BLUE GENTIAN. 139 
structure of the fruit, and so great the apparent 
affinity of the plants, that botanists have hitherto 
kept the genus entire, even though the variety of 
form as well as of number in the calyx, corolla, 
and stamens might perhaps justify a subdivision. 
This genus belongs to the natural order Ro- 
tacew of Linnzeus, and to Jussieu’s Gentian. 
The Gentiana Catesbxi has a branching and 
somewhat fleshy root. Stem simple, erect, rough. 
Leaves opposite, oyate or lanceolate, slightly 
three-nerved, acute, rough on the margin. Flow- 
ers crowded, nearly sessile, axillary and terminal. 
Segments of the calyx linear-lanceolate, varying 
in length, exceeding the tube and sometimes 
more than twice its length. Corolla large, blue, 
ventricase, plaited ; its border ten-cleft, the five 
outer segments roundish and more or less acute, 
the five inner bifid and fimbriate. Stamens five, 
with dilated filaments and sagittate anthers. 
Germ oblong-lanceolate, compressed, supported 
by a sort of pedicel. Style none, stigmas two, 
oblong, reflexed. Capsule oblong, acuminate, 
one-celled, two-valved. 
The dried root of this vegetable has at first 
‘a mucilaginous and sweetish taste, which is soon 
succeeded by an intense bitter, approaching near- 
ly to that of the officinal gentian. This quality 
