TETRANDIA. ] 17 



leaves and stalk, there is a quantity of water which people 

 may drink. There are several species of this genus, but 

 that only which is useful, is the Dipsacus fullonum, or cloth- 

 iers' Teasel. This is cultivated for raising a nap on cloth 

 The flower is terminal, and grows in a cylindrical head, the 

 chaffs, or awns of which are furnished with hooks. When 

 these are drawn along the cloth, they catch hold of its fibres, 

 and thus, as it is termed, raise the nap. The wild Teasel, it 

 is said, is not hooked. 



GENUS Rubia. Madder. Rubia, from the Latin, ruber, 

 red, because the root colors red. 



The species Rubia tinctorium, or Dyers' Madder, is culti- 

 vated as an article of commerce, in various parts of the world. 

 It has a weak stalk which trails upon the ground, or climbs 

 up some support. Its roots are small, but several feet in 

 length, and from these the scarlet dye of clothiers is chiefly 

 made. When animals feed on Madder, their bones are col- 

 ored red, and if the plant be alternately given and inter- 

 mitted, their bones will be found in alternate red and white 

 circles. 



GENUS Cornus. Dogwood. Cornus, from Cornu, a horn, 

 because the wood is hard and durable, like horn. Anciently 

 this wood was used for warlike instruments. We have about 

 twelve species of this genus in our woods. The larger kinds 

 are very ornamental, especially the common Dogwood, (Cor- 

 nus fiorida,) which is a large shrub growing every where in 

 the woods. Its leaves are ovate, and acuminate. The flow- 

 ers in heads, surrounded by large involucres which are 

 nearly white, and which give the tree a very showy appear- 

 ance, particularly as it is in flower in May, while the green 

 leaves of the other trees by which it is surrounded are just 

 putting forth. The fruit is a red berry. The wood is hard 

 and compact, and is sometimes employed by cabinet-makers, 

 instead of box. 



GENUS Plantago. Plantain. Of this there are forty or 

 fifty species, some of which, the broad and narrow leaved 

 Plantain, every one knows. The broad leaved, (Plantago 

 major,) grows about houses, and seems to thrive best when 

 most trampled upon. This has from time immemorial been 



What does the name dipsacus signify, and why was this genus so 

 named ? What use is made of the teasel ? What curious effect does 

 madder have upon the bones of animals that eat it ? What is the origin 

 of the name cornus ? 



