THE BRITISH HERBAL: A N HISTORY OF PLANTS and TREES, NATIVES of BRITAIN, CULTIVATED FOR USE, O R RAISED FOR BEAUTY. By JOHN HILL, M. D. LONDON: Printed for T. Osborne and J. Shipton, in Gray's-Inn ; J. Hodges, near London-Bridge; J.Newbery, in St. Paul's Church-Yard ; B.Collins; And S. Crowder and H. Woodgate, in Pater-nofter-Row. MDCCLVJ. To the Right Honourae'ls The Earl of NORTHUMBERLAND. My L O R D, IF I omit the other additions with which your name fhould ftand accompanied, 'tis becaufe 1 addrefs you under a greater; Patron of useful Knowledge : nor fliall I ftop there, fince I may add that higheft of all human titles. Father of the Distressed. To have raifed a little hofpi- tal to the full ufe and purpofe of the moft eftablifhed charities, is more than to have amafled the total ftores of knowledge ; or to have received all the diftin£tions in the power of Kings. To DEDICATION. To fpeak of your Lordship as is the cuftom on thefe oc^ cafions, would appear with a new air; for to you, the lan- auacre of dedications would be truth : yet though it were no more than ecchoing the univerfal voice, I know 'twould be un- pleafing; for all applaufe founds to a delicate ear like flattery. Though I fhall not crowd the page addrefled immediately to your Lordship's eye with praife ; or tranfcribe their wonder who fee greatnefs fo joined with affability, and knowledge fo united to politenefs; one thing I fhall fay, and 'tis with pride and pleafure I ftiall fpeak it, that in this age, unfavourable as it is to literature, the leaft attempt toward rendering know- ledge ufeful is not without its patron. When England fhall be able to produce a Linn^^^us, he will not a want a Clifford. Though I can by this addrefs add nothing to that great opi- nion the world juftly entertain of your Lordship's virtues, I am confcious that I fliall, in publifhing it, do myfelf the highefl honour it is poffible I fhould obtain. Science can boaft no greater glory, than to receive the patronage of Virtue. I have the honour to be, With the greatefl refpedb, My L O R D, Your Lordship's mod obedient. bluorft aroBir : ^inii)! "to lov/oq ofb u-. (hbonJOHN HILL. orn f- THE BRITISH H E R B A L. CLASS 1. plants whofe flower mififis of several petals*, with numerous threads i7i the ce7itre^ and is followed by a cluflerof naked seeds. ^HIS is a clafs diftinguinied by natural and obvious charaflers ; and is proper for the ftudcnt's firft coniidci atiun, becaufe the flowers and feeds are confpicuous, and the parts ds^ few., largely and -plain. Mr. Ray eftablifhed ic as a clafs; and the regard he has fiiewn to the order of nature, in keeping thefe plants together, is a proof that his method, tho' plain and fimple, is in feme inftances, better founded than thofe built upon fmaller parts, and nicer diftinftions. Nature has joined no plants fo plainly together as thofe which conftitute this clafs : yet Morifon, Tournefort, and others, have diftributed them in various parts of their works ; and Linn;eus has united the greater part of them with many other plants not properly ally'd to them, under the denomination of polyandria ; a clafs altogether artificial, having but a mtfl:aken foundation in nature. This author in the feventh fedion includes, among what he calls polyajjdria polygyma, the crow- foot, which bears its feeds naked, and the hellebore, which has them included in pods. Nature feparates thefe plants, tho' Linnsus joins them. SERIES I. Natives of Britain- TH I S ferles includes all thofe genera, of which one or more fpecies are natives of our country. The fecond comprehends thofe only of which we have none naturaNy wild. To prevent the reparation of thofe plants which nature has joined in form, tho' divided in their place of growth, we fiiall, under each of the BritifK genera, after defcribing thofe fpe- cies which are natives here, add fuch as, for their ufe or beauty, have obtained a place in our gar- dens. But to prevent confufion or error, we fliall there arrange the fpecies dillindtly under two divifions, as we have here diflrributed the genera^ native, and foreign, under two y^nVj". N\ I; f The leaves which compofe a flower are called petal:, B GENUS 2 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS I. STRAWBERRY. FRJGJRIA i-pHE Jlra-^hrry I>as three leaves on each footftalk; the flower confifts of five petals, and its cup is divided into ten unequal fcgments. , . , The flelhy fubllance of the fruit is no charafter of this genus, for fome fpecies have it not. Linnius feparates this with fome others from the reft of the clafs, arranging it among his uefandria, and placing it next the rofe and bramble. , r r Imperfeft obfcrvations might lead us to fuppofe there was an alhance between the frmt of the fira Jerry and bramble; and little genius's might cavil at the placing u here among plants with naked feeds: but the diftinftions of nature are fufficiently correft if men will properly regard them ■ the bramble will then be found a berry-bearing ftrub ; the ftra-^herry a naked feeded plant. A berry is a fruit which has the feed furrounded by a juicy matter, and enclofed m a Ikin Each grain of the blackberry is therefore fuch ; but in the jlrawkrry the feeds are d.fpofed quite otherwife : They are neither furrounded by juice, nor covered with a Ikin : they ft.ck ,,M on the outfide of "lifall'the plants of this clafs the feeds adhere to fome fubftance at their bafe ; and in the prefent inftance that llibftance fometimes fwclls out, and becomes flelhy : but the feeds are ftill naked, the fruit is no berry, and the plant belongs to this clafs. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Barren Strawberry. Fragaria Jferilis. The root is thick, hard, covered with a brown- i(h bark with a tinge of red, and edged with fibres. The leaves Hand three on each footlfalk i and are of an oval figure, notched round the edges, and of a pale green ; they are covered with a ihort, foft hair, and lie fpread on the ground. Their footftalk is two inches long, and has a couple of fmall membranes at its bafe. The flalks are (lender, fhort, and weak : they are hairy, and have each a leaf or two on them divided into three parts. Ufually there ffands but one flower on each footftalk, and this is large, white, and beautiful. It is compofed or five broad it-^vs, dciiL..a at the ends ; and has in its centre a tuft of fhort threads. It fl:ands in a fmall cup divided into ten parts at the edge. When the flower falls the feeds ripen m a little ckifter. They are fmall, and have no pulpy mat- ter about them ; but five of the divifions of the cup clofe over and defend them. It is very common in dry paftures and on ditch banks , and flowers in April. The bark of the root, dried and powdered, is excellent in diarrhoeas : a fcruple is a dole. This I write from experience ; others fcem not to have confidered it as a medicine. J, Bauhine calls this fpecies Fragaria non fril- gifcra vel non "vefca. C. Bauhine, Fragaria Jlerilis. 2. Common Strawberry. Fragaria ^julgaris. The root is long, thick, of a reddilh brown, and edged with many fibres. The footftalks are three or four inches long v and each fupports three leaves. Thefe are ob- long and broad, and ferrated ; of a dark green on the upper fide, and whitifii underneath. The ftalks are four or five inches high : they divide at the top, and fupport feveral flowers. Thefe are large and white : each confifts of five leaves, and has in its centre a grear tuft of threads wich yellow, burtons. The fruit follows, and is a flelhy receptacle for the feeds : it is large, pulpy, and pleafant. The feeds are numerous, fmall, and fliarp-pointed ; and they are ftuck in the fides of the fruit. It is common in woods, and thence brought in- to gardens, where culture has made it alTume va- rious forms. It alfo naturally differs in the fize of the fruit in different countries. The moft confiderable of thefe varieties are two; I. 7he pltm-frmted Jlrawberry : and, 2. 7hs great-fruiled Jlrawherry of Chili, -with flejhy leaves. C. Bauhine hasdefcribed the firft, and Dillenius the latter of thefe as diftind fpecies ; but they arc accidental variations. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. 3, Shrubby Strawberry. Fragaria frulefcens. 1 he root is long, woody, and edged with fibres. The leaves ftand on footftalks, three upon each, as in the common ftrati-herry ; and are large, oblong, and confiderably hairy. The ftalk rifes from the centre of the root, among the leaves, and is woody, firm, and two foot high. Toward the top it divides into two or three parts, and fpreads into a round head. Thera are leaves like thofe which rife from -the root, at the infertions of thefe branches; and upon their tops ftand the flowers. Thefe are fmall and greenilh, much of the fame colour with the leaves, but of the form of the common jira'whcrry fiower. The fruit is conic in fliape, and is partly red, partly green. The hairs that rife from the feeds are very rough, and alfo grccnifh. It The BRITISH HERBAL. 3 It is a native of Italy, and flowers and bears its fruit tliere fomewhat earlier than om firawberry. Zanoni calls this Fragaria arberea fiore herbaceo- Morifon, Fragaria major vcfcaflore herbaceo. The fruit of the garden ftrawberry is cooling ; and when eaten in any quantity, wine and fugar are proper additions. The leaves are cooling and diuretick. An in- fufion of them is good in ftranguries ; and, when made ftronger, in the jaundice. Powdered, they are ufeful in dyfenteries i and a decoftion of thein fweetencd with honey, is an excellent gargle for fore throats. They have the credit alfo, of being a cofmetick ; but for that there is no great authority. G E N U S IL C I N QJJ E F O I L. P E N r A P H 7" L L V M. CInquefoil has five leaves on every footflalk, and five petals in each flower. The feeds fiand in a fmall button i and the cup is divided into ten unequal fegments. LinnsELis places this among his icofiindria polygima i the threads being about twenty in each flower, and growing to the infide of the cup or the petals ; and the fl-yles, from the rudiments of the feeds, numerous. DIVISION 1. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Common CinquefoiL Pentaphyllum vidgare. The root is long, thick, and brown. The leaves fland five on each footftalk, and arc oblong, hairy, and of a dufky green, ferratcd at the edges, and rounded or blunt at the ends : the footftalks are (lender, and three inches long. The niainftalks of the plant are long, very weak, and creeping. From the bottoms of the leaves rife flender pedicles, each fuftaining a fmgle flower. This is large, of a bright yellow, compofed of roundifli leaves, heart-fafliioned at the ends, with a great clufler of Hiort threads in the centre, and it fl'ands in a cup formed of one leaf and divided into ten parts at the edge. When the flower is fallen the feeds ripen in a little clufler, which is defended by five fegments of the cup clofmg about it; the lame fi,ve clofe about the flower whik in the bud. The long creeping ftalks take root at the joints, whence leaves aifo arife, and the plant thus pro- pagates icfelf abundantly. .It is frequent by way fides, and flowers in June- The root is aflringent: its outer rind is the mofl: valuable part, and it is befl: given in pow- der, twelve grains for a dofe. It thus fl:ops purg- ings, and is good in haemorrhages of all kinds, particularly the overflowings of the menfes, and fpitting of blood. In a larger dofe it will often cure intermittent fevers, A fl:rong decoillon of it is alfo good for fore mouths. J. Bauhine calls this Fentaphylliim ■vulgarerepem. C. Bauhine, ^iinqiiefoliim majiis repens. 2. Silver-leaved Cinqnefoil. Ventaphyllum ereSiim foliis fiibtus argentds. The root is large, thick, and woody, brown on tlie outfide, and white within : it divides into many heads, and has feveral fibres. The ftallis are nunnerous, firm, upright, hairy, and fix inches high. The leaves fliand alternately : they have longifli Footftalks, at the bafe oF which there is a little appendage furrounding the ftalk: they are deeply divided at the edges into five large, but irregular 5 parts, and are of a duflty green above, and white underneath. The flowers are fmall, and of a bright yellow; They are compofed each of five petals, with a large tuft of threads in the centre. The feed is ripened in fmall clufters. Five of the ten fegments of the cup in this, as the others, furround firft the bud of the flower, and after- wards the clufler of feeds. It is common in dry barren places, and flowers in June. Its virtues have not been try'd, they are pro- bably the fame with tliofe of the other, but in a lefs degree. J. Bauhine calls this Pentaphyllum ere^.um foliis profunde feSIis fuhius argenteis fiore luteo. C. Bau- hine, ^.inauefoliiim folio argenteo, ■3,. Little rough Cinquefoil. Pentaphyllum parviim hirfutrum. The root is long, thick, and black. The leaves that rife from it are fmall, five on each footflalk, and hairy : they are of a dufky green, and deeply ferrated : the footflalks that bear them are about two inches long. The main italks rife among thefe. They are flender, hairy, and of a redifh colour, and lie fcattered on the ground. The flowers fl:and at the tops of the branches, and are large, and of a beautiful yellow. Jt grows in drypafl:ures, but is not frequent: I have feen it near Loughborough. It flowers in June. J. Bauhine calls this Penlaphyllum pnn'um hi;-' fiilum. C. Bauhine, ^liN^uefolimi minus repens aureum. 4, Three-fingered Cinquefoil. Pentaphylhim minus repens foliis tripartitis. The root is fmall and long ; it is brown on the outfide, and has many fibres. The leaves ifand on footflalks, which are flen- der, weak, and redilh. They have three principal divifions, and twofmallcr j appearing to be com- pofed of five leaves thus irregular in their fize. The Italks run upon the ground and root a: the joints,^ as in the common cinquefoil. The BRITISH HERBAL. The flowers are very beautiful, moderately J;irge, and of a gold yellow, with a tuft of threads in the centre. The feeds fland in a little clufter. It is a fcarce plant. 1 have feen it in Charlton foreft in Sufiex, where it flowers in September. Plukenet dcfcribes this, Aim. p. 2S5. 5. Siiky Cinquefoil. Peniapbylhm pumlim foUis fericeis. The root is oblong, fmali, brown, woody, and edged With fibres. The leaves rifing from it are fmall, and (land upon very flender footftalks. They are irregu- larly divided into five parts; three principal, which are forward, and two lefler toward the llalk. Thefe lall are always fmall, and often wanting ; and they, as well as the others, are notched at the tops. Their colour is a whitifii green, and they feel filky. The ftalks are numerous, fhort, and fpread upon the ground. The leaves on them are like thofe from the root, but ufually they have only the three divifions. The flowers are fmall and yellow. The feeds ftand in a little naked head. It is not common in England, but frequent in the hilly parts of Scotland. Sibbald calls it FragarLe fyhejlri affinis -planta flare lutea. Plukenet, Pentaphyllum frutuo[um minimum frociimbcns fiore luteo fgliis fericeis fraga- rue teriiis. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Upright Cinqut-roi]. Pentiiplyllum return majm. The root is long and thick, of a redifli brown on the outfide, paler within, and edged with fibres. The leaves which rife from it are placed on Ibort footftalks, and deeply divided into five parts i fometimes into more, often into lefs ; and frequently the firft leaves are fcarce divided at all. Thefe divifions or feparate leaves are ob- long, narrow, and deeply indented. The ftalk is two or three feet high, firm, hard, round, redifli, and a little hairy, with leaves ir- regularly placed, refembling the other, but with fewer divifions. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches, into which the upper part of the ftalk divides ; and are large, of a fine gold yellow, and fwcet fcented. The feeds ftand naked in a little clufter, de- fended by the cup. It is a native of Italy and the fouth of France, and flowers in June. The flowers arc fometimes white. C. Bauhine calls it SiuinquefoUum re&iim lu- 2. White flowered Cinquefoil. PentaphyUum jiiajus fioi-e alba. ' The root is long, flender, brown, and fur- niflied with fibres: The footftalks of the leaves are two or three inches long, flender, weak, and hairy. Five leaves ftand on each ; and they are oblong, broad, pointed at the ends, and hollowed. They are of a deep green, and fmooth on the upper fide, and hairy and white underneath. The ftalks are fix or eight inches high, but weak and flender. They have numerous leaves ftanding irregularly on them, and divide toward the top into branches. The flowers ftand on footftalks fingly towards their tops, and are large and white, with yellow threads in the centre. They much rtfemble thofe of the ftrawberry. The feeds are fmall, and ftand in a clufter. It is a native of Hungary, and many other parts of Europe, and flowers in June. J. Bauhine calls this Fenlapbyllim alhm. C: Bauhine l-^in^uefolium album majus, 3. Yellow alpine Cinquefoil, Pcntaphyllutn minus mreum. The root is long and flender, of a dufl^y brown, and furniflied with fibres. The leaves that rife immediately from it ftand on long flender pedicles, five on each ; and they are oblong, broad, ferrated, and pointed at' the ends; They are of a lliining green, but have a few fcattered hairs upon them . The ftalks are weak, and hardly ftand upright. They have feveral leaves on them, placed irre- gularly i and thofe toward the upper part are divided into three, rather than five fegments. The flowers ftand on long footftalks ; and are large, of a bright yellow, with a great tuft of deeper yellow threads in the midft. When thefe are fallen, the feed appears in fmall clufters naked. It is a native of Italy and Germany, and flowers in June. The virtues have not been tried. C. Bauhine calls this Sumquefolium minus repens alpimm aureum. GENUS III. BASTARD CIN QJJ E F O I L; P ENTJP HTLLOIDES. TH E flowers and feeds of this are like thofe of cinquefoil ; but the leaves are more numerous; and ftand in two rows, with an odd one at the end. Linnsus places this among his icofandria the threads rifing from the cup or petals, and the rudiments of the feeds being numerous. D I y The BRITISH HERBAL. 5 DIVISION I. 1, Scrawberry Cinquefoil. Pentafhylloidcs fragiferum. The root is large, rcdilli, and woody. It is divided at the top into feveral heads, and has a few fibres. The footftallcs of the leaves arc four inches long, tender, and hairy. The leaves on each are five or fcvcn. Three larger ftand at the ex- tremity, and are broad, oblong, hairy, ferrated, and not unlike thofe of (trawbcrry, but lefs. Be- low thefe there are two or four fmaller ; fo that the whole leaf is of the winged kind, not fingered as in the right diiquefoih. The flalk is round, firm, ercfl, and two feet and a half high. It is hairy, and divided at the top into branches. The leaves on this are few, and placed irregu- larly. 'I'hey confifl: ufually of five leaves on the under part, and only three higher up. Some- thing like this is feen alfo in the right cinque/oils, in which, though the radical leaves have always five, thefe have in fome fpecies only three di- vifions. Thefe leaves are of the fhape of the others, but fmaller. The flowers are numerous, large, and white. They ftand at the tops of the branches, and are fucceeded each by a head or cluftcr of feeds, in iome degree refembling a ftrawberry. It grows wild in Wales, and fcarce elfewhcre in Britain. It flowers in May and June. J. Bauhine calls it Penlaphylliim ere£lliin, and C. Bauhine ^dnquefoUum fragiferum. 2. Purple iVIarfh-Cinquefoi!. PehtaphyUim pabjlre rubriim. Tlie root is long, blackifh, and woody. It fpreads a great way under the ground, and fends out many large fibres, which are white or redifh, The footftalks of the leaves are three or four inches long. On each Hand five or leven leaves in two or three pairs, with an odd one at the end. Thefe are oblong, narrow, and lharply ferrated. Their colour is a bluiflt green on the upper fide, and whitilh underneath. The fl;alks are a foot and a half long, but weak, and not very upright. They are often redifli, and are in part covered with a kind of fcabbards from the leaves. The leaves ftand alternately on tliem : they ufually have only two pairs of wings, and an odd one ; and are in fliape and colour like the others. The flowers Hand at the tops of the branches, and are large and beautiful, but of a Angu- lar ftrufture. There are five, broad, and pointed fegments of the cup, which are purple within, and themfclves refemble a flower. In thefe there ftand five proper petals of the flower, which are alfo of a deep purple ; but they are fmall, and the leaves of the cup are much more confpicuous. In the centre there is a clufter of purple threads. When the flower is fallen, there comes a button or head of feeds, in form refembling a fmall ftrawberry. It grows in muddy places in the north of Eng- land, but not frequently. Some plants of this N" I. BRITISH SPECIES. have been fet in one of the bogs on Hampftead heath but they do not thrive. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it ^^inqnefolium pnhfjlre ru^ brum. J. Bauhine, Pentaphylhm beptaphyllum f.ore ruhro. 3. Thick-leaved marfti Cinquefoil. Fentaphyllum palujlre rul'nim crajfis foUis. The root is flender, long, and fpreading, black on the outfide, and reddifh within. The leaves that rife from it are very like thofe of the laft defcribed fpecies j but they grow with lefs regularity. Ufually there are three pairs on a ftalk, with an odd one at the end ; fomctimes only two pairs, and not unfrequently there rifes a fingle one near the place where the footftalk adheres to the root. Thefe footftalks are weak and hairy, and the leaves thick and flefliy ; fo that they are well fupported. They are of a pale green, and are much more hairy than thofe of the former ; though in thefe it is but moderate. The ftalks are low, weak, and fiiort, round, and ufually redifli toward the bottom. The leaves on them arc fmall, and in fliape and colour like the divlfions of the others, and fli-ind in an uncertain number and irregular manner. The flowers ftand at the tops of their divifion s, which being fmall and weak are fcarce able to fupport them. They are large, and of a deep purple, with a clufter of threads in the middle. The feeds ripen after in a little clufter. It is common in Ireland, and in the north of England, as about Carlifle, and in fome parts of Yorkftiire. It flowers in July. Plukenet calls it Pentaphyltoides palujlre rulrv.m crajfis ^ vttlofis foliis fu:cicum £3* Hibcrnician. 4. Shrubby Cinquefoil. Tentaphylloides fruticofum. The root is compofed of a fmall head, with a large number of thick fibres, and fpreads greatly. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, woody, and of a brown colour ; and towards the top it divides into feveral branches. The leaves ftand on Ibort footftalks, rifing al- ternately from diflerent fides of the main flalk. They are oblong, and of a pale green on the up- per-fide, and fmooth ■, on the under-fide they are whitifli and woolly. Seven of thefe gene- rally ftand on each footftalk, and they are di- vided as it were into four and three. Sometimes there are only five. The flowers grow on the tops of the diviflons of the ftalks ; and they are large and yellow. They conflft each of five leaves, with a tuft of threads in the middle. They quickly fall off, and the feeds follow in a fmall button ; but nature has lefs regard to the ripening of thefe, becaufc the plant is well pro- pagated by the root. The ftalk of this plant throws off its bark fre- quently, fo that it is comm.only ragged. It is a native of the northern parts of Eng- land, and flowers in June and July. About Thorpe and Egglcftone abbey in Yoiklhire it is common. Rav calls it Pnitavhylloidis [ruticofum- C D I V I- 6 The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION II. Ft I. Many-leaved Penupbylloidcs. Pentaphylloides fufinum ptentilU fucis. - The root is long and blackiHi. It is divided into many lieads, and fpreads under tlie furface. Tlie leaves are very numerous. They ftand on footftalks two inches long, and are compofed of three or more pairs of fmaller leaves, with an odd one at the end. Thefe are oblong, narrow, Diarply ferrated, and of a pale green. The [talks are a foot and a half long, but weak and yellow. They are divided into many branches toward the top, and have the fame kind of leaves with thofe from the root, but fmaller and fewer on a footftalk. The flowers are moderately large, and yellow. They confifl each of five leaves, and have a tuft of threads in the middle;. When thefe are fallen the feed fucceeds in a little naked clutter. It is a native of Germany, and flowers in ■ J. Bauhine calls it Pentaphyllaiies fupinum. C. Bauhine, S>uiiiquefolio fragifero affinis, from the fmall heads ot feed fomewhat rcfembling an unripe flrawberry ; but this is lefs than in many others, where it is not obferved. 2. Silver -leaved flrawbery Cinquefoil. PeiUaphyttoides argentiim fragiflrum. The root is long, thick, blackidi, and woody, and is well furniflied with fibres. The leaves arc numerous. Their foot- (lalks are an inch and a half long; and they are compofed each of nine parts, or divided into nine fcgments, fo deep that they appear fcparate. REIGN SPECIES. Thefe are placed in four pairs, with an odd one at the end ; and are narrow, longilli, and fer- rated very fliarply. They are of a pale green, and hairy. In the ihape and difpofition of the di- vifions they much refemble the leaves of the com- mon filverweed. The ftalks are numerous, very fmall, and (len- der. They do not exceed four inches in length. They trail on the ground, and have the fame kind of leaves irregularly placed on them as thofe at the root. Toward the top they divide into little branches, and others rife from the bottoms of the leaves. The flowers are fmall, but of a beautiful gold yellow. They confifl: each of five leaves, and have a tuft of threads in the middle. The feeds ripen in a fmall head, and are co- vered in part by five of the fegments of the cup. This is frequent in Switzerland, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Sainquefolio fimilis enmaphyl- los ; and Parkinfon Emieapbyllon ; from its having nine leaves on a footflalk. All thefe fpccies of pentaphylloiies, and thofe of ciiiquefoil, agree in virtues as they do in their charafters with the common cinquefoil Q^^r fields. This their tafie manifells. They have not been feverally tried ; but there is not one whofe root does not poffefs a flrong allringency. Perhaps in this, as in many other cafes, we do wrong in confining our trials to fomeone fpecies. Others may have greater virtues in the fame way than that commonly ufed. We fee this in mint ; only one fpecies of which was regarded in medicine of a long ume, but another has fincc been introdu- ced ; and many others deferve to be fo. G E N U S IV. SILVER WEED. ARGEN'TINA. (T-ilIE leaves of fikcrwttd are pinnated, and the ftalks creep and take root at the joints. The ■•- flowers and feed, agree with thofe of cinquefoil. This is one of the icojaniria pjyaniria of Lin- nKus ; that author ranking this plant, cinquefoil, and pentaphylloides, together under the name of potentilla. Of this genus there is but one known fpecies, and that is a common wild plant. Common Silverweed. Argentina "julgaris. The root confiffs of a fmall head, and a vaft multitude of fibres. It is of a deep brown, and has an auftcre tafle. The leaves rife in great numbers. They fl:and on fhort pedicles, and are very beautifully pin- nated, each confifting of feven or eight pairs of ifnall leaves on a ftalk, and an odd one at tlie end. Thefe are oblong, narrow, deeply ferrated at the edges, and obtufe at the ends. The ftalks refemble thofe of cinquefoil. They arc long, weak, red, and lie upon the ground, taking root at the joints. From thefe places rife alfo new clufters of leaves. The flowers ftand on long naked footftalks ri- fing from the bofoms of the leaves ; and they are 7 ■very large and beautiful. They are compofed each of five petals, of a roundifh figure, nut dented at the tops ; and are of a moft beautiful fliining yellow : in the middle of each there is a tuft of threads, with yellow buttons ; but fmaller than in cinquefoil, and of a paler yellow. The feeds are fmall : they grow in a roundilh head, and are defended by five of the ten feg- ments of the cup which clofe over them. Thefe are hairy, and pointed. Nature in this, as in other plants that run fo quick at the ftalk, takes lefs care in ripening the feed. It is frequent in barren places, and flowers in June. The root pofliflbs the greatcft virtue, md it de- ferves to be much more known in medicine than it is. It The BRITISH HERBAL. 7 It is cooling and aftringent : and, to fpeak from experience, is excellent in diarrhceas where the ftools become bloody, and in overflowings of the menfes. The befb way of giving it is in pow- der, and its dofe is a fcriiple. The young leaves in an infufion are diuretick. I have tried it in intermittent fevers, and not wholly without fuccefs, though not with that de- gree of certainty which attends fome other medi- cines. From what experience fliews of the effi- cacy and fafety of this, and many of the roots of our own produ£t, we feem inexcufable in not purfuing thefe ufeful refearcbes. Botany, which has of late become a fcience much ftudied for cu- riofity, deferves to be much more cuitivatLd fur ufe. G E N U S V. TORMENTILL. rORMENTlLLJ. 'y^HE flower of tormentill confifts of four petals, and has a tuft of threads in the middle. The leaves ftand feven upon a ftalk. This is one of the icofandria polygynia of Linnseus ; tho' It fliews the clafs of that author ill named, the threads in this being but fixtecn, whereas the word icofandria exprcfles twenty: himfelf ac- knowledges however, that the number twenty is not effential to the diftindion, tho' he has thence given the name. That author feems to have correfted himfelf alfo, for eftabliniing this as a diftinft genus. He acknowledges that it is an artificial, rather than a natural difliniflion ; but we wifh, for the fake ot thofe he has foinetimes mifled from the true end of this (ludy, that he had made more fuch errors. He was in the riglit here againlt his own correflion ; for torme?HiU., whofe flower confifts of four petals, is naturally diftinguifhed as a genus from cinquefoil, whofe flower has five. , Nature has alfo preferved the dillinftion, by allotting the number of feven leaves together on this plant, in which it diff^crs from the cinquefoil, which has but five : nor does it lefs differ from the pentaphylloides, which has the fame number, in their manner of growing : in thofe plants, they Hand in the pinnated form, each whulc leaf confifting of fcveral pairs and an odd one; but in tormen- till, they grow together from one point, as in the cinquefoil. On thefe diftincLions, by which it is fo perfcftly feparated from all the precedent, and all the fubfe- quent genera, tormentill has a right to a diftind place and name; and it is not LinniEus, who fepa- rated them, that errs i but he would do fo, who, following that author's fecond thoughts, Ihould join this and cinquefoil under one common name. We have in this incident, a ftrong inftance how far the love of fyftem will carry a man of know- ledge; it wili lead him to correct what he did, knowing it to be right, and compel him into what is plainly wrong afterwards. Of this genus there are but two known fpecies, and both are natives of England. I. Common Tormentill. I'ormentiUa vulgaris. The root is large, thick, and of an irregular Form ; of a brownifli colour on the outfide, red- ifli within; and furniflied with many fibres. The leaves that rife from the root are few, not deeply divided, and of fo little duration that they are rarely fcen. The ftalks are numerous, long, flender, red- ifli, and a little hairy. They often lie in part upon the ground; but fometimcs ftand upright, to the height of iix or eight inches. The leaves grow on them at diflances, and furround them. They are each compofed of feven which are oblong, narrowifli, and ferrated. Their colour is a dufl^y green, and they are a little hairy. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches, and are fmall, but of a bright and beautiful yel- low. They are compofed each of four broad petals, and have a tuft of threads in the middle- When they are fallen the feed ripens in fmall heads. It is common on heaths and in dry paftures. Hampftead heath abounds with it. It flowers in July and Auguft.' The generality of authors de- fcribe it under the nam.e of tormentilla and tcr- vientilla vulgaris. It is an excellent aftringent. The root poffelTes the greateft virtue, and may be given in powder or in decoflion. In the firfl: way twelve grains is a dofe, in the latter an ounce and half may be put into three pints of water and boiled to a quart' Either way it is good in diarrh,-Eas and hcemor- rhages. Befide thefe it pofiefl"es the virtues of a fudo- rifick and cordial It is therefore one of the beft medicines the materia medica affords us in fevers attended with purging. It is at all times good in the fmall pox ; but when a diarrhcea comes on improperly in that dif- order nothing excels it. 2. Creeping Tormentill. Tormsntilla refetans. This is a beautiful little plant, which PloC,- Morifon, and others, from its numerous ilowers^ ranked among the cinquefoils; but the plain diftinflions we have eftablifhed in the charafttrs of thofe two genera, ftiew it to belong to this. The root is compofed of a fmall head, and a great quantity ot fibres, which are brown, tough . and of an auftere tafte. The leaves are very beautifully divided ; they ftand on fliort, redifli footftalks, which are weak^. and 8 The BRITISH H K R B A L. aiiJ a little hairy : they are of a fine green colour, and flwrply ferrated. The Iblks rife in the centre of thcfe, four or five from each head of the root. They are long, (lender, rcdilh, and run upon the ground in the manner of thofe of cinquefoil, and fend roots at every joint downwards, and tufts of leaves, and often new ftalks upwards. The flowers are moderately large, and of a beautiful yellow, with a Jitde tuft of paler threads in the middle. They confill each of four petals, ■whence it is plain the plant is a torsnentill^ not a cinquefoil. When thefe are fallen, the feeds ripen in a fmall oval duller. It is not common. Plot and Morifon found it in Oxfordfnire. 1 have feen it on the edge of Charlton foreft in Suflex. Its virtues are probably of the fame kind with thofe of the former, but in a lefs degree. Morifon calls it Pentaphyllum mimis vmdejl&re mireo tetrapeialo rndiados in terro.m ad genii aid de- mittens. Plot, Pe}2taphyUmn repians aureum Jcliis profundius ferratis. Bauhine and others defcribe a larger kind of tormentiil with a fweet-fcented root; but this is an accidental varicry, not a diflinct Ipecies. GENUS VI. A V E N S. CARTOPHTLLArA. 'T^H E flower of avens confifts of five petals, with a tuft of threads in the centre. The feeds hare long and crooked hairs growing to them ; and the leaves are pinnated. Linns:us ranks this among the icofandria polyginia j and taking away its antient and proper name, calls it gcum. This laft is a name ufually underftood to be long to a very different plant. This is therefore one of thofe inftances in which he has brought in needlefs confufion. The anticnt name, caryophyllatay is very proper ; the root of this plant having a fragrant and aromatick finell, refembllng that of the clove fpicc, caryophyllus. DIVISION T, I. Common Avens, BRITISH SPECIES. Caryophyllata vulgaris. The root is thick, and of an irregular figure, and ufually lies obliquely in the ground. It is of a redifh colour, an aullere taflre, and a very light, pleafant, aromatick fmell ; and has many thick fibres. The leaves rife in a little cluflrer fix or eight together and arc of a very pretty fliape. They are pinnated, but in a fingular manner, the feve- ral pairs of fmall leaves on the fides bearing no proportion to the odd one at the end, which is large and rounded. There are three or four of thefe pairs, and they are fmall, broad, and ob- tufe. The colour of the whole leaf is a pale green, and it is fomewhat hairy. The ftalk is round, firm, hard, upright, and branched. There Hand irregularly on it feveral leaves. They have a couple of broad, fiiort fegments at the ftalk ; and at the extremity are divided into three parts, and are deeply ferrated. The Oowers are fmall and yellow, and have threads of a paler colour in the centre. The feeds ftand in a large button, naked, and Furniflicd with hooked points. It is common in paftures and under hedges ; and flowers in June. Authors defcribe it under the name of caryo- fhyllata vulgaris ; in Englifli we call it evens and hcrh kiifiet. It poflriTes the virtues of the tormentiil, but is more a cordial, and fudorifick with lefs aitrin- gency. The root in powder, is good in fevers a:tended with diarrheas. Ten grains is a dofe. An infufion made by pouring a pint of boiling Water on half an ounce of it cut to flices, is an excellent fijdorifick. The powder of the root in a: dofe of half a dram, repeated in the manner of the bark, will frequently cure agues, where the bark itfelf, through ill management, has failed. The phyfician often meets witli patients who are fo avcrfe to the bark that they will not touch it : thefe home-produced remedies fhould then be tried, for they will generally fucceed. - 2. Purple Avens. Cnryophyllala flore purfiireo. The root is oblong, irregularly fhaped, and lies obliquely under the furface : it is bLick on the outfide, paler within, and has many thick black fibres. Its tafte is auflere and bitterifh. The leaves rife in little cluflers, and ftand on fhort pedicles. They are compofed each of fe- verat pairs of fmall pinnte, and a large rounded leaf at the end. They are notched rudely and irregularly at the edges, and are a little hairy. At firft they are of a pale, afterwards of a brown- ifh green-, and in fome places, but not in all, they have a pleafant fmell : this variation is per- ceived alfo in the roots of the other kind, which are very fragrant in fome places, and little fo in others. The ftalks are numerous, round, hairy, and robuft : they are a foot or more in height, and divide into many branches. Their leaves are fmall, notched, hairy, and difpofed irregularly. The flowers are fmall, ftriated, and purple. They grow in a pendent manner on the tops of the branches, or on little bending, hairy footllalks rifing from them toward the top. They feldom open perfeflly. Their colour is a deep purple on The BRITISH HERBAL. 9 the outfide, and paler within ; and they have a pleafant fmi-ll, They confift each of five petals, and have a tuft of threads with yellow buttons in the centre : and chey lUnd in a fpreading, purple kind of cup, very beautiiul. This is formed of five leaves of the entire cup of the flower, which, as in the others before defcribed, confifts of five Jarger, and five fmaller. The feeds grow in a naked head, and this ftands on a longifh pedicle. They have hairs hanging from them in the fame manner as the others. It is a native of Britain ; but not common. It has been found about Settle in Yorkihire, and on Snowden hill in Wales, and, as is faid, in EiTcx. It is by feme called mountain avens^ and by others uuater avens, its place being naturally in bogs on the tops of hills. C. Bauhine calls it Cayyophyllata aquatica imtmite fiorct and J. Bauhine Caryophyllata aquatica fiore Jtriato. Others, Caryophyllata mo?U am purpurea- 3. Avens with a fingle white flower. Caryophyllata fiore albo folitario. The root is long, brownifh, with a tinge of red, and of a woody fubftance. It fpreads under the furface, and fends up leaves in many places, in feparate tufts. Thcfe ftand on long and flender footftalks i \ and arc oblong, of a deep green, and pointed at the ends. The ftalks are hard, woody, and he upon the ground. They are lour or five inches long, and have the fame fort of leaves on them, but fmaller. They are harlh to the touch, and white under- neath ; as are alfo thofe from the root. The flowers are large, white, and very beauti- ful. They refemble thofe of the common ftraw- DIVISION n. F( I. Avens- with upright fingle fiowers. Caryophyllata Jlore ereSlo folitario. The root is oblong, thick, and of an irregular iliape. It runs obliquely under the furface, and is edged with fibres. Its colour is black, and its fmcll aromatick. The leaves rife four or five together, and fland on fiiort foDtfliaiks. They confifl each of three or four pairs of fhort, blunt pinnas, and a large leaf at the end. This is divided grofsly into three parts, Upon the whole, it has a rounded lhape, and it is irregularly notched. The whole leaf is of a fhining green ; and the footftalk is hairy. The ftalks are round, upright, green, and a little hairy. Their leaves are hairy, more di- vided and notched than thofe at the bottom \ and they ftapd irregularly. The flowers Itand fingly on long, flender foot- ftalks ; and are yellow, large, and beautiful. They are bigger than the flowers ot cinquefoil ; and have a tuft of threads in the centre. The feeds ripen in a fmall clufier, and have threads hanging from them ; but thefe are much fofter and finer than the threads of the other kinds. J. Bauhine calls this Caryophyllata montana fiore N'^ I. berry, but that they are larger. They ftand fingly on long, flender, hairy footftalks, and have a tuft of threads in the middle. The feeds fband in naked heads, furnifiied witU long and feathery filaments ; fo that they refemble thofe of the pafqueflower. It is not uncommon in Ireland, parti'-ularly in Galway. It flowers in June. Morifon calls \t Caryophyllata alpina cham,rdryos folio. C. Bauhine, Cham^drys alpina cifii fiore. 4. Cinquefoil avens. Carophyllata pentapbylLsa. The root is a tuft of numerous brov/n, thii-k fibres rifing from a fmall head; of a iragrant fmell, and aromatick tallc. The leaves arifingfrom it, ftand on long, hairy lootflalks. They are divided deeply into five parts, fometimes into feven, in the manner of the tormentill leaves ; and arc of a pa'e gr-^eii and hairy. The fevera! fegmems are narrow, pointed at the ends, and notched at the edges. The fl:alk is round, hairy, and a foot high. The l:aves ffand irregularly on it, and are di- vided into five parts, in the manner of thofe at the bottom. Thefe fcgments are narrow, hairy, and ferrated. The flowers are finall and yellow. They con- fift each of five leaves, with a tuft of threads in the centre ; and fland on the tops of the branches. The feeds follow in a naked, fmall head, arid have hairs hanging to th.:m like thofe of the com. mon avens, but more tender and foft. It is found in fume parts of Scotland ; and flowers in May. J. Bauhine calls it Caryophyllata pent aphylUa, C. Bauhine, Caryophyllata alpina q^uinquejolia. iREIGN SPECIES. magna luteo. C. Bauhine, Caryophyllata alpina lutea. It feems to pofiefs the virtues of the common avens in a very powerful degree. 2. Creeping Avens with finely divided leaves. Caryophyllata foUis incifis cnule repente. The root is long, brown, flender, divided in- to branches, and belet with fibres. The leaves fiand on fiiort footflalks ; are di- vided into a number of fmaii parts, which are obtufe, fliort, and notched at the edges. The ftalks are weak and low ; they are a little hairy, and ufually lie upon the ground. They have about four leaves on them, and thefe fmaller than thofe from the root; otherwife alike, except that the divifions are finer. On the tops of the ftalks ftand the fiowers. They are large, yellow, and very be:iut:iful. One ufually ftands on the top of each ftalk. They arc compofed of an uncertain number of leaveSs and have aluft of threads in the centre. The feeds fland in a fmall, naked head ; but they have fine and foft hairs growing from them. It is a native of the cold mountainous parts of Switzerland, and other parts of Europe. Ic I flowers in June. D The The BRITISH HERBAL. The virtues are probably the fame with thole of the others : but it Hands particularly recom- mended as a vulnerary. Barrilier calls it Caryopkyliata alpina tennui folia incana fore htteo longius radkata. C. Bauhine, Caryophyilata alpina apii folio. E N U VIL PAS Q_U E F L O W E R. PULSAriLLJ. ^pHE flower confifts of fix petals ; and the feeds are furniflicd with downy threads. There is a kind ^ of leafy cup which (lands remote, but belongs to the flower. This is one of the polyandria poljgynla of Linnsus but it is properly of the fame clafs with the pre- cedent : nature has joined it to them by plain charafters, tho' Linnasus feparates it upon fmall varia- tions. In this clafs it properly conne6ls the avens and anemone; its feeds being furniflaed with a hairy or thready matter, tho' finer and more delicate than that of thofe robufl: plants. We fhall only intcrpofe between this and the anemone, a genus- nearly allyed to it, that of the clematis, which, tho' very different in the fubftance of the ftalks and manner of growing, yet perfectly refembles it in the feathered feeds. Linn^Eus, in his Genera Plantarum, allows the pulfatilla to be a dillina genus i but in his Species Plantarum, fince publiflied, he makes it only a fpecies of anemone. We fee here a fccond inflrance of what was before obfervcd, that the fondncfs for making new diftinflions gets the better of this au- thor's earlier knowledge. The particular remote cup, we have mentioned in the charaders of this £Tenus, diftin^uiflies it fufficiently, as fuch, from the anemone and this author himfelf once thought fo. At prelent, he not only includes this, but among the hepatica alfo, the fpecies of anemone : thus, taking away the ufe of thofe anticnt and univerfally received names, and calling the plants by that of the anemone, from which they are fufficiently diflinguilTied. Of the fpecies of pafq^iieflower there is but one a native of Britain. DIVISION I. Pafqueflower. Pulfatilla. The root is large, long, and thick; it is fre- quently divided into feveral heads, and they are tufted with the remains of decayed footftaiks of leaves. The colour is blackifli, and the tafte bitter and acrid. The leaves ftand on footfi:alks of four Inches long, and are beauufully divided into a number of fmall parts. Thefe footn:alks are redifli at the bottom, hairy, and moderately thick. The leaves alfo arc hairy, and of a thick fubftance. The flralk is round, hairy, hollow, and weak. While it fupporcs the flower it is about fix inches in height ; but when that is fallen, it fhoots up to a foot. This feems a provifion of nature for fcattering of the feeds, the wind having more power upon them, as they ftand higher. There are no leaves on this (talk except one, which we have there called a fort of cup to the flower. This ftands always in one certain place, which is BRITISH SPECIES. a little below the flower ; and is divided into ma- ny fmall parts, and is very hairy. This leaf furrounds the ftalk at its bafe, and is there of one entire piece, its divifions beginning at a little dif- tance above. The flower ftands on the top of the fl:alk, and each ftalk has only one. It is large, purple, hairy without, and fmooth within ; and is comppfed of fix petals, which are pointed at the ends. It has little fmell, but that is very agreeable. In the centre ftands a tuft of threads with yellow heads, furrounding a button, which afterwards becomes tne head of feeds, covered with long, filvery hairs. When the plant is in feed the leaf which ferved as a cup, ftand on the middle of the ftalk; for the ftalk grows in length only in the upper part. It is found wild on Gogmagog hills in Cam- bridgefliire, and in fome parts of Lincolnfliire, and Yorkfliire ; and flowers in April. J.Bauhine calls it Ptdfatilla purpurea ccrulea. C. Bauhine, Pulfatilla folio crnjfore ct tnajore fiore. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Pinnate-leaved Pafqueflower. Pulfatilla folzis pimiatis. The root is long, black, large, and divided into many heads. The leaves ftand on footftalks of four inches long, and are compofed of feveral pairs of obtufe pinnre divided deeply at the edges. They are of a firm, hard fubftance, a pale green colour, and hairy. The ftalk is five inches high, hollow, weak, and h.iiry. The flower is remarkably large, and ftjii:!. fingle at the top, each ftalk bearing but ' one. It is compofed of fix long and broad pe- tals, and has a great tuft of threads in the centre. Under it there ftands fuch a Angular leaf, as in the common pafqiufozi^er, forming a kind of cup. The flower ftands ere6t ; but is uncertain in colour. It is mod ufually of a pale yellow: fometimes it is of a deeper yellow, and fome* times white. Thefe are lefs remarkable variati- ons ; for we fee many flowers changing, according to the culture or natural accidents, from a very deep colour, through all the gradatiojis of the fame colour into white : but what is fingular in this, is that the flower is fometimes alfo purple, the whole plant remaining in other refpects ex- actly the fame. The BRITISH HERBAL. It is a native oi' Switzerland, and Ibme parts of Germany, where it lives ia the moft barren Ibrefts ; but the flower is not fo confiderable there as in our gardens. It flowers in fpring. C. Bauhine calls it Pulfatilla apH folio vernalis fere mijore. 2. Small-flowered Pafqueflower, Pulfatilla fiore minore violaceo. The root is long, thick, dark coloured, acrid to the tafte, and furnifhed with large fibres. The leaves fland on fllort footftalks, and are divided into numerous very long and very nar- row fegmencs. Their colour is a faint green ; and their footftalks, towards the bottom, are purplifh. The ftalks are numerous, and each fuftains a fmgle flower. They are hairy, and altogether without leaves except one at the upper part* wiiich, as in the other fpecies, furrounds the flalk at its bottom; and upwards dividing into nume- rous, fine fegments, ftands as a kind of cup to the flower. The flower itfelf is finall, and hangs down- ward. It is compofcd of fix oblong, narrow pointed leaves, whole tops turn up. Its colour is a deep violet blue, almofl: black. The feeds follow in a clufl:er, and are covered with fine filvery down. It is a native of the northern parts of Europe, and flowers in April. J. Bauhine calls it Pulfatilla fiorc caruleo claufo^ and C. Bauhine Pulfatilla flore nunore nigircante^ GENUS VIII. CLIMBER. CLEMATIS. *T^HE 'flower of clematis conflfts of four petals, and has no cup : and the feeds have long appen- dages refembling feathers. Linnsus places this among the polyandria polygynia, uniting with it, under the fame name, the fiammula and viticeiia ; although, according to his own account, they differ plainly ; the flammula in the number of thofe parts, he makes eflential to the generical character : thofe he calls clematis hav- ing a great number of piftils, and the flammula but eight. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES: I. Travellers joy. P'iorna. The root is brown, thick, and full of flbres. The fiift leaves are fmall and fiightly divided. The ftalks are thick, hard, woody, of an an- gular lhape, and the younger ones hairy, and okenredifli. The Others have a white rind; and they are very tough, and formed for twifliing round every thing they come near. The leaves iland two at a joint, and are pin- nated i each confining of two pairs of fmaller leaves, and an odd one at the end of the flalk. Thefe are oval, fiightly ferrated, and pointed at the end. Their colour is a pale green, and their fubllance firm. The flowers are white. They fl;and in tufts, and are fmall : each is compofed of four leaves, whitifli, and of a fweet fmell. In the centre is a tuft of threads ; and, when the feed ripens, it fliands in a naked clulkr, bearded with fine long filvery hairs. It is frequent in our hedges, and flowers in July. J. Bauhine calls it Clematis lalifoUa^ five atra' gem qiiihiifiam, C. Bauhine, Clemalitis fyhejlris lati folia. Autlrors have defcribed two or three accidental varieties of this plant, under the name of dillinft fpecies. We fee the leaves fometlmes undivided, and fometimes broader than is ufual. The Clemalitis fyhcftrts latifolia, and Ckmatitis latifoUa inte- gral of C. Bauhine, are only two of thefe varie- ties. Thefe are not unfrequent in our hedges among the common kind : but we have only this one Britifh fpecies. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Spanifh Viorna. Clematis B^ttca. The root is long, not thick, woody, brown, . and of an acrid tafl:e. The firft leaves are fimple, and undivided. They much refemble thofe of the pear-tree, only they are indented at the edge. The ftalks are very flender, and of a vaft length, whitifli, woody, and with an uneven rind. The leaves ftand three, four, five, or more, at a joint. They are of an oval fliape, and dented at the edges ; and each has its feparate, longifii, and flender pedicle. They are of a firm fub- ftance, and fhining green. Ac the fame joints where thefe ftand, there grow confl:ant!y two tendrils ; one parts each way from the flalk ; and they are very firm and tough. Thefe lay hold of any thing to fupport the plant, and the leaves feem to rife from their bofom. The flowers are fmall and whitiih, and the feeds have a long beard of filvery down. It is a native of Spain, and other warm parts of Europe, where it covers whole trees. It flowers in June, and its feeds ripen in Auguft. J. Bauhine calls it Clematis BMica clufuy and C. Bauhine Clematis per egrina foliis pyri incifis. The foreign and Britifh clematis agree in their nature and qualities as well as Jorm. They are acrid, and too lharp for internal ufe; but an oil made of the leaves, infuled in oil of olives, is efteemed good in the Iciatica. GENUS FHE BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS IX. W I N D F L O W E R. A N E M ONE. THE flower of the emmone is large, and confifts of an uncertain numter of petals with a great ■ tuft of Ihort threads in the centre. There is not that fingle and particular leaf at fome dif- tance under the flower, which is fecn in the pulfatilla ; but the leaves naturally ftand in a regular order about the middle of the ftalk, three riflng together. Linn^us places this among thi polyaiidria folygynv-i. In his Genera Plantarum it fl;ands feparatc from the pulfatilla ; but in his fuccecding works he has joined them, as we have oblerved, under that arl;icle. The Eniilifli name of this genus is wiiid-flm'er ; but it is difufed, and v/e have .adopted the Latin word entirely. DIVISION I. I. White Wood- Anemone. Anemone nemsrum alba. BRITISH SPECIES. The root is thick, oblong, and creeps irregu- larly under the furface. While young, it is yel- lowilli ; when older, of a redifli brown ; whitifli within, furnirtied with many fibres, and of an auftere and very acrid tafte. The leaves that rife immediately from the root ftand on long flender footfl:alks, and are large and beautifully divided. The footfl:alk is pur- plifli, and fomewhat hairy, and the divifions of the leaf large and indented. The ftalk is flender, weak, round, and eight inches high. It is purplifli at the bottom, and green upwards. The leaves grow with regularity upon it. They are three ; they all rife from the fime place, and ftand on moderately long footftalks. They are beautifully divided, and their footifalks are redilh, and fomewhat hairy. The place of thefe is a little higher than the middle of the ftalk ; and from this it is again naked to the top. The flower ftands fingle on the top of the ftalk. It confifts of fi.'t oblong and large leaves, and has a tuft of threads with yellow heads in the centre. Its colour is ufually white, often redifh, or with more or lefs of a purplilll tinge. The feeds follow in a button or little clufter, ■which is rough, each feed having a hooked fliort beard. Ic is a native of England, and common in woods. It flowers in April. J. Bauhine calls it Ranunculus ;ph-agmites albus fc? purpureiis vermis. C. Bauhine, Jnemone nemo, rofa jiere majcre. Its virtues are unknown ; but there is fuch an acrid tafte in every part of it, that it would fecm unfafe to try it internally. A fmall winged iafeft is apt to dcpofit its eggs on the underpart of the leaves of this fpecics ; and they fomewhat referable the round dots in which the feeds of fern are lodged. A leaf of it thus decorated is unluckily reprefcnted in a figure in the laft edition of Ray's SynopCs. The form, fubftance, and difpofition of thefe dots ought to have informed the botanift they were not feeds. It is a jufticc we owe the memory of Mr. Ray to obferve, that although this error ftands in a work authonled by his name, it is not to be charged to his account. The defcription p. 124. and fi- gure, tab. 3. of that work, arc both added by the late Dr. Dellenius, botanical profeflbr at Oxford, who faw the plant under the name of a fern in the colleiftion of Bobart. He therefore was the perfon firft impofed upon; The plant was given him, whether ignorantly or in wantonncfs, by a perfon whom he calls the Conjurer of Chal- grave. 2. Large-leaved Wood- Anemone. Anemone folHs tnajorihus Jlore vioJaceo. The root is long, flender, irregularly fhaped, and fpreads under the furface ; thecolour is a deep brown, and the tafte more fiery and acid than the laft. The leaves ftand on footftalks two inches long, and referable thofe of the common ■wood- anemone in form, fize, and divlfion. The foot- ftalks are purple at the bottom, and the leaves of a Ihining green. The ftalk is five inches high, round, flender, purple toward the bottom, and weak. The leaves on the ftalk are three. They all grow from the fame fpot, aud have fcarcc any footftalk. They are large, and of a beautiful green. They are divided into three large parts, and then deeply into feveral fmajler. The flower ftands fingly at the top of the ftalk, and has no cup. Its colour is a deep vio- let blue i and it has a great tuft of yellow threads in the centre. The petals are oblong, and ob- tufe at the end. Their number is uncertain, from fix to twelve or fifteen ; in which later cafe they are very narrow. 1 his is a fort of doubling of the flower, but it is natural to it often without culture, and alfo to the common white wood kind. The feeds ftand in a fmall rough clufter. It is a native of moft of the cold parts of Eu- rope. I have found it in Charleton foreft, and in one of the places mentioned in Mr. Ray's Sy- nopfis, in Surry. Mentzclius calls it Ranunculus numeroftts Jlore cxriiliofoiiis majoribus Jpenini monies. D I V I- The BRITISH HERBAL. ^3 DIVISION II. I. Fine-leaved red Anemoni?!, Anemom tenuifolia flore rubente. The rcoL is large, thick, and of an irregular fojm. The leaves are numerous : they rife from feverai heads of the lame root, a duller from each ; and have footftalks of two or three inches in length. They are large, and in the whole of a fomewhac triangular form. Each is divided into three principal parts, two at the bottom, and one at the end ; and thefe are again deeply indented. The ftalk is robufl:, purplilli nCiir the bot- tom, and tt'u inches high. Toward its middle there fland three leaves, all growing from one place ; and they are fmall, and have no footftalks. They refemble the lepa- rate divifions of the lower leaves. The flower is fingle, large, and of a pale red : not rarely it is white, or very faintly tinged : but red is the natural colour. It is compofed of fix leaves, and has a large tuft of threads in the middle. The feeds ftand in a fmall naked button. It is a native ot the Eaft, and flowers in the fpring. C. Bauhine calls it A?icmoiie tcmnfollo fimplici fore. We had it originally from Conftantinople ; and it is raifed to great beauty, and with great va- riety in our gardens, by being made double, and FOREIGN SPECIES. of a variety of colours, from the deepefl red with a purple tinge, to the palefl flefli colour. 2. Trifoliate Anemone. Anemom frifolia. The root is long and (lender, and fprcads un- der the furface of the ground, dividing into fe- verai parts, and fending up leaves from many heads. Its colour is brown, its tafte acrid, and it has many fibres. The leaves ftand three on each footftalk ; and are of an oval figure, pointed, ferrated,' and without feparate footftalks; adhering by their bafe to the top of the ftalk rifing from the root, which is three inches long, (lender, and purplifh. The ftalk is fix inches high, round, weak, and purplifli. The leaves are three on this ftalk. They all rife from the fame point, and have long foot- ftalks, each confifting of three other diftinft leaves, and in all refpcfls refembling tHofe that rife immediately from the root. The flower is large and beautiful. It is white, with a blufli of purple, and refembles the flower of the common wood-anemone. It is compofed of fix petals, with a tuft of threads in the centre. The feeds follow in a naked head. It is a native of France, and fome other parts of Europe, and flowers in fpring. C. Bauhine calls it Anemone triJoUa flare alio. GENUS X. PLEASANT EYE. ADONIS. rpHE flower oi O^zadonis confifts of an uncertain number of petals, with a tuft of extremely flrort A threads in the centre : the feeds ftand naked m a longilh head ; and the leaves are divided into fine fegments. Linn^-us places it among the polyaj^dria folygy„ia ; and he very juftly reduces to this ..enus that plant commonly known by the name of flne-kaved Hack heMo-/e. That is indeed a fpecies of adon's ■ and they were guflty of introducing confufion into the fcience who called it bv the name of another genus, to which it by no means belongs. Linna;us deferves praife, that he calls this a fpecies of adonis; and ,t were to be wiflred he had not admitte.l the real black hellebores into the fame clafs. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Adonis. Adonis radice annua. The root is long, flender, whitifh, and fur- niflied with large fibres. The firft leaves are large, divided into a great number of fmall and fine fegments, and placed on footftalks of two inches long. They are of a pale green colour, and tender fubllance. The ftalks are lound, ftriated, green, and a foot and half high. They divide into many branches, and ftand tolerably upright. I'he leaves grow on them irregularly, and are like thofc which rife from the root, but fniallcr. 1 he flowers ftand at the tops of the branches : they are moderately large, and of a beautiful fear- let colour ; and are compofed of an uncertain K°II. number of petals, with a bundle of threads, hav- ing deep purple heads, in the centre. The feeds ftand naked in a longifli clufter. It is common in fome parts of England in corn-fields, and flowers in Auguft ; it is no where fo frequent as in Kent and Suflex. C. Bauhine calls it Floi adonis mu!go aliis eran- thcmiim ; others Adonis, and Flos adonis. The flower is ibmetimcs of apurplifli colour, and the leaves are fometimes longer than in the com- mon ftate of the plant. Thde are varieties only j but they have been defcribcd as feparate fpecies. It has not been any where much ufed in me- dicine. Some recommend an infufion of the flov/ers in wine for cholieks ; but there are many better remedies ; and this wants the autKority of more experience. E DIVI- 14 The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Perennial-rooted Adonis. Adonis redice ferenni. The root is compofed of a fmall liead, divided into fcveral parts, and furnifhed with a great number of tliiclc fibres. It is of a deep blackifli brown colour, and a bitterifh and acrimonious tafte. The firll leaves are two inches long, and com- pofed of a great number of very flender fine fcg- ments. They ftand on fhort footftalks, and are of % duflcy green colour. The (talks arc numerous, ftriated, fiender, and eight inches high. The leaves ffand irregularly on them, and they refemblc thofe from the root ; but they are fmaller. They have a bitterilh talle, and when rubbed an unplcafant fmelh The flowers Hand at the tops of the flalks ; and are large, beautiful, and yellow. They confifl: each of fixtccn fl;riated petals, indented, and of- ten turning back at the points. The feeds Hand in an oblong clufter, large, and naked. It is a native of Bohemia, and other parts of Europe, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Hellthriis niger iimiifcUus haphihalmi fiorc: The root refembles that of black hellebore in al'peft ; whence the plant, though altogether un- like, obtained that name. It is acrid and poifon- ous : it has fomctimes been fold in the ftead of black hellebore, or mixed among black hellebore, and, it is faid, with fatal confequences. It has the fharpnefs of the moft violent of th? crow-foots, and its juice will eat away v/arts. 2. Great flowered Adonis. Adorns jioYE maxima. The root is compofed of a fmall head, and a vaft number of long and thick fibres. It is black, and of an acrid and difagreeable tafte. The firfl: leaves are fmall ; they have very ihort footftalks, and are divided into a few flender long fegments. Their colour is a pale green, and they are of an acrid tafl:e. The ftalks are fliort, thick, and flcihy : they have large joints, and at each one leaf divided into very narrow, but not numerous fegments. The flower is yellow, very large for the bignefs of the plant, and ftands at the top of the ftalk. It is compofed of feveral petals, and has a large tuft of paler yellow threads in the centre. The feeds ftand in a naked oval head. It is found in fome parts of Germany, and flowers in July and Auguft, Mentzelius calls it Hdkhorus niger ferv.laceus, [at Pfeudohelleborus caiile geniculato fore mago in- Jlar tulipa. Its virtues are unknown. GENUS XI. MOUSETAIL. M r O S U R o s. THE flower confifts of five fmall petals, and is placed in a five-leaved cup. The feeds Hand naked in a long head ; and the leaves are grafly. Linnsus places this among the fenlandria fohgynia, feparating it, by many clafiis, from the ramn- and other of the plants belongrng to this, although he acknowledges it is very nearly '"This°marfllew the imperfeftion of his method, even upon his own confefiion The reafon of his feparating this plant from the others, is that there are in them great tu ts of threads ,n the middle of the flower i and in this only five. Let us appeal to nature, whether this p ant which agrees with th= o hers of the prefent clafs in the form and ftrutture of its flower and in the fingular dilpofition and a raneement of its feeds, flrould be taken from among them, and placed m a far diftant clafs, on y becaufnhe filaments or threads in the flower are in a fmaller number. Reafon declares utterly S this ; nor is there the juft authority of obfcrvation for placing it in any other. This author, rhnnlh from its having five filaments, he has ranked it among the pcntm,dna ; yet is obliged to con- fefs °th'at the number of thofe threads is fubjeft in this genus to great variation t- This acknowledgment not only ftews he has put the prefent plant out of its place, but flrakes the verv foundation of his method: for ,t depends upon the numbering of thefe filaments. In th?ar angement we have made of thefe feveral genera, the mufetail appears plainly to belong to them, and to hafe its proper place. We have given the difpofition of the feeds in a naked head as the treat charafter of the clafs ; and in fome that head is flrorter, in others longer. In moft of the ge- Sra firft named here it is round . in the adonis it is oblong and thick, and tn the mcufeta.l. which we place next, it is long and thin. There is no more diff-erence. ^ ^ , ^ Of this genus there is but one known fpecies, and that is a native of England, « Myofiiri fumma eft afEnitas cu.Ti ranuncdo. t Numeios fiaminom m hoc gctiere valde vaiiat. Lira. Gen. Plant. 3. .. MoufetaiL i The BRITISH HERBAL. Moiifetail. Myofuros. The root Is compofed of a great number of ■whitifli fibres. The leaves are very numerous. They rife in a thick tuft, and refemble the fhoots of grafs. They are three inches long, extremely narrow, and fmalleil toward the bottom, for they grow fomewhac broader toward the end ; they are of a fredi green, and foft. The ftalks are numerous alfo : they rife from the centre of the tuft of leaves, and are round, flender, naked, and of a pale green. At the top of each flandsa fingle flower; which is fmall and greenifii, compofed of five little pe- tals, and ftanding in a cup compofed of five leaves alfo, which though fmall are fomewhat larger than the flower. 'In the centre ftand feveral threads in an uncertain number, and on their tops are placed oblong buttons. When the flower is fallen, the feeds appear placed with great regularity in a long and flen- der head, the whole refembling tlie tail of a moufe i whence the plant has been named. It is not uncommon in dry places : about Pad- dington we have it in abundance. It flowers in May. Authors call it MyofurtiSi and Cauda miiris. The tafte of the whole plant is fiery and acrid : in this alfo it agrees with the crowfoot kind. Its virtues are not known ; but it appears one of tliofe plants which are not to be given internally. GENUS xir. CROWFOOT. RANUNCULUS. 'T^HE flower confifts of five petals, with a tuft of fliort threads in the centre, and ftands in a cup compofed of five leaves : the feeds ftand naked, and in roundifh clufters. Linnsus places this genus among the pohandria pdygynia^ and fpcaks with great warmth of the confufion and uncertainty to which it was liable, till he difo.'Vered the nedarium of the flower. It appears to me, on the contrary, that this, though an ingenious and curious obfervation, is not of great ufe ■, that the genus is fufficiently diftind without it, and little liable to any other confufion than fuch as may arife from learned trifling. The parts of fruclification in this genus, Linnseus obferves, are always inconfl;ant and uncertain : He means that the filaments in the middle of the flower are fo. This is not Angular in crowfoot * we have juft ihewn it is fo in moufetail, and fliall fhew the fame in many others. If any thing is to be inferred from this, it is, that thefe, though the foundation of that author's fyftem, are, upon his own confeflion, unfit for fuch a purpofe. l"he charafters we eftablifh from the flower in general, and the feed, are not fubjecl to this inconfl:ancy or irregularity ; and therefore they are more proper. The neftarium which that author here calls in to the afTirtance of his diftinftions, is a little Hollow, ■fometimes open, fometimes clofed up, in the bottom of every petal oi: the flower. We fliall fee by this, and numerous other infliances, that a method founded more on the obvious parts of plants is Icfs liable to uncertainty, and more agreeable to the diftindions made by nature. DIVISION 1. BRITISH SPECIES. I, Round- rooted Crowfoot. Ra-iiuuculus radice rotunda. The root is a fmal! round head, with fomc v/nitifli fibres. Its colour is whitifh or redilh, and its tafte infufFerably acrid. The leaves that rife from the root are large, broad, and divided into three parts, each of which is again deeply notched : they ftand on long footftaiks, and are of a pale green. The ftalks are round, upright, and branched. The leaves that grow on thefe are fmall and divided into a few deep fegments. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful yel- low. They are compofed each of five rounded petals, and have a tuft of threads in the centre. The feeds ftand naked in a fmall head. It is common in our pafl:ures, and fiov/ers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Ranunculus p-atenf.s radice I'erticilli modo rolunda. J, Bauhine, Ranunculus iuherojus majcr. 2. Common creeping Crowfoot. Ranunculus fratenfis repens lulgaris. The root is compofed of a great tuft of whitifli fibres hanging from a very fmall head. The leaves that rife from it are large, deeply- divided at the edges, and often fpotted. Each is compofed as it were of three diftindt parts. The colour is a dead green, and they are fome- what hairy : they ftand on ,long hollowed foot- ftaiks. The ftalks are flender and weak : fome run upon the ground, and take root at the joints j others are more ereft, and fupport the flowers. The leaves on thefe are fmall, and deeply di- vided. The flowers are large and yellow. The feeds follow in naked heads. It is common in meadows, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Ranunculus pratenfis repens hirfittus. 3. Pale-leaved Crowfoot. Ranunculus foliis pallidloribus hirfutis. The root is compofed of fibres. The leaves ftand on long hollow footftaiks, and arc divided into three parts, and each deeply indented : they are large, hairy, and of a pale green. The ftalk is two feet higli, upright, firmj and 3 of The BRITISH HERBAL. a pale green. The leaves on ic are fmall, and deeply divided. The flowers are large, and of a fine glofiy yel- low, and' have tufts of yellow threads in the middle. The feeds (tand naked in a fmall ruundifh cluftcr. Tliis greatly refembles the commo?: creeping croivfoot \ but its fl;alks are all ereft, and it does no: root at the joints. The leaves alfo are paler and more hairy, and the flowers larger than in that fpccies. It is frequent in wet places near the fea, and flowers in May. J. Bauhine calls it Rammculus i-etius foUis frj'l- dioribus hirfiiim. 4. Tall Crowfoot. Rcmincidus ereclus Joliis mullljidh. I he root coniifts of fibres, thick, numerous, and whitifh. The leaves that rife from it are large, and of a pale green : they ftand on very long foot- ilalks, and are each deeply divided, not into three parts, as thofe of the three preceding fpe- cies, but into live, feven, or more ; and thefe are again deeply indented. The whole leaf has a fi- gure nearly rounded. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and three feet high. The leaves on it are divided into fmaller parts, and fewer than thofe from the root. The flowers are numerous, moderately large, and yellow. The feeds Hand in fmall roundifii naked heads. It is common in paftures, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Rammculus pratcnfts ereufus acris ; and mofl: others have followed him. 5. Little flowered Crowfoot. Rciiiuiiculus hh-futus annus flare minimo. The root is a tuft of fmall fibres rifing from a little head. The leaves which rife from it are fmall, hairy, and of a pale green. They fl;and on footfl:alks an 'inch and a half long, and are cut deeply into three parts, though not down to the fbalk. 'I'hefe di- vifions are alfo notched at the edges. The ilalks are numerous, fiender, weak, and hairy : they lie upon the ground, or rife but weakly from it. The leaves on them Hand irregularly, and are altooether like thofe from the root, but fmaller. The flowers are very fmall, and of a faint yel- low, and the leaves of the cup frequently appear between them : there is a little tuft of threads in the centre. The flowers are fcldom feen en- tire, the petals adhering but weakly at thtir bale. The feeds are fmall, and ftand in a little clufter. It is common on dry banks, and flowers in June. Plukenet calls it Ranunculus hirfutus anms flcre minimo. Morifon, Ranunculus arvenfis hirfutus annmisflore omnium minimo. Linnsus thinks this the fame with the third foreign fpecies ; but it is quite diUinift. 6, Wood-Crowfoot. Ranunculus nemorofiis foUis fuhrotundis. In many of the croirfoots the leaves which grow on the llalk differ greatly from thofe that rife from tile root ; but in none fo much as this. '1 he root is a tuft of long fiender whitilh fibres, of a lefs acrid tafte than the others. The leaves that rile from it fland on very long footOialks . tliey are of a roundifli figure, often entire, fom.etimes divided more or lefs deeply into five or more parts, and always notched at the edge. The {talks are tolerably upright, round, weak, and a foot and a half high : they are divided into many branches, and fupport many flowers. The leaves on them are cut fo deeply, that each appears compofed of five or more long and nar- row ones. Thefe are of a pale green, and not indented. The flowers are moderately large, and of a bright yellow. The feeds follow in a fmall longifh clufter. The flower in this plant is rarely feen entire, for the petals hang very loofe, and often one falls before the reft are difclofed. It is common in fhady places, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Ranuncidus nemorofus vel fyl- -vaticus folio rotunda. J. Bauhine, Ranunculus rotundifoUus vemus fyhaticus, 7. Corn-Crowfoot. Ranunculus fcminihus afperis. The root is compofed of many whitifh fibres. The leaves that rife from it are fmall, and very deeply divided : they ftand on long footflalks, and are of a pale green. The ftalk is thick, firm, upriglit, and two feet high. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are very deeply divided into numerous, flender, pointed fegments. The flowers ftand on the tops of the branches and are of a bright yellow, moderately large, and have a tuft of threads in the centre. The feeds ftand in a fmall head ; and are flat, large, and prickly. It is common in corn fields, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Ranunculus arvenjis eshi- natus ; and he is followed by moft others. S. Small flowered Water-Crowfoot. Ranunculus aqiiaticus fioribus minimis. The root is a thick tuft of whitifli fibres. The leaves rifing from it are fupported on long fleOiy footftalks. They are roundifh, but deeply divided into three or five parts, and notched ac the edges. They are perfectly fmooth and glofly, and their colour is a pale yellowifh green. The ftalk is very thick, flelhy, round, and divided into many branches toward the top. The leaves on it are divided into narrower feg- ments than thofe at the bottom : they are alio fmooth, and of a pale green. The flowers are very fmall : they ftand on the tops of the branches, and are of a pale yellow. The feeds are numerous and fmall, and they ftand in longifli heads. It The BRITISH HERBAL. 17 Ic is common in watery places, and flowers in J Line. C. Bauhine calls ic Ranunculus palujlris apii- folio la-vis. J, Bauhine, Ranuncidus pahipis flor& minimo. 9. Great Spearwort. Ranunculus latifoUus five fiammeus major. The root is a clufter of thick, whitifli fibres. The leaves rifing from it are a foot long, an incli and half broad, of a pale green, and with fcarce any footftalks. The ftalk is thick, flefiiy, ereft, and three foot high. The leaves ftand alternately, and are eight or ten inches long, and an inch broad, fmooth, even at the edges, and pointed at the ends. The flowers are very large, and of a beautiful yellow. They ftand at the rops of the branches, and have a tuft of pale yellow threads in the middle. The feeds follow in large, naked cliifters. Ir grows in fhallow, muddy waters in the ifle of Ely and fome otherr places ; bnt is not common. C. Bauhine calls it Ranunculus longifolius pa- lujiris major. J. Bauhine, Ranunculus folio longo maximus. Lingua Plinii. It is a very ftately and beautiful fpecies. 10. Lefler Spearwort, Ranunculus avguJlifoUus five fiamnieus minor. The root is compofed of many thick, whitifh fibres. The leaves rifing from it are long and narrow ; and they Hand on long footftalks. The llalks are numerous, fiefliy, branched, and not altogether cre^l. The leaves Hand irregularly on them ; and are {.blong, narrow, even at the edges, and pointed at the end. The flowers fland at the tops of the branches, and are fmall, but of a bright yellow. The feeds ftand in little, naked cluflers. It is common about waters; and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Ranunculus longifolius fa- hjlris miner. C. Bauhine, Ranunculus longifoHus aliis flammula. The leaves of this fpecies are fometimcs notch- ed at the edges ; in which condition it has been defcribed by many as a diftinft fpecies, under the ■name of Ratiunculus fiammeus ferratus ; but it is only an accidental variety. 11. Ivy-leaved Water Crowfoot. Ranur.cuhis aqnaiicus hcder^e folio. The root is a tuft of white, thick fibres. The leaves rifing from it are roundifh, but dented in three or four places at the edges, and of a pale green. The fl:alks rife in the centre of this tuft of ■leaves, and fpread themfelves on the furface of the water. They are numerous, weak, irregular in their fliape, and jointed. From every joint tliere grow fibres of new roots; fo that the ori- ginal root and its leaves are prefently loir; and ■the plant propi'.gates iifelf at large, fpreading every way, and rooting every where. N^ 2. The leaves rife from the joints of the flalk, and fland on long footftalks. They are of a trian- gular figure, but obtufe at the corners, and a little dented; fo that they refemble the leaves of ivy. They float on the water or lie upon tlie mud; and commonly have a black fpot in the middle. The flowers are final! and white. They grow on footftalks oppofitc the leaves ; and confill each of five petals, with a tuft of threads in the centre, The feeds follow in a clofe, compa'ct, fmall, round head. It is common in fliallow waters ; and flowers in May. J. Bauhine calls it Ranunculus be dcraceus rivu- lorum fs extendens atra macula notatus. Others Ranunculus aquaticus hederaceus. 12. Various-leaved Water Crowfoot. Ra7!unculus aquaticus foliis rotundis el capilb.ceis. The root is a tuft of Jong and thick fibres, which penetrate deep into the mud, or other bot- tom of the water. The firft leaves from them are finall, and di- vided into a few long fcgments ; but thefe wither when the fl:alks grow up. The ftalks are long, hollow, thick, but weak, and divided into many branches. They are jointed at diftances ; and they float along the water. 'J he leaves are of two diflinfl: kinds. Thofe which are under water are of a dark green colour, and are divided into numerous very fine ferments. Tliofe that lie upon the furface afe entire, and roundifli, but deeply notched. Thefe fland alio on long footftalks. The flowers are large and white. They ftand on long ftalks, which rife oppofite to thofe of the leaves, and are compofed each of five petals, wirh a tlift of threads with yellow buttons in the m iddlc. 'I he feed is fmall, and ftands in a round head. It is common in fhallow waters ; and flowers in June. J, Bauhine calls it Ranunculus aqu.aticus tenui- foliis. C. Bauhine, Ranuyiculus aquaticus folio rtoundo et capillaceo. Others, Ranunculus foliis vari'is. 13. Fine-leaved Water Crowfoot, Ranunculus aquaticus foliis majortbus capillaceis. The root is a tuft of long and tough fibres, The firft leaves are long, and divided into very narrow fegments ; fo that they much re- femble thofe on the ftalks of fennell. The ftaik is two foot or more in length ; round, thick, but weak ; and very much branclud. The leaves ftand irregularly, and are large, but divided into multitudes of fine, narrow feg. ments. Their colour is a deep green ; and thece are no others. The plant is commonly immerfed altogether under water ; but if any part of it ap- pear above, the leaves are the fame with thofe below ; not various, as in the preceding fpecies. The flowers are fmall and white, and have a tuft of threads in the centre with yellow buttons. The feeds ftand in little, round heads, fmaller alfo than the former. F It ^^iH^i E^^y \mmi m.mJ i8 THE BRITISH HERBAL. I* It is common in running, as well as landing | waters ; and flowers in June. Linnxus confiders this only as a variety of the former ; but their difference is eficntial. No one will doubt it who fires them growing together- This never has any of thofc entire, rounded leaves that float on the furhce in the other ; and the flowers are always much fmaller. J. Bauhine calls it Rammctdus aquatkus ommno tcnuifoliiis. C. Bauhine, Millefolium aqucitiam ra- ttunculifiore et cafitulo, 14. Tender-leaved Water Crowfoot. Kanmculiis aqxiaticus foliis mincnbus capillaceis. The root is a tuft of fmall, but long, biackifh fibres. The lirfl: leaves are broad, fhort, and placed on long footftalks, and they are divided into mi- nute and narrow pares. The ilalk rifes in the miJfl", and thefe leaves foon after wither. TWs is a foot or more in height, very {lender and weak, and has kaves fet alternately in a confiderable number, and they are very beautiful : they ftand on Hiort iootftalks, and are compofed of a multitude of very narrow parts, which are fo placed that the whjle leaf is of a rounded figure. The flowers Hand on long footftalks, and they are large and white, with a tuft of yellow buttons lupported on fliort threads in the middle. The feeds are fmall, and ftand in a little round clufter. It is common in fliallow, ftanding waters that have a muddy bottom, and is ufually altogether under water. C. Bauhine calls it Millefolium aquaticum cornu- lum. Plukenet, Ranunculus iiouatiats albtis cird- natis tenuilfme divifts foliis. 15. Fennel-leaved Water Crowfoot. Ranunculus aquaiicus jolUs longiffmis. The root is a large tuft of thick, tough, and extremely long fibres. 'I'he firft leaves are very large, of a dark green, and divided into numerous narrow fegments. The Italks are numerous \ they rife in the centre of thefe leaves, which foon alter wither. They are very long, tender, weak, round, di- vided into branches, and jointed. They follow the courfe of the water, and run with it to a great length. The leaves are very large, and of a dark green. They are long, and divided into many long fegments. They refemble thofe on the ftalks ofienneli but they are longer, and the' divifions not fo numerous. The flowers are large and white, with a tuft of yellow buttons, fupported on fliort threads, in the centre. The feeds are fmall, and ftand in a little, round, naked head. This is diftinguifhcd at fight, from all the pre- ceding kinds, by the leaves being divided into much fewer, and thofe vatlly longer fegments. I: is common in large rivers i and flowers in June. C, Bauhine call it Millefolium aquaficmn foliis funiculi. Ranunculi flora et^caplulo. Others, ra?;«?2- cidus aquaiicus foliis faniculaceis. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. ' " ' I. White- flowered tall Crowfoot. Ranunculus aconili folio fiore albo. fl^he root is compofed of a multitude of chick and long fibres, growing from a fmall head. The firft leaves ftand on footftalks four or five inches long, and are of a paie green colour when they fii fl^ rile, but dufliier afterwards. They are large, and deeply divided into three or five parts. Thefe are broad, oblong, pointed and ferrated at t!ie edges. The ftalk is round, thick, flefliy, firm, and three foot high, The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are like thofe from the root; but fmaller, of a dufky green, pointed and ferrated. The flowers ftand ac the tops of numerous branches, into which the ftalk divides in the up- per part. They are large and white. The feeds ftand in little, roundifli, naked heads. The leaves of this plant have not the firey fharpnefs to the tafte of many others. It is a native ot" the Alps and other moun- tainous parts of Europe, and flowers in June. Ciufius calls it Ranunculus mantanus. Others, Ranunculus montanus aconili folio flore alh. 2. Purple Crowfoot. ■ - • Ranunculus hirfutus flon purpurea. The root is compofed of a great tuft of fibres ; they are very long, white, and firm. The firft leaves ftand on long, hairy footftalks. They are large, of a rounded form, but divided deeply into five, fcven, or nine fegments. They are hairy, of a pale green, and ferrated. The ftalk is a foot and half high ; and is weak and flender ; hairy, and of a pale green. Towards its top there ftands a leaf of a parti- cular form furrounding it, without a footftalk, and divided into fevera!, narrow, ferrated feg- ments, pale and hairy. From this part the ftalk divides intio three or four branches, which are fhort, and flender, and each furniflied with a little leaf or two, and with a very beautiful flower on its top, which is large, and in part purple, in part of a fnow white. The feeds ftand in little naked clufters. It is a native of Germany, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Rammctdus -riiontanus, hir- futus furpurafcente flore. 3. Low Crowfoot with prickly feeds. Ranunculus annuus femine echinatg. The root is compofed of a great clufter of flender fibres connedted to a fmall head. The leaves rifing from it are fupported on flender footftalks, hollowed at the bottom : they are fmall, of a figure between rounded and tri- angulate, and divided deeply into three parts. They are alfo notched all about the edges. 2 The The BRITISH HERBAL. 19 TWz fr.ilks are round, weak, jointtd, and ten inchf-B or a foot long. T\v- leaves grow irregularly on them, and re- Icmblt; tliofe irom the root. The flowers are fmall, and yellow, wich a tuft of p^ile threads. The ftrc'da Rand in a little naked head ; and are large and prickly. It is a native of the warm parts of Europe, and the eafb; and loves damp ground. j. Bauhine calls it Ranmiculiis paluftris echinatus. Others Rcnunciihs cchinatiis crelkus. 4. Broad nervous- leaved Crowfoot. RanurMus lata et nervofo folio. The root is conipofcd of a clufler of very thick fibres. The firft leaves are five inches long, two broad, perfediy entire, and blunt at the end, with the ribs running lengthwifci lb that in all refpcdls they refcmbic thofe of plantain. The flalk is fingle, round, firm, and a foot high. The leaves (Irand alternately upon it, and fur- round it at the bafe. They relemble tlioie from ihc root in all refpctSts, but that they are fmaller. Toward the top the llalk divides into two or three brandies, and on the fummitof each is a fiower. 'Jliis is very large, of a fnow white, and has a tLvft of yellow threads in the centre. The feeds are fmall, and ftand naked in a little clufter. It is a native of the Pyi-enxan mountains i and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Ranunculus montanus folih ■plantagms'ii. C. Bauhine, Ranunculus Pyrev£us foliis fublongis n(,n lacinatis Jiore albo. 5. Broad-leaved Crowfoot. RanWKuhis hitifolius rndmbus crajfis. The root is compofed of a great many long, thick pieces, which form a large tuft. The leaves that rife from it ftand on thick, fieOiy footftalks, three Inches long, and are broad, divided deeply into five or more parts, and fer- ratcd round the edges. The flian-: is thick, round, flefhy, and a foot or more in height. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are di- vided into many narrovv, indented fegments. The fiowers are large, and yellow ; and they have a tuft of yellow threads^n the centre. The feed foHov.'S in a fmail head, and is large snd naked. It i-^ a nr,tive of the ead, and fiourlfiies pavti- ciilarly inCiete. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Ranunculus afphodeli rndice CreticHS. Clufius, Ranunculus Creiicus latif alius. This ranunculus whofe root approaches to ;the tuberous kind, naturally leads us to that which lias a regularly tuberous root, and which makes fuch a fine appearance in our gardens. 6. Scarlet Crowfoot. Ranunculus fcliis divijis flore ruhcntc^ radicetuherofa. This \i a beautiful flower in its plain, natural appearance; and when cultivated,' it fiiews an amazing variety, the flower becoming double, and having all the degrees of colour from the deepelt to the paiefl: red, and to white and yellow* The root is regularly tuberous. It is compofed of feveral oblong or oval, thick pieces, intermixed with fibres ; or Ibmetimes wholly without them. The leaves that rife from it are fupported on long footfl.alks i and are, fome of them more, fome of them Icfs, divided. The firft that appear are commonly obiong, and only indented deeply at the edge. The fucceeding ones are divided mora, or lefs deeply into three parts ; and thofe feg- ments are notched and pointed. The fl:alk is round, firm, and a foot high ; fometimes it rifcs fingle and continues the whole way fo : at other times it is branched. The leaves that ftand on it are formed of three parts, two difpofed in the manner of wings, and one placed at the end; and each of thefe parts is again divided into three fegments and notched round the edges. At the top of the ftalk fl:ands a fingle flower, compofed of five leaves, rounded, and very large and beautiful. The ufual colour of this is a bright fcarlet ; but fometimes it is yellow or white. We owe to the art of gardening tbc other numerous variations. It is a native of Afia, where it covers whole fields wild» and flowers in fpring. C. Bauhine calls it Ra7mnculus radice grufnofa ramofus. Others, Rmunculus Afiaticus radice grmnofa. Moft of the botanical writers have divided this according to the colour of the flower, and other accidents, into feveral kinds but they are acci- dental varieties, the plant in every one of thefe appearances being the fame. The crowfoots in general are acrid and cauftick. Some of them are lefs fo than others j and there are fome that experience has Ihewn to be poifon- ous. The greater and lefler fpearwort are of this laft kind, as alfo the round-leaved fmall flowered kind ; as to the others, they have been bani^ed from any ufc on the aecount of thefe : but we fhali fee in this an infliance how raftiJy we condemn fome plants, as well as negligently overlook others. The acrid quality of the crowfoots in general rc- fides in their juice. Some, as has been obferved, have little of it ; and thefe may be taken inter- nally as frefli gathered ; and many of the others becoming mild when dried. A tinduremay alfo be made from fome of the common fpecies that has no bad qualities, In the firlb ftate, the roots and leaves of the round rooted kind may be ufed outwardly with fuccefs on many occafions. Their juice takes away warts. The roots and leaves bruifed together, and ap- plied to fwellings, will aft as a cauftick, and mak? way for the inftruments of furgery. In violent headachs, when the pain is confined to one fpot, they have the grcateft efl^eiSt imagi- nable. A plaifteris to be laid on, with a hole in the middle. A fmall quantity of the herb and root bruifed, and wet with the juice, is to be laid on the bare place i and this is to be covered with a larger plaifter. In this manner of application a few leaves will do the bufinefs. Care mufl be taken 20 The BRITISH H E K B A L. tAken not to let it come near the eyes, for it will [ qaufe violent inflammations. | . In ttie gout thcbruifed leaves and roots have been j ufed with great fuccefs. We have alfo accounts qf cures by them in the plague, by raifing bliftcrs ,' with them, and keeping them open in the manner i of ifTues near buboes in the groin, or eifewhere. The diililled water of the roots, and a tindture made From them in wine, are recommended alfo in the plague internally. The beggars frequently make fores on their legs with this plant, to promote commiferation ; ^nd it is eafy to know that what could do this might be applied urefiilly on fame occafions. An infufion of the leaves of the ivy-leaved ivater-crois-'foot in 'wine, with alder-tops and fage, is recommended ftrongly by fome in the dropfy, and other diforders arifmg from obitruflions of the vifcera, and in the feurvy. GENUS XIII. P 1 L E W O R T. CH ELIDO N lU M MI N U $. THE flower is compofed of feveral petals, and has a three-ieaved cup, which falls with it. The feeds ftand in a fmall naked ciufter ; and the leaves are roundifh, and heart fafhioned. Linnaeus places this among xh^ pohandria folygynia^ and makes it a fpecjes of crowfoot. He calls it crowfoot^ -with heart-fa/hioned^ angidated, and petiolc.ted kaves ; but tiie cup confitLing of three leaves, diftinguilhcs it from the crowfoot, whofe cup has five; not to mention ihe greater number of pe- tals in the flower. It is a plant alfo of confiderable virtues, which arc recorded of ic under the names of pilewort and chelidoniur/i minus : wherefore there is ufe in preferving the diftinflion. What. is called greater celandine, is a plant of an alti.-getlier different clafs, as will be feen here- after. . Linn£EUS, who makes this a fpecies of nmunculus, gives for the firft: chara6i:er of that genus, a cup compofed of five leaves : therefore, according to his original cltablifhment of the genus, this plant doeg"not belong to it. He gives, by way of an exception at the end, this among others; and tli^re eftablifhes the efTential charac^ter of the genus to be the nedarium of the flower ; the rcfl of the parts being all inconflant. Let us examine this conduft in the eye of reafon, and take this as an example of the foundation ihere is for that fpfliionable fyftem. Linnasus gives a defcription of the feveral parts of the cup, flower, and fruit, of the ranunculus; wl>i<;h defcription he, calls the generical character : then among the fpecies of ranunculus he places pilezvori, which does, not agree with that charafter. Indeed it contradicts the two moft abfolute and obvious articles. He fays the ranunculus has a cup compofed .of five leaves, and a flower compofed of five petals ; hul pilewort has a cup of three leaves, and a flower of more numerous petals. It is 'thus diflinguiflied by nature, and it has always been diflinguifhed byname; and has diflintfb virtues. Why therefore fliould it be thus confounded with crowfoot? Linn^us perceives after- wards, that pilewort does not agree with his chara(5lers of that genus ; then he makes an obfervation, which is, that all the parts are inconfl:ant, except that there is a necftarium about the unguis of each petal. This, he fays, is the efTential mark, if fo, his whole generical character is fet afide. He him- felf acknowledges it to be ufelefs ; whv then is it continued ? We have fhcwn it to be faife : there- tore it ought to be rejcfled. ' Befide thefe obvious things in which the pilcn^ort differs from his eflabliHied character of ranuncu- lus there are others, as .the pointed ends of its petals, and the like lelTer articles. Thefc I do not name, the former being fo evident. I have been the more particular on this head, as it may fland in ^11 refpeCts for an inftance of the wrong management brought into the fcience by this new method. There is but one known fpecies of piUwort^ and that is a native of Britain. Conim in Pilewort. Chelidonium minus. ' .The. root is compofed of a great many little tuberous' pieces, of the bignefs of a barley-corn, with fibres among them : they are browniOi, v/hi^ifa, OF redifli on the outfide, and white ^lyithin. The leaves ftand on long footfcalks ; and are of a roundifli form, fome more fome lefs cor- nered or angulated, but all indented in the man- ner of a heart, for the reception of the footftalk; Thofe which rife firfl: are rounder, the others more cornered. They are of a fine green, and frequtntly have a fpot of wbitifli or blackifh in the middle. The llalke are iliort, and lie upon the ground: 3 they have numerous leaves on the lower part, and they fend up long flender naked footfl:alks for the flowers. Thefe are yellow, large, and beautiful : one ftands at the top of each ftalk, and is compofed of a great number of narrow fharp-pointed pe- tals in a three-leaved cup, and has a tuft of threads in the centre. The feeds ftand naked in a fmall clufter. It is common under hedges, and flowers in March. C. Bauhine calls it Chelidonia rotundifoUa mi- nor \ others in general, Chelidonium minus. We call it higwort-^ pilexvort, and Small celan- dine. Sometimes it grows much larger in leaves and flowers, and fometimes rhe flowers are natu- rally double. In thefe tonditions it has been de- fcribed The BRITISH HERBAL. 2l Icribed as different fpecies by authors 5 but they are only accidental varieties. The roots of pileitiort are cooling and foften- ing. They are an excellent remedy in the pain of the piles ; bruifed, and applied to the part : hence they obtained the name. A decoftion of them in red wine is alfo excellent in the fame diforder when they bleed too much. A cataplasm made of the roots and leaves bruifed, and laid on fcrophulous tumors, has been known to do great fervice. Inwardly a ftrong decoction is good In the j^ndice. Having thus feen the form and virtues of this plant, the reader will be able to pafs a more per- feft judgment on that method, which propofes making it a fpecies of crowfoot. Here is an herb different in form, ffiape, and virtues, from crowfoot, and diftinguiftied by the moll: obvious and effcntia! parts, on a nearer in- fpeftion. Can it be reafonable, therefore, when the flower and its cup fiiew a manifefl: difference, we ftiould look for a hole in the bottom of the pe- tals, to unite this and the crowfoot ? Or can it be proper to join together a plant with a cooling roor, and a whole feries of others which arc of a burn- ing and cauftick nature This is confounding what Nature has widely feparatcd ; and v/e fee file has given marks enough of that diftinaion. GENUS XIV. ARROWHEAD, ; S A G I T t A R I A. THE fiower cnnfifls of three petals, and has a three-leaved cup : the feeds ffand in 3 round naked duller : the leaves have long footftalks, and are Ihaped like the bearded head of an arrow. There are two forts of flowers on this plant, male and female. The male ftand uppcrmoft on the ftalks. Their general form is alike ; but in the centre of the male flowers there are only threads topp'd ■with buttons : in the female, none of ^thefe but the rudiments of the future feeds, with their appen- dages, a kind of filaments for the reception of the duft from the buttons. Linnajus places this among the Moncaia PaJyandria, fcparating it far from the other naked feeded plants ; and joining it with the oak, hazel, and walnut tree. The reafon of this is, that there are the different male and female flowers. His explanation of the clafs of Monxda is this : It confifts of plants, in which the males mi females live in the fame hoiife, hit fleep in different beds * ; that is, there are male and female flowers on the fame plant. This is an inftance how unnatural the method of that author is. In our plain courfe, in this part marked out by IMr. Ray, the arrowbeaii is jomed to thofe plants to which its flowers and feeds fliew it naturally belongs ; and the mentioning the feparate flowers in the account is luflicient. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I, Common Arrowhead. Sagittaria vulgaris. The root is large, thick, white, and hung with long fibres. The firfb leaves are long, narrow, and grafly i and thefe, till better known, were mifl;aken for a feparate plant •, and called the great-rooted wa- ter grafs. The following leaves are thofe which charac- terife the plant. They are placed on very long footftalks, reaching from the bottom to the fur- face often where there is a great depth : thefe are thick, loft, fpungy, and of an obtufely angulated form. The leaves are large, and formed like the bearded head of an arrow, tolerably fharp at the point, and at the two beards. They are of a gloffy furlace, and fine green. The ftalks rife two or three together from the centre of the clufter of leaves : they are naked two, three, or four feet high, thick, and fpungy, and of a fmooth furface. The flowers fl:and on long footftalks, and are large and white : they grow three or four from the fame place, furcounding the ftalk. The feeds follow the lemale, which are the lower flowers, and ftand in large roundifli naked clufters. It is common in waters, and flowers in July. All authors call itSaptta,!LnA Sagittaria aqitatica; but they idly divide it into a larger and fmaller kind, from the difference of fize in the leaves : there is alfo another variety, which they delcribe as a diftinft fpecies, under the name of the nar- rovi-ka-ved fmaller arrowhead. All thefe grow promifcuoufly together, and are no more than accidental changes ; but there is one froall fpecies, the form of whofe leaves and flowers fhcws it to be diftinft. 2. Little Arrowhead, with pointed leaves, and large flowers. Sagittaria minor foliis aeutiorihus Jlore majore. The root confifts of a great clufter of whitifli fibres. The leaves that rife firft are narrow, fliort, and deeply ribbed. They have no footftalks, and are in fome degree grafly. The leaves that follow thefe rife in a little clufter : their footftalks are fmall and firm ; and they are very narrow, and very fharp-pointed^ of a pale green, and highly ribbed. * Mares habitant cum faraiiiibus in eadtm tltjmo, fed diveifo thatamo. N" III. G The The BRITISH HERBAL. The ftalk is naked and flcnder. The flowers are large, white, and beautiful. The feeds ftand naked in a little round but- ton. k is common in fhallow waters in the north of England, and has been found on the Thames Ihore by Lambcch. It flowers in Auguft. Plukenet calls it Sagitta aguatica mnlum mi- jiima. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Blunt-leaved Arrowhead. Sffgiltaria agtiatica foliis cihiufis fruHu farvo. The root confifts of a large, irregular lump, with a great number of long fibres, The leaves ftand on long footftalks, are of the arrowhead (hape, but very broad at the bafe, and blunt at the end. The flowers are large and white. The feeds ftand naked in a fmall round clufter. It is a native of Afia, and flowers in Auguft. Rheede calls it after the Afiatick name, CuUta mara. Plukenet, Sagiltarid- foliis planta fruMu glomorcito inanopyrene. 2. Trifoliate Arrowhead. Sagittaria foUis ternatis. The root confifts of a great number of fibres about a fleftiy head. The leaves ftand on long, thick, and fpungy footftalks, three on each : they are very long, narrow, and of a pale green, but of the true ar- rowhead rorm. The fl:aiks are long, weak, fpungy, obtufely nngulated, and naked. They are furniflied toward the tops with large and beautiful flowers. The feeds follow in fmall naked heads. It is a native of China and the Eaft Indies,' Pctiver calls it Sagittaria Chinmefis foliis ternis longijjmis. The common arrcivhcad is cooling ; but we have no particular account of its virtues; GENUS XV. WATER PLANTAIN. PLANTAGO A i^UAT I CA. 'TpHE flower is compoicd of i!iree petals, and has a threedeaved cup, which remains aftef it is fallen. The feeds ftand together in a little naked head, and their outer covering is loofe. LinnjEUS places this among the Hexandria polygynia^ and calls it alifma. In this genus he joins with it the plant called fiarry headed tsjater plantain which, though commonly called by the fame o-eneral name, is properly fcparatcd, as having the feeds fucceeding each flower contained in fix abfo- lute caplules ; and the alifma of Dillenius, in which the feeds are contained in numerous fmall and obtufe capfules, DIVISION 1. BRITISH SPECIES. I, Narrow-leaved Water Plantain, Plantago aquatica anguftifoUa. The root is a great thick tuft of fibres. The leaves rife in a large clufl:er, and are very long and narrow : they ftand on footftalks of four or five inches long ; they are pointed at the end, diftinguiflied by three large ribs running leno-thwifc, in the manner of the plantain; and are of a fine bright green. The ftalks riie from the centre of thefe leaves ; and are ftender, weak, and a foot high, and have no leaves on them. The flowers ftand about the tops \ and are fmall and white, each compofed of three petals, with a few threads in the centre. The feeds follow in round, fmall, rough heads. It is common in ftanding waters, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Plantago aquatica angufti- foUa. J. Bauhine, Plantago aquatica minor. 2. Broad-leaved Water Plantain. Plantago aquatica latifcUa. The root confifl:s of a great tuft of fibres, from' which there rife a clufter of ftalks to fupport the leaves : the bottoms of thefe being broad and clofe compacted, form a kind of round head; whence the fibres grow. The leaves ftand on thefe footftaiks, which arc long, hollowed, weak, and fpungy : they arc large, broad, and oblong, blunt at the end, un- divided at the edges, and of a fmooth furface, and frelh green colour ; with large ribs run- ning lengthwife, in the manner of comnion plan- tain. The ftalk is naked, thick, fmooth, and three, feet high : there grow a multitude of branches from it in a regular order; fo that it has from the middle upwards a kind of conic fliape. The flowers fland on the tops of the footftalks that rife from fevcral parts of thefe: they are fmal The BRITISH HERBAL. 23 fmall and white; and they are extremely nume- rous. The feeds ftand three together, in a little head after every flower. It is common in waters, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Plantago aquatica lalifolia. Others, Plantago aqunlica major. The leaves of this are cooling, and, as it is faid, repellent. They are good in the piles, and are ufed to lay on womens breafts, to dry up the milk. Two varieties of this plant have been de- fcribed as diftinct fpecies; the one with long and narrow, the other with very large and broad leaves. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Blunt-leaved water Plantain. Plantago aquatica foUis obiufis. The root is compofed of numerous fibres. The leaves fland on confiderably iong foot- ftalks ; and are large, broad, and of a fine frefh green. They are divided at the ftalk in a heart- like manner, and are blunt at the enil. The fl:alks are thick, weak, and branched. The flowers are fmall and white, and are each compofed of three blunt ended peta s. The feeds fl:and naked in a fmall head. It is a native of Virginia, and flowers In au- tumn. Vaillant calls it Damafonium ramofum folio cor- diformi. Morrifon, Sagittaria Virgimana obtufiore latofolio fioribus mincribus albis. It does indeed partly refemble the fagltaria, and partly the zuaier piaiiiain-, but the fmall knob of feeds refers it to this genus. GENUS XVI. MEADOWSWEET. U L AI yl R 1 J. THE flower confifts of five petals, and ftands in a cup compofed of a fingle leaf divided into five parts. The feeds are leven after each flower, and are twilled. Linn^us places this among the icofandria polygymia ; and in his earlier works makes it a fpecies of filipendula or dropwort : in his later, he deftroys this genus, and makes both the dropwort and meadowfriii^pt fpecies of fplrsa, Tliey are difliinft in nature fium rpIr.L-a, nnd mutuiilly from one another. This new method there- fore, which was intended to render botany difliinit, we fee, increafca the pcrpV.-xity that att^^nded it, and creates confufion. Spirtea does not belong even to the fame natural clafs with thefe two genera ; icir itc feeds are con- tained in capfules, whereas thofe of dropwort and are naked. Therefore, although they are joined in a method, the claffes of which are efl:ablifiied upon the number of filaments in the flower, they are far feparated by nature in the frudification. Their difference one from another is not fo ftriking, but it is fufficient ; the diftinctions of ge- nera are fubordinate to thofe into clafles, and fliould be founded on lelfer particularities. The 77ieadowfw:et has feven twifled feeds after every flower, and has the leaves irregularly pin- nated. The dropwort has twelve feeds after every flower, and they are not twilled, and its leaves are regularly pinnated: thefe are fufficient diftinfbions. Thefe Linnsus knew, for he has named them^ therefore he fhould have ufed them. Thus on many other occafions this author may be convided out of his own words, of knowing that his method was deteiflive and erroneous. There is only one fpecies of meadowfweet a native of Britain. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Meadowfweet. Uimaria vulgaris. The root confifts of a vaft quantity of hard, tough, long fibres, of a redifh colour, rifing from a fmall longifh liead. The leaves ftand on moderately long footflalks, and they are very beautiful in fhape and colour: they are pinnated : each compofed of three or four pairs of pinnae, with a large, irregular leaf at the end. They are notched at the edges ; their colour is a bright green on the upper fide, a greyifli or whitifli underneath ; and they are hard to the touch. The ftaik is firm, redifli, upright, and 7 branched. It grows to four or more feet in height, and is ftrongly ftriated. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are like thofe at the bottom, but have fewer p'lnnse. The flowers are fmall and white, and ftand in long, irregular tufts at the tops of the ftalks. The feeds are greenilh, twifted, and ftriated. It is common by waters, and flov/ers in June. J. Bauhine calls it Uimaria. -C. Bauhine, B^ir- ha capra fioribus compa£lis. Some, Regina prati. It is celebrated extreamly as a wound herb; and by feme is recommended internally as a fu- dorifick. The flowers give a pleafant flavour to liquor. Mixt with mead they give it the tafte of the Greek wines. DIVISION 24 The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. TrifoHata Meadowfweet. Ulmaria trifoliala. The root is a great tuft of fibres rifing from a fmall head. The firfl: leaves Hand on long, redilK foot- ftalks, and are large, of a pale green colour, and firm ftrudlure. They in feme degree re- femble thofe leaves of the common meadowfweet that grow on the upper part of the ftalk. I'hey are compofed of three parts or three feparate_leaves. which may be called one pair of pinnae, and an end leaf. The ftalk is firm, upright, and five foot high. Its leaves refcmblc thoIc from the root, but they are fmalkr. The flowers are large, and white. The feeds are twifted. It is a native of North America. Morifon calls it Ulmaria Vkginiana trifoUata fioribus candidis ampUs longis et aciitis. Others, Ulmaria m^ijor trifoliata Virgi?iiana, GENUS XVIL DROPWORT. FILIPENDULA. THE flower is compofed of five petals, and ftands in a cup divided into five parts. The feeds following each flower are twelve in number, and are ere£t. Linnseus, we have jufl: fhewn, joins this and meadowfeet with the fpirffia among his icofandria ■polygynia. There is but one known fpecies of dropwort, and that is a native of Britain. Dropwort. Filipendula vulgaris. The root confifts of a vaft: tuft of fibres, to which there are conne6led in many places large flelhy lumps : thefe are of a dufky colour on the outfide, and white within. From the head of this clufter rife ten or a dozen leavesof a very beautiful and regular form. They have very fhort footftalks. and are rcguUrly pin- nated, each having fix, feven, or more pairs of pinns, with an odd leaf ac die end, all uniform, oblong, and regularly dented round the edges. The fl:alk rifes in the midft of chefe, and is Upright, round, firm, and two or three foot high. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are Hke thofe at the bottom. The flowers are white, and have a large tuft of yellowifli threads in the middle. The feeds ftand in a little, naked head. It is not uncommon in dry paftures, and flow- ers in autumn. C, Bauhine calls it FilipenduU vulgaris. J. Bau- hine, Filipendula. y^c, Dropwort. All, names taken from the tuberous parts of the root, which . refemble fo many great drops, and hang by threads. The root of dropvjort is attenuant in the vif- cera; but has a flight aftringency in the bowels. It works by urine, and brings away gravel. For this ufe it is beft taken in decodlion. It is good in epilcpfics diid other nervous com- plaints. To this purpofe a tindlure made of it in wine is the beft form of giving it ; and ic fliould be made with three ounces of the dried root to a quart of the liquor. It has alfo been found ferviceablc againft the fluor aibus ; and for this is beft given in powder. In this form fifteen grains is a proper dufe. In repeated dofes in this laft form it is faid to have cured dyfenteries. It is one of thofe reme- dies of which our tore-fathers were very fond ; and which we have very unreafonably neglefted C. Bauhine and others have defcribed whac they call a lefltr fpecies dropwort but accord- ing to their own accounts, this differs in little but fize, and is evidently a variety. GENUS XVIII. MALLOW. JH J L V A. fr^HE flower is compofed of five petals, which join together at the bafe ; and ftands in a double cup: the outer of thefe compofed of three leaves ; the inner one, of a fingle leaf divided into five pares, and both remain with the feeds. Thefe are gathered into a round, flat head, and have the outer covering loofe. Thus far the charader of the genus comprehends with the feveral kinds of mallow, thofe of marjh mallow and vervain mallow. To diftinguifh the mallow from thcie, we are to add, the leaves arc entire, of a roundilh figure, and green. The reafon of this addition to the charafter of the genus is, that the althxa, and alaea, marjh, and vetvaia malloza have the fame flowers and feeds ; but the leaves in the marfi mallow kinds are oblong, and white : and in tlie vervain mallow they are deeply divided. They are very nearly allied, and are included among the monadelphia pclyandria by Linn^us. DIVISION The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION 1. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Common Mallow. Maha vulgaris. The root is long, large, white, and furniflied with many fibres. The leaves rifing from it (land on long foot- ftalks, and are oi a roundifii form, but deeply waved, or finuated and notched. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and a yard high: the leaves on it refemble thofe from the root, but are fmaller and more waved. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful red. They ftand in great numbers at the tops of the ftalk and its branches. The feeds are collefted into a round, flatclufler, and preferved by the cup. It is common in all wafie places, and flowers throughout the fummer. C. Bauhine calls it Maha Jilvcjlris folio finuato. Others, Malva 'oulgaris. 1. L.ittle white-flowered Mallow. Maha fimila fiore alho. The root is long, aud whice, and has many fibres. The leaves rife in a tuft or chiller, and have moderately long footlfalks. They are of a roundifh figure, and pale green colour, and are lefs finuated than thofe of the common malloiv. The ftalks are numerous, and they lie upon the ground, though fufficiently thick, and firm. The leaves on them are like thofe at the bot- tom, but fmaller. The flowers ftand on flicrt footftalks, and are large, and of a pale whitifh colour, fometimcs with a few ftreaks of purplifh, and fometimes a faint tinge of the fame colour throughout. The feeds ftand in little round clufters. It is common by way fides, and flowers all fummer, C. Bauhine calls it Maha fylvefl.ris folio rolunJo. 3. Small purple-flowered rough-feeded Mallow. Maha fiore minors purpurea feminibus rv.gofu. The root is long, white, and hung round with many fibres. The leaves ftand on long, flender footflalks, and are little, of a roundifli figure, but deeply finuated, and of a dufky green. The ftalk is thick, tolerably cre£V, and about a foot high. Its leaves are altogether like thofe from the root, but fmaller, and on fliorter footftalks. The flowers are numerous, very fmall, and of a blueifh purple. 'i he feeds follow in a fmall, rounded, flat clufter, and are rough to the touch. It is not common with us, but grows in Kent and Suflix, and fome other places in barren ground. It flowers in June. Boerhaave calls it Maha fiheflris foliis finuatis minoribus fiofculis minimis Anglica. Ray, Maha minor fiore parvo carulio. 4. Tree Mallow. JMalua arborea. The root is very large, woody, white, long, and tuU of fibres. The leaves that rife irom it ftand on long footftalks, and arc of a rounded figure, deeply finuated and notched ; and of a pale green colour^ and velvety foftnefs to the touch. T'he ftalk rifes in the midft of the cJufter of them, and they prefcntly after fade and wither away. This is fix or feven ioot high, and very thick, firm, and woody. The leaves ftand irregularly on it on long foot- ftalks, and are fo much finuated that they fre- quently appear in fome degree curled. The flowers are fmall, and whitifii, with a pale blufli of purple. The feeds ftand in round, flat clufters. It is not unfrequent about our fea-coafls, and flowers in July. Mcrret calls it Maha arborea marina nofiras. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. 1. Curled Mallow. Maha foliis crijpis flo: c albido. The root is long, white, and thick. The leaves rifing from it ftand on long foot- ftalks, and are large, rounded, but a little ob- long, and very beautifully curled about the edges. If this were the fole dirtinftion irom the common kind, we fiiould fay culture or accident gave it, and fliould make it a variety ; but there are others that fliew it to be a diftind fpecies. The ftalk is firm, upright, and fix, feven, or eight foot high, thick enough to fupport itfelf very erect; but not nearly fo thick as in the tret malloiv. The leaves on it are lomewhat more oblong tlian thofe from the root. The flowers fland in clullers about the inferti- ons of the footftalks of the leaves : they have very fliort pedicles, and are of a pale whitilh colour. 3. The feeds ftand in a rounded, flat head. It is a native of the fouth of France, whence we have brought it into our gardens. It flowerg in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Maha foliis crifpis. J. Bau- hine, Maha crifpa. 2. The Hollyhock. Maha rofea. The root is I'ong, white, thick, and hard, and has about it a vaft quantity of fibres. The firft leaves are roundifh, and curled about the edges. They are of a pale green, fomewhat hairy, and ftand on long footftalks. The ftalk is feven or eight feet high: the leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are large, and placed I on long footftalks. They are of a more oblong H figure 26 The BRITISH HERBAL. i figure than thofe at the root, and of the fame pale colour. The Howcrs have fhort footftalks, and grow all up the ftalks from the middle upwards : they are very large, and naturally of a pale red colour, confining of five fcgments, joined at the bafe, as in the common mallow. The feeds follow in large, round cluflcrs alto as in the nudlo'W. It is a native of Spain, and has thence been brought into our gardens, where culture has changed the colour and form of the flowers, rendering them double, and othcrwife very va- rious. C. Bauhiiic calls it Malva rofea folio fuiroltmdo. J. Bauhine, Maha rofea five horunfn. 3. Fig-leaved Hollyhock. Maha rofea foliis digitatis. white, I .nd bufhy, The root is long, thick with a multitude of fibres. The leaves rifing from it ftand oirlong, green, hairy, tender, footftalks : they are very large, of a pale green, and deeply divided into five, feven, or more parts. Their whole figure is oblong, but approaching to round, and the fcgments are cut in very deep. The ftalk riles in the midft of thefe, and is round, firm, upright, thick, and branched. Its leaves refcmble thofe from the root, but they arc more deeply divided, commonly down to the middle rib, or very near it. The flowers grow on fliort footftalks on the upper part of the ftalks and branches. They are very large, and ufually of a pale yellow : but in the colour there is the fame variations as in the other ; the art of the gardener rendering it deeper and paler, and making the Rower fingle or doub'e. The feeds ftand in round, flatted clufters, and are large and comprefled. It is a native of Spain and other warm parts of Europe, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Maha rofea folio finis. Various-leaved Mallow. Maha fclius rotundus ct angulalis. The root is fmall, long, and white, and has s great many fine fibres. The leaves rife from it in a fmall tuft, and are of a roundifli figure, a little dented at the ftalk; and come to a fmall point at the -end. They ftand on long, tender, hairy footftalks, and are of a pale green above, and white underneath, and ferrated round the edges. The ftalk rifcs in the midft of this tuft, and is ftendcr, weak, hairy, of a pale green, and a foot and half high, with numerous branches. The leaves ftanding on it are oblong, broad at the bafe, (harp pointed, and often divided into three parts. The flowers are large, and of a deep purple ; and they ftand on the tops of the branches. The feed comes after in round, flat heads. It is a native of Spain, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Malva folio vario. J. Bau- hine, Maha trinieflris flore cum mguibmfurfureis. The common mallow is cooling and diuretick : it partakes of the virtue of the marfb mallow, to be next defcribed, but in an inferior degrees and the feveral other fpecies here defcribed poflefs the' fame qualities, but they are of lefs value. It is foftening in cataplafms, and is a good ingredient in clyfters. The frefti root ufed in a ftrong decoftion is excellent in ftranguries, and heat of urine, and tlie gravel. The root of the little white flowered kind makes a pleafanter drink for thij purpofe, and has much the fame virtues. G E N US' XIX. M A R S H M A L L O W. A ht H fE A. THE fiowcr is compofed of five fcgments, joined at the bafe, and ftands in a double cup. The feeds follow in a round, flatted clufter. The leaves are oblong, white, and foft to the touch. This is one of the momdelfhia folyandria of Linnaus, as the former and fucceeding genus. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. * Marftrmallow. Alth^a vulgaris. The roots are long, white, and furnifiied with very large fibres. The firft leaves are fmall, and of an oval figure ; a little notched about the edges : they ftand on long footftalks, and are of a pale green, and very foft. The ftalks rife feveral together in the midft of the clufter, and are very ftrong, upright, hard, and firm. The leaves that rife from the root fade at their appearance, and are foon gone. The leaves ftand irregularly on the ftalks, and are large, oblong, of a figure approaching to triangular; white, and foft Co the touch. The flowers are large and white, with the fame faint blufli of purplifli. The feeds ftand in fmall, round heads. It is common about fait water rivers, and flowers in June. The markets arc fupplied with it from the gar- dens about London, where it grows in great abundance, and perfeftly well. J. Bauhine calls it AUh.ea ftvebifmaha. O- thers fimply, Alibxa, or AUbxa vulgaris. The The BRITISH HERBAL. 27 The virtues of marpmallQW are the fame with thofe of the common maUcn', but it has them in a greater degree. The root is pleafant, and gives water a thick mucilaginous confiftence, with an agreeable foftneis : wherefore the decoftion or infufion are the belt forms of giving it. It is emollient and diuretick. Taken in the way of tea it is excellent againft the gravel : or in a ftronger decoiSion, in the worft complaints of that kind. Outwardly iifed it is emollient and difcutient. A fyrup and an ointment are kept in the fhops in which inarfimallow root is a great ingredient, and which have their name from it; but a com- mon infufion has more virtue by far than the fy- rup; and generally a pultice of the frefii root, white bread and milk, will do better outwardly than the ointment. Befide thefe, which are its virtues moft regard- ed, it is excellent in afthmas and againft tickling coughs ; and alfo in erofions of the bowels and dyfenteries. In both thefe cafes it ads upon the fame principle, foftening and blur.ting the acri- mony ot the humours by its fuft mucilaginous juice. A decoftion of marPr,nallo'-j) root alone, is ex- cellent againft the heat of urine attending go- norrheas. We have obferved that the firft leaves of the marJJrmallow are rounder than thofe on the ftalks -. fometimes the whole have that appear- ance, and this principally from too. wet a fitua- tion. In this condition the plant has been confi- dered by Pkikenet as -a diftinft fpecies. He calls it Althaa vulgari fimilis folio retufo h?vi : but this is nothing more than a variety. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Great-flowered Marfimiallow. AUh^ra flore magna. The root is compofed of a large head, and a vaft quantity of white, thick fibres. The firft leaves are large, broad, obtufe, and approaching to round, but finuated at the edges, and terminating in a kind of broad, blunt pdint. They (land on fliort footftalks, and are of a l^hitifh green. The flalks are numerous, thick, firm, and five foot high : they rife from the centre of the tuft of leaves, and are of a whitifh green, and divided into many branches. The leaves on thefe are broad and oblong, fer- rated at th?"' edges, and fharp at the points. They (land on long footftalks, and have a velvety foftnefs. The flowers Hand at the extremities of the branches, and are very lat^e and beautiful. They very much refemble hollyhock flowers, and are naturally of a pale flefli colour, but vary by cul- ture, and become of a deeper red. The feeds ftand in a round, fiat, naked head. It is a native of Africa, and flowers in July. Cornutus calls it Althaa rofea feregrina^ and mod others follow him. GENUS XX. VERVAIN MALLOW. J L C ^ A. 'T^IIE flower confifts of five large fegfrnents joined at the bafe. The feeds ftand in a rounded, flat clufter. The leaves are deeply divided. The alcd:a is one of mo7iadelphia polyandria of Linnaeus. Its difference from the tnarJJo and common maUow is principally in the leaves j but it is a diftinftion fo long preferved and fo familiarly known that it may be retained. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES; Vervain Mallow. Akifa "julgaris. The root is long, large, woody, perennial, and white. The leaves that rife from it arc of a rounded form, deeply finuated at the edges, but not di- vided into fmall fegments as the others. Thefe rife in a clufter : they are fupported on moderately long footftalks, and are of a beautiful green. The ftalks rife among thefe: they are nume- rous, round, firm, upright, and of a pale green: they are well furniOied with leaves, and thofe ex- treamly beautiful. They keep the rounded ge- neral form of thofe from the root, but they are divided deeply into fmall and elegant fegments. Thefe are of a paler colour than thofe from the root. The flowers are very large, and of a beautiful pale red, The feeds ftand in rounded and flat heads. It is common in paftures, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Alctea "ciilgaris ?najor. J. Bauhine, Alc^a vulgaris. The leaves of this plant are frequendy curled at the edges. This happen.s efpecially when it grows in very dry places j and it has been de- fcribed in this condition as if a diftind fpecies, under the name of Alcaa iennifolia crifpa. DI VI- 28 The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Finger'd-lcaved Vervain-Mallow. Alcaa foliis digitatis. The root is large, thick, white, and fpread- The leaves that rife from it are large, or a roundifl-i form, but deeply cut in five places : they ftand on long footftalks, and are of a pale green. The ftalks are numerous, firm, and woody: they rife to fix feet in height, and are of a yel- lowifh green, and rough to the touch. The leaves on thefc are numerous, and very beautifully divided into five parts, in a fingered manner : they ftand on rough footftalks, and are of a pale green. The flowers are numerous and large, and are of a very beautiful bright red : the feeds ftand in rounded fat cluflers. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhinc calls it Alc^a cannahina. J. Bau- hine, Alca:a pent aphy Hi folio five cminabina. 2. Hairy Vervain Mallow. Alcaa hirfuta. The root is long, white, and thick, and has many fibres. The leaves that rife from it are rounded, but have three vifible indentings : they ftand on long footftalks, and are of a pale green, and hairy. The firalks are numerous : they rife from the centre of this clufter of leaves; and arc round, yellowifli, weak, and ten inches high. The leaves ftand irregularly on them, and are divided each into three parts, and of a pale green, and hairy. The flowers are moderately large, and of a bright red ^ and they ftand in a rough hairy cup. The feeds follow in a flat rounded head. It is a native of France and Italy, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it /liaea hhfiila. J. Bauhine, AlCit-a viliofa. The virtues of die -vervain mallow are the fame with thofe of the common mallozv, but in an infe- rior degree. There are feveral other plants allied to the mal- lo-jj kind in their general appeal ance, but produ- cing their feeds in capfules : thefe are diftinguiflied by modern writers under the names of fiAa^ ^c. and will be treated of in the next clafs. SERIES II. Tboji' of ivhich there are no fpecies Jiatives of Britain. GENUS I. NOBLE LIVERWORT. H E P A r I C A. THE flower is compofed of three petals, or of feveral ranges of petals, three in each ; and has a three-leaved cup. The feeds ftand in a naked clufter ; and are numerous, oblong, pointed at each end, and lightly hairy. When the flower is fingle, there ftands a tuft of numerous filaments in the centre : in the double flowers thefe are lefs difl:in{51:ly feen. Linnreus places this among the polyandria polygynia. In his firfl; works he makes it a fepara:e ge- nus ■ in his latter he confounds it with the anemone \ but their difference is very obvious and certain, the anemone having no cup to the flower. There is properly only one fpecies of this plant ; but culture has raifed a multitude of varieties of it ; fome of which, that appear the moft diftindt from the reft, have been defcribed by authors as if diftind fpecies. Suigle Blue Hepatica. Hepatica fore fimplid caruleo. The root is compofed of a large fleftiy head, and a vaft quantity of fibres : thefe laft fo cover the tuberous part on all fides, that it appears, on taking out of the ground, to be only a tuft of fibres. From feveral parts of this root rife firft naked ftalks fupporting the flowers, and afterwards the leaves. As nature has inverted the general order in the growth of this plant, it is proper, in the dcfcription, wc follow her courfe. The footftalks which fupport the flowers are fhort,and very flendcr : one flower (lands on each, and this is compofed naturally of three, fix, or nine petals ; for in the wild plant there is found all that variety. -When the petals are only three, they ftand in a regular order ; when fix, there is a fecond range of three over the firft \ and when nine, a third range over that. In the centre there is a great tuft of fibres ; and under the flower there is a three-leaved cup, which remains when that is fallen. The common colour of the flower is blue in its natural ftate, fometimes red, and fometimes white. The The BRITISH HERBAL. The feeds follow in a fmall roundifh head. ., The footftalks of the leaves are longer than thofe of the flowers, and are flender and weak : each fupports a flngle leaf: this is divided into three parts ; but the divifion does not run down to the llalk ; the colour on the upper-fide is a duflcy green, and on the under-fide it is paler. It is a native of Germany, and many other parts of Europe, and flowers early in fpring. GEN C. Bauhine calls itTrifoUmnhepaticum pre fim- plid i ■ otheraj Hepmka. mUlis, or Noble liver- wort. '-^^ 1'^' ' - - - It is recommended as an agglutinantr, bal- famick, and vulnerary. It has been efteemed alfo greatly in diforders of the Hvcr ; but it is nor fo much regarded here; as abroad. U S II. ^''^ LEOPARD'S BANE. r H 0 R A. npHE Hower confifts of five petals, with a tuft of threads in the centre : the feeds ftand in a fmali naked cUifter : the root is tuberous ; and the leaves are roundifh, and entire. Linnreus places this among the polyandria polygynia, making it a fpecies of ranunculus, not a dif- tinifl genus, with its peculiar and proper name. The fiowers and feeds agree with thofe of the ranun- culus : but the whole afped of the plant is different from any kind of crowfoot j and the (^cnerical charader, taking in the leaves and root, is quite diftindt. There may appear the lefs inconvenience in joining this plant with the ranunclus; becaufe not only the form of the flower and feeds is the fame, but the plant agrees in its qualities in feme decree with the crowfoots. But as there is an antient diftimft name for it, and there are grounds in nature, for fupporting the difliindion, I have preferved it. 'I here is properly but one fpecies of thora known. Round-leaved Leopard's Bane, 'Thora valdcnjis. The root is compofed of a number of oblong thick pieces, hanging from one head. The leaves that rife from it ftand on long foot- ftalks, and are nearly round. The ftalk is in- ferted at the middle, where there is a little dent j and they are finely ferrated about the edges, Among thefe rifes a fingle ftalk of eight inches in height, ilender, round, and upright ; not branched, but dividing fometlmcs into two, fome- times into three twigs at the top. Near the bottom of tliis iland two or three leaves, refembling thofe from the root, or fome- times a little dented at the end oppofite the ftalk ; in feme plants alfo they are doubly dented, fo as to give the idea of a divifion into three parts. Toward the top of the ftalk ftand feveral leaves of a very difi^erent figure ; they are narrow, longifh, and have no footftalks, and are fmali, and not divided at the edge. On the top of the ftalk ftands a fingle flower, when it is not divided ; when it is, one on each di- vifion. Thefe are .moderately large, and of a very beaudful yellow, compofed of five broad petals, and placed in a cup of five narrow leaves. The feeds Hand in a naked clufter; It is a native of the mountains in Switzerland, and other parts of Europe ; and flowers in May. J. Bauhine calls it Thora folio cyclmmnis ; others, Thora, and Thora valdenfis. Mofl: authors de- fcribe a fmaller fpecies ; but it is no more than a variety of this. What we have given, is the plant in its utmoft: perfedion : where it is ftarved, the leaves are lefs and more dented ; and there are only two or three of the narrow ones, and a fingle flower on the ftalk : but this which is called the leffer thora, being brought into a garden, be- comes the fame with the greater. It is accounted poifonous. GENUS nr. CLIMBER. ArRAGEBE. THE Rower is compofed of twelve petals, and has a cup compofed of four leaves : the feeds ftand in a naked clufter, and have long downy filaments. Linnreus places this among plyandria polygyma: It refembles the clematitis in the feeds, but differs greatly in the flower. ' Trifoliate Arragcne. Atragene foliis pimalis, trifoliatis. The root is long, woody, and creeping. The firft leaves are broad, and ftand on lont^ footftalks, only three on each, and thofe not deeply ferrated. The ftalks are numerous, woody, weak, and flender : they are four or five feet long^ and di- vided into numerous branches. I The 3° THE BRITISH HERBAL. The leaves ftand on long footftalks, and are of a particular form : they have a pinnated afped, and confift each of nine leaves, difpofed in three parcels; one parcel at the end of the footftalk ; the other two at the fides, in the manner of wings. Thefe are of an oblong form, and beautifully di- vided ; and are ferrated round the edges. The flowers ftand on long footftalks, and are of a beautiful purple colour, fometimes deeper, fometimes paler. The feeds ftand In a round head, with long and beautiful downy threads. It is frequent in fome parts of Germany, and flowers in June. C, Bauhine calls it Clematis aJpina geranifolia, Haller, in the new method, makes this fhrub a fpecies of anemone. He calls it Anemone tubis caudatis pinnis laHffimis. He adds the word te- trapetala, confidering the cup as the flower. It is of a hot and pungent tafte. The bark of the root has been ufed in outward applications againft pains, and is faid to have taken great ef- fect againft the fciatica. Some have ufed it alfo in the gout, under the violence of a fit in their feet, but without fuccefs. rle E ND of il.y FIRST CLASS. T H I;. THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS ir. Plants whofe flower is compofed of several petals, wth numerous thre.ads in the centre, and "whofe feeds are contained in several pods. THIS, like the former, is a clafs perfeflly diflinguillied by nature ; akhougli the plants of which it confifts have been feparated from one another, and joined with fuch as are unlike them, by the fafhionablc form of this fcience; Mr. Ray, who followed nature carefully, has kept thefc together, as the preceding. He calls them berb^ muUifiliqii«,'/iH i'tnw i and moll others fimply NapeUtis. 46 The B R I T 1 S H HERBAL. It is a poifonoiis plant. Dodonasus gives an account of five perlbns who eat the root of ir, through a miOiake, in their food at Antwerp, and ail died. There have been other inftances of the fame kind ; and it is faid to deftroy fuch wild beafts as tafte or eat it. There is a tradition, how true we know not, that wolves tear up the root of fome plants in winter tor their food, and foinetinnes miftaking this, perifli by its poifon : henee it has obtained the name of •wolfjliane. It is fiid, that, when kept in gardens, it is kfs fatSI than wild \ which is probable : all plants having their faculties, of whatever kind, more flrong in their wild ftate than when brought into culcuie. 2. Great purple Monks-Hood. AconUiim -purpurcum maximum. The root is iung, large, and fiirnifhed with abundance of libres. ■ The firft leaves are large, broad, and divided into a few great fegments. The flalk rifes-to five feet in height, and is ro- bufl, firm, and very little branched 'I he leaves ftand alternately, and are like thofe from the root: they are divided down to the footlUlk, into five principal p;irts, the middle one of which is largeih They are of a pale green, and deeply ferrated. 'I"he fio7/ers Hand in long fpikes at the tops of the branches ; and are very large, and of a beau- tiful deep purple : but they vary in this refpeiSf, being fometimes red or flclh coloured. The ieed-vefi^is follow as in the other fpecies, but the number is not certain ; ufually there are three, fometimes four. It is common in the mountains of Germany, and t^,owers in Auguft, J. Bauhine calls it Aconltum hcoSlomim fiorc maximo. C. Bauhine, Aconitum cifniko purpurea jlore maximo, five NapeUus qiiartus. 3, Yellow Monks-Hood. Aconltum jlore lutco. The root is compofed of a multitude of thick aitanglcd fibres. The fiifl leaves are large, broad, and in a manner rounded in their general form, but di- vided deeply into about five parts. The ftalk is robuft, firm, erecl, aad four feet high. The [eaves ftand irregularly on it, and have long footftalks : they are like thofc from the root, divided deeply into five parts ; and thofe are iharp at tjie points, and ferrated at the edges. The flowers are fmaller than thofe of the com- mon monks-hood, and of a beautiful yellow. The feeds follow in caplules, three after every flower. It is a native of many parts of Europe, and flowers in July. The flowers are fometimes of a deep yellow, fometimes ftraw-coloured, or whitlfh. C. Bauhine calls it Aconilum IjcoBonum luteum_ J. Bauhine, Aconitum folio platani Jlore luteo pal. hjceuU. 4. Little, blue, fiovvered Monks-Hood. Aconitum c^eriihum mimis. The root is compofed of a vaft number of fibres interwoven with one another. The firft leaves ftand on iong footftalks ; and are broad, and indented deeply, rather than di- vided into fegments. The ftalk is flcnder, purphfli, and about two feet and a half high, but not very firmly eredt. The leaves ftand irreguJatly on it : they are fupported on footftalks, and arc divided fome- what deeper than thofe from the root, but not To deeply as in moft of the other fpecies : the divi- fion is into three principal parts, foinctimes into five ; and thefe are cut deeply at the edges. The flowers are large, and of a deep and beau- tiful blue : they ftand in a particular manner, not in long fpikes, as thofe of the others, but fingly at the tops of flender ftalks rifing from the main ftem. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in May; C. Bauhine calls it Aconitum caruleim minus^ five Nnpelliis minor.^ DodonjEus, Aconitum far- vmii Cit'rulcum. All thefe fpecies partake of the polfonous na- ture of the firft kind ; but there is one refembling them in form, and of the fame genus that is falutary, and is efteemed an antidote in particular againft their poifon. 5. Wholefome Monks-Hood. Author a. The root is compofed of many irregular, thick, and tuberous pieces. The firft leaves are fupported on long foot- ftalks, and are divided to the bottom into five fegments : thefe are broad, and notched at the edges. The leaves on it ftand irregularly, and are di- vided into numerous, narrow, plain fegments : they arc of a pale green on the upper-fide, and whitifti underneath. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks and branches, and are like of the other monks-hood in form ■, of a beautiful yellow colour ■, and of aplea- fant, though flight fmell. The feeds follow in capfules, three, four, or five after each flower. The number of thefe is uncertain, but five is the moft common. It is a native of Germany, and flowers in June. C, Bauhine calls it Aconitum faiutiferum, fve Anthora. Others, Anthora^ and Antithora. The root is kept in the druggifts Ihops, and was once much ufed as a cordial and fudorifick ; there have been miftakes about the kind, and they have been fatal When frefti dried, this root purges vehemently ; but that quality goes oft' in keeping. This is not particular to this plant : but it is a very ftifficient reafon why it never ftiould be ufed; becaufe it will beimpoflible for the phyfician who prefcribes it to know its rtrengch. G E- The BRITISH HERBAL- 47 GENUS XIV. WINTER WOLFSBANE; C A M M A RV M. npHE flower ftands in the centre of the leaf, and has no other cup ; it Is compofed of fix pe- tals : the feeds are contained in capfules, in an uncertain number, properly fix, but mors frequently only four or five, after every flower. No plant has been called by fo many names, or refeiTed to fo many different genera, as this j and alt improperly. The error has been in the authors not perceiving that it was a fui generis ■> and belonged to none. LinniEus places it among his pclyandria foJygynia^ making it a fpecies of hellebore : but it has fix petals to the flower \ whereas the hr'Iebores have but five. This is a vrry efiential diftinilion. C. Bauhine calls it sti flfCH/;^ ; but the aconites hav;- only five petals in the flower, and thofe dif- pofc-d in a particular manner: whereas in this there are fix j and they are equal, and fliand regu- larly. J. Bauhine makes it a mmvailus, forgetting tli..f the rnnnncuU have naked feeds, and this plahc capfules. By fomc It is called buJbus urr.folius\ a very uncertain name, and alfo improp r \ the root being not bulbous, but tuberous: and by others it 'is'calkd an ellebortne; a genus from which it differs in foim and charafters more than from all. In this uncertainty and impropriety of a name, I have given !c a new one, f'iflinfl: as the plant it- fe!f from all the other genera : this is ccmntanm, from an oid G. *;u< word ytc/.-.'^a^ou, ufed by Dio- fcorides and others as a diftintflion to fome of their aconites \ tho ^ii, from their Ihortnefs, it is not eafy to fay which. In Diofcorides it fecms to me^in the f:^ine with Sis pard-ilianches ; but in others it rather apgears to point at this plant ; which there is alfo reafon fi beiieve is the real and proper aconite of Theophraftus, and the earlier Greeks. I have however pr'eferved its common Knglifli name. We fee, though commonly called by the name of zvc!/f/:'me, it is a plar.t altogether different from that genus, and properly contlitutes one of its own •, I hzve thereior- cal'ed it by a new one. But as the plant is fo perfectly known by its old Englifh name, and by the Latin one, of which that is a tranflation, accnitnm hyemak, and is one which, from its power ot doing harm, fhould not be rendered liable to be miflaken, great danger, as well as the lofs of great ^ood, being neceflarily to be guarded againft in the confideration of changing of names, I h ive prefcrvcd its common with its new one ; and wifh, in cafes of this icind, the fame praflice may be ioitowed by others. Of this fmgular genus there is but one known fpecies, which is very common in our gardens. Winter Wolffl^ane. Q:!f?m<7rum. TIic root is thick, tuberous, and large ; black on the outfide, white within, and of a violently acrid and burning tafl:e. It has a few fibres ; and, when it has flood fome time on the ground, has other tuberous pieces growing from it. The leaf and plant are one thing, for there is no other ftalic. Many footftalks rife from different parts of the root, each of which has at its top one leaf. The footftalk is inferted at the centre j and the leaf is of a rounded figure, but very deeply divided into narrow fegments* The flower grows in the centre of the leaf, and is large and yellow. It confifts of fix pe- tals, with a great tuft of threads in the middle, and among them the rudiments of feveral cap- fules. When the flower falls, thefe ripen, and con- tain feveral yellowifli, rounded, and flat feeds. It is a native of Germany, and flowers in the tjcpth of winter. The root is a violent cathartick in a very fmall dofe ; and in any thing a larger quantity it is to be Gonfidered as a fatal pdifon. GENUS XV. P 1 O N Y. P CE O N I A. THE leaves are divided into many parts. The flowers are large, and confift of five petals : they ftand in a five-leavcd cup, and are fucceeded by large capfules, two after every flower; The roots are tuberous. Linnfeus places this among \-\\^ polymuiria digynia, there being numerous filaments, and the ru- diments of the two capfules in the centre of every flower. In this, however, he acknowledges there is no certainty; for, inftead of two, thefe rudiments are in fome fpecjes three, four, or fivt, to each flower. +8 The BRITISH HERBAL. flower. This fhews the weaknefs of eftablifliing a method on fuch part& of plants. There are enough that are determinate and certain ; thcfe are frequently precarious and inconftant ; the others alfo, as well as more certain, arc larger, and more confpicuous. I. Male Piony. P^eonia folio nigricanle. The root is large, and irregularly tuberous : it naturally confifts of a tliick, long, main body, to which there are frequently long tuberous pieces connedled. The leaves rifing from it ftand on thick and robult footftalks : they are very large, divided into many parts, or rather compofcd of many fmaller, fet upon a divided rib j and are of a biackifh green. The ftalk is robufl, round, upright, and three feet high. Its leaves ftand irregularly, and are like thofe from the root, but fmailer : they are divided in the fame manner ; and the feparate parts are broad, oblong, and pointed. The flower is very large, and Rands upon the top of the ftalk : it is compofed of five broad, obtufe petals : they are of a very pale, whitifh colour, with a tinge of purplifli, and with purple veins : they have numerous fliort threads in the centre, on which ftand deep yel- low buttons. The fced-velTels are large, whitifli, and lliaped like horns: they vary in number; fometimes there are only two, but oftener three or five. It is a native of the dark woods of Switzerland, and fomc other parts of Europe, and fiowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Pceonla folio nigrica/tte fplcn- dido qua mas. Others, Tmnia mas. 2, Female Piony. Pteonia foliis longioribus. ■ The root is compofcd of a great number of longifh, thick, tuberous pieces, connetfled by flender tough fibres to a imall head. The leaves are numerous : they fland on long footftalks, and are divided into many parts, as in the male; but thefe feparate are larger and narrower, as is the whole leaf; and the colour is not the deep black hue of the other, but a pale, though not unpleafant green, on the upper fide i and they are whitifli and mealy under- neath. . The ftalk is robuft, firm, round, and upright ; it is two feet in height, and branched. It is ge- nerally redifli at the places whence the leaves pro- ceed, elfewhere green. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are like thofe from the root, conipofcd of long parts, and irregularly divided. The flowers are large, but not fo large as in the preceding fpecies : they are of a deep colour, and liave in the fame manner numerous threads, with yellow buttons in the centre. The feed-veffels are fometimes only two, fome- times more ; and in this, as in the other, when they fplit open, and the feeds are ripe, they make a beautiful appearance, it is a native of the northern parts, of Europe in thick forefts, and fiowers in the beginning of June. It is more common in our gardens than the male; though the male is efteemed to have moft virtue; and it is from this fpecies that our fine, large, double are raifed by culture. C. Bauhine calls it P^qnia commmunls, vel fami- na. Others, Pmyna vulgaris, and Paouia fee-- mina. 3. Dwarf Piony. Pmnia pumla foliis radicalibus digitatis. The root is compofed of a long and large body, and has feveral great irregular tuberous pieces hanging to it. The leaves that rife from it ftand on long foot- ftalks : they are not formed of feveral fmaller placed upon a divided rib, but are of a palmated form, cut down to the ftalk into nine or more long and flc-nder divifions. The ftalk is fmall, round, weak, whitifh, and a foot and'a half high. The leaves are placed al ternately on it ; and tho' thofe from the root are only digitated, thefe are branched : they are compofed of three principal parts, and each of thefe of feveral narrow and long fegnients. The flower ftands on the top of the ftalk s and is large, of a deep red, and beautiful ; it natu- rally has only five petals ; but we fee it in gar- dens with eight or more, and often double. The feeds are preferved in three or more capfules. This is a native of Spain, and the warmer parts of Europe ; and fiov/ers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Pmnia iennius laciniata fui- tus pubefcens Jlore purpurso. Others, Pa-onia fee- miim pumila. The roots of piony are celebrated, and with great reafon, againft difcafes of the head and nerves. ' Thofe of the male piony are beft. The common practice of thofe wlio fell herbs and roots in our markets, is to bring the roots of the female in their place ; but the difi^erence will be known by the defcriptions here given. The male piony, as the lefs beautiful, is the leaft culti- vated ; but in thofe places where the roots arc propagated for the purpofes of medicine, no other fhould have admittance. Befide being good in nervous cafes, it is ex- cellent in obftru£lions of the liver ; and there are very confiderablc cures recorded to have been performed by it. '1 he beft way of giving it is in the powder of the root, freih dried : twelve grains is a dofc, and will do great fervice in all nervous com- plaints, headachs, and convulfions. It will alone cure that difagreeable diforder, the night-mare. There is an opinion, that being hung about the neck of children, it will prevent the convuifivc difordcrs to which they are li:;ble in cutting their teeth ; The BRITISH HERBAL. 49 teeth ; and hence arofc the pradice of anodyne necklaces. The opinion, however flightly founded, is as old as Galen : he names a gir! who was kept free from the epilepfy eight months by wearing a piony root about her neck, and immediately leized with the difeafeon droping it. There are other grave authors who conBrm the fame account: but whatever may be its virtue in this manner of applicadon, this I know from experience, that taken inwardly it is a very great and excellent medicine, and deferves to be brought more into ufe. GENUS XVL INDIAN MALLOW. A B U r I L O N, *TpHE flower is compofed of five petals : the feeds are contained in capfules, a great number of which follovv every, flower. The leaves are undivided. Linna:us places this among his inonaddpbia decmidria, and joins it with fome others not allied to it, under the name of ftda : others have joined it with the mallows, which is a much greater error; thofe plants belonging to a former clafs, as having their feeds naked, whereas the abutilo7i has them enclofed in capfules, as the reft of this clafs. I. Yellow Indian Mallow. Ahutilon flore flavo. The root is long, thick, and furnifhed with many.ftrong fibres. The leaves that rife from it ftand on long foot- flalks : they are large, and of a heart-fafhioned fhape, indented at the ftalk, and pointed at the end. They are of a whitifh colour, foft to the touch, and a little notched at the edges. The flalk is robuft, firm, upright, branched, and three foot high : it is whitiHi and woody : "The outer rind eafily flips off, and there is a ■woody fubflance within. The leaves ftand irregularly on it: they have' (lender footflalks, and are of the fame form with thofe from the root, and of the fame foftnefs. The flowers are moderately large, and of a beautiful ftrong yellow, ftriateJ, and full of * threads, with their buttons in the centre. The capfules which follow each flower are nu- merous, ten, twelve, or more. They are con- neftcd at their tops ; fo that they form a large head. It is a native of the Eaft, and of fome parts oF Europe. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls itAlthct'a Theophrajli fiore luteo. Others, Ahutilon. 2. White Indian Mallow. Abuiilon album. The root is a fmall, long body, producing a great number of thick and large fibres. The firft leaves are lar^e, oblong, fliarp point- ed, and fland on flender footflalks : thc-y are of a pale green, and fomewhat hairy, but have not the foftnefs of the others. The ftalk is round, uprightj firm, hairy, and very little branched ; the leaves hang irregularly upon ir, drooping down. They are of the fame form with thofe from the root, but fmaJcr. The flowers ftand on long footftalks, and are white, or nearly fo, with a deep ycllownefsin the centre. The feed-vcffcls are numerous, and form a large head. It is frequent in Afia, and flowers in June. J. Bauhine calls it Abuiilon Imlicum. The virtues of thefe plants are not known in our part of the world; but in the Eart they are famous in the gravel, and fuppreOions of urine. They are of the mallow kind, as the tafling of their roots will fhew any one accuftomed to thefe refearches ; but they are not fo mucilaginous as our European fpecies, fo that they have probably lefs virtue. They are alfo commended in fevers, but wc know not if with reafon. GENUS XVII. SWEETBEARD. B A R B A C A P R /E. THE flower is fmall, and confifts of Hve petals. It Hands in a fmall cup divided into five feg- ments, and is followed by three fmall, feparate capfules. The flowers fl:and in long tufts, and the leaves are winged. There are male and female plants in this genus, but they differ only in this, that on the male plants the flowers have only threads, and in the female only the rudiments of the capfules in the centre. Linnsus, in his Genera Plmtanim, places this among the diacia pelyanJria ; for this reafon making it a difliinft genus, under the name of annnis ; but in his Species Plantarum it is removed from that clafs. It there ftands among the icofandria penlagynia, and is made a fpecies of fpirsa. N° 5. O 1 can WvW W.iy VWaAU ^HOkVlMd^m^i iW,} 50 THE BRITISH HERBAL. I can without iiiuchcenfiire reconcile this contradiftion ■. there are plants of the l/ar^a capr^ethzi have tiowers with both the threads, and rudiments of the capfules in them i though there are others that have only male, and others that have only female flowers. This is the language of the modern botanifts and 'iccording to the lame dialeft, thofe flowers which have both the threads and rudiments of capfules are called hermaphrodites : thefe led Linnaeus to place the plant among his icofandriay againfl: his former judgment, tie had truth on his fide in both cafes ; lor it is nature varies : but we have hence this lefl"on, Thole accidents are unfit for the clafTical dirtindlions of plants, which are not conftant and certain ; this is not the only genus in which there are foinetimes male flowers on one plant and fe- male on another, though there are alfo in fome plants of this kind hermaphrodite flowers; it is a proof added to the many we have had occafion to mention before, and which will be ftrengthened by many others hereafter, that this method was taken up too haftily, and that upon better knowledge of nature, men will be obliged to lay it down. Of this genus there is but one known fpecies. It has much the afpefl of the common mca- dowfweet, except in the difpoficion of the flowers. Moil authors have joined it with that plant ; and indeed it comes very near its nature. The feeds of meadowfweet are covered, as wc have fliewn, with a kind of cruft; an^ in this plant they have but very rude capfules. However, the diftinftion is prcferved: nature on all occafions goes off gradually from one clafs to another : this would have been feen if men had regarded the greater and more diftinftive parts of plants with that attention they have ill befl:owed upon the more minute and frivolous. It is here the gentle flep is made irom the herbs with feveral naked feeds after every flower, to thofe in which each flower is followed by fe- ver al capfules. I Sweetbeard. Barba Capr^. The root is large, thick, long, and furnifhed with many fibres. It has a rcdifh bark, a woody fubftance within that, and in the central part a Ipungy pith. The leaves rife in a great tuft, but commonly wither when the ftalk gets ftrength. They are placed on long footltalks, and are compofcd of three principal parts, each of which confiih of about five fmaller leaves, difpofed in the pinnated manner in two pairs, with an odd one at the end : thefe are oblong, ferrated, and pointed at the ends. Theflalks are four feet high, round, fVriated, credt, and but little branched. They have the fame kind of leaves on them, and at their tops bear numerous flowers in long firings, feveral connefted toward the bottom, or rifing fo near one another that they form a tuft rcfembling a long, white beard. The flowers are white, httle, and of a flight but agreeable fmell. It is a native of the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Barba capr^e floribus ohlongis. • J. Bauhine, Barba capri. We in Englifli fome- times tranfiating the Latin name, call it goats- beard % but as that is with us the name of another plant, I have taken the liberty of varying it a little, prefcrving the word beard, and adding for its farther charafter, its fragrant fceat ; many of the common writers have called it ulmaria ma- jor^ xhz greater mcadowfweet. The flowers are efl:eemed cordial and fudorifick. The bark of the root alfo poflelTes the fame virtue, with a mixture of aftringency. This re- commends it among the country pradtifcrs, where common, in fevers attended with diarrhceas. Thefe are the plants properly and diitindlly belonging to the prefent clafs ; from which we are to advance to another, which i.s very com- prehenfive, containing the plants, with a flower confifting of one petal, and fucceeded by a finglg capfule : but in our way we are to regard an in- termediate genus, which happily conneifls thefe two, or according to the cuftom of nature, here often remarked, makes the progreflion eafy. 7le E ND of the SECOND CLASS. THE THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS III. Plants whofe Jlower confjls of a single petal, and is fucceeded by several capsules. THIS is a clafs not diftinguifted by any author, though elhblifhed by nature in the plainefl:, mofl. determinate, and moft diftinft manner. It contains only a few genera, but it ferves very happily in forming a natural method, and it is wonderful men of fcience have overlooked it : not that LinnEus has, for his attention has been wholly bent on the Icfler, fo that he mufl. natu- rally lofe fight of thefe greater objedls ; but that Ray in particular Ihould not obferve it is ftrange. It is here the firft inftance occurs of the necefiity there is, in a work of this kind, after confulting the beft authors, to examine nature; and where they are defedlive, to compleat the fyftem from her ftores. We have begun with plants whofe flower confilling cf feveral petals is followed by many naked feeds ; we have given in the fecond clafs plants whofe flower confifts, as in thofe in the firft, of feve- ral petals, and is followed by feveral capfules containing the feeds : from thefe, following our method in thofc plants whofe flowers are largeft, plainell, and moft confpicuous, we ftiould be led, if the fyftems of others only were our guides, to thofe plants whofe flower confifts of a Angle petals and is followed by a Angle capfulc ; but obferving nature, we perceive that flie has placed between thefe an intermediate clafs : this confifts of thofe plants which have a flower formed of a fingle leaf, and followed by more than one capfule. Thefe are the plants wc comprife in our prefcnt new efta- bliftied clafs, placing it between the fecond and fourth ; between thole plants whofe flower confifts of feveral petals, and is followed by feveral capfules, and thofe which have it of one petal, followed by one capfule. Thus we ftiall trace nature in her own path ; and view her as ftie makes her regular progrefs and her gradual defcent with no greater gap between. Certainly in all other fyftems there was an interruption here ; but this fmall arrangement fills up the fpace, and makes all regular. L.innreus fcatters the few plants belonging to this clafs over his works, and Tournefprt, and Rayj not attending to the diftinftion, great and obvious as it is, of plants with a flower compofed of many petals, and fuch as have it confifting but of one, place thefe confufedly among others, SERIES I. NATIVES OF BRITAIN. GENUS L N A V E L W O R T. COTTLEDON. fl'^HE flower confifts of a fingle petal ; this is of a tubulated form, and divided into feveral fegments at the edge. The feeds are contained in capfules, five of which follow every flower. LinniEus places this among his decandria pento^iiia, between woodforrel, which has its feeds in a fingle capfule, and ftonecrop, which has numerous petals in the flower. There are indeed in this ten threads in the centre of each flower, and five rudiments of capfules among them ; this, in the fyftem pro- 2 pofcd 5 2 The B RITISH HERBAL. polVd by that author, juftifies the placing it in that clafs ; but when we fee that its flower confifts of a finnic petal, and that its fruit is a clufter of five capfules, we may fay with freedom, nature has not placed it between ftonecrop and woodforrel. There is a plant ufually confounded with the houfcleek that will naturally follow it, though in a fepar.te "enus j'and this is the only one with which nature has given it any alliance. DIVISION I. RITISH SPECIES; Wall Pennywort. Cotyledon radice tuhsrofa. The root is roundifh, tuberous, and furniflied with many fibres from the bottom. The leaves are numerous, and rife in a thick, regular clufter. They are fupportcd on foot- rtalks of three inches long, afid thefe are inferred, not at one fide, but in the centre, the leaf fpreading every way into roundncfs from them. Thefe leaves are of a bluifti green, prettily notch- . ed round the edges, and of a watery tafte. The ftalk is eight inches high, and is round, and tolerably firm. Toward the top it divides into two or three branches, and on thefe hang numerous flowers in long fpikes. They are fmali, grecnifh, and dented at the rim. The capfules are oblong, fwellcd, and pointed ^ and they contain numerous imall leeds. It is a native of Engl.tnd, but not common. I have feen it on walls near Shepon Mallet in So- merletfnire. C. Bauhine calls it Cotyledon major. J. Dau- hine, Cotyledo?i ftera radus tHheroJa. In Englifh we call it kidncyzvort^ na-ve'twortj and from its growing on walls and the roundnefs of its leaves, which are fuppoicd to refemble pieces of money, wall^ennyjjort. It is cooline uftd. and diuretick, but is not much DIVISION II. F O R E I G N S P E c"l"E S'. Yellow Navelwort. Cotyledon fiorc aureo. The root is thick, and often tuberous, and has numerous fibres. The firft leaves rife in a large clufter, and are of an oval figure, broadeft at the top, and dented at the edges. They are of a bluifli green colour, of a Belhy fubftance, and of an infipid tafte. The ftalk is round, fniooth, greenifh or purplifli, ereift, and but little branched. Its leaves ftand irregularly: they have no foot- ftalks, but join the ftalk by a broad bafe : they are of the fame ftiape v/lth thofe from the root, but fomewhat narrower and more indented. The flowers are very numerous and beautiful. They ftand in clufters on flcnder footftalks, and are tubular, divided into four (harp feg- ments at the edge, and of a beautiful yellow. Thecapfulesarefmall, and pointed. Asthefeg- ments of the flower are four, thefe alfo are four ; and the threads, which are ten in the common kind, are only eight in this. .Linn.'pus, how- ever, ranks it in the fame genus with tlie other, acknowledging this variation. . It is a proof that, however he has taught others to confider the number of threads conftituting the claftical, as well as generical characters of plants, himfeif knew very well they were not fuificiently determinate for that purpofe. Thofe who love needlefs diftini^tions may make two genera of thefe two fpecies, and give a new name to the laft ; but they who ftudy plants for ufe will hold fuch diftindlions very Highrly. This fpecies is a native of Egypt and the Eaft Indies. Van Royen calls it Cotyledon foUts laciniatis fio- rihui quadrifidis. They ufe it in Egypt as a diuretick, giving the juice in a large quantity againft the gravel. GENUS II. PERIWINKLE. P E R I V I N C A. THE flower confifl:s of a fingle petal which is of a tubular form in tlie lower part, growing wider upwards, and at the rim is divided into five fegments. The feeds are contained in long capfules, two of which follow every flower. l.innsEUs places this among the fentmidria momfjnia, becaufe there are in each flower five threads, and but a fingle filament from two rudiments of capfules. His general rule for the arrangement of plants according to thefe parts, is from the divifion of the fliyles, or number rifing from the rudiments, which he calls germina : this ftyle ferves to receive the dull from the buttons on the threads, and to convey it to the rudiments. The fl:ylc \nferiwinkle is fingle indeed, but the rudiments, which are the cflcntial parts, that being but fubfervient to them, are two ■ therefore, as himfeif acknowledges, this genus more juftly belongs to the digynia, or thofe which ' have The BRITISH HERBAL. 53 have the female parts double. One fhould fmile at the perplexity that rifes from this unfubftantial method, but that it has milled fo many. What is an author to do, who has fet up a fyftem dependent on complex, as well as minute parts, when one portion of the fame objeiS, as in this inllance, deter- mines the plant to one afTorrment, and another to another. It is to this we owe thofe frequent ex- ceptions the author has himfelf made to his generical charai^ers and the many others, thofe who fhall obfcrve nature heedfuUy, mufl: make for him. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Small Periwinkle. Pervinca minor. The root is long, tough, flendcr, and full of fibres. The ftalks are long, but weak. They are tough, but want firmnefs ■, fo that they lie upon the ground, and frequently take root at liie joints : hence, when the plant has ftood any time we commonly fee a thick tuft of it. The leaves fland in pairs : they are oblong, broad, even at the edges, pointed at the ends, and have no footRalk^. They are of a firm (lub- ftance, and deep green coiour. The flowers (land on long foocftalks, which rife from [the bofoms ot the leaves ; they are large, and of a beautiful blue. The feed- velTels are fiiarp-polnted, two 'follow every flower, and there are in them many large^ oblong feeds. It is a native of our woods, but not common. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Cletmtis daphnoides minor. Others, Amply, Clematis dafhnoideSi or Vinca ■pervinca. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Great Periwinkle. Pervinca major. 1' he root is a great tuft of fibres. The ftalks are numerous, firm, woody, and tolerably ereft. The leaves ftand in pairs, and are placed on fhort footftalks ; they are broader than thofe of ihe fmall kind in proportion to their length, and are more of an oval figure ; they are even at the edges, and broad at the bafe, and pointed at the ends. The flowers ftand on long footftalks, rlfing from the bofoms oi: the leaves, and are large and blue. The feeds follow in two long capfules, pointed at the ends. It is frequent in the woods of Germany, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls tt Clematis daphnoides major. Others, Vinca pervinca major. Some have fuppofed this a variety of the pre- ceding fpecies, imagining that it only difl"ercd in fize; but they fhould have obferved the foot- ftalks and form of the leaves, and they would have found that the fize of the plants, though the moft obvious, is not the moft cfTential mark of their diftin£lion. GENUS II. SENGREEN. A I Z 0 0 N. THE flower is large, and confifts of a fingle petal flightly divided into ten fegments. The feeds are contained in capfules, a great number of which fucceed every flower. The leaves grow in round clufters in the manner of thefe ot houfeleek ; which the plant in its general form greatly re- fembles. No author has feparated this, perfciflly Angular as it is, or allowed it a diftind genus : it has been univerfally ranked as a fpecies of houfeleek, though it belongs to a fcparate clafs. Linnseus makes it a fpecies of fempervivum ; though he has eftablilhed, in the generical character, that fempervivum has a flower confifting of twelve petals, whereas the flower of this plant has bu^ one. This refers it plainly and necefiarily to the prefent clafs, and renders a new name necef. fary for it ; but, to avoid perplexity, I have given it one that has always been fuppofed to belong, though in an undetermined manner, to the houfeleek kind : it is very well applicable to this plant ; the leaves continuing all the year frefh and green. Of this genus there is but one known fpecies. Sengreen. Aizoon. The root is long, flender, and edged with fibres. The leaver that rife from it are flefliy, oblong, and pointed: thfygrow in natural clufters, but in a VL veryfingularmanner. Theclufters areof aroundifli form, as in the common houfeleek, but have not that open divifion : they are rather globular. In winter they are of a greyifli green, and ftand fe- parate, as in onher plants of this kind ; but to- ward fpring they affume another form : they have a multitude of long, fine, and flender hairs grow- P ing 54- THE BRITISH HERBAL. ing among chcm and thefe, conneding their tops, form a variety of angular figures, fo that the whole tuft of the plant appears as if wrought about with cobwebs. From the centre of the larger of thefe tufts, rifes a ftalk of a foot high, round, thick, flefliy : toward the lower part it is covered with Jeavc^, but in a manner naki-d higher upj the leaves there (landing feparate and diftant. Thefe are of the fhape of the lower leaves, but narrower : they are fiefby, and they, as well as the ftalk, ufiially are rediOi. At the top there fpring two or three little branches, which fpread out and fupport the flowers. Thefe are very large, and of a beauiful red. They are not like thofe of the houfeleek, com- pofcd of twelve petals •, but formed ot one only, and that divided but into ten fegmencs. The feeds are contained in capfules, feveral of which fucceed every flower. It is a common plant on the Alps, and in many parts of Switzerland ; where it roots among the moft nflked rocks, and when in flower makes a beautiful appearance. C, Bauhine calls it Sediim monianum tenKntofum. The E ND of the r \IIKV> CLASS. THE THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS IV. Plants with the flower formed of a single petal, plain, and of a regular form, and fucceeded by a single capsule. THIS is » clafs of nature's forming, and is perfeftly diftind from all the others ; yet the mo- dern methods in botany do not preferve it. The plants which compofc it are very numerous : they are the moft plainly and evidently connefled together by nature, perhaps of any in the whole vegetable kingdom ; yet Linnreus fcatters and feparates°them throughout his works ; and Mr. Ray, who has collefted and preferved them to- gether, includes among them thofe of our fifth of next fucceeding clafs, which have the petal though fingle, yet far from plain. , , , , n- , „■ He diaributcs thefe by a fubdivifion, under two heads ; but they properly conftitute two clalTes. Bindweed and the bell-flower are naturally allied by the Ihape of their flower, and belong to the fame clafs- but bindweed and toadflax, though they agree in having a fingle capfule after every flower, and their flower compofed of one petal only ; yet are fo palpably and evidently different by the form of that petal, that they are naturally feparated. SERIES I. NATIVES OF BRITAIN. GENUS I. HENBANE. ti r o s c r A M u s. THE flower confifts of a fingle petal, and is tubular, and divided lightly into four Icgments at the rim : thefe are all obtufe, but one is larger than the others. The feed-veflil is a fingk capfule, covered at the top, and divided into two parts within. ^ . , . Linnffius places this among the pmtandria momgyma; the threads in the flower being five in num- ber, and the rudiments of the fruit fingle. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Henbane. Hyofiyamm vulgaris. The root is very long, tough, white, woody, and furnifhed with many fibres. The ftalks are round, hard, woody, tough, and varioufiy and irregularly branched. The leaves ftand irregularly : they furround the ftalk at their bafc ; and are long, narrowifli. pointed at the ends, and very deeply notched ac the edges. Their colour is a greyiili green, and they have a very ill fmell. The flowers are numerous, fingular, and not without beauty when examined nearly : they are large, and open at the top, of a greyifli duflcy colour, a linft very uncommon in flowers, and full of veins. The feed-veflcls follow one after every flower; i an4 The B R I T I S H„. H E R B A L. and they are large, and contain a great quantity of feeds : thcfe are brown, rough, and of an ir- regular figure. k is common in waftc places, and flowers in DIVISION II. F O 1. "White Henbane. Hyofy-amiis alhus. The root is long, thick, white, and furniflied with numerous fibres. The leaves that rife from it ftand on long hol- lowed footllalks ; fo that in the firft appearance it differs greatly from the other, whofc radical leaves rife without any ftalk from the ground : thefe are large, broad at the bafe, bluntly pointed, and deeply finuated at the edges. The tlalk is roujid, firm, hairy, and three ; feet high : it is more creft, and kfs branched, than the other. The leaves ftand irregularly : they have long foDiHalks, and are like thofe from the root. The flowers grow fingly in the bofoms of the leaves, and they have ihort footftalks, and are large and white. The whole plant is thickly hairy. It is a native of the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it liyofcyamus albus major. Others, Hyofcyamus alhus. Thofe who, following C. Bauhine, call this the greater while henbane^ defcribe a variety of it under the name of the fmaller white henbane. This differs from the other in nothing, but that it has grown on a barren foil, and is Itarved and ftunted. 2. Golden Henbane. Hyofcyamus aureus. The root is long, thick, woody, white, and furniflicd with fibres. The leaves that rife from it are broad, fliort, deeply dented, and fupportcd on Jong footftalks : they are of a whitilh green, and foft to the touch. The ftalks are numerous, weak, whitifti, and a foot and a half high. The leaves fliand irregularly on them, and have long footftalks : they in all things refemble thofe from the root. The flowers are moderately large, and of a beautiful gold yellow : chey are more deeply di- vided than thofe of the common henbane^ and have longifti footftalks : they ftand partly at the top of the plant, and partly in the bofoms of the leaves. A Angle feed-veffel follows each flower, con- taining numerous feeds. It is a native of the Greek iftands and of Egypt, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Hyofcya?nns Creticus luteus ; but he, without much reafon, divides it into two fpecies, a greater and lefter : thefe are only varieties. Alpinus calls It Hyofcyamus aureus. C. Bauhine calls \iHyofcyar.ms vulgaris et niger. Others, Hyofcymus niger. This is the only fpecies of henbane that is a na- tive of Britain, and it is poifonous in its qua- lities. REIGN SPECIES. 3. Little Henbane. Hyofcyamus fufillus. I'he root is white, fmall, and longifh, and has a few fibres. The leaves rife in a little clufter of five or fix together, and are fupported on long, flender footftalks : they are oblong, broadeft; in the middle, and deeply indented at the edge. The ftalk rifes among thefe and is round, flender, upright, noc at all branched, and eight or ten inches high. The leaves ftand at diftances alternately : they are of the fame form with thofe from the root, but fmaller, and not at all indented at the edge: they are alfo blunter at the point. The flowers are moderately large, and of a beautiful yellow; one ftands ufually in the bo- fom of each leaf from top to bottom ; and fre- quently there are little tufts of young leaves rife with them. The feeds are large, and are contained in a Angle capfule. It is a native of many parts of America, and flowers in July- Plukenet calls it Hyofcyamus pujillus aureus ame-^ nianus antirrhini foliis glahris. All the henbanes are powerfully foporifick, in- fomuch that many of the fpecies are accounted poifonoLis : none fo much as the common Eng- lifh henbane : but the apothecaries have evi- dence that the charge Is not altogether well grounded. What they are ordered to ufe in fome compofitions, is the feed of the white henbane \ but thofe of the black being more readily at hand, are too often fold to them by the druggifts in their place. This feed however is more violent in its opera- tions, and fiiould be excluded the fhops, the others having all the good qualities without the danger. The feed of the white henbane is the beft of ai!: it is cooling, emollient, and excellent againft pain i It alfo moderately and quietly produces fleep, without difturbing the head in the manner of the black. It is excellent in coughs, it abates the pain in cholicks, and is of great virtue againft fpitting of blood, profluvia of the menfes, and all other he- morrhages The leaves boiled in milk and water, and ap- plied as a pultice, are excellent in the fciatica. The root has the fame virtue with the feeds in an inferior degree ; and is hung about childrens necks in fome places, as the piony root is in others, in order to their cutting their teeth without pain. In many pares they make neck- laces, with pieces of henbane and pieces of the piony root interchangeably, and relate wonder- ful things concerning their eifedls. Of this we have fpoken before, under the article Piony. I GE- The BRITISH HERBAL. 57 G E N U S II. BINDWEED. CONVOLVULUS. »T"HE flower is large, and confifts of a fingle petal, fpread open, rarely indented, and ofteii folded: the feeds are numerous, and are contained in a fingle capfule : the cup is formed of a lingle leaf, divided into five parts ; and remains with the capfule when the flower is fallen. Linnaeus places this among the pcntandria monogynia ; there being five threads in every flower, and a fingle rudiment of a fruit or capfule. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Great Bindweed. Convohulus major. The root is long, white, flender, and creep- ing. The ftalks are numerous, round, flender, weak, and very long : they are fmooth, erf a yel- lowifli colour; and tough, and wilt climb about bu(hes till they reach ten or fifteen feet in height. The leaves fland irregularly, and have long footftalks : they are large, broad, cut off as it were behind at the ftalk, not going to fharp points, as in the lefTer kind, and iharp at the end : they are thin, fmooth, undivided at the edges, and of a pale green. The flowers rife from the bofom of the leaves, and fland fingly on long footflalks : they arc very large and white. The feed-vefTel is large, and the feeds are nu- merous. It is common in hedges, and flowers all fum- mer. C. Bauhine calls it Convolvulus major alhus. Others, Convohulus major. Our common people call it Bearbind. 2. Common little Bindweed. Co7ivohulus minor vulgaris. The root is flender, and has many fibres. The ftalks are numerous, round, green, weak^ and almofl a to.ot long: the plant is not able to fup- port itfelf ; but it does not climb among bufhes as the^r^rf^ bindweed.^ but ftraggles upon the ground. The leaves fliand irregularly, and are nume- rous : they are broad, Ihort, of a pale green, un- divided at the edges, pointed at the end, and running into two points alio at the llalk, in the manner of an arrow head. The flowers rife from the bofoms of the leaves : they (land on footftalks; and are large, and of a pale red, fometimes white. The feed follows in a large capfule. It is common by way-fides, and flowers in May, and during the reft of the fummer. C. Bauhine calls it Convolvulus minor arvenjis. Others, Convolvulus minor. This and the preceding both poflefs the fame virtues: they are rough purges and, to thofe con-- flitutions that can bear fuch medicines, are good In dropfies, and other diforders from obRTu6lion3 of the vifcera. The roots poffefs the principal virtue, and they are befl: freth. The country method is to prefs out the juice, and give it with ftrong beer. The root of the great bindweed is what they commonly ufe on this occafion. It ig Angular, that hogs cat this root often in confi- derable quantity, without any manifefl: effe£b. It may be ufclul in the country, where peoples conftitutions are rough, and milder medicines are not to be had ; but it is not worth bringing into the Ihops. 3, Narrow-leaved Bindweed. Convolvulus pijillus angujiifolins. The root is long and flender, and has a few- fibres. The fl:a!ks are num.erous, round, we^k, and fix inches long : they lie upon the ground, and their leaves grow principally on one fide. Thefe ftand fingly at fmall diftances, and are very narrow, and of a confidcrable length : they hoop round the footfl:alks, which are fliort and flender, in the manner of the head of an arrow, but the heads are more rounded ; the edges are not at all indented, and they end in a fiiarp point. The flowers have long, flender fooift-aiks, and commonly ftand oppofite to the leaves, tho' not fo numerous ; they are imal!, and of a pale flcfli colour. The capfule of the feed is alfo fmall. It is a native of our corn-fields, but not com- mon. It flowers in June. Plukenet calls it Convolvulus angujii{[.m folio nojhas cum auricuHs. 4. Little Bindweed, with A deep divided flower. Convolvulus pufillus fiore profunde feclo. The root is long, flender, and brown. The ftalks are round, weak, numerous, and five or fix inches long. The leaves arc numerous, fiiorr, broad, and of a pale green. The flowers are fmall, of a faint red colour and are compofed of fingle petals as the others^ but they are deeply divided into five parts. The feeds are contained in Ihort capfules. Ic grows with us in barren places. Mr. Rand, who The BRITISH HERBAL. S8 who firfl found ic in Kent, called it Convolvuliu fiore minimo ad unguem fere fe£fo ; and under this name it is placed in Dillenius's edition of the Zymffis of Brittfli plants. 5. Sea Bindweed. Soldanella vulgaris. The root is long, flender, and creeping. The ftaiks are round, ftriated, weak, and ufualiy of a purplifii colour : they grow to a foot or more in length, and lean upon the ground. The leaves ftand irregularly: they have Jong footllalks, and are of a rounded figure, rather broader than long, and have a kind of ears at the flaik. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful deep red : they have long footftalks, and rife fingly from the bofoms of the leaves. The feed-vellcl is fhort. The ftalk is tough, the leaves are of a flefhy thick fiiblUnce, and the plant abounds with a milky juice. It is common on our fca-coafls, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Scldanella r.iaritiim minor. Others, Soldanella -vulgaris. We have no other fpecies of foldanella a na- tive of this country. The roots and leaves of this fpecies are a veiy violent purge : they are much more fharp in their operation than thofe of the common bindweed; but for conflitutions that can bear them, they may- be ufeful. There have been infl-ances of great good done by this plant in dropfies. Some upon the fea-coaUs pickle the young tops in the manner of fampirc; and even in this way they purge very briflcy. In this form they are a popular remedy againft the fcurvy ; whence the plant, has obtained the name oi fatrvygrafs among the common people ; that name of righc belonging to a quite different plant. The beft way of giving it is, to dry and pow- der the root ; but even in this ftate it will work, very violently. Its proper correftives are ginger and annifeeds ; and, with right management, ic may thus be made very ferviceabic in fome ftub- born complaints. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. 1. Syrian Scammony. Convolvulus foliis fagi t talis pedunculis hifloris. The root is very long, large, and thick, and furniflied with many fibres. The ftaiks are numerous and weak, like thofe of our mnmon great bindweed : they climb upon buflies in the fame manner, and run to eight feet in length. The leaves Hand irregularly, and have long footflalks : they are large, oblong, and of the arrowhead fhape ; they are fiiarp at the point, and as it were cut off with a nick at the two ends behind the ftalk. The flowers are large, hollow, undivided, and of a beautitul purple : they itand two upon each footftalk but only one of them blows at a time. The feed-vefl^el is fingle, and roundifh, the -feeds large and black. It is a native of Syria, and flowers in June. J. Bauhine calls it Scammonea Syriaca flore ma jore convohuli. Others, Scammonea Syriaca. The drug known by the name of fcammony at the druggilts, is the hardened juice of the root of this plant : it is a fl:rong cathartick. We have feen that the roots of mofb of the bindweeds are purging, and this pofiefl"es that quality in the ftrongefl: degree of all. The juice which we know by the name of fcammony, though an excellent, is a rough medicine, and is never to be given without corredtives. 