JOINTED GLASS-WORT, or Salt- wort: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the monandra clas of plants; and in the natural meth- od ranking under the 12th order, Holoraceae. The calyx is ventricose, or a little swelling out and entire; there are no petals, and but one seed. There are four species, of which the most remarkable are, 1. The fru- ticoza, with obtuse points, grows plentifully in most of the salt marshes which are overflowed by the tides in many parts of England. It is an annual plant, with thick, succulent, jointed stalks, which trail upon the ground. The flowers are produced at the ends of the joints toward the extremity of the branches, which are small, and scarce discernible by the naked eye. 2. The perennis, with a shrubby branching stalk, grows natu- rally in Sheppey island. This hath a shrubby branch- ing stalk about six inches long; the points of the arti- culations are acute; the stalks branch from the bot- tom, and form a kind of pyramid. They are peren- nial, and produce their flowers in the same manner as the former.

The inhabitants near the sea-coasts where these plants grow, cut them up toward the latter end of summer, when they are fully grown; and, after having dried them in the sun, they burn them for their ashes, which are used in making of glaas and soap. These herbs are by the country people called kelp, and promiscuously gathered for use. See the article Salsola; also Dyeing of Leather, p. 759, note A.