PARSLEY:** A genus of the digynia order, belonging to the pentandra class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 45th order, *Umbellata*. The fruit is of an oval shape, and streaked; the involucre consists of one leaf; and the petals are inflected. There are only two species of apium; the petroselinum, or common parsley, a native of Sardinia; and the graveolens, or smallage, a native of Britain; the culture of both which are well known.

**Medicinal Uses, &c.** The roots and seeds of the *petroselinum* are used in medicine. The root of parsley is one of the five aperient roots, and in this intention is sometimes made an ingredient in apozems and diet-drinks; if liberally used, it is apt to occasion flatulences; and thus, by distending the visceræ, produces a contrary effect to that intended by it; the taste of this root is somewhat sweetish, with a light degree of warmth and aromatic flavour. The seeds are an ingredient in the electuary of bay-berries.—The roots of *smallage* are also in the number of aperient roots, and have been sometimes preferred as an ingredient in aperient apozems and diet-drinks, but are at present disregarded. The seeds of the plant are moderately aromatic, and were formerly used as carminatives; in which intention they are, doubtless, capable of doing service, though the other warm seeds, which the shops are furnished with, render these unnecessary; and accordingly the Edinburgh college, which retains the roots, has expunged the seeds.

Besides its medicinal virtues above mentioned, the common parsley is reckoned an effectual cure for the rot in sheep, provided they are fed with it twice a-week for two or three hours each time; but hares and rabbits are too fond of this herb, that they will come from a great distance to feed upon it; and in the countries where these animals abound, they will destroy it if not very securely fenced against them; so that whoever has a mind to have plenty of hares in their fields, may draw them from all parts of the country by cultivating parsley.

**APIVORUS,** in ornithology, a synonyme of a species of falco. See *FALCO*.

**APLUDA:** A genus of the monocota order, belonging to the polygama clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 4th order, *Gramina*. The calyx is a bivalved gluma; the floecules of the female are sessile, and the male floecules are furnished with pedunculi; the female has no calyx; the corolla has a double valve; there is but one filius, and one covered seed. The male has three stamens. There are three species of apluda, viz. the mutica, arista, and zeugites, all natives of the Indies.

**APOBATANA,** the metropolis of Media, and where the kings kept their treasure (Isidorus Characensis); supposed to be the same with *Ecbatana*.

**APOBATERION,** in antiquity, a valedictory speech or poem made by a person on departing out of his own country, and addressed to his friends or relations.

**APOBATRA,** a place near Selos (Strabo); the landing place where Xerxes's ships were frozen and sunk in the ice (Eutathius).