3LDK HORTUS JAM.'VICENSIS. io\ 



Gen'. C!;aR. Ctjlyx ccmnion imbricate; corolla compound, flosculous, difform ; the 

 recepf,^cle bristly ; tiie dcnvn isimple ; the rorolluht of the nidius funnel fofiu, 

 longer irregular. Ttiis plant is a n:,tive of Kurope, ;nid was introduced here ia;iuy 

 years ago, as vveil as ti;*; vuunus, or blue bottle, another species. 



1. BKNEDICTA. BLF.SSKD. 



Calyxes double-spiny, woolly, involucrcd ; leaves semi-Jecurrent, toothlettod, 

 spiny. 



This plant obtained the appellation of benedictiis from its being supposed to possesfj 

 xtraordinary mediral virtues ; though not much in repute in modern practice. It has 

 been celebrated asan alexipharmic and a cure for' the plague. 'I'he bruised leaves 

 boiled in wine, and mixed with fionr and hogslard, laid on warm, are said to cure can- 

 cers and inveterate ulcers. The leases have a penetrating bitter taste and ungrateful 

 flavour. Dr. Lewis informs us that he has experienced excellent effects from a ligiiC 

 infusion of this plant in loss of appetite, where th-e stomach was inpired by irregulari- 

 ties. A stronger infosion made in cold or warm water, if drank fretil}-, and the patient 

 kept warm, promotes perspiration. The seeds are also considerably bitter, and havt; 

 sometimes been used with the same effect as the leaves. Browne mentions that it was 

 Gultivaled with great success in the- mountains of New Liguanea, where it seeded as 

 Tvell as in most parts of Europe : he adds that it makes a fine stomachic meiiicine, and 

 may be used with success iti all vveaknesses of the viscera, and over-abundant discharges 

 of bile. For medical purposes the plant should be gathered while in flower, dried in 

 the shade, and kept in a very dry airy place^ to prevent, its rotting, which it is very 

 apt to do. 



2. CYANUS. BLUE. 



Cal3'xes serrate ; leaves linear, quite entire, the lowest tootlied. 



This is a common weed among corn in Europe, called blue bottle in England, and 

 Muc bonnets in Scotland. The expressed juice of the ncutrarfioi ets makes a good ink ; 

 ifc also stains hnen of a beautiful blue, but the colour is not permanent. Mr. Boyle 

 3ays that the juice of the central florets, with the addition of a very small quantity of 

 iluiii, makes a lasting transparent blue, not inferior to ultramarine. 



Blood Flower See Bastard Ipecacuanha. 



BLUE PEA FLOWER. CLITORIA. 



Cl. 17, OR. 3. Diadelplu'a decayidria. NaT. OR. Pupilionace^. 

 This is so named from the form and colour of the corolla. 



EN. CHAR. Calyx a one leafed, erect, tubular, five-toothed, permanent perian- 

 thium ; corolla papilionaceous, and supine, or turned downside up ; the standard 

 is very large, overshadowing the other petals; wings oblong, keel shorter than 

 them ; stamina and anthers simpU- ; the pistil has an oblong germen, ascending 

 9tyle, and obtuse stigma; the pericarp is a very long legume, linear, compressed,.. 

 ^JKC-celied, two-valvcd, with the tip subulate ; seeds many, reniforni. Three 



species 



