Wild Tansy.
Argentina.
A common wild plant about our way sides, and a great ornament to them. It rises to no height. The stalks creep upon the ground, and take root at the joints; but it is easily distinguished by its silvery leaves and yellow flowers. The stalks are round and reddish. The leaves rise from these; they are very large, and each composed of a great many pair of smaller set on both sides of a common rib, with an odd one at the end. They are of the shape, and much of the size of the leaves of tansy; and the smaller leaves of which they are composed, are oblong, narrow, and serrated; but they are of a most beautiful colour; a fine silvery green on the upper side, and a perfect silvery white on the under. The flowers stand on short foot stalks, and are large and yellow, somewhat like the flowers of the crow-foots, but more beautiful.
The leaves are used; a strong infusion of them is given with success against the bleeding of the piles, and bloody stools: and made less strong and sweetened a little with honey, it is excellent for a sore throat. The women use it also to take away freckles, but this seems idle.
