NATIVE WILD FLOWERS 
a tonic and anti-febrile nature, and it forms one of the old 
remedies for ague and fever. 
In evidence of the value of the herb Boneset, Pursh gives 
a practical illustration from his personal experience of the 
efficacy of its medicinal properties. He says: 
“The whole plant is exceedingly bitter, and has been used 
for ages past by the natives in intermittent fevers; it is 
known by its common names, Thoroughwort and Boneset. 
During my stay in the neighborhood of Ontario, when both 
influenza and lake fever were raging, I saw the benefit aris- 
ing from the use of it, both as regarded myself and others. 
It is used as a decoction, or, as I considered more effectual, 
as an infusion or extract in rum or gin.” (Vide Pursh’s 
Flora Americe Septentrionalis. ) 
MayweEeD—Maruta Cotula (DC.). 
‘*The traveller passes by 
With reckless glance and careless tread, 
Nor marks the kindly carpet spread 
Beneath his thankless feet. 
‘¢ So poor a meed of sympathy 
Do gracious herbs of low degree 
From haughty mortals meet.” 
—Agnes Strickland. 
This is one of our commonest weeds, intruding itself 
into the very streets and by-lanes of our villages, but never 
welcome there, as it gives out a nauseous bitter scent at 
dew-fall. The more sunny the place and the drier the soil 
the more does this hardy plant flourish; it heeds not: the 
trampling feet of man or steed, but rises uninjured from 
the tread of the passer-by, cheerful under all persecution, 
despised and disregarded as it is. If we look closely we see 
beauty in the finely cut and divided foliage and the ivory- 
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