— eum 
488 THE VEGETABLE WORLD. 
The Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is an indigenous species in 
France, and probably with us, the roots of which are used in 
medicine. Fig. 439 represents the wild Chicory; Fig. 439 an 
isolated flower from the capitulum of this plant. The roots of the 
cultivated Chicory, dried and roasted, are sometimes mixed with 
coffee, and are said to mellow its bitterness. The young leaves, 
dressed as a salad, are eaten by the lower classes in France. 
The Endive (C. endivia) is a Mediterranean plant, less bitter, 
and is seldom appropriated to alimentary use, except as a salad. 
The wild Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) has a bitter juice, of an 
offensive odour. -The cultivated Lettuce yields a juice of which a 
pharmaceutical extract is obtained by evaporation, called lactu- 
carium or thrictace, which possesses narcotic properties. It is 
sometimes employed in medicine as a substitute for opium. The 
young leaves of the Lettuce, of which many varieties are culti- 
vated in our gardens, are used as salads. 
In this same branch of the Compesites are the Vipers’ Grass 
(Scorzonera), Salsify (Tragopogon), and the Dandelion (Zaraxa- 
). 
The Tubifloral Floscules contain a bitter principle, which gives 
_ them stimulating properties. Some of the Carducem were held 
in great favour for medical uses in olden times, but are now aban- 
doned. Such are the Holy Thistle (Cnicus benedictus), Milk Thistle 
(Silybum Marianum), Star Thistle (Carduus calcitrapa), Corn Blue 
Bottle (Centaurea cyanus), common in France and Switzerland. 
One of this family, the Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), furnishes ey 
a dye soluble in alcohol. It came originally from India, but is now 
| cultivated in Asia, America, and nearly over the whole of Europe. 
The colour drawn from the Safflower is not very strong, but 1t8 — 
shades are very delicate and varied. Mixed with tale if makes 9 — 
paint which women use by way of rouge. Some of the Carducex 
are comestible. Such are the Artichoke ( Cyanara scolymus), of : He 
which the base of the bracts, the involucrum, and the common — 
receptacle are eaten, while the choke—that is to say, the YOY 
young flowers—is rejected; the Cardoon (Cynara carduncullus); ae 
of which the midrib of the leaves is eaten, being whitened and a 
rendered fleshy by blanching. Pee os 
_ The Tubifloral Radiates comprise plants in which @ ee 
