in botany, a genus of the decandria monogynia clas. The calyx has five segments; the petals are concave; the germen is surrounded by ten melleriferous pores; and the capsule is lobbed. There are three species, none of them natives of Britain.

The dried herb is much used in medicine, by way of infusion; being esteemed an excellent alexipharmic and cephalic, and accordingly prescribed in the small-pox, measles, and hysterical and nervous cases; as also in pneumoniae and pleuritis, to strengthen the stomach, and to prevent the return of habitual colics.

Gout Rue, in botany. See Galega.

Meadow Rue. See Thalictrum.

Wall Rue. See Adiantum.

Book of RUTH, a canonical book of the Old Testament, being a kind of appendix to the book of Judges, and an introduction to those of Samuel; and having its title from the person whose story is here principally related. In this story are observable the ancient rights of kindred and redemption, and the manner of buying the inheritance of the deceased, with other particulars of great note and antiquity.