BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
169 
GENUS XXII. 
THE BURNET-SAXIFRAGE. (Pimpinella, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Generic Character, —Calyx an obsolete margin. Petals obovate, 
emarginate, inflexed. Fruit contracted at the side, ovate, crowned 
by a convex disk and reflexed styles. Carpella with five, equal, filiform 
ridges, of which the lateral form a margin. Channels with many vittae. 
Seed convex, flattish in front.—Involucrum none. Flowers white. 
( Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —The plants belonging to this genus are remarkably aromatic, particularly the exotic 
species called P. Anisum, which is the aniseed of the shops. The British species are the Common Burnet- 
Saxifrage (P. Saxifraga ), and the Great Burnet-Saxifrage (P. magnet). Both these species are perennials, and 
are only found in chalky, or very dry gravelly soils. The flowers are white, or yellowish, and they appear in 
August. A decoction of the Great Burnet-Saxifrage is said to remove freckles from the skin, and it is sometimes 
used as a gargle. 
GENUS XXIII. 
THE WATER-PARSNEP. (Sium, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Description, &c. —This genus contains two species of aquatic plants, both highly poisonous in their 
nature, which are very common in ditches and similar situations in every part of England. The broad-leaved 
kind (-S', latifolium) is a very tall handsome plant, with large umbels and white flowers ; but S. angustifolium 
is a much smaller and a more elegant plant, with yellowish flowers. Both are perennials, with creeping roots, 
and their flowers appear in July and August. The name of Sium is derived from the Celtic word for water ; in 
allusion to the aquatic habits of the plant. 
GENUS XXIV. 
THE MARSH-WORT. (Helosciadium, Koch.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx a five-toothed margin, occasionally which the lateral form a margin. Channels with single vittae. Seed 
obsolete. Petals ovate, entire, acute, or bluntisli, with a point; the more or less convex, flattish in front.—Involucra various. Flowers 
point either straight or inflexed. Fruit compressed at the side, ovate, white. {Lindley.) 
or oblong. Carpella with five, filiform, prominent, equal ridges, of 
Description, &c.—There are three species of this genus, which are all creeping-rooted, perennial, aquatic 
plants, with small clusters of white flowers. Helosciadium is derived from two Greek words, signifying an 
umbelliferous plant growing in a marsh. 
GENUS XXV. 
THE CARAWAY. (Carum, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Generic Character.— Calyx an obsolete margin. Petals obovate, margin; commissure flat. Channels with single vittae. Seed taper, 
emarginate, regular, inflexed. Fruit compressed at the sides, oblong. convex, flattish in front. Involucra various. Flowers white. {I.indley.) 
Carpella with five, filiform, equal ridges, of which the lateral form a 
Description, &c. —Of the two species usually included in this genus, the best known, which is the common 
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