Gentiana saponaria. 25 



Root perennial, consisting of several large, fleshy portions. Stem 

 numerous from the same root, erect simple, terete, very smooth and 

 shining, of an apple-green hue, drying nearly white. Leaves opposite, 

 decussating, sessile or rather amplexicaule, large, broad-lanceolate, 

 nearly acuminate, entire, smooth on hoth sides, very pale apple-green 

 underneath, crowded at the summit. Costa prominent, having one 

 or two nerves on either side near to the margins. Flowers axillary 

 and terminal, numerous, sessile, and occasionally pedunculate, in clus- 

 ters of two, three, or four. Corolla campanulate, ventricose, four-cleft 

 and very finely toothed, puckered or plaited at the mouth, when in 

 full bloom expanding sufficiently to show the internal whiteness of the 

 folds. Stamens and pistil concealed by the corolla, which is of a fine 

 Prussian-blue blended into whiteness at the base, near which are four 

 small, bracteiform, green, ovate, acute leaves. Each iascicle of flowers 

 whether axillary or terminal, is garnished by several lanceolate, acu- 

 minate leaves resembling those of the stem except in size, being only 

 one inch and one and a half inch long. Grows in boggy ground and 

 damp rich meadows, from Canada to Louisiana, common. Flowering 

 in August and September. 



The genus to which this elegant plant belongs is the y««*-<*»« of the 

 Greeks, from Gentius, king of lllyria, who is said to have discovered 

 it, or first experienced its virtues as a cure for the plague which infect- 

 ed his army. The North American species are eight or ten, the present 

 being one of the most elegant. It is well deserving more extensive 



