Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/102

84]  of blood, the tail of the leech should be cut off; in consequence of which it continues to draw blood, in order to repair the loss it has sustained. The discharge occasioned by the puncture of a leech, is easily stopped with brandy, vinegar, &c. or may be kept open by applying warm fomentations.

As the geometrical leech often occasions great damage among trout and other fish, it has been recommended to throw a little salt water into the pond; but we doubt whether this expedient, by remedying one evil, would not be productive of still greater injury, by destroying the fish.  LEEK, or Allium porrum, L. a well-known vegetable, the native place of which is at present unknown, though it has long been cultivated in Britain.

The leaves of this plant possess a flavour similar to that of onions; affording a constant dish at the tables of the Egyptians, who chop them small, and eat them with their meat. They are also in great esteem among the Welch; and their general utility as a wholesome pot-herb, renders them a valuable culinary spice.—For the proper method of cultivating the leek, see.  LEG, the lower extremity of animals, which serves both for their support and motion: it is generally divided into three parts; 1. the ; 2. the leg, properly so called; and, 3. the .

The human legs are subject to few complaints, except the common, the proper treatment of which we propose to state under that article. They are likewise apt to be sprained, fractured, or broken; in which cases great caution is requisite; but as those accidents are briefly discussed in their alphabetical series, the reader will consult the articles and .—See also.  . See.  LEMON-TREE, or Citrus Lima, L. an elegant evergreen, indigenous in Persia, rising from 5 to 10 feet in height, producing beautiful large leaves, with a profusion of sweet flowers in the spring and early summer; which are generally succeeded by an abundance of fruit, that sometimes arrives at tolerable perfection even in Britain.

The culture of this plant is, in all respects, similar to that of the ; for an account of which we refer to the 2d volume.

-, an agreeable acid, obtained from the fruit of the lemon-tree. This juice, as well as that of the citron and, is of considerable utility in medicine. Sir highly praises its efficacy in the sea-scurvy; it is also frequently used for neutralizing alkaline salts in the preparation of saline draughts.—The yellow peel of lemons has a more concentrated aromatic flavour than that of the orange; and, like that of the citron, is often candied, and sold under the name of sweet-meat. The dried peel is a good stomachic, promotes the appetite, and imparts warmth to the whole frame; but it should not be combined with spirituous liquors in a fresh state, as it renders the punch or negus still more heating and hurtful, by its highly inflammable oil; which is, therefore, employed chiefly by perfumers.—The juice, as well as the