SECTION IX.--PLANTS USED FOR CULINARY PURPOSES.

THE BOTANIST'S COMPANION,

OR AN INTRODUCTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF PRACTICAL BOTANY, AND THE USES OF

PLANTS. EITHER GROWING WILD IN GREAT BRITAIN, OR CULTIVATED FOR THE

PUROSES OF AGRICULTURE, MEDICINE, RURAL OECONOMY, OR THE ARTS.

By WILLIAM SALISBURY, OF THE BOTANIC GARDEN OF SLOANE-STREET.

"Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed, and every tree

yielding fruit, and to you it shall be for meat."

VOL. II.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND VOLUME

In demonstrating the Plants which occur in our annual herborizing

excursions, I have found it necessary to put into the hands of my pupils

some Manual of Botany; and in so doing I have found all that have yet

been published, deficient in one or two essential points, and

particularly as relating to the uses to which each plant is adapted;

with out which, although the charms of the Flora are in themselves truly

delightful, yet the real value of Botanic knowledge is lost. The study

of plants, so far as regards their uses and culture, has engaged my

particular attention for the last twenty-five years, during which time I

had the honour of conducting a series of experiments on the growth of

plants, for the Board of Agriculture, which gave me an opportunity of

ascertaining many facts relative to our Grasses, &c. an account of

which, I have had some time ready for publication. The necessity of a

work of this kind in my present profession, has therefore induced me to

abridge it and put it to press; as such I offer it to the Public. To the

Subscribers to my Botanic Garden this will also prove of great service;

it being intended to arrange the plants in their several departments, so

as to make it a general work of reference both in the fields or garden.

In the department which treats of the Vegetables used for medicinal

purposes, I have given as ample descriptions as the nature of the work

will admit of, having in view the very necessary obligation which the

younger branch of the profession are under, of paying attention to the

subject.

In prosecuting this work, I have been more actuated by a desire to

render to my pupils and others, useful in-formation, than that of

commencing Author on such a subject; and writing for the press has been

but very little my employment, I trust that an ample excuse will be

granted for any errors that may appear, or for the want of that

happiness of diction with which more able and accomplished Authors may

be endowed.

BOTANIC GARDEN,

Sloane Street, May 1816.

CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME

PLANTS USEFUL IN AGRICULTURE.

SECT. 1. Observations on saving Grass-seeds and the use of the British

Grasses in general, as fodder, &c.

SECT. 2. Observations on Artificial Grasses

SECT. 3. Observations on Plants affording fodder from leaves and roots

SECT. 4. Observations on Grains

SECT. 5. Observations on Miscellaneous Articles

PLANTS USEFUL IN THE ARTS.

SECT. 6. Observations on British Trees and Shrubs

SECT. 7. Observations on Medicinal Plants contained in the London,

Edinburgh, and Dublin Pharmacopoeias

SECT. 8. Observations on Medicinal Plants not in the Pharmacopoeias of the

present day

Observations on drying and preserving Plants for medicinal use, &c.

SECT. 9. Observations on Plants cultivated for culinary purposes

SECT. 10. Observations on Wild Plants useful for culinary purposes,

which are not in cultivation

SECT. 11. Observations on Plants useful for Dyeing

SECT. 12. Observations on Plants used in rural oeconomy

POISONOUS PLANTS GROWING IN GREAT BRITAIN, And their best recommended

Antidotes.

SECT. 13. Observations on Nauseous Poisonous Plants

Observations on Acrid Poisonous Vegetables

Observations on Stupefying Poisonous Vegetables

Observations on Foetid Poisons

Observations on Drastic Poisons

Observations on Poisonous Fungi, Mushrooms, &c.

NOXIOUS PLANTS.

SECT. 14. Observations on Plants noxious to cattle

SECT. 15. Observations on Annual Weeds, or such as grow wild and do not

produce food for cattle

Observations on Weeds with creeping roots

Observations on Perennial Weeds

SECT. 16. Observations on Exotic Trees and Shrubs, and the soil to which

each is best adapted

SECT. 17. Observations on Foreign Hardy Herbaceous Plants, with the

soil which each is found to thrive best in

SECT. 19. Observations on Hardy Annual Flowers, with the seasons for

sowing each

SECT. 20. Observations on Hardy Biennial Flowers, with their culture

SECT. 21. Observations on Tender Annual Flowers

SECT. 22. Observations on Foreign Alpine Plants, or such as are adapted

to the decoration of rock-work, with the best soils for each denoted

APPENDIX.

British Plants cultivated for ornamental purposes

Miscellaneous Articles not mentioned under the foregoing heads

On extracting Sugar from Beet-root

On liquid Sugar made from Apple-juice

On the Urtica canadensis, or Canadian Hemp-plant

On the bleeding of Trees and obtaining Sap for the purposes of making

Wine and brewing Ale

PLANTS USEFUL IN AGRICULTUE.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE CULTURE OF GRASSES, AND ON SAVING SEEDS, &c.

It is now fifty years since the celebrated Stillingfleet observed, "that

it was surprising to see how long mankind had neglected to make a proper

advantage of plants, of so much importance to agriculture as the

Grasses, which are in all countries the principal food of cattle." The

farmer, for want of distinguishing and selecting the best kinds, fills

his pastures either with weeds or improper plants, when by making a

right choice he would not only procure a more abundant crop from his

land, but have a produce more nourishing for his flock. One would

therefore naturally wonder, after this truth has been so long published,

and that in an age when agriculture and the arts have so much improved,

that Select Seeds of this tribe of plants are scarcely to be produced.

From the experience I have had on this subject, I find their culture is

attended with certain difficulties, which arise not so much from the

nature of the plants, as from the labour requisite to this purpose,

great attention being necessary for saving Grass-seeds at the seasons

when the farmer must exert all the strength of his husbandmen to get his

other business accomplished.

The only mode by which this can be effected is by selecting a proper

soil for the kinds intended to be saved. The seeds should be drilled

into the ground at about one foot distance; and care taken that the

plants are duly weeded of all other kinds that may intrude themselves,

before they get too firm possession of the soil. The hoe should be

frequently passed between the drills, in order both to keep the land

clean and to give vigour to the young plants. The sowing may be done

either in the spring or in the month of September, which will enable the

crop to go to seed the following spring. In order to preserve a

succession of crops, it is necessary every season to keep the ground

clean all the summer months, to dig or otherwise turn up the land

between the drills early in the spring, and to be particular in the

other operations until the seeds ripen. Now this business being so

inconvenient to the farmer, it is not to be wondered at, that, wherever

attempts of this kind have been made, they should fail from want of the

necessary care as above stated, without which it is needless to

speculate in such an undertaking. There is nevertheless still an

opportunity, for any one who would give up his land and time to the

pursuit, to reap a rich and important harvest; as nothing would pay him

better, or redound more to his credit, than to get our markets regularly

supplied with select seeds of the best indigenous Grasses, so that a

proper portion of them may be used for forming pasture and meadow-land.

The above hints are not thrown out by a person who wishes to speculate

in a theory which is new, but by one who has cultivated those plants

himself both for seed and fodder, and who would readily wish to promote

their culture by stating a mode which has proved to him a profitable

pursuit, and for which he has, already, been honoured with a reward form

the Society of Arts.

The following observations are intended to embrace such kinds only as

are likely to be cultivated, with those that are distinguished for some

particular good properties; as it would be impossible within the limits

of this small memorandum to enumerate all the plants that are eaten by

cattle. The same mode shall be pursued under all the different heads in

this department.

PLANTS USEFULL IN AGRICULTURE.

SECT. I.--GRASSES.

1. ANTHOXANTHUM odoratum. SWEET-SCENTED VERNAL-GRASS.--This is found

frequently in all our best meadows, to which it is of great benefit. It

is an early, though not the most productive grass, and is much relished

by all kinds of cattle. It is highly odoriferous; if bruised it

communicates its agreeable scent to the fingers, and when dry perfumes

the hay. It will grow in almost any soil or situation. About three

pounds of seed should be sown with other grasses for an acre of land.

2. ALOPECURUS pratensis. MEADOW FOX-TAIL-GRASS.--One of our most

productive plants of this tribe: it grows best in a moist soil, is very

early, being often fit for the scythe by the middle of May. About two

bushels of seed will sow an acre, with a proportionate quantity of

Clover; which see.

3. ALOPECURUS geniculatus. FLOTE FOX-TAIL-GRASS.--Is very good in water

meadows, being nutritive, and cattle in general are fond of it. We do

not know if the cultivation of this plant has as yet been attempted.

4. AGROSTIS capillaris. FINE BENT-GRASS.--Dr. Walker, in his History of

the Hebrides, speaks very favourably of this grass. I have therefore

noticed it here, but I do not think it so good as many others. It grows

on the sandy hills near Combe Wood in Surrey, and forms the principal

part of the pasturage; but it is neither very productive, nor are cattle

observed to thrive on it. The seeds are very small; one peck would sow

an acre.

5. AGROSTIS pyramidalis. FIORIN-GRASS [Footnote: Fiorin is the Irish

name of butter].--No plant has engaged the attention of the farmer more

than this grass, none ever produced more disputes, and none is perhaps

so little understood. It is perfectly distinct from any species of

Agrostis indigenous to this country: it is introduced by Dr. Richardson,

and to that gentleman's extraordinary account of it we are indebted for

numerous mistakes that have been made respecting it. It is an amphibious

plant, thriving only in water or wet soils, is very productive, and the

stalks after a summer's growth secrete a large quantity of sugar. It has

the power, when the stalks are ripe, of resisting putrefaction, and will

become blanched and more nutritious by being cut and laid in heaps in

the winter season, at which time only it is useful. The cultivator of

this plant must not expect to graze his land, but allow all the growth

to be husbanded as above; and although it will not be found generally

advantageous on this account, it nevertheless may be grown to very great

advantage either in wet soils, or where land can be flooded at pleasure.

The seeds are often barren; and the only mode is to plant the shoots or

strings in drills at nine inches apart, laying them lengthways along the

drills, the ends of one touching the other.

6. AIRA aquatica. WATER HAIR-GRASS.--This is an aquatic, and very much

relished by cattle, but cannot be propagated for fodder. Water-fowl are

very fond of the young sweet shoots, as also of the seeds; it may

therefore be introduced into decoys and other places with good effect.

Pulling up the plants and throwing them into the water with a weight

tied to them, is the best mode of introducing it.

7. ARUNDO arenaria. SEA-SIDE REED-GRASS.--This is also of no value as

fodder, but it possesses the property of forming by its thick and wiry

roots considerable hillocks on the shores where it naturally grows:

hence its value on all new embankments. If it be planted in a sandy

place, during its growth in the summer the loose soil will be collected

in the herbage, and the grass continues to grow and form roots in it;

and thus is the hillock increased. Local acts of parliament have been

passed, and now exist, for preventing its destruction on the sea-coast

in some parts of Great Britain, on this account.

8. ARUNDO Phragmites. COMMON REED.--Is useful for thatching, and making

slight fences; it grows best in ponds near streams of water; it does not

often seed, but it could easily be introduced to such places by planting

its roots in spring: it is a large-growing plant; and where herbage may

be wanted either for beauty or shelter for water-fowl, nothing can be

more suitable, and the reeds are of great value.

9. AVENA flavescens. YELLOW OAT-GRASS.--Is much eaten by cattle, and

forms a good bottom. It has the property of throwing up flowerstalks all

the summer; hence its produce is considerable, and it appears to be well

adapted to pasture. The seeds of this grass are not to be obtained

separately; hence it is not in cultivation. It is however worthy of

attention, as the seeds are produced very abundantly in its native

places of growth. It will grow either in wet or dry soils.

10. AVENA pubescens. ROUGH OAT-GRASS.--This appears to have some merits,

but the foliage is extremely bitter. It grows in dry soils.

11. AVENA elatior. TALL OAT-GRASS.--From the good appearance of this

grass some persons have recommended it as likely to be useful for

forming meadows; but it is excessively bitter, and is not liked by

cattle generally, though when starved they are sometimes observed to eat

of it. There is a variety of it with knobby roots which is found to be a

most troublesome and noxious weed in arable lands, particularly in some

parts of the coast of Hampshire where it abounds. This variety was some

years ago introduced into the island of St. Kitts, and it has since

taken such firm possession of the land as to render a large district

quite useless. Persons should be cautious how they speculate with weeds

from appearances only.

12. BRIZA media. QUAKING-GRASS.--Is common in meadow land, and helps to

make a thick bottom; it does not however appear to be worth the trouble

of select culture. It is bitter to the taste.

13. BROMUS mollis. SOFT BROME-GRASS.--Mr. Curtis has given a very clear

account of this grass, which he says predominates much in the meadows

near London, but that the seeds are usually ripe and the grass dried up

before the hay time: hence it is lost; and he in consequence considered

it only in the light of a weed. It has seldom occurred to me to differ

in opinion from this gentleman, who certainly has given us, as far as it

goes, a most perfect description of our useful grasses: but experience

has convinced me that the Soft Brome-Grass, which seeds and springs up

so early, makes the chief bulk of most of our meadows in March and

April; and although it is ripe and over, or nearly so, by the hay

harvest, yet the food it yields at this early season is of the greatest

moment, as little else is found fit for the food of cattle before the

meadow is shut up for hay, and this plant being eaten down at that

season is not any loss to the hay crop. Whoever examines the seeds of

this grass will be led to admire how wonderfully it is fitted to make

its way into the soil at the season of its ripening, when the land is

thus covered with the whole produce of a meadow. I notice this curious

piece of mechanism [Footnote: Many seeds of the grasses are provided with

awns which curl up in dry weather and relax with moisture. Thus by

change of atmosphere a continued motion is occasioned, which enables the

seeds to find their way through the foliage to the soil, where it buries

itself in a short time in a very curious manner.], not that it is

altogether peculiar to this plant, but to show that Nature has provided

it means of succeeding in burying itself in the ground, when all the

endeavours of man could not sow the land with any other to answer a

similar purpose. If the seeds of this grass were collected and

introduced in some meadows where it is not common, I am sure the early

feeding would be thereby improved.

The seeds are sometimes mixed with those of Rye-grass at market, and it

is known by the name of Cocks: it has the effect of reducing such

samples in value, but I should not hesitate in preferring such to any

other. If any one should be inclined to make the above experiment, two

pecks of the seed sown on an acre will be sufficient.---See Treatise on

Brit. Grasses by Mr. Curtis, edit. 5.

14. CYNOSURUS cristatus. CRESTED DOG'S-TAIL-GRASS.--A very fine herbage,

and much relished by sheep, &c.; it grows best in fine upland loam,

where it is found to be a most excellent plant both for grazing and hay.

The seeds are to be purchased sometimes at the seedshops. About twelve

pounds will sow an acre.---See Observations on laying Land to Grass, in

the Appendix to this work.

15. CYNOSURUS coeruleus. BLUE DOG'S-TAIL-GRASS.--Dr. Walker states this

plant to be remarkably agreeable to cattle, and that it grows nearly

three feet high in mountainous situations and very exposed places. As

this grass does not grow wild in this part of the country, we have no

opportunity of considering its merits. In our Botanic Garden it seldom

exceeds the height of ten inches or a foot.

It is the earliest grass of all our British species, being often in

bloom in February.

The above intelligent gentleman, who seems to have studied the British

Gramina to a considerable extent, says that the following kinds give

considerable food to sheep and cattle in such situations; I shall

therefore mention their names, as being with us of little esteem and

similar to the above.

Phleum alpinum. Eriophorum polystachion. Festuca decumbens. Carex

flavescens. Carex gigantea, probably Pseudocyperus. Carex trigona,

probably vulpina. Carex elata, probably atrata. Carex nemorosa, probably

pendula. And he is of opinion that the seeds may be sown to advantage.

Be this as may, the observation can only apply to situations in the

north of Britain, where he has seen them wild; in this part of the

island we have a number of kinds much better adapted to soil, climate,

and fodder.

16. DACTYLIS glomerata. ROUGH COCK'S-FOOT-GRASS.--Has a remarkable rough

coarse foliage, and is of little account as a grass for the hay-stack;

but from its early growth and great produce it is now found to be a

useful plant, and is the only grass at this time known that will fill

up the dearth experienced by graziers from the time turnips are over

until the meadows are fit for grazing. Every sheep-farm should be

provided with a due portion of this on the land; but no more should be

grown than is wanted for early feed, and what can be kept closely eaten

down all the season. If it is left to get up it forms large tufts, and

renders the field unsightly, and scarcely any animal will eat it when

grown old or when dried in the form of hay. The seed is to be bought;

two bushels per acres is sown usually alone.

17. FESTUCA elatior. TALL FESCUE-GRASS.--This in its wild state has been

considered as a productive and nutritive grass; it grows best in moist

places; but the seeds have been found in general abortive, and the grass

consequently only to be propagated by planting the roots, a trouble by

far too great to succeed to any extent.--See Poa aquatica.

18. FESTUCA duriuscula. HARD FESCUE-GRASS.--A very excellent grass both

for green fodder and hay, and would be well worth cultivating; but the

seeds have not hitherto been saved in any quantity.

I have seen a meadow near Bognor where it formed the principal part of

the herbage; and it was represented to me by the owner as the best

meadow in the neighbourhood, and the hay excellent [Footnote: Mr. Curtis

observes that this grass grows thin on the ground after a time. I have

sometimes observed this to be the case in the Botanic Garden, but it is

otherwise in its native state of growth. Nothing stands the dry weather

better, or makes a more firm sward.].

The seeds of this grass are small, and about one bushel would sow an

acre of ground.

19. FESTUCA rubra. RED or CREEPING FESCUE-GRASS.--A fine grass, very

like duriuscula; but it is not common in this part of the country; it

grows plentifully on the mountains in Wales.

It does not produce fertile seeds with us in the garden.

20. FESTUCA pratensis. MEADOW FESCUE-GRASS.--No plant whatever deserves

so much the attention of the graziers as this grass. It has been justly

esteemed by Mr. Curtis and all other persons practically acquainted with

the produce of our meadows. It will grow in almost any soil that is

capable of sustaining a vegetable, from the banks of rivulets to the top

of the thin-soiled calcareous hills, where it produces herbage equal to

any other plant of the kind; and all descriptions of cattle eat it, and

are nourished by the food. The plant is of easy culture, as it yields

seeds very abundantly, and they grow very readily. I have made some

excellent meadows with this seed, which after a trial of ten years are

now equal to any in the kingdom. The culture of the seed selected is

now nearly lost, which is a misfortune, I had almost ventured to say a

disgrace, to our agriculture.

If the farmer could get his land fit for meadow laid down with one

bushel of this seed, one bushel of Alopecurus pratensis, three pounds of

Anthoxanthum, and a little Bromus mollis, with Clover, I will venture to

predict experience will induce him to say, "I will seek no further."

21. FESTUCA ovina.--SHEEP'S FESCUE-GRASS.--This is very highly spoken of

in all dissertations that have hitherto been written on the merits of

our grasses; but its value must be confined to alpine situations, for

its diminutive size added to its slow growth renders it in my opinion

very inferior to the duriuscula. In fact, I am of opinion that these are

often confounded together, and the merits of the former applied to this,

although they are different in many respects. Those who wish to obtain

more of its history may consult Stillingfleet's Observations on Grasses,

p. 384.

22. FESTUCA vivipara. VIVIPAROUS FESCUE-GRASS.--This affords a striking

instance of the protection that Nature has contrived for keeping up the

regular produce of the different species of plants; as when the Festuca

ovina is found in very high mountainous situations, places not congenial

to the ripening seeds of so light a nature, the panicle is found to

become viviparous, i.e. producing perfect plants, which being beaten

down with heavy rains in the autumn, readily strike root in the ground.

This plant was introduced into our garden many years ago, and still

preserves this difference; otherwise it is in all respects the same as

the Festuca ovina.

23. FESTUCA pinnata. SPIKED FESCUE-GRASS.--I have observed this near the

Thames side to be the principal grass in some of the most abundant

meadows; and as the seeds are very plentiful, I am of opinion it might

be very easily propagated: it is, however, not in cultivation at

present.

24. FESTUCA loliacea. DARNEL FESCUE-GRASS.--This in appearance is very

like the Lolium perenne, but is a more lasting plant in the ground.

Where I have seen it wild, it is certainly very good; but it is liable

to the objection of Festuca elatior, the seeds grow but sparingly.

25. HOLCUS lanatus. YORKSHIRE GRASS, or MEADOW SOFT-GRASS.--This has

been much recommended as fit for meadow-land. I am not an advocate for

it. It is late in blooming, and consequently not fit for the scythe at

the time other grasses are; and I find the lower foliage where it occurs

in meadows to be generally yellow and in a state of decay, from its

tendency to mat and lie prostrate. I hear it has been cultivated in

Yorkshire; hence probably its name. Two bushels of the seed would sow

an acre; and it is sometimes met with in our seed-shops. It will grow in

any soil, but thrives best in a moist loam.

26. HOLCUS mollis. CREEPING SOFT-GRASS.--Mr. Curtis in the third edition

of his Treatise on Grasses says, he is induced to have a better opinion

than formerly of this grass, and that Mr. Dorset also thinks it may be

cultivated to advantage in dry sandy soils. I have never seen it exhibit

any appearance that has indicated any such thing, and do not recommend

it.

27. HORDEUM pratense. MEADOW BARLEY-GRASS.--This is productive, and

forms a good bottom in Battersea meadows: but although I have heard it

highly recommended, I should fear it was much inferior to many others.

One species of Barley-grass, which grows very commonly in our

sea-marshes, the Hordeum maritimum, is apt to render cattle diseased in

the mouth, from chewing the seeds, which are armed with a strong bristly

awn not dissimilar to the spike of this grass.

28. LOLIUM perenne. RAY- or RYE-GRASS.--This has been long in

cultivation, and is usually sown with clover under a crop of spring

corn. It forms in the succeeding autumn a good stock of herbage, and the

summer following it is commonly mown for hay, or the seed saved for

market, after which the land is usually ploughed and fallowed, to clear

it of weeds, or as a preparation for Wheat, by sowing a crop of Winter

Tares or Turnips. The seed is about six or eight pecks per acre, and ten

pounds of Clover mixt as the land best suits. Although this is a very

advantageous culture for such purposes, and when the land is not to

remain in constant pasture; yet it is by no means a fit grass for

permanent meadow, as it exhausts the soil, and presently goes into a

state of decay for want of nourishment, when other plants natural to the

soil are apt to overpower it. There are several varieties of this

grass. Some I have seen with the flowers double, others with branched

panicles; some that grow very luxuriantly, and others that are little

better than annuals; and there is also a variety in cultivation called

PACEY's Rye-grass, much sought for. But I am of opinion that nothing but

a fine rich soil will produce a very good crop, and that the principal

difference, after all, is owing more to cultivation or change of soil,

than to any real difference in the plant itself.

29. MELICA coerulea. BLUE MELIC-GRASS.--This is common on all our heaths;

it appears coarse, and not a grass likely to be useful. Yet this kind is

spoken of by Dr. Walker under the name of Fly-bent, who says it is one

of the most productive and best grasses for sheep-feed in the Highlands

of Scotland, where it grows to the height of three feet, a size to which

it never attains in this part of the country. It is found in all soils,

both in dry and boggy places.

30. PANICUM germanicum. GERMAN PANIC, or MOHAR.--I notice this plant

here, although it is not a native of this country; neither is it in

cultivation. It was introduced some years since by Sir Thomas Tyrrwhit

from Hungary. It is said there to be the best food of all others for

horses; and I think it might be cultivated to advantage on high sandy

soils, as a late crop of green fodder. The seeds are similar to Millet

[Footnote: The Hungarian horses are remarked for their sleekness, and it

is said that it is in consequence of being fed on Mohar.].

31. PANICUM crus galli. COCK'S-FOOT-PANIC-GRASS.--This plant has, I

believe, never been recommended for cultivation; but it possesses

qualities which render it worth attention: it will sometimes grow to the

height of four feet, is very fine food for cattle, and will no doubt

make excellent hay. It stands dry weather better than most other grasses

I know. The seeds will not vegetate before May, and the crop not in

perfection till late September. In dry soils I think it could be

cultivated to advantage if sown among a crop of Tares or Rye in the

autumn; and after they are cut in summer, this would spring up and be a

valuable acquisition in a dry autumn, as it would seldom fail producing

an abundant crop.

It grows thick, and would tend to clear the land as a smothering crop

over weeds: it is annual.

32. PHALARIS arundinacea. REED CANARY-GRASS.--This is not in

cultivation, but grows plentyfully on the muddy banks of the Thames; it

will also grow very well in a moderately dry soil; and I have observed

that cattle eat it when it is young. As it is early and very productive,

as well as extremely hardy, I think it might become valuable as early

feed. The seeds of this plant do not readily grow, but it might easily

be introduced by planting the roots in the spring. The Striped or

Ribbon Grass of the flower garden is only a variety of this. See Poa

aquatica.

33. PHLEUM pratense. TIMOTHY-GRASS, or MEADOW-CAT'S-TAIL-GRASS.--Is very

coarse and late, and consequently not equal to many of our grasses

either for hay or pasture. It has been highly recommended in America,

where it may probably have been found to answer better than it has done

with us in cultivation. The seed used to be imported from New York, and

met with a ready sale; but I believe it is seldom imported at this

time. Dr. Walker says the seeds were taken from South Carolina (where it

was first cultivated) to that State, by one Timothy Hanson, from whence

it acquired its name.

The same gentleman supposes it may be introduced into the Highlands of

Scotland with good effect, but is of my opinion as to its utility in

England.--Rural Economy of the Hebrides, vol. ii. p. 27.

34. PHLEUM nodosum. BULBOUS CAT'S-TAIL-GRASS. (Phleum pratense var. ?

Hudson.)--This affects a drier soil than the Timothy-grass: it grows

very frequently in dry thin soils, where it maintains itself against the

parching sun by its bulbous roots, which lie dormant for a considerable

time, but grow again very readily when the wet weather sets in,--a

curious circumstance, which gives us an ample proof of the wise

contrivance of the great Author of Nature to fertilize all kinds of soil

for the benefit of his creatures here below. There is another instance

of this in the Poa bulbosa, Bulbous Meadow-grass, which grows on the

Steine at Brighton, and which I have kept in papers two years out of

ground, and it has vegetated afterwards.

35. POA annua. ANNUAL MEADOW-GRASS.--This is the most general plant in

all nature: it grows in almost every situation where there is any

vegetation. It has been spoken of as good in cultivation, and has had

the term Suffolk grass applied to it, from its having been grown in that

county. I have never seen it in such states, neither can I say I should

anticipate much benefit to arise from a plant which is not only an

annual, but very diminutive in size.

36. POA aquatica. WATER MEADOW-GRASS.--This is quite an aquatic, but is

eaten when young by cattle, and is very useful in fenny countries: it is

highly ornamental, and might be introduced into ponds for the same

purpose as Arundo Phragmites: it might also be planted with Festuca

elatior and Phalaris arundinacea, in wet dug out places, where it would

be useful as fodder, and form excellent shelter for game.

37. POA fluitans. FLOTE FESCUE-GRASS.--This would be of all others the

most nutritive and best plant for feeding cattle; but it thrives only in

water. I have noticed it only because it is highly recommended by the

editor of Mr. Curtis's Observations on British Grasses, 5th edit. The

cattle are very fond of it; but it is not to be cultivated, unless it be

in ponds, being perfectly aquatic.

Linnaeus speaks of the seeds being collected and sold in Poland and

Germany as a dainty for culinary purposes; but I have never seen it used

here, neither are the seeds to be collected in great quantities.

Stillingfleet, on the authority of a Mr. Dean, speaks highly of its

merits in a water-meadow, and also quotes Mr Ray's account of the famous

meadow at Orchiston near Salisbury. There this, as well as Poa

trivialis, most certainly is in its highest perfection; but the real and

general value of grasses or other plants must not be estimated by such

very local instances, when our object is to direct the student to a

general knowledge of the subject. See Curtis, art. Poa trivialis.

38. POA trivialis. ROUGH-STALKED MEADOW-GRASS.--Those who have observed

this grass in our best watered meadows, and in other low pasture-land,

have naturally been struck with its great produce and fine herbage. In

some such places it undoubtedly appears to have every good quality that

a plant of this nature can possess; it is a principal grass in the

famous Orchiston meadow near Salisbury, and its amazing produce is

mentioned in the Bath Agricultural Papers, vol. i. p. 94: but persons

should not be altogether caught by such appearances; for I have seen it

in some lands, and such as would produce good red Clover, a very

diminutive and insignificant plant indeed.

When persons wish to introduce it, they should carefully examine their

neighbouring pastures, and see how it thrives in such places. The seeds

are small, and six pounds would be sufficient for an acre, with others

that affect a similar soil.

39. POA pratensis. SMOOTH-STALKED MEADOW-GRASS.--This is also a grass of

considerable merit when it suits the soil; it affects a dry situation,

and in some such places it is the principal herbage; but I have

cultivated this by itself for seed in tolerably good land, and after

some time I found it matted so much by its creeping roots as to become

quite unproductive both of herbage and seed. Care should therefore be

taken that only a proper portion of this be introduced. The seeds of

this and Poa trivialis are the same in bulk, and probably the same

proportion should be adopted. The seeds of both species hang together by

a substance like to cobwebs, when thrashed, and require to be rubbed

either in ashes or dry sand to separate them before sowing.

* * * * *

SECT. II.--ARTIFICIAL GRASSES [Footnote: This technical term is

generally known to farmers. It is applied to Clovers, and such plants as

usually grow in pastures, and not strictly Gramina.].

Under this term are included such plants as are sown for fodder, either

with a view to form permanent pastures when mixed with the grasses, or

as intermediate crops on arable land. In those cases they are usually

sown with a spring crop of Oats or Barley, and the artificial grasses

are protected after the harvest by the stubble left on the ground,

affording the succeeding season a valuable crop, either for pasturage or

hay.

40. ACHILLEA Millefolium. YARROW.--This has been much recommended for

sheep feed; but I observe it is frequently left untouched by them if

other green herbage is found on the land. It will thrive in almost any

soil, but succeeds best in good loam. The seed used is about twelve

pounds per acre.

41. ANTHYLLIS vulneraria. KIDNEY VETCH.--This plant is not in

cultivation, but it has been noticed that where it grows naturally the

cows produce better milk and in greater quantity. It grows best in

calcareous soils: the seeds are large, and easily collected. This plant

well deserves attention.

42. CICHORIUM Intybus. CICHORY, or BLUE SUCCORY.-Much has been said of

the good properties of this plant; and if it has them to the full extent

mentioned by different authors, I wonder there is not little else than

Cichory grown in this country. It is very prolific, and will grow

extremely quick after the scythe during the summer months: but I fear,

from the observations I have made, that it does not possess the

fattening quality it is said to have. The plant is so extremely bitter,

that although cattle may be inclined to feed on it early in the spring,

yet as the season advances and other herbage more palatable is to be met

with, it is left with its beautiful blue flowers and broad foliage to

rob the soil and adorn our fields, to the regret of the farmer. It grows

wild in great abundance in Battersea fields, where my late friend Mr.

Curtis used ludicrously to say that bad husbandry was exhibited to

perfection. This plant is there continually seen in the greatest

abundance, where the ground has not been lately disturbed, even under

the noses of all the half-starved cattle of that neighbourhood that are

turned in during the autumn.

The root dried and ground to a powder will improve Coffee, and is

frequently drunk therewith, especially in Germany, where it is prepared

in cakes and sold for that purpose.

43. HEDYSARUM Onobrychis. SAINT-FOIN.--This is certainly one of the most

useful plants of this tribe, and in the south of England is the life and

support of the upland farmer: in such places it is the principal fodder,

both green and in hay, for all his stock. I have not observed it to be

cultivated in Worcestershire or Herefordshire, where there appears to be

much land that would grow it, and which is under much inferior crops.

The seed sown is about four bushels per acre. A mistake is often made in

mentioning this plant. The newspapers, in quoting prices from Mark Lane,

call it Cinquefoil, a very different plant, (Potentilla) of rather a

noxious quality. See Gleanings on Works of Agriculture and Gardening, p.

88, where a curious blunder occurs of this kind.

