Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/153

131&#93; ST A the eaves of houses, in mtns, and even on lofty cliffs ; where they construct iheir nests of straw, the fibres of roots, and similar materi- als : the female lays from 4 to 7 pale-greenish, ash-coloured eggs : the young afford a delicate repast ; but the flesh of the old birds is so uncommonly bitter, from devour- ing worms and inserts, that it can- not be eaten. As, however, these creatures have a pleasing note, and display great docility, they are fre- quently taken by bird-lime or other means, and taught to imitate hu- man sj^eech, in the same manner as Parrots. The breeding of starlings, in a wild state, ought to be encouraged by every rational farmer ; because they are of extensive service, by devouring noxious vermin, and eating no grain or seeds of plants, or other fruit, unless compelled by necessity. ', STAVESACRE, or Delphinium Stapliisagcia, L. an exotic plant, growing in the southern parts of Europe, and particularly in Italy, whence its rough, blackish seeds are imported. They possess a dis- agreeable odour, and a nauseous, bitterish taste. Their chief use, at present, is, for destroying fleas and similar vermin 3 and if horses, or other animals, be occasionally washed with a decoAion of the seeds of the stavesacre (in the pro- portion of one ounce to 1 i pint of water), all 7iits, &c. will be eft'ec- tually exterminated. These seeds were formerly cele- brated for their purgative qualities ; but, on account of their violent operation, are now exploded from the list of internal medicines, if, however, a small portion of such poison should have been acciden- tally swallowed, the most proper ST A [131 antidote 'WiW be either an immediate and brisk emetic ; or, if some time have elapsed, large draughts of oily, mucilaginous, milky, or other* demulcent licjuors, should jje swal- lowed, with a view to prStent an inflammation of the intestines. STAYS, an article of female dress, which is usually made of canvas or dimity, supported by whale-bone, and laced behind. Few articles are of greater im- portance to the health aiid comfort of females than stays : hence, in- stead of being manufaftared from hard substances, they onght to be made of such as would allow a free motion of the limbs ; for instance, felt, shamois-leather, &c. ; without any stifl' materials. So great, how- ever, is the prevalence of custom, that such absurd casements are still retained by the most numerous class of women, who lace them- selves in whale-bone, to the great detriment of their constitution. To this cause we may justly attribute many of the cancers, hard tumors, and similar affections of the breast; nausea J indigestion j compression of the ribs; distortion of the spine; and a long train of painful disorders. — To prevent such fre- quent disasters, we recommend the use of corsets made of the pli- ant and elastic texture used for stockings, or gloves ; which, if properly lined, and worn with a moderate compression, will not only afl'ord sufhcient warmth, but also contribute to the preservation of an ereft form. In short, we find from history, that among the most elegant nations of antiquity, namely, the Greek and Roman wo- men, never resorted to such cum- bersome articles of dress. In March, 1801, Mrs. Lloyd Gibbon, of Sackvilie-street, Pic- K 2 cadUly,