284 FAMILY tlERBAL. 



pretty close to the stalk. There are several short, 

 and sharp prickles about the stalky principally at 

 the insertions of the leaves. The leaves are of a 

 dusky green, and serrated about the edges. The 

 flowers arc small and purple : they stand among the 

 leaves towards the tops of the stalks, and are in shape 

 like pea blossoms, but flatted : each is followed by a 

 small pod. The root is white, very long, tough, and 

 woody. 



The root is to be taken up fresh for use, and the 

 bark separated for that purpose. It is to be boiled 

 in water, and the decoction given in large quantities 

 It is good against the gravel, and in all obstructions 

 by urine ; and it is also good in the dropsy and 

 jaundice. 



Rhapontic. Rkaponticum sire rha. 



A tall robust blant, native of Scythia, but 

 kept in many of our gardens. It grows four feet 

 high. The stalk is round, striated, an inch thick, 

 sometimes hollow, and very upright. The leaves 

 are large and broad : th(*>e from the root are 

 about a foot and a half long, and a foot broad ; of a 

 deep green colour, with large ribs, and blunt at the 

 ends. The flowers are small and white : they stand 

 in clusters at the tops of the stalks, they are succeeded 

 by triangular seeds. 



The root is the part used, and this is what the 

 antients used under the name of rha. It is of the 

 nature of rhubarb, bat different in this, that it is less 

 purgative, and more astringent ; for this reason, 

 there arc many purposes which it would answer much 

 better. We have it at the druggists, but there is no 

 depending upon what they F-ell, tor they seldom keep 

 it genuine. 