44. LATHYRUS pratensis. MEADOW VETCHLING.--Abounds much in our natural

meadows, particularly in the best loamy soils, where it is very

productive and nutritious. It is not in cultivation, for the seeds do

not readily vegetate; a circumstance much to be regretted, but

unfortunately the case with several of our other Tares, which would

otherwise be a great acquisition to our graziers.

45. LOTUS corniculatus. BIRD'S-FOOT-LOTUS.--There are several varieties

of this plant; one growing on very dry chalky soils, and which in such

places helps to make a good turf, and is much relished by cattle. The

other varieties grow in marshy land, and make much larger plants than

the other. Here it is also much eaten; and I have also noticed it in

hay, where it appears to be a good ingredient. As it thus appears to

grow in any situation, there is no doubt, if the seeds were collected,

that it might be cultivated with ease, and turn to good account in such

land as is too light for Clover. In wet and boggy situations it becomes

very hairy, and in this state its appearance is very different from that

which it has when growing in chalk, where it is perfectly smooth.

This plant should not be overlooked by the experimental farmer.

It is very highly spoken of in Dr. Anderson's Essays on Agriculture,

under the mistaken name of Astragalus glycophyllos, p. 489; but a truly

practical account is given of it by Ellis in his Husbandry, p. 89, by

the old name Lady-Finger-Grass.

46. MEDICAGO falcata. YELLOW MEDIC.--Is nearly allied to Lucerne, and is

equally good for fodder; it will grow on land that is very dry, and

hence is likely to become a most useful plant; its culture has, however,

been tried but partially. Some experiments were made with this plant by

Thomas Le Blanc, Esq., in Suffolk, which are recorded by Professor

Martyn. Martyn's Miller's Dict. art. Medicago.

47. MEDICAGO polymorpha. VARIABLE MEDIC.--This is also a plant much

relished by cattle, but is not in cultivation: it is an annual, and

perhaps inferior in many respects to the Nonsuch, which it in some

measure resembles. There are many varieties of this plant cultivated in

flower gardens on account of the curious shapes of the seed-pods, some

having a distant resemblance to snails' horns, cater-pillars, &c. under

which names they are sold in the seed-shops. It grows in sandy hilly

soils; the wild kind has flat pods.

48. MEDICAGO sativa. LUCERNE.--Too much cannot be said in praise of this

most useful perennial plant: it is every thing the farmer can wish for,

excepting that it will not grow without proper culture. It should be

drilled at eighteen inches distance, and kept constantly hoed all

summer, have a large coat of manure in winter, and be dug into the

ground between the drills. Six or seven pounds of seed will sow an acre

in this mode.

I have known Lucerne sown with Grass and Clover for forming meadow land;

but as it does not thrive well when encumbered with other plants, I see

no good derived from this practice. No plant requires, or in fact

deserves, better cultivation than this, and few plants yield less if

badly managed.

49. MEDICAGO lupulina. TREFOIL, or NONSUCH.--A biennial plant, very

usefully cultivated with Rye-grass and Clover for forming artificial

meadows. Trefoil when left on the ground will seed, and these will

readily grow and renew the plant successively; which has caused some

persons to suppose it to be perennial. About eight or ten pounds of seed

are usually sown with six or eight pecks of Rye-grass for an acre, under

a crop of Barley or Oats.

50. PLANTAGO lanceolata. RIB-GRASS.--This is a perennial plant, and very

usefully grown, either mixed with grasses or sometimes alone: it will

thrive in any soil, and particularly in rocky situations. It is much

grown on the hills in Wales, where by its roots spreading from stone to

stone it is often found to prevent the soil from being washed off, and

has been known to keep a large district fertile which would otherwise be

only bare rock. Sheep are particularly fond of it. About four pounds

sown with other seeds for pasture, will render a benefit in any

situation that wants it. Twenty-four pounds is usually sown on an acre

when intended for the sole crop, and sown under corn.

51. POTERIUM Sanguisorba. BURNET.--This plant grows in calcareous soils,

and is in some places much esteemed. On the thin chalky soils near

Alresford in Hampshire, I have observed it to thrive better than almost

any other plant that is cultivated. Sheep are particularly fond of it;

and I have heard it said that the flavour of the celebrated Lansdown

mutton arises from the quantity of Burnet growing there. It is also the

favourite food of deer. This will grow well in any soil, and

there are few pastures without it but would be benefited by its

introduction. Twenty-five pounds per acre are sown alone: eight pounds

mixed with other seeds would be sufficient to give a good plant on the

ground.

52. SANGUISORBA officinalis. GREAT CANADA BURNET.--Cattle will eat this

when young; and it has been supposed to be a useful plant, but I do not

think it equal to Burnet.

It is perennial, and is often found wild, but has not yet been

cultivated.

53. TRIFOLIUM pratense. RED CLOVER.--This is a very old plant in

cultivation, and perhaps, with little exception, one of the most useful.

It is very productive and nutritive, but soon exhausts the soil; and

unless it is in particular places it presently is found to go off, which

with the grazier is become a general complaint of all our cultivated

Clovers. It is also well known, that if the crop is mown the plant is

the sooner exhausted.

Seeds of Clover have the property of remaining long in the ground after

it has become thus in a manner exhausted; and it frequently occurs that

ashes being laid on will stimulate the land afresh, and cause the seeds

to vegetate; which has given rise to the erroneous opinion with many

persons, that ashes, and particularly soap ashes, will, when sown on

land, produce Clover.

Red Clover is usually cultivated in stiff clays or loamy soils; and when

sown alone, about sixteen or eighteen pounds of seed are used for the

acre.

54. TRIFOLIUM medium. ZIGZAG, or MOUNTAIN-CLOVER.--Is in some degree

like the preceeding; it produces a purple flower, and the foliage is

much the same in appearance: but this is a much stronger perennial, and

calculated from its creeping roots to last much longer in the land. It

is equally useful as a food for cattle, and does not possess that

dangerous quality of causing cattle to be hove, or blown, by eating it

when fresh and green. This plant is, however, only to be met with in

upland pastures, and there in its wild state; for it does not seed very

abundantly, and is not in cultivation.

In the London seed-markets we often hear of a species of red Clover

termed Cow-grass, and it generally sells for more money, and is said to

differ in having the characters ascribed to it of this plant, namely, a

hollow stem; the leaves more sharply pointed; the plant being a stronger

perennial, and having the property of not causing the above-mentioned

disorder to cows that eat of it. It is said to be cultivated in

Hampshire, from whence I have often received the seeds which have been

purchased purposely for the experiment; but on growing them, I never

could discover these differences to exist. It is a circumstance worthy

notice, that the very exact character of the Trifolium medium should

thus be said to belong to the supposed variety of red Clover. I have

endeavoured for the last twenty years to find out the true Cow-grass,

and am of opinion that it has been from some cause mistaken for this

plant.

The Trifolium medium is, at all events, a plant worth attention, and I

think it might be easily brought into cultivation; for although it does

not seed so abundantly as the T. pratense, I have observed it in places

where a considerable quantity has been perfected, and where it might

have been easily collected by gathering the capsules.

55. TRIFOLIUM repens. DUTCH CLOVER.--This is not so robust a plant as

either of the former kinds, but it creeps on the ground and forms a fine

bottom in all lands wherever it occurs, either cultivated or wild. This

has not the property of blowing the cattle in so great a degree as the

other sorts have. This disease is said to be accelerated by clover being

eaten whilst the dew is on it: and when green clover is intended to be

used as fodder, it is always best to mow it in the heat of the day, and

let it lie till it is whithered, when it may be given to cows with

safety.

Clover seeds of all kinds are necessary ingredients in laying down land

to pasture; and the usual quantity is about twelve pounds per acre mixt

in proportion at the option of the grower.

This kind remains longer in slight soils than the red does; but although

both are perennial plants, they are apt to go off, for the reason

pointed out under the head of T. pratense. This plant, as well as the T.

medium and other perennial kinds, is sometimes found in old pastures on

loamy soils; and whenever this is the case, it is a certain indication

of the goodness of the soil, and such as a judicious gardener would make

choice of for potting his exotic plants in, as he may rest assured that

the soil which will maintain clover for a succession of seasons will be

fit loam for such purposes.

56. TRIFOLIUM procumbens. YELLOW SUCKLING.--An annual very like the

Nonsuch; it is a very useful plant, seeding very freely in pastures and

growing readily, by which means it is every year renewed, and affords a

fine bite for sheep and cattle. I have now and then seen the seeds of

this in the shops, but it is not common. There is a gentleman who

cultivates this plant very successfully near Horsham, and who, I am

informed, states it to be the best kind of Clover for that land. It

grows very commonly amongst the herbage on Horsham Common, so that it is

probably its native habitat. The seeds are the smallest of all the

cultivated Clovers, and of course less in weight will be necessary for

the land.

57. TRIFOLIUM ochroleucum. YELLOW CLOVER.--This is not a common plant,

but it deserves the attention of the grazier. I believe it is not in

cultivation. In the garden it stands well, and is a large plant. The

herbage appears to be as good as that of any other kind of Clover, and

it might, if introduced, be cultivated by similar means.

58. TRIFOLIUM agrarium. HOP TREFOIL.--This is also a good plant, but not

in cultivation; it is eaten by cattle in its wild state, is a perennial,

and certainly deserves a trial with such persons who may be inclined to

make experiments with these plants.

Buffalo Clover is a kind similar to Trifolium agrarium and Trifolium

repens, and appears to me to be a hybrid plant. This has been sometimes

sent to this country from America, and is a larger plant than either. It

has, however, as far as I have grown it, the same property of exhausting

the soil as all the other species possess, and is soon found to go off:

it is not in cultivation to any large extent.

59. VICIA Cracca. TUFTED VETCH.--Persons who have most noticed this

plant have imagined it might be introduced into cultivation. It is

hardy, durable, nutritious, and productive; but, like the Yellow

Vetchling, the seeds do not readily vegetate; the only way to cultivate

it, therefore, would be by planting out the roots; which might be done,

as they are easily parted and are to be procured in great plenty in the

places where it grows wild.

60. VICIA sativa. VETCHES, FETCH, or TARE.--A very useful and common

plant, of which we have two varieties known to the farmer by the name of

Spring and Winter Tares: they are both annuals. The spring variety is a

more upright growing plant, and much tenderer than the other: it is

usually sown in March and April, and affords in general fine summer

fodder.

The Winter Tares are usually sown at the wheat seed-time, remain all

winter, and are usually cut in the spring, generally six weeks before

the spring crop comes in. The Winter Tares are now considered a crop

worth attention by the farmers near London, who sow them, and sell the

crop in small bundles in the spring at a very good price. Tares are

usually sown broadcast, about three bushels and a half to the acre.

Persons should be careful in procuring the true variety for the winter

sowing; for I have frequently known a crop fail altogether by sowing the

Spring Tares, which is a more tender variety, at that season. It should

be noticed that the seeds of both varieties are so much alike that the

kinds are not to be distinguished; but the plants are easily known as

soon as they begin to grow and form stems; the Spring kind having a very

upright habit, and the Winter Tares trail on the ground. It is usual for

persons wanting seeds of such to procure a sample; and by growing them

in a hothouse, or forcing frame, they may soon be able to ascertain the

kinds. Ellis in his Husbandry says, that if ewes are fed on Tares, the

lambs they produce will invariably have red flesh.

61. VICIA sylvatica. WOOD VETCH.--A perennial plant growing in the

shade; it seems to have all the good properties in general with the

other sorts of Tares; but it is not in cultivation.

62. VICIA sepium. BUSH VETCH.--Is also a species much eaten by cattle in

its wild state, but has not yet been cultivated: it nevertheless would

be an acquisition if it could be got to grow in quantity.

So much having been said of the different kinds of Tares, perhaps some

persons may be inclined to think that it would be superfluous to have

more in cultivation than one or two sorts. To this I would beg leave to

reply, that they do not all grow exactly in the same situations wild;

and if they were cultivated, some one of them might be found to suit in

certain lands better than others; and perhaps we never shall see our

agriculture at the height of improvement, till by some public-spirited

measure all those things shall be grown for the purposes of fair

comparative experiment--an institution much wanted in this country.

* * * * *

HINTS AS TO THE LAYING DOWN LAND TO PERMANENT PASTURE.

Having endeavoured to explain as nearly as possible the nature and uses

of the plants which are likely to improve our meadows and pastures; I

shall proceed to describe the best approved mode of sowing the land, on

which depends, in a great measure, the future success of the

husbandman's labour.

Under the head Lolium perenne I observed the practice of sowing clovers

and that grass with a crop of barley or oats, which is intended as an

intermediate crop for a season or two, and then the land to be again

broken up and used for arable crops. And this is a common and useful

practice; for although neither the Clover or Rye-grass will last long,

yet both will be found to produce a good crop whilst the land will bear

it, or until it is overpowered by the natural weeds of the ground

[Footnote: It is not an uncommon opinion amongst farmers, that Rye-grass

produces Couch; and this is not extraordinary; for, if the land is at

all furnished with this weed, it receives great encouragement under this

mode of culture.], which renders it necessary to the farmer to break it

up.

I am aware of the difficulty of persuading persons (farmers in

particular) to adopt any new systems; and I have often, when speaking of

this subject amongst men of enlightened understandings, been told it

would be next to madness, to sacrifice the benefit of a crop of oats or

barley when the land is in fine tilth, and whilst we can grow grass

seeds underneath it.

"To this I reply, that there is no land whatever, when left for a few

months in a state of rest, but will produce naturally some kind of

herbage, good and bad; and thus we find the industry of man excited, and

the application of the hoe and the weeder continually among all our

crops, this being essential to their welfare. I cannot help, therefore,

observing how extremely absurd it is to endeavour to form clean and good

pasturage under a crop hat gives as much protection to every noxious

weed as to the young grass itself. Weeds are of two descriptions, and

each requires a very different mode of extermination: thus, if annual,

as the Charlock and Poppy, they will flower among the corn, and the

seeds will ripen and drop before harvest, and be ready to vegetate as

soon as the corn is removed; and if perennial, as Thistles, Docks,

Couch-grass, and a long tribe of others in this way, well known to the

farmer, they will be found to take such firm possession of the ground

that they will not be got rid of without great trouble and expense.

"Although the crop of corn thus obtained is valuable, yet when a good

and permanent meadow is wanted, and when all the strength of the land is

required to nurture the young grass thus robbed and injured, the

proprietor is often at considerable expense the second year for manure,

which, taking into consideration the trouble and disadvantage attending

it, more than counterbalances the profit of the corn crop.

"To accomplish fully the formation of permanent meadows, three things

are necessary: namely to clean the land, to produce good and perfect

seeds adapted to the nature of the soil, and to keep the crop clean by

eradicating all the weeds, till the grasses have grown sufficiently to

prevent the introduction of other plants. The first of these matters is

known to every good farmer,--the second may be obtained,--and the third

may be accomplished by practising the modes in which I have succeeded at

a small comparative expense and trouble, and which is instanced in a

meadow immediately fronting Brompton Crescent, the property of Angus

Macdonald, Esq. which land was very greatly encumbered with noxious

weeds of all kinds: but, by the following plan, the grasses were

encouraged to grow up to the exclusion of all other plants; and though

it has been laid down more than ten years, the pasturage is now at least

equal to any in the county.

"Grass seeds may be sown with equal advantage both in spring and autumn.

The land above mentioned was sown in the latter end of August, and the

seed made use of was one bushel of Meadow-fescue, and one of Meadow

fox-tail-grass, with a mixture of fifteen pounds of white Clover and

Trefoil per acre; the land was previously cleaned as far as possible

with the plough and harrows, and the seeds sown and covered in the usual

way. In the month of October following, a most prodigious crop of annual

weeds of many kinds having grown up, were in bloom, and covered the

ground and the sown grasses; the whole was then mowed and carried off

the land, and by this management all the annual weeds were at once

destroyed, as they do not spring again if cut down when in bloom. Thus,

whilst the stalks and roots of the annual weeds were decaying, the sown

grasses were getting strength during the fine weather, and what few

perennial weeds were amongst them were pulled up by hand in their young

state. The whole land was repeatedly rolled, to prevent the worms and

frost from throwing the plants out of the ground; and in the following

spring it was grazed till the latter end of March, when it was left for

hay, and has ever since continued a good field of grass.

"Several meadows at Roehampton, belonging to the late B. Goldsmid, Esq.,

were laid down with two bushels of Meadow fescue-grass and fifteen

pounds of mixed Clover, and sown in the spring along with one peck and a

half of Barley, intended as a shade to the young grasses. The crop was

thus suffered to grow till the latter end of June, and then the corn,

with the weeds, was mowed and carried off the land; the ground was then

rolled, and at the end of July the grasses were so much grown as to

admit good grazing for sheep, which were kept thereon for several weeks.

It should be observed, that the corn is to be mowed whilst in bloom, and

when there is an appearance of, or immediately after rain; which will be

an advantage to the grasses, and occasion them to thrive greatly.

"I sowed some fields for the same gentleman in autumn in the same way,

and found them to succeed equally well."

The above remarks are part of a communication I gave six years since to

the Society of Arts, for which I was honoured with their prize medal;

and I have great pleasure in transcribing it [Footnote: See Transactions

of the Society of Arts, vol. xxvii. p. 70.], as I frequently visit the

meadows mentioned above, and have the satisfaction of hearing them

pronounced the best in their respective neighbourhoods. Thus are my

opinions on this head borne out by twelve years experience. Let the

sceptic compare this improvement with his pretended advantage of a crop

of Barley.

It should be observed that our agricultural efforts are intended only to

assist the operations of nature, and that in all our experiments we

should consult the soil as to its spontaneous produce, from whence alone

we can be enabled to adapt, with propriety, plants to proper situations.

The kinds of selected grass-seeds that are at this time to be purchased

are few, and consist of Lolium perenne, Festuca pratensis, Alopecurus

pratensis; Dactylis glomeratus, Cynosurus cristatus; with the various

kinds of Clovers: and it is not easy to lay down any rule as to the

mixture or proportion of each different kind that would best suit

particular lands. Attention however should, in all cases, be paid to the

plants growing wild in the neighbouring pastures, or in similar soils,

and the greater portion used of those which are observed to thrive best.

In certain instances I have mentioned particular quantities of seeds to

be mixed with others; but in general I have stated how much it would

require to sow an acre with each kind separately; from which a person

may form a criterion, when several sorts are used, as to what quantity

of each sort should be adopted. Taking into view, therefore, that

nothing but a mixture of proper kinds of Grasses, &c. will make good

pasturage, and that our knowledge is very imperfect on this head at the

present season, we must advise that particular attention be paid to the

subject, or little good can be hoped for from all our endeavours.

* * * * *

SECT. III.--FODDER FROM LEAVES AND ROOTS.

The student in agriculture will find in this department a wide field for

speculation, which, although it has been greatly improved during the

last century, still affords much room for experiments.

During the last thirty-five years I have had opportunity of observing

the great difference in the quantity of cattle brought to one of our

largest beast-markets in the south of England; and it is well known that

this has increased in a ratio of more than double; and I am informed by

a worthy and truly honourable prelate, who has observed the same for

twenty-five years previously, that it has nearly quadrupled. I have also

made it my business, as a subject of curiosity, to inquire if the

increase at other markets has been the same, and from all accounts I am

convinced of the affirmative. Now as we have ample proofs from the

statistical accounts of our husbandry, that less corn has not been grown

in the same period, we shall naturally be inclined to give the merit of

this increase to the introduction of the Turnip husbandry, which,

although it is now become so general, is, comparatively speaking, but in

its infancy; and it is from that branch of our agriculture that has

sprung the culture of the great variety of fodder of the description

which I am now about to explain.

And here it may not prove amiss to observe to the botanical student,

should he hereafter be destined to travel, that by making himself thus

acquainted with the nature of such vegetables, he may have it in his

power to render great benefit to society by the introduction of others

of still superior virtues, for the use both of man and the brute

creation. When Sir Walter Raleigh undertook his expedition to South

America, the object of which failed, he had the good fortune from his

taste for botany to render to his country, and to the world at large, a

more essential service, by the introduction of one single vegetable,

than was ever achieved by the military exploits performed before or

since that period [Footnote: The Potatoe was introduced by Sir Walter

Raleigh, on his return from the River Plate, in the year 1586.]. It has

not only been the means of increasing the wealth and strength of

nations, but more than once prevented a famine in this country when

suffering from a scarcity of bread-corn and when most of the ports which

could afford us a supply were shut by the ambition of a powerful enemy.

63. BRASSICA Napus. TURNIP.--Turnips afford the best feed for sheep in

the autumn and winter months. It is usual to sow them as a preparatory

crop for Barley, and now very frequently for a crop of Spring Wheat.

Turnips are not easily raised but where some kind of manure is used to

stimulate the land. In dry seasons the crop is often destroyed by the

ravages of a small beetle, which perforates the cotyledons of the

plants, and destroys the crop on whole fields in a few hours.

Many remedies against this evil are enumerated in our books on

husbandry. The best preventative, however, appears to be the putting

manure on the ground in a moist state and sowing the seeds with it, in

order to excite the young plant to grow rapidly; for the insect does not

hurt it when the rough leaf is once grown. I have this season seen a

fine field of Turnips, sown mixt with dung out of a cart and ploughed in

ridges. The seeds which were not too deeply buried grew and escaped the

fly; when scarcely a field in the same district escaped the ravages of

that insect. Turnips are sown either broad-cast or in drills. It takes

about four pounds of seed per acre in the first mode, and about half the

quantity in the second.

There are several varieties of turnips grown for cattle; the most

striking of which are, the White round Norfolk; the Red round ditto; the

Green round ditto; the Tankard; the Yellow. These varieties are nearly

the same in goodness and produce: the green and red are considered as

rather more hardy than the others. The tankard is long-rooted and stands

more out of the ground, and is objected to as being more liable to the

attack of early frosts. The yellow is much esteemed in Scotland, and

supposed to contain more nutriment [Footnote: The usual season for

sowing the above varieties is within a fortnight or three weeks after

Midsummer.]. The Stone and Dutch turnips are grown for culinary

purposes, and are also sometimes sown after the corn is cleared, as

being small and of early growth; these in such cases are called stubble

turnips, and often in fine autumns produce a considerable quantity of

herbage. For a further account of the culture &c. see Dickson's Modern

Husbandry, vol. ii. p. 639.

There is nothing in husbandry requiring more care than the saving seeds

of most of the plants of this tribe, and in particular of the Genus

Brassica. If two sorts of turnips or cabbages are suffered to grow and

bloom together, the pollen of each kind will be sufficiently mixed to

impregnate each alternately, and a hybrid kind will be the produce, and

in ninety-nine times out of a hundred a worse variety than either.

Although this is generally the result of an indiscriminate mixture, yet

by properly adapting two different kinds to grow together, new and

superior varieties are sometimes produced. One gentleman having profited

by this philosophy, has succeeded in producing some fine new varieties

of fruits and vegetables, much to the honour of his own talents and his

country's benefit [Footnote: See Mr Knight On the Apple-tree.]. It is

well known to gardeners that the cabbage tribe are liable to sport thus

in their progeny; and to some accidental occurrence of this nature we

are indebted for the very useful plant called the

64. ROOTA-BAGA. SWEDISH TURNIP.--Which is a hybrid plant par-taking of

the turnip and cabbage, and what has within these few years added so

much to the benefit of the grazier. This root is much more hardy than

any of the turnips; it will stand our winters without suffering injury

from frosts, and is particularly ponderous and nutritious.

It is usually cultivated as the common trunip, with this difference,

that it requires to be sown as early in some lands as the month of May,

it being a plant which requires a longer time to come to maturity.

Every judicious farmer who depends on turnips for foddering his stock in

the winter, will do well to guard against the loss sometimes occasioned

by the failure of his Turnips from frost and wet. Various ways of doing

this are recommended, as stacking &c. But if he has a portion of his

best land under Swedish turnip, he will have late in the winter a

valuable crop that will be his best substitute. Another advantage is

this, that it will last a fortnight longer in the spring, and

consequently be valuable on this account. The quantity of seed usually

sown is the same as for the common kinds of turnip. There are two

varieties of this plant, one white and the other yellow: the latter is

the most approved.

65. BRASSICA Napo Brassica. KOHLRABBI.--A hardy kind of Turnip cabbage,

grown much in Germany for fodder: it is very nutritive, and has the

property of resisting frost better than either the turnips or

cattle-cabbage. The seed and culture of this are the same as of

Drum-head cabbage.

There are two varieties of this plant, the green and the purple; the

latter is generally most esteemed.

66. BRUSSELS SPROUTS.--This is a large variety of cabbage, very

productive and hardy. The culture is the same as for Cattle-cabbage.

67. BRASSICA oleracea. DRUM-HEAD CABBAGE.--This is usually sown in March

and the plants put out into beds, and then transplanted into the fields;

this grows to a most enormous size, and is very profitable. About four

pounds of seed is sufficient for an acre.

* * * * *

SEC. IV.--GRAINS.

73. AVENA sativa. COMMON OATS.--A grain very commonly known, of which we

have a number of varieties, from the thin old Black Oats to the fine

Poland variety and the celebrated Potatoe-Oats.

These give the farmer at all times the advantage of a change of seeds, a

measure allowed on all hands to be essential to good husbandry. The

culture is various; thin soils growing the black kind in preference,

which is remarkably hardy, where the finer sorts affecting a better soil

will not succeed. It is applicable both to the drill and broad-cast. The

seed is from six pecks to four bushels per acre, and the crop from seven

to fourteen quarters.

74. CARUM Carui. CARAWAY SEEDS.--The seeds of this are in demand both by

druggists and confectioners. It is cultivated in Kent and Essex; where

it, being a biennial plant, is sown with a crop of spring corn, and left

with the stubble during the succeeding winter, and after clearing the

land in the spring is left to go to seed. It requires a good hot dry

soil; but although the crop is often of great value, it so much exhausts

the land as to be hazardous culture in many light soils where the

dunghill is not handy.

The seed is about ten pounds per acre, and the crop often five or six

sacks.

75. CORIANDRUM sativum. CORIANDER.--Is grown in the stiff lands, in

Essex, and is an annual of easy but not of general culture. The seeds

are used by druggists and rectifiers of spirits, and form many of the

cordial drinks.

The quantity of seed and produce are similar to those of Caraway.

76. ERVUM Lens. LENTILS.--Once cultivated here for the seeds, which are

used for soups; but it is furnished principally from Spain, and can at

all times be purchased for less than it can be grown for.

77. HORDEUM distichon. COMMON TWO-ROWED BARLEY.--A grain now in very

general cultivation, and supposed to be the best kind grown for malting.

The season for sowing barley is in the spring, and the crop varies

according to soil and culture; it is sown either broad-cast, drilled, or

dibbled. The quantity of seed sown is from three pecks to three bushels

per acre, and the produce from three to eleven quarters.

As the process of malting may not be generally understood by that class

of readers for which this work is mostly intended, I shall give a short

sketch of it.--It is a natural principle of vegetation, that every seed

undergoes a change before it is formed into the young plant. The

substance of the cotyledons, which when ground forms the nutritious

flower of which bread is made, changes into two particular substances,

i. e. sugar and mucilage; and whilst mankind form from it the principal

staff of life as an edible commodity, the same parts of the seed in

barley are by certain means made into malt, which is only another term

for the sugar of that grain. To effect this, the barley is steeped in

water, and afterwards laid in heaps, in which state it vegetates in a

few days, and the saccharine fermentation is by that means carried on to

a certain pitch, when it is put on a kiln to which a fire is applied,

and it is by that means dried. It is then perfect malt, and fit for the

purpose of brewing.

Pearl and Scotch Barley, used for soup and medicinal purposes, are made

from the grain by being put into a mill, which merely grinds off the

husk. The Pearl barley is mostly prepared in Holland, but the Scotch is

made near Edinburgh in considerable quantities. A description of an

improved Mill for this purpose is to be seen in the Edinburgh

Encyclopaedia, p. 283.

78. HORDEUM vulgare. BERE, BIG, or WINTER BARLEY.--This is a coarser

grain than the Two-rowed Barley, and hence it is not so well adapted to

the purpose of malting. It is grown on cold thin soils, being much

hardier than the former.

It is now often sown in October, and in the month of May or June

following it is mown and taken off the land for green fodder. The plants

will notwithstanding this produce in August a very abundant crop of

grain. Hence this is a valuable mode of culture for the farmer.

The other varieties of Barley are,

79. HORDEUM hexastichon. SIX-ROWED BARLEY.--This is also a coarse grain;

and although it was once in cultivation here, it has been altogether

superseded by the Bere, which is a better kind.

80. HORDEUM zeocriton. BATTLEDORE BARLEY.--This is a fine grain, but

very tender, and not now in cultivation in this country.

NAKED BARLEY. The two first species sometimes produce a variety which

thrashes out of the husks similar to wheat: these are very heavy and

fine grain, but they are not in cultivation: for what reason I know not.

81. PANICUM miliaceum. MILLET.--Millet is of two kinds, the brown and

yellow. They are sometimes sown in this country for feeding poultry, and

also for dressing; i. e. it is divested of the husk by being passed

through a mill, when it is equal to rice for the use of the pastrycook.

The seed used is from one to two bushels per acre. This is more commonly

grown in Italy, and on the shores of the Mediterranean sea, from which

large quantities are annually exported to the more northern countries.

82. PAPAVER somniferum. MAW-SEED.--The large white Opium Poppy is grown

for seed for feeding birds, and also for pressing the oil, which is used

by painters. The heads are also used by the apothecaries; which see

under the head Medicinal Plants. About two pounds of seed to the acre.

83. PHALARIS canariensis. CANARY-SEED.--This is grown mostly in the Isle

of Thanet, and sent to London &c. for feeding canary and other

song-birds, and considered a very profitable crop to the farmer. It is

sown in April, and the quantity of seed is about one bushel and a half

per acre.

84. PISUM sativum. THE PEA [Footnote: At the request of Sir John

Sinclair I made an experiment, from directions given by a French

emigrant, of mixing Pease with urine in which had been steeped a

considerable quantity of pigeon's dung. In the course of twenty-four

hours they had swoln very much, when they were put into the ground. An

equal quantity were steeped in water; and the same quantity also that

had not been steeped, were sown in three adjoining spots of land. There

was a difference in the coming up of the crops, of some days in each;

but that with the above preparation took the lead, and was by far the

best crop on the ground. This is an experiment worth attending to. It is

usual to prepare wheat in a similar way, but no other grain that I have

ever heard of.].--The Gray Hog-pea used to be the only one considered

sufficiently hardy for culture in the fields; but since the improvement

in our agriculture we have all the finer varieties cultivated in large

quantities. The seed used is about two bushels and a half per acre, and

the produce varies from three to ten quarters.

The varieties of Peas are many, but the principal ones used in

agriculture are the Early Charlton Pea; the Dwarf Marrow; the Prussian

Blue. All these are dwarf kinds; and as the demand for this article in

time of war is great for the navy and army, if the farmer's land will

suit, and produce such as will boil, they will fetch a considerably

greater price in proportion.

The varieties that are found to boil are either used whole, or split,

which is done by steeping them in water till the cotyledons swell, after

which they are dried on a kiln and passed through a mill; which just

breaking the husk, the two cotyledons fall apart.

85. POLYGONUM Fagopyrum. BUCK-WHEAT.--This is usually sown in places

where pheasants are bred, as the seed is the best food for those birds;

it is also useful for poultry and hogs. I have eaten bread and cakes

made of the flower, which are also very palatable. Two bushels are

usually sown per acre. The season is May; and it is often sown on foul

land in the summer, as it grows very thick on the land, and helps to

clean it by smothering all the weeds. The crop does not stand on the

ground more than ten or twelve weeks.

86. SECALE cereale. RYE.--This is often grown for a spring crop of green

food, by sowing it early in the autumn, as it is very hardy and is not

affected by frost. It grows fast in the spring months, and affords a

very luxuriant crop of green fodder. Tares and Rye are frequently sown

mixed together for the same purpose, and the Tares find a support in the

stalks of the Rye, by which means they produce a larger crop than they

make by themselves. The grain is the next in estimation to Wheat, and is

frequently used for making bread. The quantity sown per acre is the same

as Wheat.

