P L A T E DLVIIL
F E R U L A PERSICA.
Persian Ferula.
CLASS V. ORDER II.
PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. Five Chives. Two Pointals,
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
F r u c t u s ovalis, compresso-planus, striis utrinque
3.
F r u i t oval, flatly compressed, wiili three stripeson
both sides.
F e k u l a foliis supra-decompositis : foliolis tnultifidis,
decurrentibus : umbella primordiali
sessili.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
F e b u l a with leaves more than doubly compound:
leaflets many-cleft and decurrent::
tlie first umbel of flowers sessile.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.,
1. A perfect flovi-er.
2. A male or abortive flower.
3. The pointals.
Assa fffitida grows naturally near Gilan in Persia; and from seeds sent from thence to the Academy at
4 t . Petersburgh plants were obtained, two of which were sent to Dr. Hope at Edinburgh, by Dr.
Guthrie, to whom they had been presented by Professor Pallas, in whose herbarium we have seen specimens
of it, but without fructification. One of these plants flowered and ripened seeds in the Botanic
Garden at Edinburgh, and is described by Dr. Hope in the Ixxvth vol. of the Philosophical Transactions,
and a figure annexed, the only one hitherto published of the species ; the Assa fcetida of Ksempfer
beint^ undoubtedly a diflerent plant. Our specimens were obligingly communicated by Dr. Williams
f r o n i ' t h e Botanic Garden at Oxford; which, with that of Edinburgh above mentioned, the Cambridge
Garden, the Physic Gardens at Chelsea, atid Mr. Dickson's private collection at Croydon, are the only
o-ardens'in Britain, as we are informed, that yet possess the plant. The gum exudes from the roots,
which are tuberous and perennial, on the slightest incision being made; and every part of the plant,
even to the extremities of the leaves, smells strongly of it. It is hardy enough to bear our climate,
and even ripen its seeds in mild seasons. It is not improbable that at a future time we may be furnished
with this valuable article of the Materia Medica, of English growth The long list of its virtues
mentioned by Dr. Woodville we need not liere enumerate; its reputation as a cordial lor low spirits
alone, in the.se days, entitles it to notice.
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