2. Cretick Scammony. Convolvulus radice longijfima. The root is flender, brown, and of a vafl: length. The fl:alks are numerous, flender, weak, and three or four feet high. The leaves Itand in pairs and are large, and of a beautiful green : they have long, (lender footftalks, and are heart-fafliioned at the bafe, narrow in proportion to their length, aud pointed at the ends. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful purple: they Itand fingly at the tops of the branches, and are irregularly dented at the edges. The feed-veflel is fliort and thick, and the feeds are black. It is a native of the ifland of Crete, and flowers in July. Alpinus calls it Scammonea macrorbizos. Others, Scammonea Creiica. The root abounds with a fliarp juice, of the fame nature with that of the Syrian fcammony. It is prepared in the fame manner, by dry- ing, and ufed for the fame purpofes; but it is milder than the other. 3. Silver Bindweed, Convolvulus althcfa foliis argenteus. The root is long, flender, and fpreading. The ftaiks are numerous, and weak ; they trarj upon the ground, and are of a pale green colour, hairy, and tough. The leaves fliand irregularly. They have long footftalks, which are fo weak that they often droop : they arc of a beautiful fliape and colour : they arc oblong, heart-fafliioned at the bafe, and pointed at the end ; but toward the bafe they are alio deeply indented or divided in the palmated manner ; and they are notched all the way along the edges, The flowers ufually grow two on a footftalk, fometimes fingly. Eacli has its own feparate pedicle ; and they are large, and of a beautiful red. The feed-veflTel is fliort and thick. The The BRITISH HERBAL. 59 The whole plant is of a fine whitiHi filvery hue, and when broken does not afford a milky- juice, as moil: bmdweeds do. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Convolvulus argenteus folio altha^. J. Bauhine, Convolvulus fer-egr'mus piil- cher folio Betonicte. 4. Little blue Bindweed. Convolvulus caruleus minor. The root is long, flender, brown, and hung ■with many fibres. The ftalks are weak, round, hairy, of a pale green colour, and a foot high. The leaves ftand irregularly, and in a confide- rable number : they have no footftalks : they are of a pale green, long, narrow, and pointed at the ends : the edges are nut at all dented, and they are but a little hairy. The flowers itand fingly on long, fiendcr foot- ftalks, rifing from the bolbms of the leaves : they are large, and of a bcautiiul blue. The feed-velTel is Ihort and thick. It is a native of Africa and of feme of the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Convolvulus peregrinus c^ru- leus folio dhlongo. Others, Convolvulus cerulem minor, 5. f riall-leaved Bindweed, Convolvulus ramofus folio parvo. The root is fmall, fibrous, and brown. The ftalks are numerous, round, of a pale green, and tolerably firm : they divide into many branches; and frequently ftand upright. They are fix or eight inches high. The leaves are fmall, oblong, and rounded at the ends. They fomecimes ftand in pairs, but oftener fingly. The branches rife from the bofoms of thefe, and are long, flender, and often divided into others. The leaves on thcfe are very fmall and numerous ; and they ftand altogether irregularly. The flowers are large, and of a bright red : they grow towards the tops of the branches, and have very fhort footftalks. The feed-vefTel is ftiort and thick. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in June. Morifon calls it Convolvulus ramofus minor. Pona, Helxine ciffampelos ramofa CretUa \ for it is alfo a native of that Ifland. 6. Many-leaved Bindweed. Convolvulus foliis numerofis angufiis. The root Is long, woody, brown, and furnifh- ed with many fibres. The leaves that rife from it are very narrow, longifh, pointed at the ends, and of a pale green : they ftand on long foot- ftalks, and fade when the ftalks rife. Thefe are numerous, flender, tough, of a pale green, fix or feven inches long, and confiderably branched. The leaves arc numerous, and ftand thick : they are narrow, pale, undivided at the edges, pointed at the ends, and have Icarce any foot- itaiks. The flowers are numerous, moderately large, 6 of a beautiful pale red ; and they generally grow two together. They are divided at the rim intd five, pointed fegments. The feed-vefTei is fmall. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Convolvulus linarij: folio: Others, Convolvulus fpic^e foliis. 7. Oak-leaved Bindweed. Convolvulus qucrcus folio. The root is (lender, fibrous, and brown. The firft leaves rife in a thick tuft : they are of a deep green colour, of a flefhy fubftancc, and ftand on I- ng footftalks : they have fomc rude refemblance of oak leaves in miniatutL-, only they are lefs indented toward tlic point, and blunter at the ends. The ftalks are numerous, tough, round, rcd- ifli, and two toot high : tliey ftand more eredt: than moft of the other birnkveeds^ but not per- fei5:]y fo. The leaves ftand altcrnarely : they referable thofe at the root, but they are fmaller, and noc fo flefliy. The flowers grow fingly from the bofoms of the leaves, and have long, flender fborftalks : they are large, undivided at the edge, and of a dufky purplifli colour. The feed-vcflTel is large, and full of dark co- loured feeds. k is a native of the fea-coafts of Italy, but noc common. Imperatus calls it Soldanellie mariiim^ congener. S. Cretick Bindweed, called Dorycnium. Convolvulus mulliflorus fcriceus. The root is long, thick, and has but few fibres. The firft leaves are long, narrow, undivided, and have no footftalks : they are of a filvery whitenefs, and foft to the touch. The ftalks are numerous, round, firm, and : woody : they do not lie upon the ground, as in moft of the others, but ftand ercc^. The leaves on them are narrow, long, and blunt at the end, and have the fame filky afped with thofe from the root: they are numerous, and ftand irregularly, with young tufts frequently in their bufon^s. The fiowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks, fix or eight together, and they are large, and of a beautiful red, though fometimes white. The feed-veflcl is fliort and thick. It i^ a native of the Greek iflands, and flowers in July. Morifon calls it Convolvulus major re^us Creii- cus argenteus. Others^, Dorycnium^ and Cn arum. C. Bauhine, Cneorum album folio oLe argentdo molli. LinnSEUs fuppofca this, and the hift but one, varieties of the fame fpecies ; but they are truly diftinft. 9. Ivy-lcavcd Bindweed. Convolvulus foliis Irilohis. T'iie root is fmall, fibrous, and brown, l^ie firft leaves are large, numerous, and form a thick tuft. They arc placed on bng foorfialks, bo The BRITISH HERBAL. and are formed as it were of three fmaller joined together. The ftalks are numerous, flender, and branched. They are too weak to fupport themfelves with- out lielp, but will climb to the height of ten feet. The leaves ifand irregularly, and are of the fame form witli thofe irom the root : they have three points, or are formed of three parts, and are of a pale green. The flowers ftand on long footftalks, and are large, and of a beautiful blue i they are divided into five pointed fegments at the edge. The feed-ve/Tel is large, and the feeds are biackifli. It is a native of the Eaft, and flowers in July and Auguft. The flowers open principally in an evening, and fade when the fun has power. C. Bauhine calls it Convohulus c^ruleus hede- receo angulofo folia. 10. Feather-leaved Bindweed. Convolvulus foliis pe7inatis. The root is fmall, divided into two or three parts, and furniihed with long, fpreading fibres. The firft leaves are numerous, and extreamly beautiful : they ftand on long, purplifii foot- ftalks, and are large, of a fine deep green, and compofcd of ten or twelve pairs of Jong feg- ments, extreamly narrow, and placed nearly op- pofite to one another, with an odd one, ufually forked, at the end; together with thefe, there rife a couple of broad, plain, hard leaves from the feed, which remain a long time; and fome- times the fValk rifes immediately between thefc, without any other radical leaves. The ftalks are flender, tough, and weak : they climb on any thing to the height of fcveral feet : the leaves fland irregularly on them, and have long, tender footftalks : they in all things re- femble thofe from the root, and are extreamly beautiful. 1 he flowers are large, and of a very bri£!;hc red : they grow in htcle cluflrers, and are di- vided into five fegments at the edge: they have fomcthing of the afpetft of the flowers of jclfamy, and have thence given, among fome writers, a name to the plant. The feeds arc contained in fhort capfulcs, one after every flower. It is a native of the Eafl Indies, and of fome parts of South America. Columna calls it Convolvulus pennatus exoticus rarior. C- Bauhine, Jajminum milltfdn fclio. Many call it quamaclit, an Indian name. Lin- nsus feparates this and fome others from the rell of the bindweeds, under the name of Ipcnid'a, but with fo little foundation in nature, that when he has given the charafters, he adds, *' tliefe plants are really fpecies of Convolvulus." Why therefore did he permit the other nominal geniis to remain ? He has alfo feparated thefe, under the name of ipomcea^ in his Sped^\ Plantarum, his laft publilhed work. GENUS III. GENTIAN. G E N 1- I A N A. THE flower confifl:s of a fingle petal, which is of a tubular lhape, and divided into fegments ac the edge: it fliands in a cup, formed of a fingle leaf divided into five parts : the feeds arc contained in afingic capfule, which is large, and lightly fplit at the top. Einn^us places this among his pentandria digynia, the threads in the flower being five ; and the rudiment of the fruit, though fingle in itfelf, having two fligmata. If this author had regarded the body of the rudiment, rather than thefe lefler parts, it would have brought his method nearer to nature. This would then have been placed among the monogynia], the rudiment being really fino-le, and giving the firil notice of the fingle capfule fucceeding each flower, to which the clafs owes its origin, This author includes fmall centaury in this genus : but they differ fuf5iciently in many refpecfls, though the flowers are nearly the fame. DIVISION I. BR I. Marfh-gentian. Gentiana palujiris angujtifolia. The root confiflrs of feveral thick, long fibres, with ocher fmaller ones growing to them. The large fibres are yellow, tough, and of a bitter tafte; fometimes they grow to a fmall head, fometimes they are only joined at the top to one another. The flalk is flender, firm, upright, but not altogether ftraitj frequently bowing from joint to joint. The leaves are long, narrow, and of a duflcy green : they grow two at a joint oppofite to 3 ITISH SPECIES. one another, and have no footflalks : they are undivided at the edge, and fharp at the point. The flowers (land at the tops of the fl:alks, and are very large and beautiful : they are long, hollow, irregularly divided into five fegments at the edge, and of a very deep blue. The fced-vefl*el is long and flender, and the feeds are fmall. It is found in many parts of England on boggy ground, and flowers in Augufl. C. Bauhine calls it Ge^itiana palujiris angnfiifo- Ha. Others call it Pneumonantbe. We, in Eng- lifli, ALir/Jj-gentian, or Calathian violet. This laft is an antiquated and improper name. 2. Woolly- The BRITISH HERBAL. 6i 2. Woolly-flowered Gentian. Gentiana Jfore lamiginofo. The root is fmal!, woody, and divided into feveral parts : it is of a browniOi colour, and bitter tafte : there are long fibres produced from it about the head, which creep under the fur- face, and fpread every way. Theftalk is (lender, round, ftriated, ered, and five or fix inches high, fometimes more,fometimes much lefe ; for the plant varies greatly in fize. The leaves are long and narrow, but not alto- gether fo narrow as thofeof the preceding. They are of a frefh green, and ftand in pairs without footftalks. The flowers are large, and of a deep blue. They are divided into four fcgments at the edge, andthereis adownynefs of a purplifh colour within. The feed-veffel is long, flender, and pointed ; and the feeds are very fmali. It is found in barren, chalky foils, but not common. It flowers in September. C. Bauhine calls it Ge?itiana patenfis flore la- mginofa. With us it does not grow in mea- dows, as that name feems to exprefs. When this plant grows larger from a good foil, the leaves acquire more breadth, and in this form it is defcribed by fome authors as a different fpe- cies, under the name of GentiancUa fiigax autum- nalis elalior centauni mimris folih ; but this is merely a variety from more nouriilimcnt. 3. Little Spring Gentian. GentiancUa fumila fr^cox. The root is fmall, long, brown, and divided, and has a bitter tafte. DIVISION II. F < I. Great-flowered Gentian. Gentiana latifolia magnb fiore. The root is fmall, yellowifh, divided into many parts, and furnifhed with fibres ; it is of a bitter tafte, and firm texture. The leaves are broad and fhort : a tuft of them rife without footftalks from the root early in fpring, and foon after, the ftalks appear. Thefe are round, firm, brownifh, and five or fix inches high. They have numerous leaves ftanding in pairs, of the fame lhape, colour, and fubftance with thofe from the root : they are nervous, and of a brownifli green. The flower ftands at the tops of the ftalk, and . is very large, and of a beautiful fky blue ; it is tubular, and divided into five fegments at the edge, with white lines down their fides. The feed-vefl^il is long, and large, and fplits into two at the top. The feeds are fmall. It is frequent in Germany, and flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Gentiana alpina uernamajcr' Others call it //irp/'/cK. We, Great-ficwered ge}i- tian. The fl:alks are numerous, and of a brownifli colour, rigid, firm, upright, but little branched, and from three to eight or ten inches in height, according to the degree of nourifhment they find. The leaves ftand in pairs pretty near to one another : they are oblong, broad, pointed at the ends, of a dufliy green colour, and have no footftalksi The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks, fometimes fingly, fometimes two or three toge- ther: they are large, and blue, and are divided into five fegments at the edge. The feed-vefiel is thick, and oblong, and the feeds fmall and brown. It is common in hilly paftures, and flowers in April. This, like the former, varying in fize, has been divided, from that accident alone, into feve- ral imaginary fpecies. Columna calls it Gentianella purpurea minima, Ray, GentiancUa fugax verna five pnecox- Thefe three are the only fpecies of gentian we have native in Britain. They and the next to be defcribed are called by many gentianeUa^ from their fmallnefs in comparifon of the gentian ufed in medicine. They are all good ftomachicks, but inferior to that great kind. The country people make a very good bitter tinfture from any of thefe, and orange peel fteeped in white wine. REIGN SPECIES. 2. Great Gentian. Getiana major lutea: The root is long and large, divided into feve- ral parts, and covered with a rough flcin. It 15 brown on the outfide, yellow within, of a firm fubfl;ance, and very bitter tafte. The leaves that firft rile from it are large, oblong, broadeft in the middle, pointed at the ends, and without tootftalks : they are of a deep green colour, and firm fubftance ; and have five large ribs running lengthwife of them, and no others of any note. This is a particular mark, as it makes them refemb!e the leaves of plantain or white hellebore ; the generality of plants having only one long and large rib in the leaf, and the others running obliquely from it. The ftalk rifes in the midft of this tuft of leaves, and is round, thick, firm, upright, and three or four feet high. The leaves are numerous, and ftand in pairs in a line over one another 5 they are of the fame fiiape and fubftance with thofe at the root, and having no footftalks, they furround the ftalk at the bafe. The flowers are very numerous, and yellow. They ftand in great tufcs furrounding the ftalk, with a pair of leaves under every tuft ; they are R placed 62 The BRITISH HERBAL. placed in a Imall cup, and arc divided into five lung and narrow fejimcnts. The feed-veffds are long, fvvdkd at the bot- tom, and fpllc a little at the top. It is a native of Germany and other parts of the north of Europe ; and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Gentiana major lutea. Ca- merarius and others, fimply, Centtana \ and fome, from the fcgments of the flower being fpread like the rays of a (tar, JJlerias. This is the fpecies whofe root Is the true and proper kept by the druggifbs. It is an excellent flom^ichick, and is the prin- cipal ingredient in bitter tinctures. It f'rengchcns the ilomach, promotes an appetite, and afTifts di- gtilion. This root, orange- pee!, and cardamom feed infiifed in wine or water, either way, make an excellent family bitter. ■ This is its common ufe ; but befides this, it ftands recommended againfl: malignant fevers, and diforders rifing from obftrudtions in the vifcera : and it is alfo good againft worms, and in in- termittent fevers. The beft tinilure of it is that in white wine. 3- Crofs-lcaved Gentian. Gentiana foUis cruciraim -difpofitis. The root is long, thick, and divided into fe- vcral parts. The firfl: leaves are long and broad; they rife in large tufts, and have no footfl;alks. The llalks are numerous, round, firm, up- right, and eight inches high. The leaves are placed in pairs without foot- ftalks, and furround the ftalk at their bafc : they are broad, nervous, of a deep green, and fiiarp- pointed ; and the pairs ufually are placed crofswife of one another. The iiowcrs fl:and in a thick cluflcr at the tops of the ftalks, and are fmail and blue: they arc tubular, and divided into four Oiorf fegment^. The feed-veffel is oblong, flendcr, and fplit at the top, and the feeds are fmall. It is common.in the northern parts of Europe, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Gentiana crtidata. Ciime- r^arius, Gentiana minor. The root has the fame tafte, and probably the lame virtues, with the common gentian. It \% greatly recommended in pcllilcntial fevers. 4. Great blue Gentian; Gentiana major jlore caruko. The root is long, large, and divided into fc- veral parts. The leaves that rife from It are long and broad : [hey have no footftalks : they are of a deep green colour, and firm fubftance, undivided at the edges, and fliaip-pointed. The ftalks rife in the centre of this tuft, and arc firm, upright, and two feet high. The leaves are long and large ; they refembic thofe from the root, but are of a paler green and of a fofter fubftance : they have no footftalks, and they are ribbed Icngthwife, like thofe of the great gentian : they ftand in pairs, and enclofe the ftalk at the bottom. The flowers grow from the bofoms of the leaves, from the middle to the top, and not un- frequently from the root up to th*c top, generally two upon each footftalk : they are large, and of a beautiful blue, tubular, and divided into five parts at the edge. The feed-vefiel is long and flender, and con- tains a great quantity of fmall feeds. It is a native of Germany,' and flowers ia June. C. Bauhine calls it Gentiana afclepiadis folio. GENUS IV. CENTAURY. C E N r A U R 1 U M. 'T'HE flower is fmall, and conflfts of a fingle petal, which is of a tubular form, and is divided into feveral fegments at the edge. The feed-veffcl is flender, oblong, and fingle. The ftalks and leaves are tender. LinnjEus places this among pentandria digynia, making it a fpecies of gentian, not allowing it to be a diflinift genus. But, though it agrees with gentian in the ftruilurc of the flower, it difi^ers fuffi- ciently in its whole form and fubftance ; the ftalks of the gentians being hard and rigid, and their leaves tough and nervous ; whereas thofe of the centaury are tender, as in the generality of other plants. Many authors call this genus centauritim minus, fmall centaury, having given the name of great ce'i- taury to a plant altogether unlike it, and of a diftinfl: clafs. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Little Centaury, Centaiirium minus vitlgare. The root is fmall, long, divided into many parts, and furnilhed with numerous fibres. The firft leaves rife in a tuft : they are oblong, broad, fmooth, of a pale green colour, and have no footftalks. The ftalks rife among thefe, and are numerous, flender, upright, eight inches high, and of a yellowiOi colour. The leaves ftand in pairs on them, and have n i The BRITISH HERBAL. 63- no footftalks: they are like thofe from the root, but fiiorter, of a freflier green, and more pointed : they are undivided at the edges, and tend up- wards. Toward the top the ftalk. divides into feveral branches, commonly, but not conftantly, by two and two : thele have fmaller and narrower leaves on them, and at their tops tufts of flowers i and all joining, there, is formed by the whole, a very large clulter. The flowers are fmall, but of a blight and beautiful red: they are fl-nderj hollow, and fpread toward the rim, where th.ey arc divided into live fegments. Tiie feed- vciTei is fimple, fmall andJong, and the feeds are numerous and very minute. It is common in dry paftures, and flowers in July- C. Baiihine calls it Ccntmrium minus. J. Bau- hine, Centctirmm miaiis flcre purpurea et alho ; the flowers being fometimes white ; but this is an Uncommon variety. It is an excellent fl;omachick : its tafle is bit- ter, but notunplealant, and it promoces an appe- tite, ftrengthens the flomach, and aflifls digeftion. It may be called the Engliflj gmt'tan. It is excellent in obftruiStions of the vifcera, in the jaundice, and againll; worms. The beft ■way of giving it is in infufion, to which may be added lemon-peel and cardamoms. 1, Little yellow Mar fli- centaury. Cmtaurium pahiftre hiteiim ^mnimum. ■ The root is long, flcnder, and divided into many parts. The hrft leaves are fliort, and obtufc at the end : they have no footflalks, and they quickly grow yellow and lade. The ftalks are numerous, flender, and very much branched : they are four or five inches high, and full of leaves : thefe (land in pairs, and are fmall, obtufe, and undivided at the edges. The flowers ft:and at the toj^s of the ftalks and branches, and are iitcle, and of a duflcy yellow. The fced-vefl'els are long, flender, and full of very fmall feeds. It is found on boggy grounds in fome parts of England, but is not common. It flowers in June. Ray calls it Centaurium pahtjlre hiteum minimum fiofiras. It has the fame bitter taftc with the other. 3. Perfoliate yellow Centaury. Ccntaurium lutenni perfoUatim. The root is fmall, oblong, and divided into feveral parts. The ftalk is round, flender, upright, and a foot and half high j it is fcarce at all branched, and of a pale yellowifli green. The leaves are very Angular j they feem to be compofcd each of a pair of broad and fliort ones, perfectly jointed at their bafes ; fo that they form one obltjng, hollow leaf, of the fhape of a boat, through the centre of which the main ftalk pafles. No plant is fo perfeftly perfoliate. Thefe Angular leaves are tender, of a deep greeri, and fmall, obtufe at the points, and not at all indented at the edges : they are fmaller toward the lower part of the ftalk, largeft fomewhat above the middle, and thence fmaller again to- ward the top. The flowers ftand in a loofe ckiflcr at the top of the ftalk, each on a flender pedicle : they are of a beautiful yellow ; they have a tubular bot- tom, and are divided at the rim into eight feg- ments, fo deeply that at firft fight they feem to confift of fo many petals. The feed-vefTel is oblong and flender, and the feed fmall. It grows in dry, barren, chalky places, but not very common. It varies extreamly in fize ; whence fome have divided it into a larger and fmaller fpecies. It flowers in Juiv. C. Bauhine calls it Centaurium lutcmn perfoli- at urn. DIVISION 11. FOREIGN SPECIES.' Akernate-lcaved Centaury. Centaurium foUis altcrnis. This diflcrs from all the ochers in an obvious and ftriking particular : their leaves grow in pairs ; thole of this fpecies fingly. Its root is long, thick, yellowifli, divided into feveral parts, and furniflied with many fibres. The leaves that rife from it are oblong, broad, even at the edges, fharp at the points, and have no footftalks : they rife in a little tuft, and are of a pale green ; and they foon grow pale, and wither when the ftalks rife. The ftalks are numerous, round, upright, very much branched, and of a pale ycllowifh co- lour : they divide generally in a forked manner, or, as botanifts call it, dichotomoufly, bgt not univerfally. The leaves ftand alternately, and are of a pale green : they are not very numerous, and they vary greatly in lhape. Thofe toward the bot- tom of the ftalk are like fuch as rife from the rooti thofe higher up are longer and narrower \ and there are tufts alfo of very fmall and narrow ones in their bofoms, and toward the tops of the branches. The flowers are fmall, and white : they do not ftand in clufters at the tops of the ftalks, as in the other fpecies, but all the v\'ay up in a kind of ir- regular fpikes. Its feed-velfels are fmall and cylindrical, and the feeds very fmall and numerous. It is a native of France and Italy, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Centaurium minus fpicatmn album. Ochers, Centaurium minus album. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS V. LOOSE STRIFE. LTSIMACHIA. *TpHE flower confifts of a fmgle petal, which is divided into five fegments at the edge : the feeds are contained in a fingle capfule, which is round and large : the plant is ereft and ta!!. Linnseus places this among the pentandria niomgynia; there being five threads in the centre of the fjower, and the rudiment of the capfule being finglc. It Is a genus extremely diftimft, and plainly charaderifed. We have been accuftomed to call this, and fcveral other very diiterent genera, by the common name of willow herb, the leaves of fomc of them refembling thofe of the willow. Thofe of this genus are much lefs like them than the leaves of fome of the others ; wherefore we have changed that name for another loofe ftrife^ by which it is alfo comrronly known -y retaining that of willow herb, for the other genus, which has more right to that appellation. DIVISION 1. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Common yellow Loofe Strife. Lyfimachiii lutea vulgaris. The roots are numerous, long, flender, and creeping. The firft leaves are large, oblong, broad, even at the edges, and pointed at the ends : they are of a beautiful green ; they rife in a thick tuft, and have no footftalks. The ftalk is firm, upright, hard, and four feet high, and toward the top it fends out many branch'-'S. The leaves grov/ two, three, or more, at a joint without footftalks : they are large, broadeft at the middle, and jointed at the end, and of a beautiful green. The flowers are very numerous, confiderably large, and of a beautiful gold yellow : they feem compofed of five petals, and have pointed but- tons on the threads. The feed-vcfi'el is round and large. This is fo beautiful a plant in its eredl ftature, regular growth, and elegant flowers, that it is very worthy to be taken into our gardens. It is wild by water-fides not unfrequently, and flowers from May to Augufl. C. Bauhine calls it Lyfimachia lutea major. Othersj Lyfimachia lutea vulgaris. 2. Globofe Loofe Strife, Lyfimachia fore glohofo. The root is long, flender, jointed, and fur- nilhed with abundance of fibres. The firft leaves rife only two or three together from different parts of the root : they are long, narrow, and of a deep green ; and they have no footftalks : they are undivided at the edges, and fharp at the point. The ftalk is firm, upright, not branched, and a foot and a half high. The leaves ftand in pairs : they are long, fomc- what broad, undivided at the edges, and have no footftalks : they are fmalleft toward the bottom and top of the plant, and largeft in the middle. The flowers ftand in roundifli heads : thefe arc fupported by long, flender footftalks, and rife from the bofoms of the leaves, principally about the middle of the plant ; they are fmail, and yellow. The feed-veflel is fingle, roundifii, and fmall. It is found in wet places, but not common. C. Bauhine calls it Lyfimachia hifcUa flcre lutet glohofo. Others, Lyfimachia lutea glohofa. 3. Hairy fliort-lcaved Loofe Strife. Lyfimachia foliis brevihus hirftitis. The root is long, flender, creeping, and full ojT fibres. The ftalks are numerous, and three feet high ; they are firm, upright, not much branched, and of a pale yellowifli colour. The leaves ftand in an irregular manner as in the common kind, two, three, or four at a joint : they are fliort, blunt, of a pale green, and hairy. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful yel- low : they ftand in clufters at the tops of the branches. The feed-vefi'els are large and round. It is not uncommon in damp paftures, and flowers in June. Ray calls it Lyfimachia lutea foliis brevioribus ehlufis fioribus in fummitate congeftis. FOREIGN SPECIES. DIVISION n. I. Red-flowered Loofe Strife. Lfmachia pre ruhente. The root is compofed of many thick, long, and whitifti fibres. The firft leaves are long, narrow, and of ^ a bright green, and have no footftalks : they rife 3 in large tufts, but fade and difappear when the ftalks come up. The ftalks are numerous, round, firm, ered, and two feet and a half high. The leaves are long and narrow : they ftand in pairs, and have no footftalks. The flowers ftand in long fpikes at the tops of the The BRITISH HERBAL. 65 the ftalks and their branches : they are large, and placed diftinft ; they confift each of a fingle petal, divided into five fegments in the manner of the eommon yellow kind, and are of a beautiful red. The feed-veffel is imali and round. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Epheiienim Mathioli. 2. Spotted yellow Loofe Strife; Lyftmachiajlava pedunadis unifloris. The root is long, (lender, jointed, and creep- ing. The flalk is round, firm, upright, fmooth, and two feet high. The leaves are long and narrow •, their broadefl part is in the niiddle : they are Hiarp pointed, and undivided at the edges, and have no fooc- ftalks. They ftand irregularly ; on foitie parts bf the flalk fingly, and on others four at a joint. Their colour is a deep green, and they are com- monly fpotced on the back. The flowers are large, beautiful, and yellow : they (land on Ihurt foocfbalks rifing frorh the bo- foms of the leaves, one flower on each. The feed-velTcl is roundifh, but fomewhat ob- long. It is frequent in Flanders, and in fome parts of Italy. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Lyftmachia lutea minor foliis nigris pim^iis notatis. Clufius. hyfimachia lutea fc- cnnda. Loofc ftrife has the credit of being an excellent vulnerary j but it is not regarded in tlie prefenc practice. G £ NT u s vL MONEYWORT. N U M M U L J R I A TtlE flower cdnfifts of a fingle petal, and is divided into five fegments : the feed-vefiel is lafge and round, and the ftalks are weak and trailing. LinnEEUS places this among his pentaniria monogymn, the threads in each flower being five in num- ber, and the rudiment of the capfule fingle. But he does not allow this a diftini^ genus ; he makes it the fame with lyfimachia, and calls its fpecies by that name. We are averfe to aboliOring received and eltablifhed names, becaufe we would render the ftudy of botany familiar, not load it with difficulties : therefore we have feparated thefe plants, retained the name immmukria, and eflrablilficd it as a genus. It is true, that the flowers of this plant, and thofe of lyfimachia are of a like ftrudure ; but all the fpecies of lyfimachia are erefl: and tall, and all thofe of nummitlaria weak, low, and trailing.. ' This is an obvious, and, for all ul'eful purpofes, a fuffi- cient diftinftion. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Yellow Moneywort. Nummulariii fore flmo. The root is long, flender, and furnillied with many fibres. The ftalks are num.erous, flender, round, weak, and trailing: they naturally lie upon the. ground, and fpread every way; and they are fimple, and not branched. The leaves are very beautiful in flrape and dif- pofition : they ftand two at a joint, and grow flatwife, and the diftances between them are fmall ; fo that as the plant lies fpread on the ground, they make a very beautiful appearance : they are nearly round in fiiape, and of a fine frefli green colour. The plant had its name from their refcmbling pieces of money. The Bowers are large, and of a fine gold yel- low : they ftand on fingle footflalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves almoft the whole length of the plant. The feed-veffels are round and large. It is common in meadows, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Nummularia major lutea. Others, Nummularia vulgaris. We, Moneywort, and Pemyuiort, or Herb twopence. N° VII. 2. Purple Moneywort. Nimmi'.laria f.ore furpurafcente. This is a fmall, but very pretty plant. The root is long, and furniflied with liume- rous tough fibres. The ftalks are numerous, flender, weak, crooked, and fpreading : they lie upon the fur- face, or rife very little, and very irregularly from it. The leaves are fmall, roundifh, but a little pointed, of a frefli green, and placed in pairs on (hort footftalks. The flowers are moderately large, and of a beautiful red : they ftand fingly on long and very flender footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, and are divided into five fegments, fo deeply that they feem compofed of fo many petals. The feed-veifel is fmall and oval ; the feeds are numerous, and very fmall. It is not uncommon in boggy places, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Nummularia minor fore fur- purafcente. J. Bauhine, Nummularia rubra. S 3. Money- 6b THE BRITISH HERBAL. 3. Moneywort with pointed leaves. Ni'.7n77n{laria fol'ns acutis. The root is long, (lender, and fiitnirtied with ftiany fibres. The ft-allis are numerous, very (lender, weak, and eight or ten inches long. The leaves ftand in pairs, and have no footftalks: they are broad and (hort, and refemble very much the leaves of the connraon kind in colour as well as difpofition ; but that inftead of terminating DIVISION II. I. Stellate-leaved Moneywort. Nimnmlaria foliis ftellatis. ■ The root is fmall, (lender, long, and full of fibres. The (talks are numerous, weak, (lender, and fevcn or tight inches long. The leaves are broad, and Ihort : they (land four together : they have Ihort footftalks, and are (harp-pointed. From the bofom of every leaf rifes the pedicle of a flower, therefore there are four of them alfo at every joint : they are of a beautiful yellow, and are deeply divided into five fegments. The feed-veffel is (mail and oval. It is a native of Virginia, principally about the coaft ; and flowers in July. bluntly as in that, they here end in a (harp point. The flowers ftand fingly on long, (lender foot- (lalks, which rife from the bofoms of the leaves, ■ and they are of a beautilul yellow. The feed-veffels are fmall and round. It is frequent in woods, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it ^jiagallis lulea mnwrum. J. Bauhine, j^nagalUs Ititea niinnnulariie fimilis. We, Tdlow wood pmpcrnelli but J. Bauhine's name comes neareft to truth, for it is in reality a kind of moiieywort. Petiver calls it AnagaUis marina lutea foliis latis ftellatis. Thefe feveral fpecies, as they refemble the com- mon moneywort in form, are of the fame nature and qualities ; it is a plant of very confiderable virtues, which loofe ftrifc does not poflefs, at leaft not in an equal degree, and is therefore very neceffarily feparated and prcferved under its pro- per an^ peculiar name. The common moneywort is cooling and aftrin- gent ; it is excellent againd fpitting of blood, and in dyfenteries : for thefe purpofes the bid way of giving it is dried and powdered. The juice of it is a known remedy for over- flowings of the menfes, and the roots powdered are good in diarrhoeas. FOREIGN SPECIES. GENUS VIL ROUND PIMPERNEL L. S J M O L U S. THE flower confifts of a fingle hollow petal, widening to the mouth, and divided Into five ob- tufe fegments • the feed-vefl'el is of an oval figure, and the cup remains with it. Linnsus places this among the penlandria momgynia ; the threads being five m the centre of each flower, and the rudiment of the fruit fingle. Of this genus there is but one known fpecies. Round-leaved Pimpernell, Samolus. The root is a thick tuft of long, flender fibres. The leaves that rife from it are numerous, ob- long, and without footftalks : they ftand in a re- gular tuft, and are of a beautiful green. They are narrow, and lengthened in manner of a ftalk toward the bafe, but at the top oval, undivided at the edges, and obtufe. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and a foot high. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are of the fame figure with thofe from the root, except that they are not fo lengthened at the bafe : they are broad, obtufe, and rounded at the end. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalk and branches, and are fmall and white. The feed-veflTel is fmall, and the feeds nume- rous and minute. It is not uncommon in wet places, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Anagallis aumtica {oho ro- tundo noil crenalo. J. Bauhine, Samolus uale- randi. Its juice is an excellent antifcorbutick, taken with juice of Seville orange, and a moderate quantity of white wine. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. 67 GENUS VIII. PIMPERNELL. ANAGALLIS. THE flower confifts of a Tingle petal, divided fo deeply into five fcgments, that there remains nO tubular part, and the iegmeiits adhere to one another only at their bales : the cup is formed of a fint^l.c leaf, divided into five hollowed fegnfients : the feed-veflTel is round, and the feeds are numerous and fmall. Linnsus places this among his pntandria monogynia ; the threads being Eve in every flon-er, and the rudiment of the fruit fmgle. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES: 1: Red Pimpernel!. AnagalUs flore phund the ftallc at their bafe. The fcveral pairs do not ftand in the fame hne, but oppoGte; and fometimes, as in our common kind, there grow three leaves or more at a joint, inftead of two. The flowers ftand on (lender footftallcs, and arc of a beautiful blue. Thfe feed vcflil is round, and the feeds are fmall. It is a mitiVe of Spain, and flowers in Augufl. Tourncfort calls it Amiailis Hifpanica latijolm max'mo flare. Others, Craciala montam c^ruleii. GENUS IX, PRIMROSE. PRIMULA. THE flower confifts of a Angle petal in a long cup ; the tube of the petal is of the length of the cup, and its edge is divided into five fegments, which are obtufe, and dented in the middle : the feed-veflcl is lingle and long ; and the flower ftands Angle upon a naked footllalk. Tinn^us places this among his fentandria mmo^jiiia, the threads in the flower being five, and the rudiment of the fruit fingle : but he includes the cowflip and auricula under this name, making them all one genus. This is not neceflTary nor convenient. The cowflip has its particular name and peculiar virtues, and it is fufficichtly diftinguiflied by having fevcral flowers upon a fl:alk, whereas in the primrcfe there is but one ; nor does the auricula want its marks of diftinftion from both. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Primrofe. Prmiihi vulgiiris. The root is a (hort, thick head, furniUled with a great number of long and large fibres. The leaves rife in a great tuft ; and are large, oblong, and without footflalks : they are rough, of a deep, but pleafant green, and not dented at the edges. The flowers rife among thefe on fingle foot- nry, A'hitilh, ftalks : thefe are flender, naked, and each fuftains one flower. This is large, and white, or yellowifh, deeply divided into five fegments, which arc broadcft at the end, and indented there in a heart-falhioned The feed-veflel is longifh, flender, and co^ vered ; and the feeds are numerous and roundifli. It is common in v/oods and thickets, and flowers in fpring. C. Bauhine calls it Verbajculum fylvatkmn majus fwguhri flore. The roots of the common primrofe are ufed as a flernutatory againft difeafcs of the head. The bell way is to bruife them, and prefs out the juice, which is to be fnulFed up. It occafions vio- lent fneezing, and brings away a great deal of water, but without danger. Dried and powdered, the roots are good in nervous diiorders ; but the dofe mufl: be fmall. It is reported to be a cure in the night-mare. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Purple Primrofe. Primula -purpurea folio hrevi. The root confifts of a fmall head, and a vaft quantity of ftiort fibres. The leaves .ire numerous, and form a thick tuft : they are ftiort and broad, irregularly and nightly fiiiuated at the edges, and pointed at the ends. The ftalk which fupports the flower is three inches high, whitifh, naked, and flender. Ths flower ftands at the top, fingle and large : it has a green hufli, ribbed in five places, and is itfelf divided into five fegments; thefe are broad, and heart-fafliioned at the ends ; the co- lour is a beautiful purple, except in the centre, where there is a yellow ftar. The feed-vefiei is long, and the feeds are nu- merous and fmall. It is a native of Turky, and flowers in fpring. Cornutus calls it Primula veris Conjlantino^o- litana. Others, Primula purpurea. The Turks call it Carchichec : they give the roots dried and powdered in difordcrs of the fio- mach, and, as is faid, with great fuccefs. GENUS X. COWSLIP. PJRJLTSIS. THE flower confifts of a fingle petal, tubular in the lower part, and at the edge divided into five fegments, obtufe, and dented in the middle : the feed-vsflel is Angle and oblong : feveral flowers ftand upon one naked ftalk. Linn£U6 The BRITISH HERBAL. LinnfEus joins this and the preceding under one common genus, witli the name primtihi ; but the diipofidon of tile flowers is a fufFicient diftintftioil. 1. Common Cowflip. Varalyfis vulgaris. The root is compofed of many fibres, con- nected to a imall head. The leaves are numerous and broad : they are of a darlc green on the upper fide, and whitifh, and fomewhat hairy on the under ; rough on the furface, fomewhat uneven at the edges, and ob- tufeiy pointed. Tlie ftall^s rife in the centre of thefe tufts : tlicy are round, thick, firm, upright, pale-coloured, and a little hairy. On the top of each ftand ten or a dozen flowers ; thefe arc fmall and yellow : they ftand in long, hollow, ribbed cups, and are fucceeded by long, fiender feed-veflels. it is common in our paltures, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Vcrbafcuhim pratenfe odora- tum. Others, Paralyjis ■vulgaru. It is good againft diforders of the nerves. The root has the principal virtue : the country-people boil this in ale, and give it in giddineffes of the head with fuccefs. The juice of it, mixed with vinegar, is alfo ufed to fnuff up the nofe, againft headachs : it is iefs violent than the juice of the primrofe root, but very well anfwers its purpofe. The flowers of the cot^Jlip are of a gently nar- cotick quality : they are made into conferve and fyrup for this purpofe, and may be given where other medicines of the fame quality would be dangerous ; they mitigate pain, promote perfpi- racion, and difpofe gently to flecp. The j:iice of cowjlip leaves and milk drank every day for a fortnight, and afterwards every other day for a month, is a remedy for inveterate headachs. 2. 'I'hc Oxlip. ParaJy/is jlore ■imjors. The root confifts of a large, oblong head, from which there run a vaft many long and thick fibres. The leaves are numerous, large, oblong, and rough : they are of a duilty green, and obtufe. In the centre of thefe riles the ftalk, which is thick, round, firm, upright, of a pale colour, and five inches high. The flowers ftand in a clufter at the top of this ftalk, in the manner of coiL'Jlip flowers, but in every refpcft larger : they are from eight or ten to twenty in number : they have long and flender footftalks ; and they are much broader, and of a paler colour, than the cowjlip flower ; they have very much the afpeft of a parcel of fmall prim- roles fixed upon a co-ii'flip ftalk : their colour is a whitilh yellow, and they have very little fmell. It is common in our paftures, flowerintr with the others. C. Bauhine calls this fpecics Verhafatlum fylva- X ' 7- ticum vel pratnfe imdmim. J. Bauhine, Primula •veris ciiulifsra pallida jlore imdoro aut w'.v cdoro. We call it the Great mujlip, or oxhp. Linnasus makes the primrofe, cowjlip, and ox- lip, all the fame fpecies of plant. He defcribes the cowjlip, and introduces the two otliers under the name of varieties. Let the reader on this occa- fion properly underftand what varieties are : they are thofe changes of appearance feen in the fame fpecies of plant under different ftates of nourifii- ment, and other accidents. The old writers when they faw a plant whofe flower was natu- rally blue or red, with a white one, which is a common accident, called it another fpecies ; this was an error, for that is only a variety. In the fame manner, when a plant was ftarved and fmall, they often defcribed it as another fpe- cies : this alfo was erroneous : all changes in plants made by ftarvingj and th« more nume- rous ones by culture, are varieties ; but no acci- dent of this kind could make a cowjlip root pro- duce a primrofe. I have had the cowjlip, oxlip, and primrofe, brought into a garden, where they continue year after year the fame, and their feeds produce the fame diftinft kinds, and no other. Thefe are the tefts whereto we bring plants, in which there is a doubt whether there be diftinft fpecies or varieties called lb, and they are conclufive. The oxlip feeming an intermediate plant be^ tween the cowflip and primrofe, naturally led Lin- niEUs into this error ; but there are thefe grada- tions in nature ei'cry where, though nor enough regarded. She travels always by regular and even fteps : there are no gaps between. The world is indebted to LinniEus greatly for rejeSing many imaginary fpecies, which he has properly fet down only as varieties ; but in this, and fome other inftances, he has carried that point too far. So penetrating a genius is rarely united with a ftricT: and chafte judgment. 3. Birds Eye. Paralyfis Jlore ruheme. The root is compofed of numerous, thick, and long fibres. The leaves rife in a little tuft, and are lontf and narrow : they are fmooth, of a pale green^ and fliarply fcrratcd at the edges. 1 hey fpread themfelves every way on the ground, and have no footftalks. The ftalk is round and firm, upright, and four inches high. On its top ftand many flowers, as in the cowjlip, but more ereft, and in general more numerous : they are fmall, of a beautiful pale red i and each ftands feparately on a long, flen-. der footftalk, all rifing from the fame point on the main ftalk. The feed-veflels are fmall and oblong, and the feeds numerous and very minute. The flowers in this pl.int differ in more than colour from the cowjlip ; for the fegments are not heart-faOfioned or dented at the ends, but plain. T IE 7° The BRITISH HERBAL. it is not uncommon in tlic northern counties of England, and flowers in May. As tlie oxlip connefts tlic co'^iflip and primrofe, tliis plant conneds the coii-Jlip and auricula. C. Bauhinc calls it Verbafiulum umhdlatum al- piniim mimis. J. Bauhinc, Frimula vcris mmr purpttrafcens. The auricula would naturally follow here ; but as there is no fpecies of that plant native of Eng- land, we are obliged, by the method of our efta- blifhed divifions, to refer that to the fecond fe- ries of this clafs, comprehending the genera : of which there are none natives of Britain. GENUS XI. B E L L F L O W E R. CAMPANULA. THE flower confifts of a fingle petal, and is broad, deep, hollow, and divided into five fegments at the edge : it ftands in a cup formed of one leaf, divided into five fegments -, and is followed by a fingle capfu'lc, which is of an oval figure, fmooth, and divided into three cells. Linn°us places this among his fmtanir'm momgynia, the threads in each flower being five, and the rudiment of the fruit fingle ; but he confounds three genera under this name, including as fpecies of it the trachelium, and fpecnlum Vemris. The fpecies of campamla alone are fufiicicntly numerous ■, fo that there is the greater impropriety in his cncreafing them by the addition of thofe two other genera. Thcfc are both abundantly dillinuuiflied by° nature ; the fced-veflil being of a different form in each ; and that in a manner fo determinate, that it properly and fully may eflablirti a generical mark. In the campmula, properly and diftindly fo called, we have fcen it is oval, and divided into three cells, and is fimoth ; in the p-Mheliim it is, in the fame manner, divided into three cells within ; but it is _rough or hairy on the outfide : and in the fpeculum Veneris it is long, of a cornered fliape, and divided into five cells. Mr. Ray, who keeps up this diftinaion, calls that genus to which the name of campmula is here appropriated, rapunculns. Linnaus feparatcs fome of thefe, placing them among his fyngenefta palgygaima momgamia, under the name of lobelia. DIVISION I. I. Various-leaved Bcllflower. Campanula foliis i-ariis. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with many fibres. The leaves that rife immediately from it are al- together different from thofe on the ftalk: they fta°nd in a fmall tuft, and are fupported on long, flender footftalks : they are of a roundifli figure, but pointed. The flalks are numerous, round, flender, and ten inches high. The leaves Hand irregularly on them, and arc long, narrow, and without footftalks. The flowers are very large and blue : they Hand at the tops of the fl:alks, and on flender pedicles riflng from the bofoms of the upper leaves : they are hollow, wide, open, and divi- ded pretty deeply into five fharp pointed feg- The feed-veflel is oval, fmall, and divided into three cells, in which are numerous little feeds. It is common in dry hilly paftures, and flowers in June. C Bauhine calls it Campanula minor rolundi- folia ■vulgaris. J. Bauhine, Campanula parva an- guillar^. 2. Little various-leaved Bellflowcr. Campanula foliis variis minor. The root is very flender, divided, and fu'.l of fibres. BRITISH SPECIES. The leaves that rife from it are numerous, fmall, and beautiful : they ftand on Ihort pe- dicles, and are nearly round : they have no point at the end, but are a little indented for the re- ception of the pedicle. Among thefe rife feveral flender, round, weak ffalks, five inches high, and fcarce at all branched. The leaves on thefe are narrow, longifli, and without footftalks. The flower is large, and there ufually is only one on the fummit of each ftalk : it is wider and fliallower than that of the preceding fpecies, and divided more flightly at the edge: its colour is a pale, but pretty blue. The feed-veflel is oval, and the feed fmall. It is common on the mountains in Wales, and has been met with in fome parts of England. C. Bauhine calls it Campanula minor rotundi- folia alpina. The flower is fometimes of a fnow white; 3. Wild Rampion. Campanula foliis angujlis ohtufis. The root is long, thick, and has few fibres. The leaves that rife from it are numerous, ob- long, of a bright green, undivided at the edges, obtufe at the points, and without footftalks. The ftalk is firm, upriglit, ftrait, ftriated, and two feet and a half high. The leaves ftand irregularly on it: they are long, narrow, and obtufe, and are very lightly ferrated. Toward the top of the ftalk there rife many 6 little The BRITISH HERBAL. Jittle brandies from the bofoms of tlie leaves, and on thefe ftand the flowers. They are large, bkie, ftreaked with purple, and deeply divided into live fegments. The feed-vefl!el is oval and fn:ooth, and the feeds are nLimeroiis and fmall. It is wild in many places on the edges of corn- fields ; but it is aUb kept in gardens for the fake of the root, which fonie people eat. C. Bauhine calls it Kapuncuhis efculentus. J- Bauhine, Rapunculus vulgaris campanulatus. The whole plant is fiili ol a milky juice, 4. Ivy-leaved Bellflowcr. CiWipanula cymbalaria folas. The root is fmall, thready, and divided. The firft leaves are fmall, tender, angulated, and of a beautiful green: they fland on long footfl:alks, and form a pretty tuft. Among thefe rife numerous ftalks, which fpread upon the ground : they are three or four inches long, extremely tender, and ufually of a redifh colour. The leaves ftand irregularly on thefe, and re- femble thofe from the root, but that they are fmaller: they are angukited and broad j the cor- ners and the point are fharp, and they are of a frcQi and plcalant green. The flowers are fmall, and of a pale blue : they ftand on long and extremely flender footftalks ; and are deep, and cuC in at the edge into five feg- mentG. The feed-veflel is fmall, oval, and fmooch. It is more frequent in Devonfl^ire and Corn- wal than in the refl; of England, and flowers in May. It loves damp and fliady places. C. Bauhine calls it Campanula cymhalarU foliis. J. Bauhine, Campanula folio hedcraceo [pecks Can- labrico" anguillarie. 5. Horned Rampions. Campanula corniculata montana. The root is long, thick, white, and furniflied with numerous fibres. The leaves that firft rife from it are fliort, and almoft round, but pointed at the end, and fome few of them at times oval, or fomewhat oblong ; they are placed on long footftalks, and ferrated at the edges. The ftalk is tender, ftriated, hollow, and a foot high. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are al- together unlike thofe from the root : they are long, narrow, and ftiarp pointed, ferrated at the edges, and of a pale green; 'thofe toward the bottom have long footftalks, thofe toward the upper part have none. The flowers ftand at the top of the ftalk in a round, thick head : they are fmall and purple j but are placed clofe together, and are diftin- guiftied by the length of the ftyle that grows irom the rudiment of the capfule ; this turns in the manner of a horn ; whence the plant has the name of horned rampions. The feed-veflTel is ftiort and fmooth. It is a perennial plant, and not uncommon in the hilly paftures of Kent and Sufl"ex. It flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Rapunculus folio ohlongo fpica orhiculari. Others, Rapunculus corniculatus mon- tanuSf and Rapunculus corniculatus orbicularis. 6. Scabious-headed Rampion. Rapunculus fcahiofa capilulo. The root is long, white, woody, divided into feveral parts, and furniflied with many fibres. The firft leaves are numerous, narrow, fer- rated, fliarp-pointed, of a pale green, and with- out footftalks. In the midft of thefe rife the ftalks : they are numerous, flender, divided, and branehed, and not perfedly eredt ; they are a foot or more in height. The leaves ftand irregularly on thefe, and are like thofe from the root, fmall, oblong, narrow, ferrated, hairy, and fliarp pointed. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches in round buttons : they are of a pale blue, and very numerous, horned in the manner of the former fpecies, and have a kind of cup under the whole head. Each flower is divided into five fegments, and fucceeded by a feparate capfule, which is fliorc and fmall, and full of minute feeds. It is common in dry paftures, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Rapunculus fcabiof^s capitulo cceruko. Others, Scabiofa minima hirfuta. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Cretic Rampion. Rapunculus foliis pimalis. The root is long, thick, white, and furnilhed with fibres. The firft leaves are fimple, roundifh, and un- divided, and refemble thofe of the various leaved bdlfloieer. After thefe rife others, which are pinnated ; eachcompofed of three pairs of fmaller leaves fet on a rib, with an odd one at the end, which is divided into three parts : thefe are of an oval figure, lliarp at the points, and ferrated at the edges ; and arc ol a pale, but pleafant green. The ftalk is round, ereft, firm, and two foot or more in height : it has a few leaves on it of the fame pinnated form, and toward the top a fpike of flowers. Thefe are of a beautiful purple, and ftand very thick ; they are deeply divided into five narrow fegments, and they quickly fade. The fecd-vcffel is oval, and the feeds are fmall. It is a native of Crete, and flowers in May, after which the whole plant dxs down to the root, which fends up new leaves in October, and thefe remam green all winter. C. Bauhine calls it Rapunculus Creticus feu py~ ramidalis Ihe RlTISH HERBAL. ra-.nidiilis altera. Others, Peirannrula^ and Lac- luca pdraa. 1 he whole plane is full of a milky 2. Yellow BdlBower. Campanula luiea Linifolia. The rooc is long, thick, and divided into fc- veral parts. The firft leaves are fhorc, narrow, pointed, and without footihalks : they rife in thick tufts, and ftand nearly upright, only with the points turn- ing a little outwards. The ftalks rife from the centre of thefe tufts= and are round, flender, weak, and about feven inches high : they are not at all br:iiiched, and arc fcarcc able to fupport themfclvcs perfectly eredt. The leaves are numerous, and Hand irregu- larly i they Are longifh, narrow, fharp-pointed, and without foocftalks : they much refemble thofe of flax. The flowers are excreamly large, and very beautiful : tlicy ftand Hngly, one on each ftalk molt commonly, though Ibmctimes there are more ; and chey are an inch long, of a very fine orange yellow, deep, and even at the edge. The cup is divided into five parts, and re- mains with the feed-veffcl, which is oval, fmooth, large, and full of fmall feeds. It is not uncommon in France and Italy, and flov/ers in June. J. Bauhine calls it LmifcUa campanula lutea. Lobel, CampcnuJa Umfoiia lutea montis lupi ficrs voluhitis. The flower is indeed very like fome of the bindweed kinds, particularly the fea bindweed, but the genera arc diftind, and this is true cam- panula. LinnsEus feparates this plant from among the bellfiowers^ and ranks it as a fpecies of flax ; he calls it Linum campanulatum. C. Bauhine, we have feen, calls it aUb by fuch a name ■, but Lin- nseus ftiould not follow his authority agaiiift na- ture : we fliall fee that it is againft his own fyftem alfo. Ixt us refer to his genencal cha- radter of flax, linuin, and we fiiail fee that its flower, according to his own defcription, has five petals: how then can this plant be a fpecies of that genus, when its fiower confifl:s of one, and that not fo much as divided into fegments at the rim? There are other particulars in which it differs from his generical character of linum ; but this is fufRcient: he owns he never fiiw it grow- ing. It feems a plant intended by nature to con- ned the convolvulus and campanula kinds. 3. Pearch-leaved Bellflower. Campanula perfica foliis. The root is long, thick, divided into feveral parts, and furniflied with fibres in great abun- dance. 1 he firft leaves rife in a tuft, and are long, narrow, undivided at the edges, and of a bright green. ■ The ilalk is round, upright, firm, ftriated, and cw-o feet and a half high. The leaves are numerous, and ftand irregularly upon it : they are long, narrow, undivided, of a beautiful green, and without footftaiks ; there Irequently rife tufts of young leaves in the bo- foms of the old. The flowers are very large and beautiful: they ftand in a kind of irregular fpike from the middle of the ftalk to the top : they have long footftalks, and are of a beautiful blue, fometimes white: they are broad and fhallow, and divided into five pointed fegments at the edge. The fecd-v'efl"tl is large, ova!, fmooth, and divided into three cells within. It is frequently wild in France and Germany. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Rapunculus perfica foliis magna fiorc. J. Bauhine, Campanula ungiijlifolia derulea et alba. 4. Pyramidal Bellflower. Campanula pyramidalis foHo lata. The root is long, thick, and divided into many parts.. The firft leaves are few : they are fhort and broad, a little indented at the edges, pointed at the end, and placed on long footftalks. The ftaiks arc round, thick, firm, upright, and four foot high. The leaves ftand irregularly on them, and are like thofe from the root, but longer in proporti- on to their breadth, and more ferrated : they arc placed in the fame manner on long footftalks, and are of a pleafant green. The flowers ftand from the middle to the top in a long fpike of a pyramidal forpi ; they ara large, blue, and wide open at the mouth, where they arc divided into five fegments. The feed-vefl"el is oval, fmooth, and large. It is a native of Spain, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Rapunculus hortenjis latiore folio feu pyramidalis. Others, Campanula la5lef- cens Pyramidalis. 5. Leflcr pyramidal Belfflower. Campanula pyramidalis minor. The root is large, long, thick, and divided. The leaves that rife from it are very numerous: they ftand on fhort footftalks, and are oblong, broad, fliarply ferrated at the edges, and fliarp- pointed. The ftalk is round, ereft, firm, and five feet high. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are of the fhape of thofe from the root, but without footftalks. The flowers are large, numerous, and of a pale blue, fomeimes white, as in the other fpe- cies : they are deeply divided into five fegments ; and they grow fevera! together upon very long and flcnder footftalks, rifing from the bofom of the leaves, as well as at the top of the main ftalk : the pedicles which fupport them are fo weak that they commonly droop. The feed-vefTel is fmall, oval, fmooth, and di- vided into three cells, wherein is a great quantity of fmall feed. It is a native of the warmer parts of Europe in damp places; and flowers in June. Alpinus calls it Campanula pyramidalis minor. 3 6. Rack The BRITISH HERBAL. 73 6. Rock Ranipion. Cinnpanula petr£a foliis variis. The root is long, thick. Tingle, and has few fibres. The firft leaves (land on long, flcnder foot- ftalks, and are of a cordated form, indented at the bafc, and fharp-pointed : they are undivided at the edges, and of a dufky green. The ftalks are nuraerous, lix or eight inches high, round, fmooth, and firm. The leaves fland irregularly on thefe, and are altogether unlike thofe from the root : they are long, narrow, and fharp-polnted, not atall indent- ed at the bafe, and undivided at the edges. The flowers are fmall, and of a bright blue : they ftand in fmall oval heads : one of thefe heads terminates each ftalk, and confifts of a vaft mul- titude of flowers. The feed-veflel is oval, fmali, and fmooth. It grows among rocks in Germany and Italy. Alpinus calls it Rapuncidiis petraus, and others follow him exactly. 7. Serrated Rampion. Campc.mihz foliis angufiis profunde ferratis. The root is long, thick, white, and undivided, The leaves which firfl: rife from it are (hort, fomewhat broad, deeply ferrated, and without footftalks. There follow thefe another fet of leaves, which are alfo without footftalks ; but they are longer and narrower, and more deeply ferrated. In the centre of thefe rifes the ftalk, which is round, firm, upright, and two foot and a half high. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are Rke the fecond from the root, very narrow, long, and deeply ferrated, and without footftalks. The flowers ftand at the top of the ftalk, and on long footllalks rifin^ from the bofoms of the upper leaves : they are large and blue, deeply divided into live fegments, and open. The leed-vefTel is oval and Tmali. It is not uncommon in the woods of Germany, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine caHs it Rapuncidus nemorofus anguf- tifoUus major majore fiore. 8. Oval-leaved BeiJflower. Campanula foliis ovatis ferratis. The root is long, flender, and white. The firft leaves are roundilh and ferrated : they iland on long footftalks, and are not vrry nume- rous. The ftalk rifes in the centre of the tuft, and is round, ere(51:, and but little branched. The leaves ftand alternately on long footftalks, and are of an oval figure, pointed at the ends, and ftiarply ferrated. Thofe toward the lower jnrc arc broader and fliorter, thofe toward the upper, narrower and longer ; and juft at the top there are a few of a different form, oblong, with- out footftalks, and not ferrated. 7'he flowers are large, and of a pale blue: they ftand on long and flender footftalks about the top of the plant, and are not very numerous. The feed-veficl is oval and fmooth. It is frequent in the Harts foreft. C. Bauhine calls it Campanula foliis fuhrolmidis. When it grows on barren ground the flowers are often white. 9. Broad-leaved cluflercd Bellflower. Campanula latifolia fiorihus co?fertis. The root is long, flender, whi:e, and hung with many fibres. The firft leaves are oblong, broad, and placed on long, redifli footftalks : they are not dented at the bafe, but are broadeft there, and gradually narrower to the point ; and they are a little hairy. The ftalk rifes in the centre, and is round, flender, not at all branched, pale coloured, and fomewhat hairy: it is about ten inches high. The leaves ftand irregularly on it : they are like thofe from the root, but narrower, ftiarp- pointed, not dented at the edges, but a little hairy : thofe on the lower part have fliort foot- ftalks, the others none. The flowers ftand in a thick clufter at the top of the ftalk : they are fmall, and of a beautiful blue, deep, and divided into five fegments at the edge. The feed-vefl'el is oval, fmooth, and divided into three parts and full of fmall feed. It is a native of France and moft other parts of Europe. C, Bauhine calls it Raptaiculus latifolius umhel- latus. In Engiifh it is commonly called Umbel- lated rampion. Moft of the fpecics of bellflower are efculent plants, particularly the principal of the rampions. The roots of feveral of thefe are eaten in fpring, in the manner of radiflies, raw or boiled, and they are kept in fome gardens for that purpofe: they are tender, full of a milky juice, and well tafted. They are faid to increafe milk in the brcafts of nurfes, but that is an idle conceit, grounded only on the milky look of their own juice. The common various deaved hdljlower is cele- brated in fome places as a cure for the fcurvy : they take the juice in fpring, with that of cleavers, water crefs, and brooklimc. Whenfo many things of known virtue are ufed together it is not eafy to fay whether fuch an addition has much efficacy. The root of any of the rampion kinds, if eaten in due quantity, operate by urine; and they are fuppofed to create an appetite. We do not ufe them much in England, but they are in great efteem in France and Italy. They cut them into thin flice^, and eat them with oil and vinegar. N"^ VIIl. GENUS 74 The B R I T I S H HERBAL. GENUS xir. T H R O A T W O R T. t AL nCU IV M. THE Hower confifts of a Tingle petal, hollow, and divided into live fcgments at the edge : the cup is formed of a fingle leaf, divided alio into five fegments ; and the iced-veffcl .s rough and hairy on the outfide, and is divided into three cells within. LinniEUS places this among the fmUniriiimonogyma; and, not regarding the difference of the feed veiTel, makes it the fame genus with camfamda. DIVISION 'l. BRITISH SPECIES. i. Great Throatwort. fracheUiim foliis Imgioriias ferratis. The root is compofed of a number of long, (lender parts, which fpread under the lurface, and have many great fibres. The firft leaves are very large ; they rife in a great tuft, and ftand upon long footftalks : they &re very large, ^oblong, broadeif in the middle, Iharply ferrated, and pointed. In the centre of this tuft rife the ftalks, which arc round, firm, thick, upright, not much branched, and four feet high. The leaves on them are numerous, and of the fame form with thofe from the root : they fre- quently grow two, three, or four from the fame point, but without any great regularity. The flowers are very numerous, large, and of a purplifh colour, of different tinfts and degrees ; fometimes they are of a deep blue, fometimes redifh, and fometimes white. The fced-veflel is very large, hairy, and di- vided into three cells within; it has the fame fiiort footftalk which fupported the flower, and generally hangs downward. It orows not uncommonly on the mountains in Wale's, and in Yorkfhire and fome other parts of England ; and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Campanula maxima foliis tatijjimis. Others, T rachetiim gigantcum ; and our Englifh gardeners, Giant throatwort. 2. Nettle-leaved Throatwort. y rachelium foliis iirtic.c. The root is long, thick, and fpreading. The firll leaves exaftly refemble thofe of the common llinging nettle ; they are few, and of a dufky green, and hairy, broad at the bafe, fiiarp at the point, ferrated, and fupported on long footftalks. The ftalks arc numerous, firm, upright, hairy, ftriated, purplifti, and a yard high. The leaves ftand irregularly on them, and have long footftalks : they are of the fame ftiape as thofe from the roor, but fmallcr. The flowers ftand at the top of the ftalks, and on ftiort pedicles rifing from the bofoms of the upper leaves : they are very large, and of a beau- tiful blue, deep, open, and cut into live fegmenti at the edges. The feed-vefTel is large, rough, and divided into three cells. It is common in Kent, Suflex, and many other countries, and flowers in Auguft. Its common place of growth is by road fides. C. Bauhine calls it Campanula vulgatior foliis urlics major et afperior. Others, Tracbelium ma- juSt or Great throatwort. 3. Clufter- flowered Throatwort. Traobslium jlarihus gloniErcitis. The root is long, large, fpreading, and fur- niftied with many fibres. The firft leaves are few and large : they are oblong, broad at the bafe, and fmaller to the point ; and they ftand on ftiort footftalks. The ftalks are numerous, round, firm, redifli, eredt, and two foot high. The leaves ftand irregularly on them, and re- femble thofe from the root ; thofe on the lower part have fliort footftalks, thofe on the upper pars have none. The flowers are large and blue ; fometimes redifli, and not unfrequently white : they ftand in thick clufters at the tops of the ftalks, and of the branches rifing from the bofoms of the leaves. The fecd-veftcls are large and rough. It is not uncommon in dry paftures in many parts of England, cfpecially where the foil is chalk. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it ^rachelium five campanula pratenfis flore glomerato. Others, Trachdium mi- nus. We, in Englifti, iifually, Littk throat- wort. The root of the great throatwort is aftringent. A deco-tion of it in water, and with a little red wine, is excellent againft the falling down of the uvula, and is a very good gargarifm in many difordcrs of the throat ; it thence obtained its name. Dried and powdered it afts as an aftringent in the bowels, and is good againft diarrha-as, efpeci- allv fuch as are attended with bloody ftools. An infufion of the root of the nettle-leaved throatwort, fweetencd with honey, is a good gargle for fore mouths. !n general all the fpecies have the fame virtue : ilie great throatwort in the principal degree, and this ncitle-leavcd kind next. D I V I- The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION 11. FOREIGN SPECIES. i. Nariovv-leavcd Throatworc. 'Tyachelium foUis miguftis. The root is long, thick, and fpreading. The firft leavesi are very large : they arc oblong, narrow, icrratcd, imd often curled at the edges : they are of a dulky green colour, and have no footrtalks. The ftalk is round, upright, Hrm, rcdifli, and a httle hairy. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and re- femble thofe from the root : they are of a pale green, and have no fooftalks. The flowers are very large and beautiful : their moft natural colour is a ftne deep blue, but they are fometimes redifh or white : they are deep, long, and divided into five fegments at the edge. The feed-veflel is large and rough. It is a native of Spain, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Campanula hortsnfis jolio et fiore ohlongo. Others, Viola mariana ; and our gardeners Coventry bells. 2. Rough-leaved Threadworc. "^rachelmm foliis angujlis fcrratis vtllofis. The root is long, thick, white, and furniflied with a few fibres. The leaves chat rife from it are numerous, ob- long, narrow, of a brownifh green, hairy, rough to the touch, fliarply ferrated, and without toot- ftalks. The ftalk rlfcs in the centre, and is round, firm, upright, and a foot high^ it is rough to the touch, and often redifh. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are not very numerous : they are narrow, and have no footftalks. The flowers are large, of a beautiful blue, and hairy at the edge, and ftand on the top of the ftalk, and on long, ftender footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the upper leaves. The feed-velTel is rough and oval. It grows in Switzerland, and flowers in June. C. HaLihine calls it Ccmpanula folii echii fioribus -uillj/is. Others, Trachcliim folv.s echii. 3. White Throatwort. Trr.cbelitim alhidn. Several kinds of throaHvort have the flowers accidentally white, but thoie of this plant arc na- turally ib ; the others are only varieties of the fc- veral fpccics to which they belong, but this is altogether diftindV. The root is long, thick, divided into feveral parts, and of a rediih brown. The leaves rife in a round tuft : they are little, fhort, pointed, and fomewhat hairy. The ftalks rife in the centre of thefc : they are numerous, upright, ftriatcd, and a foot and a half high. The leaves ftand irregularly on them, and are moderately large, oblong, undivided at the edge, and hairy. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks in thick tufts : they are white, moderately large, and deeply divided into three fegments. The feed-veflel is oval, rough, and divided into three cells. It is a native of the mountainous parts of Switzerland, Germany, and Italy ; and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Campanula alfina ffhicroa- phalos. J, Bauhine, Tracbeliiim majiis pelr^um. GENUS XIV. VENUS' LOOKING-GLASS. SPECULUM VENERIS. THE flower confifts of a Angle petal divided into five fegments at the edge. The feed-veflel i3 long, fingle, of a cornered ftiape, and is divided into three cells within. LinuEEUS places this among his pentandria monogynia ; the threads of the flower being five, and the rudiment of the fruit fingle ; but he joins it, as of the fame genus, with the campanula, from which we fee it manifeftly difi?ers in the form of the Iced-vefl^l, as well as in its general afpe<51:. DIVISION BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Great Venus' Looking-glafs, Speculum Veneris major. The rOot is fmall, long, woody, white, and furniftied with many fibres. The ftalks are numerous, weak, very much branched, and about feven or eight inches high : they do not ftand ercft, but lean and bend. The leaves are fhort and broad ; they are of a deep green colour, placed irregularly, often, as it wefe in pairs in many parts, in others alternately and diftant : they are fliarply ferrated at the edges, pointed at the ends, and broadeft in the middle j and they have no footftalks. The flowers ftand on the tops of the ftalks and branches ; they are fmall, of a deep purple, £ and 76 The BRITISH H K R B A L. and divided into five fegments ■, thefe, toward evening, ciolc, and the flower has the look of a little arrow head of a pentagonal form : from this fhape and its colour fome have called this the pentagonal viokt. The feed-veffei is long, and has fliarp edges : the feeds are numerous and fmall. Ic is common in the corn-fields of the north of Ireland, but not in England. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Onobryckis arvenfis five cam- panicla arvenfis ere£ia, J. Bauhine, Avicularia fylvii. 2. Little Venus' Looking-glafs. Speculum Veneris minus. The root is fmall, long, white, woody, and furnifhed with numerous fibres. The ftalk is hollow, tender, ftriated, and com- monly three or four inches only in height, but in places where ic is well nourifhed it will rife to a foot ; fo that, although calii-d the leffer fpecies, it is in this cafe taller than the other, but it is fcarce at all branched. The leaves arc little, and have no footftalks : they are fhort and broad, obtufe at the ends, and waved, or, as it were, curled at the edges. The flowers fbnd at the top of the ftalk, and on Ihort footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, one flower on each. They are fmall, of a bright purple colour, and ftand upon the rudiment of the pod or feed- veflel. When tlicy are fallen this fwells and lengthens, and becomes a long capfule, refembling a pod, ridged, and ftiarp at the edges, and contains a great deal of minute feeds. Ray calls it CaDipanula arvenjis ereSla vel fpecu- hm Veneris minus. It is not uncommon in our corn-fields in Suf fex and fome other counties ; and flowers in ' June. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Great flowered Venus' Tooking-glafs, Speculum Veneris magna fiore. The root is fmall, white, long, and woody. The ftalks are numerous, weak, branched, and five or fix inches high. The leaves are numerous, oblong, and with- out footftalks : thofe toward the lower part of the flalk are longer and more obtufe ; thofe toward the upper part, fmaller and fharper at the point. The flowers are very large, and of a beautiful pale purple, with a white eye in the centre, and fome blue about it : they are divided into five fegments, and are hollow. The feed-vclTel is long and angulated, and the feeds are large, fiiining and brown. It is a native of Thrace, and flowers in June. Ray calls it Speculum Veneris flors ampHJfmo I'hraciacm. 2. Perfoliate Venus' Looking glafs. Speculum Veneris perfoliatum. The root is long, flender, fibrous, and white. The ftalks are numerous, and tolerably ereft : they are round, thick, of a whitifh colour, and a little hoary. The leaves are broad and fhort : they ftand irregularly, and furround the ftalk at the bale ; fo that it feems to grow through them. The flowers are large, and of a pale but beautiful red: they are deeply divided into five fegments, and they ftand on the tops of the ftalks, and on fhort pedicles rifing from the bofoms of the leaves. The fecd-vefiel is long, and angulated \ and the feed moderately large, and of a glolTy furface. It is a native of Virginia, and flowers in June, Morifon calls it Campanula penlagonia perfoliata. The Venus looking-glafs agrees with the bcll- flowcrs and rampion? in its qualities. The larger kind, which is very common in the corn fields of France, is one of their favourite fallad herbs. Tiiey gather the firft leaves and eat them in the fpring. The common fallading, known among them by the name of q^ueue de revefque, is the firft fhoot of this plant: befide its agreeable tafte, it is fuppofed to be a good antifcorbutick. GENUS XIV. L I N N ^ J. n~'HE flower confifts of a fingle petal, hollow, open, divided into five fegments at the edge, and refembling the campanula : the fruit is of an oval form, divided into two cells, and covered with its pccL.liar cup : it is in a manner of the berry kind, but not juicy. The cup is double \ there is one for the fruit juft named, and another for the flower : the cup of t'le fruit is compofed of four leaves, two of which are fmaller, two larger : the cup of the fiov/er con- fifts of a fingle leaf, divided into five fegments. Gronovius eftabliftied this genus, and named it in honour of Linnaeus ; but though the name and character be new, the reft is familiarly known- There is but one fpecies of it ; and that is the plant defL;i ibed by Bauhine, Gerard, Parkinfon, and the reft, under the name of thyme-leaved belljlower. l.lnnsus places the genus among his diynamia angio[per7nia\ there being four threads in the flower, two of which are taller than the others, and the feeds being covered : there is one only in each fruii. I Linnaa. The BRITISH HERBAL. 77 Linnaa. The root is long, fleiider, divided, and fur- nifhed with fibres. The ftall^s are numerous, flender, round, and commonly redilh : they lit; upon the ground, and take root at different places, thus fpreading into large tufts. The leaves are fliort, broad, ferrated, and fharp-pointed : they ftand in pairs, and have no footitalks. The flowers are moderately large, of a pale purple, and divided deeply into five fegments; they ftard on long, flender footflialks, which fometimes terminate the branches, andfometimes rile from the bofoms of the leaves. The feed-vefiel is oval, fmall, and finooth. It is a native of Ireland ; but is not found wild in England. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls ic Campanula ferpyUifolia ; a name that does not very well exprefi the plant \ but moll other writers have copied it. GENUS XV. B U C K B E A N. M E N r A N r H E S. THE flower confifts of a Angle petal, divided into five legments, wliicli are hairy ; the fruit is a fintrle capfule, of an oval figure, and undivided within ; this ftands furrounded with the cup, ■which is formed of a fingle leaf, divided into five fegments, and hairy within : the leaves iland three on a rtalk. Linnseus places this among the peiHundria moiiogjnia, the threads in each flower being five, and the rudiment of the fruit fingle. This author joins in this genus with the buckbean, properly called meiiyantbes, the little ■waler-lilly j but they are plants altogether differing in fliape and qualities, though their flowers are alike; The difpofition of the leaves, which is by threes in this plant, and fingly in the other, is a fufficient and obvious mark of diftinftion. Where nature happens to have given flowers of the fame form to plants very difl^erent in form and qualities, we are not to confound the^ genera flie has efliabliflied, by joining them together under one name, but to fcek in the refl; of the plant thofe particulars which may keep them feparate. Of this genus there is but one known fpecies, which is a common wild plant among us. Common Buckbean. Mertyanthes •vulgare. The root is long, thick, jointed, redifh on the outfide, white within, and runs obliquely under the furface. The firfl: leaves fl:and three on each footftalk ; and thefe footfi:3lks are thick, and redilh at the bottom. The leaves are large, oblong, of a frefh green colour, and of a thick, flcChy fubftance : they are broadeft in the middle, pointed at the end, and undivided at the edges. The ftalk is thick, round, ten inches high, and not at all branched : it is redifli at the bot- tom, and is there generally enveloped by the broad bottoms of footftalks of fcveral leaves that rife with it, and furround it to fome height. Thefe are like thofe from the root, but Imaller ; and there are no others on the ftalk. The flowers ftand at the top in a thick, fhort fpike ; and are large, and very beautiful : their colour is whitiOi, but with a faint blulh of red, and they are hairy or rough on the infide. The feed-veflel is large and ova!. It is common in damp paftures, and on boggy grounds, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it T lifolhtm falujire. Tourne- fort, Menyanthes pnlujlre triphyllmn. It is a plant defervedly celebrated for its vir- tues : it is diuretick and deobfl:ruent in a great degree, and has a bitternefs extremely ferviceable to the ftomach. It is good in dropfies, the jaundice, the fcurvy, the rheumatifm, and in intermittent fevers. For dropfies the beft method of giving it is to exprefs the juice after bruifing the plant, with a little white wine. In the fcurvy, a ftrong infufion taken twice a- day for a continuance, is of great effeft ; there are not wanting thofe who give it in the gout in the fame manner. For intermittent fevers, it fliould be dried care- fully, and powdered ; half a dram is a dofe; and I have known it fucceed where the bark has failed. GENUS XVI. FRINGED WATER LILLY. N 1' M P H 0 1 V E S. T^HE flower confifts of a fingle petal, divided deeply into five fegments, which are cut or fringed •»■ at the edges : the feed-veffel is large, and fimple m its ftrufture: the leaves ftand fingly, one on each footO:alk. -, . 8 X Lmn^us, The BRITISH HERBAL. LinnfELis, as we have feen, properly places this among his pentandria monogyma, the threads in each flower being five, and the rudiments of the fruit finglc ; but improperly confounds it under the fame genej"ic:al name with buckbean, the general form and the virtues being different. I. Yellow-fringed Water Lilly. Nymphoides fiava. The root is a tuft of thick, black fibres. From this, which is buried in the mud, rife many weak, trailing ftalks, which take root again at certain diftances, and fprcad the plant far and wide. The leaves ftand on long footftalks : thefe ufually rife to the furface of the water, on which the leaves naturally float : they are of a frefli green, thick, and fmooth. The ftalks are thick, foft, round, fpungy, and jointed. The flowers are large and yellow : they ftand on thick footftalks, and are beautifully notched and jagged, in the manner of a fringe, about the edges. Tiie fted-vefTel is long and large, and contains a great number of feeds. It is not uncommon in fliallow waters ; wc have it abundantly about Brentford. It flowers in July. C. Bauhinc cills it Nymphaa lutea r.tinor ficre fimbriato ; a name moft others have copied. 7'he leaves are cooling: their juice, mixed with honey, is good for fore mouths. The country- people give it alfo in overflowings of the menll-s with wine. We fee by this that it partakes of the qualities of the common water lllly, and is by no means to be confounded with buckbean, whofe virtues it has not, nor any qualities at all like them. The common kinds of water liliy, thougii they refemble this plant in their manner of growth, differ extremely in their flowers, and are to be treated of among plants that have feveral petals, not with thefe which have only one. N XVII. WATER VIOLET. H 0 7 T 0 N I A. THE flower confifl:s of a fingle petal, divided into five fegments : the fruit is a fingle capfule, with only one cell, of a round fhape, but terminating in a point, and is placed on the cup, which is formed of a fingle leaf, divided into five parts. LinnjEus ranges this among his pentandria monogynia, the threads being five in each flower, and the rudiment of the fruit fingle. Of this genus there is but one known fpecies, and that is a common plant in our ditches and fhal- low ponds. Water Violet. Hottonia. The root is a tuft of black, long, and flender fibres : thefe penetrate deep into the mud. The leaves are long, large, and very beauti- fully pinnated : they confift each of ten, twelve, or more pairs of long and narrow fegments, regularly difpofed, and an odd one at the end. From the bafe of this ciufter of leaves there ge- nerally are propagated fome long, fiender ftalks, which take root again as they run upon the fur- face of the mud, and in thefe places fend up frelh clufters of leaves. In the centre of thefe leaves rifes the ftalk, which is to fupport the flowers : this is tall, up- right, round, flender, and naked. The flowers ftand in little clufters at and near the top: they are moderately large, very pretty* and of a whitifli colour, tinged with red. The feed-veflTcl is fingle and fmail. It is frequent in fliallow waters that have muddy bottoms, and flowers in June, C, Bauhine calls it MillifoUum aquaiicum, feu Viola aquatica caiide nudo. Boerhaave, Hottonia ; a name ufed now generally for it. The leaves are cooling, externally applied ; but they are more ufed by country people than by phyficians. GENUS XVIII. SALTWORT. G L U X. THE flower confifts of a fingle petal, divided into five obtufe fegments: the feed-veffel is a fingle capfule, having only one cell, and containing five feeds. There is no cup ; wherefore fome have called the flower a cup, and faid the plant has no flower. This is a cuftom with many writers, when the flower remains with the fruit ; but it is unnatural, and therefore improper. Linnxus places this among his pentandria monegynia ; the threads being five in each flower, and the rudiment of the fruit fingle. Of this "enus there is but one known fpecies, and that is a common wild plant about our fea- coarts. , Black The BRITISH HERBAL. 79 Black Saltwort. Glaux maritima. The root is compofed of a clufter of Qender fibres. The ftalks are numerous, and thofe which Ihoot firft generally lie upon the ground, and take root again at little diftances. The fucceeding ftalks rife In the centre of thefe, and are round, flender, five or fix inches high, and tolerably ereift. The leaves ftand in pairs at fmall diftances : they are oblong, fmall, and of an inverted oval figure ; the part where they grow to the ftaik be- ing narroweft, and the leaf growing broader to the end. The flowers are fmall and redifh : they ftand without footftalks, clofc ia the bofoms of the leaves, and are very pretty. The feed-veffel follows, and is large in pro- portion to the plant. It is common on our falt-marfhes, and elfe- wherc about the fea-coaft, and flowers all fum- mer. C. Bauhine calls it Glaux maritima. Others, Glaiix exigiia maritma. We, Saltwort, and Sea Milkwort, from a notion of its encreafing the milk in the breafts of nurfes. This is ail the virtue or ufc attributed to iCj and this feems to ftand upon a very precarious foundation. G N U XIX. GREEK VALERIAN. POLEMONIUM. THE flower confifl:s of a fingle petal, which is tubular in the lower part, and divided into five, broad fegments at the rim the fruit is a fingle capfule, of an oval form, with three rifing edges, and it contains three cells : the cup is compofed of a fingle leaf, divided into five fegments. Liiinieus places this among the fmtmidria mmgynia ; the threads in each flower being five, and the rudiment of the fruit fingle. It would be well if this genus had a better name. Its Englifii one, which is the tranfiation of the vulgar Latin n.-ime, it received from the refemblance of the leaves in the common kind to thofe of fom" of the ■uakriam ; plants from which it is altogether difi'erent in charader, and therefore ill confounded in name : the Latin one we give here, which is that ufcd by the more accurate writers, founds too like that of polcymountain ? a plant from it as different, and with which it would be as erroneous in the ftudent to confound it as with viilirian. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Gre' k Valerian. Pokmoniitm vulgare. The root is compofed of numerous, thick, and long fibres. The leaves rife in a large tuft, and are ex- tremely beautiful : they are of the pinnated kind, and each is compofed of a great many pairs of pinnae or fmaller leaves, difpofed with great re- gularity along a middle rib, with an odd one at the end : they are of a beautiful green. The flialks rife in the centre of this tuft of leaves -, and are green, hollow, thick, fliriated, upright, and two feet high. The leaves fiand alternately on them, and are like thofe of the root, pinnated in the fame elegant manner, but fmallcr. The flowers ftand in large clufters at the tops of the ftalks, and of fmall branches, rifing from the bofoms of the leaves : they are large, and of a beautiful blue, fometimes white. The feed-veflels are large and light, and the feeds numerous. It is not uncommon wild in damp places in Yorkfhire, and the other northern counties j and its beauty has brought it into frequent ufe in our gardens. C. Bauhine calls it Valeriana carulsa. J. Bau- hine, Valeriana Graca quihifdam colore c^ruleo ^ albo. Tournefort, PoUmoniim vulgare caru- lemn. Its virtues are not known. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Large-flowered Greek Valerian. Polemoniwn fori magno. The root is compofed of numerous long fibres. The firft leaves are large, and of the pinnated kind; the pinnae are oblong, and very num£- rous, and are terminated by an odd leaf. The ftalk is m&, ftriated, and firm. The leaves are like thofe from the root, but fmaller, and paler coloured : they are placed alter- nately, and at confiderable diftances. The flowers are large, and of a bright red : they ftand in a kind of thick clufters at the tops of the ftalks and branches. The feed-veflcl is large, and has three ribs very plain and firm. It is a native of Carolina. Dillenius calls it ^amoclit pinnatum ereUum floritus in thyrfnm difpoftlis ; but it is properly a polemo?iium. GENUS 8o The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS XX. WOOD SORREL. o X r s. npHE flower confifts of a fingle petal, very deeply divided into five fegments ; fo that they adhere only at the bafe : the fruit is a fingle capfule, of a five-cornered fhape, divided into five cells within, and contains numerous feeds, which leap out with violence when the capfule burfts open : the cup is very fmall ; it is formed of a fingle leaf, divided into five fegments, and remains with the feed-velTd. Linnaeus places this among the decandria fentagynia ; the threads in each Rower being ten, and the ftyles rifing from the rudiment of the capfule five. He calls it oxalist a word many of the botani- cal writers have alfo ufed ; but oitys is the more univerfally received: the alteration is trifling; and, while it can do no good, may breed confufion, the comnmi fond being called by many writers by that name. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Wood Sorrel. Oxys vulgaris. The root is fiender, irregularly notched, and creeping, and has numerous fibres. The leaves rife in many little clufters, and From their colour and manner of growing have a very beautiful appearance. The footifalks are long, tender, weak, and redidi ; and they rife ten, twelve, or more, from the fame head : at the top of each ftand three leaves \ thefe are of a heart-fafhioned fhape, the point being the end at which they join the ftalk ; from this they grow broader all the way, and are indented at the middle of the large end. The flowers are moderately large, and white, with abluCh of red : they ftand on fiiort and fien- der footfiralks rifing imnnediately from the root, and feem compofed each of five petals : the divifion is fo deep, that thefe parts join only at the bafe. The feed-vefl'el islongilh; and, when the feeds are ripe, it burfiis with violence on the lead touch, or with the wind, and fcatters the feeds. It is common in woods, and flowers in March. This is the only fpecies we have native of England; but when it grows in drier places, it is fmaller, and flowers later. This has by fome been defcribed as a diftinft fpecies ; but there is no more difference than what the common accidents of foil and fituation give. It is a pleafant, cooling, and ufeful plant. A conferve is made of it, which allays the burning heat of the mouth in fevers. It is alfo good againfl obflrtidtions of the vif- cera ; to this purpofc the juice fliould be taken. DIVISION n. FOREIGN SPECIES. T. Yellow Wood Sorrel; 0.v)'J lutea. The root is long, fiender, divided into feveral parts, and furnifhed with many fibres. I'he firfl: leaves arc fmall, and ftand on naked pedicles or footftalks, three on each, in the man- ner of the common 'wood forrel, but fmaller, and paler, and the ftalk is Ihorter. Among thefe rife numerous ftalks : they are eight or ten inches long, round, tender, very much branched -, and they lie upon the ground, taking root at the joints. The leaves on thefe ftand irregularly, and in all refpedls refemble thofe from the roots : they have long, flender footftallcs, and three ftand on each : thefe are narrow, and of a heart-fafhioned fhape, the point growing to the ftalk, and the other end being deeply dented. The flowers itand on fhort footftalks, two or more together, and are fmall and yellow. The feed-veflel is long and edged. It is common in damp and fliady places in Italy, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it 1'rifolium acetofum cornicu- latum. Others, Osys luten, and Oxys liiteo fiore. I 2. Upright American Wood Sorrel. Oxys Americana ere£Ia. The root is long, flender, and divided into many parts. The firft leaves are numerous, and ftand on long footftalks: they rife in a thick tuft, and on each footftalk there are three ; they are broad, heart-fafliioned, and of a pale green. The ftalk riles in the midft of thefe, and is hol- low, ftriated, pale, and a foot and half high. The leaves ftand irregularly on this, and re- femble thofe from the root : they have long foot- ftalks, and grow three on each, and are heart- fafhioned. The flowers grow alfo on the tops of long, flender footftalks, many in a clufter : they are fmall, and of a pale yellow, and quickly fall off. The feed-veflTel Is long, pointed, and edged, and the cup remains with it. This is frequent in Virginia, and other parts of North America, and flowers in May. Tournefort calls it O^ys Americana ereSlior. 3. Purple The BRITISH HERBAL. 3. Purple bulbous Wood Sorrel. Oxys purpurea bulbofa. The»root is a little bulb, compofed of feveral parts, in the manner of that of a lilly, and has a tuft of tender fibres growing from its bottom. The leaves (land three on a footftalk, as in the common kind, and are of the heart-falhioned fhape : the footftalk is flender, weak, and re- difh. The flowers (land feveral together on the top of a naked ilalk ; this is taller and more ro- buil than the footilalks of the leaves, but no: at all branched ; nor are there any leaves on it. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful purple. The feed vefTcl is long, edged, and angulated. It is a native of Virginia, and flowers in April. PJukenet calls it Oxys purpurea Virginiana ra- dice lillii more nuclmta. 4, Small-leaved Wood Sorrel. Oxys foUis miniorihus ramofa. The root is roundifli, large, and made up of feveral heads, like the lilly-root. The firft leaves are fmal), and very numerous : they rife in a little duller, without any vifib'e footflialk three ftand together, and they are fmall, fliarp-pointed, and yellow'ini. In the centre of thefe rifes the ftalk, and they foon after wither \ fo that there does not renlain the leaft mark there ever were any. The flialk is upright, firm, branched, and four or five inches high. The leaves ftand thick upon it from top to bottom : they grow three together without any footftalk, and are Ihort and pointed. From the bofoms of the upper leaves rife fmall and flender footftalks of a confiderable length ; on each of which there is a fmgle flower : this is large, and of a beautiful purple. The feed-veffel is long, ridged, and pointed. It is a native of ^Ethiopia, and flowers in May. ^ Burman calls it Oxalh hidhofa folih angufth ter - nh hirtis flare purpurea. 5. Great-flowered Wood Sorrel. Oxys flare maxima. The root is long and flender : it runs obliquely under the furface, and has frequent little bulbous heads growing to it, and numerous clufters of fibres. The leaves arc numerous, and not unlike thofe of our common ivsad Jorrcl : they ftand three to- gether on long, tender footftalks, and are heart- fafhioned, and of a pale green. Among thefe rife feveral tender, naked ftaiks. taller than thofe of many of the leaves ; and on each of thefe ftands a Angle flower. This-is of a pale purple, very large, and very beautiful ; and confifts, like the others, of a Angle petal, fo deeply cut into five fegments, that thty feem abfolutcly diftindl. The feed-vefTcl is long and pointed. It is a native of ^Tithiopi:], and flowers in May. Commelin calls it Oxys bulbofa JEth'iopka minor folio cordato. Others, Great-flc-wered oxys. The leaves of all thefe foreign kinds have the fame four tafle with thofe of the caimnon oxys, fome in a greater, feme in a lefTer degree i but not one of them excels our own. They pro- bably have all the fame virtues, differing only in proportion to the degree of acidity we perceive in their taftes. GENUS XXI. MILKWORT. P 0 L r G A LA. npHE Hower confifls of a fingle petal, divided to the bottom into four parts ; fo that it appears to be formed of fo many diftinft petals : the feed-veffel is a capfule of a compreffed, heart- falhioned (hapc : the cup is compofed of three leaves, two of which ftand below, and the other three above the flower. This is a perplexing plant to moft of the fyftem -makers. Its flower is very fingular in form ; therefore it has been called an irregular one, and mofl: have fuppofed the fegments fo many diftindt petals. Linnsus places it among his diaiclpUa oSandria, the threads in the flower being ei^ht ; and col- leded into two clufters, as if they rofe from two heads. Ray has ranged it better than any : he found that the fegments united at the bottom, and the flower truly confifted of a fingle petal, and that the feed-ve£fel was fingle; he therefore juftlv made it one of his HerbxfruSiu ficco fmgulari flore mompstak. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Blue-flowered Milkwort. Folygala uulgarh. The root is long, flender, divided into many parts, fpreading, and furniflied with numerous iibres. N' 8. The firfl: leaves are numerous, broad, and Ihort : they grow in little clufters upon the young flioots, and have no footftalks. The ftaiks rife among thefe, and often thofe flioots themfelves lengthen into ftaiks : they are numerous, weak, procumbent, and of a pale Y green : THE BRITISH HERBAL. green : they are extremely branched ; and as tliey grow in length, the Hiort firft leaves drop off: they grow to eight or nine inches long ; but far the grt^ateft part of it lie upon the ground, few of them flanding up farther than the fpike of flowers. The It-aves fland irregularly on thefe ftalks, and are unlike the firft ; thefe are longifli, nar- row, and pointed. The flowers ll:and in long loofe fpikes, and are of a pale blue. The fced-vefTel is flat and large : the feeds are numerous, and fmall. It is common in dry paflures, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Polygala vulgaris. Others, Polygala 7)iinor. No plant varies more than this in its afpeft and manner of growth, according to the accidents of place and nourifliment. The flowers, though naturally blue, are often redilh, and often white ftriatcd more or lefs with blue or red, fometimes white altogether. In this condition, fome authors have defcribed it as a diflerent fpecies, or made one or two more, all fuppofed difi^erent. We have obferved that the firft leaves are fmall and iliort, and that thefe ufually fall ofFj but fometimes there grow no others, thefe being con- tinued upon the llaiks their whole length; in this cafe the llaiks generally lie altogether upon the ground, and the plant has been defcribed as a diftinft fpecies under the name o^'Pclygala uiyrti- folia palufiris humilis ramotior. Mr. Ray himfelf is not without thefe flips : 'tis commonly on damp, poor ground it affumes this form. In all thefe conditions the fpecies is the fame, and, under proper advantages of fun and nou- riDiment, would at any time put on its pro- per face again. Some few years fince, I faw a very remarkable infl:ance of this. There grows a great deal of milkivort on the edge of a fmall bog on Hampflead heath : this, while the bog was wet, to the top, was full of Ihort, broad i leaves, and fpread upon the ground in nume- ; rous branches : afterwards, fome flight trenches ; were cut through the bog, which drained it a DIVISION II. F O 1. Crefl:ed Milkwort. Polygala crijlata. The root is long, flender, and fimple. The fl-alks are numerous, round, hard, and firm; part lie upon the ground, and part (land cre£t among them. The leaves grow often in pairs, but not cer- tainly or regularly fo : they are fmali, fhort, ob- tufe, moderately broad, of a dead green, and very rough to the touch. The flowers ftand in long crefled feries on tlie tops of the ftalks, fometimes in a fingle, fome- times a double feries ; and they are fmall, and purplilh or white. The feed-vefiel is minute, and very flat, the feeds are very fmall and yellow. Ic is a native of .Ethiopia, and flowers in June. little; and then the iniikii-ort grew more eredt, and had fewer branches, and long, narrow leaves. Thefe trenches are now filled up again in a great meafure by the fwelling of the boggy earth at their fides, as all trenches in fuch ground will, if not frequently cleaned ; and that part of the milkivort which grows lowefl: is fpreaciing on the ground, and getting into the myrtle-leaved ftate again. Experience here Ihews fl:rongly what we have occaflon often to afl"ert with equal truth, though lefs authenticated by evidence, that plants which appear very different, are only varieties of one and the fame fpecies. Few imagine what is in the power of accidents in the place of growth. 2. Upright red Milkwort. Polygala purpurea ereBa. We have feen what changes tlie difference of foil make in the common milkwort ; but we here treat of a fpecies altogether difliinft. No change of place, or accidents of any kind, could reduce this plant to the condition of the common tnilkwort^ or raife that to the ftate of this ; its own feeds produce it, and no other. The root is long, flender, and divided into many parts. The leaves on the firfl: flioots are fmal!, but not broad: they are numerous, fhort, and fharp- pointed. The ftalks are firm, rigid, ered, and ten inches high. The leaves are numerous, and fl;and irregu- larly : they are narrow, of a deep green, fliarp- pointed, and fmooth. The flowers ftand upon the tops of the fl:alks in a fhort fpike : they are large and purple. The feed-vefl'el is flat, large, and full of mi- nute feeds; It is common in hilly paflures, and flowers in C. Bauhine calls it Polygala major. J. Bau- hine, Polygala vulgaris major. I have never feen any variation in the colour of the flower in this fpecies : it is always of the fame ftrong uniform red. REIGN SPECIES. Plukenet calls it Polygala. j€thiopica angujiis birfutis foliis jiore ohfolete purpurea \ but the flowers are oftener white than purple. 2. Feathered Milkwort. Polygala crijiis Jimbriatis. The root is woody, long, divided, and fpread- ing. The ftem is woody, and divided into many branches. The leaves fland irregularly ; and are long, narrow, of a pale green, undivided at the edges, and pointed at the ends. The flowers are large, and very beautiful : they fland in long fpikes, and each has its fepa- rate long and flender footftalk ; they are de- fended by a broad covering, compofed of three leaves. The BRITISH HERBAL. 83 leaves, as the cup in the common kind is ; and have at the top a double creft that has a feather- ed afped: the colour of the flower is a lively ■purple. It is a native of /Ethiopia, and Rowers in May. Barman calls it Pohgala fru£Iefcens foliis linea- ribus pre majore purpurea. There are feveral fpecies of polygala that are abfolute flirubs and trees : thefe we fhall treat of in their pJace : this approaches to them, and may ferve as the laft of the others, and to Ihew the gradation. 3, The Sennekka Rattlc-fnake Plant. Polygala radice marginata. The root is long, flender, and divided into feveral parts: it fprcads irregularly under the furface, and is of a brown colour: it is very fingular in that there runs an edge or margin of a membranaceous fubftance on each fide all the way along it. The firfl; flioots are numerous and full of leaves : thefe are fhort, narrow, and fliarp- pointed. The ftalks arc a foot high : they are round, weak, and of a pale green. The k^vtb Hand irregularly on them, and arc oblong, narrow, of a pale green, and pointed aC the end. The flowers ftand in a long, loofe fpike, and are white or bluifh. The feed veffel is flat, and the feeds are nume" rous, yellowlfli, and fmall. It is a native of North America, and has beert of late introduced into medicine, under the name of radix fenekka, or the raitie fnake root. The knowledge of its virtues v/as firfi: owing to the Indians, who have recourfe to it againfl; venomous bites, that of the rattle-fnake not ex- cepted, from which it took its name. It is excellent in pleurefies and quinziesj and all other diforders of that kind. It has had the fate of many good things, to be talked too high at firft. Dr. Tennent, who introduced it here, recommended it with the warmth natural to the inventor of a new meth.-d of cure ; and from his faying too m-ich n its praife people came to fuppofe it deferved Ids than it really does- It is truly a great medicine, chough now fallen into difufe. The commm milkwort is a purge. A handful of the leaves boiled in a!e is a dofe for a ftrong man: it v/orks brifkly, and without any ill etfeft. i he root dried and powdered is a fudorifick ; ten grains is a dole. GENUS XXIL DODDER; -■ C V S C V t A. THE flower conflfts of a fingle petal, tubular at the bafe, and divided into four fegments at tiie edge : the feed-veflel is a fingle, roundilh capfule, containing two feeds : the cup is divided into four fegments. Linnaeus places this among his tetrandria digynia ; there being four threads in every flower, and the rudiment of the capfule giving origin to two fl:yles. That author, in his Genera Plantarum, improperly joins the bafelh with this genus : the hafella hav- ing, as himfelf acknowledges, a fingle feed after every flower, not contained in any capfule, but fur- rounded in the lower part by a fucculent cup : neither do the other charafters of cufcxla agree with this plant. In his Species Plantarum he places them feparate, making the hafelU, as it properly is, one of his fentandria tris/nia; for in that genus the threads are only five, and the ftyles three. Of this Linnsus was fenfible, when he ranked it with mfcuta, whofe threads are only four, and whofe fl:yles two. We have given fuflicient infl:ances, that this method of claffing plants is frivolous ; here is a proof its author thought it fo : why therefore did he endeavour to recommend to others what he had him- felf found infufficient ? We have obferved that the feed of bafella fl:ands in a fleflry cup, othcrwife uncovered. The reader ■will therefore fee plainly why we do not add it to the genus of cufcuta : it is not fo much as of this clafs, for it has no capfule, DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Dodder. Cufcuta vulgaris. This ftrange plant confifts only of filaments, or long, tough threads, winding themfelves about other herbs, and here and there ornamented with flowers : it has no leaves, and has been fup- pofed to have no root ; but better obfervation will fliew that to be an error. Its firll: appearance, though little regarded, is on the ground. Its root confifts of a few flender, long, and branched, redifh fibres. From thefe rife ten or twelve ftalks, in form of fmall, red threads. Thefe rifing in height, lay hold of fome plant that is near them, and chmb up on it : it there is none near, they pine, and the root dies with them ; fo the plant fading while fmall, is not at all regarded. When there is a plant in the way, which is uiually the cafe, the young flioots rifing from feeds dropped from the old herb as it hangs 4 among The BRITISH HERBAL. among the branches: thefe {lender ftalks grow- quickly where they find themfelves Tupported, and entangle among one another, and among the Ihoots of the plant, to which they have faftened themfelves in a flrange manner. When they have got vvell eftablifiied there the root dies, the ftalks that rofe from the ground wither, and the plant lives only among the branches of the other, taking its nourilliment from them. In this its full ftare of perfection, the threads are purple, and as thick as a fmall twine: and they foon after flower. The flowers are produced in round clullers on one fide of the* ftalks; and are of a pale purplilli colour, little and fiefliy. The feeds ripen in the 'fame heads, and are large. It is common in our fields and gardens, grow- ing upon flax, nettles, heath, or any thing in its ■way, and often plaguing the gardener among his pot-herbs: fome have fuppofed the fpecies of dodder differed according to the plant on vvliich it grew, and have thence called it epiUnum and epurtica, and by a variety of other names of the fame kind. Among thefe none is fo famous as epithymum^ that is the dcddcr whicii grows on gar- den thyme, from which it has been fuppofed to im- bibe peculiar virtues ; but the epiihymum or dodder of thyme is no way different from, nor any bet- ter than the dodder of the nettle when both grow in England : there is indeed a difl^erence in that fold at the druggifts from our common kind, but this is not owing to its having grown on thyme, but to its having grown in Crete, where the fun being warmer, raifes it to more virtue. C. Bauhine calls it Offcuia major. Othe--': Cufcula. ^ Dodder is a brifk purge, and is good in obffruc tions of the vifcera, in the fcurvy, and the fc:- atica. In a fmalier dofe it works by urine. The heft way of giving it is in infufion, aa ounce of the dodder to a pint of water. Outwardly the frefli herb bruifed is excellent againft ftrumous fwellings. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Procumbent Dodder. Cufcuta himilts. The common dodder fpreads itfelf only over plants, this frequently lies upon the ground ; though it will alfo run to a vaft height upwards when there are trees or bufhes in the way to fup- port it. The root is a clufter of thick, very long and fpreading fibres, brown, tough, and iii-taf^ed. The ftalks are numerous, and grow to a vaft length: they are purple, round, and very tough. They have no leaves, but are ornamented with a vaft quantity of flowers : thefe are of a pale purple, and ftand on footftalks, Jt is a native of the American ifiands. Gronovius calls it Cufcuta caule aphyllo voluUli repcnte. We, Jmerican dodder. GENUS XXIJL M U D W E E D. PL ANTJGINELLA. THE flower confifts of a fingle petal divided deeply into five fegments : the fruit is a capfule of an oval figure, half covered with the cup; it has only one cell, in which are numerous feeds : the cup is formed of a fingle leaf, and is divided at the rim into five fegments : the leaves grow fingly, one on each footftalk, as do alfo the flowers. Linnaeus places this among the didynamia aiigiofpermia, becaufe of the four threads that are in everv flower two are longer and two fhorter i and the feeds are inclofed in a capfule : he has chano-cd its known name plantaginclla into limoJcUa. We are not fond of thofe diminutive names derived from thofe of other plants of diftcrent genera'; but they are not needful to be changed without fome far ther reafon. Of this genus there is but one known fpecies, and that is a native of Britain; a very fino-ular and very pretty plant. Mud weed. Plantaginella. The root is a tuft of little, flender fibres. From this rife together a number of trailing ihoots for propagation. Thefe are procumbent: they run every way, and take root at little diftances, fending up nu- merous tufts of leaves. The leaves rife in clufters of ten or twelve to- gether : each is fupported on a long, flender foot- ftalk ; and they are of the fhape of the great water-plantain leaves, whence it had its nmie : they are of a pale green, broad, fhort, and ap- proaching to oval. The flowers ft'and on feparate, and fingle foot- ftalks, not half fo high as thofe which bear the leaves ; thefe are very fmall and white. The feed-veflel is large and full of feeds. It is common in the dry parts of fiiallow fiih- ponds : about Hounflow it grows in almoft every puddle. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Plnntnginella paluftris. Plu- kenet, Alfme pahtjlris repens faliis Imceolatis. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS XXIV. \V I N T E R G R E E N. P r R O L A. 'T^HE flower confifts of a Tingle petal divided to the bottom into five or more fcgments ; there Is no tubular part, but thefe relembling ib many diltind petals, join only at tiie bafcs : the fruit is a fingle capfule after every liower ; this is roundifli, deprelfed, and flighrly marked with ridges: the cup is very fmall, it is divided into live fegments, and remains with the capfule. LinnsEus places this among his decmidria monogyma, the threads in the centre of the flower being ten, and the ftyle rifmg from the rudiment of the fruit fingle ; but he feparates fome of the fpecies. DIVISION I. BRITIS.H SPECIES. I. Round-leaved Wintergreen. Pyrola foUis rotundis. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with numerous fibres. The leaves rife in a duller, and are very Angu- lar and pretty : they have long, flender footftallcs, and are of a roundifli figure, fomewhat approach- ing to oval, of a thick fubfl:ance, and a frefli green colour : they are perfeftly fmooth, and di- vided at the edges : they in fome degree refemble the leaves of thepeartree, but arc fmaller, and hence the genus had its Latin name, this being the firfl: known kind; and that name is continued to the others, though their leaves have nothing of that form. In the centre uF this tuft of leaves rifes a fingle ftalk : this is round, firm, upright, and cen inciicb high: it has no leaves on it, except a few narrow membranes be called by that name ; and at its top fullains a fpike of flowers. Thefe are large, white, and very beautiful : they have numerous threads in the centre, and a long point, which is the ftyle, rifes among them. The fecd-vefl*el is large, and the feeds are nu- merous and fmall. It is not unfrequent in the woods of our nor- thern counties, and flowers in Auguft:. We meet with it fometimes in thofe parts of boggy heaths which are deep covered with mofs. C. Bauhine czlh'it Pyrda major. Others, Pyrola. Our name of •wintergreen is given it from the frcfli appearance of the leaves at the moft dead fealbns of the year, but it is a very indeterminate one, and has led to errors and contufion. The late lord Petre, defirous to have this plant, wrote into Yorkfliire for its feeds, and received what were called fuch ; they were nurfcd with great care, and produced wintcrcrefs Barbarea. Suchjudges are gardeners ot the Englifli plants 1 This fpecies is greatly recommended as a vul- nerary. They ufe it in Germany in all their wound-drinks, and in many of their ointments and plaifliers. With us the better knowledge of chirurgery has put thefe vulnerary plants much out of ctfe. 2. Leflrr Wintergreiin. Pyrola minor. The root is fmall., long, and furniflied with many Hbres. 'i'he leaves rife twenty or more- together, and IX. are placed on fiiort and flender footftalks : they are broad, of a roundifli figure, and notched lightly on the edges. The ftalk is upright, round, and eight inches high, and toward the top it divides into fevcral branches. The flowers are large and white, and they ftand in clufters upon all the branches : they have a tuft of threads in the centre, as the other ; but in that they lean, in this they ftand upright, and the middle point or ftyle is fliort, not long and prominent as in that fpecies. The feed-veflTcl is large, and the feeds are very numerous and very minute. It is common in the northern parts of Eng- land, and flowers in July. Rivinus calls it Pyrola 'minor. Others, Pyrola Hiaminibus re£lis. 3. 'l ender Wiiucigiccn. Pyrola folio mucronato /errata. The root is long, flender and creeping: it runs obliquely under the furface, and fends out at fmall diftances tufts of fibres. The firft leaves, which rife in numerous clufl:ers from difi^erent parts of the root, are oval : they fl:and on fliort, flender footftalks, and are of a deep green, and not at all ferrated. Among thefe rife theftalks: they are round, flender, weak, and but ill fupport themfelves in their hight, which is about a foot. On the lower part of thefe there are fome of thofe ftiort, narrow, membranaceous leaves that are on the common wintergreen ftalk ; but befldes thefe, there arc numerous other large and proper leaves. The flowers grow at the top, and are large and white : they ftand only on one fide of the ftalk when the plant is but moderately nourifli- ed, but when the root fpreads in a rich, free foil, they are more numerous, and ftand on both fides. It is a native of the north of England, but not common there. C. Bauhine calls it Pyrola folio mucronato ferr at 0. Clufius, Pyrola fecunda tencrior ; and his name is generaUy adopted by other writers. 4. Chick weed- flowered Wintergreen. Pyrola alfmes flore Europ^a. The root is compofed of numerous threads conneiled to a fmall head. The firft leaves are few and fmall : they are 2 Ihorr, fi \t-At.iui \'ummj, ^.,-^^;..L.Tj».i»...iiw ^ V, .v^ .-^ iiiir;^;iiiir.zr«*> 86 The BRITISH HERBAL. fhort, ferrated, tharp-pointed, and have no foot- ftaiks : they are of a yellowifli green at firft, and grow yellow and wither foon after the ftalk appears. The ftalks are numerous, (lender, flriated, and tolerably upright. On the lower part they have feveral of thofe fmall, fhort leaves mentioned in defcribing the other fpccies ; but their proper leaves ftand only at the top of each ftalk, and rife from one point- Thcfe are broad, fhort, of a duftiy green, ferrated, and fharp-pointed : there are fix or eight of them on the top of every llalk, and they have no pedicles. The flowers ftand on very flender footftalks rifing from the centre of the tuft of leaves ■, fomctimes there is only one flower on each foot- flalk, fometimes there are two or more: they are fmall and white. The feed-veffcl is large, and has feveral ridges, and the feed is large and brown. It is found in the north of England among mofs and ruflies in damp grounds ; and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Pynla alfmls flore Europe. J, Bauhine, Heria trienlalis. Schwenkfeldt, Jlfine alfina, alpine chickweed. 5. Brafilian Wintergreen. Pynla alfmes fm hmftliana. | The root confifts of a fmall head and a num- ber of fhort, white fibres. The firft leaves rife in a little tuft, and are fmall, fhort, and without footftalks : they jufl- form a defence for the tender (hoot of the ftalk, for which piirrnfr rh.j- fe.m to be intended by nature ; and when that is rifen to a little height and ftrength, they decay. The ftalk is round, ftender, no: very upright, and of a pale green. The leaves ftand in a clufter at its top, nfing all from one point : they are large, oblong, broad, fliarp-pointed, not at all ferrated at the edges, and of a pale green. The flower is fmall and white often there is but one on the plant, fometimes more : each is fupported by a long, ftender footftalk, and is di- vided into five or more fegments ; for this divi- fion is irregular. The feed-vcfi'el is large and (hort. It is a native of America, but has been met with in fome parts of England. Mr. Lawfon is re- corded to have found it near Gifbury in Cleve- land i and 1 have fecn it in the hands of one who told me he brought it from Snowdcn-hill. C. Bauhine calls it Pyrcia alfmcs fore brafiliam. No plants have more perplexed the writers on botany than thofe of this genus ; particularly thcfe two laft : but it has been becaufe neither they nor any of the others have fallen frefli into the hands of fuch as could beft have difpofed them. Mr. Ray feparares the fyrolx under two diftinft claffes, though he preferves the ufual and received name pyoia to all of them : thcfe two laft alone he places in the prefent clafs of plants, that have the flower compofed of a fingle petal, and a fingle capfule following it : the common winlergreen and the two kinds we have defcribed after it he ar- ranges among his clafs of pentapetalous flowers. I am fo unwilling to imagine he has been remifs in'thatftrifl examination which isneceffary on thefe occafions, that 1 rather think nature may vary a little in thefe tender points : the difference be- tween a plant whofe flower confifts of five fe- parate petals and one where it confifts of a finglc petal divided to the bottom, the fegments uniting only at the tips of the bafe, is fo little, that it may not ftri(5lly be obierved in the courfe of na- ture, in which we fee greater varieties. Certainly 1 have feen the flower of the common pyrola^ where the petals uniting at their bafe were only the divifions of one : this I have obferved re- peatedly, and not alone ; and this is evidently the cafe in the two latter fpecies : wherefore i have brought them here together: As ro T.inn^ns. hp, though he regards not the continuity or divifion of the parts of a flower as any part of claflical charadler, yet for other reafons feparates the pyrola more widely : the three firft fpecies here treated of he keeps together under the common name pyrola, but the two latter he divides from thofe, and from one another, by feparate cL-iffes ; the Europeart pyrola he defcribes in a diftind: genus among his heptandria, calling its fruit a berry ; though, as he allows it to have no juice, we (hall be content to retain it here : the other he makes a fpecies of cornus^ the dogherry, placing it among the fe- trandria monogynia^ calling its fruit a drupe and not a capfule. If a little liberty be to be taken in refped to the charailers of plants, I think it fhould be, not to feparate, but to keep thofe of the fame general form together. FOREIGN SPECIES. DIVISION II. I. Single-flowered Wintergreen. Pyrola uniflora. The root is fmall, and creeps under the fur- face, fending up tufts of leaves in fpring in many places, and ftalks where they have firft rifen ; but the leaves decay fo foon that they are rarely feen together. The ftalks are round, flender, weak, and not at all branched. The leaves grow regularly, but in a very fingular manner: three rife from every joint, and they all grow toward its top. They are fmall, rqundifli, a little ferrated, and of a dark green : they have long footftalks, and there ufually rife fome young leaves in their bo- foms. From the upper clufter of thefe leaves rifcs a flender, upright, weak pedicle, on which ftands the flower. This is large, white, and fingle, and very much refembles that of the parnaflia, being larger than the flower of any other pyrola: it confifts of a fingle petal, fo deeply divided into five fegments that they appear five diftinft petals, joined only at their bafes. The feed-veffel is large and ribbed : the feeds are fmall. If The BRITISH HERBAL. 87 It is common in the woods of Sweden and feme parts of Germany ; and flowers in July. Morifon calls it Pyroh finguhri pre mnpliore. Linnsus, Pyrala fiafo unifiore. 2. Shrubby Wintergreeii. Pyrola frttticofa. This is th? moft hardy of all the PyroU. Its root is long, flender, and woody, and runs under the furface, fending up tufts of leaves and flalks in many places : thefe, when they have rifen to flowering, bend downward with the weight of the leaves, and, burying themfelves in the "deep mofs among which they ufually grow, remain, and become as it were Ihrubby, fending up young flioots another year. The flralks are green, tender, and weak before they take this turn; afterwards they become harder, brown, and woody. The leaves which rife firfl: are oblong, broad, ferrated, of a brownifh green, and without foot- ftalks : they only appear, as the firft fhoot, and foon decay. Thofe on the branches are of the fame form, and they ufually ftand thick together ; they are narroweft at the bafe, broader toward the end, and have no footfl:alks : they are of a pale green, and fliarply ferrated. I he ftalks terminate in long, naked pedicles, which divide into three or four lefTer at the top, and on each of thefe ftands a fingle flower: this is lar^e, white, and compofed of five fegments, uniting at the bafe only i fo that they leem five diftinifi: petals. The feed-veflel is large, rtiort, and brown. Ft is a native of Germany and of many parts of Afia and America-, and flowers in Augufl:. C. Bauhine calls it Pyrola fruticans arbuti folia. Clufius, Pyrola tertia frutefiots. 3. Broad-leaved Wintergreen. Pyrola folio latiore. The root is long, flender, woody, brown, and fpreading. The firfl leaves are few and broad : they have fliort footftalks, and are not at all divided or ferrated at the edges. The flalks are numerous, firm, and round, but flender. The leaves grow ufually three from the fame part of the ftalk, but this not uniformly or cer- tainly : fometimes there are two, fometimes only one : they are large, broad, and not at a 1 fer- rated: they have ihort footftalks; and their co- lour is a pale green. The flowers are large, beautiful, and white : they grow with the fame uncertainty as the leaves, fometimes one, fometimes two, and fometimes three, on the fame footftalk. The feed-veflel is large, ribbed, and deprefled. It is common in the woods of North America, and flowers in June. Gronovius calls it Pyrola petiolis apice iifloris vel l}-ifIoris. Petiver, Pyrola niarilandica miflor folio mucronato arhuii. The virtues of thefe have not been tried, but the tafte fhews them to be in general fubaftrin* gent, as the cominuu kind. GENUS XXV. MULLEIN. VERBASCUM. ^^1HE flower confifts of a fingle petal, with a fiiort tubular part at the bottom, and divided deeply -•■ into five fegments, which are ufually large and broad : the fru it is a fingle capfule following every flower s this is°of a Ihort, turbinated, or conic figure, and contains two cells : the cup is divided into five fegments. . „ . , , , Linnajus places this among his pentaniria momgynia ; the threads bemg five in each flower, and the ftyle rifing from the rudiment of the fruit fingle, DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIE Si r. White Mullein. Verhafcum album. This plant is named white, not from its flow- ers, tor they are yellow, but from the fingular whitenefs of its leaves. The root is long, large, divided, and furniflied with a vaft many fibres. The firft leaves are very large, numerous, and white : they have no footftalks : they are a foot and half long, and half as much or nearly in breadth. The ftalk is firm, thick, upright, hard, and covered with leaves. Thefe are of the fame fliape and colour with thofe at the root, only they are fmaller. The flowers ftand in a very long and thick fpike at the top of the plant: they are not large, but are of a beautiful yellow. The feed vcflcl is large and brown. It is common by way fides, and flowers in July- C. Bauhine calls it Verbafcum mas lalifolium k- teum. Others, Verbafcum album, and Taffus bar- hatus. We call it White mullein, Co'.^s lungwort, and in fome places High taper. 2. Hoary white Mullein. Verbafcum puherulcntum album. The flowers of this are yellow, as well as thofe of the former, and" it obtains its name in the fame m the deepell violet to the piaineft red ; and from this, which is altogether accidental, fomc have divided it into many diftinft fpecies, A a The 90 The BRITISH HERBAL. The fetd-vtlTel is large and round, and the feeds are fmall. C. Bauhine ca!!s ic Blattaria purpurea. J. Bau- hine, Blattaria fiore cariileofive purpureo. 2. Red Moth Mullein. Biatlaria fore rubente foUis ferraiis. The root is long, large," and furnifhcd with many fibres. The firfl; leaves are numerous large, and fer- rated : they are long, moderately broad, and have no iootftalks. The llalk is round, thick, upright, firm, and three feet high. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are like thofe from the root, long, large, deeply ferrated, and fharp-pointed : they have no footflalks, and they generally hang downward. The flowers ftand at the top of the ftalk in a very long and thick fpike, with fome long, nar- row leaves intermixed among them : they are large, and of a beautiful mixed red, not a bright, gaudy colour, but an extreamly pleafing ttnft : ■when nearly examined there is a mixture of blue and of orange, but the red is the predominant colour. The feed-veflels are large and round. It is a native of France, and flowers in Au- tumn. Morifon calls it Blattaria perennis flore ohfo- leti coloris % and others have in general copied the fame name. GENU SPEED V E R 0 3. Jagged Moth Mullein. Blattaria Jolm dijfcclis. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with many fibres. The firfl: leaves are numerous and fmall : they rife in a tuft, and fpread on the ground like the rays of a ftar : they have no footftalks, and they are long, white, hoiry, and deeply divided. The ftaiks are numerous, round, flendcr, and about ten inches high. The leaves ftand thick upon them, and are hoary, white, and cut down to the middle rib in ftveral places ; fo that they have a pinnated afpeft. The flowers arc fmall, and the feed-veflels alfo fmall, but round. Ic is a native of Italy, and flowers in June. Bocconc calls it Blattaria imana multijida. O- thers copy the fame name. The root of the common moth muUciyt is aflringent, but in an inferior degree to that of the common white mullein. Wc have no account, from any au- thentick hand, of the virtues of the other fpecies ; but fome of them have an acrid tafte, and feem of diff^erent qualities. They are accounted among the number of vulnerary plants in Germany ; but almoft every thing growing has in fome places that charader. s xxvir. WELL. N 1 C A. THE fluwer confifls of a Angle petal, which is tubular in the lower part, and divided into four fegments at the edge ; the fruit is a fmgle capfule, of a turbinated and heartfafhioned fliape, comprellcdac the top, and containing two cells : the cup is divided into four parrs, and remains with the truit. Linnsus places this among his dyandria monogyma ; the threads in the centre of the flower bcino- two, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the capfule fingle. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES, I. Little fmooth Speedwell. Veronica glabra parva. The root is compofed of numerous, flender, long fibres. The ftaiks are weak, round, fmooth, and nu- merous: they lie in part upon the ground, and in part raife themfelves up : they take root fre- quently where they trail upon the ground, and thence fend up flioocs that thicken the tuft: the part of the ftalk that is eredl is four or five inches high. The leaves ftand in pairs : they are little, of an oval figure, and of a pale but pretty green, perfeftly fmooth, and undivided at the edges. The flowers are fmall, and of a faint bluilh white: they ftand on fhort footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, and run up at the top of the ftaiks into a kind of loofe. Irregular fpike. The feed-vefi'tl is fmall and flat. It is a native of every part of Europe, and in no country fo frequent as in England ; we have it every where by wayTides and in paftures. Ic flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Veronica pratenfis ferpyUi- folia. Others, Veronica pratenfis minor^ and Betonica Pauli ferpyUifoliA. In Englifli it is called Smooth fpeedwell, fmooth fuelling and Paul's be- tony. There may be confufion from the name of fluellin, becaufe it is the received Englifli name of a very diflerent plant, to be dcfcribcd in its place hereatter. * 3. Little, The B R I T I S H HERBAL. 91 2. Lircle, hairy SpecdweH. Veronica mas fupina et vulgatijfana. This is a fma!) fpeedwdl^ as common in our paf- tLires as the other, and like it, often called by the common but improper name of fliielliyt : this con- founds it with another genus, from which it is very diftinft ; as does alfo the common way of fpeaking, with the former, but they differ widely. The root of this is compofed of a multitude of flender fibres, joined to a fmall head. The ftalks that firft fhoot from it trail upon the ground, and take root at their lower fide, by which means the plant prefently fpreads into a large tuft. From thefe procumbent fhoots rife the ftalks which bear the flowers, as do alfo fome from the root. They are flender, weak, round, and of a pale green, ftve inches long, and, ufually, in part ereft, and in part leaning. 7'he leaves grow in pairs : they are obiong) broad, deeply ferrated, and fharp-pointcd : they have fhort tootftalks, and they are of a pale green, and flightly hairy. The Howers ftand in long, flender fpikes at the tops of the branches, and are of a beautiful blue, fmall but very confpicuous. Under thele fpikes there frequently grow fome narrow leaves, unlike thofeon the rell; of the flalk. The feed-yeflTdl is flatted and heartfafliioned, and the feeds are numerous and fmall. This is very common in dry paftures, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it FrroJi/ia mas fupha et vufga- iiffmia. J. Bauhine, Veronica milgatior foHo ro- iundiore. We call it Common fpeedwell^ male fpeedwell^ and male fiuellin. If we would call it liille^ hairy fpccdivcll, there would be no confufion. There is the more reafon to afcertain this fpe- cies by fome determinate FngHfh name. In that it is luppofed to pofl^efs the greatcft virtue of any fpccdwell. There was an opinion very lately, thjt it was a cure for the gout, and the leaves, picked and dryed, fold for three or four (liiilings a pound. The people who deal in them adulterated them with thofe of the gem ander- leaved fpeedvjd!^ to be defcribed hereafter, and by that means they loft their credit, before it v^as found whctlur there were any foundation fur the opinion of this great efficacy or not. A decoftion of the whele plant is a powerful diuretick and deoblfruent : it is good in jaundices and the beginning of dropfies. A ilighter tincture of it, drawn by infufion, is a fudorifick, and good in fevers. Its juice, boiled into a fyrup with honey, is excel- lent in afthmas and other difordcrs of the lungsj and ufcd outwardly, in form of an ointment, it is good againft the itch and other cutaneous dif- orders. The decodion of it made very ftrons, and given as a glyfler with the common additions of oil and fugar, is of prodigious efHcacy in the tor- menting pains of the nephritick cholick. An infufion of the leaves, drank in th: man- ner of tea, is greatly recommended as a prove cative to vencry, and a ftrengtliener : it has been called a cure for barrenncfs, taken a long time in this manner. To thefe virtues we are to add, that it is placed foremoft by many, writers in the clafs of vui- neraries. 3. Germander-leaved Speedwell. Veronica cbam^cdryos folio. The root is flender, and edged with fibres. The firft leaves are long, narrow, of a pale green, ferrated, iharp-pointed, and have no footflalks. The ftalks rile in the centre, and the leaves foon after fade. They are flender and weak, but tolerably up- right, and fix or eight inches high. The leaves ftand in pairs, and are like thofe from the root, but fhorter and broader; they are of a pale green, fliarply ferrated, and fliarp- pointed ; and they have no footftalks. The flowers ftand in long fpikes rifing from the bofoms of the leaves and they are of a very bright blue, large, and beautiful. The fecd-veflTels are heart-fafliioned, large, and flat. It is common in paftures, and flowers in JuLy. C. Bauhine calls it Cbam^drys fpiiria minor ro- tundifoUa. Ray, Veronica chamj^drys fylvejlris di£fa. Others, Cbam^sdiys fylvejlris. Our commom people call it Bine tiiiker. They give the juice of it to children as a re- medy for cbvc rickets, and often with fuccefs. 4. Short-leaved Gerijianderlikc fpeedwell, Veronica chama'droyides foliis pcdiculis oblojigis in- ftdentihtis. The root is a fmall tuft of fibres. From this grow many flioots, that trail upon the ground and take root in different places. Ihe ftalks which fupport the flowers rife partly from thefe, and partly from the root : they are flender, weak, but imperfcaiy ered, and ten or twelve inches high. The leaves ftand in pairs, and do not grow to the ftalk by their bafe, as in the laft fpccies, but ftand on moderately long footftalks ; and thele, and the mainftaiks alfo, are a little hairy : the leaves are fliorr, broad, and Hentated, of a duflcy green, and a little hairy, '1 he flowers ftand on footftalks rifing from the bofom of the leaves in a kind of loofe Ipikes, four, five, or fix in each fpike : they are fmall, and of a faint blue. The feed-veflclis broad, flat, and heart-faOiion- ed at the end. It is common in our woods, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Chamadrys rotundifolia fcu- ielhua. Ray, Veronica cham^droyides foliis pedi- culis ohlongis bifidentihus. Columna, Myffan. Diofcoridis, Montamm. Our Fnghfla v/nters call it Mountain madz-jcrt. It is pretended that the juice is good againft madncfs, but there is no authority for it, 5. Ivv.. 92 r H E BRITISH HERBAL 5. Ivy-Icavcd Speedwell. Veronica bcdcrie folio. The root is a clufter of rmall fibres. The liril leaves are roundilh, but indented into tlirce, and fomecimes more cfivifions : they rife fix or eight together, and have fliort footftalks. The lUiks ars numerous, weak, and iix or eight inches high. The leaves ftand akernatcly on them, and have footftalks; they are divided deeply into three parts, and in fome degree refemble the leaves of ivy in miniature : their colour is a pale green, and they are hairy. The flowers ftand fingly on fiiort footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves-, and they are fmall and bluiili. The feed-veftcls follow, and are heart- faHiIon- ed : the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is common in corn-fields and in garden bor- ders ; and flowers in April, C. Bauhine calls it Alfiyie hederule folio. Ray, Veronica, flofcilUs fingularibtis hsderulds folio. In Englifti we call it ^mall hcnhit^ or Ivy-kaved chickweed. 6. Chickweed-fpeedwell v.'ith footftalks. ^eronira floribus fingularihus in ohlcngis pedicidis. The root is long, flender, and edged with many fibres. The fir^leaves are fliort and broad. The ftalks are numerous and weak ; feme trail upon the ground, and fome ftand eredl, and they are five inches high. The leaves ftand alternate, and they have fliort footftalks : they aje broad, ftiort, ferraced, and ftiarp-pointed, but of a dead green. The flowers ftand fingly on footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, and they are fmall, and blue ; fometimes, but more feldom, ■white. The feed-veflcl is large, and heart-faftiioned, and is flatted at the top. Jt is common on walls and in dry places, and flowers early in fpring. C. Bauhine calls if jll/ine chaniadry folia fiofculis psdiculis cbiongis inftdenlibus. •j. Chickweed-fpeedwell, without footftalks. Veronica floribus fingularibus caulihiis adherentibus. The root is compofed of a multitude of fibres. The flalk is round, weak, and very much branched. The leaves ftand in pairs without footftalks, and are fliort and broad, of a pale green, fiightly ferrated at the edges, and a little hairy. The flowers ftand in a long feries on the tops of the ftatks and branches, and are fmall and blue, ftriated on the infide, and ufually pale : thefe have no footftalks, but grow to the ftalk ; and under thefe there grow alternately leaves of a different form from thofe on the reft of the plant: they arc ftiort, oval, and not at all indented, and they fomewhat refemble the leaves of garden- thyme. 7 The feed -veflel is flat and heart-faftiioned. It is common on walls and in dry places, where it grows from two to five inches in height., It flowers in fpring. C. Bauhine calls it yllftne foliis verc?iica, foliis et flofcidis caidibus adherentibus. Others, Veronica foliis oppofuis floribus feffilibus. 8, Fingered-lcaved fpeedwell. Veronica foliis alternis digitalis. The root is long, flender, and furniPaed with a great number of fibres. The ftalks are numerous, round, thick, of a pale green, partly ercft, and in part procum- bent, and three or four inches in heiglit. The leaves are numerous, and ftand irregukir- ly : they differ from thofe of all the other fpecies in fhape, being divided in a fingered manner, fame into three, and others into five parts. Thofe to- ward the bottom of the ftalk are divided into five parts, thefe are feparated down to the bafe in the manner of fingers; and the three middle di- vifions are longer, the two outfide ones ihorter ; they are all narrow and pointed : the leaves on the upper part of the ftalks are divided only into three parts each, and thefe, of the fame form v/ith the others : the lower leaves often fall oft' as the plant grows up ; and the others only, or at leaft principally, remaining and appearing as each compofed of three feparate leaves, have occa- fioned many to call it trifoliate fpeed.-jjcll. The flowers are large and purple : they ftjnd on fingle footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, and make a pretty appearance. The feed-vefl'el is large, flat, and heart-fa- fliioned, and contains many fmall feeds. It is found in fome of our northern counties in barren paftures and in gravel-pits ; and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Veronica triphyllos aerulea. Lobel, Jlfme parva rc£la folio alftnes hedsracea riiia ?mda divifo. Others Alfive rc£fa. 9. Bugle-leaved Speedwell. J'eronica hugid^ folio fubhirfuto. The root is long, flender, and full of fibres. The leaves that firft rife from it are large and oblong ; they have fliort footftalks, and grow- in a tuft, eight, ten, or more together. Among thefe rife the footftalks, which are nu- merous, round, and fomewhat hairy, and ei^hc or ten inches high. The leaves ftand in pairs at diflances, and are, like thofe from the root, oblong, broad, and placed on fhort footllalks; they are crenated at the edges, and obtufe at the end. The flowers are large and blue: they ftand in long Ipikes, fometimes one, fometimes three or more on the plant, according to its degree of nourifhment. The feed-vefl'els are heart-fafhioned and flatted. It is a native of Wales, and flowers in July. It is defcribed in the third edition of Ray's Synopfis under the name of Veronica fpicata I Cambrohritannica bugitU fubhirfuto folio. 10. Little The BRITISH HERBAL. lo. Littlcj fpiked Speedwell. Feromca Spicala minor. The root is long, divided into many parts^ and edged with fibres. The firft leaves are oblong, broad, and of a pale green : they rife in a thick tuft, and fre- quently remain with the plant when in flower- whereas nioft ot the others fade when the (lalk rifes. The ftalk is round, flender, of a pale green, and tolerably upright. The leaves ftand in pairs, and are fliort, Httle, and of a figure approaching to oval, but pointed at the ends : they have no footftalks, and are of a dead green. The flowers are fmall and blue : they fl:and at the cops of the rtalks in a thick, fliort fpike. The feed-velTeJs are deeply cordated, or hearc- fafliioned. It is not frequent in England, but has been, found on Newmarket heath, Lincoln heath, and in feme other places. C. Bauhine calls jt Veronica fpicata minor. J. Bauhine, Veronica fpicata retla minor. Others, Veronica re£ia -mimma. Thefe ten are all the fpecies of fpeedwell that we have native in England. The brooklimes, of which we have three fpecies, have been ufually ranged among thefe, and called by the fame name» veronica ; but they have their feparate name beca- himga \ their feparate virtues ; and enough in their charaiSters to difliinguilh them. I flial!, therefore, arrange them diftinftly in the next genus, after defcribing thofe toreign fpeedwells which curiofity has introduced into our gardens. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. 1 . Broad-leaved fpiked Speedwell. Veronica fpicata latifolia. The root is compofed of numerous, large, and fpreading fibres. The rtalk is round, upright, firm, and two feet high. The leaves are oblong, broad, of a deep green, obtufe at the end, and irregularly indented at the edges, often fo flightly that it is fcarce per- ceptible. The flowers are fmall, and of a pale blue, but they are very numerous, and ftand in long, thick fpikes. The feed-veflel is fmall and heart-fafliioned, and the feed is very fmall and brown. It is fretjuent about the buidcib of forefts in Germany, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Veronica fpicata latifolia. Others, Veronica fpicata major. 2. Narrow-leaved fpiked Speedwell. Veronica fpicata angufiifolia. The root is long, divided, and furnifhed with many fibres. The firft leaves are long, harrow, and have no footftalks : they are of a dufky green, and rife in a thick tuft. The ftalks arc numerous, ereft, firm, round, and a foot high. The leaves Ifand in pairs, and are long, narrow, of apale green, (harp-pointed, and fliarply ierrated. The flowers are fmall, and of a beautilul blue: they grow in long, thick fpikes at the tops of the ftalks. I'he fced-vefteis are flat and heart-fafhioned : the feeds are fmall and brown. Jc is frequent in Italy, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Veronica fpicata angujlifolia. Otiiers, Veronica ereSia angujlifolia. 3. Many-leaved fpiked Speedwell. Veronica fpicata foliis ternis quaternis aiit qtmtis. The root is long, divided, and full of fibres. The flalks are numerous, round, firm, up- right, and four or five feet high, The leaves are long and confiderably broad : they have no footftalks, and they grow in an un- certain manner on the ftalks, three, four, or five togethcfi fometimes, but more rarely, only two: they arc fharp-pointed and ferrated. The flowers are very numerous and white : they ftand in a long fpike at the top of the ftalk, and frequently on others rifing from the branches. The feed velTels are heart-fafliioned, and the feeds are fmall. It is a native of America. Plukenet calls it Verotiica Virginiana frocerior foliis ternis^ qtiaiernis et etiam quints caulem ampkx- antibus fpicis fiorum caudidijfimis . Others, Vera- nica altiffma Americana- 4. Narrow-leaved little Speedwell. Veronica parva anguftifoUa. The root is long, divided into many parts, and furniflicd with numerous fibres. The ftalks are numerous, round, upright, branched, and of a pale green. The leaves ftand alternately, and at confide- i-able diftances : they are long, narrow, of a bright green, and grow to the ftalk without any footftalks ; they are undivided at the edges, and pointed at the end. The flowers are fmall and white : they grow in the bofoms of the leaves all the way up the ftalks, and have no pedicles. The feed vefl'el is large and heart-fafliioned, and the feeds are fmall and brown. It is frequent in the corn-fields of France and Italy i and flowers in May. Morifon calls it Veronica annua alba polygonia folio. 5. Great Germander-leaved Speedwell. Veronica cham^dryos folio maxima. The root is long, large, woody, and divided. The ftalk is firm, ered, of a woody hardnefs, and two feet high. The leaves ftand in pairs without footftalks, and are of a very regular and beautiful fhape : B b they The BRITISH HERBAL. they are broadeft at the bafe, fmaller all the way to the point, and ftiarply ferrated. The flowers are fmall, and of a pale blue : tbey ftand in long fpikcs, riling from the bofoms of the leaves, and from the top of cheftalk; and many of them ufuaily open togedier. The fced-veflel is heart-falbioncd, and not large. It is a native of Germany, and fiowcrs in C. Bauhine calls it Chamadrys fpuria major al- isra five frutejcens. 6. Jagged-leaved Speedwell. Veronica fcliis kciniatis. The root is long, fingle, and furniflied with a few fibres. The ftalk is firm, upright, a littie hairy, a foot high, and is divided into feveral branches. The leaves are numerous, and they are deeply and beautifully divided : their colour is a pale green, and they are a little hairy. The flowers are fmall and blue : they ftand on fhort footftalks in a kind of loofe fpikes. The feed-vefTel is heart-fafbioned and fmail ; and the feeds are minute and brown. It is a native of Italy and Germany, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Cham^edrys mijiriaca foliis tenuiffi7ne laciniatis. Morifon, Veronica temtiffme laciniata. 7. Large-flowered little Speedwell. V eronica pumila flore majore, TIic root is compofed of many long and flen- der fibres. The ftaiks are numerous, round, weak, and four inches high. The leaves ftand ufiially in pairs, though fome- times they grow irregularly on the lower part of the ftaiks ; they arc fm:!)!, fhurt, without foot- ftajks, and fliarply fcrr:ued. The flowers grow at the tops of the ftaiks in little tufts, and are large, and of a beautiful blue. The feed-vefTels are heart fafhioned and fmall. It is a native of the mountainous parts of Italy. C. Bauhine calls it Cham/cdrys Alpina faxatilis. Others, Tetfcriim petramn pumiluvt. Others, Bonarota and Paderota, making it a diftinfc genus, but with little foundation in nature. It is particular, that the leaves feem to have ftood as the charaflcr of germander, with the old authors, rather than the flowers ; for in ger- mander thofe are of the labiated kind. 8. Dwarf Speedwell. Chamadrys pumila. This is a very Angular, and very pretty fpecies. The root is long, divided, and creeping. The fhoots are numerous from various parts, and they confift each of a large clufter of leaves, fupported together on a fliort, firm ftalk. Thefe are fmall, oval, of a beautiful green, and finely ferrated at the edges. Among thefe rife the ftaiks, which are minute, flendcr, and have no leaves. On their tops ftand little clufters of flowers, four or five on each, which are large in proportion to the plant. The feed-vefTcls are fmall and heartfalhioned. It is common in the Pyrenean mo untains, and flowers in fpring. C. Bauhine calls It Vermica Alpina hellidis folio. GENUS XXVIIL BROOKLIME. BECABUNGA. THE flowers confift each of a fingle petal, tubular at the lower part, and divided into four feg- ments at the rim, and they ftand in long fpikes rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, not on the tops of the ftaiks : the feed-veflTel is heart-falhioned. The ftaiks are thick and flefhy, and the Jeave:^ ftand in pairs. LinnEEUs places this among his diandria monogynia; but he takes away its determinate and diftintft name, making it a fpecies of veronica. The flowers and feed-vefi'els indeed agree with thofe of veronica % But as it is ufeful to diftinguifli the plants from one another ; and nature has given fuflicient charailers in the reft of the herb, we ftiould therefore feek them there. The determinations of this author, who is at prefent with many the oracle of botany, are not to be confidered as fo abfolute, with refpeft to joining and feparating the genera of plants, as fome ima- gine. He frequently changes his own opinions ; and to know what he has determined at prefent his laft works muft be feen. Thus, in the laft fpecies but one of the fpeedwells', Micheli had feparated it from the reft, and taken away its name veronica^ making it a diftinfl genus, under that of bonarota. Linnasus, in his Genera Plantarumy followed this divifion, eftablifhed the plant as 2 fepa- rate genus; and, again changing the name, called it paderota : but in his laft publiflied work he has again changed his opinion, and, deftroying that new and idly founded genus, makes it a fpecies of vc' ronica. We give this as an inftance, that the genera eftablifhed by LinnEEUs are not fo irrevocable as fome of his fervile followers think j and as an excufe for our fometimes departing from them, for the fake of utility. There are but three known fpecies of hrooklime^ and they are all natives of this country. I. Common The BRITISH FIERBAL. 95 1, Common Brcoklime. Becahirtga vulgaris. The rooc is long, flender, and creeping: it runs among the mud, and fends out duflers of fibres in many parts. The fiioots that firft rife from it arc weak and fiendcr: they often take root again as they lie upon the wet bottom. The ftalks are round, thick, flefiiy, of a pale green, and ten inches high. The leaves Hand in pairs, and have no foot- ftalk : they are broad, fhort, and lightly dcnt- ated at the edges. The fiowers are fmall, but very numerous, and of a beautiful blue: they fland in long fpikes which grow from the bofoms of the leaves ; the top of the ftalk being always terminated by a duller of young leaves, not by a fpike of flowers. The fced-veffel is fmall and heart-fafliioned: the feed minute and brown. It is frequent in fiiallow waters, and fiowers in June. C. Bauhine calls \t Anagallis aqiiatica folio fubro- tuttdo. He divides it into two fpecies, under the name of a greater and lefTer; but thefe are only accidental varieties. Others call it Veronica aquatica. 1. Long-leaved Brcoklime, Becabun^a lorigifolia. The root is long, thick, and furnifhed with many fibres. The ftalk is round, very thick and flefhy, up- right, much branched, and a foot and half high. The leaves ftand in pairs : they are long, nar- row, and fcitdLcJ . Llicy have no footftalks, and are of a pale green. The flowers are fmall, and of a pale purple : they are very numerous, and ftand in long fpikes both on the main-ftalk and the branches. The feed-veflel is hcart-fafhioned, and the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is common in fliallow waters, and about the fides of ditches and rivers. It flowers from May to September. C. Bauhine calls it Anagallis aqmlica minor folio oblongo. Ray, Veronica nquatica hngifolia media, Parkinfon defcribes and figures it under the name ol the Lefftr water par/nip. 3. Narrow-leaved Brookiime, Becahunga angufiifolia. The root confifts of a few long, flender fibres. The ftalk is round, thick, flefhy, and ten inches high, very little branched, and of a pale green. The leaves ftand in pairs ; tiiey are long, nar- row, and not at all fcrrated, (harp-pointed of a deep green, and without footftalks. The flowers are few in number, of a pale purple, often vsliite : they ftand on long, flender footftalks, and quickly fade. The feed veflel is heart-falhioned, broad, and flat. It is not uncommon in watery places about woods. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it /InagaUt! a^uatka angufii- folia fcMelUta. J. Bauhine, Anagallis atigufiifolia. Thefe three fpecies have the fame virtues-, but the firft or common brooklime is pofieircd of thera in fo much greater a degree, that i: ought only to be ufed. It is an excellent antifcorbutick. Its juice, ta- ken in fpring, is one of the firft of that clafs wc ufually call fwcetcners of the blood. It may bs given either alone or mixed with the juice of water-crefs and of Seville orange. An infufion of the whole plant is an excellent diuretick. It alfo promotes the menfes ; and is good in the jaundice, and dropfies. A frelb and tender leaf of brooklime laid on a flight wound heals it without any other appli- cation. It is an old praftice to mix brooklime leaves and cobwebs for this purpofe; but the brooklime doci alone. A large quantity of this herb put into beer, while brewing, gives it the virtues of an anti- fcorbutick and fweetener of the blood in a very happy manner. A pukice of it, boiled tender, is exsellent in the piles. SERIES II. FOREIGN GENERA. GENUS I. TOBACCO. N 1 C O r I A N A. THE flower confifts of a fingle petal, which is tubular, divided into five fegments, and dif- tingmflied by five folds at the rim: the feedveflel is a fingle capfule,' of an oval figure, marked with a line on each fide : the cup is divided into five fegments, and remains with the fruit. Lninseus places this among the penta„dria momgynia ; the threads in each flower being five, and the ftyle nfing from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. * I. Broad- 06 The BRITISH HERBAL. 1. Broad-leaved Tobacco. Nicotiana latijolia. The root is long, thick, divided into many parts, and furnifhed with fibres, The Ilalk is round, thick, firm, ereil, divided into a few branches, and fix feet high. The leaves are very large, long, and broad : they have no pedicles, but furround the ftalk in great part at their bafc, and are of a deep green, and divided at the edges: they iland irre- gularly, and are very numerous. The flowers grow on flender and long foot- flalks at the tops of the branches and of the main- ftalk : they are very large, and of a beautiful red : they are long, tubular, and narrow at the bottom. The feed-vefTel is large, and the feeds are nu- merous. It is a native of America. The European? became acquainted with it about two hundred years fince ; and from that time the demand has been fo great for the dryed leaves that it is one of the principal articles of the traffick of chat part of the world. C. Bauhine calls it Nicotiana major latifolia. Others, fimply, Nicotiana or Pelmn and Ta- bacum. 1. Narrow-leaved Tobacco. Nicotiana angujlifolia. The root is long, thick, divided Into many parts, and furnifhed with numerous fibres. The ftalk is round, firm, ereft, and four feet high, very little branched, and fomewhat hairy. The leaves ftand alternately, and have no foot- ftaik, but in part cnclofc the flalk at the bafc they arc very long and narrow : they are undi- vided at the edge, and fharp pointed. The flowers are fmaller than thofe of the former, but in themfelves confiderably large : they are of a faint red, long, tubular, and di- vided at the edge. The feed-vefl^el is large, and the feeds are nu- merous. It is a native of America, as the other, and flowers, with it, in June and July. C. Bauhine calls it Nicotiana major angujlifolia. 3- Short leaved Tobacco. Nicot 'iand foi:o l^reii. The root is long, thick, divided into many parts, and furnifhed with numeroLis fibres. The ftalk is round, thick, hairy, and three feet high. The leaves ftand irregularly, and are broader and lliorter than thofe of the common kind, and more hairy : they do not enclofe the flalk at the bafe, as thofe do, but ftand on pedicles, which are alfo hairy. The flowers ftand upon long, flcndtr footftalks at the top of the ftalk and branches, and they are fmall, and of a greenifh colour, with a tinge of yellow. The feed-vefiel is large, and the feeds are nu- merous. It is a native of South America, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Nicotiana minor. 4. Dwarf Tobacco. Nicotiana minima. The root is long, flender, firnple, and fur- niflied but with ftw fibres. The leaves are numerous, oblong, broad, and placed on long footftalks. They are pointed at the end, and not at all ferrated at the edges, of a flcfliy fubftance, and of a duflcy green. The flowers are fmall, but of a beautiful red ; they ftand on flender ftiort footftalks rlfing from the bofoms of the leaves. The feed-veflel is larg*;, and the feeds arc nu- merous. It is a native of Snurli Amprira, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Nicotiana minima. All thefe fpecies have the fame virtues, but the firft kind has them in the greateft degree. Jt is a rough and violent emetic taken internally. The frefh leaves are greatly recommended againft pain. The ufe of them, dried in form of tobacco for fmoaking, and fnuff^ for taking up the noftrils, is grown univeifal. It might cither way be of great fervice as a medicine when required i but the fre- quent taking of it in wantonnefs is unhealthful. GENUS 11. THORNAPPLE. ^ T R A M 0 N 1 V M. THE flower conflfts of a Angle petal, tubular, deep, and folded in five parts at the rim : the feed-vefl"el is of an oval figure, and contains two cells : the cup Is obioiig, tubular, bellied ; marked with five ribs, and divided Into five fcgments. LInnEus places this among his pntandria momgynia ; the threads in each flower being five, aixl the ftyie rifing from the rudiment of the fruit fino-le. He has, however, taken away the common received name Jlramonium., and calls the genus datura. 1. Common Thornapple. Stramonium vidgaye. ■ The root is long, large, divided into fevcrai parts, and furnifhed with many fibres. The ftalk is thick, firm, upright, of a pale green, and two foot and a half high. The leaves are large, broad, beautifully in- dented, and placed on firm footftalks : they arc of a lively green, fliarp-pointed, and broadeft toward The BRITISH HERBAL. toward the bafc : they Hand iregularly, and are of a firm texture. The flowers grow at the divifions of 'the branches, and are very large, and of a fnow white, long, tubular, and hoiiow. The feed-veffel is of an oval figure, and of the bignefs of a walnut: it is covered vvith fliort, fharp prickles. The feeds are large and brown. Many infet'-ls are fond of the fleOiy part of this feed-veflel j fo that, when it has hung fome time on the plant, it is not uncommon to ftc it eaten away between the folid parts, which then re- maining entire, bleach in the air, and fhew its (keleton. It is a native of the fouthern parts of America, and flowers in Auguft. ■ C. Bauhint: calls it i'f/iJHKffi fativumfru^u fpi- nofo obtongo fiorc albo. Others, Stramomum, and Datura fnicfu ovato. 1. Round Thornapplc. StraniQuiiim fruSlu rohindo. The root is long, thick, divided, and fpread- ing. The ftalk is round, firm, thick, and two feet high. Tiic leaves are numerous, and of a flrong green. They ftand irregularly, and are of a heart-like figure, only not indented : they are broadell: at the bafe, and all the way fmaller to the point, and they have long footftalks: they are fome- what waved, but not indented at the edges. 1 he flowers rife from the bofoms of the leaves and at the infertions of the branches, and they are large, long, hollow, and white. The fruit is round, prickly, and of the bignefs of a chcfnut. It is a native of Africa and Afia, and flowers in July. C. Bauhi,nc c:A\^\x. Solanum frutlu -paToo fpinofo rotundo longo fiore. Others, Metel, 97 3, Small-fruited Thornapple. Stramonium fruUu mimre. The root is large, divided, and fpreading. The flalks are numerous, woody, firm, and four yards high : they are irregular in thtir growth, and very much branched. The leaves ftand on long footftalks, and are of a beautiful green : they are oblong, and very deeply divided into a kind of broad, Iharp- pointed fegments. The flowers are numerous, large, and beauti- ful : they rife from the (talks near the inftrtions of the leaves, and have fhort pedicles : they are pi,irplifh on the outfide, white as fnow within, and divided at the edge into fegments, which ter- minate in a kind of tails. The fruit is round, and of the bignefs of a cobnut : it is fometimes covered with flight, fofc prickles, and fometimes only rough on the fur- facc. The flower alfo is frequently double. It is a native of Egypt and fame parts ot the eaft-, and flowers in Autumn. C. Bauhine calls it Solamm fivt'idum ; fru5lu fpinofo rotundo fcmine palUdo. The leaves have an ill fmell j bnt the flowers are fweet. Alpinus calls it Datura contrarma. Others, Datura, the name Linnsus gives the genus. The feeds of the common thornapple, taken in- wardly, difl:urb the brain, and bring on a kind of niadnefs. Externally ufed, when frcHi gathered and bruifed, they are extolled greatly for the cure of the h'-rpes. An ointment of the leaves is alfo coolins;. The root, dryed and powdered, may be given as an opiate : five or fix grains for a dofe. It alleviates pain, and procures rcfl:. The virtues of the plant are the fame with thofe of opium, but it has them in a more vio- lent and unmanageable degree. GENUS III. MOUNTAIN SANICLE. CO R r V S J. fyiHE flower confifts of a fingle petal, tubular a little way at the bottom, and divided into five fegments at the edge : the fruit is a fingle capfule, of an oblong, oval figure, pointed, and furrowed : the cup is very fmall, but dividexi into five open fegments, and remains with the feed-veffel. Linnsus places this among the pcntmdria monogynia ; the threads in the centre of the flower being five, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the capfule fimple. ^ They are of a d.!rl; green on the upper and under fide, and of an acrid tafte. Among thefe rife feveral flalks, which are round, flendcr, redifli, naked, and fix inches high: they are ufually redifh toward the bot" torn, and pale at the top. The flowers are moderately large, and of a beautiful flrong red: they grow in a tuft at the top of the flalk, in the manner of the auricula C c or Corlufa alpina. The root is compofed of numerous long and flcnder fibres. The leaves rife in a thick duller : they are fupported on long footftalks, and are broad, roundidi, and deeply divided inro fegments, which are again ferrated at their edges. 9« FHE BRITISH HERBAL. or cowflip, ten or twelve together, on flender, long footftalks, rifiiig from the fame point at the top of the main ftalk. The feed-vcfi*ei is oblong, and furrowed length- wifci and the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is a native of Germany, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Sanicula montana latiJoUa 'adnata. The common writers, Ciirtufa, and Cortufamalhioli. Clufius, Suniucla alpina. It is one of the famous wound-herbs of the Germans ; but its virtues are not eftablifhed by any known experience. GENUS IV. BEARS EAR. AURICULA. THE flower cnnfifts of a fingle petal, tubular in the lower part, and divided into five broad fegments: the feed-veflel is fingle and oblong, and the cup is very fhort, and divided into five fegments : the 'eaves are fiefhy. Linnsus places this among the pentandris. momgynia^ the threads in the flower being five, and the rudiment of the capfule and its ftyle fingle : but he denies it to be a particular genus. He confiders it as a fpecies of cowflip. But from that genus it palpably differs in the Ihortnefs of the cup, and the fiefhy fubfl:ance of the leaves. He thus takes away its ufual and received name auricula ; a name we have introduced into our own language, though we in general pronounce it ill : the proper name of this plant ^ears ear being negleded. Our gardeners prefcrve the word auricula j but they fpeak it riculas. 1. Common yellow Auricula. Auricula vulgarh lutea. The root is compofed of a great many thick fibres, which fpread every way, and penetrate deep. The leaves rife in a little clufler fix or eight together. They are broad, oblong, of a whitifli colour, jighrly ferrated at the edges, and of a thick, flelhy fubflance. The flalk is round, thick, four or five inches high, and naked. The flowers are large, open, and beautiful : they ftand in a little clufler at the top of the fl:alk, each having its own feparate footflalic. Their colour is yellow; but in this there is great variety. In nature it is of all the degrees of yel- low, from the decpefl; to the paleft, and to abfo- lute white ; and culture introduces variegations of many more kinds. It is a native of Switzerland, and other of the northern parts of Europe, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Sajiicula Alpina lutea. J. Bauhine, Auricula urfi flore iuteo. Many of the auriculas defcribed as diftlnfl fpe- cies by authors, are no other than varieties of this plant rifing from culture : but Linnfcus is rafh in making all thofe we fee of that kind. There are three diftirnfl and original fpecies of this genus ; from thefe three, culture has raifed all that amazing and beautilul variety we fee in gardens; but not from this one. 2. Narrow-leaved red Auricula. Auricula avguJlifGlia Jlore ruhente. The root is compofed of numerous, long, and flender fibres. The leaves rife in a fmall tuft ten or twelve to- gether, and have no footfl:alks; they are long, narrow, of a deep green, more or lels covered with a greyifh dufV, fharp-pointcd, and ferrated at the edges. The ftaik is three inches high, thick, naked, round, and of a pale colour. The flowers ftand in a clufl:er at the top, and are large, and of a bright red: each has its fepa- rate long footftalk, and they fland very up- right. The feed-vefl"el is oblong, and the feed mi- nute. It is a native of the Apennines. I have fpeci- mens of it collected in its wild Itate there, which ftiew it a perfectly difl:in6i: fpecies ; as is alfo the next to be defcribed. There is no judging by what one fees in gardens, where the accidents occafioning varieties are endlefs ; but in thefe col- leifled wild there is no error. C. Bauhine calls this Sanicula Alpina anguftifo- lia. J. Bauhine, Auricula urfi angufiifolia colors ruhente. Wc, Red. auricula. 3. Round-leaved red Auricula. Auricula foliis fubrotundis Jlore rubente. The root confifl:s of a fmall head, and a great multitude of fibres. The leaves are numerous and ere(51: : they ftand on a kind of footftalks ; but thofe rite rather a continuation of the bafe of the leaf, than any thing regularly demanding that name : they are fhort, broad, roundifh, and of a pale green : they are obtufe, and fliarply ferrated, and of a thick, flefliy fubfl:ance. The ftalk rites in the centre, and is thick, firm, upright, naked, and about four inches high. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful red : they ftand in a tuft at the top of the ftalk, each having its feparate and proper footftalk. The feed veftel is oblong, and the feed is fmall. It The BRITISH HERBAL. 99 Ic is a mtive of Germany and Switzerland, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Samcula Jlpi?ia rotundifolia. 4. I.ong-Ieavcd Auricula. Auricula foliis oblongis integerrimis. The root is a bunch of thick fibres, rifing from a fmal! oblong head. The leaves are numerous, and they rife in a thick clufler : they arc long, narrow, fharp- pointed, and undivided at the edges : they have no footftalks : their colour is a bright glofly green on the upper fide, and paler underneath. The ftalk rifes in the centre of the tuft, and is four inches high. The flowers grow in a fn:iall tuft at the top often there are but two or three, rarely more than five : they are large, and irregularly diviLled into fegments, which are deeply cut in, and pointed in the divifions : the cup is tubulous and ob- tufe. It is a native of Switzerland, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Sanicula Alpina rubrfccns fo- lio non ferrato. Others, Auricula longifolia. 5. Dwarf Auricula. Auricula pumila. The root is long, flcnder, and furnifhed with numerous fibres. The leaves rife in a clufter, and are very fmall : they have no footftalks, and they are of a very fingular fhape, narroweft at the bottom, broadeft at the top, and there deeply indented : the outer leaves of thefe little cluilers are fmalleft, and the inner ones longeit and largeft, and of the frefiieif green. The flalks rife among thefe ; and are round, ilendcr, fhort, and very minute, like the reft of the plant. T'hc flowers are large, and very beautiful : they are of a fnow-white fometimcs, and fome- times they have a blufh of redith. One com- monly (lands on each ft^lk. The feed-vefiel is oblong, and the feeds are very minute. It is a native of Germany, and flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Sanicula Alpina mimma car- nea. Others, Auricula urfi minima. GENUS V« NAVELWORT. ANDROSACE. THE flower confifts of a fingle petal, which is tubular, and of an oval form in the lower part^ and is divided into five fegments at the edge. The feed-vcffcl is a fmgle, round capfule, having only one cell, and opening at the top : the cup is formed of one piece, pentangular, and divided into five fegments. Liniwu5 placfc.'; this among the pcntandria moiiogynia, the threads in the flower being five, and the ffyle from the rudiment of the capfule fingle. I. Great Navelwort. Androface major. The root is long, flender, and has few fibres. The leaves rife in a thick tuft ; and arc large, oblong, and fharply ferrated : they" have no foot- ftalks; they are of a pale green; and they are ribbed lengthwife, in the manner of plantain leaves. In the centre of this tuft rife the ftalks : they are numerous, weak, flender, naked, and about feven inches high : commonly of a pale green, but often purpliih. The flowers are fm.dl and white : they (land at the tops of the ftalks in little tuffs, after the manner of thofe of the cowflip or auricula, eacli on its own long fdotftalk. The feed-vefiTels follow, and are round and large. At the top of the ftalk, where the flower-flalks rife, there is a fmall clufter of little leaves, which may be called a general cup. It is common in the corn-fields of Germany, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Aljtne oficiis androface diSla' major. Others, Androface Matbioli 'major. 2. Hairy Navelwort. Androface villofa. The root is long, flender, tough, divided in- to many parts, and covered with a blackifli bark. The leaves rife in round tufts : they are nume- rous, very fmall, and. oblong,: they have no footftalks : their colour is a pale green, and they are very hairy. The ftalks rife in the centre of thefe tufts of leaves, one ufually from each : they are fmall, flen- der, hairy, weak, and about three inches high. There are no leaves on thefe, except a few at the top, which lorm a kind of general cup for the flowers. From the fummitof the fl:alk, where the leaves grow, rife alfo ten or a dozen fiiort pedicles, each fupporting a fingle flower : thefe are large for the bignefs of the plant ; and are either white, or of a beautiful pale red. The feed-veflel is large and round. It is a native of the Pyrensan mountains, and flowers in fpring. Authors have not well known where to place it, C. Bauhine calls it Sedum Alpinuni hirfutum lac- tcoflore. J. Bauhine, Cb amej a fme Alpina. Others, Sedum Alpinum villofum. ^ 3. Narrow- lOO The BRITISH HERBAL. 3. Narrow-leaved Navdwort. Aiidroface migiijlifo'ia. The root is fniall, long, divided, and furnidied with a few fibres. The leaves are long and narrow : they rife in clufters, feveral from one root ; fo that the firfl: appearance of the plant is a complicated tuft : they are of a pale green, fmooth on the furfacc, and undivided at the edges. The (talks rife from the centre of thefc tufts, and are weak, (lender, and naked ; except that they have fometimes a little membrane, fometimes two or more, juft where the footftalk of the flower fprings. The flower is large and white ; fometimes there is one grows on a fl:alk, fometimes there are more. The feed-vefl'cl is large and round, and the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is a native of the mountainous parts of Au- ftria, and flowers in fpring. C. Bauhinc calls it Sduin Alphittin gramilieo fo- lio laUco ficrc. 4. Sharp leaved Navelwort. Jndrofaa foliis acuminalis. The root is long, (lender, fibrous, and black. The leaves rife in little clu(l:ers, and fprcad themfelves in a round form ; they are narrow, of a deep green, fmooth, and (harp pointed : they are broadcfl: at the bafe, where they adhere to the top of the root ; they thence grow fmaller to the point, and they have no footftalks : there rife fe- veral long fhoots among thefe clufters of leaves, that lie on the ground, and take root as they fpread ; and others that raife themfelves up- wards. The (talk that fupports the flowers is naked two or three inches high, and of a whitilh green. The flowers are large, and of a pale flefh colour: they are placed on fhort pedicles, eight or ten of which rife from the top of the (talk. The feed-velTel is round and large : the feeds are numerous, and fmall. It is a native of Switzerland, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it, Sedum alpnum angtiftiffum folio flore carmo. The virtues of thefe plants are unknown. N U VI. MOUNTAIN BINDWEED. SOLDANELLA MONTANA. rpHE flower confifts of a fingle petal, which is tubular at the bottom, and expanded and divided into five deep, narrow, and, as it were, ragged fegments at the edge. The feed-vefl-el is long and pointed, and the rup is divided into five fegments. LinnKUS places this among the pentandria monogyma ; the threads being five m each flower, and the ftvle from the rudiment of the capfule fingle. r x. , u The generality of authors have joined it with the common foldanetta; but it dilFcrs from that by obvious charaftcrs, and plainly is a plant of its own kind, and of a peculiar genus. ^ I have avoided the error of confounding it with the other, but have retained its antient name, that it mav be known at once here. r r 7j « . .u- i linnTus ftudvin- critical exaftnefs more than utility, gives the name of to this plant makin.; the other a fpecics of convolvulus ; and fuch it properly is. While its diftinfl name was other plant there could arife no error from that praftice ; but the ftudent will not find ,his herb the virtues recorded of : he is therefore to know this only with the addition of an epithet ; and is to undcrlland flill, that the fingle word foldamlla belongs to the other; not to this plant. , , r ■ Of this genus there is but one known fpecics. alone given to no Mountain Bindweed. Soldnnella. This is not the only plant called bindweed, which has not a winding ftalk ; the name was firft given to fome of the fpecies that had ; and afterwards continued to fuch as had not. The root of this is long and furni(hcd with many fibres : it runs obliquely under the furface, and fpreads greatly. The leaves rife in a large clufl:er, and Itand on long, redifh footftalks : they are fmall, roundifti, and fmooth. The ftalks rife among thefe, and are round, thick, eight inches high, and naked. The flowers grow at the tops in a kind of tuft, four, five, or more together : they have each its own feparate footftalk, and fpread out in the manner of cowflips. The feed-vcflels are large and long, and the feeds are fmall and brown. It is a native of the Pyrenxan mountains. Its virtues are not known. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS VII. SOWBREAD. CTCLAMEN. Tt-IE flower confifts of a finglc petal, formed into a rounded tube at the bottom, and at the rirn divided into live fegments that turn upwards: the fruit is a fingle fecd-velTel of a rounded form, in fome degree refembling a large berry, but opening into five parts at the top : the cup is rounded, and divided at the edge into five fegments. LinnjEus places this among the penlatidria vionogynia ; the threads in each flower being five, and the ftyle from tlie rudiment of the fruit fingle. Mr. Ray, who is not exempt from errors, places it among the herkv bulhofis cffines ; of which ■we fhall fpcak hereafter but the Howers and feed-veffel refer it properly to the prefent claf-. I. Ivy-leaved Sowbread. Cyclamen joliis heder^. The root is a large, black, irregularly fhaped lump, white within, and furnifhed with nume- rous fibres. The leaves rife in a confiderable number, and (land on long, weak footftalks. They are of an angulated form, not unlike fome leaves of ivy ; for in thofe there is great variety ; they are heart-fafhioned at the bafe, pointed at the end, and notched irregularly at the fides ; and often are fpotted. The flower is large, and of a beautiful deep -blue. It ftands on a tender, naked ftalk, about four or five inches in height, and has a very fingular afpe£t from the points running upwards. The feed-vcflTel is large, and ftands on a twifted pedicle; the upper part of the ftalk, when the fiower is fallen, turning in the manner of a cork fcrew. It is a native of Germany and other parts of Europe, and grows in the damp parts of forefts. It flowers in Augufl. C. Bauhine cails it Cyclamen heder.efolio. Lin- nxuR, Cyclamen corolla rctroflexa. This author allows only this fingle fpecies of the plant: but tliere are two others -, the round- leaved and the narrow flowered being abfolutely different. Culture makes innumerable varieties from thefe three fpecies, and the various kinds all rife from one or other of them; but net all from this one, as that author imagines. 2. Round-leaved Sow-bread. Cyclamen rotundifolium. The root is tuberous, large, and roundlfli ; black on the outfidc, white within, and fur- nifhed with fome long fibres. The leaves rife in little clufters from different parts of it, and are fupported by flender and weak footftalks : they are of a roundifh, or ra- ther oval figure ; broad at the bafe, where they are a little heart fafhioned, and narrower to the point: of a deep green, fpotted ufually with white, and purple underneath ; and not at all notched at the edges. The ftalks are numerous, weak, naked, redifli, and lour'inches high. The Rowers Hand fingly, one on each foot ftalk, and they are large, and of a beautiful red ; they have a plcafant fmell. The fegments of this flower are broader and fhortcr than in the ether fpecies, and fhew it to be elfentially difTcrent. The leed-vefl"cl is large and roundifh. It is frequent in the damp forefts of Switzer- land, and flowers in September. C. Bauhine calls it Cyclamen crbicuhuo folie in- ferne purpurafccnte. Others, Cyclamen rotundi* folium autumnale. 3. Slender-flowered Sowbread. Cyclamm fiorihuz angufiis. The root is large and tuberous, black on the furface, white within, and hung with many fibres. The leaves Hand on long, flender footftalks, and they are large and angulated : they are of a deep green on the upper fide, but freqL:e.iil/ diflinguifhed by white fpots and white edges, and red underneath. The ftalks which fupport the flowers are long, weak, and redifh: they are naked, and only one flower ftands on each. This is large, and of a beautiful pale red ; the fegments turn up as in the other kinds; but they are much narrower; and the flower, though equal in length, is vafl:ly flenderer than in either of them. The feed-vefi"el is fmaller than in the others, and round. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in fpring. C. Bauhine calls it Cyclamen foUo angtilofo. J. Bauhine, Cyclamm fiore rubra graciliore vernwn. The two other fpecies are properly autumnal ; they flower toward the end of fummer, at which time there are no leaves on the plant. When the flowers are faded the leaves appear, and re- main green all winter : they die off in May, and nothing is then feen till autumn. They all agree In virtues, being gently purga- tive. The root, dryed and powdered, is befl: for this purpofe ; and the dofr is five and twenty grains. It ia good in the jaundice and all obfl;ruftions of the vifcera. The frefh juice of the leaves is excellent againfl: inflammations of the eyes. It is alfo good in the piles. 10. Dd GENUS 102 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS VIII. AZALEA. AZALEA. THE llower confifts of a fingle petal, which is long, tubular, and divided into five fegments at the edge : the fruit is a fingle capfule, of a round iigure, containing five ccUs ; and the cup is f;nall, coloured, formed of one piece, and divided into five fegments. Linnsus places this among the pentamiria monagy?iia; each flower having five threads, and the flyle from the rudiment of the fruit being fingle. Authors have been perplexed where to put the feveral plants belonging to this genus : fomc have called them ciftus's ; but the difference is very obvious, as will be feen when we treat of cijius, that genus being of another clafs. I, Procumbent Azalea. Azalea procumhens. The root is long and fpreading, divided into many parts, and furnifhed with numerous fibres. The fhoots are numerous, and fpread every way upon the ground into a very large and thick tuft. The ftalks are woody, and covered with a dark coloured rind, tough, thin, and four or five inches long, fometimes much more. The leaves are very numerous and very fmall : they are of a dark green, and they ftand in pairs : they are oblong, (lender, and fharp-pointed. The flowers grow at the tops of the branches, two, three, or more together : they are large, and of a beautiful red. The feed-vefiel is large, and contains many feeds. It is a native of the mountains of Germany, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Chamacijlus fcrpyllifoUa fio- rihus cocci-neis . Others, Cyfttis ferpyllifGlia : buttlie leaves are narrower than to be properly expreflTed by that name. 2. Clammy Azalea^. ; Azalea vifcofa. The root is. woody and fpreading. The flioots are numerous and tough, woody, and covered with a grey rind. The leaves are frequent, of a pale green, and pinnated : each conflfl:s of three or more pairs of large, oval pinn^E, with an odd leaf much larger than either at the end : they are hairy and noc ferrated. The flowers (land in little clufl:ers at the tops of the branches, eight or ten together : they are long, flender, and very beautiful, and have a fragrant fmel! : they are hairy on the outfide, and clammy to the touch. The feed-velTcI is fmall, but contains numerous feeds. It is a native of Virginia, where it is common in the woods, Plukenet calls it Cijlus Virginiajia fiore et odort pcriclymem. Thefe plants have no known virtues. GENUS IX. L E A D W O R T. PLUMBAGO. ^TpHE flower confifts of a fingle petal, which is tubular in the lower part, narrower toward the neck than near the bottom, and divided into five fegments at the edge. The fruit is a fingle capfule, of a rade and imperfedt form, containing only one feed: the cup is formed of one piece, and is pentangular, rough on the furface, and divided into five fegments at the rim. L-innjEus places this among the pentandria monogy?tia-t the flower having five threads, and the fi:yle from the rudiment of the capfule being fingle. I. Common L>eadwort. Plumbago 'vulgaris. The root is long, large, and furniflicd with many fibres. The firft leaves rife in a thick, fmall tuft, and are of a deep green, broad, fofnewhat oval in fhape, and without footftalks. The ftalks rife in the centre of the tuft, and are round, firm, upright, very much branched, and two feet high: they are ufuaily of a deep purplifli .colour, often blackifli. The leaves ftand irregularly on them, and re- fembie thofc at the root ; they are oblong, broad, and oval toward the end, but with a narrow and longbafe: they have no footftalks, but enclufe the main ftalk at the bottom. From the bofom of every leaf rifes a branch, and on the tops of thefe ftand the flowers : they are numerous, moderately large, and purple : they are paler at firft:, and grow of a deeper colour as they open, and decline into a red as they fade, Tile feed-vcfiel is a ihin fiiin, or little more, cnclofing The BRITISH HERBAL. 