This plant rises two feet in height: leaves numerous, ovate, very small, and of a whitish colour like frost, and grow on small purple stalks: flowers of a pale colour and inconspicuous, which terminate in a small pod containing very small seed.

HISTORY.

This new discovered plant grows in the woods on Long-Island, and plentifully in New-Jersey, and is known by the name of frostwort, from its colour.

MEDICAL VIRTUES.

It has been found effectual in the cure of scrophula or king's-evil.

Take one handful of the dry leaves, a quart of rum and a table-spoonful of black pepper, put this in an earthen pipkin and let it stand on the hot embers for two hours to simmer: strain it and put an handful or two more of the dry leaves into the liquor, and let it simmer for half an hour, then thicken it by stiring in two ounces of the powdered leaves, and apply a poultice over the lumps twice a day. Let the patient drink the following infusion three times a day: put four ounces of the dry leaves into a tea-pot filled with boiling water, and wash the sores twice a day with a rag dipped in Numbers have been cared in this city by

the tea.

the above prescription.

FUMITORY.

FUMARIA OFFICINALIS.

DESCRIPTION.

This plant rises a foot in height: leaves pale green, compound, doubly pinnated, the smaller pinnæ three lobed: flowers are of a redish purple, and grows in spikes, which arise from the axillæ of the leaves: the corolla has the appearance, and is in reality vingent.

HISTORY.

This plant grows common in corn-fields, and along the fences. Flowers in June and July.

MEDICAL VIRTUES.

It is a tonic bitter, and anti-scorbutic: and has been found efficacious in the cure of lepra and other cutaneous eruptions. The virtues are chiefly contained in the dry plant.

PREPARATION.

Pour two quarts of boiling water on two ounces of the dry leaves of fumitory: in all foulness and scabby eruptions, let the patient take a gill three or four times a day, and wash the parts with the tea twice a day. As a tonic or stomachic medicine, infuse two ounces of the dry flowers and tops of the plant in three pints of Madeira wine, rum, or brandy: a wine glass full of the wine infusion may be taken twice a day on an empty stomach, and a table-spoonful of the brandy with a spoonful of spring water, which will strengthen the stomach and create a good appetite.

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This plant rises two feet in height: leaves cut into lobes, which are oblong, or if pinnated, terminated by an odd pinnæ capsules two, oblong hirsute, and crowned with a stigma.

HISTORY.

Grows plentifully in the gardens of the curious near this city, as well as in others throughout the United States. The seed is imported from Switzerland.