PELLITORY of the WALL: A genus of the monocotyledonous plants; belonging to the polygamia class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 53rd order, Scabridae. The calyx of the hermaphrodite is quadriflora; there is no corolla; there are four stamens; one style; and one seed, superior and elongated. The female calyx is quadriflora; there is no corolla; nor are there any stamens. There is one style; and one seed superior, and elongated. There are six species, of which one named the officinalis is used in medicine. This has a creeping root. The stalk grows erect, through the touch, and adhesive. The leaves are alternate, elliptical, lanceolate, veined, and a little rough. The flowers grow out of the axils of the leaves, in leafy, branched, verticillate clusters, of a greenish colour tinged with red. The anthers have a great degree of sensibility; for, if irritated with the point of a pin, they fly from the calyx with elastic force, and throw out their powder. The plant has a cooling and diuretic quality. Three ounces of the juice taken internally, or a fomentation externally applied, have been found serviceable in the strangury. The plant laid upon heaps of corn infected with weevils, is said to drive away those destructive insects.