103 cnclufing a fingle feed of" the bignefs of a corn of wheat. It is a native of Italy, and Howera in July. C- Bauliine calls it Lepidium denliliaria di£lum: C'chcrs, Plumbago FUnh. 1. Heart-leaved Leadwort. Plwnbago foliis ccrdatis. The root confifts of a number of thick fibres, brown, tough, and hot to the tafte; filling the mouth with water when chewed, in the manner of pyrethrum. . The firfl: leaves arc large, and of a deep green, they rife eight or ten together : they have Jong footftalks, and are oblong and broad, not dentaced at the edge, heart-fafiiioned at the bafe, and pointed. The llalk is round, firm, upright, and two foot high. The leaves fland irregularly on it, and re- femble thofe from the root: the lower ones have confidcrable footftalks ; thofe on the upper part of the ftalk and branches have none. The flowers are very beautiful, large, and fnow white. Their cup is hairy : the fruit is long and rough. It is a native of Ceylon, but grows freely la our gardens. Commelin calls it Lychnis Indica fpkata ocy- mqftnfolio.tjru£iibusoblongis iappaceis^ radke urente. G E N U S X. L Y C H N I D E A. L T C H N I B E A. rpHE^ flower confilh of a fingle petal ; the lower part is tubular, long, and bent ; and the rim is "■^ divided into five broad fegments : the fruit is a fingle capfule, of an oval figure, but with three ridges, and contains three cells : the cup is formed of a fingle piece, marked with ten ridges, and divided into five fegments. We have yet no Englifii name for this genus. Linnaius places it among the the threads in each flower being five, and the flyle from the rudiment of the capfule fingle. This author takes away the received name of the genus, and calls it phlox : we pr^ferve that by which it is beft known. I, Narrow-leaved hairy Lychnidea. Lychriidea anguJlifoUa viliofa. The root is long, flcnder and creeping. The firft leaves rife in a very thick tuft: they are long, narrow, and of a duflcy green : they have no footftalks, and are a fittle hairy. The ftalks rife in the centre, and they are round, firm, numerous, and a foot high : they are very httle branched, and are of a brown co- lour, and a little hairy. " The leaves ftand in pairs, and have no foot- ftalks: they are long, narrow, and fharp-pointed, hairy, not at all divided at the edges, and of a beautiful green. The flowers ftand in a tuft at the top of the ftalks, and are large, nnd of a pale red, fome- times of a deeper, and Ibmctinies white: the cups are woolly. The feed veflel is large, and the feeds are nu- racrous. It is frequent in Virginia, and flowers in July. Hay calls it Lychiioides marilandica calyculis lanugimfa foliis an^iifiis acutis. Plukenet, Lych- nidea umhellifera blatlarics accedeas Virginiana major repois pfend^mchjithii foliis pilofis flore pentapeta- loide fjhilofo. 2. Small-leaved Lychnidea. Lychnidea foliis parvis. The root is long, flender, and full of fibres. The fhoots that firft* fprout from it lie upon tlie ground, and take root in numerous places The ftalk is upright, round, firm, of a pale green, a little hairy, and about fix inches high. The leaves ftand in pairs upon it : they are very fmall, and not numerous : they are of a duiky green, and hairy, and generally droop; they are narrow, oblong, and have no footftalks. From the bofoms of thefe rife young ftioots, which have the fame kind of leaves on them, bur in a greater number; as have alfo thofe which, firft come up, and which trail on the ground. The flowers are large and very beautiful: they have each its feparate hairy footftalk and they generally rife oppofite to one another. The feed-vefiel is large, and the feeds are nu- merous. It is a native of Virginia. Plukenet calls it Lycbnide^e blatiarij: cccedcns Vi7'giniana minor repens^ hirfuiis camphorata foliis. Linnaeus, Phlox foliis fubulatis hirfutis^ floribus oppofitis. 3. Narrow-leaved fmooth Lychnidea. Lychnidea angufiifolia glabra. The root is long, flender, creeping, and full of fibres. The ftalk is round, tender, of a pale green^ branched, not at all hairy, and five inches high. The leaves are very numerous, and of a pale green : they ftand in pairs, and are extremely narrow ; but they are broadeft at the bafe where they adhere to the ftalk, and fmaller all the way to the point. The flowers are large, and ftand fingly at the 2 tops 104. The RITISH HERBAL. tops of the briinches : they arc of a beautiful fiefli colour-, fomecimes deeper, and fometimes white. The feed-vcird is fmall, and the feed minute. It is a native of Virginia, and flowers In June. Plukenet calls it I.ychnidea bhttarta: accedens J'irginiana cfmphoraia glabris foliis. GENUS xr. GUINEA PEPPER. CAPSICUM. divided into five pointed I thick, coloured, rind; and contains numerous feeds in 'JpHE flower confifls of a finglc petal, which is tubular at the bottom, ftfgments, and folded. The fruit is a large capfule, formed of ; two celh. The cup is formed of a Hngle piece, divided into five fegments, and rema'ns with the fruit. Linn.Tus places this among the pentandria monogynia -, the threads being five in every flower, and the fiyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingte. He calls this fruit a berry without any pulp. Its fliape and texture flievv tlie contrary. I. Common Guinea Pepper. Capfictm mdgare. The root is compofed of a great many thick and fpreading fibres. The italk is round, thick, ftriated, very much branched, and a foot and half high. The ieaves are numerous, and of a very beau- tiful green : they fl:and irregularly, and have long foorftalks. They are large : broadeflat the bafe, fmaller to the point, and not at all ferrated at the edges. The flowers are large and white : they fl:and in the divifions of the branches. The fruit is large, long, and green at firft, but when ripe, of a beautiful red. Its high colour and fmooth furfacc give it the appearance of po- liflied coral. It is a native of Africa and of South America; and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Piper indicum 'julgatijjlmnm- Others, Cc^pfiatm vufgare. 2. Small-fruited Guinea Pepper. Capficum fruuiu parvo. The root is compofed of a great number of long and thick fibres. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and a foot high, and is not much branched. The leaves are numerous, and Hand irregu- larly: they are large, and of a deep green : they ftand on long footllalks, and are broadefl: toward the middle, and terminate in a fliarp point. The flowers are fmall, and of a greenifii white ; they do not rifq fingly from the divifions of the branches, but in clufiers, three or four toge- ther, from the fides of the mainftalk, fiipported by a general pedicle, and each flower alfo by its own. The fruit is roundifli : it is not bigger than a cherry; and, when ripe, it is of the fame fine red colour and glofly furfacc with the common kind. It is a native of Africa, and flowers in June. The fruit is hot to the tafte, but not fo violently as that of the other. The fruit of the common kind is ufed in fauces : when dryed and powdered, it makes what we call Cayan pepper. That of the lad defcribsd fpecics is more eft-eemed in Africa than the other; hav- ing lefs acrimony and a better flavour. N U S R O E L L A. R 0 E L L A. XII. 'T'PIE flower confifls of a fingle petal, which is formed into a fiiort tube at the bottom, and divided into five broad f.-gments at the rim : the fruit is a fliort capfule, containing two cells, and crowned with the cup; which is of a fingle piece, divided into five pointed and dentated feg- mcnts. Linnasus places this among the penlandria monogyma the threads in each flower being five, and the rudiment of the fruit fingle. Others have called theie plants fpecies of campanula, but wrongly. Prickly Roella. Roella fplnofa. The root is long colour. fibrous, and of a brown 8 The ftalks are woody, numerous, fiender, firm, tolerably eredt, and eight or ten inches high •, fometimes they will grow confiderabiy larger. The leaves fiand irregularly, and are fmall, flender. The BRITISH HERBAL. fiender, and hairy : the whole afpe£t of them, at a diftance, is not unlike chac of feme of the kinds of . heath in their young fhoots ; but, when handled, they are prickly. The flowers are large and very beautiful : they ftand fingiy on the tops of the branches, and are of a pale purple, fometinries of a deep violet co- lour, and' fometimes almoft white. The feed-veiTel is very fhort, and the cup con- tinues on it enlarged. It is a native of Africa, and principally about the fea coaft. Commelin _cails it Campanula Afrkana fpinofa fiore "Jiolaceo. It virtues are not known. GENUS xiir,, . ' FLOWERINGREED. CANNACORUS. THE flower confifts of a fingle petal, and is divided into fix parts irregu'arly dilpofed ; the fruit is a fihgle c'apfule, which is large, rough, and contains three cells: the c-up is compofed of three leaves, which are fmall, coloured, and permanent. Linnseus places this genus among his ??;(??;fl?;<^r/i3 «;(?Hi?g"_)'/;/<^ ; there being only a fingle filament or thread in each flower, and the rudiment of the capfule being alfo fingle. He reduces the old name camiacsrus to a fliorter, calling it canna. Broad-leaved Flowering Reed. Cannacorus latifolitis. ■ The root'is t'ubercus, and of an irregulat fi- " gure, full of thick parts, and of long and large fibres. The firfl: leaves are very large, long, and broad; of a frelh and beautiful green, and placed on hollow footftalks ; they are pDinted at the tnd, and waved at the edges. ■ The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and three or four feet high, and is covered the grcatcft part of the way up, by the fcabbards of the leaves. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are, like thofe from the root, broad, large, of a frefh green, and fharp pointed. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful red ; long, and very fingular in their ftrudure : they are divided to the bafe, the fegments adhering to one another only there-, and thefe are irregu- lar in form, as well as difpofition : three of them ftand outward, and aYe ercd and fhorter ; the other three Hand inward, and are longer ; and of thefe, two are ereft and one is reflex. The feed-vefl"el is large,- and very rough on the furface ; and the feeds are large and few. It is a native of Afia and Africa, and of the warmer parts of America ; and flowers in June. ■ C. Bauhine calls it Amnio indica latifolia. O- thers, Cannacorus, and Canna. Its virtues are not known with certainty. TT may appear, to thofe ivho a?-e unacquainted with the praBlce of phyfick, that the virtues _ - -attributed to plants in this ivork are too few ; and the detail too Jliort on that head. To obviate this objeBioUt it will be proper once to obferve^ that the error of moft books •written on this JubjeB is afcribhig too much to mojl plants. Whoever Jljall turn over the writ- ings of Gerard a?jd Parkinfgn, in this view^ will fee that almojl every herb is faid to be a cure for almojl every difeafe ; and the fame Jault runs through moji others, in a greater or lejfer degree, Hence^ the young phyfician, unable to judge what he is to regard, and what negleBj has in a manner rejeSled all : becaufe too much has been wi'itten of the virtues of plajits, too little is be- lieved. From this, chemical medicines, made principally jrom minerals, have come fo generally ■into life, and. the galenical^ obtained moftly fromplants, have been and are fo much negleBed. To remedy this evil, the utmoji care has been taken, throughout the courfe of the prefent work, i& dijli?iguifj the real from the imagi^mry virtues of plants : the fonner have been carefully preferved; and thejatter rejeSled. For this reafo}t the catalogues of virtues will appear Jhorter in this than in other books of a like kind ; but, it is apprehe?ided, it will therefore be more ufefuL This is a point that has demanded the author's principal attention j and deferves that of every writer ?nore than any other part in a work on this fubjeB : the refl is amufe?ne?it, but in this the healths and lives of mankind are concerned. The E ND fif the F O U K r H CLASS. THE THE BRITISH HERBAL. C L A S S V. Plants whofe flower confifts of a single petal of an irregular form^ and whofe feeds are contained in a single capsule, Tins, like the preceding, is a clafs perfeftly and obvloufly diftingulfhed by nature from all others ; yet, Linnaeus, who has for fome years led the botanical ftudents according to his fancy, has difpofed the plantq of which it confift'; in various and very diftant parts of his works : fome of them are feparated from others by eleven intermediate clallcs, and by almofl: fix hundred genera. They all perfectly agree in thofe two cflential and obvious charaders, that the flower confifts of a fingle petal, and the feeds are enclofed in a fingle capfule. They differ from thofe of the laft clafs in that the flower is of an irregular form. As in thofe ic is plain and regular : in thefe it is, for the mofl part, of the labiated kind, or of a form nearly approaching to that ftrufture. Mr. Ray faw this difl:in6lion between the plants of the prefent, and thofe of the preceding clafs, but he has arranged them only under two divifionp of the fame clafs, making them eflentially agree: this is a praftice not liable to the cenfure of error ; though the keeping them diflind is much more ufeful. Though the flowers in the plants of this clafs agree, in a great meafure, with thofe of the labiated kind, yet the diftinftion is very great in the difpofition of the feeds : thefe in the labiated plants, properly fo called, rtand naked in the cup of the flower ; and in thofe of this genus they have a regular capfule. This is a fufficicnt diitinflion in nature ; yet, Linnaeus, who does not regard either the fhape of the flower or condition of the feeds as a claflical charafter, but builds that divifion upon the num- ber and difpofition of the filaments or threads in the flower, places the greater part of thefe plants in the fame clafs with the labiated kind ; as the linaria^ pedicularis, and the reft ; and makes their having a capfule for the feeds only a fubordinate difliindtion, as Mr. Ray does the peculiar fhape of the flower : others of them, as the pinguicula and lentibularia, he places among his diandria ; and t\\t gladiolus lacujtris^ feparately from all the reft, among his fyngenefia monogamia, I fave the Itudent the labour of turning to different parts of a work to feek for plants of the fame kind ; and fliall keep them together in his memory, by placing them together in the plates. The intent of this work is to render the ftudy of plants familiar. As none will be fuppofed to underftand the fcience, while the prefent fafhion lafts, who is not able to converfe upon it in the language of Linnxus, I (hall occafionally explain his terms : and as none has perplexed the ftudy fo much by a new method as this author, I fiiall teach the reader at once to underftand it, and negled it. SERIES The BRITISH HERBAL. SERIES 1. NATIVES OF BRITAIN. Thofe of which one or more fpecies are naturally wild in this country. GENUS I. BUTTERWORT. PINGUICULJ. THE flower con fills of a fingle petal, formed into two lips and a long fpur : the upper lip is divided into four fegments, tiie lower into two, and the fpur runs out behind: the cup re- fembles the divifions of the flower, and remains with the feed-vcITd : this is a Angle capfule, of an oval form, but compreffed at the top. Linnaeus places this among the dyandria momgynia^ the threads in the flower being two, and the rudiment of the feed-veffel and its filament or llyle angle. From this number of the threads he ^^Wzt% fingukula in the fame genus with th^jafmine, olive, and lilac, feparacing it from the pedicularis, becaufe that has four, two longer and two (hortzv, which, with the others, he therefore joins to other unlike plants. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I, Common Butterwort. Pingidcula vulgaris. The root confifts of numerous thick fibres, rifing from a longifh head, and fpreading irregu- larly under the furface. The leaves are numerous, and rife in a thick, dufler. They have no footftalks ; they are broadefl: at the bottom, undivided at the edge, and fliarp at the point : their colour is a pale yellowifli green, and they are of a flefliy fubftance. The ftalks rife in the centre, four or five to- gether. They are flender, naked, and undivided : each fupports afingic flower. This is large, and very beautiful: it refembles, in feme degree, a violet : its colour is a pale purple, pale red, or white; for there are ail thefe variations frequent, and it has a long fpur. The feed-veflel is large, oval, comprcfied at the end, and without any divifion within. The feeds are numerous and very fmall. ft is frequent in the north of England upon boggy ground, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Sanicula montana fiore cal- carl d&nato. Others, Psnguicula vulgm-is. 2. Lefier Butterwort. Pinguicidn minor. The root is compofed of a great clufter of fibres, which have no other head than the bafe of the leaves : they are very flender, black, long, and run perpendicularly. The leaves are numerous, oblong, and lie fpread upon the ground. They are narrow toward the bafe, broadeft pear the middle, and fmall again at the point : their colour is a pale green, and they have red veins : they are thin, and, as it were, naked. The fl:alks are flender, about three inches high, and quite fingle or undivided. One flower flands on the top of each, and this is fmall, and of a pale red, or white : the f,:ur in this is thicker and fliorter than in the common kind. The feed-veflTel is fmall, and the feeds are very minute, and of a duflcy colour. It is frequent in Cornwal and our other weftern counties on bogs ; clfewhere it is rare. It flowers in May. Merret calls it P///^i//fM/z2 r/iininia fiore alho\ that is, butterwort with a white flower ; but the more ufual colour is red. Ray calls it Pinguicuhi flore minore cameo. The common butterwort has confiderabh virtues both inwardly and outwardly ; but they are not much known out of the places where it grows, becaufe it can neither be well kept in our gardens nor brought frefli to our markets. The whole plant, bruifed with white wine, and the juice, exprefled, and taken thick as it comes from fqueczing, is a rough but ufeful medicine in dropfies. A fyrup made of the juice has the fame virtue, but in a milder degree. It is a good purge, and operates alfo by urine. The people of Yorkfliire make an ointment of the leaves and hogs-lard, with which they drefs chaps and injuries in their cows udders : this has led them to ufe it for hurts and fores upon them- felves ; and it ftands, upon experienced report,, as an excellent vulnerary. Thofe to whom we owe the knowledge of it thence called the plant 2'orkjhire fanicle. D I V 1- To8 The BRITISH H E R B A L. SIGN II. FOREIGN SPECIES. D I V I Butterwort with a fhort fpur. Pinguicula calcari breviffimo. The root confifts of numerous fibres, rifing from a fmall head : they are redifh, thick, and irregular, and fprcad under the furface. The leaves rife in a thick clufter, ten or twelve together. They are long, and have no footftalks : they are broadeft near the bafe, narrower at the point, and of a pale green colour and flefhy fubftance. The ftalks are flender, naked, and three inches high. The flowers ftand fingly, one on each, and they are fmaU and white, and have a very fhort fpur. The feed veffel is oval and large. It is frequent on the mountains in Germany, and flowers in June. Ray calls it Prnguicidn fiore alba mnore calcari breviffimo. G E N U S II. TOADFLAX. L I N J R I A. •-pHE flower confifts of a fingle petal, and has a labiated afpeS : it is formed into an oblong tube, with a fpur and a pair of lips, the fpace fhut between them. The upper lip is divided into two parts, and turned back at the fides : the lower lip is divided into three parts, and is obtufe ; and the piece which (huts up the fpace between the lips, and may be called the palate, is convex: this rifes from the lower lip. 1 he cup is formed of a fingle leaf divided into five fegments, and re- mains when the flower is fallen. The feed-veffel is roundilh, plain, and, when ripe, divided in a regular manner. Linnreus places this among his didynamia angioffermia ; feparating it eleven claffes from the pin- guiciila, to which it is fo evidently .allied. That plant, becaufe there arc only two threads in each flower, he places among the diandria. This has its rank with the didynamia ; becaufe it has in each flower four threads, two of which are lono-er, and two (horter : it comes under the diftinftion of migiofpmnia, becaufe its feeds arc contained in a capfule; thofe of the other divifion of that cl.,fs Handing naked in the cup. Linni;us does not allow linaria to conftitute a diftinft genus in this clafs ; but, taking away the antient and received name, he makes it a fpccies of antirrhinum, calling all the kinds of toadflax fpecies of fnapdragcn. Aiitirrhir.um and linaria agree, indeed, as plants of the fame clafs ; each having a flower confifting of a fingle petal ; each a capfule for the feeds, and each, to follow this moft ingenious author's more minute refearchcs, four threads ; two longer, and two fliorter. This brings them all into the fame clafs ; but there is diftinftion enough between them to keep them in feparate genera; and this is the more needful to be cbferved, becaufe the fpecies of each arc numerous, and the joining them all under one generical name would create difficulty, if it did not introduce confufion. The difference between toadflax and fnapdragan is this : the flower of toadflax has a long and (harp fpur, and the capfule of the feeds is plain, regular in fhape, and divides regularly when ripe ; on the 'contrary, the flower of fnafdragon has no fpur, and the ca^.fule is irregularly and Angularly conffruftcd at the bottom, and opens' unequally. This is a very fufiicient diftinilion of the genera ; Linnajus knew this, for he has mentioned it ; and if he had not, there would be no doubt of his having obferved it ; becaufe no author has ex- amined the ftrufture of flowers fo accurately, or underftood their feveral parts fo well. His faults are not thofe of omiflion : his misfortune, and that of the world, has been that, having formed a fyfliem, which did him credit by its novelty, he would not depart from it in favour of even his own obfervations. This author has not only thus joined the linaria and antirrhinum m one genus, but he comprehends under the fame charafter and name alfo, the cymbalaria and elatine; plants which we fliall fliew in the fucceeding genera to be fufficiently diftinft, and well entided to their feparate names. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Toadflax. , The firfl: leaves are fmall, flender, pointed, and of a yellowifh green : the ftalk foon grows up amongft ihefc, and they immediately fade. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and two foot high. It Linaria vulgaris. The root is long, flender, whitifli, hard, and furniflied with a few fibres. 5 The B R I T I S H HERBAL. It is of a pale bluilh green, ibmetimes fimple, and frequently divided into feveral branches. The leaves are numerous, and ftand irregu- larly : they are Ipng, narrow, undivided at the edges, and without footftalks. Their colour is a pale bluifli green. The flowers are large, numerouSj and beauti- ful : they fland in a kind of fpikes at the tops of the ftalks, and are in general of a very pale and very beautiful yellow, with a deeper, or orange yellow in fome parts. The feed-veffcl is large and round : the feeds are fmall and brown. It is common on dry banks, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Linaria vulgaris iutea Jlorc majors. Others, Linaria vulgaris. Our common people, from the mixture of a very pale and deep yellow, call it Butter and e^gs. 2. Blue, fweet Toadflax. Linaria carulea edorata. The root is long, (lender, hard, v/hitlfli, and furniflied with many fibres. The ftalks are numerous, and a foot and half high : they are round, (lender, upright, and rarely divided into branches, The leaves are very numerous, and they ftand thick and clofe upon the (talk : they are of a pale green, very narrow, and have no foot- llalks. The flowers ftand at the tops of the fl:alks, and are of a beautiful pale blue, and flriated. The feed-veflcls are large and rounded. It is found in Cornwai and Devonfhire ; and Rowers in July. C Bauhine calls it Linaria capillaceo folio ereSta^ jlore odoro. J. Bauhine, Linaria cdorala mons fejfiilana. ^•Short-I eaveLl Toadflax. Linaria foliis hrcvibiis. The root is long, (lender, woody, and divided, and is hung with a few fibres. The lirfl: leaves rife in a fmall tuft, and are oblong, fomev.hat broad, and of a pale grten : they have no footftallis, and when the ilaik rifes they quiclily fade away. The ftallc is round, upright, a foot and half high, feldom branched, though ufually there rife a few flioots from the bofoms of the leaves near the top. The leaves are numerous, and of the fliapc of thofe of the common toadjiax, but lliorter : they have no footllalks : their colour is a pale green : they are undivided at the edges, Iharp pointed, . and of a flefhy fubftance. The flowers ftand in a kind of fpikcs at the top of the ftalks and branches, and they are of a beautiful pale blue. The feed-veflels are large, and the feeds are fmall and brown. It is found in Surry and fome of the adjacent counties, in cornflelds, and barren paftures, and on walls: it flowers in July. Robinus calls it Linaria ofyris fare cinericeo ; but the flower is properly of a pale blue, not alh-coloured. N" II. 4. Small; red Toadflax. .Linaria farva rubefcciis. The root is fmall, woody, divided, and fpreading. The ftalks arc numerous, weak, round, up- right, and very much branched : they are eight inches high, and of a pale green. The leaves are numerous, and ftand irregu- larly : they are narrow, long, and of a dulky green. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ft.ilks; and fepararely on other parts of the plant, rifing from the bofoms of the leaves : they are fmall, and of a pale red. The fetd-veffel is round, and the feeds are fmall. It is common in our cornfields, and flowers in June. Ray calls it Linaria antirrhinum di£la'; diftin- guilhing it from the antirrhinums, with which others had joined if, from the fliape and ftruflure of the flower and feed-veflcl. C. Bauhine calls it Antirrhinum arvenfe minus. Others, Antirrhinum arvenfe minimum : this is the more improper, as we have wild alfo in our cornfields a fpecies of fnapd.'agon, properly fo called. The common toadflax is a plant poflefled of virtues too much negleftcd. It has its ufcs both inwardly and outwardly, and in both kinds very worthy of notice. The whole frcfli herb boiled in ale is a coun- try purge; it operates briflciy, and alfo promotes urine. The frefli herb bruifed, with fome white wine^ is a ftronger purge, and fometimes works alfo by vomit; An infufion of the whole herb, root and all, juft before it gets into flower, works very power, fully by urine. In either of thefe forms it is excellent againft dropfies : in the beginning of that difeafe the in- fufion is the faeft method of giving it ; when it is more advanced the country deccdion in ale is proper ■, and when the difeafe is violent, and the conilitution can bear it, the exprefled juice, in the manner we have namedj with white wine, is beft of all. The juice of the leaves is excellent againft in- flammations of the eyes. We owe this to Tra- gus, who reports it as confirmed from his own long experience; and trials fince made lliew it was true. The juice is alfo excellent for cieanfing old ulcers. A decoftion, or ftrong infufion of the tops, taken morning and evening, cures the jaundice. An ointment or pultice, made with the leaves of common toadflax, is excellent in the piles. The feveral other fpecies of toadflax, Englifli and foreign, poflels the fame virtues, though moft of them in a leflcr degree. The antirrhina of fome fpecies have very difterent qualities, a (ufiicient rcafon why they fliould be kept as na- ture has difpofed them, diiUnft, and under fe- parate names. Ff DIVI- I iO The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION IL FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Yellow, trifoliate Toadflax. Linaria irijoUata Jla-va. The root is long, flender, whicini, and f-Jf- niQied with numerous fibres. The ftalUs are Qender, upright, numerous, and a foot and half high : they are of a pale yel- lowiHi green, and ufually run up finglc, without any divifions into branches. The iL-aves are numerous, broad, iliort, of a dulliy. green, and they have no footualks. They grow irregularly, but mod frequently three from one place : from this it obtained the name of trifoliate toadjiax but tho' mofl of the leaves grow in this manner : there are frequently fome that fland in pairs, and commonly a good number that grow fingly toward the top of the ftaik. The flowers are large and beautiful: they are of a mixt yellow, and have long, i"harp fpurs. The feed-veffel is round, and the feed is bhckifli. It is a native of Spain, and flowers in July. C. Bauh'ine calls it Linaria triphyllos minor lu- Ha. Others, from Clufius, Linarea valentina. 2. Four-leaved Toadflax. Lin.'iTia quadr'ifoUa. The root is fitiali, long, whitlfh, and divided : it has many fibres, and partly by chem, partly by its own divifions, fpreads a great way under the fur face. The ftalks are numerous, flender, w-eak, and a foot long. They lie in partupon the ground, and in part raife themfelves, but feebly and in an irregular manner. The leaves are numerous, and placed with great regularity : four rife from tlie fame fpot all the way up the flalk, and thefe feveral fours are kept at p-retty large diftances. The leaves are feparately longiQi, narrow, un- divided at the edges, Iharp at the points, without ibotftaiks, and of a pale green. The flowers are large and of a pale yellow, nnd they ftand in clullers at the tops of the ftalks. The feed-veffel is large and rounded i and the feeds are finall and bla k. It is a native of Spain, Italy, and Germany, and fpreads at random over a great deal of their dry, barren grounds. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calh it Linaria quadrifolia lutea. Columna, Linaria tetraphylla luUa minar. We, Four-leaved toadflax. 3. l,ow, purple Toadnax. Linaria purpurea procumhe}is. The root is compofed of a multitude of thick, .irregular, white, and woody fibres: they rife from a fmall head, and fpread themfelves far un=. der the furface. The ftalks are very numt-rou.s twenty or more rif:ng from the fame head of the root : they are round, flender, weak, and of a pale colour: they lie fpread upon the ground about a third part of their length, and rife irregularly up the reft. The leaves are very fmall, and very numerous: they ftand thick, and pcrfedly irregularly upon the ftalks, and are ol" a bluifli green : they have no footftalks, and they arc undivided at the edges, narrow, aud pointed at the ends. The flowers ftand in long and thick fpikes at the tops of the ftalks and branches, and are of a deep purple : they are fmall, but very pretty fometimes they are paler and reder, fomerimes perfedlly blue ; but their moll conftant and natu- ral colour is purple. The feed-veffels are fmall, and the feeds are very fmall and black. It is a native of Spain and of fome parts of Germany ; and flowers in Auguft. It is moftly found on hills near fprings. C. Bauhine calls it Linaria c^ruka repens. O- thers, Linaria purpurea^ and Ofyris purpura c^- ridea npens. 4, Stellated Toad^ax. Stellalis fcliis fiellatis. The root is very flender, divided, and fur- niflied with fmall fibres. The ftalks are flender, weak, and of a pale green, fometimes redifli : they ftand but weakly I upright, and fcldom arc ftrait \ and there general- ly lie feveral others about the root, which fpread on the ground, and are fuller of leaves, though they bear no flowers. The leaves are iongifii, narrow, undivided at the edges, pointed at the ends, and of a pale alh coloured green : they grow round the ftalks, i.i the manner of thofe of the iL^llate plants, like the rowels of a fpur, or the rays of a ftar, as they are commonly reprefcnted. Inhere are ufually five principal leaves at a joint, and often fome fmall ones from their bo- foms. Toward the tops of the principal ftalks which bear the flowers they grow with lefs regularity, often fingly, and fometimes they are in this part irregularly divided. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks in long, thick fpikes : they are yellow, and like thofe of tliC common toadflax^ only fmaller. The feed- veflel is large and round, the feeds are fmall and brown. It is a native of Sicily, and flowers in July. Boccone calls it Linaria ficula mullicaulismollH.' ginis folio. Others, Linaria fclUs quinism or ^oad- fiax wit/j leaves five at a joint. 5. Purple-mouthed Toadflax. Linaria fiore abefcente riStu purpurea. The root i-. long, flender, white, hard, and hung with numerous fibres. The ftalks arc round, thick, firm, upright, but little branched, and two tect high. The leaves arc numerous, and ftand irregularly on theftalk; they are long and narrow, refembling that The BRITISH HERBAL. 1 1 r that of ihc corAnion toadflax, but fliarper at the point, and longer in proportion to their breadth: their colour is a freib gretn, and they have no footRalks. The flowers ftand in fpikes at the tops of the ftalks, and they are large and beautiful; they are whitifh, except the opening, which is of a beau- tiful purple. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Linaria pallida ri£lu purpu- no. Dillenius, and others, Linaria fiore albi- cants, 6. Indented-leaved Toadflax. Linaria fcUis denlatis. The root is long, and rurnifned with rr.ar.y fibres. The firft leaves are large \ they rife in a thick tuft, and they remain when the ftalk is rifcn^ which is the cafe of few others of the toadfiay. kind. They are long, broad, of a beautiful green, and have no footilalks: they are narrowcft at the bafe, broadefl toward the end, and indented at the edges. The llalk rifes in the centre cf thcfe, and is round, firm, upright, and a foot and half h'gh: it is of a pale green, and fomctimes branched. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are not fo numerous as on moft of the others : they are long and narrow, and they have no footftalks : thofe toward the bottom of the ftalk are like the radical leaves, but narrower and more deeply dented ; thofe higher up are much deeper divided, and toward the top of the ftalk they confift only of two fide-divifions and a long point. The flowers ftand in ilcnder fpikes at the tops of the branches; they arc fmall, and of a deeper or paler blue, ,ind often white. The feed-vellels are large and round. It is a native of Italy, and jlowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Linaria bellidis folio. O- thers, Linaria odorata, and Ofyris odorata ptirpti- rcay or Linaria odorata purpurea. 7. Little, blue Toadflax. Linaria pufilla crriilea. The root is fmall and flender, and has but few fibres. The firft leaves are pinnated, fmall, and beau- tiful : they are not very numerous : tliey ftand on long footftalks, and each confifts of about three pairs of pinna;, which are fmall, oval, and not at all indented. The ftalks are flender, ere£tj and fix or eighc inches high: they are not at all branched, and are of a pale yellowifli green. The leaves on them are few, and ftand alter- nately : they are long, narrow, ftiarp-pointed, not at all indented at the edges, and of a pale green : tliey have no footftalks, and they grow more pointing upwards than thofe of the gene- rality of the other fpecies. I'hc flowers ftand in Ipikes at the tops of the ftalks, and are large and blue. The fced-veflel is fmall and round ; and the feeds are large and blackifli. It is a native of the fouth of France, and flowers in May. Lobel calls it Linaria annua purpu,ro carukat Others, Linaria minor carulea. 8. EluG trifoliate To-adfiax, Linaria trifolia carulea. This is a very elegant little plant, and dlf^'e^- ent from the larger trifoliate kind, not only irt the colour of the flowers, but in the whole face and afpecf. The root is long, flender, crooked, hard, and hung with a few fibres. The ftalks are numerous, vve.ik, and about: eight or ten inches high. The leaves are broad and fliort on the lower part of the ftalk, and fomewhat longer and nar- rower upwards : they ftand by threes, and have no footftalks : their colour is a pale green, and they are not at all indented at the edges. The flowers ftand in thick, ftiort fpikes at the tops of the ftalks, and are fmall, and of a beau- tiful blue. The fecd-veficls are large and roundifli. The feeds are fmall and black. It is a native of Italy, and flowers early in fpring. C. Bauhine calls it Linaria tryphylla ca;rulea, Columna, Linaria ccer idea apulc. We, Blue tri^ foliate toadflax^ GENUS in, SNAPDRAGON, A N r I R R H I NU M. THE flower conflfls of a Angle petal, and has the labiated fliape : it Is formed into a tube, twd lips and a palate, and it has no fpur. The upper lip is divided into two parts, and turned back at the edges : the lower lip is divided into three parts ; and the palate is large, and fliuts up the fpace between the two lips. The cup is formed of a fingle leaf^ divided into five parts, and remains when the flower is fallen : the feed veflTel is a Angle capfule, of an irregular form, refembling in fome degree the head of a calf, whence the plant has an Englifli name, calfsfnoiU; and it opens obliquely when the feeds are ripe. Linnsus places this among his didynnmia angiofpmnia ; there being two longer and two Iborter threads in the flower-, and tiic Jceds being contained in a capfuie. He make^ this and the li/raria the fame genus, as before obferved ; but the diftiadlion, in the want of the fpur of the flower, and the peculiar fhapc of the feed-vcflel, is evident. Ic I I 2 THE BRITISH HERBAL. It is fingiilar, that a ftrufture and form in the capfule of this plant, which could' ftrike the com^ mon obferver fo ftrongly as to obtain a peculiar :namc, cxpreffing an imaginary refemblance of the head of an animal, fhould not have appeared to this curious and nice obferver of the moll minute differences, a mark fufficient for a generical diftinflion. . DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common, fmall Snapdragon. Antirrhinum vtdgare minus. The root is long, flender, white, crooked, hard, and turnifhed with a few fibres. The firft leaves are long and narrow: they rife in a fmall tuft, and have no footftalks : they are undivided at the edges, of a pale ycllowilh green, and quickly fade when the ftaik rifes. The ftalk is round, branched, eight or ten inches high, and of a pale green colour. The leaves ftand irregularly, and are not very numerous : they have no footrLftlks, and they are obiong, narrow, and of a pale green. The flowers rife from the bofoms of the leaves DIVISION II. I. Great purple Snapdragon. Antiyrhimm fwpureum mrjiis. The root confifts of a great tuft of fibres, rifing from a fmall head. The ftalks are numerous, round, fmooth, firm, upright, and two foot and a half high ; fome- times they are branched, fometimes fingle. The leaves are numerous and large : they are of a pale green, and are long and broad, not at all divided or indented at the edges, and of a fiefiiy, thick fubflance. The flowers grow in long, loofe fpikes at the tops of the (lalks and branches : they are very large, and of a beautiful red, fometimes white, and have the fpace between the two lips perfedly filled up by a prominent palate. The feed -veiTci is large, and the feeds are nu- merous and fmall. It is a native of the fouth of France. The flowers, in the wild fl:ate, vary in colour from the deepefl: purple to the palefl; fiefh colour, and even to white. J. Bauhine calls it Antirrhinum vulgare. C Bauhine, Antirrhinum majus aitertm folio lonpore. Others, Antirrhinum furpureim. 2. Great-flowered yellow Snapdragon, Antirrhinum fiore magna fiavo. The root is long and large, divided into many parts, and furniflied with a great quantity of fibres. The ftalks are numerous, round, thick, firm, upright, and a yard high ; fometimes branched, but more ufualiy fmgle. The leaves are large, of a pale green, and hairy : they are broader in proportion to their length than in the former fpecies, and have foot- ftalks. The flowers Hand at the top of the ftalk in 4 ail the way up the flalks : they are fmall, and of a mixed colour, part red, and part whitifh. The feed-veflTel is large ; and, to a fanciful imagination, may eafily be fuppofed to rcprefeni the head of a calf. It is common in cornfields, efpecially where the foil is poor and fandy : It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Antirrhinum arve?ife minus. It is the only fpecies of fnapdragon we have properly wild in England. We frequently fee the gre^J purple fnapdragon upon walls; but that is owing CO feeds flying up with the wind out of gardens : for it grows naturally in warmer climates. This fmall fnapdragon pofTeffes the virtues of toadflax, but in a very inferior degree. thick, fliorr fpike, and are very large, and of a beautiful yellow. The feed-veflii is large, and the feeds are fmall and round. It is a native of the fouth of Trance, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls It Antirrhinum lutco fiore. Camerariiis, Antirrhinum fiore luteo majori. Lin- nsEus fets this down only as a variety of the preceding fpecies ; but he errs in this. If the colour of the flower were the only diffe- rence, we fliould agree with him in making it no more than a variety, but the leaves di^er as much as the reft of the plant, and the ex- traordinary bigncfs of the flower is an ad- ditional circumftancc : this difference of fize would not be regarded in a flower, fingly as a mark of a different fpecies, any more than a va- riation in colour; but when other circumtlances efliablifli the diflinction thefe fupport it. 3. Variegated-flowered Snapdragon. Antirrhinum florihus variegatis. The root is fmall, crooked, and woody. The fl:alks are numerous, round, flender, and a foot and half high : they are feldom branched, and are of a pale whitifh green. The leaves fland irregularly, and have no foot- ftalks : they are long, narrow, fmooth, and of a pale green, not at all indented at the edge^, fharp- pointed, and more like the leaves of common toadflax than any of the fnapdragons. The flowers grow all the way up the ftalks, rifing from the bofoms of the leaves ; and they are placed on longifli, flender footftalks ; they are very beautifully coloured ; the body of the flower being of a fnow white, and the edges of a gold yellow. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in July. 7 Dillenius FOREIGN SPECIES. The BRITISH HERBAL. Dillenius calls it Jnlirrhiiium fore albo oris iutcis. All ihefe fnapdyagons agree in virtues witli our common wild kind, operating by ftool and urine ; but, the toadflax pofielTjng their virtues in a lliperior degree, they have not come into ufe any where in medicine. E N U IV. FLUELLIN. E L A T I N E. THE flower is fmall : it confifts of a fingle petal, and is of the Ubiated kind ; it is formed of a tube, with its fpur, two lips, and a palate between them. The cup is divided into five parts: the feed veffcl is roundilh ; and, when ripe, fpiits regularly : the (iaiks are weak and procumbent, and the leaves broad and hairy. This is one of the didjmmia angiofpcrmia of Linnsjus ; the flower having two longer and two lliorter threads, and the feeds being contained in a capfule. This autljor does not allow ekline to be a diftind genus, but confounds this and the li?iaria under one common name and charafter, with the antirrhinum. The difference between this plant and Umria, in flower and feed-veflil, -is much lefs than between the linm-ia and anthrbinum ; and, Mr. Ray, wholfeparates thofe genera, and gives the charaflers by which they are difliinguiflied, joins this to the linaria. However, as the cUllmvi fufficiently diftindt in its form and manner of growing, and has its proper and antient name, I hjVe kept it feparate. Ic has diftina virtues, as well as a particular appearance, and I fliall always, on .^xh occafions, when the flower or feed-vefi'cl do not fufliciently dilfinguiflr the plant, have recourfe to the ftalks, leayes, or other obvious and effentiil parts, for the fupporting the antient and ufeiul difliinaions. There are but two known (jxcies of this genus, and both are natives of Britain. I. Round leaved Fluellin. Elatinefdio fuhratmdo. The root is fmall, white, divided, and fur- niflied with numerous fibres. The lirll leaves are moderately large, and nearly round, only terminating jn a kind of point : they flrand on long, flender, hairy foot- ftalks, and are foft to the touch, and of a pale greyifh green. The fl:alks are numerous, flender, round, weak, and fix or eight inches long. They do not fland erect, but trail and hantr upon the ground. The leaves are fmall, and fupported on flender footfl:alks : they are of a pale green, and hairy. Thofe toward the . bottom of the ftalk are roundifli, and refemble thofe from the root: thofe toward the top are narrower, and oblong The flowers are fmall, and of a mixt yellowifli and d.irk purple colour : they refemble thofe of toadflax, and have a long fpur. The feed veiTel is fmall and roundifli, and the feeds are very minute and brown. We have it in cornfields, but it is not common. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Elatim folio fubrotundo. Ray, Linaria elaliiie dilla folio fnirotunio. We call it Female fluellin. 2. -Cornered-leaved fluellin. Elaline fdio^ acumimto. The root is finall and inconfidcrable. The firfl: leaves are numerous, final!, and placed on long footftalks : they are oblong, and fomewhat of an arrow-headed (hape, but that the corners do not bend backwards, but ftand flat or forward. The flalks arc numerous, very flender and weak, and confiderably branched : they are hairy, of a pale whitiflr' green, eight or ten inches long, and lie upon the ground. The leaves fland irregularly, and at confide- rable diftances : they are large, hairy, of a very pale green, and cornered toward the bafe. The flowers are fmall, and are of a mixt co- lour between yellowifli and a deep purple : they arc very pretty though fmall. It is common in our cornfields, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Elmine folib atuminrto in bafi aurictdato flore lulO), ' feay, Linitria elatine diSia folio acmmnatOi - • Fluellin is famous as a vutnerary. The juice of it cleanfes and heals old ulcers, and it has at all times bfen in eflsem as a good inward medicine for internal bruiles. The tops, beaten into a confervc, arc the bell way of taking it for this purpofc ; but at prefent they are not much ufed. ^ G E N U S V, CTMBALARIA. THE Bower confifls of a fingle petal, and is of the labiated kind: it Is formed into a tube, with a fpur behind ; two hps ; and a palate clofing the fp:ice between them. The feed veflel is finall and round. Gg The 114- The B R I T I S H H E R B A L. The ftalks are procumbent or hanging, and the leaves are cornered and linooth. Linnsus places this among his didynamia angiojpermia ; the fiower having four threads in it, two longer, and two fhortcr, and the feeds being contained in a capfule. He does not allow it to be a diftindt genus, but makes ic, as well as all the Ihiaria and elaline^ fpecies of antirrhinum or [nafdragon. The flower and feed-velTel of this genus agree with thofe of the linaria ; but the manner of growth and form of the leaves are perfedlly difbind : it has aifo an antient and received name, which I have therefore preferved, as there is fufficient diftinftion. If generical characters are to be taken folely from the flowers and feed-veflTels of plants, this is a fpecies of however different it be in the general form and afpect; but there arc no laws, eflablifhed on that head, on an inviolable authority : if the leaves and other parts of plants may, when there is occafion, be taken into the generical charafter, this is a perfeftly diftinct genus. Nothing tends more to perplex the ftudent than multiplication of fpecies under the fame generical name : on the other hand, nothing more facilitates the ftudy than a fufficient number of gi-nera. I write to make the fcience familiar. There is but one known fpecies of this gentiSj and that is a native of Britain, though not very common. Ivy-leaved Cymbalaria. Cymbalaria foliis heder.c. The root is compofed of a multitude of fibres, rifing from a fmall head. The firft leaves are large, fhort, broad, and cornered in two or three parts near the bafe ; each of thcfe corners, and the main body of the leaf, alfo terminate in (harp points: the whole leaf is of a deep green colour and gloffy furface, and Hands on a flender purplifh footfl:alk. The ftalks are numerous and weak: they lie upon the ground, or upon the furface of a wall : they are a foot or more in length, not much branched, and are of a deep purphfli colour. The leaves fl:and irregularly on them, and have long, (lender footfl:alks. They are broad, cornered, and Iliarp-pointed, and are of a fmooth furface, and deep, gloffy green. The flowers are very numerous and fmall : they rife from the bofoms of the leaves all the way up the fl:alk, and are fupportcd on long, flender pedicles l they referable thole of flucliin in fliape, but are of an uniform pale red colour. The feed-vefl"el is fmall and roundifh : the feeds are numerous and black. It is a native of our northern counties, and flowers in June. We fee it wild on the walls ot the Thames about Battcrfea, and on the walls of the apothecaries phyfick garden in Chelfea ; but in both thefe places it has doubtlefs rifen from feeds or parts of the plant thrown out from that or from fome other garden. C. Bauhine calls it Cymbalaria. Otliers, Li- naria hsderaceg folio glabra. It is cooling and aflringent. A conferve made of the leaves is good in tlie overflowing of the menfes, in fpitting of blood, in diarrha^as with fliarp and bloody ftools, and in the fluor albus. GENUS VI. F I G W O R T. SCROPHULARIA. THE flower confifl:s of a fingle petal, and is of an irregular figure, fomewhat approaching to the labiated kind, and open : it is formed into a large, rounded tube, and a very fmall edge: the edo-e is divided into five fegments ; two ftand uppermoft, and are large ; two fl:and fide-ways, and fpread open % and the fifth is undermofl:, and turns back. The cup is divided into five parts ; and the feed-veffcl is roundifl], Linnreus places this among his didynamia angiofpermia ; the threads in each flower being four, two longer, and two fhorter i and the feeds contained in a capfule. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Figwort. Scrophularia vulgaris. The root is long and thick, and has a great quantity of fmall, tuberous pieces growing to it. The ftalk is fquare, firm, upright, and three foot high: it is not much branched, and is ufually of a brown colour. The leaves ftand in pairs, and are large and beautiful: they have long footftalks, and are broad, oblong, and of a deep green colour, and very frequently brown, as is alfo the ftalk : they are broadefl toward the bafe, fliarp at the point, and indented at the edges. The flowers fl:and at the tops of the fl:aik and branches, and are fmall, and of a deep dufky colour, with a mixture of greeni/h : they open wide at the mouth, and (hew the buttons on the tops of the threads, which are of a deep yellow. The feed-veflel is large, rounded, and fharp at the top. The feeds are numerous and fmall, It The BRITISH HERBAL. It is common in woods, and in damp, fliady places. It flowers in Ji-dy. T!ie whole plant has a ftrong and difagrecable finell, efpi^cially when in flower. C, Bauhine calis it Scrofhularia nodofa fcetida^ from the tuberous knots about its root, and its flrong rmeli. Others, Scrophidaria vulgaris. It is famous as a remedy for the evil ; the method is to take a fl:rong decodion of the roots daily for a great length of time. Thefe long and tedious cures are lefs certainly to be judged of than chofe performed more fpecdily ; but there fcems great authority to believe that this is a powerful and excellent medicine. In fome places there is a cufliom of brewing drink with fome of this herb among it i and this root is celebrated for its virtues againft the fcurvy. When freOi, it gives the beer a mofl difagrecable tafte j but this is not much perceived when ufed dry. It is famous alfo, botli inwardly and outward- ly, againfl the piles. The fingular form of the tuberous parts about the root led people to think of it as a remedy in this diforder, becaufe they were fuppofed to re- femble ihofe fwellings ; and, experience has fhewn, the plant has the virtues they imagined. A fl:rong decoction of the root is good againfl: all foulneflts of the flcin, the itcli not excepted: it fiiould be taken inwardly, and the parts wafhcd ■with fome of it alfo warm. An ointment is made in fome places of the leaves, boiled in lard, and ufed for the fame purpofes ; but the decoftion, or a putlice, made from the frelh root, boiled foft with bread and milk, will anfwcr the purpofe better. 2. Water figwort, called Water betony. Scrophiilaria aquatica. The root is compofed of a great number of fibres. The firfl: leaves are large, broad, oblong, and bluntly indented : they rife in a little tuft, and each has its feparate long footftalk : they have fome refemblance of the leaves of wood betony; they are vaftiy larger, but from this the plant has been commonly called ivaler betony. ' The flalk is thick, firm, upright, fquare, hol- low, and three foot high : it is alfo edged with a kind of wings, running from the footflialks of the leaves, and is ufually of a brown colour. The leaves Itand in pairs, and they have long footftalks. They refemble thofe from the root, and are of a pale green colour : they are oblong, bluntly indented, and terminate in a rounded end; and fometimes there g-'ow a couple of fmaller leaves on the footfl;alk below their bafes. The flowers are fmall, and of a deep purple, and h:ive yellow buttons to their four threads' within. The feed-vefl'el is large and rounded ; and the feeds are fmall and brown. It is common by ditch fides; and flowers in C. Bauhine calls it Scrophnlaria aquatica 7»ajor. J. Bauhme, Scrophnlaria maxima radice fihrofa. The common writers call it Betonica aquatica. It is faid to pofll'fs the fame virtues with the former, but in a lefs degree. 3. Small-leaved Figwort. Scrophnlaria foliis minorihis. The root is long, thick, and full of little tube- rous lumps : it runs obliquely under the furface like that of the common figwort, and is of a whitirtl colour- with a tinge of redifli. The ftalk is firm, fquare, of a yellowifli --rreen and two foot high. o » The leaves Hand in pairs : they are broad and Ihort, lightly hairy, and indented fharply at the edges : they are thick, firm, and of a pale green The flowers fliand at the tops of the fialk?, and are large, and of a deep duflcy colour. The fced-velTel is large and round ; and the feeds are fmall, very numerous, and brown. It is found on our weftern coafts ; and flowers in Auguft. Ray calls it Scrophnlaria fcorodoni^ folio, from Its leaves having feme refemblance of thofe of wood fage. 4. Green-flowered Figwort. Scrophnlaria floribus virefcenlibus. The root is large, thick, long, and full of tu- berous knobs : it runs obliquely under the fur- face, and is of a whitifh colour. The ftalk is fingle, firm, upright, fquare, of' a pale green colour, and two foot and a half high. The leaves are large, and ftand in pairs : they have long footftalks, and are broadefl: at the bafe, fliarp at the point, and indented at the edges. The flowers are fmall, and of 3 greenTfli ' co- lour, with four yellow buttons on the threads in the centre. The feed-vefl'cls are large and roundifli. It is found in Oxfordlhire and the adjacent counties ; and flowers in June. ■ Ray calls it Scrophularta major foliis caidibus, et floribus viridibus. DIVISION U. FOREIGN SPECIES, I. Yellow-flowered Figwort. Scropbularia fiore luteo. The root is long and thick : it runs obliquely under the furface, and has numerous large fibres ; but none of thofe flefliy tubercles that grow to the common kind. The fira leaves are large and hairy; eight or ten of them rife from the root, and they are fupportcd on long, hairy footlfalks: they are broad and Ihort, of a heart faihioned Ihape, deep- ly ferrated, and of a dulky green. The ftalk is fquare, firm, ered, and two feet high i and is of a brownifu green, and hairy. The ii6 The BRITISH HERBAL. The leaves ftand uRially in pairs, but fome- times three rife from the fame point. They are of a hcart-fafhioned fliape, (liort and broad, and dented round the edges. The flowers Hand feveral together on fliort footflallis rifing/rom the bofoms of the leaves ; and they are fmall and yellow. The feed-veflel is large and roundifh ; and the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Scrophularia flors hiteo. Clufius makes it a kind of dead nettle : he calls it Lmmum pannomcum fecitndum. 2. Jagged yellow Figwort. Scrsphiilaria lutea laciniata. The root is long, thick, oblique, and fur- nifhed with numerous fibres. The leaves that rife firfl from it are very large, and deeply divided: they ftand on long fuot- ftalks, and are of a Vieautiful green. The ftalk is firm, creft, brown, and two feet and a half high. The leaves ftand in pairs, and are large, and deeply fcrrated : they have frequently two ap- pendages or fmall leaves growing on their foot- ftalk near the bafe, in the manner of thofe of the common water figwort. Thofe toward the bottom of the ftalk approach more to the divifions of thofe from the root i and thofe near the top are longer and narrower, and very deeply and fharply jagged. The flowers are large and yellow, and ftand feveral together on footftalks rifing from the bo- foms of the leaves. The feed velTels are large and roundilh ; and the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is a native of Spain and Portugal, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Scrophularia foUis laciniatis. Others, Scrophularia famhuci folio fiore magna. 4. Nettle-leaved Figwort. Scrophularia urtica folio. The root is long and thick, and has many large fibres. The ftalk is fquare, firm, and lightly hairy, very much branched, and two feet high. The leaves ftand in pairs, and have long foot- ftalks ; they are large, and of a Ibining green, broad at the bale, narrower to the point, anJ indented ftiarply all the way on the edges. The flowers are placed all the way up the ftalk and branches, and have long footftalks -, each of which fplits toward the top, and holds two flowers: they are la-ge, and of a bright red. The feed-veflel is large, roundifti, and point- ed ; and the feeds are numerous and fi^iail. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Scrophularia urlicf folio j and moft others have followed hini. 5. Pinnated Figwort. Scrophularia foliis pinmiis. The root is long, thick, and hung with many large fibres. The leaves that rife firft from it are long, nar- row, and deeply divided at the edges, the cuts going almoft to the middle rib : they have no footftalks, and are of a llrining, deep green. The ftalks are numerous, firm, upright, and of a deep brown : they are fcarce at all branched, and are a foot and half high. The leaves ftand on them in pairs, and are deeply divided; fo that they appear pinnated; each feems compofed of about three pair of pin- n,T, w-jth an odd one at the end, and thefe are deeply jagged. The flowers ftand on the tops of the ftalks, and are very ni.mcrous, fmall, and of a dark purple colour. The feed-veflels are large, roundifti, and pointed i and the feeds are fmall and brown. It a native of Italy and Germany ; and flowers in July. C. 13auhine calls it Scrophulai-ia ruta canira dicta. The common writers calllt Ruia canina, and Dogs rue. . All thcfe fpeciesof figwort have the fame kind of taftc, and moft of .them the fame fmcU with our common wild kind;' and they are cele- brated for the fame virrties. They are accounted great medicines againft fcorbutick and other foul- nefles ; and pultices of their leaves are made for the piles. The common wild kind of our woods feems to have more virtue than any of them, though natives of warmer climates. G E N U S Vlf. F O X L O V F. DIGITALIS. THE flower confifts of a fingle petal, which is long and hollow like the finger of a glove, and is divided into four fegmcnts at the edge, remotely approaching to the labiated °for.m'; the upper lip is broad and divided, and the under one larger: the cup is divided into five fegmcnts; • and the feed-veflel is large, of an oval form, and pointed at the top. ° Linnsus places this among his didynamia angiofpertnia ; the threads in each flower being four, two of which are longer and two ftiorter, and the feeds contained in a capfule. This diftinSion of that celebrated author comprifes fo many of the plants properly of our prefent clafs, that it fliews how nature is fimilar, even in the fmalleft parts, in plants allied to one another : but this is all that fliould have been inferred from the curious and juft obfervation of that writer, of the threads in each flower being four, and two of them longer and twofliorler: when he carried this obfer- vation into a larger ufe, and made it the foundation of a clafs, it failed him, and mifled his readers. 4 We The BRITISH HERBAL. We fee, that in bringing it to fcrve tliat purpofc, the cMs formed upon it comprehends the vcrtici- late plants, and thefe together ; and as it in that joins gentra the mofl diftinct, fo it in other cafe3 feparates the pinguicida and others, which are naturally allied to the reft, and here brought together. The world is indebted in the higheft: degree to that mod: eminent writer for his obfervations \ and they fliould be always remembered, though ufed in a more limited degree. DIVISION I. BR Common Foxglove.. Digitalis pirpurea. The root is compofcd of a multitude of tliick and tough Ebres ; of a pale green colour, and bitter talte. The firft leaves are very large, oblong, nar- row, of a whitifli colour, and ilightly indented at the edges. The ftalk rifes in the centre of thefe, and is round, thick, firm, upright, whitifh, or greyifh, and four feet high. The leaves on it are numerous, and ftand irre- gularly : they are long, narrow, large, of a whir- ifii green, and indented Ilightly on the edges. The flowers grow in a kind of Ipike on the top of the ftalk, and they ufually h-ing all on one fide : they are large, and of a beautiful red, with fome fpots of white and fomc little touches of black, and with yellow buttons on the four threads within. The feed-veflel is large and oval ; and the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is common in barren paftures and on dry banks, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Digitalis purpurea folio cfpero. Others, Digitalis vulgaris, and Digitalis purpurea vulgaris. It is a plant pofTeflTed of very confidcrable vir- tues ; but they are more known among the coun- try people than hi the fhops. It is a powerful emetick, and, in a fmaller DIVISION II. F I. Ferrugineous Foxglove. Digitalis fore ferruginco. The root is compofed of numerous thick fibres. The firft leaves are long and large ; they have thick ribs, and are of a pale green. The ftalk is round, robuft, upright, and four feet high. The leaves on it are numerous, and placed ir- regularly : they are long, narrow, without foot- ftalks, of a pale green, and very lightly hairy. The flowers are cxtreamiy numerous: they ftand in long fpikes at the tops of the ftalks and branches -, and are of the fhape of the common foxglove flowers, but that they have a very long under lip : their colour is a ferrugineous, or brownifh red, and they have ftreaks of yellow, and are in part hairy. The feed-vefiel is fmali, and the feeds are fmall and brown. It is a native of the eaft. We received the feeds from Conflantinople, but it is common in our gardens. . N« 12. ITISH SPECIES. dofe, a very brifk purge: often it works both ways, and fometimes with a very hurtful vi- olence j but this is owing to ill management: many excellent medicines, as they are found to be, in the hands of fkilful perfons, would fall under this cenfure if given in the fame ran- dom munner. The people in the weft of England ufe it moft. They boil a handful of the leaves, or three or four of the clufters of roots, in ale, and give ic according to the patient's ftrength. They cure quartan agues, and many other obftinate com- plaints with it. We have alfo accounts of epileptick fits of long continuance being cured by it; but the operation in this way is too rough for any but thofe who are very hardy. It would be right to try the root, dryed and powdered, in a moderate dofe, for it is very im- proper that a medicine of fo much power fhould be difregardcd at home, while we fend to the re- moteft parts of the earth for others of the fame qualities. An ointment made of the leaves is recom- mended for cutaneous foulneffes, and in many places they make an ointment alfo of the flowers in May butter, which is greatly recommended in ftrumous cafes. The Italians are fo fond of it on thefe occafions that they have a proverb, which fay, foxglove cures all ivounds. Many plants of lefs virtue arc more celebrated ; and there is none dcferves bet- ter a fair trial. OREIGN SPECIES. It flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Digitalis angujlifolia fore fer- rugineo. Others, Digitalis ferrugifiea. 2. Yellow Foxglove. Digitalis fore minore. The root is very long and thick, and hae a vaft quantity of fibres. The firft leaves rife in a great clufter, and arc long and broad ; of a bright green on the upper fide, but paler and a little inclined to hairynefs below : they have no footftalks, and they are narrow toward the bafe, and broadeft near the end. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, and three feet high. The leaves on it are numerous, and grow ir- regularly: they are long, and not very broad> and they have no footftalks. The flowers ftand in a long fpike on tlw top of the ftalk, and are of a pale greenifh yellow. The feed-vefiel is large, roundifh, and pointed at the top. Hb It ii8 The B R I T I S H H E R B A L. It is a native of Spain and Italy, and fiuwers in July, C. Bauhine calls it Digitalis major lulea five ■pallida parvo fiore. 3. Greac-flowered yellow Foxglove. Digilalis h'Jea mc.gno Jicre. The root is very large, and runs obliquely under the .lurface, lending up front various parts cluRers of leaves, and numerous ilalks. The leaves. that rife from the root are broad, oblong, and of a pale green, and a little dented at the edge. The Halks are round, flriated, of a pale colour, firm, upright, and three feet high. The leaves are numerous upon them, and (land irregularly, but not fo conkifedly as on fome ol the other fpecies ; they are broad, oblong and without footliaiks. The flowers (land In a kind of fpike at the top of the ftalki and they ufually hang all one way, as in the common foxglove : they are large and yel- low, and are of the fhape of thofe of the com- mon kind : their colour is pale on the outfide and deep wichin, and is fometimes variegated. It is a native of Germany, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Digitalis hitca magna fiore. J. Bauhine Digitalis lutea fiore majors folio latiore. 4. Perfoliate Foxglove. Digitalis perfoliata. The root is large and irregularly fhaped, and fends out many long and thick fibre§. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and, two feet and a half high, of a pale green, and fcarce at all branched. The leaves fland in pairs, an.d the ftalk in a manner runs through them : they are large, and long ; broadcft at the bafe, and fmaller all the way to the point; they are fmooth, perfeflly un- divided at the edges, and of a bright green. The flowers Hand at the top of the ftalk, and on long footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the upper leavts : they are large, and txtreamly beau- tiful : their colour is a deep violet purple ; they are hollow and long, in the manner of the com- mon fcxglo-ve i but tliey are divided into five fhort and round fegments at the edge. The feed-veflcl is oval, and terminates in a point ; the feeds are fmall and brown. It is a native of Virginia, and flowers in July. Morifun calls it Digitalis perfoliata fiore violaceo. LinniEus calls this Mimulus, making it another genus ; but that is a needlefs diftindtion. 5. Shrubby Foxglove, Digitalis frutefcens. The root fpreads under the furface, and fends up fhoots in various places. The. ftalks are woody, and covered with a redifli brown bark. The leaves ftand irregularly and in confide- rable numbers upon them; and are very beau- tiful; they have no footftalks, but grow to the main ftalk by a brojd, hollow bafe : they are long, narrow, of a bright green, and beautifully indented on the edges : they are broadeft toward the middle, and terminate in a fharp point. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks in very long fpikes : they are of a beautiful gold yellow, and have two lips ; and the four threads, with the buttons, very apparent in them. The feed-veflel is large and oval; and the feeds are numerous, fmall, and brown. It is a native of the Canaries, and flowers in , May. Cliftort calls it Gefneria foliis Jajjceolatis fer- ralis pedunculo terminaci laxe fpicato. Commeline, Digitalis acanthoidcs canarienfis fibre aureo frU' -tefcens. - GENUS VIJI. H E D G E H y S S O p. G R A T I 0 L A. 'V^f ''7";''"?";' °f ' ""S'-^ P^"'- approaching to the labiated Ihape : the tube is an»uUted : 1 tlie edge d.v.ded mto four parts : the upper fegment is broader than the others, and turn, baeic; the others are equal: the cup is divided into five fcgments ; and the feed-veffel is oval, and terminates m a point. Linnxus places this among his there being two fertile threads in the flower and the filament from the rudiment of the fecd-vefTel bcino- finglc ' There is, however, fome conftr,,int upon his fyftem in°his inftance : the general charaaer of his clafs of he dm.ina .s that there are only two (lamina, in the flower, with the rudiment of the frutti ' but tn th,s plant there are really five ftamina in each flower: three of them have no buttons on the top : tliefe, therefore, he calls flieril, and account, as nothin" iVIany have been puzzled to know where to place this plant °' We fcehowLinnffiusdi^fpofesit; he feparates it many elafl-es from the red of the genera here treated of, to which .t evidently belongs ; having a flower confiding of a finglc petal, and the feeds contained in a fingle capfule. It is fo nearly allied to the foxglove that lome have called it by that name, but erroneoufly , for, though allied, it is a diftinfl genus. Its proper place, in an arrange- ment of the plants to which it is of kin, is next to the foxglove, which it moft refcmbles. St.imin?. duo in flore ht rmaphrodito. S_yji. Nat. DIVISION The BRITISH HERBAL. 119 DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Narrow-leaved Hedge Hyffop. Gratiola angiifiifoUa. The root is long, (lender, and white: it fpreads ■ under the furface, and fends up numerous (hoots. The ftalk is round, thick, upright, and eight or ten inches high : it is not at all branched, and is ufually of a rcdiH-i colour near the ground, and of a pale green elfcwhere. The leaves fland :n pairs : they have no foot- ftalks : they are oblong, ferrated at the edges, and fharp pointed. The flowers ftand fingly on long, flender foot- ftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves ; and are of a mixed white and yellow colour. The leed-vefiel is large, oval, and pointed ; and the feeds are numerous, fmail, and dufity. It is a native of the north of Scotland, but not common. It grows in places where waters have ftagiiated in winter. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Gratiola centauroides. O- thers, Gratiola vulgaris. It is but lately we have the notice of its being a native of Britain ; nor have we any other fpecies of it: that which is called the fmaller hedge hyffhp, falicaria hyjfopifolia by C. Bauhine, and by lefs accurate writers g?-aliola ajigu/lifolia^ is properly a fpecies of falicaria, not oi this plant. There are alfo two other planes called by the na.nie gratiola, which are fpecies of cajida, and will be found under that head. This is fuch a fource of error to the young ftudent, that there cannot be too much care in avoiding it : he is to know, that till this proper DIVISION II. Blunt-leaved Hedge HylTop. Gratiolis foliis obtufis. The root is flender and creeping: it is white, tough, furniflied with many fibres, and of a bitter tafl:e. The fl:alk is round, upright, and of a pale green; often redifli toward the ground, as alfo at the inlertions of the leaves. The leaves ftand in pairs, and are oblong, nar- row, and of a dead green : they are very flighdy and irregularly notched at the edges, and obtufe at the ends. gratiola, which is here defcribed, was found in Scotland, it was not known that any fpecies of that genus was native of Britain \ and, he muft obferve, that the plants named by Mr. Kay with thefe fynony.ma of gratida are neither of them of that kind ; nor fo underfl:ood by Mr. Ray, who has placed them feverally in their proper genera, though he has added the different names by which they have been called by other writers, and thefe among them. Hedge byj[-:p, though not known before wild in Britain, is very common in France, and is greatly elleemed for its medicinal virtues. It approaches to the nature of the foxglove in qualities as well as form. Taken in a mode- rate dofe, it operates very briflg and undivided j the lower lip is fhorter, but is alfo fi:rait and undivided: thefe Hand gaping open, and are both comprcfl"ed : the feed-veflel is roundifh, and pointed : the cup is fwoin, flatted, and divided into four flight feg- ments at the edge. Lihnsus places this among his didynamia angiofpermia \ the threads in each flower being four, of which two are longer, two fliorter, and the feeds contained in a capfule. This author has taken away its familiar and ufual name anhlg.liim^ and calls it f^iiamiana. This is his conduct in his Genera ; but in that later work his specks FlmUarum^ he has joined it with fome others, under the common name lathraa. Thefe genera approach very near to one another •, but the difference is fufficient on which to cfta- blifh their abfolute diftindlion. There is but one known fpecies o^i anblatum, and that is common to Britain and all the north of Europe. Toothwort. .> . . . AnUatum. The" root is extreamly Angular in form and fubflance : it is thick, white, flefhy, and of a fcaly flrruflure, fpreading a great way, and that jn a very irregular manner, jufl: under the furface, one piece growing fideways from another, and a third from that, and fo on in every direftion. The flialks are numerous : they rife from va- rious parts of the root, but only one from each head: they are thick, flefliy, tender, white, or brownifli, and fix or feven inches high: the fliin is tender, and the internal part full of a watery juice. There are properly no leaves, but a kind of membranes, ftanding irregularly on the fl:alk, in the manner of thofe of broomrape. The flowers fland in a fliort feries at the top of the flalk. They are large, and of a faint purple j or whitifli, with a purple tinge. The feed-veflil is very large, and the feeds are numerous and minute. It is found under hedges and about the roots of trees where the foil is loofe and crumbly, and where there is a covering of dead leaves. It is not very common, and it is often overlooked. It flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Orohn?iche radice dentata major. Others, Bentaria majors dentaria mathioH, and anUatum. Some, Apyllon. It is cooling and aftringent. The root, dried and powdered, is to be taken, a dram for a dole, and will have great efl^ect. Ic is recom- mended againfl: ruptures, and internal bruifes. SERIES II. Plants of which there is no fpecies native of Britain. G E N U S I, CLAl^DE^TlBA. THE flower confifts of a Angle petal, and approaches to tlie iabiated kind: it is formed into a tube and two lips: the tube is oblong, and the lips ftand gaping open, and are of an inflated or fwoln ficrure : the upper lip is hollow, and has a crooked point : the lower lip is divided into three fmall, blunt fegments, and turns back : the cup is hollow, and divided deeply into four ffgments \ and the feed-vefl^el is large, rounded, and terminated by a point. 8 Linnaeus The BRITISH HERBAL. Linnsus places this among the didynamia angiofpirmid ; the feeds being contained in a capii.ile, and the flower having four threads, two longer, and two fliorter. This author takes away its former name, and calls it lathr.-ea. It has the name clandijiixj from this circumftance, that almofl: the whole plant is buried, and grows underground, nothing appear- ing above the furface but a frtiall part of the ftalk and the fpike of flowers. Purple Clandeftina. Clmhiejlinn purpurea. The root, properly and diftinfily fo called, is only a tuft of black, fliort fibres •, but if we comprehend under that name all the part of the plant under ground, it is to be called thick and branched : this part, however, is properly the ftalk, not the root of the plant, and is to be confidered as fuch, from its manner of growing and office, though it take the place of the root ; thele black fibres alone being confidered as part jof the root. The ftalk is five inches high, thick, and di- vided into many branches : it is of a whitifh colour, and full of juice, and is covered with a kind of rudiments of leaves : thefe are fhort, broad, and thin ; and they lie in a fcaly form upon the ftalks. Many of thefe flioot from the main flem, and grow two or three inches high all the way within the earth, where they perifh without ever com- ing to the air : the main, or principal ftalk only pierces the furface of the ground, and fliews it- lelf. This is full of the buds of flowers, and rifes, in a crooked form, an inch and half long ; and in fome degree, from its fliapc and colour, refembles the comb of a cock. The flowers foon aiter open, and are large, and of a deep purple, as is a!fj the ftalk and all that appears above ground, and fometimes what is below, though that is more ufually white. The feed veflel is roundilh and large: the feeds are minute. It is found in forefts in many parts of Ger- many. Mentzelius calls it Orobanche radice dcntata allius radicante foliis cl fioribui puj-pureis. GENUS II. BIRTHWORT. ARISTOLOCHIA. THE flower confifts of a fingle petal, and is of an irregular figure : it is formed into a tube, which has a roundifh, folded bafe, the foldings being fix ; and a wide mouth, wl-.ich in the lower part runs out into a v.-ry long and undivided tongue : the tube is flightly hexangular ; it has no cup s the feed-vcffel is large and roundifli, and in fome <)egree hexangular'. Linnsus places this among his gynandria hexandriti ; the buttons being fix, and growing without threads to the piftii. It very plainly belongs to the reft of this clafs ; the flower being compofed of one petal of an irregular form, and followed by a fingle feed-veffel ; and it is one of the misfortunes of Lin- n^us's method that he feparates it from thofe to which it is allied, placing it in a diftinft arrange racnt, becaufe of this little Angularity of the buttons. I. Round Birthwort. Ari^olochia rotunda. The root is very large, tuberous, and of a roundifii figure, with many fibres growing irre- gularly from various parts of its furface : it is rough on the furface, brown on the outfide, and yellow within ; and is of a bitter and very difa- greeable tafte. The ftallcs are numerous, weak, and fquare : they are of a pale green colour, and arc two feet long, but not abk to fupport themfelves up- right. The leave.5 are placed fingly, and at confide- rable diftances, and have no footftalks : they are large, and of a deep green ; they are of a heart- falhioned fliape, encompaffing the ftalk at the bafe, and thence growing fmaller to the end, where they terminate in an obtufe point. The flowers ftand fingly on long footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves : they are long and crooked, and are of a greenifh colour .pn the outfide, and of a blackifli purple within. The feed-veffel is very large, and of an oval K" 1.3. figure : if contains many feeds, with a fungous matter between them. It is common in the hedges of Spain and Italy, and in the fouth of France. C. Bauhine calls it Arijlolochia rotunda flora e>; purpura nigra. Others, only Arijiolochia rotunda. There is a variety of this plant, with the flower of a whitiOi purple, infl;ead of a blackifli purple : this has been treated of as a diftinci fpccies, but it is nothing more than a variation from accident. 2. Long Birthwort, Arijiolochia lo?tga. T his is diftinguilhed at fight from the other, though it greatly referable it in the general Itirm, by its having footftalks to the leaves, the other having none. The root is large, thick, and of an irregular oblong figure. The ftalks are numerous, weak, and fquare : they are of a pale green, a foot and half long, but not ereft : they trail, and hang among any thing that will fupport them. L 1 Ihe 132 The BRITISH HERBAL. Smooth Chelone. Chllitne felii! glabris. The root is long, flender, and furnilhed with many fibres. The llallis are numerous, round, firm, up- right, and confiderably branched. The leaves are long, narrow, and beautifully ferrated at the edges: they ftand very irregu- larly on the ftalks ; thofe toward the bottom al- ternately i and thofe toward the top in pairs. The flowers are large and white : they ftand in fmall clufters at the top of the ftalk and branches, and are of a Angular afpc(5t, fhort, thick, hollow, and clofe at the mouth. The feed-veiTcl is oval, and the feeds are large and three-cornered. It is a native of North America, and flowers in July. Tournefort calls it Chelcne acadi^nfis ficre alho, Ray, T)igitalis\mariana perfic£ folia \ the larger leaves refcmbling thofe of the peach tree. GENUS V. TRUMPET FLOWER. B I G N 0 N 1 A. THE flower is made of a Angle petal, and is of the labiated form : it confifts of a tube, a hol- low body, and a divided rim : the tube, properly fo called, is very fliort, and reaches no farther than the cup : the body is very long and hollow ; and the rim is divided into five parts, two of which are turned back -, thefe fl:and upwards, and the other three hang downward, and fpread out ; the cup is hollow, and divided into five fcgments at the rim ; and the feed-veflTel is formed in the man- ner of a pod. LinniBus places this among the didymmin atigufpmnia ; the threads in each flower being four, two longer and two fliorter, and the feeds being contained in a caplule. 1. Ever-green Trumpetflower. Bigmn'm femper'virens. The root is long, thick, tough, and fpreading. The fl:alks are numerous, very long, weak, and climbing, but of a woody fubftance. The leaves ftand in pairs, and have very fliort footftalks : they are large, oblong, and confide- rably broad, undivided at the edges, and ftiarp- pointed. The flowers ftand in the bofoms of the leaves, and have fliort footftalks ; two ftand together, one in the bofom of each leaf of the pair, and fo all the way up the ftalk : they are large and yellow, and have a very fragrant fmell. The feed-vefli:! is of a heart-fafliioned fliape. The feeds are winged. It is a native of Virginia, and has been called by many names. Plukenet calls it Syringa volubilis Virginiana, myrti majoris folio, alalo femine, fioribus cdaralis luteis. Catcftjy, Jafminum luteum edoraium Vir- gimamimfimiens Jempervirem. Ray and others allow it as a Bigmnin. 2. Finger-leaved Trumpetflower. Bigmma foliis digiiifOf- The root is long, fpreading, and full of fibres. The ftem is woody, and the bark brown, with a tinge of red. The leaves are of a very beautiful colour and figure : five grow on every footftalk, and are difpofed in a digitated manner : three of the five ftand forwards, and have long footftalks ; two are fliorter and ftand back, and thefe have alfo very fliort footftalks : they are of a firm fyb- ftance, and their colour is a bright green. The flowers are very large, and white. The feed-VLlTel is long, in the manner of a pod, and when ripe it fpliis at the end. It is a native of Jamaica, and grows on tli« banks of waters, and in damp places : it flowers in July. Sir Hans Sloanc has defcribed it under the name of Nsrio ajjinis fiU^ucfa , folio palmalo fiore alln). GENUS VI. BEARS BREECH. ACANTHUS. THE flower confifts of a fingle petal, and approaches in fliape to the labiated kind ; the whole is formed into two parts, a tube and a fingle lip. The tube is very fliort: there fee ms an upper lip wanting s the lower, which is its only lip, is very long, and divided into four obtufc fegments : the cup is 'of a Angular ftruflure, as well as the flower : it confifts of fix leaves ; two are placed fideways, oppoflte, and ereft, and thefe are fmall ; two are again placed oppofite, and ftand at top and bottom ; thefe are larger ; and there are befide thefe, two other very minute ones, whofe pofitioii is alfo fidewlys. The fced-vefli:l is oval. LinniEUS places this among the diiynamia angiofpermir. ; the threads m each flower being tot*, two longer and two fliorter, and the feeds contained in a capfule. ^ Smooth The BRITISH HERBAL. '33 I. Smooth Bears Breech. Acanthus mollis. The root is long, (lender, white, divided into many parts, and furnifhed with numerous fibres. The firft leaves are large, and extreamly beau- tiful : they rife in,clullers ten or twelve together, and have no footftalks : they fprcad as they grow up, and Tome lie upon the ground, while thofe in the middle keep more eredt. Thcfe leaves are long, and confiderably broad, deeply divided into three or four pairs of large fegments at the edges, and they terminate in a larger portion, of the fame form, at the point : thefe fevera! parts are all irregularly indented at the edges, and give the leaf the afpeft of thofe of the pinnated kind, though they arc not divided nearly to the rib : the colour is a beautiful deep green, and the furface glolTy. The curious reader will not be ofTendcd at fo long and minute a defcription of a leaf admired fb extreamly for its beauty among the antients, and copied into fo many of their ornamental works. The ftalk rifes in the centre of this clutter of leaves, and is thick, firm, upright, and three feet high : the leaves Hand irregularly on it, and are large toward the bottom, and fmaller near the top 1 fo that they give the whole plant a conical figure : thofe on the upper part of the ftalk are more divided at the edge, and thofe at the lower part lefs. The flowers {land in a long, thick fpike, ter- minating the ftalk, and are large and white. The feed-veffels are large, and the feeds are fmall; It is a native of Italy, and of the Greek iflands, and flowers in June. C. Bauhinc calls it Acanthus faliviis five mollis Virgilii. Others, Branca urfina., and Acanthus fatrvws, and Acanthus mollis. Wc call it Brank wfinc or Bean breech. It grows very well in our gardens. A great deal of learned nonfenfe has been put together by criticks on the fubjefl: of the acan- thus of the antients : but had they been better botanifts they would have been more in a condi- tion to have undcrllood their authors ; and would have faved their readers much trouble. The names acanthus and acantha occur very frequently in the writings of the Greeks and Ro- mans, and arc often ufcd for different prickly flirubs and plants, according to the more or lefs accurate expreflion, or determinate meaning of their authors; but the reader at this time is little concerned about any except the one plant, properly, dctermi- nately, and generally, called Acanthus. This was the herb whofe leaves they have fo much celebrated for their beauty; and which, we find, their artifts have introduced into various kinds of carved work, and of which the leaves in the capital of the Corinthian order in architeflure are formed. This is the proper acanthus, and is the kind here defcribed and figured. Its grcateft fame is in the capital jufl: named, which, we are told, Callimachus formed upon the model of a batket, covered with a tile, and furrounded with the leaves of an acanthus plant, upon whofe root it had accidentally been fet. This .bafliet continues the vafe of the capital ; the leaves and ftalks are the ornaments with N" XIV. which it is covered ; and the tile forms its abacus. Such was the original Corinthian capital ; but fculptors, even in thofe ages of charter tafte, had the error, fo common at this time, of fiip- pofing every thing that is laboured muft be beautiful. Inftcad of the great and noble fim- plicity of this natural leaf, they foon began to decorate it with more earving : they fplit the edges of its feveral fegments, varioufly in- to three, or into five diftinft and feparate leaves; thefe they left plain and even at the edges i and, becaufe the form of the whole was altered, they called the firft variation, where the divifion was into three, the laurel., and the other where it was into five, the olive leaf. In both the proper form and beauty of the leaf are loft : it is neither noble nor in nature ; it becomes a monftrous produftion of ignorant art : the whole is a body of acanthus leaf bearing olive or laurel leaves at its top and fides. One grieves to fee this in the antique, but the remains of many of their great works are dif- graced by it. The leaves on the capitals of the columns in the temple of Vefta at Rome are of the laurel kind ; thofe of the Bafilick of Antonine of the olive ; and there are many more inftances, needlefs to be recounted here, both of one and the other divifion. In the temple of Vefta at Tivoli we fee the true acanthus. Nothing refledls more up- on the tafte of architefture, in that time of its emi- nent glory, fo much as this infult upon nature ; the preferring to her great fimplity the littlencis of ait. 2. Prickly Bears Breech. Acanthus aculcatus. The root is long, thick, ufnally fingle, but furnifhed with many fmall fibres. The leaves that rife front it are very large and beautiful ; but they have not the elegant fim- plicity of thofe of the former kind : they are long and broad, and are divided fo deeply into many pairs of fegments that they very much re- femble the pinnated form, but they are not cut to the middle rib : thefe fegments are notched at the edges, and the whole leaf is covered with long, white, and lharp prickles. The ftalk rifes in the centre of this tuft, and is thick, firm, upright, and two foot and a half high. The leaves that ftand on it are like thofs from the root, but lefs divided, and of a paler green. The flowers are large and white, and they ftand in a thick fpike terminating the ftalk. The feed-veffel is large and oblong ; and the feeds are Imall. It is not uncommon in Italy, growing moftly in damp fhady places about the edges of rivers and in thickets. It flowers in June. ^ C, Bauhine calls it Acanthus aculeatus. Others, Acanthus filveftris. 7 his fpecies was known to the antients as fa- miliarly as the former, but they did not much regard it. Some of more depraved tafte intro- duced its figure into ornaments of carved work ; but it makes a confufed and poor appearance. The true acanthus leaves have an open freedom and an cafy grace not found in any of thefe, whether from art or nature. M m Befide 134 The BRITISH HERBAL. Befi ie the variations we have named in the Coriiichian capital, where the antients cut the ends and tops of the acanthus into laurel and olive leaves, we arc to mention that in the re- mains of what is called the compofite order, thefe ends are cut and fplit with the chiflel much farther than in nature. In this ftate they are cal- led parflcy leaves; and we fee an infliance of them in the compofite columns of the arch of Severus, and elfewhere : but they are here more pardonable, though no where to be commended. The Ro- mans had a right to indulge their fancy in this coinpofition {for it does not deferve the name of an order), becaufe it was of their own invention ; but they are inexcufable in maiming the Corin- thian, a proper and difti net order, and the inven- tions of their mafters the Greeks, the fathers ot fcience. 3. Holly-leaved Acanthus. Acanthus foliis aq^iifolii. The root is long and fpreading. *rhe ftalks are numerous, large, woody, and armed with many Ihort, but very fliarp and fturdy prickles : they are tough, and covered with a pale greyifh rind. The leaves are large, oblong, confiderably broad, and of a bluilh green colour: they are deeply and very irregularly divided into three or four fegments on each fide, and thefe all end in prickles: they terminate alfo in a fhort, irregular, prickly point at the extremity. The flowers grow at the tops of the branches, and are very large and gaping. The feed-velTels are large and double-, and the feeds are fmall. It is a native of the Eaft Indies. Commelin calls it Carduus aquaiicus fyhejlris inodorns. I'itiver, Acanthus Malabariats agrijolio folio. The root is eftecmed good in the grave!. The roots of tlie common acanthus have the fame vir- tues, operating by urine, but not in a degree worth notice. GENUS VII. BARLERIJ. npHE Rower confifts of a fingle petal, and approaches to the labiated kind : It is formed into a tube, a body., and two lips : the tube is fhort, and is contained in the cup: the body is oblong and fwelled : tiie upper lip is nip'd at the end, and ftands eretft: the under one is divided into three fL-gmL*nts ; the middle one of which is juft of the figure of the entire upper lip : the cup is divided into five flender fegments and the feed-vefilel is oblong and fquare. Linnsus places this among the didynamia Angiofpermia. I. Four-prickled Barleria. Barleria fpinis quaternis. The root is large, divided Into many parts, and full of fpreading fibres. The ftem is hard, woody and covered with a brown bark. There are numerous and very fliarp prickics on the branches, and they are difp Jed very re- gularly, four together, in form of a crofs. The leaves are large and oblong : they ftand in pairs, and have very fiiort footftalks : they are of a bright green, undivided at the edges, and fharp-pointcd. The flowers rife from the bofoms of the leaves, and are large and beautiful : each has its feparate Ihort footfl:alk, and there generally grows a tuft of young leaves about them. The feed-vefliel is large, and fpread on the fur- face ; and the feeds are numerous, rounded, and. flat. It is a native of the Eaft Indies, and flowers in July. Plukenec calls it Melampyro cognata maderos patana fpinis horrida. The Indians, Coktta veetla. GENUS VIII. OILY-GRAIN. S E S A M U M. THE flower confifts of a fingle petal, and fomewhat approaches to the labiated kind : the whole is formed into a fmall tube, an inflated body, and a divided edge : the tube is Ihort, and contained within the cup: the body is large and broad, deep and hollow ; the edge is divided into five parts, four of which are broad and equal, and the fifth narrow, and altogether different from the reft ; the cup is divided into five fmall fegments at the edge ; the fced-vefle! is large, oblong, and fquare, and contains numerous feeds. Linnarus places this, as the others, among the didyimnia atigicfpermia ; the threads in each flower being four, two of which arc longer and two ihorter, and the feeds contained in a capfule. I. Long- The BRITISH HERBAL. 135 1. Long-leaved Sefamum. Sejamum foUis ohUnga. The root is long, thick, and furnifhcd with lii.uvy fibres. The firll leaves are long and large: they rife in a thick duller, and have fliort footftalks ; and their colour is a pale green ; they are broadefl: toward the bale, fliarp at the point, and flightly indented at the edges. The ftalk is thick, firm, upright, and not at all branched : it is two foot and a half high, and is of a pale green, and ftriated on the furface. The leaves are numerous, and of a pale green: tiiey are perfeflly like thofe from the root, only fmaller and lefs indented, and fometimes not at all fo. The flowers are large, and white, with a tinge of purplifl-i -, fometimes altogether red ; they rile from the bofoms of the leaves, and ftand on (hort, flender footftalks. The feed-velfel is long and large, and contains a large quantity of feeds. It is a native of Zeylon and Malabar, and is fown in fields about Adrianople. Burman calls it Digitalis erimtalis fefamum diSa. Others, only Sefamum. The flower fome- what refcmbles foxglove, whence it has obtained the name of oriaUal foxglove ; but the feed-veflcl is perfeftly different, and makes it another genus. An oil is made from it in Turkey, and is famous in many external applications. We ufed to have it here, but it is of late negleftcd en- tirelv. It is eifeemed good againft headachs, and a few drops put into ears for deafnefs. 2. Various-leaved Sefamum. Sefamum foliis variisi The root is long, large, and white : it pene- trates deep into the ground, and has a few fibres. The fiift leaves are oblong, broad, fmall, and of a deep green : they have fliort footftalks, and are undivided at the edges. The flialk is round, firm, upright, and not at all branched. The leaves grow in pairs, but they are con- fiderably different in form on the vartous parts of the plant : thofe which grow lowermoft are di- vided into three parts, two flrort toward the bafe, and one long, which terminates them ; and all thefc are indented at the edges. The upper leaves are oblong, narrow, and indented ; they are broads elt at the bafe, and fmaller all the way to the point ; and they have long and flender foot- fl:alks. The flowers grow in the bofoms of the leaves: they are very large, and have feparate flender footftalks. The feed veflel is long and fquared j and the feeds are numerous. It is a native of the Eaft Indies, and flowers in July. Plukenet calls it Sefamum altsrum foliis trifidis. GENUS IX. R V a L L 1 A. THE flower confifts of a fingle petal, and approaches to the labiated form : it confifts of a fliort tube, hid within the cup; an open and drooping neck; and, above that, an edge divided into five fegments : two of thefe which ftand upward are fomewhat reflex ; the other three point down- ward and are more fl:rait ; the cup is formed of a fingle leaf, divided at the edge into five narrow ferments ; and the feed-veflel is long, flender, rounded, and pointed at each end. LinnEEUS places this among the didynamia angioffermia ; the threads in each flower, as in moft of the preceding fpecies, being four, two of which are longer and two fliorter ; and the feeds being thus contained in a capfule. The firft of tliefe charaffers they enjoy in common with the flowers properly of the labiated kind -, thofe having four threads, which are thus of unequal lengths : the other is peculiar, for the feeds of all the plants properly of the labiated kind ftand in the bottom of the cup. This ftiews, that the particular arrangement of the threads, two long and two (hort, which is one of the moft Angular charafters in the method of Linnaeus, is not, nor can be, the proper mark of a clafs : though he has made it fo ; becaufe of the numerous plants which have the threads in this number and order, fome have the feeds naked, others regularly contained in a capfule. LinnEEUS faw this difference, and arranged the plants under two feparate heads, though in the fame clafs : but this is the fame error Ray made, in making the regular and irregular monopetalous flowers only a fub-diftinflion ; whereas it is truly, and in nature, a claffical charafter. Procumbent Ruellia. Ruellia frocumhens. The root is white, fmall, and thready. The ftalks are numerous, round, yellowifli, flender, and five or fix inches long: they lie every way fpread upon the ground, and fre- quently take root at the joints. The leaves ftand in pairs, and are fliort and broad : they are fliarply fcrrated at the edges. obtufe at the end, and of a frefh green: The flowers grow at the tops of the ftalks, three or four in a little clufter, and are of a pale red. The feed-veflel is long, and the feeds are nu- merous and fmall. It is a native of the Eaft Indies and the Ame- rican Iflands, and flowers in May. Plukenet calls it Genlianella impatiens foliis agerati. In Barbadoes they call it Sliapgrafs. Tie E N D of /he F 1 F T n CLASS. THE THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS VI. Plants whofe flower is compofed of two petals, and is followed by a sihgl^ CAPSULE. THIS is a dafs extreamly diftinft ; and charaflerifed by the moll plain and obvious marljs. " It contains but a very fmall number of plants ; but one would imagine no fyllem could err fo far from tlie path of nature as to add any more to it, or to feparate thcfe ; the charafters by which they are diftinguifhed from all other plants, and allied to one another, being fo ex- tremely fingulat and ftriking : yet, in the modern methods and fyftems of botany, there is no place appropriated to thefe ; but they ftand at random among others. LinniEus has placed the water flarviort in his clafs of momndria, and the enchanter's mghljhade itl his clafs of dianiria ; becaufe there is but a fingle thread in the flower of the former, whereas there arc two in that of the latter: on thefe minute parts is the attention of that author fo fixed, that thefe plants, are feparated by the means of the threads ; although they agree with one another in the flower and feed-veffel ; and have in both a characler which is in common with few others. Thefe are the moll ufeful dillinaive marks: the more confpicuous fuch charafters are, and the fewer plants they unite, the clearer and more familiar will be the method, and the eafier and plainer- the fliudents road to the fcience. Mr. Ray includes thefe plants and thofe which have three petals to the flower, and a finale capfule for the feed, together in one clafs. He feems in this to have been influenced only by t°ie fmall number there arc of plants belongmg to each ; but this, as we have cbfetved, is a happinefs or thing to be fought, not avoided : we fliould obferve nature ftriftly where it is found ; and not confound her diftinaions, by joining plants where flie has feparated them fo plainly. Mr. Ray makes the number of petals a mark of diftinaion for a clafs in other cafes where the feed-veffel is finale ; and there is the fame caufe here. If the pentapetaU vafculifera:, or thofe which have five petals a'nd a fingle feed-.vcllel, be clanically diftinft from the dipetaU and tripctalx, thofe which have two, and three petals and a fingle feed-veffel s fo are thefe two kinds, the iipetaU, and tripetaU, bom one another : the reafon is exaftly the fame, and he who ufed the charafter taken from the number of petals as a claffical mark in one place, fiiould not have refufed it in another. SERIES r. Natives of Britain. Thofe of which there are one or more fpecies native or wild in this kirudom. N U I. WATER-STARWORT. STELLARIJ. »J-'HE flower is compofed of two petals, and has no cup : the feed-veffel is round and compreffcd. LmnffiUS places this among his monandria digynia ; there being only one thread in each flower, and the ftyles, or filaments, from the rudiment of the capfule being two. This author takes away its ufual nmefiellaria, and calls the genus coriffermum ; uniting with it, under that name, the rhagrojiis, sl diftinft genus, as we fliall fliew in its place. 4 DIVI- The BRITISH HERBAL. ^37 DIVISION I. BR I. Common Water-Starwort. Steliaria vulga-ris. The root is a great ciufler of long and flender fibres. 7'he ftalks are numerous, green, flender, very weak, and a foot or two in length : they rife to the furface of the water ufually, as the mofl common place ot its growth is in fliallow ditches. The leaves grow in pairs all the way up the ftalks, but at the tops in cluftcrs : thofe on the ftaiks are longilh, narrow, and of a pale green ; they have no footftalks : they are pointed at the ends, and undivided at the edges. , The leaves on the top form themfelves into a kind of head ; they are fmalleil: in the centre, larger all the way outwards, and fpread in the manner of a ftar, whence the plant has its name. The flowers are fmall : they (land at the joints '■ of the ftalks, where the leaves alfo rife ; and there ufually ar-e two of them together : they are whitifli, and the two petals which compofe them are hollow, and converge togccher : there is a Tingle yellow button to each, fupported on a , long thread. . The fced-vefiel is rounded, flat, and marked with four lines on the furface. ; The feeds are numerous and fmall. It is common in our ditches, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Steliaria aqiiatka. Others, Steliaria apiatica vulgaris. 2. Blunt-leaved Water -Starwort. Stdlaria repcns foliis obtufis. The root is compofed of numerous very flen- . der fibres. The ftalks are many and weak : they are round and jointed: they rife but a little height in the water, where they arc covered ; but when the plant grows in mud, as is common, with very little water, then they iie fpread every way upon: the furface ; and, in both cafes, wherever they touch they take root at the joints. DIVISION "ir.- F o 1. Alternate-flowered Water Starwort. Steliaria floribus alternis. The root is compofed of many flender" threads, of a whitifli colour, and very tender fubftance. The ftalks are numerous, round, and of a pale green. The leaves are long, narrow, and of a dead green, undivided at the edges, and fliarp at the points. ITISH SPECIES. The leaves are few, and of a faint green : they grow in pairs, and have no footftalks : they are ftiort, and rounded at the end : at the top of the ftalk there {fand four, or more, in a little clufter, but not difpofed with that regularity wc fee in thofe of the former fpecies. The flowers are fmall and white : they are placed in the bofoms of the leaves, and the petals of which they are compofed ftand wider than in the other. The feed-veffel is fquare, but flatteti : the feeds are very numerous and minute. It is common in puddles and about the edges of filTi-ponds, and flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Lenticula palufiris bifoHa fru£tu tctragono. Dillenius, Steliaria minor et repens, 3. Long leaved Water-Starwort, Steliaria longijolia. The root confifts of fibres, but they ate not, as in the others, long and ilender 3 they make a very thick head of fhorc ones almoft innumerable. The ftalks are numerous, weak, and a foot or more in length. The leaves ftand in pairs on the ftalks, and in a ftarry tuft at the top : thofe on the ftalks are long, narrow, and often curled at the edges, and fplit at tlie points : the others are fliarp-pointedj and fpread upon the furface, in form of a ftar. The flowers arc very fmall, and yellowifh f each is compofed of two narrow petals, and iir the centre thcic rifes a fliort filament with a yel- low button. The feed-veffel is rounded and flat : the feeds are very numerous and fmall. It is common in falt-water ditches, and fome- times in frefti. I have obferved it abundantly in the ditches on the ifle of Shipey, It flowers in June, Ray calls it Steliaria aqtiatica foliis kngis tc nuijfimis. REIGN SPECIES. The flowers ftand alternately, and are com- pofed each of two flatted and fomewhat hooked petals, in the niidft of which rifes" a Angle fila- ment with a large button. The feed-veft"cl is roundifh and flatted. It is common about the fhores of the Volga-, and flowers in July. Juflleu calls it Corifpermum floribus lateralibus. Nothing is known of the virtueis of thefe plants. N» 14. GENUS 138 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS II. ENCHANTERS NIGHTSHADE. C I R C yE A. THE flower is compofcd of two petals, divided at the ends, and fpread open : the cup confifta of two fmall, oval leaves, and lalls with the Hower ; the leed vcfTel is oval and rough, and contains only two feeds. LinnEus places this among the iianiria momgynia ; there being two threads in each flov^er, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the capfule fingk. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Enchanters Nightfliade. CirCifa lutetiiina. The root is large and fpreading, and is fur- nilhed with many fibres. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and ten inches high. The leaves (land in pairs, and have long foot- ftalks : they are of an oval figure, and terminate in a fharp point ; they are broadefl at the bafe, and fmaller all the way to the extremity ; their colour is a deep beautiful green ; and they are a little indented at the edges, but it is (lightly and irregularly. The flowers fland in a long fpike at the top of the flalk : they arc fmall and white ; each has its feparate footftalk ; and they Hand in a very re- gular manner : when the plant has been any time in the flower thefe occupy the top of the fpike, and feed-veffeis hang from their footflalks on the lower part: befides the larger fpike which terminates theflalk, there are ufually fmaller from the bofoms of the upper leaves. The two petals of which each flower is compofcd are fo fplit that it feems to have four. The feed-vcffels are fiiiall and rough. It is a native of our woods and thickets, and flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it SoIanifoUn circ^ea di^a major. Others, Circ^a hitetiana ; or fimply Circa: DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Dwarf Enchanters Nightlhade. Circ^a mimtim. The root is white, and fpreads under the furface. The flialk is round, weak, and in part pro- cumbent : it is four inches long, and lies half that length upon the ground. The leaves are broad and fhort, largefl: at the bafe, and fmaller to the point, not at all indented at the edges, and of a blackilh green. The flowers fland in a fpike at the top of the ifalk, and are white, with a blufli of red: the cup is whitifli, and coloured at the edges. The feed -veflels are fhort, and roundifh rather than oval. C. Bauhine calls it Sclmifslia Circica alpina. Linnsus, Circra cauk adfatideiile racemo mm. 2. Broad-leaved Circsa. Grctea lalifoUa. The root is long, thick, and fpreading. The firft leaves are very large, and of an oval figure ; broad at the bafe, and obtufe at the ends : there are only two or three of them in a tuft i and they have flrort footftalks. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, hairy, and two feet high. The leaves ftand in pairs, and have long foot- ftalks: they are broad and oblong, widely Icr- rated, and ftiarp-pointed ; and their colour is a beautiful deep green. "The flowers are white, with a tinge of purple fometimes, but not always ; they ftand in long fpikes on the top of the ftalk, and on . branches rifing from the bofoms of the upper leaves : the fced-vefTel is large and rough. It is a native of North America, and flowers ' in May, Tournefort calls it Circ^a canadmfn latifolia fiore alh. Nothing is certainly known of the virtues of thefe plants. The END rf the S I XT H CLASS. 9 THE THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS vir. Plants nuhofe flower is compofed of three petals, and is followed by a SINGLE CAPSULE, THIS clafs has all the advantages of the laft, in being clearly, familiarly, and obviouOy diftinguiflied : like that alfo it comprehends only a few plants ; and there is the fame reafon for keeping them feparate from all others, the rendering the path to the fcience eafy and plain. . r i Linnajus, however, feparates them into very diftant parts of his works, placing the/w^fo/ atpong his fciae^BM"''™, and the among the ?s;jW™te^7» -K ftatterecJ. it flowers in Au guft.- C. B-iuhine calls it Papaver hortcnfe fiinine m- gro. I.ilina;us confiders this only as a variety of 'the other preceding : bat, however they may rV- femble one another when brought into gardeiis from the efFeft of culture, or the mixture per- haps of their farins, they arc, whtn in their wild and natural ftate, pcrfetflly dlftinft. Both thefe are brought into gardens for ufe and beauty, and the varieties rAifed from them by culture are innumerable. The black is not much regarded as a medi- cine ; but the white poppy, we have defcribed he-re in its wild ftate, is the famous plant, which being properly aflifted by culture, aftbrds in this country the foppj-heads, of which our fy- rup of diacodium is made ; and in Turkey, and other parts of the Eaft, yields opium. The plant continnes the fame in all rcfpefts but fize when it is thus cultivated ; and the greateft variation in this refpcft is in the head, which in the wild ftate are not larger than a chef- nut, but by culture is equal to a large apple. The virtues of all thefe, and thofe of the fe- veral fucceeding kinds of poppies, are the fame; but they enjoy them in a dift'erent degree. They are all foporifick, and of wonderful vir- tue againft pain. The black poppy is fuppofed to have fomething poifonous; but altogether without reafon. We have lliewn that it difi^ers little from the white in form, and it is Icfs diftijrent in its virtue : how- ever, the white is in repute, and is moft, indeed almoft only uftd. The flowers of the red poppy are gently fopori- fick, and are peeuliarly good in pleurilies : tfiey have been extolled by many as a fpecifick in that diforder: they arc alfo good in quinfies, ajij in all difordersof the breaft. Our The BRITISH HERBAL. Our people are nut fufficiently acquainted with their virtues, for they are only kept in the form of a fyrup in the Hiops ; and that way cannot be given in a proper dofe, becaufe of the quantity of fugar. A ftrong tinfture may be drawn from them in wine, which will better anfwer the pur- pofe. The family-medicine called red furfeit-water is a tindure of thefe flowers in fpirit, with fpices, and other ingredients, and is much preferable to the fliop form of a fyrup. The heads of iht garden pcppy^ ov while poppy cultivated, are gently foporifick, and excellent againft pain. What is called Jyrup of diacodium is a very lirong deca6tion of thefe heads boiled up with fugar i and it contains fo much virtue, that half an ounce is an effeftive dofe. Opium is obtained by wounding and prefling the heads of the fame fpecies, cultivated in the fame manner in Turkey, and has the grearcft vir- tges: it is the moil powerlul of almcfl: any known vegetable fimple. it is fovereign againft pain it promotes fweat, and caufes ileep. A very fmall dofe is fufficicnt, and a larger is dangerous. Laudanum is a tincture of opium, and is more iifed than the fubftance ; but either fhould be given with great care, and rarely without the ad- vice of a phyfician. There are fome who accuflom thcmfclves to take opium conftantly ; and, beginning with fmall dofe?, they habituate their conftitutions to the medicine, till they can take fuch as are aflonifh- ing. To thefe it ferves as a cordial, enlivening their fpirits like wine, or any other flrong li- quor. This is a general cuftom in theEaft. As the three fpecies already defcribed are the principal of the poppy kind in virtue, we have given their ufes here; and Ihall now proceed to the account of the feveral other fpecies called by different names, though certainly and plainly of this kind. 4. Round rough-headed Poppy. Papaver capitulo rotunda hifpido. The root is long, (lender, and white, and has a few fibres. The fii'fl: leaves are numerous, and beautifully divided into fegments : they have long foocftalks, and are of a pale green, and confiderably hairy : they are doubly pinnated, as it were, each con- fifting of feveral pairs of pinnse on a middle rib, and each of thofe pinnre being jagged fo deeply on each fide, that it appears pinnated again. The flalk rifes in the midft of this tuft, and is round, hairy, upright, branched, and a foot and a half high. The leaves are numerous, and fland irregu- larly : -they are of the fume form with thofe from the root, but fmaller. The flowers are fmall in comparifon of the pre- ceding kinds, otherwifc not little in proportion to ■ the plane : they are of a bright red, and confifl. each of four oval petals, with numerous threads. The feed-vtffel is roundifii, and very rough, being fet all over with a kind of briftly hairs : the feeds are numerous, fmall, roundifii, and black. Iris common in corn-fields in many pares of England, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Jrgenm^e capitu'.o hy-eviore. Others, Argmone vulgaris. 5. Long rough-headed Poppy. Papaver capitulo hifpido Icngiore. The root is long, (lender, white, ufually undi- vided, and furniflied with a few fibres. The firft leaves rife in a ciuO-er : they are of a pale green, and hairy, and faave Qiort footftalks - they are deeply divided in the pinnated manner; fo that they feem compofed of feveral pairs of pinnEE, or fmaller leaves, placed on a rib, with an odd one at the end j but they are in reality only fo many" fegments. The ftalks are numerous, round, firm, very much branched, and a foot high. The leaves on them are few ; they ftand irre- gularly, and are like thofe from the root, but fmaller. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches and are fmall, but of a beautiful fcariet colour^ with black buttons. The heads are long, and covered with a kind of foft prickles. It is cummon in many parts of England in corn fields, and on ditch-banks, and flowers in June. The flowers very quickly fade and fall off in this and the preceding fpecies. C. Bauhine calls \X. Argomm upituk Imgiore; and others follow him. ^ 6. Long fmooth-headcd yellow Poppy. Papaver capitulo longiore- ghbfo flore luteo. The root is long, flender, white, divided, and full of fibres. The firft leaves rife in a clufter; and are large, and have long footftalks: they are pro- perly of the pinnated kind, and very beautiful, each is compofed of three or four pairs of pinnse, or fmaller leaves, fet on a middle rib, with an odd one at the end. The ftalks rife in the centre of this tuft; and they are round, upright, weak, and a little hairy. Their leaves are few : and they ftand irregularly, and are like thofe from the root, but fmaller The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks, and are large and yellow. The feed-veffel is long, ribbed, and fmooth ; the feeds are fmall and numerous. It is frequent in Wales wild', upon the moift rocks^ and about the borders of rivulets. C. Bauhine calls it Papaver erratimm lacinia- ttm flare fiavo: Others, Argemone lutca Cambra-, Britannic<}, 7. Long, fniall-headed red Poppy, Papaver capitulo longiore giaho flore rubro. The root is long, flender, white, and hung with many fibres. The firft leaves are numierous, long, narrow and deeply jagged; fo that they in fome degree reprefent the pinnated kmd. The ftalk rifes in the centre of thefe, and is ^ round» H4 The BRITISH HERBAL. round, firm, upright, branched, and a foot and a half high. The ieaves ftand irregularly on it, and arc like thofe from the root, long, narrow, and deeply jagged : fometimes they ftand fingly, fometimes two, and fometimes three, rife from the fame joint, and this principally ac the branching of the ftaiks. The flowers are fmall, and of a pale red, fome- times white. The feed-velTel is long, and fmooth. This is frequent in the corn-fieids of Eflex, and flowers in June. Morifon calls it Papnvcr lacimnto foUo captulo longiore glabra, five Argemam capiiuio iongiore glabra. The flowers of thefe feveral fpecies poflefs the lame virtues with thofe of the cammon red poppy, but in an inferior degree. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. 1. Naked-ftalked Poppy. Papaver cauUbus nudis. The root is long, thick, and furnlfhed with many fibres. The Brft leaves are numerous, fmall, and of a dufky green: they have long, flender footftalks, and are deeply divided at the edges, often quite down to the rib ; fo that they appear pinnated. The flalks rife among thefe ; and they are naked, weak, and round ; but though they have no leaves, they have a fhort ftilf hair covering them, very thick. The flowers fband fingly, one on the top of every fl:aik ; and they are large and yellow. The feed-veflTel is oblong and rough, and the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is a native of Switzerland, and other nor- thern parts of Europe, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Argevione Alpina coriandri folio. 2. Prickly Poppy. Papaver fpinofum. The root is long and fpreading, of a white co- lour, and full of fibres. The firft leaves are very large, and of a dead green, marked with white veins, and prickly at the edges: they rife in a large clufter, and have no footflalks : they are oblong, broad, and deeply divided at the fides, and terminate in a point. The flalk is thick, firm, irregularly upright, of a pale green, and alfo prickly : toward the°top It divides into two or three large branches. The leaves fland irregularly on it, and have no footftalks : they are long, and jagged at the edges, and prickly. The flowers are large and yellow. The feed-veffeis are oblong and prickly, and the feeds numerous and fmall. It is a native of South America, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Papaver fpinofum. Mori- fon, Papaver fpinofum luteum foliis venis albis noz talis. Both thefe are of the nature of the other pap- pies ; but their virtues have not been particularly regarded. GENUS IL HORNED POPPY. C L J U C I U M. npHE flower is large ; it ftands fingly, and confifts of four petals, xhich are fpread regularly oDen ■ ± the cup confifts of two oval leaves ; and the feed-velTel is long, flender, fquare, and contains only a fingle cell, Linnsus places this among the folyandria monogyr.ia ; the threads in each flower being numerous and fixed to the receptacle, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the fruit finale Mr. Ray joins this to the poppy, not allowi.ng it to be a diftindl genus ; but in this he errs The form of the capfule is fo extremely different from that of the co:,„„on poppy, that it juftifies the makin.. It a diltina kmd ; and this, like all other well eftablilhed diftinftions, tends to render the fcience more familiar. Some have diftinguillied the feveral fmall-flowered poppies from the others, under the name of ar- gemone ; but as there is not in nature a fufficient foundation for this diftinftion, it perplexes inftead of clearing. Linnsus, who deferves pralfc for dividing the glaudum from the papaver, which Mr Ray omitted to do, lays himfelf open tocenfure, by joining the glaucium with tht chdidonium maju^, from which It IS abfolutely diftinft, as we fhall fee in the fucceeding genus. So difficult is it m thefc cafes to preferve the right medium. D I V I- The BRITISH HERBAL. 145 DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECISS. I. Yellow Horned Poppy. GUuchm lutco fiore. The root is long, thick, fcarce at all divided, and turnifhed with numerous fibres. The leaves that rile from it are large, and of a bluifh green : they have no footftalks ; they are long, and confiderably broad ; and are very deeply and irregularly indented at the edges. 1 he ftalk is round, thick, fmooth, of a whitifh or greyifh green, and two feet high: it divides into many branches, and fupports itfelf very crea. The leaves ftand ifregulatly on it, and are large, and like thofe from the root : they have no footftalk, but furround the ftalk at the bafe j and they are of a pale bluiOi green colour. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks, and are large and yellow. The feed-veflel is very long and flender, and is crowned at the top : the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is not uncommon on our fea coafts ; and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Papaver corniculaliim luteum. Linn^us, Chelidonium feduncuUs unifioris. We, Tdlow horned poppy. 2. Purple Horned Poppy, Glaucium fiore violaceo. The root is long, flender, white, and furniftied with a few fibres. The firft leaves rife in a little tuft, and are beautifully divided, without foorftalks, and of a pale green. The ftalk is round, flender, uprightj and a foot or more in height, and alfo of a pale green. The leaves Itand irregularly on it, and are, like thofe from the root, divided into numerous fine fegments, in a double pinnated manner. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks, and are large, and ot a deep blue purple, not unlike that of the common violet. The fced-velTels are long and flender, and the feeds numerous and fmall. It is found in cornfields in fome parts of Eng- land, but is not common. It flowers in Auguflj- C. Bauhine calls it Papaver corniculatum viola' c£um. We know hothing of certainty concerning the virtues of thefe plants j but they feem to ap- proach to the po-ppy in that refpedt, as well as form ; their juice being of the fame acrid and peculiar bitter tafte with theirs. DIVISION 11. FOREIGN SPECIES. Hairy, red flowered Horned Poppy; Glaucium hirfutum rubrum. The root is long, thick, and undivided, and has very few fibres. The firft leaves rife in a great, upright tuft ; and are long, narrow, hairy, and deeply divided at the edges into flat, broad, obtufe fegments : they have no footftalks, and their colour is a dead green. The ftalk is round, naked, very much branched, and of a pale green : this is alfo very hairy. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are di- vided more deeply than thofe from the root. The flowers are fmall, but of a beautiful fcarlet colour : they open wide, and have fome black buttons, fupported by fhort threads in the centre. The feed-velfel is long, flender, hairy, and crowned with a top : the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is common in the fouth of France, and flowers in July. Clufius calls it Papaver cormculaiutn phcemceo fiore i and moft others have copied the fame name- G E ; N u s m. \ CELANDINE. CHELIDONIUM MJyUS. TPIE flowers are fmall, arid ftand in clufters : each is compofed of four petals, and has a tuft of threads in the centre : the cup is formed of two oval leaves, and fplits open : the feed-Veflel is long, flender, and fquarc, and is crowned at the top. L.'mn^us ^hcts this zmong^ hh polyandria jnoNOgyjiia i the threads in the flower Being numerous, and growing to the receptacle j and the ftyle from the rudiment of tha fruit being Angle. This author does not allow it a diftinit genus or name; but joins it, ae I have obferved be- fore, with the horned poppy, under the name of glaucium : from this it differs evidently in the fize and difpofition of the flowers ; and thefc are fufficient charadters, in the eye ot reafon, for a gencrical diftinftion, where there are not greater. Mr. Ray errs more in this cafe than Linn^us i he joins this, as well as the laft, in one genus with the poppy. Of this genus there are but two known fpecics, and both are natives of Britain. NP XV. ti Common 146 The BRITISH HERBAL. 1. CoiiimQn great Celandine. Chclidonium mnjus vujgare. The ro6t is Imig, thiek; and full of a yellow juice; it is freflilpmly .tlivid«d, and ufually has many large fibres. * -1 he firft leaves arifein a nuineroirs taft-: they are large, and beautifully pinnated : each is com- pofed of three m four -pairs of ftnallei- leara, placed OB a rib, with- -ah odd otit 'at the 'end. ■ The ftalk is round, weak, branched; 'ind- two fiet-bigh." ■ _ ■ { - ; >i i Thi leavcs- on- it refcnible thofe from the foot, and are of- a pale green. - Tlitt-flbwers are fniall, and of a gold ytfflow : they gro-f feveral together on the tOffs" of: the ria5k-s.f--eadi- having iKtJWn feparate ren!!l'r"foot- The feed-veffels are'lcmg llSniJer gods, cph- tJining nuii^erous fteds^ -' ' Tht whole plant is firB bf adeep y'etlow juice. It is- coirttnon m wafte places, and flowers in June, ' --' ". -i (. .-. .. . ■C: Bsufime- xr of fmall leaves, at the bafc of each larger, which feems complcat without them : the p-ntia:, or fmall leaves, compofmg the larger in this fpc- ' cies, are very deeply and lharply divided, and hairy. The flowers are fmall and yellow: the fced- vtflils are long and thick ; and the feeds are nu- merous. It is common in feveral parts of England on banks, and flowers in Auguft. .. C. Bauhine calls it Chiliioumm majus foliis qiiernh. J. Baoljine, more properly, Chel:dmim» mjui folio lacimato; for the leaves of the com- mon kind more referable thofe of the oak than thefe. , . ■ k has been conlidered by many, and by Mr. R.ay among the reft, as. no mor,e- than, a variety of tl,B laft fpccies ;.' but it is cffentially differetlt : no^ only the leaves vary, but 'the flowas Ije. fmarter, and the pods. are laroe'r " ■ . ° "- . . .- iJ L.ji This and the other 'both "poircfs the fanie jfitj. tues, but the other, or mnm:erf-«; but that having been given to^feveral other genera,, as the loofeJiHfi ^r,d fiMcaria, cannot be retained for this without' c9nfufion. That name ws ongi^rally given to the yellow wUkwM or loofejlrifi, a genus alto-ether diftina from this, and defcribed in a preceding clafs : I have therefore appropriated i? to th.at genuS-: ^,»'^-f«'-:.;.'»-'V'"'of^'l epiloiirm, . Siiv,^ by, Linnsus.-and -in ufe among moft of th^ modern writers, for the fame diftinft aflbrtment of plants. D 1,V I- The B R t T I 3 H HERBAL. 147 DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Rofebay Willowherb. Epilohiim jloribus fpeciofis. This is die moft confpicuoUS and beautiful of all Sii idHt!t!ihrh, and l5 one of tKe finefi: of our Wild phnn. < The root is large, and fpreading. The firft leaves rife in a thick tuft, ancl are fe>i^,' fi'dffhw, and of a beautiful deep green on fht uppet fide,- and of a fliverjr grey underneath : ttiey have no fodtftalks : they are perfectly even at the edges, and terminate in a fjjarp point. Ih the centre of thefe rifes" the 'ftalk, which is round, thick, firm, upright, and i^ve feet high. T^lie leaves ftahd irregularly, but very beauti^ fully upon ft: they are long, narrow, and even af the edges : they have no footftalks ; and they are alfo of a deep green on the upper fide, and a filvery white below. The flowers ars large and; beautiful: they ftand- in a long fpike, and are of a fine deep red. The feed-velTcls-are long, and the_feeds- winged with d6wri. "ft'is'comhnoK ill n)-any' part's of England; and flowers in June.. Near Cancwqod at Hampftead tlicre'is a fiedge'decoratcd witli it for fixty yaids : together. . - hlifalia. Others, Lyftmachiaffeciofa, and Onagra fifPf^.tu.: Ml; 5V&(1 a=iKq-. -J i: "■=>nir"'^' 'P™^'^"^'^™^> Kali7",^rifowIierK.' ■tAi f.-i E,fUobium latifolium hirfuliim. ■ , . fi.io'd The root is coifiporcd 6T" numerous fibres, conneded to a large head. The firll: leaves are long, and modei-ately broad, indented at the edges, .lightly haify, antf of a pale green : they have no footftalks, and rife in a large tuft. The ffalks are numerous, round, rcdifli, and four feet high. They are thick fet with, leaves, which are, If&e-thbfe ffonr'the rbot, a pati gr'eyiffi greeni fSft^tb-tlie tOTTCH, cKxjng, brbad', ah'd" inde'ntcd' • ' tKet ffand-irt-agtflariyr aiid'idte''tS'tKc'tt'a-n'c at ' their bafe. ■ Tht^-flawere afe lid-ge-, and ofa pale'red : "they grow a few together at tHt' fijps^of the (talks. TKe pods' art lont;, and" full offmall feeds, with a filvety- down' among theiii^ It'is'conimon by waters, and flowers in June! " The tops of thls plant have' a^ligh't fragrancy. "flfcTcent has been fuppofcd torefehible that of apples in milk, and the plant is' thence called by oiit' cdrtimon ^lib^ls cii'dlin^s mid'cream. ■C. Ba'uhihe cills it' Lyfimmh'id' /iljquofa hirfuta vHU^^fftore. Others, LyJimacb'mfJJq^uafa. 3. Small-flowered, hairy Willowherb. Eplslium hirfullim parvoflcrs. The root is compofcd of a fmall head, from WWch r6n numerous large fibres. The firfl leaves are oblong, of a dead green, and blunt at the ends. The [talk is round, ereft, robuft, confiderably branched, and two feet or more in height. The leaves are long, and moderately broad ; of a dead green, hairy, not at .all indented, and they are fixed to the ftalk by their bafe. The flowers fl:and at the tops of the (ial'ks in great numbers, and ai-e fmall, and of a pale, but lively red. The feed-vefiels are long, and the feeds fmall and yellow. It is coiilmon in damp places, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls \t Lyfmacbw. filim:'afa kirfiita parvo flore. 4. Great, fmooth 'VVillowheib. Efihhium glahrum majus. The root confifts of a vafl: quantity of large and thick fibV-es fpreadiijg Svery '\v:iy. The firfl: leaves are broad, fliort, indented, and fliarp-pointed, and of a dead green. The fl:alk is firm, upright, very much branclicd, and four feet high. The leaves fl:and ir.regulariy'on it, and are very numerous': (hdy haVe.flidrc footftalks, and are ; broad, oblong, and fliarply (errated ; fmooth, and of a, dfeep green. ; The flowera ftand in confidcrablc numbers at the tops of the branches and, though the j plant is fb large, they arc very fmall : their colour i is a bright red, and they have long, flender foot- i ftalks. • ■ , The feed.-:veflels are Ibng, and the feeds fmall,- It is common in damp paftures, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Lyfmachia filiquafa glabra major. Otllci-s, Lyfyr.iachia camprjiris. 5. Narrow-leaved, fmooth Willowherb. Epiioihtm anguftifolium glatr.im. The root is -long, flerid'et*,- and creepino- : it runs taagreai difi;a-nae -liiider- the fLfrface, tnd is furniOied with many fibres: ' The flalks are n'umerous, round, firm, up- right, two foot and a half high, and confiderably branched. - . The leaves are very numerous : they (land fo thick that they frequehtty cover the ffalk for the greatefl: part of its length: they are long, nar- row, fmooth; of a deep green, and not at all indented-; but they terriiinate in a (liafp point. The ' flowers ' are placed at the tobs" of the- branc'hes, ■ and are large, and of a' beautiful bright red; ■ Thfc ft¥d=vefly is Idng, and the feeds are fur- roundc?y'"-with''a"grear quantity of down. It is frequent in damp meadows, under hedges, and by the fides of brooks. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Ly/imocbia glabra minor, J. Bauhine, Lyfimachia lavis. 6, Little 148 The BRITISH HERBAL. 6. Little, fmooth Willowherb. Epilobium glabnim minus. The root is compofed of numerous fibres. The firft leaves are long, narrow, and of a pale green ; and they rife in a thick tuft without footftalks. The ftalk is Tingle, upright, flender, rarely at all branched, and a foot and half high. The leaves are confiderably long, and very narrow: they are of a pale gloffy green, perfedliy fmooth, and undivided at the edges, and fliarp- pointed. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalk, and are numerous, large, and of a deep red. The fecd-veffels are long and thick. It is common by rivulets, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Lyfimachia glahra anguftifo- iia. Others, Lyfimachia glabra anguftifolia yninor, DIVISION II. F O Creeping Willowherb. Epilobium 7-epens. The root is fmall and fibrous. The ftaiks are round, weak, and flender : they trail upon the ground, and take root as they lie, only part of them approaching toward an ere£t poll u re; The leaves Hand regularly in pairs ; they are fhort, broad, and of an oval figure, pointed at the ends, not at all indented at the edges, of a deep green colour, and fmooth: thofe toward the tops of the ftaiks are fmaller and narrower. 7. Round-leaved Willowherb. Epilobium foliis fuhrotundis. The root is fmall and creeping. The ftalk is round, weak, eight or ten inches high, of a purplifh colour, and fcarce upright : it is rarely at all branched. The leaves ftand irregularly, and are not very numerous : they are Ihort and roundilh, not un- like thofe of the common origanum, perfeftly fmooth, and of a deep fliining green. The flowers grow at the top of the ftaiks, and are ftnall, of a beautiful red, and quickly fall off. The pods are long and thick, and too heavy for the plant to fupport perfefl:!y. The feeds arc fmall and cheftnut coloured, and the down about them is fofc and filvery. It is a native of our northern hills, where it grows by waters ; and flowers in Auguft. Ray calls it Lyfimachia filiquofa glabra minor latifolia. REIGN SPECIES. ■ ^" c r.i vi.'; -i.-iT The flowers are little, and of a pale red. The feed-vcflTels are long, flender, and have no footftalk. It is common on the mountains of Switzer- land, and flowers in May. Haller calls it Epilobium foliis dlipticis obtufe lanceolatis totiim lave. All the fpecies of epilobium have the fame vlr-- tues : they are cooling and aftringent. The root carefully dried and powdered is good againfl: bloody fluxes and other hemorrhages j and the frefti juice is of the fame virtue. GENUS V- SPURGE. rirUTMALUS. THE flower is compofed of four petals, which are thick, cut irregularly, and unequal : the cup is formed of a Angle piece divided into four fegments ; thefe ftand alternately mixed with the petak, and all remain together : the feed-veflTel is roundifti, and contains three cells, in each of which there is a Angle, roundifti feed. LinniEus places this among the polyandria monogynia ; the threads in each flower being nurnerous, and fixed to the receptacle, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the capfule fingle. This author joins the [purge with the euphorbium plant, taking away its antient and received name tilhymulus, and calling all the fpecies euphorbia \ lor he writes the gcnerical name euphorbia. This is excreamly wrong in two refpeils ; in the firft place it is a violation of the order of nature, no plants being more unlike than the euphorbia and many of the fpurges in their manner of growing-, and, in the next place, it muft create difficulty and confufion : the fpecies of each genus, when kept diftindt, are very numerous, and the number is immoderate when they are thus united. We lhall fliew, when treating of the euphorbium^ that its angulated, flefhy ftalk is a fufficient dif- tin^lion-, nor, indeed, are the flowers of that and y^^wr^e perfeilly alike, though they do in many things refemble one another. The perfon who writes for inftru6tion ftaould endeavour to find, not how different genera may be united by fome fmall charader they have in common, but by what, and principally by what moft obvious marks, they are feparated from one another. D I V I- The BRITISH HERBAL. 149 DIVISION I. B R I T I S H S P E C I E S. I. Wood Spurge. Ti'hjma/iis chciracias amygdahides. The root 1.S coniporcd of a multitude of large fibres, vvhicii fpread every way. The ilalks are numerous and firm: they are thick, upright, and round, and have a redifli baric, and under that a green one : they are a yard high, and not branched, except where they fpread an the top tor howering. 'X'he leaves are lange and numerous : they arc long, narrow, and fofc to the touch: they are of a deep green, and a little hairy at the upper lide ; and of a greyifh green, and more hairy un- clerneatli ; and their middle rib is red toward the bafe. The fiowers are greenifh, fmall, and very nu- merous : tiif y ft^nd at the top of the ftalks on fmall, divided branches, which fpread in a kind of umbel, and which have, at their infertions and divifions, Ihorter kav-es thaa thofe on the fi:a!k ; the figure, and difpofjtion of the petals of the flower, form numerous crefcentSi fo that the whole top in flower has a beaiuiifui appear- ance. The whole plant irs full of a cauftick, milky juice. It is frequent in woods and oa heaths, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Tithymalus characias amyg' daloides ; and almoft all who have written fince have copied him, 2. Red French Spurge. *Tithymalus cbaracias rubefcens. The root is long, thick, and divided into feveral parts, and furnifhed with many fibres. The ftalk is round, firm, red, upright, and three feet high. The leaves are long, narrow, and Hi arp- pointed : they have Hiort footftalks, and are fmooth, of a dead green at firft, but afterwards red : they are of a hard, firm fubftance, and differ as much in that as colour from thofe of the preceding fpecies. Toward the top the ftalk divides into a vail number of branches, on which ftand the flowers in a great umbel : they are fmall, very nume- rous, and of fo deep a purple that they appear black. The feed-vcfie! is very large: the whole plant, when ic has ftood fome time, becomes red. It IS common in France and Germany, and is of late found to be a native of our country. Dr. Plot mentions its being found wild in Staf- fordHiirci and Mr. Ray takes notice of the place, though he fufpeited it to arife from feeds fcattered from a garden : it has fince been found on the mountains in the north of Ireland. It flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it T'ilk^malus cbaracias ruheyis peregri7i'us. The generality of later authors call it Titkymahs cbaracias MonJpcHcnfmmj from its frequency about that place. 3. Rough-fruited Spurge.- Tithymalus 'verrucofus. The root is eompofed of a fmall head, and a numerous tuft of fibres. The fl:aik is round, flender, upright, not at all branched, and a foot high. The leaves (land irregularly, and are broad, fliort, iharp-pointed, fmooth, of a pale green, and not at all indented at the edges. The flowers ftand in a fmall tuft, or umbel, at the top of the plant j and they are little, and of a yellowifli green. The feed velTei is roundifh, large, and rough: it is more confpicuous than in mofl: of the other kinds, and has been luppofed to refemble a wart : the feeds are large. It is found in the northern counties, but is not common. C. Bauhine calls it 'Tithymahis myrjinites fruSIu 'uerriica fmili, 4. Sea Spurge. T'ithyfnalns ?mril!mus. The root is very long, and furnilbed with a few fibres. The fl:alks are numerous, thick, rouod, and a foot and half high : they are perfeilly covered with the leaves ; fo that the plant makes a very fingular appearance. The leaves are oblong, narrow, undivided at the edges, and pointed at the ends : they ftand upwards, and are placed, in the manner of fcales, one over another. The flowers ftand in a fmall umbel at the top of the plant, and are little and greenifh. The fced-veffel is large, and the feeds are alfo large. 1 he whole plant is perfe6tly fmooth, and of z bluifh green colour. It is common on our fca-coafl:s, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Titbymalus maritimus. J. Bauhine, Tithymalus paralius; and moft of the fucceeding authors have taken one or other of thefe names. 5. Knobby-rooted Spurge. Titbymalus radice crajfa. The root is large, thick, and tuberous ; of a brownilh colour, with a tindt of red on the out- fide, and full of a milky juice. The fl:alks are numerous, weak, round, of a pale green, and a foot high. The leaves are fhort, very numerous, and of a pale green : they are not at all indented, and they terminate in a rounded end. The flowers are fmall and yellowifh, and form a kind of umbel at the tops of the branches. The feed-vefiel is large, as are alfo the feeds. It is frequent in the cornfields of Ireland ; and flowers in Augufl:. Merrec calls it Titbymalui HUemicus. N» 15. 6. Broad 150 The BRITISH HERBAL. 6. Croad-Icaved Spurge. Tilhymah:s lalijolius avjaifis. The root is long, flender, and has a few fibres. The ftalk is fingle, round, uprighr, firm, and a foot and half high. The leaves are oblong and broad, perfeftly finooch, not at ail indented at the edges, and of a pale green. lire fiowers fi;and in a large clufter at the top of the ftalk, and are fma!! and srreen. The feed-vclfel is large, as are alfo the feeds. It is found among corn in our fouthern coun- ties ; and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Tithymalu! arvenfu latifolhis Germamcm. J. Bauhine, 7ithymalus platyphylbs fuchjii. Clufius, ^'ithymalus psregrinuj piaty- pbylloi, ^. Small long-leaved Spurge. 'Tithymalus parvus longifolhis. This is an upright, pretty plant. The root is fmall and Ilender, and has but few fibres. The ftalks are numerous, firm, upright, and of a redifb hue near the ground, but of a pale green higher up. The leaves are long, narrow, and of a yellow green : they have no footfialks, and they are perfeftly undivided at the edges. The flowets fland in a loofe kind of umbel at the tops of the flalksi and on fmall branches rifing from the bofoms of the upper leaves: they are fmall and yellow. The feed-velTcl is fmall, and the feeds are brown. It is common in the corn-fields of Kent and fome other parts of the kingdom ; and flowers in July. Ray calls it tilbymdus fegetum longifclim. 8. Little Sea Spurge, ^ithymahu maritimus parvus. The root is long, and furniflied with many fibres. The ftalk is round, fingle, upright, and about eight inches high. The leaves are numerous, fmaller at the bot- tom, and larger all the way up the flalk : they have no lootftalks, and hang downwards : they are Ibort, and of an inverted oval figure; broadeft at the end, and fmaller all tlir. way to the bafe : they are of a whitifla green colour, undivided at the edges, and round at the end, with a weak prickle. The flowers are numerous, and Hand in a loofe fcattered umbel : fliey are fmall and yellow. The feed-veficls are large, and fomewhat rough. It is found on our fea-coafts ; and flowers in June. Ray calls \lTithyimlus marilimus minor Partlan- iiais. It was firfl: found by Mr. Stoncfl:reet near Portland toward Devonfliire. 9. Dwarf Spurge. lithymalits puvtilus tltlglijlifolitis. The root Is fmall, oblong, and undivided, and has a few fibres. The ftalks are numerous, weak, round, and of a yellowilh colour : they He fpread every way upon the ground, and are branched, full of leaves, and ufually four or five inches high, fometimes more, often much lefs. The leaves are fmall, oblong, pointed at the ends, and of a pale green. The flowers ftand in a kind of fcattered umbels at the tops of the ftalks ; and at the bafe of thefc there are longer and narrower leaves than the others : the floivers themfclvcs are very fmall, and yellow. ' The feed-veflels are alfo fmall. It is common in our cornfields, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Tifiymalus five efula exigua. Others, Tithymalus minimus. 10. Sun Spurge. Tithymahis heliofcopiiis. The root is long, flender, and furnifhed with a few fliort fibres. The ftalk is round, upright, fingle, not at all branched, and ten inches high. The leaves are numerous, oblong, of an in- verted oval figure, and ferrated at the edges ■ they have no footftalk ; and are fmalleft at the bafe, whence they are broader all the way to the end. The fiowers ftand at the top of the ftalk, in a broad,' fpreading umbel : they are of a yellowifli green. The feed-veflbls are large, and the feeds are alfo large. It is common on garden borders and in other cultivated grounds ; and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Tithynialus helioficpius. J. Bauhine, Titiymalus filifequius. II. Little, roundilh-leaved Spurge. Tithymaks parvus folns fuhroumdis. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with many fibres. The ftalks are round, upright, of a pale green, and eight inches high. The leaves are fliort, roundifli, on the lower part of the ftalks, and fomewhat longer on the upper part, where they refemble thofe of the fun/purge, but that they are fmaller, and not dented at the edges : they are of a pale green, and have no footftalks. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks in a kind of loofe umbels : they are fmall, and of a ycllowifli green. It is common in garden borders, and other cul- tivated ground ; and flowers in May. This and the preceding are the two moft com- mon kinds we have : they generally grow toge- ther, and are diftinguiftied at fight by the leaves bemg dented in one, and not in the other : this laft alfo is the fmaller. CBau- The BRITISH HERBAL. C. Baubine calls it Peplus, Jive Efiila rotunda. Ray, Tithymaltis parvus anniius foliis fubroiundis non crmaiis, 12. Branched Sea-Spurge; ^itbyinalus mariiitnus ramofus. This is a fmgular fpecies. The root is long, [lender, and undivided . The ft;ilk is round, weak, fix or eight inches high, and very much branched : a great part of the branches ufiially lie upon the ground, but the main parv of the ftalk rifes tolerably upright. The leaves are fmall, broad, fhort, numerous, and of a yellowifli green at firft ; but, when the plant has ftood fome time, they are ufually redifn : DIVISION 11. F O I. Tree-Spurge. i'ilhymahis arborms: The root is large, and fpreading. The ftem is thick, firm, and ere£l ; and the whole plant has very much the appearance of a tree. It grows to five feet in height : the trunk is naked ; and from its top, which is nearly at half the height of the entire plant,- rife numerous branches : thcfe are flender, upright, and of a redifli colour. The leaves are oblong, narrow, and of a pale green, nor at all divided at the edges, fharp at the point, and without footftalks. The flowers ftand at the tops of thefe in fmall umbels, and are little and yellow. The fced-veflcls arc large, and the feeds brown. It is a native of Italy, and of the Greek jflands, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it 7'ilhymaiiis myrtifolius arbo- reus. Others, "Tithymalus arboreus, 2. Myrtle -Spurge. litbymalus myrfinites. The root is long, divided, and furnifhed with many Ebres. The ftalks are round, thick, and green, or fometimes rediOi, and lie in great part upon the ground : the flowering branches rife to eight inches high, and make a very pretty appearance; they are flender, upriglit, and not at all divided or branched. The leaves are very numerous, thick, and of a bluilli green : they have no footftalks, and they refembie the leaves of myrtle : they hang down- wards, and they are rough at the edges, and pointed at the end. The flowers are fmali and green ; but they ftand in a large, regular, and beautiful umbel at ^he tops of riic flalks. The fecd-vefie! is !:lrge, and deeply marked in three places. It is a native of Italy, and the fouth of France, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Tithymalns myrftnites latifo- Uus. Others fimply Tiihymchis myrfinites. they are broad at the bafe, where they adhers without any footftalk, and are obtufe at the end. The flowers are fmall and yellowifli at firfl:^ but afterward they are redifli ; they do not grow, as in the others, only at the top of the fl:alks, but all along the plant, rifing with fhort foot- ffalks from the bofoms of the leaves. The feed-veffels are large, and marked with three divifions, and the feeds are large and brown. It is frequent on our fea-coafl:s, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it "Tithymalns maritimus foUs obtufo. Others, PepUs. When in flower, it is ufually throughout of a fcarlet-colour. REIGN SPECIES. 2. Round-rooted Spurge. Titbymalus radice rotunda. The root is large, and of a regular figure ; ap- proaching to round, but refembling the fhape of a pear. The ftalks are numerous, round, thick, and ufually redifli : they are five or fix inches high, and feldom perfedlly eredt, but leaning or bend- ing one way or other. The leaves are broad, fhort, and not very nu- merous : they have no footftalks, and they are fmalieft at the bafe, and larger all the way to the other end. The flowers are fmall, and green, with a tinge of yellow : they ftand in large umbels on the tops of the flalks. The feed-vefiel is large, and marked with three divifions, and the feeds are large. It is a native of Crete, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Tithymalus tuberofa pyriformi radicg. Others, Jpios. 4. Pine-Spurge. 'Tithymalus foliis angujlis aciitis: The root is long, flender, and covered with a redifh bark. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and a foot and a half high. The leaves ftand irregularly, and are largCj narrow, and pointed at the end : they are of a bright green colour, and foft to the touch. The flowers are fmall and greenifti : they ftand in a large umbel at the top of the ftalk. The leed-vefi"el is large, and the feeds are large and brown. It is common among the wet rocks in France, Spain, and Italy, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Tithymalus foliis pini forts Diofcoridis pithyufa. Others, Pithyufa. 5. Great-fruited Spurge; Tithymalus fruSlu magna. The root is large and fpreading. The ftalk is round, thick, hollow, whitifh, and tinged, as it were, with brown : it is up- right, 15 = The BRITISH HERBAL. right, and, like all the other fpurges, full of a milky juice. The leaves are numerous, long, narrow, and of a pale green: they have no fooellalks ; they adhere by a narrow bale, and ftand out horizon- tally. The top divides into feveral branches, forming ^ very large umbel ; and the plant, wlien in flower, is a yard high. Thefe upper branches have numerous leaves j but they are unlike the others : they arc broad at the bafe, and fmaller to the point ; fo that they are in fome degree of a triangular form. The flowers are large and yellowith, and the feed-velTcls very large-, and deeply ribbed. When they are fully ripe, they burfl in the hot fun, and the feeds fly out forcibly. It is a native of France and Italy. We keep it frequently in gardens. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Latbyris major. Others call it Catafutta major. Others only Lathyrh and Cataputia, without the addition of major. The reafon of calling this the greater catapu- tia is, that fome have defcribed what they call a fmaller fpecics -, but that diftijring, according to their own accounts, in nothing but fize, is a va- riety, and not a diftinft fpecics, 6. Great Myrtle-Spurge, Tithymalus myrlifolius perennis. The root is thick, divided, and perennial. The ftalks are numerous, round, hollow, thick. and two feet high ; they are perfectly ereft, and not at all branched. The leaves are large, oblong, and fliarp- pointed, of a blackifli green, and drooping; The flowers are large, and of a greenifli yel- low : they ftand in fmall umbels. The feed-veffel is large, and the feeds arc blackifti. It is a native of Germany, and flowers in Au- guft. C. Bauhine calls it Tltbymahis m^rfimles a7igufii~ folius. Others, Tithymaks myrtifoUus niger. All the fpecies of tithyimil^ Engliih and fo- reign, agree in their qualities. They abound with a hot and acrid juice, wliich applied out- wardly eats away warts, and other excrefcences. The bark of the root of the efiila, and fome other kinds, have been at different times received in the (hops as medicines \ but they are now alto- gether difufed. Their operation was by vomit and ftooli and they did both fo violently, that it is with great reafon they are banillied the fhops. Some country-people have ventured to take fmali dofes of the juice of /purge: it operates vio- lently, and is apt to erode and inflame the in- teftines. If any will venture to give the efula bark, it fliould be corre£ted, by fteeping in vine- gar, and afterwards dried and powdered; and mace, and a few grains of gum tragacanth, mixed with it. G E N u S VI. P LANTAIN. PLANT AGO. THE floxver confifts of four petals, joined at tli£ bafe : the cup is formed of a fingle leaf, divided into four parts, and remains with the fruit : the feed-veflel is of an oval form, and the feeds are numerous and fmall. , , j . u n i . r Linnajus places this among the tetrandria mono^nia ; the threads in each flower being four, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the capfule fingle. This author joins under the fame name fome other genera, as they are called by too many, and with one exception, very juftly. They erred who made a peculiar genus of the coronopus or bucks- horn plantam ; but Linna:us is as much in the wrong, when, on the other fide, he brings in the pfyl- iism, otfleamrt, into the fame genus. We fliall flicw the diftinflion when treating of pfyUimn in the fucc'eeding part of this clafs ; there being no fpecies of it Britifli. We fee in this, as in many other inftances,°how natural it is in avoiding an error on one fide, to commit one on the other. The mark cf. prudence is to keep the moderate courfe, and to know where to flop. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Smooth, broad-leaved Plantain. Plantago latifolia glabra. The root confifts of numerous, thick fibres, joined to a fmall head. The leaves rife in a great clufter ; and are large, broad, and of a dead green : they are of an oval figure, broadeft: at the bafe, fmaller to the end, where they terminate obtufely ; and they have long, hollow footftalks. The ribs arc very large and confpicuous, and they run lengthwife of the leaves : there are ufually feven of them. The ftalks rife among thefe, and arc nume- rous, round, tough, and a foot high. They have no leaves on them ; but at the tops bear a long, fiender fpike of flowers. The flowers are fmali and inconfiderable; they are of a greenilh white, and foon fade. The feed-veflel is fmall and oval, and the feeds are numerous and brown. C. Bauhine calls it Plantago latifolia Jinuata, Others, Plantago latifolia 'Vulgaris. We in Eng- lifh. Great plantain, or IFaybrid. The leaves are ufually fmooth, and fometimes 2 lightly The B R I T I S lightly finuated, often waved, and otherwife ir- regular. There are alfo other varieties of this plant, which have been defcribed and figured as parti- cular fpecies. What is called rofe-flantain, is this fpecies with clufters of fmall leaves growing on the ftalk in form of a rofe, and is owing to the panfliire of an infeifl, which perverts the courfe of the juice. The feveral other varieties of it, and of the other fpecies, as the befom plantain^ and the reft, are only varieties, rifing from the fame accident. 2. Rough, broad-leaved Plantain. Plantago latifolia hirfuta. The root is compofed of numerous, large fibres. The leaves rife in a thick tuft ; and are broad, large, and of a whitifh colour : they are of an oval (liape, broidefl: near the bafe, growing gradually Irnaller to the end ; and their ribs run lengthwife, and are very confpicuous. The ftalks rife among the leaves in confider- able number : they are a foot high, of a whitifli cdlojjr, hairy, and not very firm. The flowers are fmall and whitifh, and they Hand at the tops of the ftalks in Ihort and thick fpikes, not in long, flender ones, as in the for- mer kind. It is common in paftures, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Plantago latifolia incana. Others, Plantago major incana. We, Hoary plantaifjy or Lambs tongue. 3. Narrow-leaved Plantain. Plantago angiiftifolia vulgaris. The root is thick, fliort, divided into feveral parts, and furniOied with many fibres. The leaves are numerous, and have no foot- ftalks : they arc long, narrow, and of a deep green, broadeft toward the middle, and ftiarp at the point, Their ribs run lengthwife, as in the others, and are very large and confpicuous. The ftalks arc numerous, tough, upright, na- ked, ftriaced, and ten inches high. The flowers are fmail, and ftand at the top of each ftalk in a fliort, thick fpike. The fced-vcfl'els are fmall and oval, and the feeds very minute and brown. It is common every where by way-fides, and flowers all fummer. C. Bauhine calls it Plantago major angujlifolia. Others, Plantago qttinpienervia. We, Ribmrt plantain. It varies extremely in ilze, according to the degree of nourifhment it receives ; and hence the common writers have defcribed a larger and fmaller kind ; but this is only variation from ac- cident, no diftinction of fpecies. This is alfo liable to the fame accidental varia- tions as the broad-leaved kind, from the difl:urbed current of the juice ; and by this its top will be covered with leaves, or its fpike varioufly al- tered. Thefe are no more than varieties perfedlly ac- cidental ; but as they are Angular in their kind, they are reprefented in the annexed plate. N" XVI. H HERBAL. 4. Little, annual, broad-leaved Plantain. Plantago latifolia annua paria. The root confifts of a few fibres. The leaves are numerous, and fpread upon the ground : they are broad and (liort ; they approach to an oval figure, and have very high veins : they are finuated at the edge, but lightly and ir- regularly, and terminate in a (harp point. The ftalks are numerous, round, firm, and about three inches high : they have no leaves on them, and are of a pale green. The flowers ftand in long and flender fpikes at the top of each ftalk. The feed-veficls are large, and the feeds very fmall. It is not uncommon in d.imp places on heaths; where it is generally overlooked, being confi- dcred only as a ftarved plant of the common kind, or as an accidental variety ; but it is truly diftinft. C. Bauhine calls it Plantago latifolia glabra mi- nor; and moft others dcfcribe it under the name of Plantago minor ; but they confound with this, which is entirely diftinft, the accidental variety of the common plantain, when only fmaller from want of nourifhment. Difference in fize alone is no mark of a dirtinft fpecies ; but, joined with others, it aflills. Authors defcribe alfo a kind of hoary plantain, under the name of the fmaller. Plukcnet calls it Plantago noflras latifolia minor incana trinervis ; but this is nothing more than an accidental variety of the. common hoary plantain, all the parts being the fame, though fmaller, and the plant rifing to its full ftationjn better ground. £. Sea-Plantain. Plantago marina. The root is long, flender, undivided, and fur- niflied with a few fibres. The leaves are numerous, long, and narrow ; they rife in a thick tuft, and ftand tolerably up- right, only a few of the outcrmoft lying upon the ground. They have no footftalks: they are broadell at the bafe, narrower all the way to the point and fometimes a little notched at the edges, but this very irregularly. The ftalks rife among thefe leaves in great number : they are four or five inches high, and have at their top a fpike of flowers very flender, and three or four inches in lengtii ; fo that the whole height is eight or ten inches : the ftalks are naked, and the flowers in the fpikes are very fmall. The feed-veflels alfo are fmall, and oval ; and the feeds very minute. It is common in our falt-marfties, and elfe^ where about the fea-coafts, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Plantago maritinia major. Others, Plantago marina •vulgaris, and Coronopits marinas. We, Sea-plantain, or Sea iucks-hora plantain. S. Bucks-horn Plantain. Plantago foliis incijis. The root is long, flender, undivided, and fur- niflied with many fibres. R r The 154 The BRITISH HERBAL. The leaves are numerous, and very beautiful : they He upon the ground, and fpread chemfelves out every way from the head of the root, in form of a ftar : they are long, narrow, and deeply jag- ged at the edges; the jaggs are fo long that they have been fuppofed to give the leaf Ibme refcm- blance of the horn of a buck i whence its Eng- iilh name : they are of a pale green» and hairy. The ftalks are numerous, round, flender, and naked. The Bowers are fmall, but have confpicuous white buttons from their centre. Thefeed-veflel is fmall and oval, and the feed is very minute. The fiowers and fecd-vefTcis fland in fliori:, {lender fpikes. It is common in barren places, ar.d flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Coronopus fyhejlris hirfutior- Others, Coronopus-, and Cornu cervinum, or Finn- tag9 coronopus di£la. We, in Englifh, Bucks- horn plantain, and in fome places Star of the earth: bur this laft is an improper name, becaufe it has been alfo given to a very diifcrent plant, to be defcribed hereafter, and therefore will create con fu Hon. 7. Little hairy Plantain. Plantago anguftifolia pumila incana. The root is large, irregular, oblong, and of a brown colour. The leaves are few, and fmall ; they rife in a little tuft, and are tolerably upright : they have no footrtalks : they are hairy, and of a pale green, ar.c 2^. broadeft in the middle, and narrower to the point, where they terminate fliarply. The ftalk is round, weak, naked, upright, and four inches high. The flowers are fmall and white : they ftand in a thick, fliort tuft at the top of the ftalk, and quickly fade. The feed-veflcis are oval, fmall, and fmooth, and the feeds are very fmall and blackiOi. It is frequent about the fea-coaftof Suflex, and fiowers in April. Ray calls it Plantago angufiifoUa minor. This little plant is fubjeit, like the others, to the variations of having a divided fpike, or a leafy top ; and they arife altogether from the fame caufe, the bitings of infects. This is an ac- cident that we fee produce ftrange appearances in many plants, from the oak to this meanelt of the plantain kind. The various excrefcences of the oak, the galls, oak-apples, and the like, are caufed only by the puncture of a fly. The rofe upon the willow, which is juft analogous to this upon the plantain., is alfo owing to the fame caufe j and foare innu- merable others. 8. Narrow-leaved mountain Plantain. Pla7itago Jlpina angiiJiifoUa. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with a few fibres. 2 The leaves rife from numerous heads, into which the root fplits at the crown ; and are long, narrow, and of a pale green : they have no footftalks : they are broadeft in the middle, and fmall both at rhe bale and point, wlicre they ter- minate fliarply. The Halks are few, and very fmall : they arc not more than three inches high, round, flender, and green. The flowers are final!, and of a grcenifli white ; they ftand at the tops of the ftalks in a fmall, flender fpike. The feal-vcflcis are oval, and the feeds very fmall. It is common on the Welch mountains, and flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Plantago Alpina angujlifoUa. 9. Hairy graflTy-leaved Plantain. Plantago fcliis gramineis hirjutis. The root is long, flender, w;hite, and furnifhed with a few threads. The leaves rife in a confiderable tuft ; and are fmall, of a greyifli green, and graffy ; they are broadeft at the bafe, narrower all the way to the point, and hairy. The ftalks are weak, round, and naked, and fupport little fpikes of flowers. The flowers themfelves are very fmall and whi- tifti, and the fpikes thick, ftiort, and roundifii. The feed-veflTel is roundilh, and the leeds arc fmall. It is common on the ifland of Sheepcy, and in other parts about the fea-coafts. It flowers in June. Ray. calls it Plantago gramineo folio hirfato wi- nm- capitulo rotundiore brevi. 10. Single-flowered Plantain. Plantago monmilhes. The root is compofed of a great, number of fibres, which penetrate deep into the ground. The leaves rife in, a large tuft; and they are narrow, long, and grafly ; many lie on the ground, and a good number ftand up. Among thefe rife the ftalks : they are very mi- nute, flender, brown, and naked : they are not half an inch high ; each fuftains a Angle, flower, which is very fmall .and inconfiderable ; and from this rife four very long ftamina, with large, white buttons. The feed-vefici is fmall and oval, and the feeds are very minute. It is not uncommon in boggy places, though, from itsfmallncfs, little regarded. It flowers in June. This little plant has a variety of long names, Tournefort calls \t Plantago palilftris gramineo folio monanthos Parifienfis. Ray, Gramen Junceum., Jive holojleum minimum pahijire capiluUs quaiuor lon~ gifftmis Jlaminibus donatis. D I V I r H E "b R I T I S H HERBAL. IS5 DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Thick fpikcd Sea-Plantain. Pkntago marilima fpicis crajis. The root is long and Qender, and is furnidied with a few fibres. The leaves are narrow, hairy, and thort, in comparifon of many of the former kinds : they are fmall near the bafe, broadeft toward the end, and fharp-pointcd. The llalks are numerous, round, flender, and hairy : they are four or five inches high, and have leaves on them. The flowers are placed at the tops of the ftalks in a thick fpike. The feed-vefl'el is large and oval, and the feeds are very fmall. It is common on the fea.coafts of Spain, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Holojiciim hirfutum albicans Others, Plailtago Hifpanica /pica oblonga It is fomctimes found very fmall for want of nourifhment, and in that ftate has been defcribed as a diflinft fpecies ; but it is merely an acci- dental variety. 2. Short-ftalked Plantain. Phntago fcap irevi. The root is long, flender, and undivided. The leaves are numerous, of a greyilh green, narrow, and of a graffy fhape : they are broadeft at the bafe, and fmallcr all the way to the point. The ftalks are numerous, and very Chort : they are not of the length of the leaves, and are of the fame greyilli colour, and covered with a thick downy hairinefs. The flowers are fmall and whitifli : they are placed in thick, (hort fpikes at the tops of thefe ftalks, and feldom ftand upright, ufually droop- ing one way or other. The feed-veffel is large and oval, and the feeds are very fmall. It is common in the Greek illands, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it HoIoJteum,five Leentopoiium Crelicum. Clufius, Leontapodium Creticum. 3. Narroweft-leaved Plantain. Platago folih angnjiiffmis. The root is very thick, and divided. The leaves are extremely numerous, and nar- rower than any other of the plantain kind ; they are long, anci lie every way fpread about, and frequently are curled, fo that they referable worms, or little ferpents ; whence the plant has been named fnake-grajs. The ftalks are round, weak, and flender : thejr have no leaves on them. The flowers ftand at the tops in long, flender fpikes, and they are fmall and inconfiderable. The feed-vefiel is oval and fmall, the feeds arc minute and numerous. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Holtifteum JiriBiJimo folia majtis. Others, Plantago firiaijfnm folio, and Serpmtaria major. All the fpecies of plantain pofiefs the fame vir- tues, and they are very confiderable. None of them is better than the common broad-leaved kind ; therefore with us it would be idle to bring any other into ufe. This is aftringent, cooling, and healing. A water is diftiUed from it ; but thii is of fmall value, for thefe are not virtues that rife in diftil- lation. A decoftion of the entire plant is excellent in diforders of the ureters. The root, dryed and powdered, is to be given half a dram for a dole, and is very fcrviceable againft loofeneflTes with tharp and bloody ftools. The juice is good againft fpitting of blood, and againft the overflowings of the menfes. The leaves, bruifed, and ufed outwardly, cleanfc and heal old ulcers. Thefe are all the plants with four petals to the Rower, and a Angle regular capfule, of which there are any fpecies native of Britain. It muft not appear an omiffion, that three plants, afcribed in Mr. Ray's Synopfis to this clafs, are omitted. The firft, pmtaptsropbyllon, has no feed-veflel, but the flower is followed by four naked feeds . the fecbnd, balfamine, has five petals to the flowet} and the third, hypopitys, has ten. By what over- fight in Mr. Ray thefe came to be added to the prefent clafs, I fliall not enquire : it is plain they fcverally belong to three others ; and they will be treated of accordingly in their places in the fucceeding part of this work. SERIES The BRITISH HERBAL. SERIES II. Thofe of which there is no fpecies native of tliis country. GENUS I. R UE. R U T A. THE flower is compofcd of four petals, which are hollow, narrow, and ftand open, and it has a tuft of threads in the centre : the cup is fmall, formed of a fingle piece, but divided into four fegments at the edge, and permanent: the feed vt (Tel is large and fingle, but compofed of four lobes, and lightly divided into four partitions ; the feeds are numerous and rout^h. Linnsus places this among the oBandria momgyma; the threads in each flower being eight, and the rudiment of the rapfule with its ilyle fingle. There is fometimes a variation in the uppermoft flower of rue, it h tving five inftead of four pe- tals i but in that cafe all the refl: of the flowers wherever fo numerous, confift only of four each ; in the cafe of five petals, there are alfo found ten inftcad of eight threads in the flower. This fliews the uncertainty of any one parr, much more of any fmall part o: a plant, to fix a generical charafter. When it happens that even there is a petal too much in the flower (fill the li^ed-veflel Ihews a difference from all other plants, and is confiftent and uniform ; this therefore is an cffential part in a generical character. I; Common Rue. Ruta fylvefiris. The root is long and large, divided into many parts, and furnillied with numerous fibres. The ffalk is round, and, when the plant has ftood fome time, it grows hard and woody, and is covered with a greyilh bark. At firft: it is tender and green, and the branches and young fiioots continue of that texture and colour : it rifes to two or three feet high, fometimes more, and is very much branched. The leaves are very numerous, of a bluifli co- lour, thick, and of a flefiiy fubffance : they are, properly fpeaking, doubly pinnated, feveral pairs of pinnated leaves growing on a middle rib, and each of thefe being compofed of four or five pair of fmall ones on its rib, with an odd leaf at the end ; but they are fo numerous, that this dif^jofition is not much regarded : thefe fe- parate leaves are Ihort, broad, and obtufe. The flowers (land at the tops of the branches in large tufts, and are fmall, and of a blight yellow. The feed-vcflcl is large, and feems as if com- pofed of four parts, and the feeds are rough. It is a native of the fouthern parts of Europe, and flowers in Augufl:. C. Bauhine calls it Ruta hortenfts latifolia. Others, Ruta major latifolia. And we. Common rue, and Garden rue. Rue is a plant of a very ftrong tafte and fmell, and of very powerful qualities. Rubbed upon the fkin, it ralfes an inflammation, and is ufed by fome in this manner againfi: headachs. They diftil a water from it in the fliops, which has little virtue, for the qualities of rue are not of that kind which rife in dillillation. There is no better way of giving it than in a conferve made of the frelh tops, beaten up with fugar. In this form it is excellent againfl: hyfterick complaints arifing from fupprefiions of the men- fes ; and taken for a coiUinuance againll the epi- Icpfy. The juice of rue, cxpreflfed with white wine, and taken in very finall dofes, is a remedy for that troublefome difeafe the nightmare. An infufion of it taken for a continuance of time, is greatly recommertded alfo againfl difor- ders of the eyes. The antients had an opinion of rue as a pre- ferver of chaftity, or a preventer of lewd thoughts ; but we give no medicines for diforders of the mind. C. Bauhine defcribcs another kind of rue, un- der the name of Ruta bortinfis altera; but it is only a variety, not a difl:ina fpecies : hence Lin- niEUs, carrying the thought too far, has been led to confider mofl: of the other kinds defcribed by audiors to be alio varieties : we fliall fhew by their figures and dcfcriptions that they are fuf- ficiendy difliinft. The true botaniff fhould be as careful to preferve the really feparate fpecies of plants under their prcfent names, as to explode from that number thofe which have been called fo, but are only varieties. Molt have been too la- vifli on this head ; Linnajus is too confined. The fpecies of plants, according to the generality of authors, taking all they have fuppofed to be diftinft, amount to about fixteen thoufand three hundred. Linnaeus would reduce them to lefs than ten thoufand ; but a moderate computation will eftablifli them at about twelve thoufand four hundred. This is the neareft account of the number of known plants. 2. Sharp-leaved Rue. Ruta foliis acutninatis. The root is long, thick, divided, and furnilhed with numerous fibres. The 3 The BRITISH HERBAL. '57 The ftetn is thick, round, and firm, and, when old, is covered with a pale brown bark ; but the young fhoots and twigs are tender and green. The leaves are numerous, and are of the doubl/- pinnated kind, each compofed of two or three pairs on a rib, and each of thefe of feveral pnirs of feparate leaves joined to their rib, with an odd One at the end. The whole plant thus farrefembles common rue, and is like it fhrubby, and three feet high, and very much branched. The feparate leaves Hiew a manifeft difference : they are in the com?!2on rue fhort, and roundifh or blunt i in this Ipecies they are oblong, narrow, and lharp-pointcd : their colour is a greyifli green, and they are not lb flefliy as in the co?n- mon rue. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches, and are large and yellow. The feed-veffel is large, and four-cornered, and the feeds are large and rough. It is a native of the Eaft, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Ruia fyhejlris major. Do- donsus, Ruta grcveokns. 3, Little five-leaved Rue, Ruta fumila lenuifolia. The root is Jong, thick, divided, and furniflied with numerous fibres. The firfl: leaves rife feparate from the ftalk, and lie upon the ground : they are pinnated in a Angular manner ; each is compofed of three or four pairs of pinnas, with an odd one at ihe end, fet on a flender, naked rib ; but thefe ptnnas are not compofed of fmaller leaves, as in the fpecles before defcribed, but are deeply and irregularly divided in a pinnated form, into long, narrow feg- ments ; fo that the whole large leaf has a very beautiful appearance. The fbalks are numerous, weak, and tough : they are a foot and a half high, and have leaves placed irregularly on them^ refembling thofe from the root, and of a pale green. The flowers ftand in tufts at the tops of the flalks, and are fmall and yellow. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Ruta fyhejiris minor. The plant called in Latin harmala, and by many •wild rue, is of another genus, to be defcribed hereafter. G E N U S iL EU P n O R B lU M THE flower confifls of four petals : the cup is divided into four fegments, and thefe arc placed alternately between each other: the feed-veffel is roundifb, but marked with three divi- fions, and contains three cells, in each of which there is a fingle feed: the body of the plant is thick, fiefhy, and angulated. LinnEEUs places this among the polyandria monogynia the filaments being numerous, and growing to the receptacle, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. He joins under this name, as we have (hewn before, the commoji tithymals or /purges: it is true, that the flowers and feed-veffels agree i but there is enough in the fi;rua:ure of the plants to war- rant a difl;in£tion. I. Common Euphorblum. Enphorbium vulgatius. The root is large, black, divided into many parts, and hung with large fibres. The plant rifes from this in a fingular man- ner, not with a ftalk and leaves, as all thofe hitherto defcribed, but with feveral robufl, thick, flefliy ftems ; thefe are formed into a number of fmall faces, with fo many angles, and are of a deep blackifli green : they are as tiiick as a child's arm at the bottom, fomewhat fmaller at the top, a foot or more in height, and armed at the edges of all the planes or angles with extremely fliarp prickles placed two together. This is the general tace and appearance of the plant, and is all that is with us ufually feen of it : there never are any leaves, nor any other ftem than thefe ftrange pieces. When it has flowers, they burfl: out in various parts at the angles or edges, and are of a yel- lowifli green colour ; each is fucceeded by a fingle capfule, of a roundifli form, but marked in three places with lines, and containing three feeds. ^ It is a native of Africa, and flowers there in Auguft. N'^ 16. Ifnard calls it Euphcrhium polygonum fphiofum cerei e_ffigii. Others fimply Euphorbium. If any part of the plant be cut or broken, there flows out a cauftick liquor, which prefently har- dens into a refinous lubftance, of a burning, fiery taft:e, and horrible qualities. The hardened juice of this plant is the drug called euphorbium. It was once given as a purge in dropfies, and other defperate diftempers, but a better practice has rejeded it. The operation was by vomit and ftool, and both in extremes ; and it often inflamed the intefl:ine-. We find at prefent medicines that anlwer the fame purpofe, without the danger of thefe terrible confc- quences. iJurgeons once ufed it in the cure of carious bones ; but they found it fo ungovernable even in that application, that it is now utterly negledtcd. The plant here defcribed affords the euphor- hium of late time brought into the Ihops ^ but it was from another of the fame genus that the euphorbium was obtained in the times of the an- tients: the difl*crence of the plant is, however, no more than that of fpecies of the fame kind ; and that of the drug no more than might be expeifled in fuch a cafe. The euphorbium of the antients S f was 158 The BRITISH HERBAL. was rather milder than that of later time ; but they are both much better banithed than em- ployed. 2. The Euphorbium of the Anticnts. Enphorbium anUquorwin, The root is thick, white, woody, and very long : it penetrates ftrait down into the earth, and is hung with many fibres. From the head of this root rifes a fingle ftem, which is triangular ufually ; but this admits va- riation, for it is fometimes fquare : it is thick, firm, upright, jointed, branched, and twelve or fourteen feet high. The angles rife high upon it, and are armed with double thorns, which are Hiort, but very ftrong and fharp. Thefe angles or edges do not run ftrait, but are waved or finuated, and the whole ftalk is fomewhat flatted ; the fpines are of a fl-iining brown, and the plant itfelf of a deep green. Toward the top it divides into feveral branches, and from its fide there rife many others. Thefe are large, thick, and triangular, fome- what flatted, and of the fame lhape with the trunk, and armed in the fame manner with prickles. Toward the upper part of the plant there rife, at the fame places with the fpines, certain fine, fraall rudiments of leaves, if they may be fo called; but they never expand, nor are of long duration. The former kind is abfolutely naked ; but thefe are a kind of approach to leaves in this. The flower is compofed of four petals, and the feed-velfel contains three large feeds. It is a native of the Eaft Indies, and flowers in Augufl:. LinniEus calls it Euphorbia amieata fuhntunda triangulnris articulata ramis palenlibus. 3. Five cornered Euphorbium. Euphorbium quinquanguh.re. The root is a vaft white body, fendint^ out from its bottom numerous thick fibres. From this rife numerous naked ftems, fome- times two or three joined in a body juft above the root, and divided afterwards ; and not unfre- quently a fingle fl:em rifes, from which, after it has grown up a foot or more, there burfl: out feveral new (hoots all round. There is all this variation in the plant ; nor is it exaS any more than the preceding fpecies in its number of angles or cor- ners, but five is the mofl: general and natural : the main trunk at the bottom fometimes has only four, and the youngefi: Ihoots have fometimes more than five, but the body of the plant is quinquangular. The main trunk is full of flefhy tubercles, and •when it has flood fome time, grows whitifh and hard. The (hoots rife to four or five feet hi-^h ; and are of a bright green, thick, .flefhy, and armed at all the edges, with black fliining prickles rifing in pairs, and pointing downwards ; and they are ufually crooked. It has no leaves, nor often flowers with us. It is a native of the Canaries, and there has four-leaved flowers, and large feed-vefTcls. Linnicus calls itEuphorbia amieata nudajuhquin- quatigularis acukis geminatis. 4- Smgle, fpined, many-cornered Euphorbium. Euphorbium fpiuis folilariis multangular e. The root is large, thick, white, and divided, and towards the bottom fends out many fibres. A fingle ftem frequently rifes from the head of the root, and nothing more ; fometimes there are two or three, but in this cafe tliey are perfcflly diftinft ; fo that each is an entire plant. This is thick, flefhy, and divided into a multi- tude of faces, by rifing corners or angles, and is of a deep green, ufually fmaller at the bottom, and larger to the top ; but this not conftantly or univerfaily. The edges are armed with prickles ; and thefe ftand fingly, not in pairs, as in all the former fpe- cies ; and they are brown, hard, and glofiy. The flowers are numerous, and grow prin- cipally toward the upper part of the plant : they are compofed each of four petals, and fucceeded by a large, round feed-veflils, divided within into three cells, in each of which is a fingle feed. It is a native of .Ethiopia, and flowers in June. Burnan calls it Euphorbium aphyllum angulofum florum coma denfiffima, 5. Scaly Euphorbium. Euphorbium fquammatum. ^ The root is long, flender, creeping, and di- vided into many parts. From this rifcs a large body, of the bigncfs of a child's head, and of a woody lubftan:e : its furface is covered with irregular lumps and tu- bercles, and its colour is brown. From the head of this fingular lump rife nu- merous ftalks : they are thick at the bottom, fmaller all the way upward, and a foot hinh. Toward the lower part they are covered whh fquare tubercles in the manner of the lump at the bottom, only more diftincft : higher up thefe tubercles grow thinner, and lie over one another like fcalcs : they are longer and narrower as they advance more in length, and have at their bafes certain frhall and narrow leaves : the tops of all the ftalks are terminated alfo by thefe fort of leaves. It rarely advances farther than this ftate with us ; but where it is perfeft the flowers are com- pofed of four petals, and the feed-veflel is roun- dilli, and divided into four cells. It is a native of ^Ethiopia, and flowers in July- Commelin calls it Vlanla laSlaria Africana. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. 159 GENUS HI. FLEAWORT. PSTLLIUM. ' I^HE flower 'is compored of four fmall oval petals, joined at their bafe : the cup is very fmall, formed of a fingle piece, and divided into five fegments at the edge : the feed-velTel is oval and the feeds are numerous : the flalks are branched, and have leaves upon them. luinnsEus places this among the tetrandria monogynia ; the threads in each flower being four, and the flyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. He joins it, as before obferved, with the plantain, not allowing it to be a diftimSi: oenus Mr. Ray probably led him into this error, for he firft fell into it ; but the genera are perfcftly diftinft. The flowers and feed veffels agree indeed in both ; but the fl:alks, and manner of growing, differ altogether : the. plantains have leaves from the root only, and fiinple ftaiks ; the pfylliims have branched ftalks, and leaves on them. I. Common Fleawort. Pfyllium vidgare. The root is long, thick, white, and furni/hed with many fibres. The ftalk is round, upright, very much branched, and a foot and half high. The leaves are numerous: they ftand alter- nately, and are long and narrow, of a deep green : they are not at all divided at the edges, but pointed at the ends ; and they commonly have tufts of young ones, and rudiments of branches, in their bofoms : fo that the whole plant has a confufed afpedt. The flowers fl:and at the tops of the branches in fmall, round fpikes : they are little, and in- confiderable. ^ The feed-velTels are fmall and, oval, and the feeds are very numerous and glofly : their colour is black, and from their fhape, fize, and fhi- ning furface, they have been fuppofed to refemble fleas. It is common in the hedges of all the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Pfylliitm majus ereSlmn. Others, Pfyllium vulgare. The feeds are ufed for making a mucilage, which is good in fore mouths, wafliing the mouth well, and fpitting it out. It has been given internally as a purge ; but there are accounts of very bad elfe6ts from it, faintings, and imminent danger of death ; it is therefore difufed. 2. Jagi^ed Fleawort. PfyUiumJoIiis fcrratis. The root is long, white, and flender. The fl:alk is round, upright, branched, and a foot and half high. The leaves ftand alternately, and are long, narrow, and jagged, and of a pale green. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches, in oblong fpikes, and are fmall and inconfi. derable. The feed-vefltl is oval, and the feeds are large and black. It is a native of the Eafl:, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Pfyllium Diofcoridis, vel In- dicum foliis crenatis. This, and not our common kind, feems to have been the feaivori of the antients ; but they appear fo much the fame in virtues, that the dif- ference is not efl'ential. 