130 ENGLISH BOTAKI. 



oblong-oval or elliptical, inciso-crenate-serrate, downy above and 

 more densely so beneath, wliere they are pilose on the veins but 

 without glands. Stijiules half-lunate, ineiso-serrate. Fruit-calyx 

 cylindrical-obconic, with 10 deep furrows extending nearly to the 

 base, surmounted by a ring bearing several rows of hooked spines, 

 containing usually only a single achene ; segments connivent, sub- 

 acute. 



In dry thickets, hedge-banks, sides of fields, and waste places. 

 Not uncommon, and generally distributed, except in the extreme 

 North of Scotland. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Perennial. Summer and 

 Autumn. 



Eootstock flexuous, not creeping. Stem 1 to 3 feet high, an- 

 gular, branclied in large specimens. Leaves numerous, situated 

 principally towards the base of the stem ; leaflets increasing in size 

 towards the apex of the leaf, where they are 1 to 1^ inch long, with 

 5 to 9 deep incisions on each side between tlie teeth, which are sub- 

 acute, but with rounded sides. Stipules large, very slightly adnate. 

 Racemes terminal, short while in flower, but lengtliening much in 

 fruit, till the principal one occupies half the height of the plant. 

 Pedicels exti'emely short, at first erect, but recurved after flowering, 

 springing from the axils of small trifid bracts, and having 3 or 4 

 bracteoles at the apex, which embrace the base of the calyx-tube. 

 Flowers I inch across, brightyellow. Petals oblong-obovate. Stamens 

 shorter than the petals. Fruiting-calyx woody, about ^ inch long 

 and nearly as wide at the mouth, with the sides nearly straight and 

 deeply furrowed, surmounted by an enlarged ring armed with spines, 

 of which the exterior ones are shorter and spreading, the interior 

 ones longer and erect. Achene pale. Plant deep-green, hairy. 



Common Agrhnoiii/. 



French, Aigremoine Eupatoire. German, Gemehier Odermennig. 



This plant was one of the favourite remedies of the old herbalists, and the multi- 

 tude of diseases for which it is said to be a remedy would almost fill a medical diction- 

 ary. Gerarde tells us that a "decoction of the leaves is good for them that have 

 naughty livers." Dioscorides adds, that " it is a remedy for them that have bad livers, 

 and for such as are bitten with serpents." For the stoppage of hremorrhages a somewhat 

 appalling prescription is given : — "Agrimony, pounded frogs, and human blood ;" the 

 latter ingredient savouring of homoeopathic ingenuity. As a cooling " diet drink," as it 

 is called, infused in watei-. Agrimony is still esteemed in rural districts, also as an appli- 

 cation to ulcers. In North America it is said to be used in fevers with great success. 

 Withering, on the authority of Dr. Hill, recommends " an infusion of six ounces of the 

 crown of the root in a cpiart of boiling water sweetened with honey, and half a pint of it 

 diiuik three times a day," as an eflVctual remedy for the jaundice. It was sometimes givea 

 as a vermifuge. The dried leaves are used iu rural districts as a sort of tea. The plant 



