100 FAMILIAR WILD FLOWERS. 



some three feet high or so, and is covered all over with a 

 velvety down. The marsh-mallow has long been valued 

 as affording a desirable remedial agent. Classic, mediaeval, 

 and modern authorities are unanimous in extolling it. 

 The roots abound in a mucilaginous matter that is of great 

 service in pectoral complaints ; they are thick and fleshy, 

 and much resemble those of the parsnip, and yield nearly 

 half their weight of this valuable mucilage. Preparations 

 of the marsh-mallow are included in our pharmacopeia, 

 and instructions are therein given for the preparation of 

 decoctions, syrups, and lozenges from the plant. Their 

 action is demulcent and emollient. 



Some of our readers may recall a passage in the book 

 of Job, where it speaks of those who through want were 

 fain to flee into the wilderness and cut up mallows for their 

 support. It is always open to question in such matters 

 how far our translators have correctly divined the herb 

 intended, but we have good authority for saying that the 

 poor in Palestine, in the present day, largely use a plant of 

 this genus to eke out their scanty diet. The leaves of 

 the common kind are at times used in our own 'country 

 districts as an article of food. 



