272 CULPBPBR'S COMPLBTB HERBAL. 



smaller than the other ; they consist of eight or nine nar- 

 row, sharp-pointed petals of shining yellow colour, with a 

 few yellow stamina in the middle, set about a green head 

 that is composed of small naked seeds. 



Place,— It grows in moist pastures and by hedge-sides. 



Time. — It nowers in April. 



Oovemment and Virtues, — This herb is good for the piles, 

 to ease their pain and swelling, and stop their bleeding ; 

 the roots being taken inwardly, and an ointment being 

 made of the leaves and roots, is cooling and good for in- 

 flamed sores and ulcers. The expressed juice of the plant 

 is used to cure internal wounds, bruises, and spitting oi 

 blood, with good success. The leaves bruised and boiled 

 in ho^s-lard, until they become crisp, and then strained, 

 affords an excellent cooling ointment 



PIMPERNEL {^ATER.)^(Anagalli8 Aquatica,) 



Descriv. — It has divers weak souare stalks lying on the 

 ground, oeset with two small and almost round leaves at 

 every joint, one against another, but no footstalks; for the 

 leaves, as it were, compass the stalk, consisting of five small 

 round-pointed leaves, of a pale red colour, tending to an 

 orange, with many threads in the middle, in whose places 

 succeed smooth round heads, wherein is contained small 

 seed. The root is small and fibrous, perishing every year. 



Place. — It is found only in brooks and running waters. 



Oovemnient and Virtues, — This plant is warm and dry, 

 with a little stypticity, and is a good vulnerary. The juice 

 mixed with cows milk, is useful in consumptions and dis- 

 tempers of the lungs ; it is put into cordial waters, as an 

 alexipharmic, and good against malignant distempers. It 

 helps bites and stings of venomous creatures, beinc appli- 

 ed either inwardly or outwardly. It also opens oostruc- 

 tions of the liver, and is available against the infirmities 

 of the reins: it provokes urine, and helps to expel the stone 

 and gravel out of the kidneys and blaader, and helps in- 

 ward pains and ulcers. The decoction or distilled water 

 is effectual if applied to green wounds, or old, filthy, fret- 

 ting, and running ulcers, which it speedily cures. A little 

 mixed with the juice, and dropped into the eyes, cleanses 

 them from cloudy mists, or tnick films which grow over 

 them. It helps tooth-ache, being dropped into the ear on 

 the contrary side of the pain. It is also effectual to ease 

 the piles. This herb is a good deobstrueut and antisoor 



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