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GOOD’S
FAMILY FLORA.

AL
THE nr
FAMILY FLORA [g4s
AND

MATERIA MEDICA BOTANICA,

CONTAINING THE

BOTANICAL rads NATURAL HISTORY,

AND

Oe and adil Properties and Uses

PLANTS:

ILLUSTRATED BY COLORED ser peat

OF ORIGINAL DRAWINGS, COPIED FROM NATURE. |

BY
PETER P. GOOD,

EDITOR OF AN IMPROVED EDITION OF He AE ors OF THE LATE JOHN M.
GOOD, M. D., F. R. S-, F. R. S. L.y MEM. AM. PHIL. 80C., AND F. L. Ss
OF PHILADELPHIA, &C., &C.

Karavoijjoare ra xpiva 7a avtévet, ob korea, otdi Aber \eyw dé ees, ova? Doropie 3 rg oeaaees vs
nacn tn dogq avrov mepisGarsro ws ev rovrmy. aigscoue the — 5B:

VOLUME Il.

A NEW EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED.

ELIZABETHTOWN, N. eo ee
PUBLIS SHED BY THE a TR

COMMENDATIONS

GOOD’S FAMILY FLORA.

It is by no means the intention of the Author, in this advertisement,
merely to puff or extol his Work—but simply to call public attention to
it. He only asks that persons examine the several numbers of the
Famity Fiora as they come from the press; and then if they do not
acknowledge, and are not convinced, that it contains the choicest and
most valuable matter as a “Text Boox’”—notwithstanding it is also a
most acceptable and appropriate “ Partor, or Lapy’s Boox”—and
withal the cheapest Prriopicat extant, not being affected by Age or
Fashion, but always new, popular and interesting—he does not ask sub-
scription or patronage; for he maintains that all claims to public favor
or support must rest solely upon the real merits of the Work, and unless
the Work in this respect maintains itself, and commands success, he
would prefer abandoning it altogether. As evidence, however, of the
opinions of some of our eminent Professors, who are best able to judge
on the subject, he submits the following communications (in addition to
those already presented in the first volume,) taken at random from several
correspondents, who have favored him with their kind commendations.

He avails himself also of this opportunity, to tender his most hearty
welcome to the new subscribers who are continually coming in, and
whose letters contain such flattering notices of the Fammy Fuora.
There is room for them and their friends, and no effort shall be spared
to make the Famiy Fiora more and more woe of their —
encomiums.

Frnt the Eclectic Medical Soicennt; Cincinnati, Ohio.

Good’s Family Flora and Materia Medica Botanica—We have
carefully perused the Family Flora, which the author, P. P. Good, A. M.
of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, has had the kindness to forward to our
address. This periodical is printed semi-monthly, but distributed to sub-
scribers quarterly ; twelve numbers being bound together in pamphlet —
form.

It is devoted to the botanical analysis, and oe properties of both
indigenous and foreign medical plants.

Each number is embellished with one very, ee pea oe oe

medical plant, which tends greatly to beautify the work.
For neatness and elegance of style, we know of no pamphlet which —
exceeds this.
LSE Sos pile ep tok i a Loree oh plant, while the natural
history, botanical analysis, and chemical and together —

vi COMMENDATIONS.

- with the adaptation of the agent to the cure of many diseases, are very
accurately, and very systematically presented. No similar production
with which we are acquainted, surpasses, if indeed it equals this in the
accuracy of its botanical descriptions ; the description of the therapeutic
virtues of many of the articles noticed, possesses equal merit.

The author appears to be familiar with many of the plants not in use
as remedial agents in the allopathic school of medicine, but which are in
very common use amongst the Eclectic class of physicians. This
speaks well for his liberality, and clearly manifests a disposition to keep
up with the improvements of the science.

The work is interesting and instructive, and recommends itself to the
notice of every reformer in medicine. L. E. J.

%
From the New Jersey Medical Reporter, Burlington, N. J.

Good’s Family Flora and Materia Medica Botanica, §¢,. §v-—This
work is now in its fourth year, and though we have never had an op-
portunity before of presenting it to our readers, we do so now with
pierre: It is a new Jersey work, published at Elizabethtown, Essex

o., and offers to the profession, in a cheap and convenient form, an
account of the botanical, chemical, and medical properties, as well as the
natural history of indigenous and other plants, that may at all times be
made available to the medical practitioner, and particularly to the country
physician, in the treatment of disease. Hach part contains twelve
colored plates, and a mass of valuable information is condensed in a com-
pact form, which ought to be within the reach ef every physician. The
_ proprietor is his own engraver, printer, agent, and editor, and we cheer-

fully urge upon our r claims of his valuable production, and
hope, that she $F ay increase its circulation at least

_ Address (post paid,) Peter P. Good, Elizabethtown, Essex County,
- We submit also the following notices, taken at random from several

hundred of the most popular newspapers and other publications:— _

- Good’s Family Flora has been received. It is, as usual, a neat and
well-executed work, and is replete with interest, and cannot be too ex-
tensively patronized. We would recommend it especially to Physicians.

_ —Mercersburg Visitor.

_ Good’s Family Flora. ‘This periodical continues to maintain its

character for research and ability, and has strong claims on the patronage
of a liberal and enlightened public. We think every Family should

dapted to the general
‘all —Se, Clairsville

—oO—orn
Page.
Titte anp Frontispiece, . 2 : P 3 oe |
RECOMMENDATIONS, ; é ‘ 5 ’ ate
Tasie or ConTENTS, . P : er. ‘ i VII
INTRODUCTION TO THE ieee ¢ or Borany, . ‘ ; Ix
Number.

Poporpnytium Peitatum. May-apple, Wild mandrake. . ae
Dapune Mezereum. Mezereon, Spurge Olive, . :
Evratorium Perrotiatum. Boneset, Thorough-wort, . Soy
Asarum Canapense. Canada Snake root, Colts foot, . pore
Arum Trienyitum. Dragon-root, Wild SP eee
Mentaa Pireritta. Peppermint, : : age
Convo.vutus Scammonia. Scammony, Syrian Dhadiieolk ‘ ;
Datura Srramonium. Thorn-apple, Jamestoumented, x ‘a, rp
Cortis Trirotia. Gal lihread, Mint-root, . DeyelGe kite acd oa
Liusium Canpioum. White lily, ae iscshut fee spain
Arocynum AnpRos£Mirotium. Dogsbane, Biron. autene?
Gentiana Lurea. Yellow gentian, . . . . . 4
Spreeria Maryianpica. Pink-root, Worm-grass, . Epes:
Viris Vinirera.. Common. Vine grape, : ge
Friosreum Perrouiaro. Fever-wort, Wild coffee, . ee
Paraver Somnirerum, Poppy, White WONG, on eS
Evcenta Prwenra. Pimenta, Alispicee, . . . . ,

BeRss iia SESlesersseses

Punica Granatum. Pomegranate, . . . 5
ArisTotocuiA Serrentaria. Virginia ashe ees Birt,
Ipomza Jauara. Jalap, . :
Hyprastis CANADENSIS. Pibrihartclrisk, Golden seal, . —e
Houmurvs Lurvivus, Common hop, Cee eg ee ee
Contum Macutatum. Hemlock, . . carne
Evonymus Arrorurpvrevs. Spindle-tree, Wahoo, (nd) - os
Hyoscyamus Nicer. Henbane, Poison tobacco, $c, . 8 . 9. 3
‘Hepeoma Puteciowes. Pennyroyal, Tict-weed, Squaromint, &c. 74
Acontrum Napetius. Wolfsbane, Monkshood, &., . & 1

ae
a ee
oo)
Cape Al

_ Unicorn, Blazing-star, root, &., . 76

ASSIA ” Cassia, Purging-cassia, Pudding-pipe-tree, ee Aw et
Pant Quinaverouton. Ginseng, Red-berry, Five fngers, &c., . 78
a. Blacksnake-root, Black cohosh, Squaw-root, 79

2 Guanes. Balmony, Snake-head, Shell-flower, §c., . 80
PERICUM PERFoRATUM. Common St. John’s-wort, . . . 81
[ACUM Orricinate. Lignum vite,Guaiacum, . . . 82
‘TUM Vunear x. Tansy, Common tansy, . co ieee. oe
Nicormana Tana 1 Tobacco, Virginia tobacco, é ‘ . 84-

Ruevum Paumat
Trea CHINENSIs.
Frasera WaALTERI. |

ubarb, . : = : ; ‘ ee
The tea-plant, ; ‘ ; ‘ = oe
ican columbo, Indian lettuce, . ; 3787

Creanotuus Americanus. New-Jersey tea, . ‘ : : . 88
Drymr: Wintert. Winter's Park-tree, : 2 - : . 89
Sozanom Tuserosum. Common potato, : »° 90
Cuetmonium Magus. Co.nmon c.landine, Piensa, ‘emetiere 91
Cotcaicum AutumnaLE. Meadow saffron, Naked lady, : eage
Cissampetos Parerka. Velvet leaf, Icevine, . .° . . 98
Capparis Spinosa. The Capershrub, Capers . . . . 94
CortanoRum Sativum. Coriander, . : ‘ Pa 2)
Coccvius Patmatus. The Columba-plant, Clee pe) OS

SS Susscrirtion, $3. 00 per annum, in advance.

“The Work i is printed in large octavo form; and each number con-
tains a beautiful colored Plant, with four pages of Letter-press and is
perfect and independent.

Twelve numbers form a PART, published Quarterly in March, June,
September and December of each year, and four of these parts make
a year.

The Title, Preface, Table of Contents, Glossary, &c., form an extra
part to the first volume ; (or the Title, Table of Contents and Introduc-
tion to the study of Botany form an extra part to the second volume.)
These extra parts are each delivered at the close of the respective vol-

‘umes without additional charge, that the whole may be perfect for
binding.

The several PARTS are put up for the convenience of subscribers
only, and may be forwarded per mail or otherwise wherever desired.

All communications should be addressed (postage free) to

PETER P. GOOD, Elizabethtown, Essex County, N. J.

The FAMILY FLORA can only be obtained by application as above,

(post paid,) with remittance ; et Ne te mete and pee

VEGETABLE KINGDOM.

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Numberof Stamens. CLASSES.

not adheing among
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theniselves.

adherin.

S adhering to the Pistil 20 Gynandria.
or placed upow it.

united | Stamens andpistils on same 21 Moneecia.

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flower.

S.and Pow two distinc. 22 Dicecia.
plants.
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or portect on same, or aitfinent:
yulants.

Stumens not visthie tothe naked Cv: 24. Cryp log ama.

Hertperd Cann

Ne 39:
RAN CLASSIFICATION.

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VEGETABLE KINGDOM.

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Two

Three.

Four.

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CLASSES.
1 Monandria.
2 Diandria.
3 Triandria .
4 Tetrandria.
5 Pentandria.
6 Hexandria.
7 Heptanaiea
8 Octandria.
9 Enneandria.

10 Decandria.

il Dodeeandria.

: NAO
LINNSAN CLASSIFICATION

BCP agg

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF BOTANY.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

1. The term Borany is properly applicable to the whole of the
science, which includes the study and investigation of the vegetable
kingdom. Hence the examination of the internal structure of Plants, and
of the various processes concerned in their growth and reproduction—

_ the description of which strictly constitutes but a branch of the science
of Botany, and may be designated structural and physiological Botany.

But by those who have made the study of the vegetable kingdom a
means of interesting recreation, rather than a professed object of pursuit,

and even by some who have considered themselves scientific botanists,
this branch has been entirely overlooked: and the whole attention has
been devoted to the other department of the science, which concerns the
arrangement or classification of the many thousand species of Plants
existing on the surface of the globe, into groups or divisions; each of
which includes a number of species, that have certain characters in com-
mon, and that differ from those of other groups. The advantages of such

a plan in the saving of time and laborare obvious. If all the peculiarities

of every species of plant had to be studied and recollected by them-
selves, it would require a long acquaintance and a retentive memory,
to become master of the characters of the numerous species of flowering
plants, which our own country produces; and when this number is
multiplied by a hundred, which it probably must be to represent the
amount of sfiecies existing on the entire globe, it is obvious that no single —

mind could be capacious enough to grasp the vast amount of detail thug __
_ accumulated. .

COLLECTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF PLANTS.

2. It is the business of the Botanist, therefore, in the first place, to —
collect plants from all sources open to him; and he then arranges them
according to their species. Thus, we will suppose that he has collected
all the plants of the Northern United States, and that he has obtained a _

10 INTRODUCTION.

corresponding series of plants of the Southern United States. Upon
bringing them together, he would find that many species are common to
the two places; but that some are peculiar to the Northern United
States, others to the Southern United States. If he obtained, in addition
a collection of South American plants, he would find that some of the
species common to the Northern and Southern United States, are con-
tained in it also; and that some species not known in the Northern
United States are common to the Southern United States and South
America; but he will find many peculiar to South America. Proceeding
thus over the whole world, he would gradually increase his number
of new species; at the same time adding considerably to the number of
specimens of some which he would find very extensively diffused. He
would find a few similar species almost every where,—these being the
kinds most capable of adapting themselves to varieties in soil, climate,
&c.; whilst on the other hand, he would find many of a very limited
distribution,—being restricted to some small extent of country, in which
alone they can find the conditions necessary for their growth. .

DISTINCTION BETWEEN SPECIES AND VARIETIES.

3. The greatest difficulty in this part of the investigation consists in
the discrimination of species really distinct,—that is to say, of races which
have maintained their distinctive peculiarities, so constantly, that they
must be considered as haying had originally different stocks,—from
those varieties, which may often present differences really greater in
species,.but which all sprung from the same original stock. Thus, for
example, a collection of plants from different parts of India, would
contain many specimens presenting such marked differences that the in-
experienced Botanist would not hesitate to set them down as distinct
species ; yet to one who has carefully examined the subject, and has made
himself acquainted with the variations produced by the differences in soil
and climate, so striking in this extensive tract, it becomes apparent that
they are all members of the same. There is, too, in many species a
remarkable tendency to run into spontaneous variations, for which no
external influences will account. Thus the seeds of the same individual
of the beautiful Fucusta, now naturalized in our green-houses, and in —
the open air of the milder parts of the Northern United States, have
been known to produce plants, whose flowers differ so much in shape
and in the proportional length of the calyx and corolla, that if these had
been collected and compared without the knowledge that they had been
produced from one plant, they would have been regarded as distinct
species, perhaps even (so striking is the difference) as distinct genera.
Nearly the same is the case with another South American Plant, now

INTRODUCTION. 11

much cultivated in the Northern United States,—the CaLcro.aria, or
slipper-shaped flower ; of which an immense number of varieties, differ-
ing widely in the shape, as well as the color of the flower, are now
known, almost every horticultural exhibition having a new one; and the
beautiful South American Amarytuiis has a like tendency, of which
the gardener has taken similar advantage.

4. Hence in discriminating what are real species from what are simply
varieties, the Botanist is treading on very insecure ground, until he has
ascertained, for every species, its tendency to run into varieties of form,
whether spontaneous or induced by change of external conditions. His
greatest difficulty arises from those cases, in which have arisen what are
termed permanent varieties, which reproduce themselves with the same —
regularity as do real species. An instance of this in the animal kingdom
is that of the different races of men, which are respectively distinguished
by marked peculiarities, that are regularly repeated through each gener-
ation; so that many naturalists have been inclined to regard them as
really distinct species. There is, however, good evidence (independently
of the Mosaic History,) to prove that they have all descended from a
common stock. Precisely the same is the case in regard to Plants, many _
races of which even in the Northern United States, are still under discus-
sion amongst Botanists ; some maintaining that they are distinct species,
and others that they are but varieties. Thus of the Willow, seventy-
one species have been stated by one authority to exist, whilst another
reduces them to twenty-nine. The genus Rubus or common Bramble,
has been thought to contain twenty-one species, which are probably re-
ducible to six or eight. These details are here introduced for the
purpose of putting the young Botanist on his guard against the tendency
to multiply species, which is now sadly prevalent among many superficial _
writers, and which is still further encouraged by gardeners, who give
new 8 c names to such varieties as is those just alluded to, and even to
hybrids between these.

COMBINATION OF SPECIES INTO GENERA.

‘5. When the Botanist has satisfied himself regarding the species which
he has collected, his next step is to combine those amongst which he finds
the greatest resemblance, into genera. Now in this process he must not
be altogether influenced by similarity in their general external aspect,
for this will often conceal great differences in their most important organs.
There are certain parts which furnish essential characters, without
similarity in which it would be wrong to associate species, however alike _
in other respects, in the same genus; and, on the other hand, there are _
parts so susceptible of variation, that the differences between them must
be very striking indeed, to warrant the plants being arranged under _

12 INTRODUCTION.

different genera, when they agree in what have been termed the essential
characters. Thus, for instance, the general outline of the leaf has been
stated to be often subject to great variety, in accordance with the degree
in which the space between the veins is filled up with fleshy paren-
chyma; and in most cases, a difference in the outline of the leaves of
two plants, the distribution of the veins remaining the same, would not
alone serve to cause two plants exhibiting it to rank even as distinct
species. But any considerable alteration of the veining would be held
sufficient for such a separation; though the two plants, if agreeing in
the structure of their organs of fructification, would still be placed in
the same genus. On the other hand, a marked and constant difference
in the organs of fructification would be rightly held sufficient to place the
two species in different genera, even though the form and veining of
the leaves might be precisely the same. On‘the relative value of the

characters furnished by the different organs, more will hereafter be
stated.

FORMATION OF ORDERS AND CLASSES.

6. Even when thus grouped together into genera, however, the num-
ber of objects, which the Botanist has to study, remains by far too great
for convenience; and he next forms his genera into orders, and combines
these orders into classes, according to their respective correspondence
and difference in certain characters of a still more general nature. Now
in this process he may follow two very different plans; and upon these are
founded the two systems of classification which are nowinvogue. One of
these is termed the Linnean system, after its founder; or the Artificial
system, from its character; the other is termed the Natural system. Inthe
Linnean system, a small number of characters—chiefly the number of
stamens and pistils—is taken as the standard ; and the whole vegetable
kingdom is distributed under classes and orders, according to the corres-
pondences and differences among the several genera in these respects,—
no regard whatever being had to any other characters. In the Natural
system, ai/ the characters of the genera are studied; and those are united
into orders, which present the greatest correspondence in the characters
that are regarded as of the most importance: on the same ptinciple, the ,
orders are united into classes. If the former plan be followed, genera
most widely differing in their structure and physiological characters are
often brought together, and others which are nearly allied are frequently
separated to a great extent, so that in fact, it js very common to find,
that nothing can be stated as true of all the plants included in a Linnean
order, except that they have a similar number of stamens and pistils,
On the other hand, in the Natural system, the number of characters in
which there is a general agreement among all the plants of a particular

INTRODUCTION. 13

order, is so great that, to say that the plant belongs to a certain order, is
at once to give the greater part of its description. This is the case also
in the highest or most general groups. For instance, to say that a
particular species is an Exogen, is at once to make known the structure
of its stem, and the mode of its increase,—to express the important fact
that it has two cotyledons or seed-leaves,—to render it most probable
that the arrangement of the veins in its leaves is reticulated rather than
parallel,—and to intimate that the parts of its flowers are likely to be
arranged in fives or fours, rather than in threes,

CONNEXION OF STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES.

7. There is a point of agreement among the plants brought together
in Natural orders, which is of the greatest practical importance. This is
that those which agree in structure almost invariably correspond in
properties also. For instance, the whole of the Papaveracee or Poppy
tribe possesses narcotic properties; all the Rannuculaces or Crowfoot
tribe are acrid; whilst all the Malvacez: or Mallow tribe are destitute
of unwholesome properties. Thus, when a plant is recognized as a
member of a particular Natural order, an almost certain account may be
given of its properties,—whether it is likely to be injurious or whole-
some, to furnish valuable medicines or important articles of food. It
must be remembered, however, that the peculiar properties of the plant
do not pervade every portion of it; and that it may hence be possible to
obtain wholesome nutriment, even from members of orders most distin-
guished for their deleterious properties. Thus the Potato belongs to
the order Solanez, which contains the Deadly nightshades, Henbane,
and other poisonous plants, but the edible part of it, which is a deposi-
tion of starch for an express purpose, is free or nearly so, from the
narcotic properties which exist in the stems and leaves. Indeed as a
general rule, such depositions of starch may supply wholesome food in
any order, more especially if care be taken to free them from any juices _
they may contain: thus the Cassava which furnishes one of the most
important articles of food to the inhabitants of many tropical countries,
is obtained from a plant of the order Euphorbiacee or spurge tribe,
which is distinguished for its very acrid qualities : and these are restricted
to the juice expressed from the meal after it has been ground.

USE OF THE LINNA:AN SYSTEM.

8. The Linnzan system, however, is not without its advantages, for
particular purposes. To a person commencing by himself the study of —

Systematic Botany, desirous of making himself acquainted with thenames. __
and characters of the plants he may meet with in his walks, and not _

ambitious of extending his studies to the higher parts of the science, the : r

14 INTRODUCTION.

Linnzan system, when applied with the aid of books, possesses facilities
which are (at present at least) greatly superior to those afforded by the
other, and which are well calculated to encourage a learner. To count
the number of stamens and pistils is generally a very easy process ; this
at once establishes the class and order; and nothing then remains
but to determine the genus and species, which (among the number
found in the Northern United States) a little practice in the examination
of characters will enable any intelligent person to do with the aid of books
in which these are laid down. The habit thus gained of discriminating
characters, and of applying terms, is a most valuable preparation for the
study of the Natural system, when opportunity presents itself. It must
be constantly borne in mind, however, that the utmost use which can be
made of the Linnzan system, consists in the assistance it affords in the
discovery of the name of an unknown plant, and until this has been made
out, the previous determination of its class and order gives no indication
of its general structure and properties, (not even making it apparent
whether it is an Endogen or an Exogen, a Dicotyledon or a Monocoty-
ledon,) since under the same head are grouped genera of the most
opposite character. It may be said that it serves a sort of alphabetical
index to a book, enabling the reader to turn to any part of it he wishes,
by looking out the subject in the order of its first letters, but giving no
idea interes of the general scope of the book, nor of the mode in which

ib ee ee ee

IMPERFECTIONS OF THE LINNEAN SYSTEM.

9. The Linnzan system is liable to many imperfections and difficulties
in its application, even in the limited circle of the plants of the United
States ; for example, the number of pistils is liable to be altered in any
species by the more or less complete adhesion of the carpels; and
that of the stamens may also vary in the different species of the same
genus, and even among the individuals of the same species, or even
(in some instances) among the different flowers of the same stem.
The adoption of characters thus liable to vary cannot, therefore, but
sometimes lead to confusion. For instance, of the genus Polygonum,
of which several species are known by the name of Bistort, Buckwheat,
Persicaria, &c., one has always, and two others have occasionally eight
stamens, whilst in the rest the number varies from five to ten. As eight
seems to be the most regular number, the genus is placed in the class
Octandria: and although its styles are sometimes only two in number,
it is placed in the order Trigynia, because they are more commonly
triple. Now if a student meet with a specimen which has five, six, or
ten stamens, he will vainly search for its character among the genera of
the Linnean class to which it would seem to belong: and unless he

INTRODUCTION. 15

happen to consult a book which makes special mention of the genus
in these several classes, he will be altogether at fault. Suppose that some
more knowing Botanist tells him that his plant is a Polygonum, he will
again turn to his book, wondering how he could have overlooked it:
but he will find the genus in the class Octandria, in spite of the different
number of stamens in the specimen before him, and he will then learn
that it is placed in the genus Polygonum on account of its strong gene-
ral resemblance to other Polygonums, although differing from them in
characters which are ordinarily considered as sufficient to establish
classes and orders. Again, the greater part of the species of the genus
Rhamnus (buckthorn) possesses both stamens and pistils iff the same
flower; but the species most generally known in this country on account
of its purgative properties is Dicecious, the staminiferous flowers being
on one plant, and the pistiliferous on another. The student who meets
with it therefore would seek for it in the class Dicecia, where he would
be disappointed as before ; since, as in most species of flowers are com-
plete, it is placed in the class and order to which the number of its sta-
mens and pistils would refer it.

10. Such exceptional cases occur much more frequently than is com-
monly supposed. It has been proved that in fourteen divisions of the
Linnean system, there are no less than forty three exceptions,—one quar-
ter of the whole; and that out of two hundred and seventy four genera ~
of the Northern United States, belonging to eighteen Linnzan sections,
there are seventy eight exceptions,—rather more than a quarter. These
facts are important, both as preparing the student to meet with such diffi-
culties, even in the study of the Linnzan system, which is generally con-
sidered so easy of application; and also as showing the imperfection of
the system itself, which is of no importance whatever beyond the tem-
porary purpose of facilitating the early studies of the Botanical student.
In well arranged descriptions of American plants (such as Wood’s Class
book of Botany, which may be strongly recommended for this purpose)
the most perplexing of these cases are noticed, in such a manner as to
prevent the loss of time and labor, in vain attempts at discovering gen-
era in wrong classes or species in wrong genera.

PRINCIPLES OF THE LINNZZAN SYSTEM.

11. In consequence of the advantages of the Linnean system for a
beginner, it is desirable to give an outline of the principles upon
which its divisions are founded, which may serve as an introduction to
the regular systematic treatises upon the subject. The Phanerogamia
or flowering plants are distributed under twenty-three classes, all of
which are characterised either by the xwmber, or particular arrange-
ment of the stamens. In the first twelve of these, number alone is re-

a .

16 INTRODUCTION.

garded. Their names are formed by the combination of the Greek
numeral expressing the required number, with the termination andria,
which has reference to the supposed male office of the stamens in the
process of fertilization.

CHARACTERS OF THE LINNZAN CLASSES.

12. These classes, therefore, stand simply as shown in the figures repre-
sented in the two plates prefixed to these volumes, and to — reference
is here particularly made.

Crass “1. Monanpria. One stamen. Orders Moissy and
Digynia.

Crass II. Dianpria. Two stamens. Orders Monogynia, Digynia
and Trigynia.

Crass II]. Trianpria. Three stamens. Orders Monogynia, Digy-
nia and Trigynia.

Criass IV. Trerranpria. Four stamens. Orders Monogynia, Digy-
nia and Tetragynia.

Crass V. Penranpria. Five stamens. Orders Monogynia, Digy-
nia, Trigynia, Tetragynia, Pentagynia and Polygynia.

Crass VI. Hexanpnria. Six stamens. Orders Monogynia, Digynia,,
Trigynia and Polygynia.

Crass VI. Hepranprra. cote tome: so tarentuintion “eta Dig-
ynia, Tetragynia and Heptagynia.

Crass VIII. Ocranprta. Fight st amehe; _-Ofibdes Meany iis, Dig-
ynia, Trigynia and Tetragynia.

Cuass IX. Enneanpria. Nine stamens. Orders Monogynia, Tri-
gynia and Hexagynia.

Cuass X. Decanprta. Ten stamens. Orders Monogynia, Digynia,
Trigynia, Pentagynia and Decagynia.

Crass XI. Dopecanpria. Twelve to nineteen stamens. Orders Mon-
ogynia, Digynia, Trigynia, Tetragynia, Pentagynia, Hexagynia and
Dodecagynia.

Cuiass XII. Icosanpria. Twenty or more stamens inserted into the
calyx. Orders Monogynia, Di-Pentagynia and Polygynia.

13. To the last mentioned Class, however, another character belongs ;
for in the next Class, Potyanprta, the number of stamens is also twenty
or more. They are distinguished by the mode of insertion of the sta-
mens, these appearing to arise from the calyx in the former, and from
the disk or receptacle in the latter. This distinction which will here-
after be shown-to be i important in the Natural system, will be at once
understood by comparing a true Rose, Plum, Cherry, or Pear blossom,
with a Christmas rose, an Anemone, or a Peony; when the calyx and
carolla of the former are pulled off, they carry the stamens with them;

INTRODUCTION. 17

but they may be entirely removed from the latter, leaving the stamens at-
tached to the disk. These two classes will therefore, appear as in the plate

Cuass XIII. Potyanpria. Twenty stamens or more inserted into the
receptacle. Orders Monogynia, Digynia, Trigynia, Tetragynia, Penta-
gynia, and Polygynia.

14, The next two classes are characterized by peculiarities in the
proportional length of the stamens, as well as in their number. Those
which are longer than the rest are said to be im power; and the termina-
tion dynamia is applied to the number of these, in order to designate
their peculiarity.

Crass XIV. Dipynamia. our stamens, two longer than the others.
Orders Gymnospermia and Angiospermia,

Crass XV. Trrrapynamia. Six stamens, four longer than the
others. Orders Siliquosa, Siliculosa.

15. The three following classes are characterized by the more or less
complete Union of the filaments of the stamens into bundles or brother-
hoods; on account of which the termination adelphia is applied to the
number of such bundles.

Crass XVI. Monapexrura. Stamens united into a single bundle

Sorming a tube which surrounds the style. Orders Triandria, Pentandria,
Hexandria, Heptandria, Octandria, Decandria, Dodecandria, and
Polyandria.

Crass XVII. Diapetpuia. Stamens united into two bundles. Orders
Pentandria, Hexandria, Octandria, and Decandria.

Crass XVIII. Potyapeipnia. Stamens united into several bundles.
Orders Decandria and Polyandria. —_-

16. In the next class, it is the anthers which form the tube; and the
name applied to it, signifies a growth together. In the succeeding class,
the stamens and pistil grow together; and the name gynandria refers to
this union of the male organs with the female, the latter being designated
by the first syllable, which will presently nt seen to be much employed
in the description of the orders.

Cuass XIX. Syneenesta. Stamens united ah their eahavi into @
tube. Orders Aiqualis, Superfiua, Frustranea, and Necessaria.

Crass XX. Gynanpria. Stamens and pistils grown together. Orders
Monandria, Diandria, and Hexandria.

17. The three remaining classes are characterized by the separation
of the staminiferous and pistilliferous flowers. The import of the name
Moneecia is single-housed, and of Dicecia double housed.

Crass XXI. Monazcta. Stamens and pistils on separate flowers, but
both growing on the same plant. Orders Monandria, Diandria, Triandria,
Tetrandria, Pentandria, Hexandria, Octandria, Icosandria, Perea
and Menndaips- ’

1s INTRODUCTION.

Cuass XXII. Dicascta. Stamens and pistils not only on two flowers,
but these flowers on two different plants. Orders Monandria, Diandria,
Triandria, Tetrandia, Pentandria, Hexandria, Octandria, Enneandria,
Decandria, Dodecandria, Icosandria, Polyandria, and Monadelphia.

Cuiass XXIII. Poryeamia. Stamens and pistils separated in some
Jlowers, united in others, either on the same plant or on two or three
different ones. Orders Moneecia and Dicecia.

CHARACTERS OF LINNZAN ORDERS.

18. The Orders or sub-divisions of the classes are generally founded
upon the number of the styles or (if these be not present) of the stigmas;
or upon certain peculiarities of the seed-vessel. In the first thirteen
classes the number alone is regarded; and the orders are designated as
before, by the Greek numerals, with the termination gynia which refers
to the supposed female character of the pistil.

Order 1. Monoeynia, One style.
2. Dieynia, Two styles.
3. Trieynia, Three styles.
4, TerraGynia, Four styles,
5. PEnTaGynia, Five styles.
6. Hexaeynia, Siz styles.

9. ENNEAGYNIA, Nine styles,

10. Decaeynia, Ten styles.
11. Dopecaeynia, — Twelve styles.
12. Potyeyni, More than twelve styles.

19, It will be evident from the description of the structure of the
pistil, that the number of styles affords no indication of the character of
the ovarium. Thus, the ovarium may be formed of many carpels, the
divisions between which remain as distinct partitions, whilst the styles
and stigmata of all these may have coalesced into one pillar; so that we
may have a single style with a many-celled seed-vessel. On the other
hand, the walls of the carpels may form but incomplete partitions, so
that the cavity of the ovarium is undivided ; whilst the styles and stigmata
may be numerous. The structure of the ovarium itself is however a
much less variable character than the number of styles, which is liable
to alteration in many species (like that of the stamens) through the
adhesion or the non-development of some of them. In the class Dipy-
NAIA, the characters of the orders are drawn from the structure of the

seed-vessel. The first Gymnospermia, or naked-seeded, includes those

INTRODUCTION. 19

in which the ovary has four carpels, each enclosing a single seed; and
this, when mature fills up the cavity in such a manner, that the wall of
the seed-vessel appears like an outer coat to the seeds, which thus do not
seem to have any other envelope. The only true naked-seeded plants
are the Conrrer& or Pine tribe and its allies, in which the seeds never
are enclosed in a seed-vessel. The second Order Angiospermia, includes
those Didynamia which have a distinct seed-capsule, usually two celled,
each cavity containing many seeds. In the next class, TeTraDYNAMIA,
there are also two orders, distinguished by the form of their pod-like seed-
vessel; the first Stiiguose, having a long pod; the second Siliculose a
short one. The Orders of the classes Monapetpaia, Diapevputa,
Potyape.puta, depend upon the number of their stamens, and they
have the same names as the first thirteen classes ; the number of stamens,
however, being never less than five. The sub-division of the class
Syneenesia (as now understood) is rather complex; and it is nearly the
same in the Natural system. The Orders of the classes G¥NANDRIA,
Monezcra, and Dracta, are distinguished by the number of stamens and
are consequently Monandria, Pentandria, §c. Those of the class
Poxyeamia are the Monecia, in which the same plant bears staminiferous,
pistilline, and complete flowers, and the Diecia in which these occur
on different individuals.

NATURAL GROUPS IN THE LINNAAN SYSTEM.

20. There are many of these orders which form groups truly natural;
that is, which consist of genera having a large number of points of
agreement with each other, independently of the characters in which
the sub-division is founded. For example, one portion of the class
Pentanpria, order Digynia corresponds with the Natural order Um-
bellifere, (imcluding the parsley, carrot, hemlock, parsnip, &c.;) the class
Trianpei, order Digynia, very nearly corresponds with the natural
group of grasses, all these having three stamens and two styles, which
combination is not found in any other plants. The Dipynamia, Gym-
nospermia, again are the same with the Natural order Labdiate, to
which belong the various kinds of mint, thyme, dead-nettle, &c.; and
the class TeTRADYNAMIA corresponds with the Natural order Cruciferae,
to which belong the mustard, cress, cabbage, turnip, stock, wall-flower,
&c. From the predominance of the number ¢hree and its multiples in
the parts of the flower of Endogens, we find most of this group in-
cluded in the classes Triandria, Hexandria, and Enneandria; whilst
the prevalence of the numbers four and five among Exogens causes
the classes Tetrandria and Pentandria, Octandria and Decandria, with
Icosandria and Polyandria, to contain a very large proportion of that
division. But the Linnean system often brings together Exogens and

20 INTRODUCTION.

Endogens into close contact; besides breaking up the natural alliances
of each, soas to scatter widely apart the members of groups nearly united-

IDEA OF NATURAL ARRANGEMENT.

