352 FAMILY HERBAL. 



owe to the grape, more medicines than to any one 

 simple whatsoever. 



Viollt. Viola 



A common wild plant in our woods and hedges, 

 but of a fragrance superior to all that we re- 

 ceived from the rich East. It is a little., low, 

 creeping plant, obscure even when in flower ; the 

 stalks are round, green, and creeping ; they do 

 not rise up, but spread themselves along the ground, 

 taking root at the joints ; the leaves rise from 

 these rooted par's ; they are large and stand each 

 on a long foot stalk. They arc of a heart-like 

 shape, and dented round the edges, and of a deep 

 green. The (lowers are small and of a deep and 

 beautiful purple ; they stand singly on short foot 

 stalks arising amonc: the leaves, and covered bv 

 them. 



The flowers are the part used ; boiling Mater 

 is to be poured upon them just enough to cover 

 them, and it is to stand all night ; when it is 

 strained clear oft', the sugar is to be added to it, 

 at the rate of two pounds to each pint, and it is to 

 be melted over the fire ; this makes syrup of 

 violets, an excellent gentle purge for children. 

 The leaves are dried also, and are used in the de- 

 coctions for clysters. An infusion of them works by 

 urine. 



Viper's Grass. Scorzoncra 



A t\i.l and handsome plant, native of the 

 warmer parts of Europe, but kept in our gardens. 

 It is three feet high ; the stalk is round, thick, 

 upright, and firm ; the leaves are numerous and 

 stand irregularly : they are long, narrow, of a 



