plant a go

[Lat.] [PLANTAIN.] Bot .: Plantain, Ribgra ; the typical genus of the order Plantaginaceae (q. v.). Herbs, with bisexual flowers; corolla with an ovate tube and a four-partite, reflexed limb; stamens four; capsule two to, four celled, two, four, or many seeded, opening transversely. Mucilaginous and astringent. Known species about forty-eight. In India the leaves of Plant a go major are applied to bruises. P. coronopus is diuretic. Demulcent drinks can be made from P. psyllium , P. arenaria , and P. cynops. The seeds of P. psyllium and P. ispaghula , treated with hot water, yield a mucilage given in India in diarrhea, dysentery, catarrh, gonorrhea, and nephritic diseases. P. amplexicaul is is used in India in phthisis, snake-poison, intermittent fever, and as an external application in ophthalmia. The seeds IMG:content-1178.png:[blocks in formation] "Solomon himself knew no other course to ensure a growing, flourishing, practice of virtue in man's mature, or declining age, but by planting it in his youth."- South : Sermons , vol. v., ser. 1. 2. To fix firmly; to implant. "The fool hath planted in his memory An army of good words." Shakesp.: Merchant of Venice , iii. 5. 3. To set or fix upright; to fix in the ground. 4. To set down; to place on the ground. IMG:content-1179.png:[blocks in formation] IMG:content-1180.png:[blocks in formation] and the sap is given to allay thirst in cholera. 1. Fruit; 2. Section of fruit. ( Calcutta Exhib. Rep.) 2. The fruit of Musa paradisiac a . "The yams and plantains did not suit stomachs accustomed to good oatmeal."-Macaulay: Hist. Eng. ch. xxiv.