21. The Natural system, on the other hand aims to present an
harmonious and consistent view of the vegetable kingdom, by associating
into orders those genera which agree in the most numerous and impor-
tant characters, and which differ from others in the same. A table of
the characters of these orders would therefore resemble the table of
contents of a well-arranged book: giving at one glance to a person at
all acquainted with the subject, an idea of the mode in which it is
treated by the author, and of the relations which the several divisions
of it had in his mind; and enabling a person who is entering upon the
study of it, to do so with the knowledge that he is not gleaning at
random, as if he were reading through a Dictionary, but that every acqui-
sition he makes of an individual part, is something toward an acquaint-
ance with the plan of thewhole. One more illustration may set this matter
in a still clearer light. The reader may be requested to consider this
series of treatises as completed according to the original plan; and as
consisting of a number of volumes, each devoted to some particular
science, but all having a certain degree of connexion with each other.
Each volume consists of a series of chapters, in which the sub-divisions
of these sciences are respectively treated of, and among which there is
a still closer degree of connexion. Every chapter again, is made up
of a number of paragraphs, each intended to contain one or more im-
portant facts, the knowledge of which is in itself useful, but which can
only be fully understood when read continuously with the preceding
and following paragraphs. We shall further suppose that the subject

of every paragraph could be concisely expressed by a single word.
Now we will imagine these paragraphs all printed on separate slips of
paper, with their appropriate titles to be given to a man of science,
with a request that he would arrange them for publication. His first
idea might perhaps be, to place them in alphabetical order, so as to
form a kind of Dictionary ; this being the most easy method of fulfilling
his task, and also having the advantage when complete, of admitting
very easy reference to any required subject. But what idea would the
reader of such a volume gain of the plan which the original author had
in his mind? Or what connected and harmonious scheme of knowledge
could he frame from them, unless he digested and arranged them in his
own mind, in the manner in which we shall suppose our man of science
to proceed to do? He might commence in two ways :—either by
separating the whole into heaps, according to the subjects to which
they respectively refer, e.g. Mechanics, Chemistry, Geology, Botany,

INTRODUCTION. 21

Zoology, &c., and then arranging these singly; or by endeavoring to
join the separate paragraphs together, according to their obvious con-
nection. He will probably find a combination of these two methods
the most advantageous; and by a careful examination of each single
paragraph in its relations to the whole, he may at last succeed in pro-
ducing a series of connected treatises, methodically arranged according
to their respective subjects, and regularly divided into chapters very
nearly or even exactly upon the plan of the original author. Now the
alphabetical arrangement would bear a close parallel with the Linnean
system of Botanical classification; whilst the latter distribution,—the
one evidently most calculated to convey to the learner a connected
rather than a desultory knowledge of the several objects of his pursuit
may not unaptly represent the Natural system.

VALUE OF A NATURAL SYSTEM.

22. It is by seeking for the latter only, that any of those general
principles can ever be attained, which give their chief value to the facts
of science, and which lead us higher and higher in the contemplation of
that almighty Power and boundless Wisdom by which the Universe was
framed ; for the Natural system would be but a table of contents of the

yegetable Kingdom, arranged on the plan of its divine Author. In or-

der to attain it, the Botanist requires to become acquainted, not only
with all the tribes of vegetables at present existing on the surface of the
globe, but with the forms and characters of those which have once ex-
isted, since—it cannot be doubted—all these constituted parts of the one
general scheme, without the knowledge of which it would be impossible
to reconstruct it. Now it is well known to the Botanist, that a very
large number of the species of plants with which he is somewhat ac-
quainted, have been so imperfectly examined and described, that their
true place in the system cannot be determined; and there is good rea-
son to believe that there are many more of which he is totally ignorant.
Here therefore are abundant causes for the imperfection of any natural
system which can be at present framed; and should these ever be re-
moved by long continued labor and research, there will yet remain the
other causes resulting from the impossibility of becoming fully acquaint-’
ed with the characters of the races which have existed in former periods
of the earth’s history, and which have been swept completely from its
face. Of these, some remains are occasionally discovered, sufficiently
perfect to excite the liveliest interest and curiosity, by showing that races
once flourished which fill up many of the wide gaps existing between

' those with whose characters we are now familiar, and which if we knew

more of them, would explain many things that are at present most per-
plexing. ~ ‘ baa

22 INTRODUCTION.

LINNZAN NATURAL SYSTEM.

23. Some of the strongest upholders of the Linnzean system are influ-
enced by their veneration for its Author ; whose fame, however will rest
on a foundation much more durable than this. It is not generally known
that the advantages of the Natural method have never been more highly
appreciated than they were by Linnzeus himself. When he framed an
artificial system for the convenient arrangement of plants, it was with
the very purpose for which the temporary employment of it has been now
recommended,—namely to facilitate that acquaintance with the vegetable
Kingdom, which must be gained before a Natural method can be framed.
Linneeus himself gave a sketch of the Natural system, explaining the
principles upon which it might be expected to rest, and he pronounced
the investigation of the natural affinities to be the great object of his
studies, and the most important part of the science. He considered the
artificial system as a temporary expedient which however necessary at
that day, would inevitably give place to the system of nature, so soon as
its fundamental principles should be discovered. The elucidation of the
latter, he said is the first and ultimate aim of Botanists; to this end the
labor of the greatest Botanists should be diligently directed; and the
merest fragments of this system should be carefully studied. Though
not,then fully discovered, he spoke of the pursuit of it as held in high
estimation by the wisest Botanists, and as being little encouraged by the
less learned. “ For a long time,” he adds, “I have labored to establish it;
I have made many discoveries, but have not been able to perfect it; yet
while I live I shall continue to labor for its completion. In the mean
time I have published what I have been able to discover ; and whosoever
shall resolve the few plants which still remain shall be my Magnus
Apollo. Those are the greatest Botanists who are able to correct, aug-
ment, and perfect this method: which those who are unqualified should
not attempt.” Those therefore who priding themselves upon their being
disciples of Linneus continue to employ his temporary and artificial sys-
tem of classification, to the exclusion of one founded upon Natural prin-
ciples, i imagining that they are upheld by his authority, quite : mistake the
views of their great master, and sadly misrepresent his opinions.

* 24. The knowledge of the vegetable kingdom obtained by Linnzeus,
however, was far too small in amount, to enable him to frame a Natural
system upon sound principles. The number of species known to him
was probably not an eighth part of those with which Botanists are now
acquainted; and no arrangement, therefore, could be formed, which
was not marked by many wide and unsightly gaps. Further, so little
was at that time known of the internal arrangement of the organs of
plants, that even the distinction between the two principal forms of struc-
ture in the stem,—evident and well marked as it now appears,—was

INTRODUCTION. 23

not then understood. Nevertheless, with that sagacity which so remark.
ably characterized him, Linnzeus succeeded in grouping together genera
into orders, which are even now regarded as, for the most part, very
natural assemblages; that is, as containing plants really allied to each
other in their most important characters, and differing from those of other
orders in the same. But of the best mode of arranging these orders he
was necessarily ignorant, since the most important characters were not
then understood. The great progress which has been made since his
time, in the structural and physiological departments of Botanical science,
has done much to place classification on a more certain basis; yet there is
still much wanting before Botanists shall be generally agreed on the prin-
ciples which shall regulate the division and subdivision of the vegetable
kingdom. In the following outline, it has been deemed advisable to
adopt the classification of De Candolle, being the one which is most in
use at the present time; and the principles upon which it is founded
will therefore now be explained.

PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL ARRANGEMENT,

25. It may be remarked, however, in the first place, as a principle
common to all systems of classification which profess to be natural, that
the different values which are attached to the various characters
furnished by the several organs of plants should be estimated by the
degree in which they respectively indicate important similarities or
differences of general conformation. It often happens that attention to
one or two characters may afford a considerable amount of knowledge
of the whole; because those characters are found to be inseparably
connected with others. An instance of this has been already given in
regard to the primary division between Exogens and Endogens {§ 65)
and it may be useful to illustrate it further by reference to the animal
kingdom. If, for example, we meet with an animal covered with
feathers, we at once know a great deal of its internal structure and
economy. It is a vertebrated animal, possessing a jointed back bone and
complete internal skeleton: it has all five senses, its blood is red, it
breathes air, its temperature is high, its young are produced from eggs, _
it walks upon two legs, &c. Here we are at once informed that this
unknown animal possesses all the characters peculiar to the class of
birds ; since no other animals than birds possess a covering of feathers,
which is inseparably connected with the whole plan of their structure
and economy. In the same manner the classification of the Mammalia,
(Quadrupeds) according to their teeth, proposed by Linnzus, proves
to be a very natural one, although founded upon a single set of
characters; because the form and number of the teeth vary with the
nature of the food on which the animal is intended to live; and to make

24 INTRODUCTION.

use of this, a certain form of digestive apparatus is adapted ; as well as
a certain kind of general structure, furnishing the instruments by which
the food is obtained: so that these may be known to a great extent
from the inspection of the teeth alone. In like manner, the Botanist,
whilst founding his arrangement upon the whole group of characters
which each plant exhibits, endeavors to select those, as marks for dis-
tinguishing the several divisions, which are at once easily recognized,
and which serve as the best key (so to speak) to those which are seated
within. Such characters are natural, then, in proportion as they indicate
general conformity or difference of structure; thus the distribution of
the veins of the leaves,—a character easily recognized,—will in general
serve to distinguish Exogens and Dicotyledons from Endogens and
Monocotyledons ; and it is therefore a very natural character, serving
as a key to all those which are indicated by these terms. On the other
hand, the number of stamens and pistils in a flower is a purely artificial
character, since it gives no further certain information of the general
structure of the plant.

26. Another general principle of Natural classification must next be
pointed out. When a number of Plants or Animals are associated, on
account of their general resemblance to each other, into a Natural group,
it will be found that the characters in which they agree, are presented by
some members of the group much more prominently than by others; and
that in some they are occasionally so much wanting, that these can
seem to be more easily included in any other groups. Now, those
members of a natural group which most strikingly present a union of all
the characters by which it is distinguished, are spoken of as its types ;
and those in which these characters are less obvious are termed aberrant
members of the group. It is by these, in fact, that natural groups are
connected with one another ; for it will generally be found that in the
aberrant members of one group, its characters become (as it were)
gradually shaded off, until they almost blend with those of the next. To
revert to an illustration; where the countries occupied by two nations

are not separated by any marked natural boundary, (as a broad river
or high chain of mountains,) the peculiar characters of these nations,
which may be regarded as most strongly exhibited in their respective
chief towns become gradually blended towards the border where they
meet, so that the transition from one to the other is by no means so
abrupt, as if the traveller were conveyed at once from the metropolis of
each to that of the other. Every natural group then, may be regarded
as a sphere, surrounded by other spheres—each representing another
group,—which touch it at certain points, the type of each will occupy
its centre, and the aberrant members will be disposed in various posi-

INTRODUCTION. 25

tions around it, in proportion as they lose és peculiar characters and
approach other groups. For example, the group of Lizards is inter-
mediate between that of Serpents and that of Tortoises. There are
some Lizards in which the body and tail are greatly lengthened, whilst
the legs are shortened, so that the form of the Snake is approached ;
and in the common Slow-worm or Blind-worm, the external form is
completely that of a snake, whilst beneath the skin two pairs of small
though perfectly formed legs may be found on careful examination.
This, then, is an aberrant form, situated just on the border of both
groups, and scarcely having a certain claim to a place in either. On
the other side, the Lizards are connected with the Tortoises by a species
commonly known under the name of the Allegator-Tortoise, or Snap-
ping-Turtle, which may be considered as a Tortoise with a long Lizard-
like neck, legs, and tail, or, as a Lizard with a Turtle-shell on its back.
The Lizards are connected, again, with Birds (to which they would not
seem to haye the slightest possible relation,) by means of a very curious
animal not now existing, which had the general structure of the Lizards ;
‘but which had the fore-legs converted into wings like those of a bird;
and which seems to have been covered with something intermediate
between scales and feathers. Many similar instances will present them-
selves in the study of the vegetable kingdom.

27, Hence when it is stated that a Plant or Animal belongs toa par-
ticular group, it is by no means necessarily implied that it possesses alZ
the characters which are considered as marking that group. Thus,—to
revert to an instance just now employed in illustration,—the structure of
the feathers, which are generally so characteristic of the class of Birds,
is greatly modified in some of the species which approach nearest to
other groups; in the Emu, for example { one of the Ostrich tribe) the
feathers are little else than stiff branching hairs; and in the Penguin,
those covering the fin-like wings resemble scales. So, again, in the first
natural group of plants,—the Ranunculus or Crow-foot tribe,—there are
some species which have the parts of the flower arranged in ¢hrees as in
Eudogens; yet they are not really such, for their stems are Exogenous,
the veining of their leaves is netted, and their embryo is dicotyledonous.
Again the common Arum maculatum (Cuckow-pint) has reticulated leaves ;
but it is not an Exogen, because its stem is Eudogenous. and its embryo
monocotyledonous. And the pond-weed ( Potamogeton, ) has the parts of
its flowers arranged in fours; yet it does not belong to Exogens, since
its leaves are parallel-veined and its embryo i is monocotyledonous.

28. In considering the several characters afforded by the varieties in |
the structure of Plants, it will be convenient to follow the same order as"
that which has been adopted in describing that structure. The elemen-
tary tissues _— afford any means of distinction, except in regard to

26 INTRODUCTION,

the primary divisions,—the presence of spiral vessels being on the whole
characteristic of flowering Plants (which have been hence termed Vas-
culares); and their absence being nearly constant in Cryptogamia (which
have been hence termed Cellulares.) There are some of the inferior
Phanerogamia, however, in which no spiral vessels can be detected ; and
in the Ferns which stand at the head of the Cryptogamia, modifications
of them may be found. However, if on examining any portion of
the fabric of an unknown plant, spiral vessels were distinctly seen this
might be regarded as sufficiently indicating that the specimen belonged
to the higher of these two groups. The peculiarity of the woody fibre
in the Conifere and allied: orders, together with the absence of the dot-
ted-ducts or special Sap vessels, is characteristic of that portion of the
Phanerogamic division; but excepting in this instance, no use can be
made of the varieties of the elementary tissues, in defining the subdivis-
ions of the classes of Plants.

29. The structure and mode of increase of the stem afford as already
stated, the means of establishing the soundest division of the Phaneroga-
mia: and the two groups of Exogens and Endogens are universally recog-
nized as natural classes. Between these, however, there are several
connecting links—some Exogens exhibiting in their stem no separation
into annual layers,—and some Eudogens, presenting an approach to the
Exogenous division of the kingdom. One small order ( Calycanthee) is
known by the presence of four incomplete centres of vegetation surround-
ing the stem almost cut into four quarters; whilst a square stem is uni-
versal in the Dead-nettle tribe. In some orders, such as the Cactee
(Prickly-pear-tribe) snd Euphorbiacee (Spurge tribe), the quantity of cel-
lular tissue usually so much predominates that the stems are soft and
succulent ; but this is not always the case, some genera having stems of
the ordinary character. No very positive characters can in general
therefore, be drawn from the structure of the stem, in dividing the clas-
ses into sub-classes and orders. Nor do the roots afford any better guide;

since the modifications of form of which they are susceptible are very

few, and they are by no means constant in particular groups. Asa
general rule, however, it may be observed that neither bulb nor rhizoma
are found in Exogens, and that they are confined to a few orders among
Eudogens.

30. The leaves are subject to considerable modifications, both in posi-
tion, form and structure, which are very useful in classification. The
general differences among the leaves of Exogens, Endogens and Acro-
gens have already been adverted to. The relative position of the leaves,
as whether alternate, opposite, or verticillate, is often a very important
character, but in regard to this, as well as to other characters, it often

INTRODUCTION. 27

happens that it is of much greater value in some orders than it is in others.
Thus in Lamiacee (Dead-nettles) they are uniformly opposite: so that
no plant can belong to the order, in which they are alternate or verti-
cillate. In Urticacee (the Nettle tribe,) on the other hand, they are
constantly alternate ; so that no opposite Jeaved plant can belong to the
order. In this manner the common Dead-Nettles and Stinging-Nettles
may -be at once known from each other. But in many others, one
arrangement is prevalent, and yet the other sometimes occurs. The
degree of division of the leaves, again is subject to considerable uncer-
tainty in many orders, from causes already mentioned; yet, in others
notwithstanding a constant form is maintained; thus, leaves with
teeth or jagged edges are never found in the pa Cinchonacee. (from
which the Bovgvian bark is supplied) and they are very rare in Endogens.
The particular characters afforded by the veining of leaves are much
more constant, than those derived from their form; and it is probable
that, as they have only been recently attended to, much assistance will
be obtained in classification from an increased knowledge of them.
A character which would not at first sight appear of much importance,
is afforded by the presence or absence of those little dots in the leaves,
which are reservoirs of oily secretions; yet these being connected as it
would seem with some important differences in the general economy,
are extremely characteristic of certain Natural orders, such as Myrtacee
(the Myrtle tribe,) and Awrantiacea (the Orange tribe,) serving to dis-
tinguish all their members from those of other orders nearly allied to
them. In other orders, however, there are some genera with, and
others without these pellucid dots. The cleat or milky character of
the juices of the leaves and. stalks, indicating as it does, the absence or
presence of certain secretions which are characteristic of particular
orders, will often prove of much use in distinguishing their members.
At the base of the leaf-stalks are often found little leafy appendages
(which are in fact leaves, in an imperfect state of development) termed
stipules; the presence or absence of these frequently enables the
Botanist to distinguish the plants of two allied orders, of which one pos-
sesses them, whilst the other does not, and certain peculiarities in them,
are occasionally very characteristic of particular groups.
31. Passing on to the flowers, we first have to notice the characters
afforded by the bracts; these are seldom of any use in distinguishing
‘orders, on account of their constant variation within the limits of each;
but they are often valuable in separating genera and species. The
calyx is used in a variety of ways to distinguish orders, but the charac- _
ters it affords are far from being of equal or uniform importance
throughout. The number of sepals is sometimes a very useful and —
constant mark of a particular order; thus, in Crucifera, the Cabbage

28 INTRODUCTION.

and Turnip tribe they are always four, and in Papaveracee, the Poppy
tribe always two; but in many orders it is extremely variable. The
equal or differing size of the sepals is another character of great im-
portance in some cases, but not to be regarded in others. Again, the
union of the sepals by the adhesion of their edges is a character to which
great value may usually be attached; when this adhesion unites all the
sepals, the calyx is commonly said to be monosepalous (single-sepalled ;)
but the term gamosepalous, expressing the union or adhesion of the
sepals is to be preferred. A still more important character is the degree
of adhesion of the calyx to the organs it includes. Where it arises
immediately from the disk or expanded top of the flower stalk, and
where the corolla, stamens and pistil are quite distinct from it, arising
by themselves from the disk, the calyx is said to be inferior to the ovary,
or non-adherent to it. But where the calyx seems to spring from the
top of the ovary or seed-vessel, instead of beneath it, it is called superior;
this conformation is due to the adhesion of the calyx to the wall of the
ovarium, so that it forms a tube completely enclosing it, as in the Rose,
Apple, &c. In some plants the calyx is altogether absent; and then the
general rule is that the corolla is likewise deficient. Such plants are
said to be Achlamydeous, the essential parts of their flowers being
destitute of envelope. In the Composite, however, which possesses
a corolla, the calyx is present in an undeveloped form, constituting the
down of pappus, which surrounds the bottom of the corolla, and is
- 32. In regard to the number and regularit: - of the parts of the corolla,
nearly the same may be said as of the calyx. These characters are
valuable in some instances and not in others. The separation or
adhesion of the petals, constituting what is commonly known as the
polypetalous or monopetalous corolla is often a character of first-rate
importance. Still, from the cause formerly mentioned, it is liable to
some uncertainty, and ought not on that account therefore to be trusted
too implicitly. Sometimes no corolla is to be found, the calyx still
being present, and the plant is then said to be Avetalous (destitute of
petals,) or Monochlamydeous (having but one envelope). This is a
character, however, on which great reliance cannot be placed, since
apetalous genera frequently present themselves, in orders which usually
possess complete flowers,—an occurrence which is less common amongst
monopetalous Exogens, than among those which have separate petals,
so that the character is of more value in the former than in the latter.

CHARACTERS OF NATURAL SYSTEM.
33, When our attention is directed to the more essential parts of the
flowering system,—the stamens and pistil,—we meet with some char-

INTRODUCTION. 29

acters on which more constant reliance can be placed; but these are
not among the most obvious, such as the inexperienced Botanist would
first attend to. For example, the number of stamens is a character
to which little importance can be attached; since this is liable to
vary extremely among the genera of ae every order,—in many
cases among the species of the same genus,—not unfrequently also
among individuals of the same species,—and even in different flowers
on the same plant. Yet there are particular orders, in which the num-
ber of stamens is very constant throughout, and is very characteristic of
them. The most important characters afforded by the stamens are drawn
from their mode of origin from the lower part of the flower. They may
arise, like the sepals and petals, from the disk, beneath the ovary; in
this case they are said to be hypogynous (designating their origin from
beneath the female part of the flower.) But it may happen that the
sepals and stamens arise together, (these parts being opposite in a
regular flower, whilst the petals alternate with them so as not to prevent
their adhesion,) and that they adhere for a part of their length, so that
the stamens appear to arise from the calyx, and come away with it when
it is detached; in this case or when they adhere in a similar manner to
the petals, they are said to be perigynous, having their origin arownd
the female organ. Lastly, when the calyx embraces the ovarium, it also
closely envelopes the stamens which are not freed from it except at the
top of the seed-vessel ; in this case, the stamens, appearing to arise from
the top of the ovarium are said to be epigynous, being seated upon the
female organ. Peculiarities in the mode in which the anthers open to
disperse the pollen are sometimes characteristic of particular orders ;
thus the Berberry and Laurel tribes have anthers bursting by valves;
and the Heaths have anthers opening by pores. But such peculiarities
are found in other genera, amongst orders which do not possess them,
and ora must not therefore be implicitly relied on.

34. Of all natural characters, those furnished by the structure of the
central parts of the flower are perhaps subject to the fewest exceptions;
yet these are not such as are the most evident to the ordinary observer.
On the number of styles, as already stated, little reliance can be placed
for the establishment of important distinctions, but as it is less liable to
vary than is that of the stamens, it may often be useful in the separation
of genera. A much more decisive character is afforded by the degree
of adhesion among the carpels; when they remain distinct from each
other, the ovary is said to be apocarpous (carpels apart ;) and when they
are compactly united, it is termed syncarpous (carpels together.) There
are few Natural orders in which one or other of these conditions does
not prevail, to the entire exclusion of the other; so that plants which °
(Oe Sens revemblance in imagen for but differ in this, mt

30 INTRODUCTION.

at once referred to their proper groups. The position of the ovary in
respect to the calyx has been already adverted to; this character is
generally expressed by the terms inferior or superior ovary. The
presence or absence of partitions in the ovaries is a very important dis-
tinction. An ovary may be one-celled, because it consists of but a single
carpel; or being syncarpous, it may contain an undivided cavity, from
the obliteration of the partitions, or dissepiments, originally formed by
the walls of the several adhering carpels. In this case the attachment
of the ovules, or placenta, is either central, the ovules being clustered
around a central column, or parietal, where they are attached to the
outer wall. Varieties of structure of this nature are very important in
- distingnishing orders. A peculiar enlargement of the receptacle which
sometimes expands between the bases of the carpels so as to separate
them more or less completely as in the Strawberry, is often very char-
acteristic of particular orders. The ripened ovary or fruit exhibits
numerous and remarkable differences in its form, substance, and mode
of dehiscence (or its manner of bursting when ripe;) but these do not
usually receive much attention from Botanists; since although there are
a few orders which are charicterized by a particular kind of fruit, most
others present numerous varieties among their different genera,

35. Many valuable characters are drawn from the seed, both in its
early and mature conditions. The number of ovules—that is to say,
whether they are definite or indefinite—is frequently an important
difference; still in some orders, there are genera nearly allied, in onc
of which the number is definite, whilst it is indefinite in the other.
The position of the ovules is more essential than their number ;—the chief
distinctions are between those which, rising upright “from the base
of the cavity, are termed erect ; and those, which hanging from its top,
are called pendulous. Between these two conditions, however, there are
other intermediate ones. Such a difference in the position of the ovules
often serves to mark a distinct line of separation between the plants of
two groups that are otherwise nearly allied. In the perfect seed, the
number of cotyledons is a character of primary importance, for distin-
guishing the two great classes of Phanerogamia, as already several times
stated. Even this, however, is subject to occasional exceptions, for
there are Endogenous plants with two cotyledons and some Exogens
with only one or even none, whilst again, some Exogens have several,
As a means of distinguishing orders the presence or absence of a
separate albumen is a character of great value, especially when the
embryo bears a very small proportion to it in amount. Where, how-
ever the embryo and albumen are nearly equal in size, the character is
of less importance; so that it is not uncommon to meet, in the same
genera, of which the embryo alone fills the seed, and with others in

INTRODUCTION. 31

which a part is occupied by albumen; whilst in the orders especially
characterized by it, there is probably not a single genus in which
it is absent. It must be remembered that albumen exists in all
seeds at an early period of their formation; and that the subsequent
difference will depend upon the degree in which it is absorbed by the
embryo.

36. The student who has given attention to the preceding statements,
is not unlikely to feel some perplexity, on account of the constant un-
certainty which has been stated to attend the value of the several
characters that have been enumerated. But as he proceeds further, he
will find that this uncertainty is greater in appearance than in reality ;
and that it necessarily results from the properties of a Natural group,
as already described. In dividing the vegetable kingdom in an artificial
method, it seems very easy to lay down a small number of characters as
the standard ; and to bring together, or to separate plants, according to
their conformity or variety in these. But, as has been already shown,
when we come to apply this plan, numerous difficulties are met with,
in consequence of the differences which are of constant occurrence,
among plants belonging to the same genus or even to the same species
(§ 9;) so that even here the Botanist must be guided by general resem-
blance. Now, although it is quite true that no single characters, when
traced throughout the vegetable scale, can be relied on, as indicating the
natural affinities of plants, yet experienced Botanists have little difficulty
in defining each order, by a certain combination of characters, which are
peculiar to it, and not unfrequently, the plants belonging to one order
may be separated from those of all other groups, by some evident and
well-marked peculiarity.

DE CANDOLLE’S CLASSIFICATION.

37. On the foregoing principles, the class of Exogens is divided by
De Candolle in the following manner :— .

The first group consists of those, of which the flowers possess both
calyx and corolla, and in which the petals of the latter are distinct, and
which are therefore Polypetalous. This group is divided into two sub-
classes, according to the mode of insertion of the stamens.

Sus-cuass I. Thalamiflore. Polypetalous Exogens, in which the
stamens arise from the disk,—that is, are hypogynous. Sometimes the
stamens adhere slightly to the sides of the ovary, but they are never
epigynous, nor perigynous. (§ 32.) : |

Sus-ciass Il. Calycifore. Polypetalous Exogens in which the
stamens arise from the calyx or corolla,—that is, are perigynous.

In the next sub-class, the flowers still possessing both calyx and
corolla, have the latter formed of united petals, or are Monopetalous.

32 INTRODUCTION.

In this division the position of the stamens is not regarded as a primary
character.

Sus-ciass III. Corolliflore. Monopetalous Exogens.

Tn the lowest group, the corolla is always absent, making the flower
Apetalous; and the calyx is not uniformly present. “This character
is regarded as sufficiently marking the group.

Sus-ciass IV. Monochlamydee. Apetalous Exogens.

The object of this classification is to proceed from what are con-
sidered the most perfectly organized Exogens, to those which are least
so. Thus all the parts are present and distinct from each other in
Thalamiflore; other things remaining the same, the stamens adhere
to the perianth in Calyciflore ; the petals join together in Corolliflore ;
and in Monochlamydee first the corolla disappears, and then, among the
most imperfect orders the calyx ceases to be developed.

38. The class of Enpoeens is not divided by De Candolle into any
Sub-classes. It will, however, be convenient to consider their orders as
characterized by the completeness or incompleteness of their flowers.
The Complete Endogens may be again sub-divided into those with a
superior, and those with an inferior ovarium. The orders having Incom-
plete flowers, are separated into those in which a cluster of flowers is
inclosed in a single large bract, termed a Spathe, which is frequently
colored (as in the Arum tribe 3) and those i in which the eatin of each

May Apple

MATERIA MEDICA BOTANICA.

BERBERIDACE®,
Berberids.
No. 49.
PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM.

May Appie. Mandrake, Wild Lemon, Duck’ s-foot, &c.

Geog. Position. United States.
Quality. Insipid.

Power. Cathartic, narcotic.

Use. Bilious and intermittent fevers.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification.
Orver BERBERIDACEA.
Linnean Classification.
Crass XIII. Polyandria. Orver Monogynia.

Avrnorities.—Lin. Sp. Pl. 722. Willd. Sp. Pl. IL. 1141. Parsh. Flor. N. A.
I. 366. Lind. Flor. Med. 13. Bigelow, Med. 23. Barton, Veg. Mat. Med.
TI. 25. Raf. Med. Flor. II. 59. U.S. Disp. 576. Ec. Disp. U.S. 312. Loud.
Encyc. Pl. 460. Ballard and Garrod, Mat. Med. 193. Pereira, Mat. Med. IT. 760.
Griff. Med. Bot. 115. Carson, Illust. Med. Bot. I. 18. Gray, Bot. Text-Book,
711. Beach, Fam Phys. 666. Howard, Bot. Med. II. 280. Mat. Med. 158.
Henry, Med. Herb. 188. Wood, Class-Book, 152.

Genus PODOPHYLLUM.
From the Greek zrovis, foot, and gu'iior, leaf, in allusion to the long, firm petioles

on which the leaves are placed, resembling the webbed feet of aquatic birds.

Synonymes.—Podophylle de peltate (Fr.), Schildblattriger Entenfuss (Ger.),
Entenruss, Fluss blatt (Dutch).

Tue Essentian Cyaracters. —
Caiyx. Sepals three —four~six, imbricate in two rows, often
reinforced by petaloid scales. ae
Corotia. Hypogynous. Petals one to three times as many
as the sepals, and opposite to them. ne Ore
1

PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM.

Stamens. As many or twice as many as the petals, and op-
posite to them. Anthers generally opening by recurved
valves, extrorse.

Ovary. One-celled, solitary, simple. Style often lateral.

Stigma often lateral or peltate.

uit. Berried or capsular.

ps. One or few, attached to the bottom of the cell, or

any, attached to lateral placente.

Tue Seconpary CHaracrTers.

‘& Popornyiium. Culyx of three sepals, caducous. Corolla
_ six—nine-petalled. Stamens numerous, with linear anthers.
Berry one-celled, crowned with the single stigma.

Calyx three-leaved, minute. Corolla five-to-nine-petalled. Stigma large, crenate,

sessile. Berry one-celled, crowned with the stigma, large, many-seeded. Columella
one-sided.

Tue Spreciric Cuaracters.

PoporuyLium re.ratum. Leaves peltate,lobed. Flowers
one. Stem round, sheathed at base, erect, dividing into two
round leaf-stalks, between which grows the flower.

_ Stem terminated with two peltate polinate leaves. Flowers single, inserted in the

fork formed by the petioles of the leaves. Sometimes the plant is three-leaved, and
sometimes the flower is inserted on the side of one of the petioles.

‘Tue Arririctan Cuaracrers.

Cuass Ponyanpria. Stamens twenty or more arising from
the receptacle (hypogynous). Orper Monocynta. Ovary
simple. Calyx three-sepalled. Leaves often peltate. Flower
solitary. :

NATURAL HISTORY.

The May Appx is among our more curious and interest-
ing plants. It is indigenous, herbaceous, and the only spe-
cies belonging to the genus. The plant is extensively dif-
fused throughout the United States, and especially common
in Western New York. It is, however, everywhere found in
abundance, on congenial soils, from the State of Maine to
the Mexican Gulf, and from the Atlantic seacoast to the Ore-
gon mountains. It grows luxuriantly in moist, shady woods,
and in low marshy grounds. It is p ‘opagated by its creeping
root, and is often found in large patches, The flowers appear
about the end of May and beginning of June, and the fruit

PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM.

ripens in the latter part of September, at which time the leaves
wither and fall off. The fruit is edible, and though very agree-
able to some persons, it is to others extremely unpleasant. _
The leaves are poisonous, and its medical virtues are wholly
confined to the root, which is said to be most efficient when
collected after the falling of the leaves. ;
The root (rhizoma) of the PoporuyLLuM PELTaTUM is per
ennial, creeping, usually several feet in length, about one
quarter of an inch thick, of a brown color externally, smooth-
jointed and furnished with radicles at the joints. The stem
is about a foot high, round, sheathed at base, erect, dividing
into two round leaf-stalks, between which grows the flower.
Each petiole bears a large smooth peltate palmate leaf, deep-
ly divided into five—seven lobes, which are each two-parted
and dentate at the end. ‘They are often peltate, but generally
separate at base quite to the petiole. The flower is stalked,
drooping or nodding, white, with a three-leaved, caducous calyx,
which is oval, obtuse, concave, and deciduous. The corolla
is of about six petals, often more, which are obovate, concave,
white, fragrant and curiously reticulated with veins. The
stamens are from thirteen to twenty, shorter than the petals,
with oblong yellow anthers of twice the length of the fila-
ments. ‘The stigma is sessile, and rendered irregular on its
surface by numerous folds or convolutions. The fruit is about
the size of a plum, crowned with the persistent stigma, and
containing a sweetish fleshy pulp, in which about twelve ovate
seeds are imbedded. It ripens early, and when ripe it is of a
yellowish color, diversified by round brownish spots.

eet

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

Poporuyiium has been examined with a view to determine
its constituents, and it has been found to contain resin, starch,
and a peculiar vegetable substance crystallizable in white silky
tufts. There has also been obtained from it a peculiar prin-
ciple to which the name of Podophyjlin has been given. It is
in pale, brown, shining scales, unalterable in the air, very spar-
ingly soluble in cold water, much more soluble in boiling wa-
ter, soluble also in ether, and freely so in boiling alcoh its.
has neither acid nor alkaline properties. Nitric acid dissolves _
it with effervescence, producing a rich, deep-red color. Its _
taste at first is not very decided, in consequence of its sparing
solubility, but becomes at length very bitter and permanent,
and its alcoholic solution is _—* bitter. It may be ob-

eee me aes hes

PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM.

tained by boiling the root with quicklime in water, straining
the decoction, precipitating the lime with sulphate of zinc,
evaporating the clear solution to the consistence of an ex-
tract, treating this with cold alcohol of 0.817, filtering and
evaporating the alcoholic solution, and treating the residue
with boiling distilled water, which deposits the bitter principle
on cooling.

The dried root is in pieces about two lines in thickness,
with swelling, broad, flattened joints at short intervals. It is
much wrinkled lengthwise, is yellowish or reddish-brown ex-
ternally, and furnished with fibres of a similar but somewhat
paler color. The fracture is short and irregular, and the inter-
nal coloris whitish. The powder is light yellowish-gray, resem-
bling that of jalap. The root in its aggregate state is nearly
inodorous, but in powder has a sweetish and not unpleasant
smell. The taste is at first sweetish, afterwards bitter, muceous,
and slightly acrid. The decoction and tincture are bitter.

The PopopuHyLLUm PELTATUM is always considered an ac-
tive and certain cathartic, producing copious liquid discharges
without much griping or other unpleasant effects. It has a
peculiar effect upon all the secretions and excretions, stimu-
lating them to a healthy action, and often answers the pur-
pose of removing obstructions without any bad effects what-
ever. In some cases it has given rise to nausea and even
vomiting, but the same result is occasionally experienced from
every active cathartic. In its action upon the bowels its oper-
ation resembles that of jalap, but it is rather slower, and by
some it is supposed to be more drastic. It extends its influ-
ence through every part of the system, touching every gland
when given in small doses and repeated every two or three
hours, while large doses evacuate and exhaust the system.

The cases to which May Appte is particularly adapted are
of an inflammatory character, especially at the commence-
ment, where brisk purging is required. It is very highly
spoken of by many eminent writers, who have tested. its eff-
cacy, and they recommend its employment in bilious fever
and hepatic congestions. For these purposes it has been
much used in various parts of the country, and with the most
happy effects. In dropsical affections, and in rheumatic and
scrofulous complaints, the supertartrate of potassa is a useful
addition, by which the action of both is reciprocally improved.
It is crise as a vermifuge in teaspoonful doses, and re-

Some physicians recommend the powdered root as an es-
charotic to cleanse foul and ill-conditioned ulcers, and dispose
them to heal, and to promote the exfoliation or removal of ca-
rious or rotten bones. The powder should be sprinkled on
the affected part once in from two to five days. It is also said
to destroy proud-flesh ——? injury to the sound parts.

iP We 50. =
Mezereon. ;

THYMELACEZ.
Daphnads.
No. 50.
DAPHNE MEZEREUM.
Mezerron. Spurge Olive.

Geog. Position. Europe.

Quality. Sweetish, acrid.

Power. Stimulant, diaphoretic.

Use. Chronic cutaneous diseases, rheumatism.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification.
Orver THYMELACEZ.
Linnean Classification.
Cuass VIII. Octandria. Orver Monogynia.

