FAMILY HERBAL 135 



applied outwardly to swellings with success, tbey 

 soften and give ease while the matter is forming 

 within. 



Figwort. Scrophidaria, 



A tall and regular growing wild plant, with 

 small deep purple flowers. It grows four feet 

 high, and is common in our woods and ditches, 

 where there is little water ; there is another kind 

 of it in wet places, called also water betony, which 

 is to be distinguished from it bv the round indent- 

 ings of the leaves : it also grows in water, or just 

 by it : the right figwort only loves shade and 

 dampness, but not absolute wet. The stalk is 

 square, upright, hollow, and very firm ; the leaves 

 stand two at each joint, opposite one to the other ; 

 they are large, broad at the base, narrow at the 

 point, and sharply indented ; they stand on long 

 foot-stalks, and they have the shape of the nettle 

 leaf, but they are perfectly smooth, and of a 

 shining colour ; they are sometimes green, but often 

 brown, as is also the whole plant. The flowers are 

 very small and gaping, their colour is a blackish 

 purple. The root is long, white, and full of 

 little tubercles, it spreads a great way under the 

 surface. 



The juice of the fresh gathered root is an excellent 

 sweetener of the blood taken in small doses, and 

 for a long time together. The fresh roots bruised 

 and applied externally, are said also to be excellent 

 for the evil. They cool and give eaee in the piles, 

 applied as a pultice. 



Fir Tree, bibles. 



A wy.D tree ia Germany, and many other parts 



