SWEET SCENTED GOLDEN ROD. 189 
supported by a small leaf. These branches or 
peduncles are very slender and rigid, each giving 
off a row of ascending, downy pedicels, with small, 
linear bractes at their bases. Scales of the calyx 
oblong, acute, smooth, or slightly pubescent, the 
lower ones shorter and closely. imbricating the 
rest. F'lorets of the ray few, with oblong, obtuse, 
ligules. Those of the dise funnel shaped, with 
acute segments. Down simple to the naked eye, 
feathery under the microscope. Seeds oblong. — 
This plant is the Solidago odora of Muhlen- 
berg, and agrees with the character of Aiton. 
The Solidago odora of Michaux is possibly a differ- 
ent species. Willdenow’s plant was undoubtedly 
different. The folia puncticulosa, which. consti- 
tutes so distinet a mark in this’ — T wai 
not seen noticed by any botanist. — bieOGeA 
_ The leaves of the Solidago odora have a dougie 
fully fragrant odour, partaking of that of anise and. 
sassafras, but different from either. When sub- 
jected to distillation, a volatile oil, possessing the 
taste and aroma of the plant in a high degree, col- 
lects in the receiver. ‘This oil apparently has its 
residence in the transparent cells, which consti- 
tute the dotting of the leaves, for the root is whol- 
ly destitute of the peculiar fragrance of the herb, 
and has rather a nauseous taste. This is contra- 
