Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/31

Rh in dry mountainous places, heaths, and woods. It is principally found in the north of England; produces a prostrate creeping stem, from one to three yards in length: flowers from July to August, and bears seeds, which, if infused in ropy wine, will, in a few days, restore it. When thrown into a fire, these seeds emit a bright flash, and also possess the peculiar property of being almost impervious to moisture, so that if they are scattered on a bason of water, the hand may be immersed to the bottom, without being wetted.—In the north of Europe they are pulverized, and applied externally for curing chaps in the skin and other sores. Beautiful mats, or summer carpets, are manufactured of the stalks of this plant, in Sweden.

2. The selago, or fir-leaved club-moss, which is very common on the mountainous heaths in the Highlands of Scotland, the Hebrides, and in the northern parts of England. This plant rises from two to five inches in height, and is in bloom from April to October. In the island of Raasay, in Rossshire, and likewise in some other places, the inhabitants employ it as a substitute for alum, to fix the colour in dyeing. The Swedes make a decoction of it, and apply it to hogs and cattle, for the destruction of vermin. The Highlanders also occasionally take an infusion of it, as an emetic and cathartic, but it operates violently; and unless taken in a small dose, causes giddiness and convulsions.  CLUB-RUSH, or Scirpus, L. a native genus of plants, consisting of twelve species: the following are the principal:

1. The palustris, or marsh creeping club-rush, which thrives on the banks of rivers, ponds, and ditches, and is chiefly found in the western parts of England. It is perennial, grows from six inches to two feet high, and flowers in the month of June or July. Hogs eagerly devour the roots of this species when fresh, but will not touch them when dry. They are also eaten by goats and horses, but relused by cows and sheep.

2. The lacustris. See.

3. The maritimus, or salt-marsh club-rush, which is found on the sea-coast near Yarmouth, and also near Shirley-wych, Stafford. It is perennial, and flowers in the month of July or August. Cows eat this plant; and its tuberous roots, when dried and ground to powder, have, in times of scarcity, been used as a good substitute for flour.  CLYSTERS, or, or Lavemens, are liquid remedies introduced into the larger intestines, by the rectum. The most usual clystering machines are those consisting simply of the bladder of a hog, sheep or ox, to which an ivory pipe is fastened with pack-thread. A more convenient and durable sort is prepared of India-rubber, instead of a bladder; though the French and Germans employ, in preference, a long pewter syringe by which the liquor may, with more ease and expedition, be drawn in, and likewise more forcibly expelled, than from a bladder. Both methods, however, are in many instances liable to great objections, especially the former, which cannot be administered without the assistance of another person, even though the patient should possess sufficient strength and dexterity to perform the operation. Hence we cannot, in justice to Mr.