FAMILY HERBAL. 2S5 



Rice. On/'ja. 



A very common plan* in the East,, sown iu 

 the fields for the sake of the seed or grain, it 

 rrows four feet hiirh ; the stalk is round, hollow, 

 and jointed ; the leaves are long and grassy, and 

 of a pale green colour, but they are broader than those 

 of any of our kinds of corn. The flowers are incon- 

 siderable ; the seeds or grains are contained in bushes 

 of a brown colour, each having a long beard to it, 

 usually curled at the bottom, and divided at the top 

 into two parts. 



We eat rice as a food rather than medicine ; but 

 it is excellent for those who have habitual purgings or 

 loosenesses ; it is to be eaten any way for this pur- 

 pose, only it must be continued, and it will do more 

 than all the medicines in the world. The rice-milk 

 is excellent for this purpose. 



Garden Rocket. Eruca saliva. 



A common plant in our gardens, two (c^t high, 

 and very erect. The stalk is round and of 

 a deep green ; the leaves are oblong, considerably 

 broad, of a deep green colour, and divided at the 

 edges : the flowers are moderately large, and of ;i 

 whitish colour, veined with purple, and they stand hi 

 a long spike at the top of the stalk. The pods are 

 long and slender. 



Some people are fond of rocket as a sallad herb, 

 but it is not very pleasant. It works by urine, and 

 is good against the scurvy. A strong infusion of the 

 leaves made into a syrup is good against coughs, it 

 causes expectoration, and eases the lungs. 



