72 



HUTCHINSON'S POPULAR BOTANY 



secretion from the leaves of 

 Cistus creticus, which is 

 gathered in the island of 

 Crete by dragging leathern 

 straps over the plants. The 

 Ladanum adheres to the 

 straps, and when they are 

 well coated it is scraped 

 off and used in the prepara- 

 tion of a perfume. 



The scent of Lavender, 

 remarkably enough, is more 

 powerful in British-grown 

 plants than in those culti- 

 vated in the south of Europe, 

 its native habitat, much 

 light and heat being un- 

 favourable to the production 

 of the fragrant oil. Equally 

 curious is the statement 

 the truth of which is 

 vouched for by Dr. Christi- 

 son that the Cowbane 

 (Cicuta virosa) and Hemlock 

 Water-dropwort (GKnanthe 

 crocata], which are poisonous 

 in most districts of England, 

 are innocuous when grown 

 near Edinburgh ! The state- 

 ment seems hardly credible, 

 and though supported by so high an authority as Dr. Christison, should 

 be received if received at all with considerable caution. We do not 

 remember whether the statement has been tested certainly we should 

 not expect Scottish stock owners to experiment with it upon their cattle, 

 for at intervals one reads in the newspapers that valuable beasts have 

 been killed through eating the plant. Too much care cannot be taken 

 in dealing with plants' [of this Natural Order the Umbelliferse for 

 though it yields us such valuable cultivated plants as Carrot, Parsnip, 

 Parsley, and Celery, it also includes Hemlock and other virulent poisons. 



by] [E. Step. 



FIG. 101. THE MALE FERN (Nephrodium filix-mas). 



One of the most robust of our ferns. In contrast to those of the Lady 



Pern, its fronds are thick-textured, and it can grow in drier situations. 



TEMPERATE REGIONS. 



