Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/368

346&#93; 54^] PAR tfT for the space of one hour, previ- ously to the process of boiling", they will become as tender, and will taste equally sweet, as if they had bfcn newly brought from the gar- den.-~Thtre is, however, a pre- caution which deserves to be stated ; namely, that parsnips should never be dug up in the spring ; because, i.vt;rn the roots at that season are growing upwards for producing .sfed, their juices acquire a poison- ous quality ; and instances have oc- curred, in which tlie internal use of them has been prodndive of fatal effe£ts on the human constitution, such as furious madness : this re- niarkable phenomenon in vegeta- ble nature, we relate on the autho- rity of M. Bechstetn. The seeds ol'parsnips are slightly aromatic, and contain an essential oil, which, according to Dr. Wi- thering, " will often cure inter- mittent fevers." PARSNEP, the Water, or Simn, L. a genus of plants, compreheiid- ing sixteen species ; four being na- tives of Britain ; and the most re- markable of these arc the follow- ing : I. The lalifoJium., Broad- lea Vep "Water Par snip, or Ski k- RF-T, grows in rivers and fens, where it flowers in the months of July and August. — ^This herb is eaten by horses and hogs, but is disliked by sheep : the roots of this plant are ver_v' hurtful to man and cattle } and ought, therefore, to be carefully avoided. 2. The avgustifolium. Upper "Water-Passnep, or Narkow- rEAVEDSKiRRET, tbrivesinditches and rivulets, where it flowers from July to September. — This plant, as Dr. Withering observes, " cer- tainly possesses active properties, wiiich oi^ght to be inquired into /' PAR and Bechstein remarks, that It is not less noxious in its efteiSts than the preceding species. 3. The nod'ijiorum, Creeping OrPROCUMBENTWATER-PARSNlP, grows in rivulets and ditches ; How- ers in the months of July and Au- gust. — This plant is very service* able in diseases of the skin. Dr. Withering cured a child six years old of an obstinate cutaneous atfedion, by administering three large spoonfuls of the juice, twice a day. He likewise gave three or four ounces to adults, every morn- ing, in similar complaints, with the greatest advantage. Its juice is readily taken by children, when mixed with milk 5 and neither af- fe6ls the head, the stomach, nor the bowels. PARTRIDGE, or Te.trao Per- dix, L. a well-known bird to the sportsmen of Britain. In shape, it resembles a quail, but is of more than double the size 3 its whole plumage is beautifully variegated, and it has a reddish spot on the breast. Partridges chiefly inhabit culti- vated fleids, while the corn is growing ; as it aifords them a shel- ter, beneath which they breed. After the harvest, they resort to the upland meadows, where they lay from 10 to 20 eggs ; and con- ceal themselves, together widi their coveys, among the dead grass, in the hedges, amongst mole-hills, or beneath the roots of trees. These birds are taken in various ways, but the most common is, by means of a setting-dog, and the gun. For this purpose, the sports- man should place himself at day- break with his dog, behind a bush, or at the foot of a tree, wiien the cock-partridge calls the hen j and, after flying to a small distance, re- peats