Goose-foot, or Wild Oats; a genus of the digynia order, belonging to the pentandra class of plants. There are 18 species, 13 of which are natives of Britain. The most remarkable are the following: 1. The bonus henricus, or common English mercury, found growing naturally in shady places in many places in Britain. It has large triangular, arrow-pointed, entire leaves; upright, thick, striated stalks, garnished with triangular leaves, and terminated by close spikes of apetalous yellowish-green flowers in June and July, which are succeeded by ripe seeds in August. 2. The scoparia, belvedere, or annual mock-cypress. The merit of this consists in its beautiful pyramidal form, resembling a young cypress tree. 3. The botrys, or oak of Jerusalem. 4. The ambrofoloides, or oak of Cappadocia. All these are very easily propagated from seeds; and will thrive best in a rich light earth. Most of the species have an aromatic smell. A species which grows near the Mediterranean is used by the Egyptians in salads, on account of its salutary aromatic taste. From the same plant, kelp is made in other countries. The first species, or English mercury, was formerly used as spinach; but is now diluted, as being greatly inferior to that herb. As an article of the materia medica, it is ranked among the emollient herbs, but rarely made use of in practice. The leaves are applied by the common people for healing slight wounds, cleansing old ulcers, and other like purposes. The roots are given to sheep that have a cough. Goats and sheep are not fond of the herb; cows, horses, and swine, refuse it.