UMBELLIFERyt 335 



Umbelliferse 



When one considers that the great majority of species 

 included in this extensive order are natives of the north 

 temperate zone (umbellifers being rare in the tropics), its 

 poverty for purposes of alpine gardening is most remark- 

 able. Even comprehensive catalogues seem, as a rule, 

 exhausted with a mention of Eryngium and Astrantia, 

 though here and there one may find Meum and Bupleu- 

 rum considered worthy of inclusion. Not but what the 

 striking effect of a mass of Heracleum in the wild garden 

 speaks of its power to adorn a natural landscape ; and all 

 who have had an opportunity of admiring those exquisite 

 panels of Paul Robert in the Neuchatel Museum, which 

 are the glory of our Romance School of painting and 

 charm visitors from all the world over, must remember 

 the impression of exquisite grace and freshness which the 

 grand white Umbellifers, probably Ligusticum and Pim- 

 pinella magna, give to the picture of the Val de Ruz. 

 Again what a perfect touch is given by the glorious 

 umbels of the Angelicas rising along the water's edge to 

 landscapes stiffened by the straight ruled lines of reeds 

 and willows ! 



On the other hand in pastoral economy the importance 

 of the order is considerable, many species being necessary 

 ingredients in the best of hay. To the kitchen and herb 

 gardens it has given carrots, parsnips, celery, chervil, 

 parsley, aniseed, cumin, coriander and angelica; but side 

 by side with plants of value as foods or spices are 'many 

 dangerous and poisonous in the highest degree hemlocks, 



