POLYGONEiE. 103 



the pleasantness of its flower as food for man, and its utility as a 

 component of food for hogs, cattle, or horses, render it an im- 

 portant vegetable. The flowers form a valuable source of honey 

 for bees, though the honey is not so white, nor quite so pleasant, 

 as that obtained from most other flowers. Another variety, re- 

 quiring a longer time for ripening, is beginning to be introduced. 



P. orientale. L. Princess' Feather. Introduced from near 

 Mount Ararat into Europe by Tournefort ; is a large and tall ex- 

 otic, with large broad leaves, and flowers in long and flexuous 

 and pendulous spikes of a bright-reddish color. Very handsome. 

 It is said to be cultivated in the East for the medicinal qualities of 

 the seeds, as well as for its flowers. Loudon. 



Rum ex. L. 6. 3. 



About 6 species are found in the State, while only one is very 

 abundant. The leaves have ligules or bands around their base. 



R. acetosella. L. Sorrel, or Field Sorrel. This well-known 

 plant appears everywhere over the dry, sandy fields that are ne- 

 glected or untilled, and also, after the grain is harvested, often in 

 good soils showing its brownish flowers in great abundance, and 

 to the great annoyance of the farmer. The leaves are very dis- 

 tinctly of the form of the ancient spear. The plant contains 

 oxalic acid. 



R. crispus. L. Dock. This, with 2 other kindred species, 

 needs few remarks. The root of the yellow dock is often used 

 in the preparation of salves and ointments. 



R. pallidus. Big. White Dock. This new species was 

 first described by Dr. Bigelow. It occurs about salt marshes in 

 the vicinity of Boston. 



The dock is used sometimes as a pot-herb. The whole num- 

 ber of species is nearly 50, most of which are weeds, and have 

 little value in the arts or for food. Three other species, acutus, 

 L., Britannicus, L., and obtusifolius, L., are found in the State. 



