SAGE OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 361 



festivities under it hj moonlight, and erect poles made of its 

 wood before the houses of their chiefs. 



Safflower {Oaiilmmus tindorncs), a prickly stiff-leaved annual 

 of the Composite family (Compositse), about 2 feet high, pro- 

 ducing spiny heads of red flowers. It has long been cultivated 

 throughout China, India, the Levant, Egypt, Southern Europe 

 (where it is called Cardoon), and even at one time in England, 

 where it was introduced 300 years ago. It yields a valuable 

 dye, varying in shades of colour between red and yellow, which 

 is obtained by collecting the red florets just before withering, and 

 is greatly used for dyeing China sUks, crapes, and Spanish wool. 

 It is also the principal ingredient in the rouge that is used by 

 actors, etc. The seeds yield an oil, which is employed for 

 burning in lamps, and also for culinary purj^oses in India. It 

 is likewise said to be the principal ingredient in Macassar Oil. 



Saffron {Crocus sativus), a plant of the Iris family (Iridacese), 

 a species with blue flowers, native of Southern Europe and 

 Western Asia It has become wild in this country, and at one 

 time was rather extensively cultivated at Saffron AValden. The 

 yellow stigmas of the flower are collected, and form the dye 

 known as Saffron, the bulk of which is imported from France, 

 Spain, and Italy, and it is extensively cultivated in Cash- 

 mere. The stigmas of upwards of 4000 flowers are required 

 to produce a single ounce of Saffron. It is well known as 

 a valuable dye, and is also used for colouring cheese and 

 medicinal preparations. Saffron is spoken of by Pliny as 

 being cultivated in Italy, and it is supposed to have been in- 

 troduced into Cornwall by the Phoenicians in exchange for tin. 

 It was held in high medical repute by the ancient Arabian 

 physicians. 



Sagapenum, a name in India for a gum-resin supposed to 

 be derived from Ferula persica, a perennial of the Carrot family 

 (Umbelliferse), or some allied species. It has a slight alliaceous 

 smell. Small quantities only are imported. 



Sage {Salvia qffidnahs), a stiff shrub of the Mint family 

 (Labiatoe), about 2 feet high, with rough hoary leaves, native of the 



