plantain; a genus of the monogyne order, belonging to the tetrandria class of plants. To this genus Linnæus has joined the coronopus and psyllium of Tournefort. The first of these is called hartshorn, the latter fleawort. Of these there are several distinct species, and some varieties; but as they are rarely cultivated in gardens, we shall not enumerate them here, and shall only mention such of them as grow naturally in Britain. Of the plantain there are the following sorts: The common broad-leaved plantain, called waybread; the great hoary plantain, or lambs-tongue; the narrow-leaved plantain, or ribwort; and the following varieties have also been found in England, which are accidental; the becomplantain and rose-plantain. The plantains grow naturally in pastures in most parts of England, and are frequently very troublesome weeds. The common plantain, and ribwort plantain, are both used in medicine, and are so well known as to need no description. They are said to be slightly astringent; and the green leaves are commonly applied to fresh wounds by the common people.

Of the coronopus, or buckshorn plantain, there are two varieties growing in England, viz. the common buckshorn, which grows plentifully on heaths everywhere; and the narrow-leaved Welch fort, which is found upon many of the Welch mountains. The first of these was formerly cultivated as a salad herb in gardens, but has been long banished from thence for its rank disagreeable flavour; it is sometimes used in medicine.—There has been one species of psyllium or fleawort found growing naturally in England, which is the sort used in medicine. This was found in the earth thrown out of the bottom of the canals which were dug for the Chelsea water-works, where it grew in great plenty. The seeds of this must have been buried there some ages; for no person remembers any of the plants growing in that neighbourhood before. The seeds of this are sometimes used, which are imported from the south of France.