m 



V 



220 FAMILY HERBAL. 



each joint : they are liUle^ oblongs and painted; 



of a pale colour, and fragrant smell like mastic, 

 resinous, and very agreeable. At the tops of the 

 stalks^ stand a kind of downy, or hairy spikes or 

 ears, of a peculiarly odd appearance^ and from out 

 of these come the flov^ers, which are little and 

 white. The root is small. 



The whole plant is used dry. It may be given 

 in infusion^ or in powder : it is a good strengUiener 

 of the stoiiiachj and an astringent. It stops the 

 overflowing of the menses : the powder of the 

 tops is best given for this purpose in red wine^ a 

 Bcruple for a dose. 



Syrian Mastic Thyme. Marum Syriacum. 

 A BEAUTIFUL little plant, native of the 



warm countries, bat not unfrequent in our gardens. 

 It grows afoot high. The stalks are brittle^ slen- 

 der, and whitish. The leaves stand two at each 

 joint : they are small, in shape very like those of 

 thyme, an4 of a pale green colour on the upper 

 side, and white and hoary underneath. The flow- 

 ers are small and red : they grow in a kind of 

 little spikes, or oblong clusters at the tops of the 

 stalks, and have hoary white cups. The whole 

 plant has a very penetrating^ but pleasant smell, 

 and an aromatic taste. * Cats are fond of this plant, 

 and will rub it to pieces in their fondness. It is 

 good for all disorders of the head and nerves : it 

 may be given in powder, but the most common 

 way is to take it in snuflT. 



Masteewort. Jntperitoria. 



+ 



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w 



A PL4NT of no beauty, kept in our gardens 

 for its Tirtue. It grows two feet high. The stalks 



