CROWFOOT TRIBE. 355 



have been employed in medicine, but are now disused for the 

 same reason as the Hellebores. 



512. The most irregular of all the flowers we have to notice 

 in this order, is that of the common Aconite, ordinarily known 

 as Wolf's-bane or Monk's-hood, which is occasionally found wild 

 in this country, although it has probably escaped from gardens, 

 in which it is much cultivated, on account of its showy aspect. 

 The sepals of this flower are purple-coloured, like petals ; and 

 one of the five is very large, resembling a sort of helmet, and 

 overshadowing all the other parts of the flower. Of the petals 

 only two are developed ; and these are so much changed in form, 

 that they would be scarcely recognised as such ; they are two 

 fleshy bodies, mounted upon long stalks, projecting into the 

 hollow of the helmet-shaped sepal. Three other abortive petals 

 may generally be detected as little scales, when the calyx has 

 been removed. The leaves and roots of the Aconite contain 

 more of the narcotic principle than those of other plants of this 

 order : if the former be chewed for a few minutes, a curious 

 tingling sensation is experienced in the lips, showing that the 

 nervous system is immediately affected. The extract made 

 from them has been used with good effect in many nervous 

 diseases ; but in making it great precaution is required, as its 

 properties are destroyed by a very moderate degree of heat. In 

 this respect, the rest of the tribe resemble it ; and the leaves of 

 many, which would be very poisonous when fresh, may be ren- 

 dered wholesome food for cattle by drying them with moderate 

 warmth. 



513. The Pceonies, much cultivated in our gardens, on account 

 of their showy flowers, are generally considered as belonging to 

 the Crowfoot tribe, although differing from it in some important 

 particulars. Of these we may notice that the calyx, instead of 

 dropping off at an early period, as in most of the order, lasts as 

 long as the flower-stalk itself ; and the carpels, instead of being 

 numerous, are diminished to 5 or even 2, containing, however, 

 many seeds, and having an elongated form. In the species 

 which is wild in Britain (though only met with in one or two 

 localities) there is only a single row of petals ; but, as in the 



