grows thick and glutinous. It is
of a yellowifti white colour, with an acrid, bitter, aro-
matic taftc, and of a fragrant fmell. It is brought by
the Portuguefe from Brajil into Europe. It is often
adulterated with turpentine, but may readily be known
from it when taken j for it does not give the violet
foiell to urine as that does. It abates the acrimony of
the humours, enriches poor blood, and it both inwardly
and outwardly heals all manner of wounds. It is good
in fluxes of the belly, the whites, and benign gonorrhaea,
it cleanfes the ureters and bladder, and heals their ulcers.
It is alfo good in dilbrders of the lungs, and is excellent
in appeafing coughs. It is given in a bolus with fugar
and powder of liquorice, from five to twenty drops.

LIQUIDUM A1V1BARUM,%/Vy^;«^^r, isarefinou?,
liquid, fat juice, of the confluence of turpentine, and of
a yellowifli red colour ; it is of an acrid aromatic tafte,
with a fragrant fmell, not unlike llorax. It is brought
from Nenxi Spain, Virginia, and other parts oi America.
It was formerly of great ufe among perfumer?, but is
row laid aflde, and is feldom met with in the fhops. It
has been fa id to be good againll cold dlfeafe?, and to re-
Iblve tumours j but the fmell of it having been obferved
to hurt the head, and to throw women into hylleric Acs,
it is now out of ufe.

STY-

T. ff

OF VEGETABLES. (pj

bTYRAX LIQUIDUS, liquid Storax, isarefmous
juice, of which there are two forts in the fhops, the one
pare, and the other impure or thick. The beft is of
the confiilence of turpentine, and femi-tranfparent ; th^
colour is brown, or of a reddifh brown, and fometimes
of an afh coloured brown, with a llrong fmell like ftorax-;
but it is {o violent it is difagreeable, and the tafte is a
little acrid, aromatic, and oleous. The impure llorax
is a refinous juice full of dreg?, and of a brownilli or afh
colour ; it is alio opaque, fat, and bas not fo llrong a
fmell. It is the produce of a particular tree, growing
near Suex in Arabia, whofe bark they ftrip off every
year and boil in fea- water to the confiftance of bird-lime,
and then they take off the refinous fubflance fvvimming
at the top. It is in like efteem among the eaftern peo-
ple, and it is faid to have the fame vertues as the former
balfams, and is given from three drops to twelve to heal
internal ulcers ; but it is more commonly ufed outwardly
for wounds, bruifes, and ulcers. It is ufed in the French
hofpitals in an ointment, called the ointment of florax,
and with good fuccefs.

TEREBEiNTHINA, Turpentine, is of feveral kinds^
and there are four kept in the fnops.

TEREBEiNTHINA CtllA VEL CYPRIA, Chh
Turpentine ^ is a refinous liquid juice, of a whitilh yellovy
colour, inclining a little to blue ; it is fometimes tranf-
parent, and fometimes of a pretty firm confiftence, and
fometimes foft, thick, and glutinous. The tafte is a
little bitterifli and acrid, and the fmell is alfo acrid but
not difagreeable. The beft is brought from the iflands
of Chio and Cyprus. The ufe of this, as well as of the
other turpentines, is both external and internal, exter-
nally it is emoluent, difcutient, refolvent, cleanfes ul-
cers, and heals recent wounds. But this is generally
prefcribed inwardly, and is remarkable for healing ulcers
of the ftomach, inteftines, liver, kidnies, and bladder.
It is good in an old cough, for purulent fpitting, and
the beginning of a confumption. It promotes urine,
gives it a violet fmell, and is good in heat of urine ;
and it often brings away fmall gravel, fome recommend
ii in the gout, and other difeafes of the joints, for which

pur-

68 THE NATURAL HISTORY

purpofe it has been given to half an ounce ; but it is not
now depended on. The common dofe is from half a
dram to a dram and a half, in the form of a bolus, or
diffolved in the yelk of an egg.

TEREBENTHINA VENETA, Venice Turpentine, is
a refmous, liquid, limpid, clammy fubftance, thicker
than oil, but more liquid than honey ; it is a little
tranl'parent like glafs, and of a yellowifh colour ; the
fmell is refine u?, fragrant, and acrid, but not difagree-
able ; the tafte is acrid and bitterifh. It it is called
Venice turpentine, becaufe it was formerly brought from
Venice ; but now from Sa'voy, and the fouthern parts of
France. It proceeds from the larix of dodonacuf, either
fpontaneoufly or by an incifion of the bark in fpring and
autumn. Jt may be obferved that all forts of turpentine,
either taken by the mouth or in clyfters, or externally
applied, give the urine a violet fmell, from whence we
may conclude, that it adls by its fpirituous and volatile
particles, which are readily diffufed throughout the
whole body, and the mafs of blcod and humours, in-
volving the acrid falts, and by that means relloring the
fecretions and excretions, and recovering ofcillations of
the fibres. It is often ufsd internally, and will loofen
the belly, and is good in all internal ulcers. It is of
great fervice in a gonorrhoea, in the whites, and in re-
folving or ripening the impoflhumes of the vifcera. The
dofe is the fame as the former, and it is taken in the fame
manner.

TEREBENTHINA ARGENTORATENSIS, Strafe
hurg Turpentine, while frefli is more liquid than the
former, and is more tranfparent, not fo clammy, and
has a finer fmell, fomething refembling that of citrons f
but the tafte is more bitter, pretty much refembling that
of citron peel ; but in time it grows yellowifli and thick.
It flows from the tree called abies taxifolio, that is the
firr with the leaf of the yew-tree j not only from its
trunk and boughs, but alfo from certain tubercles with-
in the bark. That which proceeds from the trunk is
the word, and when dry it refembles frankincenfe in
colour and fmell, but that which proceeds from the in-
cifion of the tubercles is beft. It has the fame vertues

as

OF VEGETABLES. 69

as Venice turpentine, though fome think it is more effi-
cacious, and it is given in the fame manner.

TEREBENTHINA COMMUNIS, common Turpen-
tine^ is more thick and tenacious than any of the for-
mer, and is not fo tranfparent ; it has a refinous ilrong
fmell, with an acrid, bitterifh, naufeous tafte. It pro-
ceeds from the pine-tree, either fpontaneoufly or from
incifions. There are alfo two forts of refms got from it,
one of which proceed from the fruits or apples, and the
other from the incifions of the tree. The white refin,
called by the French galipot, is commonly mixed with
wax for the making of flambeaux. When the white
refin is melted with common turpentine, and oil of tur-
pentine, the compolition is called Burgundy pitch. In
Ibme places the trunks of the old pine-trees that are ftill
Handing, have a ditch made round them and fet on fire,
which forces out a fluid well known by the name of tar,
of which tar-water is made, lately fo much in vogue,
for the curing almoft all forts of dillempers. All forts
of refins being fet on fire, produce foot, which preferved,
is known by the name of lamp- black. All forts of
refins, as well liquid as folid, are emollient, digeilive,
refolvent, and ferve to make plailers and ointment for
the curing of wounds and ulcers. Pix liquida is fuppu-
rative, cures diforders of the fkin and all forts of fcabs,
and being mixed with mutton fuet is excellent for fcald-
heads.

CHAP, vii:

Of folid refins,

ANIME w/ANIMUM, Gum Anime, is improperly
called a gum, for it is nothing but a refm, and is
either oriental, or occidental. It is a tranfparent refin,
and is brought in fragments of various colours, for fome
are white, others reddifh, and others brown. When
kindled it has a pleafant fmell, and is brought from

Arabia

yo THE NATURAL HISTORY
Jrabia to us. We know nothing of the tree that it
proceeds from, nor are we certain that this is its proper
name.

ANIME OCCIDENTALIS SEU AMERICANA.
American Anime^ is a white refin, a little inclining to
the colour of frankincenfe. It is more tranfparent than
copal, but more oleaginous. It is of a moft grateful and
fvveec fmell, and when thrown upon live coals foon
burns away. It is brought from Ke'vo Spam^ Brajll^
and the American iftands. This is ufed by the inhabi-
tants of Brafil in pains of the head arifing from cold ;
and the fufFumigation therewith is fufficient, not only to
llrengthen the head, but all parts of the body afFefted
with cold. Some apply it outwardly, when diffolved in
oil or fpirits of wine, to flrengthen the nerves.

COPAL .GUMMI, Gum Copal, is alfo improperly fo
called, for it is a folid tranfparent refin, of the colour of
water, or a little inclining to that of citrons. It is
brought from tieiv Spain. It is feldom ufed in medicine,
though it is faid to be good in cold difordersof the head,
but it is often employed in making varnifli.

BENZOINUM, Benjamin, is a dry, hard, brittle, in-
flammable refin, confiding of various bits, fome of which
are yellowiih, others whitilh, in the. fame mafs ] and it has
a refinous taile, with a fweet fragrant fmell, efpecially
when it is fet on fire. There are two forts, one of
which is pale, or of a reddifti yellow, containing white
grains like almonds ; the other it blackifli, with few or
no fpots. It is brought from the kingdom of Siamy and
the iflands of Ja'va and Sumatra ; that of the lighted
colour is btft. Its principal ufe is as a perfume, though
it is good in diforders of the breaft, promotes expedlora-
tion, and appeafes coughs. The flowers of Benjamin
promote fweat, and are good in the aflhma. It is ufed
externally to flrengthen the head, ftomach, and nervous
parts, when made up into a plafter ; the tin<Slure is
of great ui'e in taking off tubercles and rednefs of the
face.

CAMPHOR A, Camphire, is a reflnous fattifh fub-
flance, white, light, and tranfparent, and is brought to
us in a fort of loaves or maflcf, fix inches long and one

or

^ 70

^■*i

%

OF VEGETABLES. 71

<or two thick ; it has an acrid, bitterifh, aromatic tafte,
and yet with a fenfe of coldnefs ; the fmell is fragrant,
fomewhat like rofemary, but much ftronger. It is fo
volatile that when expofed to the air it will diminifh by
degrees, and at length fly quite away. It eafily takes
fire, leaving no earth or any thing elfe behind it when
it has done flaming. It is brought from Japan into
Holland^ and from thence difperfed all over Europe. In
the Eaji-lndies it is diftinguifhed into two forts, namely,
that which is brought from Japan or China, and that
which is produced in the iflands of Borneo and Sumatra ;
but this is very dear and uncommon, and is feldom or
never brought to us. It is produced from a tree like a
laurel, but of a very large fize, for it grows to the
faignefs of an oak-tree. Camphire may be got from any
part of it, for it flows through incifions like other refin?,
but in fome places the country people cut the root and
wood into fmall bits, pouring water upon them, and
boiling them in an iron vefftl, with a head fixed thereto
made of ftraw, to which when it is fublimed it Hicks
like foot. However it is coarfe when firft brought over
to Europe, and is cleanfed by the Dutch. When cam-
phire is diflblved in fpirits of wine, by pouring water
thereon it will rife to the top like fnow ; and it will
diflblvein ftrongoil of vitriol into a thick, reddifli, yel-
low liquor. Hofftnan thinks it is of a peculiar nature,
and that it is improperly called a refin, and this becaufe
when kindled it entirely flies away, as was obferved
above ; fome are of opinion that it is a fort of fal vola-
tile oleofum ; but Hoffman takes it to be a fine vola-
tile coagulated oil, becaufe there aie many forts of fra-
grant oils that will yield fome fuch fort of fubftance
by diftillation j and becaufe all efiential oils will entirely
burn away. Likewife all etherial oils will diflfolve in
reftified fpirits of wine, and camphire will do the fame,
for a fingle ounce of redified fpirits of wine will take
Up fix drams of camphiie ; add to thi?, that the folutions
of oils in fpirits of wine may be feparated from it by
the addition of water, as well as camphire ; befides all
diftilled oils, a few only excepted, will fwim on the
fyrface of the water, as well as camphire. The ver-

tues

72 THE NATURAL HISTORY
tues of camphire are very great, efpecially in the hands
of a fkilful phyfician ; for ic is an alexipharmac, and is
both anodyne and diaphoretic, without heating the body
or diilurbing the circulation of the blood ; neither does
it occafion thiril, nor render the urine of a higher co-
lour, as hot medicines will. It has alfo an anodyne and
foporiferous quality, and is good in pains, madnefs, and
fpafms, often producing wonders. The dofe is from
three grains to a fcruple, given in the form of a bolus,
or diflblved in oil of fweet almonds. It cures the bad
efFeds of cantharides, when taken inwardly, and is of
great ufe externally, when diflblved in fpirits of wine, in
rheumatic pains and inflammations ; it is alfo good
againfl; burns and fcalds.

CARANNA, Caramat is a refinous fubftance, as
du6lile as pitch when it is frefli, but when old it is hard
and brittle, of a blackifli afli colour without, and brown
within ; it has a refmous bitlerifli tafle, fomewhat like
myrrh, and when kindled it has a fragrant fmell. It is
broughr from America in mafles wrapped up in a fort of
leaves. It is only of outward ufe, and is faid to refolve
tumours, eafe pains, and flrengthen the nerves. It is
made into a plaller and laid to the temples for the
tooth ach, and on the top of the head for the head-
ach.

ELEMI, Gum Elemi^ is a yellowifli refln, or of a
greenifh white, pretty hard on the outfide, but within
foft and clammy, and is brought to us in maflTes of a
cylindrick form ; when fet on fire it has a flrong but not
cifagreeable fmell, fomewhat like fennel. This is the
true elemi that was brought from Ethiopia, and is now
feldom to be met with in the fliops.

ELEMI AMERICANUM, American Elemi, isfome-
times whitifli, fometimes yellowifli, and fometimes
greenifli. It is fomewhat tranfparent like refm, and
has a flrong fmell like that ; this is very common in
the fliops, and is only ufed outwardly for refolving tu-
mours, diflblving ulcers, and eafing pains. It is par-
ticularly recommended againfl difeafes of the head and
tendons, efpecially the ointment prepared with it, which
is called the balfam of Arcsus.

RESINA

OF VEGETABLES. 75

RESIN A UEDEKJE, improperly called gummi he-
dera ; the gum of the ivy- tree, is a refinous, dry, hard,
compa(5l, brown or rufty coloured fubllance, fomewhat
tranfparent ; it is broken into fmall fragments, among
which fome are of a reddifh colour j the tafte is fub-
acrid and a little aihingent and aromatic, but it has no
fmell. When kindled it yields a bright llrong flame,
with a fmell like frankincenfe. It is brought from Per-
jia and ether oriental countries. The ancients looked
upon this as a pfilothrum or medicine to take off hair ;
but that quality is not acknowledged by the moderns.
It is accounted an aftringent by the Ferjlans, but with
us it is only ufed outwardly, and that very feldom, for
deterging and healing wounds.

LADANUM 'vd LABDANUM, Uihdanum, \% a
refinous fubllance, of which two kinds are met with in
the {hops, one of which is brought in large compadb
mafies, and is of an agreeable fmell, with a reddifh
black colour. It is wrapped up in bladders or fkins, but
the other fort is v^ithout any, and is of a contorted fhape,
fomewhat like a fcrew, and is dry and brittle ; but when
heated by the lire is a little foft, and is mixed with a
kind of black fand. It is of a black colour, and weaker
than the former, but is moft commonly met with amongl.1:
us. Outwardly labdanum is emollient, and is ufed to
ftrengthen the ftomach and promote digeftion ; when
applied to the head it is faid to cure the cold intem-
peries thereof, and the tooth-ach when laid to the tem-
ples ; but it is very feldom ufed.

MASTICHE, MaJUch, is a dry refm, of a pale yel-
lowifli colour and tranfparent ; it is brought in tears of
the fize of fmall peas, and is brittle at firft between the
teeth, but when warm it flicks thereto ; and when
thrown upon live coals it takes fire, emits a pretty good
fmell, and the tafte is flightly aromatic, refmous, and
fuballringcnt. That is bell that is pale, yellowifli, '
tranfparent, dry, brittle, and has a pretty Itrong fmell i
but the black, green, livid, or impure, is good for no-
thing. Some phyficians have commended maftich for
ilrengthening the fibres of the vlfcera, and abating the
acriraony of the humourc. Some give from a fcruple
V-oL. VI. E to

74 THE NATURAL HISTORY
to half a dram, in fpitting of blood and inveterate
coughs. Shnon Paulus commends it againll catarrhs,
and difficulty of hearing, becaaie it greatly promotes
fpitting, by which means the peccant humour is drawn
from the ears. Externally laid to the temples it is faid
to cure the tooth ach.

OLIBANUM, Olihanum, is of a refinous fubftance,
of a pale yellowifh colour, and tranfparent, it is brouglit
in tears like mrdlich, but bigger, and is of a bitteri(h
tafte, and pretty acrid, but not difagreeable, and of a
fragrant fmtll. It readily takes fire, and flamts a long
while. That is bcil that is whiiifli, tranlparent, pure,
fliining, and ciy. Some have accounted it a fpecific
againlt a pleuriiy, and csmnicnd it in diforders of the
head snd bread, efpecially coughs and fpitdng of blood.
The dcfe is from a fcruple to two drams. \i a dram of
it be put into an apple and roailed under the afhes,
and given to the patient, it has been obferved to cure
thofe who have been given over in a pleurify j but then
he mull be well covered in bed in order to fvveat. If
the firil dofe does not do, another mull be given in fix
hours time, it is accounted a good vulnerary, and there-
fore is mixed in various plailtrs.

SANDARACtlA, iiitm bandar achy is a dry, in-
flammable, tranlparent, refinous fubitance, of a pale
yellow colour, and brought in tears like mafiicb. The.
taile is refinous, but the fmell when it is kindled is fra-
grant and fweet. That is beft that is yellowifli, tranf-
parent, and fhining. Jt is bi ought from the coail of
Jfrica. It has much the fame vertues as mailich, but
is feldom given inwardly ; nor is it very often applied
cutwardJ}-. When powdered it is well known by the
r;£me of pounce, which is rubbed over paper to pi event
the finking in of the ink, and to render the writing
more fair ; it is alfo an ingredient in fome forts of
varnifh.

SANGUIS DRACONIS, Dragons-blood, is a dry,
b>ittle, refinous fubitance, melting eafily, and as readily-
taking fire. It is of a d:ijk red, but when powdered it
is of an elegant blood colour i when drawn into thin
platen it is tranlparent, but is without laAe or fmell, un-

leis

'" raae

^J/^ ;

OF VEGETABLES. 75

lefs when kindled, for then the fumes fmell fomewhat
like ftorax. There are two forts in the (hops, orje of
which is hard and in maflcs, abou' an inch long, and
half an inch thick, and is wrapped up in long narrow
Jeaves, Dragons- blood in tears and drops is genera]'/
mixed with bark, wood, earth, or other heterogeneous
fubftanccs, and then made into maHes, or loaves, as fome
call them. There is another counterfeit fort, that may
b^ readily diftinguifhed from the true, for the mafles
ap of a dufky red colour, and made up of feveral forts
or 'gums tinged with Brajil wood. It will not flame,
but when placed over the fire rifes in bubbles, and be-
ing put into water diffolves therein. That is beft that
is fhining, of a darkifh red, wrapped up in leaves, and
when powdered is of a fine red fhining colour. It is
brought from the Eafl- Indies, and is produced by four
different trees ; however, that which is genuine will dif-
folve only in fpirits of wine and in oils. It is of an
aftringent quality, and is excellent in all forts of h;,cmor-
rages whatever ; the dofe is from half a dram to a dram,
and when applied outwaidly dries up ulcers, heals
wounds, and fallens ioofe teeth ; it is alfo of ufe to
painters, in making a red fort of varnilli.

STY RAX SOLIDUS, Storax, is a refmous fub-
flance, of which there are two kinds, Storax Cala^iit-",
and Cc77i??iDn Storax.

STYRAX CALAMITA, Storax Calamite, is a re-
fmous, fhining, fclid, fomewhat fattifh fubftance, which
is compofed of reddifii and whitifli grumes or grains, of
a refinous, acrid, but not difagreeable tafte, and a mofl
fragrant fmell, efpecially when thrown on live coals \ it
takes fire readily, and emits a very bright flam^;. It
was wont to be brought over in reeds^ from whence ic
had its name.

STYRAX VULGARIS, Common Storax, isofayel-
•lowilh red, or brownilh colour, which is (hining, fat,
and a litde clammy, and is brought in maifes mixed
with whitifh grains; it has the ftnie fmell and taftc as
the former. There is alfo nuother fort of ftorax which
is mixed with faw-duft, and this is now commonly fold
in the ihop?, and is oftner met with tlian the true. It 13
Ic^ 2 . good

76 THE NATURAL HISTORY
good in difeafes of the breafi, and is faid to ftrengthen
the brain, refrefh the fpirits, and reflrain their inordi-
nate motions ; it has alfo an anodyne faculty, and is
good in pains cf the head, and inveterate coughs, by
abating the acrimony of the humours. The dofe is
from half a fcruple to half a dr.im.

TACAMAHACA, Tacamahac, is a refinous, dry,
fragrant fubllancc, of which there are two kinds in the
fliops, but that in fliells is the befl. It is a little foft,
jometimes pale, fometimes yellowifh, and at other times
greenilh. It is brought in fhclls, which feem to be of
the gourd kind, and covered with kaves. It has a moll
fragrant aromatic and very fweet fmell ; but it is feldom
met with in the fhops. The common fort confifts of
whitifli grains, or glebes, but they are fometimes yel-
lowilli, reddifh, or grcenifli, or variegated with all thofe
colours, and femi-tranfparent. "J he fmell is much like
the former, but not fo agreeable, and it is brought from
jNe<vj Spam. Jt is feldom or never given inwardly, but
is applied outwardly for cafmg of pains arifirg from cold
flatulent humours ,• it refolves and ripens fwellings, and
rellrains dcfluxicns on the e}es and other parts of the
face. When laid to the temples it is much praifed by
feme for curing the tooth-ach, and to the ilomach for
ilrengthening it, and affixing digeltion.

C$O3$O'>j0C$0(^C$OC$CC$OC$DC$O C$OC$0C^D$0C$0O;^C$0C5^0J^

C H A P. VIII.

Of gu7ns.

GUMMI ARABICUM, Gum Arahich, is brought
over to us in tears, or drops, of different colours,
foH-.e of which are pale, others yellow, and others red,
with a wrinkled furface, and brittle ; and which fhines
like glafs when broken. When held in the mouth it
fJcks to the teeth, and difTolves readily in water, but
has no tafle It is produced by a tree called the Acacia
Va-fli or the E^yjtian '■'Ihorn^ and is brought over from

Arabiut

OF VEGETABLES. 77

Arah'ta, Egypt, and other parts of Africa. The befl
is whitifli, or of a palifli yellow, fhining, dry, tranf-
parent, and free from filth. When it is brought over
in large reddilli dirty mafTes it is only fit for mechanical
ufes. It will not difTolve in fpirits of wine or oil, and
in the fire it burns to aOies without flaming, whence
it appears to confill of a mucilage and earth, for which
reafon it is good to abate the acrimony of fharp hu-
mours, and to thicken thofe that are too fluid j whence
it is good in hoarfeneiTes, coughs, fait catarrhs, fpitting
of blood, the flrangury, and heat of urine. The dofe
is froni a fcruple to two dram". When a powder of
this gum is wanted, it mull be beaten in a red hot mor-
tar, and then the powder of it may be exhibited for
internal ufe. Some fay it is proper externally to heal
wound?, and ulcers, for bleeding gums, and for haemor-
rhages of the fpungy parts. • -

GCJMMI SENEGA.-orSENICA. Gum Senecar^
not unlike gum arabick, and it is called Senega, be-
caufe it is brought from a province of Negroeland bor-
dering upon the river Senegal. We now have it in
great plenty, and at prefent the whole trade is in our
own hands, though from what tree it is obtained we are
uncertain, though perhaps it may be a kind of an acacia.
The white and fmaller tears of this gum, are often fold
for the true gum arabick ; and there is no great cheat
in the matter, for their qualities and properties are much
the fame. The negroes feed upon this gum after it is
diflblved in milk.

GUMMI NOSTRAS, Cherry-tree and Plumh^tree
gumy differs little from gum arabick, ^and has the fame
vertues ; however the former is always preferred for
medicinal ufes.

TRAGACANTHA, TRAGACANTHUM, and
DRAGACANTHUM, Gum Tragacanth, is a gummy
juice, fometiraes brought over in long firings varioufly
contorted and bent, and fometimes in fmall grumes, or
bits; it is white, femi tranfparent, and fometimes yel-
lovvifh, reddifh or blackifti. It is dry but not very
hard, and without either fmell or tafie. It is brought
from Cyprus y Afia, and Greece. That in firings like
E 3 worms

78 THE NATURAL HISTORY
worms or ifinglafs is beft, when it is white and free
from filth. It lerves for the Tame purpofcs as gum ara-
bick ; and it is cbfervable that a dram of it will thicken
a pint of water, full as much as an ounce of gum ara-
bick, it being altogether a mucilage without any earchy
parts. It is good in dry fharp coughs, hoarfenefie?, and
other diforders of the breail, arifing from an acrid 1} ni-
pha ; as alfo in the dyfury, flrangury, and ulcers of the
kidnies j it is alfo of ufe to abate the heat of the mouth
and tongue, ard to heal the painful chaps of the nipples.
It is bert taken ciiTolved in fome convenient water, and
the dofe is from half a fcruple to two drams. Jt is
never ufed externally, but ferves the apothecaries for
making troches.

MANNA, Manfia, is a fort of gum which flows
fpontaneouily from feveral forts of trees, and afterwards
congeaJs into grumes in the form of an eff;ntial oleous
fait ; it not only proceeds from the a(h and quicken-tree,
but alfo from the larix, pine, fir, oak, juniper, maple,
olive, fig-tree, and other plants ; for which reafon it
differs in form and confidence, according to the place
and tree from whence it was gathered ; for fome is
liquid, and of the confiilence of honey, and another fort
is concreted into grains like maftich, and another again
into grumes or fmall mafles. Manna is alio divided into
the Oriental 2iwd European, the firll of which is brought
from Indtay Pey/ia, and Arabia.

iVlANNA CALABRA, Calabrian Manna, is fome-
timcs in grains, fometlmes in tears, and fometimes in
grumes or fmall maffes j it it brittle and whitifh while
ti-efb, and ibmewhat tranfparent, but in tij^ne grows
reddifh, and in moiH weather turns to the confiilence of
lioney ; it is as fwcet as fugar, with a kind of an acri-
dity. That is bell that is white or yellowifh, light and
concreted into grains or grumes in the fhape of icicles ;
but that which is fat, like honey, or blackifli and dirty,
is not good ; fcr fometlmes this is counterfeited with
coarfe fugar, honey, and a little fcammony ; likevvife
ihat which is white, opaque, folid, heavy, and not in
the Ihape of icicles is bad, becaufc it is nothing but fu-
gar and manna boiled together. This counterfeit fort

may

OF VEGETx^BLES. 79

firiay eafily be diftinguifhed from the true by its denfity,
weight, opacity, and tafte. This manna in Calabria
and Sicily flows fpontaneoufiy from two forts of a(h treet^,
and is found on the boughs and leaves in the fummer
month?, unlefs prevented by rain. Sometimes they
make incifions in the bark, and the manna that proceeds
from thence is called by the Calabrians, Forzata, where-
as the other is named Manna di Fronde, and Mannn di
Corpo. When the weather is dry it flows from the
trunk and large boughs of thefe trees from the twentieth
of June to the end .of July, and from noon till evening,
in the form of a limpid fluid, which concretes into va-
rious grumes, and grows white and dry. They gather
it the next day, fcraping it ofl^ with wooden knives, if
the weather is fair; but if it ihould chance to rain the
manna is loil. When July is paft, they make incifions
in the bark of the afli and quicken- trees, and from noon
till evening a liquid flows out, which concretes into
thicker grumes, which are fometimes very large, and
require a day or two to bring it to a proper confiilence j
this is redder than the former, and is fometimes blackifli,
on account of the earth and other filth mixed there-
with.

The MANNA DI FRONDE, flows fpontaneoufly
in July and Augujly from about the nervous fibres of the
leaves, which being dried in the air concrete into whitifli
grains of the fize of Vvheat ; infomuch that in Augujl the
greater leaves of the afli-tree look white, as if they were
covered with fnow ; however, this is very fcarce, on ac-^
count of the difficulty of gathering it. The vertue of
manna is well known, it being a mild laxative purge,
and is thought to diflblve grofs humours, and to abate
their acrimony ; whence it is good in catarrhs and
coughs, proceeding from an acrid phlegm. It is alfo
good in diforders of the breaft and lungs, when fluffed
with clammy humours. It is alfo profitable in the
pleurify, inflammation of the lungs, and tenfion of the
belly from a thick hot bile. The dofe is from one ounce
to three, and Hoffman, in fome particular cafes, has
given to four. There is another fort of manna which is
gathered in Dauphiny in France, and proceeds from the
E 4 larch-

So THE NATURAL HISTORY

larch-tree, and it is white, and lometimes in grains, and
at others in grumes. It has an agreeable Iweet taik,
only it has a reliih of the refin ; however it is not in uie
even at Paris. There is alfo another kind of manna
common in the Levant, which proceeds from a certain
trt^ in large drops, which when hardened in the fun,
are of the fize of coriander- feeds, and reddiili. Thefe
are generally mace up into mafies, together with leaves^
thorns, and other fikh, and would be very good if
cleanfed therefrom ; the natives take three ounces of it
for a dofe.

C H A P. IX.
Cf gum-rejins.

AMMONIACUM, Glim Ammouiar, \z a concreted
juice, of a middle nature between a gum and a
relin ; it is compofed of little lumps, or mafies, fiiining
here and there with bits that are milk white, or reddilli ;
but the fub(^ance itfelf is a little brownifh, and it is not
linlike benjamin j but it is fometimes in tears. It is
fometimes yellowifh on the outfide, and of a yellowiih
white within ; the tafte is fweetiili at firft, but after-
wards bitterifh, and the fmell is fragrant, not unlike
that of galbanum, but ftronger. When chewed it grows
whiter and whiter by degrees, and when thrown upon
burning coals it will flame ; it will diflblve in vinegar
or hot water, and is brought from Alexandria in Egypt.
The tears are beft for internal ufe, efpecially when pure,
dry, and without mixture. However it may be purified
by difiblving it in vinegar, and then llraining and in-
fpiflating n ; but this preparation deprives it of its fine
volatile particles. Ammoniac incides grofs humours,
and is good in the aflhma, and in crude tubercles of the
lungs, and in general is a great aperient. The dofe is
from half a fcruple to a dram, in the form of an emul-

iion.

OF VEGETABLES. 8i

iion, eledary, bolus, or pills. Outwardly ft is difcu-
tient, and is of great ufe in ripening tumours.

ASSA-FOETIDA, is a kind of gum relin, and is of
the confiftence of wax; it is frequently brought in large
mafi'ds, full of fhining, whitifh, ye]-rwi(h, reddilh, fl:;lh-
colcured or violet fpots. It has a very Urong fmell,
fomewhat like garlick, and has a bitter, biting, acrid
tafte. It is brought from Perjta and the Eaji-lndies,
and that is bed which has the llrongefl fmell, and feems
to be compofed of tears reduced into maffes. It pro-
ceeds from the wounded root of a tree, but never from
any other part, and at firll it is as fluid as cream, and
of the fame colour ; but being expofed to the air and
fun it becomes brownifh and thick. In the Eaji-hidies
they mix it with their fauces, and account it a great
delicacy ; but here it can fcarce be endured upon any
account, the fmell is fo ftrong and difagreeable ; how-
ever, it is prefcribed in the flatulent cholic, hyfterical
diforders, and for promoting fecretions. It is diaphore-
tic, and promotes fvveat ; it is good in diforders of the
nerves, and is of fome ufe in a palfy. The dofe is from
twelve grains to a dram, and even to two drams. It is
given againfl: an afthma in a poached egg, and is ac-
counted of great eflicacy againft the bad effedls of nar-
coticks.

BDELLIUM, Bdellium, is a gum-refin, which is brought
to us in mafles of feveral fliapes and fizes, and it has
fomewhat of the appearance of myrrh, it being of a
rurty reddifh colour ; but in the infide it is a little tranf-
parent. It is brittle, of a bitterifli tafte, and has no
difagreeable fmell when kindled ; it will flame for a
confiderable time, with a fort of a crackling noife. One
part of this gum will diflblve in water, and the other in
fpirits of wine ; but it will all dilfolve in tartarized
fpirits of wine, in any alkaline liquor, as well as in v.'ine
or vinegar. It has been commended againft diforders
of the lungs, but is now feldom or never given inwardly ;
however it is a good emollient, and is eiFtftual in dif-
perfing tumours of the glands.

EUPHORBIUM, Euphorhmm, is a refmous gum,

and is brought to us ir. drops, or tears, of a pale yel-

E 5 lov.ifh.

82 THE NATURAL HISTORY
Jowifli, or gold colour. They are bright and of diiFe-
rent ihapcs and fizes,wlth a mc i\ acrid, burning, naufeous
taiie ; but they have no fraell. It is brought from the in-
]and parts of ^r/V^ to Sallee, from whence it is tranfported
into Europe. It is ? moil violent and dangerous purge,
and often produces fainting and cold fvveats j for which
reafon various methods have been ufed to correft it^
which are not worth mentioning, becaufe in whatever
manner it is given it is never fafe. It is of inch fubtiie
parts, that it will caufe fneezing only by fmelling to it,
but if any of the powder gets up the nofe, it always
fets it a bleeding. Even when ufed outwardly it not
only makes the part look red, but raifes an inflammation
and ulcers. However it has been of fome ufe in a caries
of the bones, and pundures of the nerves, either alone
or mixed with an equal quantity of Florentine orris. For
punftures of the nerves a fcruple of euphorbium (hould
be mixed w ith half an ounce of Venice turpentine, with
a little wax, and then fome of it muft be applied hot to
the part. It is dangerous even to powder it, becaufe
without a great deal of care it will get into the nofe or
mouth.

GALBANUM, Galhamm, is a fat fubftarce, as duc-
tile as wax, and is fhlning and femi-tranfparent, it be-
^ng of a middle nature between a gum and a refm. It
js of a whitifh colour while fre(h, but afterwards grows
yellowifh or reddilh. It has a bitter acrid taile, with a
Ihong fmell. That is bsft which is frefh, fat, pure,
and moderately vifcous. When taken inwardly its ver-
tues are not unlike gum ammoniac, but weaker ; how-
ever it diffclves thick phlegm, for which reafon it is
good in an ailhma, and old cough ; it difcuffes wind, is
good in the cholic, and opens cbllrudions of the womb.
Externally it foftens and ripens fwellings, for which reafon
it is mixed in various platters ; being applied to the navel
it mitigates hyileric diforders, and Ipafmodic motions of
the inteftines. The dofe is from one fcruple to two.

MYRRH A, Myrrh, is a gum-refm, and is brought
to us in grains or mafles of various fizes, feme of which
are as big as a hazle-nut, and feme of a walnut ; the
colour is yellow, or rather of a rufly red, and femi-
tranfparent.

OF Vegetables; ss

tranfparent. The tafte is bitter, fubacrid, and aroma-
tic, but naufeous, with a ftrong fmell, which llrikes the
noie when it is pounded or burnt. The beft is brittle,
light, of the fame colour, bitter, acrid, and of a pretty
llrong fmell. It Ihengthens the flomach, helps digeftion,
and difcuires wind, and is good in all cold cache6lic
difeafes, catarrhs, and all forts of ulcers. It is alfo
good againrt worms, on account of its excelTive bitter-
nef^, as alfo in diforders and obftruflions of the womb.
It is given in fubllance in the form of a bolus or pills,
from half a fcruple to half a dram. Externally it at-
tenuates, difcuffes, and is an excellent vulnerary ; it
cleanfes old ulcers, preferves them from putrifadlion, and
cures the caries of the bones. It is bad in all forts of
haemorrhages, as well as in fpitting of blood, and it
ought not to be given to women with child, except with
great caution. The tindure of myrrh is moft in ufe,
and is given from five drops to half a dram. When
OQCwardly applied, it often prevents gangreens and mor-
tifications ; and that which is improperly called the oil
of myrrh, is good againft freckles and pimples on the
face.

OPOPANAX, Opopanax, is a gummy and refinous
juice, concreted into grains about the fize of a pea,
which are reddifh without, and within of a whitifh yel-
low ; the tafte is intenfely bitter and acrid, and the
fmell is ftrong. The beft is in Ihining, fat, brittle tears,
of a faii'ron colour without, and whitifh or yellowifh
within ; it is brought from the Eaji- Indies y but we
know not from what plant. It takes fire like refin, and
diftblves in water, where it turns it of a milky colour.
It incides grofs vifcid humours, difcuffes wind, and
loofensthe belly j it is good in hypocondriacal diforders,
obllrudlions of the vifcera, and fuppreftion of the raenfes,
and is an ingredient in the gummous pills of the fhops.
The dofe is from a fcruple to a dram.

SAGAPENUM, Sagapenmn, is a juice between a
gum and a refm, and is fometimes brought in grains,
but more frequently in larger maftes, which are reddilh
on the octfide, and within are of the colour of horn ; it
has a bitirg acrid tafte, fom.ewhat refembling leeks,
E 6 with

84 THE NATURAL HISTORY

with a flrong fmell, and feems to be of a middle nature
between affa-foetida and galbanum. It will flame when
held to a candle, and will diflblve entirely in wine vine-
gar and hot water. That is beft which is tranfparent,
reddiih without, and within full of whitifli or yellowifa
fpecks, and which grows fofc when handled. It is a
powerful aperient, difcutient, and attenuant, and not a
little abftergent ; hence it is good in dilbrders of the
breaft, arifmg from a grofs phlegm ; as alfo in hard
callous fwellings, efpecially of the nervous parts. Some
prefcribe it in an afthma, obftruftions of the vifcera, and
diforders of the nerves. The dofe is from a fcruple to
half a dram. Rolfincius affirms, that when applied ex-
ternally it opens obftruftions of the vifcera like a charm,
mitigates pains of the fides, and refolves the hard fwel-
lings of the fpleen.

SARCOCOLLA, Sarcocolla^ is a gummous juice,
and fomewhat refmous ; it confills of fmall whitifli
grains, or of a whitifli red, that are fpungy, brittle, and
now and then mixed with fliining fpecks ; the tafte is
fubacrid and bitter, with a difagreeable naufeous fweet-
nefs. It foftens between the teeth, and when held to a
candle it firft bubbles, but afterwards breaks out into a
clear flame, and yet it diflblves in water. It is brought
from Perjta and Arabia. A^uthors are not agreed about
its venues, however they all commend it when diflfolved
in affes-milk, in defluxions of the tyts^ becaufe it abates
the acrimony of the lympha i it is alfo a vulnerary, and
cleanfes and heals wounds.

CHAP. X.

Of juices e strayed by art from plants,

ALOE, njel SUCCUS ALOES, Aloes, is of three
forts, the Succotrine, the Hepatic, and the Cabal-
line. The firfl is brought from the ifland of Scccotora,
near Arabia, and is the beft and pureil of them all ;

it

/k^{!S4^

OF VEGETABLES. 8^

it is of a reddifli or fafFron colour, and when broken is
fliining, and as it were tranfparcnt ; the taile is bitter,
aftringent, and fomewhat aromatic, with a ilrong, but
not dilagreeable fmell. The Hepatic is denfe, dry,
opaque, and of the colour of liver, with a Wronger fmell
and tafte. Cabailine, or Horfe AioeSy is the word of all,
and is heavy, denfe, black, and full of fand ; it has an
exceeding bitter naufeous tafte, and a very ftrong dif-
agreeable fmell. The bell Succotrine Aloes is ihining,
tranfparent, fat, and brittle in the winter, but in the
fummer a littk fofter, and is of a yellowifli or purple
reddiih colour, but when powdered it is of a fhining
gold colour, with an aromatic bitter tafte, and a Ilrong
aromatic fmell, almoll like myrrh ; Hepatic Aloes is
of a darker colour, and is more denfe and dry, fhining
lefs, and has a llronger fmell and tafle, as before ob-
ferved. Succotrine aloes is the beil for internal ufes,
and the Hepatic for external, but the Caballine is only
for horfes. Aloes in general is not only a purge, but
is a remedy againfl diforders of the bile ; but if it be
given in too large a dofe, it is apt to create haemorrhages^
and particularly the piles. Likewife if it be given too
often it is noxious, and produces the fame ei^dls. It
confifis of two parts, a gummous and a refmous ; but
the pui^ging quality is in the Hrft, and mud be extradled
with a watery menilruum ; but the refinous is aftrin-
gent, and is extradled with fpirit of wine. Aloes has
this peculiar property, that a few grains of it will loofen
the body as much as a fcruple. It,promotes the iiux of
the piles and of the menfes, and is excellent for killing
and expelling worms. Externally it is a very great vul-
nerary, and is ufeful for cleanfmg ulcers, efpecially Vr'hen
there is a tindlure made of it of myrrh. Some give it
from one fcruple to two fcruples in fubllance ; but the
moft common way of taking of it is in tindura facra.
In general it purges off bilious and pituitous humour?,
opens obllrudlions of the vifcera, ftrengthens the llomach,
helps digeflion, and provokes an appetite j however it
is beft in cold conllitutions and difeafes, and women
with child (hould abilain from it entirely.

SCAM-

^6 THE NATURAL HISTORY

SCAMMONIUM, Scammony, \s a concrete refinous
and gummous juice, and is a noted purge. There are
two lorts, one of which is brought from Aleppo, and the
other from Smyrna ; the firll is light, fpungy, brittle,
and of a blaci<i{h afti colour, fhining when broken ;
when it is pounded it turns to a vvhitifh or afh coloured
powder ; it has a bitterifli acrimonious tafte, and a very
ftrong fmell. Smyrna Scanimony is more denfe and heavy,
and of a black colour. However that Scammony is
befl that will readily break and powder, and that bites,
or burns the tongue \t\y little, but when mixed with
fpittle turns whitifh like milk. The black, heavy, and
impure is bad. All llrong purges are in feme fenfe or
other dangerous,- and this in particular is not without its
bad efFcds ; for foroetimes it purges too violently, and
at other times not at all j it is fometirae? attended with
licknefs, and produces wind, as well as occafions thirft
and a fever. It will fometimes caufe ulcers in the in-
tefiines, and produce a dyfentery or tenefmus ; for thefe
reafons it has been corrcded in different manners by dif-
ferent authors ; but with us it is corrected with the
fumes of fulphur, and then is called diagrydium ; how-
ever the belt way is to grind it with fugar, fo as to
divide its refinous particle?, and then it may be given
fafely to ten or twelve grains.

GUMiVil GUTTA, Gumhogey is a concreted juice,
partly of a refinous, and partly of a gummous nature ;
it is inflammable, denfe, dry, hard, fhining, opaque,
and of a yellowifh faffron colour j it is brought over in
pieces of various fizes, and has very little or no tafte.
It will diflblve both in wine and water, in which laft it
will turn a little milky, and yet tinge any thing with
yellow. When held to the candle it v/ill flame, and
emit a copious fmoke. It is reckoned among the vio-
lent purges, and brings away ferous humours as well
upwardb as downwards, and that fpecdily, though it will
not gripe. It is frequently uled in the dropfy, cachexy,
jaundice, caiarrhs, and other chronic diforders. It has
been given from two to fifteen grain?, and from two to
four grains it will not vomit, but from four to eight
grains it will both vomit and f urge without violence,

efpecially

*- rtUfty Jf.

L/ // /// rc^( v/<" ly/vi^

Trciui oc^.

OF VEGETABLES. R7-

efpecially if plenty of water gruel be drank after It, The
beit way is to give it either in a bolus or pills ; however
it ftiould be ufed with caution, efpecially becaufe vo-
miting will not fuit with fonie patients.

OPIUM, Opiumy is a concreted refinous and gum-
mous juice, which is heavy, denfe, clammy, inflam-
mable, and of a blackifli colour. It has a ftrong fopo-
riferous fmell, with an acrid bitter talle, and is ufually
brought over in roundifli cakes about an inch thick, and
weighing from half a pound to a pound, which are
wrapped up in poppy le?ves. It is brought from Nato-
/;«, Egypt, and ihe EaJ}- Indies. Authors differ greatly
about the eifedls of Opium ; however it is certain that
in a proper dofe it will generally procure fleep, and
eafe pain ; I fay generally, becaufe it will keep fome
waking and prevent fleep ; though at the fame time it
will eafe their pains. Too large a dofe, that is a few
grains, will not only produce fleep, but blunt all the
ienfes, hinder breathing, and prevent the patient from
ever waking again. It is doubtlefs a moll ufeful reme-
dy, and will flop the procefs of many difeafes ; but then
it is palliative only, and never cures any. It is exceed-
ing hurtful to the weak, and (hould never be given
where the motions of the patient are languid ; likewife
in fome cholics it has often produced paralytic diforders ;
for which reafon it fhould never be given to infants and
perfons weakened with age. When exhibited in a pro-
per dofe it excites an agreeable fenfation, and inclines to
mirth like a moderate quantity of wine ; for which rea-
fon the Turks always take large dofes of it when they are
going to engage in a battle. It flops all fenfible eva-
cuations for a lime, except fweating, and enlarges the
pulfe. Sometimes it produces flight palfies, efpecially
of the bladder, as well as flammering, and a relaxation
of the lower jaw. It hinders digeftion, and blunts the
appetite ; but it promotes the lochia, which were fup-
prefTed by the irritation of the fibres and convulfive mo-
tions. Some perfons take it fo often that at length it be-
comes habitual, and then they cannot leave it off with-
out the utmofl danger. When too large a dofe has been
taken, it will be bell to bleed and vomit, if the flrength

will

88 THE NATURAL HISTORY
will permit ; and then acids mufi: be given, as vinegar,
and the juice of lemons or ipirits of vitriol properly
diluted. Some cafes will require ilrong fneezing pow-
ders, and blillers or fiRapifms applied to the foles of the
feet and nape of the neck, with painful fridions, fcari-
fication?, or burnings. The dofe is generally a grain,
but in fome cafes two may be given,

ACACIA VERA, True Jeacia, is an inrpiflated
gummous juice, brown or blackifh without, and reddifh
or yellowifti within ; it is of a hard firm confiilence, of
an auftere allringent tafie, and is brought over in round
mafies, weighing from tour to eight ounces. It is
brought from Egypt. It is faid to ftrengthen the
fiomach, flop vomiting and loofenefles, as well as fome
forts of hemorrhages, by abating the acrimony of the
humours, and llrengthening the folid parts. The dofe
is from half a dram to a dram, in fome convenient
liquor.

There is another fort ot^ Acacia brought from France
and Germany, which is an inTpifrated, dry, hard, black
juice, and has an acrid auilere tafte, and is expreffed
from wild plumbs. It is given to a dram againlt hairaor-
rhages and loofeneiTes.

HYFOtlSilS, is a dry, black, fhining juice, of an
auftere talle, and is brought from the Lei'ant, It has
much the fame vertues as Acacia, but is a more power-
ful aftiingent, and the dofe is from half a dram to a
dram,

CATECHU, improperly called Japan earth, is a
gummy, refmous, infpiffated juice, of a reddifh black
without, and a brownifn red within, with an allringent
bitterifh tade, but no fmell. There are two forts,
whereof one is better than the other, and melts more
readily in the m.outh. Jt is brought from the Eaji-
Jndies. It is a moderate allringent ; ftrengihens the
gums, and is good in fmall ulcers of the mouth, as
alfo in coughs and hoarfenefs. Jt ftrengthens the fto-
mach, helps digellion, and is good in loofcnefTcs. The
dofe is from half a fcruple to a dram.

SACCHARUM, Sugar, is of feveral forts, which
are fo well known to every one that they need no de-

fcription.

OF VEGETABLES. ^g

fcrlption. Some are great enemies to fugar, and affirm
it produces I know not what bad efFefls ; but as thofe
who have ufed it very freely have never received any
damage from ic, we may conclude it to be entirely
harmlefs. It does not produce confumptions as Tome
pretend, becaufe an apothecary that had that dillemper
almoft lived upon fugar of rofes, and was cured thereby.
Some have affirmed it produces the fcurvy, and was the
original caufe of it ; whereas it is well known that dif-
eafe appeared before fugar was in ufe ; befides the pooreft
people who cat much \eb fugar than the rich, are moft
aiHidled with it. This likewife is true of common
failors, who generally eat more fait provifions and lefs
fugar than the officers. Some affirm that it turns four
upon the ftomach, but give us no argument to prove it ;
?n acid may indeed be produced from fugar, and fo
there may from all forts of corn, as well as wine ; but
then it mud be performed by art, and turned into an
ardent fpirit firft by fermentation. Befides fugar is a
natural foap, and will readily mix with any fort of liquor,
and therefore it is not at all probable it Ihould turn four
upon the ftomach. Compofitions of fugar are allowed
on all hands to be good in diforders of the breaft, and
that mixed with oil of fweet almonds, it is good in
coughs, hoarfenelTes, and the like. Externally fugar is
a very great vulnerary, efpecially when mixed with a
little brandy, for then it will heal wounds, cleanfe ul-
cers, and prevent putrefadion. A little powder of
fugar-candy frequently blown into the eye will take off
the albugo or fpot on the tranfparent cornea.

TARTARUS, or TARTARUM, Tariar, is a fa-
line hard fubftance, of an acrid and fubauftere tafte,
which adheres to the bottoms and fides of wine vefTels,
from whence it is fcraped off. It is of two forts, the
white and the red, they proceeding from wines of the
fame colours. The belt Tartar is heavy, hard, with
that part next to the wine rifing into cryftaline points,
but when broken appears like fpunge, or pumice Hone,
it being porous and mixed with earth, though it is a
hard Ihining fubftance.

Tarfar

^d THE NATURAL HISTORY

Tartar unprepared is feldom or never ufed internally ;
but is taken when purged, and then it h called eream or
cryflals of tartar ; and is good to temperate the heat of
the bile, and to quench thirlt in burning fevers. It at-
tenuates grofs humours, opens Gbl<ru6lions of the vif^-
cera, and is good in cachedic and hypocondriac difor-
ders. It is a laxative, and is often mixed with milder
purges with fuccefs. When given from half a dram to
two drams it is an aperient only, but from half an ounce
to an ounce it is a purge. Cream of tartar will not
diflolve in cold water, but it will in hot.

Salt cf Tartar, which is procured by calcining tartar
in an open fire, is a fixed alkali, and fomewhat of a
caullic quality. It ferves for many chymical operations,
and efpecially to extrafl the refinous and fulphureous
parts 01 medicine in making of tinftures. When given
alone difTolved in a fufRcient quantity of water, the dofe
is from twelve grains to half a dram ; and it will at-
tenuate grofs humours, and cure the heart-burn pro-
ceeding from acids in the itomach. Among the mcdi--
cines that are ufually procured from tartar, are foluble
tartar, vitriolated tartar, and emetic tartar.

CHAP. xr.

0/ fuhera, fungiy ar.d fuhf.ances that adhere to certain
vegetables >

TUBERA CERVINA, or BOLETUS CERVI-
NUM, Deers Balls, is a tuberofe fungus, with-
out a root, and isof a dufky yellow colour, with a hard,
thick, and granulated rind ; but the infide is of a pur-
plifh white cc-3ur. It isof the fize of a walnut, though
fometimes of that of a hazel-nut, or lefs ; and it is di-
vided into cells that were foft and downy, and in which
are exceeding fmall feed?, lying together in a mafs, and
connected with filaments ; when this fubflance has loil
its feeds, it is then contrat5led into a fmall round ball.

The

OF VEGETABLES. 91

The fmell and tafte when frefh are rank, but when
dry and laid up for fome time, they become almoft
inlipid. They are of little ufe, for they are never eaten,
nor have they any remarkable qualities to recommend
them for phyfical purpofes, whatever authors have faid
to the contrary. There have been indeed feme fuper-
ilitious women that have employed them in filters to
procure love ; and they poffibly may have had fome
effect that way from the windinefs of their nature.

AURICULA JUDiE, or FUNGUS SAMBUCL
NUS, yeivi-ear^ is a membranaceous fungus, in the
Ihape of an ear, from whence it has its name. It is a
fpungy fubfiance, growing at the bottom of old alder-
trees, and is light, coriaceous, and membranaceous ; it
is afli coloured beneath, and blackifh on the top, and
the taile is earthy and flat, but it has no fmell ; it has
little or no pedicle, but flicks clofe to the body of the
tree. It is faid to be af}:ringent and drying, but is fel-
dom or never taken inwardly, though Si??:on Paulli
affirms it brings away plenty of water in the dropfy.

AGARICUS, or FUNGUS LARICIS, Jgaric^ is
a fungous fubftance, of a roundifh, angular, unequal
fhape, and of different fizes, from the bignefs of a man's
fill to that of his head. It is very light, as white as
fnow, and may be readily rubbed into meal between the
fingers ; but it has a few fibres, and a callous afh
coloured reddifh rind, whofe lower part is perforated
by exceeding fmall feeds that lodge in the holes ; the
taile is at firft fweetilli, then bitter, acrid, and naufe-
ous, with a flight aflringency. It groves to the trunk
of the larch tree, and is feldom or never found on the
boughs. The beft is white, light, and brittle. It goes
under the denomination of a purge, though fome deny
it has any fuch quality. It is fuppofed to evacuate
phlegm, for which reafcn it has been given in defiuxions
and diforders of the breafl, but that only to flrong
people. However it is a ufelefs medicine, or rather
noxious, for it loads the llomach, dillends the vifcera,
creates a naufea, and caufes vomiting. Its powder has--
been prefcribed from half a dram to two drams.

AGAR!-

9f THE NATURAL HISTORY

AGARICUS PEDIS EQVINl FACIE, four h-nvoo^^
or Spunk, grows to the afh and other trees j but that is
fuppofed to be beft that grows to old oaks that have
been lopped, and which has been gathered in Auguft
and September. This has of late been mightily cryed
up for Hopping of blood upon the amputation of a limb,
without making any ligature ; but it has had the fate of
many new dilcoveries, and is now almolk entirely laid
afide ; though it might doubtlefs be of ufe in many
cafes. The inward part is beft which feels to the touch
like buff, which muil be taken out, and beaten a little
till it may be eafily teazed between the fingers. This
being done, fo much of it mull be applied to the.
wound as will fomewhat more than cover it, and over
this a broader piece mull be laid with proper bandages.

The END of the First Part,

THE

I 93 )

t^]'<*)^*>> J^«(?l|>M «(<*)«*>&

THE

NATURAL HISTOPvY

O F

VEGETABLES,

And their ufes in Medicine.

PART II.

Of indigenous herhs, planis, fhruhs^ and irees, and their
ufes in medicine.

INDIGENOUS plants are thofe which are pro-
duced in our climate, foiiie of which have been, or
are, ufed in medicine ; while otheis are quite ufelefs, at
leaft as far as is hitherto known ; and therefore they may-
be pafled over in filence. In giving an account of them,
1 fhall obferve an alphabetical order, that each of them
may be more readily found, but as for the Enghjh names
they fhall be added alphabetically at the end.

ABROTANUM MAS, Southem-jcood. There are
tv;o kinds of this plant of uie in medicine, one of v.'hich
is calfed the male, and the other the female; but the
iirft of thefe is properly the fouthernwood. In its cha-
^aclerifticks it is much the fame as wormwood, and its

root

^4. THE NATURAL HISTORY
root is woody, with a few fibres proceeding from it. It
has many branches, which Ibmetimes rile to the height
of" four cubits, though lliey are generally much lower ;
they are hard, britde, and full of a white pith, fome-
whal of a reddifh colour, and are Ilreaked and branched.
It has many leaves, fomewhat broader than thofe of
fennel ; and thofe below are divided into feveral parts,
but thofe above have only one or two fegments. They
are of a hoary colour, with a llrong agreeable fmel!,
and a bitterilh tafte. The flowers on the fides of the
branches are like thofe of v.'ormvvood, and confift of
many fmall bloilbms that are tubulated and divided at
the top into five parts, in each of which there is a fmgle
{eedf and they are all comprehended in a fcaly cup. It
is cultivated in gardens, by flips or cuttings, planted
in the beginning of Jfri/ on a bed of frefh light earth,
obferving to water them two or three times a wetk,
till they have taken root. Simon PauU recommends it
given in powder to a dram, againft the gravel and fup-
prefiion of urine, as a fpeciiic ; but if this vertue is not
owing to its nitre, it is certainly increafed by it. Thefe
leaves are often ufed in fomentations.

ABROTANUM FOEMINA, by fome called San-
tolina and ChaTn<^cypar}JJusy La-uender Cotton. It has a
thick, hard, woody root, from which there proceed
branches above a cubit in heighth, which are woody,
{lender, covered with a hairy down, and divided into
feveral branches, round which there are flender leaves
about an inch in length, a little denticulated, or rather
befet with fmall tubercles. They are all of a hoary
colour, and of a phyfical fmcll, with fomewhat of a
fweetnefs ; the talle is partly acrid, and partly of an
aromatic bitter. On the top of each branch there is a
yellow flower, confilling of feveral tubulous floretts,
divided at the top into five parts, with imbricated in-
termediate leaves, ^rd contained in a common fcaly cup.
The cup of each florelt, or embryo, turns into a ftreak-
cd oblorg brown feed, not at all furniflied with down.
Thefc flowers are larger than thofe of fouthernwcod, by
which it may be dillinguiflied from it, as well as by the
whole appearance of the plant. This plant is cultivated

in

OF V'EGETABLES. 95

In gardens, and may be propagated by planting flips or
<:utting3 during tlie Tpring, which fhould be put into a
border of light freili earth, and watered and fhaded in
hot dry weather, until they have taken root. It is of
little ufe in medicine, except in fomentations as the
former.

ABSINTHIUM VULGARE, o^mnon VVorm-jJOod,
has a lignous and fibrous root, with llalks ofan inde-
terminaie height, branched oat into many fmall Ihoots,
with hoary leaves of a bitter tafte, and furnifhed with
fpikes of naked flowers, hanging downwards, which are
placed in long rows towards the top. They are com-
pofed of many tubulous floretts, divided into five parts
at the top, and are of a yellow colour ; and trey are all
contained in a common fcaly cup, in each of which
there is an embryo, wliich turns into a naked feed. It
differs from other forts of wormwood in having larger
leaves and more jagged. It is very common in all
parts of England by the fides of high roadi and in dung-
hills. It is planted in gardens for common ufe, and
may be propagated by flips in March and October ; or
it may be raifed from feeds, which may be fown foon
after they are ripe. Wormwood has always been looked
upon as a valuable medicine, to promote the heat and
circulation of the blood, and to recover the ofcillaticn of
the fibres while .fluggifli ; by which means the grofs
humours are attenuated and brought back into the com-
mon road of circulation. It reftores the debilliated func-
tions of the vifcera, and is an excellent fcomachic. It is
good in the dropfy, green ficknef?, cachexies, and agues ;
which la fl it has often been known to cure. It alfo by
its^^reat bitternefs is of fome fervice againft worms, by
relorving the mucilaginous humours in which their eggs
are contained ; however, in all hot difeafes and in in-
flammatory difpofitions it is not fafe. The dried flowery
tops when reduced to powder, may be given from a
fcruple to a dram ; though it is feldom preicribed in fub-
ilance, but in bitter wines often ; when infuied in wine
it will be ready in a night's time. When this plant
is burnt to aflies, and diflblved in water, a lixivious fait
may be obtained from it, by evaporating it to a drynef?.

It

96 THE NATURAL fllSTORY

]t k of a reddifh colour, and is direi5led by feme to be
calcined over again, but then it will be much leflened
in its virtues, which are in a great meafure owing to the
eilential oil remaining in it. It is a gocd febriTuge, and
has been given very fuccefsfuliy againft tertian agues.
The dofe is from a fcruple to half a dram, dilfclved in a
fufitcient quantity of liquor, and fhould be repeated feve-
ral times in a cay.

ABSINTHIUM MARITINUM, Sea TForm^ocd,
has leaves much Imaller than the common, and they are
hoary on the upper fide as well as the lower. The
flalks are alfo hoary all over, and it grows wild about
fait mafhcs and near the fea coafls. The vertues are
much the fame as thofeof the former.

ABSIN^l HJUM ROMANUM, Ror^ian lVorm-v:ood,
diffeis much in appearance from the former. It has a
great number of fmall and wcody roots full of libre?,
and the ftalks are about a cubit in height, which a.e
round, fmooth, greenifh, or of a reddifh green or pur-
plilh colour. They are full of leaves from the top to
the bottom, wliich have much the fame appearance
as thofe of fouihernwood, only they are fhorter. The
flowers are much like thofe of common wormwood,
but lefs. It is cultivated in gardens, and may be eafjly
raifed by the planting and cutting of flips in the fpring
or autumn. The roots of this plant creep fo much,
that they will focn fpread over a large piece of ground.
It is not fo bitter as the common wormvvocd, but is
more aromatic ; for which reafon it is more agreeable
to the taile. It has the fame vertues of the common
wormwood, but weaker.

ACANTHUS, BR ANK- URSINE, has a thick flefliy
root, black without, and white within, from whence
proceed great numbers of fibres. The leaves that lie on
the ground are a cubit in length, and a fpan in breadth ;
but the llalks rife to two cubits high, are flrong, and
adorned with a long row of flowers elegantly difpoied
like a thyrfis. lie leaves are fomewhat like thofe of
a thiflle, and after them the Romans adorned the capi-
tals of the Corinthian order of columns ; that is, with the
lliape of theft; leaves j ihey were likevvife imitated by

embroiderers.

OF VEGETABLES. 97

embroiderers, in the time of Virgil. The flowers are
labiated, and are of a fort of a fle(h colour; the under
lip of the flower is divided into three fegments, which at
the beginning is curled up in the form of a fliort tube.
There is no upper lip, but in its place there are ftamina
that fupport the pointals ; and the cup of the flower is
compofed of prickly leaves ; the upper part of which is
bent over like an arch, and fupplies the defeat of the
upper lip of the flower. The piflil arifes from the hin-
der part of the flower, and turns to a fruit in the fliape
of an acorn, that is divided into two cells, each con-
taining a Angle fmooth feed. The whole plant is full
of a glutinous and mucilaginous juice. It grows fpon-
taneoufly in Sicily and Italy^ but is here cultivated in
gardens, and is eafily propogated by parting the roots in
February or Marchy or by lowing the feeds at that time.
The ufes are much the fame as thofe of mallows, it be-
ing an emollient j however it is feldom ufed in me-
dicine.

ACETOSA, common Sorrely has a long, fibrous, yel-
lowifli, bitter root, and leaves placed alternately on the
Italk, that are in the fliape of a fpade. The flalk is
flreaked, a foot in length, and is divided into feveral
branches. The impalement of the flower is compofed
of three fmall leaves that are bended back, and the
flower has three leaves which are larger than thofe of
the impalement. In the center of the flower is a three
cornered pointal, or piflil, fupporting three fmall fl:yles,
which are attended with fix ftamina. It afterwards be-
comes a triangular feed, inclofed by the petals of the
flower J in ftiort it agrees with the dock in all its cha-
raders, except in having an acid tafte. It is but a
fmall plant in the fields, but in the gardens it produces
large leaves. It muft be fown early in the fpring, in a
fhady moifl: border ; and if they are afterwards planted
out into another fhady border, they will produce ftill
larger leaves, and continue longer. The medical ver-
tues are to cool and quench thirft, and their decodlion
makes a ufeful drink in fevers. It is excellent againft
the fcurvy, and in fome cold countries they employ a

Vol. VI. F mix-

98 THE NATURAL HISTORY
mixture of the juices of forrel and fcurvy grafs againft
this difeafe with fuccefs,

ACETOSA ROTUNDIFOLIA, round halved or
French Sorrgly has the fame charadlers as the former ex-
cepting the leaves, which are now and then almoft
round. This is the bell fort for the kitchen ufe, for
which reafon it is often planted in gardens. The roots
are very apt to fpread, by which means it is eafily pro-
pagated, and muft be planted at larger diftances, that
is, a foot fquare at leaft. It is a cooler like the former,
and quenches thirft as well as excites an appetite. The
deco(5lion of it is good in feilious fevers. 7 he juice has
been given for fpring agues, to half a pint, when the fit
is coming on ; however we have better medicines for
this purpofe.

ADIANTHUM VERUM, the true or French Maiden-
hairy is a capillary plant, and has a fiefhy fibrous root,
from whence arife flender, black, iliinirg, branched
pedicles, above a palm in height, that fuiiain leaves
placed alternately, that are about a quarter of an inch
broad, and fomewhat Ihorter ; they are green, creited,
fmooth, and flreaked as it were with rays, and are like
ihofe of coriander. It feems to be without feeds ; how-
ever in September certain notches appear in the leaves,
which adhere to each other, and they contain a fruit, or
round membranaceous capfula, which is very fmall and
furrounded with an elaftick ring, which by its contrac-
tion opens the capfula, and which then emits a feed like
dull, which is too (mall to be examined by the naked
eye. It grows fpontaneoufly in the northern parts of
trance, and continues green all the year. This herb
was formerly celebrated for its perioral vertues, but
18 now greatly negledled, only there is a fyrrup made
therewith, which is fold in the coffee- ho ufes, and called
capilaire, but it is generally fuppofed to be coun-
terfeit.

AGERATUM, MAUDLIN, has a woody root, va-
rioufly contorted, and as thick as one's little finger, fiom
which proceed numerous fibres j from this arifcs flalks a
cubit high, which are flender, round, branched, and of
a leddiih colour, though. feme are of a pale green.

Ther«

OF VEGETABLES. 99

There are a vaft number of narrow leaves, an inch or
two in length, and deeply ferrated on the edges ; on the
top of the branches there are bunches compofed of radi-
ated yellow flowers, whofe difkconfifts of many floretts,
but the borders are compofed of half floretts, the em-
bryoes are lodged in the flower-cup, which is fcaley, and
each becomes one flender feed of a pale yellow colour.
It has been fuppofed to open obftruftions of the vifcera,
being taken in infufion or decoftion, but is now little
ufed for that purpofe.

AGNUS CASTUS, the Chajie-tree, is a (hrub full of
branches, fo tough that they are not eafily broken. The
leaves are joined to a pedicle an inch or two loDg, and
digitated or divided into five particular leaves, of an ob-
Jong fhape, and fliarp at both ends. The flowers grow
in fpikes, and are of a purple, or purple and white co-
lour. They confift of one leaf, which looks as if it
had two lips, and the fore part is tubulous. From each
calyx arifes a pointal, or piftil, which is fixed on the
back part of the flower like a nail, which afterwards turns
to an almoft fpherical fruit like pepper, divided into
four cells, containing oblong feeds. It is cultivated ia
gardens, is very hardy, and may be propagated by
•plantirg the .cuttings early in the ipring, before they
ihoot. , They require a frefh light foil, and muft be
frequently watered till they have taken root. They
will grow to eight or ten feet high, and they flower ih
autumn ; and the flowers grow in fpikes at the extre-
mity of every ftrong flioot. This flirub has been former-
ly celebrated for reprefiing unchafte defires ; but fome
rather think it has the contrary effect i however it is
acknowledged to be good in hyfterical complaints, and
in hypocondriacal fpafms, efpecially if they proceed from
grofs vifcid humours. The feed, in powder, is given
from half a dram to a dram, or in an emulfion.

AGRIMONIA, Agrimony, has a blackifli, thick,
fibrous root, and a hairy branched ftalk, two cubits
high, with leaves above a palm in length, alternately
placed, which are rough, hairy, pennated, and grow
alternately on the branches. The calyx, or flower-cup,
confifls of one leaf, which is divided into five fegments,
F 2 and

loo THE NATURAR HISTORY
and the flowers, which have five or fix leaves, form a
long fpike, which expand in the form of a rofe, and
are of a yellow colour. The fruit is oblong, dry, and
prickly like a burdock, and in each there are two ker-
nels. It is common in the hedges in many parts of
England, and is noted for its allri£live quality. It is
(aid to be good in the cachexy, dropfy, jaundice, and in
fevers arifing from the obftruftions of the vifcera. It is
alfo good in ulcers of the kidnies. The dofe of the dried
leaves is a dram in a proper vehicle.

ALCEA, Vewein Mallows, has a woody whitifh root,
from whence proceed feveral ftalks to the height of a
cubit, which are round, full of pith, and thinly befet
with longifh hair. The leaves that proceed from the
root and lower part of the ftalks are rourdifh, with in-
cifures on the edges ; but thofe that grow near the top,
and placed alternately, are remarkable jagged, and of a
blackifh green colour and hairy, pariicuiarly on the
lower part. The flowers are like thofe of mallows, and
of a purplifh flefh colour, though they are fometimes
white ; they are fucceeded by feeds, which are black
when ripe, and are fhaped like thofe of mallows, and
have the fame faculties as that plant.

ALCHIMILLA, Ladies Mavile, has a root as thick
as one's little finger, and is fibrous and black ; from
whence arife long pedicles, a palm and a half in length,
which are hairy, and each fullain a fingle leaf, nearly
like that of mallows, but mure hard and crifp, and
divided into eight or nine acute argles. The cup of the
flower is divided into eight fegments, which are ex-
panded in the ^orm of a Uar ; the flowers are collefted
into bunches on the top of the flalk, which confift of
feveral ftamina with yellowifh heads. The calyx be-
comes a capfula, containing generally two little round
yellow feeds. It delights in mountainous places, fuch as
the j^Ips and Pyranees. It alfo grows wild in fome parts
of England. This plant is faid to have an aftringent
and glutinous property, and to be good for internal
ulcers, and the whites in women, as well as fpitting of
blood ; but it is feldom made ufe of. The dofe is a
dram of the leaves in powder.

ALKE-

OF VEGETABLES. loi

ALKEKENGI, the Winter Cherry, has a geniculated
root befet with fmall fibres, from whence arife reddiftt
hairy branched flalks, a cubit in height, from the knots
of which arife two leaves with long pedicles. The
leaves are like thofe of garden nightfhade, and the
flowers confift of one leaf, expanded at the top, and of
a whitifii colour, but of a pentagonal figure. The fruity
which is about the fize of a cherry, is inclofed in the
flower-cup, and fwells over it in the form of a bladder.
The fruit is only in ufe, and is good to promote urine^
as well as to cleanfe the kidnies and bladder. From
three to eight of thefe cherries may be taken as a dofe,
and are faid to have had a very good effedl in preventing
the gout, when eight of them were taken every change
cf the moon. It is very common in Englijh gardens,
and the fruit, which is ripe in Odiobcr, often continues
till the beginning of December. It is of the fize of a
com.mon cherry, and of a fine red colour ; the bladder
that inclofes it is of a deep red, which burlh when ripe^
and expofes the fruit to fight. It may be propagated by
fowing the feeds in the Ipring, or by the roots, which
creep very much, fo as to overfpread a large tradl of
ground ; and therefore they fhould be placed in pots,
and fet in a fhady place in fummer. If well watered in
dry weather it produces great numbers of cherries.

ALLIARIA, Jack by the hedge, or Sanjuce all aloney
has a flender, white, lignous root, that has a garlick
fmell, from whence proceed ftalks to the height of a
cubit and upwards, which are round, flender, hairy, ftreak-
ed and folid. The leaves at firft are round, like thofe
of ground ivy, but much bigger, and afterwards they
have a fort of a point, are crenated on the edges, and
are fmooth, and of a pale green colour, with foniewhat
of the fmell and taile of garlick. They are placed in
no regular order, and at the top there are many flowers,
confiiling of four white petals, from whofe flower cup
arifes a piftil, that turns to a fruit, or membranaceous
round pod, with a partition in the middle, Xo which two
imbricated valves adhere on each fide, divided into two
cells, full of oblong, roundifli, black feeds. It is com-
mon in hedges and fliady wafte places, and flowers in
F 3 Maj

102 THE NATURAL HISTORY

May and June. It is good in cold fcurvies, and in con-
ilitutions that abound with acids. Outwardly the juice
is good in putrid and fordid ulcers. If the herb has
been dried for a day in the Ihade, and then bruifed in a
mortar and the juice expre/Ted, it will keep in bottles
for feveral years with oil at the top.

ALLIUM, Garlicky has a bulbous root, confiding of
feveral membranes, and is of a whitifli colour, with a
purplifli caft. The leaves are oblong, and not fiftulous
as in onions, but like grafs, and the flowers confift of
fjx whitilh leaves, with a piftil in the middle, which
turns into a roundifh fruit of the fize of a pea, and of a
purplifh colour without, but the pulp within is whitifh.
it is divided into three cells, full of roundifh and blackifh
feeds. Garlick is proper to warm and ftimulate the
folids, and to difTolve the grofs clammy fluids, whence
it is good in cold conftitutions, and in moift afthmas,
as well as all defiuxions on the breaft. It has been
found very ferviceable in the dropfy, for it will fome-
tlmes cure it without any other medicine. It may be
given alone or in a deception, or made into a f}'rrup ;
but it muft be avoided in all inflammatory difpofitions
and hot difeafes. Some advife a third part of a head in
infufion, and fome, as Shnon Faulty have prefcribed no
lefs than three or four heads, and the juice of one head.
It may be eafily prcpogated in gardens, by planting the
cloves, or fmall bulbs, in Augujl or September, about
feur or five inches from each other. In the middle of
jfune the leaves fliould be tied in knots, to prevent their
running to feed, and then the bulb will be greatly en-
larged. Towards the end of July the leaves will begin
to wither, and then the root fliould be taken out of the
ground and hanged up in a dry room.

ALNUS, the Alder tree, is ftrait and upright, and
ofamcderate thicknefs, with a rough, brittle, blackifli
bark. 'J he wood is reddifli, foft, light, eafily worked,
and the boughs are very brittle. ^I'he leaves refemble
thofe of the hazle, and the male flowers, or catkins, are
produced at remote diflances from the fruit, which is
fcaly, conical, and of the fize of a hazle-nut. The
bark, calkins, and fruir, are aftringent, and the decoc-
tion

OF VEGETABLES. 103

tion has been prefcribed in inflammations of the tonfils,
as a gargle. Some recommend the bark in intermitting
fevers.

ALSINE, Chick nveedy is well known to every one,
and therefore needs no defcription. It has been recom-
mended in various difeafes, but the effeds have been
found too weak to do any great good ; however Simon
Pauli prefcribes the dccodion of it againll the itch, with
a fmall quantity of a fixed fait.

ALTH-^A, MarJbmallo'Lvs, has a great number of
white roots, about as thick as a finger, which all pro-
ceed from one head. The ftalks are a cubit or two in
height, and are flender, round, villous, and befet with
leaves alternately, which are rourdifh, but fharp at the
end, hoary, and befet with a foft down ; they are about
three inches long, and are finuous and ferrated. The
flowers come out between the pedicles of the leaves and
the rtalk, and are of a pale reddiih colour. They are
monopetalous, but divided into fi^e fegments, almoft to
the center, in which is a pyramidal tubulous ityle, loaded
with ftamina ; and in the cavity there is a piitil, which
turns into a round flat fruit, confifling of feveral capfula,
difpofed like a ring about the cake in the middle. Marfh-
mallows is ^tjy much in ufe to abate the acrimony of
the urine ; in diforders of the lungs, to tkicken a iharp
fait defluxion ; and confequently is good in hoarfeneffes,
coughs, catarrhs, and the afthma. It is likewife good
in erofions of the inteftines, its decoction being drank,
or given in gliders. It is alfo good for foftening hard
tumours, and eafing pain. The leaves are much pre-
ferable to the roots. Syrup of marfh-mallows is a
medicine commonly known, and is often prefcribed to
render the urinary paflages Hippery to thofe who are
troubled with the gravel.

AMYGDALUS, the Almond-tree, has flrong branch-
ed roots, with a raugh trunk, and leaves like thofe of
the peach tree, which are fharp at the ends, and crenated
On the edges. The flowers are rofaceous, confifling of
five petals, of a whitifli, or light purplifti colour j the
calyx is fmgle, but divided into five fegments, with apifHl
that turns to a fruit an inch in length, which is long and
F 4 flat.

IG4 THE NATURAL HISTORY

flat. The outer coat is thin and pretty dry when ripe,
under which is a fhell that is not fo rugged as that of
the peach. As for the almonds themfelves, they are
too well knov.'n to need defcription. When they are
bruifed they yield a large quantity of limpid oil, and
when made into an emulfion with water, they have a
fweet pleafant talte, but if it be kept long it will turn
four like milk. Sweet almonds when frefh, are nourilh-
ing, but they fhould be well chewed before they are
fwallowed. They are bell when frefh, and fmooth on
tlie outiide, but extremely white within, and of a fweet
agreeable tafte, for age renders them rancid, wrinkled,
and yellowifh on the infide. In all medicinal ufes they
ihould be blanched, that is, the outer fldn ihould be
taken off. The emulfion of fweet almonds is prefcribed
in burning fevers, too great watchfulnefs, heat of urine,
and inflammations of the kidnies and bladder ; as well
as in all cafes where the acrimony of the humours is to
be correfted. Likevvife the oil of fweet almonds, newly
exprefled, is given for the fame purpofes, and to foften
and relax the indurated fibres in inflammations, heat and
fupprefTion of urine, in pains of the cholic, and fits of
the gravel ; as alfo in coughs, to promote expedoration.
It is given from one to four, and in fome cafes to eight
ounces, and Ihould be repeated every third or fourth
hour. When children are griped it Ihould be given by
fpoonfuls, mixed with fy rup of marfh- mallows.
A MV" G DA LUS AM A R A , //'^ hitter Almond tree, agrees
w ith the former in all refpefts, except the bitternefs of
the fruit. 7"hey have been found to be poifonous when
given to dogs and fome other animals, but they may
be eaten by men without any damage. The oil that is
expreffed from bitter almonds, differs in little or nothing
from the former, and may be ufed in the fame cafes ;
as alfo for foftening the wax in the ears, when put
therein with a bit of cotton wool. Some ufe it to take
away freckles, and to preferve the fmoothnefs of the fkin
of tiie hands ; for which purpofe it is much better than
foap. The almond-trees are chiefly valued for the beauty
of their flowers, which are produced early in the fpring,
and make a fine appearance. They are propagated by

inocula-

OF VEGETABLES. 105

MioGulating one of their buds into a plumb, almond, or
peach Hock, the latter end of July. The bell feafon
for tranfplanting thefe trees into a dry gound, is when the
leaves begin to decay, but for a wet foil, in February.

ANACAMPSEROS. Orpine, Li've-e-ver, or Rofe-root^
has a root confiding of feveral white flelhy tubercles,
and upright, round, folid llalks, divided into a few
branches, a palm or two in height, on which are many
flelhy, thick, juicy leaves, like purllane or houfeleek, of a
bluilh green colour, with a reddiih call. The flowers
are placed on the top of the flalks in umbels, and are
rofaceous and reddiih, with five petals, and feveral
fmall (lamina. A piftil arifes from the flower-cup, which
turns into a fruit, confilling of five capfulae, colleded as
it were into a head, which are full of hard feeds. It
much refembles horfeleek. It is now never given in-
wardly, and but feldom employed outwardly, though
it is faid to be good to heal freih wounds, and cleanfe
ulcers. However the juice is commended by Hoffman
againft ulcers of the womb.

A NAG ALL IS MAS, male Pimpernel, has a white
iingle root, with a few fibres, and the llalks are fo weak
that they lye on the ground ; they are of the length of
a palm, are fquare and fmooth, and the leaves are
placed by pairs, and fometimes three at a time oppofite
to each other ; but they have no pedicles. The lower
furface is fpotted with biackifli red fpots ; and the flower
confills of one leaf, fnaped like a wheel, and divided
into five iharp fegments, which are of a purplifh red co-
lour, with purple ilamina, on which are yellow heads.
The flower-cup is alfo divided into five parts, from
which a piftil arifes fixed in the middle of the flower
like a nail, and turns to a fruit, or globous fliell, which
when ripe opens tranfverlely into two parts, one of
which lyes upon the other, and inclofes many angular
wrinkled feeds. This is one of thofe called the flteping
plants, whofe flowers open about eight o'clock in the
morning, and never clole till pad noon.

ANAGALLiS FOEiVHNA, Female Pimpertiel, difFtrs

only from the former in the colour of the flov/er, which

is blue, and the former is common ia our corn-fields,

F c; but

io6 THE NATURAL HISTORY
but this is more fcarce. The male pimpernel is ufed as
a fallad and a pot herb in many parts of England i
though it is by fome recommended as an excellent me-
dicine againft madnefs, and the epilepfy, and then the
juice muft be exhibited to four ounces thrice a day j
but it is not now depended upon for any fuch pur-
pofe.

ANETHUM, Dill, has a flender white fibrous root,
with a branched ftalk, a cubit and a half in length ;
the leaves are like thofe of fennil, but lefs, and of a
bluifh colour, with a ftrong fmell. The flowers are
placed at the top of the llalks in umbels, and are rofe-
aceous, confifting of five yellow petals, whofe calyx or
flower- cup is changed into two paliih yellow feeds,
which are oval, flat, flreaked, and have a foliaceous
border. It is propagated from the feeds, which fhouW
be fown in autumn. Toon after they are ripe, and thrive
beft in a light foil, where they are to remain, for they
will not bear a removal. The feeds are only in ufe, and
they have been commended in the flatulent cholic, and
againft wind. TKe eflTential oil is a carminative, and
is given from two to four drops on a lump of fugar.

ANISUM VULGARE, J?iife, has a flender annual
fibrous white root, with pleafant green leaves, above an
inch in length, which are divided into three parts, or
jparticular leaves, which are fmooth and crenated. On
the upper part there are many divifions, and the ftalk is
ramous, ftreaked, hollow, and fuftains flowers difpofed
in an umbel, which are fmall, rofaceous, and confift
of five cloven white petals, with the flower- cup, that
turns into an oblong turbinated fruit, in which are two
fmall gibbous ftreaked feeds, of a greenifh afli colour.
The tafte and fmell are fuett and very agreeable. The
feed is only in ufe, which contains a great deal of eflen-
tial oil. it is numbered among the four hot feeds, and
is recommended for the helping of digeftion, in the wind,
cholic, and in fliorinefs of breath. It is good for gripes
in children, and to increafe milk in the breafts of nurfes.
The dofe, in powder, is from a fcruple to a dram, and
that of the eftential oil, from two drops to twenty.

ANONIS

OF VEGETABLES. 107

ANONIS fi've ONONIS, Rejl Harrow, has roots
above a foot long, which creep every way, and are not
eajily broken. The (lalks lye on the ground, and are
flender, tough, reddifli, hairy, and full of prickles ; they
are befet with leaves, placed three together alternately,
and they are roundifh, flightly crenated, hairy, of a
dark green colour, and glutinous to the touch. The
flowers arc papilionaceous, of a light purple, or fiefh
colour, and grow in fpikes at the top of the branches.
The piftil is near a quarter of an inch long, and confifts
of one bivalved flat capfula, containing a fingle feed in
the fhape of a kidney. It is accounted to be a diuretic,
to open obilru6lions of the liver, and to cure the jaun-
dice. Some affirm it is a diuretic, and that it is good in
fuppreffion of the urine ; but others deny it, and ac-
quaint us, that it fometimes brings on the heart- burn.
The dofe of the root or its bark in powder, i? given to
a dram, and in decodion to half an ounce ; but it is new
out of ufe.

APARINE, Goofe gra/s, or Cli'ven, has a fiend :;r
fibrous root, with flender, quadrangular, geniculated,
rough, climbing ftalks, three or four cubits long At
every genicula, or knee, there are from five to {tvtn
leaves placed like a ftar, which are narrow, rough, and
terminate in prickles. The flowers proceed from the
knees tosvards the top, and are very fmall, whire, rno-
nopetalous, in the Ihape of bells, and dividt-d into four
fegments, as well as the fijwer-cup, v,'hicli turns into a
dry, hard, cardlag-noas fruit, covered with a thin blicUifh
fe;n, and they confill of tAvo globes full cf umbilicated
feeds. It is met with almott every where in hedges.
It is inciding and aperient, and not only promotes urine
but fweat, t.vo ounces of the juice h^ve been found to
be very ferviceable in the drop(y, carrying cfF the water
hy urine.

APIUM PALUSTRE, Sma lage, has a thick, whitill^,
ftrait root, dofcending deep into the ground, and is
fometimes deeply divided into different heads ; it has nn
acrid, bitter, difagreeable ta[lc, uithallrong arcm.itic
fmell ; from whence proceed many leaves {landing i:poa
long pedicles ; they are reddifh, lUeaktd, concave, a.^d
i' 6 are

i©8 THE NATURAL HISTORY
are divided into wings, or grow upon a branched rib ;
they are alfo cut into five fegments, and are fmooth,
neat, juicy, and of a pleafant green ; when rubbed with
the fingers they have a ftrong fmell, and the talle is
not very agreeable. The flowers proceed from the join-
ing of the pedicles to the flalk, as well as the top, where
they are collected into an umbel, and are fmall, roface-
ous, and confift of five white petals, and the calyx turns
to a fruit, containing two very fmall feeds, which are
fireaked, afn coloured, depreffed on one fide, and gib-
bous on the other. It delights in moift marfhy places,
and is by feme tranfplanted into gardens. It is faid to
attenuate grofs humours, and open obflru6lions of the
vifcera ; but at prefent it is difregarded. The feeds ar«
reckoned among the four lefTer hot feeds.

AQUIFOLIUM/tr AGRIFOLIUM, the Holly-tree,
is a (hrub univerfally known, it being an ever-green,
and was formerly very much planted in gardens, as an
ornament. The wood is hard and folid, and is fo heavy
it will fink in water. The flowers are fmall, monope-
talous, and divided into four fegments, wich as many
ilamina, and a flower- cup divided into four parts, from
which a pillil arifes, fixed into the hinder part of the
flower, like a rail j it charges to a foft fruit, or beny,
which is rourd, imbricated, and red, and is full of
whitifli flones. The manner of raifing this ihrub, is by
fowing the berries as fcon as they are ripe, where they
will continue a year and a half before they fpring. The
'i^'^ time of transplanting this tree is in the beginning of
jipril^ in moiit weather, and then there will be little
danger of their growing. It was formerly ufed as a
medicine, but is now entirely laid afide. Some ufe the
bark for making bird lime.

AQUiLEGIA, Coiuvibines, has a white root an inch
thick, which is branched and fibrous, ard of a iweetifli
talle. It has leaves like meadow-rue, they being cut on
the ec'ges, and are bluifh underneath, but above of a
tiark guen, with a bluifli call. The flowers are pendu-
lous, and corfift of many petals unlike each other;
/lom the middie of the flower anfts the piilil, befct
v.ith Ilamina, which turns to a mtmbranous fi uir, con-

iillin*

OF VEGETABLES. 109

filling of many hufks, or pods, each of which is full of
black Ihining feeds. The colours of the fiovvers are
various, as blue, red, white, flelh coloured, and green,
upon which account it is cultivated in gardens, and they
flower in May and June. For raifing them, the feeds
fhould be fown in a nurfery-bed in September, and in
March following the young plants will appear above
ground, which fhould be tranfplanted in the middle of
May into good frefh earth, and fet at nine inches diflant
every way. At Michaelmas they may be removed into
the borders of a flower garden, and the May following
they will produce flowers. It has been looked upon
as an aperient and fudorifick ; but it is now out of
ufe.

ARGENTINA, Siher Weed, or Wild Tanfey, has
a black i(h root, which is fometimes fingle and fometimes
fibrous ; and the leaves are conjugated like agrimony,
and they are deeply dentated on the edges i they have
feveral fmall leaves fet between them, and the upper
part is of an herbaceous green colour ; but the under
like that of filver, they being covered with a foft down.
The flowers are placed fingly on long hairy pedicles,
and confift of Ave petals of a gold colour, with a calyx
divided into five fharp parts, between which are many
fmall ones ; and there are many ilam.ina cf the fame
colour, with apices or heads thereon. T he piitii changes
into a fpherical head, a quarter of an inch in diameter,
full of feeds of a yellowifh colour, and like thofe of pop-
pies. Many phyficians have a great opinion of this
herb ; for Boerhaa<ve affirms it has the fame vertues as
the Peru-vian bark, and Hoffman that it is good in fluxes
of the Ix'lly ; likewife Geoffroy tells us it will Hop h.xmor-
rhages of eveiy kind, and conftquently is bf great fer-
vice in fpitting of blood. The dofe of the juice is from
four ounces to fix, and of the feeds to half a dram.
The roots are eaten by country people becaufe they have
a fvveet tafte like a parfnip j and it is obiervable that
hogs are very fond of it.

ARMENIACA MALUS, the Aprkct-tree, has
roundifli acuminated leaves, ferrated on the edges, and
four or five of ihem are placed together. The fiov/ers,

that

110 THE NATURAL HISTORY
hat come out early in the fpring, before the leaves, are
rofaceous, confining of five whitifh petil.s difpofed in a
ring, with a calyx divided into five ff [^n.ents, from which
a piftil arifes that turns to a flefny l -cculent fruit, very
well known. There are feven Ions cultivated in the
Englijh gardens, which are, I. The Mafculine Apricot ^
that is the fooneft ripe of all, and has a fmall roundifh
fruit, of a red colour towards the fun, which as it ripens
fades to a greenifh yellow on the other fide. It is only
valuable for being foonefl ripe, for it has little flavour.
II. The Orange Jpricoty which is the next that becomes
ripe, and is of a deep yellow colour. The flefh is dry,
and is better for tarts than for eating. III. The Algier
Apricot, ripens next, end is of an oval fhape, only a.
little compreiTed on the fides. It turns to a pale yellow
or ftraw colour when the flefh is dry, with a faintiflt
tafte. IV. The Roman is next, and is larger than the
Algier, but not compreiTed on the fides ; the colour is
deeper, and the flefh is moiller. V. The Turky Apricot
is the next in order, becaufe it ripens later than the
former, and is bigger than any of them, and has a glo-
bular fhape. Jt is of a deeper colour, has a firmer
flefh, and a better tafle. VI. Ihe Breda Apricot, was
brought originally from Africa, and is a large roundifil
fruit, turning to a deep yellow when ripe, and is of a,
deep orange colour on tlie infide. 1 he flefh is foft, full
of juice, and better tailed than any of the whole tribe.
Vil. The Bruffils Apricot, h the lateft, it not being ripe
till near the middle of A\<gufi, unlefs expofed to a fouth.
fun ; however too much heat fpoils the tafte. It is red
on tiie fide next the fun, with many dark fpots, and of
a greenifli yellow on the other fide ; the flefh is firm
and of a high flavour, but it often cracks before it is
ripe. The beil flandard trees are thofe that are about
two feet and a half, or three feet in the fltm ; but they
may be planted as dwarfs againft an efpalier, where,
with good management, they will produce a large quan-
tity of fiuit. "i hefe fruits are all propagated by bud-
ding them on plumb flalks ; and they are all, except
ihe two bit, planted againit tl>e walls, which fhou.'d be
tither call or weft. The borders under thefe walls

Ihould

OF VEGETABLES. lu

fliould be fix feet wide at leaft, and if the earth be two
feet deep, or two and a half at mod, it is enough. The
foil Ihould be frefh earth from a pafture ground, taken
about ten inches deep with the turf, and laid to mellow
at leaft twelve months before it is ufed, often turning it.
The trees that are budded fhould be but of one year's
growth, and if the foil is dry, OSloher is the beft month
for planting. At Michaelmas^ or foon after, when the
trees have grown, you muft unnail the branches and
' ihorten them, in proportion to their flrength ; for a
vigorous branch may be left eight or nine inches long ;
but a weak one only five or fix. When they are fliort-
cned they Ihould be nailed as horizontally as poflible.

With regard to the medicinal ufes of apricots, there
is little to be faid, only that they agree befl with perfons
"of hot conftitutions, for in weak ftomachs they readily
corrupt, and then produce feverifli diforders, which how-
ever are eafily cured with emetics and purges.

ARTEMISIA, Mug-nvort, has a creeping fibrous
root, about as thick as one's finger, with a fweet aro*-
inatic tafte. The ftalks grow to two cubits in height
or upwards, and are round, flreaked, ftrong, ililF, ge-
nerally of a purple colour, and covered with fhort hair %.
they have alfo pith in the middle, and are branched,
with leaves thereon, placed alternately, that are not un-
like thofe of wormwood; they are of a dark green
above, and hoary underneath, by which they may be
diiUnguifhed from wormwood. The flowers grow on
the top of the branches like fpikes, and confift of many
floretrs of a purplifh colour, and divided into five parts,,
which are comprehended in a fcaly cup. Among the
fioretts there are naked cmbryoes, which turn into a
double capillaraent, which afterwards, as well as the
embryoes of the fioretts, turn into {^td^?, like thofe of
wormwood, but have not fo flrong a fmell. It is gene-
rally accounted anti-hyfteric, and is very often in uls
among the women for female diforders. In fome parts
of the kingdom it is ufed as a pot-herb. The dofe of
the dried herb is three drams, drank in wine, and is
^id to be a good remedy againlt the hip gout.

ARUM,

112 THE NATURAL HISTORY

ARUM, Cucko'-w Pint^ or I'Fake Robin, has a tube*
rofe flefhy root, as thick as one*s thumb, but roundifh,
uhite, and full of a milky juice j the leaves are about
eight inches long, and feme what triangular, and are
fomewhat in the fhape of the head of an arrow. The
lialk: rifes to a cubit in height, and is round, Ilreaked,
fuftaining a membranaceous flower like an afs's ear, con-
tained in a fheathof a whitifh green colour, in which is
a piilil of a palifti yellow, from which proceed berries,
that are almoft globous, and difpofed into an oblong
head ; they are of a reddifh purple, foft, full of juice,
and contain a feed or two, that are hard, fmall, and
roundish. The whole plant has a moft acrid tafte that
burns the tongue. The fpotted cuckow pint differs no-
thing from this, except in having white or black
fpots fprinkled upon the leaves, and they grow in woods,
under hedges, and by the fides of banks in niofl parts of
England. The root is only in ufe, and when tailed
bites the tongue fo much that it may be felt a whole
day. It has many vertues, but is good in ferous difor-
ders, the cachexy, the green lickneis, agues, the dropfy,
jaundice, and is excellent in all difeaies that proceed
from clammy humours, as well as for opening the ob-
llruftions of the viscera. It is alfo good in a moift viicid
catarrhal cough, and to rellore the cone of the ilomach.
Jt has this peculiarity, that it will caufe thofe to fweat
who can hardly be brought to it any other way, when
taken to the quantity of a dram in any good fpirit ; but
if it be dried and taken in powder, then this medicine
will fail. The bell way of giving it is by beating the
frefh root with gummy refins, and making the mafs into
pills. Outwardly it is very proper to cieanfe ulcers,
particularly thofe that are fiilulous. The common dofe
is from half a dram to four fcruples.

AS A RUM, Afarabacca, is an ever-green herb, which
has a flender, angular, knotty, fibrous, a(h coloured
root, with a bitterifh, naufeous, aromatic lade, fome-
what like garden valeiian ; the leaves are round, lliff,
fiiining, of a dark greenifh colour, and are fullained by
long pedicles ; they are fomewhat in the fliape of an
car, for which reafon they are called in Trench, Orielle

d'homme^

OF VEGETABLES. 113

d'hoTntne, that is, man's ear. The flowers are hid in the
leaves near the root, and are of a purple colour, which
are Icarcely perceivable, except the flower- cup, which is
divided into three or four fegments, and of a blackifh
purple colour. The fruit is divided into fix cells, full
of oblong feeds, that look like the flones of grapes. It
delights in woody places, and is found wild in fome
parts of England, though but feldom. The flowers ap-
pear in Aprils which grow fo clofe to the ground as not
to be feen, unlefs you put away the leaves with your
hand. It is bell raifed by flips. The leaves are a
ftrong vomit, as well as the roots, working both up-
wards and downward?, but the leaves are chiefly in ufe,
and that to make a fneezing powder among us. Some
pretend it opens obflrudions and llrengthens the vifcera,
for which reafon they prefcribe it in chronic difeafes.
Some recommend three or four grains of the dryed pow-
der of the leaves againft the head-ach, fnufll'd up tlie
nofe going to bed. It will indeed bring away a great
qaantiry of ferum, and the flux will fometimes continus
•for two or three days together. Geoffroy affirms he has
experienced it in the palfy of the tongue and mouth,
and fays, that a fmgle dofe has proved a cure by bring-
ing away a large quantity of ferum ; for which reafon
■he thinks it will cure thofe difeafes of the head that pro-
ceed from a clammy vifcid matter, and particularly the
palfy and fleepy difeafes.

