114 
RUMEX AQUATICUS. 
This indigenous plant is a native of Britain, and isfound growing 
in wet ditches, pools, and on the banks of rivers, flowering in July 
and August. The root is perennial, thick, large, externally of a dark 
blackish colour, internally whitish ; the stem rises erect to about 
five feet in height, channelled, smooth, and towards the top branched; 
the leaves on the upper part of the stem are long, narrow, and on 
the flower spikes linear and pointed : those which arise from the 
lower part of the stem, are near a foot and a half in length, obcordate, 
somewhat indented at the edges, and stand upon long channelled 
footstalks ; the flowers are numerous, and hang in whorled spikes 
upon slender peduncles ; the calyx is permanent, and divided into 
three narrow, pointed segments ; the corolla consists of three nar- 
row, ovate, pointed petals ; the stamens are short, slender, and 
support erect double anthers ; the germen is triangular, and supports 
three reflexed styles, terminated by rough stigmata ; the capsule 
is formed of the petals, which by approaching each other form a 
triangle, and in this state are called valves; these are ovate, pointed, 
slightly notched towards the base, and marked with a small linear 
grain, extending down the middle of each valve ; the seed is solitary, 
ovate, triangular. 
This species of Rumex, is the Bper^vviKV) vi Berrovm^ of Diosco- 
rides, and under various synonyms has been generally thought to 
be the Herba Britannica of the ancients,* so celebrated for the cure 
of the scurvy, and some cutaneous diseases. 
Sensible Qualities, &c. The root (the oflicinal part) of 
this plant has little or no smell, its taste is very austere ; the watery 
infusion strikes a deep black with sulphate of iron ; it gives out its 
virtues both to alcohol and water. 
Medical Properties and Uses. The root of water-dock 
is strongly astringent, and was formerly much employed both as an 
external and internal remedy, for the cure of scurvyf , particularly 
when the gums are spongy, and haemorrhages ensue ; and we are 
told by Linnaeus,! that it is the only remedy which proves eflica- 
cious in the scurvy of the Laplanders, when the ulcers are healed, 
and the patient is attacked with asthma. It has also been recom- 
mended in various other cutaneous diseases, and in obstructions of 
the viscera. The powdered root is said to be an excellent dentri- 
* See Dios, lib. iv. c. 2; also Plin. lib. xxv. c._3. 
t Vide Lind's Treatise on Scurvy, p. 264. 
I Correspoudeoce of Linnseas, vol. ii. p. 4T6. 
