G8 ENGLISH BOTANY. 
The narrow-leaved forms of the present species show a close 
approximation to the shorter forms of E. littoralis. The flowers 
are about the same size, but the calyx-teeth are considerably 
shorter, so that when the tube of the corolla has attained its utmost 
length, it projects considerably beyond them ; the flowers in the 
cymes are more numerous and more of them expanded at one time. 
I have considerable doubt whether E. latifolia and E. littoralis 
should not be considered as sub-species of E. Centaurium ; but I have 
never gathered the two former, and possibly in a living state they 
may present differences not apparent when dry. 
Common Centaury. 
French, Erythree Centauree. German, Tausendgiildenlraut. 
This plant is as bitter as the gentian, and has been used in the same manner as a 
tonic infusion. Old writers praised it greatly ; in an old Sloane MS. we find it 
written — " For hem that may not browke hir mete, take centorie, and sethe it in 
water and let the sike drinke it warme, three daies, and he schal be hoole." This was 
the cure for indigestion. Dr. Prior tells us that " the name of the plant came from 
the Centaur Chiron having cured himself with it from a wound he had accidentally 
received from an arrow poisoned with the blood of the hydra." The Germans, 
resolving the name into centum aurei, a hundred pounds, call the plant Tausend 
Gulden. " The Centaury is the basis of the famous Portland Powder, which prevents 
fits of the gout, when taken in large quantities and a long time together; but brings 
on induration of the liver, palsey, and apoplexy." So says Dr. Withering, and 
Culpepper tells us that " the herbe is so safe you cannot fail in the using of it, only 
give it inwardly for inward diseases, use it outwardly for outward diseases. 'Tis very 
wholesome but not very toothsome." On the Continent this remedy is still often used 
in intermittent fevers and dyspepsia, and it is sometimes given as a vermifuge. Its 
active principle is known to chemists as Centaurin, which in combination with 
hydrochloric acid is a remedy in low fevers. Its intense bitterness caused it to be 
named by the ancients Eel Terrce, or Gall of the Earth. 
SPECIES I V— E RYTHRiEA PULCHELLA. Fries. 
Plate DCCCQX. bis. 
Reich. Tc. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. XVII. Tab. MLXI. Fig. 5. 
BiUot, Fl. Call, et Germ. Exsicc. No. 2884. 
E. ramosissima, 1'ers. Griesb. in D. C. Prod. Vol. IX. p. 57. Reich. 1. c. 
Chironia pulchella, Swartz. 8m. Eng. Bot. No. 458. 
Stem short and slender, or elongated and rather stout. Radical 
leaves obovate or oblanceolate, obtuse ; stem-leaves oblong or 
oval, sub-obtuse or acute ; all 3- to 5-nerved, very rarely 7-nerved. 
Flowers usually in a lax dichotomous cyme with elongated 
branches often occupying half the whole height of the plant, 
rarely in a rather compact corymbose fasciculate cyme, those in 
the forks pedicillatc, the lateral ones stalked and with 2 bracts 
