C22 
four, longer than the tube, two long and two fhort, furnifhed with 
purple antherz. Germen divided into four parts. Style tapering, 
white, longer than the filaments, and terminated by a bifid ftigma, 
Seeds four, of an irregular fhape, and lodged in the calyx. 
It is common in woods and heaths, flowering in Auguft and 
September. . | : 
The ‘defcription of the 3m by Diofcorides applies equally to 
many of the other verticillated plants: he alfo ftates it to be purga- 
tive, fo that it feems very doubtful if by that name he meant the 
plant here figured. 
The leaves and tops of the Betony have an agreeable but weak 
fmell: to the tafte they difcover a flight warmth, accompanied with 
fome degree of aftringency and bitternefs, They yield very little 
effential oil, infomuch that only a few drops can be obtained from a 
large quantity of the herb. 
Betony, like many other plants formerly in great medical eftima- 
tion, is at this time almoft entirely difregarded. Antonius Mufa, 
phyfician to the Emperor Auguftus, filled a whole volume with 
enumerating its virtues, ftating it as a remedy for no lefs than forty- 
feven diforders; and hence in Italy arofe this proverbial compliment 
You have more virtues than Betony,* 
Simon Paulli alfo afcribes to it powers, which may be confidered as 
rather miraculous than natural, and which did not feem to require 
contradiction from the experiments of Alfton .” 
Modern writers do not allow the Betony to poffefs any confiderable 
efficacy: Scopoli indeed fays that he experienced its cephalic and 
corroborant effects ; but its fenfible qualities fhow it to be more inert 
than moft of the other verticillatez. Both this plant and Eyebright 
enter into the compofition of Rowley’s Britifh herb tobacco and 
fhuff, | | | 
_ & The Italians alfo introduced the maxim Vende 4a tonica et compra la Betonica, 
: ® See Aiton. I. c ; + 2 
© Flor. Carn. Edy I+ p. 4606 
ORIGANUM, 