Autuorirtes.— Lin. Sp. Pl. 509. Willd. Sp. Pl. II. 415. Woody. Med. Bot.
23. Lind. Flor. Med.324. Whitlaw, Med. Disc. 70. Lond. Disp. 322. U.S. Disp.
478. Ec. Disp. U.S. 155. Loud. Encyc. Pl. 322. Ballard and Garrod, Mat. Med.
366. Thomson, Mat. Med. 796, *95. Pereira, Mat. Med. II. 268. Griff. Med.
Bot. 560. Carson, Ilust. Med. Bot. IL 26. Gray, Bot. Text-Book, 865. Wood,
Class-Book, 481.

Genus DAPHNE.

The Greek name of the Laurel, for the nymph Daphne, who, it is said, was
g Changed into a laurel, which some species of this genus resemble. Tee

Syxonrmes.— Laureole gentille (Fr.), Kellerhals (Ger.), Mezereo (It.), Mezereon
(Sp.), Pepperbompje (Dutch), Tibast (Swed.), Kielderhals (Dan.), Wyleze lyko
(Pol.), Mezerao (Port.).

Tue Essentian Cuaracters. sree
Catyx. Free, tubular, colored, limb four- (rarely five-) cleft,
imbricated in estivation. aoe
Sramens. Definite, inserted into the calyx and opposite to its
lobes when equal to them in number, often twice as
many. ae
Ovary. Solitary, with one ovule. Style one. Stigma undi-
vided. ihe | eas
Frorr. Hard, dry, drupaceous. Albumen wanting or thin. —
4 ae

DAPHNE MEZEREUM.

Tue Seconpary CHARACTERS.

Darune. Calyx four-cleft, marcescent. Limb spreading.
Stamens eight, included in calyx-tube. Style one. Drupe
one-seeded.

Calyx wanting. Corolla four-cleft, withering, including the stamens. Drupe
one-seeded.

_. Tue Speciric Cuaracrers.

Darune Mezerevm. Leaves deciduous, lanceolate, in ter-
minal tufts, entire, sessile. Flowers sessile, about three from
each lateral bud. Calyx hypocrateriform. Segments ovate,
spreading. Stamens inserted in two rows near the top of the
tube. Filament very short. Stigma sessile.

Flowers sessile, cauline, in threes. eaves lanceolate.

Tue Artiricta, CHaracTErs.

Cuass Octanprra. Stamens eight. Orper Monocynta.
Apetalous. Ovary superior. Fruit a one-seeded drupe.
Shrubs with a very tenacious bark, alternate or opposite
Leaves entire. Flowers perfect.

_ NATURAL HISTORY.

Mezereon grows wild in England and in many parts ot
the North of Europe, but for medical use and as an orna-
mental shrub it is cultivated in gardens. It is mentioned by
Linnzus as a characteristic of the genus, to which the plant
under consideration belongs, that the terminating buds of the
shoots produce leaves, and the lateral ones flowers. This af-
fords a hint to the cultivator to be sparing of his knife. It
flowers very early in the season, before the appearance of the,
leaves. It is an old inhabitant of the shrubbery, and de-
servedly much admired for its precocity and fragrance. It
thrives well in loamy soil, and will grow in the shade, and
even under the drip of other trees. It is a native of all parts
of Europe, from Lapland to Sicily, but was first received from
Etbing before it was observed to be a native. The roots of
Mezereon are large in proportion to the branches, and have
more the character of the fusiform or ramose roots of a herba-
ceous than of a ligneous vegetable. _
_ ‘The plant is hardy, seldom exceeding four feet in height,
with a strong, woody, branching stem covered with a smooth
gray cuticle, and a tough fibrous inner bark. The root is of

DAPHNE MEZEREUM,

a fibrous texture, pale-colored, with a smooth olive-colored
bark. The leaves, which are protruded from the extremities
of the branches, are tender, pale green, deciduous, lanceolate,
sessile, entire and smooth. The flowers are of a pale rose-
color, odorous, surrounding the twigs in clusters, below where
the leaves are sent off, they are sessile, two, three, and four
clustered, with deciduous bracts at the base of each cluster,
monopetalous, tubular, and the lip divided into four ovate
spreading segments. The stamens are alternately shorter,
the four higher ones displaying their colored anthers at the
mouth of the tube. The germen is oval, supporting a flattish
stigma on a very short style. The fruit is a red pulpy drupe,
containing one round seed.

There are several varieties of this genus with different
colored flowers and fruit, pink-colored in one variety, red in
another, white in a third, clothing nearly the whole plant.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.
The inner bark of every part of this plant when fresh, is
very acrid, capable of producing inflammation, vesication, and
a discharge of seram when applied to the skin, and when
chewed excites a considerable heat of the mouth and fauces,
which continues for many hours afterwards. The fruit. is
equally acrid, acting as a corrosive poison, not only to man,
but to many quadrupeds, if eaten in large quantities.
For medical purposes, the bark of the root is directed to be
used. The roots are dug up in the autumn, after the leaves
are fallen. The cuticle of the dried root is corrugated and of
a brown color, the inner bark has a white, cotton-like appear-_
ance. As they are imported from Germany and found in the
stores, they are derived from the stem and branches, and are
long strips folded in bundles of a grayish or reddish-brown
color externally, under which, on the removal of the epider-
mis, it is greenish, and internally white and fibrous. The
taste is at first somewhat sweetish, but soon becomes very
acrid and unpleasant; in a fresh state the smell is nauseous.
but when dried it is inodorous, although it retains its acre
mony. The topical action of Mezereon bark is that of an
irritant, and when the bark has been applied to the skin, vesi-
cant, It has been recommended as a popular application for
the tooth-ache. ale mi Ves
_From the result of the chemical analysis of the Dapune
Mezereum, by several eminent chemists, it appears to contain

af, Sie test» and &, poouliae coystelling, peneigledidettied

DAPHNE MEZEREUM.

“by Vanquelin, to which he gave the name of Daphnin. By
digesting the bark in alcohol, then evaporating the liquid to
separate the resin, and diluting the residual fluid with water,
filtering and adding acetate of lead, he obtained a copious
yellow precipitate, which, when freed from the lead by means
of sulphuretted hydrogen gas, he found this vegetable princi-
ple, sui generis. It is colorless and transparent, crystallizes in
aggregated prisms, is very soluble in water, alcohol, or ether, is
inodorous and of an acrid taste. It is considered analogous
to asparagin, and that when pure it has very slight powers.
It is not the active principle of Mezereon.

The acrid resin is obtained by boiling the bark in alcohol;
when the solution cools, some wax is deposited. The super-
natant liquor is to be evaporated, and the residual extract
washed with water. The resin then left behind is dark green,
and soluble in both alcohol and ether. To this substance
Mezereon owes its acridity. There is, however, some reason
to suspect that this resin is itself a compound of two princi-
ples, viz. an acrid vesicating fixed oil, and another substance.
The resin is rendered soluble in water by means of the other
constituents of the bark. There are, in addition to those al-
ready enumerated, wax, a trace of volatile oil, yellow coloring
principle, uncrystallizable but fermentable sugar, nitrogenous
gummy matter, reddish-brown extractive, woody fibre, free
malic acid and malates of potash, lime, and magnesia.

Darune Mezerevum operates as a stimulating diaphoretic,
increasing the general arterial action, and determining pow-
erfully to the surface ; but it is apt to occasion vomiting and
purging. It has long been externally employed as a stimulus
to ill-conditioned ulcers, and the recent bark, macerated in
vinegar and applied to the skin, is recommended in chronic
cases of a local nature; under certain management it pro-
duces a serious discharge without blistering, and is thus ren-

dered useful by answering the purpose of what is called a
perpetual blister, while it occasions less pain and inconven-
ience. To form the issue, the bark must be renewed every
night and morning, and afterwards once in twenty-four hours,
to keep open the drain. It has been employed successfully
as a local stimulant in a case of difficulty of swallowing oc-
_casioned by paralysis. Though the case was of three years’
‘Standing, the patient recovered the power of swallowing in
about a month, by very frequently chewing thin slices of the
root. For this purpose, it should be sliced longitudinally, as
the acrimony resides in the bark only, the woody fibre being

nearly inert. Internally a decoction of this bark has been
used against chronic rheumatism, scrofulous swellings, lepra,
_ The branches make a good yellow dye.

o 4

; ae pot BEDE. 2.
> SVEATORIOM PPRFOLLATIOW .
Thcroughwort Boneset.

COMPOSIT A.
Asterworts.
Nov 34;
EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM.

Boneset. Thoroughwort, Feverwort, &c.

Geog. Position. United States.

Quality. Bitter. wot

Power. Sudorific, tonic.

Use. Dyspepsia, catarrhal affections, fevers.

BOTANICAL ANALYSTS.
Natural Classification. |
Orper COMPOSITZ. |
Linnean Classification.
Cuass XIX. Syngenesia. Onrver Polygamia AZqualis.

Avrnorities.— Lin. Sp. Pl. 1174. Willd. Sp. Pl. TIT. 1761. Pursh. Flor.
N. A. II. 516. Lind. Flor. Med. 451. Bigelow, Med. Bot. I. 33. Barton, Veg.
Mat. Med. II. 125. Raf. Med. Flor. I. 174. U.S.Disp. 326. Ec. Disp. U.S. 170.
Loud. Encyc. Pl. 608. Ballard and Garrod, Mat. Med. 315. Thomson, Mat. Med.
*108. Pereira, Mat. Med. II. 399. Griff. Med. Bot. 390. Gray, Bot. Text-Book,
811. Beach, Fam. Ph. 655. Howard, Bot. Med. 247. Kost, Mat. Med. 200.
Henry, Med. Herb. 55. Wood, Class-Book, 316.

Genus EUPATORIUM.
Named in honor of Mithridates Eupator, king of Pontus, who first used it in
medicine. The properties of the Asiatic or ee ionteeah were Minds known by
him. Pliny. :

Synonymes. — Eupatoire perfoliée @e ), Daitchteneliseae® Weasserdost (Ger)

Tue Essentian CHARACTERS.

Catyx. Closely adherent to the ovary, the limb wanting, o
membranaceous and divided into palez, bristles, hairs, K&e.,
called pappus. oe

Coro.ua. Superior, consisting of five united petals, ether
ligulate or tubular. a

Sramens. Five, alternate with the lobes of the corolla. An
thers cohering into a cylinder.

Ovary. Inferior, one-celled, one-ovuled. Style twolet t the

_ inner margins of the branches occupied by the stigmas.

EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM,

Fruir. An achenium, dry, indehiscent, one-seeded, crowned
with the pappus.

Flowers collected into a dense head (capitum), upon a common receptacle, sur-
rounded by an involucre of many bracts (scales).

Tur Seconpary CHARACTERS.

Evpatorium. Flowers all tubular. Jnvolucre imbricate,
oblong. Style much exserted, deeply cleft. Receptacle naked,
flat. Pappus simple, scabrous.

Invol bricated 1 le), oblong le long, cloven half way down.

nvolucre imbrica' coe Se ty) oe Style 2

Egret pilose, scabrous, or rough papillose. smooth and
glandular, five-striate.

Tue Speciric CHaracters.

EvraTorium PerFouiatum. Leaves connate-perfoliate, pu-
bescent. Stem rough and hairy, round. Involucre about
twelve-flowered.

Leaves connate-perfoliate, oblong-serrate, rugose, downy beneath. Stem villose.

THE ArtiriciaL CHaracters.

Cuass Syneenesta. Stamens five, cohering by the tips of
their anthers. Onper Ponyeamia A®quatis. Herbaceous
plants. Flowers or florets collected into dense heads (com-
pound flowers). Corollas monopetalous, of various forms.

NATURAL HISTORY.

The Boneser, or, as it is sometimes called, Thoroughwort,
is a common, well-known plant of low grounds, meadows, the
banks of streams, and other moist places, growing generally
in bunches, and abounding in almost all parts of the United
States. It flowers from the middle of summer to the latter
end of October, and is always easily distinguished by the
leaves being pierced by the stem. The root of the plant is
perennial, horizontal, and crooked, sending up numerous her-
baceous stems, which are erect, round, rag and hairy, from
one to three feet high, simple below and _ trichotomously
ched near the summit, and of a grayish-green color. The
character of the leaves is peculiar, and serves to distinguish
the species at the first glance. They may be considered either
as perforated by the stem, perfoliate, or as consisting each of
two: leaves united at the base, connate. Considered in the
atter point of view, they ag posite, and in pairs which

EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM.

decussate each other at regular distances upon the stem ; in
other words, the direction of each pair is at right angles with
that of the pair immediately above or beneath it. They are
narrow in proportion to their length, broadest at the base
where they coalesce, gradually tapering to a point, serrate,
much wrinkled, paler on the inside than the upper surface,
and beset with whitish hairs which give them the same color
as the stalks. The uppermost pairs are sessile, not joined at
the base. The flowers are white, numerous, supported on
hairy peduncles in dense, depressed, terminal corymbs, which
form a flattened summit to the plant. The calyx, which is
cylindrical, and composed of imbricated, lanceolate, hairy
scales, incloses from twelve to fifteen tubular florets, having
their border divided into five spreading segments. The an-
thers are five in number, black, and united into a tube, through
which the bifid filiform style projects above the flower. The
seeds are black, prismatic, acute at base, on a naked tocepher
cle. The pappus has scabrous hairs.

This plant appears to have been known and held in riveicts
estimation by the Aborigines of America. The first Euro-
pean settlers of this continent derived their knowledge of its
virtues from them, and it became a favorite and universal
remedy in domestic practice long before it attracted the atten-
tion of the profession. It received the name of Boneset from
the fact of its having been employed in a painful disease
called break-bone fever, and in New England it is called
Joepye, from an Indian of that name who cured Meron with
it by a copious. eg fate a, a

CHEMICAL AND MEDIOAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

No accurate analysis of the EuraTorrum PeRFoLIaTum has
been made since the recent improvements in vegetable chem-
istry. An examination of it some years since, by Dr. Bige-
low, showed that the leaves and flowers abound in a bitter
extractive matter, and which is probably the active principle.
It is soluble in water and alcohol, and forms copious precipi-
tates with the metallic salts. It has a faint agreeable odor,

and a strongly bitter and somewhat peculiar taste. Rafi-
nesque speaks of a peculiar substance in it which he calls

Eupatorine, and says it is brown, bitter, resiniform, soluble ae

water and alcohol, forming sulphates, nitrates,&c.
en of the plant are used, but the herb only is: offici- —

nal. ee mapa: In large doses, —

EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM.

emetic and aperient. It is generally found in the stores in
packages put up by the Shakers at Lebanon, N. Y. These
packages contain the leaves and flowers, and when not de-
teriorated by damp are a good mode of preparing the article.
Some difference of opinion has existed as to which part of
the plant is most efficient. From various experiments it has
been thought that the leaves were the most active, but more
extended observations have shown that the flowers and small
branches are equally useful.

The medical properties of Evparortum PERFOLIATUM are
various and important. It is employed to fulfil a number of
indications, being given as a tonic, a diaphoretic, or an emetic,
as the circumstances of the case require. Besides these, many
other properties have been attributed to it, and though it is
certainly a highly important remedy when properly admin-
istered, it cannot be endowed with all the remarkable and
numerous powers that have been attributed to it.

As a tonic, it is deserving of high commendation, and is
well suited to those cases of dyspepsia, general debility, and
want of tone in the system, requiring the exhibition of the
simple bitters. With a view to its tonic effects it is best ad-
ministered in substance or in cold infusion, and is a mild and
agreeable bitter. The dose of the powder is twenty or thirty
eraine, Aes of the infusion one or two fluid ounces frequently
re

_As a diaphoretic, there is ample proof of its powers, par-
ticularly in catarrhal affections and inflammatory rheumatism,
given in warm infusion so as to produce copious perspiration
or vomiting. In the commencement of catarrh it will fre-
quently arrest that complaint. In various forms of fever,
particularly remittent and typhoid fevers, it is highly esteemed,
and proved beneficial by the testimony of many distinguished
practitioners. In yellow fever it is also said to have been
productive of very great advantage. With a view to its
diaphoretic operation, the infusion should be administered
geil in large draughts, and the patient remain covered
: As an emetic, it is also well deserving of notice. It is given
in warm decoction, and may be employed for this purpose as
a substitute for the infusion of camomile. It is considered
valuable in the early stage of autumnal fevers. In large
doses it is said to act on the bowels, and it has long been
esteemed as an efficacious remedy in bilious colic accompa-
ied by obstinate constipation, in the dose of a teacupful
every half hour until a cathartic effect is } ,

_ wo other native species are officinal in the U. S. Pharma-
copeia. The Evparorium purpureum, and the Evparorium
' TEUcRIFOLIUM. ‘They do not, however, appear to possess any
_ powers difiering from the Evparorium perrouiatumM.

ARISTOLOCHIACEA.
_Birthworts.
No. 52.
ASARUM CANADENSE.

Canapa Snaxeroot. Wild Ginger, Coltsfoot, Asarabacca.

Geog. Position. United States.

Quality. Aromatic, slightly bitter.

Power. ‘Tonic, diaphoretic, expectorant.

Use. Colic, whooping-cough, and as an errhine.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification.

“Orpver ARISTOLOCHIACEZ:.
Linnean Classification.
Crass XX. Gynandria. Orver Decandria.

Aurnorities. — Lin. Sp. Pl. 633. Willd. Sp. Pl. IL 838. Bigelow, Med. Bot.
I. 150. Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. II. 85. Raf. Med. Flor. L 70. Whitlaw, Med.
Disc. 87. Lond. Disp. 205. U.S. Disp. 123. Ec. Disp. U.S. 82. Loud. Encye. Pl.
392. Ballard and Garrod, Mat. Med. 376. Thomson, Mat. Med. 779, "97. Pereira,
Mat. Med. II. 244. Griff. Med. Bot. 527. Gray, Bot. Text-Book, 858. Beach,
Fam. Phys. 644. Howard, Bot. Med. Il. 224. Kost, Mat. Med. 257. Wood,
Class-Book, 465.

Genus ASARUM.

An ancient name, supposed to have been formed from a privative, and O80,
bandage, because it was not used in garlands, of which the ancients were so
fond.

Synonymes.— L’asaret (Fr.), Die Haselwurz (Ger.), Mansoir (Dutch), Asaro
(It.), Asaro (Sp.), Wodolei (Russ.), Kopytriuk (Pol.). ad

Tue Essentiran CHaracrers.

Caryx. Tube adherent to the ovary. Segments three, valvate
in estivation. wei —
Sramens. Six—twelve, epigynous, or adhering to the base
of the short and thick styles. spe
Ovary. Three-six-celled. Stigmas radiate, as many as the.
cells of the ovary. j “

ASARUM CANADENSE.

Frurr. Capsule or berry, three —six-celled, many-seeded.
Embryo minute, in the base of fleshy albumen.
Sreps. Numerous.

Tue Seconpary CHARACTERS.

Asarum. Calyx campanulate. Stamens twelve, placed
upon the ovary. Anthers adnate to the middle of the fila-
ments. Style. very short. Stigma six-rayed, Capsule six-
celled, crowned with the calyx.

Calyz somewhat bell-form, three or four-cleft, superior. Corolla wanting. An-

thers proceeding from the middle of the filaments. Stigma six-cleft. Capsule cori-
aceous, six-celled, crowned with the calyx.

Tue Speciric Cuaracters.
Asarum Canapense. Leaves two, broad, reniform. Calyx
woolly, deeply three-cleft, the segments reflected.

Calyx woolly, deeply three-parted, divisions sub-lanceolate, reflected. Leaves
broad, kidney-form, in pairs.

Tue ArtiricraL CHARACTERS.

Cuiass Gynanpria or Dopecanpria. Stamens and style
consolidated. Orpen Dercanpria, Exogens. Herbs or
shrubs. Flowers greenish. Stamens six to twelve. Sligmas
radiate.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Canapa Snaxeroor, or Wild Ginger, is an indigenous
small and acaulescent plant, inhabiting woods and shady
places from Canada to Carolina and Missouri. It is most
abundant in hills, valleys, and rich alluvions. It flowers from
the last of April to the beginning of June, and is of easy
propagation and culture.

_ The species of Asanum under consideration very closely
resembles the Asarum Europeum, in appearance and botani-
eal character. It has a long, creeping, jointed, fleshy, yellow-
ish root or rhizoma, furnished with radicles of a similar color.
The stem is very short, dividing, before it emerges from the
ground, into two long, round, hairy leaf-stalks, each of which
bears a broad, kidney-shaped leaf, pubescent on both surfaces,
of a rich, shining light-green above, veined and pale or bluish

Ne ne: th. A single flower stands in the fork of the stem, upon
2 hairy pendulous peduncle. ‘The flower is often concealed
by the loose soil, or decayed vegetable matter, so that the

ASARUM CANADENSE.

leaves with their petioles are the only parts that appear above
the surface of the ground. There is no corolla. The calyx
is very woolly, and divided into three broad, concave, acumi-
nate segments, with the ends reflexed, of a deep-brownish
purple color on the inside, and of a dull purple, inclining to
greenish, externally. The filaments, which are twelve in
number and of unequal length, stand upon the germ, and
rise with a slender point above the anthers attached to them.
Near the divisions of the calyx are these filamentous bodies,
which may be considered as nectaries. The pistil consists of
a somewhat hexagonal germ, and a conical grooved style, sur-
mounted by six revolute stigmas. The capsule is six-celled,
coriaceous, and crowned with the adhering calyx, containing
many small seeds.

There are many varieties of the Asarum, with small or large
leaves, rounded or mucronate, spotted or unspotted. The
flowers also vary in color from greenish-purple to dark-blue.
The names, wild ginger, snakeroot, are common to all these
varieties, although very different in appearance, but similar in
taste, smell, and properties. They are frequently and indis-
criminately introduced into the bales containing the officinal
drug, and commingled with it.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

_A chemical investigation of the root of Asarum CaNADENSE
has been made by Dr. Bigelow, which has been repeated by
the late Mr. Richard Rushton. They found it to contain:
gum, starch, resin, fatty matter, chlorophyll, volatile oil, salts”
of lime and potassa, iron and lignin. The volatile oil has a
light greenish-yellow color, a warm, fragrant, slightly bitterish,
aromatic taste. It is soluble in all proportions in alcohol and
ether, but less perfectly in water. From the close botanical
analogy of the plant with the European Asarum, it might be
supposed, like that, to possess emetic and cathartic properties,
but, at least with the dried root or the leaves, such does not
appear to be the fact. Where vomiting has been caused by
the use of this plant, it is more attributable to the quantity
taken, than to the possession of any inherent emetic qualities
it may be supposed to exhibit. of 7

The root alone is officinal, and is prepared by removing —
during the summer, and cleansing and drying in the shades
in this process, the radicles, from their delicacy, are separated.
When fresh it has a yellowish color. -As found in the shops,
it is in long, more er pieces, about the thickness

ASARUM CANADENSE.

of a straw or larger; the external covering is brownish, and
wrinkled, the internal substance is white, hard, and brittle;
occasionally the fragments of the radicles are attached. It
comes, either in mass or in square packages, from the Shakers
at Lebanon, New York, when it is connected with the leaves,
and is subject to mouldiness from the partially dry state neces-
sary to packing by pressure. Its taste is agreeably aromatic
and slightly bitter; the smell is aromatic. It is by some sup-
posed to be intermediate between that of ginger and serpen-
taria, by others thought to bear a closer resemblance to that
of cardamone. The taste of the petioles which usually ac-
company the root, is more bitter, and less aromatic.

The root is an aromatic, stimulant tonic, and in a warm de-
coction is possessed of no inconsiderable diaphoretic proper-
ties, resembling the Serpentaria in its action on the system,
and may be advantageously used as a substitute for it, but is
rather more stimulating. In diseases of the skin, attended
with fever, in which the eruption is tardy, or has receded, and
the grade of action is low, it is thought to be useful by pro-
moting the cutaneous affection. It has also been strongly
recommended in intermittent fevers, and though itself gen-
erally inadequate to the cure of the complaint, often proves
serviceable as an adjunct to Peruvian bark, With the same
remedy it is frequently associated, and with considerable ad-
vantage, in the treatment of typhus diseases, __

Asaroum, like all other articles of the same class, must vary
its effects on the animal economy with the mode of exhibi-
tion; thus its sudorific power will be manifested by exhibition
in warm infusion, and in large quantities in this form it will
frequently prove emetic; in cold infusion or tincture, it is
cordially stimulating and tonic.

The leaves, when dried and powdered, have powerful errhine
properties, and make a fine stimulating cephalic snuff, which
may be used in all disorders of the head and eyes. They
excite irritation, and a discharge of mucus from the nasal
membrane; and they are useful in certain affections of the
brain, eyes, face, mouth, and throat, on the principle of coun-
ter-irritation ; thus, in paralytic affections of the mouth and
tongue, in toothache, and in ophthalmia. '

The root is used by the inhabitants of many parts of the
country as a substitute for ginger, and for many purposes is
fally equal to it. M. Lemery, in his Dictionnaire Universel
des Drogues Simples, published in 1733, alludes to its substi-
tution for this purpose by the Aborigines of America. It
also forms the basis of a spirituous drink, which may be made
by the infusion of the whole plant in fermenting wine or beer.
_ The roots of the other America n species, Asarum Virci-
nicum, and AsaruM arirouium, are similar in their proper-
ties, though perhaps ee aromatic or powerful. _

ARUM TRIPHTLLUM.
wake robin.”

ARACEA.
Arads.
No. 53.
ARUM TRIPHYLLUM.
Dracon-rootr. Wild or Indian Turnip, Wake-Robin.

Geog. Position. America.

Quality. Pungent, caustic.

Power. Expectorant, diaphoretic.

Use. Cough, chronic bronchitis, asthma, dropsy, &c.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification.
Orver ARACEZE.
Linnean Classification.
Crass XXI. Monecia. Orver Polyandria.

Aurtuorities. — Lin. Sp. Pl. 1370. Willd. Sp. Pl. IV. 480. Woodv. Med.
Bot. 25. Pursh. Flor. N. A. 399. Lind. Flor. Med. 601. Bigelow, Med. Bot. I.
52. Raf. Med. Flor. I. 66. U.S. Disp. 122. Ec. Disp. U.S. 81. Loud. Encye,
Pl. 860. Pereira, Mat. Med. Il. 86. Griff. Med. Bot. 616. Gray, Bot. Text-
Book, 899. Beach, Fam. Phys. 645. Howard, Bot. Med. II. 223. Kost, Mat.
Med. 228. Henry, Med. Herb. 168. Wood, Class-Book, 519.

Genus ARUM.

Formerly Aron, supposed to be an ancient Egyptian word, by which the sArion
colocasia wa known. E The last-mentioned nike bab alteration of its Arabic de-
nominative golgas, according to Forskahl.

Synonymes.— Le Gouet (Fr.), Der Aronswurz (Ger.), Kalfsvoet = Aro
(It.), Yaro (Sp.), Munskesvands (Dan.).

Tue Essentian CHARACTERS.

Fiowers. Mostly monecious and achlamydeous, anidriged 3
upon a naked or apathaceous spadix. Perianth, when pres-
ent, consisting of four —six parts.

Sramens. Definite or indefinite, hypogynous, very ames
Anthers ovate, extrorse.

Ovary. Free, one — several-celled. Stigma seeniles:

Frurr. Berry succulent or dry.

Sreps. Aoki or several, with fleshy albumen. —

: =

ARUM TRIPHYLLUM.

Tue Seconpary CHARACTERS.

Arum. Flowers sometimes diccious. Spathe cucullate,
convolute at base. Perianth none. Spadixz cylindric, naked
above, staminate below the middle, and pistillate at the base
Berry one-celled, many-seeded.

Spathe cucullate, one-leaved. Spadix not entirely covered with the fructification,
being more or less naked above, with pistillate flowers beneath, and staminate in

the middle (sometimes a few are staminate beneath). Berry mostly one-seeded,
y cirrhose-glandular beneath.

Tue Speciric CHARACTERS.

Arum TRIPHYLLUM. Acaulescent. Leaves trifoliate, mostly
in pairs. Leaflets oval, acuminate. Spadix clavate. Spathe
ovate, acuminate, flat and defluted above.

Subcaulescent. Leaves ternate. Leaflets ovate-acuminate, peduncled, with the
laminz as long as the spadix.

Tue ArtiriciaL CHaRAcTERS.

Crass Monacra, Stamens apart from the pistils in differ-
ent flowers, upon the same plant. Onrper Po.yanpria.
Herbs. Endogens. Monececious. Flowers incomplete on a
spadix. Spathe present. Stamens more than two. Root with
a fleshy corm or rhizoma.

NATURAL HISTORY.

The Dracon-root or Wake-Robin is a native of America,
both North and South, and is common in all parts of the
United States, growing in damp woods, in swamps, along
ditches, and in other moist shady places. There are three
varieties of this species of Arum, distinguished by the color
of the spathe. One variety, virens, has a green spathe.
Another, atropurpureum, has a dark-purple spathe. And the
other, album, has a white spathe.

This plant has a perennial root or cormus, which, early in
the spring, sends up a large, ovate, acuminate, variously
colored spathe, convoluted at bottom, flattened and bent over
at top like a hood, and. supported by an erect, round, green or
purplish scape. The scape is from eight to twelve inches
high, embraced at the base by the long sheaths of the peti-
oles. Within the spathe i is a club-shaped spadix, much shorter
, than the spathe, green, p ourple , black, or bacon naald at

ARUM TRIPHYLLUM.

the end, and contracted near the base, where it is surrounded
by the stamens or germs in the dicecious plants, and by both
in the moneecious, the female organs being below the male.
‘The spathe and upper portion of the spadix gradually decay,
while the germs are converted into a compact bunch of shin-
ing scarlet berries. The leaves, which are usually one or two
in number, and stand on long, sheathing footstalks, are com-
posed of three ovate-accuminate leaflets, paler on their under
than their upper surface, and becoming glaucous as the plant
advances.

The flowering system of the plants of this tribe presents
many points of interest. On opening the spathe, it is found
to be whitish in its interior, and closely surrounding a central
column or spadix, on which the minute flowers are crowded.
On detaching these are found at the bottom several tiers of
round ovaria, which do not possess any proper style or stig-
ma, but have a sort of puckering at their points, which serves
the purpose of the latter. Each is one-celled and contains
two erect ovules. Above, there are two or three rows of abor-
tive or undeveloped ovaria, in the form of horned pear-shaped
bodies. Above these, again, there is a crowd of stamens with
very short filaments, and these are surmounted by another
cluster of abortive ovaria. Here, accordingly, is a large clus-
ter of pistilliferous and staminiferous flowers, in which the
floral envelopes are entirely wanting, and in which, therefore,
the separate flowers can scarcely be distinguished. Each
ovarium, however, is the essential part of a pistilline flower,
whilst every cluster of anthers is the essential part of a sta-
mineous flower, so that here are the most necessary organs
of fructification reduced almost to the lowest condition in
which they can exist. ci? Lauiteyaty

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

an unpleasant soreness behind. '

ARUM TRIPHYLLUM.

ated by buttermilk or oily liquors. Its action does not readily
extend through the cuticle, as the bruised root may lie upon
the skin till it becomes dry without producing pain, or even
redness. The acrid principle is extremely volatile, and is
entirely driven off by heat,and by drying. It is not imparted
to water, alcohol, ether, or olive-oil. The root loses nearly all
its acrimony by drying, and in a short time becomes quite
inert, and almost an insipid farinaceous substance. It may,
however, be kept in its green state a considerable time by
burying it in moist sand in a cellar. It is found to contain,
besides the acrid principle, from ten to seventeen per cent. of
starch, albumen, gum, sugar, extractive lignin, and salts of
potassa and lime. The starch may be obtained from it as
pure white and delicate as from the potato. The fecula of
the dried root is a pure and excellent arrowroot. In the re-
cent or partially dried state it has been used as a carminative
stimulant, in flatulence, colic, &c.

Arum in its recent state is a powerful local irritant, possess
ing the property of stimulating the secretions, particularly
those of the skin and lungs. It has been given with consid-
erable advantage in asthma, pertussis, chronic catarrh, chronic
rheumatism, and various affections connected with a cachectic
state of the system. Immediately taken from the ground, it
is too acrid for use. The recently dried root, which retains a
portion of the acrimony, but not sufficient to prevent its con-
venient administration, is usually preferred. It may be given
in the dose of ten grains, mixed with gum Arabic, sugar, and
water, in the form of emulsion, repeated two or three times a
day, and gradually increased to half a drachm or more. The
powder made into a paste with honey or syrup, and placed in
small quantities on the tongue, so as to be gradually diffused
over the mouth and throat, is said to have proved useful in
the aphthous sore mouth of children.

In Europe the dried root of the Arum maculatum (whose
medicinal properties are precisely those of the plant under
consideration) is sometimes employed by the common people
in times of great scarcity as a substitute for bread; and an

_ amylaceous substance is prepared from it in England, called

Portland arrowroot, or Portland sago. This substance is a
white powder, whose particles examined by the microscope
are found to be exceedingly small. They are circular, mullar-
_ shaped, or polyhedral. The angular appearance of some of
_ them probably arises from compression. The hilum is circu-
Jar and apparently lies in a small depression. It cracks in a
linear : —_ oe a This substance is very nutricious
and demulcent, ‘ding a light, mild, and agreeable article
of diet, well adapted eae aes Soca ey and par-

ticularly suited from its demulcent properties to bowel com-—

NTHA PIPERITA.

Ee “

LABIATA.
Labiate Plants.

No. 54.
MENTHA PIPERITA.

PeprermMint.

Geog. Position. Europe.

Quality. Penetrating, grateful.

Power. Stomachic, stimulant.

Use. Nausea, griping, flatulent colic, to disguise the un-
pleasant taste of other neha

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification.
Orver LABIATZ.
Linnean Classification.
Cuiass XIV. Didynamia. Orver Gymnospermia.

Avrnoritres.— Willd. Sp. Pl. III. 74. Woody. Med. Bot. 336. Lind. Flor
Med. 487. Raf. Med. Flor. Li. 242. Whitlaw, Med. Dise. 116. Lond. Disp. 439.
U.S. Disp. 475. Ec. Disp. U.S. 261. Loud. Encye. Pl.500. Ballard and Garrod,
Mat. Med. 355. Thomson, Mat. Med. *104. Pereira, Mat. Med. II. 288. Griff.
Med. Bot. 502. Carson, Illust. Med. Bot. II. 16. Gray, Bot. Text-Book, 840.
Beach, Fam. Ph. 663. Howard, Bot. Med. 269. Kost, Mat. Med. 329. Wood,
Class-Book, 416.

Gancs MENTHA.

“Mivga or ales, in old Greek. The Poets feign that Mince ge
Cocytus, transformed into the plant which bears her name; an Z
tion of the terrible effects ascribed to the plant by the ancients.

Syvonrmes. — Menthe poivrée (Fr.), Pfeffermunze (Ger.), Peperminte (Dutch),
Peparmynta (Swed.), Menta ox Piped (It), Verbal nina de gg? de Pimienta (Sp.),
Hortelaa apimentada (Port.).

Tue Bésayeian Onanatnghe: plat
CaLyx. Tubular, regularly five-toothed or cleft 0 or Dilabiate

persistent.
Corotta. Bilabiate (rarely regular, fire tobthedle ‘the: upper
lip bifid or entire, overlapping in estivation the lower three-
cleft one. ‘
Sramens. Four, didynamous, or sometimes only two, the
1 |

MENTHA PIPERITA.

upper pair being abortive or wanting, situated on the co-
rolla tube. Anthers mostly two-celled.

Ovary. Free, deeply four-lobed, the single style arising from
the base of the lobes.

Frorr. One —four hard nuts or achenia.

Seeps. Erect, with little or no albumen. Embryo erect.
Cotyledons flat.

Tue Seconpary CHARACTERS.
Mentua. Calyx equally five-toothed. Corolla nearly reg-
ular, four-cleft, the broadest segment emarginate. Stamens
four, straight, distant. Anthers cells parallel. Filaments naked.

gaerele nearly equal, four-lobed, broadest division emarginate. Stamens erect,
‘distant.

Tur Speciric CHaracTeRs.

Menraa piperira. Leaves smooth, ovate-lanceolate, ser-
rate, petiolate. Bracts lanceolate. Calyx quite smooth at
base.

