LINAGE JE. 181 



SPECIES I.-LINUM CATHARTICUM. Linn. 



Tlate CCLXXXIX. 



Catliartolinum pratense, neich. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. VI. Uyp. Tab. CCCXXV. 

 Fig. 5153. 



Root annual, producing- 1 or more erect stems, slightly branched 

 at the apex. Leaves opposite or only the upper ones alternate, 

 clliptical-strapshaped. Plowers numerous, drooping before expan- 

 sion, in terminal dichotomous cymes. 



In pastures and on banks. Common and generally distributed. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Annual. Summer 

 and Autumn. 



Stems slender, wiry, erect from a curved base, 3 inches to 1 foot 

 high, in large specimens often numerous, with a few ascending- 

 spreading branches at the apex. Leaves :]; to f inch long, the 

 lowest elliptical, becoming narrower as the pairs are placed higher 

 on the stem ; uppermost leaves alternate. Bracts opposite, similar 

 to the leaves, but smaller. Flowers J inch across, white, with a 

 yellow eye. Sepals lanceolate-acute, slightly denticulate. Petals 

 scarcely twice as long as the sepals, obovate, rounded or obtuse at 

 the apex. Fruit pedicels elongated. Capsule globular, slightly 

 depressed, mucronate, scarcely longer than the sepals, which are 

 connivent over it, splitting into 10 valves. Seeds minute, ovoid, 

 plano-convex, fawn-coloured, very finely granulated, and slightly 

 shining. Plant glabrous, glaucous green, with the lower leaves and 

 stems often tinged with purple. 



The opposite leaves and small Avhite flowers distinguish it from 

 all the other species of the genus. 



Purging Flax. 



French, Lin Purgalif. German, Purgir Lein, 



The ■whole of this Lei-b is cathartic, and was formerly extensively employed in 

 niciliciue ; but it is now little used. It has an intensely bitter taste, and is v/ithout 

 odonr. Its action is very uncertain, and it is not therefore often given by regular 

 practitioners of medicine. In some parts of the country it is boiled in ale, and the 

 decoction given for rheumatism. The usual dose is one drachm of the dried plant, or 

 a handful of the fresh herb infused in water or whey. In Gerarde's time it was known 

 under the name of " Mill Mountain," and he relates how he came to be acquainted 

 ■with the plant in company with Doctor Lake, who was afterwards made Bishop of 

 Bath and Wells, and " who always used this herbe for his jiurge after the said manner, 

 as his man affirmed, putting a handful of Mil Mountain into a small tunne or pipkin 

 of a pinte filled with white wine, and setting it on the embers to infuse all night, 

 then drinking the wine in the morning fasting." 



