54 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



changed. We say to the ferny leaved aboriginal yarrow 

 "Never mind, primitive women and primitive plants will have 

 their day again." 



Some of US love the yarrow just for its fine closely set 

 beauty. Other bright flowers arranged with it, are given 

 added grace of color and form; that spark of tone and con- 

 trast a touch of white always draws forth in flowers, faces, 

 land-and water-scapes. 



Many bugs beetles arid short tongued bees fly long dis- 

 tances following the strong scent of yarrow. Look at that 

 smoke of red lady bugs wavering out of the cool shadow of 

 willows. Like blown sparks they drop to the yarrow. The 

 taste of the plant is offensive to birds. Bugs and beetles 

 know this and many directly or by substitutes fill their bodies 

 with the juice of yarrow. Some insects dote upon the acrid 

 juice and others top off with it as a safety medicine. These 

 red lady bugs are especially fond of the plant lice that live 

 upon hoarhound, tansy, milkweed and yarrow. 



Yarrow stops nose bleed and when pushed up a well be- 

 haved nose causes it to bleed. It cures ague but if given to 

 one without malaria brings on chills and other ague symptoms 

 If bound on a healthy hand or foot it will cause rawness of 

 the skin and by the same token will heal old sores. A strong 

 infusion of the plant will break up a cold overnight but will 

 over come the lesser ailment with a fit of staggering and 

 stupor. It will cause healthy bones to ache but a strong tea 

 taken at night will in a week or less cure inflamatory rheuma- 

 tism. You see the yarrow is a potent and powerful plant. 

 Admire and respect it. Never use it trivially. It is the herb 

 of gypsies. It is the witch's plant. It is one of the simples 

 of good and wise old women. It is in the medicine case of 

 some few wise old countrv doctors. Yes indeed vou must 



