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BORAGE.— BORAGO. 



Natural order, Asperifolice. A genus of the 

 Pentandria Monogynia class. 



The name is derived from cor and ago, on 

 account of its supposed cordial qualities. 



According to Pliny, the ancient Romans 

 called it Buglossus, from the Greek EuyAwo-aos, 

 because the leaf is like an ox-tongue. It 

 was also called Euphrosynon ; for when put 

 into a cup of wine, it made those who 

 drank of it merry. 



It is said to have been originally brought 

 from Aleppo ; but it grows so freely in this 

 country, that many authors deem it an indi- 

 genous plant. Parkinson states, that it 

 grew in Kent. 



The whole herb is succulent and very 

 mucilaginous, having a peculiarly faint smell 

 when bruised. Its flowers are of the number 

 of the four cordial ones of the shops, and it 

 has been recommended as a medicine of great 

 efficacy in malignant and pestilential fevers, 



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