164 FLORA HISTORICA. 



which might be written of this herbe, as touching 

 the knitting of bones (and that truly), would seeme 

 vnto some incredible, but common experience teach- 

 eth, that in the worlde there is not to be found 

 another herbe compareable to it for the p purpose 

 aforesaide." (Gerard.) 



The French Herbalists call it V herbe dcla rupture, 

 which insinuates that it was esteemed in that country 

 for the same qualities, but we suspect that modern 

 practice has discovered the inefficacy of the juices 

 of this plant to the extent of the virtues given it by 

 our forefathers, as we hear no more of its use in 

 medicine, at present, than we do of its forming a 

 substitute for bread, which it did in times of scarcity 

 in ancient days. The Turks, who have neglected 

 to improve their country by cultivation, continue to 

 eat the roots of this plant as we eat asparagus. 



All the different species of these plants are of an 

 elegant and rather singular shape, which entitles 

 them to a situation in the shady parts of our gar- 

 dens, but more particularly so in the grove, and 

 amongst the shrubs of the wilderness walks ; they 

 are of the same easy propagation as the Lily of the 

 Valley. 



