FAMILY HERBAL. 2G:^ 



r 



and it gives great proof of the auflienticilj of the 

 rest ; this is^ that the seeds arc broad^, flat^ striated, 

 and have a folianous rim^ as those of dili. We 

 could know by these which are found very fre- 

 quently amor g the gum, that it was a plant of this 

 kind which produced it : so that there is great pro- 

 ^babilify that the rest of the description, which has 

 Jbeen given us by those who did not know we had 

 this confirmaticn at home, is true. These seeds 

 oftieri appear yery fair and sound. I have caused a 

 great numher of them to he sown, but they have 

 never grown. Though one of the sagapenuui seeds 

 grew up a little when sown among them : it would 

 be worth while to repeat the experiment^ for some 

 times it might succeed. 



We use a gum or rather gum resin^ for it is of 

 a mixed nature between both, which is procure4 

 from this plant, but from what part of it, or in 

 what manner we are not informed ; it is whitish, of 

 an acrid taste, with some bitterness, and is an ex- 

 cellent medicine. It is superior to all other drugi 

 in^n asthma, and is good (o promote the meases, 

 and to open obstructions of all kinds. The best 

 way of giving it is dissolved in hyssop water 

 It makes a milky solution. It is used externally 

 also in plaistcrs for hard swellings, and pains it 

 the joints. 



Broad Leaved Plantain. Plant ago major. 



A COMMON plant by our way-sides, wifii 

 broad short leaves, and long slender spikes of broMa 

 seeds. The leaves rise all from the root, r)r 

 there are none upon the stalk. They are of a sona?- 

 what oval figure, and irregularly indented at tie 

 edges, sometimes scarce at alU They have several 

 large ribs, but these do not grow side-ways fma 



