60 UMBELLIFER^ 



the stem is about a foot or a foot and a half high, nearly without branches, 

 marked with lines, and often tinged with red. The Highlanders, who call 

 it also Sea Parsley, sometimes chew it as toljacco. The French term it 

 L'angdliqne afeuilles d'ache. It is the Liebsflickel of the Germans, the Lavas 

 Kruid of the Dutch, and the Ligusfico of the Italians and Spaniards. The 

 Danes call it Loedilh. 



21. Pepper Saxifrage (Sildus). 



Meadow Pepper Saxifrage (.S'. jiratensis). — Leaves thrice pinnate; 

 leaflets lanceolate, entire, or twice cleft, opposite ; general involucre of one 

 or two leaves. Root perennial. This is a conspicuous plant, growing to 

 one or two feet in height, its leaves being chiefly at the root, and its dull 

 pale yellow flowers placed at the top of its stem. It is not very frequent, 

 but is found on some damp pastures both in England and Scotland, flower- 

 ing from May to September. It has a very disagreeable odour, and is 

 apparently not liked by cattle. Sir J. E. Smith remarks : " The whole plant, 

 being fetid when Ijruised, is supposed, in some parts of Norfolk, to give a 

 bad flavour to milk and butter; but cattle do not eat it, except perhaps 

 accidentally, or in small quantities, though sufficient, it may be, to have the 

 effect in question." Its general appearance is very similar to that of the 

 Lovage. 



22. Spignel {M4am). 



Meu, or Bald-money {M. athamdnticum). — Leaves long, twice pinnate; 

 leaflets divided into many hair-like segments ; general involucre of two or 

 three leaves ; partial of many leaves. Plant perennial. The Spignel is 

 pleasantly and powerfully aromatic, the root being especially so. This is 

 shaped like a carrot, and prized for its carminative virtues. It has a sweetish 

 flavour, reminding one of the Melilot ; and it is said to communicate this to 

 milk and butter, if, during spring, the cows feed upon it. Sir W. Hooker 

 says that the common name of Bald, or Bald-money is a corruption of Balder, 

 the Apollo of the North, to whom the plant was dedicated. The French 

 call it L'Ethiise afeuilles capillaires ; the Germans term it Bdrwiirz ; and it is 

 the Meu both of the Spaniards and Italians. Its Dutch name of Becrwortel 

 would indicate that it is sometimes used to flavour malt liquor, • which is not 

 improbable. The plant is frequent in the Highlands on dry pastures, and 

 the root is eaten there as an aromatic. It is not rare on mountainous lands 

 in the north of England. It is easily known by its dark thread-like leaves, 

 and its strong odour. It bears yellowish-green flowers in June and July. 



23. Samphire {Crithimm). 



Sea Samphire (C. maritimum). — Leaves fleshy, 2 — 3 pinnate ; leaflets 

 lanceolate, few, narrowed at both ends. Plant perennial. From May to 

 August the greenish-white flowers of this Samphire may be found in thick 

 clusters, but they are not very showy. Clumps of the plant, however, by 

 their foliage, enliven the sea-cliff's on many parts of our coast. On the chalky 

 heights of Dover the plant is abundant, now and then growing within the 

 reach of him who wanders at their base, but more generally springing from 

 rocky crevices at so great a height that he cannot clearly distinguish the 