Spikes obtuse, interrupted below. Leaves subovate, somewhat glabrous, petioled.
Stem glabrous at the base.

Tue Arririctan CHaRacTErs,

Opie Dirnama. ‘Stamens four, two of them longer than
the other two. Orper Gymnosrermia. Seeds naked. Ache-
nia four (or fewer) included in the calyx. Corolla mono-
petalous and labiate. __

NATURAL HISTORY.

_Perpermint is a native of Europe, and has become natural-
ized in many parts of the United States. It is a perennial
herbaceous plant, and grows in wet and moist places, flower-
_ ing the latter part of the summer. It is occasionally found

_ growing wild along the fences and by-places of the country.
In many parts of New England, and especially in the west-
ern part of New York, in Ohio, and New Jersey, the plant is
largely cultivated for the sake of its volatile oil. . All the spe-
cies } are raised by the same methods, by parting the roots, by
offse young plants, and by cuttings of the stalks. The

ultivator ‘the plant observe that, to keep up its quality, the
™ ast be transplanted every three years, otherwise it de-

tes into Sa fare a, of, Spcareninte coplpicag viridis. If

MENTHA PIPERITA.

the plant be cut in wet weather it changes to black and is
little worth.

The root of the plant is creeping; the stem quadrangular
and channelled, nearly upright, and about two feet high,
branching, purplish, and rather hairy with the hairs bent back-
wards. The leaves are of a dark-green color, opposite, peti-
olate, ovate, rather pointed, serrated, the upper side smoother
and less pubescent than the under, which is paler with white
and purple veins. ‘The flowers are in terminal spikes, solitary,
almost capitate, interrupted beneath, with the lower whorl
more remote, and on a footstalk. The bracts are lanceolate
and ciliated. The calyx is furrowed, tender, studded with
glandular points. The base entirely naked, very smooth and
five-cleft, with the teeth of a blackish purple color, ciliated.
The corolla is purple, and conceals within its tube the anthers,
which are on short filaments. The germen is four-cleft, with
a filiform style longer than the corolla, and furnished with a
bifid stigma. The four-cleft germ is converted into four seeds,
lodged in the calyx. ;

Sir J. E. Smith supposes that this plant was discovered by
Dr. Eales, and says that what is called Peppermint in the
North of Europe is merely a variety of Mentha hirsuta, hav-
ing a similar odor, and is the Mentha piperita of the Linnean
herbarium.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The whole plant is officinal. The odor of both the recent
and dried plant is peculiar and well known, aromatic, pene-
trating, and grateful, in some degree resembling camphor; and.
the taste pungent, warm, glowing, and bitterish, followed by —
a sensation of coldness when air is drawn into the mouth. It
gives out its properties to alcohol and partly to water. It con-
tains volatile oil, a bitter principle, resin, tannic acid, and woody
fibre. The oil can’ be obtained separate by distillation. It is
colorless, but becomes yellowish or even reddish by age. It
has a powerful aromatic odor, and an extremely pungent taste.
The camphor it contains is isomeric with the oil.

Peppermint is empl@¥ed in medicine for several purposes.
It is stomachic, stimulant, antispasmodic, and carminative.
It is chiefly used to allay nausea and griping, to relieve flatu-
lent colic, and in hysteria; or as a vehicle to cover the nause- _
ous taste of other medicines. It is, however, to many palates _
extremely disagreeable. The fresh herb, bruised and applied

over the epigastrium, often allays sick stomach, and is espe- -
: = * we % Ls ee ee

’

MENTHA PIPERITA.

cially useful in the cholera in children. The medicine may be
given in infusion, but the volatile oil, either alone or in some
state of preparation, is generally and almost always preferred.

There are several varieties, and all are herbaceous and odor-
ous, with verticillate flowers, either axillary or spiked. Several
of the species are officinal.

The following are the principal preparations of this medi-
cine, with their uses.

Aqua Mento piperitse. ‘Take of peppermint a pound
and a half, pour over it as much water as will prevent empy-
reuma during the distillation. Distil a gallon.

Peppermint water has the flavor and taste of the plant in a
very considerable degree. It is sometimes used alone as a
carminative and stimulant, but more generally for the purpose
of covering the taste of other medicines.

Seinitus Menrux pirertrz. Take of oil of peppermint,
by weight, six scruples and a half; proof spirit four pints and
a half ; water, sufficient to prevent empyreuma. Add the spirits
to the oil, and pour on them as much water as will prevent
empyreuma, then distil with a slow fire one gallon.

Spirit of peppermint is a useful carminative in nausea and
flatulence, and as an adjunct to purgative remedies. This
spirit has no advantage ‘over a simple solution of the oil in
alcohol, and may therefore with great propriety be substituted
for it. The solution is usually kept in the shops under the
name of essence of peppermint.

Oveum Mentux pirerirm. Obtained by submitting the
fresh herb to distillation with water. Its odor is strong and its
taste very pungent, but at the same time it impresses a sensa-
tion of coldness. The vapor of it applied to the eye causes
a feeling of coldness. Its color is greenish-yellow, or nearly
colorless, but it becomes white when exposed to the light, and
reddish by age. Four pounds of the recent plant yield from
one drachm and a half to three drachms and a half of the oil.
The product is generally less than one per cent. In a warm,
dry, and favorable season, the product of a given quantity of
the fresh herb is double that which it yields in a wet and
cold season.

Oil of peppermint is a stimulant and carminative, and is
used occasionally as an antispasmodic, It is a common do-
mestic remedy in cramp of the stomach, flatulent colic, and
‘anorexia, and as a corrigent or adjuvant of other medicines.
‘The dose is from one to three drops, ai is most conveniently
given rubbed up with sugar and then dissolved in water.

_ Besides the above, there are other popular preparations of
peppermint extensively used. Inrusum MenTH® PIPERITE,
_ Leppermint tea; Roture Mentrux pirerrre, Peppermint
drops; Tus Lraveve sold at the spirit-shops as mint or pep-

pee : CO . : y D us SC, ; : i) me: 3 i | Hie

CONVOLVULACEA.
Bindweeds.

Na 55.
CONVOLVULUS SCAMMONIA.
Scammony. Syrian Bindweed.

Geog. Position. Europe.
Quality. Acrid, bitter, nauseous.
Power. Purgative,

Use. The root in costive habits.

BOTANICAL AD ALLE.
Natural Classification.
OrpER CONVOLVULACEA.
Linnean Classification.
Cuass V. Pentandria. Orver Monogynia.

Aursonritises. — Lin. Sp. Pl. 218. Willd. Sp. PL I. 844. Woody. Med. Bot.
II. 243. Lind. Flor. Med. 398. Whitlaw, Med. Disc. 28. Lond. Disp. 297. U.S.
Disp. 661. Ec. Disp. U.S. 137. Loud. Encyc. Pl. 140. Ballard and Garrod, Mat.
Med. 340. Thomson, Mat. Med. 918. Pereira, Mat. Med. IJ. 337. Griff. Med.
Bot. 477. Carson, Ilust. Med. Bot. If. 14, Gray, Bot. Text-Book, 846. _

Genus CONVOLVULUS.
From the Lat consolvere, to entwin, from the habit. A large genus of tame

or prostrate her!

Synvonrmns. — Scammonée (Fr. 1); Sscies beouihegrad von Aleppo (Ger. ) Soummo-
nea (It.), Escamonea os, and For), Het Scammoneum Pan Sukmunya
(Heb. and Arab.). .

Tar as, CuaracTers,
Cautyx. Sepals five, much imbricated, usually united at base,
persistent.
Corotus. Regular. Limb five-lobed or entire, plaited and
_ twisted in estivation. -
_Sramens. Five, inserted into the base of the —— —
alternate with its lobes. ; a:
Ovary. — ee free. Styles een ite ae
*RUIT | Get oo wate valves with fie ifragal

CONVOLVULUS SCAMMONIA.

Sseeps. Few, large, with mucilaginous albumen. Cotyledons
foliaceous or wanting.

Tur SeconpaRy CHARACTERS.

Convotvutvus. Calyx five-parted, naked, or with two small
bracts near the base. Corolla campanulate or funnel-form.
Limb five-plaited. Stamens shorter than the limb, rarely a
little longer. Ovary two-four-celled. Cells one -two-ovuled.
Style simple. Stigma simple or two-lobed. Capsule valvate,
two — four-celled, four — six-seeded.

Calyx five-parted, with or without two bracts. Corolla funnel-form, plaited.

a two-cleft or double. Cells of the capsule two or three, each one or two-

Tur Speciric CHARACTERS.

ConvoivuLus Scammonia. Stemsmooth. Leaves sagittate,
posteriorly truncate. Lobes entire or elongate-laciniate. Pe-
duncles very long, many-flowered. :

Stem twining, herbaceons. Leaves sagittate, truncate behind, with pointed lobes
at the base. Peduncles rounded, about three- flowered.

Tae Anmirictan. CHARACTERS.

Chast Pawtinedls Stamens five. Orper Monoeynia.
Monopetalous. Flowers inferior. Corolla regular. Herbs
rarely shrubby. Stamens alternate with petals. Fruit, cap-
sule or berry. Cells with one or two seeds. Corolla limb
entire.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Convo.vu.tus Scammonia is a native of Syria, Cappadocia,
and Cochin China. It grows in abundance in the mountains
between Aleppo and Latachea, and flowers early in summer.
From these places the greater part of the Scammony of com-
merce is obtained. The root, which is perennial and fusiform,
is tapering, from three to four feet long, and from nine to
twelve inches in circumference, covered with bark of a light-
gray color ; it is branched towards the bottom, and every part
of it contains a milky juice. It sends up many slender, twin-
ing” stems, which spread themselves in the ground, or climb

Ss ae Seer: shembe or trees. to the estent of fifteen or

CONVOLVULUS SCAMMONIA.
*

the pedicles, consisting of a double calyx of four emarginated
leaflets in each row, and a funnel-shaped, pale-yellow plaited
corolla. The capsule is three or four-celled, containing small
pyramidical-shaped seeds.

The plant will grow readily in any soil, and is increased by
the roots or seeds, and sometimes by cuttings in sand. Scam-
mony is obtained from the root of this plant in the following
manner. Having cleared away the earth from about the root
in the beginning of June, the peasants cut off the top in an
oblique direction, just below the corona, or about two inches
from the point whence the stems arise and below it. Under
the most depending part of the slope they fix a shell, or some
such utensil or receptacle, into which the juice flows sponta-
neously. It is left there about twelve hours, which suffice for
draining off the whole juice: this is in small quantity, each
root affording but a few drachms. The juice from the several
roots is added together, often in an old shoe or leg of a boot,
for want of something better, where in a litile time it grows
hard, and is the genuine Scammony.

This concrete is a gummy resin, of a light, shining gray
color and friable texture. It is imported from Aleppo in what
are called drums, which weigh from seventy-five to one hun-
dred and twenty-five pounds each; and from Smyrna in cakes
like wax, packed in chests. The former is light and friable,
and is considered the best; that from Smyrna is more com-
pact and ponderous, less friable, and more abounding in im-

purities. This is owing to the craft and cupidity of the Jews, —

who make it their business to go where the Scammony is —
prepared, and buy it while yet soft of the peasantry, and mix
it with the expressed juice of the stalks and leaves, with
wheat-flour, ashes, soot, fine sand, and various other articles,
with which Dr. Russell found it adulterated. At Aleppo they
have not the same opportunities, and therefore the Scammony
from the latter place is most valuable. ss

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

Good Scammony is light, friable, extremely like a honey-— 3
comb, and should Jactify or become milky when wetted with __

the finger. It has a peculiar characteristic, rather heavy odor,. _
which has been compared to that of old ewe-milk cheese,and =
__ a bitterish, slightly acrid taste. The color is blackish or bluish~

pe es ap aes

CONVOLVULUS SCAMMONIA.,.

ance of the concrete alone is the proper test. The fracture
is irregular, but smooth, faintly shining, and the sharp edges
of the shivers are of a lighter gray color and translucent. It
is pulverulent, and the powder has a light-gray color. Its
specific gravity is 1.235 (Brisson). When it is of a dark
color, heavy, and splintery, it should be rejected. When tritu-
rated with water, nearly one fourth of it is dissolved, and the
solution appears slightly mucilaginous, opaque, and of a
greenish-gray color. ‘This solution is not affected by alcohol,
solutions of superacetate and acetate of lead and sulphate of
iron, nor precipitated by the acids; but with sulphuric acid it
gives out the odor of vinegar. Solution of ammonia does
not alter it, but that of potassa occasions a yellowish precipi-
tate, which is quickly redissolved on the addition of an acid.
Ether takes up two parts in ten of Scammony, and when
evaporated leaves a brownish semitransparent resin. Alco-
hol dissolves two thirds of its weight, but proof spirit is its
best menstruum, taking up the whole except the impurities.
Aleppo Scammony contains, according to Bouillon, La Grange,
and Vogel, 0.60 of resin, 0.20 of extractive, 0.03 of gum, and
0.35 of impurities. Smyrna Scammony contains 0.29 of resin,
0.08 of gum, 0.05 of extractive, and 0.58 of impurities.
When these impurities consist of flour, sand, or ashes, they
may be detected by dissolving the sample in proof spirit, as
they sink and remain undissolved; but Scammony is some-
times also adulterated with the expressed juice of Cynanchum
monspeliacum, and a fictitious Scammony is sold for the real,
consisting of jalap, senna, manna, gamboge, and ivory black.
mmony is a drastic cathartic, operating in general
quickly and powerfully. The purest is that which is most
active and soluble. The ancients were acquainted with its
purgative qualities, and also employed it as an external ap-
plication for removing hard tumors, itch, scurf, and fixed pains,
but for the latter purposes it is now seldom or never used. It
is a good purgative in the torpid state of the intestines, in
_leucophlegmatic, hypochondriacal, and maniacal subjects; in
- worm cases and the slimy state of the bowels to which chil-
_ dren are subject; and as a hydragogue cathartic in dropsy.
Scammony has been regarded by some as a cathartic of so
irritating a nature as to require to be corrected by exposing it
_to the fumes of sulphur, defecating it with lemon-juice and
“other acids, and uniting it with demulcent mucilages ; but
_ except in an inflamed or very irritable state of the bowels, it
is a safe and efficacious purgative. It is, however, apt to

_ gripe, on which account it is generally united with an aro-
a ‘he dose is from five to fifteen grains, whether given in
eras a bolus, or in the form of mixture triturated with

oe” ona tAMONIUM.

SOLANACEA.
‘ Nightshades.

No. 56.
DATURA STRAMONIUM.

Tuorn-Arprie. Jamestown Weed.

Geog. Position. America.
Quality. Fetid, nauseous.
Power. Narcotic, acrid.
Use. Asthma, chronic pains, &c.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification. ee
Orpen SOLANACEA.
Linnean Classification.
Cuass V. Pentandria. Orver Monogynia.

Avurtnoritigs. — Lin. Sp. Pl. 255. Willd. Sp. Pl. I. 1008. Woody. Med. Bot.
124. Pursh. Flor. N. A. I 141. Lind. Flor. Med. 510. Bigelow, Med. Bot. I. 17.
Raff. Med. Flor. I. 146. Whitlaw, Med. Disc. 32. Lond. Disp. 323. U.S. Disp.
709. Ee. Disp. U.S. 156. Loud. Encyc. Pl. 134. Ballard and Garrod, Mat. Med.
346. Thomson, Mat. Med. 808. Pereira, Mat. Med. II. 319. Griff. Med. Bot. 490.
Carson, Ilust. Med. Bot. II. 20. Gray, Bot. Text-Book, 849. Beach, Fam. Ph.
655. Henry, Med. Herb. 271. Wood, Class-Book, 446. :

Genus DATURA. > =
An alteration of the Arabic name Tatorah. Forskant. Tatula is altered from
Datula, a name given to the Datura by the Turks and Persians.

Synonymes. — Pomme €pineuse, Stramoine (Fr.), Der Stechapfel (Germ.), Stra-
monio (It.), Estramonio (Sp.), Doornappel (Dutch), Estramonia (Pol.), Durman
(Russ.).

Tue EssEentian Cuaracrens.
Catyx. Sepals four—five, more or less united, mostly per-
sistent. oe |
Corotua. Regular. Limb four — five-cleft, plaited in esti-
vation, deciduous. eR a knageiee ee
Sramens. Four-five (sometimes one abortive), inserted on _
the corolla, alternate with its segments. Anthers bursting
_ longitudinally, rarely by terminal pores,
Ovary. Free (superior) two-celled, (four-cedled in Datura) —

DATURA STRAMONIUM.

with the placenta in the axis. Styles and stigmas united
into one. 4
Fruit. A capsule or berry. £
Seeps. Numerous. Embryo curved, being in fleshy albumen.

Tue Seconpary CuHaracrers.

Datura. Calyx large, tubular, ventricose, five-angled, de-
ciduous, with a persistent, orbicular, peltate base. Corolla
infundibuliform. Tube cylindric,long. Limb five-angled and
plaited. Stamens five. Stigma obtuse, bilamellate. Capsule
two-celled, four-valved. Cells two — three-parted.

Calyx tubular, angled, caducous, with a permanent orbicular base. Corolla fan-

nel-form, plaited. Capsule four-valved, two-celled, and each cell half divided,
generally thorny. :

Tue Spectric CHARACTERS.

Datura Srramontum. Stem dichotomous. Leaves ovate,
smooth, angular-dentate. Capsule spiny, erect.

Pericarps spinose, erect, ovate. eaves ovate, glabrous, angular, dentate.

Tue Arririctan CaaracrTers.

Crass Pentanpria. Stamens five. Orper Monoeynta.
Monopetalous. Flowers inferior. Corolla regular. Herbs
‘(rarely shrubby). Stamens alternate with petals. Fruit, cap-
sule or berry. Cells two, with many seeds. istivation
; eon

NATURAL HISTORY.

It is very uncertain where the Datura was originally native.
It certainly appears indigenous to America, but it was first
introduced into England from Constantinople in Gerard’s time,

and by him “ dispersed through the land.” Professor Martyn

_ Says, “that in the earth brought with plants from various parts
of: this extensive continent, they are sure to have the Thorn-
ipple come up.” It is an erratic and wandering plant, com-
no: ak parts of the _ world, and spreading with the utmost

Af rica, and America. It. i been sup-
ive ot, North. Ameriony: but it has appeared ;

DATURA STRAMONIUM,

thither. The plant has handsome flowers, sometimes four
inches long. It has been cultivated for its beautiful blossoms,
although it has an unpleasant narcotic smell. Children yet
use them for garlands by forming strings of the flowers within
each other.

Datura Srramonium is now become a noxious weed, in-
festing fields, &c. It is commonly met with near houses,
along the roads, in commons, old fields, &c., and never in
woods or mountains. It is found in all the States, also in
Canada, Mexico, and in South America. In the Southern
States it blossoms from May to September, and in the North-
ern States from July to October. It rises about two feet in
height, with a round stem, branching and dichotomous above,
spreading, and leafy. The leaves are large, rising from the
forks of the stem on long round petioles, of a dark-green color
on the upper surface, and pale beneath, irregularly ovate-tri-
angular in figure, sinuated and unequal at the base. The
flowers are large, axillary, and solitary, on short erect pedun-
cles. The calyx is about two inches in length, tubular, pen-
tangular, and five-toothed. The corolla longer, of a white
color, funnel-shaped and plaited, with the filaments, which
support oblong, flat anthers, adhering to the tube, and the
style filiform, terminated with a thick club-shaped stigma.
When the corolla and its included parts drop, the calyx also

separates, except the base, which remains, and becoming reflex _

enlarges with the receptacle as a support to the fruit. The
fruit is a large, fleshy, ovate-roundish four-cornered capsule,
beset with sharp, awl-shaped spines, four-celled at the base,

two-celled at the apex, and psa of a ee escume’ of
reniform compressed seeds. i

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

Datura Srrawonive has a narcotic, fetid odor, producing
headache ; a bitterish nauseous taste, and gives to the saliva
a deep. green tinge when chewed. The analysis of Promaite |
gives as the components of Thorn-Apple, gummy extractive __
a sects 6, chlorophyll 64, albumen 15, resin 12, and ©
te of lime and magnesia 23-178 parts. According
Ov fedechicrs( (Dissertatio Medica de Stramonii Usa, &c., L ae
sal, Ste of ammonia) and resin, a volatile matter (cart
ammonia), and a narcotic principle which has late
rtained to be an alkaline salt. tae obtained

DATURA STRAMONIUM,

Daturine. It is nearly insoluble in water and in cold alcohol,
but boiling alcohol dissolves it, and in cooling lets it fall in
floceuli. It is crystallized with difficulty, but has been ob-
tained in quadrangular crystals. It forms neutral salts with
the acids. The medicinal virtues of the herb are extracted
both by water and alcohol. The watery infusion is transpar-
ent, with a very pale-yellow hue, which is dissipated by acids,
but very much deepened by the alkalies. It throws down
whitish precipitates with acetate and superacetate of lead,
and a black precipitate with nitrate of silver. Solution of
sulphate of iron strikes a deep olive color, and muriate of
mercury renders it milky, but neither is precipitated till after
a very considerable time.

Thorn- Apple is narcotic and stimulant. Baron Stoerck first
recommended it as an internal remedy in cases of mania and
epilepsy. Numerous cases have been recorded in which it
has proved a benefit in these diseases, but the general result of
the practice has not been satisfactory, and it is now considered
rather as useful in allaying the excessive mobility of the sys-
tem, than as tending to the absolute cure of the complaint.
Its good effects have been more marked in asthma, especially
of the spasmodic kind, used as an inhalation by smoking or
otherwise. It requires, however, much caution in its use. Dr.
Bigelow has given some very judicious remarks on its em-
ployment, and others may be found in Dr. Dunglison’s prac-
tice of medicine. Dr. Barton regards it as a remedy of great
efficacy. He found that when the dose of the dried herb was
gradually increased to thirty grains, it dilated the pupil, and
produced paralysis of the eyelids, effects which were removed
by a blister. Dr. Marcet, who experimented largely with this
remedy, observes that many kinds of painful diseases were
more relieved by it when used internally, than by any other
narcotic; that its effects on the bowels were rather relaxing
than astringent, and that the great objection to its employ-
ment was the occasional production of disagreeable nervous
symptoms.
_ Cataplasms of the bruised fresh leaves have been success-

fully as an application to inflammatory tumors, and for
discussing masses of indurated milk in the breasts of nursing
women. An ointment made with the powdered leaves has
afforded much relief in hemorrhoids and painful ulcers. This
ointment has also been recommended in nymphomania to

_ Jessen venereal excitement.

_ All parts of the plant are used, but the seeds, from contain-
_ ing most daturine, are the most powerful. The dose of the
powdered leaves is one grain; of the seeds, half a grain; of
ract of the seeds, a quarter of a grain; that from the
ure, ten to twenty drops,—all to

as 3

wer Ne St.
| MOTT TE OEA

RANUNCULACEA.
Crowfoots.

No. 57.

COPTIS TRIFOLIA.
GouptTuHReAD. Mouth-root.

Geog. Position. Europe, America.

Quality. Bitter.

Power. Stomachie, tonic.

Use. Dyspepsia, debility, promoting digestion.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification. Sa
Over RANUNCULACER.
Linnean Classification.
Crass XIU Polyandria. Orver Polygynia.

AvtHoritiss.— Willd. Sp. Pl 1338. Pursh. Flor. N. A. IL 390. Lind.
Flor. Med. 8. Bigelow, Med. Bot. I. 60. Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. II. 97. Raf.
Med. Flor. I. 127. U.S. Disp. 282. Ee. Disp. U. 8.139. Loud. Encyc. Pl. 488.
Ballard and Garrod, Mat. Med.186. Thomson, Mat. Med.77. Pereira, Mat. Med.
TI. 759. Griff. Med. Bot. 87. Carson, Ilust. ‘Med. Bot. L. 10. Gray, Bot. Text-
Book, 704. Beach, Fam. Ph. 651. Mowaad, Bot. :9tod: M6. Kost, Mat. Med.
: 455. meiet Class-Book, 144.

Genus coPris. ; ;
From te Greck wr tet fom the mameron visions of the Iae, appa :
ing as if cut. —
SYNONYMES.

Tur Essentia, CHaARAcTERS.

Catyx. Sepals mostly five, sometimes three, four, or six,
mostly deciduous and imbricated in estivation.

Corotia. Petals three ~ fifteen, hypogynous, sometimes ir-
regular or wanting.

Sramens. Indefinite, numerous, distinct, hypegyacne: An
thers adnate or innate. ;

Ovary. Numerous, rarely poliiaay. or few, distinct, seated on _
the torus. ;

_ Frurr. Either dry achenia, bkatente, or follicular. Embryo
minute, pa se> fener Sesh einen a ad

COPTIS TRIFOLIA.

THe Sreconpary Cuaracters.

Coptis. Sepals five -six, oblong, concave, colored, decidu-
ous. Petals five -six, small, cucullate, obconic. Stamens
twenty —twenty-five. Follicles five —ten, stipitate, rostrate,
diverging in a stellate manner, four — six-seeded.

Scape one-flowered. Leaves ternate. Roots long, filiform, golden-yellow.

Tue Speciric CHaracTers.

Corris trironia. Leaves three-foliate. Scape one-flow-
ered. Petals much smaller than the sepals.
Petals five or six, caducous. Nectaries small, five or six, cowled. Capsules ob-

long, five -ei stiped, stellate, beaked, many-seeded. Sometimes the nectaries
are mistaken for corollas, and the corollas for calyxes.

Tue Artiricia, CHaRacrers.

Cuass Potyanpria. Stamens twenty or more, arising from
the receptacle (hypogynous). Orper Pouyeynia. Leaves
never peltate. Herbs with acrid colorless juice.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Gotprureap inhabits the northern regions of this conti-
nent, and of Asia and Europe. It is found in Greenland and
Iceland. The plant is an agreeable and pretty evergreen, and
bears considerable resemblance to the strawberry in size and
general aspect. It delights in the dark shady swamps and
cold morasses of northern latitudes and Alpine regions,
and abounds in Canada and in the hilly districts of New
England. Its most southern limits are New England, New
York, and the shores of Lake Erie. Its blossoms appear in
May, and it continues in flower during the summer. It flour-
ishes best in peat soil, and is increased by dividing the
roots. .

_ Copris rriroia has a perennial, extensively creeping root,
the slenderness and bright-yellow color of which have given
rise to the name Goldthread, by which the plant is universally
and commonly known. The caudex, from which the petioles
and flower-stems proceed, is invested with ovate, acuminate,

_ yellowish, imb: ice ed scales: The leaves, which stand in
. long, slender footstalks, are’ ternate, with firm, rounded, or

> leaflets having an acute base, a lobed and

COPTIS TRIFOLIA.

The scape or flower-stem is slender, round, rather longer than
the leaves, and surmounted by one small white flower, with
a,minute mucronate bract beneath it. The petals are oblong,
concave, and of a white color, the nectaries inversely conical,
hollow and yellow at the top. The stamens have capillary
filaments and globose anthers. The germs are from five to
eight, stipitate, oblong, compressed, and surmounted by short
recurved styles with acute stigmas. The capsules, which di-
verge in a star-like form, are pedicelled, compressed, beaked,

and contain numerous black seeds attached to the inner .

side.

Another species of Copris has been described by Dr. Wal-
lich, under the name of Coptis Teeta, peculiar to India, and
grows in the mountainous regions bordering on Assam, and
very much esteemed among the natives.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

Cortis TRIFOLIA possesses the tonic properties of the sim-
ple bitters, and is very analogous in its action to the other
plants of the same description, and belonging to the same
natural family. Dried Goldthread, as brought into the mar-
ket, is in loosely matted masses, consisting of the long, thread-
like orange-yellow roots, frequently interlaced, and mingled
with the leaves and stems of the plant. It is without smell,
and has a purely bitter taste, unattended with aroma or astrin-
gency. It imparts its bitterness and yellow color to water
and alcohol, but most perfectly to the latter, with which it
forms a bright-yellow color. Its virtues appear to depend on
a bitter extractive matter, which is precipitated by nitrate of
silver and acetate of lead. It affords no evidence of contain-
ing either resin, gum, or tannin. we ger ee

Goldthread is a simple tonic bitter, bearing a close resem-

blance to quassia in its mode of action, and applicable to all

cases in which that medicine is prescribed; though not as

powerful, it is far more palatable. From its higher price,
however, it is not likely to come into general use as a sub-
stitute. It has long been popularly employed as a remedy in
autumnal intermittent and remittent fevers, and has found
much favor with the medical profession in the latter of these
complaints. The state of the fever to which it is particularly
applicable, is that which exists in the intervals between the

paroxysms, when the remission is such as to call for the use _ ce

of tonics, but is not sufficiently decided to justify a resort to
the preparations of Peruvian bark. It is also occasionally =
_nseful during the progress of, a slow convaleseence, by pro

COPTIS TRIFOLIA.

moting appetite and invigorating the digestive function, and
may be employed for the same purpose in dyspepsia and
diseases of debility. From this statement it will be seen
that Copris TRIFOLIA possesses in a very considerable degree
the tonic powers which characterize the simple bitters. Its
use has a tendency to excite the appetite, invigorate the
powers of digestion, moderately increase the temperature of
the body and the force of the circulation, and act in general
as a good corroborant of the system. It may consequently
be used in all cases of disease dependent on pure debility of
the digestive organs, or requiring a general tonic impression.
The condition of the stomach and of the system generally,
however, and not of the particular disease, must be taken
into consideration in prescribing it; and let it be remembered,
there is scarcely a single complaint in which alone it can be
advantageously administered under all circumstances. It
may be proper, too, to mention that the article under con-
sideration is not as powerful as gentian, quassia, and other
pure bitters.

In the Eastern States Goldthread is considerably employed
and held in high estimation as a local application in aphthous
and other ulcerations of the mouth; for this purpose it is
frequently macerated or chewed in the mouth; but the prin-
cipal use made of it is for a gargle, particularly for children.
Its astringent properties render it peculiarly serviceable when
used with honey and borax. It may be substituted for golden

seal or barberry. Dr. Bigelow, however, is of opinion that its
efficacy is inert, and, being devoid of astringency, has been
overrated, and that probably it has no other virtues in these
complaints than such as are common to all the simple bitters;
but notwithstanding this authority, it has the concurrent tes-
timony of very many respectable physicians and practitioners
in its favor.

All parts of the plant possess more or less bitterness,
but this property is more or less intense in the root, which
is the only officinal part. The roots ought to be collected
in the summer; they are easily dried, but not so easily re-
duced to powder.

_ It may be given internally in substance, infusion, or tincture.
‘The dose of the powder is from ten to thirty grains; that of
the tincture, prepared by macerating an ounce of the root in a
pint of diluted alcohol, one fluid drachm.

_ The other species of Coptis peculiar to India is much es-
teemed by the natives as a tonic and a stomachic, and from
the experiments made with it by Mr. Twining, it would
_ upon it. It very closely resembles the Corris rriroxta in

LILIACE.
Lilyworts.
No. 58.
LILIUM CANDIDUM.

Waite Lity.

Geog. Position. Syria, Palestine.

Quality. F.Lowers fragrant, Roor mucilaginous.
Power. Emollient, anodyne.

Use. Epilepsy, dropsy, and maturating tumors.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification.
Orver LILIACEZ.
Linnean Classification.
Cuass VI. Hexandria. Orver Monogynia.

Avruoritiss. — Lin. Sp. Pl. 433. Willd. Sp. Pl. I. 186. Pursh. Flor. N. A.
I. 228. Raf. Med. Flor. Il. 238. Whitlaw, Med. Disc. 61. U. S. Disp. 1348.
Ee. Disp. U. S. 243. Loud. Encyc. Pl. 264. Pereira, Mat. Med. I. 130. Griff.
Med. Bot. 649. Gray, Bot. Text-Book, 916. Wood, Gaepook ie

Genus LILIUM.

From the » Celtic word Ji, which signifies whiteness. The tay ne alae been
considered the emblem of whiteness and purity.

Ss —Le lis ’ D Lili Ger ? 7 es scared
cnr a a Ge age COO ee hy Are as

THE Eensrertaly ‘Cuanacrens.

Catyx and Corouua. Confounded, colored, Tegular, occa-
sionally cohering in a tube. *
Sramens. Six (rarely four) inserted into the sepals and bs
als, Anthers introrse. mB
Ovary. Three-celled, many-ovuled. “Siyles tastihed torte one.
Stigma often three-lobed. : : = ee
‘Paorr. Capsular or a with several or r many seal
Sens. Numerous. “Albumen fest.
es 1

LILIUM CANDIDUM.

Tar Seconpary CHARACTERS.

Litium. Perianth campanulate. Segments mostly recurved,
each with a longitudinal groove within from the middle to the
base. Stamens shorter than the style. Capsule sub-triangu-
lar, the valves connected with latticed hairs.

Corolla inferior, liliaceous, six-petalled. Petals with a longitudinal line from the

middle to the base. Stamens shorter than the style. Stigma undivided. Capsule
sub-triangular, with the valves connected by hairs crossing as in a sieve.

Tue Speciric CHARACTERS.

Litium canpipum. Leaves scattered, lanceolate, narrowed
at the base. Flowers campanulate, smooth inside.

jaws lanceolate, scattered, tapering to the base. Corolla bell-form, glabrous
within.

Tae ArtiriciaL CHARACTERS.

Crass Hexanpria. Stamens six. Orper Monoeynta.
Endogens. Ovary superior. Flowers not spadaceous, dis-
tinct, equal, both petaloid. Ovary many-seeded.

NATURAL HISTORY.

The White Lily has always been ranked among the very
oldest inhabitants of the pleasure or flower garden. In the
time of Gerard in England, it was very generally cultivated,
and doubtless at a much earlier period. A plant at once so
stately, so showy, so fragrant, and at the same time so much
disposed to increase, would of course soon be found of very
general cultivation. There is also another reason why the
plant is accelerated into notice, because, among other extra-
ordinary powers anciently attributed to it, we are gravely
told that it “taketh away the wrinkles of the face.”

_ The plant is fragrant and beautiful. The stem is round,

green, thick, firm, and very upright, about four feet high.
The leaves are numerous at the bottom, narrow and strap-

shaped, with simple parallel veins, and these, together with
the flower-stalks, shoot up from under-ground bulbs. The
flower consists of six leafy portions similar in color, size, and
form, and differing only in position. These envelop six sta-
ae Bric within which is a _three-celled ovarium, containing a

LILIUM CANDIDUM.

after which the pleasure ground is evidently thinned of its
beauty.

Of the White Lily there are three principal varieties.
I. With double flowers. II. With flowers blotched with
purple. III. With striped leaves, or leaves edged with yellow.
The first two of these are esteemed merely as curiosities.
The third plant acquires an accession of beauty which it has
not originally, and to which the flower garden is greatly in-
debted for one of its chief ornaments.

The Lily increases most abundantly by offsets; hence it
becomes necessary that the bulbs should be taken up and re-
duced every second or third year; but the striped-leaved vari-
ety increases much more slowly, and should therefore remain
unmolested for a greater length of time. There is scarcely a
soil or situation in which the Lily will not grow: it will thrive
most in a soil moderately stiff and moist. Though a native
itself of a warm climate, moderate severity of weather does
not appear to affect it, and therefore we may learn not to
regulate the culture of plants invariably by the climate in
which they grow spontaneously. ‘The best time for removing
the bulbs of this plant is about the middle of August, but
they may be transplanted almost at any time in the fall or

spring.
CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The scent of the Lily is so powerful that sometimes persons
are distressed to have the flowers near them, especially in a
room, and there is a species cultivated under the name of the
Tuberose, which is much more powerful, especially in the _
evening. This is one of the flowers that has been seen to
emit electric sparks, which are supposed to be of electric ori-_
gin. In general, however, the flowers of the Lily have an
agreeable odor, which they impart to oil or lard, and an oint-
ment or liniment is sometimes prepared from them and used
as a soothing application in external inflammations. The in-
fusion of the flowers of the Lily in olive-oil is emollient, and
often applied externally under the name of Lily-oil. This oil
was anciently esteemed for its virtues. It was applied to any
part affected with pain or inflammation, particularly in cases

_* There is nothing,” says Mons. Tournefort, “very remark-
able in the flowers of the Lily, ori that, —— oe
gestive and anodyne faculty, they have also an anti-hysteric
quality. Infuse them for ina in wine, and so distil

_ tion of

that, on loo

LILIUM CANDIDUM.

them; by this means a most excellent water may be obtained
for hypochondriasis and hysteria, which every one does not

‘know. ‘The dose is from one to two or three spoonfuls, both

for a preservative and a cure.” — Fr. Hoffm.

