umbellifeejE. 507 



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fetid odour from the presence of a sulphur-oil, and which are used as 

 antispasmodics and stimulants. 3. Those yielding a volatile oU, 

 ■which renders them carminative and aromatic. 4. Those which are 

 poisonous, in consequence of the presence qf an acrid and narcotic juice. 



Among esculent species may be noticed' — Baucus Carota (Carrot), 

 Pastinaca sativa (Parsnip), Apium graveohns (Celery), Fceniculwm, 

 vulgare (Fennel), Petroselinum sativum (Parsley), Anthriscus GerefoUum 

 (Chervil), Siwm Sisarum (Skirret), and Archangeiica officinalis (An- 

 gelica). Crithm/wm maritimum is the Samphire, which grows abun- 

 dantly on rocks near the sea, and is used as a pickle. The roots of 

 Arracadha esculenta, a native of Grenada, have been recommended as 

 a substitute for the potato ; they are large and esculent, resembling a 

 Parsnip in quality. The roots of Cluerophyllum bulbosum (bulbous 

 Chervil) are used like carrots. A dwarf kind of Fennel, called Fin- 

 oohio, is used in Italy as a salad. The roots of Eryngium campestre 

 and maritimum, or Eryngo, are sweet, aromatic, tonic, and diuretic. 

 The tubers of Bunium Bulbocastanum and jlexuosum are eaten under 

 the name of Pig-nuts or Earth-nuts. Prangos pabularia; a plant of 

 Southtern Tartary, is highly recommended as fodder for cattle. 



Many species yield inUky juices, which concrete into a fetid gum- 

 resin. Asafoetida is procured from Nartheio Asafcetida {Ferula Narthea) . 

 The plant is found in Persia and Affghanistan, and seeds of it were 

 sent to this country by Dr. Falconer, some of which germinated in 

 the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, and produced abundance of flowers 

 and fruit. — {Trans. R. S. Edin., xxii., with figures.) The fruit of 

 the plant is distinguished by divided and interrupted vittse, which 

 form a network on the surface, and its leaves have a resemblance to 

 those of a Pseony. It would appear that Ferula persica, a plant with 

 very much divided leaves, yields an inferior sort of asafcetida. The 

 asafoetida is procured by taking successive slices off the top of the root, 

 and collecting the milky juice which is allowed to concrete in masses. 

 It consists of resinous and gummy matter, with a sulphur-oil similar 

 to that of Garlic, which is probably its active ingredient. It is em- 

 ployed medicinally in substance or tincture, as a stimulant, antispas- 

 modic, and anthelmintic. Scorodosma fcstidim,, found in the east of the 

 Sea of Aral, also yields a substance similar to asafoetida. Ammoniac, 

 another fetid gum-resin, is the produce of Dorema Ammoniacum {Diser- 

 neston gwmmifermn), a native of Persia. It contains resin, gum, and 

 volatile oil, and is used medicinally as a stimulant, antispasmodic, and 

 expectorant. Galbanum, which seems to be the nj37n (Chelbenah) of 

 Scripture, is procured, in all probability, from Ferula galbaniflua and 

 rubricaulis, found in northern Persia. It consists of resin, gum, and vola- 

 tile oil, and is used as an antispasmodic and emmenagogue. Opoponax 

 ' is another gum-resin, procured from Opoponax Ghironum {Pastinaca Opo- 

 ponax), a native of the southern parts of Europe. Sagapenum seems 



