FAMILY HERBAL 163 



stand in great tufts or umbels at the tops of the 

 stalks : the seeds follow, two after each ilower, and 

 they are oblong', broad, and edged with a leafy 

 border ; they are of a dark colour, a strong smell, 

 and acrid taste. 



The seeds are the only part used ; they promote 

 the menses, and the necessary discharges after 

 delivery, and are an excellent warm and cordial 

 medicine ; they work also gently by urine, and cure 

 col icy pains ; they are to be given in powder or 

 infusion. 



Hawthorn. Spina alba. 



A shrub too common in our hedges to need 

 much description. The trunk is irregular, and sel- 

 dom straight ; the branches are strong, tough, and 

 thorny ; and the leaves of a glossy green and beau- 

 tifully divided. The (lowers are white and beautiful, 

 the fruit is small. 



The flowers and the dried fruit are used in medi- 

 cine ; they have the same virtue ; they work by 

 urine, and are good in the gravel, and all com- 

 plaints of that kind ; but there are so many better 

 things for the same purpose at hand, that these are 

 not much regarded. 



Hedge Mustard. Erisimum. 



A very common wild plant, and of no great 

 beauty ; it is frequent about old walls, and in farm 

 yards, and is distinguished by its long spikes of 

 pods, which are lodged close upon the stalk. It 

 grows two feet in height ; the stalk is round, firm, 

 upright, but not always quite straight, and a little 

 branched. The leaves are of a pale green colour, 

 hairy, oblong, and deeply indented at the edges. 



