437 



the nerves of the stomach, and it is in some degree nar- 

 cotic ; its incautious use has sometimes been attended 

 with dangerous consequences. It is sometimes adultera- 

 ted with safflower and marigolds ; but the adulteration is 

 easily detected, for the petals of these flowers will appear 

 distinct from the stigmata of the crocus. 



RHUBARB. 



This is one of the most useful and best of all the pro- 

 ductions of the garden that are put into pies and puddings. 

 It was comparatively little known, till within the last 

 twenty or thirty years, but it is now cultivated in almost 

 every British garden. The part used is the foot-stalks of 

 the leaves, which, peeled and cut into small pieces, are 

 put into tarts, either mixed with apples or alone. When 

 quite young, they are much better not peeled. 



CORIANDER. 



This plant, of eastern origin, has been long cultivated 

 for its seeds, which are highly aromatic, and form one of the 

 less agreeable spices : they are employed by the distiller 

 in flavoring spirits, by the confectioner for incrusting witk 

 sugar, and by the druggist in medicine. Its tender leaves 

 are also sometimes used in soups and salads, and in Peru 

 the seeds are employed in great excess to season their 

 food. 



CARAWAY. 



The caraway is found growing in meadows. It is 

 likewise cultivated for its seeds. The seeds have a plea- 

 sant aromatic odor, and a sweetish, warm, pungent taste, 

 depending upon an essential oil, which is easily extract- 

 ed by rectified spirit, and partly so by water. They are 

 employed in confectionary in cakes, biscuits, etc.; in 

 medicine, as a carminative, and for flavoring spirituous 



