SAMPHIRE. 207 



against the Bull of Marathon." This author 

 adds, " It grows upon the sea-coast amongst 

 rocks and cliffs, and may be eaten raw or 

 boiled, with beets, coles, or other pot-herbs:" 

 he notices, that the taste is aromatic and 

 pleasant, and that it was usually preserved 

 and kept in a pickle, and that the principal 

 medicinal purposes that it was then used for 

 were, for the strangury, and for eyes afflicted 

 with a gummy watery humour. It was es- 

 teemed diuretic, and the Romans believed, 

 that the leaves, stalks, or roots, taken in 

 wine, caused the complexion to be clear, 

 and the countenance cheerful. This author 

 also tells us, that the powder of this plant 

 mixed with barley is of service to horses that 

 are suffering with the glanders. 



Samphire is still mentioned as a cathartic 

 and diuretic, and good for phlegmatic watery 

 humours, therefore serviceable against the 

 dropsy, jaundice, &c 



The Rock Samphire, Crithmum maritimum, 

 grows plentifully on all the cliffs of the Cor- 

 nish coast. The fields about Forth Gwylan, in 

 Caernarvonshire, are covered with it. 



This plant may be cultivated on artificial 

 rock-work, either by seeds, or parting the 



