88 ERIGERON BELLIDIFOLIUM. POOR ROBINS PLANTAIN. 



on to distinguish it. There are numerous species in the United 

 States, abounding chiefly in the higher regions, but the popular 

 aspect referred to characterizes them all. Our species is one of 

 the most frequendy met with in the Eastern States. 



It is not particularly confined to open meadows, though often 

 found there. 



" But this bold floweret climbs the hill, 

 Hides in the forest, haunts the glen, 

 Plays on the margin of the rill, 

 Peeps round the fox's den " — 



as Montgomery says of its celebrated English ally. It is 

 almost impossible for the average collector to make very exten- 

 sive journeys in spring time without meeting it. Very often it 

 forms thick patches many yards in extent, keeping down most 

 other vegetation, by its creeping stems — and then its bluish-pur- 

 ple flowers give a peculiar feature to the spring vegetation even 

 when seen from long distances. 



Beyond Its spring beauty — though that is no mean element of 

 usefulness — the " Poor Robin's Plantain" has not made for itself 

 much of a name in the service of man. Rafinesque, one of the 

 most industrious authors in the early part of the present century, 

 gives a special chapter to the medical virtues of the E. Philadel- 

 phiciun, and seems to include our species, which he calls " the 

 Daisy Flea-bane, a Vernal Vernil," amongst others, when he says: 

 "They were known to the Northern Indians by the name of 

 Cocash or Squaw-weed as menagogue' and diuretics." As a 

 styptic he thinks "they have saved many lives." It is extremely 

 useful when applied to wounds and tumors. 



Exi'LANATiONS OF THP: PLATE. — I. A plant from Pennsylvania taken in May. 2. Upper por- 

 tion of flower stalk. 3. Runners which later in the season form new plants at their ends. 