The bulb of the White Lily, which consists of imbricated
fleshy scales, is without odor, but has a peculiar, disagreeable,
somewhat bitter and mucilaginous taste. It contains much
mucilage,/and a small portion of an acrid principle, which is
dissipated or destroyed by roasting or boiling. In the recent
state, it has been employed with advantage in dropsy. Boiled
with water or milk it forms a good emollient cataplasm,
more useful in domestic and popular, than in the regular
practice.

“Gerard informs us, that William Goderus, Serjeant-Sur-
geon to Queen Elizabeth of England, found, by experience,
that the root of White Lily stamped and strained with white
wine, and given to drink for three or four days successively,
expelled the poison of the pestilence, and caused it to break
out in blisters on the skin; that the same learned gentle-
man had cured many of the dropsy with the juice of it,
tempered with barley-meal, and baked in cakes, taking care
that his patients did eat of it for a month or six weeks with
their meat, and no other bread during that time.”

Vegetation, when assisted by human contrivances, is the
best possible means of improving the air, and rendering a
country fitter for the abode of mankind. Cultivation removes

APOCYNACE.
Dogbanes.

No. 59.
APOCYNUM ANDROSAMIFOLIUM.
Docsane. Bitter-root, Milkweed, Indian Hemp.

Geog. Position. America.

Quality. Bitter.

Power. Tonic, vermifuge.

Use. Dropsy, intermittent fever, syphilis.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification.
Orver APOCYNACE. —
Linnean Classification. —
Crass V. Pentandria. Orpver Digynia.

AvutuHorittieEs. — Lin. Sp. Pl. 311. Willd. Sp. Pl. I. 1259. Pursh, Flor. N. A.
I. 179. Lind. Flor. Med. 54. Bigelow, Med. Bot. II. 148. Raf. Med. Flor. I. 49.
U.S. Disp. 106. Ec. Disp. U. S. 69. Loud. Encye. Pl.194. Ballard and Garrod,
Mat. Med. 333. Thomson, Mat. Med. 107. Pereira, Mat. Med. II. 375. Griff.
Med. Bot. 449. Gray, Bot. Text-Book, 853. Beach, Fam. Ph. 646. —_
Bot. Med. 218. Kost, Mat. Med. 123 Wood, Class-Book, 456.

Genus APOCYNUM.

From the Greek &é, away, and xv'er, a dog; that is to say, hn
dogs must be driven. Pliny says his Apocynum is mortal to

Synonymes.—L’apocin (Fr.), Der Hundekohl (Ger.), Apocino ri raed
(Sp.), Hondsdood (Dutch), Hundedod (Dan.).

Tue Essentian CHARACTERS.

Catyx. Sepals five, united at base, persistent.

Corotia. Five-lobed, regular, twisted in estivation, decid |
ous.

Sramens. Five, arising from the corolla and shined a
its segments. Filaments distinct. Anthers two-celled, open-
ing lengthwise, sometimes slightly connected. Pollen gran-
ular, globose or five-lobe
diana = as

Ovary. Two, distinct or rarely united) Styles distinct or

APOCYNUM ANDROS MIFOLIUM.

united. Stigmas united into one, which is common to both
styles.

Fruit. Follicles two, rarely one of them abortive.

Seeps. Numerous, pendulous, with or without a coma, al-
buminous. Embryo foliaceous.

Tue Seconpary CyaRacTers.

Apocynum. Calyx very small. Corolla campanulate.
Lobes short. Stamens included. Filaments short, arising
from the base of the corolla, and alternate, with five glandu-
lar teeth. Anthers sagittate, connivent, cohering to the stig-
ma by the middle. Ovaries two. Stigmas connate. Folli-
cles long, sublinear, distinct.

Corolla bell-form. Stamens with converging anthers, proceeding from the mid-

dle of the stigma, and alternating with five nectaries. Stigma thick, almost sessile.
Follicles in pairs, long, linear.

. Tae Speciric CHaracTers.

ApocyNUM aNDROSEMIFOLIUM. Smooth. Leaves ovate.
Cymes \ateral and terminal. Limb of corolla spreading. ‘The
tube longer than the calyx.

___ Stem erect and branching. Leaves ovate, glabrous. Cymes lateral and terminal.
EE ee Pe Ream HE eprentne es

Tue Artiricira, CHARACTERS.

~ Cuass Penranpria. Stamens five. Orper Dicynia. Mo-
nopetalous. Stamens inserted on be ig distinct. Leaves
opposite. Juice milky.

NATURAL HISTORY.

: The plant Docnanr i is indigenous, perennial, and herba-

‘ceous. It flourishes in all parts of the United States, from
Yanada to Carolina. It is found in woods, hills, and in dry
ils, along fences, and in old fields. It is rare in
soils, or on rich Jand. It blossoms in summer from
It ahieae a little “peat « added to common soil,

APOCYNUM ANDROS MIFOLIUM.

acute at apex, about two or three inches long. The flowers
are white, tinged with red, and grow in loose, nodding termi-
nal or axillary cymes. Cymes paniculate at the top of the
branches, and in the axils of the upper leaves. The pedun-
cles are furnished with very small acute bracts. Calyx much
shorter than the corolla. Corolla as long as the pedicels, bell-
shaped, white, striped with red, with five acute spreading seg-
ments. The fruit consists of a pair of long linear acute
follicles, containing numerous imbricated seeds attached to a
central receptacle, and each furnished with a long seed-down.

The other species of the same genus, says Rafinesque, have
the same properties in a less degree. ‘The Apocynum canna-
binum is distinguished from the above by smaller leaves and
flowers in shorter panicles, while the Apocynum hypericifolium
has prostrated stems with narrow leaves, and grows only on
the banks of streams and lakes.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

ApocyNUM ANDROSEMIFOLIUM is a very active plant. It
contains bitter extractive soluble in water and alcohol, a red
coloring matter not soluble in alcohol, a volatile oil, and caout-
choue. The root is the most powerful part, but its activity
is diminished and eventually destroyed by keeping; it must,
therefore, be used fresh. The powder of! the recently dried
root acts as an emetic equal to ipecacuanha, and is very gen-
erally employed by practitioners in the country, with good ad-
vantage and success. Like other emetic substances, it pro-
motes diaphorisis and expectoration. It diminishes the fre-
quency of the pulse, and appears to induce drowsiness inde-
pendently of the exhaustion consequent upon vomiting. In
small doses it is a tonic useful in dyspepsia and fevers. It
gently stimulates the digestive apparatus, and thus effects a
corresponding impression on the general system. if

The Chickasaw and Choctaw Indians employed it in syph-
ilis, and considered it a specific; they used the fresh root
chewed, swallowing only the juice. The latter use has been
some time practised in Tennessee and Kentucky. The stem
as well as the root abounds in a milky juice, which exudes
when any part of the plant is wounded. "Its taste is nauseous _
and intensely bitter. ‘The flowers, notwithstanding, smell of —
honey, and produce that sweet substance. Bees and other

insects collect this honey, but small flies are often caught by fe

inserting their proboscis between the fissures of the anthers, —

APOCYNUM ANDROS MIFOLIUM.

struggles. Hence one of the popular names of this plant,
Catchfly.

The disease in which this plant has been found to be most
useful is dropsy; in this, from the concurrent testimony of
several eminent physicians and practitioners, its remedial
powers are decided, sometimes operating as a hydragogue
purgative, and at others causing the most profuse discharges
of urine, and thus relieving the tissues from their morbid bur-
den. Dr. Knapp gives the details of some cases of intermit-
tent fever and pneumonic affections, in which he derived
much benefit from this remedy employed as a diaphoretic.

When given as an emetic, the powder is to be preferred, in
doses of fifteen to thirty grains; where its hydragogue or
diuretic effects are desired, the best form is in decoction,
made by boiling an ounce of the root in a pint of water; the
dose is about a wineglass full two or three times a day. The
watery extract will act on the bowels in doses of from three
to five grains, but is not as efficient as the decoction.

Professor A. Curtis, M. D., of Ohio, publishes the follow-
ing as the medical properties of the ApocyNuM ANDROSEMI-
FOLIUM.

“ Bitter, antispasmodic, relaxant, aperient, stimulant, — in
one word, Depuratine; hence, as it enables the system to
clear itself and recover its tone, many have called it directly
tonic. When given in large doses on a foul stomach, it
vomits; in small doses, with lobelia seed, cayenne, nervine,
and rolled into pills with boneset, butternut, or blackroot ex-
tract, it is one of the best articles in our practice to produce a
healthy action of the liver and bowels, to break the chills in
intermittents, and as one ingredient in spice bitters, woman’s
friend, conserve of hollyhock, &c., to be used after a course,
it has few superiors. Combined with lobelia seed and cypri-
pedium, rolled in boneset extract into a pill and given every
hour, it makes an admirable compound to break up conges-
tions, costiveness, &c., especially when aided by the bath.
Used with polemonium, catnip, or sage and pennyroyal, it is
_ an excellent hydragogue in dropsy. Even alone it has cured

: ane cases that had defied the skill of the mineral school.
_ Used alone, or with a little cayenne, it acts pretty thoroughly
as a cathartic.” oie

Besides the value of this plant as a therapeutic agent, it is
entitled to notice for its use in the arts. The bark furnishes .
a fibre resembling hemp, but of a white color, and superior
in strength and durability, and a decoction of the plant af-
___ fords a permanent brown or black dye, according to the mor-

ose as an emetic forty grains ; as a diaphoretic, the same
one grain of opium ; as a tonic or alterant, from

Pititecciicc ees ia
NTIANA LUTBA.
teh low Gentian.

GENTIANACEA.,
The Gentian Tribe.
No. 60.
GENTIANA LUTEA.

YeL_tow GeEnNTIAN.

Geog. Position. Europe.
Quality. Bitter.
Power. Tonic, stomachic, anthelmintic.
Use. Rheumatism, gout, jaundice, wastings, &c.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification.
Orver GENTIANACE.
Linnean Classification.
Crass V. Pentandria. Orver Digynia.

AutuHoritiges.— Lin. Sp. Pl. 335. Willd. Sp. Pl. I. 1331. Woody. Med. Bot
273. Lind. Flor. Med. 319° Raf. Med. Flor. II. 206. Whitlaw, Med. Disc. 43.
Lond. Disp. 355. U.S. Disp. 358. Ee. Disp. U. 8.188. Loud. Encye. Pl. 202.
Ballard and Garrod, Mat. Med. 334. Thomson, Mat. Med. 567. Pereira, Mat.
Med. II. 347. Griff. Med. Bot. 460. Carson, Illust. Med. Bot. II. 12. Gray, Bot.
Text-Book, 850. Beach, Fam. Peer ae _ Med. 449. Henry, Med.
Herb. 140. Wood, Class-Book, 453

Genus GENTIANA.

From Gentivs, king of Illyria, who, according to Pliny, first atiaested the
tonic virtues of plants of this genus.

Synonymes. — La gentiane (Fr.), Der Enzian meet ), La genziana (It.), La
cana (Sp) my Omen _——— (Swed.), Genciana Amarella (Pon),

Tue Essentia, Cuaracters. :
Catyx. Sepals four —- five —ten, united at base, persistent.
Corotta. Usually regular. Limb divided into as many
lobes as there are sepals, mostly twisted in wstivation. _ ;
Stamens. Issuing from the tube of the corolla, as meas os ee
its lobes, and alternate with them. — oe

Ovary. Ontodied, sometimes ‘Tendered | apparently two
; 1

GENTIANA LUTEA.

celled by the introflexed placente. Style united into one,
or wanting. Stigma one — two.
Frurr. Capsule many-seeded.

Seeps. Small. Embryo straight, with fleshy albumen.

Tue Seconpary CHaRAcTErRs.

Gentiana. Calyx five —four-parted or cleft. Corolla mar-
cescent, tubular at base. Limb four —five-parted. Segments
either spreading, erect, or convergent, often furnished with
intermediate, plicate folds. Stamens five —four, inserted in
the corolla tube. Stigmas two, revolute or erect. Style short
or wanting. Capsule two-valved, one-celled, many-seeded.

Calyx four or five-cleft. Corolla with a tubular base, bell-form, without pores,

four or five-cleft. Stigmas two, sub-sessile. Capsule one- celled, oblong. Colu
two, longitudinal. Stamens but four when the divisions of corolla are four.

Tue Spreciric CHARACTERS.

GenTiana Lutes. Sfem tall, straight. Leaves oval and
ovate, margin smooth. Cymes umbellate, dense-flowered,
pedunculate, axillary and terminal. Corolla yellow, rotate.
Segments oblong-linear, acuminate, spreading without folds.

Leaves broad-ovate, nerved. Corollus about five-cleft, wheel-form, whorled.

Tue Artiricia, CHARACTERS.

Crass Penranpria. Stamens five. Orper Dicynta. Mo-
nopetalous. Stamens inserted on corolla. Leaves opposite.
Juice watery. Capsule one-celled.

NATURAL HISTORY.

GeEnTIAN is said to owe its name and introduction into

medical use to Gentius, King of Illyria, who was vanquished

__ by the Romans more than one hundred and fifty years before

a Christ. It is, therefore, not noticed by either Hippocrates or
_ Theophrastus, but is mentioned by Dioscorides and by Pliny.

a be Genrran is among the most remarkable of the

| species which compose this genus, both for its beauty and

_ great comparative size. It is a perennial plant found growing —
o on the Alps of Switzerland and Austria, the Apennines, the

Pyrenees, and other mountainous or elevated regions of Eu-

Th Switzerland — Germany it occupies extensive

shed by any cattle. Saha sternal

to the anal:

GENTIANA LUTEA.

spear-shaped, stiff, and having five large veins on the back,
plaited and of a yellowish-green color; those of the stem are
concave, smooth and egg- shaped, sessile, and almost embra-
cing the stem, which rises three or four feet in height. The
flowers are in whorls at the upper joints, large, yellow, pe-
duncled, and beautiful. The calyx, which is a membranous,
deciduous spathe, bursts on the side when the flower opens.
The corolla is rotated, divided into five or eight narrow
spreading segments, elliptical, and speckled with many thick
dots. The filaments are shorter than the corolla, and furnished
with long, erect anthers. The germen is conical, crowned
with two sessile, reflected stigmas, and becomes a conical
capsule, which contains numerous small seeds.

The plant is very handsome, and often cultivated both for
ornament and for the sake of its powerfully tonic virtues.
Most of the species succeed well in a light, rich soil, but a few
require peat, and some must be grown in pots to be protected
by frames in winter. Some of them may be increased by di-
viding at the root, but most of them seed freely. The seeds
should be sown as soon as ripe; they will then quickly vege-
tate; but if left till spring before they are sown, they will not
come up till the second year. (Bot. Cult. 371.)

Gentian roots are imported from Germany; they are in
pieces of various dimensions and shape, usually of considera-
ble length, consisting sometimes of longitudinal slices, some-
times of the root cut transversely, twisted, wrinkled externally, |
sometimes marked with close transverse rings of a grayish-—

brown color on the outside, yellowish or reddish wi and.

of a soft spongy texture.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES. ~

Gentian roots have no particular odor, and the taste is in- |
tensely bitter without being nauseous. When cut transverse-_
ly, the pieces exhibit a yellow maculated heart, with thick
bark verging to brown. The sensible qualities of Gentian’

root are extracted _by ether, alcohol, and water. The two | -

former extract a resin and a bitter extractive matter, and the

latter some part of these and a considerable quantity of mu- é :

cilage also, which occasions the infusion often to become ropy.
Diluted alcohol is its proper menstruum. In the bitter .
tractive the virtues of the plant seem to reside. Ac
sis of M. M. Henry, sen., and Caventon, G
= contains a = — te i a ye

GENTIANA LUTEA.

principle, which they named Gentianin, a substance resem-
bling birdlime, a greenish oily matter, a free organic acid, a
saccharine principle, gum, a tawny coloring matter, and woody
fibre. Journ. de Physique, Vol. UXXXIV. 245.

Professor Dulk of Konigsberg gives the following process
for isolating the bitter principle. The alcoholic extract is
macerated in water, and the solution, having been subjected
to the vinous fermentation in order to separate the sugar, is
treated first with acetate of lead, and then after filtration with
subacetate of lead and a very little ammonia, in order to pre-
cipitate the combination of the vegetable principle with oxide
of lead, care being taken not to use too much ammonia, lest
by its stronger basic powers it should separate the vegetable
principle from the oxide. The precipitate thus obtained is
washed with a little water, then mixed with a large propor-
tion of the same fluid, and decomposed by hydro-sulphuric
acid. The liquid, having been filtered, is evaporated with a
gentle heat fo dryness, and the residue treated with alcohol of
0.820. The alcoholic solution being evaporated yields the
bitter principle, which ought to receive the name of Gentianin.
It is a brownish-yellow, uncrystallizable substance, having, in
a high degree, the very bitter taste of the root. It is almost
insoluble in absolute alcohol, but soluble in ordinary alcohol,
and very soluble in water. It reddens litmus, and appears to
possess acid properties.

Gentian root is tonic, stomachie, and in large doses aperient.
In very large doses it is apt to load and oppress the stomach,
_ to irritate the bowels, and even to occasion nausea and vomit-
ing. Its use as a stomachic bitter is of a very ancient date,
and is still perhaps the most generally employed of this class
of medicines. Many of the complex preparations handed
down from the Greeks and Arabians contain it among their
ingredients, and it enters into most of the stomachic combi-
nations employed in modern practice. It may be used in all
cases of disease dependent on pure debility of the digestive
organs, or requiring a general tonic impression. It has been
found beneficial in dyspepsia, gout, hysteria, and jaundice.
It is sometimes joined with the cinchona in intermittents,

__ and, according as the circumstances of the cases for which it

is prescribed direct, it may be combined with orange-peel,
_ chalybeates, aromatics, squill, mineral acids, and neutral salts.
_ On account of its antiseptic effects on dead animal matter, its
_ powder has been used externally as an application to malig-
_ nant and sloughing ulcers. The forms in which it is generally
given are infusion and tincture. -
_ Many other foreign species are employed as substitutes
y gentian. In this country several indigenous kinds
domestic practice, and appear to be fully _

= Boge i

N° 61.
SPICELIA MARILANDICA.
‘Pink-root Wo orm- grass xe

RUBIACE A.
Madderworts.

No. 61.
SPIGELIA MARILANDICA.

Carouina Pinx-roor. Worm-grass.

Geog. Position. United States.
Quality. Fetid, bitter.

Power. Anthelmintic, narcotic.

Use. Worms, intermittent fevers, &c.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification.
Orver RUBIACEA.
Linnean Classification.
Cuass V. Pentandria. Orper Monogynia.

Avtsorities. — Lin. Sp. Pl. 249. Willd. Sp. Pl. I. 824. Woodv. Med. Bot.
105. Pursh, Flor. N. A. I. 139. Lind. Flor. Med. 524. Bigelow, Med. Bot. TI.
146. Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. II. 75. Raf. Med. Flor. II. 89. Whitlaw, Med.
Disc. 27. Lond. Disp. 594. U.S. Disp. 699. Ee. Disp. U.S. 384. Loud. Encye.
Pl. 134. Ballard and Garrod, Mat. Med. 334. Thomson, Mat. Med.*106. Pereira,
Mat. Med. II. 354. Griff. Med. Bot. 466. Carson, Illust. Med. Bot. II. 9. Gray, Bot.
Text-Book, 804. Beach, Fam. Ph. 673. Howard, Bot. Med. 294. Kost, a.
Med. 246. Wood, Class-Book, 307.

Genus SPIGELIA.

Named after Aprtan SprcEtius, a celebrated Professor of saan at Padua :
author of Isagoge in Rem Herbarium, who died in 1625.

Synoyrmes. — Spigelie de Maryland, Brimailler (Fr.), Spigelie (Ger), ae
lia (It.).

Tue EssentiaL CHARACTERS.

Canyx. Tube more or less adherent (superior or half supe-~
tior). Limb four — five-cleft.

Corotisa. Regular, inserted mpong the calyx-tube, and of the
-same number of divisions.

Stamens. Inserted upon the eube of the corolla, equal. in
number, and alternate with its segments. eer

Ovary. ‘Twwo- (rarely more) celled. Style single or par

SPIGELIA MARILANDICA.

Fruit. Various.
Seeps. One, few, or many in each cell.

Tue Seconpary CHARAcTERS.

Spicenia. Calyx five-parted. Segments linear-subulate.
Corolla narrowly funnel-form. Limb five-cleft, equal. Sta-
mens five. Anthers convergent. Cupsule didymous, two-
celled, few-seeded. ;,

Calyx five- ans Corolla funnel-form. Border equally five-cleft. Anthers con-
verging. Capsule twinned, two-celled, four-valved, many-seeded.

Tue Speciric CHaRacTers.

Sprcevia Mariianpica. Erect, simple, nearly glabrous.
Stem square. Leaves sessile, ovate-lanceolate, acute or acu-
minate. Margin and veins scabrous-pilose. Spikes three —
eight-flowered. Corolla, tube four times longer than the calyx.
Anthers exserted. Lobes of the corolla lanceolate. Capsule
glabrous, shorter than the calyx.

Stem four-sided. Leaves all opposite, sessile, lance-ovate, entire.

Tue Artiricia, CHARACTERS.

Cuass Pentranpria. Stamens five. Orper Monoeynia.
Ovary inferior. Monopetalous. Ovary two or three-celled.

NATURAL HISTORY.

The Pinx-roor, not less celebrated for its peculiar efficacy
in medicine, than admired for its beauty, is a native of the
Southern and Southwestern States, and has become rare as
far north as Virginia. It delights in dry rich soils, on the
borders of woods, and flowers from May to July. The plant
is rather difficult in its cultivation. It requires to be grown

in a pot, that it may be protected from frosts or too much wet.
It will, however, sometimes survive the winter when planted
7 in the ep eroand ina pes of peat. The best soil for it is

| tes Vile" The stems are 2 wba numerous, iimew hike Sick: :
smooth, of a purplish color, and about seven or eight —
ght. See ee

SPIGELIA MARILANDICA.

are in a solitary spike, with small opposite bracts. The calyx
consists of five awl-shaped persistent leaflets. The corolla is
of a bright-red color on the outside, and deep-orange within,
pentangular above, gibbous at the throat, and widening at
the base, with the border five-parted. The segments are
lanceolate and revolute. The stamens are five, shorter than
the corolla, supporting sagittate, converging anthers. The
germen is superior, with a round style, jointed below, with
the upper part deciduous. The seeds are angular and
rugged. ;

The properties of this plant were learned from the Cherokee
and Creek Indians, who became acquainted with them under
the name of Unsteetla, according to Dr. Garden, about 1723,
and they were made known to the profession about 1740.
These Indians collected the plant and disposed of it to the
white traders. They packed it in casks, or more commonly
in large bales weighing from 300 to 350 pounds. ‘That con-
tained in casks is to be preferred, as less liable to become
damp and mouldy. In consequence of the imperfect manner
in which the plant is dried, it seldom happens that packages
reach the market free from dirt and mouldiness, and having
the stalks of a bright color.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

Pinx-roor is a powerful and certain anthelmintic. The
whole plant is possessed of this property, but the root, being
the most active, is generally employed, and this is most strik-
ing when in a fresh state, as there is no article that deterio-
rates more by exposure and keeping. The odor is very feeble,
and the taste sweetish-bitter and unpleasant. It has been
frequently analyzed by several eminent chemists and prac-
titioners, who have found it to contain an oil, acrid resin, a
bitter extractive (on which the vermifuge power is supposed
to depend), tannin, gallic acid, some salts, &c. tapes

In conjunction with its anthelmintic qualities, however, the
plant also sometimes displays those of a purgative, and all its
virtues have been attributed by some writers to this action;
but this is erroneous, as it manifests its peculiar power on the —
worms, without exciting an increased action of the intestines,
and hence the usual practice of prescribing a purge after the
exhibition of Spicenia. It is more probable that the vermi-
fuge qualities of the plant depend on the same principle that

induces the narcotic agmpioms. to v it occasionally

le that

SPIGELIA MARILANDICA.

rise. These are dimness of sight, giddiness, dilated pupil,
spasmodic motions of the muscles of the eyes, and even con-
vulsions. These symptoms, following the administration of
Spricenta, have been thought to depend either on the roots of
some other plant gathered with the Pink-root, or on some
parasitic vine that had attached itself to it. These sugges-
tions, however, have both been proved to be erroneous, and
that the root itself is narcotic.

The use of Spicetia has not been confined to the expul-
sion of worms. As early as 1763, Dr. Garden, in correspond-
ence with Dr. Hope, states that he had given it with great
success in febrile attacks, apparently arising from a disordered
condition of the stomach and bowels; this is also confirmed
by Dr. Ives, and, in fact, almost every practitioner must have
met with proofs of its efficacy in those febrile complaints in
children, arising from irritation of the bowels from any cause.
Rafinesque mentions that it is used among the Osage Indians
as a sudorific and sedative in acute diseases.

As an anthelmintic, however, it is more generally prescribed
than any other article in this country, and in most cases with
unequivocal success, and without the production of any un-
pleasant symptoms. It may be given in powder or infusion,
the dose of the first of which for children is from ten to twenty
grains. The infusion is by far the best mode of administra-
tion; this is made with an ounce of the root to a pint of
water, the dose of which is from an ounce to two ounces for
a child. One of the best methods is to give a full dose at
bed-time, and an active purgative in the morning, as in this
way any narcotic symptoms it may display do not cause un-
easiness.

The most general plan is to give it in combination, espe-
cially with Senna; this forms a well-known nostrum called
Worm-tea, for which there are several recipes, differing only
in the quantities of the ingredients. It usually purges actively,
and does not excite narcotic symptoms. ‘The syrup is also an
efficacious form of preparation.

In the ordinary dose (one or two drachms for adults), Spi-
cELIa has very little sensible effect on the system, though it
may act efficaciously as an anthelmintic. In larger doses it
appears to operate as an irritant to the gastro-intestinal canal,

and gives rise to purging, and sometimes to vomiting, though
its effects in this way are very uncertain. In poisonous doses

ee.

Tent nareotic symptoms already noticed. The narcotic effects
are said to be less apt to occur when the medicine purges, and
to be altogether obviated by combining it with cathartics.

‘he danger from its e ‘ment cannot be great, as it is In

‘it operates as a cerebro-spinant or narcotic, giving rise to vio-

No 62.
‘YITIS VINIFERA.
Common Wine Grape. _

VITACE.
Grape-vines.
No. 62.
Mitts ViIRIrPERA. ~

Common Grarr Wine.

Geog. Position. All the temperate parts of the world.
Quality. Acrid, rather styptic.
Power. Sub-astringent.
Use. Intermittent and pated. fevers, and as a ssaageens
BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification. —
Orver VITACEZ.

_ Linnean Classification.

Crass V. Pentandria. Orpver Monogynia.

Aurnorittes.— Lin. Sp. Pl. 293. Willd. Sp. Pl. I. 1180. Woodv. Med. Bor.
195. Pursh, Flor. N. A., I. 169. Lind. Flor. Med. 65. Raf. Med. Flor. IL 121.
Whitlaw, Med. Disc. 38.. Lond. Disp. 631. U.S. Disp. 743. Ec. Disp. U.S. 423.
Lond, Encye. Pl.174. Ballard and Garrod, Mat. Med. 226. ‘Thomson, Mat. Med.
*g1. Pereira, Mat. Med. II. 641. Griff. Med. Bot. 221. Gray, Bot. Text-Book,
765. Wood, Class-Book, 211.

Genus” VITIS. -

From Lat. vrzo, to bind, because its tendrils take hold of the neighboring ‘aate:
Or from the Celtic Guwyd, a tree or shrub, The G being suppressed in pronuncia-
tion according to the usage of Celtic nations, the Latins have made of it vitIs, and
the English vine.

Synonrmes. — Raisins secs (Fr.), ea (Ger.), Uva (It.), Passas (Sp.),
Groote razynen (Dutch), Russi (Swed.), Uvas Passadas (Port.), Kishnish (Hind.),
Dividetsipalava Hil (Tam.), Zabib (Arab.), Mewaz (Pers-), Zebab (Malay), Velit
chamoodika ghoddid (Cyng.).

Tus Essentia, CHARACTERS.

Catyx. Minute, nearly entire, or five-toothed.

Corouua. Petals four -five, inserted on the outside of the ee oe
dise, valvate and inflexed in estivation, often wr a

above and caducous.
Stamens. Four - five, A ae the pease inserted on | the
_ dise. ie
2 Ovary. ae two-celled. Sule one, be shot.

VITIS VINIFERA,

Fruir. <A berry, globose, pulpy.
Seeps. Bony.

Tar Seconpary CHARACTERS.

Vitis. Petals deciduous, cohering at the top, or distinct
and spreading. Ovary partly inclosed within the torus, two-
celled. Cells two-ovuled. Stigma sessile, capitate. Berry
one-celled, one — four-seeded.

Calyx five-toothed, minute. Petals cohering at the tip, hood-like, withering.

Styles: wanting. Stigma obtuse, capitate. Berry five-seeded, globular, often dic-
cious. Seeds subcordate.

Tue Spreciric CHARACTERS.

Vitis vintrera. Leaves cordate, sinuately five-lobed, gla-
brous or tomentose. Flowers all perfect.

Leaves sinuate-lobed, naked or downy.

Tue. Arriricra, CHARACTERS.

Crass Penranpria. Stamens five. Orper Monoeynia.
Polypetalous.. Flowers inferior, regular. Stamens opposite
to the petals. Shrubs. Stem climbing. Calyx sub-entire.

NATURAL HISTORY.

The Vine is a native of Armenia, Georgia, and the Levant;
but it is now found in all the temperate regions of the earth,
and is cultivated with care wherever its fruit can be brought
to perfection. In France, the northern limit of the vine is
stated to be 50° 20’. In Thuringia, Saxony, and Siberia, it
is 51°, but towards the east it is lower, for though Hungary
has much wine, yet Galicia has none, and in the southern

= parts of the Russian empire it ascends no higher than 48°.

_ In America the vine is cultivated in the Southern States only,

= : extending no farther north than 38°. The limit southward in
the northern hemisphere is properly 15°, but in the high moun-
ee tainous island of St. Thomas, on the coast of Guinea, in

, and in the Deccan, it is found almost under the
_ equator. In the southern’ hemisphere, its southern limits are
: 37°, - The ieee altitude, in ace seg is seeee feet; ee

VITIS VINIFERA.

Its culture is supposed to have been introduced from the
East, where it was cultivated, and wine made from the fruit,
in the earliest ages. Weare told that Noah, after coming out
of the ark, planted a vineyard, and drank of the wine, and
was drunken. Gen. ix. 20,21. It extended into Italy about
600 years after the foundation of Rome, and thence to Bur-
gundy in the time of the Antonines. It was introduced into
Madeira from the island of Cyprus in the fifteenth century.
In Great Britain the vine was cultivated before the year 731,
when Bede finished his history, and although it was at one
period brought to considerable perfection, yet its cultivation
is now chiefly confined to the garden, and as a dessert fruit.

The vine has a slender, twisted, climbing stem, covered
with a rough, peeling, fibrous bark. The leaves are lobed and
sinuated, serrated, and placed alternately on long footstalks.
The flowers, which appear in June and July, are small and
- produced in clusters, attended by tendrils. The calyx is very
minute. The petals are of a greenish-white color, adherent
at their apices, and soon fall off, like a little cap, from the |
anthers, which then spread and shed their pollen. The fruit
is a succulent, globular berry, one-celled when ripe, naturally
containing five seeds, but in general only two, which are hard
and of an irregular form. ‘There are many varieties of the
vine; that which is called the Alexandrian Frontignac yields
the most delicious grapes for eating, and the Syrian the largest
bunches. This is supposed to be the sort of grape which the -

spies sent by Moses to examine Canaan cut down at the — =

brook Eshcol, “a branch with one cluster of grapes,and they
bare it between two upon a staff.” Mum.xiii.23. Strabo re-
lates, that in Margiana bunches of grapes were produced two
cubits or a yard long, and in some of the Archipelago islands
they weigh from thirty to forty pounds. The Syrian grape has
produced in England bunches weighing nineteen pounds and
a half. ‘There is a grape cultivated in Madeira as a dessert
fruit, the clusters of which sometimes weigh twenty pounds.
The Viris vinirera has become naturalized in most tem- _
perate climates, but is supposed not to be indigenous to the
United States. No plant in the vegetable kingdom possesses
more interesting attributes, is cultivated with greater care,
has been worse perverted or abused by mankind, than the
ik

VITIS VINIFERA.

respect to the hardiness of its constitution. In New Eng-
land its cultivation is very confined, but there are extensive
vineyards in the Middle and Western States for the produc-
tion of wine. |

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The fruit of the vine when recent and fully ripe has an
agreeable, cooling, sweet sub-acid taste. It contains, besides
water, sugar, mucilage, and jelly, albumen, gluten, tannin,
supertartrate of potassa, tartrate of lime, phosphate of mag-
nesia, muriate of soda, sulphate of potassa, and tartaric, citric,
and malic acids; and a mucoso-saccharine principle which
Chaptal and Proust regard as the constituent on which the
fermentative process in bruised grapes depends.

At one time almost every part of the vine was recognized
as officinal, and considered as possessed of remedial qualities,
but now it is generally disused. The leaves, tendrils, and
young shoots contain malic and citric acid and some bitar-
trate of potash; they are now principally employed in wine
countries to flavor vinegar. Grapes are cooling and antisep-
tic, and when eaten in large quantities, diuretic and laxative.
They are very useful in febrile diseases, particularly in bilious
and putrid fevers, dysentery, and all inflammatory affections.
In Syria the juice of ripe grapes inspissated is used in great
quantity in these diseases. Grapes have been strongly recom-
mended as an article of common diet in phthisis, and they
certainly contain much bland nutricious matter well fitted for
phthisical habits.

Raisins are made from the varieties named the black raisin
grape and the white raisin grape. They are cured in two
methods, either by cutting the stalk of the bunches half
through, when the grapes are nearly ripe, and leaving them

~~ suspended on the vine till their watery part be evaporated,

and the sun dries and candies them; or by gathering the-
grapes when they are fully ripe, and dipping them in a lye
made of the ashes of the burnt tendrils, after which they are

Le exposed to the sun to dry. Those cured in the first method

are most esteemed.
_ Raisins differ from grapes chiefly in the quantity of saccha-
rine matter being more abundant. They are more laxative

_ than the fresh fruit, and are apt to prove flatulent when eaten

—

in any” considerable quantity. They are frequently used as
an adjunct to some officinal preparations, but they add noth-

"The juice of the grape consists of principles which, when
jeir elements assume a new arrangement, —

Pai oSPErN - PERFOLIAT 7 sca

ee
had

ever wort

TRIOSTEUM PERFOLIATUM,

Feverworr. Wild Ipecac.

Geog. Position. United States.
Quality. Bitter.

Power. Cathartic, tonic.

Use. Intermittent fevers, ague.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.

Natural Classification.
Orper CAPRIFOLIACEA.

Linnean Classification.
Cuass V. Pentandria. Orver Monogynia.

AutHorities.— Lin. Sp. Pl. 250. Willd. Sp. Pl. I. 990. Pursh. Flor. N. A.
I. 162. Lind. Flor Med. 445. Bigelow, Med. Bot.1.90. Barton, Veg. Mat. Med.
1.59. Raf. Med. Flor. Il. 269. U.S. Disp. 741. Ec. Disp. U. S. 404. Loud.
Encye. Pi. 170. Thomson, Mat. Med. *102. Griff. Med. Bot. 352. Gray, Bot.
Text-Book, 803. Howard, Bot. Med. 296. Kost, Mat. Med. 121. Wood, Class-
Book, 300.

