oultipek's oomplktje hkrbjll. 119 



and thej stand in a kind of spikes at the top of th« 

 branches. In the summer months, the whole plant ii 

 covered with a kind of inflammable substance, which is 

 glutinous to the touch, and of very fragrant smell ; but if 

 It takes fire, it goes off with a flash all oyer the plant. 

 This does it no harm, and maj be repeated after three or 

 four dajs, a new quantity of the inflammable matte r be- 

 ing produced in that time. 



Place. — It only grows here in gardens, not being hardy 

 enough to bear the severity of our climate abroad. 



Time, — It flowers ia June and July. 



Oovm-nment and Virtues. — They are both under the 

 dominion of Venus. The roots of this kind are the only 

 part used ; they are cordial, cephalic, resist poison and 

 putrefaction, and are useful in malignant and pestilential 

 distempers ; in fevers, and hysteric cases : however, an 

 infusion of the tops of the plant, are a pleasant and effi- 

 cacious medicine in the gravel ; it works powerfully by 

 urine, and gives ease in those colicky pains which fre- 

 quently attend upon that disorder. The root is a sure 

 remedy for epilepsies, and other diseases of the bead, 

 opening obstructions of the womb, and procuring the dii- 

 eoATges of the terms. 



DOCK (COMMON.)-^ Rumex Ohtutifoliue,) 



Mavt kinds of these are so well known, that I shall 

 not trouble you with a description of them. 



Oovemment and Virtues. — All Docks are under Jupiter, 

 of which the Red Dock, which is commonly called Bloodwort; 

 cleanseth the blood and strengthens the liver ; but the 

 Yellow Dock root is best to be taken when either the blood 

 or liver is affected by choler. All of them have a kind of 

 eooling (but not all alike) drying quality, the sorrel being 

 most cold, and the blood worts most drying. Of the bur> 

 dock I have spoken already by itself. The seed of most 

 of the other kinds, whether gardens or fields, doth stay 

 laxes and fluxes of all sorts, the loathing of the stomacn 

 through choler, and is helpful for those that spit blood. 

 The roots boiled in vinegar helpeth the itch, scabs, and 

 breaking out of the skin, if it be bathed therewith. The 

 diitillad water of the herb and roots have the same virtue, 

 Ind cleanseth the skin from freckles, morphewa, and all 

 other spots and discolou rings therein. 



All Docks being boiled with meat, make it boil th« 



