HERBS AND AROMATIC PLANTS. 



domestic medicine by persons suffering from chronic pulmonary 

 affections. 



Parsley (Petroselinum sativum r h%. 206) is a plant of large consump-' 

 tion in a family. It was formerly used for garlands, and Virgil says : 

 "Apium igitur inter coronarias herbas memorandum est." 



A bed of considerable size is required. Probably its chief use is for 

 garnishing, and then curled leaves are most appreciated. It is also used 

 for cooking, when the single-leaved variety is preferred ; but Thomp- 

 son has pointed out that by using only the curled leaves all danger of 

 mistaking the fool's parsley (a poisonous plant) for it may be avoided. 

 The seed is sown in the end of February, and it runs to seed the 

 following year. There are many fine varieties, but I have generally 



Fir,. 206. Parsley. 



F : IG. 208. Fennel. 



FIG. 207. Chervil. 



used Myatt's garnishing. In winter sometimes the demand is great 

 and the supply very small, and therefore it is well to cover some 

 plants for winter use with hand-lights. Parsley was mentioned also 

 by Horace as used for garlands : 



"Est in horto, 

 Phylli, nectendis apium coronis." HORACE, ii. 367. 



Pliny says that it is considered that parsley prevents persons from 

 becoming drunk, and that it confers a good odour upon the body: 

 " Apium ; hoc arceri ebrietatem, bonumque corpori odorem conferre 

 aiunt." (Pliny, book xix. chap. 8.) 



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