98 ALPINE FLOWERS AND GARDENS 



this Arnica — though I know of no evidence that it 

 is injurious to them. This is more than can be 

 said of another striking mountain plant, Veratrum 

 album. This the cattle have excellent reason for 

 not touching : it is intensely poisonous. With its 

 large, deeply-ridged, dark green leaves and tall 

 spike of gi'eenish-yellow flowers, it is a handsome 

 feature of damp pastures. Tourists frequently 

 mistake it for the tall and stately Yellow Gentian 

 {Gentianalutea),^\\\\^\\\Qk\ itis often found growing, 

 and to which, in the earlier stages of its growth, it 

 bears some resemblance. But the Yellow Gentian 

 has more oval leaves, of a lighter green, and different 

 texture. If the cows eat of this Gentian the milk 

 acquires a very bitter taste, and is spoilt. In its 

 proper place, however, this bitter taste is much 

 appreciated by the Swiss. The celebrated Gentian- 

 Bitter, excellent for indigestion, is made from the 

 long, yellow, deep -growing root, and guides use it 

 as a warming and invigorating cordial at high 

 altitudes. 



An Alpine of the fullest grace and fascination is 

 ThaUctrum aquilegifoUum, growing airy-light among 

 the formal Rhododendron or other bushes on some 

 semi-shaded slope, its slender flower-stem crowned 

 with a mauve or creamy-white, cloud-like plume of 



