84? HEX ANDRI A POLYGYNIA. 



III. POLYGYNIA. 



122. ALISMA. 



1. A. plantagO) leaves ovate, acute; capsules obtusely triangu- 

 lar ; flower-stalk naked, 2 or 3 feet high, panicled with whorled 

 compound bracteated branches ; flowers pale purple. Great 

 Water -plain tain . 



Hob* Ponds and ditches common. July. I/. 



Of established reputation in America as a specific for the 

 bite of the rattlesnake. In the north of Europe has for 

 some ages been a popular remedy for hydrophobia ; and 

 we are told, that it still retains its popular sway and 

 reputation over a great part of the Russian empire ; and 

 that, in the government of Isola, it has never failed of ef- 

 fecting a cure for the last twenty -five years. The pre- 

 paration is simple : the root is reduced to a powder, and 

 the powder is to be eaten by being spread over bread and 

 butter. Two or three doses are said to be sufficient in 

 the worst cases; and will be found to cure mad dogs 

 themselves. Dr GOOD. This also is vanity ! 



2. A. ranunculoides, leaves linear. lanceolate ; capsules angular, 

 acute, numerous, in a globular head ; stem none ; flower-stalks 

 from 3 to 10 inches high, bearing 1 or 2 whorls of light purple 

 flowers. Lesser Water-plaintain* 



Hob. Bogs and ditches. In the ditch at the foot of St 

 Abb's Head, Rev. A. Baird. Holy Island Lough ; and 

 in the pond above Spindlestone. Aug. I/. 



