318 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



P. sativum, Hoffmann. — Leaves decompound; segments of lower one3 cuneate-ovate, 

 trifid and incised dentate, of the upper, linear-lanceolate, nearly entire; involucels subu- 

 late. 



Hoffmann, Umb. 1, t. 1, f. 2; De Candolle, Prod., iv. 102; Darlington, 

 Fl. Cest., 188 ; Apium petroselinum, Linn., Sp. PI. 379. 

 Common Name. — Parsley. 

 Foreign Names. — Persil, Fr. ; Die petersilie, Ger. 



Description. — Root fusiform, fleshy, biennial. Stem 2—4 feet high, somewhat angu- 

 lar, striate with green and yellow lines, branching, smooth. Leaves of a bright green, 

 smooth ; the lower much dissected, terminal segments 3-parted ; upper mostly 3-parted, 

 with narrow segments. Umbels terminal and axillary, pedunculate. Involucre often of 

 a single leaf, sometimes 2 — 3, linear or subulate. Involucels of 5 — 6 short subulate 

 leaves. Petals greenish-white. Fruit ovate ; styles short and recurved. 



This plant is a native of the countries bordering on the Mediterranean, 

 and is now generally cultivated in gardens. It flowers in June, and ripens 

 its fruit in August. A variety is often met with, having the lower leaves 

 broader and much curled at the edges. The whole herb possesses a peculiar 

 aromatic odour. It is cultivated principally for the sake of its leaves, which 

 are used for a variety of culinary purposes. The parts used in medicine 

 are the root, seeds and leaves. They all owe their properties to the presence 

 of a volatile oil. 



Medical Uses, fyc. — The root has some celebrity as a diuretic, but is sel- 

 dom employed in regular practice. Dr. Chapman, however, speaks of it in 

 high terms in the treatment of dropsies (Flem. Tkerap., Src i. 276) ; and it 

 has also been advantageous in suppression of urine, especially in children, 

 and in strangury. The best mode of administering it is in strong infusion. 

 The seeds have been employed as carminatives, and for the same purposes 

 as the root. It is asserted by Richter that, when powdered and sprinkled on 

 the hair, or applied in the form of an ointment, they will effectually destroy 

 vermin. [Am. Cyclop. Prac. Med., ii. 199.) The leaves and whole herb 

 have been used in a variety of diseases. Tissot says that they will cure the 

 bites or stings of insects, and they are much employed to relieve the pain 

 and swelling of contusions. They have also been considered efficacious in 

 swelled breasts and enlarged glands. (Nouv. Jour, de Med., v. 209.) Roche- 

 fort states that they are useful in small-pox (Mat. Med., i. 446.) One of 

 the most extraordinary properties attributed to this herb is, that it will cause 

 the fracture of glass vessels by being rubbed on them ; this is gravely asserted 

 by Lemery, who says it is owing to a penetrating salt contained in the plant, . 

 corroding the glass. The volatile oil is usually obtained by distillation from 

 the seeds ; it is of a pale yellow colour, has the odour and taste of the plant, 

 and deposits a white camphoraceous substance by standing. It may be 

 used in all cases in which the seeds are employed, but is seldom prescribed. 

 Burnett says that the seeds are a deadly poison to parrots. 



Carum. — Linn. 



Margin of calyx obsolete. Petals obovate, emarginate, inflexed. Stylopodium de- 

 pressed. Fruit contracted on the side, ovate or oblong. Mericarps with five equal equi- 

 distant ribs ; intervals with a single vitta. Commissure flat, vittate. Carpophore free, 

 bifid at apex. 



A small genus of smooth, and often perennial herbs, with tuberous edible 