3. Creeping Fleawort. Pfyllium rcpens. The root is long, and divided, and furniflied with many fibres. The flralks are numerous, round, and of a pale green. They lie upon the ground for the greateft pare of their length, and only raife up flioots of ten inches high to bear the flowers. The main branches, as they lie, take root at the joints, and the plant fpreads into very large tufts. The leaves are long, narrow, of a greyilh green, and a little hairy : they ftand alternately, and have thick tufts of fmall leaves, and flioots of young branches in their bofoms. The flowers ftand in ftiort tufts or fpikes, on long footftalks rifmg from the bofoms of the leaves, and they are fmall and whitifli. The feed-veflTels arc oval, and the feeds are fmall. It flowers in autumn, but the young flioots are frcfh and green the greateft: part of winter. It is frequent in the fouth of France. C. Bauhine calls it Pfyllium majus fupinum. Lo- be!, Pfyllium fempervirensy Evergreen fleawort s and the common writers follow him. Thefe are the plants, native and foreign, com- monly cultivated, which have four petals in the flower, and a fingle capfule for the feeds. We have obferved there is a numerous family of plants, with four petals in the flower, and a pod, not a capfule, for the feeds : thefe, if the number of the petals only were regarded in this method, would follow here ; but our chara£ters are eflabliftied uptin the flower and feed-veflrls together : we fliall therefore here purfue the iraift of i6o The BRITISH HERBAL. of nature in the plants with fingle plain capfules for the feed ; and follow her fteps, as fhe allows more and more numerous petals to the flower in plants fo diftinguifhed by the fruit. The lall clafs having contained thofe which have with a fingle cap- fu!e four petals, the following will comprehend thofe which have with a fingle capfule five petals ; and from thefe we fliall advance to the confideration of fuch as have fix, or more than fix petals, with the fame kind of feed- veflil. Thefe being defcribed, we fhall treat of thofe which have pods with four-leaved flowers, and thofe which have pods with papilionaceous flowers. This is the method we have laid down as moft conformable to nature : and thus much we have judged proper, indeed neceflary, to fay of it here ; lefl:, as the work appears in feparate parts, tlie reader, who cannot till the whole is delivered to him, determine properly of % fhould be mifled by an opinion founded on parts of it only, and led to fuppofe that through miftake omitted in this place, which we hope is rightly referved to another. ne END of . the EIGHTH CLASS. THE BRITISH HERBAL. C L A S S IX. Plants whofi flower confifls of five petals regular in form and difpofitkn, ■whofe feeds are contamed in a single capsule, and whofe Laves grow in pairs. THIS is a Very large and numerous clafs ; nature has perfedly conriefted together the plants it comprehends, and obviouny diftingoimed them from all others : yet, as m other cafes, fo in thi. the modern method, eflablilhed folely upon the number ol threads, and their difpofition in the flower, has feparated many of them from the refl, and placed them among others with which they have no natural aUiance. , , r ■ A-r r a Nature is fo uniform, in even Irer fmalleft traces, that, m general, the e mmute parts are d.fpofed alike in plants of the fame clalTes ; but not univerfally. This general con orm.ty of the fmaller with the larger parts led Linn^us to imagine that a method might be eftablilhed on their number and difpofition, which would take in the larger, more obvious, and more elTenfal parts only as fubor- dinate ; and, as this would be fure to carry an air of novelty, it was natural to fuppole it would pleafc the (ludent, and do honour to the inventor. , , ■ , Had It proved true that nature was as flrift in thefe fmaller as in the larger parts, a method might, as ufefullyf have been founded on them as on the others : at leaft, it would have been liable to no other objeffion but that of being lefs plain and familiar : but when Linnaeus found that, though many of the plants in each natural clafs thus anfwered to the charaflers of his artificial ones, there were feveral that did not, he Ihould then have given up the defign. That he did find this is certain ; becaufe he has fet down innumerable inftances of it under th= name of exceptions to his generical charafters ■, and he will daily, in his caretul attention to the fubiea, find r^orei but, probably, he had gone too far to recede, before he difcovered that thek exceptions were fo numerous. It appears to me that he formed his charafters of 'he common plants principally from Tournefort's figures, and thofe of the more rare, in genera from thofe of Plumiej. Thefe fibres are excellent, and particularly accurate; but, although generally right in the minuteft carts, ye°t they fometimes vary from nature in them; their authors not having been fo carefu in thde lefler parts as they would have been, if. like LinniEus, they had intended to eftablilh a method "Thkfais to have been the foundation of LinnSEUs's fyftem : and when, in examining the Plants themlelves, he found they did not exaftly anfwer thefe figures, and his charafters eftablilhed upon them, he has, with candour equal to his difcernment and alliduity, let it down in his fucceed- iiis works. c - j Uoon this view of the Linna:an method, the reader will be able to form a proper judgment of it ; and not too difadvantageous a one of its author, whofe very faults have been accompanied '^'with'rdte'rto the plants of the prefcnt clafs, all that anfwer the charafter eftablilhed in few words, as its diftinftion, are here brought together. , ^ , . Mr Rav who forms a clafs of the fame kind, his pentcpetaU vafmhfer^, makes it more comprehenfive, for he includes in it all that anfwer to that name ; placing their other diftinftions as fubordinate : but, as we have fet out upon the plan of d.ftinguifhing the plants by as fuccinft affort- mmts as nature admits, we have of thefe made three clafles. N« lb. ^ •* l62 The BRITISH HERBAL. The plants which -have-five petals in the flower, and a lingle capfiile fucceeding, dilfcr fo far that fonie have thefe petals regular in their form and dilpofition, as Saint Johns luort and lychnis ■ others have them difpofed irregularly, as the viokl. The form and fafliion of thefe flowers differs fo much that they may be fafely arranged under two clafles ; and it is fo obvious that they will be eafily known, and never mifl:aken : Ibme have alfo the leaves in all the fpecies in pairs, and fome alternately and irregularly i this, [though lefs abfolute, yet is an obvious diflinction j and in a ufeful fyfl;em, will very well ferve as a claflical charafler. SERIES I. Natives of Britain. Thofe of which one or more fpecies are naturally wild in this country. G E N U S I. PINK. C A R T 0 P II 2" L L U S. .npHE flower confin-s of five petals, v/hich are regularly difplaycd, jagged at their broad ends, and very narrow at the bale, where they adhere to the receptacle : the cup is long, hollow, divided into five fegtncnts at the edge, and furrounded at the bafe with four little fcales, forming, as it were, a fmaller cup for it : the feed-velTel is oblong, cylindrick, and covered ; and fplits in four parts at the top. Linnsus places this among the decandria digynia ; the threads in each flower being ten, and cbe ftyle from the rudiment of the capfule divided into two parts. I have obferved before, that if the author had named his diftindions in this refpeifV, from the rudiment, rather than the ftyles rifing from it, his method would have been more natural : t\\z pink ■would then have ftood among the jJw«c!_^jB/a, to wliich, beyond a doubt, it naturally belono-s ; the capfule, which is the true efiential female part, being fmgle. LinnL'eus calls this genus dianthus, DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Maiden Pink; CaryophyUus virgineiis. The root is fmall, white, and creeping. The ftalks are numerous, flender, weak, and fpread upon the ground. They are full ot young fhoots, and thick co- vered with leaves: thofe ftalks which bear the flowers rife from thefe, and grow to five or fix inches high, or, in a favourable foil, higher. The leaves are very narrow, confiderably long, and oF a pale greyilh green : chey are fmall at the bife, and pointed at the end. The flowers are long, and of a bright red : they ftand fometimes fingly, one only at the top of the ftalk : but this is no certain mark ; for fometimes there grow two or three together. The feed-vefiel is oblong, and the feeds are fmall, rough, and black. It is found wild in our northern counties, and in fome other places; and flowers in June. It varies extreamly in fize according to the accidents attending its growth ; fo that fome have made out of it feveral fpecies. Authors call it CaryophyUus Virgineus. 2. Broad-leaved Maiden Pink, CaryophyUus foliis latiorihus. The root is long, flender, white, and undi- vided. The ftalks are numerous, and he in part upon the ground, but thofe which fupport the flowers rife to four or five inches in height. The leaves are numerous, broad, ihort, and of a pale green : thofe which ftand toward the upper part of the ftalks near the flowers are nar- rower than the others, and longer; but even thefe are broader than thofe of the preceding fpecies. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful red : one ftands at the top of each ftalk. The feed-vefl*el is long and roundi/h : the feeds are numerous and rough. It is found on hills in our northern counties of England, and flowers in June. Ray calls it Armaria [pecks pre in fummo cauk fingulari. 3. Com- The BRITISH HERBAL. 3, Common wild Pink. Cmyophyllus fylvcjiris va/^aris. The root is of an irregular fhape and firm fub- flance; long, divided, brown, and wrinkled on the furlace. " The ihoots rife in great numbers, and have a multitude of leaves on them: thefe are very long and narrow, of a greyifh green, and of a firm fubftance. The ftalks are numerous, greyilh green, and round : they are jointed at fmall diftances, and branched toward the tops. The leaves on thofe arc fliort, narrow, and lharp-pointed ; they ftand in pairs, as in all the other fpecies, and are broad at the bafe, and fmaller ail the way Co the end. The flowers are of a pale red, and jagged at the edges. The fced-vcliel is oblong, and the feeds are large. It is wild on the barren rocks in our northern counties v and frequency on walls ; but there it feems to have owed its origin to fcattered feeds from fome garden plants : in the other places it is evidently a native. C. Bauhine calls it Caryophyllus fimpkx flore minorc pallide ruhente. Many of oiw gardai pinks arc varieties from this flock. . 4. Deptford Pink. Caryophyllus larbatus. The root is long, fiender, divided, and hung about with fibres. The firft fhoots are numerous, upright, and furniflied with feveral pairs of leaves. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and of a deep green : it is a fooc and half high, and jointed at confiderable diftances. The leaves are long, narrow, and of a deep green. The flowers fland at the tops of the fl:alks, and of numerous young flioots rifing from the bofoms of the leaves ; and they are cluftercd to- gether in a kind of bearded hufks : they are fmall, and of a beautiful red. The feed-veficl is long, and the feeds are lar^e, rough, and brown. It is common by way fides in many parts of England ; and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Cmyophyllm barhatus fyl- vejiris. Others, Armeria fylvejlris. 5. Proliferous Pink. Caryophyllus prolifer. The root is long, white, woody, divided, and furnifhed with many fibres. The ftalk is round, upright, fiender, ten inches high, and very much branched. The leaves are very narrow, long, and Urarp- pointed ; and they are of a pale green. The flowers arc fmall, and of a bright red. They grov at the tops of the ftalks in 3 cluftercd manner ; and the fcales at the bottom of the cup exceed the body of it in length. The feed-veffel is longifli, and fiender; and the feeds are rough and black. It is wild in fome of our wcfl:ern counties, but not common. It flowers in July. G. Bauhine calls it Caryophyllus fyhejiris pru- lifer ; and mofl: others follow him. DIVISION 11. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Clove Julyflower. Caryophyllus fiore magna. The root is long, divided into feveral parts, and hung with many fibres. The flioots are numerous, and have many long, narrow leaves on them, of a pale green colour, and fmooth furface. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, fmooth, and frequently jointed ; it rifes to two feet in height, and is branched toward the top. The leaves on it fl:and in pairs, as in the others : they ate like thofe from the root, but broader and fliorter. The flowers are large, and of a deep purple : the petals are broad, and jagged at the edges ; and they have a fragrant fcent, not unlike that of the clove fpice. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in July. The varieties that have been raifed from this are endlefs and innumerable. This fingle flower is the fource from which che ingenuity of gardeners has raifed that vafl: and beautiful variety of car- nations, which they are ftiU encreafing by the fame means. In its wild ftate it varies the colour, from the full and rich purple of which we fee ic in gar- dens, through all the changes of red down to 5 abfolute white ; and from this variation in nature the hint has probably been taken for all thofe elegant kinds raifed by care and culcure. 2. Jagged Pink. Caryophyllus fort diJfeHo. The root is long, white, divided, and fur- niflicd with many fibres. The firfl: Ihoots are very numerous, and cluf- tercd thick with leaves : thefe arc long, narrow, of a greyifli white, and fliarp -pointed. The ftalks are many, round, upright, jointed, divided into feveral branches, and a foot and half high. The leaves ftand in pairs, and are oblong, nar- row, and pointed. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks and branches, and are large, and beautifully jagged all the way on the edges. The feed-vefl(;l is long and rounded : the feeds are large and brown. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in July. The flowers are commonly white, fometimes red. C. Bauhine calls it Caryophyllus fiore temijfme diffello. 3. Broad- The BRITISH HERBAL. 3. Broad-leaved Sweetwilliam. CaryophyUiis barbatus latifolius. The root is long, thick, white, and divided. The ftalks are numerous, round, jointed, ufually croolted from joint to joint ; and ot a pate green colour. The leaves ftand two at each joint and they are oblong, broad, and of a frefh green : they fometimes Hand obliquely upwards, but for the moft part bend down. The flowers are moderately large, and natu- rally are white or redifli ; but culture gives them many variations in this refpeft: they (land in large tufts at the tops of the llalks ; the fcales at the bottom of the cup are as long as its hollow body J and ihe fecd-vdlels are oblong, and con- tain numerous dufky feeds. It is a native of Spain, and flowers in Augufl:- C. Eauhine calls it Caiyophylius barbatus fy!~ vejl'i-is latifolius. 4. Narrow-Icaved Sweetwilliam. Caryo-phyUits barbatus angiiftifolius. The root is long, white, flender, and divided. The ftalks are numerous, round, fiender, up- right, and a foot high. The leaves ftand in pairs, and they are long and narrow, and of a pale gieen. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks, and are numerous, and moderately large. The feed-veifel is longifh, and the feeds are numerous, rough, and black. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it CaryophyUiis hortenfis latifo- lius barbatus. But its leaves are much narrower than thofe of the others. All thefe fpecies of caryophylhs have the fame medicinal qualities, and their virtue is principally in the flowers. Thofe of the purple kind, or what is called the clove Julyflower, polfefs them in the greateft degree. They are cordial and cepha- lick. They are good in faintings, head-achs, and other nervous diforders. We keep a fyrup of them in the fliops, which is not without vir- tue, but is loaded with fugar, as is necefl^ary for keeping in that form. The befl; method of giv- ing them is in a ftrong tindture in brandy. GENUS II. CAMPION. L r C H N 1 S. THE flower is compofcd oF five petals, with long bafes, and ufually divided into two or four fegments at the rim : the cup is roundifh, fwelled, and divided at the edge into five fegments-, and the feed-veifel is Angle, of an ,oval figure covered, formed of five valves, and has only one cell. Linnsus places this among t*he decandriapentagynia; the filaments in the flower being ten, and the ftyks rifing from the rudiment of the fruit five. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Sea Campion. Lychnis viaritima vulgaris. This root is long, thick, and furniflied with many fibres. The firft flioots are numerous, and cluftered with leaves : they are fliort, and of a greyifii green, and hoary. The fl:alks arc round, fmooth, of a greyifh green, numerous, a foot and half long, but weak, and not well able to keep themfelves upright; often they all lie fpread upon the ground j fome- times they all ftand eredt. The leaves are oblong, broad at tTie bafe, fliarp at the point, and of a pale green. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks and branches-, and are large and white : their cup is fwelled, and dented at the edge pretty deeply. The feed-veffel is large and oval ; and the feeds are numerous and roundifli. It is common about our fea-coafts ; and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis niaritima repens. 2. Common white Corn Campion. Lychnis vulgaris alba qua Behen album vulgo. The root is long, white, and thick; and is furniflied with many thick fibres. The ftalks are numerous, round, uprioht, confiderably branched, and two feet high. The leaves ftand in pairs, and are large, and of a pale green : they are broad at the bafe, not at aJl indented at the edges, and fliarp-pointed. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches, into which the ftalk divides, and of thofe flioots which rife from the bofoms of the upper leaves : they are large and white. The feed-veflTel is oval, and the feeds are large. It is common in our corn fields, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis fylvefiris qua len album vulgo. Others, Behen album, and papaver fpumeum. In Englifli it is alfo called, from that Latin name, Spo.tliitg poppy., as alfo IFhite bottle, and White ben. A fmail infeft is frequently found upon the 6 leaves The BRITISH HERBAL. 165 leaves of this plant, covered with a froth of its own raifing. This has been imagined to proceed from the plant, and thence ic had thefe fanciful additions to its name; but it is in reality the creature's method of fecreting or preferving itfelf from many infeds, to which it would otherwife become an eafy prey. 3. Heath-leaved Sea Campion. Lychnis niaritima ericic folio. The root is long, hard, woody, and furniH-icd with long and tough fibres. The (talks are numerous, roun'l, weak, prta- cumbent, and jointed : they are naturally of a pale green, but frequently rediHi. The leaves are numerous, and placed in pairs: they are very fingular in their ftrudture, and have feme remote refemblance of thofe of the com- mon heath. The flowers grow at the ends of the ftalks and branches ; and are large, and of a bright red. The feed-veffels are large and oval ; and the feeds are numerous and turgid. It is found on fandy banks by the fea, and fometimes at confiderable diftanccs from it. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Polygonum maritimum ttiinus folio ferpylli; and Parkinfon, Erica fupina mari- tima Anglica. Mr. Ray very properly obferves that its leaves have not the leaft refemblance of thofe of ferpyl- luniy nor its flowers of thofe of heath : it is pro- perly a cmnpion, though fo very different in its afpect from the generality of others, that it is not a wonder thofe who were acciiftomed to judge, rnore by the general appearance of a plant than by an examination of its flowers and fecd-vefiels, called it by very different and various names. 4. Jagged flowered Campion. Lychnis fiore laciniato. The root is long, thick, divided, and furnifhed with numerous fibres. The firfl: flioots are weak and round, ufually of a redifh colour: they lie upon the ground, and fend out roots of their own. The leaves that rife from thefe are fingle, ob- long, broadeft in the middle, undivided at the edges, and tharp-pointed ; and they are com- monly of a brown colour. The ftaiks are numerous, upright, round, jointed, and two feet high : they are ufually of a brownifli or purplifh colour, and rarely are much branched. The leaves fland in pairs: they are oblong, narrow, undivided at the edges, and fharp- pointed : and they are of a deep green. The flowers ftand at the tops of the flalks, fix or eight together and they are of a pale red, and are cut into numerous long and flender feg- nicnts. The feed-veflel is large and oval : the feeds are large and roundilh. It is common in meadows, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Caryophyllus fratenfis lacini- ato fiore fimplicx-, feu flos cuculi. Others, Lychnis N' XVIL pliimaria pratenfis. In Englifli we call \tCuckciu- flowcr^ Wild Williams^ and Ragged Robins. It is fometimes found wild with a double flower. Culture eafily gives it this advantage, and renders it very beautiful : we have it in thia condition frequent in our gardens, and varying with red and white flowers. 5. Wild Campion, called Soapworc. Lychnis faponaria di£ia. The root is compoftd of a great number of large, thick, and fpreading fibres. The llalks are numerous, round, upright, and two feet and a half high. They are of a pale green colour, and jointed j and the knobs, or joints, are round, thick, and white. The leaves are large, and of a beamiful frefli green : they ftand in pairs, and have large veins. The flowers are large, and fometimes redifh: they ftand in confiderable numbers on ttie tops of the ftalks. The feed-vefl'el is large and oval ; and the feeds are numerous. It is not uncommon in many of our counties, and thrives beft imder a damp hedge. It flowers in June. We fometimes meet widi it " naturally with a double flower, in which cafe it is very beautiful, Linn^us, who frequently perplexes the fludent by joining together feveral genera, which othersi with reafon, have treated as diftimfl, here runs to the oppofite extream. He feparates faponaria^ or foapwort, from the lychnis ; but the diftinc- tion is not properly that of one genus from ano- ther, but of the feparate fpecies of the fame genus, Ray has followed nature with more care, who joins this with the lychnis ; and the generality of authors are of the fame opinion, ranking lE under this genus. We are the more careful to follow Ray rather than Linnaeus in this article, becaufe the latter not only feparafts the faponaria from lychiis, but joins with it feveral other fpecies, the vaccaria^ ccyrnoidcs, and others, to be named hereafter. It is true that the faponaria has but two flyles upon the capfule, and the other fpecies hitherto defcribed have five ; but it muft be fufiicicnt to name fuch a variation in the defcription of it as a fpecies. We have, in the fame manner, kept together the lychnis's^ though feparated by this author, as in other inflances of a like kind. After defcribing the foapwort, we are here alfo to mention a particular variety of that plant, defcribed by our Knghfli botanifls, and preierved in our gardens. This, though no more than we have called it, a variety, yet is fo fingular that we have added its figure. The two leaves at the knots frequently join into one, which furrounds the ftalk in a particular manner ; and the flowers vary in the fame manner as the leaves; for their five petals unite, and the whole forms a tubular flower. It was originally found wild in a grove near Lithbarrow in Northamptonfliire ; but ic is now loft there, only the common foapv:ort being found in the place. Probably the roots were all taken up and carried into gardens; they have been U u , there i66 The BRITISH HERBAL. there propagated; and the plant is common enoujjh among thofe who love thefe things. It keeps pretty conllant to its hollow-leaved con- dition, but not with perfedt regularity. 6. Wild Campion, called Cockle. Lychnis fegelum mgellajlrum diSlum. The root is long, flender, fimple, and furnifhed with few fibres. The ftalk is upright, round, hairy, fcarce at all branched, and a foot and half high. The leaves grow two at a joint ; and they arc long, narrow, hairy, not at all indented, and of a pale green. The flowers Hand at tlie top of the ftalk, and of fome few flioots riling from the bofoms of the upper leaves; they are large, and of a fine deep red. The feed-veflel is large, as arc alfo the feeds. It is common in our corn-fields, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis Jegetum major. O- thers, Nigtllaftrtm, and Pfiudomelaiuhium. 7. Common, wild, white Campion. Lychnis fylvejlris alba vulgaris. The root is long and thick, and has few fibres. The firft leaves are numerous : they rife in a large, thick, upright tuft, and are oblong, broad, of a frefli green, not indented, and ftiarp- pointed. The fl:alk is round, firm, upright, very much branched toward the top, and two foot high. The leaves Hand in pairs : they are oblong, broad, undivided, and lharp-pointed. The flowers are large and white ; and the cups fl:riated, but not fo much fwelled as thofe of the white ben. The feed-veffel is large, as are alfo the feeds. It is common in paftures and about hedt^es. It flowers in July. ^ C. lizah\n<:cMs\t Lychnis fyhejlris albafmpkx. It is fometimes found with the flower naturally double: it frequently owes that advantage to culture, and is thence called the -Mtc cam- pion ; or, in the gardeners language, while batche- lors buttons. 8. Common red wild Campion. Lychnis flore rubella. The root is long, flendcr, and has few fibres The firft flioots are full of leaves ; and thofe are long, broad, and of a deep green. The ftalks are numerous round, hairy, branch- ed, and weak. The leaves are placed two at a joint; and they are broad and hairy, and of a freOi green. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches ■ and are large, and of a pale red. ' The feed-vefl-els are large and oval ; and the feeds alfo are large. It is common in damp hedges, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis fylvejlris five aqua-. lica purpurea fmplex. Others, Lychnis fylvejlris rubello flore. This fpecies is taken into g.irdens, and ren- dered double by culture ; in which ftate it makes a very beautiful appearance, and is called red batchelors buttons ; or, by others, double red cam- pion. 9. Small flowered Corn Campion. Lychnis arvenfis flore minimo. The root is fmail, oblong, white, and fur- niflied with a few fibres. The ftalks are round, hairy, weak, jointed, and of a pale green. The leaves grow in pairs, and are obloncr and narrow : they are hairy alfo, and of a pale co- lour. The flowers arc very fmall, ufually white, but fometimes redilh. The feed-vefi-el is large, as are alfo the feeds. It IS not uncommon in the corn-fields of Kent and Suflex ; and flowers in July. Ray calls it Lychnis fylvejlris f.ore albo minima. Others, Lychnis arvenfis flare minima rubente. 10. White-flowered clammy Campion. Lychnis vifcefa flare albo. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with a lew fibres. The leaves that firfl: grow from it are oblong broad, and of a pale green : they rife in a con- liderable number, and have long footftalks. The ftalks are numerous, flendcr, uprieht round, and jointed, " ' The leaves grow in pairs, and have long foot- ftalks : they are oblong, broad, not at all in- dented at the edges, and pointed at the ends The flowers grow at the top of the ftalk, and on flroots rifing from the bofoms of the upper leaves: they are white, and the petals are very deeply divided from the top : they quickly fall off The feed-veflel is large, and the feeds are brown. It is found on ditch ba.iks, and on walls in fome parts of the kingdom, but is not com- mon. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis montana vifcof, alba laUJolia. The tops of the ftalks in this plant are clam- my, principally juft under the flowers, and hence has rifen the name of vfcofa and clammy. 11. Great night-flowering Campion. Lychnis noSifl.ara major. The root is long and tliick, and is furnifted with many fibres. The firft flioots are numerous, round, firm andjomted; one or more in the middle ufuafly ftands upright; and feveral others trail upon the ground all round it. - The leaves grow in pairs, and are thick of a deep green, hairy, not at all dented, and blunt at the ends. The flowers grow on the tops of the ftalks, and of numerous branches that rife from the bo- foms of the leaves all the way up the plant ■ they The BRITISH HERBAL. are large and white, and have the petals divided down the middle fo that they feem compofed of ten inftead of five. The feed-veflel is large: the feeds are fmall and blackifh. It is not uncommon in our northern counties on rocks. It flowers in July. The flowers open after fun fct : at fun-rife next morning they draw to- gether, but after fun-fet they open a3ain ; fo that the pLiiit is in its full bloom only in the night. The ftalks of this plant, juft under the flowers, are fometimes a little clammy, Ray calls it Lychnis major nGEHJlora duhrenfis perennis. 12. Red night flowering Campion. Lychnis no^iflora flore nthello. The root is long, flender, and has but few fibres. The firfl: leaves are oblong, broad, of a pale green, not at all indented, and obtufe at the ends. The flalks are numerous, flender, jointed, and a foot and half high. The leaves ftand in pairs, and are oblong and obtufe. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalk and branches, and are fma!!, and of a faint, unpleaf- ing red : they are generally fhut and look faded . in the day-time ; but they open at night. The feed-veflTel is oval, and the feeds are fmall, and of a dark brown. It is found in the corn-fields of Surry, but not common. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis noSlifiora. J. Bau- hine, Ocymoides non fpeciofiim. 13. Red narrow-leaved clammy Camj.ion. Lychnis vifcofa rubra anguJiifoUa. The root is long, thick, divided, and often hung with numerous fibres. The firft leaves rife in tufts from feveral divi- fions at the head ; and they are loog, narrow, Iharp-pointed, without footftalks, and of a deep but unpleafant green. The ftalk is fingle, upright, and a foot and half high. The leaves ftand in pairs, and are oblong, and of a frefh and fine green : they are broadeft in the middle, undivided at the edges, and fharp- pointed. The flowers ftand in a beautiful and regular clnfter at the top of the ftalk: they are fmall and of a bright red. The feed-veflel is oval and large \ and the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is found in Scotland, and in fome of our northern counties, on rocks and mountains. It flowers in May. The tops of the ftalks in this fpecies are very clammy ; inibmuch that it is common to fee flies entangled on them : hence this and other of the campioyjs which have this quality are called catch- fiics. C. Bauhine calls this Lychnis fyhejlris vifcofa anguftifoUa. In England it is generally called Gertiian catchf^. 14. Mofty-flowered clammy Campion. Lychnis vifcofa fioribus mufcofis. The root is long, thick and furniflied with many fibres. The firft leaves are very numerous % and they lie fpread upon the ground in a regular manner : they have a kind of long footftalks, and they are broad, fliort, undivided, and obtufe : the foot- ftalks, though commonly called fuch, are more properly only a continuation of the kaves, in a narrower form, down to the root. The ftalk is round, upright, and of a pale green- The leaves ftand in paiis, and are Jong, and expand into breadth at the ends : they have young ftioots in all their bofoms ; fo that the plant appears well covered with them. The flowers ftand at the tops oi the rtaiks, and are numerous, but very fmall i and of a yellowifli green; the threads in them are very confpicuousi and the whole have, as C. Bauhine expreffes it, a mofly appearance. The fecd-velici is oval and fmall \ and the feeds are imaU. It is common about Newmarket, and in many other parts of Hngland in gravelly loils. U flowers in June. Tlie tops of the ftalks are clammy in this, aa in the other laft -named fpecies. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis vifcofa ftore mufcofo. Others, Sefunoides falamanticum magnum. J. Bau- hine calls it Ocyraoidcs beiliforme Jive miifcipula miif-* cofo flore, Son]e, Spoiujh catchfiy. 15. Dwarf mountain Campion. Lychnis montana minima. This is a very Angular plant j it is fcarce more than an inch in height, but it grows in fuch clufters that it is very confpicuous ; and, when in flower, very beautiful : at other times it may be taken for a tuft of mofs, and eafily paflTed over unregarded. When viewed in the clufter it appears a thick tuft of ftaort, green leaves, with numerous large, red flower.s ftuck irregularly among them, and fcarce feeming to belong to them : to fee the ftrufture of the plant, an entire one mufi be fe- parated from the clufter. The root is very long, thick, and Irregular in fliiipe : it is brown on the furface, and has a few fibres. The leaves rife from the head of this' root, and are very numerous, fliort, narrow, fiiarp pointed, and of a frefli green. In the centre of thefe riles the ftalk, on which ftands a fingle flower. This ftalk is round, weak, of a pale green, and often lefs than an inch in height. The flower is large, and of a pale but pretcy red. The feed-vcfi"el is oval and large; the feeds are fmall- It is common in Wales, and flowers in Miy and June. Its fmailncfs has led authors to call it by many names. J. Bauhine calls it Plufcus Alfinits pre infigni dilute ruhcntc. Farkinfon, Ocymoides mitfcofus Alpinus. Kay and others, Lychms Jlpina minima, A 16. Broad- i68 The BRITISH HERBAL. i6. Broad leaved, fmooth, clammy Campion. Lychnis vifcofa latifolia l^evis. The root is long and flender, and has few fibres. The firft leaves rife in a large tufr, and are broad, and of a pale green. The ftalk is round, upright, thick, of a pale green, very little branchfd, and a foot and half high. The leaves grow in pairs without footftalks: they adhere to the main ftalk by a broad bafe, and are large, oblong, broadefl; at the bafe, fmaller to the point, and of a pale green colour, and fmooth furface. The fiowers Hand in tufts, many together, at the tops of the ftalks and branches ; they are imall, and of a beautiful red : by their number, colour, and cliiftered manner of growth, though fmall, they make a very beautiful appearance. The feed-velfel is little and oval ; and the feeds alio are fmall. It is found in the weftern counties by the fides of rivers; and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis vifcofa purpurea lati- folia l£vis. J. Bauhine, Centaurium minus adul- ierinum, qiiihufdam lychnidis genus. r;. Narrow-leaved Campion, wi?h fwoln cups. Lychnis fyhejlris angiiflifoHa calicuiis turgidis. k ' The root is fmall, oblong, and wtilte ; and has a few fibres. The leaves that rife firfl from it are lont?, nar- row, and of a deep green ; lharp-pointcd, and not ferrated at the edges. The ffalk is round, upright, of a whitilh green, jointed, branched toward the top, and a loot and half high. The leaves are placed in pairs, and they are long, narrow, and of a pale green: they adhere to the (talk by a broad bafe, and are fharp-pointed, but not divided at the edges. The flowers Hand at the tops of the ftalks, and are large and white ; and the cups are large, fmouth, and deeply flriated. The feed-veflTd is oval, and the feeds are fmall. It is found in Kent and Eflex, but not com- mon. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis fylvejtris anguftifolia calicuiis turgidis (Irialis. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Great fcarlet Lychnis. Lychnis coccinea jnajor. The root is compofcd of feveral thick Hbres, divided, and edged with numerous fmaller. The ftallcs are numerous, thicli, round, jointed, and two feet and a half high. The leaves Hand in pairs, and they are large, oblong, and broad : they have no footftalks : they are fomevvhat hairy, and their colour is a yeilowifli green. The flowers ftand in thick clufters at the tops of the ftalks, and are large, and of a beautiful fcarlet. The feed-veflcl is oval, and the feeds are fmall. It is a native of the Eaft, and flowers in July. We have it in gardens, where culture adds greatly to its natural beauty. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis hirfuta fore coccinio major. Our gardeners, Scarlet lychnis. 2. Rofe Campion. Lychnis corcnaria ruhens. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with many fibres. The firft leaves are numerous, large, oblong, and white. The ftalks are numerous, round, and white alfo ; and they grow to a yard in height : they are jointed, and very much branched. The leaves ftand in pairs, and they arc large, white, and woolly. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks and branches, and are numerous, and of a beautiful red, very large and handfome. The fced-vefli:l is oval, and the feeds are brown. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis diofcoridis fativa. 3. Cow Eafil. Lychnis faliis pcrfdialis calycibas fyramiiatis. ^ The root is oblong, white, divided, and fur- nillied with a few fibres. The firft leaves are numerous and oblong: they rife without footftalks, and are of a pale green. The ftalk rifes in the centre of thefe, and they foon after fade. It is two foot high, round, light, hollow, very much branched, of a bluifli colour, and dufty. The leaves are large, oblong, broad at the bafe, undivided at the edges, and pointed at the end: they are of a pale bluifh green colour. They ftand two at a joint, and cncompafs the ftalk in fuch a manner at the bafe that it appears to pafs through them. The flowers are very numerous : they ftand at the top of the main ftalk and branches, and are Imall, and of a pale red. Their cup is large and pyramidal: it has five ribs, which are green, and the fubftance between them whitifti. The fecd-vefiil is oblong : the feeds are round and black. It is common in the corn-fields of France and Germany -, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis fegctmn rubra faliis ferfaliatis. Others call it Vaccaria ; and in Eng- lifli. Cow hafd. Linnteus, who diftinguifties the faponaria from the lychnis, makes this a fpecies of the lormer. 4. Lobels The B R I T I S H H E R B L. 4. Lobels Catchfly. Lychnis f.oribus fafciculatis foHis co^-datis. The root is long, white, woody, not: much divided, but furnifhed with many fibres. The firil leaves are broad and fliort:: they rife ■without foocftalks, and they are few, and quickly fade. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, and jointed : it is a foot and half high, and is of a biuifli green colour, except toward the ground, where it is, often redifh. The leaves are oblong, and very broad, and thofe toward the top of the ftalk heart-fafhioned : theyftand in pairs without footfialks, and furround the ftalk: they are fmooth, undivided at the edges, and of a bluilh green. The ftalks toward the tops are clammy : it is a vifcous juice, which exudates near the joints, that occafions this ; and flies often are caught in it. The flowers are fmall, and of a pale red ; but they ftand in fuch large tufts at the tops ot the ftalks that they make a very confpicuous figure. Their cups are (lender, long, ftriated, and purple. The feed veflel is long, and the feeds arc blackifii. It is a native of France and other warmer parts of Europe i and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis vifcofa purpurea hiifolia Uvis. Others, mufcipila Lobelii. It is kept in gardens, and called Lobefs catchfly. Linnsus, who feparates many of the lychnis's under the name of Jilene, places this among that number. Others have called it Centaurium aduU ierimun. 5. Narrow-leaved branched clammy Campion. Lychnis angufiifolia vifcofa rmnofa. The root is oblong, thick, divided into a few parts, and furnillied with fome large fibres : it is of a bluirti colour, and rough furtace. The firfl; leaves are long, narrow, and of a dull^y green, often in part red : they have no footftalks, and they ftand in a thick tuft. The ftalk rifes in the centre of this tuft, and is round, flcnder, upright, hollow, very much branched, jointed, and a foot and half higli : the joints are diftant, and the ftalk is clammy toward the top. The leaves ftand in pairs, and refemble thofe from the root: ^thcy are oblong, narrow, un- divided, and fharp pointed : they are broadeft in the middle, of a deep green colour, and of a fleftiy fubftance. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks, and of the numerous branches : they are fmall, and of a pale red, and have ftriated cups: they ftand on flcnder footftalks, and the petals are deeply divided at the ends. It is a native of Spain, and other warmer parts of Europe; and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis vifcofa rubra altera fyheftris. Others, Mufcipiln vulgaris ; and fome of the Englifh writers, Limewort. 6. Shrubby Campion. Lychnis frut.fcens. The root is long, thick, not at all divided, but furniflicd with many long fibres. 1 he firft leaves are oblong, broad, undivided at the edgesj pointed at the ends, and of a greyifli green. The ftalks are numer™-, hard, and wo idy, buC brittle, and fliort : they are irregularly jointed, and arc not more than ten inches in length. The leaves ftand in pairs, an^J are broad, fliorty and without footftalks : they are undivided at the edges, and fliarp-poinced ; and of a pale green. The flowers are fmall, and of a pale flefli co- lour, often vjhite; the cups are ftriated and whitifli. The feed-veflel is oblong, and the feeds are numerous and fmall? It is a native of Italy, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis frutefcens myrtifdid Been alio fmilts. Clufius, Ocymoidis arboreuni fempervirens. Others, Lychnis Jruticofa. 7. Campion with grcenilli yellow flowers. Lychnis fl.oribus fiavo vircfcsntibus. The root is large, divided into many part--, and furniflied with numerous fibres. The fiift leaves are numerous, oblong, broad, and rounded toward the end, and of a pale green.- The ftalk rifes in the centre of thefe, and is round, jointed, upright, firm, and three or four feet high : it is very much branched, and Is of a greyifh green: toward the top it is covered with a clammy fubftance, to which infects, and other fmall things, flick. The leaves are placed in pairs, and are oblong, broad, not at all divided at the edges, and ob- tufely pointed. , The flowtrs flrand in clufters at the tops of the branches, and are not large or confpicuous : their colour is a greenifli yellow : the cup is obloncr and flender. The feed-veflel is fmall, and the feeds arc little and hlackini. It is a native of the Eaft, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Lychnis mriculi mf^- facie ; the leaves, before the ftalk rifes, having very- much the appearance of thofe of fome of the auriculas. Clufius calls it Lychnis fylveftris huifolia. 8. Small-flowered Campion with bloated cups. lychnis floribus minoribus caJyculus infialis. The root is long, thick, fingle, of a blackifli colour, and furniflied wich numerous fibres. The firft Icav^^ are oblong, large, broad, and of a bluifli green : they rife in a vaft tuft, and ftand all the winter. The ftalks are numerous, ftout, upright, not much jointed, and rarely at all branched; and they are three feet high. They are covered all the way down with a clammy moifture i lb that flies ftick to them. The leaves upon the ftalks are few and fmall : they ftand in pairs, and are broad, oblong, pointed, anJ of a pale green. Xx The The BRITISH HERBAL. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks in a regular and beautiful manner, and they are fmall and yellow : they have fwoln or bloated cups. The feed-velTel is fmall and oblong, and the feeds are little and brown. It is a native of Crete, and flowers in Auguft. Alpinus calls it Vifcaria maxima Cretica ; and others borrow the name from him. Mr. Ray, and others fince have fufpeded this to be the fame plant with the preceding, from the refemblance in fome points; but this is owing only to the imperfett defcriptions. The whole habit of this fpecies is different from that, and the form of the cups difl:inguifhes them entirely. It is natural to make thcfe mil- takes from imperfcd defcriptions: but thofe who have feen the plant from the Ipot cannot be under any diflicuky in determining it altogether fepa- ratc. Little is known with certainty of the virtues of this numerous genus. The common while campion is ufed by the couniry people in fome places to make an oint~ ment, which they commend for its virtues againft: hard fweilings; and, elfwhere, the leaves of the fame fpecies, dried in an oven and powdered, are given children againfl; convulfions. In Germany they celebrate feverat of the common kinds as wound-herbs ; and with us the red catchfiy is faid to poflefs, in common with foapivort^ a virtue of difperfing grumous blood, and of relieving in bruifes external and internal. The cockle is celebrated alfo as a wound-herb, but on a diffi.rent principle. It is faid to have great virtue in flopping blood and healing freHi cuts. It is alfo ufed againfl: cutaneous foulnefTes in fome places, in form of a decoiflion to wafh the parts, or in an ointment. The root ot this Ipecies, dried and powdered, ftands recommended alfo greatly againfl hremor- rhages, and feems worth a trial ; the dofe fhould be about fifteen grains. GENUS III. C I S T U S. HEATH SUNFLOJVER. T^HE flower is large and fpecious ; and confifl:s of five broad regularly expanded petals : the cup is compofed of five leaves ^ of thefe two are fmaller than the other three ; and it remains with the feed-vefiel : this is of a roundilh fhape, and contains numerous fmall and roundifli feeds. LinnEeus places this among his polyandria monogynia i the filaments in the flower being nume- rous, and growing to the receptacle ; and the fliyle from the rudiment of the fruit being finglc. Many authors have diftinguiflied two genera among the plants properly belonging to this, calling the one helia>ubemum and chanheciftus^ and the other cijlus; but there is not in nature any certain and fufficient foundation for this diflinftion ; and it is more proper to keep the plants all together, as they evidently agree in the feveral charaifters which are proper to eftablifli a genus. Our Englifla names of heath funflower and dwarf cijlus are preferved in fome writers for the com- mon wild kinds with us ; but in general the Latin name of the genus, cijfuSi has got into common ufe, and has fuperfeded all the Englifli ones. DIVISION L BRITISH SPECIES. r. Common fmall Ciftus. Cijlus procumhens Ugnofus. The root is long, flender, divided into many parts, and furniflied with numerous long, tough, brown, and crooked fibres. The ftalks are very numerous: they rife all from one head of the root, and fpread themfelves every way, fo as to form a great roundifli tuft. They are brown, hard, woody, and are a foot or more in length ; but they, for the mofl: part, trail upon the ground : they,> are frequently branched, and oi a brown colour. The leaves are oblong and broad : they are of a dufky green : they ftand in pairs, and are placed very thick upon all parts of the flialks : they fre- quently are turned back, and they have a light hairyncfs. The flowers are large, beautiful, and of a gold yellow : they ftand on naked, fl:raggling, and crooked flioots that run up from the tops of the fl;alks, and each has its feparate, flender pedicle : they quickly fall off. The feed-veffel is of a roundifli form, and the feeds are numerous, fmall, and brown. It is common on heaths, and by road-fides, in many parts of England ; and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Cham^cijtus vulgaris fiore Ittteo. Others, Helianthemum vulgare. The Englifli writers. Dwarf cijfus, or Sunflower. 2. Cift:us with narrow petals. Ciflus procumhens petalis angujtis. The root is long, flender, brown, woody, and divided into many long, crooked parts. The ftalks are numerous, flender, woody, and trailing. The leaves ftand in pairs, and they are oblong, a little hairy, of a pale green on the underfide, and of a deep green above; and they are ob- tufe at the ends. 3 The r H E B p. I T I S H HERBAL. 171 The flowers ftand fingly upon flender twigs rifing from the tops of the iblks: they are large, and of a gold yellow, and are compofcd of very narrow petals. The fced-veflel h roundifli, and the feeds are fmall. Ic is a native of our heaths, particularly of Surry ; and flowers in Augufl. Ray calls ic Helianthemum vulgar e pe talis fioriim •peranguftis : it retains this difference when raifed irom feed. 3. Hoary Dwarf Ciflus. Cifius pumilus fuhejcens. The root is long, brown, flender, and di- vided The ftalks are numerous, firm, woody, and fhorc: fome of them trail upon the ground, and others rife upi but they are rarely more than three or four inches high ; they are of a whitifli colour, and fomewhat hairy. The leaves rtand in p;iirs, and they are ob- long, broad, and of a greyifli colour, wliiter on the under part than the upper, and covered with a rougii hoarynefs. The flowers are large and yellow; they fl:and at the tops of the upright flalks, and their bright colour, with the contrail of the white of the ftalks and leaves, has a very pretty eftedt. The feed-vcfTel is oblong, and fomewhat broad ; and the feeds are numerous and fmail. Ic is found in many parts of the northern counties, and flowers in July. J. Bauhine calls it Helianthemum alpinum folio pibfelU miuGris Fuchfii. 4. Dwarf Ciflus with poleymountain leaves. Cijtus Jjumilis polii foliis. The root is long, flender, divided into feveral parts, and hung with tough fibres. The flalks are many, firm, ereft, woody, and very much branched. The leaves fland in pairs, and they are very numerous; the young fhoocs are fo covered with them that no part of the ftaik is to be feenj on the other and larger flalks they are placed at fomewhat greater diflances. They are long, narrow, and have no foot ftalks : they are undivided at the edges, pointed at the ends, and of a pale greyifh colour. The flowers ftand on flender twigs rifing from the upper parts of branches ; and they arc large, and of a gold yellow. The feed-velfel is roundifh and fmall ; and the feeds are very fmall. It is found on fome of our heaths, but is not com mon. Ray calls it Chnnu^cijlus mont anus polii folio, 5. Ciflus with fpotted flowers, Ofius flore guttata. The root is fmall, flender, hard, oblong, un- divided, and furniflied with a few fibres. The firft leaves are fhort, broad, of a faint green, fomewhat hairy, and not at all divideti at the edges. '1 he ftalk is round, upright, of a pale E^reen lightly hairy, and not at all branched, tul near the top, where there rife feveral flioots from the bofoms of the leaves for the fupport of the flowers. The leaves are fhort, oblong, confiderably broad, and of a dufl. White hairy long-leaved Ciftus. Cijfiis frulefcnu albicans foliis ohloligis hirfutis. I'he root is large and fpreading. The ftems are numerous, woody, but weak > three or four feet iong, but generally procum- bent, and covered with a pale bark : the young twigs are very long and llender, and they are of awhitilli colour. The leaves ffand in pairs : they are oblong and narrow ; of a greyifli green, and hairy. The flowers fl:and at the tops of the branches; and they are large and white. The fecd-vefl'els are large, as are alfo the feeds. It is a native of Spain, and flowers in July, The young flioots of this fpecies are covered with a fine balfamick fragrant refin, C, Bauhine calls it Ciflus leion hirfutum. Clu- fius, CiJliis ledon quartiis. Others, Cijius mas hirfmus. g. Common male Ciftus. GJtus fore magna nihentc. The root Is large, fpreading, and woody; The ftem is woody, firm, upright, branchec?, and four feet high : the branches are thick fee with leaves, and their bark is of a pale brown. The leaves are oblong, but of a confiderable breadth ; they ftand in pairs without any foot- ftalks, and they are broadeft toward the bafe, whence they dlminifh to a point; and are of a greyifti green colour, and covered with a woolly matter ; they are very foft and tender on the young fl"ioots, but hard and rigid on fuch as are older. The flowers ftand on ftender footflalks at the upper part of the branches, and are very large, and red. The feed-vefTel is roundifh, and angulated j and the feeds are large. * It is common in Italy, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Ciftus mas folio oblorjge in- cano. Our gardeners, Male ciftus. The plant called hypociftis, to be defcribed hercaiter in its proper place, grows to the roots of this fpecies, in the fame manner as the broom- rape grows to the roots of broom in our hillys barren pafturcs. 10, Narrow-leaved red Ciftus. Ciftus fore rubra magno anguftifolhis . The root is woody and fpreading. The ftem is thick, woody, branched, and four feet high : the bark is of a pale colour, and the wood is brittle. 1 he leaves ftand in pairs, and are very nu- merous : they are long, narrow, and of a pale green'; fomewhat hairy, but not woolly, as thofe of the other fpecies. The flowers ftand on long footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, and are very large, and of a beautiful red. The feed-vefiels are large and ribbed ; and the feeds are large. C, Bauhine calls this Ciftus mas folio oblongo incano. It is frequent in the warmer parts of Europe, and common in our gardens. Ray fufpetSed this to be only a variety of the preceding fpecies, but erroneoufly. GENUS IV. SAINT JOHN'S WORT. H r P E R I C U M. THE flower confifts of five petals, which are equal in fize, regularly placed, and expanded : the feed-vcffel is roundifli, and the feeds are numerous : the cup is divided into five, oval, pointed fegments, and remains when the flower is fallen. Linnteus places this among the polyadelphia poliandrla ; the threads in the flower being divided into feveral difl:in£l fets, growing together at their bafes, and growing to the receptacle. The fl:yles, which in the reft of this author's method make a confidcrable part of the claffica! charafter, are here not mentioned ; for this plain reafon, that their number is too uncertain to be determined. In fome_ fpecies of this plant there are two, in others three, in others five, and in fome but one. N'XVIII. Yy Thi' 174 The BRITISH HERBAL. This fingle inllance may ferve as a proof that the ftyles are not at all fit to be received into the number of part, from which a claffical divifion, or even a gencrical charafter, can be eftaljliflicd: if we Ihoiild allow thenn but this laft and Icall ufe, we muff heie of ncceffity feparatc, iirvder dificrcnt names, and in diftindt genera, plants moO: evidently related to one another, as fpecics of the fame genus. Some have obferved thefe, or other, as light and uncertain difiindions, fo far as to feparate • the SaitU Johti's worts (m this manner: hence have arifen the diftindl generical names in Latin of hypcricum^ afcyymn^ androfamum, and fome others i and in Engiini, thofe oi tu'fan. Saint Perer^s wa ty and Saint John's wort ; all frivolous and idle diftinftions, and all tending to create confufion in the Iciencci becaufe the plants are all truly and properly allied. l.innjeus, who is in general fond enough of elUblilhing new genera, !ias jud^^cd very rightly in this refped: he has named all thefe iubordinate and accidental variations in the fiy'es of the various kinds of Saint John's wort as variations only ; and has boldly and juftly kept all of them under one name, and in one genus. At the fame time, he has feparared, under the name of afr'rum, and referred to a diftinft genus, fome plants, which, though they have the general afpeft of Saint John's won, have only four petals in the flower. While we give this author the deferved praifc, for his arrangement of the Saint John's worts, wc cannot but cenfurc the place he has affigned them in his work : he has feparatt-d them from tl e cillus, and other plants before defcnbed, by five intermediate clalTes ; and, becaufe of th;s u,_^;^;..r 'jf the ffamina, or threads, joining in fcveral little clufters, has placed them in the artificial clafs wc have named. This may well be called an artificial clafs, becaufe nothing in nature countenances it ; and it is moll evident, by the divifion of thefe plants from the others, that it violates her mofb obvious laws. They agree with the others in the having a flower compofed of five |-er:ils, I'p.d their feeds contained in a fingle capfule : thefe are obvious reafons for joining them ; and this ;\}ni.:ular diftnbu- tion of the ftamina is but a very poor one for feparating them, and fending the Ihident to look for .plants which nature direfts him to underfliand as allied to one another, in the different parts of a work. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Saint John's wort. Hypericum vttlgare. The root is long, flender, woody, divided, and fpreading. The ftalk is firm, upright, of a pale green colour, edged, and a foot and half high : it is fimple toward the bottom, but divides into many branches near the top. The leaves are oblong, broad, and of a dec|) green : they (land in pairs at fmall diftances, and are undivided on the edges : when held up againfl: the light they appear full of little holes. The flowers are large, futi of threads, and of a beautiful gold yellow. The feed-vefiei is roundidi, and contains nu- merous fmall feeds. The ftyles from the rudiment of the capfule are three in this plant ; and the capfule is divided into three cells. The yellow threads in this flower, when moiftened and briiifed upon the hand, ftain it red. It is common by way-fides, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Hypcricumvulgare; and mofl others have followed him. The common Saint John's wort is celebrated for many virtues, and is not negleded in regular praftice. A decodlion of it is good to waflr ulcers*, and an oil, made by infufing the flowers in olive oil, is much recommended againfl: pain, and as a balfam : the flowers give their latent red colour very beautifully to the oil in this prepa. ration. An infufion of the frcfli tops of Saint John's won is good in the jaundice : it operates by urine. The exprcflt-d juice of the frefii tops is good againfl: fpitting of blood. The powder of the tops carefully dried is re- commended alfo againfl: worms, and in the gout, and againfl: tertian and quartan agues. A tincture of the flowers, made flrong in white-wine, is icconimendcd greatly by fome againfl: melancholy : but of thefe qualities we fpcak with Icfs certainty, though they defcr\'e a fair trial. 2. Small heart-leaved Saint John's wort. Hypericum folium cordatis. The root is flender, brown, and furnifhed with a few fibres. The flalk is round, fmooth, upright, and frequently redifli ; it has fcarce any branches, and is a foot or more in height. The leaves ftand in pairs, but with great fpaces between one pair and another: they are fmall, broad, fliort, and have no footfl:alks, but fur- round the n:alk at the bafe: they are of a heart- falhioned fhape, but not much dented at the broad part ; and are of a deep green, and firm fubflance. The flowers are large, and of a bright yellow. The feed-vefl'els are large, and the feeds are brownifli. The ftyles in the flowers of this fpccies arc only three ; and the fecd-vcird is, in the fame manner, divided into three cells. It is com.mon in dry padures and by way-fides ; and flowers in July. It is a very pretty plant. Tragus h.ls called it thence Hypericum fulchrum; and mofl: have copied him. J, Bauhine calls it Hypericum minus ere^um. 2. Small The BRITISH HERBAL. 175 3. Small procumbent Saint John's wort. Hypericum procumbens mi'iiis. The root is flender, long, and woody. The rtalks are numerous, and fome of them lie upon the ground ; others rife tolerably upright : they are four or five inches high, and edged like thofe of the common Saint John's wort^ and of a yellowiHi coluLir. 'I'he leaves ftand in pairs, at moderate diflances one pair froin another 1 and they are fmall, ob- long, pointed, and of a faint green. The flowers are large, and of a bright yellow : they grow on the tops of the italks, and of their bi'anches and divifions. The feed-vcflcl is fmall, and the feeds are nu- merous and minute. The ftylcs in the [lower of this fpecies are three, and the feed-veffel is divided into three cells. It is common in barren patlures, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Hypericum minus fupinum^ Jive fi/piimm g/ahum. We, ^railing Saint Johi's ivort. 4. Bcoad-Ieaved hairy Saint John's wort. Hypericum ere^um iatifoUum hirjutum. T he root is long, large, woody, and fpreading. 'I'he fl:alk is thick, firm, upright, very little branched, and of a brownifh colour. The leaves fl:and in pairs ; and they are large, oblong, and of a brownilli green, and hairy : they are broadeft toward the bafe, and diminifh to a point, and they have fhort footflalks. The flowers are numerous, large, and of a pale yellow : they fland at the tops of theftalks, and have flender pedicles. The feed-veffcl is large, and the feeds are brown. The fliyles are three in the flower of this fpe- cies, and the feed-veflql is accordingly 'divided into three cells. It is common by road -fides, and flowers in Augufl:. C. Bauhine calls \t Androf^mum hirfutum, and J. Bauhine, Hypericum androjiemim diStum. Thefe are very improper names, tor there is another fpecies altogether different irom this, properly called tutfan and androfj:mim, to be defcribed hereafter. 5. Broad-leaved, fmooth Saint John's wort. Hypericum IatifoUum glabruin. The root is long, divided, crooked, hard, and redifli. The flalk is upright, fingle, not at all branched or divided, and a toot and a half high, and of a pale, blui ill-green colour. The leaves fland in pairs at confiderable dif. ' tances : they are very large and broad ■, they have no footllalks, their bafes join at the ftalk, and they are of a pale bkiifli green. The flowers Hand at the tops of the ftalks on flender pedicles : they are large, and of a very beautiful yellow. The feed-veirel alfo is large, and the feeds arc fmall and brown, The flylcs in the flower of this fpecies are three, and the feed-vcflTel is accordingly divided into three cells. It is not common in England, exct-pt in the northern counties ; but there are fome plants of it in Chariton wood, near Woolwich. It flowers in Augufl". C. Bauhine calls ic Afcyrony five hypericmn hi- foUum glahritm non perforatum. Columna, An- droftemum campoclarente. It is an extremely beautiful plant. Linna.-us makes this and the former fpecies only varieties of the fame plant. He mufl: have been mifled by the bad figures of authors; for it is im- poflible he fiaould have faid this, if he had ever Icen this fpecies : the other is common. The leaves in this fpecies are not full of holes, as in the common Saint John's wort ; but fre- quently the underfide of them is beautifully dotted with red fpots, difpofed regularly on the edge. 6. Tuifan. Hypericum maximum androfomum di^mn. The root is hard, wuudy, long, redifli, and divided into many parts. The ftalks are numerous, firm, hard, of a pale green, and edged: they are two feet and a half high, and frequently are branched, though fometimes they rife almofi: fingle. The leaves ftand in pairs, and are very large ; they are broadeft at the bafe, and terminate ob- tufely : their colour is a dead green in the firft part of fummer, but frequently the whole plant turns of a blood-red toward autumn. The flowers fland in clufters at the tops of the ftalks : they are large and yellow. The feed-veflel is of an ova! form ; and, being foft and juicy, has the appearance of a berrv. It is frequent in many parts of England under fliady hedges, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Ajidrofvmum maximum fru- tefcsHs. Ray, Hypericum maximum mdrcf^mmn vulgare di^um. This fpecies poITefles the virtue of a vulne- rary in a degree even fuperior to the common Saint Jonns wort. One of the young leaves wrapped round a cut-finger, or fpread evenly over a deep frefh wound, will cure it without any other application. This I am aflured by the Lady of Gen. Ogle- thorpe, from her repeated experience. 7. Saint Peter's wort. Hypericum cauls ere£to quadrangiik afcyron di^im. The root is long and fpreading : it creeps un- der the furface, and has a multitude of fibres. The ftalks are numerous, fquare, upright, fel- dom at all branched, and about a foot high. The leaves are placed in pairs at confiderable diftances, and have no footlla'ks : they are of an oval figure, and obtufe. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks, on fcparate, flender pedicles, and are of a bright yellow. The feed-veffcis are large, and the feeds mi- nute, Th3 The BRITISH HERBAL. 176 The ftyles in the flower of this plant are three, and the feed-veflTel is accordingly divided into three cells. It is common in damp places, and flowers in June. J. Bauhine calls it Hypericum afcyrum di£lum caule qimdrangulo. Others, Afcynm, and AJcyron vulgare. Its virtues are the fame with thofe of Saint John^s wort. 8. Woolly Marlh Saint John's wort, Hypericum fupinum i-illofurn falujlre. This is commonly called a fpecies of SaifU Peter's wort ; but I have obferved before, that the dift:indion of that as a genus is idle, and not fupporced in nature. DIVISION II. 1. Spanifh Saint John's wort. Hypericum tomcniofum calycibiis ferratis. The root is long, flender, br.-wn, and hung with a few fibres. The fl:alks are numerous, weak, redifii, and feven or eight inches long : they trail upon the ground, and are not branched. The leaves are placed in pairs: they are of an oval fliapc, approaching to heart -fall-iioned, of a greyifli white colour, and very hoary. The flowers are numerous and fmall : they ftiand on long and very flender pedicles rifing from the tops of the ftalks, ten or a dozen together, and they are of a bright yellow : their cup is ferrated, and glandulous. The feed-velTcl is large, and the feeds are very fmall and brown. This fpecies has three ftyles in the flower, and the capfule is divided into three cells. It is a native of Spain, and flowers in Augufl'. C. Bauhine calls it Hypericum fupimim tomento- fnm but he erroneoufly makes two fpecies of it, a greater and a lefl'er. He had feen it larger in Spain, and fmaller in France ; but there was no other diflerence. 2. Perfoliate Saint John's wort. Hypericum perfolifJum. The root is compofed of a number of thick, black fibres. The fl:alk is round, upright, Arm, and a foot and a half high : it is ufually red toward the bottom, and elfewhere of a pale green. The leaves are broad, and of a fliapc approach- ing to triangular : they meet at the bafe, and the flialk feems to pafs through them : the feveral pairs are placed at diftances with great regularity : they are of a deep green, and of a firm fubftance ; and, when held up to the light, they are found full of holes, in the manner of the common Saint John's wort ; toward the bottom the leaves are fmall; they are largeft about the middle of the ftalk, and grow fmaller again to the top. The flowers ftand on long footflalks at the top The root is fmall, and fpreading. The flalks are numerous, weak, and procum- bent : they are of a whitilh colour, and are ten inches or a foot long. The leaves are placed in pairs, and they are of a roundifli figure : they are foft to the touch, white, and covered with a wooiiydown. The flowers fland on flender footflalks at the tops of the ftalks, and rife from the bofoms of the upper leaves ; and they arc large, and of a beautiful yellow. The feed-vefil-Is are roundifli, and the feeds minute and brown. It is not uncommon on rotten, wet, and boggy ground, and flowers in July, C. Bauhine calls it Afcyron fupinum villofum pa- lujlre. of the plant ; and they are large, and of a beauti- ful yellow. The feed-vefi"el is oval, and the feeds are mi- nute and brown. This fpecies has three ftyles in the flower, and the cells of the feed-vefl"cl are three. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in July, C. Bauhine calls it AndrofHana minima amd e^gie rotundifoUa ; and others follov/ him. 14. Large-fruited fea Chickweed. Alfms maritima pufiUa fru^u msgm. The root is long, thick, and furnifhed with a great many fibres. The ftalks are numerous and (hort : they arc fpread upon the ground, and fo covered with leaves that it is hard to diftinguifh their form. The leaves are fliort and broad, pointed at the end, and of a bluifli green. They ftand in pairs, but generally grow the oppofite ways ; fo that they look, upon the whole, to be difpofed croflwife. The flowers are fmall and white ; and the feed- vefiels are oval : they are remarkably large for fo fmall a plant, and contain numerous feeds. It is common on our fea-coafts, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Alfme litoralis portulac/i . foliis. Others, Anthyllis maritima lentifolia. 15. Procumbent narrow leaved Chickweed. Aljine maritima procumbens angujlifolia. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with many fibres. The ftalks are very numerous, fmall, weak, and of a pale green ; they fpread every way up- on the ground, and are four inches long, and very much branched. The leaves are numerous : they ftand in pairs, and are full of young ones, and of fmall fhoots of branches, in their bofoms ; fo that the whole plant is very bufliy. The leaves are (hort, and narrower than thofc of the lall mentioned fpecies. The flowers rife from the bofoms of the leaves all the way up the ftalks : they are numerous, finall, and white. The feed veflTels alfo are fmall ; and the feeds minute and numerous. It is common on our fea coafts, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Anthyllis maritima chama* fyche Jimilis. Ray, Aljim maritima fupina foliis chmnxftcxs. Our people. Sea knotgrafs, and Sea chickweed. 16. Small flowered water Chickweed. Aljine faluftris fiofculis parvisi The root is fmall, divided, and full of fibres. The ftalks are numerous, fmall, irregularly branched, and about an inch and half high. The leaves are placed in pairs ; they are ob- long, thick, and of a frefti green ; obtufe at the ends, and not at all divided at the edges. A a a Th» / r82 The BRITISH HERBAL. " The flowers ftand at the tops of the ilalks, and are very fmall, and white : they fcarce ever open. The feed vcflel is fmali, and opens in three parts, and contains three feeds. Tt is common in places where water is juft dried up ; and flowers in June. Ray calls it Jlfine parva palujtris tricoccos foliis fortulaca:.^ Merret, Alfme flcfailis comiivintiias. We, in En'gliih, Blinks. 17. Round leaved creeping Chickwced. Alfine piifilla repcm foliis rotiadis. This is a Angular and very elegant fpecies. The root is long, flcnder, and white : it creeps up under the furface, and fends out tufts of fibres in dilferent places. The leaves rife in cUifters three or four toge- ther at fmall diftances, and they ftand fingly on long and very flcnder footftalks : from the fame fpot, where they rife, there grow alfo fmall, creep- ing ftalks, which run upon the ground, and fend up other clufters of leaves in different places. The leaves are fmall, round, and dented at the edges ; and they are of a pale green. The flowers are very fmall ; they ftand fingly on tender footftalks riling from the bofoms of the leaves ; and they are of a pale fiefhy colour. The fced-veflel is very fmall, and the feeds are minute and few. It is not uncommon on the fides of hills in our weftern counties, but is fo fmall that it is eafily overlooked. It flowers in July. Ray calls it Alfme fpuria ftifilk rcpeiil foliis faxifragiC aure^. Thefe fpecies of Chickweed are all fuppofed to poflefs the fame qualities with the common kind ; but they have not been much regarded. The cmmion chickweed has the credit of being cooling and diuretick ; but little notice is taken of it. Outwardly it is cooling, but neither way demands much notice. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Large-fruited rock Chickweed. Alfme petraa frullu majori. The root is flender, divided into many parts, and furnilhed with numerous, fibres. The flalks are flender, upright, and toward the tops divided into feveral branches. The leaves are fmall, oblong, narrow, and of a pale green : they are broadeft toward the middle, and terminate in a point. The Bowers are nu.mcrous and fmall : they are white, and ftand on fliort, flender footftalks. ■The feed-velTcl is round and large; and the feeds are fmall, numerous and brown. It is frequent on the mountains in Germany j and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Alfme minor liiii capitulis. Gelncr, Alfne pitrica. 2. Great Chickweed with ferratcd leaves. Afme maxima foliis ferratis. The root is compofcd of numerous fibres. The ftalks are round, firm, ercft, a foot and half high, and of a pale green \ and they are not at all branched. The leaves ftand in pairs without footftalks : they are very large, and broadeft at the bafe, where they meet in fo clofe a manner that the ftalk appears to grow through them : they are fliarply ferrated at the edges, and pointed at thecnds. The flowers grow at the tops of the ftalks, and are large, and fnow white ; they confift each of five petals divided pretty deeply at the tips. The feed-veffel is large, and the feeds are nu- merous, rounded, and flatted. It is common among rocks in Italy; and flowers in Auguft. Men zelius calls it Alfme maxima folanifolia. G E N U S VI. MOUSE-EAR CHICKWEED. C E R A S T lU M. THE flower is compofed of five petals, nip'd at the ends, and regularly difpofed : the feed-veflel is long, crooked, obtufe, and dented into five parts at the end : the cup is compofed of five leaves, and remains when the flower is fallen. Linna:us places this among the decandria penlagynia ; the threads in the flower being ten, and the ftyles from the rudiment of the capfule five. We arc unlucky in that we have no Englill, fingle name for this genus : we call it homed chickweed, from the ftiape of the feed-veflels ; and moufi-ear chickweed, from the form and hairynefs of the leaves m moft of the ipecies ; but thefe being all compound terms, it is better to ufe the Latin name cerajiium. Linnaeus is reduced to the neceflity of making an exception at the bottom of his charafter of this genus, as of the former, which overthrows the charafter of the greater arrangement of the clafs: he acknowledges there is a fpecies which have only five ftamina. . In this Linnasus is right, that this plant, which has only five threads, is a proper and certain fpecies of ceraflnim, though the reft of the plants of that name have ten : but this fliews the . uncertainty of the charaelers on which he eftablifties claflis ; for the great and fingle circumftance on which the prefent clan's is formed is the having ten threads. ^' D I V I- The BRITISH HE REAL. 183 DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Dwarf earl/ Ceraflium. Cerajlium pumilum pracox. The root is a tufc of flender fibres. The leaves that rife immediately from it are broad, fhort and obtufely pointed : they grow in a little tuft, and are of a pale green. In the centre of this tuft rifes a fingle ftalk • this is round, hairy, upright, rarely at all branched, and three inches high. The leaves Hand in pairs at confiderable dif- tances ; they are fmall, hairy, and fiiort : they have no footftalks, but furround the ftalk at the bafe. The flowers fland at the tops of the ftalks, and are fmall, white, and comLofed each of five petals nipp'd at the ends : they rarely open. The feed-veflel is fmail, long, and clofe at the end. The leeds are numerous and minute. It is common on walls and dry banks ; and flowers in April. When it has ftood fome weeks, it fometimes is a little branched ; but it is alto- gether diftindb from the larger kinds. The flowers ftand on Ihorter footflalks, and the plant never is at all clammy, as tlie others ufually are. The leaves alfo are pointed a little more than in them. C. Bauhine calls it Jllfnie hirfiita minor. Dille- nius, Cerafiium hirjutum minus parvo fiore. 2. Common broad-leaved Ceraftium. Ceraftiiim latifoUum "juigare. The root is compofed of flender fibres. The ftalks are numerous, round, hairy, and of a pale green ; they are not much branched, and they are generally fomewhat clammy to the touch. The leaves ftand in pairs at fmall difianccs; and they are broad, fliorr, hairy, and of a duflcy green. The flowers are fmail and white : they (land on fhort pedicles rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, and they rarely open well. The feed-veflTel is long, crooked, and dentated at the end : the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is frequent in paftures, and flowers in fpring. The whole plant is frequently covered with a clammy moifture. C. Bauhine calls it Ji/in' hirfiita altera vifcofa. Ray, Alfine hirfuta myofotis latifolia pr^cocior. Merret, Alfine myofotis humiUor ct rctundiore folio. 3. Narrow-leaved Ceraftium. Cerajliim foliis angujliorihus. The root is compofed of fmall, white fibres. The flialks are numerous, flender, hairy, of a pale green, and five or fix inches high. The leaves ftand in pairs; and they are oblong, narrow, of a pale green, hairy, and often clam- my, as is alfo the ftalk. The Bowers ftand on pedicles rifing in the bo- lums of the upper leaves; and they are larger [han in the others and white. The feed-vefTel is long, (lender, and lightly dentated at the end. The feeds are numerous, minute, and brown. Ic is common in our paftures, and flowers iil July. C. Bauhine Calls it Afme hirfuta magna fiore. Merrec, Alfine myfotis frocerior et longi are folio. Sometimes this fpecies ifi altogether fmooth, ftalks and leaves. 4. Creeping Ceraflium with great flowers. Ceraftium repens fiorihiis amplis. The root is flender, and runs under the fur- face. The ftalks are numerous, round, hairy, of a pale green, and five or fix inches in length i part of them fl:and ered, and part are procum- bent. The leaves grow in pairs, without footftalks, and are placed at confiderable diftances; they are fliort, obtufe, and of a pale green, mode- rately hairy, and of a firm fubftance. The flowers grow on long, flender footftalks, and are very large, and of a fnow white : they are compofed each of five petals, dented at the ends. U he feed vefl"el is long, thick, and crooked, and dented at the top ; and the feeds are fmall numerous, and angular. it is a native of our northern counties, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Caryophylhis holofieus alpinus latifolius. It is a very lingular and beautiful plant. ^. Woolly Ceraftium. Ceraflium tomentofuni. The root is fibrous and brown. The ftalks are numerous and weak : they are of a whitifh colour, and fome of them rife up- right to the height of eight inches, but moft lie upon the ground. The leaves are broad, fliort, and obtufe: they are placed in pairs, and they are of a woolly foft- nefs to the touch, and of a white colour. The flowers are large and white : tliey ftand on fliort pedicles rifing from the tops of the ftalks, and from the bofoms of the upper leaves. The feed-velTcI'is long, and conliderably bent: the edge deeply divided, and the colour a pale brown. The feeds are fmall and brownifh. Ic is found on the Welch mountains, and fcarce any where elfe in Britain. It flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Caryophylhis holcfleus tomen- tofus latifolius. The flowers is larger than in the former fpecies. We know nothing of the virtues of any of thefe plants, nor of the foreign fpecies following. D I V I- i84 The BR ITISH HERBAL. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Long-leavcd Ceraftium. Ccrajtium angnjlifoHitm vafculo longo. The root is fmall and white, furnifhed with a few fibres, and infipid to the taftc. The dalle is fingle, upright, and five inches high ; ic is hairy, and of a pale green : it fends out no branches, but at the cop tt divides, and fpreads into a large head. The leaves are narrow and long; they ftand in pairs, and the joints whence they rife are marked by a knot, and a Jittle fwelled : the ftalk alfo frequently bows from joint to joint. The flowers are fmall and white : they fcarce open perfeiftly ; one generally ftands at the top of the main ftalk, whence the principal branches that form the head rife ; the others are placed on thofe branches which rife much higher. The feed-veflel is long, flender, and a little crooked; fo that it refembles a cock's fpur. The feeds are blackifli. It is a native of Spain, and flowers in July, in the cornfields. Clufius calls it Alfine corniculata ; a name copied by moft, and tranfiated by our Englifii writers with that of the author : they call it Clufius's horned ,chick'weed. Some have been for making it a fpecies of cockle \ but they ncvtr faw the plant. GENUS VII. S P U R R E Y. SPERGULA. THE flower is compofed of five petals, which open regularly, and fpread out; and are oval and hollowed : the feed-veflel is oval, and compofed of five valves ; but contains only one Cell : the cup is compofed of five oval, hollow leaves regularly dilpofed, and ftands with the feed- vefiel after the flower is fallen; the feeds are edged with a film. Linnsus places this among his deca}idria pentagyma j the threads in the flower being ten, and the fliyles from the rudiment of the fruit five. The difference is evident between this plant and the alfine^ not only in its charafters, but form, and manner ol growing; wherefore Mr. Ray judged unhappily in joining them, efpecially as there are of each numerous fpecies. I. Common Spurrey. SpergiiJa major. The root is fmall, flender, long, and furniflied with numerous fibres. The ftalks are numerous, round, upright, and of a pale green : they have few branches toward the bottom, but many toward the top. The leaves are very narrow, oblong, of a deep green, and often curled : they fl:and in a confide- rable number at each joint, furrounding the ft:alk, in the manner of thofe of what are called the flellate plants. The flowers are fmall and white ; and they confift each of five undivided petals. The fecd-vefl"el is large, and the feeds are fmall and blackifii. The fize of the plant varies extremely accor- ding to the nature of the ground : fix or eight inches is a common height [or i[ ; fometimes we fee it more than a foot ; and in Flanders, where they have fields of it, it is often two feet high. It is common wild on our plowed grounds ; but has fometimes been cultivated in England, as it is abroad, for the ufe of cattle. C. Bauhine calls it yUfms fpergida diSla major. Others, Spergula. 2. Purple Spurrey. Spergiila floribus purpureis. The root is long, flender, full of fibres, and penetrates deep. The ftalks are numerous, weak, and very much branched : they are five or fix inches long, and they lie fpread upon the ground. Tiie leaves are numerous, fmall, and of a pale green. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches in great numbers ; and they are fmall, but of a beautiful pale purple. The fced-vcfl:els are large, and the feeds are very numerous, and fmall. It is common on dry hiily ground, and flowers in May. We have it in Hidepark, and other places about London, in great abundance. C. Bauhine calls it Jl/im fperguU facie mimry feu Spergula minor fiore fubcaruleo. The leaves in this fpecies feem, on a flight view, to furround the ftalk in great numbers at every joint, as thofe of the common fpurrey ; but, when the plant is more nicely examined, there are found only two principal leaves at each joint, and the others are young flioots in their bofoms : they ftand very thick, fo that the miftake is eafy. 3- Large-flowered Spurrey. Spergiila fiore majore. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with many fibres. The ftalks are numerous, round, jointed, and eight inches high. The leaves are oblong, fomewhat broad, and of a deep green : they are of a firmer fubftante than in the co-mmon fpurrey , and do not curl, or " turn, The BRITISH HERBAL. Cum, as they do : they furround the ftalk, grow- ing feveral at each joint ; but, as they are broader, they arc alfo fewer than in the common fpitrrey. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks ; and they are larger than thofe of the common kind, and of a milk white. The feed-vefTel is large, and roundilh, or oval ; and the feeds are numerous and fmall : they are black, and have the edge white. It is common on fandy grounds in Ireland, and in the weft of England ; and flowers in April. Ray calis it Aljine fpergula diHa femine mem- hranaceo fufco. Dillenius, Spergiila annua femine foliaceo nigra circulo membranaceo albo cinUa. 4. Sea Spurrey. Spergula maritima. The root is long, flender, and furnifhed with many fibres. The ftalks are nugierous, upright, and fix or eight inches high : they are of a pale green, very much branched toward the top, and jointed at fmall diftances. The leaves are numerous, and ftand round the flalk at the joints, in form of the rays of a ftar : they are oblong, narrow, and of a pale green. The flowers grow at the tops of the branches m great numbers; and they are fmail and purple. The feed-veflel is large, and the feeds are light and brown. It is common on our fea-coafts, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Alfine fpergula facie media. Others, Sagi}m fpergula minor, and Spergula ma- rina. Our people call it Sea fpurrey, and Sa!t- marfh fpurrey, 5. Dwarf fea Spurrey, Spergula maritima minima. The root is long and flender. The ftalks are numerous, and four inches long: they frequently all trait upon the ground, but fometimes a few of them are credl. The leaves are narrow, oblong, fmall, and of a pale green. The flowers are minute, and ofabluiHi purple. The feed-vefl"els are fmall, and the feeds duflcy, but edged with a white very narrow circle of a membranaceous matter, as the others. The leaves in this plant are very numerous ; but the joints of the ftalk are much more diftanc than in the others ; fo that more of it is feen. It is common in our fait marflies, and flowers in May. Dillenius calls It Spergula maritima flore par-vo co'ruko femine vario. He firft obferved it on Sheepy ifland. The virtues of thefe feveral plants are trifling but their ufes may be very great. Our farmers, who ufed to go in a very limited traft of huftjandry, have of late years introduced from other countries many new produ6ts, by the afliftance of which they change their crops upon the fame ground very happily, avoid the former neceflity of fallow-feafons ; and add vaftly to their profits. Among the other ufeful plants cultivated in the neighbouring countries is the common fpurrey: this makes a very wholefome and rich food for the horned cattle : it is therefore worth more notice in England. But there is another fpecies, the common fea fpurrey, which has not been yet culti- vated any where, but might be in many places to a great advantage. The fea-coaft is the natural foil for this plant; and it would therefore be very proper, and very beneficial to the farmer to fow it on fuch lands as, lying very near the fea, will not bear any other crop to advantage. There is a vaft quantity of this land in the kingdom, which at prefent lets for very little, and yields very little ; but if this plant were in- troduced upon it, would be of great value. Its qualities are the fame in all refpedts with thofe of common fpurrey. The END of the NINTH C L A S S. N- XIX. Bbt, THE BRITISH HERBAL. C L A S S X. Plants with the flower compofed of five petals regularly difpofed, and the feeds contained in a single capsule; and with the Laves alternate, or not in pairs, upon the fialks. THESE plants, if the flowers and feed veflels alone were to be confidered in the eftablifhmcnt of claffes, would have been arranged in the fame with thofe of the preceding; yet they ars extremely different from them. The alternate difpofition of the leaves is an obvious charafler, and is univerfal among them ; as the having them in pairs is of the preceding. This may, to a lefs confiderate obferver, appear too trivial an incident for the forming a claflical ditfin£lion j but nature, whofe fteps alone I follow, lliews it to be otherwife. Let him reflefl:, and obferve, that of all the genera treated of in the preceding clafs there is not one which has belonging to it a fingle fpecies the leaves of which ftand alternately ; and that among thofe which conftitute this clafs, the charafter of which is to have the leaves alternate, there is not one that has a fingle fpecies with the leaves in pau-s ; and he will then find this, which before feemed to him but a cafual incident in the growth of the plants, a regular and univerfal law eftablilhed by nature among thefe plants, and in all the genera not once violated. He will from this, not only learn the error of his firfl: opinion, but will fee that nature made the difpofition of the leaves of plants a certain and regular part of their eftablilhed diftinftions, and that Linnaius's method muft have been imperfeift, were it only for that it has not regarded them as any part of clalTical diftindions. The more ftrift and more general marks of divifion are placed in larger and more obvious parts of the flower and feed-velTel ; but as there are in the threads, and other fmaller parts of it alfo, very remarkable particularities, fo there are in the difpofition of the leaves, and the genera! growth of the plant. Thefe laft, as they are the more obvious of the two fubordinate charafters, fo they are the mofl: certain, and free from variation. We find, in many of the particular genera of the preceding clafs, certain fpecies in which the number of the threads vary ; and this Linnasus finds himfcif obliged to own, even where he is eftablifliing the charaflers of the genus upon them ; but we do not fee any inftance of the leaves being placed varioufly in the feveral fpecies of any genus therein. This is a point we lhall have occafion to treat more at large when we come to fpeak of the flellate plants ; but thus much may be proper to be obferved here, to ellablifti the dillinaion of the prcfent, and prepare for that of the fucceeding clafs. SERIES THE BRITISH HERBAL. SERIES I. Natives of B r i T A i n. Thofe of which one or more fpecies are naturally wild in this kingdom. G E N U S I. SUNDEW. R O R E L L A. 'TpHE flower confifts of five petals, regularly difpofed into a hollowed form : the fecd-veffel Is oval, and has five valves at the top, but contains only, a fingle cell : the cup is formed of a fingle piece, divided into five fegments, and remains when the flower is fallen, LinnEus places this among the fmtandria fentagynia ; tlie threads in the flower being five, and the ftyles from the rudiment of the fruit of the fame number. This author has taken away the antient name of this genus, wliich is ros folis, and calls it dnfera. As a generical name confifting of more than one word is always improper, and as, befide the name ros foils, there is a familiar one always underfl:ood, and ufcd as fynonymous with it, that is mrella, I have chofen this for the name of tlie genus; every one converfant in the leafl: with thefe fl:udies knowing it. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Sundew. Rorslla vulgaris. The root is compofed of a few, (lender crooked fibres. ■ The leaves rife from it in a little clufter ten or a dozen together, and form a very fingular ap- 'pearance: each has its long and [lender footftalk^ and both that and the leaf are very hairy : the body of the leaf is roundifh, or a little inclining to oval: the colour is a dingy purple, and the fubftance is flefhy. The hairs that grow on this, and on the foot- ftalks, are long, robiill:, and yellowifli ; and tlicy differ greatly from thofe of any other known 'plant, except the fpecies of the fame genus : they are often waved or crooked, and there ftand on the leaTes large drops of a cranfparcnt fluid in the midft of the hotteft days : from this the plant received its name of fundeio. The ftalk rifes in the centre of this tuft of leaves, and is upright, fingle, undivided, and fix inches high: its colour is purple, and it has no leaves or branches^ only that at the top it fome- times divides into two pares. The flowers ftand on the divifions, ten or a dozen on each : they are fmall, and rarely keep long open. The feed-veffel is fmall and ova! ; and the feeds are alfo oval, numerous, and fmall. It is common on the boggy parts of heaths ; and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Ros folis folio rotunda. O- ihers, fimply Ros folis. Several of the following fpecies of this genus agree with [his in having no leaves on the ftalk : it is on thFs account the clafTical charadler fays, thefe plants have leaves "alternate, or not in pairs : thofe from the root 'grow all from a fingle head, and they are all the leaves belonging to thefe kinds. 2. Roundidi-leaved perennial Sundew. Rorella rotundifolia perennis. The root confifts, not of a few nio-ht fibA-cs as in the preceding, but of a thick tuft of them, fpreading every way to a confidt-rablc' length, from the feveml parts of one principal, flender and long body, . The leaves rife in a little duflicr, but rarely more than fix or feven together: they have lonc^ ■fuotftalks, and ftand mofe upright than in the common fundew : the leaves themlclves are round- ifli, but approaching to oval, and are of a thick, flefliy fub'ftancc : they arc covered with Ihort and ftiff, yellow hairs, and generally have drops of a tranfparent liquor on them in the heat of the day The ftalk is naked, Hender, upright, and four inches high. ^ The flowers grow at the top In a feries of eight or ten together; and they open more freely, and ftand longer, than thofe of common fundew: they are fmall and white. The feed-veffeis are oblong, and the feeds nu- merous and roundifh. It is common on bogs, with the former, but is overlooked. It flowers in July. Ray calls it Rorella rotundifolia -perennis. 3. Small longifii- leaved perennial Sundew. Rorella fufilla longi folia perennis. ' -The cmmon fu^detv is fometimes obferved to have the leaves approaching to an oblong form, and has-tl-tonce been divided, by Cafpar Bauhine and others, into two fpecies, the latter called ^ros folis f do -^hlongo ; but that is only a variety of the common kind : the plant here treated of differs much mo:e obvioufly and efi^entiaily, and is a truly diftintt ipecies. TJie root is a great tuft of thick, black, and crooked fibres. i88 The BRITISH HERBAL. The leaves rife in a large tuft twenty or more together : they arc of an oblong figure, fmallefl ac the bafe, and thence gradually widening to the extremity, where they are rounded and obcufe ; and they are placed on long, flender foocftalks. They arc covered with ftiff, long, yellow hairs, and rife up more ereft than the leaves of any other fpecies. The flallv is fingle, naked, purplifh, and not above three inches high : it rarely divides, but ufually has a long feries of flowers ftanding all on one fide : thefc are white and fmall. The feed-veflel is large and oval ; and the feeds are fmall, numerous, redifli, and nearly round. It is found on wet parts of haaths, and Bowers in May. Ray calls it Rorella longifoUa perennis. This author, in compliance with the cuftom of others, has fee down the variety of the comma?! fundew with longiOi leaves ; but declares his doubts .IS to its being a diftindt fpecies : this, on the contrary, he marks as a certainly diftindt Ipecies, and difirrent abfolutely from that. 4. Great long-leaved Sundew. Rorella major longifolia. This, like the two former, is a perennial fpecies. The root is compofcd of innumerable, flender, crooked fibres, and fpreads a great way under the furface. The leaves rife in a clufler, and are long and narrow : they are placed on very long, flender footflalks, and naturally (land very upright ; but the weight of the leaf, when charged with its moifture, and the extream weaknefs of the ftalk, occafions its frequent drooping. The ftalk rifes in the centre of this tuft ; and is naked, (lender, and eight or ten inches high : it is of a purplifli colour, as are alfo the leaves, and it rarely divides even at the top. The flowers fland in a fliort fpike at the fum- mit: they are larger than in the preceding fpecies, and are white but tiicy rarely open widely. The feed-veflel is oval and targe ; and the feeds are numerous, and very fmall. It is found on wet heaths in our northern counties ; and flowers in June. Ray calls it Rorella lungifolia maxima. All thefe fpecies have the fame medicinal qua- lities. What we know with certainty of them is, that m external ufe they are very dangerous ; and, as it isfaid, that taken internally they are very hurt- ful to cattle, we are told that, in the form of a dirtilled water, they are highly cordial and refto- rativei but at prcfent they are difufed in regular practice; nor is it likely that ever they deferved the charadtcr that has been given of chem in that refpe(fl. The leaves, bruifed and applied to the fkin aft as an efcharotick : they are more violent than the leaves of the Iharpeft crowfoots, and bring on fuch inflammations as are not eafily removed ; and our people in the country are fo convinced of their deftruftive qualities, when eaten by Iheep, that it is vulgarly known among them by the name of red rol. The Italians ufe it to this day, among many other ingredients, in their liqueurs, or fine cor- dials ; and the ladies in the country, with us, yet admit it among other ingredients, in the fame manner, into their family waters. It is probable that the virtues afcribed to it in thefe are owing to the other ingredients ; and that its own pernicious qualities do not rife in diftillation. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Grafly-leaved Sundew. Rorella foUis grnmineis. The root is fmall, long, and furnilhed with a few fibres. The leaves are very numerous, and rife in thick tufts : they grow upright ; they have no foot- ftalks ; and, when young, they frequently curl fpirally at the ends : they are very long, and ex- tremely narrow, round on the back, hollow in front, and covered with long hairs. The ftalk rifes in the midft of this tuft, and is (lender, and tolerably upright. It is not fo tall as the leaves ; and is not naked, as in the feveral kinds that are natives of our country, but has two or three leaves upon it, placed at diftances alternately, and of the fame fliape with thofe from the root. The flowers are fmall and white ; and the feed- velfel is large and oval. The feeds are fmall and brown. It IS found on damp grounds in Portugal, and flowers in July. Plukenet calls kRos foils luitmicus foliis affbc- deli miiioris. Its qualities are not certainly known. GENUS II. SAXIFRAGE. S^XIFRAGJ. T™ '"'°"'^f'^ of 'j;^ P^'^'^. «hich are narrow at the bafe, and broader to the end - the feed-veflel .s of an oval figure, but has a double beak : the cup is fmall, it is formed of ; fmgle piece, divided into five fegments, and it remains with the feed-veflel, Linnreus The BRITISH HERBAL. 189 LinnrEUS places this among the decandria di^ynra ; tlie threads being ten in each flower, and tlie ftyles from the rudiment of the fruit two. I'iiis author joins the faxifrage and geum under the fame name; but they are diflinil genera. We have obferved that the cup in the fcixifrage is formed of a fingle piece, divided into five feg- ments ; but that of the gcum is formed of five feparate leaves; and from this difference of ftruclure, refults an obvious diflindtion in the placing and appearance of th? feed veflcl ; for in the faxifrage it grows to the entire part of the cup ; whereas in tlie geum, there being no fuch entire part of the cup, it is feparate. This is an eHcntial and obvious cliarafter, and it is the more needful to be preferved, becaufe both the faxifrage and the geum have very numerous fpecies. The blending thefe together, as Linnseus 'has done, by confounding the two genera, muft therefore encre.ife the difficulty of the fcience. It is fingular that IMr. Ray, Ids accurate than Linnscus in his examinations of the more minute parts of plants, thougli more fo in his choice of clallical diftindions, fliould have obferved this, while the other either overlooked it, or did not pay it that regard which was due to its utility. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common white Saxifrage. Saxifraga alba vulgaris. The root is compofed of a great many fmall, oval, or roundifli tubercles, of a fl'^fhy fubfl:ance and redifb colour ; and of a multitude of long and flender fibres, iOliing from their furface, and from a Imall head, to which they alfo grow. The leaves rife in little cluffers, and are of a very fingular and pretty form : they are rounded, but a little' part of the circular figure is wanting where the ifalk is inferred ; and they are of a ffcllry fubllance, a pale green colour, and indent- ed at the edges : their footflalks are long and flender, and they ffand tolerably ereft. The ftalk rifes in the midfl of this clufler, and is round, flefhy, upright, and about a foot high. The leaves are placed alternately on it ; and they have long footftalks, and refemble thofe from the root. The flowers are large, beautiful, and of a fnov; white i and they are fometimes found naturally double : they ftand on fiiort footftaljcs at the tops of the ftalks, and on little flioots rifing from the bofoms of the upper leaves. The feed-veirel is oval, and has a double beak at the top : tlie feeds are numerous and fmali. It is common in our paflrures, and flowers in May. About Wandfor and toward Pcckham there is a great deal of it; and, when in flower, it gives thofe fields a very beautiful afpeft. C. Bauhine calls it Saxijraga rotundifolia alba. J. Bauhine, Saxifraga alba radice granulofa \ and others, plainly Saxijraga alba. This plant is an excellent diuretick. An in- fufion of the whole herb, roots, leaves, and ftalks, works powerfully, yet fafely, by urine, and brings away gravel. It has been fuppofed, by fome, capable to dif- folve the Hone in the bladder; but this is an idle thought. The dried root poficffles the fame qualities, but in a lefs degree. 7'his is what the druggifts ufed to fell under the name of faxifrage feed ; the granules, fi-parated and dried, which was the ufual way, having fomething of the appearance of a feed. The plant lofes a great deal of its virtue in drying ; and it is great pity that it is , N» 19. not to be had during a longer part of the year frefh; for it is worthy to be much more ufed than it is. 2. Rue Whitlow grafs. Saxifraga foliis digitalis. The root is compofed of a few finall threads. The firfl: leaves rife in a little tuft, and are thick, flclliy, and divided in a fingered manner : their colour is whitifli, or not unfrequently redifli ; and they have a few fcattered liairs upon them. The fl:alk riles in the midll of thefe, and is round, thick, flelby, of a redifli colour,' and about three inches high. The leaves fl:and alternately on it, and refemble thofe from the root, but they are finaller. The flowers fl:and at the tops of the flalks and branches, and are moderately large, and of a beautiful fnow white. The feed-veflel is oval, and forked at the top : the feeds are numerous, and very minute. It is common on old walls and the tops of houfes; and flowers early in fpring. C. Bauhine calls it Sedum tridaailytes teliorum. Others, Saxifraga annua verm humilior. Our common Engliflr name of rue whitlow grafs is a very indeterminate one : we (hould do much better to call it low fpring faxifrage with fingered leaves. 3. Trifid-leaved Saxifrage. Saxifraga pumila trifido folio. Tlie root is fmall, oblong, and furniOied with a few fibres. The leaves rife in a thick tuft ; and, as they are very fine, and thick fet, they have a moflV appearance; whence fome have named the plant ynoffy fengreen. The leaves, when examined feparately, are ob- long, of a plcafant green, and divided into three parts at the top. The (talks are numerous, fmall, upright, and three or four inches high. The leaves on them are placed irregularly, and are few and fmall. The flowers fl:and at the tops of the ftalks, and are of a beautiful fnow white. 1 90 The BRITISH HERBAL, The reed-vcffcl is oblong, and Tplit a: the end ; and the feeds are very minute. It is a native of the Welch inoLintains, and flowers in May. Ray calls it Sa>:ifr(}ga vnifcofa Irifdo foUo. C, Bauhine, Sedim alpinim [rijido folio. Others, Se- dum tijug^foUis. 4, Shoit-leaved blue-flowered Sa.\ifrage. Saxifraga carulea foliis brevibm. The root i.s long, flendcr, divided, and fur- nifhed with a few fibres. The leaves rife in a thick tuft, and are fup- ported on fhort ftalks, a great clutter upon each. They are oblong, and fomewhat broad ; and of a pale green, pointed at the ends, and undi- vided at the edge.=. The ftalks which bear the flowers are fmall and vveak. The flowers are large, beautiful, and blue. The feed-veifel is roundilh, but terminates in a forked end ; and is full of very fmall, brown feeds. It is found on the hills in our northern counties, and on the Welch mountains ; and it flowers in April. Ray calls it Saxifrtiga alpina eru'ordes fore cctru- leo ; but, though he adopts that name, he de- clares it to be ill fuited ; the leaves being like thofe of mother of thyme, rather than of heath. C. Bauhine calls it 5edum alpimm erkoidss c^ru- kum. 5. Saxifrage with yellow fpotted flowers. Saxifraga fiorihus lulcis giittatis. The root is fmall, and compofed of flender fibres. The ftalks that firft rife from this trail upon the ground, and fend out roots alfo in many places. From thefe rife the ftalks which bear the flowers. They are fmall, upright, round, flefliy, and four or five inches high. The leaves are oblong, narrow, and of a flefliy fubftance and pale green colour: thev are difpofcd irregularly on the ftjlk, and are very numerous. The flowers are fingular, and very beau- tiful: they are large, of a bright gold yellow, fpotted with a deeper yellow: in foitie plants thefe fpots are very numerous; in others there are fewer ; and in fomc there are none : they alfo vary in degree of colour, being very pale in fome, and very deep in others. The feed-veflil is oval, and has two horns : the feeds are moderately large, and redifti. It is found in damp places, and about fprings, in the noithern mountains of England ; and flowers in June, Ray calls it Saxifrage alpim angujlifolia pre luteo guttata. C. Bauhine, Sedum alpinum flore pallida. 6. Saxiflage with ferrated leaves. Saxifraga foliis ovalis ferralis. The root is compofed of a multitude of thick black fibres. ' The leaves rife in a tuft from this ; and they are large, of an oval figure, and fljarply ferrated at the edges : they are of a pale green, and fre- quently their edges turn in ; fo that they aopear hollow : they are an inch in length, and two thirds of an inch in bi-eadth ; they lie fpread up- on the ground, rifing from the head of the root without any footftalks. The ftalk rifes in the midft of thefe, and is round, thick, flefliy, and of a pale trrecn. It has no leaves, nor is at all branched; and its height is four, five, or fix inches. The flowers ftand at its top in a thick, fliort tuft : tlicy are large and beautiful. The feed-veflbl is oval, and fplits at the top into two horns ; and is full of minute feeds. It is frequent on the mountains of Wales, and flowers in May. Ray calls it Saxifraga foilis oblongo rotundis dea- talis floribus compaais. Merret, Sedum fenatum rotundifolhm. Thefe plants are fuppofed to poflifs the fame virtues with the common faxifrage ; but few of them have been tried. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Great Saxifrage with a buibiferous ftalk. Saxifraga major caule hulbifero. The root is compofed of a number of tu- bercles, and many fibres rifing among them. The firft leaves are of a roundifli form, but deeply cut in leveral parts, and more flightly in- dented. They ftand upon fliort, redifti footftalks, which are flefliy and firm. The ftalk is round, fingle, undivided, and two feet high. The leaves are placed alternately, and they are oblong, broad, thick, flefliy, and very deeply divided. In the bofom of each leaf, where it is inferred to the ftalk, there ftands a little, flefliy bulb, or tubercle. Thefe in all refpefts refemble thofe tubercles which grow to the root, and anfwer the fame purpofes ; for they fall to the ground when the leaves drop, and taking root furnifli new plants. The flowers ftand three or four together at the tops of the ftalks, and are large and white, 'I he fecd-veflil is oval, and fplit at the top into two horns; and is full of fmall brown feeds. This is frequent in Germany, and flowers in June, It greatly refcmbles our common Saxi- frage, but is larger, and has the leaves more di- vided. The experiment has been tried, and the feeds of one will not produce the other, which is the bcft teft to prove them diftinft fpccics. The virtues of this are the fame with thofe of the common Englifti kind ; and thefe bulbs from the The BRITISH HKRBAL. the bolbms of the leaves are collefted for life in Germany. Hence came the miftake of calling the bulbs of the root feeds, thefe having been firft called by that name, and from their fituation much more naturally than thofe at the root. Jc is not peculiar to this plant to produce thefe particular parts : the toothwort, to be de- fcribed hereafter, and feveral others, do the lame. GENUS III. KIDNEYWORT. G E U M. THE flower confifts of five petals, narrow at the bafe, and broadefl at the extremity : the leed- velTel is oval, and terminates in a divided top ; the cup is compoled of five little leaves, and remains with the feed-vefTel, though feparate and detached from it. Linnaeus places this genus among the decandria digynia, joining it under one common name with faxifrage. 1 have (hewn, in the charadler of the preceding genus, how abfolutely and eflentially they differ in the ftrutture of the cup. DIVISION I. I. Hairy Kidneywort. Gewn hirfutum. The root is long, (lender, and has a few fibres. The leaves rife in a fmall tuft, and ftand pretty upright : they have no footftalks ; and they are oblong, moderately broad, fliarp-pointed, dented at the edges, of a pale green colour, and hairy. The ftalk rifes in the midft of thefe, and it is fmall, naked, fiender, and four inches high. The flowers fl:and at the top, on long, Gender Footftalks, and fpread themfelves into a kind of umbel : they are fmall and white. The feed-vefiel is fmall, and the feeds are nu- merous and brown. It is found on the Welch mountains, and in fome of the northern parts of England, and flowers in April. Ray calls it Gemi pahijire minus folns oblongis crenatis. 2. Narrow-leaved yellow Kidneywort. Geum angiijtifoiium luteo flare. The root is a ckifter of flender, but tough fibres. The leaves rife from it in a tuft and they are oblong, narrow, and fmooth : they are of a flefhy fubftance, and pale green colour. The fl:alk rifes in the center of thefe, and is round, flender, upright, and of a pale green, of- ten redilh. The flowers are very beautiful : they are com- pofed of five yellow petals, pointed, and beauti- fully dotted with orange-colour. BRITISH SPECIES. The feed-veflel is divided into two parts at the top, and the feeds are fmall and brown. It is found on the hills in our northern coun- ties, and flowers in Auguft. Ray calls it Gmm anguflifolium autiimnaU ficre luteo guttalo. 3. London Pride; Gciwi foliis fubrotundis crenatis. The root is long, flender, and furnifhed with a few fibres. The leaves rife in a tuft, and are of a roundifli figure, dented abgut the edges, and of a pale green. The ftalk rifes in the midft of a regular and beautiful tuft of thefe, and is round, flender, re- difli, naked, and a foot high. The flowers ftand in great numbers on branches fent out from the upper part of the ftalk, and they are fmall, but, when examined nearly, very- beautiful : they are Tpotted in a moft elegant manner with crimfon. The leed-vefl"cl is fmall, and terminates in a double point, and the feeds are minute and nu- merous. It is wild on the mountains of Ireland ; whence it has been brought into our gardens. It flowers in July. Ray calls it Geum folio fubrotundo majori pifiilh floris rubra. We, London Pride^ or None fo pretty. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Long-leaved Kidneywort. Geum longifolium. This is a mofl: elegant plant. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with a few fibres. The leaves are numerous, and very beautiful : they are long, narrow, and rounded at the ends : they are of a pale green, and they have a thin filvery edge of a cartilaginous fubftance all round them, which is beaucifully ferrated : they lie fpread in a circular manner on the ground, and the ftalk. rifes in the centre. This is round, firm, upright, and of a pale green. There are generally two or three leaves upon it of the fame fhape with thofe from the root, and they ftand irregularly, and at great diftances. 3 Tha 192 The BRITISH HERBAL. I'he flowers are large, b;.'autiful, and fiiow white : they grow in a tiifc at the top ol the llalk. The rccd-vefl'el is fmall, and ends in two poincs. It is full of fmail brown feeds. It is a native of the mountains in Germany, and flowers in July. Mcrifon calls it Sedum ferratum altum hriorne marginibus argenteis. 2. Kidneywortj with white dotted flowers. Geiwi fioribus alhis punfiatis foliis ferratis. The root is compofed of a few flender, but very long and tough fibres, rifing from a fmall head. The leaves fpread thcmfelves upon the ground in little tufts : they are oblong, broad, and very deeply ferrated : they are narrow at the bafe, broad toward the other end, and terminate in a fharp point. The Italic rifes in the centre, and is round, firm, upright, and a little hairy, as are alfo the leaves. There are no leaves on the flalk. The flowers are fmall, but very beautiful : they ftand in a little tuft at the cop of the ftalk, and are of a fnow white, beautifully fpotted. The feed-vefiri is oval, and has a double poirt. The feeds are very fmall. It is a native of Switzerland, and flowers in April. Plukenet calls it Suniada myofotis flcrilncs alhi- ciuilibus fire umhdlalis. 3, Kidneywort, with tufted flowers. Gum fioribus faj'ciculatis . The root is compofed of a number of black fibres. The leaves rife in a tuft, and arc oblong, broad, of a pale green, and ferrated at the edgLS. The ftalk is round, upright, and of a redifli , colour, and is in a manner naked : there are no leaves on its lower part, and only a few rudiments of leaves where the branches rife that bear the flowers. Thcfe are fmall, white, and clufi:ered in little tufts at the ends of the feveral branches that grow from the upper part of the ftalk. The feed-velTel is oval, and fpllt at the end into two parts, and the feeds are irnali. It is a native of North America, and flowers in AugLifl. Plukenet calls it Sanicula VirginiaHa aiba folio oblongo nuceronato. G E N U S IV. GRASS or PARNASSUS. FARNASSIA. THE flower conflfts of five petals, which are broad, and regularly fpread open : the feed-veflel is of an oval fliape, but marked with four flight ridges, and is compofed of four valves : the cup is formed of a fingle piece, divided into five long fcgments, and remains when the flower is fallen. Linnfcus places this among the fentandria tetragynia ; the threads fufliaining the buttons in the flower being five, and the ftigmata rifing from the rudiment of the fruit four. The ufual name of the genus was gramen Parnaji; and this Linnsus has very judicioufly fet afidc, reducin*^ it, after C. Bauhine, to one word, Parnajfm ; the word gra'/nen having no alliance with the nature of the plant. Of this genus there is but one known fpecies, and that is a native of Britain, as well as mod parts of Europe. Grafs of Parnafius. Parnajfm. The root confifl;s of a finall head, and an in- numerable quantity of long and flender fibres. The leaves are numerous, and extremely beau- tiful i each has its long, flender footftalk, and the (hape is heart-fafliioned : .they rife pretty upright in a large tuft, and are of a deep green. The (talks are numerous, flender, round, up- right, and a foot high. Each has only a fingle leaf upon it, and fuftains a fingle flower. The leaf grows about the middle of the flialk, and furrounds it at the bafe : its fliape is the fame with that of thole from the root, but it has no footftalk. . . The flower is very large and beautitul : it is white, and elegantly ftriated ; and there are a multitude of filaments, no lefs than fixty-three in all befide the proper threads, which are only five : thcfe are a great addition to the beauty of the flower. They rife from certain glandules in the lower part of the flower : there is one on each petal, and it is hollow, and heart-fafhioncd ; and from this there rife thirteen of thefe threads taller as they proceed up the margin, and each havin" its top terminated by a little globe. Thefe glands Linnajus calls the mBaria, and makes the efiential character of the genus : they are, indeed, extremely Angular, as well as beau- tiful. The feed-vefTcl is oval, and edged in four places ; and the feeds are fmall and oval. It is found on boggy ground in many parts of the kingdom, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Parnajfm fiore alho Jtmplici. Others, G-ramen Parnaffi vulgare, and Gramcn Parnajfi minus. The flower is fometimes natu- rally double. The virtues of this plant have not been tried ; but the farmers think it hurts their flreep. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. 193 GENUS V. FLAX. L I N U M. 'TpHE flower is compofed of five petals, narrowcfl: at the bafe, and broadcft upwards ; and it opens regularly, and is hollow: the ited-veflel is of a rounded figure, but has five ridges, and a point at the top; it is formed of five valves, and has ten cells : the cup is fmall ; it is compofed of five oblong leaves, and remains when the flower is fallen. Linnasus places this among xht pentandria fentagyma ; the threads in the centra of the flower being five, and the fiiyles from the rudiment of the fruit alio five. I'hat author includes in this genus the little rupturewort , or all feed called radiola. This is confound- ing plants alogether difl;inift j lor this little herb is quite different in genus, and has its received and well known name. Linnaeus contradifts his own fyftem in joining this plant with the Union \ for he eilabliflies the dalTica! charai^er under which that genus is arranged to be the having five threads in the flower* and five ftyles-, whereas the rhrcads in this, and the flyles aifo, are only four. Of this Linnseus was not ignorant : he has mentioned that one fpecies wants a fifth part of the number in thefc parts of the flower: indeedj it wants, not only one of each of thefe parts, but one of the petals alfo; for it has only four of thefe, as of the others. It is, from this, evident that the plant neither is of the fame genus, which is determined by the petals, ,nof of the fame clafs, which is fixed by Linn^us from the threads, with flax wherewith he confounds iC. He fays, fome have been defirous, becaufe of ic difi'erence in the number of the petaUj threads, and ftyles, to conftitute a new genus of it, and feparate it from the flax ; but he adds, this nalure abhors. I mufl: utterly difl"er with him in this matter : it is what nature diftates and direfts, in the plaineft manner, and under the moft obvious charadlers. This determination of thac author is therefore rafh and contradidlory to reafon in itfelf, and it is very unhappy in its con- fequences for his fyftem j for if nature abhors the fep^rating plants that are in obvious charaifters allied to one another, on account of fome difference in the number of the threads, and other minute parts of the flower, then nature abhors his whole fyftem of botany. We have fliewn in every clafs how he removes and feparates plants perfeftly allied to one another, becaufe they happen to diff^er in the nuniber of threads in the flower. This is that making a feparation from the variation of number in like plants of which we have complained fo often ; which his method impofcsj and which, he fays here, is abhorrent to nature. This is not the only inftance wherein the prefenc genus of plants iliews us the uncertainty and error of Linnasus's method ; others, which he has in his laft work, his Species Plantarum, attributed to the prefent clafs, as perfeftly differ from its laws. He has there introduced the yellow bellflower among the fpecies of flax, though he has eftablifhed in the generical charafler, that the flax has five petals in the flower, and in that plant it confills only of one : he calls this doubtful ; but three could be no doubt, from this plain circumftance. The little yellow flax is atfo placed here among the reft, and properly enough in nature, but un- happily by this author, who has attributed five ftyles to the flax, whereas this has but three 1 fliall enter no farther into this difquifition : 1 am to write a hiftory of plants, and not a criticifm upon the works of Linn^us ; though to much as this, though written with pain, cannot be avoided. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Flax. Limm viilgare. The root is long, fiender, and hung with a few fibres. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and of a pale green : it has fearce any branches, and is three feet high, and very upright. The leaves ftand irregularly, and are nume- rous : they are long, narrow, and of a frefh green : they ha«e no footftalks ; they are- not at all divided at the edges ; and they are pointed at the ends. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful fky- blue. They grow in confiderable numbers on the tops of the fl:alks, and on fliort branches rifing for their fupport juft below the top of it. N» XX. The fecd-veffel is large, and the feeds are alfo large, numerous, and of a gloffy brown. We fee it naturally in our paftures, and about roadTidcs in fome parti of the kingdom, and cultivated in fields in many others : whether the wild plants are properly native of this ifland or rife from fcattered ieeds it is not eafy to fay. Some have divided the cmmm fax into two fpecies on this account, calling the one the ma- mredflax, and the other the wild flax; but the plant is the fame, whether it grow naturally, or be raifcd by art ; that which is cultivated will be^ larger : there is no other difference. C. Bauhine and others call it Limim fativum. The life of the flalks of this plant in making linen is fufficiently known. The thready part is feparated from the reft, beat and combed till it D d d hangs 194 The BRITISH HERBAL. II hangs in long fine threads, and then bleached to a whitenefs. The virtues in medicine are very confiderable : for this purpofe the feeds alone are ufed. They are emollient and diuretick. A tea, made by pouring boiling water upon them un- bruifed, is pleafant, and is of excellent fervice in diforders of the breaft and lungs. It alfo allays heat of urine, and brings away gravel. Outwardly it makes an excellent emollient fo- mentation ; and is an ingredient in many of the ointment-, and other external remedies, in our difpenfatories. The oil, drawn from the bruifed feeds without heat, is excellent in diforders of the lungs, and in pleurifics and peripneumonies. Kxternally it is alio an anodyne and refolvent in a great degree ; indeed, fuperior to aimoft any other oily medicine. 2. Great-flowered perennial Flax. Li?ium perenne jiore majore. This is a wild Flax, very different from the common manured kind ; being a hardy, peren- nial, and deep rooted plant. The root is long, thick, woody, and hung with many fibres. The fl;alks are numerous, round, upright, hard, and a foot and half high : they are brown and brittle i and are feldom at all branched. The leaves are oblong, narrow, fharp-pointed, and of a pale green : they are very numerous^ and are placed irregularly on the ftalks. The flowers grow in a thick tuft at the tops of the branches : they are large, and of a beau- tiful blue. The feed-vefiel is very large, and the feeds alfo large. It is frequent on the borders of fields in many parts of England, and flowers in July. Ray calls it Linum fyhejlre caruleum perenne ere^ius Jiore et capkulo majore. The flower is fometimes white. 3. Procumbent Flax with fmall flowers. Linton procumbens jiore minore. The root is long, thick, and brown : it is furniHicd with many fibres, and endures from year to year. The (lalks are numerous, round, flender, and weak : they lie in part upon the ground, and in part rife up. The leaves are long, narrow, and of a bluifh green ; and they ft:and irregularly, and in great numbers, on the ftalks. The flowers ftand on the tops, and on flender footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the upper leaves : they are fmaller than thofe of the common fax, but of the fame celefl:ial blue. The feed-vefl'els are fmall, hard, brown, and fliarp-pointed ; and the feeds are brown. It is found in barren places in our fouthern counties ; and flowers in July. Ray calls it Linum filvejlre perenne procumbens jiore et capitulo minore. 4. Narrow-leaved purple Flax. Linum angujlifolium jiore purpurafcente. The root is long, flender, and furnilhed with many fibres. The flralks are numerous, round, flender, and of a pale green : they are very upright, and full of leaves, placed with perfeft irregularity from the bottom to the top. Thefe are long, narrow, and fharp-pointed : they have no footflalks, and are of a pale green.' The flowers are large, and very beautiful : they ftand at the tops of the ftalks, and their colour is a pale purple. The feed veflel is fmall, and the feeds arc oval, and of a pale brown. It is found in many parrs nf Fn^hnd near the fea-coafl ; and flowers in June, The flowers vary extremely, in their tinge of purple: fometimes they are deeper; fometimes paler; and fometimes nearly white: the colour is f.imetimes diifufed all over them ; and in others it is only laid on in lines, or ftreaks, toward the bottom of the petals which grow fainter, and die off as they come nearer the tips. C. Bauhine calls it Linum fyhejtre angujlifolium Jloribus dilute purpurajcentibus Jive carneis. 5. Mountain Flax. Linum foUis brevibus. This is a Angular plant ; very unlike the other fpecies of /^.v, but properly *nd truly one of the kind. The root is long, flender, white, and hung with many fibres. The fl:alks are numerous, round, firm, up- right, and ten inches high : they have no branches till toward the top, where they divide by twos, into a large, fpreading head. The leaves are fhort and fmall : they are of a dufky green, and of a firm fubftance. The flowers are fmall and white -, and the feed-veflTels are large, and full of oval feeds. It is common on dry paftures, and flowers in J"iy. C. Bauhine calls it Linum fratenfe fiofcuUs exiguis. Others, Limim calharticum. Our com- mon people call it Pmjiiig flax. Mountain flax, and Mill mountain. It is a great medicine with the country people for many diforders, the rheumatifm, dropfies, and other complaints arifing from obftruftions. They give it boiled in ale. A fmall handful, boiled in a pint of that liquor, is a dofe for a ftrong man. It always operates violently by ftool, and not unfrequently alfo by vomit. D I V I- The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION IL FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Greac hair/ Flax. Linum c^eruleum hirfutum. The root is final], oblong, divided, and fur- nifhed with a few fibres. The (talks are numerous and firm: they are three feet high, round, hard, brown, not much branched ; yet, not altogether fo fingle as in the common fiax. The leaves are oblong, confiderably broad, of a pale green colour, and hairy. They are placed irregularly on the ftalks, and eloath them pretty thick all the way up. The flowers grow all the way up the upper branches, and the tops of the ftalks : they are very large, and of a beautiful blue. The feed-vefiel is large and pointed j and the feeds are oval and of a pale brown. It is common in Germany, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Linum fihcjlre latifoUum hirfutum cu-rulcum. 1. Small yellow Flax. Linum parvum flore litteo. The root is long, flender, and edged with fibres. The ftalks are numerous, flender, and fix or eight inches high : they frequently divide into two from the bafe i but they are rarely branched upwards. The leaves are fmall, oblong, narrow, and iharp pointed : they are placed irregularly on the ftalks, and are perfectly fmooth, and of a pale green. The flowers are fmall, and of a gold yellow : they grow at the tops of the ftalks, and on flen- der footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the upper leaves. Thefe generally iplit into two at the extremity. The feed-vefi'el is fmall and pointed. The feeds are oval and brown. This is the fpecies which has only three ftyles in the flower ; whereas Linnseus's ch.ira6i;er gives all the fiaxes five. It is a native of the fouth of France, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Linum fylveftre 7ninus fiore liileo. 3. Broad-leaved yellow Flax. Linum lati folium luteum ad genicula fioridum. The root is fmall, oblong, divided into feve- ral parts, and furniflied with many long fibres. The ftalk is round, firm- and upright, but Jointed, and ufually bowed trom joint to joint. The leaves are ftiort and broad : they have no footftalks, but are fmall at the bafe, broadeft in the middle, and pointed at the ends ; and they are placed irregularly on the ftalks. The flowers are moderately large, and of a pale yellow : they grow clofe to the ftalks at its feveral joints, or at the infcrtions of the upper leaves. The feed-veflel is large, roundifti, and point- ed i and the feeds are brown. Tr i<: common in Italy, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Linum luteum ad fingula genicula fioridutn. The virtues of thefe plants are not certainly known but the tafte of their feeds feems to ftiew they have all the fame qualities with the common flax. GENUS VI. CRANESBILL. GERANIUM. THE flower confifts of five petals. The feed-vefl'el is long and flender : it is very Angular it is properly a cruft which envelops the feveral feeds, and which has a top extended along the ftyle. As its form is Angular, fo is its manner of opening; for it fplits in feveral parts from the b;;fe to the extremity of the ftyle. The feeds are kidney-fliaped. The cup is compofed of five leaves, and remains when the flower is fallen. LinnfEus places this among the monadelphia decandrla, the threads in the flower growing together in one body, and being diftindlly ten in number. This is one of thofe clalTes of that author which we call, with reafon, perfectly artificial; for this coalition of the threads in a flower is not certain enough to become the mark of a claflical diftinfftion, nor appears to have been regarded by nature fo ftridiy as thofe parts and circumftances in all plants are, on which a natural method is to be founded. Linnsus is obliged to acknowledge this, even in the moft plain terms, in relation to the pre- fent genus. After having feparated it from al! thofe other genera to which it is naturally allied, by placing it among theie monadelphia, becaufe its ftamina grow into one body, he owns that in fome of the fpecies the flower is plainly of the diadelphia clafs -, that is, the ftamina unite into two bodies. This divides the genus again : the plants whofe threads unite into one body make the fixteenth clali in Linnjeus's method and thofe whofe threads unite into two bodies make the feventeenth : there- iore, after the craneflills being taken out of their natural place, the genus itfclf is to be divided, 4 and 196 The BRITISH HERBAL. and fome of the fpecics are to be put into one clafs, and others into another. This, nature abhors indeed. Unhappily for this author's fyftem, the craneJhilU are charafterifed more thoroughly by their lingular fruit than any other genus of plants vvhatever : they are therefore incapable of being thus fcparated ; nor, though their difference in this flight refpect^ feemed to render it ncccfTary, has the author ventured to do it: he leaves it a blemifli in his fyflem. Indeed, the determination of reafon is plainly this, "That fyftem ivhich feparaies like genera, mid places in diftina cinjfes the plants evidently of the fame genus, is falfe. This cenfure falls diredlly upon the method of this celebrated author ; and thefe two claffes, the manadelphm and diadelphia, are proved by this inftance, as others by thofe before-named, to have no real foundation in nature. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. r. Herb Robert. Geraniun? pedunculis biflcris calycihus hirfutis. The root is fmall, long, divided, and hung with many fibres. The leaves that rife immediately from it have long, weak, hairy footftalks of a red colour. The leaves themfelves are large, and beauti- fully formed: they are firfl divided into three or five parts, and thefe are afterwards deeply in. dented. They are of a tender fubflance, of a pale green, and lightly fprinkled over with white hairs. The italks are numerous, round, redifh, and jointed : they grow in the centre of this tuft of leaves, and are a foot or more in lengtli, but not perfeaiy upright : the leaves from thefe- are di- vided in the fame manner with thofe from the root, and are of the fame pale green. The flowers are moderately large, and of a bright red : they grow on flender pedicle-,, each fpliting toward the end, and fupporting two of them. The fruit, or beak, is long, flender, and co- vered at the bafc where the feeds lie by the cup, which is hairy. The whole plant has a very Angular, but not difagreeable fmell. Toward the end of fummer it frequently be- comes throughout of a bright red colour, leaves and flalks, and even the beaks. It is common under hedges, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Geranium Robertianum ; and almoft all the fucceeding writers copy the fame name. This plant is an aftringent of a very powerful kind; but is not enough known to tli^ofe who rnight make its virtues a benefit to, niankind. The farmers give it their cattle when they make bloody urine, or have bloody flools ; and this with certain fuccefs: it iliould be brought into ufe in the fliops on the fame occafions. 2. Shining knotty Cranefbill. Geranium lucidum nodofum foliis dijfe5lis. The root is Jong, flender, divided, and of a i;ed colour. The firft: leaves are numerous, and they are fupported on flender footflalks : they are divided deeply into five parts, and thofe again cut in at the edges: they very much refemble the leaves of ^he common hgr.o Rokerl ; but they zi& not hairy. as in thatfpccies, but fmooth and fliining, as are alfo their flalks. The main flalks rife among them, and are more than a foot in length, but not upright : they are red, of a fliining furface, and have fre- quent knots, which are large, and more glofly than the refl:. The leaves on it refemble thofe from the root. The flowers are fmall, and of a faint red ; and the feed-veflTel, or beak, is long and flender. It is frequent about ou;- fea-coafts, and in many inland places. I have obferved it among buflies on the right-hand of the road to Chichefler. It flowers in June. Ray calls it Geranium lucidum fa^^atlk foliis geranii Robcrtiani. It has the fmeri of the former, and probably its virtues. 3- Dove's-foot Cranefbill. Geranium CQlumhinum vulgare. The root is long, thick, divided into feveral parts, and furnifhed with fibres. The leaves rife in a large tuft : they have long, weak footflalks, of a pale whitifh green : the leaves are roundifh and fmall ; they are divided into eight or ten deeper fegments at the edge, and thefe are again notched ; but they are Icfs cut in than thofe of many otiier of the dovefootsi they are of a pale green, and have fomething of the appearance of the mallow leaf in miniature. The flalks are round, weak, and a foot or more in height : they are numerous, branched, and of a pale green. The leaves are placed irregularly on thefe-, and they refemble in all refpedls thofe from the root, but that they arc deeper cut at the edges. The flowers grow in conflderable numbers aE the tops of the flalks and branches -, and they are of a beautiful purple, and moderately large. The feed-veflel is fmail and flender j it fl:ands enclofed in the cup at the bafe, and that is little and fmooth. It is common by way-fldes, and flowers in June," C. Bauhine calls it Geranium folio fiiah^e rolundo. Others, Geranium cQlumbinum^ and Columhinum vulgare. Though common enough, it is not fo frequent as many of the others j and many a young ftudenC has called the next fpecies by its name. The place where it is to be found neareft Lon- don is by the fide of the road from Gray's-Inn lane lialf a mile from the ftreet. « 4. Great The BRITISH H K R B A I. 197 4. Great dovc's-fooc Cranefbill with iittle flowers. Geranium colimhinim mnjus f.ore winore ctcruko. This is [he plant many have confounded with the precctjing tn its name; and, having been taken for the fame fpecies, it has been omitLed by tnoft v-riters. The root is long, flender, redilh. and furniflied with many hbres. The leaves are numerous, and have very long footftalks : they are large, of a rounded form in the whole, but very deeply divided into feve^ ral parts; and they are of a pale green colour, and covered with a foft filvery down. The ftalk is round, thick, upright, and two feet high : it is alfo of agreenifh colour, though frequently red at the joints, and is covered with the fame filvery down as the leaves. The leaves upon this have iong, flender, and weak footftalks, and are much more, deeply di- vided than chofe from the root. The flowers Hand in confiderable numbers to- wards the tops of the lla!ks : they are very fmall, though the plant is fo large, and their colour is 1 faint blue. The feed veflel, or beak, is long and flender. It is common by way-fides, and flowers in July. Ray calls it Geranium cclumbimmi majus fore minore ccrules. The flower in this fpecies is fometimes white. Ray found it in this condition near the lead mills on Hackney river, and it is frequent in the Time place at this time in the fame variation. 5. Dwarf Dove's-foot. Gerf-nimn columbimm huraile fiore minimo caruhs. The root is oblong, flender, and divided, and has feveral fibres. The f^rft leaves are fupported on long foot- ftalks, five or fix together, from the root; and they are broad and Ihort, deeply divided into about feven parts, and thofe notched again at the edges. The ftalk is round, flender, upright, and not more than three inches high, feveral ufuaily rife together ; and they are of a pale colour, and feldom much branched. The leaves on them refcmble thofe from the root, but thev are more deeply divided, and have Ihorter footfl:aiks. The flowers are numerous, and very fmall : the petals are divided at the tips, and they are of a faint bluiOi hue The beak is fliort, fliarp, and fmall ; and is *nclofed at the bottom in a cup, which is large confidering the fmallnefs of the plant. It is common on ditch fides, and flowers in fpring. The fliape of the flower and beak fhew it plainly to be a difl:in£l fpccics ; not, as might appear otherwife, a ftarved plant of fome of the other kinds. Ray calls it Geranium coluriih'mum humik Jiore (teruleo minimo, 6. Dove's-foot Cranefbfll with deep cut leaves. Geranium cdumhinum foliis prcfunde feclis. The root is long, thick, divided into feveral parts, and hung with numerous fibres. N« 20. The leaves that rife from it are fuppoiled on tall footfiialks; and they are large, of a figure approaching in the whole to round, but divided by deep and frequent fegm.ents into very fmall and narrow parts. The fl:alk is round, thick, upright, and a foot and half high : it is of a pale whitifli colour, and very much branched. The leaves on the fl:alk refemblc thofe from the root, but are of a paler green, and more deeply divided. The flowers are fmall, and of a bright red : they fl:and in great numbers toward the tops of the branches. The beaks are large and long. It is common about the hedges of dry pafliures, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Geranitm cohimhinum temmS laciniatum. J. Bauhine, Gruinale folio tenuit'zt divifo. The flowers in this are alfo fometimes white. 7. Dove's-foot Crancfbill with flowers on long footfl;alks. Geranium columhinum diffeais foliis pediculis florum longiffimis. The root is long, flender, and hung with a few fibres. The firft leaves are numerous, and are placed on long footftalks : they are of a form approach- ing to round, deeply divided into fegments, and of a dark duflky green. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, branched, and fmooth : it is of a pale colour, and jointed at diftances. The leaves on it are like thofe from the root, but fmaller i and they are alfo perfedly fmooth, and deeply divided. The flowers are fupported on very long and flender footflalks ; and they are of a bright red : they are moderately large, and the petals are flightly divided. The beaks are large. It is common in dry paftures, and flowers in July. Ray calls it Geranium columbinum dijje£lis foUis pcdiculis fiortim longijfmis. 8. The greatefl; dove's-foot CraneibiJJ. Geranium columbinum maximum. The root is long and large, of a red colour, and furniflied with numerous fibres. The firfl: leaves rife in confiderable number, and are fupported on very long footftaiks : ifiey are of a rounded figure, large, and deeply divided into numerous, narrow, and pointed fef^mcnts. The flialk is round, thick, upright, and three feet high. The leaves on it are like thofe from the root, but more deeply divided ; and the whole plant is covered with a filvery down. The flowers are large and red, and they fl:and on footft:alks, longer than thofe of the other kinds, but not at all comparable to thofe of the lafl: fpecies. The beaks are large, long, and fliarp. It is frequent in our midland counties, and flowers in jLily. E e e Some 198 The BRITISH HERBAL. Some have fuppofed it only a variety of the other dove*s-foot ''jjith deep cut leaves ; but, on comparing them, they are abfolutely diftinct. Ray calls it Germimn colmnbimim jnaximuvt dijfeBis foUis. 9. Bloody Cranefbill, Geranium h^motides. The root is long, thick, and divided into fe- veral parts. The leaves that rife from it are numerous, fmall, and deeply divided : they have moderately long footftalks, and they are of a dufky gre^n. Their fegments are fingle and iliarp-pointed. The ftalks are numerous, round, weak, and redifli : they are a foot long, but not very cre6t; and are greatiy branched. The leaves on thefe are like thofe from the root ; and they have, in the fame manner, mo- derately long footftalks. The flowers do not grow from the tops of the ftalks, but rife from the bofoms of the leaves : they have very long, (lender footftalks, and only one flower is fupported on each : this is very large, and of a deep blood red. The beak is fmal), and is furroundcd at its bafe by a large cup. It is found among bufhes in the fouthern counties of England, but is not common. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls iiGeranimn fanguinarium. O- thcrs. Geranium fcinguiiieKmy and H/cmatodes. 10. Pale hairy-leaved bloody Cranefbill. Geranium hesmatcdes foliis pailideorihus hirfutis. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with numerous fibres. The leaves that rife firft from this are very numerous, and fupported on long, flender foot- ftalks: their figure approaches tO" round, but they are deeply divided into narrow fegments ; and they are hairy, and of a pale green. The fl:aik is flender, hairy, whitifli, and but indifferently able to fupport itfelf. The leave, on it are, like thofe from the root, pale coloured, hairy, and very deeply divided ; and they have fhort focrtftalks. The flowers are large, and of a pale red ■, and they fl;and on feparate long and flender footfl:a!ks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves. The beaks are long and large. It is found in Cambridgefliire, and fome other places, but is not common. It flowers in July. Raycalls it Germanium h^ematodes foliis majori- hus -pallidioribus & aliius incijis. II. Small bloody Cranefbill. Geranium h^fnatodes pumilum. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with numerous fibres. The leaves that firft rife from it are nume- rous, fmall, of a roundifli figure, but deeply di- vided into narrow fegments, and placed on long ■ footftalks : they are of a dufl^y green colour, and not in the leaft hairy. The ftalks are numerous, weak, round, and branched : they are fix or eight inches long, but not perfeflly erc£t. Their leaves are fmall, and very deeply di- vided i and they are of the fame deep green colour with thofe from the root, and alfo fmooth. The flowers are very large, and very beautiful: they ftand fingly on long footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves ; and they are of a pale whitilh colour, variegated with veins of red. The beaks are fmall. It is found in Lancafliire and the adjoining counties ; and flowers in Auguft. Ray calls it Geranmn k^ratodes Lancaftrenfe flore eleganier variegato. It has been fufj eifled as only a variety of one of the firft kind ; and the feeds have been fown in gardens to try. In this cafe it becomes larger, but the leaves continue fmaller, than thofe of the common kind ; and the flower always con- tinues variegated. 12. Crowfoot Cranefljill. Geranium Balrachaides. This is a very large and fpecious plant. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with abundance of fibres. The firft leaves rife in a large tuft: they are fupported on long, flender footftalks, and are large and fpreading : they are divided very deeply into numerous fegments, which are again notched at their edges ; and they are of a pale green, and hairy. The ftalk is thick, firm, upright, two feet . high, and very much branched. The leaves on it are numerous and larf^e, and are divided more deeply than thofe immediately from the root. The flowers are numerous, very ]arge, and of a fine blue : they ftand at the tops of the branches on fliort footftalks. The beaks are long, and not very thick. It is frequent in paftures in many parts of England. About Twickenham there is a great deal of it. It flowers in July. J. Bauhine calls it Geranium hatrachoides, O- thers, Gratia Dei. 13. Red-flowered crowfoot Cranefliill. Geranium batrachoides fiore 'minore rubente. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with a multitude of long and crooked fibres. From this rife firft four or five leaves, rarely more : they are large, broad, and of a deep green colour, and fliining furface : they are fup- ported on long footftalks, and are cut into feve- ral divifions at the edges, but not fo deeply as thofe of the former fpecies. The ftalk is round, upright, but flender, fomewhat branched, and a foot and half high. The leaves that ftand on it refemble thofe from the root, but they are fmaller, and more deeply divided. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks and branches on fliort footftalks, and are confi- 5 derably The BRITISH HERBAL, 199 derably large, but not nearly fo big as thofe of the former: their colour is a fine bright red. The beaks are long and large. It is found among buflies in our northern counties i and flowers in Auguft. Ray calls it Gerafiium batrachoides montanum. C. Bauhine, Geranium batrachoides folio aconiu. Others, Geranium batrachoides minus. 14. Shining dove's-foot Craneibil!. Geranium luctdum faxatile columbimim. The root is long, (lender, and furnifhed with many fibres. The firft leaves in fliape fomcwhat refemble thofe of the common dove*s-foot cransjhill, but they are of a deep green colour, and fhining furface : they are more grofsly indented, and they ftand on long, thick, red footfl:a!ks. The ftalks rife among thefc leaves, and they are very irregularly branched, and rudely jointed : they alfo are red and fliining ; their joints are large and knotty ; and their branches fpread with great irregularity : they are a foot and half long, but they do not ftand very ered. The leaves on the ftalks are lefs indented than thofe at the root, and are of the fame glofly fur- face and dark colour. The flowers are fmall, and of a faint red; The beaks alfo are fmall. It is frequent in our northern counties and elfewhere. There is a great deal of it among the b'jflies on the right hand of the road to Rich- mond. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Geranium lucidujn faxatile. Others, Gera?iium faxatile. 15. Knotty Cranefbill with trifid leaves. Geranium nodofum foliis trifidis. The root is long, irregular, and creeping. The firft leaves are few ; and are fupported on long, flender, redifh footftalks : they are fmall, and of a deep green colour and fliining furface: they are each divided into three principal parts, and two fmaller at the bafe ; fo that thcfe are properly quinquifid, though thofe on the ftalks are, as the name exprefll'S, only trifid : thofe fig- ments of the leaves arc long, narrow, and fliarp- puinted ; and they are fiiarply ferrated at the edges. The ftalk is round, upriglit, and of a blood red colour ufually ; it is divided into many branches in the upper part, and has large, thick, and fwelling knots at the joints. The flowers ftand on fhort footftalks at the tops of the branches, commonly two on each footftalk : they are moderately large, and of a bright red. The beaks are long and fiender. It is found in fome of our northern counties; .and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Geranium nodofum. Others, Geranium ncdofum plateau. The whole plant frequently becomes in autumn blood red. 16. Black-flowered Cranefbill. ■ Geranium flore fuUo. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with many fibres. The leaves that rife from it are large, broad and angulated: they are placed on long foot- flialks, and they are divided by deep fegments into five or fix principal parts, which are pointed at the ends, and notched at their edges : they are of a dufky green colour; and often are fpotted. The ftalk is round, firm, very upright, and two feet high : it is of a pale brown colour, and very little branched. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and at dif- tances: thofe toward the bottom refemble the firft leaves from the root ; but fuch as grow near the top are divided only into three parts, which are long, narrow, and notched. The flowers are large and black : they ftand on flender footftalks on the tops of the branches ; and thefe ufually fplir, and fuftain each two flowers. The beaks are moderately long; It has been found wild in fome few parts of England, and of late in Ireland. I: flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Geranium montanum fufcum» Others, Geranium puUo fiore. 17. Sea Cranefliill with undivided leaves. Geranium maritinium foliis integris. The root is long, flender, divided, and fur- niflied with many fibres. The ftalks are numerous, thick, jointed, and of a pale green : they are five or fix inches long, and fpread every way upon the ground, none of them rifing upright, unlcfs by accident: they ara thick fet with leaves, and divided into numerous branches. The leaves are undivided : they are oblong and broad, obtufe at the ends, and fiightly crenated round the edges : they are of a pale green, and they have a great deal of rcfemb'ance to the leaves of betony, only they are fmaller. The flowers ftand on fhort footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, principally to- ward the ends of the bnmches : they are fmall and whicifli, with a blufli of red. The beaks are fliort and fmall. It is frequent on barren, fandy grounds about the fea-coaft ; and flowers in June. Ray calls it Geranium pufillum fupinum mari- timum althaa, vel potius Betonica folio. Merret Geranium hetonicct folio. iS. Pinnated-leaved Cranefbill without fcent. Geranium foliis pinnatis inodorum. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with many fibres. The leaves that firft rife from it are large and pinnated ; and they are beautifully difpofed, mak- ing a round tuft upon the ground : they are long, narrow, and of a pale, pleafant green : each is compofed of fix or more pairs of pinn^, or finaller leaves, fet on a middle rib, with an odd one at the end. The The BRITISH HERBAL. 1 he ilalks rife among thefe : they are nume- rous, thick, and of a pale green ; they fpread themfelves every way, and afe very much branched. The leaves on thefe refemble thofe from the root, but they are fmaller, and their pinnx-, as thofe of the otiiers, arc very deeply cut in at the edges, and fliarp-pointcd. The flowers Hand on the tops of the flalks and branches on flender, long footftalks, each fup- porting three or more: they are moderately large, and of a beautiful red. The beaks are large, and fbarp. It is common on ditch-banks, and flowers all fummer. C. Bauhine calls it Geranium daft,e folio m'ms et fupimm. Others, very idly, Geranium mofcha- tum iiiodorum; becaufe it refembles the miijk cranifhill, next to be defcribed, in figure, but has not its fmell. Our people call it Unfavoury tr'anejbill. 19. iViufk Cranefbill. Geranium foliis pnnatis mofchahim. The root is long, white, thick, and furniflied With many fibres. The leaves that firft rife from it are long, and beautifully pinnated : they lie fpread upon the ground in a circular rtianner, and are of a pleafant green : each is conipofed of many pairs of pinnse placed on a middle rib, and an odd one at the end ; and thefe are not To deeply cut in at the edges as in the preceding fpecies ; often only notched nightly. The fl:aiks are numerous, thick, round, and hairy; they rife in the centre of the tuft of leaves, and fpread every way ; and they are very much branched. The leases on thefe refemble thofe from the root, and are cut, in the fame manner, flightly at the edges, and of a pale green : the whole plant has a very fvpect fcent, refembling that of mufk. 1 he flowers are fmall and red : they ftand feverai together in a kihd of little umbelk. The ftalks arc long and flender. It is wild in oi^r fouthern counties, and has been thence for its fcent brought into gardens. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Cera-nium cicuU folio mof- elatum. Others, Geranimn mofchatum. 20. Great pinnated-leaved Cranefbill. Geranium foliis pinnatis maximum. The root is long and thick, and is furniflied with numerous fibres. -The firll leaves are very long, and large: they he fpread upon the ground, and are of dufl.-y green. Each is compofcd of a great many pairs of pTnns- and thefe are broad, flrort, and indented more nightly at the edges than in either of the former. The flialks are numerous round, thick, and flelhy : they arc two feet long, not much' branched, and they have leaves on them like thofe from the root. The flowers are fmall and white, never havin<» the leafl- tinge of red : they Hand at the tops ol" the ff-.ilks and branches on .long footft.lks, two or three on each, rarely more. The beak is large and fharp. It IS common in our fouthern counties j and has been found by Mr. Ray in the neigbourhood of London. Tabernamontanus calls it Geranium arvenfs ttUam. Others, Geranium, inodorum album. 21. Pinnated Cranefl)ill with fpottej flowers. Geranium foliis pinnatis florihus tnaculatis. The root is long, thick, and divided into ma- ny parts. The leaves rife in a round tufi:, and are very beautiful : they are long and narrow, and each is compofed of feverai pairs of pinna, with an odd one at the end: thefe are fhort, broad, and flightly ferrated ; and the whole leaf has much the afpeft of burner le.af, whence fome have named the plant. The ftalks are round, whitlfli, and branched ; and the leaves which grow on them are like thofe from the root in all refpetls, only they arc fnialler. . The flowers are moderately large, and of a Angular flrufture: they are compofed each of five petals, in tlie manner of the others ; but thefe arc broad and unequal : the two upper ones are fliorter than the others, and each has a green fpot. The beak is fmall and flender. It is found in Yorkfliire ; and has been ob- ferved nearer London, particularlyabout Hackney. Dillenius calls it Geranium fimfinelU folio. Some have called this fpecies Geranium Roberti- anum ; but that breeds confufion, another fpecies havuig been long imiverfally known by that name. All the fpecies o? cranefbill are reftringent and vulnerary. They are good againft inward bruifes, and in hemorrhages of all kinds, A ffrang decoction of the herb Robert ftands recommended as excellent in nephritick com- plaints; and the dove' s-foot cranefbill is, in the lame manner, recommended againfl: ruptures : they have not been fo much ufed in the prafticc of phyfick as they appear to deferve. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECI E S. I. Cranefbill with divided and fubdivided leaves. Gtranium tnberofum fioribus umiellalis. The root is large, thick, tuberous, and irre- gularly formtd. Jhe Srft leaves are numerous and very beau- tiful : they are large, broad, and deeply divided and fubdivided : each is formed of two or three pairs of large fegments, refembling wings, and an odd one at the end ; and thefe fegments are again deeply divided in the fame manner, but none of thefe divifioBs go down to the middle 2 rib; The BRITISH HERBAL. 20I rib i fo that they are only the incifions of an en- tire leaf. The ftalks are round, upright, firm, and jointed. Their joints are diflinguiHied by a little hollow membrane-, and from thefe rife the leaves. They refemble in all refpcds thofe from the root, except that they are fmaller. The flowers are large and beautiful ; and they arc difpofed in a kind of umbell: they ftand eight or ten togi^ther at the top of the flalk, and at the extremities of the branches : each has its long, flender footllalk, and thefe all grow from one point at the top of the main ftalk, where there is a fmail general cup. The beaks are very long, large, and fharp. It is a native of the Kaft Indies, and flowers in AugLift. The flowers toward evening have an extremely fragrant fmell, but in the day-time it is not per- ceived. Breynius calls it Geranium noSfu okns j^thi- opicum radice tuberofa foliis myrrhidis lalioribus. Others, Geranium irije. 2. Silvery alpine Cranefbill. Geranium argenteum alpinum. The root is long, thick, brown and irregular. The leaves are numerous, fmall, and lup- ported on long footftalks: they are divided deep- ly into five or more fegments, and each of thefe is notched on the two fides near the top ; fo that the extremity has a trifid appearance. The ftalks are flender and weak : they rife in confiderable number among the leaves, and are of a pale whicifh colour : ti.ey divide toward the top into two parts, and iupports on each of the divifions a fmgle flower. The whole fl:alk is rarely above four inches in height ; fo that the flowers do not rife above the leaves. They are large, and of a beautiful fl:rong red, flriated with purple. The beaks arc fiiort and thick. It is not uncommon on the Alps, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Geranium argenteum Alpi- num. Others, Geranium Alpinum longius radica- tum ; and Geranium argenteum mantis haldl 3. Candy Cranefbill. Geranium cnticum acu longijfma. The root is long, flender, and white. The firfl leaves are large, and are fupported on long footftalks : they are each compofed of two or three pairs of pinns, or fmaller leaves, with an odd one at the end ; this is much larger than the others, and they are all notched at the edges : their colour is a faint green. The llalk is round, thick, jointed, branched, of a pale green colour, and a foot and half high. The leaves that Hand on it perfedly refemble thofe at the, root, but they are fmaller. The flowers fland at the tops of the flralks and branches in tufts three, four, or five together 5 and they are large, and of a bright red. N" 20. The beaks are extremely large, and loi-,g, fliarp-pointed, and of a greenifh yellow. It is freqyent in the Greek iflands, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Geranium acu longijfinia. 4. Broad-leaved hairy Cranefbill. Geranium latifolium hirfutum. The root is long, flender, divided, and white. The firfl leaves rife in a thick tuft, and are unlike thofe of moft of this genus : they are large and broad, approaching to an oval figure, nightly ferrated, and notched irregularly about the edges : they are of a pale green covered with a Qight filvery down, and ftand on long, flender, hairy footfl:alks. The ftalk rifes in the centre, and is round, thick, upright, of a pale green, hairy, and % foot and half high. The leaves on it perfe£lly refemble thofe from the root: they are fmall, and fofc to the touch. The flowers grow in tufcs fix or eight together at the top of the ftalk, and at the exrremities of the branches : they are fmall, and of a pale red. The beaks are fmall, and very flender. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in July. C. Bauiiine calls it Geranium folio aUb<£dC. O- thers. Geranium nialacoides, and Gcraiiium malva* LL'um. Linnaeus fuppofes ouv little Jea cranejhill^ before defcribed, to be the fame fpecies with this; but it differs in the form and difpofition of the flowers, and in the ftru£ture of the beaks. This author has alfo a much more extraor- dinary conjecture on the prefent head ; he ima- gines that this plant, the candy cranejlill, and the mujk cranejbillt and common pinnated crancjhill with- out fcent are all the fame fpecies originally. This is bringing in confufion, and without any foundation in nature or reafon. If thefe five plants be not diftinift fpecies the ftudent will never know what to call by that name : he needs only be referred to the feveral figures here, or to the plants as they grow, to fee that they differ as palpably, and as eiTentially, as the fpecies of any other genus. If thefe were all originally one, nature has given us no means of knowing which are truly diftinft: but thefe are innova^ tions that will foon be flighted. 5. Stinking Cranefbill. Geranium fatidum. The root is tuberous and oblong j of a redifh colour, and very ftinking fmell. The leaves are fmall, but beautifully divided, or, more properly fpeaking, compofed of many others : each genera! leaf is fupported on a fliorc flender footftalk, and is formed of four or five pairs of pinna; fet on a middle rib, with an odd one at the end; and each of thefe pinn^ is again compofed of five or fix pairs of minute, oval leaves fet on a middle rib, with an odd one at its end. The ftalks are numerous, flender, and weak : fometimes they are altogether naked, but fome- times they have a couple of little leaves toward their lower part. I F f f The 202 The BRITISH HERBAL. The flowers are inoderately large, and of a bright red : they ftand on Qender foolftalks, one, two, or more together. The beaks are large. The whole plant in its wild ftate has a difa- greeable Tmell, though not fo ftrong as the, root. It is a native of the mountainous parts of Eu- rope) and flowers in June. The generality of authors call it Gcramuin fct'tiduau 6. Tuberous-rooted Craneftiill. Geranium foliis tmllifidis radice ttiherofa. The root is l.irge and knobby; of a dulky colour, and inlipid to the taftc. The leaves are numerous, and beautiful'y di- vided : they ftand on long, flendcr, hairy foot- ftalks ; and they are themfelves a little hairy, and of a pale green : their figure approaches to round, but they are cut into nine or more feg- ments down to the middle rib ; and thefe are again deeply notched, and divided. The ftalkis round, upright, but weak, and a foot high : it is not much branched. The leaves on it refcmble thofe from the root, but that they are fmaller. The flowers are large, and of a bright red : they ftand on ftcnder pedicles rifing from the bo- fums of the leaves, two on each. '1 he beaks are long, and moderately thick. It is a native of Spain, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine caUs it Ceranhm tuheropm majus. Others, Ceranhm tulerofum vel huUoftm; and the gardeners. Bulbous cranejbill. 7. Purple African Geranium. Geranmyi Jfricanam ficre pirpureo: The I'oot is long, thick, and tuberous. The firft leaves are large, nun-]froi,is, and fup- ported on long, hairy footftalks : they are very broad, fingatcd at the edges, and,of-a pale green, nightly hairy, and foft to the touch. The ftalk is round, firm, erect, and irresu- larly branched. The leaves on it are of the fame form with thole from the root ; and they grow principally near its bottom : it is of a pale colour, and fo are the leaves. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches in large tufts j and they are very beautiful: they are large, and of an elegant red tending to purple, and have yellowiflr edges. The beaks are large. Before fun-rife, and after it is fet, the whole plant has a very fragrant fmell ■, but it is not much perceived in the middle of the day. It is a native of Africa, and flowers in July. Commelin calls it Geranium Africanum noSu oleus tulerofum viiii foliis hirfutus. There are many varieties of this prefcrved in our gardens. 8. Naked-ft.ilked African Geranium. Geranhtm Africanum cauk nudo. The root is compofcd of numerous fibres rifing from a fmall head. The Icaies rife in great numbers, and have long footftalks ; but thefe are fo weak that the leaves are feldom fupported tolerably creft: they are not unlike laurel leaves in ihape, long, broad, and not at all dented at the edges : they ufually have a couple of fmall leaves placed on the foot- ftalk, in the manner of ears, a little below theirbafe. The ftalks are numerous, round, flender, and a foot high : they are ufually naked, but fome- times have, toward the ground, a leaf or two, like thofe which grow on the footftalks of the others. At the top of each ftalk ftands a large tuft of flowers, twenty or more: each flower has its fe- parate footftalk ; and they all rife from one point at, the top of the ftalk, where there is fpread under them a kind of general cup, (ormed of five little, oblong leaves. The flowers themfelves are large, and of a beautiful red, tending to purple ; and the beaks are finatl. It is a native of Africa, and flowers in July. Commelin calls it Geranium Africanum faliis flminique asritis pre rubro furpurafcente. We know little of the virtues of thefe plants ; . but they fcem in general of the fame nature with thofe of our own growth. The END cf tie T E N T H C L A S S. THE THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS XL Plants whofe flower is compofed of five petals irregularly difpofed \ %vhich have a single capsule fucceedi?2g each flowery aftd have the leaves placed irregularly on the flalks. THE planrs with five petals in the flower, and a Iingle capfule, are very mimerous ; and, therefore, the obferving luch fubordinate charafters as nature has placed" bttween them is the more neceflary : had there been fewer of them, the whole might have been difpofed: \^ oneclafs; and thefe general diftindtions, from tiie ftrudure of the flower, and difpofuion of the leaves on the ftalks, would only have fubdivided them : but nothing perplexes the ftudent fo much as too great a multiplicity of objefta under the fame head. It is for this reafon I have again fepa- rated many ot thofe genera which LinnEEUs. had joined together ; and, for the fame caufe, this- aflbrtment of plants is difpofed under three clalTes : nature has turnilhed fufficient grounds for the difl:in6tion, and they are fufiiciently obvious; the fcience therefore wiU be rendered more familiar by following this method, hi her fieps. Linneeus, in this, as in other cafes often before mentioned, feparates the plants belonging to one into feveral of his rnoft remote cUffcs : I fhall be content to name this where needful in the accounts of the feveral genera, not to fill too many pages with a criticifm, whichj however needful to the fervice of the Icicnce, I never make without concern. SERIES I. Natives of B r i t A i N. Thofe of which one or more fpecies are naturally wild in this, kingdom. GENU S I. VIOLET. VIOLA. THE flower is compofed of five petals of unequal fze j one is placed fingly, and the other four in two pairs : the Angle petal is broad, fhort, obtufe, and nipp'd at the top; and it runs out into a fpur behind. The two fide-pctals are oblong and obtufe, and the two others larger and broader : this is the ftrufture of the flower. The feed-veflcl is of an oval form, with three flight ridges; it is compofed of three valves, and contains only one cell: the cup is fmall, compofed of five leaves irregularly difpofed, and remains v.hen the flower is fallen . LinnEEUs places this among the pclygamia iiiofwgamia-y an idle, intricate, and unnatural clafs s feparating it from the other genera to which it is properly allied. 204 The B R I T I S H H E R B A L. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. X. Common Violet. Viola purpurea vulgaris. The root is long, (lender, crooked, and fur- nifhed with numerous fibres. The leaves arc large, and they rife many to- gether from the head of the root, and with them rife feveral flender ftalks, that, lying upon the ground, take root, and ipread the plant abun- dantly. The leaves are broad, (hort, and roundilh, but heart-fafliioned at the bafe ; they are of a deep green, (lightly crenatcd at the edges, and fupported on long, (lender footftalks. Among thefe rife numerous, (lender, weak, and naked (falks ; on each of which (lands a (ingle (iower. This is large, of a deep, beautiful blue, and of an extremely fweet fmell. The feed-velTcI is large, and the (eeds are nu- merous and oval. It is common under hedges, and flowers early in fpring. C. Bauhine calls it Viola martia purpurea JJore fmpiui odorc. Others, Viola nigra vel purpurea, and Viola martia Jimplex. This is the fpecies whofe flowers fliould be ufed, and no other : they are cooling, emollient, and gently cathartick ; as they iofe a great pare of their virtue in drying, and are not to be had frelli, except in fpring, the beft method of ufing them is in the ibrm of a fyrup. This, when carefully made, is very pleafant and has all the virtues of the flowers. It is ex- cellent, mixed with oil, to keep children open ; and, in the fame form, it may be given with great Iticcefs againfl: habitual coftivenels in grown perfons ; taking a fmali dofe every night. ■ Jt is alfo good in coughs and hoarfenefles. The feeds, dried and powdered, work gently by (tool and urine. They are excellent in the gravel, and in nephritick complaints in general. The leaves are emollient, and ufed in decoc- tions for glyftcrs. Too large a dofe of the feeds will occafion vomiting. Many authors have defcribed what they call the white-jlowered violet as a diftinft fpecies from the common ; but this is an error. We fee many plants whofe flowers, though naturally co- loured, will become white when they are ftarved • and this is the cafe in the white violet ; its feeds will raife hlue violets, in a garden. 2. Dogs Violet. Viola foliis obkngis caulefcem. The root is very long, flender, divided, and farnKhed with long, crooked fibres. The firft leaves are numerous, and of a dufky green : they are fupported on long, flender foot- ftalks, and are fmaller than thofe of the common violet, and natrower in proportion to the Icnc^th : they are heart-fadrioned at the bafe, and notched round the edges. Amongft thefe rife feveral fmall ftalks, which take root where they touch the ground, but grow up from it to two or three inches in height, and have many leaves on them, like thofe from the root, but fmalk-r. The flowers ftand fingly on long, flender foot- flralks that rife from the root, or from thofe parts of the rtalk juft named, which have taken root : they , have ufually fome little films upon them, but no leaves, properly fo called. The flower rcfembles that of the common violet, but it is Imalltr, of a paler blue, and has no fmell. It is common under hedges, and flowers in April. C Bauhine calls it Viola inodora fylveftris. Others, Viola fyhejlris, and Viola canina. This is fometimcs found with a white flower, as the other ; and ibmj l-.avc defcribed it in that ftate as a diftind fpecies. 3. Dwarf Violet with a yellow fpur. Viola pumila calcari luteo. The root is fmall, oblong, and divided; and has numerous, flender fibres. The leaves that ri(i firfl: from it have (hort footftalks : they are fmall, rounded, and of a dulky green ; very flightiy fnip'd at the edges, and fcarce at all cordated at the bafe : this form they cnnftancly keep, and the fpecies is therefore plainly diflinit. The ftalk is flender, upright, and of a pale green ; and at the top fufl:ains a (ingle flower : this is large in proportion to the plant, and is of a beautiful deep blue, with a yellow fpur behind. 'I he feed-veflel is oval, and the feeds are nu- merous and alfo oval. It is not uncommon in Surry and Siiflex. It flowers in April. Ray calls it Viola canina minor fioris calcari luteo. 4. Round fmooth-leaved Violet. Viola foliis rotmidioribus glabris. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with numerous fibres. The leaves rife in a confiderable tuft, and they are ftiorter than in the preceding fpecies, and ob- tufe at the ends ; fo that they appear roundifli : they are of a deep green colour, and perfeftly fmooth. The flowers ftand on fingle footftalks, which are weak, flender, and five or fix inches high: they are of a pale blue, of the fliape of the mon violet, but very linall, and wholly fcentiefs. The fced-vdfel is fmall and oval ; and the feeds are fmall. It was obferved firft in Oxfordfliire, but it grows all over the north of England on boggy grounds. It flowers in June. ° Dr. Plot, who firft defcribed the fpecies, calls it Viola palujlris rotundifolia glabra. 4 5. Short- The BRITISH HERBAL. 205 5. Short-leaved Violet with ftriated flowers. Viola fcliis hrevihus f.oribus ftriatis. The root is a clufter of innumerable, ficnder fibres. The leaves grow in a great tuft: they have Hiort and weak footftalks, and many of them lie upon the ground: they are roundifh, but heart-faHiion- ed at the bafe, and Tomewhat pointed at the end; of a pale green, hairy, and foft to the touch. The flowers (land on very fhort footftalks, and are fmaller by much than m the commen viclet : they are of a faint red, beautifully flreaked with a deep purple. The feed-veffcl is oblong, and the feeds are very numerous. It is frequent in the northern parts of England under damp hedges. It flowers in May. Ray calls it Viola rubra firia'.a eborafcevfis : a name given by Parkinlbn, who firfl: received it from Yorklhire. 6. Great hairy Violet with ftriated flowers. Viola inajor hirfiita foribus Jlriatts. The root is long, thick, hard, and woody. The leaves rife from its head, four or live to- gether, and are very hairy, of a pale green, ob- long, heart-fafliioned, and notched at the edges; and they have very long, whitifli, hairy foot- ftalks. Thefe and the flov/er-ftalks are all that rife from the root-, for it does not fend out any hanging flioots that take root, as the common violet ; nor any of thofe leafy ftaiks that are in the common dog violet. The footflialks which fupport the flowers are ihort and thick. The flowers are large, but of a faint pale blue, ftreaked with white. The feed- vefl~el is large and fiiort; and the feeds are very numerous. It is frequent under hedges, and flowers in June. Ray calls it Viola trachelii folio. Morifon, Viola martia major hirfuta imdora, Merret, I'icla foliis trachelii ferotina, Panfy, or Hearts-eafe. Viola tricolor major. The root is long, flender, divided, and full of fibres. The ftaiks are numerous, weak, and of a faint green : they fpread every way upon the ground, and in part raife themfelves up for flowering: they are fix or eight inches long, and branched. Thofe leaves are fliort, roundilh, and lightly indented, which grows on the lower part of the ftaiks ; but many of the others are longer, and more deeply cut ; and fome toward the top di- vided to the rib by numerous fegments. They are of a deep green, and fmooth furface. The flowers are very beautiful \ they are vari- egated with purple and yellow; and there is ufually more or lefs white, or blue, among them. Thefe two colours are the more ftriking in this flower, but from one of thofe, which comes in, -though in a kfs obvious manner, as a third, the N° XXI. plant obtained its Latin name of Viola tricoloTt and its Englifh one of three faces under a hood. The feed-veflTel is ftiort and fmall ; and the feeds ar e numsroua. It is found wild among corn in the north of England, and has thence been brought into our gardens. In its wild ftate it is lower in the ftalk, and the flowers are fmall and lefs fpecious. Frequently there are only two colours in them, but thofe are bright and ftriking. We have ano- ther wild fpecies, to be defcribed hereafter, with two faint colours, is diftind, and muft not be confounded with this. Ray calls this Viola tricolor. Others, Viola tricolor major et vulgaris. J. Bauhine, Flos Iri- nitatis. 8. Small-flowered Panfy. Viola bicolor foUis r.iinoribns. The root is a tuft of flender fibres. The firrt leaves are roundifti, and flurply fer* rated at the edges. The ftaiks arc flender, upright, and weak s and they are very little branched : they are of a pale yellow colour, and fix or eight inches high. The leaves that grow on thefe are oblong, I narrow, and very deeply divided : they are of a pale green, thin, and tender. The flowers are numerous and fmall, and they have very little beauty, and are generally varie- gated only with white and a dead yellow. The feed-veflels are fmall and roundifli ; and the feeds are very minute. It is common in corn-fields throughout the kingdom ; and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Viola bicolor arvenfis. O- thers, Viola tricolor fylvejtris. J. Bauhine, Jacea bicolor fruguiu et hortorum vitium. 9. Great-flowered yellow Panfy, Viola liitea grandijiora. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with a great number of fibres. The firft leaves are oblong, broad, and not aC all divided at the edges; but they fomctimes» though not univerfally, have a couple of little appendages, like ears, at the bafe. The ftaiks are fiender, weak, and four or five inches high. The leaves on them are partly divided deeply, and partly whole, in the manner of thofe from the root; and they are of a deep green, and gloffy. The flowers are very large, of the fliape of garde fi panfy ?iO''Nzry more than equal to it ia fize; and of a fine gold yellow colour, with' out the leaft mixture of any other. They ftand upon very long, flender footftaik* rifing from the bofoms of the leaves ; and, whea fully open, make a very fplendid and elegant ap- pearance. The fced-veflTel is fmall, and the feeds are numerous. It is found in many parts, of the north of Eng- land, and flowers in July. Ray calls it Viola montana lulea grandijiora nojiras. Others, Viola fammea. ' G g g Thefe 206 The BRITISH HERBAL. Thefe are all the fpecks of vj'ild viokl . Others have been named by lefs accurate writers, but on a better examination they have been found only varieties of one or other of the former fpecics. Thefe all are fuppofed to pofiefs the fame vir- tues with the common kind, but in a lefs degree . and therefore they are not to be regarded. 'I he flowers of ths paii/y have, with fome, the cre- dit of being a cordial and fudorifick ; and there are thole who recommend them incpilepfies ; but this does not ftand upon any warrant of experience. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. 1. Fingered-leaved Violet. Fjola foliis digitalis. This is of the common i:iclst, not of the fanfy kind, though cxtrem ely fingular in the leaf. The root is compofed of numerous fibres, riflng from a fnlall head. The leaves are fupported on long, flender, rediOi footftalks, and are broad, and divided in the fingered or palmated manner, each into about five parts : thefe fegments ftand wide afunder : they are (lightly notched at the edges, and the two outer pieces are broader than the others. The whole leaf is fmall, and its colour is a pale green. The ftalks which fupport the flowers rife among the leaves ; they arc weak, flender, and about three inches high. One flower ftands on each, and this is fmall and white. The feed-vefiil is Ihort, and full of fniail feeds. There is little beauiy in the plant ; but it is extremely fingular. It is a native of North America, and flowers in April. Plukenet calls it Viola Virgitiiana flatanifolia foliis farvis. There Ibmetimcs are running fhoots from the root, as in the comiimi violet, 2. Seven-leaved Violet. Viola foliis feptempartitis: The root is long, flender, crooked, and fur- nilbed with many fibres. The leaves rife in a large tuft, and each is fupported on a long, flender footftalk : they are large, and divided into feven parts down to the ftalk : thefe fegments are narrow, and fl;and fo perfeflly feparate that the name of feven- kaved feems hardly exceptionable, though, in reality, thefe which appear to be feparate leaves are no other than the feven fegments of one en- tire leaf. The fialks which fupport the flowers rife in numbers from the root, in the manner of the common violet. They are fliort, fler.der, and each fuf ports a Angle flower. This is large and beautiful ; fometimes of one colour, which is a rich, deep blue, but oftener variegated ; fo that it feems a psnfy growinn the leafl; motion even of the wind. The cup is compofed of two very fmall leaves : they are placed fide-ways of the flower, and fall with iti and they are not green, as in mofl: plants, but coloured. Linnseus places this among the fyngenefia foljgamia mmsgamia, one of his artificial clafljs ; and he joins with it the l/alfamina. This is very wrong, becaufe the fliape of the feed-veifel is altotrethcr diftind ; and there are other obvious and eflential diflierences. Ray has, by fome overfight, alfo mifplaced this plant : he has put it among the lelratelala, or thofe with four-leaved flowers and fingle capfules, whereas the petals are very diftincftly five. Of this genus, thus ftriftly charaftcrifcd, there is but one known fpecies, and that is a native of Britain. Yellow Impatient. hjipatims flore jlavo. The root is compofed of numerous large fibres. The flalk is round, thick, upright, branched, and two feet high : it is of a pale green colour, of a firm, yet tender, fubftance, and looks in a manner clear, or tranfparent. The leaves are oblong, broad, and iharply ferrated : they ftand irregularly on the ilalks : they have fhort pedicles ; and the parts of the ftalks where they grow, frequently fweli into a kind of thick knots. The flowers are large, numerous, and of a deep yellow ; they have an open mouth, and a crooked fpur. The feed-veflels are oblong and brown ; and they contain many feeds: they will burfl: open on but approaching to touch them ; the motion in the air, caufed by the hand, being fufhcient. It is found in our northern counties in damp places -, and flowers in Augufl:. C. Bauhine calls it Balfiinine lutca five noli me tangere. Others, Mercurialis fyhejlris, and Noli me tangere. We have it as a curiofity in many gardens ; where the gardeners call it ^lick in hand, or ^Quch me not. The leaves, bruifed and applied to the fliin, will raife an inflammation. Inwardly taken, it is a powerful but dangerous diuretick ; occafioning bloody urine, and terrible ftranguries, when given in an over-dole. GENUS III. D Y E R S - W E E D. LUr E 0 L A. npHE flower confifts of five petals, unequal in bignefs, and irregularly difpofed : the upper one Hands Cnglc, and is fmall, and lightly divided into fix parts at the tip : the two fide-ones are placed oppofite to one another, and are divided each into three at the extremities ; and the two lower are minute and undivided : they are fo fmall that they are often overlooked ; and the flower leems to confift only of three petals. 4 . The 208 The BRITISH HERBAL. The feed-veflel is uneven and angulated, with an opening at the top, f^irroundcd with three little points, which are the remains of the ftyles : the cup is fma!!, and formed of a Tingle piece, divided into five parts, two of which iland wider afiinder than the reft. LinnEus places this among \\\% poiyandria trigynia ; the filaments being numerous, and growing to the receptacle ; and the ftyles being three. This author joins the i'efeda in one genus with this, and thence has created himielf a great deal of trouble and confufion. He complains of the difficulty of eftabliihing a character for this genus : but if he had avoided that confufion of joining a diftinft one to it, and had paid more regard to larger parts, and lefs to the more minute, the taflc would have been eafy, and the ftudencs path, which is perplexed in the higheft degree in this method, would have been rendered pKiin and eafy, as we fliall fliew it in ours. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Diers-weed. LiitEola vulgnris. The root is long, white, divided into feveral parts, and hung round with many threads. The firll leaves rife in a large and beautiful tuft : the outer ones are long and narrow and the others Jliorter all the way to the centre : they have no footftalks : they are not at all indented at the edges ; and they are of a bright green. The flalks are ftrait, upright, (lender, not at all branched, and tliree feet high. The leaves on them are placed irregularly, and are of the fame form with thofe from the root; but of a yellowifh green. The flowers are fmall and yellow: they ftand in a long fpike at the top of the ftalk. The fecd-veflels are large, and the feeds ex- tremely numerous, and fmalh It is common on ditch-banks, and in other wafte ground i and flowers in July. It is alfo culti- vated in fields in fome places for the ufe of the diers. C. Bau-hine calls it Lu'eola herba folicis folio. Otheis, Luteola, and Herba lutea. In Englifh, befides its name D'lers-weed, it is called irold and fp'ould ; thefe names found like woisd, and the two plants, though in themfelves perfectly diflindt, have from this been confounded one with another by the hufbandmen. Even many of thole who have written treatifes for their inftruflion, have thought them the fame plant. The diers ufe the whole herb, and find it an- fwer more purpufcs than one: they boll it with alum, and in this condition it dyes yellow alone or with a mixture of blue it makes a green. White cloths are put in to be dyed yellow, and the colour given by this herb is a very rich and good one: for greens they generally dye the cloth blue firil, and then dip it into this liquor, which mixing with the blue tinge, makes a f^rong green. 2. Short-leaved Diers-weed. LuUoia parva Joins brevibus. The root is long, ficnder, and furniflied with many fibres. The firft leaves are numerous, and fpread them- felvcs on the ground in feveral circular fcries ; the fmallefl: in the middle: they are oblono-, and fomewhat broad j not fo long and narrow in proportion to their fize as the others. The flalk is fingle, not at all branched, and about eight inches high. The leaves are placed irregularly on it; and they are oblong, and fomewhat broad. The flowers are very numerous, fmall, and of a pale yellow : they fland in a long fpike at the top of the ftalk. The fecd-vefll-I is flender and crooked, and edged with three ribs. It is found on walls, and on barren grounds among corn. It flowers in July. Ray calls it Lutecla minima pohgaj^ folio. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Sharp leaved Diers-weed. Refeda foliis anguflis actmimiis. The root is long, flender, white, and full of fibres. The leaves that rife firfl: are very narrow, long, and fharp-pointed : they do not fpread themlelves upon the ground, but rife up in a thick tuft. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, ten inches high, and yellow. It does not divide into branches, but fends out 'a number of ftaoots all the way up from the bo- foms of the leaves ; fo that it appears of a pyra- midal form. 1'he leaves are placed alternately and at con- fiderable diftances : they are very long, narrow and fharp at the point, and are of a pale green. The flowers ftand in long fpikes at the top of the ftalk, and of thefe branches j and they are very fmall, and of a pale yellow. The feed veftel is oblong and crooked ; and the feeds are very numerous and fmall. It is a native of the mountainous parts of Europe, and flowers in Auguft. Tournefort calls it Luteola pumila pyrenaica linaria; folio. , . The leaves are not of that yellowilh hue that thofe of our common diers-weed get when they begin to grow dry ; but are at firft of a blm.fti green, and afterwards greyifia, GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. Genus iv. BASE ROCKET. RESEDA. THE flower is compofed of five irregular petals, unequal in fize, and unevenly difpofed ; but they do not differ in bignefs fo much as thofe of luteok ; and they are all divided into three parts at the edge : the fced-velTel is Ihort and angulated, and is open at the end : the cup is fmall, divided into five parts, with an appendage to one of them ; fo that there appear to be fix ; and it remains when the flower is fallen. LinniEUS, as already obferved, places this among the pJyaniria trigynia ; joining it with luuda, from which it differs in the flrufture of the flower, and other efTential and obvious charaflcrs. DIVISION I. BR Common Bafe Rocket. Rsfeda vulgaris. The root is long, flender, white, and furniflied with many fibres. The firft leaves rife in a duller ; and they are very beautiful in themfelves, and difpofed with great regularity : they are divided in the pinnated manner, and each is formed of three pinna:, or deep fcgments, with an odd one at the end : thefe are of a pale green, long, and narrow. The ftalks are numerous, round, firm, up- right, and two feet high. The leaves on thefe refemble thofe from the root, but are narrower and fmaller. The flowers fl:and in long fpikes at the tops of the ftalks ; and thcy'are fmall and whitilh. The leed-venil is large, angulated, and open ; and the feeds are very numerous, and minute. DIVISION II. F O I. Great Bafe Rocket. Refcda major. