fENNEi. H OUT US JAMAICENSI3, 257 



Fan' Palm S^ee Palmkto. 

 FELWOiii' See Spirit Leaf, 



FENNEL. ANETHUM. 



Cl. 5, OR. 2. Pentandria digpiia. Nat. or. -Uruhdlatv, 



Gen. CHAR. The general umbel is multiple, as is the }>artial, neither has an invo- 

 lucruni ; the geperal corolla uniform, the single flowers consist of fire ianceulated, 

 involute, entire petals ; the stiimens five capillary filaments, with roundish anthers ; 

 germ inferior ; styles small, stigmas obtuse ; fruit naked, sub-ovate, convex, 

 striated on one side, plain on the other.- Two species have been introduced. 



1. FCENICULUM. FKNNEL. 



Fruits ovate. 



This plant is a native of Enrop?, and must iave been introduced a long time ago into 

 Jamaica, as it is now found growiu'g wild in many parts, and thrives as well as if a na- 

 tive. There are two varieties of this plant, the common and the sweet. The sweet is 

 smaller in all its parts than the common, except the seeds, which are considerablv 

 larger. The seeds of the two sorts differ likewise in shape and colour; those of the 

 common are roundish, oblong, flattish on one side,, and protuberant on the other, of 

 a dark almost blackish colour ; those of the sweet are longer, narrower, not so flat, ge- 

 nerally crooked, and of a whitish or pale yellowish colour. B.oth the seeds and roots 

 are used in medicine. The seeds of both the fennels have an aromatic smell, and a 

 moderately warm pungent taste : those of the sweet fennel are in flavour most agree- 

 able, and have also a considerable degree of sweetness ; hence our colleges have di- 

 rected the use of these only. They are ranked among the four greater hot seeds, and 

 not undeservedly looked witon as good stomachics and carminatives. A simple water is 

 prepared from, them ; they are ingredients also in the compound spirit of juniper, and 

 $ome other officinal compositions. The root is far less warm, but has more of a sweetish 

 taste, than the seeds ; it is one of tiie five roots called openers ; and has sometimes 

 been directed in aperient apozems, Boerhaave says that this root agrees in taste, smell, 

 and medical qualities, with the celebrated omseng of the Chinese ; from which, how- 

 ever, it appears to be very considerably different. The leaves of fennel are weaker 

 than either the routs or seeds, and have very rarely beeiv employed for any medicinal 

 use, 



2. GRAVEOI.ENS, STINKING, 



Fruit compressed. 

 This is called dill, an annual plant, also a native of Eui-ope : the root long, slender, 

 5and white ; the leaves are divided into a multitude of fine, long, narrow, segments, 

 ijke those of fennel, but of a blueish green colour, and less strong smeil. The stalk is 

 rpund and firm, growing to the height of four feet, with yellow Howers in moderately 

 large umbels. It was introduced into the Botanic Garden, Liguanea, by Hinfon E^st, 

 Escj. The seeds are the only part used. They are of a pale yellowish colour, in sna[)e 



