468 Mr. Cutler' s Account of indigenous Vegetabies,

WATERCRESS. Blossoms white. In Springs and runningbrooks of water. May.

It is an early and wholesome spring sallad, and is used as apot-herb. Dr. Withering says, it is an excellent antiscorbuticand stomachic, with less acrimony than the scurvygrass. It isan ingredient in the antiscorbutic juices.

SINAPIS. Linn. Gen. Plant.

Sinapis siliquis glabris telragonis. Syst. Nat.

BLACKMUSTARD. Blossoms pale yellow. Common aboutbarns. June.

The imported mustard, so common at tables, and which isgenerally preferred to our own, is the pulverized seed of thisspecies ;—the difference consists only in the preparation of thepowder. The seeds unbruised are frequently given in palsiesand chronic rheumatisms, and are found beneficial. They maybe taken in the quantity of a table-spoon füll, or more, and willgently relax the bowels. Rheumatic pains in the stomach areoften relieved by taking them in brandy. The powdered seeds,with crumbs of bread and vinegar, are made into cataplasms, andapplied to the soles of the feet in fevers, when stimulants arenecessary. They are also topically applied in fixed rheumaticand sciatic pains. Dr. Withering says, wherever we want astrong Stimulus, that acts upon the nervous system without ex-citing much heat, we know none preferable to the mustard seed.An infusion of the seed, given in large quantities, vomits ; butin smaller doses, operates as an aperient and diuretic. Mustardwhey, with wine, is used as a drink in fevers. Its acrimony issaid to consist in an essential oil.

RAPHANUS. Linn. Gen. Plant. 736.Raphanus siliquis teretibus articulatis leevibus unilocular-ibus. Syst. Nat. CHARLOCK.