Chap. 109.] THE BATEACHION. 149 



has leaves somewhat thicker than those of coriander, nearly the 

 size of those of the mallow, and of a livid hue : the stem of 

 the plant is long and slender, and the root white ; it grows on 

 moist and well-shaded embankments. The second 29 kind is 

 more foliated than the preceding one, the leaves have more 

 numerous incisions, and the stems of the plant are long. The 

 third 30 variety is smaller than the others, has a powerful smell, 

 and a flower of a golden colour. The fourth 31 kind is very like 

 the one last mentioned, but the flower is milk-white* 



All these plants have caustic properties : if the leaves are 

 applied unboiled, they raise blisters like those caused by the 

 action of fire ; hence it is that they are used for the removal of 

 leprous spots, itch- scabs, and brand marks upon the skin. 

 They form an ingredient also in all caustic preparations, and 

 are applied for the cure of alopecy, care being taken to remove 

 them very speedily. The root, if chewed for some time, in 

 cases of tooth-ache, will cause 32 the teeth to break ; dried and 

 pulverized, it acts as a sternutatory. 



Our herbalists give this plant the name of " struraus," from 

 the circumstance of its being curative of strumous 33 sores and 

 inflamed tumours, for which purpose a portion of it is hung 

 up in the smoke. It is a general belief, too, with them, that if 

 it is replanted, the malady so cured will reappear 34 a criminal 

 practice, for which the plaritago is also employed. The juice 

 of tliis last-mentioned plant is curative of internal ulcerations 

 of the mouth ; and the leaves and root are chewed for a similar 



29 Identified by Desfontaines with the Ranunculus hirsutus, or philonotis. 

 Fee, with Ilardouin, considers it to be the same as the Apiastrum of H. 

 xx. c. 45, and identifies it with the Ranunculus Sardoiis of Crantz, the 

 plant probably which produces a contraction of the mouth, rendered famous 

 as the " Sardonic grin," and more commonly known as the Ranunculus 

 seeleratus, Apium risus, or Apium Sardoiim, "Laughing parsley," or 

 " Sardinian parsley/ 



30 Identified by Sprengel and Desfontaines with the Ranunculus repens. 

 or Creeping crow-foot ; but by Fee, with the Ranunculus muricatus of 

 Linnaeus. 



31 Identified by Desfontaines with the Ranunculus aconitifolius; by Fee 

 with the Ranunculus aquatilis of Linnaeus, the Water crowfoot. The 

 Ranunculi are all active poisons. 



32 A fabulous assertion, probably, and it is very doubtful if any one ever 

 made the trial of its efficacy. 



33 Or scrofula. 34 Sje B. xxi. c. 83, and B. xxvi. c. 5. 



