The Borage. 37 



The Borage, 



This is another type of a natural order, the Boraginacete, 

 consisting of herbs and sometimes shrubby plants, with round 

 stems and alternate rough leaves; the flowers often in one-sided 

 clusters, which are spiral before expansion ; calyx of five leafy 

 and persistent sepals, more or less united at the base and regu- 

 lar ; the limb five-lobed, often with a rowW scales in the throat ; 

 stamens as many as the lobes of the corolla, and alternate with 

 them ; ovary deeply four-lobed, the style proceeding from the 

 base of the lobes, which in fruits become little nuts or hard 

 achenia; seeds with little or no albumen. The Bokaga Offi- 

 cinalis — Borage, is in the class Pentandria, order Monogynia; 

 the generic name was formerly written Corago, from Cor, the 

 heart, and Ago, to affect, it being a great comforter in melancholy. 

 It was formerly cultivated much more than at present, but it fell 

 in general estimation as its medicinal value declined, and there 

 are not many who care much to preserve it for ornament alone, 

 although its fine blue star-like flowers should certainly insure it 

 a place in our gardens. 



The generic character is — corolla rotate, throat closed with 

 rays. The species has all the leaves alternate, with a spreading 

 calyx. To see the fine small protuberances at its throat, you 

 must take oft' the corolla very carefully, which will enable you 

 also to see the manner of the attachment of the stamens. It is 

 an annual, juicy, European plant, about one or two feet high, 

 bearing flowers from June to September. It is a native in Eng- 

 land, the people of which, from the rough and prickly leaves 

 and general hairiness of the plant, have made it the emblem of 

 Bluntness. Every part of the plant abounds in mucilage, which 

 can be plentifully obtained from it-by expression. It is used by the 

 English in the manufacture of a refreshing and pleasant summer 

 beverage, very popular, and much patronized by all classes, 

 known by the name of Cool Tankard. With the French it 

 is a great favorite, as the stem and leaves contain saltpetre 

 and other saline ingredients. It forms a weak, though some- 

 what cooling medicine, and is used by them in catarrhal affec- 

 tions, rheumatism, diseases of the skin, &c. It is used in the 



