FAMILY HERBAL, 3GI 



deal of respect in medicine. The top of the stalks, 

 before the flowers appear, contam the greatest vir- 

 tue, and they are best fresh. They arc to be given in 

 infusion, 3iid they are excellent against obstructions 

 of the liver and spleen ; they work by urine, and 

 so take effect; the use of this infusion must be 

 continued a considerable time : these are disorders 

 that come on slowly, and are to be slowly re- 

 moved. 



Woodruffe. Asperula. 



A COMMON little wild plant, in our woods 

 and thickets : it is ten inches h'gh. The stalk 

 is square, slender, weak, and not able to support 

 itself perfectly upright. The leaves stand several 

 at each joint, encon. passing the stalk in the man- 

 ner of a star ; they are oblong, broad, and of a 

 deep green, In their form and manner of growth 

 they much resemble those of common cleavers, 

 but thev are larger, though the plant is so mucli 

 less, and they are not rough as in that plant, but 

 nearly smooth. The flowers stand at the top* 

 of the stalks in little clusters ; they are small and 

 white ; the seeds stand two together in a gloUular 

 form. The roots are little and fibrous. 



The fresh herb is used, and is best given in a 

 strong decoction ; it opens obstructions of the 

 liver and spleen, and is a cordial, and stomachic. 

 It is good in the jaundice. 



The Wormseed Plant. Absinthium satitonicum. 



A KTND of wormwood, native of the East, 

 and not known so much as in our gardens. The 

 plant is two feet high. The leaves are very finc- 

 3 A 



