FAMILY HERBAL. 287 



astringent, and may be given in powder against 

 fluxes. They are said to work by urine, but expe- 

 rience does not warrant this. 



Damask Rose. Rosa damasccna. 



A common shrub in our gardens, very much 

 resembling that in our hedges last mentioned. It 

 grows five or six feet high, but the stalks are not 

 very strong, or able to support themselves. They 

 are round, and beset with sharp prickles. The 

 leaves are each composed of two or three pairs of 

 smaller ones, with an odd one at the end : they are 

 whitish, hairy, and broad, and are indented at the 

 edges. The flowers are white and very beautiful, 

 of a pale red colour, full of leaves, and of an ex- 

 tremely sweet smell ; the fruit is like the common 

 hip. 



The flowers are used. The best way of giving 

 them is in a syrup thus made. Pour boiling wa- 

 ter upon a quantity of fresh gathered damask roses, 

 just enough to cover them ; let them stand four 

 and twenty hours, then press off the liquor, and 

 add to it twice the quantity of sugar ; melt this, 

 and the syrup is completed : it is an excellent purge 

 for children and there is not a better medicine 

 for grown people, who are subject to be costive. 

 A little of it taken every night will keep the body 

 open continually ; medicines that purge strongly, 

 bind afterwards. Rose water is distilled from this 

 kind. 



White Rose. Rosa alba. 



A common shrub also in our gardens. li 

 grows ten or twelve feet high, but is not very able 

 to support itself upright. The stalks are round, 



