144 



Chv§minent and Virtues. — It is under the dominion ci 

 Venus, and is very serviceable to open the urinary pas- 

 sages, to help the strangury, and all other pains of the 

 bladder and reins, and to expel the stone ana gravel, by 

 taking the root in powder, or a decoction of these in white 

 wine, sweetened with sugar : the same also helps to expel 

 the after-birth. The root made into powder, and mixed 

 with honey, after the manner of an electuary, is good for 

 those whose stomachs are swollen (breaking and expelling 

 the wind which was the cause thereof) as also for all dir* 

 eases of the lungs, for the shortness of breath, wheezings, 

 hoarseness, coughs, and to expectorate cold phlegm. It is 

 called Dropwort, because it gives ease to those who evacu- 

 ate their water by drops. 



FIR-TREE.— )PtnM« Picea.) 



Detcrip. — There are two sorts of Fir ; one called the 

 Silver or Yew -leaves, which is reckoned an exotic, com- 

 ing originally from Germany, and only planted in gardens ; 

 but the common pitch- tree, or picea, which is a native 

 with us, differs from it only in that the leaves are smaller 

 and slenderer, sharp and prickly at the ends, standing 

 thicker together, and encompassing the stalk without any 

 order. The cones are longer than those of the Yew-leaved, 

 and hang downwards. 



Plac9. — It grows wild in the northern parts of Eng- 

 land, but the Scotch Fir is another distinct species from 

 both these : it is the wild pine. The leaves are long and 

 blueish. 



Oovernment and Virtuet, — Jupiter owns this tree. The 

 leaves and tops of both sorts are used in diet-drinks for 

 the scurvy, for which they are higMy commended by the 

 inhabitants of the northern countries. From this tree, of 

 which there grow great numbers in several parts of Ger- 

 many, is gotten the Strasburg turpentine, which is clearer, 

 of a pale colour, and of a thinner consistence than Venice 

 turpentine, of a bitterish taste, and of a pleasant smell, a 

 little like lemon-peel. It is of a mollifying, healing, and 

 cleansing nature ; and, besides its uses outwardly in 

 wounds and ulcers, is a good diuretic, and of great use in 

 a gonorrhsea and the fluor albus ; given in clysters mixed 

 with the yolk of an eggf it is very serviceable against the 

 stone and gravel It is likewise a good pectoral, and often 

 i^Ton in anections of the breast and iongi. 



