COMPOSITE. 521 



lant and expectorant qualities. It contains a white amylaceous mat- 

 ter called Inulin. The species of Artemisia are remarkable for their 

 strong odour and bitter taste. The heads of flowers of Artemisia Ab- 

 svnthium {Ahsinthiym officinale), or Wormwood, and those of Artemisia 

 santonica (A. maritvma var.), and of other species, under the name of 

 Wormseed, are used as anthelmintics and tonics. Several of these species 

 contain a crystalline bitter principle. Artemisia mutellina and spieata 

 are used in the preparation of a tincture or distilled spirit, called, in 

 France Eau or OrSme d' Absinthe, which is in request among those 

 who are addicted to the pleasures of the table. The woolly leaves of 

 Artemisia Moxa are used in China to form the inflammable cones or 

 cylinders called Moxas, which are employed as counter-irritants. 

 Artemisia Bracwnculus, Tarragon, is used in pickles and salads, and in 

 the medication of vinegar. A. Abrotanum is commonly called Southern- 

 wood, and is used on the continent in the preparation of beer. Arte- 

 misia indica, Sikkim-wormseed, grows 12 feet high, at elevations vary- 

 ing from 2000 to 6000 feet. The flowers of Chrysanthemum (Pi/rethrvm) 

 carneum are said to destroy fleas. Senecio omenta is the origin of the 

 cultivated Cinerarias. The leaves of Tanacetum vulgare, Tansy, have 

 stimulant antispasmodic properties. They contain a bitter resin, 

 and an aromatic volatile oil. Arnica montana, Mountain Tobacco, or 

 Leopard's-bane, is an acrid stimulant. Its flowers, leaves, and root- 

 stock, are administered in nervous diseases, as well as in gout and 

 rheumatism. The seeds (properly fruits) of Helianthus annum, com- 

 mon Sunflower, contain a bland oil, and when roasted they have been 

 used as a substitute for CoiTee. The name Helianthus {rXiog, the sun, 

 a,v6oi, a flower) is derived from the popular supposition that its large 

 heads of flowers follow the sun in its course (p. 263). The roots of 

 Helianthus tuberosus, Jerusalem, or more properly, Girasole Artichoke, 

 are used as substitutes for potatoes. Eu/patorium Ayapana, and Mika- 

 nia Ouaco, have been used to cure the bites of snakes. Geradia far- 

 cata is a peculiar branching coral-like plant, which grows in dry sterile 

 places in the south and west of Africa, and yields a resinoid substance, 

 called by some African bdellium. Madia sativa has been cultivated 

 on account of its bland oil. The species of Lychnophora give a pecu- 

 liar feature to the mountains of Minas Geraes in Brazil. They grow 

 like Vellozias, and they are covered with a dense coat of long brownish- 

 coloured wool, which is often used for beds and pillows. 



Sub-order Cic/wracece. — Most of the plants of this section yield a 

 milky juice, which is bitter, astringent,- and sometimes narcotic. By 

 cultivation some of them are rendered esculent. Gichorium Intybus, 

 "Wild Succory, or Chicory, is cultivated for the sake of its root, which 

 is used as a substitute for and as an addition to CoSee. The blanched 

 leaves of Gichorium Endivia constitute Endive. Taraieacum Dens Leonis 

 (Leontodon Taraxacum), Dandelion, yields a milky juice, which, in the 



