234 



THE BOKAGE FAMILY. 



of a reddish colour, which subsequently deepens, so that it is not 

 unusual to see blossoms of several different tints in the same raceme. 

 They seldom have any smell. The hairs of many species, when 

 magnified, are found to be placed on little mounds resembling heaps 

 of pearls. In other cases they have a large, round, bulbous pedestal ; 

 and occasionally those upon the calyx are hooked at the end. 



Fig. 145. 

 Poets' For"et-rae-not. 



Fig. 144. 

 Conifrey. 



Of this interesting and beautiful family it is estimated that there 

 are not less than six hundred species. They are natives prlncii^ally 

 of the temperate countries of the northern hemisphere, especially 

 those of the South of Europe, diminishing both towards the frigid 

 zone and the equator. In properties they are mucilaginous and emol- 

 lient, on which account several have been valued in rustic medicine. 

 The roots of others furnish reddish dyes. None are deleterious. 



Twenty-six species grow wild in England, and twelve of them near 

 Manchester. 



