UMBELLIFERiE. 19 



taken for it ; grows about the streets of Boston ; probably intro- 

 duced ; flowers in July and August. Big. 



A peculiar vegetable alkali has been found in this plant by Pro- 

 fessor Ficinus of Dresden, "which he calls Cynopia." hind. 

 This plant is a deadly poison. 



It is named from the Greek, to burn, on account of its acrid 

 power. Loudon. 



Discopleura. DC. 5. 2. 



D. capillacea. DC. Bishop Weed. Stem 1-2 feet high, 

 smooth, bent a little at the branches, with much- divided leaves ; 

 grows in wet places or bogs, near New Bedford. Allied to 

 the following. 



Sium. L. 5. 2. Water Parsnip. 



Two species, latifolium, L., and lineare, Mx., which are only 

 varieties, as they have been found, by T. A. Greene, and G. B. 

 Emerson, growing from the same root, are found in the low 

 grounds, often with Cicuta bulbifera, having branching stems, and 

 pinnate leaves, and umbels of small white flowers, of a slight and 

 offensive odor ; flowers in July and August. Poisonous. 



Sium is from the Celtic for water, about which the plant abounds. 



Sanicula. L. 5. 2. 

 S. Marylandica. L. Sanicle. Stem about 2 feet high, 

 with erect branches, and divided leaves so as to resemble the 

 fingers, with flowers in simple umbels, and having a bush-like 

 appearance ; seeds with hooked bristles ; flowers in June, and 

 grows about thickets and hedges ; common. 



Sison. L. 5. 2. 



5. Canadense. L. Honewort. Stem about 2 feet high, 

 with compound leaves in 3 divisions ; umbels branched, bearing 

 minute white flowers and smooth seeds ; grows with the pre- 

 ceding, and flowers in July. 



Sison is from the Celtic for stream, as some species live about 

 waters. Loudon. 



