DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 329 



POLYGONATTIM. SOLOMON'S SEAL. 



[From Greek words signifying many and knee, in reference to the numerous 

 joints upon the stems.] 



Polygonatum multiflornm, or Giant Solomon's Seal, is 

 a perennial, two or three feet high, with white flowers in 

 the axils of the leaves, in June ; appropriate for the shrub- 

 bery or borders. Gerarde, our old author, speaking of 

 the virtues of the plant, says, " that the roots are excellent 

 good for to seale or close up greene wounds, being stamped 

 and laid thereon, whereupon it was called Sigillum Salo- 

 monVs, for the single virtue it hath in sealing or healing 

 vp wounds, broken bones, and such like." He further 

 says, " The root of Solomon's Seale, stamped while it is 

 fresh and greene, and applied, taketh away, in one night, 

 or two, at the most, any bruise, blacke or bleu spots, got- 

 ten by fals, or women's wilfulnesse, in stumbling vpon 

 their hasty husband's fists, or such like." A very useful 

 plant, one would think, for some families to cultivate. 

 We have two native species which resemble this, P. bifto- 

 rum and P. giganteum, which are common on river banks, 

 etc. 



PORTTTLACA. PURSLANE. 



Portulaca grandiflora. Showy Portulaca. Every 

 person who has had any experience in the garden is too 

 well acquainted with the weed Purslane, or Pursly, and 

 would gladly see an extermination, not only of that plant, 

 but all its kindred. It is indeed a troublesome weed ; but 

 as no one should be condemned because he happens to 

 have bad relations, neither should Portulaca grandiflora^ 

 which is a splendid Purslane. In speaking of it we leave 

 off the Purslane and call it the splendid Portulaca, for, 

 were its family connections generally known, we should 



