SAMPHIRE: A genus of the digynia order, belonging to the pentandria clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 45th order, Umbellata. The fruit is oval and compressed, the florets equal. There are two species, the principal of which is the maritimum, or common maritime samphire. It hath a fibrous penetrating root; thick, succulent, branchy stalks rising two feet high; winged fleshy leaves, consisting of many small spear-shaped lobes; with round yellow flowers growing in umbels. It is produced naturally on the sea-coasts among the gravel and rocks. Its leaves are an excellent pickle. used for sauces, and are by many eaten raw in salads. It is of a salutary relish, palatable, and comfortable to the stomach. It is not very easily preserved in gardens. It must be sown on gravelly or rocky ground, half an inch deep; in which situation the plants will come up, and last some years. The leaves of this plant are said also to be aperient and diuretic.