^4 FAMILY HERBAL. 



pretty close to the stalk. There arc several short 

 and sharp prickles about the stalks, principally 

 at the inseftions of the leaves. The leaves are 

 of a dusky green^ and serrated about the edges. 

 The flov/ers are small and purple: they stand 

 among tlie leaves towards the tops of the stalks^ 

 and are in shape like pea blossoms, but flatted : 

 each is followed by a small pod. The root is 

 white^ very long, toughs and woody. 



The root is to be taken up fresh for use, and 

 the bark separated for that purpose. It is to be 

 boiled in water, and the decoction given in large 

 quantities. It is good against the gravel, and in 

 all obstructions by urine ; and it is also good :u 

 thedronsvand laundice. 



i 



Rhapontic. 'Rliaponticum sive rha. 



r 



A TALL robust plant, native of Scythia, buf 

 Jcept in many of our gardens. It grows four feet 

 high. The stalk is round, striated, an inch thick, 

 sometimes hollow, and very upright 't'he leaves 

 are large and broad : those from the root are 

 about a foot and a half lone:, and a foot broad : 



de 



d blunt 



at the ends. The flowers are small and wliite ; 

 tliey stand in clusters at the tops of the stalks. 



the 



by 



d this is what the ' 



actlents used under the name of rha. It is of 

 . the nature of rhubarb, but different in this, that 

 it is less purgative, and more astringent ; for this 

 reason, there are maay purposes whicli it would 

 answer much better. Wchave it at the druggists, 

 but there is no depending upon what they sell^ 

 for they seldom keep it genuine. 



