By the Rev. Robert Walsh. 



49 



ESCULENTS, HERBACEOUS, ANNUALS, &c. 



Erigeron Graveolens. 

 This is the plant described by Dioscorides,* under the 

 name of Kovvgu ; its strong odour, clammy feel, and yellow 

 flowers, &c. exactly answer his description. Pliny says it 

 was used against the bite of serpents. f At present it is 

 used against the bite of all manner of vermin, which its strong 

 odour repels. It grows in large patches in the islands of the 

 sea of Marmora, and flowers in autumn, giving a rich glow to 

 the spots where it is found, when all other vegetation is 

 parched and brown. 



Pancratium Maritimum. 

 This beautiful flower is justly called by Dioscorides 

 UctvKpacTtov f X or all-excelling. Forskal found it in great abun- 

 dance in Palestine, and supposes it was the Lily of the Scrip- 

 ture, like to which, our Saviour said, " Solomon in all his glory 

 was not arrayed." It grows in all the sandy plains of Asia 

 Minor, and is propagated by seed as well as bulbs. I found 

 it among the ruins of Teos, and am -disposed to think it was 

 the Lily of Anacreon.§ 



Arum Dracuficulus. 

 I found it in the plains of Brusa ; the flower attained to 

 the height of four feet, the spatha edged with purple, and 



* Lib. iii. cap. 136. f Lib. xxv. cap. 13. + Lib. ii. cap. 203. § Odes, li. 

 VOL. VI. H 



Mo. Bot. Garden, 



