AND COMPLETE HERBAL. 183 
ereen leaves, finely cut and jagged, at the tops of the branches ftand many {mall 
flowers, one above another, forming a kind of fpike, of a reddith purple colour, with 
whitifh berries; thefe are fucceeded by fmall round hufks, which contain the feed. 
Its root is yellow, {mall, and not very long, full of juice while it is green, but pe- 
rifheth as the feed ripens. In fome parts of Cornwall there is a fpecies of this plant 
which beareth white bloffoms. ° 
Pract. It groweth generally in corn-fields and cultivated grounds, and i is alfo 
_ a garden plant. 
Time. It flowereth in May and the fe! ripens foon after. 
GovERNMENT AND VirtuEs. Saturn claims dominion over this herb. The fy- 
rup or juice made hereof, or the decoction made in whey, with fome other purging 
or opening herbs and roots added thereto, in order to ftrengthen its operation, (being 
7 of itfelf but weak) is very effectual for the liver and fpleen, opening the ob{tructions 
thereof, and clarifying the blood from faltifh, choleric, and malignant humours, - 
which caufe leprofy, fcabs, tetters, itch, and fuch like breakings out of the fkin ;. 
and after having performed thefe fervices, it ftrengthens all the inward parts. Ic 
cureth the yellow jaundice, and expelleth it by urine, which it procureth in abun- 
dance. The powder of the dried herb given for fome time together, cureth melan- 
choly, but the feed is moft effectual. The diftilled water of the herb is‘alfo of good 
effect in the former difeafes, and i is an excellent preventative againft the plague be- 
ing taken with good treacle; or gargled with a little water and honey of rofes, it 
helpeth the fores of the mouth and throat. The juice dropped into the eyes, clear- 
eth the fight, and taketh rednefs and other defects therefrom. Diofcorides faith, it’ 
hindereth the hair from growing afrefh on the eyelids, if they are anointed with the 
juice hereof having gum arabic diffolved therein. The juice of fumitory and docks 
mingled with vinegar, and the places gently wafhed or wet therewith, cureth all forts 
of fcabs, pimples, itch, wheals, or pufhes, which are —— to the face, hands, 
Or any aches part of the body. ; 7 
pe gb FURZE-BUSH. 
AT; is fo well known by this name as alfo by that of gol, gf whins, tha ; minute 
defeription y would be totally ufelefs. Z : . . 
Prace. It is known to grow on dry barren heaths, a and other wafte, gravelly, ; ae 
and fandy ground, 2a 
2 IMs. They ower i in ‘the fummer a ; i, 
_ Govensacens and Virturs. ‘Mars owns this herb. [tis hot and ary, : 
“No. 13. —— = ag | 3C 
