INTRODUCTION. xf. 



dislodge them. In the other case, the fruit must 

 be cut open, and they must be taken out from 

 among the wet matter, separated from the mem- 

 branes that arc about them, and spread upon a 

 table, in a dry place, where they must be of- 

 ten turned and rubbed as they grow dry, 

 that in the end they may be perfectly dry and 

 clean. 



Among the roots a great many are to be used 

 fresh, but a greater number are best dried. The 

 black and white briony, the arum, and some 

 others, lose all their virtues in drying ; and 

 many that retain some, yet lose the greater part 

 of it : there are others which are excellent both 

 fresh and dried, as the marshmallow and some 

 more. 



As to the few which lose their virtue entirely 

 in drying, it will be best to keep some of them 

 always in the garden, that they may be taken up 

 as they are wanted. The others are to be mana- 

 ged according to their several natures, and they 

 do a great deal toward the furnishing this drug- 

 gist's shop, which should be rilled with medicines, 

 the produce of our own country. 



The best season for gathering roots for drying 

 is in the earlier part of the spring : what nature 

 does for plants when they are just going to flower, 

 she does for roots when the leaves are just going 

 to bud: the juices are rich, fresh, and full, and 

 the virtue is strongest in them at this season, there- 

 fore they are to be then taken up. 



In the end of February and the beginning of 

 March, the ground should be searched for the 

 first budding of leaves, and the roots taken up. 

 They are to be wiped clean, not washed ; and, 

 according to their several natures, prepared (or 

 drying. 



Some are fuUof a mucilaginous juice, aj* marsh- 



