VALERIAN. ley 



propagates itself in the garden or on old walls, 

 it is made the emblem of an accommodating dis- 

 position. 



The Valerian should be planted amongst the 

 shrubs of the pleasure ground, where its branch- 

 ing corymbs of deep rose-coloured flowers pro- 

 duce a good effect, from the month of June until 

 the end of October, The variety with white 

 blossoms is 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 they frequently roll over the 

 plant, so as to destroy not only the beauty of the 

 Valerian, but also of the contiguous flowers, un- 

 less thorns are placed over it. The effects of this 

 root upon cats are very peculiar ; they will roll 

 on it with ecstatic delight, and they will frequently 

 gnaw it to pieces, by which means they increase 

 its action upon the nervous system, which ap- 

 pears to be a kind of pleasing intoxication ; yet 

 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. 



