Foreign Vegetables. 449 
the Belly. The ufualDofe is from gfs. to 5j. and 
from %). to iv. in Clyflers. 
Bitter Almonds are accounted inciding, deter- 
five, opening, diuretick, and good to kill Worms * 
but they are feldom taken by Reafon of their Bit- 
ternefs. Their exprefied Oil, being drank from §fs. 
to X]- in Broth, is faid to provoke Urine, loofen 
the Belly, help fpitting, and to difcufs Wind. Exter- 
nally it is commended to refolve inflamed Swellings 
of the Tonlils, and others, and to mitigate Pains. 
It foftens and loofens hard Ear-wax occafioning 
Deafnefs, and for this Purpofe is fometimes dropt 
upon Cotton and put into the Ears ; but if the 
Deafnefs proceed from another Caufe it is improper * 
for Hoffman obferves, that it very often relaxes the 
Membrane of the Drum, and fo increafes the Difor- 
der. Moreover, the Oil of bitter Almonds is ufed 
as a Cofmetick to take Tan and Freckles off the 
Face *, and, mixed with the Oil of Eggs, it prevents 
Pitting in the Small-Pox. 
The Wild Cucumber. 
Cucumis agreftis , Off. The wild Cucumber is about 
an Inch and Half or two Inches long, rough on the 
outfide, having a great Number of fmall Protuberan- 
ces with harmlefs Prickles Handing upon them ^ 
within divided into three Cells, wherein is contain- 
ed a bitter Pulp with feveral broad, fmooth and 
dark colour’d Seeds ^ which, when the Fruit is quite 
ripe, upon prefilng it gently with the Hand, im- 
mediataly fquirt forth to a confiderable Diftance. 
The Plant which produces it is the Cucumis Sylveff 
tris afininus diffus, C. B. P. 314. It grows fponta- 
neoufly in the Southern Parts of France by the WaJ- 
fides, and with us is planted in Gardens. 
G g This 
