350 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



may improve it, by throwing into the water 

 either fresh or dried pennyroyal. 



Coles makes the same remark; and Gerard 

 says, " if this herb be dried, and taken to sea, 

 it will purify corrupt water without hurting 

 those who drink of it." He adds that, " pen- 

 nie royall taken with honie, cleanseth the 

 lungs, and cleareth the breast from all grosse 

 and thick humours." 



This plant, which is very bitter, acrid, and 

 of a penetrating smell, gives a deep tincture 

 of red to blue paper ; so that, it is probable, 

 it contains a volatile, aromatic, and oily salt, 

 loaded with acid : whereas, in the artificial, 

 volatile, oily salt, this acid is detained by 

 the salt of tartar. Thus this plant is aperient, 

 hysteric, and good for the diseases of the 

 stomach and breast ; since it expels those 

 glutinous sordes which fill part of the bron- 

 chia, and vesicles of the lungs, especially if it 

 is boiled with honey and aloes ; for then it 

 purges, and procures expectoration.* 



# Dioscorides, James. 



