264 BOTANY FOR BEGINNERS CHAP, xix 



Properties of Umbelliferae. Many are noted for their poisonous 

 properties. Some are very dangerous in the wild state but harmless 

 when cultivated. Thus, wild Celery is poisonous, but when blanched 

 by being deprived of light the poisonous matter is not produced ; 

 light seems to be necessary for its production. The principal poisonous 

 plants of this order are : 



Poison Hemlock (Conitim maculatuni}. A glabrous herb, often 

 more than a yard high, with hollow stems. The lower portion of the 

 stem is often spotted with purple. If the plant is bruised it emits a 

 disagreeable odour which resembles mice. Hemlock was the State 

 poison of Athens and by it Socrates met his death. 



The Water Hemlock (Cicttta virosa). This plant grows along the 

 sides of ponds and ditches, and is the most dangerous of all poisonous 

 plants. The stem is an underground rhizome which contains internal 

 cavities. The leaves are large and tripinnate, and the narrow and 

 lanceolate leaflets are also tripinnate. 



The Fool's Parsley (Aethusa cynapiuni). This plant differs from 

 true Parsley in having white instead of yellow flowers. It often grows 

 as a weed in gardens, and emits an odour of garlic. When it is eaten 

 it produces intoxication. 



The Water Drop-wort (CEnanthe crocata}. This plant grows along 

 the edges of ditches and marshes, and flowers in July. It is very much 

 like Celery, and is often mistaken for it. The root fibres are about as 

 thick as the thumb, and the juice is either yellow or colourless. The 

 stem is from two to three feet high, thick, branched, and grooved. The 

 petioles sheath the stem throughout. 



Useful Species of Umbelliferae. Many of the Umbelliferae are 

 useful. Among useful members may be mentioned : 



Carrot. Parsley. 



Parsnip. 

 Celery. 



Caraway. 

 Coriander. 



Fennel. 

 [For Summary and Questions, see end of next chapter}. 



