prepared for the face; and it is also said to possess considerable advantages over other kinds of rouge, as it lasts some days without rubbing off, and water renews it in a similar manner as it refreshes the na tural colour. We are further assured that it does not wither the skin so much as other kinds of rouge; but we would add, that all kinds of paint for the face are dangerous, for, however delicately it may be used in the first instance, it is sure to increase, although imperceptibly to the wearer, until it becomes a perfect mask. We have remembered several ladies, who, from having been accustomed to the use of rouge from an early age, increased the colour from year to year, until their cheeks were but a few degrees behind those of Grimaldi in a Christmas pantomime. Some years back we wished to pay our respects to a lady of rank on the day of her arrival at a sea-side hotel, where, on inquiring for Lady Sarah C――, we were asked if it was the lady with a striped face. The question would have been an enigma, had not a door opened at that moment, which presented Lady Sarah with her cheeks as regularly striped as the flanks of a zebra hide, which had originated from her ladyship's having rode the last stage in an open carriage, with the rain beating in her face. This story will not appear exaggerated, when we relate, that habit has induced some people to take lavender-water as a

substitute for spirits, and others to use coloured tooth-powder for want of rouge. But these misfortunes are nearly at an end, and the youthful fair begin to know that

Rien n'est beau que le vrai, le vrai seul est aimable.

The generic name of this plant is derived from Αγχουσα, παρὰ τὸ ἄγχειν, from its supposed constringent quality, or because it was said to strangle serpents. Dioscorides states, that both the roots and the leaves are good against the bite of venomous beasts, and especially of vipers, for which purpose it was eaten, or the infusion drank.

The Latin word of Bugloss is also derived from the Greek, and was given to this plant to express the extreme roughness of its leaves. The Dyer's Bugloss, Anchusa Tinctoria, is indigenous to Italy, Spain, and the South of France; it is cultivated in the latter place to some extent for the sake of the roots, which impart a fine deep red to oils, wax, and all unctuous substances, as well as to spirits of wine. The spirituous tincture, on being inspissated, changes to a dark brown. Its chief use is for colouring plasters, lip-salves, &c. This species was cultivated in England previous to the year 1596.

Anchusa and Cinnabar were used by the ancients to give an agreeable colour to their ointments; and Pliny tells us that, where the Anchusa was used, they added salt to prevent the oil in those compo

sitions from growing rancid. in request by the Romans for

This root was also colouring wood and

wax, as well as to stain wool that was to be afterwards dyed, of their expensive purple, and for this purpose they were taken up about the time of wheat harvest, when the roots were full of a red juice. This author adds, that if a person who has chewed this plant, should spit in the mouth of a venomous creature, he will kill it.

It

Our apothecaries are principally supplied with these roots from Languedoc and Provence. was formerly used as an astringent, and is proper in hæmorrhages of all kinds.

These plants flower from the end of May to the end of September, but they have no great beauty to recommend them to a situation in the parterre. They prosper best in a sandy soil, and in a warm situation. We possess ten different species of Bugloss, most of which have a reddish, or blue corolla. The Virginian Bugloss, Anchusa Virginica, is the most ornamental species for the garden; it blossoms with yellow flowers, and the root has been used by the native Americans to stain their flesh from time immemorial.

SCABIOUS. Scabiosa.

Natural Order Aggregate Dipsaceæ.

A Genus of the

Tetrandria Monogynia Class.

THIS plant derives its name from Scabies, because the common sort is said to cure this and other cutaneous complaints; and on this account it is fabled that the devil having found the plant in Paradise, and envying the good this herb might do to the human race, bit away a part of the root in order to destroy the plant, but which still continues to flourish with a stumped root, and hence one of the species is called Devil's Bit.

The Indian, or Sweet Scabious, Scabius Atropurpurea, is called by the Italians Fior della Vedova, and by the French Fleur de Veuve, both of which means the Widow's Flower, and from hence it is made to express, in floral language, "I have lost all."

We learn from Parkinson, that this species of Scabious was common in our gardens previous to 1629; and this author mentions his doubts about its Indian origin, as he tells us, that it was then growing spontaneously in Spain and Italy and

:

we find Mr. Aiton has left its native country undecided in the Hortus Kewensis; but Messrs. Pirolle and Noisette state it to be indigenous to India, in the late editions of Le Bon Jardinier, and Clusius relates that he received the seeds of this plant from Italy, in the year 1590, under the name of Indian Scabious.

The Sweet Scabious is a biennial plant, which grows about two feet in height, and in favourable seasons continues to flower from June to October, presenting us with corollas of so dark a purple, that they nearly match the sable hue of the widow's weeds: these being contrasted with anthers of pure white, gives the idea of its being an appropriate bouquet for those who mourn for their deceased husbands; and this, we presume, gave rise to the Italian and French name of Widow's Flower. But this plant frequently varies in the colour of its flowers, sometimes producing blossoms of a pale purple at others red, or pleasingly variegated. It also occasionally becomes a proliferous flower, sending out small flowers from the calyx in the same manner as the Proliferous or Hen and Chicken Daisy. The scent of the Sweet Scabious is similar to that of musk, but not powerful enough to be offensive to the most delicate person.

These plants love a light fresh earth, and flourish best in warm situations. Miller directs the seed to