NAT. ORDER. HYPERICINE.E. ' 159 



in2" SO nearly alike both in qualities and appearance. It has a power- 

 ful, loetid, lemon-like scent when rubbed, staining the fing-ers with a 

 dark purple, from the g-reat abundance of colored essential oil lodged 

 in the herbage, and even in the petals. As this plant was found to 

 bleed at the slightest touch, it was supposed to have a vulnerary 

 quality, and became the "balm of the warrior's wound," giving a blood- 

 red color to eveiy composition, whether of a spirituous or oily nature, 

 into which it entered. The essential oil, the seat of this color, is aro- 

 matic, and possibly tonic or stimulating, without much acrimony. 



Although in the present practice this plant is not much regarded 

 as a medicine, yet its sensible qualities, and the repeated testimonies 

 of its virtues, entitle it to further trials. To the taste it is astringent 

 and bitter, and it seems to be chiefly diuretic. It has been given in 

 ulcerations of the kidneys, and has even been supposed to possess vir- 

 tues as a febrifuge. The leaves, given in substance, are said to des- 

 troy worms. The dried plant, boiled with alum, dyes wool yellow. 



The common people in France and Germany gather this species 

 of St. John's-wort with great ceremony on St. John's day, and hang it 

 in their windows as a charm against storms, thunder, and evil spirits : 

 mistaking the meaning of some medical writers, who have fancifully 

 given this plant the name of Fuga Dcemonum, from a supposition that 

 it was good in maniacal and hypochondriacal disorders. Formerly it 

 was also carried about by the people of Scotland as a charm against 

 witchcraft and enchantment ; and they fancy it cures ropy milk, 

 (which they suppose to be under some malignant influence,) by milk- 

 ing afresh upon the herb. 



