SALAD BURXET. 119 



the pistil-bearing flowers are smaller the first, or stamen- 

 bearing, are cut into four very evident lobes; the second 

 four-cleft, but much more finely. 



Attempts have been made to introduce both this and cm- 

 allied species the great burnet, or Sanguisorba officinalis, 

 into agriculture, but the results would appear to have by 

 no means answered the expectations of those who promoted 

 the idea. The leaves of the salad burnet, when bruised, smell 

 somewhat like cucumber, and have an acid flavour that 

 at one time led to its introduction into salads, a fact still 

 preserved in its common name ; while others added it to 

 wine, on account of an agreeable taste it was held to 

 contribute to the mixture. This preparation is comme- 

 morated in the generic name poteri/tm, a word signi- 

 fying drinking-cup. Pliny highly commended a decoction 

 of the plant beaten up with honey, for divers com- 

 plaints. This old use of the plant as a flavouring and 

 a medicine is incidentally seen in the following extract from 

 the " Theatrum Botauicum." " It groweth wilde in divers 

 places of this Land, in dry sandy places, but is usually 

 preserved in gardens, to be ready at hande when it shall 

 neede to be used." According to this author, the plant 

 possesses many ft vertues." "It is a speciall helpe to defend 

 the heart from noysome vapours, and from the infection 

 of the Plague or Pestilence, and all other contagious 

 diseases, for which purpose it is of great effect, the juice 

 thereof being taken in some drink. It is also a singular 

 good Woundherbe for all sorts of wounds, both of the head 

 and body, either inward or outward, to bee used eyther by 

 the juice or decoction of the herbe, or by the powder of 

 the herbe or roote, or the water of the distilled herbe, or 

 else made into oyle or oyntment by it selfe, or with other 



