Se 
5 
COMPQSITE FAMILY. 205 
means of the pappus. The plant is ii iu and is popular as a 
remedy in diseases of the liver. The leaves are used as a pot-herb, or 
“greens,” and the young radical me co blanched, are said to 
make a good substitute for Endive 
LACTU’OA, Touinef. Lerruce. 
{Latin, Zac, milk ; in reference to its milky juice.] 
Heads few, or several-flowered. Involucre subcylindrical ; scales in 2- 
4 series, PE aac uter ones shorter and broader. Akenes ‘intiy ol obcom- 
wingleas, abruptly produced into a filiform beak. Pappus in 
several series of soft white hairs. Leafy-stemmed caulescent herbs. 
Heads of flowers a or corymbose. 
1. L. Scarto’na, var. sati’va, Moris. Stem corymbosely ae 
leafy ; radical leaves edect oval, narrowed at base, wavy,—the ca 
ones cordate, amplexicaul. 
Garden Lettuce. Salad. 
Fr. La Laitue. Germ. Der Salat. Span. Lechuga. 
Plant smooth, mostly yellowish green and glaucous,—sometimes fuscous and tinged with 
dark Asad ple. oot annual. Stem 2-4 feet ne branches oot nt with numerous small 
le merous, terminal, small. er scales of te,—the 
ctor or lower 01 ane ovate. Florets "yellow. rete lance chaste, striate-ribbed, about 
half as long as the filiform 
Gardens : cultivated. Native country uncertain sete India, Fl. July. Fr. Aug. 
Obs. This plant—called salad, par excellence—is almost PEP 
known, and cultivated. Those forms known as Curled and Head 
formerly considered as distinct species, are now believed to be mere 
— of the nett The milky juice with which the plant abounds 
at flowering time is very bitter, and possesses narcotic properties ; 
lected and dried, it forms the Lactucarium of the shops, which is some- 
bstitute for Opium. There 
onga ta, Mubl) resent to be met with, on 1 the f rea but it 
krone sufficient importance to be entitled to notice, here. , 
33. SON’CHUS, LZ. Sow-rnistie. 
[Ancient Greek name of obscure meaning.] ie 
— sre ie dae — at base. Scales of involicre ‘more or Teas Boo 
ressed, ribbed, not beaked; pappus “erhe} oe 
of ory softy fw sy hry, Sathish ad aows 
Irs. olera’ hire L. Leaves Partner ye dentate, sagittate and ae 
clasping ; akenes transversly rugose 
Semen ses thistle. 
Stem 2-3 feet high, branc’ 
3 haces poe lower fons racial samc for g hy eae se 
