The BRITISH HERBAL. 
423 
GENUS viir. 
M A S T E R W O R T. 
IMPERATORIJ. 
'T^HE flowers are difpofed in rounded umbelis. There are no leaves at the b^fe of the principal 
ftalks, but feveral fmall ones at the fubdivifions. The cup is Icarce viHble. Each flower is com- 
pofed of five regular petals, nipped at the ends. The feeds are oval, edged with a broad rim, and 
marked with two furrows. 
Linnseus places it with the others. 
' "ifnperatoria vMlgans. 
The root is long, thick, and divided ; brown 
on the outfide, white within, and of an aroma- 
■tid^, "but vcff acrid tafte.' - 
The ftalk is upright, firm, fl:riatcd, branched, 
"ahdiour fret 'high.' 
The leaves are compofed of numerous^, 'ob- 
long parts, fcrrated, of a deep green, and placed 
on brandied footfta'lks. • . ' ' 
The fiowers are fmall and white ; but they are 
placed in large umbells. « 
The feeds are brown. 
It is a native of many of the warmer parts of 
Europe, and flowei s in June. 
C. Bauhine calls it Jmpercitoria major. Others 
ImpercitCiia vidgdris. 
The root is cordial and fudorifick, and is 
greatly recommended againft malignant andpefti- 
lentiai fevers. * 
■ • '^^"'"^ G E N U S IX. 
L O V A G E. 
" "L E V I S r I C U M. 
THE flowers ftand in umbells on numerous fubdivided branches : at the bafe ftand feveral 
leaves, and at the fubdivifions four. The cup is.xlivided into five fegments. Each flower 
confifis of ftve petals ; which are plain, hollowed, and turned back. The feeds are oblono- and 
fmoot^iy Fnarted -at 'the back with five ribs, and .flat on rhe other fide. ^ 
\ . ^LiionSBUS places this with t^ie reft among the pentandria 7nonp^ynia. 
Lovage. 
Lc"Jift.icum vulgare, 
• The root is long, thick, and furniflied with 
many fibres. 
■ The ftalk is fliriated, firm, fix feet high, and 
"divided into numerous branches. 
The leaves are large j and they are com- 
pol'cd of very numerous fegments ; which are 
oblong, ferrated, fliarp-pointcd, and of a deep, 
Jtinlng green. 
The flowers are finall and yellow, and the feeds 
are brown. 
The whole pl.mt has a flrong, and not very 
agreeable fmcll. 
It is a native of Spain, and flowers in July. 
C. Bauhine calls it Vgujliaim vulgare. Others 
hevifticum vulgare. 
It is recommended againft pefl:ilential diforders 
as a cordial and fudorifick. 
An infufion of the root operates by urine fafeJy 
and powerfully 1 and is good againft obfl:rudtions 
of the vifcera, and in the grave!. 
GENUS X, 
SERMOUNTAIN. 
S I L E R M 0 N r A N U M. 
rpHE fiowers are difpofed in umbells, on divided and fubdivided branches ; and there are fmall 
leaves both at the bafes of the principal branches, and their fubdivifions. The cup is divided 
into five parts, and is very fmall. The flower? are each formed of five equal petals, bent back at the 
ends; and the feeds have a double, foliaceous rim. 
LinnFcus places this with the preceding among the pentandria mo7iogynia ; but he does not allow it 
£Q be a ^iiftiniS genus. 
Sermountain. 
SUer jnorJanum z'ulgare. 
The root is long, thick, and tufted at the top 
with fibres of decayed leaves. 
The ftalk is five feet high, ftriated, hollow 
and branched. 
The leaves are very beautiful : they are of a 
bright green, large, and compofed of almoft in- 
numerable fmall, oblong, pointed fegments, 
^ Th& 
