140 Ml.DICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS 



the search-light which we nowadays bring to bear on all 

 possible useful plants.' Mr. Hohues states that the florets 

 require careful drying to prevent them sticking together, 

 and that the connnercial article might be much Improved 



by growing a deep-coloured variety, like that known as 



" Prince of Oranofe ". 

 The Chamomiles; — 



The Common Chamomile 



{A ntJteinis nohilis) is a 

 native of this country, and 

 is cultivated not only here 

 but also in Belgium, France, 

 and elsewhere on tlie Con- 

 tinent. The flower itself is 



about 



inch in diameter, 



the ray florets being white, 

 whilst those in tlie centre 

 are yellow. A further help 

 to identification is pro- 

 vided by the receptacle, 

 as is called the j)latforin 

 on M'hich the florets are 

 contained. In contradis- 

 tinction to the receptacle 

 of the German Chamomile, 



that 



of 



the Common 



Chamomile is holloiv, coni- 



ng 80.— Connnon Cbanmmilo 



iAnthemfti nohilis) 



rt, Ray floret, h, Disk fluict. 



cal, and densely covered 

 with scaly bracts (fig. 8G). 



The dried expanded flower -heads are collected from 

 cultivated plants, and contain 0'2 per cent of the official 

 volatile oil, and a small amount of a bitter substance. 

 Warm infusions have the general properties of fomen- 

 tations and poultices, and are much used externally to 

 soothe pain. As it produces a mild emetic effect when 



