194 MULLEIN MUSKSEED. 



syrup. The bark of the tree is purgative and vermi- 

 fuge. Leaves of the white variety are used as food 

 for silkworms. 



Distinctive character The fruit of the Black 

 Mulberry only is obtainable in this country. The fruit 

 differs from the blackberry in that it is the product of 

 an agglomeration of flowers, and on each little portion 

 of the fruit the four fleshy lobes of the calyx forming 

 part of it can be detected. 



MULLEIN. Verbascum Thapsus, Linn. 



N '' 



Syn. -Blanket Herb. 



Parts used Leaves, flowers, root. 



Action Demulcent, astringent, pectoral. Both leaves 

 and flowers are useful in cases of pulmonary diseases, 

 coughs, consumption, bleeding of the lungs and bowels. 

 The infusion of i ounce to a pint of boiling water is 

 taken in wineglassful doses frequently. 



Preparation Fluid extract : Dose, -1 drachm. 



Distinctive character The basal leaves are lanceo- 

 late oblong, the upper more ovate and decurrent. The 

 stem leaves are about 6-8 inches long and 2-2^ inches 

 broad, densely coated with woolly hairs, which are stel- 

 lately branched. The corolla, which is the part used, is 

 yellow, cup-shaped, about i inch across with five unequal 

 rounded lobes, to the base of which two nearly smooth 

 and three hairy stamens are attached. The dried 

 corollas turn brownish unless very carefully dried. 



MUSKSEED. Hibiscus Abelmoschus, Linn. 



N.O. Malvocea. 

 Syn. Abelmoschus moschatus, Medic. 



Part used Seeds. 



Action Aromatic, insecticide. By the Arabs the 

 seeds are used as a Coffee flavour. In India they are 



