The Ufeful Family Herbal. 159 
long, and of a ftrong Green. The Stalk is found, 
fmooth, and firm, upright, and ef a pale white- — 
ifh or bluifh Colour. The Flowers are white and 
fmall, but they grow in a large Tuft at the we 
little 
of the Stalk. The Root is white, or a 
redifh ; it is compofed of a great Number of 
« 
. 
Bulbs, or as we call them, Cloves, joined toge- 
ther, and covered with a common Skin, ‘and with 
; _ Fibres at the Bottom. The whole Plant has an 
extremely {trong Smell, and an acrid and pungent 
Tafte. 
The Root is to be. boiled in Water, and the 
Decoétion made into Syrup with Honey; this is 
excellent in Afthmas, Hoarfenefs, and Coughs, and 
in all Difficulties of Breathing. 
GENTIAN.. 
GENTIAN Avicsie ic gui 
A Robuft and handfome Plant, Native of Ger- 
many, and kept with us in Gardens. It grows 
two Feet and a half high. The Leaves that rife 
from the Root, are oblong, broad, of a yellowifh — 
green Colour, and pointed at the Ends. The 
Stalk is thick, firm, upright, and brownifh or 
yellowith. At every Joint there ftand two Leaves 
like the others, only fmaller; and towards the 
Tops at every Joint, alfo, there ftand a Number 
of Flowers: Thefe are fmall, yellow, with a 
_ great Lump in the Middle, which is the Rudi- 
ment of the Seed Veffel, and a great Quantity of 
yellow Threads about it. The Root is large, 
long, and often divided. It is of a brownifh Co- 
lour on the Outfide, and yellow within, andisof ~ 
; Pee 
ls Leela ee 
