NATIVE WILD FLOWERS 



a tonic and anti-febrile nature, and it forms one of the old 

 remedies for ague and fever. 



In evidence of the value of the herb Boneset, Pursh gives 

 a practical illustration from his personal experience of the 

 efficacy of its medicinal properties. He says: 



" The whole plant is exceedingly bitter, and has been used 

 for ages past by the natives in intermittent fevers; it is 

 known by its common names, Thorough wort and Boneset. 

 During my stay in the neighborhood of Ontario, when both 

 influenza and lake fever were raging, I saw the benefit aris- 

 ing from the use of it, both as regarded myself and others. 

 It is used as a decoction, or, as I considered more effectual, 

 as an infusion or extract in rum or gin." (Vide Pursh's 

 Flora Americw Septentrionalis.) 



MAYWEED Maruta Cotula (DC.). 



" The traveller passes by 

 With reckless glance and careless tread, 

 Nor marks the kindly carpet spread 

 Beneath his thankless feet. 



" So poor a meed of sympathy 

 Do gracious herbs of low degree 



From haughty mortals meet." 



Agnes Strickland. 



This is one of our commonest weeds, intruding itself 

 into the very streets and by-lanes of our villages, but never 

 welcome there, as it gives out a nauseous bitter scent at 

 dew-fall. The more sunny the place and the drier the soil 

 the more does this hardy plant flourish; it heeds not the 

 trampling feet of man or steed, but rises uninjured from 

 the tread of the passer-by, cheerful under all persecution, 

 despised and disregarded as it is. If we look closely we see 

 beauty in the finely cut and divided foliage and the ivory- 



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