The Ufeful Family Herbal. 387 
are each divided into three Parts at the Extremity, 
in the way of Fingers: They ftand irregularly on 
theStalks, and they are thick, flethy,and clammy 
in handling. The Flowers ftand at the Tops of 
the Branches; they are little, but of a very bright 
white, and look very confpicuous. The whole 
Plant dies away as foon as it has ripened the Seed, 
and is not to be feen again till the néxt Spring. 
The frefh gathered Plant is to be ufed intire, 
a ftrong Infufion of it is a very great Sweetener 
of the Blood. It is excellent againft the Scurvy 
in whatever Form; and there are Accounts of its . 
curing the King’s Evil, that feem very well attefted. 
A Syrup may be made of its Juice, or of a very 
ftrong Infufion of it ; or a Conferve of the Leaves : 
For the dried Plant has very little. Virtue, and it 
is to be had frefh only a very fimall Part of the 
Yeaty es 
The WuH1TE WILLow. 
SALIX VULGARIS ALBA. 
: A Vv common Tree in wet Places, and this 
which is ufed in Medicine, is the moft com- 
mon of all the feveral Kinds of it. It is alfo the — 
largeft. It grows to be a tall Tree, the Bark is 
whitifh, and rough upon the Trunk, and grey 
upon the Branches; the Leaves are oblofg, nar- 
row, and whitifh, efpecially on the under Side: — 
They ftand irregularly on the Branches, and are 
a little ferrated at the Edges, and pointed at the 
-Ends. The Flowers are very inconfiderable, but 
they are arranged feveral together, in what are cal- 
led Catkins or Palms. The Seeds are fmall, they 
ftand in the fame Catkins, mixed with fine white 
Down. | aN Ss 
The Bark of the Branches is ufed, and it is beft 
dried; it is good againft Purgings, and the Over- 
se Sta : flowings 
