HYSSOP. 271 



of phlegm: five sprigs of hyssop, two Bprigs 

 of rue, boiled with three figs.* 



Aiton notices three species of hyssop, and 

 four varieties of the common sort, the earli- 

 est of which was cultivated in this country in 

 1548. The same author mentions four spe- 

 cies of hedge hyssop, Gratiola, all of which 

 are exotics ; but Gerard informs us, that he 

 found the broad-leafed hedge hyssop grow- 

 ing wild as early as the year 1590 ; and as it 

 was upon an interesting occasion to the citi- 

 zens of London, I shall give his own words. 



" It groweth in moist places. I found it 

 growing vpon the bog or marrish ground, at 

 the further end of Hampsteed Heath, and vpon 

 the same heath towards London, neere vnto 

 the head of the springs that were digged for 

 water to be conueied to London, 1590, at- 

 tempted by that careful citizen, Sir John Hart, 

 Knight, Lord Maior of the Citie of London: 

 at which time myselfe was in his lordship' s 

 company, and viewing for my pleasure the 

 same goodly springs. I found the said plant 

 not heretofore remembered." The same au- 

 thor says, he " experimented this herb," and 

 found it a powerful purgative." 



# Book xxvi. c. (5. 



