liMBELLiFEROliS TRtBE 40 



leafstalk .sheathing around. These latter distinctions never characteiize 

 cruciferous plants. The flowers are small and white, appearing in July and 

 August ; and the stem is sometimes two feet long. Though generally- 

 regarded as a plant containing poisonous properties, yet it was recommended 

 by Dr. Withering to be taken, either alone or with milk, as an alterative 

 medicine. The French call the plant Berle ; the Germans, IVassermeek ; the 

 Dutch, JFatereppe ; the Italians, Sio. 



2. Least Marshwort (H. inunddtum). — Stem creeping; lower leaves 

 finely divided into hair-like segments ; upper ones pinnatifid. Root peren- 

 nial. This plant, which occurs in ponds that are left dry during summer, 

 has stems but a few inches long, and umbels with only two rays of very 

 small Avhite flowers, which are produced in June and July. These and the 

 upper leaves are the only parts of the plant seen above the shallow waters. 



9, Bastard Stone-Parsley {S/mi). 



Hedge Bastard Stone-Parsley (*S'. amdmum). — Stem erect ; lower 

 leaves pinnate ; leaflets oblong, cut, and serrated ; upper leaflets cut into 

 narrow segments. This Parsley, though rare in Scotland, is found not 

 unfrequently in England, in damp chalky places, on borders of woods, or 

 under hedges. The little cream-coloured flowers expand in August. The 

 umbels of flowers are very small. The whole plant has a very offensive 

 odour, especially if bruised. The fruit, which is egg-shaped, is pungent and 

 aromatic. This plant is the Berle aromatique of the French ; the Germans 

 call it Amomleiii. 



10. Gout-weed {jEgopodimn). 



Common Gout-weed, or Bishop's-weed {^E. podagrdria). — Stem 

 erect, furroAved ; leaves two or three times ternate ; leaflets egg-shaped, 

 pointed, and acutely serrated, unequal at the base. Plant perennial. The 

 gardener who has shady or damp places in his garden is often much troubled 

 with this plant ; for its creeping root will take such hold of the soil, that it 

 is very difficult of eradication. It has large dark-green leaves and white 

 flowers, and soon grows, if left untouched, to a foot or a foot and a half high. 

 It is common in damp spots and waste places throughout the ccuntry, 

 although it is not found far from human habitations. Though a disagreeable 

 weed, it was doubtless introduced by the monks, and had an old repute as a 

 cure for gout, for which malady the German physicians are said still to 

 prescribe it. The creeping root is pungent and aromatic, with some 

 acrimony, and this is the portion of the plant employed. Culpepper says, 

 " Neither is it to be supposed Goutweed hath its name for nothing ; but upon 

 experiment to heal the gout and sciatica ; as also joint-aches and other cold 

 griefs. The very bearing of it about one easeth the pain of the gout, and 

 defends him that bears it from the disease." The plant also was called Herb 

 Gerrard and Asheweed. The small white flowers should be sought from June 

 to August. 



11. Caraway (Cdrum). 

 1. Common Caraway (C. carwi).— Partial involucre none; general 

 none, or one-leaved ; leaves tAvice pinnate ; leaflets cut into slender segments. 



II.— 7 



