324 PLANTS GROWING IN WASTE SOIL. 



microscope, however, it is astonishing the amount of beauty it 

 reveals. In some parts of England it is still used for weaving 

 bridal wreaths and has been thus celebrated in flower-lore. 



" Thou pretty nest of Venus' tree, 



Thy true name it is yarrow, 

 Now who thy bosom friend must be, 

 Pray tell thou me to-morrow." 



CHICORY. SUCCORY. (Plate CLXIV^ 

 Cichbriiun Intybus. 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



Chicory. Blue^ white^ or pink. Scentless. Mostly east. Summer and autumn. 



Flower-heads : showy ; arranged along the stem, and composed entirely of 

 strap-shaped flowers. Leaves: entire; lanceolate; pointed and clasping, the 

 floral ones bract-like and small. Stem : upright, branching. 



" And spreading succory chokes the rising field." 



VIRGIL. 



The name cichorium is of Arabic origin, which would rather 

 suggest that this little plant has travelled far and seen a wealth 

 of places. We know that Horace had it frequently upon his 

 menu, and that in Egypt it is used as an article of food. From 

 the leaves the French make a most delicious salad. No doubt 

 it has a taste for serving all nations, and so has unceremoni- 

 ously crossed the ocean and is bent on keeping its blue eye 

 upon the new world. Happily it has had the good manners to 

 bring with it a bright, attractive appearance, or those detractors 

 of weeds might feel a little miffed at the cool way in which it 

 has taken possession of our highways. As yet it has not 

 travelled very far southward. 



Its deep dandelion-like roots have been used to adulterate 

 coffee. Their disagreeable flavour, however, is at once per- 

 ceptible. 



ROADSIDE ASTERS. 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



Composite. Bluish pur pie \ or Scentless. General. Summer and early 



white. autumn. 



"And everywhere the purple asters nod 

 And bend and wave and flit." 



