

INTRODUCTION. ▼ 



as if the product of a clifTercnt dimatc, though 

 the use of the fresh plants will in general be 

 best when thev can be had. 



As there are some which will not retain their 

 virtues in a dried state, and can be met with only 

 during a small part of the jear ; it will be pro- 

 per to add the best methods of preserving these 

 in some way, according to the apothecaries' man<> 

 ner ; and these chapters, with that which shall 

 lay down the method of making the preparations 

 from fhem for ready service^ will be sufficient to 

 lead to the perfect use of the medicines of our 

 own growth : and it will be found upon experi- 

 ence, that those who sufficiently know bow to 

 make a proper use of these^ need seldom have 

 recourse to any others. 



CHAP. IL 



Concerning the metliods of collecting mid pre- 

 serving plants and parts of them for use. 



T 



HE virtues of different plants residing princi- 

 pally in certain parts of thcm^ and those 

 different according to the nature of the herb, 

 these several parts are to be selected, and the re&t 

 left ,* and these are in sonic to be used fresh and 

 just gathered ; in others, cither necessity^ or the 



natural preference;, make it proper to dry and pre- 

 serve them. 



In some only the leaves are io be used ; in 

 others the whole plant cut from the root ; in others 

 the flowers only ; in others the fruits ; in others 



the seeds ; in some the roots ; and of some trees 