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with many fibres. The leaves that rife firft are very large, of a deep green, and beautifully pinnated : each con- fifts of about five pairs of pinns, and an odd one at the end; and thefe are all long, narrow, and lharp-pointed. The flralk rifes in the midft, and is round, firm, upright, and a yard high : it is thick fet with leaves, and fends out a number of long branches. The leaves on thefe refemble thofe from the root, and are of a faint green. The flowers ftand in long, thick fpikes at the tops of the branches; and they arc large and yellow. The feed veflel is thick, crooked, and hangs downward. The feeds are fmall, very numerous, and brown. It is frequent in the fouth of France, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Refeda maxima. Others, Refeda major. ITISH SPECIES. It is found in many parts of this kingdom on chalky and other barren foils. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Refeda vulgaris, OtherSj Refida win'or. The leaves fometimes are curled, and crifp at the edges : this happens generally from want of nouriihment, Boccone has diflinguiflied the refida in this ftate as a feparate fpecies, under the name of refeda crifpa Gallica., and the editor of the laft edition of the Synopfis has given it a place as if di- ftin£t ; but it is only a variety. Let the reader, in ju.ftice to the memory of that great man, Mr. Ray, obferve whether the fcveral errors of this kind, which occur in the laft edition of the .Synopfis, were his or thofa of this editor, Dillenius. Such as are marked with an afterifm are DiUenius's, and this is one of them. They are meant as improvements. REIGN SPECIES. 2. Bafe Rocker, called Phyteuma. ' Refeda ealydhus maximis. The root is long, thick, white, and furniflied with many fibres. The firft leaves are long and narrow : they lie fpread upon the ground, in the manner of thofe of the common diers-weed ; and the plant in this Rate has vaifly its appearance. The ftalks rife in the centre of this tuft, and are round, flender, and rarely at all branchecf. The leaves ftand irregularly on them, and are very oddly varied in figure : fome of them per- fedtly refemble thofe from the root ; but others are divided at their ends into three or five parts, in the manner of fingers. The flowers are final!, but they ftand in very large cups. They are difpofed in a loofe fpike at the tops of the ftalks, and in the bofoms of the upper leaves. The fced-vcfiel is large, and ftands furroundcd by this great cup : the feeds are very minute. It is common in the fouth of France, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Refeda afjims fhyteuma. Columna, Enicagi apula irifida et juiiiquefoiia. H h h 3, Bafe 8IO The BRITISH HERBAL. 3. Bafe Rocket, called little Spanifli Catchfly; Refeda alha nlinima foliis ijilcgt'is. The root is long, flcnder, white and divided. The leaves that grow from it are numerous, bb!ong, narrow, and rtiarp-poinfed. 1 he (lalks rife in the centre of this cluftcr ; and they are fiender, upright, five or fix inches high, and fcarce at all branched. Their leaves are fmali, and like thofe from the foot : they are placed irregularly, and are of a pale green. The flowers are very frnall, and white : they Hand at the tops of the ftalks in long, fiender fpikes. The feed-vefTel is fmall, and the feeds are very minute. It is common on hilly, barren places in the warmer parts of Europe ; and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it liefiila alia miliar. Clufius, Sefamoides falamanticum parvum fecundnm. Our common Englith writers, Uuk Sjanijh catchfly. Thcfe feveral fpecies are faid to be good in fomentations, and other compofitions for exter- nal ufc; but their virtues are not fupportcd upon experience. SERIES II. Plants with a five-leaved flower, and fingle capfule for the feeds, of which there is 110 fpecies native of Britain. GENUS I. CUCUBALUS. T™ flower is compofed of five petals, which are divided at the ends : the feed-vefTel is of a round.fh figure, pointed at the top, and has the appearance of a berry: the cup is round Iwoln, and nipp d at the edge j and it remains when the flower is fallen. Linnsus places this among the decandria trigynia ; the threads in each flower being ten and the Hyles from the rudmient of the capfule three. ' This author joins in the fame genus, and under the fame name, many proper fpecies of lychi.h ■ thefe have been defcribed in their place. J ' ■ The occafion is, that he has not obferved the eflential and diflinaive charaScr of the oenus which ,s, that the capfule has the appearance of a berry. This the right cucuUus has, but no° any one of all thofe of the lychnis kind : thus propcrly^determined, there is but one known fpecies of this genus: this has been at all times called by authors by that name; and the name has not been »iven till by this writer, to any other. ° ' Berry-bearing Chickweed. Cuciihalus. The r^ot is compofed of feveral thick, crooked fibres. The ftalks are numerous, weak, and fiender : they fupport themfelves among buflies, and will that way grow to a very confiderable height. The leaves are large : they ftand in pairs without footftalks, and are oblong, broadefl: in the middle, pointed at the end, not at all in- dented i of a tender fubfl:ance, and of a pale green colour. The flowers grow at the tops of the fl:alks, and of branches rifing from the bofoms of the upper leaves : they are fmall, and of a greenifii white. they fland in great fwoln cups, fomewhat re- fembling thofe of the winter cherry, and only the top of the flower is feen out of tliem. The feed-veflil is round, but pointed at the end : it is of the bignefs of a large pea, and, when ripe, of a black colour ; fo that it has greatly the appearance of a berry. The feeds are numerous, fmall, and black. It is common in woods and thickets in all the northern parts of Europe ; and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Alfim Jcaiidcns iaccifera: DodonSBus Alfim repcns. The common writers. Berry-bearing chichfccd ; a very improper name, but which we retain here, becaufc vulgarly known. It is better to call it Cmiialus. ; N u { M I r E L L A. II. rpHE flower is compofed of five petals, regularly expanded, with narrow bafes, which are infected into the cup: the feed-velTel is globular, but pointed at the end: the cup is compofed of a fingle piece, and is hollow, and divided into five fegments at the edo-e Linnaius places this among the decandria digyiiia ; the threads in the centre of the Bower beini? ten, and the ftylcs from the rudiment of the capfule two. 7 Two- The BRITISH IT E R R B A L. 2 11 Two-leavcJ Mict;I!a. Mitella caule dipbyllo. The root is long, thick, and brown : it runs under tlie furface, and has many large fibres. The leave:: which rife immediately from it are large, and fiipported on long footftaiks : they are broad, of a dufky green, and a little hairy ; finuated, and fliarply indented at the edges. The ftalk is fiendcr, upright, and not at all branched : it is two feet high, and of a pale brown colour. There are two leaves on it, and they (land near its middle, oppofite to one another, and without footftaiks : th.ey are narrower in proportion to their length than thofe from the root, and fliarp- pointed : but they are, in the fame manner, finu- ated, and notched at the edges. The flowers are placed in a long, flender fpike at the top of the ftalk, and are very fmall, and as it were fringed. The feed-vefP^I is fmail, and the feeds are round and black. It is a native of South America, and flowers in June. Mentzelius calls it Cortufa Americana floribus 'luimtim fimhriath. Others of the later writers, Mitella fcapo diphyllo. Its virtues are unknown. GENUS nr. CALTROP, r R I B U L u s. THE flower is compofed of five regular petals evenly difpofed: the feed-veflel is angulated and" ptickly, and contains numerous feeds ; the cup is tormed of a fingle piece, divided into five fegments. Linn.Tus places this among the decandria mom^ma ; the tlireads in the center of each flower being ten, and the ilyle from the rudiment of the fruit fihgle. I. Common Caltrop. ^nhldus vulgaris. The root is fmall, long, white, divided, and furniflied with many fibres. The firfl leaves are numerous and pinnated, and very much refemble thofe of the common wild vetch; each is compofcd of fevera! pairs of fmall leaves, on a middle rib ; and thefe are oblong> of a frefh green, and fharp pointed. The ftallis are numerous, weak, flender, branched, and feven or eight inches high. The leaves on them are the fame in form and flruftLU-e with thofe from the root, but fmaller : they ffand alternately on the lower parr of the italic, but frequently are placed in pairs toward the top. The flowers ftand on (hort footftaiks rifing from the bofbms of the leaves, and they are fmall and yellow. - The fccd-veflel is ihort, angulated, and very prickly ; and there are fome prickles alfo round the upper part of the ftalk which fupports it. It is frequent in the northern parts of Europe, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Tribulus temjlris ciccris folio fruliii amkato. Others, Tribulus terreflris. The Angular form of this herb, which re- fembles the vetch kind, has led all the common writers on plants to place it among that clafs, though the flower and fruit be altogether AiSt- rent. It is not a wonder they who judged only by the general face were deceived in this, for ic has all the afpedt of the pulfe kind. 2. Great flowered Caltrop. 'Trihulus fiare magno. The root is compofed of numerous fibres.* The firft leaves are long, large, and beautifully pinnated ; each is compofed of eight pair of pin- ns, fet on a double rib, with no leaf, but a fmall tendril at the end. The flalks are numerous, round, upright, not much branched, and of a pale green. The leaves on them are placed at diftances, and refemble thofe from the root. The flowers ftand fingly on long footftaiks ri- fing from the bofoms of the leaves, and they are very large and beautiful : they are of a bright yellow, and are as big as fmall poppies. The feed-veifel is fmall and prickly: the feeds are numerous, fmall, and ihining. It is a native of the warmer parts of America, and flowers in July. Van Royen calls it Tribulm foliis oHoparium conjugatis. The common caltrop is faid to be cooling and aftringent ; but thofe virtues are not warranted by any known experience. There is another plant called by the old writers tribulus aquaticus, and the water caltrop ; but this is of a difierent clafs, and is therefore properly diftinguiftied by Lin- nsus by a diflercnt generical name, trapa. GENUS 2i2 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS IV. W I L D R U E. H A R UAL A. ^HE flower is compoftd of five petals, regularly expanded: the rt:ed-vcfrel is roundilli, but (lightly trigonal, and the feeds are numerous and oval : the cup is compofcd of five little leaves, and remains after the flower is fallen. Linnrcus places it among the polyandria monogynia ; the threads in the centre of the flower be^ ing numerous, and fixed to the receptacle, and the llyle from the rudiment of the fruit fincrle. This author, inflead of its mofb received name harmala, calls this genus 1. Common Wild Rue. Harmala vulgaris. The root is long, thick, and furnlflied with many fibres. The firft leaves are large, broad, and divided into numerous, fine, narrow fegmeius : they are of a pale green colour, and of a llrong fmell. I he llalks rife in the midfl, and are firm, up- right, very little branched, and a foot and a half high. The leaves on thefe iland irregularly, and re- femble thofe from the root in fhape. The flowers are large and white : they fl:and lingly on long footftalks, rifing from the bofoms of the leaves. The feed-veflcl is large, and the feeds are nu- merous and fmall. It is a native of the Eafl, and flowers m July. C. Bauhine calls it Ruta fylvejlris flore jtlko magno. Others, Ruta fyhejtris temiifolia-, and Harmala, %. Wild Rue, with undivided leaves. Harmala foliis integfis. The root is long, flender, and furnifhed with many fibres. The firfl: leaves arc oblong, narrow, of a pale green, poinied at the ends, and not at all fer- rated. The ftaiks are numerous, flender, upright, and of a gale green. The leaves fliand irregularly on them, and are oblong, narrow, and fharp-pointed : they re- femble thofe of the common milkwort. The flowers ftand on flender footfl:alks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, and they are white or yellowifii. The feed-veflcl is large, and the feeds are very numerous. It is a native of Siberia, and flowers in Auguft. Amman calls it Harmala montana fohgalte foliis. GENUS V. MARSH C I S T U S. LEDUM. 'T'HE flower is compofed of five petals regularly difpofed : the feed-vefiel is of a roundilh figure; it contains five cells, and fplits in five places at the bafe when ripe : the cup is fmall, and is formed of a fingle leaf, divided into five fegments at the edge. Linnaeus places this among the decandria mongynia j the threads in each flower being ten, and the fl:yle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. I. Narrow-leaved Marfli Ciflius, Ledum foliis anguftis ferrugineis. The root is long, thick, divided, and fpread- ing. Thefliem is hard, woody, and covered with a grey bark. The young fhoots are long, flender, purplifli, and covered with a white hoary matter : they are thick fet v/ith leaves, and thefe are long and iiarrow, refembling thofe of rofemary ; their fides are ufually curled up together, and they are co- vered with a ferrugineous duft. The flowers ftand at the top of the branches in little tufts, and they are large and white. The feed-vefiel is fmall, and the feeds are nu • merous and brown. It is frequent in boggy grounds in many parts of North America. C, Bauhine calls it Cijtusledon rorifmari^ii foliis ferrugineis. Comerarius and others, Rofmari-niwi fylvejlris GENUS The B P. i T I S H HERBAL. 213 GENUS VI. G I T H. I G E L L J. THE flower confifts of five petals regularly difpoled ; and has within it eight glands, that make 1 very fmgular and beautiful appearance : they are circularly difpofed, and are fhort, and of a la- biaced form ; the upper lip being broadeft, and is fpotted the lower narrower, and plain. Thefeed- vefiel is large, round, and fuelled in the manner of a bladder, and contains five cells, fo diftimft that it may perhaps be mora properly faid to confitl of five feparate capfules joined together. The feeds are numerous, and there is no cup. i,inn3?us places this among the polyandria polygynia \ the threads in the centre of the flower being numerous, and fixed to the receptacle, and the ftyles from the rudiment of the fruit alfo nu- merous. This tjcnus fc^ems to connect together the plants with many capfules to a flower, and thofe with one. There arc fevcral ipeclcs of it; and in fome the divifion of tlie whole is lefs, and in others more dillinfl: in fome it is a fingle membranous feed-veflel, divided only into feveral cells, in the manner of many of the preceding ; and in others it is more and more plainly compofed of feveral fe- parate capfules, which, though firmly connected together, yet are in a manner each perfed and entire. ]. Single blue Nlgella. Nigella Jlore f.mpHci c^ruko involucro foliofo cin8o. The root is long, flender, divided, and fur- niHied with many fibres. The firfl: leaves grow in a tUifter, and part lie upon the ground, part Hand eredt: they arelarge, and finely divided into numerous fegments, which ate extremely narrow, and ot a dead green. The ftalks are numerous, round, firm, up- right, and a foot high. The leaves Hand alternately on thefe, and per- fei5l!y rcfemble thofe from the root, bein^, divi- ded into the fame narrow and numerous feg- ments. The flower is large, and blue, fometimes near white, fometimes of a fine, clear, and llrong blue, and fometimes varioufly fliadcd between thefe two colours. One flower ftands ufually at the top of each ftalk, and at the tops of the branches. The feed-vefPel is large and roundilli, and con- tains numerous black, rough feedi, in five dif- tinfl ceils. There ftand a number of fmall leaves by way of cup round the flower, for it has no proper cup of its own, and thefe afterwards gather up round the fecd-vefl^els, and make in either fl:ate a beauti- iui appearance. It is a native of Italy, and other of the warmer parts of Europe : they have it in their corn-fields and vineyards, and it flowers in July. C Bauhine cails it Nigella angujlif oil a flon magna fmplici carulco. Others, after Mathiolus, Melan- tkium fyhejlrc. This fpecies by culture aflx)rds the beautiful double kind, which is called the damafk nigdlg^ and by our gardeners the de'vil in the hujjj. 2. Single white Nigella. Nigella Jicre JimpUci alho iivAo. The root is long and flender, and has a few fibres. The firft leaves are large, divided into a multitude of fmall, narrow fegments, and of a deep green. N*^ XXIL The flalk is round, firm, upright, and very much branched : it is a foot or more in height, and of a paic green. The leaves are placed irregularly on it, and in all refpefts refemble thofe from the root. The flowers are moderately large and white : they ftand fingly at the tops ot the branches, and have not that clufter of leaves under them which is fecn in the blue kind. The feed-veflTel is large and oblong, and con- tains five cells, very plainly difl:inguiflied on the outfide. The feeds are large and black. It is a native of the Eafl:, and flowers in Au- gLlft. C. Bauhine calls \t Nigella fore minors fmpUci crjidido. This by culture afl^brds alfo double flowers; but they are not fo large, or nearly fo beautiful as the others. 3. Spanifli Nigella. Nigella fiore maximo c^ruJeo. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with numerous fibres, The firfl: leaves are very large, and of a deep green ; and they are divided into numerous, long, and narrow fegments. The flalk is round, upright, branched, and a foot and a half high. The leaves fl:and irregularly on it ; and they are of a deep green, and divided in the fame man- ner as thofe from the root, but into broader feg- ments. The flowers flrand at the tops of the branches fingly i and they are very large, and of a beauti- ful blue. The feed-vefl'el is large, rounded, and formed into five parts, containing in five cells a great quantity of rough feed. Ic is a native of Spain, and of other the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in Augufl:. C. Bauhine calls it Nigella latifoUa flere majore fimplici c.eruleo. Others, Nigella Hifpanica masi-:: ma ; and fome only Nigella Hifpanica, l ii 4. Broad-' The BRITISH HERBAL. 4. Broad-IeiivcJ whi[e NlgelU. N^gel'.a hitifolia fiore aJho. The root is long, fl^nJer, hung wirh many Bbres. The firft leaves arc large, and have long foot- ftaiks : they are divided inco thrie principal pares, and thofe are again notched and lubdivided ; and they are of a dufky green. The ftalks are round, weak, and white: they ftand but imperfectly upright, and are very much bnmched. The leaves on thefe are oblong, and divided into broad, notched fegments, in a pinnated man- ner. The flowers ftand fingly at the extremities of the branches, and are large and white : they have nothing of chat clufler of leaves under them, which diftinguifhes Ibme of the others. l"he feed vellei is oblong, large, and full of rough feed in five cells. Jt i& frequent in the Greek iflands, and flowers in Augujl. j Alpinus calls it Nigella alba fiore fimplici. Pona, Nixslla alba Cveilca odorata^ the flowers and feeds having a fragrant Imell. Thefe fpecics all pofTefs the fame virtues, but the hrft defcribed has them in the greateft de- gree. The feeds are to be preferred to any other part : they are deobftruent and diurecic, good in all obftruftions of the vifcera, and againll: the gravel. Some have recommended this feed as a fpecific againa agues ; but the bark has fuperl'eded all other medicines for that life. The root externally applied, ftops bleeding. It is a cuftom in the Eafl: to chew it, and put it up the nofe in hemorrhages from that part. It is fingular, that the Howers of the blui m- gclla afforil a green colour. If they are bruifed and rubbed on linen, they ftain it toafrefli green, which holds through many walliings. It would be therefore worth confidering, whetlier they might not be ufeful in dying ; for the plant is ea- fily cultivated, and the flowers are numerous. It would grow on any indifferent light land. GENUS vir. B A L S A IVI. B A L S A M I N A. THE flower is compofed of five irrcguhrly-difpofed petals, and has 3 fpur behind : the feed- vefiel is of a roundifli form, and the cup is compofed of two leaves. Linnasus places this among the fyngemfia folygaaia monagamia, making it the fame genus with the impatient : but thefe plants, as I have fiiewn already, differ as genera, not as fpecies of the fame wenus. The form of the fe- d-veflcl alone were fufhcierit to ertablifli the diftindion ; but there are others ob- vious enough, and as eflential. Common Balfam. Balfamina fcliis lanceolalis. The root is large, thick, and fpreading. The ftalks are thick, flefhy, and very much branched : they are of a tender fubfl:ance, and of a pale green. The leaves ftand irregularly on them ; and tliey are long, narrow, and fliarp-pointed, and ele- gantly ferrated at the edges ; their colour is jt frefli green. The flowers are large and beautiful : they grow fingly on flaort footflalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, and they have a Ihort fpur behind: tneir colour is naturally a bright red, but they change continually into white and variegated : the fame plant will frequently afford them at the fame time many different colours and variega- tions. ° The feed-veffel is roundifli, and rough ; and, when ripe, it burfts open with violence, and fcatters the feed. It is a native of the Eafl, but it ftands the fum- mer perfeftly well in our gardens. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Balfamina ftimina. Others only, Balfamina. Our gardeners know it by the name of Balfam. GENUS VIII. P U R S L A I N. POR'TVLACA. rj-iHE flower is compofed of five equal petals regularly difpofed : the feed-veffel is of an oval figure, ■•■ and covered ; fplitting in the middle when ripe, and containing numerous feeds : the cup is°very' fmall, and divided into two parts, and it remains when the flower is fallen. LinnEUS places this among the folyandria movagyma ; the threads in the centre of the flower bein are numerous and minute. It is a native of the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in July. C. Bauhinc calls it Portulaca angujlifolia fyl- •vejb-is. When it is brought: into gardens, and enlarged by culture, the leaves grow thicker and broader. In this ftate it has been defcribe'd by many as if a diftinct fpecies : they havL- called it PcrtuUca la- tifoUa faliva; Broad leaved garden ■purjiain^ in op- polltion to this, which they call the narrow-kavcd wild purjlain \ but there is no more difference than is merely the cffe£l of culture. It is raifed for the table, and is cooling, and good againll the fcurvy. 2. Hairy Purllain. Portulaca pilofa. The root is long, fl.-nder, and furniflied with many fibres. The Ilalks are numerous and chick : they lie in part upon the ground, and are in pare tole- rably upright. The leaves are oblong, narrow, and fharp- pninted : they fland alternately at confiderable dillances, and they have a tufc of hairy matter in their bofoms. The flowers are very fmall, and of a faint red : they ftand in the bofoms of the leaves, and parti- cularly at the tops of the ftalks and branches^ where there is a kind of fpreading head, formed by a large tuft of leaves, with a great deal of hairy matter at their bafe. 71ie flalk is lightly hairy, and the leaves are of. a light fhining green. It is a native of South America, and flowers in July. Herman calls ic Portulaca lamiginofa pfyllii folio ere^icr, ct elatior flore dilute rubente. Others call it Portulaca orientalis hir Jut of olio. GENUS IX, CORCUOPiVS- HpHE Aower is compofed of five petals regularly difpo- J : the feed-vefTel is very large, and \% * furmed of five valves, and contains five cells : the cup is formed of five fmall leaves, and falls with the flower. Linnnjus places this among the pohantlria monogynia \ the threads in the centre of the flower be- ing numerous, and riling from the receptacle, and the flyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. I. Long'fruited Corchorus. Corcharus foliis crenntis barbatis friUUi longo. The root is long, flender, and full of fibres. The flnlk is flriated, round, upright, a foot and a half high, and divided into many branches. The leaves fiand irregularly on ic, and they are large, of an oval lorm, but pointed, and of a pale green. They are fhurply ferratcd all the way at the edges, and the two points of the ferratures on each fide ncarefi the footflalk, run out into each a long, fiender, hooked filament of apin-plifii co- lour ; this gives them the name of barbated leaves. The flowers rife fiom the bofoms of the leaves : they are fupporccd on fliort footflalks, and are of a pale yellow. The feeu-velTcl is very long and flender: it is pointed at the end, and contains numerous feeds. It is a native of iEgVpt and Amercia, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Cor chorus PUnii. Others, Alcaa olitoria^ five corchorus Americana. 2. Short-fruited Corchorus. Corchorus fru£Iu brevi foliis oblongis barbatis: The root is large, and divided. The fi:em is hard, woody, branched, and co- vered with a yellowifh bark. The leaves are placed irregularly ; and they are long, broad toward the bafe, and continued to a narow point : they are ferrated all the way at the edges, and the two lower ferratures, as in the former, are continued into flender, hooked, or curled filaments. The flowers fland in the bofoms of the leaves, and are fmall, and of a whitifh yellow. The feed-vefiTel is large, fliort, and marked on the outfide with five cuts, and in the fame manner divided into five parts within : the feeds are numerous and large. It is a native of the Eaft, and of America, and flowers in Auguft. Plukenet calls it Corchorus Jmericanus pra^ lorgis foliis capfiila firiata fubrotunda hrevi. The ufe of thefe plants is for the table, not for medicine. 2 ■ GENUS 21 6 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS X. H O L L O W L E A F. S A R A C E N A. THK Hower conHRs of five pet:ils, which are of an oval figure, and bend inwards: the Teed- vcficl is roundidi. and divided inC] five cells: the fiower has two cups; the lower cup is compofcd of three fmall oval leaves ; the upper one Is compofed of five very lar-^e and coloured leaves, and both fall with the flov/er : the leaves are hollov/, and have a kind of lip furroundino" or rifing over the opening. The flower of this genus is not lefs fingular than the leaf. We owe the right explanation of its fi:ru6lure to Linnrtus, for others have confounded the uppei- cup with the petals. That author places it among the polyandria monogynia ; the threads in the flower beino- numerous, and rifing from the receptacle, :ind the ftyle from the rudiment of the fruit fino-Ie. 1 . I. Short-leaved purple Saracena. . Saracena foliis gihlis brez'iorihus. The root is comjiofed of numerous thick fibres. The leaves that: rife from it are large, and of a very fl.range and fingular figure : they are ob- long, hollov/, and fvvelled ; narrow at the bafe, broader and gibbous upward, and toward the top they again grow fmaller by way of neck : from this part the edge is carried out into a great lip or ear furrounding the opening, which is very broad. The whole leaf is of a dulky green colour, of a very tough and firm fubftancc, and marked with a number ot thick, irregular veins. The llalk rifes up in the midO; of the tuft of leaves, and is llender, perfedtly upright, and naked. It fupports on its top a fingle flower, which is very large and beautiful : its lhape refembles chat of the globe-flower, and its colour is a faint purple. The feed-veflcl is large, and the feeds are nu- merous, roundifli, but terminating in a pointy and fmall. It is a native of America, and grows in wet places. It flowers in July. Authors have called it by a variety of names. ■The firft knowledgeof the plant was from Clufius, but that was very imperfeft. He never faw more than a fingle leaf of ic, and the figure of a tuft of thefe with the rudiments of a fl.a!k, but without any thing relating to the fiower. This he received from an apothecary of Paris, who had it from Tifbon, but knew no- thing more of it: probably it had been brought thither from the Brazils. ThisClufius publifiied ; and he guefled the plant to be a fpccies of limoiiium, or of lome genus al- lied to ic. From Clufius, the figure, defcription, and name of Jimonio congener got to the common Englifli writers, who called it alfo hollow-leaved fea-Invender, and the Jtratige hollo'X-leaved plant. Since this time many of the curious have met with it, and the flower is become known, which we jind is not at all !efs fingular than the leaves : but when the entire plant was fcen, there was a great deal of perplexity where to put it, and by what name to call it. Morifon calls it Coilophyllum Virginianum hreviore folio et flore. Plukenec, Bucaucphyllum Americayiim Limonio congener di^um. C. Bauhine named it at riiiidom, Lvnomum pere^rinmt foliis forma fioris ArijlolochU. 2. Long-leaved yellow S.iracena. Saracena foliis longioribus anguftis. The root is compofcd of thick, long, and black fibres. The leaves rife in a tuft, and fland tolerably erefl: they are hallow in the manner of the others, but they are very long, flcnder, and regularly fliaped : they are fmalleft at the bafe, and thence go up gradually encreafing to the top ; fo that they perfeaiy reprefent a long, fiender cone in- verted : at the top they are open, and there rifes there a roundifii, pointed lip, from a fmall neck : they are of a firm fubftance, and deep green, and they have large ribs running lengthwife. The round part at the top has alfo fome large veins, which fpread from a principal one in the middle. The ftalk rifes in the centre of this clufl:er, and IS naked, fiender, upright, and of a purplilh co- lour at the bottom, and a pale yellowifli green to- ward the top. Tiie flower is very large and yellow : one ftaiid^ at the top of the flalk, and no mure ; its form is the fame with that of the preceding. The feed-vcfl^el is round and large, and the feeds are very numerous, and of a dark brown. It is a native of America, and, like the former, lives in wet places. Ic flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls this Thuris Umpidi folium, and it ftands under the fame name in Lobei and others. Plukenet calls it Biicanephyllum elatius Virginia- num, five Limonio congeneris altera fpecies foliis triplo longioribus. Morifon, Coilophyllum Virginianum longicre folio €re£lo, flore luteo. The natives have an opinion of the leaves of thefe plants as a fovereign remedy againft veno- mous bites : they boil them in water, and, when they are tender, lay them upon the part ; but this has no certain authority as to its fuccefs. When we became firfl: acquainted with that part of the world, there was an opinion that the na- tives underflood the virtues of their plants in a particular manner, and great paias were taken to obtain the knowledge from them : but the farther enquiry was made, the lefs dependance it was found could be placed upon their accounts. They had among them people who had the art of im- pofing upon the relt, and this fkili in herbs was one of the great articles of their pretended know- ledge i but ic was ufually very little. rhe EN D of the Uh B. Y E T n CLASS. THE THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS xir. Plants whofe flower is cotnpfed of six petals, their feeds contained i?s a SINGLE CAPSULE. THE plants which compofe this clafs are very few ; yet they are fo perfeflly charafterifed by the number of petals, that they are fcparated by Nature from all others ; and the (ludent will find oreat familiarity and eafe in the diflmftion. They are obvioufly known by this number of their petals" and he is notfent to look for them among a multiplicity of others, with which fome have confounded them ; but will find them here alone, and in their place, allotted plainly by Nature, after thofe which have the fame kind of feed-vefl'el, and one petal lefs in the flower. Plainly as thefe genera are charaSerifed by Nature, and evidently as Ihe diftates where they fiiould ftand, Linnajus has difperfed them in his works, and placed them among thofe to which they are not in the leafl; allied. juriur jr We have but two genera of this clafs natives of Bntam, and thefe he has feparated from one ano- ther by five intermediate claffes, placing the falicaria among his dodecmdria, and the pmla among his bexandria. SERIES I. Natives of B R I T A I N. Thofe of which one or more fpecies are found naturally wild in this country. G E N U S I. SPIKED WILLOWHERB. S A L I C A R I A. THE flower confifts of fix petals regularly difpofed : the feed-veflel is fingle, oblong, and pointed, and the feeds are numerous and fmall : the cup is formed of a fingle piece : it is hollow and ftriated, and is divided into ten fegments at the edge, which are alternately longer and Ihorter. Linnaius places this among the dodtcandria momgynia ; the threads in the centre of the Bower being twelve, and the fl:yle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. He takes away its received mmt falica- ria, and calls it lythrm. N" 22. Kkk D I V I- 2l8 The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. r. Common-fpiked Willowherb. Siiiicaria foliis oppojitis. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with many fibres. The ftalks are numerous, firm, large, upright, and five feet high : they are not much branched ; they are of ah angulated figure, and of a brown colour toward the bottom, and green near the top. The leaves ftand in pairs : they are large, and have no footftalk : they are broadeft at t"he bafe, and narrower all the way to the end ; not at all notched at the edges, and of a frefli green. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful purple : they grow in long, thick fpikes at the tops of the Ifalks, and of many Ihoots that rife from the bo- foms of the upper leaves. The fecd-veffel is large, and the feeds are very numerous and fmall. It is common by waters, and makes a very elegant figure in autumn when in flower. Many of the American plants we nurfe up for their beauty, are not equal to this weed, nor fo worthy a place in gardens. C. Bauhine calls it Lyfmachia fpicata purpurea forte Plimi. Clufius, Lyfimachia purpurea com- inutiis major. Others fimply, Lyfmachia pur- purea. The root of this plant is a good aftringent : it DIVISION II. Narrow-leaved fpiked Willowherb. Salicaria foliis angufiiorilus flare ruhente. The root is long, thick, and furnilhed with large fibres. The fl:alk is fquare, firm, upright, and a foot high. The leaves are narrow, oblong, and pointed : they have no footftalks, and they are not at all ferrated on the edges. They are very irregularly and uncertainly placed on the ftalk : thole toward the bottom are in pairs, or fometimes three grow at a joint ; thofc on the upper part ftand alternately. does not aft with violence ; but, being continued in fmall dofes, feldom fails to anfwer its efteft in fliopping purgings or hemorrhages. The juice is laid to be good againfl: inflamma- tions of the eyes ; and fome have recommended the diftilled water for the fame purpofe. 2. Sfiialt fpiked Willowherb. Salicaria foliis aliernis. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with large fibres. - - The ftalk is round, upright, firm, branched, and a foot high. The leaves are placed irregularly, and have no footftalks: they are oblong, narrow, fharp-pointcd, and of a deep green. The flowers are fmall, and of a bluifli purple : they do not ftand in long, thick fpikes at the tops of the ftalks, but are placed in the bofoms of the upper leaves. The feed-veflel is fmall, and the feeds arc nu- merous and minute. It is found in many parts of England, where there have flood waters in winter. It flowers in June. Ray calls it Salicaria hyjfopifolia. C. Bauhine, Hyffopifolia. Our people. Small hedge- hyffep : but this is a very improper name, as it con- founds it with a genus to which it it not at all alUed. The flowers are large, and of a bright beauti- ful red : they do not form a long, com- padi: Jpike, as thofe of the common kind, but ftand in the bofoms of the upper leaves in the manner of thofe of the laft defcribed fpecies. The feed-veflels are large and pointed, the feeds minute and brown. It is frequent on the fhores of the Danube, and elfewhere in Europe in the like damp places. It flowers in July. Clufius calls it Lyfmachia purpurea minor. C.Bauhine, Lyfimachia rubra mn filiqmfa. Others, the kffir-jpiled 'aillo-wherb, Lyfimachia fpicata mi- nor. FOREIGN SPECIES. GENUS II. WATER PURSLAIN. P 0 R T U L A. rpHE flower is compofed of fix very fmall petals, regularly difpofed, and inferted near the edge of the cup: the Ibd-veflel is heart-fafliioncd, divided into two partitions, and full of minute feeds : the cup is large, bell-fafliioned, and divided at the extremity into twelve fegments, which are alternately larger and fmaller. Linnsjus places this among the hexandria momgynia ; the threads in the centre of the flower beino fix, and the Ityle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. " He takes away its name porlula, and calls it peplis. Of this genus there is but one known fpecies, and that is a native of Britain.' Water The BRITISH HERBAL. 219 Water PurQain. P 07- tula. The root Is compofed of a few fmall fibres. The ftalks are numerous, round, and weak : they are flefliy, and of a pale green, and fome- times purplifl-i: many of them He upon the ground, and take root at the joints ; but others ftand ered ; and they are in general about three inches in length, and rarely at all branched. The leaves are placed in pairs ; they are oblong, broad, of an inverted oval figure, and liave no footftalks : their fubftance is flefiiy, and their co- lour a pale green, though, like the ftalks, they are alfo fometimes redifh. The flowers are fmall and purple, and ftand in the bofoms of the leaves. The feed-veflels are alfo fmall, and the feeds very minute ; but the cups are large and very confpicuous. It is common in damp places, and flowers in May. Authors have been much perplexed where to place this little plant, or by what name to call ir. Ray calls ic Poriula, from its having fomething of the afped of furjlain, Micheli calls it Glau- coidcs palujlre fortulaca folio florilus purpureis. Lsfehus, Glaux aqiiatica folio fuhrotunda. C. Bauhine, Alfine minor fcrpyllifolia. The people in fome parts of England give the juice of it agiinft the gravel : it operates brilkly by urine. SERIES II. Foreign Genera. Thofe of which there is no fpecies native of this country. G E N U S L L I O N L E A F. LEOT^rOPETALON. THE flower is compofed of fix oval petals, alternately larger and fmaller : the feed-velTel is very large, androundi[h: it is inflated, and fomewhat fucculent, and contains a few large feeds: the cup is very fmall ; it is compofed of fix leaves ; and it falls with the flower. Linnaeus places this among the hexandria monogynia ; the threads in the flower being fix, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. This author takes away its name leontopetakn^ and calls it, by an arbitrary variation, leontice. I. Broad-leaved Leontopetalon. Leontopetalon foUis latis. The root is thick, tuberous, roundilh, and of a dufiiy colour. The firft leaves are large, broad, and of the compofite kind : each is formed ot five princi- pal parts i two pairs of thefe are difpofed in the manner of pinnn-, and the odd one is at the end . on each of the lower pinns there are three dif- tinct, roundifh leaves ; and the upper pair, and alfo the odd leaf at the top, have a threefold divifion : they are of a tawny green, whence the plant has been named, as refembling the colour of the lions hair. The ftalk rifes in the midft of a clufter of thefe firft leaves, and is firm, upright, and ftri- ated: its colour is the fame tawney ycUowifh, but is ftriated with purple. The flowers are fmall and yellow : they ftand in great numbers on the tops of the ftalk, and of the branches. The feed-vefl"el is large, and the feeds are roundifh, and alfo large. It is a native of the Eaft, and of the warmer parts of Europe; and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Leontopetalon; and mofl follow him, adding no diftindion to the name. Tournefort calls it Leontapetalon foliis cojia alata adnafccntibus. Our people call it Liojisleaf Lion- kaved turnips and fome of them the Black turnip, and Lion turnip. 2. Narrow-leaved Leontopetalon. Leontopetalon foUis ajiguftimbus. The root is very large, thick, tuberous, ir. regularly rounded, and of a dufky colour on the furface, and redifti within. The firft leaves are numerous, and of a very Angular form : they are pinnated, but each pair of pinnfc are double ; and they are fo difpofed that they feem to ftand crofiTwife, and do not give the ufual afpeft of a pinnated leaf: they are of a deep dufky green, and are finuated at the edges ; fo that they are fuppofed to have fome refemblance to the oak leaf ; but that is not very ftriking. The ftalks are numerous, round, ftriated, flen- der, and toward the cop divided into numerous branches : they are of a yellowifh colour, and ftreaked with red. The flowers are large and yellow : they ftanj 220 The BRITISH HERBAL. at the tops of the ftalks, and at the extremities of the divifions of the branches. The feed-velTtl is large, oblong, and thick; and the feeds arc large and roundifh. It is a native of the Eafb, and is there frequent in the corn-fields and other cultivated grounds- It flowers in September. C.Bauhine calls it LeorAofetah afims foli'is qticrm. Tournefort, Leontopetalon foliis caft^ f.mpUct in- nafcentibus. Others, Chryfogomwi diofcond^s, and fimply Chryfogonum. The root of the firfl kind is ufed to take fpots out of woollen cloths; and it is faid to have feme efficacy in medicine as a diuretick. The other is not ufed. G E N U S II. M E D E 0 L .1. 'TpHE flower is compofed of fix petals, which turn back : the feed-vefiel is large, roundirti, and divided into three cells, each of which is a fingle large feed : there is no cup. LinnsEus places this among the hexandria trlgynia ; the threads in the flower being fix, and the flyles from the rudiment of the fruit three. Greenilli-flowered Medeola. Medeola fioribus virefcentibus. The root is large, thick, and has nwny fibres. The firfl leaves are large, long, and undivided : they have no footftalks : they are broadeft in the middle, and pointed at the end, and undivided at the edges. The fialk is round, upright, firm, and not at all branched. The leaves on it are, like thofe from the root, broadefl in the middle, oblong, fmall at the bafe, pointed at the end, and of a frefh green. They are difpofed in a ftellated manner on the ftalks, fix or more at a joint, except at the top» where there grow two or three irregularly. The flowers are fmall and greenifh: they grow fingly on flender footftalks at the top of the main ftalk, and their petals all turn back: as thefe are green and fmall, fome have called them a cup, and fay the plant has no flower ; but this is erroneous. The feed-veflel is fmall, and the feeds arc roundifh, but dented at one end. It is a native of Virginia, and flowers in July. Gronovius calls it Medeola folih jleUatis lanceo- lalis. The END of the TWELFTH CLASS. THE THE BRITISH HERBAL, CLASS xiir. Plants ■with the flower coirtpofed of numerous petals, and the feeds contained in a SINGLE CAPSULE. THIS is a clafs, which, Hke the former, comprehends but a few plants; but they are fo perfeftly and obvicuny fcparated by Nature from all others, that whofoever follows her fteps mufl: thus arrange them diftinftly. As we have hitherto alfo purfued her traces through the feveral difpofitions of plants, which, agreeing in the mark of a fingle feed-veffel, have from one to fix petals in each flower, here is the place where the ftudent will expeft to find thofe genera which, with the firfl: grand charafieriftick of a fingle capfule, have more than fix petals. So plain; fo eafy, and fo familiar, is the fcience of botany, when not encumbered with intricate words, and ufelefs diftinftions. We have, in this, as in the former clafs, but two genera, any fpecies of which 'are natives of Britain. Yet thefc two Linnjeus has fcparated by feveral claffes, puting the hyfopitys among his decandria, and the nymphxa among the polyaniria, though both agree in thefe obvious particulars- His method is unhappy that thus reduces him to feparate plants the moll palpably alUedi and join them to the moll unhke. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm^mmmm^ SERIES I. BritishGenera. Thole of which one or more fpecies are natives of this country. GENUS I. H r p 0 p 1 1 r s. THE flower is compofcd of numerous petals, which are ferrated at their ends t the feed-vcflel is oval, and marked with five ridges ; and the feeds are numerous and light : there is no cup. Some have called the outer petals of the flower by that name ; but they err ; thefe properly con- flitute a part of the flower, and contain in their bafes, which are hollowed for that purpofe, itj honeyed juice. Linna:us places this among the decandria mmogynia ; the threads in the' flower being ten, and the ftyie from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. This author takes away its received name hypopifys^ and calls it mmotropa. The reader will perceive, in the dcfcription of the firfl: plant of this genus, a reafon for not afcer- taining the number of petals in the plants of this, as in thofe of the preceding clafs : nature does not obferve that particular here fo ftrifily ; when the petals in flowers are in a large number they are ge- nerally uncertain. In this fpecies of hypopitys the flower which terminates the ftalk ufually has ten pe- tals, and the others, when there are more, have only eight. N» 22. Lll DIVI- 222 The BRITISH HERBAL. BRITISH S P E C I K S. DIVISION I. Yellow Hj'popitys. H)'popiixs fwYibus minerofis jla'vh. The root is fmall, and of an irregular figure-, ^ , Ic lies deep in the ground, and a part of the flalk is buried alfo with it. The part of the ftalk which appears above the furface is about eight inches in height : it is thick, ^efliy, tender, and of a pale yellow colour: it riles upright, and is not at all branched. The leaves are thin and filmy, and fcarce dc- ferve that name : they fland alternately, and ad- here to the ftalk by a broad bafe, whence they diminifh gradually to a point: they are alfo of a- pale^ dufty yellow colour. The flowers grow in a thick, fhort fpike at the top of ihe ftalk, with many of thefe filmy leaves ■ among them ; they are for t!ie moft part covered by thefe films, and rarely come to perfedion, excepting one which terminates the clufter, and is more open to the air: the top ufuaily bends down, but, when the plant is well nourifhedj it will fometimes Hand quite upright. The flower is of the fame yellow colour with the rcfl; of the plantj and, when nicely examined, is found to have the ten petals difpofed in two feries; the five inner petals are narrower j the five outer ones broader, arid protuberant on ■the outfide at the bale; witliin there is a hol- low, containing the honey juice: thefe arc the petals fome have called leaves of a cup ; but tlicir ufe in carrying this Iwiret licjuor fliews them to be a part of the flower. When the other flowers ripen, theyconfifl: of fewer petals, and are fmaller: the number ufuaily is eight, fometimes lefs than that. The Iced velTel is large, and the feeds are very fmall. We have it in fome large woods in England, but it is not common. Dr. Plot found it in Oxfordiliire; Dr. Maningham in Suflex j and Mr. Doody in Hertfordfliire. I iliewed it In great plenty, in |:he year 1745, to the Duke of Rich- mond in Charlton foreft, Suffex, whence we en- deavoured to make it live in Goodwood gardens, but in vain; we tried it in many parts of t!\e flielcered grounds, but it all failed : though, not improbably, fome may have fmcc rifen there from the fcattered feeds. We found the truth of Mr. Ray's obfervation, that it begins to fmell fweet when it is fading, and not while in its vigour : the fcent is agreeable, but very Angular. Mr. Ray eried in the placing of this plant: he has put it among thofe with four-leavcd flowers and a fingle capfulc. Ray calls it Bypoptys liitea. Plot, IlypopUys lutea 'UcrhafcuU adore. DIVISION 11. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Hollow-leaved Hypopitys. Bypopitys folits cavis. The root is fmall, fliort, thick, notched, and Vhite. No more than the root is buried in the ground in this fpecies ; the whole plant being above the furface, in the ufua! manner. The flalks are round, flendcr, of a pale brown colour, and about four inches high. The leaves are placed irregularly upon them ; and they are oblong, narrow at the bafe, broader to the end, and hollowed in the manner of a fpoon. They are of the fame brown colour with the llalk. The flowers fland in a fhort fpike at the top, and are not buried among the leaves that rife there, but have fhort footfl;alks that thrufl; them forward, and keep them clear. They are fmall, and of a fainter colour than the reft of the plant. The feed-veflTel is large and ribbed; and the feeds are very minute. It is a native of Virginia, and flowers in Auguft:. Plukenet calls it Orohanche Verhafculi odore ; and fuppofes it to be the fame with the prrced- -ingi buterroneoufly. S.'Hypopitys with rounded leaves. " " Hypopitys foliis Jnhrotundis, - The root confifts of a few ftraggUng, irregular fibres. The ftalk is round, flendcr, upright, and in 3 manner naked till near the top: its colour is a pale yellow, and it is never at all branched: the height is about fix inches. Toward the bottom of the flalk there flrand a few very fmall films infl:cad of leaves : thcfc are placed irregularly, and at confiderablc diflances. A little higher up thefe films grow larger, and are fet in pairs; and near the top they fpread into fmall, rounded leaves, placed alfo in p.iirs. The flowers fliand at the top of the fl;alk ii. a fmali tuft, or fliort, thick fpike : two of the' rounded leaves are fltuated jufl; under the fii' and ufuaily there are many others among flowers. The flowers themfelves are fmall and ye)io-.v : the feed-veffels alfo are fmall, oval, and llriated - and the feeds are very minute. It is common in the woods of North America, and flowers in July. Plukenet calls it Orohanche Virginiana radice fibrofa fumma c auk foliis fubrotundis. The exter- nal appearance of thefe plants has occafioned moft authors to confound them in name with the orohanche^ or hroomrafc, though the flowers are fo perfedily different. 3. Hypopitys with a fingle drooping flower," Hypopitys fore foUtario nutante. The root is fmall and inconfiderable. The flalk is thick, tender, upright, four inches high, of a pale yellowifli colour, and covered with little films by way of leaves. 2 Thefe The BRITISH H E R B A L. 223 Th'^fc are of a paler colour than the body of tlic llalk ; and they ai'e fnorter toward the lower part of the plant, and are there placed much thicker, and clofer together ; and are longer, and more remote toward the top. Tills fpecies naturally pioduces only a [ingle fio-.ver : it is placed, not at the extremity of the ftalk, br.t near it ; and as the whole top bends, this flower hangs downward : it is very Ln ge, and of a beautiful ftraw colour : it is rompol'ed of ten petals in two feries, as in the otheis of this genus; but the inner five are fmall, and are lijiTietirnes wanting : this has occafioned lome who have feen it to call the flower ^CH.'ii- peldlbtls j but its proper number of petals is teUj as in the reft of this genus. The feed veflel is large and ftriated : the fcedj are numerous and fmall. It is a native of North America, and flowers in April. Gronovius calls it Afonotropa jlore nutante. We have no knowledge of the virtues of thefa plants, nor do they feem to polTefs any worthy enquiry. GENUS WATER-LILLY. N r M P H A. TH£ Bower is Cnmpofed of numerous petals, regularly difpofed, and fixed to the fide of the but he calls it Saxifraga graminm pufilla flore parvo tetrapetalo. Others) Saxifraga Jnglica nlfmefQlin. 2. Annual Pearlwort. Alfindla annua foliis h-evhriliis. The root is long, (lender, and white. The leaves rife from it in a fmall duller, and fpread themfclvcs upon the ground in the man- ner of the rays of a liar : they are oblong, fome- what broad, and of a dufky green. 1 he ilalks are numerous, upright, and very much branched : they are of a pale green, and about an inch high. The leaves on thefe are placed two at each joint; and they are very fmall, narrow, oblong, ftiarp-pointed, and of a faint green. The flowers are very numerous : they Hand at the tops of the ftalks and branches, and on Gngle pedicles rifing from the bofoms of the leaves : they are finall and white. The fccd-vefl'cl is little and round, and is full of very minute feeds. It is common in garden-walks, and between the ftoncs of fl:cps in old houfts. It flowers in M.iy. It is known at fight .from the other, by bcin» in feparate fmall plants, not running into grca° complex tufts. Plot calls it Saxifraga Anglica alftmfolia amua. Plukener, Alfme faxifraga graminifelia flofmlis tempelatis berbidis mnfcifis j but the flowers are much more difiinfl: than thofe of the otheri and whiter. 3. Thick-leaved Pearlwort. Alfmella fcliis cralfis. The root is compofcd of numerous, (lender, crooked, and very long fibres. The leaves rife in a large tuft ; and they are oblong, but fomewhat broad, thick, flelliy, fliarp-pointed, and of a bright green. The ilalks are numerous, and very much branched they are an inch and half high, and of a pale green. The leaves on thefe are alfo fomewhat thick and flefhy ; but they are ihort and broad, though very fmall. ° The flowers grow at the tops of the ftalks, and their petals are broad, and rounded at the end. The feed-veflel is roundilh, and full ot minute yellow feeds. This was firft found in the north of England; but it is common in many other places, pafllno- unobferved among the others, though r.allv and certainly a diftinft fpecies. It flowers in pril. Ray calls itSaxifraga graminea puftha [oliis bre- viarihus crajfmribus fuccukntioribus. It was firft obfcrved in Northumberland by Mr. Lawfon. 4. Slender, upright Pearlwort. Alfmella ereCta flore majore. The root is compofed of numerous fmall fibres. The firft leaves are numerous, oblong, and (harp-pointed : they have no footftalks, and they are of a beautiful green. The ftalk rifes in the centre of thefe, ajid is round, upright, fiender, and of a pale colour. The leaves on the ftalk arc like thofe (rom the root, broadeft at the bafc, and narrower ro the point: they ftand in pairs, and are placed at confiderabie diftances, fo that fp.ices of the naked glofty ftalks are feen : the whole plant is not more than two or three inches high. The flowers are large, and fnow-white, and one of them ftands on the top of every fta k • fometimcs alfo there rife ftioots from the bofoms of the leaves, each of which has on its top in the fame manner .; fingle flower. The feed-vefl"cl is roundifti, and full of very fiuall feeds. It is frequent in dry pafturcs, and flowers early in fpring : there is abundance of it in Hyde- park, where it makes a very pretty appear- ance. Ray calls it Alfme tetrapetalos caryofhylloides ifiibufdam holofteum mimmum. Dillcnius, Alfme'U foliis caryofhylleis. Magnol, Alfme 'jena glabra. The virtues of thefe little plants are not fup- ported upon the authority of experience, but very confiderabie ones arc attributed to them. They arc faid to be powerful diuretics, and good againft the gravel and ftone, taken in the form of an expreficd juice, or in a ftrong infu- fion. The opinion of diflblvents of the ftone is aC this time over ; but, while it remained in ci cdit, and r H E BRITISH HERBAL. and the fcvcral klr.ds of faxifrcges were fuppofed to poikTs i:, ciufc had cheir fnare in the cha- raiSlcr. 5. Upright, branched Pearlwort. Alfinella ramofior er^^a. The root is cotnpofcd of fmall and Tiender fibres. The ftalks are numerous and fiender ; Tome of them lie upon the ground, but the greater part are ereft : they are round, flender, and of a pale green. The leaves are very narrow and oblong : they are placed two at each joint, and thofe joints are at diftances on the ftallc. From the bofom of almoft every leaf rifes a fboot, which is afterwards branched out into other divifions ; fo that the whole plant is bufliy, and about four inches high. The flowers are fmall and white : they Hand at the tops of all the branches, and alfo on finglc footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves. The feed-velTel is large, rounded, and com- preffcd i and the feeds are large, and not nume- rou'=. It is common on heaths in many parts of the kingdom, and flowers in June. DIVISION II. F O I. Tall, long-leaved Pearlwort. Alfinella elalior foUii hngioribu^ migujlis. The root is long, flender, white, and furnilhed with many fibres. The ftalks are numerous; very flender, not much branched, and fix inches high. The leaves are placed in pairs, and at confi- derable diflances, on the ftalk : they are long, and very narrow, of a' beautiful grafs-grecn, and fharp- pointed. The flowers are fmall and white : they (land at the tops of the ftalks, and of young Ihoots that rife from the bofoms of the leaves, and feme few on long, flender footftalks, that rife immediately from the bofoms of thofe leaves, whence there are no other flroots. The feed-vefiel is round, and the feeds are Very minute. It is frequent on the mountains on the northern parts of Europe, and flowers in July. Magnol calls it Polygomm angufiijfimo p-amineo folio ereSium. Ray, /iljlno polygonoides temifoUa fofadis ad longitud netn canlis 'vdut in fpicam dif- poftis. 6. Shorr, many- leaved Pearlwort. Alfmlla foUis hrevihus mmerofis. . The root is flender, and hung with fibresi The fl:alks are numerous, flender, upright, and four inches high : they are of a pale green, and not much branched. The leaves fl:and in pairs ; but there are al- ways many ihoots of young ones riflng from their bofoms : they arc fliort, fomewhat broad, and of a duflcy green. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks and branches, and from the bofoms of the leaves alfo there rife pedicles fupporting feveral ; they are fmall, white, and quickly fade. The feed-veflel fmall, and the feeds are nume- rous and minute. We have it on wet ground in the Ifle of Ely. It flowers in July. Ray calls it Alfmajlrum gmtioU folio. Frequently the whole plant is red. RfiIGN SPECIES. C. Bauhine calls \t Al/me montana capillaceo foliii and others borrow the fame name. 2. Large-flowered Pearlwort. Alfinella foliis majoribus flore aliijuantulum majore'. The root is compofed of a few filaments. The ftalks are numerous, ereft, flender, and very much branched : they are of a pale green, and their joints are at fmall diflances. The leaves ftand two at each joint, and they are fmall, fliort, and narrow. The flowers are larger than in moft of thefe plants, but they are not very confiderable : thejf are white, and are placed at the tops of the branches, and on footftalks from the bofoms of the leaves. The feed veflel is large, and the feeds are few. It is frequent in Germany, and flowers in April. Columna calls it Alfme ramofa glabra. GENUS III. ALLSEED. R AB 1 O L A. THE flower is compofed of four petals regularly difpofed : the fecd-veffel is oval, and made of eight valves ; it contains eight cells, and in each a fingle feed : the cup is formed of a fingle piece, divided into numerous, flender fegments. Linna;us makes this a fpecics of limim or flax, though it contradia the whole generical charafter. There is but one known fpecies of it, and that is a native of Britain, Allfced, 228 The BRITISH HERBAL. Alllecd. Rcidiola, The root is fmall, and furnidicd with fibr< many The ftall; is round, and divided into a vad multitude of branches. Tlie whole plar.t is not more than an inch high. The leaves fland in pairs, and they are of a dufky green, fhort, and broad. The flowers are very fmall, and white; and they ftand in clufters at the tops of the branches. The feed-veffels are large and brown ; and the feeds minute. It is not uncommon on heaths, and flowers in J"iy. Ray calls it Radiola vulgaris ftrp^-lUfelia. O- thers, Hermria minmm. SERIES 11. Foreign Genera. Thofe of which there is no fpecies native of this country. GENUS I. BARRENWORT. E P E M E D I U M THE flower is formed of four petals, regularly difpofed: the feed-veflil is long flender pomted at the end, and made of two valves, containing numerous feeds in a finale cell" the cup IS compofed of four leaves, and falls with the flower. ° Linn.-eus places this among the Mra„Jria momsyma ; the threads in the centre of the flower beine Jour, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. pi this genus there is but one known fpecies. Barrenwort. Epimedium. The root is (lender and creeping, and is hung about with numerous fibres. The firfl: leaves ftand on long, flender, and divided footftalks, and there arc ufually tiiree on each divifion. They are heart-fafliioned, deeply cut in at the bafe, and thence fmailer to the extremity ; and are very lharply ferratcd round the edges. The ftalk rifes among thefe, and is round, firm, upright, not at all branched, and a foot high. There ufually ftands one of thefe compound leaves upon it, conlifting of five fingle ones, each on its own feparate footftalk ; and thefe arc, like thofe from the root, heart-fafliioned, ferrated, and pointed. ' The flowers ftand at the top of the fl:alk in a kind of fpike, and each has its feparate, flender footftalk: they are of a deep purple, with an edge of yellow, The feed-veflil is long and flender, and the feeds are oblong and fmall. It is a native of many of the northern parts of Eiirope, and lives in the damp parts of forefts. It flowers in Auguft. All authors call it Epimedium; the plant being fo Angular that it needs no diftinftive epithets. It has been faid to be a native of this king- dom, but not truly. Its virtues are not certainly known. G E N U e II. PODDED CUMMIN. H r P E C 0 U M. THE flower is compofed of four petals of unequal fize : two of thefe are larger, and divided <- n '''. JJ'^/^'n'fr'-' ^"V^^'''"'''""''"""™''^'^^^ ^™ ft^nd inwards, and are fmall and dmdedfl,ghtly .nto three parts at the top; the middle fegment being hollowed, com- prefl-ed and creel : the feed-vefl-cl ,s long, crooked, and jointed: the cup is compofed of two little leaves, and falls with the flower. ^ Linn^us places this among At telrmdria digynia ; th, threads in the centre of the flower bein.^ tour, and the Ityles from the rudiment of the fruit two. ° I. Comnftj: The BRITISH HERBAL. 229 K Common Fodckd Cummin. U;peccum valvar/!. The root is long, thick, and furniniLd wlch many fibres. The leaves that rife from it are large, and beautifully divided into fegments : they are oi the pinnated form, but er.ch of the pinn^ of which they are compofed, is again divided into fmahcr parts ; and they are deeply notched at the edges: the whole leaf is of a pale biulll-i or yel- lowifli green ; and its pedicle is often redilh to- ward the ground. The (talk is round, ridged, upright and of a pale colour: often it is flatted. Toward the lower part it is fimple, and ufually naked : higher up It has fcveral leaves; and toward the top it divides into branches. The leaves on the ftalk are like thofe from the root, only fmaller. The flowers are moderately large, and of a bright yellow: they ftand on nender footftalks at the extremities of the branches. The feed-velTel is long, crooked, and jointed i and in each joint there is contained a fingle ob- long feed. It is common in the fouthern parts of Europe, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it fimply Hypecoum and mofl; authors follow him. Others call it Hypecoum filiqiiis ariicuhtis. 2. Podded Cummin v/ith fmooth puds. Hypecoum fdiquis teretibus l^vibus. The root is long, {lender, and fuiT.i'Ij'd with numerous fibres. The iirfl: leaves are long, narrow, and pinnated : each is compofed of four, five, cr more pairs of pinnse on a long middle rib, with an odd one at the end ; and they are all very deeply indented, fome of the lower ones down to the rib : the colour of the whole leaf is a frefli and beauti- ful green. I'he ftalks are fiender, round, upright, aad ten inches high. The leaves on them refemble thofe from the root, but that they are fmaller and of a paler colour, and are more deeply indented. The flowers ftand at the tops of the flalks ; and they are fmall and yellow. The feed-veiTel is a long pod, not jointed, as in the common hypecoum, but fmooth : it is frequently a little crooked, and always hangs down. The feeds are numerous, oblong, and yellowifh.' It is frequent in many parts of Europe, and flowers in July. Dalefchamp calls it Cuminum fylveflre fdiquatum\ and others have followed him. GENUS III. L U D JF 1 G 1 A. THE flower is formed of four petals regularly difpofcd : the feed- vcflcl is compofed of four valves : the cup is divided into four long and narrow fegments, which appear between the petals of the flower, and remain when it is fallen. Linnzeus places this among the tetrmidriamomgynia ; the threads in the centre of the flower being four, and the fliyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. Alternate-leaved Ludwigia. Liidwi^ia foliis aiigujlis alterms. ■ The root is compofed of numerous long fibres rifing from a fmall liead. Thcfl:.ilk is round, firm, upright, ilriated, and of a yellowilh colour. The leaves are placed alternately upon it ; and they are long, narrow, and Iharp-pointed ; and have no footftalks. The flowers grow toward the tops of the fl:alks, and of the branches rifing from the bofoms of the upper leaves : they are placed fingly in the bofoms of the leaves on thefe parts of the plant ; and are large and yellow. The feed-veflel is fquare and large : it is open at the top, and it contains numerous fmall feeds. It is a native of Virginia, and flowers in July. Plukenet, calls it Lyftmackia non fapoja Jlore hiteo 7najori Jiliqua cm-yophylloide Virginiana. Gro- novius calls ic fimply, Ludwigia. Van Royen, Ludwigia capfulis fnbrotundis. Its virtues are unknown. GENUS IV. O L D E N L A N D I a; T'HE "flower confifts of four petals regularly difpofed, and fprcad open : the feed-veflTel is round and coriaceous, and contains numerous fmall feeds in two cells : the cup is divided into four narrow fegments, and remains when the flower is fallen. ' ; Linnseus places this among the tetraitdria mmogynia ; the threads in the flower being four, and the flyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. 230 The BRITISH HERBAL. I, Broad-icavcd Oldtnlandia. Oldcnlandiit foUis latiorihu. The root i- compofed of a few fmall fibres. The ftalks are numerous, weak, flender, and in o-reat pai t procumbent ; they take root at the joints as they lie, and by this means fpread the plant abundantly. The leaves are placed in pairs, ana have fhort footftalks : they are oblong, broad, and of a faint gi een : they are largeft in the middle, pointed at the ends, and not at all notched at the edges. The flowers grow in the bofoms of the leaves : they are placed on fh rt footftalks, one Cower on each i and they are fmall snd white. The feed-vefTel is large, and contains a number of fmall, brown feeds. It is frequent in North America in damp places. It flowers in June. Plukenet calls it Aljine aqualica major repevs Virginiana foliis acuminatis. Others, Oldeidaiidia unicorn, from the flowers (landing fingly on the footftalks in this fpecies ; they fupporting more in the others. 2. Narrow-leaved Oldenlandia. Ouienlandia angufii]olia. The root is fmall, oblong, and furniflicrd v. ith many fibres. The ftalks are numerous, [lender, round, firm, upright, and branched : they are of a brownifti colour, and brittle. The leaves are placed in pairs, and have tufts of young ones, or the rudiments of branches, in their bofoms all the way uptheftalk: they are long, narrow, and fharp-pointed ; and are ot a duflty green. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks, and of fhoots rifing from the bofoms of the upper leaves, in clufters like little umbelisv and they are fmall. The feed-veftel is large, and the feeds are nu- merous and little, Plukenet calls it LyfimachU affims faturi^e folio madera fpatenfis caffulis in fumitate fere imbellatis. Others, Oldenla?idia umhellata. Its virtues are not known: GENUS V. A M M A N I A. THF. Rower confifts of four petals regularly difpofed, and inferted into the cup; the feed- vefTcr is round, and contains four cells : the cup is hollow, ftriated, and quadrangular : it is divided into eight fcgments at the edge, and four of thefe are fhorter than the others, and are turned back. Linnxus places this among the tctrandria momgynia ; the threads in the centre of the flower beino- four, and the ftyle froni the rudiment of the fruit Angle. Narrow-leaved Ammania. Ammania foliis angujlis. The root is long, flender, divided, and fur- niftied with numerous fibres. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, and ex-, tremely branched : it is of a redifti colour, and tough i and its branches are e^itremely long and flender. The leaves are placed in pairs, and they are oblong, .very narrow, fliarp-pointed, and with- out footftalks. The flowers are placed in cluftrcrs in the bofoms of the leaves ; and they are fmall, and of a bright yellow ; the plant when in flower makes a beautiful appearance ; for it is covered at the joints from the root to the very top. The feed-vefl"cls are round and fmall ; and the feeds are minute and numerous. It is a native of the Eafl: Indies, and flowers in June. Plukenet calls it Anonymos linari^ folio orien- talis Gallii lutei flore herba capfidaris verlicillata. Its virtues are unknown. GENUS VI. WATER CALTROP. f R .-i P J. THE flower confifts of four petals regularly difpofed : the fccd-veflel is of an oblong oval form, very liard, and contains only a fingle cell ; and it is armed with four lharp thorns ; the cup is made of a fingle piece divided into four narrow fegments : it remains after the Bower is fallen ; and the fegments hardening, become the thorns of the feed-vefiel. Linnaus places this among the tctrandria nwnogyn'm ; the threads in the centre of the flower bcino- four, and the fl:yle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. This author has taken away its common name tribulus aquatica, and calls it trapa : this is very proper, becaufc another plant of a very diflS:rent genus is called tribulus terreftris. We have retained the name trapa s keeping with it the Englifh received name water caltrop. Of this genus there is but one known fpecies. 2 The BRITISH HERBAL. 231 The Water Cakrop. Trapa. The root is very long, {lender, and hung with a multitude of fibres. The leaves are numerous, and each is fup- ported on a long, Qender footftalk : they arc broad, ihort, and in figure half round ; being flat where they join the ftalk, and rounded each way from thence: they are of a flefhy fubftance and of a dead green. The footftalks are round, fmooth, light, and hollow. The flowers rife among the leaves, and are fupported each on a fingle, naked, footftalk, nearly as long as thofe of the leaves : they are large and white. The feed-Veflel is large, and extremely hard: it is armed with four very flrong and fliarp prickles, and contains only one feed. The ker- nel is very fweet : it has the tade of a cheft- nur. It is frequent in the warmer parts of Europe, and in the Eaft, and will live in the fait, as well as frefh, water. All the writers call it Tribulus apialkuSy oi Trapa. The fruit is pleafant and nourilhlng. It is eaten in fome places as a delicacy, and in others as a neceflary food being ground to a kind of flour and made iato bread. f/:>e tND of the FOURTEENTH CLASS. THE THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS XV. Plants whofe flower is compofed of four petals regularly difpofed, in form of a crofs, and whofe feeds are contained in a regular pod, of a long and fender floape. THE plants of this clafs are fo effentially and obvioufly diftinguifhed from all others, and fo happily united among themfelves, that moft of the botanical writers have kept them to- gether, and in a diftind: clafs. Ray calls them herhx teirnpetald! filiqmfa ; and Tournefort, herbo' flore polypetalo cruciformi. Linnsus diftinguillics them by the name of tetradymmia ; the threads in the flower being ufually fix, and of thefe, four being always longer than the reft : thefe four he cfteems more efficacious in the fcecundatioa of the feeds ; and thence has named the clafs. This author places in the fame clafs thofe genera which have (hort, and thofe which have lono- pods, only diftinguilhing them as belonging to two feftions. Mr. Ray has done this before him, and fo have many others : but the diftinftion between the feveral genera is fo plain, and fo well obferved by nature, that they demand in a juft method to be arranged under two diftinft claffes. The very authors who place them together, always feparate them by a fubdivillon and they are diftinguilhed by eftabliHied titles univerfally received, and univerfally underflood ; thofe which have long pods being called herh,e fiUqmfa^ and thofe which have lliort ones, herb^ filiculof^. "We are unhappy in the Engliih language in a dearth of fcientilick terms ; we have no names on words that diftindly convey the fenfe of filiqua and fdicula, on which this reparation is founded ■ we only call them long pods and little pods ; but the term filkula is not in this cafe limply a diminu- tive ■, for the fhort pod differs in form as well as fize from the other. There is an antiquated word, ]hak, ufed by fome authors of credit, and adopted by our diflio- naries, for a huik, or covering of feeds : we Ihall, iij this want of terms for diftinflion, appropriate it to the fliort feed-veffel, called in Latin fiUcula, and call the other only a pod. Thus, having eftabliihed words to afcertain our meaning in each article, we fiiall follow the fteps of nature in the divifion of thefe plants, making thofe with pods, filiquiCy conftitute one clafs ; and thofe with fiales filicuU., another. •SERIES The BRITISH HERBAL. SERIES r. Natives of Britain, Thofe of which one or more fpecies are naturally found wild in this country, GENUS I, WALLFLOWER. L E U C 0 I U M, 'T'HE flower Is compofed of four large petals : the pod is long, flender, flatted, formed of twp valves, containing two cells, and terminated by a ftyle, which is fplit at the top: the cup 13 compofed of four long, narrow leaves, and falls with the flower : the feeds are oval and flatted. Linnsus places this, with the reft of the filiquofe plants, among the tetradymmia filiquofn ; but he abolifhes its received name kuccium, calling it cheiranthus. There is one Angular plant of this genus, the pod of which, inftead of terminating in two, has three points. Many have of late made of this a particular genus, under the name of ^iT^v/m; ; but LinnjEUS much more juftiy refers it to the refl, not allowing this alone a fuflicient diftiniflion for a new genus. The botanifts of late time have accounted it an lionour to conftitute new genera ; and have there- fore fought the moll trivial marks for a diiliadiuii, which ought to be founded only on the greatcft and moft obvious. The Arabians call the common yellow ivallfloicer, cheiri ; but it is wrong from that to derive name cheirmthus for the whole genus. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Wallflower. Leitcoium luteum vuharc. The root is divided into a number of long, fl;raggling parts, each furnifhed with numerous /ibres. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, hard, and very much branched. The leaves are long, narrow, and of a frelh green : they have rio footftalks ; they adhere by the bafe, and ihey are undivided at the edges. The flowers grow in a kind of fpikes at the top of the ftalks and branches ; and they are large, yellow, and fweet fcented. The pods are long, flender, and whitifh : the feeds are flatted and I'raall. It is common on old walls, and in fome places on rocks ; and has thence, for its beauty and fra- grance, been introduced into gardens, v/here the flower, and indeed the whole plant, grow much larger than in the wild ftate. C. Baubine calls it Leucoium hucmn 'vul^ave; and moft others follow him. When carefully cultivated the flower gets ftreaks of a redifii or deep orange colour; and at other times it is rendered large and full of leaves : thefe are the bloody wall and the douhlc ivall of our ' gardeners. It were well if we could accufe none nbove the rank of gardeners with raifing thefe varieties into the imaginary place of fpecies ; or if thefe were all fo treated. We fee more of them, and in Confiderable writers. C Bauhine defcribes, i. one with ferratcd leaves; n. one with great flowers; ^ »Kt^K double; and, 4. a leflTcr, double 'isalljlozve;- : the{^ are all varieties owing to culture i and thus of one plant are made five. 2. Sea Wallflower. Leucoium mariiimum fiUqiiis tricufpldaih, I'he root is long, flender, and furniflied wUh a few fibres. The ftaiks are numerous, weak, and branched; they fland but irregularly upright, and they are of a pale colour, and a little hairy. The leaves flrand irregularly, and are long, narrow, and deeply indented at the edges : they grow without footftalks, and are fumewhat hairy, and their colour is a pale whitifli green. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftaiks and brarrchesi and they are large and white. The feed-vcflels are long, fomewhat thicker than in the common kind, and hairy; but what is very Angular in them is, that each terminates in three points, inftead of the two of the com- mon kind. 'J lie feeds are fmall, oval, and flatted. It is found on the coafts of Wales and Corn- wal ; and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Leucoium 7naritwiufn fmuato folio. We have this in fome gardens in its natural condition ; and we fee it in others railed to ^ greater flze, and into varieties, called diftinft fpe' cies by fome, from culture. What we call ftock Julyflowers are of the fame genus wjth i^allfiowers^ diflering only as fpecies, though the diftinction be very evident, Q 0 0 Tbefg 234 The B R I T 1 S H H E R B A L. Thefe two plants are the only natives of our country ; the firft is the mother plant of all that variety of ivails in our gardens ; and the latter of feme of the ftocks : thus our people abbre- viate the proper expreffions of the kinds. The latter is plainly of the ftock Julynov/er, or, as it is vulgarly expreffed, the Jlock kind. Great virtues have been attributed to the ku- DIVISION II. 1. Square-podded Wallflower. Leucohm Jiliquis quadratis. The root is long, thick, and furnilhed with numerous fibres. The firft leaves rife in a large tuft, and are long, narrow, of a faint green, and without footftalks. The flalk is firm, upright, fingle, and fcarce at all branched, and is of a pale colour, and a foot and half high. The leaves are numerous; they are long, nar- row, hollowed, and have ufually a dented edge : they are fliarp-pointed, undivided at the edges, and of a pale green. The flowers are yellow and fragrant, like thofe of the common vjallfiower, but finaller. The feed vefil-ls are fquare, and the feeds are rounded and flat. It is frequent on barren grounds in France and Italy i and flowers early in fummcr. C. Bauhine calls it Laicoium luteimi fylvejlre migiiftifolium. Others, Leucoium fyheftre. Our gardeners, the Upright imllfiower. 2. Common Stock Julyflower. Leucoium incatium vulgare. The root is large and fpreading. The flalk, or, as it may be better termed, the main flem, is round, thick, white, naked for a conliderable height, and from thence upwards divided into numerous branches, and 'crowded with leaves. The plant grows to two feet or more in height, and has the afped of a little fiirub. The leaves ftand irregularly on it : they are numerous, long, narrow, and hoary of a pale greyifli green, foft to the touch, not at all divided at the edges, and blunt at the points. The flowers ftand in a kind of fpike at the tops of the ftalks, and are large and handfome: their natural colour is a deep purple, and they are Ibmetimes white. The leed-veflTel is flatted, and as it were cut oft' at the top; the feeds are fmal! and flatted. Ic is a native of Spain, and thence brought into our gardens, where, in this natural ftate, it is called the Jfbck Julyjioiver, or fmgle ftock. Cul- ture doubles ftripes, and enlarges the flowers ; and in theie feveral appearances it is defcribed by ibme, too attentive to frivolous diflindtions, un- der the names of fo many diflind fpecies. As the common Englip wallflozver is the origin of all the ivalls of our gardens, this Spanifh kind is the fource from whence induftrious art has produced all the double, and otherwife varied ftocks. 4 coium ; but they are at prefent not much re- garded. The flowers are celebrated jgainll dif- orders of the head and nerves, and not withoiiC fome foundation in truth. A confervc of thctn is the beft method of taking them. The tops of the plant are faid to be promoters of the menfcs ; and the feeds have be,n recom- mended in paralitick cafes. The csir-piii n'iU walljio'-ji^er is beft. C, Bauhine calls this Leucoiuva iucavo folii^ kortenfe. Label, Viola f.lla. 3. Little Stock with dentated leaves, Leucoium viinus dentatis foUis. The root is compofed of a few fibres. The ftalk is flendcr, upright, of a whitifli co- lour, and a foot high. , The leaves are numerous, and placed irregu- larly : they are long, narrow, and of a greyifh colour, "hoary, and loft i and they are dentated at the edges. The flowers ftand at the tops of the flalks iii a kind of luufe fpikes ; and chcy are final!, and of a pale purple. The feed veflcis are long, rounded, and fliarp at the point. The feeds are oval and flat. It i:. a native of the coail of Spain, and flov/ers in July. C, Bauhine calls it Leucoium incrinum minus, 4. Narrow-leaved fea Stock. Leucoium mariiimum foUis anguftls. The root is large and fpreading. The flalk is tliick, upriglit, and bufiiyj naked toward the lower part, but upwards covL-rcd with leaves: its colour is a greyifli white, anditslLb- fl:ance firm. The leaves ftand irregularly ; and they are narrow, oblong, and fomewhat finuated at the edges : they are foft to the touch, and t!u-ir co- lour is a iaint green, with a tinge of bluilli, or greyifli . The flowers are large, and of a deep unplcaf- ing purple: they ftand in a kind of loofe fpike at the tops of the ftalks, and have very fliort footftalks : the petals are placed regularly, but they are ufually undulated at the edges, The feed-vefTels are long and large ; and the feeds are large and roundifli. It is common about the coafts of Italy, and fometimes is feen far from the fea, both there and in other warmer parts of Europe. C. Bauhine calls it Leucoium mariiimum ajigiifti- folium. Boccone, Leucoium minus lcivc7idida folio ohfoleto fiore. The flowers fometimc. arc v/hite. 5. Small fea Stock. Leuccium purpureim mariiimum minus. The root is long and thick, and is furniOied with many fibres. The leaves that rife Eril from it are In a thick tuft ; FOREIGN SPECIES. The BRITISH HERBAL. 23s tuft : they are long, narrow, of a pale greyifh green, and foft to the touch : they have no foot- ftalks : they are fliarp-pointed ; and they have each one or two indentings at the edge. The ftalks rife in the centre of this tuft, and are round, weak, and divided into many branches : they are fix or eight inches high, and their co- lour is a pale green. The leaves ftand alternately, and refemble thofe from the root : they are long and narrow, and have ufually a fingle indenting. The fiOwers ftand at tlie tops, and are fni.ill, and of a pleafing colour, a faint purple, The feed-vefTcls are long and knotty, or as i^ were jointed. The feeds are oval and very frnall. It is a native of the Spanifh fea-coaft, and flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Lcucoium waritmum mhii- mmn. Tourncfort hsucoium vernum foiiis eruca. GENUS jr. DAMES VIOLET. H E S P E R I S. THE flower is formed of four petals regularly difpofed, and terminated by narrow bafes ; the cup is cotnpofed of four narrow-pointed leaves gaping below ; two of which are large at the bafe ; and it fails with the flower: the feed-veffel is long, flender, comprefled, ftriatcd, and often crooked, or twifted, and fingly pointed ; and the feeds are oval and comprelTed. Linnsus places this among the tetradymmia fiUquofa ; the threads in the flower being Ha, fijur of which are longer than the others ; and die feed-veiTel a long pod. The Englifh name of this genus being much difufed, it will be enough for the fludca!; to know there is fuch a one, and more convenient to ufe the Latin, befperis. BRITISH SPECIES. DIVISION I. J. Wild Hefperis. Jlefperis vulgaris. The root is compofed of many thick fibres. The firft leaves are very numerous, long, nar- row, and of a dufky green: they are fliarp- pointed, fomewhat indented at the edges, and have ihort footilalks. The ftalk is fingle, upright, firm, and not at all branched, unlefs when luxuriant in the growth, and then only toward the top. The leaves are large and oblong : they are of a deep dufle, and [lowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Braffica fylueftris foliis circa radicem cbicoraceis. Others, Turritis major. The feeds of the turritis are accounted excel- lent in the rheumatifm ; and in fome places are a common family-medicine for that purpofe ; but they are not known in the Ihops. E N U XVI. eaves, which are coloured, and converge at their points, the feed-velTcl is very long, very flender, and the feeds are HEDGE MUSTARD. E R 2' S I M U M. THE flower is compofed of four petals, regularly difpofcd crofs-ways ; thefe are oblong, blunt at the end, end have narrow, fmall bottoms, which ftand erecT:, ^and are of the length of the cup : the cup is formed of four little, oblong 1 and the whole falls with the flower fmall and round. . , . , , • . a u ■ LinniEus places this among the tetradymmia f.liquofa, four of the fix threads m the flower bemg longer than the other two, and the fecd-veflel being a regular pod. _ This author introduces into this genus fome plants properly belonging to the otners of the .ame clafs : but a trip of this kind is the more pardonable, becaufe there is no clafs m which the genera are fo very lightly diftinguilhed one from another. As there is no fmgle word to denote this genus in the Englifli language, it will be advifable to ufe the Latin name Ersfimm ; the more, as the plant commonly known under the name of /xdgc majlard in the fliops, prope'rly belongs, as Mr.Ray firft obferved, to another genus, defcribed and figured in its place. This has been already DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Treacle Wormfeed. JEtyfiriium angujiifolium camelina diSlum, The root is long, white, woody, and furniflied with many fibres. The ftalks are round, firm, upright, and of a pale green, or purplifli : they are about two feet and Thalf high, and not much branched. The leaves are long and narrow : they (land in great number upon the ftalks, and in an irre- gular manner. They have no footftalks : they are narrow at the bafe, and broadeft about the middle : their colour is a pale green, and they have a bit- ter tafte, as has alfo the pith within the ftalk. The flowers grow in fmall tufts at the tops of the ftalks, and they are fmall and ydiow. The The BRITISH HERBAL. The fecd-veffcls are long, flcnder, and fquared : they (land in a khid of Ipikes along the upper part of the ftalk, when the plant has been ionie- time in flower. The feeds are numerous, fmall, oblong, and yellow, and are very bitter. It is frequent in the fen countries, as the Ifle ot Ely, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Myai^mm fiipa longa. Others, Camelina. The feeds of this plant are accounted excellent againft wormr, and are much ufed by the country- people but they are not known in the fltops. They are alfo given againfl: obfl:rua]ons of the vifcera, and in the rheumatilhi and jaundice, with fucccfs : they operate moderately by urine. This Biedicme defcrves to be more known. 2. Broad leaved fmooth Eryfimum. Eryjmum lai:]oliuu glahrum. The root is long, white, flender, and fur- niflied wirh many fibres. The firft: leaves are numerous, large, and very deeply divided: they are placed on flender foot- ftalks, and are deeply cut, almofl: to the rib, into a number of fegments, in fomewhat like a pin- nated form. The ftalk is round, thick, upright, not much branched, and a foot and half high. The leaves on it refemble thofe from the root, being divided very deep at the fides into four or five pairs of fegments ; they are perfeitly fmooth, and of a yellowifti green. The flowers are fmall and yellow : they ftand in tufts at the tops of the flialks, and are but of ftiort continuance. The feed-veffcis are long and flender, and they Hand at a good diftance from the flialk : the feeds arc fmail brown. It is common in waflie places, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Eryfimum lalifoliim majus gta- hnm. Others, Eryfimum latifoUum Neafcliianim' This name comes from Parkinfon, and is ill adapted to fo common an Englifh plant, 3. Flixweed. Eryfimum foliis temijfime dhifis fophia diSlum. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with many fibres. The firft leaves are large, and very beautifully formed : they are pinnared, and the pinnre or di- vifions are divjded, and fometimea fubdivided again j fo that the leaf if- compofed of innume- rable very fine and delicate parts. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, of a pale green, and a yard high. It is very much bianched, and thick fet in all pati'L with leaves. Thefe ftand irregularlv, and refemble thofe from the root : they are i ry finely divided, and of a deep, but not unplealing green. The flowers are fmail and yellow, and they ftand in little tufts at the tops of all the branches. The feed-vefiiils are very flender, long, and green ; the feeds are numerous, and extremely fmall- It is common in wafte places, and flowers, in July. C. Bauhine calls it Nafiurfium fyivejire tenuif. fime divifum. Others, Sophia chirurgorum. The common people, Flixweed^ a corrupt way or" fpeaking Fiuxwefd. This name has been given it for its virtues which ought tp make it more .regarded. The feeds are aftringent, and the juice rrior? fo : either pf thefe, or a decodtion of the plant, flop flvixes and haemorrhages in a very fafe and happy manrier, FOREIGN SPECIES. DIVISION II. I. Arabian Muftard. Eryfimum draba lutea diSlum. The root is long, thick, white, and furnifhed with many fibres. The firil: leaves rife in a fmall tuft, and are fupported on long footftalks: they are oblong, and confiderably broad, indented at the edges, and fharp-pointed. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, and not niuch branched : its ufual height is two feet, but it fometimes rifes to twice that, or more. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and are like thofe from the root: they have fhort footftalks, and are oblong, ferrated, fharp-pointed, and of a dufky grfcn. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks in a kind of fpik'irs, and they are of more duration than moft of the others : they are fucceeded by long and very flender pods, in which are longifli yellow feeds. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in July. C Bauhine calls it Br^.ha lulea filiqiiU firiSfif- Ji:ni.i. - The whole plant has a fiery tafte, bi,it the root moft of all. " ' It is an excellent medicine in rheumatic com-, plaints, and in obftrudions of the vifcera. 2. Great-flowered Eryfimum. Eryfimum fiore aiireo mapw. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with many fibres. The firft leaves arc numerous, Iong» large, and very beautifully divided : they fpread them- felves upon the ground in a circular manner, and they are finuated very deeply in the pinnated form ; each leaf is formed of five or fix pairs of thefe fegments, united by a rim of a leaf joining the rib ; and they are of an irregularly-triangu- lar figure. The ftalk is yprjght, firrn, round, not much branched, and two feet high. The leaves en it are long, narrow, and like thofe of the root, but with fewer divifions. The flowers arc la^ge, and of a fine yellow. 1 he pods are long and flender, and the feeds fmall, numerous, and round- It 252 The BRITISH HERBAL. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in June. C. Bauhinc calls it Erma klifoUa. All thefe plants agree in their general quali- ties as well as external form. They are good in obftrudions of the vifcera, and in fcorbutic diforders ; but they have not been I'ufficiently regarded in the practice of phyfic. SERIES II. 'ili Foreign Genera. Thofe of which there is no fpecies naturally wild in this country. G E N U S I. TOOTHWORT. D E N T A R I A. THE flower is compofed of four petals, regularly difpofed crofs-ways : they are broad at the ends, and have fmall bottoms of the length of the cup. The cup is formed of four little leaves ; they are oval blunt, and converge at the points, and the whole falls with the flower: the feed veffcl i» long, and of a rounded form, and contains two cells ; the dividing membrane is a little longer than the fides of the pod : the feeds arc numerous and oval. Linna^us places this among the ttlradymmia filquoja ; four of the fix threads in the flower being longer than the other two, and the fced-veffel being a regular pod. Some of the plants of this genus produce a kind of foMes, or fruitful lumps, in the bofoms of the leaves ; but this is not univcrftl. I. Trifoliate Toothwort. Deiitaria Srifhylliis. The root is thick, of an irregular figure, and lies obliquely under the furface. When young it is white, but when older it is black on the out- fide i fo that the common appearance is its being white in fome parts, and black in others : it is compofed in an irregular manner of fcveral dif- tinft parts oddly conncfted together. From the difterent parts of this root rife feve- ral footfl:alks, on each of which are placed three leaves : thefe are broad, (hort, and of a deep green, fcrrated at the edges, pointed at the ends, and each has its fcparatc pedicle, by which it is fixed to the common footfialk. In other parts of the root lie the rudiments of the ftalk, which therefore rife in feparate places. Thefe are round, flcnder, of a pale green, and about a foot high. Toward the middle of the flalk, or fomewhar nearer the top, there (land three footftalks, each fufl:a!ning three leaves ; thefe are long, narrow, (harp-pointed, and ferrated at the edges. The flowers are moderately large : they have long and fiender pedicles, fo that they com- monly hang drooping ; and their colour is a greenifli white. The fecd-vefiels are long and flender, and the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is a native of Italy, and other warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Dcntaria Iriphylks. Co- lumna, Ceratia Plitiii. Others in general, Da:- . laria trifolUite, Threi-kai cd toeth'j:orl. 2. Seven-leaved Toothwort. Dmtaria hepla^bylla. The root it placed obliquely in the ground, and is compofed of a number of odd ihaped irregular parts, fixed in a rude manner to one another. The firft leaves are large, and very beautiful : they Hand on long, fiender footllalks, of a grcenilh white, or of a redifli colour ; and are of a pin- nated form, each confifti ng of three pairs of pinna;, with an odd kaf at the end. Thefe are oblong, narrow, lharp-pointed, and ferrated at the edges. The ftalk is round, fiender, upright, weak, and a foot high. The leaves grow irregularly on thefe, and in an uncertain form : the lower part of the ftalk is naked, and that ufually half way up: at , this height begin the leaves, three or four of which ftand at fome fmall diftances over one another ; and are of the pinnated form, like thofe from the root, but having fewer pinna: : above thefe ftand feveral fimple, oblong, and narrow leaves, and at the top the flowers in a fmall fpike. Thefe are large, and of a beautiful pale rcdilh hue. 1 he fced-veflel is long and fiender, and the feeds are numerous and round. In this fpecies there are frequently little tu- bercles at the bofoms of the leaves, like thofe of the bulbiferous faxifrage, which falling take root, and become new plants. It is common in all the fouthern parts of Eu- rope in Iliady fituations at the foot of hills. It has been found in fome places in England 4 thriving The B R I 1' r S H H E R D A L. 253 tl-.:i\'ir.;5 very well among huflies, but it is not a n.;c;vc. The dead ftalks have beL'n thrown out oi lume adjacent garden, and the tubercles irom tl.a lc;ives have fiirnifhed thefe plants. C. Bauhine calls it Ventaria heptaphyllos bacci- fern,, Berry-hearing /even leaved tootbvjort. He gives the name herries to thole tubercles juft named ; but they are not properly fuch. A "berry | is a regular truit lucceeding a flower : thcfe are' a kind of iuckers ; no flower has flood in the, place. 3. Five-lcaved Toothwort. Dentaria penta-phyll^a. The root is long, thick, of an irregular form, and lies obliquely at a imall depth under the I'ur- face : the firft leaves are fupporced on long, Oen- der footftalks : they are placed five on eachj and they are not difpofcd in the pinnated manner,, but fprcad out like fingers. They are oblong, narrow, fharp-pointed, ferrated at the edges, and of a n;rong and plcafant green. The Italk is flender, upright, green or redifh, and a foot high. The leaves fliand irregularly, and are perfectly like thofc from the root, five placed on each footftalk, narrow, long, and ferrated. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful pale purple i in fhape and colour they very much re- femble thofe of the common hefperis, which our gardeners call Angle rocket. The feed-velTel is long and flender, and the feeds are numerous, fmall, and round. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Dentaria ■pentaphyllos, and mofl: others copy that name. When this grows in loofe ground very much fliaded, the root be- comes more fcaly, and the leaves are of a paler green, and are foft to the touch. In this ftate it has been defcribed by Clufius under the name of Dentaria pentaphyllos altera^ as if a diftincl fpecies; but thefe errors the fl:udent mufl carefully avoid. 4. Sing'e-Ieaved Toothwort. Dentaria foliis fimplicibus. The root is thick, and of an irregular figure, and runs obliquely under the furface. 1 iie firfl: .'^aves are oblong, narrow, i:p.divided, and of a pale green : they have fliurt fuotlialks, and rife in little tufts. The ftalk is round, flender, upright, and of a pale green : it is not at all branched, and is a foot and a half high. The leaves are phiccd alternately on it from the bottom to the top, and they refemble thofe from the root : they have ihort footftalks ; and tHty arc long, narrow, fiiarp-pointcd, a little undu- lated at the edges, and of a pale green. The flowers ftand in a fliort fpike at the top of thefl:alk; and as the top ufually droops, they commonly hang all on one fide: they are large and white, with a faincer or deper blufii of purple. The feed-vefici is long and flender, and the feeds are large and round. It is common in the Harts forefl: in Germany, and flowers in Augufl:. C. Bauhine calls ic Dentaria baccifcra foiiis ptarmiciC. There are frequently tubercles like thofe of the feven-leaved kind in the bofoms of the leaves of this fpecies i and when they are numerous, and fwell kindly, the flower often falls without any fuccecding feed-vefTel, Nature contenting herfelf with this method of encreafing and continuing the fpecies. The fcven-kaved tooth-uoort is accounted a good vulnerary; but this feems an opinion not well founded. The tafte is acrid, and almofl cauflic. Probably a confufion of names between this plant, &T\d, ccral toothwort has occafioned the opinion. Linnseus accounts the ftngle-kaved toothwort to be only a variety of the feven-leaved kind fome of the leaves toward the top of which are often Angle : but the latefl: obfervations fhew the leaves of this are fingle from the root ; fo that it is altogether a diflinft fpecies. And indeed the whole afpecT: of the plant fpeaks it. There has been alfo much confufion about the buibiferous kind, fome defcribing one fpecies, and others another for it ; but this is owing to the uncer- tainty of the bulbs or tubercles appearing, for ihey are not confl:anc in all the plants. E N U ir. A R A I S. rpHE flower Compo^d of four petals, regularly difpofed crofs-ways : they are of an oval, ob- tule form and have fmall bottoms of the length of the cup. The cup is compofed of four ],tt le leaves ; two of thefe are very .arrow, and ftand eredl , the other two are broader, and thick at the baij., and of an oval fl^ape, but fharp-pointed and hollow. The feed-vefTel is very lon^., flatted, and fwelhng where the feeds he : thefe arc numerous, and of a rounded form, but fomewh^ flatted Lmn^EUs places this among the the threads in the flower beina fix, of which four are longer than the other two, and the feed-vefl^el being a regular pod. But^ he introduces among the plants riehtly belonoinp; to it fome that mnrr nrn„>rl„ 1 ■ u • , Mr J 1 u , , properly clami their place m other ge- nera. We have endeavoured here to p ace them as Nature direfts N° XXVI. T t t I. Broad- 254 The BRITISH HERBAL. I. Broad-leaved Arabis. ylrahis latiore folio. The root is long, {lender, and creeping. The ftalks are numerous, round, upright, hairy, and a foot high : they are of a pale colour, and not much branched. The leaves are numerous, and are placed ir- regularly : they are of a fliape approaching to oval, broadeft at the bafe, where they furround the ftalk, and narrower to the extremity, where they terminate in a (harp point : they are foft to the touch, of a pale green, and ferrated at the edges. The flowers (land at the tops of the branches in little tufts, and they are fmall and white. The feed-ve(re!s are long and flender : the feeds arc large and brown. It is a native of Germany, and other parts of Europe, and thrives bell: on (haded hills. It alTumes various (hapes, according to the favour- able qualities of the foil and (helter, fometimes lying for the moll part on the ground, and fome- times rifing perfeflly ereft. This, and its other variations from the fame caufe, have led fome to figure and defcribe it two or three times over un- der various names adapted to the condition of its growth. 6. Long-leaved Arabis. Arabis lo)igiare folio. The root is long, flender, white, and furnilhed with numerous fibres. The (irrt leaves ri.fe in a thick tuft, and are fupported on Ihort footftaiks : they arc long, mo- derately broad, (harp-pointed, narrowed at the bafe, and very irregularly indented about the edges. The (la!k is round, upright, (irm, and not much branched. The leaves on it in all refpefts referable thofe from the root, but that they are fmaller : they ftand irregularly : they are of a pale green, and they have (hort footftaiks. The flowers ftand at the top in a fmall tuft, and are large, and of a bright yellow. The feed-vefiils are long, flatted, and full of roundidi feeds. It is a native of many parts of North America, and flowers in July. Plukenet calls it Eriica iellidis majoris folio. GENUS III. W O A D. 1 & A I S. rpHE flower is compofed of four petals opening regularly crofs-ways ; they are obloir'^ oval X obtufe, and have very narrow bottoms : the cup is compofed of four little oval leaves" whick fpread open ; it is coloured, and falls entire with the flower : the feed-veflil is oblonc^ blunt' at the end, comprelTed, and two-edged, and is compofed of two hollow (ides: the feed is finale and of an oval figure, and lies in the centre of the pod. ° ' From the fiiortnefs of the pod in this genus fome might be for referring it to the filiculofc plants but that IS not their eflintial charafter, as we fliall Ihew hereafter. This is properly and truly of the filiquofc kind. • Unnxm places it among the lelradynamiafdiqmfa, four of the fix threads in the flower being lono-er than the other two, and the feed-velTcl, as we have obferved, notwithftanding its Uiortnefs a re °u lar pod. ' ts" Common Woad. Ifatis vulgaris. The root is long, thick, whitilh, and fur- nifiied with many fibres. The firft leaves are large, oblong, and broad : they lie fpread upon the ground, and they are of a bluilh green colour, and firm fubftance. The ftalk rifes in the midft the tuft, and is round, woody, firm, of a greyi(h co'our, and four feet high. The leaves ftand thick and irregularly on it, and are large and oblong : they are broad at the bafe, and narrower all the way to the point ; and they are of the fame Belliy fubftance, and bluifli green colour. The flowers ftand upon numerous, flender branches, into which the ftalk divides at its top ■ and they are fmall and yellow. The feed-veflels are oblong, and the feed is Angle and large. It is a native of the fhores of the Baltic ; but is cultivated in fields with us, and thrives very happily. It flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Ifatis latifalia fativa. This author, and others, defcribe alfo a narrower-leaved woad, which they call the wild kind, as if a dif- tind fpecies ; but there is no other dilFerence between thefe two plants than what culture gives. The wild woad, brought into a cultivated land, will have as large and broad leaves as the other, and has arifen from fcattered feeds of the manured kind upon lefs favourable foils. The ufe of woad is for dying of woollen cloth. Its natural colour is blue ; but it is alfo the bafis of feveral others : for this fervice a vaft quantity is annually raifed in many parts of England. t GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. 255 GENUS IV. SINAPISTRUM. '"pHE flower is compofed of four petals, very fingularly arranged ; they do not expand tliemfelves crofs-ways, as the ofhers of this clafs ; but all incline upwards, and fpread out from one an- other : two of thefe petals are fmaller than the others. The cup is formed of four little leaves fpread opc», the lower leaf feparated as it were from the others ; and there are three little glandules at the bafes of the three other leaves of the cup. The fced-veflcl is long and rounded, and is compofed of two fides, but contains only a fingle cell ; the feeds are numerous and round. Linnffius places this among the letradynamia ftliquofa, but with fome repugnance to the charafters of that clafs. He fays, in the tetradpiamia four threads arc longer than the reft, and he gives them here as placed in the common manner ; but he is obliged to acknowledge, that, in one fpccies of this genus, there are twelve threads of equal length, fo that the charaifter of tetradymmia is wanting ; and in another the threads grow upon the ftyle : fo that the plant, according to his diftinftions, belongs to the gynandria ; a particular and altogether diftinit clafs. This (hews that no proper foundation of clalfes is to be found in thefe fmall parts of Sowers ; for himfelf is obliged to arrange the two plants we here fpeak of as fpecies of the fame genus, though, according to his fyftem, they belong to two utterly diftinft clafTes. This author a!fo takes away the -eftablifhed name of the clafs, and calls it ckome. We are no friends to thefe innovations, and have kept things here in their old channel. Red, five-leaved Sinapifl:rum. Sinapijlrum pefitaphylUum Jlore rubente: The root is compofed of many (lender fibres. The firll leaves are numerous, and have long and weak footftalks : they ftand five together on each of thefe, and are difpofed in a fingered man- ner : they are narrow, iharp-pointcd, and of a pale green. The ftalk is round, weak, redifh, and two feet high. The leaves on it have long footftalks, in the ("ame manner as thofe from the root ; and they aifo (land five together ; and are oblong, narrow, and of a faint green. The flowers grow in a long fpike, with the pods at the top of the ftalks : they are large, and of a beautiful pale red. The fced-veflel is long and (lender, and eafily burfts with a touch, its valves or fides being very weaklyjoined ; the feeds are numerous, large, and roundifh. It is a ivative of Africa, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it ^mquefolium lufim filial Others, Sinapifirum fentafhyllum. The feeds are accounted a fovereign remedy in obfl:rud:ions of the urinary pafTages ; but they are in this refpeft confined to the natural place of the plant's growth. We have it in gardens ; but its virtues are not regarded. The E N D o/ /fc F I F T E E N T H CLASS, THE THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS XVI. Plants whofe fiower is compofed of four petals, placed cr of -ways, and lohofe feed-vefel is a short pod or shale. THESE arc the plants authors call filicuhf.e. They agree in all rcrpe(as with thofe of the preceding clafs ; except in this, ot the fhape and ftniflure of the fruit, which is always truly diftinft, and is an eflential claffical charafter. The filuula, or Jliale, is of a rounded or - nightly angulatcd form, and is terminated by a long point which was in the flower, the flyle. It is always compofed of two fides or valves, and fplits open lengthwife along their edges. Linnieus places this clafs among the tetradynamia, diflinguilhing it after the manner of moft others from the filiquofe plants, or thofe whofe feed^veltl is a regular pod, only by a fubordinate arrange- ment. The difference, however, is fufficicnt very well to fupport the difpofing them in ftparate clafTes; and hence will arife lefs confufion. The young botanifl: will always find his progrefs in the fcience the eafier, the greater is the number of diftintftions, provided they have juft foundation in nature. His perplexity always arifes from the great number under one general head. ®mmmmmmmm%mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm SERIES I. Natives of Britain. Thofe of which one or more fpecies are found naturally wild in this country. GENUS I. SEA COLEWORT. C R J M B E. THE flower is compofed of four petals, which are placed regularly in a crofs dire(ftion ; thefe arc " of an oval figure, and have very flender bottoms : the cup is'forn^ed of four little leaves, of an oblong, oval figure, and falls with the flower : the fecd-vefTcl is of an irregular figure, roundifli, but fomewhat oblong, and railed into four ridges, which terminate in one or more points. This Angular genus feems intended by nature to conneft the filiquofe and the filiculofe kinds, or thofe with long and fhort pods, whofe flowers are alike ; accordingly authors have been divided in opinion under which of tliefe two heads to arrange it. Ray places it among the filiculofe, and Lin- nJEUs among the filiquofe : but the flrudlure of the pod, when carefully examined, determines for the firft named diftribution. Linnaeus ranges it among the tetra^ynamia ; four of the fix threads in its flower being longer than the other two, as in the reft of this, and the preceding clafs. As we have no proper Englilh name for the genus, it will be more proper to ufe the name craml.e. Linnseus 3 The BRITISH HERBAL. 257 Linnfcus explodes this, and gives to the genus that of hunias : but this will create in the mind ot the young ftudent a double confufion, as it fets afide a received name, and as this now appropriated by Linnreus has been long ufed by authors in another fenfe, exprcIBng a plant of the former clafs, of the turnep or }iavew kind. He alfo feparates fome of the fpecles under the name of cramhe, becaufe the threads are fpUt ac the top J but thefe are too flight accidents to characterife a gen.us. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Smooth Crambe. Crambe maritima hroJ[ic-€ folus. The root is long, thick, and divided into many parts. The firft leaves are very large, and numerous : they are oblong, very broad, deeply and irrcgu- Jarly finuated at the edges of a thick, flefliy fubfl:ance, perfedly fmooth, and of a bluifh green : the ribs and veins are often purplifh. The ftalk rifes in the centre of thefe, and is round, thick, whitilli, upright, and branciied ; it grows to two feet and a half in height. The leaves on this are few : thofe toward the lower part refemble fuch as rife from the root; but near the top they are fmall, of an oval fiiape, pointed, and not at all waved at the edges. The flowers fliand at the tops of the ftalks and branches, and are fmall and white. The feed-vefTels are fliort and roundifb, and in each is contained a fmgle large feed. It is not uncommon on our fea-coafl:s, and flowers in June. C.Bauhine calls it Brajfica maritima monofpermos. In Englifh it is called the iS"^;; cak^ or Sea-cabbage. The people about the fea-coaflis boil it in the way of favoys and cabbages, and the like ; and it is very well-taftcd, and perfe£lly wholefome. This has led fome to take it into their gardens, and it is preferred to m oft other kinds at table. The root creeps under the furface, and the leaves are green all winter. DIVISION II. Rough-podded Crambe. Crambe Jiliculis bicrifiatis. The root is thick, flender, and furnifhed with many fibres. The firft leaves are numerous, oblong, and deeply indented on the edges in a pinnated form : each leaf has four or five pairs of fegments thus di- vided, and is terminated by an oblong piece; and thefe are all ferrated and pointed. The fl:alk is round, upright, weak, and not much branched : the colour is ufually a pale green, fometimes redifli, and it is hairy. The leaves on it are not divided in the man- ner of thofe at the root, but are oblong, and ferrated at the edges. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks and branches, and are fmall and yellow. The fced-velTel is fliortj and of a rough, pointed. 2, Sea-Rocket. Crambe foliis ajperii cruca marina diLla. The root is long, flender, and furnilhed with numerous fibres. The firft leaves are few and fmall : they are narrow, oblong, and a little indented ; ufually there are about two notches on each fide ; thefe are of a yellowini green colour, and quickly fade. The ftalk is round, weak, of a pa!e green, and fmooth, and is very much branched. Hie leaves on this are numerous, broad, ob- long, and very deeply cut at the edges, in a manner fomewhat refembling the pinnated divi- fion ; they are of a pale green colour, and of a flcfhy fubftance. The flowers ftand at the tops of ftaiks and branches and are large, and of a purplifli blue. The feed-vefiels are ftiort, thick, and two- edged : the feeds are large and brown. It is a native of our fea-coafts, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Eruca maritima Italka fili- qua haft^ cfupidi fmiili. Others call it Eruca ma- rina, and Cakile, The people about the coafts take the feeds in rheumatic cafes, and, as is reported, with fuc- cefs. and crefted form : the feeds are oval and brown. It is common in the fouth of France, and flowers in July. C. B.iuhina calls it Erucago monfpeUaca Jdiqua. qiiadrangula echinata. Van Royen, Bunias ; and from this has arifcn LinnEeus's ufe of that word as a name for the whole genus. As we do not allow the cramhe to be feparared from this otherwife than as fpecies of the fame genus, the divifion of the threads in the flower not being a mark of greater diftinaion, we retain that name to the whole genus. Linua:us authorifes In other places the redu^ cing to the fame genus plants that have thefe little differences in their minute parts. We have given an inftance of it in the Jnapijlrum, even though it Ihakes his whole fyftem : here there would have been Icfs objeition to the fame con- dud, FOREIGN SPECIES. N'' 26. Uu u GENUS 258 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS II. LUNARVIOLET. LU N A R I A. THE flower is compofed of four petals difplayed crofs-ways they are large, obtufe, undivided, and have [lender bottoms of the length of the cup. The cup is formed of four leaves, of an oval or oblong figure, and convergent at their tops ; there are two of them thick at the bafe : the fced-veffel is of an elliptic or long-round figure, flatted, ereft, and very large : it is terminated by a long point, and is formed of two valves, and divided into two cells or partitions by a membrane, which runs parallel with the fides. Linnseus places this among the tetradynamia fiUculofa ; the threads of the flower being fix, four of which are longer than the other two, and the feed-veflel a proper filicula or flialc. Others have arranged it among the filiquofe plants, or thofe whofe feed-veflel is a regular pod ; but erroneoufly. The diftinclions in thefe cafes are fmall, but they are fuflicient: the filiquofe and filiculofe plants of feveral genera approach very nearly to one another, but a ftriit examination of the feed-vefl"el will always fliew without error to which clafs any plant truly belongs. DIVISION 1. BRITISH SPECIES. Lunar Violet, with a wreathen pod. Lunaria fiUqua intorta. 7'he root is compofed of a few threads. The firfl: leaves arc oblong, fomewhat broad, and of a greyilh green : they are fmall, and they grow in a thick tuft, partly rifing up, and partly fpread upon the ground. The ftalk rifes in the midfl: of this tuft ; and is round, upright, flender, of a greyifh colour, and eight inches high. The leaves on it are placed irregularly ; and they are oblong, broad, and of a bluifli green. The flowers fl:and at the tops of the fl:alks, and are fmall and white. The feed-vefl'el is oblong and twifledj and the feeds are kidney-fliaped, and large. It is found on our northern mountains, and flowers in Aprik Petiver calls it Lunaria comma major. Plu» kenet, Lecoium five lunaria vafado fublongo intarto. Merret, Paronychia Gnaphalii facie. This is mentioned a fecond time, though with uncertainty, in the fynopfis ofBritilh plants, under the name of Paronychi^e fimilis^ fed major perennjs alpina re-pens. The author fuppofed it might be the fame with the former ; and it has been found to be fo by thofe who have feen it in the places there mentioned with the fccd-vellels ripe. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Honefly. Lunaria filicuUs fubrotundis. The root is a tuft of thick fibres. The firfl: leaves are few, and quickly fade ; they are of a heart-fafliioned fliape, and of an obfcure, dufky, green colour. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, branched* and three feet high. The leaves on this are placed at difl:ancesi and they are large and heart-falhioned, broad, and in- dented at the bafe, ferrated at the edges, and fliarp-pointed : their colour i.f a dufky green, and they are lightly hairy. I hc flowers are very numerous, and ftand to- ward the extremities, and at the tops of the branches : they are long, and of a beautiful purple. The feed-vefl"el is very broad, and extremely thin : it is rounded, and terminated by a flender point, and when ripe has a filky or fattiny ap- pearance -, whence 'the plant has been called the fallin-planl, and fatHn-Jlower : the feeds are large, but not numerous. It is a native of Germany, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Lunaria ?!iajor fliqua rotun- diore. Others, Viola lunnris vulgaris^ and Bulho- nach. Its proper Englifh name is the Round- podded lunar vickL 2. Lunar violet, with oblong pods. Lunaria fiUquis ohiongis. The root is compofed of numerous, thick fibres, and remains the winter ; whereas the other is an annual, dying as foon as the feed is ripened. The firft leaves of this are very large : they are fliort and broad, indented at the bafe, ferrated at the edges, and pointed at the ends. The fl:alks are numerous, round, green, a little hairy, and three feet high. The leaves on them refemble thofe from the root; they are fhort, and heart-fafliioned, fharply indented, and pointed; and they ftand on flen- der, hairy footftalks. The flowers are placed at the tops of the ftalks and branches ; and are of a pale purple, large, and very handfome. I he feed-veflTels are thin and flat, like thofe of the common kind ; but they are oblong. The feeds are few, large, and brown. It is a native of Spain, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Viola lunaria major fliq^ua oh- The virtues of thefe plants are unknown ; nor does it appear, from any manifeft qualities, that they are worth regarding. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. 259 GENUS III. WHITLOW-GRASS. PARONYCHIA. THE flower Is compofed of four petals, which open crofs-ways : they are of an oblong figure, and have very fiender bottoms. The cup is formed of four httle, hollow, oval leaves, which fall with the flower. The feed-veffel is oblong, flatted, and has fo fmall a point at the extremity, that it appears almoft deftitute of any : it is compofed of two valves, and divided into two cells by a membrane that runs parallel with them. The feeds are numerous and frnall. Linnaeus places this among the tetradynamia filicidofa ; the threads in the flower being four longer and two fhorter, and the feed-veflel a regular filicule or fliale. This author abolifhes the received name of the plants of this genus, and joins them with fome others under the term dreba. DIVISION I, BR I. Common Whitlow-grafs. Paronychia vulgaris. The root is long, flender, and hung with a multitude of little fibres. The leaves rife in a thick tuft, and are fmall, and of a diifky green : they are oblong and ob- tufe, and not at all indented at the edges. The flalks rife in the center of this tuft of leaves, many together : they are upright, flenderj yellowifh, and three or four inches high. There are no leaves on thefe, but ufually to- ward the tops a great number of flowers and feed- vefiels. The flowers are fmall and white. The feed-vefiels are oval, flat, and yellowifh ; and the feeds are numerous, and very fmall. It r common on walls and the tops of houfe?, and flowers very early in fi'iing. C.Bauhinc calls itBarf, pajtoris minor locuk ob- longo. Ouicrs, Paronychia vulgaris. People ]ay the leaves bruifed to whitlows on their fingers i tiut a common pultice would an- fwer their purpufc better j or thefe leaves, if ufed, Ihould be mixed with it. TV'- 'eves uf this plant are fometimes flightly indented, and fome have defcribcd it in this cafe under the name of a difl:in6t fpecies ; but it is DIVISION 11. F O I. Yellow Alpine Whitlow-grafs. Paronychia lutea Alpina. The root is thick, long, divided, and fur- pifhed with numerous fibres. The leaves rife from it in a very thick tuft and ftand extremely clofe in vafl: numbers : they are very fmall, fhort, and fharp-pointed : they are broad at the bafe, and not at all indented. The fl;alks are numerous, weak, round, flen- der, and naked ; and they are about three inches high. The flowers ftand at the tops, fix or eight on each, and they have long and very flender foot- ftalks : they are fmall, and of a bright yellow. The feed-veflcls are oval and fmalf, and the feeds are very minute and brown. ITISH SPECIES. one of thofe accidental varieties which will rife from the fame feeds with the other. 2. Branched Whitlow-grafs. Paronychia ramofa hirficta. t he root is long, flender, and furniflied with feveral fibres. The firfl: leaves rife in a thick tuft ; and are oblong, broad, of a duflcy green, and hairy : they have no footftalks, and they are fliarply fer- rated at the edges, and pointed at the ends. The fl:alk rifes in the center, and is round, up; right, very much branched, hairy, and ten inches high. The leaves are placed irregularly, and are broad and fhort : the^ are largefl: at the bafe, nar- rower all the way to the point, and lerrated on t!ie edges. The flowers are fmall and white : they ftand in little tufts at the tops of all the branches. The feed-vefl^els are of an oval form, fmall, flatj and yellowifli ; and, when the plant has flowered fome little time, they ftand in long fpike^ beneath the flowers : the feeds are fmall and brown. C. Bauhine calls this Bur/a pafioris major locuto ohlongo. Others, 1'hlajpi foliis veronica. It is found on the hilly parts of our northern counties, and flowers in April. REIGN SPECIES. It Is a native of the Alps, and flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Sedum Alpnum luteum ; but the form of the feed-veflTel fliews the error of that name. Morifon calls it Burfa pajloris Alpina lu- tea rofea. Columna, Leucoimn luteum aizoides montanuffj. Some years the feafon not favouring, it is very minute but ufually it is of the fize and form defcribed here, 2. Branched yellow Whitlow-grafs, Paronychia i-nmofa flore aureo. The root is long, flender, and furniflicd with many fibres. The leaves rife in a tuft without footftalks j and they are broad, oblong, and of a pale green, very hairy, and lightly ferrated at the edges. 4 The 2bo The BRITISH HERBAL. The ftallc is round, upright, hairy, whitifh, and eight inches high. The leaves on this are fliorc and broad, of a whitifh green, very hairy, and fofc to the touch. The flowers {land in little tufts at the tops of the ftalk and branches ; and they are moderately 3arge, and of a fine gold yellow. The feed-veflels arc oval and fmall, and they have a little white point : the feeds are fmall and brown . Ic is frequent in Germany, and flowers in May. G. Bauhine calls it Bur/a pqftoris Alp'ina hh-fu- ta. Columna, Draha minima miiralis. GENUS IV. SHEPHERDSPURSE. ^ BURSA P A S r 0 R 1 S. ' I "'HE flower is compofed of four petals, which difplay themfelve?? crofs-ways-, they are fmall, of an oval figure, and have very narrow bottoms : the cup is formed of four little, hollow leaves, which fall with the flower : the feed-veffcl is flat, large, and HearNfalhioned, narrow at the bafc, broad, and indented at the extremity, and full of fmall feedsi Linnseus ranges it among the tetradynamia filicidofa \ the flower having Four longer and two fhorter threads, and the fted-veflel being a filicula. He does not keep it as a difl:indi; genus, but makes ic a fpecies of thlafp. The feed-veflels of the thlafpi are indeed parted by a nick at the end, but they have not the pecu- liar form of thofe in this plant; which, from their refemblance of a pouch or wallet, have obtained the herb a name peculiar to itfelf ; and preferved it through mefl; writers. There is but one known fpecies of Jloepherds purfe, and that is a native of Britain. Authors have defcribed feveral varieties of it as diftinct fpecies j but they all rife from the fame feed. Common Shepherds Purfe. Bur/a paftoris vulgaris. The root is long, flender, white, and furnirtied Vith many fibres. The firft leaves are numerous, and they fpread themfelves in a circular manner on the ground : th,ey are long, narrow, and deeply indented along the edges in a pinnated manner : their colour is a dufky green. This is their ufual form : but when the plant has little nourifliment, they are fometimes fcarce at all divided ; and, on the other hand, when it grows rank, they are finuated more frequently, and down to the rib : thefe are the two condi- tions in which the plant has been defcribed as if of difi^ercnt fpecies ; in the one ftate it has been cz\hi5. pepherds purfe with undivided leaves^ and in the other hucks-horn-leaved JJjepherds purfe ; but the fpecies is the fame in all, the degree of nou- rifliment only making the difference. The ftalks rife feveral together in the center of the tuft of leaves ; and are round, tough, up. ri"'ht, and branched : their colour is a pale green^ and they are a toot or more in height : the leaves on thefe are long and narrow ; the lower ones are deeply ferrated, the upper one? fcarce at all ; and they furround the fl:alk at the bafe. The flowers are fmall and whitCj and thefeed- vefl"t;ls are broad and flat ; the feeds are nume- rous, and very minute. It is common in waflie places, and flowers all fummer. C. Bauhine calls it Burfa pafloris major folio fi~ nuato. Others, Burfa paftoris vulgaris. That author, and many others, make the ■whitlow grafs a fpecies of this genus ; but very improperly, the form of the feed-veflel being a moft obvious mark of their diftincftion. Shepherds purfe is an inftance of a vety great and important truth, that Providence has made the moil ufeful things mofl: common i and that men therefore negletfl thtm. Eew plants have greater virtues than this, which is yet utterly dif- regarded. A decoftion of the dried herb is a gentle and fafe an:ringent, good in fevers, attended with diarrhceas, and inferior to few things againft an habitual purging. The juice of the leaves is cooling and afl:n'n- gent : two fpoonfuls of ic, with one of red wine, are excellent againfl; overflowings of the menfes. A fl:rong decodion of the frefh plant is good againfl: loofenefies attended with bloody ftools, and againfl; fpitting of blood. Such and fo ufe- ful is this common plant, trampled every where under foot as if poflcfled of no qualities. GENUS V. HORSERADISH. RAP n ANUS RU SriCANUS. THIS, like the fhepherds purfe, is a plant diftiguifhed by Nature from all others, but which the modern writers of botany have, as in that inftanee, joined with thofe to which ic has rfio true alliance. The flower is compofed of four fmall petals, which difplay themfelves crofs-ways j thefe are of an at inverted The BRITISH HERBAL. 261 inverted oval figure, and have very fmall bottoms within the cup. The cup is compofed of four hol- low, oval, little leaves, which ftand gaping, and fall with the flower. The feed-veifel is Ihort, fome- what comprefled, blunt at the end, and terminated by a fmall point : the feeds are few and fmall, and the leaves are very large and firm. LinnsEUS places this among the tetradynamia filiculofa ; the flower having four longer and two lliorter threads, and the feed-ven*el being a fmgle regular filicule. He joins it with the fcurvygrafs, taking away its original and more ufually received name. The fnortnefs ot the point at the feed- veflTel is a diftindion of the fmaller kind i yet it is a very certain and invariable character : but Na- ture has placed a much greater and more obvious mark in the form and external appearance of the whole plant. The lepidium is much more nearly allied to the raphnniis rujiicanus than the fcurvygrafs Is in na- ture; but even that is abfolutely difliind. There is but one known fpecies of horfe radijh, though it varies oddly in the leaves ; and that is a native of Britain. Common Horfe Radifh. Raphanits rujiicanus vulgaris. The root is long, thick, and white, of an acrid tafte, and of many years continuance in the ground. The leaves are numerous, and extremely large : they are long, moderately broad, and of a frefli green. Naturally they are entire, or but flighcly and irregularly dented at the edges 1 but fome- times they are cut very deep into numerous pin- nated fegmenrs. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, and two feet and a half high. Tlie leaves on this are oblong, narrow, and indented, and are of a frelher green than thofe from the root. The flowers ftand at the tops of the flalks, and are fmall and white. The feed-veflel is alfo fmall and fliort, and the feeds are few and fmall. It is common wild in the north of England, and we fee it in uncultivated grounds, frequently about London, and elfewhere in the neighbourhood of towns. But it has in thefe places probabiv rifen from fome of the roots thrown out of the houfes or gardens. Jn Cumberland, and fome parts of Yorkfliire, it is abundant in places remote from houfes. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Raphanus rujiicanus ; and molt others copy that name without altera- tion. It is an excellent medicine in rheumatic cafes and in ail obflirutflions of the vifcera, There is no way of taking it fo good as eating of the ■ fcraped root in large quantities at table. It works powerfully by urine, and brings away fmail flones and gravel at the fame time it fircngthens the fl:omach, and alTiflis digefliion. Ic ftands greatly recommended alfoagainfl fcorbutic complaints. Two fpoonfuls of the juice will operate as a vomit; but it does this roughly and difagree- ably. GENUS VL DITTANDER. LEPIDIUM. THE flower is compofed of four little, oval petals, which are difpofed regularly In a crofs di- re(5lion, and have very narrow bottoms : the cup Is formed of four little, pointed, gaping leaves, which fall when the flower decays : the feed-veffel is fiiort, broad, and thick, with a very flight deprefi"ion at the end, and a very flender point annexed to it, which has been the ftyle of the flower : the feeds are numerous, fmall, and brown. Linnaeus places this among the tetradynamia ftUculoJa \ the flower having four longer and two Ihorter threads, and the feed-veflTel being a regular filicule. He takes away the efl:abliflied name of one plant of this genus, not allowing it to belong to it, but accounting it a fpecies of fcurvygrafs ; this is the narrow-leaved kind : and the other he joins with naftiurcium, calling them by that name. This tends to create confiifion. There is enouoh dif- tinftion both from the fcurvygrafs and the horfe radijh in the general form of the plants ; but, befidc that, we have fliewn there are diftinftions in thofc parts in particular upon which the characters of the genera are efliabUihed. Thefe are more flight in general in this whole clafs than in moft others : but, if they are properly attended to, they are fufficient. DIVISION L BRITISH SPECIES. Common Dittander. Lepidium vujgare latifolium. The root is flender, and runs obliquely under the furface : it is furniflicd with many fibres, and N° 26. fends up tufts of leaves, and young flioots of ftalks, in feveral places. The firfl: leaves are very large, and of a deep green : they fl:and on long, flender footftialks •, and they are oblong, broad, and ferrated at the X X X edges; 262 The B R I T I S H HERBAL. edges : they are largeft near the bafc, and fliarp- pointed. The ftalk is round, firm, upright:, confider- ably- branched, and three feet high. The leaves on this are numerous, and they are placed irregularly : they have long, fiender footftalks, like therefrom the root; and they re- femble them in lhape, but they are fmaller. The flowers ftand in great numbers at the tops of the numerous branches into which the ftalk divides ; and they are fmall and white. The fecd-veflels are fmall and fwelled : the feeds are numerous, very little, and brown. It is common in our northern counties, and in fome other places, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Lepidium latifoUum. Others Amply, Lepidium. The whole plant has a violently acrid tafi:e, whence the common people call kpepperworL The leaves chewed, bring water into the mouth, and cure the toothach. Externally it is good againfl: the fciatica, and other ftubbom pains. The women give a flight decoiiJtion of ic to promote delivery ; but it is not greatly to be recommended fur that purpofe. A flight infu- flon of the frefti tops of the plant cut fmail, works powerfully by urine, and brings away gravel. In this form alfo it is no indifferent medicine againit fcorbutic complaints. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Narrow-leaved Dittander. Lepidium angujlifolium. The root is compofcd of numerous thick fibres. The firft leaves are -very long and narrow: they grow in a large tuft, and are of a bluilh green colour, and not at all indented at the edges. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, fcarce at all branched, and two feet and a half high. The leaves on this are numerous, and ftand ir- regularly ; they are long and narrow ; but they are joined to the ftalk by a broad bafe. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches, and they are large and whice. The feed-vefl!cl is fmall and brown, and the feeds are numerous and minute. It is a native of Germany, and flowers in June, C. Bauhine calls it Lepidium glaft if olium. Others, Lepidium anguftifolium, and Lepidium ereSlum. GENUS VII. SCIATICA CRESS. 1 B E R 1 S. rpHE flower is compofed of four extremely fmall petals, of an inverted oval figure, difpofed crofs- ways, and having very fmall bottoms. The cup is compofed of four little leaves, which are oval and hollow, and fall with the flower. The feed-veiTcl is fmall and flatted, and is lharp at the edge : the feeds are numerous and fmall. Linnseus places this among the tetraiynmnia fUiadofa ; but he has difpofed the plant itfclf in a very injudicious manner, and very idly played with its generical narne. The plant commonly known by the word iberis he has placed among the najlurtiums, which he has called by a new name, lepidium, taking that alfo from the plant to which it properly belongs : and in the fame clafs he has another genus of plants, among which many of the thlafpis are introdu- ced under the name of iberis, while the proper iberis itfeif is in another. This is a fort of confufion that, to the young ftudent, will appear inextricable ; and it is in itfeif extremely wrong. The plant iberis, which he has without reafon put out of the genus called after its name, he might, upon the foundation of his fyflicm, have removed altogether out of this clafs, for it has not fix threads, as the reft, four longer and two Ihortcr, whence the name of the clafs tetradynamla ; but only two ; it is therefore in abfolute violation of his eflablilhed fyftem, that the iberis comes among thefe plants. At the fame time it is very plain, that the iberis is one of the filiculofe herbs ; and therefore, that the difliindion of four longer and two (hotter threads is not an abfolute charafter of that clafs. This is one of thole numerous inflrances we have recited occafionally, as the fubjedfs occurred, to ihew that the fyfl:em of this author, though recommended by its novelty to weak minds, and by its diffi- culty to thole who are ambitious of underftanding abftrufe things, is not founded in nature, reafon, or truth. The diflindtions of diefe filiquofe and filiculofe plants are lefs accurate in nature than thofe of any others ; wherefore endlefs cavils may be raifed againfl: any generical difpofition of them that ever fhail be propofed. The molf ufeful method of treating them is therefore to keep as near the eflia- bliflied tract as a tolerably nice diflindion will admit. Authors have not feen the caufe of this difficulty ; but it is plainly this: the cruciform podded plants are indeed but a fingle clafs ; and this contains properly but two genera, the filiquofe making one genus, and the filiculofe another. We do a violence to Nature in eredting thefe genera into the rank of claf&s ; but it is neceffary, and in the higheft; degree ufeful ; and this having been once cone, fhould therefore have remained inviolable. There The BRITISH HERBAL. There is no part of LmnsEus's condudt that will in manys cafe bear lefs palliation than this. I have taken occafion thus far to explain here my reafons for differing from him, as the plant which is coming under confideration is in itfelf, and in its proper name, one of the moft ftriking inftanccs of this fault. Of this plant, diftingui(hed by its proper charaiSters, of which the extreme fmallnefs of the petals is the principal, there is but one fpecies. This is defcribed by the antients under the name/i^^m, and has virtues attributed to it with juftice which belong to no other plant in fo eminent a degree. This is a farther reafon for preferving its name, continuing it appropriated to the plant, and giving it to no other. Sciatica Crefs, Iberis. The root is long, flendcr, and furniilied with many fibres. The firft leaves are numerous, fmall, ob- long, and of a pale green. They rife in a thick tuft: they have no footftalks, but are narroweft at the bafe, and broadefl toward the end j and chey are indented at the edges. The itulk ib round, upright, and divided into many branches : it is of a pale green colour, and about ten inches high. The leaves oa the main flalk, toward its lower part, are oblong, broad, and fliarply ferrated, like thofe from the root i but thofe on the branches, and on the upper part of the ftalk, are narrow, and undivided at the edges, and of a paler green. The flowers (land in great numbers on the tops of the branches, and they are fmal! and white. The feed-velfel is fmall and broad, and the feeds are numerous and minute. It is frequent in the fouthern parts of Eng- land, though lefs common in other places. It ilowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Iberis latiore folio. Others, Iberis. Diofcorides fpeaks with great carneflnefs of the virtues of this plant againft the fciatica ; and we read in other of the old Greeks, and in the Ro- mans who copied them, rhe moft furprifing ac- counts of its efficacy in the fame diforder. The manner in which they ufed it was this. They bruifed a great quantity of the root in a mortar, and mixed in with it hogs lard. This ointment they rubbed well in, not only on the hip, but alfoup the fide, and all down the thigh j and after this chey covered the pares with a vaft plaifler of it, fpread to a confiderable thicknefs; This application was fufFered to remain on four hours, or in tenderer bodies only three ; and in this time it adted as a finapifm, heating and in- flaming the flcin. It was then taken off; and the parts foftly an- ointed with oil and wine, and the perfon after- wards was put into a warm bath. Upon coming out, the part was wrapt round with a good thick- nefs of foft wool ; and this generally performed a cure at once. If any pain remained, or the dif- order threatened to return, the fame method was repeated at the end of three weeks. Our country. people in fome places ufe the bruifed herb for the fame purpofcs, and with great fuccefs ; but it is not fo much regarded as it deferves in the common courfe of praLtice. GENUS VJII. GOLD OF PLEASURE. AI r A G RU M. 'TpHE flower is compofed of four petals, which open in a regular crofs direction : they are fmall roundifh, and obtiife at the ends, and they have very narrow bottoms. The cup is compofed of four little leaves ; they are oval, hollow, and Hand apart ; the whole cup is coloured, and falis with the flower: the feed-vefiel is fliort and fwelled, of a fomewhat heart-falhioned form, and terminated by a firm point. Linnsus places this among the tetradynamia filiculofa \ the flower having four longer and two Ihorter threads, and the feed-vcflel being a regular filicule. He alfo joins very properly under the fame name fcverai plants, improperly called by others fpecies of alyjfum; a genus of very different charader. DIVISION L BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Myagrum. Myagrum vulgare. The root is long, fiender, white, and fur- niflied with many fibres. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, a foot and half high, and divided into a great number of branches. The leaves are numerous, and they are placed with an agreeable regularity from its bottom to its top : they are oblong, narrow, and of a pale green : they adhere to the ftalk by a broad bafe, and are from thence fmaller to the extremity, where they terminate in a point ; and they are fharply ferrated at the edges. The flowers ftand in little tufts at the tops of the branches, and are of a gold yellow. The feed-veffcls are fhorc and hard : the feeds are yellow. It is found in corn-fields in fomc parts of Eng- land, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine 264. The B R I T I SH HERBAL. C. Bauhine calls it M^agniin [ativum. Others, Myagrum imlgan, and Myagrum fylvejirc. In fome of thofe parts of England where they raifc flax, the plant is very common : the feeds of it pafs unnoticed among thofe of that herb, and confequently it rifes with the crop from one year to another. The feeds of this plant afford a fweet and ufe- ful oil in very confiderable quantity : it is greatly inferior to the common olive-oil, but there are many purpofes it will anfwer very well in its place. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Broad-leaved Myagrum. Aiyagrum latifolhm majus. The root is long, flender, and furnilhed with many fibres. The firft leaves rife in a numerous clufter ; and they are oblong, confiderably broad, and of a deep green : they have no footftalks : they are very little and very irregularly finuated at the edges, and obtufe at the end. The flalk is round, firm, upright, and two feet high : it is divided into many branches. The leaves' on this are placed irregularly, and are broad, and fomewhat heart-fafhioned : they fiirround the ftalk at the bafe, and thence termi- nate in an obtufe end. The flowers Hand at the tops of the branches, and are fmall and yellow. The feed veffels are Ihort, hard, and terminated by a point ; and in each there is only a fingle feed. The veflel has three cells, but two of them are empty. It is a native of France and Italy, where it is common in their corn-fields, as ours is here. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Myagrum monofpernum lali- folium. Others have followed the fame name, and fome have called it fimply Myagmn majus. 2. Myagrum with flat, dotted pods. Myagrum filiculis amfrefis funSatis. The root is long, flender, and fiirniflicd with a few fibres. The firfl: leaves rife in a great clufler; and they are large, oblong, and confiderably broad ; they are placed irregularly, fome ftanding up, others lying on the ground ; and they are not at all indented at the edges. The fl:alk rifes in the midft ■, and is round, up- right, of a whitifli colour, firm, and a foot and a half high: it is divided into many branches, and fet thick with leaves toward the top, though there be fewer near the bottom. Thefe are oblong, broad, and of a pale green : they furround the ftalk at the bafe, and are there broad, and fomewhat heart-fafliioned ; and they grow gradually fmall from thence till they ter- minate in a point. The flowers grow in little tufts at the tops of the ftalks, and they are fmall and white. The feed- veflel is of a roundifh form, and of a firm fubftance, dotted, and rough on the fur- face, and terminated by a fl:iff point. The feed is large, yellow,, and oily. It is common about the borders of vineyards in France and Italy, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Myagro fmilis filifua rotunda. Others, Myagrum hirfulum. The feeds of this kind are excellent againfl: the gravel : they have an oily foftnefs, and a power- ful diuretic quality. The peafants in Italy elleem it ; but there, like many good medicines here, it is negleifled in regular pradice. GENUS IX. WATER RADISH. R AD I CU L A. (-THE flower is compofed of four petals, regularly opening in a crofs direfiion they are oblong, obtufe and have very fmall bottoms : the cup is formed of four narrow, ftiarp-pomted leaves, that gape afunder and it is coloured, and falls with the flower : the feed-veffel is Ihort, and of a figure approaching to oval, with a fmali, weak point : the feeds are numerous and fmall. Linnaeus places this among the Mradynamia filiquofa ; but he has not arranged .t well. It is a fili- culofe not a filiquofe plant, as appears by the form and ftrufture of the feed-vcflel ; therefore it be- lont^s to the other divifion, the telradynainia fdiculofa. But this is not all that will miflead the ftudent in his arrangement of it. He has taken away its generical and received name, and makes it a fpecies of fifymbrium, joining it in with the ladyfmock and watercrefs. He calls it ihtfifymbrium with fods cfan cvah 'U<"'g fig'"''- , . , . r u This author's generical charafter of the fifymirium fays, that the pod is long ; therefore the very terms are difcordant. It is a ftrange force upon method, to introduce thefe plants, which he is obliged to diftinguilh by the fljortnds of their pods, into a genus, the charafter of which is to have long ones. , , 1 j The fpecies of fifymbrium are very numerous, and confequently the road to knowledge very mucli perplexed according to that difpofiiion. We fliall clear it farther, by reducing more of the plants to their diftinft and proper genera, and reftoring them to their ufual and received names. D I V I- 2 05 The BRITISH HERBAL. ISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. D I V I. Pinnate-leaved Water RadiHi. Radicula foliis pemuUijidis. The root is long and flender : it is furniflied with many fibres, and pierces to a great depth. The firft leaves are very deeply divided in the pinnated form; but their fegments are net cut quite to the rib, but are united at the bafe by a thin flip, running the whole length of the rib : they are oblong, and confiderably broad, and of a frelh green. The ftalk is round, green, branched, and weak: it riles to a foot and a half in height, and is of a pale colour. The leaves on it are numerous, and they have the fame divifion in the pinnated form with thofe of the root, but it is lefs regular. The flowers ftand as the tops of the ftalks, and are fmall and yeliow. The feed-vcffels are fliort, and of an oval figure, fweiled, foftened, and full of little brown feeds. It is common by waters, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Rafhmus aqtmlicus foliis in prafundas lacinias divifis. Others, Raphanus ciqua- ticus vulgaris. 2. Serrated-leaved Water RadiHi. Radicula foliis ferratis. The root is oblong and thick : it creeps under the furface, and fends out from difterent parts clufters of flender fibres. The firft leaves rife in fmall tufcs ; and ufually there are many of thefe form different parts of the fame root. They are oblong, broad, and of a duflcy green •, and they are once den- tated, and that very deeply near the bafe, the reft of their edge being undivided. The ftalks rife among thefe, and are round, firm, upright, and two feet high. The leaves on them are numerous, and they are placed irregularly : they are long, narrow, and of a pale green ; ftiarp-pointed, and ferrated at the edges, but not deeply. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks in little tufts, and are large and yellow. The feed-vefl'els are flaort and roundifti : the feeds are numerous, fmall, and brown. It is common about the fides of ditches, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Raphanus aquaticus alter^ as diftinguifhing it from the preceding ; and moft authors copy the fame name, though fo very idle and unexprellive. Linnaeus fuppofes the two plants to be the fame fpecies, differing only from accidents of growth, the one having more water than the other ; and fliewing it in the form of the leaves. But this is an error : they differ in the fiiape of the leaves, in the form and difpofition of the roots, and in the bignefs of the flowers. More cannot be re- quired for the diftin£lion of the fpecies in any one from another. Indeed there will happen fome farther acci- dental variations under particular circumftances ; and from thefe fome have eflabiifhed imaginary fpecies, which it is fit to reduce to the common kinds ; though not thofe two to one. Thus, when a part of the firft fpecies is conti- nually under water, thefe leaves which grow from fuch part of the ftalk, will be divided into fine capillary fegments, in the fame manner as thofe of the various-leaved water-crowfoot, which are always immerfed under the furface. In this ftate the plant has been defcribed by LinnKUS in fome of his earlier works, and by Van Royen, Dalibard, and others, under the name of fifymhrium^ with the lower leaves capilla- ceous, and the others pinnatifid. In a very dry fituation fome of the upper leaves of the fecond fpecies here defcribed will be deeply ferrated fo as to appear pinnatifid. In this ftate Vallifnieri has defcribed it as a new fpecies, under the name of fifymbrium-, with va- rious leaves ; and Haller under that of fifymbrium., with the lower leaves oval and ferrated, and the upper ones pinnated. The reducing thefe to their proper fpecies as varieties, for they are evidently nothing more, takes oft" the imaginary foreign kinds of radicula • and they are, by the accuftomed and judicious eye, eafily referred each to the plant to which it belongs : but it is purfuing a juft reduction to extravagance and error, to defire to make two ab- folutely different fpecies pafs for one, becaufe each has its varieties, which may be referred to it. This is one of the inftances of that common mif- take, the not knowing where to ftop. The frefli leaves of the water rcdifJj work bv urine ; and the feeds have the fame quality, but in no great or eminent degree. The juice is in fome places drank for the fcurvy with fuccefs. GENUS X. S C U R V Y G R A S S. COCHLEAR I A. THE flower is cotnpofe{3 of four petals, difplayed crofs-ways ; they arc fmall, (hort, and of an inverted oval figure ; they fpread open, and liave fliort bottoms. The cup is formed of four oval, hollow, little leaves ; they gape open, and fall with the flower : the feed-veflTel is heart-fa- fliioned, and flightly flatted, obtufe at the end, fomewhat rough, and pointed with the remain of the ftyle. N° XXVII. Y y y LinnKus 266 The BRITISH HERBAL. ^Linn;rus places this among die tetradymm'm ftlunlcfa ; the flower having tour longer and t^vo fhorter threads, and che feed-vefTel being a proper fiiicule. He introduci'S into the fame genas the horfe-radidi, and fome others, which do net agree with the chara£ters himfelf kas efl:ablifhed for afcertaining the dirtini5tion, we have therefore removed thefe to their proper places. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Sciirvygrafs. Cochlearia foliis fuhrotmidh. The root is long, Gender, white, and furninied with fevcral httle fibres. The firft leaves rife in a large tuft, and have long and thick foocflalks ; they are fhort, broad, and of a figure approaching to round, but fome- what indented at the bafe, and finuaccd varioufiy and irregularly at the edges. The colour of thefe leaves is a frefh, bright green ^ and they are of a very tender, juicy fub- itance, The flalks are numerous, round, of a pale green, ten inches high, and not very firm : they are but little branched, and have only a few leaves. Thefe are oblong, narrow, and altogether un- hke chofe from the root : they ftand in pairs, one, two, or three pair on each (talk, and are of a faint green. Thp flowers grow at the tops of the branches in little tufts, and they are fmall and v;hitc. The feed-vfiTels are fmall, and the feeds are numerous and minute. It is common on our fea-coa(ts, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Cochkaria folio fubrotundo. Others, Cochkaria rottindifolia. It gets a place in gardens from its ufe and vir- tues, and has thence alfo obtained the name of garden fcurvygrafs^ and cochlearia hortenfis. Some a!fo call it Dutch fcur'uygrafs. It is not only found upon the fea-coafts, but in many parts of England on hills near fprings. In thefe places the leaves are fmaller, and more perfeftly round ; and under this form it has been defcribed as a diftindl fpecies ; but the feeds being fown in a garden, produce the common kind. The cochkaria rotundifoUa of Merret, named in the laft edition of Ray's fynopfis, and the cochkaria rotundifoUa parva Batava of Lobel, are this variety of the common fcurvygrafs^ and not ■any diftindt fpecies. 2. Jagged-leaved Scurvygrafs. Cochkaria folio fimiato. The root is fmall, longifh, and furnifhed with innumerable fibres. The firll leaves rife in a little clufler, and have very fhort footflalks : they are of an oblong fi- gure, broadell toward the bafe, fharp at the point, and deeply and irregularly cut in along the edges. Their fubflianceis flefliy : they are full of juice, and their colour is an obfcure green. The flialks are numerous, thick, juicy, of a pale green, and ten inches high. The leaves on thefe refemble thole at the root in their general form ; but they have no fooc- ftalks, and they are more flightiy notched at the' edges. The flowers ftand at the tops of the brancln's- in little cluRers, and they are fmall and white. The feed veflel is fhort and tender ; the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is comriion in our falt-marfhes, and on the fea-fhorefi, where the bottom is mud. It flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Cochkaria folio finuato \ and mofl: other writers take the fame name : but fome call it Cochkaria vulgaris^ and fome Cochkaria Britc.nnica. It has commonly in our markets the name of fea feurvygrnfs, by way of diftindion from the other called, as we have faid, garden fcnrvygrafs -^ and it has aifo the name of Engliflj fcurvygrafs^ by way of diftiniftion from that other kind called Dutch : but thefe are very ill chofen and unex- preflive terms. Names taken from the fliapc of the leaves, which is the true mark of their diffe- rence, would be much more proper. 3. Litile fliort-leaved Scurvygrafs. - Cochlearia minor foliis brevibus. The root is a tuft of long, flender fibres, con- nefted to a little head. The firft leaves are fupported on long flefliy footftalks ; and they are fmalJ, and of a roundifti figure, but irregularly finuared at the edges, and terminated by a fliort point. The ftalks are very numerous, weak, of a pale green, fcarce at all branched, and five inches hi^h. The leaves on thefe refemble thofe from the root : they are broad, fliort, roundifli, and fi- nuated on the edges. The flowers are larger than in the others, and of a milky white. The feed-veflels are fhort, and the feeds are nu- merous and fmall. It is foLind on the fea-coaft of Wales, and flowers in April. Ray calls it Cochkaria minor rotundifoUa. It may be called Welch fcurvygrafs. 4. Ivy-leaved Scurvygrafs, Cochlearia foliis angulofis parzis. ^ The root is flender, long, white, and furnifhed with many fibres. The firft leaves rife in a very fmall but thick tuft: they are fupported on fhort and flender footfl:alks, and are divided into 'three parts, in the manner of many of the leaves of ivy : they are of a thick, flefliy fubflance, and of a brownilh colour ufually, though fometimes of a frefh and lively green. 3 The The BRITISH HERBAL. 267 The fbalks are very numerous: tliey are round, thick, brown, and tolerably iipilghc, except in the lower part, where they ulualty lean a little upon the ground, and they are fix inches high. The leaves on thefe are more numerous than on almoft any of the other kinds, and they perfectly rcfemble thofe from the root : they are fupported on long, flender footftiilks, and are three pointed as the others. The flowers are fmall and white : they n;and in little tufts at the tops of the ftalks. The feed-veflels are very fliort, and the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is found on the coaft of Lancafliire. Ray calls it Cochlearia marina folia angiilofo parvo. The earlier botanifls feem to have defcribed it, though they have referred it to a wrong genus. Lobel calls \i'Thlafpi hederaceum^ and our Gerard and Parkinfon from him Tblafpi hcderaceo folio. All thefe fpecies have the fame virtues, and they are very corifiderab'le. The firfl; and fecond kind here defcribed are mofl: ufed ; and of thefe, the preference given by cuftom to the firft, is due in reality to the fecond. , ■ It is fo eminent in the cure of the fcurvy, that it is thence named in our language. The juice is taken in fpring ; and no way is better. Some give the infufion, which has aifo a great deal of virtue \ but the method of brewing it in ale is alfo ufeful. A conferve of the frefh top is another very good method of taking it. The fcurvy, under various forms and appear- ances, is fo common in this kingdom, and the vir- tues of this plant are fo fovereign againfl it, that its ufe cannot be too much recommended. In fpring, when the herb is in feafon, the juice fhould be ufed; after this the conferve, fo i' ng as it re- tains its virtue i and, when it is not to be had in other forms, a weak beer brewed with it will be very fcrviceable. It is a method by no means to be ufed inftead of the others, but may have its effeifl when they cannot be had. To have any con- fiderable efficacy, the malt liquor mufl: be in itfelf fmal! : it mufl; be very ftrong of the herb, and ic mufl; be ufcd for the common drink. The frefh leaves of fairvygrafs, bruifed, and laid to the face for a few hours, are recommended to take ofi:'fpots and funburn ; and, when [hefkin can bear them, they will take this effeft : but thofe who have delicate complexions take moft care of them i and. fuch cannot bear it. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES, Purple-flowered Scurvygrafs. Cochlearia Jlorihtis purfurafcenlibus. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with many fibres. The firit leaves are very numerous, and are fupported on (hort, rcdith, tender footfl;alks : they are of a roundifh figure, but fomewhat oblong and finuated at the edges. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, and ten inches high. The leaves fl;3nd irregularly on it, and are of an oval figure, broad at the bafe, where they ad- here to the fl;alk, and fmaller to the end, where they terminate obtufely ; and they are varioufly and irregularly indented at the edges. Some of the leafl: leaves toward the top of the ftalk have only two notches. This gives them fome refemblance to the ivy-leaved kind jufl: de- fcribed ; but they are longer, and the whole plane is altogether difi-'crent. The flowers Hand in litde chifters at the tpps of the ftalks and branches : they are fmall ^ buc they are of a very beautiful pale purple. The feed-veflels are large and oval : the feeds are very numerous and brown. It is a native of Denmark, and flowers in April. Morifon calls it Cochlearia minima Armorica fore dilute viclaceo. Its virtues are the fame 35 thofe of the others. GENUS XI. CRESS. NASTURTIUM. 'J'HE flower is compofcd of four petals, which expand crofs-ways : they are fmall and oblong, largeft at the top, where they terminate obtufely, and terminated by very narrow bottoms in the cup. The cup is formed of four, little leaves, which are of an oval figure, and hollowed, and ic falls with the flower : the feed-vefl"el is rounded, but flightly finuated at the top, fomewhat compref- fed, and fliarp at the edges : it is divided into two cells, and in each is a finsle feed. Linna:us places this among the tetradyiiamia fi'icuhfa ; the flower having four longer and two (borter threads, and the feed-veffel being a regular filicule : but he has introduced great°confufion into the fcience by Ms conduit and difpofinon of it. He takes away the name mfi, najSurtium, and calls all the plants belonging to it fpecies of kpidium. Tills has been rafllly done ; and he fcems fince to have perceived it ; for, at the end of the generical charaflcr, he adds, that the feed-yeflil of kpidium, commonly fo called, is not fliarp at the edges, or finuated at the top ; therefore lepidium is not properly a fpecies of this genus, though he has ufed its name tor the generical term. We 2bi -^fj^T^li I T I S H H E R B A L. We ha.c fcparatcd that genu, into its proper place, and fome others mtroduced ,n th.s confuicd r^ann r by thna,« ■author°into their proper genera . and ftall here treat d, .naiy of thofe fp.aes properfyun'l^ft-d by the name crefi or .ajlur'''""' ^P^^^^d by thole characters here efta- blilhcd from all the other filiculol'c plants. DIVISION I. i; Narrow-leaved Crefs. Najlurtium anpiftifolimii. The root is long, thick, white, and furnifhed with many fibres. The leaves that rife from it are oblong, and narrow, and form a little thick tuft : they are of a pale green, cut in deeply at the edges, and fliarp-pointcd. The ftalk is round, thick, firm, upnght, very much branched, and a foot or more in height. The leaves ftand thick upon it, and m a per- feftly irregular manner ; they are oblong, nar- row and of a pale green : they have no foot- ftalks i they are not at all indented at the edges, and they terminate in a fbarp point. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches in little clufters, and they are very fmal! and white. , r J The feed veffels are fliort and hard ; tl:c iecds are large and brown. The whole plant has a ftrong acrid tafte. It is common bv the road-fides in Effex, and fome other parts of the kingdom, though utterly unknown in many counties. It flowers m July. C Bauhinc calls it Nafturlium fyhejlrs ofyndis folio. Others, Tblafpi angujtifoltum, and TUaffi minus. The plant in its general afpedhas much of the appearance of the ammon gm-den-crefs, efpecially while the radical leaves remain ; but they are ge- nerally of fliort continuance, fading as the plant flowers. 2. Rock Crefs. Ni'jlurlium pumilium petraun. The root is flender, oblong, and lurniflied with a great number of fmall fibres. The firft leaves rife in a fmall round tuft: they are oblong, narrow, and very deeply finuated at the ed-'es ; fo that they have much the appear- ance of the pinnated divifion : they are of a pale green at their firft growth, but they foon become '"'The ftalks rife among thcfe feveral together ; they are round, flender, upright, and about four inches high. The leaves on them are very fmall and tew fometimes they are altogether naked, and there are rarely more than two or three on the ftalk when the plant is moft vigorous and healthful : thefe are ftiort, and deeply divided into three or four fegments. . ,• , r The flowers ftand at the top in a little tult, and they are very fmall and white. The feed-veflfel is fliort, and the feeds are very fmall. The flowers laft but a little while on this plant; BRITISH SPECIES. but there are ufually found on the tops of the ftalks clufters of the feed-vetTcls, which get a brown colour. It is not uncommon in barren hilly places. It flowers in April. Tabcrnamontanus calls it Nafturlium petr^ciim % a name moft have copied : but fome call it Burfa pq/loris minor. 3. Rocket-Crefs. Najiurtium foliis erucv. The root is long, flender, white, and furniflied with many fibres. The firft leaves grow !n a little tuft, and are oblong, and deeply divided in the pinnated man- ner ; they are of a faint green, and of a tender fubftance. The Italk is round, firm, upright, branched, and a foot high. The leaves on it refemble thofe from the root i but they are fmaller, narrower, and more divided; the fegments are very flender, a little waved, and pointed at the ends. The flowers are fmall, and ftand in tufts at the tops of the branches. The feed-vefli^ls are alfo fmall, and the feeds are brown. It is found on fome hilly paflures, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Nafiurtium fyhajlre eritc^ ajjine. Others, Erucn mjturtio cogmta tenuijolia. It has much the afpedt in general of the rocket kind. 4. Fine-leaved Crefs. Ndfturtium foliis temtijfune diz-ijis. The root is a fmall, oblong fibre, with a few very flender threads hanging from it in various parts. The firft leaves rife Irregularly, a few in a clufter, and are of a pale green : they are oblong, narrow, and very beautifully divided in the pin- nated manner : each confifts of fix or eight pairs of extremely fine fegments, and an odd one at the end ■, but they are all connected by a rim of leaf that runs all along the middle rib. The ftalks rife in the midft of this tuft, and are numerous, weak, flender, and very much branched. The flowers are fmall and white : they ftand at the tops of the branches in little clufters. The pods are fliort and very fmall, and the feeds are minute and yellowifh. It is found on the hilly paftures in the weft of England, and among rocks. It flowers in May. Kay calls it Nafturlioban momanum annmmi te- miffime divifum. Pkikenet, Nafturlium pcly.£um annuum nofiras. 5. Swines The BRITISH HER B A L. 269 5. Swines Crefs. Naftunium fupiimn caffulis wrrmofts. The root is long, Qender, white, and furniflied \t'ith many fibres. The firfl: leaves fpread themfelves beautifully upon the ground, forming a regular circle : they are long, moderately broad, and very deeply di- vided in the pinnated manner, and their colour is a frcth and pleafant green : the fcgments are narrow, and divided into three points, or notched on each fide at the end. The fi:a!ks are numerous, round, green, and divided into many branches : they are thick and firm -, but they do not rife up from the ground, fpreading themfelves every way like the leaves. The flowers grow in clufters in the bofoms of the leaves, and they are finall and white. The feed-veflcls are fliort and rough : the feeds are fmall and brown. It is common evety where by way-fides, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Amhrofia campejirji repats. Others, Coroncpus Ruellit. All thefe crelTcs are good againfi: fcorbutic complaints ; and operate by urine. The laft fpe-^ cies is of late years become lamous as an ingre- dient in thofe medicines, the receipt for which the government purchafcd of Mrs. Stevens for the .cure of the ilone. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. 1. Garden Crefs. Najlurtium foliis variis. The root is long and fiender, and has numc; rous fibres. The firfi leaves are long, narrow, and vari- oufiy and irregularly divided ; they are of a frefh green colour, a tender fubftance, and a pleafing acrid tafie. The ifalk is round, upright, firm, and of a whicidi green, not much branched, and two teet high. The leaves on this arc numerous, and placed irregularly : tUey are divided in the pinnated manner into narrow fegments, very varioiifly and irregularly, as thofe at the root j but the di- viiions of ihefe are narrower. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks and branches, and are fmall and white. The fecd-veiTels are alio rmail : the feeds are brown. It is a native of Germany, but is fown in- our gardens for the ufe of the table, the feed-leaves bc'ing excellent among what is called young fal- C. Bauhine calls it NaJlurHum fyheftre vutga- lum. Others, 'Najlurtium hortenfe. Culture occafions a great deal of variety in the leaves of this plant. We fee them fometimes curled in a very beau- tiful manner at the fides, and fometimes undi- vided and broad, without fo much as indentings at the edges. Under thefe appearances it has been defcribed by Ibme as two diftindt fpecies, but they are only varieties. The plant is of the nature of the feveral wild crejj'es, and is no way to be taken more properly than as a fallad. N V XI [. TREACLE MUSTARD. T // L A S P I- THE flower is compofed of four petals placed crofs-ways : they are fmall, and of an inverted oval form, with very narrow bottoms. The cup is formed of four little leaves, which ftand fome- what open : they are oval and hollow, and fall with the flower. The feed-veiTel is broad, Ihort, and coroprcffed ; it is narrow at the bafe, and broadeft at the extremity : the feeds are numerous. LinnEEUS places this among the teir adynamia ftlkulofa i the flower having four longer and two fiiorter threads, and the feed-vefiel being a regular filicule. He joins the fliepherds purfe to this genus, but without reafon. The feed-veflel in that plant is of a very particular form ; therefore we have feparated it, and defcribed it in its place : and we have here joined feveral proper thlafpi to the reft, which Linnaeus feparates under various names. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Tlilafpi. thlafpi incanum majus. The root is long, flender, white, and nillied with numerous fibres. The firft leaves are few, and quickly fade : are long, narrow, and lliarp-pointcd, of a green, a little hairy, and fupported on long, der footftalks. N° 27. fur- they pale flen- The ftalk grows in the centre of thefe, and they grow yellow, and decay as it rifes in height : it is firm, round, of a pale green, and a little hairy, and toward the top divides into feveral branches. The leaves on it are long, narrow, and fharp- pointed : they are broadefl: at the bafe, and there adhere to the ftalk with a kind of appendage or point on each fide ; and from this part they grow fmaller all the way to the end. Z z z The 270 The BRITISH HERBAL. The flowers are litcle and white : they ftand in fmall tufts ac the tops of the branches, and the feed-veflels appear in them asfoon as they are open. Thefe are fliort, and of a pale green : the feeds are brown and minute. It is common in corn-fields in many parts of England, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it T^hlafpi arvenfe vaccari^ in- cano folio mapis. Othersj Thlajpi vulgare^ and Thlafpi "julgatiffimum. The feed has been celebrated for many virtues, but it is not regarded in the modern praftice. It is an attenuanc, and works by urine. The ancients have written great things in praife of it as a cure for the fciatica ; and there was at one time an opinion of its being very cxcelient againll: venomous bites and poifons. This obtained it a place in fome of the cele- brated old compcfitionsi but thele are very ill eftablifhed qualities. 2. Thlafpi with hairy pods. Thlafpi villofum capfuUs hirfutis. The root is long, (lender, and furnifhed with a few fibres. The firft leaves are fupported on flendcr, hairy footftalks i and are themfelves alfo hairy, and of an oval figure. The fl:alk rifes in the centre of a tuft of thefe, and is round, firm, upright, not at all branched, and a foot or more in height. The leaves on it are unHke thofe at the root : they are broad, oblong, and fomewhat heart-fa- fliioned at the bafe, where they furround the (talk and thence they grow narrower to .the end. The flowers fl:and in pretty large tufts at the tops of the ftalks, and they are large and white. The feed-veflTel is fliorc and hairy, and the feeds are yellowifh. It is common on the Welch mountains, and in fome parts of the wefl: of England. It flowej-s in Augufl-. C. Bauhine calls It 'thlafpi villofum capfulis hir- futis. Others, Thlafpi majus peremie. The whole plant is confiderably hairy from bottom to top. 3. Broad-podded Thlafpi. Thlafpi fiUculis latis. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with a few fibres. The firfl: leaves are oblong, moderately broad, and of a fainC green : they are obtufe at the ends, and a little waved at the edges. The ftalk rifes among thefe, and they foon af- ter fade : this is round, firm, upright, branched, and about ten inches high. The leaves are placed alternately upon it, and refemble thofe from the root ; they are oblong, broad, and blunt at the end, of a pale green, a little notched at the edges, and without foot- ftalks. The flowers are fmall and white : they fland cen or a dozen together at the tops of the fl:alks. The feed-veflel is very broad and thin, and has, a deep nip at the edge : the feeds are fmall and yellowifh. It is frequent about corn-fieldE, and in walle grounds, in many parts oi England. It flowcis in July. C. Bauhine calls it Thlafpi arucrfc fdiquts IrJis. Others, Thlafpi Diofcoridis. from the breadth of the fecd-vefl'els, fuppofed to reprefent a piece of money, it has obtained tlie Hnglifli name ol Peii- nycrefs. The feeds of this fpecies are celebrated by the old Greek writers in rheumatic cafes, in obllruc- tions of the vifccra, and againit poifon ; but thtfe virtues they attributed in the fame manner to many others upon little foundation, either in rea- fon or correi^t experience. 4. Little oval-leaved Thlafpi. Thlafpi foliis oi-atis mnus. The root is flender, and creeps under the furface, fending out in different places many fibres. The firfl: leaves rife in a thick tuft : they are fupported on flender footftalks, and are of an oval figure, and pale green. The fl:alks rife in the midft ; and are round, upright, firm, and rarL-ly branched ; of a dufky colour, and about eight inches high j often much lefs. The leaves on thefe are fliort and fmall, broad at the bafe, where rhey adhere to the flalk with- out any pedicles ; and thence gradually fmallcr to a point. The flowers arc fmall and white : they ftand at the tops of the flalks in fmall tufts. The feed-veflels are fliort, and have this point in the middle longer than in nioft kinds : the feeds are numerous, little, and brown. It is not common any where, but more fre- quent in Yorkfliirc than any other part of Eng- land, C. Bauhine calls it Thlafpi montanum glajlifolio minus. J. Bauhine, Thlafpi foliis globidaria:. Others, Thlafpi bellidis folio. 5. Smooth, broad-leaved Thlafpi. Thlafpi foliis latiorihus glabrum. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with numerous fibres. The firfl: leaves are oblong, broad, and obtufe at the end, not at all indented at the edges, per- fe6tly fraooth, and of a pale green. The ftalk rifes in the centre, and thefe foon after grow yellow and decay: it is firm, upright, branched, and a foot and a half high. The leaves are oblong, and confiderably broad : they have no footflalks, and they are of a pale green, perfec5lly fmooth, and not indented at the edges. The flowers grow at the tops of the branches, and arc fucceeded by fmall fmooth feed-vcirels. The feeds are roundifli, and of a glofly brown. It is found in Suffolk, and in fome other parts of England, and flowers in Auguft. Ray calls it Thlafpi vaccari.e folio glalrum. It is one of the plants of late years difcovered by the botanifts of our country, and not known to the earlier authors. 6. Small The BRITISH HERBAL. 271 6. SmairperfoliaEc ThUfpi. Thlafpi perfolialum mimu. The root is a fmall, white fibre, divided at the end into a few minute threads. The fir ft leaves are oblong, broad, and rounded at the ends : they are not indented at the edges, and they have no foocftalks : they are of a deep dun<:y green, which they ufually retain to the laft ; and they remain with the plant in its growth ; not, as the others, fade when the ftalk rifps. This jTiny probably be owing to the fmallnefs of the plant, which draws too iittlc nourifhment to ex- haufl them. The ftalk is (lender, weak, of a pale colour, not at all branched, and about four inches high. There ufually are three or four leaves on it, rarely more : thefe are broad, fliorc, oval, and fharp-pointed i and they fo perfcftly furround the jftalk at the bafe, that it feems to run through them : they are of a paie green, and not fer- rated. The flowers are fmall and white : they ftand in little clufters at the tops of the ftalks, and fuon fade. The feed-vefiels are broad, fliort, and fia'ted ; the feeds are fmall and brown. Ic is found in barren ftony places in many pares of England, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls ii Ihlifpi perfoUatum minus ; a name copied by moil fince his time. Others, Thiafpi minus, and Thlafpi jmius Clufii. All the fpccies ol thipfpi agree in their quali- ties with the firfl: defcribed kind ; but that is fuppofed to pofiefs them in the moft powerful degree. The feeds are the part that contain their virtues in the greateit perfeflion, and they Ihould be ufed frelh. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. 1. The greater perfoliate Thlafpi. Thlafpi perfoliati'.m majus. The root Is long, thick, and hung with many fibres. The firfl: leaves grow in a fmall duller, and are oblong, broad, and ferrated : they have very fhort foocftalks : their colour is a deep green, and they are fliarp-pointed. The ftalks are numerous, round, upright, rarely at all branched, and ten inches high. * The leaves on thefe are placed at diftances, and are of a heart-like fliape ; they have no tootftalks, and they are of a pale greyifli green : they are broad:^fl; at the bafe, where they indole the ftalk, but do not join behind it ; and they are fliarply ferrated on boch fides, as they decreafe in breadth, to the extremity, where they terminate in a point. The flowers ftand at the tops of theflalks, and are fmall and white. The feed-vefTirls are fmall, and divided at the end pretty deeply. The feeds arc fmall and brown. It is a native of the fouth of France, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Tklcifpi perfoUatum niqjus. '2. Heart-podded Thlafpi. Thlafpi fill cuUs coi'datis foiiis integris. The root is fmal!, oblong, and furniflied with a few fibres. The firft leaves are fmall, and quickly fade : they are oblong, and moderately broad : they rife from the root without any footftalks ; and they are of a pale green, undivided at the edges, and obtufe at the end. This ftalk lifcs in the midft, and is round and ■firm, of a pale green, not at all branched, and -four or five inches high. The leaves on it are like thofe from the root, ■oblong and broad, and undivided at the edges ; they adhere to the ftalk without any tootftaiks, and are obcufe at the ends. The flowers are few and fmall : they are whitt, and they are placed at the top of the ftalk ; but they quickly fall off ; the pods are heart-faftiioned, and have a point in the center of the divifion. The feeds are fmall and brown: Ic is a native of Spain, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it ThUifpi capfula cordata pere~ grimm. Others, Thlafpi cordatum. 3. Garlic Thlafpi. Thlafpi foliis ohtufis dmtatis allium rcdokns. The root is long and thick, and is furniflied with a few ftraggling fibres. The firft leaves rife in a large tuft, and are fupported on long, flender footftalks : they are ftiort and broad, of an oval figure, and of a pale green and they are rounded at the ends, and dentated at the edges. The fl:a!ks are numerous, round, whitifh, and irregular : they are not much branched, fre- quently not at all, and they are not perfedly up- right. The leaves on thefe are of the fame figure with thofe from the root, fliort, oval, obtufe at the end, dentated a little, or rather waved at the edges, and placed on footftalks toward the lower part, but without any at the upper. The flowers are larger than in mofl: of thefe kinds, and white ; they ftand in a fpike at the top of the ftalk. The feed-vefliils are of an oval figure, very little compreflTcd, dented at the end, and full of fmall brown feeds. Ic is common in the fouth of France, and flowers in Auguft. The whole plant has a ftrong fmell of garlic. C. Bauhine calls it Scorodo thlafpi miitus Aldro- vandi. Others, Thlafpi allium redolens. 4. Little red-flowered Thlafpi. Thlafpi foliis carnofts florilus rubris. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with many fibres. I The 272 The BRITISH HERBAL. The firfl: leaves are fmall, but they fpread tliemfelves in a regular clufter upon the ground : they are oblong, narrow, and of a pale green ; and they are of a flelby fubftance, and have no footftaiks. The ftalks are weak, flender, and fcarce able to fupport themfelvcs: they are ulually of a rediOi colour toward the top ; iind in the lower part, and Ibmetimes nearly all the way up, they are lo clofe covered with leaves, that they are fcarce to be fecn. Thefe leaves are fhort, and of an oval figure: they are very Imall, and they Oand clofe over one another : they are naturally of a pale green, but they often become red. The flowers (land at the tops of the (lalks, and are moderately large, and of a pale purple, (freaked with a deeper red. The fecd-velTels are oblong and thick : the feeds are very fmall, numerous, and brown. It is common in the fouth of France, and in Italy, and other warm parts of Europe, and is mofl frequently feen in rocky, hilly places. C. Bauhine calls it 1 hiafpi parvum Juxatile flore ruhentc. Others, Lilbonlhlafpi carnofo folio. 5. Great Candy-Tuft. Tblnfpi umbellniuyn Creticum imjiis. The root is long, flendcr, and furniflied with nun^erous fibres. The firfl: leaves rife in little tufts ; they are ob- long, moderately broad, fcrrated at the edges, and lliarp-pointed : they have no footftalks, but rife from the root with a long narrow bafe, and they are of a pale green colour. T he flalk grows in the centre of thefe, and is round, firm, upright, and of ^a pale green: it rifes to a foot or more in height, and is very much branched. The k-aves that grow on the lower part of the ftalk reftmble thofe fi-om the root i but thofe on the upper part of it are narrow, long, and not at all dividtd at the edges. The flowers lUnd at the tops of the ftalks and branches ; and are white, or of a pale flefh co- lour, or of a deep or purplifh tingci for all thefe are only accidental varieties in colour, while the plant is the fame in every other refped. The feed-velTels are oblong and thick : the feeds are numerous and fmall. It is common in Italy, and in the Greek iflands, particularly Crete. C. Bauhine calls it ^hlafpi umbellatum Creticum iberidis folio. Othersi Wafpt CandU. We have it in our gardens as an ornament to borders, and call it Great candy lift. 6. I-ittle Candy Tuft. 'Thinfpi umbellatum Crelicum minus. The root is long, flender, and furniflicd with a few fibres. The firfl: leaves are oblong, narrow, and of a pale green : they have no footftalks, but run up with a fmall bafe,. and they are a little ferrated at the extremity. The fl:alk is round, thick, of a pale green, vafl;ly fpread out into branches, and about eight inches high. The leaves upon this all the way up are like thofe from the root : they are long, narrow, and ferrated juil about the tip, but in no uther part. The flowers grow on the tops of the branches in a kind of umbells ; and arc fmall, white, or redilh, and RveetTcented. The feed-veflTels are oblong, and the feeds are numerous, fmall, and brown. It is a native of the Greek iflands, and of many other warm countries, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Jblafpi mnhellatiai Creti- cum fiore albo adoro minHS. Some prefer this to the larger kind in gaidcns. 7. The Rofe of Jericho. fblafpi frulicc'fum par-jum floribus alho lirauibus. The root is long, (lender, and woody, and is hung with a few llraggling fibres. The firfl leaves are few, and they very quickly wither : they are oblong, fomewhat broad, and of a faint green, obtufe at the ends, and in- dented bluntly and (lightly at the edges. The ftalks are numerous, thick, woody, and divided into many branches : they fpread them- felvcs circularly on the ground, and rife oniy a little from it at tlie points of the branches : they are two or three inches in length ; fo that when they lie e.-cpanded, the plant forms a circular tuft of about half a foot. The leaves fland irregularly on thtl'e, and thofe toward the lower part of tlie ftalk are like the firft from the root, broad, oblong, and indented at the edges. The flowers are fmall, and of a greenidi white: they ft:and on ihoit footftalks in the divifions of the branches. The fecd-veftils are fmall and Iliort : the feeds arc fmall and brown. It is a native of the Eaft, and flowers in July. After this the leaves fall oft', and the ftalks bend inwards till their fops meet ; and the whole plant then forms a round lamp of the bignefs of a man's (ift, and of a woody fubftance. In this ftatc it is brought over frequently as a curiofity, and, if laid into a bafon of warm wa- ter, it will expand the branches, and fpread itfelf out as it grew at firfl. C. Bauhine calls it Thlaffi rofa Hieracbnntea "■culgo dil^a. Others, Rofa Hierachontca. The reafon of its being called a rofe-, is its be- ing of the fize, and rudely rcfembling the form of one in its dry ftate. 8. The Candy Tuft Tree. Jblafpi fcmpeyvlrens fiorihus imhellalis. The root is thick and fpi'eading ; and is fur- niflred with many fibres. The ftem is hard, woody, and covered with a brown bark : it docs not grow to any great height, but is divided into a number of branches. The leaves grow on thefe in an irregular cluf- tered manner, great part of the ftalk being bare, and large tufts growing in other places ; Ibmetimes from the body of the branches, fometimes fup- ported on a kind of footftalks. Each leaf is oblong, narrow, and obtufe, not at all indented, and of a frelli green. 9 The The BRITISH HERBAL. 273 The aowers »row in fm;ll tufts at the extremi- ties of the br^nche-, and they are fmail and white. The feed-vcffcls are roundifn and Batted, and the feeds are brown. It is common in the Greek iBands, and flowers there all the year round. We have it in gardens, where it alfo continues flowering many n onths. C. Bauhine calls it Thlafpi nion'.amm [emptrvi- rens. Others, thlajpi Crtlkum per.nne flore albo. Some, Shrub thlafpi. g. Buckler Thlafpi. Thlafpi capfiilis didymis. The root is long, flender, and furninied with a few fibres. . The firft leaves lie fpread upon the ground m a circular tuft : they arc long, narrow, and deeply indented at the edges, and are of a pale greeli. The (talk rifes in the midfl; of thefe ; and is round, firm, upright, and of a whitiih colour, a foot high, and divided into branches toward the top. The leaves on this are few and fmall : they are of the fame pale green with thofe from the root, and are lightly ferrated at the edges, and iharp- pointed : they have no footrtalks. The flowers (land at the tops of the brancheff in little clufl:ers : they are fmall, and of a pale yellow. The fced-veflels are very beautiful : they arc thin and rounded, and they divide in an elegant manner ; two ftand together, with the ftyle be- tween them. It is frequent in Germany, and fome other parts of Europe, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it "Thlafpi bifmtatum afferum hicracifolium majus. Others, thlafpi ciypeatum. N U XIII. s u U L A R 1 A. l-rH'-' flower is compofed of four petals placed crofs-ways : they are of an mverted oval figure, and very fmall The cup is formed of four fmall leaves, which ftand wide, and are oval and hol- ■ow The 'fc-d vefltl is fmall, and of an inverted oval figure, very little compreflfed, and divided Into' two parts'hy a membrane which goes crofs-ways : the feeds are very fmall and round. Linnsjus places this among the utradymmia filiculofa ; the flower having four longer and two ftorter threads, and the feed-vefl-el being a regular filieule. It is a new diicovered genus, and has never had any Engliflr name. All the known fpecies of it arc natives of Britain. I. Soft-leaved Subularia. Subularia foliis UvUus. The root is a tuft of very flender and confl. derably long fibres. The leaves are numerous, flender, and long : they refemble rufties ; but they are fmall: about two inches in length, often not half fo much, and of a pale green : th«y are rounded on the under part, flat on the upper, and fliarp pomted. The fl;alks rife among thefe ; and are naked, very (lender, jointed, and crooked, and about four inches high : at every knee or joint there ftands a Angle flower ; this is fmall and white. The feed-veflil is alfo fmall, and the feeds are numerous and ycllowilb. It is found at the bottoms of deep ponds in the northern counties, and flowers under water in June and July. Ray calls it Subularia creBa junci foliis mollibus acutis. 