VALERIAN. 153 



propagates itself in the garden or on old walls, it is 

 made the emblem of an accommodating disposition. 



The Valerian should be planted amongst the 

 shrubs of the pleasure-ground, where its branching 

 corymbs of deep rose-coloured flowers produce a 

 good effect, from the month of June until the end 

 of October. The variety with white blossoms 15 

 also very ornamental when disposed amongst shrubs 

 or trees, but it is too large and scrambling a plant 

 to hold a place in the parterre of choice flowers : 

 added to which, cats are so fond of the perfume of 

 these flowers, as to be attracted to it, and by rolling 

 over the plant, destroy not only its beauty, but also 

 that of all contiguous flowers, unless thorns are 

 placed over them. The effects of this root upon 

 cats are very peculiar : they will roll on it with 

 ecstatic delight, and gnawing it to pieces, its actioi:i 

 upon their nervous system appears to produce i» 

 them a kind of pleasing intoxication : it should, 

 however, be remarked, that all cats are not equally 

 affected by its effluvia. The Red Valerian, the 

 Yellow Wall-flower, and the Blue Throat-wort, 

 form a gay assemblage on rocky banks or old ruins. 



The Valerian may be increased by parting the 

 roots in autumn, as well as from seed. 



It is the root of the wild Valerian, officinalis^ 

 which is principally used in medicine. *' It is warm 

 and aromatic, of a rather fetid smell. The proper- 



H 5 



