the Common, Parietaria officinalis, L. an indigenous plant, growing on old walls, and among rubbish; flowering from May to September.
The leaves of this vegetable, when dry, exhibit a glassy appearance: and, if strewed on heaps of corn infested with weevils, are said to destroy these predatory insects.—In cases of strangury (see Urine), three ounces of the expressed juice of the plant, taken internally, or, a fomentation made of the leaves, applied to the parts, are said to be of service, on account of its cooling and diuretic properties.—Although chemists pretend to have extracted considerable quantities of nitre from the pellitory, yet we doubt whether this herb would answer the trouble of boiling it, and crystallizing the salt-petre; unless it were collected from such ground as is naturally impregnated with nitrous particles, which may more easily be obtained from the earth itself.
PELT-ROT, a disorder incident to sheep, in which the hair or wool falls off spontaneously.—It arises from various causes, but more especially in consequence of a sudden change from scanty or bad provender to full feeding; also from a local weakness in the skin, which parts with the wool; and, lastly, from the Scab, loosening the hair at its roots.—This malady may be prevented by proper attention to the animals; by giving them wholesome food, and in regular proportions, particularly during the winter. Should it, however, originate from the scab, the removal of that distemper will also cure the pelt-rot.
Pencils. See Black-Lead, p. 78, of the present volume.
Penny-cress. See Mithridate-mustard.
Penny-grass.—See Yellow-rattle.
PENNYROYAL, or Mentha Pulegium, L. an indigenous plant, growing on moist heaths and pastures; flowering in the months of August and September.—This herb possesses properties similar to those of the mint; but it is more acrid, and less agreeable to the palate. It has long been esteemed as an aperient and deobstruent, particularly in hysteric and other female complaints. Hence, the distilled water is generally preferred; though an infusion of the leaves would answer the purpose, without giving an opportunity for tippling.—Dr. Withering observes, that the expressed juice of pennyroyal, with a little sugar, is an useful medicine in the hooping-cough.
PENNYWORT, the Marsh, or Hydrocotyle vulgaris, L. an indigenous perennial plant, growing in marshy or inundated grounds; and flowering in the months of May and June.—This herb is supposed to occasion the rot in sheep: it certainly contains an acrid, poisonous juice, which, according to Bechstein, produces in the animals feeding on it, inflammations, bloody urine, and other mortal symptoms. Hence, every industrious farmer will endeavour to eradicate the pennywort from his meadows.
PEPPER, an aromatic berry, chiefly employed for culinary purposes.—There are three species of this spice at present in use, which are known under the names of black, white, and long pepper.
The first, or black pepper, is the fruit of the Piper nigrum, L. a na-
tive
