THE BELL-FLOWERS 
197 
always be known by its large green leaves, covered with 
broad and numerous white streaks or veins. Then, there 
are the water-cresses of the streams, and the wood-sorrel ; 
the leaves of the cardamine, or cuckoo-flower, which is the 
companion of the wood anemone in the spring; and the 
young shoots of yarrow, or old man’s pepper, as it used 
to be called, because it w^as formerly used to correct the 
coldness of uncooked vegetables. This latter plant is, 
however, less agreeable to the palate than the others here 
mentioned ; and instead of it may be recommended the 
brooklime, which growls by the stream, and has blue 
flowers and notched, succulent leaves. This vegetable is 
sold in the markets of Scotland, and termed water-purpie. 
The wild-flowers which enamel the meadows might often 
be made of much use to the cottager, if those who have 
the means of knowing their value would point it out to- 
the iininstructed. Several roots may be boiled as potatoes, 
and are as wholesome, though not so large as this root; 
and many a poor family in the country might be more 
comfortably and nutritively fed, were the practice of using 
them more general. Thus, the roots of the whld succory 
are thus used, and sold in the markets of France; those 
of the water arrow-head are equally nutritious; and this 
plant may be distinguished from the other ornaments of 
our pools by its large leaves, shaped like the point of an 
arrow, and its white flowers. The roots of the purple 
meadow orchis, as well as several others, contain, when 
boiled, far more nutriment than the potato. The little 
buds of the marsh-marigold, a water-side plant like a 
buttercup, make good capers ; and of the samphire and 
glasswort of our salt marshes may be made a pickle which 
is esteemed even at the rich man’s table. 
The garden species of campanula, or bell-flower, are 
very ornamental. The large pyramidal bell-flower (Cam- 
panula pyramidalis), whose numerous blossoms are often 
trained across a widely-extended frame, and serve so ad- 
mirably to stand as a shade in the window-seat, are not 
so much admired as they were some years since ; for 
fashion has great influence over garden flowers, promoting 
one and lowering another according to her dictates. The 
bright-blue flowers of this plant compensate for the arti- 
ficial appearance which a plant reared in this position must 
