510 THE VEGETABLE WORLD. 
Cyminum), Dill (Anethum graveolens), Coriander (coriandrum 
sativum), Caraway (Carum carvi), Fennel (Feniculum vulgare), 
&c. Several of the Umbelliferze occupy important places in our . 
kitchen gardens. The root of the Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), 
so common in our fields, is small, heavy, fibrous, and of an acrid 
flavour. In its wild state this root cannot be eaten, but under the 
influence of culture it becomes fleshy, voluminous, feeculent, and 
sweet, while retaining its aromatic flavour. 
The Parsnip (Pastinacea sativa) grows spontaneously in the 
fields of all parts of Europe. Like the Carrot it is tap-rooted, 
and culture has rendered it alimentary, but the flesh is doughy, 
and slightly bitter. 
Smallage (Apium graveolens), when cultivated, takes the name 
of Celery. Its roots in the wild state are acrid and strongly 
odorous, but under the influence of culture they acquire a sweeter 
flavour. When its long petioles have been softened, and had the . 
colour taken from them by blanching, that is, by the plant 
remaining in the dark, they are considered one of the luxuries of 
the table. 
Parsley (Petroselinum sativum), indigenous to the South of 
Europe, is now cultivated chiefly for the sake of its leaves; the 
same is the case with the Chervil (Sandise cerefolium). 
Some of the Umbellifere: have poisonous or narcotic properties. 
The first in this list is the Hemlock (Conium maculatum). Itis a 
common plant on the road-side, on rubbish heaps, in burial-grounds, 
and in damp shaded places in the neighbourhood of habitations. 
_ Its root is white and spindle-shaped. Its straight branching herba- 
ceous stem is from a yard to six feet high ; it is smooth, that is to 
say, without hairs, cylindrical, glaucous, slightly fluted, and 18 
spotted with marks of a deep purple colour. It has very large, 
alternate, deeply-cut, compound leaves, with profoundly dentate 
lengthened folioles ; its flowers are small, white, and di: seg 
terminal umbels, consisting of from ten to twelve rays. Its petals 
are almost equal, sessile, and somewhat heart-shaped. Upon each of 
the two lateral portions of the fruit are five projec‘ing crenulated — 
ribs, which give it the appearance of being all covered with small 
asperities, or rotund tubercles. Any part of the Hemlock, wes 
-erushed between the fingers, exhales a fetid and disagreeable — 
