FLAX. 325 



white, deciduous. Tlie five stamens have subulate filaments, 

 arranged in a circle round the germen and tipped with roundish 

 anthers. The germen is ovate, green, smooth, somewhat 

 angled, with five capillary styles, and capitate yellow stigmas. 

 The capsule is globose, invested by the calyx, pentagonal, ten- 

 celled and ten-valved, each containing a small, shining, oblong, 

 pointed seed. Plate 19, fig. 1, B. (a) calyx; (6) stamens; (c) 

 pistil ; (d) fruit. 



This plant is very common and often occurs in great pro- 

 fusion in pastures, flowering in June and July. 



Qualities. — Purging Flax has scarcely any odour, but a bitter, 

 sub-acrid, and nauseous taste. Water extracts the whole of its 

 virtues, and the aqueous infusion is of a yellowish colour, in- 

 odorous, very bitter, and manifests its astringency by the black 

 colour produced in it by sulphate of iron. Its cathartic pro- 

 perty appears to depend on extractive matter and a bitter 

 resin. 



Medicinal Properties and Uses. — By the concurrent testi- 

 mony of nearly all the old writers, this plant is a safe and 

 effectual cathartic. Two drachms of the dried herb, infused in 

 half a pint of water, is a convenient mode of exhibition ; neutral 

 salts or rhubarb may be combined with it. This is recom- 

 mended by Linnaeus * in incipient dropsy, and in affections of 

 the kidneys and bladder. The vinous infusion is said to be 

 more powerful, and in large doses to excite vomiting. An 

 extract has been prepared, which operates rather severely in 

 doses of ten grains. It may also be given in powder to the 

 extent of a drachm, a little aniseed or cream of tartar being 

 added. Its cathartic properties are well known to the peasantry, 

 who infuse a handful of the recent herb in water or whey. 



* Amaen. Acad. vol. viii. p. 72. 



