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198 Vjc Ufeful Fajnily Herbal 



Iv Y. 



H E D E R A. 



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A Very common Shrub, crawling about old 

 *^ Trees, or upon old Walls ; it fometimes runs 

 upon the Ground for want of fuch Support, but 

 then it rarely bears any Fruit: The Trunk is 

 thick, brown, and covered with a peculiar Rough- 

 nefs. The Branches are numerous and brittle. 

 The Leaves have a flrange Variety of Shapes, 

 oblong, « angular, cornered, or divided." The 

 Flowei-s fland in little round Cluilers, and they are 

 fmall, and inconfiderable : They are fucceeded by 

 large Berries. The Leaves upon the young 

 Shoot that bear the Flowers, are always oblong -, 

 thofe on the Trunk are angulated. They are dl 

 of a deep glofly Green. 



The Leaves and Berries are both ufed, but nei- 

 ther much. A Decodion of the Leaves deftroys 

 Vermin in Childrens Heads, and heals the Sore- 

 nefs that attends them. The Berries are purging; 

 an Infufion of them will often work alfo by Vo- 

 mit, but there is no Harm in this : They are an 

 excellent Remedy in Rheumatifms, and Fains of 

 all Kinds, and it is faid, have cured Dropfies ; but 

 this is perhaps going too far. 



The Ivy in the warm Countries fweats out a 

 Kind of Refm, which has been ufed externally at 

 fome Times, on various Occafions ;. but at this 

 Time, it is quite unknown in Praflife. 





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