FOOL OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 179 



one species. They are perennial herbs of the Composite family 

 (Compositae), with much-divided leaves, varying in the colour 

 of their flowers, as indicated by their names. A powder made 

 of the dried flowers has long been used in Persia and Russia 

 for the destruction of, or rather driving away, fleas. The plant 

 from which it was prepared was long kept a secret, till it 

 was discovered by an Armenian merchant, who communicated 

 it to his son, who in 1828 manufactured the article for sale. It 

 is estimated that the amount of this powder consumed annually 

 in Eussia alone is nearly 1,000,000 lbs. It has become popular 

 in Germany, Holland, and France. 



Fleur-de-Luce (Iris germanica), one of the Iris family 

 (Iridacese), indigenous to Germany and other parts of Europe. 

 It is the common large blue Iris or Flag well known in gardens, 

 and was a heraldic emblem in the arms of the Kings of France. 



Flintwood, a name in New South Wales for Eucalyptics 

 pihUaris, a tree of the Myrtle family (Myrtacea^). Its wood is 

 hard and used for many purposes. 



Flower-fence, a name in India for Ccesalpinia {Poinciana) 

 pulcherrwia, a prickly shrub of the Ca3salpinia section of the Bean 

 family (Leguminosse). It is common in India and other tropical 

 countries. It has pretty yellow flowers, and is used as an orna- 

 mental hedge-plant. 



Fly Trap, Venus's. (See Venus's Fly Trap.) 



Fool's Parsley (jEtlmisa Cynapinm), meaning Dog's Parsley, 

 an annual of the Carrot family (Umbelliferse), native of this 

 country, and common as a weed in cultivated grounds, some- 

 times growing amongst parsley, which it much resembles 

 (especially the broad-leaved variety), and for which it has been 

 mistaken. It is, however, distinguished by its leaves being of 

 a bluish tint. The reputed poisonous properties of this plant 

 have recently been proved by Dr. Harley (of St. Thomas's 

 Hospital) to be fallacious ; he says he " carefully prepared 

 a quantity of juice from young plants, as also in their more 

 mature condition ; the quantity thus prepared he gave in doses 

 from two drachms to two ounces, himself taking two to four 