87. SINAPIS nigra. BLACK MUSTARD.--This is grown in Essex in great

quantities for the seeds, which are sold to the manufacturers of flower

of mustard, and is considered better flavoured, stronger, and capable of

keeping better, than the white kind for such purpose. It is also in use

for various medicinal preparations; which see. About two bushels of seed

sown broad-cast are sufficient for an acre.

This plant affords another striking instance of the care of Providence

in preserving the species of the vegetable kingdom, it being noticed in

the Isle of Ely and other places, that wherever new ditches are thrown

out, or the earth dug to any unusual depth, the seeds of Black Mustard

immediately throw up a crop. In some places it has been proved to have

lain thus embalmed for ages.

Flower of mustard, which is now become so common on our tables, and

which is an article of very considerable trade, is but a new

manufacture. A respectable seedsman who lived in Pall-Mall was the first

who prepared it in this state for sale. The seeds of the white sort had

been used to be bruised in a mortar and eaten sometimes as a condiment,

but only in small quantities.

When used fresh it is weak, and has an unpleasant taste; but after

standing a few hours the essential oil unites with the water which is

used, and it then becomes considerably stronger, and the flavour is

improved. It is prepared by drying the seeds on a kiln and grinding them

to a powder. As this article is become of considerable importance from

the demand, it has occasioned persons to speculate in its adulteration,

which is now I believe often practised. Real flower of mustard will bear

the addition of an equal quantity of salt without its appearing too much

in the taste. In an old work, Hartman's treasure of Health, I find it to

have been practised by a noble lady of that time to make mustard for

keeping, with sherry wine with the addition of a little sugar, and

sometimes a little vinegar. Query, Is this, with the substitution of a

cheaper wine, the secret of what is called Patent Mustard?

88. TRITICUM aestivum. SPRING WHEAT.--Wheat is a grain well known in most

countries in Europe. It has been in cultivation for many ages. This

species was introduced some years ago from the Barbary coast, and has

been found very beneficial for sowing in the spring, when it often

produces a large crop. It takes a shorter time to come to maturity than

the other sorts; and as it is a more profitable crop to the farmer on

good soils than Barley, it is frequently sown after Turnips are over.

This has, perhaps, been one of the best improvements in Grain husbandry

that was ever introduced, as it gives the grower great advantages which

he could not have under the common culture of Wheat at the usual

seed-time. This is little different in appearance from the Common White

Wheat. But there was a small variety of it with rounder grains sent to

the Board of Agriculture from the Cape of Good Hope about the year 1801,

of which I saved a small quantity of seeds which was distributed among

the members; and I have lately seen a sample of it in the hands of a

gentleman in Devonshire, who speaks very highly of it as producing a

large crop in a short time, and that the flower was so much esteemed,

that the millers gave him a higher price for it than the finest samples

at market of the other kinds would sell for. I believe this variety is

very scarce. It is now twelve years since I grew it, from which what I

saw, and all other in cultivation, if any there are, have sprung.

89. TRITICUM compositum. EGYPTIAN WHEAT.--This is a species with

branched ears, and commonly having as many as three and four divisions.

It is much cultivated in the eastern countries, but has not been found

to answer so well in this country as the common cultivated species.

90. TRITICUM hybernum. COMMON WHEAT.--Of this grain we have a number of

varieties, which are grown according to the fashion of countries,

differing in the colour of the ear and also of the grain. The most

esteemed sorts are the Hertfordshire White and the Essex Red Wheat,

which are both much cultivated and equally esteemed. The season for

growing these kinds is usually September and October. The drill, dibble,

and broad-cast modes are all used, as the land and convenience of the

farmer happen to suit, and the produce varies accordingly; as does also

the quantity of seed sown. From two pecks to two bushels and a half are

sown on an acre.

Wheat is liable to the ravages of many terrestrious insects which attack

its roots; and also some very curious diseases. One of these has been

very clearly elucidated by our munificent patron of science, Sir Joseph

Banks, in the investigation of a parasitical plant which destroys the

blood of the stalk and leaves, renders the grain thin, and in some cases

quite destroys the crop, which has done that gentleman's penetration

great credit [Footnote: Sir Joseph Banks On the Blight in Corn.]. An

equally extraordinary disease is the Smut, which converts the

farinaceous parts of the grain to a black powder resembling smut: a

cirumstance too well known to many farmers. Those who wish to consult

the remedies recommended against this, may refer to The Annals of

Agriculture, and most other books on the subject. It is usual with

farmers to mix the Wheat with stale urine or brine, and to dry it by

sifting it with slaked lime, which has the effect of causing it to

vegetate quickly, and to prevent the attacks of many insects when the

seed is first put into the ground. This is considered as productive of

great benefit to the crop; but it is also to be remarked, that it is

almost the only grain that is ever prepared with this mixture, although

it might be applied with equal propriety to all others. See article

Pisum sativum.

91. TRITICUM turgidum. CONE WHEAT.--This a fine grain, and cultivated

much in the strong land in the Vale of Evesham, where it is found to

answer better than any other sorts. It is distinguished by the square

and thick spike, and having a very long arista or beard.

The following sorts of Wheat are mentioned as being in cultivation. But

I have not seen them, neither do I think any of them equal to the sorts

enumerated above:

Triticum nigrum. BLACK-GRAINED WHEAT. Triticum polonicum. POLISH WHEAT.

Triticum monococcon. ONE-GRAINED WHEAT. Triticum Spelta. SPELT WHEAT.

Besides the use of Wheat for bread and other domestic purposes, large

quantities are every season consumed in making starch, which is the pure

fecula of the grain obtained by steeping it in water and beating it in

coarse hempen bags, by which means the fecula is thus caused to exude

and diffuse through the water. This, from being mixed with the

saccharine matter of the grain, soon runs into the acetous fermentation,

and the weak acid thus formed by digesting on the fecula renders it

white. After setting, the precipitate is washed several times, and put

by in square cakes and dried on kilns. These in drying part into flakes,

which gives the form to the starch of the shops.

Starch is soluble in hot water, and becomes of the nature of gum. It is

however insoluble in cold water, and on this account when pulverized it

makes most excellent hair-powder.

92. Vicia Faba. THE BEAN.--Several kinds of Beans are cultivated by

farmers. The principal are the Horse-Bean or Tick-Bean; the Early

Mazagan; and the Long-pods. Beans grow best in stiff clayey soils, and

in such they are the most convenient crop. The season for planting is

either the winter or spring month, as the weather affords opportunity.

They are either drilled, broad-cast sown, or put in by the dibble, which

is considered not only the most eligible mode but in ge-neral affording

the best crops. The seed is from one to three bushels per acre.

93. ZEA Mays. INDIAN CORN, or MAIZE. In warmer climates, as the South of

France, and the East and West Indies, this is one of the most useful

plants; the seeds forming good provender for poultry, hogs and cattle,

and the green tops excellent fodder for cattle in general. I once saw a

small early variety, that produced a very good crop, near Uxbridge; but

I believe it is not in cultivation.

* * * * *

SECT. V.--MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES.

94. CANNABIS sativa. HEMP.--This plant is cultivated in some parts of

this country. It is usually sown in March, and is fit to harvest in

October. It is then pulled up and immersed in water; when the woody

parts of the stalks separating from the bark, which sloughs off and

undergoes a decomposition by which the fibres are divided, it is then

combed (hackled), dried, and reduced to different fineness of texture,

and spun for various purposes. It requires good land, and the seed is

usually two bushels and a half per acre.

The seed, which ripens about the time the hemp is pulled, is useful for

feeding birds and poultry, and very nourishing.

95. DIPSACUS Fullonum. FULLER'S TEAVEL.--The heads of this plant are

used for combing kerseymeres and finer broad cloths. The heads are

generally fit to cut about the latter end of August, and are then

separated and made up into bundles, and sold to the clothiers. The large

heads are called Kings; the next size Middlings; and the smaller

Minikins. The reason they are separated before sending to market is,

that the large and small will not fit together on the frame in which

they are fixed to the water-wheel, so that it is usual for the

proprietor of the fulling-mills to purchase all of either one or the

other size. The crop is considered very valuable, but the culture is

confined to a small district in Somersetshire. The plant is biennial,

and is usually sown in May, and the crop kept hoed during that season.

In the following spring the plants bloom, and when the seeds are ripe

the heads are fit for cutting; when they are assorted as above for the

dealers. Three pounds of seed are used to an acre, and the plants at the

last stirring are left from two feet to two feet and a half apart.

96. HUMULUS Lupulus. THE HOP.--The Hop is cultivated for brewing, being

the most wholesome bitter we have, though the brewers are in the habit

of using other vegetable bitters, which are brought from abroad and sold

at a much cheaper rate. There is, however, a severe penalty on using any

other than Hops for such purpose.

The Hops are distinguished by several varieties grown in Kent,

Worcestershire, and at Farnham. The last place produces the best kind.

For its culture more at length see Agriculture of Surry, by Mr.

Stevenson.

97. ISATIS tinctoria. WOAD.--Is cultivated in the county of

Somersetshire. It is used, after being prepared, for dyeing &c. It is

said to be the mordant used for a fine blue on woollen. The foliage,

which is like Spinach, is gathered during the summer months, and steeped

in vats of water. After some time a green fecula is deposited in the

bottom of the water, which is washed, and made into cakes and sold for

use.

It is a perennial plant, and found wild in great abundance near

Guildford, where great quantities might be gathered for use, and where a

great deal of the seed could be collected. Its culture is very similar

to that of the Teazle, with this difference, it requires the hoe at work

constantly all the summer months.

The two plants Weld and Woad from the similarity of names are frequently

confounded with each other, and some of the best agricultural writers

have fallen into this error. They are two very different plants, and

ought to be well defined, being each of them of very material

consequence in this country.

98. LINUM usitatissimum. FLAX, or LINT-SEED.--Is grown for the purpose

of making cloth, and has been considered a very profitable crop. The

culture and management is similar to that of Hemp, and the seeds are in

great demand for pressing. Lintseed oil, which it produces, is much used

by painters, and is the only vegetable oil that is found fit for such

purposes in general. The seeds are of several uses to the farmer; a tea

is made of it, and mixed with skimmed milk, for fattening house-lambs

and calves. Oxen are often fattened on the seed itself; but the cakes

after the oil is expressed are a very common and most excellent article

for fattening both black cattle and sheep. These are sold at from 10 l.

to 16 l. per thousand.

It will require three bushels of Flax-seed for one acre, as it must be

sown thick on the land. Lintseed cake has been used also for manure; and

I have seen fine crops of Turnips where it has been powdered and sown in

the drills with the seed.

99. RESEDA luteola. DYER'S-WEED, or WELD.--Is often confounded with

Woad, but is altogether a very different plant. Weld is cultivated on

the chalky hills of Surry, being sown under a crop of Barley, and the

second year cleaned by hoeing, and then left to grow till it blooms,

when it is pulled and tied up in small bundles, and after drying is sent

to market, where it is purchased for dyeing yellow, and is in great

request.

100. RUBIA tinctoria. MADDER.--This very useful dyeing drug used to be

grown in this country in considerable quantities, but it is not

cultivated here at the present time. The principal part of what is used

now is brought from Holland, and affords a considerable article of trade

to the Dutch farmers. Those who wish to be informed of the mode of

culture may consult Professor Martyn's edition of Miller's Dictionary.

Some years since Sir Henry Englefield, Bart., obtained a premium from

the Society of Arts for the discovery of a fine tint drawn from Madder,

called the Adrianople red. It was found that it was to be obtained from

a variety of the Rubia brought from Smyrna; and Mr. Smyth, our consul at

that city, was prevailed on by Dr. Charles Taylor to procure seeds from

thence, which the Society did me the honour of committing to my care;

and I have now a considerable stock of that kind, from whence I have

myself obtained the same beautiful and superior tint. See Trans. Soc.

Arts. vol. 27, p. 40.

101. ULEX europaeus. FURZE, GORSE, or WHIN.--Is used in husbandry for

fences, and is also much cultivated for fuel for burning lime, heating

ovens, &c. Cattle and sheep relish it much; but it cannot be eaten by

them except when young, in consequence of its strong spines; to obviate

which an implement has been invented for bruising it. When it grows wild

on our waste land, it is common to set it on fire in the summer months,

and the roots and stems will throw up from the ground young shoots,

which are found very useful food for sheep and other animals. It is

readily grown from seeds, six pounds of which will be enough for an acre

of land.

* * * * *

PLANTS USEFUL IN THE ARTS.

SECT. VI.--BRITISH TREES AND SHRUBS.

102. ACER Pseudo-Platanus. SYCAMORE.--The wood of this tree is soft and

of little use, unless it is for the turners' purposes, who make boxes

and other small toys of it. It is not of value as timber.

103. ACER campestre. THE MAPLE.--Before the introduction of Mahogany and

other fine woods the Maple was the principal wood used for all kinds of

cabinet work, and was much esteemed: the knobs which grow on those trees

in an old state afforded the most beautiful specimens, and according to

Evelyn were collected by the curious at great prices. The Maple trees in

this country are none of them at the present day old enough to afford

that fine-veined variegation in the timber which is alluded to in this

account.

104. ARBUTUS Unedo. THE STRAWBERRY-TREE.--Is a native of the islands in

the celebrated Lake of Killarney in Ireland, where it grows to a large

size. We know of no particular use to which it is applied. It is however

one of our most ornamental evergreen shrubs, producing beautiful

flowers, which vary from transparent white to deep red, in the winter

months, at which season also the fruit appears; which taking twelve

months to come to maturity affords the singular phaenomenon in plants, of

having lively green leaves, beautiful flowers, and fruit as brilliant as

the richest strawberry, in the very depth of our winter. We have a fine

variety of this plant with scarlet blossoms, and also one with double

flowers, both of which are singularly ornamental to the shrubbery.

105. ARBUTUS Uva Ursi. BEAR-BERRIES.--A small trailing plant of great

repute as a medicine, but of no use in any other respect.

106. BERBERIS vulgaris. BARBERRY.--This has long been cultivated in

gardens for its fruit, which is a fine acid, and it is used as a

conserve, and also for giving other sweeter fruits a flavour. The common

wild kind has stones in the fruit, which renders it disagreeable to eat.

There is a variety without stones called the Male Barberry, which is

preferred on this account.

This tree is subject to a disease in the summer, caused apparently from

a yellow fungus growing on the leaves and young shoots; and it is said

that where it grows near corn fields it imparts its baneful influence to

the grain, for which reason it is recommended in some of our books on

agriculture to exterminate the trees.

107. BETULA alba. BIRCH-TREE.--Is in great use and of considerable value

on some estates for making brooms, and the timber for all purposes of

turnery-ware and carving. The sap of the Birch-tree is drawn by

perforating the bark in the early state of vegetation. It is fermented,

and makes a very pleasant and potent beverage called Birch Wine.

108. BETULA Alnus. ALDER-TREE.--This is a valuable tree for planting in

moors and wet places. The wood is used for making clogs, pattens, and

other such purposes; and the bark for dyeing and manufacturing some of

the finer kinds of leather. This wood is of considerable value for

making charcoal for gunpowder. In charring it a considerable quantity of

acetic acid is extracted, which is of great value for the purpose of

bleaching, &c. &c.

109. BUXUS sempervirens. BOX-TREE.--The wood of Box is of great value

for musical instruments, and for forming the handles of many tools:

being very hard, it admits of a fine polish. This tree is growing in

quantity at Box-hill in Surry, and has given name to that place.

This was planted by a late Duke of Norfolk, and has succeeded so well,

that the wood has been cut twice, and sold each time for treble the

value of the fee-simple of the land.

It forms a better cover for game than any other plant; and being very

bitter, is not liable to be destroyed by any animal eating it down. An

infusion of the leaves is frequently given as a vermifuge with good

effect.

There is a smaller variety of this, much used for making edging to

gravel walks in gardens.

110. CARPINUS Betulus. THE HORNBEAM.--This grows to a large tree, but is

not of much account as timber: it is however very useful in forming

ornamental fences, and is well adapted to this purpose from the tendency

of its young branches to grow thick.

111. CLEMATIS Vitalba. TRAVELLER'S JOY.--A beautiful creeping shrub very

useful to the farmers for making shackles for gates and hurdles, or

withs for tying faggots and other articles. Whenever this plant is found

in the hedges, &c. it is a certain indication of a ckalky under stratum

in the soil.

112. CORNUS sanguinea. DOG-WOOD.--This is planted in pleasuregrounds as

an ornamental shrub, and from the red appearance of the wood in the

winter forms a beautiful constrast in plantations. It is also used by

butchers for making skewers.

113. CORYLUS Avellana. THE HAZEL.--Is a well known shrub of large growth

producing nuts, which are much admired. The Filbert is an improved

variety of this plant. The farmers in Kent are the best managers of

Filberts, and it is the only place where they are grown with any

certainty; which appears to be owing principally to the trees being

regularly pruned of the superfluous wood. It is performed in the month

of March when the plants are in bloom, and is the only time when the

fruit-bearing wood can be distinguished.

114. CRATAEGUS Aria. WHITE BEAM-TREE.--Is a beautiful tree producing very

hard wood, and is much in esteem for cogs of millwork and various other

purposes.

115. CRATAEGUS Oxyacantha. THE QUICKSET, or WHITE-THORN.--This is in

great request for making fences, and is the best plant we know for such

purposes if properly managed. It is readily propagated by sowing the

hips, or fruit, which does not readily grow the first season; it is

therefore usual to bury them mixed with saw-dust, or sand, one year, and

then to sow them in beds.

116. DAPHNE Laureola. SPURGE- or WOOD-LAUREL.--Is used in medicine;

which see.

We have many species of Daphne which are very ornamental to our

shrubberies and green-houses: these are propagated principally by

grafting; and the Wood-Laurel being hardy and of ready growth forms the

stock principally used. It is readily propagated by seeds, which in

three years will make plants large enough for this purpose.

The plant in all its parts is excessively acrid. I remember a man being

persuaded to take the leaves reduced to powder, as a remedy for

Syphilis, and he died in consequence in great agony in a few hours.

117. DAPHNE Mezerium. MEZERION.--Is a very beautiful shrub, and is one

of the earliest productions of Flora, often exhibiting its brilliant

scarlet flowers in January and February. We have also a white variety of

this shrub in the gardens. The bark and roots are extremely acrimonious,

and are used in medicine.

118. ERICA vulgaris. THE COMMON HEATH, HEATHER, or LING.---This

spontaneous produce of most of our sandy waste lands is of much usin

rural oeconomy.

It is of considerable value for making brooms, and affords food to

sheep, goats, and other animals; particularly to the grouse and

heath-cock. The branches of heath placed upright in a wooden frame form

the couch of repose to the brave Highlander. It is also stated that an

excellent beverage was brewed from the tops of this plant, but the art

of making it is now lost. This is the most common of the species, but

all the others have similar properties. They are very ornamental plants.

A numerous variety of heaths are brought from the Cape of Good Hope, and

afford great pleasure to the amateur of exotic plants, being the

greatest ornaments to our green-houses.

119. EUONYMUS europaeus. SPINDLE-TREE.--An ornamental shrub. The wood is

in great request for making skewers for butchers, as it does not impart

any unpleasant taste to the meat.

120. FAGUS Castanea. THE SPANISH CHESNUT.--This tree produces timber

similar to oak in point of durability, and the bark also contains a

considerable quantity of tannin. The Chesnut was in greater plenty in

this country many years ago than at the present day; large forests are

represented to have been in the neighbourhood of London; and we are led

to believe such may have been the case, as many of the old buildings

when examined have been found to be built of this timber. The fruit is

used as a dainty at table; but the variety which is brought from

Portugal and Spain is much larger than what are grown in this country.

The large kind imported from those countries is grafted, and kept on

purpose for the fruit. It is an improvement to graft this variety by

taking the scions from trees in bearing, and they will produce fruit in

a few years and in a dwarf state.

121. FAGUS sylvatica. THE BEECH.--The timber of the Beech is valuable

for making wheels, and is applied to many other useful purposes in

domestic oeconomy. The seeds of the Beech are very useful for fattening

hogs.

This tree affords many beautiful varieties in foliage, the handsomest of

which is the Copper Beech, whose purple leaves form a fine contrast in

colour with the lively green of the common sort.

123. FRAXINUS excelsior. THE ASH.--The wood of the Ash is considered the

best timber for all purposes of strong husbandry utensils. The wheels

and axle-trees of carriages, the shafts for carts, and the cogs for

mill-work, are principally made of this timber. The young wood when gown

in coppices is useful for hop-poles, and the small underwood is said to

afford the best fuel of any when used green. Coppice-land usually sells

for a comparatively greater price according as this wood prevails in

quantity, on account of its good quality as fuel alone.

124. HEDERA Helix. IVY.--A common plant in woods, and often planted in

shady places to hide walls and buildings. The leaves are good food for

deer and sheep in winter. The Irish Ivy, which was brought from that

country, is a fine variety with broad leaves. It was introduced by Earl

Camden.

125. HIPPOPHAE Rhamnoides. SEA BUCKTHORN.--This is a scarce shrub; but

is very useful as a plant for forming shelter on the hills near the

sea-coast, it having been found to stand the sea-breeze better than any

plant of the kind that is indigenous to this country.

126. ILEX aquifolium. HOLLY.--A well-known evergreen of singular beauty,

of which we have many varieties, both striped, and of different colours

in the leaf. Birdlime is made from the inner bark of this tree, by

beating it in a running stream and leaving it to ferment in a close

vessel. If iron be heated with charcoal made of holly with the bark on,

the iron will be rendered brittle; but if the bark be taken off, this

effect will not be produced. Ray's Works and Travels by Scott.

127. JUNIPERUS communis. JUNIPER.--An evergreen shrub, very common on

waste lands. The berries are used in preparing the well-known spiritous

liquor gin, and have been considered of great use in medicine.

128. LIGUSTRUM vulgare. PRIVET.--A shrub of somewhat humble growth, very

useful for forming hedges where shelter is wanted more than strength. It

bears clipping, and forms a very ornamental fence. There is a variety of

this with berries, and another nearly evergreen.

129. MESPILUS germanica. THE MEDLAR.--Is cultivated for its fruit, and

of which we have a variety called the Dutch Medlar; it is larger than

our English one, but I do not think it better flavoured.

130. PINUS sylvestris. THE SCOTCH FIR.--A very useful tree in

plantations for protecting other more tender sorts when young. It is

also now very valuable as timber:--necessity, the common parent of

invention, has taught our countrymen its value. When foreign deal was

worth twenty pounds per load, they contrieved to raise the price of this

to about nine or ten pounds, and it was then thought proper for use;

before which period, and when it could be bought for little money, it

was deemed only fit for fuel. On the South Downs I know some plantations

of this tree, which have been sold, after twenty-five years growth, at a

price which averaged a profit of twenty shillings per annum per acre, on

land usually let for sheep-pasture at one shilling and six-pence.

131. POPULUS alba. WHITE POPLAR. This is a very ornamental tree. The

leaves on the under surface are of a fine white, and on the reverse of a

very dark green; and when growing on large trees are truly beautiful, as

every breath of air changes the colour as the leaves move. The wood of

all the species of poplar is useful for boards, or any other purposes if

kept dry. It is much in demand for floor-boards for rooms, it not

readily taking fire; a red-hot poker falling on a board, would burn its

way through it, without causing more combustion than the hole through

which it passed.

132. POPULUS monilifera. CANADA POPLAR.--This is also known by the name

of BLACK ITALIAN POPLAR, but from whence it had this name I do not know.

This species, which is the finest of all the kinds, grows very commonly

in woods and hedges in many parts of Worcestershire and Herefordshire,

where it reaches to prodigious sizes. Perhaps no timber is more useful

than this; it is very durable, and easy to be converted to all purposes

in building. The floors of a great part of Downton Castle, the seat of

R. Payne Knight, Esq. are laid with this wood, which have been used

forty years and are perfectly sound. Trees are now growing on his estate

which are three and four feet in diameter. I have one growing in my

Botanic garden which is eight years old, and measures upwards of six

cubic feet of timber. The parent of this tree which grew at Brompton I

converted into boards. It was nineteen years growing; and when cut down

it was worth upwards of fourteen pounds, rating it at the then price of

deal, for which it was a good substitute. Some fine specimens of this

tree are also to be seen at Garnins, the seat of Sir J. G. Cotterell,

Bart. the present worthy member for the county of Hereford.

133. PRUNUS domestica. THE COMMON PLUM-TREE.--This is the parent of our

fruit of this name.

134. PRUNUS Cerasus. WILD CHERRY-TREE.--Is the parent of our fine

cherries. It is cultivated much in Scotland for the timber, which is

hard, and of use for furniture and other domestic purposes. It is the

best and most lasting stock for grafting on. Persons who are about to

plant this fruit would do well to inquire into the nature of the stock,

as no fruit-tree is so liable to disease and become gummy as cherries

are, and that is often much owing to the improved kinds being sown for

stocks, which are of a more tender texture and of course less hardy than

this.

135. PRUNUS insititia. SLOE-TREE.--Is of little use except when it

occurs in fences. The fruit is a fine acid, and is much used by the

common people, mixed with other fruits less astringent and acid, to

flavour made wines. It is believed that much Port wine is improved by

the same means.

136. PYRUS communis. PEAR-TREE.--This is the parent of all our fine

varieties of this fruit, and is used as the stock for propagating them;

these are raised from seeds for that purpose. The wood of the Peartree

is in great esteem for picture frames, it receiving a stain better than

almost any other timber known.

137. PYRUS Malus. CRAB-TREE.--A tree of great account, as being the

parent of all our varieties of apples, and is the stock on which the

fine varieties are usually grafted. A dwarf variety of this tree, called

the Paradise Apple, is used for stocks for making dwarf apple trees for

gardens.

The juice of the Crab is called verjuice, which is in considerable

demand for medicinal and other purposes.

138. QUERCUS robur. THE OAK.--Is a well known tree peculiar to Great

Britain, and of the greatest interest to us as a nation. It is of very

slow growth; but the timber is very strong and lasting, and hence it is

used for building our shipping. The bark is supposed to contain more

tannin than that of any other tree, and is valuable on that account. The

acorns, or fruit, are good food for hogs, which are observed to grow

very fat when turned into the forests at the season when they are ripe.

The tree is raised from the acorn, which grows very readily.

We have accounts of Oak trees growing to great ages, and to most

enormous sizes. One instance is mentioned by Evelyn, of one growing at

Cowthorp, near Weatherby, in 1776, which within three feet of the ground

was sixteen yards in circumference, and its height about eighty-five

feet. Hunter's Evelyn's Sylva, p. 500.

139. ROSA rubiginosa. SWEET-BRIAR.--Is a very fragrant shrub, for which

it has long been cultivated in the gardens. There are several varieties

in the nurseries; as the Double-flowering, Evergreen, &c. which are much

esteemed.

140. RUBUS Idaeus. THE RASPBERRY.--Produces a well known fruit in great

esteem, and of considerable use both as food and for medicine.

141. RUBUS fruticosus. BRAMBLE.--Produces a black insipid fruit, but

which is used by the poor people for tarts and to form a made wine: when

mixt with the juice of sloes it is rendered very palatable.

142. RUBUS caesius.--Is a dwarf kind of bramble, and produces fruit of a

pleasant acid, and where it grows in plenty it is used by the poor

people for pies and other purposes of domestic oeconomy.

143. SALIX Russelliana. THE WILLOW.--No trees in this country are of

more use than the species of this genus: many are grown for

basket-makers in form of osiers, and other larger sorts serve for

stakes, rails, hop-poles, and many other useful purposes. The bark of

several species has been considered as useful for tanning leather. The

charcoal of the Willow is also much in demand for making gunpowder.

144. SALIX viminalis. THE OSIER.--These are cultivated in watery places

for making baskets, which are become a profitable article, and are the

shoots of one season's growth cut every winter. The species best adapted

to this purpose, besides the common osier, are

The Salix vitellina. Golden Willow. The Salix monandria. Monandrous

Willow. The Salix triandria. Triandrous Willow. The Salix mollissima.

Silky-leaved Willow. The Salix stipularis. Auriculated Osier. The Salix

purpurea. Bitter Purple Willow. The Salix Helix. Rose Willow. The Salix

Lambertiana. Boyton Willow. The Salix Forbyana. Basket Osier. The Salix

rubra. Green Osier. The Salix nigricans. Dark Purple Osier.

145. SAMBUCUS nigra. ELDER.--The timber of the Elder is useful for

making musical instruments, and the berries made into wine and fermented

make a useful and valuable beverage. A variety with green berries is

much esteemed for wine also.

146. SORBUS Aucuparia. QUICKEN-TREE, or MOUNTAIN-ASH.--In this part of

Britain we usually find this tree in plantations, where it is very

ornamental; and the berries, which are of a fine scarlet, are the food

of many species of birds. The wood is also useful for posts, &c. and is

considered lasting.

147. SORBUS domestica. TRUE SERVICE.--Produces a fruit much like the

Medlar, and when ripe is in great esteem. The only tree in this country

in a wild state, is growing in Bewdley Forest, Worcester-shire.

148. SPARTIUM Scoparium. BROOM.--Is a very ornamental plant, and is used

for making besoms. It was once considered as a specific in the cure of

dropsy, but is now seldom used for medicial purposes.

149. STAPHYLEA pinnata. BLADDER-NUT.--This is not a common plant in this

country. I know of no other use to which it is applied, but its being

cultivated in nurseries and sold as an ornamental shrub. The

seed-vessel, from whence it takes its name, is a curious example of the

inflated capsule.

150. TAMARIX gallica. A shrub of large growth; and being less affected

by the sea breeze than any others, is useful to form a shelter in

situations where the bleak winds will not admit of trees of more tender

kinds to flourish.

151. TAXUS baccata. THE YEW.--Was formerly much esteemed for making

bows: but since those instruments of war and destruction have given

place to the more powerful gun-powder, it is not so much in request. The

wood is very hard and durable, and admits of a fine polish. The foliage

of Yew is poisonous to cattle, who will readily eat it, if cut and

thrown in their way in frosty weather.

152. TILIA europaea. THE LIME or LINDEN-TREE.--Is a very ornamental tree

in plantations, and from its early putting forth its leaves is much

esteemed. The flowers emit a very fine scent, and the inhabitants of

Switzerland make a favourite beverage from them. The wood is very soft,

though white and beautiful. It is much used for the ornamental boxes,

&c. so well known by the name of Turnbridge-ware.

153. VACCINIUM uliginosum. GREAT BILBERRY. Vaccinium Vitis Idaea, RED

WHORTLE-BERRY, and Vaccinium Oxycoccos, CRANBERRY, are all edible fruits,

but do not grow in this part of the kingdom. Great quantities of

Cranberries are imported every winter and spring from Russia; they are

much esteemed by the confectioners for tarts, &c. and are sold at high

prices. These three kinds grow only in wet boggy places. A species which

is native of America, called Vaccinium macrocarpon, has been very

successfully cultivated at Spring Grove by Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. and

which has also been attempted in various other places, but not with the

same success. The fruit of this species is larger and of better flavour

than either of the other kinds.

154. VACCINIUM Myrtillus. WHORTS, or BILBERRIES.--To a common observer

this would appear to be a very insignificant shrub; it is not uncommonly

met with on our heaths: but it is only in particular places where it

fruits in abundance, and in such districts it is of considerable value.

The waste lands on Hindhead and Blackdown in Surry and Sussex are

noticed for producing this fruit, which is similar to Black Currants.

They are gathered in the months of August and September, and sold at the

neighbouring markets.

In a calculation of the value of this plant with an intelligent

nurseryman in that county, we found that from 500 l. to 700 l. were

earned and realized annually by the neighbouring poor, who employed

their families in this labour, and who are in the habit of travelling

many miles for this purpose. The fruit is ripe in August, and at that

season is met with in great plenty in all the neighbouring towns.

155. VISCUM album. MISSELTO.--A parasitical plant well known, and

formerly of much repute in medicine, but wholly disregarded in the

present practice. Birdlime is made from the berries.

