THE rOLYPETAL.^ 79 



yellow-floAvcrcd plants, and very common in open, moor- 

 land country. The Tormentil has a cross-sliaped flowez*, 

 about ^ inch (fig. 4G); the flower of Cinque foil is larger, 

 lias 5 petals, and its leaves are of the palmate type 

 (fig. 45). In the past the Cinquefoil was credited with 

 being a curative agent for cancer, jaundice, gout, and 

 other ailments. Its reputation, however, has long since 

 been shattered. The roots of Tormentil are in demand 

 by herbalists on account of their tonic and astringent 

 qualities; they further contain from 18 to 30 per cent 

 of tannic acid. 



IV, The Burnet Group (Sanguisorbidse). — This group is 

 not important for our purpose, although its members 

 have astringent or tonic properties. 



V. The Rose Group (Rosidse). 



The Red or Provence Rose (Rosa gallica). — The 



petals of the scented red roses of the Rosa gallica and 

 Rosa damascena group are imported into this country, 

 being used medicinally or for pot-pourri. 



Medicinal Properties, — From the petals a j^leasant 

 astringent infusion is made. 



Collection. — The whole of the petals are removed just 

 before they expand. 



Present Source of Supply. — Several British growers 

 bave lately given up growing this plant for medicinal 

 purposes on account of various difficulties; and as the 

 Continental supply is at present cut off, there will be a 

 scarcity for some time. The petals usually realize as, to 

 4^- per lb. when dry, but will of course now he more 

 valuable. 



^ VI The Apple Group (Pomese),— There are no medi- 

 cinal or poisonous plants in this section, although it 

 ^bould be noted that the leaves of the Mountain Ash 

 (Pyrns Aucttparia) yield a trace of prussic acid on 

 analysis, and that tlie seeds of the wliole group must be 



