A new medicinal, economical, and domestic herbal: containing a familiar and accurate description of upwards of six hundred British herbs, shrubs, trees, etc. together with some of themost esteemed ... exotic plants ... / The whole compiled and selected from the works of Linnaeus, Bechstein, Withering, Dambourney, Barthollet, etc.

Date:
1808
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A new medicinal, economical, and domestic herbal: containing a familiar and accurate description of upwards of six hundred British herbs, shrubs, trees, etc. together with some of themost esteemed ... exotic plants ... / The whole compiled and selected from the works of Linnaeus, Bechstein, Withering, Dambourney, Barthollet, etc. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    SPLEENWORT.—SPRING-GRASS. 509 exposed for a fortnight to the rays of the sun.—The seed-capsules of the Gattcridge-tree, when fermented in alum-water, produce a durable pale-yellow dye. SPLEENWORT, OR Hrart’s-Tongue.—A native peren- nial, growing in the fissures of moist shady rocks, old walls, and at the mouths of wells ; where it flowers in the months of August and September. The medicinal powers of this vegetable are highly praised for curing the bites of venomous serpents; in hypochondriasis; palpitations of the heart, &c. of which, how- ever, we have had no experience. SPOON-WORT.—See Scurvy-grass, the English. SPRING-GRASS, the Sweet-scented, or Vernal- grass.—An indigenous perennial, growing in the meadows and pastures; flowering in the months of May and June.—This is one of the earliest British pasture-grasses, and occasions the deli- cate flavour perceptible in newly-made hay. Jt is eagerly eaten by cows, horses, goats, and sheep; on account of its aromatic taste, and juicy, nutritive nature.—Mr. Swayne, however, ob- serves, that it abounds in wet lands, particularly on peat-bogs; and that it appears to be of little consequence ; as it is neither very productive to the farmer, nor palatable to cattle.—Never- theless, other agriculturists are of a different opinion ; and Mr. Sole, (See letters and papers, &c,) conceives that the vernal-grass would be an useful addition to meadows, by sowing it in the proportion of one-eighth. 'I'his judicious advice, every prac- tical husbandman will be induced to adopt; as it is a well-known fact, that this fragrant herb not only remarkably spreads, and increases in its bushy stalks, when cultivated in favourable situa- tions, but it also effectually checks the growth of moss, in sour meadows.—It is farther remarkable, that the root of this grass ossesses a strong odour, resembling that of musk.—Th'* dried lossoms are, on the Continent, employed for imparting an. greeable flavour to snuff’and tobacco. SPURGE.—A genus of plants, comprehending 110 species; 12 being natives of Britain ; the principal of which are the fol- lowing : 1. The Red Spurge, grows in woods and hedges, where it flowers in the month ol June.—The pulverized leaves of this plant, if taken in doses of from 15 to 25 grains, operate as a brisk purgative :—its juice, like that of all the other species of the spurge, is so extremely acrid, that it ulcerates every part of the body, with which it comes in contact. Hence, it is never used internally :—but, a single drop put into the cavity of an aching tooth, is said to have removed the pain, and at the same time destroyed the nerve. This corrosive liquid, however, may, according to Dr. Withering, be applied with safety to warts and corns ; as it eradicates them in a very short time, Ee