CLASS XVIL DIADELPHIA. 
DECANDRIA. 
193. The COMMON BROOM (Spartium scoparium) is 
a shrub common on sandy pastures and heaths in nearly all the 
southern parts of England; and is distinguished by having 
large, yellow, butterfly-shaped flowers, leaves in threes, and 
single, and the branches angular. 
Few of our wild plants are applicable to more numer- 
ous purposes of domestic utility than this. Its twigs 
are tied in bundles, and formed into brooms. Some 
persons roast the seeds, and make them into a kind of 
coffee. The fibrous and elastic parts of the bark, after 
having been separated by soaking in water, may be 
manufactured into cordage, matting, and even into a 
coarse kind of cloth. The twigs and young branches 
have been successfully employed as a substitute for 
oak bark, in the tanning of leather. They may also 
be rendered serviceable as thatch for houses, and corn 
ricks ; and somd persons mix them with hops in brew- 
ing ; but it is doubtful whether, in this respect, they are 
wholesome. The flower buds, when pickled, have oc- 
casionally been used as a substitute for capers. 
The wood, where the dimensions are sufficient for the 
purpose, is employed by cabinet-makers for veneering; 
and it is stated by Dr. Mead, that a decoction of the 
green tops, in conjunction with mustard, has been 
found efficacious in the cure of dropsy. - 
194. SPANISH BROOM, or SPART (Spartium jun- 
ceum), is a well-known ornamental flowering shriib in our 
gardens, which has opposite, round branches, that flower at 
the top, and spear-shaped leaves. 
In the province of Valencia, and other parts of Spain, 
great attention is paid to this manufacture of various 
articles from the twigs and bark of this shrub. They 
