190 COMMON PELLITORY OF THE WALL. 



these tiny threads, and it may be observed on 

 any warm sunny morning, when thousands of 

 these small stamens are exploding, and dis- 

 persing the pollen. 



The leaves of this plant, when strewed in 

 granaries, are said to destroy the Corn- weevil; 

 and it contains so large a quantity of nitre, 

 that in making an extract from it, the whole 

 mass has been found to take fire. Curtis 

 remarks, that the same degree of cold, thirty- 

 one of Fahrenheit, which strips the mulberry- 

 tree of its leaves, will destroy the herbage of 

 the Pellitory. Pellitory tea is a favourite 

 medicine in country places for a large number 

 of disorders. 



The name of the genus is derived from 

 2)aries, a wall. AVe have but one British 

 species, but several have been introduced into 

 gardens from other countries ; their native soil 

 being generally that of the old wall or waste 

 place by the wayside. They have all greenish 

 or purplish flowers, and are not very ornamental 

 to the garden. The celebrated Pellitory of 

 Spain, sold by druggists as a remedy for 

 tooth-ache, is a species of chamomile, brought 

 from the South of Europe. 



