18. PENNY-ROYAL MINT- MENTHA

PULEGIUM

Is a native of watery places in various parts of Europe. It is easily propagated by parting the roots in spring. They succeed best in a strong moist soil, and when planted on the edges of rivulets, ponds, &c.

Penny-royal has a warm pungent flavour, somewhat similar to mint, but more acrid, and less agreeable both in taste and smell. It possesses the general properties of the other mints; but is supposed to be of less efficacy as a stomachic. This herb is less frequently used now for medicinal purposes than formerly.

19. PEPPERMINT. - MENTHA PIPERITA.

A native of watery places in various parts of England. This variety has a more penetrating smell than any of the other mints, and a much stronger and warmer taste. It may be increased with facility by young offset plants or shoots, or by parting the roots in spring, or by planting cuttings during any of the summer months in a moist soil. Peppermint is much cultivated for medicinal purposes, as well as for distillation: its stomachic and carminative qualities render it useful in flatulent colics, hysteric affections, and retchings, in which it acts as a cordial. The essence of peppermint was formerly considered an elegant medicine; and a cordial is made from this plant, which is by many people much admired.

20. ROSEMARY.

ROSMARINUS.

A native of the south of Europe, the Le 'ant, and found occasionally in the Grecian islands. It was first introduced into England about the year 1548. It is propagated from the seed, or by planting slips or cuttings in the early spring months.

Rosemary has a fragrant aromatic smell, and a warm, bitterish, pungent taste: the leaves and tender tops are the strongest; the flowers, by themselves, are much weaker, but more agreeable.

This herb is reckoned one of the most powerful of those plants which stimulate and corroborate the nervous system; it has, therefore, been recommended in various affections, supposed to proceed from debilities: it is generally given in the form of infusion; but is now seldom prescribed.

21. RUE-RUTA

Is a hardy shrub, and a native of the south of Europe. It is propagated in a similar manner to the rosemary, and requires the same cultivation. It is stated not to have been known in this country before the year 1562.

The common rue has a strong ungrateful odour, and a bitter, hot, penetrating taste. The leaves are so acrid as to irritate and inflame the skin if they are much handled. Rue was much used by the ancients, who ascribed to it many excellent qualities. It is employed by some as a tea; and also externally in various kinds of fomentations. A conserve, made by beating the fresh leaves with thrice their

weight of sugar, is the most commodious form for using the herb in substance. It is a powerful astringent, and adapted to phlegmatic habits, or weak and hysterical constitutions, suffering from retarded or obstructive secretions.

22. SCURVY GRASS..

COCHLEARIA.

Common on the sea-coasts of Europe, and not unfrequent in mountainous countries, far inland. It is biennial, and propagated from seed sown in the spring, or by parting the roots and planting them in a light moist soil.

This plant has a warm, acrid, bitter taste; and a pungent, rather unpleasant, smell when bruised. It has been considered as one of the most effectual of all the antiscorbutic plants; and has also been found a useful remedy in paralytic affections, and other diseases that require an active stimulus. It is most beneficial as an antiscorbutic, when eaten as a salad with water-cresses, &c.

23. TANSY.-TANACETUM.

A native of banks, hedges, and borders of fields, in most parts of the middle of Europe, and very frequent in England. It is perennial, and easily propagated by seed, and also by parting the roots in spring, and planting them in any sort of light soil or situation.

Tansy has a strong and aromatic smell, and a bitter taste. It is tonic and stomachic, and has the usual qualities attributed to bitters of the warm or

aromatic kind: it was formerly much used in puddings, but has of late years been neglected, and is now seldom used either as a culinary vegetable or medicinal herb.

24. TEA SAGE-SALVIA

Is a native of the south of Europe, a perennial, and readily increased by planting slips or cuttings in April.

Sage has a strong fragrant smell, and a warm, bitterish, aromatic taste. It was in ancient times considered as a remedy of general efficacy in all diseases: hence the old adage,

Cur moriatur homo, cui salvia crescit in horto?

Why should a man die, while he has sage in his garden? At present, however, few practitioners consider it as an article of much importance in medicine.

Although frequently employed as a sudorific, it seems to have no advantage in this respect over many other plants.

The Chinese, who are said to have experienced the good effect of sage, value it highly, and prefer it to their own tea. The Dutch have long been in the habit of drying sage leaves in great quantities, and taking them out to China, where, for every pound of sage they get in exchange four pounds of tea.

25. WORMWOOD-ARTEMISIA

Grows wild about dunghills, and on dry waste grounds. It is a hardy perennial, and may be pro

pagated by slips in March or October, or raised from seeds sown soon after they are ripe. The leaves have a strong offensive smell, and a very bitter nauseous taste; the flowers are equally bitter, but less nauseous.

Wormwood is a moderately warm stomachic and corroborant: and for these purposes it was formerly in common use, but it has now given place to bitters of a less ungrateful kind. Wormwood was formerly much used by brewers instead of hops, to give the bitter taste to their malt liquors, and to preserve them. This plant very powerfully resists putrefaction, and is made a principal ingredient in antiseptic fomentations.