436 Mr. Cutler's Account of indigenous Vegetables, 



in blossom, by means of the farina fcecundans being blown 

 upon the grain, which prevents the ears from filling. 



TjRIGYNIA. 

 RUMEX. Linn. Gen. Plant. 407. 

 Rumex floribus hermaphroditis : valvulis integris graniferis, 

 foliis lanceolatis undulatis acutis. Syst. Nat. 

 CURLED DOCK. In fields. July. 



Rumex floribus hermaphroditis : valvulis dentatis nudis, 

 pedicellis planis reflexis. Syst. Nat. 



NARROW DOCK. About barns and in fields. July. 



The roots of both these species are somewhat cathartic. The 

 seeds are said to have been given with great advantage in the 

 dysentery. The fresh roots bruised and made into an ointment, 

 or decoction, cure the itch. 



Rumex floribus hermaphroditis : valvulis integerrimis nudis 

 foliis cordatis glabris acutis. Syst. Nat. 



WATER DOCK. In muddy bottom brooks. Not common. July. 



The Indians used this root with great success in cleansing 

 foul ulcers. It is said they endeavored to keep it a secret from 

 the Europeans. Dr. Withering says, he saw an ill-conditioned 

 ulcer in the mouth, which had destroyed the palate, cured by 

 washing the mouth with a decoction of this root, and drink- 

 ing a small quantity of the same decoction daily. 



Not having opportunity to examine this plant since Dr. 

 Withering'?, Botany came into my hands, the circumstances he 

 mentions, respecting the American and British species, have not 

 been particularly attended to. At the time it was examined, it 

 appeared to correspond with the specific characters of Linnceus, 

 which are here given. 



Rumex 



