INTRODUCTION. ixl 



tvs, and laid evcnlj^ in a dra\Ter, pressing them 

 down, and covering tbcm with paper. They 

 are thus ready for infusions and dt ccctions^ and 

 are better for distillation than when fresh* 



The flowers of plants arc principally iiscd 

 fresh, though several particular kinds retain their 

 virtue very well dried ; they arc on these difFercut 

 occasions to be treated difFerently. 



Lavender flowers, and those of stcrcha^ keep 

 very well ; they are therefore to be preserved dry ; 

 the lavender flowers arc to be stripped off the 

 stalks^ husk and all together, and spread upon 

 the floor of a room to dry. The stoechas flowers 

 are to be preserved in the whole head ; this is to 

 be cut oft' from the top of the stalk, and dried in 

 the same manner : when dry, they are to be kept 

 as the herbs. 



W hen rosemary flowers are dried, they arc ge- 

 nerally taken with some of the leaves about thenr, 

 and this is very right, for the leaves retain more 

 virtue than the flowers. Some dry borage, bu- 

 gloss, and cowslips, but they retain very Utile 

 virtue in that condition. Rose buds are to be 

 dried, and to this purpose, their white heads are 

 to be cut off; and the full blown flowers may be 

 preserved in the same manner. The red r<>«e 

 h always meant^ when we speak of the dried 

 flowers. 



For the rest of the flowers used in medicine, 

 Ihcy are beat fresh ; but as they remaiu only a 

 small part of the year in that state, the method 

 is to preserve them in the form of syrups and 

 conserves. Such as the syrup of cloves and pop- 

 pics, the conserves of cowslips, and the like. Of 

 these, a short general account shall be subjoined, 



that nothing maybe wanting to make this book 



