192 FAMILY HERBAL. 



Italy^ but with us kept in gardens. It grows tvvo 

 feet or more in heiglitj the stem is whitish : the 

 stalks growing from it, are tougli and firm^ of a 

 whitish colour also^ and \eiy numerous ; the leaves 

 are oblong, slender^ of a square shape, and indent- 

 ed ; they are also whitish and of a strong SmelJ. 

 The stalks which support the flowers are long and 

 naked : thcv are round, of a greenish colour, and 



top a single flower/ which is y 



ked, and of the big 



1 



cd, they are best fresl 

 d. Thcv are to be slven infused in water 



against worms, thev 



d 



fficacious one. They also promote the 

 menses, and open obstructions of the liver. They 

 Lave been recommended greatly in the jaundiqe; 



Spurge Laurel. Laurcola. 



A WILD little shrub of a singular aspect and of 

 considerable virtues, it is three feet high, the stem 

 is half an inch thick, and divides into a great many 

 branches. The bark is of a brownish colour, and 

 they are not very strong. The leaves stand at the 

 tops of the branches, they are long, narrow, and of 

 a bright and fine green ; they are of a firm substance, 

 and are not indented at the edges. The flowers are 

 \cry small, and inconsiderable, they are green with 

 some yellow threads, and liave a sweet smelly the 



berries are small, roundish, and black. 



m 



The leaves are a powerful remedy against the 

 dropsy, but tbey are so violent they mustb:' ^wen 

 with caution ; a small quantity of a slight infusion 



*>f them in water, Avorks by vomit and stool in a 



powerful maimer. It is not every constitution that 

 €au bear such a medicine. 



