BISHOP'S-WEED, a genus of the dignia order, belonging to the pentandria class of plants. Of this there are three

Species. 1. The majus, or common bishop's-weed, whose seeds are used in medicine. 2. The glaucifolium, with all its leaves cut in the shape of a spear. 3. The cotopicum, or Egyptian bishop's-weed.

Culture, &c. The first is an annual plant; and therefore is to be propagated by seeds sown in the autumn, in the place where the plants are to remain. In the spring, the ground should be hoed, to cut up the weeds, and also to thin the plants, in the same manner as is practised for carrots, leaving them four or five inches asunder; or if the ground is good where they grow, they must be left at least six inches distant. After this they will require no farther care than to keep them clear of weeds. They will flower in June, and the seeds will ripen in August. They should be gathered as they ripen, otherwise they will soon scatter. This plant will grow in any open situation, but thrives best in a light sandy soil. The second sort is perennial, and very hardy. It thrives best in a moist soil, and may be propagated by seeds in the same manner as the former.

The third species is now no otherwise known, than by the figure of its seeds, which were formerly used in medicine, but have long since given place to those of the common kind. The seeds of the ammi cotopicum are small, striated, of a reddish brown colour, a warm pungent taste, and a pleasant smell approaching to that of origanum. They are recommended as stomachic, carminative, and diuretic; but have long been strangers to the shops. The seeds of the ammi majus, which are used in their place, are much weaker both in taste and smell, and without the origanum flavour of the other.