APPENDIX. 
191 
Samphire. Critlimum maritimum, and Salicornia herbacea. 
The first of these is the English samphire; the second the 
American. Both grow on the sea-coast, and are used as 
pickles. The salicornia is also found in great quantities on 
the coast of the Mediterranean, where its ashes are used in 
the manufacture of soda. Ihe word samphire is a coirup- 
tion of the French Saint Pierre. On Dover heights Edgar 
exclaims to Gloster, — 
« Stand still. — How fearful 
And dizzy ’tis to cast one’s eyes so low! 
The crows and choughs, that wing the midway air, 
Show scarce so gross as beetles. Half way down 
Hangs one that gathers samphire — dreadful trade I 
Methinks he seems no bigger than his head.” 
Sassafras. Laurus sassafras. 
This fragrant shrub or tree became known to the old world 
on the discovery of Florida, and was sold at enormous prices 
when first introduced into Europe, on account of the great 
medicinal virtues attributed to it. It was cultivated in Eng¬ 
land before 1633. A tincture of the bark is still in vogue for 
the cure of rheumatism, gout, &c., though it is generally used 
in a combination with sarsaparilla. 
