86 NAT. ORDER. ASPERIFOLLE. 



flowers ; so that the advantages supposed to be derived by a vinous 

 infusion of these, like those of bugloss, can only be imputed to the 

 menstruum. Tlie leaves of Borage manifest nothing remarkable either 

 to the smeU or the taste ; but tliey abound with a juice, which in its 

 expressed state is said to be saltisli, and which, on being boiled a suf- 

 ficient time, forms crystals of nitre ; similar crystals have also been 

 obtained from a decoction of the leaves ; and hence it may be inferred 

 that this plant has a peculiar claim to the possession of refrigerating 

 and aperient virtues. 



Borago oricntalis. Oriental Perennial Borage. This species is 

 an annual plant, with thick fleshy roots, spreading under the siu-face ; 

 the root-leaves are numerous, oblong, and heart-shaped, on long 

 iiatry foot-stalks ; the flower-stem rises more than two feet in height, 

 having at the joints a single, small, sessile leaf; tlie upper part 

 branches out into several small foot-stalks, which are terminated by 

 loose panicles of flowers, of a pale-blue color ; the petals is turned 

 back, so that the connected anthers and styles are left naked. The 

 seeds are smaller than of the common borage. When the flower- 

 stalks first appear, the flowers seem collected into a close spike, some 

 of which spread open before the stalk is six inches high ; but, as the 

 stalks advance, they divide into many loose spikes. It is a native 

 of Constantinople, and flowers in March. 



Projjagation and Culture. These plants are easily propagated, 

 either by the seed or dividing the roots, according to the kinds. The 

 first sort, and varieties, will succeed in almost any soil or situation, 

 being perfectly hardy ; but the latter species, as the flower stems are 

 put forth very early in the spring, requires a dry soil, and warm as- 

 pect, to guard against the effects of frost. Such effects are much ob- 

 viated by having their roots planted in dry lune or other rubbish, as 

 well as their over luxuriant growth prevented, and the danger of 

 frosts consequently greatly lessened. When these plants have 

 been once planted, they continue for many years with little trouble 

 and are not liable to be injured by the vicissitudes of heat and cold. 



