Verbena

Vervain. In botany, a genus of the cla diandria, order monogynia, Corol funnel-form, nearly equal, curved; calyx with one of the teeth truncate; seeds two or four, naked; stamens two or four. Nineteen species; chiefly natives of America; a few of the East Indies and of Europe; one common to our own country. They are thus subdivided: A. With two stamens and two seeds. B. With four stamens. The following species are cultivated:: 1, V. Indica. P dien vervain. 2. V.supina. ‘Trailing vervain. 3. V. orubica. Betony-leaved vervain. 4, V. Jamaicensis. Jamaica vervain. 5. V. Mexicana. Mexican vervain. 6. V. globlifora. Globe-flowered vervain. 7. V. bonariensis. Cluster-Howered vervain. 8. V. trastata. Halbert-leaved vervain. 9. V. triphylla. Three-leaved vervain. 10. V. officinalis. Officinal vervain. The last has been long employed in medieine.. It is destitute of odour, and to the taste manifests but a slight degree of bitterne and adstringency. In former times the verbena seems to have been held sacred, and was employed in celebrating the sacrificial rites; and with a view to this, more than the natural power of the plant, it was worn suspended about the neck as an amulet. This practice, thus founded on superstition, was, however, in proce of time, adopted in medicine; and therefore to obtain its virtues more effectually, the vervain was directed to be bruised before it was appended to the neck; and of its good effects thus used for inveterate head-aches, Forestus relates a remarkable instance. In still later times it has been employed in the way of cataplasm, by which we are told the most severe and obstinate cases of cephalagia have been cured, for which we have the authorities of Etmuller, Hartmann, and more especially De Hean. Notwithstanding these testimonies in favour of vervain, it has deservedly fallen into disuse in Britain; nor has the pamphlet of Mr. Morley, written profe edly to recommend its use in scrophulous affections, had the effect of restoring its medical character. ‘This gentleman directs the root of vervain to be tied with a yard of white sattin ribband round the neck, where it is to remain till the patient recovers. He also has recourse to infusions and ointments prepared from the leaves of the plant, and occasionally calls in aid the most active medicines of the materia medica. The plant is found wild on our own road sides: the spikes are filiform, panicled; leaves many-cleft, jagged; flowers pale blue. Sheep @at it; cows, horses, and-goats, refuse it,