100 



COMPOSITE. 



The seeds of the lettuce also possess narcotic quali- 

 ties, and the leaves when boiled in water have been 

 used as soothing poultices. 



Lactuca quercinu, Palmata and Intybacea are culti- 

 vated by the French as salads. 



Sonchus oleraceus, common sow-thistle, possesses 

 diuretic and laxative properties. The young tender 

 leaves of this plant, as well as those of Sonckus arven- 

 sis and palustris,a.Te eaten as greens in some countries. 

 In Rome and Florence, Sonchus tencrimus is used as 

 a salad. Swine are said to be fond of these plants, 

 and hence the English name soiu-thistlc, which has been 

 applied to them. Sonchus Alpinus bears numerous 

 large blue flowers, and is the rarest British species. 

 It is found only in one or two stations in the Gram- 

 pian range. 



Leontodon taraxacum receives the names of Dent 

 de Lion, Dandelion, lion's tooth, from the deep tooth- 

 like divisions of its leaves. The plant has a con- 

 siderable degree of bitterness, but when blanched like 

 endive, it may be used as a salad. The tender young 

 leaves, in consequence of being less bitter, are often 

 used for this purpose. The root resembles a carrot, 

 and yields a bitter milky juice, which loses its bitter- 

 ness by drying. When roasted, it is used by the com- 

 mon people in some parts of Germany as a substitute 

 for coffee. Medically dandelion acts as a tonic and 

 diuretic. The expressed juice of the leaves is said to 

 be useful in chronic cutaneous diseases, and in abdo- 

 minal obstructions. In jaundice and diseases of the 

 liver it has also been frequently employed. The plant 

 is a troublesome weed, and is extirpated with great 

 difficulty. 



The genus Scorzonera derives its name from the 

 Catalonian word for a viper, the plant being consi- 

 dered in Spain to be a remedy for the bite of that 

 reptile. The root of Scorzonera Hispanica, garden or 

 Spanish viper's-grass, is carrot-shaped, about the thick- 

 ness of a finger, and bears some resemblance to the 

 body of a viper. When deprived of its outer skin, 

 and boiled or stewed, it forms an agreeable article of 

 food. The plant is said to possess diuretic, stimulant, 

 and sudorific qualities. The ge.nusTragopogon, goat's- 

 beard, furnishes several species, three of which are 

 natives of Britain. Tragopogon pratensis, common 

 goat's-beard, bears yellow flowers, which close every 

 day before noon. Tragopogon porrifolius, salsify or 

 purple goat's-beard, has a long, fleshy, white root, 

 possessing a mild sweetish flavour, which was formerly 

 used in Britain as an article of food. The plant bears 

 large purple flowers, which close before noon, or in 

 rainy weather. 



Several of the plants belonging to this section of 

 the Composites, act as horological flowers, their petals 

 expanding and shutting regularly at particular hours 

 in the day. We have examples in the common goat's- 

 beard, the common succory, the common sow-thistle, 

 dandelion, and various species of Hieracium or hawk- 

 weed. These plants act thus as silent monitors, warn- 

 ing us of time's rapid flight. To use the poet's lan- 

 guage 



" In every copse and sheltered dell, 

 Unveiled to the observant eye, 

 Are faithful monitors who tell 

 How pass the hours and seasons by. 



" The green -robed children of the spring 



Will mark the periods as they pass, 

 Mingle with leaves Time's feathered wing, 

 And bind with flowers his silent glass. 



" See Hieracium's various tribe 



Of plumy seed and radiate flowers, 

 The course of time their blooms describe, 

 And wake or sleep appointed hours. 



" Broad o'er its imbricated cup 



The Gou.tsbe.ard spreads its golden rays. 

 But shuts its cautious petals up, 

 Retreating from the noontide blaze. 



" On upland shores, the shepherd marks 



The hour when, as the dial true, 

 Cichorium to the towering lark 

 Lifts her soft eyes serenely blue. 



" Thus in each flower and simple bell, 



That in our path betrodden lie. 

 Are sweet remembrancers who tell 

 How fast their winged moments fly." 



III. CORYMBIFEIUE. The plants belonging to this 

 subdivision are in general very active in their qualities, 

 and supply various therapeutical agents. Like the 

 other Composite, they contain a bitter principle , and 

 in the composition of many of them we find large 

 quantities of volatile oil and camphor. To the 

 existence of these substances we trace the powerful 

 aromatic odour which many of them emit, as well as 

 their stimulating medical properties. The principal 

 genera included in this section are, Anthemis, ehamo- 

 rnile ; AchillaEa, Helianthus, Absinthium ; Artemisia, 

 wormwood; Tanacetum, tansy ; Balsamita, Matricaria ; 

 Calendula, marigold ; Arnica, Inula, Tussilago, Gna- 

 phalium, Senecio, Dahlia, Bellis, &c. 



Anthemis nobilis, common chamomile, is a perennial 

 plant, found native in the southern counties of Britain. 

 It is cultivated in gardens for the sake of its flowers, 

 which are easily rendered double, and are used medi- 

 cinally. The plant diffuses a highly aromatic and 

 agreeable odour owing to the presence of a blue 

 volatile oil, which may be procured by distillation. 

 Besides this oil it contains camphor, gum, resin, and 

 a small quantity of tannin. An infusion of the flowers 

 is used as a tonic, stimulating, diaphoretic drink. It 

 is also employed as a febrifuge, and has been admi- 

 nistered with success in slight agues. It produces 

 vomiting, and is useful in aiding the effect of other 

 emetics. Chamomile is used as a remedy in spas- 

 modic diseases* such as hysteria and colic. The 

 flowers are applied externally as a discutient and 

 emollient. 



Anthemis cotula, stinking chamomile, is another 

 British species, which is found in waste places, in 

 corn-fields, and by way-sides. The whole plant emits 

 a very disagreeable fetid smell, and is said to blister 

 the hands of those who gather it. On examination 

 with the microscope, it is found to be covered with 

 small glands, which probably contain an acrid fluid. 

 The plant is a stimulant, antispasmodic, and is used 

 in nervous diseases. 



Anthemis pyrethrum, pellitory of Spain, is a native 

 of Spain, Barbary, and other warm countries, but 

 bears the ordinary winters of this country well. The 

 root, when pulled up and applied to the hand, com- 

 municates a peculiarly cold sensation. When chewed 

 it produces a copious secretion of saliva, and a prick- 

 ing sensation in the tongue. It is used in toothach, 

 headach, and palsy of the tongue. It contains vola- 

 tile oil, gum, and muriate of lime. 



Anthemis tinctoria, ox-eye xihamomile, supplies a 

 beautiful yellow colour, and is used in dyeing. 



AchilltEa millefolium, common yarrow or milfoil, is 

 found abundantly in pastures and by way-sides in 

 this country. From its astringency it is used in the 



