208 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



O. squilla. L. The well-known medicine, squill, from the 

 South of Europe ; little cultivated, but very important, and curious 

 from its association with the Star of Bethlehem. 



Hyacinthus. L. 6. 1. 



Hyacinthus was fabled to have been killed by Zephyrus, and 

 changed into this flower ; several species have been cultivated for 

 their beauty. The species from the Levant. 



H. orientalis. L. Has many beautiful varieties. Like the 

 Tulip, this plant has been a great article of trade. The Dutch 

 export several hundred varieties. 



Asparagus. L. 6. 1. 

 From the Greek to tear, on account of the prickles of some 

 species. 



Jl. officinalis. L. The well-known Asparagus, so much 

 used as a culinary vegetable. It grows along the seashore in 

 many parts of Britain, and of the continent, as well as in the in- 

 terior of Turkey and Russia, commonly flourishing in a sandy 

 soil. It was greatly praised as an article of food before our era. 

 Its successful cultivation requires a rich and light soil. The 

 manure from the hog-pen on a light and sandy loam, produces it in 

 great perfection, early in the season, and for a long time. Salt 

 is said to be a favorable stimulant to it, as it is to many plants 

 which do not delight in the seashore for habitation. It is diuretic 

 and slightly laxative, and healthful to persons of sedentary habits. 

 The juice contains a peculiar vegetable substance, called as- 

 paragin. 



Aletris. L. 6. 1. 



From the Greek for meal, on account of the mealy dust on the 

 plants, or some of them ; a North American genus of few spe- 

 cies. Corolla tubulous, 6-cleft at the summit, rugose or wrinkled ; 

 style conical ; capsule 3-celled, 3-valved, opening at the summit. 



Jl. farinosa. L. False Aloe. Colic Root. Stem rises 2-3 



