MAT. 67 



that the great botanist and naturalist, Solomon, 

 had given this virtue to the plant, by stamping 

 it with his seal ; in proof of which, the herbal- 

 ist would point to the marks which are to be 

 found on the knotted root, and claim for his 

 remedy a wondrous efficacy. 



The sweet woodruff, {Aspenda odorata,) with 

 its clear white cluster of small flowers, and its 

 rings of green leaves, is now in bloom around 

 the roots of trees. Its fresh leaves are almost 

 scentless, but we have no native flower which 

 so long retains its odour when dried. Withering 

 says of it, that its strongly aromatic flowers, 

 infused in water, make a beverage which far 

 excels all the teas of China. The dried leaves, 

 when mixed wth snuff, are also said to give to 

 it the sweet odour of the Tonquin bean — with- 

 out being, as that seed is, prejudicial to the 

 eyesight — Vthile the scent is more lasting. 



A very singular flower, called herb Paris, 

 {Paris quadrijfolia,') now grows in moist shady 

 woods. From the summit of the stalk proceed 

 four broad leaves, which form a cross. The 

 flower, which is green, consists of four petals, 

 and the leaves of the calyx, or cup, are four ; 

 this arrangement is so peculiar, that the flower 

 may easily be known by this description. On 

 account of its fuur cross leaves, it has the 

 name of true-love knot. Green flowers are 

 always of a suspicious nature ; a ])oison often 

 lurks in their blossoms, leaves, or iruit ; nor is 

 the her!) Paris an exception. It has, however, 

 been used medicinally, and Linna;us recom- 



