850 OULPBPXB'8 complite hsbbal. 



of a pale green : thej are not at all indented, and termin- 

 ate in a round blunt end. The flowers are Hniall and yellow 

 and form a kind of umbel at the tops of the branches. 

 Plcuie. — This ia frequent in the corn-fields of Ireland. 



SPUKGE (OLIVE.)— (Z>apA7w Mezereum.) 



Descrip, — This is a low shrubby tree, with many flexi- 

 ble branches, seldom growing above four or five feet high, 

 shooting out clusters of flowers, all round the upper parta 

 of the branches, early in the spring, before the leaves ap- 

 pear : they are of a pale purple, or peach colour, of a sin- 

 gle tuberous leaf, cut into four segments at the end, of a 

 pleasant, sweet smell; and are succeeded by small, longish 

 round berries, of a red colour. The leaves grow thick to- 

 gether on the tops of the twigs, two inches long, and scarce 

 naif so broad at the end, where they are broadest. The 

 root is full of branches, and runs deep in the earth 



PI<iC9. — It is planted here in gardens. 



Time, — It flowers in February and March. The root, 

 bark, leaves, and berries, are used. 



Virtues,— A\{ the Spurges agree in their qualities. They 

 purge serous and choleric humours very violently, and 

 oelp the dropsy and inveterate asthma. 



SPURGE (PETTY.)— (^u;)Aor6ia Peplis,) 



Desorip, — This has a very large thick root, many timer 

 the size of a man's arm, spread oat into many branches, 

 and sending up many touyh stalks, two or three feet high, 

 reddish and much divided, having smooth, long, narrow- 

 ish, green leaves, broadest at the end. The flowers which 

 grow on the tops of the stalks are small and yellow, which 

 are followed by triangular seed-vessels containing three 

 roundish seeds. The whole plant is full of a caustic milk, 

 burning and inflaming the mouth for a great while. 



PiCLce. — It grows in several parts. 



7^tm«.-rlt flowers in J uue. The root is used, and of 

 that the bark only. 



Virtues. — It is a strong cathartic, working violently by 

 vomit and stool, but is very otiensive to the stomach and 

 bowels by reason of its sharp corrosive quality, and there- 

 fore ought to be used with caution. 



