FAMILY HERBAL. 249 



feet and a half high. The leaves are long', round- 

 ed, of the thickness of a man's finger, and hollow. 

 The stalk is round also, and has at the top a round 

 cluster of little flowers, these ate of a mixed purplish 

 and greenish colour ; and of a strong smell, as has 

 the whole plant. 



The root is the part used ; it is roundish, and com- 

 posed of a great multitude of coats laid one over 

 another. A syrup made of the juice of onions and 

 honey, is excellent for an asthma. 



Opoponax Plant. Opoponax. 



A large and robust plant, of which we have 

 but imperfect descriptions : it is a native of the East, 

 and has not been brought into Europe. It is said 

 to be eleven or twelve feet high : the stalk is round, 

 thick, and hollow. The leaves very large, and each 

 composed of a vast number of smaller set upon a di- 

 vided stalk. The flowers we are informed stand in 

 very large round clusters at the tops of the stalks, 

 and that the seeds are broad, brown, and of a strong 

 smell ; striated on the surface and Cattish. The 

 root is said to be long and large, and full of an acrid 

 and milky juice. 



vVe use a kind of resin, winch is said to be col- 

 lected from this root, after it has been wounded 

 to make it flow in sufficient quantity ; but the 

 whole account comes to us very imperfect, and 

 upon no very sound authority ; however it seem9 

 probable. 



The resin is brownish or yellowish, and in small 

 pieces. It is an excellent medicine against nerv- 

 ous complaints ; and particularly against disorders 

 of the head. It works by urine and promote* 

 the menses ; and has a tendency to operate, though 

 very gently, by stool. It is not so much used aft 



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