WEEDS OF MAINE. 245 



ers tinge spirits and oils to a fine yellow color. " The common 

 people of France and Germany gather it with great ceremony on 

 St. John's day, and hang it in their windows as a charm against 

 storms, thunder, and evil spirits. * * * In Scotland it was 

 formerly carried about as a charm against witchcraft and enchant- 

 ment." — (Loudon.) Many years ago this plant was considered 

 the cause of cutaneous ulcers, which affected white cattle, and 

 horses with white feet and noses, during the pasture season. But 

 either the plant has lost its power, or the above idea was erroneous, 

 which is the most likely ; for the plant still remains too common, 

 but the above mentioned sores have not been noticed for a number 

 of years past. A general rule for its extermination, which will 

 also apply to many other plants, is : Let none go to seed ; and culti- 

 vate well the soil. There are two other species of Hypericum (H. 

 mufilum and H. canadense), found on low grounds and by the 

 roadside quite common. They are small species and not very 

 troublesome. 



Order 6. PINKS — Caryophyllace^. Mostly herbs with swollen 

 or tumid joints, and opposite leaves. Many species are cultivated 

 in gardens, and are among the most fragrant of cultivated plants. 

 Most of the species growing wild here are weeds, although, with 

 few exceptions, they are not very troublesome. 



17. Boston Pinks — Saponaria officinalis. Root perennial. Stem about a foot high, 

 smooth. Leaves one to three inches long, lanceolate, sessile. Flowers large, often double, 

 rose-colored, in dense terminal clusters. 



The roots of the Saponaria, as well as the leaves, form a lather 

 when swashed about in water, which is said to be a sure cure for 

 blisters produced by Mercury or Poison Ivy. I have tried it with 

 satisfactory results. It is an introduced plant from Europe, and 

 has become quite troublesome in many places where it has been 

 allowed to take root. The roots spread extensively, making the 

 plant quite difScult of eradication. "Its presence gives a very 

 slovenly appearance to the farm, and no tidy farmer will allow this 

 nuisance to disfigure his premises." Common Soap-wort, and 

 Bouncing Bet are other names for this plant. 



18. CoEN Cockle, or Rose Campion — Agrostemma Githago. Plant clothed with ap- 

 pressed hairs. /2oo« annual? 5'«e?n two to four feet high, branched, ieawes linear, three 

 to five inches long. Flowers large, reddish purple. 



Frequently found in abundance in grain fields, especially wheat. 

 The numerous, rough, black seeds "are injurious to the quality 



