M A R IVIarsh-Cleaver. See Trefoil SuCKEEAN. MARSH-LOCKS, the Purple, or Marsh CiNauEFOiL, Comarum palustre, L. an indigenous peren- nial plant, growing in mudd)'^ and putrid marshes 5 tiowering in the months of June or Juiyj and pro- ducing red berries in autumn. — The whole plant may be usefully employed in tanning calf-skins. — The Irish, who dispose of milk in the streets, rub the inside of their pails with this herb ; in conse- quence of which the milk appears to be thicker and richer. — The roots of the marsh-locks produce in dyeing an indifferent red colour. — Goats eat the plant, but it is not relished by either cows or sheep, and totally refused by horses and hogs. MARSH -MALLOW, or Al- thaea officinalis, L, an indigenous perennial plant, growing in salt- marshes and on the banks of rivers j flowering in the month of August. This useful plant may be easily propagated; either by parting the roots in autumn, when the stalks decay ; or by sowing the seeds in the spring. It delights in a moist soil, where it will grow to a con- siderable size ; and thrives well, when transplanted, in any soil or situation. — Bees are remarkably lond of its meiliterous llowers. Kvery part of the Ivlarsh-mallow, and especially the root, on boiling it, yields a copious mucilage j on account of whicii, it is frequently employed in emollient cataplasms, and by way of infusion. In humid astlima, hoarseness,dy senteries, and likewise in nephritic and calculous complaints, it is of eminent ser- vice ; as, by lubricating and re- laxing the vessels, it procures a mere casy.passage to the, stagnant MAR [173 fluids. It is with equal advantage applied externallv, for softening and maturating hard tumors ; and, when chewed, it is said to afford reUef in ditficult teething. — ^The Syrup of Marsh-mallows, sold in the shops, is prepared from the roots, and chiefly used for sweet- ening emollient decoAions. MARSH - MARIGOLD, or Meadow-bouts 3 Caltka palii-:- tris, L. aa indigenous perennial plant, thriving in moist meadoXvs, and on the banks of rivers : it flowers in die months of April and May. This hardy vegetable preserves its verdure during the winter : hence, its cultivation has been re^ commended by Du Hamel, as an excellent winter pasture for cattle. — It may be easily propagated either by parting the roots in au- tumn, or by sowing its seeds about the latter end of the summer : ic reqnij'es a humid soil, and a shadv situation. When gathered before they expand, the llowers, if pre- served in vinegar with the addi- tion of salt, may be used as a sub- stitute for capers. The juiee of the petals, boiled with a little aluui, communicates to paper a vellow C(jlour ; and it may hkewise be employed in the spring, for impart- ing a similar tinge to butter. — Al- though BoERUAAVE informs us tliat cows will not touch this plant, unless impelled by hunger, when it produces a fatal infiamrnation j yet we believe with Du IlAMct and Bechstein, that cattle may- eat it with safety 3 as they instinc- tively devour its bitter leaves. — Goats and sheep also relisii tiie Marsh-marigold ; but horses and swine refuse it. Marsh-Trefoil. See Trefoil BVCKiiEAN, ; JSLUITIN,
