294 FLORA HISTORICA. 



substitute for spirits, and others to use coloured 

 tootli-powder for want of rouge. But these mis- 

 fortunes are nearly at an end, and the youthful fair 

 begin to know that 



Rieti nest beau que le vrai, le vrai seul est aimahle. 



The generic name of this plant is derived from 

 " Ary/ouacx., zjxpai to ccyx^iVy from its supposed con- 

 stringent quality, or because it was said to strangle 

 serpents. Dioscorides states, that both the roots 

 and the leaves are good against the bite of venom- 

 ous beasts, and especially of vipers, for which pur- 

 pose it was eaten, or the infusion drank. 



The Latin word of Bugloss is also derived from 

 the Greek, and was given to this plant to express 

 the extreme roughness of its leaves. The Dyer's 

 Bugloss, Anchusa Tindoria, is indigenous to Italy, 

 Spain, and the South of France ; it is cultivated 

 in the latter place to some extent for the sake of 

 the roots, which impart a fine deep red to oils, wax, 

 and all unctuous substances, as well as to spirits of 

 wine. The spirituous tincture, on being inspissated, 

 changes to a dark brown. Its chief use is for co- 

 louring plasters, lip-salves, &c. This species was 

 cultivated in England previous to the year 159G. 



Anchusa and Cinnabar were used by the ancients 

 to give an agreeable colour to their ointments ; and 

 Pliny tells us tliat, where the Anchusa was used, 

 they added salt to prevent the oil in those compo- 



