184 ctjlpeper's complete hebbai* 



among which arise up divers thick and short stalks, two 

 or three feet high, spread into divers small branches, with 

 lesser leaves on them, and many hollow flowers, scarce ap- 

 pearing above the husk, and usually torn on one side, 

 ending in five round points, growing one above another, 

 of a deadish yellow colour, paler towards the edges, with 

 many purplish veins therein, and of a dark yellowish Dur- 

 ple in the bottom of the flower, with a small point o{ the 

 same colour in the middle, each of them stand in a hard 

 close husk, which, after the flowers are passed, grows ra- 

 ther sharp at the top points, wherein is contained much 

 small seea, very like poppy seed, but of a ausky grejrish 

 colour. The root is great, white, and thick, branching 

 forth divers ways under ground, so like parsnips that it 

 has deceived many. The whole plant, more than the root, 

 has a very heavy, ill, offensive smelL 

 Fliice, — It grows by way-sides, and under hedgea 

 TifM4 — It flowers annually in May, June and July. 

 Oovemment and Virtues. — This herb is under the domi- 

 nion of Saturn. The leaves cool inflammations of the 

 epres, and any part of the body, and are good for theswel- 

 Imgs of the t^ticles, or womens' breasts, or elsewhere, if 

 they be boiled in wine, and either applied themselves, 

 or the fomentation warm ; it also assuages the pain of the 

 ^out, the sciatica, and other pains in the joints which arise 

 from a cold cause, and applied with vinegar to the tem- 

 ples and forehead, helps tne head-ache, and want of sleep 

 in hot fevers. The juice of the herb or seed, does the 

 same. The oil of the seed is ^ood for deafness, noise, and 

 worms in the ears, being dropped there ; the juice of the 

 herb or root acts the same. The decoction of the herb or 

 seed, kills lice in man or beast. The fume of the dried 

 herb, stalks and seeds, burned, quickly heals swellings, 

 chilblains or kibes in the hands or feet, by holding them 

 in the fumes thereof. This herb must never be taKen in- 

 wardly, it is altogether an outward medicine. Goat's milk, 

 Honey water, and Mustard-seed, are amongst the best 

 antidotes when Henbane has been taken inwardly, 



HENRY (GOOJ).y-( Mercurialis Annua.) 



Called also English Mercury. 



Descriv.— This plant has a thick, yellowish, perennial 

 root, witSi several hbres ; the leaves grow upon long foot- 

 stalks of a triangular shape, like spinach, of a yellow 



