290 NATURAL HISTORY. 



but refreshing ; many varieties ; native place un- 

 known. O. 



Salsify Oyster Plant (Tragopodon pratensis). Leaves 

 long and grass-like; flowers, in some varieties, yellow; 

 mostly violet-purple with a fuscous or greenish-brown 

 tinge. Stem about three feet high. Root fusiform, 

 fleshy, slightly bitter, contains a milky juice. Culti- 

 vated for the sake of the root, which, when properly 

 cooked, has something the flavor of fried oysters. 2 . 



Black Salsify German Schwartz Wurtzel (Scor- 

 zonera hispanica). Stem branching ; leaves long, wavy, 

 toothed ; grows wild in the south of Europe ; cultivated 

 in Germany ; flowers pale yellow, and of pleasant odor. 

 Root cylindrical, about as thick as a finger, fleshy, black 

 without, white within ; used as a vegetable, makes a pal- 

 atable dish. 



Chickory or Succory (Chicorium intybus). Stem 

 erect, branching horizontally; heads of flowers on the 

 sides of stem and branches, either solitary or in pairs ; 

 flowerets blue; leaves coarsely dentate. Found every- 

 where in Europe, in borders of fields or by road-sides. 

 The turnip-shaped root has a bitter taste ; considered to 

 possess medicinal qualities. Frequently cut in small 

 pieces, dried, and mixed and roasted with coffee ; it is 

 however, by no means an improvement on the latter. A 

 near relative is the Endiva Sativa, used as winter 

 salad. 



The Common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), leaves 

 dark-green, irregular ; flower-heads yellow ; pappus 

 bearded or hairy. Grows everywhere as a weed, never- 

 theless is gathered as affording good food for parlor 

 birds. O. 



Arnica, Leopards Bane (Arnica montana). Name 



