54 
The VEGETABLE SYSTEM. 
in part, toward the ground. The branches are few and afcendant ; the 
Leaves are of a very deep and ftrong green ; as is alfo the Stalk, ex- 
cept that on the funny fide ’tis often purplifh. The Flowers are of a 
very deep and beautiful blue. 
This Plant is Laid to have the virtues of the preceding in medicine; 
and fanciful writers have given it the name of Devilfbit, becaufe, as they 
or their grandmothers fancied, the Devil bit off its Roots, envying their 
virtues to mankind. The Plant has an abrupt Root, as have fome of 
the Hawkweeds ; one of which has alfo had the fame Englifh and Latin 
name for the fame reafon ; and many other Plants. With refpedt to its 
virtues, I think it is inferior to the former ; but fome of the northern 
nations, have found that it is excellent in dying ; and it were well if we, 
who with all our boafted improvements in the arts are very deficient 
in that, would cultivate the thought. Perhaps this innocent Weed 
would yield a green more elegant and lading, than that we fought to 
make with Arfenic after the Saxons. 
3. DROOPING SCABIOUS. 
Plate 25. Fig. 2. 
Charafter of the Species. Scabiofa AJpina. 
The Flowers droop : the Leaves are deeply pinnatifid ; 
and the Segments ferrated. 
Fig. 2. a b. 
This is a perennial, native of the Swifs mountains-, and of many 
Parts of Italy : a Plant of two feet and a half high ; flowering in June. 
The Leaves are of a very ftrong, but fomewhat blueifh green. The Stalk 
is of a deep green ; foft and tender. The Flowers are of a very deep 
blue. The Stalk, juft under the Flowers, fwells a little and turns, 
hanging the Flower a little drooping. 
4. H A R P D SCABIOUS. 
Plate 26. Fig. 1. 
Character of the Species. Scabiofa Tranfylvanica. 
The lower Leaves are harp’d ; but the upper ones fimply 
pinnatihd : the feparate Flowers are fhort, and ftand low. 
Fig. 1 . a b c. 
This 
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