AND COMPLETE HERBAL, 199 
Va heoer ire oe 
THEY are fo well known to every boy, that they require no defcription. 
GovERNMENT AND Virtues. They are under the dominion of Mercury: The 
parched kernels made into an electuary, or the milk drawn from the kernels with 
mead or honeyed water, is very good to help an old cough; and being parched, 
and alittle pepper added thereto, and taken in drink, digefteth the diftillations of 
rheum from the head. The dried hufks and fhells, to the quantity of about two 
drachms, taken in red wine, ftayeth the lafks, and womens’ courfes, but the red 
{kin which covers the kernel is much more effectual for the latter purpofe. 
LUE » swe We EDS 
Description. IT hath many large leaves lying on the ground, having many 
deep gafhes on the edges, fomewhat like thofe of the fow-thiftle; from among 
thefe rifeth upa hollow rough ftalk, two or three feet high, branched from the mid- 
dle upwards. On thefe are fet at every joint, feveral leaves cut but very little on. 
the edges, bearing at the top many pale yellow flowers, confifting of {mall narrow 
_ Teaves, broad pointed,.and nicked in on the edges, fet ina double row, and fome- 
times more, the outfide leaves being the largeft. Thefe flowers are turned into ° 
down, bearing fmall brownith feed, which is blown away with the wind. The root 
is long and rather large, with many foal fibres thereat. The whole plant is full 
_ of bitter milk. 
Peace. It groweth in many places, tpeciay in fields and pores of pathways, 
in dry grounds, 
Time. It bloffoms and difperfeth its down in the fummer months. 
GoveRNMENT AND Virturs. Saturn claims dominion over this herb. Diofco- 
rides fays, it is cooling, fomewhat dry and binding, arid therefore good for the heat 
and Snawings of the ftomach, for inflammations, and hot ague fits. The juice 
thereof taken in wine, helpeth digeftion, expelleth wind, preventeth crudities from 
clogging the ftomach, and caufeth an eafy evacuation of urine; being outwardly. 
applied, it is a fovereign cure for the ftinging and biting of venomous beafts, and 
is good for all poifons. A fcruple of the dried juice taken in wine and vinegar, 
1s profitable for the dropfy ; the decoction of the herb taken with honey, digefteth 
~ thin phlegm i in the cheft and lungs, and mixed with hyffop, it helpeth the cough, — 
The decodtion hereof mixed with that of wild fuccory mace with wine, and taken, 
: helpeth the wind cholic and hardnefs. of the fpleen, procureth reft and fleep, pre- pee 
venteth venery, cooleth heats, purgeth the ftomach, encreafeth blood, and hel pet 
No, Td. 3G | i, 
