208 FAMILY HERBAL. 



described under the article nutmeg ; but it may be 

 proper to say here, that the fruit of it is large, and 

 roundish, and has somewhat the appearance of a peach, 

 being of nearly its bigness ; the outer part is more 

 like the green rind of a walnut, than the flesh of a 

 peach : within is the nutmeg contained in a hard 

 shell, and on the outside of 'that shell, is laid the mace, 

 m a kind of thin, divided, yellowish leaves. It is of 

 a soft and unctuous nature, and very fragrant ; more- 

 so than the nutmeg itself. 



Mace is a noble spice, it warms and strengthens 

 the stomach, and is good against pains in the head, 

 arising from faults there : it is also good against colics ; 

 and even outwardly applied will take effect. The 

 mace bruised may be used for this purpose, or its oil 

 by expression. 



Mvddek. Ruhia tinctorum. 



A hough and unhandsome plant, cultivated for 

 Che sake of its root, which is used by the dyers, 

 and also in medicine. It is a foot and a half high. 

 The stalk is- square and weak. The leaves stand 

 six or eight at every joint, disposed star-fash oned> 

 and they are of a dusky green colour, and very 

 rough, they feel almost prickly. The flowers are 

 little and yellow ; and they grow from the bosoms of 

 the leaves. The root is long, slender, and of a red 

 colour. 



A decoction of the fresh roots of madder, works 

 gently by urine, but it very powerfully opens obstruc- 

 tion-, of the liver and spleen. It is very good against 

 the gravel and jaundice. 



Tiwje Maidenhair. Adiantum vcrum. 



A very beautiful plant of the fern kind, but 



