GARDEN CARROT. 75 
The 'flower-stern of the gentian is two or three feet high, strong, 
smooth, and erect. The leaves which grow upon its lower part 
are spear-shaped and ribbed, and those on the upper part are 
concave, smooth, and egg-shaped. The flowers, which are large 
and yellow, grow round the upper part of the stem on strong 
foot-stalks, and are divided at the edge into Jive or more segments. 
The calyx is a kind of sheath. 
Gentian is one of the principal bitters that are now 
used in medicine ; and is of considerable service in 
fevers, and in such complaints as arise from weakness 
of the stomach. It is externally of a brown colour, 
and internally yellowish or bright red. Its taste is at 
first sweetish, but immediately afterwards bitter and 
pungent. As a simple bitter, it is rendered more grate- 
ful to the stomach by the addition of some warm aro- 
matic ; and, for this purpose, orange-peel is commonly 
employed. An extract of gentian root, boiled with 
water till it has nearly the consistence of honey, is kept 
in the shops. 
85. GARDEN CARROT (Daucus carota) is a plant too 
zvell known to need any description. 
In few vegetable productions are the effects of cul- 
tivation more conspicuous than in the carrot. The wild 
plants, which are common in most parts of England, 
have a root so small and woody, that no one could sup- 
pose they had any alliance whatever to the large and 
succulent root of the garden carrot. 
The various uses of the carrot in cookery are well 
known. But, although it contains much nutriment, 
this root is difficult of digestion ; particularly if eaten 
raw, or imperfectly boiled. Carrots are an excellent 
fodder for cattle and horses, either alone or mixed 
with hay ; and, if given to cows, in winter or the early 
part of spring, they are said to cause a great increase 
of milk. If carrots be boiled with their wash, hogs 
will thrive well upon them. In some parts of England 
this vegetable has been cultivated as a winter food 
for deer; and the leaves have sometimes been made 
E2 
