CAXYCIFI.0R2E. 559 



(Enanthe pimpinelloides is sail by Lindlpy to have wholfsome roots, but 

 the species of (Enanilie (see beluw) are generally very poisonous. 



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

 parts eaten. 



Petroselinum sativum is the Common Parsley of our gardens. 



Prangos pabulaiia. — The herb is used as sheep food in Tartary and the 

 adjoining countries, and has been introduced as a forage plant into this 

 country. The prevalent idea that its use corrects the tendency to rot in 

 sheep is altogether illusive. 



Slum Sisarum is commonly known under the name of Skirret. It is some- 

 times cultivated for its edible roots. 



Smyrnium Olusatrum, Alexanders, — This plant was formerly cultivated 

 like Celery. 



2. Arojiatic, Carjiixative, Stimtilant, axd Tonic Ujibellifer^. 



Anethinn graveoJens, the Dill ; Cantm Carui, the Caraway ; Coiiandrum 

 sativum, the Coriander; Cuminmn Cyniinvm, the Cummin; Daucus Carota, 

 the Carrot; Foeniculiim vulgare, the Common Fennel; Foenicidum dulce, 

 the Sweet Fennel ; Foeniculiim Pannorium, an Indian species ; Pimpinella 

 Ani.mm, the Anise; and Ptychotis Ajowan, the Ajwain or Ouium, a native of 

 Afi-ica, and much cultivated in India. The fruits of tlie above plants, com- 

 monly 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 vitta;, or pericarp. Some are also employed as condiments, 

 and for flavouring liqueurs. They are too well known to need any detailed 

 description. The fruits of Levisticum offlcinale, Lovage, have somewhat 

 similar properties. 



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

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

 ration of gin, and the liqueur known under the name of hitters. The young 

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

 very agreeable stomachic. The petioles were formerly blanched and eaten 

 like Celery. 



Eningiiim campestre and E. maritimum, Eryngo, have sweet aromatic roots, 

 possessing tonic properties. 



Ilydiocolyle asiatica. — The leaves, particularly when in a fresh state, are 

 employed in India both internally and externallj-, in leprosy, secondary 

 syphilis, &c. It is said with much beneflt. 



Meum. — M. aihamanticum, Bald-money or Mew, and M. MutelUna, have 

 aromatic tonic roots, 



Sumbiil is the root of an Umbelliferous plant, supposed to be aUied to 

 Angelica, which is imported into this country fi-om India and Russia, It 

 has a strong musky smell — hence its common name of Musk-root. It is a 

 nei-\nne stimulant and antispasmodic. It is oflacinal in the British Pharma- 

 copoeia, 



3. Poisonous UiiBELLiFER^, 



The poisonous properties are due to the presence of a narcotico-acrid juice, 

 and seem to vary according to the nature of the soil and climate, for Dr. 

 Christison has noticed, that certain species which are generally regarded as 

 poisonous, are quite harmless when obtained from some localities near 

 Edinburgh. This is a very important point, and one which requires further 

 investigation. Should it prove to be triie in all cases, it would probably 

 accoiTut in a gi-eat degree for the varying strength of the cflBcinal prepara- 

 tions of Hemlock, and which is commonly regarded to arise from their 

 cai-eless preparation, 



J!:thusa Cyncqninn, Fool's Parsley, is a very common indigenous plant, 

 possessing poisonous properties. It has been mistaken and eaten for Parsley. 



(Enanthe. — (Enanthe crocata, Hemlock Drop-wort or Dead-tongue, and 

 (Enanthe Phellandrium, 'Fine-leaved Water-di-npwort, are intensely poison- 

 ous in most localities. The roots of (Enanthe pimpinelloides. as already 

 noticed, are said to be wholesome. All the above species are indigenous. 



