508 xjmbelliferjE. 



to be the produce of a species of Ferula. Sumbul root, used as a stimu- 

 lant tonic in Kussia, is the produce of Ewryangium Sumbul. 



There are other species which supply a carminative and aromatic 

 oil. From the fruits of Carum Oarui, which are commonly called 

 Caraway seeds, a volatile oil of this nature is procured. Similar oils 

 are obtained from the fruit of Pimpinella Anisum (Anise) ; from that 

 ofFosnioulum imlgare, or F. dulce (common Fennel); Anethum graveolem 

 (common DOl), awj^ov. Anise of the Bible ; Coriandrum sativum (Cori- 

 ander), lj, Gad of the Bible ; Ouminum Oyminum (Cumin), pO (Kam- 

 mon) khiMvov ; Archangelica officinalis (Garden Angelica), and Daucus 

 Oarota (Carrot). Ammi ooptieum (Ptychotes Ajowan) is the Ajowan or 

 Omam, a condiment of India. 



In regard to the poisonous species of this order there is stiU much 

 to be learned. They appear to vary according to the soil and climate 

 in which they grow. Some species, generally reputed poisonous, have 

 been found by Sir Kobert Ohristison to be quite innocuous when 

 gathered from localities in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh. The 

 most important plant of this section is Conium maculatum (Hemlock), 

 the Ki^niov of the Greeks, and probably dcuia of the Romans. It is 

 a biennial plant, found abundantly in Britain, and distinguished by 

 its undulated ridges, smooth purple-spotted stem, and the peculiar 

 mouse-like odour of its leaves, when being dried. Every part of the 

 plant, especially the fresh leaves and green fruit, contain a volatile 

 oleaginous alkali, called Conia, which acts as an energetic poison. To 

 this substance the effects of hemlock on the animal frame are due, and 

 care is required in the preparation of the leaves and fruit in order to 

 retain this active principle. A few drops of Conia will kill a small 

 animal. It acts on the spinal cord, producing paralysis with slight 

 convulsive twitches, and its fatal effects are attributed to asphyxia, 

 produced by palsy of the muscles of respiration, without convulsions 

 or coma. Hemlock has been employed medicinally to allay pain, more 

 especially in cancerous and neuralgic affections. (Enanthe croeata 

 (Hemlock-Dropwort, or Dead-tongue), and a variety called apiifoUa, 

 have been long looked upon as poisonous. The roots have been mis- 

 taken for parsnips, and fatal effects have been thus produced. It would 

 appear, however, that these poisonous qualities are not invariably pre- 

 sent, for Sir Kobert Ohristison found that the roots of this plant, 

 when growing in a sea-side locality, near Edinburgh, were innocuous. 

 It remains to be determined if the climate and locality have any effect 

 in modifying the properties of the plant. The same remarks may be 

 made in regard to (Enanthe Phellandrium (Water Dropwort), and Gicuta 

 mrosa (Water Hemlock or Cowbane), which seem to vary as regards 

 their poisonous properties. JSihusa Gynapiuni (Fool's Parsley) is 

 another plant of the order reputed poisonous. It has been stated that 

 the roots of Parsnip, during the spring of the second year, on the 



