280 NATURAL HISTORY. 



branching stem ; leaves shining green ; the lower ones 

 much dissected ; flowers umbellate and greenish-yellow 

 or white. Grows wild in Sardinia ; cultivated in North- 

 ern Europe and the United States in gardens. The root 

 and leaves are used to season various soups and dishes 

 for table use. A decoction of the seeds is considered a 

 specific in some diseases, and is also used as a wash to 

 expel vermin. $ . 



Celery (Apium graveolens). The whole plant is 

 nearly bare of leaves ; stem or branches erect, forked, 

 many springing from the root : leaves few and much 

 dissected ; occasionally found growing wild, beside 

 ditches, in marshy grounds, or salt licks. Flowers 

 greenish-white, small, and hanging in numerous umbels. 

 The root, when cultivated in gardens, is round, about 

 the thickness of a small wrist, fleshy ; the stem four feet 

 high. The peticles or stalks, when blanched become 

 succulent and tender, and are much valued as a favorite 

 salad. The taste is aromatic, and imparts a pleasant 

 flavor to soup, etc. Considered as a useful medicament 

 in some diseases. Another variety, Turnip Rooted 

 Celery (Rapaceum), De Cand., is cultivated by ama- 

 teurs. 5 . 



The Common Caraway (Carum carvi) has an erect, 

 angular, deeply furrowed stem about two feet high, and 

 branding from the ground ; leaves large, pinnate, feath- 

 ered ; root small, fleshy, and as thick as a little finger. 

 Found frequently in meadows, pasture-fields, and fence- 

 rows. Planted in gardens, the root is larger, and the 

 aromatic flavor of the whole plant improved by culture. 

 The seed is the most valuable part, from its peculiar 

 spicy odor, and pungent, but pleasing bitter taste. Con- 

 tains a volatile oil, used in medicine as a carminative. 



