ANCHUSA PANICULATA. PANICLED BUGLOSS. 
Class V. P E TR A N D R I A.— Order I. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order, BORAGINEHL. — THE BORAGE TRIBE. 
Root biennial or perennial. Stem round, hirsute ; branches alternate ; leaves lanceolate, entire, rough, 
very hairy ; flower-buds purple on short pedicels, in expanding changes to bright blue ; peduncles hairy ; 
calyx five-parted, hairy ; stamens on short filaments inserted on the bearded throat of the corolla. 
This plant although introduced as far back as 1777? is by no means common in our gardens: this 
cannot be on account of a deficiency in point of attraction. The colour of the bloom is of a splendid blue, 
somewhat approaching to purple. In the herbaceous border it is evidently a showy plant ; it shoots up 
with many branches to the height of about five feet, producing fine peduncles of flowers during the months 
of May, June, and July. It is considered in many works as a biennial, but it is known to last four or five 
years : when once established it is not very readily eradicated, from its dropping its seeds, as well as from 
the roots being so tenacious of life that small pieces being permitted to remain in the ground will spring up 
and produce plants. 
It is a native of Madeira, and thrives best in sandy ground, but will grow very well in light garden 
mould. A large specimen of this plant may be seen in the herbaceous ground at Chelsea Botanic Garden, 
where it thrived for many years. 
Several species of Anchusa have roots which abound in a red colouring matter, useful as a dye : this, 
which is considered a peculiar proximate principle, has been called by John Pseudo-alkaunin. A. tinctoria 
is the common Alkanet or Orcannette, much in request by druggists to color oils, wax, &c. Lipsalves, many 
plasters, and the composition often sold as port-wine, owe their tints to this dye-stuff, which is also used to 
stain corks, so as to give false circumstantial evidence of the wine having been some time in bottle. A. 
Virginiana and Echium rubrurn have roots almost equally rich in colouring matter with the true Alkanet , and 
are used as substitutes for it. 
It has been asserted that the entomologist has a decided advantage over the botanist in the arrangement 
of his cabinet, since he can preserve unfading the brilliancy of his various subjects. But Nature herself 
arranges the cabinet of the botanist, spares him the trouble of collecting, and furnishes it from year to year 
with living specimens of skill and beauty. She covers the rugged surface of the globe, broken into rocks 
and valleys with flowers, herbs, and forest trees ; some of them minute and beautiful, others of a noble and 
commanding aspect; extending over all a canopy of light, which apparently embraces and defends the earth, 
on which it seems to rest. Sometimes light fleecy clouds fly rapidly across it, or dark imposing masses 
shade the face of heaven. Again they pass away, the clear blue sky appears, and all is bright and shining. 
Evanescent as the joys and sorrows of this transitory being, they are scarcely seen before they disappear. 
The mental eye receives instruction through the medium of objects peculiarly pleasing to the senses. It 
learns to look beyond this world, to fix its sole attention on those tranquil regions which never experience 
any change, however the view of them may be occasionally obscured by the passing clouds of this proba- 
tionary state. 
Linnaeus has well observed, that every thing in nature celebrates its Maker’s goodness, and is calculated 
to convey important lessons to the heart. The contemplation of the wonders of creation is, indeed, a noble 
and refined luxury, a rational delight, and one that charms us with continual variety. 
It may be justly questioned whether works of art, however rare and splendid, can yield for any length 
of time, the pleasure which is continually excited by the renovation of flowers in the spring, when they 
come up with the smiling faces of old friends, and seem to look cheerfully on all around. How many feel- 
