to FAMILY HERBAL. 



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and the leaves stand two at each joint* Thej 

 are broad and shorty and somewhat indented 

 at the edges. The flowers are small and white^ 

 and are (;f the shape of those of the dead nettle; 

 they stand on the upper parts of the branches 

 in loose spikes. The whole plant has a very fra- 

 grant smell. 



Basil is little used, but it deserves to be mucli 

 more. A tea made of the green plant is excellent 

 against all obstructions. No simple is more ef* 

 fectual for gently promoting the menses, and for 

 removing those complaints which naturally attend 

 their stoppage. 



There aretwo*or three other kinds of basil^ but 

 they have not equal virtue. 



The Bdellium Tree. Arbor idellium ferens. 



WE are \ery Tvell acquainted with the gum, 

 or rather gum resin called bdellium, hut we 

 know very little of the tree from which it is 

 produced ; the best description we have of it, 

 aniountss^ to no more than that it is moderate- 

 ly large, bushy, and fuJi of branches with prickles 

 upoii them, and with oblong and broad leaves 

 deeply indented at the edges, so that they re- 

 semble oak -leaves ; and that, when the young shoots 

 are broken, they yield a milky juice. But even 

 this does not come upon certainty, that is, 

 we are not assured that this tree produces \h^ 

 \ery gum we. see. This is of a red brown colour, 

 and bitterish taste. 



It is a good medicine in obstructions of the 

 liver and spleen, but it is not much used. 



