INTRODUCTION. xxi 



eeeding Spring. Thefe arc of the Nature of thofe 

 Leaves, which rife from the Rootof other Plants be- 

 fore the Stalks in Spring •, and are in the fame 

 Manner to be diftingaillied from thofe v^hich grow 

 upon the Stalks : They have the full Nourifli- 

 ment from the Root, whereas the others are 



llarved by the Growth of the Stalk and its 



Branches j and the Preparations made by Nature 

 for the Flowers and Seeds ; which are the great 

 Purpofe of Nature, as they are to continue the 

 Plant. 



For this Reafon, when the Leaves of any Plant 

 are faid to be the Part iittefl for Ufe, they are 

 not to be taken from the Stalk ; but thefe laro-e 

 ones growing from the Root arc to be chofen ; 

 and thefe where there is no Stalk, if that can be ; 

 for then only they are fulleft of Juice, and have 

 tlieir compleat Virtue -, the Stalk nmning awaf 

 with the Nourilhment from them. This is fo 

 much done in feme Plants, that although the 



Leaves growing from the Root vrere very vigo- 

 rous before the Stalk grew up, they die and wi- 

 ther as it rifes. 



When the Juice of tlie Leaves of any Plant 

 is required, thefe are the Leaves from which it is 

 to be preffed : When they are ordered in Decoc- 

 tion, Notice is always taken in this Book, v/he- 

 ther they be beft fre{h or dried •, if frefh, they 

 Ihould be juft gathered for the Occafion, they 

 fhould be cut up clofe from the Root, and only 

 Ihook clean, "not wafhed ; for in many, that car- 

 ries off a Part of the Virtue, and they are to be 

 cut into the Pot. If they are to. be dried, the 

 fame Caution is to be ufed, and they are bell: dried, 

 fpreading them upon the Floor of the Room, 

 with the Windows open, often rurcing them. 

 When thorougly dried, they (hould be put up in 



a 3 _ a Drawer, 



* 



