COMPOSITE. 119 



Lactuca. L. 17. 1. Lettuce. 



Three species indigenous to this State ; two, integrifolia, and 

 sanguinea, Big., chiefly about Boston, and first described by Dr. 

 Bigelow ; another, villosa, has also been found. 



L. elongata. Tall or Wild Lettuce. A large, strong plant, 

 often 6 or more feet high, about fences in cultivated fields, with 

 long and large runcinate leaves, clasping the stem. Totally dif- 

 ferent from Fireiveed. 



In the gardens are cultivated several varieties of L. sativa, L., 

 Common Lettuce. As a sallad, few plants compare with these 

 varieties. As food, it is a rather soporiferous but healthful vege- 

 table. 



The genus is named from the milky juice of the leaves, in 

 which is contained some opium. Indeed, this drug, little inferior 

 to the opium of the poppy, has been obtained in England and in 

 this country by incisions in the plants. Cultivation lessens the 

 quantity of the juice. L. elongata yields it in great quantity 

 and perfection. About 20 species are indigenous to Britain, or 

 cultivated there. 



Prenanthes. L. 17. 1. 



The name is derived from the Greek for drooping Jloicer, a 

 common character of the species. 



4 species, natives of this country, are found in this State ; con- 

 tain a white juice, and resemble Wild Lettuce. 



P. alba. L. White Lettuce. About fields, 4-5 feet high. 



P. allissima. L. Tall, often 6 feet high, in woods. None 

 of the species of any use in New England. P. cordata^ Ph., 

 and P. virgata, Mx., are distinguished, the former by yellowish, 

 the latter by pale-purple flowers. One species, P. serpentaria^ 

 Ph., which grows in the Southern States, and is called Lion's 

 Foot, is used for the cure of the bite of the rattlesnake ; it does 

 not greatly differ from P. alba. 



