Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1802).djvu/59

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NOTES ON VIRGINIA.
49

mile and a half below its confluence with the Bull-paſture River, and 16 or 17 miles from the Hot ſprings, which intermits once in every twelve hours: one alſo near the mouth of the North Holſton.

After theſe may be mentioned the Natural Well, on the lands of Mr. Lewis in Frederic county. It is ſomewhat larger than a common well: the water riſes in it as near the ſurface of the earth as in the neighboring artificial wells, and is of a depth as yet unknown. It is ſaid there is a current in it tending ſenſibly downwards. If this be true, it probably feeds ſome fountain, of which it is the natural reſervoir, diſtinguiſhed from others, like that of Madiſon's cave, by being acceſſible. It is uſed with a bucket and a windlaſs as an ordinary well.

A complete catalogue of the trees, plants, fruits, &c. is probably not deſired. I will ſketch out thoſe which would principally attract notice, as being 1. Medicinal, 2. Eſculent, 3. Ornamental, or 4. Uſeful for fabrication; adding the Linæan to the popular names, as the latter might not convey preciſe information to a foreigner. I ſhall confine myſelf too to native plants.

1. Senna. Caſſia liguſtrina.
Arſmart. Polygonum Sagittatum.
Clivers, or gooſe-graſs. Galium ſpurium.
Lobelia of ſeveral ſpecies.
Palma Chriſti. Ricinus.
(3) James-town weed. Datura Stramonium.
Mallow. Malva rotundifolia.
Syrian mallow. Hibiſcus moſchentos.
Hibiſcus virginicus.
Indian mallow.  Sida rhombifolia.

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