96 History of Hingham. 



as " greens," and properly served, it vies with the best in furnish- 

 ing an attractive dish. The plants should not be too old. None 

 of the species arc harmful. The beautiful Portulaca of the gar- 

 dens is of this Family. 



Portulaca, Tourn. 



oleracea, L. Common Purslane. 



12. HYPERICACEiE. (St. JoHN"S-WoRT FAMILY.) 



The plants of this family are all herbs in Hingham, though 

 found as shrubs and even trees in other regions. They have 

 opposite, dotted leaves, and an astringent, resinous juice, which in 

 some species is very acrid, as in the H. perforatum. This is some- 

 times used as a gargle, and internally in dysenteric cases. 



Hypericum, Tourn. 

 ellipticum, Hook. 

 perforatum, L. St. John's-wort. 

 inaculutum, Walt, 

 mutilum, L. 

 Canadense, L. 

 nudicaule, Walt. 



Elodes, Adans. 



campanulata, Pursh. Marsh St. John's-wort. 



13. MALVACEiE. (MALLOWS FAMILY.) 



The plants of this family native within the town are all 

 herbs. Elsewhere they are found as shrubs, and sometimes as 

 trees. They form a very natural order. The species all have 

 regular flowers and alternate leaves, and all abound in a muci- 

 laginous substance, which is found in great quantity, particularly 

 in the roots of many. This is much used in medicine as an 

 emollient. 



None of the plants have deleterious properties. The young 

 foliage of some has been used to boil as a vegetable. 



Cultivated species of several of the genera are seen in gar- 

 dens : as the Althea and Hollyhock. 



Malva, L. 



sylvestris, L- 

 rotiindifolia, L. Mallow. 



Abutilon, Tourn. 



Avicennce, Gcertn. Velvet Leaf. Rare. 



Hibiscus, L. 



Moscheutos, L. Swam]) Rose-M;dlow. Very rare. 



14. tiliaceje. (Linden Family.) 



Trees and shrubs, mostly natives of tropical regions. Like 

 the Malvaceae, they all possess mucilaginous properties of whole- 

 some character. 



