146 cttlpeper's complete hebbal. 



Titne. — It produces its catkins in July and August 

 Government and Virtiies.—Fl&ga are under Lunar domf- 

 niou. The roots, which only are used, are hot and dry, 

 opening and attenuating, and good for the obstructions of 

 the liver and spleen ; provoke urine and the menses, help 

 the colic, resist putrefaction, are useful against pestilen- 

 tial contagions and corrupt noxious air ; are an ingredient 

 in the theriaca and mithridate, and are outwardly used in 

 Bweet bags and perfumes. 



FLAG (BASTARD WATER.)— (Acorus Adultennut.) 



Descrip. — This iris, that grows so common in ditches 

 and watery places, bears leaves like the common Fleur- 

 de-Lys, only somewhat longer and narrower ; the stalk 

 rises higher, on the top of which grow three or four 

 flowers, one above another, flowering gradually in shape 

 like an ordinary Fleur-de-Lys, only that they want the 

 upright leaves, instead of which they have only small 

 pieces of leaves in their places. The flowers are succeeded 

 oy large triangular seed-vessels, containing three rows of 

 flat seed. 



Oovemment and Virtties. — It is under the dominion 

 of the Moon. The spicy bitterness of the root of this 

 plant bespeaks it a streugtheuer of the stomach and head, 

 and therefore may fitly be put into any composition of 

 that intention. The root preserved may with good suc- 

 cess be used by itself, and both the Oermans and Turks 

 are very fond of it, and reckon it a great preservative 

 against infectious air, which makes them commonly eat a 

 piece of the preserved root fasting. The leaves having a 

 very grateful flavour, are, by some nice cooks, put into 

 sauce for fish. 



FLAX. — (Linum Utitatissimum.) 



Descrip, — Flax has round slender nnbranched stalks, a 

 yard or more high, clothed with many long, narrow, 

 sharp-pointed, glaucous leaves ; on the tops of the stalks 

 grow a pretty many small five- leaved blue flowers, soon 

 Falling oflf ; and are followed by round heads, or seed- 

 vessels, each divided into about ten partitions, containing 

 as many oblong, flattish, shining brown seed. The root 

 is small and woody, and dies as soon as the seed is ripe. 

 Of the bark of the stalks of this plant, which is tough, 

 and made up of a great many slender filaments, is made 

 linen cloth. 



