Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/400

368&#93; 36S] G K M common parent. More frequently; however, is t c word generation employed at present, to signify a %. (tge, or the average, period of hi lite. Hence we 9ay, " to the thir 1 and fourth generation ;" in which sense historians generally compute the space of about 33 years to each generation. Thus, Hfrodotus divides a century, or 100 years, into three generations ; a calcula- tion that appears to be tolerably corredt, from the latest results of political arithmetic. GENTIAN, theCoMMON, Yel- low, or Red ; Gentiana luted, v. ■rubra, is a native of the Alps, whence it was introduced into this country. It is, however, sel- dom cultivated in our gardens ; the root, which is employed in medicine, being imported from the mountainous parts of Switzerland and Germany. Gentian is one of the principal hitlers of European growth, and has been found of conquerable ser- vice in fevers, and those complaints which arise from weakness of the stomach, and acidity in the first passages. Some years since, a poisonous root was brought to London among parcels of gentian, the use of which occasioned vio- lent disorders, and, in two cases, death. This spurious root is con- jectured to have been the Aconi- tum. antkora, a species of the wolf's-bane, which m3y be i distinguished from the gentian, by its smell, whitish colour, and want of bitterness j whereas, the true gentian is externally brown, and of a yellowish, or bright-red colour within i has no '-cut, and, at I a sweetish, but immediately after, a very bitter and pungent teste; — The dose of thij drug, in powder, is from 10 to A'J grains ; though it G E II is more frequently taken as chief ingredient in bitter winesy tinctures, and infusions. Gkranium : SeSe Crank's Bill. GERMANDER, or Temriurti L. a genus of plants consisting of sixty-eight Species, three of which only are natives. 1 . The scorodinia, Wood Ger- mander, or wood sage, which is perennial ; grows in woods, heaths, thickets, and hedge-banks ; and flowers in the month of July. It has a bitter taste, and in smell re- sembles hops, with a small mix- ture of garlic : -:i the Isle of Jer- sey, it is used in brewing, as a substitute for hops. 2. The scordium, or Water Ger- mander, which is also perennial ; grows in damp and marshy situa- tions ; and produces purplish flow- ers in the months of July and Au- gust. It is eaten by sheep and goats, but refused by horses, hogs, and cows ; though the latter will eat it when impelled by hunger, in consequence of which, their milk acquires the flavour of garlic. — < The fresh leaves of the water ger- mander are bitter, and somewhat pungent; when pulverized, they have been used for the expulsion of worms : — a deeociion of the whole plant is said to be a good fomentation in gangrenes. 3. The rlianuedrys, or Common Germander, is found in the border,-; of corn-iiclds that are remote from houses, in ruins, and upon ancient walls ; it produces reddish purple flowers, which blow in the month of June or July. The leaves and tops of this species have a mode- rately bitter taste, accompanied with a weak aromatic flavour. It -ua, formerly in great esteem as Btt aperi< hi and corroborant •. it is strongly recommended in agues, lllCU*