Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/439

417&#93; POL reader will find in the concluding General Index of ReferenceJ, we shall at present only remark, that one Ot the most proper articles, in thisrespeft.is xheAspkodelus luteus, JL. or CoinmoaYellou- Asphodel, the useful properties of which we Jiave described vol. i. p. 130. — The stalks of this plant are somewhat thicker than a goose-quill ; and, when dipped in Calcothar, orCrociis JMartU i^^ hich mw be had of the druggists), reduced to a paste with sweet-oil, and properly applied to iron and brass utensils, will not only render them exceedingly bright, but also prove a better pre- servative from the rust, than sand- paper, or other rough materials. Polyanthus. SeePRiMuoss. POLYPODY, or P0/.IJ podium, L. a genus of plants comprising 142 species : 1 8 of which are indigenous, but the iollowing only deserve to be mentioned: 1. The viilgarc, or Common Polypody, is perennial; grows on old walls, shady place*;, and at the roots of trees : it liowers from June till October. — The root of this plant has a sweetish tastej but, by long boiling, it becomes bitter. Vv'hen frevh, it operates as a mild laxative, so that an infusion of six drams of this root, in half a pint of boihng water, may be taken in di- vided doses. 2. The FiUx-mas. Sec Feux the Male, vol. ii. p. 262. 3. The Oit'iipterls, or Heath Polypody, thrives on most of the dry hills of Scotland j also in moist woods, and mountainous si- tuations of England. Jt flowers from July to October. — This plant is likewise perennial, and its leaves emit a verj- agreeable scent. POMAIUM, an ungoent, which was formerly prepared from >0. X.II. VOL, »?. POM [417 apples, lard, and rose-water, tri- turated together to the consistence of an ointment. At pesent, it is generally copnpoilnded by beating up lard with a certain quantity of rose-water, and communicating to the mixture the odours of violets, roses, jessamines, &c. Pomatums are commonly used in dressing the hair 3 and as many are deprived of that ornament, chiefly by dissipation, mercenary- adventurers amuse the public with various preparations, which are sold to the credulous with the speciou.9 pretence of rendering the hair long and thick. Such mixtures, how- ever, consisting frequently of hurt- ful ingredients, we refer the reader to the directions already given, in vol. ii. p. 423. — ^Thcse unguents are also occasionally employed for icaiififying the face and skin; re- movirig pimples, and other cutane- ous eruptions ; especially by those votaries of fashion and vanit}', who are addided to tlie use of ardent spirits, whether pure or mixed ; and who endeavour to conceal the effects of such indulgence, by re- laxing the s! in with unftaous ap- plications. Here we cannot too' severely reprimand parents, and more particularly mothers, thus pitiably situated ; because the rao- ment."ry gratification of the palate, or a temporary exhilaration, ap- pears to suppress every moral rc- lleftion, every duty they owe to themselves and their children ; while they eventually render them- selves vietims of disease and misery. POMEGRANATE-TREE, or Punica,h. an cJtotic, growing in chalky soilsj and consisting of two species : 1. The granatum, or Common Pouiegranate-tree, which is a native of Italy, and other southern parts E»' ©f