138 UMBELLIFEE^!. 



proportionately so. The full green of the twice-ternate leaves 

 gives the plant a pleasing appearance ; a tiny snail feeds upon 

 the foliage, and takes its name from the plant. There is a 

 garden Angelica which grows to a still larger size, the stalks 

 of which make a delicious preserve. 



The common Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum), have also 

 ternate leaves on the stem ; their root-leaves are twice-ternate. 

 The umbels are of a middle size, and the foliage light green 

 and smooth. 



Fanny has brought the Wild Celery (Apium graveolens, 

 Plate IX., fig. 4), from the banks of the Looe river. The 

 umbels are sessile in the axils of the branches. The plant is 

 poisonous when wild, but becomes wholesome from cultivation. 



The Wild Parsley grows on hedgebanks about Hawkhurst, 

 in Kent ; its bright green leaves and greenish umbels too 

 closely resemble the garden Parsley to need a description. Its 

 only classic or historic association is with the Olympic games. 



" Proud were the mighty conquerors 

 Crowned in Olympic games, 

 For they deemed that deathless honours 

 Were entwined around their names. 

 But sere was soon the Parsley leaf, 

 And the Olive and the Bay ; 

 But the Christian's crown of Amaranth 

 Shall never fade away." 



The Fennel (Meum fceniculum, Plate IX., jig. 5), is the 

 near relation of the Parsley, both as a condiment for the table 

 and a plant honoured by classic superstitions : 



" Above the lowly plants it towers, 

 The Fennel with its yellow flowers ; 

 And, in an earlier age than ours, 

 Was gifted with the wondrous powers 

 Lost vision to restore. 



" It gave new strength and daring mood ; 

 And gladiators fierce and rude 

 Mingled it in their daily food ; 

 And he who battled and subdued, 

 A wreath of Fennel wore." 



The plant has dark green leaves and yellow blossoms. Its 