Dr. Pulteney in tracing the history of Botanic science quotes Pliny for

an account of the veneration in which this plant was held by the Druids,

who attributed almost divine efficacy to it, and ordained the collecting

it with rites and ceremonies not short of the religious strictness which

was countenanced by the superstition of the age. It was cut with a

golden knife, and when the moon was six days old gathered by the priest,

who was clothed with white for the occasion, and the plant received on a

white napkin, and two white bulls sacrificed. Thus consecrated, Misselto

was held to be an antidote to poison, and prevented sterility. Query,

Has not the custom of hanging up Misselto at merry-makings, and the

ceremony so well known among our belles, some relation to above

sacrifice?

156. ULEX europaeus. COMMON FURZE.--The culture of this shrub is given in

the Agricultural Plants, being good for feeding cattle; its principal

use however is for fuel, and it is frequently grown for such purposes.

It is common on most of our waste lands. It also forms good fences, but

should always be kept short and young, otherwise it becomes thin,

especially in good land where it grows up and makes large bushes.

157. ULMUS campestris. THE ELM.--We have a number of varieties of the

Elm; the most esteemed is that with the smooth bark. The timber has been

long in request for water-pipes, and for boards, which are converted

into various uses in domestic oeconomy.

158. ULMUS montana. BROAD-LEAVED ELM.--This has not been considered of

so great value as the common sort, but it is of much more free growth;

and I have been informed that in the West of England the timber has been

found to be good and lasting.

* * * * *

SECT. VII.--PLANTS USEFUL IN MEDICINE.

The initial letters in this class distinguish the Pharmacopoeia in which

each plant is inserted.

"By the wise and unchangeable laws of Nature established by a Being

infinitely good and infinitely powerful,--not only man, the lord of the

creation, 'fair form who wears sweet smiles, and looks erect on heaven,'

but every subordinate being becomes subject to decay and death: pain and

disease, the inheritance of mortality, usually accelerate his

dissolution. To combat these, to alleviate when it has not the power to

avert, Medicine, honoured art! comes to our assistance.

"It will not be expected that we should here give a history of this

ancient practice, or draw a parallel betwixt the success of former

physicians and those of modern times: all that concerns us to remark is,

that the ancients were infinitely more indebted to the vegetable kingdom

for the materials of their art than the moderns. Not so well acquainted

with the oeconomy of nature, which teaches us that plants were chiefly

destined for the food of various animals, they sought in every herb some

latent healing virtue, and frequently endeavoured to make up the want of

efficacy in one by the combination of numbers: hence the extreme length

of their farraginous prescriptions. More enlightened ideas of the

operations of medicine have taught the moderns greater simplicity and

conciseness in practice. Perhaps there is a danger that this simplicity

may be carried to far, and become finally detrimental to the practice."

The above is quoted from the Preface to a Catalogue of Medicinal Plants

published by my predecessor in 1783: and it may be observed, that the

medical student has, at the present season, a still less number of

plants to store up in memory, owing, probably, to the great advances

that chemistry has made in the mean time, through which mineral articles

in many instances have superseded those of the vegetable kingdom. But,

nevertheless, as Dr. Woodville has justly observed, "it would be

difficult to show that this preference is supported by any conclusive

reasoning drawn from a comparative superiority of the former;" or that

the more general use of them has led to greater success in the practice

of the healing art. It is however evident, that we have much to regret

the almost total neglect of the study of medical botany by the younger

branches of the professors of physic, when we are credibly informed that

Cow-parsley has been administered for Hemlock, and Foxglove has been

substituted for Coltsfoot [Footnote: See the account of a dreadful

accident of this nature, in Gent. Mag. for Sept. 1815.], from which

circumstance, some valuable lives have been sacrificed. It is therefore

high time that those persons who are engaged in the business of pharmacy

should be obliged to become so far acquainted with plants, as to be able

to distinguish at sight all such as are useful in diet or medicine, and

more particularly such as are of poisonous qualities.

The medical student has so many subjects for his consideration, that it

is not desirable he should have a greater number of vegetables to

consult than are necessary. And we cannot help lamenting the difficulty

he has to struggle with in consequence of the great difference of names

which the Pharmacopoeias of the present day exhibit. The London,

Edinburgh, and Dublin, in many instances, enforce the necessity of

learning a different term in each for the same thing, and none of which

are called by the same they were twenty years ago. Surely it would be

the means of forwarding the knowledge of drugs, if each could be

distinguished by one general term.

The candidate for medical knowledge, however, is not the only one who

has at times to regret this confusion of names. The Linnaean system is an

easy and delightful path to the knowledge of plants; but, like all other

human structures, it has its imperfections, and some of which have been

modified by judicious alterations. Yet the teachers of this science, as

well as the students, have often to deprecate the unnecessary change in

names which has been made by many writers, though., in many cases, no

more reason appears for it than there generally would be to change

Christian and surnames of persons.

In the following section, I shall enumerate and describe those plants

which are contained in the lists of the three colleges; and afterwards a

separate list of those which, although they have been expunged, are

still sometimes used by medical men.

I shall also endeavour to give such descriptions as are concise, at the

same time sufficient for general knowledge, and for which reason I have

taken Lewis's Materia Medica for my text, unless where improvements have

been made in certain subjects I have consulted more modern authorities.

It should be observed, that writers on medical plants, with few

exceptions, have copied from one another: or with a little alteration as

to words only.

And as some vegetables, from their affinitiy, may be confounded with

others, whereby those possessing medical qualities may be substituted

for others having none, or even poisonous ones, I shall in some

instances enumerate a list of similar plants, which, with attention to

their botanical characters, it is hoped will prevent those dangerous

errors we have lately witnessed. As it is our business, in demonstrating

plants, to guard the student against such confusion, it will be proper

that specimens of such as come under this head be preserved, as a work

for reference and contrast wherever doubts may arise.

158. ACONITUM Napellus. COMMON BLUE MONKSHOOD. The Leaves. L. E.--Every

part of the fresh plant is strongly poisonous, but the root is

unquestionably the most powerful, and when chewed at first imparts a

slight sensation of acrimony, and a pungent heat of the lips, gums,

palate and fauces, which is succeeded by a general tremor and sensation

of chilliness.

This plant has been generally prepared as an extract or inspissated

juice, after the manner directed in the Edinburgh and many of the

foreign Pharmacopoeias, and, like all virulent medicines, it should be

first administered in small doses. Stoerck recommends two grains of the

extract to be rubbed into a powder with two drums of sugar, and as a

dose to begin with ten grains of this powder two or three times a-day.

Similar Plants.--Aconitum japonicum; A. pyrenaicum; Delphinium elatum;

D. exallatum.

Instead of the extract, a tincture has been made of the dried leaves

macerated in six times their weight of spirit of wine, and forty drops

given for a dose.--Woodville's Med. Bot. 965.

The Dublin College has ordered the Aconitum Neomontanum, which is not

common in this country [Footnote: In plants of so very poisonous a

nature as the Aconite, it is the duty of every one who describes them to

be particular. Here seems to have been a confusion. The A. Neomontanum

is figured in Jacquin's Fl. Austriaca, fasc. 4. p. 381; and the first

edition of Hortus Kewensis under A. Napellus erroneously quotes that

figure: but both Gmelin in Syst. Vegetabilium, p. 838, and Wildenow in

Spec. Plant. p. 1236, quote it under its proper name, A. Neomontanum.

Now the fact is, that the Napellus is the Common Blue Monkshood; and

the Neomontanum is altogether left out of the second edition of the

Hortus Kewensis for the best of all reasons, it is not in this country;

or, if it is, it must be very scarce, and, of course, not the plant used

in medicine.].

160. ACORCUS Calamus. SWEET RUSH. The Root. L.--It is generally looked

upon as a carminative and stomachic medicine, and as such is sometimes

made use of in practice. It is said by some to be superior in aromatic

flavour to any other vegetable that is produced in these northern

climates; but such as I have had an opportunity of examining, fell

short, in this respect, of several of our common plants. It is,

nevertheless, a sufficiently elegant aromatic. It used to be an

ingredient in the Mithridate and Theriaca of the London Pharmacopoeia,

and in the Edinburgh. The fresh root candied after the manner directed

in our Dispensatory for candying eryngo root, is said to be employed at

Constantinople as a preservative against epidemic diseases. The leaves

of this plant have a sweet fragrant smell, more agreeable, though

weaker, than that of the roots.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

161. AESCULUS Hippocastanum. HORSE-CHESNUT. The Bark and Seed. E. D.--

With a view to its errhine power, the Edinburgh College has introduced

the seeds into the Materia Medica, as a small portion of the powder

snuffed up the nostrils readily excites sneezing; even the infusion or

decoction of this fruit produces this effect; it has therefore been

recommended for the purpose of producing a discharge from the nose,

which, in some complaints of the head and eyes is found to be of

considerable benefit.

On the continent, the Bark of the Horse Chesnut-tree is held in great

estimation as a febrifuge; and, upon the credit of several respectable

authors, appears to be a medicine of great efficacy.--Woodville's Med.

Bot. 615.

162. AGRIMONIA Eupatoria. COMMON AGRIMONY. The Herb. D.--The leaves have

an herbaceous, somewhat acrid, roughish taste, accompanied with an

aromatic flavour. Agrimony is said to be aperient, detergent, and to

strengthen the tone of the viscera: hence it is recommended in scorbutic

disorders, in debility and laxity of the intestines, &c. Digested in

whey, it affords an useful diet-drink for the spring season, not

ungrateful to the palate or stomach.

163. ALLIUM Porrum. LEEK. The Root. L.--This participates of the virtues

of garlic, from which it differs chiefly in being much weaker. See the

article ALLIUM.

164. ALLIUM sativum. GARLIC. The Root. L. E. D.--This pungent root warms

and stimulates the solids, and attenuates tenacious juices. Hence in

cold leucophelgmatic habits it proves a powerful expectorant, diuretic,

and emmenagogue; and, if the patient is kept warm, sudorific. In humoral

asthmas, and catarrhous disorders of the breast, in some scurvies,

flatulent colics, hysterical and other diseases proceeding from laxity

of the solids, and cold sluggish indisposition of the fluids, it has

generally good effects: it has likewise been found serviceable in some

hydropic cases. Sydenham relates, that he has known the dropsy cured by

the use of garlic alone; he recommends it chiefly as a warm

strengthening medicine in the beginning of the disease.

Garlic made into an unguent with oils, &c. and applied externally, is

said to resolve and discuss cold tumors, and has been by some greatly

esteemed in cutaneous diseases. It has likewise sometimes been employed

as a repellent. Sydenham assures us, that among all the substances which

occasion a derivation or revulsion from the head, none operate more

powerfully than garlic applied to the soles of the feet: hence he was

led to make use of it in the confluent small-pox about the eighth day,

after the face began to swell; the root cut in pieces, and tied in a

linen cloth, was applied to the soles, and renewed once a day till all

danger was over.

165. ALLIUM Cepa. ONION. The Root. D.--These roots are considered rather

as articles of food than of medicine: they are supposed to afford little

or no nourishment, and when eaten liberally they produce flatulencies,

occasion thirst, headachs, and turbulent dreams: in cold phlegmatic

habits, where viscid mucus abounds, they doubtless have their use; as by

their stimulating quality they tend to excite appetite, attenuate thick

juices, and promote their expulsion: by some they are strongly

recommended in suppressions of urine and in dropsies. The chief

medicinal use of onions in the present practice is in external

applications, as a cataplasm for suppurating tumours, &c.

166. ALTHAEA officinalis. MARSH-MALLOW. The Leaves and Root. L.--This

plant has the general virtues of an emollient medicine; and proves

serviceable in a thin acrimonious state of the juices, and where the

natural mucus of the intestines is abraded. It is chiefly recommended in

sharp defluxions upon the lungs, hoarseness, dysenteries, and likewise

in nephritic and calculous complaints; not, as some have supposed, that

this medicine has any peculiar power of dissolving or expelling the

calculus; but as, by lubricating and relaxing the vessels, it procures a

more free and easy passage. Althaea root is sometimes employed externally

for softening and maturing hard tumours: chewed, it is said to give ease

in difficult dentition of children.

The officinal preparations are:-Decoctio Althaeae officinalis, and Syrupus

Althaeae.

Similar Plants.--Malva officinalis; M. rotundifolia; M. mauritanica;

Lavatera arborscens.

This root gives name to an officinal syrup [L. E.] and ointment [L.] and

is likewise an ingredient in the compound powder of gum tragacanth [L.

E.] and the oil and plaster of mucilages [L.] though it does not appear

to communicate any particular virtue to the two last, its mucilaginous

matter not being dissoluble in oils.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

167. AMYGDALUS communis. SWEET and BITTER ALMONDS. L. E. D.--The oils

obtained by expression from both sorts of almonds are in their sensible

qualities the same. The general virtues of these oils are, to blunt

acrimonious humours, and to soften and relax the solids: hence their use

internally, in tickling coughs, heat of urine, pains and inflammations:

and externally in tension and rigidity of particular parts.

168. ANCHUSA tinctoria. ALKANET-ROOT. E. D.--Alkanet-root has little or

no smell: when recent, it has a bitterish astringent taste, but when

dried scarcely any. As to its virtues, the present practice expects not

any from it. Its chief use is for colouring oils, unguents, and

plasters. As the colour is confined to the cortical part, the small

roots are best, these having proportionally more bark than the large.

169. ANETHUM graveolens. DILL. The Seeds. L.--Their taste is moderately

warm and pungent; their smell aromatic, but not of the most agreeable

kind. These seeds are recommended as a carminative, in flatulent colics

proceeding from a cold cause or a viscidity of the juices. The most

efficacious preparations of them are, the distilled oil, and a tincture

or extract made with rectified spirit. The oil and simple water

distilled from them are kept in the shops.--Lewis.

170. ANETHUM Foeniculum. FENNEL. Seeds. E.--These are supposed to be

stomachic and carminative; but this, and indeed all the other effects

ascribed to them, as depending upon their stimulant and aromatic

qualities, must be less considerable than those of Dill, Aniseed, or

Caraway, though termed one of the four greater hot seeds.--Woodville's

Med. Bot. p. 129.

171. ANGELICA Archangelica. GARDEN ANGELICA. The Root, Leaves, and

Seeds. E.--All the parts of Angelica, especially the roots, have a

fragrant aromatic smell, and a pleasant bitterish warm taste, glowing

upon the lips and palate for a long time after they have been chewed.

The flavour of the seeds and leaves is very perishable, particularly

that of the latter, which, on being barely dried, lose greatest part of

their taste and smell: the roots are more tenacious of their flavour,

though even these lose part of it upon keeping. The fresh root, wounded

early in the spring, yields and odorous yellow juice, which slowly

exsiccated proves an elegant gummy resin, very rich in the virtues of

the Angelica. On drying the root, this juice concretes into distinct

moleculae, which, on cutting it longitudinally, appear distributed in

little veins: in this state they are extracted by pure spirit, but not

by watery liquors.

This resin is considered one of the most elegant aromatics of European

growth, though little regarded in the present practice, and is rarely

met with in prescription; neither does it enter any officinal

composition.

172. ANTHEMIS nobilis. CHAMOMILE. The Flowers. L.E.D.--These have a

strong not ungrateful, aromatic smell, but a very bitter nauseous taste.

They are accounted carminative, aperient, emollient, and in some measure

anodyne: and stand recommended in flatulent colics, for promoting the

uterine purgations, in spasmodic affections, and the pains of women in

child-bed: sometimes they have been employed in intermittent fevers, and

the nephritis. These flowers are also frequently used externally in

discutient and antiseptic fomentations, and in emollient glysters. The

double-flowered variety is usually cultivated for medicine, but the wild

kind with single flowers is preferable.

Similar Plants.--Anthemis arvensis; A. Cotula; Pyrethrum maritimum.

173. ANTHEMIS Pyrethrum. PELLITORY OF SPAIN. The Root. L.--The principal

use of Pyrethrum in the present practice is as a masticatory, for

promoting the salival flux, and evacuating viscid humours from the head

and neighbouring parts: by this means it very generally relieves the

tooth-ach, pains of the head, and lethargic complaints. If a piece of

the root, the size of a pea, be placed against the tooth, it instantly

causes the saliva to flow from the surrounding glands, and gives

immediate relief in all cases of that malady.

174. APIUM Petroselium. COMMON PARSLEY. The Root. E.--Both the roots and

seeds of Parsley are directed by the London College for medicinal use:

the former have a sweetish taste, accompanied with a slight warmth of

flavour somewhat resembling that of a carrot; the latter are in taste

warmer and more aromatic than any other part of the plant, and also

manifest considerable bittenress.

These roots are said to be aperient and diuretic, and have been

employed in apozems to relieve nephritic pains, and obstructions of

urine.

Although Parsley is commonly used at table, it is remarkable that facts

have been adducted to prove, that in some constitutions it occasions

epilepsy, or at least aggravates the epileptic fit in those who are

subject to this disease. It has been supposed also to produce

inflammation in the eyes.--Woodville's Med. Bot. p. 43. A variety which

produces larger roots, called Hamburgh Parsley, is commonly grown for

medicinal uses.

175. ARBUTUS Uva Ursi. TRAILING ARBUTUS or BEAR-BERRY. The Leaves.--This

first drew the attention of physicians as an useful remedy in calculous

and nephritic affections; and in the years 1763 and 1764, by the

concurrent testimonies of different authors, it acquired remarkable

celebrity, not only for its efficacy in gravelly complaints, but in

almost every other to which the urinary organs are liable, as ulcers of

the kidneys and bladder, cystirrhoea, diabetes, &c. It may be employed

either in powder or decoction; the former is most commonly preferred,

and given in doses from a scruple to a dram two or three times a-day.--

Woodville's Med. Botany.

176. ARNICA montana. MOUNTAIN ARNICA. The whole Plant. E. D.--The odour

of the fresh plant is rather unpleasant, and the taste acrid,

herbaceous, and astringent; and the powdered leaves act as a strong

sternutatory.

This plant, according to Bergius, is an emetic, errhine, diuretic,

diaphoretic, emmenagogue; and from its supposed power of attenuating the

blood, it has been esteemed so peculiarly efficacious in obviating the

bad consequences occasioned by falls and bruises, that it obtained the

appellation of Panacea Lapsorum.--Woodville's Med. Bot. p. 43.

177. ARTEMISIA Absinthium. WORMWOOD, The Herb. L.--Wormwood is a strong

bitter; and was formerly much used as such against weakness of the

stomach, and the like, in medicated wines and ales. At present it is

rarely employed in these intentions, on account of the ill relish and

offensive smell which it is accompanied with. These it may be in part

freed from by keeping, and totally by long coction, the bitter remaining

entire. An extract made by boiling the leaves in a large quantity of

water, and evaporating the liquor with a strong fire, proves a bitter

sufficiently grateful, without any disgustful flavour.

178. ARTEMISIA Abrotanum. SOUTHERNWOOD. Leaves. D.--Southernwood has a

strong, not very disagreeable smell; and a nauseous, pungent, bitter

taste; which is totally extracted by rectified spirit, less perfectly by

watery liquors. It is recommended as an anthelmintic; and in cold

lencophlegmatic habits, as a stimulant, detergent, aperient, and

sudorific. The present practice has almost entirely confined its use to

external applications. The leaves are frequently employed in discutient

and antiseptic fomentations; and have been recommended also in lotions

and unguents for cutaneous eruptions, and the falling off of the hair.

179. ARTEMISIA maritima. SEA WORMWOOD. Tops. D.--In taste and smell, it

is weaker and less unpleasant than the common worm-wood. The virutes of

both are supposed to be of the same kind, and to differ only in

strength.

The tops used to enter three of our distilled waters, and give name to a

conserve. They are an ingredient also in the common fomentation and

green oil.

180. ARTEMISIA Santonica. ROMAN WORMWOOD. Seeds. E. D.--It is a native

of the warmer countries, and at present difficultly procurable in this,

though as hardy and as easily raised as any of the other sorts. Sea

wormwood has long supplied its place in the markets, and been in general

mistaken for it.

Roman wormwood is less ungrateful than either of the others: its smell

is tolerably pleasant: the taste, though manifestly bitter, scarcely

disagreeable. It appears to be the most eligible of the three as a

stomachic; and is likewise recommended by some in dropsies.

181. ARUM maculatum. BITING ARUM. Fresh Root. L. E.--This root is a

powerful stimulant and attenuant. It is reckoned a medicine of great

efficacy in some cachectic and chlorotic cases; in weakness of the

stomach occasioned by a load of viscid phlegm, and in such disorders in

general as proceed from a cold sluggish indisposition of the solids and

lentor of the fluids. I have experienced great benefit from it in

rheumatic pains, particularly those of the fixed kind, and which were

seated deep. In these cases I have given from ten grains to a scruple of

the fresh root twice or thrice a day, made into a bolus or emulsion with

unctuous and mucilaginous substances, which cover its pungency, and

prevent its making any painful impression on the tongue. It generally

excited a slight tingling sensation through the whole habit, and, when

the patient was kept warm in bed, produced a copious sweat.

The only officinal preparation, in which this root was an ingredient,

was a compound powder; in which form its virtues are very precarious.

Some recommend a tincture of it drawn with wine; but neither wine,

water, nor spirit, extract its virtues.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

182. ASARUM Europaeum, ASARABACCA. The Leaves. L. E. D.--Both the roots

and leaves have a nauseous, bitter, acrimonious, hot taste; their smell

is strong, and not very disagreeable. Given in substance from half a

dram to a dram, they evacuate powerfully both upwards and downwards. It

is said that tinctures made in spirituous menstrua possess both the

emetic and cathartic virtues of the plant: that the extract obtained by

inspissating these tinctures acts only by vomit, and with great

mildness: that an infusion in water proves cathartic, rarely emetic:

that aqueous decoctions made by long boiling, and the watery extract,

have no purgative or emetic quality, but prove notable diaphoretics,

diuretics, and emmenagogues.

Its principal use at present is as a sternutatory. The root of asarum is

perhaps the strongest of all the vegetable errhines, white hellebore

itself not excepted. Snuffed up the nose, in the quantity of a grain or

two, it occasions a large evacuation of mucus, and raises a plentiful

spitting. The leaves are considerably milder, and may be used to the

quantity of three, four, or five grains. Geoffroy relates, that after

snuffing up a dose of this errhine at night, he has frequently observed

the discharge from the nose to continue for three days together; and

that he has known a paralysis of the mouth and tongue cured by one dose.

He recommends this medicine in stubborn disorders of the head,

proceeding from viscid tenacious matter, in palsies, and in soporific

distempers. The leaves are an ingredient in the pulvis sternutatoris of

the shops.

183. ASPIDIUM Filix-Mas. Polypodium, Linn. MALE FERN. The Roots. L. E.

D.--They are said to be aperient and anthelmintic. Simon Pauli tells us,

that they have been the grand secret of some empirics against the broad

kind of worms called taenia; and that the dose is one, two, or three

drams of the powder. Two other kinds of Ferns used to be recommended;

but this, being the strongest, has therefore been made choice of in

preference, though the College of Edinburgh still retain them in their

Catalogue of Simples.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

184. ASTRAGALUS Tragacanthus. GOATS-THORN. The Gum. L. E. D.--This gum

is of a strong body, and does not perfectly dissolve in water. A dram

will give to a pint of water the consistence of a syrup, which a whole

ounce of gum Arabic is scarce sufficient to do. Hence its use for

forming troches, and the like purposes, in preference to the other gums.

It is used in an officinal powder, and is an ingredient in the compound

powders of ceruss and amber.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

185. ATROPA Belladonna. DEADLY NIGHTSHADE. The Leaves, L. E. D.--

Belladonna was first employed as an external application, in the form of

fomentation, to scirrhus and cancer. It was afterwards administered

internally in the same affections; and numerous cases, in which it had

proved successful, were given on the authority of the German

practitioners. It has been recommended, too, as a remedy in extensive

ulceration, in paralysis, chronic rheumatism, epilepsy, mania, and

hydrophobia, but with so little discrimination, that little reliance can

be placed on the testimonies in its favour; and, in modern practice, it

is little employed. It appears to have a peculiar action on the eye:

hence it has been used in amaurosis; and from its power of causing

dilatation of the pupil, when topically applied under the form of

infusion, it has been used before performing the operation for cataract.

A practice which is hazardous, as the pupil, though much dilated by the

application, instantly contracts when the instrument is introduced. When

given internally, its dose is from one to three grains of the dried

leaves, or one grain of the inspissated juice.--Murray's Mat. Med. p.

174.

I have had a cancer of the lip entirely cured by it: a scirrhosity in a

woman's breast, of such kind as frequently proceeds to cancer, I have

found entirely discussed by the use of it. A sore, a little below the

eye, which had put on a cancerous appearance, was much mended by the

internal use of the Belladonna; but the patient having learned somewhat

of the poisonous nature of the medicine, refused to continue the use of

it; upon which the sore grain spread, and was painful; but, upon a

return to the use of the Belladonna, was again mended to a considerable

degree; when the same fears again returning, the use of it was again

laid aside, and with the same consequence, the sore becoming worse. Of

these alternate states, connected with the alternate use of and

abstinence from the Belladonna, there were several of these alterations

which fell under my own observation [Footnote: See the Poisonous Plants,

in a future page].--Cullen's Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 270.

186. CARDAMINE pratensis. LADIES SMOCK. The Leaves. L. E. D.--Long ago

it was employed as a diuretic; and, of late, it has been introduced in

nervous diseases, as epilepsy, hysteria, choraea, asthma, &c. A dram or

two of the powder is given twice or thrice a-day. It has little sensible

operation.

187. CARUM Carui. CARAWAY. The Seeds. L. E. D.--These are in the number

of the four greater hot seeds; and frequently employed as a stomachic

and carminative in flatulent colics, and the like. Their officinal

preparations are an essential oil and a spiritous water; they were used

as ingredients also in the compound juniper water, tincture of sena,

stomachic tincture, oxymel of garlic, electuary of bayberries and of

scammony, and the cummin-seed plaster.

188. CENTAUREA benedicta. BLESSED THISTLE. The Leaves. E. D.--The herb

should be gathered when in flower, great care taken in drying it, and

kept in a very dry airy place, to prevent its rotting or growing mouldy,

which it is very apt to do. The leaves have a penetrating bitter taste,

not very strong or very durable, accompanied with an ungrateful flavour,

which they are in great measure freed from by keeping.

The virtues of this plant seem to be little known in the present

practice. We have frequently experienced excellent effects from a light

infusion of carduus in loss of appetite, where the stomach was injured

by irregularities. A stronger infusion made in cold or warm water, if

drunk freely, and the patient kept warm, occasions a plentiful sweat,

and promotes all the secretions in general.

The seeds of this plant are also considerably bitter, and have been

sometimes used for the same purposes as the leaves.

189. CHIRONIA Centaurium. LESSER CENTAURY. The Tops. L. E. D.--This is

justly esteemed to be the most efficacious bitter of all the medicinal

plants indigenous to this country. It has been recommended as a

substitute for Gentian, and, by several, thought to be a more useful

medicine: experiments have also shown it to possess an equal degree of

antiseptic power.

Many authors have observed, that, along with the tonic and stomachic

qualities of a bitter, Centaury frequently proves cathartic; but it is

possible that this seldom happens, unless it be taken in very large

doses. The use of this, as well as of the other bitters, was formerly

common in febrile disorders previous to the knowledge of Peruvian-bark,

which now supersedes them perhaps too generally; for many cases of fever

occur which are found to be aggravated by the Cinchona, yet afterwards

readily yield to the simple bitters.--Woodville, p. 277.

190. COCHLEARIA officinalis. SCURVY-GRASS. The Herb. E.--Is antiseptic,

attenuant, aperient, and diuretic, and is said to open obstructions of

the viscera and remoter glands, without heating or irritating the

system. It has long been considered as the most effectual of all the

antiscorbutic plants; and its sensible qualities are sufficiently

powerful to confirm this opinion. In the rheumatismus vagus, called by

Sydenham Rheumatismus scorbuticus, consisting of wandering pains of long

continuance, accompanied with fever, this plant, combined with Arum and

Wood-Sorrel, is highly commended both by Sydenham and Lewis.

We have testimony of its great use in scurvy, not only from physicians,

but navigators; as Anson, Linschoten, Maartens, Egede, and others. And

it has been justly noticed, that this plant grows plentifully in those

high latitudes where the scurvy is most obnoxious. Forster found it in

great abundance in the islands of the South Seas.--Woodville, p. 395.

191. COCHLEARIA Armoracia. HORSE-RADISH. The Root. E.-The medical

effects of this root are, to stimulate the solids, attenuate the juices,

and promote the fluid secretions: it seems to extend its action through

the whole habit, and affect the minutest glands. It has frequently done

great service in some kinds of scurvies and other chronic disorders

proceeding from a viscidity of the juices, or obstructions of the

excretory ducts. Sydenham recommends it likewise in dropsies,

particularly those which sometimes follow intermittent fevers. Both

water and rectified spirit extract the virtues of this root by infusion,

and elevate them in distillation: along with the aqueous fluid an

essential oil arises, possessing the whole taste and pungency of the

horse-radish. The College have given us a very elegant compound water,

which takes its name from this root.

192. COLCHICUM autumnale. MEADOW-SAFFRON. The Roots. L. E. D.--The

roots, freed from the outer blackish coat and fibres below, are white,

and full of a white juice. In drying they become wrinkled and dark

coloured. Applied to the skin, it shows some signs of acrimony; and

taken internally, it is said sometimes to excite a sense of burning

heat, bloody stools, and other violent symptoms. In the form of syrup,

however, it has been given to the extent of two ounces a-day without any

bad consequence. It is sometimes employed as a diuretic in dropsy. It is

now supposed to be a principal ingredient in the celebrated French gout

medicine L'Eau Medicinale.

193. CONIUM maculatum. HEMLOCK. The Leaves. L. E. D.--Physicians seem

somewhat in dispute about the best mode of exhibiting this medicine;

some recommending the extract, as being most easily taken in the form of

pills; others the powder, as not being subject to that variation which

the extract is liable to, from being made in different ways. With

respect to the period, likewise, at which the plant should be gathered,

they seem not perfectly agreed; some recommending it when in its full

vigour, and just coming into bloom, and others, when the flowers are

going off. An extract of the green plant is ordered by the College in

their last list. Dr. Cullen has for many years commended the making it

from the unripe seeds; and this mode the College of Physicians at

Edinburgh have thought proper to adopt in their late Pharmacopoeia.

Similar Plants.--Aethusa Cynapium; Apium Petroselium; Oenanthe crocata;

Oe. fistulosa; Phellandrium aquaticum.

194. CORIANDRUM sativum. CORIANDER. The Seeds. L. E. D.-These, when

fresh, have a strong disagreeable smell, which improves by drying, and

becomes sufficiently grateful. They are recommmended as carminative and

stomachic.

195. CROCUS sativus. TRUE SAFFRON. The Stigmata. L. E. D.--There are

three sorts of saffron met with in the shops, two of which are brought

from abroad, the other is the produce of our own country. This last is

greatly superior to the two former.

This medicine is particularly serviceable in hysteric depressions

proceeding from a cold cause, or obstruction of the uterine secretions,

where other aromatics, even those of the more generous kind, have little

effect. Saffron imparts the whole of its virtue and colour to rectified

spirit, proof spirit, wine, vinegar, and water: a tincture used to be

drawn with vinegar, but it looses greatly its colour in keeping. There

can be little use for preparations of saffron, as the drug itself will

keep good for any length of time.

196. CUMINUM Cymini. CUMMIN. The Seeds. L.--Cummin seeds have a

bitterish warm taste, accompanied with an aromatic flavour, not of the

most agreeable kind. They are accounted good carminatives, but not very

often made use of. An essential oil of them used to be kept in the

shops, and they gave name to a plaster and cataplasm.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

197. CYNARA Scolymus. ARTICHOKE. The Leaves. E.--The bitter juice of the

leaf, mixed with an equal part of Madeira wine, is recommended in an

ounce dose night and morning, as a powerful diuretic in dropsy. An

infusion of the leaf may likewise be used.

