DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 329 
POLYGONATUM.—Sotomon’s SEAL. 
[From Greek words signifying many and knee, in reference to the numerous 
joints upon the stems.] 
Polygonatum multiflérum, or Giant Solomon’s Seal, is 
a perennial, two or three feet high, with white flowers in 
the axils of the leaves, in June; appropriate for the shrub- 
bery or borders. Gerarde, our old author, speaking of 
the virtues of the plant, says, “that the roots are excellent 
good for to seale or close up greene wounds, being stamped 
and laid thereon, whereupon it was called Sigillum Salo- 
mont’s, for the single virtue it hath in sealing or healing 
vp wounds, broken bones, and such like.” He further 
says, “The root of Solomon’s Seale, stamped while it is 
fresh and greene, and applied, taketh away, in one night, 
or two, at the most, any bruise, blacke or bleu spots, got- 
ten by fals, or women’s wilfulnesse, in stumbling vpon 
their hasty husband’s fists, or such like.’ A very useful 
plant, one would think, for some families to cultivate. 
We have two native species which resemble this, P. biflo- 
rum and P. giganteum, which are common on river banks, 
etc. 
PORTULACA.—PuRsLANE. 
Portulaca grandifléra.— Showy Portulaca, — Every 
person who has had any experience in the garden is too 
well acquainted with the weed Purslane, or Pursly, and 
would gladly see an extermination, not only of that plant, 
but all its kindred. It is indeed a troublesome weed; but 
‘asno one should be condemned because he happens to 
have bad relations, neither should Portulaca grandifiora, 
which is a splendid Purslane. In speaking of it we leave 
off the Purslane and call it the splendid Portulaca, for, 
were its family connections generally known, we should 
