FAMILY HERBAL, 237 



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liairy, they have no leaves^ and each bears only 

 one flower, this stands on the top, and is large, 

 somewhat of the form of the dandelion flower, 

 but of a beautiful pale yellow. 



The seeds are winged with down, and the stalis 

 "when broken yield a nnilky juice, but in no great 

 quantity. The plant has scarce any smelly but ao 

 austere bitterish taste. 



A decoction of the fresh gathered herb is ex- 

 cellent against the bleeding of the piles : and the 

 leaves boiled in milk, may be applied externally. 

 It is good also in the overflowing of the menses. 



and in all other bleedings, and in the whites. 



Mug WORT. Artemisia 



m K 



A TALL, and not unhandsome plant, frequent 

 on ditch banks, having divided leaves, and flowers 

 like those of wcrmwood. It is a yard high or 

 more : the stalk is round, striated, often purplishj, 

 firm, upright, and branched. The leaves stand 

 irregularly upon it ; they are large, and composed 

 <>f a number of small parts, which are sharply 

 indented and pointed. They are of a dusky green 

 on the upper side and white underneath. The 

 fiowers are little and brownish, they stand in small 

 tufts ail along the upper parts of the branches, 

 but they stand upright, whereas those of worm- 

 wood hang down. They often have a tinge of 

 purple before they are quite opened, which adds 

 greatly to the beauty of the plant. 



The leaves of raugwort are to be used fresh or 

 dried ; they are best given in infusion, and they 

 are excellent to ^promote the menses, and against 



all the common hysteric complaints. 



