WORMWOOD. 409 



much more bitter than that of Italy ; and yet, 

 he observes, the pith or marrow is sweeter 

 than that of the wormwood of his own coun- 

 try. This naturalist tells us, that the shoe]) 

 of Pontus, which fed on this herb, became 

 fat and were without gall. 



Ovid also notices the bitterness of the 

 Pontic wormwood. Dioscorides recommends 

 wormwood to be boiled with rice, and eaten 

 with honey, to destroy worms. 



Galen prescribes the seed as good to be 

 given to children against worms, Gerard 

 states, that it is proper to add rhubarb to the 

 seeds for this purpose. 



This plant derived its English name of 

 Wormwood from the virtue it possesses in 

 destroying worms. 



Tusser notices the use made of this aro- 

 matic bitter, in days of less refinement than 

 the present. 



" While wormwood hath seed, get a handful or twain, 



to save ao-ainst March, to make flea to refraine : 

 Where chambers is sweped, and wormwood is strown, 



no flea for his life, dare abide to be known. 

 Whatsauor is better, if physick be true, 



for places infected, than wormwood and rue ? 

 It is a comfort for hart and the braine, 



and therefore to have it, it is not in vaine." 



Gerard has left us representations and de- 