198. DAPHNE Mezereum. THE MEZEREON. The Roots. L. E. D.--This plant is

extremely acrid, especially when fresh, and, if retained in the mouth,

excites great and long continued heat and inflammation, particularly of

the throat and fauces. The bark and berries of Mezereon in different

forms have been long externally used to obstinate ulcers and ill

conditioned sores. In France, the former is strongly recommended as an

application to the skin, which, under certain management, produces a

continued serious discharge without blistering, and is thus rendered

useful in many chronic diseases of a local nature answering the purpose

of what has been called a perpetual blister, while it occasions less

pain and inconvenience.

In this country Mezereon is principally employed for the cure of some

siphylitic complaints; and in this way Dr. Donald Monro was the first

who gave testimony of its efficacy in the successful use of the Lisbon

Diet Drink.

The considerable and long-continued heat and irritation that is produced

in the throat when Mezereon is chewed, induced Dr. Withering to think of

giving it in a case of difficulty of swallowing, seemingly occasioned by

a paralytic affection. The patient was directed to chew a thin slice of

the root as often as she could bear it, and in about a month recovered

her power of swallowing. This woman had suffered the complaint three

years, and was greatly reduced, being totally unable to swallow solids,

and liquids but very imperfectly.--Woodville's Med. Bot. p. 720.

199. DATURA Stramonium. THORN APPLE. The whole Plant. E.--Dr. Woodville

informs us, that an extract of this plant has been the preparation

usually employed, and from one to ten grains and upwards a-day: but the

powdered leaves after the manner of those directed for hemlock would

seem, for the reason given, to be a preparation more certain and

convenient.

It has been much celebrated as a medicine in epilepsy and convulsions

and mania; but it is of a violent narcotic quality, and extremely

dangerous in its effects.

Stramonium has been recommended, as being of considerable use in cases

of asthma, on the authority of some eminent physicians of the East

Indies; and the late Dr. Roxburgh has stated to me many instances

wherein it had performed wonders in that dreadful malady.

The Datura Metal, Purple-flowered Thorn-apple, is much like the

Stramonium, except in the flowers and the stalks being of a purple

colour. I have made particular inquiry of Dr. Roxburgh if any particular

kind was used in preference, and he said not; that both the above sorts

were used; and, in fact, not only these, but the Datura Tatula, another

species which grows wild there, and is cultivated in our stoves for the

sake of its beautiful flowers, is also used for the same purposes.

The mode of using it was by cutting the whole plant up after drying, and

smoking it in a common tobacco-pipe; and which, in some cases in this

country also, has given great ease in severe attacks; and I know several

persons who use it with good effect to this day. In vegetables of such

powerful effects as this is known to have, great care ought to be taken

in their preparation, which, I fear, is not always so much attended to

as the nature of this subject requires [Footnote: See Observations on and

Directions for preparing and preserving Herbs in general, et the end of

this section.].

200. DAUCUS sylvestris. WILD CARROT. The Seeds. L.--These seeds possess,

though not in a very considerable degree, the aromatic qualities common

to those of the umbelliferous plants, and hence have long been deemed

carminative and emmenagogue; but they are chiefly esteemed for their

diuretic powers, and for their utility in calculus and nephritic

complaints, in which an infusion of three spoonfuls of the seeds in a

pint of boiling water has been recommended; or the seeds may be

fermented in malt liquor, which receives from them an agreeable flavour

resembling that of the lemon-peel.--Woodville's Med. Bot. p. 132.

Similar Plants.--Sison Amonum; Daucus Carota.

201. DAUCUS Carota. CULTIVATED CARROT. The Roots. L. E. D.--The

expressed juice, or a decoction of these roots, has been recommended in

calculous complaints, and as a gargle for infants in aphtous affections

or excoriations of the mouth; and a poultice of scraped carrots has been

found an useful application to phagedenic ulcers, and to cancerous and

putrid sores.

202. DELPHINIUM Staphis Agria. STAVES AGRIA. The Seeds. L. D.--

Stavesacre was employed by the ancients as a cathartic, but it operates

with so much violence both upwards and downwards, that its internal use

has been, among the generality of practitioners, for some time laid

aside. It is chiefly employed in external applications for some kinds of

cutaneous eruptions; and for destroying lice and other insects; insomuch

that it has from this virtue received its name in different languages,

Herba pedicularis, Herbe aux poux, Lauskraut, Lousewort.

203. DIANTHUS caryophyllus. CLOVE-PINK. The Petals. E.--These flowers

are said to be cardiac and alexipharmac. Simon Paulli relates, that he

has cured many malignant fevers by the use of a de-coction of them;

which he says powerfully promoted sweat and urine without greatly

irritating nature, and also raised the spirits and quenched thirst. The

flowers are chiefly valued for their pleasant flavour, which is entirely

lost even by light coction. Lewis says, the College directed the syrup,

which is the only officinal preparation of them, to be made by infusion.

204. DIGITALIS purpurea. FOXGLOVE. The Leaves. L. E. D.--The leaves of

Foxglove have a nauseous taste, but no remarkable smell. They have been

long used externally to sores and scrophulous tumours with considerable

advantage. Its diuretic effects, for which it is now so deservedly

received into the Materia Medica, were entirely overlooked. To this

discovery Dr. Withering has an undoubted claim; and the numerous cures

of dropsy related by him and other practitioners of established

reputation, afford incontestable proofs of its diuretic powers, and of

its practical importance in the cure of those diseases. The dose of

dried leaves in powder is from one grain to three twice a-day; but if a

liquid medicine be preferred, a dram of the dried leaves is to be

infused for four hours in half a pint of boiling water, adding to the

strained liquor an ounce of any spiritous water. One ounce of this

infusion given twice a-day is a medium dose; it is to be continued in

these doses till it either acts upon the kidneys; the stomach, or the

pulse, (which it has a remarkable power of lowering,) or the bowels.--

Woodville's Med. Bot. p. 221.

This is now become a very popular medicine, but if used incautiously is

attended with danger. Medical practitioners should make themselves

perfectly acquainted with this plant, as the leaves are the only part

used; and their not being readilly discriminated when separated from the

flowers, several accidents have occurred. In the Gent. Mag. for

September 1815 is recorded a very extraordinary mistake, where the life

of a child was sacrificed to the ignorance of a person who administered

this instead of Coltsfoot; a plant so very dissimilar, that, had it not

been well authenticated, I should not have believed the fact.

Similar Plants.--Verbascum nigrum; V. Thapsus; Cynoglossum officinale,

or, after the above mistake, any other plant with a lanceolate leaf, we

fear, may be confounded with it.

205. ERYNGIUM maritimum. SEA-HOLLY. Roots. D.--The roots are slender,

and very long; of a pleasant sweetish taste, which on chewing for some

time is followed by a light degree of aromatic warmth and acrimony. They

are accounted aperient and diuretic, and have also been celebrated as

aphrodisiac: their virtues, however, are too weak to admit them under

the head of medicines. The candied root is ordered to be kept in the

shops.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

206. FERULA assafoetida. ASSAFOETIDA. Gum. L. E. D.--This drug has a

strong fetid smell, somewhat like that of garlick; and a bitter, acrid,

biting taste. It looses with age of its smell and strength, a

circumstance to be particularly regarded in its exhibition. It consists

of about one-third part pure resin, and two-thirds of gummy matter; the

former soluble in rectified spirit, the other in water. Proof-spirit

dissolves almost the whole into a turbid liquor; the tincture in

rectified spirit is transparent.

Assafoetida is the strongest of the fetid gums, and of frequent use in

hysteric and different kinds of nervous complaints. It is likewise of

considerable efficacy in flatulent colics; and for promoting all the

fluid secretions in either sex. The ancients attributed to this medicine

many other virtues which are at present not expected from it.--Lewis's

Mat. Med.

207. FICUS Carica. COMMON FIG. Fruit. L. D.--The recent fruit completely

ripe is soft, succulent, and easily digested, unless eaten in immoderate

quantities, when it is apt to occasion flatulency, pain of the bowels,

and diarrhoea. The dried fruit is pleasanter to the taste, and is more

wholesome and nutritive. Figs are supposed to be more nutritious by

having their sugar united with a large portion of mucilaginous matter,

which, from being thought to be of an oily nature, has been long

esteemed an useful demulcent and pectoral; and it is chiefly with a view

of these effects that they have been medicinally employed.

208. FRAXINUS Ornus. MANNA. L. E. D.--There are several sorts of Manna

in the shops. The larger pieces, called Flake Manna, are usually

preferred; though the smaller grains are equally as good, provided they

are white, or of a pale yellow colour, very light, of a sweet not

unpleasant taste, and free from any visible impurities.

Manna is a mild agreeable laxative, and may be given with saftey to

children and pregnant women: nevertheless, in some particular

constitutions it acts very unkindly, producing flatulencies and

distension of the viscera.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

209. GENTIANA lutea. YELLOW GENTIAN. Root. L. D.--This root is a strong

bitter, and, as such, very frequently made use of in practice: in taste

it is less exceptionable than most of the other substances of this

class: infusions of it, flavoured with orange peel, are sufficiently

grateful. It is the capital ingredient in the bitter wine; and a

tincture and infusion of it are kept in the shops.

Lewis mentions a poisonous root being mixed among some of the Gentian

brought to London; the use of which occasioned in some instances death.

This was internally of a white colour, and void of bitterness. There is

no doubt but this was the root of the Veratrum album, a poisonous plant

so similar, that it might readily be mistaken for it.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

210. GEUM urbanum. COMMON AVENS. Root. D.--This has a warm, bitterish,

astringent taste, and a pleasant smell, somewhat of the clove kind,

especially in the spring, and when produced in dry warm soils. Parkinson

observes, that such as is the growth of moist soils has nothing of this

flavour. This root has been employed as a stomachic, and for

strengthening the tone of the viscera in general: it is still in some

esteem in foreign countries, though not taken notice of among us. It

yields, on distillation, an elegant odoriferous essential oil, which

concretes into a flaky form.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

Similar Plants.--Geum rivale; G. intermedium.

211. GLYCYRRHIZA glabra. LIQUORICE. Root. L. D.--This is produced

plentifully in all the countries of Europe: that which is the growth of

our own is preferable to such as comes from abroad; this last being

generally mouldy, which this root is very apt to become, unless kept in

a dry place.

The powder of liquorice usually sold is often mingled with flower, and,

I fear, too often with substances not quite so wholesome. The best sort

is of a brownish yellow colour (the fine pale yellow being generally

sophisticated) and of a very rich sweet taste, much more agreeable than

that of the fresh root. Liquorice is almost the only sweet that quenches

thirst.

This root is a very useful pectoral, and excellently softens acrimonious

humours, at the same time that it proves gently detergent: and this

account is warranted by experience. It is an ingredient in the pectoral

syrup, pectoral troches, the compound lime waters, decoction of the

woods, compound powder of gum tragacanth, lenitive electuary, and

theriaca. An extract is directed to be made from it in the shops; but

this preparation is brought chiefly from abroad, though the foreign

extract is not equal to such as is made with proper care among

ourselves.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

212. GRATIOLA officinalis. HEDGE-HYSSOP. Herb. E. D.--The leaves have a

very bitter disagreeable taste: an infusion of a handful of them when

fresh, or a dram when dried, is said to operate strongly as a cathartic.

Kramer reports that he has found the root of this plant a medicine

similar in virtue to Ipecacuanha.

Similar Plants.--Lythrum Salicaria; Scutellaria galericulata.

213. HELLEBORUS niger. BLACK HELLEBORE. Root. L.--The tase of Hellebore

is acrid and bitter. Its acrimony, as Dr. Grew observes, is first felt

on the tip of the tongue, and then spreads immediately to the middle,

without being much perceived on the intermediate part: on chewing it for

a few minutes, the tongue seems benumbed, and affected with a kind of

paralytic stupor, as when burnt by eating any thing too hot.

Our Hellebore is at present looked upon principally as an alterative,

and in this light is frequently employed, in small doses, for

attenuating viscid humours, promoting the uterine and urinary

discharges, and opening inveterate obstructions of the remoter glands:

it often proves a very powerful emmenagogue in plethoric habits, where

steel is ineffectual or improper. An extract made from this root with

water, is one of the mildest, and for the purposes of a cathartic the

most effectual preparation of it: this operates sufficiently, without

occasioning the irritation which the pure resin is accompanied with. A

tincture drawn with proof-spirit contains the whole virtue of the

Hellebore, and seems to be one of the best preparations of it: this

tincture, and the extract, used to be kept in the shops. The College of

Edinburgh used to make this root an ingredient in the purging cephalic

tincture, and compound tincture of jalap; and its extract, in the

purging deobstruent pills, gamboge pills, the laxative mercurial pills,

and the compound cathartic extract.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

Similar Plant.--Helleborus viridis.

214. HELLEBORUS foetidus. BEARSFOOT. Leaves. L.--The root is a strong

cathartic; it destroys worms, and is recommended in different species of

mania. It is commonly substituted for that of the Helleborus viridis,

which is a more dangerous medicine. Hill's Herbal, p. 32. Great care

ought to be used in the administering this plant: many instances of its

dreadful effects are related. (See Poisonous Plants.)

Similar Plant.--Helleborus viridis.

215. HORDEUM distichon. PEARL BARLEY. Seeds. L. E.--Barley, in its

several states, is more cooling, less glutionous, and less nutritious

than wheat or oats; among the ancients, decoctions of it were the

principal aliment, and medicine, in acute diseases. The London College

direct a decoction of pearl barley; and both the London and Edinburgh

make common barley an ingredient in the pectoral decoction.

216. HUMULUS Lupulus. THE HOP.--The flowers and seed-vessels are used in

gout and rheumatism, under the form of infusion in boiling-water. The

powder formed into an ointment with lard, is said to ease the pain of

open cancer. A pillow stuffed with hops is an old and successful mode of

procuring sleep in the watchfulness of delirious fever.

217. HYOSCYAMUS niger. HENBANE. Leaves and Seeds. L. E.--Henbane is a

strong narcotic poison, and many instances of its deleterious effects

are recorded by different authors; from which it appears, that any part

of the plant, when taken in sufficient quantity, is capable of producing

very dangerous and terrible symptoms. It is however much employed in the

present days as an anodyne. Dr. Withering found it of great advantage in

a case of difficult deglutition. Stoerck and some others recommend this

extract in the dose of one grain or two; but Dr. Cullen observes, that

he seldom discovered its anodyne effects till he had proceeded to doses

of eight or ten grains, and sometimes to fifteen and even to twenty. The

leaves of Henbane are said to have been applied externally with

advantage, in the way of poultice, to resolve scirrhous tumours, and to

remove some pains of the rheumatic and arthritic kind.

Similar Plants.--Verbascum Lychnites; V. nigrum.

The roots of the Henbane are to be distinguished by their very powerful

and narcotic scent.

218. HYSSOPUS officinalis. HYSSOP. The Herb. L. E. D.--The leaves of

Hyssop have an aromatic smell, and a warm pungent taste. Besides the

general virtues of aromatics, they are particularly recommeded in

humoral asthmas, coughs, and other disorders of the breast and lungs;

and said to notably promote expectoration.

219. INULA Helenium. ELECAMPANE. Root. D.--Elecampane root possesses the

general virtues of alexipharmics: it is principally recommended for

promoting expectoration in humoural asthmas and coughs; in which

intention, it used to be employed in the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia:

liberally taken, it is said to excite urine, and loosen the belly. In

some parts of Germany, large quantities of this root are candied, and

used as a stomachic, for strengthening the tone of the viscera in

general, and for attenuating tenacious juices. Spiritous liquors extract

its virtues in greater perfection than watery ones: the former scarce

elevate any thing in distillation: with the latter, an essential oil

arises, which concretes into white flakes; this possesses at first the

flavour of the elecampane, but is very apt to lose it in keeping.

220. JUNIPERUS Sabina. SAVINE. The Tops. L. E. D.--Savine is a warm

irritating aperient medicine, capable of promoting all the glandular

secretions. The distilled oil is one of the most powerful emmenagogues;

and is found of good service in obstructions of the uterus, or other

viscra, proceeding from a laxity and weakness of the vessels, or a cold

sluggish indisposition of the juices.

Similar Plants.--Juniperus oxycedrus; J. Phoenicea. These should be

particularly distinguished, as Savine is attended with danger when taken

immoderately.

221. JUNIPERUS communis. JUNIPER. Berries. L. E. D.--Juniper berries

have a strong, not disagreeable smell; and a warm, pungent sweet taste,

which, if they are long chewed, or previously well bruised, is followed

by a bitterish one. The pungency seems to reside in the bark; the sweet

in the juice; the aromatic flavour in oily vesicles, spread through the

substance of the pulp, and distinguishable even by the eye; and the

bitter in the seeds: the fresh berries yield, on expression, a rich,

sweet, honey-like, aromatic juice; if previously pounded so as to break

the seeds, the juice proves tart and bitter.

222. LACTUCA virosa. WILD LETTUCE. Leaves. E.--Dr. Collin at Vienna

first brought the Lactuca virosa into medical repute; and its character

has lately induced the College of Physicians at Edinburgh to insert it

in the Catalogue of the Materia Medica. More than twenty-four cases of

dropsy are said by Collin to have been successfully treated, by

employing an extract prepared from the expressed juice of this plant,

which is stated not only to be powerfully diuretic, but, by attenuating

the viscid humours, to promote all the secretions, and to remove

visceral obstructions. In the more simple cases proceeding from

debility, the extract in doses of eighteen to thirty grains a-day,

proved sufficient to accomplish a cure; but when the disease was

inveterate, and accompanied with visceral obstructions, the quantity of

extract was increased to three drams; nor did larger doses, though they

excited nausea, ever produce any other bad effect; and the patients

continued so strong under the use of this remedy, that it was seldom

necessary to employ any tonic medicines.--Woodville's Med. Bot. p. 76.

Similar Plants.--Sonchus arvensis; Lactuca Scariola.

223. LAVANDULA Spica. LAVENDER. Flowers. L. D.--Lavender has been an

officinal plant for a considerable time, though we have no certain

accounts of it given by the ancients. Its medical virtue resides in the

essential oil, which is supposed to be a gentle corroborant and

stimulant of the aromatic kind; and is recommended in nervous

debilities, and various affections proceeding from a want of energy in

the animal functions.--Woodville's Med. Bot. p. 323.

224. LAURUS nobilis. BAY-TREE. Leaves and Berries. L.--In distillation

with water, the leaves of bay yield a small quantity of very fragrant

essential oil; with rectified spirit, they afford a moderately warm

pungent extract. The berries yield a larger quantity of essential oil:

they discover likewise a degree of unctuosity in the mouth; give out to

the press an almost insipid fluid oil; and on being boiled in water, a

thicker butyraceous one of a yellowish-green colour, impregnated with

the flavour of the berry. An infusion of the leaves is sometimes drunk

as tea; and the essential oil of the berries may be given from one to

five or six drops on sugar, or dissolved by means of mucilages, or in

spirit of wine.--Woodville's Med Bot. p. 680, 681.

225. LAURUS Sassafras. SASSAFRAS-TREE. Bark. L. E. D.--Its medical

character was formerly held in great estimation; and its sensible

qualities, which are stronger than any of the woods, may have probably

contributed to establish the opinion so generally entertained of its

utility in many inveterate diseases: for, soon after its introduction

into Europe, it was sold at a very high price, and its virtues were

extolled in publications professedly written on the subject. It is now,

however, thought to be of very little importance, and seldom employed

but in conjunction with other medicines of a more powerful nature.

Dr. Cullen found that a watery infusion of it taken warm and pretty

largely, was very effectual in promoting sweat; but he adds, "to what

particular purpose this sweating was applicable, I have not been able to

determine." In some constitutions sassafras, by its extreme fragrance,

is said to produce headache: to deprive it of this effect, the decoction

ought to be employed.--Woodville's Mat. Med. p. 677.

226. LEONTODON Taraxicum. N EBION. Root. L.--The roots contain a bitter

milky juice; they promise to be of use as asperient and detergent

medicines; and have sometimes been directed in this intention with good

success. Boerhaave esteems them capable, if duly continued, of resolving

almost all kinds of coagulations, and opening very obstinate

obstructions of the viscera.

227. LINUM usitatissimum. FLAX. The Seeds. L. E.--Linseed yields to the

press a considerable quantity of oil; and boiled in water, a strong

mucilage: these are occasionally made use of for the same purposes as

other substances of that class; and sometimes the seeds themselves in

emollient and maturating cataplasms. They have also been employed in

Asia, and, in times of scarcity, in Europe, as food: but are not

agreeable, or in general wholesome.

228. LINUM catharticum. PURGING-FLAX. The Herb. L. D.-This is a very

small plant, not above four or five inches high, found wild upon chalky

hills, and in dry pasture-grounds. Its virtue is expressed in its title:

an infusion in water or whey of a handful of the fresh leaves, or a dram

of them in substance when dried, is said to purge without inconvenience.

229. LOBELIA siphylitica. BLUE CARDINAL FLOWER. The Root. E.--Every part

of the plant abounds with a milky juice, and has a rank smell. The root,

which is the part directed for medicinal use, in taste resembles

tobacco, and is apt to excite vomiting. It derived its name,

Siphylitica, from its efficacy in the cure of Siphylis, as experienced

by the North American Indians, who considered it a specific to that

disease.

A decoction was made of a handful of the roots in three measures of

water. Of this, half a measure is taken in the morning fasting, and

repeated in the evening; and the dose is gradually increased till its

purgative effects become too violent, when the decoction is to be

intermitted for a day or two, and then renewed till a perfect cure is

effected. But it does not appear that the antisiphylitic powers of

Lobelia have been confirmed by any instances of European practice.--

Woodville's Med. Bot. p. 251.

230. LYTHRUM Salicaria. WILLOW HERB. The Herb. D.--This is used

internally in dropsies, obstinate gleets, and leucorrhoea.

Similar Plants.--Epilobium palustre; Epilob. angustifolium; Epilob.

hirsutum.

231. MALVA sylvestris. COMMON MALLOW. Herb. L. E.--The leaves are ranked

the first of the four emollient herbs: they were formerly of some

esteem, in food, for loosening the belly; at present, decoctions of them

are sometimes employed in dysenteries, heat and sharpness of urine, and

in general for obtunding acrimonious humours: their principal use is in

emollient glysters, cataplasms, and fomentations.

232. MARRUBIUM vulgare. HORFHOUND. Herb. E. D.--It is greatly extolled

for its efficacy in removing obstructions of the lungs and other

viscera. It has chiefly been employed in humoural asthmas. Mention is

made of its successful use in scirrhous affections of the liver,

jaundice, cachexies, and menstrual suppressions.--Woodville's Med. Bot.

p. 333.

Similar Plants.--Ballota nigra; B. alba.

233. MELISSA officinalis. BALM. Herb. L. E.--This herb, in its recent

state, has a weak roughish aromatic taste, and a pleasant smell,

somewhat of the lemon kind. On distilling the fresh herb with water, it

impregnates the first runnings pretty strongly with its grateful

flavour. Prepared as tea, however, it makes a grateful diluent drink in

fevers; and in this way it is commonly used, either by itself, or

acidulated with the juice of lemons.--Woodville's Med. Bot. p. 335, 336.

234. MENTHA viridis. SPEAR-MINT. Leaves. L. D.--The virtues of Mint are

those of a warm stomachic and carminative: in loss of appetite, nauseae,

continual retchings to vomit, and (as Boerhaave expresses it) almost

paralytic weakness of the stomach, there are few simples perhaps of

equal efficacy. In colicky pains, the gripes to which children are

subject, lienteries, and other kinds of immoderate fluxes, this plant

frequently does good service. It likewise proves beneficial in sundry

hysteric cases, and affords an useful cordial in languors and other

weaknesses consequent upon delivery. The best preparations for these

purposes are, a strong infusion made from the dry leaves in water (which

is much superior to one from the green herb) or rather a tincture or

extract prepared with rectified spirit.

The essential oil, a simple and spirituous water, and a conserve, are

kept in the shops: the Edinburgh College directs an infusion of the

leaves in the distilled water. This herb is an ingredient also in the

three alexitereal waters; and its essential oil in the stomach plaster

and stomach pills.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

235. MENTHA Piperita. PEPPER-MINT. Herb. L. E. D.--The leaves have a

more penetrating smell than any of the other mints, and a much warmer,

pungent, glowing taste like pepper, sinking as it were into the tongue.

The principal use of this herb is in flatulent colics, languors, and

other like disorders; it seems to act as soon as taken, and extends its

effects through the whole system, instantly communicating a glowing

warmth. Water extracts the whole of the pungency of this herb by

infusion, and elevates it in distillation. Its officinal preparations

are an essential oil, and a simple and spirituous water.

236. MENTHA Pulegium. PENNYROYAL. Herb. L. E. D.--Pennyroyal is a warm

pungent herb of the aromatic kind, similar to mint, but more acrid and

less agreeable. It has long been held in great esteem, and not

undeservedly, as an aperient and deobstruent, particularly in hysteric

complaints, and suppressions of the uterine purgations. For these

purposes, the distilled water is generally made use of, or, what is of

equal efficacy, an infusion of the leaves. It is observable, that both

water and rectified spirit extract the virtues of this herb by infusion,

and likewise elevate greatest part of them in distillation.--Lewis's

Mat. Med.

237. MENYANTHES trifoliata. BUCK-BEAN. Leaves. L. E. D.--This is an

efficacious aperient and deobstruent; it promotes the fluid secretions,

and, if liberally taken, gently loosens the belly. It has of late gained

great reputation in scorbutic and scrophulous disorders; and its good

effects in these cases have been warranted by experience: inveterate

cutaneous diseases have been removed by an infusion of the leaves, drunk

to the quantity of a pint a-day, at proper intervals, and continued some

weeks. Boerhaave relates, that he was relieved of the gout by drinking

the juice mixed with whey.

238. MOMORDICA Elaterium. SPIRTING CUCUMBER. Fruit L. E. D.--Elaterium

is a strong cathartic, and very often operates also upwards. Two or

three grains are accounted in most cases a sufficient dose. Simon Paulli

relates some instances of the good effects of this purgative in

dropsies: but cautions practitioners not to have recourse to it till

after milder medicines have proved ineffectual; to which caution we

heartily subscribe. Medicines indeed in general, which act with violence

in a small dose, require the utmost skill to manage them with any

tolerable degree of safety: to which may be added, that the various

manners of making these kinds of preparations, as practised by different

hands, must needs vary their power.

239. MORUS nigra. MULBERRY. Fruit. L.--It has the common qualities of

the other sweet fruits, abating heat, quenching thirst, and promoting

the grosser secretions; an agreeable syrup made from the juice is kept

in the shops. The bark of the roots has been in considerable esteem as a

vermifuge; its taste is bitter, and somewhat astringent.--Lewis's Mat.

Med.

240. NICOTIANA Tabacum. TOBACCO. Leaves. L. E. D.--Tobacco is sometimes

used externally in unguents for destroying cutaneous insects, cleansing

old ulcers, &c. Beaten into a mash with vinegar or brandy, it has

sometimes proved serviceable for removing hard tumours of the

hypochondres.

241. ORIGANUM Majorana. SWEET MARJORAM. Herb. L. E.-It is a moderately

warm aromatic, yielding its virtues both to aqueous and spirituous

liquors by infusion, and to water in distillation. It is principally

celebrated in disorders of old people. An essential oil of the herb is

kept in the shops. The powder of the leaves proves an agreeable errhine.

242. ORIGANUM vulgare. POT MARJORAM. Herb. L. D.--It has an agreeable

aromatic smell approaching to that of marjoram, and a pungent taste much

resembling thyme, to which it is likewise thought to be more nearly

allied in its medicinal qualities than to any of the other verticillatae,

and therefore deemed to be emmenagogue, tonic, stomachic, &c.

The dried leaves used instead of tea are said to be extremely grateful.

They are also employed in medicated baths and fomentations.--Woodville's

Med. Bot. p. 345.

243. OXALIS Acetosella. WOOD SORREL. Herb. L.--In taste and medical

qualities it is similar to the common sorrel, but considerably more

grateful, and hence is preferred by the London College. Boiled with

milk, it forms an agreeable whey; and beaten with sugar, a very elegant

conserve.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

244. PAPAVER Rhoeas. RED POPPY. Petals. L. E. D.--The flowers of this

plant yield upon expression a deep red juice, and impart the same colour

by infusion to aqueous liquors. A syrup of them is kept in the shops:

this is valued chiefly for its colour; though some expect from it a

lightly anodyne virtue.

245. PAPAVER somniferum. OPIUM POPPY. Gum. L. E. D.-Poppy heads, boiled

in water, impart to the menstruum their narcotic juice, together with

the other juices which they have in common with vegetable matters in

general. The liquor strongly pressed out, suffered to settle, clarified

with whites of eggs, and evaporated to a due consistence, yields about

one-fifth or one-sixth the weight of the heads, of extract. This

possesses the virtues of opium; but requires to be given in double its

dose to answer the same intention, which it is said to perform without

occasioning nausea and giddiness, the usual consequences of the other.

The general effects of this medicine are, to relax the solids, ease

pain, procure sleep, promote perspiration, but restrain all other

evacuations. When its operation is over, the pain, and other symptoms

which it had for a time abated, return; and generally with greater

violence than before, unless the cause has been removed by the

diaphoresis or relaxation which it occasioned.

The operation of opium is generally attended with a slow, but strong and

full pulse, a dryness of the mouth, a redness and light itching of the

skin: and followed by a degree of nausea, a difficulty of respiration,

lowness of the spirits, and a weak languid pulse.

With regard to the dose of opium, one grain is generally sufficient, and

often too large a one; maniacal persons, and those who have been long

accustomed to take it, require three or more grains to have the due

effect. Among the eastern nations, who are habituated to opium, a dram

is but a moderate dose: Garcias relates, that he knew one who every day

took ten drams. Those who have been long accustomed to its use, upon

leaving it off, are seized with great lowness, languor, and anxiety;

which are relieved by having again recourse to opium, and, in some

measure, by wine or spirituous liquors.

Similar Plants.--Papaver hybridum; P. Argemone.

246. PASTINACA Opoponax. OPOPONAX, or CANDY CARROT. Gum Opoponax. L.--

The juice is brought from Turkey and the East Indies, sometimes in round

drops or tears, but more commonly in irregular lumps, of a

reddish-yellow colour on the outside, with specks of white, inwardly of

a paler colour, and frequently variegated with large white pieces.

Boerhaave frequently employed it, along with ammoniacum and galbanum, in

hypochondriacal disorders, obstructions of the abdominal viscera from a

sluggishness of mucous humours, and a want of due elasticity of the

solids.

247. PIMPINELLA Anisum. ANISEED. The Seeds. L. E. D.-These seeds are in

the number of the four greater hot seeds: their principal use is in cold

flatulent disorders, where tenacious phlegm abounds, and in the gripes

to which young children are subject. Frederick Hoffman strongly

recommends them in weakness of the stomach, diarrhoeas, and for

strengthening the tone of the viscera in general; and thinks they well

deserve the appellation given them by Helmont, intestinorum solamen.

248. PINUS sylvestris. SCOTCH FIR. Tar, yellow Resin, and Turpentine. L.

D.--Tar, which is well known from its oeconomical uses, is properly an

empyreumatic oil of turpentine, and has been much used as a medicine,

both internally and externally. Tar-water, or water impregnated with the

more soluble parts of tar, was some time ago a very popular remedy in

various obstinate disorders, both acute and chronic, especially in

small-pox, scurvy, ulcers, fistulas, rheumatisms, &c.

Turpentine is an extract also from the same tree, which is used for

various purposes of medicine and the arts.

249. PINUS Abies. SPRUCE-FIR. Burgundy Pitch. L. E. D.--This is entirely

confined to external use, and was formerly an ingredient in several

ointments and plasters. In inveterate coughs, affections of the lungs,

and other internal complaints, plasters of this resin, by acting as a

tropical stimulus, are frequently found of considerable service.--

Woodville's Med. Bot.

250. POLYGONUM Bistorta. BISTORT. The Roots. L. E. D.--All the parts of

bistort have a rough austere taste, particularly the root, which is one

of the strongest of the vegetable stringents. It is employed in all

kinds of immoderate haemorrhages and other fluxes, both internally and

externally, where astringency is the only intention. It is certainly a

very powerful styptic, and is to be looked on simply as such; the

sudorific, antipestilential, and other like virtues attributed to it, it

has no other claim to, than in consequence of this property, and of the

antiseptic power which it has in common with other vegetable styptics.

