FAMILY HERBAL. 223 



green, and brittle ; and when broken,, they yield a 

 vast quantity of an acrid, milky juice. The leaves 

 stand singly ; they are broad, and not very long-,, 

 and of a beautiful shape, terminating' in a point. 

 The flowers are large, and of the shape of a bell : 

 they are of a deep purple on the inside, and of a 

 pale red without ; and the seed-vessels are large, 

 as are also the seeds. The root is whitish, and very 

 thick. 



The root is the part used : our druggists keep it 

 dry. It is in slices, and is whitish and brittle. 

 It is an excellent purge, but there requires a large 

 dose to work tolerably ; tins has occasioned its being" 

 much less used than worse medicines, that operate 

 more strongly, and can be taken with less disgust ; 

 but it is to be lamented, that so litt'^ use is made 

 of it. 



Medlar Tree. Mcsp'tiis. 



A commox tree in our gardens. It is of the big- 

 ness of an apple tree, and grows in the same irregular 

 manner : the branches have thorns on them. The 

 leaves are longer and narrower than in the apple 

 tree, and they terminate in a point. The blossoms 

 are large and white. The fruit is roundish, and 

 open at the bottom : and till very much mellowed, is 

 of an austere taste. 



A strong decoction of unripe medlars, is good 

 to stop violent purgings. The seeds work by urine, 

 and are good against the gravel ; but there are so 

 many more powerful things at hand, they are seldom 

 used. 



Melilot. Melilotus. 



A common wild plant, with three leaves at 