ASCLEPIAS, Jive VINCETOXICUM, Snvallcnv-
nuorty or Tame Poifofiy has a root full of fibres, which
proceed from a Angle head, and has an acrid, bitterifh,
difagreeable tafte, with a naufeous fmell ; the flaiks are
tough, hairy, and geniculated, and rife to a cubit in
height ; the leaves are placed by pairs over againll each
other, and are a little hairy en the edges j they are in
the fiiape of the leaves of ivy, but are longer, more
wrinkled, and have very ftiort pedicles. From the joints
.of thefe pedicles, with the llalk, proceed whitifh mono-
petalous flowers, in the fliape of a bell, and are divided
into five parts, expanded in the form of a ftar, with five
apices of the fame colour, and a cup divided into the
fame number of parts, with a pillil fixed in the hinder

part

114 THE NATURAL HISTORV

part of the flower, like a nail, that turns to a fruit com-
pofed of two membranous hufks that open from the bot-
tom to the top, inclofing many feeds, that are covered
with a fine down, and are fixed to the membrane like
fcales on the (kins of filhes. It has no milky juice like
dcg's-bane, by which it may be diflinguiflied from it.
It is propagated by parting the roots, either in fpring or
autumn, and they will grow almoft in any foil. It has
been cried up as an antidote againft poifon, but is now
neglefted for that purpofe. It is much more proper for
ncute, than chronic, difeafes ; becaufe it is a gentle re-
folvent, and promotes both fweat and urine. Authors
worthy of credit affirm, it has been given with fuccefs
in the dropfy, by fleeping half a pound of the root in
wine the over night, and boiling it with a confumption
of a third part in the morning, and then giving it hot
upon an empty fiomach, in order to fweat. Seme pre-
pare an extract of the root and leave*, a dofe of whicJi
is from half a dram to a dram and a half.

ASPARAGUS, Afparagus^ corruptly called Bpar-
roiv-grafsy has a great number of roots, proceeding
from a fingle head, that are round, flefhy, whitifh,
fweetifh, and clammy. Early in the fpring they emit
tender, long, round, green (hoots, without leaves, that
are fo well known they need no defcription. When
they are grown up they arife to the height of two cubits,
and are divided into (lender (Irorg branches, with green,
capillaceous, foft leaves, an inch in length. The flow-
ers are rofaceous, with fix petals of a pale green colour,
and a piltil that turns to a foft berry of the fize of a
pea, that is globous, purpii(h, foft, fvveeti(h, and con-
tains two or three umbilicated black feeds. It is culti-
vated in gardens for the ufe of the kitchen. Afpara-
gus provokes the appetite, but yields little nourifhment,
and it gives the urine a particular ilrong fmell. They
have little or no medicinal vertues. It is propagated by
fowing of the feeds, which (hould be carefully chofen,
for on this the goodnefs of the crop depends. They
muft be fown in a bed of good rich earth, but not too
thick, and after they are trod into the ground it (hould
be raked over fmooth. Keep the bed from weeds the

following

OF VEGETABLES. 115

following fummer, and at the latter end of OSiober^
when the haulm is quite withered, a little rotten dung
ftiould be fpread over the furface about an inch thick.
The next Spring they will be fit to plant out for good,
and the ground muil be prepared by trenching it well,
burying a good deal of rotten dung at the bottom of each
trench, that it may lye fix inches below the furface of*
the ground ; then level the whole plot, taking out all
the large llones. When the foil is dry, and the feafon
forward, you may plant them in March, but if wet, in
the beginning of ^r;7. When the afparagus is come
up, which will be in three or four months after planting,
you muil with a fmall hoe cut up all the weeds, and
thin your crop of onions, when any have been fown
thereon ; and this muft be done in dry weather. The
fecond fpring after planting you may begin to cut the
afparagus, but it will be beil to ftay till the third.

ASPERULA, Wood roof , has a flender, geniculated,
fibrous, creeping root, with flender, fquare, geniculated
ilalks, and fix or feven leaves, difpofed in a verticillated
manner, and fomewhat rough ; the leaves are like thofe
of goofe grafs, but broader, and of a palifli green co-
lour. The flowers grow on the top of the flalks, and
are monopetalous, and fhaped like a bell, only they are
divided into four fegments, and have a fweet fmelL
The calyx turns to a dry fruit, covered with a thin
rough fkin, and confifts of two globes. It is reckoned
an attenuate, and by a fmall degree of aftringency
flrengthens the lax fibres of the vifcera j but is now out
of ufe.

ATRIPLEX FOETIDA. Sthkhg Orach, or Arrach,
has a flender fibrous root, from whence generally pro-
ceed branched ftalks, about nine inches in length, with
roundifli fmall leaves terminating in a point, and are
covered over with a mealy whitifti powder. The flow-
ers grow on the top of the ftalks, and are without pe-
tals ; for they confift of many ftamina, arifing from a
calyx divided into five parts, with a piflil that turns into
a fingle, fmall, ftiining, blackifli, and roundifli flat feed
in a capfula, in the form of a liar. It grows in un-
cultivated places, and near the fides of roads. It is anti-

hyllerick.

n6 THE NATURAL HISTORY

h) fterick, and the infufion of the leaves taken hot is an
excellent medicine againft the hyllerick pafiion.

A VENA, Oats, is dilUnguifhed from other corn by
their growing in loofe panicles. There are four forts, the
common or ivhile OatSy the black OaiSy the naked Oats,
and the re(l or brcuun Oats. The firft fort is moft com-
mon about Londoii, the feccnd in the northern parts, the
third in the north ai England y Scotland, and IV ales ^ and
is efleemed becaufe the grain threfties clean out of the
hufk, and need not be carried to the mill to make oat-
meal of. The red oats are cultivated in Derb^/hire,
Siafford/hire, and Che/hire^ and are a \t:y hardy fort.
Bread made v;ith oatmeal is not only common in Scot-
land, but in the northern parts of England, and in the
fouth it is in efleem for pottage, and other ufes. Thofe
that feed upon it are generally very healthy, which is
a fign that it yields good nourilhment. Oatmeal blurts
the acrimony of the humours, is cooling, and carries
ofF acrimonious falts by the urinary paftages. Flum-
mery, with milk, is ufed by many as a cooling diet in
hot weather J and water-gruel is every where known for
its incffenfive properties.

AURANTIA MALUS, the Orange-tree, is not very
tall, but has a thick, woody, branched root, which
fpreads very much, and is of a yellow colour on the in-
fide. The trunk is hard, whitilh within, and has an
agreeable fmell, and it is covered with a greenifh, fmooth,
white bark. The branches are numerous, flexible, and
of a beautiful green, with a few thorns thereon. The
leaves are fomewhat like broad leaved lawrel, and are
always green, thick, fmooth, broad, and ending at each
end in a point, with a foliated pedicle in the fhape of a
heart. When held up to the light there appears to be
a fort of holes in them like St. John'i wort. The flowers
grow in bunches, and are rofaceous, confiiling of five
white petals placed in a ring, with many flamina, which
have yellow apices, or heads ; at the bottom and center
of the cup there is an orbicular placenta, which fuftains
a roundifli piftil with a long tube, that turns into a

flobous fruit, covered with a rind, which is very well
nown. There are feveral kinds of oranges, as the

common

r. //^

OF VEGETABLES. 117

common Se'ville Orange, the fiveet Se'vilk Oranre^ the
China Orange, the curled lea-ved Orangey the Jiriped
curled halved O'afi^e, the horned Orange^ the common
Jiriped Orange, the Hermaphrodite Orange^ the njoillonv
leagued Orange, commonly called the Turky Orange^ the
Jiriped ^urky Orange, the Pumple Nojet or Shaddock Orange^
tht double Jlonjcered Orange^ iht common Divarf, or nut-
meg Orange, \\vt d^varf jiriped Orange, l\iQ dxvarf China
Orange, the childirg Orange^ the dijiorted Orange, the
large nvarted Orange, the Jiarry Orange, and the Orange
nvith a/iveet rind. Many forts of thefe oranges are cul-
tivated in England, though more for curiofity than the
fruit that they produce ; and of late years fome of them
have been planted againft walls, with frames of glafs to
cover them in the winter. Likewife fomc curious per-
fons' have planted them in the open ground, and have
had covers for them, which have been taken away in
the fummer ; by this means the fruit have r'pened fo
well as to be extremely good for eating. However in
hard winters it is very difncult to preferve them.

Orange peel is an excellent bitter, efpccially that of
Seville oranges, and ftrengthens the ilomach, helps di-
geftion, attenuates grofs humour?, difcuffjs wind, and
eafes cholic pains proceeding therefrom. It is an in-
gredient in tinfturcs, called ilomachic bitters, and is
now common in taverns, where they mix it with a glafs
of wine and drink it before dinner to create an appetite.
This perhaps might be proper fometimes when ufed
fparingly, but it is now turned into a great abufe.
The eflential oil diflilled from the rind is alfo proper
for the fame ufes, when two or three drops are taken
upon fugar, as well as the peel, when it is candied. The
pulp of fweet oranges is cooling, quenches thirft, and
excites the appetite ; but the juice of four oranges not
only ferves to make a cooling drink in hot weather, but
is of late found to be excellent againil the fcurvy. 6orae
pretend that a whole fweet orange eaten before the fit of
a tertian ague, will often prevent it.

AURICULA MURIS, Moufe-ear, is mentioned a-
mong officinal plants, and has feveral ftalks proceeding
from a fmgle root, which are of a fomewhat reddifli co-
lour.

ii8 THE NATURAL HISTORY

lour, with narrow oblong leaves, having an acute high
back, and of a blackifh colour. They are fharp point-
ed, grow clofe to the ftalks, and from the place where
they join the flowers proceed, which are like thofe of
brooklime, and turn to a fraall black feed. Jt is aftrin-
gent, and was formerly in fome efteem, but is now
quite out of ufe.

BAR DAN A, Burdock, has a thick fingle llrait root,
a foot in length, blackilh on the outfide, and white
within, and of a fweetifli fubauftere talle. The leaves
are large, being a foot long and upwards ; they are
fliarpifti at the points, hairy, and of a dark green co-
lour, but hairy underneath. The flowers confill of
many purple floretts, deeply cut into five fegments,
refting on the embryo, which is contained in a cup
made up of many fcales, that terminate in hooks and
bend inward. The embryo turns into an oblong, flat,
Hreaked, fiattifh feed, with fhort down or rather tufts of
hair. It is to be met with every where by the way
fides. The root is diuretic, fudorific, perioral, uterine,
vulnerary, and febrifuge. It has been of late greatly
recommended againft the venereal difeafe, as alfo in the
gout. One patient in particular was freed from the
gout by taking the deco<^ion of the root, and he made
great plenty of urine as white as milk. Jt is given to
a dram in powder, and to an ounce in decoftion. The
feeds of burdock are of a bitter fubacrid talle., and are
a powerful diuretic, when a dram of them is taken in
white wine, or any other proper vehicle.

BECCABUNGA, Brook limey has flbrous, white,
creeping roots, with upright llalks, that are round,
fpungy, reddilh, and branched. The leaves are round-
ifh, fmooih, thick, crenated, of a dark green colour,
and above an inch in length. The flowers proceed from
the places where they join to thejeaves, and are placed
on fpikes a palm, or a palm and a half, in length ;
they are monopetalou*, but divided into four fegments,
and are of a bright blue colour. There are three blue
apices, and a pillil that turns into a membranaceous
flat fruit, of the fhape of a heart, and a quarter of ao
inch long. It is divided into two cells, containing

many

OF VEGETABLES. "119

many fmall flat feeds. This herb has no remarkabls
tafte, and yet fome prefer it to other more acrid anti-
fcorbutics ; the dofe of the juice is four ounces ; but it
is bed mixed with rhe juice of oranges, and then it may
have a very good ( iTu'it in hot fcurvies.

-BELLA DO;>.NA, Deadly Night-Shade^ has a thick,
long, juicy, vvhitilh root, divided into feveral branches,
and the ftalks are two cubits high, and are round, as
thick as onc'j thumb, branched, hairy, and of a red-
difh black colour. The leaves are like thofe of garden
night-(hade, which are twice or thrice as large, and
are foft and fomewhat hairy. From the place where
the leaves join to the ftalks, the flowers proceed, which
are monopetalous, in the ftiape of a bell, divided into
live fegment?, ftreaked, a little hairy, and of a dark
purpliih black colour, with five ftamina, and as many
whitifli apices. From the calyx it is hairy, and divided
into five parts, the piftil proceeds, which is fixed into
the hinder part of the flower, like a nail, and turns into
a foft round fruit, like a grape, of a fliining black co-
lour, and full of a vinous juice. It is divided by a par-
tition in the middle into two cells, full of many minute
oval feeds. It grows in woods, near walls and hedges,
and in other uncultivated places. It has generally been
reckoned a deadly plant, though of late a great noife
has been made about it for the cure of feveral dangerous
difeafes ; which at length was found to proceed from
nothing but its cathartic quality, and therefore had been
very juftly laid afide. The fruit, or berries, have often
proved of dangerous confequence to children who have
eat them. They produce a delirium, laughter, various
gelliculations, and at laft madnefs.

BELLIS MAJOR, the greater, or Ox-eye Daifey,
has a fibrous creeping root, with ftalks two cubits high,
that are ered, of a pentagon fliape, villous, and branch-
ed, with flat leaves placed alternately, two inches long,
half an inch broad, and crenated. The flowers are
large, radiated, and their diflc confifts of many gold co-
loured floretts, divided into £ve fegments, with a ftyle
in the middle of each ; but the crown is compofed of
white femi-floreits, refting upon embryoes, and placed

ia

120 THE NATURAL HISTORY
in a hemifpherical fcaly blackifh cup. The embryoes at
length turn into (lender, cblong, ftreakcd, naked feeds.
The heads, after the petals are fallen oiF, refemble ob-
tufe combs.

BELLIS MINOR, the common Daifeyy has many
fniall roots, with a great number of leaves lying on the
ground, that are flat, hairy, long, and narrow towards
the root, fenfibly increafing to the end, where they are
roundifti, and they are flightly ferrated. It has no ftalk,
but there are many pedicles between the leaves, a palm
or upwards in length, which are {lender, round, hairy,
and on the top of each there is a flower, whofe difk is
compofed of many yellow fioretts, and the crown of
femi-floretts, of a white colour with a reddifli caft. The
embryoes are placed in a Angle cup divided into many
parts. The embryoes afterwards turn to fmall naked
feeds : It is every where common in meadow or paflnre
lands. Btfides thefe there are the fmali ftriped Daifey,
the red garden^ ^vith double fioivers, the nvhiie double
garden Daifey, the double Jiriped garden Dai/ey^ the hen
and chicken Daifeyy the ivhite cocJCs comb Daijey, and the
red cock's-ccntb Daifey. The garden daifeys are propa-
gated by parting the roots in autumn, and they fliould
be planted in gardens of Ilrong earth, which are expofed
to the eaft, for the great heats of fummer will fometimes
kill them. The leaves of the ox-eye daifey gathered
before the flowers appear, yield a decoftion of an acrid
tafle, not much unlike pepper. It is commended in
purulent fpitting. The lefler daifey has been generally
accounted good for internal wounds, and for difiblving
and difcufling grumous blood ; a cook that fell into a
dangerous ailhma from drinking cold water while he
was hot, infomuch that he was almoll: fuffbcated, was
cured with the juice of the tender leaves of the flowers,
newly expreflTed, and taken in wine, which procured
fuch a fwcat that he was well the next day. The dofe
of the juice is from an ounce and a half to four ounces.
All authors agree that both the kinds are vulnerary and
diuretic; and fome think the latter is excellent againfl
the fcurvy,

BERBERIS,

OF VEGETABLES. 121

BERBERIS, the Barberry tree, is a tall fhrub, hav- '
ing fibrous, yelbvvifh, creeping roots \ aad the branches
are befec with fharp thorns. The leaves are fmall, ob-
long, narrow at the bcttom, but broader towards the
top ; they are crenated on the edges, and befet with
Ibort thorns. They are fmooth, green, and have an
acrid tafte. The flowers confift of fix leaves, that ex-
pand in the form of a rofe, confifting of fix petals of a
yellow colour, with as many ftamina, and a greenifh
piilii, turning into a cylindrick red foft fruit, one third
of an inch in length, and full of an acrid juice, con-
taining one or two oblong kernels. The fruit grows in
clufters, hanging down, and the bark of the tree is
whitifti. The beft method of planting them is to place
them eight or ten feet afunder, keeping their middles
thin and free from dead wood. The branches fhould
feldom be fhortened, but when it is done it mull be at
Michaelmas, when the leaves begin to decay. The fruit
is cooling and atlringent, and proper to ftrengthen the
ilomach and inteftines, as well as to excite the appetite.
The dofe of the exprcHied fruit is an ounce, though they
are eaten commonly when ripe. The juice, or decoc-
tion, abates the inflammation of the fauces and tonfils,
and heals loofe rotten gums. Dyers make ufe of the
bark for the colouring yellow. Frofper Aipinus in-
forms us that he fteeped the fruit for a day and a night
in about twelve times the quantity in water, fweetning
the {trained liquor with fugar, by which he cured him-
felf of a peltilential fever, attended with a great loofe-
nefs, by ufmg it for common drink.

BERULA ft^e SIUM, Wat€r Par/nip, has genicu-
lated, creeping, white, fibrous roots, from whence pro-
ceed ftalks, which are above a cubit in height, which
are hollow, round, ftrait, branched, and have many
leaves that are fet thereon by pair?, with a fingle leaf
at the end ; they are fat, fmooth, and cut all round the
edges like a faw. The flowers are difpofed in umbels,
and placed at the end of the ftalk, they arc rofaceous,
and confift of five white petals placed in a ring. The
flower-cup turns to a roundifti fruit, containing two
fmall fl:reaked and gibbous feeds. It delights in and
Vol. VI. G near

122 THE NATURAL HISTORY
near rivulets and ditches. It is accounted an anti-
Icorbutic and aperient, and to open obllrudions. Three
ounces of the juice is a dole ; however it is feldom
ufed in phyfic, but in fome countries is €aien as a
fallad.

BETA, nvhUe and red BeetSy the njchite Beet has a
round, woody, long, white root, about as thick as one's
little finger, with large, broad, fmooth, thick, fuccu-
lent leaves, fometimes of a pale, and fometimes of a
deeper greeii, with a thick broad rib. The ftalks aie
flender, ftreaked, branched, and two cubits high. 1 he
flowers proceed from the hollow between the italk and
the pedicle of the leaf, of which there is a long row j
and they have no vifible leaves, but confift of many
flamina, or threads, which are coUeded into a globe ;
the cup of the flower is divided into five fegments,
which turns into a globous fruit, containing two or three
fmall oblong feeds of a reddifli colour.

Red Beet has a white root, and Ihorter leaves than
the former, more or lefs red, and fometimes of a blackifti
red. This is diflinguifhed from the former by the num-
ber of the leaves.

The turnip rooted red Beet, has a higher flalk than
the common red beet, and the root is two or three
inches thick, bellying out ; on the outfide it is of a
deep blood colour. All thefe beets are cultivated in
gardens for the ufe of the kitchen ; but they were in
greater efteem formerly than they are at prefenl. How-
ever the red beet is flill ufed to gainifti diflies. 'Wity
are all propagated by fowing the feeds in March, in a.
deep loofe foil, and they muft be hoed out after they
are come up, fo as to leave them ten or twelve inches
afunder, becaufe they fprcad very much. The root of
the white beet is flill valued by the French^ but yields
little nourifliment, and it is offenfive to the llomach of
fome.

BETONICA, Betony, has a thick, tranfverfe, fibrous,
hairy root, from whence proceed quadrangular knotty
ilalks, growing to the height of a cubit. Some of the
leaves proceed from the knots by pairs, placed over
^leainll each other, and others lye on the ground ; they

are

OF VEGETABLES. 12;

are oblong, villous, wrinkled, and of a darkifh green
colour ; and are crenated on the edges. The flowers
grow in fpikes, and are monopetalous, labiated, and of
a purplifh colour ; the upper lip is fulcated, and as it
were reclines backwards ; but the lower cenlifls of three
lobes, with ftamina of the fame colour as the former.
The flower-cup is cut into five fegments, from whence
proceeds a pillil fixed in the hinder pa'rt of the flower,
like a nail, with four embryoes, that change to as many
roundilh feeds, contained in a capfula, that was the cup
of the flower. It is common in woods and fliady places
throughout England. Betony is difcutient and aperient,
and has been always accounted an excellent medicine for
the head, and the leaves reduced to powder promote
fneezing ; for which reafon, and for its being a cepha-
lick, it is always an ingredient in the herb fnufFs. Me-
dical writers in general have been very lavifli in praife
of this herb, and have F.flirmed it will cure melancholy,
the epilepfy, fpitting of blood, ulcers of the lung", the
quartan ague, the dropfy, llone, and many other dif-
eafes ; but we do not find at prefent that it anfwers ex-
pc(flation 1 however outwardly it is a good vulnerary,
and will faflen loofe teeth.

BE TULA, the Birch-tree , is tall and has many (len-
der flexible branches, which generally hang downwards.
The outer bark of the trunk is thick, rough, whirifh,
and full of clefts ; that which lies next is Imooth, and
as tranfparent as parchment. 'I he wood is white, and
the boughs are fo tough and flexible that they are mych
ufed for making hoops for caflcs ; and their twigs are
commonly employed for making brooms and rods. The
leaves are like thofe of black poplar, and the catkins are
an inch and a half long, and one £xth of an inch thick,
confiding of many reddifli leaves difpofed like fcales.
The fruit are placed diftinftly on the fame boughs ;
they at firft appear like worm% half an inch long, and
one twelfth of an inch thick ; they confift ofgreenifli
fcales, under each of which are the embryoes of the
feeds, which when ripe are winged. When the fruit is
ripe it appears like a fcaly cone, rounded at the extre-
mities, which is always in the autumn, though fome of
G 2 theni

124 THE NATURAL HISTORY
them may be feen on the trees during the winter. It is
remarkable that this tree cairs its outward bark every
year. It is propagated by fuckers taken from the roots
of the old trees, which is beft done in October ; it delights
in a poor foil, as well as in gravelly places, marfhes or
bogs. The leaves are faid to be aperient, refolvent, and
ablturgent ; and Simon Fault informs us that a bath
made with the tender fprigs, together with the fap,
cured a woman of a moft deplorable itch ; however it is
now taken no notice of in medicine. It is well known
that in many parts of England they draw off the fap of
the tree for making birch wine, which fome account
good againft the gravel, and to prevent its genera-
tion.

BISTORTA, Bijlorty or Snake-nveed, has a thick,
oblong, geniculated root, in (hape like a finger when it
is clofe bent, and has many hairy fibres. It is of a
blackifti brown without, and of a reddifh colour within.
The leaves are cblong, broad, and acuminated J ike
thofe of the dock, but lefs j they are full of veins, and
of a blackilh green colour above, but bluifli below ; the
italks are about a foot in height, and are flender,
fmooth, round, geniculated, and befet with a few fmaller
leaves ; for the largeft grow at the bottom. The flow-
ers grow like a fpike at the end of the flalk, and are
without petals; for they confift of many ftamina, with
fielh coloured apices or heads. The cup is divided into
five fegments, and the pillil turns to a triangular reddifh
black fhining feed, contained in a capfula, that was the
cup of the flower. The root is only in ufe. It is faid
to be balfamic, vulnerary, and aftringent, and is ufed
in all cafes where allringency is proper, particularly in
haemorrhages, fpitting of blood, and overflowing of the
menfeF. But as for its being an alexipharmac, and
good in the plague, as feme authors affirm, may be
greatly doubted. The decoction of half an ounce to
an ounce of the frefh root is a dofe, or rather may be
taken at feveral times, and the powder may be given
from half a dram to a dram, made into a bolus with
conferve of rofes.

BOLE-

OF VEGETABLES. 125

BOLETUS ESCULENTIUS VULGARIS, the

Chavipignoft, is a plant whofe flowers and feed are hither-
to unknown ; it is of the fize of a walnut, or bigger,,
and has a flelhy fubftance. It is pitted all round, not
much unlike a honey comb, and is of a whitifh red, or
brown. It is hollow on the inner part, and feems to be
fprinkled with a fort of mealinefs, though it is fmooth.
It differs from the common mufhroom not only in the
fize, but by thefe cavities, as well as by the under
fide. The pedicle is entirely white, hollow, and fur-
niflied at the end with flender thready roots. The cham-
pignon, as well frelh as dried, has a fweetilh tafte, and
is prepared in various manners for the table. Geoffroy
affirms it excites the appetite, increafes the motion of
the blood, and rellores the ftrength, though it yields but
little nourifliment. They are in great efteem among,
the Trenchy though fome think all fungus's are bad.

BONUS HEN RICUS, the Englifo herb Mercury, has
a thick yellowifh root, furniihed with a few fibres, from-
whence proceed concave ftalks, to the height of a cubit,
which are a' little hairy ; the leaves are triangular,
fmooth above, but below fprinkled with a fort of meal,
and they have long pedicles placed on the ftalks al-
ternately. The flowers, that grow in feveral bunches
on the top of the ftalks, are fmall and without petals,
but they have feveral yellow ftamina proceeding from
the fiower-cup, which is divided into many fcgments.
The pillil turns into a fmall feed, in the fhape of a
kidney, which is black when ripe. It grows in uncul-
tivated places by the way fide, and among the ruins
of old walls and buildings. It is often ufed for food
in many parts of England^ and is reckoned as good as
fpinage. It is emollient, and has been fometimes ufed
as a cataplafm to appeafe the pains of the gout, and
that without any danger.

BORR AGO, Biirrage, has a white, thick, fibrous root,
and broad, rouudiih, rough,wrinkled,bIackifti green leaves, -
that lye on the ground ; but thofe that are higher are
furniihed with exceeding fmall prickles. The ftalk h
hairy, round, hollow, branched, and grows to the height
of a cubit. The flowers, that grow on the top of the
G 3 branches.

126 THE NATURAL HISTORY
branches, are of a fine blue colour, placed on pedicles,
an inch in Itngth, that are crooked and bend down-
wards. The flowers have only a fingle petal, which is
deeply divided into five fegment?, (harp at the ends,
and placed like a flar ; the apices in the middle of the
flower are fharp poirteJ, and adhere together in the
Ihape of a pyramid. The flower-cup is green, hairy,
and divided into five acuminated fcgmentf, from which
a piflil arifes, fixed in the hinder part of the flower,
like a nail ; and there are four embryoes, that turn into
as many feeds in the fliape of a viper's head. It is com-
mon in all parts of E?igland, and is often found in dung-
hills and on publi(.*k roads The feeds of this plant may
be fown in the fpring or autumn, foon after they are
ripe; it will grow almoft in any foil, but that which is
dry is belt. It is often ufed in the fummer time with
balm for making cool tankards, and the flowers are faid
to be cordial, and to have many other veitues as well as
the herb, that are now difallowed.

BOTRYS, JeruJaUm Oak, has a fmall white root,
with a few fibres that defcend direftly downwards ; and
the fialk, which is round, ilifF, ere£l, hairy, and fur-
rifhed with many leaves, alternately placed, is near a
foot high. It has leaves like an oak, from whence it
has its name. There are a great number of floretts
placed on the tops of the branches in long rows, that
feem to be clammy to the touch ; and they are without
petals, for they confill of flamina arifing from a cup,
that is divided into five fegments. The feeds are like
thofe of muflard, but lefs, and are inclofed in a cap-
fula, that was the cup of the flower. The whole
plant has a llrong, but not difagreeable fmell, and the
tafie is fubacrid, aromatic, and rtflnous. It may be
propagated by fowirg the feeds in an open border of
good earth in the fpring. It has been faid to be good
againil cholics that proceed from wind ; but \% now out
of ufe.

BRASSICiE, Cahhagesi are of feveral forts, as the
common nvhite Cabbage, the RuJ/ian Cabbage^ the red
Cabbage, the fat fided Cabbage, the fugar loafed Cab-
bage, the early Battirfea Cabbage, the fvjhite Sanjoy

Cab'

OF VEGETABLES. 127

Cabbage, the green Sa'vcy Cahbage, the green Broceoliy
the Italian Broccoli ^ the turnip Cabbage y curled Cole-
nvorty the tnujk Cabbage, the branching tree Cabbage
from the fea coaft, hvvon Broccoli, common Cole^wort, the
Cauiijlorieri the Boor cole, Alpine Colenvort, per foliated
nvild Cabbage^ 'whi:e Cabbage <with a nxihite flonver, and
the pet foliated nvild Cabbage nxnth a purple fionver .

BR ASS iC A CAP I TATA ALBA, the common tvhite
Cabbage, is very well known, and bears, like all the
reit, flowers that confill of four leaves, or petals, in the
form of a crofs, which are of a yellow, or pale yellow
colour, placed in a cup divided into four fegmenrs, from
which arifes a piftil that turns into a round, long, {len-
der fruit, or pod, divided by a partition in the middle,
and confiding of two cells, full of roundifh blackifh
feeds .

BRASSTCA CAPITATA RUBRA, the red Cab-
bage, h-'.s leaves like the common cabbage, but the co-
lour is various, for fometimes they are of a blackifh pur-
ple, fometimes of a greenifli blxk, and at other times
more greenifh ; but they have all red ribs and nerves.

BRASSICA RUBRA VULGARIS, \\^t common red
Cabbage, is taller than the former, and has a ftalk that
grows fometimes tri the height of two yards, which is
thick, of a blackifli purple colour, and warty on the
lower part. The leaves are irregularly placed, and are
all of a greenifh red, with fome Ihades of blue, and
wrinkled, with thick veins. The flowers that grow on
the top of the ftalks are yellow, and change into pods a
palm in length, that contain red round feeds. The
leaves are not coUefted into heads as the former, but
continue expanded and open. It ftands the winter very
well, and in fome fenfe grows as high as a tree, con-
tinuing feveral years. The ends of the branches in the
fpring are eaten as a fallad.

BRASSICA ALBA CRISPA, the nxhite Sa'voy Cab-
bage, has round extremely wrinkled leaves, which feem
to be divided into cells, and have fhort pedicles. They
are collected into a fmall whitifh head ; but their ex-
tremities are of a dark green. The flowers and feeds
are like the former.

G 4 BRA.

128 THE NATURAL HISTORY

BRASSICA CAULI-FLORA, the CauhfionK-er, has
large leaves, half a yard in length snd upwards, which
are fharper than thole of the corrimon cabbage, but not
fo broad ; they are or" a light green with a .bluifh cad,
and the nerves on the cutfides are whitifh. The Itaves
are collected into a head, but not fo dole as a cabbage,
between which there is a heap of thick whitifh loft
flowers, that are generally in great efteem. When they
are not gathered for the kitchen, they arife to a confide-
rable height in time, and turn from flowers to pods like
the former. Thefe are all the forts mentioned by me-
dicinal writers, for the reft are only for the kitchen.

^he common <wbife, red, and long Jided Cabbages , are
chiefly cultivated for winter ufe, and the feeds mufl be
fown at the end of March in beds of good frefh earth ; and
towards the end of April, when the young plants have
about eight leaves, they fhould be pricked out into
Ihady borders, about three inches fquare, to prevent
their being long fhanked. They ftiould be transplanted
in the latter end of May to the place where they are to
grow, and fhould be itl in rows, two feet and a half
diftant. If the feafon fhould prove dry when they are
tranfplanted, they muft be watered every other evening,
till they have taken frefti root. As they advance in
height, the earth mufl: be drawn about the flems with a
hoe, which will greatly flrengthen the plants. Some
of thefe cabbages will be fit for ufe not long after
Michaelmas, and the reft will continue till the beginning
of March J if not deftroyed by bad weather ; to prevent
which the gardeners near London pull up their cabbages
in No'vember, and trench their ground up in ridges, lay-
ing their cabbages againft the ridges as clofe as pofTible
on one fide, and bary their ftems in the ground. They
are fuffered to remain in this manner till after Chrifimas,
when they cut them for the market.

The RuJJian Cabbage, is not fo much in efteem as
formerly, it being now only to be found in gentlemens
gardens. It mult be fown in the fpring of the year, and
managed as the former ; only they muft be fooner plant-
ed out for good in an open clear fpot of ground, and
much clofer together ; for it is fmall and hardy. They

will

OF VEGETABLES, 125

win be fit for ufe in yufy and Augufty after which they
will run up to feed.

The Batterfea, and fugar loaf Cabbages^ are for fum-
mer ufe, and are ufually named Michaelmas cabbages.
The feeds are to be fown in the beginning oi Augujiy in
an open fpot of ground, and when they have eight
leaves they mufl: be pricked into beds at three inches
didant every way. Towards the end of Osiober they
muft be planted out for good, two feet and a half diftant
from each other, and the rows muft be three feet afun-
der. In the fpring the earth muft be drawn up about
the ftem with a hoe, and in May their leaves will begin
to cabbage, to promote which they may be tied together,
with a flender clier twig. .

The Savoy Cabbages ^ are progagated for winter ufe,
for a froft is thought to make them better. They muft
he fown about the middle of ^/>r//, and cultivated in the
fame manner as common white cabbage, but fomewhat
liearer to each other.

The BRASSICA FIMBRIATA, that is, the Boor^
role, may be treated in the fame manner, but need not
he planted above a foot fquare. Thefe are never eaten
till the froft has rendered them tender ; for otherwife
they are tough and bitter. The feeds of the feveral
kinds of broccoli ftiould be fown the latter end of May or
beginning of June, and when the plants have eight,
leaves they fhould be tranfplanted intc beds as the com-
mon cabbage, and at the end o^ July they will be fit to
plant out for good, which Ihould be in a ftieltered fpot
of ground, but not under trees, and about a foot and a
half diftant each way. Towards the middle oi Decem-
ber they will begin to (how their fmall heads, which are
ibmewhat like a cauliflower, but of a purple colour j
and they will continue to be fit to eat till the beginning
ofJpri/. The brown fort fhould be fown in April, and
he managed like the common cabbage ; it will grow
tall, but has not fo perfedl a head as the Roman broccoli.
The Naples broccoli has a white head like a caulifiow-
er, and eats like it.

The Turnip Cabbage, is not fo much cultivated as for-
merly, though forae yet efteem them for foups. The
G 5, fcech

130 THE NATURAL HISTORY

feeds muft be fown on a bed of light frelh earth, and
when the plants are abcut an inch high, they fhould
be removed to a fhady border, and fet at about two
inches diftant every way, watering them till they have
taken root. Near the middle of June they Ihould be
tranfplanted out where they are to remain, and fet at
two feet diflance every way, watering them till they
have taken root ; the earth fhcuid be drawn about them
with a hoe to prevent them from drying, and in the
winter they will be fit for ufe.

The feeds of the curled colewort may be fown in the
middle of y«y^, and when they are llrong enough for
tranfplanting, they fhould be fet in rows, nine inches
afunder, and at five inches dillance in the rows, in a
moifl feafcn. They \\ill be fit for ufe after Chrijlmas,
and continue good till Jpril.

T^he Mujk Cabbage and ccmmon Ccletisort are almoft
loft near Loncion, Saa/oy plants being ufed in their room.
The branching fea cabbage is found wild near the fea
coaft, where it is eaten by the poor people. All forts
of cabbages being cultivated for the kitchen, it is no
wonder there fhcuid not be many medical vertues afcribed
thereto; and even thefe authors are not agreed about,
and therefore may be pafTvd over in filence.

BRUNELLA /'ve PRUNELLA, Se//hra/, has a
tranfverfe fibrous and fmall root, with quadrargular
hairy branched hairy flalks, about a palm in height, with
roundifh dark green finuated leaves, Handing on long
pedicles. The flowers grow in fpikes, uith thick heads,
and have a fingle purple labiated petal, whofe upper lip
is galeated, and the lower divided into three lobes.
The calyx or cup of the flower has two lips, the upper-
fnofl of which is ere£t and divided into three parts ; but
the lower is armed with two fmall prickles. Jt may be
propagated by fowing the feeds in tlje fpiing of the year
on a bed of common earth ; and when they are come
up they may be planted in borders in any fhady part of
the garden. It is accounted a vulnerary allringent plant,
and is faid to be good in wounds of the lungs, and in
{pitting and pifhng of blocd. It is ufcd in dfco^j'ons

and

OF VEGETABLES. iji

atrd broths, and the juice may be given from two ta
four ounces.

BRYUNfA ALBA, ^vhite Bryony, or nvild Vine, has
a root fometimes as thick as a man's thigh, and is flelhy,
and divided into large branches; when it is dried it is
fpongv, and marked with circles and rays. The tafte
is acrid, bitterifh, and difagreeaWe, and the fmell while
fre(h is very rtrong. The ftalks are long, flender,
ftreaked, a little hairy, and climbing with tendrels like
a vine. The leaves are angular, fet alternately on the
rtalks, and are (haped pretty much like thofe of a vine,
only they are lefs and a little rough. The flowers pro-
ceed from the hollows where the leaves join to the ftalk,
and confift of a fingle petal which is open in the fnape
of a bell, and divided into five parts, of a whitifh green
colour, marked with vein?. Some of thefe flowers are
large, and without embryoes ; others are lefs, and con-
tain one embryo, which turns into a fpherical berry of
the fize of a pea ; it is at firft green, then red and full
of a naufeous juice, as well as round feeds, covered with
flime. It may be cultivated in gardens by fowing the
berries in the fpring of the year in a dry poor foil, where
they will in two years time grow to be large roots. It
grows wild under hedges, and climbs upon the buflies.
The juice of the root is fo fharp it eats into the fkin ;
however when they are dry they Joofe a great part of
their acrimony ; it is a ftrong cathartic, and we have
fome notable inftances of its killing and bringing away
worms ; it has been ufed in madnefs, and fome kinds
of dropfies with fuccefs, as well as in a moiil afthmai
The dried root, reduced to powder, is given from a
fcruple to a dram ; but the extraft made by water is
much the beft and fafeft, becaufe it works in a milder
manner, and the dofe i« from half a dram to a dram*
Externally it is a powerful refolvent, and has been re-
commended agaioft pains in the fide, the hyp gout, and
fcrophulous tumours. The frefh root being bruifed and
laid to the fmall of the back, h^s prome>ted urine and
cured the dropiy ; likewife when it has been grafped in
the hand when frefli for fome time, it has been known
to purge. For the hyp gout it fhould be bruifed, mixed
G 6 with

132 THE NATURAL HISTORY
with linfeed oil, and laid warm to the part. Zacutus
not only affirms, but fvvears, that this ointment will
cure fcrophulous tumours even after they are broke.

BRYONIA NIGRA VULGARIS SEU RACE-
MOSA, black Bryonyy has a large, thick, Jong, tube-
rofe root, black on the outfide, but white within, and
full of a thick fizy juice, with no difagreeable tafte.
The llalks are like thofe of the vine, but without ten-
drils ; however they are flender, long, climbing, woody,
and of a dark reddifh colour, with foft, green, ihining
leaves, placed alternately thereon, like thofe of the great
bind- weed. The flowers proceed from the hollows be-
tween the leaves and the ftalks, and grow in bunches ;
they confill of a fingle petal in the fhape of a bell, and
are divided into fix fegments of a yellowifh green co-
lour, fome of which are barren, and others fruitful ; thefe
laft fort have an embryo which turns to an oval red
berry, or of a brownifh red, full of rcurdifh feeds. Au-
thors are not agreed with regard to the qualities of the
root of this plant, fome affirming it to be purging, and
others the contrary. Its common ufe is as a refolvent,
for it will take off the black and blue marks of the fkin
arifing from bruilts, when it is bruifed and laid thereto
in the form of a cataplafm.

BUGLOSSUM, garden Buglofs^ has a long round
root, about as thick as one's linger, which is reddifh or
black ifh without, but white within, and abounding with
a clammy juice. The ilalks rife to above a cubit in
height, which are round and befet with iliff hairs. The
upper part is branched, and has leaves let thereon with-
out pedicles ; they are inirrow, oblong, of a bluifh green
colour, and terminate in a ffiarp point, but are not
wrinkled like burrage. They are hairy on both fides,
and their edges are even. The ilowers grow at the top
of the ftalks and branches, and are in the fhjpe of a
funnel, confifting only of a fmgle petal. The flower-
cup is compofed of five oblong, narrow, fliarp, hairy
fegments, and the flower confilts of the fame number,
and is of a bluifh purple colour. 'J he piiiil is oblong,
and fixed in the hinder part of the fiower like a rail ;
fchere are four embryces which turn to as many feeds in

(he

OF VEGETABLES. 13^

the fhape of vipers heads. The tops of the ftalks and
the cups of the flowers are purple. It is cultivated in
gardens. The flowers are in the number of thofe that
are faid to be cordial, and are proper to reft rain the
heat of the blood, as well as to promote its circulation
according to fome. The flowers may be ufed in the
fame manner as tea.

BUGULA, Bugle t or middle Confound, has a flender,
fibrous, white root, with roundifh, foft, fmuated leaves,
of a dark greenifh colour, and two inches in length.
It grows in ftony places ; the lower part is generally
purplifti, and the tafte at firft is fweetifh, but afterwards
bitterifh and aftringent. Some of the fialks are flender,
round ifii, and creep on the ground, while others rife to
the height of a palm, and are quadrangular, with hair
on two of the oppofite fides. The flowers are placed in
whirls round the ftalks, and confill of a Angle petal,
one of whofe lips is divided into three parts, the middle-
moft of which is fplit in two. The place of the under
lip is fupplied by fmall teeth, with a piftil and blue
apices like the flower. The flower- cup is fhort, hairy,
and divided into five fegments, from whence the piftil
rifes, and is fixed in the hinder part of the flower like a
nail. It is attended with four embryoes, that turn to
as many roundifh feeds ihut up in a hufk, which before
was the flower cup. It delights in meadows and Ihady
places. It is a vulnerary herb, and is good in all cafes
where mild aftringents are proper. It is faid to be good
in all forts of hasmorrhages, the bloody flux, and the
whites in women ; but this is doubtful.

BURSA PASTORIS, Skeppard's-Pouch, has a white,.
flrait, fibrous, flender root, with a flalk that rifes to a
cubit in height. The lower leaves are fometimes whole,
but more generally .jagged like dandelion ; but thofe-
that grow on the flalks are much lefs broad at the bafe,
with even edges, and terminate in a point. The flow-
ers are placed in rows on the tops of the branches, and
are fmall and in the form of a crofs ; they confill of four
roundifti petals with fmall ftamira, bearing yellow apicss
or heads. The flower- cup confifts of four leaves, and
the piftil turns into a flat fruit in the fhape of a heart,

or

134 THE NATURAR HISTORY
or as fome fancy Jike a purfe, and is a quarter of an
inch long ; it is divided into two cells, in which are
contained exceeding fmall (eeds. It is faid to be a vul-
nerary, aftringent, cooling herb, and is given in all
haemorrhages and fluxes j but fome think it is fo binding
as not to be fafe. However Boerhaa^ue takes it to be of
a hot fiery nature, and that it flops haemorrhages and
fluxes by coagulating the juices, which is much to be
wondered at, becaufe it difcovers nothing like it in the
taile. The dofe in infufion is a handful, and of the
juice four ounces ; but the powder of the dried leaves,
is a dram. Externally it is good againft hasmorrhages,
and when bruifed and put up the nollrils, will llop
bleeding of the nofe.

BUXUS, the Box-tree, is a (hrub which feldom grows
to any confiderable fize in England, though it has Tome-
times been feen as thick as a man's thigh. The largeft
were found in great plenty upon Box-hill, near Dat king
in Sut-ry J but of late they have been pretty much de-
ftroyed ; however there are many ftill remaining, of a
confiderable bignefs. Some have thought that the box
wood made ufe of by mathematical inltrument makers
and others, was the produft of England ; but this is a
miftake, for it is brought from the Lenjant in large
blocks. This flirub is an evergreen, and very bufliy,
having long, oblong, fmall, hard, thick, fliining leaves^
of a difagrteable bitterifli Imell and tafte. The flowers
are of two forts, the barren and the fruitful, the firft are
without petals, and confift of many llamina generally
proceeding from the bottom of a foliated fquare flower-
cup, of a yellowifli colour ; the fruitful, or rather the
fruit, is fliaped like a pottage- pot turned upfide down,
and is divided into three cells of a green colour, con-
taining two feeds, each of which when ripe are thrown
out by the elaflicity of the veflels ; thefe feeds are brown,
long, and fliining. Thefe fhrubs are a very great orna-
n,eor to cold and barren foils, where few other things
will grow. They may be propagated by planting the
cuttirgs in a fhady border, obferving to keep them
watered till they have taken root. J he beft feafon for
tranlplantiiig thefe into nurferies is in O^ober \ or the

feeds

OF VEGETABLES. 135

feeds may be fown foon after they are ripe in a Ihady
border, which mud be duly watered in dry weather ;
and from thefe you may expeft the largeft trees.

There are feveral forts of Box- trees, as the common
Box- tree ^ the -narronu leanjed Box-tree , the jiriped Box-
tree ^ the gold edged Box-jree^ thtjiher headed Box-tree,
the divarf BoXy and the dn.Karffiriped Box, The dwarf
kind is ufed for bordering flower-beds, for which pur-
pofe it is excellent, for it will bear all weathers and is
eafiiy kept handfome. This is eafily propagated by
parting the roots, which is much better than planting
the flips. It is feldom ufed in medicine, though fome
pretend it has the fame vertues as Guaicum in curing the
French difeafe. The oil dillilled from the wood is a
great narcotick, and is fometimes ufed to cure the tooth-
ach, by putting a drop into a hollow rotten tooth.

CALAMINTHA, common Calamint, has a fibrous
root, with flalks growing to the height of a palm and
upwards, which are quadrangular, branched, and have
leaves growing by pairs oppofite to each other. They
are from half an inch to an inch in length, and are
roundifli, obtufely acuminated, a little ferrated and hairy,
with an acrid talle, and a difagreeable fmell. From
the middle to the top, the flowers grow where the pedi-
cle of the leaves join to the ftalk in bunches ; they are
Jong and tubulous, and open at the top with two lips.
The uppermoft of which, or creft, is roundiih, and di-
vided irto two fegments ; but the lowermoit, or beard,
is divided into three. They are of a purplifli colour,
and placed in a hiiry ftreaked calyx, from whence rifes
a piftil fixed in the hinder part of the flower like a nail,
and as it were attended with four embryoes, which tiwn
into as many light blackifh feeds, whofe calyx was the
capfuh of the flower.

CALAMINTHA PULEGII ODOK^, broad ieanjed
Calaminty nvith the fmell of Penny Royal^ is not unlike the
former, only the leaves and flowers are lefs, and the
fmell and tafte are like thofe of penny royal, by which
it may be diftinguiihed from it.

CALAMINTHA M AGNO FLORE, Caiamint nvith
iarge flowers, grows naturally among the Jlps and Pyre-
nees i

r^S THE NATURAL HISTORY

^es i and is lefs than the firft with regard to the flalks,
but the leaves and flowers are much larger, and fmell
fweeter.

CALAMINTHA ARVENSIS, fe/J Calamint, h
like the common for fhape and fmell, but differs from it
in the ftiape of the flowers, which are like thofe of
mint, and they are fo cut that they at firll fight feem to-
be divided into four parts. They all may be propaga-
ted by fowing the feeds in the fprirg, or parting the
roots, for they will grow in any foil or fituation. Be-
fjdes thofe already mentioned, there are the hoary Calo'
mint nvtth halves like bafiU i^'tjhrubby Sfani/h Calamint, .
<iK!i!h a marum leof^ the candy Calamint^ <i/;ith a narronjo
oblong leaf.

Calamint powerfully incides grofs humours, excites
the appetite, and difcufles wind. It is taken in the
manner of tea. It is generally accounted a good
hyfteric,

CALCITRAPA f.<ve CARDUUS STELLATUS,.
Star-thijUe^ has white, long, foft, juicy roots, about as-
thick as one's finger, and ftalks that rife to the height of;
a cubit and a half; thefe are angular, branched, and.
befet with villous leaves, deeply divided like thofe of
corn poppy. The flowers grow in heads at the end of
the branches, and are compofed of purplifh fioretts,
placed upon an embryo in a fcaly prickly cup, whofe.
fcales are from an irxh to an inch and a half in length,
which are befet with fuch llrong thorns that are fo
placed that they refemble a ftar ; the embryoes turn
into flippery, fmall, cblong, downy feeds. The leaves
are exceeding bitter, but ihe root has a fweetifli talle.
It is faid to be diuretic, vulnerary, and febrifuge ; but it
is now out of ufe.

CALENDULA, garden MarygoU; it is otherwife
called Caltha VulgariSy and has a root divided into many,
thick fibres or branches; but the flalks are flender, a
little angular, hairy, and clammy to the touch. It is
divided into many branches, and the leaves are narrower
at the bafe than the top ; they are fat, hairy, and of a
light green colour. The flowers grow on the top of
the branches, and are of a gold colour and radiated ;

ihs

OF VEGETABLES. 137

the dilk confirts of many tubulous floretts, divided into
five parts ; and the crown is compofed of crenated femi-
jfioretts, placed upon embryoes in a hairy flower- cup, ^
divided into many parts. The embryoes turn into crook-
ed marginated capfulc-e full of oblong feeds. It is culti-
vated in gardens, and if the feeds are permitted to fcatter
they will multiply greatly, and become as troublefome
as weeds. The flowers are faid to be aperient and di(-
folvent, and proper to open obftrudlions of the liver,
fpleen, and womb ; but they are not very efficacious for
thefe purpofes j however infufed in wine they will
open a flight obftrudion of the liver, and cure a fup-
preffion of the menfes.

CAMFHORAT A, J?i»Jiing ground Pink, has a long
woody root, about the thicknefs of a man's thumb, with
many woody, thickifh, branched, hairy, whitilh ftalks,
with fniall knots placed alternately, from whence pro-
ceed a great many leaves, not a third of an inch iii
length, which are thin, hairy, pretty thick, have an
aromatic fmell, and when rubbed between the fingers
fmell pretty much like camphire. The flowers are
without petals, for they confift of four ftamina, with rofe
coloured apices, or heads, proceeding from a cup which
is only a fingle herbaceous leaf, divided into three, and
fometimes into five, fegments ; from whence arifes a
pillil, that turns into a fmall, oblong, black, roundifli
feed, contained in a capfula which was the calyx of the
flower. It promotes urine, fweat, and the menfes ; and
is good in recent obftruftions of the vifcera, as well as
in the moift dropfy. It is in great ufe at MontpeWer in
France^ againil the dropfy j but it is not equally good
in ail, but only when there is no thirftor heat attending
it. It may be drank as tea, but is very heating, and
therefore muft be ufed cautioufly.

CANNABIS SATIVA, manured Hempy has a fmgle,
white, woody, fibrous root, with a fquare hairy flalk,
rough to the touch, and hollow within ; it grows two
yards high, and has a rind that may be divided into
threads. The leaves confift of five fegments or upwards,
which are narrow and divided to the very pedicle ; they
are eblong, acuminated, ferrated, veinous, rough, of

a black?

J38 THE NATURAL HISTORY

a blackifh green colour, and of a ftrong fmell. The
lowers and fruit do not grow upon the fame plant ; and
the former proceed from the places where the leaves join
to the flalk, and have no vifible petals ; they confift of
five (lamina with yellow apices or heads, placed in a cup
compofed of five leaves, purplifh without, and whitifh
within. The fruit on other Ilalks are without flowers ;
but they have piib'ls cont<iined in a membranaceous cip-
fula of a yellowifh green colour, which turn into a
roundifh fmooth feed, covered with a thin ihining fhell.
The plants of both kinds proceed from the fame feeds,
which are fown in almoft all parts of the world. The
ufe of hemp is every where well known, it being made
into ropes, thread, linnen, and paper.

Hemp is always fown in a deep, moift, rich foil, fuch
as is found in Holland^ in Lincolrjhire, and the fens of
the IJle of Ely ^ where it is cultivated to great advantage.
The land fhould be well ploughed and rendered fine by
the harrow ; the latter end of Jpril is the beil time of
fowing the feed, of which the heavieil and brightell co-
loured is belt; when the plants come up they fhould be
hoed up like turnips, leaving them a foot or fixteen
inches afunder ; sbout a month after they fhould be
hoed again to dellroy the leaves. The firft feafon of
pulling the hemp is about the latter end oi Juguji^ and
they firft begin with thejimhle hemp, which are the male
plants ; but a fortnight or three weeks longer would be
better, that none of the feeds may prove abortive. The
fecond pulling is about the middle of Osiober^ when the
feeds ar« ripe, and this is ufually called had hempy they
being the female plants.

Hemp {ttd. is recommeqded by Sir 'John Tloyer and
others, againft the jaundice, fcr which purpofe two
ounces may be boiled in a quart of milk till they break ;
and five or fix ounces of this decodicn may be taken
feveral times in a day. It is aHo good in coughs, and j
heat of urine. The oil expreffed from the feeds is re- 'M
commended by fome to eafe the pain proceeding from '
burns.

C APPARIS, the Caper bu/h, has a large woody root,
from wher.ce proceed various fhoots, armed with hard

fharp

OF VEGETABLES. 13.9

fliarp prickles, and on which the leaves are alternately
difpofed, which are alnioft round, half an inch broad,
and very bitter. The flowers proceed from the hollows
where the leaves join to the (talks, and are rofaceous,
white, and conhft of four petals, from whofe middle
arifes many ftamina, with a long piftil, and the flower-
cup confifts of four green leaves, and the extreme part
turns into a fruit almolt in the ftiape of a pear j they
are of the fize of a large olive, and contain many fmall
whitifti feeds, almoft in the fhape of a kidney. In Italy
n grows wild among the ruins of old walls and buildings,
but in other places it it cultivated. There are feveral
forts of caper-buflies, as iht large fruited Caper ^without
thorns^ the prickly round halved Caper nvith a fmall fruity
the Jharp lea'ved Caper, the American tree Caper nvith a
bay leaf and a long fruity the American tree Caper ijcith
a hay leaf and an oval fruity the American tree Caper
ijoith la<vurel lea'ves and an oblong fruit. In England it is
very diflicult to preferve thefe plants, and therefore no-
thing need to be faid about their cultivation. What we
call capers are the buds of the flowers before they are
opened, which at firft are laid in the ftiade for about
four hours, and then put into vinegar for eight days ;
after which they are taken out, lightly preffed, and put
into fre{h vinegar for eight day more j this is repeated a
third time, and then they are put up into caiks for fale.
They are every where known as a fauce, and are ufed
to excite a languid appetite. Some put them into a
brafs veflel to give them a finer green colour, and then
they are noxious. The bark of the root is faid to be
aperient and diflblvent, as well as to reftore the tone of
the vifcera ; however it is not in ufe with us.

CAPRIFOLIUM, Woodbind, or Honey fuckle, has a
woody creeping root with large fibres ; the ilalks are
divided into branches, and are creeping or climbing, on
which the leaves grow by pairs oppofite to each other ;
they are oblong, fliarp, foft, of a light green above,
and hoary beneath. The flowers grow on the tops of
the branches, and in fome plants are white, and in others
red or yellowifh i they have a very fweet fmell, and
confifl of a Angle tubulated petal which grows open

towards

140 THE NATURAL HISTORY
towards the top, and is divided into two lips, the upper-
moft of which is again divided into two, and the lower-
molt into many legments. The tube of the flower is
bent, and fometimes refemble a huntfman's horn; they
are produced in clufters, and placed in a cup confifting
of a fingle leaf; this turns to a foft fruit, or berry, of
which feveral grow together in bunches, almolt in the
manner of alder-berries. They are red when ripe, and
are full of hardidi, roundifh, flattiih feeds. It is found
growing in the hedges in many parts of England, and if
they are planted in gardens they muft be fet againfl
walls or trees, for their branches are too flender to fup-
poit themfelves. Every part of the honey-fuckle is faid
to be diuretic, but are now of no ufe among us upon a
medicinal account.

CARDIACA, T^other-nxort, has a root confifting of
fibres, proceeding from one head, from whence arifc
quadrangular hard ftalks, two or three feet high, of a
leddifh black colour. The leaves are veinous and wrinkled^
and though fmooth are covered on both fides with down.
The lowermoft are round and of a pale green ; but they
are divided into three fegments, dentated about the
edges. The higher they are the narrower they grow,
and end in a long point, having on each fide a iingle
tooth. The cups confift of a fingle leaf, are hard, and
divided into five ftifF fharp thorns, attended with many
others. The flx)wer is labiated, ard confift alfo of or>e
leaf, whofe upper lip is imbricated, with pieces laid over
each other in the manner of tiles, and is much longer
than the lower lip, which is cut into three parts. '1 he
piftil arifes from the flcwer-cup, attended with four
cmbryoe?, and is fixed in the hinder part of the flower
like a nail ; the embryoes turn into as many fmall, ob-
long, angular, fmcoth feed?, takirg up the whole cap'
fula, which was the cup of the flower. It is found wild.
in England near gardens, from whence it has been
thrown out. It is laid to cure convulfions, open obftruc-
tions of the vifcera, and to kill worms ; fome account it
excellent in difeafes of the fplccn, and the hyfteric
pailion. The dofe of the leaves in powder is a dram,,
and muft be taken in wine.

CAR.

OF VEGETABLES. 141

CARDUUS BENEDICTUS, the bkJfedThiJik, has
^ wKite fibrous root, and leaves laciniated like dandelion
but deeper, hairy, and terminating in fhort pedicles ;
they are alternately placed on the ilalks, which are vil-
lous, ftreaked, and fultain large flowers, confiding of
floretts that are divided into five fegments, with a piftil
cut into three or five fmall llamina, on which are long
apices or heads adhering to each other, and as it were
forming a tube. The calyx is fcaly and in the fhape
of a pear, and armed with branched fpires, as well as
with large leaves in the form of a head, covered with a
great deal of down ; the leaves are long, rtreaked, yel-
lowifh, and downy. The whole plant is remarkably
bitter, except the root which is milder. It is a refol-
vent, llrengthening, promotes fweat, and retrains putri-
faftion. It is good in weaknefTes of the ilomach, the
moid afihma, the hooping cough, the jaundice, and in
all cold difcafes ; but in fpotted fevers and the plague, it
is not To good as fome authors have pretended. It has
often cured agues, when ufed fometime before the fit.
In chronical difeafes the infufion of the tops may be
taken feveral times a day. Simon Pauli afnrm?, that
nothing can be better than this plant for healing putrid
obftinate ulcers, and even the cancer itfelf- The de-
codion is often ufed to provoke vomiting, that is, when
an emetic has been given before. A flight infufion is
excellent in the lofs of appetite after hard drinking, and
one that is ilronger will occafion a plentiful fweat, and
promote all the fecretions in general. Some give from ,
an ounce to two ounces and upwards of the juice, and a
<3ram of the feeds in emulfions, which lad, with didilled
poppy-water, has been given with great fuccefs againfl
the pleurifv and rheumatifm.

CARDQUS MARI^, Ladies Thijlle, has a long,
thick, fibrous root, and long, broad, fmuated leaves,
crenated on the edge?, with many hard, fhining, fmooth,
llifF prickles, of a light green colour, and variegated
with lines or ftripes of white. The ftalks are about as
thick a: one's finger, ftreaked, and covered with a hairy
down, and are branched, and two or three cubits high .
The flowers grow on the heads of the branches, and

coniid

142 THE NATURAL HISTORY
Confift of many purple tubulous floretts, divided into five
parts at the top, each of which are placed on an embryo
in a fcaly prickly calyx. Each embryo turns into a
fmooth oval feed, a little flattifh, and furnifhed with
down. It grows in uncultivated places, and by the way
fides. The tender leaves, after the prickles arc taken
off, are eaten by fome as a fallad, and they are fa id to
have the fame vertues as carduus benediftus. The feed
is excellent for the pleurify, rheumatifm, and pains of
the breall ; and is given in emuldons from one dram
to two.

CARLINA, //^ Car line Thijile, has long, broad,
creeping leaves, with deep incifures, and placed in a
circle round the root, which are rough and prickly like
the other thillles, and of a pale green colour ; the calyx
confifls of many expanded Ibarp leaves, and the difk of
the flower is pretty wide, confifting of fillulous floretts.
The feeds are pappous and downy at the top, which
confift of filaments like a pencil. The root is thick,
fibrous, and is fo full cf holes that it feems to be carious
on the furft^ and is reddifh on the outfide, but whitifh
within ; the fmcll is ftrong and flagrant, and the tafle
very penetrating and arcmaiic. It is fo called from the
emperor Charles the great, becaufe it is faid his army
was preferved from the plague by the ufe of this plant ;
but whatever its vertues are, it is now of no ufe
with us.

CARYOPHYLLATA, ^t-m, or Herb Bennet, has
a fibrous reddifh root, which in the fpring fmells like
clove July flowers ; the ftalks rife to a cubit in height,
and are hairy, with the lower leaves conjugated, with a
fingle one at the end ; they are larger than the upper,
which are cut into three parts, and adhere to the llalks,
and have two pinnulae at the bafe of the pedicle, of a
dark green colour, and a little villous. The flowers
grew on the top of the branches, and are rofaceous,
they having five petals of a gold colour. There is a
globous piftil in the middle, covered with hair, which
turns to a round fpherical head, containing many villous
flat feeds, placed in a circle, each of which have a tail.
The calyx is onJy a fingle leaf, which is divided into ten

Iharp

OF VEGETABLES. 143

fharp fegments, fome of which are greater and fome lefs
plaad alternately. It grows wild in England, Scotland,
and Ireland ; and the root while frefh is recommended
againft catarrhs and obftruilions of the head ; when dry-
it is more aftringent, and is good againft 9i'ji\ts of the
belly. The dofe of the root is an ounce in decoflion,
and is a powerful fudorific. However it is very little
ufed in England, though much elleemed in foreign
parts*

CARYOPHYLLUS, Clo've July f^njuers, or Carna-
timsy has a fingle fibrous root, with many fmooth ftalks
rifmg to a cubit in height ; they are geniculated, knotty,
and branched, with leaves proceeding from every knee,
which are narrow like grafs, pointed at the end, and of
a greeniih blue colour. The flowers grow on the top of
each branch, and are of different coicurs, as is well
known to all, they have a fpicey fmeli like cloves, and
the flamina and apices are white, with a piftil termina-
ting in two or three crooked filaments ; the flower-cup
is fcaly at the bottom, denticulated at the top, and n^em-
branaceous. The piftil turns to a cylindraceous fruit
contained in the calyx, and is full of flat rough ^t^^,
that are black when ripe. There is a great deal of dif-
ference, as well in the fize and colours of the flowers, as
in the number of the petals \ which varieties proceed
from the difference of their cultivation. They are pro-
pagated either from feeds or from layers. The feeds
ought to be well chofen, aad they fliould be fown in
pots or boxes about the middle q^ April , with fre(h light
earth, mixed with rotten cow-dung, and well incorpo-
rated together, covering them about a quarter of an
inch thick with the fame earth. Thefe fliould be placed
fo as to receive the morning fun onl^ till eleven o'clock,
and in a month's time they wiil come up, and fit for
tranfplantation in the middle of June^ into beds of the
fame fort of earth lying in an open airy fituation. They
ihould be planted about three inches fquare, obferving to
water and ihade them as the feafon ftiall require. They
may remain thus till the middle of Augujiy and then
they fliould be removed to beds of the like earth, fetting
them at fix inches diftant every way, and not above four

J0W8

144 THE NATURAL HISTORY
rows in a bed. When the flowers begin to blow thofe
that do not break their pods fhcuid be referved to plant
in borders to preferve the feeds ; thofe that burft their
buds and feem to have good properties Ihould be planted
in pots ; but you cannot be certain of the value of the
flower till next year. Thefe flowers were formerly
greatly eiieemed by phyficians for their excellent ver-
tues ; but they are now of no other ufe with us but to
make fyrup, for which purpofe the red fhould be chofen
that have a pleafant aromatic fmell.

CARUUS, Cara'way, has a fingle long root, about
as thick as one's thumb, with a few fibres, and an acrid
aromatic tafte. The flalks rile to the height of a cubit,
or a cubit and a half, and are fniooth, ftreaked, and
branched. The leaves are winged, narrow, conjugated,
and cut into fmall fegments, of a dark green colour.
The flowers are placed in umbels, and are fmall, rofa-
ceous, andccnfiil of five petals in the (hape of heaits,
placed in a ring, and contained in a green cup, with
very flender whitifh liamina, and green apices or heads.
The calyx turns to a fruit, confiiting of two fmall,
longifh feeds, ftreaked and gibbous on the one fide, and
on the other plain ; they are blackiih, acrid, and aro-
matic. It is fometimes found wild in England in rich
moid paftures, and particularly in Holland in Lincoln-
Jh'tre. There are feveral forts, as the common Caraivay,
the large feeded Caranvay^ the narronv halved Cara'way
fwith ajfhodel rootSy and the alpine Caranxay. They are
all to be feen rn the gardens of the curious, and are
cultivated by fowing their feeds in the fpring of the
year, in a moid rich foil. They fliould be hoed out
to about fix inches fquare, which will greatly ftrengthen
them, and promote their feed plentifully. When the
feeds are ripe in autumn the plants Ihould be cut, and
laid upon matts to dry, after which their feeds may be
taken out and kept for ufe. They are ftomachic and
diuretic, and numbered among the four greater hot feeds.
They incide grofs humours, difcufles wind, appeafe the
cholic, and help digeftion ; they are bad in very hot con-
ilitutions and inflammations. The dofe, in powder, is
from a fcruple to a dram.

CAS-

OF VEGETABLES. 145

CASTANEA, the Chefnut tree, is large, tall, and
full of branches, it fometimes grows to fo large a
fize, that three men can fcarce fathom it. The wood
is folid, durable, and not obnoxious to putrefaftions ;
it crackles in the fire, and has fmooth, fpotted, blackifh
bark, inclinable to an afh colour. The leaves are
large, being about two inches broad, and four or
live long, and are thin, rough, wrinkled, and cut on
the edges, with many tranfverfe veins on the back,
which run from the rib in the middle. The male
flowers or catkins, confift of many ftamina, which,
proceed from a green cup, compofed of five leaves,
and have yellow heads. They are fixed to a fmall
capillament or axis, and are barren. The outer coat
of the fruit is very rough and prickly, and they
grow on the fame tree, diliindl from the flowers. In
each huflc or covering, there are two or three kernels
or nuts, which are fometimes an inch in length, and
of a roundifli flat (hape. This is the tree that is
planted, but there is another fort, which grows wild,
and difters from the former only in being lefs in zv^xy
fenfe. Chefnuts are of great ufe in many countries,
where they eat them inftead of bread, efpecially in
the mountainous parts of France. Some boil them,
and others roafi: them in pans over the fire ; but what-
ever way they are prepared, they are windy, and hard
of digellion ; and confequently feldom agree with
any, except laborious working people. The raw
nuts are aftringent, as well as the reddifli membrane
that covers them, and are good in fpitting of blood,
as well as in loofenefles ; but they are never ufcd
here for thofe purpofes.

CENTAURIUM MAJUS, x!cit greater Centaury, has
a thick, folid, heavy root, three feet in length, and
blackifli without, but reddifh within, with a fvveetifh,
aftringent, biting tafte. The flalks are round, and
rife to the height of two or three cubits, with many
branches ; the leaves are large, and divided into fe-
veral parts, in the form of a wing. The particular
leaves of which they are made up, are near a fpan in
H length.

146 THE NATURAL HISTORY

kngth, and three or four iftches broad, not unlike
thofe of walnuts ; they are fmooth, ferrated on the
edges, full of nerves, and of a deep green colour.
On the tops of the branches there are fmall heads or
flowers, confifting of blue floretts, divided into five
parts, and placed upon an embrj'o in a fcaly cup,
but the fcales are without points. The embryo turns
to an oblong, fmooth feed, furnifhed with down, like
thofe of carduus benedidus. It grows wild among
the JlpSj from whence it is brought to us, but it is
cultivated in gardens, and may be propagated either
by fowing the feeds, or parting the roots, the latter
©f which is mod commonly pradlifed in England,
The beft feafons for this work, are O^ober and Fe-
bruary. The root is recommended to incide grofs
humours, and to open obftrudlions of the vifcera, as
well as to flop fluxes, and fpitting of blood, on ac-
count of its aftringency. It is continued in the
Edinburgh difpenfatory, but left out in the London.

CENTAURIUM MINUS, hj^er Centaury, has a
fmall, white, woody, fibrous root, with a branched
angular ftalk, about a fpan in height. Some of the
leaves lye on the ground, while others are placed on
the flalk by pairs ; they are fliaped like St. Jchn%
wort, but are larger, fmooth, full of nerves, and of
a light green colour. The flowers grow in cluflers on
the top of the branches, and confift of fingle petals,
in the fliape of a funnel, and are of a beautiful reddifh
colour. The cup of the flower is compofed of five
iliarp leaves, and a pilttl, fixed in the loweft part of
the flower, which turns to a membraceous fruit, half
an inch long, of a cylindrick fliape, and full of ex-
ceeding fmall feeds. It grows wild upon dry arable
land, and chiefly among corn. Both the flowers and
leaves are extreamly bitter, and the florid tops incide
grofs humours, ftrengthen the ftomach, help digeftion,
open obftrudions of the vifcera, cure the jaundice,
and the fupprefllon of the menfes and piles. The
dofe in powder is to a dram, and it v/as ufed b/
RulanduSf before the /'^r/<xv«« bark was difcovered, to

cure

OF VEGETABLES. 147

cure all forts of agues, after a vomit. Outwardly it is
vulnerary, and cures recent worms, and old ulcers.

CEP A, the Onion, is of feveral kinds, but the mod
ufual are, the common Oniaity the red Spanijh Onion,
the Scallion, and the Ciboule.

CEPA VULGARIS CANDIDA, t\\z co?nmon tvhite
crtion, has a bulbous root, confifting of various coats,
the outermoft of which are membranaceous, and the
innermoft flefhy, and there are many fibres at the
bottom. The leaves are long, fiftulous, round, and
{harp at the points j the ilalk is naked, upright, and
fometimes rifes to the height of two or three cubits,
efpecially in hot countries j this is likewife hollow,
and fwells out in the middle, and the flowers are col-
leded into a fpherical head ; they are compofed of
fix petals or leaves, in the middle of which are fix
ftamina, and a piftil, which turns into a roundifli
fruit, divided into three cells, full of roundilh black
feeds. They are propagated by feed, which fnould
be fown in the beginning of March, on good rich
fandy ground, and eight pounds is fufRcient for a
whole acre of land. About a month or fix weeks
after fowing, they will be ready to hoe, which niould
be done with one two inches and a half broad,
catting out, not only the weeds, but the onions,
where they are too thick. This is bcft done in a dry
feafon. This fhould be repeated twice m.ore, cutting
out the weeds as before. Towards the beginning of
Augiifty the onions will be at their full growth, which
is known by the blades falling to the ground, and
Ihrinking -, but before they are quite withered, they
IhouJd be drawn out of the ground, cropping off the
extream part of the blade, and then laying them upon
a dry fpot, turning them every other day. for a fort-
night, leaft they ihould take root ag lin. The Spanijh
onions are much in efleem, bat will not long preferv;;
their kind here, without frefli feeds from Spain or
Portugal. They are chiefly prefeiv^id for the kitchen
ufe, and are eaten raw by fome, and roafled by
others ; but they are generally boil;,'d. I'hey .ire
H z windy,

8i4 THE T^ATURAL HISTORY.

windy, heating, occafion troublefome dreams, and
caufe thirft ; and therefore they are bad for hot con-
ftitations. However when boiled, and mixed with
honey, they are good in diforders of the lungs, arifing
from a thick clammy phlegm. When roalled, they
are ufetl by fome to ripen boils and buboes ; likewife
when bruifed with fait, they are good for burns. Some
rub the bald places of the head with them, till they
are red, morning and evening, to caufe the hair to
grow. They are likewife laid as cataplafms to the
feet, to make revulfions from the head. Some fay,
applied to the belly, they greatly promote urine, and
cure fome forts of dropfies.

CEPA ASCALONICA, Scallions, confift of fe-
\'eral bulbous roots, fomewhat larger than a hazelnut,
have the tafte of common onions, but not fo ftrong nor
lo difagreeablc. The leaves are flender, iiftulous, round,
fmooth, and have the fame tafte. It is ufed in the
fpring, inftead of green onions, in fome countries, but
it is now much negledled here. It is eafily propagated^
by parting the roots in the autumn, and then they will
be ready for ufe in the fpring. They muft be planted
three or four together, in a hole, at about fjx inches
diftant every way, for they multiply exceedingly. They
have the fame virtues as onions.

CEFULA ft^e CEPA FISSILIS, the Ciboule, is
intirely like the Scallion, only it is larger in every fenfe,
and they differ in the acredity of their tafte. They
are planted for the fame ufe as the former.

CERASUS, the Cherry-tree, is of different kinds,
as the red garden Cherry , the large Spanijh Cherry , the red
heart Cherry y the nx'hite heart Cherry, the bleeding-heart
Cherry, the black Cherry, the May Chei-ry, the black
Cherry or Mazzard, the arch- duke Cherry, the yello^w
Spani/h Cherry, the Flanders clujler Cherry, the carnation
Cherry, the large Uack Cherry, the rofe -f covered Cherry,
the d.juhh fl^iuered Cherry. 'Ihe common <u;hite Cherry,
the rivild northern EngUjlj Cherry <ivith late ripe fruit, 1 he
rock or pcrfimed Cherry, the Cherry-tree twithjiriped halves,

the

OF VEGETABLES. 1^9

the amber Cherry ^ the morella Cherry , and the Hertford-
[hire duke Cherry,

CERASUS SATIVA FRUCTU ROTUNDO RU-
BRO ET ACIDO, the common red or garden Cherry y is
a tree that is neither tall nor Ilrait, which confiils of a
great many brittle boughs, with a moderately thick
trunk, covered with a reddifh coloured bark, and the
heart is of a blackilh colour, but the fap is whitifh.
The leaves are large, oblong, venous, ihining, and
crenated on the edges. The flowers are rofaceous,
confining of feveral white petals, with ftamina of the
fame colour, the flower cup is divided into five crooked
fegments, from whence arifes a piftil, that turns to a
well known fruit, with long flender pedicles. It pro^
duces a yellowilh fhining gum, without tafte or fmell.

The large Spajiijh CHERRY, grows on a tree not
much unlike the former, but it is not fo high, and
therefore the fooner bears fruit. The ftalk or pedicle
is ihorter and thicker than in the other kinds. Both
thefe are cooling, and boiled in water, with a little
fugar, makes a pleafant drink for perfons of hot con-
flitutions ; but thofe that have a weak ftomach,
abounding with acid humours, ought to abftain from
them.

The heart CHERRIES, are fo called from being
fhaped fomewhat like a heart, and the trees have
larger leaves than the common fort ; for they are
fomewhat like thofe of the chefnut tree, and hang
downwards. The fruit has a more hard and fweeter
flefli, and are confequently more wholefome ; how-
ever fome fay they are more hard of digeflion, and
therefore fliould not be eaten by thofe that have weak
ftomachs. All forts of cherries are propagated by
budding, or grafting the feveral kinds into the flocks
of the black or wild red Cherries. The flones of
thefe two kinds, are fown in beds of light fandy
earth, in autumn, and when they arife, they mult
be carefully weeded. They fliould remain in thefe
nurfery-beds, till the fecond autumn after fowing, at
which time you ihould prepare an open fpot of good
H 3 frelh

I50 THE NATURAL HISTORY

frelh earth, into which you fhould plant out the
young ftocks, at three feet diftance from row to row,
and about a foot afunder in the rows. The fecond
year after they are planted out, they wiil be fit to
bud, if intended for dwarfs ; butif for ftandards, they
will not be tall enough till the fourth year ; for they
ihould be budded or grafted near fix feet from the
ground.

CEKASUS NIGRA, fh black Cherry tree, is tall,
with an upright trunk, and covered with a fmooth,
fpotted, afh-coloured bark, that is greenifti on the
infide. The leaves are oblcng, fhining, and deeply
crenated. The flowers are joined together, as it were
in a (heath, with flender long pedicles or llalks, from
which proceed round, fmall, fweet fruit, with fome-
U'hatof bitternefs. Thefeare faid to be good in dif-
cafes of the head ; but they were chiefly cultivated
ibrmerly for the diftilled water for mixing in juleps ;
but after fome accidental trials, it was found to have
a poifonous quality, for it procured fudden death,
for which reafon it is not now kept in the Ihops ;
however it is common to fteep them in brandy for a
dram, which is commonly known by the name of
cherry brandy.

CETERACH, »pleen^.vort, has capillary blackifh
roots, from whence arife many leaves, three inches
lorg, and half an inch broad, that are finuated and
undulated, almoft to the rib, and on the upper part
they are fmooth and green ; but below they are covered
with fcales, from between which proceed fpherical
capfulse, with a ring endowed with an elaftic force,
by whofe contraction they are broken, and pour out
many gold coloured feeds. This plant has a mucila-
j^irious taflc, with fome aflringency, and is faid to be
good to (Irengthen the lloraach, and for difeafes of
the breaft ; but it is now of little ufe.

CH^REFOLIUM, Chervil, has a Angle white
fibrous roct, with a ftalk rifing to a cubit and a half
high, which is brown, flreaked, hollow, geniculated,
fmooth, and branched. The leaves are like thofe of

hemlock.

OF VEGETABLES. 151

l^emlbck, but lefs, and they, as well as the pedicles
«r foot ftalks, are of a faint reddifh colour, and a
little hairy. The flowers grow in umbels on the tops
of the flalks, and are rofaceous, confifting of five
white unequal petals, in the fhape of a heart, with as
many white (lamina, and a flower-cup, that changes
into two oblong feeds, gibbous on one fide, and flat
on the other, which are black when ripe, and in fhape
like the bill of a bird. It is planted in gardens for
fallads, by fowing the feeds in autumn, foon after
they are ripe, or very early in the fpring. If it be ,
fuffered to fow itfelf it will thrive better than when
cultivated by art. It is faid to be inciding, atenuent,
and aperient. It promotes urine fo much, that Geoffroy
takes it to be a fpecific againft the dropfy, and he
affirms, if chervil will not cure it, he does not know
what will. When the urine is fupprefied in dropfical
perfons, it makes it flow freely, clears it when foul,
and renders it pale, when of a fiery red colour. The
juice (hould be expreffed from the frefh herb, or put in
an earthen pan, and expofed to a violent heat, after
which the juice is to be cxprefied out. The dofe is
three or four ounces, every third or fourth hour j or a
decodlion may be made of it with water, and then five
or fix ounces is a dofe.

CHAM.^DRYS, Germander, or ground Oak, has
fibrous creeping roots, with quadrangular flalks, that
are -branched and hairy, on which the leaves are fet
by pairs, and are of a beautiful green ; they are half
an inch long, and near a quarter broad, with a nar-
row bafe, and crenated from the middle to the end.
The flowers arife from the places where the leaves
join to the ftalk, and confifl of a purplilh, labiated,
fmgle leaf; but the upper lip is wanting, and in its
place there are crooked flamina, with a forked piflil.
The beard or lower lip, is divided into five parts, and
the middle fegment, which is largeft, is hollow like a
fpoon, and fometlmes divided into two parts. The
calyx is fingle, but divided into five fegments, con-
taining four roundifli feeds, that proceed from the
H 4 piUil.

152 THE NATURAL HISTORY

pifiil. Both the leaves and flowers are in ufe, and it
grows wild in many parts of England. The leaves are
bitter, and a little aromatic; they incide grofs humourr,
reftcre the tone of the fohds, and promote urine and
fweat. They are faid to open obftrudions of the
vifcera, and to cure the jaundice and gout. It is one
of the ingredients of the duke of Portland's gout
powder, that has been fo much in vogue of late. The
tops may be taken in the manner of tea, or the powder
to a dram.

CHAM^MELUM, Camomile, has a fldnder fibrous
Tcot, and flender branches, divided into many wings,
which are eight inches high or higher. The leaves
are flender, and cut into five fegnients ; the flowers
grow at the top of the rtalks, and arc for the moH: part
radiated with white petals, and a yellow diflc, which
confiRs of many yellow floretts ; but the crown is
compofed of white femi-floretts, and placed upoa
embryoes, comprehended in a fcaly cup. Thefe turn
into flender, oblong, naked feeds. The whole plant
has a phyfica! fmell, which is not difagreeable. It
grows wild in great plenty, on moll of the large
heaths near London, and is propagated for ufe, in
phyfic gardens, by parting the roots, and planting
them about eight or ten inches diflant, everyway,
for they fpread greatly. The proper times is in March,
and they thrive beft in a poor foil.

CHAM.EMELUM FOETIDUM,/z;f COTULA
FOETID A, finking Camomile, has a fibrous root,
with round, greenifh, brittle, fucculent ftalks, divided
into many wings. It is thicker and higher than com-
mon camomile, with larger leaves, of a blackifh green
colour; but the flowers are much the fame. It is
eafily known by its flrong fmell. The florett tops,
and the leaves of both, are in ufe, but more parti-
cularly the. flowers. Common camomile is an ex-
cellent carminative, and powerfully difcuffes wind,
curing the cholic proceeding from thence, as well as
pains after child-birth ; and in the convulfive cholic.
They are alfo good in difeafes of the breafl ; and

more

OF VEGETABLES. i^-j-

more particularly in tumours of the ftomach, proceed-
ing from a violent heart-burn ; as alfo in pains of the
gravel. Externally they are emollient and difcutient,
and are excellent in bruifes, to difperfe coagulated
blood, as well as in the flatulent tumour of the uterus,
and of the genital parts, after child-birth. Hence
they are ufed in fomentations, cataplalms, paregoric
glifters, uterine injedions, and baths. Dodor Morion
affirms, he has cured agues with a fcruple of the
powder of the flowers, when they would not yield
to the bark; however ia this cafe, it is beft mixed
with fait of wormwood, and given every three hours.
The common method of taking them, is as tea.
Some affirm, the {linking camomile is moft proper in
hyfterical cafes, ufed in baths and fomentations.

CHAMJE?1TYS, grou?2^ Pifie, has aflender, fibrous,
white root, with ftalks partly upright, and partly
lying on the ground. They are villous, nine inches
high, and two leaves proceed from every knot, an
inch in length, and are fomewhat in fliape like thofe
of the pine tree, from whence it has its name ;
they are of a yellowilh green. The flowers pro-
ceed from the places where the leaves join to tUe
fialk, and have only a fingle petal, and a Angle lip ;
they are of a yellowifli colour, and the lower lip is
divided into three fegments ; the middlemoft of which
is parted in two. In the room of the upper lip, there
are a few teeth, with ftamina, of a light purplifli co-
lour. The flov/er cup is villous, divided into five
fegments, and contains four triangular browo feeds.
The whole herb is in ufe, and it has a pitchy or tur-
pentine fmell.

CHAM^PITYS MOSCHATA, Mt^J^ ground P hie,
creeps on the ground like the former, but the ftalks
are harder. It has the fame fort of flower, but of a
purple colour, and the feeds are black, curled, and
longiffi. The whole herb is very hairy, with a bitter
tafte, and a ftrong refmous fmell, with fomewhat of
the fcent of mufk. Thefe are numbered among the
vulnerary, aperient, cephalic, hyfterick, and nervine
H 5 plants*

354 THE NATURAL HISTORY

plants. Some commend them in rheumatic pains, iir
the hyp-gout, in the trembling of the limbs and palfy..
The dole of the powder is a dram, either alone, or'
with that of germander, in red wine ; but it may be
boiled in whey, when wine is not proper, and the de-
codion drank every morning.

CKEIRI, the Wallfij^^ey., has a flower compofed
of four yellow petals, which are placed in the form
of a crofs, and out of the flower-cup rifes the piftil,
which becomes a long flat pod, divided by a parti-
tion, into two cells, to which the valves adhere on
both fides, and are furnifiied with fmooth round feeds,
with borders round their edges. The leaves are green,
and accuminated at the end. It grows upon old
walls, and flowers in Jw:e. They are faid to be cor--
dial, to cafe pain, and to be good in the apoplexy and
prlfy.

CHELIDONIUM, Celandine, has a fibrous hairy
root, and the lower leave? are large, a fpan long, lo-
bated, of i. fine green above, but of a blueifli green
below, and a little hairy. The lobes are roundiflj,
and have cars, and placed one againll another ; they
have alfo large veins and incifures. The ftalks rife to
a cubit in height, and upwards, and are knoity,
britde, fillulous, and branched with leaves alternately
};Lced From the places where they join to the ftalks
at the top, flowers proceed, with a pedicle, a palm
5n length, and flowers colledled in umbels. The
fiowers coiifift of four gold coloured petals, placed in
the form of a crofs, and the calyx confifts of two
leaves, which foon fall off. The piftil of the flowers
xurns to a pod, an inch and a half long, which is
jound, flender, bivalved, and a little wrinkled ; it is
at fir ft green, afterwards reddifh, and pours out black,
iliining, rcundifii, flat feeds. The whole plant has a
firong fmcll, and wherever it is wounded, pours out
a liquor of a fafFron colour, which is acrid am3 biting.
It delights in watery fliady places. It may be propa-
gated, by fovving the ripe feeds in any corner of the
garden. The colour of the root is red, and is full

of

OF VEGETABLES. 1515

of a bitter, acrid, burning juice. Some have given
It invvardlj, to open obllruf^ions, to promote urine
and fweat, and to cure the dropfy j others affirm, it
is a fpecific againft the jaundice. The dofe of the
powder of the dried root, is from half a dram to a
iram. Others pretend, it is a fpecific againft the
dropfy afcites. However fome think it is not fafe for
inward ufe, for in fome cafes, an infufion of two
ounces of the root, has been attended with dreadful
fymptoms. It is common to rub warts with the juice,
to take them away ; and it has alfo been recommended
for ulcers of the eyes, and to remove fpots and clouds
therein ; but it is too fharp for that purpofe, unlefs
diluted with fome other liquor.

CHELIDONIUM MINUS, Pile-'vjort, has a root
confifting of tubercles, of the fize of a grain of wheat,
with many flenderwhitilh fibres, which arc pale without,
but white within. The ftalks rife to a palm in height,
and are flender, andmoft of them lye on the ground ;
the leaves are roundifh, fmooth, and fiiining, like
thofe of ivy; and on the top of the flalks there is
a rofaceous flower, like a ranunculus, confifting of
eight or nine petals of a gold colour, placed in a
circle. There aremany faffron-coloured ftaminain the
middle, placed in a cup, confifting of three leaves.
The piftil is placed in the middle of the flower, and
turns to a roundifh prickly fruit, of a greenifli yel-
low colour. It grows in meadows, and by the fides of
high ways. The leaves are without acrimony ; but
the roots are faid to cool and moiften. It is looked
upon as an antifcorbutic plant, and the frefli leaves
are eaten in fome places as a fallad. The roots have
been mightily cried up againft the piles, but without
any juft foundation.

CICER RUBRUM, red Vetches, or chhh Peas, has
a flender, fibrous, whitiih root, with a reddiih caft,
from whence proceeds an upright hairy ftalk, with
conjugated leaves, and a fingle one at the end, thefe
are roundifli, ferrated, and villous. The flowers are
papilionaceous, and proceed from the places where the

leaves

156 THE NATURAL HISTORY

leaves join to the ilalks, and are of a whicilh or red-
difh purple colour. The calyx is villous, and divided
into fix acute parts, with a piftil that turns to a tumid
fruit, refembling a bladder, almoft an inch loug, and
teiminating in a ihortflender thread, and in which are
one or two (heaths, fhaped almoft like a ram's head.
It is feldom cultivated in England, but is common in
France, Italy, and Spain. It flowers in June and 7;^/^,
and the feed is ripe in Augujt. They are ufed for
nourilhment, but are windy, and hard of digeftion,
and therefore are only fit for country working people.
It has formerly been cried up againft the gravel,
but very improperly, for it encreafes the pain, when
there is a ftone either in the kidney or bladder. It
is certainly diuretic, and renders the urine thick and
muddy ; however it is beft let alone.

CICHORIUM, 'Wild Succory, has a root a foot in
length, and about as thick as a man's thumb, with a
few fibres, and full of a milky juice. The flalk is
ftrong, hairy, branched, and grows to a cubit and a
half high, with leaves like thofe of dandelion, but
larger, and rhey are hairy, and of a dark green co-
lour. The flov.ers confilt of many blueiOi femi-fioretts,
placed upon an embryo, contained in a calyx, which
being contrafted, turns to a capfula, full of angular,
naked, fhort feeds. The leaves and roots are bitter,
and it not only grows wild, but is planted in gardens,
and flowers in June. The fruit, leaves, and flowers,
are in ufe, but the wild is better than the garden fuc-
ccry. Some ufe it as a fallad, when young. It is
accounted good to refolve thick clammy humours,
and to (Irengthen the folid parts, as well ag'to tem-
pciate the hot intemperies of the vifcera ; for which
reafon, it has been given in recent obftrudions of the
liver, and againll the jaundice. The juice taken in
large quantities, fo as to keep up a gentle diarrhjca,
and continued for fome weeks, has been found to b«*
e;cccllent againft the fcurvy, and other chronical dif-
ordcrs. 1 he dofe of the juice is four ounces.

CICUTA,

OF VEGETABLES. 157

CTCUTA, Hemic d^ has a root a foot in length,
and as thick as ones finger, and before the ftalks are
produced, folid, and before they are grown, fungous.
The ftalk is lireaked, fiflulous, fmooth, and grows to
the height of chrec cubits and upwards ; fome are green-
ifh, others reddiili, and others again fpotted like fer-
pents. The winged leaves are cut into many minute
fegments, and nearly refemble thofe of parfley, for
u'hich it has been often taken while young. The
flowers are colleded in umbels, on the top of the
ftalks, and are rofaceous, confifting of five white
petals, in the fliape of hearts. The calyx turns to a
globous fruit, containing two fmall feeds, gibbous
on one fide, and dreaked on the other ; and of a
palifli green colour. The whole plant has a dif-
agreeable ftrong fmell. We have feveral hiftories
both of its good and bad efFedls, which render it
probable, it was not the fame plant that was eaten.
Ray aflirms from dodcr Bo~jcles, that the powder of
hemlock roots, given in malignant fevers, to the
quantity of a fcruple, is better than all fudorifics
whatever ; and Reanalmus affirms, he has given it in
powder, from one fcruple to half a dram, in wine,
and the infufion from half a dram to two drams, in
ob{lru<5lions of the liver, fpleen, and pancreas, with
happy fuccefs. Therefore admitting all the accounts
to be true, the efre-fls might be owing to the different
quantity taken ; for it is v^ell known, that a grain of
opium may be taken fafely, and that in a much larger
quantity it is fatal. Outwardly it is fometimes applied
to hard and fcrophulous tumours, and to reduce the
fize cf women's breafls, when they are grown too
large ; as alfo to keep back the milk in thofe that do
not give fuck.

CINARA HORTENSIS, the Artichoak, has a
thi-ck ftrong root, with leaves a foot, or a foot and a
half in length, divided into feveral broad fegments,
befet with a hairy down. At the top of each branch
there is a turbinated head, furrounded with large ac-
cuminated fcales, which are flefhy, and of a blueifh

greea

158 THE NATURAL HISTORY

green colour, and are very thick at tli :- bottom. The
fcaly head or calyx, being taken ofF, there are feen
underneath flowers, confifting of many floretts, of an
elegant greenifti purple colour, which are divided into
five parts, and placed upon embryoes, each of which
turns to an oblong fwelling feed, covered with a
fmooth a(h coloured rind, and furnifhed with long
down. The lower part of the cup, or placenta, is
^eCny j and is the part which is eaten.

CARDONES, l\tfpinyArtichoak, difFers in nothing
from the former, but in having prickles at all the
corners of the leaves and flower cup.

The manner of propagating the firft fort, is from
flips or fuckers, taken from the old roots in Marchy
v,'hich if planted in a good foil, will produce large
fair fruit in the autumn following. The prickly ar-
tichoak or chardon, is propagated by feed in the
middle of Marchy which Ihould be fown in an open
bed of light rich earth. When the plants appear
above ground, they fhonld be carefully weeded, and
in dry weather often watered. In the middle of May,
they will be fit to tranfplant into beds of light rich
earth, placing them in rows a foot afunder, eight in-
ches diftant from each other, obferving to water them
conftantly, till they have taken root. In the be-
ginning of Jttly^ they will be ftrong enough to plant
out for good, in a fpot of light rich ground, placing
ihem in rows at four feet diftant each way, obferving
to water them conflantly as before, till they have
taken root. In Augufi they will be fit to tye up with
hay bands, in a dry day, bringing the leaves as clofe
together as pcfTible, without bruifmg them. Then
with a fpade the earth muft be banked up round the
plants, leaving about ten inches, or a foot of the tops
uncovered, taking care that the earth does not get
into the middle. As the plants advance in height,
they mui^ be earthed up from time to time, for if
they thrive kindly, they will grow to the height of
four feet, and will when taken up for ufe, be near
three fett, when trimmed of their outer leaves ; for

the

^a^e^fSd'

OF VEGETABLES. j^g

the tender branched paft is only valuTible. This b/
fome is accounted a great delicacy.

Some eat the flelh of the fmooth Aftichoaks with
fait and pepper, tliey being thought proper to help
digeftion. As for their phyfical ufes, they are not
faid to have any, only the roots are commended to
promote urine.

CITREUM CITRUM, Ji<ve MALUS MEDICA.
The Citron tree is called MALUS MEDICA, becaufe
it was firll brought into Europe from T/h-'dia ; it is of a
moderate height, with a branched ipreading root,
yellowish without, and whitifh within. The trunk is
flendefj the wood white and hard, and the bark of a
pale green colour. The boughs are numerous, long,
flender and tough, and the oldert of them are of a
light yellowilh green, and armed with pale prickles ;
but thofe that are more recent, are of a beautiful
green. The top of the branches are tender, and of
a brownifh red green, as well as the leaves, which
are of the lize of thofe of the walnut tree, generally
blunt, but now and then accuminated, and they are
three times as long as they are broad ; the lower part
is not fo green a%*the upper, and the edges are a
little ferrated. The tree is always cloathed with them,
both winter and fummer, and v/hen they are held irp
againft the fun, they appear to have holes in them
}ike St. John's-wort, or rather full of tranfpareht
fpecks. The flowers grow on the tops of the branches,
and are rofaceous, with flefhy petals, which are gene-
rally five in number, and Hand almoft upright; without
they have a reddiih blufh, but are white within, and
placed in a ring. The calyx is fmall, and divided into
five fegments, and under the yellow apex, there are a
great many (tamina, and part of the flowers are fruit-
ful, and part barren. Among the llamina there is a
longifli pillil, the rudiment of the fruit, and thofe
flowers that are without, never produce any. The
ihape of the fruit is oblong, but foijietimes globous,
and fome terminate in a point, while others are
blunt ; the furface is wrinkled and tuberofe, and is

often

i6o THE NATURAL HISTORY

ofcen nine inches in length, and upwards. The fize
is different, as well as the weight, for fome weigh
fix, nine, and even thirty pounds. The outer rind
is tough, thin, bitter, and hot, and the colour is at
firft green, which turns to that of gold, when ripe ;
the inner or white rind is thick, firm, fweetifh, with
a little acidity. Within it is divided into feveral cells,
full of an acid juice ; the feeds are numerous, for
fometimes an hundred and fifty have been found
therein ; they are oblong, half an inch in length,
and fharp at both ends ; they are bitter, yellow
without, covered with a ftreaked fkin, and contain a
double white kernel. In hot countries both flowers
and fruit may be fecn on the tree at the fame time,
as well in the fpring as the autumn ; but they are
more plentiful in the laft.

CITRONS are not ufed as an aliment, but as a
fauce, and are cut into fmall flices, as we do lemons,
to garnifh the difhes, and to fqueeze upon the meat.
The acid is very agreeable, excites a weak appetite,
and helps digeftion, when ufed moderately. The
outward rind, on account of its hardnefs, is not eafy
of digcftion, to more than the white part. It is an
excellent remedy againft the fcarvy, and is a kind
of fpecific to cure that difeafe, as well ifs the juice pf
oranges and lemons ; when the gums of patients af-
flifted with that difeafe, are ulcerated, this juice will
cure them. The Du/c^ were the firft that found out
this property, though it is now more generally known.
The juice is alfo good in burning and m.alignant
fevers, to quench thirft, and to reftrain the heat and
effervefcence of the blood. When the juice is mixed
with water, and fweetened with fugar, it makes a fine
cooling drink, grateful to the palate, and agrees with
the fick as well as the found. Bcfides the juice of
citrons is diuretic, ckanfes the kidneys of fmall gravel,
and retrains vomidng, proceeding from bilious hu-
mours. The flowers, as well as the kaves, have an
exceeding fine refrefhing fmell, though they will not
prevent contagion on this account, as fome pretend.

The

OF VEGETABLES. i6i

The outer yellow barfc has alfo a very fine aromatic
fmell, becaufe it has a prodigious number of veficles
full of eilential oil. Being chewed, it mends the
breath, and by its bitternefs ftrengthens the ilom^h ;
it powerfully difcufTes wind, and conco6ls crude hu-
mours in the Hom.ich and inteftines. However the
juice is not good in the pleurify, inflammation of the
lungs, fpittmg of blood, a confumption, and the
like.

IVTALUS LIMONIA, the Lemon tree^ is placed
here on account of its affinity with the former, and
is pretty tall, though not very full of branches ; the
leaves are like thoie of the citron tree, but fhorter,
and the prickles are more numerous, but lefs, and ve^r
nomous. The flowers have much the fame fmelly
and the (hape of the fruit is likewife oval, but fhorter,
and not of fo deep a yellow. Likewife the rind is
thinner, and they are much more full of juice, which
is more acid than that of citrons. Upon which ac-
count it is thought to be more cooling, and more
efiicaciouE in hot difcafes ,• in fhort, what has been
faid of the juice of citrons, may in mofl refpedls be
applied to this.

