WATER-HEMP AGRIMONY: A genus of the polygamy æqualis order, belonging to the syngenesia class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 49th order, Compositæ-oppositifoliæ. The receptacle is paleaceous; the pappus has erect scabrous awns; and the calyx is imbricated. Of this genus Linnæus enumerates 13 species; but none of them appear to merit notice except the tripartita, frequently found by the sides of rivulets, ditches, and lakes, both in Scotland and England. This grows to the height of two feet; and hath its leaves divided into three, or often five, lanceolate ferrated lobes, with yellow flowers, which are succeeded by flattish angular seeds, having two beards arising from the angles, which are hooked or barbed downwards; and generally they have another shorter beard arising from the middle of the back of the seed. "As this plant (says Mr Lightfoot †) Flora Scotica is found by a chemical analysis to possess much the same qualities as the celebrated verbascina acmela, a plant belonging to a genus very nearly related to this, it is probable it would have the same good effects in expelling the fluke and gravel. A decoction of this plant with alum dyes yarn of a yellow colour. The yarn must be first steeped in alum water, then dried and steeped in a decoction of the plant, and afterwards boiled in the decoction. The seeds have been known sometimes to destroy the cyprinus auratus, or gold-fish, by adhering to their gills and jaws."