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88 ERIGERON BELLIDIFOLIUM.—POOR ROBIN’S PLANTAIN. 
on to distinguish it. There are numerous species in the United 
States, abounding chiefly in the higher regions, but the popular 
aspect referred to characterizes them all. Our species is one of 
the most frequently met with in the Eastern States. 
It is not particularly confined to open meadows, though often 
found there. 
“ But this bold floweret climbs the hill, 
Hides in the forest, haunts the glen, 
Plays cn the margin of the rill, 
Peeps round the fox’s den”? — 
as Montgomery says of its celebrated English ally. It is 
almost impossible for the average collector to make very exten- 
sive journeys in spring time without meeting it. Very often it 
forms thick patches many yards in extent, keeping down most 
other vegetation, by its creeping stems—and then its bluish-pur- 
ple flowers give a peculiar feature to the spring vegetation even 
when seen from long distances. 
Beyond its spring beauty—though that is no mean element of 
usefulness—the “ Poor Robin's Plantain” has not made for itself 
much of a name in the service of man. Rafinesque, one of the 
most industrious authors in the early part of the present century, 
gives a special chapter to the medical virtues of the Z. Philaded- 
fhicum, and seems to include our species, which he calls “the 
Daisy Flea-bane, a Vernal Vernil,” amongst others, when he says: 
“They were known to the Northern Indians by the name of 
Cocash or Squaw-weed as menagogue and diuretics.” As a 
styptic he thinks “they have saved many lives.” It is extremely 
useful when applied to wounds and tumors. 
EXPLANATIONS OF THE PLATE.—1. A plant from Pennsylvania taken in May, 2. Upper por- 
tion of flower stalk. 3. Runners which later in the season form new plants at their ends, 
