The VEGETABLE SYSTEM. 
53 
i. HARSH SCABIOUS. 
Plate 24. Fig. 1. common scabious. 
Chara&er of the Species. Scabiofa Arvenfis. 
The Plant is covered with long firm Hairs which feel 
harfli ; the Flowers fpread, and form a broad open 
Verge. 
Fig. 1. ab. 
This is a biennial, native of our Corn-Fields, and flowers in July 5 
a ftately handfome Plant, that would be thought an ornament in gar- 
dens, were it not found in fields. It grows to two feet and a half in 
heighth. The Stalk is pale and branched. The Leaves are of a light, 
but pleaflng green j and the Flowers are large, and of a very delicate 
pale crimfon. 
This Plant hands at the Head of a very large Genus, of which I am 
afraid all are not genuine Species which are honoured with that name. 
It is evident, that but the laffc year, I had at Bayswater, a Plant of the 
mongrel or mixt kind, between the Eryngium Planum, and this com- 
mon Scabious 3 and I fufped extremely, that the Syrian Scabious has 
the Paftoria, or little Teafell, for one of its parents : perhaps there are 
fome others that (hould be marked with the fame character, which ex- 
perience and ftridt obfervation will fhew. 
This common Scabious, is a Plant of very confiderable virtue, but at 
this time much negle&ed. Chymical medicines have taken, in too 
great a degree, the place of often more effectual, and always more in- 
nocent preparations from Plants. What I perfonally know of the vir- 
tues of this, is worthy to be known by all. I have cured afthmas, with 
a fyrupof Scabious made with honey: and terribly ulcerated legs, with 
a pultice of the Leaves of Scabious, boiled to foftnefs. 
2. LANC’D LEAV’D SCABIOUS. 
Plate 2 e. Fi°-. 1 . devilsbit scabious. 
• O 
Chara&er of the Species. Scabiofa Succifa. 
The Leaves are broad, fimple, lanc’d, and ferrated at the 
edges. 
O 
Fig. 1 . ab. 
This is a perennial, native of our dry paftures 3 and flowers in July. 
It grows to two feet or more in heighth 3 but the Stalk naturally leans, 
in 
