890 



matism, gout, jaundice, and hepatic eruptions. They have been 

 considered vermifuge and diuretic. Used in scrofulous and vene- 

 real ulcers. On account of its frothing, it is called soapwort. Raf . 



111. Agrostemma githago. Cockle. This is a poisonous plant in 

 wheat fields, imparting a strong and bitter taste to bread. The grain 

 which contains much of it should, therefore, be used only for the 

 manufacture of starch. 



112. Spergula. Ten species ; 10, 5. 



Spergula arvensis. Spurry. The inhabitants of Norway and Fin- 

 land use the seeds of this plant for bread, when their corn fails. 

 Poultry are fond of them. It is nutritious to cattle, but not to horses, 

 sheep, and goats. 



ORDER 147. CRASSULACE.E. 



113. Sempervivum. Fourteen species; 11, 13. This plant is 

 cultivated as an ornament to our houses, hence it is called house- 

 leek. The leaves are thick and succulent. They are slightly 

 astringent and sourish to the taste. They are externally applied as 

 a cooling application in the recent state, bruised, to burns, stings of 

 bees, &c., and to other affections of the skin, ulcers, inflammation, 

 &c. An ointment made by boiling them in lard, is excellent in piles, 

 chilblains, &c. 



ORDER 153. CHENOPODIACE.E. 



114. Ohenopodium. Thirty-eight species ; 5, 2, L. 



Ohenopodium botrys. Jerusalem oak. Off. This is not the genu- 

 ine worm-seed, though it possesses anthelmintic properties, like the 

 rest of the genus. The whole of this plant possesses excellent pec- 

 toral properties. A valuable syrup is prepared from it for recent 

 coughs. Emmenagogue, resolvent, and carminative. 



115. Ohenopodium hylridum. Aris, a species of hogweed. This 

 plant is in great use in domestic practice as an emmenagogue. A 

 tea of it is made with pennyroyal, and the patient is to drink of it 

 ad libitum, and to soak the feet in warm water. I have seen most 

 wonderful effects from the use of this tea ; but, perhaps, it may be 

 imputed in part to the pennyroyal which is used with it, which is a 

 very popular emmenagogue of itself. 



