Sentence:  This genus of plants, of which we have twelve species, was named <WSD>"Reseda</WSD>" by the ancients, from "resedare" to assuage, because some of the species were esteemed good for mitigating pains; and we learn from Pliny, that the <WSD>Reseda</WSD> was considered to possess even the power of charming away many disorders. He tells us ... that when it was used to resolve swellings, or to assuage inflammations, it was the custom to repeat the following words, thrice spitting on the ground at each repetition:— / "<WSD>Reseda</WSD>, cause these maladies to cease: knowest thou, knowest thou, who hath driven these pullets here? Let the roots have neither head nor foot." 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Any of various plants of the genus "Reseda" having small, pale grayish green flowers, such as dyer's rocket ("Reseda luteola") and mignonette ("Reseda odorata").