CITRULLUS. Citrulls, has a fmall, ftrait, fibroos,
hairy root, and has brittle flalks, that creep on the
ground ; the leaves are deeply jagged, rough and
hairy, and on the ftalks there are clafpers, as well as
pedicles, that fuftain yellow flowers, in the form of a
bell, that are divided into five fegments, of which
fome are barren, and fome fruitful, which laft are
placed upon an embryo, that turns into a large round
fruit, which fometimes can hardly be grafped with
both arms. The rind is a little hard, and fmooth,
it being without tubercles j it is of a dark green co-
lour, with light green, or whitifh fpots. The flefh
is like that of the cucumber, and is firm, and fome-
times white, and fometim.es reddifh, but the tafte is
very agreeable. The feeds are fpungy, oblong, broad,
flat, wrinkled, of a yellowilli or reddifh colour, and
covered with a hard ikin ; but the kernel, or inner

part.

i62 THE NATURAL HISTORY

part, is very agrteable to the tafte. They are num-
bered among the four cold feeds. They are good to
abate the acrimony of the urine, and retrain the
cfFervcfccnce of the blood ; for which reafons they
have been prefcribed in emulfions, and in burning- fe-
vers, and heat of urine.

COCHLEARIA HORTENSIS, garden Scuwy^
grafsy has a white thickifh ftrait fibrous and hairy root,,
with many roundifh leaves, of a deep green colour,
about an inch in length, which are hollow, almoft like
a fpoon i they are thick, full of juice, and placed
upon pedicles, a palm in length. The ftalks are
branched, upright, fmooth, a cubit in height, and
have leaves that are more jagged than thofe next the
xoot ; they are alfo longer, and without pedicles.
The flowers have four petals, which are white, and
in the form of a crofs, with a calyx, confifting of
four leaves, and a piftil that turns to a membranacaous
round fruit, the fixth part of an inch in length, and
compofed of two cell?, full of fmall, round, reddifh
feeds. But a diftin£lion ought to be made between
the garden and fea fcurvy-grafs, for the leaves of the
former are always roundifli, and of the latter finuous.
It is propagated by fowing the feeds at the latter end
of July, foon after they are ripe, in a moift fhady fpot
of ground. When the plants are come up, they
fhould be thinned fo, as to be left at four inches
dillance each way, and in the fpring they will be fit
for ufe J for thofe that are fuffcred to remain, will
lun up to feed in May. They muft be fown every
year.

This plant has its EfigUJh name from its virtue in
curing the fcurvy, againll which it is accounted a fpe-
cifx. In fome parts of England they brew an ale
therewith, which is recommended by many to care
the fame diftemper. However it is more effedtual
when mixed with forrel, or fome fuch acid herb, be-
caufe of itfelf it is too hot, and if ufed too freely,
will produce bad fymptoms. The people that inhabit
cold countries, are. not ignorant of this mixture, for

they

OF VEGETABLES. 163

they have learr.t by long experience, that fcurvy-grafs
and forrel together, make an excellent remedy agaiiift
this difeafe. Scurvy-grafs is not tifelefs in other dif-
cafes, for it is excellent in recent obftru£lions of the
vifcera, in the green ficknefs, and fome fort of
afthmas ; but the dried leaves are not near fo valuable
as the frefh. The dofe of the leaves in decodion, is
from a pugil to a handful, and of the juice from one
ounce to three. Externally it is good in fcorbutic
diforders of the mouth, in the bloody fwelling of the
gums, and to faften loole teeth, the gums being
rubbed with the juice, or held in the mouth as a
gargle.

COLCHICUM, meadonv Saffron; near the begin-
ning of autumn, the flowers appear before there are
any leaves, which confift of a fingle petal, and which
proceed from the root itfelf, and are in the form of
a very fmall white tube, divided into fix fegments.
They are fomewhat like the floretts of faffron, but of
a lighter colour, with internal ftamina, of a pale
yellow, and a piftil arifing from the bottom of the
flower, and terminating in flender hairs. In a day
or two's time, they begin to wither, but in the fol-
lowing fpring, three or four oblong, broad, fmooth,
flat leaves, fhoot out, like thofe of the white lilly.
Between thefe are feen three or four thick, oblong,
triangular bladders, like pods, divided into three cells,
which open when they are ripe, and are full of a red-
difh, black, roundifh feed. The root is bulbous,
turbinated, but flat on one fide, on which is a fur-
row, when in flower, that does not appear at any
other time. It is covered with a blackifh coat, and
has a few fibres at the bottom. The bulb itfelf is
fiefhy, white, and when frefh, it pours out a milky
juice as foon as taken out of the ground ; but when
it is dried, it is blackifh without, and reddi(h within,
and of a fvveetifh tafle, with a little bitternefs. The
fmell of the whole plant is flrong and naufeous. Both
ancients ?vnd moderns agree, that the root is poifonous,
and thofe that eat it hcl an itching all over the body,

with

i64 THE NATURAL HTSTORY

with a biting pain of the internal parts, and of the
ftcmach, with great heat, which afterwards tarns to
a bloody flux. A ftrong country fellow, that had
eaten only a fingle root, was purged violently with
it, and had intolerable gripes, for three days together,
which at length terminated in death. However it is
ufed externally, to take away warts from all parts of
the bodyi and a celebrated phyfician afErms, that
he, and others by his advice, has worn this root as an
amulet tyed to his neck, from the year 1668, to
1 71 8, and that it preferved him and many others,
from the plague, and all epidemical difeafes ; he
farther adds, that this remedy was communicated to
him as a great fecret. Many other writers affirm the
fame thing, but the efFeds muft be rather afcribed
to fancy, than any thing elfe ; for when things of
this kind are relied upon, they banifh fear, and con-
fequently render them lefs liable to receive infedlion.

CONSOLIDA MAJOR, the greater Ccmfrey, has
thick fleihy roots, divided into feveral parts, black-
without, but white and clammy within. The flalks
grow to the height of a cubit and a half, and are
Jight, hairy, rough, and winged. The leaves are
two fpans in length, and a palm in breadth ; they
are of a dark green, rough, hairy, and fharp at the
point. The flowers grow at the top of the branches,
and are placed in elegant rows, and before they open
they are rolled up like the tail of a fcorpion ; they
are pendulous, confift of one flower, in the fnape of
an oblong funnel, and are of a whitiih or purplifh
colour ; they are a quarter of an inch in length, and
flightly divided into five fegments ; the cup is alfo
divided into five parts, and has a long piftil of the
fame colour with the flower, which turns into four
feeds, that are black and fliining, and referable vi-
pers heads. It grows wild on the fides of banks and
rivers, in feveral parts of England^ and may be pro-
pagated by fowing the feed, or parting the roots in
autumn, which is beft. They fliould be planted
about eighteen inches afundcr, that they may have

room

OF VEGETABLES. 165

room to fpread. The root is only m ufe, and has
the fame qualities as that of marfh-mallows, the dofe
of it in powder, is to a dram, and in decoftion or
infufion, to an ounce. It is commended in ulcers
of the lungs, and other diford^irs that proceed from
the acrimony of the humours. Outwardly, it is faid
to cure wounds, but is now feldom or never ufed for
that purpofe.

CORIANDRUM, Coriander, has a flender, white,
fingle root, with a few fibres j as alfo a fingle, flender,
round, fmooth ftalk, full of pith, that is branched,
and rifes to the height of a cubit and a half. The
lower leaves are broad, and conjugated, but the upper
are deeply cut into five fegments ; the flowers grow
in umbels, at the top of the branches, and are ro-
faceous, and of a whitflh purple colour ; they confift
of five petals, in the fhape of a heart, with a calyx
that turns to two feeds, that when together, make
up a whole fphere ; they are green at firft, but af-
terwards of a palifh yellow. The fmell of the whole
plant is flrong and aromatic ; but that of the feeds
becomes more mild, and have a fweet agreeable tafte.
This plant is propagated by fowing the feeds early
in the fpjing, in an open fituation, and in a bed of
good frefli earth ; when the plants are come up, they
lliould be hoeed out to about four inches every way.
The feeds have a carminative virtue, and are good
againfl: catarrhs, flatulencies, worms, the cachexy,
and flight obilruiflions of the glands. The dofe of
the feed in powder, is from a I'cruple to a dram.

CORNUS, the Cornel tree, is moderately tall, with
many branches, and is covered with a reddifh, afli
coloured, rough bark, the wood is white, firm, folid,
and hard, and the leaves broad pointed, fmooth, and
of a blackifli green colour. It flowers early in the
fpring, before the leaves appear, and are placed on
the extream flioots of the branches ; they are many in
number, and are rofaceous, confifling of four falTron
colour petals, with fmall yellow 'flamina, and a com-
mon cup, confining of four leaves, of a purplifh co-

lour.

i66 THE NATURAL HISTORY

lour, with a yellowiih call ; fometimes fix, eight,
or ten flowers are contained in the fame cup, which
turn to an oblong fruit, like an olive, but are more
{lender ; they are foft, fleihy, green at firft, and af-
terwards red, though fometimes they are of the colour
of bees-wax. The tafte is rough at firft, but when
they are full ripe it is of a fvveetifli acid, with fome
aftringency. The ftones are oblong, fmooth, and ex-
ceeding hard ; they are divided into two cells, con-
taining fmall, {lender, fweetifh kernels. The fruit
are called Cornelian cherries, and are cultivated in
gardens, becaufe it is preferved by many for the
naaking of tarts ; however it is not much in efteem ;
for which reafon about London^ it is only propagated as
a flowering llirub, becaufe the flowers appear fo early.
The fruit is feldom ripe before September. The fruit
are cooling, drying, and aftringent ; for which reafon
they are prefcribed by fome againft fluxes of all kinds.
The wood of this tree is by fome thought to be the
hardeft of all others, and is proper for making the
{pokes of wheels.

CORYLUS, the Ha^l, or Nut tree, is of* different
kinds, as the mci Id hazel NiU, the fmall maymred hax.el
Nuty the large cob Nut, the red Filbert y the zvhite Filbert ,
ard the large Spanijb Nut ; of thefe the red and white
filbert are moft in eftcem. It is a dwarf tree, with a
thick root, as alfo thick ftems, divided into many
branches j when it is old, the bark is hoary and fmooth,
find the wood white and foft. The leaves are broad,
and are larger, and more wrinkled, than thofe of
the alder tree ; they are moderately ferrated, and
are grccnifti above, but of a paler colour below.
The flowers are oblong, flender, and compadl ; and
there are alfo catkins, with red filaments, hanging
therefrom, which arc inftead of flowers. They are
at firft ^rcen, afterwards ytllow, and confift of fmall
leaves, fixed like leaks to an axis, under which there
are a great number of ycllowifli apices. The fruit
or nuts grow diftincl from the flowers, and are wrapped
in callous, juicy, herbaceous, bearded hulks. The

nuts

OF VEGETABLES. 167

tttits grow for the mofl: part in clufters, and are clofely
joined together at the bottom, and when they are
ripe they fall out of the hufk or cap. They are hard
of digeftion, and when eaten too plentifully, are
noxious to the lungs, fo as to make a perfon ihorc
breathed. Some pretend they are good in loofenefTes
of all kinds j but in thefe cafes they rather do harm
than good.

COTONEA MALUS, the ^ince tree, is of fe-
veral kinds, as the Pear ^ince, the Apple ^ince, the
Portugal ^ifice, the ^Ince tree, ivith oblongy fmooth,
fweet fruit , the ^ince tree njjith leJJ'er oblongy donxiny
fruity niohich are not eatable y and the common ^ince tree^
'with narronv leaves.

It is a dwarf tree, with a branched root, and is
covered with a brown bark ; it is fometimes ilrait,
and has many flender branches on the top. The
leaves are roundiih pointed, and of the fize of thofe
of the apple tree ; they are not cut on the edges,
and on the lower part they are covered with a foft
down, but on the upper they are greenifh and fmooth.
The flowers grow fmgle, and are rofaceous like the
wild rofe, confifting of five roundifh petals, half an
inch -broad, and of a flelh colour \ in the middle
there are many purple ftamina, with yellow apices, and
the flower cup is conipofed of five greenifh, hoary,
villous leaves, which when the fruit is grown, appears
at the top thereof. The fruit is of different fhapes,
which have been above taken notice of, the feeds are
in the middle of the quince, and are like thofe of
pears; but they are rendered flippery by a fort of
llime that covers them. When quinces are. unripe,
they are feldom or never eaten, efpecially raw; but
when they are boiled, they are very well liked by
fome. They are greatly aftringent, flrengthen the
flomach, and may be of fome ufe in all forts of
fluxes. The ufe of quinces is very well known for
the making of marmalade ; the feeds are fo muci-
laginous, that an ounce of them will render three
pints of water thick and ropy, like the white of an

egg.

i68 THE NATURAL HISTORY

«gg. A fpoonful of the marmalade is good in coughs,
for it incites clammy phlegm, and caufes expecto-
ration ; and it is the more valuable, becaufe thofe
that refufe other medicines, will take this.

CRUCIATA, Crvfsivort, has a root which, con fifls
of feveral yelloiV fibres, which produce feveral ftalks,
a foot in length, or upwards, that are fquare, hairy,
weak, and have a great mnny knees, from each of
which proceed four leaves, in the form of a crofs,
which are hairy, and a little broader dian goofe-
grafs ; and have a blunt point. The flowers proceed
from the hollows where the leaves join to the ftalks,
and confiil of a fingle petal, in the fhape of a bell,
which is divided into four yellow fegments. The
flower cup turns to a dry fruit, confifting of two
feeds, covered with a thin hairy rind. It is common
in hedges, and differs from goofe grafs only in the
number of the leaves. It is accounted a vulnerary
herb, and is aftringent, when taken immediately, or
applyed outwardly ; but is now out of ufe.

CUCUMIS SATIVUS VULGARIS, the common
Cucumber, has ftrait roots, with many white fibres,
and thick, long, branched, hairy ftalks, creeping on
the ground, on which are leaves alternately difpofed,
a palm or two in breadth, ferrated on the edges,
and rough to the touch. They are furnifhed with
clafpers, and the flowers proceed from the places where
the leaves jois to the ftalks, which are in the form
of a bell, divided into five fegments, and half an inch
in length. They are of a pale yellow, and fome are
fruitful, others barren ; the fruitful have an embryo
which turns to a fruit that is fometimes fix inches
long, and is extreamly well known. The feeds only
are in ufe, and are reckoned among the four greater
cold feeds. As for the ficlh or pulp, it is unfit for
nourifhn-.ent, and is generally offenfive to the fto-
mach, efpecially if not corredled with a good deal
of pepper, as well as vinegar. However they agree
extreamly well with fome who eat them frequently,
without any bad confequence. The feeds are cool-
ing

OF VEGETABLES. 169

ing, and fometinies emulfions of them have been pre-
fcribed in burning fevers, a fit of the gravel, and heat
of urine.

CUCUMIS AGRESTIS, wild Cucumber, has a root
two or three inches thick, and divided at the bottom in-
to various fibres ; it is while, flelhy, and has a bitteriHi
and naufeous lafte. The ftalks lye on the ground, and
are rough, thick, and furniilied with leaves above a palm
in length, that are roundifh, acuminated, and have ears
at the bafe. The flowers proceed from the hollows
where they join to the ftalk, and confift of a fingle petal
in the fhape of a bell, which is deeply divided into five
parts, and is of a yellovvilh colour with greenifli veins.
The fruit grows to two inches in length, and is in the
(liape of a cylinder, and is covered over with rough ftuds.
Jt is divided into three cells fu 1 of a bitter juice, and
when ripe they pour it out upon the flighteft touch in a
violent manner with the fxippery feeds, which are broad,
fmoDth, and blackifh. It grows in the fouth parts of
France^ near the highways and among rubbifli, and is
alfo planted in gardens, not only for variety, but for
diverfion upon the abovementioned account It may be
propagated by fowing the feeds in the fpring in an open
warm border \ and when the plants are come up they
ihould be tranfplanted into an open bed, about fix or
eight feet diftant» becaafe they creep very far. The
fruit is ripe in autumn, and the feeTls will fow themfelves
without any farther trouble. Elaterium is made cf the
juice of the ripe fruit, and is a moft violent purge, and
particularly evacuates ferous humours both upwards and
downwards ; for which reafon fome prefcribe it in a
dropfy, and give half a grain at firll, and afterwards
from two or three to five ; however it fhouid be exhibited
very cautioufly.

CUCURBITA, the Gourd, has llalks as thick as one's
finger, that run along the ground, or climb by the help
of clafpers ; the leaves are round, and are from a foot
to a foot and a half broad i and covered with a down,
as well as a little crenated at the edges. The flowers
proceed from the hollows where the leavesjoin to the ftalk,
are white, and in the (hape of bells ; they are cut into

Vol. VI. I five

170 THE NATURAL HISTORY

five fegments, but (o deep that they feem to be (o many
petals. Some of the flowers are barren, others fruitful,
which \ai\ have an embryo that turns into a fruit which
is fometimes two yards long ; but this is very rare, it
has a thick neck and a moderate belly ; and when ripe
has a hard rind, of a yellovvifli colour, with a white
tailelefs pulp, or fltfh, that is pretty fpungy. Jt is di-
vided into five cells, containing oblong fiat feeds, almoll
an inch in length ; but have fometimes a border round
them. There are four fort?, namely, the /.o?7g Gcurd
nvith a foft leaf and a I'jhite Jioiver ; the Jickk JI:aped
Gourd njjith a foft leaf and a wchite floixer ; the fiat
Gourd nx'ith a Joft leaf and a 'xxjhtie fio^jjcr^ commonly
called Squafes ; the bottle f:afed Gcurd 'with a fft leaf
and -vihite fioi'jer ; there are leveral oiher varieties every
year brought from Jm rica, but the fcec's will rot pro-
duce fruit of the fame fhape for two years together.
They may be all propagated by fowing the feeds on a
hot bed, and when the plants are come up they fhould
be removed to a moderate bed ; and when they have
got four or five leaves they fhould be tranfplanted into
holes made upon an old dunghill j but they fhould be
allowed a great deal of room to creep, becaufe fome
have run forty feet from the holes ; and if the fide
branches were permitted to remain, they would over-
fpread twenty reds of ground. We hive an account of
one in AWv England^ \.\\i\x. fpread over a large fpot of
grGurd,and yielded two hundred and fixty gourds, each,
one with another, as big as half a peck. Some gather
them while they are young, butter them, and eat them
with meat, efteeming them to be st^y good, efpecially
the firft fort, which is by far the fweetell ; however
they are little ufed here, though in A7nerica very fre-
quently. The feeds are numbered among the four
greater cold {t^6iy and emulfions made therewith tem-
perate the acrimony of the urine, and often procure
rell.

CUMINUM, or CYMINUM, Cummin, is an an-
nual umbelliferous plant, feldom rifing to a foot in
height, and the leaves are like thoJe of fenne^ but much
Icfs. The flowers are white, rofaceous, fmall, and co!-

kaed

OF VEGETABLES. 171

lefled into fmall round umbels, to which fucceed angular
ftreaked feeds, plain on one fide and gibbous on the
other ; their taile is bitterifh, acrid, and difagreeable,
with a very ftrong fmell ; however pigeons are very
fond of them. Ft is propagated for fale in the iHand of
Malta, but it will not fucceed here. They are faid
to hejp digedion, difcufs wind, and cure the cholic pro-
ceeding from thence.

CUPRESSUS, the Cyprefs tree, is of five kinds,
namely, iht common Cyprefs -tree, X^t rnale fpreading Cy-
prefs, the Virginian Cyprefs, nvith leagues like Acacia,
that fall off" in ivinter, the Jpreading Portugal Cyprefs
nxsith fmaller fruit, and the American Cyprefs ^mth the
leail fruit, commonly called ivhite Cedar in America,
The firft fort has a ftrait thick trunk, pali(h, and fome-
times reddifh, and a very fweet fmell. The male has a
fpreading top, but in the female it is collefted as it were
into a point. It is an ever green, and the leaves are
like thofe of favine, the (hoots being very fmall, and
feemingly covered with fcales. The catkins confift of
very fmall leaves, or fcales, and under them are apices
that pour out an extremely fine powder ; the fruit grows
on other parts of the tree, and is roundilh, and is com-
pofed of many woody tubercles, and in the clefts be-
tween them there are reddifh, hard, angular feeds,
round at one end and (harp at the other. It is very
common in many of the old gardens in England, but at
prefent is not much in requeit, though for what reafon
is hard to fay, Thefe trees are all propagated from
feeds, which ihould be fown early in the fpring, on a bed
of warm, dry, fandy earth, fifting the fame earth over
them to half an inch thick ; in a month's time the young
plants will appear above ground, and fiiould be often
watered in dry weather. In two years time they vvill
be Itrong enough for tranfplantation into a nurfery, and
the bell leafon is the middle of April, in a cloudy day,
at the diilance of eighteen inches in rows, obferving to
clofe the earth well to their roots. They may remain
here three or four years ; and when they are planted out
for good it fiiould be at the diftance of twenty feet &\Qyy
way, taking care not to (hake the earth from 'the roots.
I 2 The

172 THE NATURAL HISTORY

The feeds have been given in fluxes of the belly and

haemorrhages, but are now out of ufe with us.

CUSCUTA, Dodder of Thjme, is a parifitical plant,
and is fo called becaufe it grows out of others, or rather
upon them, becaufe it has a root of its own proceeding
from feeds that fall on the ground ; but they foon perilh
as well as the plant itfelf, if there is not feme other
near it to creep upon. It has no leaves, for it confifts
only of filaments, but it has flowers that confift of a
fingle petal, and are either red or white in the form of
a bell, but divided into four fegments ; and the pirtil
turns into a roundifli and fometimes triangular fruit,
%vith a fingle capfula, containing exceeding fmall feeds.
It is ufually brought from Leghorn 2ind Turky, with the tops
and Halks of thyme among it. It is accounted an ape-
rient, and to be good for opening the obftruflions of the
vifcera ; but this may be doubted.

CYANUS, Blue-bottle, has a wcody fibrous root, and
flalks that fometimes rife to the height of a cubit and a
half, which are angular, hollow, covered with down,
and branched. The lower leaves are finuated, not much
unlike thofe of dandelion ; but the rail are narrow and
long, with a fingle nerve running through the whole
length. The flower has a fcaly hairy cup, and the dilk
is almoft flat, but the outer floretts round the border are
large, tubulous, and deeply cut ; but the inner floretts
are lefs, and the colour of them all is generally blue ;
though fometimes they are of other colours. The firil
are always barren, but the others are fucceeded by a
fingle naked feed. It increafes greatly by its creeping
root, and is only fit for large borders under trees, or in
wildernefTes, becaufe it will overlpread the plants that
grow near it. They are propagated by taking off fets
from the old roots, either in fpring or autumn, and will
grow in any foil or fituation. The medicinal vertues are
undetermined, though formerly they have been greatly
celebrated on different accounts.

CYCLAMEN, Son.v- bread, has a thick, globular,
flelhy root, but fomewhat flattifl , w' iie within, and
blackifli without. It has a punger.t, burning, dis-
agreeable tafle, and from it procetd leaves that are al-

moil

OF VEGETABLES. 173

fnoft round, growing on pedicles a palm in length ;
they are pretty much like thofe of cuckow-pint, but not
fo thick, and they are of a blackiih green above, with
white fpots J but below they are purplifh, and a little
finuated on the edges. The flowers have long tender
pedicles, and ccnfift of a fmgle globous petal divided in-
to five or fix fegments, that turn down almoft to the bot-
tom ; they are lometimes of a light, and fometimes of
a dark purplifli colour, with a fweet fmell ; the piftil is
fixed in the hinder part of the flower, like a nail, and
when the flower fails oiFit curls and bends down to the
ground, where it turns to a globous membranaceous
fruit, full of oblong angular feeds, adhering to a pla-
centa. Thefe being fov/n always turn to a root, from
whence the leaves afterwards proceed ; but it does not
flower till autumn, and then it is before they have any
leaves. There are feveral forts, and particularly one
with a white flower, and they are both propagated by
fowing the feeds foon after they are ripe, in tubs of frefh
earth, and in four or five years time they will begin to
flower. At firil the roots are fmall and they will pro-
duce but few flowers, but they will grow to upwards of
fourteen inches in diameter, and then they will produce
above an hundred flov.ers. When the root is dried it
will loofe its acrid tafte, and yet it will continue to be a
violent purge Country people will lake a dram of it in
powder, and half an ounce in decoction ; but the inter-
nal ufe of it is not very fafe. However outwardly it is
recommended againft hard fcirrhous and fcrophulous tu-
mours, when applied in the form of a cataplafm.

CYNOGLOSSUM, Dog'j-tongue, is fo called on the
account of the fhape of its leaves. The root is ftrait and
thick, of a rcddifli black without, and whitifli within ;
the ftalks grow to a cubit in height, and become hollow
with age ; they are befet with a fort of down, or hair,
and have leaves long and broad the firll year, but in the
fecond they become narrow and fharp at the end, and are
hoary, foft, and downy, and are placed alternately on
the llalk, without pedicles. The flowers conflft of one
fingle petal, in the fhape of a funnel, and are divided
into five fegments, of a dirty red colour, with a hairy
1 3 calyx.

174 THE NATURAL HISTORY
calyx, divided into five parts. The piilil is fixed m
the lower part of the flower, like a nail, and turns to a
fruit confiding of four cells, which are a little flattifli,
haiiy, and are apt to ftick to the garments of thofc
that pafs by them ; and each of thefe contain a flat
feed, fixed to a pyramidal and quadrilateral p'acenta.
It grows in great p'erty upon dunghills and fhady lanes
in divers parts of England. Dcg's tongue has an narco-
tic and anodyne quality, and is recommended to re-
Itrain catanhs and all kinds of fluxes. The root may
be taken to an ounce, and the leaves to a handful in
deccdion i however at prefent it is out cf ufe with,
us.

DAUCUS CRETICUS, the carJy Carrct, has a
long root, about as thick as a man's finger, and has a
taP.e fomewhat like a parfnip ; the ftalk, which is round,
ilreaked, and hairy, grows to the height of about nine
inches, on which there are downy afh coloured leaves,
divided into narrow fegments; however they are fome-
limes fmooth, and of a blackifh green colour. The
flowers grow in umbels at the top of the flalks, and are
fmall, rofaceous, and confiA of five white petals, whofe
calyx turns to a fruit compofed of two oblong llreakcd
feeds, that are gibbous on one fide and flat on tiie other,
they are hairy, and in fhapc refemble lice.

DAUCUS SYLVESTRIS, ccmmon nvild Carrot, is
fomewhat like a parfnip, but has a lefs root, and has a
more acrid tafie ; the Ualks are much of the fame height,
and are flreaked, hairy, full of pith, and divided into
wings. The leaves are cut very fmall, are cf a blackifh
green colour, and hairy on the under part. The flcvvers
are colledled in umbels, which when ripe are fomewhat
in the fhape of birds nefts; the flowers are rofaceous,
confilling of five white petals in the fhape of a heart.
The florctt in the middle of the umbel is fometimes of
a purplilh colour. The fruit is like that cf the candy-
carrot, but fhorter and broader, and are hairy, in the
fhape of the foimer. Jt grows wild upon arable lands
in moll parts of England, The feeds of the candy car-
rot are ufed in making Venice treacle and michridate ;
thofe of the common wild carrot are weaker, but are

faid

OF VEGETABLES. 175

^id to be carminative, diuretic, and to attenuate grofs
humours. They are reckoned among the four leffcr hot
feeds, but at prefent they are feldom ufed.

DENS LEONIS, Dandelion, has a root as thick as
one's little finger, and the leaves are oblong, acumina-
ted, and lactefcent, with deep incifions on the edges like
wild fuccory, but are Imoother, and lye on the ground.
It has no ftalk, and the pedicles are naked, fiftulous,
round, and above a palm in length ; though there is
fometimes a little hair, which comes readily off; on
thefe the flowers are placed, which confift of many pe-
tals that open in the form of a marygold, and are of a
yellow colour. The cup of the flov/er is fmooth and
divided into many parts, without which there are four
or five green leaves that turn backwards ; the femi-
floretts in the middle have each their proper embryo,
and turns to a reddi(h or citron coloured feed, furnifhed
with long hairy down. It is accounted an aperient,
and to open the obllrudions of the viicera. Boerhaa^ve
is of opinion that when it is ufed for a confiderable time
it will diflblve almoll all kinds of coagulations, and
open the mod obllinate obihndions of the vifcera ; Fulf-
ler commends it in difegfes of the ikin, if four ounces of
the juice be taken three times, or oftener, in a day.
When young it is eaten by the French as a fallad.

DIGITALIS, Foxglonje^ has many (lender fibrous-
roots, with a fialk that fometimes grows to two cubits
in height ; it is thick, angular, hairy, reddifli, and
hollow, with oblong, acuminated, hairy leaves, ferrated
on the edges, of a blackifti green above, and hoary be-
lovv'. Thofe at the root have long pedicles, and thofe
at the ftalks are placed without any regular order. The
flowers are difpofed in a long fpike, and always pen-
dulous, growing on one fide of the llalk, with fhort
hairy pedicles ; they confift of a fingle petal, and fome-
what referable the finger of a glove, from whence it has
its name ; but it is open at the top, and has as it were a
lip on each fide ; it is of a purple colour, excepting the
lower part, where it is whitifh or flefh coloured. la
the lower part of the flower there are purple or white
crocked ftamina, wilh apices of a fafl'ron colour. The
I 4 piflil

176 THE NATURAL HISTORY
piflil is {lender, purplifh, fixed 'n the back part of the
flower, like a nail, and turns to a fruit, or pcd, which
ends in a point and opens in the middle, it b- ing divided
into two cells full of fmall, angular, reddifli feeds; the
cup of the flower is generally compofed of five leaves.
This plant is by many thought to be poifonous, and yet
there are country people give it as a purge in agues ;
but it works very violently. Some recommend it ex-
ternally againft fcrophulous fwellings, and for that pur-
pofe fet the flowers in the fun in M&y butter, in order to
extradl their vertues, and this is ufed as an ointment ;
but it muft be continued a long while,

DIPSACUS SATIVUS, jnanured Tea/el, rifes to the
height of three cubits and upwards, and is as thick as a
man's thumb. It is ftrait, ItifF, hollow, ftreaked, and
full of prickles ; there are two leaves that grow together
on the llalk, that together make a cavity for the holding
of water, they are large, long, of a pale green, and
prickly on the edges. The flowery heads that grow on
the top of the llalks are large, and are compofed of
many imbricated leaves, placed on each ether like fcales,
with very ftifF points turned backwards like hooks, and
have fomewhat of the appearance of a bee hive ; the
little flowersr proceed fmgly from between the fcales, and
are white, or of a whitiih purple colour, thefe are fuc-
ceeded by ftreaked feeds like fennel, but of a bitterifli
tafte. It is cultivated for ufe, and ferves to raife the
nap upon woollen cloth. It is propagated by fowirg
the feeds in March, upon a foil that has been well dried,
and one peck of feed will fow an acre of ground. When
the plants are come up they muft be hoed in the fame
manner as turnipi, leaving them at flx or eight inches
diftance ft*m each other ; fometime after they muft be
hoed again, and the plants left at leaft a foot afunder ;
the fecond year they will fhoot up to heads, which will
be fit for ufe in Augujl. The phyfical vertues of tljis
plant are fo very obfcure, that nothing need to be faid
about them.

DRACUNCULUS ftn^e DRACONTIUM, Dra-
gonsf or the many leanjed Arum, has a root that lies deep
in the earth, which is almoll of an orbicular form, and

fills

OF VEGETABLES. 177

fills the palm of the hand, with many white capillaments
and a yellow rind. The iialk is Tingle, ftrait, and
thicker than one's thumb ; it grows to a cubit and a
half high, and is round, fmooth, and of feveral colours,
like the (kin of a ferpent. The leaves have pedicks
nine inches in length, and are divided into digitated feg-
ments which are fix or (even in number or upwards j
they are oblong, narrow, fmooth, fhining, and there are
ihafts not fo thick as a man's little finger, and at the top
there is a vagina, or (heath, a foot long, of an herbace-
ous colour without, but within of a reddifh purple ;
when it is unfolded it turns to a flower with a fingle
petal, in Ihape like an afs's ear, within which there is a
blackilh, long, thick piilil, bigger than that of arum,
and ends in a fharp point ; at the bafe there are a col-
lediion of feveral apices and embryoes, each of which
turn into a globcus juicy berry, difpofed like a bunch of
grapes, which are at firll green and afterwards red ; they
contain a hard feed or two that are fomewhat wrinkled.
The berries have a hot biting tafte. It is cultivated in
gardens, and is propagated by their knobby roots, which
in two or three years time will afford many ofF-fets. The
bell feafon for tranfplantiRg them is in autumn, after
the decay of the leaves, and they Ihould be fet in an
open place and in a light foil The root and leaves have
the fame vertues as arum, and are faid to diffolve grofs
humours in the lungs and vifcera, to open obilrudlions,
and to promote the menfes and urine. The dofe of the
dried root, in powder, is from one dram to two. Ex-
ternally the root is an excellent remedy againft invete-
rate ulcers ; but the fruit is more powerful than the
leaves or root, fome pretend they will cure cancers.

DRACUNCULUS PRATENSIS, f^.eacfo-xv Dragons,
fometimes grows to three cubits in height, and has a
crooked geniculated root, furniflied with large long fibres ;
the ilalk is round, fmooth, fiilulous, flender, and yet
pretty ftifF. The leaves are placed in no regular order,
and they are ferrated with Iharp rough teeth on the
edges, and are of a blackifh green fhining colour, of a
hot tafle, but milder than pellitory of Spain. The
highell part of the fhaft is angular, hairy, and divided
I 5 into

i;8 THE NATURAL HISTORY

into Tprigs, en which are umbellated white radiated flow-
ers, twice or thrice bigger than thofe of yarrow ; their
ci^ confifts of feveral i4oretts fct clofe together, and di-
vided into five fegments, but the crown of femi florettsis
placed upon embryoes in a flender fhort cup, that after-
wards turn to flender feeds ; it flowers in July, and the
root and leaves have been fometimes in ule. The root
being eaten is faid to purge the head and cure the tooth-
ach. Some eat them in lallads.

DRACUNCULUS ESCULENTUS, Tarragon,
grows to the height of two cubits and upv^'ards. At fiift
the leaves are divided, but when they are full grown they
become like thofe of flax or hyflTop, of a fliining blackifti
green colour. The flowers grow on the top of the
brarclies in bunches, and conM of floretts fo fmall that
ihey are haidly vifible ; however upon examination they
appear to be tubulous ard divided into five pn.rts at the
top, under which are cmbryoes placed in a fcaly cup ;
each embryo (urns to a fmall naked feed. The whole
plant is very aciimonious, and is aperient, diuretic, and
proper to open obiii u(Slicns ; being chewed it provokes
fpittle like pelh'tory of Zpain. It is mi.xed with fallads
by feme to corred the coldnefs and crudity of other
herbs, and becaufe it is good for a cold flomach.

DULCAMARA ft^ce SOLANUM I.IGNOSUM,
Bitter Jnxeet^ has woody flalks that are brittle, ^^v>Gtx,
and from three to fix feet in length ; and as it rifes it
wraps itfelf round or climbs up hedges or ftirubs, the
bulk of the new branches are green, but of the old of a
whitifli afli colour. The wood is brittle, and full of
a fpungy pith. The leaves are placed alternately, and
arc oblong, fmooth, and fliarp pointed, of a blackifb
green colour, with two fmall appendages like leaves at
the bafe. The flowers confift of a Angle petal, divided
into five narrow fiiarp fegments of a bluifli purple co-
Jcur, though fornetimes white, and in the fliape of a
ftar. From the flower cup arifes a pillil fixed in the
back part of the flower like a nail, which turns to a
round, foft, fucculent fruit, or berry, which when ripe
is of a reddifli purple colour, and contains flat whitifti
feeds. Some pretend this plant is proper to open ob-

ftrudliona

OF VEGETABLES. 179

flrufllons of the liver and fpleen, and to promote urine ;
but its vertues are very doubtfal, and therefore nothing
more needs to be faid of it.

EBULUS, d--warf Elder y is fomewhat like comnion
elder but feldom grows fo tall as a man j the root is
long, flefhy, white, fpreading, and of a bitteriih, fub-
acrid, and naufeous taile ; the llaii^s are herbaceous, an-
gular, llreaked, and geniculated, with frequent joint.f,
and they are pithy like common alder j the leaves con-
fill of three or four corjugationF, with a fingle leaf at
the end ; they are longer than the leaves of common
alder as v/ell as (harper, and are ferrated on the edges.
The floA/ers are fmall and grow in umbels, and are
white and confift of a fingle petal divided into five feg-
mentf, and they have five white fiamina, and as many
ruRy cok^ured apices ; when the flowers are fallen olF
the flower cups turn into be.ries, which are black when
ripe, and the juice will colour the fingers purple. It is
found wild in fome counties o{ England, but near London
is cultivated for ufe. It multiplies exceeding faft, and
if permitted will fcon over-run a large fpot of ground.
The cfT-fets of thefe root<^ may be tranfplanted any rime
from September to yarch, and will grow in any foil or
iituation. The leaves of this plant are bitterifli, and tlie
berries are very bitter, v.ith fomewhat of an aflrii gincy.
]t is a flrong purge, but the roots are moll powerful as
well as its birk. They have been frequently given in
the dropfy, but with diff'erent fuccefs j however it fliould
not be exhibited at all except to thofe that have ftrong
confiitutions. The powder of the feeds is given to a
dram ; but a rob made of the berries is the moft proper
to purge cfF water in dropflcal patients, and may be ex-
hibited from half an ounce to an ounce.

EL.VriNE, FLUELLIN, or female Speed^je II, has a
white, fingle, flender root, that defcends diredly down-
wards into the earth, and has but few fibres. The flalk
is round, flender, and fcarce ever rifes to a palm in
height ; the branches creep upon the ground, but fel-
dom more than to the length of a fpan. The leaves are
greater than thofe of chickvv'eed, as well as rounder, and
are of a pale greenifh, cr hoary colour i they are downy
1 6 and

i8o THE NATURAL HISTORY

and foft to the touch, and their edges are generally pretty
even, though fometimes they are dentated j they are
placed alternately on the llalks, and have very fhort
pedicles. Fronfi the place wliere they are joined to the
ftalks proceed fingle flowers, which are fmall, have a
fjngle petal, and are of an anomalous perfonated iliape,
ending in a tail behind, and in the fore part divided into
two lips, of which the upper is cut into two or more
parts, and the under into three. The flower- cup confifts
of one leaf, and the embryo rifes f.^om its center and be-
comes a roundifh fruit, or hufk, divided into two cells
by a partition, which are full of keds. Ti.e leaves are
intenfely bitter and fubaftringent. It is accounted a
great vulnerary, and is faid to cure cancers, the gout, le-
profy, dropfy, and king's evil. Four ounces in infufion
or decodlion is a dofe, and of the juice four ounces drank
twice or thrice a day ; however it is not ufed in the pre-
fent praftife.

ENDIVIA/t;^ INTYBUS. En^i^'e, is of three forts,
the hroad leaved or cor.tnon Endi^ve^ the narro-uo halved
or lejfer Endi've^ and the curled or Roman Etidkoe. The
firft has fibrous roots full of milk, and the leaves fpread
on the ground before the growing of the ilalk. The
leaves are like thofe of lettice, now and then crenated
on the edges, and a little bitterifh ; thofe that grow on
the ftalk are like thofe of ivy, but \c^^. The llalk rifes
fometimes to a cubit and a half in height, and is fmcoth,
flreaked, light, and divided into many crooked branches,
which pour out a milk when wounded. The flowers
and feeds are like thofe of fuccory. Narrow halved
Endi've differs only from the former in having more
narrow leaves, and a more bitter tafle. The Roman or
curled EndH<e has leaves that are bigger than thofe of
the common, which are finuated on the edges ; the ftalk
alfo is larger, thicker, and more tender, and the feeds
are black. The firil and fecond forts are now difufed in
kitchen gardens, as being vaftly inferior to the curled
kinds. The feafons for fowing the feeds are in May^
June^ and July, at four or five different times, but that
which is firft fown is very apt to run to feed, efpecially
if the autumn prove warm and dry -, however it is ne-

cefiary

OF VEGETABLES. i8i

ceflary to have a little fown in May for the firil crop.
They fhould be fown in an open fituation, and in a
good rich foil, but not too thick. When they are come
up, and grown to about two inches high, they mufl be
tranfplanted into another good open fpot of ground, at
about ten inches diftant every way, obferving to cut ofr
the largeft leaves before you plant them, as al fo to water
them ccnilantly every other evening until they have
taken fre(h root. Some of the largeft muft be tied up
with ofier twigs to blanch, which fhould be done in a
dry afternoon. 'You mull firft gather up all the inner
leaves of the plant regularly into one hand, and then
thofe on the outfide that are found, pulling off all that
are rotten and decayed, placing them as near as poffible
in the natural order of their growth ; then tye it up with
a twig very clofe, about two inches below the top, and
about a week after go over the plants again, and give
them another tye about the middle. This mull be done
for the two firil fowings ; but thofe of the latter fowings
fhould be taken up in a very dry day, and with a fharp
pointed dibble plant them into the fides of trenches of
earth, which are laid very upright, fideways towards the
fun, with the tops of the plants only out of the ground,
fo that the hafly rains may run off, and the plants be
kept dry and fecured from froft. They will be fit for
ufe in about a month's time, after which they will not
keep good long, and therefore frefh ones fhould be put
into the trenches tvQxy fortnight at leaft, that you may
have a confcant fupply. The blanched leaves are more
tender and more agreeable to the palate than the green.
They are cooling and aperient, and fervc to temperate
the heat of the blood and bi!ious humours. They are
good in the jaundice and bilious fevers, and four ounces
of the juice is a dofe.

ENULA CAMPANA, Elecampane, has a thick
flefhy root, of a dufky colour without, but white with-
in, with an acrid, bitterifh, aromatic tafte. The leaves
are a cubit in length, and almofl: a fpan broad ; they
are of a pale gre.in above, hoary underneath, cienated
on the edges, /harp at both ends, aiid fofr to the '.ouch.
The ftalks rife to three or four cubits in height, and are

ftrair.

iS2 THE NATURAL HISTORY

flralt, villous, ftreaked, branched, and fupport radiated
gold coloured large flowers., whofe fioretts are hermaphro-
dites, but the iemi-fioretts are female, the cmbryoes
which are placed on a naked placenta are crowned with
down, and they are ail included in a fcaly cup. Jt
grows wild in moiil fields and meadows in feveral parts
of England^ and is cultivated in the gardens near London.
It may be propagated by feeds, or with the fmall ofF-fets
furnilhed with buds at the top. 7'he feeds fliould be
fovyn in a moill bed of light earth foon after they are
ripe, and they generally remain in the ground till thfe
following fpring, and when the plants appear they
fhould be weeded and watered in a dry fpring ; they
ihould remain in the bed till the Michaelmas following,,
and then they Ihould be tranfplanted in rows about a
foot afunder, and nine inches dillant in the rows, making
the holes deep enough, and putting the crown of the
loct jult under the furface of the ground ; then tread the
earth gently about them with your feet. The roots
will be fit for ufe the Michaelmas following. The root
is of great ufe as well recent as dry. Jt opens obftruc-
tions of the glands, rcllores the flux of the menfes and
lochia, helps catarrhs, and has often been found good
in atrophies. It is fudorific and diuretic, and has been
found of fervice in feverifh diforders. It is likewife
good in difficulty of breathing, and the moift adhma.
The dcfe of the frefh root is from half an ounce to an
ounce in decodion, and of the dry, in powder, from
a dram to two drams. It alfo helps digeftion by reftcring
the loft tone of the ftomach, and by inciding and ex,-
pelling the impurities contained in the ftomach and in*-
teftires. For the fame reafon it is good in cholic pains
proceeding from wind, and cleanles the kidnits. Spi-
rituous liquors extraft its vertues much better than the
watery.

EQUI3ETUM, BorfetaiU is of two kinds, the greater
and the kfs \ the greater H:rfetail has a root confifting
of a great number of fibres, and at firft it fends out
fhoots from a palm to a cubit in height, with knots or
joints, where one part is fct in another as in box, with
a blackifti border furrounding the joint. They are

ftreaked,

OF VEGETABLES. 183

flreaked, light, and at the top, where there is a fort of
a clavatcd catkin, confifting of feveial flamina, with an
apex like a fungus, of a whitifli brown colour. It is
fpicated and barren. The fruit produced by horfetail
are black rough grains. In proccfs of time the flaiks
grow to a cubit in height, or higher, and alnioft to the
ihicknefs of one's finger ; they are round, hollow, gene-
rally whitiHi, and full of ftreaks, with the fame joints
as above. From each joint, or knee, proceeds feveral
long, flender, rough, llreaked, green leaves, like brillles,
and there are of thefe from eight to thirty compofed of
the like joints as the large ftalks. When they are old
they become of a bay, or biackilh red colour, except on
the fide next the fun.

The lejfer Horfetail, has a flender, black, articulated,
creeping root, furnifhed with blackifn fibres, that pro-
ceed from the joints. It produces fhoots like the former,
which are more flender, long. loofe, fimbriated with black-
ifh cups for receiving the tubes ; and the head is like a
catkin fupporting white apices. The Italks that riffe
out of thefe are a foot in height, and are full of knees,
or joints, like boxes to receive the upper parts which are
inferted in them ; they are hollow, a little rough, and
from the joints proceed leaves like briflles placed all
round them ; but they are not fo numerous as the for-
mer ; they have ftreaked, fair, deep, crooked furrows,
and they grow in a moift fandy ground among corn.
Both forts were formerly in ufe, and were accounted
ailringent and good againft haemorrhages, when pow-
dered and given to a dram, or four ounces decodled in
wine, morning and evening, or two ounces of the juice.
Likewife a dram of the root has been given againil fpit-
ting of the blood ; however they are now out of ufe
with us.

ERUCA, Rocket y has a white, woody, flender, root,
with hairy ftalks that rife to a cubit, or a cubit and a
half in height. The leaves are like thofe of muflard,
they being long and narrow, with deep incifions on each
fide. The flowers at the top of the ftalks confill of four
petals in the form of a crofs, of a whitiih yellow co-
lour, with blackifh flreaks. The cup is hairy, from

whence

184 THE NATURAL HISTORY'
whence rifes a piflil, that turns into a pod like that of
muftard, but longer, with a partition in the middle. It
is divided into two cells full of yellow feeds, larger than
thole of mullard, and not (o round. The Imeli of this
plant is llrong and difagreeable, as well as the tafte.
There are feveral forts of rocket that are planted in
phyfic gardens, but are of no great ufe. They may be
propagated by fowing their feeds in the Tpring, on a bed
cf light earth, where they sviil foon ccme up, and will
be large enough for ufe in a fhort time ; when young
they are eaten by feme as a fallad. It- is faid to excite
the appetite and help digellion, to ftrengthen the ftomach
and to promote urine.

ERYNGIUM, Eringo, or Sea Holly, has a root a
foot in length, and about as thick as one's thumb,
which is foTt and tender, only there is a hard nerve in
the middle ; it is blackifb on the outfide, white within,
and has a Iweet talle. The ftalk is ftreaked, a cubit
high, full of a fpungy pith, and fpreading into branches.
The leaves are alternately placed, and are broad, IlifF,
fmcoth, of a fea green colour, and deeply cut on each
fide, and terminating in thorns on the edges. The
flowers grow in round heads, and are rofaceous, confid-
ing of five white fmall petals, with as many flamina of
the fame colour. The calyx is oblong, and has five
Jharp pointr, and turns to two feeds, that are flat where
they touch each other, but on the other fide are gibbous
and flreaked. Below thefe heads there are long, fpinous,
ftreaked leaves, terminating in a point, and prickly on
the edges. It grows in plenty on fandy and gravelly
Ihcres, in divers parts of England ; and the roots are
candied and fent to London for medicinal ufe. They are
accounted aperient and diuretic, and are reckoned a
great aphrcdifiac, but without any jull reafon, for they
are not pungent enough for that purpcfe, efpecially when
candied.

ERYSIMUM, hedge Mvjlard, has a fingle, white,
woody root, about as thick as one's little finger, and the
ftalks rife to two cubits in height, which are round,
firm, rough, and hrju ched. The fin; Ic:ives are a palm
in length, and are hairy, being divided into feveral tri-
angular

OF VEGETABLES. 185

angular fegments, of which the uppermoft is the biggeft*
The flowers are fmall, and placed in rows on the
branches ; they confift of four yellow petals, in the
form of a crofs, with a hairy calyx confifting of four
leaves. The pillil is changed into a pod half an inch or
longer, which is horned and divided into two cells, con-
taining many fmall bay hot feeds. It is accounted good
in old coughs, the afthma, and other diforders of the
lung?, for it not only diiTolves vifcid matter in the lungs
and fauces, but alfo in the ftomach and inteftines, whence
it is good in cholics proceeding therefrom. The dofe of
the leaves in deccdion is a handful, and of the feeds,
which are beft, to a dram. Thefe laft are good in a
fuppreffion and difficulty of urine; and fome efteem
them very much for their good effects againil the
gravel.

ESULA MINOR, the lejfer Spurge, has a woody
fibrous root, about the thicknefs of the little finger,
which has an naufeous, acrid, pungent tafte ; the Halks
grow to a cubit in height, and the leaves are placed very
thick thereon ; they are at fir ft like thofe of toad flax,
but afterwards grow much flenderer and capillaceous.
The flowers grow on the top of the branches as it were
umbellated, and they conflft of a fmgle petal, which is in
the fliape of a flower and of a greenilh colour, but di-
vided into four fegments- The piftil changes to a trian-
gular fruit, in which are three cells containing three
roundifli feeds. The whole plant is full of milk, and
it grows by the way fides and m woods.

ESULA MAJOR, has ftalks thr.t grow to a cubit
high, and the root is as thick as one's thumb, and is a
foot long ; the leaves are like thofe of toad flax, and
the flowers are in the fhape of a half moon ; the fruit is
triangular, and confifts of three cells This plant is like-
wife full of milk, and is by fome taken to differ no-
thing from the former, except in fize. All kinds of
fpuroes have a purging quality, and more efpecially the
milky juice ; however it is not to be taken without
danger.

EUPATORIUM CANNABINUM, He?np Agrimony,
has a thick crooked root, with many large fibres, and

the

i86 THE NATURAL HISTORr
the ftalk rifes to two or three cubits high, and is flraif,
round, downy, and of a purplifh green colcur; and
alfo full of while pith. The leaves grow thick upon the
flalkf, and are like thofe of hemp, they being oblong,
acuminated, and ferrated on the edges. The flowers
are colkded into umbels on the tcp of the branches,
and corfift of many tubulous floretts of a purplifh co-
lour, divided into Ave parts at the top, with long capil-
laments or double piilils, placed upon an embryo in a
long, round, fcaly cup. The feeds are pappous, cr fur-
rifhed with a long hairy down. It grows in waters, and
in watery places. It is faid to be hepatic, aperient, and
vulnerary ; and the leaves have a very bitter tafle, with
a great degree of pungency. It is faid to be greatly pre-
valent againfl the cachexy j and Boerhaa^e informs us
it is the corilant medicine of the turf diggers in Holland
againfl fcurvies, foul ulcers, and fwellings- of the feet,
to which they are fubjedl. Some prefcribe a handfd
cf the leaves and tops boiled flightly in a pint of whey,
or water, againll obftrudlions of the vit'cera and agues,
efpecially when patients are inclinable to the dropfy.
Many drink it like tea feveral times a day ; and others
give three ounces of the juice. Externally the leaves
and ilcrctt tops boiled in wine are good againft watery
fweilirgs, efpecially of the fcrotum.

EUillRASIA, lye-hrij:t, has a fingle flcnder root,
with a few large fibies ; the Ralks rife to the height of
a palm and a half, and are round, a little hairy, and
blackifh, with leaves about a quarter cf an inch long,
that are roundifh, fmooth, though a little wrinkled, and
of a dufky green. They are placed by pairs cppofue
to each oti-.er, without any pedicle?. The flowers grow
on the top of the branches, ard corfift of a fingle per-
fonatcd whitifli petal, llreaked with purple and 3el]ow
lines, ard divided into two lips. 7 he up ptr lip is up-
right, eleven, obtufe, crenated, and bides a few flamita ;
but the lower is divided into three fegments in the fliape
of heaits. The calyx is divided into four part?, and
contains a piflil f:xed in the back part«[ the flower, like
a nail, which turns to a fruit or flat capfula a quarter of
an inch long, divided into two cells full of exceeding

fmall.

OF VEGETABLES. 137

fmall, oblong, afh coloured feeds. It is common in
mountainous and woody places. This plant has been
greatly celebrated for curing diforders of the eyes ; but
it is not acknowledged at prefent to have any fuch ver-
tues. Jt is faid to di/Tolve the thick grofs humours,
efpecially of the brain. The dofe of the leaves, in
powder, is from one dram to three, thrice a day.

FABA MAJOR HORTENSIS, IVmdfor Beans, has
a root that is partly (Irait and partly creeping, with a
quadrangular fialk, that is light and has feveral ribs.
The conjugation of the leaves are not exadl, for there
has been ibmetimes three, fear, five, or more, of an ob-
long roundifh {hape, that are fiat, of a bluifh green,
venous and fmooth. The flowers proceed from the hol-
lows where the ribs join to the llalk, and though feveral
of them are together they have but one pedicle ; they
are papilionaceous, and are fucceeded by a long pod fo
well known that it needs no defcription. There are fe-
veral forts of beans, as the Ma%en Bean, which is the
iirft and bed fort of e^rly b^ans at prefent known, and
are brought from a fettlement of the Portuguefe on the
coaft of Africa, near Gihronta. The feeds of this fort
are much leis than thofe of a horfe-bean, and if they are
fown in Odober under a warm hedge or wall and are
carefully earthed up as they grew, they will be ready
for the table in May. The early Portugal Bean diffc^rs
little fiorn the former, though it is not io well talkd ;
but it is ccmmonly ufed by gardeners for their iirft crop.
The fmall Spaui/h Bean will come up foon after the for-
mer, and is much fweetcr. The Sandnvich Bean comes
up foon after the Spanijh, and is almoft as large as the
Windfor bean, but being more hardy is commonly fown
a month fooner. "X^it^oker Bean comes up about the
fame time wiih the Sandxvich, and as it is a great
bearer as well as that, it is now much planted. The
ivhite and black bloffcmed Beans are in great efteem by
fome ; but all thele forts are very apt to degenerate, if
their feeds are not preferved with great care. The
Windfor Bean is allowed to be the bell of all, and are
the largeft. It is feldom planted before Chriftmas, bs-
caufe it will net bear the froil fo well as any of the for-

i88 THE NATURAL HISTORY

xner. Thofe that are planted in 05ioher will come up
about a month after, and as foon as they are two inches
above ground, the earth fhould be carefully drawn up
with a hoe to the ftems ; and this muil be repeated two
or three times, and this will prated them againft the
froft ; but if the winter proves very fevere it will be pro-
per to cover them with peaie haulm, fern, or iome
other light covering, which muft be taken off in mild
weather. The Horfe Bean delights in a llrong moili
foil that lies quite open, for they never thrive well on
dry warm lard, or in fmall irclcfures. The feafon for
fowing thefe beans is from the latter end of Tcb nary to
the beginning oi April, according to the nature of the foil.

With regard to the nature and faculty of beans aa-
thors are net agreed ; but the common opinion is, that
they are windy and hard of digeftion. Some doubt
whether they nourifh much or not j however this is cer-
tain, that a poor man, in a time of fcarcity, kept his
family with boiled beans alone, and that the children
looked as fat and as well as any others that lived better.
The meal of dried beans is reckoned among one of
the four refolvent meals, and is ufed by fome as a cata-
plafm boiled in milk, to refclve and iuppurate tumours.
I'he water dillilled from the flowers is locked upcn
as a cofmetic, and is Hill in ufe; that is, to take away
fpots on the face.

FAGOPYRUM^ Bucl^wheat, has a branched root,
with feveral hairy fibres, and the flalk rifes to a cubit or
higher ; this is round, fmooth, folid, green, and fome-
times of a purple colour, and branched. The lower
leaves have pedicles two inches in length, but they grow
fhorter the higher they are placed, till at length they
are placed clcfe to the (lalks ; they are like rhofe of
ivy, fmooth, of a blackifh grten, and even on the edges.
On the tops of the flalks and branches there are pedicles
an inch in length, that proceed from the places where
the leaves join to the flalk, and fuppoit fpikes of
flowers that confilt of a fingle petal, with many red
flamina, ard a calyx divided into five parts, of a
whitifh purple colour. The pillii changes to an ob-
long triangular feed, of a dirty blackifli colour, con-
tained

OF VEGETABLES. 189

tained in a capfula that was the calyx of the flower.
When the feeds are ground into meal it is exceeding
white, but has an infipid taile. There are two forts of
buck -wheat, one of which is called the common upright
Buck n.vheat^ and the other the common climbing Buck-
ftvheat ; the firil of thefe is cultivated in many parts of
England, and is a great improvement to dry barren
land. The bell feafon for fowing the feeds is in May^
and one buQiel is fufficient for an acre. The meal,
or flour, when mixed with a little wheat flour,
makes a very good pancake. The flraw is good
fodder for cattle, and the grain mixed with oats given
to horfes, will make them fat j but it mull hi firil
broken in a mill. It is late in the feafon before it is
ripe } however it will not fufFer by wet after it is down ;
it mull lye feveral days to dry, that the llalks may
wither before it is got in. The fecond fort is found
wild, but is never cultivated. The meal has been
fometimes ufed for catapiafms, but is now negle£led.

FILIPENDUL^, Drop^vort, has a flefliy blackifli
root, which terminates in feveral branches or fibres and
near the ends there are knots, or bulbs, fomewhat lorsger
than an olive. There are feveral leaves that proceed
from the rcct, which are finely cut into narrow feg-
ments, and are of a biackiib green colour ; the llalk is
generally Angle, eredl, and about a foot in height. It
is ilreaked, branched, and has but few leaves ; and
the flowers grow on the top of the flalks in umbels ,
they are rofaceous, conflft of fix white petals, which are
a little reddilh on the outfide ; there are many fhamina
and red apices,, placed in a cup confiiling of a fingle kaf
that has a great number of points. The piftil turns in-
to a globous fruit, compofed of eleven or twelve rough
flat feeds, of a rhomboidal fhape, and are fo placed to-
gether in a head, that they refemble a tub. It grows
wild in many parts of England, upon heaths and com-
mons. Tiie leaves of drop wort have an ailringent,
faltiih glutinous tafle ; the whole plant is faid to incidc
and attenuate grofs humours, and to carry them off by
urine. The roots are more aflringent than the leaves,
and are greatly efteemed by fome againft fluxes peculiar

to

190 THE NATURAL HISTORY

to women. The dofe of the root, in powder, is a dram,
and fome have looked upon it as a fecret to cure the
bloody flux, when given in wine or the yelk of an

FILEX MAS,r5^;;w» male Fern, has a thick branched
fibrous root, blackiOi without, but pale within ; the
tafte is at firft fweetifh, then bitteriOi and fuballringent,
but it has no fmell. When the (hoots firft appear they
are crooked, and covered with hoary down, which in
procefs of time change into broad, branched, upright
leaves, two cubits high, eafily broken, and of a light
green colour. They confiil of wings, or leaves, whofe
middle rib is flightly covered with a ruft coloured mofs,
and they are placed alternately ; they are blunt at the
ends of the fegment? into which they are divided as into
teeth. There is a black line runs through the upper
part of the middle of each nerve, and the upper part of
each wing is marked with fmall veins, but on the
lower there is a double row of rully coloured fpecks,
which are the fruit. T'hey are furnifhed with an elaftic
ring, by means of which the feeds are poured out when
ripe, that are extremely fmall. They have no flowers,
or at lead none have been difcovered hitherto.

FJLEX FOEMINA, female Fern, has a root about
as thick as one's finger, b!acki{h without, and whitifh
wichin, which creeps every way in the ground. It has
a ftrong fmell, a bitterifli tafte, and a clammy juice,
when it is cut tranfverfely, or obliquely, there is the re-
prefentation of a fhape, which fome fancy to be like
that of an eagle. Its flalk, or rather the pedicle, grows
to the height of three or four cubits, and is ftiff,
branched, folid, fmcoth, and a little angular j the wing-
ed leaves are made up of narrow, oblong, (harpifh
leaves, that are a little dentated, but fome are even, and
others green above and hoary below. The fruit are
fmall oval vfficles, like thofe of male fern, but placed
on the edges of the compofuig leaves. It is found every
where en barren grounds, and the roots of both the
male and female are in ufe. It is common in many
parts of England to burn both kinds of fern, and to make
balls wiih the afliee, which they make ufe offer buck-
ing.

OF VEGETABLES. 191

ana, as they call it, their coarfe linnen. Before they
are ufed they make them red rot in the fire, and then
they will readily fall into powder when thrown into
water. Many vertues have been afcribed to thefe plants,
and fome have looked upon them as excellent againft
the rickets, and they were ufed by the ancients to
CJre chronic dileafes i the patients at prefent have too
delicate a taile to drink their naufeous decodlions for any
conGdeiable time. The powder of the root have been
given to a dram, for killing of worms, and particularly
the broad fort, called Ta^ftia ; and -^if/ion Pauli declares
it was once a great fecret among quacks for that pur-
pofe.

. FILEX FLORIDA, Ofmund Royal, has feveral green,
fmooth, ftreaked ftalks, with open branches, that grow
to the height of two cubits or higher ; from thefe pro-
ceed wings, confiding of eight or nine conjugations of
leaves, with a fingl-i one at the end ; they are all up-
right, three or four inches long, and half an inch broad
at the bafe, and terminate in an obtuie point ; there is
a nerve that runs through the length, and fends cfF a
vaft number of veins at the edges. The (haft of the
ftalk is divided into feveral branches, bearing bunches
about an inch in length, from whence the fruit proceeds.
There are no vifible flowers, or at lead they feem to be
leaves, in which the feeds grow before they are opened.
The fruit are nothing but fpherical capiulse, not unlike
thofe of the fjrnier ferns, which are broken by the con-
traftion of the fibref, and pour out exceeding fmafl
feeds that are fcarce vifible without the help of a mi-
rrofcope. It grows en bogs in feveral parts of England.
The root has been looked upon as excerent againft
ruptures and ulcers, when externally applied. Herman
recommends the mucilage of the root for this purpofe,
and more particularly for boys. It has alfo been looked
•upon as a powerful remedy againft the rickets. Half
an ounce to an ounce and a half of the middle part of
the root in decoftion, is a dofe

FOENICULUM VULGARE, common Fennel, has a
perennial root, and is abDut as thick as one's finger ; it
is ftrait, white, and has a fweetifti aromatic tafte ; the

ilalk

192 THE NATURAL HISTORY

flalk rifes to the height of three cubits, which is Hrait,
round, flreaked, geniculated, imcoth, flerder, and co-
vered with a greenifh rind ; it is full of a fpungy white
pith, and divided into many wings towards the top.
The pedicles furround the ftalk and branches like a
(heath, from whence proceed the leave?, that are divided
into flender fegments, or capillaceous jaggs, of a dark
greenifh colour, with a fweet talle and ImelJ. It is an
umbeliferous plant, for the flowers grow in umbels at
the ends of the branches, and are rofaceou?, and confift
of iive yellow petals; the calyx turns to a fmit com-
pofed of two oblong thickifti feeds, gibbous and ilrcaked
on ore fide, and plain on the other.

FOENICULUM DULCE, faceet Fennel, differs lit-
tle from the former, only the ftalk is net fo high nor fo
thick, and the leaves are lefs ; but the feeds are larger,
flreaked, whitifh, more fvveet, and lefs acrid. They
are propagated by fcvving the feeds fcon after they are
ripe, and when the plants are come up they Ihould
either be tranfplanted or hoed out to the diflance of fx-
tcen or eighteen inches each way. The feeds mufl not
be fufFerod to fhead on the ground, for then they will
over-run every thing that grows near them. The fweet
fennel is annual, and mull be fown in Marchy in a
warm foil and open fituation. They fhould be hoed out
at the diflance of ten inches from each other, and in
Auguji the feeds will be ripe; foon after which the
roots will decay. The befl feeds are thofe that are
brought from abroad, which are fo cheap that it is
not worth cultivating here. The fe plants are diuretic,
aperient, fudcrific, flomachic, peroral, and febrifuge ;
and fome would have it to be a fpec!fic againfl the fmall-
pox and meafles. The root is numbered among the five
aperient roots. The powder of the feeds is given from
half a dram to a dram, with fugar in wine. I'he whole
plant, as well as its feeds, is greatly cried up againft
dinire's of the eye- fight, efpecislly for thofe that have
hurt their eyes by reading in the night time ; for which
purpcfe the powder of the itt^s fhould be taken ^\^iy
morning fafling with fugar. The effential oil is a great
carminative, and from fix to twelve drops on a lump of

fugar

OF VEGETABLES. 19;

fugar are a dofe. It is good again ft the flatulent cholic,
and helps digeftion. The ufe of green fennel with fifh
is very well known. Boerhaa've obferves that the
roots of fennel have exax^ly the fame fmell, tafte, and
medical qualities, of the celebrated ginfeng, and there-
fore he is of opinion it may very juftly fupply its
place.

FOENUM GRiECUM, foetmgreeky has a flender,
white, fingle, woody root, from whence proceeds a ftalk
that rifes to the height of half a cubit, which is flender,
green, hollow, and divided into wings or branches ; and
there are three leaves growing upon one pedicle, like
thofe of meadow trefoil ; they are flightly ferrated on
the edges, and are fometimes more broad than long ;
they are green on the upper fide, and of an alh colour
below. The flowers proceed from the places where the
pedicles join to the ftalk, and are papilionaceous and
whitifti, which charge to pods a palm, or a palm and
a half in length j they are flattifh, a little crooked,
narrow and flender, with a long, light, flender, fword-
like point ; they contain many feeds of a rhomboidal
ftiape, that are yellowifti, and have no vtxy agreeable
fmell. They have a mucilaginous tafte, and the meal
made therewith foftens, digefts, ripens, and difcuflTcs
tumours, and eafes pains, for which reafon it enters e-
mollient, and ripening fomentations and cataplafms. It
is alfo prefcribed in carminative and anodyne glifters, to
abate the acrimony of the humours, and to beftow a
mucus on the eroded inteftines. The mucilage is good
againft fuggillations of the eyes, and in their inflam-
mations.

FRAG ARIA, the Straivberry plant, has a perennial
reddifli root, confifting of many capillaceous fibres, of an
aftringent tafte. The pedicles are a palm in length, and
are flender, hairy, and branched at the top, (ome of
which fuftain leaves, and others flowers ; there are three
leaves on every pedicle that referable thofe of cinquefoil,
which are veinous, hairy, ferrated on the edges, of a
greenifti colour above, but whiter below. There are
four or five flowers upon one pedicle, that are rofaceous,
and confift of five whitifti petals, with as many ftiort

Vol. VI. K lUmina

r

194 THE NATURAL HISTORY
ftamina fuftaining yellow apices. The piftil is globons,
and placed in a cup compofed of ten parts or fegments.
The piftil turns to a globous fruit, which when ripe is
red, though fometimes whitifli, and is very well known.
It grows wild in fhady places, and is cultivated in gar-
dens. 1 hey are of feveral fcrts, as the common, or 'wood
Siraicherry ; the ccmjnon Stranx;berry nvith ivhite fiuit \
the Hautboy ; the Virginian Straivherry ivith fcarlet
fruit I the iarge Chili S-traivherry ; the globe Hautboy j
and the Stranvberry ivith a fmall greenijh ivhite fruit.
The firft and fecond forts are found wild in the wood?,
from whence they are tranfplanted into gardens, by
which the fruit is improved, the bell feafon for which is
September. The beft foil for thefe plant?, is frefh hazily
loam, not over rich, and the ground fhould be well du^
and cleared from the roots of all noxious weeds. It
fhould be made quite level, and marked out into beds
about three feet and a half wide, leaving a path between
each bed two feet broad. In thefe btds may be planted
four rows, and the plants fnould be at leaft eight inches
afunder in the rows, wjien they are defjgned for the
wood ftrawberry, for the otl^rs will require more room.
If it is a dry fpring they fhould be well watered, other-
wife there will be no fruit, and the beds muft be well
weeded from time to time. In the beginning of Odober
all the firings, or runners, from the root, fhould be cut
cfF, and the weak plants pulled up where they are too
clofe. Then dig up the walks between the beds, bury^
ing the feeds that came off at the bottom, and throw a
little fine earth on the beds between the plants, but not
fo much as to bury them. They will not continue to
bear well above three years. Strawberries are cooling,
quench thirft, loofen the belly, promote urine, and ex-
pel fmall gravel. They fhould be eaten with cream, be-
caufe with milk they curdle upon the ftomaeh, but they
are beft in wine, though not fo ealy of digeftion. 'J'he
roots and leaves are diuretic and aperient, for which
rcafon they are recommended by fome in obftrudlions of
the vifcera, and the jaundice.

FRAXiNUS, the Jjh-tree, has a fingle ftrait root,
^nd confiderably thick j it grows very tall, and is co-
vered

OF VEGETABLES. 19-

vered with a fmooth afh coloured bark. The wood is
whitifh, fmooth, hard, and undulated; and the boughs
are placed over againft each other, and are a little
knotty, with a white fpungy pith on the infide ; but
thofe that are old are entirely woody and without knots.
The leaves are pcnnated, and mod end in an odd lobe ;
they confill of tour, five, or fix conjugations of leaves,
which are like thofe of lawrel, but are fofter and of a
lighter green,- they are a little ferrated on the edges,
and have a bitterifh, acrid, biting talle. From the
tender branches, near the rife of the leaves, branched pe-
dicles hang down, on which are many fmall flowers
without petals ; but they have a double apex and a
forked piftil, to which fucceed flat, membranaceous,
oblong, narrow fruit, an inch and a half in length, and
not unlike the tongue of a bird. Tiie feed is reddifti
without, but whitifti and pulpy within, and is much of
the fame fhape. The leaves are faid to be vulnerary,
the bark diuretic and febrifuge, and the feeds diuretic
and aphrodiflac ; but they are feldom in ufe. However
feme affirm that a dram of the powder of the dri^d feed
is not only good againil the flone, but a moil exctllent
remedy againil the jaundice and dropfy.

FUMARIA, Fumitoryy has a ilender, white, and
pretty fibrous root, that runs diredly down into the
ground. The flalk is fometimes fingle, and fometimes
divided into feveral branches, which are angular, light,
fmooth, and partly of a purplifn, and partly of a whitilh
green colour. The leaves towards the bottom have long
pedicles, and they are like tkne^-of the umbeliferous
plants. The flowers are colleded into ipikes, and are
of an anomalous fliape, fomew hat refembling a. papilio-
naceous flower, confil^ing of two petals which open like
two lips, the uppermoll of which terminates like a fpui'
or tail. Between tnele lips there is a piftil contained in
a flieath, with jlamina furniihed v/ith a few apices.
Each fruit turus into a pod in the (hape of a fcuU, con-
taining rcuJtdifli fmall feeds, of a greeiiifli black colour,
with a bitter difagreeable taite. The leaves are intenfe-
ly bitter, and are iaid to opt-n obllrudions, to (Irengthen
the llomach and vifcera, and 10 promote the menles and
K 2 urine J

196 THE NATURAL HISTORY
urine j hence it is faid to be good againft melancholy
hypochondriac diforders, the jaundice, and the kurvy.
Hoffman affirms it is one of the beJl purifiers of the
blood in the world. The dofe of the juice is to five
ounces and upwards, but a handful of the florett tops are
generally boikd gently in a pint of whey, which being
fweetened with an ounce of the fyrup of violets, fervcs
for a dofe. Some look upon it as a Specific againft the
itch, and all difeafes of the &in, for which purpofe
^ifnon Fault gave the fimple infufion in whey.

FUNGUS CAMPESTRIS ESCULENTUS VUL.
GATISSIMUS, the common efculent Mujhrootn, when it
firft appears is globous, after which it expands by little
and little, and underneath there are reddilh plates placed
near together all round ; on the upper part it is fmooth
and white, and the flefh is extremely white ; and it has
a fliort thick pedicle. The fmell and tafle is good when
it firft appears out of the earth, and it ftiould be gathered
before it is expanded ; for when it is older it has a
llronger fmell, and is of a browniA colour. Jt grows
almoll every where in woods and paflure grounds after
rain. They have now a method of cultivating it in
gardens ; in order for which fome are to be fought for
xnJuguJi and Septeviher^ and having found them you
muil open the ground about the roots, where )ou will
often find the earth full of fmall white knobs, which are
cfFsets, or young mufhrooms. Thefe fhould be carefully
gathered, preferving them in lumps w ith the earth about
them. The beds to receive this fpawn (hould-be made
with dung, in which there is plenty of liquor j and that
is beft which has lain fpread abroad for a month or
longer. Thefe beds fhould be made on dry ground,
and the dung fhould be laid upon the furface ; the
breadth fhould be two feet and a half from the bottom,
and the length in proportion to the quantity of mufh-
rooms defired. The dung fhould be a foot thick, and
covered with about four inches of flrong earth j then
lay more dung ten inches thick, and then another layer
of earth ; ft ill contrail ing the fides of the bed fo as to
form it like the ridge of a iioufe. This done it fhould be
covered with litter, or o'd thatch, to keep out the wet,

and

OF VEGETABLES. 197

and to prevent its drying. It mufl remain thus eight
or ten days, and the fpawn, which fhould be always
kept dry till it is ufed, fhould be thruft into the bed after
the covering is taken ofF, and another put on of earth
about an inch thick. It fhould be laid in lumps two
or three inches afunder, and then covered with the fan>e
fight earth half an inch thick, over which the litter
mull be laid again to keep out the wet. The fpring
and autumn are the befl feafons for this purpofe, for
then the mufhrooms will appear in about a month.
The bed will continue good for feveral months, and
produce great quantities of mulhrooms ; and they will
likewife fupply you with frefh fpawn, which muft be
laid up in a dry place till the proper feafon.

FUNGUS VERNUSESCULENrUS, called Mou-
teron by the French, makes its appearance in the fpring,
with fhort fibrous pedicles, that fultain heads about the
fize of a pea. They are round at the top, but below
they are bent downwards like a tent, and there are alfb
furrows from the centre to the circumference; when
they are full grown they are expanded like the former.
They are entirely white both within and without, and
have a mofl agreeable fmell and talle. They are gene-
rally looked upon to be whole fome, though fome affirm
they are noxious ; which may be owing to their having
miftaken one fort for another. However fome are fo
fully perfwaded they have bad qualities, that they think
they are only fit to throw upon the dunghilL

FUNGUS PULVERULENTUS,/!'^ CREPITUS
LUPI, et LYCOPERDON, Tuff-halls, or Bull-Jijls,
has no evident pedicle, is of a roundifh fhape, and gene-
rally about the fize of a walnut. When it is young it
is covered with a whitilh afh coloured fkin, that is not
fmooth but granulated, and contains a white, foft, green-
ifh pulp, which afterwards becomes light, fpungy, and
of the colour of foot ; when it is quite decayed it turns
to a dry fine powder, with a foetid fmell and an aflrin-
gent taile. When it is trod upon it makes a crackling
noife, and emits the powder like fmokc. There is ano-
ther kind of this fungus that grows to the fize of a man's
head, and is covered with a ftrong membranaceous fkin,
K 3 which

198 THE NATURAL HISTORY
which is at firft of a whitifh afh colour, which becomes
livid' by degrees. When it is dry it is fo light that one
of the above fize will fcnrce weigh an ounce ; but this
is chiefly to be met with amorg the Jlps. They are
never given inwardly, but outwardly they are ufed to
Hop bleed, and to dry up running ulcers, by fprinkling
the: pcwder on the parts -, however the dull is dangerous
to the eyes.

G. 4 LEG A, Goats Rue, has flender, woody, white,
fibrous perennial roots, and ftalks that rife to the height
of two cubits and upwards, which are light, ilreaktd,
and divided into feveral branches. The leaves are wing-
ed like thofe of vetches, and there is always a fingle one
at the end j but they are longer and terminate in a foft
thorn. The flowers are of the papilionaceous kind,
and are white, or of a whitifh purple colour. It con-
fifts of the Itandard, the wings, and the keel ; and the
piftil becomes a long taper pod, containing oblong feeds
in the fhape of a kidney. It grows wild in Jtaly^ but
with U5 is cultivated in gardens. They may be propa-
gated either from the ktds, or by parting of their roots.
The btft feafon for the fowing the feeds, is in the be-
ginning oi March, in a light foil, and in an open fitua-
tion ; when the plants are come up they fliou!d be well
weeded, and if they are too clofe fome of them fnould
be pulled up, leaving the reft at eight or nine inches
cillant from each other. The next year thefe plants
will flower and produce ripe feeds. The roots may be
parted into fmall heads in order for their increafe in
autumn. It is accounted a great alexipharmac, and has
been commended in peililential fevers, and for the epi-
lepfyin children. The herb may be eaten either crude
or boiled, or a fpoonful of the juice may be given for a
dofe. Some look upon tliis herb as a great prefervative
againft the plague, and likewife afiirm it to be good
to kill worms,

GALEOPSIS, dead Nittk, ox fl inking dead Kettle,
has a creeping root, with flender fibres proceeding from
the joints ; tlie ftalks rife to the height of a cubit, or
a cubit and a half, and they are fquare, hairy, light,
and branched. The leaves are placed by pairs oppcfite to

each

OF VEGETABLES. 199

each other, and are fomewhat broader than the common
nettle, but ftiarp at the points and ferrated on the edges ;
they are covered with a fort of down, and on the tops of
the ilalks and branches there are fpikes of flowers, which
confiit of a fingle petal, which is labiated, and the upper
Jip is hollow like a fpoon ; bat the under one is divided
into three fegments, of which the middlemofl is the
largelt ; the ftamina as wtll as the flower, are of a
purple colour, with a iirong difagreeable fmell. The
cap of the flower is in the fhape of a funnel, divided in-
to nve parts, and the piilil is fixed to the back part of
the flower like a nail, and is attended with four em-
bryoes, that turn to as many oblong feeds, which when
ripe are black. It is faid to be vulnerary, and that
when the frefh leaves are bruifed and laid upon old
ulcers it will heal them in a fliort time.

GALEOPSIS ANGUSTIFOLIA FOETIDA, nar-
ro-M leanjedji inking dead Nettle, has a geniculated creep-
ing root, and Ilalks two or three cubits high, that are
leddifh, hairy, rough, fquare and light j the leaves pro-
ceed from the knots by pairs, and are placed over againft
each other ; they are narrow, acuminated, hairy, fofr,
and ferrated on the edges. The flowers grow in fpikes,
and confill of a fmgle, labiated, purple petal. The
flower-cup is Ihort, and divided into five parts, contain-
ing four black, fliining, and almoll triangular, feeds. Ic
grows wild in moift woody places, and near the fides of
rivulets. It is faid to have the fame vertues as the for-
mer, and its vulnerary qualities are greatly cried up by
fome.

. GALEOPSIS FLORE LUTEO, dead Nettle nKlth a
yellozu fioivery has an unequal root with many large
fibres, and the Ilalks are long, fquare, deep and hollow ;
on which the leaves grow by pairs oppofite to each other.
The flowers that furround the Ilalks are labiated, galea-
ted, hairy at the edges, and confill of a fingle petal, with
white fiamina, and yellow apices ; the llyle is purple,
forked, and proceeds from the center of the flower-cup.
It is feldom or never ufed.

GALLIUM LUTEUM, Ladies Bed Jira^, or Cheefe

Rennet^ has a fmall, creeping, flender, woody, brown

K 4 root.

200 THE NATURAL HISTORY
root, from whieh fquare flalks proceed to a cubit in
height. The leaves are placed at the joints of the ftalk,
in a radiated form, and are five or fix in number j they
are long, narrow, flender, foft, and of a darkifh green
colour. From every joint proceed two branches, on
which are flowers, confifting of a fingle petal, in the
form of a bell, which is expanded towards the upper part,
and divided into four fegments. The calyx turns to a
fruit compofed of two dry roundifh feeds. The florett
tops are in ufe. Some of the modern phyficians com-
mend it againft the epilepfy, and give a dram of the
powder for a dofe, of the juice four ounces, and a hand-
ful in deception. It is alfo faid to Hop bleedings, and
fome pretend that drank as tea it is good againil the
gout.

GENISTA, Broom, is a flirub that fomctimes grows
to be as tall as a man ; the root is hard, woody, tough,
yellow, and furnifhed with crooked fibres. The ftalks
aie flender, woody, and many twigs proceed from them,
that are angular, green, tough, and about them there
are fmall, hairy, dark green leaves, fometimes growing
three together, and fometimes fingle. The flowers that
grow thereon are of a beautiful yellow, and papiliona-
ceous, with crooked ftamina, and faffron coloured apices ;
to which fuccecd flat broad pods, which are blackifli
when ripe, and full of flat, hard, reddifli feeds, in the
fliape of a kidney. It grows in barren grounds all over
England. There are feveral forts of thefe plants cul-
tivated in gardens, and they may be propagated by feeds,
which fliould be fown on a moderate hot bed in the
fpring ; as foon as the plants are ftrong enough to re-
move, they fliould each be fet in a pot filled with light
earth, and it will be fafeft to plunge the tender kiads of
them into a very temperate hot bed, where they fliould
be fliaded till they have taken root ; then they fliould be
inured to the open air by degrees j but in winter they
fliould be placed in a good green-houfe, and in mild
weather they fliould have as much ir^e air as poflible.
Several of them are ufeful in dying, and therefore they
have the name of dyers weeds. Common broom is in-
lenfely bitter, and the leaves tops and branches decoded

in

OF VEGETABLES. 20i

in wine or water, are uieful in droplies, and in all ob-
ftruftions of the kidnies and bladder, for they partly
purge off the ferous humours by ftool, and partly by
urine. A dram and a half of the feeds will purge very
briikly, and fometimes vomit. In forae places they mix
the flowers with fallads, without any bad efFedls. A lye
made with broom afhes is highly commended againft
the dropfy and cachexy, for it will powerfully carry off
ferous humours by ftool.

GERANIUM COLUMBINUM, Dove's-foot, has a
white, fingle, branched root, with feveral ftalks that
arife near a foot in height, the leaves are like thofe of
mallows, and divided into feveral fegments ; but they
are not fo large nor fo fmooth, and they are ferrated on
the edges. There are two flowers on each twig near
the top of the ftalks or branches, and generally over
againft the leaves; they are fmall, rofaceous, of a beau-
tiful purple colour, and confift of five petals, and the
piftil turns into a fruit like the bill of a bird, with five
ftreaks that run according to the length, and is joined to
as many capfulse ; it is long, (lender, ftiarp at the end,
almoft half an inch long, like the bill of a crane, and is
a little hairy ; in each of the capfulae is contained one
tailed feed, which when ripe is thrown out by the twift-
ing of the bill.

GERANIUM ROBERTIANUM, Herh Robert, has
a flender root, of the colour of box, and the ftalks rife
to the height of a cubit; thefe are hairy, geniculated,
and reddifri, efpecially about the joints and near the
earth. The leaves proceed partly from the root, and
partly from the ftalks, and are hairy as well as the red-
difh pedicle ; they are divided almoft like mother wort,
and are a little red on the edges, and fometimes entirely fo.
The flowers are rofaceous, confiding of five petals, and
are of a purple colour, ftreaked with a deeper purple.
The calyx is hairy, of a blackifti red, and divided into
five parts, with faffi-on coloured apices in the middle,
which are fucceeded by bills as the former, containing
the like feeds ; the whole herb lias a ftrong fmell which
is not difagreeable.

K 5 GERA-

202 THE NATURAL .HISTORT

GERANIUM SANGUINEUM, bloody Cranes-bill,
has a red thick root, and many long thickifh appenda-
ge?, with a few fibres, and every year new (hoots pro-
ceed from the roots. It has feveral ftalks that ariie to a
cubit in height, that are reddifh, hairy, geniculated,
and divided into many wings. A pair of leaves proceed
from every knot, which are divided into feveral parts,
and are hairy and green above, but hoary below ; there
are oblong pedicles that proceed from their upper wings,
that fullain a fmgle flower, which is the largelt of any
that belong to thefe kind of plants ; it is of a beautiful
red colour, compofed of five petals of the fame colour,
and ten fmall llamina that are fupported by five hairy,
greenifh, fmall leaves. The bill is in the fhape of a
pentagon, and contain fwelling tailed feeds, which are
thrown out by the twifting of the bill with an noife.
There is another Geranium, called Geranium Batra-
iheides, Cron.v-foot Cranes- bill ivith a blue flo^vevy which
has all the charafters of the former, except the colour.
Herb Robert has a fiyptic, fait, tartifh tafle, and is ac-
counted a great vulnerary. It is faid to be very [ovver-
ful in flopping hzemorrhageSj and that it difTolves coa-
gulated blood. The dofe of the powder is a dram taken
in wine. Bloody cranes bill is alfo ftyptic, and has been
ufed in vulnerary deccftions, or broths. Doves- foot
cranes- bill has the fame vertues as the two former, and
a fyrup made of the juice is commended againft the
bloody flux.

G N Ai^H A LIU M, ^ea Cud Weed, or Cottoyi Weed, has a
root that creeps every way, and the leaves that proceed
from it lye on the ground j thefe are oblong, with a round-
ifh point of a light green colour, and hoary on the
lower fide; among which arife the flalks to near a
foot in height, which are covered with a fort of down,
or cotton; and the leaves are long and narrow. The
flowers grew on the top of the flalks, which confift of
floretts in the form of a Itar, which are placed on an
embryo, and comprehended in a Icaly fhining cup. This
turns to a feed with downy threads ihereon. It is cool-
irg. iiicr^ifTiting, and aflringent ; and has been recom-
mended in diforders of the lupg-s as well as for (lopping

catarrhs ;

OF VEGETABLES. 203

catarrhs ; and there has been a conferve kept In the ftiops
for thefe purpofes.

GRAMEN CANINUM, ^icJi-ora/s, cv Dogs-grafs,
has whiiiQi yellow creeping roots, full of knots, with a
fweetiOi taile, though a little liyptic. The Ilalks rife to
the height of two cubits, and are ftrait, knotty, and
furround the bafe of the llalk like a Iheath ; they are a
pslm in length, and about a quarter of an inch broad,
terminating in a \try iliarp point. The flowers grow
in fpikes on the top of the llalk, and confill of llamina
with (hort beards, and oblong dulky feeds, fomewhat
in the fhape of wheat. It is to be met .with every
where.

GRAMEN DACTYLON, Manna-grafs, has a long,
knotty, geniculated, whitifli, creeping, perennial root,
and there are fmall fibres that proceed from every knot.
The (lalks are fhorter ihan thofe of the dog-grafs, and
are round, geniculated, and often reddifli. The leaves
proceed from the knots, and furround the ftalks at the
lower part j they are fliort, narrow, hairy, but longer
at the top. The ftalks, or reeds, are divided into four,
five, and fometimes fix green fpikes, that are blackifli
when ripe, and fometimea mixed with purple. The
fmall bladders have beards on one fide which hang
down, and the other fide is plain. It is very common
in the fouthern parts of Europe, The roots have a
fweetifli tafte, fomewhat like fugar, and they are mo-
derately opening, cooling, and aftringent ; they gently
provoke urine, and are faid to be good in obftrudions of
the liver and fpleen. Some give a dram of the powder
to kill worms, and to cure the rickets j but it is hard to
fay for what reafon.. .

GRATIOLA, hedge llyjfop^ has white, creeping, ge-
niculated roots, with many fibres that tend downwards ;
the ftalks are upright, geniculated, and rife to the height
of thirteen or fourteen inches, on which the leaves are
placed by pairs oppofite to each other. They are above
an inch in length, half an inch broad, fmooth, venous,
and extremely bitter. The liowers proceed from the
joints, and confiil of a fingle tubulated petal, perfomted
behind, and of a yellowiih colour, with brown lines,
K 6 and

204 THE NATURAR HISTORY
and crooked like a horn ; they are two thirds of an inch
long, a quarter of an inclj^ thick, and are divided into
two light purplifh lips ; the upper lip is in the Ihape of
a heart, and bends upwards j and the lower is divided
into three fegments. The calyx confifts of a fingle leaf
divided into five fegments, and from its bottom proceeds
a long piflil, which changes into a light reddifh capfula,
divided into two cells full of flender reddilh feeds. It is
a hydragogue, and works both upwards and downwards.
It is recommended againft the drcpfy, and obftrudlions
of the liver and fpleen ; but it is fo violent in its opera-
tion that it ought to be given to none except robuft
patients ; but as we have better medicines for thefe
purpofes, it is no wonder the ife of it fhould be laid
a fide.

GROSSULARIA, the common Goofeberry^ is a fhrub,
and has a woody root ; it is fometimes two cubits high
or higher, and is full of branches, with a bark, when
full gr«wn, of a purplifti colour, and there are long,
fharp thorns at the rife of the leaves, two or three of
which are placed together. Thefe have ihort pedicles^
and are of the breadth of a man*s nail, or fomewhat
broader, and are laciniated or jagged. The flowers are
fmall, and feveral of them proceed together from the
fame tubercle as the leaves, and have a very fhort^
hairy, reddilh pedicle; they are rofaceous, confifting of
five petals of an herbaceous whitifh colour, with a ca-
lyx confining of a fingle leaf in the ihape of a bafon,
and divided into five reddifh fegments bending down-
wards, with five flamina and a greenifh piflil. The
hinder part of the calyx turns into a globous berry uni-
versally known. There are feveral forts of goofeberries
be fides this cultivated in gardens, as the large manured
Qoojeherry^ the red hairy Goofeberry., the large nvhite
Dutch Goo/eberry^ the large amber Goojeberryy the large
^reen Goofeberry, the large red Goofeberryt the yelloija
leanjtd Goojeberryy and the Jiriped leagued Goojeberry.
Thefe are propagated by fuckers taken from the eld
plants, or by cuttings, which is beft. The beft feafon
for planting them is in autumn, juft before their leaves
begin to fall, always taking the handfomefl fhoots, that
^ proceed

OF vegetables:. 205

proceed from branches that bear die greateft quantity
of fruit. They ihould be fix or eight inches long, and
planted in a border of light earth about three inches
deep, and expofed to the morning fun, obferving to
water them a little when the weather proves dry ; when
they begin to grow the under fhoots ihould be rubbed
off, leaving only the uppermoft and flrongeft. In OSlober
following thefe plants will be fit to remove to an open
fpot of frefh earth, in which place they may remain for
a year, and all the lateral Ihoots ihould be taken off,
fo as to leave the llem clear about a foot above the fur-
face of the earth. In a yearns time they may be re-
moved to the place where they are to remain. The beft
feafon for tranfplanting them is in Odoher, As to the
phyfical vertues nothing need to be faid about them*
they being only eaten for pleafure, or ufed to make-
goofeberry wine.

HEDERA TERRESTIS, Ground Itfy, has a creep-
ing fibrous root, with {lender, quadrangular, reddiih,
hairy flalks, on which the leaves are placed by pairs on
long pedicles ; they are roundifti, an inch broad, hairy,
and crenated ; the flowers grow on the top of the ilalks,
and confifl of a labiated fingle petal. The upper lip is
divided into two fegraents, that turn back to the fides,
and the lower into four fegments, and the tube is varie-
gated within with deep purple fpots and lines, and the
opening of the mouth is covered with a fort of white
down. The piilil is flender and forked, and the calyx
is oblong, narrow, llreakcd, and divided on the edges
into iive ihort fegments, which when the flower decays
has a fwelling belly, containing four oblong, roundifh,
fmooth feeds. The whole plant is opening, cleaniing,
difcutient, and vulnerary. It is excellent for wounds
and ulcers of the vifcera, and is good in the beginning
of a confumption. The dofe of the tops reduced to
powder is from half a dram to a dram twice a day. It
is alfo good againll the gravel as well as the cholic.
Some prefcribe it to thofe that make bloody purulent
urine, and to diifove grumous blcod occafioned by falls,
Ray affirms that the powder fnufFed up the nofe will cure
a violent head-ach. It is common about London to in-

fufe

2c6 THE NATURAL HISTORY

fufe the dried leaves in malt liquor, and then it goes by

the name of gill-ale.

HEDERA ARBOREA, commonly, is well known
in moll parts of Englandy and fometimes grows very
la ge, forming a fort of a tree, and at other times fatten-
ing itfelf to trees, walls, houfes, and churches. It fends
foith roots or fibres from its branches, by which it
fallens itfelf to whatever is near it, from which it re-
ceives a great part of its nourifhment r the leaves are
angular, and the flower? confill of fix leaves, that are
fucceeded by black berries which grow in round bunches,
each of which contains four feeds. The leaves are faid
to be heating, drying, and fubailringent, but are feldom
given inwardly becaufe they are ofFenfive to the nerves.
The berries purge upwards and downwards, and the
leaves applied to corns will take them away in a Ihort
time. The gum has been treated of in the former
pa t.

HELIANTHEMUM, the dnvarf Sun-flon>:er, has a
white woody root, and feveral flender round ftalks lying
on the ground, wh ch are hairy and befet with oblong
narrow leaves with blunt points, and fcmewhat broader
than thofe of h)flbp, green above and hoary below.
The flowers grow on the tops in long fpikes, and are
yellow, rcfaceous, and confift of five petals, with m^ny
yellow fmall (lamina, that proceeds from a three leaved
cup, (Ireaked with red lines. The piftil turns to a large
triangular fruit, that opens three ways, and contains red-
Gjfh triangular feeds. This plant grows fpontaneoufly
in ffcveral parts of England. This herb is a vulnerary
and aflringent, whence it has been given in fpitting of
blocd and all forts of fluxes, but is now out of ufe.

HELIANTHEMUM TUBEROSUM, ftn)e HELL
ANTHEMUM INDICUM TUBEROSUM, the ?o-
i a toe plant. One ft: Ik or more rifes from each root,
which is green, llreaked, rough, hairy, and attains the
length of twelve feet or upwards, full of a white fpungy
pith. The kaves are many, placed in no order, and
from the bottom to the top, and are greenifh, rough,
broad, and acuminated like thofe of the common fun-
flower, but not fo much wrinkled nor fo broad. The

ilalks

OF VEGETABLES. 2-07

ftalks foon after their rife are branched, and the leaves
decreafe in fize from the bottom to the top. The flow-
ers grow on the top of the llalks, and are of the fize of
marygold?, and radiated. The dilk confiils of many yel-
low florettf, with a crown compofed of twelve or thir-
teen ftreaked pointed gold coloured femi-floretts, placed
on embryoes in a fcaly villous cup. The embryoes
turn into fmall feeds, and the ftalk emits feveral flender
creeping roots, that fpread themfelves on all fides, be-
tween which there are many tuberofe roots, fometimes
adhering to the chief root, and fometimes connefled to
long fibres a foot diftant from them. One root will
produce thirty, forty, fifty, or more potatoes. Thefe
are reddifh or whitilh wichout, and confift of a whitifh
fubHance, or flefh, with a fweetifh taile, and are often
bigger than a man's fill. They continue in the ground
all the winter, and the next year they fpring again. This
plant has been greatly propagated in England for this
forty or fifty years pail ; for though it was brought from
America in 1623 it was not much cultivated before, be-
caufe they were then thought only fit for poor people 5
but now they are in general eileem. Jc always ufed to
be ranked among the kinds of folanum, and by Linnaus
it is placed under thofe of the Lycoperjicon^ or the Lo've
Jpple. It is propagated here by the roots, which if
large arc cut into pieces, preferving a bud or eye in each ;
but the bell method is to plant the finell roots entire, al-
lowing them a pretty large fpace of ground between the
rows, as alfo each root, and then thofe that are produced
will be large the following autumn. A light fandy loam
is bell, if not too dry or moift, and it flhould be well
ploughed two or three times, and the deeper the better.
They are of litde ufe for any thing but food, and fome
pretend they are very windy, while others infiH upon
the contrary ; however they are very nourifhing, abate
the acrimony of the blood and juices, and are confe-
quentl V good in diforders o' the breall. There are fome
people in France that eat them raw with fait and
pepper.

i:iELIOTROPIUIVI, Turnfole, has a fingle, fmall,
hard, woody root, with a italk that grows to about a

foot

208 THE NATURAL HISTORY
foot in height, which is full of pith, and is rouncJ,
branched, a little hairy, and without of a fort of hoary
creen colour. The leaves are of an oblong roundilh
(nape like thofe of bafil, but whiter, rougher, and of
the fame colour with the ftalk. The flowers grow on
the top of the (talks or branches, and confiil of one leaf
in the fhape of a funnel, having the center wrinkled
and folded, and the brim cut into ten fegmentf, which
arc unequal* alternately. The cup is downy, from
whence rifes a piltil fixed to the lower part of the flower
like a nail ; and is attended by four embryoes, that turn
into as many angular feeds, that are gibbous on one fide,
and of an afli colour. The leaves are bitter, and they
are faid to take away warts, and other excrefcences on
the fkin ;. fame affirm they are good againft cancers,
creeping ulcers, gangrenes, and fcroph ulcus tumours ;
but it is not now in ufe.

