236 FAMILY HERBAL. 



some disease, and often puzzles the physician, but 

 it will be perfectly cured by a tea made of this 

 plant. 



Motherwo&t. Cardiaca. 



A tall, and not unhandsome wild plant. It 

 grows wild about farm-yards and in dry places. It 

 is a yard high ; the stalk is square, thick, upright, 

 and firm. The leaves stand O'l long foot stalks, 

 two at each joint. They are divided into three parts, 

 the middle one being the longest, and arc deeply in- 

 dented at the edges ; of a dark green colour, and bad 

 smell." The flowers are of a pale red : they grow 

 in a kind of prickly cups, from the bosoms of the 

 leaves, surrounding the stalks. The root creeps, and 

 is whitish. 



The whole plant may be used dried, but the tops 

 fresh cut are best ; they are to be given in a strong 

 infusion or decoction. It is good against hysteric 

 complaints, and it promotes the menses. It is 

 famous for curing the palpitation of the heart, when 

 that a. ;scs from an hysteric cause : for there arc pal- 

 pitations, which nothing can cure. 



Mouse-ear. Pilosclla. 



An exceeding pretty little plant, with whitish 

 leaves, and largo bright yellow (lowers, frequent 

 on our ditch banks. The leaves grow in little 

 clusters, and are longish and broad, of a dark 

 green on the upper side, but white underneath ; 

 and so much, of the under part is usually seen, 

 that the whole looks whitish. The stalks trail 

 upon the ground, and take root at every joint : 

 tin- leaves have long hairs upon them. The stalks 

 which support the (lowers rise single. They are 



