76 FLOWERS AND FRUITS. 



flax. The down of the seed is rather short for spinning ; were it 

 otherwise it is very probable the labors of the silk worm would in 

 a great measure be dispensed with ; as it is, however, it makes a 

 good substitute for fur in the manufacture of hats, and supplies the 

 place of feathers in beds and pillows ; it is not as tenacious as 

 cotton, as it wants the minutely toothed structure which the latter 

 displays when seen through a microscope. The white juice given 

 out by this plant when wounded, occasions the name Milkweed 

 which is often applied to this species. 



The genus is named after its discoverer, Asclepiades, a celebrated 

 physician, born at Prusa in Bithynia, who flourished somewhat 

 before the time of Pompey. He originally taught Rhetoric, but not 

 meeting with success, applied himself to the study of Medicine, in 

 which he soon became famous from the novelty of his theory and 

 practice. Another name often applied to this plant, Syrian Dogs- 

 bane, shows its deleterious properties when eaten by the canine race; 

 and it is in fact not less poisonous to the human species. Despite 

 however, of this well known fact, the young shoots are frequently 

 boiled, a process that appears to destroy the poison in them, and 

 eaten with great relish, the flavor resembling that of the finest 

 Asparagus. It is the emblem of USEFULNESS. Mary Howitt says : 



Ah 'tis a goodly little thing, 



It groweth for the poor. 

 And many a peasant blesses it 



Beside his cottage door. 

 He thinketh how those slender beams 



That shimmer in the Sun, 

 Are rich for him in web and woof, 



And shortly shall be spun. 

 He thinketh how those tender flowers 



Of seed will yield him store, 

 And sees in thought his next years crop 

 Bright shining round his door. 



