Scamony
Description. This is a pernicious weed for the gardener and planter, who are both interested in its extirpation. As it is a species of the bindweed already described in its proper place, we shall say little here of its manner of growth, only observe, that it is the bane of young plantations and hedges: it will even suffocate the quick growing poplar-tree in its embraces; its roots creep under the earth, extending a great distance; they are larger than those of couch-grass, and would be more easily destroyed were they not so brittle. The flowers are of a snowy whiteness, though frequently some are found of a flesh and rose-colour, with a tint of purple.
Place. It grows most frequently in the Isle of Wight, but is found also near Town, Government and virtues. This is the plant which produces the scamony. But it grows not so large here as abroad, where the juice is obtained by incision. The concerte juice of the root is the scamony of the shops, whereof the best comes from Aleppo; that which comes from Smyrna being fuller of dross and sand. The best scamony is black, resinous, and shining, when in the lump, but of a whitish ash-colour, when powdered; of a pretty strong smell, but of no very hot taste, turning milky when touched with the tongue. The smallness of the root of our sepium prevents its juice from being collected in the same manner; but an extract made from the expressed juice of the roots, or any other preparation of them, have the same purgative quality, only in a lesser degree.