INTRODUCTION. vii. 



they have the full nourishment from the root, 

 whereas the others are starved by the growth of 

 the stalk and its branches, and the preparations 

 made by nature for the flowers and seeds ; which 

 are the great purpose of nature, as they are to con- 

 tinue the plant. 



For this reason, when the leaves of any plant 

 are said to be the part fittest for use, they are not 

 to be taken from the stalk, but these large ones 

 growing from the root are to be chosen ; and these 

 where there is no stalk, if that can be ; for then 

 only they are fullest of juice, and have their com- 

 plete virtue ; the stalk running away with the 

 nourishment from them. This is so much done in 

 some plants, [that although the leaves growing 

 from the root were very vigorous before the 

 stalk grew up, they die and wither as it 

 rises. 



When the juice of the leaves of any plant is 

 required, these are the leaves from which it is 

 to be pressed : when they are ordered in decoction, 

 notice is always taken in this book, whether they 

 be best fresh or dried ; if fresh, they should be 

 just gathered for the occasion ; they should be 

 cut up close from the root, and only shook clean, 

 not washed ; for in many, that carries off a part of 

 the virtue : they are to be cut into the pot. If 

 they are to be dried, the same caution is to be 

 used ; and they are best dried, by spreading them 

 upon the floor of the room, with the windows 

 open ; often turning them. When thoroughly 

 dried, they should be put into a drawer, pressing 

 them close down, and covered with paper. When 

 the entire plant is to be used except the root, 

 care is to be taken that it be gathered at a pro- 

 per sea^pn. Nature in the whole growth of plants, 

 tends to the production of their flowers and seeds, 



