plantain; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the tetrandria class of plants. To this genus Linnaeus has joined the coronopus and psyllium of Tournefort. The first of these is called buckhorn, the latter fleawort. Of these there are several distinct species, and some varieties; but as they are rarely cultivated in gardens, we shall not enumerate them here, and shall only mention such of them as grow naturally in Britain. Of the plantain there are the following sorts: The common broad-leaved plantain, called weybread; the great hoary plantain, or lambs-tongue; the narrow-leaved plantain, or ribwort; and the following varieties have also been found in England, which are accidental; the becom-plantain and rose-plantain. The plantains grow naturally in pastures in most parts of England, and are frequently very troublesome weeds.

The common plantain and ribwort plantain are both used in medicine, and are so well known as to need no description. They are said to be slightly astringent; and the green leaves are commonly applied to fresh wounds by the common people.

Of the coronopus, or buckhorn plantain, there are two varieties growing in England, viz. the common buckhorn, which grows plentifully on heaths everywhere; and the narrow-leaved Welch sort, which is found upon many of the Welch mountains. The first of these was formerly cultivated as a salad herb in gardens, but has been long banished from thence for its rank disagreeable flavour; it is sometimes used in medicine.—There has been one species of psyllium or fleawort found growing naturally in England, which is used in medicine. It was found in the earth thrown out of the bottom of the canals which were dug for the Chelsea waterworks, where it grew in great plenty. The seeds of it must have been buried there some ages; for no person remembers any of the plants growing in that neighbourhood before. The seeds of this species are sometimes used, as they are imported from the south of France.