NAT. ORDER. 



Asperifolice. 



BORAGO OFFICINALIS. COMMON BORAGE. 



Class V. Pentandria. Order I. Monogynia. 



Gen. Char. Corolla wheel-shaped, flat, tube short. Calyx five-cleft, 

 ovate, rough. ; 



Spe. Char. Leaves ovate, alternate, undulated, hairy. Floxoers 

 large, blue. 



The Borago Officinalis, although commonly found growing about 

 rubbish and in waste grounds, is not, however, originally a native of 

 this country, but has now been long enough naturalized here to be 

 considered as an American plant. Its Jioioers, which appear from 

 June till September, are of a beautifid blue color ; hence this plant 

 in many gardens is cultivated for ornament as well as for its popular 

 use, as an ingredient in that grateful summer beverage known by the 

 name of " cool tankard." 



This plant appears to have been very much used by the ancients, 

 and its reputed medicinal character seems also to correspond most ex- 

 actly with that of the common bugloss ; the flowers of both have been 

 termed cordial, from which they have been very highly recommended 

 in melancliolia, and other affections of the nervous system. As these 

 flowers possess neither warmth, pungency, nor fragrance, their cordial 

 efficacy has been ascribed to a saline quality, which, by abating inordi- 

 nate heat, is found to be peculiarly grateful and refreshing. But 

 (hough the herbaceous substance of Borage has been discovered to 



contain a saline matter, there is no evidence of its existence in t!;i 



as 



