AG = ORD. HL Composite. TUSSILAGO FARFARA, 
ubliey. at the base, and the limb is. long and linear; the germen is 
oblong; the stigma bifid; the seed is oblong, and of a pale-brown 
colour, quownied with simple down; the calyx is cylindrical, and 
the leaflets or squamz are oblong, pointed, and alternately narrower. 
It is common in moist clayey places, and the flowers appear some- 
time before the leaves, in March or April, 
The sensible qualities of Tussilago are very inconsiderable; it has 
a rough mucilaginous taste, but no remarkable smell. The leaves 
have always been of great fame, as possessing demulcent and pectoral 
virtues; of course, it is esteemed useful in pulmonary consumptions, 
coughs, asthmas, and in various catarrhal symptoms.* Fuller, in his 
Medicina Gymnastica,’ recommends Coltsfoot as a valuable medicine 
in scrophula; and Dr. Cullen, who does not allow it any powers as 
a demulcent and expectorant, found it serviceable in some strumous 
affections.“ It may be used as tea, or given in the way of infusion, 
to which liquorice-root or honey, may be a useful addition. 
_* We might, withect exception, cite every writer upon the Materia Medica. 
Percival found it also useful in hectic diarheas. Essays Med. and Exper. vol. 2. 
p. 224. Cartheuser advises it to be given with the roots of Dandelion. Mat. Med. 
416. The juice, liberally drunk, has been beneficial in calculous complaints. 
Comm. Lit. Nor. 173 6, p- 1 194, »p. 84. 
© Every part rie plant has been medicinally employed for the same purpose, 
but more usually the leaves, and these are the principal ingredient in the British 
herb tobacco. It is remarkable, that the smoking of this plant has the recommen. 
dation of Dioscorides, Galen, Pliny, Boyle, &c. Et adhuc hodie plebs in suecia 
instar tabaci contra tussim sugit. Lin. Flor. Suec. p. 289, and under the direction 
of Pliny it is certainly an efficacious — singulos haustus, passum ioral 
dum est. lib. 26. c. 6. p. 651 