HEPATICA FONTANA, Li'verworf, has flender
hairy roots, lying under leaves near an inch broad, and.
twice as long, of a yellowifli green above and fcaly like
the ikin of a ferpent^ and in the middle of each fcale
there is a fmall fpot. It does not appear to have any
flower. There is a finuated,. lunous, v;hite ftalk, about
four inches long, which is firm, full of juice, tranfpa-
rent, and of the thicknefs of a rufll, on which there
is a fmall cap, or fungus, whofe lower part is divided
into five fegments. It is at firft green, afterwards a
little yellowifli, then quite yellow, and at lafl red.
When thofe lower parts are broken they difcover a,
blackifli fruit, which being opened produce a blackifli
powder like foot inltead of feeds. It grows among ftones
in watery ftiady places. This herb is faid to be inci-
ding, abllergent, aftringent, and confolidating j but it
is now of no ufe among us.

HEPATICA NOBiLlS, Jive HEPATICA TRE-
FOLIA, Koile Li<vernx:orty has a fibrous perennial root,
compofed of feveral heads, or knots, from each of which
the flowers proceed, and then the leaves, which con-
fill of three lobes growing on a pedicle that rifes from the
root ; the pedicle of the flower is naked and fingle, and
the calyx confiil s of one leaf cut into three fegments.

The

OF VEGETABLES'. 2og

The flowers are rofaceous, and are compied of fix or
eight blue petals, and many ftamina with their apices j.
the piftil is globous and warfy, and turns to a head con-
taining feveral iharp feeds. There are other kinds with
flowers of different colours, by which they are diflin-
guifhed from each other. It is accounted a vulnerary,
but is now of little or no ufe among us, though many
affirm it is cooling, gensly aftringent, and an excellent
flrengthener when the fibres are lax.

HERBA PARIS, Herb Paris ^ has a flender longifli
root, with a few joints or knots, and it creeps obliquely
into the ground. The ftalk is round, folid, fingle, two
palms in height, reddifti below, and greenifh above.
About this there grow four leaves in the form of a crofs,
which are fliarpifh at the bafe, rounded in the middle,
and pointed at the end ;. they are wrinkled and nervous,
even on the edges, fhining above, and blackifli beneath.
On the top of thefe grows a flower in the form of a
crofs, confiiling of four long, narrow, exceeding fliarp,
greenifh petals, with eight long, Iharp, green ftamina.
The calyx is compofed of four broadilh, acuminated,
greenifh leaves, in the middle of which is a piiUl or
-embryo of the fruit, with a fhort iiy\e, and which turns
to a foft globous berry, of a black purplilh colour, and
divided into four cells, containing fmall, oblong, whitifti
feeds, of the fize of thofe of poppies. The fmcll is
fl-, ^g and difagreeable. Some have taken it to be
poifonous, while others afHrm it is an alexipharmac,
and that is has cured feveral dogs that were poilbned, by
giving the quantity of two drams in powder. Some re*
commend the berries in the plague, and all contagious
difeafes, affirming that they expel the malignity by
fweat. Some pretend it will cure madnefs if half a
fpoonful of the powder of the herb is taken every morn-
ing fading for twenty days together. After all Simon
Pauli would not have it given inwardly at all.

HERNIARIA GLABRA, fmooth Rupture-iLort, and
HERNIARIA HIRSHUTA, hairy Rupture-^ort, are
both fmall herbs that lye on the ground, and are divided
into feveral branches that proceed from a fmall root that
defcends diredlly downwards ; the llalks are round, red-

d-ifii.

iio THE NATURAL HISTO'Rr
difh, and full of joints, at each of which there art ver^
fmail leaves placed in pairs oppcfite to each other, lefs
than thofe of dodder, and of a yellowifh green colour.
From the fame joints there proceed many flowers that
are fmall, yellowifh or white, without petals ; but there
are many llamina. The piltil turns into a very Ihining
fmall black kcd, contained in an oblong ftreaked cap-
fula, that was the calyx of the flower j Miliar informs
us there are eight cells in each capfula,- each of which
contains a fmall pointed k^d. This plant was orce
famous for curing of ruptures; but it is not now in
elleem for that purpofe. It is a very mild aflringent,
and is likely to be of fome fervicc in a flaccid (late of the
vifcera. The cofe of this herb, in powder, is a dram,
and when a handful of the herb is lleeped in a pint
of wine or water, five or fix ounces may be given at a
time.

HORDEUM, Barky, is of feveral kinds, as the
common long eared Barley, ivinter or fquare Barley, or
bear Sarkyy by fbme called i^/^, and /prat Barley, (jT
battledore Barley. They have all a thick fpike, and the
huik, calyx, awn, and flower, are like thofe of whe^^
or rye ; but the awns or beards are rough, the feed
fwells in the middle, and generally ends in a (harp point,
to which the huilis are united. Barley is cooling and
cleanfing, and ferves in many places for the making of
bread, eif ecially when wheat is fcarce ; but it is not io
rourifliing or eafy of digeflion. When its outfide is taken
ofl^ by grinding, it becomes very white, and fomewhat
of a pearl colour, for which reafon it is called pearl-
barley. This is much ufed in Scotland for making
broths, as well as in fome parts of the north of England.
The ufe of barley for making malt, and the ufe of it
afterwards for brewing ale and beer, are now univerfally
known.

HORMTNUM, Clary, has a Angle, woody, brown
root, with many fibres, from whence arifes a llalktothe
height of two cubits, about as thick as one's finger, qua-
drangular, hairy, geniculatcd, and divided into branches ;
it is full of a white pith, and the leaves aie fet by pairs
oppofite to each other, which aie hoary, wrinkled, of a

roundifli

OP VEGETABLES. iVt

rourdifli oblong fhape, a fpan fn length, and liali" a fpan
broad, terminating in a point, and a little dcntated or
crenated on the edges ; they are a little hairy, and they
gradually decreafe in fize from the bottom to the top.
'] he flowers proceed from tiie places where they join
the ftalk, and confilt of a labiated fmgle petal, whofe
upper lip is long and falcated, with a flender crooked
piftil, cloven at the top, and attended with four em-
bryoes ; tBere are two iiamina with oblong apices, thst
are hid thereby ; but the lower lip is divided into three
fegments, the middlemoll of which is hollow like a
fpoon. The calyx is tubulated, ftreaked, glutinous to
the touch, and divided into five fmall fpines, whereof
three arife above the flower, and the other two are be-
low. The embryoes at the bottom of the calyx when
they are ripe turn to four large roundifh feeds, gibbous
on one fide, angular on the other, flippery, and bright,
and of a reddifh colour. It is found dry on many banks
in various parts of ^«^/^«^ J but there are many other
forts that are cultivated in gardens. Clary is greatly
recommended againft the whites in women, hyfteric
fits, and the cholic. The leaves and flowers are given-
in decoiiion in water and wine. Hoffman locks upon it
as a fpecific sgainll fpafms of the inceftines and nervous
parts. It is ufually drank as tea. •

HYOSCYAMUS NIGER VULGARIS, Hack lien-
bane, has a thick, wrinkled, long roov divided into
many part?, brown v/ithout, and white within, with
broad, foft, hairy leaves, of a light green colour, and
deeply cut on the edges ; they a^e placed- in an irregular
order, on branched, thick,- roundifh, hairy ftalks, that
arife to a cubit in height. There are long rows of
flowers on the lUlk, that confifl: of a fingle petal in the
fhape of a funnel, with a fbort cylindraceous tube, and
it is divided into five obtufe fegments, of a yellowilh
colour on the edges with purplifh veins ; but thq middle
is of a blackilh purple, with five fhort purple ftamina,
and thick oblong apices ; the piflil is long and white,
with a round apex, and the calyx is hairy, oblong, and
confiits of a fingle leaf, having ftiff acuminated teeth on
the edges, of which there are five in number i this turns

to

212 THE NATURAL HISTORY

to a fruit in the ftiape of a pot with a cover to it, and is
divided into two cells, containing feveral afh coloured,
fmall, roundifh, wrinkled, flat feeds. The whole plane
has a difagreeable fmell, that renders the head heavy and
produces fleepinefs. It is very common in England^
growing on the fides of banks and old dunghills ts^iy
where.

PIYOSCYAMUS ALBUS, difers from the former
in having fofter and leffer leaves, covered with a greater
plenty ©f white down, as alfo whiter feeds. They have
been only ufed externally to eafe pains and to abate the
acrimony of the humours ; however it is not fafe uftd'
any way, for it produces extreme fleepinefs, and ftrange
fantaftical dreams. Three children happened to eat of
the feeds in 1729, near Tottenham-Court , two of which
flept two days and two nights before they could be
awakened, and were with difficulty recovered \ but the
third being older and ftronger efcaped better. Others
that have fed upon the roots by miflake have gone mad,
and attempted to kill each other ; however they were
cured with proper remedies ; feme again have fallen in-
to the like diforders only from the outward application,
though not quite fo Ilrong. From whence it appear*
this plant is not fafe ufed any way, though from half a
fcruple to a feruple of the feeds have been often pre-
fcribed againft fpitting of bfood. Likewife Theodore
Turquet d''Mayrene recommends the feeds as a moll ex-
cellent remedy againll the epilepfy, and direfts the pa-
tient to begin with fix grains, and increafe the dofe till
it comes to a fcruple, or twenty- four grains. This
/hould be taken daily every morning falling, in a fpoon-
ful of the juice of houfeleek, and be continued for for-
ty days.

HYPERICUM, St. John's-'wort, has a woody, ft-
brous, yellowifh root, with many flifF, woody, round,
leddifli, branched flalks, that rife to the height of a
cubit or higher j the leaves are placed thereon by pairs
oppofite to each other, but without pedicles ; they are
above half an inch long, a quarter of an inch broad,
fmooth, and with nerves that run throughout the whole
length f and when they are held up to the fun they

feem

OF VEGETABLES. 213

4cem to be perforated with a great number of holes,
which are nothing elfe but veficles full of an oily juice.
The flowers grow on the extremities of the branches, and
are rofaceous confifting of five gold coloured petals, in
the middle of which there are a great number of capil-
lary flamina, with golden apices. The cup is compo-
sed of five leaves, and contains a thick piftil divided into
three parts, and placed in the center of the flower, and
turns to a capfula divided into three cells, containing
very fmall, oblong, brownifli black feeds. Both the
flowers and the head full of feeds when rubbed yield a
red juice. The leaves have a faltifli, bitterifli, ftyptic
tafte, and the whole plant is accounted the principal of
the vulnerary kind, for which reafon it is recommended
to cure wounds both inwardly and outwardly, as well as
for fpitting and pifling of blood. It refolves coagulated
blood, promotes the menfes and urine, and expels gra-
vel. Some efteem it greatly in hyfteric afFeftions, me-
lancholy, and madnefs. The dofe of the florett tops in
decodio;! or infufion is a handful, and fometrmes the
leaves and feeds are prefcribed to a dram. St. JohtCs-
nvort applied outwardly is an excellent vulnerary, and
cures wounds, bruifes, and ulcers.

HYSSOPUS, Hyft^y has a woody, hard, fibrous root,
about as thick as one's finger, with flalks that grow to
the height of a cubit, which are branched and britde.
The leaves are placed by pairs oppofite to each other,
and are from an inch to an inch and a half in length,
and only a fixth part of an inch broad. They are ftiarp,
fmooth, of a dufky green, with an acrid tafte, and a
fweet fracll. This plant is verticillated, and the flowers
grow at the tops of the ftalks, and are large, blue, la-
Jbiated, and confift of a Angle petal, whofe upper lip is
upright, roundifh, and divided into two fegments, and
the lower into three ; the middlemoft of which is hol-
lowed like a fpoon, having a double part, and is fome-
vvhat winged. There are four oblong blue ftamina,
with fmall dark blue apices. The flower-cup is long,
ftreaked, and divided into fix fegments, from which the
piftil arifes, fixed in the back part of the flower like a
nail, attended with four embryoes, which turn into as

many

114 THE NATURAL HISTORY

many finall, roundifti, brown feeds, contained in a cap*
fula that was the cup of the flower. Hyflbp is propa-
gated either by feeds or cuttings, and mull be fown
in Marchi on a bed of light fardy foil, and when they
are come up they fhould be tranfplanted out to the places
where they are to remain, placing them at Icall a foot
afunder every way. The cuttings {hould be planted in
Jprily or M^jy on a border where they may be defended
from the violent heat of the fun, and being frequently
watered they will take root in two months, after which
they may be tranfplanted where they are to continue.
HyiTop has an acrid tafte, and a ftrong aromatic fmell.
Jt ftrengthens the ilcmach, helps digeftion, incides vifcid
mucus of the lungs, and promotes expe61oration. Whence
fome account it a fpecihc in the moifl allhma. It is
given in infufion or dtcodion in water, wine, or ale,
from half -a handful to a handful and a half.

JACEA, Knap'-vceed, has a thick, woody, perennial
root, and the firll leaves that proceed from it are like
thofe of fuccory, of a blackiih green, and covered with
down. The flalk is fometimes Angle, but generally
there are feveral together, that rife to about a cubit ar.d
a half in length ; they are hairy, round, ilreaked, ilrong,
and not eafily broken, though they are full of pith.
There are many leaves placed in no order, like thole at
the root, but narrower, and from the places where they
join to the flalks there are other branches proceed, on
the tops of which grew two or three flowers, confilling
of tubulcus floretts deeply divided at the top into five
parts, of a purple colour, under which there is an em-
bryo, and a calyx compoftd of black imbricated (cales,
on the edges of which there are Ilrait hairs. The em-
bryoes turn into oblong, fmall, bearded feeds, of a
blackifli afh colcur, having a down adhering to them.
It is by fome accounted a vulnerary herb, but is new
out of u^e.

JACOB.^A, Bag-'^ujort, has a root confilling of ma-
ny large fibres, and the flalk, or lialks, ate round,
flrcaked, fcmetimes fmoolh, and fometimes a little
downy, and when they grow in open places they are
generally purplifli and folid. There are many leaves

irregularly

OF VEGETABLES. 215

irregularly placed, that are oblong, deeply cut, or jag-
ged, almoft as far as the rib, which are again fub-
divided into other jags ; they are of a dark blueifh co-
lour, efpecially on the upper part. The flowers grow
on the top of the branches in umbels, and are yellow,
radiated, and the tube is almoft of the figure of a cylin-
der. The difk confifts of many fiftular floretts divided
into five parts at the top ; but the crown of femi-floretts,
under which are the embryoes placed in the tube above-
mentioned. The embryoes turn to fmall oblong feeds,
having a down adhering thereto, which when ripe are
red. It is a very troublefome weed in all parts of Eng-
land. The leaves are bitter and difagreeable. It has
been recommended by fome as excellent again ft bloody
fluxes ; but its naufeous taft« hinders it from coming in-
to pradlice.

J ASMINUM, the Jejfaminetreey has a pinnated leaf,
and the cup of the flower confifts of a fingle leaf divided
into five fegments ; the flower alio confifts of a fingle
leaf in the fhape of a funnel, and divided into five feg-
ments, with fmall apices ; the embryo is roundifh, with
a piftil like a thread, of the length of the ftamina, with
a double apex. The embryo turns to an oval fmooth
berry, divided into two cells, in each of which there is
a large oblong oval feed, wrapped up in a membrane,
convex on one fide, and flat on the other. It is very
common in moft Engli/h gardens, where it is cultivated
for the fweetnefs of the flowers, and is propagated by
laying down the tender branches in the ipring ; which
in the fucceeding fpring will be rooted ftrong enough to
be tranfplanted ; and it muft be placed againft a wall,
or pales, where the flexible branches may be fupportcd.
it was formerly in fome efteem for its medical vertues,
but is nv)w out of ufe.

IBERIS, Sciatica CreJ/cs, the flower confills of four
unequal parts, that are verticaly oval, b'ait, and open,
with oblong ered heels, of which the outer ones are by
far the greateft, and the innermoft leaft and bnt back.
The flower cup has four leaves, verticaly oval, concave,
open, fmall, equal, and foon fall off; the ftamima are
iix fubulated eredl filaments, of which the two lateral

are

2i6 THE NATURAL HISTORY

are the fhorteft, and the apices are roundifh. The ger-
men, or embryo, is roundiiTi and flat, and the ftyle, op
piltil, fingle and Ihort, with a blunt apex, and turns to
a fmall roundiih flat pcd, confiding of two cells, in each
of which there is an oval feed. It has the fame vertues
as water crefles, and when bruifed together w ith fait and
hog's-lard, it makes an excellent cataplafm againft the
hyp gout. It is only to be met with in botanic gar-
dens.

JUGLANS, the Walmt tree, is very large, and
ftands upon many very long roots. The trunk, or
ftem, is very thick, infomuch that in fome countries it
is three cubits in circumference, with many branches
at the top. The bark is thick, of a greenifti afli co-
lour, and fmooth, but when it grows old is full of
chinks. The wood is well known for making or co-
vering curious cabinets, chefts of drawers, and the like,
and is greatly efteemed for its beautiful variegations.
The leaves are difpofed in wing?, and there is five, fix,
or feven adhering to one rib, confilling of conjugations,
with a fingle leaf at the end. At firll they are tender,
reddifti, and have a fvveet fmell j but wlien they are
full grown they are a palm and a half in length, and
almoft a palm broad, and pointed at both ends, with
veins that run from the middle nerve, and are fmcoih,
of a beautiful green, with the fmell of lawrel, but much
flrorger, and of an aftringent tafte. The catkins appear
with the leaves, and grow at their pedicles ; they are
two or three inches long, and confift of many imbricated
(bales, or petals, adhering to the axis, and under them
are a great number of flamina, with many acuminated
apices. The female flowers have an ered (hort cup,
divided into five parts, placed upon the germen, or em-
bryo, which is oval, large, and placed under the recep-p
tacle of the flower. There are two xtry fliorc piftils,
with large clavated bending apices, or lligmata, lace-
rated on the upper part. The embryo turns to a round*
llh, oval, large fruit, fometimcs two or three inches
thick, and when ripe is covered with a green flelhy rind,
of an acerb, bitter, and fomewhat acrimonious tafte ;
which will tinge the fingers with a dark olive colour.

The

OF VEGETABLES. 217

The fiiell of the walnut is at firft pulpy and white, and
of a bitter acrid talle ; but as it ripens it becomes
woody, and dividts into two parts, in which is a ker-
nel with four lobes, and covered with a thin ficin. The
talle is fvveet and agreeable when frefli ; but when dry
it becomes oily and rancid. The flcin is bitter, acrid,
and when the kerneli are frelh may be eafily taken off.
Walnuts are of diffv^rent fpecies, as the largeji Walnut^
the thinjhelled l^^alnut, the hardjhelled Walnut, the late
ripe IValnnty the black Virginia Walnut ^ the black Vir-
ginia Walnut nvith long fruit , the Hickary Walnut, the
y^ag bark Walnut , the fmall Hickary ox nvhite Virginia
Walnut, and the leajl Virginia Walnut. The four firll
forts are propagated every where in England, and the
firll and fecond are preferred for their large nut?. The
Virginian forts are only raritie.s but are worth cultiva-
ting for their timber. All forts of walnuts that are pro-
pogated for timber fhould be fown in places where they
are to rem.ain, but fuch as are deiigned to produce good
fruit, are greatly mended by tranfplantation. The nuts
j[hTuld be preferved in their curer covers till February,
when they Ihould be planted in lines at the diftance they
are intended to remain. When thefe trees are tranf-
planted neither the roots nor branches (hould be pruned.
The beft feafon for this is as foon as the leaves begin to
decay, and this may be done till they are eight or ten
years old. They delight in a firm rich loamy foil, or
fuch as is inclinable to chalk or marl. They fhould be
placed forty foot afunder when any regard is had to the
fruit J but when for limber they mull liand near each
other, becaufe it promotes their upright growth.

The inner bark of the Walnut tree is a flrong vomit,
but the catkins are more gentle, and have been given in
powder from half a dram to a dram. Some account the
leaves an excellent cataplafm againfl the gout when they
are placed while green in a glazed earthen vefTel flratum
fuper ilratum. The juice of the root is a violent purge,
unlefs it proceeds from the wounded root in February,
and then it is recommended in chronic difeafes, efpecially
ill the gout, gravel, and head-ach, for it greatly pro-
motes urine. The green outer rind is allringent, and is
Vol. VI. L faid

2i8 THE NATURAL HISTORY

faid by fome when recent to have an emetic faculty.
The kernels are beft while frefn, becaufe when old they
grow rancid, as was before obferved. The membrane,
or pith, powdered and given to a dram, is good in the
cholic, and by feme eRecmed as a fecret againfl fluxes
of the belly,

JUNII'ERUS, the Juniper-tree, is a fhrub well
known in all parts of Europe, and it grows in woods
and mountainous places. The ftem rifes fometimes to
the height of a man, but is flender, and has many
branches, with a rough reddifli bark. The wood is
pretty firm and reddifh, efpecially when it is dry, with
an agreeable refinous fmell. The leaves are very fharp,
exceeding narrow, and feldoni above an inch in length,
but often fliorter ; they are flifr, purgent, always green,
and feveral of them grow together, with feme diilance
between. The catkins appear in ^r//and ^"ay, in the
places where the leaves join to the ftalk, and are a quar-
ter of an inch long, variegated with purple and fafrron
colours ; they confift of feveral fcales, whofe lower part
is furnilhed with three or four veficle?, lefs than peppy
feeds, which are full of a fine golden coloured powder.
This is the male flower, but the cup of the female
flower is very fmall, adhering to the embryo, and divi-
ded into three parts, and there are three lliff fliarp pe-
tals. The piftil is divided into three Angle flyles, with
each a fingle apex ; and they turn to a flefliy roundifli
berry, containing three feeds each, convex on one fide
and angular on the other. Some trees produce only the
male or female flowers, and others both. The berries
do not grow ripe till the fecond year, and there are feme
that are three years old. The berries are rcfolving, dif-
cutient, attenuating, heating, abftergent, and flrength-
ening. They are good in a cold flomach, difcufs wind,
help digeftion, promote urine, and eafe the pains of
the cholic. They are iikewifegood againfl cougKs, and
in the moift afthma ; they reltore the fluidity of the
blood, and promote fweat ; fome fooliflily pretend they
are good in all kinds of difeafes. The dofe is a dram,
which may be either eaten, or their infufion may be
drank in the manner of tea before meals to help di-

geflion.

OF VEGETABLES. 219

geflion Many will eat a pugil at a time without any
manner of harm, and have found they have not only
brought away gravel but fmall ftones.

LACTUCA SATiVA NOiN CAPITATA, common
garden Lettuce, has a long thick root with many fibres,
and oblong, broad, wrinkled, fmooth, palilh green leaves,
which are very agreeable while young, but bitterifh
when old. When it fhoots up to a ftalk it is llrong,
thick, round, and grows to the height of a cubit and a
half and upwards. The flowers are colleded in a fort of
an umbel, and the flower-cup is imbricated, and con.
fifts of many acuminated fcales, and is of an oblong
oval fliape. The flowers confiil of many yellow femi-
floretts, with five very fliort capillary filaments, on
which are cylindraceous tubulated apices. The piilil is
like a thread of the length of the (lamina, on which are
two apices bent backward.^ to vyhich fucceed fmall feeds
fliarp at both ends, furnifhed with down., and of an afli
colour.

LACTUCA SATIVA CAPITATA, Cahhage Let-
tuce, has fhorter and broader leaves than the former, and
are foon colleded into a round head ; the feeds are like
the former but black. Befides thefe there are the Silicia
Lettuce, the Dutch hrov:n Lettuce, the Aleppo Lettuct,
the imperial Lettuce, the green capuchin Lettuce, the up-
right njohlte Cos Lettuce, the black Cos, the <vjhtie Cos,
the red Capuchin, the RcmaK, the prince Lettuce, the
royal Lettuce, and the Egyptian Cos Lettuce. The firft
of thefe is commonly fown for cutting very young with
other fmall fallad herbs. They m,ay bs fown any time
in the year, but in winter it fhould be under glaffes.
The Cabbage Lettuce may be alfo fown at different tiroes
of the year, particularly in February for the firft crop, in
an open warm fpot cf ground, and when they are come
up they fhould be thinned to the diftance of ten inches
every way. The feeds that are fown for the fucceeding
crop fhould be in a fliady moift fituation, but not under
trees. Thofe for the laft crop fhould be fown in Auguft,
on a good light foil, and in a warm fituation. In the
beginning of OSoher they fhould be tranfplanted into
warm borders, where, if the winter is net very fevere,
L 2 they

220 THE NATURAL HISTORY
they will Hand very well. Moft of the other forts may
be fown in March, upon a warm light foil, and in an
open fituation, and afterwards in ^/r/7. May, and June ;
and in Augufi thofe that are intended for the winter,
which fhould be tranfplanted either under glafTes, or in
beds arched over with hoops, in order to be covered over
in the winter.

The Roman Lettuce has longer and narrower leaves
than the two firft, and not fo wrinkled, and underneath
on the fides of the rib there are fmall prickles. Some,
as thefe lettuces grow, tye the leaves together, by which
means they become exceeding white and tender \ and
then they are thought by many to excel all other kinds.
In general lettuces are eafy of digcftion, abate the acri-
mony of the humours, and quench thirll, for which
reafon they are frequently ufed in the fummer feafon.
Many take them to be anodyne, and to procure fleep,
which is done not by any narcotic quality, but by re-
laxing the fibres, and temperating the heat of the vif-
cera. They are good in dry conllitutions, and help
thofe that are coftive.

LAMIUM ALBUM, wjhite Archangely qx dead "Net-
tle ^ has many fibrous roots, and the ftalks that proceed
from thence rife to the height of a foot, and are fquare,
light, a little hairy, and have a few joints or knees.
The leaves are placed by pairs over againft each other,
and are like thofe of the common nettle. The flowers
that proceed from the joints are pretty large, labiated^
white, and confift of a fingle petal ; the upper lip, or
galea, is hollow like a fpoon, and is hairy on the edges ;
the under lip is divided into two fegments, in the form
of a heart, and both ends in chaps that are marginated
or edged. The flamina are four fubulated filaments
hid under the upper lip, of which two are (hort, and the
apices thereon are oblong and hairy. The embryo, or
germen, is divided into four parts, and the piftil is like
a thread, of the fame length as the ftamina, with a
cloven fharp apex. The calyx is large, open, tubula-
ted, ftrcaked, and divided into five oblong fegments,
terminating in harmlefs prickles. To thefe fuccecd fo»r
triangular feeds, joined together in a capfula which was

the

OF VEGETABLES. 221

the calyx of the flower. It grows under hedges and by
the fides of highways. The flowers and leaves have
been found beneficient in the whites, and uterine haemor-
rhages, and they may be ufed in the manner of tea three
times a day.

LAMIUM RUBRUM, et LAMIUM PURPU-
REUM, purple Archangel, or J^ivking dead Nettle, has a
flen.ler fibrous root, from whence proceed fquare hollow
lialks, almoft fmooth, pretty large, and branched near
the earth ; after which there aF€ one or two pair ct
leaves, from whence they are almoft naked to the top.
'I'he flowers grow on the tops of the ftalks, and are la-
biated, (mall, purple, and confift of a fingle petal. The
calyx of the flower is fliort, open, ftreaked, and divided
into five fegraentr, containing four oblong triangular
feeds at the bottom, that when ripe are black and fliining.
It is common m moft parts of England. It is feldom or
never ufed.

LAMPS ANA, Klpple ti-ort, has a white, (ingle,
branched, fibrous root, and a round flreaked ftalk with
a few hairs,^ that rifes to the height of two cubits and
upwards j it is of a reddifh colour, holiow,^ and branch-
ed. The leaves at the root and the lower part of the
ftalk have one or two pair of wings, and the leaves are
of the fize and fliape of the fow thiftle. The flowers
grow at the top of the ftalks and branches, and confift
offmall yellow femi-floretts, with five stry (hort capil-
lary fiamina, and cylindric tubulated apices. Under
each of the femi floretts there is an embryo, and they
are comprehended in a calyx that confifts of one leaf
divided into many fegments, which turns to a ftreaked
capfula full of flender, oblong, blackifh, a little croolc-
ed, acute, naked feeds. This herb is coolingand emol-
lient, and has been prefcribed in emollient deccdions for
clyfters; but it has been feldom or never taken inward-
ly ; but it has been thought very efHcacious in curing
ulcers of the nipple, whence it had its name.

LAPATHUM HORTENSE FOLIO OBLONGO,
garden Dock ivith an oblong leafy has a ftrait, long, fi-
brous root, yellow within, with a round articulated Itallr,
that rifes to two cubits high and upwards ; the leaves
L 3 are

222 THE NATURAL HISTORY
are oblong like there of the wild dock, but larger and
fofter, and not fo Hiarp at the points. The flowers arc
placed on the branches in a verticillatcd order, and have
three petal?, with fjx green fliort Ihimina placed in a
cup confilling of ftven leaves ; as alio a triangular ger-
men, or embryo, and three capjilary ftyles to be ittti
between the chinks of the petals, and large apices which
are facceeded by a f!ng!e triangular feed. It is planted
in garden?, but is fe'.dom uled, though fome take it to
be the fame as monks rhubarb.

LAPATHUM MAJUS, //ar RHABARBARUM
MONACHORUM, Mor.ks Rhubarb, has a long thick
root, from which proceed many fibres, and it is brown
without, but within of a deep faffron colour. 7 he
llalk Ibmetimes rifes to the height of a man, and it is,
reddifh, ilreaked, and divided into many branches at
the top J the leaves are from a foot to a fcot and a half
long, and are broad, acuminated, firm, fmooth, cf a
darkifh green, but not hard and llifT; the edges are
fometimes a little turned up, but they are ever, and have
long pedicles. The flowers grow in long rows on the
llalks, and are like thofe of forrel, to which fucceed an-
gular feeds contained in membranaceous ceils, and are
like thofe of the deck ; they are faid to purge bJle gen-
tle, to be a powerful allringent, and to open obItru6licns
of the liver ; whence the powder or deccfiion is given in
fome fluxes of the belly. The d.ofe, in powder, is from
a dram to hiilf an cur.ce, when it is defigned to
purge.

LAPATHUM SINUATUM, lialian, or French
Dock, has a thick root, with many leaves near two
inches long, and about an inch broad. 1 here is a finus
en each fide anfwer.able to each other, which render
the fhape of the leaf to be that of a violin. The ftalk
rifes from among the middle of the leaves, fometimes to
the height cf a foct and a half, and has many crooked
branches. There are herbaceous flowers proceeding from
the joints like thofe of other decks, from which proceed
angular capful?j containing triangular reddifh feeds. It
is planted in the gardens in the fouth parts of France,
and is eaten by the country people in the winter.

LAPA-

O F V E G E T A B L E S. 223

LAPATHUM SANGUINEUM. Bhod-njcort, is not
unlike the garden dock, but may be eafiiy dillinguifhed
from all other docks by its blood red juice, and by its
numerous nerves ; the juice firft tinges the hands with a
purple colour, which afterwards changes to blue. The
leaves are eaten by fome after they are boiled, and have
likevvife been prefcribed in emollient and cooling broths.
The feed is flrengthening, aftringent. and anodyne, and
the powder of them is given from half a dram to a dram
to flop uterine fluxes, and thofe of the belly attended
with gripes. ••

LAPATHUM SYLVESTRUM, ft<ve OXYLA-
PATHUM, Jharp pointed Dock, of which there are
three forts, the Dock ^vuith the /eaves lefs pointed^ the
curled Jharp pointed Dock^ and the common Jharp pointed
Dock, The leaves of this terminate in a fharp point,
and the flowers are verticillated, but placed at greater
diitances than in the former.

LAPATKUM RO [ UNDI FOLIUM, fix^e LAPA-
THUiM MONTANUM, bejtard Mcnks Rhubarb, has
a long branched root, and each of the branches are as
thick as a man's thumb ; they are wrinkled and fibrous,
and of a deep yellow colour, with a bitter tafte. The
ftalk fometimes rifes to three cubits high, and is hol-
low, furrowed, reddilh, and has many wings. The
leaves are like thofe of burdock, and are remarkably
round, fmooth, and of a yellowifli green colour, with a
reddifli ilreaked pedicle. There are many flowers placed
upon the llalks, confiiting of many yellow ftamina and
apices, with a calyx compofed of {w leaves, to which
fucceed triangular reddilh feeds. The root is variegated
with yellow and red, like true rhubarb, and fome pre-
tend it has the fame vertue?, but weaker ; and its dofe,
in powder, is to two drams. When the roots are taken
frefli out of the ground and dried in the fliade, they are
ufed in fomentations, liniments, and ointments againft
dif-afes of the Ikin.

LAPATHUM AQUATICUM, /'i/f HYDROLA-

PA THUM, great tcater Dock, has a more fibrous root

than the former, which is black without, and of the

colour of box within. The ftalks rife to the height of

L 4 two

224 THE NATURAL HISTORY

two or three cubits, and the fiowers and feeds are like
the former, but larger ; the leaves are broad, long, and
fomewhat like thofe of monks rhubarb, but are almoll a
cubit and a half in length, ternnnating in a iharp point,
nith the edges flightly curled. It grows in marfhy
places, and by the fides of ditches 1 he leaves of this
plant are llyptic, and bitterifh, and the tafte of the root is
very bitter. It is thought to be the fame plant that
Diofcoridei calls Britavnicay formerly fo famous againft
the fcurvy. The root is a laxative, opens obflrudliorrs
of the vifcera, and is gcod in difeafes of the fkin. 7>ie
frefh root is given from an ounce to two ounces in de-
ccdion, and in fubftance, when dry, from a dram to
iwo drams.

LAPATHUMSPINACIA DICTUM, Spinage -, of
this there are three kind?, the common Spinage, the ecm-
7nn barren Spinagey and the ccmmom Spinage '■with a cap'
jula of the feed not prickly.

The common Spinage, or the common prickly itarro'VJ
iranjed Spinage^ has a ilender, white, fingle root, with a
few fibres, and the ftalks, which rife to the height of a
foot, are fillulou?, round, ftreaked, and div:dcd into
wings, and have long pedicles. 1 he leaves at the bot-
tom are fometiraes jagged on both fides, with fharp
points ; but thofe on the top have only two proceffes
like ears at the bafe, with a fine fort of meal thereon.
'J iie flowers are placed on the llalks from the middle ta
tl.e top. and they are without petals ; but they have
rr.ary Itamina and fmall herbaceous, or purplifh fmal?
apices, placed in a cup confiding of four leaves. Thofe
that arife from the wings of the leaves or the female
plants have no petals, but only greenifh embryoes with
four whitifh filaments, that turn to a pretty large fruit,
or capfula, with prickles adhering thereto. It is planted
in gardens.

Common fmoofh feeded Spinage nvith broader leagues, has
much larger leaves than the male and barren or female
kinds, and are alfo rounder, and the capfula of the feeds is
quite fmcoth, and of an a(h colour. Thefe are com-
mon kitchen herbs throughout Europe. In general they
are faid to temperate acrid bilious humours in the firlt

palTages ;

OF VEGETABLES. 225;

pafTages ; but as they are watery fome correft them
with fait, pepper, and other fpices. They do not yield
much nourifhment, but they are not unwholefome, and
they generally keep the body open. The feeds of the
male and barren kinds fliould be fown on an open fpot
of ground in the beginning of ^«^«/?, when it is likely
to rain ; when the plants are come up they fhould be
thinned, leaving them three or four inches afunder, and
this fhould always be done in dry weather. In O^oher
they will be fit for ufe, and then you fhould only crop
off the largeil: leave?, leaving thofe in the center of the
plants to grow bigger. Thus you may continue crop-
ping it all the winter and fpring, till the young fpinage
fown in the fpring is large enough for ufe, which is
commonly in April. The other fort is likewife to be
fown in an open fpot of ground, and the plants fhould
be left about three inches afunder, and when they are
grown large enough to meet part may be taken up for
ufe, that lo the plants being thinned, they may have
room to (pread ; this may be repeated twice, and at the
Lift they fhould be eight or ten inches afunder*

LAVANDULA, LATIFOLLA, greaUr, or hroad^
^kaved Lwvendery has a woody root divided into fibres,
and the plant confifts of many thick, flender, quadran-
gular, geniculated branches, that rife to the height of a
cubit and a half, cr two cubits. The lower leaves are
thickly placed, and irregular, but the upper are fet by
pairs alternately, and are flefhy, hoary, and oblong,
ivith an nerve running along the middle ; as alfb a
ftrong agreeable fmell, and a bitterilh tafle. It is a
verticillated plant, and the flowers grow on the tops of
the branches in fpikes, which are blue, labiated, and
confift of a fingle petal ; the upper lip is upright, round -
ifh, and cloven into two parts, and the lower into three
that are almoft equal. The calyx is oblong and narrow,
and from it rifes a piilil fixed in the back part of the
flower like an nail, and attended with four embryoep,
that turn to as many feeds, contained irx.a capfula, that
was the cup of the flower.

LA VAN DUL A ANGUSTl YOUk,narron» leaded

Lavendb'r^ is in all refpeds like the former, only it is lei.^»

L 5 ihorter.

226 THE NATURAL HISTORY

fhorter, and the leaves are leiler, narrower, and not {q
long, nor fo white, nor is the fmell fo ftrong ; but the
flowers are greater. Sometimes they both vary in having
white flowers. They are propagated by cuttings or flip?,
and the bell leafon is in the latter end of March, when
they fliould be planted in a fliady iitL^aiion ; or at leaft
they fhould be fliaded with matts till they have taken
root ; after which ihey may be expofed to the fun ; and
Vv'hen they aie itrong enough, may be removed to the
places where they are deligned to remain. They delight
in a dry gravelly foil, where they will endure our fevereft
winter. Lanjender is cephalic, nervous, and uterine,
for by its aromatic, fubtile, acrid particles, it llimulates
the nervous fibres to an ofcillation, and reilores their
tone, it diflblves thick humours, and renders them fit for
motion. It is gocd in catarrhs, the apoplexy, palfy,
fpafms,, the vertigo, lethargy, and trembling of the
limbs. The dofe of the flowers or feeds is from a fcruple
to a dram ; or the infulion may be drank in the fame
manner as tea. The dofe of the conferve of the flowers
is half an ounce, and of theeflential oil, from two drops
to fix, on fugar.

LAUREOLA MAS, S,purge laurel has a tough,
thick, long, woody root, divided into feveral branches,
with feveral afn-coloured or whitilh fiem?, rifirg to the
height of two cubits with leaves like thofe oi laurel,
but lefs, or fomewhat like thofe of myrtle j they are
blacki/h, thick, fmooth, fl^ining, and poir led at both
tnds, and they are thickeft near tne ends of the btanci.es.
It is an ever-green, and the fioweTs that grow on the top,
are of a greenifh yellow colour, confuting of a fmgie
petal, that is fibrous on the back part, but before divided
into four accuminated fegments ; thtre is no cup, but
there is a piflil that turns to a berry, in thefliape of an
olive, though much lef?. It isat firii green, but black
when ripe, and contains a hard cblong feed, full of a
white pulp. The leaves, fruit, and baik, are very acri-
monious, biting the tongue, as it were fetting them on
fire.

LAUREOLA FOEMINA, llezereon, or ffvrge
0!ri.'ei, h a ihrub that grows to the height of three cu-
bits.

GF VEGETABLES.' _ 227

bits, and has rough round branches, covered with a
double bark, the outerinoft of which is thin, and of an
afh- colour ; but the inner is greenifli on the outfide, and
whitiih within. The leaves are lefs than the former,
as well as thinner, fofter, and not fo fhining. The
flowers are of the fame fhape, but they are of a purple
colour, and much more beautiful, with fafFrcn-coloured
Itamina ; the berries are likewifc purplifh, and of the
fame fliape and flze. They are planted with us in
garden?, and this has the fame tafte as the former. All
their parts inwardly taken, caufe bilious vomitings, and
force the ferous humours upward ar.d downwards with
viorence ; they corrode and inflame the internal part?,
©pen the mouths of the blood-veflels, cccafion fevers,
and fuperpurgations. However fome have given it in
dropGes, from fix grains to half a fcruple of the baik
and leaves ; but it is the fafell way to abilain from them
entirely.

LAURUS VULGARIS, the Bay-tree, in hot coun-
tries grows to a confiderable height, and has a fmooth
trunk without knobs, and long branches \ the leaves
are long, fliarp, hard, nervous, fmooth, but have little
juice, though they have a fine fmell, and an acrid, bitter,
aftringent taile. The flower confiils of a fingle petal,
ihaped like a tunnel, and divided into four or five leg-
ments. The male flowers which are produced on feparate
trees from the female, have eight llamina, which are
branched into arms ; and the embryo of the female
flowers becomes a berry, inclofing a fingle feed within
a horny fliell, which; is covered with a fkin. Befides
this, there are feveral forts of Bay -trees, that are cul-
tivated in gardens, mofl: of which have been lately
brought from dillant countries. They are propagated
either from the feeds, or by laying down the tender
branches, which will take root in a year's time, and may
then be taken ofi^, and tranfplanted into a nurfery, or
the places v/here they dengn to remain. This tree among
the ancients, was accounted a panacea, and the leaves,
berries, and bark of the roots, were of ufe. The leaves
are aromatic, bitteriib, v/ith fcmewhat of an aflringency,
and they are heating, rcfolvent, flrengthen the Itomach,
j help

228 THE NATURAL HISTORY

help digeftion, and difcufs wind ; for thefe purpofes, the
infufion may be drank as tea, or the powder may be
given to a dram. The berries are more heating than
the leaves, and two fcruples in infufion is a dofe ; but
their principal ufe in the prefent practice is in glyfters,
and the leaves as a fomentation.

LENS VULGARIS, the Lentil, is an annual plant,
and has a flend:T, white root, with a few fibres ; the
ftalk grows to near a foot in height, and is hairy, an-
gular, weak, and apt to lye on the ground, unlefs there
be fomething near for it to climb upon. The leaves are
placed alternately, as in other pulfe, and there are five or
fix conjugations on the wings, placed en the middle rib,
that terminate in a tendril or clafper. The flowers are
fmall, white, and papilionaceous, and on the top theie
is a leaf, which fome call a (hield, ftreaked with blueifh
lines ; the pillil arifes from the flower-cup, which turns
intoafliort, broad, fmooth pod, containing two or three
feeds that are round and flattifli, though convex on both,
fides, that is, they are thicker at the center than on the
edges ; they are hard, fmooth, and yePouilh when they
are ripe; but in fome kinds they are redd i(h. Befides
this, there are the greater lentil, and the lentil with a
fingle flower. They are all common in the v.-arm parts
o^ Europe, and in the Aichipelago, where they are food
for the poorer fort of people. They may be propagated
jn the fame manner as vetchef, but muft be fown a
great deal thinner ; they delight in a dry barren foil,
and are very good fodder for cattle ; but they are not at
prefert much in elleem. They are feldom eaten where
there is any thing better to be had, and the common ule
of them is fiid to produce various kinds of diforders j
however they are certainly windy, hard of digeilion, and
yield bad nourifliment.

LENS PALUSTRIS,/^;^ LRNTICULA PALUS-
TRIS, Ducks meat, is generally feen on the top of flag-
rating waters, wherein it fwims like a green mofs, and
the whole furface is covered with fmall leaves that are
fliinincr, round, and comprefled like a lentil ; they are
grcenifh above, but blackilh below, and they are tied
together with very flender white filan^ents, from which as

roots

OF VEGETABLES. 229

roots they derive their nourifhment. They have neither
flowers nor fruit, at leaft none that are yet difcovered.
'Ray looked upon the infuiion of duck's meat, as a fecret
againft the jaundice, when fix ounces of it are taken in
white wine for nine days together in a morning falling.
Some have ufed it as a cataplafm againft the gout, and
to eafe the pain of the piles. It is called duck's meat,
becaufe ducks are very ford of it.

LEPIDIUM LATIFOLIUM, common broad dittander-,
or pepper ivorf, has a white root, as thick as one's
finger, that creeps in the ground, and it has an acrid
hot tafte, that immediately vanilhes. It has feveral
ftalks, two cubits in height, that are round, fmooth,.
branched, and full of pith ; it is covered with a blueiih
meal, which may be eafily wiped off. The leaves are
long, broad pointed-, and like thofe of the citron tree,
but larger and fofter, of a darkifti green colour, and
ferrated on the edges. The flowers grow on the tops of
the branches, and are fmall in proportion to the fize of
the plant ; they confift of four petals, placed fn the form
of a crcfs ; and the piftil that rifes out of the calyx,
turns into a very fmall flat fruit, with a fharp point,
and a partition in the middle, that divides into two cells,
full of fmall, oblong, red feeiJs. The whole plant has
an acrid tafte, and grows wild in fome parts of England i
but it is generally cultivated in gardens for ufe. It is
eafily propagated, by planting fmall bits of the root,
either in fpring or autumn ; but it ftiould be placed in
fome corner of the garden, becaufe the root wilf fpread
and over run the ground. This plant incides grofs hu-
mours, opens obftrudions of the liver and fpleen, and
is accounted by fome a great antifcorbutic. When the
leaves are eaten fafting in the morning, they excite the
appetite, and help digeftion. Some affirm, that the
powder of the dried leaves, given in wine, to half an
ounce in a morning fafting, for fome time, is excellent
in the dropfy.

LEVISTICUM, Lo^vage, hr^s a large flelhy root,
blackifh without, and white within, and the ftalks often
rife to the height of a man ; thefe are thick, light,
ftreaked, and divided into many branchef. The leaves

are

250 THE NATURAL HISTORY
are like thofe of parfley but larger every way, arid
they are fmocth, fhining, of a dark green colour, with
a itrorig fmell. The flowers grow in urr.bels on the
tcps of the branches, and are rofacecus, confilUrg of five
yellow petal*, or upwards. The calyx turns to a fruit,
compofed of two cblong, thick feeds, gibbous and ilreaked
on one fide, and on the other fiat, ar.d of a dirty colour.
Lovage is faid to bealexipharmac, carminative, diuretic,
uterine, and vulnerary. It llrengthens the liomach,
helps digertion, dilculles wind, attenuates grots humours,
eales pains of the ciiolic, and is good in the ailhma.
]t is looked upon as a fpecif.c againft the jaundice, efpe-
cially when it proceeds from a clammy bile. The dcfe
of the root in powder is from half a dram to a dram,
and of the feed from a fcruple to half a dram.

LICHEN AREOREUS, free Lof7gavort, grows on the
trunks of many old trees, fuch as oaks, beeches, and
firrs, has rough, dry, hard, afii-coloured leaves, marked
with fpots that are downy on the lower part, by which
they adhere to the tree, and are fo tough, they are not
eafily broken. ^1 he upper part is greerifh, and the
fhape is like that of the lungs when dried. Either it has
no flowers and fruit, or they are not }et difcovered.
That which grows on cakj is accounted the beft. It has
an afirirgent bitter tafle ; and is accounted good in hae-
morrhages, and fome affirm it will cure ulcers of the
lungs, and fpitting of blood. The dofe in powder is a
dram. Externally when dried and powdered, it will
flop the bleeding of wounds.

LIGUSIILUM, ^ii SF.SELI VULGARE, et
SILER iMONTANUM, ammon hlartnxjort, has a large
root, with many fibres on the lower part; it is wrinkled
about as '.hick as one's finger, and whitifh. The lialk
is flender, geniculat.^d, branched, and grows to the
height of a man, ar.d upwards; they are divided into
wing.% at the extream Segments of which there are three
leaves growing on one pedicle like the leaves -of trefoil,
and areoblcng, broadifh, and teiminace in a point, ar.d
when rubbed icgeilier, they have a pretty gcod Imcll.
The flowers grow in large umbeh, and are roraceous,
confillirg of five v;hite pecalf, placed in a cup, that
turns ir.to an oblong fruit, ccmpofcd of two oblong

iteds.

OF VEGETABLES. 231

feeds, gibbous on one fide, with a fort of folJaceoas
crell, and plain on the other. The talle is bittenfh and
aromatic ; it grows wild in the fouch parts of France.
The feed is faid to atenuate grcfs humours, help digeition,
difcufs wind, and provoke the menfes and urine. The
dole is to half a dram.

LIGUSTRUM, Privet, is a flirub divided into a
great number of branches, covered with an afh coloured
bark, and the wood is whicilh and hard. The leaves
grow by pairs oppofite to each other, and are oblong
and narrow like thofe of willow ; but they are ihorter,
thicker, fmooth, Ihining, and cf a blackifli-green colour.
The flowers grow on the top in bunches, and confifl of
a fingle petal in the ihape of a funnel, divided on the
top into five fegments. They are white, have a fweet
fmell, and in the middle there are placed yellovv/ilh green
apices, with a green piftil that turns to a^fofc and al-
mofl globous berry, of the fize of juniper berries, and
are blackifh when ripe, and full of juice. They con-
tain generally four globous feeds, with a bay coloured
fkin, and a whitifh pulp. It is commen in hedges in
moft parts of England, and generally grows to about
eight or ten feet high. The leaves are bitter and Ityptic,
and therefore they, as well as the flowers, are recom-
mended by fome againft haemorrhages. It is faid in the
Gerfnan Ephemerides that a certain woman made an oil
with the flowers by expofing them in a glafs veflel to the
fun, with a litde fweet oil ; and thai they melting turn-
ed to a balfam which had great reputation in Italy for
curing the king's evil and putrid ulcers.

LILIUM ALBUM, the -jMte Lilly, has a bulbous
root confuting of feveral fieihy fcales, united together,
and fixed to an axis, under which there are many fibres ;
the ftalk is upright, and fometimes rifes to the height of
a cubit and a half; it is fmgle, brown, and at the bot-
tom there are oblong, broadiOi, flefhy, fmooth leaves,
without a pedicle, of a fliining light green colour, but ■-
towards the top they become gradually lefs and narrow,
and if they are rubbed between the fingers they have a
fmell like broiled mutton. There are feveral flowers
placed on the top, that do not grow at the fame time;
they are compofed of fix leaves, in fhape fomewhat like

a bell,

232 THE NATURAL HISTORY
a bell, and in the middle there is a longifh piflil termi-
rating in three points, of a greenifh white colour ; the
ftamina are alio fix in number, and of the fame colour
with the petals, with apices of a faffron colour. The
piftil turns to an oblong triangular fruit, divided into
three cells full of reddilh feeds with borders, andlfC-
upon each other in a double row. They are cultivated
in gardens for the fake oi their beauty and fweec fmell.
There are m;iny other kirds of lilliep, all which may be
propagated by lowing their feeds in fquare boxes about-
fix inches deep, with holes at the bottom, and filled
with light, frelh, fandy earth. They are to be fown
foon after they are ripe pretty thick, and muft be cover-
ed with light fifled earth abour half an inch ; then the-
boxes are to be placed where they have the mornirg fun
only, and they muft be watered in dry weather. They-
mull continue thus till O^ober, when they muft be re-
moved to places where they may have as much fun as-
poflible, and yet fcreened from the north and eaft wirds-
during the winter ; but in the ferine, about the middl©
of Jpril, they mull be removed to their former pofition,
for now the young plants will appear above ground.
Here they muft remain till -^ugufr, when they muft be-
taken out of the boxes with the earth, and planted in
beds of freih light earth ; that is, the fmall bulbs, to-
gether with the earth, muft be ftrewed over the beds,
covering them about half an inch thick with fine fifted
earth, and they muft be watered in hot and dry feafons.
They muft be fliaded in the middle of the day, and re-
frefhed now and then with wafer. Jn the fpring when
the hard frofts are over the furface cf the beds muft
hz cleared, and a little frefn earth fifted thereon ; but-
this ihould not be deferred too long, lea ft the fhoots-
fhould be comir.g up and broken by this means. When
the leaves are decayed you fiiculd ftir the furface of tlie-
beds again to prevent the weeds from growing, and in
September you muft fift fome more freOi earth to the
thicknefs of half an ir.ch. In Stptt?nlcr following they-
will require to be iranfplanttd to a greater d^ftarjce in-
moift weaUier.

Tli^

OF VEGETABLES. 253

The flowers are ufcd in emoKient cataplafms, and the
oil made by infolation is of common ufe in pains and
tumours of all kinds. The roots are alfo in great re-
quefl, for foftening and ripening tumours, and are par-
ticularly recommended for burns and bruifes. when
roafted under the afhes.

LILIUM CON VALIUM, Lilly of the Valley, has
a (lender, white, fibrous root, creeping near the cop of
the ground, and produces two or three leaves, a palm
and a half in length, two inches broad, fliining, of a
light green, nervous, and terminating in a point ; among
thefe the ftalk arifes to a fpan in height, which is
{lender, angular, naked, and from the middle of which,
and at the top, there proceeds a long feries of flowers,
growing at fome dillance from each other, but almofl
all looking the fame way ; they have very (hort pendu-
lous pedicles, and conful of a fingle white petal, in
the fhape of a bell, divided into fix fegments, with as
many ttamina, of a greenifti yellow, and adhering to
the bottom ; the piflil is triangular, and turns to a fphe-
rical, foft, red fruit, full of pulp, and three hard, horny,
bitterifli feeds. The flowers only are in ufe, which have
a vtxy pkafant agreeable fmell. It increafes very fail
by its creeping roots, for which reafon it may be pra-
pagated in great plenty, by parting the roots in O^lober ;
they muft be planted in a fliady fituation, and in a
n)oift foil, placing them near a foot afunder. The
flowers have a bitteri(h taile, and when dried, powdered,
and fnufFed up the nofe, they occafion fneezing. It is
accounted a cephalic nervous remedy, and to be good
in all difeafes of the head and nerves. The dole of
the powder is a dram, and of the conferve half an
^ounce.

LINARLA., Toadfiax^ has white, hard, woody
roots, that creep under the furface of the ground, for
which reafon it increafes very much. The llalks rife
from a foot to a cubit in height, and are round, fmooth,
of a blueifli green, branched on the upper part, and
thickly covered with leaves, placed in no regular order;
they are long, narrow, and terminate in a point. The
flowers grow on the top of the branches in fpikes, and

conflll

234 THE NATURAL HISTORY
confill of an anomalous^ perfonatQcl, fingle leaf, ending
in a tail or fpur, or a fort of horn, behind ; they
are of a yellow colour j they are div^ided in the fore
part into two lips, the uppermofl of which is divided as
It were into^two fegments, and the lowermort into three.
The cah X is fmall, and divided into five parts, from
whence the piflil arife.s fixed in the back part of the
flower like an nail, which turns to a bicapfular fruit, or
hufk, divided into two^ cells by a partition, and are full
of £at, roundilh, bordered, black feeds. It grows in
great plenty on the f des of dry bank?, in moll parts of
England^ fcr which reafon it is feldom or never cultivated
in gardens. It is faid by feme to be a great diuretic,
and by others ta be a flrong cathartic ; herce it appears
its qualities are doubtful ; however it is never -given in-
wardly. Some greatly cry up a liniment made there-
with, for the painful piles, which is made by beating
the florate tops with lard, or unfalted butter in a leaden
moi tar, adding a little camphire thereto.

LINGUA CERVINA, Hart's-mgue, has capillary
blackifh roots, and leaves of the length of a foot, or
upwards ; they have appendages at the beginning, and
terminate in a point ; they are of a fine green, fmocth,
and have a pedicle a palm in length, that turns to the
middle rib of the leaf. It feems to v/ant flowers, but
produces feveral capfu^T, that lye on fcliacecus furrows,
half an inch in length, on the bad: of the leaf thataie
at firft green, but red when ripe. They are exceeding
fmall, ar.d cannot be perceived unlefs by the afiillance
of a microfcope. '1 hey have each an elaftic ring, by
the contraclion of which they are broken, and pour cut
a /ine powder. It grows in wells and fprings, and from
the joints of old walls and buildings. This plant has an
acerb ta(ie, and a ftrong herbaceous fmell. It is drying
and binding, and reftores the tone of the vifcera, for
which leafon it is recommended to open their obfirudti-
cns, and particularly the fwelling of the fpleen. It i»
feldom ufed alone, but has been formerly frequently
prefcnbed with other capillary plants. The dofe of the
dried herb in powder is a dram or two.

LINUM

OF VEGETABLES. 235

LlNUM VULG.4^E, common Flax, has a flender
foot, with a few fibres, and a round llalk, that is ge-
nerally fingie, light, fmooth, and grows to the heighc
of a cu-bit» or a cubit and a half. The leaves are ac-
cuminated, of the breadth of a Uraw, and about two
inches long j they are alternately placed on the ftalk,
and are foft and fmooth. The flowers grow on the tops
of the branches, on flender longifli pedicles, and are of*
a blue colour; they confiil of fivs petals, and when ex-
panded, are in the fliape of a clove giliy-flower. The
calyx or flower cup, is tubulous, confifting of a fingle
leaf, and is divided into five parts at the top. The
piftil riles from the center of the flower-cup, tarns into
a globous fruit, that is flightly accuminated, and is com-
pofed of ieveral ceiLs opening inward, full of flattifh
oval feed?, blunt at one end, and fharp at the other ;
they are fmooth, fhining, and of a yellowifli purple co-
lour. It is cultivated for iife in many parts of Europe,
and is accounted with good management, a very advan -
tageous plant. The land fhould be well ploughed, laid
flat and even, and the feeds fliould be fown the latter end
of March, when the weather is mild and warm. The
beft feed is that which comes from the Eaji country,
and is known by the name of Ryeg^te flax. It wiU
begin to be ripe in the beginning of Septemher, and
fhould be pulled up as foon as the heads begin to turn
brown. The country people in AjJa, have made ufe
of the feed for food ; but it is windy, and hard of di-
geftion. Not many years ago it v/as eaten in Zealand,
in a time of fcarcity, but it had very bad eiFedls, for
it caufed the belly and face to fwell in fach a manner,
that many people died therewith. The feeds are mu-
cilaginous, abate the acrimony of the fluids, and are
greatly recommended againll heat of urine ; outwardly
the meal is emollient and refolvent, and has been fre-
quently u.ed in cataplafms, with the fcenugreek feed.
The exprefTed oil loofens the belly, appeafes cough-j,
and promotes expedoration ; it is accounted a fpeciiic
againll the pleurify, when given from two to fourounces
every fourth cr fixth hour j but it muft be frefli, and
have a fweet taile. Externally it is emollient, and relaxes

the

z^C THE NATURAR HISTORY

the contradlions of the tendons. It is called linfeed oil,

and iis ufe in painting is verv well known.

LINUM CATHARIILUM, ^ur^in^ Flax, or mil-
Mountaitiy has a flendcr, white woody rcot, with a few
fibres, and the flalks are creeping at firlt, but afterw ards
rife to the height of a palm j they are flender, round,
reddifh, and branched at the top, with pendulous heads.
The lower leaves have a blunt point, and are roundifn ;
but the upper are placed by pairs en the Ilalks, and are
half an ii ch long, and of the breadth of a ftraw, biU
without pedic'es. The flowers have long flender pe-
dicles, and are white, have five petals, and refemb!e
thofe of clove gilly-flowers. There are as many yellow
apices in the middle, and the calyx confills of five le a ej.
1 he capfulze are like thofe of common flax, containing
the fame fort of feeds. The talleof the whole plant is
bitter and naufecus. It has formerly been much ufed in
England^ and a handful infufed in white wine over hot
aflies for a night, has purged ferous humours, pretty
ftrorgly. Some give a dram of the powdered leaves,
with a little cream of tartar, and an i feed, and then it
is a gentle purge.

LITHOSPERMUM, Cromwell has a weedy fibrous
root, about as thick as one's thumb, with upright, ftiff,
rcund, rough, branched ftalks, that rife to a cubit and
a half in length ; there are many leaves, placed alter-
r.ately, that are two or three inches long, fharp, rough,
without pedicles, and cf a blackilh green colour. The
flowers proceed from the places where the leaves join to
the ftalk, and confift of a fingle white petal in the form
cf a funnel, divided into five blunt fegments, with a
hairy calyx, confilling of a fingle leaf, cut almoft to
the bottom into five narrow hairy fegments ; the piftil
is green, and attended with four embr)'oes, that turn to
as many roundifh, hard, fmooth, Ihining feeds, of the
colour and Ihape of fmall pearls. It grows in fhady
lanes, and uncultivated places, in various parts of Eng-
land. 1 he feed is accounted a great diuretic, and a
gentle anodyne, for which reafon it is recommended to
promote urine, and expel gravel ; the dole is to two
drams.

LOTUS

OF VEGETABLES. 237

LOTUS URBANA, fn.<:eet or hircts-foot TrefoU, has
a (lender, fing'e, white, woody root, with a few fibres,
and a ftalk that rifes to the height of a cubit and up-
wards, which is ftrait, flender, ftreaked, a little angular,
fmooth, light, and branched. The leaves are alter-
nately placed by threes, on long pedicles, and are
fmooth, ferrated on the edges, and of a pali(h green co-
lour. The flowers p.oceed from the places where the
upper leaves join to the ftalks, and grow in fpikes. They
are very fmall, papilionaceous, of a light blue colour,
and have a pleafant aromatic fmsll. The pillil arifes
from the calyx, and turns to a naked capfula, not hid
within it as in trefoil ; it contains two or three yellowiQi
feeds, of a roundifli (hape. It dies every winter, but
rifes again the fuccseding fpring. If it be cut while
young, cows are very fond of it, though horfes will not
eat it. It may be propagated from the feeds, and muft
be fown very thin, in rows at about eighteen inches
afunder, in ^/)W/ and May. When full grown, fome of
the roots have been found, a foot in diameter, and have
produced an hundred fhoots at a time. It delights in a
dry, barren, gravelly foil, and will abide many years. It
is a vulnerary plant, and is faid to eafe pain, as well as re-
folve coagulated blood. The dofe of the florate tops is
a dram, but it is now oat of ufe.

LUjULA, <vjooci Sorrel^ is a low plant, with a
thickifh, fcaly, reddifli, white root, from whence pro-
ceed weak, flender, brown pedicles, a palm in length,
on which are three leaves, that are thin, broader than
long, fmooth, in the fhape of a heart, and of a pale
green colour. Among thefe there are other pedicles,
each fuilaining a fingle flower, that confills of one pe-
tal, in the fhape of a bell, and divided into five feg-
ments ; it is white, open, tranfparent, and the calyx is
<iivided into five parts, with a pillil fixed in the loveft
part of the flower like an nail, that turns to a cylindra-
ceous five cornered fruit, divided into five cells, con-
taining fliining reddifli feeds, that when ripe buril oat
with violence. It grows in moft parts of England, and
has much the fame virtues as common forrel. It quenches
thirfl, mitigates heat, and refolves vifcid blood ; whencr

it

238 ^HE NATURAL HISTORY

it is faid to cool the liver, and is accounted a good an-
tifcorbutic. The dofe of the juice is an ounce.

LUPINUS, FLORE ALBO, ^^hite Lupines, has a
fingle, woody, fibrous root, and a Oalk that riles to a
cubit and a half in height, that is pretty thick, up-
right, round, a little downy, and full of pith. The
flowers grow on the top, which are papilionaceous, and
grow in fpikes at the top of the branches, on fhort pe-
dicles. The pilUl which rifes from the calyx, turns to
a thick, broad, flat pod, three inches long, with a yel-
lowifh colour, and a little hairy on the outfide, but
fmooth within, and contains pretty large, roundifh, flat
feeds, white without, but yellowifli within, and very
bitter. The leaves are irregularly placed on pedicles,
two or three inches long, and confift generally of feven
oblong, narrow fegments, proceeding from the fame
point of the pedicle, like thofe of cinque-foil. Some
pretend the eating of lupines is dangerous, even in very
irnall quantities, which mull needs be falfe, becaufe they
were ufed by the Greeks for food. Lupines are ufed ex-
ternally, that is in deco6lion?, againll difeafes of the
flcin, and their meal is mixed in cataplafms, being
reckoned among the four refolvent meals.

LUPULUS, the Hop-flmit, has a creeping root.,
Vr'ith fuch weak ftalks, that they could not fupport
themfelves without twilling about whatever is near
them ; they are exceeding long, rough, angular,
hairy, and hollow, and the leaves proceed from the
llaiks by pairs, and are placed over againfl each other ;
they are like thofe of the mulberry tree, and terminate
in points ; they are generally divided into three, and
fometimes into five fegments, and are ferrated on the
edges. ^ That fort which bears flowers, has no feeds,
and that which has feeds has no flamina. The male
flowers confifl of a calyx divided into five parts, and
furrounds the flamina, but there are no petals ; the
flov/ers of the female plants are colledcd into fcaly
heads, which grow in bunches, and have fome re-
fcmblance to pine-apples ; they are compofed of fe-
vcral membranaceous loofc fcales, of a yellowifli green
colour, and adhere to a common axis ; the feeds are

fmall.

OF VEGETABLES. 239

fmall, flat, and red, and have the fmell of garlick.
The people that cultivate hops reckon three varieties,
as the lon<^ fquare garlick H^p, the long ^vhife Hop, and
the o<val Hop, all which are cultivated in Eitglandy and
particularly in Kent, where they account new land^beO:
for their growth. The firft flioots of hops, or rather
their heads, are commonly called hop-tops, and are
by fome accounted not inferior to afparagus. They
gently loofen the belly, and are good in obilruftions
of the viicera ; as for the ufe of hops, it is very
•well known throughout the world, it"being brewed in -
malt liquors, to prevent their growing four.

MAJORANA, f^^eet Majoram, has flender roots,
and the flalks rife to a palm in height, and upwards ;
they are {lender, woody, often fquare, a little hairy,
and reddifh, about wliich the leaves are placed op-
pofite to each other ; they are like thofe of common
origanum, but much lefs, and covered with a hoary
down. It is a very verticillated plant, and the flowers
grow on the tops of the branches, and confift of a
fingle, labiated, whitifli petal, whofe upper lip is up-
right, roundifh, and divided into two parts, and the
lower into three. The flowers are collefied into
thick, fliort, round heads, and proceed from a four-
fold order of leaves, placed like fcales. The pillil
that rifes from the calyx, is fixed in the part of the
flower, and is attended with four embryoes, that turn
into as many fmall, roundiih, reddifli feeds, contained
in a capfula, that was the calyx of the flower. It is
cultivated in gardens, and is an annual plant, for
which reafon the feeds muft be fown every year, which
are brought from the fonth parts of France, where it
grows wild. They muft be fown in the beginning of
April, in a dry warm fpot of ground, and in June the
plants will be ftrong enocgh to be removed into beds
of rich light ear^h, whe e they are to be placed four
inches dtitant from each other ; they will flower in the
beginning of ^«^ay?, and then is the time to pull them
up for medicinal ufe.

MA.

HO THE NATURAL HISTORY

MAjORANA TENUIFOLIA, Mayjoram gefdk,
difteis only from the former, in having more flcnder
and fragrant leaves. They both confilt of fme oltous,
aromatic, adlive particles, and are ufed as pot-herbs,
and fometimes in falads, to promote digefrion, and
to difcufs wind. They attenuate grofs vilcid humours,
excite the fluggiili, languid ofcillatipns of the fibres,
and open the pores of the brain and nerves, upon
which account it is good in cold difeafes of the head,
and trembling of the joints. A fcruple, or half a
dram of the powder, mixed with a proper conferve,
and taken every morning, has been greatly commended
in the epilepfy ; it is alio an ingredient of the cepha-
lic-fnufTs, becaufe it is faid to purge the head.

MALVA \'ULGARIS, co7n7non Mallocws, has a
fingle white root, with a few fibres, and a ftalk that
rifes to a c-ubit and a half in height, and upwards ;
many of thefe proceed from the fanve root, and are
round, hairy, branched, and full of pith. The leaves
grow fingle about the ftalk on long pedicles, and are
roundilh and jagged on the edges, with a little down,
and are of a blackifh-green colour, and crenated on
the edges. The fiowers proceed from the places where
the pedicles of the leaves join to the ftalk, and are
large in the fhape of a bell, and confift of a fmgle
petal, divided into five fegments in the ihape of hearts ;
they are purplifh, and (Ireaked with deep purple lines,
but they are fometimes variegated with white. From
the bottom of the flower proceeds a tube in the ihape
of a pyramid, on which are purplifh ftamina. It has
a double calyx, the innermoft of which is divided
into five parts, and the outermoft into three. The
piftil arifes from the bottom of the calyx, and is
placed in the tube, and turns to a fiat round cake,
fomewhat in the form of a cheefe ; for which reafon
they are commonly called cheefe-cakes by children.
They contain a great number of feeds in the (hape
of kidneys, that arc difpofed round an axis, in fuch
a manner, > that they appear to be very artificially
jointed. Malloiv or lSlallon.vi, was formerly ufcd for

focd^

OF VEGETABLES. 241

food, but is now only in requeft on account of its
medicinal virtues, for it is an emollient, and abates
the (barpnefs of urine. It is alfo ufed in emollient
cataplafms. Some have given from fix to eight oun-
ces of the juice in inflammations of the vifcera ; but
it is not reckoned fo good as marfh-mallovvs for thefe
purpofes.

MALVA ROSEA, finjc HORTENSIS,>^/f ^^hite
Hollyhock, has a long white root, and a ftalk that is
thick, folid, hairy, branched, and rifes to the height
of a (hrub ; the leaves are placed alternately on the
ftalk, and are fmgle, broad, and angular, with about
feven incifures, and they are crenated on the edges ;
they are of a dark green on the upper part, but
whiter, below, and hairy on both fides. From the
places where the leaves join to the ftalk, the flowers
proceed, of the fize of a common rofe j they con-
fift of a fingle petal in the fliape of a bell, and are
deeply cut into five fegments ; they are fometimxcs red
or purple, or of a deep blood-colour, or of a carna-
tion or white, and fometimes yellow. Sometimes the
flowers are double, and there is a cone in the middle,
with many fmall, yellow, or purplifh apices. The
calyx is double, and befet with a hoary down, or hair.
It is fown in gardens. There is a great variety of
thefe plants, and they are all fown on a bed of fiefli
earth in April. When the plants come to be pretty
ftrong, they muft be tranfplar.ted into nurfery-beds,
at about eight inches diftant from each other, ob-
ferving to water them till they have taken root. About
Michaelmas thsy muft be tranfplanted into rows, two
feet afunder, and a foot diftant in the rows, in which
place they may continue till they flower. They have
been formerly faid to have many phyflcal virtues, but
they are not now taken notice of in pradlice.

MALUS SATIVA, the Apple-tree, grows to acon-
fiderable fize, and the branches are fpreading, but
more deprefl'ed than thofe of the pear-tree. The
flower confifts of five leaves, which expand in tlje
form of a rofe, with yellow apices in the middle, and
Vol. VI. M 'a greea

242 THE NATURAL HISTORY

a green calyx divided into five parts, which turns to 4
adhy roundifli fruit, generally umbilicated at eacb
end ; however they are of difrerent fizes and fhapes,
according to their different kinds, >vhich are generally
fo well known, they need no defciiption. The firil
apple which is brought to market is the codlin, and
the next is the margaret-apple, which is not fo long
as the codlin, and the fide next the fun changes to a
faint red when ripe ; but the other fide is of a pale
green. This fruit is firm, and has a pleafant tafte,
but does not keep long. The fummer pearmain is an
.oblong fruit, ftriped with red next the fun, and the
fiefh is foft, and grows mealy in a lliort time. The
A'tv///)^ fill-bafket, is of a large fize, and is of a fome-
what longer fnape than ^ codlin, it ripens a little
later, and is generally a little later. Loan\ pearmain
is a beautiful fruit, ^nd of a fine red next the fun ;
the flefli is vinous, but foon grows mealy.

The QUINCE APPLE is of the fize of a golden
pippin, but fhaped like a quince, efpecially towards
the (lalk, the fide next the fun is of a rufiet colour,
but the other fide is inclining to yellow. It is an ex-
cellent apple, but will not keep above three weeks in
Septejnber. The golden rennet ripens dihoux. Mickaelmasy
and continues to be a good fruit about a month. The
aromatic pippin is of the fize of a nonpareil, but a
little longer, and the fide next the fun is of a bright
rUiTct colour. It ripens in O^^-^^r. The winter pear-
main is rather long than round, of a fine red next the
jun, and ftriped with the fame colour on the other
fide ; the flefh is juicy, but it is not a good eating
apple. The Kentifi pippin is large and handfome,
and of a pale green colour. It is a very good kitchen
fruit, and will keep till February. The Holland pippin
is larger than the former, and of a darker green. It
will keep longer than the former. The monfirous
rennet is very large, of an oblong fhape, reddijh to-
wards the fun, and of a daik green elfewhere ; it is
of no great value. The embroidered apple is pretty
large, with red broad l^ripes, from whence it has

its

T. 'J4?

OP VEG ET ABLES. 243

its natne ; it is a tolerable kitchen apple. The royal
rufTet is of a deep ruffet colour, and is large, and of
an oblong fliape, but broad towards the bafe, and the
flefh is a little yellovvifh. It will continue good from
Oaober to Jpril, and is the beft of all kitchen apples.
Wheelers ruflet is of a light rufTet colour next the fun,
and of a pale yellow on the other fide. The fize is
middling, the flefh firm, and has a quick, tartifh
tafte; it will keep a long while. Pile% ruflet is oval,
and of a rufl^et colour next the fun, but of a dark
green on the other fide ; it is a good baking apple,
and will keep found till April. The Nonpareil is
very well known, but there is another apple generally
fold for it, and is a larger fairer fruit, and more in-
clining to yellow. It is ripe earlier, foonergone, and
is not fo flat as the true nonpareil; which lad is not
ripe before Chrijlmasy and will keep good till May.
The golden pippen is peculiar to England^ for it will not
fucceed well in other countries. It is an excellent apple,
and would be Hill better, if proper care was taken in
their cultivation. There are a great many other forts
of apples, which have no particular name^, except fach
as ferve for making cyder ; the redureak, the vvhitfour,
the Hertforcip:ire under leaf, the ''John apple, the cver-
lalling har.ger, and the gennctmoil. They are all pro-
>^ pagated by grafting or budding upon flocks of the fame
i "^ kind. Apples in general are ufed for eating and baking,
^ and as for their medicinal virtues, they are Icarcely worth
^ mentioning, though they are faid to temperate the bile,
and to be good in fevers, to allay thirft. Some pre-
tend they are excellent pectorals, and will appeafe coughs,
but this may be doubted,

MALUS AGRESTIS, the crab tree, is like the
apple tree in all things, only the fruit is lefs, and is
more acid and aflringent. It is chiefly ufed for making
of virjuice.

MALUS GRANATA, ft<ve PUNICA, the Fome-
granate^ is a low tree, or rather a flirub, with flsnder
angular branches, befet with long thorns or prickle?.
The leaves are like thofe of the myrtle tree, or olive,
M 2 only

244 THE NATURAL HISTORY
only not fo (harp, and they are of a fhining green, witk
reddifti pedicles, and reddifli veins. The flowers are
rofaceous, confiil of live petals of a red or fcarlet co-
lour, in the middle of which there are many ilamina,
with their apices, and the calyx is alfo red, above an inch
long, conriaceous, in the form of a bell, and divided into
iive pointed jaggs, which after it is turned to a fruir, are
placed round the navel at the top. PomegranaLCs are of
various fizes, fome being as big as large apple?. TKe
rind is pretty thick, hard, and brittle ; before it is ripe
it is green and fmooth, but afterwards reddifli and
wrinkled, and laft of all it becomes of a bay colour,
and yellowifh within, with an allringent talle, it is full
of feeds difpofed in various cell.% and the pulp has a
fweetifli vinous flavour ; though it is fometimes acid.
I'here are leveral kinds, as the common pomegranate,
the fweet pcmegranate, the wild pomegranate, the double
jRowered pomegranate, and the American double pome-
granate. The firlt and fecond of thefe are hardy enough
to refill the fevereft cold of cur climate, in the open air,
and if planted againil warm walls, the firfl: fort will
often produce fruit, which in warm fealbns will ripen
tderably well ; but they are feldom v/ell tafled in Eng-
Ia?id. Thefe plants may be eafily progagated, by laying
down their branches in the fpring, which in one year's
time will take good root, and may then be tranfplanted
where they defign to remain ; and the bell feafon for
this is the Ipring, jull before they begin to flioot. The
flowers always proceed from the extremity of the
branches which are produced the fame year, for which
rcafon all the weak branches of the former year fliould
be cut out, and the llronger (hould be lengthened ac^
cording to their ftrength. The bell time for this, is the
beginning of OSIober.

iV'IALlCORlUM, or the rind of the Pomegranate j has
a bitterifli auftere talle, is ytvy allringent, and will
fupply the place of oak bark, for tanning of leather,
as well as of galls for the making of ink. Jt is good
in a diarrhoea, and all fluxes of the belly whatever, as
well as in hemorrhages, it llrengthens the tone of the
jJarts' and fometimes. pioves an aperient as well as an

allringent.

OF VEGETABLES. 245

aftringent. The dofe in powder is from half a dram
to a dram, and in decoftion to half an ounce.

BALAUSTJA, Baiaujiines, are the flowers of all
forts of pomegranates, with their flower cups ; but thofe
of the double fort are generally chofen, becaufe they are
large, and have a great number of petals ; but the cup
is not fo long as in the firll fort, but it is more flat and
broad, and the colour is of a yellow purple. They are
aflringent, but not fo much as the rind, and therefore
they have been in frequent ufe in all forts of flnxes
whatever, but they are feldom met with in extempera-
neous prefcriptions, though often in^ fhop medicines.
The dofe in powder is to a dram, and to half an
ounce in deco£lion.

MALUS PERSIC A VULGARIS, ihe common Peach
tre€y arifes to a moderate height, and has a pretty thick
fiem, with many brittle branches, and a rcddifli and
brownifli bark. The leaves are thin, oblong, acumi-
nated, crenatcd, and like thofe of the almond tree, but
larger, and have a bitter tafte, like that of peach ker-
nels, though not {o pleafant. The flowers appear in-
the beginning of the fpring, before the leaves, and with-
out pedicles, for they adhere to the tubercles of the
branches, and are rofaceous, confifling of five broad
petals, of a light reddifn colour, and in the middle there
are many longifli ftamina, that are either purple or
white, with a piflil of the fame length, that proceeds
from a reddifli calyx, divided into five acute fegments,
and turns to a fruit that is almoft globous, though a little
flattifh on one fide, and is^ furrowed according to the
length, and covered with a thick, foft, whitifh down,
in many of the fpecies ; but fome are fmoothi of a
yellowifh herbaceous colour, and thefe are commonly
called NECTARINES. They contain a woody, oblong,
oval flone, confiftingof two valves, deeply furrowed, and
the pulp in fome adhere very obftinately thereto, but in
others it readily parts from it. When the bark is wounded,
a gum will proceed from it like the plumb-tree gum.

Some Peach trees are cultivated for the beauty of

their flowers, as the peach tree with double flowers.

The dwarf peach tree with Angle flowers, and the

M 3 double

246 THE NATURAL HISTORY
double flowering dwarf peach tree, though feme place
thefe two lall among the almonds. The peach trees
that are cultivated for their fruit, are the white nutmeg
peach, which has ferrated leaves, and large open flowers,
but the fruit is fmall and white, as is alfo the pulp at
the l^one, from which it eafily parts. It is eileemcd
for being the fooneft ripe.

The red NUTIV1EG PEACH TREE, has alfo fer-
rated leaves, and the flowers are large and open ; the
fruit is larger and rounder than the white nutmeg, and is
of a bright vermillion colour. The fiefti is white, but
very red at the ftone, and it has a rich mulky flavour,
and readily feparates from the ftone j it is in good
clteem, and ripens about the beginning of Augujl.

The Pearly or fmaU Mignon PEACH TREE, has fmall
contradled flowers, and the fruit is of a midlirg l:ze, and
round ; they are very red on the fides next the fun, and
the flefli is white, and parrs readily from the ftone, where
it is red \ the juice is vinous and rich, and it is ripe in
the beginning of Auguji.

The yellow Aiherge PEACH TREE, has fmooth
leaves, and the flowers are fmall and contradled ; the
fruit is of a middling fize, and fomewhat long, with
fcmewhat ^zy yellow flefh. It is feldom any very good
flavour, but is beil when perfe<fl]y ripe before it is ga-
thered, which happens about the middle of Augujl.

The ^hite Magdalen PEACH TREE, has ferrated
leaves, and the flowers are large and open. The wood
is generally black at the middle, and the fruit is round,
iind of a middling fize. The flefli is white to the ftone,
from which it feparates readily, but the juice is feldom
high flavoured ; the ftone is very fmall, and it ripens
about the middle of Au.ujl.

The early purple PEACH TREE, has leaves even
at the edges, and the flowers are large and open j the
fruit is large, round, and of a fine red colour, and the
flefli is white, except at the ftone, where it is very red.
It is very full of juice of a rich vinous flavour, and is
an excellent peach ; it is ripe towards the latter end of
Augtijl.

The

OF VEGETABLES. 247

The large French Mignon PEACH TREE, has leaves
that are even at the edges, and the flowers are large and
open J the fruit is a little oblong, and has generally a
Avelling on one fide. It has a fine colour, and the juice
is very fweet, with a high flavour, and the flefh is white,
but very red at the Hone, which is fmall ; it is ripe to-
wards the end of Auguji^ it is feparated eafily from the
Hone, and is one of the beft forts.

The Belle Cheweu/e PEACH TREE, has fmooth
leaves, and the flowers are fmall and contracted ; the
fruit is of a middling fize, a little oblong, and of a
fine red colour ; the flefh is white, but very red at the
flone, from which it eafily parts ; their juice is fweetifh
and rich, and it ripens in the beginning of September ; it
is a pretty good peach.

The red Magdalen PEACH TREE, has deeply fer-
rated leaves, with large cpen flowers, and the fruit is
large and round, and of a fine red colour ; the flefli is
white, bat very red at the Rone, from which it readily
parts. The juice is fweetifli, and has a very fine flavour,
it is ripe at the beginning of September, and is one of
the bell peaches.

The early Ne^'in^ton PEACH TREE, has ferrated
leaves, with large open flowers, and the fruit is of a
middling fize, and of a fine red next the fun. The,
flefh is firm and white, but very red at the Hone, to
which it clofely adheres ; it has a fweet juice, and is
ripe at the beginning cf September,

The Montauban PEACH TREE, has ferrated leaves,
and the flowers are large and open ; the fruit is of a
middling fize, and of a deep red, inclining to purple
next the fun ; the flefh melts in the mouth, and is white
to the ilone, from which it readily parts j the juice is
rich, and it ripens the latter end of Auguji.

The Malta PEACH TREE, has ferrated leaves,
with large open flowers, and the fruit is of a middling
fize, and of a beautiful red next the fun ; the flefh is
white, and melts in the mouth, but red at the flone,
from which it eafily parts, and the flone is flat and
pointed.

M 4 . ThQ

248 THE NATURAL HISTORY

The nohkfi PEACH TREE, has ferrated leaves, with
large open flowers, and large fruit, of a bright red next
the fun ; the flefli is white, and melts in the mouth,
parting readily from the flone, where it is of a faint
red colour ; the juice is very rich in a good feafon, and
it ripens in the beginning of September as well as the
former.

The Chancellor PEACH TREE, has leaves that are
even at the edges, and fmall contraded flowers j the
fruit is (haped fomevv'hat like the belle chevreufe, but is
rounder, with flcfh that is white, and melts in the mouth ;
u parts freely from the flone, where it is of a fine red
colour. The fkin is very thin, and the juice rich ; it
ripens in the beginning of September ^ and is one of the
btil (crt.

The BELLEGARD, has leaves that are even at the
f dges, with fmall contrafled flowers ; but the fruit is
\eTy large and round, and is of a deep purple colour,
next the fun ; the flefli is white, melts in the mouth,
and parts readily from the flone, where it is of a deep
red colour ; the juice is very rich. It ripens in the
middle of September, and is an excellent peach.

The Lijle PEACH TREE, has leaves that are even
at the edges, with fmall contrafted flowers, and the
fruit is of a middling fize ; it is of a fine violet colour
next the fun, and the flefli is of a pale yellow, and
melts in the mouth ; but it adheres to the flone, where
it is very red, and the juice is very vinous ; it ripens in
the middle of September.

The Bourdine PEACH TREE, has leaves that are
even at the edges, with fmall contraded flowers, and
large round fruit, of a fine red colour next the fun ; the
flefli is white, melfc in the mouth, and parts readily
from the flone, where it is of a fine red colour ; the
juice is vinous and rich, and it ripens in the middle of
September.

The Rofanna PEACH TREE, has leaves that are
even at the edges, with fmall contradled flowers, and
large fruit ; the flefli is yellow, and parts readily from
the flone, where it is red. The juice is rich and vinous,
and it ripens in the middle of September.

The

OF VEGETABLES. 249

The admirabh PEACH TREE, has leaves that are
fmooth on the edges, with fmall contrafted flowers, and
large round fruit, that is red on the {\^q next the fun ;
the flefh is white, melts readily in the mouth, and parts
eafiiy from the ftone, where it is of a deep red colour ;
the juice is fvveet and rich, and it ripens in the middle of
September.

The old Nenvington PEACFT, has ferrated leaves,
with large open flowers, and vtry fair large fruit, of a .
beautiful red colour next the fun ; the flefh is white,
melts in the mouth, ard Hicks clofe to the ftone, where
it is of a deep red colour ; the juice is very rich and
vincus, and it ripens towards the latter end of Sep'
tcmher.

The Ramhouillei PEACH TREE, has leaves that
are fmooth at the edges, with large open flowers, and
fruit of a middling fize, rather round than long, and
divided by a deep furrow in the middle j it is of a fine
red colour next the fun, and of a light yellow next the
wall. The flefli is cf a bright yellow colour, melts in
the mouth, and parts readily from the ftone, where it is
of a deep red, and the juice is rich, with a vinous fla-
vour ; it ripens at the latter end of September.

The Bellis PEACH TREE, has ferrated leaves,
with fmall contraded flowers, rnd round fruit of a
middle fize, of a pale red next the fun ,• the flefh is
white, and flicks to the ftone, where it is red, and the
Juice is vinous and rich i it ripens towards the end of
September.

The Portugal?E^Qll TREE, has leaves that are
fmooth at the edges, with large open flowers and large
fruit, of a beautiful red next the fun ; the fkin is gene-
rally fpotted, and the flefh is firm and white, flicking
clofe to the flone, where it is of a faint red ; the flone
is fmall, but full of deep furrows ; the juice is rich and
vincus, and it ripens towards the end of September.

Leteton de Vemu or Venus' s breaji PEACH TREE,
fo called from a fwelling on one fide of it, has leaves
that are fmooth at the edges, with fmall contracted
flowers, and fruit of a middling fize, of a pale red
next the fun ; the flefii is white, melts in the mouth,
rvi c and

250 THE NATUx^AL HISTORY

and parts from the flone, where it is red. The juice is
fvveet and rich, and it does not ripen till the very end
of Sep. ember.

The ?ourpee PEACH TREE, J)as very large ferrated
leaves, with fmall contraded flowers, and a large round
fruit of a fine purple colour ; the flelh is white, melts
in the mouth, and parts from the flone, where it is red;
the juice is fweet and rich, but does not ripen till the be-
ginning of OSiober,

The Nicvette PEACH TREE, has ferrated leaves,
with fmall conirafted flowers, and large fruit, fomewhat
longer than round, of a bright red colour next the fun,
rind of a pale yellow on the other fide j the flefli mtlts
in the mouth, is full of a rich juice, and is very red at
the ftcne, from which it parts, it ripens towards the
latter end of September.

The Royal PEACH TREE, has leaves that are
fmooth at the edges, with fmall contracted flowers, and
large round fruit, of a deep red next the fun ; the flefli
is white, melts in the mouth, is full of a rich juice, and
parts from the ilone, where it is of a dtey) red colour,
and ripens towards the latter end of September.

The Perfique PEACH TREE, has ferrated leaves,
with fmall contra(fled flowers, and large oblong fruit,
and is of a fine red c.Lur next the fun ; the flefh melts
in the mouth, is full of a rich juice, and parts from
the Hone, where it is of a deep red colour; it ripens in
the beginning of Odcber.

The movfirous panjy PEACH TREE of Tompenne, has
leaves that are fmooth at the edges, with large open
flowers, with fruit fo large, that they are often fourteen
inches in circumference j the flefli is white, melts in the
mouth, and adheres to the flone, where it is of a deep
red colour. It is of a beautiful red next the fun, and
of a pale flefh-colour en the other fide ; this does not
ripen till the beginning of No'vember, and when the
autumn is warm it is an excellent peach.

The Ctf//;fr/»^ PEACH TREE, has leaves that are
fm.ooth at the edges, with fmalFcontrafted flowers, and
large round fruit, of a dark red colour next the fun ;
the flefli is white, and is full of rich juice ; it adheres

clofe

OF VEGETABLES. 251

dofe to the flone, where it is of a deep red colour, and
ripens in the middle of O^oher.

The hloody PEACH TREE, bears fruit of a middling
frze, of a deep red next the fun, and flefh that is of a
deep red to the flone ; but it feldom becomes quite ripe
in England. Befides thefe, there are the Liony the Bour-
deauXy the Dutch y the CarliJIe^ the Eaton, the Peache de
pau, the yellow admirable, and the double flower ;
this laft fort, is generally planted more for the beauty
of the flowers, than the goodnefs of the fruit ; but of
all thofe abovementioned, there are not above ten that
need to be planted, unlefs for the fake of variety. The
bell are the early purple, the large mignon, the belle
chevreufe, the red magdalen, the chancellor, the belle-
gard, the Bourdine, the Rofanna, the Rambouillette,
and the Nivette. A good peach ought to have a firm
fiefh, a thin fkin, of a fine red colour next the fun ; and
of a yellowifli caft next the wall ; the fiefii fliould be
of a yellowiOi colour, full of juice, and high flavoured,
with a fmall flone, and the pulp or flefli very thick.

All Peach trees have been originally obtained from
the ftones, which fliouId be planted in autumn, on a
b^d of light dry earth, about three inches deep, and four
inches aiunder; in the winter the bed fliould be covered,
to protect tiiem from the froft, and in the fpring, when
the plants come up-, they fliould be carefully cleared
from the weeds, as well as all the fummer obferving to
water them when the weather is ^Lxy. They fhould
remain here till the following fpring, when they fliould
be carefully taken up, without breaking the tender roots,
and tranfplanted into a nurfery in rows, three feet afunder,
and eighteen inches diflant plant from plant in the rows,
obferving to lay a litde mud about the roots ; they muft
alfo be watered in dry v/eather once a week, till they
have taken root. Here they may continue two or three
years, till they are tranfplanted where they are to re-
main. When this is done, the downright roots mull be
pruned pretty fliort, and the bruifed parts cut ofi^, as
well as the fmall fibres ; but the heads fliould not be
medled with. Thefe are generally defigned for flandards.
As for the planting, budding, and management of peach

trees

252 THE NATUPxAL HISTORY
trees that are to be placed againfl walls, we muft refer
you to Millar\ gardiner's didionary, becaufe it would
take up more room than this treatife will allow.

The NECTARINES are properly peaches, though
generally dillinguifhed from them, of which the fol-
lowing are the moil remarkable forts ; and indeed it
may be doubted whether there are really any more or
not.

TairchiWs early NECTARINE TREE, produce*
fruit the fooneil ripe of any we have j it is fmall and
round, about the fize of the nutmeg-peach, and of a
beautiful red colour ; it has a very good flavour, and
ripens towards the end of July.

The Ehuge NECTARINE TREE, has ferrated
leaver, with imall flowers of a dark red or purple colour
next the (un ; but of a pale yellow or greeniih colour to-
wards the wall ; it parts from the Hone, melts in the
mouth, and is ripe in the beginning of Augujl.

The Ih'vcingtm NECTARINE TREE, has ferrated
leaves, v/ith large open flowers, and a fair large fruit,,
of a beautiful red colour next the fun, but of a bright
jellovv towards the wall ; it has a very rich juice, and
the pulp or flefh adheres clofely to the Hone, where it \^
of a deep red colour. It ripens in the middle of Augujl^
ar.d has a better flavour than any of the reft.

Ttit fcarlet NECTARINE TREE, bears fruit a
little lefs than the former, of a fine red or fcarlet colour
next the fun, but of a paler red towards the wall i it
ripens in the beginning of Auguji.

The Brugmn or Italian NECTARINE TREE, has
leaves thp-t are even on the edges» and fmall flowers,
with a fair large fruit, of a deep red colour next the
iun, but yellowifh towards the wall ; the pulp is firm,
of a rich flavour, and clofely adheres to the ftone,
where it is very red, it ripens- towards the latter end of
Juguft.

ihe n&man red NECTARINE TREE, has leaves
that are even at the edge, and large flowers, with large
fair fruit, of a deep red or purple colour next the fun,
but has a yellowifli call towards the wall, the pulp is
fiim, of a rich flavour, and adheres dofeJy to the ftone,

where

OF VEGETABLES-. 25^3

where it Is very red ; it ripens towards the latter end of
Aiiguji.

The Murrey NECTARINE TREE, bears a middle
fized fruit, of a deep red colour next the fun, but of a-
yellowish green towards the wall ; it has a pretty good
flavour, and ripens towards the end of Jttguji.

The golderi NECTARINE TREE, bears a hand-
fome fruit, of a light red colour next the fun, and of a.
bright yellow towards the wall ; the pulp is \txy yellow,
has a rich flavour and clofely adheres to the ftone, where
it is of a faint red ; it ripens towards the middle of
September.

Temple's NECTARINE TREE, bears a middle fized
fruit, of a light red colour next the fun, and of a yel-
lowiiii green towards the wall. The pulp melts in the
mouth, and is of a white colour at the ftone, from which
it readily parts, and has a fine flavour, it ripens towards
the end of September.

The Peterborough, or late green NECTARINE,
TREE, bears a middle fized fruit, of a pale green co-
lour next the fun, but of a whitiih green towards the.
wall. It has a firm well flavoured flefh in a good feafon,,
and ripens in the beginning of Odeher.

The -flowers have an aromatic bitter tafte, and when^
frefli, an infufion of half an ounce in water, or a dram
when dry and fweetencd with fugar, is a ufeful laxitive
for children. Peaches themfelves agree very well with
perfons of hot conftitutions, and coflive, efpecially if
they are eaten in a morning falling. Peach kernels are
bitterifli, diuretic, and good againft worms. The leaves
have the fame virtues, and the gum refembles gum
arabic.

MANDRAGORA A4AS SEU CANDIDA, Man^
drake^ has a thick long root, generally divided into
two parts, and fometlmes more j it is whitiih without,
or of a rully alli-cobur, and pale within. It has no
ftalk, though it has leaves a cubit in length, and a
palm and a half broad, and fharp at both ends j
among thefc pedicles arife fl:alks, a palm in length,
on each of which there is a Angle flower, in the fhape
of a bell, confifting of a Angle leaf, divided into five

fegments \

254 THE NATURAL HISTORY

fegments ; it is a little hairy, of a dirty white, or
purplifh colour, with a hairy green calyx, divided'
into five parts ; from whence arifes a piftil, fixed in
the bottom part of the flower, that turns to a fruit,
like a fmall apple, at firfl green, and then yellowifh,
fiefhy, foft, of a ftrong naufsous fmell, and in the
pulp there are roundifli flat feeds, fomewhat in the
fhape of a kidney.

MANDRAGORA FOEMINA SEU NIGRA, fe-
7nah Mandrake, has leaves like that of the former,
but narrov/er, lefs, and blacker ; the flowers are of
a blueilh purple, and the fruit are paler, lefs, and in
the (hape of a pear. They both grow wild in Italy
and Spaiiiy as well as other hot countries, and delight
in woody (hady places. With us they are cultivated
in gardens, and the feeds are fovv'n in a bed of light
earth, foon after they are ripe ; they come up in the
fpring, and in very dry weather they mull be refrcflied
with water. They fliould remain here till the end of
Juguji, and then they fhould be tranfplanted to the
places where they are to remain. The roots will re-
main found for above fifty years j but as to the re-
femblance to a human form, as many aflert, it is
nothing but an impoflure, owing to perfons that would
deceive the publick, who form the frefh roots of
Bryony into fuch fliapes, and fliow them for Man-
drakes. Many wonderful things have been faid of
its virtues, by different authors ; however they all
agree it is an narcotick, and when taken in too large
a dofe, will produce dangerous fymptoms. Some have
given it from half a fcruple, to procure fleep. Some
afiirm, that the leaves applied outwardly, as a catap-
lafm, will refolve hard fwellings of the i'pleen.

MARRUBIUM, Hoar-hound^ has a fingle woody
root, V/hich fends forth many fibres, and feveral flalks,
to the height of a foot and upwards ; thefe are hairy,
fquarc, branched, and the leaves proceed from the
joints in pairs, and are placed oppofite to each other ;
they are roundifh, hoary, wrinkled, and crenated on the
edges. The flowers Hkewife proceed from the joints,

and

^- '34

OF VEGETABLES. 255

and furround the ftalks ; the calyx or flower- cup, are
hairy, ftreaked, and terminate in prickles ; the flower
confifls of a Angle labiated leaf, of a whitifli colour,
whofe upper lip is upright and forked, and the lower
divided into three fegments. The piftil is fixed in
the back part of the flower, like a nail, and attended
with four embryos, that turn to as many oblong feeds,
contained in a capfula, that was the calyx of the
flower. The whole plant has a flrong difagreeable
fmell, and grows near highways, and on the fides of
fields, in negleded places. It is aperient, and pow-
erfully refolves vifcid humours, and by fome is ac-
counted a fpecific in a moifl afthma. Some afiirm it
as excellent to provoke the menfes, flrengthen the
ftomach. and to cure the green flcknefs, that is if the
tops are infufed in white wine, and given for three
days together. The dofe in infuflon, is from half a
handful to a handful ; the dried leaves may be giverv
to a dram or two.

