520 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



being in repute as a substitute for mercury. It is also known 

 by tbe name of mandrake. 



Fennel Flower (Nigella sativa.). An annual, about a foot 

 or more in height, native of the South of Europe, Egypt and 

 "Western Asia. It has finely-cut leaves, and is cultivated 

 in some parts for its seeds, which are hot and pej^pery, and 

 are used as a condiment in cookery. With the Egyptian 

 ladies they are in repute for improving the complexion. 

 The seeds of this or an allied species are supposed to be the 

 Black-cummin or Fitches of Scripture.* 



N. Damascena. A garden annual, well known by the 

 names of " Devil in a Bush," and " Love in a Mist." Its 

 properties are similar to those of the preceding. 



Yellow Eoot {Xantliorhiza apiifolia). This is one of the 

 few shrubby species of the family, being a low bush with 

 finelj^-cut leaves and inconspicuous flowers. It is a native of 

 North America, where it has obtained some degree of medi- 

 cinal reputation, and is hardy in this country. 



Pceonia is a genus of showy flowering plants, which with 

 one exception are all strong-rooted herbaceous perennials. 

 P. officinalis, the double Peony, well known in every garden, 

 is said to be a native of Switzerland, but has been cultivated 

 in this country for more than three hundred years. P. albi- 

 Jlora, native of Siberia, is similar to the last, but has double 

 white flowers. P. fragrans, native of China, has large double 

 red flowers, but differs from P. alhifiora in being scented 

 like a rose. P. moutan, the Tree Peony, is a shrub, also 

 native of China, and hardy in this country. It attains the 

 height of three or four feet, and has large bluish-coloured 

 flowers ; it was introduced in 1789. 



Within the last few years a number of new varieties with 

 showy coloured flowers have come into cultivation. 



Virgin's Bower [Clematis Vitalha). A native of this country, 

 growing, and climbing over hedges, bushes, and trees, and in 

 common use for forming rustic arbours. It is also called 



* Isaiah chap, xxviii. ver. 25-27. Ezekiel chap. iv. ver. 9. 



