THE BELL-FLOWER. 



and some other connection with holy or ecclesiastical 

 symbols may have led to the old English name of 

 " steeple-bells." 



The rampion (G. rapunculus) is a useful as well 

 as a handsome plant, the roots and young leaves 

 are frequently employed in salads, or are boiled, 

 and believed to resemble asparagus in flavour. The 

 acrid milky juice of this, and some other campa- 

 nulas, was formerly administered in throat-com- 

 plaints, whence the name of throat- wort, though it 

 appears that the "doctrine of signatures" contri- 

 buted largely to this prescription; and that the 

 throat-like form of the blossoms proved its greatest 

 recommendation, or at least suggested its being so 

 employed. 



There occur in Britain twelve varieties of campa- 

 nula, which, though well marked as distinct species, 

 are distinguished by such delicate shades, that it 

 would be beyond the scope of this little volume to 

 characterise them ; and I must therefore refer such 

 of my readers as may be disposed to examine them 

 botanically, to more systematic works on the subject. 



