CoRTusALEs.] PLANTAGINACE^. G43 



tliey are found in one situation or another. They are chiefly, however, produced in 

 cool or temperate latitudes. 



Their herljage is slightly bitter and astringent, and they have even been reckoned 

 febrifuges. Their seeds are covered with mucus. According to De Candolle, those of 

 Plantago arenaria are exported in considerable quantities from Nismes and Montpellier 

 to the north of Europe, and are supposed to be consumed in the completion of the 

 manufactm-e of mushns. The seeds of Plantago Ispaghula are of a very cooling 

 nature, and, like those of Plantago Psyllium, form, with boiling water, a rich mucilage, 

 which is much used in India in catan*h, gonorrhoea, and nephritic affections. The seecls 

 of P. Psyllium, arenai'ia, and Cynops, have been made mto demulcent drinks, as a 

 good substitute for Linseed or IMarshmallows. P. Coronopus, formerly thought an 

 antidote to hydrophobia, is said to be a diuretic. Soda is obtained m Egypt from the 

 ashes of P. squaiTosa. 



GENERA. 



Littorella, L. I Psyllium, Tournef. 



Bougiieria, Dccaisixe. Coronopus, Tournef. 



Plantago, L. \ Arnoylosson, Endl. 



Numbers. Gen. 3. Sp. 120. 



Position. — Plumbaginaceae. — PLANTAGiNACEiE.— Primulacctc. 

 Amarantacece. 



T T 2 



