PLANTS. 291 



supposed to be corrupted from Ptarmica. Leaves de- 

 cussate (in pairs crossing each other at right angles), 

 longish oval ; flowers large, radiate, and gold-colored ; 

 pappus clothed with rough bristles. Grows on hilly 

 plains in Europe ; found in some few localities in the 

 United States. Considered valuable in medicine for em- 

 brocations, etc. O. 



The Colt's Foot (Tussilago fa,rfara). Shafts of flow- 

 ers notched; scape scaly, provided with oblong, obtuse 

 leaves, upper arising after the flowers are withered ; radi- 

 cal leaves are oval, heart-shaped, angularly dentate, dark 

 green above, covered with a cottony down below. Found 

 in moist grounds or beside ditches. Tastes bitter, and 

 contains a mucilaginous juice, which, when properly pre- 

 pared, is considered a good expectorant. It . 



The Safflower, Bastard Saffron (Carthemus tincto- 

 rius). Stem rather woody and smooth ; leaves oval, 

 thorny, and deeply toothed ; flower yellowish-red ; native 

 of Egypt and East Indies ; cultivated in Europe, occa- 

 sionally in fields ; requires a Avarm climate. Useful 

 both for the coloring matter contained in its tubular fila- 

 mentous flowers and as a nursery medicine. The small 

 florets are pulled from the heads and carefully dried ; 

 impart a bright yellow color to water, but colors spirits 

 of wine red. It is mixed with the garden saffron, and 

 is used in the preparation of rouge. O- 



The Dahlia or Georyine (Georgina variabilis). This 

 well known and beautiful flower is a native of Mexico ; 

 brought to Europe fifty years ago. First consisted of 

 only one set of large, single-rayed petals, surrounding a 

 yellow disk and red ; now, however, through culture the 

 whole plant is improved ; the flowers are large, very 

 double and beautiful, sporting into innumerable varieties 