MARRU3IUM NIGRUM, black Hoar- hound, has
a perennial fibrous root, and hairy, fquare, light,
branched, reddifli flalks, with leaves that proceed from
the joints in pairs, and are placed cppoflte to each
other ; they are like thofe of the Bahn, or rather red
Jrchangely only they are rounder and blacker ; they
are hairy, foft to the touch, and wrinkled. The
flowers likewife proceed from the joints, and confifl:
of a labiated Angle petal, whofe upper lip is hollow
like a fpoon, and the lower divided into three fegments,
of which that in the middle is biggeft, and in the
fhape of a heart ; the colour is purple, ftreaked with
deeper lines of the fame ; the flower- cups are Ilreaked,
oblong, and divided into four or five /harp fegments.
The piftil is fixed in the back part of the flower, and
is attended with four embryos, that turn into as many
fmall oblong feeds, that are blackifli' when ripe, and
contained in a tubulated capfula, v.'ith five fides that
was the calyx of the flower. It grows wild by the
iides of hedges. The leaves are bitter, and have a

flrong

256 THE NATURAL HISTORY.
Urong' fmell, and by fome are accounted an excellent
remedy in hypochondriac and hyfteric diforders.

MARUM VERUM, fp-ve MARUM CORTUSI,
Syrian herb Majiick, has a fibrous root, and a ftalk that
rifes to the height of a foot, or rather feveral hoary
downy ftalks, with leaves like the end of a launce, a
yiarter of an inch long, two broad, and of a light
green above. The flov^^ers are like thofe of Ger-
mander, and they confill of a fingle, labiated, purple
petal, whofe (lamina are in the room of an upper lip;
but the lower is divided into five fcgraents, the mid-
dlemort of which is hoUow like a fpocn. The calyx
is likewife like that of Germander, and the piftil is
f xed on the back part of the flower, with four em-
bryos, that turn into as many roundifh feeds. This
plant has the appearance of a fhrub, and has a hot vo-
latile fmell. It is propagated by cuttings, in any of the
fummer months, on a bed of frefh light earth, ob»
ferving to water and fhade them, till they have taken
root ; after which they may be tranfplanted either into
pots or borders of the fame earth; but the greatefl
difficulty is to preferve it from cats, which will come
from a great diilance, to tear this plant in pieces ;
for which reafon, it is hard to preferve it near towns
and cities. The beft way is to plant large quantities-
thereof, and then they will not come near them.
When they are placed in pots, they may be cut into =
any figure, for they will grow to near three feet high.
It is faid to be good in cold and moifl difeafes, and to
be an excellent diuretic ; though it is of little ufe
with us, except in making herb-fnufF. However it
is certainly belter than Marjoram, and the dofe of
the powdered leaves is a dram.

MARUM, herb Majiick, is a fmall woody fhrub,
with many branches, and flender woody roots, with
leaves like Thyme, but hoary, and which fmell like
Maflick. The flowers are white, and confift of a
fjngle Jabiatcd petal, whofe upper lip is upright, and
divided into three fegments, but the lower into three
in fuch a manner, that it looks like a flower with five

leaves ;

O F V E G E T A B L E S. 25^7

leaves ; they are collefted into thick whorls, and have
a white down growing upon their oblong heads. This
plant is propagated by cuttings, in any of the fammer
montI)s, in a bed of light rich earth, obferving to
water and (hade them till they have taken root, after
which, tliey may be tranfplanted into a light dry foil,
in a warm fituation. It produces great numbers of
flowers in July^ has an agreeable fmell, and deferves
a place in the borders of every good garden. The
virtues are the fame as thofe of the former, and is
undoubtedly an excellent cephalic.

MATRICARIA, Fen;erfe--vc, has a white fibrous
root, with feveral flalks, that rife to the height of a
cubit and a half ; thefe are ftrong, ftreaked, fmooth,
thick, and faill of a fpungy pith, with many leaves
of a light green colour; they are conjugated, and
divided into many fegments, which are by fome called
wings. The flowers grow in umbels, on the top of
the (talks ; they are radiated, but not large, and the
di& confilh of many yellow floretts, and the crown
of white femi-fioretts, placed over the embryoes of the
feeds in a femi-fpherical fcaly cup. The feeds are
oblong, fmall, ftreaked, and fixed in a bed at the
bottom of the cup. The whole plant has a very
ftrong fmell, and is found wild upon dunghills and
uncultivated places, in many parts of England \ it is
likewife planted in gardens for medicinal purpofes.
They are propagated by {zt^z, which fhould be fown
in the latter end of March, upon a bed of light earth,
and when they are come up, they^fiiould be removed
to nurfery-beds, and placed about eight inches afunder,
where they may remain till the latter end of May j
then they may be taken up, with a ball of earth at
their roots, and planted in the middle of large borders,,
where they will iiower in July and Augufi. It is an
hylleric plant, and is excellent in uterine diforders ;
the dofe in powder, is from half a fcruple to two
fcruples, and of the juice to an ounce or two. It is
certainly a very good carminative, difcufTes wind,
flrengthens the flomach, and helps digeftion. Out-
wardly

258 THE NATURAL HISTOR^

wardly it is prefcribed in fomentations, with camomile
flowers.

MMSfi-ve FRUMENTUM TURCICUM, /W/W
Corriy has many hard, fibrous, fmall, white roots,
with a ftalk like a reed, which is lliiF and folid, and
when green, it is fweet and full of juice ; it has many
joints, and rifes to the height of five or fix feet. The
leaves are like rhofe of reeds, above a cubit in length,
and three or four inches broad. The male flowers
are produced at remote diftances from the fruit, on
the fame plant, and generally grow in a panicle on
the top of the ftalk. They are like thofe of Rye, and
confift of a fingle petal, with a few ftamina and apices j
they are fometimes white, yellow, or of a purple
colour, but they produce no feeds. The fruit pro-
ceeds in fpikes, from the joints of the ftalks, and are
long, thick, round, cylindraceous, with fevcral fo-
liaceous or membranous coats, that furround them'
like a (heath, from whence fevcral long fmall hairs
proceed, adhering to the embryoes of each feed, and'
are of the fame colour as the corn. The feeds are
as large as a pea, and as fmooth, have a roundifh
Airface, and are quite naked. Sometimes one fpike
confifts of feven hnndred grains, which are placed
elofely together in rows, to the number of eight or
ten, and fometimes twelve. This corn was never
known in Europe, till after the difcovery of Jmerica,
from whence it has been brought to feveral other
countries, where it is cultivated, particularly in fe-
veral parts of Gsrmany, where the inhabitauts ufe it
to make bread ; but it is only planted in England for*
cur'ofity. It is of great ufe in our American planta-
ticr.s, where they commonly make cakes of the meal,
and bake them before the fire. It is certainly very'
wholcfome corn, is eafy of digeftion, and yields as'
good nounfliment as any other , but it is of no ufe in
medicine. They have a fort of it in the fouthcrn
parts of Africa, where it ferves them for food, but
whether it grew originally there, or not, is uncertain.
The beft time to plant the feeds is in April, when the

weather

OF VEGETABLES. 2^-9

v/eather i^ fettled. The largeft fort will grow to the
height of ten or twelve feet, in good ground.

MELILOTUS, Melilot, has a white, {lender, tough
root, with many fliort fibres, and generally feveral
ftalks, that fometimes rife to a cubit and a half in
length ; thefe are fmooth, round, llreaked, and weak,
and the leaves are placed alternately thereon, by
threes, on the fame Cender pedicle ; they are fmooth,
oblong, denticulated, and of a dufky green colour.
The flowers grow on long fpikes, and are papiliona-
ceous, fmall, yellow, and confift of four petals; thefe
are fucceedcd by fhort, fingle, pendulous, wrinkled,
naked pods, not hid in a calyx, as in trefoil, and
they are black when ripe, containing one or two
roundiih feeds, of a yellowilh colour. It is found
near hedges, and among corn. It is feldom given in-
wardly, but is often ufed outwardly, and in glyfters.
Ic is faid to be emollient, anodyne, and refolvent,
and is ufed by fome in all kinds of external inflam-
inations.

MELISSA, Balm^ has a round, long, fibrous,-
woody root, with fialks that rife to a cubit high,
and upwards ; thefe are fquare, almoft fmoothy
branched, hard, ftiff and brittle. The leaves are ob-
long, of a brownifh green, and pretty much like thofe
of calamint ; but they are fhining, covered with a
little do v/n, and dentated on the edges. The flowers
grow at the places where the leaves proceed from the
llalks, and are fomewhat verticillated, though they do
not grow quite round the ftalks ; they conflft of a fingle
labiated petal, whofe upper lip is roundifli, upright,
and divided into two parts ; but the under lip is cut
into three. The hairy calyx is divided into two parts,
and the piftil is attended with four embryos, that turn
to as many feeds, joined together, of a roundifli fhape,'
and contained in a capfula that was the cup of the
flower. It is cultivated in gardens, and flowers in
June, July, and Auguji. It is propagated by parting
the roots, either in fpring or autumn, or by planting
flips at the diftance of eight or ten inches, ^alm is

faid

26o THE NATURAL HISTORY

faid to be cordial, cephalic, and to fortify the Ra-
mach. It is taken in the manner of tea, and though
formerly it was in great repute, is now almoft negleded
among us ; however it is a little aromatic, and has
done fervica in a lax ftate of the vilcera.

MELISSA SYLVESTRIS, ^u7^ Balm, has a fibrous
root, with Aalks that grow to the height of a fo(5t,
and upwards ; thefe are fquare, hairy, jointed, and
full of teeth. The leaves are like thofe of dead nettle,
and are oblong, wrinkled^ covered with fhort hair^
and of a blackifh green colour. The flowers grow
among the leaves at each knot, by threes or fours,
and the flower-cups are oblong, loofe, hairy, and the
flowers are like thofe of Archangel, but brger, and
fometimes of a white purple, or bright purple colour,
with the under lip very long. T\\\s plant has a bad
fmelJ, and it grows in woods, flowering in May and
June. It is reckoned a vulnerary, and is faid to be
an excellent remedy againft fupprefllons of urine.

MELO VULGARIS, comfnon mvjk Melon, is a
plant, with flalks that creep along the earth, and are
rough to the touch, as well as the leaves, which are
fmaller and rounder than thofe of Cucumbers. The
fiower confifts of a fmgle petal, in the fiiape of a
bell, cut into feveral fegments, exadly like thofe of
a Cucumber, and fome of them are barren, while
others are fruitful, and turn into a fruit of an oval
fhape, and different fizes ; the rind is harder than
that of a Cucumber, pretty thick, variegated with
green and afli-colour. The pulp is tender, moil^,
clammy, yellow, or red; and wlien ripe, has a very
agreeable flavour. It is divided into three cells, con-
taining oblong, fat, whitifh yellow feeds, covered
with a hard fkin, containing an oily kernel, but is
very white, and has a fvveetifh tafle. There are fe-
veral forts of Melons, befides that already mentioned,
as the Portugal, or pocket Melon, the netted or nvr ought
Melon, the great mujk Melon, ivith a fmooth green Jkin,
and a green feed, the 'white Spanijh Melon, the green fiejhed
Melon, the Cmtaleupe Melon, the Zatta Melon j the Me-
lon

OF VEGETABLES. 261

ion'votthahairyjkin^ and the <v:inter Melon. The feeds
fhould not be fovvn till they are three years old, and
it fhould be at two or three diffrent feafons, the firft of
which is the latter end of February ^ when the weather
is mild, on the upper fide of a Cucumber bed, and
the plants mull be railed and managed in the fame
manner as Cucumbers. The fecond feafon is about
the latter end of March, and they both fhould be
planted under frames. Thofe that are defignedto be
raifed under bell-glaiTes, mull be fown about the latter
end of Jpril, if the feafon proves forward ; but if it
be cold, it had better be deferred fomewhat later.
There are particular rules required for their manage-
ment, that are too long to be inferted here, and there-
-fore I (hall only obferve, that when the fruit is fully
grown, they muft be carefully watched, to cut them
at a proper time; and therefore they ihould be looked
over at leaft twice a day, for if they are left growing
2. hw hours too long, they will lofe much of their
delicacy. If they are cut early in a morning, before
the fun has warmed them, they will be mnch better
flavoured.

The feeds of the Melons are one of the greater
cold feeds, and they ferve to make emulfions; but
at prefent they are not fo much taken notice of as
formerly.

MELON 3ENA, the mad Apple-plant y has a fibrous
root, and generally a fingle flalk, that rifes to a foot
in height, and of the thicknefs of one's finger ; it is
a cylindrick reddiih, and covered with a down that
will eafily come off, and it fends forth numerous
branches. The leaves are as large as one's hand,
and are like thofe of the oak ; the furface is covered
with a fort of white powder or wool, and ihey have
reddifh nerves. The flowers grow oppofite the leaves,
and are fometimcs fingle, and fometimes placed by
two's and three's ; they are rofaceous, though they
confift of a fingle leaf, but they are cut into many
fegments, in the form oi a ftar ; they are whitifh, or
purple, and the flower-cup is rough, with fmall pric-
kles.

262 THE NATURAL HISTOR7
kles, and divided into five pointed fegments. When
the flowers are fallen off, they are Succeeded by fruir,
of the fize of an egg, and of a cylindric Ihape ; they
are folid, fmooth, of a purple or greenifh colour, and
foft to the touch. The pulp or flefh is full of juice,
and whitifh, in which are contained whitifli flat feeds,
in the fliape of a kidney. In ltaly\ Spain, and Bar-
barjy thefe plants are greatly cultivated in gardens,
for the fake of the pulp. They are propagated by
feeds, which mull be fown on a moderate hot-bed,
at the latter end of March, and when the plants are
come up, they muft be removed to another hot- bed,
about four inches afunder, obfcrving to water and
Ihade them till they have taken root ; they muft alfo
be frequently watered afterwards. At the latter end
of May they mi^ft be tranfplanred out to a rich fpot
of ground, about two feet diilant, obferving to water
them till they have taken root. At the latter end of
"June the fruit will appear, and will grow ripe in the
beginning of Augvft. In the fouth parts of France
they eat the fruit like Cucumbers, They are never
taken inwardly as a medicine, but in feme places
they are applied outwardly, in cataplafms, againft
cancers, burns, and inflammations.

MENIANTHES, five I'RIFOLIUM PALUS-
TRE, Buck-beans, has a long, knotted, creeping root,
which has fib'res by intervals, and there are three
leaves that grow on the fame pedicle, that are of the
fame fize and fliape as thofc of beans, and they are
fmooth to the touch. Among thefe there arifes a ftalk
to the height of a foot and a half, which is flender,
fmooth, green, and bears a tuft of flowers at the top,
in the fliape of a funnel, and of a whitifli purple co-
lour. Before they open they are red, and after they
are open they divide into five pointed fegments ; their
internal furface is covered with very flender, white,
curled filaments, that appear like down. The cup of
the flowers is in the fliape of a mug, and are den-
tated, and each flower contains five white flamina,
with yellow apices; the piftil is placed in the middle,

and

OF VEGETABLES. 263

and is fhorter and greener than the ftamina. Thefe
are fucceeded with roundifh or oblong fruit, that con-
tains oval feeds like thofe of the Sun-flower. This
plant grows wild in marflies, and it flowers in May
and Jufie. Buck-Beam has gained great reputation
for its virtues, and is found very efficacious in the
gout, king's evil, the cachexy, and dropfy. In a ft
of the gout, the patient muil: drink a glafs of the
decoftion every four hoars; but B^erhaa^ve v;2i% xc-
lieved in this diftemper, by drinking the juice mixed
with whey. It will be likewife proper to apply the
leaves that have been boiled, to the pained part, after
the decodioR is llrained off. The feed is good againft
the moifl: afthma^ for it incides the grofs phlegm that
ftuff the lungs. This plant is in fuch a reputation
in Germany, that they give it in almofi: all difeafes.

MENTHA VULGARIS, gar.^en, or fpear Mint,
has a creeping root, furnifhed with fibres, that extend
far and near ; the flalks rife to a foot and a half in
height, and are fquare, a little hairy, flrong, and
reddifli. The leaves are placed by pairs oppofite to
each other, and they appear at firft fight like Balm,
but thofe at the top of the ftalk are longer, and
more pointed, and of a deep green colour ; they are
alfo more deeply dentated The flowers grow in
fpikes, and confift of a fingle labiated petal, whofe
upper lip is arched, and the lower divided into three
parts ; but both of them are fo cut, that the flowers
feem to be divided into four parts, the two lips
fcarcely appearing. Each flower is fucceeded by four
feeds contained in the flower-cup. Mint has a pe-
culiar well known flrong fmell. It is cultivated in
gardens, and flowers in July and Auguft. Befides
this, there is the pepper Mint, the long leaved horfe Mint,
Kvater Mint, commonly called ^vcater Calamint, orange
Mint, Spearmint wuith a njariegatedleaf, the great round
ieafedivater Mint nxith avariegatedleaf. Spearmint ^jcith
a rugged leaf and a Jl rang /cent, andnarroiv leafed Aleppo
Mint. They are all propogated by parting the roots

in

264 THE NATURAL HISTORY

in the fpring, or by planting the cuttings in any of

the fummer months.

SPEAR-MINT is ftomachick, cephalic, and carmi-
native, and is excellent in the lofs of appetite, retch-
ings to vomit, and weaknefs of the llomach. It re-
folves coagulated blood, eafes pains of the cholic, and
does a great deal of lervice in lienteries, and other
fluxes of the belly. It may be drank as tea, efpe-
cially when the leaves are dry, and the infufion muft be
flrong. Water Mint has a bitter, acrid, aromatic
tafte, it is ftomachic and diuretic, and like the former,
may be drank as tea. The juice is good, againft the'
gravel, (lops, vomiting, hiccoughing, cures the gripes
and fv^elling of the itomach.

MENTHA ALBA, ftye MENTASTRUM, Horfe^
tr.int, has a fibrous creeping root, and fends out ftalks
to the height of a cubit, and upwards, which are
fquare and hairy. The leaves are almoft round/
wrinkled, and covered with a white wool. The
flowers are like thofc of garden Balm, and are of a
whiiifh red colour, with dentnted flower-cups. Each
flower is fucceeded by a fmall black feed. The leaves
have a bitter, acrid, aftringent tarte, with a flrong
fraell, and it grows by the fldes of brooks, and in
moid places in mofi parts of England. It is faid to
kill worms, to help the moifl afthma ; and many
apply a cataplafm made with this plant, to the affeded
part, againft the hyp-gout ; they afiirm it raifes ,
blifters, which when broken cafe the pain.

MENTHA PIPERITES, Pepper. ?nint. It has
flaorrer and fuller fpikes than the com.mon Mint, but
the leaves are like them, only they are covered with
a lliort hairy down. This plant has been lately brought
into eileem, and is of great ufe in flatulent cholics, and
in many cold difeafcs ; its effc(^s are almoft imme-
diately felt, for it.caufes a glowing warmth to be
felt throughout all parts of the body. It readily
communicates its pungency to water, as well as to
that which is diftilled from it,

MER-

OF VEGETABLES. 265

MERCURIALIS, male and female French Mercury,
The male has a tender, fibrous, annual root, and fends
forth ftalks to the height of a foot, that are angular,
geniculated, fmooth, and branched. The leaves re-
femble ihofe of pellitory, and are oblong, pretty-
broad, fharp, fmooth, and green ; they are placed
by pairs oppofite to each other on the ftalk, and are
crenated on the edges ; the flower-cup confifts of one
leaf cut into three fegments, as well in the male as in
the female. The flower of the male has no petals,
but has from eight to twelve fiamina collefted into a
fpike. There are two embryoes contained in a fort
of purfes, and when they are ripe there is in each a
fmall oval feed.

T\iQ female Mercury refembles the male in all refpefls,
except the flowers, for thefe produce neither fruit nor
feed. The virtues are both alike, and they flower all
the fummer. The leaves are faid to be aperient and
laxative, and they are placed among the five emollient
plants. It is fometimes made ufe of in glyfters, and
a fyrup made of the leaves is a mild and uieful laxltive ;
the dofe is tvv'o fpoonfuh, which is to be given three
hours before meals. Warts rubbed with this plant
frequently, will foon wither away.

MESPILUS, the Medlar tree^ is a pretty large
ihrub, with a crooked trunk, and hard folid tough
branches ; the leaves are large, and hke thofe of the
common Bay tree ; they are downy and white be-
neath, but they are green above, though there is a
little down thereon ; they are fometimes a little den-
tated, and fometimes not, and the flowers all grow
fmgle. The flowers are large, rofaceous, confiil of
five leaves, and are white, or of a light red ; the
flower-cups are divided into feveral parts, and when
the flower is fallen ofi^, it becomes a fruit as large as a
fmall apple, which is umbiikated, or has a large
hollow navel, in a fort of crown, formed by the points
of the cal) X. The fruit has a tender rind, but the
flefli or pulp is hard, white, and has a rcugh tafle ;
but if it be kept till it is almolt rotten, the juice be-

VoL. VI. N conies

266 THE NATURAL HISTORY

comes vinous and agreeable enough, efpecially to
fome palates. It is cultivated in gardens and orchards,
but it is not fo common among us as formerly, for
the DuuhMcdlsLr is planted in its room. They may
be propagated by budding or grafting them upon a
hawthorn or pear ftock, and may be afterwards traniC
planted into the fruit garden, either for a liandard,
.or trained againft an efpalier. The fruit muft remain
.on the tree till the middle of Odober^ when they
will begin to fall, and in about a month afterwards
they will be ready to eat. The medicinal virtues of
Medlars are very inconfiderable, at leaft they are
taken no notice of at prefent in pradice.

MESPILUS APJI FOLKS SYLVESTRIS SPI-
NOSA fi^ve SPINA ALBA, the White Thorn or Hatv^
thorn, is a fhrub that has a pretty thick frm trunk,
full of branches, and armed with ftrong thorns, that
are much harder than the wood. The branches are
firong and flexible, and the leaves are like thofe of
parfley, and have a clammy taile. The flowers grow
in tufts, and have pedicles about an inch and a half
in length ; they are white, have hve petals, placed in
the form of a rofe, and reddifh flamina like thofe of
the pear tree. The fruits or haws, are a little larger
than Myrtle-berries, and are red when ripe, and hang
in bunches. They have a black navel, and are full
of a clammy foft fweetifh pulp, wherein are two
hard white ftones. It grows every where in hedges,
and flowers in May ; the berries grow ripe in Sep-
iembery and continue a great part of the winter, when
the leaves are falling off. Some authors pretend, that
the dried powder of the berries, or their infufion in
wine, are good to free the kidneys and bladder from
gravel and fand.

MESPILUS PYRIFOLIA, frje PYRICANTHA,
the et'er-green 'I horn, is a thorny flirub, covered with a
blackiOi bark, and whofe branches are armed with
thorns, whereof fome are an inch in length, and
others fliorter. The leaves refemble thofe of the wild
pear tree, or rather the almond tree ; fome are oblong^

aa

(

O F V E G E T A B L E S. 267

and a little pointed, while others are almofl round,
fmooth, and dentated on the edges, efpecially the
lovvermoft. The flowers con fill of feverai petals, of
a reddiOi colour, and difpofed in the form of a rofe.
The berries are like thofe of the hawthorn, and of a
golden fcarlet colour, growing together in bunches,
and furniflied with a fort of a crown. The pulp is
a little tartifli, and contains four or five whitifh yellow
feeds, of a triangular fhape, and a little fliining. It
grows in the hedges in Italy, and the fouth parts of
France, but elfewhere it is cultivated in gardens. It
flowers in May, and the berries grow ripe in the
autumn. Children are very fond of them, and they
have the fame tafte and properties as haws.

MILIUM, Millet, has many fibrous, flrong, whitifh
roots, that fend forth ftalks to the height of two or
three feet, which have feverai knots. The leavc^ are
large, long, and about an inch broad, in the ihape
of thofe of reeds ; they are covered with a fort of
thick down, at the places where they furround the
llalk, after which they become fmooth ; the flowers
grow in loofe panicles at the top of the ilalks, and are
generally yellow, fometimes blacki(h ; they are com-
pofed of three flamina, that proceed from the middle
of the flower-cup, which generally confifls of two
leaves. When the flowers are fallen off, they are
fucceeded by oval grains, that are yellowilh or white,
hard, fhining, contained in three forts of thin tender
ihells. Thefe plants were originally brought from
the eafl:ern countries, where they are flill greatly cul-
tivated, and from whence we have the grain which is
highly efleemed by many for making puddings. It
is a common aliment in the eaftern countries, where
they boil it in milk, and it has the fame virtues as
rice. It is good in diforders of the breaft, and ob-
ftinate coughs, but it is a little binding and windy.

MILIUM INDICUM five SORGHUM, hdlan

Millet, or Gumey Corn, has a fibrous root, from whence

proceed feverai ftalks like reeds, to the height of

eight or ten feet, and fometimes to thirteen ; they are

N 2 as

268 THE NATURAL HISTORY

as thick as one's finger, ilrong, knotty, and full of a
white fweetifh pith ; the leaves which are of the length
of a cubit, and about three inches broad, proceed
from the knots, and are like thofe of reeds, only
towards the top they are armed with fmall pointed
teeth, that hurt the fingers when they are handled
from the top downwards. 7 he flowers grow on the
tops of the italks, on tufts a foot long, and four or
five inches broad ; they are fmall, yellow, oblong,
pendulous, and compofed of feveral flamina, that
proceed from the middle of the calyx, with two leaves.
When the flowers are fallen ofl^, a great number of
feeds fucceed them, that are twice as big as thofe of
hemp, which are almoft oval, and generally of a reddilh
colour, or of a blackifh red ; but /cldom whitifli or
yellow ; they are contained in a double capfula, and
after they are fallen, the pedicles remain, which are
thick filaments, of which they make brufhes. It
was brought from the Kaji-Indles to Spain^ Jialy^ and
other hot countries, where it is principally cultivated j
the feeds grow ripe in Augujl,

MILLE FOLIUM VULGARE, Tarro^v, or Nofe-
hleedy has a woody, fibrous, blackifli, creeping root,
from whence proceed a great number of ftalks, to
the height of a foot, or a foot and a half, that are
llilf, angular, hairy, reddifh, and branched at the top.
The leaves are divided and fubdivided into a vaft
number of fegments, adhering to a long rib, and
have fome refemblance to thofe of camomile ; but
they are more flifF, and fomewhat like the feathers of
a bird. The flowers are collected into round umbels,
each of which is radiated, whitifh, and placed in a
fcaly cylindric calyx, and are fucceeded by very fmall
feeds. It grows in uncultivated fandy places, where
the leaves generally lye clofe to the ground till the
Ilalks begin to rife. It is called Nofe-bleed by the
country people, becaufe a fprig of it put up the nofe,
will bring avv^ay a little blood. It flowers in May and
Juney and has an acrid, bitter, aromatic tafte. It is
^ vulnerary plant, and is faid to cure wounds, tumours,

and

OF VEGETABLES. 269

and inflammations without repulfion. It has been given
againlt all internal hemorrhages, and fluxes of every
kind, as well as to prevent abortion. Hofftnan has a
very great opinion of this plant, and affirms it is a
fpecific to prevent the gravel and Hone. Some affirm
the juice has a furprizing effed: in curing internal
ulcers, of which the dole is an ounce, and of the
dried herb, from one dram to two.

MOMORDICA, the male balfam Apple, has fmall
fibrous roots, with /lender Halks, that are angular,
ftreaked, and climbing ; the leaves are like thofe of
bryony, but lefs, and have long pedicles ; the flowers
confift of a Angle petal in the form of a bell, which
is divided into five fegments, fo deeply cut, as to
appear like fo many diltinft leaves ; they are of a
whitifh yellow colour, v.'ith yellow flamina ; they are
fucceeded by an elegant f. uit, which is flefliy, more
or lefs tapering, and hollow \ when ripe it ufually
burfts, and throws out the feeds with an elafticity ;
thefe are wrapped up in a membraneous covering,
and are generally indented on the edges. It is culti-
vated in gardens, and the feed muft be fown in a
hot- bed, in the middle of March, in the fame manner
as Cucumbers. It grows better in hot countries than
in the cold, and it feldom is in flower till Augujl.
The apple is vulnerary and anodyne, and is of great
ufe in fome places, though entirely neglefted here.

MORUS NIGRA, the Mulberry tree, has a thick,
crooked, knotty trunk, covered with a thick rough
bark i the wood is hard, flrong, and yellow, towards
the heart ; the leaves are as large as one's hand, ob-
long, fharp, ferrated, hard, and rough to the touch.
The flowers are amentaceous or catkins, confifting of
many ilamlna, placed in a calyx, with four leaves ;
thefe flowers are barren. The fruit or mulberries,
grov/ in diilindl places, and are green and auftere at
firft, after which they become reddifii, acid, and
aftringent, and as they grow ripe, they turn to a black
colour. They are compofed of feveral protuberances,
to each of which adhere feveral fmall leaves, and the
N 3 feeds

270 THE NATURAL HISTORY
feeds are roundifh, growing fingly in each prota-
berance. It is very common in gardens and orchards^
where it is planted for the delicacy of the fruit. It
may be propagated, by fowing the feeds, or by laying
down the tender branches, which in two years time
will take root ; but thofe propagated from the feeds,.
r:re commonly moft vigorous, though they feldom are
fo fruitful as the others. It delights in a light foil,
and fhculd never be planted near other trees, or build-
ing?, for then the fruit will not ripen fo well. Mul-
berries have the qualities proper to other fweet fruits,
in abating heat, and quenching thirft, and they are
chiefly eaten for pleafure, though they yield little
TiOurifhrncnt. The bark of the root has been looked
upon as excellent againll worms, but is not ufed with
us for that purpofe.

MOSCHATELLINA, Tuherofe Mofchatel, has a
thick, fhort, white root, covered with fcales in fhape
of dog's teeth, and they are hollow within, and full
of juice, of an infipid tafle. The leaves are like thofe
of bulbous fumitory, and of a fea-green colour. The
fiowcr confiils of a fingle petal, which is divided into
many parts at the edge, and from whofe calyx arifc:s.
a piftil, £xed like a nail in the middle of the flower,
v/hich afterwards turns to a juicy berry, containing
many fiat feeds. This plant grows wild in fhady
moiil places, in feveral parts oiEngland^ and it fiowcrs
in the beginning of April \ the leaves decay about the
latter end of June. The root is faid to be deterfive,
vulnerary, and refolvent, but it is never ufed with us.

MUSCUS TERRESTIS VULGATIOR common
ground or earth Kofs, is a creeping plant that covers all
Jean barren grounds, and is to be met with almoft every
where. The leaves arglong, as flender as hair, fofc,
green, and fdmetimcs yellowilh, and it adheres to
the earth on one fide. It is allringent, and made uft;
of by fome to flop blood.

MUSCUS TERRESTIS REPENS, /'L'^ CLAVA-
TUS, Club-Tnofs, creeps upon the earth far and near,
and takes root by the help of long woody fibres,

that

OF VEGETABLES. 271

that proceed from the different branches to the right
and left. It has no pedicles, but has fmall heads
that are colle«5ted together like a club, and under each
of the fcales there are bivalved capfuke, in the (hape
of kidneys, which when ripe, throw out a duft, as
fine as the flower of brimftone. It grows in fandy
forrells, and among Hones and rocks. The clubs ap-
pear in June^ and in July, Augujl^ aad Septef/ibery the
duft may be gathered, which being thrown on the
flame of a candle, immediately takes fire, and fialhes
like gunpowder. Some pretend this po^vder is good
in the ilone and fuppreffion of urine. The dofe is
from half a fcruple to a fcruple*

MYAGRUM, Gold of plcafurej has a fibrous root,
a little woody, which fends forth a flalk to the height
of a cubit and upwards, from whence proceed fe-
veral cylindric, flrait, flender branches, a little downy,
and full of a fpungy pith. The leaves are longiih,
pointed, foft, of a palifn' green, flightly dentated on
the edges, and their bottoms furround their ftalk in
Inch a manner, that the fides reprefent two wings or
ears. The flowers confift of four petals, placed in
the form of a crofs, and of a'yeiiowifh colour ; the
pidil arifes out of the calyx, and afterwards becomes
a fruit in the (hape of a pear, with one cell, including
an oblong feed, and two empty cells at the point. It
is an annual plant, that decays as foon as the feeds
are ripe, and grows wild in feveral parts of Europe.
The oil of thefe feeds is much ufc;d in Gerjn^.ny, where
they have large fields fovved therev.'ith, and the poor
people ufe it inilead of fvveet oil ; but the rich for
lamp-oil. This oil is emollient, and moderately heat-
ing, and it is given inwardly in a painful coftivenefs.

MYRRHIS, fzveet Cicily, has a long, thick, white,
foft, and fomev./hat fpungy root, with ilalks that rife
to the height of four or five feet, which are branched,
downy, and hollow. The leaves are large, and
winged like thofe of hemlock, but whiter, and often
marked with white fpots, they are foft to the touch,
a little downy, and have the fmell of chervil. The
N 4 floA'ers

272 THE NATURAL HISTORY

flowers grow in umbels on the tops of the branches,
and are compofed of five unequal petals, difpofed like
thofe of the flower de luce. The calyx turns to a
fruir, compofed of two feeds, refembling the bill of
a bird, and are gibbous on one fide, but plain on the
other. It may be propagated at the beginning of
March by fowing the feeds on a bed of light earth
in a fhady fituation, and when the plants come up,
ihey iliould be tranfplanted into the like earth in a
mcilt ihady fituation, about two feet afunder. Some
ufe the leaves as a fallad, and think it is as good as
common chervil ; it flov/ers in June, and the feed is
ripe in July. It is looked upon as a pedloral, and the
leaves being dried in the Ihade, and fmoakcd like to-
bacco, help thofe that are troubled with an afihma.

MYRTUS MINOR VULGARIS, Bcx-leafed Myr-
tk, is a ihrub that has a hard woody root, that fends
fcrdi a great number of fmall flexible branches, fur-
niHied with leaves like thofe of box, but much lefs,
and more pointed j they are fofc to the touch, fhining,
fmooth, of a beautiful green, and have a fweet fmell.
The flowers grow among the leaves, and ccnfift of
f ve white petals, difpofed in the manner of a rofe,
<ind have a calyx cut into five fegments. There is a
great number of ftamina, which have a fine fmell,
;.r;d when the flower is fallen ofl-', the calyx becomes
un oval oblong berry, adorned with a fort of a crown,
made up of the fegments of the calyx. The berry is
iL^recn at frfl, but grows black when ripe, and is
Jinooth, juicy, and divided into three cells, containing
hard feeds in the fliape of kidneys. This fort of
myrtle is the moil common in the gardens of the
northern countries, and is propagated from cuttings,
;iie befl feafon for which is in July. The flioots fhould
le fix or eight inches long, and the leaves on the
lower part lliould be dripped off above ;wo inches
high, and the part tvviitcd which is to be placed in
the ground. They (hculd be planted in pots, two
inches dillant from each other, and the earth ihould be
prcfTed clof^ about them, and there fliould likevvife be

lb me

OF VEGETABLES. 273

fome water to fettle it. The pots (hould be plunged
in old dung, or tanner's bark, and fhaded with matts
in the heat of the day, watering them occafionally.
In about a month's time they will take root ; and
towards the beginning of September they fliould be re-
moved to a place fhekered from cold wind, where they
may remain a month, and then be removed to the
green houfc. At the beginning of the next April they
Ihould be taken out carefully, and placed in feparate
pots, with a ball of earth at che root.

MYRTUS COiMMUNIS ITALICA, common Myrtle,
njAth pretty large ka^-esy grows fometimes to the height
of a tree, and has a red bark ; the leaves are like
thofe of pomegranates, and the flov/er3 are compofed
of five white petals, placed in the formx of a rofe, and
are like the former. The berries are like wild olives,
but are bigger. It is common in Tufcanyy and about
Rome Vind. Naples, where it is feldom without flowers.
The leaves are aRringent as well as the berries ; but
now they are negleded as a medicine.

MYRTUS BR AB ANTIC A, Dutch Myrtle, is a
fmall fhrub, with a hard flexible root, and rifes to the
height of a cubit or upwards ; it has the look of a
fmall willow, for which reafon it is called by fome
fweet willow. There are male and female flowers on
different plants, and~ thofe of the male are oblong,
loofe, fcaly catkins, and in each of the fcales there is
a flower in the fliape of a half-moon, but without
petals, though there are from five to fix flamina.
The female flowers have no flamina, but an oval piflil,
fupported by two ftyles, which afterwards changes to
a berry, containing one roundifh feed. It grows plen-
tifully upon begs in many parts of England, and flowers
in May and Jitne ; and the feeds- grow ripe in July
and Augvji. Where this fhrub grows in plenty, it is
fo fragrant, efpecially after a fliower of rain, as to
perfume the air at a great diJlance, during the fpring
and fummer. Some have fuppofed that this plant was
the fame as the China tea, though it is in reality very
different from it. The leaves have been faid to have
N 5 many

274 THE NATURAL HISTORY

many virtues, and they are Hill ufed in fome places to^
kill worms.

NAPELLUS VERUS, five ACONITUM C^^
RULEUM, Monk's Hood, has a root of the fize of a
fmall rape root, which is black without and whitifli
within ; it fends forth feveral ftalks, to the height of
three feet and upwards, which are round, fmooth,
full of pith, ftiff, and hard to break. They are fur-
niflied fjom the top to the bottom with large roundifh
jagged leaves, placed alternately j they are of a dark
green, fmooth, nervous, and divided and fubdivided
into many jaggs. The flowers grow in a fort of
fpikes on the top of the branches, and are compofed
of five unequal petals, the uppermoft of which is hol-
low like a helmet, or a monk's hood, from whence
this plant has its name ; the two leaves on the fides
rcprefent the ears, and the two lov/er ones the part
that goes under the chin. Each of thefe flowers are
fucceeied by three or more pods, which contain fmallv
fteds, that are black when ripe. The flowers are
coaimonly brought to market in il%', to furnifh
flower-pots for chimneys, for it is very common in
all old gardens. This plant has been alu'ays looked
upon as a dangerous poifon, it being cauflick, and
corroflve, and therefore it would be time loll to take
notice of its virtues.

NAPUS DULCIS, /-x-v VULGARIS, m-ven^, or
Fretuh Turjiels, has an oblong, round, thick root, but
not {o big as a turnep ; it is flefliy and tuberofe, but
inore flender on the lower part than on the top. It is
lometimes white or yellowifli without ; and fometimes
blackifli without, and white within. The tafte is fweet
and bitin?-, but more agreeable than that of a raddifli.
It fends forth a flnlk to the height of a cubit, and
lipwards, which is divided into branches. The leaves
are oblong, deeply cut, of a dirty green, and without
pedicles, 'i'he lower leaves are finuated, furround the
flalk, and terminate in a point. The flower confifts
cf four pcta'sj of a ycllowifli colour, placed in the
form of a crofs ; in fliort it agrees in moft refpefls

with

OF VEGETABLES. 275

with common turneps, only the root is lefs, and the
tafte is warmer. They may be cultivated by fovving
the feeds in June, jalj, and Jugujl, in the fame
manner as turneps. There are two forts, garden Ne-
fve^Vj nvith a ivhite root ; atul garden Ne-veiv nxjith a
black root. They are windy, and hard of digellion,
for which reafon they do not agree with weak Ho-
machs, tliough in fome places they are accounted
more delicious than common turneps. They are pec-
toral, and clcanfe the lungs without irritation. The
feeds are aperient, and diuretic, and fome affirm they
are good againft the jaundice.

NAPUSbYLVESnilS, ivildNen;e^i differs only
from the former, in having lefTer roots, for it is feldoni
thicker than one's thumb. It grows wild upon dry
banks in moft parts of England, where it flowers early
in the fpring. It is. cultivated in the ifle of Ely, for
the feeds, it being the cole feed from vyhich they
draw oil,

-NAPX'ISSO-LUCOTUM, Snotv-drcp, has a bul-
bous root, compofed of feveral white coats, except
the outermoit, which is brov/n, and underneath there
are whitifli fibres. It fends forth three, four, or
five leaves, like thofeof iceks, which are green, fmooth,
and iliining ; among thefe arife an angular, furrowed,
hollow ftalk, (ix inches high, cloathed with leaves as
far as the middle, which form a kind of white fheath.
It generally bears but one flower at the top, though
fometimes two, but feldom. three. The iheath of the
flower is oblong, blunt, compreffcd, and opening
fideways becomes a dry flcin ; the ilov/er itfelf has
three oval oblong petals, which are fpread open, and
are equal ; the neftarium is feated in the middle, and
is cylindrical, blunt, and bordered. The piflil is
placed in the center of the flower, attended by fix
ilarnina, and afterwards becomes an oval capfula,
with three cells full of roandiih feeds. They are of
two forts, the fingle and the double ; and they are
valued for their early appearance, which is commonly
ia January, when the ground is covered with fno^/.

The

276 THE NATURAL HISTORY
The roots fhould never be planted fingle, becaufe the
flowers make the beft appearance when thty grow in
bunches. When there are twenty or more roots to-
gether, they have a very good effe6t. The root is of
ro ufe in medicine, however they tell us, that a cer-
tain country woman in Germany, brought thefe roots
to market, and ibid them for cibouls, and the per-
ions who eat them were furprized with vomitings,
which however had no bad confequence ; hence Tome
think th.y may be ufed as a good emetic for country
people.

NASTURTIUM HORTENSE, garden Crejfes, has
a fmgle woody, white root, that is not fo acrid as
the leaves ; it fends forth feveral flalks, to the height
of a foot, or a foot and a half, that are round, fmooth,
folid, branched, and covered with a fort of blueifli
dull, that will readily come off. The leaves are ob-
long, deeply cut, and have no difagreeable taile. The
fiowcrs grow on the tops of the branches, and confill
of four petals, placed in the form of a crofs, and of
a whitilh purple colour. The pilHl which rifes from
the center of the flower-cup, becomes a roundifli
Jmooth fruit, divided into two cells, containing fmall,
oblong, yellowifli feeds. It is cultivated in gardens as
a fallad herb, and is in mofl: efleem in the winter, and
in the fpring. During the winter they muft be fown
on a gentle hot-bed, covered with mats or glafles, in
the fpring upon warm borders, and in the fummer
upon fliady borders. They attenuate and cut grofs
thick humour?, and are good in obflrudlions of the
vifcera. It may be eaten plentifully as a fallad, and
therefore nothing need to be faid of the dofe.

NASTURTIUM AQUATICUM, Watercrefs, or
Orfes, has a fmall white root, full of knots, from
each of which feveral capillary fibres proceed, that
enter into the water. The llalk arifes to the height of
a foot, and is crooked, thick, hollowed, furrowed,
fmooth, branched, and of a green colour, wiih a
reddifh caft. The leaves are almoll round, juicy, of
a grtxTiiih brov-^^n colour, and have a biting agreeable

talle.

OF VEGETABLES. 277

tafte. The flowers grow on the top of the flalks, and
are fmall, white, compofed of four petals in the form
of a crofs, with feveral yellow llamina and apices ; thefe
are fiiccecded by pods, that are a little crooked, and di-
vided into two cells full of roundifli, fmall, reddifli feeds,
of an acrid tafte. It grows on the fides of brooks and
ditches, and flowers in July and Jluguft. It is ufed as a
fallad herb, efpecially in the winter. When the leaves
flril appear, they are almoft round, but afterwards they
are cut like thofe of rocket. It has much the fame
viitues as garden creflTe?, but ftronger, and it is accounted
one of the beil antifcorbuticks in thefe parts of the
world.

NASTURTIUM INDICUM, Indian crefs, orcrejfes,
has a fmall, white, fibrous, creeping root, with feveral
flender branches, that climb and wind themfelves round
the trees and plants t'lat are near it. The leaves are
round, umbilicated, and placed alternately on the flalks;
they are generally broader than long, and fometimes
angular like thofe of ivy ; they are of a bright green,
and fmooth above, but below they are more pale, but
a little downy. The flowers grow at the knots from
whence the leaves proceed, and ' are compofed of five
petals, in the form of a violet, of a fine yellow colour,,
and a fweet fiiiell. The calyx is of a yellowifli green,
and confifts of a fmgle leaf, cut into five oblong narrow
fegment?, that are terminated on the hinder part with a^
fpur. There are reddifli flamina in the center of the
flower, with apices of the fame colour, and they fur-
round a piftil, whofe bafe becomes a fruit, divided into
three cells, that contain a roundifli feed, covered with
a wrinkled fkin.

NASTURTIUM INDICUM MINUS, the lejfer
Indian crefs or crejfes^ is like the former, only it is lefs ia
all its parts, and its flowers are of a gold colour, or rather
of fulphur; as alfo the leaves are marked at the bafe
with a bright vermiliion fpor, of a rhomboidal fliape,
with red lines or rays. Sometimes it is double, or at
leafl there is another fjrt that bears double flowers.
They are cultivated in gardens, on account of their
beauty, and they were brought originally from ?cru ;

it

278 THE NATURAL HISTORY

it flowers almoft all the fummer, as well as In the
autumn, till the cold prevents it ; but in hot countries,
it continues green, and flowers all the year. They are
produced from the feeds, which (hoald be fown in April.
The leaves and flowers are faid to be good againft the
fcurvy, but they are more ufed for food than for me-
dicine, efpecially in pickles, which are made of the buds
of the flowers, in the fame manner as capers j the double
flowers by fome are ufed to garnifli difhes.

NEPETA, Nepy or Cat mint y has a woody root, di-
vided into feveral branches, and it fends forth a ftalk
three feet high and upwards, which is fquare, hairy,
branched, reddifh near the ground, and the upper part
whitifli, the branches are always prcduced oppofite to
each other by pairs ; the leaves are like thofe of the
nettle or betony, and are ferrated on the edges ; they
are pointed, downy, whitilh, and have long pedicles ;
ajid they have a flrong fmell of mint, with a biting acrid
tafte. The flowers grow on the tops of the branchc?,
where they are colledled into fix fpikes; they are purple
or whitifli, and they each confift of a tube, whofe upper
lip is cut into two fegments, and the lower into three ;
the middle fegment is broad and hollowed like a fpoon,
and elegantly crenated on the edges, it is fu'.lained by a
calyx, in the fliape of a horn, and fucceedcd by four
naked oval feeds. It is called cat-mint becaufe the cats
will not fufFer it to grow, and is propagated by fowing
the feeds in March, in beds or borders of common earth ;
but it is found wild in many parts of England. It is
aperient, and has all the virtues of common mint ; it
may be drank in the manner of tea. When the cats
eat too much of it it will make them drunk ; but what
is very remarkable, if it be raifed from feeds the cats
will not touch it, according to the proverb; If you fet
it, the cats 'will eat it ', if you foiv it, the cats iv.nt
knoixi it.

NERIUM, the Oleander, or Rofe-bay, has a long,
woody, fmooth root, that fends forth feveral ftalks, v/hich
are large, firm, flrait, of a pale green, with a yeliowifli
caft, and full of juice. The leaves are oblong, pointed,
thick, hard, fliiT, and bigger and broader than thofe of

the

OF VEGETABLES. 279

t^e almond-tree; and they are generally placed by threes,
and fometimes eppofite to each other by pairs, along the
branches; they are of a greenilh brown above, like
thofe of the bay ttee, and vvhidih below, on account of
the fpols fprinkled here and there, without jalce. The
fiowers confiit of a fingle petal, which is deeply divided
into five beautiful fegments of a curious red colour.
The piftil arifes out of the flower-cup, and becomes a
taper fruit or pcd, of the length of one's finger, and
divided into two cells, filled with flat feeds, with down
adhering thereto. It is very common in EngHj/? gardens,
and is either preferved in pots or tubs, and placed
among myrtles, oranges, and the like, in the grefin-
houfe ; but they only- require to be fneltered from the
hard frcft. They are propagated from fuckers, or by
laying down their tender branches in /Jpril, and they
will take root in one year ; they Ihould be taken off the
next year, and planted in pots, filled v.'ith rich frefh
earth, watering them plentifully in dry weather. It is
generally accounted a poifon, and therefo;^ is of no ufe
in medicine, only it enters the fleeping powder of the
Paris difpenfatory,

NICOTIANA MAJOR LATIFOLTA, the greater
hroad leai'ed tobacco, has a white fibrous root, which
fends forth a ftalk to the height of live or fix lect, as
thick as one's thumb, and round. It is hairy, and full
of a while pith. The leaves are large, without pedi-
cles, and placed alternately on the llalks by their large
appendages ; they are hairy, full of nerves, a little
pointed, clammy to the touch, and of a pale green, in-
clining to yellow. It is divided into feveral branches at
the top, that fupport flowers in the ftiape of a bell, and
divided into five deep fegments, as well as the calyx,
which expand like a flar. They are of a purple colour,
and the apices of the llamina are fprinkled with a fine
powder of an afli-Cvolour. The embryo becomes an ob-
long, roundifh, membranaceous fruit, divided into two
cells full of reddilh feeds, that are exceeding fmall, in
proportion to the bignefs of the plant. It is a fummer
plant with us, though it will fometimes in moderate
winter, continue all the year. It is known by the Jme-

rican

28o THE NATURAR HISTORY
rican planters, under the title of Oroonoko tobacco ; but
it is not in fuch efteem with the Engli/h, as the other
forts. In Brajil it flowers continually, and will live
ten or twelve years.

NICOTIANA MAJOR ANGUSTIFOLIA the
greater narroiv-lea'ved Tobarcoy diiFcrs only from the
former in their leaves, which are narrower, and more
pointed, and are fixed to the llalk by pretty long
pedicles.

NICOTIANA MINOR, the kjfer, or common Eng/ijh
^obaccoy has a fingle thick root, lometimes divided into
feveral tender white fibre?, and fends forth a ftaik to
the height of two feet, which is hairy, folid, fome-
times as thick as one's finger, branched, and clammy
to the touch. The leaves are rounder than thofe of
the former fortF, and are placed alternately on the llalk?,
they are flat, blunt at the end, of a grecniih- brown,
and have ftiort pedicle?. The flowers are numerous on
the top of the branches, and are divided into five feg-
ments like the former; they have five (lamina, whofe
apices are of an alh colour, as well as the pillil ; they
are lefs than thofe of the former kind, and the colour is
of a greenifh yellow. The calyx is hairy, clammy,
and divided into five parts. The flowers are fucceeded
by roundifli capfula, in the form of an navel, and
when ripe, open into two parts, and are full of a vail
number of yellow tawney feeds. Befides thefe, there
are other forts, as the greater nanonjo halved perennial
tobacco ; the kjfer tobacco 'with larger and rougher leagues ;
the great broad lea-ved tobacco nxiith mchite Jio'vcerSy and a
Jhort feed njeffel ; the d^varf tobacco ivith a primrofe leaf ;
and the fmall tobaco ^'.ith a leaf in tlcfjape cf a heart,
and a fionx-er nj.nth a longer tube. The firil of thefe forts
is moll common in England^ and is generally raifed by
the gardeners near London^ who fupply the markets with
pots of plants to adorn belconies in the city. They
were all brought originally from America, and at firll
were in high elleem for their medicinal qualities. It is
called tobacco from the ifland of Tobago^ from whence
it was brought in the year 1560.

The

OF VEGETABLES. 281

The talle and fmell of tobacco is well known, as well
as its common ufe. Some ule it as a vomit, which
fhould be never done, except in cafes of necelTity. The
watery extra<^l made by long boiling, and preferred dry,
has a cleanfing anodyne quality, and is excellent for ap-
peafing an afthmatic cough. It may be taken in broth,
or with a flomachic remedy to four or five grains. In
fome delicate conftitutior.s, it will occafion a retching to
vomit, which may be eafily remedied with a draught
of burnt wine. Outwardly the plant is cleanfing and
healing, and will foon cure malignant ulcers, v/hen
other things fail. Some make an ointment of tobacco
for the killing of lice, but it Ihould be ufed very cau-
tioufly. When it is beaten into a cataplafm with vi-
negar or brandy, it will remove hard fvvellirgs of the
liver and fpleen, as we learn from the Edinburgh efTays.
Some recommend the fmokirg tobacco in the time of
the plague, and other infed^ious difeafes.

N I CELL A, Fenvel fioijoer^ or the de-vil in ahujh, has
a fmall, fibrou;, whitifli root, that fends forth fome
times a fmgle, and fometimes a branched, lean, furrowed
flalk, which feldom rifes to the height of a foot. The
leaves refemble thofe of dill, but are lefs, and placed
at greater dirtances ; and they are Hkewife cut into
narrower jaggs. The flower-cup confifis of five leaves,
which expand in the form of a ftar, and branch out
into many other fmaller leaves ; the flower confifts of
mary petal*, placed orbicularly, and expand in the
form of a rofe, having many fhort llamina furrounding
the embryo in the center of the flower, which after-
wards turns to a membranaceous fruit, confiding of fe-
veral cells, that are horned at the top, and full of black
feeds. It grows every where among corn and flowers,
at the end of the fummer.

NIGELLA ROMANA, Roman Fennel fo'vcer, has a
root like the former, with many furrowed flender ftalks,
a foot in height j the leaves are pretty large, green, and
cut into flender fegments. The flowers are placed at
the tops of the branches, diftind from each other, and
are compofed of five petals, of a pale colour, and dif-
pcfed in the form of a rofe. There are feveral ftaraina

In

28^2 THE NATURAL HISTORY
in the middle, furroanded with a crown, and they are
fucceeded by a membranous fruit, and divided into fe-
veral cells, that terminate in horns. This plant is cul-
tivated in gardens, and flowers in July, Augufty and
September. The feeds brought from Ita/y, are the beH,
and they Ihould be frcfh, large, and of a fine yellcw
colour,, or black. It is refolvent, difcutient, and
ilrengthening, and is proper for corredling the impurities
of the flcmsch, breaft, and kidneys. It is good againft
catarrhs of the head, the head-ach, arifing from thence,
the vertigo, and obftrudlions of the nofe, either in fu-
migations, or fnufFcd up the nofe when powdered. The
dele inwardly is from one fcruple to a dram. It is of
great ufe among the Germans^ but negleded by us.
Some affirm that it has feme hurtful qualities while frefh,
and therefore they would have it dried over the fire, to
confume the moifiure. When given to a dram in ho-
ney, in a morning faftirg, it is good againft wind, and
the cholic proceeding frcm thence.

NIGELLASTROm, ft^je LICHNIS SEGETUM
MAJOR, com Campion, has a fmall, fingle, white root,
that fends forth a ftalk to the height of two cubi:s,
which is hairy, joinied, light, and divided into a ftw
branches. I'he leaves are placed oppcfiteto each other>
by pairs, and are narrow, long, even on the edges, and
furround the flalk, with a broad bafe, which gradually
decreafes to a fharp point ; and they are covered with
long whitifh hairs. The flov^'ers grow on the top of
the branches, and confift of £ve petals, generally of a
purple colour, but fometimes v.hite, or of a pale yel-
low, and they are furrowed towards the center, by
lines of a deeper colour, with fmall black fpecks. T'he
calyx is undivided, but furrowed and hairy. The em-
bryo rifes in the center of the calyx, and becomes a>
conical fruit, almoft in the fhape of an acorn ; when
it is ripe it opens into £ve parts, and contains large
angular furrowed feeds, in the fliape of a kidney, it
is found every where among corn, and flov/ers in May,
June, and July, Some recommend a decoction of the
leaves, againft the itch, and other difeafes of the fkin ;
but it is now out of ufe,

NOLI

OF VEGETABLES. 285

NOLI-ME-TANGERE, five BALSAMINE, BaL
famine, has a root that runs level with the ground, and
fends forth a llalk to the height of a foot and a half,,
which is tender, of a bright green, fmooth, (hining,
light, branched, geniculated by intervals, with tubero-
fities that look like the knots of the gout. The leaves
are placed alternately, and are fomewhat like trench
mercury, but they are bigger, and deeply dentated on
the edges. From the places where the leaves join to
the ftalk, there proceed long pedicles, that bend down
to the ground, which are divided into three or four
branches, on which hang fmall flowers, with four un-
equal petals, fupponed hy two fmall green leaves ; but
the flower is yellow, reprefentinga kindof a fea-monfter,,
with a fmall b:dy, and a (lender fliort, crooked, pointed
tail, like an ox's horn, fprinkled with deep red fpots ;
the mouth is wide, and in .the middle there are feveral
ftamina, of a whitlih colour. They are fucceeded by
long, flender, knotted fruit, of a whitilh green, ftreaked-
with green lines, bending to the ground. They open as
they grow ripe, and when the wind blows a little flronger
than ordinary, or by the leaft touch, they (hoot out
their feeds, at the fame time writhing themfelves like
worms ; the feeds are either afti-coloured, brown, or red;
Thofe that are not ufed to this plant, are always ftartled
when the feeds burft out in the above manner j and from
its not bearing to be touched without this efFei^, it is
called Isol'i 7ne tangere, that is touch me not. It groves
wild in fome places, and flowers in Jutid and it is alfo
cultivated in gardens, for the diverfion it affords. It is
propagated by the feeds, and if fuff^red to caft them, it
will come up every fpring without any care ; bat it
delights moll; in moift ftiady places. It is very aperient
and diuretic, and frees the kidneys from gravel. Some
authors fay it is emetic and purgative ; however it has
DO fuch quality in this climate.

NUMMULARIA, Money^'ort, has a very creeping
Sender root, and fends forth ftveral long, flender, an-
gular, branched flalks, that creep on the ground, and
the leaves are placed in pairs oppolite to each other ;
they are about as broad as one's finger, and are almoil

round,

284 THE NATURAL HISTORY

round, though a little curled, and of a yellowifli greeir
colour ; where the leaves join to the flalk, the flowers
proceed, which are large, confift of a fingle petal, cut
into the fhape of a rofe. On feme branches there are
three leaves, and as many flowers at each knot. They
are fucceeded by fmall round fruit, containing feeds
hardly vifible. It is called money wort from the round-
nefs of the leaves, and is common in moiil places, and
by the fides of ditches. It begins to flower in May^
and continues to do fo moll of the fummer. The leaves
are ailringent and vulnerary, and proper to flop haemor-
rhage?, both inwardly and outwardly. The dofe of the
juice is from one ounce to three, and in deco(5lion front
one handful to three. Boerbawve recommends it greatly
againfl the hot fcurvy.

NYMPH^A ALBA, n}:hite Water-lilly, has a long
root, as thick as one's arm, and fometimes as the leg,
full of knots, of a brown colour without, and white
within ; it is flefliy, fpungy, full of c'ammy juice, ar.d
adheres at the bottom of the water to the earth, by fe-
veral fibres. It fends forth large roundifh leaves, in the
fhape of a heart, that are thick, flefhy, veinous, and of
a whitifh green colour on the top, and of a brownifli
green beneath; and fwims on the furface of the water;
thefe are fupported by lorg pedicles, as thick as a child's
finger, which are cylindric, reddilh, tender, juicy, and
fpungy. The flowers are large and broad when blown,
confilling of feveral leaves, difpofed in the form of a
rofe, of a fine white colour, but of little or no fmell.
The fiOwer-cup confifts of five whitilh leaves, and there
are other leaves on the edges, of a whitifh green colour.
There are a great number of flamina, with a pirtil that
turns to a globular fruit, like the head of a poppy, di-
vided into feveral cells, full of cblong, blackifh, Ihining
feeds. It grows wild in marfhes and Handing waters^
and flowers in May and Jiive.

NYiViPH^A LUTE A MAJOR, the great yelh-vj
Water lil/y, differs from the former, in having leaves
not quite fo round, and in the flower, which is yellow,
befides which the fruit is of a conical fhape, and con-
tains larger feeds. It is found in the fame places, and

flowers

OF VEGETABLES. 285

flowers at the fame time as the former. The roots have
both the fame virtues, and have a clammy bitterifh
tafte. They are proper in heat of urine, want of reft,
and all internal inflammations, but are now feldom ufed.
The powder of the dried root is given from a fcruple to
a dram. We are informed, that in a time of fcarcity
in Snjoeden^ the country people made ufe of them for
food, which did not prove unwholefome.

OCLMUM, Bafili this plant has a woody, black,
fibrous root, and fends forth a ftalk to the height of half
a foot, and upwards, which is divided into feveral fmall
fquare branches, that area little reddifh, hairy, and fur-
nifhsd with leaves, like thofe of pellitory, but lefs, and
they are fometimes cut on the edges, and fometimes
even. The flowers are placed in a long fpike, but are
not very clofe, on the top of the ftalks, and they are
of a white colour, with a purplifh caft. They confift
of a fingle labiated petal, whofe creft or upper lip is
upright, roundifh, notched, and larger than the beard
or lower lip, which is cut into three fegments. The
flower cup is cut on the edges into four parts, the up-
permoft of which is hollow like a fpoon, and the piftil
which rifes out of it is attended with four embryoes,
which afterwards become fo many feeds, inclofed in a
hufk, that was before the cup of the flower. The hufk
is divided into two lips, the uppermoft of which is cut
in two, and grows upright j but the under one is fplit
into feveral parts.

OCIMQM SEU BASILICUM MINIMUM, the
leaji Bajii, Jmelling hke clo'vss, has a fibrous fmall root,
with a ftalk about a palm in height, with branches that
are a little woody, on which there are leaves like thofe
of marjjram, that have a purplifti caft. The flowers
are fmall, and grow along the branches j they are like
the former, and the capfulas contain fmall blackifti feeds.
7'hey are both propagated by feeds, which ihould be
fown the beginning of April, on moderate hot-beds, and
when the plants are come up, they fhould be removed
to another, of the fame fort, observing to water and
Ihade them, till they have taken root. In May they
Ihould be taken up with a ball of earth to the roots, and

tranf-

286 THE NATURAL HISTORY
tranfplanted either into pots or borders. The leaves and
feeds are cephalic, cordial, and peroral. Somepowdet
the dried leaves, and make them into fnuff, which they
think has a better effc6l than common fnuff. An ih-
fuHon of the leaves may be drank in the manner of
tea for the head-ach, and for fluxions on that part ; but
it is now out of ufe with us.

OENANTHE, JVater drop ^wort, has glandulous
roots, that are black without, and white within, that
are conneded to the ftalk by filaments and they have k
fweet pleafant fade ; they fend forth feveral ftalks, to
the height of two feet, that are blueifh, angular, fur-
rowed, and branched. The firft leaves are large, lye
upon the ground, and are like thofe of parfley, and tafte
not unlike it, but they s re of a Ihining green ; but af-
terwards they become like thofe of hog's fennil. The
flowers are difpofed in umbels, on top of the branches
each of which is compofed of five white petals, with a
purplilh caft, and they are in the form of a flower de
lace, or as ethers fay, a rcfe. The embryo is placed on
the top of the calyx, and turns to tv/o oblor.g feeds,
that are gibbous, llreaked on one fide, and plain on the
other, ending as it v/ere in prickles, the middlemofl of
which is ftronger than the reft. It grows in watery
places, and is alfo cultivated in gardens. The root is
faid to be cleanfing, aperient, and diuretic, though fome
would have it to be poifonous ; however it is not now
ufed as a medicine.

OLE A MAJOR, five HISPANICA, the manured
Gli've tree, has a trunk that is knotted, and more or lefs
high, with a fmooth afh- coloured bark, and yellowifli
wood, that has fomtwhat of a bitter tafte. The leaves
are oblong and narrow, almoll like thcfe of willow ;
they are pointed, thick, flefhy, hard, of a green ill yel-
low colour above, and whitifh below, but without down ;
they have very fliort pedicles, and are generally placed
by pairs oppofite to each other. The flowers proceed
from the places where the leaves are joined to the ftalks,
and grow in whitifii branches, like thofe of the alder ;
they confift of a Angle petal, the lower part of which ia
hollowed, and the upper is divided into four parts ; the

embryo

OF VEGETABLES. 287

•embryo of which is fixed in the center of the flower-
cup, becomes an oval, green, fiefhy, fucculent fruit, of
different fizes ; for in Spain it is as big as a middling
plumb ; whereas in Italy and Languedoc, it fcarce ar-
rives at the iize of a common acorn. This is the olive,
which is at firil green, then yellowifli, and at length
blackilli, when it is full ripe ; though there are fome
in Spain that turn white. They are oily, and have an
acerb difagreeable tafte, and contain an oblong Hone,
which is very hard, and v/ithin it is a kernel of the
fame fhape. It is cultivated in the fouthern parts of
Europe^ and delights in dry, marly places, that are cx-
pofed to the fouth or eaft, and it flowers in June and
July ; this tree continues a long time, and the wood
which has a fine fmell, will burn as well green as dry.
They produce a large quantity of fruit, of which they
make oil-olive, or fallad-oil, well known all over Eu-
rope. They are planted out of curiofity in England, in
pots or cafes, but they muft be removed into the green-
houre all the winter. There are feveral forts of olives
that differ in fhape, colour, fize, and juice. They are
pickled in fait and water, and then become agreeable to
the taile ; and are well known in England, by the name
of pickled ^olives ; they are then faid to create an ap-
petite, and ftrengthen the ffomach, and when they are
eaten in large quantities, they never do any harm.

ONOBRYCHIS, Cock's-head, ok Sainfoin, has a
long, hard, woody root, b'ack without, and white
within, which fends forth feveral ilrait ilrong ftalks,
about a foot in height, and of a reddifh green colour.
The leaves are like thofe of vetches, but fmaller, which
are green above, white and downy below, pointed, and
placc:d by pairs on one fid^. The flower is papiliona-
ceous, and the piilil rifes out of the downy flovver-cup,
which afterwards turns to a crefled pod, in the lliape of
a cock*s comb, and is rough, with prickles ; each of
thefe contain a kt^, in the fliape of a kidney, which
has a pretty good talle when it is green. There is another
kind of Sain-foiii, that differs little from the former,
except in being lefs ; there is alfo Spanijh Sain-foin with
^ flame-coloured flower, that is cultivated in the gardens

of

2Sg THE NATURAL HISTORY
of the curious. Sainfoin is a French word, and figni-
fies wholefome hay, and is fo called, becaufe it is thought
to fat all forts of cattle, the fooneil of any other. The
hay made of it is accounted among us the beil fort of
food for moft cattle, efpecially in the fpring, there being
no danger attending it, as there is in clover ; it breeds
abundance of milk, and the butter that is made of it is
very good. There is a fort with a deep red flower, which
when difpofed in the large borders of pleafure gardens,
afford an agreeable variety ; for they are of a beautiful
colour, grow in long fpikes, and continue a great while.
Some obferve, that if Sain-foin be carefully gathered,
well dried, and kept in boxes, has the fmell of tea, in-
fomuch that it has been miilaken by good judges for
green tea j but then it mull be gathered before it
flowers.

ONOPORDON, /t^^ spina ALBA, prickly globe
thifiky has a tender, white, fwcetifli root, that fends forth
a ftalk to the height of three or four cubits, thicker than
one's thumb, which is furrowed, hollow, covered with
a fort of white down, and defended throughout its length
with prickly membranes j the leaves, which are only a
continuation of thefe, are larger than the hand, broad,
finuated, and aimed with fhort prickles on the edge?,
and covered on each fide with a whitifh down. On
the tops of the flalks and branches there are large heads,
that are generally Angle, flat, and broad, and compofed
of fcales, that terminate in a long, Iharp, llifF prickle,
of a yellower colour than that of the leaves. In thele
heads there are tufts of purple floretts, though fome-
times they are white ; and they are fucceeded by fur-
rowed {tt^^y with hair or down adhering thereto. It
grows in all cultivated places, and by the fides of high-
ways and ditches, almoft every where. It flowers from
June till ylugujTy and the root dies when the feed is
lipe. The root is faid to be aperient, diuretic, and carmi-
native ; but they are of no ule at prefent.

ONOPORDON, five CARDUUS GLOBOSUS.
Globe thijlle, has a thick root, with an aromatice talle,
as well as the ftalk and tops, except the white pith,
which is dry andinfipid. The Aalk is downy, furrowed,

and

OF VEGETABLES. 289

End grows to the height of three or four cubits, and is
without prickles, The leaves are a foot, or a foot and
a half long, but narrow, and covered underneath with
a down, but are of a black green above, and armed
with long, ftiff, (harp prickles. There are large, round,
fcaly heads, on the tops of the branches, armed with
thorns that are not very prickly, among which there is
a thick white down, with flowers canfifting of feveral
ftamina of various colours ; under the flowers there is a
pulp or white flefh, of a pleafant aromatic tafte. The
flowers are fucceeded by oblong, fliining, afh coloured
feeds, a little flattifh, and wrapped in a kind of wool or
cotton. This plant grows on the fides of highways, and
in mountainous, uncultivated places ; it flowers in July
and Augujl, and fometimes later. We are informed,
that a countryman was cured of a cancer in the nofe,
by applying the juice of this plant, and the leaves as a
cataplafm, after the juice was preflfed out. He learned
this fecret of another countryman, who had cured fe-
veral by the fame means ; Tournefort extends this virtue
to cancers of the breafls ; but be this as it will, the ex-
periment may be eafily made, fince this p'ant is fc com-
mon. Ray affirms, that thefe heads may be boiled be-
fore the flowers appear, and then the pulp eaten with
butter and pepper, will be quite as good as artichokes.

OPHIOGLOSSU?v1, Adder s tongue, has a root with
many fibres, gathered up in a bundle, and it fends forth
a pedicle as high as one's hand, which fupports a fing'e
leaf, like the fmall leaf of a peartree, but flatter; it is
flcfliy, fmooth, without nerves, upright, and fometimes
a little narrow and oblong, and at others broad and
roundifh. From that part of the leaf that joins to the
pedicle, there proceeds a fpike, which refembles a fer-
pent's tongue, that terminates in a point, and is dentated
on each flde-, like a file. It is divided into feveral fmall
cells, that contain a meal or dud, which they throw out
when ripe ; but there are no vfible flowers. It grows
wild in meadoAs in feveral parts of England \ and if it
be tranfplanted into the ftiady parts of gardens, it will
{pring up in Apr'd every year, and will continue till
juTie ; but foon after it withers away. The bt it method
Vol. VI. O is

290 THE NATURAL HISTORY

is to dig up the plants about the middle of Aprils with
large balls of earth, the full length of the roots; and
then they mull be planted with a turf about them. It
is a vulnerary herb, and is thought to be good for ulcers,
when bruifed and applied as a cataplafm.

OPHRYS,/f;/BiFOLIUM, T-way blade, has a fibrous
r-oot, and fends forth a fingle flalk, from half a foot to
a foot high, which has only two leaves about the mid-
dle, placed oppofite to each other, and are like thofe
of common plantain. The top is adorned with flowers,
each of which has fix leaves, and the iive uppermoll are
fo placed, as to refemble a helmet, and the lower in
fome fenfe, has the refemblance of a man ; the colour
is greeniih, or a whitilh green. The calyx becomes a
fruit like a lanthorn, with three horns or windows, and
it has three fides, to which adhere valves and very fmall
feeds like duft. It is pretty common in moill and fhady
woods, and flowers in May and June. It is vulnerary,
cleanfing, and confolidating, but is now of little or no
i^fe in medicine.

OPULUS,y?^^SAMBUCUS AQUATIOA, Maifh
eldety or Gelder rofe, has a thick, firm, white root, that
fends forth a flalk to the height of five or fix cubits, and
is divided into feveral branches, like thofe of the elder
tree, and is knotted by intervals ; it is covered with a
fmooth afh-coloured bark or rind, and is full of white
fpungy pith ; it is very tender and brittle. The leaves
proceed from the knot?, and are large, angular, and
like thofe of the maple tree. The flowers confilt of a
iingle petal or leaf, divided into five parts at the top,
and expanded in the form of a rofe. Thofe about the
circumference of the umbel are larger than the rell,
and of a fine white colour^ with a calyx that proceeds
from the middle of the cup, but they are barren. Thofe
in the middle or centre are fmaller, open later, and in
their bottom there is a hole that receives the point of
the calyx, and they are of a yellow colour. This turns
to a berry, a little larger than that of the common
elder, which is foft and red when ripe ; in each of
thefe there is a flat red feed in the fliape of a heart. This
ihrub delights in moill woods, and on the banks of ri-

vers,'

O F VE G ET ABLES. 291

vers, and it flowers in May ; but the berries are not ripe
till autumn, and they continue all the winter. There is
another Gclder-rofe^ that differs from the former only in
having the flowers colleded into a globe, and it is com-
mon in old gardens in moft parts of England. At a
diliance the flowers refemble fnow-balls, for which reafon
it is called in fome countries the Snoiv-bail tree. It is
of no ufe in medicine.

ORCHIS, feu SATYRIUM, Fool-pnes, has a root
compofed of two tubercles almofl round, which are flelhy,
and of the fize of nutmegs ; whereof one is full and
hard, and the other wrinkled and fpungy. At firil it
fends forth fix or feven leaves, that are long, pretty
broad, fmooth, and like thofe of the flower de luce, but
fmaller, and generally marked at the top with brovvnifh
red fpots. The Ualk rifes to the height of a foot, and
is round, flreaked, and encompaffed with one or two
leaves ; on the top there is a long fpike of beautiful
purple flowers, that are whitiih towards the center,
and fprinkled with fpecks of a deeper purple. Each
flower is compofed of fix unequal petals, of which the
five uppermoft compofe a fort of a helmet ; and the
lower petal, whkh is larger than the refl, has a fort of
a head or helmet at the top, and terminates in a tail, or
iharp point like a fpur. The calyx becomes a fruit,
wiih three fides, and is divided into three cells, con-
taining many fmall feeds. It flowers towards the end
of Aprily and the beginning of May, and is found in
-many parts of England.

ORCHIS LATIFOLIA, feu MAJOR, Dogs-fiones,
'has a root like the former, compofed of two bulbs, or
fiefliy tubercles, but larger, and they are in the fhape
of large olives. The llalk rifes near the height of a
cubit, and has long pyramidal flowers at the top, which
are large and beautiful, whitifli within, and fprinkled
with purple fpots, but they are reddifli on the outfide,
and reprefent a man in armour, without hands or feet.
The leaves are big, long, and broad, ^d are roundifh
at firft when they rife out of the earth in November.
The feed is like that of the former, and it flowers in
May. There are feveral other forts of thefe plants,
O 2 the

tgz THE NATURAL HISTOilY
•the under part of whofe flower reprefents feveral (hapes,
as a naked man, a butterfly, a fly, a drone, a pigeon,
an ape, a lizard, and a parrot ; and thefe all grow wild
in feveral parts of England \ but deferve a place in every
good garden. The Turks have a preparation of a cer-
tain root that iscalled lalep, which they make ufe of to
recover their flrength. It is fuppofed to be a kind of
orchis, and the following preparation of this root, will
anfwer the fame purpofes. Take the roots or bulbs of
orchis, that are well nouriihed, and after they are fkin-
jied, throw them into cold water, and after they have
been there fame hours, boil them in a fufficient quan-
tity of water, and then ftrain them ; this done, put
-them on a firing, and dry them in the air ; this is beft
done in a dry hot feafon. They will become tranfparent,
.very hard, and will refemble pieces of gum tragacanth.
If they are kept in a dry place they will always remain
good, and may at any time be reduced to a very fine
powder. A fcruple of this, put by little and little into
boiling water, will entirely melt, and will be fufHcient
for a pint of water ; it may be rendered more agreeable,
by putting in a little fugar, and is exceeding ufeful
when mixed with milk, in all difeafes of the breaft ;
for it is \try emollient, and will abate the fliarpnefs of
the humours ;it is excellent in confumptions, and blocdy
fluxes of the bilious .kind.

OREOCELINUM, five APIUM MONTANUM,
Moufitain Pa>J!ey^ has a root confilling of many fibres,
adhering to one head, which creep greatly in the earth ;
they are blackifn on the outfide, and white within, and
are full of mucilaginous juice. It has a fingle ferula-
ceouo ilalk, that ri(es to the height of four or five feet,
which is furrowed, and divided into wings. The leaves
proceed as .well from the root as the flalk, and are large,
but like thofe of the .common parfley, only they are
more firm and fmooih. 7 he flowers grow in umbels
at the top of the ilalks and branches, and are fmall,
ivhitifli, and corjill of five purplifh petals, difpofed in
the form of a rofe. Thefe are fucceeded by a fruit,
which was the calyx of the flower, compofed of two
feeds, that are .oval, ilatciih, radiated on the back, and

bordered

OF VEGETABLES. :tgf

bordered with a membranous leaf, of a reddifh colour.
It grows in mountainous places, where there are-
pafture?.

OREOCELINUM, /^^ APIUM MONTANUM
M\l\\J^, fmalkr mountain Parjlsji has a pretty thick,
foft root, that is fibrous on the upper part, and white
both within and without ; the llalk rifes to the height
of a cubit and upwards, and is pretty thick, firm, fur-
rowed, knotted by intervals, reddifh and branched. The
leaves lye on the ground, and are like thoie of garden
parfley. The flowers grow in umbels on the top of the
ftalk and branches, and are of a white colour. The
feeds that fucceed them, have a more acrid tafte tharr
tlie leaves. It delights in mountainous and fandy places,
and flowers in July and Auguji. The feeds are ac-
counted an aperient, and proper to open the obllrudions
of the liver and fpleen ; they are alio diuretic, and free
the kidneys from gravel; but they are feldom ufed
among us.

ORIGANUM VULGARE, 'wild Marjoram, has a
flender, woody, fibrous root, creeping obliquely into
the ground, which fend forth feveral fialks, that rife
to the height of two or three feet, which are hard,
fquare, and downy. The largeft leaves refemble thofe
of common calamint, and the lefTer thofe of marjoram ;
they are downy, have an agreeable fmell, and an acrid,
aromatic talle. The flowers are coUeded into fcaly
fpikes, and are labiated, confifling of a fingle petal,
whofe upper lip is eredl, roundifh, and divided into two
fegments, but the lower into three. The piilil arifes
from the calyx, and is fixed in the back part of the
flower like a nail ; it is attended with four embryoes,
and turns into as many fmall feeds, contained in a cap-
fula, that was the calyx of the flower. It grows wild
on dry chalky hills, and on gravelly foil, in feveral
parts of England^ and it flowers in the fummer. Wild
marjoram is diuretic, and diaphoretic, and may be
ufed in the manner of tea in the afthma, and a violent
cough. The powder of the leaves and the flowers dried
in I he fhade, is cephalic, and being taken as fnufF,
will make the nofe run confiderably. It helps di-
O 3 gcilion,

294 THE 'NATURAL HISTORY
geftion, difcuffes wind, and is employed externally
in baths for the feet. ''

ORNITHOGALUM, Jlar of Bethlehem, has a
bulbous root, and long, narrow, foft, hollow, creep-
ing leaves, like thofe of grafs, with a white line run-
ning down the middle ; the ftalk is round, nake.i,
and tender, and has a flower like thofe of" lillies,
compofed of fix leaves, placed circularly, and on
each of which there is a petal on the upper part. The
embryo is a long tube, with a fpherical apex, that
turns to a roundifh fruit, full of roundifh black feeds ;
in general it greatly refembles a leek. There are many
forts befides this, moft of which grow wild in Sfain
and Portugal^ and they are generally hardy plants.
They are all propagated by oft'-fcts, and the beft tijne
to tranfplant the roots, is in July or Augujl, when the
leaves are decayed ; they are of no ufe in phyfick.

ORNITHOPODIUM MAJUS, the greater Bird's^
footy has a fmall, white, fmgle, fbrous root, ac-
companied with feveral grains or tubercles, with fe-
veral flexible, weak, branched, round, hairy flalk?,
that feem to creep on the ground. The leaves are
kfs than thofe of the Bajiard Sena^ and the flowers
are fmall, papilionaceous, and difpofed in fpikes on
the top of the branches ; the piftil arifes out of the
calyx, which afterwards becomes a hooked jointed
pod, that is generally undulated, and at every joint
there is a round feed ; and feveral of thefe pods grow
together in fuch a manner, as to refembls the foot of
a bird. It flowers in fummer, and generally in Ju7:ey
and it delights in dry culcivated places. The whole
plant is accounted aperient and diuretic, and when
powdered, the dole is a dram in a glafs of white wine ;
but it is not now in ufe.

OROBUS, fi--ve ERVUM, hitter Vetch, has a flender,
whitiih root, with feveral weak, angular, fmooth,
branched ftalks, and the leaves are oblong, like thofe
of lentils. The flowers are papilionaceous, collefted
in fpikes, and are of a purple or white colour, with
purplilh blue lines, and the calyx is in the fhape of a

dentated

OF VEGETAELES. 295

dentated horn. They are fucceeded by pendulous
pods, abont an inch long, and undulated on each
iide ; they are whitifh when they are ripe, and con-
tain oval feeds. To this may be added, that two
Jeaves join together, and grow upon a rib that ter»
minates in a point. There are two or three other fortf,
all which may be propagated by fowing the feeds on
a bed of light frefli earth in the fpring. It flowers in
y^pril, May and June, and the feeds will be ripe in
July or Augujl. It is fown in the fields in feveral
parts of France, for the feeding of cattle, and pigeons
are very fond of the feeds. They have a mealy,
bitterifh, difagrceable tafle, and are accounted re-
folvcnt, aperient, and diuretic, but they are now quita
neglefted in praftife.

ORYZA, Rice, has a rcot like that of wheat, and
furrowed flalks, that rife to the height of three or
four feet, which are thicker and flronger than thofe
of wheat or barley, and knotted by intervals. The
leaves are like thofe of reeds in fhape, but they are
flefhy like leeks. The flov/ers grow on the tops, are
of a purple colour, and are difpofed- into panicles.
The feeds are almoft oval, white, tranfparent, hard,
and are contained in a yellowifh, rough, furrowed, an-
gular, downy capfula, fomewhat like barley \ they are
placed alternately on each fide of the. branches. This
plant is cultivated in hot countries, in moifl marfhy
land, and the ufe of the feeds is principally for food.
However they deftroy the acrimony of the humours,
and are good in fiuxes of the belly. Rice ferves in-
(lead of bread in moft of the eallern countries, and
is their principal nourifhment. It is now planted in
8cuth-Carolina, where great quantities have been pro-
duced, and as good as in any other part of the world.
It is chiefly ufed here for puddings, and to make rice-
milk.

oxYcoccus, /t.'^ vaccinia PALUSTRIA,

Moor-ben-ies, has a flendcr, creeping, reddifh root,
with fi-nall fibres like hairs, and many long, exceed-
ing flender, weak llalks, of a rcddiHi brown, that \yQ
O 4 and

296 THE NATURAL HISTORY

p.nd creep on the furface of the earth ; the leaves are-
like thofe of dodder, and fometimes fmaller, which
are hard, green above, of an afh coloured green be-
low, fmcoih, and generally turned up on the edges ;
they are placed along the ftalks alternately. The
flowers grow on the tops of the branches, and are cut
into four pointed parts, of a purple colour, and there
arc feveral yellow flannina that join to the pillil, and
form together a kind of pointed body. They are
fcccecded by reddifh berries, or of a greeniQi yellow,
that arc aimed round or oval. There is a navel in
the iTiiddle in the form of a crofs, arid they contain
four very fmall feeds, that lye upon the ground, as
well as the tops, and are fometimes hid in mofs. It
grows in moill, ir.arihy, fliady, barren places, and
iiowcrs in May and yune, and the fruit is ripe in
yu/y and Augujl. In fonie countries they are eaten by
children and fl.epherds ; and Linnaeus obferves, that
filverfmiihs make ufe of the berries, to render the
iilver more white. They are cooling, and are given
in fome places in deco(ftion, againft burning and ma-
lignant fevers, but with us" they are not ufcd in me-
dicine.

P.^ONIA MASS, Mak Peory, has an oblong,
thick, tuberofe root, brown without, and pale within ;
and is often divided into feveral branches ; it fends
forth ftalks to the height of two or three feet, that
are a little reddifli, and divided into blanches. The
leaves are large, and compofed of feveral other leaves,
almoll like thofe of the hazel tree ; but they are
broader and thicker, and of a (hining, browniih, green
colour; they are alfo covered underneath with a
down, and have long reddifh pedicles. The flowers
grow on the tops of the ftaiki, and are large, con-
iifling of feveral petals, that expand in the form of
a role, fometimes of a purple colour, and fometimes
of a palifh red. The calyx is compol'ed of five leaves,
and in the middle there are purple itamina with faffron
coloured apices. They are fucceeded by fruit, com-
pofed of feveral fmall, white, downy, (hining, crooked

horns,

OF VEGETABLES. 297

horns, that open when they are ripe, and contain
many globulous feeds, that are red at firft, and af-
terwards of a dark blue or black. It flowers at the
beginning of May, and they fall off foon afterwards.
It is cultivated in gardens for the fake of the roots,
whicli are ufed in medicine. They are propagated
by parting the roots, and are extreamly hardy, for
they will grow in any foil or fituation ; the beft feafon
for this is in the beginning of Septanber.

P^OiNIA FOEMINA, female Peony, has a root
compofed of feveral tubercles, connected together
with fibres, and fends forth a tall ftalk, that ha5 fcarCe
any rednefs at all ; the leaves are of a greenifli pale
colour above, and whitifli, and a little downy under-
neath. The flowers are like thofe of the former, but
they are not fo large, no more than the fruit. This
is a very common fort, and it is to be met with
almoft every where in gardens. The Male Pimy is
principally uf-id in medicine, and the roots and feeds
have been thought by many, to be a fpeclfic againft
the falling'ficknefs, convulfions, and the palfy. They
are reduced to powder, after they have been dried in
the fliade, and then the dofe is a dram or two ; or an
ounce of the roots is given in decodion, while they,
are frefli.

PALIURUS, Chnjl's thorn, has a hard woody root,'
with a flem that grows fo high, that it fometimes de-
ferves the name of a tree. The branches are long
and thorny, but thofe that are near the leaves are
fmaller, and not fo prickly as in other places. The
leaves are almoft round, pointed, and of a dark green
colour, with a reddiih caft. The flov/ers are imall,
yellow, grow on the tops of the branches, and are
generally compofed of hve petals, in the form of a
rofe. I'he piflii arifes from the flower-cup, which
turns to a fruit almoft in the fiiape of a bonnet, having
a flicli that is nearly globular, divided into three cells,
on each of which there is a fmgle roundiili feed. This
fhrub grows wild in the hedges of Ilaly, Spain, Pof'
tiigal, and the fouth of France, from whence their
O 5 feeds

298 THE NATURAL HISTORY

feeds are procured. It flowers in May and jftine, and
the fruit is ripe in the autumn. It is called CbriJI's
thorn, becaufe they fuppofe his crown of thorns was
made of the branches of this tree. It may be pro*
pagated by laying down the tender branches in the
fpring, which will take root in a year's time ; the bell
feafon for tranfplanting them is in the autumq, foon
after the leaves begin to decay. The fiuit is faid to
be diuretic, and to help the moill aflhma, by pro-
moting expeftoration ; but it is not in ufe among us.

PANICUM GERMANICUiVl, Gertnan Panic, has
a rtrong fibrous root, that fends forth feveral branches
like ree<ls, which gcnsrally rife to the height of two
cubits ; they are round, folid, and have fometimes
about ten knots ; they grow lefs gradually to the top,'
where the flowers grow in clofe thick fpikes, that are
not divided likethofe of millet, but are compadl like
a bunch of grapes, though it is a plant of the millet
kind, and only differs from it in the difpofition of the
flowers and feeds. It is fown in the fields of Germajiyy
France, and Italy, in alight, fandy, nioift foil, where
it ferves as food for the inhabitants. The feeds are
opening, and abate the fliarpnefs of the humours ;
however they are not now regarded as a medicine.

PAPAVER CORNUTUM, Jeu CORNICULA-
TUM, Yellow homed Poppy, has a root as thick as
one's finger, which is long, blackifh," and full of a
yellow juice, as well as all the plant, and has a par-
ticular talte and fmell. It fends forth long, ficfhy,
thick, dov^ny leaves, cut deeply on- the fides, and
dentated on the edges ; the colour is of a fea green,
and they lie upon the ground, where they continue
-all winter. The flalk, which does not rife till the
fecond year, is flrong, folid, knotty, fmooth, and di-
vided into feveral branches, fending forth leaves from
the knots that are fmaller, and not fo jagged as thofe
below. The flowers grow on the top of the flalks
and branches, and are as large as thofe of garden
poppies, being each compofed of four yellow petals,
placed in the form of a rofe; in the middle of v/hic-h,

iliere

or VEGE^T AMBLES. 299

there are a great number of ftamina, of the fame co-
lour. They are Succeeded by fruit, or a fort of pods,
a fpsn in length,. or longer, and are very flender and
crooked like horns ; they are rough to the touch,
blunt at the ends, and contain a double row of feeds,
feparated by a partition, and as round as thofe of
common poppy, and very black. It grows wild on
the fea fliore, and in fandy maritime places. If it
be fown in gardens in the autumn, it will come up
in the fpring, and will flower in June and July,
and the pod will be ripe in Auguji. This plant is ac-
counted diuretic, and very good for thofe who make
thick urine ; and in Portugal they give an infufion of
half a handful of the leaves in a glafs of white wine
for the gravel and ftone j but it has not been brought
into ufe in England.

PAPAVER RHiEAS, The greater ivild Poppy, or
Comrofe, has a fmgle white root, as thick as one's little
finger, furnifhed with a few fibres, and has a bitter
tafte. It fends forth feveral ftalks, to the height of a
cubit, or upwards, which are round, folid, hairy, and
branched ; the leaves are jagged like thofe of fuccory
hairy, of a brownifh green, and dentated on the
edges. The flowers grow on the top of the ftalks and
branches, are compofed of four large, thin, deep, red
leaves, which are ready to fall off with each blaft of
wind ; thefe are fucceeded by fmall heads of the fize
of hazel nuts, that are oblong, fmooth, and much of
the fame (hape with thofe of the garden poppy.
They are divided into feveral cells, containing black-
ifli, or dark red feeds. This plant grows almoll every
where in the fields, efpecially among corn. It flowers
in May, June, and July, The flowers are made ufe
of in medicine, and are a little anodyne and nar-
cotic. They are good in acrimonious catarrhs,
roughnefles of the face, and in commotion of the
fluids. They may be drank as tea, and are of very
great fervice in all cafes where a gentle opiate is ufe-
ful ; there is a fyrup made wixh thefe flowers kept in
the ftiops, which will i^xwo. for the above purpofes.

PAPAVER

,co THE NATURAL HISTORY

PAPAVER HORTENSE NIGRO SEMINE,
*rhe (erer Garden Pc^py, has a root about the thicknefs
of one's little finger, full of a bitterirti milk, as well
as the whole plant. It fends forth an upright ftalk to
thelieight of two cubits, which is generally fmooth,
though fometimes a little hairy, and the leaves are ob-
long, broriJ, dentatcd, curled, and of a fea green
colour. The flowers grow on the top of the flalks
:.nd branches, and are large, in the fhape of a rofe, of
a reddifh colour, and fometimes fmgle, and fometimes
double; as alfo fometimes fringed on the edge, and
fometimes not. The calyx confifts of two leaves^
that generally fall off as foon as the flower is blown.
It is fucceeded by roundifh hfads of different fizes,.
crowned with a fort of cover, in the form of a ftar,
and contains in their cavities or membranous cells
feeds of a blackifli colour. There is a great variety
of thefe plants and different colours, that are fown la
gardens for the fake of their flowers ; but they are
not fo much ufed in medicine as the white poppy.
They m.ay be all propagated by the feeds fown in au-
tumn, and they will flower in May and June, and
fom.etimes during all the fummer.

The heads of the flalks of thefe plants contain a
milky juice, which may be collediled in a confiderable
c^uantity, by flightly wounding them when almofl ripe ;
this expofed for a few days to the air, thickens into a
clammy mafs of the fame quality as opium, but weak-
er. Poppy heads boiled in water communicate their
virtues to it very freely ; and when the liquor is flrong-
ly preffed out, clarified with the whites of eggs, and
evaporated to a due confiftencc, yields an extrad that
weighs, about one fixth of the weight of the heads.
Some count it more fafe than opium, but it mufl be
given in a double dofe.

PARIETARIA, Pellitory of the -.vail, has a fibrous
reddifli root, with fcveral flalks that rife to the height
of two feet, which are round, reddifli, britJe, and
branched. The leaves are oblong, like thefe of french
mercury, and they arc pointed, downy, of a brown-

ifli

OF VEGETABLES. 301.

iih green colour, iliining, rough, and are apt to hang
to the cloaths of pafTengers ; they have long pediclesj
and are placed alternately on the ftalks. The flower-
has no petals, but has generally four flamina, that
rife out of a flower cup, divided into four parts,
which is fometimes in the fiiape of a bell, and fome-
times like that of a funnel ; they furround a piftil
that generally turns to an oblong feed, contained in a
capfula that was in the cup of the flower. ' It grows
upon old walls and buildings in great plenty, and it
flowers in May. It is looked upon as aperient, tern-,
perating and refolvent, whether taken inwardly or.
applied outwardly. The dofe in infufion, is from
one handful to three, and of the juice from one,
ounce to three. It is accounted one of the live emol-
lient herbs, and is made ufe of occafionally for that-
intention, particularly in decodlions, fomentations and-,
clyflers.

PASTINACA, Parfnepy or the Garden Parfvcp^
has a long, thick, fitlliy root, of ayellowilh colour,,
in the middle of which, there is a. nerve that runs
throughout- its whole length. The flalk rifes to thq..
height of three or four {tti^ and is upright, firm, fur-
ix)wed, hollow, and branched. The leaves are large,
and compofed of other leaves, that are. villous, den-..
luted on the edges, and winged ; and they are placed
on a pretty large rib j they are of a brownifh green,
and placed by pairs along the rib, which is terminat-
ed by a fingle leaf. The flowers grow on the tops
of the flalks and branches, in large umbels, and each
flower has four yellow petals, placed in the form of
a rofe ; thefe are fucceeded by large, oval, flattifli,
flightly furrov/ed feeds bordered by a fmall mem-
branous leaf refembling thofe of angelica. The
root of this plant is of great ufe as food, for which it
is chiefly employed. It flowers in July and Augufi
the fecond year, after it has been fown. The taRe
of parfneps is v>'ell known, and they are more nou-
rifhing than carrots, though fome have a natural
averfioa to their ufe.

PASTINACA

302 THE NATURAL HISTORY

PASTINACA SYLVESTRIS, it/A/ Parfnep, has
a white Cngle root, that has fometimes large fibres,
and it has the fame taile and fmell as the garden
j^aifnep. The ftalk is two or three cubits high, and is
upright, ftifF, furrowed, hairy, hollow within, branch-
ed, and has leaves ahernately placed like the for-
mer ; but they are fmaller, are of a deeper green, and
are fometimes hairy, efpecially towards the root. The
flowers g.rovv in umbels, and are fmall, yellow, and
compofed of five petals each ; thefe are fucceeded by
double feeds, as in the former. It grows in uncul-
tivated places, in dry fields, and upon hills j and it
flowers in the fummer. Some make ufe of it as an
aliment, and pretend when the feeds are fown in the
garden, they will produce as good parfneps, as the
garden fort. Both the feeds and root have been com-
mended as a remedy againft agues ; but they often fail.
Some aiTure us, that the roots of parfneps that have
continued long in the ground, become dangerous food,
and that they caufe a ibrt of madnefs.

PELLIBOSSA, f've LYSIMACHIA lutea, Loofe
Jirife, has a rcddifh root, that creeps along the fur-
face of the ground, and fends forth feveral ftalks,
two or three feet high, that are llrait, farrow-
ed, hairy and knotty, and from every knot there
proceed three or four, and fometimes five oblong
acute blackifli green leaves, like thofe of the wil-
low tree, that are whitifli and downy underne.ith.
The flowers grow on the tops of the branches, and
are rofaceous, and confifl of a fingle petal, divided
into five fegments ; the piftil turns to a fruit, or glo-
bouG head, which -when ripe, opens at the point into
feveral parts, and contains fmall feeds, that have a
tnfte like Coriander feeds. It is one of the moft
beautiful plants that grows in the fields, and delights
in moift marrtiy places, near the' fides of brooks and
ditches, and fiowers in Jun^ and July. It is faid to be
aflringent and vulnerary, and fome give the decodion
cf it or it:> powder againft hemorrhages ; outwardly it

13

OF VEGETABLES. 303

is good when applied as a cataplafm, to cleanfe and
heal wounds.

