338 The B R I T I S H H E R B A L. 
LinnSLis places this among the ii;>nfl fyngcnefia^ making it a kind of Tufcus; but the ficuation 
of the flowers is a fufficient diltinftion i and the difference is confirmed by the general afpcd of 
the plant. 
I. Long-leaved Alexandrian Laurel. 
Hippcglojfi-.m fruSiihus Jv.h folioUs longijolia. 
The root is compofed of numerous fibres, thick, 
long, crooked, entangled one among another, 
and penetrating to a great depth. 
The ftaiks are numerous, firm, tough, woody, 
branched, and fpreading: they are four feet high, 
and in the whole ufually form a large buOi. 
The leaves arc large, of a firm fubftance, and 
f.ne deep green : they are long, but confiderably 
broad, fmall at the bafe, broadefl toward the 
middle, and fliarp at the point ; and they are 
marked all the length with large longitudinal 
veins. 
On the middle of each leaf there grows another 
fmall one ; and under this rifes the pedicle, which 
fupports the flower ; fometUnes there is only one, 
fometimcs the ftalk fplits, and fupports one on 
each divifion. 
The footflalk is flendef and fliort. 
The flower is fmall and yellowifh. 
The berries are large, round, and, when ripe, 
of a fine red. 
It is common in damp forefts in the warmer 
parts of Europe, and flowers in June. 
C. Bauhine calls it Laurus /IlexnnJrina fru£lii 
fediculo infidente. Others, Hip-poglojfiim vulgare, 
and Hippoglojfum mas. 
What is called the female hipfogloffim is only a 
variety of this, not a diftinft fpecics, difl'eringonly 
in fize and in the colour of the fruit, which in- 
clines to orange. The Latin name fliould be tranf- 
lated Alexandrian hay^ not laurel : but cuflom 
has rendered it otherwife % and the name upon 
the whole is too bad for amendment. It is fiu 
the reader know thefe vulgar names of plants 
with the more proper. 
2. Broad-leaved Alexandrian Laurel. 
HippoghJJum latifolium fruSiu folio infsdente. 
The root is compofed of numerous, thick, and 
fpreading fibres. 
The ftalks are woody, tough, and of a pale 
green colour, but (lender, and feldom much 
branched. 
The leaves are broad and fhort : they are of a 
pale green, and have high ribs running length- 
wife i and they terminate in a fharp point. 
The flower is fmall and greenifh ; it grows to 
the middle of the leaf, and is of a pale, grcenifh, 
yellow colour. 
The berry is round, large, and, when ripe» of 
a fine red. 
It is a native of the warmer parts of Europe in 
woods and damp thickets. It flowers in May. 
C. Bauhine calls it Lmirus Akxandrina fr:t£lH 
folio ivfidente. 
Both kinds have the credit of being excellent 
vulneraries; but they are rarely ufed. Thefe fore 
of medicines in general owed their credit to fancy, 
rather than to any real virtues ; and a better 
knowledge of furgery has now banifhed their 
ufe. 
7'be END of the NINETEENTH CLASS. 
T H E 
