144 FAMILIAR Will) FLOWERS. 



the leaves come out of the ground; as may appeare by the 

 first picture, which setteth forth the naked stalkes and floures, 

 and by the second, which portraiteth the leaves onely." 

 Pliny and many of the older botanists thought that the 

 coltsfoot was without flowers, an error that is scarcely 

 excusable, for, notwithstanding- the fact that the flowers 

 appear in a general way before the leaves, small leaves 

 often begin to make their appearance before the flowering 

 season is over. Though these diminutive leaves bear no 

 proportion to the size they afterwards attain, they are 

 similar in character and appearance. The custom of 

 smoking the leaves of the plant is of very ancient date. 

 Pliny directs the dried leaves and roots of coltsfoot to be 

 burnt, and the smoke drawn into the mouth through a 

 reed and swallowed, as a remedy for an obstinate cough, 

 the patient sipping a little wine between each inhalation. 

 To derive the full benefit from it, it had to be burnt on 

 cypress charcoal. The leaves were formerly much gathered 

 in rustic districts for the manufacture of " British tobacco/' 

 and when mixed with yarrow and rose-leaves were said to 

 be good for asthma. A candied preparation was also made 

 with sugar, for the relief of colds. 



