PENTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. E«ythr<ea. 321 
Common Centaury. (Irish: Deaga Dearg ; Drernire Muire. Welsh: 
Canrhi goch ; Ysgol Fair, N. W.; Ysgol Crist, S. W. Gentiana Centau- 
rium. Linn. (Huds. Lightf. Chruina Centaurium. With. Curt. Sm. FI. 
Brit. Wllld. E ..Centaurium. Pers. Hook. Sm. Grev. E.) Barren or 
gravelly pastures. A, June—Aug.’ 
(E. littora'lis. Stems herbaceous, simple, straight: leaves linear- 
obovate, obscurely three-ribbed: flowers densely corymbose, 
nearly sessile : calyx as long as the tube; its segments combined 
below. 
E. Bot. 2305. 
Stems about two inches high, generally solitary, stiff and straight, leafy at 
the top and bottom only. Flowers large and handsome, with obtuse 
segments, numerous, almost sessile. All the leaves seem liable to vary in 
breadth, and when they become almost elliptical, there are two additional 
ribs. Sm. 
Dwarf Tufted Centaury. (Welsh: Canrhi goch arfor. E.) On the 
sea coast of Elginshire, near Brodie. Mr. Brodie. Abundant on Holy 
Island, and the coast of Northumberland. Mr. Winch. (Sea coast below 
Llanfaelog, and on Tywyn trewan, Anglesey. Welsh Bot. Guillon 
Links. Mr. Maughan. A. June. E.) 
(E. latifo(lia. Stem three-cleft at the top : flowers in dense forked 
tufts: calyx as long as the tube: segments of the blossom lan¬ 
ceolate : lower-leaves broadly elliptical, with five or seven ribs. 
Stem solitary, erect, scarcely three inches high, leafy, simple below, divided 
at the top into three principal branches, each terminated by a very compact, 
round, densely forked, head of flowers, which are but half the size of those 
of E. Centaurium, the segments of their blossom being lanceolate and much 
narrower than in either that species or the last. A smaller tuft or two is 
now and then observed lower down. Leaves, especially the lower ones, 
are very different from the last species, as well as from. E. Centaurium, 
being sometimes almost orbicular, with seven ribs in their lower part; 
more generally broadly elliptical, and obtuse, with five ribs. Calyx as 
long as the tube, or longer, its segments broad and membranous below, 
tapering at the upper part. Anth. spiral when old. Style erect, cloven, 
with two large stigmas. Sm. 
Broad-leaved Tufted Centaury. On sandy ground near the sea at 
Bootle near Liverpool. Dr. Bostock: and also on Crosby Rabbit-warren, 
with Mr. Shepherd. A. July. E.) 
* (It is recommended as a good substitute for Gentian by Dr. Cullen ; may be obtained 
at a more moderate price, and is equally efficacious. E.) It is the basis of the famous 
Portland Powder, which prevents fits of the gout, when taken in large quantities, and a 
longtime together ; but brings on induration of the liver, palsy, and apoplexy.—A tincture 
of the leaves, and the upper part of the root, is a good medicine in weak stomachs and 
cachectic habits. A decoction of the whole plant destroys vermin, and cures psora. 
Cows are not fond of it. Linnaeus. And in sheep pastures it is frequently left untouched. 
Stokes. (Its intense bitterness caused it to be named by the ancients Fel Terra*, or Gall of 
the Earth. The following couplet of Joannes Postius proves the estimation in which it 
was formerly held: 
“ Flos mihi suave rubet, sed inest quoque succus amarus, 
Qui juvat obsessum bile, aperitque jecur.” £.) 
Y 
VOR. II. 
