CLASS V. ORDER I.] VILLARSIA. 255 



middle of the tube. Jn<Aer5 deeply cloven at the base. Pistil Rhout 

 as long as the corolla. Sii(jma of two lobes. Capsule ovate, sur- 

 rounded at the base by the persistent calyx, opening with two valves, 

 the seeds attached to the parietal placenta, formed by the inflexed 

 margins of the dissepiments. Seeds numerous, light brown, smooth 

 polished. Evihryo straight, in the axis of the albumen. The radicle 

 placed next the hilum. 



Habitat. — Marshes and boggy situations; frequent. 



Perennial ; flowering in June and July. 



The leaves of the Buckbean have a very bitter nauseous taste, with 

 a faint disagreeable smell. On account of its bitter property, it is 

 used in some places as a substitute for hops, but is far from possessing 

 the fine aroma of the flowers of that plant. It is tonic, somewhat 

 diuretic and purgative, and is said to have been useful in some cases of 

 fever, rheumatism, and painful affections of the joints; and also in 

 diseases of the skin. Jt is used by making an infusion of half an 

 ounce of its dried leaves in half a pint of boiling water, and taking a 

 wine glass of it two or three times a day. It is also taken in doses 

 from a scruple to a drachm of its leaves in fine powder. It is, how- 

 ever, seldom used in modern practice, since a more elegant substitute 

 is found in other plants of the Gentian tribe. In cattle it is said to 

 cure the disease called darn ; in doses, of course, proportionately 

 larger than those stated abo\e. Its roots, like those of many other 

 plants, are useful in rendering boggy ground more firm by their 

 matting themselves together ; and, by their gradual decomposition, 

 deposits of vegetable matter are formed, which, by a succession of 

 years, is raised above the water, when other plants take possession of 

 it, and at length a firm footing is obtained, and it becomes subservient 

 to the use of the animal creation. Lands thus rescued from the watery 

 element, it is well known, are extremely productive for a very consi- 

 derable period after ; and if boggy grounds, such as we see in many 

 parts of the kingdom, were artificially drained, instead of being 

 left to this slow process of nature, tliere can be little doubt but they 

 would well repay the expense and labour bestowed upon them in. the 

 course of a very short time, as we see exemplified in many districts of 

 Lincolnshire, and in other counties. 



GENUS XVIT. VILLAR'SIA.— VuNT. Villarsia. 



Nat. Ord. GENTiAN'EiE. Juss. 



Gen. Chaii. Cahjx five parted. Corolla rotate. The limb of five 

 spreading seguients, the margins inflexed in SRstivation, bearded in 



