FAMILY HERBAL. 91 



of a pond ; we have not tried whether this of ourg 

 will do the same. 



Corn Marigold. Chryscmthemum segestum. 



A VERY beautiful wild plant growing in corn- 

 fields, with large bluish leaves, and full of flowers 

 like marigolds. It is two feet high ; the stalks are 

 numerous, round, stiff, tolerably upright, and 

 branched ; the leaves stand irregularly, and are 

 long, very broad, and of a bluish green ; they are 

 smallest towards the base, and larger at the end, 

 and they arc deeply cut in at the sides. The flow- 

 ers are as broad as half a crown, and of a very beau- 

 tiful yellow ; they have a cluster of threads in the 

 middle. The root is fibrous. 



The flowers, fresh gathered and just opened, 

 contain the greatest virtue. They are good against 

 all obstructions, and work by urine. An infusion of 

 them, given in the quantity of half a pint warm, 

 three times a day, has been known to cure a jaun- 

 dice, without any other medicine ; the dried herb 

 has the same virtue, but in a less degree. 



Costmary. Costus hortorum. 



A GARDEN plant kept more for its virtues 

 than its beauty, but at present neglected. It grows 

 a foot and half high, and has clusters of naked 

 yellow flowers like tansy. The stalks are firm, 

 thick, green, and upright ; the leaves are oblong, 

 narrow, of a pale green, and beautifully serrated; 

 the flowers consist only of deep yellow threads. 



It was once greatly esteemed for strengthening 

 the stomach, and curing head-achs, and for opening 

 obstructions of the liver and spleen, but more seems 

 to have been said of it than it deserved. 



