182 CXTLPEPEB'S COMPLETB HERBAL. 



pointed and serrated at the edges. The flowers are umbel- 

 liferous, large, and singular ; they have no cup, they are 

 green, but paler than the leaves, and they have a great 

 number of tnreads, with white buttons in their centre. 

 The seed-vessels appear among these, and afterwards ri- 

 pen ; the flower not falling, but remaining with them. 



Pl<ice. — It is a scarce plant. It has been found in woods 

 in Kent and Sussex, and in Buckinghamshire. 



Time. — It flowers early in spring. 



Oovemment and VirtiLes.— Like the former it is a cold 

 Saturnine plant, and poHsesses but in an inferior degree 

 the virtues of Black Hellebore. The leaves dried and 

 powdered, are giveu to robust habits ; as also the infusion 

 of the leaves, but it is a verj harsh medicine, and should 

 be given with caution. The powder of the dried root ought 

 not to be given to pregnant women. 



'E.BMJjOCK.—( Conium Maculatum.) 



Ducrip. — The common great Hemlock grows up with 

 a green stalk, four or five feet high, or more, full of red 

 spots sometimes, and at the joints very large winged leaves 

 one set against the other, dented about the edges, of a sad 

 green colour branched towards the top, where it is full of 

 umbels of white flowers, and afterwards with whitish flat 

 seed ; the root is long, white, and sometimes crooked, and 

 hollow within. The whole plant, and every part, has a 

 strong, heady, and ill-favoured scent. 



Place, — It grows by walls and hedges throughout all 

 parts of this country. 



Time. — It flowers and seeds in July, or thereabouts. 



Oovemment and Virtuee. — Saturn claims dominion over 

 this herb. Hemlock is exceedingly cold, and very dan- 

 gorous, especially to be taken inwardly. It may safely be 

 applied to inflammations, tumults, and swellings in any 

 part of the body, as also to St. Anthony's fire, wheals, 

 pushes, and creeping ulcers that arise of hot sharp hu- 

 mours, by cooling and repelling the heat ; the leaves bruis- 

 ed and laid to the brow or forehead, are good for red and 

 swollen eyes ; as also to take away a pin and web grow- 

 ing there ; take a small handful of this herb, and half as 

 much bay-salt, beat together, and applied to the contrary 

 wrist <rf the hand, removes it in two applications. The root 

 roasted and applied to the hands, helps the gout Pui« 

 wine is the best antidote if too much of this herb is taken 



