72 FLORA BOMESTICA. 



riously shaded with red, purple, and blue, becoming alto- 

 gether a sky-blue before it falls. It grows in the woods in 

 many parts of Europe, and flowers in March and April. 

 The Tuberous Bitter-Vetch, called also heath peas, wood 

 peas, and in French gesse sauvage, has also a brilliant 

 flower of red purple, fading to a blue' as it decays. The 

 Highlanders, who call it corr, or cormeille, dry the tu- 

 bercles of the root, and keep them in the mouth to flavour 

 their liquor. They affirm, that they are enabled, by the 

 use of them, to repel hunger and thirst for a long time. 

 This idea reminds one of a passage in Pulci, where an 

 enchanter preserves two knights from starvation during a 

 long journey by giving them an herb, which, being held in 

 the mouth, answers all the purposes of food. 



The taste of these roots resembles that of liquorice-root, 

 and, when boiled, they are well-flavoured and nutritive. 

 In times of scarcity, they have served as a substitute for 

 bread. The plant is a native of most parts of Europe. 

 These, and the other hardy kinds, may be increased by 

 parting the roots, which should be done in the autumn. 

 They generally delight in shade, and prefer a loamy soil : 

 the earth should be kept moderately moist. 



BLOODWORT. 



SANGUINARIA. 



TAPAVERACE^;. POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



The English name is from its blood- coloured juice. It is also 

 named, by the Americans, Puccoon. 



" THOUGH the Sanguinaria cannot be considered as a 

 showy plant," says Mr. Martyn, " yet it has few equals in 

 point of delicacy and singularity : there is something in it 

 to admire, from the time that its leaves emerge from the 



