Gratiola aurea. 73 



from New England to Georgia; common in New Jersey; flowering 

 from July to September. The time of flowering in the southern 

 states, is from April to June, according to Mr. Elliot; in New Jersey 

 it blooms from July to August; and in the New England states from 

 August to September. • 



The genus gratiola was founded on the G. officinalis as a type ; 

 and that plant was called by the ancient writers on botany and me- 

 dicine, gratia 0e/, the favour of God, because it was believed to pos- 

 sess very eminent virtues. Gratiola being a diminutive of gratia, 

 was imposed on the genus, which is nearly equally divided between 

 India and North America. It consists of twenty -two species, eight 

 of which are indigenous to the United States, growing principally in 

 the southern section of the union. The present species received its 

 specific name from Muhlenburg. It is peculiar to this country, and 

 so nearly resembles the G. officinalis of Europe, as to have been 

 mistaken for it by Michaux. Notwithstanding its affinity, however, 

 it is truly separable from that species. Like the officinalis, it is a 

 variable plant ; and it is very likely that Michaux met with some of 

 the luxuriant specimens which grow in the southern states; in which 

 case, his mistake was natural; for though the northern gratiolacould 

 not be confounded with the officinalis, yet the southern plant 

 described by Mr. Elliot as having ovate-lanceolate leaves, and 

 attaining a height of two feet, and consequently havinglarger flowers 

 voii. 1. 20 



