nctions, and the uses of the different plants, cannot fail to
recommend that work to the patronage of all who are interested in the
encouragement of genius, or the promotion of useful knowledge.

* * * * *

EXPLANATION.

Fig. 1. The Empalement.

Fig. 2, 3, 4. Four CHIVES two long and two short. TIPS at
first large, turgid, oval, touching at bottom, of a
yellowish colour, and often spotted; lastly changing both
their form and situation in a singular manner.

Fig. 5, 6, 7. SEED-BUD rather conical, of a yellow green
colour. _Shaft_ simple. _Summit_ cloven.

Fig. 8. _Honey-cup_ a gland, surrounding the bottom of the
Seed-bud.

Fig. 9. SEED-VESSEL, a pointed oval _Capsule_, of two cells
and two valves, the lowermost valve splitting in two.

Fig. 10. SEEDS numerous, blackish, small, lopped at each
end.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE INTRODUCTION of FOXGLOVE INTO MODERN PRACTICE.

As the more obvious and sensible properties of plants, such as colour,
taste, and smell, have but little connexion with the diseases they are
adapted to cure; so their peculiar qualities have no certain
dependence upon their external configuration. Their chemical
examination by fire, after an immense waste of time and labour, having
been found useless, is now abandoned by general consent. Possibly
other modes of analysis will be found out, which may turn to better
account; but we have hitherto made only a very small progress in the
chemistry of animal and vegetable substances. Their virtues must
therefore be learnt, either from observing their effects upon insects
and quadrupeds; from analogy, deduced from the already known powers of
some of their congenera, or from the empirical usages and experience
of the populace.

The first method has not yet been much attended to; and the second can
only be perfected in proportion as we approach towards the discovery
of a truly natural system; but the last, as far as it extends, lies
within the reach of every one who is open to information, regardless
of the source from whence it springs.

It was a circumstance of this kind which first fixed my attention on
the Foxglove.

In the year 1775, my opinion was asked concerning a family receipt for
the cure of the dropsy. I was told that it had long been kept a secret
by an old woman in Shropshire, who had sometimes made cures af