The largest dose of the root in powder is one dram.

251. PRUNUS domestica. FRENCH PRUNES. The Fruit. L. E. D.--The medical

effects of the damson and common prunes are, to abate heat, and gently

loosen the belly: which they perform by lubricating the passage, and

softening the excrement. They are of considerable service in costiveness

accompanied with heat or irritation, which the more stimulating

cathartics would tend to aggravate: where prunes are not of themselves

sufficient, their effects may be promoted by joining with them a little

rhubarb or the like; to which may be added some carminative ingredient,

to prevent their occasioning flatulencies. Prunelloes have scarce any

laxative quality: these are mild grateful refrigerants, and, by being

occasionally kept in the mouth, usefully allay the thirst of hydropic

persons.

252. PUNICA Granatum. POMEGRANATE. Rind of the Fuit. L. E. D.--This

fruit has the general qualities of the other sweet summer fruits,

allaying heat, quenching thirst, and gently loosening the belly. The

rind is a strong astringent, and as such is occasionally made use of.

253. PYRUS Cydonia. QUINCE. The Kernels. L.--The seeds abound with a

mucilaginous substance, of no particular taste, which they readily

impart to watery liquors: an ounce will render three pints of water

thick and ropy like the white of an egg. A syrup and jelly of the fruit,

and mucilage of the seeds, used to be kept in the shops.

254. QUEROUS pedunculata. OAK. Bark. L. E. D.--This bark is a strong

astringent; and hence stands recommended in haemorrhagies, alvine fluxes,

and other preternatural or immoderate secretions.

255. RHAMNUS catharticus. BUCKTHORN. Berries. L. E.--Buckthorn-berries

have a faint disagreeable smell, and a nauseous bitter taste. They have

long been in considerable esteem as cathartics; and celebrated in

dropsies, rheumatisms, and even in the gout; though in these cases they

have no advantage above other purgatives, and are more offensive, and

operate more churlishly, than many which the shops are furnished with:

they generally occasion gripes, sickness, dry the mouth and throat, and

leave a thirst of long duration. The dose is about twenty of the fresh

berries in substance, and twice or thrice this number in decoction, an

ounce of the expressed juice, or a dram of the dried berries.

256. RHEUM palmatum. TURKEY RHUBARB. Roots. L. E. D.--Rhubarb is a mild

cathartic, which operates without violence or irritation, and may be

given with safety even to pregnant women and to children. In some

people, however, it always occasions severe griping. Besides its

purgative quality, it is celebrated for an astringent one, by which it

strengthens the tone of the stomach and intestines, and proves useful in

diarrhoea and disorders proceeding from a laxity of the fibres. Rhubarb

in substance operates more powerfully as a cathartic than any of the

preparations of it. Watery tinctures purge more than the spirituous

ones; whilst the latter contain in greater perfection the aromatic,

astringent, and corroborating virtues of the rhubarb. The dose, when

intended as a purgative, is from a scruple to a dram or more.

The Turkey rhubarb is, among us, universally preferred to the East India

sort.

The plant is common in our gardens, but their medicinal powers are much

weaker than in those from abroad.

RHODODENDRON Chrysanthemum. YELLOW-FLOWERED RHODODENDRON. See No. 290.

257. RHUS Toxicodendron. POISON-OAK. Leaves. L. E.--Of considerable use

in paralytic affections, and is much used in the present day.

It is, however, often substituted by the Rhus radicans, which has not

the medical properties that this plant has; and it is to be regretted

that the leaves of both species are so much alike, that, when gathered,

they are not to be distinguished.

258. RICINUS communis. PALMA CHRISTI. Seeds and Oil. L. E. D.--The oil,

commonly called nut or castor oil, is got by expression, retains

somewhat of the mawkishness and acrimony of the nut; but is, in general,

a safe and mild laxative in cases where we wish to avoid irritation, as

in those of colic, calculus, gonorrhoea, &c. and some likewise use it as

a purgative in worm-cases. Half an ounce or an ounce commonly answers

with an adult, and a dram or two with an infant. The castor oil which is

imported is not so good as the expressed oil from the nut made in this

country. The disagreeable taste is from the coats of the seeds; the best

kind is pressed out after the seeds are decorticated.

259. ROSA centifolia. DAMASK ROSE. Petals. L. E. D.--In distillation

with water, it yields a small portion of a butyraceous oil, whose

flavour exactly resembles that of the roses. This oil, and the distilled

water, are very useful and agreeable cordials. Hoffmann strongly

recommends them as of singular efficacy for raising the strength,

cheering and recruiting the spirits, and allaying pain; which they

perform without raising any heat in the constitution, rather abating it

when inordinate. Although the damask rose is recommended by Dr.

Woodville, yet, having grown this article for sale, I find that the

preference is always given to the Provence rose by those who distil

them.

260. ROSA gallica. RED OFFICINAL ROSE. Petals. L. E. D.-This has very

little of the fragrance of the foregoing sort; it is a mild and grateful

astringent, especially before the flower has opened: this is

considerably improved by hasty exsiccation, but both the astringency and

colour are impaired by slow drying. In the shops are prepared a conserve

and a tincture.

261. ROSA canina. DOG-ROSE. The Pulp of the Fruit. L. E.-The fruit,

called heps or hips, has a sourish taste, and obtains a place in the

London Pharmacopoeia in the form of a conserve: for this purpose, the

seeds and chaffy fibres are to be carefully removed; for, if these

prickly fibres are not entirely scraped off from the internal surface of

the hips, the conserve is liable to produce considerable irritation on

the primae viae.

262. ROSMARINUS officinalis. ROSEMARY. Tops. L. E. D.--Rosemary has a

fragrant smell and a warm pungent bitterish taste, approaching to those

of lavender: the leaves and tender tops are strongest; next to these the

cup of the flower; the flowers themselves are considerably the weakest,

but most pleasant. Aqueous liquors extract great share of the virtues of

rosemary leaves by infusion, and elevate them in distillation: along

with the water arises a considerable quantity of essential oil, of an

agreeable strong penetrating smell. Pure spirit extracts in great

perfection the whole aromatic flavour of the rosemary, and elevates very

little of it in distillation: hence the resinous mass left upon

abstracting the spirit, proves an elegant aromatic, very rich in the

peculiar qualities of the plant. The flowers of rosemary give over great

part of their flavour in distillation with pure spirit; by watery

liquors, their fragrance is much injured; by beating, destroyed.

263. RUBIA tinctorum. MADDER. Roots. L. E. D.--It has little or no

smell; a sweetish taste, mixed with a little bitterness. The virtues

attributed to it are those of a detergent and aperient; whence it has

been usually ranked among the opening roots, and recommended in

obstructions of the viscera, particularly of the kidneys, in

coagulations of the blood from falls or bruises, in the jaundice, and

beginning dropsies.

It is observable, that this root, taken internally, tinges the urine of

a deep red colour; and in the Philosophical Transactions we have an

account of its producing a like effect upon the bones of animals which

had it mixed with their food: all the bones, particularly the more solid

ones, were changed, both externally and internally, to a deep red, but

neither the fleshy nor cartilaginous parts suffered any alteration: some

of these bones macerated in water for many weeks together, and

afterwards steeped and boiled in spirit of wine, lost none of their

colour, nor communicated any tinge to the liquors.

264. RUMEX Acetosa. SORREL. Leaves. L.--These have an agreeable acid

taste. They have the same medicinal qualities as the Oxalis Acetosella,

and are employed for the same purposes.

Sorrel taken in considerable quantities, or used prepared for food, will

be found of great advantage when a refrigerant and antiscorbutic regimen

is required.--Woodville's Med. Bot.

265. RUTA graveolens. RUE. Leaves. L. E. D.--These are powerfully

stimulating, attenuating, and detergent: and hence, in cold phlegmatic

habits, they quicken the circulation, dissolve tenacious juices, open

obstructions of the excretory glands, and promote the fluid secretions.

The writers on the Materia Medica in general have entertained a very

high opinion of the virtues of this pant. Boerhaave is full of its

praises; particularly of the essential oil, and the distilled water

cohobated or redistilled several times from fresh parcels of the herb:

after somewhat extravagantly commending other waters prepared in this

manner, he adds, with regard to that of rue, that the greatest

commendations he can bestow upon it fall short of its merit: "What

medicine (says he) can be more efficacious for promoting perspiration,

in cases of epilepsies, and for expelling poison?" Whatever service rue

may be of generally, it undoubtedly has its use in the two last cases:

the cohobated water, however, is not the most efficacious preparation.

266. SALIX fragilis. CRACK WILLOW. Bark. L. D.-The bark of the branches

of this tree manifests a considerable degree of bitterness to the taste,

and is also astringent; hence it has been thought a good substitute for

the Peruvian bark, and, upon trial, was found to stop the paroxysms of

intermittents: it is likewise recommended in other cases requiring tonic

or astringent remedies. Not only the bark of this species of Salix, but

that of several others, possess similar qualities, particularly of the

Salix alba pentandria, and capraea, all of which are recommended in

foreign Pharmacopoeias. But, in our opinion, the bark of the Salix

triandria is more effectual than that of any other of this genus; at

least, its sensible qualities give it a decided preference.--Woodville's

Med Bot.

267. SALVIA officinalis. GREEN AND RED SAGE. Herb. E. D.--Its effects

are, to moderately warm and strengthen the vessels; and hence, in cold

phlegmatic habits, it excites appetite, and proves serviceable in

debilities of the nervous system.

The red sage, mixed with honey and vinegar, is used for a gargle in sore

throats. Aqueous infusions of the leaves, with the addition of a little

lemon juice, prove an useful diluting drink in febrile disorders, of an

elegant colour, and sufficiently acceptable to the palate.

268. SAMBUCUS nigra. COMMON ELDER. Flowers and Berries. L. E. D.--The

parts of the Sambucus which are proposed for medicinal use in the

Pharmacopoeias, are the inner bark, the flowers, and the berries. The

flowers have an agreeable flavour, which they give over in distillation

with water, and impart by infusion, both to water and rectified spirit:

on distilling a large quantitiy of them with water, a small portion of a

butyraceous essential oil separates. Infusions made from the fresh

flowers are gently laxative and aperient; when dry, they are said to

promote chiefly the cuticular excretion, and to be particularly

serviceable in erysipetalous and eruptive disorders.--Woodville's Med.

Bot. 598.

269. SCILLA maritima. SQUILL. Root. L. E. D.--This root is to the taste

very nauseous, intensely bitter and acrimonious; much handled, it

exulcerates the skin. With regard to its medical virtues, it powerfully

stimulates the solids, and attenuates viscid juices; and by these

qualities promotes expectoration, urine, and perspiration: if the dose

is considerable, it proves emetic, and sometimes purgative. The

principal use of this medicine is where the primae viae abound with mucous

matter, and the lungs are oppressed by tenacious phlegm.

270. SCROPHULARIA nodosa. KNOTTY FIGWORT. Herb. D.--The roots are of a

white colour, full of little knobs or protuberances on the surface: this

appearance gained it formerly some repute against scrophulous disorders

and the piles; and from hence it received its name: but modern

practitioners expect no such virtues from it. It has a faint unpleasant

smell, and a somewhat bitter disagreeable taste.

271. SINAPIS nigra. BLACK MUSTARD. Seeds. L. E. D.--By writers on the

Materia Medica, mustard is considered to promote appetite, assist

digestion, attenuate viscid juices, and, by stimulating the fibres, to

prove a general remedy in paralytic and rheumatic affections. Joined to

its stimulant qualities, it frequently, if taken in considerable

quantity, opens the body, and increases the urinary discharge; and hence

has been found useful in dropsical complaints.--Woodville's Med. Bot. p.

404.

272. SINAPIS alba. WHITE MUSTARD. Seeds. L. E. D.--These have been

recommended to be taken whole in cases of rheumatism and have been known

to produce considerable relief.

273. SISYMBRIUM Nasturtium. WATER-CRESSES. Herb. E.-Hoffman recommends

this as of singular efficacy for accelerating the circulation,

strengthening the viscera, opening obstructions of the glands, promoting

the fluid secretions, and purifying the blood and humours: for these

purposes, the expressed juice, which contains the peculiar taste and

pungency of the herb, may be taken in doses of an ounce or two, and

continued for a considerable time.

274. SIUM nodiflorum. CREEPING WATER-PARSNEP. The Root. D.-This plant

has not been admitted into the Materia Medica of any of the

Pharmacopoeias which we have seen, except that of the London College,

into which it was received in the character of an antiscorbutic, or

rather as the corrector of acrid humours, especially when manifested by

cutaneous eruptions and tumours in the lymphatic system, for which we

have the testimony of Beirie and Ray; but the best proofs of its

efficacy are the following given by Dr. Withering: "A young lady, six

years old, was cured of an obstinate disease by taking three large

spoonfuls of the juice twice-a-day; and I have repeatedly given to

adults three or four ounces every morning in similar complaints with the

greatest advantage. It is not nauseous; and children take it readily if

mixed with milk. In the dose I have given, it neither affects the head,

the stomach, nor the bowels." Woodville's Med. Bot. 146.

275. SMILAX Sarsaparilla. SARSAPARILLA. Root. L. E. D.--This root was

first brought into Europe by the Spaniards, about the year 1565, with

the character of a specific for the cure of the lues venerea, which made

its appearance a little before that time, and likewise of several

obstinate chronic disorders. Whatever good effects it might have

produced in the warmer climates, it proved unsuccessful in this. It

appears, however, from experience, that though greatly unequal to the

character which it bore at first, it is in some cases of considerable

use as a sudorific, where more acrid medicines are improper.

276. SOLANUM Dulcamara. BITTERSWEET. Stalk. L. D.--The taste of the

twigs and roots, as the name of the plant expresses, is both bitter and

sweet; the bitterness being first perceived, and the sweet afterwards.

They are commended for resolving coagulated blood, and as a cathartic,

diuretic, and deobstruent.

277. SOLIDAGO Virga aurea. GOLDEN ROD. Flowers and Leaves. D.--The

leaves have a moderately astringent bitter taste, and hence prove

serviceable in debility and laxity of the viscera, and disorders

proceeding from that cause.

278. SPARTIUM scoparium. BROOM. Tops and Seeds. L. D.-These have a

nauseous bitter taste: decoctions of them loosen the belly, promote

urine, and stand recommended in hydropic cases. The flowers are said to

prove cathartic in decoction, and emetic in substance, though in some

places, as Lobel informs us, they are commonly used, and in large

quantity, in salads, without producing any effect of this kind. The

qualities of the seeds are little better determined: some report that

they purge almost as strongly as hellebore, in the dose of a dram and a

half; whilst the author above mentioned relates, that he has given a

decoction of two ounces of them as a gentle emetic.

279. SPIGELLA marylandica. WORM GRASS. Root. L. E. D.-About forty years

ago, the anthelmintic virtues of the root of this plant were discovered

by the Indians; since which time it has been much used here. I have

given it in hundreds of cases, and have been very attentive to its

effects. I never found it do much service, except when it proved gently

purgative. Its purgative quality naturally led me to give it in febrile

diseases which seem to arise from viscidity in the primae viae; and in

these cases it succeeded to admiration, even when the sick did not void

worms.

To a child of two years of age who had been taking ten grains of the

root twice a-day without having any other effect than making her dull

and giddy, I prescribed twenty-two grains morning and evening, which

purged her briskly, and brought away five large worms. [Communications

from Dr. Gardner.]-Woodville's Med. Bot.

280. TANACETUM vulgare. TANSY. Herb. E. D.--Considered as a medicine, it

is a moderately warm bitter, accompanied with a strong, not very

disagreeable flavour. Some have had a great opinion of it in hysteric

disorders, particularly those proceeding from a deficiency or

suppression of the usual course of nature.

281. TEUCRIUM Marum. CAT THYME. Herb. D.--The leaves have an aromatic

bitterish taste; and, when rubbed betwixt the fingers, a quick pungent

smell, which soon affects the head, and occasions sneezing: distilled

with water, they yield a very acrid, penetrating essential oil,

resembling one obtained by the same means from scurvy-grass. These

qualities sufficiently point out the uses to which this plant might be

applied; at present, it is little otherwise employed than in cephalic

snuffs.

282. TEUCRIUM Chamaedrys. GERMANDER. Herb. D.--The leaves, tops, and

seeds, have a bitter taste, with some degree of astringency and aromatic

flavour. They were recommended as sudorific, diuretic, and emmenagogue,

and for strengthening the stomach and viscera in general. With some they

have been in great esteem in intermittent fevers; as also in scrophulous

and other chronic disorders.

283. TORMENTILLA erecta. TORMENTIL, or UPRIGHT SEPTFOIL. Root. L. E. D.

--The root is the only part of this plant which is used medicinally; it

has a strong styptic taste, but imparts no peculiar sapid flavour. This

has been long held in great estimation as an astringent. Dr. Cullen has

used it with gentian with great effect in intermittent fevers. Lewis

recommends an ounce and a half of the powdered root to be boiled in

three pints of water to a quart, adding towards the end of the boiling a

dram of cinnamon. Of the strained liquor, sweetened with an ounce of any

agreeable syrup, two ounces or more may be taken four or five times a-day.

284. TUSSILAGO Farfara. COLTSFOOT. Herb. L. E. D.--Tussilago stands

recommended in coughs and other disorders of the breast and lungs: the

flowers were an ingredient in the pectoral decoction of the Edinburgh

Pharmacopoeia.

285. VALERIANA officinalis. VALERIAN. Root. L. E. D.--Valerian is a

medicine of great use in nervous disorders, and is particularly

serviceable in epilepsies proceeding from a debility in the nervous

system. It was first brought into esteem in these cases by Fabius

Columna, who by taking the powdered root, in the dose of half a

spoonful, was cured of an inveterate epilepsy after many other medicines

had been tried in vain. Repeated experience has since confirmed its

efficacy in this disorder; and the present practice lays considerable

stress upon it.

286. VERATRUM album. WHITE HELLEBORE. Root. L. E. D.-The root has a

nauseous, bitterish, acrid taste, burning the mouth and fauces: wounded

when fresh, it emits an extremely acrimonious juice, which mixed with the

blood, by a wound, is said to prove very dangerous: the powder of the

dry root, applied to an issue, occasions violent purging: snuffed up the

nose, it proves a strong, and not always a safe, sternutatory. This

root, taken internally, acts with extreme violence as an emetic, and has

been observed, even in a small dose, to occasion convulsions and other

terrible disorders. The ancients sometimes employed it in very obstinate

cases, and always made this their last resource.

Similar Plant.--Gentiana lutea, which see.

287. VERONICA Beccabunga. BROOKLIME. Herb. L. D.--This plant was

formerly considered of great use in several diseases, and was applied

externally to wounds and ulcers; but if it have any peculiar efficacy,

it is to be derived from its antiscorbutic virtue.

As a mild refrigerant juice, it is preferred where an acrimonious state

of the fluids prevails, indicated by prurient eruptions upon the skin,

or in what has been called the hot scurvy.--Woodville's Med. Bot. 364.

288. VITIS vinifera. GRAPE VINE. Raisins and different Wines. L. E.--

These are to cheer the spirits, warm the habit, promote perspiration,

render the vessels full and turgid, raise the pulse, and quicken the

circulation. The effects of the full-bodied wines are much more durable

than those of the thinner; all sweet wines, as Canary, abound with a

glutinous nutritious substance; whilst the others are not nutrimental,

or only accidentally so by strengthening the organs employed in

digestion: sweet wines in general do not pass off freely by urine, and

heat the constitution more than an equal quantity of any other, though

containing full as much spirit: red port, and most of the red wines,

have an astringent quality, by which they strengthen the tone of the

stomach and intestines, and thus prove serviceable for restraining

immoderate secretions: those which are of an acid nature, as Renish,

pass freely by the kidneys, and gently loosen the belly: it is supposed

that these last exasperate, or occasion gout and calculous disorders,

and that new wines of every kind have this effect.

The ripe fruit of grapes, of which there are several kinds, properly

cured and dried, are the raisins and currants of the shops: the juice of

these also, by fermentation, affords wine as well as vinegar and tartar.

The medical use of raisins is, their imparting a very pleasant flavour

both to aqueous and spiritous menstrua. The seeds or stones are supposed

to give a disagreeable relish, and hence are generally directed to be

taken out: nevertheless I have not found that they have any disagreeable

taste.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

289. ULMUS campestris. ELM. Bark. L. E. D.--The leaves have a bitterish

astringent taste, and are recommended in powder, to the extent of at

least two drams a-day, in ulcerations of the urinary passages and

catarrhus vesicae. The powder has been used with opium, the latter being

gradually increased to a considerable quantity, in diabetes, and it is

said with advantage. Some use it for alleviating the dyspeptic symptoms

in nephritic calculous ailments.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

290. RHODODENDRON Chrysanthemum. YELLOW-FLOWERED RHO-DODENDRON. E. The

Leaves.--This species of Rhododendron has lately been introduced into

Britain: it is a native of Siberia, affecting mountainous situations,

and flowering in June and July.

Little attention was paid to this remedy till the year 1779, when it was

strongly recommended by Koelpin as an efficacious medicine, not only in

rheumatism and gout, but even in venereal cases; and it is now very

generally employed in chronic rheumatisms in various parts of Europe.

The leaves, which are the part directed for medicinal use, have a

bitterish subastringent taste, and, as well as the bark and young

branches, manifest a degree of acrimony. Taken in large doses they prove

a narcotic poison, producing those symptoms which we have described as

occasioned by many of the order Solanaceae.

Dr. Home, who tried it unsuccessfully in some cases of acute rheumatism,

says, it appears to be one of the most powerful sedatives which we have,

as in most of the trials it made the pulse remarkably slow, and, in one

patient, reduced it 38 beats. And in other cases in which the

Rhododendron has been used at Edinburgh, it has been productive of good

effects; and, accordingly, it is now introduced into the Edinburgh

Pharmacopoeia.

The manner of using this plant by the Siberians was, by putting two

drams of the dried leaves in an earthen-pot with about ten ounces of

boiling-water, keeping it near a boiling heat for a night, and this they

took in the morning; and by repeating it three or four times it

generally affected a cure. It is said to occasion heat, thirst, a degree

of delirium, and a peculiar sensation of the parts affected.--

Woodville's Med. Bot. p. 239.

* * * * *

SECT. VIII.--MEDICINAL PLANTS not contained in either of the BRITISH

DISPENSATORIES.

For the use of the Medical Student I selected in the foregoing section

such plants as are contained in the Pharmacopoeias of the present day:

but there are many mentioned in Woodville's Medical Botany, Lewis's

Dispensatory, &c. which, although discarded from the College list, are

nevertheless still used by medical practitioners and others.

It would be difficult to give a full history of all the plants that have

from time to time been recommended for medical uses. The old writers, as

Gerard, Parkinson, Lyte, &c. attributed medical virtues to all the

plants which came under their notice; and, on the other hand, as we

observed above, the vegetable department of the Pharmacopoeias has from

time to time been reduced so much, that, if we had confined ourselves to

that alone, we fear our little treatise on this head would, by many

persons, be thought defective. The following list is therefore given, as

containing what are used, though probably not so much by practitioners

in medicine, as by our good housewives in the country, who, without

disparagement to medical science, often relieve the distresses of their

families and neighbours by the judicious application of drugs of this

nature, and many of which are also sold for the same purposes in the

London herb-shops.

291. ACANTHUS mollis. SMOOTH BEARS-BREECH. The Leaves.--Are of a soft

sweetish taste, and abound with a mucilaginous juice: its virtues do not

seem to differ from those of Althea and other mucilaginous plants.

292. ACHILLA Ptarmica. SNEEZEWORT. The Root.--The roots have and acrid

smell, and a hot biting taste: chewed, they occasion a plentiful

discharge of saliva; and when powdered and snuffed up the nose, provoke

sneezing. These are sold at the herb-shops as a substitute for pellitory

of Spain.

293. ACHILLEA Ageratum. MAUDLIN. The Leaves and Flowers.--This has a

light agreeable smell; and a roughish, somewhat warm and bitterish

taste. These qualities point out its use as a mild corroborant; but it

has long been a stranger in practice, and is now omitted both by the

London and Edinburgh Colleges. It is however in use by the common

people.

294. ACHILLEA Millefolium. YARROW. The Leaves.--The leaves have a rough

bitterish taste, and a faint aromatic smell. Their virtues are those of

a very mild astringent, and as such they stand recommended in

haemorrhages both internal and external, diarrhoeas, debility and laxity

of the fibres; and likewise in spasmodic hysterical affections.

295. AJUGA reptans. BUGLE. The Leaves.--These have at first a sweetish

taste, which gradually becomes bitterish and roughish. They are

recommended as vulnerary medicines, and in all cases where mild

astringents or corroborants are proper.

296. ALCHEMILLA vulgaris. LADY'S MANTLE. The Leaves.--These discover to

the taste a moderate astringency, and were formerly much esteemed in

some female weaknesses, and in fluxes of the belly. They are now rarely

made use of; though both the fresh leaves and roots might doubtless be

of service in cases where mild astringents are required.

297. AMMI majus. BISHOPS-WEED. The Seeds.--The seeds of common

bishops-weed are large and pale-coloured: their smell and taste are

weak, and without any thing of the origanum flavour of the true ammi,

which does not grow in this country. They are ranked among the four

lesser hot seeds, but are scarcely otherwise made use of than as an

ingredient in the theriaca.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

298. AMYGDALUS Persica. ALMONDS. Flowers.--They have a cathartic effect,

and especially to children have been successfully given in the character

of a vermifuge for this purpose; an infusion of a dram of the flowers

dried, or half an ounce in their recent state, is the requisite dose.

The expressed oil of almonds has been for a long time, and is at

present, in use for many purposes in medicine. The concentrated acid of

the bitter almond is a most dangerous poison to man and all other

animals.

299. ANAGALLIS arvensis. PIMPERNEL. The Leaves.--Many extraordinary

virtues have been attributed to them. Geoffroy esteems them cephalic,

sudorific, vulnerary, anti-maniacal, anti-epileptic, and alexiteral.

300. ANCHUSA angustifolia. BUGLOSS. The Roots, Leaves, and Flowers.--

Bugloss has a slimy sweetish taste, accompanied with a kind of coolness:

the roots are the most glutinous, and the flowers the least so. These

qualities point out its use in hot bilious or inflammatory distempers,

and a thin acrimonious state of the fluids. The flowers are one of the

four called cordial flowers: the only quality they have that can entitle

them to this appellation, is, that they moderately cool and soften,

without offending the palate or stomach; and thus in warm climates, or

in hot diseases, may in some measure refresh the patient.

301. ANEMONE Hepatica. HEPATICA. The Leaves.--It is a cooling gently

restringent herb; and hence recommended in a lax state of the fibres as

a corroborant.

302. ANTIRRHINIUM Elatine. FLUELLIN. The Root, Bark, and Leaves.--They

were formerly accounted excellent vulneraries, and of great use for

cleansing and healing old ulcers and cancerous sores: some have

recommended them internally in leprous and scrophulous disorders; as

also in hydropic cases.

303. ANTIRRHINIUM Linaria. TOAD FLAX. The Flowers.--An infusion of them

is said to be very efficacious in cutaneous disorders; and Hammerin

gives an instance in which these flowers, with those of verbascum, used

as tea, cured an exanthematous disorder, which had resisted various

other remedies tried during the course of three years.--Woodville's Med.

Bot. p. 372.

304. AQUILEGIA vulgaris. COLUMBINE. The Leaves, Flowers, and Seeds.--It

has been looked upon as aperient; and was formerly in great esteem among

the common people for throwing out the small-pox and measles. A

distilled water, medicated vinegar, and conserve, were prepared from the

flowers; but they have long given place to medicines of greater

efficacy.

305. ARISTOLOCHIA longa. LONG BIRTHWORT. The Roots.--This is a tuberous

root, sometimes about the size of the finger, sometimes as thick as a

man's arm: great virtues used to be ascribed to this plant as a specific

in most uterine obstructions and gout: the outside is of a brownish

colour; the inside yellowish.

306. ARTEMISIA vulgaris. MUGWORT. The leaves.--These have a light

aromatic smell, and an herbaceous bitterish taste. They are principally

celebrated as uterine and anti-hysteric: an infusion of them is

sometimes drunk, either alone or in conjunction with other substances,

in suppressions of immoderate fluxes. This medicine is certainly a very

mild one, and considerably less hot than most others to which these

virtues are attributed.

307. ASCLEPIAS Vincetoxium. SWALLOW WORT. The Root.--This root is

esteemed sudorific, diuretic, and emmenagogue, and frequently employed

by the French and German physicians as an alexipharmic, sometimes as a

succedaneum to contrayerva; whence it has received the name of

Contrayerva Germanorum. Among us it is rarely made use of.

308. ASPERULA odorata. SWEET WOODROOF. The Flowers.--It has an

exceedingly pleasant smell, which is improved by moderate exsiccation;

the taste is sub-saline, and somewhat austere. It imparts its flavour to

vinous liquors. Asperula is supposed to attenuate viscid humours, and

strengthen the tone of the bowels: it was recommended in obstructions of

the liver and biliary ducts, and by some in epilepsies and palsies:

modern practice has nevertheless rejected it.

309. ASPLENIUM Ceterach. SPLEENWORT.--It is recommended as a pectoral,

and for promoting urine in nephritic cases. The virtue which it has been

most celebrated for, is that which it has the least title to, i. e.

diminish the spleen.

310. ASPLENIUM Scolophendrium. HARTS-TONGUE. The Leaves.--These have a

roughish, somewhat mucilaginous taste. They are recommended in

obstructions of the viscera, and for strengthening their tone; and have

sometimes been made use of for these intentions, either alone, or in

conjunction with maiden-hair, or the other plants of similar properties.

311. ATROPA Mandragora. MANDRAKE. The Leaves.--The qualities of this

plant are very doubtful: it has a strong disagreeable smell resembling

that of the narcotic herbs, to which class it is usually referred. It

has rarely been any otherwise made use of in medicine, than as an

ingredient in one of the old officinal unguents. Both that composition

and the plant itself are rejected from our Pharmacopoeias.

312. BALLOTA nigra. BASE HOREHOUND. The Leaves.--These are doubtless an

useful aperient and deobstruent; promote the fluid secretions in

general, and liberally taken loosen the belly. They are an ingredient

only in the theriaca.

313. BELLIS perennis. DAISIES. The Leaves.--They have a subtile subacrid

taste, and are recommended as vulneraries, and in asthmas and hectic

fevers, and such disorders as are occasioned by drinking cold liquors

when the body has been much heated.

214. BERBERIS vulgaris. BERBERRY. The Bark and Fruit.--The outward bark

of the branches and the leaves have an astringent acid taste; the inner

yellow bark, a bitter one: this last is said to be serviceable in the

jaundice; and by some, to be an useful purgative.

The berries, which to the taste are gratefully acid, and moderately

restringent, have been given with good success in bilious fluxes, and

diseases proceeding from heat, acrimony, or thinness of the juices.

315. BETONICA officinalis. WOOD BETONY. The Leaves.--These and the

flowers have an herbaceous, roughish, somewhat bitterish taste,

accompanied with a very weak aromatic flavour. This herb has long been a

favourite among writers on the Materia Medica, who have not been wanting

to attribute to it abundance of good qualities. Experience does not

discover any other virtue in betony than that of a mild corroborant: as

such, an infusion or light decoction of it may be drunk as tea, or a

saturated tincture in rectified spirit given in suitable doses, in

laxity and debility of the viscera, and disorders proceeding from

thence.

316. BETULA alba. BIRCH TREE. The bark and Sap.--Upon deeply wounding or

boring the trunk of the tree in the beginning of spring, a sweetish

juice issues forth, sometimes, as is said, in so large quantity, as to

equal in weigth to the whole tree and root: one branch will bleed a

gallon or more a day. This juice is chiefly recommended in scorbutic

disorders, and other foulnesses of the blood: its most sensible effect

is to promote the urinary discharge.

