322 COMPOSITE. 



dens, a fragrant shrub, used on the Continent in making 

 beer ; A. Draciinculus, the Tarragon of gardeners, is 

 used for giving an agreeable flavour to vinegar. Some 

 species of Eupatorium have the reputed power of heal- 

 ing the bites of venomous animals ; and E. glutinosum 

 is said to be the plant which, under the name of Matico, 

 is extensively used as a styptic. It is a shrubby plant, 

 inhabiting the Andes, and derived its name from a 

 soldier, nicknamed " Matico " (Little Matthew), who, 

 having been wounded in battle, accidentally applied the 

 leaves of this plant to his wound, which had the imme- 

 diate effect of stopping the bleeding. To the RADIATE 

 belong the gorgeous Dahlia, so called, from Dr. Dahl, 

 who introduced it; ajid the "wee" Daisy, or Day's-eye, 

 which opens only in sunny weather, and peeps up 

 through the grass as if it were an eye indeed. The genus 

 Helianthus contains the Sun-flower (H. annuus), and 

 Jerusalem Artichoke (H. tuberosus) ; " Jerusalem " 

 being a corruption of an Italian word (girasole) of the 

 same meaning as Sun-flower, the name Artichoke 

 being given to mark the similarity of flavour in its 

 roots with that of the true Artichoke mentioned above. 

 It rarely flowers in England, but produces abundance of 

 tubers, which hold a high rank among esculent vege- 

 tables. It is valuable, not only for its productiveness, 

 but for the freedom with which it grows in any soil. 

 Its roots are sometimes made into a dish, which, by an 

 absurd piece of pedantry, is called "Palestine soup." 

 Chamomile and Feverfew possess valuable medicinal 

 properties, especially the former. Coltsfoot and Ele- 

 campane are useful in pectoral complaints ; the flowers 

 of Marigold are used to adulterate saffron ; the Ox-eye 

 Daisy is said to be destructive to fleas ; the yellow Ox- 

 eye affords a yellow dye, and the petals of the Dahlia a 

 beautiful carmine. 



