PLANTS. 277 



creeping, and full of fine thorns. Bears beautiful 

 bright pink flowers. Often cultivated, both in Europe 

 and America. Blooms readily. 2f. 



THIRTY-SECOND FAMILY. UMBELLIFERJE. Plants 

 belonging to this large family generally grow high ; 

 found almost everywhere; spring up spontaneously in 

 meadows, fields, and woods. Flowers peculiar, consist- 

 ing of numerous flowerets, so arranged as to form clus- 

 ters resembling an umbrella; as, for instance, in the 

 Millefoil and Carrot. Stems for the most part hollow ; 

 leaves plumous or feather-like ; root of most of the um- 

 belliferae spindle-shaped, fleshy, often sweet and eatable, 

 as the carrot, celery, etc. Many, as the caraway, ani- 

 seed, and fennel, contain a volatile oil, which is extracted 

 from the seeds. 



The Chervil (Scandix cerefolium). Stem jointed, 

 smooth, towards the top downy ; leaves feathery or bi- 

 pinnatifid (as in the carrot), leaflets or segments oval, 

 and many-cleft (multifid). Grows in fields and gardens 

 in the south ; the tender, pale green leaves have a pleas- 

 ant aromatic odor when rubbed between the fingers ; 

 therefore often used in soup. Considered very whole- 

 some. Seeds black. O- 



The Carrot (Daucus carota), Tourn. Has a rough 

 pale green stem ; leaves two to three, pinnatifidly dis- 

 sected, feathery; segments many-cleft. Grows to a 

 height of three feet; root long, spindle-shaped, is about 

 two inches in circumference, yellow, and fleshy. Con- 

 tains much sugar ; used as a vegetable ; sometimes, cut 

 in small pieces, is dried, roasted, and used as a substi- 

 tute for coffee. Considered very wholesome, especially 

 for children, as it is an excellent vermifuge ; grows wild 

 in fields and pasture lands. O- 



