THE GENTIAN. 379 



to derive it from, f el, a hill;* so peculiarly is the gen- 

 tian a mountain plant. But, in the words of the 

 poet : 



" Why so far excursive, when at hand ?" 



For we here have the simpler, and without 

 doubt, the truer signification. Bitterness is the 

 characteristic of the whole plant, and, indeed, of 

 the whole family of the gentianece a resinous 

 bitter, highly increased in Arctic and Antarctic 

 climes, which also give so large a size, and so bright 

 a hue to the blossoms of the gentian.-}- This bitter- 

 ness points out its valuable tonic properties ; and 

 we are not surprised to find that not only is the 

 gentian an antiseptic, arresting animal decay, but 

 also that it is a tonic of very valuable quality ; as 

 it does not, like many others, act (except in certain 

 combinations) as an astringent. It is one of the 

 most successful medicines used by our rustic prac- 

 titioners ; and one of those which has, probably, 

 done less harm than many others. J A very favourite 

 form in which it is administered by the English 

 peasantry is as an ingredient in the so-called Stock- 

 ton bitter, in which this plant, and the root of the 

 sweet-flag (Acoris calamis), play the principal part. 

 It is, however, almost needless to say, that a simple 

 infusion of the plant, whether dried or fresh-gathered 



* As in Hells-nab-fel, and other mountains in Northern 

 Britain. 



f This is the case with the secretions of all plants of very 

 high latitudes. 



See Centaury, page 286. 



