rS FLOWERS AND FRUITS. 



very few, having only pistils and three parted. The calyx is of a 

 curious figure, and will richly repay the labor of studying its parts, 

 and in doing so they will surely find beauties they did not expect. 

 John Bertram, one of the greatest botanists in the new world, was 

 led to study the science in this way ; he became so much enchanted 

 with it, that he examined plants by day, and dreamed of nothing 

 else at night ; and having learned as much Latin as was necessary, 

 persevered until he became perfectly acquainted with all its known 

 details. The seeds are quite small, of an oblong shape, with five 

 or six ribs, and crowned with a feathery coronet, to the assistance 

 of which it owes its universal dissemination. 



There is another variety of this species differing from it only in 

 the shape of the leaves, which are curiously curled; this is the 

 kind usually preferred, and although it possesses less of the sensi- 

 ble properties, is the one most usually sought after in botanical 

 excursions for medicinal purposes, as it is considered more grateful 

 to the stomach. 



The odor of tansy is very strong, peculiar, and fragrant, much 

 of which is of course lost in drying. Its valuable properties reside 

 in a bitter extractive matter which it imparts to water, and an es- 

 sential oil which dissolves in alchohol ; this last, however, is in 

 nearly all cases obtained by distillation ; it is of a greenish yellow 

 color, depositing camphor upon standing. This oil among root 

 doctors and old nurses who are over wise, has obtained great celeb- 

 rity ; and many a murder, which should have encircled the givers 

 neck with a halter, has been committed by its use. About such, it 

 affords us some consolation to remember that Justice though slow, is 

 always sure; that the book-keeping of the recording Angel is perfect, 

 and every little item of wickedness treasured up for their future set- 

 tlement ; and that although they may escape even Lynch law below, 

 which we sometimes think is rather doubtful, yet for every such action 

 they must render an account and receive a due reward hereafter 

 It is the emblem of MERIT. 



