Goose-Foot, or Wild Orach: A genus of the digynia order, belonging to the pentandria clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 12th order, Holocarpe. The calyx is pentaphyllous and pentagonal; no corolla; one seed lenticular, superior. 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 lanes 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, belvidere, or annual mock-cypress, which is of a beautiful pyramidal form, resembling a young cypress-tree. 3. The botrys, or oak of Jerusalem. 4. The ambrosoides, 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 salades, on account of its saltish 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 disused, 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 flight 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.—The second species, or belvidere, is a plant much esteemed in China. The following are the properties attributed to it in the Chinese Herbal. After having said that it is about the end of March or beginning of April that the belvidere springs up from the earth; that its suckers or shoots rise to the height of eight or nine inches, in shape of a child's fist half shut; that it afterwards extends itself, and sends forth a number of branches loaded with leaves like those of flax; and that, as it grows, its branches arrange themselves naturally in the form of a beautiful pyramid; it adds, that its leaves, yet tender, abound with juice, and have a very agreeable taste; that it may be eaten as a salad with vinegar, to which a little ginger has been added; that being prepared like other leguminous plants, and baked with meat, it gives it an agreeable and pleasing flavour: that, when in its full beauty, its leaves become hard and unfit for the table; but that nourishment is then found in its root, which serves as a resource in times of famine and scarcity. When the belvidere has attained to its natural size, the Chinese separate its principal stalk from the rest, and put it into a lye of ashes, which cleans and softens it, and frees it from all impurities of the bark. After this bath, it is exposed to the sun; and, when dry, it is baked and seasoned. With regard to the root, which has something of a violet-colour, they strip off the skin by filaments, which may be boiled and eaten: but what is particularly sought after, is the root itself; of which, when reduced to powder, they collect only what remains in the bottom of the vessel, and form it into small loaves, that are baked by being held over the steam of boiling water. People of a delicate taste will scarcely be tempted to admit this dish at their tables; but it is not useless to point out to the poor peasants, that, in cases of necessity, they may always have recourse, without danger, to this rustic food? In such cases, they will be indebted to the Chinese for having made the first trial, which, for the most part, is dangerous. The Chinese Herbal cites the example of four mountaineers, who having lived on nothing but the leaves, roots, and stalks, of the belvidere, with which their country abounded, had nevertheless enjoyed perfect health to a very great age.