SYNGENESIA. 189 



(called Lactucarium,) hence those who eat much lettuce be- 

 come dull and sleepy. 



GENUS Hieracium. Hawloweed. This name comes from 

 the absurd belief formerly entertained, that birds of prey made 

 use of the juice of this plant to assist their vision ; hence the 

 name, from the Greek icrax, which signifies Hawk. It is an 

 extensive genus of plants, some of the species being found 

 in nearly every known temperate climate, In this country 

 we have many species, of which the veiny leaved, (Hieracium 

 venosum^) is among the prettiest. The leaves are radical, 

 spreading on the ground, shape narrow obovate, entire, cili- 

 ated and elegantly variegated with dark red veins. Scape 

 erect, slender, of a dark brown color, and furnished with a 

 few scattering leaves ; flowers in a yellow panicle. Grows 

 upon dry hills. 



GENUS Cynara. Artichoke. Name, said to be from the 

 Greek kuon, a dog, because the hard spines of the involucrum 

 resemble the teeth of that animal. This genus very much 

 resembles some of the thistles in appearance, and indeed they 

 both belong to the same natural family. Two or three spe- 

 cies are cultivated for culinary purposes. That called the 

 Globe Artichoke, is a variety of the garden kind, (Cynara sco- 

 lymus,) and grows six or eight feet high, bearing a purple 

 flower. It is a plant of a very striking appearance, and being- 

 armed at all points, seems to bid defiance to any common 

 assault. The eatable parts are the lower portion of the leaves 

 of the calyx ; also the fleshy receptacle of the flower, freed 

 from its bristles and seed down, and sometimes the central 

 leaf stalk in a blanched state. These parts being boiled and 

 dipped in melted butter are ready for the palate. These 

 plants in our climate require to be covered during the 

 winter with straw, and if well treated with manure will last 

 five or six years. The heads appear in June. 



ORDER II. SYNGENESIA SUPERFLUA. 



The florets of the disk are furnished with both stamens 

 and pistils ; those of the margin or ray with pistils only. The 

 pistils of the ray therefore would seem to be superfluous, be- 

 cause those of the disk are perfect without them, and hence 

 the name of the order, Superftua, that is, superfluous. 



Whence does the hieracium derive its name 1 What is said of the 

 artichoke ? What are the characteristics of the order Superflua ? Why 

 is the order named Superfiua t 



