338 TlMEHRI. 



flowers, of which a score or so are white and flattened, 

 composing the ray, and the rest yellow and tubular, 

 forming a central disk. The three chief types are, those 

 that have both disk and ray ; those that have only flat- 

 tened or strap-shaped ray-florets, like the dandelion ; 

 and those that have the central disk only, like the little 

 weeds just described. A larger relative of the soldier's 

 tassel >s a shrub found on the Lamaha dam, &c, 

 where the white or faint-purplish groundsel-shaped 

 flowers are set in rows on spreading twiggy flower- 

 stalks, each stalk rather twisted at the end in the form 

 called scorpioid, from a fanciful resemblance to the up- 

 turned tail of an angry scorpion. This is the bush flea- 

 bane (Vernonia scorpwides) , rather conspicuous from 

 the number of its small white flowers. A twining com- 

 posite is also common, which displays its numerous 

 white flower-heads, fringed with the projecting stamens, 

 on the top of any low bushes. It is the only twining 

 species near town, and is a climbing guaco called bitter 

 tally, reputed a sovereign specific for snake bites. Any- 

 where among grass may be found an erect or partially 

 procumbent plant with narrow leaves and round white 

 flower-heads the size of a sixpence, which have a feeble 

 attempt at a ray, only forming a minute fringe round the 

 disk. This unimportant-looking little plant {Ecliptaalba) 

 called congolana, is said to be of great virtue in "lung 

 troubles" of all kinds, and a good dressing for cuts or 

 any wounds. An infusion of its leaves will also dye light 

 hair black if required, but ladies may regret that an 

 allied species, used by the ancient Romans to dye dark 

 hair a pale golden colour, has not yet been found in these 

 parts. 



