144 ENGLISH BOTANY. 
curving upwards at the apex, and the uppermost spikes longer than 
the lower ones. 
Hedge Mustard. 
French, Sisymbre Officinal, Herbe au Chantre. German, Hederich, Wegesenf, Wildersenf. 
The common name is derived from its pungent, warm taste, and more particularly 
from the bitterish heat of its small seeds. Birds are fond of these seeds, which they 
eat greedily. The whole plant has been used in medicine, and has even a reputation 
to this day as a remedy in coughs, hoarseness, and asthma ; hence the French popular 
name. Rondeletius informs us that a hoarseness occasioned by loud speaking was cured 
in three days by the use of this plant. Dr. Cullen recommends the juice to be mixed 
with honey or sugar and taken for this purpose. Gerarde advises those aftlicted with 
sciatica to take it in like manner; and Galen says “it is of a fiery temperature, and 
doth thereby attenuate, melt, and make thin, which is the reason of its reputation in 
discussing rheum.” Withering quotes an old MS. which says, “Juice of Hedge Mustard 
is beyond anything in ulcers of the throat. This was found by experience by the 
Hon. Harry Gray when all advice of doctors and surgeons availed nothing. This from 
his own mouth.” 
SPECIES IL—SISYMBRIUM POLYCERATIUM. Linn. 
Prats XCVII.* 
Reich. Ic. Fl. Germ. et Helv. Vol. II. Zetr. Tab. LX_XTIT. Fig. 4405. 
Chameplium polyceratium, Wadlr. Sched. Crit. 
Leaves pinnatifid with triangular segments, or the upper 
ones only dentate. Pods sub-sessile, curved, subulate-cylindrical, 
spreading 2 or 3 together from the axils of the leaves, or more 
rarely solitary. 
At the bottom of walls at Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. Sown 
by the late Dr. Goodenough, but it still exists in this locality. 
[England]. Annual. Summer. 
Stem branched from the base only; central branches patent- 
ascending ; lateral branches decumbent. Leaves numerous, stalked, 
clothing the branches quite to the apex, pinnatifid with a few large 
triangular acuminated spreading lobes; the terminal lobe irregu- 
larly rhomboidal, hastate, and slightly dentate. Pedicel sextremely 
short. Flowers about 4'; inch across, pale ochreous yellow. Pods 
slightly hairy, about # inch long, curved outwards, narrowing very 
gradually from the base, slightly beaded; valves 3-nerved; replum 
thick and spongy, without a nerve; whole plant dull green, sub- 
glabrous. 
Many-podded Hedge Mustard. 
French, Sisymbre Corniculé. German, Die Ranke. 
* The drawing has been made for this work by Mr. J. E. Sowerby from a dried 
specimen from Bury St. Edmunds. 
