SEA-SIDE PLANTS. 67 



the sake of its roots, which are there called Jouan- 

 nettes. At Saumur, too, these roots are cultivated, 

 and there called Mechons. This plant is re- 

 markable among its tribe for having undivided 

 leaves. 



An umbelliferous plant, called the Slender 

 Harems-ear (Bupleurum tenuissimum) , is a native 

 of our salt marshes on the south and south-east 

 coasts of England. It has very slender wiry 

 stems, and small green clusters of flowers, and is 

 not a conspicuous plant. 



The Sea Sulphur-weed (Peucedanum officinale) 

 is a much more rare plant of the salt marsh. It 

 has been found on the shores of Kent and Sussex ; 

 it has bright yellow flowers, growing in large 

 clusters. A resinous substance is found in the 

 roots of some of the species, and the whole of this 

 plant has a strong odour of sulphur. The root is 

 highly stimulating, and very fetid and acrid. It 

 has been used as medicine, but is apparently 

 dangerous for internal use. 



But leaving a tribe of plants which are rather 

 useful than beautiful, we must notice that very 

 handsome and not unfrequent flower of our salt 

 marshes, the Star- wort, or Michaelmas Daisy (Aster 

 tripolium). Every one knows our common au- 

 tumnal garden flowers of this name, some of them 

 very handsome blossoms, but all sufficiently like 

 this to enable the reader at once to detect it. Its 

 starry lilac rays are arranged round the yellow disk, 

 and it grows in clusters at the top of a succulent 

 stem, which, as well as its no less juicy leaves, are of 

 saltish flavour. There is little on the salt marshes 

 during the months of August and September which 

 is very attractive, and these flowers are often at 

 F 2 



