96 
ARTEiMISIA ABSINTHIUM. 
that among the plants entitled cephalics, lavender has perhaps the 
best title to it; and whether applied externally, or given internally, 
it is a powerful stimulant to the nervous system.* 
Bergiiis speaks highly of it, and says, " Virtus, nervina, resolvens, 
tonica, emmenagoga." Lavender is now however chiefly used 
as a perfume, being seldom prescribed but in combination with other 
medicines. A mixture of one part of oil of lavender, and three 
parts of turpentine, or rectified spirit, was formerly a very celebrated 
application to old sprains, indolent tumours, diseased joints, &c. 
It was sold under the name of oil of spike, and still holds its 
reputation with the uninformed. 
Off. The flowering Spikes. 
Oflf. Pp. Oleum Lavandula, L. E. D. 
Spiritus Lavandulae, L. E. D. 
Composit. L. E. D. 
ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM. 
Common Wortnwood.* 
Class Syngenesia. — Order Polygamia Superflua. 
Nat. Ord. Composite Discoide^, Linn, Corymbifer^, Juss. 
Gen. Char. Receptacle either hairy or naked. Pappus none. 
Calyx imbricated, with rounded converging scales. Florets 
of the ray, none. 
Spec. Char. Leaves compound, multifid. Flowers sub-glo- 
bose, pendulous. Receptacle villous. 
The genus Artemisia comprises nearly fifty species, J natives of 
almost every country in Europe, and of Asia. Of the four officinal 
species, three are indigenous to Britain. 
♦ Mat. Med. p. 513. 
t In the annexed drawing, fig. «. represents the caljx magnified, b. A magnified 
corolla spread open to shew the insertion of the stamens, c. A perfect floret magnified. 
d. The pistillam magnified. 
t According to the Hort. Cant, forty-eight species are cnltivated in the various 
botanic gardens. 
