68 ENGLISH BOTANY. 



The narrow-leaved forms of the present species show a close 

 approximation to the shorter forms of E. littoralis. The flowers 

 are ahout the same size, hut the calyx-teeth are considerahly 

 shorter, so that when the tube of the corolla has attained its utmost 

 length, it projects considerably beyond them ; the flowers in the 

 cymes are more numerous and more of them expanded at onetime. 



I have considerable doubt whether E. latifolia and E. littoralis 

 should not be considered as sub-species of E. Centaurium ; but I have 

 never gathered the two former, and possibly in a living state they 

 may present differences not apparent when dry. 



Common Centaury. 



French, Erythree Centauree. German, Tausendguhhahraut. 



This plant is as bitter as the gentian, and has been used in the same manner as a 

 tonic infusion. Old writers praised it greatly ; in an old Sloane MS. we find it 

 written — " For hem that may not browke hir mete, take centorie, and sethe it in 

 water and let the sike drinke it warme, three daies, and he schal be hoole." This was 

 the cure for indigestion. Dr. Prior tells us that " the name of the plant came from 

 the Centaur Chiron having cured himself with it from a wouud he had accidentally 

 received from an arrow poisoned with the blood of the hydra." The Germans, 

 resolving the name into centum aurei, a hundred pounds, call the plant Tausend 

 Gulden. " The Centaury is the basis of the famous Portland Powder, which prevents 

 fits of the gout, when taken in large quantities and a long time together; but brings 

 on induration of the liver, palsey, and apoplexy." So says Dr. Withering, and 

 Culpepper tells us that " the herbe is so safe you cannot fail in the using of it, only 

 give it inwardly for inward diseases, use it outwardly for outward diseases. 'Tis very 

 wholesome but not very toothsome." On the Continent this remedy is still often used 

 in intermittent fevers and dyspepsia, and it is sometimes given as a vermifuge. Its 

 active principle is known to chemists as Centaurin, which in combination with 

 hydrochloric acid is a remedy in low fevers. Its intense bitterness caused it to be 

 named by the ancients Fel Terra, or Gall of the Earth. 



SPECIES IV.— E RYTHE^IA PULCHELLA. Fries. 



Plate DCCCCX. bis. 



Ketch. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. XVII. Tab. MLXI. Fig. 5. 



Billot, FL Gall, et Germ. Exsicc. No. 2SS4. 



E. ramosissima, Peru. Griesb. in £>. C. Prod. Vol. IX. p. 57. Heidi. 1. c. 



Chironia pulchella, Swartz. Sm. Eng. Bot. No. 458. 



Stem short and slender, or elongated and rather stout. Radical 

 leaves obovate or oblanccolate, obtuse ; stem-leaves oblong or 

 oval, sub-obtuse or acute ; all 3- to 5-nerved, very rarely 7-nerved. 

 Flowers usually in a lax dichotomous cyme with elongated 

 branches often occupying half the whole height of the plant, 

 rarely in a rather compact corymbose fasciculate cyme, those in 

 the forks pedicillate, the lateral ones stalked and with 2 bracts 



