UMBELLIFEEOUS TKIBE 43 



2. Sanicle (Sankula). 



Wood Sanicle (S. europcea). — Leaves mostly from the root, palmate, 

 ^vith the lol)es three-cleft and cut ; fertile flowers sessile ; root perennial. 

 The flowers of this plant form rather a panicle than an umbel, not having 

 that regular arrangement around the top of the stem which is one of the 

 usual characteristics of the umbelliferous tribe ; and some of the flower-stalks 

 are long, and others short. The stem is about a foot, or a foot and a half 

 high, and the large leaves of deep dull green. Nor is there any brightness 

 of hue on any part of the plant, though its form is exceedingly elegant. It 

 is frequent in woods, especially near streams, or in very moist places ; and is 

 in flower during May and June. The blossoms are small, of dull white when 

 expanded, but while young, tinted more or less with chocolate colour or pink. 

 Its name, Sanicula, significant of its healing virtues, has its synonym in most 

 of the coimtries of Europe, and may indicate that the old English proverb, 

 "He that hath Sanicle, needetli no surgeon," would have found as ready a 

 credence in other countries as in ours. Gerarde says of it, " It is used in 

 potions which are called vulnerarie potions, or wound drinks, Avhich make 

 whole and sound all inward wounds and outward hurts." There is some 

 slight bitterness and astringencj'^ in the leaves, as well as some degree of 

 acridity ; and it is probable that its application to wounds would do more 

 harm than good. Sir J. E. Smith says that it partakes of that virose 

 acrimony which is found in most umbelliferous plants growing on moist fat 

 soils. Its flavour is not only disagreeable, but leaves a burning sensation on 

 the tongue. The French call this plant La Sanicle, and the Germans Der 

 Sanikel. It is the Sanicola of the Italians, and the Sanikel of the Dutch. 



3. Eryngo {Erinigiiim). 



1. Sea Eryngo, or Sea Holly {E. maritimum). — Root-leaves roundish, 

 plaited, spiny, stalked, upper ones palmate, lobed, clasping the stalk ; leaves 

 of the involucre 3-lobed; scales of the receptacle 3-cleft; root perennial. 

 This plant is Avell called Sea Holly. No one could look at its thick, rigid, 

 spiny leaves without thinking of those of our well-known evergreen. Their 

 colour, however, is very different ; for it is not dark and glossy, but of sea- 

 green glaucous hue, beautifully veined with white. The flovrers look some- 

 thing like thistles ; and it is well described by the poet — 



" Eryngo, to the threat'iiing storm, 

 With dauntless pride uprears 

 His azure crest and warrior form, 

 And points his spears." 



The small blue blossoms grow in a dense head, on a scaly receptacle. They 



are produced in July and August. The stem is about two feet high, and the 



seeds are aromatic. 



This handsome plant is not unfrequent on the sandy shores of England ; 



and is often sold among the shells and other marine curiosities brought by 



boys to the beach. It is by no means a fragile flower, and preserves its form 



and appearance so well throughout the winter, that a good bouquet for that 



season may be made of this plant, mingled with carline thistle, sea lavender, 



and sea-side grasses. It is very tough in texture, and difficult to gather; 



6—2 



