36 THE FRUITS OF THE COUNTRY-SIDE 



found a recognised place in the pharmacopoeia, as a remedy 

 for cutaneous ailments or for rheumatic trouble, as much 

 as three pints a day having been administered ; but its 

 effects, depending partly perhaps on the mode of preparation, 

 and partly on the idiosyncrasy of the recipient, would appear 

 to be rather uncertain, and a plant that is recorded as 

 causing nausea, palpitation, convulsive twitchings, and 

 syncope, is best left alone. " The Sheepherds in Germany 

 doe use to hang it about their Cattle's neck when they 

 are troubled with a Swiming in the Head, causing 

 them to turne round as if they were bewitched, and therefore 

 they say it removth "Witchcrafts both in Men and Beasts, 

 but that Swiming in the Head is no effect of Witchcraft, 

 but proceeds from a Naturall Cause, for which this Plant 

 is a specifick Remedy, as it is for all such-like svdaine 

 distempers whatsoever, being hung about the Neck, and 

 that is not farre from the Head." This, at all events, is 

 not so dangerous a remedy as the decoction, and some of 

 our readers who suffer from vertigo might be willing to 

 try it, though we imagine one's appearance, thus be- 

 garlanded, unless perhaps on May-day, might lead to 

 considerable and pointed comment. 



Our quotation is from Adam in Eden, an altogether 

 delightful old book. The title-page is very quaint and 

 runs as follows : " Adam in Eden, or Nature's Paradise. 

 The History of Plants, Fruits, Herbs, and Flowers. With 

 their several Names, whether Greek, Latin, or English ; 

 the places where they grow ; their Descriptions and Kinds ; 

 their times of flourishing and decreasing ; as also their 

 several Signatures, Anatomical appropriations, and par- 

 ticular Physical Vertues ; Together with necessary 