PERFOLIATA, ^horonjo nxsax^ has a root as thick
as one's little finger, which is fingle, woody, white,
and has a few fibres ; the ftalk is fingle, and rifes to
the height of a foot or a foot and half, and is (lender,
firm, round, farrowed, hollow, knotted, and branch-
ed ; the leaves are fingle, oval, or almoft round, alter-
nately placed, and pierced as it were through the mid-
dle by the ftalk or branches. They are of a fca
green colour, with an acrid taf^e. The flowers are
fmall, grow on the top of the branches in yellow
umbels, and are compofed of about five petals, cir-
cularly placed ; they are fucceeded by feeds that are
united by pairs which are oblong, roundilli on the
back, furrowed and black. It grows among corn,
flowers in June, July and Auguji, and is given in-
v/ardly in contufions attended with an inward bleed-
ing ; fome reckon it an efficacious medicine, when ap-
plied outwardly for navel ruptures.

PERIPOLCA, Virginian ftik, or climbing dogs bane,

of Montpellier, has a root almoft as thick as one's

f nger, that is long, white, fibrous and creeping ; as

alfo full of a milky juice, as well as the reft of the

plant. The ftalks rife to the height of two cubits,

and are (lender, round, branched, pliant, and creep

upon any tree that ftands near it. The leaves ftand

oppofite to each other, and are large, thick, whitifh,

pointed, and cut in the form of a crofs, near the

pedicle, and are full of a milky juice. The flowers

proceed from the places where the leaves join to the

ftalk, and confift of a fingle petal that is white, and

cut into five fegments in the form of a ftar. The

piftil is fucceded with a fruit, fo Hke that of dog's

bane as not to be diftinguifhed from it ; and when it

is opened, itdifcovers a downy fubftance, under which

the feeds lie. It grows wild about Montpellier, but

with us it is propagated in gardens, by laying down the

branches at the fpring of the year ; it flowers in Juie^

July and Augujl -^ and \\it milky juice being infpifTated

over

304 THE NATURAL HISTORY
over the fire, becomes blackifh, and greatly refem-
bles fcamony, but is not fo purging ; and therefore
requires a large dofe to procure that effe(^.

PERSICARIA MITIS, ^ead or /potted Arfe Smart,
has a fiender, oblique, woody, fibrous root, difficult to
break, and fends forth flalks to the height of a foot,
that are round, hollow, reddifh, branched and knot-
ted. The leaves are like thofe of the peach-tree, and
fometimes marked with blackifh fpots. The flowers
grow in fpikes and confift of fingle petals, cut into
hvc fegments, and are without a calyx ; but there are
f:ve fiamina that are purple and fnining, though fome-
times whitifli ; they are fucceeded by oval, flattifh,
pointed, fmooth, blackifh feeds. It has not fo acrid
a.tafte as the following, and it is a little tart. It grows
in watery, marlhy places, and in moid ditches, almoll .
every where ; it flowers in July and Auguji.. It is
looked upon as aftringent, deterfive, and vulnerary,,
and its decodion is faid to be good in fluxes of the.
belly, and for ulcers of the inteftines. Toumefort af-
ftrms, that it is the greatefl vulnerary that he knows,
and that its decodion in wine will flop a gangreen in a.
furprifing manner.

PERSICARIA URENS, biting Arfe Smart, has a.
fmall, fingle, woody, white, fibrous root, that fends,
forth feveral llalks to the height of a foot and a half,
which are firm, round, fmooth, knotty, branched,
and foraetimes rcddilh, and fometimes of a greenifh
yellow. The leaves proceed from th& knots of the
fialk, which they embrace by their membranous ap-
pendages, and are of a pale green, and like thofe
of the peach -tree. The flowers grow in long fpikes
on the top of the ftalk and branches, and confift of a
fingle petal, cut into five fegments ; there is no calyx,
but there are five flamina generally of a purple colour ;
they are fucceeded by pretty large feeds, fomewhat
triangular, fliining and blackifh. It has an acrid
biting tafte, like pepper, and grows in watery marftiy
places on the fides of brooks and ditches; it flowers
in July2indi AugnJl. It. is faid to be cleanfing and vul-
nerary, .

OF VEGETABLES. 305

nerary, and to be good in the dropfy, jaundice, and
obllrudions in the vifcera. Its diftilled water given
to two or three ounces, is by fome accounted a ipecific
cgainft the gravel. All authors agree, that the herb
applied to old ulcers eats away proud flefh, cleanfes
and dries them applied as a cataplafm to the bruifes of
horfes, it refolves the coagulated blood ; if the wounds
and ulcers are walhed with the juice, the flies will
never come near them.

PERVlNCA,/t;^ CLEMATIS DAPHNOIDES,
Peri^vinckley has a fibrous root, with flender, Icng,
round, green, knotty, creeping, climbing lialks ; the
leaves are oblong, grei?n, i'mooth, and placed by pairs,,
oppofite to each other, and are of a bitter Ilyptic tafte.
The flower cup confills of a fmgle leaf, divided into.
£ve long, narrow fegments j and the flower of a fingle
petal cut into five fegments, that expand into the
form of a falvcr. The piftil is fixed in the loweil
part of the flower, like a nail, and turns to a fruit
compofed of two hufks or pods, which contain ob-
long, cylindrical, furrowed feeds. Some call it
ground laurel, becaufe its leaves refemble thofe of
that tree. This plant is an ever-green,, and is pro-
pagated by the branches that take root in the earth,
and it flowers in the fpring, and continues to do the
fcme for a long while. Ic is accounted vulnerary,
and is found almofi every where, in hedges and among
Ihfubs.

PERVINCALATIFOLIA, FLORE C.^RULEO,
greater Ferinxinckle^ with a blue flov/er, has a f.brous
creeping root, with feveral thick, round, knotty,.
green, creeping branches. The leaves are placed by
pairs, facing each other, along the flalks, and are of
a fhining green, with a bitter acrimonious difagreeable
tafle. The flowers are like the former, generally blue,,
though fomctimes white and without fmell. It differs
from the former only in being larger in all its parts. It
is faidto be vulnerary, aflringent, and febrifuge, and is
given to abate all kinds of bleedings. The frefh leaves
applied to the fwellings of the kmg's evil mixed with

lint,

3o6 THE NATURAL HISTOI^Y

lint, are accounted by feme an excellent remedy to
diiiblve and difcufs them.

PETASITES, butter hur, has a thick, long root,
brown without, and white within ; the fialks are
thick, hollow, and hairy, and rife to the height of half
a foot ; the leaves are fmall, narrow, and pointed ; and
the flowers grow at the end of the flalks in tufis, and
confift of many floretts, divided into feveral parts ;
they are contained in a cylindrical calyx, cloven almoll
down to the bottom, into many fegments. There is
a fingle embryo that becomes a feed, furnifhed with
down. The flowers appear before the leaves, which
are very broad, and have a hollow in the middle, and
round that a hollow expannon in fuch a manner, that
they refemble bonnets. Jt grows in moill places on
the fides of rivers, brooks, lakes, and ponds ; and it
flowers early in the fpring. In fomiC places the leaves-
grow to the height of a man, and continue all the
winter. Some authors have confounded this plant
with the great burdock, becaufe the leaves have fome
refemblance to each other. The root which is the part
made ufe of is aperient, refolvent, hyileric, and vul-
nerary ; it brings up phlegm in afthmas and obftinate,
coughs. It is greatly recommended by fome, for
promoting the menfcs and urine, if the decodion of
an ounce be made in a pint of water and boiled
away to one half, and a glafs of it given in a morn-
ing failing.

PETROSOIINUM, Pa-fley, has a fingle root as-
thick as one's finger, and often much thicker, that is.
furnifhed with a few fibres ; it is whitifh, long, ?.nd
good to eat. The ftalks fometimics grow to the
height of three or four feet, and are round, furrowed,
knotted, and branched. The leaves are compofed of
others that are cut into jags, are green and have long
pedicles. The flowers grow on the top in umbels,
and are compofed of five pale petals, difpofed in the
form of a rofe ; thefe are fucceeded by feeds that are
joined by pairs, and are flender, furrowed, grey, and
roundifh at the; back. It is cultivated in gardens, and

\Till

OP VEGETABLES. 3<57

will endure all forti of weather. It delights in a
moill ground, for which reafon it fhould be often wa-
tered. It fends forth a ftalk the fecond year after it
is Town, and flowers in June and "July^ and the feed is
ripe in Auguji. It is aperient, and is faid to open ob .
ftru6lions ; but its chief ufe is only as a kitchen herb.
The feed is one of the four hot feeds, and is attenu-
ating and diuretic, and is faid to be good in the
gravel and dropfy.

PETROSELINUM MACEDONICUM, Macedo-
nianParJIcy, has a long, thick, white, wrinkled, woody
root, which fends forth a ftalk to the height of a foot
and a half, that is thick, haifv, and branched. The
leaves refemble thofe of garden parfley ; but are more
large, a little more cut, and dentated. The flowers
grow on the top of the branches in' umbels, and are
whitifli, and compofed of five petals in the form of
a rofe. They are fucceeded by ilender, hairy, ob-
long, aromatic feeds, of an acrid tafte. It grow*
wild in Macedonia, and was greatly valued by the an-
cients ; but is here cultivated in gardens. The feed
only is in ufe, and has the fame virtues as that of com-
mon parfley, butllronger, and is an ingredient of Ve-
nice treacle.

PEUCEDANUM, Hog's fennel y has a long, thick,
hairy root, blackifli without, and whitifli within ; it
is full of juice, and when it is wounded, it pour^
forth a yellow liquor, that has the fmell of pitch ;
but much more difagreeable. The ftalk is two feet
high, and is hollow, furrowed and branched. The
leaves are like thofe of fennel, but larger, and divid-
ed into three jags, and are winged, narrow and grafly.
The flowers grow at the top of the branches in um-
bels, which are fmall, yellow, and conflft of five
leaves difpofed in the form of a rofe. The piflil turns
to a fruiY, compofed of two feeds that are almofl: oval,
radiated on the back, and bordered with a membra-
nous leaf on the edges. It grows in marfliy, fhady
places, in many parts of England, and flowers in
July and Auguj}, and the feed is ripe in autumn.

All

jo8 THE NATURAL HISTORr

All authors agree, that it is aperient, peftoral andr
uterine ; but the only part in ufe is the root, whofe
juice muft be thickened over the fire, or in the fun.
The dofe is a dram in an ounce of virgin's honey ;
but is now of little or no ufe in phyfic, on account of
its bad fmell.

PHASEOLUS, t/:je Kidney lean plant y has a flender,
fibrous root, and fends forth a long, round, branch-
ed, climbing flalk. The leaves come out by threes^
in the manner of trefoil, and are large, pointed at
the end, flefhy, fmooth, and almofl like thofeof ivy,
with long, green pedicles. The flowers are papilio-
naceous, and a piftil rifes out of the flower cup, which-
turns to a long pod full of feeds, generally fliaped like-
a kidney. The ufe of kidney beans is well known,
and therefore, need not be mentioned here. They are
Opening, emolHent, refolvent, and promote urine,' and
they generally agree with mod conftitutions. The
meal of the feed is fometimes mixed in emollient ca-
taplafms.

PHILLYREA, Mock Prh'ef, has a thick flrong
root that runs deep into the ground, and the flems rife
to eight or ten feet high ; and are covered with a white
or alh coloured bark, a little wrinkled. It is an ever
green fhrub, with leaves like thofe of the privet, and a
flower that confifts of a fingle petal in the fliape of
a bell, cut into four parts at the top ; the colour is a
whitifti green or herbaceous. The piftil- that rifes from
the center of the calyx afterwards turns to a fpherical
fruit or berry, that is black when ripe, and contains one
feed. They have been formerly in great requefl, for
hedges and to cover walls; but they are moft proper for
wildernefles. Ic flowers in May and Juney and the fruit is
ripe in Septemlsr. It is of little or no ufe in medicine.

PHYTOLLACA, American night /had e, has a root
a foot long, that fometimes grows to the thicknefs
of a man's thigh, which is white, and perennial.
The ftalk rifes to the height of five or fix feet, and is
thick, round, ftrong, reddifli, and divided into feveral
branches. I'he leaver are placed irregularly, and are

large.

'OF VEGETABLES. 309

iarge, venous, fofc, and of a pale green, though fome-
^■times reddiih ; the ihape is like thole of common night
Ihade. The flowers grow in bunches, each of which
confifts of feveral petals, placed in a circular order,
which are of a pale red colour. The piftil rifes from
■the center, becomes a foft fruit or berry, that is roun-
difh, full of juice, and is like a button flatted above
and below ; when it is ripe it is of a browni(h red co-
lour, and contains feveral round black feeds, placed
orbicularly. It is very common in our northern Ame-
rican plantations, and is cultivated in England, for
.beauty of its flowers. It may be propagated by
fowing the feeds in the fpring, upon a bed of light
-rich earth, and when the plants are come up, they
'ihould be moved into the borders of large gardens,
allowing them room enough to grow, for they will
become very large. The planters take a fpoonful or
two of the juice of the root as a purge ; and that
very frequently. The berries are full of a purple
juice, which gives a fine tindure to paper, but it will
not laft long.

PILOSELI,A, common Moufe Ear, has a fhort, flen-
der root, furniflied with fibres, that fends out flender,
hairy llalks, which creep upon the ground, where they
take root again. The leaves are oblong and roundilh
at the end, like the ears of a moufe, from whence i-t
has its name, and they are covered with hair; they
are green above, and downy below, and hav^e an
aftringent tafte. The flowers are only a fingle florette,
of a yellow colour, with a fcaly fingle calyx, which is
fucceeded by flender, black, downy feeds, in the
fliape of a wedge. It grows in dry barren land, and
on the fides of highways. It flowers in May, June,
and July. It is very bitter and accounted aftringent,
-vulnerary, and deter five. The extraft given to two
drams is faid to be very ufeful in internal ulcers ;
likewife eight ounces of the infufion of this plant in
white wine, is boafted of as an infallible remedy againft
the ague, given an hour before the fit.

PIM-

5^0 THE NATURAL FIISTORY

PIMPINELLA, Burttet, or Pimpernel ParJItj, has a
round, {lender root, divided into feveral reddifh branches,
among which are fometimes found certain red grains,
which they call vvild^ochineal, and which are ul'eful in
■dying. The flalks are red, angular and branched ; the
leaves are oblong or roundifh, dentated on the edges,
and are placed by pairs on the ribs. The flowers grow
on the ends of the ftalks, in round heads, and confift
of a fmgle petal, divided into four parts, in the form
of a roie, and of a purple colour ; in the middle
-there is a tuft of long ftamina, the flowers are of two
^orts, the one barren, that are furniihed with flamina,
-and the other fruitful, that have a piftil. This is fuc-
ceeded by a quadrangular fruit generally pointed at
both ends, and they are of an afh colour when i ipe,
containing oblong, llender, reddifh brown feeds, with
an aftringent and fomewhat bitter taile. It grows wild
in many parts of England, particularly on dry chalky
-land, and on hills and mountains. It is faid to be de-
tergent, vulnerary, and diuretic, and fome pretend it
Hops hemorrhages, as well internal as external, either
given in decoftion or powder. Boyle recommends it
taken with fugar of rofes, againft bleeding at the
nofe, fpitting of blood, and a confumption of the
lungs. The dofe in infufion or decodion, is from
half a handful to two handfuls, and of the juice, from
an oynce to three ounces, or by fpconfuls.

PINGUICULA, Butter ixsort, has a fibrous root,
that fends forth fix or feven leaves, and fometimes more,
lying upon the ground, which are of a yellowifh green
colour, and are fomewhat chick and ihining, as if butter
had been rubbed over them ; they are two inches long,
about one broad, fomewhat blunt at the extremities,
and even on the edges. In the middle a pedicle arifes
as high as one's hand, at the top of which is a purple
violet, or white flower, like that of a violet i but it
confifts of a fmgle petal, divided into two lips, and
fub-divided into feveral parts ; but at the bottom it
terminates in a fpur. It is fucceeded by a fruit or
iliell, whofe lower part is endofed in the calyx, which

when

OF VEGETABLES. 311

when open difcovers a button, containing feveral fmall
almoft round ieeds. It grows in meadows, and other
moift and marlhy places, and it flowers in the fpring.
It is vulnerary, and heals green wounds very foon ;
and the juice makes an excellent liniment for chaps
of the nipples.

PIPER 'INDICUM, finje CAPSICUM, Guimy Pep^
pcKj has a fhort, flender root, furniOied on each fide
with a great number o^ fibres, which fends forth a
ftalk to the height of a foot and a half, and upwards,
efpecially in hoc countries ; this is angular, hard, hairy,
and branched ; the leaves are long, pointed, and broa-
der than thofe of arfemart ; they are fomewhat thick
and flefliy, of a greenifn brown, and without hair-.
The flowers which grow under the joints oi the
leaves, where they adhere to the branches, are roface-
ous, and of a whitiih colour, very much refembling
thofe of common nightlhade; but larger, and fup-
ported by a pretty long, flefhy, red pedicle. They
are fucceeded by a long capfula, that is as thick as
one's thumb, rtrait, and formed of a flefhy, fhining,
polifhed fkin, which is green at firft, afterwards yel-
low, and then red ; it is divided into two or three cells,
that contain many flattifli feeds of a whitiih colour,
inclining to yellow, and generally of thefiiapeof kid-
neys. It grows naturally in the Indies^ and particularly
in Guiney and Bra/il. It is readily propagated by feeds
in hot countries, and there are feveral forts of it ; as
the capficum with long hanging pods ; that with long
pods which turn up at the end ; the broad leaved
capficum, with long flreaked pods, commonly called,
bonnet pepper ; African capficum, with rough hang-
ing pods ; African capficum, with pyramidal rough
pods, generally growing eredl ; capficum with long
hanging pods that are not hot ; capficum with red
pods, in the fliape of hearts, generally hanging down-
wards J capficum with pyramidal, thick, red pods, ge-
nerally growing upright; upright olive fhaped capfi-
cum i capficum with fmall, red pods, growmg up-
right, called Barbary pepper ; capficum with fmall,
round, very hot pods, named bird pepper ; American

capficum,

315 THE NATURAL HISTORY
capficum, with round fhaped fruit, broad leaves ;
American capficum, with oblong white pods, growing
ere£l, and capficum with large, rough, red pods, ge-
nerally hanging downwards, Tliere are two or three
other forts, but thefe are the principal, and they are
fown in many curious gardens, in hot beds. They
are pretty hardy, and niay bj planted abroad about
the middle of June. The inhabitcints of the JVeJI-
Indies make a great ufe of the bird pepper, which
they dry, reduce to a powder, and mix with other in-
gredients. They fend lome of the pots to England, un-
der the name of Cayan butter, and this is in great
efteem by fome. They likewife eat the fruits of fome
of thefe kind raw, but they will burn the throats of
thofe that are not uftd to them. The iaft makes one
of the f neft and wholefomeft pickles in the world, if
they are gathered before the fkins grow tough. It is
at preferit of no ufe in phyfic.

PISUM, the Pea Plant., has a flender, fibrous root,
that fends forth long, hollow, brittle ftalks, of a fea
green colour, that would lie upon the ground if they
were not fupported by props. The leaves are oblong,
of the fame colour as the llalks, and fome are fo placed
that the ftalks feem to run through them, while others
grow by pairs on the ribs, that are terminated by ten-
drils or clafpers, which lay hold of every thing they
meet with ; two or three flowers proceed together from
the places where the leaves join to the flalks, and are
papilionaceous and white. The pillil is fucceeded by
a long pod, full of roundlfh feeds, which are very well
known. There are feveral forts of peas, as the great
garden pea, with white flowers and fruit ; the hotfpur
pea i the dwarf pea, the French dwarf pea ; the pea
with an efculent hufK, the fickle pea, the common
white pea, the green rouncival pea, the grey pea,
the maiblerouncival pea, the rofe pea, or brown pea,
theS'/awz/^morotto pea, the mai'rowfat pea, the union
pea, \}[iz Engli/f) fca pea, and the pig pea. The Eng-
lijh fca pea is found wild on the fhorcs of Sufftx, and
feveral other counties in England; and in limes of fcar-

CJt/

OF VEGETABLES. 31J

city they have been a very great help to poor people.
The propagating; of peas is fo well knowh, that the
manner of it needs riot to be taken notice of here.
The ufe of peas is alfo very well known, they being
common food in all parts of England ; but they are
windy, and do not very well agree with weak fto-
niachs. Green peas are very good eaten raw, for thofe
thnt have the fea-fcurvy.

PLANTAGO MAJOR, great Plantain, has a (hort
root, as thick as one's finger, and is furniflied with
whitifh fibres on the fides ; it fends forth large Ihining
leaves, feldom dentated on the edges, and they have
each eight nerves, that run throughout their whole
length. The ftalk arifes from the middle of the leaves
to about a foot in height, which are round, hard to
break, and fometimes reddifh, as well as a little hairy.
There grows on the top an oblong point, with fmall
whitifh flowers, each of thefe is a pipe, clofe (hut at
the bottom, open at the top, and cut into four parts,
in which are feveral flamina. It is facceeded by a
fruit, with a thick, oval, pointed (hell, that opens'
Crofsways, and contains feveral fmall, oval, reddifh
feeds. This plant is very common, and grows almoft
-every where. It flowers in May and June, and the fruit
is ripe in Augujl.

There is another fort of plantain, that has a thick
root, which feems to be bit off at the end ; the leaves
are narrower than thofe of the former, and contain
only five nerves; there is likewife a third that contains
but three, and this is called the leffer plantain. They
all have the fame medicinal ufcs, and the leaves are
bitter and aftringent. It is accounted refolvent and
febrifuge ; for the juice being given from two to four
ounces, m the beginning of intermitting fevers, often
cures them. A ptifan made with the leaves of plan-
tain, is good in the bloody-flux, fpitting of blood,
and all other haemorrhages whatever. A dram of the
feeds, powdered, and boiled in milk, is a common
remedy of many country people, for curing fluxes

Vol. VI. P of

3r4 THE NATURAL HISTORY

of the belly. The decodion is an excellent gargle in
ulcers of the mouth ; and with lime-water it cures
ulcers of the legs. Made into an ointment with frefh
butter, it is faid to cure the piles.

POLIUM MONTANUM, Foley Mountain, has a
woody root, that fends forth feveral {lender, hard,
woody ftalks, to the height of fix inches, which are
very downy ; fome of thefe lye upon the earth, and
fome are upright. The leaves are fmall, oblong,
thick, dentated on the edges, and covered both above
and below with a whitifh down. The flowers are in
the fhape of a mouth, like thofe of Germander, and
they are gathered into a head, and are of a colour as
yellow as gold. They reach of the Hiape of a tube,
open above, and have a lip cut into five fegments ;
the upper lip is fo ihort it is not vifible, and in the
Ihape of it there are feveral ftamina ; they are fuc-
ceeded by fmall, and almoft round feeds, contained in
a capfula, that was the cup of the flower. It grows
in hot countries, upon mountains, and dry and Ilony
hills.

There is another Poky Mountain , with white flowers,
whofe leaves are lefs, and not fo downy as the former ;
but the flowers are much of the fame fliape. This
plant grows not only on mountains, but on dry fandy
plains by the way fide, in hot countries. They are
ibmetimes cultivated in gardens, from whence the
fliops are fupplied. It is accounted cephalic, and
anti-epileptic, and it is fometimes brought in fmall
bundles. Thofe are beft that are full of flowers of a
fine yellow colour, and lately dried betv^een two
papers. It is an ingredient in Venice treacle, and
iTiithridate, and is good againfl: the jaundice and dropfy..
It may be ufcd in the manner of tea.

POLYGILA VULGARIS,/!///-^ -u^^r/, has awoody.l
hard, flender, parennial root, of a whitiih or purple
colour, v.'ith a pretty hard, fltnder, upright ftalk, and
another that creeps on the ground. The leaves aie
fmall, and like grafs, fome of which arc fliarp, and
o'thers oblong and roundilh. The flowers are fmall,

and

OF VEGETABLES. 315

and grow from the middle of the ftalk to the top ;
they are either of a blue, violet, purple, or red colour,
but they are feldom white. They each confift of a
tube, Ihut at the bottom, and open at the top, where
they are cut into two lips ; the uppermoil of which is
furrowed, and the lower fringed. They are fucceeded
by a fruit, or flat purfe, divided into oblong ibelis ;
it is wrapped up in the calyx of the flower, compofed
of five leaves, three of which are fmall, and two great.
It grows in untilled places, and flowers in May, June,
and July. Some have fuppofed it makes the cattle
give a great deal of milk, from whence it has its
name, and fome pretend it is an excellent pedoral,
and good in all dileafes of the breafl ; but this virtue
is not fufficiently warranted.

POLYGONATUM, Solomons feal/ has a long root,
as thick as one's finger, and full of large knots or
tubercles, of a whitilh colour, and furnifhed with
many fibres, The ftalks rife to the height of a foot
and a half, and are round, fmooth, and without
branches. The leaves are placed alternately, and are
large, oblong, full of nerves, and of a brownifh,
fhining green above, but of a fea-green or blueiih
colour below. The flowers grow in the places where
the leaves join to the ftalks, fometimes fingle, and
fomecimes by two's and three's ; they are in the (hape
of a bell, cut at the top into fix fcgments, but they
have no calyx ; the colour is white, except the edges,
which are greenifli. The embryo which is feated on
the center of the flower, becomes a berry, like thofe
of ivy ; they are a little foft, green, or purple, or
blackifh ; they generally contain three large feeds, like
thofe of vetches. It is very common in all parts of
England, and grows in ftiady places by the fides of
hedges, and in woods and forefls. There are feveral
forts of this plant, which may eafily be propagated,
by parting the roots in the fpring, before they begin
to fhoot ; they fiiould be planted in frefh, light earth,
that is not very rich, where they will thrive exceeding
well. It flowers in May and June, and the berries
^ z arc

3i6 THE NATURAL HISTORY
are ripe in Augufi ; but the root is chiefly ufed in me-
dicine. All authors look upon this plant as aftringent
and vulnerary, and it has been often ufed for the cure
of ruptures ; but it is now entirely negleded among
us.

POLYGONUM, knot Grafsy has a long, thick,
fingle, hard, woody, crooked root, which is difficult
to get out of the ground j and it fends forth feveral
ftalks, the length of a foot, or a foot and a half,
which are flendcr, round, folid, tough, and fometimei
creep on the ground. They are full of knots, pretty near
each other ; and the leaves are oblong, narrow, pointed,
of a fea-green colour, and have very fhort pedicles.
The flowers that proceed from the places \\ here the
leaves join to the llalks, confift of a fingle petal, di-
vided into five parts, and eight (lamina, with yellow-
ifti apices, but there is no calyx. It is fucceeded by
a pretty large triangular and chefnut- coloured feed.
It grows almoft every where in uncultivated places,
and by the way fides. It flowers in fummer, and is
always green, except in the winter. It is aftringent,
vulnerary, and fome account it excellent to flop in-
ternal bleedings ; but it is not now ufed in England
for any fuch purpofes.

POLYPODIUM, Polypdy, or Oak-Fern, has a root
fix inches in length, and almoft as thick as a man's
little finger, that creeps along the furface of the
ground; it is full of tubercles or warts, and is eafily
broken. It fends forth leaves, which are like tho(c
of male fern, but much lefs, and they are deeply cut
almoft to the rib, into long narrow fegments, which
are covered on the back with a fort of reddiih powder.
This examined through a microfcope, appears to be
fpherical, membranous (hells, which open, and let
fall fmall yellow feeds, in the form of a kidney. It
is a capillary plant, and conlequcjjtiy bears no flowers^
it grows in forefts, valleys, and among ftoncs covered
with mofs, as well as on the trunks of old trees. The
root only is ufed in medicine, and that is accounted
beft that is found upon oaks. It is green all the year,

and

OF VEGETABLES. 317

and in April it fends forth freih leaves. The ancients
accounted this root to be purgative; but it does not
fo much loofen the belly, or at leaft very weakly*
Some affirm, that it opens obftrudions of the vifcera ;
but the beft authors are not agreed in its virtues, though
it has been much ufed in medicine.

POPULUS NIGRA, the black Poplar tree, has a
root that fpreads very deep in the earth, and it is a
tall tree, with leaves that are almoft roundifh, and
cut on the edges. They are of a blackifh colour, and
always tremble, though there is no wind. Ic bears
no flowers or fruit, except catkins, which confiil of
many pointed fmall leaves. The fruit grows on thofe
trees that bear no catkins, and they confift of feveral
fmall leaves, under which lies a bell, containing the
embryo ; this turns to a membranaceous fpiked pod,
that opens two ways, and is full of downy feeds. In
the beginning of the fpring it produces many buds,
about the fize of capers, which are oblong, pointed,
and of a greenifh yellow colour, and full o[ a clammy
juice, which flicks to the fingers of thofe that touch
them. It grows in moill watery places, on the fides
of brooks and rivers, and the buds appear in Jpril,
and the catkins in May or June. The buds are only
made ufe of in medicine, and a tinOure may be ex^
traded from it with fpirits of wine, which according
to Tournefort, is excellent to flop inveterate fluxes of
the belly, and to heal internal ulcers. The dofe is a
dram morning and evening, in a fpoonful of hot
broth. They are alfo employed in making the un-
guentum populeum.

POPULUS ALBA, the nvhite Poplar tree^ has a root
that fpreads on the furface of the earth, and the trunk
is high, and full of branches, with a fmooth, whitifh
bark. The wood is white, but not fo hard as that
of the black poplar, and it is more eafily cloVen. The
leaves are broad, and deeply cut on the edges, they
being not very unlike thofe of the vine, or the large
maple, but they are more fmall, green, fmooth, and
witliout hair above, but underneath they are white
P 3 and.

3i8 THE NATURAL HISTORY

and downy, and have long pedicles. The catkins
and fruit grow on different trees, and are like thofe
of the former. It delights in moift places, and it
grows to a confiderable height in a little time. It
may be eafily propagated by the fhoots that grow on
the foot of the tree, and may be planted in meadows,
but not in the places where the fpreading roots will
damage the grafs. It grows almort every where, and
the wood is of greater ufe than that of the black. In.
France they make wooden fhoes with it, and it ferves
every where for the heels of women's llioes. No part
of it is now ufed in medicine.

PORRUM COMMUNE CAPITATUM, the common
lesky has an oblong, almoft cylindrical, fmooth, fhining,
white, bulbous root, confining of feveral white coats,
joined one to another, and furniflied below with fe-
veral fibres. The leaves proceed from the coats of
the root, to the height of a foot, and are pretty
broad, and placed alternately j they are flat or folded
in the form of a gutter, and are of a pale greenifh co-
lour. Between thefe leaves there rifes a ftalk to a
confiderable height, and in fome countries it is five
feet high, and as thick as a man's finger. It is firm,
folid, full of juice, and has at the top a bunch of
flowers, each of which confifts of fix petals, com-
pofed in the Ihape of a bell, with as many large cy-
lindrical ftamina, terminating in three capillaments,
of which the middlemoft is furnifhed with a chive.
The pifiil is feated in the center of the flower, which
becomes a roundifti fruit, divided into three cells,
containing roundifli feeds. It has fomewhat of the
fmell of an onion, and is a common kitchen plant,
ufed almoft every where. It flowers in July, and its
feed is ripe in Auguji, It is fomewhat hard of di-
geftion, and is a little windy ; but thefe inconveniencies
may be avoided by boiling them well. They are
diuretic, and a dram of the feeds in particular, may
be given in a glafs of white wine for that purpofe.
It is cultivated by fowing the feeds in the fpring,
along with thofe of onions ; and when thefe lad are

drawn

OF VEGET A BLES. 319

drawn up in Jtdyy the leeks will have time to grow
large afterwards.

PORTULACA, Purjlane, has generally a fingPe
root, with a few fibres, which becomes woody in
length of time; the ftalks grow to the height of a
foot, and are thick, roundifh, reddifli, tender, full of
juice, fmooth, and divided into feveral branches ;
the leaves, which are ranged alternately, are almoft
round, thick, flefhy, fhining, of a yellowifli colour,
and a clammy tafte. The flowers grow at the places
where their leaves join to the ftalks, and are of a
yellow or pale colour. They are each compofed of
five leaves, which expand in the form of a rofe.
The calyx confifts of a fmgle leaf, fomewhat like a
mitre, from which rifes a piftil, which together with
the flower-cup turns to a fruit, or oblong capfula,
that is hke a fmall urn, and of an herbaceous colour.
Thefe caj^^as open tranlVerfely into two parts, and
contain ^^M fmall black feeds. It is propagated
almoft ev^iPwhere in gardens, by feeds, which mult
be fown in beds of light rich earth, during any of
the fummer months, and it will be fit for ufe fix
months after fowing.

PORTULACA ANGUSTIFOLIA, fin;e SYL-
VESTRIS, narrrrvj lea^ved, or ^ujild Purjlaney has a
fingle, fmall, fibrous root, with feveral reddifli ftalks,
divided into branches, that lye on the ground.^ The
leaves are pretty broad, thick, juicy, and of a blackifh
green colour ; in (hort, it is like garden purflane, but
}efs. It is not a native of Evgland, but grows plen-
tifully in many warm countries. They are both cool-
ing, abate the acrimony of the humours, and are
excellent in the fcurvy. As a fallad they are only
proper for young perfons, and thofe of a hot, bilious
conftitution. The leaves of purflane being chewed,
abates the pains of the teeth, that arife from having
been fet on edge by eating green fruit.

PRIMULA YERIS, Primrofe, has a thick, fcaly,

reddifli, fibrous root, that fends forth large, rough-,

wrinkled leaves in the fpring of the year, which \yQ

P 4 on

320 THE NATURAL HISTORY

on the ground, and are covered with To (hort a down,
which can hardly be perceived. From among ihefe leaves,
there arife feveral llalkr, to the height of a palm,
that are round, a little hairy, naked, fiiui, and fuftain
the bunches of flowers at the top ; they confifi: of a
jingle petal, the lower part of which is tubulous, but
the upper part expands in the form of a falver, and is
cut into feveral fegments. The pillil aiifes from the
flower-cup, which is fiftulous, snd when the flower
is decayed, turps to an oblong fruit or hufk, lying
almoft concealed in the fiower-cup; it opens on the
top, and difcovers many roundilli feeds, faftened to
the placenta. It grows ahnoft every where in the
fields, Hi fhady places, from whence they may be
tranfplanted into the garden, and placed under hedges.
The beft time for this, is about Michaei^rMs, and then
the roots will produce flowers early in the fpring. It
has always been obferved, that this plant has fome-
what of a foporiferous quality. Ray afnrms, the juicp
of the leaves and flowers being mixed with an equal
quantity of milk, has cured an inveterate head-ach,
when every thing elfe failed ; ^ndUu/fe informs us, that
a decodion of the roots is very good for a fwimming
of the head. Bartholine acquaints us he has cured a
perfon that has had the palfy on the left fide, by-
making ufe of a fomentation of fpirit of wine, in
which primrofes had been boiled.

PRUNUS, the Plumb tree, has a flower that confifts
of five petals, placed in a circular ordtr, and expanded
in the form of a rofe. The pillil arifes from the flower-
cup, which afterwards becomes an oval, globular fruit,
with a foft flefliy pulp, furrounding an hard oblong
flone, generally pointed. The pedicles or foot flalks,
are long and flender, and there is only a Angle plumb
on each. There are feveral forts of plumb trees, a?
the Jtan hauti've, or white Primordian, which bears a
fmall, longifli, white plumb, of a clear yellow colour,
covered over with a white flue, that eafly wipes off. The
juice is fweet, and it ripens in the middle of July,

The

OF VEGETABLES. 321

The early black Damajk, commonly called the Morocco
Plumby is pretty large, of a round ihape, and furrowed
in the middle like a peach ; the outfide is of a dark
black colour, covered with a light violet bloom ; the
flefh is yellow, and it parts readily from the ftone. It
ripens towards the end of July, and is in good efteem.

The little black damajk PLUMB, is a fmall black
plumb, with a violet bloom, and the juice has a rich
Iweetifh tafte ; the flefh parts readily from the ftone, and
it is a good bearer, and is ripe towards the latter end of

The great damajk 'Violet PLUMB of Tours ^ is a pretty
large plumb, inclining to an oval fhape, and the out-
fide is of a dark blue, covered with a violet bloom ;
the juice is rich and fweet, the fleih yellow, and parts
ready from the ftone ; it ripens towards the latter end.
of July.

The Orleans PLUMB, is of a reddifh black colour-,
and is a fruit fo well known to almoft every perfon,
that it needs not be defcribed ; it is a very plentiful
bearer, and is planted by thofe who fupply the markets
with fruit, though it is but an indifferent plumb.

The Fotheringham PLUME, is of a blackilh red co-
lour, and is fomewhat long, and deeply furrowed in
the middle, with a firm fiefh, that readily parts from
the ftone ; the juice is very rich, and it ripens towards
the latter end of July.

The Perdrigon PLUMB, is of a middle (ize, and an
©val fhape, with a very dark outfide, covered over with
a violet bloom. The flefh is firm, and full of an ex-
cellent rich juice j it is in great efteem, and is ripe in
the beginning of Augujl.

The viokt perdrigon PLUMB, is a large fruit, and
rather round than long ; it is of blueifh colour on the
outfide, but the flefli is yellowifh, and pretty firm,,
and adheres cloTely to the ftone j the juice is extreamly
rich, and it ripens in the beginning of Auguji.

The ^vhite perdrigon PLUMB, is of a middle fize,

and an oblong fhape, with a yellowifli outfide, covered

with a white bloom. The flefh. is firm and well tafted,

P 5 and

222 THE NATURAL HISTORY

and is a very good fruit, either to eat raw, or made
into a fweet-meat ; for it has a pleafant fweetnefs,
mixed with an acidity.

The red imperial PLUMB, is a large fruit, of an
oval fhape, and of a deep red colour, covered with a
fine bloom. The flefh is very dry, but it makes ex-
cellent fweetmeats, and is ripe in the beginning of
Jugufi.

The nvhite imperial Bonum magnum ; or Kvhiie Holland,
or Mogul PLUMB, is a large fruit, of an oval {hape,
and a yellowifh colour, powdered over with a white
bloom. The flsfli is firm, and adheres clofe to the
ftone i the tafte is acid or four, which renders it unfit
to be eaten raw ; but it does very well baked, or to
make fweetmeats thereof. It is ripe in the beginning
of September.

The Chejlon PLUMB, is of a middle fize, and of
an oval fhnpe, with a dark blue outfide, and a violet
bloom. The juice is rich, and it is ripe in the be-
ginning of Augiiji.

The Apricot PLUMB, is a large round fruit, of a
yellow colour, powdered over with a white bloom ;
the flefh is dry, the tal^e fweet, and it parts ready from
the ftone. It ripens in the beginning of Jugujl.

The Maitre claud, though it has a French name, is
nox fo called in France \ it is of a middle fiae, rather
long than round, and the colour is finely variegated
with red and yellow ; the flefh is frm, has a delicate
flavour, and parts readily from the flone ; it is ripe in
the beginning of Auguji.

The red diaper PLUMB, is a large round fruit, of
a reddifh colour ; powdered over with a violet blue ;
the flefh has a very high flavour, and adheres clofely
to the ftone ; it is ripe about the middle of Auguji.

La petite reine Claud ^ that is, the little ^een Claud,
is a fmall round fruit, of a whitifh yellow colour,
powdered over with a pearl-coloured bloom ; the fltfh
is firm, has a rich fweetifh tafte, and parts readily from
:he flone j it is ripe towards the latter end of Augvfi.

The

OF VEGETABLES. 323

The Myrohalan PLUMB, is of a middle fize, and
a round fhape; it is of a dark purple colour, powdered
over with a violet bloom, and the juice is very fweet;
it is ripe towards the latter end of /uguji.

La grojfe reine Claudy that is, the large queen Claude-y
is one of the bed plumbs in England^ and is of a
middle fize, of a round fhape, and of a yellowidi
green colour ; the flefh is firm, of a deep green co-
lour, has an exceeding rich flavour, and parts readily
from the ftone j it is ripe about the latter end of Aiigujh
This is generally miflaken for the green gage, but it is
not the fame, though it is like it.

The R'ognon de coq, is an oblong fruit, deeply fur-
1 owed in the middle, and is of a whitifh colour, flreaked
with red ; the flefh adheres firmly to the Hone, and it
is not ripe till late in the year.

The Drap d*cr, that is, the cloth of gold plumb, is
of a middle fize, and of a bright yellow colour, fpotted
or flreaked with red ; the flefh is yellow, has an ex»-
cellent juice, and is ripe towards the latter end of
Juguji.

St. Catherine's PLUMB, is large and oval, but
fomewhat flat, and the outfide is of an amber colour,
powdered over with a whitifh bloom j but the flefn is
of a bright yellow, and is dry, firm, and adheres
clofely to the f^one, It has a very agreeable fweet
tafle, and makes an excellent fweetmeat ; it is ripe in
the beginning of September.

The royal PLUMB, is a large fruit, of an oval
fhape, inclining to a point next the flalk ; the colour
is of a light red, powdered over with a whitiih bloom,
and the flefh, which has a fine Aveet tafte, adheres
to the f^one ; it is ripe about the beginning of
September.

La Mirahelle, is a fmall round fruit, of a greenifh
yellow, and the flefh, which is of a bright yellow,
parts freely from the flone ; it is ripe about the middle
of Auguji, and makes an excellent fweetmeat.

The Brignole PLUMB, is of a large oval fhape^
and of a yellowifn colour, mixed with red; the flelli

is

324 THE NATURAL HISTORY.

is of a bright yellow, and though it is dry, has an
excellent rich flavour. It ripens towards the latter
end of AugtfJ}, and is thought to be the beft plumb for
fweetmeats yet known.

The Eviprefs, is a large round fruit, of a reddifh
violet colour, and greatly powdered with a whitilh
bloom J the flefli is yellow, of an agreeable flavour,
and it ripens towards the latter end of September.

The Went-cfjorth PLUMB, is of a large oval fliape,
and of a yellow colour, both within and without; it
is very like the bonum magnum, only the flelh of this
parts from the flone, and the other does not. It is
ripe about the beginning of September, and is very
good to preferve, if not to eat raw.

The cherry PLUME, is about the fize of an oxheart
cherry, and is of a red colour ; the ftalk is long like
that of a cherry, from which it cannot be diftirguifhed
at fome diftance ; the tree bloflbms as early as the
almond tree, for which reafon they have {eldom much
fruit.

The IV hit e pear PLUMB, is very unpleafant eaten
raw, but is good for preferving ; it ripens very late,
and is feldom planted in gardens.

The Tmifcie PLUMB, is of an oblong, flat (hape,
and of a dark red colour ; the Hone is large, and
confequently there is not much flefli, and that is net
well tailed, for which reafon it is made ufe of for
flocks.

The St. Julian PLUMB, is a fmall fruit, of a d?.rk
violet colour, powdered over with a mealy bloom 4
the flefh adheres clofely to the ftone, and in a fine
autumn will dry upon the tree, for which reafon it is
made ufe of for flocks.

The black Bullace, grows wild in the hedges all
over England, and is feldom or never cultivated in
gardens.

The ivhite Bullace, grows wild as the former, and;
is very rarely planted in gardens.

The Black-thorn or Sloe tree, is very common almofl
every where, and is chiefly ufed for planting hedges^

like

OF VEGETABLES. 325

like the white thorn, and its being of a quick growth,
renders it very proper for that purpofe. All forts of
plumbs are propagated by budding or grafting on the
Hocks of any fort that flioot freely ; however budding
is much preferable to grafting.

PLUMBS are in great elleem every where, and
they may be planted to grow in divers manners, as
in ftandards, efpaliers, or againft walls. They re-
quire a foil neither too dry nor too wet, and thofe
that are planted ngainft walls, fhould be placed to
an eaft or fouth-eait afped, which are better than a
direft fouth. Plumbs in general are moiftening^
laxative, and emollient, except the bullaces and fioes,
which are aftringent. They are cooling, quench thirfl,
and create an appetite, and therefore they agree belt
with hot conftitutions j but they do not at all agree
with thofe that have weak ftomachs. In thofe years
that plumbs are very plenty, and cpnfequently much
eaten by all forts of people, fluxes of the belly ge-.
nerally abound, which often turn to bloody fluxes ;
hence it appears that they ought always to be eaten
very moderately, and then they fliould be quite ripe
and found.

PSEUDO- ACACIA, hajlard Acacia, has a large
long root, of a yellowilh colour, and a fweetifli
talle, like that of liquorice ; the ftem is of a confidera-
ble height and thicknefs, and is divided into many
branches. The leaves are oblong, and placed by pairs
on a rib, terminated by a fingle leaf. The flowers are
beautiful, long, papilionaceous, white, and difpofed in
fpikes, with a pleafant fmell, like that of orange-
flowers. Thefe are fucceeded by flattifli pods, that are
longifh, fmooth, and contain feeds in the fliape of a
kidney It has been brought from North- America, and
is planted in gardens ; it flowers in the fpring, and then
makes a very fine fliow. It is bell propagated by feeds
about the middle of April, and if the bed is well expofed
to the fun, the plants will appear in about five or fix
weeks. They may remain here till the next fpring,
when they ftiould be tranfplanted into a nurfery in the

beginning

Z26 THE NATURAL HISTORT

beginning of Jpril, placing them in rows, at three feet
diltance, and a foot and a half from each other. Here
they may remain two years, and then they may be
tranfplanted to the peaces where they are to grow. They
agree with almoft every foil, but the beft is a light fandy
ground, in which they will fhoot fix or eight feet in
one year. The wood is of a marbled ye'low colour, and
very handfome, for which reafon fome make ufe of it
for chairs. Tne flowers are faid to be emollient, laxative,
and opening, and the root perioral; however its virtues
are not hitherto very well known.

PSYLLIUM, Flea-bane^ has a long, woody, hard;
root, furnifhed with fibres, and the ftalks are woody,
branched, creeping, and loaded with oblong, narrow,
pointed leaves, forming a tuft that looks very agreeably
among the grafs ; but they are hairy, and of a wbiiifa
green. There are fhort fpikes or heads on the top, on
which are downy flowers, of a pale yellow colour, that
confiil of a tube^ open at the top, which expands into
four parts like a crof?. They are fucceeded by a mem-
branous capfala, confiding of two cells, which contain
blackifh feeds, in the fhape of fleas. This kind grows
wild in the fouth parts of France, and it is cultivated in
the gardens of the curious ; it flowers in July and Auguft,
and the feeds are gathered in autumn. It is a very
perennial plant.

PSYLLIUM ANNUUM, annual Flea-bane, has a
fingle white root, and feveral ilalks, that grow to th«
height of a foot and higher,.that are llrait, round, hairy,
firm, and branched from the bottom to the top. The
leaves are placed to each other by pairs, refembling
thofe of hyfibp, but they are narrower, hairy, and fur-
nifhed with nerves, like thofe of plantain. The flowers
proceed from the places where the leaver join to the ftalk,
and are placed on long, flender pedicles, in (hort fpikes,
which Gonfift of pale floretts, like thofe of the former
kind, and the feeds likewife refemble fleas. It is found
growing upon dry chalky hills, in feveral parts of Eng-
land. The feed is only in ufe, v^hich may be turned
into a mucilage, that is by fome faid to be proper, to
care fpitang of blood, and the bloody flux ; but this

may

OF VEG ET ABLES. 327

may be doubted. It is certainly good in clyflers, againfi:
a Tenefmus and the bloody flux. Some affirm that this
mucilage is good in inflammations of the eyes.

PULEGIUM, Penny-royal, has a creeping, fibrous
root, with fquare hairy Ilalks, fome of which are up-
right, and others creep upon the ground. The leaves
are like thofe of marjoram, but {bfter to the touch, and
blacker ; the fmell is agreeable, but ftrong, and the
talle is hot. The flowers proceed from the places where
the leaves join to the ftalks, and are dilpofed in rings
round them; they are of a blueiih or purple colour,
though fometimes of a pale red ; they are labiated, and
the upper lip is cut into two fegments ; thefe are fuc-
ceeded by fmall feeds. It flowers in Ju/y and Jugu/f,
at which time it ought to be gathered for ufe. This
plant is aperient, hyileric, and good for the diforders
of the flomach and breaft. It is proper for inveterate
coughs and rheums, and fome recommend it to cure
hooping-coughs. It may be taken in the manner of
tea.

PULMONARIA, Lungwort, or Sage of Jerufalem-,
has a white fibrous root, and angular, hairy flalkf,
which rife to a foot in height, which are of a purplifli
colour, refemblirg thofe of buglofs. Some of the leaves
proceed from the root, and lye upon the ground, while
others embrace the Ilalks without pedicles ; they are
all oblong, broad, terminate in a point, have a nerve
that runs through the whole length, and are covered
with a foft down, and generally marbled with whitifli
fpots. The flowers grow in bunches, and each confift
of tubes, that terminate in the fliape of bafons on the
upper part ; they are cut into five fegments, and are of
a purple or violet colour, with a calyx that is a dentated
tube. They are fucceeded by four round ifli feeds, con-
tained in the flower- cup like thofe of buglofs. It grows
in woods and groves, and in mountainous and Ihady
places. It is alfo cultivated in gardens, and flowers in
March and April.

PULMONARIA ANGUSTIFOLIA, Lungwort, or
7iarro<u3-lea'vd Sage, of Bethlehem, has a root like the
former, which fends forth angular hairy ftalks, to the

height

32S THE NATURAL HISTORY

height of a foot, and the leaves are oblong, narrow*
and hairy, like thofe of wild buglofs, but iofter, and
rot fo rough ; they have no pedicles, and they embrace
their ftalk by the middle. The flowers grow on the
top of the ftalks, and they are like the former, only
they are of a fine purple colour, mixed with blue. It.
grows almoft tv&ry where, in woods and fhady moun-
tainous places.

PULMONARIA GALLORUM, French luvgivort,
has a long, thick, jointed, rcddifh, fibrous root, full of
a bitter milky juice, and the flalks rife to the height of a
foot and a half; thefe are {lender, hairy, and divided into.
feveral branches. The leaves proceed from the root,
lye on the ground, and are finuated towards the pedicle,
as well as greenifh and hairy above, as alfo downy and
whitifli below ; but generally marbled with Icrg blackilh
fpots. 7 he flowers grow on the tops of the branches,
and confift of yellow femi floretts, placed in a fcaly cup ;
they are fucceeded by oblong, fmall, tufted feeds, of a
blackifh colour. It generally grows on eld walls, and
in uncultivated places ; it flowers in June and July^
and fometimes later. They have all three the fame
virtues, and are accounted good in difeafes of the
lunge.

PULSATILLA, Pafque-fo'wer, has a long, thickifh,
fingle root, which is divided into feveral heads, that
are hairy on the upper part, and black. The leaves
proceed from the root, and are jagged and hairy ;
they are placed on long, reddifh, very hairy ribs, that
lye near the ground. From between the leaves there
proceeds a round hollovv ftalk, to the height of afoot,,
covered with a thick foft down, and is without leaves,
except one a little below the top. The flower confifls
of fix oblong, pointed petals, difpofed in the form of a
rofe, of a purple colour, hairy without, and fmooth
within The piftil is placed in the middle, furrounded
with yellow liamina or cliives ; this turns to a fruit,
with a round head, that ccnfifls of feveral feeds, that
terminate in a tuft like a feather. It grows in ilony,
^ry^ mountainous places, and flowers near Eajier,

called

OF VEGETABLES. 329

called pafque by the French ^ from whence it has its
name. It it cultivated in gardens, for the fake of
the flower. It is. faid to be a vulnerary plant, and
the powder of the dried leaves and flowers, fnuffed
up the nofe, provoke fneezing, but it leaves a burning
heat behind it, that reaches as far as the brain ; for
thisreafon it is accounted good in fieepy difeafes.

PYROLA, Winter-green^ has a flexible, flender,
fibrous, creeping, whitifli root, which fends forth five
or fix fibrous leaves, like thofe of the pear tree ; they
are flefhy, thick, and of a deep browniih green, and
they are fmooth, poiifhed, have long pedicles lying
on the ground, and continue green all the winter.
The flalk rifes to the height of a foot among the
leaves, and js angular, fingle, and fometimes fur-
nifhed with fmall pointed \z2i^tSy the flowers grow on
ihe top, and are beautiful, fcented, and are com-
pofed of five petals, placed in the form of a rofe ;
they are white, and have ten fhortifh flamina, with
a crooked piflil in the middle, like the trunk of an
elephant ; this turns to an angular f^uit or button,
confining of five furrowed cells, containing reddifli
feeds, that are exceeding fmall. It grows wild in the
north of England, on mofTy moors, hills, and heaths ;
for which reafon it is diflicult to cultivate them in the
fouthern parts ; it flowers in June and July. It is
looked upon to be an aflringent vulnerary plant, and
proper to flop internal bleedings ; it may be taken in
the manner of tea.

PYRUS, the Pear tree, has flowers that confift of
feveral leaves, placed in a circle, which expand in
the form of a rofe ; the flower- cup becomes a flefhy
fruit, univerfally known, that has a hollow like an
navel on the upper part ; the cells in which the feeds
are lodged, are feparated by foft membranes. The
tree is fo well known, that it needs no defcription,
and therefore it will be fufficient to defcribe the feveral
forts of fruit.

The little mujk PEAR, commonly called the fupremet
is generally produced in large clufters, and it is rather

round

330 THE NATURAL HISTORY
round than long, with fhort flalks ; the (kin is yellow
V/hen ripe, and the juice is fomewhat mufty ; it is an
excellent pear, if gathered before it is too ripe. It
ripens towards the middle of Ju/yy and will continue
good but a few days.

The C/rio PEAR, commonly called the little Baflard
mujk -pear, is fmaller than the former, but much of
the fame Ihape. The ikin when ripe, has a few
ftreaks of red on the fide next the fiin, but it feldom..
hangs in cluflers.

1 he hajiing PEAR, commonly called the green Chijfel^
is larger than either of the former, and is longer next
the ftalk. The ikin is thin, and of a whitifh green
colour when ripe ; the flefh melts in the mouth, and if
not too ripe, has a fweetiili tafle ; it is fit to gather
towards the end of July.

The red MUSCADELLE, is a large early pear^
of great beauty, and the fkin is of a fine yellow coh
lour when ripe, beautifully ftriped ; the flefh has a>
rich talle, if gathered before it is too ripe ; but it is
apt to be mealy. The tree generally produces two-
crops in a year, the firfl of which is commonly ripe
towards the end of July^ and the fecond in Se^te?nbery
but is feldom well taficd.

The little MUSCA.T, is a fmall pear, rather round
than long, and the fkin is very thin, and of a yel-
Icwilh colour when ripe. The flefn melts in the
mouth, and has a rich mulky flavour ; but will not
keep long when ripe, which is towards the latter end
of July.

The JARGONELLE, is a very long pear, in the
ihape of a pyramid, with a Jong pedicle or flalk ;
the fkin is pretty thick, and of a rufly colour towards
the fun ; but the other fide is of a rufTet green ; the
flefh has a rich mufky flavour, and it ripens towards
the end of July. This is one of the befl early fum»-
mer pears.

The Wind/or PEAR, is of an oblong fhape, and
terminates almofl in a point next the flalk j the fkin
is ioiooth, Tind when ripe, of a yellowifh green co-

lour>

OF VEGETABLES. 351

lour, with a very foft fleih ; but if it hangs two cr
three days after it is ripe, it grows mealy.

The JARGONELLE, now commonly called CuiJJe
madam, is fomewhat like the Wind/or Pear, but is
longer towards the crown, and fmaller next the flalk ;
the (kin is fmooth, and of a pale green colour, with
a flefh that is apt to be mealy.

The orange mujk PEAR, is of a middk fize, of a
fhortroundifh form, and a yellowifh (kin, fpotted with
black. The fle(h is mu(ky, but is apt to be a little
dry and choaky; it is ripe in the beginning of
Augiiji.

The little blanket PEAR, is much lefs than the
former, and more pinched in near the ftalk, which is
fliorter, but flenderer than that of the former. The
(kin is foft, and of a pale green colour, with a tender
flefli, full of a rich raulky juice ; and it ripens in the
beginning of Augujl.

The longjlalked blanket PEAR, is (haped fomewhat
like the former, but the eye is larger, and more hollow
at the crown ; it is fomewhat plumper towards the
ftalk, and a little crooked, with a very fmooth white
(kin ; the flefli is full of a rich fweetilh juice, and it
is ripe about the middle of Atiguji.

T\\Q fiinlefs PEAR, or early RuJJ'elet, is middle-fized,
long, and of a reddiih colour, with an extreamly thin
Ikin } the fle(h melts in the mouth, and is full of a
rich, fweet juice; it ripens in the beginning of
Auguft.

The muJk robine PEAR, the queen's PEAR, or the
amber PEAR, is fmall and round, and of a yellowifh
colour when ripe ; the fie (h has a rich mu(ky flavour,
and it ripens in the beginning of Augufl.

The muJk drone PEAR, is middle fized and round,
and the (kin is of a yellowifh colour when ripe. The
flefh melts in the mouth, and is full of a mulky juice,
but if it hangs too long on the tree, it grows mealy ;
it ripens in the beginning of Augujl.

The red orange PEAR, is middle fized and round,
and of a greenifh colour, except on the fide next the

fun,

332 THE NATURAL HISTORY

fun, which is purple when ripe. The flcfh melts in
the mouth, and the juice is fweet, with a very hollow
eye, and a fhort ftalk ; it ripens about the middle of
jugufi.

The CASSOLETTE FRIOLET, is fo called, for
being in the fhape of a perfuming pan. It is a long
fruit like a jargonelle, and of an afh-colour. Th€
flelh melts in the mouth, and is full of a perfumed
juice, but it is very apt to rot in the middle whea
ripe, which is about the middle of Augnft.

The mujk orange PEAR, is large and round, and
fhaped like a berganiot. The {km is green, and the
flefli melts in the mouth, but it is very apt to rot on
the tree, v/hich renders it not near fo valuable as
fome others ; it ripens in the beginning of Auguft,

T\\t great onion PEAR, or the Summer Arch-duke^ IS
of a middle fize and round, and of a brownifli purple
next the fun j the fleih melts in the mouth, and is
tolerably good ; it ripens in the beginning of Juguji.

The Augi'fi MUSCAT, or the royal PEAR, is in
fhape m.uch like a bergamot, and the ftalk is long,
ftrait, and a little fpotted. The fkin is fmooth, and
of a whitilh yellow colour, with a rich, fweet, per-
fumed juice ; it \% one of the bell fummer pears yet
known, and grows ripe in Augnji.

The rofe PEAR, is fhort and round, and of a yelv
lowiih green colour, but a little inclining to red next
the fun. The ftalk is very long and (lender, and the
juice is mufky ; it grows ripe in Augujt.

The PEAR of Pouchet, is large, round, and whitifh,
with a foft, tender flelh, and a fv/eet juice ; it grows
ripe towards ,the latter end of Auguft.

The perfumed PEAR, is of a middle fize, and round,
with a thick, rough fKin, of a deep red colour, fpotted
with brown, and a flefti that melts in the mouth with
a perfumed flavour ; it ripens about the middle of
Auguft.

The Summer BONCRETIEN, is a large oblong
pear, with a fmooth thin Ikin, which is of a beautiful
fed colour next the fun, but of a whitifh green on the

other

OF VEGETABLES. 333

•ther fide. The flefh is very full of juice, and has a
rich perfumed flavour j it ripens in the beginning of

September,

The rofe-vjater PEAR, is large and round, with a
fhort ftalk, and hollowed like an apple, where it is
fixed on the ftalk ; the (kin is rough and brown, and
the flelh very fweet ; it grows ripe in the beginning
of September.

The choaky PEAR, has a red flefh^ and is of no
value, for which reafon it is not cultivated in gardens.

The /2«^/^/ PEAR, is large and oblong, with a
brown (kin, which is of a dark red next the fun.
The flefh is tender and foft, without much core, and
the juice is agreeably perfumed, if gathered before
it h ripe, which is in the beginning of September.

The pritice's PEAR, is fmall, and roundifh, and
of a bright red colour next the fun, but on the other
fide it is yellovvifli ; the flefti has a very high flavour,
and grows ripe in the middle of September.

The great mouth-nvater PEAR, is large and round,
with a frnooth green (kin, and a fliort thick ftalk ^
the flefti melts in the mouth, and is full of juice, if
gathered before it is too ripe, which is about the
middle of Auguft.

T\iQ fum?ner Bergamoty is a pretty large, round,
flat pear, of a greenifh-yellow colour, and hollowed
a little at both ends, like an apple ; the flrfh melts
in the mouth, and it is ripe towards the latter end of
Auguft,

The autumnal Bergamot, is fmaller than the former,
but of the fame fliape, with a yellowifli green Ikin,
reddifh on the fide next the fun ; the flefli melts in
the mouth, and it grows ripe towards the latter end
of September.

The S-Tvi/s Bergamotf is fomewhat rounder than the
former, with a tough greenilh fK-in ftriped with red ;
the flcfti is full of juice, and melts in the mouth, and
it is ripe in the beginning of OSiober.

The red butter PEAR, is fometimes of other colours,
as green or grey, whence fome have fuppofed them

td

334 THE NATURAL HISTORY
to be different fruits. It is large and long, and ge-
nerally brown, with a melting flefli, full of rich
fweet juice, and it ripens in the beginning oi O^ober.

The deans PEAR, is a large, handfome fruit, fome-
what like the former, but it is fhorter and rounder,
and the Ikin is fmooth and yellowifh when ripe ; the
flefh is melting and full of juice, that will not keep a
week after it is gathered j it is ripe in the beginning
of October.

The long green PEAR, is long, and very green
when ripe, with a melting juicy fiefh. It grows ripe
in the middle of Ofiobert and in fome years will keep
till December.

The nvhite and grey MeJJtere Jean^ is one of the beft
autumnal pears, when grafted on a free ftock. It is
a large roundifh fruit, with a tough Ikin, that is ge-
nerally brown ; it is full of a rich fweet juice, and
ripens about the beginning of Oilcber.

The fio^ered Mtifcat, is an excellent pear, of a
middle fize, and round, with a dark red fcin j the
fielh is very tender, and of a delicate flavour, and it
ripens towards the end of Odoher.

The ^ine PEAR, is round, and of a middle fize,
with a dark red ikin ; the flefh is full of a clammy
juice, and it grows ripe towards the end of OSlober,
but Ihould be gathered before, otherwife it will foon
rot.

The 'RonJfiUne PEAR, has a fmooth flcin,^ of a deep
red colour next the fun, with grey fpots, but the other
fide is of a greenifh-yellow ; the flefh is tender and
delicate, and the juice fweet ; it is ripe towards the
end of OSiober, but muft not be kept long.

The Kuai'e's PEAR, is fomewhat like the cafToIette,
but larger, and has a fine tender flefh, with a fweet
juice. It is ripe in the beginning of Notve/nber.

The green /ugarV* EAR, is fhaped like the v/inter
thorn pear, but is fmaller, Vvith a thin green fkin,
and a buttery flefh, and a fweet juice.

The Mar qui fe PEAR, is like the Blanket, when
planted in a dry foil, but when it is rich and moifl it

grows

OF VEGETABLES. 335

grows larger. It is flat at the top, with a fmall hol-
low eye, and a fkin of a greeniih yellow, inclining
to red on the fide next the fun. If it is yellow when
ripe, the flefli is tender and delicate, and full of a
fweet juice. It grows ripe at the beginning of No-
<vemher.

The hurnt cat PEAR, is fmall and oblong, pale on
the one fide, and of a dark brown on the other. The
fkin is fmooth, and the flcfh tender and dry ; it is lit
to be eaten the latter end of No'vember.

The Befideriy is a middle fized round pear, of a
pale green, inclining to yellow ; the flelh is dry, but
it bakes well, and is ripe the beginning of No-vemhr.

The crajfancy or fat butter PEAR, is of a middle
fize, and hollowed at the crown like an apple. The
ilalk is very long and crooked, and the fkin is rough,
and of a greeniih colour when ripe, or rather riiilet.
The flefh is tender and buttery, with a rich fweet
juice. It is the very beft pear of the feafon, and is
fit to eat about the middle of No^'ember.

The Lanfac, or Dauphine PEAR, is about the fize
of a bergamoty of a roundiih ihape, and flat towards
the head ; but it is a little longifli towards the ftalk ;
the fkin is fmooth, of a yellowifh-green, with a yel-
low, tender, fweet flefh j the eye is very large, and
the flalk long and flrait ; it grows ripe about the mid-
dle of No'vember.

The Martin -fee, is like the rufTelet in fhape and
colour. The fhape is oblong, and the fkin is of a
deep rufTet on one fide, but on the other inclining to
red. The fleih is fine and fweet, and it is fit to eat
about the latter end of No'vember.

The njillahie of Anjou^ or the tulip PEAR, is large
and round, with a very long flender ftalk, and a pale
yellow fkin. It is not very juicy, but it is fit to eat
towards the latter end of No-vemher.

The thick ftalked PEAR, is large and roundiih,
with a yellow fkin, and a dry flefh, which is apt to
i>e flony.

The

336^ THE NATURAL HISTORY *

The Amodote PEAR, is of a middle fize, and fome-
what long, but flat at the top ; the fkin is rough and^
ruflet, with a d.tY but high flavoured flefh. , It is fit td'
eat in the beginning of Decemhifi and will keep good'
fix weeks.

The litte /^rd'PEAR, or the ruffet of Anjou, is of a
bright green colour, with a ftw fpors, and a large htjl-
low eye. The fielh is extreamly fine, with a fweet"^
juice, and is fit to' eat in Dectmhefy and is one of the'
befl fruits in that ieafon.

The Lmiife honne^ has a fhort flefhy ftalk, and a
fmall eye and flower, and a very fmooth flcin ; the co-
lour is green, inclining to white, and the flefh is ex-
treamly tender, and full of a fweet juice. It is fit to
eat in December.

The colmar PEAR, or manna PEAR, or late her-'
gamoty is like a boncretien in ihape, but the head is
flat, with a large hollow eye. The middle is larger
than the head, and is floped towards the (talk, the'
!kin is green, with a few yellowifh fpotf, and the fleih-
is very tender, with a fweet juice. It is fit to eat in
the beginning of Decemher^ and will generally keep"'
good till the middle of January.

The E/chaJerie, or the nvinfer long green PEAR, hi-
fliaped like a citron, with a fmooth green flcin, that-
becomes yellowifli when ripe. The eye is fmall, and
the flelh melting and buttery, with a fweet juice. It is'
fit to eat in the beginning of December.

The Vugule, is large, long, and of a green colour,
inclining to yellow, with a middle fized eye, and a
fmooth Ikin, a little coloured next the fun. The flefh
is full of a rich juice, and is fit to eat in the beginning-
of December.

The Poire d'Jmhrette, is a pear like the efchafleries'
in fhape, and is of a ruffet colour, with a larger and
more hollow eye ; the flefli h full of a rich, fweet, per-
fumed juice, and the [tt^s are large and black. The
tree is veiy thorny, and the fruit is fit to eat in the be-
ginning of December.

The ^winter i^orn PEAR, is very large, in the fnapo
of a pyramid with a fmooth Ikin, of a pale green co-
lour.

OF VEGETABLES. 337

lour, inclining to yellow when ripe, the flefh is melting
and buttery, and the juice very fweet. It is ripe in the
beginning of December^, and will continue good two
months.

The St. Germain PEAR, is large and long, and of
a yellowifti green when ripe ; the liefli is foft, and full of
juice, which is very fweet in a dry feafon. It is fit to
eat in the beginning of December.

The St. Aujlin PEAR, is like the Virgule, but fomc-
what (horter and flenderer near the llalk ; the fkin is of
a fine citron colour, fpotted with red next the fun, with.
a tender flefti, pretty full of juice, that is often a little
tart. It is fit to eat in December y and will continue good
two months.

The Spanijh Bon-chretien PEAR, is in the fhape of a
pyramid, and is of a fine red or purple colour next the
fun^ with fmall black fpots, but the other fide is of a pale
yellow ; the flefh, when the tree is planted on a light
rich foil, is very fweet. It ripens in the middle oi De-
cember^ and continues good a month ; the fruit is very
good for baking.

Parkin/on s Wardetiy or the black Pear of Worcejler^
commonly weighs a pound or upwards, and has a rough,
dark, red fkin next the fun. It is only fit for baking or
Hewing, and is in feafon from No^vember to Chrijimas.

The fmall ^winter butter PEAR, has a fmall oblong
fhape, and a yellow colour, fpotted with red. The
fleOi has a very rich juice, and it is fit to eat in De»
€ ember and January.

The Ronnjilie PEAR, is about the fize and fhape of a
large ruffelet, and the middle is fwelled more on one fide
than the other ; the fkin is foft and fmooth, and of a
lively red colour next the fun, but yellow on the other ;
the flefh is full of a very fweet juice, that is a little
perfumed.

The ivinfer citron PEAR ^ or the Mtijk- orangey is a
pretty large pear, and is in fhape and colour very like
an orange ; the flefh is hard and 6ry^ and apt to be
llony, but it bakes very well, and is in feafon from De^
cembcr to March,

Vol. VI. CL The.

358 THE NATURAL HISTORY

The nvinter ruffcUt PEAR, is of a greenifh yellow
colour, inclining to brown, with a buttery meltinaflelh,
which is generally very full of a very fweet juice ; but
it mull always be pared, becaufe the fkin has a bad tafte.
It is fit to eat in Januaiy and February.

The Gate PEAR, is much eileemed in France^ but of
no great value here, it being generally dry, flony, and
hard, unlefs in extraordinary feafons, and upon very
.good foil ; the time of its being in ufe, is from January
to March, and it bakes well .

The Franc-real, is a very large pear, and almoft
round, with a yellow flcin fpotted with red j the fle(h
of this pear is dry, and very apt to be ftony, but it bakes
exceeding well, and continues good from January to
March.

The Bergamot Bugi^ is a large pear, and almoft round,
but it is a little longiih towards the llalk ; the eye is flat,
and the (kin green, and there are many rough protu-
berances thereon ; but as it ripens it becomes yellowifh,
and in a good feafon the flefh is fweet ; it is good to eat
from February to JpriL

The German Mufcat, is longer than round, and of
the fhape of the winter royal ; but is lefs towards the
eye, and more ruffet, as well as of a red colour next
the fun. It is buttery and melting, and continues good
in March and April.

The Dutch Bergamot, is large and round, and of the
fhape of the common bergamot ; the colour is greenilh,
the flefh pretty tender, and the juice of a high flavour.
It continues good till April.

The Isaples PEAR, is pretty large, long, and green-
ifh, with a fweet, and ibmewhat vinous juice ; it is
called in England X\\t Eafter St. Germaifi, and will keep
iill Jpril.

The JVinter ban Cretien PEAR, is in the Ihape of a
pyramid, and has a yellowilh ficin only on the fide next
the fun ; it is of a loft red ; the flefli is tender, and is
very full of a rich fweet juice. It is very much in
.efteem in France, but in England is feldom good.

The CatillaCy is a large pear, fliaped fomewhat like
a quince, with a yellow Ikin, except on the fide next

the

OF VEGETABLES. 339

the fun, which is red. The flefh is hard, and the juice
auftere, but it is very good fruit for bakings and con-
tinues good from Chri/}?nas to April.

The Pajioreiky is of the Ihape and fize of a fine
rufTelet; but the fkin is fomevvhat rough, yellowifli,
and fpotted with red ; when it grows on a dry foil, the
flefh is tender, and the juice fweet ; it is in ufe from
February till March.

l^\ift double 'fionxieringYY.^^, is fo called, becaufe the
flowers have a double row of petals or leaves. It is a
large Ihort pear, with a fmooth, yellow fkIn, except on
the fide next the fun, which is of a fine red, or purple;
it is an exceeding good pear for baking, and is good from
February till May.

The St. Martial PEAR, is oblong, and fhaped like
a bon cretien, but is not fo large, and is a little flatter
at the crown ; the fkin is fmooth and yellowifh, but
next the fun purplifh ; the flefh is tender, with a fweet
juice, and the time of eating it is in February and
March.

The Wilding of Chawmontelley is fhaped like an au-
tumnal Beurre, but is flatter at the crown ; the fkin is
of pale green, and a little rough, but purplifh next the
fun ; the flelh is tender, with a very rich juice, and is
good from No'vember to January.

The Carmelite PEAR, is of a middle fize, and
roundifh, with a green fkin on one fide, and inclining
to red on the other ; there are alfo broad fpots, of a
dark colour all over ; the ilefh is hard and dry, and it is
in feafon till March.

The Union PEAR, is very large and long, and of a
deep green colour, but fometimes changes to red next
the fun. It bakes very well, and is in feafon from
Cbriflmas till April,

There are other forts of pears that are flill to be feen
in fome old gardens, but are of no great elleem ; thofa
that plant pears for ufe, ought always to choofe them of
the befl forts, becaufe the trouble and expencc is the
fame. They are propagated by budding or grafting them
upon flocks of their own kind, which are commonly
called free flocks i but quince flocks are greatly ufed in
0^2 the

540 THE NATURAL HISTORY

the nurferies, for all forts of pears that are defign^d for
dwarfs or walls.

As to wild pears, thry are always fo adringent and
rough, that they are not fit to be eaten, though
they may ferve well enough to make perry. In ge-
neral pears are windy, and improper for weak iTo-
inachs ; fome thmk they are enemies to the nervous
parts ; however thofe are befl that are quite ripe, and
have a fweet juice, and then they are feldom noxious,
unlefs eaten to excefs.

QUERCUS VULGARIS, thecommonoak free, is well
known in all parts of Europe, as alfo its wood, for its long
duration, and various ufes. The flowers are long cat-
kins, which confift of a great number of fmall flendeir
threads ; but the embryoes are produced at fome
diftance from thefe, and afterwards become acorns^
with hard fcaly cups. It grows in woods, forefts, and
high mountainous places ,; the leaves appear before
the flower, and the catkins m:iy be feen in Jpri/ and
Jl/<ri', but the acorns are not ripe till AuguJ}. It is
commonly faid, that an oak tree is an hundred years
coming to its full growth, an hundred years in per-
feftion, and an hundred years in decaying. Some
affirm the wood will continue good fix hundred years
in the open air, and five hundred under ground. Oak
bark is of very great ufe for tanning of leather, and
UDon thefe accounts the oak is called by fome the king
of trees. The Englijh oak is beft for building of fliips ;
but now there are great numbers conltra<^ed in 'Ne-iKi-
'Ertgland, of the oak tvood that grows in thofe parts,
thOMgh they are not fo lafting.

The Jeaves of the oak are flyptick, and a little
bitteriih, and all parts of it are aftnngent. They have
often been prefcribed for all forts of Jia^morrhages and
fluxes of the belly, and fome pretend that a decoftion
of the bark has cured a moll terrible bloody-flux. In
times of fcarciiy, a great many poor people have
made bread of the acoins, and the poets tell us they
were the food of the golden age ; however they are
heavy, windy, and hard of digeftion, and therefore

mankind

GF VEGETABLES. 341

mankind in thofe early ages, muft doubtlefs have a
better digeftion than us. They are now given to hogs,
for which they are excellent nourifhment, and render
the flelh fat, firm, and fweet j for which realbn that
bacon is in moft efteem, that comes from places where
there are plenty of acorns.

There are a great number of trees that go under
the name of oaks, in diviers parts of the world, but
there are no where fo many different kinds, as ia
America^ but the wood is not nigh fo valuable as the
Englijh oak, which has been hinted at above.

QUINQUE FOLIUM, Cinque foil, has a long:
fibrous root, blackiih without, and reddifh within,
which fends forth feveral ftalks to the height of a foot
and a half, which are round, flexible, hairy, reddifii,
and knotted ; from thefe knots the leaves and roots
proceed, and by their means this plant multiplies'
greatly. The leaves are oblong, roundilli at the ends,
nervous, hairy, dentated on the edges, of a dark
green, and placed like an open hand, to the number
of five upon the fame pedicle, which is three inches
and upwards in length. The flowers grow Angle on
the top of the ftalks, and connft of five yellow petals,
in the form of a rofe, and are fomewhat in the fhape
of a heart ; there are five llamina, with their apices
in the form of a half- moon, and the piftil becomes a
round fruit, compofed of many pointed feeds, placed
in the form of a head, and contained in the cup of
the flower. It grows in fields, and in fandy ftony
places, as well as in meadows on the fides of waters ;
it flowers in May and June, and the root is chiefly in
ufe. It is accounted balfamic, vulnerary, and aftringent,
and has been given in all forts of haemorrhages, as
well as in all kinds of fluxes of the belly ; fome
affirm it fucceeds better than ipecacuanha ; for which
purpofe an ounce of the root has been boiled in three
pints of water to two j this decoftion is alfo re-
commended in fpitting of blood. It is confidently
faid, that a dram of this root, given in a glafs of
water, before a fit of an ague, will certainly cure it.
CLs RA-

342 THE NATURAL HISTORY

RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS, Bulbous Cronjo- foot,
has a round bulbous root, with feveral upright ftalks,
that fcmetimes rife to the height of a foot, which are
hairy, and have leaves that are cut into feveral flender
jags, and on the top there are flowers of a fine yel-
low (hining colour ; they are generally fingle, and
confiil of live roundiih petals, difpofed in the form
of a rofe. The leaves of the calyx being bent back
towards the pedicle. The fruit that fucceeds the
Hower, contains many roundifh feeds, placed together,
in the form of a head. It flowers in May, and is to
be met with almoll every where in pafture grounds
;ind meadows. When it is tranfplanted into gardens
the flower becomes double. The root of crow-foot
is extreamly acrid and cauftic, and fome authors re-
ijcmmend it to raife blifters ; but this practice is dan-
gerous, becaufe it may caufe a gangreen. There are
tjuacks that apply it to the part afHided with the
gout, and on corns, to take them away ; but we have
much fafer remedies. In fome places it is common
for beggars to make fores with this root, to raife com-
palTion. The bruifed leaves were once applied to the
head of a patient, who had kept his bed for three
years, on account of a violent head-ach, and they
raifed a blifler, which ran freely, and he was foon
cured.

RANUNCULUS NEMOROSUS, Wood Anemone ,.
has a long creeping root, purplifh or brown without,
and yellowilh within, when young. The ftalk is
fmall, {lender, reddilh, and rifes to the height of a
palm and a half, on the top of which there are three
leaves, or reddiih pedicles, each of which are cut
down to the pedicle into three jags, and on the top
there is a fmgle flower without a calyx, fometimes
v/hite, and fometimes purplifli or flefli-coloured ; it
confiils of i\x oblong leaves, in the middle of which
there are feveral yellowilh rtamina. Thefe are fuc-
ceeded by naked, oblong, hairy feeds, colledled into
a head. It flowers towards the beginning of Marchy
to the end of April. Some recommend a cataplafm of

the

OF VEGETABLES. 343

the leaves and flowers for fcald heads, and affirm it
will cure them in a few days, if it be renewed twice
a day ; but others think it unfafe, from the bad
effeds they have feen from, fuch applications.

RANUNCULUS PRATENSIS REPENS, Crow-.
foot, has a fmall creeping root, compofed of whitifti
fibres, and many flender, round, hairy, hollow, creep-
ing ftalks, that lye upon the ground. The leaves are
cut into three fegments, fomewhat like parfley, and
are dentated on the edges, and hairy on both fides ;
they are of a blackifh green, and generally marked
with fine fpots on the upper part. The flowers are
of a fhining yellow, and compofed of five petals,
difpofed in the form of a rofe, with a great number
of flamina in the middle, and a flow£r-cup, con-
fifting of five leaves, that falls off with the flower,
which are fucceeded by black feeds, placed together
in the form of a head, and full of fmall points or
prickles. It flowers in May, and grows almoft every
where in meadows and fhady places. This may be
taken inwardly without danger, and the cattle that
feed on it yield a great deal of milk. Some ufe it in
a fomentation againft the piles.

RANUNCULUS PALUSTRIS, round halved neater
Cro'uj-foot, has a thick, hollow root, furniflied with
miany fibres ; and there are feveral thick, hollowed,
furrowed branched ftalks. The leaves are greenifli
and fhining, and are fometimes marked with fmall
white fpots. The flowers grow on the tops of the
flalks and branches, and confift of five yellow petals ;
they are fucceeded by fmooth fmall feeds, collefted
into oblong heads ; it flowers in May and June, and
is found on the fides of brooks and ftanding waters,
as well as in moift marfhy grounds. It is a dangerous
poifon taken inwardly, though fome apply it out-
wardly, to refolve fcorphulous tumours.

RAP A, the Turnep plant, has a tuberofe, flefhy,

bellied, round, thick root, that grows fometimes to

the fize of a child's head, and is univerfally known.

The leaves are oblong, large, lye upon the ground,

0^4 and

344 THE NATURAL HISTORY

and are cut deeply into jags. They are rough to the
touch, are of a greenifh brown colour, and of the
tafte of a pot-herb. The ftalk rifes from among the
)eaves, to the height of two feet, and fometimes to
that of a man. The leaves embrace the ftalk with
their broad bafe, and terminate in a point. The
tlowers grow on the top of the ftalk, are yellow,
and confift of four leaves, difpofed in the form of a
crofs, with a calyx fixed on a long (lender pedicle.
The piftil is fucceeded by a pod, divided into two
cells, by a partition, which contain two rows of
roundilh, reddifh feeds. It flowers in the fpring and
fammer.

RAPA OBLONGA, fi^e FOEMINA, obkng, or
female Turtiep^ differs from the former in having an
oblong root that is not fo thick. Befides thefe, there
are the garden turnep, with a green root above
ground ; the round garden turnep with a purple root ;
the round garden turnep with a rufty black root, and
the round garden turnep with a yellow root both within
and without ; they all delight in a light fandy foil,
for in a rich foil they will grow rank and ilicky. The
common feafon for fowing them, is from the middle
of Jtoze to the latter end of Augujl, and in fome
places they fow them much later.

The ufe of turneps as an aliment, is well known,
and they are accounted an emollient, and proper to
abate the acrimony of the humours ; but they are
windy, caufe obftrudions, and do not digeft very
eafily. We have an inftance of a lawyer that had a
cough, which proceeded from too free a ufe of the juice
of lemons, and after he had tried many medicines
without fuccefs, he was cured with the decoction of
turneps. They are accounted a great pedoral, and
many have been faid to be cured of an aflhma by their
juice, that is, by taking a large fpoonful in a morning
falling, for forty days together.

RAPHANUS MINOR, the garden Radijh, has 2
long fleihy root, red or purple without, and white
within. The leaves are large, rough, green, deeply

cut,

OF VEGETABLES. 345

cut, and much like thofe of turneps. A (lalk arifcs
from among thefe, to the height of a foot and a half,
or two feet, that is round, branched, and is adorned
with flowers, confifting of four petals, in the form of
a crofs ; the piftil arifcs from the flower-cup, which
turns into a pod of the fliape of a horn, that is fpungy
within, and contains two rows of roundifli feeds that
are feparated by a thin membrane. It is cultivated in
gardens, and the root is chiefly in ufe in the fpring,
which is tender, full of juice, and eaten as food. Ic
agrees very well with moil conilitutions, provided
they have good ftomachs, for it is apt to riie therein.
The juice is good in the gravel, if four ounces be
taken of it for four days, in a morning fiftirg.

RAPHANUSRUSTICANUS, Horfe Radijh, has
a. long, thick, creeping, white root, that fends fortii
large long pointed leaves, of a fine green colour, Ibme-
what like monk's rhubarb. From among thefe thera
arifes a flalk, to the height of a foot and a half,
which is upright, hollow, furrowed, and furniflied.
with leaves, a pahn in length, and an inch in breadcb^
aftd cut deeply on both fides. On the top there are
fmall flowers, compofud of four white petals, in. the
form of a crofs, which are fuccceded by fmall rouiidifh
pods, divided into two cells, that contain fmooth,
roundifh, reddifh feeds. It flowers in the.fpring, and
grows wild on the fides of brooks and rivers, but is
cultivated in gardens. It is ufed as muftard, to pro-
mote the digellion of aliments, and to create an ap-
petite. The diftilled water is given to four ounces
againft thefcurvy and gravel, and to cleanfe the blood.
The exprefied juice of the roots and feeds mixed with
honey, and taken in a morning fading, for fome tim.e,
in whey, cleanfes the ftomach, kidneys, and lungs ;
it cures coughs, and inveterate hoarfcnefles, provided,
they are nu: dry, or attended. with fpif.ing of blood.
It is faid to bs excellent againft che fcurvy, dronly,
and rhaumatifm, if continued for fome time. The
dofe of the root in powder, is from one fcriiple to
tw-o i of the frtfl"! rcct. in decodion, ftom. iiaU an
Q 5 . ounce

346 THE NATURAL HISTORY

ounce to an ounce ; and of the juice a fpoonful. It
is hard to fay what a fcruple of the root will do,
fince it is often eaten at meals in much larger quan-
tities, therefore this feems to be a trifling dofe.

RAPUNCULUS ESCULENTUS, Ramplons, has
a long root, as thick as one's finger, which is white,
and good to eat. The ftalks rife to the height of
two feet, and are flender, angular, furrowed, hairy,
and furniflied with narrow pointed leaves without pe-
dicles ; they adhere to the ftalk by a pretty large bafe,
and are flightly dentated on the edges, and are full
of a milky juice. The flowers grow on the top of
the ftalk and branches, and confifl: of a fingle leaf,
of a purple colour, and fomewhat in the form of a
bdl, cut at the edges into five parts, 'i^nd have alfo a
calyx, divided into five fegments. The piflil is com-
monly fplit into two horned divifions, and the flower-
cup turns to a fruit, divided into three cells, containing
reddifli feeds. It flowers in June^ and grows wild on
the fides of ditches, and in the fields among corn. It
is alfo cultivated in gardens, and is ufed by fome as
a fallad in Lent. The root is a kind of fmall turnep,
of an agreeable tafte before the ftalk is much grown.
\^ the root be cut in flices, and planted in the ground,
they will each yield a frefli plant.

RAPUNCULUS %YIQM:\3^, fpikedRampiom, has
a root like the former, and it fends forth leaves like
thofe of the l^^'arch violet, which are fometimes fpotted
uitb black, and they have long pedicles. The ftalk
riles from among* the leaves, to the height of a foot
and a half, which is angular, light, milky, and fur-
nidjed with oblong leaves j the flowers grow in a fpike
at the top, and are either blue, purple, or white,
confifting of a fingle petal, cut into five fegments, in
the form of a ftar, and have as many oblong ftamina,
with apices. They are fuccecded by fmall roundifli
fruit, divided into three cells, containing fmall, red-
difli, fliining feeds. It flowers in Jutie^ and is eaten
as the former ; it grows on mountains, cold meadows,
and fhady valleys. They are both faid to ftrengthen

the

OF VEGETABLES. 347

the ftomach, to help digeflion, and to be good againft
the gravel. There are many other forts of rampions,
brought from diftant countries, and propagated in the
gardens of the curious.

RESEDA VULGARIS, commofi hajlard Rocket, has
a long, flender, woody, white root, which fends forth
feveral flalks, to the height of a foot and a half, that
are furrowed, hollow, hairy, branched, weak, crooked,
and furnifhed with leaves, placed alternately ; thefe
are deeply cut, are curled, and of a dark green co-
lour, with the tafte of a pot-herb. The flowers are in
loofe fpikes, and are each compofed of yellow irre-
gular petals, in the middle of which there are feveral
fmall llamina, with yellow apices, and a piftil that
turns to a four-cornered fruit, an inch in length, and
like cylindric urns, full of fmall, roundilh, black
feeds. It flowers in yune, July^ and Juguji, and is
common in the fields. There are feveral kinds of
this plant, that are propagated in the gardens of cu-
rious botanifts. It is faid to be emollient and refolvent,
and is applied externally by fome, to difcufs infla-
matory fwellings, as well as to eafe the pain.

RHAMNUS CATHARTICUS, purgingBuck thorn,
is a flirub with a long, hard, woody root, and it
fometimes grows to the height of a tree, with a bark
like that of the cherry tree, and a yellowifli wood ;
the branches are armed with thorns, like thofe of the
wild pear tree. The leaves are roundilh, of a blackifli
green, flightly dentated on the edges, and pretty-
much like thofe of the plumb tree, 'i'he flowers are
fmall, of a greenifh or yellowifli colour, and grow in
bunches along the branches, and confifl of Angle pe-
tals, in the fhape of a funnel, divided at the top into
four parts, and have as many ilamina. Thefe are
fucceeded by foft berries, green at firil, and black
when they are ripe ; they are as large as juniper
berries, are fliining, and full of a greenilh-black juice,
with four {^^^Sy roandifh on the back, and almoft like
the pippens of pears. This fl:irub is common in
hedges, and it flowers in Hay, and the berries are

ripe

348 THE NATURAL HISTORY

ripe towards O^oher. There is a colour made of
the juice of thefe berries, called fap-green, which is
made by prefling it out when ripe, and then evapo-
rating it to a confluence over a gentle fiie ; there is
added a little roach-allum, diflblved in water, to give
it a higher and more beautiful colour. It muft be
continued over the fire till it comes to the confiftence
of honey, and then it muft be put in bladders, and
hung up in the chimney, or any other hot place, till
it becomes hard. When thefe berries are gathered in
liarveft time, and fteeped in allum water, they will
} ield a yellow or faffron-coloured juice ; if they are
gathered in autumn, when they are ripe, and kept in
a glafs vefTel, they will yield a good green ; but if
they are left on the tree till towards St. Martiti9
day, they will yield a fcarlet, that is very ufeful to dye
leather, and to colour cards with red. It is well known
that the berries are a purge, which are faid to be
good in the dropfy, palfy, rheumatifm, and gout.
A dram, or a dram and a half, of the ripe berries,
dried and powdered, is a dofe. They generally oc-
csfion gnpes, ficknefs, a dryncfs of the mouth and
throat, and thirft. About twenty of the frefli berries
is a dofe in fubftance, and twice or thrice this number
in decodion, or an ounce of the exprefied juice. A
fyrup made of the juice is kept in the fhops.
' RHUS FOLIO ULMI ; ccmmon Sumach, has a long,
crx;eping, woody root, and is a ihrub that grows to
the height of a man, and fometimes to that of a tree ;
the Laves are oblong, pointed, hairy, winged, reddifh,
dentntcd on the edges, and pretty like thofe of the
fervice tree. The flowers grow in bunches among the
leaves of the branches, at the top, and arc of a whitifh
)ellow colour J they are compofed of five leaves, dif-
pofed in the form of a rofe, and fuftained by a calyx,
and divided into five parts. The piftil turns to a flat,
oval, membranous, grcenirti capfula, that contains a
finglc feed, abioft of the fliape of a kidney. It grows
])}cntifLi]!y in the fouf.hern parts of Eurcje, as r.lfo in
'lur'kyy where tlie branches are ufcd for tanning of
leather. This is not fo common in Evglatid, as thofe
brought iiom America ^ which are \.\i{: Virginian iSumacb,

im-

OF VEGETABLES. 34a

improperly called the Stags hom tree ; Iseiu England
Sumach f i^:ith loofe herbaceous f ankles y andfmooth branches,
the Canada Sumach, njuith a longer leafy fmooth on each
Jide, and the dioarf Virginian Sumach nxith narro^u}
lea'ves. The fiiftof thefe is very common in gardens^
and produces bunches of fmall flowers in June, at the
extremities of the branches, which are fucceeded by
feed included in red covers. Thefe are fometimes ufed
in dying, and the branches are employed in America^ for
tanning of leather. They may be all propagated by
feeds, which fhould be fown foon after they are ripe,
and the plants will come up the following fpring.
The leaves and fruit have been fometimes ufed in
decodions, for fluxes of the belly, and again ll in-
ternal hasmorrhages.

RIBES VULGARIS, the red Currant hu/h, rifes to
the height of two or three cubits, and has a bay or
afli-coloured bark. The leaves are like thofe of the
vine, but much lefs, and are fmooth, of a dark green
above, but covered wirh a foft down beneath. The
flowers grow in bunches, and are compofed of five
purple petals, placed in the form of a rofe, and are
fomewhat in the fliape of a heart. The calyx is in
the form of a bafon, divided into five fegments, and
the hinder part turns to a berry, green at firft, and af-
terwards red, which is univerfally known. Befldes this,
there are other forts, as the Dutch red Currant, the
common <white Currant, the large Dutch luhite Currant,
the Champaign Currant, the Coo/eberry halved Currant^
the fmall nutld Currant, the black Currant, the yelloiu
Jlriped halved Currant ^ the common Currant, nvitb leaves,
beautifuUyvarie^ated lAjith green and nvhite ; the <vchite
Currant ivith friped leanjes ; the firiped goofeberry-leanjed
Currant ; the black Currant tA;ith friped iewves ; and
the American black Currant. The manner of the flower-
ing of this laft, is very different from the other forts ;
but the fruit is not much valued. They may be all
propagated by cuttings, from September to March, but
the aulumn is bell, and they will thrive almoft in any
foil or fituation. Red currants and their preparations,

are

350 THE NATURAL HISTORY
are generally accounted good to abate internal heats, and
to reflrain the efFervefcence of the blood ; and as they
are fomewhat aftringent, they (Irengthen the ftomach,
excite an appetite, and are good againft vomitting.
Currants eaten too freely, will caufe loofeneffes, at-
tended with gripes, and are hurtful to the lungs.

The leaws of black CURRANTS, have been ac-
counted by fome a fort of a panacea, and in fome parts
of France, after they have been bruifed in wine, and the
juice prefied out, it has been given to half a pint, twice
a day, for eight days together, to thofe that have been
bitten by a mad dog, that is in the morning fafiing, and
three or four hours after dinner. Others (ay, that four
ounces of the juice of the leaves, or rather the infufion
in wine, for twenty-four hours, given to four ounces
in a morning failing, will cure the dropfy. In the phi-
lofophical tranfadions, it is faid that the gelly of black
currants fwallcwed down leifurely in fmall quantities, is
a fpecific againft the quinfey ; and in winter, when the
gelly cannot be had, a deccdion of the leaves and bark
in milk, ufed as a gargle, is faid to cure all inflamma-
tory diftempers of the throat.

KO^AVAhhlY)AJt.vemCAV<NhTA,thepa!eRore,
has a long, hard, woody root, that fends forth feveral
ftalks, which form a (hrub, that divides into firm long
branches, covered with a dark greenifli bark, and fomc'
times furniihed with ftrong prickles ; the leaves grow
by pairs, and are generally feven in number, on one
rib, which is terminated by a fmgle leaf; thefe are
roundifh, dentated on the edges, and rough to the
touch. The flower is fometigies fmgle, and compofed
of five large petals or leaves, with feveral yellow apices
in the middle. It is fcmetimes double, and then the
external petals are a little larger than the internal, and
of an agreeable red or carnation colour, with a very
fweet, though weak frnell. When the flower is falling
ofi^, the calyx turns to an oval fruit, in the fliape of a
fmall olive, with a rind that is a little flefliy, and con-
fiftsonly cf a fingle cell, full of angular, hairy, whiiifli
feeds. It flov;ers in May and June, and is cultivated
in gardens. Ihe diftilled water from thefe rofes, is

accounted

OF VEGETABLES. 351

accounted good againft inflammations of the eyes ; and
fome fay when it is given inwardly, from one ounce to
fix, it will flop ioofeneffes and fpitting of blood ; but the
fyrup of pale rofes is folutive, and is given from an ounce
and a half to two ounces. There are fome who cannot
bear the fmell of thefe rofes, but inllances of this are very
uncommon.

ROSA DAMASCENA PALLIDA, the damaJkRofe,
has a root like the former, from whence arife ftalks
or Items, to the height of ten or twelve feet, which
are thick, ftrait, and armed with reddifh ftrong thorns,
that are not fo flat as thcfe of the former ; the leaves
are alfo fet at greater diilances, are lefs v/rinkled,
more pointed, and are green above, and whitifn be-
low i they are dentated on the edges, and are fom.e-
times feven, and fometimes nine on the fame rib,
placed by pairs oppofite to each other, and terminating
in a fmgle leaf ; and it has crooked thorns on the
bafe. Some of thefe rofe buiVies have flowers, con-
fifting only of five petals, that have a very fwpet
fmell, and it is cultivated in gardens, and flowers in
autumn. That with double flowers, is not of a diftinft
kind, but only a variation of the former. The flowers
are folutive, or rather purging, for two pugils infufed
in veal broth, and taken in a morning, will purge
very well. Li hot countries they purge fo much, that
phyficians will not fufi^er none but thofe of flrong
conflitutions to take them.

ROSA ALBA, the ivhite Rofe, has a root like the
former, which fends forth ftalks to the height of eight
or ten feet, which are thick, woody, and armed with
crooked prickles. There are fometimes five, and fome-
times feven, oblong, fmooth, crenated leaves on one
rib, that are fometimes prickly at the bafe. The
flowers grow at the extremity of the branches, which
are large, beautiful, and have a fweet fmell. It is
cultivated in gardens, and generally flowers in May
and June. All authors agree, that they are aftringent,
and the diflilled v/ater is made ufe of in fome parts,
againft inflammations of the eyes.

ROSA

35.2 THE NATURAR HISTORY

ROSA RUBRA, the red Rofe, has a creeping,
ftrong, woody root, with feveral ftems, that are lower
than thofe of the former, covered with a green bark,
armed with prickles. The flowers are of a beautiful
red colour, with a fweet agrec-able fwell j it is culti-
vated in gardens, where it flowers in June and July.
Thefe are reckoned aftringent, clcanfing, and proper
to llrengthen the ftomach, to Hop vomitting, fluxes, and
haemorrhages. The dole of the conferve, is from two
drams to half an ounce, and is given againA coughs,
2Jid in confumptions, and there are feveral inllances
of its efficacy.

