MASTF.RWORT. 11. J 



leaflets broad, ovate, lobed, incised, serrate, of a deep green 

 colour, with large dilated membranous sheaths at the base of 

 the petiole. The flowers are disposed in large compound 

 plano-concave umbels, without an involucre ; the umbellules 

 have an involucre of several straight subulate leaves. The 

 calyx is an obsolete margin. The corolla is small and whitish, 

 composed of five obcordate, equal petals, incurved at the point. 

 The stamens are five, with subulate, erect, white filaments, 

 longer than the corolla, and roundish double anthers. The 

 germen is inferior, roundish, striated, truncate, surmounted by 

 two subulate spreading styles, terminated by an obtuse stigma. 

 The fruit is lenticular, compressed, girt with a membranous 

 margin, consisting of two carpels or mericarps, each with three 

 distinct intermediate ridges, the lateral ones obsolete, containing 

 a single seed, compressed on its inner face. Plate 32, fig. 1, 

 (a) entire flower, magnified. ; (b) pistil, natural size ; (c) fruit, 

 magnified. 



This plant is found in mountainous and hilly pastures in the 

 temperate parts of Europe, and in moist meadows and woods in 

 this country, though by no means frequent ; and as it generally 

 occurs near ancient residences, it is probably not indigenous. 

 It is cultivated in gardens. It flowers in June and July. 



The generic name is derived from wevw, a pine, and <^avo?, dwarf, 

 on account of the gum-resin afforded by some of the species. 

 The former name, Imperatoria, of which there are synonymes in 

 nearly all the European languages, refers to its imperial and 

 super-eminent qualities. 



Qualities. — The root is somewhat tuberous, marked with 

 annular furrows and ridges, of a greyish brown externally, white 

 within ; on being cut in its recent state it exudes a yellowish 

 white, bitter, acrid milk. In its recent state, it has a powerful 

 aromatic odour and a pungent, bitter, disagreeable taste ; 

 when masticated it bites the tongue, and causes a sensation of 

 heat in the fauces. By infusion in water its aromatic qualities 

 are obtained, which are nearly carried off by evaporation, leaving 

 a nauseous, bitter, slightly acrid extract. Its odour is also 

 preserved when the root is digested in alcohol, and the tincture 

 has the warmth, pungency, and bitterness of the substance 

 itself ; and these properties are concentrated in the deep yellow 

 extract obtained by evaporating the spirituous menstruum. 



VOL. II. i 



