GLECHOMA, GROUND-IVY; a genus of the angiospermia order, belonging to the didynamia class of plants. There are three species; the most remarkable of which is the hederacea, or common ground-ivy, which is so well known that it requires no description. Many virtues were formerly attributed to this plant, which it is now found not to be possessed of. Some, however, it has. The leaves are thrown into the vat with ale to clarify it and give it a flavour. Ale thus prepared is often drunk as an antiscorbutic. The expressed juice mixed with a little wine, and applied morning and evening, destroys the white specks upon horses' eyes. The plants that grow near it do not flourish. It is said to be hurtful to horses if they eat much of it. Sheep eat it, horses are not fond of it; cows, goats, and swine, refuse it.