1. Subularia with long, brittle leaves. Subularia foliis longioribus fragilibus. The root is compofed of numerous, long, and fmall fibres. The leaves arc very flender, and fix or eight inches long : they rife in a coi:fiderable tuft ; and they are round at the back, flat in the upper fur- face, and of a pale green ; they are tranfparent, and appear pierced full of little holes ; and they are very brittle. The ftalk is flender and round, and the flowers N" XXVIIl. are placed at diftacces from the bottom to the top of it : they are fmall and whitifll. It is found in the bottoms of deep Handing waters in Yorkfliire, and flowers in June, Ray calls it Subularia fragilis folio Ungiors et te- mdore, 3. Firm-leaved Subularia. Subularia foliis rigidis. The root is compofed of many long and thick fibres. The leaves are dblong, flender, and Iharp- pointed ; they ftand upright; and are of a deep green, and are very rough and harlh to the touch : they are rounded on the back, and flat on the up- per fide ; and are biggeft at the bottom, and fmalleft at the extremity. The ftalk is upright, flender, and green ; there are no leaves on it, but at diftances Angle flowers ; thefe are greenifh, and feldom quite open. The fced-vcflel is fmall, and the feeds are nu- merous and brown. It is found in Yorklhire, and other parts of the north of England, at the bottoms of filh-ponds, and flowers in Auguft. Ray calls it Subularia vulgaris ereSa folia fi£i- dijfttm. 4. Creeping foft-leaved Subularia. Subularia repens foliis mollioribus. The root is compofed of numerous fibres.' The firft leaves rife like a tuft of Ihort grafsj 4 A ftanding 274 The BRITISH HERBAL. ftanding fome upright, and others fpreading out obliquely. Among thefe rife ftalks, which, when they have grown to two or three inches, droop at the ends, and touching the mud, take root again, fending up tliere new tufts of leaves like the firft. By this nieans^the plant fpreads itfclf every way, and in a little time covers a great (pace of the bottom. The leaves and ftalks are of a pale green colour, afljd foft fubftance : the leaves are rounded at the back, and flat at the front-fide, and are ftuffed with a teiider pithy matter, as ruflies are. The ftalks which fupport the flowers rife to four inchts in height; and are weak, flendcr, and ftufFcd with a pith like' the leaves. The flowers are very final!, and of a greenlfh white. The feed-veficls are ovai, and full of fmalj brown feeds. It grows at the bottoms of rivers in the north of England, and flo- ,.-is in July. Ray calls it oiihularia r .yens folio minus rigido. The virtues ol ihcfe plants are altogether un- known. SERIES 11. Thofe of which there is no Ipecies native of this country. G E N U S I. J L r s s u M. b.- fTpHE flower is compofed of four petals fpreading crofs-ways: they are fmall, and open wide; and they have very rtiort and (lender bottoms. The cup is oblong, and is formed of four iictle' leaves : thefe are of an oblong oval fhape, and obtufe at the ends : they converge at the points,- and fall with the flower. Ths fecd-veffcl is roundifli, and has a flender point of confiderable length rifing from its end : the feeds are oval and comprcfl'ed. It is fingular in this plant, that the two fhorter threads in the flower are notched on the infide toward the bafc, or have in that part a little jagg ftand- ing inward. Linn3:'us places this among the telradynamia fiUculofa \ the flower having four longer and two fhorter threads, and the feed-veflel being a regular filicule. The fpecies of it have been treated of by fome authors in an irregular and indeterminate manner, and many of them called by other names. 1, The Alyfllim of the Antlents. . ■ . . . Myjfum aniiqiiorum. The root is flender, long, and divided into fibres at the bottom. The firft leaves grow in an irregular manner, fume upright, fome leaning, and fome lying al- together on the ground : they are long, narrow, and of a whitilh green : they have no footftalks, they are hairy, and they are irregularly Cnuated at the edges, and obtufe at the ends. The ft:alk is round, upright, not much branched, and a foot and half high. ■ The leaves ftand irregularly on this,- and re- femble thofe from the root: they are oblong, narrow, hairy, and without footftalks: they are in the fame manner as the others, finuated at the edges ; but they are fliarper at the point. The flowers grow at the tops of the branches feveral together, and are fmall and inconfiderable. , Tl\e (eed-veflTels are very large and confpi- CLious : t]?,ey are of an oval figi;re, flatted, and terminated by a point, and they much refemblc tlie pods of honefty, but that they are of a firmer fubftance, and z:q hairy. The feeds are large and brown. It is frequent about the vineyards of Italy, and flowers in- Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Leticoimn alyjfoides clypeatum ' majus. Dodonsus, Aly^on Diofcoridis, The antients celebrate this plant extremely for virtues which would be of the greateft import- ance, il v;tll eftabiilhcd. They fay it will cute the madnefs occafioncd by the bite of a mad dog. The frefh leaves are to be bruifcd, and given lor this purpofe. They affirm, the fame manner of giving them mixed with the food, will cure dogs that are going mad, or prevent their goino- fo after the bite. This is afl*erted by authors in moll things worthy credit ; and it is worth while to try whether it be (rue : fince, if it prove fo, it will turnifli us a remedy for the moft terrible dif- order to which human nature is fubjeift, and fur which (with due rcf[ eift to the great name of Dr. Mead be it fpoken) no cure is yet known. Its lelTer virtues are not inconfiderable. Dio- fcorides fays it cures the hiccough immediately, and others recommend it againfl: convulfions in children. The plant grows readily from feed with us, and it well dtlerves a trial. 2. Yellow Alyfllim with fwoJn capfuies. j^lyjfum jiorc fla-vo fillcuUs injiatis. The root is long and thick, and fpreads ac the bottom into many fibres. The firft leaves rile without footftalks, and ftand in a Utde tuft : they are oblong, narrow, and of a dufky green, not at all indented at the edges, but lliarp-poiiiCed. The ftalk is round, upright, and branched, and is a foot and a hall high. 7 The The BRITISH HERBAL. 275 The leaves on this refcmble thofe from the root, but they are fmallcr : they have no foot- ftalks; they arc not at all dented at the edges, and they grow in little clufters from certain parts of the (talks, leaving large naked fpaces between.. The flowers ftand toward the tops ; and they are large, and of a bright yellow ; they are fup- ported fingly on long footllalks. The feed-veflel is large, of an oval inverted fi- gure, and not at all compreffed, but on the con- trary fwelled out : the feeds are large and brown. It is a native of the Greek iflands, and flowers in May. Aipinus calls it Leucoium luteum iitricnlala fe- mine. 3. Shrubby, prickly MyfTum. Alylfim fpimfum frutkofum. The root is thick and fpreading. The ftalk is firm, woody, brown, and divided into many branches. The leaves grow on thefe in little clufters, two, three, or four together ; and are fmall, narrow, and oblong ; they have no footllalks ; they are not at all dented at the edges, and they are of a deep green. Among thefe there are difperfed a great many flrarp and long thorns from the old rtalks. The flowers are fmall, and of a greeniPa white : they ftand in clufters at the Cops of the branches. The reed-veffels are finxll, and of a rounded . fliape i and each is terminated by a long point. The feeds are fmall and brown. It is a native of Spain, and of other warm parts of Europe. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Thlafpi frutkofim fpimfum. Others, ^hlafpi fpinofum Hifptmkum and others, Leucoium fpinofim. N U S C L 2" P E O L A. II. THE flower is compofcd of four petals expaoded crofs-ways : they are oblong and undivided, and have narrow bottoms longer than the cup. The cup is formed of four oblong leaves, which do not fall off with the flower, but remain with the feed-veffel. The M-vefTcl is rounded, com- preffed, and dented at the extremity. : the. feeds are fmall and round. Linnaeus places this among the tetradynamiafdiculofa ; the Hower having four longer and two fi'iorter threads, and the feed-veflTcl being a regular filicule. I.- Hoary Clypeola.- Clypcola cancfcens^ ' The root is long, flend^^r, whice, and furnifhed ■tfith a'few fibres. The firfl; leaves are very fmall, and they quickly fade: they are fiiort, broadeft in the middle, and ppintcd. at the end i. and they are of a greyifla green, and hoary. The flatks rife in the centre of thl,s little tuft, and ufually there are feyeral together : thefq partly lean toward the ground, partly ftand upright and they are of a whitifli colour, and about five inches high- The lqav_es are very fmall, and have no fooc- ftalks :■ they are of a whitifh colour, and are not a£ all indented at the edges, but pointed at; the ends. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks, and are very fmall and yellow. The feed-veffcls are round j and they alfo ftand in little clufters, and make a fingular and very pretty appearance ; the feeds are fmall and brown. It is common on barren grounds in the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Ihlafpi dypeatum ferpylli folio. Columna, lonthUfpi minmum lunatum. 1. Long-leaved Clypeola. Clypcoh: fcliis bn^iorihus acutis. The root is long and thick, and has a few fibres. The firfl leaves are numerous, and have no footftalks : they are oblong, narrow, and fharp- pointed, not at all indented, and of a pale green, and fomewhat hoary. , The fl:alks are firm, round, of a redlHi co- lour, not branched, and eight or ten inches high. The leaves on thefe are numerous, and placed irregularly : they are long, narrow, fliarp- pointed, and of a greyifli green, foft to the touch, and a little hairy. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks, and are large and white. The feed-vcflrls are roundifh, but fomewhat approaching to oval : the feeds are fmall and blackifli. It is frequent on the fea-coafts in the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it 'Thlafpi alyjfmn diSlum mari- timum. Tabernamontanus, thlafpi narbonenfs centiinciili anguJiofoHo. The virtues of thefe plants are unknown. The END of tie SIXTEENTH CLASS. THE THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS xvir. Plants 'which have the fiower compofed of four petals, placed one up- •ward, two fdeways, and one downward ; and the feed-veffel long, and formed of two fides, united by a ftrait future above, and another be- low, containing feveral round seeds. TH E S E are the plants which botanic authors call fapliamceous and legumimus. The firft term refers to the fiower, the other to the feed-veflcl. The fiower is called faplionacEous^ bccaiife it is fuppofed to reprefeiit a butterfly (papiUo)^ or other fuch winged infeft, in the ftatc of flying. The fruit is called lepiminous, from the Latin word lepimcn, fignifying a feed-veflcl of this kind, and no other. We are unhappy in the Englifli language, that we luvc uo particular name or term for this feed-veflil, which, according to the defcription we have given of it, is as diftindi: from all others as that of the former clafs. We have lamented the want of a term to diftinguifli between the Jli^ua and Jilicula in the two preceding clafles ; and we are as much at a lofs here, the fame Englifli word pud banc the only name we have for all of them. As there is a commonly known Latin name, it will be ufeful to introduce it, and call this feed- veflil a legume. This is a clafs plainly of Nature's forming, and the plants belonging to it are by the ftrufture of the flower and fted veflU perfeSly difliinguilhed from all others : fo that nothing but blindncfs to the mofl: obvious charaflers of Nature, or an obfl:inacy fuperior to all reafon, could induce authors to place any other plants among thefe, or to feparate any of thefe into other clafles. Yet inftances of fuch blind- nefs and fuch obftinacy are not wanting among ;hefe men of fcience, as will be feen in the defcriptions of the feveral genera. Indeed there feems no error too abfurd for fome, and I am forry to fay fome of name in this fl:udy, to have committed. LinnEUS keeps thefe plants together : for Nature, in whatever manner flie is followed, will direft that ; and he has followed her, though oddly : but chufing to eflablilh the charafler of the clafs, not upon this plain and obvious flirufture of the flower and feed-veffel, but on the peculiar arrange- ment of the threads in the flower, he has introduced among thefe fome which do not belong to them. This is the confequence of his attachment to the leflfer parts of flowers infl:ead of the greater ; and this has led him here, as elfewherc, to contradift in many particular articles the abfolute efl:abliflied characters in his diftribution. Species thus frequently contradict: the characters of their genus, and genera thofc of their clafs. In Nature there is nothing of this : there all is confl:ant, uniform, and regular. It is therefore unhappy for thofe who have a deflre to underfl:and the fcience, that the fyftem falhion now recommends to their ufe, direfts them, inftead of regarding the large and confpicuous parts of flowers, to examine for diflinSions of genera, and even of clafles, the lelTcr and more obfcure ; and by that perplexed courfe carry themfclvcs out of the plain road of Nature, into uncertainty and innu- merable contradictions. In the prefent inftance, the great inventor of this modern fyftem allows, that the firfl: charaCler of •the clafs is, to have four petals in the flower, enumerating the diftindl names by which they are called 1 yet the very firll genus he introduces is Fiimaria, which has but one. ' In the fame manner the plygala, which by no means belongs to the legumimus clafs, is brought into it by this author. His lieijkria alfo has a flower formed of a Angle petal, and yet it is introduced amon» thefe ; the Erft charsfter of which is to have four ; and. the fame oljcaion lies againft his ° 2 amorpha. The BRITISH HERBAL. 277 ani'^rpba The borbonia and fforalia alfo have flowers compofed of five petals, though of the papiliO- mccous form ■ and thefe he introduces among the papilionaceous and leguminous plants. This .s the confcquence of his eftablifhing the characters of the clafs upon the peculiar difpofition of the threads in the flower- and this confufion being the refult of that character, fhews it to be falfe. Nature has pointed out a much plainer, which we have taken, and which never fails. Lmna:us calls thefe plants diaddpkia, becaufe the f.veral threads m the flower grow together in two feparate aflbrtmcnts. . , r n. i, j-n- a.- a ^yn A This is the account of his claffical charafter: but with relpeft to the proper diftmftion, eftabliflicd on the number, place, and form of the four petals in the flower, and tlie flrufture of the feed velTc!, more is to be obfcrved. The flower of all plants properly of this clafs, is formed, as we have obferved, of four petals j and thefe have diflinct names, which it is needful the ftudent eftablifli well in his memory, not only for underffanding what has been written concerning them, but that he may be able to fpeak pro- perly of the flower of each. This muft be defcribed on moft occafions by thefe its parts ; and they are thus named. , „ . .r , , , j The upper petal is called vexiUum. This is larger than the refl: : it nfes above the others, and in a manner covers them. It is inferted into the upper edge of the receptacle, and its form is roundifli or oblon.^. It has a kind of ridge or fold in the middle of the upper part, as if rifing from Come prelhire below ; and in the lower it falls over the reft in a rounded hollow fhape. At the fides there are two prominent parts formed by two hollows behind, which fall upon, and in fome dfgree prefs the two fides. The two fide-petals are called aU. Thefe are placed under the vexilkim, and on each fide of the Bower : they are a regular pair, aniwering exaftly in fiiape, fize, and fituation to one an- other. Thefe are of an oblong form, and are divided each at the bafe : the upper part of this divifion is fliort and inconfiderable, but the lower is very long and flendcr ; and it lies along the cup, ■which it equal, in length ; and is infixed to the receptacle. The liiwer petal is called the carina : this is hollow, comprefled, and in fome degree of the Ihape of a boat : it is placed under the vexiUum, and between the aU. This petal is fplic like the alae at the bafe, and its lower part runs out in the fame manner into a long flip, which goes to the receptacle, and is there inferted. The upper part is interwoven with the upper divifion of the two alas. If the ftudent in this pleafing fcience will lay before him the frefh gathered flower of a bean, or fome other plant of this clafs ; obferve it entire, and examine it when taken to pieces, as he here reads the defcription of the whole, and of its fevcral parts, he will fix upon his mind in a very fa- miliar and lafting manner the ftruflure of a papilionaceous flower. The threads from whence Linna;us forms the charafter of his clafs are difpofed in this manner. They do not run free, and feparate, as on other occafions, the length of the flower ; but join thcmfelves to'Jether, and ibrm, not one, but two dit\hia and fcpaiatc nfiortmcnts. Of thele the lower, which is formed of the bodies of nine of the threads, is a thin membrane, furrounding in great part the rudi- ment of the fruit -, and the upper one, which is formed of the body of only a fingle one, lies upon it. The nine tops of the threads at the extremity of this body turn up, and imitate the form of the carina of the flower, in which they are enclofed. This body formed of the nine tlireads has a flit or opening at its top ; and the fingle thread, which lies above, fills up or covers this opening. This has its button at the extremity, and the nine points of the under body have alfo each its button ; fo that the whole number is ten. Such is the ftrufture of this part of the papilionaceous flower ; and thus Linns:us has him- felf eftablifhed it, when he explains it as the claflical charaSer : yet, in his diftribution of the genera under it, he introduces plants which have only fix of thefe points of threads, or buttons, and others which have eight. Thefe therefore contradict the very effential charadfer of his clafs, as him- felf has explained it. They are the fame genera in which the flower is formed of a fingle leaf: they are not properly plants of this clafs, and fliould not have been introduced into it. The carina, which is naturally and ufuaily an entire, fingle petal, is fometimes fplit in the lower part ; and the fifiiire in fome fpecies is continued almoft to the tip, in fome entirely ; but the ap- pearance is the fame. The cup in this clafs is univerfally of one ftrufture in the manner of the flower : it is cylindric, hollow, and large at the bafe, and is divided into five fegments at the edge ; the under one of which is quite unlike the reft, and longer than any. The upper pair are fhorter than the others, and Hand opener ; the other pair are longer and clofer. The regularity and uniformity in Nature in plants truly and properly of the fame clafs, is in no inftance feen fo clearly as in this. Thefe are very numerous yec they all agree in thefe fingular charadlers. SERIES 27c The BRITISH HERBAL. SERIES I. Nathes c/" B r i T A i H. Thofe of which one or more fpecies are found naturally wild In this country. E N U P E A; I. P 1 S U M. THE flower is papilionaceous, and confifts of four petals : the vexillum is very broad, and is nipp'd at the top with a point, and turned back : the al^ are fhorter than the vexillum, of a roundilh figure, and convergent ; and the carina is compreffed, fiiorter than the ala?, and of the form of a half moon. The cup is formed of a fingle piece, divided at the rim into five fegments ; of which the two upper ones are broadeft ; and it remains with the pod. This is a large and long legume, fomewhac depreffed on the back ; and it contains feveral round feeds. The terms ufed in the charader of this and the flowers of the fucceeding genera, will be fami- liarly underftood from the defcription of the flower fubjoined for that purpofe to the clallical cha- ra£ter. DIVISION L Sea-Pea. Pifum muUiJloritm catde angulato maritmum. The root is long and fpreading, and penetrates to a great depth : it often runs to five, fix, or more feet in length feveral ways at once 1 and is of a whitiih colour, and fwcet tafte. The ftalk is flender, weak, angulated, and of a pale green : it ufiially lies upon the ground, and will grow fo to a yard Jii length. The leaves are beautifully pinnated : each con- fifts of four or five pairs of oval pinnae, and is terminated wich a branched tendril inftead of an odd leaf : and at the bafe of the rib on the main- italk there grow a pair of larger leaves, oblong, and pointed at the ends, The flowers grow in cluflers, eight or ten to- gether, at the extremities of the flalks, and on naked footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves : they are fmaller than the flowers of the common pea ; and are of a pale red, with a tinge of bluifli purple in the middle. The pods are like thofe of the common pca^ but fmaller ; and each contains eight or ten feeds, like commonpeas alfo, but lefs. It is a native of our fea-coafts, and flowers in Auguft. Morifon calls it Pifum fpontaneum perenns repcns htmile. Ray, Pifum marimcm. The peafe of this are as wholefome as thofe of the common kind, and are often eaten by the poor people in places where they grow in plenty. This plant had covered the fhores of Suffolk un- obferved many ages, wlien, about the prefent BRITISH SPECIES. feafon two hundred years ago, neccfTity firfl fliewed them to our countrymen. The perfecutions and barbarities of that hor- rible period, under the aufpices of Mary, were attended with a year of dearth. While the clergy^ under a cruel woman, were reviving ill-made laws, and putting what confl:rui5tion they pleafcd upon theflatutes of Richards and of Henrys made under very different circumfbances; the poor, who were lacrihced as hereticks in fome places, were perifliing in others by famine. Suffolk lay wafl:e more than any other county, and the fea-coafl inhabitants were mofl necef- fitated of all. Hunger fhewed them what they had negledled in their days of plenty ; and they were fupported by thoufands upon the fruit of this fea-pea^ then ripening in a prodigious abun- dance. The enthufiafts of that time fuppofed the plant? raifed by miracle ; and our venerable Cambden, unwilling to call in fupernatural powers, folves the difiiculty, by imagining they rofe from peafe thrown on the fhore from fome wrecked vefTel. But there needs not even this far-fetched thought : they were not produced that year; but they had been difregarded before. They will grow any where on the moif barren beach, penetrating by thofe long roots to the better foil. This is properly the wild Englifh pea. We have obferved before, that we have in the fame manner a wild EngUfh cabbage, whofe place of growth is alfo on the fea coafl:; but neither of thefe is the fource of all the cultivated kinds.- There is an infuperable toughnefs in the fea- cabbage ; and there is a bittcrnefs in thefe peas-^ which, though hunger can pafs over in coarfe mouths, no culture can mend. D I V I- The BRITISH HERBAL. 279 FOREIGN SPECIES. DIVISION II. I. The Common Pea. Fifim fntivum. The root is compofed of feveral long ftraggling fibres. The ftalk is weal-, fiender, branched, and of a pale green: it ufually lays hold of flick?, or any thing that can fupport it, and will thus grow to more than a yard in height : when left unfup- ported, it trails tjpon the ground, and is lower. The leaves are regularly pinnated; each is com- pofed of two or three pairs of pinnae, which are roundilh, approaching to oval, of a tender fub- ilance, and of a greyilli green colour. The rib on which thefe ftand is terminated by a tendril, inftead of an odd leaf ; and at the bafe, where it joins the ftalk, there is a fingle broad leaf. . The flowers fland on long footftalks, and are white, with a fpot of purple in the middle. The pods are long and thick, and contain fix, eight, or ten peafc. This is wild in the corn-fields of Italy, and flowers in June. With us it is cultivated. And Bauhine and others call it Pifum hortenfe. The excellency of the feeds of this plant at our tables, have made the gardeners fo induftrious in its culture, that we fee innumer.ible varieties of it, which are in their way dillinguiflied by par- ticular names, and have been by fome defcribed as fo many fpecies. But they are all variations made by culture from this fingle fpecies. The Jield-pm, and the gardcn-fea, are in every refpecT:, but what is owing to culture, the fame plant : and in the fame manner ihehaf.ive and the rouncival, with all thofe other forts, the names of which are fo numerous, and fo continually in- creafing, are to be confidered by the botanifts as varieties of one and the fame original plant. The following fpecies is truly ditfimff. 3. Single flowered Pea with cornered leaves. Pifum miifiGnun foliis migulatis. The root is divided, fpreading, fibrous, and irregular. The ftalks grow to three feet high when fup- ported. The leaves which fland on the main fl:alks, at the infertion of the pinnated ones, are of an ob- long figure, and cornered at the bottom, where they have ufually alfo two or three indcntings. The pinnated leaves confill each of two or three pairs of fmall oval pinnae on a rib, which arifes from the bofom of the cornered leaf, and is ter- minated by a divided tendril. The flowers Hand fingly on long, flcnder foot- fl:alks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves ; and they are large and white, or foraetimcs of a pale red, with a deep purple or blue fpot in the center. The pod is large, and the pea very fweet to the tafte. It is wild among the corn-fields in the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Pifumpulchrum folio angtilofo. The fruits of thefe feveral kinds are all of the fame quality, wholefome as food, but apt to breed wind. G E N U S 11. V E T C H L I N G. L J 1 H 2' R U S. THE flower is of the papilionaceous form, and is compofed of four petals. The vexillum is very larue : its fides and top turn back, and it is nipped at the extremity in a heart- fafhioned manner. The ate are (hort, of the figure of a new moon, and obtufe. The carina is of the length of the ate, but broader, and fplits inwards in the middle. The cup is of the beil-fliape, and is divided into' five fegments at the edge : the two upper of thefe are fliorter, and the fingle lower fegment is !on at the top. The ate are oblong, and of a plain, fimple ftruaure. The carina is / nVrrolit all the way up ; and it is of the fame f.ze with the ate. The cup is formed of a W.= ho 0 ce divided Lei into two lips at thcedge : the upper lip is broke into three parts . o whtl the middle one is Ihorter and broader than the others and is fplit at the end : the lower Up Ts ftrait! narrow, and of a Ample ffrufture. The pod is oblong, compreffed, and acute : the Oprls are few, and of a kidney like fhape, , . , „ . . j tinnLus places this among the ^.Wrf^to Wn. . the threads m the flower being ten, and ar. ranged in two parcels, nine in one, and a fingle one in the other. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Liquorice. Glycyrrhiza vulgaris Jiliquis glabris. The root is very long and creeping ; of the thickncfs of a finger, and of a tender, juicy fub- ftance : it is of a dufky brown on the outfide, of a fine yellow within, and of a fweet tafte. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, not much branched, and four feet high. The leaves are long, large, and regularly pin- nated : each is compofed of eight or more paiis of pinnse ; and thefe are oblong, narrow, and pointed at the ends, and of a pale green : they refcmble the leaves of the alh-tree, but are fmaller. The flowers grow on long and flender foot- ftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, feve- ral on each : they arc fmall and bluifh. The pods are oblong, flcnder, and of a pale green : the feeds are large and brown. It is faid to have been found wild in the nor- thern parts of the kingdom : but, like other plants frequently and commonly cultivated in our fields, it is not eafy to fay whether it be truly a native or not : probably enough it may be fo; for it is evidently wild in other countries, in which the degrees of heat and cold are about equal to this. It flowers in September ; but with us it does not produce its flowers and fruit fo freely as in fbme other places. Indeed Nature has made fo good a provifion for the multiplying this plant by root, that it no where ripens its feeds in fuch abundance as ihofe that can only be propagated that way. ' C. Bauhine 288 The BRITISH HERBAL. C. Bauhine calls ic Chrjrrhizc ftUqitoJa frjc Ger- mnnica. It was originally cultivated in Germany, and in a manner all Europe fupplied thence widi the root; afterwards it was raifcd in Spain, and now in England there is a great deal propa- gated ; and it is fo valuable a commodity, th.it the hufb.indmcn would find it extremely worth their while lo introduce its culture in many other parts of the kingdom. Liquorice is a celebrated medicine ; and it de- ferves all that has been written of it. We fee it principally in three forms the frefh root, the dried root, and what is called the juice. This tail is a ftrong decodtion of the root boiled to a firm confiflence. The frefii root is in general the bed for ufe. It is excellent to take off the acrimony of the humours on many occaiions. In coughs it is a fovereign remedy, approved by a Jong expe- rience ; and if promotes expefloraion at the fame time that it thickens the juices. It is alfo good in nephritic complaints from the Hime principle. The antients looked on it as a remedy both againft thirft and liunger. It will take ofF the common fenfations ol both for a time ; but it is an error to fuppofe it can fupply the place of food and drink in their effcds. It was direifted by the old phyficains to be fucked frequently by ptrfons in dropfies, to ab.ue their thirft, and prevent their drinking too often : and this is fingular, that whereas the fweet of fugar, in whatever lorm, makes perfons thirfty after- ward-, the fweet of liquorice, which is at leaft equal to it, does not. This is particular ; but ex- periment will at any time fhew it to be perfectly true. A land of beer may be brewed with liquorice in the place of malt, and it will have a conliderable flrength and an agreeable flavour. DIVISION 11. FOREIGN SPECIES. Echinated Liquorice. Glycyrrhiza filiquis conghhatis echinatis. The root is long, and very thick, and does not fpread in the manner of the other. The outer bark is of a deep brown colour, the inner fub- ftance is of a dufky yellow; and the tafte is fweet, as in the comtnonliqiiorice^ but more mawki/li and !efs agreeable ; if the bark be chewed with it, there is alfo a connderable bitternefs. The ftalk is round, firm, hairy, upright, and a yard high. The leaves ftand irregularly: they are nume- rous, and pinnated : each is compofed of eight or ten pairs of pinnce, which are narrow, oblong, of a dufl-;:y green, fomewhat hairy, and pointed at the ends. The flowers grow in round lieads, fupported on long, flender footftalks rifing from the bo- foms of the leaves : they are fmall and blue : the whole tuft together is confpicuous. The feed-veiTels are fliort and flatted, of a pale green, and hairy : they follow the flowers in the fame cluflered manner ; and the whole bunch of them is of the bignefs of a fmall wall- nut. The feeds are large, kid ney-fli aped, and brown. It is a native of Tartary, and is common alfo to fome other parts of Europe. It flowers in Augufl. C. Bauhine calls it Glycyrrhiza capite echinato. Our people call it the Hedge-hog liquorice. Its virtues are the fame with thofe of the for- mer i but it is lefs plcafant, and they are infe- rior; wherefore there can never be any tempta- tion to ufe it, while the right kind is fo univer- fal, cheap, and common. GENUS IX. WOOD-VETCH. 0 R O B U S. '-pHE flower is papilionaceous, and compofcd of four petals. The vexiilum is heart-fa fhioned, ai>d at the top terminates in a half cylinder, which is longer than the cup at the bottom. The alEE are oblong, and rife upwards, and converge together: they are nearly as long as the vexiilum. The carina turns up, and is divided underneath : the edges are comprefTed together, and the belly is fwelled. The cup is formed of a fingle piece, and is tubular, and very fiightly indented in five places at the edge. The pod is long, flender, and rounded, and it turns up at the top, where it is fliarp- pointed : the feeds are numerous and round. The leaves are pinnated ; but they have no tendrils. Linnxus places this among the diadelphia decandria the threads being ten, nine in one body, and one fingly. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Common Wood-vetch. Orobus vtdgatior. The root is long, thick, and fpreading : it pe- netrates far into the ground, and remains mgny years : its fubftance is firm, and its tafl:e not un- pleafant. The flalks are numerous, firm, and rigid : they do not fupport themfelves upright, nor have tendrils ; for which reafon they trail upon the ground : The BRITISH HE REAL. 289 ground : they are a foot and half long, of a pale green, ftriated, and hairy. The leaves are pinnated in a very regular and beantiful manner: each is compofed ot eight or ten pair of fmall pinns, which are oblong, and of a dufty green on the upper fide, and ot a paler gretn underneath. Ti e flowers ftand in little clufters fix or e.ght together, and are of a plain rediflr colour on the outfide, and of a dead purple, ftreaked wth •white, within. The pods are broad, fliort, and fomewhat flatted : the feeds are alio fmall and Hatted. We have it in the north of England, and m fome of the fouthern provinces in woods, but not common. „ . „ t-u Ray calls it Onlus fylvejlm mjlras. The older writers have not mentioned it. 2. Heath Orobus. Orrbus fyhvalkus fdiis Mongis glairis. The root is large, tuberous, and of an irregu- lar form : its tafte is fweet, and in fome degree refemJes that ot liquorice. The ffalk is weak, angular, fl:riated, of a dufky green, and a foot high. The leaves arc placed irregularly on it, and are of a deep green colour : they are of the pinnated kind, the larger confifting of two pairs of pinna;, without cither a tendril or an odd leaf at the end, and the fmaller only of one pair. The flowers grow on long footlf alks at the tops of the fl:alks and branches two or three together, and they are of a pleaCng purple colour. The pods are long and flender, and the fec'ds are roundifli. It is very common among buflies on heaths and in woods, and it flowers in April and IVIay. Ray calls it Orobus fylvaticus foUis oihngis glabris. Others, Jftragalus fylvalkiis, JJlmga- loides, and Lathyrus lignofior. The roots diced and boiled are good againft coughs ; and in nephritic complaints ; they on any occafion are ferviceable to obtund the acri- mony of humors. D IVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Broad leaved Orobus. Orobus finnis latis. The root is long, thick, and divided into many ^^The ftalk is of a pale green, firm, and tole- rably upright, and a foot and half high. The leaves are very beautifully pinnated : they are long, large, and of a pale green : each .s compofed of two or three pa.rs of pmna, which are of an oval figure, but lliarp -pointed, and of a deep green. The flowers grow in clufters, eight or ten toge- ther, on long footflralks rifing from the bofums of the leaves : they are fmall, and of a lainc purple. The pods are longifh and flender, and the feeds are fmall and round. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in May and June. Clufius calls it Orcbus fylvaticus vimlns ; and others adopt the fame name. G E N U S X. GRASS-VETCH. N J S S 0 L I J. THE flower is papilionaceous, and is compofed of four petals. The vexiUura Is large, and the ton and fides turn back ; the extremity alio is a little nipped. The ate are fiiort, blunt, and a little hoofed The carina is broad, and of a half-round figure, and is fplit at the bottom. The pod is very ioncr 'and the feeds are numerous and round. The leaves are placed fingly and alternately on the ftalksTand are long and narrow, refemblingthofe of grafs. ^ . ■ Linna:us places this among the diadelpUa decandrm ; the flower havmg ten threads, nine connefted nd a fine le one feparate. But this author does not allow the plant to be a diftinft ge- ° the dymmum, aphaca, and others, all improperly with the lathyrus, making The conformity of the flowers in all thefe plants is this author's reafon ; in one body, nus. He joins this, as them fpecics of that genus for his fyfl:em permits him to look no farther : but as the fpecies are numerous, and generical dif- tinc^ions'therefure needful, where they can be fupported, this fimifarity of the flowers is the reafon why the charaders IKould be more carefuUy fought in other parts of the plant. The leaves aff-ord thefe abundant'y : and the genus oUatkyrus, as he eftablilhes it, is thus with perfeft reafon, and by very obvious characlers, divided into four ; the proper lathyrus having a fingle pair of pinns only, the cljmimm two or more pairs, the aphaca fingle leaves in pairs, and the grafs-wtch fingle leaves placed alternately. . , , . ^ , r 1, o r Thefe are diftinaions as fixed and Invariable as any the whole fcience affords from the flowers oi plants • t'hey are ufeful in the highefl: degree, and they are obvious and familiar. ^ Of this Angular genus there is but one known fpecies, and that is a native of Britain. N° 25. The The BRITISH HERBAL. The Grafs- Vetch. The root is compofed of numerous, thick, and tough fibres. The ftalk is of a pale green, flender, but tole- rably ered, rarely much branched, and two feet high. The leaves are placed irregularly on the flalks from the top to the bottom of the plant ; and there generally rifes a young fhoot of a branch in the bofom of every one of them : they are very long, narrow, and of a fine frefh green \ fo that they in all refpefts refemble thofe of grafs ; and the plant is hardly diftinguifhcd, except when in flower. The flowers are phced on long, flender foot- ftalks ; and are of a bright red colour : they are fmall, but very confpicuous. The pods are long and flender, and the feeds are numerous and round. It is found by wood-fides, and in hedges in many places. Authors have called ic by a va- riety of names, but all of them liable to fo many objedtions, that this new one JiiJjoUa is very proper to be introduced in their place. Some call it Ervum fyhsftre ; and others, Cata- nance legmnittofa : hut ervum and catanaiice are names of different plants ; fo this breeds confufion. C. Bauhine calls it Latljyrus fylvejiris minor ; but the characters fliew how improperly it is called by that name. Its virtues are unknown. GENUS XI. K I D N E Y V E T C H. A N r H 2^ L L I S. THE flower is compoR-d of four petals, and is papilionaceous. The vexillum is oblong: ic turns back at the fides, and has a hollow bottom of the length of the cup. The alje are of an dblono- form, and are flaorter than the vexillum. The carina refembles the als in fliape andfizci but it is comprefied. The cup is formed of one piece, and is of an oval figure, fomewhat fwoln and hairy: it is divided regularly into five fegments at the edge, and it remains when the flower is fallen. The pod is very fmall, and of a roundifh figure ; and it remains covered within the cup. Linnreus places this among the diaddpbia decaudi ia ; the flower having ten threads in two afllirC- ments, nine coUeded into a body, and one fingle. DIVISION I, BR I. Yellow Kidneyvctch. AnthyUis pinnate fiava. The root is long, thick, and furniflicd with many fibres. The firft leaves are long, and pinnated in a very retJular and perfeft manner : each is compofed o[ fix or more pairs of pinns, which are oblong and narrow, and a much larger leaf of the fame form at the end : the whole is hairy, and of a whitifh green. The ftialk is round, thick, and a foot or more in height when it rifes up, but ic more ufualiy fpreads about the ground ; and is of a yellowiOi colour. The leaves on this are perfetflly like thofe from the root : they are placed irregularly, and are of the fame pale colour. The flowers ftand in tufts at the tops of the ftalks, and on long, flender pedicles rifing from the bofoms of the leaves : they are fmall and yel- low. The pods are fmall, and remain concealed in the cups. We have it in dry pafl:urcs not unfrequently. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Loto affinis vulnsraria pra- ITISH SPECIES. teufis. Others, AnthyUis leguminofa^ and Vulm' raria rujlica. It has the credit of being a famous wound- herb ; but thefe are virtues lefs regarded now than heretofore. 2. Purple Kidneyvetch. AnthyUis prociwibcns f.crihus ruhris. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with numerous fibres. The firft leaves arc regularly pinnated : each is compofed of fevcral pairs of fmall pinnie, with a larger odd leaf at the end. The fl:alks are numerous, a foot long, and fpread themfelves on the ground. The leaves are placed irregularly on them, and are pinnated as thofe from the root. The flowers grow in large tufts at the tops of the fl:alks, and extremities of all the branches, and are of a bright red. The feed-velfels are very fmall, and perfeftly hid within the cup. It is found in our weftern counties, and flowers in Augufl:. Ray calls it Viilmraria fupina fiore coccineo* The older authors were not acquainted with it. D I V I- The B R I T I S H H E R B A L. 291 DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Yellow CretlcKidneyvetch. Anthyllis Crctica fiore fiavo. The root is long, flender, and divided into numerous pares. The firil leaves are oblong, and undivided : they are of an inverted oval figure, broad, and rounded at the end, and narrow at the bale. The ftalks are numerous, weak, and branched : they are of a pale green, and a foot and half high. The leaves fland in an irregular manner on the ftalks, andarefmall; about five grow together in an odd pinnated manner; The flowers grow at the tops of the flalks and branches, and arc fmall and yel'ow ; eight or ten of them ftand together in a clufter. The feed-vefiels are fmal!, and they are con- tained in broad membraneous cafes. Thefe are formed of the cups of the flower, which IwcU into this fiiape and bignefs after it is fallen. The feeds are few and fmall. It is frequent in the Greek iflands, and flowers in Augufl. Profper Alpinus calls it 'TrifoVuin fakatum: a ftrange name, but others have copied it. GENUS XII. H O R S E- S II O E VETCH. HIPFOCREPIS. r»~lHE flower is conipored of four petals, and is papilionaceous. The vexillum is heart-fafhioned, J- and lias a very long bottom. The ate are of an oval form, and are obtufe ; and the carina is flatted and hooked. The pod is crooked, long, flatted, and cut deeply in at fmall diftances all along the inner edge ; fo that it appears compofed of a number of little points, faftened by narrow ends to the edge of the back, The feeds are fmall, oblong, and hooked ; and one of them is lodged in every joint of the pod. The fin.t;ular form of the pod and feeds, which in fome degree refcmbles a horfe-dioe, has ob- tained it tire Latin name ferrum eqidnum, as well as the Englifli one horfi-Dloe vetch ; but it is better to ufe the more modern term hippacrepis, as it is a fmgle word ; for gencrical names fhould never confift of more. Linnxus places this among the diadelphia dicandria ; the threads being ten, and in two affortments, nine in one body, and another fingle. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Tufted Horfe Ilioe Vetch. Hippocrcpis fdi^uis conferlis. The root is fmall, and divided into fcveral parts. The firft leaves are long, narrow, and pin- nated ; each is compofed of fix or more pairs of (hort, oval pinna: ; and they arc of a pale green : an odd leaf terminates each ; and this is no larger than the others. The flalks are numerous, flender, weak, branched, and eight or ten inches high. The leaves on ihefc are pinnated, and per- fcflly refcmble thofe from the root. The flowers are fmall, and of a gold yellow : they grow in a kind of round clufter at the top of the ftalk, and on long pedicles riflng from the bo- foms of the leaves ; and they are of long conti- nuance. The pods are long, crooked, and indented ; they hang from the tcotftalk in the manner of a rude and ragged head of hair ; whence fume have named the plant. It is found on high chalky grounds in many parts of the kingdom, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Fertum eqiiinum Cermanicum JiHquis in fmimitate. Others, Ferrum equimm comofum. Some, Hedyfanm glycyrrhizatum. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Single podded Horfe-fhoc Vetch. Hippocrepis filiqins fingularilus. The root is long, thick, and furniftied with many fibi-es. The firft leaves are long, narrow, and pin- nated : each confifts of four or five pairs of pinns, with an odd one at the end ; and thefe are broad, fliort, and heart-fafliioned, fmalltft at the bafe, broadeft at the top, and indented at the er.d. The ftalks are numerous, weak, and low. The leaves on thefe are pinnated in the fame 8 manner as thofe from the root, and are of a pale green colour. The flowers ftand flngly on flender footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves ; and they are fmall and yellow. The pod is long, fomewhat crooked, and deeply indented : the feeds are fmall, and crooked, in the lhape of an horfe-JJioe. It is frequent in Italy, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Firrum equiiium f.liqim fm- gidari. GENUS 292 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS XIII. BIRDSFOOT. ORNIl'HOPODIUM, 'T'HE flower is compofed of four petals, and is of the papilionaceous kind. The vexiJIum Is fmall, and cordated or heart-fafhioned at the top. The alje are oval, and fmaller than the vcxil- ium. The carina is very fmall and flatted. The cup Is formed of a fingle leaf, divided lightly Into five fegments at the edge, and it remains when the flower is tallen. The pod is long, flcndtr, and jointed. Linna?us places this among the diadelphta decandria % the threads in the flower being ten, in two af- fortments, nine joining together in a body, and the other fingle. Several flowers are in this genus placed on one receptacle ; and the pods being numerous, and of this fingular form, have fome refemblancc to the foot of a fmall bird ; whence the nan;e. Linnjeus fhortens it, and writes the word ornithopus, t DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Birdsfoot. Ornithopodh'.m Jiliqiiis incurvis. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with numerous fibres, with little tubercles often hang- ing to them. The firft leaves are fmall, oblong, narrowj and beautifully pinnated : they are of a pale greyifli green, and fpread themfeives in a regu- lar manner upon the ground. The ftalks rife among thefe i and are nume- rous, weak, and four or five inches high. The leaves on them are numerous, and placed irregularly : they are pinnated in the fame man- ner as thofe frorn the root, each confifting of t.velve or more pairs of very fmall roundifli pin- niE, with an odd one at the end. The flowers are fmall, and variegated wich purple, white, and yellow : they ftand in clullers on little footfl:alks, and have a pretty appear- ance. The pods are long, flender, and jointed, a little crooked, and of a pale green ; they very- much refemble in the clufler the foot of a fmall bird. It is common in dry, hilly pafl:ures, and flowers in June. Hyde-park abounds with it. C. Bauhine calls it Ornlthopodium minus \ and he defcribes a variety of it fomcwhat larger, un- der the name of Ornithopodium tnajus. Mofl of the common writers are guilty o\ the fame error : the plant is the fame, only more or lefs nou- riihcd. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Flat-podded Birdsfoot. Ornithopodium fdiquis ccmprejfis. The root is long, flender, and furniflaed with a few fibres. I'he firft leaves are long, narrow, and very re- gularly pinnated : each is compofed of ten or twelve pairs of fmall pin ns:, which are of an oval form, fharp- pointed, of a pale green co- lour, and a little hairy, The fi:alks are numerous, w-eak, and low : they are divided into a few branches, and are of a pale green. The leaves on thefe perfcflly refemble thofe from the root, and are of the fame pale green. The flowers ftand on long footftalks one or two on e.;ch j and they are fmall and yellow. The pods are long, flender, and crooked ; and they are of a dufky colour, and rough on the fur- face. The feeds are fmall and brown. It is common in Italy, and flowers in Au- guft. C. Bauhine calls it Ornithopodio affinis hirfuta ftorpioidcs. Others, Scorpioides leguminofa. GENUS XIV. PODDED MILKWORT. G L A U X. 'T^PIE flower is compofed of four petals, and is of the papilionaceous form. The vcxillum is up- right, nipped at the top, oblong, and turned back at the edges. The alas are of an obiong form, and fmaller than the vexillum. The carina is nipped at the end, and is of the fame length with the al£E. The cup is formed of a fingle piece, divided lightly into five fegments, which are fmalleft on the lower fide. The pod is Ibort, and heart-fafhioned. Linnseus places this among the diadelphia decandria ; the threads in the flower being ten, in two di- •vifions, nine in one, and a fingle one in the other. This author joins it to the qftragalus, as of the fame genus : but they differ obvioully; the pods of the altrtigali'.i being oblong and obtufe, and that of the glaux fliort and pointed. 9 DIVI- The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION I. BR 1. Liquorice Vetcli. Cliinx proiumhens filiqiiis tnajorihus, TV.•^ root is long, thick, and furnifhed with many fibres. 'i he ftalks are numerous, and of a pale green : they fpread themfelves in a circular manner, and do not rife much above the ground. I'he leaves are very large, pinnated, and of a pale green : each is compofed of five or fix pairs of larger oval pinnx, with an odd one at the end ; and they are fiiarp painted. The flowers grow on footftalks rifing in the bofoms of the leaves, and are of a pale yellow. The feed vcfTels are long, flender, and grow fevcral in a clufter : they are of a brown colours and contain numerous feeds. It is common in thickets at the foot of hills, and flowers in Augufl:. C.Bauhine calls it Gfyryrrhiza fyl-vejlris flori- hus lutco pallefcentihus. Others, Glaux legumi- jiofa^ and JJtragalus luteus. DIVISION II. F O Spanifii Milkv/ort. Glaux captidis imhricatis. The root is long, {lender, and furniflied with a few fibres. The firft leaves are numerous, and beautifully pinnated : they are compofed each of ten or twelve pairs of fmall oval pinnae, with an odd one at the end, The ftalks rife among thefe ; and are nume- rous, fmall, and not much branched : they are fix or eight inches in length, but ufually lie in part upon the ground. ITISH SPECIES. 2. Little Purple Glaux, Glmx cxigtm incana purpurea. The root is long, flender, and furnifhed with a few fmall fibres. The ftalks are numerous, weak, and four inches long. The leLivesare placed irregularly on them, and are long and pinnated : each is compofed of fix or eight pairs of pinns ; which are fmall, fiiort, and hairy, and of a pale green colour ; and there ftands an odd one at the end. The flowers are placed in clufters on flender footftalks i and they are of a bright purple. The feed-vefTels are fiiort and fwelled. It is found in dry, hilly paftures, and flowers in July. Ray calls it Glaux exigua purpurea montana nof- tras. There is an opinion that thefe plants encreafc milk in the breafls of nurfes ; but it is not fup- ported on any good authority. REIGN SPECIES. The leaves on thefe are numerous, and placed irregularly : they are pinnated in the fame man- ner as thofe from the root, and are of a pale green. The flowers are placed in thick, oval heads upon the fl:alks : they are fmall and yellow. The feed-veffel is fhort, and the feeds are fmall. It is frequent in Spain and Italy, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Ciceri fyhejlri niinori affinis. Others, Glaux Hifpanicaj and Glaux Dioftoridis. G E N U S XV. COCKSHEAD. ONOBRTCHIS. »-pHE flower is compofed of four petals, and is of tlie papilionaceous Ijind, The vexillum is ob- long, compreffed, reflex, and dented at the end. The ate are extremely Ihort, ftrait, and narrow. The carina is fliort, comprcITed, and fplit along the bottom. The cup is formed of 3 fingle leaf, divided into five pointed fegments, and remains when the flower is fallen. The pod is fliort, and confilfs only of a fingle cell. Linnaeus places this among the diadclphia dccandria ; the threads in the flower being ten, and formed into two alTortments, nine in one body, and a fingle one feparate from them. He joins this with the hedyfarum, not allowing it to be a diflinfl; genus. But the pods fliew a ma- nifeft generical difference ; thofe of the hedyfarum being compofed of feveral joints, and this of the onohrycbis being, fingle. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Cockfhead. Ombrychis 'vulgaris. The root is long : it penetrates very deep into the earth, and is furniflied with numerous fibres. N": XXX. The ftalks are round, ftriated, of a pale green, weak, and a foot and a half high. The leaves are regularly pinnated ; each is compofed of fix or eight pairs of pinnse, with an odd one at the end ; and thefe are oblong, nar- row, fliarp-pointed, and of a frelh green. 4 F The 294 The BRITISH HERBAL. The flowers ftaiid in a kind of fpikes, on long, flender foocftalics riling from the bofoms of the leaves ; and tht-y are large and red. The pods are fliort and crefced ; fo that they refemble in fome degree a cfi-^V ccnib ; whence the plant has its name. The feeds are large and brown. It is found wild in dry, hilly paflures, and flowers in Auguft. C. Eauhine calls it Onoh'ychis foliis vid.r friiBu echinato majori. It is fown in fields for the food of cattle, in the manner of clover ; and it anfwers the farmer's purpofe much better. Nothing is a greater im- provement in the modern hufbandry than the in- troducing of this plant. We received the feeds from France, where it has been long ufed ; and now it is once upon a footing in our country, it will not lofe its place again. It is wonderful the ufe of it fliould have been fo long either unknown or negle£led among us. It has been famous for tlie fame purpofe thefe two thoufand years : the Greeks cultivated it; and, from its caufing plenty of milk in their cows, called it pohgaloru DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Prickly-headed Cockfcomb. Onohrychis Jiiiquis echinalis tnagnis. The root is flender and white, long, and fur- niflied with a few fibres. The iirft leaves are pinnated in a regular man- ner; each confifts of eight or ten pairs of nar- row, pointed pinnx upon a middle rib : and there is an odd one at the end ; their colour is a pale green. The flalks are numerous, weak, and of a whitifli colour : they often trail upon the ground, and fcldom rife to more than ten inches high. The flowers fland at the tops in great cluflers, and arc of a pale red. The feed-veflel is large and prickly, and con- tains a fingle large kidney-fhaped feed. It is a native of the fouth of France, and flowers in Augufl. It is found near the fca- coafls. C. Bauhine calls it Onohrychis fru£lu echinato minor. SERIES 11. Foreign- Genera. Thofe of which there is no fpecies naturally wild in this country. G E N U S I. HATCHET VETCH. II E V) r S A RU M. THE flower is of the papilionaceous form. The vexillum is long and comprefied, and it is nipped at the end. The alas are long and ftraic. The carina is ftrait, comprelTed, and broadelt in the.outer part ; and it is, as it were, cut off, and fplit a part of its length. The cup is formed of a fingle piece, and is divided into five fegments : thefe are long, narrow, ftrait, and fliarp-pointed ; and they remain when the flower is fallen. The feed-vefiel is of an oblong form, and is compofed of feveral joints, hung together in the manner of a chain. Linnceus places this among the dicdelphici decaadria ; the threads in the flower being divided into two affortmcnts, nine in one, and a fingle one for the other. He joins this and the onsbrychis^ as we h.ave obferved, under one head : but the difl:in£lion is ob_ vious and great j the feed-veflc! of the D}iobrychis being but a fingle piece, and containing only a fingle feed, and that of the hadyfarum being compofed of many fuch pieces linked together, and containing feveral feeds. Where the diflinclions are thus certain, it is very wrong to confound the genera, for the fcience is rendered eafy by the number of thofe diftindtions. As we have no proper EngUfii name for this genus, the beft method wiil be always to ufe the Latin one hsdyfnrum. We have added the common received Englifii term ; but, being compofed of two words, it is wrong lor a generical diflinftion. French Honeyfuckle. Htdyfarum filiifuis articida'.is riigofis. The toot is long, thick, and furnifhed with numerous fibres. The firft leaves are large, long, and pinnated : they are compofed each of five or fix pairs of pin- nae ; which are large, broad, and of adulky green, and have an odd one of hke figure at the end. The ftalks are numerous, upright, and of a pale green : they are not much branched, and are of a tough fubftance. The leaves on thefe refemble thofe from the root i but they arc of a pale and yellowilh green. The The BRITISH HERBAL. 295 The llowcts ftiad ia long, thick Ipikes at tiie tops of the (talks lu.d branehcs ; and arc mode- rately large, and very beautiful i their colour is a biight'rcd, and they have ftreaks of a pale or Belliy tiiift. The whole is glolTy, like po- lilhcd coral ; and th.e n-.ixture of colour bears fome refcmblaiice to that of the juice and feeds of a frelh-opeiicd ripe pomegranate. It is a native of the warm parts of Europe, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Ombrychis [mine dypealo afpero major. Others, Hed-jfarum clypealum. Our Englilh name is very injudicious ; but being that by which it is commonly known in gardens, we have preferved it. It would be better to call it The great fcarlet hedyfartm. N U II. LUPINE. L U P 1 N U S. THE Bower is papilionaceous. The vexillum is of a roundilli, and fomewhat heart-falhioned Rruaure, and has the edges compreffed and turned back. The ate are of an oval (liape, and nearly of the length of the vexillum ; and they converge in the lower part. The carina is divided or Iplit at the bouom, and is of a hooked lliape : it is undivided at the end, and is of the length of the ate, but narrower. The cup is formed of a fjngk piece, and is divided only into two fcgments The pod'is large, long, and fomewhat flatted ; and it contains feveral large roundilh feeds. The leaves are formed like the fingers of a hand. Common Lupine. Lupiaiis vulgaris cauUh'ds ramofu. The root is long, [lender, white, and fur- riflied with a few fibres. The firfi leaves rife in fmall clufters ; and are of the fingered fhape, each being compofcd of about feven parts regularly expanded : they are placed on long footftalks, and arc of a duflcy green. The flalk is round, upright, firm, hairy, of a whitifli colour, and conlidcrably branched: it is three feet high. The leaves upon tliis refemble thofe from the root, but they are fmaller : each is compofed of about feven narrow parts ; and the colour is a pale green. The Bowers are numerous and kirge : they Hand feveral together on Ihort footftalks riling from the bofoms of the leaves. Their colour is naturally white; but the lldU of our gardeners has variegated it in many ways. We fee fl:riped flowers and double flowers in this fpecies. The fced-vcfTcls are long and large ; and the feeds are broad, and fomewhat flatted. It is a native of Spain; whence it has been brout^ht into our gardens, and has there furnifl-icd us with this number of beautiful varieties. It flowers in July. C. Eauhinc calls it Liipuuis fiitivus flore albo. 2. EJue Lupine. Lup!}l!is jlore majQre c^ruleo. The root is long, wliite, thick, and furniflrcd with feveral confiderable fibres. The firll leaves are numerous ; and they are placed on long, flendcr footftalks : they are com- pofed each of five parts, fprcad in the manner of fingers ; and theie are oblong, narrow, wide afunder, and of a pale green. The ftalk is upright, round, and of a pale (rrecn : it is not rnuch branched, and is two feet and a half high. , , r c The leaves on this refemble thole from the root ; but thsy ai-e Im.illcr, and of a paler green. The Rowers are placed on long footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, and in a kind of fpikes, fix or more growing in a double feries on each footftalk : they are large, and of a beauti- ful blue. Naturally the colour is fimple and unmixed, but art has rendered the flower double and fl:ripcd; and we frequently fee it very beautiful in our gar- dens. It is a native of the fouth of France, wher« it flowers in their corn-fields in July and Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Ltipinus fyhejhis fiore ca~ ruleo. Others, Lupinus flore caruko majore. Our people, the Blue lupine. 3. Small-flowered Blue Lupine, Lupimis avguftifdius fiore minore c^rukol The root is compofcd of a long body, and in- numerable fine fibres. The fl:alk is flender, upright, of a pale green, and a yard high. The leaves are placed on long footftalks ; and each is compofed of five or fix parts, which arc flender, fiiarp-pointed, and of a biuifh green. The flowers ftand three or four together, in a kind of loofe fpikes, on long footftalks, rifing from the bofoms of the leaves •, and they are fmall, and of a deep blue, inclining to purple. This is their natural colour ; but, like the others, they admit great variation from culture. The pods are long and large. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in July. Ray calls it Lupinus ar.gujlifolius carukus ela- tier.. Others, Lupinus fiore parvo c^-ruko, and Lupinus procerior c^erideus. 4. Yellow Lupine. Lupinis fiore luteo. The root is compofed of numerous fpreading fibrtrs. The ftalk is round, upright, of a brownilh colour, foft, hairy, and near a yard high. The leaves are placed on long footftalks ; and each is compofcd of about nine parts, fpread in ' the manner of fingers, and of a yellowifti green. The flowers are placed on long footftalks in a kind 296 The BRITISH HERBAL. kind of rpikes ; and they are large and yellow, and of a very fweet Imtl]. The feed -vefiels arc large, and the feeds fomewhat flat, and clouded or fpotted with a variety of colours. It is a native of Sicily, and is found moft fre- quently near the fea-coad:. Jt flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Lupinus fyhep'is fiore Itilea. Others, Lupinus favus, and Lupinus luteus ; and ■we, the Tellow lupine. 5. The Giant Lupine, Lupinus maxiinus hirfutus. The root is long and thick, and it is furniflied with innumerable fibres; The firft leaves are numerous, and very beau- tiful : they are placed on long footflalks ; and each is compofed of feven or more parts : thefe are ob- long, broad, of a beautiful bluidi green, and hairy. The ftalk is round, thick, white, and a yard and a half high. The leaves on this refemble thofe from the root, but they are fmaller. The flowers ftand in fpikes orclufl:ers on fliort foocflialks i and are large, and of a beautiful fky-blue. This is their natural colour ; but the induftry of our gardeners has in this refpeft introduced fo much variation, that the plant is fcarce to be known for the fame fpecies, except for its great height and hairynefs. The fi:ed-vefl"els are very large, and the feeds are large and flatted. It is a native of the Eafl: Indies, aigis. The root is fmail and fibrous. The [taliis are weak, fpreading, and of a pale green. Thz leaves are placed at dlflanccs, three on a fontltallc ; and they are oblong, broad, and ot a yellowilh green. The flowers are fniall and white : they are col- ]e6ted into iarge obJong heads, which ftand in the bofoms of the leaves, and feel prickiy -, the feg- ments of ilie cnp being hard and pointed. ^^'e have it in barren, dry paflurcs. It flowers' in July. Ray calls it Trifolium fiofcuHs o.lhis in gJomemlis ■cMovg:s cjperis cauluulis proxme adnalis. II. Strawberry-Trefoil. 'Trifoliiim fragiferiim. The root is long and flender, and is hung with many fibres. 7'he firfl leaves are numerous : they are placed on flender footftalks, three on each ; and they are fiiort, broad, heart- fafhioned, and oF a pale bluifli green. The (talks rife among thefe, and are of a pale green, branched, irregularly upright, and of a firm fubftance : the leaves on them are numerous at^d fmall i they are of the fame fliape with thofe from the root, but of a pale colour. The flowers are collet^led together in large, round heads, placed on long, (lender, whitiHi DIVISION II. - 1. White mountain Trefoil. 'Trijolmm eretlum album foUis kngiorihus. Tlie root is compofcd of numerous, thick, fpreading Sbres. 'iheiirlt leaves are few, but large; they are placed by' threes upon long footftalks ; and are long, narrow, hairy, and of a bright green. The rtalk is weak, but tolerably upright, not much branched, and afoot and half high. The leaves on this refemble thofe from the root : they are longi narrow, and of a pale green, and covered with filvcry hairs. The flowers ftand in large oval heads at the tops of the flalks and branches j and they are fmall and white, with a faint tinge of yellow. The fLed-veffirls are thick and fhort, and the feeds are fmal!. It is frequent in the German pafl:urcs, and flower? in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it TrifoHuin montanum nihtim. 2. Stinking, clammy Trefoil. I'rifolium hltiiminojum. This is a robuft and large plant. The root is compofed of many fibres. The firfl; leaves rife in a tuft, and are placed in threes upon flerlder yellowifh footftalks : they are broad and fhort, and are of a pale green. TIk ftalk is upright, branched, and two feet 3 footftalks. The flowers thcmfelves are fmall, and of a very pale red ; and they quickly fade- The cups are fwoln ; and they bend downwards, and terminate each in two points. Thefe give the whole head a very finguhir appearance, alto- gether difl'crent from the other In-fcih, and not unlike a ftrawberry. It is common in paftures, and flowers in '^u- gufl. ■ -C. Bauhine calls iiTrifoliim jmgiferum frificum. Others, 'Trifolhtm fragifenm. 12. Long-leaved Strawberry-Trefoil. Trifoliiim fragifenm foUis longiorikis. The root is long, fpreading, and furisifhed with numerous fibres. The firfl: leaves rife in a thick tuft : they are placed on long footftalks, three upon each and they are fmall, oblong, and fliarp-pointed i not heart-fhaped, as in the other. The fralks are pale, branched, traiiin'*, and eight inches long. The leaves on thefe are oblong, and fomewhat broad, of a yellowifli green, and fliarp-pointed. The flowers are fmall, and of a very faint red : the heads are placed on long, flender footftalks, and fomewhat refemble fl:rawberries. We have it in damp places. It flowers In July Ray calls it Trifolium fragiferum nojlras purpu- 7'einn folio oblongo. All thefe trefoils are of the fame qualities. They_ are very wholefome food for cattle. high : it is blackifli toward the bottom, and pale or greenilli in the upper part. The leaves on this are placed in threes ; but they are longer and narrower than thofe from the root : they are of a bright green ; and, when touched, they are found clammy ; and they have a very fl:rong and difagreeable fmell. The flowers ftand in loofe tufts at the tops of the flalks, and are of a beautiful violet colour. The fecd-veflels are fliort, and contain a few brown feeds. It is frequent in the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Trifoliim bitumen redokns. Others, Trifolium bituminofum. It is celebrated againft venomous bites, and in malignant fevers, An oil drawn from its feeds has been alfo itj early times famous in paralytic complaints. ' 3. Long-fpiked, purple Trefoil. 1 ri folium pur pur eum fpica hngiore ruhente. The root is long, thick, and furnilhed with many fibres. The leaves rife in a thick tuft, and are placed by threes upon iliort footftalks : they are long, narrow, and of a deep green, and very regularly notched at the edges. Hie ftalk is two feet high, firm, upright, branched, and of a pale gree.n ; the leaves on this arc FOREIGN SPECIES. The BRITISH HKRBAL. 305 are numerous, and refemble thofe from the root : they are placed by threes upon flender, fhort foot- ftalks ; and to each of thcfe there is a large men:i- branaceouB cafe or fcabbard, which cncloies the ftalk at their bafe, and runs on to a confidcrable length. The flowers are of a beautiful purple : they are placed at the tops of the ftalks and branchts in fpikes, two inches or more in length. The feed-velfels are IhorC, and the feeds are large and brown. Ic is frequent in Italy and in thefouth of France, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it 'Trifolium piirpureum [pica lonpjfima rubente. Others, Trifolium lagopoides snajus. 4. Great oval-headed purple Trefoil. trifolium capitulis ovatis foUis acuminatis. The root is compofed of a number of fliraggling fibres, of a redifh colour. The ftalks are numerous, tolerably upright, not very much branched, and a foot and half high. The leaves aie placed by threes on long and flender footftalks : they are narrow, long, and of a firm fubflance, not at all dented at the edges, of a deep green, and fharp-pointed. The flowers are large and purple : they fl:and at the tops of the fralks in large oval heads. The feed-vefiel is fliort, and the feeds are few and brown. It is found in the hilly pafl:ures of Germany, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it 'TrifoUiim fpica cUonga ru- bra, 5. Hairy fliarry-headed Trefoil. 'J'rijcliwn capitulis fiellatis hirfutmn. The root is woody, long, brown, and fpread- ing. The firfl: leaves are fupported on long, flender footftalks: they are fliort, broad, and heart fa ihioned, of a pale green, and hairy. The ftalks are numerous, weak, irregularly upright, and of a whitifh colour. The leaves on them are like thofe from the lOOt. The flowers are coUetfled together in round heads at the tops of the ftalks % and are fmall and purple, fometimes white, and, as Cafpar Bauhine fays, fometimes lightly yellow ; but this I have not feen. The cups fpread out at the points, and have a ftarry appearance. The feed-vefl^eis are fmali, and the feeds brown, It is frequent at the foot of Mount Vefuvius, and in other warm parts of Europe. It flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Trifolium Jlelktum ■, a name others have given to our /etT/eZ-headed kind. 6. Burdock-headed Trefoil. Trifoiiiim capitulis perfonata. The root is fmall and fibrous. The firft leaves are numerous, and they are N" 30. fupported on fliort, redifh footftalks : they are broad, fliort, and a little dented at the ends and their colour is a faint green. The ftalks are numerous, v^'eak, and not much branched : tliey are of a faint brown, and fix or eight inches high. The leaves on thefe perfectly refemblc thofe from the root ; but they have fomewhat longer footftalks. The fl-owers ftand at the tops of the ftalks in large, round, and rough heads, very much re- fembling fmall burs : they are of a faint purple. The feed-veflcls are flender, and the feeds few and fmall. C, Bauhine calls it Trifolium glohofum repens. J. Bauhine, Trifolium glomeruli s perfonat^ cherkri. It is found in the warmer parts of Europe, as in Italy, and in the fouth of France ; but not frequent. J. Bladder-Trefoil. Trifolium capitulis tumicHs fiore ruhello. This is a fmall, but very pretty plant. The root is long, flender, and iurniflied with numerous fibres. The firft leaves are few, and prefently fade : they are oblong, obtufe, of a yehowilh green, and placed by threes upon Ihorc footftalks. The ftalks are numerous ; and they He upon the ground, and are divided into many branches. The leaves on thefe are fmallj oblong, obtufe, and of a bright green. The flowers are of a very beautiful bright red : they grow in little, round heads, fupported oa flender footftalks from the bolbms of the leaves. When the flowers are fallen, the cups fwcli out into a kind of bladders j and the whole head fomewhat refembles that of our flrawberry trefoil. It is common in Portugal, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Trifolium pratenfe follicular turn. Others, Trifolium Salamanticum. S. Pale, long-leaved Trefoil, with frefli-co- loured flowers. T nfolium foliis pallidiorihus anguflis fiofcuUs carmis. The root is flender, long, tough, and rcdifli; and it has many fibres. The firft leaves are numerous, and of a pale greyifh green : they are fupported on fliort foot- ftalks ; and are oblong, and fliarp-pointcd. The ftalk is round, upright, branched, and a foot high. The leaves on it are long, narrow, and of a very pale green : they are fharp-pointed, not at all dented at the edges, and have ftiort footftalks; at the botom of which there is a membranaceous fcabbard. The flowers grow in large, round, and rough heads: they are fmall when examined fingly ; and of a faint purple, a little deeper than what we call flefh-colour. It is frequent in the warmer parts of Spain, and flowers in Auguft. Morifon calls it Trifolium fpicatum minus fiors minore dilute rubente. 5. Great* 3o6 The BRITISH HERBAL, 9. Great flowered purple Trefoil. Trifolitm yllphmm fiore magno ruhcnts. The root is thictc, wood\', brov/n, divided in- to many parts, and furnifhed witir nunierous fibres. The firH: leaves ?.re placed on long, flender, re- difli footftallcs ; and they are very long, very nar- row, and of a yellowilh green : they are not at all ferrated at the edges, but pointed at the ends. The ftallis are v^eak and fmall : they are of a pale green, not at all branched, and about fix inches high. Toward the bottom they have a leaf or two ; but the reft is naked. The flowers ftand at the tops of the (lalks in a very thick, fliort head ; and they are large and purple. The feed-veflcl is fliort, and the feeds are few and brown. It is a native of the Alps, and flowers in July. Morifon calls it T rifolium purpureum Alpinum- Others, T'rifolittm /llpimim. ID. Large yellowifti-flowered Trefoil. Trifduim majus flere flavefcente. The root is long and white, divided into leve- ral p.irts, and furniflied with numerous fibres. The firft leaves are fupported on long, whitifli footflalks : they arc broad, fliort, ofa frefli green; and on the under part each has a black fpot. The ftalks fire numerous, procumbent, and fpreading : they are of a foot long, jointed, hol- low, and of a pale colour. The leaves on thcfe refcmble thofe from the root; but they are paler. The flowers arc large, and of a cream-colour : they ftand in round loofe heads on the tops of the ftalks. The feed-vefiels are fliort and thick, and the feeds are brown. It is frequent in the fouth of France, and flowers in Auguft. Morifon calls it TrifoKum prateiife caule fijiuhfo foUisJublus maculatis fiore cchro leuca. It .agrees with the reft in qualities, affording a good, wholcfomc, and nourifliing food to cattfe. GENUS 11, HARESFOOT. L A G 0 P JJ S. THE flowers are papilionaceous and fmall. The vexillum is turned back. Tlie ate are fliort and -he carina is very fmall. The cup is as long as the flower, and is divided into five fee' ments. The feed-veflel is fliort, and formed of a fingle valve ; and the feeds are few The he.id into which the flowers are coUetffcd, is oval and hairy; the hairs growing from the cups : and the kaJes ftand three together. Linnaus places this among the iiaidpUa decmdrm; the threads in the flower beirnr ten, in tivo aftbrtments. He confounds it with the mmmn trefoil, and many other genera, under°the common name trifolium. But this is erroneous ; the hairynefs of the heads is an obvious diftindive charact' r of the genus ; and the length of the cups, and their downy covering, which are both univerfal to all the kinds, are certain charafterifticks. DIVISION I. BR I. Common Haresfoot, Lagopus vulgaris. The root is fmall, oblong, and furniflied with a few fibres. The ftalks are numerous, weak, branched, and not very upright : they are ten inches long, and of a pale redifli colour. The leaves ftand at diftances, three together, with fcarce any footftalks : they are fmall, nar- row, blunt at the ends, and whitifli. The flowers are very fmall, and of a pale red : they ftand in oval or oblong fpikes or heads at the tops of the ftalks, and the hairynefs of their cups gives the whole a downy appearance, and whitifli red colour. The feed-veflels are very fmall, and the feeds are minute. It is common in dry paftures, and flowers in July- C. Bauhine calls it Trifolium arvenfe humiJe fpi- catumfive lagopus. Others, Lagopus vulgaris. It is an aftringent, and deferves to be brought into ufe in medicine. The whole plant dried and powdered, and given half a dram for a dofe, is 2 ITISH SPECIES. good againft loofeneflls with bloody ftools. The decoftion anfwers the fame purpofe. 1. Dwarf Sea Haresfoot. Lagopus pufillus maritiims. The root is long, flender, whitifli, with a tinge of red, divided into feveral parts, and furniflied with many fibres. The ftalks are numerous, and fpread them- felves upon the ground : they are of a pale redifti colour, very much branched, and three or four inches long. The leaves are numerous : ihey grow in threes, without any footllalks ; and they are narrow, fiiarp-pointed, of a pale green colour, and covered with a foft down. The flowers grow in roundifli heads of a very pale colour, white, with a tinge of purphfli ; and ihefe ftand in great number without foot- ftalks in the bofoms of the leaves. The feed-veflels are minute, and the feeds are brown. It is not unfrcquent on the coaft of Sufl"cx, and flowers in Auguft. Lobel calls it Lagopus psrpufdlus fupinus elegan- tijfuims AnglUus ; and others take the fame name from him. D I V I- rhc B R I I S H HERBAL. 307 DIVISION IL FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Great Purple Haresfoot. LngcpiiS purpureus maxhms. The root is long, thick, brown, and furhiilied v/ith a few fibres. The firft leaves rife on fhorC footftalks ; and are broad, fbort, and of a paie green. The pLalks are a foot and half high, of a pale colour, irregularly difpofed, and branched. The leaves on thefc are large : they are ob- long, obtufe, of a pale green, and foft to the touch. The flowers are fmgly, fmall, and of a faint whicifti purple; but they are coUeded into long, thick, hairy fpikes, two inches in length, and of a woolly afpeft. The feed-vefiel is fiiort ; and the feeds are laro'c, and of a fhining brown. It is common in Italy, and flowers in June. C. Bauhinc calls it Trifolium [f.ca fuhrotunda Vdhra. Others, Lagopis maximus fiore ruhro. 2. Scarlet Haresfoot. Lago-pus fiore ruberrimo. The root is long, brown, and furnifhed with a few fibres. The fbalks are numerous, flender, tolerably upright, and eight inches high : they are of a pale redilh colour, and very little branched. The leaves ftand three together, without foot- ftalks, but with a kind of fcabbard at the bottom ; they are long, narrow, and of a dufKy green The fljwers grow at the tops of the branches in long and downy fpikes, the hairs of which are much longer than in any other kind : they are fmall, and of a pale red. The ftjed-veirds are fiiort ; and the feeds are Tew, large, and brown. It is a native or Spain, and flowers in July. Ray calls it Lagopus fiors ruberrimo; a name copied from Parkinfon, who firft raifed it in Eng- land. GENUS III. HOP TREFOIL. TRIfOLIUM LUPULINU M. THE (lower is papilionaceous. Tlie vexillum bends a little back, the ate are Ihort, and the ca- rina is very fmall. The cup is little, hollow, and divided into five fegments at the edge. The fced-veffel is lliort, and formed of a fingle piece ; and the feeds are roundilh. The flowers grow to- gether in little heads refembling hops ; and they fade foon, but remain with the .cup to cover the feed-vefiel. . . , , , Linn;eus places this among the diaddpbia dccar.dria, confounding it with the haresfoot and others, under the common name trifaliumi DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES, 1. Common Hop Trefoil; 7'rifelium lupuHnim vufgare. The root is compofed of fmall fibres. The ftalks are numerous, flender, tolerably up- right, of a pale yellowifh green, and eight or ten inches high. The leaves have fhort footflalks, and fland three on each ; they are fmall, obtufe, of a yel- lowilli green, and fmooth. The flowers are fmall and yellow : they are placed together in little heads at the tops of the branches, refembling ripe hops. The feed-veffelis Ihort, and the feeds are fmall and brown. It is common in our paftures, and flowers in J^'y- . ... , C. Bauliine calls it Trifolium pratenfe hitetim ca- fitulo hptiU vel cgrarium. Others, 1'rifoHutn hi- pilinurii vulgarc, and TrifoHum lupuUimm majus. 2. The lefier Hop Trefoil. 1'rlfolium hipulmnTi minus. The root is compofed of fmall fibres. The fiialks are numerous, weak, firaggllng, branched, very irregular in their growtli, aad ten inches high : they are ufually naked toward the bottom i but the leaves ftand frequent toward the top. They have fliort footfl:alks, on which they ftand in threes : they are fmall, and heart-fafhioned, and of a faint green. The flowers are fmall and yellow : they grow together in little heads on fmall footftalks. The feed-vefiel is ihort, and the feeds are fmall and brown. It is common in our pafturesi and flowws in July. Ray calls it Trifolium lupuUnmn alterum minus, J. Bauh ine, ^rifoliuiH lutswn fiore lupulino minus- 3. The leaft Hop Trefoil.- Trifolium JupiiUnum mimmum. The root is long, flender, divided into feveral parts, and furnifhed with numerous fibres. The ftalks are numerous, weak, branched, and abuut three inches in length j and they com- monly lie upon the ground. The leaves ftand three together, with very fhort footftalks, and a kind of fcabbard at the bafe : they are broad, Ihortj a little heart-fa- lliiuatd, and fniooth. The 3o8 The B R I T I S FI HERBAL. The Rowers are fmall and yellow; and they grow in little clufters, rarely more than two or three together. The leed-vefll-Is are very fmall, and the feeds minute. It is frequent in dry pallures, and flowers in July. Ray calls it TrifoUtwi lupulintm minimiwi ; a name ufed alfo by moft others. D I V I S I O N II. F Hop Trefoil with ferrated leaves. 'l^rifolmn lupulinum foliis dentath. The root is long, flender, brown, and hung with many redith fibres. The ftalks are numerous, upright, of a pale green, a foot and half high, and not much branched. The leaves ftand at confiderable diftances by threes, and they have fiender footitalks : they are REIGN SPECIES. of an oval figure, fharply ferrated at the edges, and of a faint green. The flowers are fmall, and of a faint brownifh yellow : they ftand together in oval heads, which are formed of brown cups. The feed-veflTels are fliort, and the feeds brown and large. It is frequent in hilly places in the warmer parts of Europe. C. Bauhine calls it Trifolium mojUaniim lupidhnm. GENUS IV. M E L I L O T. MELILOrUS. THE flower is papilionaceous, and fmall. The vcxilkim is bent back, the aise are fliorr, and the carina is fmall. The feed-veffel is a pod, formed of a fingle piece, and is longer than the cup. The cup is hullowed at the bafe, and divided into five fegments at the edge. The leaves ftand three together, and the flowers are produced in loofe fpikes. Linnseus places this among the diadelphia decmidria-, the threads being ten, in two afibrtments. But he creates much confufion, by joining it with iXic lagopus, and other three-ieaved plants, under the common genericai name of trifolium. DIVISION I. B R I T I S PI SPECIES. I. Common Melilot. Meliiotus vulgaris. The root is long, flender, redilh, divided into feveral parts, and hung about with fibres. The ttalks are numerous, round, of a frefh green, upright, branched, and a yard high. The leaves ftand in threes, and have flender footftalks : they are oblong, Iharp-pointed, and of a frefh and delicate green. The flowers are fmall, and of a gold yellow : they fland in Uofe fpikes of a confiderable length at the tops of the ftalks, and on pedicles rifing from the bofoms of the leaves. The feed-veflel is oblong, and the feeds are large and brown. It is common in many parts of England in pafture-grounds, and under hedges i and fome- times gets among the corn, unhappily for the farmer. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Meliiotus officinarmn Ger~ snania. Others, Meliiotus vulgaris.- It Is famous as a refolvent and digeftive, out- wardly applied. In pultices it will be of great ufe agalnft hard fwellings, ripening them, and at the fame time taking off the pain; The old authors have written much of It and many years it was an ingredient in the platfter ufed for drefTing blifters. At prefent it is re- jetfled from that compofition ; not for its want of efficacy, but to prevent mifchievous frauds ; thofe who made the plaifter frequently putting in verdigreafe, to give the colour which would riot be obtained from the plant but with confidcrably more trouble. 2. Small Melilot. Meliiotus odoratus flore c^ruleo. The root is fmall, and furniflied with many fibres. The ftalks arc numerous, crefl, branched, and ten inches high. The leaves ftand in threes j and they are fliort, broad, and of a pale green. The flowers are fmall and yellow : they ftand in oblong heads at the tops of the ftalks, and on pedicles rifing from the bofoms of the leaves. The feed-veflels are fmall, and vn y numerous : they hang in a kind of ioofe fpike. It is common in our paftures, and flowers in Auguft. Tragus calls it Meliiotus minor. Others impro- perly, Trifolium lupulinum jni/ius femine muUo. D I V I- The BRITISH HE R B A L. 309 IVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Sweet Trefoil. li'elzlcliis odoratus florc c.erulco. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with a few fibres. The ftalk. is round, upright, branched, and two feet high: it is of a pale green, and hol- low. The leaves ftand on long footftalks, three on each : they are oblong, moderately broad, of a beautiful green, and ferrated at the edges. The flowers ftand in fmall heads at the tops of the branches •, and they are of a beautiiul fky- blue, and very fweet. The feed-veifels are fmall, and the feeds are few and brown. Ic is common wild in Spain ; and in other places is cultivated for the fragrance and lafting fcenc of the flowers. C. Baiihine calls it Lotus horunfis odora. Others, Trifoliim odorntum. 2, Italian MeliloC. Melilotus folUculis jnajoribus. The root is long, thick, redifh, and furniflicd with numerous fibres. The ftalks are round, upright, firm, branched all the way up, and near a yard high. The leaves have long, flcnder footftalks, and ftand three on each : they are fhorr, broad, and of a faint green toward the bottom i but longer, narrower, and of a more lively colour toward the lop of the plant. The fiowers fland on the tops of the branches in long, loofe fpikcs; and they are fmail and yel- low. The feed-vefTcls are fwoln, roundifh, and rough : the feeds are few and large, and of a gloffy brown. It is frequent in the warmer parts of Italy, and flowers in June. ■ C. liauhine calls it Melilctus Italica foUicuUsro- ttindis. 3. Sweet Melilot with hooked pods. MclHotus odoratus fiUquis fakatis. The root is long, thick, redifh, and divided into feveral parts. The ilalks are numerous, upright, branched) and four feet high : they are of a yellowifh green, flriated, and hollow. ^ The leaves have long footftalks, and they fland three on each : thefe arc oblong, moderately broad, ferrated, fharp-poined, and of a frefl-i and- elegant green. The flowers flrand in loofe fpikes at the tops of the ftalks and branches, and are of a pale yel- low. The feed-vefl!e!s are long, (lender, and hooked upwards : the feeds are of a giofiy brown. It is common in the warmer p:urs of Europe, and the Eaft. The flowers in the hottefl coun-* tries have the mofl: fragrant fmell. C. Bauhine calls it Melihiiis cornicuHs reflexh I major. Others, Meliktiis Syriaca^ and Melilotits j Syriaca odora. GENUS V, FCENUGREEK. F CE N U M G R --E C U M. THE flower is papilionnceous. The vexillum is turned bade ; tlie alje are fmall, and turned out- wards ; and the carina is very fhort. The three upper petals feetn to malte a regular three- leaved flower, and this fourth is placed in the centre. The cup is fliort, hollowed, and lightly di- vided into five fcgments. The feed-veffel is oblong, and fomevvhat flatted ; the feeds are numerous and roundifh. LinniEus places this among the diadelpbia decandria ; the threads in the flower being ten, in two af- fortments. He rejedls the received name Fa-lttim Cr^nm, and calls the genus trigonella. The an- tient name is but ill conflirufted ; but as it is univerfally underfl:ood, and the plant has virtues worth regarding, which are fpoken of by early authors under this old name, we have prcferved it. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Small wild Fcenugrcek. Fcenum GriScum fumilum repcns. The root is long, thick, divided into feveral parts, and hung with numerous fibres. The ftalks arc irregular and numerous : they are four or five inches long, and they fpread upon the c^round : they are of a pale colour, branched, and tough. The leaves ftand by threes on long, flender footftalks, with a fliin or numbraneous flieath at the bottom : they are fmall, of an oval figure, of a dead green, and lightly ferrated at the edges. The flowers are large, and of a pa'ep-rTe; they ftand two or three together, upon flcnder footftalks rifing from the bi;lbms of the leaves.' The fecd-veflels are thick and (hort ; and they are full of brown, large feeds. It is common in barren grounds, and flowers in June. Ray calls it Fivimat Gr^cum b«mik repens orni- thopodii filiiiits brevibus erc^is. N" XXXI. D I V I . 310 The BRITISH HERBAL. FOREIGN SPECIES. DIVISION 11. Common Fcenugreck. Fcvvum Gr^ecim vulgare. The root Is long, Oender, and full of (liort fibres. The flalks are numerous, thick, very much branched, and of a pale green : they are a foot and a half long, but not regularly upright. The leaves are placed in threes on long foot- ftalks : they are oblong, broad, and obtufe at the ends ; and they are of a dulky green on the upper fide, and of a whitilh colour underneath. The flowers iland on fhort footftaiks in the bo- foms of the leaves : they are large and white, fometimes tinged a little with a faint purple. The feed-veffel is long, and the feeds are yel- low and large. It is a native of the Eaft, but is frequently fown for ufe. C. Bauhine calls it Fff:num Gr^cum fathum. Others plainly Fmum Gr^cum. The feeds contain the virtue of the plant ; and they are ufed externally with great fupcefs : they are emollient and anodyne. They boil to a mu- cilage ; which, whether ufed alone, or mixed in ointments or cataplafms, is excellent againfl; hard fwellings, and againll pain. It is recommended by many in the fciatica, ap- plied outwardly, warm, and frequently repeated ; and it is excellent againft fwellings in the breafts. The ointment of marfiimallows owes a great deal of its emollient virtue to the feeds of the fmm- greck. N U VI. RESTHARROW. A N 0 N I S. THE flower u papilionaceous. The vcxillum is of a heart-like fhape, and deprefled at the fides. The alas are of an oval form ; and they are not of more than half the length of the vexillum. The carina is fharp-pointed, and it is fomewhat longer than the als; The cup is divi- ded into five parts, and is of the length of the flower. The feed-vefiel is fliort, fwelled, and hairy ; and the feeds are kidney-fliaped, and few. Linnsus places this among the diadelphia decatidria ; the threads of the flower being ten, in two aflTortments. He places many of the trifoliate plants in one common genus ; but this he feparates more juftly. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common prickly ReAharrow, yjfionis fpinofa vulgaris. This is not a large, but it is a very tough, fpreading plant. The root is long, thick, and Arm : it is fo dif- ficuk to tear out of the ground, or to break, that it often flops the inftrunients of hulbandry ; whence its Englifh name. The flalks are numerous, tough, firm, and covered with a redifh bark : they are a foot and half long, they lie fpread upon the ground, and they are full of very fiiarp and ftrong prickles. The leaves are numerous, and of a bright green : they grow by threes without footftaiks ; and they are oblong, narrow, fliarp pointed, and ferrated at the edges. The flowers ftand on fliort footftaiks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves i and they are of a bright purple. The feed-veflels are flaort, and the feeds are numerous and brown. Ic is common by way-fides, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Jncnis fpinofa flore purpurea. Others, Jncnis vulgaris^ five refia bovis, and Refa bovis pwpurca. 1. Purple Reftharrow without thorns. Anonis non fpinofa purpurea. The root is long, and very tough, and is of a whitilh colour. Theftalk is firm, hard, upright, and of a pale green. The leaves ftand irregularly on it -, and are oblong, moderately broad, dented at the edges, and of a pale green, and a little hairy. The flowers ftand in the bofoms of the leaves on fliort footftaiks ; and are large, and of a beau- tiful red. The feed-veftcl is fliort, and the feeds are large and brown. It is a native of tough foils, and common in moft parts of England. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls ic Amnis fpinis careyis pur' purea. Others, Anonis non fpinofa fiore pur- purea. 3. White Sea Anonis. Amiis maritima pubefcens. The root is long, flender, white, and tough. The ftalks are numerous, branched, of a firm fubftance, and of a whitifli colour. The leaves are numerous and fmall 1 they are oblong, broad, and covered with a white woolly matter. The The BRITISH HERBAL. The flowers ftand in the bofoms of the leaves ; and are of a pale red, with feme white. The feed-veffel is fmall, and the feeds ate mi- nute. DIVISION II. F O 1. Yellow Reftharrow without thorns. Jnmis jlava non fpinofa. The root is long, tough, and fpreading. The llalks are round, upright, very much branched, and a. foot and half high. The leaves (land on (lender footftallcs, three on each i and they are long, narrow, of a pale green, and a little hairy, and dented at the ends. Tire flowers ftand on long footftalks, and arc large and yellow ; they grow from the bofoms of the leaves. The feed-vcffels are large, and the feeds nume- rous and brown. It is a native of the Eafl, and of the warmer parts of Europe. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Jmnis vifcnfa fpinis carens lulea major. Others, Amnh non fpinofa lutsa. The whole plant is clammy to the touch, and has a very flrong fmeli. The Rowers are fome- times ftriated. 2. Yellow Reftharrow with drooping flowers. AnonU luiea jloribus fendiiUs. The root is long, thick, and fpreading. The ftalks are numerous, low, woody, very much branched, and covered with a rediflr bark. The leaves are placed in threes on moderately long footftalks ; and they are fhort, obtufe, and hairy. The flowers ftand on ftender, weak, and crooked or twifted footftalks, two on each : they are of a mixed brown and yellowilh colour ; and their cups are very hairy. The feed-vcffels are long and large, and the ■ feeds are kidney-like, and brown. It is common in Italy, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Anouis vifcofa minor fore fendulo. It is common on our iea-coafts, and flowers in July. Ray calls It Anonis prccumbens maritima nojtras foliis hirfiitis pubefcentibus. Oxkitx^iAnonis maritima. REIGN SPECIES. 3. Red-flowered Reftharrow with great pods. AnD7i:s purpurea fiUquis majoribits. The root is long, thick, and fpreading. The ftalks are numerous, woody, upright, and two feet high : they are covered with a brown bark, and have no prickles. The leaves ftand by threes upon (liort foot- ftalks, and are placed at confiderable diftances : they are oblong, broad, fcrrated, fharp-pointed, and of a pale green. Th.e flowers are placed alfo on long footftalks, two or three together i and they are fmall and purple. I'he fecd-vefTels are large, and the feeds alfo arc large and brown. It is a native of Spain, and flowers in July. Morifon calls \i Anoms purpurea pra^cox, Jivs venia frutefcens. Many call it Cicer fyhejire. All the fpecies of anonis poficfs the fame vir- tues i and though fome ot them have been parti- cularly celebrated by foreign writers, there is none that has them in lo high a degree as the common wild kind, here firft defcribed. Ic is a power- ful diuretick, and a very efl^edtual remedy in ob- ftruftions of the vifcera. The root has moft virtue, and the cortical or outerpart of that more than the reft. A decoc- tion of this, with a little white wine, fweetened to the palate, and drank in large quantities, is excellent againft the gravel, and all nephritick complaints, foftening, and operating powerfully by urine. The bark of the root, dried and powdered, is good in the jaundice and in dropfies j the dofe is half a dram twice a-day. GENUS VII. M E D I C K. M E D 1 C A. 'T^ME flower is papilionaceous. The vexillum is turned backwards : it is of an oval figure, ilndi- vided, and turned at the edges outwards. The ala: are oblong, and their fides converge under the carina, to which part they are fixed by a fmall appendage. The carina is oblong, fplit, and turned back. The cup is formed of a fingle piece ; and is hollow, and divided into five equal feg- ments at the edge. The feed-veffel is long, flatted, and more or lefs crooked, twifted, or wound round itfelf. Linnxus places this among the diaddpbia decandria ; the filaments being ten, in two afibrtments. He alters the name, writing it medicago. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Y\llov; Medick, with flat, wreathed pods. Mtdica fy'veftris fori faz-o. The root is long, thick, and fpreading, and it remains many years. ^ each ; The ftalks are numerous, and of a tough, hrm, and, as ic were, woody fubftance : they are two feet in length, very much branched, and fprcad irregularly, in great part lying upon the ground. The leaves ftand on long footftalks, three on 312 The B R I 1 S H H E R B A L. each; and they are oblong, narrow, of a yel- lowiHi green, and di.tited toward the ends. The Howers ll:and in .iccle clufters at the tops of the ftalks, and are of a bright yellow. The ieed-vc-lTels are flat, and a little turned about : the feeds are few, and angLiiati-d. We have it in our hilly pafturcs, but not com- mon. It flowers in Jiily. C. Bauhine calls it 1'rifolium lutcinn fyhefire Ugma five frutefcens. Others, Medico fyivejlris. 2. Common Heart-Trefoil. Medica folio cordato "maculalo. The root is long, flender, and fiirniilied with numerous Bbres. 1 he firft leaves are placed on long, (lender footflalks, three on each ; and they are of a heart- like fbape, and each has a black fpot in die middle. I'he (lalks are numerous, procumbent, and a foot long: they are flender, and of a pale green. The leaves on thefe refemble thofe from the root: they are alfo fpotted. The flowers are fmall and yellow. The feed-veflrls arc remarkable in their form and afpecl : they are rough, and twifted in a fin- gular manner. The feeds are large and few. It is common in paflures, and flowers in July. C, Bauhine calls it 1'rifoliiim folio cordato macu- lato. Others, TtifoHum cordatum, and fome Me- dica Arahica Camerarii. 3, Little Hedgehog Trefoi!. Medica echinata minima. The root is compofed of numerous fibres. The il:a!ks are weak, flender, procumbent, and four or five inches long. The leaves are few, and placed irregularly : they ftand by threes on flender footftalks ; and are of an oval figure, but fharp-pointed, and of a frefli green. The flowers are fmall and yellow: they fliand in little clufters at the tops of the ftalks, and in the bofoms of the leaves. The feed-vefl'el is fmall, but rough, and, as it were, prickly ; whence the plant has obtained its common Englifh name. The feeds are anguiated, and brown. We have it in barren, hilly pafl:ures. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it TrifoUum arvenfe fru£tu mi- nore. Others, Medica echinata minima, and Me- dica fpinofa. 4. Prickly-edgcd Medick. Medica friiUu ad margims fpimfo. The root is long, flender, and furnifhed Vv'ith a few fibres. 1 he. firft leaves a-e placed on long footftalkf, three on each ; and they are bro;id, fhorr, cli- tufe, fomewhat heart-falliioned, but with a flii^ht dent, and of a fine lively green. The ffalks are numerous, flender, and ten incliLR high. The leaves. fl:and at difliances, and are like thofe from the root. '1 he flowers are fmall and yelKnv : they ftand on flender foutRaiks riling from die bolbms of the leaves. The feed-vclT, 1 is twifted round, and has an edge of ftiff briftles. Vv'e have ir in the fouthern counnes very fre- que t on Hindy ground, and in fome other places. It flowers in July. Ray calls it TrifoVntm cochhalum mdhlis fpi-. yirfis. The old writers knew it not. 5. Black-fruired Medick. Medica polycarpos fruclu conipnjo nigncante. The root is flender, oblong, white, and h.;5 a few fibres. Tlie firft leaves are placed by threes on flender footftalks ; and they are fmall and obtufe, The ftalks are flender, not much branched, of a faint green, and eight inches high. The leaves on thefe refemble thofe from th:; root, but are fmaller. The flowers are fmall and yellow : they ftand in great numbers on flender footftalks riflng Iroai the bofoms of the leaves. The feed-vefl!els are comprcflcd, and blackifh. We have it in dry paftures, but not common. It flowers in June. Ray calls it Medica pclycarpos fruSlu minore cem- prejjo fcabro. 6. Prickly Sea-Medick. Alcdica inaritima fpinofa. The root is fmall and oblong. The ftalks arc numerous, weak, procumbent, and eight or ten inches high. The leaves are placed by threes on Hiort fooc- fl:alks ■, and they are fliort, broad, obtufe, and of a bright green. The flowers are fmall and yellow. The fruit is twifted and prickly. The ftalks of the plant are ufually purple to- ward the root; and the tops of the ftioots are hairy. It is found about our fea-coaft~, and flowers in July. Ray calls it Medica marina fupiiia noflras foliis viy'idibus ad fivmnos ramidos villofis. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Lucorne. Medica fatlva flore piapureo. The root is very long, and lives many years. The ftalks are numerous, firm, upright, much branched, and two feet or more in height : they are fmooth, and of a pale green. 3 The leaves are placed very thick ; and they are difpofcd, as in the others, three on a ftalk : they are oblong, ftiarp-pointcd, and flightly ferrated : their colour is a frefh green. The flowers are fmall, and of a beautiful violet-colour : they are placed half a dozen to- gether at the tops of the ftalks, and on flen- der The BRITISH HERBAL. 3^3 del- pedicles rifing from the bofoms of the leaves. The feed-vefiels are fmall and twilled. Ic is a native of the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in May. All authors call it Medica fatlva, and Fa:7jum Burgundkum. The name lucerne^ now applied to this plant, was ac one cime given by the French to the cockf- head, and its former name faintfoin was given to this. There is no faying which is right, for both are arbitrary ; and it is not eafy to difcover which was the original application. The antients were very fond of this plant as fodder for their cattle. We read with aftonilH- ment the pains they beftowed upon its culture. From the antient the knowledge travelled to the modern Italy, and thence to France and Flanders : of very late years we have got into the ufe of it in England ; and it is one of the greateft of the modern improvements in hufbandry. It is a rich and excellent food tor ail kinds of cattle. The common wild medkas poilefs in general the fame qualities, but in an inferior degree. They enrich paftures wherein they grow and a good ufe might be made of them, by fcattering the feeds among the grafs in grounds non very fertile. 2. Snail-Trefoil. Medica frullu cocbleato J^u The root is long, flender, and furnifhed with numerous iibres. The firfi; leaves are placed on fmall foot- ftalks, and grow, as in the others, thrre on each : they are oblong, moderately broad, {harp-pointed, ferrated at the edges, and of a lively green. The (talks are numerous, flender, branched, a foot or more in length, but not very upright. The flowers Hand on flender footflaiks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, and they are yel- low. The feed-vefiel is very large, fmooth, of a pale green, and twifted in the manner of a fn.iil. The feeds are few and large. It is a native of Italy. We fow it in gardens for the fingularity of the fruit. C. Bauhine calls it TrifoUum cochleaUtm fniBu rotundiore. 3. Caterpillar-Trefoil. Medica fru^it convoluto afpero. The root is long, (lender, and hung with many libres. The ftalks are -numerous, weak, flender, branched, and a foot or more in length. The leaves ftand thick upon them, three at each joint, on a long, flender footfl:alk : they are fliort, broad, obtufe, and of a fomewhat oval form, but inverted, or with the fmaller part below. The flowers are little and yellow. The feed-veflTels are large, twirled about, and rough ; fo that they have the appearance of a green, hairy caterpillar rolled up. It is a native of the Ea(t, and of the warmer parts of Europe. We keep it in gardens. C. Bauhine calls it TrifoHum fniElu comprejjo fplnis horrido. From this and the fotmer fpecies the induftry of our gardeners has raifed a vafl many va- rieties, which have been defcribed by many a| difl:in<5l fpecies. This is the common error : but LinuEEUS is in the extreme on the other fide. He rightly retrenches many ; hut he makes botli thefe and the common wild kind the fame fpecies. This is plainly an error ; becaufe the form of the leaves, as well as the fruit, differ. 4. JMoon-Trefoil, Medica filiqiiis lunatis. The root is long and flender, and has very few fibres. Tlie flalks are numerous, weak, and of a pale green ; they are a foot high, and branched. The leaves have long, flender pedicles ; three fliand on each : they are oblong, broad, dented, und of a fine green. The flowers are fmall and yellow : they ftand on fliovt, fmall footfl:alks in the bofoms of the leaves. The fecd-velTel is broad, fiat, and notched at the edges : it is turned round; fo that it repre- fents a new qioon. The feeds are few and brown; It is found about the edges of vineyards in Italy. C. Bauhine calls it I'rifolum fdlqua foUata. Others, T'rifolium Itmatum. 5. Srubby Moon-Trefoil. Medica Jiliqu'.S luiiatis frutefcens. The root is woody, long, divided, and fpread- ing. The fl:em alfo is woody, tough, and very much branched : the trunk is covered with a grey bark; but the twigs arc green or greyiOi. The leave:; fl:and on long footftalks, three upon each : they are oblong, obtufe, and largefl: at the ends ; and are of a greyifli green. The flowers grow three together ufually on flender footftalks, and they are fmall and yellow. The feed-veflTel is fiat, and turned round in form of a crefcent ■, but it is fmooth on the edge, not nicked as the preceding. The feeds are large, angulated, and brown. It is a native of the Eaft, and flowers in Auguft. Authors have miftaken its proper genus : they have in general ranged it among the cytifi. C. Bauhine calls it Cytifus incantts filiquis foliatis. Lobel, Cytifus maranta ; a name copied by moft others. N" 31, GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS IX. BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL. L 0 r U S. '~pHE flower is papilionaceous. Tlie vexillum is roiindifh, and bends downward ; and it lias a long, hollow bottom. The alse are fhort, broad, obtufe, and converge upwards, The ca- rina is rounded below, clofed above, fhort, fliarp-pointed, and turned upwards. The cup is formed of a fingle piece : it is hollow, and is divided into five regular fegments. The feed-vefiel is long and flender, and the feeds are numerous and roundiih. The leaves iland three on each footllalk, as in the preceding genera ; but there are alfo two fmall ones on the tlalk, at tiie infertion of the footllalk of the others. Linn^us places this among the diadelphia decandria ; the threads of the flower being ten, in two affortmenta. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Birdsfoot Trefoil. Lotus corniciilata glabra minor. The root is long, and furnifhed with many fibres. The ftalks are numerous, flender, firm, and branched : they are ufually of a redilli colour, and are ten inches high. The leaves are of a fine flrong green : three ftand on a long footflalk, and two at its bafe : they are oblong, and fharp-pointed. Th-e flowers fland in cluflers at the tops of flender footflalks, rifing from the bofoms of the leaves i and they are fmall and yellow. The pods are flrait, flender, and long. It is common in our paflures, and flowers in Augufl:. C. Bauhine calls it Lotus pent aphylla minor gla- bra. 1. Narrow-leaved Birdsfoot Trefoil. Lotus corniculnta angujiifolia glabra. • The root is long and flender. The flalks are numerous, and very much branched : they are firm, upright, and fix inches high. The leaves fl:and three on a footfl:aIk, and two at the bafe of it : they are narrow, of a frclli green, and fharp-pointcd. The flowers are fmall and yellow : they fl:and, as in the other, on long footitalks, fix or eight together. The feed-veffels are long, flender, and brown. The plant difl:inguifhes itfelf at firfl: fight from the common kind by its upright, bufhy afpeft. We have it in corn-fields, where the foil is clayifli- It flowers in Augufl:. Ray calls it Lotus pentaphyllos minor angiiftio- rihus foUis fruticcfior. DIVISION II. F O I. Square-podded Lotus. Lotus Jliqua quadrala fiore rulrs. The TOOL is long, and furniflied with many iibres. 3. Great Birdsfoot Trefoil. Lcii/s cGrnkulala hirfuta major. The root iscompofed of numerouSjflendcr fibres. The ftajl;s are weak, of a pale colour, a little hairy, not much branched, and a foot or more in height. The leaves are numerous and large : three (land on each footftaik, and two at its bafe : they are oblong, broad, of a pale green, and lightly hairy. The flowers are large and yellow, with a tinge of orange-colour : they fl:and in little tufts at the tops of the pedicles, which rife from the bolbm ol the leaves. The fccd-vclTel is long, (lender, and brown. It is frequent in damp places, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Ldus fentaflxjllos florc ma- jore lutto ffkndenle. Others, Lotus corniculata. birfuta major. The leaves of this plant are fometimcs very little hairy, and of a brighter green. In this (late ■ it is defcribed in Dillenius's edition of the Sy- nopfis as a new fpecies ; but it is a variety owing only to its growing on a drier foil. 4. Dwarf Birdsfoot Trefoil. Loins corniculata mnima foliis [uhtus hlrjutis. The root is compofed of a few flender threads. The ftalks are numerous, weak, and procum- bent : they are of a rcdifli colour, and three or four inches long. The leaves fland three on a footllalk, and two at its bafe : they arc Ihort, roundiHi, but termi- nated by a point; and of a blackifh green above, and white and hairy underneath. The flowers are fmall and yellow ; the pods are very flender and brown. We have it in dry, hilly pafliures, cfpecially where the foil is chalky. It flowers in July. Ray calls it Lotus corniculata minor foliis fuhtus incanis. REIGN SPECIES. The flalks are numerous and weak : they fpread every way upon the ground j and are branched, and of a pale green, a little hairy, and a foot and half long. The flowers are placed at didances : three grow upon The BRITISH HERBAL. 3>5 upon a Ihort footftalk, and two at its bafe : they are of a dufky green colour, and foft to the touch. The flowers ftand on pedicles rifing from the bofoms of the leaves, two ufiially on each ; and they are large and beautiful : their colour is crim- fun, and they have a look of velvet. The pods are fhort and thick, and have four membranous edges, which give them a fquare afpeft. The feeds are large and yellowifli. It is a native of Spain, but is in Tome parts of England cultivated in gardens for the fake of the feeds, which are pleafant and wholefome. Many eat them in the manner of peafe. C. Bauhine calls it Lotus ruber Jiiiqua angulofa. Our people, Crlmfon-pca^ or Vdvet-pea. 2. Small fquare-poddcd Lotus, Lo£!is Jiiiqaa qiiadrata minor. The root is long, thick, and furnifiied with many fibres. The flalks are numerous, weak, and branched : they are eight or ten inches long, of a pale green, and a little hairy- The leaves ftand three on a very fliort foot- ftalk, and two at its bafe : they arc oblong, mo- derately broad, of a pale green, hairy, and fliarp- pointed. The flowers are large and yellow : they fl:and on long, flender footftalks, fometimes two toge- ther, Ibmetimes fingly. In fome places they are Striped, but not univerfally. The feed-veffel is long and flender : the feeds are numerous and brown. It is common in Italy, and the fouth of France. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Lotus pratcn/is Jiliquofia lu- teits. Others, Lotus qmdrata fihqua flore luteo. 3. Great-podded Lotus, Lotus filiqiia crajfwre. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with a few fibres. The ftalks are numerous, weak, but tolerably upright, and a foot high. The leaves are broad, fliort, and fliarp-pointcd : they fl:and three on a footflratk, with two at the bafe of it ; and they are of a pale green, and a little hairy. The flowers fl-and fingly on long, flender foot- flaiks ; and are large and yellow. The pod is very large, and hangs down. The feeds are large and well-tafl:ed. It is a native of Crete, and flowers in Auguft, C. Bauhine calls it Lotus -pejitaphyllns filiqua corn:, t a. 3. Cluflier-flowered Lotus. Lotus JlGribus fafckulatis. The root is long, thick, and furnifhed with numerous fibres. The flialks are firm, upright, and two feet ]ris,h : thry are fmooth, branched, and of a pale green. The leaves fl;anu three on a footftalk, with two at its bafe : they arc oblong, broad, fliarp-pointed, and of a pale green. The flowers are feparately very fmall but they fl:and in thick tufts, and make a very confpicuous Aew : they are white, variegated with a little purple. The fecd-veflel is long and flender, and the feeds are roundifli, C. Bauhine calls it Lotus fdhiuofiis glaher fiove rotunda. It is a native of the w.irmer parts of Europe, and flowers toward the end of fummer. 5. Hairy, v/hite-flowered Lotus, Lotus hirfutus jlore albo. The roots are woody, tough, and fpreading. The ifalks are alfo woody, and three or iour feet high : they are very much branched, and co- vered with a brown bark in the lower parts, and green in the upper. The leaves are very numerous and fmall : they are placed three together, with fcarce any foot- llalks, and two at the bafe : they are oblong, hairy, fliLirp-pointed, and of a pale green. The flowers grow in little tufts at the tops of the branches, and are fmall and white. The feed-veflTels are fmall alfo, and brown. It is frequent in the fouth of France, and flowers in Augufl:. C. Bauhine calls it Lotus fentaphyllus villofus. Others, Trifolhmi h^morrhoidale majus. 6, Great-flowered woolly Lotus; Lotus lanuginofus flore majore albicante. The root is woody, tough, divided, and fpread- ing. The fl:alks are numerous, flirubby, and firm ; and the whole plant has a white, woolly afpeft. The leaves fl:and three together, with two others at the bafe. This is the proper and perfed man- ner of their growth i but fometimes one or both the lower ones are wanting. They are /hort, broad, and white , and are covered with a kind of woolly matter. The flowers are large and white : they fliand in little roundifli c!ufl:ers on the tops of very flender footilalks. The feed-veflel is long and flender: the feeds are roundifli. It is a native of all the warm parts of Europe, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Lotus pentaphyllus incanus. Others, Dorycnium Monfpelienftum \ and the Eng- lifli writers, Poifonous trefoil of Montpelier. 7. Bufliy-top'd white Lotus. Lotus floribus confertis aJbidis vel carneis. The root is long, thick, divided, and fpreading. The fl:em is covered with a brown bark : ic grows to the height of four feet in a fhrubby manner, and the young twigs are greyifli. The leaves fUnd three together, with two fmaller at their Safes i and they are narrow, fliarp- pointed, and of a pale green. I'he flowers are fmall, but very numerous : they Rand in round clufters at the tops of the I ftalks 3i6 The BRITISH HERBAL. ftalks and branches ; and they are ulually whke, foinetimes redilh. The feed-veflcls are flender and long* It is a native of Spain, and flowers in Au- guft. C. Bauhine calls it Trifoiimn albim angiiJlifoUuni Jloribus I'eluti in capitidim conjejtls. Others, Spa- ni/h dorycmum^ Dorycnimn Hifpanicum, and Do- rycnium fiore minore. 8. Long-podded Lotus. Loius Jiliquis longiffimis. The root is long and divided. The llalks are numerous, firm, and not much branched. The leaves are difpofed in a regular manner, and placed at agreeable diftances on the plant : three fl:and together, and two at their bafe : they are oblong, obtufe, and white. The flowers are long and flendcr, and their co- lour is a beautiful gold yellow : three ufually ftand together. The fced-veflTel is very large, and the feeds arc numerous and brown. It is a native of the Greek iflands, and flowers in Auguft. Plukenet calls it Lotus argentea Cretica ; and Others follow him. 9. Great fcarlet- flowered Lotus. Lotus fiore magna cocc'meo. The root is long, fpreading, and fiirnifhed with numerous fibres. The ftalks are robufi, upright, and brown ; and the plant has a Ihrubby appearance. The leaves are large ; three ftand on a fhorc footftalk, and two at the bale : they are oblong and obtufe, and of a greyifh green. The flowers fl:and on flender footftalks rlfing from the bofoms of the leaves, two on each : they are very large, and of a beautiful fcarlet. 'I'he leed-veflels are long and brown. It is a native of Africa, and flowers in July. Plukenet calls it Lotus frutkofior Ajr'uana foUk incanis fiorihus hints amplis coccineis. The common kinds of lotus are gently afl:rin- gent. Two or three kinds have been called k-e- morrhoUales, from their t?itQ: in fl;opping the bleeding of the piles : but their virtues in that refpecT: are not very confiderable. The Spanifh and French kinds, called dorycnium, are accounted poifonous. Mr. Ray, by an overfight, adds to this clafs the plant called climbing fumitory^ the fumaria da- vicuits donata : but that is properly a fpecies of the genus whofe name it bears, /roMna; and will be defcribed in its place among the plants of that title, which belong to a different clafs. The END of ihe EIGHTEENTH CLASS. "'T H E THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS XIX. Plants whofe fruit is a berry ; confifling of a fkin or rind, furrounding a fojt pulpy or juicy matter, within which are the feeds. N Either the flower, nor any other part of thefe herbs, needs to be named for eftablilhing a claffical charafter ■, this peculiarity of the fruit being the mod obvious, certain, and n.vamble mark that could be chofen. It happily keeps together the whole number oi theie plants, fe- parating them from all others : this is the defign and fole end of claffical d.vifions ; and it has the ad- vantage of being (Irort, plain, and fimple; which is the bcft cu-camftancc d,.t can^ attend them. If .he charafters of all clafTes were as natural as this, there would be l.ttle difficulty m forming a good and perfea fyflem of botany, or in the attainment of the fcience. Mr Ray, and with him the generality of writers, led by nature and by reafon, have thus confti- tuted the berry-beanng plants as a diftinet and feparate clafs. But it ,s not fo in the method of Lm- _ nrrus ; for they are arranged in the mod different and mod remote claflts and fcattered over all h« work. Any one would fay, from the (lighted obfervation, and nature wouU confirm it from the deepeft fearch, that nightfcade and bryony, and lilly of the valley and Solomon s feal, and the reft of thefe were allied to one another ; and the ftudent would hope he fhould find them together. It ,s fit he ftould fo find them, and he will here : but in that author he mud feek each in its feparate place. Linns:us edabliOied a fydem in which the charafters of claflis were to be taken from the number and arrangement of the threads in the flower : therefore, where Nature, as in the prefent inftance, fixes the charafler in the fruit, he rcjefts the diftinaion. r i, j c j Accordingly nightfiiade ftands among his fentandria monogyma, becaufe the threads are five, and the dvle cSole •, and it is there mixed with henbane, and campanula, becaufe their threads are in the fame number ; and bryony is thrown among the momcia fyngim/ja, fixteen clafies ofF, becaufe there arc male and female flowers in a peculiar manner on the fame plant. The dwarf honeyfuckle is placed among the tetrandria, becaufe its threads are only four, and it is there mixed with plantain. The lilly of the valley and afparagus are ranged under the hexandria, be- caufe of their fix threads, and mixed among the bulbous plants. The vaccinium, becaufe its flower has eight threads, is joined with rue; the willow-herb is placed under the aClandrm, and the mofchatellina in the fame clafs, keeps company with bidort and arfmart. , ^ , ^ ^ Thefe are Englifli plants, and familiar ones : we need carry the fearch no farther. The purpofe of method and fydem is to introduce regularity into a fcience; but the refult of fuch combinations can be only confufion. Nature fports and wantons in thefe leflVr parts; and therefore, though fit to be xenriei in delcription, they are mod improper for the conftruftionof claffical charafters. No inftance can ftiew this more ftrongly than the reparation of the bacciferous plants. N° XXXII. SERIES 3>8 The BRITISH HERBAL. SERIES I. Natives of Britain. Thofe of which one or more fpecies are naturally wild in this country. G E N U S I. WHITEBRYONY. B R r O N I A. "jpHE flower is compofed of a fingle petal, hollowed like a bell, and divided into five fegmcnts, oF an oval form, at the rim. The cup is formed of a fingle piece, hollowed like the flower, and di- vided alfo into five fegments i which are narrow, and lharp-pointed. The fruit is a berry, of a fome- what oval form. There are diftind male and female flowers on the plant ; but they agree in thefe charafters. The difpofition of the internal part only varies : in the male flowers there are three fta- mina or threads, two of which have double buttons : and in the female there is a ftyle from the rudi- ment of the fruit, which is divided into three parts at the top. LinnjEUS places this among the f»ona:cia fyngmefia, for the fake of thefe particularities, far removing it from the other berry-bearing plants, as we have obferved. This is an infl:ance, that although the diftribution of the internal or fmall parts of flowers be very worthy notice, it is not a foundation for claflical diftindions. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common White Bryony. Brycma nlba. The root is vaftly large, and of a dufliy whitifh colour. The ftalks are numerous, weak, and trailing : they are rough to the touch, and of a pale green : they would naturally lie on the ground ; but, as the plant commonly grows in hedges, they are fupported, and will run to twelve feet in length, fending out numerous fpiral tendrils, by which they lay hold of every thing they come near. The leaves are large, and of a beautiful fliape : they are broad, cornered, and in fomc degree like thofe of the vine, but longer pointed, and of a greyifh green. The flowers are numerous, fmall, and of a greenilh white : they are placed on fhort foot- fl:alks, two, three, or more, on each ; and thefe rife from the bofoms of the leaves. The berries are red when ripe, and contain a few large, oval feeds, which grow to the rind. It is common in hedges. It flowers in July, and the berries ripen in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Bryonia afpera feu alba iaccis rubris. Others, Bryonia alba. It is poffeflcd of great virtues ; but is violent in its operations, if not well managed. It is excellent againfl: obftruftions of the vif- cera, and particularly in uterine diforders : it promotes the menfes, and afliflis in bringinf^ on delivery. It is for this purpofe belt given in very fmall dofes of the juice exprefied with white wine. The compound water called after its name, and by the vulgar Jr/fterick water, has alfo thefe virtues, but in a lefs degree. The juice, in a fomewhat larger dofe, has been given with fuccefs againfl: dropfics ; and a fyrup made of it, with honey and a little vinesar, is good in afthmas. " It kills worms in the intellines ; and in this re- fpeft is fuperior to moft medicines. This Bartho- lin long ago experienced and publifhed ; but it has not been enough regarded. For this purpofe the bell method of giving it, is to prefs out the juice, and let it ftand to fubfide ; then pouring oft' the clear part, the fettlings are to be dried. A flight infufion of it is ufeful in hyfterick cafes, and externally it is a very good addition to cata- plafms ibr hard and painful fweilings. 2. White Bryony with black berries. Bryonia alba baccis nigris. The root is large, like that of the common kind. The ftalks arc numerous, weak, and climb- ing ; and they arc very rough to the touch. The leaves are large, broad, fhort, and of a dufliy green. The flowers are whitifli ; and the berries, when ripe, not red, as in the other, but black. it is not a variety of the former, but a diftinft fpecies : the feeds of one will not produce the other. It is found in hedges in fume parts of the kingdom common enough, as about Cambridge. The berries are ripe in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Bryonia alba baccis nigris; a name copied by mofl: others. Its virtues are the fame with thofe of the former. D I V I- 1 The BRITISH HERBAL. 319 DIVISION II. Cretick Bryony. Eryoilia foliis pahnatis. The root is long and (lender. The ftalks are numerous, weak, when fupported, of a great length The leaves are large trailing, and, and divided in an ele- FOREIGN SPECIES. gant manner : they arc rough, of a pale green, and veined and fpotted with white. The flowers are large, and they are placed on long footftalks. The berries are red. It is a native of Crete, and flowers in June. ; C. Bauhine calls it Bryonia Cre:ua maculaiaS _ GENUS II. B L A C K B R Y O N Y. T A M N U S. THere is in this genus a flower, if it may be fo called, without petals. The cup is formed of a fingle piece, divided at the edge into fix fegments, of an oval form, but pointed, and difplaycd in an expanded m'anner at the points. The fruit is a berry, of an oval form, divided within into three cells ; in each of which there are two feeds. There are in this genus male and female plants. The flowers difl^er in this, that in the male there are within the cup fix ftiort filaments or threads, with their buttons ; and in the female there is the embryo-fruit, plainly diftinguifhable under the flower. Linnteus places this among the iicecia bcxaniria ; the male and female flowers being on ftparate plants, and the threads in the male fix in number. He is difpleafed with the received name tamnus, and writes it tavius. DIVISION I. 1. Common Black Bryony. Tamnii! -vulgaris. The root is very large, long, and thick, black on the outfide, white within, and full of a white juice. The ftalks are numerous, long, flender, and trreen : they climb among buflies, and by that means grow to ten feet or more in length. The leaves are large and beautiful : they are placed on long footflialks, and are of a heart-fa- lliioned fliape, fharp-pointed, and of a Ihining deep green. The flowers are greenilh, and are placed feve- ral together on long footftalks, each having alfo its feparate pedicle. The berries are large, and, when ripe, of a beautiful red. It is common in hedges, and the berries are ripe in Augufl:. C. Bauhine calls it Bryonia Ijmis five nigra ra- cemofa. Others, Bryonia nigra, and I'amnus vul- garis. BRITISH SPECIES. The root is a very powerful remedy in nephri- tick cafes, though not known in the fiaops, or ufed in the modern practice. The befl: method of giving it is in the juice prefiTed out, when it has been bruifed, with white wine. This works powerfully by urine, brings away gravel, and cleanfes the paflTages in a furprifing manner. It is alfo excellent againfl: obftruftions of the menfes, taken in the fame way, but in fmaller dofes, for a continuance of time. A fyrup made of it with honey is fervice- able in afthmas, and all obftrudtions of the breaft. The young fiioots, eaten in the manner of afpa- ragus, are very pleafant, and work powerfully by urine. The bruifed root, applied externally, has done fervice in paralytick cafes. This I write from ex- perience ; nor was it unknown of the plant to the earlier writers ; though it has unhappily of later time been difufed. f i I I DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Black Bryony with trifid leaves. Taninus folio trifido. The root is long, thick, and full of a fharp juice. The ftalks are nimierous and weak; but they fupport themfelves by climbing. The leaves are large, and of a frefli green : they are broad, fhorc, and divided into three parts. Their colour is a deep, dead green. The flowers are fmall and grt-eniiTi. The berries are large and red. It is a native of the Greek illands, and flowers in July. Tournefort calls it Tanmtis Crctica irijidofolio. GENUS ■I 320 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS III. HERB-CHRISTOPHEK. CHRIS TOP HO R I AN J. THE flower is compofed of four petals ; of a fingular angulated form, and large. The cup is formed of four chaffy leaves which are fmall, obtiife, and hollow; and they fall with the flower. The fruit is a berry, of a roundifh Hiape, with a furrow on it. The feeds are numerous, and femicircular. Linnsus feparates rhis from all the other berry-bearing plants, and places it among the -polyandna monogynia \ the ftamina being numerous, and fixed to the receptacle ; and the ftyle from the rudi- ment of the fruit fingle. This author diflikes the received name cbrijlophoriana, and calls the genus aSlaa. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Herb-Chriflopher. Chrijlophoriana vulgaris. The root is long and thick, black on the out- fide, yellow within, and of a difagreeable tarte. The firft leaves are large, and divided by threes into a great many parts ; fo that they refemble at the firft fight thofe of fome of the umbelliferous plants : they are of a dufky green, and of a gloffy fur face. The ftalk is round, green, upright, branched, and a yard high. The leaves on this refemble thofe from the root : they are very large, and their feparate parts are broad, ferraced, and have alfo a kind of trifid divifipn. DIVISION II. F < I. Tall American Herb-Chiiftophcr. Chriftophoriana Americana procm'or. The root is long, thick, and of a dark brown. The ftalks. are numerous, upright, firm, and of a pale green : they are of a firm fubftance, and five feet high. The leaves have the fame trifid divifion with thofe of the common kind ; but they are larger, of a deep green, and fhL!rply ferrated. The flowers ftand in very long and beautiful fpikes at the tops of the ftalks : they arc fmall and white. The berries are black and roundifh. It is a native of Virginia, and flowers in Au- guft. Dillenius calls it Chrijtophoriafm Amaicanapro- cerior S longius jpieala. The flowers are fmall and white ; they ftand in clufters upon ilender footftalks, forming a kind of fpike. The berries are large, of aroundifli, but fome- what oblong figure, and black. It is found in woods in our northern counties. It flowers in July, and the berries are ripe in Aiiguft. Ray calls It Chriftophoriana. Others, Chrijia- phoriana 'vulgaris^ and A£iaa. In Englifti we call it Herb-Chriflopher ; and, from its poifonous qua- lities, Bane-b£}T)\ The berries have been fatal to children who have been tempted by their glofiy black to eac them. They have died convulfed, '? REIGN SPECIES. 2. Red-berried Herb-Chriftopher. ChriJtophoria?ia haccis ruhris. The root is long and flcnder. The firft leaves are numerous, and very large : they are divided by threes into feveral ftiort, broad fegments, and thefe are ferrated and ftiarp- pointed. The ftalk is fingle, upright, branched, and four feet high. The leaves on this refemble thofe from the root, and are of a very dark green colour. The flowers ftand in long and thick fpikes i they are fmall and white. The berries are red. It is a native of the northern parts of Europe, and of America, and flowers in Auguft. The berries are fometimes white. Morifon calls it Chrifiophoriana Americana ra- cemofa haccis niveis & ruhris: G E N U S IV. SOLOMON'S SEAL. P0L2-G0NATUM. rr^lW. flower is formed of a fingle petal ; and is oblong, hollow, and of a bell-like fliape, and is divided into fix fegments at the edge. There is no cup. The berry is round, and divided within into three cells, in each of whicli there is a fingle roundifli feed ; and, before the berry is ripe, it is fpotted. The leaves are narrow, and of a firm fubftance. Linnaus The BRITISH HERBAL. 321 Linnteus ''laces this among the hexajidria monogyma, ; the threads in the flower being fix, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. By this arrangement he feparates it from moft others of the fame kind by many clafTcs ; and, by an error of the oppdfite kind, in refpciSt of the leCer divifion of genera, he joins this in the fame with ]iliy of the valley, taking aw ay the received name polygonatum, and calling all the fpecies- convaiiari^e, the name he ufes infcead of the old term iiUhm ccnvallmm. The whole habit and general face of the plant dlftinguifh it from the lilly of the valley. The flower aifo confirms this as a generical diftindion j being in the SokmDn''s feal oblong, and in the lilly of the vaiky globular. DIVISION i. BRITISH SPECIES, I. Common Solomon's Seal; Polygonatum vuJgare. The root is thick, and fpreads under the fur- face. The ftalk is fingle, round, and tolerably up- right ■, but tb:.t it generally toward the top (loops a little: it is not at all branched ; its height is a ioot and half, and the leaves and flowers on it arc difpofcd with great regularity. The leaves are oblong, broad, of a beautiful green, of a firm fubflance, and marked with large ribs, all running lengthwife : thefe generally grow on one fide of the flalk, and the flowers on the other. The flowers are fmall, wbitlfli, with a tinge of green on the edge ; and they have a little fmell : they grow two or three together on long, flender footfl:alks, which rife from the bofoms of the leaves i and they hang down in a continued feries. The berries are large; and, when ripe, they are red \ but birds are fond of them, fo that they are rarely feen in this ftate : before that time they arc green and fpotted. \Vc have it in fome woods in the north of Eng- land but it is not common. It flowers in July. C. Bduhine calls it Polygomlum latifoUum lul- gare. Others, SigiUwn bolomonis. The root is gr?at!y efteemed as an external re- medy for bruifes. Internally taken, it is a very powerfnl rcflrin- o-ent. It is good againfl; fpitting of blood, and hab been known to cure that troublefome difordcr the fiuor albus. The befl way of taking it is in form of a conferve, beating up the frefh root with fugar. The colour of the berries vtiries in this fpec-ies ; fometimes they are only of a bluifli green when ripe, and fometimes they are of a deep glofly black. 2. I.argc-fliowered Solomon's Seal: Polygonatum ficre majore. The root is large, and runs obliquely and ir- regularly under the furface. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and robuft, but not fo tail as in the common kind : it rarely exceeds a foot in height, and it does not droop as that of the common kind toward the top. The leaves arc very broad, oblong, thick, of a deep fliining green, and marked with very thick and robiift veins, running all lengthwife. The flowers rife from the bofoms of the leaves, and hang all on one fide of the flalk : they are larger than in the other, and of a pure white : two or three hang in a clufter from the boibm of each leaf; but every one of thefe has its feparate footftalk. They have a very ffagrant finell, like that of the hawthorn-flower. The berries are greeniili, and fpotted for a long time ; but, when ripe, they are black. We have it in fame of our woods in the nor- thern counties ; but it is fcarce. It flowers in June, but the berries are not ripe till about Au- C. Bauiiine calls it Polygonatum latijolium fiore majore odoro. Linnsus fuppofes it only a variety of the former; but it is altogether difliind. 3. Dwarf Solomon's Seal. Polygonatum humile angujliore foUoi The root is thick, oblong, and white : it runs beneath the furface, and has numerous fibres. The flalk is upright, of a pale green, not at all branched, and eight inches high. The leaves are oblong and narrow : they are of a yellowifli green, fliarp-pointed, and full of thick ribs; The flowers grow three on each footflalk, hang- ing from the bofoms of the leaves ; and they are final!, oblong, and greenifli. The berries, when ripe, are blue. It is found in mountainous woods in our nor- thern counties. It flowers in July. Ray calls it Polygonatuiu humile Angliuni. It is a perfectly diflinfl fpecies from the others, though fome have doubted it. 4. Great-leaved Solomon's Seal. Polygonatim helkbori alhi folio. The root is thick and white. The ftalk is firm, upright, not at all branchecJ^ and of a deep red. The leaves ftand on one fide of the ftalk, as in the common kind ; and they are very large : they are broad, fliarp-pointed, marked with thick ribs, and of a deep green. The flowers hang on long footftalks from the bofoms of the leaves : they are fmall and white ; and there ufually are two on each ftalk. The berries are large ; and, when they arc ripe, of a beautiful bright red. It is found in our weftern counties, and flowers in Auguft. Ray calls It Polygonatum helkbori albi folio cauU furpurcfcente. The flowers of this have no fmell. 4 N D I V i - 322 The BRITISH fl E R B A L. DIVISION II. F O I, Branched Solomon's Sea!. Polygojmiiim rmiofura. The root.is connpofed of a vaft number of thick fibres, connefted to a fmall head. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and branched, 3nd is two feet and a half high. The leaves are very large, and of a fine deep green : they furround the ftalk by a broad bafe, and grow fmaller thence to a point. The fiowtrrs are fmall and whitifli : they hang fingly on long, nender, and, as it were, jointed footilalks, rifing from the bofoms of the leaves : they are white, with a faint tiniftof green. The berries are at firft green and (potted, but afterwards red. It is frequent in Germany, and fiowcrs in Au- giift. C. Bauliine calls it Tolygonatum lalifolhim ra- IREIGN SPECIES. 2. Narrow-leaved Solomon's Seal. Polygomtum GuguJlifoHum. The root is thick, large, and of an irregular form, and fpreads under the furface. The ILilks are round, firm, upright, and a foot and half high : they are rarely branched, but fometimts they divide a little. The leaves are obiong, narrow, (harp-pointed, and of a pale green: they do not ftand in the manner of thofc in the other kinds, but furround the llalks like the leaves of the ftcllate plants. Tlie flowers hang from the bofoms of the leaives on fingle footftalks, ufually one from the bofom of each leaf : they are fm.^.ll and white. The benies are roundifli, and, when ripe, of a fine red. It is a native of Germany, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it PolyganaUm angnftifolium non rnmofmn. He difl;inguilhes another under the name of Polygonatum anguflifolutm ramofim ; but it is only a variety of this. GENUS V, LILLY OF THE VALLEY. LILLIUM CON V ALLIUM. 'T~'HE flower Is formed of a fingle petal ; and is hollow and globular. There is no cup. The' berry is roundifli, divided into three cells within, and before its growing ripe is fpotted. Tlie leaves are few, and nervous. Linnxus places this among the hexandria ijjonogynia j the threads in the flower being fix, and the flyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. He fcparates it from the reft of the berry-bearing plants by feveral ciafl'es, and joins it in the fame genus with the polygonatum. He alfo changes the received name, writing it convallaria. DIVISION L BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Common Lilly of the A'"alley. Lillium convallium i-ulgare. The root is long, flender, fpreading, and creep- ing to a great diftance under the furface. The leaves that rife from this are ufually two, fometimes three : they are very large, and of a fine green, oblong, broad, and fliarp-pointed ; and they are of a firm fubftance, and marked with high and large ribs. The ftalk which bears the flowers rlfes near the ftem, which fupports the leaves, and Is com- monly conneded to it by a membranous cafe. There are no leaves on this ftallc. The flowers grow at the top in a kind of fpike ; but they all hang one way : they are large, of a whitifli colour, and of an extremely fragrant fmell. The berries are large, round, and red. It is common in our woods, but does not al- ways arrive at perfeftion. In many places only the leaves are feen, the plants never flowering ; and in many others the berries do not ripen. C. Bauhine calls it Lillium convallium album. Others, Lillium convallium vulgare. It is an excellent medicine in nervous cafes. The flowers have the principal virtue. They may be taken in infufion ; but the befl: way is in conferve : they are thus good againft head-achs, and all nervous complaints. Dried and powdered, they ad as fniiff, and do great fervice in inveterate diforders of the head. Ray mentions a variety of this plant, which had impofed on fome as a diftinift fpecies. The leaves inthis are narrower, and the flowers fmalkr > but this is only accidental. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Oneblade. Lillium convallium foliis cordatis. This is a very Angular little plant: it has been" dcfcribed by authors under a diftinft name j but it is in all refpeiits a true and proper Ully of the valley. The root Is long, flcnder, divided, and creep- ing. The firft appearance of the plant is In a fingle leaf, fupported on a long footftalk : this obtained it the (lame oneblade, for when it rifes to flower it has two. The footftalk that fupports the firft leaf is re- 2 difh 3 Tlie BRITISH HERBAL. 3-3 difli ; and the leaf (lands flatways, not ercft, upon' it : it is of a beart-like fiiape, and of a deep, fine green. Tlie ftallc which fupports the flowers r.fes from fome other part of the root: it is four inches high, flender, redifli, and upright. About the middle it has two leaves, placed at fome dif- tance, one over riie other t they are heart-fa- fhioned, and of the fame fine green : they fur- round the flalk at the bafe, and terminate in a point. The flowers terminate the ftalk m a thick, fliort fpikc : they are fmall, white, and of a very fragrant fir.ell. The berries are fmall, and, when ripe, red. It is frec^uent in the mountainous parts of Ger- many, v.'here the foil is damp. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Lillium convallium minus. Others, Monophylk-n. It has been faid to grow wild in fome parts of England ; but there was fome miffake in the ac- count. Species are feldom lofl; in a kingdom where they ever did grow wild ; and it is not found with us now. The root of this laft fpecies has been celebrated againll the plague, but I fear upon no good foundation. N U VI. H E R B T R U E L O V E. HERB A PARIS. T'HE flower confifts of an uncertain number of petals ; they are oblong, and they fpread open. The cup is compofed of an uncertain number of leaves, and it remains after the flower. The fruit is a berry of a roundifh form, but fomewhat angulated in four parts, and divided witiiin into four cells ■ in each of which are two rows of feeds. The ftalk is fimple, and the leaves grow all from one ^"Lbnsus places this among the oltandrm lelmgyma ; the threads in the flower being eight, and the ftyles from the rudiment of the fruit being four, anfwerable to its four divifions. This author takes away a part of the received name ; he writes it only Pmis. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Herb Truelove. Herl^fi Paris vulgaris. The root creeps under the furface : it is long, (lender, and has numerous libres. The ftalk is fingle, upright, not at all branched, and a foot high. The leaves grow all from one part near the top : they are four. Their colour is a fine deep green, and they are broad and oblong. The flower is fingle, one only on each plant : it terminates the ftalk, and is compofed of four petals, and is of a greenifti white. The cup is of the fame colour, and is formed of four leaves. The berry is large and black. We have it in woods, but not common. Authors call it Herha Paris. The berries are recommended as good in ma- lignant fevers internally, and as cooling in out- ward applications ; but it is not now ufed. Our people, who, from its leaves growing in this finguiar manner, call it Truelover's ktict, have in lomc places an opinion of its vittua as a lovc-powder ; but this is idle. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Trifoliate Herb Truelove. Herha Paris Irifohata. The root is large, thick, and tuberous, and has few fibres. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, not at .ill branched, and about a foot high. Toward tlic middle there ftand three leaves : thefe are bi'oad, fliort, and ftrarp-pointed : they are of a firm fubftance j and their colour is a fine green. The flower is fingle, one only growing on each plant: it terminates the ftalk, and is very large and beautiful : it confifts of three petals, and it ftands in a three-leaved cup. The colour is a deep purple, and the cup is green. The berry is very large and black : the feeds are numerous. It is a native of North America, and flowers in July. Cornutus calls it Solatium triphyllum Cam- denfe. No plant fliews more perfcffly or more plainly than this fpecies of Ihrba Paris, the impropriety of L.innai-us's iTiethod of forming the clafles on the number of threads in the flower. None can doubt, nor can himfelf deny, that this is a fpecies of the fame genus ; yet he is obliged to acknow- ledge, that the threads, and all the other parts of frudfification, are in this one-fourth in number lefs than in the other. The threads are three, and fo of the reft. The chara(5ter we have given of the genus, taking in the difpofition of the leaves, is perfeft : it admits both thefc fpecies, and it excludes all other plants : but this no gencrical charafter catj do that is formed upon the threads of the flower. We have (hewn the fame truth in other in- ftances ; but it is in none fo ftriking. GENUS 4 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS \tt. MARSH W H O R T L E. O X r C 0 C C U S. 'yHE flower is rormed of a fingle petai, which is hollowed lilie a bell, dnd is divided at the edgi . into four fegments, which turn baclcwards. The cup is extremely fmall, and remains after the flower. The fruit is a berry, of a roundifh form, and divided into four cells. The feeds are few and minute. LinntEus places this among the o^andria monogynia^ the threads in the flower being eight, and the flyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. He joins it with the vaccinium ; from which it differs in eliential charafters, as we fliall fliew when we come to the fhrubby kinds. The mycocCHS is a plant of which there is properly but one known fpecies, and that is a native of Britain. Marlli Whortle Berry. Oxycoccils vii/giirij. The root creeps under the furface ; and is long, thick, and redifii. The Ifalks are numerous and weak : they are very flender, of a purpliHi colour, not much branclied, and four or five inches long: they fupport themfclves at bcft but irregularly ; and, when leaded with fruit, always lie upon the ground. The leaves are fmall, and of a blight green : they are broad at the bafe, fliarp-pointed ; and they have no footflalks. The flowers ffand on long, flender pedicles and are of a faint red. The berries are longifli, and of a deep red when ripe. It is found on boggy grounds in Warwickfhire, and in fome other places, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Fjijs idea fahtftris. The berries are cooling and fubartringent: they will flop bloody flools, and they flrengchen the ffomach. GENUS vni. M O S C H A T E L L. MOSCHA'TELLINJ. 'TpHE flower is formed of a fingle petal, and is hollowed, and divided into four or into five feg- ments ac the edge. The cup is formed of a fingle piece, and is fplic as it were into two parts. The fruic is a round berry, growing between the cup and the flower. The feeds are four, and each is held in a feparate cell. The ckillcr of flowers grows in a kind of fquare head. LinnLeus places this among the o^amiria folygynia\ the threads in the flower being eight, and the fi;yles from the fruit numerous. This author takes away the received name of the plant, and calls it adoxa. We have in this another inflance of the uncertainty of taking characters iVom the number of threads in the flower. We have fhewn this in two plants evidently of the fame genus in the IJerha Paris but here we fee it in the flowers of the fame plant. The flower, which grows at the top of the clufter, has the number of parts here fiifl named, the fegments being four, and alfo the threads four within ; but in all the other flowers on the fame llalk the fegments are five, and ths threads in the fame man- ner five. Of this, as of the former genus, there is but one known fpecies, and that is a native of Britain. T'uberous Mofchatcll. MofL-hatelUna tubcroja. Tne loot is fmal!, thick, of an irregular fi- gure, and pale brown colour. The leaves are large, and tliey are fupported on long fuQtflalks : they are divided rudely into three parts ; and thefe are again notched into three ac the ends, where they terminate ob- tufely. The fl:alks are about three inches hi^h : they are flender, whitifli, and weak. There ufually grows a fingle leaf on each, and that toward the middle : it ib like thofe from the root, but fmaller, and of a paler green. ■ The flowers ftand at the top in a fliorr, thick, fquare clufter : they are of a grcenifli colour, with a tinge of whitifii and yellowifh. The berries are fmall and redifli. ]t is frequent at the fides of woods in the rotten earth that lies under trees. Ic flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Raniinciclui nmorum mofcha- tdlina diuius. Its virtues are unknown. S G E N U 3 The BRITISH HERBAL. 32; GENUS IX. ASPARAGUS. J S P J R ^ G U S. mHE flower is formed of a fingle petal: this is oblong, hollow, and divided to the very bafe 1 into fix narrow fet^ments ; three of which fl:and inward, and turn back at the ends. There is no cup. The fruit is a round berry, with a dent at the top ; and it is div.ded withm into three cells, in each of which there are two feeds. u ■ r 1. LinnjEus places this among the hemndria monogyma ; the threads in the flower being fix, and tnc ftvle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. IVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Common Afparagus. JJparagiis vulgaris. The root is compofed of a vafl; number of long, thick, brown fibres. The ftalk is round, upright, of a pale green, and a yard high. The branches are regularly difpofcd upon it : they begin about the middle, and grow fliorter from thence all the way up. The leaves are very numerous : they are ex- tremely fiender, and of a pale green. The Bowers are fmall, and of a greenifli white : they are placed on Ihort footftalks upon the branches. The berries are large, and of a bright red. It is common wild about our weftern fea-coafl:s, and flowers in July. The young flioots there are thick and delicate; but in gardens culture renders them much larger and more tender. C. Bauhine calls it Afparagus. J. Bauhine, Jfparagus bortenfts & pratmfts ; and others, Afparagus vulgaris. It is a plant of great virtues. The Ihoots, as we eat them at table, operate powerfully by urine, but the roots much more. A decoftion of them is excellent againft the gravel and they aifo open obftructions of the vifcei a. 2. Thick-leaved Afparagus. Afparagus crajfiore folio. The root is compofed of nuir.erous, thick fibres. The ftalk is round, upright, and a yard high. The branches are regularly difpofed, as in the common kind. Tlie leaves are fliorter and thicker ; but they have no more breadth than in that. The flowers are whitifh, and the berries are of a bright red. It is found in our wefl;ern counties near rivers that have falt-watcr from tides. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Afparagus maritimus craf- /lore folio. DIVISION II. F O I. Prickly Afparagus. Afparagus fpimfus. The root is compofed of numerous, thick fibres. The fl;alks are firm, upright, round, gloflTy, of a pale green, very much branched, and five feet high. The leaves are numerous, and of a fine deep green ; four or five rife together on difl;'erent parts of the branches ; and they all terminate in jirickles. The flowers are fmall and whitifli : they ftand on Hiort footftalks, and foon fade. The berries are large, round, and red. It is common about hedges in Italy, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Afparagus foliis acutis. Others, Afparagus fpimfus, and Corruda. REIGN SPECIES. 2. Starry-leaved Afparagus. Afparagus foliis fafciculatis. The root is fmall and fibrous. The Ifalks are numerous, round, jointed, and of a pale green, the joints being paler than the reft. The leaves are long, narrow, of a deep green, and fliarp-pointed ; they grow in clufters at the extremities and on the fides of the branches, like the rays of a ftar. The flowers are fmall and grcenilh. The berries are large and red. It is a native of Africa, and flowers in July. Plukenet calls it Afparagus Africams tenuifolius viminalibus virgis foliis laricis adinflar ex ufio pun^D fidlatim difpofuis. The virtues of thefe feveral kinds are faid to be the fame with thofe of the common afparagus, but in an inferior degree. N" 32. GENUS 326 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS X. NIGHTSHADE. S 0 L A N U M. THE flower is formed of a fingle petal, deeply divided into five fegments. The cup is made of a fingle piece, and in the fame manner divided into five fcgments. The fruit is a roiindifli berry. The feeds are numerous, and are contained in two cells. LinnEEUs places this among the pentandria monogyina ; the threads in the flower being five, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Woody Nightfhade. Solanum ligmfiim. The root is compofed of numerous, thick fibres, The ftalks are woody, but weak : they are co vered with a brown bark toward the bottom ; but it is paler in the tenderer parts. The leaves are placed on long footflalks ; and they are broad, oblong, and pointed. Thofe co- ward the lower part ot the plant are undivided ; but thofe coward the cop have one or two nicks, making a kind of ears near the bafe. The flowers are placed in clufliers upon flen- der footftalks : they are fmall, and of a dark purple, with yellow heads of the threads in the middle. The berries arc large, oblong, and, when ripe, of a very fine red. It is common in damp grounds, and flowers in J"iy- C. Bauhine calls it Solanum fcandens feu dulca- mara. Others, Solanum lignofum. 2. Sea Woody NIghtlhade. - Dulcamara maritima. The root Is compofed of a multitude of large fibres. The flalks are numerous, woody, and covered with a grey bark; and the young twigs are of a deep green. I'he leaves are oblong, and irregularly dented with a few deep notches : they are of a bluilli green. The flowers are few and large: they fland in Iprcading tufts, and are of a paler blue than in the common kind, but of the fame form. The berries are oblong, and, when ripe, black. DIVISION II. I I. Common Tree Nightfliade. Solanum fruticofum angujlifolium. The root is compofed of numerous fibres. The ftem is firm, woody, and covered with a brown bark: the plant is a yard or more in height, and fpreads into branches in a regular and elegant manner. The leaves are long, flcnder, and of a beau- tiful green. We have it about the fea-coafls in the north: It flowers in July. Ray calls it Solanum lignofum-, feu dulcamara marina. The vjoody mghljhade^ though of the folamim kind, has no dangerous qualities. It operates gently by flool, and opens obftru<5lions of the vifccra. The woody part of the fl:em has moft virtue. A decodtion of this is good in the jaun- dice. 9. Common Wild Nightfliade, Solanum vulgare. The root is compofed of numerous fibres. The ftalk is round, green, thick, and of a firm fubflrance : it fpreads out into numerous branches, and is two feet high. The leaves are placed on long footftalks : they are oblong, broad, fliarp- painted, and of a deep green. The flowers are fmal! and white : they fl:and in clufl:ers eight or ten together, and have yellow- buttons in the middle. The berries are round, and, when they are ripe, black. It is common in cultivated ground, and no where fo much as in the borders of gardens. Ic flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls ic Solanum hacdfenwi primum five officinarum. Others, Solanum vulgare ; and, from its growing in gardens, Solanum hor- tenfe. The leaves of this kind are ufed externally as cooling and repellent ; but, if not managed with caution, they may be dangerous. The flowers fl:and fingly on fhorC footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves : they are large and white, with yellow buttons in the centre. The berries are large, round, and of a bright fine red. It is a native of America, and flowers in au- tumn. C. Bauhine calls ic Solamtm fruticofum baccife- rum. Others, Strycbnodendron, and Amomum Plinit. FOREIGN SPECIES. a, Love-Apple. The B R I T I S H H E R E A L. 327 2, Love-Apple. Solatium foliis pinmlis fruBu magiio. ^ The root is compofed of many thick fibres. The ftallt is thick, flelhy, and of a pale green, ] but of a weak fiibftancc ; fo that it does not ftand perfeftiy upright. ' T'he leaves are very large, and of a pale green : | they are of the pinnated form ; each compofed ' of three or four pairs of pinna;, with an odd feg- ment at the end : thefc fcparate parts are deeply and rudely indented, and fometimes divided again in the pinnated manner. The flowers are large and yellow : the fruit is very large, of the bignefs of a moderate apple, ribbed on the iurface, and of a fine red. It is full of a foft pulpy fubftance ; among which lie nu- merous feeds. It is a native of the warmer parts of Ame- rica, but thrives well in our gardens. We raife it principally for beauty; but in many other parts of Europe they eat the fruit in foops ; and fome- times raw, with oil, pepper, and vinegar. It is innocent ; but there is little nourirtiment in it. 3. Potatoe. Solanum tuberofa radici. The root is compofed of numerous, large, ir- regular pieces, and of certain ilrings or fibres con- nefting them together. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and a yard high. The leaves are large, long, and pinnated ; each is compofed of four or five pairs of irregular pin- nre with an odd one at the end ; and they are of a dufky green colour. The flowers are large, and of a deep purple, paler on the outfide, and duflcier within, with yellow buttons in the centre: thefe fl;and in cluf- ters at the ends of the branches; and have a An- gular afpefl, being five-cornered, rather than di- vided as the others. The fruit is large, round, and, when ripe, black. If is a native of America, and flowers in Au- guif. The roots are very quick in multiplying. C. Bauhine culls it Solanmn tnhrrofitm cfculen- tmn. Others, Battnta. This is another inftance, that many plants of the folnnum kind are not poifonous, for it is truly . and diftinftly one of them. 4. Mad Apple. Solanum pomiferimi fru^u ohlongo. The roocis compofed of numerous, long, thick, and fpreading fibres. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, of a pale green, or of a purplifh colour, and covered with a light, loofe, woolly matter : it is not much branched ; and it is a foot and half high. The leaves are very large : they have ihort footftalks ; and thofe are often redilh, as are atfo the veins : the leaves themfelves are of a deep green but they have the fame kind of whitifh, woolly matter upon them as the ftalks. The flowers ftand fingly, or fometimes two or three together, on long footftalks j and they are large, and either white, or of a beautiful purple. Their cups are covered with iharp, but weak prickles, of a purple colour. I'he fruit is very large : its Ihape is oval, and its bignefs that of a hen's egg, or larger : it is greenifh at firft, but white like an egg when ripe j or fometimes purpHlh, varying as the fiov/er : it is full of a foft, juicy matter within ; and the fkin is extremely tender and thin. This is another of the innocent plants of the nightfljade kind. Its name would make one think otherwife ; but that has been given through igno- rance. Some early blunderers in the fcience fuppofcd this to be the male mandrake of Theophraftus, and therefore declared it to be poifonous j fetcing down the fymptoms of convulfions and deliriums as attending the taking it inwardly. The people in the Eaft, not fo deeply learned in Greek, eat it, and they have fet the example to other nations. It is now a common ingredient in foops in many places. It is a native of Afia, Africa, and South Ame- rica. Scarce any warm climate is without it. C. Bauhine calls it Solanum pomiferum frtiEfu ohlongo. Others, Meolongena, and Melanzatm. Our Englifli people, who follow the old bota- nifts, Med apples-^ and Raging apples. Others the Egg-plant. Tournefort has led the way to defcribino- the feveral varieties of this plant as diftind fpecies ; but they arc no way di&crcnr, except in the co- lour of the flower and fruit ; no more than a red bean from a white one. 5. Pear-fruited Nightfhade. Solanum fpinoftim Jruofu pyriformi. The root is compofed of many thick, lonrr and fpreading fibres. The ftalks are numerous, weak, branched, and two feet and a half high ; they are covered with a loofe, whitifh, woolly matter; and are bcfec at fmall diftances with fliarp prickles. The leaves are large, and covered with the fame white downy matter: they, are aifo befec with fharp prickles ; they are broad, fliort, pointed at the ends, and irregularly indented. The flower Is fmall ; but the fruit is very laro-e : it is of the bignefs of a pear, and of a gold yel- low : its fliape alfo is hke that of a pear ; but it grows to the ftalk at the large end. It is common in the American iflands, and the fruit ripens in Auguft. Plukenet calls it Solanum Barbadenfe fpinofum annuim frutlu aureo rotundiore pyri parvi inverjt forma f£? magnitudine. ■ 6, Blue-flowered Thorny Nightfhade. Solanum fpinofum flore dsriileo. This is a very fingular and elegant plant. : The root is compofed of numerous, fpreading > fibres. ) The ftalks are round, firm, upright, branclied, , and a yard high ; they are of a pale colour, and thick let with fliarp, dufky thorns. The 328 The BRITISH HERBAL. The leaves ftand on thorny and long foot- ftalks : they are large, and deeply finuated at the edges ; and have alfo numerous fharp thorns on their libs. The colour is a deep green. The flowers are numerous : tlicy ftand at the tops of t!ie ftalks on flender pedicles, and are deeply divided into fegments, and of a fine bhie. The fruit is round, and, when ripe, black. It is " native of America, and flowers in July. Plukenet calls it Solanim annrnm nigricans Vir- ginianum fpinqfijfimum flore cariileo. 7. Prickly Nightfhade with fmooth cups. Solanum fpinGfum calycihiis L-cvihus. The root is compofed of numerous, fpreading fibres. The ftalk is firm, upright, prickly, and not much branched ; the thorns are lUfF, and very fharp i and diey fl:and flrait. The leaves are long, and confiderably broad ; they have fliort footftalks, they are deeply fi- nuated at the edges, and they have fome prickles on them. The flowers ftand on long, flender, prickly footftalks -, and they are large and blue. The berries are round, black, and glofiy. It is a native of the warmer parts of America and Afia, and flowers in July. Dillenius calls it Solanum Indiciim fpincjim flore horaginis. 8. Apple of Sodom. Solanum fpinis reairvis flore Cccrtdeo. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with many fibres. The flalks are numerous, upright, branched, of a pale yellowifh brown colour, and woody fub- ftance, and four feet high : they are armed with ihort and robuft prickles, which bend fomewhat downwards. The leaves are long, and confiderably broad : they have very Ihort footftalUs ; and they are deeply divided at the edges in the pinnated form : they are of a dark green ; and they have alfo prickles on them. The flowers ftand on long footftalks, fome- times fingly, fometimes many together ; they are large, and of a iky-blue, The fruit is large, round, and black. It is a native of many parts of the Eafl:, and . flowers in July, Flukenet calls it So/amm fomiferum frutefcens qfficinarum fpinofum nigricans bcraginis flore folzis profunde laciniatis. It is called apples cf Sodom from the place. The fruit has a tempting afped ; but, when chewed, the tafte is very difagreeable. 9. Bahama Nightfhade. Solamtm anguflifoUum fpinofum. The root is compofed of numerous, thick fibres. The ftalk is woody, firm, upright, not much branched, and five or fix feet high : it is armed with thorns ; but they are ftiort, and not very numerous. The leaves are numerous, long, narrow, of a beautiful green, and fixed on fliort footftalks : they are very lightly waved on the edges, and they have prickles along the middle rib. The flowers arc large and beautiful ; they are of a fine pale blue, with a tinge of purple ; and have yellow buttons in the centre. The berries are fmall, round, and black. It is a native of the Bahama iflands, and flowers in Auguft. Dillenius calls it Sohuiiim Eahamenfe fpinofum pelalis anguftis reflexis. The flower is fometimes white or flefii-coloured. The qualities of thefc foreign nighlfljades are not perfedlly known ; but, upon the whole, this ge- nus has a much worfe charadler than it deferves.' Nigblfljade in general is accounted poifonous ; but, as we have fhown with rcfped to moft of the fpecies, there is little reafon for fuch a cha- rafter. The opinion feems to have arifen from confounding the plant next to be defcribed under the fame name. That is indeed poifonous ; and having, by a latitude of fpeech, been called nightfloadt^ all the reft have been fuppofed of the fame qualities. GENUS XI. DEADLY NIGHTSHADE. BELLADONA. THE flower is formed of a fingle petal, and is deep, hollowed, and very lightly divided into five fegments at the edge. The cup is made of a fingle piece, divided into five equal fegments ; and it remains when the flower is fallen. The fruit is a round berry, placed in the cup. The feeds are kidney-fliapcd. Linnsas places it among the ^^H/Wrf^ jjitfBdj^jam ; the threads in the flower being five, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. He takes the received name from the plant, and calls it atropa. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Deadly Nightfhade. BelladoHa di£ia folaniim Lethale, The root is long, large, and creeping. The ftalks are numerous, firm, upright, and branched : their colour is brown toward the bot- tom, and higher up a pale green. The leaves are numerous, very large, and of a fine ftrong green : they are long and broad, pointed at the ends, but not indented at the edges. The 5 The BRITISH HERBAL. 329 The flowers ftand on Angle footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the kaves ; and they are large and confpicuous : they are hollow, and of a deep, but not fhining purple colour. The berry is large, round, and black : it has a tempting look, and many have been by that led to eat of it to their deftru£tion. It throws in the neighbourhood of towns and houfes, on ground where there has fallen ma- nure but ic fliould be rooted out wherever found, for children have been often dcftroyed by it. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Solamm mdamcerafiis. Others, Solamm Let hale, and Bdladona. The works of medical authors abound with in- ftances of its effefts, and hiftories of thofe who haveperifhed by if, and experience from time to time fliews they have told truth. 1 faw one unhappy inftance in the year 1743 : a labourer found it in the park of a nobleman where he was repairing the pales ; and he eat heartily of the berries, and gave fome to his chil- dren. The iymptoms came on in the following manner. The man, after two hours, grew light-headed, giddy, and unable to fl:and but not thinking of the caufe, fet down to his fupper. He drank greedily, but could fcarce fwallow any thing fo- lid. He went to bed, and prefently grew worfe. He complained of a dreadful pain in the breaft, and difficulty of breathing. Ic was about five in the afternoon he eat the berries. Thefe fympcoms came on between ten and eleven at night ; and at twelve, feven hours from the eating them, he fell into the moft dreadful ravings. Once in a quar- ter of an hour his fenfes would return tor a mo- ment; but he relapfed immediately, and every time with more violence. During the intervals of reafon, his breath was as difficult ; and he complained of a drgadful tightncfs acrofs his hreafi. Toward morning the ravings went off*, but he became foolilh. He was faint, breathed with difficulty, and ftared and flabbered, anfwered fo- reign to queftians, and feemed one born an idiot. All this time he was affedlcd with a moft pain- ful and violent ftrangury ; but by degrees this went off, and he recovered without the help of medicines. Before the country- apothecary could be had, he was growing better; and he not knowing what to advife, left the family to their own management. The children both died in the courfc of the night ; and he, when perfeiftly recovered, and queftioned about the nature of the cafe, an- fwered, that he had been in the condition ot one very drunk ; but faw and underftood all that was doing even when he anf'Aered in the wildefl; man- ner. This I have feen and what is recorded by me- dical v/riters agrees well with it. Indeed no clafs of writers are in general more faithful. W e read of men who have continued in a ftate of mad- nefs eight or nine days from it, and have reco- vered ; to children it has generally proved fatal. I hofe grown perfons who have perifiiL-d by it, have generally died within twelve hours from the eating. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Large violet-flowered Deadly Nightfliade. Belladona flore magno violaceo. The root is compofed of numerous, thick fibres. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and of a brownifh colour, not much branched, but full of leaves : thefe are oblong, and of a deep green, not dented at the edges, but fharp-pointed : they have ftiort footflralks, and a rim of the leaf runs down them. The flowers are large, and of a fine violet-co- lour : they are placed fingly on fliorc footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves. The fruit is a large berry, placed in the cupj which is alfo large, and in a manner clofes over ic. It is a native of Peru, and flowers in Auguft. Juffieu calls it Alkakengi flore amplo violaceo , but ic is truly of this kind. GENUS XII. CUCKOWPINT. J R U M. 'T'Herc is not in all the round of Nature a genus fo Angular as this, nor any about which fyftem- makers have had more trouble, none knowing where to place it : yet had they followed the obvious chara6ler imprefl'ed by Nature in the fruit, the confufion had been avoided ; for whatever dif- putes '.nay have arifen from the fingularicy of the flower, the fruit is a berry : that admits no doubt, and that pLices it in this clafs. The flower has no petals, but numerous threads. The cup is formed of a fingle leaf and is large, hollow, upright, pointed at the top, and coloured within: it falls with the flower. The fruit is a clufter of round berries. The feeds are numerous and roundilh. The leaves are undivided. This is a character of the genus comprifed in a few words; yet punftual, particular, and above exception. It plainly diftinguifhes the arum from all other plants, even from two genera nearly al- lied to it, and to be defcribed hereafter, arifarum and dragons. Linnaeus feparates it from the generality of the other berry-bearing plants, placing it among the gynandria polya-fuiria ; the ftamina being numerous, and fixed to the piftil of the flower. He joins the arifarum and draconliim with it. N^ XXXIII. 4 P D I V I - 5 330 The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Cuckowpint. Arum I'uJgare. The root is a roiindifh, tube^-ous lump, brown on the outfide, and white within, placed at a confiderable depth under the furface, andfurnifhed with a few fibres. The leaves are placed on long, thick footftalks i and they are very large, and of an arrow-headed fhape, fplit deep at the bafe, and fharp at the point : they are of a fine frefh green, and are of- ten fpotted with black, and fometimes with white fpots . The ftalk rifes in the midft of thefe, and is furrounded by the hollow bafes of their foot- ftalks: it is round, thick, and ten inches high; on it5 top ftands a fingle flower. The thready part at the bottom is yellowifli : the receptacle, which is lengthened out in form of a club, is red, purple, nr white ; for thefe are accidental varieties. 'i'he berries are of a fine bright red. It is common under hedges, and fiowers in May. C. Bauhine and others call it ylrim vuigr.re, and Arum maculatitm. Some have defcnbed the fpotted kind as a diftinift fpecies ; but the variety is altogether ac- cidental. It is a very powerful and excellent medicine. It operates by urine, and is good againft the gravel. A piece of it bruifcd and laid upon the tongue, has reftored the fpeech in paralytick cafes ; and a conferve of it, made with two-thirds fugar, has done eminent fcrvice in the fcurvy, and in rheu- matifms. The virtues of it are lefs known than they fhould be, from this fingle circumftance, that it is commonly ufed dry. It lofes all its cfiicacy with its juice; and this the tafte manifelts. Nothing is more acrid than the frefh root j but when dry it is infipid. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. I. j^gyptian Arum. Arum Aigypiiacum, The root is very large, tuberous, and of an irregular form ; of a redifii brown on the outfide, white within, and of an acrid tafl:e, but not fo violently fharp as our arum. The leaves grow fingly on long, thick foot- ftalks : they are very large, of a deep fhining green, and of a lhape fomewhat approaching to heart-fafliioned : they are broad at the bafe, and are there very lightly and bluntly indented ; they are from this part gradually fmaller to the end, where they terminate obtufcly ; and the ftalk is net inferted at the edge, but in the fubfl:ance of the leaf, a third below ihe top. The flalk which fijpports the flower is round, thick, iuicy, and of a pale green. The flower refembles that of our common arum. The cup is a great, oblong, hollow cafe: the club v/ichin is white, and of an uneven furface ; and the thready part is yellow. The berries are large and red. It is a native of jEgypt, and of the Greek iflands. It rarely flowers. C. Bauhine calls it Arum maximum ^gyplium quod vulgo Colacafia. Others, Arum Mgjptmm, and Colacafia. The root is eaten in ^gypt, and other parts of the Eafi;, as food ; and it is not confined in this ufe to the place wliere it naturally grows, but fold into other countries. The fliarpnefs of its tafte goes off" by foaking in water, or by drying : ei- ther way ferves to prepare it for the table. What Bontius writes of its being poifonous, has no other meaning than that it is acrid. Three days foaking in water, he fays, takes off all its ill qua- lities ; and this, or a much fliorter time, is found perfedly well to prepare it for food pleafantly and wholefomely. 2. Arrow-leaved Arum. Arum foUis a7JguJlis fagittat'ts. The root is brown, large, tuberous, and fur- niflied with a few thick fibres. The leaves are numerous ; and they are placed on long, flender footfl:alks : they are of a perfeft arrow-headed fhape, oblong, flender, fliarp- pointed, fplit at the bafe, and with fliarp points alfo to the beards. The flower rifes upon a flender green ftalk, and is contained in a hollow cafe or cup : this is green on the outfide, yellowifii within, and highly ribbed. The club is ufually yellow, fometimes white or purple. The berries are red. It is common in the American ifiands, and fiowers in April. Plukenet calls it Arum mmis [agittarU foliis. GENUS XIII. BUTCHERS BROOM. K V S C V S. 'T~'HE flower has no petals. The cup is compofed of fix fmall leaves, of an oval form, convex, and turned at one edge : three of thefe ftand inward, and have by fome been miftaken for pe- tals of a flower. The fi-uic is a round berry, divided within into three cellsj in each of which are two I fccdr; The BRITISH HERBAL. feeds There are in this genus feparate male and female flowers on diftinft plants : bt|t they difter only in this, that the n,ale flowers have certain buttons, though without threads, and the female an oblouE rudiment of the fruit. , j r i r KuLus places this among the dia-cia fyn^eneM ; the flowers be.ng male and female on feparate plant , and tie buttons growing together in a body - but he ,s obhged to acknowledge, hat there ^ e in fome fnecies, which he cannot difpute to be of th.s genus, flowers which have the male and fe- male -irts tocether. This fliews the generical diftinflion he has eflrablilhcd to be ur.pcrfea, and the daffical charaficr falfe ; but thefe things we have often obfcrved. Common Butchers Broom. Rufcus vulgaris. This is a tough and Ihrubby plant, though of no confiderable height or bignefs. The root is long, thick, and fpreading. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, a foot and half high, and divided into many branches to- ward the top. The leaves are very numerous and imall : tticy are of a bluilli green colour, and of a firm fub- ftance : they are broadeft at the bafe, narrower to the point, where they end in a fiiarp prickle, and not at all ferrated. The flowers are fmall, and of a grecnifli white : they fl;and upon the leaves, one on each, and ufually near the centre. The berry is large, and of a beautiful red. We have it on wafte grounds. It flowers early in fpring. C. Bauhine calls it Rufcus. Others, Rufciisfivi Brufcus. We, lOiec-hoIly, and Butchers broom. The root is a powerful and excellent diuretick : the befl: way of giving it is in decoftion. It thus is ferviceable in the gravel, and all nephritick complaints, and againll obftrudions of the vif- ccra. Cures of dropfies have been performed by this medicine alone i but it mufl: be taken early, otherwife there is little hope. G N U XIV. DWARF HONEYSUCKLE. CHAM^PERICLTMENUM. rr^HE flower is compofed of four petals, of an oblong form. The cup Is fmall, and is divided J- into four fegments at the edge. The fruit is a large berry, of an uneven furface, compofed of feveral fmaller round ones. , . , Linna;us places this among the titrmdria monogyma, joinmg it with the conms, but improperly. There is but one known fpecies of this genus, and that is common to Britain, and the other nor- thern parts of Europe. Dwarf Honeyfuckle; Cham^perulymenum. The root is long, flcnder, and fpreading : it runs under the furface. and is furnilhed with many fibres. The fl;alk is round, fiender, upright, and about five inches high. The leaves are placed in pairs : they are large, oblong, broad, pointed at the ends, not at all di- vided at the edges, and marked with high ribs : they have no footftalks, and their colour is a bluifli green. The flower flands at the top of the ftalk ; but there ufually rife two little Ihoots from the fame point ; each of which has two or four leaves on it like the others; The flower is large and white. The fruit is compofed of feveral little berries joined together, and is of a fine red. The whole plant, as it decays, often becomes redifh. We have it on hills in the northern parts of the kingdom. It flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Periclymcmm tertiumfive hu- mile. Others, Chamirpericlymenum. It obtained this name, the Englifli of which is Dwarf honey- fuckle, from thofe who faw the fruit, and not the flower. GENUS XV. CLOUDBERRY. C H A M jE MO RU S. THE flower is compofed of five large, obtufe petals ; and is nngle on each plant, terminating the ftalk. The cup is divided into five lijgments, and remains after the flower. The fruit is a lar^e berry compofed of many fmaller, placed upon a convex head. Lhinsus places this among the icofandria polygyma; the threads being numerous, and growing to the cup i and the ftyles being alfo numerous, one rifing from the rudiment of every fucceeding gra^n of the fruit. This author joins it with the common bramble ; from which it differs in the flower, being fingle on the top of every plant, and in other obvious circumftances. I. The 332 The BRITISH HERBAL. I. The Cloud ijerry. Chamicimrtis. The root is long, fiender, and creeping : ir runs under the lurface, and has numerous fibres. The ftalk is round, weak, and about ten inches high. The leaves are large, and deeply divided : they ftand alternately, and there are not more than four or five on the whole plant ; they are placed on long footftalks, and ufually hang drooping : they are broad, fhort, deeply divided into feve- ral fliarp fcgments, and thofe again fub-divided, or deeply ierrated. Their colour is a blackifli green on the upper furface, and whitifli under- neath. The flower ftands at the top of the ftalk, and is large and purple. The fruit, when ripe, is red ; and it is of the bignefs of a rafpberry, which it greatly refcmbles in its external fhape. We have it on the northern mountains. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Cbama'rititis foliis ribes An- glictis. Others, Cbauia^nwrus, and P'accmmm mibis. Our common people, Cloud-bm-isSy and Knot- berries, 2. Wild Rafpberry. Cham,tmorus fruclu parvo. The root is flender and creeping. The ftalk is weak, round, whiti.li, and a foot high. The leaves are placed on long footftalks, three on each ; and they are oblong, broad, ferrated, and (harp-pointed. Their colour is a dufliy green on the upper fide, and they arc paler undern°ath. The flowers grow two or three together on flender footftalks at the top of the plant : they are large, and of a pale red, mixed with white. The fruit is fmall, but that is owing to the few grains of which it is compofcd, for tiiey are fingly as large as in the other : there are about three to each fruit ; and they are red. Jt is common on the northern mountains of England, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Cham^rubus fmatilis. Others, Rubus Alpimis humilis, Rubus faxalUis, and Rubus Alfinus tricocctts. The fruit of this is eftcemed CTOllent againft fcorbutick complaints. It may be eaten f efli, or made into a kind of confervc. The people, where It IS common, relate wonders of the cures it has performed in the worft cafes. SERIES II. Foreign Genera. Thofe of which there is no fpccies native of this country. GENUS I. PRICKLY BINDWEED. S M I L J X. THE flower h as no petals. The cup is compofed of fix leaves ; which are oblono- and have the points turned back, and unite fo as to form a kind of wide, open bell. The' fruit is a round berry, divided within into three cells, in each of which there are two feeds. There are male and female flowers on feparate plants in this genus ; but they are of the fame ftruSure, except that the male flower has fix fhort threads with their buttons, and the female has an oval rudiment of the fruit on which are three ftyles. ' Linnseus places it for this reafon among the diiecia hexandria, feparating it by many intermediate clafles from the generality of the other berrybearers. I. Red-berried Smilax, with angulated flalks. Smilax Uvis baccis rubris caule mgulato. The root is long, flender, and furniftied with numerous fibres. The flalks are weak, and brown : they fup- port themfelvcs by means of tendrils, and by that means run to a vaft length ; and they are prickly. The- leaves are large and heart-fafhioncd : they have flender footftalks, and they are of a beauti- ful green. Both the footftalks and the fubftance of the leaves are prickly. The flowers are fmall and whitifli : they ftand in great numbers on the tops of the ftalks. The berries are fmall, but of a beautiful red. It is a native of Italy, Sicily, and many other of the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Smikx a/per frullu riibenli. Others, The BRITISH HERBAL. 333 Ochers, SmUax cfpera. The berries are Ibme- times bUck, and the plant is in other pljiccs found with fewer prick'es. In thefe conditions it has been defcribed as two diftind fpecies ; but the difference is only accidental. 2. The Sarfaparilla Plant. Smilax afpe-ra foUis ovalis. The root is extremely long and flender : it fpreads to a vaft extent, and is brown on the out- fide, and white within. The ftalks are numerous, weak, and flender : they fupport themfcives by tendrils, and run to the height oi' twelve feet. They are brown, and let with prickles. leaves have no prickles ; they have flender footllalks i and they are of an oval figure, but fharp at the point : they are ot a firm lubifance ; and their colour is a deep green on the upper fide, and pale underneath. The flowers grow in cUilfers at the tops of the flalk=i ; and are rniall, and of a yellowini white. The berries are as large as a black cherry, and when ripe they arc of the fame colour It IS a native of South America, and of feme parts of the north. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Smilax afpera Peruviana Jive Sarfaparilla. Others, Sarfa, Zarza, and Zarza mbiliffima. Its root is a very celebrated remedy in the fcurvy. It has been greatly recommended in the cure of the venereal difeafes : but the ready ef.