*54 
A Treatise on 
The Plant is called Stcechas purpurea , C. B. P. 
216. Stcechas Arahica vulgo difta, J. B. 3. 277. 
Stcechas brevioribus ligulis , Cius. Hifi. 344. It grows 
plentifully in Languedoc , and in thofe Iflands on 
the Coaft of Provence which the French call les IJles 
d'Hyeres . 
A confiderable Quantity of aromatick effential 
Oil is obtained from Stoechas by Diftillation, to 
which its Smell and Virtues are owing. 
It is chiefly ufed in cold Affe&ions of the Head 
and Nerves : It moreover provokes Urine and the 
Menfes , and refills Poifons. Mefue aflferts that the 
Plant purges Phlegm and black Bile, though very 
flowly and weakly ; but by the Moderns it is not 
reckoned among Purgatives. An eflfential Oil is 
drawn from thefe flowery Tops, as from the Tops 
of Lavender, and its Virtues are the fame ; but it 
is feldom ufed in Medicines. 
Art 1 c. I. Of Raisins and Currants. 
HESE are the ripe Fruits of manured Vines 
which have been dried in the Sun. Sometimes 
they are dried in an Oven ; but by this Manage- 
ment they are rendered more acid, and are rarely 
ufed in the Shops. 
We are then to underftand by the Uva paffa Off. 
and the rx(p)g of Dio fcor ides, all cultivated Grapes 
that have fuffered a due Infolation. The ancient 
Greeks diflinguifhed two Sorts. The one confided 
of Grapes, which having the Foot-Stalks of their 
C H A P. VI. 
Of Fruits and Seeds. 
Bunches 
