174 SYNGENESIA P. ^EQUALIS. 



smooth. Leaves all cauline, large, alternate, obovate, ob- 

 tuse, tapered towards the base, sinuated and spinous on 

 the margin, with red midrib and veins, which are prickly 

 on the iftferior surface. The upper leaves become gra- 

 dually smaller, more decidedly clasp the stem, are some- 

 times pinnatifid, and prickly only on the midrib and mar- 

 gins. The upper surface of the leaves is dull green, 

 smooth, but the under is often purplish, and the midrib 

 and veins always so. Flowers in a large erect panicle, ra- 

 ther small, yellow. Calyx-scales more or less tinged with 

 purple, the upper ones downy at the tip, indistinctly 

 keeled. This description differs something from that of 

 other authors ; and the fig. of GERARDE, No. 3. were the 

 leaves less sinuated, would better express our plant than 

 the fig. No. 1. usually quoted. 



The whole herb abounds in a milky juice, which has the 

 smell of opium, and possesses narcotic and diuretic pro- 

 perties. 



232. LEONTODON. 



1. L. Taraxacum, outer scales of the calyx reflexed; leaves 

 runcinate, toothed, smooth. Common Dandelion. 



Hab. Pastures, &c. April July. ?/ 



Early in spring the leaves, before they are fully expanded, 

 might be used in sallads, especially if they were blanched. 

 When a swarm of locusts had destroyed the harvest in 

 the island of Minorca, many of the inhabitants subsisted 

 upon this plant ; and at Gottingen the roots are roasted, 

 and used by the poor for coffee. It has been much re- 

 commended by BOERHAAVE and others, in diseases pro- 

 ceeding from obstructions in the liver ; and is still held in 

 estimation by some physicians of respectability. On their 

 recommendation, we have occasionally prescribed both the 

 extract, and a decoction of the recent herb, with much 

 benefit. 



2. L. palustre, outer scales of the calyx erect, shorter, imbrica- 

 ted, ovate ; leaves sinuated and toothed, not quite smooth. 

 Marsh Dandelion. 



Hab. Boggy meadows, rare. " In a small marshy planta- 

 tion on the farm of Gunsgreen," Rev. A. Baird. June, 

 July. If. 