- fcfts of mercury have fuperfeded all other medi- cines for that purpofe. It operates by fweat ; and the befl; method of taking it is in a ftrong decoilion. This fliould be continued for a confiderable time. 3. The China Plant. Smilax foliis obverfe cordatis ficribus umbellatis. The root is large, and of an irregular form. The flalk is round, jointed, weak, and ufuaiiy crooked from joint to joint, and armed here and there with a few prickles : it fupports itfelf among bulhes, climbing by means of tendrils, and in that manner runs to a great height. The leaves are large, and of a figure very much approaching to round : they are fmallcfi: at the bafe, and are a little dented in the heart-like man- ner at the end: The flowers are fmall and yellow : they (land in a kind of fittle umbells, about four in each. The berries are large j and, when npe, .they are of an orange red. It is a native of China and Japan. It flowers in July. Plukenet calls it Fruticului convohmlaceus fpi. 7iofus finicus florihus parvis umbellatis. Others Amply, China, The root pofl*efres the fame qualities with far fa- parilla. They ufed to be given together againft the venereal difeafe, and at prefent are prefcribed in diet-drinks againfl: fcorbutick complaints. It was fuppofed to poffefs virtues that it had not ; and thence is grown much into difufe, the com- mon pradlice neglecSling thofe it really has. There is a root brought from America called bajiard China^ which belongs to a plant of this kind, but with longer leaves. GENUS ir, BERRYBEARING ANGELICA. yl R A L I J. npHE flower is compofed of five petals, of an oval form. The cup is very fmall, and is divided by five indentings at the edge. The fniit is a round berry, ftriated, and crowned at the top, containing a Tingle oblong, hard feed. The flowers are difpofed in little umbells ; and the leaves are divided in the manner ol the common umbelliferous plants. Linnaeus places this among the fmtandria fstuagynia ; the threads in the flower being five, and the ftyies in its centre the fame number. Berrybearing Angelica. Aral'ta roxemofa ^ ramofa. The root is long, thick, and furnifhed with many fibres. The ftalk is round, upright, very much branched, and five feet high : it is purple toward the bottom, and at the joints ; elfewhere of a pale green. The leaves are very large, and each is com- pofed of numerous, fmalier, perfed part?, refem- biing fo many diftind leaves : thefe are oblong and broad ; largefl: at the bafe, fmalier to the point, ferrated at the edges, and of a pale green. The flowers Hand in little clufters on foot- ftalks rifing from the bofoms of all the leaves from the top to the bottom of the plant; they are fmall, and of a yellowirti white. The berries are green at firft, but when ripe of a dufky red. It is a native of North America, and fiowers in Augufl. ■ Van Royen calls it Aralia ex tills fiorijera. Others, Paiiaces Carpmon, 33- GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS III. MANDRAKE. MANDRjiGORA THE flower is formed of a fingle petal ; which is hollow, and divided deeply into five fcgments. The cup is large, formed of a fingle leaf, of a hollow fhape, marked with five ridges, and di- vided alio into five fcgments at the edge. The fruit is a berry, but a very large one, of a round or longilli form ; and the feeds are numerous, and kidney-fliaped. Linna;us places this among the penlandria mmogynia ; the threads being five, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. There is but one known fpecies of this Angular genus. The Mandrake. Mandragara. The root is large, long, and thick ; and ufually from about the middle downwards is divided into two parts. This however is not its conftant or certain form ; fometimes it is divided into three or four parts, and fometimes it is abfolutely fingle. The leaves are numerous, and very large : they are long, and confiderably broad, fmall at the bafe, wideft toward the middle, and thence gradually narrower to an obtufe point •• they are often waved, and fometimes indented at the edges. Their colour is a dark, dufky green ; and they fiave a very unpleafant Imell. The fl:alks which lupport the flowers rife among thefe leaves ; and they are very flender, about four inches high, and of a pale green : each fupports a fingle flower. This is large, hollow, and of a whitifli colour, with a blufli of purple. The fruit is of the bignefs of a fmall apple, and is of a fpungy fubllance. Its colour is a greenifli yellow when unripe ; but as it ripens all the green goes ofi^, and it becomes perfeftly yel- low. It is a native of Spain and Italy, and of the other warmer parts of the world, growing in damp woods. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Mimdragora fruBu rotundo. Others, Maniragoras mas. No plant has been a Iburce of more error or impofition than this. The fruit is fometimes of an oblong fliape, infl:ead of round ; and in that condition the plant is called the female mandrake ; but it is only an accidental variety. It is pretended that the root perfeftly rcprefents the human body ; and cheats have carved a head and arms to it. Good fculpture has in fome au- thors alfo greatly helped this reiemblance ; but in nature it is really nothing. The fruit of the mandrake has been accounted poifonous ; but without any juft reafon. It may be eaten with fafety in the manner of the large fruits of fome of the folanuins ; but it is unplea- fant. The leaves arc cooling, and are ufed in oint- ments for that purpofe. The outer bark of the root is dried for the fervice of medicine, but is at prefent little regarded ; it has the character' of a narcotick j but it has no very powerful cfi^eds. Thofe people who fhew the root of 7nandrake feldom get that of the right plant. Their cuftom is, to cut a piece of white bryony into the in- tended fhape, and put it into the ground again for fome time, where it will olten get a kind of coat. The interpreters of the Bible have been cen- fured for rendering the Hebrew dudaim, mandrake:, and much learned ignorance has been fent into the world upon the fubjed. BTit there feems no reafon for farther conjei^lure than the plain fenfe of the words ; nor any error in the Septuagint, though the miilakes of commentators have fan- cied fo. They have been led to guefs other fruits mufl: have been meant, becaufe they thought that of the mandrake poifonous. But that is a palpable error: many have eaten the fruits, and anv one may without hurt. This plant therefore is inno- cent : it grows abundantly in that part of the world where the fcene of the fcripture-flory lies ; and its virtue was fuppofcd to be that of clean- fing the uterus, and aflifting conception. This might naturally lead the female ifraelite to eat it ; and the whole account is plain, familiar, and evidently a literal truth. G E N U S IV, MAY-APPLE. PODOPHTLLUM. THE flower is compofed of nine petals-, which are of a roundllh form, hollow, and folded at the ed<^e. The cup is a kind of leafy fcabbard, falling with the flower : it is compofed of three latere hollow leaves, of an oval form. The fruit is a berry, of an oval fhape, with a crown at its top. The feeds are numerous and roundifli. Linnteus places this among the polyandria monogynia \ the threads being numerous, and fixed to the receptacle, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. The name is by moft written ana- pdofhyllmn. Common The BRITISH HERBAL. 335 Common May-apple. Podopbyllnm milgarc. The root is long, flender, and creeping: it runs juft under the fiirface, and has numerous fibres annexed to it. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, of a yel- lowiflr colour, and about a foot high. It is naked to the top ; where it divides ufually into two parts, and on each of thefe is fupported a fingle leal. This is very large, of a roundilh form, but di- vided down to the ftalk into about fix fegments. The colour is a yellovvilh green, and the fub- ftance firm. The flower rifes in the midft between thcfe two parts of the ftalk ; and has a flender pedicle of an inch long. It is large and white. The fruit is oblong, large, and of an orange- colour when ripe. It is a native of North America, and flowers in May. Authors in general call it J?iapci!opbyUum Cc:~ nadenfe. \ G E N U S V. WINTER-CHERRY. ALKEKENGI. THE flower is Formed of a fingle petal; which is hollowed, large, folded, and divided at the edce into five broad, pointed fegments. The cup is formed of a fingle leaf ; and is ot a bloated ftiape an°d divided alfo toward the edge into five pointed fegments : it is of a pentangular form, and remains with the fr. it The berry is roundilh, and is contained in the cup, which becomes very large, clofes about it, and acquires a colour The feeds are numerous, kidney-lhaped, and compreff.d. Linnxus places this among the pentandria monogynia ; the threads m the flower being five, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the fruic fingle. He calls the genus phyfalis. I. Common Winter-Cherry. Alkekengi vulgare. The root is flender, and creeps under the fur- face. The ftalk is round, upright, a foot and half high, and divided into feveral branches. The leaves are placed two at a joint, on long footftalks ; and they are large, and of a fine deep green : they are broadeft at the bafe, narrower to the point, and undivided at the edg^-s. The flowers are placed on flender footflialks in the bofoms of the leaves : they are large and white. The fruit fucceed.s ; and makes a fingular ap- pearance : it is a red berry of the bignefs oi a cherry, and is furroundeJ by a kind of bag or bladder formed of the cup; which fwells lor that purpofe, and acquires a red colour. It is a native of the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Solaniim i-eficarium. Others, Alkeketigi. The berries are celebrated for many virtues i but the prefent practice neglcdls them : they operate by urine, and are good againft obfl:ruc- tions of the vifcera ; but as we have fo many more powerful medicines for the fame intentions, they are not worth much regard. 2. Sleepy Nightfliade. Alkekengi jioribus confertis. This, though called a nighl/Jjade, is properly a fpecies of izmnr -cherry. The difference is not fo nreat, that we fliould wonder old authors, lels accurate than in the charaders of the genera, did not perceive it. The root is long and thick. The firft leaves are very large, broad, fhort, obtufely pointed, and fupported on fliort foot- flialks : their colour is a deep green. The fl:alk is round, upright, and two feec high : toward the top it ufually divides into I'e- veral branches. The leaves are placed on fhort footftalks, and rclemble thofe from the root -. they are alfo ot a duflcy green on the upper fide, but paler under- neatli. The flowers grow in cluftcrs round the ftalk at the joints; and they are fmall, and of a ycl- lowifti white. The berry is fmall and red : it remains in the cup, where it i^ dctended by a woolly matter. It is a native of the warmer pares of Europe, and flowers in July. C, Bauhine calls it Solanum fonmiferum veriinl- latim. It is accounted poifonous ; but outwardly is in common ufe in Spain to promote fleep. The leaves are bruifed tor this purpofe, and laid on the temples. 3. Woolly Winter-Cherry. Alkekengi foliis lanw^inofis. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with many fibres. The ftalk is firm, woody, and divided into branches. The leaves are placed on flender footftalks ; and they are fliorr, broad, obtule, of a whiciOi co- lour, and of a woolly furface. The flowers ftand fingly on long footft"a!ks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves ; and they are fmall, and of a very pale redilh colour. The berry is large, and of a coral red. It 336 The BRITISH HERBAL. It is a native of Curafib, and flowers in Au- guft. Plukenet calls it Solanum 'veficariim Ciirajjavi- cum Solano anti^uonm f.mik, foliis origam fub- incanis. 4. Many-flowered Hoary Winter-Cherry. Alkekengi muUifiorum foliis hirfutis. The root is long, thick, and furnilhed with a few fibres. The flalk is round, firm, upright, and two feet high : it is of a greyifh colour, and is co- vered lightly with a hoary matter. The leaves are placed on llender footflalks : they are alfo of a greyifh green, hoary, and undi- vided at the edges : they are broadctl toward the middle, and pointed at the end. The Bowers are placed on flender footflalks, which rife in great numbers from the bofom of every leaf; and they are fmall, and of a faint purple. The berry is fmall and red, and it is contained in a fkinny cup. This is accounted poifonous, and is fuppofcd to be the true folanum fitmifeniai of the antients ; but their defcriptions are fo imperfect, that it is hard to determine that matter. Alpinus calls it Solanum fomnifermn aniiqtwrum. Others, Solanum fomnifsrum verum. GENUS VI. FRYARSCOWL. J R I S A RU M. rrPlE flower has no petals. The cup is very Jarge, long, hollow, not upright, as In arum, but bending down toward ihe upper part, and fplit : the club within it refembles that of the arunu but it is alio bent. The threads of the flower fupport fquare buttons. The berries are numerous^ roundifli, and fet in a cluflier. Linnaeus places this among thtgynandria polymdrla ; the threads being numerous, and fixed to the piftil. But he confounds it with the arum^ making it only a fpecies of that genus ; whereas it evi- dently differs generically. 1. Broad-leaved Arifarum. Arifarum latifolium. The root is a fmall, roundifli, tuberous lump, ■with a few fibres at the top. The leaves are fupported fingly on long, flen- der footfialks \ and tht-y are of a lively green, very large, oblong, heart-fafliioned at the bafe and pointed at the end. The flower rifes on a feparate llaik in the centre of the tuft of leaves, and refembles that of the common arum i it is a great greenifh cup, purple toward the top and at the edges ; and it bends down, and fptits at the extremity ; within this is feen a purple club, which aifo bends forward. The berries are fmail and red. Tt is common in Spain and Italy, and flowers in June. C. Bauhinc calls it Anfarnm latifolium. 2. Narrow -leaved Arifarum. Arifarum angnfli folium. The root is a fmall, roundifli lump, brown on the outfide, and white within. The leaves are long, narrow, and of a frelli beautiful green. The ftalk rifes among thefe ; and is flender, upright, of a pale green, and about ten inches high: there generally are wrapped about this the remains of the bafes of fome leaves. The flower Ihews itfelf in a Angular manner. The cup is long and flender ; and the club is alfo very long, bent downward, and crooked : its co- lour is a duflsy purple ; and it ufually thrufl;s it- felf out of the cup in fuch manner as to refemble a large earth-worm crawling. The berries are round and fmall, green at iirfl:, but when ripe of a fine red. It is a native of the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in June. J. Bauhine calls it Arifarum anguftifolium j a name mofl: others have followed. The roots of thefe are very powerful diureticks ; but they are not much ufed except by the pea- fan ts. GENUS VII. DRAGON. TiRACONTlUM. THE flower has no petals. The cup is large, hollow, and formed of a fingle leaf. In this ilands a club, in the fame manner as in the arum ; and the buttons of the flower, and rudi- ments of the berries, are at the bottom. The fruit is a clufler of berries, numerous, laro-e, and red. The leaves are divided in the manner of fingers. ° Linnaeus places this among iVc ^ynandria monogynia, the buttons being numerous, and fixed to the piflil. This author makes it a fpecies of arum, referving the name dracontium for a diffinft genus, alto- gether unlike the plant to which this name has been appropriated ; and comprehending fome fpecies ufually called arur/i. The fludent will from this avoid the confufion. • 1. Common The BRITISH HERBAL. 337 J. Common Dragon. Dracontium viilgarc. The root is large, thick, and furniflied with numerous and fprcading fibres. The firfl: leaves are very large, and very beau- tiful : they are placed fingl/ on long, thick foot- ftalks ; and are of the palmated kind, formed of numerous, long, and moderately broad fegmencs, difpnfed iike fingers on a hiiiid. The ftalk riles among thefe ; and is round, up- right, thick, of a fpungy fubftancc, and four feet high. The leaves on this are placed fingly on very long footftaiks-, and rcfemble thofe from the root, being compoit'd of many fcgments, and of a beautilul grteu. The flower is very large, and is placed fingly at the top of the ftalk. i'he cup is green on the outfide, but 01 a deep and beautiful purple within. The club is vtry large, and of a fine red, fome- times white. The berries are placed together in a large clufter, and are red whca ripe. The flalk of this fpecies is ufualiy of a whitifh colour, flained and fpeckled in a curious manner, like the flcin ot" a ferpent, with purple and green : it thence obtained the name. It is a native of the warmer parts of Europe, and fl^owers in Augult, r.bfii;I /I308 C. Bauhine calls Others, Dracontium. Draciinculus polyphylliis. We cultivate it in gardens for its fingularity and its virtues. It has the credit of being a power- ful fudorifick and refifter of poifon ; but it is not much regarded in the prcfcnt pra6tice. 2. American Dragons. Dracontium ^merlcam:m fpadice longijjima. The root is compofed of a thick head, from whence rife many long creeping fibres. The firft leaves are fuppor:ed on long fooc- flalks ; and they are of the palmated kind : each is compofed of about feven oblong and broad feg- ments, refembling fo many feparate leaves; and thefe are of a pale green. The ftalk is round, upright, and a foot higfi. The leaves on this pertecftly refemble thofe froni the root ; but they are fmaller : they are alfo of a paler green. The flower Hands at the top -, and is formed of a fhort, hollow cafe, with a very long club rifing up far beyond its top, and terminating in a fmall point. The berries are numerous, large, and, when they arc ripe, of a fine red. It is a native of America, and flowers in May. Herman calls it Arum plyphyUiim minus ^ bu- milius. Others, Dracontium Americanum. E N U VIII. CALLA. THE flower refembles that of the arum^ and has no petals. The cup Is compofed of a fingle leaf, of an oval fliape, but pointed, and coloured. The club is upright, Ihort, and hid among the buttons and rudiments of the fruit. This is a clufter of round berries, in which are contained many oblong, obtufe feeds. Linn;cus places this among the ^ynandrta pelyandria ; the threads in the flower being numerous, and fixed to the pifl;il. Water Dragon. Calla aquatica. The root is long, thick, and jointed : it runs obliquely m the mud in fliallow waters, and fends up numerous leaves from various parts. Thefe rife in clufters ■, and are fupported fingly on long, thick footftaiks : they are broad, fhort, of a heart-fafliioncd fhape, fliarp-pointed, and of a deep green. The ftalks are round, thick, and upright, of a pale green, and about fix inches high : they rife in the middle of the tutt of leaves, and are fur- rounded by the bafes of feveral of them at the bottom : they are from thence nicked to the top, where there rtands the cup, formed of a fingle leaf, and fplit to receive the ftalk. This is of a pale green, and remains with the fruit. The club rifes within this ; but it is fliort, and hid among the threads, which are whitifh, with yel- low buttons. The berries ripen in a fmall clufter, and, when ripe, are of a fine red. It is common in the ditches in Holland, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Draciinciilus radice armi' dinacea. Others, Dracunculus aq^iiaticus. GENUS IX. ALEXANDRIAN LAUREL. H 1 P P 0 G L 0 S S U M. THE flower has no petals. The cup is compofed of fix oval, convex leaves; three of which ftand inward, and three outward ; and it is placed on the under-fide of the leaf. The ■fruit is a round berry, divided into three cells within, and containing in each two feeds of a roundifh figure. N° XXXIV. 4 R Linnsu! 338 The B R I T I S H H E R B A L. LinnSLis places this among the ii;>nfl fyngcnefia^ making it a kind of Tufcus; but the ficuation of the flowers is a fufficient diltinftion i and the difference is confirmed by the general afpcd of the plant. I. Long-leaved Alexandrian Laurel. Hippcglojfi-.m fruSiihus Jv.h folioUs longijolia. The root is compofed of numerous fibres, thick, long, crooked, entangled one among another, and penetrating to a great depth. The ftaiks are numerous, firm, tough, woody, branched, and fpreading: they are four feet high, and in the whole ufually form a large buOi. The leaves arc large, of a firm fubftance, and f.ne deep green : they are long, but confiderably broad, fmall at the bafe, broadefl toward the middle, and fliarp at the point ; and they are marked all the length with large longitudinal veins. On the middle of each leaf there grows another fmall one ; and under this rifes the pedicle, which fupports the flower ; fometUnes there is only one, fometimcs the ftalk fplits, and fupports one on each divifion. The footflalk is flendef and fliort. The flower is fmall and yellowifh. The berries are large, round, and, when ripe, of a fine red. It is common in damp forefts in the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Laurus /IlexnnJrina fru£lii fediculo infidente. Others, Hip-poglojfiim vulgare, and Hippoglojfum mas. What is called the female hipfogloffim is only a variety of this, not a diftinft fpecics, difl'eringonly in fize and in the colour of the fruit, which in- clines to orange. The Latin name fliould be tranf- lated Alexandrian hay^ not laurel : but cuflom has rendered it otherwife % and the name upon the whole is too bad for amendment. It is fiu the reader know thefe vulgar names of plants with the more proper. 2. Broad-leaved Alexandrian Laurel. HippoghJJum latifolium fruSiu folio infsdente. The root is compofed of numerous, thick, and fpreading fibres. The ftalks are woody, tough, and of a pale green colour, but (lender, and feldom much branched. The leaves are broad and fhort : they are of a pale green, and have high ribs running length- wife i and they terminate in a fharp point. The flower is fmall and greenifh ; it grows to the middle of the leaf, and is of a pale, grcenifh, yellow colour. The berry is round, large, and, when ripe» of a fine red. It is a native of the warmer parts of Europe in woods and damp thickets. It flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Lmirus Akxandrina fr:t£lH folio ivfidente. Both kinds have the credit of being excellent vulneraries; but they are rarely ufed. Thefe fore of medicines in general owed their credit to fancy, rather than to any real virtues ; and a better knowledge of furgery has now banifhed their ufe. 7'be END of the NINETEENTH CLASS. T H E THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS XX. Plants -which have a pcrfeB flffwer, of a plain and regular firiiElure ; and have one feed after every flower, flanding naked in the cup. THIS is a clafs plainly diftinguilhable by Nature from all others, but confounded, like too rrMny of the reft, by the modern fyftems of botany. The two efiential requifites to a gcne- rical charafter are, that it be certain, and that it be obvious : the firft prevents error, the other perplexity ; and there is no where in Nature a charaiter more happily eftablifhed to anfwer thefc purpofes than in the prefent inflance. Mr. Ray, who followed Nature clofely, perceived it ; and has founded one of his clafiical diftinc- tions upon it. He has therefore kept together thefe plants, fo truly allied, and fo pcrfeftly fcpa- rated from all others ; but rhufc who have limited thcmfelves for the claliick charafters folely to the threads in the flowers of plants, have thrown the genera, thus connefted together by Nature, into many different parts of their works, and joined them with plants to which they have no affinity. LinnKus led the way to this, compelled by the very foundation of his fyftem : but when that author faw the neceffity of thus feparating plants evidently joined by Nature in the courfc of his en- quiry, he Ibould have given up the method, not violated her laws. No plants have Ihewn the great conftraint his fyftem lays upon Nature equally with thefc, which are thus, by means of the fingle feed, clafled fo eafily and fo regularly. SERIES I. Natives of Britain. Thole of which one or more fpecies are naturally wild in this country, G E N U S I- VALERIAN. V A L E R I J N A. THE ilowtr is formed of a fingle petal, hollowed, and crookeLi at the bottom, and divided into five fegments at the edge. The cup is very fmall, and is divided in an extremely flight manner into five fegments : in fome fpecies the divifion is fcarce perceptible. The feed h naked, fingle, and of iin oblong form, and winged with down. The leaves ftand in pairs. In fome fpecies the outer flcin of the feed is loofe ; and in thefe lefs accurate obfervers have fpokc of a feed-vdrd, fuppofing this fkin a capfule but their difference from the reft is more than this. L.innsus places this genus among the triandria momgynla ; the threads in the flower being three, and the ftyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. But he is obliged to acknowledge vaft variations in fome of the fpecies in this refpeft fuch indeed as fpeak very plainly the impropriety of the fyftem he has eftabliihe^l. In fome fpecies there are but two threads in tlie flower, in others there is only one, in. 34° The BRITISH HERBAL. in the generality three. In all thefe cafes the plants have the threads and the ftyle in the fame flovper.; but in others there are diftinift male and female flowers. All this Linnaeus acknowledges ; and he owns alfo, that the plants are all fpecies of valerian. Let us reafon on this with impartiality. The having one, two, or three threads, is, according to this author, the mark for plants belonging to one or an- other clafs : therefore, as he allows all the fpecies in which thefe differences are found to be flill 'vale- rians^ all plants of one and the fame genus, it follows, that, according to his method, the feveral fpecies of the fame genus may belong to different clafies. This needs no remark. The fpecies of valerian fhould, according to this author, have been placed afunder in four diftinft clafles : this ap- pears by their parts, and by his charaders ; both invariable, and incompatible with one another. His lyftem, therefore, is not conformable to nature or reafon. The author was himfelf fenfiblc of this ; for he has not made different genera of thcfc feveral va- lerians-, but has placed them all together under one head in his clafs of Iriandria, following by force the method of Nature in keeping them together, though to the everlafT:ing difgrace of his fyflem. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I, Great, fmooth Water Valerian. Valeriana aquatica glabra maxima. The root is compofed of numerous, thick fibres, and fends out feveral creeping branches jufl under the furf'ace. The firft leaves are large, and beautifully pin- nated : each is compofed of five or fix pairs of pinn:E, fixed to a flender, redifh midle rib, with an odd one at the end : they are of a pale green, oblong, fomewhat broad, flightly indented at the edges, and fbarp-pointed. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, flriatcd, rarely at all branched, and five feet high. The leaves ftand on it in pairs in a regular and beautiful manner: they are pinnated like thofe from the root ; and they are of a pale green. The flowers ftand at the tops of rhe ft-alL-i ; and are fmall, and of a pale, but elegant fiefli- colour : they are placed in large, round tufts, like umbells. The feeds are fmall, oblong, and winged with down. It is common by waters, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls ii -l^akriana fyhejiris major ; a name moft others copv \ but it is improper, be- caufe it does not diftinguifh it from a fpecies next to be defcribed, which fhould be known dif ■ tin^tly, bccaufe of its great virtues. It will be better therefore to call it the great-, fmooth water valerian^, and in Latin Valeriana aquatica glabra maxima. 2. Wild Valerian. ' I 'alei-iam fyhejiris montana. The root is compofed of numerous, thick, whitiOi fibres ; and is of a very flrong and dif- agreeable fmell, and of a pungent tafle. The firft leaves are placed on flender footflalks ; and they are compofed of five, fix, or more pairs of pinnae: they are of a duflcy green, flightly notched at the edges, and hairy. The ftalk is firm, upright, flriated, and a yard high. The leaves fland in pairs, and are pinnated like thofe from the root; but they are compofed of more numerous pinnx : there are eight or more pairs on each ; and they are narrow, fer- rated, fbarp-pointed, and of a faint green. The flowers fland at the tops of the ftalk in a large umbel ; they are feparatcly very fmall ; and their colour is white, with a faint tinge of flefli- coloijr. The feeds are Angle, naked, and winged with down. It is common on heaths, and near woods, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Valeriana montana fyhejiris major. Rivinus, Valeriana fyhejiris folio an- This is a plant of very great virtues. The root poffefTes them in the highefl degree ; and it is to be gathered before the herb rifes into a italk, and dried for ule : after this it may be given in powder or tinfture. It is excellent againft nervous complaints. It cures inveterate headachs, tremblings, palpita- tions of the heart, vapours, and all that train of miferable diforders included under the name of nervous. It is alfo good in hyfterick cafes, greatly promoting die mcnfcs. Epilepfies have been cured folely by this medicine. Fabius Columna, an author of great know- ledge and l^ria veracity, gives a great account of its virtues as experienced by himfelf; and the late Dr. Douglas took pains to revive its ufe, to the advantage of mankind. It is by his recom- mendation reftored to the Ihops, and makes a very confiderable article in modern prefcription for thofe cafes. 3. Small Wild Valerian. Valeriana fyhejiris minor. The two former fpecies have the firft leaves that rife from the root, pinnated like thofe on the ftalk ; but in this and feveral others they are per- feftly different. The root is long, flender, and furnifhed with many fibres ; it fends off a kind of ftioots near the head, which run under the furface^ and from thefe rife tufts of leaves in feveral places. Thefe leaves, which rife immediately from the root, or from its underground fhoots, are broad, oblong, of a frefli green, and placed fingly on long, flender footftaiks. The ftalk is upright, ftriated, of a pale green, and a foot high. The leaves on this are beautifully pinnated : each is compofed of five or more pairs of flender, oblong pinnse, fixed to a middle rib, with a larger at the end ; and they are of a pale green, fmooth, and not indented at the edges. The flowers ftand at the top of the ftalk, and alfo on Ihort footftaiks rifing from the bofoms of the upper leaves, in great regularity ; and they are The BRITISH HERBAL. 341 are of a pale flefh-colour : fingly they are fmall, but the tufts of them are large and beautiful. The feed is fmall, and fingle : it Hands na- ked, and winged with down. It is common in meadows, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Valeriana palujtrh minor. Others, Valeriana fyheftris minor. 4. Little-flowered Marfli Valerian. Valeriana paluftris florihis minimis. The root is compofed of numerous, thick fibres. The firll leaves are placed fingly on long, flcn- der footftalks ; and are oblong, undivided, and of a dufliy green. The ftalk is upright, ftriated, not at all branched, of a pale green, and two feet high.^ The leaves on it are placed oppofite, and pin- nated : the pinns are narrow ■, and the colour is a pale green. The flowers fl:and in tufts at the top of the fi:alks ; and they are very fmall, and of a faint flefii-colour. The feeds are large, fingle, oblong, and winged with down. It is common in boggy places, and flowers in July. Ray calls it Valeriana fyhejiris f.ve palujlris mi- nor altera. All thefe fpecics agree in their nature and qua- lities with the fecond kind ; but they pofTels them in an inferior degree. The great care niuft be» not to gather by miftalce one of them for another. This fingle caution may prevent the error, that thefe grow in wet places, and that always in dryj upland ground. DIVISION XL FOREIGN SPECIES. I. Garden Valerian. Vr.kriana hortcnfis major. The root is long and thick : it runs obliquely under the furface, and fends out many Bbres. ^ The firfl leaves rife in tufts on a kind of thick fhoots from the main root : thefe are placed fingly on lung, (lender footftalks ; and they are oblong, moderately broad, narrow, at the bale, obtufe at the end, not at all divided at the edges, and of a ftrong and plcafant green. The ftalk is round, upright, firm, and of a pale green : it is not ftriated, as in the wild kinds. The leaves on this are placed in pairs ; and they are large, pinnated, and of a paler green : each is compofed of about four pairs of pinns, with an odd one at the end of the rib and thefe are narrow, pointed, and undivided at the edges. The flowers grow in large tufts at the top of the ftalk, and of fhoots rifing from the bofoms of the upper leaves; and they are of a pale red. The feed is fingle, large, and downy. It is a native of Alface, but is kept in gardens for its virtue. It flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Valeriana hortenfts ; and moft others copy that name. Some call it phu. The root is good againft vertigoes, pains in the head, and other nervous complaints. It is re- commended alfo greatly againft malignant fevers. The frefli root, given in decoflion, operates by urine, and is good againft obftruflions of the vil- cera. For nervous complaints it is beft given in powder \ but the root of our common wild vale- rian is greatly fuperior to it for this purpofe. 2. Red Valerian. Valeriana fioribus rubris caudatis. The root is long, thick, and brown ; and has a few large fibres. The firft leaves are oblong, broad, and of a greyilli green : they have no tootftalks ; and they are fmooch, undivided at the edges, and pointed at the end. The lialk Is round, upright for two-thirds of its height, and of a greyifh green ; toward the N° 34. top it iifually bends, which is owing to its flen- dernefs, and to the weight of the tufts of flowers- The leaves are placed on it in pairs ; and they are oblong, broad, and of a bkiifh green ; they have no footftalks : they are undivided at the edges, and pointed at the ends. The flowers grow in great ciufters at the top of the ftalk, and at the extremities of fhoots ri- fing from the boloms of the leaves : they are of a beautiful red : their tubular part is very long and flender, and terminates in a kind of fpur. The feed is fingle, oblong, and winged with down. It is common wild in Italy on barren hilly ground, and upon walls. It flowers in Augiift. C. Bauhine calls it Valeriafia rubra. Othersj Valeriana rubra Dodon^ei. ^ Narrow-leaved Small Valerian. Valeriana minor angujlifolia. The root is long, thick, brown, and furnifhcd v/ith many fibres. The firft leaves rife in a fmall tuft ; and are fupported on fliort footftalks : thefe are conti- nued to the bafes of the leaves, and appear to be only that part extended in length. They are oblong, narrow, and of afrefhgreen, ftiarp-pointed at the end ; and ufually there is one indenting on the fide, and no more. The ftalk is round, weak, and of a pale green : it is ten inches high, rarely branched, and fcarce upright, the top ufually bowing. The leaves on this refcmble thofe from the root ; but they are narrower : they have no foot- ftalks. Their colour is a pale, yellowifh green ; and they have one or two indentings. The flowers ftand in ciufters at the tops of the ftalk, and of flioots from the bofoms of the leaves ; but they are not fo numerous as in the pre- ceding kinds : they are fmall, and of a pure white. The feed is oblong, fingle, and winged with down. It is a native of the rocky mountains of Ger- many, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Nardo CeUico fimilis inodora* Others, Valeriana faxatilis^ and Valeriana Alpina angtifiifolia. 4 S 4. Celtick 34-2 The BRITISH HERBAL. 4. Celcick Spikenard. Valcria7ia foiiis ovalis ohtufis. It was with reafon C. Bauhine named the lafl: defcribed fpecies as refembling the Celtick fpike- nard ; for they are fo like in their general afptifi:, that a common eye might take them for the iame plant though, on a clofer examination, they are found to differ widely. The root Celtick [pikenard is very long, thick, and brown : it runs obliqu^^ly into the ground; and has nurrferous, large, and long fibres : and its furface is covered with a brown fcaly matter, the remains of footftalks of former leaves : it is of a fragrant fmell, as is alfo the whole plant. The firfl: leaves rife in a confiderable tuft : they are of an oblong form, but approaching to oval : they have long bafes, which ferve as tootftalks ; and they are broad, and obtufe at the ends, not at all indented at the edge, and of a fine green. The ftalks are weak, flender, round, of a pale green, and fix or eight inches high. The leaves on tbefe are oblong, narrow, ob- tufe, not at aii indented, and of a fine ftrong green. The flowers fl:and at the top in fmall, but thick tuks ; and they are of a btautifu! pale red, refembUng that of a damalk rofe. The feeds are fmall, oblong, and winged with down. It is common In France, Spain, and Italy, It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it ISlardus Cellica D'wfcoridis, Others, Nardus Cellica. The root Is celebrated as a cordial and fudori- fick : it is a warm and gentle midicine; and, taken for a continuance in tinftu e or powder, it flircngthens the flomach, prevents flatulencies, and opens obftrui^ions ot the vifccra. GENUS II; LAMBS LETTUCE. V ALERIAN ELLA. 'T^HE flower is formed of a fingle petal, which is tubular at the bottom, and crooked, and at the edge is divided into five fegments. The cup is very fmall, and lightly indented in five places at the rim. The feed is fingle, naked, and is not winged with down. LinnEEUs places this among the tviandria monogynia ; the threads in the flower being three, and the flyle from the rudiment of the fruit fingle. But he improperly joins it with the valerian ; whereas not only the habit and general afpetSl ot the plant perfectly differs, but the feed has no down ; which h an effential, determinate, and properly generical charafler. J. Common Lambs Lettuce. Vakrianella vulgaris cauie dichotomo. The root is fmall, oblong, and furniflied with a few fibres. The firfl: leaves rife in a clufl:er, and are of a faint pale green : they have no lootftalks: they are oblong, moderately broad, fmooth, undivi- ded at the edges, and rounded at the end. The ftalk is upright, weak, flender, and ten inches high : it runs up fingle about half its height, and there fplits into two parts ; and each of thefe divide again once or more in the fame manner ; fo that the top is fpreading and flat. The leaves ft;and in pairs ; and are oblong, and obtufe at the end ; they have no footfl:alks, and they are of a faint green. The flowers are very fmall, and white, with a flight tinge of blue: they fl:and in fmall, thick tufts at the to^'S of all the divifions of the ftalk. The feeds are fingle, fmall, and naked. It is common in corn-fields, and wiM in gar- dens. It flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Vcderimia cr.nipefiris inodora major. Others, Vakrianella, 'Latluca agimm^ and Loci'Jla. The young leaves are eaten in fallads, and have a pretty, but rather infipid tafte : they are very whole fo me. The leaves of this plant vary extremely : na- turally they are as here defcribed, undivided at the edges, and obtufe at the end ; but In a ftarved foil they will be narrower, fliarp-pointed, and fer- rated ; and fometlmes they are divided more deeply. Thefe, and other accidental varieties of a like kind, have been defcribed by authors as diftinift fpecies i but the fl:udent mufl; avoid thofe errors. 2. Great-feeded Lambs Lettuce. Valerianella femine magna. Tlie root is fmall and fibrous. The fiift leaves are oblong, broad, obtufe, large, and of a pale green. The fl:a!k is a foot high, fllender, whitiflj, and upright, and divided at the top in the fame man- ner as in the common kind, always by jplitting into two. The leaves fi:and in pairs ; and diey are ob- long and fliarply ferrated, and of a faint green. The flowers fl:and in fmall, thick tufts, and are little and white, with a very flight tinge of blue. The feeds are fingle and large ; and they4iave a fwelled look ; one follows every flower. Ic is common in corn-fields, and flowers in July. ^ Morlfon calls it Valerlanell^e vulgaris fpecies ma- jor fcrotina ; and Kay takes the fame name. That author mentions alfo a fmall kind, with ferrated leaves ; but that, as we have obferved before, is only a variety. This is a diftinft fpe- cies. Tht whole afpetft and fize of the plant, and its late flowering, fliew this % and i: is con- firmed by the ihape, fize, and fwelled look of the feed, which is an abfoiute and invariable cha- racter. 4 GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. 343 GENUS IIL SEA-L AVENDER. LIMON lUM. THE flower is compofed of four petals : thefe nre oblong, narrow at the bottom, and broad at the top ; and they unite fo as to form an oblong, flender tube. The cup to each flower is fmall, formed of a fingle leaf, tubular, and wide at the mouth : it is not divided, but is folded at the edge. There is befides this a common or general cup, ferving to many flowers, and containing a long feries of them. This is of an imbricated form. The feed after every flower is finglej naked, and contained in the cup. Linnsus places this among penCandria p^itagynia ; the threads in the flower being five, and the ftyles from the rudiment of the feed the fame in number. This author confounds the fea lavender with thrift. He takes away the generical name Imoniumi and makes all thefe plants fpecies of Jiatke : but there is an abfolute and efTential diftinftion in the general cup, which fupports that in the form and univcrfal afpeit. Thus Nature confirms her ob- vious differences, and thus this author has confounded them ; not heedlefsly, for he names this very difference, acknowledging, that while the common cup ol the limonium contains a great number of flowers in a long feries, and is fimple, and of an oblong form ; that of Jiatics is triple, and com- prehends them in a round cluiler. This we fliall explain at large in its place, treating o'i Jlatice. We have in this plant an inftance alfo of Linnsus's error in feparating the naturally-allied genera of the prefent clafs, the valerian and valerianella being placed among the irigynia^ and this and the fiatice among \ht fentagynia. But this is little to what we fhail have occafion to obferve in the fuc- ceeding genera. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Sea-Lavender, Limonium vulgare. The root is long, thick, divided, and fpread- ing. The leaves rife in a large tuft : they are oblong, and confiderably broad : they have ihort footftaiks, and arc of a deep, dufky, bluifh green. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and di- vided into many branches : it is of a pale green, and has no leaves. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches in fevcral long feries, principally on one fide ; and they are fmall and purple. The iced is fingle, fmall, roundifh, and brown. It is common in fait marfhes, and about our coatls. It flowers in June, C. Bauhine calls it Limonium marilimum majus- Others, Limofiium vulgare. The roots of this plant are powerfully aflrin- gent : they may be given in decodion, or in powder ; and they flop loofenefTes. The feeds are good in the diabetes. 2. Dwarf Sea-Lavender. Limonium foliis fejfdibus farvum. The root is long, fiender, of a rcdifh colour, and furniflicd with feveral fibres. The leaves rife in aclufler ; and are fmall, and of a pale bluifli green : ihey are oblong, nar- row, and fliarp-pointed ; and they have no foot- ftalks, but rife tfom the root immediately by a narrow bafe. The ftalks are numerous, flender, and divided into feveral tiranchec : they are ufually naked, as in the other ; but fometimes there grows a leaf or two near their bafe, refembling thofe from the root. The flowers are fmall, and of a very pale flefhy purple : they ftand in many long feries on the tops of the branches. It is common on our fait marfhes, and flowers in May. Some have confounded it with the former as a variety ; but its leaves fpeak it a perfeiflly diflindt fpecies, Ray calls it Limonium minus. Others, Limo- nium po.rvum. 3- Sea-Lavender, with umbellated flowers^ Limonium jloribus umbellatis. The root is long, thick, of a dufky brown, and furnidied with many fibres. The leaves rife in a large tuft ; and they are long, narrow, fharp-pointed, of a deep green, and placed on fliort, red footfi:aIks. The ftalks are numerous, tall, thick, and di- vided toward the top into numerous branches: the height of the plant is a foot and half, and its tops fpread two feet in breadth. The flowers are fmall and purple : they ftand at diftances from one another, and form a kind of u mbcl. It is common about our fouthern coafts, and flowers in July, Ray calls it Limonimn Anglicum minus caulibus r amofioribus., jloribus in fpicis rarius fills. Minus is an iil term, for it often grows very large. D I V I - 344 The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Fine-leaved Sea-Lavender, Limoniuni Joins tcnw.jjimis. The root is long, flender, and furnilhed with a few fibres. The firft leaves rife in a thick tuft ; and they are long, very flender, and grafly : fometimes they are divided, but ufually quite fimple. The ftalk. is round, upright, and of a pale green : it divides toward the top into a vaft num- ber of branches. The leaves on this are very fmall, oblong, and compofed of a very few flender fegments. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks in fliort clufters, and are of a pale red. The feeds are fmall, Angle, and naked. It is a native of thecoaft of Africa, and flowers in June. Plukenet calls it hmomum 7mn'mum comatim ekgans. GENUS IV. BASTARD TOADFLAX. T H E S I U M. THE flower has no petals. The cup is formed of a fingle piece, lightly divided into five obtufe fegments; which ftand upright, and are coloured on the inner fide : fome have called them, but erroneoufly, The feed is fingle, roundifli, and naked: it remains in the bofom of the cup, Linn^us places this among ilio. pent andri a monogyiiia; the threads in the flower being five, and the ftyle fingle. He takes away its old name Unaria ahlterina^ and calls it the/mm. The other muft be acknow- ledged a very ill conftrudted generlcal term. DIVISION L BRITISH SPECIES. Commnn Raflard ToaHflax- ^hcfium 1-uIgare. The root is long, thick, divided, and furniflied with numerous fibres. The firfl leaves rife in a tuft; and are oblong, narrow, fliarp-poinrcd, and undivided at the edges ; their colour is a pale green, and they have no footftalks. The ftalks are roundifli, upright, brown, and a foot high : they are not much branched, and they generally grow many together. The leaves are numerous, and placed irregu- larly : they are long, narrow, and fliarp-pointed : they have no footftalks ; they are undivided at the edges, and of a pale green. The flowers ftand in great number at the tops of the ftalks in a kind of fpikes ; and they look white, the infide of the cup being of that colour. The feed is fingle and large. It is common on fome hilly grounds, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Linaria montana fiofcnUs al- hicanlibus. Others, Alfme linarlc folio., and Li- nophyllo72. We have an inftance in this plant how very carelefsly the old writers impofed names. There is no refemblance of linnria in the flower of this plant. The leaves and manner of growing were the occafion of the title. Its virtues are unknown. DIVISION IL FOREIGN SPECIES. I, Yellow-flowered Baftard Toadflax. The/mm fiore jiavo. The root is long, thick, brown, and furniflied with many fibres. The ftalk is round, upright, flender, and ten inches high. The leaves ftand alternately ; and they are ob- long and broad, of a pale green, undivided at the edges, and obtufe at the end. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches in fmall clufters about five together : they are little, and of a gold yellow. The feed is fingle, round, and naked. It is common in the paftures of Virginia and Penfylvania, and flowers in July. Plukenet calls it Centaurium luteutn afcryoides Virginianum. LinnEEUS, The/iim fiorihus iimklla- tis foliis oblongis. GENUS v. AGRIMONY. J G R 1 M 0 N I A. THE flower is compofed of five fmall petals : they are broad, and nipped at the top v and they have narrow bafes, by which they adhere to the cup. The cup is double the inner one is fmall, and ftands upon the rudiment of the fruit : this is divided flightly into five fegments, and it is hid as it were by the other or outer, which is larger. The feed is fingle, naked, rough, and has a double kernel. LinoEUs places this among the doiaaniria digynia ; the threads being twelve in each flower, and the fl;yles from the rudiment of the fruit two. ' D I V I - 5 The BRITISH HERBAL. 345 DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Agrimony. ylgrimonia vulgaris. The root is formed of feveral thick, tough fibres. The firft leaves are numerous, large, and pin- nated : they have fhort, redifli footftalks; and each is compofed of about four pair of pinnx, with an odd one at the end : their colour is a beautiful frefli green on the upper fide, and greyifh underneath. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, and two feet high : it is thick, hairy, not at all branched, and of redifh colour. The flowers are fmall, and of a gold yellow : they are placed in a long, flendcr fpikc at the top of the flalk. DIVISION II. Smail-flowered Agrimony. ylgrimonia fiorihiis pari'is. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with many fibres. The firft leaves rife in a fmall tuft ■, and are obiong, and irregularly pinnated : each is com- pofed of four or five pairs of fmall pinnre, of an uncertain fizc, arranged in pairs along a middle rib ; at the extremity of which there ftand three larger and "more regular fegments : they are of a deep green on the upper fide, and grey under- neath. The feeds are large and rough, with a kind of liooked hairs. It is common in our paftures, and flowers in July^ C. Bauhine calls 'it Eupatorium veferum, fivg Agrimonia. Others, Agrimonia^ and Agrimonia vulgaris. It is a diuretick and deobftruent, greatly re- commended by the antients, but very much negleffled in the prefent pradice. It opens ob- fl:ru(51:ions of the vifcera, and is good in the jaundice. It alfo gently and fafely promotes the menfes. The frefii leaves make a tea not unpleafant ; and, taken conflantly in this method, the cffedt will be very happy in regularly bringing on that difcharge. A fyrup of the root is alfo recom- mended againft catarrhs. The ftalk is round, upright, hairy, redifli, and a foot and half high. The leaves on the lower part of this refemble thofe from the root ; but thofe toward the top are compofed only of three fegments, fuch as termi- nate the three others. The flowers are fmall and yellow. The feeds are large, naked, and fmooth. k is common among trees in Italy, and flowers in Auguft;. C. Bauhine calls it Agrmoma Jimilis. Othersj Agrimhiicides. FOREIGN SPEtlES. GENUS VI. THRIFT. S r yl T I C E. THE flower is formed of five petals, narrow at the bafe, broader toward the top, and joined at the fides fo as to form .a kind of bell. There are two cups, one proper and particular to each flov/er, the other general or common to the whole tuft. The proper cup is formed of a fint^le leaf ■ and is of a hollow fliape, narrow at the bafe, and wide at the rim, where it is folded or wrinkled' but not cut into fegments. The general cup is triple, and it collects the whole tuft of flowers into a kind of round head. The feed is Angle and fmall, roundifli, and placed naked in the proper cup of each flower. Linnrcus places this among the pentandria pcntagynia ; the threads in the flower being five, and the ftyles of the fame number. Common Thrift. Slatice vulgaris. The root is long, thick, and furniflied vi'ith a few fibres : toward the top it ufually divides into two or three heads ; and from each of thefe rifcs a large clufler of leaves. I'he leaves are long, narrow,, and grafly : their colour is a bluifh green; and they are fmooth, undivided at the edges, and fliarp-pointed. The ft:alk rifes in the centre of a tuft of thefe leaves ; and it is round, upright, fimple, naked, and of a pale greyifh green. The flowers ftand at the top, a great number together, in a round clufter : they are moderately large, and of a pale flefliy purple. The feed is fmall, round, and of a deep brown,- It is common about our fea-coafls, and flowers in June. Its regular growth, and the beauty of its flowers, have introduced it into gardens, where it ferves inftead of box for the edgings of borders. C. Bauhine calls itCaryophyllus montama minor. Lobel, Cmyophyllus marinus mimmis. Others, Statice mcntana. The addition of montana is not abfurd, for in many pares of Europe it is frequent on hills far from the fea. Culture makes variations in this plant ; but there is no other known fpecies dif- tin(5t from this. The root is faid to be aftringent ; but it is not ufed. 4 T GENUS 34^ The B R I T I S li HERBAL. GENUS VII. 13 U li N E r. S A N G U I S O R B A t-fUR flower is con^pofcd of a flnglc peul, deeply divided into four fegments : tliefe are broad, and obtufe at the end, narrow at the bafe, snd united only at their very bottoms ; fo that the fiowLT, to an incurious obferver. would Teem to have four petals. The cup is compofed of two fmaii leaves : thefe are Hiort and brc^ad : they (land oppofite to one another, and they fall with the flower. The feed is fingle, naked, and roundiQi, and has a double kernel. I.innn^us places this among tlie tetrandria mcnog^nla ; the threads in the flower being four, and the ftyle irom the rudiment of the iruit being fingle. 1. Common Burriet. Snvgiuforba i-iil^nris. The root is long, thick, and furniflicd with many fibres. The firft leaves are long, and very beautifully pinnated i each is ctmipoled of fix or more pairs of pinntK, with an oS one at the end and thefe are ihort, broad, ferrated, and Iharp- pointed.. Their colour is a beautiful green. The ttalk is Hender, upright, and toward the top it is divided into feveral branches : the leaves on it are hke thofe from the root, each compofed of feveral pairs of dentated pinna;, with an odd one at the end. The flowers are placed in fmal! oblong heads at the tops of the brandies : thefe heads are brown, but the Howcrs themfelves are of a faint purple. The feeds are fmall and cornered. It is common by road-fides, and in hilly paf- tures. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Sanguiforha mi.?tor. Others, Pimpinella vulgaris^ and Fimpinella fcnguiforba mi- nor. 2. Great Burnet. Sangiiiforha major. The root is compofed of numerous thick fibres. The firfl; leaves are large and pinnated : each is compofed of three or four pairs of pinnse, with an odd one at the end ; and thefe are oblong, moderately broad, and fliarp-pointed, ferrated at the edges, and of a deep green. The ftalk is upright, flender, branched, and two feet high. The leaves on this refcmble thofe from the root 1 but they are fmaller. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches in fliort oblong heads: they are of a very fainc and dull purplifii colour ; and the heads are brown between them. The feeds are fmall and cornered. It is common in paftures, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Sanguifcrha jmjcr. Thefe two fpecies have the fame general qua- lities ; but the firll poflefles them in the greater degree. It is a cordial and ludorifick : it was much ufed formerly to give a flavour to wine^ but it is now negle(^ed. It is an aftringent of confiderable power. The root dried and powdered fl;ops purgings j or it may be given in form of a llrong decoflion to the fame purpofe. The juice of the leaves is good againfl h.Tmorrhages. GENUS VIII. MEADOW-RUE. f n A L I C f li U M. ^HE flower is compofed of four petals : they arc rot.ndilTi, and hoilowcd, and are of fhorc dura- ' tion There is no cup. The i'eed is fingle after every flower, and it is ftirrounded by a rough rinkled fldn The leaves are divided into many parts, and the flowers grow in cluftcrs. Linnseus places this among the polyandna folysynia ; the threads in the flower being numerous, and ■owing to the receptacle ; and the ftyles from the rudiment of the ieed alfo numerous. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Meadow-Rue. ^JhnljBrum uulgare. The- root is compofed of innumerable long, thick, and fpreading libres. The fl:.Jk is firm, upright, flriated, purplifh toward the bottom,, and three feet high. The leaves are large, and very beautifully divi- .dedor compofed of numerous fmall parts, placed on feparate fliort footftalks, on a large divided rib : thefe- are notched at the edges, efpecially to . ward the points ; and are of a bluifti green, but deep and dufky. The flowers are fmall and whitifli : they ftand in great cluQers on the fl:alks. The feeds are brown. It is common in meadows, and flowers in July- C. Bauhine Ihe B R I S H H E R B A L. 347 C. Baiihine calls ic Tbaliffrum mnhis filqiia cngulofa jtriata. Others, thaliSirum vulgcire, and 7halUh-u:n y,wjus, or TbaU^rim caulc nigri- cante. 2. Small Meadow-Rue. Thali^rim nnnus. The root is long, flender, and creeping. The ftalk is round, of a pale brown, upright, fcarce at all branched, and about eight inches high. The leaves fland irregularly on it ; and they arc very beautiful: they are in the whole conndcrably large ; but they are compoled of many fmall parts, placed on a divided rib 1 and thefe are fliort, broad, ^nd dented at the end. The whole tuft is of a tender fubtlance, and deep purplill-i green colour. The flowers fliand at the tops of the flalk in a kind of umbel : they are fmall, and of a pale yellow. The feeds arc large, and their crefl Is wrinkled and brown. It is found on hilly paftures in muny parts of the kingdom, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls h ThalioI?'um minus; a name copied by others. 3- Little broad-leaved Meadow-Rue. 'ThaUSirum minus fdiis laticribus. The root is compofed of tough, flender fibres. The. ftalk is round, upright, a foot high, branched, and of a purplifli colour, efpecially to- ■ward the root. The leaves are large, and of a dufl;y green : DIVISION II. F Narrow-leaved Meadow-Rue. ^haliSfri'.m angujlifolium. The root is compofed ot numerous tough, yel- low threads. The ll;alk is round, flender, purplifli, upright, not at all branched, and a foot high. The leaves are large, and of a frefli green : they are divided into numerous flender parts, and thefe are undivided at the edges, and fliarp- pointed. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks in fpiked clufliers ; and they are fmall and white, with a faint tinge of purple. they are compofed of many parts, as in the former fpecies ; but thefe are broader and larger than in any other, of a deep green, and nipped at the top. The flowers grow in a broad tuft at the top of the ftalk ; and are fmall and whitifh, with a very faint tinge of yellow. The feeds are flnalh It is common on the Welch mountains, and flowers in May. Ray calls it ^haliSfrtm minus montamun foUis h- 'ilorihus. 4. Meadow-Rue Vv-Ich fhining leaves. TbaUBmm foUis f^iendcntibus. The root is fmall, and creeps under the fur- face. The ftalk is fl:rlated, weak, and not much branched : it is about a foot high, but rarely flands quite ereift. The leaves are large ; and each is compofed of numerous, broad fegments, placed on fliort footflialks : thefe are nipped at the tops and fides. The whole leaf is uf a deep blackifli green on the upper fide, and of a greyifli green underneath. The flowers fliand at the tops of the ilalks in rounded fcattered tufts : they are white and fmall. The feeds are fmall ; and their coat is rough and purplifli. It is a native of our northern counties, and thrives bell on damp ground upon hills. It flowers in April, and dies to the ground foon after. Ray calls \iThali,lru;ii minimum montanum ru~ henS fdiis [fkndmtibus, REIGN SPECIES. The feeds have a rough, brown coat. It is found in the woods of Germany near rprings. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it ThaUSlriim fratenfe anguftif- fma folio. Others, Thali^rum foliis gramineis. Thefe plants are not difl;inguiflied by any par- ticular virtues by authors ; but they defcrve fomc notice. The country-people in Buckinghamfliire boil the roots and young leaves of the common kind in ale, and take this as a purge. In a fmall dofe it works by urine, and is good againfl; ob- fl:ru6tions of the vifcera. GENUS IX. FUMITORY. F U M A R 1 A. »-pHE flower is formed in the manner of the papilionaceous kind, but terminates behind in a fpur- ■*■ The cup is compofed of two leaves, fmall, and placed oppofite. The feed is naturally finglc, and inclofed in a loofe fkin. The leaves are divided, and the flowers are fmall. Linnjeus places this among the iiadelphia hexandria ; the buttons on the threads in die flower be- ing fix, and arranged in two aflTortments. There is no genus in which Nature wantons fo much. This Linnsus is obliged to acknowledge; who has placed it among his diadelphia ; and it is as needful to be mentioned here, where, after the Bietliod of Mr. Ray, it is placed with the llmii£]ni:}t, among the fingle-feeded plants; 4 X 34^ The BRITISH HERBAL. The feed, which is naturally fingle, and has its outer fldn loofe, in fome fpecies, has that membrane fwelled into a kind of capfule ; and in fome others there is no cup to the flowpr. The analogy of parts in general ihevv thefe however to be true fpecies of fumitory ; and all authors have perceived it : therefore it is proper to keep them under the fame generical name. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Fumitory. Fumaria z'ulgmis. The root is long, (lender, and furniflied with many fibres. The ftalk is weak, of a pale green, fcarce up- right, divided into many branches, and a foot high. The leaves are large, and of a faint green : they arc divided into innumerable fmall parts, placed on a branched rib ; and they are of a flen- der fubftance. The flowers fland in fpikes at the tops of the ftalks and branches ; and they are of a mixed red, partly flefli-colour, and partly purple. The feed is large and brown. It is common in our corn-fields, and in all other cultivated ground. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Fumnria oficinarum et Diofco- r:dis. Others, Fumaria vulgaris. 1. Great Ramping Fumitory. Fumaria major. The root is long, thick, white, and furnifiied with a few fl:raggling fibres of the fame colour. The flalks are weak, and of a pale green, branched; and, when they can fupport them- felves among buOies, two feet high. The leaves are large, and of a whidfli green : they are divided into numerous parts, or com- pofed of many fegments, as in the other \ but thcfe are broader. The flowers fland in long, loofe fpikes at the tops of the flralks, and on footflalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves ; they are large, and of a pale red. The feeds are fmali and brown. DIVISION II. F O Hollow-rooted Fumitory. Fumaria radice cn-va. The root is large, roundifh, and hollow ; and it is furnifiied with abundance of fibre?. The fl:alk is weak, of a whitifii green, and about a foot high, but indifferently cretfl, and divided into many branches. The leaves are large, and compofcd of nume- rous oblong indented fegments: they arc fupported on feparate footflalks ; and they are of a pale bluifii green. It is common in hedges at the fides of plowed lands, and fiowers in Augufl:. Ray calls it Fumaria major fcandens fiore ■palli- dicre. 3. Broad-leaved climbing Fumitory. Fumaria lalifolia claviciilala. This is a fpecies fo extremely different from the other in its form, that Mr. Ray has placed it in another clafs ; but it is properly and truly a kind of fumitory. The root is fmall, divided into feveral parts, and furnifhed with numerous fibres. The flalk is round, weak, of a pale green, and very much branched : it is a foot high, but very weak, and unable to fupport itfclf upright, ex- cept by climbing; for which purpofc Nature has given it many tendrils at the ends of the branches. The leaves are broad and fiiarp-pointcd : they grow in fmall cluflers, and their colour is a bluifh green. The flowers ftand three or four together in little heads on footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves : they are fmall and white, with a faint tinge of purple. The feeds are fmal! and brown. It is common under hedges in our northern counties, but it is more fcarce elfewhere. It flowers in Augufl;. C. Bauhine calls it Fumaria claviculis donaia. Others, Fumaria alba lalifolia davicuhta. The common fumitory is good agalnfl: fcorbutick diforders. The juice may be taken in dofes of four fpoonfuls-,. and it will operate gently by fl:ool at firfl:, but only as a deobflruent and fweet- cner of the blood afterwards. Some fmoak the dried leaves in the manner of tobacco for difor- ders of the head, with fuccefs. REIGN SPECIES. The fiowers fland at the tops of the flralks in fpikes, and they are of a pale red. It is a native of the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Fumaria hulbofa. Otiicrs, Fumaria radice cava, and Radix cava 7najor fton ■purpureo. Its virtues are the fame with thofe of the co-m- mon fumitory and. Where it grows wild, it is ufed to the lame purpofe. Tjhe EiVZ) 0/ //v T W E N T I E T II CLASS. THE 5 THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS XXI. Plants which have lahiated flowers., with four feeds follcming each, attd placed naked in the cup ; and ivhofe leaves fland in pairs upon the fialks. THIS is a clafs as obvioudy diftinguiflied by Nature, and as perfeftly feparated from all others, as any the whole feries of plants affords ; and the generality of authors have paid fo much regard to thcfe her obvious charafters, as to keep them together. They make the verticillate plants of Mr. Ray and others. They could not but be kept together by all who formed their fyftems on the great and plain marks imprefled on plants ; becaufe thpy fo perfedly, and in fo many charafters, refemble one an- other, that they are plainly a fingle family ; to which no plant can be added, and from which none can be feparated without violence to the moft effential diftinflions : but the modern methods pay very little regard to Nature. Linnffius feparates hctony and -jcrvain by twelve claffcs : not becaufe one has, and the other has not labiatcd flowers, leaves in pairs, and four naked feeds ; for in thefe mofl; eflential charafters they agree : but becaufe ietonj has four threads in the flower, two of which are longer, and two fhortcr, it is placed among the didpiamif. ; and becaufe ver'oam has only two, it Hands among the dimdria, feparated from the refl: of the labiated naked-feeded kind, and joined v/k\\ fpeedweli and «h- chanters mghtjhade. This may (land as an inftance of the impropriety of modern fyftems. The reader will pardon me the unwilling talk of producing more on this occafion, fince he will difcern them in the charafters of the genera. SERIES .1. Natives of Britain. Thofe of which one or more fpecies are naturally wild in this country. Q E N U S I. MOTHER OF THYME. SERPTLLUM. THE flower is of the labiated kind, formed of a fingle petal, and gaping at the mouth. The upper lip is obtufe and fmall : the lower lip is longer, and divided i,Tto three fcgmcnts ; the middle one of which is larger than the others. The cup is divided into two lips ; and the feeds are naked, fmall, and round. Linn^us places this among the didynamia gymnofpermia ; the threads in the flower being two longer and two fliorter, and the feeds having no covering. He includes in the fame genus fcveral plants not properly belonging to it ; and, infl:ead of firpyllum, calls it thymu!. This is a matter of indiSf;rence^ for either name will do for both thyme and motber cf thyme : but as we have mofl: of the ferfyttums, I have taken that. N° XXXV. D I V I- The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION I. BR I. Common Mother of Thyme. Serpyllum vulgare. The root is fmall, fibrous, and hard. The ftalks are numerous, weak, and trailing : they are of a purplifh colour toward the bot- tom, green at the top, and branched : they are .fix or eight inches long ; and as rhey fpread every way from the root, they naturally form a large tuft. The leaves are fmall, and placed in pairs with- out footftalks : they are of an oval figure, but pointed ; and their colour is a deep green. The flowers ftand in fmall tutts at the tops of all the ftalks and branches ; and they are mode- rately large, and of a beautiful purple. , The feeds are fmall, blackifh, and round. It is common on heaths in dry paftures, and by road-fides. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Serpyllum vulgare nnnus- Others, Serpyllum vulgare. Our people. Mother cf thyme, and ll^ild thyme. It is excellent againfl: nervous difo-ders. An infufion of it made, and drank in the manner of tea, is pleaf-int ; and is an excellent remedy for head-achs and giddinefs, and other diforders of that kind. It certainly cures that troublefome difeafe the nightmare. A gentleman affiliated ter- ribly with that complaint took a ftrong infufion of this by way of remedy, and w^s free many years, Afterwards the diforder returned, but al- ways gave way to the fame remedy. The flowers of the ccmmcii mother of thyme are fometimes larger, and fometimcs fmaller. Hence ibme authors have divided the plant into two fpecies i but I have often feen both in the fame Ipotof ground, where they have plainly rifcn from the fame feed. 2. Broad-leaved Mother of Thyme. Serpyllum fohis Ictioribus. The root is long, flender, and hard, and has many very fmall fibres. The ilalks are numerous, tolerably upright, of a woody hardncfs, and of a brown colour. The leaves ftand in pairs ; and they are oblong and broad, obtufe at the ends, and of a deep duU^y green. The flowers ftand in longifli tufts at the tops of the ftalks ; and are large, and of a faint red, often white. Four feeds follow each ; and they are roundifli, very fmall, of a deep brown, and glofl'y. The plant is larger, and grows more ered than the common viother of thyme. C. Bauhine calls it Serpyllum i-ulgnre majus. Others, Serpyllum latifolium. It, is common in our fouthern counties, and flowers in June. g. Lemon Thyme. Serpyllum folio longiore citratum. The root is long, thick, divided, and furnilhed ■with many fibres. ITISH SPECIES. The ftalks are numerous, round, firm, branched, of a pale green, and five or fix inches long, partly procumbent, and partly raiied upright. The leaves are oblong and broad, fharp-pointcd, and of a pale green. The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalks and branches ; and they are of a pale red. 7"he feeds are finall, and brown. The whole plant has a very agreeable fmell, an aromatick with a citron, or lemon-flavour. We have it wild in our fouthern counties, and it is cultivated in our gardens -, but there is no difference except in fize. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Serpyllum fcliis citri odore. Others, Serpyllum citratum^ and Thymus citrei odore. 4. Narrow-leaved fmooth Mother of Thyme. Serpyllum angufiifolium glabruui. The root is long and flender, and has a few fibres. The ftalks are weak, trailing, brown, branched, and eight inches long. The leaves are longifli, narrow, fmooth, and of a deep green. The flowers are numerous, and of" a faint red. The feeds are larger tlian in moft of the pre- ceding l;inds, and of a purjiiilh brov;n. It is found on heaths in Kent and Suffex, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Serpyllum angujlfolUm gla- ir um. 5. Hairy Mother of Thyme. Serpyllum hirfutmn folio oblongo cbtufwre. The root is long, flender, and brown. The ftalks are very numerous, weak, and trail- ing: they are of a purplifli colour, and very much branched. 1"he leaves are oblong, tolerably broad, and obtufe : they are of a pale gret=n, and hairy. The flowers are fmall ; they ftand at the tops of the ftalks in little hairy heads-, and are natu- rally of a faint red, but often white. I'he feeds are fmall and blackifh. We have it on the heaths in Surry. It flowers in July. Ray calls it Serpyllum vulgare hir/utum. 6. Broad-leaved great Mother of Thyme. Serpyllum latifolium fruticcfius. The root is large and fpreading. The ftalks are thick, round, upright, very much branched, and fix or eight inches high ; they fpread themfelves out into tufts, which have a fiirubby afpect. The leaves are broad and fliort, of a deep green, and hairy. The flowers are large, and of a faint purple ■, and the feeds are very minute, roundifh, and black. We have it on the Welch mountains. It flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls tt Serpyllum latifolium hirfu- turn. - 7. Creeping The BRITISH HERBAL. 351 7. Creeping fcentlefs Mother of Thyme. Serpyllim repens inodonm!. The root is fmail and thready. The thoots that grow firft: from it lie upon the ground, and talce root in different places. The ftallis which rife from thefe are weak, (lender, purple, and often branched. The leaves are oblong, narrow, hairy, and of a dufky green : they have nothing of chat fpicy fmell fo prevalent in the others. The flowers are fmail, and of a faint pui-ple : they fland in clutters at the cops of the ftalks. The feeds are fmail and blackifh. Ic is a nacive of Ireland, and flowers in June. Ray calls it Serpyllum hirfutum repens minus ino- doyum. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Garden- Thyme. Thy7nu}n viiJgare. The root is compofcd of innumerable fibres. The ftalks are numerous, hard, woody, brown, very much branched, and ten inches high. The leaves are Ihort, broad, pointed, and of a dufky green. The flowers are fmail, very numerous, and of a pale red. The feeds are little, roundilli, brown, and gloffy. It is a native of Italy ; but we have it for the fervice of the kitchen in every garden. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it thymum vulgare. Others, 'thymm duriiis. It is a good aromatick, ftrengthens the IIo- mach, difperfes flatulences, and docs fervice in nervous complaints. The beft way of taking it is in infufion. If it were not fo common at our tables, it would be more regarded as a medicines GENUS It. MINT. MENTHA. THE flower is compofed of a fingle petal, tubular at the bottom, and divided at the edge into four parts ; the upper I'cgment of which is broader than the others, and nipped at the end. The cup is formed of a fingle piece, divided into five flight fegments at the edge, and it remains as a co- vering for the feeds ; which are four in number, and fmail. Linni:us places this among the didynamia gymnojpenmn ; two of the four threads in the flower be- ing longer than the others, and the feeds ftanding in the cup naked. This author joins very im- properly under the fame name pennyroyal ; a plant of a genus perfectly dillina. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. H.>iry verticiUate W.iter-Mint. Mentbii aqiiatica hirfuta verticillaia. The root is fmail, flender, and creeping. The ftalks are numerous and branched : they are a foot long, but not very upright ; and they are fquare, of a pale green, and lightly hairy. The leaves have Ihort, hairy footftalks: they are oblong, moderately broad, and dented at the edces. Their colour is a faint green. The flowers ftand at the joints in clufters, fur- roundin" the ftalk ; they are fmail, and of a pale red. The feeds are minute and brown. It is common about waters, and often gets into corn-fields. It flowers in April, and continues to Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Calamintha arvcnfis verlicil- lata. Others, Mentha arveiifis verticillala hir- futa. 2. Smooth verticillate Water-Mint. Mentha aquaiica verticillata glahra. The root is fibrous. The ftalks lie upon the ground : they are fquare, weak, fmooth, purplifli, and fix or eight inches long, but rarely branched. The leaves have Ihort footftalks : they are fmail, oblong, fmooth, dented at the edges, and Iharp-pointed. Their natural colour is a dufky green ■, but they are often red. The flowers are fmail, and of a faint purple : they grow at the joints in clufters, furrounding the ftalk. It is found in our midland counties by the fides of brooks, and flowers in Auguft. Lobel calls it Calamintha aquatica Belgarum et Matthioli. Others, Mentha aquatica exigua uer- ticillata. 3. Rourfd-Ieaved aromatick Mint. Mentha aromatica folio rctundiore. The root is compofed of numerous, long, and flender fibres. The ftalks are weak, fquare, partly procum- bent, and partly upright ; of a purplilh colour, and a foot or more in height. The leaves have very Ihort footftalks : they ate broad, fliort, roundifti, fliarp-pointed, and fliarply ferrated about the edges, 3 ,Th? 352 The B ?. I T I S H HERBAL. ■ The flowers furroiind the ftalks at the joints in little cUiflers ; tliey arc moderately large, and of a deep purple. I he whole plant has a very fragrant fmell. It is common in the ifle of Ely. It flowers in J"iy. . Ray calls it Mentha arveufis vcrliciUala fclioro- tuf:dicre odorc aronmUco. 4. Curled Mint. Mentha crifpa verlkiUata. The root creeps under the furface, and fpreads abundantly. The ftalks are numerous, fqupre, and of a pur- piilll colour : they are a foot and half in length ; but they lie in a great nieafure upon the ground ; and they are not .much branrh.ed, but have many fhoots from the bofomsof the leaves. ■ The leaves are oblong, broad, and of a pale green ; they are not at all hairy ; but they are often wrinkled, and fomctimes curled at the edges. . The flo\Yers furround the flalks at the joints; and thi-^y are fmall and purple. It is common wild about waters; and at one time was frequent in gardens, but the fpear-mint has there taken its place. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Mentha crifpa verticillata. Others, from the common rednefs of its ftalk, Mentha fativa ruha. 5. Common red Mint. Mentha rubra vulgaris. The root is long, (lender, and creeping. The ftalk is firm, upright, fquare, and two feet high. The leaves are oblong, narrow, ferrated at the edges, and fharp-pointcd : they have fhort foot- ftalks ; and they are of a pale green, but they ofren grow red. The flowers ftand in fmall circular tufts round the ftalks at the places where the upper leaves grow ; and they are of a pale red. This is one ol thofe mhits we have wild in our watery places, and uf'ed to cultivate ; but the fpear-mint has rendered it negleftcd. C. Bauhine calls it Mentha hortenfis nerticillata oqrmoiore. Others, Mentha cardiaca, md Men- tha fiifca. 6. Water-Mint. Mentha aquatica folio brevi lalo. The rode is compofed of a multitude of Sender ■fibres, which penetrate deep, and fpread every way. The ftalk is fquare, upright, not much branched, but full of young flioots from the leaves; and it is two feet or more in hei<^ht, very upright, and of a robuft afpcft. The leaves are broad and Ihort : they have mo- derately long footftalks ; and they are largeft at the bafe, fliarp-pointed, and fliarply ferrated at the edges. Their colour is naturally a deep plea- ' fant green ; but they frequently grow rediflr. The flowers are moderately large, and of a pale red : they are placed in large, round heads upon the tops of the ftalks, It is common about waters, and flowers in ■June. The whole plant has a ftrong fmell, and an acrid tafte, in fome degree approaching to that of pepper-mint. C. Bauhine calls it Mentha rotundifolia paluflris feu aquatica major. Others, Mentha aquatica, and ffymbrium. 7. Hairy Water-Mint. Afentha aquatica folio hrcvi hirfuto. The root is cornpofed of fibres, and fends out creeping flroots every way to a great diftance. The ftalk is fquare, upright, hairy, of a brownifh or redifti colour, and about a foot and half high. The leaves are broad, fliort, and roundifli ; but they have a long, fliarp point. The flowers are fmall, and of a very pale purpli^; and they are placed in tiiick, roundifli clullcrs at the tops of the ftalks and bi .uiches. It is all over covered with a fliort, liglit hairy- nefs, of a greyilli colour. We have it common about Handing waters, and it flowers in July. J. Bauhine calls it Mentha aquatica five Jifym- hium hirfutivs. Others, Sifymbrium hirfunim,^ and Sifymbria menthn. Its tafte is acrid, but difagreeable. 8. Small-leaved hairy Water-Mint. Mentha aqttatica hirfuta foliis minorilus. The root is flender and creepinsr. The ftalk is fquare, firm, upright, redifli, and a foot and half high. The leaves have flrort footftalks : they are fmallcr than in the preceding fpecics, of a pale green, and hairy : they are deeply and fliarply ferrated at the edges, and fliarp-pointed. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful flefh- colour: they ftand in fmall, round chifters upon the tops of the branches. The whole plant has a very fragrant fmell, fomewhat refcmbling that of a fine Seville orant^e. It is common about vraters in Cambridgefliire, and fome other places. It flowers in Auguft. Ray calls it Mentha fifyir.lrium diBa hirfuta glo- meru'.is ac foliis minoribus rotundiaribus. 9. Rough-leaved fpikcd Mint. Mentha fficat a folio rugcfiore. The root is flender and creeping. The ftalk is fquare, robuft, upright, of a jnir- plifli colour, two feet high, and not much branched. The leaves have fliort footftalks: they are long, narrow, fiiarp-poinied, and ftiarply ferra- ted along the edges : their furface is rough, and their colour a deep dufky green. The flowers ftand at the tops of tlie ftalks and branches in long, flender fpikcs : they are fmall, and of a faint purple. It is not uncommon about waters in Kent, and fome other counties. It flowers in Auguft. Kay, calls it Mentha angufiifolia fpicata glabra folio rugofiore odore graviare. 10. Eroad- 7 353 10. Broad-fpikcd Mint. Mentha /pica laliere fiiliis gltiiris. The root is fmall and creeping. The ftalk is firm, fquare, ercft, brown, not much branched, and a foot and half high. The leaves have fliort footftalks : they are ob- long, fmooth, moderately indented, and (harp- pointed. The flowers grow at the tops of the fl:alks and branches in long, large, and hairy fpikes, which are of a flatted figure : they are of a pale flefli- colour. It is found in wet places in Eflex, and flowers in July. Ray calls \t. Mentha fpicata aligiiftifoUa glabra fpica laliore. II. Broad-leaved fpiked Mint. Mentha latifolia fpicata. The root is compofed of innumerable fibres. The ftalk is upright, branched, fquare, fmooth, a pale green, but often red toward the bottom, and half a yard high. The leaves ftand on fliort footftalks : they are oblong, broad, of a frefll and beautiful green, and lliarp -pointed. The flowers ftand in long and moderately thick fpikes, and are of a deep purple. We have it in Effex, and in Surry. It flowers in July. Ray calls it Mentha fpicata. glabra latiore folio, 12. Broad, whitifli leaved Horfe-Mint, with a thick Ipike. Mentha foliis cinereis latioribus, fpica crajfa. The root is compofed of numerous thick fibres. The ftalk is fquare, weak, whitifli,andbranched, and is about a foot high. The leaves are oblong, broad, and of a greyifli (Treen, fliarp-pointed, and deeply ferrated. The flowers are of a deep flefli-colour : they grow in thick, long fpikes at the tops of the ftalks and branches. It is common by river-fides in Eflex, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Mentha pahflris cblongo folio. Others, Menthaftrum hirfutum., and Men- thajlruni minus. ij. Long-leaved fpiked Horfe-Mlnt. Mentha fioribus pallidis folio longo candicaute. The root is long and creeping. The ftalk is fquare, firm, whitifli, and very upright : it is two feet and a half high, and has numerous Iboots from the bofoms of the leaves, all which foon run up to flower. DIVISION II. F 0 I. Common Spear-Mint. Mentha fpicata vulgaris. This plant, though fo common in our gar- dens, is not a native of our country. The root is fmall and fpteading. The ftalk is fquare, firm, upright, and two N°35- The leaves are long, and moderately broad :- they have ilo footftalks : they are fliarply ferra- ted, and pointed ; and their colour is a greyifh. green on the upper fide, and a whitilh under- neath. The flowers ftand at the tops of all the branches, and are very numerous : they are difpofed in long, (lender fpikes, and are of a pale whitifti colour. It is found in many parts of Eflex in great ab- undance, and is not fcarce in many other places. It flowers in Auguft. J. Bauhine cails it Menthajirmn fpicatum folio longiore candhante. C. Bauhine, Mentha fyhejlris folio longiore. The fmcU is ftrong and difagreeable. 14. Round-leaved Horfe-Mint. Mentha folio rugofo rotiindiore. The root is compofed of numerous fibres. The ftalk is fquare, upright, and two feed high. The leaves are of a finguiar form for a plant of this kind, round, large, of a rough furface, and of a deep green. The flowers ftand in fpikes at the tops of the ftalks ; and they are of a brigh.t red. It 13 found in fome parts of LiTcxj but is not common. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Mentha fylvejlris rotundiore folio. Others, Aknthafirum folio rugofo rotun* diore. This has a coarfe, ftrong fmell, like thf pre- ceding, and Ihares the virtues of an antihyftt^rick with it : they are good alfo in all nervous dif- orders. 15. Pepper-Mint. Mentha piperata. The root is long, flender, and creeping, and fends out at diftances clufters of chick fibres. The ftalk is upright, firm, not much branched,' and two feet and a half high : it is fquare, and is ufually of a brownifh red toward the bottom* and green near the top. The leaves are placed in pairs on fliort foot- ftalks ; they are large, oblong, fiiarp- pointed, and ferrated at the edges : their colour is a deep green, and they tafte extremely acrid. The flowers grow at the tops of the ftalks and branches in thick, ftiort fpikes : they are of a pale red, and moderately large.- It is found wild in Hertfordfhire, Efl'ex, and Surry ; and we have it plentifully in gardens. Ray calls \t Mentha fpicis breznhus & latioribni foliis nmitha fufc.t fipore fervido piteris. REIGN SPECIES. feet or more in height, not much branched, and in colour of a pale green. The leaves have no footftalks : they are long, narrow, and fliarp-pointed, fliarply ferrated at the edges, fomewhat rough on the furface, and of a lively green. .4 X The 354 The BRITISH HERBAL. The flowers are numerous, fmal], and of a bright red : they are placed at the tops of the ftalks in long, {lender fpikes. The taife is very pleafant, warm, and aromatick. It is a native of Germany, but is for the fer- ^ice of the table and of medicine kept in every garden. C. Bauhinc calls it Mimha Ri/maua. Others, Mentha angujlifolia fpicata. Our people. Spear- mint, and Roman mint, 2. Danifh curled Mint. Mentha crifpa Danica. The root creeps under the furface, and has nu- merous, thick: fibres. The (talk is firm, upright, fquare, of a pale green, not much branched, and two feet high. The leaves have no footftalks : they are large, oblong, broad, and very beautiful : they are in- dented, and curled at the edges ; and their colour is a freih, fine green. The flowers are large and flcfh-colourcd : they Hand in thick and Ihort fpikes at the tops of the ftalks and branches. It is a native of Denmark ; but its beauty has obtained it a place in our gardens. It flowers in Augufl:. Clufius calls it Mentha latifaUa crifpa Danica. The tnints in general pofiefs the fame qualities : they are ftomachick and deobftrucnt ; but there are alfo particular qualities in fume of the fpecies. We have mentioned the two horfe-mints as emi- nent in nervous cafes ; and ti\£ pepper-mint, by its warmth, is of great fcrvice againfl: cholicks. The common fpear-mint is fuperior to all the other kinds as a ftomachick. Its diftilled water poflVffes this quality in a very eminent and ufeful degree. The dried leaves alfo are ufed in pow- der, and the frefli tops made into tea. The juice of the tops of fpear-mint, given half a fpoonful at a time, with a little fugar, will ftop vomitings. The diftilled water is good againft the fickncfles and gripings to which' infants are liable. It is alfo cxxellent at table, not only for its agreeable flavour, but its virtues. Our an- ceftors were wife who mixed it with beans and peafe, for it prevents the flatulencies rifing from fuch foods. GENUS IIL PENNYROYAL. P U L E G IV M. THE flower is formed of a fingle petal, a little longer than the cup ; and is divided into two hps ; the upper one is broad, and undivided at the tip ; the under one is divided into three finall fcgments, and there is a Ihort tubular bottom. The cup is formed of » fingle piece, divided into five fegments at the rim ; and it remains after the flower. The feeds are four, and naked, having no co- vering but the cup. The flowers grow in thick clufters fijrrounding the flialk; and the whole plant has a piercing fmell. ^ Linnajus places this among the didymmia gymmfpermia ; tlie threads in the flower being two lon<»er and two fliorier, and the feeds having no capfule, but remaining naked in the cup. Bu" he joins' it with mint, denying it to be a feparate genus. The diftinftion is indeed minute ; but it is certain and unavoidable : and it is ufeful. Pennyroyal has always been called by a diftinft name : it has great virtues, which are recorded of it under its proper and diftinft title in the antient authors, and which are not thofe of mint. It is fit therefore that we retain the name, and prefcrve the genus as diftindl i there being foundation for it alfo in the charafters of the flower. DIVISION I. BR 1. Common Perlnyroyal. Pulegium vulgare< The root is fibrous and creeping. The ftalks are numerous, weak, and of a pale green ; fome lie upon the ground, others rife ir- regularly up ; and they are very much branched : they are fquare ; but the angles are fo much obli- terated in many parts, that they appear round. The leaves fl-and two at a joint ; and they are fmall, of an oval figure, and of a pleafant green : they are rounded at the end, and a little indented at the edges. The flowers are fmall, and of a pale red ; but they grow fo thick together, that they are con- fpicuous upon the plant : they furround the ftalk at the joints, where the leaves grow in great circles. The feeds are inconfiderable and brown. It is common wild in damp ground, and is 6 ITISH SPECIES. brought thence into gardens. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Pulegium latifolium. Others, Pulegium vulgare, It is a plant of a very great and very well known virtue. It is excellent againft obftructions of the menfes; and may be taken for that purpofc in the diftilled water, in form of the juice prefled fre.'h from the plant, or in infufion. It is alfo ufeful in all obftruftions of the vif- cera, and againft cholicks and ficknefles of the ftomach. A conferve of the tops of pennyroyal a£ts as a diuretick, and has done great fervice in the gravel. It is alfo good in jaundice. Mr. Boyle has left an account of its virtues againft the chincough : this is worth trying. The method of giving it is in the exprefled juice, fivectened with fugar-candy, a fpoonful for a dofe. D I V I- The BRITISH HERBAL. 355 FOREIGN SPECIES. DIVISION II. I. Narrow-leaved Pennyroyal. Pulegium angufii folium. The root is compofed of numerous fibres, long, flender» crooked, and whitiHi. The ftalk is firm, upright, not much branched, and a foot high. Tlie leaves are placed in pairs ; but they have ufually tLifcs of young ones in their bofoms : they are longifla, narrow, of a pale green, a little in- dented, and lliarp-pointed. The flowers grow in clufters at the joints; and they are fniall, and of a very faint bluilh, ofttn white. The feeds are fmall and blackifh. It is a native of the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Puhglum angufii folium. Others, Piikgium cervinum. Harts pennyroyal. Its virtues are the fame with the others. G E N U S IV. WATER HOARHOUND. L r C O P V S. THE flower is made of a fingle petal which is tubular at the bottom, and divided into four parts at the edge, which form a kind of lips : the upper one confifls of a fingle fegment, which is broader than the others, and nipped at the end ; the other three fegments form the lower lip ; and of thefe the middle one is fmalier than the reft. The tubular part of the flower is of the fame length with the cup ; which is alfo formed of a fingle piece ; but it is divided into five fegments at the rim, which are narrow and lharp-pointed. The feeds are four ; and they ftand naked in the cup. Linnsus feparates this and feme others from the reft of the verticillate plants. They ftand among his didynamia ; this is one of his diandria monogynia ; the threads in the flower being only two, and the ftylefrom the rudiment of the fruit fingle. It is certain, that there are, as this author oblcrves, only two threads or filaments in the flower of lycopus^ and there are four in that of pennyroyal. But this is a flight mark of dilHndlion. The form and itrufture of the flower and of its cup, and the difpo- ficion of its feeds, agree with thofe of the other. This is a plain, familiar inftance of that author's unnatural arrangement of plants : thefe are both in every one's way to examine ; and from thefe I ap- peal to thofe who yet are inclined to own his fyftem, whether ■pennyroyal and water hoarhound do not evidently belong to the fame clafs, though he has feparated them into two very remote ones In his works. Every clafs affords many like inftances. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Water Hoarhound. Lycopus vulgaris. The root is compofed of a multitude of long, white fibres, joined to a fmall head. The flalk is fquare, firm, upright, hollow, and two feet high : it is of a pale green, and is rarely branched. The leaves are placed in pairs ; and they have fhort footftalks : they are large, broad, oblong, and pointed at the ends : they are very fiiarply ferrated at the edges, and finuated deeply near the bafe ; and their colour is a flrong and lively green. The flowers are fmall and white : tiiey fland in chiflers round the ftalks at the joints, where the leaves fife. The feeds are fmall and brown. It is common by ditch-fides, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it MarruHmn pahijtre giahrum. Others, Marrubium aqmticim. It is deftitute of tafte and fmell, and, fo far as we know, of virtue. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Narrow-leaved Virginian Lycopus. Lycopus Joins tenukis ferratis. The root is fibrous and fpreading. The llalks are numerous, fquare, upright, not much branched, and a foot or more in height. The leaves are placed in pairs, and are of a faint green : they are broad at the bafe, narrower to the point, and very elegantly ferrated at the edges. The flowers are finall and whitilh : the feeds are oblong and brown. It is frequent in the wet grounds in North America, and flowers in June. Gronovius calls it Lycopus foliis hnceolaiis u- mujjlms jerrciSis, GENUS 6 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS V. VERVAIN. F E R B E N A, THE flower is formed of a fingle petal : it is tubular at the lower part, and toward the upper ia bent or crooiied •, from this part it fpreads into a liind of gaping mouth ; and is divided into five ferments, which form two irregular lips. The fevcral fegments are fliort, roundcdj and nearly eq°ual in length ; and there is lefs of the labiated form than in moft others of this clafs. The cup is tubular andlngulated : it is formed of a fingle piece, divided into five fegments at the rim ; and one of thefe is Ihortcr th.m the reft. The feeds ftand naked in the cup -, and they are oblong and brown. Linnaus places this among the diandrh mmgynia; the threads in the flower be.ng two, and the flyle fingle. , . „ ^ , By this arrange.nent he joins it in the fame clafs with the lycopus, and leparates it far from the Other verticillate plants. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Vervain. Verhena vulgaris. The root is compofed of many thick, fhort fibres, conne6ted to a fmall oblong head. The italic is firm, upright, and very tough : its colour is a brownifii green, often red towards the bafe \ and it is edged and angiilated. The leaver ftand in pairs : they are oblong, moderately broad, and deeply finuated and in- dented : the indentings are rounded, and the end of the leaf is obtufe. The flowers are fmall, and of a pale, faint co- lour, white, with a tinge of blLiifli or purpiifh and they fl:and in long, {lender fpikcs at the tops of the ftalks and branches. The feeds are oblong, fmall, and brown. It is common by path-ways, and flowers ii) June. C. Bauhine calls it Verhena communis carulea flare. Others, Verbena vulgaris, and Herba fcicra. It is a plant of great virtue, though under a ge- neral negleft : it is good againfl; difordcrs of the nerves ; and is fuperior to mofl; things in the cure of inveterate headachs. For this purpofe the tops fliould be dried and powdered, and taken for a confiderable time, twenty grains as a dole. The juice boiled to a fyrup with honey is ex- cellent againfl coughs. The infufion, in manner of tea, is good againfl: obflru6tions of the vifcera, and particularly of the fpleen. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. 1. Fine-leaved Vervain. Verhena tcnuifolia. The root is fibrous. The flalks are numerous, weak, and in great part procumbent : they are of a pale green, and angulated. The leaves are placed in pairs ; and they are oblong, moderately broad, and very beauti- fully divided : they are firfl cut in a pinnated manner ; and thcfc fegments are again divided pretty deeply. Their colgur is a brovvnifh green. The flowers are fmall, and placed in fingle, long, and very flendcr fpikes. It is a native of Spain, and other warm parts of Europe. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Verbena tcnuifolia ; a name copied by moft others. This plant is an inftance of the extreme folly of placing the verticiilate plants in diftincl clafl^es from the flight diflerences in the filaments of the flower. Linnisus feparates vervain from the reft oF them, becaufe it has only two threads in the flower i whereas they have in general fiaur ; but this Ipe- cies of vervain has four threads. That author calls it Verbena tetrandra ; a contradidion in the moft exprefs words to his claflical charafter wherein vervain fliands, that being diandria. 2. Great-flowered American Vervain. Verbena flore violaceo majore. The root is long, whitifh, and full of fibres: The ftalk is firm, upright, and of a pale green toward the top, and at the bottom purplifli. The leaves are of an oval lhape, dented at the edges, and of a fine bright green. The flowers are very numerous and beau- tiful : they terminate the ftalks in long fpikes, with leaves among them i and they are of the fhape of cowflips, but of the colour of the violet, a fine deep blue purple. The feeds are long and flender. It is frequent in many parts of North Ame- rica, and flowers in July. Pkikenet c:ills it Verbena orubica temiifoUa, GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. 35?. GENUS VI. WILD MARJORAM. ORIGANUM. THE flower is formed of a fingle petal : it is tubular, and compreffcd at the bottom, and at the opening is divided into two lips : the upper lip is undivided, plain, and lightly finuated at the end • the lower lip is fplit into three parts, nearly equal in bignefs. Numbers of the flowers are placed together in a kind of fcaly head, ferving as a general cup. The feeds are naked, and four follow every flower. , . , n u ■ r u j f Linnsus places this among the didynmnm gymmfpmma ; the flower having four threads, two of which arc longer than the others, and the feeds Handing naked .n the cup. He joins lumc other plants with it°which we have treated diftinaiy in their places, rcferving the proper origamms to this. DIVISION I. BR I. Common Wild Marjoram. Origciinm vitlgare. The root is compofed of a great many long, nender, naked fibres. The fl;alk is firm, upright, and of a very re- gular growth : it is not branched ; but toward the top fends out fome Ihoots in a handfome manner to fuftain the flowers : it is ufually of a brownifli golour. The leaves arc placed in pairs, and have very Ihort footftalks : they are fhort, broad, nearly of an oval figure, undivided at the edges, and of a brownifli green. The flowers are fmall, and of a pale red : they grow in tufts and clufl:ers from certain leafy heads ; and they alfo are purplifli. The feeds are fmall and brown. It is common in dry, hilly paffures, and by road-fides in luch fituations. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Origaumn fyl-vrftre cimila iuhiila Plinii. Others, Majaram fyheftris, and Origanum vulgare. It is an excellent medicine in nervous cafes : it is warm, cordial, and aromatick. The leaves and tops, dried and powdered, are good againft DIVISION II. Long-fpikcd Origanum. O-ri^iinum capiluUs tongiorihits. The root is fibrous, and brown. The fl:alk is firm, upright, fquare, and a foot and half high. The leaves are oblong, and of a dun calls it Slacbys r-wjor GcnitaiJicc;, Others, Siachys Fiichfii. GENUS XIII. W I L D B A S I L. A C I N 0 S. 'TpHE flower is formed of a fingle petal, and is labiated. The tubular part is of the length of the cup, and the mouth is fmall. The upper lip is fmall, obtufe, nipped at the end, and placed ereifl : the lower lip is longer, and is divided into three fegments ; the middle one of which is the largeft, and is nipped at the end. The cup is tubular at the bafe, and divided into two lips at the rim. The feeds are fmall and roundifh, and four of them follow each flower. LiniifEus arranges this among the didynamia gymnoffermia ; the flower having two longer and two Ihorter threads, and the ft:eds being naked. He takes away the received name ac.nos^ and joins it with thyme ; but it is truly diftinft, not only in the g^-neral form and afpeft of the plant, whence the earlier writers were induced to give it a fe- parate name, but even in the ftrudture of the flower ; the middle fegment of the lower lip being larger and rounder in acinos than in thyme^ and being always nipped or emarginated in this - whereas in thyme it is entire. Oui- Englifli name is an ill-conflruded one. 1 have preferved it, becaufe generally received; but it is better to ufe the other, ncims. Wild Bafil. Acinos foliis oblongis ikntalis. The root is long, flender, white, and furnifhed with a few fibres. The flalks are numerous and weak : they lie in part upon the ground, and frequently fend out fibres, and root as they trail : they are fquarc, flender, and redifli and they arc lightly hairy. The leaves are fmall, oblong, hairy, and in- dented : they Hand in pairs j and they have no footflalks. The flowers are fmall, but they are not with- out their beauty : they ftand in little clufters in the bofoms of the leaves \ and they are red ; but they have a white fpot in the middle of the under lip, The feeds are very fmall and black. It is common in our weflern counties, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls ic Clinofodiim arvenfe ocymi facie. Others, Acinos. J. Bauhine, Acinos multis. It is an excellent medicine in nervous cafes. A tea of it is not unpleafant, and will take great efled. GENUS XIV. S E L F H E A L; PRUNELLA. T>HE flower is compofed of a fingle petal, and is labiated. Tlie tubular part, at the bottom, is flioit, and the opening is oblong. The upper Kp is entire, and ftands ere6t : the under lip is turned backwards, and is divided into three fegments ; the middle one of which is broader than the others, and is nipped at the end, and ferrated. The cup is formed of a fingle piece, and is in the fame manner divided into two Hps ; and the feeds are four after each flower, and fl:and in the cup: Linnrcus places this among the didynamia gymnofpcrmia ; the flower having four threads, of which two are longer than the others, and the feeds fl:anding naked. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Selfheal. Prunella vulgaris. The root is compofed of many fibres, con- nected to a fmall head. The firft leaves are numerous ; and they are placed on flender footflalks : they are fliort, broad, obtufe, and fometimes a little waved at the edges. The fl:a!ks are fquare, brownifh, and eight 2 inches ^1 The B R I r I S FI PI E R B A L. 363 ir.rlies high : ihi-y are not much branched ; and ufu.illy they lie in part upon the ground. The leaves on thtii arc placed in pairs at dil. tances : they have fiender footftalks : they are ol the lame form with thofe -horn the root ; and their colour is a lively green. The flowers ftand in a kind of fliort, tliick fpikts at the tops of the (talks and branches ; and they are fmail and ufually blue, fometimes purplifli.' fomc'™''* ""^^ '"'^ fometimes white. I he feeds are iniall and blackifli, It is common by way fides, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Prnnella major folio non dif- feSio. Others, I'lundUi, and trundla vulgaris. It is a^glutinant and aftrlngent. While wound- herbs were in elleem, this was one of the princi- pal. A decoflion of the whole plant is cooling and aftringent, and is a good n-^edicine in the piles. The juice cures inflammations ia the mouth. IVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Jagged Prunella. Pimella foliis laciniatis. The root is long, and tolerably thick, and has m.any crooked fibres annexed to it. The leaves are numerous, and fupported on long footftalks : they ate of a pale green ; and they are deeply divided in two or more places down to the nb ; fo that they refcmble m fome degree a ftag's horn. The {lalks are fquare, tolerably firm, upright, and a foot or more in height. The leaves on thefe ftand in pairs at diftances : the moft ufual number is only two pairs on each ftalk, difpofed as in the befotiy, one pair at a fmall diftaiice trom the ground, the other near the top : thefe rdcmble thofe from the root s but they are lefs. The flowers ftand in a fmall tuft at tiie top of the ftahi, and are moderately large : they are fometimes of a pale red, but n ore ufually white* The feeds are large a-id blackifli. It is frequent in pafl:ure-grounds in the warmer parts of Europe. It flowers in June. C. Batiliine calls it Prunella folio ladmato ; a name others have copied. GENUS XV. H O R E H O U N D. M A R R U B I U M. rpHE flower is formed of a fingle petal, and is of the labiatcd kind. The tubular part, at the bafe is very n-.ort- and the o^-ening at the mouth is long, and gaping. The upperTip is fmall and li<>htly divided at the tip ; and it (lands upright : the lower lip is broader, and is divided into three fe^ticnts ; of which the middle one is largeft ; and this turns back, The cup is tubular, and fpreads'at the mouth: there are ten indentings at the edge, alternately larger and fmaller. Four oblon.^ feeds follow every flower ; and they are placed naked in the cup. Linn:t:us°places this among the didynanm gymnofpermia ; the flower having four thread?, two of which are longer than the others, and the feeds being naked. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. White Horehound. Mcrruihtm album imlgarc. The root is compofed of a vaft many long, crooked, and entangled fibres, joined to a fmall head. ^ The (talks are numerous, upright, fquare, or a whitifh colour, and a foot and half high. The leaves are placed in pairs ; and they are rouiidifli, indented a little at the edges, of a firm fubftancc, a' d of a whitifli colour. Tne flowers ftand in thick clufters round the (lalks at every joint where the leaves grow : they are fmall and white, and the cups in which they ftand have a kind of hooked briftles, at the tops of their fevcral indentings. When fl:ridlly examined, thofe flowers are found to grow from the bofoms of the leaves, though they join round the ftalk. The whole plant has a very ftrong fmell. It is found in dry pafturcb, and by road-fides in many parts of the kingdon, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Marrubium album vulgare. Others only Alarrubium album. It is celebrated againft diforders of the brciH. The beft way of giving it is in form of a fyrup made of the juice prelTed kom the leaves and tops, with honey. This is a form as old as Dio- fcorides ; and the common method ot boiling up a decoftion of an herb with fugar, is not com- parable to it on fuch occafions. This fyrup of horehound is excellent againft coughs, and forenefs of the breafl. The leaves reduced to powder are faid to de- ftroy worms in the intcftines 1 but for this wc have not the fame authority. D I V I- 3^4 DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Spanilh Horehound. Meirriihium dl/um calycihus patsntibus. The root is long, thick, and furnifhed with many fibres. The fta!l<: is fqiiare, upright, and two feet high, very little branched, and of a whitifli colour. The leaves ftand in pairs, and are of a whicifh colour, and thick fubftance ; they are roundifh, and very lightly indented. The flowers grow in the bofoms of all the upper leaves, and furround the llalks : tliey ar- fmall and white. The cups are very wide at the mouth, and the prickles upon them are ftrait ; not hooked, as in the commcn horehound. It is not uncommon in Spain and Italy, and flowers in June. Boccone calls it Marnihiiim fuhrotundo fclio. GENUS XVI. M O 'I' H E R W O R T. C A R D I /I C A. 'T'^HE Rower is formed of a fingle petal, and is labiated. Tlie tubular part is flender ; the upper lip is long, and of an arched form, and rounded at the end ; the lower lip is turned back, and is divided into three equal, or nearly equal fegraents. The cup is oblong, tubular, angulatcd, and formed of a fmgle leaf The feeds are four, and they ftand naked in the cup. Linnasus places this among the i)dynamia gprniiffcrmm, as the preceding it to be a dillinft name. but he does not allow oenus. He joins it with the konurv.s^ and takes away its received and anticnc Motherwort. Ciirdiac.i. The root is compofed of a multitude of thick, brown fibres. The Hrfl leaves are placed on long footflalks ; and they are large, broad, and (hort : they have ihrec principal divifions, and their colour is a dark green. The ftalk is fquare, hollow, upright, branched, and a yarH high. The leaves on this are placed in pairs ; and they are oblong, indented at the edges, and lliarp"! ointed. The flowers are fmall, and have a pur, liHi tinge : they grow in thick tufts at the joints. The fecds'are brown, and rounded on one fide. It is common in waff e places, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Marruhium cardiaca dO^um. Linn^us, heaiihvus foliis cnulinis trUsbiS lan- ceolalis. It is a good medicine in hyfterick cafes. It promotes the menfes, and is very ufcful againlf fits. The bell way of giving it is in lorm of a conferve, made of the frefli tops. It may be alfo taken in way of tea; but that way it is unplea- fant. GENUS XVII. TUFTED BASIL. C L I N 0 P O D ] U M. THE flower is formed of a fingle petal, and is of the labiated kind. The tubular part is (liort, and it fpieads out into a mouth : the upper lip ftands ereilifj and is hollowed, obtufe at the end, and nipped in the middle : the lower lip is divided into three fcgments ; and of thefe the middle one is larf^eft. The cup of each flower is tubular, a little crooked, and divided into two lips: bur, befide thefe, there is a kind of general cup or covering to the whole clufter of flowers growing to- gether ; and this is formed of a vail multitude of hairs. The feeds are four alter every flower; and they fl:and naked in the cup. Linnaius places this among the iidjnamia fymnofpmnia ; the flower having two longer and two fliorter threads, and the feeds Handing naked. Our Englifli name is a very imperfeft one; for which reafun it is more proper to ufe the Latin, chwpodium. Great Wild Bafil. Clinopodium t^ajus. The root is fibrous, and runs a great way un- der the furface. The firft leaves are placed on flendcr foot- flalks ; and they are roundifll, obtufe, hairy, and of a pale green. The flalks are fquare and weak : they are a foot or more in length, but fctcc able to fupport themfelves ; they are not much branched -, and their colour is a pale green. The leaves are placed in pairs on the ftalk ; and they are fliort, broad, obtufe, and a little indented. The flowers are of a pale red. It is common under hedges, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Cliiicpodium origmo find'- Others, Acinos. Its virtues are not known. GENU S The BRITISH HERBAL. 305 GENUS XVIIi. D E A D N E T T L E. L A M lU M, THE flower is labiated, and is formed of a finc^le petal. The tubular parr ar the bafe is Ver/ (hort : th: opening of the mouth is wide, and is formed into two lips and a paUt?. The up- per lip is of an arched form, and undivided, and turns in a kind of arch : the lower lip is ihorter, and nipped at the end and ic turns back. The palate is inflated, mmprefTed, and terminated each way by a little jagg. The cup is tubular, and it is terminated by Hve briftles. The feeds are four after every flower and they are naked in the cup. Linn^us places this among the didynamia gymncfpimia % the flower having two threads longer than the other two, and feeds remaining naked in the cup without any capfule or particular covering. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. White Deadnettle. I- Lamium album vtdgare. The root is fibrous and creeping. The Halk is fquare, hollow, upright, not branched, aud a foot and half high. The leaves are placed in pairs ; and they are of a fine brigh"- green : they are oblong, broad, Iharp-pointed, and (h.irply ferrated. 1 he flowt-rs Hand in the bofonis of the leaves ; and they are large and white, a little hairy, and diftipguilhedvery prettily by th-' black -^ges ul the buttons on thr fiLments, wliich in f< me man- ner mark the aiichmetical figure 8. The feeds are four after every flower ; and th y are blackilh. Thr whole plant has a lingular, but rot difagrceablt fmJl. It is common under Iiedg'-s, and in all culti- vatea ground. It ^'owcrs in June. C. bauhine calls it Lamim album non faUm folio oblongo. Others only Lamum album. Our common people call it Deadnettle, and Jivcb- avgel. The whole herb is fubafl:ringent. The roots, dried and powdered, are good in fluxes j but the principal virtue is in the flowers : thefe are at once fubaftringent and balfamick. A conferve made of them with fugar is excellent againft the fluor albiis. It is a fannily-medicine, but. very well defervcs to be received in the (hops. I have known great cures performed in this troublefome and f'bflinate complaint by this conferve, and a decoction of comfry root. 2. Red Deadnettle. Lanmtm vulgare ruirum. The root is a little tuft of fibres. The firft leaves are fmall, roundifli, and in- dented : they ftand on (lender redifh footfl:aIks ; and are of a dufky green. The fl;alks are fquare and hollow : they are a foot long, but they do not fl;and upright : they lean and trail in the lower part upon the ground : they have ufually a few leaves about the bottom, like thofe from the root; and about two pairs of others, placed at diflrances, one pair near the bottom, the other near the top. At the fuin- mit there are two or three other pairs, among which rife the flowers. Thefe are fmail and red. N° 26. The feeds arc brown. It is common about gardens^ afid wherever ground has been dug. It flowers from Ap'il to October. C. Bauhine calls it L amium purpureum fat dum folio fubrotundo. Others only Lam-tmn rubnm. 3, Red Deadnettle with divided leaves^ Lam'um rubrilm fohis diffeSJi:. The root is fibrous and brown. 1 he firft kaves are pi iCed on flender foot" fl:alks ; and they arc broad, fhort and deeply di-' vided by about five irre}j:uiar indenting^:. Thr ftalk ii of a pale grctn, and not very firm, ten inches high, and hollow. The leaves are placea in pairs on (hort foot- ftalks ; and they are broad, fhort, aiid deeply di- vided. The flowers ftand in the bofoms of the leaves} and they are fmall and red. The feeds are brown. It is not uncommon on plowed land, and ic flowers in May Ray calls it Lamium ruhrum minus foliis pro- funde mcifis, 4. Great Henbit: LamlUiri folio caukm amhiente. The root is fmall and fibrous. The' firfl: leaves are fupported on flender foot- flalks ■, and they arc broad, fhor", and waved at the edges : frequently alfo there rife a kind of fuckers from the root, each fupporting fix or eight of thefe leaves. The ftalks are numerous, fquare, hollow, and about five inches in length : they are not much branched, and they trail upon the ground. The leaves on thefe are unlike thofe from the root : two naturally grow at a joint ; but they unite, and form a kind of fingle roundifh leaf, through which the ftalk runs in a perfoliate manner. The flowers are fmall, and of a pale red : they ftand in the bofoms of the leaves. The feeds are oblong and brown. It is common on ground that has been plowed or dug It flowers in July, C. Bauhine calls it Lamium folio caidcm ambientet Authors fpeak of a lefler fpecies i but it is only a variety. 5 A 5. YeKow 366 The BRITISH HERBAL. 5. Yellow Deadnetcle. Lamium fiars ftavo. This is a plant of regular growth, and of great beauty. The root creeps under the fuiface, and has many long, thick fihres. The ftalks are fquare, light, hollow, and a foot or more in height ; they fcldom grow per- fectly erect, but trail or Hoop a little. The leaves ftand in pairs ; and are oblong, moderately broad, elegantly ierrated, and of a fine green. The flowers are large, and of a beautiful yel- low : they rife in conliderable number in the bo- foms ot the leaves. The feeds are oblong and brown. It is frequent in the dry ditches which furround woods, and elfewhere among bufhes. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Lamiuw folio ohloytgo htteiim. Others, Lamuim Jin'vo florc. 6. flemp-Deadiiettle. IJrtka joliis aiigujlis fcrnilis. The root is creeping and fibrous. 'J'hc n-alk is fquare, hollow, light, and a foot or more in length. Its colour is brown ; and it is covered with a kind of bridles. The leaves ftand two at a joint ; and they have llender footftalks : they are oblong, nar- row, fharp-pointed, and (harply ferrated ; and they have on the under Tide very large ribs : they have been fuppofcd from this and from their colour, which is a duiky green, to rcfemble the fingle leaves of hemp. The flowers are large and gaping : they are of a bright red ; and they are placed in tubular cups, terminated by a kind of prickles : they fliand in tufts at the tops of the ftalks and branches. The feeds are large and blackilh. It is common about corn-fields, and on ground that has been dug. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Uriica acukata foliis ferralis. Others, Cannabis [puri'a '. 7. Narrow- leaved Yellow Deadnettle. Lamium lulemn foliis angufiioriius ferralis. The root is creeping, white, and hung with many fibres. The ftalks are flender, fquare, and al'Out a foot high : they are rarely branched ; and their colour is a dark green or brown. The leaves are placed in pairs, and have flen- der footftalks : they are long, and very narrow, deeply feri'ated, and of a faint green. The flowers grow all the way up in the bofoms of the leaves ; and they are large, and of a pale yellow. The feeds are fmall and brown. We have it in woods in Sufl'ex.. It flowers in September. Kay calls it Lamium hittum foliis angujlijfmis. S. Great-flowered Hemp-Deadnettle. Lamium camiahino folio flore ma^no. ■ The root is long and flender, and has manv fibres. ^ The ftalk is weak, fquare, branched, and two feet in length. The leaves are broad and oblong : thcv arc deeply jagged, fliarp-pointed, and of a 'very bright green. The flowers ftand about the tops of the branches in cluftcrs growing in the bofoms of the leaves: they are very large, and of a fnowy white. The feeds are large and blackifli. We have it about the edges of forefts. It flowers in July. Ray calls it Cannabis fpuria flore alio magno eli- ganli. CI. Hemp-Deadnettle with variegated flowers. Lamium folio mmiaiino floribus 'jariegatis. The root is compofed of numerous, lonn-, and flender fibres. °' The ftalk is fquare, firm, hairy, and two feet and a half in height. The -leaves ftand in pairs; and they are lont', narrow, of a dark green, and lharply fcrralcd."' The flowers are placed in a kind of fpikes at the tops of the ftalks, and bcautiluliy varif .^atcd with white, red, and yellow. ° It is common in the northern counties, and flowers in July. Ray calls it Lamhim camiabino folio flore amflo luleo labia purpureo. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Indian Deadnetcle. Lamium foliis dijfeflis orientals. The root is compofed of numerous, long, brown fibres, v.ery tough, and of a difagreeable fmell. The ftalk is upright, fquare, and of a brownifli colour. The leaves are placed in pairs at diftances ; and they are very beautiful. Their colour is a fine green ; and they are deeply divided at the edges. The flowers ftand in clufters in the bofoms of the upper leaves ; and are large and beautiful. The feeds are large and purplkfti. It is a native of the Eaft Indies, and of the Greek iflands, and flowers in Auguft. Tournefort calls it Lamium criintale foliis ek- ganler laeiniatis. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. 367 GENUS XIX. BASTARD BAUM. MELISSOPHTLLUM. THE (lower is labiated, and is formed of a fingle petal. The tubular pare is long and (lender : the upper lip is large, rounded, and placed upright : the lower lip is broad and obtufe. The cup is hollowed, and large, and at the top is divided into two lips. The feeds are four aiter every flower; and they Hand naked. I.inniEus places this among the didynamia gymnofpermia ; the flower having two longer and two fhorter threads, and the feeds ftanding naked in the cup. This author allows it to be a diftinft ge- nus ; but he alters the received name, writing it melittis. There is but one known fpecics of this genus ; and that is common to Britain, and all the nor- thern parts of Hurope. Baftard Baum. Meli[fophyllufn. The root is compofed of numerous, thick fibres, of an acrid andbitterifh tafle. The ttalk is fquare, upright, firm, and a foot and half high : it is of a dulky green colour, and full of pith. The leaves are confiderably large, broad, ob- long, of a dufky green colour, and of a rough furface: they are placed in pairs, and have flen- der footftalks. The flowers rife in the bofoms of the leaves ; and they are large and purple. The feeds are uneven, large, and brown. It is common in the woods of Devonfhire, and fome other of the adjoining counties, and flowers in Augufl:. C, Bauhir.e caUs it Lamium montanum melijf^ folio. Others, Meiijfay and MeliJfophyUum. It is faid to be a cephalick i not well eftabliflied. but its virtues are E N U S XX. A L L H E A L. SID R I T I S. THE flower Is labiated, and is formed of a fingle petal. The tubular part is very fhort : the upper lip is rounded and turned, and is a little nicked at the edge j the lower lip.is divided into ■ three unequal fegments. - The cup is tubular, formed of a fingle piece, and terminated by five points. The feeds arc four after every flower ; and they fland naked. Linnipus places this among the didynamia gymnofpermia \ the flower having two threads longer than the others, and the feeds ftanding naked. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. X. Broad-ieavcd Little Allheal. Siderilis fimila folio laticre. The root is long, flender, white, andfurnifhed with a few fibres. The firfl leaves are placed on (lender footfl:alks : they are oblong, broad, and indented at the edges : their colour is a pale green, and they have a faint fmell. The ftalks are fquare, weak, and branched : they are fix or eight inches long.; and they fometimes ftand ereift, fometimes lie upon the ground. The leaves on tliem are fet in pairs ; and they are oblong, broad, ferrated, and of a pale green. The flowers fiand in the bofoms of the leaves, and are fmall ; their colour is a pale red ; but they are fpotced on the infide with purple. The feeds are brown. It is common in our corn-fields, and flovrers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Sidcritis alfines triffcpni^ ^ f olio. 2. Clown's Allheal. Sideritis fa^tida Jlrumofa radice. The root is compofed of numerous, irregular, . tuberous pieces, connefted by browri, thick fibres. The ftalk is upright, hairy, of a pale green, fquare, not mych branched, and two feet higli. The leaves ftand in pairs : they are oblong, narrow, ferrated at the edges, hairy, and of a pale green. The flowers a're very numerous : they ftand in feparate clufters round tlie upper part of the ftalk, and together form a kind of fpike: they are purple ; but the lower lip is fpotted with white. The feeds are angulated, fmall, and blackifh. It is common in damp places, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Stachys palufiris fxtida. The common writers, Siderltis Anglica flritmofa radice. 7 The 1 ! . . \\ III'. ■! ■■Mir 368 The B E. I T I S H HERBAL. The frefh leaves bruifcd are very eminent as a vuintrary : they ftop the bleeding ol a trefh wound, and without any other appHcat.on heal it. 3. Broad-leaved yellow Allheal. Siderins lat foLa Jlore jiavo. The ront is compofrd of fmall whife fibres. The firft leaves are fLip^;orced on flender foot- ftalks ; and they are fliort, broad a little in- dented ar the edges, and of a diifky gret-n. The fl:dlk is fquare, ho low, of- a faint green, and about a toot high. The leaves ftand in pairs on it ; and they are oblong and broad : their colour is a bright green, and they are indented at the edges. The flowers rife in tufts in the ^ofoms of c1k_ leaves ; and they are moderately Lirge and yel- low. The freds are oblong, cornered, and brown. Ic is not uncommon in our nordiern countiei^ in cultivated land. It flowers in Jul . Kay calls itSiderilis ari-enfi}, latijolia hirjuta li.tca. 4. Narrow-leaved red Ailheal. Sideritis angufiifoha jlore ruhente. The root is long, flender, and furnifhed with many fibres. The firll leaves are numerous : they are ob- long, na row, of a brownifli green, ai.d indented at the edgi's : thefe quickly wither. The ilalk is fquare, of a purplifli colour, and a foot high. The leaves fland in pairs ; and they are nar- row, oblung, of a deep green, and ferrated. The flo-.vers a -e fm.i!) and red ; they are placed in tufts aho.,t tlx tops ot the Haiks ; and each is variegated with two white fpots on the lower lip. 'I'hc feds are fmall and brown. It is common in corn fields, and Bowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Sideritis arveiifs anguJU'olia yubra. Others, Lada,:tim Jcgeium^ All ihefe are fuppofed to be excellent againft fiefli wounds. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES, Canary Allheal. Zider lis lali^ alia Otncrtenfis, The root is Ion2:, thick, and brown ; and it is hung with many bies. The firfl: leaves are j'laced on long, flender, redilh footftal^vs; and they are oblong, broad, and of a pale green, obtufe at the end, a little crenated at the edges, and dcaced tor the ftalk at the bafe. The ftalk is flirubby, firm, upright, and not much branched. The leaves on it are placed in pairs ; and they have long flender footflalks : they refemible thofb rom the ruuc, but they are fmaller ; and they are o! a whitifli colour, and foft to the touch. The flowers ftand in tuf s in rhe bofoms of the upper leaves i and they are fmall and white. The feeds are brown. It is a native of the Canaries, and flowers in July. Commelin calls it Stachys Canayicvfis juUjcens verbafci [do. It is efteemed an aflringent and vulnerary. GENUS xxr,' C A L A M I N T, CALylMlNTHA. 'TPHE flower is labiatcd, and is formed of a Angle petal. The tubular part at the bafe is cyiindrick and even. Xhe upper lip is divided at the extremiuy into three points : the lower lip is divided into three fegmcnts v and of thefe the middle one is largeft, and is heart-fafliioned. The cup is. hol- low, tubular, and formed alfo into two lips. Four feeds follow every flower ; and they fland naked in the cup. The whole plant is of a Itrong, and not agreeable fmell, and of an acrid tafle. Linn;¥us places it ?mong the didynamia gymnofperwia ; the threads in the flower being two longer and two fliorter, and the feeds having no covering but the cup. He does not allow calamint to be a diftind: genus, but makes the feverai kinds of ic fpecies of baum or melijj'a. • 11 ;*i ; ■■ I. Common Calamint. Calamin(ha vulgaris- The root is compofed of numerous, brown fibres. The ftalks are woody, and a foot or more in height, very much branched, and of a whitiih colour. The leaves are placed in pairs ; and they arc roundifli, a little waved, or irregularly notched at the edges, and of a brownifli green. . The flowefs are moderately large, and of a bkiifii white ; they fland in clufters in the bo- foms of the upper leaves, 2 in incieeasare 1 man ana brown. It is common by way-fides, and flowers in C. Bauhine calls it Cnlamhuba vulgaris vel offi- cinarum Germani<£. Others, Calamintba major. 2. Smaller Calamint. Calamintba od.re fulegii. The root is flender, and hung with many fibres. The flalks are branched, and near a foot high : they are firm, hard, upright, and of a whitifli colour. The leaves are very numerous : they are placed The BRITISH HERBAL. in pairs ; and they are fmai), and of an oblong, or fomewhat oval form: they are of a whitilli colour ; and have a ftrong fmeli, between that of the common calam'mt and pennyroyal. The flowers grow from the bofoms of the leaves at the tops of the plant ; and they are fmall and white. The feeds are brown. Ic is common by way-fides with the formef, and flowers in July. C.Bauhine calls it Calamintba pilegii odor e five 3^ Hepela. Others, Calamintha mi-nor. Our people, hield-calamint. Both this and the former are excellent medi- cines in hyfterick complaints : they promote the menfcs ; and are good againft obftrudlions of the vifcera. They may be taken dried and powdered % but the better method is in a ftrong infufion in the manner of tea. A conferve may alfo be made of the tops. GENUS XXIL GROUND-IVYi H E B E R A TERRESTRIS. THE flower is labiated, and is formed of a fingle petal. The tubular part is flender and com- prefied. The upper lip is upright and fimple : it is obtufe at the end, and a little fplit: the lower lip is divided into three fcgments ; and the middle one of thefe is larger than the others, and nipped at the end. The cup is formed of a fingie piece ; and is tubular, and divided into five parts at the rim. The feeds after each flower are four in number, and oval. Linnasus places this among the didynamia gymnofpermia \ tlie flower having two longer and two fhorter threads, and the feeds {landing naked. He takes away the received name from the genus, and calls it glechoitia. I. Common Ground-Ivy. Hedera terrejiris vulgaris. The root is a tuft of long crooked fibres. The ftalks are numerous, weak, hairy, fquare, of a brown colour ; and they trail upon the ground, and take root at the joints. There alfo rife with them a number of fmall, running fhoocs, which root at their ends ; and the plant is thus propagated in abundance. The leaves are placed in pairs ; and they have flender footftalks ; where they firft flioot they are redifh, afterwards of a dufky green, and hairy : they are of a roundifh figure, crenated at the edges, and fomewhat pointed. The flowers are moderately large and blue : they rife from the bofoms of the leaves : they are followed each by four fmall oval feeds. The plant is common on ditch-banks, and flowers in April. That is the time where it has its full virtue. C. Bauhine calls it Hedera terrejiris vulgaris. Others, Calamintha humili or folio rotundiore. It is an excellent peroral and deobftruent. A fonferve of the frefli-garhcred tops with fugar is ^ood againft coughs. A fyrup made of the juice with honey is ufeful in afthmas. The juice prefled with whire wine is alfo f^-rviceable in the jaundice; and an infufion taken in large doles operates powerfully and fafely by urine, bringing away gravel, and cleanfing the ureters. The juice fnuffed up the nofe is celebrated againfl: the headach. Malt-liquor In which this herb is put, is called ^;7/-(7/f, from ^;7/, an Ent^- lilh name of the plant. It has fome virtue from it, but is not comparable to the other forms. 2. Purple-flowered Ground-Ivy. Hedera terrejiris moiitana fiore purpiirafccntc. The root is compofed of innumerable brown, flender, crooked fibres. The fl:alks are numerous, thick, but weak, of a purplifli colour, and procumbent. The leaves have long footftalks : they are placed in pairs ; and they are large, roundifli, dented, of a pale green, and very hairy. The flowers fl:and in the boibms of the leaves j and they are large and purple. It is not uncommon in woods in our northern counties, and elfewhere. It flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls \t Hedera terrejiris montana; a name mofl others have copied. Some have thought it only a variety of the common kind ; but it appears to be a diftinft fpecies by fowing. GENUS XXIII. STINKING HOAR HOUND. B ^1 L L 0 T E. THE Bower is labiated : it is formed of a fingle petal. The tubular part is cylindrick, and of the length of the cup. The upper lip is hollow, undivided, but dented at the tip, and ob- tufe : the lower hp is obtufe, and is divided into three fegments ; the middle one of which is larger than the others and is nipped at the end. The cup is tubular, and marked with ten ridges, and is NOXXXVII. 5 B divided 37° The BRITISH HERBAL. divided into five points at the edge. Befide this cup to every flower, there is a general involucrutn for each clufter of flowers ; which is compofed of narrow leaves, and divided in halves. Linnsus places this among the didynamia gymnofpermia ; the flower having two longer and two fliorter threads, and the feeds ftanding naked. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Stinking Hoarhound, BciUote fcetida vulgaris. The root is thick, long, and furniflied with many fibres, The flalks are numerous, fquare, and upright: they are light, hollow, and a yard high. The leaves are placed in pairs ; they have flen- der footflalks and they are of a rounded figure, and dark green colour, indented at the edges, foft to the touch, and hairy. The flowers are of a pale purple : they ftand \n ckifters in the bofoms of the leaves furround- ing the flralks. It is common in wade grounds, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Marrubium nigrum fd'tidunt ballote Diofcoridis. Others, Ballote. This is ont of thofe plants which poflefs great and unregarded virtues. It is one of the belt remedies in medicine for hypochondriac and hy- fterick complaints. It may be taken in form of a confer^'e made of the frefh-gathered tops, and in infufion in the manner of tea. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Woolly Ballote. Ballole caule lanato. The root is long, divided, and furnlflied with many fibres. The fta)k is fquare, hollow, and upright; of a whitilh colour, and covered with a woolly matter. The leaves ftand in pairs ; and they are broad, and deeply divided into three or five fegments. The flowers are large and white. It is a native ot Siberia, and flowers in Au- gull. Amman, to v/hom we owe the knowledge of this Angular plant, calls it Ballota foliis GeranU batrachoidis. E N U II, HOODED WILLOW HERB. I D J. THE flower is labiated : It is formed of a fingle petal. The tubular part is very fliort, and turns backward. The opening is long, and flatted alfo. The upper lip is hollow, and divi- ded into three legments. The cup is tubular, and undivided at the mouth, where it has a kind of Tcale that falls over the opening to preferve the feeds. This has the fliape of a head-piece, and ferves as a feed-vefl'el and this alone will abundantly diftinguifh the plant. The feeds are four after every Rower ■, and they fliand naked in the cup, under the flicker of this mofl: Angular covering. Linnaeus places this among the didynamia gymnofpermia there being two longer and two fliorter threads in the flower, and the feeds having no capfule. The plant perfc6lly agrees with the refl: in the character of the clafs, which is, that the feeds lie in the cup without a fced-veffel ; but it does not well anfwer to the term devifed by this author to exprefs it i for they are not naked, though they have no capfule. I. Common Cafllda. Cajfida vulgaris. The root is fmall and creeping : it is jointed at certain diftances, and fends fibres from thofe joints. The flalk is fquare, upright, branched, and about ten inches high. The leaves fl:and in pairsj and have fcarce any footfl:alks : they are oblong, broad at the bafe, narrower all the way to the point, and ferrated at the edges. The flowers are large, and of a fine violet blue : two of them grow together from the bo- foms of the leaves, and they hang drooping. The feeds are fmall and dufky ; and they are covered in the cup with a flielly fubfl:ance, like a head -piece. It is common by the fides of ditches, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Lyfimachia carulea galericu- !ata five gratiola caridea. Others, 1" eriianaria, and Cajfida vulgaris. 2. The Lefl'er Caflida. Caffida iimior fiore purpurafcente. The root creeps under the furface : it is jointed, and fends out fibres from thofe joints. The fl:alk is fquare, upright, branched, and" about fix inches high : it is fliriated, and of a re- difli colour. The leaves fl:and in pairs ; and are broad, fliort, and indented. The flowers are purple ; and they grow from the bofoms of the leaves. 8 The The BRITISH HERBAL. 27\ r The feeds are four : and they are covered in the cup by a kind of head-piece, as in the former inftance. It is common about waters, and flowers in June. Ray calls it Caffida palujlris minima flore purpu- rafcente. The leaves of the caffida dried and powdered were a famous remedy for agues before the baric was known j but they are now difufed. G E N , U S XXV. GROUND-PINE. CHAM.'EPirrS. THE flower is formed of a fingle petal, and is labiated. The tubular part is fliort, and the tipper lip is deeply divided into two fegments. The lower lip is divided into three fegments ; of which the middle one is largeft, and is rounded. The cup is tubular, formed of a fingle piece, di- vided into Ave parts ; and rifmg on one fide at the bafe. The flowers grow from the bofoms of the leaves and the leeds are four after every flower, and roundifli. LinnEEUs places this among the didyiiamia gymnofpermia ; the flower having two longer and two fliorter thread?, and the feeds being naked in the cup. He does not allow this to be a diftindl genus j but places it with the fccrdimn chama:drys, and feve- ral others, under the common name of teucrinm. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common Ground-Pine. Cha}iinto three nearly equal fegments. The cup is general, containing many Bowers, and >s a k,nd ol fcaly head, which hangs drooping. The feeds are four after every flower ; and they are fmall, and the flower having four threads, of which of a roundiflr figure. Linna:us places this among the -ii^fy;™ S™''#'™'f •• . _ „ , , , „ v two are longer than the others, and the feeds ftanding naked m the cup. But he does not allow it to be a diftinft : he genus calls it a kind of origanum. r a ■ . The loofe compoCt.on of the general cup, and its drooping pofture on the plant, are fufficent difl-inftions from eriganum, and vc it a right to retain its antient name. Dittany of Crete. Diliammis Creticus. This is a very Angular and very elegant plant. The root is compofcd of a great many long, nender, and tough fibres, conncfled to a fmall head. The ftalk is fquare, upright, of a purpldh co- lour, and firm fublfance ; it is a foot high, and it fends out numerous branches. The leaves fl;and in pairs, and at fmall drf- tancess and they are of a fingular ap, earance : they are broad, fliort, and fomcwhat rounded ; but they have a point at the end 1 and they are of a greyifli colour, and covered with a thick, woolly matter. The flowers are fmall and pur^ile : they are collefttd into oblong, loofe he.id', and thefc h.ang drooping at the extremities of all the branches. The fc^ds are fmail. It is a native of the Greek iflands, and of fome of the warmer parts of Europe. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it DiUamnus Crettais. Others, BiSlamnus Creticus ao'is. It is celebrated among the vulnerary plants by the antients ; and many incredible fliories are re- lated of its effcds. It is in reality cordial and deobilruent ; and is good in all obfliruflions of the vifcera. GENUS XIII. SWEET MARJORAIVI. A M A R A C U S. nnHE flower is formed of a Angle petal, and is labiated. The tubular part is (hort and com- 1 Dteflijd The upper lip is undvidcd, rounded at the end, and placed ereft : the lower hp is divided into 'three equal fegments. The common cup is formed of fcaly leaves, and is ot a fquara fiaure The feeds are four after every flower ; and they are roundiQi. °Linnaeus places this among the iidynam.a gymmfpermia ; the flower having four threads ; of which two are longer than the others, and feeds remaining naked m the cup. This author does not allow it to be a difl:ina genus ; fquare fliape of the head or general cup gives it a right to retain its antient name. but makes it a fpecies of origmmi. The fuffi'cient dillinftion of this plant from origammi, and Common Sweet Marjoram. Amaracus vulgaris. The root is compofed of numerous, long, tough, brown fibres. The fl:alk is fquare, upright, branched, and a foot high : its colour is brown, and its fubftance brittle. The leaves are placed in pairs at fmall dif- tances ; and they are oblong, broad, obtufe at the end, and of a light green. The flowers arc fmall and white; they are placed in great numbers in oblong, fquare heads at the tops of the (talk and branches. It is a native of Spain, and other warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Majorana vulgaris. Othcrsy Amaracus hsrtenjis. It is common at our tables s and it has vir- tues as a medicine. It warms and ilrengthens the ftomach, and is go d in vertigoes, giddi- nefs of the head, and other nervous complaints. N» XXXVIII. 5E GENUS 382 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS XIV, BASIL. 0 C r M U M. rpHE flower Is formed of a fingle petal, and is labiated. The tubular part is Ihort, and fpread very open. The upper lip is broad, and divided into four parts: the lower lip is narrow, undivided, and ferrated, and is longer than the other. The cup is very fmall, and it is divided like the flower into two lips. The flower is followed by four naked feeds, of an oval form. Linna:us places this among the didynamia gymnofpermia ; the flower having four threads, of which two are longer than the others, and the feeds Handing in the cup without a ca]ifule. I. Common Bafil. Ocymum vulgare. The root is long, divided, and furnillied with numerous fibres. The flalk is fquare, upright, branched, and eight inches high. The leaves are placed in pairs ; and they have flender footflialks : they are large, oblong, mo- derately broad, fliarply ferrated, and pointed ; and are of a fine green : they have a very fragrant and agreeable fmell, but little tafl:e. The flowers ftand at the tops of the fl:alks and branches in long, loofe fpikcs ; they are large, and of a whitilh colour, with a faint dalh of purple. The feeds are fmall and oval. It is a native of the Eafl, but is common in our gardens. C. Bauhine calls It Ocymum vulgatius. Others, Ocymum citratunij Ocymum vulgare medium^ and Ocymum nigrum. 2. Great Bafil. Ocymum mnjusi The root is compofcd of numerous, thick whitifli fibres. The ftalk is fquare, firm, upright, and two feet high : it is of a purplifli colour toward the bottom : and upwards it is of a pale green. The leaves are large, and of a whitilh green naturally ; but often ftained with purple : they are oblong, broad, and dented at the edges j and they have an extremely pleafing fmell. The flowers are placed upon the tops of the branches in a fliort, loofe fpike : they are larcre and white. The feeds are fmall and brown. It is a native of the Eaft, and flowers in Au- guft. C. Bauhine calls it Ocymum caryophyllalum ma- jus. Others, Ocymum magnum. This and the former have the fame qualities - but this in the greateft degree : they are ufcd by the French and Italians in their cookery, and give a fine flavour to their dilhes ; but in larger quan- tities they are ufeful againft obftruftions of the vifcera. They promute the menfes, and they operate by urine. A lyrup of the juice is good alio in afthmatick cafes. 3. Little Bufli-Bafil. Ocymum minimum ramcjijjimmn. The root is fmall and long, and is furrounded with flender fibres. The ftalk is fquare, fix inches high, and di- vided into innumerable branches. The leaves ftand in pairs ; and are finall, and of a roundifli figure, but pointed : they are of a pale green, and fometimes redifli. The flowers are fmall and white, faintly tinged, fometimes with purple, fometimes entirely free from it: they grow from the bofoms of the leaves on the upper parts of the plant. The feeds are fmall and brown. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in Au the threads in the flower being five, and the ftyle fingle. D I V r- The BRITISH H REAL. 391 I. Common Moufe-Ear Scorpion-Grafs. Myofotis vulgaris hirfuta. The root is long, flender, and hung about with many fibres. The firft leaves are oblong, moderately broad, obtufe, and of a duficy green: they are hairy, and fofc to the touch \ and they fpread themfelves upon the ground in a circular tuft. The ftalk is upright, hairy, of a pale green, and ten inches high. The leaves on it ftand alternately : they re- femble thofe from the root and they are in the fame manner foft and hairy. The flowers ftand in long, flender fpikes at the tops of the ftalks and branches. The ends of thefe fpikes of flowers twifl: round : fo that they are fuppofed to reprefenc the tail of a fcorpion when curled up. The flowers are fmall and blue. " It is common on ditch-banks and in dry paC tures, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Echitm fcoypioides arve^ife. Others, Myofotis fcorpioides arvenfis hirfuta. It is faid to be an aftringent ; but its virtues are not certainly known. 2. Broad-leaved Moufe-Ear Scorpion-Grafs. Myofotis fcorpioides latifolia. The root Is compofed of numerous, long, and fiender fibres. The ftalk is hairy, flender, upright, and a foot or more in height : it is of a pale green, and not much branched. The leaves are oblong, and moderately broad : they are hairy, foft, and of a pleafant grten : they are not at all indented at the edges. The flowers Hand, in fpikes at the tops of the branches \ and they are large, and very beauti- ful. Their colour is a fine fky-blue; and they have a yellow eye. The feeds are fmall and oblong. It is common in damp woods in many parts of England, and flowers in May. Kay calls it Myofotis fcorpioides latifolia hirfuta. 3. Water Moufe-Ear Scorpion-Grafs. Myofotis fcorpioides paluflris. The root is compofed of numerous, long fibres. The fl:alk is upright, tjiick, flefliy, of a pale green, and divided into many branches : it rifes to about a foot high. The leaves are oblong, and fomewhat broad : they ftand alternately, and they are of a frcfh, pale green. The flowers grow in long, curled feries at the tops of the ftalks and branches ; and they are of a moderate fize, and of a bright blue. The feeds are oval, pointed, and fmooth. It is common by pond-fidcs, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Echhim fcorpioides paliijlrc. Others, Myofotis fcorpioides paluflris. 4. Little yellow-flowered Moufe-Ear Scorpion-^ . Grafs. Myofotis fcorpioides arvenfis minor. The root is compofed of flender fibres. The ftalk is weak, flender, upright, and fix inches high, hairy, of a pale green, and divided into many branches. The leaves ftand alternately ; and they are fmall : they are oblong, hairy, and of a fainc green. The flowers fland at the tops of the ftalks in twifted fpikes ; and they are very fmall and yel- low. The feeds are oval, minute, and fmooth. It is common on dry ditch-banks, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Echlum fcorpioides minus flof- culis luteis. Others, Myofotis fcorpioides hirfuta minor. G E N U S IX. C A M F R y. S 2" M P H r T U M. THE flower is formed of a fingle petal ; it is tubular, and fmall at the bafe ; and it thence fwells out into a wide, hollow form ; and is divided into five obtufe fegments at the edge. The openino- is clofcd by five fmall fcales, placed in the manner of rays, and converging to a point. The cup is formed of a fingle piece : it is of a pentagonal figure, and is divided into five fegments at the rim. The feeds are four after every flower; and they remain naked in the cup, which enlaro'es to defend them. Linnfeus places this among the pentandria moncgynia j the threads in the flower being five, and the ftyle fingle. Common Camfry. SymphytUfU vulgare. The root is long and thick, black on the out- fide, white within, and full of a thick, flimy juice The firft leaves are very large : they are ob- long, broadeft in the middle, ftiarp pointed, of a pale green, and rough to the touch. The ftalk is thick, angulated, of a pale green, branched, upright, and two feet high. The leaves on it are placed irregularly : they are long, moderately broad, rough, and fharp- pointed ; but not indented at the edges. The flowers ftand in great numbers along the the tops of the ftalks and branches, which turn round with them before they open : they are fmall, and of a yellowifli white ; fomccimes they are purp!e. The feeds are pointed at the end, and fwelled on one fide. ^ l5 392 The BRITISFI HERBAL. It is common in damp places, and flowers in July. C. Bauliine calls it Sympbylum fi'X cmfilida major. Others, Symphytum majtu. It is a plant of great virtues. It is cooling, agglutinant, and fub.ifl:ringent. A ccnferve of the roots cures the flmr alius, A decoflion of the frelli root is excellent in coughs and forenefs of the bread. The root, dried and powdered, is good againft (harp loofenefliis, and thole attended with bloody ftools. N U X. WATER-MILFOIL. pENTAPTEROrHTLLON. r^HE flower has no petals. The cup is formed of four leaves • and thefe are oblong erecl >nd 1 unequal : one is placed outermoft, and is larger than the reft ; arrd one rnnerriioft. wh.ch . fmaller. The feeds are four-, and they Hand naked. There are on th,s plant male and fema = flowers diftina on the fame ftalk ; but they differ in nothing except the mner parts. In the nrale flowers there are feveral threads with oblong anthers ; and in the fema e tf.ere are no threads or an- Trl but he rudiments of the four fucceedrng feeds : thefe have no ftyles, but only a k.nd ot downy ftigmlta. The leaves are finely divided ; and they are placed many together at the jo.nts furrouna- '"unnfitl'^places this among the mon^cia rolyaniria ; the male and female flowers growing feparate upon the fame plant, and the threads in the flower being numerous. He takes away the name^.»- !Z Un, by which it is moft commonly known, and calls it „.yri.pbyUu,n. Thrs rs a name that hlf been given by the old writers to many water-plants altogether different ; and we have therefore retained the other. . r t, • ■ The fpecies of this genus are only two ; and both are natives of Britain. I. Small Water-Milfoil. Penlaftenphyllum minus. The root is long, creeping, and hung with many fibres. The ftalk is round, upright, of a pale green, and a foot high. The leaves are finely divided, or compofed of very minute parts : feveral of them grow to- c^ether at each joint ; and they refemble feathers, being formed of extremely flender, oblong feg- ments, united at their bafe to a middle rib. The flowers are fmall, and inconfiderable : they grow in the bofoms of the leaves from the middle to the top of the plant ; and they are of a grecnilh white. The feeds are oblong and fmall. It is common in ffiallow rivers in many parts of England, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauliine calls it Mill'/ol'i"" aiiiialicum ftofcu- Us ad fQlierum nodes. 1. Spiked Water-Milfoil. Pentafterophyllon fpicalum. The root is fmall and fibrous. The (talks are flender, and of a brownifli green, a foot or two in length, and divided into branches. The leaves are numerous, and finely divided. The flowers ftand in part in the bofoms of the leaves, and in part in jointed fpikes at the tops of the branches : thefe on the fpikes are the male flowers, and thofe in the bofoms of the leaves the female ; and thefe latter are followed each by four naked, oblong feeds. It is found in brooks and rivers, and flowers ia July- C. Bauhine calls it MillifoUum aqualiam pennon turn fpicaliim. Others, Myriofhyllum aquaticmn [picaium. The virtues of thefe plants are unkno'^n. SERIES The BRITISH HERBAL. 393 SERIES 11. ForeignGenera. Thofe of which there is no fpecies naturally wild in this country. , GENUS I. A L K A N E T. A N C H U S J. THE flower is formed of a fingle peta! : it is tubular at the bafe, and fllghtiy divided at the edge into five rounded fL-gments ; and the hollow part is open, not clofed, by fcales, as in feme other genera. The cup is formed of a fingle piece: it is tubular, and is divided into five narrow- parts at the rim. The feeds are four in number after every flower ; and they are oblong, pointed, fmooth and hard. Linnxus places this among iht penlandria momgynia ; the threads in the flower being five, and the flylc fingle. He makes a flrange confufion in the fcience in this article i for he take away from this plant the name alkamt^ anchufa^ which he iifes as the generica! term for buglofs ; and he places this among the grotnioelis^ making it a fpecies of that genus. The diftmaioiis are fuificient in Nature; and the plant may much more properly retain its received and anticnt name. Scarlet Alkanet. Anchiifa fioribus ruhentihus. The root is long, thick, and of a fine glow- ing red colour. The firft leaves are numerous, and fpread themfelves in a round tufc : they are cblong, narrow, rough, of a dufl<.y green, and not at all indented at the edges. The (talks are numerous, round, hairy, divi- ded into branches, and a foot high. The leaves are placed alternately on them ; and they are oblong, narrow, of a deep green, and hairy. The flowers are numerous, and very beautiful : they Hand in long feries at the tops of all the branches and they are large, and of a glowing fcarlct colour. The feeds arc' fmall and hard. It is a native of the Eaft, but is found alfo in feveral of the warmer parts of Europe. It flov/ers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Ancbiija pun'ceis fioribus. Others, Ancbufa 'vulgaris, and Anchufa ojficina' rum. The root Is aflringent, but is not much ufed as a medicine. It gives fcarkt tinge to oil, and is therefore employed for various purpofes where a fine colour is required, without any great vir- tues. G E N U S II: TURNSOLE. II E L I O T R 0 P I V M. 'T^HE flower is coinpoietl of a fingle petal : it is tubular at the bottom, divided into five irregular fegments at the rim, and has the opening covered with five little fcaly appendages, which con- verc^e together fo as to form a Icind of ftar. The cup is formed of a fingle piece : it is tubular, di- vided at the edge into five fegments, and remains when the flower is fallen. The feeds are four, and of an oval figure : they ftand naked in the cup, which remains unaltered. L.inn!cus places this among the fentandria inonogynia ; the threads in the flower being five, and the ftyle fingle. I . Great Turnfole. Ileliotrophm majus. The root is long, tliick, and hard. The ft.dk is uptight, divided into branches^ and about eight inches high : it is hairy, hollow, and of a pale green. The leaves are placed irregularly, and have N" as- long footfl:alks ; they are oblong, broad, obtufe, not indented,' and of a pale green colour. The flowers ftand at the tops of all the branches in long, flendcr fpikes, intcrmi.xed with little, woolly leaves : they are fmall and white ; and thtfe fpikes turn back at the ends, twifting like our moufe-ear fcorpion-grafs. The feeds are grey, hard, and fmooth. 5 H It 394 The BRITISH HE R, B A L. It is a native of tlie warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in June. C. Bauliine calls it Heliotropium majus Diofcori- dis. Others, Hellotrcpium tiwjus^ and Heliotro, fium I'ulgare. An irifufion of the plant given in large quan- tities operates by urine, and is good againft the gravel. The juice applied outwardly takes away warts. 2. Procumbent Turnfole, HdiQtyopium fupiuum minus. The root is long, flender, and blackifh. The ftulks are numerous and weak: they fpread themfclves every way upon the ground ; and they are fix or eight inches long, and divided into many branches. The leaves are placed alternately on fiiorc footftalks ■, and they are fmall, broad, obtufe, Hiort, of a beautiful green, and a little hairy. The flowers are fmall and white ; and they are placed, -s in the others, in long curled fpikes. It is common in the fouch of France, and flowers in Jure. C. Bauhine calls it Udioiropium ininum Julnnum. Others, Heliotropium fupinmn Qlufii. GENUS III. H O N E Y W O R T. C E R I N r U E. THE flower is formed of a fingle petal. The lower part is fmall and tubular : the upper part is alio hollowed, but larger, and at the rim is divided lightly into five fegments. Ics hollow is open : there are none of thofe little fcales, which clofe it in many other genera. The cup is formed of a fingle piece •, but it is deeply divided into five fegments equal in fize, and pointed. The feeds are four after every flower and they are enclofed in two loofe ikins, which are rough and hard. Linn^us places this among the pentandna monogynia \ the filaments in the flower being five, and the ftyle fingle. Great Honcywort. Cerinthe major, 1 he root is long, thick, and white. The ftalks are numerous, round, flefliy, and a foot and half high : they are of a pale and fome- what bluifli green, The leaves are placed alternately at fmall dif- tances ■, and they ufually hang drooping : they are large and broad. Their colour is a bluifii green, and thi y are fpotted with white : they are broadcft at the bafe, and obtufe at the end. The flowers are large ; and they are placed in confiderable numbers upon flender branches rlfing from the bofoms of the leaves : they are yellow in the upper part, and purple at the bafe. Thb tops of the branches that bear them naturally turn down fpiraliy, as in the moufe-ear fcorpion-grafs. It is a native of the fouthcrn parts of Europe, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Ccrinlhe florc fia-vo tifperior. This is the plant celebrated by the old Romans as the favourite of the bees. Tlie flower contains a great deal of honey-juice. GENUS IV. TOURNEFORTIJ. THE flower is formed of a fingle petal. The lower lip is tubular, and of an oval figure ; and ie thence fpreads into a broad rim, which is cut lightly into five broad, but pointed fegments. The cup is formed alio of a fingle piece, divided deeply into five fegments. The feeds are four ; and they are furrounded with a fliin, and feparated by a pulpy fubftance. Linnsus places this among the pentandria monogynia ; the filaments In the flower being five, and the ftyle fingle. Nature wantons in the characters of this plant : its fruit approaches to the nature of a berry ; while all the other parts, and in this the number of feeds, correfpond with the refl. Oval-leaved Tournefortia. T'oitrnefortia Joliis ovatis integris. The root is long, divided, and furniflicd with many fibres. The ftalk is woody, and yet weak ; but it will climb to a great length, when there are trees or buflics to fupport it : it is of a pale green, and Imooth. The leaves are placed alternately, and they are large, oblong, of an oval form, fharp-pointed, not at all dented at the edges ; of a beautiful deep green on the upper fide, and of a blue green un- derneath. The END of the TWENTY-SECOND CLASS. T H K 1 he flowers itand in long lenes on the tops of the ftalks and branches, which divide for that purpofe into numerous twigs : they run only on one fide of thefe ; and they are fmall and yel- low. It is frequent in the woods of South America, and flowers in July. Plukenet calls it Virga aurea Americana fru- te[cens glabra foliis fiibtus cajiis. But this was a very improper generical name. Plumier called the geniis Pittotiia, and Linnaeus 'Tour/iefortia^ both after the name of the author of the Injiiiu- ticnes rei herlariie. THE T BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS XXIII. Plants whofe flower h formed of a fingle petal, divided deeply into four fegments, mid fucceeded hy fm feeds ; and whofe leaves are placed feveral together at every joint, and expanded like the rays of a far. HIS is a clafs diftinguilhed with great certainty by Nature, and by very obvious charafters. Mr Ray has followed, as ufual, her fteps, and kept the plants dilVinft from all others, in a peculiar clafs, under the name of herlx ftd'Mx, the ftellate plants : but they are blended among many others by the modern writers ; they not admitting the difpofition of leaves, however fin- pular," into the number of claffical, or even generical diftinftions. • The confcquences of each method are obvious. In Mr. Ray thefe plants are kept together, and no others are mixed among them, or joined to them : in Linns:us, and his followers, they are feparated into various claffes, and in each joined with plants the moft unlike that ftudious error could have chofen •. cka-an is ranked with fmhiom among the tetrnndria ; and crojfwort is put ten claffes off, with pdUtory of the wall and orach. This confirms, like the reft, the impropriety of that method. SERIES I. Natives o/" B R I T A I N. Thofe of which there is one or more Ipecics naturally wild in this kingdom. G E N U S I. C R O S S W O R T. C R U C I AT A. nr-I-iF Howcrs are of Wo kinds, male and hermaphrodite upon the fame plant. The hermaphro- dite rtowt-r tonds fingle on its ftalk : it is formed of one petal, and is divided at the top into four oval and lharp-pointed fegments. There is ftarce any cup to this, but in its place a rudiment of the fruit, which afterwards ripens into a pair of feeds, covered with a tough fkin, and fo clofely ioined that they feem but one. The male flowers are placed upon the rudiment of the other on each fi'de • and each is formed of a fingle petal, divided uncertainly into three or lour legments, which are oval and acute. This has a rudiment of a fruit underneath it, as the other but it never ripens. Linnjcus places this among the fohgamia menxcia; the feveral flowers, though diftind m fc.-c, yet growing on the &me plant, and t'he impregnation of the feeds being by male and hermaphro- dite ones. Croffworr. 39^ The BRITISH HERBAL. Croffwort. Crucuita •vulgaris. The root is fibrous. The (lalks are numerous, upright, fquare, and not much branched : they are rough on the fur- face, and weak. TJie leaver arc placed in an elegant manner, four at a joint, at confiderable dil^ances ; and they are oblong, broad, of a bright, but fome- what yellowifh green, and hairy. The flowers are fmall and yellow ; and they grow in cluftcrs from the bofoms of the upper leaves. It is not uncommon in dry paftures. A great deal of it fpreads over the grave of Mr. Doody in the church-yard of Hampftead ; perhaps ori- ginally planted there to perpetuate the little fpot that holds the remains of that diligent and careful botanift. C. Bauhine calls it Criuiala hirfiila. Others only Criuiala. It is an aftringent. The tops, dried and pow- dered, are good againft the overflowings of the menfes, and in the Jiuor aibus. GENUS II. ■ MADDER. R U B I J. 'T'Hr. flower is formed of a fingle petal, hollow at the bafe, and deeply divided into four feg- ments. The cup is very fmall : it is formed of a fingle piece, divided into four parts ; and is placed upon the rudiment of the fruit. The feeds are two after every flower : they are covered with a pulpy matter, and furrounded with a fkin; fo that they rcfemble two berries ftuck clofe to- gether. Lin nsus places this among the tetrr.ndria monogpiia ; the threads in the flower being four, and the Ilyle fingle. Madder. Ruhia fylvt'firis afpern. The root is compoled of numerous, long, and thick parts, which run under the furfacc, and fpread to a great difl;ance : it is of a red colour, and confifls of a hard fubftance on the centre, witli a tender juicy covering. The ft:alks are numerous, fquare, not very firm, branched, and a foot and half- high: they arc of a pale green, and are very rough to the touch, and will flick to any thing, like the ftalks of cleavers. The leaves are placed with great regularity at the joints, five or fix at each ; and they fpread out in the manner of rays. The flowers are very numerous, and grow in clufl:ers at the tops of the branches and they are of a faint yellowifh green. The fruit is large, and dark coloured. We have it in plenty in our wellern counties. It flowers in July, C. Bauhine calls it Ruljia fyl-vejlris afpera qii.t Tliojcoridis. Others, Ruhia tin^ioriwi. Mr. Ray has joined the common writers in fe- parating as diftinft fpecies madder thus in its wild flate, and fuch as is cultivated; but there is no other diflirence between them, than that the cultivated kind is large becaufe better nourifhed. It is of vaft ufe in dying, and is alfo employed in medicine. It is good againfl: obflruftions of the vifcera, and in habitual purgings. GENUS III. LITTLE MADDER. RUBEOLA. rpHE flower is formed of a fingle petal -, and is tubular at the bafe, and divided at the edge X into four parts. The cup is very fmall, and is placed upon the rudiment of the fruit : it is formed alfo of a fingle piece, and divided into four fegments. The feeds are two after every flower • and they are connected lengthways into an oblong fruit, crowned at the top : when feparated', each is flat on one fide, rounded on the other, and lharp-pointed. LinnEcus places this among the tetrandria mmagynia ; the threads in the flower being four, and the ftyle fingle. He takes away the received name rahola, and calls the genus fljerardia. Little Field-Madder. Rubeola arvrafjs c.nulca. The root is long and flender, and is hung about with many fibres. The fl:alks are numerous and weak, and for the moft part procumbent ; they are fquare, hairy, and fcldom branched. The leaves ftand feveral together in a regular manner, difpofed like rays, fix or eight at a joint : they are oblong, pointed, and of a fine green. T'he flowers are fmall and blue. The feeds are oblong and large. It is common in plowed lands, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Rubeola repens arvenfu ca- rulea. Its virtues are not certainly kno wn. 7 GENU S The BRITISH HERBAL. 397 G E N U S IV. LADY'S BEDSTRAW. GALLIUM. ■ c J „f , rmtrlp netal and Is divided almoll to the bafe into four fegments. T mt;^; X • it ttS orl= piece, and divided into ton.- patts . and it ftanc. tl Xnt of the fruit. The feeds are two : they are jonred together, and have a loofe Tlntus places thi, among the monospia; the threads in tire flower being four, and the ftyle fingle. I. |White Lady's Bcdftraw. GalUum album. The root iscompofed of numerous, long, and tough fibres. The ftalk is fquare, weak, and of a pale green . it is not able to fupport itfelf ; but it ufually grows within the reach of bufhes. It is very much branched, and two feet high. The leaves Hand in a ftellate manner at the joints of the ftalk, fix or eight at "ch jomt ; and they are Ihort, narrow, and of a deep, black.Ilr ^'The flowers are fmall and white: they grow in great numbers on the tops of the branches, and cover them with a fnowy whiKnefs. The feeds are fmall. It is common in damp places among bullies, and flowers in June. C. Bauhinc calls it Gallium dhum latifoKum. 2. Four-leaved white Lady's Bedftraw. Gallium album quadrifilium. The roots are fibrous. The ftalk is fquare, weak, very much branched and a foot and half long but, if not fupported it ufually ftraggles upon the ground. The leaves are placed at the jouit! in a radiated manner, but there are Only four at each joint : they are broad, fliort, and of a d.ep green : thofe on the lower parts of the ftalks are fmooth ; but toward the tnp they are rough. The flowers are fmall and white ; but they are very numerous, covering the tops of the ftalk and branches. _ The feeds are large, and joined two together. It is common in wet places, and flowers in Auguft. , „ „ C. Bauhine calls it Gallium paluftre album. Some give this the Englifli name of White Lady's Bedftra-^ ; but it properly belongs to the preceding fpecies. 3. CroflTwort Lady's Bcdftraw. Gallium e-aSlum quadrifalium Uve. The root is long, flender, divided, and hung about with a few ftraggling fibres. The ftalk is fquare, upright, redifh, very little branched, and a foot high. The leaves are placed in a ftellated manner at the joints, and there are only four at each joint : they are oblong, and not at all indented ; and their colour is a delicate green. The flowers are fmall and white, and they N° 39. 3 ftand in cluftcrs on the tops of the ftalks and branches. It is a native of our northern counties, and flowers in Auguft. Ray calls it Molluge montana ereCla quadrifolia. J. Bauhine, Rubia trcRa quadrifolia. 4. Dwarf white Lady's Bedftraw. Gallium album 7mnmiim. The root is long and flender, and ha; , few ftraggling fibres. The ftalks are numerous, and about three inches long : they are fquare, fmooth, of a pale green, and not well able to fuppott thenifelves upright. The leaves ftand in a ftellate manner at dif- tances on the ftalks ; and they are fmooth, and of a pale green. The flowers are very fmall and white ; and they ftand in great abundance on the tops of the ftalks and branches. It is common on hilly ground, efpecially where there is fome wet. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Gallium album minus. Others, Mollugo montatia niinor. Authors have dirtinguifhed a variety of this plant under the name of Gallium album minimum multicaule ; but it is not a diftinft fpecies : it is only this kind growing on a drier foil. 5. Yellow Lady's Bedftraw. Gallium luuum. The root is long, hard, divided, and furnifhed with a few ftraggling fibres. The ftalks are firm, hard, upright, not much branched, and two feet or more in height j and they are of a yellowilh green colour. The leaves grow in a ftellate manner at the joints of the ftalks, a confiderable number toge. ther : they are oblong, narrow, and of a blackiih green. The flowers are fmall -, but they are extremely numerous : they cover the tops of the ftalks with a fine gold yellow. The feeds are fmall and brown. It is common in dry paftures, and under hedges. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Gallium luleum ; a name al- moft all other writers have copied. The flowers of this plant contain a latent acid : they will curdle milk. The country-people know this, and call the plant tbeefe-renning. In medi- cine it is faid to be attenuating and deobftruent ; but its virtues are not eftablilhcd on any good authority. 5 I GENUS 39« The BRITISH HERBAL. G E N S V. WOODRUFF E. A S P E RU L A. THE flower Is formed of a fingle petal. The lower part is faniioned Into a fonicwiiat long tube and ilie edge is I'prcad our, and divi>.!ed into four niirrow fegmtrnis ; which arc ubior.g, pointed, and turned backwa ds. Tlic^ cup is fmal!, and divii!ed into four parts at the rim ; and it ftaiids upon the ruciiment of the Iruit. 'I'he feeds are two alter every flower ; and they are covered with a loofe fkin, and grow together. Linn^us places this among the tetrandria mon:gyn:a ; the threads in the flower bein'^ four, and the ftylc Angle. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Wood ruffe. Afcrula vulgaris. The root is fibrous, and fpreading. The flialk is fquare, upright:, not much branched, and eight inches high : it is of a pali; green, and of a tender fubftance. The leaves are pliced at the joints in a fl:el- lated manner, a confiderable number together ; and they are long, narrow, fiiarp pointed, imooth, and of a dark green. The flowers are fmall, whire, and of a very fragrant fmtll : they grow in tults, almoft in the manner of umbells, on the tops of the ftalks. The feeds are large and round. It is common in our woods, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Afpcrtda feu rulcolu Mon- tana odora. Others, Afpcrula odorata. It is good againfl; obfirufbions of the vifccra ; but it is not in ufe. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Blue WoodrufFe. ^fperida cxrulea. The root is compofed of numerous fibres. The fl:alk is fquare, upright, and a foot and half high 1 it is of a pale green, and not much branched. The leaves are placed in the ftellate manner at the joints feveral together : they are long, nar- row, and of a pale green ; and rhcy are a iictle hairy. The flowers arc fir.all and blue : they fl:and in a little tuft at the top of the ftalk ; and tiiey are furrounded by a fcries of leaves which rife above them, and in a manner hide them. The feeds are large and brown. It is common in the corn-fields of Italy, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Afperida cm-ulca cirvenfis. Others, Afperula dcridea. Its virtues are the fame with thofe of the former. G E N U S VI. CLEAVERS. A P A R I N E. THE flowei' IS formed of a fingle petal ; and is divided almofl: to'the bafe kito four fegments The cup is very Imall : it is formed alfo of a fingle piece, divided into four parts ; and°it ftands on the rudiment of the fruit. The feeds are large and roundifh, with a dent in the middle ; and they are covered feparately with a loofe, rough fkin, and grow together. Linnsus places this among thi: peiilandi ia mmogynia; the threads in the flower being five, and the ftyle fingle. ° ' In his Genera Plmtarum he makes it a diftinft genus i but in his fpecies, fince publiflied he ioins ir with the idhum, taking away its old generieal name : but this is wrong, for the plant is fufficientlv dif tincf by the form of the feeds ; and the old name is better preferved. 1. Common Cleavers. Aparine vulgaris. The root is fiender, and creeping. The ftalks are numerous, fquare, of a pale whitifh green, and two feet or more in length : they ufually rife among buflies ; and they flick to every thing they touch, olhcrwife they would not be able to fupport themfelves upright. They are not much branched: they are covered with rough, hooked hairs. ' The leaves are long, narrow, and of a pale green : there grow about fix of them at every joint, difpofed like the rays of a flar. The flowers arc fmall and white : the feeds are round, double, and included in rough, loofe fkins. It The BRITISH HERBAL. 399 It is common every where under hedges, gnd flowers in June. C. Bauhinc calls ii Aparine vulgeris ; a name copied by others. It is a plane of confiderable virtues. The juice is taken in the fpring agai^fl Icorbutick com- plaints with fucccfs. It alfo operates by urine, and is good againft the gravel. The root and tops given in a ftrong infufion are alfo good againfl obftrudtions or the vifccra. 2. Little Wall-Cleavers. Sparine minima murelis. The root is ubiong, (lender, and furniHied witli a few fibres. The ftalks are numerous, fquare, and tole- rably upright : they are eight inches high, and are not much branched. 'I'he leaves are placed in a ftcllate manner round the ftalks, about fix at a joint ; and they are fhort and pointed, of a pale green, and rough to the touch. The flowers grow on fiender, branched fijot- ftalks, rifing from the bofoms ot the leaves : they are finall, and of a grcenifh white. The feeds are roundifh and double; and they are not fo rough as in the other kind. It is found on walls and ditch-banks, and flowers in May. Kay cails it Jparine minima, 3. Smoother-feeded Cleavers. Apayinc Jemine Lavicre. The root is compofcd of Hinder fibres. The ftalks are fquare, numerous, and a foo^ high : they are no: much branched ; and their colour is a pale green. The leaves are obloftg, narrow, blunt at the end, and of a duflcy green : they Hand like rays round the joints of the ftalks, five or fix toge- ther, The flowers are larger than in the common kind, and of a pure white. The feeds are double, and enclofed in a loofe fkin. This is not To rough as in the commoii kind, but has only a few fliort hairs upon it. We have it common in corn-fields. It flowers in June. Ray calls it Ajarine fcmine Uviore. 4. Short-leaved Marfh -Cleavers. Aparine pahijlris foliis brevio7ihus. The root is oblong, fiender, and redifh. The fValk is fquare, rough, of a pale green, weak, and about a foot high. The leaves ftand in rays at the joints of the ftalks ; and they are ihore, fharp-pointed, and o\ a bright green. The flowers ftand on footftalks rifing from the bofoms of the leaves ; and they are white and fmalh The feeds are double, and are enclofed in a rough flcin. It is common on bogs, and in damp places un- der hedges. It flowers in A pril. Ray calls it Aparine palufiris ivinur farlfienfis fore albo. The virtues are the fame with thofe of the common cleavers. GENUS VII. S Q^U I N A N C Y W O R T. RU B I A CTNANCHICA, ripHE flower confifls of a fingle petal. The lower part is in form of a long tube : the run is fpread out, and divided into four pointed fcgments. The cup is fma)!, and divided into four parts; and it ftands on the rudinient of the fruit. The feeds are two after every flower-, and they are very large, round, and enclofed in a ioofe fkin : they grow joined together. The leaves are three-cornered. Linnaeus places this among the iclrandrta monogy^iia ; the threads in the flower being four, and the ftyle fingle. But he does not allow it to be a diftind genus. He joins it with the afperula or i^ood- ruffe^ from which it differs in the three cornered fhape of the leaves. Thert is but one known fpecies of this plant, and that is a native of Britain. SquinancyWort. Ruhia cynitnchicd. The root is long, flender, and furnifhed with a few fibres. The ftalks are numerous, fquare, redifh, not much branched, and about ten inches high. The leaves ftand in the manner of rays at the joints of the ftalks, fix at a joint in the lower part of the plant, and four at a joint in the up- per : they are fmall, oblong, fiender, and three- cornered, and fharp-pointed. The flowers are fmall aad red ; but they are numerous, and make a pretty appearance : they are difpofed in a kind of umbel at the tops of tlie ftalks. It is not uncommon on hilly, barren grounds. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Rubia cynanchica. Others, Rubeola ^uadrifolia Itcvis. It !s faid to be a fovereign remedy for the quincy ; but. there is no good authority for the pra6tice. "The END of the TWENTY-THIRD CLASS. THE THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS XXIV. Plants whofc flowers are placed in umbells, or rounded dtifters ; and are com- fofed each of five petals, and fucceeded by two feeds, which ft and naked, and united, and are crowned with the cup. T HESE are diftiiK^uilhed as obvioufly as the preceding by Nature, and can never be feparated from one another ; nor can any other plants be joined with thenn in a juft method. ^ The umbel is a tuft compofed of numerous flowers, placed on divided, and often fubdivi- ded footftalks ■, all of which are enclofed at the bafe by a leafy cup, befide the fmall one that belongs to the flower. This plainly and obvioufly d.ftinguiflies them. And what Nature has thus throwrj before the moft flight obferver, flie has fupported and confirmed for the ftnaeft obfervation ■, for al thofe plants, whiclThave the flowers thus thrown into umbells, have each flower thus compofed of fivepetals, and followed by two joined and naked feeds j n. ,t. • This has led Mr Ray to clafs them under the name of berh GENUS vin. ANGELICA. TPIE Howers are difpofed in large umbells, of a globular figure, upon divided and fubdlvided fooC- llalks ; and under thefe there ftand a few oblong leaves. The fmaller clufliers, which together form the whole umbel, are perfeftly globular ; and at the bafe of thefe there ftand eight fmall leaves; Each flower js compofed.of five pointed petals, which are a little bent. The feeds are of an oval form, rounded and flriaied on one fide, and fmooth and flat on the other. Linnarus places this among the pintandria digynia ; the threads being five, and the flyles two. I. Great Angelica. yhi^elica major. The root, is long, thick, and furnifticd with many fibres : tlie o itfide is brown; but it is white ■within, and when ^ut yields a thick, yellowifii ■ ^uice : its tafte is warm and aromatick, and its : fmeil very fragrant and agreeable, . The iirft leaves are extremely large : they fi:and upon triii_k, flefhy footft.ilks ; and are compofcd of oblong, broad, pointed, and lerrated ieg- ment?. The flalk is round, hollow, upright, thick, and of a fine green : it is divided toward the top into many branches, and is feven or eight feet high. The leaves on 'it are placed irregularly ; and they refemble thofe from the root, but they are fmaller. The flowers are fmall, and of agreenifh white. The fcrds arc large, and greenifh. It is wild in our northern counties ; but for its ufe is cultivated alfo every where in gardens. C. Bauhine calls it Angelica faiiva-, a name nvjfL others have copied. It is a plant of great virtues j cordial, fudorifick," and ftomachick. The candied ftaiks are a very agreeable way of taking it, and have a great deal of virtue ; but the roots and feeds poftefs it in the highefl; degree. They are beft given in powder; a fcruple of the root, or five grains of the feeds, for a dofe. 2.. Wild Angelica, Angelica fyhejlris. The root is long, white, thick, and furniltied with many long fibres. The firft leaves are very large : they are fup- ported on purplifli footftalks \ and are formed ol numerous fmall parts, which are broadeft at the bafe, ferrated, fliarp-pointed, and of aduiky green. The ftalk is round, firm, upright, very much branched, and fix feet high. The leaves ftand irregularly on it, and fur- round it with the bafes of their footftalks : they are like thofe from the root, but fmaller. The flowers are fmall and whitifh ; and they form vaft umbells. The feeds are fwelled and ftriated. It is common by waters, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Angelica Jyhejtris major. GENUS IX. H E R B - G E R A R D. POVAGRARIA. THli", flowers are difpofed in a rourided convex umbel, on divided and fubdivided branches : ac the bafe ot this there are no leaves, nor at the place of their fubdivifions. Each flower is com- pofed of live ovr.l, hollowed, and nearly equal petals. The cup is very minute. The feeds are of an oval, oblong form, ftriated, and fwelled on one fide, and flat and fmooth on the other. Linnseu'? places this among the pentandria digynia \ the threads being five, and the fliyles in the flower, (iur he takes away its received name, and calls it agopod:um. Of thi- genus there is but one known fpecies, and that is a native of Britain, N^i"^. 5 L Herb 4o6 The BRITISH HERBAL. Herb-Gerard. The root is Qcndcr and creeping ; and it has a flight talie of angelica. The firft leaves are placed on long, purplifh Jbocftalks ; and they are compofcd each of nu- merous, Imall, ferrated fegments, of a pale green colour. TIk- ftalk is round, flriated, branched, and two feet high. The leaves ftand alternately on it, and refemble thofe from the root, but that they are fmallerj and compofed of fewer parts. The flowers are fmall and white. The feeds are moderately large and brown. The leaves of this plant have been celebrated as a remedy for the gout; but they do not de- ferve what has been written of them. GENUS X. ALEXANDERS. S Mi'RN lUM. THE Bowers are difpofed in an irregular, large umbel, which from time to time incrcafes in big- ncfs till they are all open. There is no growth of leaves under the principal or fecondary footftalks. Each flower is compofed of five narrow, pointed, and fomewhat bent petals. The cup is very minute. The feeds are large, and of a lunulated figure, rounded at the back, and marked with three ftria:, and flat on the other fide. Linnseus places this among the fentandria digynia ; the flower having five threads, and two ftyles. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Alexanders. Smyrmum uulgare. The root is long, thick, and white ; of a ftrong fmell, and an acrid tafte. The leaves that rife from it are very large : they are compofed of numerous, fhort, broad fcgments; which are nicked at the edges, and of a dark green : their tafl:e is not unplcafant. The ftalk is upright, firm, ftriated, branched, and fix feet high. The leaves on thefe refemble thofe from the root ; but they are fmaller. The flowers are fmall, and of a greenilTi white i and the feeds, when ripe, are brown. It is found on our weftern coafts among rocks, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Hippofelimm Theophrajii, vel Smyrnimn Viofcoridis. Others, Smyrnium, It is a very wholefome and agreeable plant.' The leaves and their footftalks blanched are very pleafant raw or in foops ; and they are good againft fcorbutick complaints. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Perfoliate Alexanders. S-myrniiim pcrfoUatum. The root is long, thick, and white. The leaves that rife from it are very large and beautiful : they are finely divided into numerous, fliort, broad fcgments : which are deeply ferra- ted, and of a frclh green colour. The tlalk rifes in the centre of thefe ; and is round, llriated, branched, and of a pale green. The leaves that grow on this are perfefftly un- like thofe from the root : they are roundilh, but pointed, and undivided : the ftalk runs through them. The flowers are fmall and whitifli ; and the feeds, when ripe, are black. It is a native of the Greek iflands, and fiowcrs in July. C. Bauhine calls it Smyrnium peregrimim rotunda folio. GENUS XI. EARTHNUT. BULBOCASTANUM. THE fiowers are difpofed in fmall umbells, compofed of divided and fubdivided branches and at the bafe of the ftalks, and fubdivifions of them, are placed feveral fmall, oblong, fiender leaves. Each flower is compofed of five petals, nearly equal in fize, heart-faihioned at the end, and a little bent. The cup is very fmall. The feeds are of an oval form, convex on one fide, and flat on the other. LinnjEUS places this among the pentandria digynia ; the threads being five, and the ftyles two in each flower. Authors fpeak of a larger and lelTer Earthnut ; but they diifer only as varieties. There is but one fpecies of this genus, and that is a native of Britain. 2 Earthnut. The BRITISH HERBAL. 407 Earthnut. Btdbocajlanum. The root is a tuberous lump, of the bignefs of « chefnut, and of a fweet pleafant talle : it lies at about five inches depth ; and the plant rifes from it in a fmall white ftalk. The root is brown on the outfidc, and white within. The leaves arc beautifully divided into flender parts. The flalk is firm, upright, llriated, and two feet high. The flowers are fmall and white; and the f--eds, when ripe, are blackilh. It is common in dry, hilly paftures, and flov/ers in Augufl:. C. Bauhine calls it Bulbocaftamm majus. Others, lamm majus, and minus. The root is eatable and wholefome. GENUS XII. WATERDROPWORT. (E N J N T H E. rr-^HE flowers are difpofed in fmall umbells, placed upon a few principal ftalks, and many (hort X ones at the fubdivifions. There ttand fcveral Ihort leaves at the bafe of the principal footftalks, indalfoofthefubdivifions. Each flower is compofed of five petals, but in an unequal manner ; thofe at the ed-es having the petals larger, and fplit ; thofe in the centre having them only heart- fa(h.oned and a little bent. The cup is large, and divided into five fegments. The feeds are tvvo : they are of an oval figure, rounded, and ftriated on one fide, and plain on the other, and dented at ''^ L-'innxus places this among the fentandria dlgynia ; the ftyli each flower. !. Common Water Dropwort, ,es being two, and the threads five in The root is compofed of numerous fibres, with fmall flelhy bulbs or tuberous parts con- nefted to them. ,. . , , The fitfl leaves are fmall, and lightly divided into a few long, flender fegments. The n:alk is upright, hollow, flrriated, and two feet high. The leaves on this are divided into numerous, long, and flender fegments ; and are of a faint green. . , , r j The flowers are fmall and white, and the feeds arc large and brown. St is common by waters, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it (Eimitke aimtica. Others, Fslifendula aqu(itica. It is a diuretick and deobfl:ruent, but is not in ufe at this time. 2. LelTer Water Dropwort. CEnanthe minor triftara. i he root is fibrous ; and has a few oblong, tu- berous pieces connefled to the Airings. The firft leaves are fmall, and divided into fe- veral long, flender fegments, of a bluifli green. The ftalks are weak, hollow, ftriated, very ilender, and not more than ten inches high. The leaves on thefe refemble thofe from the root, being compofed of a few fine fmall irregu- lar fegments. The flowers are fmall and white, and the prin- cipal ftalks, which form the umbel, are only three : the fubdivifions are more numerous. The feeds are large and brown. It is not uncommon about waters in our fouthern counties, and in fome other places. It 'flowers in July. Ray calls it (Emnthi aptatica triflara. 3. Hemlock Dropwort. CEnanthe cicutec facie. The root is compofed of numerous, long, thick, tuberous parts ; and is of a very unpleafant tafte, and full of a juice which turns yellow on coming to the air. The firft leaves are divided into numerous, broad, oblong, ferrated fegments ; and are very large. The ftalk is ftriated, round, branched, and three feet high. The leaves on thefe refemble thofe from the root, but they are fmaller ; and they are of a pale green. The flowers are fmall, and the umbells of them moderately large. It is common about the Thames fide, and elfe- where by waters. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it (Enanlhe cbarsphylli foliis. Others, CEnanthe cicutte facie. The roots arc the moft terrible poifon Eng- land produces. 