FAMILY HERBAL. 321 



Spin ag e . Sp in a ch ia . 



A common herb in our kitchen gardens. It grows 

 iwo feet high ; the stalk is round, thick, and juicy ; 

 the leaves are broad and cleft at the bases, so that 

 they resemble a broad arrow head : the flowers are 

 inconsiderable ; the seeds grow on other plants of 

 the same kind, and are rough and prickly : the root 

 is white and oblong. 



The leaves are eaten at our tables ; but their 

 juice may very well be recommended as a medi- 

 cine. It works by urine, and is good against the 

 gravel. The leaves eaten frequently, keep the body 

 open. 



Spleenwort. Aaplen nun . 



A singular plant, of the nature of the ferns, 

 but not unlike any of them in form. The root 

 is fibrous. From this the leaves rise in great num- 

 bers together, each being a distinct and separate 

 plant ; they are narrow, and five inches long, deeply 

 indented on each side, but very irregularly, and 

 covered on the under part with small seeds. When 

 they first grow from the root, they are folded in- 

 ward, so that only the under part appears ; and they 

 have a very peculiar aspect, more like some insect 

 than the leaf of a plant. It grows on old walls, 

 and is green all the winter, but it has most virtue in 

 spring. 



The whole plant is used. It is best given in in- 

 fusion, and must be continued for some time ; it 

 opens all obstructions of the liver and spleen, and is 

 excellent in disorders arising from that cause. They 

 say the powder of the dried leaves cures the ricket, 

 hut this wants proof. 



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