GOAT'S-BEABD. 159 



The Tubular group boasts the Artichoke and the Tarragon 

 for articles of food, and the Wormwood and Matico for 

 medicines. 



The Corymfc group has only the Jerusalem Artichoke for 

 eating ; but it is rich in medicines, possessing Camomile as a 

 tonic ; Coltsfoot for coughs, and Calendula, one of the most 

 useful homoeopathic medicines for external application ; and 

 Feverfew as a bitter. A yellow dye is procured from the 

 Corn Marigold, and carmine from the flowers of the Dahlia. 



The Goafs-beard is the first family in the Strap group. The 

 involucre has one row of long scales ; all the florets are strap- 

 shaped, and the seeds are long and feathery, forming a large 

 handsome globe. We have three British species. 



The Yellow Goafs-beard (Tragopogon pratensis), grows 

 pretty frequently in meadows. Its stem is tall and few- 

 flowered, and the leaves are long and tapering. I have 

 gathered it both in Yorkshire and Durham. All the Goafs- 

 beards close early ; the strap-shaped florets rise into a perpen- 

 dicular position, and the segments of the involucre draw 

 together. This species used to be called " Jack-go-to-bed-at- 

 noon." Linnaeus called this closing " the sleep of the plants ; " 

 it is very fully shown among the Compound flowers. The 

 Hawkweed Picris shuts at noon, the Chicory and Nipplewort 

 in the evening, the Cat' s-ear at four o'clock, and the Hawk- 

 weeds about three o'clock. Marvell speaks of this floral dial : 



" How well the skilful gardener drew, 

 Of flowers and herbs this dial new! 

 "Where from above the milder sun 

 Does through a fragrant zodiac run, 

 And, as it works, th' industrious bee 

 Computes its time as well as we. 

 How could such sweet and wholesome hours 

 Be reckoned but with herbs and flowers ? " 



The Purple Goafs-beard closely resembles the yellow species, 

 e3*ept in the colour of its petals, and the greater length of the 

 segments of the involucre. My specimen is from a garden. It 



