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Show 330 ELM-LEAVED SUMACH. a eS i SeesKthier: MEDICAL USE. hh ~ F The genus to which this species belongs comprehends several species which are knownto be extremely poisonous, especially the rhus toxicodendron, radicans, and vernix; but the coriaria is perfectly innocent, and its berries are in some places used for culinary purposes. Its medicinal qualities are wholly to be ascribed to its stype ticity or astringency; a property which it possesses in a suf. ficient degree to renderit useful in dyeing, and also in tanning of leather, for which it was used in the time of Dioscorides. Both the leaves and berries have been employed in medicine , but the former are more astringent and tonic, and have been long in common use in various complaints indicating this class of remedies. The berries, which are red, and of a roundish compress ed figure, contain a pulpy matter, in which is lodged a brown, hard, oval seed, manifesting a considerable degree of astringency. The pulp, even when dry, is gratefully acid, and has been dis. covered to contain anessential salt similar to that of wood-sorrel, or perhaps morenearlyallied to crystals of tartar. An infusion of the dryfruit is not rendered black by a solution of iron; hence it appears to be destitute of astringency ; but its acidity is extremely grateful, which has causedthe tree to be called by the French le vinaigrier, Therefore, like many other acid summer fruits, these berries may be advantageously taken to allay febrile heat, and to correct bilious putrescency. Lately the rhus toxicodendron and radicans have been recommended inparalytic affections ; the latter by Mr. Fresnoi, and the former by Dr. Alderson, of Hull: but the cases in which these virulent plants were employed are but few andindecisive. FL A X. LINUM USITATISSIMUM. Class V. Pentandria. Order V. Pentagynia. Essen, Gen. Cuar, Calyax five-leaved: Petals five: Capsule five-valved, ten-celled: Sced single. a DESCRIPTION. Tis plant rises to a foot and a half. The branches are simple, erect, and terminated by the flowers. They are single, ofa sky blue colour. The leaves are lance-shaped, acute, sessile. » The calyx is cut into five segments. of five petals. Thecorolla is composed HISTORY. This valuable annual plant is said to have come originally from those parts of Egypt which are exposed to the inundations ofthe Nile. It now grows wild in the fields in the south of England, and is cultivated in large quantities. It flowers in July, Linseed contains about one-fifth of mucilage, and one-sixth of fixed oil. The mucilage resides entirely in the skin, andis Separated by infusion or decoction. Pression. ‘The oil is separated by ex- It is one of the cheapest fixed oils; but is generally Taucid and nauseous, andunfit for internal use. The cake which |