917 



leaves are astringent, and tan leather. A tea is made of them for 

 sore mouth. 



N. 0. PORTULACCE^l. 



266. Portulaca. Eight species ; 11, 1, L. 



Portulaca oleracea. Common purslane. Sec. This plant grows 

 in our gardens, and is a valuable esculent. It has been considered 

 diuretic and vermifuge. It is refrigerant and corroborant, but mild. 

 Used in urinary complaints, and for ulcers in the mouth. A cool- 

 ing ointment is made from it for sore lips and nipples. 



N. 0. ClSTACE^l. 



267. Cistus Canadensis. Rock rose ; 13, 1, L. It has been use- 

 ful in the treatment of scrofula, in decoction, and in cataplasm. 



N. 0. SCROPHULARE^l. 



268. Antirhinum. Eighty-two species ; 14, 2, L. 

 Antirhinum linaria. Toad flax. This plant was formerly in great 



repute as a purgative and diuretic, but it is less used than formerly. 

 In the form of ointment prepared from the leaves, there can be no 

 doubt that it is highly efficacious for the cure of piles. It relieves 

 the pain and irritation of the hemorrhoidal tumours, when rubbed 

 upon them. The ointment is also useful in diseases of the skin. The 

 leaves have been recommended in dropsies, on account of their diu- 

 retic qualities. The expressed juice mixed in milk is a poison to 

 flies, and the smell of the flower also kills them. One species, the 

 A. cymbellaria, by mixing the dry plant with sugar, cured diabetes 

 in Hindostan. 



N. 0. AMARANTHACE.E. 



269. Amaranthus melancholicus. Thirty-seven species. Prince's 

 feather ; 20, 5, L. This plant is used for emollient poultices in 

 England (Lindley). In strong decoction, it has proved efficacious 

 in arresting uterine hemorrhage, when other powerful styptics have 

 failed. Many species of amaranth have been cultivated in our gar- 

 dens for the beauty of their flowers. They are boiled and eaten 

 like pot herbs. 



N. 0. AMENTACE^I. 



270. Betula. Seventeen species ; 20, 13, L. 



Betula lenta. Sweet birch ; cherry birch ; black birch ; mount- 