ROSA SYLVESTRIS VULGARIS, the Dog-Rofe,
has a long, creeping, hard, woody root, that fends
forth long thick branches, armed, with ftrong thorns
or prickles ; the, leaves are large, oblong, fmooth,
and like thofe of the common rofe. The flowers
confift of five white petals, with a mixture of .red or
carnation, and they fall ofF with the leaft blaft of
wind ; they are fucceeded by oval oblong fruit, which
are green at the beginnings and as red as coral when
they are rips. The rind ib fle(hy, and hath a fweetifti
tart lafte ; the feeds are angular, white, hard, and
wrapped up in ftrong hair, that readily feparates from
them. It grows every where near or in hedges with-
aut cultivation. The fruit are called hips, and there
is a conferve made of them kept in the ihops. Thefe
flowers are purgative, like thofe of other rofes, but
the conferve is recommended in fluxes of the belly,
to moderate theJieat of the bile, and to abate the
fliarpnefs of urine ;. the dofe is from two drams lo
half an ounce.

ROSMARINUS HORTENSIS ANGUSTIORE,
FOLIO, narroix) halved garden Rofemary^ has a llender,
fmall, fibrous root, that fends forth a ,ft'i]k that be-,
comes a fhrub, which in fome , countries rifes to the
height of three or four feet ; the lea cs-rre whole,,
narrow, hard, ftifF, of a brownifli green ajove, and
white below. The flower confiiis of a fmgle petal,
of a pal; blue colour, that is labiated, and wbofe

upper

OF VEGETABLES. 3?3

upper lip or creft, is cut into two parts, and is turned
backwards, with crooked (lamina or chives ; but th«
under lip or beard, is divided into three parts, the
middlemoft of which is hollow like a fpoon ; the
flower-cup is dentated, being divided into three cells,
from which arifes the piftil, attended with four ena-
bryoes, that turn to as many roundiih feeds, inclofed
in the flower-cup. It is cultivated in gardens, and
flowers in Jpril, May^ and June ; but it grows wild
in many hoc countries, fuch'as S'/^/V/, lialyy and the
fouth parts of France. However they are hardy
enough to bear a moderate winter in thefe parts in the
open air, provided they are planted on a poor, dry,
gravelly foil. Befides this, there is the broad leaved
garden Rojemary ; the gold Jiriped Rofemary ; the narroiv
lea'ved Jiluer Jiriped Rofemary ; the Rofemary of Almeria,
nvith a large fpiked pur plijh jionx^er^ and the broad lea'ved
Rofemary ivith an elegant friped leaf They may be
all propagated by planting flips or cuttings at the be-
ginning of the year, upon a bed of light frefh earth,
and they fliould be tranfplanted in the beginning oF
September J to the places where they are defigned to
grow.

The flowers and the leaves are made nfe of in me-
dicine, and they are ufed both internally and exter-
nally. They ftrengthen the brain, are good againft
the palfy and epilepfy, as well as obftrudions of the
vifcera, they reftore the tone of the folids, and incide
and attenuate grofs humour. The water wherein the
flowers and leaves are fteeped for a night, is good for
the whites, and jaundice, and it ftrengthens the me-
mory and fight. Hungary-water is made from the
flowers, cups, and young leaves of this plant, after
they have been digefted in fpirits of wine, and the
fpirit is to be diflilled off; the dofe of this is a fmall
fpoonful, in a glafs of water. The conferve of the
flowers is cordial, ftomachic, and cephalic, and the
dofe is from a dram to half an ounce. Boerhaave
looks upon the eflential oil, to be the beft remedy
againfl the epilepfy, and a few drops of it are to be

given

354 THE NATURAL HISTORY

given in wine ; the ufual dofe of this is five or {iX:
drops.

ROS SOLIS, Sun denv^ has a fibrous, flender, hairy
root, that fends forth feveral long, fmall, hairy branches,
on which there are fmall roundifh leaves that are
hollow like an ear-picker, and of a pale green ; and
the ftalks are adorned with a reddifh, hairy fringe,
and are hollow, from whence tranfudes drops of a
fluid into the hollow of the leaves, infomuch that
their hair is always moift, as it were with dew, in
the drieft feafcns. From among the leaves there arife
two or three ftalks, to the height of fix inches, that
are flender, round, reddiih, tender, without leaves,
and on whofe top are fmall whitilh flowers, with
feveral petals placed in the form of a rofe. The
ilower-cup is in the fhape of a dentated horn, and
the flowers themfelves hang on one fide. They are
fucceeded by fmall fruit, of the fize of a grain of
wheat, which contains feveral feeds. It grows in
defarts, wild, fandy, moift, marfhy places, and moft
commonly among water mofs of a whitifh-red colour,
and it flowers in June and Jul^. This plant is faid to
be perioral, and good againft all disorders of the
lungs ; the dofe is a dram in powder, and two drams
in infulion. Boerhaa<ve recommends this laft in the
vertigo, the epilepfy, and diforders of the eyes,

RUBEOLA,>x^RUBIA SYNANCHICA, ^infey.
nvorfy or petty Madder, has a long, thick, woody,,
branched root, furnifhed with many (lender fibres j
but the ftalks are flender, fix inches in length, and-
generally lye upon the ground ; they are fmocth,
fquare, and the leaves proceed by fours from the
knots, that are fliort, narrow, and fhining. The
flowers grow on the tops of the ftalks and branches,
which are fmall, in the fliape of a funnel, cut into
four parts, of a reddifh colour, though fometimes
white. Thefe are fucceeded by feeds, two of which
are joined together, and are oblong, rough, yellowifh
when ripe, and full of a whitifti pulp. It grows on
fandy, barren, mountainous places, efpecially on chalk

hills.

OF VEGETABLES. 3^5

hills. It flowers from May to OSlober. It is faid to
be excellent in the quinfey, either ufed as a gargle,
or applied outwardly ; but it is out of ufe at prefent.

RUBIA TINCTORUM SATIVA, cultivated dyer' r
Madder, has a long, creeping, fucculent root, divided
into feveral branches, and of the thicknefs of a goofe-
quill. It is woody and red both without and within.
It fends forth long branches, that are fquare, geni-
cukted, or knotty, and rough ; and from each knot
there proceeds five or fix oblong leaves, that furround
the ftalk in the form of a ftar ; they are hairy, and
crenated all round, with fmall furrows. The flowers
grow on the tops of the branches, and confift of a
lingle leaf, which is cut into four or five fegments,
expanded at the top ; the flower-cup becomes a fruit,,
compofed of two juicy berries clofely joined together,
which are black when ripe, and full of juice ; each
contains a feed, which is generally hollowed like an
navel, and is almofl round. It flowers in July and
Jugujlf and is cultivated in many parts of Europe, but
not fo much here as formerly ; which is a great pity,
for there are no lefs than thirty thoufand pounds ex-
pended annually in this commodity. It is made ufe
of for dying ; and that which is brought from Zealand
is accounted the bell. The root is taken out of the
earth in May and June, and they dry it for tranfpor-.
tation. The root is one of the five lefTer opening
roots, and is faid to refolve grofs humours, and to be
ufeful in obflrudtions of the vifcera. Some afHrm it
refolves coagulated blood, which perhaps may be owing
to its giving a red colour to the urine. Bcerhaa^ve
afiirms, it is good againft the gravel, and cleanfes
the kidneys and bladder from mucous matter. The
dofe of the root in powder is a dram, or two, and
in decodiion from half an ounce to an ounce. It has
one very uncommon property, that is, it will turn the
bones of thofe animals red, that have fed upon it for
fome time.

RUBUS VULGARIS FRUCTU NIGRO, the
common Bramble or Blackberry bufi, has a llender creep-
ing

356 THE NATURAL HISTORY

ing, knotty root, that fends forth fever al long, weak,
bending, greenifh, red, angular, pithy branches, that
are armed with ftrong crooked prickles, which lay hold
of the garments of thofe that pafs by. The leaves
are oblong, pointed, dentated on the edges, rough*
and brown above, but whitifh below ; they are placed^
by three's, or five's, on the fame pedicles, and never
fail off in winter, till others come in their places.
The flowers on the end of the branches confift of fiv&
petals or reddifli leaves, difpofed in the form of a rofe^
and the flower-cup is cut into fiveparts^, in the middled
of which there is a piflil, furrounded with a great*
number of ftamina, or chives. Thefe are facceeded*-
by round or oval fruit,, nearly Uke mulberries, that-
are compofed of feveral berries, full of juice, clofely
joined together, that are red at firrt, and black when
ripe ; each of thefe contain an oblong.f€ed» It grows
almofl every where in the fields and- woods-, and'
flowers in J.-ne, J^hr ^"^^ Auguft ; the fruit is rip©
in autumn. The root is cleanfing, aftringent, and
abforbent ; and a fyrup made of the fruit, is recora*
mended in heat of urine. Boerhaai'e afiirms, that tb«:
roots taken out of the earth in February or- Marchi
and boiled with honey,. are an excellent remedy againft
the dropfy. The leaves pounded and applied to ring-
worms and ulcers of the legs, heal them in a fliort-
time. The fruit when ripe is cooling, and quenches
thirft.

RUBUS ID^US SPINOSUS FRUCTU RUBRG
ET ALBO, the Rtr/beny bup^ has a long creeping
root, divided into feveral branches, and it fends forth
feveral ftalks, to the height of a man, armed with
thorns, th?t are not very prickly, the leaves are like
thofe of the bramble, but more tender and foft, and
of a brownifn green above, but whitifli below. The
flowers are white, and confift of five petals, difpofed
in the form of a rofe, and the calyx is divided into
five parts ; from the center of which the piflil arifes,
with many Ilaraina, that afterwards turns to a fruit,
which is larger than a ftrawberry. It is round, a little

hairy.

OF VEGETABLES. 357

hairy, and compofed of five berries, joined clofely
together ; the colour is generally red, and they are
full of a rich vinous juice, and each contain a feed.
It grows wild in moid Ihady woods, and it is culti-
vated in gardens and orchards ; it flowers in May ^nd
June, and the root is ripe in July, but it will not keep.
There are other forts of rafpberries, and particularly
one, that has white fruit ; but they have all the fame
qualities. It is faid to be coohng, cordial, and to
ftrengthen the ftomach. They agree with people of
hot conftitutions, and there is a iyrup made with them,
that is kept in the fliops.

RUSCUS LATIFOLIUS FRUCTU FOLIO IN.
NASCENTE, narroiv leagued butcher s broom, or Alex^
■andrian laurel^ ivith ihe fruit grooving on the leases. It
has a long, white, hard, knotty, fibrous root, that
fends forth ftalks to the height of two feet, whicti
are fmall, flexible, green, round, and furniflied with
pretty thick, broad, nervous, bending leaves, of a
.beautiful green colotrr, and refembling thofe of the
common bay tree. The flowers proceed from the
large ntxvt of the leaves, and are in the fhape of
little bells, but without pedicles ; they are fmall, and
of a grecnifli or pale yellow, with a piftil in the middle,
that becomes a foft roundiih fruit or berry, that is red
AVhen ripe, and contains two feeds as hard as horn.
This flirub grows wild in mountainous places, and is
cultivated in gardens. It flowers in fummer, and the
fruit is ripe in autumn. The roots are faid to be
aperient, and to be good in a fupprelhon of urine ;
but the leaves are vulnerary, and proper to c'leanfc
and dry moift ulcers.

RUSCUS MYRTIFOLIUS ACULCATUS, the
common Knee-hoUy., or butcher s hroom^ has a thick,
crooked, warty, hard, creeping, white root, furniflied
with thick long fibres, and fends forth ftalks to the
height of two feet, that are tough and hard to break ;
and they are furrowed, and divided into feveral
branches. The leaves are like thofe of the myrtle,
but more ftifF and rough, pointed, prickly, nervous.

and

358 THE NATURAL HISTORY

and without pedicles; they are always green, and have
a bitter aftringent tafte. The iiowers grow in the'
middle of the leaf, and confift of a fingle petal, cut
into fix parts, whofe Hamina being united, are in the
ihape of a bell, but there is no calyx. Thefe arc
fucceeded by round berries, as large as peas, fome-
%vhat foft and red when ripe. It grows in rough,
flony places, and in woods, forreils, and hedges ^
it flowers in Jpril and May. There proceed tender
flioots from the roots in fpring, that are green, and
may be eaten as afparagus. If they are fuffered to
grow, they become leafy, woody, and tough j and in
fome places they make brooms with them. This
plant is faid to incide grofs humours, and to carry
them off by urine ; and the root is one of the five
greater opening roots. The dofe is from half an
ounce to an ounce in decodlion, ai.d has been re-
commended in the jaundice, dropfy, and gravel.
JBoerhaanje afHrms the decodlion of the leaves in white
wine, is an excellent remedy in the gravel and dropfy,
and the dofe is a glafs in a morning falling ; but it
mull be continued for fome time.

RUTA HORTENSIS LATIFOLIA, the common
broad lemjed garden Rue, has a woody root, furniflied
with a great number of fibres, and it fends forth
ftalks in the form of a Ihrub, that fometimes rife to
the height of five or fix feet ; they are as thick as
one's finger, woody, divided into feveral branches,
and covered with a whitifli bark. The leaves are
divided into feveral fegments. and are fmall, oblong,
fmooth, of a fea-green colour, and placed by pairs
in a rib, terminating in a fingle leaf. The flowers
grow on the tops of the branches, and generally
confift of four fomewhat oval leaves, of a pale yellow
colour ; the pillil arifes out of the flower-cup, which
turns to a fruit, confiding of four capfulse, fixed to
an axis, that are full of angular feeds, in the form of
a kidney. It is cultivated every where in gardens,
flowers in Juncy and continues green all the winter.

RUTA

OF VEGETABLES. 359

RUTA SYL^^STRIS MAJOR, the greater woild
Ruey is fomewhat like the garden rue, but is fmaller,
and the leaves are divided into longer fegments, which
are alfo more narrow, and of a darker green. It
grows in the fouthern parts of Europe^ in rough, ftony,
'mountainous places. They both have the fame vir-
tues, and have a difagreeable fmell, with an acrid
.bitter tafle. The leaves when in perfedlion, will
blifter the llcin, if much handled, and are faid to be
inciding, attenuant, and difcuiTive ; therefore they
are proper, as they have alfo a ftimulating quality to
quicken the circulation of the fluids, to diflblve grofs
humours, and to open obftruftions of the glands.
Boerhaa<ve had a high opinion of it, and affirms nothing
can be more proper to promote fvveat and perfpiration,
and to cure the hyfteric paffion, and the epilepfy. An
extract made with the redified fpirit, contains the
■whole virtue of the rue. The dofe of the juice is
to two ounces ; but the leaves are beft for thofe that
can eat them ; or they may be taken in powder, from
a fcruple to a dram, or the infufion may be drank as
tea.

SABINA MAS, the common Sa<vine, has a ftrong
woody root, that fends forth a ftem or fhrub, that
extends more in breadth than in height, and is always
green. The leaves are like thofe of German tamariflc,
but are more hard, and thorny, and have a ftrong
difagreeable fmell, with an acrid burning tafte. On
the top of the branches there are catkins or flowers,
that have three ftamina without petals, and which are
not fucceeded by any fruit ; however if the flirub be
y^xy old, it fends forth fmall greenifli flowers, that are
fucceeded by fmall flattifh berries, lefs than juniper
berries, that are of a blueifii-black when ripe. It is
cultivated in gardens, but in our climate feldom or
never yields any fruit.

SABINA FOLIO CUPRESSI, the berry-bearing
upright Sabine, has a root like the former, but pro-
duces a higher ftem, for it rifes to a fort of a
tree, whofe wood is reddiih within, and is covered

with

s6o THE NATURAL HISTORY
with a reddifti pretty thick bark. The leaves are like
thofe of the cyprefs tree, but more compadt, with a
firong penetrating fmell, and a bitter, aromatic, re-
finous tafte. The flowers confift of three pointed
petals, as well as the calyx, which is divided into
tliree pares, and is of a yellowilh colour. The ber-
ries are roundifli, flcfhy, and on the lower part there
are three tubercles, with a navel, armed with three
fmall teeth, and they contain three oblong Hones, that
are convex on one fide, and angular on the other. Il
grows among mountains, woods, and other unculti-
vated places, and is alfo planted in gardens. The
firft is only ufed in medicine, and is inciding, pe-
netrating, and aperient. It promotes the menfes in
women, and haftens child-birth. The dofe of the
leaves in infufion, is half an ounce, and in powder
to a dram, in a glafs of white wine. It is looked
upon by moft phyficians, to be a forcing and dan-
gerous emmenagogue, and has been abufed in all
countries by fnigle women that wanted to procure
abortion ; however there arc fome that will not allow
it to have this property. The diftillcd oil, taken upon
a lump of fugar, has the fame virtues, and is em-
ployed by fome to kill worms. This plant is a good
remedy for opening obftrudlions of the vifcera, pro-
ceeding from a weaknefs of the veiTels, and the clam-
mynefs of the fluids.

SALICARIA, ftve LYSIMACHIA PURPURA,
furple fpikedV/ill<yvj herby or Loofe St rife ^ nxjtth longUa'ves^
has a thick, woody, white, perennial root, with
branches that fometimes rife to the height of a man,
that are flifl*, angular, branched, and reddifti. The
leaves are oLIong, pointed, narrow, and of a deep
green ; they proceed from the knots of the flalks
by pairs, and fometimes by threes, but \txy feldoin
by fours ; they furround the ftalks by intervals, and
have a ^xy alhingent tafle. The flowers are vef-ti-
cillattd in the midcile of the branches, and are col*
leded in fpikcs, of a fine purple colour, and each
confift of fix leaves or petals, in the form of a rofe,

with

(yp VEGETABLES. ^6t

^^>lth. twelve ftamina of the fame colour, placed in
the middle. The piftil rifes from the middle of the
flower-cup, and turns to a hufk, or oblong pointed
capfula, divided into two cells, full of fmall feeds.
It grows in moid marfliy places, and by the fides of
waters and rivers ; it generally flowers in June and
yufy. This plant is deterfive, a^ringent, vulnerary,
and cooling, but is feldom ufed in medicine, though
fome pretend it -is an excellent remedy again ft the
bloody-flux.

SALIX VULGARIS ALBA ARBORESCENS;
ihe common (white Willonjo tree, has a long, WOOdy,
white root, that produces a pretty large tree, with
many firm green branches, covered with a fmooth
foft bark ; the wood is white, pliant, and difficult to
break. The leaves are long, narrow, downy, whitilh,
foft, and more or lefs dentated on the edges. The
flowers and fruit grow diftindlly from each other, and
the male has only catkins, or long fcaly fpikes without
petals, but there are two ftamina in the center. The
female willow has catkins like the former ; but they
have an oval, pointed piftil, fomewhat longer than
the fruit, which afterwards becomes a bivalved cap-
fula of the fame ftiape, full of oval tufted feeds. It
grows every where in moift marftiy places, and on the
fides of brooks and rivers.

SALIX CAPREA, feu MINOR, feu SALIX LA-
TIFOLIA ROTUNDA, the round leaded Willow, hal
a root like the former, and it produces a pretty large
flirub, covered with a whitifli bark. The leaves arc
roundilh, broad, nervous, of a deep green above,
and whitifh a-nd downy below, and the pedicle ig
often furniflied with two fmall leaves, cut like ears ;
the catkins and flowers grow in diftin<ft places, and
it delights in moift woods, and along the fides of
rivers and ditches, and is coqjmon in hedges. It
flowers in March and Aprlty and the wood though
more britde than the white willow, ferves to make
hoops for barrels. The bark, leaves, and catkins,
are faid to be cooling and aftringenX^ and they have
Vol. VL R beea

362 THE NATURAL HISTORY
been ufed in decoflions, and in all kinds of haemor-
rhages, but they are now out of ufe.

SALVIA MAJOR, the greater or common Sage, has
a perennial, hard, woody, fibrous root, with woody,
branched, hairy, white, green ftalks, generally fquare,
with leaves placed oppofite to each other ; thefe are
oblong, broad, obtufe, wrinkled, rough, and whitiih,
inclining to purple, and fometimes other colours ; they
are downy, thick, have a little juice, and are crenated
on the edges. The flowers grow in fpikes on the
tops of the branches, and confift of a fingle labiated
petal, with two ftamina ; they are of a blueifli co-
lour, inclining to purple, and are contained in a large
calyx, in the Ihape of a horn, that is cut into five
iegments, ^nd has thefmell of turpentine. Thefe are
fucceeded by four roundilh blackifh feeds, contained
in a hulk, that before was the flower-cup. It is cul-
tivated in gardens, and flowers in June and July,

SALVIA MINOR, five PIN NAT A, V^^^^ of
'virtue, has a root like the former, with feveral woody,
whitifh, downy flalks, as long as thofe of the com-
mon fage, but the leaves are Icfs, whiter, wrinkled,
rough, and generally attended at the bafe with two
fmall leaves, in the fliape of ears or wings. The
fmell and tafte are flronger, more penetrating and
aromatic. The flowers and feeds are like the former,
and it is cultivated in gardens.

SALVIA HISPANIC A, Spanijh Sage, nxAth a la-
njender leaf, fomewhat refembles the former, but it is
jefs, and the leaves are narrov/er, but more white, as
well as the flowers. It flowers in fummer, but is very
tender, and will not bear the cold v^xy well. They
may be all planted by flips, during any of the fommer
months, obferving to ft]ade and water them till they
have taken root ; after which they may be taken up
ruid planted in a dry foil, where they may have the
benefit of the fun. Sage of virtue, is- by moft ac-
counted the beft, though the properties of all are much
the fame ; they are cephalic, and very good againlt
jhc apoplexy^ cpilepf/^ palfy> and trembling of the

limbs.

OF VEGETABLES; 31?^

Ihribs. They are all ufed in the manner of tea, againlt
any of the diforders abovementioned, as well as for
a prefervative. It is very good for diforders of the
brain, to promote the ciiculation of the fluids, t9
•ftrengthen the ftomach, and to promote digeftion. It
is commonly laid, that the Chinefe wonder we fhould
buy their tea, when we have fo much fage of our
own, which they take to be much more excellent*
As to outward ufe, the leaves and flowers are oftea
employed in fomentations, to ftrengthen the nerves,
and to difcufs the fwellings of wounds.

S AMBUCUS FRUCTU IN UMBELLA NIGRO,'

the common Elder tree njoith black berries, has a woody,

long, whitifh root,, and fometimes grows to a middle

fized tree. The branches are large, round, and full,

of a white pith, that are green at firft, and afterwards

grey. The trunk is covered with a rough alh-coloured

bark, full of cracks, under which there is another,

which is green, and is ufed in medicine. There are

Ave or fix leaves that grow on one rib, which are

dentated on the edges, and each rib is terminated with

a Angle leaf, that is larger than the reft. The flowers

grow at the tops of the branches in umbels, and con-

fift of a fmgle petal, divided into five fegments, that

expand in the form of a rofe ; they are white, fmall,

and have five ftamina, with roundifli apices ; thefe are

fucceeded by foft, round, juicy berries, that are green

at firft, but black when ripe, and there are generally

three feeds in each. It grows almoft every where,

in all parts of Europe^ but delights in valleys and

moift fhady places. Is flowers in May and June^

and the berries are ripe in autumn. All parts of this

tree are in ufe, and they are generally known to have

a purging and aperient quality. In Germany they ufe

the frefti flowers, fried in pancakes, which are ex-

treamly laxative, without the leaft gripes or ficknefs.

The dofe of the rob of elder-berries, is from a dram

to half an ounce, in the bloody-flux, and to promote

urine and fweat. The ufe of elder-berries in made

wines, is univerfally known.

R 2 SAMOLUS^

5^4 THE NATURAL HISTORY

SAMOLUS, round leanjed iJiater Piv7peme/y has a

root furniftied with fibres like hairs, and flalks that

rife to the height of a foot, that are flender, round,

lliiF, in which the leaves are placed alternately without

pedicles ; they are ihorter and rounder than thofe

below, for there they are narrow and oblong at the

beginning, but grow broader by degrees to the ex-

tremityj and are thick, even, fmooth, and of a pale

green. The flowers grow on the top of the ftalks

and branches, and confift of a fingle petal, cut into

feveral fegments, that expand in the form of a rofe ;

they are white, and have five ftamina. The piftil

jifes from the fiower-cup, and is fixed like a nail in the

center of the flower, which uniting with the calyx,

jurns to a fruit or pod, which opens at the top, and

contains many fmall feeds. It grows in watery mariliy

places, flowers in June, and the feeds are ripe in

September. Some eat is as a fallad, and it is looked

«tpon to be vulnerary, aperient, andcleanfmg; but it

is not now in ufe.

SANICULA, Sankle, has a thick root above, that
is fibrous below, blackiih without, and white within.
It fends forth feveral broad roundiih leaves, that are
SI little hard, fmooth, dentated on the edges, and of
a &ie grttn fhining colour ; from among thefe there
arifes a flalk to the height of a foot, that is fmooth,
without knots, and reddifh towards the root, and on
the top there are feveral fmall flowers collected into
an umbel, confllling of five v.'hite or red petals, placed
JYi the form of a rofe, with five ftamina, and roundifh
apices. The petals are generally bent back to the
calyx, on which they reft, and which turns to a fruit
compofed of two {0.0,6.^^ convex on one fide, flat on
the other, and prickly at the points, by which means
they flick to the garments of thofe that pafs by. Some
of the flowers are always barren. It delights in fhady
woods, and in a flat moift foil ; and it flowers in June,
It has been long noted for its vulnerary virtues, and
may be ufed in the manner of tea, but it is not now
depended upon for any fugh purpofe.

SAPO

OF VEGETABLES. 3^

SAPONARIA MAJOR LJEVIS, Soap-ivort, has
a long, reddifh, knotty, creeping, fibrous, perennial'
root, with ftalks that rife to the height of two feet,
that are round, fmooth, knotty, pithy, and weak.
The leaves are large and nervous, like thofe of
plantain, but fmaller, fmooth, and have very fhort
pedicles. The flowers grow on the tops of the
ftalks in umbels, and each is compofed of five petals,
difpofed like a pink, and generally of a beautiful
purplifh colour, lometimes of a carnation, and fome-
times whitifh, with fix white ftamina, on which are
oblong apices. Thefe are fucceeded by a conical
fruit, with fmall, round, reddifh feeds. It grows near
rivers, ponds, brooks, and in nioill fandy places. It
is alfo cultivated in gardens, and it flowers in May^ or
Juney and continues in flower till September. It is
very bitter, and all authors agree, that it is cleanfing ;
it will even take fpotscut of cloaths, like foap, from
whence it had its name. It is in great efteem with
the German phyficians, as an aperient, ftrengthener, and
fudorific, preferring it to faflafras.

SATUREIA HORTENSIS, garden Sa'vory, has a
fmall, fmgle, woody root, with flalks that rife to the
height of a foot, or a foot and a half, which are round,
reddifti, and a little hairy and knotty. The leaves are
fmall and oblong, like thofe of hyfibp ; they are a
little hairy, and feem to^ have feveral holes, with a
finell like that of thyme, but weaker. The flowers
are fmall and labiated, confilting of a fingle petal ;
whofe upper lip or creft is divided into two parts,
but the lower lip or beard is divided into three, and
has the middle part crenated ; they proceed from the
places where the leaves join to the flalk, fomewhat
loofely, but not in whorls or fpikes, like moft of
this kind. They are white or purplifh, with four
filky ftamina, that are fucceeded by as many brownifli
round feeds, contained in a capfula, that was the
cup of the flower. It is cultivated in gardens, by
fowing the feeds on a bed of frefh light earth, in
March i and when the plants are come up, they mu ft
R 3 be

-366 THE NATURAL HISTORY
be moved into other beds, placing them about four or
five inches afunder each way ; it flowers in the fummer.
It is aperient, inciding, and ftrengthening, but it is
chiefly cultivated for the ufe of the kitchc;n, and is
very proper for cold ftomachs.

SATURIA MONTANA, /^'f SPICEATA, Rock
Savorjf has a hard, woody, perennial root, with
ftalks that rife to the height of fix inches, which
are firm and woody. There are many leaves at the
bottom, that are like thofe of large thyme j but they
are narrower, longifh, have a fweet fmell, and an
acrid tafle. The flowers are verticillated, jor difpofed
in rings, one over another, and at the top there is
a whitifh fpike, inclining to purple. It grows wild
on mountainous places, in hot countries, and flower*
in fummer. It may be propagated by flips or cuttings,
and fliould be planted on a dry foil, in which it will
endure the cold very well, but at prefent they are
almoft neglected. It is accounted aperient, cephalic,
carminative, and hyfleric j but it is now quite out of

SAXIFRAGA ALBA RADICE GRANULOSA,

Kv/jj/e rowid lean: ed Saxifrage^ has a root that fends forth
feveral fibres, at the top of which there are feveral
tubercles, fomewhat larger than coriander feeds, which,
are partly purple and partly white, and of a bitterifti
tafle. The leaves are almofl: round, crenated on tJi^
edges, and pretty much like thofe of ground-ivy,
only they are thicker and whiter. Among thefe the
fmall flalks arife, to the height of a foot, that are
tender, hairy, purplifli, and branched. The flowers
grow on the top, and have five leaves or petals, placed
in the form of a rofe, and white, that have fix fta-
mina, with roundifli apices. The flower-cup is di-
vided into feveral fegments, out of which the piftil
arifes, that, together with the flower- cup, turns into
a roundifli fruit, with two horns, and two cells full
of fmall, longifli, reddifli feeds. This plant is com-
mon in moift meadows, in divers parts of England^
and flowers in May, It is faid to be good in diforders

of

OF VEGETABLES. 3^7

of the breaft, and particularly in the moifl afthma f-
but it is now almoft negleded.

SAXIFRAGA VULGARIS, meadorvj Saxifrage,
has a perennial, long, thick, wrinkled root, white
within, and hairy at the top, with ftalks that rife from
one foot to two in height, which are thick, round,
furrowed, fmooth, pithy, reddiih towards the bottom,
and branched. The leaves are fmooth, of a deep green,
and divided into longilh, narrow-pointed, ftiff feg-
ments, with an acrid tafte. The flowers grow on the
tops of the branches in umbels, which have five leaves
or petals in the form of a rofe, and of a whitiih yel-
low colour. Thefe are fucceeded by fruit, compofed
of two fhort furrowed feeds, convex on one fide, and
fiat on the other; they have a ftrong pleafant fmell,'
and a vinous aromatic talle. It grows almoft every
where in moift places, and has been looked upon as
exceeding good for the gravel, the root being a powerful
diuretic ; but it is not now much- ufed for that pur-
pofe.

SAXIFRAGA MAGNA, Pimpa-nel Saxifrage, has
a large, thick, white root, furnilhed with a few fibres,
and a burning tafte j it fends forth ftalks to the height
of two feet, that are round, furrowed, knotty, hollow,
and branched. The leaves are oblong, and feveral
are placed together along the winged rib, and they
are dentated on the edges, and ibmetlmes cut vtty
deeply ; they are hairy on one fide, fmooth on the
other, and are of a fhining blackifh green ; but have
not fo ftrong a tafte as the root. The flowers grow
in umbels on the tops of the branches, which are
compofed of five white petals, placed in the form of
a flower de luce ; thefe are fucceeded by leaver,
joined by pairs, which are fmall, fhort, roundifh on
the back, and furrowed, but flat on the other fide.
It grows in uncultivated fandy places, expofed to the
fun, and flowers in July and Juguji. The whole
plant is looked upon as diuretic, fudorific, and vul-
nerary i but it is now negledled.

K 4 SCABI0S4

368 THE NATURAL HISTORY

SCABIOSA PRATENSIS HIRSUTA, coatmon
feld Scabious y has a ftrait, long, perennial root, with
Halks that rife to the height of two or three feet, that
arc round, hairy, hollow, and have leaves placed on
them by pairs, oppofite to each other. Thofe that
proceed from the root are oblong, downy, deeply cut>
and have a fomewhat acrid tafle. The flowers grow
at the top in round bunches, and are compofed of
unequal floretts, of a bke or purplifti colour. Thefe
arc fucceeded by greenifh fcaly heads, that have ra-
diated leaves at the bafe, and compofed of capfular,
in each of which there is an oblong (ctdj crowned at
the top. It grows aJmoft every where, among corn-,
and fiowers in Jmie and July-. It is faid to be alexi-
pharmac, fudorific, aperien*, cleanfmg, and vulnerary^,
but is not now depended upon for any fuch purpofes.

SCABIOSA FOLIO INTEGRO, <vel SUCCSIi.
SA, Dei'Ws Biii has a perennial Ihort root, that feems
to be bitten off in the middle, and it is furnilhed
with long fibres. It fends forth oblong pointed Ieaves>
like thofe of common Scabious, but they are whole,
and not cut, except thofe on the upper part of the
ftalk, which are crenated on the edges, and are greener
above than below, as well as rough, and covered
with fuch fhj)rt hair, that they feem to be fmooth;
Late in the feafon, there arife from among the leaves
feveral ftalks, that are round, firm, reddifti, branched*
and have two fmall leaves at each joint, with flowers
at the top, like thofe of the common Scabious ; but
the heads are thicker, and of a blueifli colour, though
fometimes they are purple or white; thefe are fuc-
ceeded by feveral round furrowed feeds. It grows in
uncultivated places, andin meadows and paftures, and
it flawers in the autumn. It has been looked upon as
an alexipharmac, and vulnerary, and has been by
fome reckoned excellent in the quinfey, and in ve--
nereal ulcers of the mouth and throat ; but it is now
neglefted.

SCANDIX, Sheppard's needle, or Venus" s comb, has
a fmgle, white> fibrous, annual root, with feveral

llalkSj,

1

OF VEGETABLES. 369

flalks, that rife to the height of a foot, that are flender,
branched, hairy, a little furrowed, greenifli above,
and reddifli below. The leaves are pretty much like
thofe of coriander, and are of a fweetiih, and fome-
what acrid talle. The flowers grow in umbels on the
tops of the branches, and confift of five white petals,
in the (hape of a heart, and difpofed like a flower de
luce, with as many capillary ftamina, and roundifh
apices. Thefe are fucceeded by two very long grains,
not unlike needles, that are convex, and furrowed on
one fide, and flat' on the other. It is very common
among corn, and in the fields, and it flov/ers in May
and June. It is diuretic, and is recommended by fome
againll the gravel ; but it is not now depended upon
for thatpurpofe. In fome places it is eaten as afallad.

SCILLA VULGARIS RADICE RUBRA, co7^:mcn
red Squill^ has a root like an onion, or a bulb, fome-
times as large as a child's head, compofed of thick,
red, juicy, clammy coats, placed one upon another,
and underneath there are large fibres. It fends forth
leaves a foot in length, and as broad as the hand,
that are flefliy, green, and full of a clammy bitter
juice. In the middle of thefe there arifes a flalk to
the height of a foot and a half, on the top of which
there are flowers, Vvdth fix white petals, but without
a calyx, difpofed in a ring, and as many oblong fta-
mina. Thefe are fucceeded by roundifli fruit, on
which are three corners, and they are divided into
three cells, full of roundifli black feeds ; the root is
only in ufe.

SCILLA RADICE ALBA, the ivhite Squill^ has a
large root, but lefs than the former, which is com-
pofed of feveral white coats, full of a clammy juice,
and furnifhed underneath with many pretty thick
fibres. It fends forth an upright naked flalk, to the
height of a cubit, adorned at the top with feveral
white flowers, in the form of a flar, like thofe of the
ft'arry hyacinth, and the fruit is like that of the former.
The flowers appear before the leaves, and after them
fix thick, fiefliy, large, deep, green leaves proceed
R S fronv

370 THE NATURAL HISTORY
from the root, and lye upon the ground. This, as
well as the former, grows in Tandy places near the
fea, and flowers in Augnji and September. The feeds
are ripe in No'vember and December. Thefe, roots are
brought from the Levant and Spain every year, and
they deferve to be cultivated in every good garden^
for the beauty of their flowers. Thofe roots fliould
be chofen, that are frefli, of a middle'fize, found,,
heavy, firm, and full of a clammy, bitter, acrid juice.
They are excellent in diforders of the lungs, caufed
by a clammy vifcous phlegm ; for which reafon they
perform wonders in the fits of the moift aflhma, and
in a difpofition to a dropfy. However, in fwellings^
ariflng from the dropfy, and in the inflammation of
the kidneys, it is beft given with nitre ; that is, they
ihould be double the quantity of this to that of the
root \ and the dofe of the latter in powder, is from
four to ten grains. V/hen given in this manner, it
almoft always operates as a diuretic. There are fe-
veral preparations of this root kept in the fhops.

SCLAREA PRATENSIS, meadoriv Clary, has a
fmgle, woody, perennial root, furnifhed with fibres,
and it fends forth feveral flalks, to the height of two
feet, that are pretty thick, ftifF, hairy, hollow, and
divided into wings or branches, oppofite to each other.
The leaves are large, broad, wrinkled, rough, and a
little finuated, and crenated on the edges, and with long
pedicles, like thofe of fage, and a ftrong fmell, with
fomewhat of an aromatic tafte. The flowers grow
in whorls at the top of the branches, difpofcd in with
long fpikes ; and they confidof a finglelabiated petal,
whofe upper lip or creft, is hooked ; but the under
]ip or beard is divided into three parts, the middle
fegment of which is hollow and cloven. The piftil
lifcs out of the flower- cup, and is attended by four
embryoes, that turn into as many roundifh feeds, in-
clofed in a hufk, which before was the flower-cup.
It grows on the fides of the high-ways, and on the
borders of fields j it flowers in "June and ^uly. It
is accounted goed againfl ulcers of the legs, and it

15

OF VEGETABLES. 371.

is alfo faid to cure green wounds, but it is now out of
ufe.

SCORDIUM, co7nmon nioater Germander, has a
fibrous, creeping, perennial root, that fends forth fe-
veral branches, fometimes to the height of a foot,
that are fquare, hairy, hollow, branched, and creep
on the ground. The leaves are larger than thofe of
common germander, and are wrinkled, dentated on-
the edges, foft, hairy, whitifli, and have a garlic k
fmell, with a bitter tafte. The flowers grow from
the places where the leaves join to the fialks and
branches; they are fmall, and confifl: of a fingle,
labiated petal, in the form of a tube, open at the
top, and have a lip divided into five parts, and is of
a reddifh colour. The flowers are fucceeded by four
fmall roundilh feeds, contained in a capfula, that
was the cup of the flower. It grows in moifl marfliy
places, on the fides of ditches, and flowers in June
and -July. It is looked upon as aperient, diaphoretic,
and pedoral, and is faid to be good in malignant
fevers, the fmall pox, and meafles, and it may be
ufed ia the manner of tea ; but it is not found fo
efficacious as fome authors have pretended, though it
enters feveral compofitions kept in the Ihops.

SCORDIUM ALTERUM,/'!;^ SALVIA ACRES.
TIS, njoood Bage^ has a woody, flexible, creeping,
fibrous, perennial root, that fends forth feveral fquare,
hairy, purplilh, branched, pithy ftalks, to the height
of two or three feet. The leaves refemble thofe of
fage of virtue, only they are broader and fofter, like
balm ; they are alfo wrinkled, downy, of a dirty
green, dentated on the edges, and have a bitter tafte.
The flowers gror^v in fpikes, and confifl: of a fingle
labiated petal, like thofe of Germander, and have the
fame fliape, but are of a pale white colour, with four
purple ftimina, that are fucceeded by four roundifli,
blackifh feeds, contained in a capfula, that was the
cup of the flower. It grows in uncultivated fandy
places, and among hedges. It flowers in the fummer,
and continues a long while in flower, Ic has fome-

v/hat

372' THE NATURAL HISTORY

what of a garlick fmell, and is faid to ftrengthen thB=
ftomach, kill worms, and promote urine; but it ia
now neglefted.

SCORSONERA, /w SGORZONERA, Viper's
Grafs, has a root a foot long, as thick as one's thumb*,,
blackifli without, white within, and eafy to be broken ;
it is full of a fweetifli milky juice, and fome account
it good eating. It fends forth a round, furrowed;
hollow ftalk, to the height of two feet, covered with
a little down, and divided into feveral branches. The
leaves are long, pretty broad, fmooth, and embrace
the ftalk by their bafe ; they are much like thofe of
goat*s beard, and are fometimes a little fmuated or
curled at the edges, terminating in a long narrow
point, and are of a dark green colour. The flowers
grow on the tops of the branche3> and are large*
yellow, and compofed of femi-floretts, with a long-,
flender, fcaly flower-cup; thefe are fucceeded by long
white feeds, tufted at the top. It is cultivated in
many kitchen gardens about London^ and flowers in
May and June. The root is accounted good, both
for food and phyiic, for it is faid to ftrengthen the
(lomach, and to promote urine and fweat. Some take
the boiled root to be very good food, and affirm '\t
agrees with all ages and faxes. The juiee of the
root taken to three ounces in a morning fafting,
Boerhaanje affirms to be good in hypochondiiac dif-
eafes, and to open obftrudions of the vifccra.

SCROPHULARIA NODOSA FOETIDA, ftink^
ingy knobby y rooted Figivorfy has a thick, long, creep-
ing, white, notched, unequal, perennial root, that
fends forth feveral ftalks to the height of two feet,
which are upright, firm, fquare, hollov/, ofablackifti
purple colour, and divided into wings. The leaves are
oblong, broad, pointed, crenated on the edges, and
like thofe of the great nettle, though larger and browner,
but do not fting. They are placed oppofite to each
other, at each knot of the ftalks, and the flowers that
grow on the tops of the branches, confift of a Angle
jelal, in the ftiape of a fmall bell, of a purple co-
lour,

OF VEGETABLES. 373

lour, and fupported by a calyx, divided into five partSj
and there are four ftamina, with yellow apices, and.
a pii^ii that turns to a fruit or hufk, with a roundifh,
pointed end, that is divided into two cells, that con-
tain feveral fmall brown feeds, which adhere to the pla-
centa. This plant has the fmell of elder, with a bitter
tafte, and is common in hedges-, and fhady places^ It
flowers in Juns, July^ and Auguji-. The whole plant
was formerly in ufe, and was faid to be excellent in
fcrophulous difordsrs. The dofe of the root is a dram-
in a morning failing, and has been given to eafe the
painful piles ; but it is now out of ufe.

SCROPHULARIA AQUATICA, n^-ater Betony,
has a thick perennial root, furnished with long fibres^
and feveral ftalks, that rife to the height of two or
three feet; thefe are fquare, thickiih, reddifh in fome
places, and green in others, hollow within, pretty
tender, full of jaice, fmooth, and branched. The
leaves are like thofe of the former, but more blunt
at the end, and twice or thrice as large ; they have a
difagrceable fmell and tafte. The flowers are like
thofe of the former, but a little larger, and of a,
reddifli, rufty colour.. Thefe are facceeded by round
pointed fruit, divided into two cells, that contain
very fmall brown feeds. It is common in^ all watery
place?, and flowers in July and Augvji, It is faid to
be an excellent vulnerary, and co have the fame vir-
tues as the former, in other refpeds ; biit it is not
now in much efteem.

SECALE HYBERNUM, 'vel MAJUS, common
or nvinter Rye, has a root furnifhed with flender
fibres, which fends forth feveral ftalks or pipes, to
the height of a man, which are more flender than thofe
of wheat, and have four or five knots, with a few
long narrow leaves, that are reddifh when they fpring
out of the ground. The flowers have no petals, but
confift of feveral ftamina, that proceed from the
flower-cup. They are collected into a flat fpike, and
are difpofed almoft fmgly ; the piftil becomes an ob-
long flender feed, inclofed in a huik, which was be-
fore

374 THE NATURAL HISTORY
fore the flower-cup. The fpikes or ears of Rye^ are
longer, flatter, and have longer horns than thofe of
wheat ; it generally flowers in May. Rye alone is
ufed in many of the northern countries to make
bread ; but it is not near fo good as when mixed with
an equal quantity of wheat. Some make ufe of rye-
bread to keep their bodies open, and it is faid to be
good for thofe that are troubled with the piles ; how-
ever its medicinal virtues are now entirely neglefled.

SEDUM MAJUS VULGARE, ammon great Houfe
Leek, has a fmall hbrous root, with many oblong,
thick, fiat, pointed, flefhy, juicy leaves, that grow
clofe to the ground ; they are always green, ranged
in a circular order, in the form of a rofe, they being
convex without, and flattiih within, and have a very,
little down on their edges. A thick, reddifli, pithy
llalk, arifes from the middle of thefe, cloathed with,
the fame fort of leaves as the former, only they are-
more narrow, and pointed. It is divided at the top
into feveral branches, on which are flowers, with five:
petals, placed in the form of a rofe, and of a purple--
colour, with ten flamina, that have roundifli apices^
or fummits. The piflil rifes from the flower-cup,,
which afterwards turns to a fruit, compofcd of many
feed veflels, refembling hulks, that are colletSled into a .
fort of a head, and are full of fmall feeds. It grows
on the top of old walls, and on the roofs of houfes j
it flowers in July, and the flalk withers away in the
autumn, when tifefeed is ripe. This plant is faid to
be cooling, cleanfing, and allringent, and fome give
four ounces of the juice, to cure intermitting fevers,-
whcn there is no cold fit. Some ufe the leaves out-
wardly, to cure the painful piles ; but ic muft be done
with a great deal of caution. There is an inflar.Ce
of a man thut had a running foul ulcer in his leg,
and was cured with the powder of the leaves, fprinkled
thereon, in twenty-four hours, in which time it was
fkiniicd over j but here it may be obfervcd, that the
fudden healing of fores of this kind, is often attended
with very dangerous confequencesi and it is not feidom

that

GF VEGETABLES* 375.

that the patients dye fuddenly with a fit of the apo-
plexy ; therefore running ulcers are not to be ftopped,.
without making an ifTue elfewhere.

SEDUM MINUS TERETIFOLIUM ALBUM,,
rwhiie foixered Stone-crop, ^uith taper lea^jes, has a fmall.
fibrous root, with feveral ftalks, of the length of one's
hand, that are hard, woody, and reddifh ; the leaves
are longifh, roundifh, fleOjy, juicy, and in the fhape
of maggots, that are fometimes found in rotten cheefe j
they are difpofed alternately along the fialks, on the
tops of which there are flowers, of a white colour, ,
that grow in umbels, and con fill of five leaves, placed,
in the form of a rofe, with feveral purple ftamina ;
thefe are fucceeded by fmall fruit, compofed of feveral
iheaths, or feed-veifels, colledled into a head, and
are full of fmall feeds. It grows on walls, on the:
roofs of houfes, and flowers in the fummer. This-
plant is aftringent, and cooling, and is ufed by fome
m fallads.

SEDUM PARVUM ACRE FLORE LUTEO, ,
nvall Pepper, or Stone Crop, has a fmall fibrous root,,
with feveral low, fhort, flender ftalks. The leaves
are very fmall, fomewhat thick, fat, pointed, trian-
gular, and full of juice; the flowers are yellow, and
confiil of fix petals, in the form of a ftar, with many
(lamina and apices, or fummits, of the fame colour
in the middle, that are fucceeded by feveral fheaths or
feed veflels, collected in the form of a head, and full
of fmall feeds. It grows almoft every where fufpended
by its roots, or lying on old walls, and on the tops
of cow houfes; it flowers mjune, and has a pungent,
hot, burning tafte. It is looked upon by fome as an
excellent remedy for the fcurvy, and is part'cularly
good for ulcerated gums, occafioned by that diftemper.
Boerhaa^e informs us, that he knew a quack, who
gave two ounces of the juice of this plant, in milk or
ale, to cure quartan agues, dropfies, and other chro-
nical difeafes, and he fucceeded very well ; but it occa-
fioned the'patient to vomit very plentifully ; however
it is not to be given when the difeafe is attended with

heat^

ifyS THE NATURAL HISTORY

heat ; for which reafon it inuft be taken with caution.
There are alfo a great many inftances, that warrant
the ufe of this plant, in the cure of the fcurvy.

SENECIO MINOR VULGARIS, common Ground^
/e/y has a fmall, whitilli, fibrous root, with feveral
round, furrowed, hollow ftalks, that rife to the height
of a foot ; thefe are fometimes reddifh, branched, and
hairy in certain places, expofed to the fun. The leaves
are oblong, jagged, dentafed, placed alternately,
£xed to the ftalks by a broad bafe, and terminate in
a blunt point ; the colour is of a dark green, and the
lowers are placed in bunches at the top of the ftalks j
they conf:fl of many yellow floretts, difpofed in the
form of ftars, and contained in a flower-cup, con-
filiing of a fingle leaf, with five fmall ftamina, that
have cylindric apices or fummitsin the middle ; thefe
are fucceeded by downy feeds, that altogether form a
white head. It glows every where in fields, and by
the way fides, in. fandy places expofed to the fun ;
as foon as the leaves wither, others arife ; infomuch
that it continues green all the year, and flowers in all
feafons. It is accounted emollient and refolvent, and
the juice given to two ounces, kills worms. Some
account it good in the jaundice, and even in fpitting
of blood. Bocrhaa^e recommends the juice, mixed
with oxycrate, as a gargle, in inflammations of the
throat.

SERPYLLUM VULG ARE MINUS, Mother of
7h)mey has a fmall, woody, perennial, brown root,
furnifhed with capillary fibres ; as alfo feveral fmall,
fquare, woody, reddifh, and low ftalks, that are fome-
what hairy. The leaves are fmall, green, roundilh, .
nervous, a little broader than thofe of common thyme,
and have an acrid, aromatic tafte. The flowers grow
on the tops of the ftalks, difpofed like a head, and
generally of a purple colour ; they confift of a fingle
labiated petal, that has two lips, and is placed in a
calyx, made like a horn. Thefe are fucceeded by
fmall roundifti feeds, contained in a capfula, that was
the cup of the flower. It grows- in uncultivated,

moun-

OF VEGETABLES. 377

ftiountainous, dry, Tandy, ftony places, and flowers
in the fummer. There are feveral forts, but they
have all the fame virtues, and are accounted cephalic
and ftornachic, and may be ufed in the fame manner
as common thyme, though they are not q^oite fo efftca-
ceous.

SERRATULA VULGARIS FLORE PURPU-
RIO, co?nmon Saiv-ivcrt mjith a purple Jlo<u;ery has a
fibrous perennial root, with a bitterifh tafte, and fe-
veral upright, firm, fmooth, reddifh llalks, that rife
to the height of two or three feet, and are divided into
feveral branches, with leaves like thofe of common
fcabious 'y but thofe below are oblong, broad, dentated
on the edges, fmooth, of a brownifh green, and
larger than thofe of betony. The flowers grow on
the tops of the branches, in oblong fcaly heads, and
eonflft of feveral floretts, divided into many p*arts,
under which is an embryo in a fcaly cup, like that of
the greater centory. Thefe are fucceeded by downy
feeds that are fomewhat oval ; that is, they have a
tuft of down at one end. It grows in woods, mea-
dows, and Ihady moift places, and flowers in Ju7ie,
at which time it is gathered for the ufe of dyers. It is
called Serratiilay or the Sa^v-flanty becaufe the edges-
are cut like ^ faw. It is accounted a vulnerary plant,
and is faid to be good to diiTolve coagulated blood f
but it is of no ufe at prefent.

SICILIANA ft^^e ANDROSi5:.M.rJM MAXI-
MUM FRUTESCENS, TUrSANE, or Park leaves,.
has a thick, woody, perennial, reddifli root, furniflied
with long fibres, and has a refmous tafte. It fenda
forth feveral branches to the height of two or three
jfeet, t^iat are reddiih, round, woody, firm, and fmooth,
the leaves are oblong, placed oppofite to each other,
and are like thofe of St. John^ wort, but are three
or four times as big ; they are of a brovvnifli green
at the beginning of the fummer, but in the autumn
they are of a dark red, and feem to be perforated
with a great number of holes; but on clofer exami-
Bation, thefe are found to be fmalr bladders, full c-f

a clear

378 THE NATURAL HrSTORY

a clear balfamic fluid. The flowers grow on the top
of the branches, and are each compofed of five yel-
low petals or leaves, like thofe of St. Johnh wort,
and have a calyx divided into five parts ; thefe are
fucceeded by fmall berries, that grow black as they
ripen, and contain fmall brown feeds. This plant
appears like a fmall flirub, and grows among bu(hes-
and in ihady places ; it flowers in fummer, and the
berries are ripe in autumn. It is called Tutfane, which-
fignifies all heal, becaufc it has been faid to cure all
forts of difeafes ; notwithftanding which it is feldom.
ufed in medicine, though it has the fame virtues as St.
Johns wort.

SIDERITIS HIRSUTA PROCUMBENS, hairy
trailing Ircn-nxort^ has a hard, woody, perennial root,
that fends forth fquare, whitilh, yellovv. flalks, to the
height of a foot and a half, or two feet, that generally
lyc on the ground. The leaves are placed oppofite to-
each o-rher on the branches, and are oblong, hairy,
dentated on the edges, wrinkled, and pretty much like
thofe of fage. The flowers are labiated, and confift^^
of a Angle petal or leaf, vvhofe upper lip or creft is-
upright, but the under lip or beard is divided into
three parts ; the colour is of a whitifli yellow fpotted-
with red, or like the flcin of a toad. The calyx is in
the fhape of a horn, out of which arifes the £iilil>.
attended by four emBryoes, tKat tiirn to four obloag-
blackifli feeds, contained in a capfula or hufk, that
was the cup of the flower. This plant grows in dry,
flony, mountainous, fandy places, and it flowers int-
'June and Juh- It is accounted vulnerary and aftringent^
and has been recommended to cure ruptures. . The
Germans make ufe of it in baths, to open the pores of
the Ikin, vhich it is faid to do very powerfully.

SILlQyASTRUM,/'!'^ ARBOR JUD/E, Judas' s
tree, has a thick, hard, woody, perennial root, that-
fends forth a trunk, which in time becomes a middle
fized tree, and is divided into branches at confiderable
diilances from each other ; the bark is of a blackifti.
j)urple- colour, on which papilionaceous flowers ap-
pear.

OF VEGETABLES. '^n

pear in the Tpring, of a beautiful purple colour, and
fevcral of them are placed together ; they are com-
pered of five petals or leaves, the two lowermoll of
which are larger than the upper, which is contrary
to other flowers of the leguminous kind. Tfie piftil
jifes from the center of the flower-cup, is furrounded
with ftamina, and afterwards becomes a long flat
pod, containing feveral feeds in the (hape of kidneys.
After thefe the leaves appear, which are round, and
placed alternately on the branches ; they are nervous,
green above, and vvhitifh beJowj the pods that con-
tain the feeds are fix inches in length, and very flar,.
purple, membranous, femi-tranfparent, and made in
fome fort like the fheath of a knife. This tree grows
in hot countries, near rivers and brooks, on mountains
and in valleys ; it is cultivated in gardens for its beauty,
and flowers in April and May. It was formerly pre-
ferved in green-houfes as a curiofity; but of late years
Jias been tranfpfented into the open air, where it
thrives very well. It may be propagated by fowin^
the feeds on a bed of light earth, towards the mid-
dle of April y and earth fhould be fifted over them to
the thicknefs of half an inchj and if the feafon proves
wet, the bed fhould be covered with matts. Some
few of the plan t^rj.fe the firfl year, but the greateft
number in the fecond. About the middle of A^ril
following, juii before they begin to fhoot, they fhoufd
be taken up carefully without breaking their roots^
and planted in frefli ground as foon as poflible. After
they have continued here two or three years, they
may be removed to the places where they defign to
remain. It is of little or no ufe in medicine, though
the pods are faid to be aftringent. In the fouth pares •
of France^ the flowers are eaten as a fallad j but they
are befl when pickled like capers before they open.

SINAPI SILIQUA LATJUSCULA GLABRA
SEMINE RUFO, fi've VULGABj;, conmo?i or red
Kujiard^ has a white, woody, brittle root, furnifhed
with fibres, that fends forth a flalk to the height of
four or five feet, which is pithy,, hairy below, and.

divided

3?o THE NATURAL HISTORY

divided into feveral branches. The leaves are large,,
and much like thofe of radifhes, butfmaller and more
rough. The fmall yellow flowers grow at the top of
the branches, and conlift of four leaves in the form
of a crofs ; the piftil arifes out of the flower-cupi
which turns to a fruit or pod, divided into two cells
by a partition, to which the valves adhere on both
fides, and are full of roundilh, reddifh, or blackilh
feeds, of an acrid biting taftei^ This grows wild on
the fides of ditches, among ftones, and on land
newly broken up, particularly in the lihot' E/y, where
the land has been flooded for many years, and has
afterwards been drained. It is alfo cultivated in
gardens, and flowers in yune.

SINAPI ALBUM, ft^e HORTENSE SEMINF.
ALBO, garden or ^vhite MuJIard, has a fingie, woody,
white root, furnifhed with long fibres, and fends forth
a flalk to the height of a foot and a half, or t^.vo feet^
which is branched, hairy, and hollow^ The leaves
are like thofe of radifhes, and armed above and below
with flilF prickly hair. The flowers are fmall, yellow,
in the form of a crofs like thofe of the former, and
they are fucceedcd by hairy pods, that terminate in an
empty point, which contain four or'five round, whltifti
or reddifli feeds, that feem to be articulated or knotted.
It grows wild in fields among the corn, and is cultii-
vated in gardens ; it flowers in May and fune, an^
the feeds are ripe in July and JuguJ}. Both kindss
have the fame properties, though the former is gene-
rally preferred. The feeds are flomachic, diapho*
retic, antifcorbutic, and are good in hypocondriac
difeafes, as well as in fleepy diloiders. The common
ufe of muftard is known to every one, and is very
proper for people of a cold conflitution, becaufe it
creates an appetite, helps digeftion, and attenuates the
food. The powder of muftard-feed, taken in white
wine, is excellent againft the fcurvy, and fome afiirm
it will cure a quartan ague, if taken in hot wine
two hours before the fit. Some apply muftard out-
wardly to cure the hyp- gout, and alfo lay it to the

feet.

OF VEGETABLES. 3S1

^eet, mixed with other thingp, in dangerous fevers.

The white muflard is ufed as a Tallad herb, efpecially in

winter, and in the Tpring. There are two other forts

of this plant, but thefe are the moft ufeful.

SiSARUM GERMANORUM, the Uerrit, has a
TOOt compofed of feveral parts, as long as a man's hand,
and a& thick as the little iinger, which are tender, brittle,
wrinkled, and fixed to a fort of an neck ; thej are co-
vered with a thin pale rind, and have a white pulp. The
branches rife to the height of two or three feet, and are
thick, knotted, and furrowed; the leaves are winged,
and placed by pairs oppofite to each other^ on a rib that
terminates in a fingle leaf, which is longer and broader than
the reft ; they are greener and fofter than thofe of pars-
nips, and are ilightly crenated on the edges. The flowers
grow in umbels on the top of the flalks, and confift of
four white leaves, placed in the form of a rofe, with as
many ftamina in the middle. The calyx or flower-cup,
afterwards turns to a fruit, compofed of two oblong feeds,
that are furrowed on the back, and of a dark colour. It
is cultivated in the kitchen garden, and flowers in June,
It is thought by fome to be the moft wholefome and
Dourifhing of all kinds of roots, though it is not very-
common in the gardens near London^ but for what reafon
it is hard to fay. It may be propagated by fowing the
feeds about the middle of Jpril, upon a moift, rich,
loofe foil ; the plants will come up in May^ and when
the leaves are decayed, the roots may be taken up for
ufe as they are wanted ; and they will continue good in
the ground from Odoher till March, after which they
are good for nothing. They are accounted good for all
ages and conftitutions, and Boerhaanje looks upon them
as one of the beft remedies for pifling and fpitting of
blood, and would have them dreflfed feveral ways, that
the patient may feed frequently upon them, efpecially
if inclined to a <:onfuniption.

SISYMBRIUM AQU ATICUM, Water radijh. 'with
dent ate d lea'ves, has a long flexible root, furnilhed with
fibres, and has a tafte like that of radifhes. It fends forth
feveral branched, hollow, furrowed ftalks, to the height
of three feet ; the leaves are large, long, fmuated,
dentated on the t^^^$, and efpecially cowards the lower

part.

3^2 THE NATURAL HISTORY

part. The flowers grow on the top of the branches,-
and conllll of four yellow petals or leaves, difpofed in
the form of a crofs ; the piflil proceeds from the flower-
cup, that afterwards turns to a fruit or pcd, whfch isf
divided into two cells by a partition, to which the valves
adhere en both fides, and they contain fmall roundifh
feeds. It grow? in marfl'.es, brooks, rivers, ditches full
of water, ard flowers- in fpring. It is obfervable, that
the leaves differ greatly from each other, according to
the places in which they grow.

SISYMBRIUM SILVESTRE, five RHAPHA-
NUS AQUATICUS, n^:ater rad:Jh, has an oblong
white root, as thick as a man's little finger, that has an
acrid pungent tafte i the Italks which rife to the height
of three feet, are furrowed, hollow, and fometimcs
reddifh. The leaves are oblong, pointed, cut deeply
into jags, dentated on the edges, and are placed altera
nately on the flanks. The flowers grow on the tops of
the flalks and branches, and are fmall, confidering the
fiZe of the plant ; they confift of four yellow petals or
leaves, difpofed in the form of a crofs, with fix ftamina ;
they are fucceeded by fmall fhort pods, divided into two
cells, that contain fmall roundilh feeds. It grows in
ditches full of water, and in marfiiy places j and it
flowers in 'June and July. Some account the roots of
both kinds good to eat, and ufe them in the fame man-
ner as radiflies. They are aperient, cleanfing, good
againfl the gravel, fcurvy, and dropfy ; but they arC"
feldom ufed either for focd or phyfic.

SISYMBRIUM PALUSTREREPENS NASTUR-
TII FOLIO, Water Rocket, has a creeping, flender,
whitifh root, with an acrid tafle, but not fo (Irong as*
that of radifli ; the ftalks are ftiort, furrowed, flightly ;
perforated, that are fometime reddifli, and like thofe of
the garden creflies. The flowers grow at the top of the
branches, and are fmall, confifting of four yellow leaver
or petals, that are fucceeded by fmall cylindric pods,
which are longer than thofe of the former kinds, and are
divided into two cells by a partition, containing feveral
fmall feeds. It grows on the fides of rivers in moift
ditches, and in Ilony brooks ; it flowers in July and

Jugttji,

X)T VEGETABLES. ,3^3

Jiugufi. It has the fame virtues as the two former j but
•is now made little or no ufe of.

SISYMBRIUMERUC^ FOLIO GLABRO FLORE
LUTEO, Common njointer crejfesy has a long, pretty
thick, white, perennial root, with an acrid talle ; the
flalks are furrowed, firm, branched, pithy, hollow, and
j-ife to the height of a foot and a half. The leaves are
fmaller than thofe of radifhes, and are fomewhat like
iCrefies ; they are of a deep, fhining green ; but have not
-fo acrid a talle as the root. The tops of the llalks and
^branches are adorned with long fpikes, of yellow flowers
compofed of four petals in the form of a crofs ; thefe
are fucceeded by {lender, long, tender, cylindric pods,
full of many fmall, reddifh feeds. It.grows on the fides
of ditches and brooks, and fometimes in fields ; it is alfo
cultivated in gardens for fallads, in feme parts of Europe ;
,it flowers in May and June^ and continues green all the
winter. It is cleanfing and vulnerary, and is good ia
the beginning of a dropfy, made ufe of in the manner
*of tea.

SISYMBRIUM ANiNUUM ABSINTHIUII MI-
NORIS FOLIO, five SOPHIA CHIRURGORUM,
Tlix Weedy has a white long woody root, fumiflied with
fmall fibres, and it fends forth round, hard, fomewhat hairy
ftalks to the height of a foot and a half, or two feet, divided
into feveral branches. There are many leaves cut into
fine, whitiih fegments, like thofe of pontic worm wood,
on which there are fine fhort hairs. The flowers grow
►on the tops of the flalks, and are compofed of four leaves,
in the form of a crofs, of a pale yellow colour ; thefe
are fucceeded by flender, longifh pods, full of fmall,
round, hard, reddifli feeds. It grows on old walls, and
ftony wafle places. It flowers in June and July. The
feed only is in ufe, and has a fomewhat aitringent acrid
taile, not unlike that of muftard. A dram of it is given
hy fome in broth, to flop fluxes of the belly ; it is a
common remedy among poor people, in fome parts of
Europe.

Sl30N/i;f PETROSELNUM MACEDONICUM,
Macedonian Par/ley^ has a fingle, white, woody root, that
has a taile like parfneps, but more aromatic. The flalks
rife to the height of two feet, and are moderately thick,

round.

^^4 THE NATURAL HISTORY
lound, pithy, pretty firm, fmooth, knotted, and branch-
ed. The leaves are winged like thofe of parfneps, and
placed alternately along the branches. The flowers grow-
in umbels on the tops of ihebranches, and are compofed
of five white petals, in the Ihape of a heai t, and difpofed
in the form of a rofe ; thefe are fucceeded by feeds joined
by pairs, that are furrowed on the back, and flat on the
other fide. It grows in moift places, on the fides of
hedges and ditches, and it flowers in the Summer, and
the feeds are ripe in July and Auguji, The feeds are
brought to us from the Levant, though it is planted in
our gardens. It is one of the four lefl*er hot feeds, and
has an acrid aromatic talle. They are carminative, and
are good to difcufs wind in the inteflines ; but it is now of
little ufe.

SMILAX ASPERA FRUCTU RUBENTE, rough
hind weedf 'ivith a red fruity has a long, creeping, arti-
trculated, hard, whitifh, perennial root, furnifhed with
fibres ; the ftalks are long, hard, furrowed, branched, V
armed with prickles, and furniflied with clafpers, by i
means cf which, they lay hold of and wind round the ^
neighbouring trees and fhrubs. The leaves are large and \
like thofe of briony, but more thick, firm, nervous, and
armed with prickles as well on the edges, as on the back.
The flowers grow in bunches on the tops of the ftalks,
which are fmali, white, and compofed of fix leaves, in
the form of a ftar, with as many flamina on oblong
iummits. Thefe are fucceeded by round fruit like grapes,
that are foft and red when ripe, and contain three round,
imooth, foft feeds, reddifti without, and white within.
It grows in uncultivated places, in the fouthern parts of
Europe, and it flov/ers in the Spring ; but the fruit is
not ripe till July or Augiji, The root is faid to be fu-
dorific, and to attenuate grofs humours, for which rea-
fon, it is good in chronic difeafes proceeding therefrom ;
however it is not brought into prad^ife v/ith us,

SMII-AX LiEVIS MAJOR, greater lind *weed, has
a long, flender, whitifli, perennial root, furniflied with
fibres ; and the ftalks are long, flender, furrowed, and
climb upon trees and bufhes, by means of iheir clafpers.
The leaves are in the fliape of a heart, and are bigger
and ibfter than thofe of Ivy ; they are alfo fmooth and

green.

OF VEGETABLES. 385

green, and the flowers are in the form of a bell, and as
white as fnovv. The calyx is oval, and divided into five
parts, with as many flamina, and flattifh fummits. Thefe
are fucceeded by round fruits as big as cherries, wrapt up
in the calyx, and contain two angular or pointed feeds, of
a blackilli colour, with a reddiih cafl. It is milky like
other plants of the fame kind, and grows almoft every
where amongft hedges and bu(hes ; it flowers in Summer,
and the fruit is ripe in Autumn. This plant is purgative
and vulnerary, and the milky juice is of the fame na-
ture as fcammony j but it mull be given in a larger dofe,
that is, from twenty grains to thirty.

SMILAX LENIS MINOR, >^:// bind nveed, has a
very long, flender, creeping, perennial root, with many
fmall, weak, flender branches, that wind round the
neighbouring plants. The leaves are in the fliape of a
heart, but more rough, nervous and fmall, than the for-
mer. The flowers proceed from the places, where the
. leaves join to the ftalks, like fmall, whitifli bells; but
they are fomet.imes reddifli or purplifli. Thefe are fuc-
ceeded by roundifli, fmall fruit, containing pretty large
angular feeds. It is an anodyne, cleanfing, vulnerary
plant, and country people often ufe it to heal wounds, by-
applying it after it has been bruifed between two ftones ;
many are lavifli of their praife of this plant, on that ac-
count,

SMYRNIUM, Alexanders, has a pretty long, thick,
white root, full of an acrid bitter juice, withafmell and
tafte fomewhat like myrrh ; the llalks are branched,
furrowed, a little redditli, and rife to the height of three
feet, with leaves like thofe of parfley, but bigger ; and
■cut into rounder fegments, of a brownifh green colour.
Thefmell is aromatic, and the tafte much like that of
parfley ; the flowers grow in umbels on the tops of the
branches, and confift of five whitifli petals, difpofed In
the form of a rofe, with as many flamina in the midd'e ;
thefe are fucceeded by feeds joined in pairs, that are lorg,
and almoft in the fhaps q\ a half moon ; and are fur-
rowed on the back. It grows in fliady, marfliy places,
and on rocks, near the fca ; it flowers in the fpring, and
the feed is ripe in J'^ly* It may be propagated in gar-
Vol. Vl/ S dens

3S6 THE NATURAL HISTORY

dens by the feeds, and fome eat the root raw among fad-
lads ; however now it is not much valued. Both the roots
and feeds have much the fame virtues as parfley.

SODA SEU KALI, Grafs Wort, has a firm, fibrous
root, with a (lalk that rifes to the height of three feet,
when it is cultivated, ar.d to a foot and a half when k
grows wild. The flalk is divided into long, ftrait, pret-
ty thick, reddiPn branches ; and the leaves are long,
iiarrow, flefhy, pointed, and full of juice. The flow-
ers grow on the tops of the flalks and branches, and are
formed by a yellow calyx, ccnfifting of five leaves, with
as many ihort llamina, that are fucceeded by a round
membranous fruit, containing a long, black, fhining feed,
rolled up like a ferpent. It grows in hot countries near
the fea, and is cultivated in the fouthern parts of France i
it flowers towards the end of fummer.

SODA SPINOSA SEU KALI SPIN05UM, Thorny
grafs n.i:Drt^ has a jibrous annual root, and feveral thick,
branched, juicy, greenilh brown ftalks, that rife to the
lieight of a foot and a half; the leaves are narrow,
ilelhy, full of a faltilh juice, and terminated by a llifr
jliarp thorn. The flowers grow at the places where the
leaves join to the ftalks, and coniift of fix ftaminaj
placed in a calyx, with iive leaves cf a grafs green co-
jour ; thefe are fucceeded by membranous, roundifti,
prickly fruit, each of which contains a feed like a fmall
lerpent rolled up, and of a black colour, fomewhat fhin-
ing. It grows in hot countries, on the fandy fliores of
?he fea, and on the fides of fait lakes. It flowers late
in the year, and the feed is ripe in autumn. This plant
as well as the former, is cultivated for the fake of mak-
ing potaflies with it. They cut it down v^'hen it comes
to perfedlion, and they let it dry on the ground ; after
which they calcine it, in large pits made for that pur-
pofe j they flop them up v/ith earth, and let in no more
air than what is proper to keep the fire burning. This
is continued for a long while together, and the aflies
unite fo clofe, and become fo hnrd, that they are forced
to break the lumps in pieces v^i'h hammers, and other
inftruments, to get them out of the pits. The chief ufe
of thefe aflies, are to make foan and glafs. As for the

planf

OF VEGETABLES. ^Sy

.l^iant itfelf, it is diuretic and proper to open obdrudlions
of the vifcera ; but it mud be ufed with caution.

SOLANUM HOR TENSE, Common Night Jhade, of
-thejhops, 'With black fruit, has a long, flender, hairy,
dirty, whitifh root, with a firm, angular ftalk, that rifes
to the height of a foot and a half, is of a blackifh green
colour, and divided into feveral branches. The leaves
are oblong, pretty large, foft pointed, and blackilh ;
whereof fome are angular, others crenated, others whole,
fmooth, and full of a greeniih juice. The flowers grow
on the branches, a little under the leaves, and conhft of
a fingle petal, divided into five parts, and expanded in
the form of a jftar ; there are as many yellow llamina,
with oblong fummits, and a piftil, whkh afterwards be-
comes a berry, likethofeof the juniper- tree ; it is green
at firlt, but when it is ripe it is foft, fmooth, black, and
full of juice. It grows on the fides of highways, near
hedges and houfes, and it flowers in Auguft and Septem-
ber, Some forts of this plant have red fruit, and others
yellow, which feems to be theprincipal differences. Some
have given the leaves and fruit inwardly, but very rafli-
ly ; for they are often attended with dangerous confe-
quences, and therefore it is better to abflain from it in-
tirely.

SOLDANELLA MARINA, Scottijh Scurnjy-grafs, or
SoUanella, has a fmall fibrous root, with feveral {lender,
pliant, reddifh llalks, that creep on the ground ; the
leaves are roundifh, fmooth, fhining, like thofe of the
lefTer celandine, but thicker, and full o^ a milky jak:e.
The flowers confift of a fingle petal, in the fhape of a
bell, and are of a purple colour. The piilil which rifes
from the lower part of the calyx, turns to a roundifh
membranous fruit, that contains angular black feeds. It
grows frequently en the fandy fhores of the fea, and
Sowers in fummer ; the whole plant is dried with the
root, in which manner it is fent to us. It has a bitter,
acrid tafle, that is fomewhat fakifh, and is looked upcn
by fome as very proper to purge olF watery humcurs>
particularly in a dropfy, palfy, and the rheumatifm.
The dofe of the powder when dried, is fiOm half a dram
to a dram.

S 2 SON^

338 THE NATURAL HISTORY

SONCHUS L/XVIS, Smooth Sonv tkijde, has a fmall,
white fibrous rcct, and a hollow, tender, furrowed, pur-
plifh ftalk, that rifes to the height of a foot and a half.
The leaves are long, fmooth, larger and more tender
than thofe of dandelion, and are dentated on the edges.
They are ranged alternately, are full of a milky juice,
and fome of them embrace the ftalks with their broad
bafes. The flowers grow on the tops of the llalks and
branches in bunches, and confift of yellow femi-floretts,
like thofe of dandelion, but fmaller ; thefe are fucceed-
ed by fruit, of a conical (hape, that contain oblong,
reddifh, brown feeds, with a downy tuft. It grows
almoft every where, and flowers in-M^^ and June i
rabbits and hares are fond of this plant.

SONCHUS ASPER, prickly Soiv Thifik, has a root
like the former, but the leaves are more entire, refemb-
ling thofe of endive, and they embrace their flalk with
their bafe ; they are of a deep fliining green, and fur-
nished w ith long hard prickles. It grows in the fame
places as the former, and flowers at the fame time ; it is
full of a milky hicter juice. They are both of little or
no ufe in phyfic.

SORB US SATIVA, the manured Service tree, has
2. long, thick, hard, woody root, from whence proceeds
a large branched tree, with an upright trunk, covered
Vr'ith a rough pale bark ; the wood is very hard, com-
pa6l and reddifli. I'he leaves are oblong, and feveral
of them are placed upon the fame rib, like thofe of
the afh, and are dentated on the edges, hairy, foft,
greenifli above, and whitifli below. 1 he flowers grow
%\\ bunches, ar.d confift of five white petals placed in
the form of a rofe ; the calyx or flower-cup turns to
a hard flefliy fruit, of the fize of a fmaJl pear, of a
pale green on one fide, and reddifh on the other, with
a yellowifh flefli, and a very rough tafte, when they are
jufl gathered, which is in the autumn. They lay them
among draw till they become foft, and then they are
good to eat. It grows wild in Italy and other countries^
2nd delights in a cold ftony foil; it flowers in April 2iV\d
Mayy and the fruit is ripe in Odober and November,
I; was faid to have been cultivated formwly in Eng-

lanfit

GF VEGETABLES. 3S9

landt which if true, there were lately none left. The
fruit is aftringent, and is faid to be good in fluxes ;
however they agree bell with thofe of hot conftitutions,
and that have weak llomachs, when moderately eaten.
Not long fince they have begun to introduce it into this
kingdom again.

SORBUS AUCUPABIA, Wild Servke, or %id^
heam^ by fome called the Quicken tree, is of a middle
fize, and has a hard thick, long root ; the trunk is
upright, and covered with a reddifh-brovvn fpotted bark,
like that of the elm, under which there is another,
which is yellow, and of a llinking fmell, with a bitter
talle. 'The leaves are winged, and placed by pairs on
a rib, terminated with a Tingle leaf, and are dentated
on the edges ; they are more pointed than the former,
and are firm, fmooth, greenifh above, and whitifh be-
low. The flowers are fmail, white, and placed in
umbels; and they are.fucceeded by fruit or berries, like
thofe of the water elder, and of a yellow colour, mixed
with Vermillion ; they contain oblong feeds, and are of
an acrid difagreeable tafte. It grows in moift moun-
tainous places in divers parts of Englandy and is often
cultivated in gardens. It flowers in May and Juney and
the fruit is ripe in Septemher. It is more ufed by fowl-
ers than phyficians, for a great many fmall birds are
tond of the berries, and they ferve as baits to bring
them to the nets.

SORBUS TORMINALIS, the 'wild Ser^vice, or
Sorb ireSf grows tO the fize of a pear tree, and the trunk
is covered with a whitifli fmooth bark, whereas that
on the branches is of a brownifh red, inclining to yel-
low i the leaves are like thofe of the former, but more
pointed j and more curioufly dentated on the edges, they
being fomewhat in the form of the foot of a goofe, and
they are almoft without hair or down on both fides, ef-
pecially in the autumn ; the flowers are compofed of
five whitifli leaves, placed in the form of a rofe, and
they grow in bunches ; they are fucceeded by fruit, like
thofe of the white thorn, called hips, which are of a
yeliowifli colour, fpeckled with white ; the tafte is
rough at firft, but afterwards becomes tartifh and agree*
S 3 able

390 THE NATURAL HISTORY
able when they are grown foft by keeping. On the in-
fjde there are five cell?, each of which contains two
feeds or pippins, like thcfe of the pear, but fmaller,
and almolt ^triangular. They grow in uncultivated
xncuntainous places, and in forefls and hedges j they
flower in May^ ard the fruit is ripe in autcmn. Seme
look upon theiB as Specifics in all kinds of fluxes of the
belly, efpccialiy thofe that fucceed the devouring too-
Ciuch fruit ; but the juice muft be made into a rob, and
then the doie is half an ounce.

SPHCNDYiiUM VULGAREHIRSUTUM, com-
vion hairy-Co^v parfucp, has a iingle, long, thick, wrink-
kd, fltfliy, while, perennial icot, full of a whitifii
juice; the flaJk riies to the height of three or four
fsct, and is upright, round, knotted, hairy, furrowed,
hollow, and branched. The leaves are bread, jagged,
cr cut into feveral parts, erenated on the edges, and
covered all over with a foft down. Thofe above are
like' thofe below, only they embrace the ilalk and-
branches by their large membranous bafes ; they re-
femble thofe of the common parfnep, and the flowers
grew in umbels at the top of the branches ; they confill
of five uneven leaves or petals, in the fl;ape of a heart,
fiifpofed like thofe of a rofe, and are generally white ^•
the calyx afterwards becomes a fruit, compofed of two
large, fiattifh, oval feeds, furrowed on the back, and
leadjly threw off their cover. It grows common on.
the fides of ditches, and in the borders of fields, in
znoift grounds tvery where. It flowers in May, 'June^
and July. Ancient authors talk much of the virtues of
this plant, none of which are known to us, or at leaft
acknowledged.

STACHYS MAJOR GERMANICA, hafe Boar^
hound^ has a hard, woody, fibrous, yellowifl), peren-
nial root, with feveral ftalks that rife to the height of
tu'o feet, which are thick, fquare, knotted, white, downy,,
and pithy. The leaves are placed oppofite to each other
at each knot, and are like thofe of white hoar-hound,
hut longer and whiter, and as well downy as dentated on-
the edges. The flowers are veriicillated, and difpofed
like fgikes. on tlie top of the. flalks, between the leaves y:.

they,

OF VEGETABLES. J91

they are downy without, fmooth within, and generally
of a purple colour, though fometimss white ; they con-
fift of a (ingle petal in the form of a tube, cut on the
upper part into two Jips, the uppermoft of which is
hollow like a fpoon, andiseredl; but the upper lip i^
divided into fix fegments, of which the middlemoii: is
much the largell ; the piilil rifes from the flower-cup
attended by four embryoes, that turn to as many round-
ifh blackifh feeds, contained in a capfula that was the cup
of the flower. It grows in mountainous uncultivated
places, and is cultivated in gardens, where it is propa-
gated by feeds ; it flowers in June and July. It is of
Jiitle ufe in medicine, though Boerhaa-jc recommends
it againll: the apoplexy and the palfy.

STAFHISAGRIA, Staves Acre, has a long woody
root, with a ftalk that rifes to the height of a foot and a
half or two feet, which is upright, round, hairy, and
branched ; the leaves are large, broad, cut deeply intd
feveral parts, green and hairy. The flowers grow on
the tops of the itaiks and branches, and at the places
where the leaves join to the ftalks ; they are compofed
of iive unequal, deep, blue petals or leaves, difpofed in
a circle like thofe of larkfpur, but much bigger, of
which the upper part is prolonged backward, and re-
ceives into its fpur that of another leaf. Thefs are fuc-
ceeded by a fruit, confiding of three or four greenifli
horns or fheaths, that contain feveral feeds as large as
peas, that are wrinkled, rough, b'ackifli without, red-
difh or yellowifh within, and of a triangular fhape ;
they have an acrid, burning, bitter, and very difagreeable
tafte. It grows in {hady pl^es, the fouthern parts
of Europe^ and is alfo cultivated in gardens, on account
©f the beauty of its flower ; it is fown in the fpring,
and requires a good foil, which muil be well watered,
and not too much expo fed to the fouth fun ; it flowers
in the fummer, and the feed is ripe in autnmn. If thefe
feeds are given inwardly, from twelve grains to a fcruple,
they purge upwards and downwards ; but they heat and
inflame the throat fo much, that they are dangerous to
take ; for which reafon they are now entirely laid
sfide.

S 4 STATICE,

392 THE NATURAL HISTORY

STATICE, Thrift, or Sea pink, has a long, thic^,
round, reddifh, woody, perennial root, with feverai
heads ; frcm whence proceed a great number of Jong
narrow leaves, like ihofe of grafs, and of a fe a green
colour. Frcm among thefe, feverai ftalks arife, to the
height of afoot, that are upright, knotty, hollow, and
almolt all naked ; the bunch of flowers grow at the top,
and confiil of five fmall whitifh petal?, in the form of
a pink, and the calyx in the ihape of a funnel, be fides
which there is a general fcaly calyx. They are fuc-
ceeded by feeds, pointed at each end, and contained in
a cj^pjula that was the cup of the flower. It grows wild
in Geimcny, and other inland countries, from whence it
has been brought into England, and planted in gardens,
to make edging?, and the fldes of borders of flower-
gardens ; but it is now almoR negleded, becaufe they
require tranfplanting Qvtvy year. It cor;tinues a long
while in flower, even to the \ery end of autumn. Boer'
haanje recommends this plant as an aftringent, vulne-
rary, and proper to flop internal haemorrhages ; for which
purpofe the juice is to be drank.

STRAMONIUM, 7horn Jpple, has a thick, whit^,
f brous root, that fends forth a ftalk to the height of
three feet, that is round, hollow, divided into feverai
branches, and fometimes a little hairy. The leaves are
large, angular, pointed, and like thofe of night-fhade,
but much larger, and of a deep green colour, with a
mofl cfFenfive fmell. The flower is white, and like a
drinking glafs, with an oblong flower cup, cut at the
top into five parts. There are five yellow flamina in
the middle, with as many fummits. Thefe are fuc-
cecded by fruit as large as a nut, almofl: round, and
armed all over with fl-iOrt thick prickles ; they are di-
vided into four equal parts, by membranous partitions,
that contain flat blackifli feeds, in the fliape of a kid-
ney. In fome places it is cultivated in gardens and
flowers in July and Augufl. It is a poifonous plant, and
taken inwardly, caufes vomiting, madnefs, a lethargy,,
cold fweats, convulfions, which are fucceedcd by death,
without immediate help.

SUBER

OF VEGETABLES. 393

SURER LATIFOLIUM, PERPETUO VITENS,

the Cork tree, has a long, thick, hard root, that pro*
duces a middle iized tree, with a thick trunk, and a
few branches. It has a thick, light, fpungy bark, of a
yellowifli grey colour, that cleaves of itfelf and parts
from the tree, becaufe it is pufhed forward by another
bark that grows under it. The leaves are like thofe of
the fcarlet oak, but they are larger, longer, green above,
and fometimes a little prickly j the catkins and acorns are
alfo like thofe of the fame tree ; but they are longer,
blunter, and have a more difagreeable tafte. The
flower- cup is alfo bigger, and more hairy ; it grows in
the fouthern parts of Europe. The inhabitants of the
places where they grow, cleave the trunk of this tree
lengthway?, to take off the bark more readily, and then
they put it over burning coals, laying flones thereon, .
to render it flat ; after which they clean it, and fend it
to other countries ; this is what we call cork, that ferves
for fo many different ufes. When cork is burnt, and
reduced to a fine powder, it is a very good remedy to
eafe the pains of the piles, mixed v/ich the white of an
egg, and the oil of fweet almonds.

SYRINGA ALBA, th^ mock-Orange tree^ has a flex-
ible creeping root, that produces a handfome fpreading
(hrub, whole ilem and branches are upright, and co-
vered with an afh-coloured bark ; it is alfo full of a
white fpungy pith. The leaves are oblong, large,
pointed, veiny, a little wrinkled, and crenated on the
edges, and almoft like thofe of the pear tree. The
flowers grow in (hort fpikes at the tops of the branches,
and are compofed of four white petals, difpofed in the
form of a rofe, and have a fmell like that of orange-
flowers ; thefe are fucceedsd by fruit, that are at firil
green, and afterwards blackifn when they are ripe ;
they are oval, pointed at both end:^, and adhere flrongly
to the flower cup ; they are divided into four cells, con-
taining oblong feeds. It fl'jv/ers '\x\ May 2LVi<^ June t and
the feed is ripe in Augujl and September, The medicinal
virtues are not known. It may be eafily propagated,
by taking off the fuckers in autumn, and planting them
S 5 out

594 THE NATURAL HISTORY

out in a nurfery in rows, at three feet diftant from eadi?
other, and a foot afunder in each row.

TAMARISCUS GERMANICA, the German Ta.
fnartjk /ri?<', has a root as thick as a man's thigh, co-
vered with a thick bitter bark, from whence proceed
feveral brittle ftems,. covered with a reddifh bark, di-
vided into feveral branches, and adorned with leaves,
like thofe of common heath, of a fea- green colour, and
an allringent tafte. The flov/ers grow in fpikes at the
extremities of the branches, and confift of five white,
purplifii, oval petals, or leaves, with as many (lamina
and roundifh yellow fumraits ; thefe are fucceeded by
fmall oblong pods, which before were the piftils, and
are full of Imall downy feeds. This Ihrub grows in
Hungary y about Strajburg^ Landa<vo^ and Geve'vOy by
the fides of running waters, and moift flony places. It
ilowers in May and June, and does not ceafe to bear
UcwetG and fruit all the fumraer. They may be eafily
propagated in England, by laying down the tender Ihoots
in the fpring ; but they are not of much value here bc-
caufe they have llragling branches.

TAMARISCUS NARBONENSIS, the French nar^
nnv kai'cd Tamarijk tree, has a thick woody root, di-
vided ir.'to feveral branches, that fends forth feveral
items, which together form a bulh or Ihrub, and fome-
times a pretty large tree, with a trunk covered with
rough grey bark. The leaves are fmall, long, and
round, like thofe of the cyprefs tree and common heath ;
the flowers grew on the tops of the branches in bunches ;
thefe are of a whicifii purple colour, and confift of five
petals or ieavei, that are fucceeded by pointed fruit,
which contain fmall downy i^t^z. It grows chiefly in
jhot countries, but may be propagated here like the
forn^er, though iX. is of no great value. It flowers ge-
nerally three times a year, namely, fpring, fummer,-
and aitunin ; but the leaves drop cfr in the winter.
The vertues of bcrh thefe ftrubs are much the fame,
and the rcot, bark, and leaves, are (aid to open ob-
ffrudions of the vifcera, and to attenuate grofs humours;,
but they have been long out of ufe with us.

TANA-

OP VEGETABLES. 395

TANACETUM VULGARE LUTEUM, ccmmon
Tanfeyy has a long, woody, fibrouF, perennial root,
which fends forth flalks to the height of two or three
feet, which are round, Ilreaked, a Jitrle hairy, and pithy.
The leaves are large, long, winged, dentated on the
edges, and difpofed in pairs along a rib, terminating in
a fingle leaf; however botanifts generally reckon all
thefe but one leaf The flowers grow on the top af
the leaves in bunches or umbels, and confiil of many
fioretts, divided into feveral fegments, and of a beautiful
yellow colour. The calyx or flower-cup is fcaly,
and contains an embryo, that turns to an oblong k^d^
which is black when ripe. It grows wild on the fides
of high ways, in fields, and on the edges of ditches;
but it is every where planted in gardens, and flowers in
July and Jugujl. The leaves have an acrid, bitter,
aromatic tafte, and aire looked upon as llomachic, fe-
brifuge, and fudorific, as well as anthelmintic ; for
both the leaves and feeds have always been accounted
good to kill worms. Some give the juice to three or
four ounces, in the cachexy, green ficknefs, and dropfy, ■
in which laftcafe it has facceeded, when other medicines
h'ave been tried in vain. The feed of tanfey may be
ufed inftead of wormfeed ; but is not fo efficacious.

TANACETUM FOLIIS et ODORE MENTHA,
fi^e COSrUS HORTORUM, Cojhnary, has a root
like that of mint, with furrowed hairy branches, that
rife to the height of two feet. The leaves are oblong,
like thofe of the greater dittany, and are dentated on
the edges. The flower grows like that of tanfy, in
bunches or fmall umbels, on the tops of the branches,
and are of a gold colour. They are fucceeded by naked,
oblong, flat feeds, contained in a capfula, that was the
cup of the flower. It is planted in gardens, and flowers
late in the funimer. It has the fame virtues as worm-
wood, and the efl'entia] oil is in great ufe at Parist to
cure all forts of wounds and bruife.^.

TAXUS, the common Te^-w tree, has a thick hard root,
that fends 'orta a high trunk, with branches and leaves
that are always green. The wood is hard, reddifli,
veined, and not fubjedt to rcr j for which reabn it is

put

396 THE NATURAL HISTORY

put to many ufes. The flowers are greenifh, pale cat-
kins, compcfed of fummits full of a very fine powder,
but they do not leave any fruit behind them ; for thefe
grow dillindly. and are red, foft, juicy berries, in the fhape
of bells, that contain feeds fomewhat like acorns, which
have a fort of a little cup to each. It grows naturally
in mountainous, Itony, hot countries, and is cultivated
in gardens in Englandy where it was formerly in great
elleem, becaufe they could cut it into what fhape they
would J but now thefc monftrous figures being out of
faihior, it begins to be greatly negleded ; though it
is proper to form hedges for the defence of exotic plants.
It was formerly looked upon as a poifonous tree, bur
without any reafon j for LobeUus fays children in Eng-
land eat every day of the fruit, without any bad con-
kquence ; and it is certainly proper food for hogs.
Gerard informs us he has eaten thereof many a time
\^iihcut any inconvenience. Likewife at Parii chiFdren
have been frequently fcen to eat them in the royal
garden very lately, without doing them any harm.
However this opinion has prevented phyficians from
enquiring into the real qualities of this tree.

TETRAGON I A, /i-^ EUONYMUS VULGA-
RIS, tie Spiridle-treey has a long woody root, that fends
forth a (hi ub to the height of £ve cubits and upwards.
The wood is pretty hard, and will cleave readily, and
IS of a whidih yellow colour. The leaves are oblong,
pointed, crenated, and fomewhat foft ; the flowers
are fmall, of an herbaceous colour, and compofed of
four oval leaves, placed in the form of a rofe, in a
calyx or ilower-cup, cut into four fegments at the top ;
thefc are fucceeded by a membranous fruit, of a red-
difh colour, and compofed of four cells, each of which
contains r.n oval, folid, faflron coloured feed. It grows
in hedges, f-owers in 3%', and the fruit is ripe in Sep-
tember and Odcber. The fruit will purge upwards and
downwards, and the country people in feme places
reduce them co powder, and fprinkle the heads of
children therewith to kill lice. The wood is made ufe
of for fpindles, tccth-pickers, larding pins, and the
like.

THA-

OF- VEGETABLES. 39^

THALICTRUM LUTEUM, fi<ve RUTA J>RA.
TENSIS, meado^v Rue^ has a yellowifh, fibrous, creep-
ing root, with flalks that rife to the height of a man,
which are ilifF, furrowed, branched, hollow, and gene-
rally of a reddjfh colour. The leaves are large, of a =
fhining green, and divided into feveral jaggs. The
flowers grow on the tops of the branches, and confift
of four petals, difpofed in the form of a rofe, about a
duller of green ftamina, or chives, that furround a pi-
ftil, which afterwards becomes a fruit, in which the
capfulje are colleded into a fmall head, that contain
each an oblong, yellow, furrowed, fmall feed of a-
bitter tafte ; it has no flower-cup. It grows in mea-
dows, and in moift marfliy places, by the fides of
brooks and flowers in the fummer. The root purges
like rhuburb, for which reafon it is called in Germa-
ny the rhubarb of poor people. Ic tinges the urine
with a yellow colour, and is faid to have the fame
qualities in all refpefts ; but the dofe mart be three
times as much. The juice of the leaves and flowers,
has been given from one ounce to two, in all internal
bleedings.

THLASPI, Mithrldate Muftard, has a thick, woody,
white root, with round, hairy, ItifF, branched fialks^
that rife to the height of a foot, which are furniflied
with leaves without pedicles, that are intire, and as
long as the little finger, but broad at the bafe, and
grow narrow by degrees to a point ; they are crenated
on the edges, and are of a greenifh afh colour, or
whitifli, with an acrid pungent tafte. The flowers are
fmall, white, and difpofed like thofe of fiieppard's
purfe ; they are com po fed of four leaves, placed in the
form of a crofs, with fix ftamina, that have pointed
fummits. TKefe are fucceeded by round or oval fruit,
flatted in the fliape cf purf^-, with a leafy border, flit
on the upper flde, and divided into two cells by a par-
tition, placed obliquely with regard to the valve, and
furniflied with fmooth, roundifli feeds, that have an
acrid pungent tafle like niuflard. It grows in uncul-
tivated plases, expofed to the fun, among corn, and

on

5'98 THE NATURAL HISTORY

on the tops of houfes, and walls ; it flowers in Majy
and the feed is ripe in June.

THLASPI ARVENSE, SILIQUIS LATIS, Field
Tnithridate nmjlard^ <vjith broad pods^ has a fmall, oblique,
woody root, from whence arife angular, furrowed,
winged ftalks, that rife to the height of a foot. The
leaves have no pedicles, and are long, broad, fmooth>
dentated, and of a blackilh green, with a fmell fome-
what like garlick. Thefiowers grow in fpikes at the
lops of the llalks, and are compofcd of four white pe-
tals, difpofed in the form of a crofs, that are fucceed-
ed by broad, flattiiTi, finooth pods, containing round-
ifh, flattifh, reddiili brown feeds, of an acrid, hot, bit-
ing tafte. It flowers in May and the feed is ripe in Jmie ;
it grows every where in the fields, and continues from
the beginning of the fpring to the end of autumn.

THLASPI ALLIUM REDOLENS, MithridaU
mujiardfmelling like garlicky has a Angle white root,
with a few £bres, that fends forth feveral leaves, of-
vvhich fome are jagged, others are furrounded by fmall -
teeth, and others again are without teeth or jaggs ;^
they have generally long pedicles and are nervous and
green. From among thefe arife fmall flalks with •
leaves, that embrace each other alternately ; the flow-
ers grow at ihe tops, and are compofed of four fmall
white petals, like thofe of flieppard's purfe, and are
difpofed in the form of a crofs. Thefe are fucceeded ■
by flat fruit, in the fliape of oval purfes, which con-
tain roundifn fiat feeds. All three have the fame vir-
tues ; but the feeds are only made ufe of. They are
faid to promote urine, and to diffolve coagulated blood.
The dofc is from one fcruple to two ; but it muft not
be given to women with child, for fear of caufing
abortion, nor yet to patiiints of hot conflii:utions. The
feed of the firft is an ingredient in mithridate and Ve-
nice treacle.

