354 
THE COTTAGE GABDENEB. 
ence, in a medicinal point of view, between the two 
species is, that the latter is rather more powerful and 
efficacious than the former; and, with this prefatory 
remark, I shall now speak of them as but one plant. 
The milkwort, like all the other individuals of this 
order, has a bitter astringent taste in its leaves, which 
property is much more fully developed in its roots. 
It is the latter part of the plant, consequently, which 
is used in medicine, and an infusion of it is a safe 
cathartic, as well as of considerable use for a cough 
proceeding from cold, since it promotes expectoration. 
It is also employed in cases of pleurisy, in consump¬ 
tion, and in malignant fevers, with great benefit. 
The powder of the root is given in doses of from half 
a drachm to a drachm ; or a pint and a half of water, 
with an ounce of it therein, may be boiled down to a 
pint, and drank with milk. 
Caryophyllaceas. —Of so little use are any of these 
plants, that it may be wondered why the order is 
retained in the medical list. For the most part, they 
are remarkable for their insipidity and general inac¬ 
tivity; and though some of them had useful properties 
attributed to them, it is now believed that they had 
no real claim to any such virtues. In this list I may 
mention the soapwort ( Saponaria officinalis L.), the 
campion ( Lychnis dioica L), and the chickweed 
(.Stellaria media), all of which are mentioned by 
the old herbalists. I may observe in passing, that 
the last plant may be boiled for the table like spinach. 
The only species to which I shall refer is the Clove 
Pink ( Dianthus caryophyllus L.), which is well known, 
and in the highest favour for its beauty and rich 
spicy odour. It has been cultivated in Europe from 
time immemorial, and is the source from whence 
have been derived all the beautiful varieties of car¬ 
nations and picotees. Like all its congeners, it is 
quite destitute of any real medical value, though it 
is still used in physic on account of the agreeable 
colour and flavour which it imparts. The flowers 
are for this purpose made into a syrup, which, from 
its harmless nature, forms a very desirable modifier 
of the nauseous mixtures which we sometimes are 
obliged to take. 
Formerly, this syrup was supposed to be able to 
raise the spirits, or, in the language of the time, “ to 
wai’me and comforte the harte;” it was also recom¬ 
mended in various nervous and spasmodic affections, 
and in malignant fevers; but its medical use is now 
quite obsolete, except as a flavouring and colouring 
agent. 
Lineal —The claims of the plants in this order to 
our notice are not very important, for the use that 
may be made of them in curing any of the “ ills 
that flesh is hen to,” while at the same time, some 
of the species are of immense importance to the 
world, from the extraordinary tenacity of their fibres, 
which renders them suitable for being manufactured 
into coarse cloths and thread, but especially into 
that valuable fabric (which takes its name from the 
plant) linen. 
There are but two species of any medical interest, 
both of which, are natives of England ; and their only 
common quality is the presence of oil and mucilage 
in their seeds, which renders them consequently 
emollient. 
Blue Flax ( Linum usitatissimum L.). —This is 
the plant, whose fibres, commonly known as flax, 
have been used from time immemorial in the manu¬ 
facture of cloth and thread. The substance which 
we call tow, is the short fibres of the same plant; those 
which are too short for being woven into linen; and 
this latter material when scraped and thus torn up 
[March 28 . 
constitutes lint —a very important agent to the sur¬ 
geon. 
An infusion of the seeds, well known as linseed tea, 
is of great use in all cases where there is any irritation 
of the mucous membranes; as in violent diarrliaea, 
and in affections of the lungs, when it acts as a 
demulcent, and allays the irritation. The seeds, 
when bruised and moistened with boiling water, form 
a most valuable emollient poultice; and according 
to Dr. Lindley, the oil mixed with lime-water has 
been a favourite application for burns. 
Much more do I feel disposed to say regarding 
the many useful purposes to which this pretty little 
plant is turned, but I must curb my inclination to he 
communicative upon that which does not materially 
affect the object of my present writing, and I there¬ 
fore pass on to the notice of the other species. 
White Flax (Linum catharticum L.). —Though 
now almost obsolete, this plant was formerly in con 
siderable repute as a cure for rheumatism; and 
country people still gather it for this purpose. In 
obstinate cases of this kind, Dr. Withering found a 
doze of two drachms of the dried herb very useful; 
or an infusion of a handful of the green plant will 
have a similar effect. Its taste is bitter, and its action 
powerfully, though not dangerously, cathartic. It is, 
however, somewhat uncertain in its operation. 
The plant may be commonly met with in pastures 
in England, and also in other parts of Europe; and 
in such profusion does it grow about Versailles, as to 
cause the fields (small as are its blossoms) to appear 
quite white with them. 
OUB VILLAGE WALKS. 
(No. 23.) 
There is one particular spot, which I pass almost 
daily, where I am sure to hear the joyous, thrilling 
notes of the lark. It is a large open piece of arable 
land, lying high and dry, and there is a freshness and 
buoyancy in the unconfined air, which the lark seems 
to relish as much as I do myself; and I often pause 
to listen to his joyous song, and try to discern his 
little fluttering form suspended in the air; but I can 
seldom see him. He is soon lost in clouds and space, 
and his warbling notes alone mark his soaring flight. 
What energy, what vivacity, what enthusiasm there 
is in the lark’s song! It seems to grow fuller and 
richer as he rises higher and higher as if the clear, 
delicious air inspired him, the more he tastes it in 
its lofty purity, and made him rejoice in ascending 
beyond the fogs and vapours of the earth. Does it 
not remind us, as we listen to his voice, of the gladness 
that swells the Christian’s heart, as his hopes rise 
higher and higher, beyond “ the things on the earth, 
to those things that are above—and brighten as they 
rise? Buoyant and sportive as is the soaring wing, 
melodious as is the lively lay, yet there is a sweeter, 
holier song for man to sing—a bolder, higher, grander 
flight for him. The beliover is borne, amid “ the 
changes and chances” of the world, “on eagles 
wings;” and the “ new song ” that is set to the music of 
Mount Zion, has no parallel on earth. It is a song 
begun, indeed, among the clouds of our tempest-tossed 
life, but that will never cease throughout a glorious 
eternity. Has not the merry lark a word for us, as 
the gusliings of his song reach our listening ear ? He 
tells us, that we too ought to make melody in our 
hearts for all the goodness of God; he pours forth 
his praise for lesser mercies—while the voice of man 
is mute. Does not the unceasing warble of this little 
bird condemn the disregard we shew to our own high 
calling ? 
