CYNOGLOS'SUM OMPHALODES. 
COMFREY-LEAVED HOUND’S-TONGUE. 
Class. Order. 
PENTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
BORAGINEiE. 
Native of 
Height 
Flowers in 
Duration 
Cultivated 
S. Europe. 
4 inches. 
Mar. April. 
Perennial. 
in 1633. 
No. 243. 
The term Cynoglossum, is compounded of the 
two Greek words kuon, a dog; and glossa, a 
tongue; adopted from the shape of the leaves. 
Omphalodes, is also derived from the Greek om- 
phalos, a navel; and eidos, resemblance; which 
alludes to the peculiar shapPof its seeds. 
This genus has, by some, been divided, and the 
specific name of the present subject, is made the 
generic name of a new family, and our plant is called 
Omphalodes verna. 
Circumstances, somewhat similar seem to have oc- 
curred amongst ourselves ; for we have the Christian 
names of J ames, Thomas, and almost all others, used 
as family names. This may remind our young rea- 
ders that vegetables, which have some character 
common to each individual, are combined in one 
family or genus, and the generic name may be con- 
sidered as answering to our surnames; whilst each 
individual, in such genus, is distinguished by a tri- 
vial or specific name, as we are by Christian names. 
This plant with its beautiful blue little banner of 
spring, should deck the foot of a wall, in an eastern 
aspect, where it will rival the violet and primrose. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 1, 292. 