TH YMEL^ A FOLIIS LINT, Sfurge oli've, or /«w-
rel niith fax Icanjes^ has a long, thick, hard, woody
root, ^K:y or reddifnon the outfide, and v*hitc within,
with a thick tovigh bark. It fends iorth a fmall fhrub,

whofe

OF- VEGETABLES.- ^qg

wKofe ftem is about as thick as a man's thumb, to the
height oi two feet. The leaves are always green, and
referable thofe of flax j but are bigger, broader and
pointed. The flowers grow in bunches at the top
of the branches, and are fmall, white, and confiil
of a fmgle petal, in the fliape of a funnel, open at
the top, and cut into four parts, which expand in the
form of a crofs ; there are eight ftamina with roundifh
fummits. Thefe are fucceeded with berries, like thofe
of myrtle, but fomewhat longer, and full of juice;
they are green at iirft, but af:erwards become as red
as coral. The pulp is white within, and of a burning
tafle. It grows wild in the fouthern parts of Europe,
and flowers in July. It is cultivated in gardens by the
curious ; the leaves and berries were formerly made
life of as a purge j but it is now negleOed for that
purpofe, becaufe it Vy'as often attended with bad con-
fequences.

THYMUS CAPITATUS QUI DIASCORIDIS, .
the true Thyme of the ancients, has a hard, woody root,
furnifhed with hbres, that fends forth a fmall fhirub to ■
the height of a foot, which is divided into fiender,
woody, white branches, with leaves placed oppofire to
each other, that are fmall, narrow, whitifh, and fall
off in the winter. The flowers grow in heads at the
top of the branches, which are fmall, purplifh, labiat-
ed, and confiil: of a im'^iz. petal. The flamina ara
four with fiender fummits, and the piftil is attended by
four embryoes, which become fo many feeds, en->
clofed in a hulk, which before was the, cup of the
flower. It is common in Candia, Greece, Spain, and
Sicily, and grows on mountainous places, expofed ta
the fun, with us they are cultivated in gardens; and
they were formerly fet in pots and tubs ; but of late
they have been found to endure the winter.

Befldes this there are common broad leaved thy mc,-
narrow leaved thyme, ar.d broad leaved flriped thyme,
u'hich have all the fame virtues, and may be uled in-
diflerently in medicine. They are faid to ftr^ngthen the
brain, and to attenuate and rarify clamm}* humours. They

help

4^0 THE NATURAL HISTORY '
help digeftion, and may be of fome fervice in fhortnefe
of breath ; but they are chiefly uled in the kitchen as a
pot-he/b.

All thefe plants may be propagated, either by fowing
the feeds or parting the roots ; and the proper feafon
for both is at the latter end of March.

THYSSELINUM, Milky ParJIey. has a long, reddifh,
brown root, full of a milky fluid, that has a hot, fharp,
ilrong, difagreeable talle. It fends forth a Halk, to the
height of four feet, which is hollow, channelled and
branched. The leaves are ferulaceous, that is refemb-
ling that of the ferula, and have a milky juice like the
root. On the tops of the branches there are flowers in
umbels, confifting of five yellowifli vvhit« petals, in the
form of a rofe, with as many capillary Itamina with
roundifh fummits. Thefe are fucceeded by oval, large,
flattifli feeds, placed by pairs, and radiated on the back.
It grows in moift, marfhy places, on the fides of ponds
and brooks, and of ditches full of water. It flowers in
June and July, and the feeds are ripe in the beginning
of Jugujl. The root has been ufed in decoction, to
promote urine, but it is not v.ery fafe, on account of its
acridity. Boerhaa^ve afiirmp, that the milk has the
fame purging quality of fcammony, and may be ufed
inftead of it.

TILIA, the Lime, cr LirJen tree, has a deep fpread-
kig root, that fends forth a very large trunk, fo full of
branches, that it is very proper for fliady walks. It is
covered with a fmooth afh coloured bark, which is yel-
lov/ifh or whiiifli within. It is lo tough and flejcible,
that in fome places, where better materials are fcarce,
they make cords and cables therewith. The leaves are
broad, roundifh, and terminate ia a point, and are a
little downy on both fides, as well as dentated on the
edges ; the flowers confift of five whitifli petals, which
are placed orbicularly, and expand in the form of a rofe.
There is a long narrow leaf growing to the foot ftalk of
each clufier of flowers, each of which has a great
number of ftamina, with yellow fummits, and are
fuUained by a cup cut into five white thick parts. Thefe
are fuccocdcd by a pcd of the fize of a large pen, which

are

i

OF VEGETABLES. 401

are almoft round or oval, as well as woody, angular,
hairy, and contains one or two roundifli blackilh feeds,
of a fwcetifh talte. Befides this, there are the fmall
leaved lime tree, the red twigged lime tree, the Carolina
lime tree, the ftriped leaved lime tree, and the American
black lime irtQ.

The three firft forts are common in England, and are
cultivated in molt nurferies, but the Carolina and Ameri-
can are not yet very common. They are all eafily
propagated hy layers, which in one year will take good
root, and tlien may be taken off and planted in a nur-
fery, at four feet diftant row from row, and two feet
afunder in the rows. The bell time to lay them down,
is about Michaelmasy when the leaves begin to fail, that
they may take root before the froll comes on ; it is like-
wife much the beft to remove them in autumn. They
may remain here five years, and the large fide /hoots
mull be pruned off, to caufe them to advance in height,
but the fmall twigs muft not be pruned off from the
ilems, becaufe they are neceilkry to retain the fap for
the augmentation of their trunks. If the foil be a fat
loam, they will in that time be large enough to plant
where they are to remain. The timber of the lime tree
is ufed by carvers, becaufe it is a light foft wood ; as
alio by architeds for framing models of their buildings 5
rot to mention the turners, who make bowls and diflies
therewith.

With regard to their medicinal virtues, the flowers
are faid to be good in all diforders of the head, and
may be drank like tea with fugar ; Hoffman in parti-
cular had a great opinion of them in thefe diforders,
Som.e make a conferve of them for the fame purpofe,
and the dofe is from half an ounce to an ounce. Some
afSrm them to be good in the {lone and gravel, and to
diflblve coagulated blcod. The German ephemerides
inform us, that the fap of a lime tree, drawn from it a
little above the root in February and March, is an exf
eellent anti-epileptick, and the dofe is three or four
ounces thrice a day, which mull be continued forfome
time. The berries are allringent, and good againft all
forts of haemorrhages and loofeneffes ; the dofe ii adram

iu

4GZ THE NATURAL HISTORY^

in powder. Boerhaa've recommends a cataplafm of ther
flowers, as an efficacious remedy againft a tenel'mus.

TINCTORIUS FLOS, orLUTKOLA, Dyerswceedr
or yellcw nxeed, by feme called Weld or Would ^ has a
root generally as thick as a man's little finger, which is'
fjr.gle, woody, white, and has a very few fibres. The
leaves are oblong, narrow, fmooth, and not dentated,
though fometimes they are a little curled. Among thefe
there rife flalks to the height of three feet, which are
round, hard, fmocth, greenifli, branched, and furnifhed
with leaves that are lels than thofe below ; and on the
tops there are flowers, compofed of three unequal petals^
of a beautiful yellowifh green colour. Thele are fuc-
ceeded by a^moft round capfulse, terminated by three
points, which contain feveral roundifli, fmall, blackilh
feeds. It is very common in Er.glandy and grows upon
dry barks, and on the tops of walls and buildings, alnioll
every where. It is of great ufe among the dyers, and
will grow on the poorefl fort of land^ provided it be
dry. The feeds fliould be fown in the middle of ^ugu(i\
foon after they are ripe; they will come up the firft
moill weather, and will grew vt'iy llrong the fame au-
tumn, provided they are fown by themfelves. When
they are pretty ftrong, they fliould be hovved like tur-
reps, todeflroy the v/eeds, and to thin them where too-
thkk. The feed mull not be too ripe when gathered,
for then it will fall out ; nor yet muft the flalk be under
ripe, for then it will be good for nothing. It mull be
bound in handfulls, and then fet to dry like flax, taking
care net to fhake out the feed ; which is ufually fold
for ten fliillingsa bafhel, and a gallon will fow an acre*
It is ufed for dying blight, yellow, and lemon colours;
A great deal of this is fown in Kent, efpecially about
Canterlury ; and they cuitivste it in Languedoc and iVor-
mandy, in France^ where they boil it in water with
allum, and then it will colour white wool yellow, and
blue ftufFi green. It is faid to be an opening medicine,
and to be good againil the jaundice and cachexy j but
it is feldom or never ufed with us.

TITHYMALUS, Spurge^ is of three kinds, namely;
German Sjurge, Garden Sfurge, and tiarrcvj kaiadWood
Sp:o-ge. Getffuup

GF VEGETABLES. 405-

German SPURGE, has a thick, white, woody, creep-
rng root, which fends forth feveral ftalks, to the height
of two or three feet, about as thick as a man's little
finger, and are reddifh, branched, and befet with leaves
alternately placed ; thefe are fmooth, oblong, green,
and perifh in the winter with the ftalks. The flowers
grow on the tops of the branches, and are difpofed in
umbi'ls. They confift of one fingle leaf or petal, in
the fllape of a flipper, whofe pointal afterward becomes
a tricapfular fruit, divided into three cells, each of
which contain a roundifh feed fall of a white fubltance.
It grows upon the fancy banks of rivers, and other
marlby places ; it is common in Germany, on the bank?
•of the Rhine, from whence it has its name. It is fome-
times in gardens, and flowers in May and Jme. It is
cultivated full of an acrid milky juice, like other
plants of this kind.

Garden SPURGE, has a Angle root, with a few ca-
pillary fibres, and it fends forth a ftalk to the height of
two feet, 2? thick as a man's thumb, which is round,
folid, reddifli, branched at the top, and furniflied with
many leaves three inches long, in the fliape of thofe of
willow ; they are of a blueifli-green, fmooth, and foft
to the touch. The flowers grow on the tops of the
branches, and are each compofed of four thick petals,
with feveral flender Itamina, and roundifli fummits y
they are encompafiVd with two pointed yellowifli leaves,
which feem to be in the room of a cup. They are fuc-
ceeded by fruits, that are larger than thofe of the other
plants of this kind, which have three corners, divided
into three cells, with a feed in each as big as a pepper-
corn. The whole plant is full of a milky juice, and it
is almoft every where cultivated in gardens. It flowers
in jfuly, and the feed is ripe in Auguji and September.
Beggars make ufe of this milk very frequently, to dif-
jio«are the fkin, in order to move compafllon. If the
leaves or fruit of this plant are thrown into ponds, it
makes the fifh rife to the furface of the water, where
^ey lye as if they were dead ; but they may be reco-
vered fpeedily by changing the water,

Narrcrvx

i

404 THK NATURAL HISTORY

Narro'w leaded WOOD SPURGE, has a flender»
fibrou5, woody root, of a reddiih brown colour without*
and white within. It fends forth feyeral ftalks, fix
inches high, which are /lender, and furnifhed with
narrow longifh leaves, of a fea green colour, and have
a ftyptic, acrid, bitter tafte. The flowers grow in um-
bels on the tops of the branches, each of which are
compofed of four yellow petals, of a gjafs- green colour.
Thefe are fucceeded by a green fmoothifli fruit, divided
into three cells, in each of which there is a reddifh
feed, flat on one fide. It is full of a milky juice, like
the reft, and it grows in fandy plains, and flowers in
May^ June, and y///y ; its fruit is ripe fonie time after.

The juice of all thefe kinds has a violent purging,
quality, inibmuch that it is dangerous to take inward-
ly ; though at fome places, country people will venture
en the feeds. Some ufeit outwardly to take off warts,
and to kill ring- worms, as well as to take off hair i but
it mufl be ufed very cautioufly.

TORDYLIUM, fi<ve SESELI CRETICUM, Hart^'
nvort of Candy, has a flender, fingle, white root, and a
flalk from a foot and a half to two feet high, which
is channeled, hairy, and branched. The leaves are ob-
long, roundifh, dentated on the edges, rough, and placed
by pairs along one fide, with long ftalks. The flowerS'
grow at the tops of the branches in umbels, and each
confifts of five petals or white leaves, difpofed like a-
flower de luce, with as many capillary ftamina ; thefe
are fucceeded by roundifh, flatted feeds, with a raifed
border, which grow together by pairs. It is an annual"
plant, and perifhes foon after the feeds are brought to*
pcrfedlion. It grows wild in France, particularly about
Montpelier, and may be propagated here by feeds, fown
in the autumn, foon after they are ripe, and they will-
grow in any foil or fituation ; it flowers in June and-
July, and the feeds are ripe in Auguji. The root i*
accounted good for a moift afthma, and to promote ex»
pedtoration ; but it is of little ufe with us.

TORMENTILLA SYLVESTRIS, 'vAld formentiU
or Sept/oil^ has a root about as thick as a man's finger,,
which is rough, unequal, fometimes Ilrait, and fomc-

times

OF VEGETABLES. 405

times crooked, of a dark colour without, and reddifh
within ; it is a kind of a tubercle, and is furniflied with
a few fibres. The ftalks are flender, weak, hairy, red-
difh, and about a foot long, for which reafon they lye on
the ground, and are furrounded with leaves by intervals,
like thofe of fix leaved grals, which are hairy, and there
is commonly feven leaves at the top of the foot ftaik.
The flowers confift of four yellow petals placed like a
rofe, fupported by a calyx or cup in the form of a bafon,
divided into eight parts, of which four are large, and
four are fmall, and are placed alternately, with fixteen
(lamina in the middle. Thefe are fucceeded by a glo-
bular fruit, which contains many feeds that are fmall
and oblong. It grows almofl: every where, in dry
paftures and commons, in moll parts of England i it
flowers in May, June, and July, and the root is prin-
cipally ufed in medicine. But the Tormentl of the
Jlps is much more valuable, on account of its fuperior
•virtues. The root has a ftyptic, very bitter tafte, and
is accounted good to Itop loofenefi'es, haemorrhages, and
the like. The dofe in deco(5lion il from half an ounce
-to an ounce, and in powder from half a dram to a
dram. The fame powder fprinkled on ulcers, will dry
and heal them, as fome affirm.

TRAGOPOGON, Goat" s-heard, has a root as thick
as a man's little finger, which is long, llrait, tender,
rinilky, and has a fweetifh lafle. The fl:alk is about
■two feet high, and is round, hollow within, branched,
and furnifned with feveral kave?, that refemble thofe of
leeks. I'he flowers grow at the top of the flalk and
branchep, which are femiflofculous, confifling of many
half florettf, of a blueifh purple colour, and are fup-
ported by a pretty long calyx, divided into feveral parts
to the very bottom ; and there are five fmall llamina in
the middle. Thefe are fucceeded by feveral channeled,
■round, ob'ong feeds, that are rough, afh -coloured, and
turn blackifh when they are full ripe. The pappous
ieeds, while they are contained in the calyx, refemble
the beard of a goat, from whence this plant had its
name.

The

I

^oB THE NATURAL HISTORY

The greater yellon.v GOATS BEARD, has a root
about as thick as a man's little finger, and fomewhat
xelembles that of a parfnip ; it is blackifii without>
Avhitifli within, and has a fweetifh taile. The ftalk
grows to the height of a foot and a half, and is round,
iblid, fmooth, and furnilhed with oblong narrow pointed
leaves, refembling thofe of faiFron, only they are broader,
and divided into branches. The flowers are femi-
floretts, refembling thofe of dandelyon, and they are
fufiained by a pretty long fingle calyx, cloven to the
very bottom, not unlike balultres. Thefe are fucceeded
by feveral oblong, channeled, rough, afh-coloured, hairy
feeds. It grows almoft t\zxy where in meadows, and
in moift fat paftures ; it flowers in May and June, and
when the feeds are ripe, they are blown off, and carried
in the air like thofe of dandelyon. This is the moll va-
luable fort, and is greatly valued by fome, who pretend
it is better than alparagus. Thefe plants are propa-
gated from feeds, and may be fovvn in the fpring, in
an open fpot of ground, in rows about nine or ten
inches diftant ; and when the plants are come up, they
Ihould be ho wed out, leaving them about fix inches
diftant in the rows. If the foil be light, and not too
dry, they will become large plants before winter, and
the roots will be fit for ufe ; but they fhould be taken
up before the leaves are decayed. This plant by fome
is called Salfafy. The roots are opening, peftoral, and
have much the fame virtues as Scorzonera ; but they
are more ufed for aliment than phyfick.

TRIBULUS, CALTROPS, or Land Caltrop, ^vitb
a thick leaf and prickly fruit, has a long, fingle, white,
fibrous root, with feveral fmali fialks, about fix incfies
high, which lye upon the earth, and are round, knotty,
hairy, reddilh, and divided into feveral brandies. The
leaves are winged, or ranged by pairs along one fide-,
like thofe of chich-peas or lentiles, and are fomewhat
hairy. The flowers are fupported by pretty long foot
jlalks, and confft of five petals or yellow leaves, in
the form of a rofe, with ten fmall (lamina, which are
lucceeded by hard fruit, armed with feveral (harp pric-
klcB, relemb.'ing a crofs of the knight of Malta. Each

of

■X!)F VEGETABLES. 40^

cof thefe has five cells, containing oblong feeds. It grows
almoft every where in hot countries, fuch as Spaiftf
-Jtaly^ and the fouth parts of France^ where it is very
troublefome to the feet of cattle. It begins to appear
about the latter end of May^ and flowers and feeds in
"July and Augujl j however though it be fo rough and
prickly, yet it is eaten by aHes. There are fome who
■raife thefe plants from feed in England^ only for the fake
•of variety. The medicinal ufes of this plant are in-
•confiderable ; however it is faid by fome to be detergent,
opening, and proper to Hop fluxes of the belly. The
dofe of the fruit in powder, is from a fcruple to a
^ram.

TRIBULUS AQJJATICUS, Water Caltrops, has
a very long root, furnifhed by intervals with a great
-number of fibres, which partly float on the water, and
.are partly fixed to the mud in the bottom of it. When
full grown, its broad leaves lye on the furface of the
water, and are almofl; like thofe of poplar, only they
■are fliorter, and are fome what like a rhomboides ; they
have feveral nerves., are a little crenated on the edges,
are fmooih above, and wrinkled below. They have
likewife long, thick, wood flalks. The flowers are
fmall, and are compofed of four white petals, with as
many flamina ; they are fupported by a calyx, divided
into four parts, and are fupported by roundifh, folid,
.green, downy pedicles. Thefe are fucceeded by fruit
-like chefnuts, each of which are armf^d v^ith four thick,
hard, greyifli thorns, covered by a membrane, which
will part from it. It afterwards becomes almoil as black
as jet, and is aifo.fmooth and polilhed. It contains
only one cell, in which there is a hard white kernel in
the (liape of a heart, which is fit to eat, and has fome-
what of the fnape of a chefnut. This plant grows
fometimes in rivers ; but moit commonly in ponds, lakes,
and ditches ; it fiov.ers in yutiSy and the fruit is ripe in
the autumn. The fruitls only in ufe, which is cooling,
aftringent, and proper to flop fluxes of the belly, and
haemorrhages. Both the ancients and moderns have
ufed it as an aliment, efpecially after they are roafted
like chefhutE. la fome parts of France they make foup

with

40S THE NATURAL HISTORY
with them, or rather pap, which they give their children^
-who are very fond of it.

TRIFOLIUM PRATENSE PURPUREUM, com--
man meado^vj Trefoil^ nuith a purple fio^er^ by many
called Honey-fuckles. It has a root as thick as a man's
little finger, which is long, round, woody, creeping,
and fibrous. The flalks rife to the height of a foot,
or a foot and a half, and are {lender, channeled, and
fometimes a little hairy. The leaves are partly round,
and partly oblong, and there are three together on the
fame pedicle, marked on the middle v^ith a (pot, in the
Ihape of a heart, which is fometimes white, and fome-
times dark. The Rowers grow on the tops of the ftalks>
and have fome refemblance to the papilionaceous kind,
and are difpofed in a head, or fhort thick fpike, of a
purplifh colour, and have a juice at the botiom. as fweet
as honey. ' They are fucceeded by fmall round capfulae,
each of which is inclofed in a calyx, and rerminattd by
a long pedicle, containing a feed, in the fhape of a kid-
ney. It grows almoit every where in meadows and
pafture grounds, flowering in April, May and June,
The flowers are greatly fought after by bees, and the
whole herb is excellent for feeding cattle. Chomei
affirms, that thediililled water of this plant, is good for
diforders of the eyes, and more efpecially to allay their
inflammation.

TRIFOLIUM ARVENSE HUMILE SPICATUM,
Harems -foot Trefoil, is the lagopus of the fhops, and has
a {lender, woody, fibrous, crooked, white, annual root.
It has feveral lialks, about fix inches high, which are
branched, flrait, and covered with a whitilh down.
Three leaves are placed together upon one pedicle, which
are fmaller than common trefoil, and are davvny and
whitifh, efpecially upon the back. The flowers are
fmall, whitifh, papilionaceou?, and fixed on hairy foft
fpikes, which reiemble the feet of a hare ; the colour
is afh, inclining to purple Thefe are fucceeded by
capfula;, inclofed in a calyx, each of whicl) contain a
reddifh feed like a fmall kidney. It grows every where
in fields among corn, and it fljwers towards the latter
end of the fummer, continuing till OMer, Mofl phy-

ficiani

OF VEGETABLES. 409

fiGians affirm it is good to flop loofenefles of every kind»
if the decoflion be ufed as common drink. If the
feed happens to be mixed with wheat, it turns the bread
of a reddifh colour, which had like to have caufed an
infurredlion at Pans; for the people affirmed the bakers
mixed blood with their flower.

TRIF0LIU.\1 BITUMINOSUM, Tre/oi/, fmelling
ofhitumeny has a hard, woody, fibrous root, which fends
forth a fort of a (hrub, about two feet high j it is divided
into feveral flifF channeled branches, which are fome-
times whitifh, and fometimes blackifh. The leaves
grow by three's on the fame pedicle, which when they
firlt appear, are round, but grow longer afterwards, and
terminate in a fharp point ; they are whitiih, downy,
clammy to the touch, and have the fmell of bitumen.
The flowers grow on the tops of the flem and branches,
and are difpofed like an oblong head, and are papilio-
naceous, and of a violet purple colour ; they are fuf.
tained by an oblong, channeled, hairy calyx. Thefe
are fucceeded by a capfula inclofed by the calyx, which
contain a rough, pointed, blackifh feed, of the fame
fmell with the reft of the plant. It grows in Candia,
S icily y Languedoc^ and the fouth parts of France^ on
flony hills near the fea, and is planted here in foms
gardens for the fake of variety, and kept in pots. It
flowers in June, July, and Augujl, and will lland the
winter, if it is not too fevere. The juice of this plant
has been counted a fecret againft a cancer, and it
'has been given from one fpoonful to two, for that pur-
pofe. Sylvius afHrms, that the oil of the feed, drawn
by expreffion, is good againft the palfy, if the par:a
afFefted are anointed with it.

TRIFOLIQM H^iM0RRH01DALE,;//<f Trefoil,
basalong, hard, woody root, with feveral llalks. which
rife to the height of two or three ft;et, which are flcnd^r,
round, hairy, woody, branched, and make a kind of
a fhrub, furniflied with downy, whitifh, and roundifh
leaves, which grow by three*b on the fame pedicle, and
have two appendages at the b.^fe. The flowers grow at
the extremities of the ftems and biancles, and are pa-
pilionaceous, whitifh, and fupported by a hairy calj x.

Vol. \T, T Thefe

-410 THE NATURAL HISTORY
Thefe are fucceeded by fliort thickifii pods, of a red-
difli brown colour, that contain a round imall feed, yel-
lowifh within. It grows in the fouth parts of France.,
and flowers in thefummer. It has been counted an ex-
cellent remedy for the piles ; and fome affirm a dram
or two of thefe leaves, given in powder, has been of
great fervice in that diforder.

Bird's -feot Trefoil, is the Trifolium Corniculatum of
the fliops, and has a woody, long, black root, divided
into feveral branches, and furnilhed with fibres. The
llalks are flender, branched, and lye upon the earth ;
and the leaves are placed as in other trefoils, only there
are two fmali flat leaves grow underneath them, which
are fometimes fmooth, and fometimes a little hairv.
The flowers are papilionaceous, grow in umbels, and
are fometimes yellow, and fometimes greenifli, like
thofe of broom ; the calyx is dentated, and in the fliape
of a horn ; the flowers are fucceeded by capfulae or
pods, in the form of a cylinder, which contain feveral
roundifli feeds, in the fliape of kidneys. It grows al-
mofl: every where, and flowers in fummer ; it is ex-
ceeding good for cattle, but it is of little ufe in me-
dicine.

TRITICUM, Wheat, has a flender root, furniflied
uith feveral fmall fibres, which fends forth feveral llalks,
to the height of four or five feet ; it is pretty thick,
ilraitj knotted, hollow within, and has a few long
narrow leaves, like thofe of dog grafs. On the tops
there are long fpikes, without beards, from whence the
flowers proceed in fmall bunches, which are compofed of
three, capillary, forked flamina, with a fcaly calyx or
flower- cup ; thefe are fucceeded by oval oblong grains,
blunt at both ends, convex on the back, furrowed on
the other fide, of a yellowilli colour without, and white
within, and contain a farinaceous fubftance, proper for
making of bread. The ou:fide is covered with a fort of
fliell. which is the bran, and was formerly the calyx of
the flower. This is properly the white or red wheat
without awns. Befides which there is the red wheat,
called in fome places Kentijh wheat j white wheat, red-
eared bearded wheat, cone wheat, grey wheat, called in

fome

k

OF VEGETABLES. 411

foine places duck-bill wheat and grey pollard, polonian
wheat; many-eared wheat; fummer wheat; naked
barley a fort of wheat j fix rowed wheat ; long grained
wheat ; and white eared wheat; The fix iiift forts grow
in divers parts of England \ but the cone wheat is ge-
nerally preferred, becaufe it has a larger ear, and a
fuller grain than any other fort ; but fome of thefe will
thrive beft in ftrong land, and others on a light foil ;
infomuch that it requires a ikilful farmer to know which
is beft for particular kinds of land. The ufe of wheat
\z univerfal, it making better bread than any other corn ;
however in the eaflern countries they generally prefer
rice thereto, for which reafon it is not fo much culti-
vated there, efpecially among the original inhabitants.
Though this corn is of fuch great ufe as an aliment, it
is of little fervice as a medicine, except as a cataplafm,
which is made with the crumb of bread foaked in milk,
with the yelks of eggs and fsffron ; this is good to eafe
painful fwellings, and to abate inflammations. Some
put the grains of wheat between two hot plates of iron,
and exprefs a fort of oil, which fome affirm to be ex-
cellent againll ring-worms, and for healing chaps in the
Ikin.

TULIPA, Tulipy is a lilly flower, generally compofed
of fix petals or leaves, in the fhape of a pitcher : the
pointal which arifes from the middle of the flower, is
furrounded with a ftamina, which afterwards becomes
an oblong fruit, that opens into three parts, and is di-
vided into three cells, full of plain feeds, which reft one
upon another, in a double row. The root is coated, bul-
bous, and there are fibres on the lower part. There are
feveral kinds of tulips, which there is no occafion to
enumerate, becaufe they may all be feen in one good
garden ; but the beft have a tall ftrong ftem. The
flower confifts of fix leaves, three within and three
without, and the former fhould be longer than the
latter. Their bottoms fhould be proportioned to the
top, and their upper parts ftiould be rounded off, and
not terminate in a point. Thefe leaves when open,
Ihould neither turn inward nor bend outward, buc
T 2 rather

412 THE NATURAL HISTORY

rather ftand ere£l ; and the flower Ihould be of a mid-
dling fize, neither too large nor too fmall i the ftripes
fhould be fmall and regular, arifmg from the bottom
of the flower, and the chives fhould not be yellow,
but of a brown colour. They generally divide tulips
into three clafTes, namely, the early flowers, the mid-
dling flowers, and the late flowers i but they are beft
divided into early and late, of which the laft are the
beft.

TUSSILAGO, Colt's-foot, has a long, flender, whi-
tifli, tender root, with ftalks that rife to the height of a
foot, which are hollow within, downy, reddifh, and
covered with leaves without pedicles. Thefe are long
pointed, placed alternately, and at the top of the ftalk
there is a beautiful, round, radiated flower, refembling
that of dandelion, with the capillary ftamina, with cy-
lindrick fummits. Thefe are fuccecded by fevcral ob-
long, flattifh, downy feeds. After the flowers, the
other leaves appear, which are very large, a little an-
gular, almoft round, green above, and whitifli and
downy below. It grows in moift places, and on the
borders of rivers, brooks, ponds, and ditches. It
flowers about the 'end oi February and beginning of
March. Colt's^foot is an excellent medicine to abate
the fharpnefs of the humours ; to cleafe ulcers of the
breaft, and to facilitate expe(5loration. There are a
great many that are troubled with the alllima, who cut
the leaves fmall, and mix it v^iih tobacco for fmoking j
and they afhrm they find great benefit thereby. Both
the flowers and leaves are ufcd in perioral deco^ions ;
and Dr. Hillary, phyfician to the king of Pri'JJia, cured
a great many confumptive children, by feeding them
with colt's-foot leaves, boiled and buttered.

VALERIANA HORTENSIS, GarJenFalerianM^
a wrinkled root, of the thicknefs of a man*s thumb,
placed near the furface cf the ground, and furnifhed
with thick fibres, of a yellovvifh or brown colour, that
crofs each other. The ftalks are about three feet high,
and are flender, round, fmonth, hollow, branched, and
furniftied with leaves, placed oppofite to each other by

pairs.

OF VEGETABLES. 4^3

pairs. Some are fmooth and entire, while others are
cut deeply on each fide, and generally terminate in a
rounJifn point. The flowers grow in umbels on the
tops of the ftalks and branches, and are of a purplifh
white colour, with a fweet fmell, not unlike that of
Jeflamine. Each of thefe is a fort of a tube, cut into
five parts, with a few flamina that have roundifh fum-
mits. They are fucceeded by flattifh, oblong, tufted
feeds. It is cultivated in gardens, and propagated by
parting the roots, either in the fpring or autumn ; they
Ihould be planted on beds of frefh, dry earth, about
eight or ten inches afunder ; and they fhould be wa-
tered till they have taken root. The wild fort is now
univerfally preferred for medicinal ufes, and therefore
no more need be faid of this.

VALERIANA SYLVESTRIS MAJOR, Great
^•ild Valerian, has a fibrous, whitifh, ftreaked roor,
with a very flrong fmell when it is dry, and an arc-
matick tafle, the ilalks rife to the height of a man, and
are llrait, flender, hollow, channeled, knotty, and a
little hairy. The leaves refemble thofe of garden Va-
lerian, but are more divided, greener, and dentated
on the edges; they are a litde ha^ry or downy under-
neath, and have feverai large veins. The flowers grow
on the tops of the fl:alks and branches in umbels, and
are of a purplifh white colour, like thofe of the for-
mer J the feeds are tufted or downy, for which reafon
they are carried about with the wind. It generally
grows on dry chalky land, and ihady places, in di-
vers parts of England, It flowers in May and "JunCy
and the feed is ripe in Ji<ly. The root is bitter, ftyp-
tick, and has a difagreeable aromatick fmell ; it is
much cried up againit the epilepfy, and is fudorifick
as well as hyfterick ; it is accounted good for the allh-
ma, and all kinds of convulfive diforders. It maybe
taken in decodion, from two drams to half an ounce,
and in fubilance, from one dram to two. It fliould be
taken up in the fpring, before the branches appear ;
and it fhould be dried in the fliade. Several phyficians
affirm, they have cured a great number of epileptick
T. 3 patients

414 THE NATURAL HISTORY

patients with the powder of the root of wild valerian^
given to a dram in a fudoriiick decodion, and continued
for fome time.

VALERIANELLA, Com Sallad,. or Lambs Lettuce,
has a flender, fibrous, or white annual root, and a
ilalk about fix inches high, which is weak, round,
crooked, channeled, hollowed, knotted, branched,
and commonly hes upon the ground. It is generally
fubdivided into two at each knot, and thefe laft into
feveral branches. The leaves are oblong, pretty thick,
fofi, tender, and placed by pairs, oppofite to each
other J the colour is of a pale green, fome of which
are entire, others crenated, without pedicles. The
ilowers grow on the tops of the branches, and are
fmall, and of a purplifh white colour, and placed in
umbels; they each confift of one leaf or petal, cut
into five parts, and they are fucceeded by roundifh,
iiattifh, wrinkled, whitilh roots, which fail off before
they come to maturity. It grows almofl: every where,
among corn, and is cultivated in gardens, where it is
fown in ^sftember for winter ufe. It is ufually mixed
with fallads, and will continue till . pril. It is faid to
have the virtue of lettuce, and to be good in the rheu-
matifm, fcurvy, and gout ; but it is now never ufed
for thefe purpofes. Young lambs are faid to be fond
of it.

VERATRUM, White Hellebore, is of two forts, one
of which has a greenifh flower, and the other a dark
red flower. The former of thefe has been men-
tioned before, in the firft part ; but as nothing was
faid of the cultivation, I ftiall take notice of it here ;
efpecially as they are accounted pretty ornaments for
gardens. They fhould be fet on the open borders of a
pleafure garden, and from each head of the root, a
flower ftem will be produced, about three feet high,
with a fpike of flowers about a foot long at the top ;.
the red flowers are generally preferred, on account of
their colour. They may be propagated by parting the
roots, either in the autumn or the middle of I\ arch,
juft before they begin to fhoot j and they (hould be

planted

OF VEGETABLES. 41-

planted in a light, rich, frefii foil, in which they will
thrive exceeding well. They (hould not be removed
above once in three or four years, by which time they
will be very ftrong, and afford many heads to be
taken off.

VERBASCUM, Great nvhite Mullein, has a fmgle,
oblong, thickifh, woody, white root, with a few fibres ;
and the ftalk rifes to the height of four or five feet,
which is thick, round, hard, woody, and crooked,
with a fort of wool or cotton; the leaves are long,
broad, woody, white on both fides, partly lying upon
the ground, and partly fixed to the ftalk alternately,
with appendages, which feem to render the flalk wing-
ed. The fiOwer confifts of one leaf, in a circular form,
which are cut into five parts ; they are joined to each
other by a tuft, and are yellow, and furround the
greatefl part of the tops of the flalk and branches.
Thefe are fucceeded by fruits, or oval fhells, terminat-
ing in a point, divided into two cells, which contain a
great number of fmall, angular, blackifh feeds. It
grows in fandy places, by the fide of highways, and
fbmetimes on walls j it flowers in June^ Jufyt and ^«-

VERBASCUM FCEMTNA FLORE LUTEO
MAGNO, Female Mullein, with a large yellow flower,
has a long, thick, woody, fingle, white root, like the
former, and the flalk rifes to the height of four or five
feet. It is thick, round, hard, downy, and a little bran-
ched. The leaves are round, long, foft, downy, and
white ; and the flowers are like the former, having five
flamina in the middle, with purple fummits. Thefe
are fucceeded by almoft round capfulae, pointed at the
end, and divided into two cells, which contain feveral
angular brownifh feeds. This plant grows in the fame
places as the former, and flowers the fecond year after
it is come up towards the end of fummer, and in Au^
gufl. They both may be cultivated in gardens, by
fowing the feeds in Auguji, on a bed of light earth,
and in an open fituation ; but it is feldom done un-
lefs in botanick gardens, for variety. They both have
T 4 the

4i6 THE NATURAL HISTORY
the fame virtues, and the leaves and flowers are in
ufe. The deco6tion has been given in diforders of
the throat, in violent coughs, in the bloody flux, the
gripes, and a tenefmus. The flowers are faid to be
ptdoral, proper to abate the acrimony of the humours,
to cure itching of the llcin, and the outward and in-
ward piles.

VERBENA COMMUNIS CXERULEO FLORE,
ccmn.cn Vervain "Mtth a bluefoiver, has an oblong root,
liOt quite To thick as a man's little finger, whi^h is
white, and has a few fibres. The ftalks rife. to the
height of a foot and a half, and are fquare, hard, a
little Jowny, fometimes reddifli, and branched. The
leaves are oblong, placed oppofite to each other by
pairs, deeply cut, wrinkled, and of a deeper green
colour above than below, with a bitter difagreeable
tafle. The flowers grow in long fpikes, and are la-
biared, having the upper lip upright, and commonly
divided into two ; but the under lip is cut into three
parts, fo that at firft fight it appears like a flower,
with five leaves, with four little llamina in the middle,
and crooked fummits. The calyx or flower- cup,
which is like a horn, afterwards becomes a capfula
full of four flender oblong feeds. It grows by the
fides of highways, near towns and villages, againft
hedges and walls, and flowers in June, July, and
Augiiji. It is feldom cultivated in gardens, becaufe
it is fo common, and it is looked upon as vulnerary
and detergent. It is aflirmed the infufion of it in
wine for a night, is good to cure the jaundice, if four
ounces are taken in a morning, for fome time ; like-
wife it may be drank in the manner of tea. It was
formerly accounted good againft agues, but now we
have much better medicines ; though fome pretend
that the bark taken in a decodlion of it, is rendered
much better thereby.

VERBESINA, fi^ve EUPATORIUM CANNABI-
•NUM FCEiVJINA, -voater hemp Jgrimony^ hr.s a white
fibrous root, of an aromatick tafte, which ft nds forth
flalks to the height of a foot and a half, or two feet.

Thef;

OF VEGETABLES. 417

Thefe are round, hard, a little downy, reddifli, and
branched. The leaves are placed oppofite to each
other, by pairs along the llalks, and are dentated,
fmooth, and generally divided into from three to five
parts, furrounded the ftalk by a pretty broad bafe ;
the tafte is a little acrid. The flowers grow on the
tops of the ftalks and branches, and each confift of
many floretts, of a yellow greenifh colour, with black
ftreaks ; and in the middle there are five capillary lla-
mina, with cylindrick fummits. Thefe are fucceeded
by oblong, flattifh, angular, reddifli feeds, terminating
in points, fomewhat like a trident, which flick to the
garments of thofe that pafs by them. It grows in
moift marfliy places, in ditches, and on the fides of
brooks ; it flowers in Aiiguji and September. It has
been long looked upon as vulnerary and aperient, and
decodions of it have been given againfl internal ulcers,
particularly of the lungs. Lhinaus informs us, it is
made ufe of to dye wool yellow.

VERONICA MAS, cornnmi male Speed-voelh or Fhi^
elliny has a flender, fibrous, fpreading root, which
fends forth feveral flender, long, round, knotted, hairy
ftalks, generally lying on the furface of the ground.
The leaves grow by pairs oppofite to each other, and
are like thofe of a plumb- tree j they are downy, and
dentated on the edges, and have a bitter acrid tafle.
The flowers are difpofed in fpikes, like thofe of ger-
mander, and are fmall and blueifli, and fomctimes
white, with two fta^mina of the fame colour, with ob-
long fummits. The flower confifts of one leaf, which
is divided into four parts, and is fucceeded by a fruit
in the fliape of a heart, divided into two cells, which
contains feveral round blackifli feeds. It grows wild
in the woods, and other fliady places in divers parts
of England.

VERONICA PRATENSTS, meado-.x: Speed-jjell, has
a flender, long, creeping, fibrous, woody root, with
feveral branches that generally lye on the ground j
thefe are round, downy, woody, and near a foot long,
fiirniflied with leaves that ftand oppofite x.o each other
T 5 hf

4;i8 THE NATURAL HISTORY

by pairs, and the flowers grow on the ftems, which
are divided towards the extremities, that have two or
three branches ; they are blue, and difpofed in fpikes,
and they are fucceeded by capfula^ like the former :
It grows in meadows along the fides of rivers and
brooks, and flowers in May and June.

VERONICA ROTUNDI FOLIA, round halved
Speedivelly has a flender, fibrous, creeping root, with
feveral ftalks, above a fpan in height, which are flender,
round, hairy, weak, furniflied with leaves oppofite
each other, with fcarce any pedicles. They are den-
tated on the edges, of a pretty deep green, roundifli,
wrinkled, and like thofe of the true Germander. The
flowers are like thofe of the two former, and the
capfulce are full of fmall round feeds. It is commoa
in pailures, in woods, and by the fides of hedges ;
it flowers in April and May, and the whole plant has
a bitterifli tafte.

VERONICA SPICATA ANGUSTI FOLIA, nar^
row leaved fpiked Speedn.vell^ has a fibrous oblique root,
and a ftalk generally fix inches high, and upwards ;
it is generally fingle, and furniflied by intervals, with
leaves that are more narrow and pointed than the com-
mon fpeedwell. They are flightly crenatcd, hairy,
and a little bigger near the root. The ftalk is ter-
minated by a fpike of blue flowers, which are fuc-
ceeded by capfulas in the fliape of a heart, divided
into two cells, which contain fmall roundifli feeds.
It grows in woods and dry paftures, and flowers in
y«/y and Augufi.

The firfl of thefe is mod in ufe, and is faid to have
fo many virtues, that an entire treatife would fcarce
contain them ; bcfides which, fome call it the F.u-
ropean tea. In general it is fudorifick, vulnerary, de-
tergent, diurctick, and proper to cleanfe the lungs.
Hence it is good in a dry cough, the aflhma, ulcers
of the lungs, and fpitting of blood. It opens ob-
flrudions of the bowels, promotes the circulation of
the blood and humours, and is excellent in the gravel.

It

OF VEGETABLES. 419

It is beft ufed in the manner of tea, and is very good
in fleepy diforders.

VIBURNUM, the ivay-faring, or pliant Mealy-tree^
has a root which runs along the furface of the earth,
and fends forth a fhrub, fometimes as tall as a tree,
which generally extends more in breadth than in
height ; and the wood is fungous and pithy. The
branches are about three or four feet in length, and as
thick as one's finger, and proper to tye up faggots,
and the like. The bark is whitiih, and as it were
mealy, and the leaves are like thofe of the alder- tree,
but hairy, broad, thick, whitifh, and crenated on the
edges ; and they grow reddifh when they are ready to
fall off, and have an aftringent tafte. The flowers
grow at the ends of the branches, and each confifl:
of one leaf, which is divided into five parts, ex-
panded in a circular order, and there are five whitifh
flamina, with roundifh fummits. Thefe are fucceeded
by foft, roundilh, or almoll: oval berries, that are green
at firfl, then red, and afterwards black ; they have a
fweetilh, clammy, difagreeable talle, containing each
a fmgle, ilony, comprefled, furrowed feed. It grows
very common in divers parts of E?:gland, particularly
in Kentj upon the dry chalky hills, near Gra'vefend tltiA
Rochejier, It is proper for wildernefles, where it may
be placed among other flowering trees ; for it will
make a very agreeable variety. It may .be propagated
by taking young plants from woods and hedges where
there are many old trees growing. It flowers in fum-
mer, either fooner or later, according to the tempe-
rature of the foil and air, and the berries generally
grow red in y«/y, and are ripe in Auguji and Septernher,
The roots macerated in the ground, and then pounded,
will make a good fort of bird-lime ; but as for its me-
dicinal ufes, they are not worth taking notice of.

VICIA SATIVA* VULGARIS SEMIiNE NI-
GRO, the common Vetch or Tare^ has a flender, fibrous,
annual root, with branches two feet high, that are
angular, furrowed, hairy, and hollcw. The leaves
are oblong, narrow, largcft at the end, hairy, arid

ten

4^0 THE NATURAL HISTORY

ten or twelve of them are placed by pairs on one fide
of the ftalk, terminated as it were with a hand or
clafper, with which it lays hold on any thing next it,
in order to fupport itfelf. The flowers are papiliona-
ceous, and of a purple or blueifh colour, fupported by
a fort of a dentated horn, which are fucceeded by
hairy flattifh pods, full of almoft round or blackifh
feeds. This plant is fowed in the fields almoft all
over Europe, and in fome places they mix it with the
provender of cattle, efpecially when grafs is fcarce. It
flowers in May and yufre, and the grain is ripe to-
wards the end of Augujiy or beginning of September.

VICIA ALBA, the ^jchite Vetchy or Tare, has fe-
veral neat ftalks, about two feet high, which are an-
gular and hollow. The leaves vary greatly, for fome
are long and narrow, and others almoft round. The
flowers are either fingle or double, and are variegated
with purple fpots. The pods are full of whitilh feeds,
or a little purplifh, and are of the fize of green peas.
Jt is cultivated in fields like the former, and the meal
of both are ufed in medicine, particularly in catap-
lafms defigned to foften, refolve, and ftrengthen. In
fcarce years, fome poor people have been obliged to
make bread of it, particularly in 1709 j bnt it is hard
of digeftion, and fits very heavy on the ftomach. It
is generally known that pigeons are very fond of this
grain.

VIOLA MARTIA PURPUREA FLORE SIM-
FLICE ODORO, common purple Violet y nvith a fiveet
Jcentedfionuer, has a fibrous, thick, or tufted root, that
fends forth many almoft round leaves, as large as
mallows, dentated on the edges, green, and having
long pedicles. From among thefe there arife flender
pedicles, which have each a fmall flower, of a purphfli
blue colour, with a very agreeable fmell. It is ccm-
pofed of fiVe fmall leaves, wit V as many ftamina, that
have blunt fummits, and a kind of a fpur ; the ca-
}yx or flower-cup is divided at the bafe into five parts.
When the flower is gone, there remains a capfula, or
©vaj fhell, which when ripe, opens into three parts,

in

0 F V E G E T A B L E S. 421

in which are almoft round feeds, conneded to the fides
of the fhell, which are lefs than thofe of coriander,
and of a whitifh colour. It grows in fhady places, in
ditches, and the fides of hedges, as well as again ft
walls, where they readily multiply with their long
creeping filaments, which take root here and there.
They flower in Marchy and do not lofe their leaves,
nor the verdure, during the winter. Befides this,
there are no lefs than twenty eight forts, and about
eight of them ferve to make agreeable varieties ia
gardens and wildernefles, by placing them under hedges,
and other fhady places. They may be eafily propa-
gated, by parting the roots \ the beft time for which
is about Michaelffias. The leaves and flowers are
ufed in medicine, and fometimes the roots, the in-
fufion, three ounces of which will purge upwards
and downwards. The flowers are a little purgative,
and we are afTured, that a dram of their powder,
taken in water-gruel, is a good purge j but they are
generally ufed to make a lyrup of, which when well
managed, is of a very fine colour.

VIORNA, /-c'^ CLEMATIS SYLVESTRIS LA-
TIFOLIA, Tra-vellers Joy, has a thick, fibrous, led-
diili root, with flalks in the manner of a vine, which
are thick, rough, angular, flexible, branched, creep-
ing, and a little hairy when they are young, but af-
terwards reddilhi, and they lay hold on the plants and
ihrubs that are near them, and the leaves are like thofe
of bitter-fweet, being fometimes entire, fometimes
crenated, and generally are five in number on one
fide, with an acrid talle. The flowers grow in
bunches, or in umbels, and each of them are com-
pofed of four leaves or petals, in the form of a rofe,
but without a calyx. However in the middle there
are hairy ftamina or threads, fupported by white pe-
dicles. Thefe are fucceeded by hairy fruits, gathered
into a Iltde head, which are formed by bearded and
downy feeds. It grows ahnoft every where on the
fides of highways, and on hedges ; it flowers in
July, and the fruit continues till winter, the ilalks

and

4.'22 THE NATURAL HISTORY

and branches are flexible, and are made ufe of for
bands to tye up faggots, and the like. All authors
ancient and modern, agree, that this plant has a
cauftick quality, for which reafon it is proper to cleanfe
old ulcers ; and fome pretend it will cure the leprofy,
applied outwardly ; but this may be doubted. Some
give it inwardly as a purge in the dropfy ; but it is far
from being fafe. The French call it the Beggar s -plant,
becaufe they fometimes ufe it to make fores in their
fkin, in order to excite charity.

VIPERINA, P^^^e ECHIUM VULGARE, Viper's
Buglofsj has a long woody roet, as thick as one*s
thumb, with a fialk that grows to the height of two
feet, that is hai y, round, firm, green, fpotrcd with
black like the fkin of a ferpent, and generally bent
back at the end, like the tail of a fcorpion. The
leaves are oblong, narrow, hairy, rough, and have a
faintiih tafte. The ftalk i-s furniflied from the bottom
to the top with flowers, in the fhape of a funnel, cut
on the edges into five unequal parts, and of a fine
blue colour, fomewhat inclining to purple. There are
five purplifh ftamina, with oblong fummits, and a
v/hite piftil. The calyx or flower-cup, is cloven to
the bottom, into five long, narrow, pointed, furrowed
parts. The flower is fuccceded by four wrinkled feeds,
joined together, like the head of a viper. It grows
in the fields, in places expoled to the fun, and by the
iides of highways, as well as on \i'alls ; it flowers in
June and July, and continues green all the winter.
The ancients aiTirm that this plant is good againft the
bites of vipers, and other venomous bealls j but it is not
to be depended upon for this purpofe. The real
virtues are much the fame as thofe of buglofs.

YIRGA AUREA VULGARIS LATIFOLIA, the
(onimon or hroadlewved Golden Rod, has a knotted,
creeping, brown root, with whitifh fibres, and an
aromatic taftc. The ftalk or ftalks rile to the height
of three feet, and are ftrait, firm, round, furrowed, a
little hairy, and full of pith. The leaves are oblong,
alternate, poin:ed, hairy, dentatcd on the edges, and

of

OF VEGETABLES. 4^

of a blackifh-green. The flowers are radiated,- and
are difpofed like a fpike along the flalk ; they are of
a yellow or gold colour, and have a calyx or cup,
corapofed of feveral leaves like fcales, with five ca-
pillary ftamina, and cylindrick fummits. Thefe are
facceeded by oblohg, tufted keds, and with a downy
fubftance, adhering thereto. It grows commonly in
woods, among briars, and in mountainous, Ihady,
moift places ; it flowers in Jufie and Ji^fy, Some bo-
tanifl:s obferve, that this plant is fometimes whole or
entire on the edges, that is, not dentated.

VIRGA AUREA MAJOR, the greater Golden Rod,.
has a long, oblique, fibrous root, with a ftalk that
rifes to the height of three feet, or upwards, which
is ftrait, round, firm, furrowed, and full of a fpungy
pith. The leaves are much larger than the former,
and are always dentated on the edges. The flowers
are radiated, of a gold colour, and grow like a fpike
on the top of the ftalk. It is in general like the
former. They are both vulnerary herbs, and may be
takeii in the manner of tea in difliculty of making
water, in the gravel and flone cholick. Hofftnan and
Boerhaa-ue afiirm, they have given it with fuccefs, in
obftrudlions of the vifcera, and the beginning of
dropfies, and it has been efteemed as a fecret by fome
for that purpofe.

VISCUM, IJiJIetoe, has a green root, which is a
little woody in the middle, and it fends forth a fhrub
about two feet high. The ftalks are fometimes as
thick as one's little finger, which are Woody, heavy,
compaft, knotted, and of a brownifh- green colour.
There are a great number of flexible woody branches.
The leaves are placed by pairs oppofite to each other,
and are oblong, thick, flefliy, hard, and pretty like
thofe of the great box, but longer, and roundifh at
the end. The flower confifls of one leaf, in the form
of a bafon, and is generally divided into four parts,
and befet v^ith tubercks or warts. The ovary of the
female flowers is placed in a remote part of the
plant from the mals flowers, and confifl of foar

ihorter

4H THE NATURAL HISTORY

fl^orter leaves ; thefe turn to a round berry, full of
a clammy fubftance, in which is a plain feed, in the
fhape of a heart. It grows almoll on all kinds of
trees, according to fome authors, and is always pro-
duced from feeds, which will not grow in the ground
like other plants. It is fuppofed that the mifletoe- bird
or thrufh, which feeds upon the berries of this plant in
winter, when they are ripe, often carries the feeds from
tree to tree ; for the clammy part of the berry, which
immediately furrounds the feed, fometimes flicks faft
to the outer part of the bill of the bird, which to
difengagehimfelf from, he ftrikes itagainft the branches
of a neighbouring tree, and by that means leaves the
feeds, flicking on the bark, which will grow in the
fucceeding winter. It may be propagated by art in
the fame manner. The trees that it is found com-
monly upon, are the apple and afh ; and it is fome-
times, though but feldom, found on the oak j which
perhaps is the reafon why that is cried up more than
others ; but without any fufficient reafon. Mifletoe
is looked upon as a great anti-epileptick, and the
dofe of it in powder, is fjom one dram to two.
S/'mcn Pauli cries it up againfl: the pleurify, and orders
one dram of the powder, in four ounces of barley-
water. The berries purge upwards , and downwards,
with great violence, and therefore are not proper to
be given inwardly.

VISNAGA, Spanip Pick-toothy has a fibrous an-
nual root, and a ilalk two feet high, which is fur-
rowed, ftrait, fmooth, and refembles that of dill.
The leaves are cut into large jags, and are as fmooth
as thofe of the wild parfnip. The flowers grow at
the top of the ftalk in whitifli umbels, and are in the
fhape of a rofe, with four leaves, in the form of a
heart, and as many capillary ftamina. Thefe are fuc-
ceeded by oval fruits, divided into two parts, which
contain two feeds, that are convex on one fide, and
flat on the other, with furrows thereon. This plant
grows wild in hot countrie?, and is planted here in
gardens. The izzC,', muH be fown early in the autumn,

that

OF VEGETABLES. 425

that the plants may obtain ftrength before the froft.
The Spaniards cut the dried ftalks into tooth picks,
from whence this plant has its name. It is of no ufe
in medicine.

VITIS, the Vine, has a long woody root, which
fends forth a climbing trtt^ that has clafpers at the
joints, by which it faftens itfelf to whatever plant
Hands near it. The leaves are large, broad, and al-
moft round, green, (hining, cut, a little rough to the
touch, and of an aftringent talte. The flowers are
fm ill, and are each compofed of five petals or leaves,
difpofed in a circular order. They are of a yellowifh
colour, with as many upright ftamina. When the
flowers are fallen, they are fucceeded by round or oval
berries, lying clofe to each other in clufters, which are
green at firft, and as they ripen become white, red, or
black, and are full of a pleafant juice. This tree is
cultivated in mod hot and temperate countries, and it
rifes to a great height in a (hort time, if it be left to
itfelf, and not cut. In fome countries it will rife to
the top of the highell trees, and they have flems of a
prodigious fize It flowers in the fummer, and the
grapes are lipe in autumn.

All forts of vines are propagated either from layers
or cuttings, the former of which is greatly pradifed
in Englandj but the latter is preferred by Mr. Miliar %
and he lays down excellent rules for the cultivation of
vines, which we have not room to take notice of
here, and therefore mull refer to his gardiner*s
didionary.

The buds of the vine, as well as the leaves, are
aflringent, and they were ufv^d by the ancients to
cure loofeneflies ; at prefent there are fome in France
that give the powder of the green leaves, dried in the
fliade, to a dram, for the fame purpofes. The ufe
of the grapes is univerfally known, they being pro-
per either for eating, or making of wine. When
they are green, they produce tlie liquor which is pro-
perly called verjuice ; and in this ftate, it is a little
aftringent, and ferves to abate the heat of the do-
. . mach.

420 THE NATURAL HISTORY

mach, and to ftop a bilious loofenefs, as well as i(f
recover the appetite. It is made ufe of in France in
the fame manner as our common verjuice made with
crabs. When grapes are dried in the fun, or in an
oven for keeping, they are called raifins of the fun,
and have before been taken notice of. Of the juice
of ripe grapes they make a fapa or rob, by evapo-
rating it over the fire, till' a third part remains. This
is a little aftringent and ftyptick, and they make ufe
of it in France to prepare quinces with j and then it
is faid to be excellent to ftop loofenejTes, and to
firengthen the ftomach. As for wines, they vary
greatly, with regard to their colour, fmell, tafte, and^
confluence ; all which are different, according to the
diffe-ent kinds of which the v/ine is made. Good
generous wine of any fort, is an excellent cordial, if
properly ufed, and of late has been found to be of
great fervice in ail flow nervous fevers ; for they will
recover the patient, when other things fail. How-
ever there are fome wines that are too aftringent for
common ufe, and confequently they produce coftive-
nefs ; for which reafon they muft needs be unwhole-
fome, unlefs drank in fmall quantities; however they
are proper enough for thofe whofe ttomachs are re-
laxed. Meagre acid wines agree with thofe of a bi-
lious conftitution, to reftrain the effervefcence of the
tlood, but with none elfe. Strong fpirituous wines
are mod proper to raife the fpirits, and to reftore the
exhaufted ftrength, efpecialiy when they are not
drank too commonly.

VITI3 ID^A, FOLIiS OBLONGIS CRENA-
TIS, common black Worths y or Bilberries ^ has a flender,
woody, hard root, often creeping under the ground,
which fends forth a fmall fhrub, about a foot in height,
with feveral flender branches, that are angular, flex-
ible, and difficult to break, as well as covered with a
green bark. The leaves are oblong, and about the
fize of thofe of box, but not fo thick; they are green,
fmooth, flightly dentated on the edges, and have an
aftringent tafte. The fljowers confiH of a Angle leaf,

in

OF VEGETABLES. 427

ifl the fhape of a pitcher, and are connefled to flioft
pedicles, of a reddifh white. There rs a fmall lading
fiower-cup, in which is the germen, attended by eight
flamina, with forked fummits. The germen afterwards
becomes a foft, globular, umbilicated berry, of the fize
of juniper-berries, and of a deep blue, or blackifh co-
lour. It grows very common on large wild heaths, in
ittany parts of England ; but it is never cultivated in
gardens, becaufe they will not thrive therein. In thofe
parts where thsy arc common, the poor people gatlier
them, and bring them to markets to fell, or cry thefti
about the flreets. It is common to eat them with milk
or cream. Some take the juice of thefe berries, and
boil them to the confiftence of a rob, with fugar, which
is faid to be good againft a common loofenefs, and to
temperate the effervefccnce of the bile. Several vint-
ners in France, make ufe of thefe berries, to colour their
white wines red, as well as to increafe the quantity
thereof J and it were to be wifhed that nothing worfe
was any where ufed to adulterate this liquor. Soms
likewife make ufe of the juice to colour linnen, as well
as paper, blue,

ULMARIA, Meadonjo-Snveat, has a pretty thick
root, as long as one*s finger, which is blackifh without,,
and of a reddifh brown withinj and has a few reddifh
fibres; it fends forth a ftalk, to the height of three ft^t,.
which is flrait, angular, fmooth, reddifh, firm, hollow,
and branched. The leaves are placed alternately, and
are compofed cf feveral other oblong leaves, not much
unlike thofe of drop -wort. They are dentated on the
edges, wrinkled, and green above, but whitifli below.
The flowers are fmall, and grow in bunches on the
tops of the flalks and branches ; they each confift of
feveral petals or leaves, of a whitifh colour, in the form
of a rofe, and have an agreeable fmell. Thefe are
fucceeded by a fruit, compofed of many little membra-
naceous crooked hufks, gathered into a fort of a head,
eaeh of which contains a fmall feed. It grows wild
in moifl meadows in mofl parts of England, and the
flowers in the middle of June, make a fine appearance
among the grafs. The feeds are ripe ift autumn. This

plant

428 THE NATURAL HISTORY
plant is faid to be fudorifick, cordial, and vulnerary, and
fome recommend its doccdlion in malignant fevers ;
others greatly praife it againil fluxes, and internal hurts,
but it is not to be depended upon on thefe accounts.
A dram of the extraft of the root is fudorific, if it be
taken for two or three days together. The tender leaves
and: flowers of this plant, put into wine, mead, or beer,
give them an agreeable tafte and fmell, which feme
are very fond of.

ULMUS, the Elm tree, has a thick, hard, woody
root, which fpreads greatly in the ground and it fends
forth a large branched tree, with a thick trunk, co-
vered with a chapped bark, which is rough, and of a
reddifli afn colour without, but vvhitifh within. The
wood is llrcng, hard, inclining to yellowifii, with a
reddifli caft, and the leaves are broad, wrinkled, veinous,
cblong, dentated on the edges, terminating in a point,
of a pretty deep green above, with Ihort pedicles, and
croffed longways by a nerve, which does not appear {q
much on one fide, as the ether. The flower which ap-
pears before the leaves at the top of the branches, coix-
lifts of a Angle leaf, ftiaped like a belJ, furnilhed with
feveral dark coloured llamina, and from the bottom
arifes the pointaJ, which afterwards turr.s to a mei»-
branaceous and lea^y fruit, almoll in the (hape of a
heait. In the middle of which is placed a feed-veflel,
in the fliape of a pear, containing a flngle feed of the
fame fhape. This tree grows in plenty all over England^
and they propagate themfelves by feeds and fuckers,
that rife from the roots of eld trees in fuch plenty, as
hardly to be rooted out, particularly in hedge- rows,
which when left undifturbed, will fend forth young
plants every year j from whence the people who iup-
ply the nurfery men gather them. It flowers in March
and Jpril, and the feeds are ripe in May.

Eefides the common elm, there are the witch haze),
or broad leaved elm ; the fmall leaved or EvgUJh elm,
the fmooth leaved or witch elm, the Dutch elm, the
Englijh elm with beautiful flriped leaves, the yellow
Jeaved elm, the Dutch tlm with Ilriped leaves, the
foiooth narrow leaved elm, the white barked elm, and

the

OF VEGETABLES. 429

the Trench elm. The three firft, as well as the former
elm, are common in England, and fo is the fourth,
and as hardy as the former. Thofe forts with flriped
leaves are preferved by the curious, who colleft va-
riegated plants. The fmooth narrow leaved elm is
common in fome parts of Hertfordjhire , and Cam-
bridgejhirey and it is a very handfome upright tree,
which retains its leaves late in the autumn. They
may be all propagated by layers or fuckers taken
from the roots ot old trees j but the method by
layers is beft, becaufe they come on fafter than the
others. The bell foil for fuch a nurfery, is a frefti
hazel loam, neither too light nor, too dry, nor yet too
moift and heavy.

With regard to the medicinal virtues, we are aflured
in the German ephemerides of 17 2j^ that feveral per-
fons afilided with the dropfy afcites, have been cured
by the decodion of elm-bark, ufed as common drink
for five or fix weeks. There are fometimes on elm
leaves a fort of bladders, that fwell to the bignefs
of a man's fift, which contain a liquor, in which
are greenilli infefls. This mufl be drained through a
cloth, and then it will be good for all recent wounds
and bruifes, feveral affirm. Ray tells us, that the de-
codion of elm-bark, reduced to the confidence of a
fyrup, and a third part of brandy added, is good to
eafe the hyp-gout, if ufed as a liniment.

UMBILICUS VENERIS, Na-oel-nvort, has a tu-
berofe, flelhy, white root, furnifhed below with fmall
fibres, which fends forth round thick leaves, full of
juice, which are tender, hollowed like a bafon, and
fixed to long pedicles, of a fea-green colour ; from
the middle of thefe there arifes a flcnder ftalk, about
half a foot high, which is divided into feveral bran-
ches, covered with fmall flowers, confiding of a fingle
leaf, expanded in a circular order, and cut into fe-
veral fegments ; the colour is white, or a little in-
clining to purple, with ten damina, and drait fum-
mits. Thefe are fucceeded by a fruit, compofcd of
four hollow, uflibilicat^d capfulss, fomewhat re-

fembling

430 THE NATURAL HISTORY

fembling a bafket, in the middle of which is con-
tained one feed, that is almoll flat, and which ad-
heres to the placenta. This plant grows naturally
among rocks, and on old walls, in ftony hot coun-
tries, and it flowers in April and May, at which time
the leaves decay. It begins to appear towards the
end of the autumn, and keeps its leaves all the
winter.

UMBILICUS VENERIS ALTER, creeping Na^vel-
nvorty has a long creeping root ; but the leaves are
much the fame as thofe of the former, only they are
greater, thicker, open towards the pedicle, crenated
on the edges, and from among thtm there arifes a
round, firm, reddifh flalk, furnilhed with fmaller
leaves, divided into feveral branches, loaded with
yellow flowers, in the form of the fpike. They each
confift of a fmgle leaf, cut into five parts, fupported
by a long greenifh calyx ; thefe are fucceded by five
oblong, pointed, greenifh capful^, full of very fmall
reddiih feeds. This plant grows wild in Portugal,
and is cultivated in the gardens of the curiou-:. It
flowers in Juncy and the leaves are green all the
winter, but then entirely difappear in May. The
feeds of the forn^r iliould be Ibwn in autumn, foon
after they are ripe, at which time they will come up
very well ; but if they are fowed in the fpring, they
feldom fucceed. The leaves are faid to be very good
in external inflammations, and they may be fubfti-
tuted in the room of houfe-leek. Some bruife this
herb between two ftones, and apply it to eafe the pain
of the piles ; but there are more certain remedies for
thefe purpofes.

UNEDO, yz'i;^ ARBUTUS, the Strav.^herry tree,
has a pretty thick, woody root, from whence proceeds
a fhrub, or fmall tree, whofe trunk is covered with a
rough chapped bark, and there are many reddifh
branches towards the top. The leaves are oblong,
fomewhat broad, and almoft like thofe of the lawrel
tree, for they are thick, fmooth, always green, and
finely crenated on the ^^^q%. The flowers confift of a

fingle

OF VEGETABLES. 43^

fmgle leaf, cut into five parts, which arc white, beau-
tiful, difpofed in bunches, and have an agreeable fmell,
with ten capillary ftamina, Thefe are fucceeded by
fruits, that have Tome refemblance to ftrawberries ; but
they are larger, of an orbicular ftiape, with the fleih yellow
before they are ripe, and of a fine red when at maturity ;
it is divided into five cells, which contain feveral fmall,
oblong, bony feeds. This fhrub is very common in
Italy, Spain, and the fouth parts of France ; it flowers
in June and July, and the fruit does not grow ripe in
lefs than a year. Blackbirds and thrufhes are very fond
of thefe ftrawberries, as well as women and children.
Belon informs us, that in the ifle of Candy, and in the
vallies rear mount Atkos, this fhrub grows fo high,
that it equals the fmallell trees, and that the fruit is as
big as a fmall apple, and of a blackifh red colour. It
is of little ufe in medicine, though the leaves, bark,
and fruit, are fomewhat aftringent. Some are of opi-
nion that the fruit is bad for the flomach, and caufes
diforders of the head, for which reafon it (hould be
eaten fparingly. There are fome of thefe (hrubs planted
in England, and it is very common in Ireland^ where the
fruit is fold and eaten. With us it has an auftere fewer
tafre, which perhaps may be owing to the coldnefs of
the climate, and therefore only the branches are brought
to the markets, with bunches of flowers thereon, to be
made up into nofegays. They may be propagated by
ibwing the feeds, which fliould be preferved in dry fand
till March, at which time they may be fown on a mo-
derate hot- bed, covering them with about a quarter of
an inch of light earth, fcreening them from froft, or
great rains. About the beginning of May the plants
will appear, and then they muli be weeded, watered fre-
quently, and fhaded in hot weather. In the autumn
they will be about five or fix inches high. The bed
muft be hooped all over againll win^^^, and fliould be
covered with matts and ftraw, to keep out the froft.
About the middle of April, they may be tranfplanted
into fmall pots, which fhould be plunged into another
moderate hot-bed, to encourage their taking root, and
they fliould be ftiaded from the fun in tiie middle of the

day.

43^ THE. NATURAL HISTORY

day. When they are between three and four feet high,
they may be fliaken out of the pots into the open
ground, where they are to remain ; this is beft done in
September^ when the blofibms are beginning to appear,
and then if they be kept moill, they will take root
very foon ; but in Ko'vembir the roots ihould be well
covered with mulch, to keep out the froft.

URTICA, the Ccmmon Nettie, has a flender, fibrous,
creeping root, of a yellowifh colour, with (lalks that
rife to the height of three feet, which are fquare, fur-
rowed, (lift*, covered with a flinging hair, hollow,
branched, and furnifhed with leaves, placed oppofite
to each other by pairs ; thefe are oblong, broad point-
ed, dentatcd on the edges, and full of fmall Hinging
prickles. The flowers grow on the tops of the ftalks
and branches, under the leaves, and are each compofed
of feveral flamina placed in a calyx, with four leaves
of the colour of grafs ; but they leave no feeds be-
hind them, for this reafon, they are diftinguifhed into
male and female. The male does not flower at all,
but form pointed capfulas, that fting when they are
touched, and each of thefe contain an oval, flattifli,
fhining feed. The female bears nothing but flowers
without any fruit, according to the vulgar diftindion ;
for the botanifts call thofc male flowers that produce no
feeds, and thofe female flowers that are fucceeded by
feeds. This plant grows almoft every where, in great
plenty ; it flowers in June, and the feed is ripe in Augujl.
The leaves decay every winter j but the roots continue,
and fend forth frefli leaves in the fpring.

URTICA MINOR, the leffer Jiinging Nettle, has a
fmgle, pretty large, white root, furniflied with fmall
fibres ; the llalks are from half a foot to a foot in
height, and are pretty thick, fquare, hard, furrowed,
branched, and flinging, but not fo ftrait as the for-
mer ; the leaves are placed oppoflte to each other by
pairs, and are more ftiort and blunt than thofe of the
common nettle ; they are alfo deeply dentated on the
edge, and fting greatly when touched. The flowers
confift of ftamina, dilpofed into fmall Punches, in the

form

i

OFVEGETABLES. 433

form of a crofs, and of a grafs green colour. Some
of thefe are male, and others female, as m the former.
Thefe grow commonly on the fides of houfes, and
among the ruins of old buildings ; both root and
branches perifh every year, and they are renewed by
the feeds in the fpring.

URTICA ROMANA, Roman Neuk, has a fibrous,
yellowifli, annual root, that fends forth a flalk to
the height of four or five feet, which is round, branch-
ed, and furni{hed with ftifF, ftinging prickles. The
leaves are placed oppofite to each other, and are broad,
pointed, deeply dentated on the edges, and covered
v/ich a rough ftinging, Ihining hair. The flowers are
like thofe of the former, and they are fucceeded by
fmall globes of the fize of a pea, all rough with
pricklesy and compofed of feveral capfula?, that open
into two parts, and have each an oval, pointed, flartifh,
fmooth, flippery leed. It grows as Well in cold as
hot countries, in hedges, meadows, and among cop-
pices. It is not fo common as the two former, for
which reafon there are iome that fow the f^ed in
gardens ; it flowers in fummer, and the feed is ripe
in yu/y and Augujl. Some call this the pill bearing
flinging nettle, with (eeds like flax. Thefe may be
fown at the latter end of March, upon a bed of light
rich earth j and when the plants are come up, they
fhould be removed into beds on the borders of the
pleafure garden, am.ong other planls ; becaufe it ii
common for perfons to gather fprigs of feveral forts to
fmell to, and conf.-quently this among the reft, and
this is defigned to fting them for the fike of mirth.
The juici: ©f nettles is recommended to ftop fpitting of
blood, and other hcTmorrhagcs, and. the dofe is from
two ounces to four. Some would have the infaficn
of the leaves of nettles, made like tea, to be given
in the gout, the rheumatifm, the ftone, and graveL
It is common in many places to make broth with the
young (hoots of nettles in the fpring, to cieanie the
blood. The roots of nettles made mto a decodlion,
\roL. Vf. U are

434 THE NATURAL HISTORY

are fald to be a'j^ood remedy againft thejaundice, anS
to promote expedoration in an old cough, as well as
in the afthma and pleurify.

USNEA HUMANA, the mofs of a man's ikull,
is like the common mofs, of a greenifh colour, and
about a quarter of an inch high, without fmcll, but
the tafte is a litde faltiih. It grows on the fculls of
men and women that have been a long while expofed
to the air, and particularly on thofe that have been
hanged on gibers. This was formerly in great efteem.,
-cfpeciajly againfl the epilcpfy, but they now fubftitute
the fcull itfclf in the room of it ; however they both
jnay not be improperly laid afide.

VULNERARIA RUSTICA, Kidney-Vetch, or La.
dies finger^ has a fingle, long, flrait, blackifh root,
wich ftalks that arife to the heighc of a foot, which
are flender, round, downy, a little reddifh, and lye
.upon the ground. The leaves are placed by pairs
along one fide, and are terminated with a fmgle leaf
lik thofe of Goats Rue, but a little fofter ; they are
hairy underneath, inclining to white, but of a yel-
J owiili green above, with a fweetilli aciid tafte. Thofe
which fullain the flov/ers on the tops of the branches
are broader than the reft. The flowers grow on the
tops of the branches, and are yellow, papilionaceous,
and have each a calyx like a tube, which are fucceeded
by fhort pods filled with roundiih feeds, that are con-
tained in a membranous bladder, that was before the
cup of the flower. It grows in mountainous, dry,
landy places, or on chalky grounds in divers parts of
England, It flowers in May and June, and the feed is
ripe in July and Angujl. It has been accounted good
for healing frefh wounds, but it is now out of ufe.

UVULARIA MAJOR, Throat-^ort, has a thick,
long, branched., white root, that fends forth feveral
branches to the height of three feet, that are fonr)e-
times as thick as a man's little finger, which are an
gular, furrowed, hollow, reddifh, and hairy. The
leaves are difpofed alternately along the branches, and
j^c JjUce thofe ef the common nettle, but they arc

more

OF VEGETABLES. 435

more pointed, and thofe below have long pedicles.
The flowers are made like a bell, cut on their edges
into five parts, and are of a blue or violet-colour ;
but fometimes they are white, hairy within, and fup-
ported by a fmall calyx, cut likewife into five parts,
and they have five Ihort capillary flamina in the mid-
dle, with flat fummits. The calyx is fucceeded by a
membranous, roundifli, angular fruit, which is di-
vided into feveral cells, with holes on their fides, and
they contain fmall, (hining, reddilh feeds. This
plant grows frequently in woods, hedges, meadows,
and in ftiady places; it flowers in fummer, and the
feed is ripe in autumn. Some cultivate it in gardens
for the fake of the variety of the flowers. They are
only propagated by parting the roots, for they jdo not
produce feeds in England i the bed feafon for re-
moving them is about Michaelmas, when the roots
may be feparated and planted on the borders of the
flower garden. A Fretuh author affirms, that if when
the root is taken out of the ground it be cut into
flices about a quarter of an inch thick, and then fet
feparately in the eartli, they will each produce a plant
of the fame kind. Thi& account was laid before the
academy at Paris. This plant is aftringent, deterfive,
and vulnerary, and thedecodlion of it has been made
ufe of agaiuft inflammations of the mouth and throat,
but it mufl be only exhibited in the beginning of the
diiorder.

XANTHIUM,/-.'^ LAPPA xMINOR, Lmife-hurr,
has a fmall, white, annual root, lurnifhed with thick
iibrcs. The flalk is angular, hairy, marked with red
ipo:s, and about two feet high, with fpreading
branches. The leaves are much fmallcr than thofe
of Burdock, and have fomc refeaiblance to Colts-foot,
they being of a yellowifn green above, hairy and
(lightly dentated on the edges ; they have pretty long
pedicles, and have a fort of an acrid aromatick tafte.
The flowers confift of a bunch of florets like tw#
fmall bladders, from the bottom of which fmall fla-
mina proceed i thefc florets cafily fall off, leaving n«

U z ie&a

436 THE NATURAL HISTORY

feed behind them, but below thefe that are male, there

are others that are female and fertile, which leave

oblong fruits behind them as large as fmall olives,

and rough with burrs, which ftick to the garments of

thofe that pafs by ; they are each divided into two

cells, that contain oblong reddifh feeds, convex on

one fide, and flat on the other. It grows in fat

land, againft the fides of walls, and near brooks, as

well as in dry ditches. It flowers in July and Auguji,

and the feeds are ripe in autumn. Some pretend

that the leaves of this plant are good againfl the

/vings-evil, ring- worms, and purify the blood, and

that flx ounces of the juice is a dofe. Others afiirm,

that the feed infufed in brandy, will powerfully bring

away the gravel.

- XYRIS, five IRIS FCETIDA, Jilnking Gladden, or
Flag, has a round root, pretty much like an onion while
it is young, but afterwards it grows crooked, knotted,
and is furniihed with pretty thick fibres ; it lends forth
jnany roots a foot and a half or two feet in length,
that are more narrow than the common Iris, and as
/harp as the end of a fvvord -, they are of a blackifli
fhining green, and have a flinking fmell like bugs.
Among thefe leaves fcveral flrait fmooth flalks arife,
on the top of each of which there is a flower like
that of the Iris, but more fmall, and compofed of
^x petals or leaves, of a dirty purple, inclining to
blue. Thefe are fucceeded by oblong angular fruit,
*vhich open like male piony, and difcover round
feeds, as large as fmall peas, of a red colour, and
of an acrid burning tafle. It grows in moift places,
on the fides of hedges, among bufnes, and in fliady
valleys. It flowers in July and Augvjl, and the feed
is ripe in autumn. It is cultivated in the gardens of
the curious, and grows readily every where; how-
ever it does not grow in many places fpontaneoufly in
England. Xhe root and feed taken in decodlion, are
faid to be aperient, to puro^e off water, and to be

good

OF VEGETABLES. 437

good in the rheumatifm and dropfy. A dofe of
the dried root in powder, given in white wine,
is a dram. Some account it excellent in the king's-
evil, and in the^moift afthma ; but its principal
virtue is to purge off water, and to difTolve clammy
humours.

F I N I S.

INDEX

INDEX.

OF THE

ENGLISH NAMES,

A

A. Anife, 106.

Anife, Indian, 63.

CORUS, /W/rt«j 2, Apple, mad, 261.

Acacia, 88. Apple, thorn, 392.

Acacia, bailard, 321;. Aj:ple tree, 242.

Adders-Toiigue, 28^. Apricot-tree, 109.

Agaric, 91, 92, Archaagelj puj pie, zz\.

Agrimony, 99. Archangel, white, 220.

Alder-tree, 102. Arrack, (linking, 115.

Alexanders, 385. Arfe-finart, 304,

Alexanders, Laurel, 357. Arfe feart, biting, ib.

Alniondtree, 103, IC4. Artichoak, fpiny, 158.

Aloes, 84. Artichoak, 157.

Aloes, wood of, 2^. ATarabacca, 112.

Aloes, wood of, Mexkany AlTi-tree, 104.

30. Afparagus, 114.

Amber, liquid, 96. Afla-foetida, 8x.
Amomum, true, 49.

Anemony, wood, 342. B»

Angelica, 3.

Anime, gum, 69. Balm of Gilead, 64.

Animc, American^ 70. Balaullines, 245,

Balm,.

I N D E X.

Balm, 2jg.
Balfam of Caplvi, 66.
Balfam, Per-wvian^ 65.
Balfam of Toluy 62.
-Balf.m, Apple, 269.
Balfamine, 383.
Barberry-Bulh, 221.
Barley, 210.
Bafil, 285.
Baftard- Rocket, 347.
Bay -Tree, 227.
Bdellium, 81.
Bean-Plant, 187.
Bean-Kidney, 208.
Bean-Tree, 52.
Bean of St. Ignatius ^ 62.
Bears -foot, 13.
Beet, 122.
Behen, white, 6.
Behen, red, ib.
Ben, 54.
Benjamin, 70-.
Betony, 122.
Betony-Water, 373.
B'nd-Weed, 384, 385.

Birch-Tree, 123.

Birds-Foot, 294.

Birth-wort, creeping, 5.

Birth wort, long, ib.

Birth-wort, flender, ib.

Birth-wort, round, ib.

Biftort, 124.

Bitter-fweer, 178.

Blackberry-Bufh, 355.

Blood-wort, 223.

Blue Bottle, 172.

Boor-cole, 129.

Box-Tree, 134.

Bramble-Bufli, 355.

Brank-urfme, 96.

Brooklime, 1 18.
Broom, 200.
Broom, Butchers, 357.
Briony, black, 132.
Briony, white, 131.
Buck-Beans, 262.
Buck-Thorn, 347.
Buck- Wheat, 188.
Buglofs, Ga«len, 132..
Buglofs, Vipers, 422.
Burdock, 118.
Burnet, 310.
Burrage, 125.
Butchers -Broom, 357,
Butter-Bur, 306.
Butter-wort, 310.

C.

Cabbage, 126.
Cabbage, Savoy, 127.
Cacoa, 55.
Calamint, 135.
Calamint, Field, 136.
Cahhrops, Land, 406.
Calthrops, Water, 407.
Camels-Hay, 35.
Camomile, 152.
Camomile, (linking, ib.
Camphire, 70.
Campions, 382.
Caranna, 72.
Carnations, 143.
Cardamoms, 48.
Caper-Bufh, 138.
Carline-Thiftle, 7, 1 42.
Caraway, 144,
Canot, wild, 174.
Carrot, candia, ib.
Cafcarilla, 27.

Cafheu-

I N

Ca{heu-Nut, 52.
Callia-Tree, 45.
Caffia, woody, 25.
Cafumunar, 8.
Cat-Mint, 278.
Catechu, 88.
Catch Fly, 323.
Cats-Tail, 426.
Celandine, 154,
Centaury, lefs, 146.
Centaury, greats 145.
Champignon, 125.
Chafte-Tree, 99.
Cherry-Tree, 148.
Cherry-Tree, black, 150.
Cherry, winter, loi.
Chervil, 150.
Chefnut-Tree, 145.
Chiches, 155.
Chick-Weed, 103.
China Root, 8.
Chrift's-Thorn, 297.
Ciboule, 148.
Cicely, fweet, 271 .
Cinnamon, 23.
Cinque -foil, 341.
Citron-Tree, 154.
Citruls, 161.
Ciary, 210.
Claj-y- Meadow, 3-0;
Clivers, 107.
Cloveberry-Tree, 25.
Clove-July Flower, 143
Cloves, 51.
Club Mol's, 270.
Codaga-Pala, 28.
Coffee, 58.
Cole-woit, 130.
Colliflower, 128.
Colts -Foot,. 412.

D E X. Hi

Columbines, 108.
Connfrey, 164.
Confound, 133.
Contra-yerva, 8.
Copal, Gum, 70^
Coraline, 34.
Coriander, 165. '

Corn-Flag, 414.
Corn-Sallad, ib.
Corn, Indian f 258.
Cork-Tree, 393.
Coftus, fweet, 9.
Coftmary, 395.
Cranes-Bill, 202.
Crab-Tree, 243.
Crefles, Garden, 276.
Crefles, Indian, 277.
Crefles, Sciatica, 215.
Crefles, Water, 276.
Crefles, Winter, 383.
Crofs-wort, 168.
Crow-foot, 242, 243.
Cubeba, 49.
Cuckow-pint, 112.
Cucumber, 168.
Cucumber, wild, 169;
Cud-weed, 202.
Cummin, 170.
Currant-Bufii, 349, 350,
Cyprefs, long, 10.
Cyprefs-Tree, 171.

D.

Daify, r20.
Damafic-Prune, 321,
Dandelion, 175.
Dane-wort, 139.
Dart-wort, 263.
Dates, 41.

Deers-

W I N D

Deers-Balls, 90.
Devil's-Bit, 36S.
Dill, 106.
Dittander, 229.
Dittany of Cretey 36.
Dock, Frenchy 222.
Dock, Garden, 221.
Dodder of Thyme, 172.
Dogs-Stones, 291.
Dogs-Grafs, 203.
Dogs-bane, 303.
Dogs-Tongue, 173.
Dragons, 176.
Doves -Foot, 201.
Dragons, Meadow, 177.
Dragons-Blood, 74.
Drop. wort, 189.
Ducks-Meat, 228.
Dutch Myrtle, 273.

E.

Elder, dwarf, 179.
Eldder, marfh, 290*
Elder-Tree, 263.
Elicampane, 191.
Elemi, Gum, 72.
Elm, 428.
Endive, 1 80.
Eryngo, 184.
Euphorbia m, 81.
Eye bright, 186.

F.

Fennel, common, 191.
Fennel, Hogs, 307.
Fennel, fvvect, 92.
Fennel-Flower, 281..
Fenugreek, iq3.

X.

Fern, 190.
Feverfew, 157-.
Figs, dried, 42.
Fig-wort, knobby, 372".
Flag, (linking, 436.
Flax, common, 235.
Flax, Toad, 233.
Flax, purging, 236.
Flea-Bane, 226.
Flea-wort, 326.
Flix-Weed, 383.
Female-Fluellin, 179.
Fools-Stones, 291.
Fox-Glove, 175.
Fumitory, 196.

Galbanum, 82.
Galangal the lefs, i \ ^
Garlick, 102.
Gentian, 11.
Germander-Speedwell,..

418.
Germander, 151.
Germander, Water, 307*
Ginger, 23.
Ginfeng, 17.
Glafs-wort, 386.
Glafs-wort, thorney, ib.
Goats-Beard, 405, 406.
Goats-Rue, 198.
Gold of Pleafure, 271.
Golden-Rod, 422, 423.
Goofebcrry Budi, 204.
Gourd, 169.
Gromwcll, 236.
Ground Pine, 153.
Ground-Pine, Muft:, ib.
Groundfel, 376.

Gul-

I N D

Guaiacum, 30.
Guinea-F eppcr, 48.
Gura-Arabick, 76.
Gum-Seneca, 77.
Gum -ammoniac, 80.
Gumboge, 86.

H.

Hares-ear, 311.
Hares-Foot, Trefoil, 408.
Harts-Tongue, 234.
Hart-wort, 230.
Hart-wort, of Candia 404.
Hart-wort, Italian, ib.
Hawthorn, 266.
Hazle-Tree, 166.
Hedge-Hyflbp, 203.
Hedge-Muftard, 184.
Hellebore, black, 13.
Hellebore, white, 1 2, 4 1 4.
Hemlock, 157.
Hemp, 138.
H^mp-Agrimony, 185.
Henbane, black, 211.
Henbane, white, 212.
Herb-Robert, 201.
Hollyhock, 241.
Holly, 108.
Hermodadile, 13.
Honey-fuckle, 139.
Hop-Plant, 138.
Hore-hound, 1 54.
Hore hound, black, 255.
Hore-hound, bafe, 290.
Horfe-Tai!, 292.
Houfe-Leek, 374, 375,
Hyflbp, 213.

J-

Jack by the Hedge, i o i .

E X.

Jalap, 13.

Jerufalem-Oak, 1 26.
JefTamy, 215.
Jefuits-Bark, 26.
Jews- Ear, 91.
Indian-Leaf, 35.
John*s-vvort, St. 212:.
Ippecacuanha, 14.
Iron-wort, 378.
Judas's-Tree, ib.
Jububs, 41.
July- Flower, 143.
Juniper-Tree, 218.
Ivy, 206.

Ivy-Tree, Gum, 73,
Ivy-Ground, 205.

Kidney-Bean, 308.
Knap- Weed, 214.
Knot-Grafs, 2 1 6.

L.

Labdanum, 73.
Ladies Bed-ftraw, 199.
Ladies Mantle, 100.
Lavender, 225.
Lavender-Cotton, 94.
Lavender, French, 38.
Laurel-fpurge, 226.
Leek, 318.
Leaf, Indian^ ^,5,
Lemon -Tree, 161.
Lentils, zz%.
Lettuce, Garden, 219.
Lettuce, Cabbage, ib.
Lilly, white, 231.
Lilly of the Valley, 233,
l>ime-

Yl

I N D

Lime-Tree, 400.
Liquorice, 1 1 .
Liver- wort, 208.
Liver-wort, noble, ib.
Loofe-flrife, 302.
^ Logwood, 32.
Lovage, 229.
Loufe-bur, 435.
Lung-wort, 2^0.
Lung- wort, French ^ 328.
Lupins, 238.

M.

Mace, 6 k

Madder, 355.
Mad-apple Plant, 261.
Maiden-Hair, 98.
Maiz, 258.
Malagueta, 48.
Mallows, common, 240.
Mallows, Marlh, 103.
Mallows-vervain, 100.
Mandrake, 253.
Manna, 78.
Manna-Grafs, 203.
Marigold, 136.
Marjoram, 239.
Marjoram, gentle, 240.
Marjoram, wild, 293.
Mafterwort, \ 4.
Maliick, 73.
Mailick, Herb, 256.
Maudlin, 98.
Sweet-Meadow, 427.
Meadow-SaftVon, 163.
Mschoacan, 16.
Medlar-Tree, 265.
Melilot, 259.
Melon, 260.
Melon, Ml! lie, ib.

E X.

Mexico-Seeds, 57.
Mezereon, 266.
Mercury, Englijh^ 125.
Mercury, French^ 265.
Milk-vetch, 168.
Milk- wort, 314.
Millet, 267.
Millet, Indian J ib.
Mint, 263.
Mint, Pepper, 264.
Mint, Horfe, ib.
Mifletoe, 423.
Mofs of a Man's Skull,

434-
Mofs, Earth, 270.
Mofs, Sea, 34.
Mother of Thyme, 376.
Mother-wort, 140.
Monks-Rhubarb, baftard,

223.
Moufe-Ear, 117.
Moufe-Ear,common, 309.
Mug- wort, III.
Mulberry. Tree, 269.
Mullein, 415.
Mufhroom, 196.
Mullard, 379.
Mullard, White, 380..
Mullard, Hedge, 184.
MuftaTd, Mithridate, 397.
Myrobalans, Chebule,

Myrobalans, Indian^ 44.-
Myrobalans, Belliric, ib.
Myrobalans, Emblic, ib.
Myrtle- Tree, 273.
Myrtle, box-leaved, 272-.

N.

Nard, celtick, 16.

Navel-

I N

Navel-wort, 429.
Nevew, 274.
Nevevv, Wild, 275.
Nedarines, 252.
Nephrifick-Wood, 32.
Nettles, 432.
Nettle, Dead. 198, 199,
Nightlhade, Deadly, 1 19.
Nightfliade, 383.

Nipple-wort, 221.
Nutmeg, 60.

O.

Oak-Tree, 340.
Oats, 116.
Olibanum, 74.
Oleander, 278.
Olive-Tree, 286.
Olive-fpurge, 398.
Onion, 147.
Opopanax, 83.
Opium, Sy.
Orange-Tree, 116.
Orange-Tree, Mock, 393.
Oichis, 29.
'Orpine, 105.
Ofmund Royal, 91.
Orrice, Florentine, 15.
Ox^eye-Daiiy, 119.

Palma-Chrilli, 297.
Panick, Ge-mariy 298.
Paris-Herb, 209.
Pareira Brava, 7.
I'arfiey, 306.
Parfley, Macadoniatj, 307.

L» li A. Vil

Parfley, baftard, 383.

Parfley, mountain. 292.

Parfley, milky, 400.

Parfnep, 301.

Parfnep, wild, 302.

Parfnep, water, 121,

Parfnep, cow, 390.

Pafque- Flower, 328.

Peach -Tree, 245.

Pear-Trees, 320, 330,

33^ 332, 233, 334,

335-
Peafe, 312.

Pellitory of Sparrt, 18.

Pellitory of the Wall, 300.

Pennyroyal, 327.

Pepper, 5:^.

Pepper, black, ib.

Pepper, Guinea^ 48.

Pepper, Cayan^ 311.

Pepper, Jamaica, 51.

Pepper, long, ib.

Peniwinkle, 305.

Periwinkle, greater, ib.

Peruvian Bark, 26.

Piony, 296,

Pile- wort, 155.

Pimpernel-water, 364.

Pine-apple-nuts, 57.

Pine, ground, 153.

Pink, g ound, itinking,

V37-
Piftachis Nutos, 56.
Pink, fea, 392.
Plantam, 313.
Plumb Tree, 320, to 324^1
Poly, mountain, 314.
Polypoay, 3r6.
Pomcgranate-Trce, 244.
Pomegranatc-rind, ib.
Poppy

I N D E

Vlll

Poppy, 298, 299, 300.
Poplar-Tree, black, 317,
Poplar-Tree, white, ib.
Potatoes, 206.
Primrofe, 319.
Privet, 231.
Privet, mock, 308.
PufF-Balls, 97.
Purging-Nuts, 58.
Purllane, 319.
Purflane, wild, ib.

'Quick Grafs, 203.
Quince- Apple, 242.
■Quince-Tree, 267.

R.

'Radifli, 344.
Radifli, Horfe, 34,.
JRadifb, Water^ 381.
Ragwort, 214.
Raifins, 42.
Rampions, 346.
Rampions, Tpiked, ib.
Rafl)erry-bufh, 356,
Rhodium-wood, 30.
Relt harrow, 107.
Rhapontic, 20.
Rhubarb, 18.
Rhubarb, Monks, 222.
Rhubarb, Englijh. 19.
Rice, 295.

Ricinus, American^ ^7.
Tlofes, 350, 351, 352.
Rofemary, 352, 353.
Rue, 358. 359.
Rue, Goats, 198.

Rue, meadow, 397.
Rupture-wort, 309.
^ye, 373.

S.

SafFron, 39.
Saflron, baftard, di,
SafFron, meadow, 1631;
Sage, 362.

Sage of Jerufalemy 327.
Sage of Bethlehem^ ib.
Sagapenum, 83.
Saint-foin, 287.
Sandarack, Gum, 74.
Sanders, yellow, 33.
Sanders, red, ib.
Sancele, 364.
Sarfaparilla, 20.
Saracol, 84.
Saffafras-Tree, 3^,.
Satyrion, 291.
Sattin-Flower, 420.
Savine, 359.
Savory, 365.
Savory, Rock,' 306.
Saw-wort, 377.
Saxifrage, 366, 367.
Scabious, 368.
Scallions, 148,
Scurvygrafs, 162.
Scurvygrafs, Scottijhy 387
Sebeftens, 42.
Self heal, 130.
Senna, 3^.
Seneca, 21.
Seneka, Gum, 77.
Ser vice-Tree, 388.
Service, wild, 389.
Shepherds -Needle, 368.
She.

I N

Shepherds -Purfe, 133.
Silver-Weed, 109.
Simaruba, 28.
Skirret, 381.
Smallage, 107.
Snake -root, Virginian, 21,
Snow-drop, 275,.
Solomon's-feal, 315.
Soap-wort, 365.
Sori3-Tree, 389.
Sorrel, 97.
Sorrel, French, 98.
Southernwood, 93.
Sow -bread, 192.
Sow-thiftle. 388.
Spanifh Pick-Tooth, 424.
Sparrow-grafs, 114.
Speedwell, 417.
Spear-mint, 264.
Spikenard, Indian, 16.
Spiked Speedwell, 418.
Spignel, 16.
Spinage, 224.
Spindle-Tree, 396.
Spleen- wort, 150.
Spurge, 402.
Spurge, greater, 185.
Sparge, Icfs, ib.
Spurge-laurel, 320.
Squills, 369.
Star-thillle, 136.
Star of Bethlehem, 294.
Staves-acre, 191.
Scone-crop, 375.
Storax, 75.
Storax, liquid, ^-j.
Strawberry, 193.
Strawberry-Tree, 430.
Succory, T56.
Sugar-cane, 88.
Suraack, 348.

) E X. isc

Sun-dew, 354.
Sun-flower, 206.
Swallow-wort, 1 1 3.

T.

Tacamahac, 76.
Tamarinds, 46.
Taraarifk-Tree, French^

394-
Tamari Ik-Tree, German,

ib.
Taniey, 395.
Tares, 419, 420.
Tartar, 89.
Taragon, 178.
Thea, or Tea, 37.
Teall;!, 176.
Thiltle, bleffed, 141.
Thiftle, ladies, ib.
Thiftle, carline, 142.
ThilUe, globe, 288.
Thorough-wax, 303.
Throat-wort, 434.
Thyme, 399.
Thyme of the ancients,

ib.
Toad -flax, 233.
Thorn, ever-green, 266,
Tobacco, 279, 280.
Tormentil, 404.
Travellers-joy, 421.
Tragacanth, 77.
Trefoil, Birds-foot, 237,
Trefoil, meadow, 408.
Trefoil, bituminous, 409.
Trefoil, pile, ib.
Tuberofe, mofchatel, 270,
Tulip, 41 1.
Tuumerick, 9.

Tur-

X I N D

Turpetb, gz.
Turnep, 348.
Turr.ep, cabbage, 129.
TurpentiiiC, common, 69.
Turpentine, Venice, 68.
Turpentine, btrajhurg, ib.
Turpentine of Chioj 67.
Turnible, 207.
Tutfan, 377.
Tway blade, 290.

V.

Valerian, 41 2.
Valerian, wild, 413.
Vanillas, 47.
Venus^s-comb, 560.
Ver\'ain, 4 16.
Vetches, rtd, 155.
Vetch, 419.
Vetch, while, 420.
Vetch, kidney, 434.
Vine, 425.
Violet, 420.
Vipers -grafs, 372.
Vomic-nur, 61.

W.

Walnut-Tree, 216.
Wall-fiowcr, 154.
Wall -peeper, 375.
V/a'.ei-dcck, great, 223.
Water- Lilly, white, 284.
Water-Lilly, yellow, ib.

E X.

Water-drop-wort, 286*
Water-hemp, /agrimony,

416.
Wayfairing-Tree, 419.
Water-Rocket, 382.
Weed, dyers, 402.
Wheat, 420,
Wheat, buck, 188.
White bean Tree, 52.
Wild Vine, 131.
Wild Valejian, great, 413.
Wortle-berry, 426.
Willow-Tree, 361.
Willow, fpiked, 360.
Winters-Bark, 25.
Winter-Green, 329.
Wolfb-Bane, Roman, lO.
Woodbind, 139.
V'oodrcofe, 115.
Wood-Sage, 371.
Wood Sorrel, 237.
V/ormwood, 95.
Wormwood, Roman, 96.
Wormwood, Sea, ib.
Worm-Seed , 63.

Y.

Yarrow, 268.
Yew-Tree, 395;.

Z.

Zedoary, 22.
Zerumbeth, 2 2»

"<.

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