FAMILY HERBAL. 185 



applied outwardly to swellings with success, they 

 soften and give ease while the inattex^ forming 



within. 



Fig WORT. Scrophularia. 



■ 



A TALL and regular growing wild plant, with 

 small deep purple flowers. It grows four feet 

 high, and is common in our woods^ and ditches^ 

 where there is little water; there is another kind 

 of it in wet places^ railed also water betonj, w^hich 

 is to be distinguished from it by the round indent - 

 ings of the leaves ; it also grows in water, or just 

 }}y it : the right figwort only loves shade and 

 dampness, but not absolute wet. The stalk is 

 square, upright, hollow, and very firm ; the leaves 

 stand two at each joint, opposite one to the others 

 ^hey are large, broad at the base, narrow at the 

 point, and sharply indented ; they stand on long 

 foot-stalks, and they have the shape of the nettle 

 Jp;^f, but they are perfectly sraooth, and of a 

 shining colour ; they are sometimes green, but often 

 brown, as is also the whole plant. The flowers are 

 very small and gaping, their colour is a blackish 

 purple. The root is long, white, and full of 

 Jiitle tubercles, it spreads a great way under the 

 surface. 



The juice of the fresh gathered root is an excellent 

 gweetener of the blood taken in small doses, and 

 for a long time together. The fresh roots bruised 

 jand applied externally, are said also to be excellent 

 for the evil. They cool and give ease in the piles^ 

 applied as a pultice. 



The Fir Tree. Alies. 



A WILD ire.Q in Germany, nnd manv oilier r^rts 



J 



