The Gentian. 195 



f Europe, Asia, and America. Their properties are tonic, 

 and many of them are intensely bitter. The flowers are often 

 ver y handsome, and generally of a blue color. We have 

 several elegant North American species, of which the one here 

 engraved is perhaps the most showy. It is not uncommon by 

 the sides of streams, in meadows and moist ground, and pro- 

 duces its flowers in September. The stem is about a foot in 

 height, with smooth, opposite, three or five nerved leases. 

 The flowers are deep bright blue, in bunches on the top of the 

 stem, and are singular, from their never fully expanding. 

 They might indeed be easily taken for buds, and one not 

 acquainted with this peculiarity, would naturally wait for them 

 to open. By drawing apart the outer segments of the corolla, 

 the fine fringe of the inner segments will be seen. The color 

 of the flowers sometimes varies to purple or white in different 

 shades. Another very beautiful and delicate American spe- 

 cies, is the Fringed Gentian, G. crinita, which may be at once 

 known by its large light blue flowers, and the elegantly fringed 

 borders of the petals. There are numerous other species of 

 Gentian, growing in various parts of the Eastern continent, 

 some of which are in request as garden flowers, and others are 

 of use as affording medicinal substances. G. lutea, an Euro- 

 pean species with yellow flowers, is the one which produces the 

 bitter so much used in tonic medicines, under the name of gen- 

 tian, from its roots, which are thick and yellow. According 

 to Dr. Gray, any of our native species may be substituted 

 for it. 



G. Saponaria, as well as the others, may be cultivated in 

 almost any light, rich soil, and may be increased by sowing 

 the seeds, or by dividing the roots. It is said that the seeds 

 should be sowed as soon as they are ripe, as, if left for a few 

 months, they are not likely to germinate. 



