Rue. 143 



Modern botanists consider the common 

 rue to be a native of the South of Europe, 

 and state that it was not cultivated in this 

 country prior to 1562. Tusser, who wrote 

 previous to that time, says, 



t* 



What savor is better, 



For places infected, than wormwood and rue V 



And Gerard states in his excellent old 

 work, that " the wild rue grows on the hills 

 of Lancashire and Yorke:" he observes that 

 the smell is stronger in hot than in cold 

 climates. 



The ancient Romans held this herb in 

 great esteem, as well for its flavour, as for 

 its powers in medicine. Columella, in speak- 

 ing of it, says, 



" And rue which the Palladian Berries' taste excels." 



Pliny says, I read in ancient histories, 

 that rue was regarded above other herbs, 

 and that Cornelius Cethegus, when he was 

 chosen consul with Quintius Flaminius, after 

 the election gave a largess to the people 

 of new wine aromatized with rue. 



Every medical student knows that rue- 

 leaves formed the principal ingredient of 

 the celebrated antidote of Mithridates, King 