Genus TRIOSTEUM. —

From Greek rpeis, three, and doréov, bone; three bones, on account of its three
bony seeds. ;

Syrvonymes. — Breitblattriger Dreystein (Ger.).
Tue Essentian Cuaracters.

Catyx. Adherent to the ovary (superior). The limb five-
(rarely four-) cleft or toothed.

Coroutia. Tubular or rotate, regular or irregular.

Stamens. As many, or one less than as many, as the lobes
of the corolla, alternate with them, and inserted on the tube.

Ovary. ‘Three- (rarely four or five-) celled. Style one.
Stigma one — four. as Bea

Fruir. Baccate, fleshy or dry, crowned with the persi

ealyx lobes. a | 5 ape

TRIOSTEUM PERFOLIATUM.

Sreps. Pendulous and solitary, or numerous and attached
to the axis.

Tur SEconpary ch

Triosteum. Calyx tube ovoid. Limb five-parted. Seg-
ments linear, nearly as long as the corolla. Corolla tubular,
gibbous at base. Limb five-lobed, sub-equal. Stamens five,
included. Stigma capitate, lobed. Fruit drupaceous, crowned
with the calyx, three-celled, three-seeded. Seeds ribbed, bony.

Calyx permanent, of the length of the corolla, five-cleft, with linear divisions.

Corolla tubular, five-lobed, sub-equal, gibbous at the base. Stigma capitate, sub-
five-lobed. Berry three-celled, three-seeded.

Tue Speciric CHaracrTers.

TrIosTEUM PERFOLIATUM. Leaves oval-acuminate, connate.
Flowers axillary, verticillate or clustered.

Leaves oval, acuminate, connate, sub-pubescent beneath. Flowers sessile, whorled.
Berries purple or yellow.

Tue Artiricia, CHARACTERS.

Crass Penranpria. Stamens five. Orper Monoeynia.
Monopetalous. Flowers superior. Corolla rotate or urn-
shaped. Seeds in a drupe or berry. Shrubs, with opposite
leaves, and no stipules.

NATURAL HISTORY.

The iT nobeatin PERFOLIATUM is a coarse, unattractive
plant, growing in rocky woods. It delights in rich limestone
soil, on rocky or stony ground, preferring the shade, though it
is frequently found in different situations. Its range is from
New England to Carolina, and probably farther. It flowers
in June and July, and the seeds ripen in September.

The root is perennial, horizontal, about eighteen inches or
two feet long, three quarters of an inch in diameter, and
fleshy, nearly of a uniform thickness from the extremity to
within two or three inches of the origin of the stems. At
this place it is contorted, tuberculated, or gibbous, and of a
brownish color. The color of the horizontal caudex is yellow-
ochre without and whitish internally, and the fibres which
_ proceed from it are of an ochroleucous hue. These are some-

times so large that they may be considered rather as branches
- forks . f the main root. The plan is from two to: three |
fet high, and darth papel stems arising from ‘the: same

TRIOSTEUM PERFOLIATUM.

root. In favorable situations it sometimes attains four feet
in height. The stems are about three eighths of an inch in
diameter, simple, stout, erect, cylindrical, hollow, pubescent,
and of a green color, inversed with soft, clammy hairs. The
leaves are large, oblong oval, acuminate, somewhat panduri-
form towards their base, where they become suddenly nar-
rowed. They are mostly connate until they approach the
fourth pair from the top; these upper ones are more attenu-
ated at their bases and rather amplexicaul. The under sur-
face of all the leaves is covered with a soft, dense, bluish-
white pubescence, conspicuously apparent on the middle rib
and nerves. On their upper surface, though the pubescence
cannot be observed readily by the naked eye, it is discernible
by the glass, more sparse than below. The nerves are numer-
ous, and commonly alternate as respects their union with the
costa. The two uppermost pairs of leaves are small and
closely convoluted while the plant is in flower. After the
florescence is past, they are developed to the full size of the
others, or become rather broader at their middle, and assume
a brownish-purple color; sometimes the whole plant may be
of this hue, though in general it is confined to the upper
portion. The flowers are axillary, sessile, and arranged in
triplets round the stem, appearing whorled. The corolla is
reddish-purple above, striated below with lake blended into
white, and everywhere covered with a dense pubescence. It
is tubular, curved, and widest at the top, where it is divided

into five auriculated segments or lobes, the laciniw being . F :
cordate and closed on each other. The lower end of the —

tube terminates in an abrupt gibbosity, which is articulated
with the germ. The stamens are five in number, inclosed
within the corolla, and alternate with the lobes or lacinie.
The pistil is somewhat longer than the stamens, and appears
conspicuously above the corolla. Stigma oblong. The calyx
is composed of five linear segments obscurely ciliated on
their margins, of a dark purplish color, and half an inch long.
The germ to which they are articulated is beneath, and gar-
nished with a single green bract, longer and broader than the
calyx leaves, and proceeding from its base. The berries suc- _
ceed to the flowers, generally in the number of six to each
‘axil; sometimes there are but three, but occasionally nine in —
Sieariant. plants. They are ovate, orange-colored whe ma-—
| re three pat and contain three ony nuts © ir ‘

TRIOSTEUM PERFOLIATUM.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The root of the Triostrum PERFoLIATUM is the only offici-
nal part. When dry it is brittle and readily pulverized. The
odor is nauseous and the taste bitter and unpleasant. Its
active principles yield both to water and alcohol, and are
retained in the extract.

Feverwort is a mild cathartic, and sometimes operates as
an emetic, especially when the fresh root is given, or when
the dried root is administered in large doses. It has been
said on some occasions to operate as a diuretic; but Pro-
fessor Barton, who observed this effect, justly remarks that
this may have been only an accidental circumstance, rhubarb
having been known by C. Piso to produce the same effect.
Its operation as a cathartic is safe, mild, and thorough. It
excites a motion of the bowels the nearest to the natural peri-
staltic motion of any purgative which has ever been discov-
ered. It often insinuates itself through the obstructed por-
tions of the bowels better than more powerful purgatives.
In the disorders of the bowels, such as dysentery, diarrhwa,
and cholera morbus, the TrrosteuM PERFOLIATUM is a charm-
ing remedy. It may be used in all cases where it is wished
to act gently on the bowels, either alone or in combination.
One of the common vulgar names of this plant, Bastard Ipe-
cacuanha, indicates also the well-known emetic power which
it unquestionably possesses. Shoepf speaks of it as an
emetic only, and alludes to its ‘use in intermittent fevers and
pleurisy. Among the almost countless number of medicinal
substances that have been employed toa greater or less ex-
tent to alleviate suffering and cure disease, perhaps there is
none more valuable, or more generally applicable in the treat-
ment of the divers diseases to which man is subject, than a
safe, prompt, and efficient emetic. The safety and efficacy
of Feverwort as an emetic, and the great number of accidents
and diseases requiring a medicine of this description, entitle
it, therefore, to rank high with the profession. Rafinesque
mentions that the leaves of this plant are diaphoretic. They
_ have a tendency to increase the secretions, and consequently

they possess the property of raising a sweat in a considerable
_ degree. In fevers the plant is one of the most valuable arti-
cles in the catalogue of medicines. By way of eminence it
is called Feverwonrr.

_ The extract, which is the best mode of exhibiting Trios-

| TEUM PERFOLIATUM, purges in doses of from ten to fifteen

_ grains. Five pounds of the root are said to afford two
_ pounds of extract. The dose of the powder is a scruple to
=e halfa drachm. _ Se ee Re ee Orr

_—_'The hard seeds have been used as a substitute for coffee,
and when 1 properly prepared are a very excellent one.

No 64.
PAPAVER SOMNIPERUM.
Poppy. Garden-peppy, White- poppy

PAPAVERACEZ.
Poppyworts.

No. 64.
PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM.

Porry. Garden Poppy, White Poppy.

Geog. Position. Europe.
Quality. Somewhat bitter.
Power. Narcotic, anodyne.
Use. Pleurisy, catarrh.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification.
Orxver PAPAVERACE:, ony
Linnean Classification. Ais
Cuass XIII. Polyandria.. Orver Monogynia.

Autnorities.— Lin. Sp. Pl. 729. Willd. Sp. Pl. II. 1144. Woody. Med.
Bot. 185. Pursh, Flor. N. A., II. 365. Lind. Flor. Med. 15. Raf. Med. Flor.
IT. 250. Whitlaw, Med. Disc. 103. Lond. Disp. 470. U.S. Disp.549. Ec. Disp.
U.S. 293. Loud. Eneye. Pl. 462. Ballard and Garrod, Mat. Med. 194. Thom-
son, Mat. Med. 405. Pereira, Mat. Med. II. 688. Griff. Med. Bot. 120. Carson,
Iilust. Med. Bot. I. 16. Gray, Bot. Text-Book, 716. Beach, Fam. Phys. 668.
Wood, Class-Book, 157.

_ Genus PAPAVER. |

From the Celtic Para, which signifies pap, or the soft food given to children, in _
which the seeds were formerly boiled to ee the infants sleep.

Sryonyrmes.— Capsules des Pavots blancs, Opium (Fr.), Die Kopse des Weis- —
sen Mohns, Mohnsaft (Ger.), Capi del Papavero, Oppio (it.), Adormideras, Opio
(Sp.), Wittamnu Hewl, Turks Heulzap (Dutch), Wallmo Opion (Swed. and Russ.),
Valsnuesaft (Dan.), Affion (Turk.), Afiun (Hind.), Abinie (‘Tam.), Afeeoan (Arab.),
Sheerkhuskah (Pers.), Ufyoon (Malay), Abim (Cyng.), Apium (Jav.), Jya-Pien
(Chin.), Caruppa (Malab.). ee

Tue Essentian Caaracters.

Catyx. Sepals two, rarely three, deciduous, imbricated in
zestivation.

Corouia. Petals four, rarely five or six, hypogynous. :

Stamens. Often wanting, but some multiple of four, rarely

_polyadelphous. Anthers innate. ee

vary. Solitary. Style short or wanting. Stigmas two.or

if more, stellate upon the flat apex of ovary. ee
1

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM.

Fruit. Either pod-shaped, with two parietal placente, or
capsular, with several.

Sreps. Indefinite or numerous, minute. Embryo minute, at
the base of oily albumen.

Tue SeconpARY CHARACTERS.

Papaver. Sepals two, caducous. Petals four. Stamens
indefinite or numerous. Capsule one-celled, opening by pores
under the broad, persistent stigma.

Calyx two-leaved, caducous. Corolla four-petalled. Stigma a broad disc, with
radiating lines. Capsule one-celled, dehiscent by pores under the permanent stigma.

Tus Spreciric CHAaRAcTERS.

PapaveER sOMNIFERUM. Glabrous and glaucous. Leaves
clasping, incised, and dentate. Sepals glabrous. Capsule
globose.

Calyx and capsule glabrous. Leaves clasping, gashed, glaucous.

Tue ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

Cuass Ponyanpria. Stamens twenty or more, arising trom
receptacle (hypogynous). Orper Monoeynia. Ovaries com-
pound. Placente parietal. Sepals two or three. Juice col-
pants Meske: in 29 exotic Chet

NATURAL HISTORY.

The somniferous or white poppy is a native of Asia, and
has become naturalized in Europe and in the United States.
It was well known to the ancients, and is spoken of by
Homer as then cultivated in gardens, perhaps at first solely
for the sake of its seed, which was used as food. It is now
extensively cultivated in most of the states of Europe, not
only on account of the opium, for which it is reared in Turkey,
Persia, and India, but also on account of the capsules, and
of the bland oil obtained from the seeds. In the United
States it has seldom been grown except as an ornamental
flower, but there is every reason to believe that its cultivation
would prove: a very lucrative branch of industry, not only.
from the opium that might be obtained, but also from the oil

Oo e from the bess Nabe is an excellent substi-

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM.

PaPAVER SOMNIFERUM is an annual plant, flowering in June
and July in Europe, and in February in India. The root is
tapering and white; the whole plant is generally smooth,
though sometimes there are a few rigid hairs on the upper part
of the stem. The stem is glaucous, colored, smooth, erect, and
round, somewhat branched, leafy, rising to the height of two,
three, or four feet, when in a favorable situation. The leaves
are large, simple, obtuse, lobed and crenated, and embracing
the stem on which they are alternately placed. The flowers
are large, various in color, and supported on long terminal
footstalks. The calyx is formed of two smooth, ovate, bifid,
concave leaves, that drop on the expanding of the petals,
which are four in number, large, roundish, entire, somewhat
undulated and white, occasionally of a silver-gray color, and
tinged with violet at the base. The filaments are very nu-
merous, slender, shorter than the corolla, and support ,erect,
compressed anthers; and the germen, which is globular and

smooth, is crowned with a many-rayed stigma. The capsule, _

which stands on a short pedicel, is globular when well grown,
smooth, glaucous, from two to four inches in diameter, a little
flattened at the top and bottom, and crowned with the per-
sistent stigma, the segments of which stand erect and have
an elegant appearance. The seeds are small and indefinite,
white or gray, reniform, and very numerous; they escape
when ripe through small openings under the points of the

stigma.

CHEMICAL AND “MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES. ae

All parts of the Poppy, except the seeds (which are elinen! .
tary, and not narcotic), contain a white, opaque narcotic —
juice, which, however, abounds more in the capsules, and
hence these are the only officinal parts of the plant. A de-
coction of the poppy may be made to answer many of the
purposes of opium itself, In the diseases of young children
it is far preferable. The leaves, stalks, and heads are all pos-

sessed of the narcotic principle. Poultices made with a de-_ se
coction of this plant are exellent applications to assuage pain

and allay anguish in cases of cancer, ulcers, and chronic ©
inflammations. The poppy tea may be taken in hysterics,

painful menstruation, dysentery, diarrhcea, cholera morbus, __

nervous headache, toothache, earache, coughs, consumption
and in general in any painful disease where there i is |
pan — of inflammation and fever. eee.

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM.

Opium is more generally used than any other remedy. It
is the inspissated juice of the white poppy. ‘The juice isa
white, milky fluid, which oozes from the leaves, capsules, and
stalks when they are slightly cut.

The juice of the poppy, exposed for a few days to the sun
and air, thickens into a stiff, tough mass, which is opium.
The best kind of opium comes from Turkey. It has a pecu-
liar heavy, disagreeable smell, and a bitter, nauseous, acrid,
and warming taste. It is of a dark-brown color, and when
reduced to powder, yellow. It is compact, solid, tenacious,
and when broken has a shining fracture. The best part of it
comes in flat pieces, covered with large leaves and reddish
capsules of a species of rumex, probably used in packing it.
The round masses without the capsules adhering to them are
of an inferior quality.

The East India opium is soft, ductile, and about the con-
sistency of tar. It has something of a smoky smell, a darker
color, and a more nauseous and bitter taste. It is supposed
to be about half the strength of the Turkey opium.

Opium is a powerful narcotic or inducer of sleep, and an
astringent. No medicine has ever been discovered at all
comparable to it in moderating and relieving pain, or in pro-
moting sleep. It is soluble in alcohol, wine, vinegar, and
water, though the last two afford but weak solutions of it.
Its sedative virtue resides in a principle called morphia or
morphine, =<" =

A grain or two of opium taken into the stomach produces
a remarkable composure of the mind, succeeded by a certain
degree of languor and drowsiness ; the pulse becomes slower,
fuller, and softer, all the secretions are in the first instance
diminished, the motion of the bowels is retarded, the thirst
increased, and the mouth dried. The heat of the body ap-
pears to be increased and the senses rendered dull. In the
course of three or four hours a perspiration is produced.
‘The narcotic effect of a dose of opium lasts about eight
hours, and in general a full dose of it cannot be given with
safety oftener than three times in twenty-four hours. In
_ eases of great pain and distress, it can be given much oftener
nd in larger doses. ~ ; ,
The medium dose of opium is one grain, given in the form
fa pill. It is often, however, given in doses of from one to
three grains. It operates differently upon different individ-
uals. In almost all diseases attended with pain, distress, and
loss of sleep, opium is more or less used, and is found of
essential service. In the commencement of inflammatory
_ diseases it is deemed inadmissible, unless its use becomes
_ unavoidable’ from the urgency of the pain and the entire
waut of slee generally used in the form of laudanum

Allepice. Jamaica-

Bavberry - tree

er .

PePP

MYRTACE x :
Myrtleblooms.

No. 65.
EUGENIA PIMENTA.
Pimento. Allspice, Jamaica Pepper, Bayberry-tree.

Geog. Position. South America.
Quality. Aromatic, fragrant.

Power. Stimulant, tonic.

Use. Spice, condiment in dressing food.

BOTANICAL ANALYST
Natural Classification. |
Oxper MYRTACER.
Linnean Classification.

Cuass XII. Icosandria. Orper Nbaeyeia:

Autnorities. — Lin. Sp. Pl. 576. Willd. Sp. Pl. IL. 973, “Woody. Med . Bot.
26. Lind. Flor. Med. 76. Lond. Disp. 456. U.S. Disp. 557. Ee. Dit U.S.
270. Loud. Encyc. Pl.416. Ballard and Garrod, Mat. Med. 279. Thomson, Mat.

Med. 60. Pereira, Med. II. 529. Griff. Med. Bot. 300. Carson, Illust. Med.
Bot. I. 43. Gray, Text-Book 780. Howard, | Med. 273. Wood, Class-

Nelkenpfeffer (Ger. ),
Krydd peppar (Swed.).

iny as the sepascinie of the |
Anthers” is aes : Style ‘and |

EUGENIA PIMENTA.

.
Tue Seconpary CHaracrers.

Kucenta. Tube of the calyz roundish. Limb divided, as
far as the ovary, into four segments. Pefals as many as
the lobes. Stamens indefinite, free. Ovary two or three-
celled. Cells containing many ovules. Berry nearly globose,
crowned by the calyx when ripe, one- (rarely two-) celled.
Seeds one or two, somewhat rounded, large. Embryo spuri-
ously monocotyledonous. Cotyledons very thick, combined
into one mass. adicle scarcely distinct, very short.

Tue Speciric CuaractTers.

Eveenia Piments. Peduncles axillary and terminal, tri-
chotomous-paniculate. Flowers four-cleft, in the forks of the
peduncle, nearly sessile, others paniculate. Leaves oblong or
oval, pellucid-dotted, somewhat opaque, smooth. Branches
terete. Branchlets compressed, the younger ones as well as
the pedicles pubescent.

Tue Arrirician Cuaracters.

ie Cuass Icosanpris. Stamens twenty or more, arising from
the calyx (perigynons). | Onver Monocynia. Leaves oppo-
site, not succulent. Ovary adherent (inferior). Leaves punc-
; st NA’ TURAL HISTORY. |
Evcenia Piventa is a native of South America, where it
is called Pumake (in the Maypure language), and of the
West India Islands and Mexico. It grows very abundantly
on the hilly parts on the north side of the island of Jamaica,
_ whence its fruit received the name of Jamaica pepper. It
flowers in June, July, and August, and soon afterwards ripens
ite fruit. 2a OER
The tree is beautiful and handsome, rising in height about
y feet, straight, branching, and covered with a very
oth gray bark. The leaves, which are supported on foot-
s at the ends of the twigs, are elliptical, pointed, of dif-
sizes, but the largest are five inches long and two

EUGENIA PIMENTA.

petals four, reflected, of a pale-green color, inclosing many
longer spreading filaments of the same color, supporting pale-
yellow roundish anthers. The fruit is a spherical berry,
crowned with the persistent calyx; when ripe, it is black or
dark purple, smooth, shining, and bilocular, with the seeds
enveloped in a moist green pungent, aromatic pulp. When
the berries ripen, they lose much of the aromatic warmth for
which they are esteemed, and acquire a taste similar to that
of juniper-berries. The tree exhales an aromatic fragrance,
especially during the summer months, when it is in flower.
JAMAICA PEPPER, commonly called allspice, from the taste
being thought to resemble a composition of all other spices,
is about the size of, or somewhat larger than, a peppercorn.
It is round, brown, dull, roughish, but not wrinkled, crowned
with the segments of the calyx, and occasionally, though
rarely, has a short pedicel. It consists of an external, some- a

Cet

what hard, but brittle shell, which is paler within, and in
two dark-brown cochleate seeds. os Ee 3
The plant begins to bear fruit when three years old, and —
arrives at maturity’at seven. It grows best in a calcareous
soil, covered with a light mould. The berries are gathered
before being ripe, and are carefully dried on mats or terraced
floors in the shade. The first day or two they are, often
turned, so as to be fully exposed to the sun. When they
begin to dry, they are frequently winnowed, and are removed
under cover at night. In ten or twelve days, or about two _
weeks, they become wrinkled, dry, and of a dark-brown color,
and are then packed in bags or casks for sale. So
dry them, by which the same object is sooner effected.
have an aromatic, agreeable smell, and a strong, clove-like —
taste. The more fragrant and smaller they are, the be ae
they are accounted. ay pe 8

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

Kueenta Pimenta has an aromatic, agreeable odor, re-
sembling that of a mixture of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmegs, —
_ with the warm, pungent taste of the cloves, qualities which _
reside chiefly in the cortical part of the dried berry. Water,
alcohol, and ether extract its virtues. The watery infusion is
of a brown color, and reddens litmus infusion. With solu-
tion of sulphate of iron, it immediately strikes a deep black _
color, and slowly lets fall a precipitate. Nitrate of mercury -
precipitates it of a yellowish brown, acetate of lead of a dirt

EUGENIA PIMENTA.

green, and nitrate of silver of a deep reddish-brown color. It
is also precipitated by infusion of yellow cinchona bark.
The sulphuric and muriatic acids redden it, and throw down
pale rose-colored precipitates. The nitric acid forms no pre-
cipitate, but gives theinfusion a yellow hue. The alcoholic
tincture is rendered milky and slowly precipitated by wa-
ter; the ethereal, when evaporated in water, deposits drops
of a greenish-yellow volatile oil, a pellicle of a pungent, nau-
seous-tasted resin, and some extractive. Hence Jamaica pep-
per or allspice appears to contain a volatile oil, resin, extrac-
tive, tannin, and gallic acid. It is devoid of the fiery taste
and acridity which distinguish pepper and ginger, but in other
respects its eflects agree with those of other spices. The
volatile oil is by far the most important of its. ictive prin-
ciples, yet the resin, extractive, and tannin must contribute
very considerably to its operation.

Allspice is an energetic stimulant and tonic, which is gen-
erally used as a condiment, partly on account of its flavor,
and partly to promote the digestion of some kinds of food,
which experience has shown are not by themselves easily or
readily digested. It is frequently employed with success, and
has proved useful, united with bitter substances, in dyspepsia
attended with much flatulence, and in arthritic and hysterical

_ or old rheumatic affections. 'The watery infusion, sweet-
ened with sugar and the addition of a little milk, is very

_teadily taken by children, and is an excellent cordial in malig-

nant measles, scarlatina, confluent small-pox, and the other

_ exanthemata when the fever assumes the typhoid type. It is
_ also exhibited advantageously when the eruption is slow to
_ appear, and when it is necessary to restore the strength of

the patient. Its principal use in medicine is, however, to

cover the disagreeable taste of other remedies, or to give them

warmth. For this purpose it may be substituted for any aro-
matic substance. bce eee

_ The dose of the berries is from five grains to forty ; that
of the powder, ten to thirty grains; of the tincture, one to
_ two drachms ; of the oil, two to five drops,

Ai oe, The following are the principal preparations of this medi-
eine, the uses of which are very limited : —

Aqua Prmentsx. Allspice-water. Take of the berries,
__ bruised, half a pound, water a pint. Macerate the berries in
_ the water for twenty-four hours, and with a sufficient quan-

tity of water to prevent empyreuma. _Distil a gallon. |

_ Spmrvs Prrenrx. Spirit of Alispice. Take of the ber-

_ Ties, bruised, two ounces, proof-spirit a gallon, water sufficient

to prevent empyreuma. Macerate for twenty-four hours,
then distil a gal. in. by. gewde heaton 6. Gigd ete.

N° 66.
PONICA GRANATIM.

Pemesranate

.
MYRTACEZ. Aas.
Myr tleblooms. ces

No. 66. ie
PUNICA GRANATUM.

PoMEGRANATE,

Geog. Position. ‘Mfrica, South Earope.

Quality. Styptic. ~ :

Power. Astringent, relaxing anode: Flowers diuretic,
anthelmintic.

Use. Headache, prolapsus worms.

BOTANICAL 2 NALYSIS.
* Natural Classification.
ORDER MYRT EA.
Linnean Classification.

Cuass XII. Icosandria. Orpver Monona

Avruorities. — Lin. Sp. Pl. 676. Willd. Sp. Pl. I. 981. Woody.
58. Lind. Flor. Med. 74. Raf. Med. Flor. Il. 254. Whitlaw, Med. D
Lond. Disp. 531. U.S. Disp. 368. Ec. Disp. U. S. 333. Loud. Enecyc.
Ballard and Garrod, Mat. Med. 275. Thomson, Mat. Med. 675. ereira
Med. II. 533. Griff. Med. Bot. 294. Carson, Ilust..

Text-Book, hae Kost, Mat. Med. 249. Phd.

Lat. Punica, Carthaginian, or.
Syxonymes. —Le Grenadier (
Granado ( Sp), Granaatobrom (Dut

Granatnik (Russ.). Amar (Hii ar
ie (Cyng), Detina (lar).

(Ara.), Dalema (Malay),
SSENTIAL CuaracTe RS.

THe

Canyx. Adherent below to the compound ovary. The limbs
four —five-cleft, valvate. —

Corouia. Petals as many as the segments of the we

Stamens. Indefinite. | ae sa introrse. Style and

pg tsc:

PUNICA GRANATUM.

Tue Seconpary CHARACTERS.

Punica. Calyx five-cleft. Petals five. Berry many-celled,
many-seeded. Seeds baccate. Placenta parietal.

Bate Bae, superior. Petals five. Pome or berry many-celled, many-seeded.
Receptacle parietal. Seed berried. :

Tue Speciric CHARACTERS.

Punica cranatum. Arborescent: Leaves lanceolate, with
no marginal vein, entire, smooth.

Leaves lanceolate. Stem woody.
Tue Artiricira, CHARACTERS.

_ Cuass Icosanpria. Stamens twenty or more, arising from
the calyx (perigynous). Orper Monocynia. Leaves oppo-
site, not succulent. Ovary adherent (inferior), Leaves punc-

NATURAL HISTORY.

The Pomecranate is a native of the South of Europe,
Asia, and Barbary, but in the West Indies, where it was
introduced from Europe, the fruit is larger and better flavored
than in its native climates. It is a shrubby tree, and in-
favorable situations (its proper soil is a cretaceous one) it
rises” twenty feet in height, with a very unequal trunk, send-
ing out branches from its whole length, some of pai bear
: The leaves are Opposite, about three inches long,
fe E inch broad in the middle, pointed at each end, pet bie
and of a light, lucid green color. The flowers, which stand
at the end of the young branches, are large and sessile; they
are three or four together, and make a fine appearance. The
calyx i is thick, fleshy, of a fine red color, and divided into five
pointed segments. The petals are roundish and wrinkled,

; 2 inserted into the upper part of the tube of the calyx, and of a

scarlet color. The fruit, which is cellular, is a pulpy, many-
seeded berry, the size of an orange, crowned with the calyx,
which is. sharply toothed, globular, and covered with a thick
coriaceous rind. —

When a longitudinal section of the fruit is made, the sin-
; appearance i is presented of its being unequally divided
‘into two chambers by a horizontaldiaphragm, the upper one
containing from three to nine eos ane 1 the lower shece cellp,
with membr iti a |

PUNICA GRANATUM,

rich loam, a sunny situation, and to be protected by glass.
This tree grows wild upon both shores of the Mediterranean,
in Arabia, Persia, Bengal, China, and Japan. It has been
introduced into the East and West Indies, and is cultivated
in all civilized countries where the climate is sufficiently
warm to allow the fruit to ripen. In higher latitudes, where
it does not bear fruit, it is raised in gardens and hot-houses
for the beauty of its flowers, which may be produced double,
and acquire increased splendor of coloring by cultivation.

The PomeGRANaTE Was very early known, being repeatedly
referred to in the Bible (Numb. xiii. 23; Deut. viii. 8, &e.),
and is noticed by Homer (Odys. vii. 120). The Romans
became acquainted with it during their contests with the
Carthaginians, and hence called it Malum Punicum, which
implies that it was abundant at an early age in the neighbor-
hood of Carthage. ;

Some difficulty having been eipetibniced 1 in comprehending
the structure of this anomalous fruit, Dr. Lindley has ex- _
plained it thus. Within the calyx are two rows of carpella,
a lower and inner one, consisting of three or four carpella
surrounding the axis and placed in the bottom of the calyx,
and an upper and outer one, consisting of from five to ten
carpella, surrounding the lower, but adherent to the upper
part of the tube of the calyx. The two strata or tiers of cells
in the Pomegranate are found by the two rows or tiers of

carpella, the upper and outer row being forced to the top « of —

the fruit by the contraction of the tube of the calyx from
which they arise. The transverse diaphragm is forme

the adhesion of the upper to the lower stratum of car
and the outer part of the rind of the Pomegrana’
by the calyx which contains the carpella.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The flowers, rind of the fruit, and the bark of the root of
Punica GRANATUM are all oficial. The flowers, which are
named Balaustines, are inodorous and taste bitterish. They
impart a violet-red color to the saliva, and are mild a fl
gents. The rind of the fruit, when dry, is in irregular, con-
vex, brittle, brownish fragments, with no smell, but a bitter,
astringent taste. The bark of the root and the rind of the
fruit have the same sensible qualities. 'The bark of the root —
is in small pieces, of an ash-gray or yellowish color externally,
yellow with as and iat se bas, ot fibrous. Water extracts — ee

PUNICA GRANATUM.

the virtues of both, and the solution strikes a deep bluish-
black with sulphate of iron. According to Reuss (Handb. d.
Chim.), 216 parts yield 60 of tannin, 74 of mucus, 2 of resin,
22 of oxidized tannin, and 45 of extractive.

The red succulent pulp, which is not officinal, is pleasantly
acid, resembling that of the orange; it is cooling, very re-
freshing, useful for quenching thirst, and gently aperient. It

_ contains much mucilage, united to a little tannin. It was
formerly made into wine by the ancients; in the East it is
much used for making sherbets, and is highly esteemed.

Both the rind of the fruit and the bark of the root are as-

_ tringent. They are given in the form of decoction in chronic
_ and colliquative diarrhoea, and the protracted stage of dysen-
tery. They are supposed to prove beneficial also in checking

the violent sweating which accompanies hectic fever; but the
chief use of the decoction is as an injection in leucorrheea, or a
gargle in sore throats after the local inflammation is moderated.

The bark of the root has long been used by the natives of
Hindostan, and, according to M. Deslandz, by the negroes of
St. Domingo, as a specific in cases of tapeworm. In conse-
quence of the recommendations of Drs. Fleming, Buchanan,
and Ainslie, it was extensively experimented with in Europe,
and with almost universal success. Its utility for this pur-
pose has been fully confirmed by the experiments of Mr. Bre-
ton, Dr. Gomes of Lisbon, and Dr. Wolff of Bonn. The
mode of administration is in decoction made with two ounces

of the freshly dried bark to two pints of water, boiled down

_ to a pint, of which a wineglassful is to be taken every half-
hour till the whole is consumed. The action of the remedy
is generally accompanied with nausea, and sometimes vomit-
ing, purging, and even vertigo and syncope. ‘The worm,
however, is generally voided alive, a few minutes after the
last dose. Celsus says it was used by the ancients for a sim-
ilar purpose. M. Bourgeoise, who gave it in a great number

of cases, advises that, before commencing with its administra-
__ tion, the patient be kept on a strict and spare diet for some
_ days, and the evening before the medicine is taken to have
his bowels well opened by means of a full dose of castor oil.
If the remedy should not succeed upon the first trial, it
should be repeated every day for three or four days, until the

_ worm is discharged. ‘Tenia is comparatively rare in this
_ country, and the pomegranate root has been little used, pos-
_ sibly because the oil of turpentine in large doses has been
_ found perfectly effectual. 3 raid 3

_ The bark and flowers are sometimes given in the form of

_ powder, in doses of a scruple increased toa drachm. A de-—
on may be prepared in the proportion of an ou
to a pint o witees Gnd gions the a

ofa fluid

nee of the _

N° 67.
ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA.
Virginia Snake-root, Snake- weed.

r ei oe

ARISTOLOCHIACEA.
Birthworts.

No. 67.
ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA

Vircinta SNAKEROOT. Birthwort.

Geog. Position. a America, aa

Cushy: Acrid. -

Power. Expelling, aiaretie, diaphortio, anthelmintic, alexi-
pharmic.

Use. Intermittents, eruptions, venomous bites.

BOTANICAL. ANALYSIS

ae Natural Classification.

Onven ARISTOLOCHIACER,
Linnaan Classification.

oe Gynandria. Orver Triandria.

Avrtnortties. — Lin. Sp. Pl. 1363. Willd. Sp. Pl. 159. Woodv. Med. Bot.
106. Pursh, Flor. N. A. 596. Lind. Flor. Med. 343. Bigelow, Med. Bot. III. 49.
Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. Il. 44. . Raf. Med. Flor. I. 61. Whitlaw, Med. Dise.
166. Lond. Disp. 185. U.S. Disp. 676. Ec. Disp. U. 8. 77. Lomi Rpeye - Pl.
766. Ballard and Garrod, Mat. Med. 375. Thomson, Mat. Med. *96._ :
Mat. Med. IT. 241. Griff. Med. Bot. 529. Carson, Ilust. Med. Bot. IL. 32, Gray,
Bot. Text-Book, 858. Beach, Fam. oe ice Howard, Bot. Med. II. 222. Kost,
Mat. Med. 457. Wood, Class-Book, 46: ee ie

Genus ARISTO LOCHIA.

From the Greek dpioros, excellent, and ASytos, pertaining to parturition ;
plant was considered formerly to possess considerable” powers in aiding the peng
sion of the placenta, and in exciting the lochial discharge.

Synonrmes.—Serpentaire de Virginie (Fr.), Schlan nosterluzey, Virginien-
osterluzey, Virginische Schlanjenwurzel (Ger.), Oradiot (Swed.), Slangrod (D one
Wezownik Wirginianski (Pol.).

Tue Essentran Caaracrers.

Catyx. Tube adherent to the ovary. Segments three, val-

vate in estivation.
Stamens. Six~twelve, epigynous, or adhering to the base

of the short and thick styles.

Ovary. Three — six-celled. a as many as he | Fe

aaa ties

< :

ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA,.

Fruit. Capsule or berry three —six-celled, many-seeded.
Embryo minute, in the base of fleshy albumen.
Seeps. Numerous.

Tue Seconpary CHARACTERS.

Aristotocuia. Calyx ligulate, with an inflated base and
an unequal border. Anthers six, subsessile upon the style.
Stigma six-cleft. Capsule six-celled, many-seeded.

Calyx wanting. Corolla superior, one-petalled, ligulate, inflated at the base.
Capsule six-celled, many-seeded.

Tue Speciric CHaracTEerRs.

ArisTo.ocaia Serpentartia. Stem erect, flexuous. Leaves
oblong, cordate, acuminate. Peduncles radical. Lip of the
calyx \anceolate.

Leaves heart-form, oblong, acuminate. Stem zigzag, ascending. Peduneles radi-
cal. Lip of the corolla lanceolate.

Tur ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

Cuass Gynanprta. Stamens and style consolidated. Or-
pER Trianpria. Exogens. Herbs or shrubs. Flowers green-
ish. Stamens six to twelve. Stigmas radiate.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Vireinta Snaxeroor is a native of the whole middle and
southern sections of the United States. It is a curious vege-
table, of low growth in hedges and thickets. It flowers in
May and June, and ripens its seed in September.

