CARROT 231 



from its beauty for table decoration, etc. A Surrey farmer 

 told us that more than once he found trespassers cutting 

 the leaves from his carrots, so he determined that he would 

 do so instead, and sending up large consignments of these 

 leaves to Covent Garden, he, to quote his own words, 

 " got big money for them." 



The root of the wild carrot is of a yellowish-white 

 colour, woody in texture, acrid to the taste, yet having most 

 unmistakably the typical carrot odour. The carpels that 

 form the fruits are flattened in form and bearing four very 

 bristly ridges on their surfaces. They contain a powerful 

 volatile oil, and are very aromatic to the smell and taste,' 

 being held superior in strength and efficacy to the cultivated 

 ones for medicinal purposes. The carrot, except that its 

 boiled roots are still sometimes used for soothing poultices, 

 is not now employed in medical practice ; but in earlier days, 

 including in this elastic and comprehensive term anything 

 from the days of Augustus Caesar to George the Fourth, 

 it was held in great estimation in medicine. As an article 

 of food carrots are wholesome and nutritious, consisting 

 largely of starch and sugar. Horses and cattle are very 

 fond of them, and we can most of us, we suppose, remember 

 with what entire satisfaction our rabbits munched them up. 

 Botanically the carrot is the Daucas carota^ Daucus being 

 the Greek name, dating back before the Christian era — 



' Plants (for the most part) are more strong, both in Taste and Smell in 

 the Seed than in the Leafe and Root. The Cause is, for that in Plants that 

 are not of a Fierce or Eager Spirit, the Vertue is increased by Concoction 

 and Maturation, which is euer most in the Seed : But in Plants that are of a 

 Fierce and Eager Spirit they are stronger whilest the Spirit is enclosed in the 

 Root : And the Spirits doe but weaken and dissipate when they come to the 

 Aire and Sunne. As we see it in Onions, Garlike, etc. — Bacon, Sylva 

 Sylvartim. 



