338 
Th BRITISH HERBAL 
Linnzeus places this among the diacia fgenefia, making it a kind of rufcus but the fituation 
of the flowers is a fufficient diftinétion ; and the difference is confirmed by the general afpect of 
the plant. 
1. Longéleaved Alexandrian Laurel. 
Hippogloff.m fruttibus Jub foliolis longifolia. 
The reot is compofed of numerous fibres, thick, 
long, crooked, entangled one among another, 
and penetrating to a great depth, 
The ftalks are numerous, firm, tough, woody, 
branched, and fpreading : they are four feet high, 
and in the whole ufually form a large bufh. 
The leaves are large, of a firm fubftance, and | 
fine deep green: they are long, but confiderably | 
broad, fmall at the bafe, broadeft toward the 
middle, and fharp at the point; and they are 
marked all the length with large longitudinal 
veins. 
On the middle of each leaf there grows another 
fmall one; and under this rifes the pedicle, which 
fupports the flower ; fometimes there is only one, 
fometimes the ftalk fplits, and fupports one on 
each divifion. 
The footftalk is flender and fhort. 
The flower is fmall and yellowith. 
The berries are large, round, and, when ripe, 
of a fine red. 
It is common in damp. forefts in the warmer 
parts of Europe, and flowers in June. 
C. Bauhine calls it Laurus Alexandrina fruétu |. 
pediculo infidente. Others, Hippoglofum vulgare, 
and Hippogloffum mas. Me 
What is called the female bippoglofum is only a 
variety of this, not a diftinct fpecies, differing only 
in fize and in the colour of the fruit, which in- 
. clines to orange. The Latin name fhould be tranf- 
Th END: 
lated Alexandrian ‘bay, not laurel: but cuftom. 
has rendered it otherwifé; and the name upon: 
the whole is too bad for amendment. Te is fir 
the readér know thefe vuloar names of plants 
with the more proper. 
2. Broad-leaved Alexandrian Laurel. 
Hippogloffum latifolium fruttn folio infidente. 
The root is compofed of numerous, thick, and 
fpreading fibres. . 
The ftalks are woody, tough, ahd’ of a palé 
‘green colour, but flender, and feldomi much 
branched. 
The leaves are broad and fhort'’:’ they are of 4 
pale green, ahd have high ribs running ‘length- 
wife; and they terminate in a fharp point, 
The flower is {mall and greenifh : it Ptows to 
the middle of the leaf, and is of a pale; gréenifh, 
| yellow colour. 
The berry és round; large, 
a fine red. 
It is a native of the warmer parts of Europe ia 
woods and damp thickets. It flowers in May. 
C. Bauhine calls it Laurus Alexandvina SruGu 
folio infidente. 
and, when fipe, of 
Both kinds have the credit of being excellent 
| vulneraries; but they are rarely ufed. Thefe fort 
of medicines in general owed their credit to fancy, 
rather than to any real virtues; and a better 
eaeltee of furgery has now banifhed their 
ufe. 
of te NINETEENTH CLASS. 
THE 
