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BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
money, alludes to the plant having been anciently dedicated to Balder, the Apollo of the North, in consequence 
of the seed bearing considerable resemblance to the lyre always carried by that god; and the name of Kopr, by 
which it is known in Poland and Polish Prussia, has given rise to the name of Copernicus, the celebrated 
astronomer, who was, in fact, a native of Thorn. The plant is abundant in dry, mountainous situations in 
England and Scotland, and throughout the north of Europe. It is a perennial, and flowers in June and July. 
The root, which is fusiform and as thick as a carrot, is very aromatic, and is frequently used in the Highlands 
of Scotland as a carminative. 
GENUS XY. 
THE PEPPER-SAXIFRAGE. (Silaus, Besser.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Description, &c. —There is only one British plant in this genus. It is a perennial of no beauty, and 
disliked by cattle, who reject it apparently on account of its disagreeable smell. The name of Silaus is of 
doubtful origin, but it is supposed to have been applied by Pliny to this plant. 
GENUS XYI. 
THE FENNEL. (Fceniculum, Hoffmann.) 
Liu. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx obsolete. Petals roundish, entire, 
with a nearly square, retuse, involute segment. Fruit nearly taper. 
Carpella with five prominent, obtusely-keeled ridges, of which the 
lateral form a margin, and are rather broader than the others. Channels 
with one vitta. Seed nearly half-taper.—Involucra none. Flowers 
yellow. ( Lindley .) 
Description, &c. —There is only one species in this genus. The name of Fceniculum is derived from the 
Latin word foenum , hay ; but there certainly seems very little resemblance between hay and fennel. The 
common Fennel (F. vulgare ) was first classed with the Chamomile and afterwards with Meum. It is a 
biennial, very common on chalky cliffs, and it flowers in July and August. 
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GENUS XVII. 
FOOL’S PARSLEY. (tEthusa, Lin.) t 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx obsolete. Petals obovate, emarginate, 
inflexed. Fruit roundish-ovate. Carpella with five elevated, thick, 
acutely-keeled ridges, of which the lateral form a margin, and are 
rather wider than the others, surrounded by a somewhat winged keel. 
Channels with one vitta. Seed half globose.—Universal involucrum 
wanting; partial three-leaved, pendulous. Flowers white. [Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —The common Fool’s Parsley (JE. Cynapium) is an annual weed, generally supposed to 
be poisonous, which bears considerable resemblance to parsley, but is distinguished by its wanting the peculiar 
smell of that plant. It is very abundant in every part of England. The name of JEthusa signifies to burn, 
and alludes to the acrid properties of the plant. 
