Family Herbal - Electric Scotland

FAMILY HERBAL. 223
green, and brittle ; and when broken,, they yield a
vast quantity of an acrid, milky juice. The leaves
stand singly ; they are broad, and not very long-,,
and of a beautiful shape, terminating' in a point.
The flowers are large, and of the shape of a bell :
they are of a deep purple on the inside, and of a
pale red without and the ; seed-vessels are large,
as are also the seeds. The root is whitish, and very
thick.
The root is the part used : our
druggists keep it
dry.
It is in slices, and is whitish and brittle.
It is an excellent purge, but there requires a large
dose to work tolerably ; tins has occasioned its being"
much less used than worse medicines, that operate
more strongly, and can be taken with less disgust ;
but it is to be lamented, that so litt'^ use is made
of it.
Medlar Tree. Mcsp'tiis.
A commox tree in our gardens. It is of the bigness
of an apple tree, and grows in the same irregular
manner : the branches have thorns on them. The
leaves are longer and narrower than in the apple
tree, and they terminate in a point. The blossoms
are large and white. The fruit is roundish, and
open at the bottom : and till very much mellowed, is
of an austere taste.
A strong decoction of unripe medlars, is good
to
stop violent purgings. The seeds work by urine,
and are good against the gravel ; but there are so
many more powerful things at hand, they
are seldom
used.
Melilot. Melilotus.
A common wild plant, with three leaves at