the marigold: A genus of the polygamia necessaria order, belonging to the syngenesia class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 49th order, Compositae. The receptacle is naked, there is no pappus, the calyx is polyphyllous and equal, the seeds of the disk membranaceous. Of this there are eight species, none of them natives of Europe. The common kind is so well known as to need no definition; and none of the others merit any, except the fruticosa, which hath lately been introduced from the Cape of Good Hope. It hath a slender thrubby perennial stalk, which rises to the height of seven or eight feet, but requires support: this sends out a great number of weak branches from the bottom to the top, which hang downward unless they are supported: they are garnished with oval leaves, having short flat footstalks; these are of a shining green colour on their upper side, but paler underneath: the flowers come out at the end of the branches, on short naked footstalks. This is easily propagated by cuttings; which may be planted at any time in summer in a shady border, or otherwise shaded with mats in the heat of the day: in five or six weeks these will have taken root, when they should be separately taken up, each put in a separate pot, and placed in the shade till they have taken fresh root; then they may be placed, with other hardy exotic plants, in a sheltered situation, where they may remain till the frost begins, when they must be removed into the greenhouse, placing them near the windows, that they may enjoy the free air; for this plant only requires protection from frost. The seeds of the common sort may be sown in March or April, where the plants are to remain; and will require no other culture but to keep them clear of weeds, and to thin the plants where they are too thick. The flowers of the common marigold are supposed to be aperient and attenuating, as also cardiac, alexipharmic, and sudorific; they are principally celebrated in uterine obstructions, the jaundice, and for throwing out the small-pox. Their sensible qualities, however, give little foundation for these virtues: they have scarce any taste, and have no considerable smell. The leaves of the plant discover a viscid sweetishness, accompanied with a more durable saponaceous pungency and warmth; these seem capable of answering some useful purposes as a stimulating, aperient, and antiseptic medicine.