230 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



to assuage swellings and inflammations. Hip- 

 pocrates commended it for various purposes. 

 Matthiolus says, the seed boiled with worm- 

 wood, and drunk, cures the jaundice in a 

 speedy manner. Culpepper says, that the 

 leaves or the juice of this plant rubbed upon 

 warts, takes them away. 



The Author discovered a marine plant 

 which he considers a true species of spinage r 

 growing on the beach between Worthing 

 and Lancing in Sussex, the leaves of which 

 are as thick as those of cabbage, and the fla- 

 vour very superior to the common spinage ; 

 yet it is neglected by the neighbouring inha- 

 bitants, and suffered to wither on the shore, 

 either through ignorance of its quality, or 

 their fear of eating any herb that has not 

 found its way into either the market or the 

 garden. As it is a perennial, it cannot fail 

 of being a valuable addition to the gardens 

 of those who have residences near the sea. 

 It should be sown on a heap of decayed sea- 

 weed, covered with large gravel or small 

 flints. The root is of the tap kind, but often 

 branches among the stones on the beach ; it 

 is sweeter than even the carrot. The flowers 

 are formed of five petals of a pale green co- 

 lour, but of so solid a nature that when 



