350 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



herb. It is used in salads and soups, also pickled, and an 

 infusion in vinegar forms tarragon vinegar. 



Wormwood {Artemisia Absinthium^) A. maritima, natives of 

 Britain, and A. pontica of Germany, east of Europe, and 

 western Asia, are all hardy perennials, having the same habit 

 and properties, being aromatic, intensely bitter, and in great 

 repute as a vermifuge, whence its name Wormwood. 



It is used to prevent moths and other insects from infest- 

 ing clothes and furniture. In Switzerland a bitter abstract 

 called Absinthe is extensively manufactured from these, 

 especially A. pontica^ and is drunk in large quantities by the 

 French, millions of gallons being annually imported from 

 Switzerland, as well as a large quantity of it being manufac- 

 tured in France. It first produces activity and pleasant 

 sensations, and inspires grand ideas to the mind, but its 

 'habitual use brings on stupor and gradual diminution of the 

 intellectual faculties, ending in delirium and death. The 

 French Government have found it necessary to prohibit the 

 use of it in the army and navy. Wormwood is frequently 

 mentioned in the Bible, and is symbolical of bitter calamity. 



Southernwood {Artemisia Ahrotanum). A well-known 

 garden shrub, much in favour for its stimulating, aromatic 

 odour ; it is native of the south of Europe. In some parts 

 of Scotland it is known by the name of " Apple ringey." 



Moxa {Artemisia chinensis). A native of China, and used 

 for producing a blister, which is done by burning small pellets 

 of the dried plant on the skin. 



Costus {Aplotaxis Lappa or Auchlandia Cosfus). A strong 

 rooted perennial, native of the valleys of Cashmere, pro- 

 ducing a flower-stem 5 or 6 feet in height ; lobed slashed 

 leaves about 2 feet long, and flowers in thistle-like heads, of 

 a purple colour ; the root is collected in large quantities and 

 conveyed to Bombay, where it is shipped to ports in the Persian 

 Gulf, the Red Sea, and to China. Its chief use is for incense 

 and perfume, also to protect Cashmere shawls from moths. It 

 is supposed to be the celebrated Costus of the ancients. 



Guaco {Mikania guaco). This and several other species of 