4. Pimpernell Dropwort. CEnanthe foUis fimpinella faxifraga. The root is compofed of long fibres, with a few tuberous lumps connetfted to them. The firft leaves are very elegantly divided into numerous, oblong, pointed parts ; and are of a deep green. The ftalk is ftriated, branchfd, and a foot high. rhe leaves on it are fmall, finely divided, and of a pale green. The flowers are very little and white. The feeds are brown. We have it by the fides of our fen-ditches; It flowers in Auguft. J. Bauhine calls it CEnanthe Stafholini folio ; a name copied by moft others. GENUS 0 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS XIII. S I U M. AT^^-HE flowers are placed in rounded unibdls, compofed of extended flat parts on the fubdivi- X fions of the branches ; and there are at the bafe of the principal footll:alks, and of their fubdi- Vifions, Icveral Httle leaves. Each flower is compofed, of five petals, of equal fize, undivided at the' top, and fumewhac bent. The cup is very minute. The feeds are roundilh, and fl:riated, but flatted on one fide. i-innaeus places x\\\% iimQr\^i\\t fen tandrla. di^yn'm; the threads being five, and ihe flyles two in the flower. I. Bafl:ard Stone-Parfley. Sium foliis ferralis. The root is long, (lender, and white. The firft leaves are placed on long footftalks ; and they are compofed of numerous, ftiort, in- dented legnients, of a deep green. Tlie Italk is round, upright, flender, and branched, and of a fhjning green. The leaves on it are divided into numerous feg- ments, and ferrated ; and their colour is a beauti- ful green. The flowers Hand at the top of all the branches in little umbells : they are hiiall and white. The feeds are very fmall, fl:riated,_and brown ; and they have a warm aromatick tafte. It is common under hedges, and flowers in Augufl. C. Bauhine calls it Sifon quod amomm ofjicinis mftris. Others, Amonum oficinanm, and Fclro- fdinum Macedonicu7n Fuchfii. The feeds are good againft flatulencies, and in nervous diforders. 2. Honewort. Slum fegetim. The root Is long, flender, and furniflied with a few fibres. The flrfl leaves are extremely beautiful : about four riie. from the roof; and they fp read them- felves on the ground : they are long, moderately broad, and regularly pinnated : each is com- pofed of about feven pairs of pinnae, with an odd one at the end and thefe are elegantly ferrated, and of a fine green. The ftalk is round, flirintcd, and branched. The leaves arc placed alternately on it ; and they are divided into narrow fegments but they have not the form or elegaoc-e of thofe at the root. The flowers are fmall and white, and the feeds are ftriated and crooked. It is common in corn fields, and on ditch- banks. It flowers in July. Kay calls it Sium drvciife. Others, S'nm fegc- iaky and Sellmim Sn foUis. . A -puUice of the leaves is faid to be excellent agaihtt hard-fwelllngs : it had its Englifli name thence ; hone being a term ufed by the country- people in fome places for fuch fweilings. 3, Great Water- Parfnep. ".J Sium aqtiaticum maximum. The root is compofed of numerous fibres, The firft leaves are divided into finall and fine fegments ; but thefe foon fade and perifia ; in their places appear large pinnated leaves. The pinnse are oblong, ferrated, and fliarp- pointed ; and their colour is a bright green, Th° ftalk is round, upright, ftriated, branched, and two yards high. The leaves on this are placed alternately-, and they are pinnated and ferrated, and of a pale green. The flowers are fmall and white ; and they are formed into large umbells. The feeds are final! and brown. It is common about ditches, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Sium lalifolium. Others, Slum (iqiialicu-m maximum. 4. Common upright Water- Parfnep. Simn ereSlim •viilgare. The root is compofed of numerous, long, and flender fibres. The firfi: leaves are large and pinnated : each is compofed of feveral pairs of pinnje, with an odd one at the end ; and thefe are narrow, fliarp- pointed, ferrated, and of a pale green. The fl:alk is upright, ftriated, branched, and two feet high. The leaves are placed irregularly on it; and they are like thofe from the root. The flowers are finall and white ; and they liand in large umbells at the tops of the fialks and branches. It is common tn watery places and flowers in J^iiy- C. f'auhinc calls it 5'/;;;;; five Jpiim paluftre fs- i.is obloiigis. 5. Creeping Water- Parfnep. Sium minus repens. The root is fmall and fibrous; The fl:alks are numerous, flender, and weak: they lie upon the ground, or rife very imper- fectly from it ; and they take root at the joints. The leaves are pinnated ; and the pinns: are oblong, ftiarp -pointed, and ferrated. The flowers are fmall and white : they are dif- pofed in little umbells ; and are placed, not on the tops of the branches, as ia]others, but at the joints of the fialks. The feeds are fmall and brown. It is common in watery places, and flowers in June. Ray calls it Sium umbellatufn repeiis. Others, Sium ad alas fioridum. 6. The The BRITISH HERBAL. 6. The leaft Water-Parfnip; Sium minimum foliis 'Jariis. The root is compofed of many fmall fibres. The firtl leaves are divided into a multitude of extremely fine fegments. The ftalks are round, ftriated, branched, and about fix inches high. The leaves are placed alternately on ihefe; and they are formed of broad, fhort, anddcntated feg- ments i of a pale green, altogether unlike thofe which rife firfl; from the root. The flowers are fmall and white ; and they ftand on the tops of the branches in little um- bells. The feeds are ftriated and brown. It is common in fliallow waters, and flowers in June. Ray calls it Sium fiifiUum foliis variis. Others, Sium minimum umbsUatum foBs variis. 7. Longdeaved Water-Parfnip. Sium folio angufio kitgiore. The root is long, thick, and furniflicd with tnany fibres. The leaves that firft rife from it are large, and very beautiful : they are divided by threes into very long, narrow, and elegantly ferrated feg- ments. The ftalk is found, uptight, ftriated, branched, and ibur feet high. The leaves ftand irregularly on it ; but they are very beautiful, refembling thofe Irom the root. . The flowers are fmall, and placed in large um- bells. The feeds are ftriated and brown. It is common about our fen-ditches, and elfe- where in watery places. It flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Sium erucafolio. Cthersa Sium olafalrifolid. Ray calls it Cicuta aqualica. He has given many accounts of perfons petifhing by eating it. GENUS XIV, BURNET S..\XIFRAGE. PIMPINELLA SAXIFRAGA. THI?. flowers are difpofed in moderately large and rounded umbclls, upon divided and fubdividcd ' branches ; and there are no leaves by way of cup, under either the principal brinches or the fubdivifions. Each flower is compofed of five nearly equal petals; and they are heart lalhloi'.ed at the ends, and bent. The cup is very fmall. The feeds are long and ftender, ftriated on the back, and pointed. Linnsus places this among the peatandna digynia ; the threads being five, and the ftyles two in each flower. I. Great Burnet Saxifrage. Pimpindla faxifraga Joliis variis. The root is long, ftender, and furniftied with a few fibres. The leaves that firft rife from it are pinnated in a very elegant manner : each is formed of three or four pairs of roundifli pinna;, with an odd one at the end ; and thefe are ferrated, and of a fine green. The ftalk is upright, ftender, ftriated, and di- vided into branches. The leaves on thefe are placed irregularly; and they are divided into five narrow fegments. The flowers are white, and very fmall. ■ The feeds are fmall and brown. It is found under warm hedges in our midland counties, and flowers in Auguft. C.Bauhine calls it Pimfinella faxifraga major mii- Idla Candida. 1. Small Burnet Saxifrage. Pimpinella faxifraga minor. The root is long, ftender, white, and hung about with a few ftraggling fibres. The ftalk is upright, but ftender, divided into branches, and a foot and half high. The leaves ftand alternately on it ; and they are divided into fmall fegments, and of a faint green. N'XLI. The flowers are little and white ; and the feeds are ftriated and brown. It is common in dry paftures, and flowers in C. Bauhine calls it Pimpinella faxifraga minor; a name nmfl: others have copied. The roots of this plant are powerrully diure- tick ; they are good againtt obftruccions of the vifcera. The feeds arc carminative, and good in cho* licks. The root is beft taken in infulion i and the feeds in powder, five grains for a dofe. o- Jagged-leaved Burnet Saxifrage. Pimpinella faxifraga folits Luiniatis. The root is long, fiender, white, and furnilhed with a lew fibres. '1 he firft leaves are divided and jagged ; and they are of a pale green. The ftalk is fiender, upright, and not much branched. The leaves on it ftand alternately, and are di- vided into many narrow fegments. The flowers are imall and white. The feeds are fmall, brown, and fharp to the tafte. It is common in dry paftures, and flowers in Auguft. Ray calls ic PimT'inella faxifraga htrcina minor. 5 M 4. Tall The BRITISH HERBAL. 4. Tall Burnet Saxifrage. PiiiipimUa faxifriiga elatior. The root is iong, ilender, and furniflied with a few fibres. The firfl; leaves are large, broad, and divided into many fmall, ferrated, and lharp-pointed fegments. The ftallc is round, upright, and four feet high ; and coward tiie top it is parted into many branches. The leiyes on this are divided into a few long and narrow fegments, fcarce at all ferrated, and of a faint green. The feeds arc large, and they are fliarp-talled. It is common in our weftern counties, and flowers in July. Ray calls it Smyrnium tenuifslium mfiras. Others, . Pimpiiiella faxijraga hircim maxima. The virtues of thefe are the fame with thofc of the common fmall kind, but in an inferior degree. GENUS XV. CARAWAY. C A R U M. THE flowers arc difpofed in moderately large umbells, placed on divided and fubdivided branches ; and there are no leaves at the bafe, either of the principal branches, or of their fub- divifions. Each flower is compofcd of five petals, which are nipped at the end, and turned down. The cup is very fmall ; and the feeds are oblong, (lender, and ftriated. Linnaeus places this among the ftntandria digynia; the threads in the flower being five, and the ftyles tv/o. There is but one known fpecies of this genus. The Caraway Plant. Canm. The root is long, thick, white, and of a fweet, but acrid tafte. Tl e firlt leaves are very finely divided into feg- ments ; and they are of afrefligreen, and fmooth. The ftalk is round, fl;riated, and coward the top divided into feveral branches. The leaves fl:and alternately on it; and are like thofe from the root, only fmallcr. The flowers are placed in little umbells ; and are fmall and white, with a faint dalh of red. The feeds are oblong and brown. It is found wild in our wefl:ern counties ; but it is not eafy to lay whether it does not rife from feeds fcattered by accident, and brought from elfewhere. C.Bauhine calls it Cantm jralenfe: car'ji officim- rum. The feeds are an excellent carminatives and are ufed both in foods and medicine. GENUS XVI. S E A - P A R S L E Y. L E V I S T I C U M. THE flowers are difpofed in large umbells upon divided and fubdivided branches : at the bafe of the principal branches there (tand about feven leaves, and at the bafe of the fubdivi- fions fewer. Each flower IS compofcd of five petals ; and thefe are oblong, and ftriated on one fide The leaves are divided by threes. Linnjeus places this among ihe pentandria digynia; the threads in the flower being five, and the ftyles two. He joins it in one genus with the ligujiimin, or common lovage ; but the leaves exprefs the difference fufficiently. Of this genus, thus diftinguilhed, there is but one known fpecies, and that is a native of Britain; Scottiflr Sea-Parfley. Levijliam foliis biicrnatis. The root is long, flender, and furniihed with a few fibres. The firil leaves are numerous, and fupported on long foocftalks, which are purplilh at the bafe. Theftalkis round, fl:riated, and upright; three feet high, and toward the top divided into nu- merous branches. The leaves are placed irregularly on It ; and both thefe and thofe which grow from the roots are large and divided into numerous, long, and flender fegments, in threes. The flowers are fmall and white. The feeds arc large and brown. It is common on the coafts of Scotland, and flowers in Auguft. Ray calls it Ligujiicum Scoticum epii folio. Others, Jpium Scoticum. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS xvir. smallage. A P 1 V M. fT'HE flowers are dlfpofed in moderately large umbells, on divided and fubdivided brandies ; thefc have at tlie bale of the divifion tone fmall leaf. Each flower is compofed of five petals ; and they are equal in fize, of a rounded form, and fomewhat bent. The cup is lo minute, that it can fcarce be feen. The feeds are two : they arc of an oval form, and ftriated on one fi le. Linns-US places this among the ^mW™ ^/fe™ ; the threads in the flower being five, and the ftyles two. He joins the comnuM farficy or petrifelinum under the name apum ; but they are pro- perly diltindi:. Common Smallage. Jpium vidgare. The root is long, thick, and white ; fomctimcs fimple, fometimes divided, and of a pleafant tafte. The leaves are pinnated and large : they are compuled each of three or four pairs of pinna;, with an odd one at the end ; and thefc are broad, fciT.i[td, and in a manner divided into three parf.. 1 he flalk is thick, ftriated, branched, and two feel h:gh. The leaves on thefe refemble thofe from the foot ; but tliey arc fmaller. The flowers are fmall and white ; and they ftand in thick umbells at the divifions of the branch's. The feeds are brown. It is common about waters, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Aphim pahifire feu officbiarum. This plant, cultivated In gardens, affords what we call cekri, by fome diftmguifhed under the name of apium dulce, as if a different fpecics. The roots of fmallage are diuretick ; and are good againfl; the gravel, and in obflruflions of the vifcera. The beft way of giving them is in a ftrong dccoiftion. The feeds are warm and carminative, and alfo diuretick in a very confiderable degree. GENUS xvin. HEMLOCK. C I C U A. HpilE flowers are difpofed in large umbells, upon divided and fubdivided brandies. Each flower is compofed of five petals ; and they are of an equal fize, bent down, and heart- fafhioned. Thfe feeds are rounded, ftriated on one fide, and plain on the other. Linnffius places this among the pentandria drgynia ; the threads being five, and the ftyles two in each flower. But he has introduced great confufion by his management of this genus. He divides the common and rhe fmall hemlock^ not as fpecies, but into two genera ; and he does not give the name of cicttta to either of them: the genus comprehending commcn hemlock is called conium; and that comprehending the fmall hemlock, ^ihufa. The name cicuta is given to a genus quite diftindl from both, including the long-leaved 'u^ater parfnip. The characters of this genus are not contrary to any of his diftinflions : they belong both to the cmmon and the fmall hemlock ; and they are properly a generical mark. I. Common Hemlock. Cicuta vulgaris. I'he root is long, thick, and white. The firfl: leaves are extremely large, and of a dark, blackifh green : they are divided into innu- merable fmall parts, and ferrated at the edges. The ftalk is firm, upright, round, and fix feet high : it is of a dark green colour, ftained all over with fpors of purple. The len.vcs are placed irregularly on it ; and tiicy are very large, and like thofe from the root : they are deeply divided, and of a dark green. The fiowers are fmall and white; and they ftand in large umbeih. The feeds are brown. It is common in hedges, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Ciaita major, Tt is underllood to be a poifonbus plant ; hut there does hot appear any thing certain on that head. Many authors of credit affirm that it is innocent. 2. Small Hemlock. Cicuta minor. The root is long, flender, white, and fur-- nifiied with a few fibres. The firft leaves are divided into numerous fmall parts, which are deeply ferrated, of a pale grecuj and very like thofe of the common par- ney. The ftalk is round, upright, green, and a yard high. The leaves on this are finely divided in the 8 fame 4l 2 The BRITISH HERBAL. fame manner as thofe from the root, and they are of the fame pale green. The flowers grow at the tops of the branches in little umbells, furroiindcd with numerous, long, and flender leaves, forming a" kind of ge- neral cup. The feeds are fmal! and ftriated. It is common on ditch-banks, and in garden' ground, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Cicula tn'mor pelrofdim JinA- lis. Others, Qcutarm^ and Cicula fntlta minor. GENUS X\X. WATER HEMLOCK. PHELLANDRIUM; THE flowers are difpofed in large umbells on divided and fubdivided branches : there are nO leaves at the bale of the firft diviflon ; but feven ftand at the bottom of each ot the fubuivi. fions : thefe are long and fliarp pointed. Each flower is compofed of five petals : they are pointed, a little nicked at the top, and bent down. The feeds are oval, and fmooth. The fta:k is very thick ^"Lfnnsus places this among the fmtandria digjnia ; the threads being five, and the ftyles two in each flower. Water Hemlock. Phettatidrium aquaticum. The root is compofed of numerous very long fibres. The firft leaves are large, and divided into a multitude of fmall, flender parts, and fplit as .it were at the ends : they are of a pale green. The ftalk is a yard high, and of a vaft thick- ncfs : it is of a pale grctn ; and toward the top divides into numerous branches. The leaves on this refcmble thofe from the root, and are of a faint green. The flowers are fmall and white; and they ftand in great umbells at the tops of the branches. The f;eds are large and brown. It is a native of the wafers, and loves a foft, muddy bottom. We have it in all our fen-coun- ties, and in fome other places. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Cicutaria pahijiris lemii/oli.-:- Others, Cicuta prjujlris, and Fhdlajidriufn. GENUS XX. MEADOW-SAXIFRAGE. S E S E L I. THE flowers are difpofed in umbells, on divided and fubdivided branches. There are no leaves at the bafe of the principal branches ; but at the places of their fubdivifion there fland feveral, which arc long and flender. Each flower is compofed of five petals ; and they are heart-fafliioncd, and a little bent. The cup is very minute. 'I'he feeds are oval, and convex, llriated on one Cde, and imooth on the other. LinnEUs places this among the pentandria £gynie ; the threads being five, and the ftyles in each flowar two. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Meadow-Saxifrage. &tjeli pretence vulgarc. The root is long, thick, and hung with a few fibres : it is brown on the outlide, white within, and of an acrid tafte. The firft leaves are placed on long footftalks : and are large, and ot a deep green : they are di- vided into very fmall, narrow fcgments. The ftalk is upright, ftriated, and toward the top divided into branches : it is of a yellowiflr green, and two feet high. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches s and are fmall and yellowifli The feeds are brown, and of an acrid tafte. The roots of this plant are diuretick i and the feeds carminative, both in a very eminent de- gree. It is common in our meadows, and flowers in June. J. Bauhine calls it Sa^ifraga Jnglornm. Other.^ Sefdi praU}!/i!j and Silaiis Anglicus. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. 413 DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. French Meadow-Saxifrage. Sefeli fratenfe Monfpejfiilanum. The root is long and thick, brown on the out- fide, white within, and of an aromatick tafte : it is ufually divided at the top into fmall heads ; and they are edged with a hairy fubllance, formed of the fibres of decayed ftalks. The firfl; leaves are large, and of a pale green •■> and they are divided into numerous, fmall, pointed fegments. The ftalk is ftriated, and a yard high. The leaves on it refemble thofe from the root; but chey are fmaller ; and they are of a yellowifli green colour. The flowers are fmall and white ; and the feeds, when ripe, are brown. It is common in paftures in France. C. Bauhine calls it Sefeli fratenfe. GENUS XXI. S A M P I R E. CHRirUMUM. THE flowers afe difpofed in large' hemifphericaj umbells, on divided and fubdivided branches: There are long and narrow leaves at the bafe, both of the larger and fmaller divifions. Each flower is compofed of five petals ; which are of an oval figure, and a little bent down. The cup is very fmall. The feeds are oblong, ftriated, and rounded on one fide. Linnxub -piai-vs- tUis among tne yemanana ai^ynu^ , tne cnreads in the Hower being five, and the ftyles two. Flefliy-leaved Crithmum. CrHbmum foliis craffis. The root is long, thick, flefhy, and of a very agreeable aromatick tafl:e. The firft leaves are very large ; and they are divided into numerous, fmall, but thick and fiefiiy fegments, of a pale green colour ; and of a faltiih, but not difagreeable tafl:e. The ftalk is round, thick, ftriated, and fpread- ingi and it is two feet high; The leaves refemble thofe from the root and they are placed on the ftalk, irregularly. The flowers are fmall and yellow. The feeds are brown. It is common about our fea-coafts, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Crithmum five faniculum ma- rinum tninus. The leaves make an excellent, agreeable, and wholefome pickle. GENUS XXII; FENNEL. FOSNICULUM. npHE flowers are difpofed in large umbells, on divided and fubdivided branches, without any A leaves under either. Each flower is compofed of five petals; and they are oblong, fharp- pointed, and bent. The cup is very minute ; and the feeds are oblong, ftriated, and naked. Linnarus places this among the pentandria digynia \ the threads being fi,ve, and the ftyles two in each flower. This author takes away the received name, not allowing to be adiftindt genus, but account- ing it a fpecies of dill. The difi^erence is however obvious ; the feeds of dill having a membranaceous edge, and thofe of fennel being naked. DIVISION I, BRITISH SPECIES. Common Fennel. Faiticulum vulgare. The root is long, thick, white, and furntflied with numerous fibres. The firft leaves are very large, and of a dark green : they are divided into innumerable fine fegments. 'I'he ftalk is upright, round, branched, and four feet high. The leaves on this refemble thofe from the root i and are of the fame green colour. N« 41. The flowers are fmall and yellow. The feeds arc brown, and of a lharp aromatick tafte. It is common wild in our northern counties, and every where in gardens. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Fesnkiilum vulgnre Germani- cum. Others, Ftsniculum vulgare. It is ufed at our tables ; and is alfo excellent ia medicine. The root is a powerful and fafe diu- retick ; and a decodtion of it is good in the jaun- dice, and all obftruiSions of the vifcera. 5 N D I V I - 414 The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Sweet Fennel. Ffsniculum duke. The root Is long, thick, and white. The firfl leaves are of a pale green % and they are divided, \'\ko..,pia; the threads being Eve, and the ftyles two in "?his°rmhor does not, in his Genera Plantarum, allow it to be a diftindt genus, but makes it a kind of cnucA In his fpecies he makes it of a diftinft genus, but there joms a caucaln w,th ,t : m both erroneous There is but one known fpecies, properly dHlingu,fl«d, and that ts a native of Br.tam. Prickly Sampire. EchiuDphora. The root is long and thick, and furninied with many fibres. The firft leaves are very broad and Ipreading ; they are divided into innumerable fmall, oblong fegments, in an irrcguLirly pinnated manner ; and thele are prickly at the end. The Ila'k is very thick, round, ftriated, up- ri^lr and divided into numerous branches. °I he leaves on thel'e refemble thofe from the root, and are in the fame manner prickly. The flowers are fmall and white; and they (land in umbells, terminating the tops of the branches. The feeds are oblong and rough. The root of this plant is of a very agreeable tafte, and flcfhy fubftance. It is common on our fea coafts, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Crithmmn inaritimum ffina- [am. GENUS XXVII. CORIANDER. CORlANViRUM. rrHE flowers are difpofed in fmall umbells. There are no leaves at the bafe of the firfl: divifion, ■l hut three at each of the fubdivifions of the branches. Each flower is compofed of five petals ; ■and they are of unequal fize, but all bent backward, and heart-fafliioned. The cup is fmall, and di- vided into five fegments. The feeds are hemifpherical. ^ ^ tons place? this among the pntand'rh s pecuhar charafter: but though it ferves to keep them together, it does not anfwer the fecond purpolc ot the diftinflions in fcience, which is, to feparatc all others from them ; tor the other ccmpcfuc-fo'Jiered plants, the/.w-;foyf;s,and fuch others, having their buttons codefcent in the fame form, are umted by that charafter with the capitate plants. Thus Linnxus has therefore of neceffity, accordmg to his method, arranged them : the thftks and coltsfoot ftand in the fame clafs and are united under it with the -vtokt and halftim. SERIES I. Natha of B K I T A I N. Thofe of which one or more fpecies are naturally Wild in this country. GENUS 1. GENTLE THISTLE. C I R S I U M. THE -eneral cup is formed of many fcales, and fwells out in the middle. The flowers in this are numerous f and each is formed of a lingle petal, of a tubular lhape, very narrow at the bafe and wide at the mouth, where it is divided into five fegments. The feeds are oblong, and win«d with down ; and the leaves of the plant are fet with very flight, weak prickles. LinniEus places this among the/,«^em> ; the filaments converging, and the buttons being united in a cylindrick form. I. Enclifh The BRITISH HERBAL. 1. Englifh Gentle Thiftle. Cirftum AngVaim. The root is compiled ol numerous, fprcading fibres. Tlie ftalk is upright, firm, not much branched, and two feet high. The leaves arc long and narrow : they are of a pale green, covered lightly with a greyifh, hoary matter, and at the edges befet with nume- rous, flight prickles. The flowers grow at the tops of the flalks; and they are large and purple. It is found on marfliy ground in many parts oF England, and flowers in June. C. Bauhifie calls it Cirfium majus fmgulari ca- ■pitulo. The leaves are fometimes divided flightly at the edges \ and the llowcr is not unfrequently white. 2. Great Genrie Thiftle. Cirfium majus mitante flare. The root is fibrous, and white. The fl:alk is firm, upright, whitifli, and five feet high ; it is rarely much branched, and to- ward the top it ufually bends with the weight of the flower. The leaves are very large, oblong, broad, woolly and whitifli on the upper fide, and quite white underneath. The flowers are large and purple: ufuafly there is only one at the extremity of the ftalk. Ic is found in mountainous damp places, but is not common. C. Bauhine calls it Gyfium finguhri capiiulo fqjiaramatQ. Others, Cirfium Britanicmn repens. The flower in this alio is fometimes svhitc. 3. Blue Mountain Cirfium. Cirfium humile polyanlbemum flore c^rukfcente. The root is compofed of thick, white fibres. The ftalk is upright, tough, whitifli, and two feet high. The leaves are oblong, broad, and of a pale green : they are lightly downy on the furface, and edged with five weak prickles. The flowers terminate the tops of the branches in clufters ; and they are large, and of a bluifli purple. The feeds are large and brown. It is not uncommon in Wales, and flowers in July. Ray calls it Cirfium humile mofiianum cyncglojfi folio polyanthemum. Merret, Cardmis jmllis ca:ru' leo flore, 4. Dentated Cirfium. Crrfiium foliis anguftis dentatis. The root is long and flender. The ftalk is weak, tough, divided into a few branches, and two feet high. The leaves are long, and Very narrow; of a grcyifli green, and ferrated at the edges. The flowers are fmall and numerous, and are of a bright purple. Ray calls this Cirfium tnontanum polyanthemum f alms folio. He thought it but a variety of the former : but I have both she plants, and they are certainly difliinifl:. E N U S II. THISTLE. C A R B U U S. THE flowers are placed in great numbers in a common cup. Tliis is compofed of many fcaly fubllances, pointed at tlie ends; and it fwells out in a rounded form. Each flower is formed of a fingle petal ; and is tubular, and fmall at the bottom, and fpread out broad at the top ; where it is divided into five fegnients, one more deeply feparated than the others. The feeds are'win^eci with down. The leaves are befet with ftrong and ftiarp petals, and in many fpecies alfo the flallcs. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Common Way Thiftle. Carditus "julgattjfifmis. The root is white and creeping. The ftalks are numerous, tough, of a pale green, fmooth, not much branched, and a yard high. The leaves are numerous, long, moderately broad, and of a ftrong green : they are deeply and irregularly notched and finuated at the edges, and befet with long and fharp prickles. The flowers terminate the branches in nume- rous fmall heads ; and are of a pale purple. It is common in fields and under hedges. It flowers in June. C, Bauhine calls it CiirJinis resells folio fomhi. 3 2: Mulk-Thiftle. Cardmis mofchatus capiiulo tiulanle: The root is long, thick, and furniflied with many fibres. The ftalk is firm, upright, of a brownifn co- lour, and five feet high. The leaves are numerous, large, and divided at the edges : they are of a duflcy green, and be- fet with (harp prickles. The flower is large and purple ; and frequently there is but one at the extremity of the ftalk, which hangs drooping. It is very common in damp paftures, and flowers in June, J. Bauhine calls it Carduus mtam. C. Bau- hine, Cir/iim mnjus fm^ukri capiiulo magm. 3. Thiftle The BRITISH HERBAL. 429 3. Thiaie uponThiflle. Cerduiis caule criffa. The root is fibrous and white. Tlie ftalks are numerous, tough, upright, branched, and edged with very fharp priclcles. The leaves are long, narrow, of a deep green, divided at tlie edges, and very prickly. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches in numerous finall heads ; and they are of a pale red. It is common under hedges, and flowers in July- C. Bauhine calls it Carduus fpimjlffmms atignjli- folius vulgaris. 4. Welted Thiftle, with fniall flowers. Carduus fpimfiffimus fiorihis ainariius. The root is long, thick, and furniflied with many fibres. The rialk is three feet high, edged at the ieve- ral fides with prickly membranes from the bafes of the leaves, and of a dufliy green. The leaves are oblong, confiderably broad, dentated and finuated at the edges, and very prickly. The flowers are placed in fmall heads at the tops of the flialks, and in the bofoms of the up- per leaves, and they are of a pale red. It is found on ditch-banks in loamy foils, and flowers in Augufl:. C. Bauhine calls it Cardans acanthoidss. Pe- civer, Carduus fpinofjfimus capitulis minorihus. 5. Marfli-Thiftle. Carduus palujlris. The root is compofed of numerotis, tough, brown fibres. The ftalk is upright, not much branched, and feven feet high : it is ufually of a brownifh co- lour, with a tinge of purple, and is very prickly. The leaves are long, and moderately bi-oad, of a deep green, and let with thorns. • The flowers ftand at the tops of the ftalk, fix or eight together ; and they are of a deep purple. It is frequent in meadows, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Carduus palujlris. Others, Carduus aquaticus. 6. Marfli-Thiftle, with a Angle head. Carduus paluftris f:i and brown fibres. The ftalk is robuft, brown, two feet and a half in height, and varioufly and iri*egulariy branched. The leaves are large-, and fome of them are entire, others divided to the rib into many feg- ments. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches i and they are large, and of a lively purple. The feeds are large and brown. 5 S It 434- Thc BRITISH HERBAL. It is common in hilly paflurcs, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Jacea major fqitammatis ca- pHulis. 3. Grey Matweed. Jacea foliis cinereis. The root is compofed of many flender fibres. The ftalk is upright, brown, but covered with a cottony matter, not much branched, and rarely above ten inches high. The leaves are oblong and narrow, of a greyifh green, and cottony. Thofe toward the lower part are deeply divided, the others fcarce at all The flowers are large, and of a pale flefh- colour. It is found in our northern counties, and flowers in July. Ray calls it Jacea miner tcmefitofa lacimata j but the upper leaves ufually are undivided.- SERIES II. Foreign Genera. Thofe of which there is no fpecies native of this country. G E U I. GREAT CENTAURY. C E N T A U R I A. 'T'HE flowers are collec^^ed into oblong heads ; which are compofed of numerous, thick, cluftered fcales : they are each formed of a Angle petal, which has a very flender, tubular bafe ; and is deeply divided into five fegments. llinnsEus places this with the refl: of the capitate plants among the fyngenefia^ their buttons in the flower coalefcing in a cylindric form. The common name of the genus is centaurium mnjtis : but that is an irregular term. It is better therefore to follow the modern pradice, and call it centauria. Common Great Centaury: Cenlauria •vulgaris. The root is long, thick, and of a redifli co- lour. The fl:alk is firm, upright, of a brown colour, four or five feet high, and divided iniio many branches. The leaves are very large, and pinnated in a regular and handfome manner : they are ferra- ted along the edges of the pinns, and of a yel- lowifli green. The flowers terminate the branches j and are large and purple. The feeds are oblong and glofly. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Centaurium majus folio in plures laciynas divifo. The END of tk TWENTY-FIFTH CLASS. THE THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS XXVI. Plants whofe flower is comfofed of numerous flofcules, or fmaller difiinEi flmeers ; -which are flat not tubular, to the end ; and are arranged toge- ther in a fcalj cup ; the whole naturally full or double ; the entire num- ber of flofcules forming each general flower being uniform, and regularly difpofed ; and whofe leaves and ftalhs yield, on being broken, a white milky juice. THE firft glance, even of an unexperienced eye, fees thefe plants, numerons as tliey are, to be regularly connefted with one another, and evidently divided from thofe of all the other claffes ; but the prefent mode of fcicncc, banifhing the ufe of obvious charafters, and efla- blilhing its diainfiions only on the difpofition and number of the minuter parts, confounds thefe plants with the capitate or thiUlc kind defcribed before ; and with the corymbiferous, as well as fimply difcoidc, to be defcribed hereafter under one general term, the fyngmefia. Thus arranged together, they conftitute the clafs diHinguifhcd by that term in the Lmnsan fyflem, and are with tiie thillles ranked alfo with the violet and balfam. SERIES I. Natives B R i T A i N. Thofe of which one or more fpecies are found naturally wild in this country. GENUS I. LETTUCE. L J C T U C J. r-pl IE llower is compofed of numerous, flat, or ligulated flofcules, notched at the extremity, and 1 arranged together in a fcaly cup, of an oval or oblong figure, formed of numerous, foft, and fliarp pointed fcalcs. The feeds are winged with down, and the ftalks of the plant are tolerably firm and folid. J.innKus places this among ihe fingmcfia ; the filaments, as in the others, having buttons, which unite into a cylinder. D I V I - 436 Tiie BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Great Wild Lettuce, Lacliica fylvejiris major opii odore. The root is long, thick, and whitifli and, when cut, it yields abundantly a yellow juice, of a very unpleafant fmell, refembling that ot opium; and ot a bitter and naufeous tafte. The firfl: leaves are very large, oblong, broad, and a little waved, but not divided at the edges. Their colour is a pale green •, and, when bro- ken, they yield the fame yellow acrid juice. 'i'he llalk is round, green, fmooth, and five Icet high ; and a: the top it is divided into many branches. The leaves on it refemble chofe from the root ; and are oblong, broad, and undivided. The flowers ftand at the tops of the branches ; and are numerous, fmall, and yellow. It is frequent in our midland counties, and flowers in July. C, Bauhine calls it Latluca fylvejlris odore vi- rofo. Others, La^iiica fylvejlris major odore opii. This is one of thofe Englifh plants which de- ferve to be more known in medicine. It is called poifonous, and men have from that been frighted from its uff ; but it is a very gentle and fafe opiate, 71ie heft way of giving it is in a fyrup made from a decodlion of the frefh leaves and fl:aik. This way ii greatly exceeds the com.mon diacodium, and may be given to tender conftitu- tions with more fafcty. This 1 write from expe- rience. 2. Jagged-leaved Wild Lettuce, LcMuca fyhejiris foHis laciniatis. The root is long, thick, and brown. The flialk is round, thick, upright, purplilh, and four feet high. The leaves are long and large, of a dead green, deeply divided at the edges, and prickly along the rib on the under fide. The flowers are fmall, and of a pale yellow : they grow in vaft numbers on the tops of the branches. The whole plant abounds with a yellow, ill- fcented juice, DIVISION II. Blue-flowered Mountain -Lettuce. haSiuca montana Ctcrulea. The root is long, fmall, and hung with ■fibres. The ftalk is round, flender, upright, of a purplilh colour, and divided at the top into many branches. It is common on ditch-banks, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it LaSluca fyhejiris cojla ffinofi. Others, LaP,uca fyhejtris dijje^is foUis. The leaves ot this fpecies are fometimes undi- vided, or very little divided, as in the firfl kind. In this fl;ate fome have defcribed it as a diflin£t fpecies ; and others have confounded it with this and with the firfl: : but they are two difl:in{5l plants ; and this variety only belongs to the lat- ter here defcribed. 3. The leaft Wild Lettuce. Laofuca fyhejiris minima. The root is long and thin. The ftalks are numerous, very (lender, tough, and of a purplifh colour. The leaves are long, narrow, and deeply di- vided ; and the whole plant is full of an ill- fcented juice. The flowers are fmall ; and they rarely open: they are placed in long, flender cups. It is common on clay-banks of ditches, and flowers in Augufl:, C. Bauhine calls it Chandrilia vifcofa humilis. Others, hcMtica fyhejiri minor. 4. Ivy-leaved Wild Lettuce, LaBuca murorim foliis avgulofis. The root is fibrous and whitifh. The ftalk is round, upright, not much branched, brownifli or purplilh in colour, and two feet high. The leaves are long, and of a handfome fi- gure : they are fmall, and deeply pinnated to- ward the bafe, and at the end they fwell out into a broad, angulated, and pointed piece, refem- bling a ieaf of ivy. The flowers are fmall, numerous, and yellow. It is common on banks and walls, and flowers in June. C, Bauhine calls it Boncbus lavis laciniatm niu- ralis parvis Jlortbus. Linnaeus diftinguithes this and the fucceeding from the lettuce kind under the name premnibest ^from a flight difi^erence in the cup. The leaves are long, and moderately broad : they are flightly finuated at the edges, and of a deep green. The flowers are fmall, and of a fine blue. It is a native of Italy, and flowers in Augufir. C. Bauhine calls it La£Iuca montana yarj.ures cicruka major. FOREIGN SPECIES, 6 GENUS The B P. I T I S H H E R B A L. 437 GENUS II. SOW-THISTLE. S O N C H U S. THE flower is compofed of numerous, flat flofciiles, ranged together in a large comraon cup. Tliis is rounded, and formed of very numerous and very flender fcales: Each of tlie flof- cules is narrow, and indented in four parts at the top. The feeds are oblong, and the ftalks thick, but flifht and hollow. Linnaeus places this among the /yiipncjia. a DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. Common fmoodi Sow-Thifl!e. Smchus Uvis vulgaris. The root is compofed of numerous, whitifli fibres. The ftallc is thick, upright, round, hollow, and of a dead green. The leaves are very large, oblong, deeply fi- nuated at the edges, and terminated by a large, broad point. The flowers (land in great numbers on the tops of the branches ; and are large, and of a fine pale yellow. It is common every where in ground that has been dug, and flov;ers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Sonchus Uvis laciniatus lati- foUus. Othei-s only, Sonchus Uvls. 2. Broad -leaved fmooth Sow-Thiflle. Sonchus iavis fcUo latiore. The root is fibrous and white. The ftalk is round, upright:, of a deep green, and a yard high. The leaves are broad and fhort and are divi- ded at the edges by a few flight fcgments. The flowers are large, and of a pale yellow. It is common in corn-flelds, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Sonchus Uvis mhior pauclori- htis laciniis. 3, Common prickly Sow-Thidle. Sonchus foii/s fp'nwjts vulgaris. The root is long and flender, and has many fibres. The ftalk is very thick, and of a fine deep o-reen, round, a yard high, and branched. The leaves are long, and confiderably broad, ferrated, and prickly at the edges, and of a fins deep green. The flowers are large, and of a gold yellow. It is common on ditch-banks, and flowers in Augufl;. C. Bauhine calls it Sonchus tifper non Ir.ciniatns. Others, Sonchus afper 'vulgaris. 4. Jagged prickly Sow-Thiftle. Sonchus afper foUis laciniatis. The root is long, and hung with many fibres. The ftalk is round, thick, branched, and four feet high. The leaves are very large, and of a faint green, , deeply divided at the edges, and very prickiy. N%3- The flowers are fmaller than in the lafl, and of a faint yellow. It is common on wafl:e ground, and flowers in July- C. Bauhine calls it* Sonchus a/per ladniaius ; a name moft of the fucceeding writers have co- pied. 5. Oval-leaved Sow-Thlft:le. Sonchus foliis ovatis. The root is a tuft of white fibres. The fl:alk is flender, upright, fcarce at all branched, and a foot and half high. The leaves are of a very elegant form and co- lour ; they are of a glofl*y green, fmail at the bafe, where they furround the llalk, and oval toward the end and they are lightly fet at the edges with tender thorns. The flowers are few, large, and of a fine gold yellow. It is found on fandy banks, flowering in June- Petiver calls it Sonchus rgtundo folio. Plukenet, Sonchus fubrotundo folio nofiras. 6. Nakcd-ftalked Sow-Thifl:!e. Sor-chus caiilc nudo. , fl( ender, and hung with many The root is long fibres. The leaves that rife from it are very numerous, long, narrow, fliarp-pjintcd, and befct wiUi ten- der thorns at the edge. The ftalk is a fooc and a half high ; and often it has no leaves on it, rarely more than one or two : thefe are of the fame form with thofe from the root. The flowers are large, and of a deep yellow. It is found among corn, and flov/ers in July^ 7. Tree Sow-Thiflle. Sojichus arborcfcens. The root is long and thick. The ftalk is upright, round, of a yellowifh green, not much branched, and befcc with coarfe yellow hairs. The leaves are long, of a deep green, and di- vided irregularly at the edges. The flowers ftand at the cops of the branches ; and are very large, and of a deep orange yellow ; tliey ftand in dark green cups, covered vvith coarfe yellow hairs. It is common in corn-fields and dry paftures, flowering in Auguft. C. Bauhine caiis it Hicrachlum majus folio fon- chi. Others, Sonchus arborefcem vulgaris. 5 T 8. Great n 438 The BRITISH HERBAL. 8. Great Marlh Tree Sow-Thiflle. Sonchis arborefcens folio- cufpidato. The root is long and white. The ftalk is round, upright, eight feet high, and of a dead green : toward the top it divides into numerous branches. The leaves are long, confiderably broad, deeply indented, and pointed at the end. The flowers are of a gold yellow, numerous, and very large. It is a native of our marflies, and flowers in autumn, Merret calls it Sonchus triaihitalis folio cufpi- dato. 9. Sharp prickled Sow-Thifl.Ie, Sonchus afper dentatns. The root is fibrous. The ftalk is round, hollow, purplifli, and two feet high. The leaves are long, and confiderably broad : DIVISION II. Blue Mountain Sow-Thiftle. Sonchus cttruko fore. The root is long and thick. The ftalk is round, hollow, purplifh, and of a firm fubfl:ancc : it is not much branched. The leaves are large, oblong, Hiarp-pointed, deeply and irregularly pinnated, and finely fer- rated along the fegments. The flowers are very large, and of a fine fls-y- blue. they are dentated fharply at the edges, and bcfct with P.ronger prickles than the others. The flowers terminate the branches \ and arc large, and of a gold yellow. It is found in corn-fields, and flowers in July. Petiver calls it Sonchus afper dcntaSus. Dodo- ncEus, Sonchus afpericr. 10. Laciniated, fmooth Sow-Thillle. Sonchus litvis lacinintus. The root is long, (lender, and hung with many fibres. The fialks are round, hollow, upright, and five feet high. The leaves are long and large : Ehey are con- fidcrably broad j and they are divided down to the rib in many fegments. The flowers are large, and of a faint yellow. It is frequent in the weft: of England, and Bowers in June. Petiver calls it Sonchus Uvis Inceratus ; a nam.e others have copied. It is found on the mountains of Italy, and flowers in May. Petiver calls it Sonchus c^eruUus Uvis. Others, Sonchus montanus Citj'uleo flare. All the fo-JJ-thiftks polTefs the fame qualities, which are very trifling with regard to medicine. They are cooling, outwardly applied. Some have eaten the young flioots ; but they are not plea- fane. FOREIGN SPECIES. GENUS III. H A W K W E E D. H I E R A C H 1 U M. THE flower is compofcd of numerous flofcules, arranged in a fmall head. The common cup to thefe is oblong; and is formed of numerous, irregular fcales, lying clofe on one another. ■Each flofcule is flat, and dented in five places at the end. The flalks of the plant are firm, and the feeds oblong and flender. Linnreus places this among the fyngcncfia^ the buttons cn the threads coalefcing into a cylinder. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Hawkweed with bitten roots, Hieracium radice ahrupta. The root is compofed of numerous, thick fibres, joined to a fmall, oblong head, which terminates abruptly, and looks as if bitten ofi'. The fl:alks are numerous, afoot high, branched, and of a pale green. The leaves are long, narrow, and fliarply di- vided at the edges. 1'he flowers are fmall, and of a full yellow. It is common in paftures, and flowers in July. C. Bauhins cail'i it Hieracium chc-ndrilLe folio glahro. 2. Long-rooted Hawkweed. Hieracium longins radicatum. The ront is very long, moderately thick, and of a pale bi*ov,'n. The leaves rife in aclufter from this j and they are oblong, moderately broad, and of a deep green : they are obcufe at the ends, and are irre- gularly finuated at the edges. The fi:alks rife among thefe ; and are flender, tough, branched, a foot and half high, and of a pale green : they have rarely any rudiment of a leaf upon them. The flovv'fcrs grow at the tops of the branches and are of a fine gold yellow. It is common in paftures, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Hieraciim d:ntis kojiis folia ohtufum majus. 3. Smooth yellow Hawkweed. Hieracium luteutn glabrum faUis lacimatis. The root is compofcd of numerous fibres, The The BRITISH HERBAL. 439 The ftalks are upright, branched, and fpread- ing, of a pale green, and a foot and half high. The leaves are oblong, and moderately broad ; and they arc very deeply jagged at the edges : their colour is a fine green ; and they are per- feftly fmooth. The flowers (land at the tops of the ftalks ; and they are fmall, and of a deep yellow. It is common in pafturcs, and flowers in July- C. Bauhine calls it Cicboreum p-aleiije htcum Uvius. Others, Hiiraclxuni aphacaides. Thefe three fpecies are very common in our pafliures ; and they appear under various forms, according to the degree of nouriihment each re- ceives. Hence authors, who judged too fuper- ficially, have divided them into a number of kinds'tallcr or lower, and with more or Icfs jagged leaves: but thefe three are the real fpecies. 4. .Strong-fcented Hawkweed. Hkradim cajlorei odore. The root is compofcd of long, thick fibres. The ftalk is upright, branched, and two feet high. The leaves are long, moderately broad, hairy, deeply indented, and of a pale green. The flowers are large and yellow ; and, before they open, the bud hangs drooping. We have it on dry banks in our midland coun- ties. It flowers in July. Ray calls it Hisracium cajiorei odore Monffelien- fmm. This fpecies, when lefs nouriflied, has the leaves lefs divided, and has in this ftatc been con- fidered by fome as a difliina fpecies. 5. Broad-leaved Mountain Hawkweed. H eracium latijalmin montamm. flender, and furni.Hied with 7. Koilgh-headed Hawkweed. Uitracium nfperius capiliilis foliiji:. The root is long and ficnder, and has abun- dance of fibres. The leaves that rife from it fpread circularly upon the ground ; and are long, narrow, of a yeilowifl) green, and very rough to the touch. The ftalks are numerous, branched, and a foot and half high. The leaves on thefe refemble thofe from the root ; but they are not altogether fo rough. The flowers are large and yellow ; and they ftand in a kind of leafy heads, refembling thofe of the cardials hemdii^us. It is common on ditch banks, and flowers in July- C. liauhine calls it H:eradum ecbmides capittilis -Lirdui hcncdiJi. Our people, l^ang ds heuf. 8. Dwarf Hawkweed, with finuatcd leaves. Hisrcchwi pumHimi faHis f.muilis. The root is long and flender. The firft leaves are long, narrow, foft, of a pale green, and finuated deeply at the edges. The (falks are numerous, branched, and three inches high ; and they are almofl: naked. The flowers ftand at the tops, and are fmall and yellow. It is frequent in Suftlx on heaths, and flowers in July. Ray calls it Hieracium parium ill annqfis nafcens femhnm fnppis deiijicus radlctis. The root is long many fibres. The ftalk is weak, branched, of a deep green. The leaves are very broad, oblong, hairy, and of a dufliy colour. The flowers are large, and of a pale yellow. It is common in our northern counties, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Hierariiim inciiterMm latifo. limn glabrum minus. Clufius, Hieracium Brilan- mcim. 6. Great jagged-leaved Hawkweed. Hieracium lacitiiatum majus. The root is long, flender, and furniflied with a few fibres. The ftalk is round, firm, and two feet and half high. The leaves are long, moderately broad, deeply finuated, and rough. The flowers are large, and of a deep yel- low. It is found on ditch-banks in fandy foils, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Hieracium maximum cbaii- drilU folio afperum. Others, Hieracium cicborei folio majus. 9. Great-flowered rough Hawkweed. Hieracium afperium flore majore. The root is long, and hung with many fibres. The ftalk is upright, round, hairy, two feet high, branched, and of a brown colour. The leaves arc long, narrow, rough to the touch, and deeply finuated. The flowers are large, and yellow. We have it in corn-fields, where it flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Cicborium pratenfe luteum hir- fntum afperum. Ray, Hieracium afpsrum majorj flore. 10. Dwarf rough Hawkweed. Hieracium pumilum afperum. The root is compofcd of numerous fibres, con- ncifted to an abrupt head. 'I he leaves are long, narrow, a little finuated at the edges, and rough to the touch. The ftalks are tough, and ei^ht inches high, and the flowers fmall and yellow. It is found on dry banks in Kent, flowering in June. C. Bauhine calls it Hieracium pumihm faxatile afperum radice pramorfa. Columna, Hieracium faxatile montanum. II. Great-flowered broad-leaved Hawkweed. Hieracium latifotium magno pre. The root is compofed of numerous fibres. The 8 440 The BRITISH HERBAL. The leaves rife in a round ruft ; and are long, broad, an'd covered wi:h a dov.'ny hairynefs, of a deep green, and often fpotted. The fralk is upright, flendcr, fiim, and naked : at the top ftands a fingie flower, fometimes two : thefe are large, and oi a gold yellov/. We have ic in Sufiex, flowering in Auguft. C, Baithine calls it Hieracium AlpiniCin latijo- Hum hi'fiitis incamim magna Jlcre. 12. Broad-leaved, hairy, B'ufii Hawkweed. Ilierach'.m erc"um lalifclium hirfutmn. The root is compofed of numerous fibres. The ilalk is firm, round, a yard high, and at the top branched. The leaves have long footflalks ; and they are broad, hairy, of a pale green, indented lightly, and fharp-pointed. The flowers are ni;meroU3, large, and of a pale yellow. We have it about woods, flowering in July. C. Bauhinc calls it Hieracium fruticofum latifo- liiim hirfulmn ; a name others have followed. 13. Short-leaved, bulhy Hawkweed. Hieracium fruticofum folio hreviore. The root is fibrous and brown. The ftalk is robufl:, upright, branched, and a yard high. The leaves are broad, fliort, indented irregu- larly, and of a fine green : they are covered with a light hairynefs; but it is fo flight they appear fmooth to the difl:ant fight. The flowers arc large, numerous, and of a gold yellow. It is common in our northern counties, flower- ing in Augufl;. C. Bauhine calls it Hieracium fruticofum Intifo- Hum foiits dentatis gyMum. 14. Narrow-leaved, BuHi Hawkweed. Hieracium frutucfum cngufl folium. The root is fibrous. The flalk is firm, upright, brown, and a yard high. The leaves are long, narrow, of a pale green, and indented at the c-dgcs. The flowers are large, and of a fine yellow : they Hand at the tops of the branches. It is common in v.'oods, and fiowcrs in Au- guft. C. Bauhine calls it Hisraclum fruticofum angufli- foliim majus. The leaves of this fpecics are fometimc-s fcarce at all indented ; and, according to the degree of fliadc, they will be more or lefs hairy. Under thefe differences it has been defcribed by feme as three diflind: plants. 157 Golden Lungwort. Hieracium murcnm pilcfifjimum. The rout is compofed of numerous, brown fibres. The ftalk is round, branched, and two feet high ; and it is extremely hairy. 6 The leaves have long footftalks \ and they are large, oblong, broad, lightly indented, and ; extremely hairy, like the ftalk. The flowers are numerous, and of a briglit yellow. It is Irequent on walls, and on dry banks, flowering in AugLift. C. Bauhine calls it Hieracium murorum folio pilo- fiffmo. Others, Pulmonaria Gallica. 16. Narrow-leaved golden Lungwort. Hieracium puhnonarla diclum angufiiore folio. The root is fibrous. The ftalk is firm, upright, two feet high, and not branched. The leaves are long, and moderately broad, of a fine green, covered with a vi-hite down j and they have long footftalks. The flowers are large, and of a delicate yel- low. It is found in woods in our midland counties^ flowering in July. Ray calls it Hieracium pulmonaria dlBitmanguf- tfolxum. Wc have this and the former fpecies on our cold, northern mountains, where they afliime a fomewhat difi^erent form. In the firft fpecies the leaves are more obtufe, and lefs hairy ; and in this they are fmaller : in both the ftalks grow up to a great height, but with few leaves. Thefe varieties have by fome been defcribed as diftind fpecies ; but they are no more than acci- dents of growth. 17. Great fingle-fiowered Mountain Hawkweed Hieracium fljre ynagna fingulari. . The root confifls of numerous fibresj connei5led to a fmall head. The leaves are fpread in a rounded clufter; and are oblong, broad, obfufc, and hairy. The ftalk rifes in the centre ; it has no leaves, and it fupports only a Angle flower ; this is very large, and yellow. We h;ive it in Wales, and the north of Eng- land. It flowers in June. Ray calls it Hieracium villofm Alpinum fiorj: magno fingulari caule modo. It refembles moufe ear. ]8. Single-flowered Bufh Hawkwced. Hieracium nemorum fiorc fingulari. The root is long, and is hung with many fibres. The ftalk is firm, a foot high, hairy, and of a brownifh colour. The leaves are numerous, oblonrr, broad, dented at the edge?, of a pale green, and very hairy. The flower ftands fingly on the top of the ftalk; and is very large, and of a gold yellow. We have it in woods, flowering in July. Ray calls it Hieracii feu pilofelU majoris fpecies humilh follh longiorihus rarius dentatis phmmiis fi- mul for e fingulari. When The B R I T I S H H E R B A L. 441 When this grows in a lefs (haded fituation, the leaves are few, and deeper cut ; and there are fometimes more flowers than one; and, where much expofed to cold, the leaves will be crumpled, DIVISION II, F 0 Red-fiowered Hawkweed. Hieracmn flore ruhcnte. The root is long, and hung with many fibres. The leaves rifing from it are numerous, broad, hairy, and of a dark green. The (lalk is a foot high, round, and very hairy : at the top grow numerous footftalks, fup- porting the flowers. Thcle are moderately large, and of a deep orange fcarlet. andfmaller. In both thefe Urates we find it in our northern counties-, and it has been defcribed as fo many diftinft fpecies, in thefe appearances. REIGN SPECIES. It is a native of Spain, and flowers in Au- gufl:. C. Bauhirie calls it Hieracium hortCTife ftorihus atro purpiirafcmtibui. Our people. Grim the col- lier. All the hawkweeds are of the iam.e general qualities, cooling and deobftruent ; but their vir- tues are not fufficient to bring them into efteem or praftice. G E N U S IV. MOUSE-EAR. PILOSELLA. THE flower is compofcd of numerous flofcules, contained in a rounded cup. formed of num^- rous tender, oblon-, and narrow fcales. 1 he flofcules are feparately flat ; and dented m five parts at tlie ends. The leaves are hairy , and th^re ftands only one head or general flower on the top of each ftalk. Common Creeping Moufe-Ear, Piiofella vulgaris rcpens. The root is a tuft of whitifh fibres. The leaves rife in a little clufter from this ; and they are oblong, narrow, of a deep greeri, and very hairy : there rife with thefe fomc long, ■weak, trailing fhoots, which take root at the . ends ; and thefe fending up other clufters of leaves, propagate the plant abundantly. The ftalk is flender, of a pale green, hairy, and four inches high. One flower ftands on its top ; and this is large, and of a very beautiful pale yellow. It is common on dry banks, flowering in May. C. Baiihine calls it Piiofella major repens hir- fiita. Others only, Piiofella. It is an excellent altringent and may be gi- ven in powder of the whole plant againft hemor- rhages, and overflowings of the menfes. A ftrong decoction of it is good againft loofs- neflTcs attended with bloody ftools. GENUS V. DANDELION. DENS L E O N I S. THE flower is compofed of numerous flofcules, arranged in a common cup, compofed of many fcales, the inner ones of which are long, narrow, and ftrait and the outer, fewer, broader, and naturally turned backwards at the end. Each flofcule is narrow, and dented in Hve places at the end ; and one flower ftands on each ftalk ; which is alfo naked, or without leaves. LinnEEus places this among the fyngenejia with the others. I. Common Dandelion, Dens leonh vulgaris. This is almoft too common for defcriptlon. The root is long, and has many fibres. The leaves are numerous, long, broad, of 3> fine green, deeply indented, and full of a milky juice. The ftalks are numerous, hollow, naked, and ten inches high. One flower ftands on the top of each ; and this is large and yellow. It is common by way-fides, and flowers -all ftimmer. N-^ XUV. C. Bauhine calls it Dens Isonis latlcre folio. Others, Taraxacon. Beneficent Nature has in general made thofe things moft common which are moft ufeful ; and this plant is an inftance. It is excellent againft obll:ruflions of the vifcera, and in the fcurvy: It is alfo of great ufe in the gravel, operating powerfully, yet fafely, by urine. The beft method of taking it in a fit of the gravel, is in ftrong decoflion : for the other cafes the lower part of the ftalks, blanched, are beft eaten in the way of fallad. >^ U 2. Narrow- The BRITISH HERBAL. 2. Narrow-leaved Dandelion. Dens Iscnis folio angiifiiore. The root is long, and has many fibres. The leaves are narrow, long, of a dark green, and divided into more and deeper fegments than in the common kind. One flov/er {lands at the top of each ftalk ; and this is large, and yellow. The feeds are redifh, and are winged with down. Thofe of the common kin Common Mugwort. Artemifia vulgaris. The root is compofed of numerous, tluck fibres, conne(51:ed to a fmall head. The flialk is a yard high, firm, upright, and branched, purpHQi toward the bottom, and pale upwards. The leaves are very large ; and they are deeply divided into fegments, which are narrow and fharp-pointed : they are of a dufl^y green on the upper-fide, and white underneath. The flowers fland along the tops of the branches in Imall brown heads, with a tinge u[ purplifh. It is common by way-fides, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Artemifia vulgaris major. It is an excellent medicine in hyflerick com- plaints, and in all obftrudlions of the vifcera. Ic is beft taken in infufion. GENUS 1 464 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS XIV. SCABIOUS. SCJBlOSji. THE flower is compofed of numerous fiofcules, arranged in a common cup. This is formed of oblong fcales in fevcral feries. Each flofcule is tubular, and divided at the top into five ieg- mentSi and has befide the common cup two, an outer and inner, peculiar to itfelf. The leeds are oval, and pointed. Linnxus feparates this from the reft of the campofite-fiowered plants, by many clafles, placinn- ;? among the tetrandria, the buttons not coalcfcing. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Common Scabious. Scabiofa vulgaris. The root is -compofed of many thick fibres, united to a common head. The leaves that rife firft arc oblong, broad, and of a pale green. The ftalk is two feet high, hairy, upright, not much branched, and of a pale green. The leaves on this are divided deeply on the edges. The flowers ftand at the tops of the flalks, and are large and blue. It is common in corn-fields, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Scahiofa pratenfis hirfuta qius It is excellent againft diforders of the breaft given in infufion. 2. The Lefl*er Scabious, Scabiofa minor. The root is long, thick, and furnlilied with many fibres. The ftalk is round, upright, (lender, and twp feet high. The leaves are all very deeply divided into fer- ments, and are of a faint green. The flowers arc large, and naturally blue ; but they are fometimes redifli or white. It is common in dry paftures, and fluwers in C. Bauhine calls it Scahiofa co.r^itulo glohofo mhior. 3. Scabious, with bitten roots. Scahiofa radice fuccifa. The root is thick, fhort, and abruptly broken oft-", and has a multitude of thick fibres. The leaves that firft rife from it are oblong, of a deep green, not indented at the edges, °nnd fmooth. The ftalks are flender, uprrglit, ^nd a foot and half high. The flowers are of a deep blue. It is common in meadows, and flowers in Au- guft. C. Bauhine calls k Scabiofa fuccifa glabra cthir^ futa. Our people. Blue dcviVs-bii, DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Mufli-Scabious. Scabiofa Jlore filavc cknle. The root is formed of many fibres, conneftcd to a fmall head. The ftalk is upright, of a pale green, round, very much branched, and a yard high. The leaves are divided into yery fine fegmejits. The flowers are placed at the tops of the branches, and are of a deep purple, almoft black ; and they have a fine mufliy fmell. It is a native of Spain, and flowers in Au- guft. C. Bauhine calls it Scaiicfa mofihaia. G E N U 8 XV. T E A S E L L. D I P S A C U S. THE flower is compofed of numerous flofcules, arranged in an oval head, within a common cup. This is compofed of a few narrow and lharp -pointed leaves. Each Bofcule is tubular, and di- vided at the rim into four fegments. LinnKus places this with the former among the tetramlria, feparating them entirely from the reft of the corymbiferous tribe, which ftand among his fyngemfia. I. Common Teafcll. Dipfacus vulgaris. The root is long, thick, and has a few large fibres, The ftalk is round, whitifli, thick, upright, and fix feet high. The leaves are long, and moderately broad ■ they ftand in pairs, and unite at the bafe in fuch The BRITISH HERBAL. 465 a manner as to hold water : they are of a fine green, and their under rib is prickly. Tire flowers are fmall, and of a pale red ; and they (land in vaft oval heads. It is common by way-fides, and flowers in July- C. Bauhine calls it Diffacus Jyhejtris Jive virga fpjioris major. 2. Small Teafell. Dipfcicus minor. -"he root is oblong, fmall, and hung with many fibres. The ftalk is upright, very much branched, and a yard high. The leaves are broad, and of a deep green : they ftand in pairs, but their bafes do not unite as in the other. The flowers are whitifli and fweet ; and they ftand in little round heads. It is common by road-fides, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Dipfacus minor feu capitulo minore. The common teafell, cultivated in good ground, grows larger in all its parts, and the heads arc ufed in drelTing of cloth. The END of the T W E N T Y- E I G H T H CLASS/ 4''- THE T fl E BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS XXIX, Plants whofe flower is compofed of fix petals^ or has fx fegments ; whofe feed-veffel is divided into three cells^ C072tai?ii77g each a dotihle feries of feeds \ whofe leaves are graffy^ afid whofe root cojffls of a fngle^ romidifh lumpy with fbres fro7n the bafe. THESE are a numerous and very beautiful feries of plants ; and all who have taken the plain road of Nature in forming fyftems of botany, have therefore kept them in one clafs, and feparated all others from them. Ray calls them the bulbous rooted plants ; this kind of root being univerfally undcrftood by the term li'?;/^ ; and the leaves from all of them are long, flender, and without footftalks, which is the fenfe of the term g?'ajjy. Linnsus, as is his cuftom, takes the charader of the clalTes in which thefe plants are arranged, from the number of filaments in the flower ; and in this inflance, as in every other, he feparates thofa genera which Nature has allied into the moft remore parts of his fyftem > and joins with every dlvi- fion of them thole which fhe feparates moft widely from them. Thus, in his method, the cokhkum and crocus, aliied as clofely as two diflindl genera can be, are feparated by three claiies j the crocus being one of his third, becaufe there are but three threads in the flower j and the cokh'icum one of his fixth clafs, becaufe there are in that fix filaments. Let the unprejudiced examine thefe two plants, and judge between us, whether Linnaeus have done well in feparating, or I in bringing them again together. The refpecft I have for this author, notwithfl:anding my diflike to his fyitem, makes it difagreeable to me to accumulate cenfures upon him : but, in fupport of the exceptions made to his method in this refpect, I muft add, that, befide feparating thefe plants from one another, he has joined in the fame clafs with the crocus the tamarind-tree, and with the cohhictm and tulip he has placed the afparagus and berherry-hijh. SERIES I; British Genera. Thofe of which one or more fpecies are naturally wild in this country. GENUS I. G A R L I C K. :. -- ALLIUM. THE flower is compofed of fix petals, and the fced-veffel is very broad and ftort. A number of thefe flowers are contained in a common fcabbard, which is roundifh, and terminates in a Tingle or double point. The feeds are numerous, and roundini. Linna:us ranges this among the hcxandrin mono^ynia ; the threads being fix, and the flyle Angle. 4 D I V I- mrrm 1 The BRITISH HERBAL, 467 DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Crow-Garlick. Allhitn fylveftre tenuijoliwn. The root is fmall, roundifli, covered with a red fkin, and of a very ftrong tafte. The leave's are very long, flendcr, hoUow, and oF a pale green. The llalk is round, upright, and a foot Iilgh. The head is fmall, and is frequently compolcd altogether of httle flefliy fubflances, which fiioot out leaves in the manner of roots, and take root when they fall ; fomctimes there arc among thele fmali, greeniHi flowers. It is common in paftiires, and fometimes among corn. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Alliuh cmnpefire jtmcifoUum cap'tatwn purptirafceiis majus. Others, Allium Jyhejlre juncifoUim. 2. Purple Mountain-Garlick. Allium montanicm furpureum majus. The root is a large, round bulb, with many fibres at the bottom. ■ The. leaves are long, and fomewhat broad, flat at the upper-fide, and hollowed underneath, and of a fine deep green. The ftalk is upright, round, and two feet high. The head is round and large, purplilh in co- lour, and compofed of numerous flelliy fubftances, as in the other, with a few faint red flowers be- tween and among them. It is common on hills in our northern coun- , ties, and flowers in July. ; Ray calls it Allium montamwi bicorne purpureum prolifetum. 3. Striped Garlick.- Allium fore Jlrialo, The root is a fmall, roundifh bulb, of a white colour. The leaves are long, narrow, and of a fiale green. The ftalk is a foot and half high, round, and green. The flowers fl;and in a clufter at the top ; and they are of a grcenifii white, ftreaked with purple. We have it among corn in EfTex. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Allium montanum Ucornc fiore exallido. Clufius, Moly mcitamm terthim ; a name others have followed. 4. Purple Garlick. Allium hifijollmn fiore purpura funic. The root is round, fimple, and large. The leaves arc numerous, broad, and of a deep green. The ftalk is a foot and half high. The flowers fliand at its top in a great round clufl-er; and they are purple. We have it in the weftern counties not un- common. It flowers in June. Ray calls it Allium Hvlmenje fpherico capite. 5. Broad-leaved Wild Garlick. Allium fyhefire Intifolium album. The root is round and whitifli. The leaves are oblong, very broad, and of a fine deep green. The ftalk is of a pale green, three fquare, and ten inches high. The flowers ftand at the top in a clufter; and- they are fmall and white. It is common in damp ground, and flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Allium fyhefirc latifoUum. Our people, Ramfons. 6. Great Mountain Garlick. Allium montanum elatius. The root is compofed of feveral fmall pieces, covered with one common fkin, which is tou^h and rcdifli. ° The leaves are broad, ftriated, and of a deep green. The ftalk is two fefet and a half high, round, green, and juicy. At its top ftands a head, compofed of flefliy tubercles, of a blackifh purple, with a few pale purple flowers between them. It is found in the north of England, -flowefintr jn April. * DIVISION II. FOREIGN Sl^ECIE 8. Common Garlick; - . - . Allium hortenfe. The root is compofed of numerous fmall pieces, enclofed in one common Ikin. The leaves are long and narrow, and of a pale green. The ftalk is round, upright, and fmooth. . At the top ftand a great number of flowers, collected into a round, cluftered head : they are fmall and whitifli. It is a native of the Eaft, but for its ufe is cultivated every where in gardens. Some are fbnd of the root in food • and it is excellent in medicine, A fyrup 0^ garlick is a great remedy in afthmaS. It is alfo aperient,,and good in all obftruaions of the vifccra, and is recommended againft conta- gious difordcrs. 51 n 5 m m i I fA GENUS 468 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS II. DAFFODIL L. N J R C I S S U S. THE flower is formed of a long, tubular body, and fix petals. This tubular part is by common writers called the cup of the Hower, but is its neftarium ; and the petals are oblong, and are inferred into it above the bafe. The feed veflel is roundilh, but marked with three ridges ; and the fcabbard enclofing the flowers before they open, is oblong and flatted. Linnreus places this among the hexandria momgynia ; the threads being and the ftyle fmgle in the flower. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Wild Englilh Dalfodill. Narcijfus fylvepit pallidus. The root is fmall, and roundilh. The leaves are narrow and long, and of a ftrong green. The ftalk is upright, and a foot high ; and on its top ftands a hngle flower. This is large and yellow : the edge of the neftarium or tubular part is waved, and the petals are paler than this part. We have it frequent wild in the north of Eng- land in damp paftures, flowering in April. C. Bauhine calls it Narcijfus fylveftris faHidus calyn luleo. Others, Pfelide-nardfus An^lkus. 2. Pale Daffodill, called Primrofe-Peerlefs. Narcijfus medio hlcus vulgaris. The root is fmall, and roundilh. The leaves are long, and fomewhat broad, ftriated, and of a pale green. The ftalk is flatted, and a foot high. The flowers are very beautiful. The petals are large, and of an extreme pale yellowifh, little more than we call cream-colour ; and the neftarium is fmall and yellow. We have it wild in the north of England, and it is frequent in gardens. C. Bauhine calls it Narcijfus palHdus medio lu- leo. Others, Narcijfus medio lutcus. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Hulli leaved Daffodill, called Junquille. Narcijfus juncifolius vulgaris. The root is fmall, and roundifli. The leaves are long, flender, hollow, rounded, and of a deep green. The ftalk rifes in the midft ; and is flender, and a toot high. The flowers are of a beautiful pale yellow, and ' very fweet. It is a native of the Eaft, but is kept every where " in gardens, wher* culture raifcs many varieties of it. . C, Bauhine calltit Narcijfus Juncifolius ; a name copied by others. GENUS III. STAR OF BETHLEHEM. ORNITHOGJLUM. THE flower is compofed of fix petals, which remain after they have loft their colour. They have no cup. The feed- veflel is roimdiOi, but haa three ridges j and there are a kind of films at the bafe of all the footftalks of the flowers. Linnaeus places this, with many other of the balbous plants, among x.hz hexandria mono^nia. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Wild, fpiked Star of Bethlehem. Ornithogalum angujlifolium fpicatum pre ex alho virenle. 'i he root is round, large, and white. The leaves are long, narrow, and of a pale green. The ftalk is round, upright, and two feet high. The flowers fl-aiid in a long fpike at the top, and are of a grecnifh white. It is found wild in our weftern counties, and flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Ornithogalum angnftifoliim majus, 2. Common Star of Bethlehem. ' Ornithogalmn vulgarc. The root is large, round, and white. The leaves are numerous, very narrow, long, and of a dark green. The ftalk is round, upright, and eight inches high. The fiowers grow in a kind of umbel, not a J fpikej The BRITISH HERBAL. 469 fpike-, and they are large and white, with a ftreak of green on the back' of each petal. We have it on damp places in hilly grounds, but not common. It Bowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Ornithogalum umbellatum medium. 2, Yellow Star of Bethlehem. Omithogalum Ittteum. The root is round and fmall. The leaves are of a pale green, long, narrow- and gralTy. The ftalk is about four inches high, round, and alfo of a pale green. The flowers are of a beautiful yellowi We have it wild in the northern coUnties. If flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Ormthogahm hiteuin. Others, Ce'pe agfaria. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Tall, fpiked Star of Bethlehem, Ornithagalum majus fficatum. The root is large, round, and white. The leaves are long, and have fomc breadth ; but they are of the graffy form. The ftalk is upright, round, and a yard high. The flowers are of a de'icate white ; and they ftand in a fine, long fpike at the top of the ftalk. It is a native of Spain, and flowers in Au- guft. C. Bauhine calls it Oritilio^chim fpicatum majiu. The virtues of thefe plants are unknown ; but their beauty has given them a place in gardens. GENUS IV. HYACINTH. H r A C I N r H U S. THE flower is formed of a fingle petal, tubular at the bafe, and divided into fix fegments at the edge i and there is within, a neftarium, formed of three diftinguiftiable openings on the top of the rudiment of the fruit. There is no cup. The feed-veffel is roundifti, but marked in three places. EinnEeus places this among the hexandria moiiogyriia. DIVISION i. BRITISH SPECIES. I. Small Vernal Star-Hyacinth. Hyacinthus Jiellaris minor. The root is round and fmall. The leaves are long, grafly, and of a pale greeh. There generally rife only two or three with the ftalk. The ftalk is round, flender, and fix inches high. The flowers ftand in a fliort fpike 1 and are deeply divided, and of a fine blue. We have it in ouf northern counties. It flowers In April. C. Bauhine calls it Hyacinthus pilaris trifolius Cmliamcus. Others, Hyacinlhusfidlaris vermis. 2. Common Blue Hyacinth. Hyaciiithus atruleus vulgaris. The root is round white. The leaves are long, graffy, and of a pale green. The flowers grow on the top of a thick, round, juicy ftalk, which is a foot high, and bends a: the furhmit : they are long, tubular, and of a deep blue. It is common under hedges, and flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Hyacinthus caruho fiore oh- longo iimjor. Others, Hyacinthus vulgaris, and Hyacinthus Anglicus. 3. LelTer Autumnal Star-Hyacinth. Hyacinthus jiellaris autumnalis minor. The root is fmall and round. The leaves are numerous, long, narrow, and of a faint green. The ftalk is flender, of a pale green, and fix inches high. The flowers ftand in a fpike at the top ; and are fmall, deeply divided into pointed fegments, and of a fine Iky-blue. We have it on heaths, but not common. It flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Hyacinthus Jiellaris autumna. lis minor > a name others have copied. i i I i n n 1 N° XLVlI. D I V I 470 The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Blue Mufcari. Hyacinlhus pre canilto ghhcfa. The root is round and fmall. The leaves are numerous, and of a pale green. ■ The ftalk is round, upright, broad, and ten inches high.- The flo\vers ftand drooping in a thick, fliorc fpilce at the top and they are globular, or nearJy fo, and blue. It is a native of the Eafl-, and flowers in Au- guft. C. Bauhine calls it Mufcari vidgare. G E N U S V. MEADOW-SAFFRON. COLCHJCVM. ri-lHE flower is large, and rifes immediately from the root. It confiflis of a long, tubular bafe, 1 and a broad body, at the top divided into fix fegments, refembling fo many large petals. There is no cup. The feed-vefi'el is divided into three parts, and the leaves appear at a different time from the flowers. Linnsus places this among the hixamria Irigyltk ; the threads being flx, and the ftyles three, and of equal length with them. Meadow-Saifron. Cohhicum vuigare. The root is large and round. The leaves are numerous, long, and when fully expanded very broad ; they naturally appear at a difterent time from the flower ; and if any chance to rife with it, they are narrower. The flower rifes out of the ground without any ftalk, its own tubular bafe ferving to that pur- pofe : it is very large, and of a pale, but elegant purple. Tlie fegments are naturally flx ; buC fometimes they are double that number in the wild plant i and fometimes, infliead of an uniform purple, the flower is ftreaked with white, or is white throughout. We have it in meadows in our fouthern coun- ties. It flowers in September. C. Bauhine calls it Cohhtcnm communs. The root is accounted poifonous. GENUS VI. SAFFRON. CROCUS. THE flower is formed of a Angle petal, tubular, and very long at the bafe, and divided into fix fcf^ments at the edge, which feem fo many diftin£t petals. The fcabbard ferving as a cup, is formed°of a Angle piece. The fecd-veflel is roundifli, but marked with three ridges. This plant, which is fcarce to be diftinguhhed as a genus from the preceding, Linnaeus places in a different clafs, the trimdria, becaufe the threads in the flower are only three. True Saffron. Crocus verus mitummlis. The root is roundifli, and has many fibres at the bottom. The leaves are very narrow and graffy, of a dark green, and ate marked with a white rib along the middle. The flowers are large, and of a fine blue purple, with orange-coloured tops to the ftyles. It is found in fome parts of the kingdom grow- ing in fields under hedges, but probably has been owing to roots fcattered from places where it was cukivated for fale. It flowers in Augufl. C. Bauhine calls it Crocus fatlvus. The part ufed in medic. ne rifes from the top of the ftyle, and is in its termination deftined to re- ceive the farina from the buttons of the threads, for impregnating the feeds. This confiifs of three orange-coloured, waved, flat filaments ; which are feparated from the reft of the flower, and dried with care. The whole compafs of medicine does not af- ford a nobler cordial or fudorifick. It is excel- lent alfo in obftruftions of the vifcera, in powder or tinifture. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. +71 GENUS VII. BULBOCODIUM. rpHE flower is compofed of f.x petals, and has no cup. The fecd-velTel is marked with three 1 ridges ; and there are fome rudiments of leaves upon the flalk. LinnKus places this among the bexaniria. Alpine Bulbocodium. Bulbocoiiiim fiore rubinse. The root is fmall and round. The leaves are numerous, long, narrow, and of a pale green. The Italic is four inches high, very (lender, and has a few imperfed leaves. One flower ftands at the top ; and this is fmall. and of a pale red on the outfide, but white within. We have it on our northern mountains. Ie\ flowers in Augufl:. Ray calls it Bulbocodium Alp'mum pumiliumjmci- foliumfiorl unicotxtus ruiente. Its virtues are unknown. The END of the TWENTY-NINTH CLASS. T H THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS XXX. Plants whofe flower is confpicuous^ and of an irregular flruElure \ whofi " leaves are gf^affy-i and whofe roots are not hdbous^ THESE are diilinguifhed by Nature as perfeftly as the preceding from ali other plants. Their leaves have the afpeft of thofe of the bulbous tribe ; but their roots are cither mafly and ir- regular, or formed of double parts, or of implicated fibres, rifing from a thick head. This diftinifhion of Nature Ray and others have followed, calling them herb^ bulbofis affines, and keeping them together in one clafs. But Linnsus has fcattered them over different parts of his worksj caking his characters not from thefe larger parts, but from the threads in the flower. SERIES I. British Genera, Thofe of which one or more fpecies are found wild in this country. GENUS I. FLAG-FLOWER. IRIS. 'X'HE root is mafiy and irregular. The leaves are edged as fwords. The flower is formed of one petal, divided into fix parts : three of thefe ftand outward, and turn back ; and the other three are placed inward, and are ere6t. The feed-veffel is oblong, and angulated, Linnreus places this among the triandria monogynia, the filaments in the flower being three, and the fl;y]e fingle. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Common Flag-Flower. Iris lutea vulgaris. The root is brown, thick, and creeping. The leaves are very long, fomewhat broad, of a pale green, edged on each fide, and fharp- pointed. The ifalk is a yard high, of a pale green, and befec with a few fliorter leaves. The flowers are large and yellow. It is common by water, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Acariis adidterlms. Others, Iris palujlris lutea. The dried roots are diuretick, and good againft obfl:ruflions of the vifcera. 2. Whitifli Fiag-Flower. Iris pallidior. The root is thick, and fpreads irregularly un- der the furface. The The BRITISH HERBAL. 473 The leaves are Ihort, fharp-pointed, edged on both fides, and of a pale green, with a tinge of greyifh. The ftalk is two feet high ; and the flowers are large, and of a pale yellow. We have it by waters. It flowers in June. Ray calls it Iris palujlris pallida. 3. Stinking Flag-flower, called Gladden, ins fcetida Xyris diifa. " The root is thick, and fprcads under the fur- face. The leaves are numerous, long, edged, and pointed, and of a deep green. The ftalk is two feet high, and at the top ftand feveral flowers : they are large, but of a greyifh difagreeable colour. The leaves, when bruifed, have a ftrong, un- pleafant fmcU. It is common in damp places, and flowers in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Gladiolus fatidns. Others^ XyriSy Iris ftstida, and Spatula fatida. Our people. Stinking Chddon. DIVISION II. Blue Flower-de-Luce. Iris hortenfis vulgaris. The root is thick and fpreading. The leaves are long, broad, of a deep green, edged on both fides, and fiiarp-pointed. The ftalk is two feet and a half high, and at E FOREIGN SPECIES. its top ftand feveral large flowers : thefe are of a very beautiful blue. It is a native of the warmer parts of Europe, and flowers in Augufl. C. Bauhine calls it Jris cecrulea vulgaris. The juice of the root exprefled, with white wine, is a rough purge, but excellent in dropfies- u 11. BASTARD-ASPHODEL L. FHALANGIUM. IT^HE root confifts of numerous implicated fibres, rifing from a fliort, thick head. The leaves are grafly. The flowers are formed each of a fingle petal, divided into fix unequal ftarry feg- ments. The feed-vefTel is three-cornered. LinncEus places this among the hexandria, the threads in the flower being fix. I. Lancafliire Bafliard Afphodell. Phalangium iridis folio majus. The root has many thick, brown fibres. The leaves are long, of a bluilh green, Iharp- pointed, and edged on the two fides. The ftaik is upright, and two feet high. The flowers grow at the top in a long, beau- tiful fpike i and are fmall, and of a gold yel- low. It is found on bogs in fome parts of England, but is not common. It fiowers in Augufl:. C. Bauhine calls it Pfeudo-afphodelus palujiris AngUcus. Others, Jfphodelus Lancajlri^. i. Dwarf Baftard-Afphodell; Phalangium minimum. The root is compofed of innumerable fibres, rifing from a fmall, thick head. The leaves are of a dufl mismBBBasmm The BRITISH HERBAL. 483 GENUS VII. HEMP. CANNABIS. THE flowers are male and female upon fcparate plants. The male confills of five fmall fila- ments, placed in a cup, divided into five fcgments. The female have twoftyles, placed on the rudiment of 'the feed in a cup that burfts fideways. The feed is enclofcd, as it ripens, in this cup. Linnaeus places this among the diivcia fmtandria. The Common Hemp. Cannabis vulgaris. The root confifts of many fibres, conneftcd to an oblong head. The ftalk is thick, tough, ftriated, and four feet high. The leaves are large, and divided in the man- ner of fingers, and of a dulky green. The flovi-ers on the male plants are whitidi. thofe on the female of a pale green : thefe lad only ripen feed. It is wild in Scotland, but fmall. We culti- vate it here in fields for the fervice of the hnnen manufaftory. It flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Cannabis mas et fxmhm. An emulfion of hemp-itzi has fingly cured jaundice. GENUS Vill. DOGS MERCURY. CTNQCRAM.BE. THE towers arc of two kinds, male and female, on the fame plant. The male confift of nu- mL'rous filaments, in a cup which fplics into two parts, and thofe turn back. In the female the cup is of like form ; but in it is only a fingle ftyle, fixed to the rudiment of a fruit, which, when ripe, is rough, and holds a fingle feed. ... - ■ ■ Dogs Mercury. Cymcramk vulgaris. The root is fibrous, white, .Tnd fprcading. I he ftalk is green, round. Juicy, and a foot high. The leaves are placed in pairs and they are green, fredi, ol?long, ferrated, and pointed. The male flowers grow at the tops of the ftafks in fmall, greeniG-r fpikes. The feeds rife on fmall footftalks in thebofom of the leaves ; and are of a tefticulated form. If is common under hedges, and flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Mercurialis montana tejlicu- lata. Others, X^ynocrambe, The plant ispoifonous, and has defl:royed many perfons. G E N F R E N C H U S IX. IVI E R C U R Y. M E R C U R I A L I THE flowers are male and female, and they grow on feparate plants. The male flower confifts of nine filaments, placed in a fmall cup, cut into three fegments. The female is compoled of a like cup, in which are placed two ftyles upon a rounded gcrmcn, and two neftaria at its fides. The fecd-veflel is tefl;iculated. "Linnaius juflly fepararcs this" from the former, Ray inadvertently joins them as fpccles of one "enus. French Mercury. Mercurialis annua glabra. The root is fibrous. The ftalk is a foot high, very much branched, and thick let with leaves : thefe are oblong, fer- rated, and of a beautiful green. The male flowers are greenifli, and grow in flender fpikeS on fome plants. The female rife from the bofoms of the leaves in others ; and are alfo little and greenifli. It is common about hedges, and flowers in May, C. Bauhine calls it Mercurialis mas et fxmina. GENUS liOiiBii 4^4- The BRITISH HERBAL, GENUS X. NETTLE; U R t I C J. TME flowers are male and female on the fame plant. The male fiower confills of a four-leaved cup, and four fiUments ; with an oval, fmall neftarium. In the female there is only a rudi- ment of the fted, with a rough top, in a cup^ fplit into two parts. Linn^tus places this among the mc7ixcia ietnamiria. I. Common Nettle. Urticn 'vulgaris. The root is creeping. ■ The ftaik is ridged, a yard high, branched, and befet with little prickles, at whofc bafe are blad- ders of a rtiarp, watery juice, wiiich inflames the fkin, when let in by the puntSture of the prickles. The leaves are large, broad, oblong, ihiarp- pointed, ferrated, and covered with the fame prickles. The flowers are greenidi, and inconfiderable. Ic is common by way-fides, and flowers m July. The male and female Rowers in this genus, I have obferved, are fometimes on the fame^ and fometinies on diftindt plants, 2. The L.efTcr Nettle. Urtica viinor. The root is fibrous. Tlie ftalk is a foot high, not often branched, fif a.duflsy green, and full of fpines. - The leaves are broad, fliort, and ferrated. The flowers are greenini. It is common about gardens, and flowers ia June. C. Bauhine calls this Urtica urens minor ; the former, Urtica urens maxima. 3- Roman Nettle. Urtica pHuHfera. The root is fibrous, and creeps. The ftalk is ridged, two feet high, and branched. The leaves are large, oblong, ferrated, co- vered with poifoned fpines, and of a deep green. The male flowers are greenidi, and inconfider- able : the female are fucceeded by round, larg^ balls, covered with fpines, and containing the feeds. It is wild in our northern counties, flowering in July. C. Bauhine calls it Urtica urens pHas ferens. The tops of the common nettle^ eaten in fpring, are deobftruent. The roots are a powerful and excellent diuretick. f GENUS XI, X A N T II I U M. ^HE flowers are msle and female on the fame plant. The male flowers are cluftered togetJier, many in one cover, and conflfl each of five filaments, placed in a tubular cup, divided at the edge into five fegments. The female flowers are contained two only in one cup, which is formed of two leaves, each divided into three lobes ; the middle one largefl:, and covered with hooked fpines. The fruit fucceeding thefe is alfo oblong, and covered with hooked thorns; Linnreus places this among the moncccia pentandria. Xanthium, called Small Burdock. Xanthium %-i'Jgare, The root confifts of an oblong head, and many fibres. The ftalk is ftriated, purpUfh, branched, and tough. The leaves arc large, and of a pale green, of an oval and fomewhat cordatcd form, and fer- rated. The flowers are fmall and whitifli ; the fruit is hard, echinated, and of a purplifh brown. It grows on the edges of our fen-counties, and flowers in April. C. Bauhine calls it Lappa nmor Xanthium Dis- fccridis. GENUS XII. DOCK. r L J P A T H U M. TpHE Hower confift! oF fix very fmall filaments, with three ftyles, placed in a cup compofed of A fix leaves, three outward, and three inward, all remaining with the feed; which is finglc, and three-cornered. Linna:us places this among the hcxmdria triQ/ma, and fuppofes the three inner fegments of the •'cup, petals. 3 D I V I. The BRITISH HERBAL. DIVISION I. BRITISH SPECIES. 1. Great Water-Dock. Lapalhim aquaticum maximum. The root is long, thick, and brown. The ftalk is thick, purphfh at the bottom, green upwards, rarely much branched, and five feet high. The leaves are long, and extremely large, of a fine green, and waved at the edges. The flowers are greenifh, and the feeds large and brown. It is common about waters, and flowers in July- C. Bauhine calls it Lapathum a^iialicum folio cuhtali. It is celebrated againft the fcurvy. 2. Sharp-pointed Dock. Lapathum folio acuta. The root Is long, chick, brown on the out- fide, yeUow within, and of a raw, auftere tafle. The ftalk is round, firm, branched, and three feet high. The leaves arc long, large, even at the edges, and fharp-pointed. The flowers are greenifh. It is common in rich foils, and fiowers in July. C. Bauhine calls ic Lapathum folio acuto piano. The root is excellent againft the fcurvy, much preferable to the great -water-dock : it is beft taken in a ftrong infufion. Befide thefe, our wafte grounds afford not lefs than nine other fpecies of the common docky not including the forrels, which are dlftinguiflied by their peculiar manner of growing. In all thefe kinds the flowers, feeds, and man- ner of growth, are the fame ; their principal dif- ference confifting in the form of their leaves- We fhall therefore lay them before the reader in one view, without the interruption of divifions, into feparate articles. They are, I. The common Dock, Lapathum viilgare ohiu- fum. Diflinguifhed by the bluntncfs of its leaves. 1, The curled-leaved, fharp pointed Dock, La- paihmn acutiim crifpiim. Common by waters. 3- The fmooth, narrow-leaved^ fliarp-pointed Dock, Lapathum aciitum angujiifolium imi crifpum. 4. Dwarf, fharp-pointed Dock, Lapathum acu- turn minimum. Whofc flowers ftand in chick tufts. 5. Green Dock, Lapathum acutum vtride. In this there are no leaves among the clufters of flowers. 6. Fiddle-Dock, Lapathum pulch'um Bonowenfe fmuatum. Whofe leaves are hollowed out on each fide. 7. Golden Dock, Lapathum angujiifolium fiore aureo. Whofe leaves are whitifii, and the feed fmall. 8. Taller golden Dock, Lapathum nureum an^ gujlo folio. Whofe Jeaves are very narrow and feeds large. 5. Bloody Dock, Lapathum fanguine:!}n. Diftin* guiflied by red veins in the leaves. DIVISION II. FOREIGN SPECIES. Monks Rhubarb. Lafaihum folio ohlongo acuta. The root is long, very thick, and within of a ftrong and fine yellow. The ftalk is thick, and five feet high, purple at the-bafe, green upwards, and branched. The leaves are very large, oblong, of a deep green, often purplifh, and have purple foot- ftalks. The flowers are very numerous, thready, and whitifh. It is a native of Germany and Italy, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls ic Hippolapathum latifolium. The frefh root is a purge ; and fome have ufed it in che place of rhubarb : but it is vaftly in- ferior. DOCKS, called SORREL. •T^HE flowers and feeds in che feveral kinds of forrd are of the fame form with chofe of the common docks ; but their different manner of growth, which has obtained them a feparate name, de- mands alfo a peculiar defcription. I I. Common Sorrel. Lapathum acetofum vulgare. The root is long, flender, and hung wich fome fibres. The ftalk is a foot and half high, redifli at che bottom, and not branched. Th'e leaves have redifli footftalks ; and they are of a fine frefh green, of an agreeable acid tafte, and of an arrow-headed fhape. The flowers are fmall and redifli. It is common in paftures, and flowers in June, C. Bauhine calls it Acetofa pratenfis. It is cooling and deobftruent. 2. Sheeps Sorrel. Lapathum acetofum foliis lanceolatis. The ro9t is fibrous and creeping. The ftalk is flender, of a pale green, and eight inches high. 6 H The 486 The BRITISH HERBAL. The leaves have long, (lender footftalks , and they arc narrow, and of the fliape of a fpear- head ; bearded at each fide, near the bafe. The flowers are fniall and ycllowdh. It is common on dry banks, flowering in June. C. Bauhine calls it Acetofa a'venfii lanceolatli. Authors have, from the varieties of its growth, idly divided into two fpecies ; as they have de- fcribed alfo under the name of a diftinft fpecies, the cammon fcrrel, when of a more than ordinary ftature. 3. Round leaved Sorrel. Lapathim acetofum rotundifolium. The root is fibrous and creeping. The firft leaves have long footrtalks, of a pur- plifli tinge ; and they are rounded in their gene- ral lhape, butauriculated at the bafe. The flialk is a foot high, flender, and of a pale greyilli green ■, as are alfo the leaves. The flowers are fmall and brownilh. It is common in our northern counties ; and, being cultivated in the rich mould of a garden^ becomes the plant called Roman forrely or round- leaved garden-forrel. Ray calls it Acttofa rolHndifolia repens. Others, Acetofa Rom^ina. GENUS xiir. BUCKWHEAT. l^ACOPTRUM. rpHE flower confifts of eight filament! contained, together with three (lyles, and a ne eitrht granules, in a cup: this is formed of a fingle piece, divided into fegments ; which 1 neftarium of up : this IS tormed 01 a iingie piece, divided into fegments i which being thin and coloured, appear as petals, but remain with the feed, which is large, fingle, and ihree-cornercd. LinniEus places this among the oaandria trigynia. \. Buckwheat. Fagopyrum vulgare. The root is fibrous. The ftalks are light, hollow, upright, yel- lowirt), and a yard high. The leaves ftand fingly at diftances ; they fur- round the ftalk at the bafe, and have there two ears, and terminate in a point. Their colour is a faint, yellowiOi green. The flowers are white, with a dafh of purple j and they ftand in tufts at the top of the ftalk. The feeds are brown. It is found by road-fides in fome places, but probably owing to fcattered feeds, the plant be- ing cultivated for the food of cattle. C. Bauhine calls it Eryfimm Theophrajii folio hedsraceo. Others, Fagopyrum ere£ium vulgare. 3. Climbing Buckwheat, called Black Bind- weed. Fagopyrum fcandens. The root is fibrous. The ftalk is weak, yellowifh, and a foot m length, climbing round other plants for fup- porc. The leaves are of a triangular form, and heart- fhaped at the bafe. The flowers grow in long feries, and are of a dufky brown. It is common in corn-fields, and Rowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Convolvulus minor folio triaii. gulo. Others, Convolvulus m^er, and Ftigojyrum fcmideris. Q N U S A R S M A R T. XIV. PERSICARIA. THE flower confifts of eight filaments, and three flyles, inclofed in a thick, flefliy cup, green on the outfide, coloured white or red within, and flelhy on the hinder part. This is formed of a finf le piece, imperforate at the bafe, and divided at the edge into five oval fegments. The feed is fingle, and triangular; and it remains covered by the cup. Linnsus joins this genus, with the folygmiim, among the oSlandria triiynia. I. Biting Arfmart. Perficaria vulgaris acris. The root is fibrous. The flalk is round, thick, jointed, irregu- larly upright, and a foot and half high. The leaves are oblong, moderately broad, un- divided at the edges, and of a beautiful uniform green all over. ° The flowers are coUeacd in fliort fpikes at the tops of the ftalks and branches ; and they are ot a bright red. The taftc of the whole plant is very acrid. It is common in damp places, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Perficaria urens five li^dro- piper. Our people, Lakeweedy and Biting arfyiiart. 2. Small creeping Arfmart. • Perficaria pufilla repens. The root is fibrous. Ihe The BRITISH HERBAL. 487 The ftalk is round, jointed, and green ; a foot high, and not much branched. The leaves are long, narrow, and of a frcfti green. The flowers ftand at the tops of the Halks and branches in longifh, but loofc fpikcs 1 and are of a paie, yellowifh green. It is common in watery places, flowering in June. C. Bauhine calls it Perficaria minor. Befidc thefe, our fertile ditch-banks afford no lefs than eight other fpecics of arfmart. Thefe agree in their form and general manner of growth. The ftalks are jointed, the leaves oblong and un- divided, and the flowers fpiked in all of them. Their diftinftions will therefore be familiarly con- veyed to the reader in an enumeration, fuch as we have before given under the dock kind, with- out the repetition of thefe common particulars in them all, in fo many feparate defcriptions. The fevera! fpecies are thefe : 1. Narrow-leaved Arfmart, Per^caria angujiifolia. This produces fpikes of flowers from the bo- foms of ail the leaves. 2. Spotted Arfmart, Perftcaria mitis mactihfa. The leaves of this are infipid, and each has a black fpot. 3. Hoary Arfmart, Perficaria folio fubtus incano. The leaves are whitifh, and rough under- neath. 4. Pale-leaved Arfmart, Perfcaria mith major foliis ■pallidioribiis, A very tall plant, with great, pale, fpotted leaves. 5. Willow-leaved Arfmart, Perfcaria foliis fa- licis. The leaves are narrow, long, and fil- very white. 6. Spotted-ftalked Arfmart, Perfcarh latifolia m'ltis caule maciilato. The fl:alks beautifully variegated with red and purple. 7. Perennial willow-leaved Arfmart, Perfcaria falicis folio perennls. The leaves very long, and fpikes thick. 8. Procumbent Arfmart, with leaves fpotted, and hoary underneath, perfcaria nmculofa p-o^umbens fcliis Jubtus incanis. GENUS XV. KNOTGRASS. pOLrGONVM. THE flower confills of eight filaments, three ftyles, and a three-cornered germen or rudiment of a fruit, placed in a cup, formed of one leaf, divided into five fegments, and thick, green on the back, and white or redifli on the infide. The ftalks are jointed and procumbent. Linnaeus places this among the c5tandria tri^pia. I. Common Knotgrafs. Polygonum vulgare. The root is fibrous. The ftalks are numerous, green, jointed, weak, and procumbent ; and thry have many branches. The leaves are oblong, of a pale gresn, ob- tufe, and undivide'd. The flowers ftand in their bofoms ; and are white, with a tinge of red. It is common by way-fides, and flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls it Polygonum latifolium. The leaves of this plant are fometimes fmall and narrow, at others fliort and broader. This depends upon the place of growth ; but, under thefe different appearances, it has pafled upon botanifts as two other diftlnft fpecies, called brevi aKgufto, aadrotuJidofelio. 2. Narrow-leaved Knotgrafs. Polygonum angujlo et gramineo folio. The root is fibrous. The ftalks are^numerous, a foot in length, va- 1 rioufly branched, weak, and fcattered over the ground. The leaves are very narrow, and an inch or two in length i fo that they appear graiTy, The flowers are fmall and whiiifli. It is common in wafl:e grounds, flowering in June. C. Bauhine calls it Polygonum angufio et cblong.o folio. 3. Sea-Knotgrafs. Polygonum maritimum. The root is fibrous. The ftalks are numerous, and fpread upon the ground. The leaves are fmall, oblong, and ol a greyilli green. The flowers are large and white. We have it on our fea-coaIVs, flowering in May. C. Bauhine calls it Polygonum marinum majus. All the fpecies are afl:ringenr. A decoiftion of the common knotgrafs is excellent againft loofc- nefTes with bloody fl:ools. GENUS 488 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS XVI. BISTORT. BISTORTJ. THE flower is compofcd of five fmall filaments, with tliree (lyles, contained in a coloured cup. Tliis is formed of a fingle piece, imperforate at tlie bafe, and at tlie verge divided into five oval fegments, which naturally clofe together. After this comes a three-cornered feed, upon which the cup clofes and furrounds it. LinnKus places this among the eSlaitdria tri^ma ; the ftyles being three, and the filament! eight, in each flower. 1. Common Biftort. Bijlorta vulgaris. The root is thick, and irregularly lhaped, brown on the furface, and red within. The leaves have long, red footftalks ; and are oblong, broad, and of a fine green. The ftalk is jointed, of a pale green, and two feet high. The leaves on it refemble thofe from the root' The flowers are of a fine flelK-coloii! . and Hand in a thick fpike. It is found in meadows, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Bijierta radice minor intorta. Others, Bijlorta vulgaris. The root is good againfl: fluxes of all kinds dried and powdefed. 2. Lefler Bifl:ort. Bifiorta minor. The root is oblong, thick, and of an irregu- lar form. The fl:alk is round, jointed, and a foot high. The leaves are long and narrow, and of a deep green. The flowers fl:and in a long fpike at the top of the ftalk ; and are of a fine flefli-colour. We have it in Yorkfhire. It flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Bijlorta Alpina minor. 3. Various-leaved Biftort. Bijiorla foliis rolimdis et oblongis. The root is thick and brown. The firft leaves are roundifti, and ferrated at the edges ; and have long footftalks. The ftalk is four inches high. The leaves on it are flender, and the flowers ftand in a fliort fpike. We have it on our northern mountains. It flowers in June. Ray calls it Bijlorta minima foliis imis fuiro- ' tundis. GENUS XVII. PONDWEED. POTAMOCITON. THE flower has no petals. The cup is compofed of four fmall, oval leaves, obtufe at the ends •, and is fucceeded by four feeds, of a roundilh form, but fwelling one fide, and pointed. Linnsus places this among the tetraiidria tetra^nia j the flower having four threads, and four ftyles. I, Broad-leaved Pondweed. Potamogiton latifolium. The root is compofed of long fibres, con- nefted to a fliort head. The ftalk is weak, brown, and two feet or more in length, partly immerfed in water, and partly lying on it. The leaves under water are narrow ; thofe on the top broad, oval, and high ribbed. The flowers are fmall and whitilh and they fl:and in long, flender fpikes. It is common in waters, flowering in Auguft. C. Bauhine calls it Fotamogiton rotundifolium. 2. Perfoliate Pondweed. PotamogUo7i perjoliatum. The root is fibrous. The ftalk is round, and two feet or more in 'ength, but naturally grows under water. The leaves are of an oval form, and furround the flalk at the bafe. The flowers ftand in flender fpikes, riflng from their bofoms. It is common in riversj flowering in July. C. Bauhine calls it Potamogiton foliis latis fplendentihis . 3. Oak-leaved Pondweed. Pelaniogiton querciis foliis mffis. The root is fibrous. The ftalk is weak, and eight inches long, and grows under water. The leaves are very beautiful, of a brownifli green, oblong, obtufe, and waved at the edges. The flowers grow in flender fpikes from their bofoms, and are whitifli : thefe alfo refemble the flowers of the oak. 6 If The BRITISH HERBAL. 489 Ic is common in fliallow waters, flowering in July. C. Banliine calls k Poiamogilon foliis crifpis five LoMut-a ramnm. Befide thffe, there are no lefs than fifteen other En'Mifh fpecies of pondivee^d ; the general form of which being the fame» we fliall avoid the repeti- tion of fo many defcriptions, and give their names and characters. 1. Long, pclIucid-lcaved Great Pondweed, Po- tiimogiion foUis angujlis fplendentibus. Diftin- guifhed by the length of the leaf. z. Grafly Pondweed, Potamogiton folio angujlo pellucido fere gramhieo. Smaller than the former, and the flowers larger. 3. Heart-leaved Pondweed, Potamogiton foUo cor- date. Deeply divided at the bale of the leaf. 4. Frog's Lettuce, Potamogiton medium lucens^ whofe leaves grow in pairs, and are obtiife. 5. Flat-fl:a]ked, graffy Pondweed, Potamogiton caule eompreffo folio grnminis cmtini. 1'he leaves have no footflaiiis. 6. Brnader-leaved, fl:it-n:alkcd Pondweed, Pda- m^g!tc?i gramineum latifolium. The leaves have obfcLire footftalks. 7. Clufler-leaved, grafiy Pondweed, Potam^gi- ton gramineum latius foliis et raviis flipaiis. 8. Serrated Grafiy Pondweed, Pota?mgit'n foliis gramineis ferralis latioribus cauUs. g. Harfii-leaved GralTy Pondweed, Potam:git^n foliis gra-mineis Hgidis. A large plant. 10. Great-headed Pondweed, Potamogiton mari- timiim grandmfaclis cap:tulls. 7"he leaves arc very narrow. 11. Fennel-leaved Pondweed, Potamogiton milU- folium. The leaves are very narrow, and finely divided. 12. Dwarf Grafly Pondweed, Potamogiton pufil- lum gramineo folio caule itreti. The round - nefs of the fiialk difiinguifhes this. 13. Broad, thin-leaved Pondweed, Potamogiton foliis tenuibus pdlucidis. The leaves have long, brown footftalks. 14. Feather-leaved Pondweed, Potamcgitott foVls pennatls. The flowirrs grow in long, flen- der interrupted fpikes. 15. Dwarf feathered Pondweed, Potamogiton pen- 7iatum minus. Smaller, and more branched than the former. From this detail of tlieir difi^crences, the flu- dent will much more readily comprehend the fe- veral fpecics than if they had been feparated un- der fo many difiinft heads, and enciimbered with repetitions ; for the flowers are of the fame form and colour in all, and the general manner of growth in nothing different. N U XVIIL ORACH. A T R I P L E X. TFIE flowers are of two kinds, hermaphrodite and female, on the fame plant. The hermaphro- dite flower confifls of a cup, formed of five membranaceous leaves, with filmy edges, and en- cioHng afterwards a fingle feed. The female flower confilts of a cup, formed only of two leaves ; which are of an ovai form, large, and comprefied. Thefe afterwards ferve to defend alio a fingle ftcd. Linn:Eus places this among the polygamin mouxcia; the feeds being ripened in two ways on the fame plant, from hermaphrodite and female flowers. Spear-pointed Orach. Atripkx vulgaris folio haflato. The root is fibrous. The ftalk is upright, two feet high, branched, and of a pale green. The leaves are oblong, broad, and of a pale green, very broad toward the bafe, and termi- -nated by a large triangular point, like the head a fpear. The flowers are fmal!, and whitifii. It is common in cultivated ground, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls ic Atriplex fy'.vefiris altera. Others, Atriplex foUo de'toide. Befide this, there are no lefs than thirteen other fpecies of ivild orach, common on our dunghills \ and fome others of the blite kind, which are alfo called by the name orach^ the difl:inction not having been obvious to the earlier writers. We fhall explain that under th e next genus ; and fiiall here, as in the preceding article, enumerate the fpecies, with their eflential and diftin^flive parts ; the general afped being in common. This, which we begin in recounting thclefs confpicuous and lefs N^XLIX. ufeful plants, mufl be continued when we give the reader an idea of the grafies, mofies, and muih- rooms i articles which have fingly furnifhed the fubjeifl of volumes in folio; blit which we fhall compriie in a fufncient view in the few remain- ing numbers of this work. The fpecies of orach here to be enumerated are theii; : 1. Narrow-leaved Orach, /^triplex angi-flo ohlotigo folio. The flowers are very numerous. 2. Narrow-leaved Sea- Orach, Atriplex maritima anguftifcUa dentata. The leaves are indented and bluifli. 3. Jagged, narrow-leaved Orach, Atriplex an- gujli/olia lacini^t'i. The leaves deeply cut, and of a pale green. 4. Perennial Sea-Orach, Atriplex maritima pcren- nis folio deltcide. The leaves of a bluilh green. Tall Sea-Orach, Atriplex maritima frocerior. The leaves are deeply cut, greyifh, and hoary. Auriculated Sea-Orach, Atriplex maritima ad ■ Bafin auriculcta. This is a procumbent plant. 6 1 7. Jagged 49° The BRITISH HERBAL. 7- 'jagged Sea-Orach, Atripkx marilhna laciniala. The plant is fmall, and the leaves are hoary. 8. Bafil-leaved Sea-Orach, Atrij-lcx maritima ocymi miiioris fdio. The leaves fmall, and roundilli. J. Broad-cup'd Sea-Orach, Atr:fkx maritima fe- mine Into. It is a fmall upright plant. 10. Orach, called Sea-Piirflain, /'Jripkx fruticofa hdimm dina. A Ihrubby plant, with grey, oblong leaves. 11. Narrow, clufter-leavcd Sea Orach, ^Itripicx mm-iti-iim fcoj'ari.ir jctio. 'i he leaves vefy fmall and narrow. 12. Long, narrow-leaved Sea-Orach, Jtrivkx maritima longijjiuio graminis fslio. 13. Narrow, obtufe-leaved Orach, Airipkx tna- ritima folio angullo obtufo. The leaves are of a bkiifli areen. GENUS XIX. ELITE. B L I r U M. THE flower has no petals. It confifts of a five-leaved cup, with its filaments, and the rudiment of the fruit : the leaves of it are oval, and edged with a thin, membranaceous fubftancc. 1 he feed is fingle ; and the cup clofes about it, ferving as a capfule, and being marked with five ridges. Linnreus feparates this from the atriplex, placing it among the fntmidria, the filaments in the fiower being five. I. Elite, called Common Orach. [Blillim atri^ kx fyh'cjtris diflttm. The root is fibrous. The Italic is a yard high, branched, and of a pale green. The leaves are oblong, and deeply finuated ; and they are alfo of a pale green. The Bowers are fmall, and of a greenifh white. It is common on dry foils, flowering in Au- gufl:. C. Bauhine calls it Atripkx fyhejiris folio finuato cat:dicante. Others, Atriplex jyhejlrls vulgaris. 2. Stinking Orach. Blitum fajlidum. The root is fibrous. The fl:alks arc a foot long, weak, branched, and of a grcyifli colour. The leaves have long footftalks ; and they are of a roundilh, but foniewhat angulated form. The flowers are fmall and greenifh. The whole plant is covered with n kind of greyifli powder, and is of an extremely difagree- ' able fmell. It is common on drv banks, and flowers in Juiy- C. Bauhine calls It Jinpfex fyheftns ficttda. Ociiers, Bhtum jccUdum^ and Atnplcx oUda. A conferve of its frefh tops is good againll: hyfterick complaiiits. 'I he other iiinds have Jitde virtue. 3. Upright Blitc, called AHfeed. hlitum ereStum jjoh/permn. The root is fibrous. The ftalk is redifh, upright, and a foot and half high. The leaves have lender footftalks ; and they are oblong, obtufe, and of a duflcy green. The flowers are fmall, greenifl], and very nu- mtrrous. !c is common in wade gr^-unds, and flowers in Augufl:. C. Bauhine calls it Bhtmn plyf^^e) mum. 4. Englifh Mercury. B.'iium mercwif.ls .-hgllca diclum. The root is fibrous. The flalk is ribbed, of a pale green, branched, and a foot and half high. The leaves have long footftalks ; ant) they are of a yellowifli green, and oi an arrow-headed fhape. The flowers arc fmall and greenifh. The whole plant is covered with greyifh, fatty duft. !t is common in paftures, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it La-paihum untJuf.Jum. It is eaten boiled, and is very wholeibme. Bcfide thefe four, which are the fpecies of hlHe moft; diftinil/there are fifteen others, natives of England; and thefe we fliall enumerate as under the preceding kinds, diflinguilhing them by their proper characters. 1. Goofe foot, Blit'.mi -pes mtfcrbms dirium. This is robufi:, full of branches, and with large, broad, finuated leaves. 2. Narrow-leaved Goofe- foot, Blitum pes anferi- mis di£fum acutiore folio. The leaves deeper cut, and fharp-pointed. 3. Long-fpiked Goofe-foot, Blitum finiiatum fpi. catim. The fpikes of flowers very long, and the leaves pale. 4. Pointed-leaved Goofe-foot, Blitum fol-'o in loyigiffimum mumnein p7-ocurrente. The leaves very beautiful. 5. Procumbent Bllte, with thick, finuated leaves, Blitum procumtens folio finuato lucldo irajjo. 6. Small, narrow-leaved, jagged Bhte, BLtum minus angujtifolium laciniatutn. The feed fmail. 7. Serrated leaved Bllte, Blitum chryfanthmi folio. The leaves bluifh, and deeply Icrrated. 8. Fig-leaved Biite, Blitum feus fcl o The leaves very deeply divided into three parts in a fingered manner. 9. Round-leaved Elite, Blitum fsHo fulrotundo. The leaves broad, obtufe, and rounded. 10. Triangular, fcrraced leaved Elite, Blitum 8 folia asasmn The BRITISH HERBAL. 491 Jolio triangulari dentato. The leaves of a deep green. CluHrcred Blite, with undivided 'eaves, Bli- tum racemcfum foliis integris. The flowers fmalL Small, oiive-icavcd Elite, Blitum crajfo olio- foUo. A fmall upright plant. Sea-BIite, called White Saltwort, BUtum kali minus album di^um. A branched, fmall plant. 15- 16 Sea-Blite, called ShrLib Stone Crop, B I turn vermicuiaris frutex dii^um. Shrubby, and branched. Great Sea-Blite, called Tree Stone Crop, Bl turn vermicuiaris /rules' diHum majus. Very much branched. Small, red BWte, BiiiiifiwuWi/m minus. Small, with oblong leaves, and large flowers. G N U S BEET. BETA. XX. 'T^HE flower confifts only oF a cup, and the organs of impregnation. The cup has five oval and obtufe leaves. The feed is contained in a brittle capfule, placed in the bottom of the cup. Linnceus places this among the fmtandria digynia ; the flower having five filaments, and two flylcs. Wild Sea-Beet. Beta fyhejlris maritima. The root is long, thick, and perennial. The leaves are oblong, broad, obtufe, of a whitifti green, and placed on long foorltalks. The flowers rtand at the tops of the ftalks, which are a yafd high, and divided into many branches ; and they are fmall and white. It is common on our fca-coafts, and flowers in Augufl:. C. Bauhine calls it Beta Jylvejiris marltima ; a name others have copied. N U XXL PELLITORY OF THE \VALL. PARIES R 1 A. ^T^IIE flov/ers are of two kinds, hermaphrodite and female, on the fame plant. Two hermaphro- di:e flowers are contained in a common cup ; which is formed of fix leaves ; two of which, placed oppofite, are much larger than the others. Each of thefe hermaphrodite flowers is formed of a cup, divided into four parts, which afterwards lengthens, fwells out, and enclofcs the feed. The fe- male flowers are placed fingly between two of the others, all contained in the common cup : they are of the fame form with the others, and in the fame manner furround the feed, but lefs confpicuoufly, Linnaeus places this among the plygamia monKcia. rc-llitory of the Wall. Parietaria vulgaris. The root is fibrous, and redifh. The ftalks are numerous, rediOi, brittle, jointed, and a foot in length. The leaves flrand very thick upon them and are obiong, and of a ditflcy green. The flowers are fmall and inconfiderabie. It is common on walls, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine ciills it Parietaria afficinarum et Diofcoridis. An infufion of the whole plant works power- fully by urine, and is excellent agalnft the gravel. GENU XXII. GOLDEN SAXIFRAGE. S A X I F R A G A A U R E A. THE flower has no petals -, but the cup is coloured, and refembles them ; it is formed of a fingle piece, divided into four fegments, two larger and two fmaller. The feed-veiTei is fmail, and has two beaks : this Hands enclofed in the cup, and contains numerous feeds. Linnaus places this among the oltandria digpiia j the threads being eight, and the ftyles two, in each flower. Common Golden Saxifrage. Sax'fraga anna vulgaris. The root is fibrous. The ftalks are numerous, weak, flender, of a pale green, and fix inches high. The leaves are rounded, but indented at the bafe, of a beautiful green, with Ihort footftalks. 492 The B R I T I S H H E R B A L. The flowers are very numerous, very fmall, and An infuHon of it is gentJy diureticlc. of a crold yellow. The leaves of this plant fometimes have the It is common in woods, and flowers in April. footftalks a little longer ; and in that ftate it has C. Eauhine calls it Sfxifriiga rMiiidifoia aiirea. been defcribed as a diftind fpecies. • GENUS XXIII. ASARABACCA. J S yl R U M. ■ THE flower ha< no petals. It confifts of a cup, which is formed of one piece, hollow, and di- vided into three fcgments at the edge, of a bell-like form, coloured, tough, and permanent. The feed-veffcl is of a tough fubftance. It is contained within the fubftance of the cup ; and is di- vided into fix cells, with numerous feeds in each. Linnxus places this among the dodecarJria momgynia ; the threads being twelve in each flower, and the ftyle fingle. Afarabacca. Jfarum. The root creeps jull at the furface of the ground. The leaves are roundifli, but indented deeply for the ftalk, and of a fine green. The flowers grow clofe to the ground ; and are of a greenifli colour, more or lefs tinged with purple. This conftitutes the whole plant, fur there is no rifing ftalk. It is found in our northern woods, flowering in April. All authors call it AJariim. The root is a very rough vomit j but its juice, and the powder of the whole plant, are ufeful to promote fneezing, and draw humours from the head. GENUS XXIV. LADY'S MANTLE. A L C H E M I L L J. THE flower has no petals. The cup is formed divided into eight fcgments, alternately larger the cup. I. Common Lady's Mantle. AUhemiila i I . Rufliy-leaved Oatgrafs, Gramen foliolis junceis oblongis radice alba. The panicle finall and greenifli. 17.. Grafs upon Grafs, Gramen fpartcum monta- nnm fpica fohacea graminea. In mountainous places. 23. Long, rough panicled Oatgrafs, Gramen arvenfe panicula crifpa longiore. In corn- fields. 24. Great Water Reed Grafs, Gramen arpwticum 7najus. Common by waters, with broad, pale leaves. 25. Oat-headed Reed Grafs, Gramen agu.-iticmn arundincceum panicula avenacea. Very tall. 26. Smooth, broad-leaved Wood Oatgrafs, Gra- men panicidatum nemarofum latiore folio pani- cula nutante. 27. Long-headed Oatgrafs, Gramen paniculatum elatius fpicis longis muticis fquammcfts. 28. Float-Grafs, Gramen aquaticum kngiffima pa- fucula. The panicle very long, and looie. IPlth fmader heads, with a'jjns. 29. 31 Great Wild Oatgrafs, or avenacea fterilis elatior. ay. Ma Drank, Fejluca By hedges in Upright-headed great Oatgrafs, Fejluca ave- nacea fterilis fpieis erel^is. By ditches, and on banks. Wild Oatgrafs, with compaft panicles, Fef- iuca avenacea fterilis paniculis confertis eree- tioribus. Drooping, hard, panicled Oatgrafs, Gramen 6 M pralenfs m i i The BRITISH HERBAL. eo2 fratmfe fankula duriore laxa, tttiam parture fpecfants. 33. Rough Oatgrafs, with a compaft panicle, F.ejlucaavcruicea hirfuta paniadis minus fparfts. 34! Fine fmooth-headed OacgralSj Qtamen 'avc- naceum pratenfe glima tenmore glabra, - 35 Lean, paniclcd, fmooth- headed Oatgrafs, Teftiica a-vmacea Jpicis Jlri^of.oril/us giumis glabris compaSfis. 36- Oatgrafs, with large, fmooth Tpikes, and ftattcrc-d panicles, Fujluca avenacea fiicis ha- h'lticnbus glumis glabris. 3;. Purple- awncd Oatgrafs, Tefiuca elatior pani- culis minus fparfts locufiis oblongis arijUs pur- pur cis. 38. Bufh-Oatgrafs, with a fparfcd panicle, Gra- men avenaceum dunielorum panicula fparfa. 29. Fine awned Oatgrafs, Gramen avenaceum glabmm panicula e fpicis raris frigofts compo- ftta ariflis tmiiffrais. 40. Capon's tail Grafs, Gramen murorum fpica longiffma mtante. A very beautiful grafs on walls. 41. Small, panicled Oatgrafs, Gramen panicula- tum bromoides miiuis paniculis arijlaiis mam partiin fpeHantihus, GENUS XIX. Q^U AKING GRASS. GRAMEN r R E MU LU M. ^j^HF. cup is compofed.of two valves, and contains feveral flowers, ranged in a double feries, and in a heart- like 'form : the two valves compofing this are hollow, of a heart-like fliape, and equal in iize. The flower is formed of two valves : the lower is of the fhape and bionefs of the cup i the upper is very fmall, flat, and roundifli j and is placed fo as to fhut tip the hollow of the otiier. The feed is roundifh. I.inniTjus places this among the triandria. I. Qiiaking Grafs. Gramen tremulnin majus. The root is fibrous. The leaves are narrow, and of a faint green. The fl:alk is flender and pale ; and at the top fupports numerous, large heads, on very flender footllalks : thefe are of a pale brown, tinged with redifh, and tremble on their footftalksi thence the name. it is common in pafl:ures, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Gramen tremulum majus. We have one other fpecies : 2. Small Qiiaking Grafs, Gramen tremulumminut panicula mnpla lociijlis parvis triaiiguHs. GENUS XX. WOOD GRASS. GRAMEN NEMOROSUM, THE outer cup is compofed of two valves : the inner or prop:r cup is formed of fix oblong, pointtd leaves ; which are coloured, and by fome have been called petals. The feed-veflTci is divided into three parts, and contains feveral roundifli feeds. Linnaeus places this a-mong the hexandria, the threads being fix. I. Hairy Wood Grafs, Gramen mmorcfum birfutum.vulgare. Th.e root is compofed of numerous, thick fibres. The leaves are long, narrow, of a fine green* and covered liglitly with long, brown hairs. The {talk is a foot and half high ; and at its t;p ftand many confpicuous flowers, of abrownifli colour, tinged with a little white, and placed fingly on long, [lender footfl:alks, rifing from one common point at the head of the principal ftalk. it is common in woods, flowering in May. C. Bauhine calls it Gramen nemorofum hirfutum majus latifolium. But there is a larger kind. 1. Great hairy Wood Grafs, with a rufliy pa- nicle, Gramen hirfutum elatius panicula juncea compact a. 3. Greateft-, broad-leaved, hairy Wood Grafs, Gramen nemorofum hirfutum latifolium maxi- mum, 4. Small, hairy Wood Grafs, Gramen exile hir- futum. Common in woods, paflures, and heaths, in April. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. 503 GENUS XXI. CYPRUS GRASS. R A M E N CTPEROIDES. '"pHE leaves are long and narrow, and the ftalks triangular. This obvious diftiiittion fcparates them from all other plants, better than the flruclure of their flowers, which is uncertain in the feveral kinds ; this mark is invariable. Linn'xLis places them among the triandria. 1 . Thofi t^jith many full /pikes, and a chaffy one at ihe top. I. Narrow-leaved Cyperus Grafs. Gramsn cyperoidcs juajus angujlifoliuiii. The root creeps under the furface, and has many fibres. The leaves are long, narrow, and of a fine green. The ftalk is two feet high, of a paler green, and exiftly three Iquare. The Ipikes are few, and ftand toward the top ; and [he uppermoft, which is light and chaffy, is thicker than the others : this is yellowifli, the others are black. It is common by waters, and flowers in May. C. Bauhine calls it Grnmen cyperoides tmjus art' gujiifalium. We have a vafl number of other fpecies. 2. Great Vernal Cyperus Grafs, Gramm cyjeroides cum -panicuUs nigris . The leaves broad, and dark^ 3. Pink-leaved Cyperus Grafs, with large feeds, Gramen cyperoides foils caryophyllcis granis tu- midis rarioribus. 4. Pink-leaved Cyperus Grafs, with ered fcfiile fpikes, Granien cyperoides foUis caryophylkis fpicis fejfilibus ereStis. 5. Pink-leaved Cyperus Grafs, with pendulous heads m.n cyperoides folils caryophyileis fpias penduls. 6. Narrower-leaved Cyperus Grafs, GrnmcM cype- roides caryophyllcum angujtijfimis foliis fpicis eteUis. 7. Hairy Cyperus Grafs, Gramen- cyperoides poly- ftachion laniiginofitm. In boggy places. 8. Yellowifh Cyperus Grafs with Ihort fpikes, Grar/ieji cyperoides polyflachion flavicans fpicis brcvibus. fj. Great, round fpiked Cyperus Grafs, Gramen cyperoides majus fpicis teretibus ertEiis. 10. Slender-eared Wood Cyperus Grafs, Gramen cypcroidts fylvarum tenuius fpicatum, 11. Slender-eared, broad-leaved Cyperus Grafs, Gramen cyperoides latijolium fpicis muliis Jlri- go/ts. 12. CyperLr> Grafs, with a fliort pendulous ipike, Gramen cyperoides fpica pcnduLi bre- Viore. By waters. 13. Many-fpiked Cyperus Grafs, with long pen- dulous heads, Gramen cyperoides fpica pen- du'a longiore. 14. Thick, yellow-fpiked Cyperus Grafs, Gra- men cyperoides precox fpicis turgidis teretibus JiavcfccnlibHS. 15. Cyperus Grafs, with a few roiindifh fpikes, Gramen cyperoides fpicis tribus fuhrotmdis vh aculeatis. 16. Cyperus Grafs, with Ihort, diftant fpikes, Gramen cyperoides fpicis brcvibus diffantibus. 1 7. The leaft Vernal CypcrusGrafs, Gramen cype. roides vernum minimim. The heads brownilh* iS. Marfh-Hedgehog Grafs, Gramen pahifire echinatum. A fmaU plant, with fhort, prickly fpikes. ig. Soft-leaved CypefUs Grafs, (Gramen cyperoides fpicis brevibus congcflis folio ?ncl/i. 20. Slender-leaved Cyperus Grafs, Gramen cyps^ roides tenuifolium. A fmall kind, with a few thick fpikes. 2. ^hofe with feveral fpikes at the top of the flalk^ but no chaffy one. 21. Marfli Cyperus Grafs, with loofe fpikesj Gramen cyperoides fahiflre elatius fpica lon- givre I ax a. 22. Cyperus Grafs, with a head compofed of fofc fpikes, Gramen cyperoides fpica e fpicis pari- bus mollib'us compcfita, 23. Marfh Cyperus Grafs, with a divided head^ Gramen cyperoides ex mcntt Ballace fpica di- ■vulfa. 24. Cyperus Grafs, with a fofr, compound head, Gramen cyperoides fpica e plurihus fpicibus lon- gioribus compo/ia. 25. Sea Cyperus Grafs, with a compound fpike, Gramen maritimum cyperoides fpica compcfita. ■26. Elegant Cyperus Grafs, with a rough com- pounded head, Gramen cyperoides fpica com- pnftta afperiore. 27. Elegant Cyperus Grafs, with a foft head, Gramen cyperoides elegans fpica compofita molle^ 28. Greater-fpiked Cyperus Grafs, Gramen cy- peroides paltifire majus fpica com!^r)Ji;a. 29. The Icfier- fpiked Cyperus Grafs, Gramen cyperoides fpica turn mimes. The ftalk droops. 30. The lefTer^fpiked Cyperus Grafs, with an in- terrupted Ipike, Gramen cyperoides fpica di- viilfa minus. 31. Narrow-leaved, fliort-fpiked Cyperus Grafs, Gramen cyperoides angnfiifolium fpicis brevibus in foliorttm alls. 32. The leaft prickly-headed, f]ji!;ed Cyperus Grafs, Gramen cyperoides fpicatum minimum fpica divnlfa acu!.:.:tii. 33. Flea-Grafs, Gramen cyperoides minimum fejni. nibus deorfiim refiexis puliciformibus. 34. Flat-fpiked Cyperus Grafs, Grawra rj^fraVf/ fpica fmplici ccmprcjja diflicha. 35. Small Cyperus Grafs, with a crowfoot-head, Gramen cyperoides ininimum ranu^uuli capitula rotunda. 36. Long crowfoot-headed Cyperus Grafs, Gra- men cyperoides minus ranu^icu'i capitulo longiore- GENUS 504 The B R I T I S H HERBAL. GENUS XXII. c r P E R u s. THE cup contains many flowers, and is formed of two valves. The flower is compofed of fix valves, which are oblong and convergent : they are placed in an imbricated manner, and the outer ones are fmalleft. I. Long Cyperus. Cyperus longus odoratus. The root is irregular, and oblong. The leaves are long, broad, ^harp, and of a fine green. The ftalk is firm, upright, and of a paler green ■■, and at its cop there ftand numerous tufted Ipikes, compofcd of little ears, on feparatc fpread- ing footfialks : thefe are of a fine glofiy brown. We have it by pond-fides. It flowers in June. . G. Eauhine calls it Cyperus odoratus radice knga. The root is diuretick and deobftruent. , We have, befide this, five fpecies of true cy- perus, though fome of them called only cyperus graffes. 2. Marfli Cyperus, with a fcattered panicle, Cy- perus falujiris pankula fparfa. The fpikes very fhort. 3. Round-rooted Baftard Cyperus, Cyperus rotutt- diis litoreus inodorus. The leaves very broad and pale. 4. Long-rooted Baflard Cyperus, Cyperus lotigus hicdorus fylveftris. The ftalk of this is round. 5. Millet Cyperus, Cyperus gra?mnei'.s miliaceus. The ftalk three fquare, and the leaves nar- row. 6. Small, round Cyperus, Cyperus Palujlris birfit- tus pankuUs albis paleaciis. GENUS XXIII. BULLRUSH. S C 1 R P U S. THE Howers are cluftered together, in fingle or divided heads ; and are feparated one from an- other by fmalt, ovai, plain, but fomewhat bent leaves. There is no part of a flower, except the filaments, which rife at the bafcs of thefe fcales. The feeds are fingle, large, and three- cornered, Linnffius places this among the triandria ; the filaments, which in a manner conftitute the flower, bein'^ three. [. The BuUrufii. Sc'n-pus fahiftris altijfmus. The root is compofed of innumerable thick fibres. The ftalk is green, thick, a yard high, and fpungy. It is ufually furrounded at the bafe by a brown- ifh membrane, and tip'd with brown at the top i a little below the fummit burfl: forth the flowers ; ihey arei'mall, brown, and forming a loofc panicle. It is common in waters, flowering in June. C. Bauhine calls it Juncus maximus. We have twelve other kinds. I, Naked fcirpi. I, The Lcffcr BuUrufh, Juncus five fcirpus medius. Two feet high, fmooth, and with a flender ftalk. z. Fluted Rufh, Juncus aqtiaticus medius caule ca- rinato. The colour a pale bluifh green. 3. Three-fquare Rufh, Juncus acutus maritmUi canJe trlquetro tnaxlmo tmlli procer'wr. A very 'all plant. 4. LeflTer prickly Sea-Rufh, Juncus aculus mari- timus caule triquetro nucerone pungente, 5. Round clufter-headed Sea-Rufli, Scirpus ma- rit'mus capitulis rotundioribus conglomeratis. 6. Club Rufli, or aglet-headed Rufh, Sclrpus equifeli capitula majori. Common in brooks. 7. The leafl: upright Club Rufli, Scirpus minimus capitulis equifeli. The flaik not thicker than a large briflle. 2. Scirpi with leaves. 8. Dwarf Rufh, with fmall aglet heads, Scirpus montcinus capitule breviori. In hilly paf- tures. 9. Round, black-headed Marfli Rufh, Juncus li£"jii minor capitulo glonierato nigricante. 10. The leaft Rufli, Scirpus foliaceus humilis. Common in damp places, where the foil is poor. 11. Marfh Rufh Grafs, with fleawort heads, Scirpus equifeli capitulo minore. In watery places. 12. Many-headed leafy Rufli, Gramen junceum polyftachion. The panicle very loofe and fcattered. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. N U S XXIV. RUSH. y u N THE flower is compofetl of a fix-leaved cup, 1 The leaves of the cup are oblong, (harp-poin divided into three parts. I . Scirpi without leaves. 1. Pricking, large Sea-Rulh. Jiincus aculus capitulis firghi. The root is compofed of innumerable fibres, interwoven in a ftrange manner with one an- °' Tlie ftalk is two feet high, firm, hard, of a pale green, and prickly at the top. The flowering heads are brown ; and they Hand rludered together. It is common by the fea-fide, flowering in June. We have twelve other fpecies, including what are called rujh-graffe!. The reader will fee, by the different ftrufture of the flowers, how very improperly the junci and fcirpi are called in Englifli by the common name rv.Jh. We have in this enumeration re- tiined the names by which they are defcnbed in the works of our own writers, as it is under them they are familiarly known : but the judicious reader vjiU fee from their place to which head they properly belong. Were the purpofe here fole curiofity, a vo- lume might be employed on the grafi^es alone; but we hope to convey a juft idea of the fpecies of thefe and the other lefs ufeful plants, by thefe enumerations, without fwelling the volume be- yond the intended fize. : U S. th the filaments and rudiment of a feed-vefTel. ted, and permanent. The feed-veffel is large, and 2. Englilh Sea Hard Rufh, Juncus acutas mari- limus Jnglicus. The ftalk folid, and two feet high. 3. Common Hard Rulli, Jtmcus ncutis 'julgdm. The ftalk hard, ftriated, and prickly at the top. 4. Common foft Rulh, Juncus Uvis vulgaris. The ftalk foft and fpungy. 5. Soft Rufli, with a compaft panicle, Jun- cus larjis panicula compa^a. The ftalk is ftriated. 5. Long-top'd RuIll, Juncus parvus calamo fiipra paniculum longius produis'o. 2. Rujl^es., '■jjith leaves. 7. Mofs Rufh, or Goofe-corn, Juncus montanus paluftris. The leaves fpread on the ground as rays. S. Small Rufh grafs, with jointed leaves, Juncus foliis articulofis florilius uml/ellatis. C). Wood Rufli grafs, or great Rulh grafs, with jointed leaves, Juncus nemorof*s folio articu- Uto. The heads brown. 10. Rufh grafs, with round, feed-vefiels, Juncus parvus pericaipiis rotundis. 11. The leaft triangular-feeded Rufli grafs, Jun- cus capfulis triangulis ntinimus. l^. Toad-Grafs, Juncus paiufiris humilior ercSits. The ftalk is branched, and four inches high. 1 3. Dwarf Toad-grafs, Cramen jmicoides ammnum Anglo-Britanicmn. The heads oval. n GENUS XXV. ARROW GRASS. TRIGLOCHIN. . , , ,, „„.i „Kf.ife leaves The flower is formed of three petals, rpIlE cup is formed of three ''f"-' ' '^^h feed-veffel is oval, and large. J of a pale colour, and refcmblmg them m ihape. Linnffius places this among the hxandrta. I. Common Arrow Grafs, • Triglochin vulgare. The root is compofed of numerous fibres. The leaves are narrow, numerous, and of a fine green. The ftalk is a foot high, and the flowers ter- minate it in a long and flendcr fpike. It is common in falt marfhcs, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Gramen juncemn fpicatltm five triglochin. 2. Sea fpiked Grafs, Gramen tnarilimum [pica- turn. Small, and with very numerous, nar- row leaves. 6 N GENUS 5o6 The BRITISH HERBAL. GENUS XXVI. COTTON GRASS. LIN G R O S r I S. THE flowers confifl: only of filaments, three to each, which are fcparatcd from one another in the cinder by fmall, oblong leaves. The feed is finglc, and is furrounded with long threads. LinntEus places this among the triandria, and gives it the name eriophonm. Others call it gramm tomentofum. I. Cotton Grafs. l.inagrojtis vidgarU. The root is compofed of numerous fibres. The leaves are gralVy, narrow, and of a deep green. The fialk is a foot and half high, of a purpliffi brown at the bottom, and of a fine green up- wards. The Bowers ftand at the top, and are fmall and inconfiderable ; but the filaments which fur- round the feeds are long, white, and cottony. It is common on bogs, and flowers in Au- guft. C. Bauhine calls it Grtimin tomentofum pmncula fpr.rf.,. We have only one other fpecies of it. 2. Hair's-tail Rufh, Juncus Alpinus aim Cauda leporhm. This is a proper linagroflis ; the head truly woolly. GENUS XXVII. C A T ■ S - T A 1 L. T r P H J. •T^HE flowers are male and female on the fame plant. The male flowers are raneed in great num- bers in a catkin, which terminates the ftalk ; and the female flowers are placed in alon-^ body .alfo of the catkin kind, which clofely furrounds it in a compaft, firm fubftance. The male floSers ars compofed each of three narrow leaves, with the fame number of filaments, which are clofely arranged in the upper catkin. The female, which are lodged in the compaft fubBance, have for a cup nume' rous hairs of a pappous flirufture, and within thefe a rudiment of a fruit fixed on a filament. This ri- pens into a Angle feed, and there grow numerous capillary filaments from that which fupports it Thefe together make the thick fubftance called the tat's-tail. Linnfeus places this among the mnxcia triandria. I. Cat*s-tail. Typha vulgaris. The root creeps under the furface, and has many fibres. The leaves arc long, and of a fine green. The ftalk is four feet high ; and at its top fl:and the female flowers in a very thick fpike, ter- minated by the male catkin \ the whole of a fine velvety brown. It is common by waters, and flowers in Au- guft. C. Bauhine calls it Typha falujlris major. We have two other fpecies. 2. The middle Cat's-tail, Typha pahflris media. The fpike is much llenderer than in the other. 3. The leaft Cat's-tail, lypha palujlris minor. The fpike in this is thick and fhort, and blackifli. GENUS XXVIII. B U R R E E D. S P A R G A N I U M. -HE flowers are of two kinds, male and female, on the fame plant. The male flowers are col- lefted into a roundifh button, and confift each of a three-leaved cup, with three filaments. The female flowers arc numerous, and fixed to a round receptacle: thefe have no cup, but confift enly of a rudiment of a feed veflTcl : thefe alfo are colkaed into rbundcd heads. I. Bur Reed. Spargan'mn vidgare. The root is creeping, and has many fibres. The leaves are of a bright green. The ftiilk is two feet high, and divided into many branches. The flowers are whitifli ; and the fruit is round, green, hard, and echinated. It is common by waters, and flowers ia June. C. Bauhine calls it Spargamiim raaiofmh Ocherj Siarganium vulgan. S We The BRITISH HERBAL. 507 We have two othar fpecies. ;. Bur Reed, not branched, Sparganiiim mil ramofiim. Smaller, and with an upright ftalk, The leafl: Bur Reed, Spargaiiium minimum^ The leaves are very long, and the heads fmall. N U XXIX. A C 0 R U S. ^HE flowers are ranged together on a long and elegant receptacle, of the (hape and bignefs of a finger : they are compofed each of fix hollow, obtufc leaves, with the fame number of threads. The feed-veffel is fhort, triangular, and contains fevcral oblong, oval feeds. Linnsus ranges this among the hexandria mmogynia ; the filaments being three, and the ftyle finglc. Common Acorus. Acorus vulgaris. The root is long, thick, and creeping ; and is ofapleafing, warm, and aromatick tafte. The leaves are two feet long, of a yellowifh green. The catkin is of a yellowilb brown. We have it by ponds in feme parts of Eng- land. C. Bauhine calls it Acorus virus feu Calamus oro- 7natkus ojjicinarum. The root is ftomachick and deobflruent ; but it does not in our cold climate attain its full virtue. Th! END 5/ the THIRTY-SECOND CLASS. THE THE BRITISH HERBAL. CLASS XXXIII. TREES and SHRUBS. THE vegetables of this clafs carry their diftinflion in the moll obvious manner in their outer form ; yet modern fyftems do not preferve them feparatc. The late writers in general place in the fame clalTes thqfc trees and herbaceous plants, whofc flowers have the lame number of filaments : but in this work, intended to familiarife the fcience, we have kept them, as they are in nature, dillini5t. SERIES I. TREES whofe male and female flowers are feparatc. GENUS I. THE WALLNUT. N V X. fT^HE male flowers are in catkins ; and each is divided into fix parts. The female flowers ftand two or three together on other parts of the tree : each confifts of a cup, divided into four parts, with a fingle.petal, divided alfo into four parts, and an oval rudiment, which afterwards becomes the fruit, confifting of a flefhy covering, with a fiielly fubllance within, cnclofing an uneven kernel. I. The Wallnut Tree. Nux vulgaris. The tree rifes to a great height, and fpreads irregularly into branches. The leaves are pinnated j the pinn^ vail, ob- long, and of a fine green. The catkins are brownilh, with a tinge of green, and the fruit covered with a green rind. It is wild in Scotland ; and is planted every where for the fruit. The flvln furrounding the kernel is a good aftringent. G E N U S II. H A Z L E. C O R r L u s. 'T'HE male flowers are in catkins, and confill of numerous filaments : they are feparated by fcales, divided at the top into three parts, which turn back. The female flowers ftand at a diftance from thefe, and are enclofed in a bud. The cup is formed of two leaves, and is ragged at the edges : thefe are fo fmall as to be fcarce diftinguilhable. From the rudiment of the fruit rife two feathered and coloured ityles. The fruit is a nut, contained in the cup, which enlarges greatly. I The Tlie BRITISH HERBAL. The Hazle. Corylus vulgaris. This is a fhrub of ten feet high. The baric is brown. The leaves are roundilli, rough on the furface, ferrated, and Iharp-poinced. The catkins are brown, and the female fiowers are red. It is common in hedges and woods. C. Bauhine calls it Corylus -vulgaris. G N U BEECH. III. F yl G U S. THE male flowers compofe a kind of globular catk'm : they are formed of a one-leaved cup, di- vided into five parts ; and have no petals, but numerous filaments. The female flower is en- cloffd in a bud ; and confifts of a cup, divided into four fegments, which afterwards harden, and form a coverin-' or fliell to the fruit. This is compofed of large feeds laid clofe together. The Beech. Fa^iis vulgaris. The tree is large, the bark fmooth and pale. The leaves are broad, fhort, and of a dufty green. The flowers are greenilh ; and the fruit, or naft, when ripe, is hard and brown. It is common in woods. C. Bauhine, and all others, call it Fa^us,' GENUS IV. C H E S N U T. CASTANEJ. THE male flowers are difpofed in long catkins, and are of the fame flirufture with thofe of the beech. The female flowers are alfo ^of the fame form with thofe of beech : the fruit is larger. Common Chefnut Tree. Cajianea vulgaris. The tree is large, and fpreads out into many branches. The leaves are long, ferrated, Iharp-pointed, and of a beautiful dark green. The catkins are of a whitilh green, and the fruit very large. It is wild in fome of our woods, and culti- vated every where for its fruit. C. Bauhine calls it Cajiar.ea fyhejiris. GENUS V. OAK. S^^U E R C U S. THE male flowers make a Icofe catkin : each confifts of a cup, divided into five fegments, and feveral threads. The female flowers are enclofed in a kind of buds. The cup is half round, and undivided ; and contains an oval rudiment, which afterwards becomes the acorn. 1. The Oak. Sluercus vulgaris. The tree grows to a vaft height and bignefs, fpreading into innumerable and irregular branches. The leaves are large, oblong, obtufc, deeply finuatcd, and of a dark green. The fruit needs no defcription. We have one other fpecies, difliinguiflied by the fliortnefs of the footftalk, which fupports the acorn. 2. Oak, with acorns on fliort footftalks, i^fr- cus latifalia mas hrevi pediculo. GENUS VI. F I R. ABIES. THE male flowers are difpofed in racemous catkins ; and confift; only of filaments, with the fcaly parts of the bud as cups. The female flowers are arranged many together in a common cup, of a conic form, and confifl: only of a rudiment of a fruit, with a Ihort ftylc : one is lodged un. der every fcale of the cone. . N' 50. O The The BRITISH HERBAL. The Yew-leaved Fir. Abies corns Jurfim fpeBnnlibiis. The triinlv is thick, and covered with a redifh brown bark. The branches are numerous, and fpreading. The leaves grow in two feries, refembhng thofe of the yew-tree ; and are of a deep green above, and of a filvery grey below. The cones arc large, brown, and fland up- wards. We have it in Scotland, and fome other places. C. Bauhine calls it Jbies coats furfirm f[e£io.nti- bus Jive mas. We have one other fpecicsalfo native : The common Fir or Pitch tree, Abies rubra. Its leaves grow irregularly, and the cones hang downwards. What is called the Scotch fir is difl:in6l from both thefe : it is the zfsild pine. The leaves are long and bKiifli. GENUS VII. ALDER. A L N U S. THE male flowers are difpofed in cylindrick catkins, and three are placed on each fcale of the cup,' Each is formed of a fingle minute leaf, cut at the edge into four fegments. The female flowers are placed in oval catkins ; and have no petals, but rudiments of feeds under the fcales of the catkin, which afterwards becomes a fmall cone. The Alder. Almis z-ul^^aris. It is naturally a fhrub of free growth. The bark is gloffy and purplifh. 1 he leaves are large, roundilb, and clammy; and the cones are brown. It is common by waters. C. Bauhine calls it Alnus rotundifoUa glatinofet viridis. We have a variety' of this called the fcarlet alder ; in which there are reor female flower have cup or petals. The male confifts of numerous filaments united at their bottom ; the female of a rudiment of the fruit. This is Angular, and unlike that of all known plants, a fingle feed covered with a firm flcin, and furrounded by a iuicy fubftance. Linnsus places this among the diicdii momdelpbia. The Yew-Tree. 'Taxus vulgaris. It grows to an irregular tree, fpreading wildly into branches. The leaves are long, narrow, and placed with a beautiful regularity. The flowers are yellowifii. The berries are furrounded with a fweet juicy matter. We have it in woods, but more in gardens. All authors call i{ Taxus. The leaves are poifonous ; but the wood, if it grew with more regularity, would be very va- luable. GENUS XV. POPLAR. P 0 P U L U S. fTPHE male flowers have no petals : they are placed in catkins, and confifl: of a ncftarlum, which is hollow, and cut off obliquely at the top fo as to form an oval rim ; and with this eight filaments with large buttons, but no rudiment of a feed-veflel. The female flowers are formed and difpofed as the male ; but they have the rudiment of a feed-veiTel, and no filaments. The feed-veffels are oval, and the feeds downy. The White Poplar. Popuhts alba. The tree is tall, and its bark whitifli. The leaves are large, broad, finuated, and hung on long footftalks : they are of a deep gre^n on the upper fide, and white underneath. The flov^ers are browniih. We have it by waters. C. Bauhine calls it Populus alba majoyibus foliis. We have two other fpecies. 1. The black poplar, Populus nigra. The leaves divided like ivy, and of a blackifh green. 2. The Afpen-tree, or trembling Poplar, Popu- lus treniula. The leaves roundiih, on very long, flender footftalks. GENUS xvr. WILLOW. S A L 1 X. THE male flowers are placed in catkins, and confifl: of a hollow neflarium and two filaments. The female flowers are hung in catkins, like the male, and confifl only of a rudiment of a fruit. The feed-velTcl is oval and pointed. The feeds are downy. Common 2 The BRITISH HERBAL. S'3 I. Common White Willow. Salix alba vulgaris. This will grow to a large tree. The bark is rough, and of a pale brown on the trunk, and on the branches of a whitifli grey- The leaves are long, narrow, Iharp-pomted, and of a whitifh colour. The catkins are brownifh. It is common by waters. C. Bauhine calls it Salix alhc. arhorrfccns. We have twenty-one other fpecies. 2. Low, hoary long- leaved Willow, Salix ptmila rhamiii fecunii clufti folio. A very fmall flirub. 3 Woolly, white-leaved Dwarf Willow. Salix pumila foliis iitrinque £ay^di<:antibiis. 1 he leaves oblons, and white on both fides. 4. Dwarf, narrow-leaved Willow, woolly under- neath, Salix fiimila anpiftifolia injerna pane lanugifiofa. 5. Common, creeping Dwarf Willow, Salix pu- mila angujlifolia prona parte cinerea. The leaves very narrow. 6. Round-leaved Dwarf Willow, Salix apsna pu- mila rotuiidifolia ripens. The leaves white underneath. 7. Alder-leaved Mountain Willow, Salix alpina alni rotundo, folio ripens. The leaves green on both fides. 8. Crack Willow, Salix folia longo latoqui fplen- denli fragilis. The leaves yellowilh, the branches brittle. Q. Round-eared, fliining Willow, Salix folio au- riculau fplendmfe. The leaves oblong, with round appendages. iQ. Almond-leaved Willow that cafts its bark, Salix folic amygdalino utrifique aurito coyikim abjiciens. 11. Yellow Dwarf Willow, Salix bumUior foliis angujlis fuhcaruliis ex adverfo hinis. The bark yellow. 12. Bay-leaved Sweet Willow, Salix folio laurio, feu lato glairo odorata. The leaves fweet fcented. 13. Round-leaved, mountain Dwarf Willow, Salix pumila folio rolundo. The leaves thick and blackilh. 14. Long, entire-leaved Willow, Salix minims fragilis foliis longiffmis utriaque viridiius nan firralis. 15. Common Sallow, Salix latifolia et rotundi- late aiuminata. In hedges, the leaves of a pale green and.rough. ifi. Round-leaved Sallow, Salix latifolia folio ro- tunda. Common in hedges with the former. 17. Small-leaved Sallow, Salix folio rotunda mi- nore. The leaves fmall, and of a pale green. iS. Creeping Sallow, Salix cap ea pumila folio fubrotundo incano. Scarce a foot high. 19. Long-leaved Sallow, Salix caprea acuta longo qucjolia. The leaves long and [ ointed. 20. Sallow with a (hining leaf, Salix latifolia falia fplindinle. A low kind with yellow bark. 21. The Ofier, Salix folio longiffimo. The leaves extremely long, and the twigs tough. 22. Long-leaved, yellowilh Sallow, Salix folio longa fubltiteo non auriculato viminibtts hdiis. GENUS XXIIL HORNBEAM. O S r R r A. 'T^HE male flowers are placed in a cylindrick catkin : they confift only of filaments growing from the fcales of the catkrn. The female are placed in an oblong catkin, and confifl: of only a rudiment of the fruic. The Hornbeam. OJlr^a uimo fwidis. The tree is of a moderate growth; The leaves are oblong, of a -fine green, fer- rated at the edges, and placed upon Ihort foot- ftalks. The flowers are inconfiderable ; but the fruit is large and foliaceous. We have it in fome of our woods. C. Bauhine calls it OJlrya idmo fmiilis. Others, Carpinas, N'^ LI. SERIES The BRITISH HERBAL. SERIES ir. Trees and ftirubs which have fruit after all the flowers. GENUS I. The APPLE. M A LU S. THE flower is placed in a cup divided into five fegments ; and is compofed of five laro roiindifh petals. The fruit is roundifh, flefhy, and contains feveral oblong feeds. Linnjcus places this among the icofandria fcntagynia ; the filaments being numerous and ii ferted in the cup, and the ftyles five; The Crab. Mtiluj fyhefirh vulgaris, o The fhrub is tough, and fpreads into many branches, which are knotty, and covered with a purplilh rind. The leaves are broad, (hort, pointed, and of a deep green. The flowers are large and fleili-coloured ; their buds very red. It is common in hedges. C. Bauhine calls it Maltis fyhejlris. GENUS II. PEAR. P r R US. rHE flower is placed in a cup, divided into five fegments, and is compofed of five large petals The fruit is oblong, flefhy, and has within feveral oblong feeds. Linnxus places this with the former. The wild Pear-Tree. Pyrus Jyhefiris. The tree is tall and fpreading. The bark is rough and brown. The leaves are broad, oblong, and of a pale The flowers are large and white. The fruit is yellow, and harfli to the tafle. Wc have it in hedges in the north of Eng- land. C. Bauhine calls it Pyrin fyheftris. GENUS III. SERVICE. S 0 R B U S. THE fiower is placed in a cup, divided into five light fegments, and is compofed of five broad petals. The fruit is foft, roundifli, and umbilicated ; and the feeds are three. IJnnxus places this among the icofandria yeHlagynia. I . The True Service. Ssrbus legitima. The tree grows to a confiderable fize, and fpreads out into many branches. The leaves are beautifully difpofed, and are pinnated, oblong, fharp-pointed, and of a fine green. The flowers fland in clufters j and are fm.ill find white. The fruit is large, oblong, pear-fliaped, and trown. 2 We have it in woods in Stafibrdlhire; C. Bauhine calls it Sorbus fativa. The fruit when mellow is very pleafant, We h.ave two other fpecies. 1. The common Service, Swfej /cn»OTafo. The leaves broad, and deeply divided ; and the fruit fmall. 2. The Quicken-tree, Sorhis fykcpis foliis dm- nejtica /imilis. The leaves like thofe of the aOi, and the fruit red. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. 515 G E ' N U S M E S F I L U S. IV. THE flower is placed in a cup, liglitly divided into four fcgments ; and is compofed of live roundidi petals, with, numerous filaments. The fruit is flelhy, roundilh, and umbilicated. Linnxus places this among the iccfaiidria pentagynia. I. The White Beam. Mefpilus almfoHo fuhtus incano. The tree grows to a moderate bignefs. The bark is pale and fmooth. The leaves are oblong, broad, obtufe, and lightly dented : of a dark green on the upper fide, and whitifh underneath. The flowers are fmall and white ; and the fruit is fmall and roundifii. We have it in our weftern counties. C. Bauhlne calls it Alni effigie Itmato folio : but its mofl: ufual name is Aria Iheofhrajti. We have three other fpecies of Mefpilus. 1. The common White Hawthorn, McffHus apii folio 'Vulgaris fpinofa. 2. Oblong-leaved IMefpilus, Mefpilus vulgaris fo- lio lanriiio. 3. Great-leaved IVIefpilus, Mefpilus foliis et fr«liu majoriljus. GENUS V. ROSE. ROSA. THE flower is placed in a large cup, thick, and rounded at the bafe, and divided at the edge into five long fegments ; and it is compofed of five broad petals, with numerous filaments. The fruit is formed of the thick bafe of the cup; and contains many feeds. Linna:us pkces this among the icofandria plygynia. ^ The Burnet Rofe. Rofa pumila fpinofgima foliis fimpinella. This is a little but very pretty Ihrub. The branches are tough, and their bark is brownifli. The leaves are pinnated, and the pinnx are Ihort, fcrrated, and roundilh : their colour is a dark green. The flowers are large, and of a very pale fielh colour. The fruit is fmall, red, and roundilh. It is common in hedges, and flowers in June. C. Bauhine calls it Rofa fyhejiris pomifera. Others, Rofa foliis fimpinelU. We have five other fpecies. . The common Briar, or Dog-rofe, Rofa fyl- vcflris imdora^ five canijia. Common in all hedges. . Wild Briar with large, prickly hips, Rofa fyhefiris fruSu imjore hiffido. In hedges. :. Sweet Briar, Rofa fylveftris odora. We hav*;. this wild in our fouthern counties, .. White-flowered Dog-rofe. Rofa fyhefiris minor flore albo. The leaves broader and Ihorter. . The great Englifh Apple-rofe, Rofa fyhefiris pomifera major. The fruit as big as a fmall pear. GENUS VI. CURRANT. r'i B E S. rpHE cup is rounded, fwoln, and divided into five fegments. The flower confifts of five fmall, X roundifli petals. The fruit is rounded, juicy, and contains many feeds. Linnffius places this among the pmtandria imnogyiiia. We have four fpecies wild in our northern counties. The common Currant, Rihes vulgaris fruSu ruiro. Cultivated alfo every where in gar- dens. The fweet Currant, Riks vulgaris fru^u dul- ci. The leaves broader and larger. 3. Small-fruited Currant, Rihes frau parva. The fruit and leaves both very fmall. 4. The black Currant, Rihes nigrum. The leaves of an ill fmell. The jelly of this cures fore throats. GENUS The B R I T I S H HERBAL. GENUS Vll. W H O R T L E. V 1 r I S IDEA. THE cup is placed on the rudiment of the fruit, and is veryfmal!.' The flower is formed of a fingle petal, and is divided into four fegments at the rim, which turn back. The body of it is hollow. The fruit is a round berry, in which are feveral feeds in four cells. I. The red Whortle. Vitis idea fmSlu rnbro. This is a fmall fhrub, with flcnder, purplifh branches. The leaves arc roundiHi, and of a dark green ; obtufe at the ends, and not at all ferrated at the edges. The fiowers are greenifh, with a tinge of red. The berries are round, red, and well tailed. It is common in our northern counties on boggy ground. C. Bauhine calls it Vitis idea foUis fiibrolmidis non crenatis haccis ruljris. We have three other fpecies. i. The great Billberry-bufli, Vitis idea magna. The flirub is larger, and the berries round and black. 2; Angular-ftalked Billberry-bufli, Vitis idea itfigulofa. The twigs green and ridged ; and the berries black. 3. Myrtle-leaved Billberry-bufh, Vilis idea foliis jnyrtinis crifpis. The leaves curled, and the fruit black. GENUS VIIL HONYSUCKLE. CAPRIFOLIUM. THE cup is fmall, and divided into five parts. The flower is formed of a fingle petal, which is tubular, long, and flenderi and at the rim divided into five fegments, which turn back. The fruit is a roundifli, umbilicated berry. Linnseus places this among the petttmdria mojiogynia. I. Common Honeyfuckle. Caprifolium vulgare. The fhrub is fmall ; the branches tough, (len- der, weak, and climbing. The leaves are oblong, large, and of a bluifli green. The flowers ftand in handfomc tufts at the tops of the branches j and are of a fine pale yellow with feme white among it. The berries are red. It is common in hedges, and flowers in July, C. Bauhine calls it CaprifoHum non ferfoUatum Germaniciim. We have one other fpecies. 2. Oak-leaved Honeyfuckle, Caprifolium nonper- foliatum foliis fmnatis. The leaves deeply finuated. GENUS IX. I V Y. H E jy E R A, THE cup is very fmall, and has five dents at the edge. The flower is compofed of five oblong petals, with crooked tips. The fruit is a round berry. Linnxus places this among the fentandria monogyfiia. Common Ivy. Hedera vulgaris. The ilem is woody, and climbs ; fixing itfelf by tendrils, in manner of roots. The leaves are of a blackifh green, and vari- ous figure i fome oblong and fimple ; others di- vided into three lobes. The flowers are placed in tufts, and are of a greenifh white. The berries are black. It is common in hedges and againfl: "walls of old buildings. C, Bauhine calls it Hedera arhorea. 2 GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. 517 N U X, WATER ELDER. 0 P U L U S. 'T'HE flowers are placed in umbells on fubdivided branches. The cup is minute, and dented in five places at the edge. Each flower is fornned of a fingle petal, divided into five fcgnients, which turn backward. The fruit is a roundilh berry. Linnasus places this among tht fentatidria trisyni"' The Water Elder. Q-pulm vulgaris. It is a weak (hrub of five feet high. The branches are numerous, and their bark brown. The leaves are broad, and of a faint green ; irregularly divided into three lobes, and ferrated. The flowers are white ; and the berries red. It is common by waters. C. Bauhine calls it Smnbiuus aquatka fore f.in- flku GENUS XL WAYFARING-TREE. VIBURNUM. THE flowers are difpofed in fmall umbells, The cup is minute, and divided by five dents ac the edge. The flower is formed of a fingle petal, divided into five obtufe fegments ; and thefe turn back. The fruit is a roundifli berry, containing a fingle feed. . LinncEus places this among the pentandria tr'gyma. The Wayfaring-Tree. Viburnum. The tree is of moderate ftature, and its bark is brown. The twigs are whitifh and very tough. The leaves are broad, roundifli, and of a whitilh green on the upper fide, and white and meally underneath. The flowers are white, and the berrits, when ripe, are black. We have it in hedges, principally in our fou-^ thern counties. C. Bauhine calls it Vibmnml GENUS XII. DOGBERRY- TREE. C 0 R NU S. THE flowers are placed in fmall umbells, and have a little cup divided by four iiidentings at the rim. Each is compofed of four fmall, oblong, and pointed petals. The fruit is an oblong berry, containing a ftone with two kernels. Linnxus places this among the teh-andria moUQgynia, The Common Dogberry-Tree. Cornus Fa:nmja. This is a flirub of five feet high. The twigs are tough, and covered with 3 red bark. The leaves are oblong, undivided, and of a dufky green. The flowers are fmall and white; and the berries, when ripe, are black. It is common in hedges. C. Bauhine and others call it Cornus fcsmina] GENUS XIII. ELDER. S A M B U C U S. rpHE flowers are placed in large umbells. The cup is fmall, and divided into five parts at the A edge. The flower itfeif is formed of a fingle petal ; and is hollow, and divided into five fmall fegments, which turn backwards. The berry is roundifli, and contains three feeds. Linnsus places this among the pentandria trigynia. N° 51. 6 Q_ I. Jagged- 5.8 The BRITISH HERBAL. I. Jagged-kaved Elder. Sambucus foUis laciniatis. The Ihrub grows irregularly to ten or twelve feet high. The bark is v/hitifh and rough. The young Ihoots are thick, green, and tender. The leaves are placed on divided footftalks ; and are themfelves alfo parted into feveral ob- long, jagged, and indented fegments. The flowers are white j and the berries, when ripe, are black. We have ic in hedges, but not common. Ic flowers in July. C. Bauhine calls It Sainhucus laciniato folio. We have three other fpecies wild in England. 1. The Common Elder, Sambucus i-ulgaris. The berries black. 2. The Whiie-berried Elder, Smibucus baccis albh. The berries of a greenifli white. 3. The Dwarf Elder, Ebulus, five Sambucus hu- milis. A very powerful diuretick. GENUS XIV. SLOE. P R U N U S. 'T*HE cup is divided into five oblong, hollov/ fegments. The flower is compofed of five broad petals. The fruit is roundifli, with a longitudinal (urrovi/^ ; and contains Onder a flelliy fub- itance an oblong ftone with a kernel. Linnseus places this among the icofandria monogynia. The Common Sloe. Vrmnis fylveftris vulgaris. The flirub is rarely more than four feet high. The branches are thorny, and have a deep brown bark. The leaves are oblong, broad, and of a fine green. The flowers are white ; and the fruit, when ripe, is covered with a grey dufl;. Jt is common in hedges, and flowers in July, GENUS XV. CHERRY. C E R J S U S. THE cup is hollow, and divided into five fegments at the edge. The flower is compofed of five broad, hollowed petals. The fruit is roundilh, with a furrow ; and contains a roundifh Hone. I. The Clufter, or Birds Cherry. Ccrajus avium racemofa. This rifes to a fmall tree. The bark is pale on the trunk, and darker on the branches. The leaves are oblong and ferrated. The flowers Hand in long cluflers, and are white. The fruit is fmall. We have it in woods in the north of England. C. Bauhine calls it Cemfus racemofa fylvejlris. We have four other fpecies. , The Common, wild, red Cherry, Cerafus fyl- vejirh fru^u rubra. Much like the Fiemilh cherry. The black Cherry-tree, Cerafus fylvejlris fruSIu nigro. The common, fmall, black Cherry. Small, wild, Heart Cherry, Cerafus fyhejtris fruUu mimmo cordiformi. In Wales. , The late wild Cherry, Cerafus fylvejlris feptex- trionalis frul^u parvo ferolino. The fruit round and red. GENUS XVI. STRAWBERRY-TREE. A R B V T U S. THE cup is very fmall, and is divided by five indentings at tjie edge. The flower is formed of a fingle petal ; and is hollow, oval, and divided at the rim into five fegments, which turn back. The fruit refembles a commoii Jirawhrry ; but the feeds are within, not on the furface. Common Strawberry-Tree. Arbutus vulgaris. It is a fmall tree ; or oftener rifes in the flirub form. The leaves are oblong, and very beautifully ferrated. The flowers are greenifli. The berries, when ripe, are red. It is wild in our northern counties. The fruit ripens in November. C. Bauhine calls it Arbtlusfilie ferralo. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. 5'9 GENUS XVII. M I S L E T O E. y I s c u M. THE flowers are ofren fcparately male and female, but not conftantly fo : they confift of 3 fmall cup, divided into tour oval parts ; with either filaments without a rudiment of the fruit, or with a rudiment without filaments, or both together: in each cafe the form and ftrufture of she flower is the fame. The fruit is a roundith berry, containing a Angle, fiat feed, of a heart- like fhape. Common Mifletoc. Vifcum vulgare. The fl-irub is very much branched, and a foot and half high. The fl:alks are yellow and tough. The leaves ftand in pairs and they are ob- long, flefliy, yellowilh, and obtufe. The flowers are fmall and greenifh. The berries are white, and full of a flimy juice. It is common on apple-trees, and other kinds growing to their branches as mofs. C. Bauhine calls it Vifcum baccis albis. It is an excellent medicine againfl; diforders of the nerves. That of the oak is preferred, but it is very rarely found. G E N -U S XVIII. SPURGE LAUREL. L AU R E O L J. THE flowers rife naked, three from each bud, and are compofdd of a fingle petal, tubular and divided aE the edge into four fegments. The fruit is a roundifh berry with a nngle feed. Common Spurge Laurel. Lmireola vulgaris. It is a low (hrub, green all the year. The bark is brownifh. The leaves are long, and of a fine green, undivided and fleHiy. The flowers are fmall and greenifh. The berries are black. We have it on commons. C. Bauhine calls it Laureola fempervirens ficrs viridi. It is a violent vomit and purge. GENUS XIX, PRIVET. LIGUSTRUM. TEIE cup is fmall, and is divided at the rim into four parts. The flower is formed of a finglc petal, tubular at the bafe, and divided alfo into four fegments at the edge. The fruit is a round berry containing four feeds. Linnxus places this among the diandria monogyiiia. Common Privet. Ligujlrim vulgare. It is a flirub of five feet high. The ftem is flcnder, brown, and fmooth. The leaves arc oblong, and of a dark green. The flowers are fmall and white i and they grow in clufters. The berries are black. We have it in woods. C. Bauhine calls it Ligujtrum Germanicum, GENUS XX. BLACK ELDER. FRANGULA. THE flower has no cup ; it is formed of a fingle petal ; and is fmall, tubular, rough on the outfide, but fmooth and poliflied within ; and is ringed, and divided into five fmali fegments. There is a fcale at the bafe of each fegment ; and from under each of thefe rifes a filament. The berry is roundifli, ai'd contains two feeds. I Tli 520 The B R I T I S H H E R li A L. The Stack Alder. Frangula vulgaris, The fhrub is weak and fmal!. Theftemis covered with a fmooth, br'ownbark. 1 he leaves are large, dark, and roundilh. The flowers arc of a g-r;n:iii white ; and die berri_cs, when ripe, ;axe black. We h.,ve it ill woods and thickets. • ^C. Bauhine calls it Alms nigra baaifcra. O- thers, Frangula. G E N U S XXI. B A R B E R R Y. B E R B E R I S. TpHE "cup is formed of fix fmall, hollow, coloured leaves. The flower is formed of fi.-c rounded petals: there are two granules at the bale of each petal, the neftaria of the flower. I'he berry is oblong, and has two feeds. , :. ' ' " ... The Barberry-Bufh. Beriberis vulgaris. The Ihrub is ten feet high, and armed with fharp fpines. The bark is pale and whitifli. The leaves are broad and oblong ; of a frefh green, with atinge'of yellowifh, and finely fer_ rated. rhe flowers are fmall and yellowilh : the ber^ ties red and agreeably tailed. We have it wild and in gardens. All authors call it Berbcris. GENUS xxir. HOLLY. A G R I F 0 L I U M. THE cup Is fmall, formed of a fingle piece, ind divided into four fegments at the edge. The flower is compofed of four roundilh petals, cohering at their bafes. The fruit is a°roundifli berry with four feeds. I. The Holly. Agrljollnm. It is a large flirub. The bark is whitifli on the trunk ; but the young flioots are green. The leaves are oblong, finuated, irregular at the edges, and prickly. The flowers are greenifli. The berries are black; We have it in woods and hedges, C. Bauhine calls it Ilex acukata baccifcra fdlo finnato. ■ We have one other fpecies. 2. Yellow-berried Holly, Agrifollum haccis lu- teis. The leaves of a thinner and loofe texture. GENUS XXIII. BUCKTHORN. R H A M N U S. npHE flower has no cup : .it is formed of a fingle petal, and is tubular, and lightly divided by round4 d h "\ r T 7'"" °* dent. ^The berry roundilh, and the feeds are flatted- • ^in-ucjiyij The Buckthorn Shrub. Rhamnus vulgaris. It is a (hrub of ten feet high. The bark is brown. The leaves are broad, indented, and of a fine green. The flowers are inconfider:.ble and grccnifll. The berries are black. The flirub 'is full of fhiirp thorns. Wc have it in hedge; C. Bauhine call: it Rba;:i:::is cathartims. The juice of the berries is a good purge. GENUS The BRITISH HERBAL. 521 GENUS XXIV. BRAMBLE. RV B U S. THE cup is ft>rmed of one leaf, divided into fi^ flower is compofed of five roundifli petals numerous grains. The Common Bramble. Rii'ms lulgaris. The flirub is weak and trailing. The branches are belct with Iharp thorns. The leaves ftand three on a footrtalk ; and are oblong, broad, ferrated, and lliarp-pointed. The flower is large and flelli-colQured ; and the fruit, when ripe, is black. It is every where in hedges. ■e oblong, fpreading, permanent fegments. The inferred in the cup. The fruit is compofed of C. Bauhine calls it Riibus ■vulgaris, fiii Ruius fruStu nigra. We have three other fpecics wild in diiferent p.-lrts of England. 1. White berried Bramble, Rubus vulgaris major fruStu alio. The leaves longer and paler. 2. The Dewberry-Bulh, Ruhus minor fru3u ca- ruho. The fruit compofed of few grains. 3. The wild Rafpberry, Rubus idtcus ffimfus fruolu rubra. In woods in the north. GENUS XXV. SPINDLETREE. ' E U 0 N r M V s. T HE cup is divided into five roundifli fegments. _ r ir^ _ , . . each of the four cells, containing a fingle feed. The flower is compofed of four oval petals. The fruit is a fquare juicy capfulc in 1 Spindletree. Euonymus. It is a fmall hedge-fhrub. The bark of the trunk is of a pale brown ; that on the young fho.ts green : and thefe have four redifli brown ridges, which make them ap- pear fquare. The leaves are oblong, moderately broad, and of a fine frefli green. The Cowers are very fmail, and grecnifll. The fruit is large, red, and fquare. , It is common in hedges. ' t C. Bauhine calls it Euorymus vulgaris ^ranis rubris.' GENUS XXVI. BLADDERNUT. SfJPHTLODENDRON. rr^UV CUP is divided into five coloured fegments. The flower is compofed of five oblong petak 1 The fruit is compofed of diftinft bladders with pointed tops ; in each of which are roundifli feeds. The Bladdernut. The fruit is large; and the bladders, when Stafhyhdrendon. ripe, ate of a pale greenifll colour, tinged with .. ^1 ■ red or brown. The tree rifes to no great height. . -, > ■ i j i_ m leaves are beautifully pinnated-, and the We have .t wild in England, but not com- pinnse are oblong, ferrated, and fharp-pomted. mon. The flowers are fmall. , - . ■ .... i i GENUS XXVII ELM. U L M U S. HE cop is formed of a fingle leaf, and divided into five fegments at the edge : it ,s rough oa the outfide, and, for the greateft part, tubular, enlarging upwards : there are no petals. Th= nts ftand in this cup; and the fruit is flatted, and has a fingle feed. T filaments ftand in t N" 51 6 R The The BRITISH HERBAL. The Wych Elm. Ulmiis folio glahro. The tree grows to a great bigncfs. The bark is rough. The leaves are very broad, of a fine green, ferrated, and lharp-pointed : and fmooth on the lurface. The flowers are whitifh, and the fruit brown. We have it in hedges. Authors call it Ulmus folio glahro. We have three other fpecies. 1. The common Elm, Wmus 'vulgaris folio lato fcahro. The leaves fhort, broad, and rough. 2. The narrow-leaved Elm, Vlmus minor folio aiigujlo fcalro. A fmall tree when at full growth. 3. The broad-leaved Elm, called Witch Hazel, Ulnius folio latiffmo fcahro. GENUS XXVIII. THE ASH. FRAXINXJS. '"j'^HE'ciip is formed of a fingle piece, divided lightly into four parts at the edge-, and the flower is compoied of four narrow petals. The feed is fiat, membranaceous, and covered with a cruft. The Common AHi. Fraxinus vulgaris. The tree is large, but irregular in growth. The bark of the trunk is whitilh; that of the branches grey. The leaves are long, large, and beautifully pinnated. The flowers are greenifli. The fruit is of a greenifli brown. It is common in woods and hedges. C. Baahine calls it Fraxinus excdfior. E N U XXIX. MAP A C h L E. THE cup Is divided into five fegments, and coloured. The flower is cotnpofed of five oval petals. The feed vefl"el is winged with a large membrane. Linhsus places this among "the otlandria. The Common Maple. Acer vidgare nnnus» . . ;. The flirub is of irregular growth. The bark is rough, and of a redifli brown. The leaves are broad, fliort, and deeply di- vided ; their colour is a pale green. The flowers are of a gieenifh colour : the feed- veflTels are rcdifli when ripe. , ; It is common in hedges. C. Bauhine calls it Acer campatre. We have two other fpecies. 1. The great Maple, called the Sycamore, Acer majus latifol'mm. 2. Hairy, red-fruited Maple, Acer cmpejire tfii' jms/ruilu villofo rtibenU. liiiw bsgiiij ,ijouu illmJ^3 3li!pi: I0 : ^ ■'•*""H E A T H. XXX. -."bOD 30n and .f rif'pnH ni llr, 'I tolh yni ^AT ERICA, -pwftbos' 'X^HE cup is compofed of four long leaves. The flower is formed of a fingle petal ; vided at the rim into four parts. The feed-veffel is roundifli and fmall; the feeds reus and minute. . . Befom Heath. .M Erica folio hirfuto quaterno. The flirub is low, fcarce exceeding a foot in heighth. The bark is of a redifli brown. and is di- are nume; The leaves are fmall, extremely numerous, and hairy. The flowers fland in little tufts at the tops of the branches ; and are of a f;iint purple. We have it on boggy grounds on heaths. C. Bauhine calls it Erica ex ruhro nigricam fcoparia. Our people, Dutch heath. 4 We The BRITISH HERBAL. 523 We have five other fpecies. . Common Heath, Eriea vulgaris. The leaves of a paie green j and the flowers of a faint flefli-coloLir. . Common rough leaved Heath, Erica vulgaris hirfula. More branched than the former. Five-leaved Heath, Erica temiiJcAia. The bark grey, and the leaves of a dark green. Fir-leaved Heath with numerous flowers. Erica foliis corios multifiora. The flowers of a pale crimfon. Myrtle-Heath, Erka cantahrica fiore maxima fcliis myrti fubtus incanis. The leaves pointed- N U XXXL MARSH C Y S T U S. LEDUM. 'T~^HE cup is fmall, permanent, coloured, and divided into five fegments. The flower is formed of a Ongle petal and is hollow, and divided into five fegments at the rim. The feed-veflel is roundifli, with five ridges. Englifli Marfh Ciftus. Ledum paluftre. It is a fmall fhrub, not much branched. The leaves are oblong and narrow. The flowers fl:and on fhort footftalks j and are fmall, and of a beautiful pale red, crowning the tops of the branches. We have it on boggy grounds in heaths. C, Bauhine calls it P^-itt id 253 333 518 i 2 6 336 129 z 486 463 329 492 174 512 389 398 448 426 29 489 492 32; 495 Auricula /«g Azalea B. BAccharis Ballotc Balfam Baifamina Ba! famine Barba Capra Barberry Barley Barren wort Barleria B.ifil BafU, wild Baiiard CinquefoII E.uim Bean Bear's breech Kecaban^i Beech B^et Belladonna Bel! Rower Bellfiower, ivy-leaved Bellis Berberis Beta Bctonica Eetony, wood BctuU Beupleurura Bignonia Bindweed Bindweed, mountain Bindweed, prickly Birch Bird's eye Bird's foot Birth wort B.fliopfwced , Billort Bladdernut Blactaria Elite Blitum Bluebo;tle Borage ■ Borago Box Bramble Brafiica Brookiima Broome Broomrape Bryonia Biyum Buckbean Buck's horn Buckthorn Buckthorn, fea Buckwheat Bugle Buglofs Bugloflum Bugiofs, cowflip Buglofs, viper's Bueula BulDocaflanum Eulbocodium Burdock Burnet Saxifrage Bur reed Burnet Burfa Paftorls Butcher's broom Eutonius Butterbur Butterwort Buxus Eyffus C. CAbbage Calceolus Caiamintha 4;z 396 214 214 207 45 520 49; 228 144 382 362 4 ''J 2S6 132 94 509 491 328 70 ■13 458 520 49 V 361 361 510 418 13Z S7 100 332 % 292 129 42; 488 ,521 89 490 490 433 389 389 S" 52' 23S 9+ 523 ' 2i 313 533 77 'S3 520 4S6 37' 387 387 3S5 406 471 43 z 409 500 346 260 330 35 152 107 511 533 238 478 368 Calamint Calla Caitba Caltrop Caltrop, water Campanula Campion Cannabis Car.nacoTus Candy Carrot Capillua veneris Caprifolium Capficum Caraway Cardamine C ard iaca Carduus Carlina Carthamus Carrot Carum Catterpillar Caryophyllata Caryophyilus Caffida Call are a Catmint Cat"s-tail Caucalis Celandine Centsuriura majus . Centaurium minus Centaury -Centaury, great Ceraliium Cerafus Cerinthe Cetera ch Ch.Trophyl!um Chamxdrys Chamjefilix Chamaemelum Cham3:mi!e Chama:moru3 Chamaiperi clymenum Chamsepitys Chara ~. Chclidonium majiis Chelidonium minus 337 34 2 1 1 230 70 164 A'^i log 425 516 IC4 410 246 364 428 44S 43' 414 410 3"3 8 162 370 S°9 360 506 4'S ■45 474 62 62 434 183 S'S 394 526 403 3S0 526 4S9 459 , 33' 33' 37' S3' ■45 20 Chelone 13' Cherry <;,8 Chervill 4° 3 Chefnut 5^9 Chich 298 Chickweed 179 Chickweed, berry-bear. 210 Chondrilla 44-1: Chriftaphoriana 320 Chryfanthemum 456 Cicer 298 Cicborium 443 Cicuta 411 Cinquefoil 3 Circ^a 138 Cirfium Z27 Ciftus 170 Ciftus, marfh 212 Clandeftina 129 Clary 358 Cleavers 393 Clematis 11 Climber I 1 Climber 29 Clinopodiura sH Cloudberry 331 Clymenum 281 Clypeola 275 Cnicus 448 Cochlearia 266 Cock'i-comb 119 Cock't-head 293 Colchicum 470 Cok's-foot 446 Columbine 41 Comfry 391 Conferva pa^e 552 Convallaria 322 Convolvulus 57 Conyza 4'17 Corchorus 2 1 ^ Coriander 417 Coriandrum 4' 7 Corn marygold 450 Corn us 517 Coronopus 'S3 Coralline 531 Corrrgiola 493 Ccrtula 97 Corylua 50S Cotyledon 5' Cow-wheat '23 Cowilip 6S Cracca 28; Crambe 257 Crane's -bill 125 Crateogonon 123 Crefs 267 Crefs fciatica 263 Crithmum 4'3 Crofswort 39; Crowfoot '5 Crowfoot, globe 33 Cruciata 395 CuckowpinC 329 Cucubalus ZIO Cudweed 453 Cumin 422 Cumin, podded 22S Currant S'> Cufcura &C, Cyanus 433 Cyclamen Cymbalaria iij Cymitium 422 Cynocrambe 485 CynoglolTura 38'j Cyperus 504 D. ■piAify XJ DafTodill 4-8 468 Damafonium 3; Dandelion 441 Daucus 4'4 Daucua Crelicus 42? Dead-nettle 365 Delphinium J42 Dens Leonis 4ii Dentaria Dentaria 12t Devil's-bit Diapenfia Diflamnus Crelicus Digitatis Dill Dipfacus Diitander Dittany, white Dittany of Crete Dock Dodder Dogberry Dortmanna Draba Dracontium Dragons Drop wort Dropwort, water Duckweed Dyer's- weed E. EArtJinut ■Echinophora Echium Egg-plant Elacine Eider Elder, water Elecampane Elm 464 419 381 116 421 464 261 44 381 484 83 126 336 33S 24 407 530 207 406 4'7 387 327 "3 5'7 5'7 449 521 Empetrum N D X. Empetrum Endivia Epilobiiim Epimedium Equiletum Erica Erjgerum Eruca Ervum Eryngium Eryngo Eryfinuini Euonymus Eupaioi ium Euphoibium Euphralia Eyebr^glit F. FAbn Faba iEgypt. Kagopyrum Fagus Fennel Fennel, hog's Fern, female Fern, male Ferula Ferrum equ'num Fevtrfew Figwort Filipendula Filix fcemina Filix mas Fir Flax f leabane Fleawort Flowering Reed Fiuellm Fccniculom Fsenugreek Fontinalis Foxglove Fragaria Frangula Fraxinella Fraxinus Frogbic Fryar'a cowlc Fiicus Furaaria Fnmitor/ Fungi Furz G. GAle Galcgi Galcopfis Gallium Garlick Genifta Geiiilla fpinofa Gentian Gentiana Geranum Gerardia Germander Germander, water Germander, tree Geum Gingidium Gith Giadiole, water Gladiolus lacultrls GlalTworc Glaucium Glaux Glaax Globefiower Glycyrrhiza Gnaphalium Goat's-beard Goat's Rue Golden rod Gramen Parnaffi Gramina Grafs of ParnaCus GrafTes Gratiola Gromwell Ground-ivy Ground-pine Ground fell Guinea pepper H Are's ear Hare's-foot Harmala page ;ii 44 ^ 531 522 236 419 521 157 286 22+ 486 509 4'3 402 S28 526 421 39" 4L0 ■H =4 527 5z6 501) '93 447 ■59 105 ■13 413 309 532 116 522 ■39 331 533 347 347 553 524 539 397 4''7 523 'It 380 372 380 191 4^5 ^■3 126 126 4S2 144 78 2gz 33 287 453 442 298 449 iq2 496 192 496 iiS 390 369 371 451 104 413 go5 212 Hart's-'.onpue Hatclie[ve:ch Hazte Hawkweed Heart's eafe Hffath Hedera Hedera terrcflris Hedge muflard Hedge nettle Hedyi'aruni Helenium Heliocropium Hellebore, black Helleborine Helleborus niger Hemlock Hemlock, water , Hemp Hemp agrimony Henbane Hcpaiica Herb Chriliopher Herniaria Hefperis Hicracium Hippocrepis Hoarhoutid Hoarhound, bafe Hoarhoiind, (linking Hoarhound, water Holly Holly, fea Hollyhock Moneywort Honefuckle Honeyfuckle, dwarf Honeyfuckle, French Hop Hordium Honiiinum Hornbeam Horfcradilh Horic/hoe vetch Horfe;ail Hoctonia Hound's-tongue Houfeleek Hyacinth liydrocharis Hydrocotyle Hyofcyamus Hyoferis Hypecoum Hypericum HippogloiTum Flypopitys HylTop Hyllbpus Hyffop, hedge I. JAcea Jacobsa Iberis Impatiens Jmperatoria Iris Ifatis Juiyfiower Juncus Juniper juniperus Ivy K. Kidney bean Kidneywort Knapweed Knawel Knotgrafs L. LAfluca Ladies bcdftraw Lady's mantle Lady's flipper Ladyfmock Lagopus Lamium Lampfana Lapathum Lappa Lark"s-fpur Laferpitium Lafcrwort Lathyrus Lavender, fea Lavender Lavendula 3 }aj 42 J = 9+ 508 43S 369 250 359 294 •149 393 320 493 =^35 478 2gl 363 361 369 3S5 S20 419 26 394 SIQ £3' 495 35a V^l 291 53^ 78 386 40 469 ■39 419 55 449 22S ■73 532 337 222 377 377 118 439 450 263 207 423 5°S 5"i 5i^ 5,6 296 433 497 487 435 327 492 478 246 306 i^i 443 484 432 42 422 422 279 343 374 374 Laureola p Laurus Ale.var.drina Lead wort Ledum Ledum Lens LcntibiiJaria Lcnticula Lentil! Leontopetalon Le(>pard"s-bane Lepidium Lettuce Lettuce, Iambs Lfucanthemum Leucoium Levifticum Libanotis Lichen Lichenaftrum Lichenoides Ligullrum Lilly, water ■Lilly of the valley Lime Limnopeuce I.imonium Linaria Linnasa Linum Lionleaf Liquorice Lithofpermum Lonchitis Loo fell rife Lotus Lotus Lovage Lucerne Ludwigia Lunaria Lunaria Lupne Lupinus Lupulus Luteola Lyclmida;a Lychnis Lycopodium Ly copfis Lycopus Lyfimachia M. MAd-apple Mad.'er Madwort, German Maidenhair, black Maidenhair, Engl.fh Maidenhair, forked, Maidenhair, true Miidenhair, white MjIIow Mallow, Indian Malva iVialus Mandragora » Mandrake Maple Marjoram, fweet Marjoram, wild Manubium Mar/h cillus Marihmallow Marum Marygold, marlh Malferwort Mafterwort, black Matricaria May-apple Meadow-rue MeadowfweeC Medeola Medica Melampyrum MeliiTophyllum Melilot MelilTa Melongena Menianthes Mentha Mercurialis Mercury, dog's Mercury, French Mefpilus Meum Millefolium Milfoil, hooded Milkwort igi 519 3 ■■^7 102 2 1 2 5-3 297 1 2 J 530 297 219 29 261 43; 342 459 233 410 420 533 533 532 S'9 22j 5^3 481 341 108 76 '93 219 287 3 JO 64 3"4 224 4 = 3 312 229 530 238 29 s 29s 48 2 207 103 164 533 388 355 H 327 396 389 529 526 527 527 526 24 49 24 5^4 334 334 522 381 357 363 212 26 378 34 433 42S 460 334 346 23 220 311 123 367 308 3S3 327 77 3S^ 483 483 483 4"S 404 458 I2S 81 Mint Mil Molucca Moneywort Miink's hood Moi:opiij3iuiii Mooinvorc Mo;il,,;tell Moiles Wocbniullein Motherwort Moafe ear Moufe-earfcor MouCetail Muiiim Mudweed Mngworc MuHein Muici Mudirooms ■ Milliard Myagrum Myoiolis Myofuros Mynhis N. NArciffus Nallurtium I\avcIwort Navelwort Navew Nettle Nepela Nicotiaiia Nijella Nighliliade Mglnlhade, deadly Nightlhade, Encli. Nightfhade, ilccpy Nipplsworc * Nilfolia Nummulan'a Nox NymphKa NymphoiJes O. Ottat Cell res Ocymum CEnanthe Oldeiifandi'a One blade Onobr, chis Ononis OphiogloiTuni Opiirys Opnles Oracii Orchis Origanum Orniihogalnm Ornithopodium Orobanche Orobus Orpine Oxycoccns Oxeye Cvlip O.vys P. P^onia Panax Papaver Paraly/i! Parietaria Paris Parnallia Paronychia Parflcy Prailcy, balfard Pariley, reck Parl'nep Parfnep, cow Parfnep, water Pafqueflower Paflinacha Pea Pear Pearlwort Pedicularis PclIiCory of Che wall Pcllitory nmbellif. Pennyroyal Pennywort Pennywort, marfh Pentapliidcs f,,., 3, -I 5'9 210 3 2 O5 45 322 530 3=4 532 89 364 441 graft 390 ■4 533 84 463 87 533 533 241 26+ 390 46S 267 5' 99 240 4S4 3C0 95 213 326 328 138 335 443 2S9 65 508 "} 77 509 495 297 382 407 Z29 322 293 310 530 478 517 489 474 357 469 29Z 126 28S 36 324 457 09 47 420 ■41 68 491 323 ■92 '59 424 4'5 414 401 400 40 8 10 401 27S 5^4 22fl 119 491 42(5 354 52 419 Peota. Peniaphyllum i'cntapcerophj'llon Pepper-grafs 4S [ Periwinkle 52 Pervinca,- 5^ Perficarla Petafites 45Z Petrofelinum 424 I'cucedp.num 402 hnalangiom 473 PhaTeolus 296 Pheafant's eye '3 Pheliandrium 412 Phyllitis 5*S Pileworc 20 Pilofella Pilularia 481 Pimpemell 67 Pimpinelb faxifraga Piiiguicula ^00 107 Pink 162 Piony 47 Piium 278 Plancaginclla 84 Plartago ' 5- PUntago aquat. 22 Plantain 152 Plantain, ftarry 3S Plantain, water 22 Plumbago 102 Pneumonanche 60 Podograria 405 Podophyllum 331 Polimonium 79 Poly gal a 81 Polygonum 4S7 Poly mountain 379 Polium 379 Polygonatum 320 Poly podium 5=5 Polypody S»5 Pol) trichurn S3- Pondvveea 488 Poplar S"2 I'oppy H' Populus 512 Portula 218 Poriulaca 214 Potamogiton 48 8 Purfiaiti 214 Primrore 68 Primula C8 Privet 519 Prunella 362 jiS Plyihum ■59 Ptarmaca 45 7 Pulegium 354 Pulmonaria 3»5 Polfaiilla 1 0 Purflain, water 218 Pyrethrum umbell 426 Pyrola 85 I'yrus 5'4 CL /^Uercu!- \J ^ R. 509 -Q Adicula 26; 227 RadiOi 243 Ragwort 450 Rampion 71 Ranunculus Kaplianiftrum 244 Raphanus 245 Raphanus ruft. 2t3 Rapum 240 Rapunculus 71 Ratilf, red 119 Ratde, yellow 121 Refecla 209 Reflharrow 3 10 Rliamnoides 512 Rhamnus 520 Hhinanthus 121 Ribes 5'5 I N D Rocket fit^ 236 Rocket, bafc zog Koella 104 18; Rofa' S'5 Rore 515 Rofe of Jericho 272 Rofemary 37& Ros marinus 37^ Ros folis 187 39^ Rubia Rubia cynanchica 3 ! Rubus Rue '^6 Rue. wild 212 Ruellia ■35 Rupturewort 493 Rulcus 330 Rulh 5=5 Rufh, flowering 35 Ruta is6 Rye 495 X. SAfF-flowcr SaftVon Saffron, meadow Sage Sage, wood Sage of Jerufalem Sagitta Saint John's wort Sallad, corn Salicaria Salicornia Salix Saltwort Salvia Sambucus Samolus Sara pi re Sampire, prickly Sanguiforba Sanicle Sanicle, mountain Saracena Saxifraga Saxafraga aurea Saxifrage Saxifrage, golden Saxifrage, meadow Satureia Savory Saw-wort Scab io fa Scabious Scammony Scandix Scirpus Sclarea Scleranthus Scordium Scorodonia Scorpioides Scorzonera Scrophularia Scurvygrafs Sea-parlley Secale Securidaca Sedum Selago Self heal Selinum Sempervivum Senccio Sen green Ser-mountain Serpyllum Serratula Service Sefamum Sefdi Shepherd's needle Shepherd's purfc Sideritis Siler montaniim 431 470 470 373 37^ 2 1 ■73 342 373 5'7 66 4^3 4'7 346 419 97 216 189 497 1S9 491 41 z 377 377 43' 464 464 58 403 S°S 3i7 49 372 372 30a 4+4 114 266 410 495 299 37 533 362 414 40 45' 53 423 349 43' 5'4 '34 412 423 260 39° 423 s feal Siiverweed Sinapi Sinapiftrum Sifarum Sifymbrium Siuni Skirret Sloe Smallage Smilax Smyrnium Snapdragon Snail Sneeze wort Solnauni Soldanclla Soldier Solomop' Sanchu"s Sorbus Sorrel South em wood Sowbread / Sowihiftle Spaniih tooihpick Sparganium Speculum Speedwell Sphagnum Sphondylium Spmdle Spignell Spergula Spleenwort Spurge Spurge laurel Spurity Squinancywort Stachys Sttcchas Staph is agria Staphylodcndrura Staveiacre Star of Bethlehem Scarwoit Starwort S;atice Stellaria Stonccrop Stramonium Stratioces Strawberry Strawberry-tree Submarine planii Subularia Succifa Sundew Sunflower Sweetbeard Sweet gaule Sweetwilliam Symphytum T. TAmnus Tanacetum Tauzy Tare Taxus Teafell Telephium Teucrium Thaliflrum Thapfia Thefium ThilHe ThitUe, gentle Thlafpi Thora Thorn-apple Thrift Throat wort Thyme 7'hyme, mother of Thymus Tilia Tithymalus Toadflax 6 241 255 424 HS 408 424 518 411 • 332 406 115 3'3 457 326 100 140 320 437 5'3 48; 463 437 425 506 75 90 533 4Q0 521 404 184 526 148 5'9 2ii 399 361 375 44 521 44 4C9 199 4+^ 3 45 i^b 3' 9£> 140 5.8 533 273 464 187 170 ' 49 5'o 162 391 3»9 4b 1 48^ 28J Siz 464 36 380 346 4Z1 344 428 427 269 29 96 345 74 361 349 351 523 Toadflax, baft^rd page Tobacco Tooth wort Tooth wort TordyLum Tormcncill Tormentiila Tourncfortia Towirr ir.iii'ard Trachclium Trago oiiganum 7'ragopogoii Trefoil Treefoil bird's-foot Trefoil hop Tribulus aq. Trichomanes Trifolium TrifoHum lup. Triglochin 'I'riticum Trollius Truelove Trumpetilower Turnep Turnfole Turritis Tuffelago Twy blade Typha VAlerian Valerian, Greek, Valerian ell a Venus Glafs Verbafum Verbena Verbefina Veronica Vervain Vetch Vetch grafs Vetch, kidney Vetch, wood Vicia Viola Violet Violet, dame's Virga aurea Vifcom Viiis idxa L'lmaria Ulmus Ulva Urtica \v. WAIlflower Wallnut V/atercrefs Waterlilly, fringed Water tadifh Water violet Wayfaring tree Wheat Whitlowgrafs Whorile Whortle, marth Willow Willowherb WiJlowhetb, fpiked Windflowcr Winter cherry Wintergreen Woad Wolfibane, winter WoodruiFe Woodforre! Wormwood X. '"Anthium X YArro' Yc« Y. 252 123 402 7 302 3"4- 3=7 230 526 322 307 505 494 33 i'} 132 240 395 249 446 47S 506 339 79 342 75 »7 35* 461 90 354 28J 28, 290 :i3 23} 10} 20J ^3) 449 S'9 23 52. 532 484 235 50S =4; 7S 26; 7* S'7 494 2i9 5,6 ;h 335 85 '54 47 39S 484 FINIS. ^^^^J ^.^ v^^^