31 



Alexanders (SmyrniumOlusatrura)— A stout 

 erect herb, two to three feet higti, with a 

 shining, angular and furrowed stem, not un- 

 like celery, is found sparingly in waste 

 ground. Flowers yellow, bearing seeds simi- 

 lar to coriander. It is cultivated for its me- 

 dicinal properties, the root macerated in rum 

 being used externally and internally for 

 rheumatism. 



Burr Parsley (Caucalis Nodosa)— A small 

 herb six to eighteen inches high, rough all 

 over with short granulated hairs, leaves 

 dense, resembling the carrot. Flowers pink- 

 ish white, in dense subglose heads, common 

 in waste places. 



Shepherd's Needle (Bidens Leucanthus)— An 

 erect, branching plant, stems four, angular, 

 nearly smooth. Leaves serrate. Flowers 

 yellowish, followed by barbed awns which ad- 

 here to clothing, and give evidence how seeds 

 can be conveyed to distances from such con- 

 ditions. 



Groundsel (Senecio Vulgaris) — An erect 

 weed, about one foot high with a fleshy 

 stem. Flowers yellow, heads drooping, grows 

 sparingly in waste ground, and is sought 

 after like chickweed for caged song-birds. 



Plantain (Plantago Major)— A plant almost 

 sessile, with large leaves, not unlike a young 

 dock, throwing up a slender whip-like spike 

 terminating in a lengthened head, with in- 

 conspicuous greenish white flower.s. In the 

 northwest of Canada this plant was un- 

 known until the country became settled, 

 and it is to this day called by the Indians 

 " whiteman's footsteps." Closely allied to it 

 is the Ribwort (P. Lanceolata) with narrower 

 leaves three to five ribbed, somewhat woolly. 

 Flowers inconspicuous and found everywhere. 



