FAMILY HERBAL. 9 



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. odd one at the end. There grow some large 

 and very beautiful ones from the root ; those on 

 the stalks are smaller. The flowers grow in 

 little umbels or clusters^ at the extremities of 

 all the branches. They are small and white. 

 Two seeds follow each flower, and these are 

 striated^ smal!^ and of a spicy taste : the plant 

 is distinguished at sight from all the others of its 

 kind^ of which there are many, by the slender - 

 ness of its stalks and branches, and the smallness 

 of th6 umbels ; and more than all by tiie pecu- 

 liar taste of the seeds, which have a flavour of 

 mace. 



It is proper io be particular, because the plant 

 is worth knowing. Its root is good for all dis- 

 eases of the urinary passages, and the seeds are 

 good in disorders of the stomach and bowels, 

 and also operate by urine. The quantity of 

 a scruple given in cholics often proves an im- 

 mediate cure, and they arc a good ingredient in 

 bitters. 



4 



Alkanet- Anchusa. 



m m- 



ALKANET is a rough plant, of no great beauty, 



cultivated in France and Germany for the sake 



of its root. It grows to a foot and half high ; 



the leaves are large, and of a rough irregular 



surface, and bluish green colour ; the flowers 



are small and purplish ; the root is long and 



of a deep purple. It is kept dried in the 



shops. It has the credit of an astringent and 



vulnerary, but it is little used. The best way 



of giving of it, is to add half an ounce to a 



quart of hartshorn drink ; it gives a good colour, 



and increases the virtue. 



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