THE WORMWOOD. 353 



wormwoods have a bitter and essential oil, which 

 is a valuable aromatic, and stimulant, tonic ; yield- 

 ing a simple and useful remedy for a great variety of 

 common complaints, without leaving any injurious 

 after effects. The flowers of the Artemisia Juddica 

 are often placed about the beds in an Eastern house 

 to drive away bugs, or are burnt to keep off mus- 

 quitos ; and Burton recommends pillows of worm- 

 wood in order to procure sleep. Dr. Home, too, 

 gives an instance of a woman who was cured of 

 hysteric fits of many years standing, after assafcetida 

 and other more powerful drugs had entirely failed. 

 The tribe is, however, quite rejected by the London 

 College, though happily retaining its place in rustic 

 medicine. 



Among the superstitious it still retains its credit ; 

 and an old belief continues to be connected with 

 the circumstance of the dead roots of wormwood 

 being black, and somewhat hard, and remaining 

 for a long period undecayed beneath the living 

 plant. They are then called " wormwood coal " 

 and if placed under a lover's pillow they are be- 

 lieved to produce a dream of the person he loves. 



Pellets made of its down are used, as well as 

 cotton, for the Moxa of Eastern Asia, which, being 

 lighted and placed on any part requiring external, 

 or counter, irritation, is suffered slowly to smoulder 

 down until the pellet is consumed. 



In Wales and Ireland the wormwoods are, as of 

 old, largely employed, instead of hops, for flavour- 

 ing beer; and the "purl" for which Dublin and 

 other Irish cities are so celebrated, is also prepared 



