
324 PLANTS GROWING IN WASTE SOIL.’ 
microscope, however, it is astonishing the amount of beauty it 
reveals. In some parts of England it is still used for weaving 
bridal wreaths and has been thus celebrated in flower-lore. 
“ Thou pretty nest of Venus’ tree, 
Thy true name it is yarrow, 
Now who thy bosom friend must be, 
Pray tell thou me to-morrow.” 
CHICORY. SUCCORY. (Plate CLXIV,) 
Cichorium fnt tybus. 
FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 
Chicory. Blue, white, or pink. Scentless. Mostly east. Summer and autumn. 
Flower-heads : showy; arranged along the stem, and composed entirely of 
strap-shaped flowers. eaves: entire; lanceolate; pointed and clasping, the 
floral ones bract-like and small. Stem: upright, branching. 
“ And spreading succory chokes the rising field.” 
— VIRGIL. 
The name cichorium is of Arabic origin, which would rather 
suggest that this little plant has travelled far and seen a wealth 
of places. We know that Horace had it frequently upon his 
menu, and that in Egypt it is used as an article of food. From 
the leaves the French make a most delicious salad. No doubt 
it has a taste for serving all nations, and so has unceremoni- 
ously crossed the ocean and is bent on keeping its blue eye 
upon the new world. Happily it has had the good manners to 
bring with it a bright, attractive appearance, or those detractors 
of weeds might feel a little miffed at the cool way in which it 
has taken possession of our highways. As yet it has not 
travelled very far southward. 
Its deep dandelion-like roots have been used to adulterate 
coffee. Their disagreeable flavour, however, is at once per- 
ceptible. 
ROADSIDE ASTERS. 
FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 
Composite. Bluish purple, or Scentless. General. Summer and early 
white. autumn, 
“ And everywhere the purple asters nod 
And bend and wave and flit.” 

