FAMILY HERBAL. 101 



grow upon it all the way : these are of the same 

 shape, long, narrow, and smooth, and of a pale green 

 upon the stalk, and deeper green at the root. The 

 flowers stand on the divisions of the top of the stalk, 

 they are large, white, and composed as it were of a 

 quantity of thick scales 



The roots contain the greatest virtue ; they are 

 excellent mixed in pultices, to apply to swellings. 

 The- flowers possess the same virtue also, being emol- 

 lient and good against pain. An oil is made of the 

 flowers steeped in common oil of olives ; but the 

 fresh flowers are much better in the season ; and the 

 root may be had fresh at all times, and it possesses the 

 same virtues. 



Lily of the Valley. Lilium convallium. 



A very prettv plant, but so different from the 

 former, that one would wonder how it came to 

 be called by any part of the same name. It is six 

 or eight inches high. The leaves arc large, long, 

 and broad, of a deep green colour, and full of very 

 thick ribs or veins. The stalks are weak, slender, 

 angular, and green ; they bend towards the top, 

 and on each there stands, or rather hangs, a row 

 of while flowers ; they are roundish, hollow, and 

 of a delicate and pleasing smell ; these are suc- 

 ceeded by berries, which are red when they are 

 ripe. 



The flowers are used. A tea made of them, and 

 drank for a constancy, is excellent against all nerv- 

 ous complaints ; it will cure nervous head-aches, and 

 tremblings of the limbs : a great deal too much 

 has been said of this plant, for p-'op!^ call it a re- 

 medy for apoplexies and the dead palsies, but though 

 all this is not true, enough is, to give the plant a 

 reputation, aud bring it again into use. 