The root is perennial, consisting of bundles of fibres, of a
yellow-ochre color, which changes to brown on. drying, at-,
tached to a contorted horizontal trunk, frora which several
stems rise about ten inches in height, slender, crooked, and
jointed, supporting on long footstalks, at each knot, thin cor-

_ date, entire, pointed, trinerved leaves, of a yellowish-green

color. The flowers proceed from the joints, near the root,
and stand upon long sheathed, articulated peduncles, which

_ bend down and almost bury the flowers beneath the decayed
leaves near the roots. There is no calyx. The corolla is of
ae ahuowapieb: arple color, ‘globular ai at the base, contracted and

ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA.

rising from an oblong, angular, hairy, inferior germen. The
seeds are flat and ooutiined in a six-celled hexagonal cap-
sule.

Dried Serpentaria-root is brought to market in bales con-
taining about one hundred pounds, and it is frequently mixed
with the roots of the Spigelia Marylandica. This is an impor-
tant fact, and renders great caution necessary in the purchase
of snakeroot, particularly when brought from those districts
in the Southern States where the Serpentaria and the Spige-
lia grow together in great abundance. When the stems are
mixed with the roots, it is easy to detect the sophistication
by the eye, but it will require a closer examination to distin-
guish the roots by themselves. Their appearance is very
similar, and it is only by the taste that the genuineness of the
snakeroot can be known.

The plant grows plentifully throughout the Middle, South-
ern, and Western States, abounding particularly in the
valley of the Ohio, and in the mountainous regions of the
interior. The root is collected in Western Pennsylvania and
Virginia, in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, and is brought to
market often mixed with the leaves and stems of the plant,
and with dirt from which it has not been properly cleansed at
the time of collection.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

a SnakERooT has an aromatic odor, not unlike that
of valerian, and a sharp, warm, bitter, re-
sembling in some degree that of camphor. lees
all the sensible qualities of the root, Naan a gers su as
brown infusion, which is not altered by sulphate of iron or
zine, nitrate of silver, oxymuriate of mercury, tartarized anti-
mony, the mineral acids and the alkalies, nor is it precipitated
by gelatine or tannin, The superacetate of lead throws
down a flocculent precipagle, which is not soluble in acetic
acid, showing the presence of mucus. With alcohol it af-
fords a bright greenish tincture, which is rendered turbid by
the addition of water. According to Bucholz, a German —
chemist, the components of Serpentaria are volatile oil .05,
yellow gum resin 2.85, extractive 1.7, gammy extract Bh
woody fibre 62.4, and water 14.55 in 1000 parts...

The analysis of M. Chevallier gave the following
one ahs a al bitter principle soluble in wa

, resi , fecula, ay coon’ ulbumen,

ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA.

active principles of Serpentaria therefore appear to reside in a
bitter resin and an essential oil. “On distillation a white
pearly fluid collects in the receiver, strongly impregnated with
the aroma, but less bitter than the root. This fluid on stand-
ing deposits round the edges of its surface small crystals of
camphor.” Bigelow.
. Artstonocuia Serpenrarta is one of the most valuable
and well established of our native remedies. It is much used
in pharmacy, and enters into the composition of many extem-
poraneous preparations. The root is stimulating, diaphoretic,
and tonic. It is almost entirely destitute of smell, with, at
first, a sweetish taste, but afterwards hot and pungent, pro-
ducing a very peculiar tingling sensation in the fauces. It is
beneficially employed in typhoid and putrid fevers, whether
idiopathic or accompanying the exanthemata, to excite dia-
phoresis, and support the powers of the system, and is found
frequently to increase the efficacy of cinchona in removing
protracted intermittents. It is administered with success in
gangrenous affections, chlorosis, and atonic affections of the
intestinal canal, and generally in all the cases in which it be-
comes necessary to stimulate powerfully the organs and to
promote at the same time a slight diaphoresis. It is also an
excellent remedy in dyspepsia, particularly when the skin is
dry and parched. It must be observed, that it acts on the
skin by stimulating this membrane and increasing perspira-
tion. It is also sometimes used as a gargle in putrid sore-
throat. On account of its stimulant properties, it is contra-
indicated in the inflammatory diathesis, and previous to its
exhibition the bowels should be well evacuated. It may be
given in substance (of the powdered root the dose is from
20 to 30 grains), or in Be ee is almost always pre-
ferred), made by macerating half an ounce of the bruised root
in a pint of boiling water in a covered vessel for two hours,
and straining. This is the ordinary form in which Serpen-
taria is employed. The dose is one or two fluid ounces,
repeated every two hours in low forms of fever, but less
frequently in chronic affections. Decoction is a bad form
_ of preparation of Serpentaria, as the boiling dissipates the
essential oi rhi the virtue of the remedy

: . PENTARIA is to be found will render the plate particularly use-
fal, as it will enable the practitioner and apothecary to detect

Routhern Ginte 94.0 ie
shops, it consists of a tuft of long, slen-

_ this well-characterized species in almost every forest of the

N° 66.
IPOMEA JALAPA.
Jalap.

CONVOLVULACESA.
Bindweeds.

No. 68.
IPOMEA JALAPA.

JaLaP.
Geog. Position. South America.
Quality. Nauseous, acrid.
Power. Active cathartic.
Use. Cold habits, worms in children.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification.
Orper CONVOLVULACEZ.
Linnean Classification.
Cuass V. Pentandria. Orver Monogynia.

Avrnorirties. — Willd. Sp. Pl. 860. Pursh. Flor. N. A.146. Lind. Flor. Med.
396. Raf. Med. Flor. I. 122. Whitlaw, Med. Disc. 28. Lond. Disp. 299. U. S.
Disp. 420. Ec. Disp. U. S. 224. Loud. Encye. Pl. 138. Ballard and Garrod,
Mat. Med. 339. Thomson, Mat. Med. 877. Pereira, Mat. Med IL. 343. Griff.
Med. Bot. 474. Oe lllust . Bot. II. 13. Gray, Bot. Text-Book, 846.

a aie |. 180. Wood, lass-Book, 441.

From Greek iy, 5. like, from its resemblance in appear-

ance and habit.

SynonrMes.

~Jalap (Fr), Jalappenharz (Ger.), Scialappa (It.), Jalapa (Sp.),
Jalapparot (Swed.). ; Lak :

Tue Essentra, CuaracrTers.

Catyx. Sepals five, much imbricated, usually united it base,
persistent.

Corotia. Regular. Limb five-lobed or Soaconia, plaited and
twisted in estivation.

Sramens. Five, inserted into the base of the corolla “a al.
ternate with its lobes. Lee

Ovary. Two- four-celled, free. Styles united satis oe

Frurr. Capsule two -four-celled, valves with septifragalde-

IPOMEA JALAPA,.

Steps. Few, large, with mucilaginous albumen. Cotyle-
dons foliaceous or wanting.

Tue Seconpary CHARACTERS.

_leomma. Sepals five. Corolla campanulate. Stamens in-
cluded. Style one. Stigma two-lobed, the lobes capitate.
Ovary two-celled. Cells two-seeded. Capsule two-celled.

Calyx five-cleft, naked. Corolla funnel or bell form, with five folds. Stigma
globe-headed, papillose. Capsule two or three-celled, many-seeded.

Tue Spreciric CHARACTERS.

Ipom#a Javapa. Roots tuberose, incrassated, perennial.
Stems annual, twining, branched, smooth. Leaves ovate,
acuminate, cordate at the base, quite entire, and smooth on
both sides. Peduncles one to three-flowered. Sepals unequal,
obtuse, smooth. Corolla salver-shaped, with a subclavate,
cylindrical tube, and a subpentagonal, horizontally expanded
limb. Stamens exserted.

Forse § ovate, obscurely obtuse, spreading, villose underneath. Peduncles one-
wered

Tue ArtiriciaL CHARACTERS.

Cuass Pentanpria. Stamens five. Orver MonoeyYntia.
Monopetalous. Flowers inferior. Corolla regular. Herbs
rarely shrubby. Stamens alternate with petals. Fruit cap-
sule or berry. Cells with one or two seeds. Corolla limb
entire.

NATURAL HISTORY.

This species of Convo.vutus is a native of South America,
taking its name from Jalapa, a city of Mexico in Vera Cruz,
in the neighborhood of which it grows, at a height of about
six thousand feet above the level of the sea. Jalapa is the
only market for the root, whence it is exported by the way
of Vera Cruz. It might probably be cultivated in the south-
ern section of the United States. It delights in rich, light
soil, and young cuttings root freely in sand under’ a hand-
_— It flowers in August and September.

_ The root i is oP ase of an aati Naa and a dark,

IPOMEA JALAPA.

gular, twining, twisted stems, which extend upwards of ten
feet, with smooth petiolated leaves, of a bright-green color,
varying in shape, some being cordate, others angular, and a
few oblong and pointed. The flowers are on short, axillary
peduncles, that send off two pedicels, each bearing a large
bell-shaped, entire, plaited flower, of a reddish color exter-
nally, and a dark purple within, with a calyx composed of
five oval, concave, pale-green leaves, somewhat indented at
their points. The anthers are of a yellow color, large, on
slender, short filaments; the style is shorter than the fila-
ments, and the germen oval. The seeds are bristled.

The dried roots found in commerce rarely exceed a pound
each in weight. They vary in size from that of the fist to
that of a nut. When entire, they are usually more or less
oval and pointed at the two opposite extremities. The larger
roots are frequently incised, apparently to facilitate desicca-
tion. They are covered with a thin brown, wrinkled cuticle.
They should be heavy, hard, and difficult to powder. When
broken, good jalap roots should present a deep yellowish-gray
color, interspersed with deep brown concentric circles. The
slices vary in their shape, color, and other properties. Those
of inferior quality are light, whitish, and friable. The sliced
tubers are liable to be adulterated, which is sometimes done
with slices of briony root; but the fraud is easily discovered
by the spongy texture and whiter color of the latter, and its
burning less readily when applied to the flame of a candle. ee

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

Good Jaap roor has a sweetish, heavy odor when broken,
and a sweetish, slightly pungent taste. It is heavy, compact,
hard, brittle, with a shining, undulated fracture, exhibiting
numerous resinous points distinctly visible with the micro-
scope. It is always kept in the shops in the state of powder,
which is of a yellowish-gray color, and when inhaled irritates
the nostrils and throat, and provokes sneezing and conghing.
It yields its active properties partly to water, partly to alco-
hol, and completely to diluted alcohol. M. Cadet de Gassi-
court obtained from five hundred parts of jalap twenty-four
of water, fifty of resin, two hundred and twenty of gummy
extract, twelve and a half of fecula, twelve and a half of albu-

* men, one hundred and forty-five of lignin, sixteen and three

tenths of saline matters, two and seven tenths of silica, with
a loss of seventeen parts. The resin of jalap consists of two

IPOMZA JALAPA.

portions, one of which, amounting to seven parts out of ten,
is hard and insoluble in ether, the other is soft and soluble in
that menstruum. The proportion of resin to the other ingre-
dients of the root varies in different specimens.

Ipomma Jaapa is a stimulant cathartic, acting briskly on
the bowels, and although occasionally griping severely, yet
safe and efficacious. It is used in the same cases as scam-
mony, to which it is closely allied, not only by its effects, but
also by botanical affinities and chemical properties. When-
ever it is required effectually to evacuate the intestines, it is
tolerably certain in its operation, more so, indeed, than many
other purgatives. In the proper dose it may be given with-
out the least hesitation to children, in any case requiring an
active purge. It has an advantage over some other evacu-
ants, that it does not stimulate or heat the system, its effects
being confined principally to the alimentary canal, the peri-
staltic motion, secretions, and exhalations of which it pro-
motes, and constipation less frequently succeeds its use than
of some other purgatives.

Daily experience, in fact, proves the value of jalap as an
active, certain, and safe purgative in various diseases both of
children and adults. Of course its irritant properties unfit it
for exhibition in inflammatory affections of the alimentary
canal, as well as after surgical operations about the abdo-
men and pelvis. Also it is not an appropriate purgative in
irritation of or hemorrhage from the uterus, or in piles and
stricture and prolapsus of the rectum. On the other hand,
its use is indicated in torpid and overloaded conditions of the
intestinal canal, as well as in constipation attended with re-
tention of the catamenia. When the object is to relieve cere-
bral congestion and dropsical affections by a counter-irritant
influence on the mucous membrane, jalap is well adapted to
fulfil it. “Jalap,” says Bremser, “ is, without contradiction, in
verminous diseases one of the best purgatives, and which
perhaps possesses at the same time greater anthelmintic vir-
tues than any other.”

Jalap is apt to be attacked by worms, which, however, are
said to devour the amylaceous or softer parts, and to leave
_ the resin, so that the worm-eaten drug is more powerfully
_ purgative than that which is sound. ‘Thus, out of 397 parts
M. Henry obtained 72 parts of resin, while from an equal
quantity of the latter he procured only 48 parts. Hence
worm-eaten jalap should be employed for obtaining the resin,
but should not be pulverized, as it would afford a powder of
_ More than proper strength.

__ The dose of jalap in powder is from fifteen to thirty grains, __
the resin or alcoholic extract from four to eight grains.”

f
SPs.

N° 60. AUG
Hydrastis Canadensis. |
Turmeric_rect Gelden seal. =

RANUNCULACEA.
Crow foots.

No. 69.

HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS.
Turmertc-roor. Golden Seal, Yellow-root, Orange-roat.

Geog. Position. United States.

Quality. Bitter taste, narcotic odor.
Power. Tonic, stomachic.

Use. Aids digestion, removes obstructions.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.

| Natural Classification. : |

Orpver RANUNCULACEAR.
Linnean Classification.

Cuass XII. Polyandria. Orver Polygynia.

Auruoritiges.— Lin. Sp. Pl. 784. Willd. Sp. Pl. 1340. Pursh, Flor. N. A.
389. Lind. Flor. Med. 3. Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. 11.17. Raf Med. Flor. L. 40.
U. S. Disp. 1335. Ec. Disp. U. 8. 213. Loud. Encye. Pl. 490. Thomson, Mat.
Med. *77. Griff. Med. Bot. 82. Gray, Bot. Text-Book, 704. Beach, Fam. Phys.
657. Howard, Bot. Med. 255. Kost, Mat. Med. 448. Wood, Class-Book, 137. _

Genus HYDRASTIS.

From the Greck $8ep, water, the plant growing in watery places. Or to com-
memorate “a young lady ‘of noble birth.” < ee

Synonrmes. — Hydraste (Fr.).
Tue EssentiaL CaaracTers.

Cauyx. Sepals mostly five, sometimes three, four, or six,
mostly deciduous, and imbricated in estivation.

Coroiua. Petals three - fifteen, hypogynous, sometimes ir-
regular or wanting. ' ae

Sramens. Indefinite or numerous, distinct, hypogynous. An-
thers adnate or innate. ae

Ovary. Indefinite or numerous, rarely solitary or few, dis- oe

_ tinct, seated on the torus. ae we cS

HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS.

Seeps. Numerous. Embryo minute, at the base of horny
or fleshy albumen.

Tue Seconpary CHaracTeErs.

Hyprastis. Sepals three, ovate, petaloid, equal. Corolla
wanting. Stamens indefinite or numerous, a little shorter
than the sepals. Baccate fruit composed of numerous, aggre-
gate, one-seeded acines.

Petals three, ovate (by some considered a colored calyx). Berry composed of
one-seeded acines. ,

Tue Spreciric CuaractTsErs.

Hyprastis Canapensis. Root of a deep yellow color in-
ternally. Stem six—nine inches high, becoming purplish,
hairy above. Leaves two only, alternate on the upper part
of the stem, petiolate, emarginate at base, palmate with
three —five lobes. Peduncle terminal, solitary, one-flowered.
Sepals reddish white. Fruit red, juicy. Seeds nearly black.

Stem with two opposite leaves above. Leaves petioled, emarginate at the base,
palmate, serrate, gashed. Peduncele terminal, solitary, one-flowered. Root yellow.

Tue Artirictan CHaracters.

Cuass Potyanpria. Stamens twenty or more, arising from
the receptacle (hypogynous). Orver Ponyeynia. Leaves
never peltate. Herbs with acrid, colorless juice.

NATURAL HISTORY.

_ The Hyprastis Canapensis is peculiar to North America.
It was originally included by Linneeus in Hypropuyiivm, but
afterwards separated under its present name, at the suggestion
of his industrious correspondent, Mr. John Ellis, to whom we
_ are indebted for the generic name Hyprastis, which has been
adopted by all botanists, except P. Miller, F. B. 8., who, in
his Gardener’s Dictionary, terms it Warnera. Another species
_ has been described by Walter under the name of Hydrastis
Carolinensis ; but as it has not since been detected, it is prob-
ably nothing more than a local variety of this one. Dr.
Muhlenberg has also introduced it in his catalogue, but with
The Hydrastis is found in most parts of the United States,
- most common to the west of the mountains. It may

HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS.

be occasionally found in the New England States, but not
common. Small quantities have been collected in Vermont
and Connecticut, but it is very rare in Massachusetts. It is
very abundant westward of the Alleghany Mountains, and
may be found everywhere in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.
It grows in rich woodlands, deep valleys, and on the banks
of streams. It is occasionally noticed in Pennsylvania spring-
ing up at the base of hills, and generally on their northern
side; near Philadelphia it is very rare. ‘The flowers are ex-
ceedingly fugacious, the petaloid sepals falling off soon after
they expand; they appear in April and May, and are suc-
ceeded by the bright red fruit, which closely resembles a rasp-
berry, but is not edible.

Some botanists have thought it probable that the name
Hyprastis had a reference to the natural situation of the
plant, from dep, water, or vSpeta, an imbibing of water. It
is extremely doubtful, says Professor Barton, whether this
was really the derivation of the word, for the plant, as far as
any thing of its natural history is known, is neither remark-
able for imbibing nor for growing in the vicinity of water;
neither does it appear to delight in a very moist soil, for where
it is found in the greatest abundance, and where it grows
most in profusion, it is confined altogether to shady woods
of rich soil. :

The root is perennial, of a bright yellow color, tortuous
and rugged, from which proceed a great number of tolerably
large fibrous portions. The fibres are rather more brilliant

than the root. Stem simple, upright, pubescent or hairy, es- :

pecially in the young state of the plant. It is terminated
with two unequal leaves, beyond the smaller of which the
peduncle projects, bearing a single white or very pale rose-
colored flower. The leaves are at first small during the flo-
rescence, but increase rapidly in size as the plant advances to
maturity. The fruit is a berry, of a bright red color, consist-
ing of a number of muriated acini, each of which contains

one or two obovate seeds of a black color, having a minute

CHEMICAL

HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS.

trials and experiments of several eminent physicians and prac-
titioners it may very safely be recommended as a strong tonic
bitter, and may be used wherever such a remedy is required.
It has a pleasantly bitter and somewhat pungent taste, is
slightly laxative, and of course alterant, aiding the system to
remove obstructions and recover its tone, and is highly es-
teemed and thought valuable throughout the United States.
It keeps the bowels moderately open, without acting as a
purgative or reducing the strength of the patient. It is highly
useful during recovery from fevers, for dyspeptics, or those
who are troubled with indigestion, or any other complaint, to
remove the heavy, disagreeable sensation often produced by
indigestible food. A teaspoonful of this root pulverized, tak-
en in a little hot water, sweetened, with the addition of a
little cayenne, will give immediate relief from the distress
caused by unhealthy food in the stomach. When used di-
rectly after eating, it aids digestion and removes heaviness
from the stomach. A small particle of this powder, the size
of a pea, will remove the inquietude.

Golden Seal is an excellent corrector of the bile, and may
be used for that purpose. It is very good in jaundice, and in
all derangements of the digestive organs. In colic, also, it
may be used with exceeding good etfect. Compounded with
poplar-bark, one part of the former and two of the latter, four
parts of good sugar, and one eighth part cayenne, it forms.
a compound that is valuable in every family, where it should
be always at hand. .

__ Turmeric-root is very popular and much used in some of

the Western States in form of an infusion as a topical appli-
cation in chronic ophthalmia and other diseases of the eye, and
there is evidence sufficient of its efficacy in these complaints.
The Indians are said to have employed it in the same form
for old sores, and as an external application to ulcers. It is
likewise highly probable that it may be found useful in many
external complaints as a topical tonic.

A strong decoction of Hydrastis Canadensis and poplar-
bark, with one tenth as much powdered peach-kernels, and
one tenth of strong tincture of myrrh, with an equal measure
of dry sugar, make an excellent dysentery or cholera syrup.

_ This plant was well known to and extensively used by the
_ Indians, both as a dye and for medicinal purposes. The root
_ yields a brilliant yellow color, which appears to be permanent
_ and might be advantageously employed in the arts. In an
account of the principal dyes used by the Indians, by Hugh
_ Martin, in the third volume of the Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc.
1783, he states that, from experiments made by himself and
others, it was found to succeed perfectly with silk, wool, and

N° 70.
Wee * on, oy umole Tepulus.
oe es Common Hop.

URTICACEZ.
Nettleworts.
= No. 70.
HUMULUS LUPULUS.

Comzon Hop.
Geog. Position. Europe, North America.
Quality. Bitter.
Power. Tonic, narcotic, anodyne.

Use. The strobiles, in nephritis, phrenitis. ‘The seeds, in
constipation.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification.
Orver URTICACEZ.
Linnean Classification.
Cuass XXII. Diecia. Onver Pentandria.

Auvrnoritties. — Lin. Sp. Pl. 1457. Willd. Sp. Pl. 769. Woody. Med. Bot. 90.
‘Pursh. Flor. N. A. 199. Lind. Flor. Med. 296. Bigelow, Med. Bot. III 164. Raf.
Med. Flor. I. 246. Whitlaw, Med. Disc. 185. Lond. Disp. 377. U. S. Disp.
388. Ec. Disp. U.S.211. Loud. Encye. Pl.834. Ballard and Garrod, Mat. Med.
386. Thomson, Mat. Med. 461. Pereira, Mat. Med. II. 205. Griff. Med. Bot.
574. Gray, Bot. Text-Book, 884. Beach, Fam. Phys. 658. Howard, Bot. Med.
254. Wood, Class-Book, 508.

Genus HUMULIS.

From Lat. numus, fresh earth ; the hop grows only in rich soils. The English
word hop seems to be the Anglo-Saxon hoppan, to climb.

Syrnonyrmes.— Houblen (Fr.), Der Hopfen (Ger.), Lupolo (It.), Hombrecillo
(Sp.), Hoppe (Dutch), Lupulo (Port.), Chmiel (Pol.), Chmel (Russ.), Barnce (In-
dian), Hymel (Pers.).

Tue EssentiaL CHaRacTErRs.

Catyx. Membranouns, lobed, persistent.

Corotta. None. | e

Sramens. Definite, distinct, inserted into the base of the
calyx and opposite its lobes. | pial

Ovary. Free, simple, one-ovuled. Sighrbor

HUMULUS LUPULUS.

Fruit. Achenium or utricle, surrounded by the membranous
or fleshy calyx.
Seeps. Not numerous.

Tue Seconpary CHARACTERS.

Humuuus. Calyx five-sepalled. Stamens five. Anthers with
two pores at the summit. Bracts imbricate, large, entire,
concave, persistent, one-flowered. Calyx membranous, entire,
persistent. Styles two. Achenium invested by the thin calyx.

STAMINATE FLOWERS. Calyx five-leaved. Corolla none. Anthers with two
pores at the extremity. PisT1LLaTE FLOWERS. Calyx one-leaved, entire, oblique,

spreading. Styles two. Seed one within the leaf, like calyx. Inflorescence stro-
bile-form.

Tue Speciric CHaracters.

Humvutus Lurutus. Stem long, annual, rough backwards
with reflexed prickles. Leaves very rough, generally three-
lobed, deeply cordate at base, on long stalks. Flowers of the
barren plants extremely numerous, panicled, greenish. Flow-
ers of the fertile plants in aments with large scales.

Stem twining with the sun. Leaves lobed.

Tue Arririciran CHaRacTers.

* Crass Diacra. Stamens apart from the pistils in different
flowers upon different plants. Orper Penranpria. Herbs
exogens, diecious. Fruit a utricle or achenia. Svyles two.
Leaves rough (often with stings), stipulate. Flowers incon-
spicuous.

NATURAL HISTORY.

In England the hop is an indigenous plant, perennial,
growing in hedges, and flowering in July. Throughout the
United States it is found wild in hedges, &c., and is exten-
sively cultivated for the sake of its fertile aments, which are

chiefly used as a preservative in malt liquors. :
| The root sends up many long, striated, angled, rough, flex-
ible stems, which support themselves by twining round up-

right bodies in a spiral direction from left to right. The

leaves are opposite, in pairs, petiolate, heart-shaped, serrated,
_ entire or lobed, and of a dark-green color on the upper disc.
oth the leaves and petioles are scabrous, with mi

nute pric-

HUMULUS LUPULUS.

and furnished with bracteas; the males are yellowish-white,
in panicles, and drooping; the females, which are on distinct
plants, are in solitary cones or strobiles, ovate and pendulous,
composed of membranous scales of a pale greenish color,
tubular from being rolled in at the base, and two-flowered,
each containing one round, flattish seed, of a bay-brown
color, surrounded with a sharp rim, and compressed at the
tip.

At the proper season, while the strobiles are yet scarcely
ripe, the plants are cut about three feet from the ground, the
poles on which they are twined pulled up, and the strobiles
carefully picked off one by one. Those that are Overripe or
defective are separated from those that are ripe enough, and
both kinds are carried to the kiln as soon as possible after
they are picked. The heat of the kiln requires to be regu-
lated with great nicety, and in order to prevent them from
drying too fast, many kilns have two floors, on the uppermost
of which the greener hops are laid, and gradually dried, be-
fore being brought to support the heat of the lower floor.
Charcoal is the fuel usually employed, other kinds of fuel
injuring the flavor of the hops. The strobiles are considered
sufficiently dry when they become crisp, but they acquire a
degree of toughness and tenacity before they are bagged, from
being laid in heaps in the storehouses. Five pounds of moist
or underripe hops make one pound only when taken from the
kiln. ‘The best hops are brought to market in fine canvas
sacks, called “pockets,” each of which contains somewhat

HUMULUS LUPULUS.

none of the virtues of the hop. (Annals of Phil. p.194.) The
virtues of the strobiles are extracted by boiling water, or alco-
hol, or ether. The watery infusion has a pale straw-color, is
rendered muddy by the mineral acids; alkalies deepen its
color; it strikes an olive with sulphate of iron, is precipitated
by alcohol, solution of superacetate of lead, nitrate of silver,
and tartarized antimony, and when rubbed with magnesia or
lime, a rod dipped in muriatic acid discovers the presence of
ammonia. ‘The ethereal tincture, when evaporated in water,
leaves a pellicle of greenish, intensely bitter resin, and de-
posits some extractive. By distillation in water, hops yield a
volatile, aromatic oil. From these experiments they appear
to contain resin, extractive, volatile oil, tannin, an ammo-
niacal salt, and what has been termed the bitter principle.

Humvuuus Lurvuuvs is narcotic, tonic, diuretic, and, exter-
nally applied, anodyne and discutient. Hops are said to pos-
sess the power of procuring sleep in the delirium of fever, and
in mania, when used as a pillow, and owing to this effect
having been confirmed in the case of King George the Third
of England, their efficacy as a general narcotic when intro-
duced into the stomach has been investigated. Dr. Maton
observed, that, besides allaying pain and producing sleep, the
preparations of hops reduce the frequency of the pulse, and
increase its firmness in a very direct manner. One drachm
of the tincture and four grains of the extract given once in
six hours. He found the extract exceedingly efficacious in
allaying the pain of articular rheumatism, but subsequent ex-
perience has not afforded sufficient proof of its utility as a
sedative, and Dr. Bigsby’s experiments have lessened very
much the confidence physicians were previously disposed to
give to it. An ointment compounded with the powder of the
hop and lard is recommended as an anodyne application to
cancerous sores. A fomentation of it will certainly afford
much relief in painful swellings and tumors. 7

When administered internally, all the good effects of hops
may be obtained by the use of Lupulin, which is best given
in pills, in doses of six to ten grains, or in tincture in those
of half adrachm to adrachm. The pills may be made by
_ simply rubbing the powder in a warm mortar till it acquires
the consistence of a ductile mass, and then moulding it into
the proper shape. Lupulin may be likewise substituted for
the hops in poultices, ointments, &c., with much advantage.
_ The principal consumption of hops is in the manufacture
of malt liquors, to which they communicate the bitter flavor

_ | The young shoots of the Humulus Lupulus, when they

from the root, are sometimes

‘No 71
Conium Maculatum.
Hemlock.

UMBELLIFERZ.
Umbellifers.
No. 71.
CONIUM MACULATUM.

Hemuocx.

Geog. Position. Europe.

Quality. Nauseous.

Power. Narcotic, diuretic.

Use. Scirrhus, scrofula, ulcers, scabies, &c.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification.
Orver UMBELLIFERA.
Linnean Classification.
Cuass V. Pentandria. Orver Digynia.

AvtHorities.—Lin. Sp. Pl. 349. Willd. Sp. Pl. 1395. Woodv. Med. Bot.
104. Pursh. Flor. N. A. 195. Lind. Flor. Med. 57. Bigelow, Med. Bot. I. 113,
Raf. Med. Flor. I. 148. Whitlaw, Med. Disc. 46. Lond. Disp. 295. U.S. Disp.
273. Ec. Disp. U. S. 135. Loud. Encye. Pl. 216. Ballard and Garrod, Mat.
Med. 290. Thomson, Mat. Med. 453. Pereira, Mat. Med. II. 497. Griff Med.
Bot. 339. Carson, Illust. Med. Bot. I. 49. Gray, Bot. Text-Book, 800. Wood,
Class-Book, 283. se

Genus CONIUM. ae
From the Greek koverov, from Kavos, pe eeren top, so called because it produce
giddiness in those who drank it. It is the Greek name for Poison poss al ten ca

Srvowrams. — La cigue (Fr.), Der Schierling (Ger.), Cicuta (It.), Ceguda (Sp.),
Scheerling (Dutch), Skarntyde (Dan.), Swiniewesz (Pol.), Boligolow (Russ.).

Tat Essentra, Cuaracters.

Catyx. Adhering to the ovary, entire or five-toothed. .

- Corouta. Petals five, usually inflected at the point, imbri-
cate in estivation. “

Sramens. Five, alternate with the petals, and inserted with
them upon the dise. : poe

Ovary. Inferior, two-celled, surmounted by the fleshy disc
which bears the stamens and petals. Styles two, stinct,
or united at their thickeued base. Stigma simple.

CONIUM MACULATUM.

Frurr. Dry, consisting of two coherent carpels, separating
from each other by their faces (commissure) into two halves
(merocarps).

Tue Seconpary CHaRacters.

Contum. Calyz margin obsolete. Petals obcordate, with
-an acute, inflected point. Fruit ovate, laterally compressed.
Carpels with five acute, equal, undulate-crenulate ribs, lateral
ones marginal, intervals without vitte. Seeds with a deep,
narrow groove on the face.

Seeds five-ribbed. Ribs at first crenate, with flat intervals between them. Germ
ovate, gibbous. Perianth entire. Petals unequal, cordate, inflexed. General invo-
luere about three to five-leaved. Partial ones mostly three-leaved, unilateral.

Tae Speciric CHaracTERs.

Conium macutatum. Stem spotted. Leaves tripinnate.
Leaflets lanceolate, pinnatifid. Fruit smooth.

Stem very branching, spotted. eaves very compound. Seeds striate.

THe ArtiriciaL CHARACTERS.

Crass Penranpria. Stamens five. Orver Dicynta. Poly-
petalous. Seeds two. Flowers in umbels. Herbs with hol-
low stems. :

NATURAL HISTORY.

_ Contum Macu.arum is usually supposed to be the géverov
of the Greek writers, the celebrated Athenian state poison, by
‘which Socrates and Phocion died, and the cicuta* of the
Roman authors. It is a native of Europe and parts of Asia,
and is naturalized in many places in the United States. The
plant is biennial and umbelliferous, growing under hedges,
by road-sides, and among rubbish, flowering in June and July.
_ The root, which is fusiform, branching, whitish, and fleshy,
_ exudes when cut a milky juice. The stem rises erect about
four or five feet in height, is branching and leafy, round, hol-
low, striated, smooth, shining, and maculated with brownish
_ purple. The lower leaves are very large, above a foot in
— length, on large sheathing petioles, supra decompound, and
_ shining; the upper leaves are bipinnate; the whole stand
upon channelled footstalks proceeding from the joints of the

CONIUM MACULATUM.

surface, but paler underneath. The rays of the umbels are
ten or twelve, those of the umbellules fifteen or sixteen. The
involucre consists of from three to seven short, turned-down,
lancet-shaped leaflets with white edges spread at the base,
the involucel of three or four leaflets on one side only, and
spreading. The flowers are very small, the petals white, the
outer ones rather longer than the inner, cordate, inflected.
The stamens the length of the petals, supporting white orbieu-
lar anthers. The styles two, filiform, diverging, and crowned
with round stigmas. ‘The fruit is ovate, striated, smooth,
and brownish when ripe.

Hemlock is distinguished from other umbelliferous plants
with which it may be confounded by its large and spotted
stem, the dark and shining color of its lower leaves, and their
disagreeable smell when fresh and bruised, resembling in
some degree the urine of a cat.

For medical use, the leaves should be gathered about the
end of June, or early in July, when the plant is in flower, the —
small leaflets picked off, and the footstalks thrown away.
The picked leaflets are then to be properly dried, and as ex-
posure to the air and light destroys the fine green color of
the plant, and injures its active qualities, the dried leaflets
must be preserved in boxes completely filled by gently press-
ing down the leaves, then covered with a closely fitted lid,
wrapped in paper, and sealed; or if powdered, the powder
may be preserved good in closely-stopped opaque —
many years.

As powders are generally affected by the action of the air
and light, all powders should be kept in opaque or green —
glass bottles. The effect of light on a majority of powders i is
rendered obvious by the labelled side of clear bottles contain-
ing them, which are always turned to the light, becoming
incrusted with the powder, changed in its color, while the
other side remains clear and transparent.

According to Linneus, sheep eat the leaves, but ata ,

cows, and goats refuse them. Ray informs us that the thrush —
will feed upon the seeds, even when corn or grain is to. be

: had. Qustia: says hemlock is eaten by few or no insects. _

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND ne

CONIUM MACULATUM.

leaves ; the taste is slightly bitter and nauseous. They are
easily pulverized, and the powder should retain the beautiful
green color of the leaves, The acrimony only of the fresh
leaves is lost in drying, but the narcotic principle remains
uninjured if the operation be well performed. The virtues of
Conium MacuLatum are extracted by alcohol and sulphuric
ether. To the ether it communicates a very deep green color,
and when the tincture is evaporated on the surface of water
a rich dark green resin remains, in which the narcotic princi-
ple of the plant appears to reside; it contains the odor and
taste in perfection, and half a grain produces headache and a
slight vertigo. Dr. A. T. Thomson discovered this principle,
to which Dr. Paris proposes to give the name of concin. Dr.
Brandes has discovered a_ particular principle of alkaline
nature, which he terms cicutine, of a green color, insoluble in
=s and in doses of half a grain causing vertigo and head-
ache.

Hemlock is a powerful narcotic, and is used as such both
internally and as an external application. It has long been
employed as a medicine of great efficacy, and although we
are indebted to Baron Stoerck, of Vienna, for bringing it into
general notice, yet he rated its powers too high, and the
multitude of discordant diseases to which he enumerated it
as beneficial, led many sober men to doubt its efficacy alto-
gether. Hemlock is nevertheless a useful narcotic, and is
advantageously applied as a palliative in many complaints
not curable by any other medicine. It is found serviceable
in chronic rheumatism, in scrofulous, syphilitic, and other
ill-conditioned ulcers and glandular tumors, in pertussic, and
the protracted cough, which is very troublesome, and often
remains after pneumonic inflammation.

The leaves of this plant are strongly poisonous; many in-
stances of their fatal effects which have occurred in this and
other countries are on record. The root of hemlock, however,
_ does not appear to possess any noxious power. Mr. Curtis,
in the Flora Londinensis, expressly states that they have been
eaten in the recent state, and also boiled in considerable
quantities, without occasioning any inconvenience. An over-
dose of hemlock produces sickness, vertigo, delirium, dilatation
_ of the pupils, great anxiety, stupor, and convulsions. ‘The
best antidote is vinegar, after the stomach has been evacu-
ated and the cerebral excitement reduced by bleeding and

purging.

