148 COROLLIFLORiE 



immense number of species. Bitterness, in a greater or less degree, 

 is a characteristic of nearly all, to which is sometimes added astrin- 

 gency ; and many possess tonic or narcotic properties. Chicory, or 

 Succory, is cultivated as a salad, but more frequently for the sake 

 of its roots, which are roasted and mixed with coffee. The flavour 

 is agreeable, but it is to be feared that less palatable and perhaps 

 IciS wholesome roots, procurable at a less cost, are often substi- 

 tuted for it. From the leaves a blue dye may be obtained. Endive 

 is another species of Chichory {Chichorium endivia), the bleached 

 leaves of which afford a common winter salad. The common Dan- 

 delion (a corruption of the French Dent-de-lion, Lion's tooth) 

 supplies an extract which is said to have valuable medicinal pro- 

 perties ; its roots are also used to adulterate coffee. Lettuces 

 afford a wholesome salad as well as an extract, the properties of 

 which resemble those of opium. The rOots of Scorzonera and 

 Tragopogon porrifoHus (Cardoons) are esculent, but little gi'own. 

 These all belong to the Chicory Group. 



Among the Thistle Group we have the Ariichoke (Cynara Scoly- 

 mus), the young involucres and receptacles of which are edible ; the 

 Bur-dock {Arctium), the root of which is said to be useful in rheuma- 

 tism ; and the Carline Thistle, which was anciently used in magical 

 incantations. In the third Group, Wormwood (Artemisia) is remark- 

 able for its intense bitterness. One species (A. Abrotanttm) is the 

 Southernwood of gardens, a fragrant shrub, used on the Continent 

 in making beer ; A. Dracunculus, the Tarragon of gardeners, is used 

 for giving a disagreeable flavour to vinegar. Some species of Eiipa- 

 torium have the reputed power of healing the bites of numerous 

 animals ; and E. glutinosum is said to be the plant which, under 

 the name of Matico, is extensively used as a styptic. It is a shrubby 

 plant inhabiting the Andes, and derived its name from a soldier 

 named " Matico " (Little Matthew), who, having been wounded in 

 battle, accidentally applied the leaves of this plant to his wound, 

 which had the immediate effect of stopping the bleeding. 



To the Radiate belong the gorgeous Dahlia, so called from Dr. 

 Dahl, who introduced it ; and the " wee " Daisy, or Day's-eye, 

 which opens only in sunny weather, and peeps up through the grass 

 as it it were an eye indeed. The genus Helianthus contains the 

 Sunflower {H. annnus) and Jerusalem Artichoke {H. tuberosus), 

 " Jerusalem " being a corruption of the Italian word girasole, of 

 the same meaning as Sunflower, the name Artichoke being given 

 to mark the similarity of flavour in its roofs with that of the true 

 Artichoke mentioned above. It rarely flowers in England, but pro- 

 duces abundance of tubers, which hold a high rank among esculent 

 vegetables. It is valuable not only for its= productiveness, but for 

 the freedom with which it grows in any soil. Its roots are made 

 into a dish which, by an absurd piece of pedantry, is called " Pales- 



