FAMILY HERBAL. 979 



Q 



Quince Tree. Cydonia. 



A common tree in our gardens, of irregular 

 growth. The trunk is thick, and has a brown bark. 

 The branches are numerous, straggling, and 

 spreading. The leaves are roundish, of a dusky 

 green on the upper side, and whitish underneath. 

 The flowers or blossoms are large and beautiful, 

 of a pale flesh colour. The fruit is of the shape 

 of a pear, and has a large crown : it is yellow when 

 ripe, and of a pleasant smell : its taste is austere, 

 but agreeable. The seeds are sou and mucila- 

 ginous. 



The fruit and seeds are used. The juice of the 

 ripe quince made into a syrup with sugar, is ex- 

 cellent to stop vomiting, and to strengthen the 

 stomach. The seed, boiled in water, gives it a 

 softness, and mucilaginous quality ; and it is an 

 excellent medicine for sore mouths, and may be 

 used to soften and moisten the mouth and throat in 

 fevers. 



rt 



Radish. Eaphanus. 



A common plant in our gardens, the root of 

 which is eaten abundantly in spring. In this state 

 we only see a long and slender root, of a purple or 

 scarlet colour, (for there are these varieties) min- 

 gled with white ; from which grow a quantity of 

 large rough leaves, of a deep green colour, and 

 irregularly divided : amidst these in summer rises 

 the stalk, which is a yard high, round, and very 

 much branched. The leaves on it are much smaller 



