We are a cure for the ring-worm, &c. informed, that Chrysermus the physician boiled the root in wine, and by it cured the swellings of the kernels behind the ears; and that Sophocles used it, both boiled and raw, with good success against the gout. Simnus esteemed it the best diuretic drink for the gravel, when boiled in wine. Hippocrates prescribed the seeds of the asphodel against the hardness of the spleen, and the flux which proceeds from that cause. He also applied the root, pounded, as a liniment for horses, or dogs, &c. afflicted with the mange; which, it is said, would both effect a cure, and restore the hair. The ancients used a liniment made of the leaves, for wounds occasioned by serpents, and other venomous creatures; and the juice of the root, mixed with oil, was applied to burns and scalds, &c. Immense tracts of land in Apulia are covered with asphodel, and it is said to afford good nourishment to sheep.* The onion-leaved asphodel grows also in the natural state, both in Spain and the South of France. Dodoens, who flourished at the com * Symonds in Young's Annals. mencement of the sixteenth century, highly extols the virtues of the asphodel for most of the before-mentioned maladies; and adds, that a dram weight of the root, when boiled and taken in wine, relieves the pains of the side, the cough, the shrinkings of the sinews, the cramp, &c. Gerard has given us a description of six species of asphodel, which he cultivated in his garden, prior to 1597; one of which he states to be a native of England; but as more modern botanists do not acknowledge it to be indigenous to this country, we shall give his own words: "The Lancashire asphodill groweth in moist and marishy places neere vnto the towne of Lancaster in the moorish grounds there, as also neere vnto Maudsley and Martone, two villages not far from thence; where it was found by a worshipfull and learned gentleman, a diligent searcher of simples, and feruent louer of plants, Master Thomas Hesket, who brought the plants vnto me for the increase of my garden. I received some plants thereof likewise from Master Thomas Edwards, apothecarie in Excester, learned and skilfull in his profession, as also in the knowledge of plants, unto whom I rest bounden for this plant, which he found at the foote of a hill in the west part of England, called Bagshot hill, neere vnto a village of the same name.' This species of asphodel has a yellow blossom, and was thence called the King's spear. Gerard tells us, that the juice of the asphodel root cleanses and takes away the white morphew, if the face be first rubbed with a coarse linen cloth, and then anointed with it. He adds, that "it is not yet found out if the Lancaster asphodil is of use either in nourishment or medicine." Ray says, this species is a native of Sicily, where he found it growing. The asphodel is said to be useful in driving away rats and mice, which have so great an antipathy to this plant, that, if their holes be stopped up with it, they will die rather than pass it; and it is said, that if a house be smoked with this root, it also banishes mice, or proves a poison to them. If the root is put into the water which swine drink, it prevents their being affected with a pestilential leprosy, or if they have taken the disorder, it restores them to health. It also produces the same effect, if they are frequently washed with such a water.* *Florentinus. The vinegar in which the root has been boiled, if used for washing the body, cures scorbutic eruptions. Some roast the roots in hot ashes, and rub their faces and hands with them, in order to remove all blotches, and purify the skin. This plant will thrive in any soil, if planted about three inches deep; it is principally raised by dividing the roots, as the cultivation by seed is more tedious. It blossoms best in a damp soil, or when it is well watered. 43 BALM, OR BAUM.-MELISSA. Natural order, Verticillatæ. A genus of the Didynamia Gymnospermia class. THE Greeks called this plant μελισσόφυλλον μedipuλdov, melissophyllum, or meliphyllum, id est, apum folium, that is bee's leaf, from the fondness these insects shew for this herb. It is called melissa, from ué, honey, because bees gather much honey from its flowers. It has also been called apiastrum, from apes, a bee, on the same account; and it is still the custom to rub the hives with balm and sugar, or honey, previously to taking a swarm; a practice which certainly appears to have the effect of attaching the colony to its new settlement. Pliny notices this method of securing the bees in his time, and says, that where there is plenty of balm in the garden, there is no fear of the swarms straying; he tells us also, that it is a good remedy for the sting of bees and wasps, &c. and enumerates |