248 UMBELLIFER^:. 



Conium (Hemlock) ; every part of this plant, especially 

 the fresh leaves* and green fruit, contains a volatile, oily 

 alkali, called Coma, which is so poisonous that a few 

 drops soon prove fatal to a small animal. It acts on 

 the nervous system, and is a valuable medicine in can- 

 cerous and nervous diseases. Several other British 

 species are poisonous, especially (Enanthe, Cicuta, and 

 J&thusa, described below. The second group comprises 

 those which abound in a resinous gum, of a fetid odour, 

 which is supposed to be owing to the presence of sul- 

 phur in combination with the peculiar essential oil. 

 Among these, the first place is held by Asafoetida, the 

 hardened milky juice of various species of Ferula, inha- 

 biting Persia and the neighbouring countries. This 

 drug was held in high repute among the ancients for 

 its medical virtues ; it was supposed to be an antidote 

 to poison, to restore sight to the blind, and youth to 

 the aged ; and was besides considered a certain specific 

 against various diseases. Gum Galbanum is the pro- 

 duce of other umbelliferous plants, natives of the East. 

 The third group comprises plants the seeds of which 

 abound in a wholesome aromatic oil. The principal of 

 these are well known, under the names of Caraway, 

 Coriander, Dill, Anise, and Cumin. The fourth group 

 comprises plants which contain some of the above pro- 

 perties in a very slight degree, or so modified as to form 

 wholesome esculent vegetables. Among these, Carrots 

 and Parsneps occupy the first place; Celery and Alex- 

 anders, in their wild state, are too acrid to be used as 

 food, but, when blanched by artificial means, become 

 mild and agreeable ; Parsley, Fennel, and Chervil, the 

 ]ast now nearly out of use, are well-known potherbs ; 

 Samphire affords the best of pickles ; the root of 

 Eryngo is sweet, aromatic, and tonic, and is commonly 

 sold in a candied state ; the root of Angelica (Angelica 

 Archangelicd) is fragrant and sweet when first tasted, 

 but leaves a glowing heat in the mouth, and is com- 

 mended by the Laplanders both as food and medicine : 



