FAMILY HERBAL 22? 



arc red. These are the several appearances of thi 

 little plant, and it is all one in which of them it 

 is taken. The root is often of a considerable thick- 

 ness, and single, but it is more usually divided and 

 smaller ; it is whitish, and of a disagreeable acrid 

 taste. 



This plant had 'passed unregarded as to any 

 medicinal use, till Dr. Tennant brought into Eng- 

 land the senekka root, famous in America against 

 the effects of the bite of the rattle-snake, and found 

 here to be of service in pleurisies : but when it was 

 found, that this was the root of a kind of milk- 

 wort, not very different from our own, we tried 

 the roots of our own kind, and found them effectual 

 in the same cases : as to the poisonous bites of a 

 serpent, they are so uncommon here, that we need 

 not regard that part of the qualities, but we find it 

 good in the other disorder, and in all diseases in 

 which the blood is thick and sizy. The fresh root 

 is best, but it has not its full virtue except in spring, 

 when the stalks are just shooting out of the ground, 

 for this reason it is most proper to take it up at that 

 time, and dry it for the service of the year. When 

 fresh, it is best given in infusion : but when dried, it 

 is kept in powder. 



Spear Mint. Mentha vulgaris. 



A common plant in our gardens, and of frequent 



use in the kitchen. It is two feet high, the stalks are 

 t'lire, single, upright, firm, and of a pale green. 

 1 he leaves stand two at a joint ; they are long', 

 narrow, of a blackish green, serrated at the edges, 

 >nd sharp-pointed. The flowers are small and pur- 

 pie ; they stand in long spikes, in a beautiful manner, 

 whole plant lias a fragrant smell, and a pleasant 

 aromatic taste. 



