WILD FLOWERS PINK 



brownish, fleshy rootstock has a puckery taste, strongly 

 suggesting that of alum, and for this reason it is known 

 as Alum Root. It is considered one of our most desir- 

 able astringents, and owing to its lack of bitterness, 

 it is especially adapted for infants and for persons 

 having very delicate stomachs. It is a popular do- 

 mestic remedy, and is said to have been used by the 

 Indians. It is found more or less commonly from 

 Newfoundland and Manitoba, south to Georgia, Ala- 

 bama, and Missouri. 



HERB ROBERT. RED ROBIN. RED SHANKS 



Geranium Robertianum. Geranium Family. 



This plant received much notoriety during the time 

 of Robert's Plague, when it was believed to have 

 effected many cures. It has been called the "holy 

 herb of Robert." Just where it received the name of 

 Robert is an open question. Some say that it was 

 named after St. Robert, a Benedictine monk, while 

 others hold that it was named after Robert, Duke of 

 Normandy. When bruised it emits a disagreeable 

 odour, and its juice has an astringent and bitterish 

 taste. As a medicine it is used in cases of inter- 

 mittent fever, jaundice and various other ailments. 

 It is also used externally for relieving swellings, and is 

 employed as a gargle in throat affections. The weak, 

 leafy, slender stalk branches extensively, and grows 

 from six to eighteen inches high. Because it is stained 

 with crimson, the Scotch Highlanders call it Red 

 Shanks. The thin leaves are usually set in pairs, on 



57 



