FAMILY HERBAL. 19 



reddish on the outside and white within, and is 

 the asafoetida of the shops. An excellent me- 

 dicine in all nervous disorders ; it may be given 

 nione rolled up into pills,, no way better. 



Avens. Carryophyllata. 



A COMMON wild plant neglected, but worthy 

 of our notice. It grows about hedges, and 

 rises to fourteen inches high ; the stalk is firm 

 and slender, and is divided into several branches. 

 The leaves are large and rough, the stalk also 

 is hairy. The leaves that grow from the root are 

 v m.^ed ; they consist of Ihree pair of small ones, 

 and one much larger at the end. Those on the 

 stalk are smaller, and consist of fewer parts; but 

 otherwise thev are like. The flowers are small 

 and yellow ; they are succeeded by rough heads, 

 as big as a horse bean, composed of many seeds 

 with hooked filaments. The root is longisli 

 and large, of a firm substance, reddis-h colour, and 

 very fragrant spicy smell ; it is better than marry 

 drugs kept in the shops. 



It is a cordial and sudorific. It is good in 

 nervous complaints, and I have known it alone 

 cure intermittent fevers, where the bark has been 

 unsuccessful. 



B. 



Balm. Melissa, 



A PLANT common in our gardens. It grows to 

 two feet in height, and the stalks are robust, 

 square, and hairy. The leaves are oblong, broad, 

 pointed at the end, and dentated about the edges, 

 -md they stand two at a joint ; the flowers are small 



