HEMLOCK OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 209 



drink to herds of cattle. Although the juice is slimy, it is 

 nevertheless valued for its cooling antifebrile qualities by the 

 Indians. Cattle, especially mules, are very clever in breaking 

 up the cacti with their hoofs, and sucking the juice. 



Heliotrope, a familiar name for Heliotropmm iwruvianum, 

 native of Peru, a shrub of the Sebesten family (Cordiaceii)), intro- 

 duced to this country about the middle of the last century, and 

 has become a general favourite on account of its peculiar smell, 

 and is known by the name of Cherry-pie. It is also called 

 Peruvian Turnsole, but it is not the true Turnsole (which see). 



Hellebore, Black {Hellehorus niger), Stinking {H. fmtidus), 

 Green (.ff.m?'^^), strong perennial-rooted plants of the Buttercup 

 family (Eanunculacese). The leaves are palmate or pedate, and 

 Avith the flower-stalks do not rise more than a foot in height. 

 The Black or Christmas Eose, as its name implies, flowers in 

 December, and is conspicuous at that season for its large white 

 flowers, which are produced on short foot-stalks. It is a native 

 of Southern and Eastern Europe. The root is black, and 

 about as thick as the finger. They have been held in high 

 repute, in ancient as well as in modern times, for the cure of 

 many diseases, being a strong drastic purgative, but dangerous 

 when used in over-doses. 



Hellebore, White ( Veratrum album), a perennial herb of the 

 Colchicum family (Melanthacese), native of some parts of 

 Europe, especially in Alpine regions. It has broad elliptical 

 pointed leaves, with prominent longitudinal veins, and a flower- 

 stem rising to a height of 3 to 4 feet, bearing panicles of 

 greenish-white flowers. The roots are thick and fleshy, of a 

 poisonous nature, and though sometimes used medicinally, are 

 not of much repute m this country. 



Hemlock {Conium maculatum), a biennial of the Carrot and 

 Fennel family (Umbelliferee), common in this country, growing 

 in waste places, hedges, and roadsides. It has a hollow stem 

 marked with reddish spots, rising sometimes to a height of 3 

 or 4 feet, bearing umbels of white flowers, and much-divided, 

 parsley-like leaves, the whole of a pale-green colour, with a 



p 