317. BORAGO officinalis. BORAGE. The Flowers.--An exhilarating virtue

has been attributed to the flowers of borage, which are hence ranked

among the so called cordial flowers: but they appear to have very little

claim to any virtue of this kind, and seem to be altogether

insignificant.

318. BRYONIA alba. WHITE BRYONY. The Roots.--This is a strong irritating

cathartic; and as such has sometimes been successfully exhibited in

maniacal cases, in some kinds of dropsies, and in several chronical

disorders, where a quick solution of viscid juices, and a sudden

stimulus on the solids, were required.

319. CALENDULA officinalis. MARIGOLD. The Flowers.--These are supposed

to be aperient and attenuating; as also cardiac, alexipharmic, and

sudorific: they are principally celebrated in uterine obstructions, the

jaundice, and for throwing out the small-pox. Their sensible qualities

give little foundation for these virtues: they have scarcely any taste,

and no considerable smell. The leaves of the plant discover a viscid

sweetishness, accompanied with a more durable saponaceous pungency and

warmth: these seem capable of answering some useful purposes, as a

stimulating, aperient, antiscorbutic medicine.

320. CANNABIS sativa. HEMP. The Seeds.--These have some smell of the

herb; their taste is unctuous and sweetish; on expression they yield a

considerable quantity of insipid oil: hence they are recommended (boiled

in milk, or triturated with water into an emulsion) against coughs, heat

of urine, and the like. They are also said to be useful in incontinence

of urine; but experience does not warrant their having any virtues of

this kind.

321. CARTHAMUS tinctorius. SAFFLOWER. The Seeds.--These have been

celebrated as a cathartic: they operate very slowly, and for the most

part disorder the bowels, especially when given in substance; triturated

with aromatic distilled waters, they form an emulsion less offensive,

yet inferior in efficacy to more common purgatives.

322. CENTAUREA Cyanus. BLUE-BOTTLE. The Flowers.--As to their virtues,

notwithstanding the present practice expects not any from them, they

have been formerly celebrated against the bites of poisonous animals,

contagious diseases, palpitations of the heart, and many other

distempers.

323. CENTAUREA rhapontica. GREATER CENTAURY. The Root.--It has a rough

somewhat acrid taste, and abounds with a red viscid juice; its rough

taste has gained it some esteem as an astringent; its acrimony as an

aperient; and its glutinous quality as a vulnerary: the present practice

takes little notice of it in any intention.

324. CHELIDONIUM majus. GREAT CELANDINE. The Leaves and Juice.--This is

an excellent medicine in the jaundice; it is also good against all

obstructions of the viscera, and, if continued a time, will do great

service against the scurvy. The juice also is used successfully for sore

eyes, removing warts, &c. It should be used fresh, for it loses the

greatest part of its virtue in drying.

325. CHENOPODIUM olidum. STINKING GOOSEFOOT. The Leaves.--Its smell has

gained it the character of an excellent anti-hysteric; and this is the

only use it is applied to. Tournefort recommends a spiritous tincture,

others a decoction in water, and others a conserve of the leaves, as of

wonderful efficacy in uterine disorders.

326. CHRYSANTHEMUM Leucanthemum. OX-EYE DAISY. The Leaves.--Geoffroy

relates that the herb, gathered before the flowers have come forth, and

boiled in water, imparts an acrid taste, penetrating and subtile like

pepper; and that this decoction is an excellent vulnerary and diuretic.

327. CISTUS ladanifetus. GUM CISTUS.--The gum labdanum is procured from

this shrub, and is its only produce used in medicine. This is an

exudation from the leaves and twigs in the manner of manna, more than of

any thing else. They get it off by drawing a parcel of leather thongs

over the shrubs. It is not much used, but it is a good cephalic.--Hill's

Herbal, p. 72.

328. CLEMATIS recta. UPRIGHT VIRGIN'S BOWER.--The whole plant is

extremely acrid. It was useful for Dr. Stoerck to employ the leaves and

flowers in ulcers and cancers, as well as an extract prepared from the

former; yet the preparation which he chiefly recommended was an infusion

of two or three drams of the leaves in a pint of boiling water, of which

he gave four ounces three times a-day, while the powdered leaves were

applied as an escharotic to the ulcers.--Wood-ville's Med. Bot. p. 481.

329. COCHLEARIA Coronopus. SWINES-CRESS.--This is an excellent diuretic,

safe and yet very powerful. The juice may be taken; and it is good for

the jaundice, and against all inward obstructions, and against the

scurvy: the leaves may also be eaten as sallet, or dried and given in

decoction.--Hill's Hebal, p. 105.

330. CONVALLARIA Polygonatum. SOLOMON'S SEAL. The Root.--The root has

several joints, with some flat circular depressions, supposed to

resemble the stamp of a seal. It has a sweetish mucilaginous taste. As

to its virtues, practitioners do not now expect any considerable ones

from it, and pay very little regard to the vulnerary qualities which it

was formerly celebrated for. It is used by pugilists to remove the black

appearance occasioned from extravasated blood, and for curing bruises on

the face, particularly black-eyes obtained by boxing.

331. CONVALLARIA majalis. MAY LILY. The Roots and Flowers.--The roots of

this abound with a soft mucilage, and hence they have been used

externally in emollient and maturating cataplasms: they were an

ingredient in the suppurating cataplasm of the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia.

Those of the wild plant are very bitter: dried, they are said to prove a

gentle errhine; as also are the flowers.

332. CONVOLVULUS sepium. BIND-WEED.--The poor people use the root of

this plant fresh gathered and boiled in ale as a cathartic; and it is

found generally to answer that purpose. It would, however, nauseate a

delicate stomach; but for people of strong constitutions there is not a

better medicine.

333. CUSCUTA europaea. DODDER. The whole plant gathered green is to be

boiled in water with a little ginger and allspice, and this decoction

operates as a cathartic; it also opens obstructions of the liver, and is

good in the jaundice and many other disorders arising from the like

cause.--Hill's Herbal.

334. CYNOGLOSSUM officinale. HOUNDS-TONGUE. The Root.--The virtues of

this root are very doubtful: it is generally supposed to be narcotic,

and by some to be virulently so: others declare that it has no virtue of

this kind, and look upon it as a mere glutinous astringent.

335. CYPERUS longus. LONG CYPERUS. The Root.--This is long, slender,

crooked, and full of knots: outwardly of a dark-brown or blackish

colour, inwardly whitish; of an aromatic smell, and an agreeable warm

taste: both the taste and smell are improved by moderate exsiccation.

Cyperus is accounted a good stomachic and carminative, but is at present

very little regarded.

336. DICTAMNUS albus. WHITE or BASTARD DITTANY. The Root.--The cortical

part of the root, dried and rolled up into quills, is sometimes brought

to us. This is of a white colour, a weak, not very agreeable smell; and

a durable bitter, lightly pungent taste. It is recommended as an

alexipharmic.

337. EQUISETUM palustre. HORSE-TAIL. The Herb.--It is said to be a very

strong astringent: it has indeed a manifest astringency, but in a very

low degree.

338. ERYSIMUM officinale.--It is said to be attenuant, expectorant, and

diuretic; and has been strongly recommended in chronical coughs and

hoarseness. Rondeletius informs us that the last-mentioned complaint,

occasioned by loud speaking, was cured by this plant in three days.

Other testimonies of its good effects in this disorder are recorded by

writers on the Materia Medica, of whom we may mention Dr. Cullen; who

for this purpose recommends the juice of the Erysimum to be mixed with

an euqal quantity of honey and sugar; in this way also it is said to be

an useful remedy in ulcerations of the mouth and throat.--Woodville's

Med. Bot. p. 407.

339. ERYSIMUM Alliaria. SAUCE ALONE.--The leaves of this plant are very

acrimonious, and have a strong flavour of onions. It is considered as a

powerful diaphoretic, diuretic, and antiscorbutic.--Woodville's Med.

Bot.

340. EUPATORIUM cannabinum. HEMP AGRIMONY, &c. Leaves.--They are greatly

recommended for strengthening the tone of the viscera, and as an

aperient; and said to have excellent effects in the dropsy, jaundice,

cachexies, and scorbutic disorders. Boerhaave informs us, that this is

the common medicine of the turf-diggers in Holland, against scurvies,

foul ulcers, and swellings in the feet, which they are subject to. The

roof of this plant is said to operate as a strong cathartic.

341. EUPHORBIA Esula. SPURGE FLAX. Its Berries.--These are useful in

removing warts and excrescences, if bruised and laid thereon. They are

so acrid in their nature as to be altogether unfit for internal use.

342. EUPHRASIA officinalis. EYEBRIGHT. Leaves.--It was formerly

celebrated as an ophtalmic, both taken internally and applied

externally. Hildanus says he has known old men of seventy, who had lost

their sight, recover it again by the use of this herb.

343. FRAGARIA vesca. THE STRAWBERRY. The Leaves and Fruit.--They are

somewhat styptic, and bitterish; and hence my be of some service in

debility and laxity of the viscera, and immoderate secretions, or a

suppression of the natural evacuations depending thereon: they are

recommended in haemorrhages and fluxes; and likewise as aperients, in

suppressions of urine, obstructions of the viscera, in the jaundice, &c.

The fruit is in general very grateful both to the palate and stomach:

like other fruits of the dulco-acid kind, they abate heat, quench

thirst, loosen the belly, and promote urine.

344. FUMARIA officinalis. FUMITORY. The Leaves.--The medical effects of

this herb are, to strengthen the tone of the bowels, gently loosen the

belly, and promote the urinary and other natural secretions. It is

principally recommended in melancholic, scorbutic, and cutaneous

disorders; for opening obstructions of the viscera, attenuating and

promoting the evacuations of viscid juices.

345. GALEGA officinalis. GOAT'S RUE. The Herb.--This is celebrated as an

alexipharmic; but its sensible qualities discover no foundation for any

virtues of this kind: the taste is merely leguminous; and in Italy

(where it grows wild) it is said to be used as food.

346. GALIUM Aparine. GOOSEGRASS, OR CLEAVERS. The Leaves.--It is

recommended as an aperient, and in chronic eruptions; but practice has

little regard to it.

347. GALIUM verum. LADIES BEDSTRAW, OR CHEESE-RENNET. The Herb.--This

herb has a subacid taste, with a very faint, not disagreeable smell: the

juice changes blue vegetable infusions to a red colour, and coagulates

milk, thus exhibiting marks of acidity. It stands recommended as a mild

styptic, and in epilepsy; but has never been much in use.

348. GERANIUM robertianum. HERB ROBERT. The leaves.--They have an

austere taste, and have hence been recommended as astringent: but they

have long been disregarded in practice.

349. GLECHOMA hederacea. GROUND-IVY. The Leaves.--This herb is an useful

corroborant, aperient, and detergent; and hence stands recommended

against laxity, debility, and obstructions of the viscera: some have had

a great opinion of it for cleansing and healing ulcers of the internal

parts, even of the lungs; and for purifying the blood. It is customary

to infuse the dried leaves in malt liquors, to which it readily imparts

its virtues; a practice not to be commended, unless it is for the

purpose of medicine.

350. HEDERA helix. IVY. The Leaves and Berries.--The leaves have very

rarely been given internally; notwithstanding they are recommended (in

the Ephem. natur. curios. vol. ii. obs. 120.) against the atrophy of

children; their taste is nauseous, acrid, and bitter. Externally they

have sometimes been employed for drying and healing ichorous sores, and

likewise for keeping issues open. The berries were supposed by the

ancients to have a purgative and emetic quality; later writers have

recommended them in small doses, as diaphoretics and alexipharmics; and

Mr. Boyle tells us, that in the London plague the powder of them was

given with vinegar, with good success, as a sudorific. It is probable

the virtue of the composition was rather owing to the vinegar than to

the powder.

351. HERNIARIA glabra. RUPTUREWORT. The Leaves.--It is a very mild

restringent, and may, in some degree, be serviceable in disorders

proceeding from a weak flaccid state of the viscera: the virtue which it

has been most celebrated for, it has little title to, that of curing

hernias.

352. HYPERICUM perforatum. ST. JOHN'S WORT. The Leaves and Flowers.--Its

taste is rough and bitterish; the smell disagreeable. Hypericum has long

been celebrated as a corroborant, diuretic, and vulnerary; but more

particularly in hysterical and maniacal disorders: it has been reckoned

of such efficacy in these last, as to have thence received the name of

fuga daemonum.

353. JASMINUM officinale. JASMINE. The Flowers.--The flowers have a

strong smell, which is liked by most people, though to some

disagreeable: expressed oils extract their fragrance by infusion; and

water elevates somewhat of it in distillation, but scarcely any

essential oil can be obtained from them: the distilled water, kept for a

little time, loses its odour.

354. IRIS Pseudoacorus. FLOWER-DE-LUCE. The Root.--The roots, when

recent, have a bitter, acrid, nauseous taste, and taken into the stomach

prove strongly cathartic; and hence the juice is recommended in

dropsies, in the dose of three or four scruples. By drying they lose

this quality, yet still retain a somewhat pungent, bitterish taste:

their smell in this state is of the aromatic kind.

355. IRIS florentina. FLORENTINE IRIS, OR ORRIS-ROOT.--The roots grown

in this country have neither the odour nor the other qualities that

those possess which are grown in warmer climates: so that, for the

purposes of medicine, they are usually imported from Leghorn.

The root in its recent state is extremely acrid, and, when chewed,

excites a pungent heat in the mouth which continues several hours; but

on being dried, this acrimony is almost wholly dissipated, the taste

becomes slightly bitter, and the smell approaching to that of violets.

It is now chiefly used in its dried state, and ranked as a pectoral or

expectorant. The principal use of the roots is, however, for the

purposes of perfumery, for which it is in considerable demand.

356. LACTUCA sativa. GARDEN LETTUCE. The Leaves and Seeds.--It smells

strongly of opium, and resembles it in its effects; and its narcotic

power, like that of the poppy heads, resides in its milky juice. An

extract from the expressed juice is recommended in small doses in

dropsy. In those diseases of long standing proceeding from visceral

obstructions, it has been given to the extent of half an ounce a-day. It

is said to agree with the stomach, to quench thirst, to be greatly

laxative, powerfully diuretic, and somewhat diaphoretic.

357. LAMIUM album. WHITE ARCHANGEL, OR DEAD NETTLE. The Flowers.--The

flowers have been particularly celebrated in female weaknesses, as also

in disorders of the lungs; but they appear to be of very weak powers.

358. LAVENDULA Stoechas. ARABIAN STOECHAS, OR FRENCH LAVEN-DER. The

Flowers.--They have a very fragrant smell, and a warm, aromatic,

bitterish, subacrid taste: distilled with water, they yield a

considerable quantity of a fragrant essential oil; to rectified spirit

it imparts a strong tincture, which inspissated proves an elegant

aromatic extract, but is seldom used in medicine.

359. LEONURUS Cardiaca. MOTHERWORT. The Leaves.--These have a bitter

taste, and a pretty strong smell: they are supposed to be useful in

hysteric disorders, to strengthen the stomach, to promote urine; and

indeed it may be judged from their smell and taste, that their medical

virtues are considerable, though they are now rejected both from the

London and Edinburgh Pharmacopoeias.

360. LILIUM candidum. WHITE LILY. The Roots.--These are used in

poultices. The good housewife doctors cut the roots in slices and steep

them in brandy; and they are said to be an excellent remedy for all

bruises and green wounds: for which purposes it is applied by them with

considerable effect.

361. LITHOSPERMUM officinale. GROMWELL. The Seeds.--These are roundish,

hard, and of a whitish colour, like little pearls. Powdered, they have

been supposed peculiarly serviceable in calculous disorders. Their taste

is merely farinaceous.

362. LYSIMACHIA Nummularia. MONEYWORT, OR HERB TWOPENCE. The Leaves.--

Their taste is subastringent, and very slightly acid: hence they stand

recommended by Boerhaave in the hot scurvy, and in uterine and other

haemorrhagies. But their effects are so inconsiderable, that common

practice takes no notice of them.

363. MALVA alcea. VERVAIN-MALLOW. The Leaves.--Alcea agrees in quality

with the Althaea and Malva vulgaris; but appears to be less mucilaginous

than either.

364. MATRICARIA Parthenium. COMMON WILD FEVERFEW. The Leaves and

Flowers.--Simon Pauli relates, that he has experienced most happy

effects from it in obstructions of the uterine evacuations. I have often

seen, says he, from the use of a decoction of Matricaria and chamomile

flowers with a little mugwort, hysteric complaints instantly relieved,

and the patient from a lethargic state, returned as it were into life

again. Matricaria is likewise recommended in sundry other disorders, as

a warm stimulating bitter: all that bitters and carminatives can do,

says Geoffroy, may be expected from this. It is undoubtedly a medicine

of some use in these cases, though not perhaps equal to chamomile

flowers alone, with which the Matricaria agrees in sensible qualities,

except in being weaker.

365. NEPETA Calamintha. FIELD CALAMINT. The Leaves.--This is a low

plant, growing wild about hedges and highways, and in dry sandy soils.

The leaves have a quick warm taste, and smell strongly of pennyroyal: as

medicines, they differ little otherwise from spearmint, than in being

somewhat hotter, and of a less pleasant odour; which last circumstance

has procured calamint the preference in hysteric cases.

366. NEPETA cataria. NEP, OR CATMINT. The Leaves.--This is a moderately

aromatic plant, of a strong smell, not ill resembling a mixture of mint

and pennyroyal; it is also recommended in hysteric cases.

367. NIGELLA romana. FENNEL-FLOWER. The Seeds.--They have a strong, not

unpleasant smell; and a subacrid, somewhat unctuous disagreeable taste.

They stand recommended as aperient, diuretic, &c. but being suspected to

have noxious qualities should be used with caution.

368. NYMPHAEA alba. WHITE WATER-LILY. The Root and Flowers.--These have a

rough, bitterish, glutinous taste, (the flowers are the least rough,)

and when fresh a disagreeable smell, which is in great measure lost by

drying: they are recommended in alvine fluxes, gleets, and the like. The

roots are supposed by some to be in an eminent degree narcotic.

369. OCYMUM Basilicum. BASIL. The Leaves.--These have a soft, somewhat

warm taste; and when rubbed, a strong unpleasant smell, which by

moderate drying becomes more agreeable. They are said to attenuate

viscid phlegm, promote expectoration, and the uterine secretions.

370. OPHIOGLOSSUM vulgatum. ADDERS-TONGUE. The Leaf.--An ointment is

made of the fresh leaves, and it is a good application to green wounds.

It is a very antient application, although now discarded from the

apothecary's shop.

371. PAEONIA corolloides. MALE PEONY. The Seeds.--These are strong, and

worn round the neck to assist detention, and are probably as good as

other celebrated anodyne beads which have been so long recommended for

the same purpose.

372. PHELLANDRIUM aquaticum. WATER HEMLOCK.--The seeds of this plant,

according to Dr. Lange, when taken in large doses, produce a remarkable

sensation of weight in the head, accompanied with giddiness,

intoxication, &c. It may probably prove, however, an active medicine,

especially in wounds and inveterate ulcers of different kinds, and even

in cancers; also in phthisis pulmonalis, asthma, dyspepsia, intermittent

fevers, &c. About two scruples of the seed, two or three times a-day,

was the ordinary dose given. Medicines of this kind should be used with

great caution.--Woodville's Med. Bot. p. 91, 92.

373. PIMPINELLA saxifraga. BURNET SAXIFRAGE. The Root, Leaves, and

Seeds.--This root promises from its sensible qualities, to be a medicine

of considerable utility, though little regarded in common pratice.

Stahl, Hoffman, and other German physicians, are extremely fond of it,

and recommend it as an excellent stomachic, resolvent, detergent,

diuretic, diaphoretic, and alexipharmic.

374. PLANTAGO major. COMMON BROAD-LEAVED PLANTAIN.--The leaves are

slightly astringent, and the seeds said to be so; and hence they stand

recommended in haemorrhages, and other cases where medicines of this kind

are proper. The leaves bruised a little, are the usual application of

the common people to slight flesh wounds. The Edinburgh College used to

direct an extract to be made from the leaves.

375. POTENTILLA anserina. SILVERWEED. The Leaves.--The sensible

qualities of Anserina promise no great virtue of any kind, for to the

taste it discovers only a slight roughness, from whence it was thought

to be entitled to a place among the milder corroborants. As the

astringency of Tormentil is confined chiefly to its root, it might be

thought that the same circumstance would take place in this plant; but

the root is found to have no other than a pleasant sweetish taste, like

that of parsnip, but not so strong.

376. POTENTILLA reptans. CINQUEFOIL, OR FIVE-LEAVED GRASS. Root.--The

root is moderately astringent: and as such is sometimes given internally

against diarrhoeas and other fluxes; and employed in gargarisms for

strengthening the gums, &c. The cortical part of the root may be taken,

in substance, to the quantity of a dram: the internal part is

considerably weaker, and requires to be given in double the dose to

produce the same effect. It is scarcely otherwise made use of than as an

ingredient in Venice treacle.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

377. POPULUS niger. THE BLACK POPLAR. Its Buds.--The young buds or

rudiments of the leaves, which appear in the beginning of spring, abound

with a yellow, unctuous odorous juice. They have hitherto been employed

chiefly in an ointment, which received its name from them; though they

are certainly capable of being applied to other purposes: a tincture of

them made in rectified spirit, yields upon being isnpissated, a fragrant

resin superior to many of those brought from abroad.

378. PRIMULA officinalis. COWSLIP. The Flowers.--The flowers appear in

April; they have a pleasant sweet smell, and a subacrid, bitterish,

subastringent taste. An infusion of them, used as tea, is recommended as

a mild corroborant in nervous complaints. A strong infusion of them,

with a proper quantity of sugar, forms an agreeable syrup, which for a

long time maintained a place in the shops. By boiling, even for a little

time, their fine flavour is destroyed. A wine is also made of the

flowers, which is given as an opiate.

379. PRUNELLA vulgaris. SELFHEAL. The Leaves.--It has an herbaceous

roughish taste, and hence stands recommended in haemorrhages and alvine

fluxes. It has been principally celebrated as a vulnerary, whence its

name; and in gargarisms for aphthae and inflammations of the fauces.

380. PULMONARIA officinalis. SPOTTED LUNGWORT. The Leaves.--They stand

recommended against ulcers of the lungs, phthisis, and other like

disorders.--Lewis's Mat. Med.

381. RANUNCULUS Ficaria. PILEWORT. The Leaves and Root.--The roots

consist of slender fibres, with some little tubercles among them. These,

with the leaves, are considered of considerable eficacy in the cure of

haemorrhoids; for which purpose, considerable quantities are sold at

herb-shops in London.

382. RANUNCULUS Flammula. SMALL SPEARWORT.--It has been lately

discovered that this plant possesses very active powers as an emetic,

and it is supposed to be useful in some cases of vegetable poisons.

383. RHAMNUS Frangula. THE BLACK OR BERRY-BEARING ALDER. Its Bark.--The

internal bark of the trunk or root of the tree, given to the quantity of

a dram, purges violently, occasioning gripes, nausea, and vomiting.

These may be in good measure prevented by the addition of aromatics; but

we have plenty of safer and less precarious purgatives.

384. RHUS coriaria. ELM-LEAVED SUMACH.--Both the leaves and berries have

been employed in medicine; but the former are more astringent and tonic,

and have been long in common use, though at present discarded from the

Pharmacopoeias.

385. RIBES nigrum.--The juice of black currants boiled up with sugar to

a jelly, is an excellent remedy against sore throats.

386. RUMEX Hydrolapathum. THE GREAT WATER DOCK.--The leaves of the docks

gently loosen the belly, and have sometimes been made ingredients in

decoctions for removing a costive habit. The roots, in conjunction with

other medicines, are celebrated for the cure of scorbutic and cutaneous

disorders, for which the following receipt is given by Lewis.

Six ounces of the roots of the water dock, with two of saffron; and of

mace, cinnamon, gentian root, liquorice root, and black pepper, each

three ounces, (or, where the pepper is improper, six ounces of

liquorice,) are to be reduced into coarse powder, and put into a mixture

of two gallons of wine, with half a gallon of strong vinegar, and the

yolks of three egs; and the whole digested, with a moderate warmth, for

three days, in a glazed vessel close stopped: from three to six ounces

of this liquor are to be taken every morning on an empty stomach, for

fourteen or twenty days, or longer.

387. SALVIA Sclarea. GARDEN CLARY. The Leaves and Seeds.--These have a

warm, bitterish, pungent taste; and a strong, not very agreeable smell:

the touch discovers in the leaves a large quantity of glutinous or

resinous matter. They are principally recommended in female weaknesses,

in hysteric disorders, and in flatulent colics.

388. SAMBUCUS Ebulus. DWARF ELDER, OR DANEWORT. The Root, Bark, and

Leaves.--These have a nauseous, sharp, bitter taste, and a kind of acrid

ungrateful smell: they are all strong cathartics, and as such are

recommended in dropsies, and other cases where medicines of that kind

are indicated. The bark of the root is said to be strongest: the leaves

the weakest. But they are all too churlish medicines for general use:

they sometimes evacuate violently upwards, almost always nauseate the

stomach, and occasion great uneasiness of the bowels. By boiling they

become (like the other drastics) milder, and more safe in operation.

Fernelius relates, that by long coction they entirely lose their

purgative virtue. The berries of this plant are likewise purgative, but

less virulent than the other parts. A rob prepared from them may be

given to the quantity of an ounce, as a cathartic; and in smaller ones

as an aperient and deobstruent in chronic disorders: in this last

intention, it is said by Haller to be frequently used in Switzerland, in

the dose of a dram.

389. SANICULA officinalis. SANICLE. The Leaves.--These have an

herbaceous, roughish taste: they have long been celebrated for sanative

virtues, both internally and externally; nevertheless their effects, in

any intention, are not considerable enough to gain them a place in the

present practice.

390. SAPONARIA officinalis. SOAPWORT. The Herb and Root.--The roots

taste sweetish and somewhat pungent; and have a light smell like those

of liquorice: digested in rectified spirit they yield a strong tincture,

which loses nothing of its taste or flavour in being inspissated to the

consistence of an extract. This elegant root has not come much into

practice among us, though it promises, from its sensible qualities, to

be a medicine of considerable utility: it is greatly esteemed by the

German physicians as an aperient, corroborant, and sudorific; and

preferred by the College of Wirtemberg, by Stahl, Neumann, and others,

to sarsaparilla.

391. SAXIFRAGA granulata.--Linnaeus describes the taste of this plant to

be acrid and pungent, which we have not been able to discover. Neither

the tubercles of this root, nor the leaves, manifest to the organs of

taste any quality likely to be of medicinal use; and therefore, though

this species of Saxifraga has been long employed as a popular remedy in

nephritic and gravelly disorders, yet we do not find, either from its

sensible qualities or from any published instances of its efficacy, that

it deserves a place in the Materia Medica.--Woodville's Med. Bot. p.

551.

392. SCABIOSA succisa. DEVIL'S BIT. The Leaves and Roots.--These stand

recommended as alexipharmics, but they have long given place to

medicines of greater efficacy.

393. SCANDIX Cerefolium. Chervil. The Leaves.--Geoffroy assures us, that

he has found it from experience to be of excellent service in dropsies:

that in this disorder it promotes the discharge of urine when

suppressed, renders it clear when feculent and turbid, and when high and

fiery of a paler colour; that it acts midly without irritation, and

tends rather to allay than excite inflammation. He goes so far as to

say, that dropsies which do not yield to this medicine are scarce

capable of being cured by any other. He directs the juice to be given in

the dose of three or four ounces every fourth hour, and continued for

some time, either alone, or in conjunction with nitre and syrup.

394. SEDUM Telephium. ORPINE. The Leaves.--This is a very thick-leaved

juicy plant, not unlike the houseleeks. It has a mucilaginous roughish

taste, and hence is recommended as emollient and astringent, but has

never been much regarded in practice.

395. SEMPERVIVUM tectorum. GREATER HOUSE-LEEK. The Leaves.--These are

principally applied in cases of erysipelatous and other hot eruptions of

the skin, in which they are of immediate service in allaying the pain

arising therefrom: great quantities are cultivated in Surrey, and

brought to the London markets. It is remarkable of this plant, that its

juice, when purified by filtration, appears of a dilute yellowish colour

upon the admixture of an equal quantity of rectified spirit of wine; but

forms a beautiful white, light coagulum, like the finer kinds of

pomatum: this proves extremely volatile; for when freed from the aqueous

phlegm, and exposed to the air, it altogether exhales in a very little

time.

396. SENECIO Jacobaea. RAGWORT. The Leaves.--Their taste is roughish,

bitter, pungent, and extremely unpleasant: they stand strongly

recommended by Simon Pauli against dysenteries; but their forbidding

taste has prevented its coming into practice.

397. SOLANUM nigrum. COMMON NIGHTSHADE. The Leaves and Berries.--In the

year 1757, Mr. Gataker, surgeon to the Westminster Hospital, called the

attention of the Faculty to this plant, by a publication recommending

its internal use in old sores, srophulous and cancerous ulcers,

cutaneous eruptions, and even dropsies; all of which were much relieved

or completely cured of it.

398. SPIRAEA Ulmaria. MEADOW-SWEET. The Leaves and Flowers.--The flowers

have a very pleasant flavour, which water extracts from them by

infusion, and elevates in distillation.

399. SPIRAEA Filipendula. DROPWORT. The Root.--The root consists of a

number of tubercles, fastened together by slender strings; its taste is

rough and bitterish, with a slight degree of pungency. These qualities

point out its use in a flaccid state of the vessels, and a sluggishness

of the juices: the natural evacuations are in some measure restrained or

promoted by it, where the excess or deficiency proceeds from this cause.

Hence some have recommended it as an astringent in dysenteries, a

diuretic, and others as an aperient and deobstruent in scrophulous

habits.

400. SYMPHYTUM officinale. COMFREY. The Root.--The roots are very large,

black on the outside, white within, full of a viscid glutinous juice, of

no particular taste. They agree in quality with the roots of Althaea;

with this difference, that the mucilage of it is somewhat

stronger-bodied. Many ridiculous histories of the consolidating virtues

of this plant are related by authors.

401. TAMUS communis. BLACK BRYONY.--The root is one of the best

diuretics known in medicine. It is an excellent remedy in the gravel and

all obstructions of urine, and other disorders of the like nature.

402. TANACETUM vulgare. TANSY. The Leaves.--These have a bitterish warm

aromatic taste; and a very pleasant smell, approaching to that of mint

or a mixture of mint and maudlin. Water elevates their flavour in

distillation; and rectified spirit extracts it by infusion. They have

been recommended in hysteric cases.

403. TEUCRIUM Chamaepitys. GROUND PINE. The Leaves.--These are

recommended as aperient and vulnerary, as also in gouty and rheumatic

pains.

404. THYMUS vulgaris. THYME. The Leaves and Flowers.--A tea made of the

fresh tops of thyme is good in asthmas and diseases of the lungs. It is

recommended against nervous complaints; but for this purpose the wild

thyme is preferable. There is an oil made from thyme that cures the

tooth-ache, a drop or two of it being put upon lint and applied to the

tooth; this is commonly called oil of origanum.

405. TRIGONELLA Foenum-graecum. FOENUGREEK. The Seeds.--They are of a

yellow colour, a rhomboidal figure; have a disagreeable strong smell,

and a mucilaginous taste. Their principal use is in cataplasms,

fomentations, and the like, and in emollient glysters.

406. VERBASCUM Thapsus. MULLEIN. The Leaves and Flowers.--Their taste

discovers a glutinous quality; and hence they stand recommended as an

emollient, and is in some places held in great esteem in consumptions.

The flowers of mullein have an agreeable, honeylike sweetness: an

extract prepared from them by rectified spirit of wine tastes extremely

pleasant.

407. VERBENA officinalis. COMMON WILD VERVAIN. The Leaves and Root.--

This is one of the medicines which we owe to the superstition of former

ages; the virtue it has been celebrated for is as an amulet, on which a

pamphlet was some years ago published. It was recommended to wear the

root by a ribband tied round the neck for the cure of the scrophula, and

for which purpose, even now, much of the root is sold in London. As the

age of superstition is passing by, it will be needless to say more on

the subject at present.

