562 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



We shall allude to the more important umbelliferous plants 

 under the above arrangement of their properties. 



1. Esculent UMBELLiFERf. 



Anthriscus Cerefolium, Chervil, was formerly used for its edible roots, and 

 as a pot-herb. 



Apiuyn graveolens. Celery.— By cultivation with the absence of light, the 

 stem and petioles become succulent and develop but little aromatic oil, and 

 are then edible. 



Anesorhiza capensis is eaten at the Cape of Good Hope. 



Arracacha esculenta, Arracacha, a native of New Granada, has large 

 esculent roots. 



Bunium fiexuosum and Bulbocastanum have edible tubers, which are known 

 under the name ot Earth-nuts or Pig-nuts. B.ferulaceuryiy&ndXxye of Greece, 

 has also edible tubers, which are termed Topana. 



Crithmum ■marilimum. Samphire, is commonly used as an ingredient in 

 pickles. 



Daucus Carota, var. sativa, the cultivated or Garden Carrot, is well- 

 known for its esculent roots. These are also used in medicine in the form of 

 a poultice for their moderately stimulant properties. 



Fceniculum vulgare is the Common Fennel, and F. dulce the Sweet Fennel. 

 Both are well-known as pot-herbs and garni^shing substances. The latter is 

 frequently considered as a cultivated variety of the former. F. capensis is a 

 Cape esculent. 



Ferula. — The roots of several species of this genus, and of other allied plants, 

 are eaten in Oregon and some other parts of North America. 



Haloscias scoticum is the Scottish Lovage. 



Helosciadum californicum. — The roots are said by M. Geyer, to be very 

 delicious ; they are eaten by the Saptoria Indians in Oregon. 



(Enanthe pimpinelloirtes is said by Lindley to have wholesome roots, but the 

 genus generally must be regarded with suspicion. 



Pastinaca sativa, the Parsnip — The roots of the cultivated plant are the 

 parts eaten. 



Fetrosclinum sativum is the Common Parsley of our gardens. 



Prurigos pabularia.— The herb is used as sheep food in Tartary and the 

 adjoining countries. 



Sium Sisarutn, is commonly known under the name of Skirret. 



Smurniu7n Olusatruin Alexanders This plant was formerly cultivated 



like Celery. 



2. Aromatic, Carminative, Stimulant, and Tonic Umbellifer^. 



Archangelica officinalis, Angelica. — The root and fruits are pungent aro- 

 matic stimulants, and mild tonics. They are principally used in the prepa- 

 ration of giu, and the liqueur known under the name of bitters. The young 

 shoots are also made with sugar into a sweetmeat or candy, which forms a 

 very agreeable stomachic. 



Anethum graveolens, the Dill ; Carunt Carui, the Caraway ; Coriandrum 

 sativum, the Coriander; Cuminum Cyminum, the Cummin ; Duucns Carota, 

 the Carrot ; Fceniculum vulgare, the Common Fennel ; Focniculum dulcc, 

 the Sweet Fennel; Focniculum Pannorium, an Indian species ; and Pimpinella 

 Anisum, the Anise. The fruits of the above plants, commonly termed seeds, 

 all possess aromatic, carminative, and more or less stimulant properties, 

 which are due to the presence of volatile oils contained chiefly in the vittce, 

 <jr pericarp. Some are also employed as condiments, and for flavouring li- 

 queurs. They are too well known to need any detailed description. The fruits 

 of Levisticutn officinale, Lovage, have somewhat similar properties. 



Eryngium rcimpestre and marilimum, Eryngo, have sweet aromatic roots, 

 possessing tonic jjroperties. 



Meum athamaiiticum. Bald-money, and Af. Mutellina, possess roots of a 

 similar natun* to the preceding. 



Sunihul is tlic rooi of a supposed Umbelliferous plant, which is imported into 

 this country from Bombay and Russia. It has a strong musky smell, hence its 

 common name of Musk-root. It possesses stimulant and antispasmodic pro- 



