FUMA'RIA NOB'ILIS. 



GREAT-FLOWERED FUMATORY. 

 Class. Order. 



DIADELPHIA. HEXANDRIA. 



Natural Order. 



PAPAVBRACBjE. 



No. 69. 



The term Fumaria is allowed to have had its origin 

 in the Latin fumus, smoke ; but on what account is 

 not so easy to determine. It has been said, from its 

 affecting the eyes like smoke. This, however, after 

 examining several species, we cannot corroborate. 

 Some of the old herbalists call it smoke of the 

 ground ; from which it may, possibly, be inferred, 

 that they named it from its glaucous, or smoke-like 

 appearance, when viewed in considerable quantity, 

 at a distance. Nobilis, from the Latin, noble or 

 excellent. 



This plant is desirable for its very hardy na- 

 ture, as well as its gaiety at that particular period 

 of spring, when a blank is wont to pervade our bor- 

 ders : when we have seen the crocuses, hepaticas, 

 scillas, and earlier beauties pass away, and but few 

 of their successors bold enough to venture forth. 



It will flourish in any light garden soil, though 

 with but little increase. Its seeds are not frequently 

 perfected in England, therefore its propagation must 

 depend on offsets ; which may be separated at any 

 time after the decay of its leaves. Transplanting 

 weakens the roots. 



18 Hort. KPW. 2, v. 4, 239. 



