BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
171 
GENUS XXIX. 
THE WATER-HEMLOCK, OR COW-BANE. (Cicuta, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Description, &c. —There is only one species in this genus, and it is one of the most fatal of all our 
vegetable poisons. It is a perennial plant, flowering in August, and growing in ditches, and other shallow wet 
places, where it is very conspicuous from the singular position of its umbels, which grow opposite to the leaves; 
and from the leaves themselves, which are twice ternate, with linear-lanceolate, deeply-serrated leaflets. When 
full-grown, its disagreeable smell and extremely acrid taste prevent it from being eaten ; but early in spring, 
when its unpleasant qualities are not so perceptible, it is often eaten by cows, to whom it is almost always fatal. 
Should it be taken accidentally by a human being, the best remedy is to drink largely of olive oil. The name 
of Cicuta is derived from the appellation given by the Latins to the joints of the reeds, of which their pipes were 
made ; and the stems of this plant are marked by similar articulations. 
GENUS XXX. 
THE GOUT-WEED, (.Egopodium, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Description, &c. —The common Gout-weed, or Herb Gerard (AE. Podagraria), is a very troublesome 
weed, which spreads so rapidly by its creeping roots, that when it once takes possession of a garden it is scarcely 
possible to get quite clear of it. The root is pungent and aromatic, and was formerly used to form a poultice 
for the gout, which it was said to cure, and hence its popular English name. It is a perennial, flowering in 
May and June. The name of JEgopodium signifies a goat’s foot; in allusion to the leaves being cleft somewhat 
like the foot of that animal. 
GENUS XXXI. 
THE HONEWORT. (Trinia, Hoffm.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Description, &c. —This is the only Umbelliferous plant which has the male and female flowers separate. 
It is of no particular beauty, and is rather rare, having been only found on the limestone rocks near Bristol, 
and at other places in Somersetshire. It is a perennial, and it flowers in May and June. The name of Trinia 
was given to this plant in honour of Dr. Trinius, a Russian botanist. 
GENUS XXXII. 
THE BEAKED-PARSLEY. (Anthriscus, Spreng.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Description, &c. —There are three species in this genus, viz. the Wild Chervil (A. sglvestris), a large, 
handsome, perennial plant, flowering in April and May; the Garden Chervil (A. Cerefolium), a delicate annual 
z 2 
