COMPOSITE. 135 



cess, in the cure of the salt-rheum. It was prescribed originally 

 by an Indian, and called by the people, bee-flower, because it is 

 in September so sought for by the honey-bee. It is easily culti- 

 vated in gardens, and has great beauty. 



A. phlogifolius. L. A fine species, 2 feet high, with some- 

 what glaucous leaves, and red or flame-colored petals, whence its 

 name ; woods ; August to November. 



A. diver sifolius. Mx. Resembles the preceding species, but 

 is distinct from it ; in similar situations. 



A. amplexicaulis. Mx. Differs a little from the two preceding. 



A. subulatus. Mx. A smooth plant; stem 2-3 feet high, 

 with spreading branches, and small purplish flowers ; leaves linear- 

 subulate, acute ; salt marshes ; August to November ; Marsh- 

 field and Boston. 



A. spectabilis. Ait. Named for its beauty, though it is inferior 

 to several ; stem 2 feet high, bearing large blue flowers in a co- 

 rymb ; leaves oblong-lanceolate, clasping, and roughish ; swamps ; 

 August and September. In the vicinity of New Bedford. 



A. multijlorus. W. Stem 2-3 feet high, diffusely branched, 

 pubescent, with crowded flowers in terminal racemes ; branches 

 horizontal ; leaves linear, entire, smoothish ; fields ; August. 



A. miser. L. Nearly allied to the last, but is a poorer look- 

 ing plant, as if neglected ; small flowers. The variety, A. diver- 

 gens, is a very common, but ill-looking plant. 



Several other species, A. amygdalinus y Mx., cornifolius, Muhl., 

 dumosus, L., ericoides, W., Icevis, Willd., mutaUlis, W., Novi- 

 Belgii, L., rigidus, W., salicifoUus, W., solidagineus, Mx., um- 

 bellalus, Ait., and doubtless others, are of equal consequence with 

 many already mentioned. 



A. Chinensis. L. The China Aster of gardens. Remarka- 



