112 CALYCIFLOR^ 



divided into some 152 ; and as all these agree in the more im- 

 portant parts of fructification, the distinction of the genera are 

 necessarily founded on differences so minute that, in the case of 

 other plants, they would perhaps be considered sufficient to do no 

 more than distinguish species. To the young botanist, therefore, 

 the study of the Umbelliferje is unusually difficult ; all the more 

 important distinctions being founded on the ripe fruit— namely, the 

 number, position, and shape of the ridges, the presence or absence 

 of vif.ta:, and the form of the albumen. As it would be absurd in a 

 work professing to be a popular description of British Wild Flowers 

 to attend solely, or even in any great degree, to these characters, 

 it has been thought desirable to limit the number of species de- 

 scribed to those which are of most common occurrence, and to notice 

 any peculiarity in growth, which, though not strictly admissible 

 into a systematic description, may assist the student in discovering 

 the names of the plants he may meet with. 



Among the large number of species of which this tribe is con- 

 stituted one would naturally expect to find plants varying greatly 

 in their properties. And such is the case to a certain extent ; the 

 roots, leaves, and seeds are variously employed — some as food and 

 condiments, others as medicine ; while others are highly poisonous. 

 Yet when considered with reference to their properties they may 

 be conveniently arranged into four groups, all members of each 

 group being remarkably similar. The first comprises plants which 

 abound in an acrid, watery juice, which is more or less narcotic in 

 its effects on the animal frame, and which, therefore, when properly 

 administered in minute doses, is a valuable medicine. Among these 

 the most important is Coninm (Hemlock) ; every part of this plant, 

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

 alkali, called Conia, which is so poisonous that a few drops soon 

 prove fatal to a small animal. It acts on the nervous system, and 

 is a valuable medicine in cancerous and nervous diseases. Several 

 other British species are poisonous, especially (Enanthe, Cicuta, and 

 Aithusa, described below. The second group comprises those which 

 abound in a resinous gum, of a fetid odour, which is supposed to be 

 owing to the presence of sulphur in combiftation with the peculiar 

 essential oil. Among these the first place is held by Asafcctida, the 

 hardened milky juice of various species of Ferula, inhabiting Persia 

 and the neighbouring countries. This drug was held in high repute 

 among the ancients for its medical virtues i it was supposed to be 

 an antidote to poison, to restore sight to the blind, and youth to 

 the aged ; and was besides considered a certain specific against 

 various diseases. Gum Galbanum is the produce of other umbelli- 

 ferous plants, natives of the East. The third group comprises 

 plants the seeds of which abound in a wholesome aromatic oil. The 

 principal of these are well known, under the names of Caraway, 

 Coriander, Dill, Anise, and Cumin. The fourth group comprises 



