PARSLEY FAMILY 



193 



fruit, such as the number, position, and shape of the ridges, the 

 presence or absence of vittce, and the form of the seed. This 

 renders the group a very difficult one for the young botanist. It 

 has been divided into 9 tribes, six of which are represented by 

 British plants. There are about 70 British species belonging to 

 40 genera. 



Among so large a number of species one would naturally expect 

 to find a variety of properties, and such is to a certain extent the 

 case ; but from this point of view the members of the Order may 

 be conveniently arranged in four groups. The first group com- 

 prises plants abounding in an acrid, watery sap, which is more or 

 less narcotic and poisonous. Among these is the Hemlock 

 {Co?iii{??i), the Water Hemlock {CiaUa), the Fool's Parsley 

 {^^thiisa), and the Water Dyoy>^\ox\.s {(E?id?ithe). Every part of the 

 Hemlock, especially the fresh leaves and green fruit, contains the 

 alkaloid Co?iia, which is very poisonous. It acts on the nervous 

 system, and is a valuable medicine in certain cases. Of all 

 British Umbelliferas, the most dangerous, perhaps, are the Water 

 Dropworts (CEfidnt/ie), their large, tuberous roots, resembling 

 those of the Dahlia, being commonly exposed on the muddy 

 banks of streams, and being thus easily got at by children and 

 cattle. 



The second group comprises plants the stems of which 

 abound in a foetid gum-resin. Among these the first place is held 

 by Asafci'tida, the hardened milky juice of various species of Ferula 

 inhabiting Persia and the neighbouring countries. This drug was 

 held in high repute among the ancients for its medical virtues : it 

 was supposed to be an antidote to poison, to restore sight to the 

 blind, and youth to the aged ; and was besides considered a certain 

 specific against various diseases. Gum Gdlbanuin is the product 

 of other species of Ferula^ natives of the East. 



The third group comprises plants the fruits of w^hich abound in 

 wholesome aromatic oils. The principal of these are well known 

 under the names of Caraway^ Coriander^ Fill, Anise and Cu7Jiin. 



The fourth group comprises plants which contain some of the 

 above principles in a very slight degree, or so modified as to form 

 wholesome esculent vegetables. Among these. Carrots and 

 Pars7iips occupy the first place : Celery and Alexanders, in their 

 wild state, are too acrid to be used as food ; but, when blanched 

 by being earthed up or covered over, become mild and agreeable : 

 Parsley, Fennel, dinaChennl, the last now almost out of use, are well- 

 known pot-herbs : Sa77iphire affords the best of pickles : the sweet, 

 aromatic, and tonic root of Eryngo and the stem of Angelica 

 {Archangelica officinalis) are candied as sweetmeats ; and the root 

 o 



