The VEGETABLE SYSTEM. 
87 
of a pale green ; and lies in part upon the ground. It feldom grows to 
more than a foot in heighth ; and its Colour is a pale whitilh green. 
The Leaves are of a bright and pleafing green ; the Flowers are of a 
blueilh white ; they are not large ; but they fit fo clofe upon the Stalk, 
that their Angularity gives them an afpedt of prettinefs, which gene- 
rally makes the Plant taken notice of among fuch as are handfotner. 
8. TENDER ERYNGO. 
Plate 52. Fig. 2. 
Character of the Species. Eryngium Alpinum. 
The Stalks are weak ; the lower Leaves are heart- fhap’d, 
and faw’d at the edge ; the others are pinnatifid with a 
broad bafe* 
Fig. 2 . a b c. 
This is a perennial, native of the mountains of Swiflerland, and of 
fome other parts of Europe ; a very pretty Plant, of a foot and a half 
or more in heighth ; flowering in July. The Stalk is tough, but weak. 
It naturally bends, but does not eafily break ; the Leaves are of a faint 
green ; the upper ones are of a firm fubftance, and are thorny at the 
ends and points of the divifions. The Flowers are of a very fine 
blue, and make a handfome figure at the tops of the branches, part of 
which is ufually ting’d to fome diftance below them, with the fame 
glowing colour. 
The Root of this kind, when dry’d, has a very fine aromatick flavour, 
light and without heat. It refembles the tafte of the common Eryngo 
Root, but is vaftly more delicate. The Plant is common enough where 
it is native ; and it would be worth while to import a quantity of its Root 
for trial in, medicine. 
9. AMETHYSTINE ERYNGO. 
Plate 53. Fig. 1. 
CharaQer of the Species. Eryngium Amethyftinum. 
The lower Leaves are handed, and in the circumference 
nearly round ; they are compofed of many plaited and 
thorny divifions. 
Fig. r. ah. 
This is a perennial, native of the Apennines; an upright, robuft, 
and very beautiful Plant, of two feet high; flowering in June and July. 
The 
