MEDIC ACEOUS HERBS. 683 



The Lavender (Lavandula Spica, L.) is a labiaceous under-shrub, a 

 native of the south of Europe, a few plants of which are cultivated in 

 most gardens for their powerfully aromatic flowers. These are 

 gathered with a portion of the stalk attached, and tied up in little 

 bundles, dried, and placed among linen to perfume it and to deter 

 the moth. They are also used for scenting rooms, wardrobes, and for 

 a variety of similar purposes, and for affording lavender-water by distil- 

 lation. It is propagated by seeds or cuttings, and thrives best on dry 

 calcareous soils, in which it will last five or six years. L. latifolia, 

 Ehrh., and L. viridis, Herit., are cultivated in some gardens instead of 

 the common sort, or along with it. 



The Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis, L.) is a labiaceous evergreen 

 under-shrub, a native of the south of Europe, and, like the lavender, 

 highly aromatic. The flowers are used like those of the lavender, and 

 for distilling Hungary-water ; and the sprigs are sometimes used as a 

 garnish. It is readily propagated by seeds or cuttings in dry calcareous 

 soil, and a plant will last six or seven years. 



The Peppermint (Mentha piperita, L.) is a labiaceous creeping- 

 stemmed perennial, a native of England in watery places. Its only 

 use is for distilling peppermint- water, for which purpose it may be 

 propagated like the mint, and planted in a soft, rich soil, moist either 

 naturally or by art. The stalks are gathered when they are in full 

 flower, and taken at once to distil. The plantation, from its travelling 

 roots, requires to be renewed every four or five years. 



Medicaceous Herbs. 



The medicinal herbs here enumerated are still found in a number of 

 gardens, though very little use is made of them. 



The Medicinal Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum, L.) may be cultivated 

 like the Tart Rhubarb, and after standing three or four years, the 

 plants may be taken up and their larger roots dried for use. After 

 taking up and cleaning the roots and cutting off the lateral fibres, cut 

 them into sections an inch or more in thickness, make holes in them, 

 and string them, and hang them up to dry gradually in an airy loft, 

 laundry, or kitchen, till they are fit for being bruised into a powder, 

 or cut into pieces about the size of peas, to be taken as pills. 



The Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis, L.) is a creeping perennial, 

 a native of England in gravelly pastures, and cultivated for its 

 flowers, which are bitter and stomachic, and much used for chamomile 

 tea. 



The Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium, L.) is a perennial, a native 

 of Britain in calcareous pastures, and formerly cultivated as a vermi- 

 fuge, and for other purposes in domestic medicine. It is found bene- 

 ficial to poultry, and should be planted in poultry grounds ; it is 

 also used as a substitute for hops in beer. It is easily propagated by 

 cuttings or division. 



The Rue (Ruta graveolens, L.) is a rutaceous evergreen under-shrub, 

 a native of the south of Europe, the leaves of which are sometimes 



