140 



FAMILY HERBAL 



^ Fleabane. Conyza. 



A PRETTY wild plant/ frequent about damp 

 places, with whitish leaves and large yellow flow- 

 ers in autumn. It is two feet high. The stall: is 

 round and erect, very firm and strong, and is often 

 of a reddish colour. The leaves are numerous, 

 and stand irregoilarly ; they are above an inch 

 longj moderately broad, of a rough surface^ and 

 whitish green. The flowers stand at the top of 

 the branches ; they are broader than a shillings 



and composed of many narrow petals* 



w 



yello 



The whok plant has a disagreeable smell. 



It is disputed whether this kind of fleabane, or 

 another which is smaller^ and has globous flower*, 

 have the greater \irtue ; but most give it for this, 

 ^he juice of the whole plant cures the itch, applied 

 externally ; and the very smell of the herb is said 



to destroy fleas. 



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Fleawort. Psyllium, 



AN herb of no great beanty, native of France, 

 but kept in gardens Jiere.. It has narrow leaves, 

 and iiMJonsiderable flowers. It is a foot high. 

 The stalks are weak^ greenish, and a little hairy. 

 The leaves stand two or more at every joint, for 

 that is uncertain ; they are long, very narrow, and 

 also somewhat harry : there rise from the bosoms 

 of these leaves, long naked stalks, on which stand 

 a kiud of spikes of little fiowers, somewhat like 

 the spikes of plaintain, only shorter ; two seeds 

 succeed each flower ; and they are smooth, black- 

 ish, and of the shape of fleas ; whence the- name. 

 There are many flowers in each head. A mucilage 

 is Dizde of the seeds to cool the throat in fevers. 