408. VERONICA officinalis. MALE SPEEDWELL. The Leaves.--Hoffman and Joh.

Francus have written express treatises on this plant, recommending

infusions of it, drunk in the form of tea, as very salubrious in many

disorders, particularly those of the breast.

* * * * *

Observations on the Drying and Preserving of Herbs, &c. for Medicinal

Purposes.

The student who has paid attention to the subject described in the

foregoing sections, will be struck with the admirable contrivance of

Divine Wisdom; that has caused such astringent substances as are

contained in the oak and Peruvian bark, to be produced from the same

soil, and in a similar way to those mucilaginous and laxative ones which

we find in the juice of the marsh-mallow, and the olive oil. It is not

intended in this small elementary work to enter into any investigation

of the primitive parts of the vegetable creation, or how such different

particles are secreted. It may therefore suffice, that, although the

science of vegetable physiology admits of many very beautiful and

instructing illustrations, yet they only go so far as to prove to us,

that the first and grand principle of vegetable life and existence, as

well as of the formation of all organic substances, consists in a system

of attraction and combination of the different particles of nature, as

they exist and are imbibed from the soil and the surrounding atmosphere.

Thus, during their existence, we observe a continual series of

aggregation of substance; but no sooner does the principle of life

become extinct, than the agents of decomposition are at work, dividing

and selecting each different substance, and carrying it back from whence

it came:--"From dust thou comest, and to dust thou shalt return." This,

therefore, seems to be the sum total of existence; the explanation of

which, with all its interesting ramifications, is more fully explained

by the learned professors in what is called the science of chemistry.

As plants of all descriptions, and their several parts, form a link of

that chain by which the welfare of the universe is connected, the

industry of mankind is excited to preserve them for the different

purposes to which they are applicable, in the oeconomy of human

existence, to whose use the greater part of the animal and vegetable

creation appears to be subservient. As men, then, and rational beings,

it becomes our duty so to manage those things, when necessary, as to

counteract as much as possible the decomposition and corruption which

are natural to all organized bodies when deprived of the living

principle.

We find that some vegetables are used fresh, but the greater part are

preserved in a dry state; in which, by proper management, they can be

kept for a considerable time afterwards, both for our own use as well as

for that of others who reside at a distance from the place of their

production.

In the preparation of the parts of plants for medicinal purposes, we

should always have in view the extreme volatility of many of those

substances, and how necessary it therefore is, that the mode of

preparation and drying should be done as quickly as possible, in order

to counteract the effects of the air and light, which continue to

dissipate, without intermission, these particles, during the whole time

that any vegetable, either fresh or dried, is left to its influence.

If we consider the nature of hops, which I shall take as an example, as

being prepared in this way on the largest scale, we shall find they

consist of three different principles; namely, an aroma, combined with

an agreeable bitter taste, and a yellow colour; all of which properties

are, by the consumers and dealers therein, expected to exist in the

article after drying.

The art of drying hops, therefore, has been a subject of speculation for

many years; and although we find the kiln apparatus for preserving them

differ in many places, from the various opinions of the projectors, yet

they are all intended for the same mode of action, i. e. the producing

of a proper degree of heat, which must be regulated according to the

state of the atmosphere at the gathering season, and the consequent

quantity of the watery extract that the hops contain at the time: thus

it is usual to have two kilns of different temperatures at work at the

same time. It should, however, be observed, that the principal art of

drying hops is in doing it as quickly as possible, so as not to injure

them in their colour. As soon as they are dried, it is considered

necessary to put them up into close and thick bags.

It should be observed, that all vegetables contain at every period of

their growth two distinct species of moiture: the one called by

naturalists the common juice, which is the ascending sap, and is replete

with watery particles: the other is termed the proper juice, which

having passed up through the leaves, and being there concocted and

deprived of the watery part, contains the principle on which various

properties and virtues of the plant depend. We therefore find that the

operations above described only go to this, that the watery particles in

the common juice should be evaporated, as being a part necessary to be

got rid of; and the proper juice being of a volatile nature, the less

time the plants are exposed for that purpose, the less of this precious

material will be lost: and as those parts are flying off continually

from all dried vegetables, there should be one general rule made with

regard to their peparation; for, if we instance mint, balm, pennyroyal,

&c., the longer these are kept in the open air, the weaker are they

found to be in their several parts.

From hence we may naturally infer, that the usual mode in which the

generality of herbs are dried, is not so good for the purpose, as one

would be if contrived on similar principles, as, during the length of

time necessary for the purpose, a great deal of the principal parts of

the plants must of course be evaporated and lost; for little else is

regarded than to dry them so as to prevent putrefaction. Although the

generality of herbs met with are prepared as above described, yet in

such articles as Digitalis, Hyoscyamus, Conium, Toxicodendron, &c.,

where the quantity necessary for a dose is so small, and so much depends

on its action, practitioners are often obliged to prepare it themselves.

I shall therefore relate the following mode as the best adapted to that

purpose. The Digitalis is prepared by collecting the leaves in the

summer, and stripping them off from the foot-stalks; these should be

then carefully exposed to a slow heat, and the watery extract slowly

thrown off; in which they should not be exposed to any great degree of

heat, which by its action will deprive them of their fine green colour.

When this is effected, the whole may be put in contact with a heat that

will enable the operator to reduce it to a fine powder. And in order to

keep it with its virtues perfect, it will be necessary to deprive it as

much as possible of the influence of air and light. Hence it is

preserved in close glass bottles which are coated, and also placed in a

dark part of the elaboratory. Now, it is necessary that all plants

intended to be used in a dried state, should be prepared and protected

in a similar manner; and although it may be considered as a superfluous

trouble, so far as regards the more common kinds, particular attention

should be paid to these, when a small quantity is a dose, and an

over-dose a certain poison.

Other kinds of vegetables require a certain degree of fermentation, as

Tobacco. The prinicpal art of preserving it consists in this operation

being duly performed; for which purpose, as soon as the leaves of the

herb are fit, the foot-stalks are broken, and the leaves left on, in

order for the moisture in part to be evaporated. Afterwards these are

gathered and tied in handfuls, and hung up in the shade to dry; and when

sufficiently divested of moisture, the bundles are collected together

and laid in large boxes or tubs, in which these are fermented, and

afterwards taken out again and dried; when it is found fit to pack up

for the market.

The properties of Stramonium, which has been so much recommended for

curing asthma, consist pricipally in the aroma, which is only to be

preserved in a similar manner: and I have found from experience, that if

the leaves are separated from the plant in a manner similar to that of

tobacco, and the rest of the plant, noth roots, stalks, and

seed-vessels, be slit and sufficiently dried in the sun or in an oven,

and the whole fermented together, a very different article is the

produce than what it is when dried in the usual way, and left entirely

to the chance influence of the atmosphere.

In the common operation of hay-making it may also be observed, that the

continued turning it over and admitting its parts to the action of the

sun and the air, is for the purpose of getting rid of the watery

particles contained in it; and the quicker this is done, the better it

is. And although this operation is so essentially necessary, yet care

should be taken at the same time, that it be not made too dry, so as to

prevent a due degree of fermentation being allowed to take place in the

rick. And it may be observed that the best grasses, or other plants used

for hay, if made too dry, so as to prevent the natural fermentation

which their proper juices will excite, can never make either palatable

or nutritive food for cattle. Neither can the same be effected if the

article is used in too small quantities. It should be observed, that

herbs of all kinds should be gathered for peserving when in full bloom;

but when roots or barks are recommended, these should be collected in

the autumn months. The principles laid down for preserving dried plants

generally, will apply to these parts also.

* * * * *

SECTION IX.--PLANTS USED FOR CULINARY PURPOSES.

"Man's first great ruling passion is to eat."

In the following section I have confined myself principally to such as

are in cultivation. There are many of our indigenous plants which, in

times of scarcity, and in other cases of necessity, are used as food by

the people in the neighbourhood where they grow. But of these I shall

make a separate list.

409. ARTICHOKE. Cynara Scolymus.--We have several varieties of this

plant in cultivation; but the most approved are the large green and the

globe. They are propagated by taking off the young suckers from the old

roots in May, and planting them in a piece of rich land. Artichokes have

been raised from seed, but they are seldom perfected in this country.

410. ARTICHOKE, JERUSALEM. Helianthus tuberosus.--Is cultivated for the

sake of its tubers, similar to the potatoe; but they are not generally

esteemed.

411. ASPARAGUS. Asparagus officinalis.--A very delicious vegetable in

the spring, and well known to all amateurs of gardening.

There is a variety called the Gravesend Asparagus, and another called

the Battersea; but it is the richness of the soil and manure that makes

the only difference.

412. BASIL, SWEET. Ocymum Basilicum.--A pot-herb of considerable use for

culinary purposes. It is an annual; and the seeds should be sown in a

hot-bed in March, and transplanted into the open ground. It is usually

dried as other pot-herbs.

413. BEANS. Vicia Faba.--The varieties of the garden-beans are as

follow:--

The early Mazagan and Longpod are planted in November. These will

usually be fit for use in June.

The Windsor.

The Toker.

The Sword Longpod.

The Green Toker.

The White-blossomed.

These are sown usually in succession from January to March, and afford a

continuance of crop during the season.

414. BEANS, FRENCH OR KIDNEY. Phaseolus vulgaris.--The kidney beans are

of two kinds; such as run up sticks and flower on the tops. Of this

description we have in cultivation the following:--

The Scarlet Runner. The Dutch Runner.

Both these are much esteemed.

Of dwarf kinds we have many varieties. The pollen of these plants is

very apt to become mixed; and, consequently, hybrid kinds differing in

the colour of the seeds are often produced. The season for sowing these

is from April till June.

The Black, or Negro Beans. The Blue Dwarf. The Early Yellow. The Black

Speckled. The Red Speckled. The Magpie. The Canterbury.

All these varieties are good and early beans. The white Canterbury is

the kind most esteemed for pickling; the other sorts being all of them

more or less discoloured: and this kind is the sort generally sold for

such purpose in the London markets.

415. BEET, RED. Beta vulgaris v. rubra.--The roots of this variety are

used both in soups and for early spring salads: it is cultivated by

sowing the seeds in March; and the roots are usually kept all winter.

The white beet is only a variety of the other; and it is the tops that

are usually eaten of this kind as a substitute for spinach. Its culture

is the same as that of the red kind.

416. BORECOLE. Brassica Rapa.--Of borecole we have two varieties; the

purple, and green. The former is in much esteem amongst the Germans, who

make a number of excellent dishes from it in the winter.

The culture is the same as for winter cabbage of other kinds.

417. BRUSSELS SPROUTS. Brassica Rapa.--This is also a useful variety of

the cabbage species, which is very productive, forming a large number of

beautiful small close-headed cabbages on their high stalks in the winter

season. The seeds are sown in March.

418. BURNET. Poterium Sanguisorba.--The young leaves of this plant are

eaten with other tender herbs in the spring, and are considered a

wholesome addition to mustard, cress, corn-salad, &c.

419. CABBAGE. Brassica oleracea.--The varieties of cabbage are numerous.

The most esteemed are,

The Early York. The Early Sugar-loaf. The Early Battersea. The Early

Russia.

They are all sown in August, and planted out for an early summer-crop,

and are usually in season in May and June.

The Large Battersea. The Red Cabbage. The Green Savoy. The White Savoy.

These are usually sown in March, and planted for a winter crop.

The use and qualities of the cabbage are too well known to need any

further description.

420. CAULIFLOWER. Brassica oleracea var.--The varieties are,

The Early. The Late.

The early cauliflower is sown in the first week in September, and

usually sheltered under bell or hand glasses during the winter. By this

means the crop is fit for table in the months of May and June.

The late sort is usually sown in the month of March, and planted out for

a succession to the first crop.

421. CAPERS. Capparis spinosa.--This is the flower-pod before it opens

of the above shrub, and is only kept as an ornamental plant here. I am

induced to notice this plant, as I have known some things used in

mistake for capers that are dangerous. I once saw an instance of this,

in the seed-vessels of the Euphorbia Lathyris (which is a poisonous

plant) being pickled by an ignorant person.

422. CAPSICUM. Capsicum annuum.--Cayenne pepper is made from a small

variety of this plant.

We have many varieties cultivated here in hot-beds; namely, yellow and

red, of various shapes, as long, round, and heart-shaped. All these are

very useful, either pickled by themselves, or mixed with any other

substances, as love-apple, radish pods, &c. to which they impart a very

fine warm flavour.

423. CARROT. Daucus Carota.--

The Orange Carrot.--For winter use.

The Early Horn ditto.--For summer use.--The former is usually sown in

March; the latter being smaller, and more early, is commonly raised on

hot-beds. The Early Horn Carrot may likewise be sown in August, and is

good all winter.

424. CELERY. Apium graveolens.--Celery is now so generally known as to

render a description of the plant useless; nor need it be told, that the

stalks blanched are eaten raw, stewed, &c. It should be used with great

caution, if grown in wet land, as it has been considered poisonous in

such cases. The season of sowing celery is in April. We have a variety

of this, which is red, and much esteemed.

425. CELERIAC. This is a variety of the Apium graveolens. It is hollow

in the stem, and the roots are particularly large: although this is much

used in Germany, it is not so much esteemed by us as the celery.

426. CHAMPIGNON. Agaricus pratensis.--This plant is equal in flavour to

the mushroom when boiled or stewed: it is rather dry, and has little or

no scent whatever.

427. CHARDOONS. Cynara Cardunculus.--The gardeners blanch the stalks as

they do celery; and they are eaten raw with oil, pepper, and vinegar;

or, if fancy directs, they are also either boiled or stewed.

428. CHERVIL. Scandix Cerefolium.--This plant is so much used by the

French and Dutch, that there is scarcely a soup or salad but what

chervil makes part of it: it is grateful to the taste. See article

oenanthe crocata in the Poisonous Plants.

429. CIVES. Allium Schoenoprasum.--This is an excellent herb for salads

in the spring: it is also useful for soups, &c. &c. It is perennial, and

propagated by its roots, which readily part at any season.

430. CLARY. Salvia Sclarea.--The seeds are sown in autumn. It is

biennial. The recent leaves dipped in milk, and then fried in butter,

were formerly used as a dainty dish; but now it is mostly used as a

pot-herb, and for making an useful beverage called Clary Wine, viz.--Put

four pounds of sugar to five gallons of water, and the albumen of three

eggs well beaten; boil these together for about sixteen minutes, then

skim the liquor; and when it is cool, add of the leaves and blossoms two

gallons, and also of yeast half a pint; and when this is completed, put

it all together into a vessel and stir it two or three times a-day till

it has done fermenting, and then stop it close for two months:

afterwards draw it into a clean vessel, adding to it a quart of good

brandy. In two months it will be fit to bottle.

431. COLEWORT. Brassica oleracea var.--This is a small variety of the

common cabbage, which is sown in June, and planted out for autumn and

winter use. These are often found to stand the severe frosts of our

winter when the large sort of cabbages are killed; but its principal use

with gardeners is, to have a crop that will occupy the land after the

beans and pease are over, and perhaps Colewort is the most advantageous

for such purposes.

432. CORN SALAD. Valeriana Locusta.--An annual, growing wild in

Battersea fields, and many other parts of this kingdom.

It is usually sown in August, and stands the winter perfectly well; it

is very similar to lettuce, and is a good substitute for it in the

spring and winter seasons.

433. COSTMARY Tanacetum Balsamita.--Is used as a herb in salad. This is

a perennial plant of easy culture.

434. CRESS. Lepidium sativum.--There are two varieties of cress, the

curled and common. This is an ingredient with mustard in early salads.

435. CRESS, AMERICAN. Erysimum Barbarea.--This is cultivated for salads,

and is much esteemed. It is increased by sowing the seeds in the spring.

This is only good in the winter and spring seasons.

436. CUCUMBERS. Cucumis sativus.--Many sorts of cucumbers are cultivated

by gardeners. The most esteemed are,

The Southgate Cucumber. The Long Prickly. The Long Turkey. The White

Spined.

The early crop is usually sown in hot-beds in the spring, and is a crop

on which most gardeners have always prided themselves, each on his best

mode of management of this crop. They will also grow if sown in April,

and planted out in the open ground.

The short prickly cucumber is grown for gerkins.

437. DILL. Anethum graveolens.--This is similar to fennel, and used in

pickling. It is esteemed useful as a medicinal herb also; which see.

438. ENDIVE. Cichorium Endivia.--Of this we have three varieties in

cultivation.

The Green Curled. The White Curled. The Batavian, or Broad-leaved.

These are sown usually in June and July, and planted out for use in the

autumn and winter. Endive is well known as forming a principal part of

our winter salads; for which purpose, it is usual with gardeners to

blanch it, by tying the plants up together, and laying them in dry

places.

439. ESCHALOT. Allium ascalonium.--This species of allium is very

pungent: its scent is not unpleasant, but is very strong, and, in

general, it is preferred to the onion for making soups and gravies. It

is propagated by planting the bulbs in September and October: they are

fit to take up in May and June, when they are dried and kept for use.

440. FENNEL. Anethum Foeniculum.--The use of this plant is so well knwon

in the kitchen, as to render an account of it useless. It is propagated

by sowing seeds in the spring.

441. GARLICK. Allium sativum.--This is used in the art of cookery in

various ways, for soups, pickles, &c. It is cultivated by planting the

small cloves or roots in the month of October. It is fit to pull up in

spring; and the roots are dried for use.

442. GOURD. Cucurbita Melopepo.--The inhabitants of North America boil

the squash or melon gourds when about the size of small oranges, and eat

them with their meat. The pulp is used with sour apples to make pies. In

scarcity it is a good substitute for fruit.

443. KOHLRABBI, or TURNEP-ROOTED CABBAGE. Brassica Rapa var.--We have

two kinds of this in cultivation; but although these are both much eaten

in Germany, they are not esteemed with us: in fact, we have so many

varieties of the cabbage kind all the year round for culinary purposes,

that nothing could much improve them. In countries further north than we

are, this is probably an acquisition, as, from its hardiness, it is

likely to stand the frost better than some of the more delicate

varieties.

444. LEEKS. Allium Porrum.--There are two kinds of leeks: the Welsh and

London.

Leeks are used principally in soups; they partake much of the nature of

onions, but for this purpose are in general more esteemed. This plant

has been so long cultivated in this country, that its native place is

not known.

The seeds are sown in the spring, and it is in use all the winter.

445. LETTUCE. Lactuca sativa.--The varieties of lettuce are many. They

are,

Green Coss. White do. Silesia do. Brown do. Egyptian do. Brown Dutch.

White Cabbage. Imperial. Hammersmith Hardy. Tennis-ball.

These are sown every summer month. The brown and Egyptian coss are sown

in August, and commonly stand the winter; and in the spring are fit for

use.

446. LOVE-APPLE. Solanum Lycopersicum.--The Portuguese and Spaniards are

so very fond of this fruit, that there is not a soup or gravy but what

this makes an ingredient in; and it is deemed cooling and nutritive. It

is also called Tomatas, or Tomatoes.

The green fruit makes a most excellent pickle with capsicums and other

berries. It is annual, and raised in hot-bed, and planted out.

447. MARJORAM, WINTER. Origanum vulgare.--This is used as a sweet herb,

and is a good appendage to the usual ingredients in stuffing, &c. It is

a perennial plant, and propagated by planting out its roots in the

spring of the year.

448. MARJORAM, SWEET. Origanum Marjorana.--This is also used for the

same purpose as the last mentioned. It is an annual, and not of such

easy culture as the last, requiring to be raised from seeds in an

artificial heat. It is usually dried and kept for use.

449. MARYGOLD. Calendula officinalis.--An annual plant usually sown in

the spring. The petals of the flowers are eaten in broths and soups, to

which they impart a very pleasant flavour.

450. MUSHROOM. Agaricus campestris.--Is cultivated and well known at our

tables for its fine taste and utility in sauces. These plants do not

produce seeds that can be saved; they are therefore cultivated by

collecting the spawn, which is found in old hot-beds and in meadow

lands.

Various methods have been lately devised for raising mushrooms

artificially: but none seem to be equal to those raised in beds, as is

described in all our books of gardening. Raising this vegetable in close

rooms by fire heat has been found to produce them with a bad flavour;

and they are not considered so wholesome as those grown in the open air,

or when that element is admitted at times freely to the beds.

451. MUSTARD, WHITE. Sinapis alba.--This is sown early in the spring; to

be eaten as salad with cress and other things of the like nature; it is

of easy culture. A salad of this kind may be readily raised on a piece

of thick woollen-cloth, if the seeds are strewed thereon and kept damp;

a convenient mode practised at sea on long voyages. Cress and rap may be

raised in the same manner.

452. ONION. Allium oleraceum.--The kinds of onions in cultivation are,

The Deptford. The Reading. The White Spanish. The Portugal. The Globe,

and The Silver skinned.

All these varieties are usually sown in the spring of the year, and are

good either eaten in their young state, or after they are dried in the

winter. The silver skinned kind is mostly in use for pickling. The globe

and Deptford kinds are remarkable for keeping late in the spring. A

portion of all the other sorts should be sown, as they are all very

good, and some kinds will keep, when others will not.

453. ONION, WELSH. Allium fistulosum.--This is sown in August for the

sake of the young plants, which are useful in winter salads, and are

more hardy than the other cultivated sorts.

454. PARSLEY. Petroselium vulgare.--A well known potherb sown in the

spring; and the plants, if not suffered to go to seed, will last two

years. See aethusa Cynapium, in Poisonous Plants.

455. PARSNEP. Pastinaca sativa.--This is a well known esculent root, and

is raised by sowing the seeds in the spring.

456. PEA. Pisum sativum.--This is a well known dainty at our tables

during spring and summer. The varieties in cultivation are,

Turner's Early Frame. Early Charlton. Golden Hotspur. Double Dwarf.

These are usually sown in November and December, and will succeed each

other in ripening in June, if the season is fine, and afford a crop all

that month.

The Dwarf Marrow-fat. The Royal Dwarf. The Prussia Blue. The Spanish

Dwarf.

These varieties are usually sown in gardens when it is not convenient to

have them grow up sticks, being all of a dwarf kind.

The Tall Marrow-fat. The Green Marrow-fat. The Imperial Egg Pea. The

Rose, or Crown Pea. The Spanish Morotto. Knight's Marrow Pea. The Grey

Rouncival. The Sickle Pea.

This last variety has no skin in the pods. These are used as kidney

beans, as also in the usual way. These varieties are of very large

growth, and are only to be cultivated when there is considerable room,

and must be supported on sticks placed in the ground for that purpose.

The grey pea is usually eaten when in a dry state boiled. Hot grey peas

used to be an article of common sale among our itinerant traders in

London streets, but it has been dropped for some years. One or other of

the different kinds of the larger varieties should be put into the

ground every three weeks from March to the 1st week in June, and a crop

is thereby insured constantly till the beginning of October.

It should be remarked, that peas, as well as all vegetable seeds, are

liable to sport and become hybrid sorts; some of which are at times

saved for separate culture, and are called, when found good, by

particular names; so that every twenty or thirty years many of the kinds

are changed. Thus Briant, in his Flora Diaetetica, enumerates fourteen

varieties, a few only of which bear the same name as those now in the

list of the London seedsmen.

457. POMPION. Cucurbita Pepo.--This is of the gourd species, and grows

to a large size. It is not much in use with us: but in the south of

Europe the inhabitants use the pulp with some acid fruits for pastry,

and it is there very useful. It is also sometimes used in a similar

manner here with apples. Almost all the gourd species are similar in

taste and nutriments when used this way.

458. PURSLANE. Portulaca oleracea.--Two kinds of Purslane, the green and

the golden, are cultivated. These are eaten with vinegar, &c. the same

as other salad oils, and are a fine vegetable in warm weather. The seeds

are usually sown in the spring.

459. RADISH. Raphanus sativus.--The varieties in cultivation are,

The Early Scarlet. The Early Purple Short-top. The Salmon Radish. The

White Turnip Radish. The Red Turnip Radish. The Black Spanish.

The above are sown almost every month in the year, and when the weather

is fine, every good garden may have a supply all the year of those

useful and wholesome vegetables.

The black Spanish radish is a large rooted variety usually sown in

August, and is eaten in the winter season.

The poor labouring man's fare, which is usually eaten under the hedge of

the field of his employment, is often accompanied with a dried onion;

and was this root more known than it generally is, it would yield him,

at the expense of two-pence, with a little labour in his cottage garden,

an equally pleasant and more useful sauce to his coarse but happy meals.

I have observed many instances of this oeconomy amongst the labouring

classes in my youth, but fear it is not quite so commonly made use of in

the present day.

460. RADISH, HORSE. Cochlearia Armoracea.--The root of this vegetable is

a usual accompaniment to the loyal and standard English dishes, the

smoking baron and the roast surloin; with which it is most generally

esteemed.

It should not be passed unnoticed here, that this very grateful and

wholesome root is not at all times to be eaten with impunity. One or two

instances of its deleterious effects have been witnessed by my much

esteemed friend Dr. Taylor, the worthy Secretary at the Society of Arts,

and which he has communicated to me. I shall insert his own words,

particularly as it may be the means of preventing the botanical student

from falling into the same error, after arriving with the usual good

appetite, from his recreative task of herborizing excursions. "Some

gentlemen having ordered a dinner at a tavern, of which scraped

horse-radish was one; some persons in company took a small quantity, and,

dipping it in salt, ate of it: these were soon seized with a suppression

of urine, accompanied with inflammation of the kidneys, which shortly

after proved fatal to one of the company. The Doctor was consulted; but

not knowing exactly the cause of the complaint, of course was at a loss

to apply a remedy in time. But another circumstance of the like nature

having come under his notice, and being apprized of it, by a well

applied corrective medicine he recovered the patient. It should,

therefore, be made a general observation, under such circumstances, and

those are not the most unpleasant we meet with in our researches, 'never

to eat horse-radish on an empty stomach.'"

461. RAMPION. Campanula Rapunculus.--This plant is remarkable for its

milky juice. In France, it is cultivated for its roots, which are boiled

and eaten with salads; but in England it is little noticed, except by

the French cooks, who use it as an ingredient in their soups and

gravies. It is propagated by planting its roots in the spring.

462. RHAPONTIC RHUBARB. Rheum Rhaponticum.--The radical leaf-stalks of

this plant being thick and juicy, and having an acid taste, are

frequently used in the spring as a substitute for gooseberries before

they are ripe, in making puddings, pies, tarts, &c. If they are peeled

with care, they will bake and boil very well, and eat agreeably.

463. ROCAMBOLE. Allium sativum.--The rocambole is merely the bulbs on

the top of the flower-stalk of the garlic, it being a viviparous plant.

The flavour of this being somewhat different, is used in the kitchen

under the above name.

464. SAGE. Salvia officinalis.--Of this we have two varieties, green and

red. The latter is considered the best for culinary purposes: it is the

well-known sauce for geese and other water-fowl. It is propagated by

cuttings in the spring.

465. SALSAFY. Tragopogon porrifolium.--A biennial, sown in March, and is

usually in season during winter. The roots are the parts used, which are

very sweet, and contain a large quantity of milky juice: it is a good

vegetable plain boiled, and the professors of cookery make many fine

dishes of it.

466. SAVORY, SUMMER. Satureja hortensis.

467. SAVORY, WINTER. Satureja montana.

Both sorts are used for the same purposes, as condiments among other

herbs for stuffing, and are well known to cooks. The former is an

annual, and raised by sowing the seeds in March and April. The other,

being perennial, is propagated either by the same means or by cuttings

in the spring of the year. It is also dried for winter use.

468. SAVOY CABBAGE. Brassica oleracea, (var.)

The Green Savoy. The White or Yellow Savoy.

A well-known species of cabbage grown for winter use, and is one of our

best vegetables of that season. It is raised by sowing the seeds in May,

and planting the plants in any spot of ground in July after a crop of

peas or beans. Savoys stand the frost better than most other kinds of

cabbages with close heads.

469. SCORZONERA. Scorzonera tingitana.--The roots of this are very

similar to salsafy, and its culture and use nearly the same.

470. SEA KALE. Crambe maritima.--This grows wild on our sea-coasts,

particularly in Devonshire, where it has long been gathered and eaten by

the inhabitants thereabouts. It was used also to be cultivated; but was

in general lost to our gardens, till my late partner, Mr. Curtis, having

paid a visit to his friend Dr. Wavell at Barnstaple, found it at that

gentleman's table; and on his return he collected some seeds, and

planted a considerable spot of ground with it at Brompton in 1792; at

which time it was again introduced to Covent-Garden, but with so little

successs, that no person was found to purchase it, and consequently the

crop was useless.

This celebrated botanist, however, published a small tract on its uses

and culture, which met with a considerable sale, and introduced it again

to general cultivation.

The seeds should be sown in March, and the following year the plants are

fit for forming plantations, when they should be put out in rows about

three feet apart, and one foot in the row. The vegetable is blanched

either by placing over the crowns of the root an empty garden-pot, or by

earthing it up as is usually done with celery. It is easily forced, by

placing hot dung on the pots; and is brought forward in January, and

from thence till May.

It has been noticed of sea-kale, that, on eating it, it does not impart

to the urine that strong and unpleasant scent which asparagus and other

vegetables do.

471. SKIRRETS. Sium Sisarum.--The roots of this plant are very similar

to parsneps, both in flavour and quality; they are rather sweeter, and

not quite so agreeable to some palates. It is a biennial sown in March,

and used all the winter.

472. SORREL, COMMON. Rumex Acetosa.--Bryant says the Irish, who are

particularly fond of acids, eat the leaves with their milk and fish; and

the Laplanders use the juice of them as rennet to their milk. The

Greenlanders cure themselves of the scurvy, with the juice mixed with

that of the scurvy-grass. The seeds may be sown, or the roots planted,

in spring or autumn; it is not in general cultivation, but is to be

found abundantly wild in meadows, &c.

473. SORREL, ROUND-LEAVED, or FRENCH. Rumex scutatus.--The leaves of the

plant have more acidity in them than the common; and although not in

general use, it is one of the best salad-herbs in the early part of the

year: it is propagated in the same mode as the common sort.

474. SPINACH, Spinacia oleracea.---Two sorts of this vegetable are

cultivated. The Round-leaved, which is very quick in its growth, is sown

for summer use; and if the seeds are put into the ground every three

weeks, a constant succession is obtained while the weather is warm; but

frost will soon destroy it.

The Prickly Spinach is not so quick in growth, and is hardy enough to

stand our winters: it is therefore sown in August, and succeeds the

round-leaved sort; and is a good vegetable all our winter months.

475. TARRAGON. Artemisia Dracunculus.--The leaves of this make a good

ingredient with salad in the spring; and it also makes an excellent

pickle. It is propagated by planting the small roots in spring or

autumn, being a perennial.

476. THYME. Thymus vulgaris.--This is a well-known potherb used in

broths and various modes of cookery: it is propagated by seeds and

cuttings early in the spring.

477. TRUFFLES. Lycoperdon Tuber.--Not in cultivation. The poor people in

this country find it worth their while to train up dogs for the purpose

of finding them, which, by having some frequently laid in their way,

become so used to it, that they will scrape them up in the woods; hence

they are called Truffle-dogs. The French cooks use them in soups, &c. in

the same manner as mushrooms. The truffle is mostly found in beech

woods: I have mentioned this, because it is very generally met with at

table, although it is not in cultivation.

478. TURNEPS. Brassica Rapa.--The varieties in use for garden culture

are, the Early Dutch, the Early Stone, and the Mouse-tail Turnep. The

culture and uses of the turnep are too well known to require any

description.

The country people cut a raw turnep in thin slices, and a lemon in the

same manner: and by placing the slices alternately with sugar-candy

between each, the juice of the turnep is extracted, and is used as a

pleasant and good remedy in obstinate coughs, and will be found to

relieve persons thus afflicted, if taken immediately after each fit.

Although this is one of the remedies my young medical friends may be led

to despise, yet I would, nevertheless, advise them to make use of it

when need occasions.

The yellow turnep is also much esteemed as a vegetable; but is dry, and

very different in taste from any of the common kinds.

* * * * *