The drug asafetida is a product of this order.  All the plants appear to “form three different principles:  the first, a watery acid matter; the second, a gum-resinous milky substance; and the third, an aromatic, oily secretion.  When the first of these predominates they are poisonous; the second in excess converts them into stimulants; the absence of the two renders them useful as esculents; the third causes them to be pleasant condiments.”  So that besides the noxious plants there is a long range of useful vegetables, as parsnips, parsley, carrots, fennel, dill, anise, caraway, cummin, coriander, and celery.  The last, in its wild state, is said to be pernicious, but etiolation changes the products and renders them harmless.  The flowers of all are too minute to be individually pretty, but every one knows how charming are the umbels of our wild carrot, resembling as they do the choicest old lace.  Frequently the carrot has one central maroon colored floret.

Though most of the plants are herbs, Dr. Welwitsch found in Africa a tree-like one, with a stem one to two feet thick, much prized by the natives for its medicinal properties, and also valuable for its timber.  In Kamschatka also they assume a sub-arboreous type, as well as on the steppes of Afghanistan.

As mistakes often occur by confounding the roots of Umbelliferae with those of horse radish or other esculents, it is well, when in doubt, to send the plants, always in fruit, if possible, for identification.  None of them are poisonous to the touch—­at least to ordinary people.  Cases of rather doubtful authenticity are reported from time to time of injury from the handling of wild carrot.  We have always suspected the proximity of poison ivy; still, it is unwise to dogmatize on such matters.  Some people cannot eat strawberries—­more’s the pity!—­while the rest of us get along with them very happily.  Lately the Primula obconica has acquired an evil reputation as an irritant, so there is no telling what may not happen with certain constitutions.

Difficult as is the study of Umbelliferae, it becomes fascinating on acquaintance.  To hunt up a plant and name it by so scientific a process brings to the student a sufficient reward.—­American Naturalist.

* * * * *

THE EREMURI.

[Illustration:  EREMURUS HIMALAICUS. (Flowers white.)]

It has often been a matter of astonishment to me that eremuri are not more frequently seen in our gardens.  There are certainly very few plants which have a statelier or more handsome appearance during the summer months.  Both in point of brightness of color and their general habit and manner of growth they are very much to be recommended.  For some reason or other they have the character of being difficult plants, but they do not deserve it at all, and a very slight attention to their requirements is enough to ensure success.