190 8YNGENE8IA. 



GENUS Artemisia. Wormwood. Name from Artemu, 

 one of the appellations of Cinna, or as Pliny says, from Arte- 

 misia, queen of Mausolus, king of Caria. Of this genus there 

 are sixty or seventy species, one only of which, the common 

 Wormwood, (Artemisia absinthium,) is considered of much 

 use. This herb is bitter to a proverb, and exceedingly disa- 

 greeable to the taste ; hence its specific name, absinthium, 

 which signifies unpleasant. It is, however, sometimes em 

 ployed in medicine as a tonic. 



% GENUS Aster. Starwort. The name signifies a star, be- 

 cause the numerous rays or petals of this genus, around the 

 circumference, resemble a star. It is a very numerous genus, 

 a great proportion of which are North American plants. The 

 species rise from a few inches to eight or ten feet high. In 

 England they are called Christmas Daisies, in allusion to 

 their late flowering, which in this country takes place chiefly 

 from July to October, and November. The botanical student 

 will find an abundance of these flowers in all parts of North 

 America, in their season. Their colors are purple, red, blue, 

 white, lilac, &c. They are found by road sides, in open 

 fields, and in woods. The New England Aster is one of the 

 most conspicuous species. The stem is five or six feet high, 

 flowers large, dark purple, terminal, and in large clusters. 

 Grows byroad sides, and flowers in September. 



GENUS Solidago. Golden rod. Name from the Latin 

 solidari, to unite, in allusion to the supposed healing property 

 of some of the species. The species are numerous, and all 

 consist of coarse looking, herbaceous plants, with yellow 

 flowers. With the exception of a few species, the whole 

 genus are natives of North America. They are to be seen 

 every where by the sides of fences in August, September and 

 October, rising from two to six or eight feet high, with dense 

 terminal racemes, of yellow flowers. One species known 

 under the name of Golden rod, (Solidago odora,) differs from 

 the others, in having linear, lanceolate, leaves, which are 

 smooth on the surface, with rough edges, and in possessing a 

 delightful fragrance partaking of that of anise, and sassafras. 

 The essential oil of this species is employed, when diluted, 

 as a carminative remedy. It grows in low grounds, gene- 



What is the scientific name of wormwood, and whence does it derive 

 its name ? Whence does the genus Aster derive its name ? What is 

 said of the American asters ? What is the derivation of the word soli- 

 dago ? What is said of the genus as a whole ? 



