THE "BELL-FLOWER FAMILY. 



339 



different species of Galium ; G. verum growing in meadows, 

 and is conspicuous in having pale yellow flowers. It has been 

 long known to have the power of curdling milk, and hence 

 it bears the name of Cheese Rennet. The roots are of a 

 bluish colour, and yield a dye equal to Madder, for which 

 purpose it is extensively collected. G. Aparine, a common 

 hedge plant, is, on account of its adhering to the clothes of 

 passers-by, known by the name of Cleavers, Goose-grass, or 

 Ladies' Bed Straw. 



Woodruff {Asperula odoratd). A perennial, native of this 

 country, generally growing in shady places in woods. It is 

 in great favour for the aromatic smell of its leaves, which it 

 retains for a long period when closed from the air. It is 

 put into wine, giving it a peculiar flavour, and is known under 

 the name of " Mai-trank," meaning Woodruff Wine. 



THE BELL-FLOWER, THISTLE, AND VALERIAN 

 ALLIANCE. 



The Bell-Flower Family. 



(Campanulace^ .) 



Frutlets or more generally herbs. Leaves alternate, 

 simple, entire, rarely lobed. Flowers solitary or in compact 

 heads, spikes, or panicles. Corolla regular, 5 -toothed or 

 lobed. Stamens 5. Fruit, a capsule opening in various 

 ways, chiefly by pores or slits, generally crowned with the 

 persistent withered calyx. 



About 500 species are recorded of this family, the greater 

 number being natives of the temperate zone of the northern 

 hemisphere ; abundant in Europe and Asia, but few in 

 North America. A few of a shrubby character are found in 

 Madeira, the Canaries, and Azores, and in South Africa they 

 are represented by the still smaller frutlets, Lightfootia^ 

 Eoella, and Wahlenbergia. The principle of this family 

 consists of a milky juice of an acrid nature, their chief use 

 being as ornamental garden plants. 



H^XQ-beW. {Campanula rotundifolid). A well-known native 

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