UMBELLIFEROUS TRIBE. 451 



phire, are all well-known kinds, which are useful for various 

 purposes, the three former being very largely cultivated, as 

 affording important articles f food ; whilst, on the other hand, 

 the group contains the Hemlock, Cowbane, Dropwort, Fool's- 

 Parsley, and many other species, which are more or less 

 unwholesome. The fact is. that the general character of the 

 order is to possess narcotic and acrid qualities, which are espe- 

 cially abundant in some species, and which probably exist, in 

 some degree or other, in all. In regard to the Carrot, and 

 Parsnep, the same remark applies, which has been formerly 

 made (. 659) respecting the Potato; that the edible portion 

 consists principally of starchy matter deposited for the nutrition 

 of the growing parts, and that this is consequently free, or 

 nearly so, from the peculiar properties which characterise the 

 order. The Celery, when growing in its usual manner, pos- 

 sesses these properties in a degree which would render it injuri- 

 ous as well as disagreeable to the taste ; and it is only by being 

 blanched (. 288) that it is rendered palatable and wholesome. 

 The Fennel and Parsley, of which the leaves are employed to 

 flavour various articles of cookery, are by no means devoid of 

 injurious properties, though the small quantities in which they 

 are usually eaten do not cause them to be manifested ; the 

 latter is said to be much more injurious to Parrots, than it is to 

 Man or Cattle. These properties are generally contained in the 

 leaves and stems alone ; and consequently the fruits of even the 

 poisonous species are for the most part destitute of them, and 

 may be used as aromatics. 



620. Of the British species, the only one of which the juices 

 are ordinarily used for medicinal purposes is the Conium macu- 

 latum, or Hemlock, which derives its specific name from the 

 spotted appearance of its stems, by which it is easily recognised. 

 Although the order is more abundant in temperate climates than 

 between the tropics, there are certain plants of warm climates 

 which afford medicinal products of great value, known under 

 the name of the foetid gums. They are of the nature of Gum- 

 resins (. 378), and are distinguished by their powerfully dis- 

 agreeable odour. Those most in use are Assafcetida and Galba- 



