BROOM, or DYERS-WEEED: A genus of the decandria order, belonging to the diadelphia clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 32d order, Papilionaceæ. The calyx is bilabiata, the upper lip bidentated, the under one tridentate; the vexillum is oblong and reflexed, or turned back from the pistil and stamina. There are several species; of which the most remarkable are, the cytiso-genita, or common broom; and the tinctoria, or dyers weed.—The first is too well known to need description. Its young flowers are sometimes preserved as pickles; and the plant, when burnt, affords a tolerably pure alkaline salt. Dr Mead relates the case of a dropical patient that was cured by taking half a pint of a decoction of green broom tops, with a spoonful of whole white mustard seed, every morning and evening. The patient had been tapped three times, and tried the usual remedies before. An infusion of the seeds, drank freely, has been known to produce similar happy effects; but these are by no means to be expected in every instance. Cows, horses, and sheep, refuse the plant.—2. The tinctoria is also a native of Britain. It rises with shrubby stalks three feet high, garnished with spear-shaped leaves placed alternate, and terminated by several spikes of yellow flowers, succeeded by pods. The branches of the plant are used by dyers for giving a yellow colour; from whence it is called dyers-broom, green-wood, wood-waxen, or dyers-wood. A dram and an half of the powdered seeds operates as a mild purgative. A decoction of the plant is diuretic; and, like the former, has proved serviceable in tropical cases. Horses, cows, goats, and sheep, eat it.