__ The best mode of exhibiting hemlock is the dried leaves in
the form of powder; dose three grains, gradually increasing
_ ‘it every day until a slight vertigo forbids its further increase.
___ Its operation usually commences in less than half an hour,

BS 72.

_ _Euenymus Atropurpureus.
ao ; Spindle. tree, Wahoo.

CELASTRACE.
Staff-trees.
No. 72.
EUONYMUS ATROPURPUREUS.

Sprnpue-tree. Burning-Bush, Wa-hoo.

Geog. Position. United States.
Quality. Bitter.
Power. Tonic, laxative.

Use. Ague, dyspepsia, fever, debility.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Classification.
Orver CELASTRACEZ.
Linnean Classification.
Cuass V. Pentandria. Orper Monogynia.

AvurtnHoririés. — Willd. Sp. Pl. 1132. Pursh, Flor B.A. 168. Raf. Med. Flor.
II. 220. U. 8. Disp. 1326. Ec. Disp. U. S. 168. Loud. Ene be ee Griff.
Med. Bot. 220. Gray, Bot. Text-Book, 762. ies a Kost,
ie a ae

eGuievs EUONYMUS.

From the Greek eB, well, and dvopa, a ‘ite albaonel. The application of
the name is, however, ‘obscure. Euonymus was also a heathen divinity.

Synonymes.— Fusain, or Bennet de Pretre (Fr.), Spindelbaum (Ger.), Fusag-
gine (It.).

Tue EssentraL CHARACTERS.

Canyx. Sepals four - five, united at base, imbricated.
Corouua, Petals as many as sepals, inserted by a broad
base under the margin of the flat, a disc which
surrounds the ovary.
Sramens. As many as the petals, A alternate with them,
inserted on the margin of the disc.
1

EUONYMUS ATROPURPUREUS.

Ovary. Superior, immersed in and adhering to the disc.
Frurr. A capsule or berry.
Seeps. Either with or without an arillus.

Tue Seconpary CHARACTERS.

Evonymus. Calyx flat, of five (sometimes four or six)
united sepals. Corolla flat, inserted on the outer margin of
a glandular disc. Stamens five, with short filaments. Cap-
sule colored, five-angled, five-celled, five-valved. Seeds arilled.

Calyx five-parted or five-cleft, flat. Cbrolla flat, inserted on the outer margin of

a glandular disc. Capsule five-angled, five-celled, five-valved, colored. two-
lobed. Seeds calyptred or arilled.

Tue Speciric Cuaracrers.

Evonymus arropurpurevs. Branches smooth. Leaves el-
liptic-lanceolate, acuminate, finely serrate, puberulent beneath.
Peduncles compressed, many-flowered. Flowers usually pen-
tamerous.

Leaves petioled, lance-oblong, acuminate, serrate. Peduncles divaricate, many-
flowered. Flowers four-cleft. Fruit smooth, red.

Tue Artrricran CHaractTErs.

~Cxass Penranprra. Stamens five. Orver Micnocrwix
Polypetalous. Flowers inferior, regular. Stamens alternate
with the petals. Shrubs.

NATURAL HISTORY.

The Spindle-tree i is a smooth shrub or large bush, growing
from four to ten feet high in shady woods and thickets in
river bottoms in the Western States. It flowers in June, and
its seeds ripen late in the fall. The Indians generally called
it Wa-hoo, among whom it is said to have been a popular
remedy, as well as among the whites of certain early settle-
ments in the Mississippi valley. The same name has also
been applied to the Ulmus alata of the Southern States, and
has thus led to mistakes.

~The bark is smooth, dark gray, interspersed with large
white, ir regular-shaped spots, which | disappear towards the
termination of the branches. ‘The’ aes is emer |

: = white within, rough and much 1

EUONYMUS ATROPURPUREUS.

branches, constituting the growth of the preceding year, are
of a dark green color, with many dark spots, whilst those
portions which appear to have been produced two years pre-
ceding are less green, with stripes or lines of white. Leaves
petiolate, opposite on the young branches, alternate on the
old, oblong, ovate, acuminate, serrate, deep green on the
upper and light on the under side. Flowers, a kind of cyme,
or a cluster often axillary to the leaves, very small, dark red-
dish-brown inside, inclining to green outside, producing an
angular-shaped, rough involucre or husk, which opens in the
fall, exhibiting the beautifully bright fiery red fruit or berries
in strong contrast with decaying nature, and which has pro-
cured for it the name of Burning-bush, which it sometimes
bears.

The common name, Spindle-tree, is derived from the uses
to which another species of Evonymus is applied. This
species has a wood which, without being hard, is very tough,
and this was formerly much employed in making spindles for
the spinning-wheel. Now that the jenny has superseded the
distaff, this is little used, except for making toothpicks and
skewers; and also by watch-makers for cleaning delicate
machinery, for which it is very well adapted on account of
the fine point with which it may be worked without break-
ing. Another of its common names, Prick-wood, seems to
render it not improbable that it was formerly used in the
manufacture of those skewer-like pins, which were employed
to hold the dress together as late as the reign of Henry the
Eighth, when the manufacture of metal mee became Jet ;
general. = i

The ‘Risa taot -ATROPURPUREUS, Fovmllctensai is ak easy
culture in common soil, and propagated by layers, ripened
cuttings planted in —*- or seed” ‘lt rei ye tans
the — States.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The bark of the root of Evonymus arropurrurevs is the
part employed as medicine, and should be gathered at the
time that it will peal off readily, when it should be beaten
with a hammer or mallet, carefully dried and preserved for ,

use. The bark, when dry, is of a light brown color —-
: a the ices root = spignet. t Emacate ae ae

EUONYMUS ATROPURPUREUS.

culiar bitterness that is very permanently tonic, and some-
what anti-periodic. It exhibits also a laxative power, on
account of which it is esteemed very valuable in the treat-
ment of dyspeptic complaints, for the stomach will bear this
substance with advantage while many other tonics produce
disagreeable symptoms. Some physicians and practitioners
regard it as one of the most valuable articles in dyspepsia.

This medicine is also particularly useful in all cases of de-
bility, and valuable as a tonic after intermittent fever or fever
and ague. When depended on for the cure of ague, it
should be preceded by an emetic or cathartic, as the circum-
stances may require, and then, if freely and perseveringly
applied, it will generally be successful. It may be used alone,
or combined with balmony or any other tonic. The dose is
from half to a whole teaspoonful three or four times a day.

The seeds of the Spindle-tree, as well as those of the other
species, are all nauseous, purgative, and emetic, and are used
in some places to destroy vermin on the hair. The leaves
are poisonous to sheep and other animals feeding on them.

Mr. C, A. Santos, of Norfolk, Va., in a dissertation upon
the subject published in the American Journal of Pharmacy
(XX. 80), speaks of the bark as tonic, hydragogue, cathartic,
diuretic, and antiperiodic. Dr. Twyman, of Westport, Mass.,
found it, as a cathartic, rather to resemble rhubarb than to
possess hydragogue properties, and thought he had obtained
useful effects from it as an alterative to the hepatic function.
On the whole, the character of its action may be considered
as somewhat uncertain, and it might, therefore, well form an
object of further examination.

_ The following are the principal preparations of this medi-
cine : —

Tinctura Evonymus. ‘Take of the bark in coarse powder
four ounces, alcohol two pints. Digest seven days and filter.

Tincture of Euonymus. Tonic and antiperiodic, useful in
intermittent and remittent fever, and in general debility.
The dose is from two to four fluid ounces.

Exrractum Evonymus. Take Euonymus bark four pounds,
alcohol two and a half gallons, water three gallons. Digest
in the alcohol at a temperature a little below the boiling
point for four hours, or keep in a warm place for a week,
strain through calico, and distil to one pint. Boil the bark in
the water for four hours over a slow fire, strain and evaporate
to one pint. Mix the liquors and evaporate by means of a
water-bath to the proper consistence. |

Extract of Euonymus. This article is an excellent laxative
bitter, and is very highly esteemed in convalescence from
_ fever, especially when of an intermittent or remittent type,

4 3

N° 73.
HYDSCYADITS NIGER.
Henbane. Poison tobaceo we Ld

SOLANACER.
Nightshades.
?, N°. 73,

HYOSCYAMUS NIGER.

Dba ine
= Gain lity—Insipid. 2
ile Naoto, sedative. Ca one
Use—Paralysis, convulsions, mania, epilepsy. The smote
to relieve tooth-ache a

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.

Natural Order. Luride—t. J. Solanaces.
Cuass V. este oo Nesp Jarome

Willd.. Sp. Pl. i. 1010. Woody. 204. Smith Flor. Brit. 598. ee Bot. 591
Loudon. Ency. Pl. 136. Bigelow Med. Bot. i. 161. Linn. Sp. PI. 257. Stephen-
son and Churchill, i. 9. Raf. Med. Flor. i 255. ‘Lind. Med. Flor. 508. Per. Per. El.
Med. Bot. ii. 307. Griff. Med. Bot, 484, — te ae aes

Genus EvGee luce.

From vs, a pig, and xvayos, a bean, the fruit has been thought to resemble a bean,
and is said to be not poisonous to swine.

Synonymes.—La jusquiame (Fr.), Das Bilsenkraut (Ger.), Bilsenkruid. (Dutch),
Bulme (Dan.), gpa: (1. ) Beleno (S.), Meimendro (Port.) Belmort (Swed.)
Bielum (Pol. r Khorassanie Rae (H.) Sickran (Arab.), Khorassanie onsum
_(Tam.}, Buzirulbury (Pers), Adas-pedas (Malay) , Adas (Jav.) ve

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS.

Catyx. Sepals four—five, more or less united mostly pers’ ste n ee
, Se sins peas Limb four—five = plaited in eee on,
_ Four—five (Gometimes one abortive), inserted | on
ther

HYOSCYAMUS NIGER.

Ovary. Free (superior), two-celled, (fowr-celled in Datura),
with the placenta in the axis. Styles and Stigmas united
into one.

Fruir. A capsule or berry.

Seeps. Numerous. Embryo curved, lying in fleshy albumen,

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS,

Hyoscyamus. Calyx tubular, five cleft. Corolla infundibu-
liform, irregular; one of the five, obtuse lobes larger. Stamens
five, declinate. Stigma capitate. Capsule ovoid, two-celled
opening with a lid near the summit.

Calyx tubular, five cleft. Corol funnel-form, five-lobed, obtuse, irregular. Stamens
inclined. Capsule two-celled, covered With. a lid.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.

Hyoscyamus Nicer. Stem branching, erect, very leafy,

Leaves sinuate, clasping. Flowers sessile.
.

_ Leaves clasping, sinuate. Flowers veiny sessile.
‘THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

Crass Pentanpria. Stamens five. Orper, Monocynta, Mono-
petalous. Flowers inferior. Corolla regular. Herbs (rarely
shrubby). Stamens alternate with petals. Fruit capsule or
berry. Cells two with many seeds. istivation plicate.

NATURAL HISTORY.

‘Common Hennane is a native of Europe, and is naturalized

in the northern parts of the United States. It grows spon-

taneously at Detroit and Upper Canada, on waste grounds, and
at the sides of roads, particularly on a calcareous soil, flowering

ae July and August. The root is long, tapering, compact, and

fibrous. The stem erect, woody, round, and branched, rising

S about two feet in height. ‘The leaves are alternate, sessile, and
bracing the stem, large, the lower ones being about a foot in
, dee y sinnated, undulated, wool gh ;

ing some sense of heat, effects which are followed by proportis

HYOSCYAMUS NIGER.

a net-work of purple veins. The filaments are inserted into the
tube of the corolla tapering, downy at the base, and supporting
purple anthers. The style is purplish, with a blunt, round,
stigma, The capsule is globular, invested with the body of the
calyx, bilocular, and closed with a convex smooth lid.

The whole plant. is covered with soft, white’ hairs, feels
clammy and slightly adhesive. It emits a fetid odor; is of a
sea-green hue, and poisonous when eaten.

A species of bug (Cimex) and of beetle (Chrysomela) take
their specific names from feeding on this plant; but no quadru-
ped is known to eat it, unless the ont and sheep, and that very
rarely and sparingly.

The Henbane is a hardy plant, of common culture ; it grows
in loam and peat, and cuttings root without being covered by a
glass.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

_ The virtues of Hyocyamus Nicer are completely extracted by
diluted alcohol. The watery infusion is of a very pale yellow
color and insipid, and has the narcotic odor of the plant. It is
not altered by the acids. The alkalies change the color to a
deep greenish yellow, which, on the addition of an acid, disap-
pears, and a brownish flocculent precipitate is produced. It is

copiously precipitated by solutions of acetate of lead, white; by
nitrate of silver, black; sulphate of iron strikes with it a pale eS

olive color, and a dark precipitate is slowly formed. T ge
Henbane appears to contain resin, mucus, extractive, a peculiar es
alkaline salt, and gallic acid. M. M. Metssner and Branpes have —

examined the nature of this alkaline salt, which they have
named Hyociama, and have ascertained that on it depends the —
peculiar virtues and the poisonous properties of this plant. The —

seeds contain a larger proportion of this alkaloid than either the __
leaves or the roots; it isin the form of a malate. It crystal~ ae

lizes in long prisms, and forms neutral salts with the acids.
Henzane is narcotic. Tts operation is very similar to that of =
opium ; increasing at first the strength of the pulse, and produc- a

diminution of excitement a
. ‘diaphoresis or diuresis, and
other” times it pocetly and in

d'sleep. In some habits it oc

HYOSCYAMUS NIGER.

dilation of the pupils; until the pulse gradually becoming
weak and tremulous, petechie make their appearance, and death
ensues. Dissections show the effects of inflammation in the sto-
mach, bowels, and the membranes of the brain. After an emetic
is given, and the stomach fully cleared, vinegar is the best anti-
dote. :

The effects of Henbane as an anodyne were known to the
ancients. But as those were ill understood, its use was almost
completely relinquished till the time of Baron Srozrx, who may
be regarded as having introduced it. It may be employed in all
the cases in which the use of opium is indicated, where the latter
disagrees with the habit, or where its constipating effect is wished
to be avoided. In painful and spasmodic affections, hysteria,
rheumatism, and gout, much benefit has resulted from its use,
and it is particularly serviceable when it is united with colo-
cynth or other powerful cathartics, in colica pictonum. It is
used externally to lessen and allay the irritation of very sensible
parts, thence fomengations of the leaves have been found benefi-
cial in scrofulous and cancerous ulcers, hemorrhoids and other
painful swellings. The leaves and marshmallow flowers boiled
in milk, with the addition of a few grains of acetate of lead,

are recommended as a topical application in scrofulous ophthal-

mia. Smoking the leaves, like tobacco, is said to allay the pain
of toothache. Its effects in dilating the pupil, when an infusion
of it is dropped into the eye, are similar to those of belladonna, ~
and thence it is also employed as a preparative to the operation
for cataract. It is used by practitioners very generally, and
particularly recommended in the forms of extract and tincture
only, and on no occasion should it ever be prescribed in com-
_ binations with alkalies, as these destroy its narcotic powers in
twenty-four hours.

Ne 7h.
HEDEOMA PULEGIOIDES.
Pennyroyal. Sick-weed, Squaw-mint xc

LABIAT A.

“habe ate Piss Ls
N’. 74,
HEDEOMA PULEGIOIDES.
Prnnyroyat, Tick-aweed, Squaw-mint, ke.

Place—North America.

Quality—Aromatic.

Power—Stomachie, stimulating, emmanagogue.
Use—Nausea, flatulence, obstructed menstruation.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Order. Labiate—L. J.
Crass XIV. Didynamia. Orpver Gymnospermia.

Persoon Synop. ii. 131. Beach Fam Ph. 677. Loudon Ency. Pl. 500. Barton Veg.
Mat. Med. ii. 165. Raf. Med. Flor.1. 231. Lind Med. Flor. 491. Griff. Med. Bot.
508. Kost. Mat. Med. 328. Wood. Class Book, 422.

Genus. HEDEOMA.

Ae Greek jd:a, sweet, or agreeable, ovum, smell, on account of the fe
of the plant

Synonymes.—Menthe peuliot(F.), Polei j vk Dutch, Dan.) , Pulija (Swedish ) , Poley
(Pol.}, Puleggio (J.), Paleo (S.), Poejo (Port oe

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

Caryx. Tubular, regularly five-toothed or cleft, or bilabiate,
persistent.

Corotua. Bilabiate, (rarely regular, five-toothed ,) the upper lip
bifid or entire, os in wstivation the lower three-
cleft one.

Sramens. Four, aidyniitboass ot sometimes only two, the upper

pair being abortive or wanting, situated on the corolla tube.

Anthers. seats two-celled. a
pigs Free, deeply four-lobed, the nate oe arsng from : oe

the —_ of the lobes. ;

HEDEOMA PULEGIOIDES.

Fruir. One—four hard nuts or achenia.

Seeps. Erect, with little or no albumen. Embryo erect. Co-
tyledons flat. :

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS.

Hepeoma. Calyx gibbous beneath at base, thirteen-ribbed,
throat hairy, upper lip of Corolla erect, flat, lower lip spreading,
three-lobed. Stamens two, fertile, ascending.

Calyx two-lipped, gibbose at the base, upper lip with three lanceolate teeth ; lower
lip with two subulate ones. Coral ringent. Two short Stamens barren.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.

Heproma Puteciowes. Leaves oblong, few-toothed Flowers
axillary, whorled.

Pubescent, Leaves oblong, serrate. Peduncles axillary, whorled.

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

Cuass Dipynamia. Stamens four, two of them longer than
the other two. Orprer Gymnospermia. Seeds naked. <Achenia

four (or fewer), included in the calyx. Corolla monopetalous
and labiate.

NATURAL HISTORY.

The species comprising this genus Heproma, which are mostly
_ North American plants, were included by Linnzus and other
botanists in Cunila and Melissa, but were distinguished, sepa-
. rated and named by Persoon, and they constitute a small, but
well-marked group.

_ The Hepzoma Pursciomes notwithstanding, is yet commonly
blended, even by some medical writers, with the Menrua Puie-
-@tum, which’ belongs to a different genus, and does not grow in
America, The shape, smell, and properties are somewhat similar,
__ whence the same vulgar name ; sey the American cod appears

ao to be most efficient.

_ Heproma Soran the American Pennyroyal, is ey.
d hilly mo hl i, i een

HEDEOMA PULEGIOIDES.

repute in domestic practice, and is of easy culture. The root is
annual, small, fibrous, branched, and yellowish. The stem is up-
right, about a foot high, with slender branches, obscurely angular,
terete, and pubescent. The leaves are small, opposite, oblong,
lanceolate, or suboval, on short petioles, base attenuated and sub-
acute, margin with small remote serratures, surface rough or
pubescent, nerved and pale beneath, Flowers all along the
branches in axillary whorls of six, nodding on short pedicles,
very small. Calyx pubescent, corolla very small, hardly longer,
white, with the lips purple, base slender, then campanulate with
two small lips, the upper rounded, seldom notched, the lower
with two rounded lateral lobes, and an obcordate middle lobe.
Stamina and style filiform, anthers oblong. Stigma lateral acute.
Fruit four small oblong seeds in the persistent calyx, mouth
closed by the ciliated bristles of the lower lip.

Pennyroyal is cultivated for its use in culinary and pharma-
ceutical preparations. It grows best on a tenacious soil, even a
clay is more suitable than a light, silicious soil. It should be
moderately fertile, free of stagnant moisture, and consequently
on a dry subsoil, or well-drained. A wet soil makes the plant
Inxuriant in summer, but insures decay in winter.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

HEDEOMA PULEGIOIDES.

worked into a mass and thus formed into pills. The dose is from
two or ten drops.

The infusion commonly called pennyroyal tea, is a very popu-
lar domestic remedy, and freqnently taken freely without regard
to quantity or strength. The most popular method of making
this tea is: take of pennyroyal a handful, of boiling water a
pint. Steep in it a covered vessel, and sweeten with sugar.
This infusion is warming and grateful to the stomach, and is
particularly useful in allaying nausea and vomiting. In large
draughts it promotes perspiration, and taken freely on guing to
bed, it is an excellent remedy for a sudden cold, or slight attack
of disease. Combined with cayenne, it may be given with great
advantage in obstruction of the menses, the feet having been
previously bathed in warm water, hence it is much used as an
emmenagogue in popular practice, and frequently with considera-
ble success, It affords relief in flatulency and pains of the sto-
mach and bowels, and for this purpose may be given freely to
children, Although pennyroyal affords a very popular graveo-
lent tea, and probably more used in domestic practice than any
other of the aromatic herbs, yet there are many other labiate
plants which are equivalent to it, and possibly more agreeable.

This herb put into water which has become unwholesome
during a sea voyage, will give it an egreeable flavor, and render
it less injurious to the system.

This plant is also frequently used to kill the Ticks, Ixodes,
which attach themselves to men, dogs, and cattle in summer.
Hence one of its common or vulgar names. These troublesome
animals are found wherever the Hedysarums and Lespedezas
or true tickweeds grow, upon which they breed. By rubbing
the legs or boots with this plant or its oil, those insects will avoid
you, or, if they have taken hold, the oil kills them. A strong
decoction of the plant is equally convenient, and a strong decoc-
tion of tobacco is as good. .

‘The whole plant gives out, when pressed between the fingers,
a strong, pungent, and grateful scent, which is extremely reviv-
ing and pleasant, The expressed juice mixed with a little sugar-
candy has been frequently prescribed for the hooping cough, and
| with remarkable success. A table-spoonful is a dose. :
ee A conserve of the young tops acts as a ‘dinretic and has
: able in sravel. It is likewise good for the

: a NY 75.
ACONTS OM SAPELLWS .
- Woalfsbane Monkshond £6

RANUNCULACEZ.

Crowfoots.
NY, 165@:
ACONITUM NAPELLUS.
Monx’s-Hoop, Woilf’s-bane.

Place—Europe. °

Quality—Acrid, somewhat poisonous.
Power—Narcotic, diaphoretic, diuretic.
Use—Rheumatism, gout, paralysis, &c.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Order. Multisilique—L. Ranuncnlacexe—J.
Crass XIII. Polyandria. Orver Monogynia.

Willd. Sp. Pl. ii. 1235. Woodv. Med. Bot. 2d Ed. 165. Linn. Sp. Pl.751._ —
Dis. 52. Raff. Med. Flor. ii. 186, a Peon Med. Flor. Per. El. Mat. Med. ii. 749.
Griff. Med. Bot. 91. ‘Stephon and ee eee as

Graves. -ACONITUM.

oe a

The derivation is not aie Sonne writers derive it from pee a town of Bith
others deduce it from the Freek axoros, without dust; because the plant grows in ary re
places; but after all, it most probably comes from axovn, a rock, for the plant grows
also in rocky places. of

Synonymrs.—Aconit, chaperon de Moine (Fr.) Blanerstrumhut (Ger.) -Monniks-
kappen (Belg.) Stermhut “(Dan.) Stermhatt (Swed.) Napello (1) Aconito wed

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

Catyx. Sepals mostly five, sometimes three, four, or - =
mostly deciduous, and imbricated in estivation,

Corotua. Petals mE ele Yprer eos Sometimes ir-
regular or wanting. ©

— Indefinite or numerous, sich hypogyncus. nn :
a adnate or innate. ie

ACONITUM NAPELLUS,

Ovary. Indefinite or numerous, rarely solitary or few, distinct,
seated on the torus.
Frurr, Hither dry achenia, or baccate, or follicular. Embryo
Minute, at the base of horny or fleshy albumen.
Seeps. Numerous.

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS,

Aconitum. Sepals five, irregular, colored, upper one vaulted.
Petals five, the three lower minute, the two upper on long claws,
concealed beneath the upper sepal, recurved and nectariferous
at the apex. Sfyles three—five. Follicles three—five.

~ Calyx wanting. Petals five, upper one vaulted. Nectaries two, hooded, peduncled,
recurved. Carpels three or five, pod-like. By some, the corol is considered as a
colored calyx.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.

Acontrum Napeutus. Stem straight, erect. Leaves deeply
five-cleft, cut into linear segments, furrowed above. Upper
Sepals arched at the back. Lateral ones hairy on the inside.
Ovary smooth.

__ Leaves shining, five-parted, the divisions three-parted by gashed incisions, eub-aiv}-
_ sions linear. Upper lip of the corol lanceolate, seceilttig! Wonder ree straight,

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS,

Cuass X. Poryanprta. Stamens twenty or more, arising

from the receptacle, (hypogynous.) Ozper Monoeynta. Ovary

_ simple. Calyx four-five sepaled. Leaves ternately divided.
_ Flowers racemose.

NATURAL HISTORY. |

_ The ancient history of Aconrrum is involved in great obscurity.

_ The Greeks make frequent reference to a most virulent poison,
_ which they term axovirov, Theophrastus is the earliest writer
‘who speaks of it. As Aconitum Napellus is a vitulent poison,
and is a native of Greece, where it is known at the present day,
pellation, it would appear probable that ous

the above i

ACONITUM NAPELLUS.

this supposition, and the plant described by this ancient na-
turalist has never been satisfactorily identified.

This species, Aconitum Napellus, varies much in the color
and size of its flowers, especially in a cultivated state, and is
much prized as an ornament in the garden. It is a native of
most parts of Europe, in mountain forests and plains, flowering
iu May and June. The roots are napiform and fibrous. The
stem is firm, elongated, erect, smooth, rising to the height of
five or six feet, leafy and terminating in a long sparse spike of
flowers, racemose, and the peduncles branched below. The
lower leaves are few, alternate on long channelled petioles, pal-
mated, or rather pedate, being divided to the base into three or
five broad cuneiform divisions, deeply cleft and toothed. The
petioles are shorter and the leaves less divided the nearer they
are to the summit of the stem. The color of the whole is a deep
green on the upper disk, and a pale green on the under; both
sides are naked, smooth, and shining. The flowers are of a
cerulean blue, on unifloral, erect, axillary, pubescent pedicels,
They have no calyx ; but two small, erect, calycinal stipules, or
rather subulate bracteole, are placed one on each side of the
pedicle within a few nes. of the flower. The petals are five ;
the uppermost helmet-shaped and more accuminate than in some
others, covering two singular, peduncled nectaries; the lateral
ones broad and roundish, the lower oblong, elliptical, and divari-
cating. These four are slightly pubescent. The nectaries are
cuculated, the spur of each being hooked and blunt. The lip—

lanceolate, revolute and bifid. The filaments are spread, and —

white at the base, where they closely cover the germens, but
the upper part is filiform, purple, spreading, and bearing whitish —
anthers. The germens are three, four, or five, with simple,
reflected stigmas, and become capsules with many regular seeds.
The plant is of easy culture; and for medical purposes, the
leaves should be eather when ‘hs flowers appear. .

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The whole of the plant is poisonous; but the deleterious
qualities are lost in a considerable degree when it is dried,

or long kept, and much of its acrimony is dissipated. The leaves” : is8

when fresh have a faint narcotic odor, and a moderately bitter,
acrid kesiay leaving a painful sensation of heat in the mouth
ch mig ‘The activity |

ACONITUM NAPELLUS.

very uncertain, and depends on soil and the nature of the sea
sons. The tuber is most active immediately after the period of —
flowering, next the seed, and successively the leaves, stalk and
fruit. Its narcotic principle is an alkaloid, which has been
named Aconita. This principle is soluble in cold water, scarcely
so in cold alcohol, but freely if heat be applied.

Aconite is narcotic, diaphoretic, and in some cases, diuretic.
In over doses it occasions violent nausea, vomiting, hypercathar-
sis, vertigo, cold sweats, mania and convulsions, which termi-
nate in death ; and these effects appear to depend on its action
on the nervous system, as dissections of fatal cases have not dis-
played any particular marks of organic disease.

- Although, as already mentioned, this plant was known to the
ancients, it was introduced into regular medical practice by Baron
Stoerk of Vienna, who administered it internally in chronic rheu-
matism, gout, exostosis, paralysis, and scirrhus ; and since the
publication of his experiments in 1702, it has been advantage-
ously employed in similar cases, and also in amaurosis, scrofula,
cancer, itch, venereal nodes and intermittents. It is now uni-
versally ranked among the most potent of therapeutic agents.
In consequence, however, of its uncertain action, and its occa-
sional production of alarming symptoms, it is not in general use.
Much caution is required in the exhibition of it ; and it is abso-
lutely necessary to know the length of time it ‘ini been gathered,
as its activity varies so very considerably as to require this to be
ascertained before the dose can be apportioned. It is given in
the form of powder, extract and tincture, and may be combined
with calomel, antimonials, camphor and guaiacum. The dose
of the powder is one or two grains, gradually i increasing it to
_ six oreight. The extract varies much in strength; but its use
should always be commenced in doses not exceeding half a
grain. The tincture may be administered in doses of ten to
‘fifteen drops.

- Succus Sprssarus Aconrra Napewut. fiestas Juice of

Acontte. Let the fresh leaves of aconite be bruised, enclose

them in a hempen bag, and press them strongly until they yield

: - their j juice, which is to be evaporated in flat vessels heated with

boiling water saturated with muriate of soda, and immediately
ae reduced to the. consistence of thick ee Aft the mass is

WN? 76. ;
HELONIAS DIOICA.

Unicorn Blazing-star, Ague-root <¢

MELANTHACE A.
Melanths.
No. 76.

HELONIAS DIOICA.
Unicorn Root. ~*

Place—United States.
Quality—Not unpleasant.
Power—Tonic, anthelmintic.
Use—Colic, rheumatism, jaundice.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Order. Coronarizx.—Melanthacer. J.

Crass VI. Hexandria. Orper Trigynia.

Willd. Sp. Pl. ii. 183. Lou. Ency. Pl. 268. Linn. Sp. Pl. 456. Bigelow, Med.
Bot. iii. 50. U.S. Dis. 64. Raf. Med. Flor. i. 37. Per El. Mat. Med. ii. 130. Griff.
Med. Bot. 263. Wood Class Book, 559.

Genus. HELONIAS.

From the Greek, é\os, a marsh, where some species grow
THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

Frorat Envetore, or Pertanth regular, in two series, each of
three segments which are distinct or united me base, gener-
ally involute in estivation.

Sramens, Six, with extrorse anthers.

Ovary. Three-celled, nine—many ovuled. Styles distinct ot
wanting. Stigmas undivided.

Frurr. Capsule or berry, threc-celled, gencrally with pends
dehiscence.

Soya With a membranous testa, and dense esky ogeaaia

HELONIAS DIOICA.

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS.

Hexonias. Perianth six-parted, spreading, petaloid, the seg-
ments sessile, and without glands. Styles three, distinct. Cages
sude three-celled, three-horned. Cells many-seeded,

Calyx wanting. Corol six-parted or six-petalled, ” ge glandless. Styles dis
tinct. Capsule three-celled, three-horned, few-seeded,

SPECIFIC CHARACTERS,

Hetontas Diorca. Stem leafy. Leaves lanceolate, radical
ones oblanceolate. Raceme spiked, nodding, dicecious, Pedi-
cels short, without bracts. Stamens eaitad: Segments
linear.

ype leafy. Racemes spiked, nodding. Pedicels short, subtracted. Filaments
ise than the corol. Petals linear. Leaves lance-oblong. Generally diecious.

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS,
Crass Hexanpria. Stamens six. Orver Tricynta. En-

dogens. Calyx and Corolla similarly developed. Flowers con-
spicuous, mostly colored. Ovary many seeded.

HAMODORACEA,
Bloodroots.
| No. %6.
ALETRIS FARINOSA.
Srar-Grass, Colic root.
a. BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
“Natural Order. Coronariw, L, Heemodoracee, A 8

_ Crass VL Hevandria, Onpee Monogynia.

ALETRIS FARINOSA.

limb, somewhat hexagonal, scabrous and plaited externally
Stamens inserted on the base of the segments. Filaments flat.
Anthers somewhat sagittate. Ovary three-lobed, pyramidal.
Style formed of three connate bristles. Stigma simple. Cap-
sule pyramidal, opening in three directions at the apex. Seeds
very small, striated, numerous,

NATURAL HISTORY.

On account of the great irregularity and confusion with many
medical writers on the Unicorn, Unicorn-root, Star-grass, Colic-
root, &c., as two American plants of different orders, genera, and
species, are simultaneously, commonly, and vulgarly called, it
has been determined to designate and describe both under one
and the same number (No. 76,) in the Family Flora.

The PieLonise Diotca, Unicorn-root, is abundant in some of
the Western States, and it is found also in Pennsylvania, New-
York, and Connecticut. It grows in woodlands and meadows,
delighting in a moist situation, and blossoms in midsummer.
The root is perennial, rather smaller than the little finger, irre-
gular, from one to two inches long, of a dirty dark color, very
hard, full of little pits, rough and wrinkled, having numerous
small darkish fibrous roots, which when deprived of their out-
side bark somewhat resemble hog’s bristles. The end of the
caudex or main root often dead or rotten; premorse. Leaves
radical, pale, smooth, evergreen, lanceolate in a sort of whorl at
the base of the scape. Stem or scape from eight to eighteen —
inches high, upright furrowed, and terminating in a spike or

tassel of white dicecious flowers. Flowers small, very numerous.

greenish white, in long, terminal, spicate racemes, which are
more slender and weak on the barren plants. Ovaries as long
as the linear petals, subtriangular. Capsule three-furrowed,
oblong, tapering at the base, opening at the top. The fertile
plants are taller, more erect, but with fewer flowers.

The ALerris Farinosa, Star-grass, i is founda in almost all parts
of the United States, growing in poor, dry soils in open situa-
tions on hills, prairies, and borders of woods, and flowers in
June and July. The root is perennial, small, branched, crooked,
blackish outside, brown within, premorse, intensely bitter. Stem

or scape round erect, from one to two feet high, naked, except a _ ee

ae few peetiercl, bracts ending in a lene rage of "white, somew.

ALETRiS FARINOSA.

scattered flowers, and at base surrounded with a circle of lanceos
late, sessile leaves, which spring immediately from the foot and
spread on the ground in the form of astar. Hence have origi-
nated the popular names of star-grass, blazing star, and mealy
star-wort, by which the plant is known in different parts of the
country. The leaves are entire, pointed, very smooth, longitu-
dinally veined, and of unequal size, the largest being about four
inches in length. ;

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The root of Hetontas Diorcra is the part principally used, and

is highly celebrated as a tonic, and general strengthener of the
system. Dr. Roeerrs says it relieves colic, stranguary, rheuma-
tism, and jaundice. It affords an excellent female medicine,
and has a powerful tendency to prevent abortion, and they who
are liable to accidents of this nature, ought to make frequent
use of it. Half a tea-spoonful of the powdered root may be
taken three times a day, in a gill of warm water, or for ordinary
use, a portion of it may be added to the bitter tonic. It is also
_ highly valued in suppressed menstruation.
The Unicorn-root is also an excellent remedy for coughs, con-
- sumptions, and all complaints of the lungs, promoting expecto-
ration and insensible perspiration. The constant use of it, how-
ever, sometimes makes the mouth sore, when it must be laid
aside, and some other expectorant used till the mouth gets well,
and then it may be again resumed,

The root of the ALerris Farrnosa, is the official portion em-
ployed as medicine. It is a very bitter and valuable tonic and
stomachic, promoting in small doses the appetite and digestion ;
‘but in large doses is apt to produce nausea and vomiting.

Twelve grains of the powdered root is the largest dose.
: The bitterness appears to reside in a resinous matter, which
is fully imparted in the tincture, to alcohol, which it renders ex-
tremely bitter, whilst water is rendered much less so. The

= , tincture becomes turbid by the addition of water.

‘The star-grass may be given in tincture, decoction or sub-
_ stance, though the first and last forms are undoubtedly the best;

or it may be incorporated into cordials or syrups. It is useful

in all cases of _ and loss of. em eas suns = :

N° 1T.
CASS TA-HIS'TVUILA.

Cassia, Purging Cassia Pudding-pipe tree x:

LEGUMINOS J.

Leguminous Plants.
ean’. Ut
CASSIA FISTULA.
Cassia, Purging cassia, Pudding pipe tree, §e., feu

Nery Place—East Indies, Egypt, Arabia.
Quality—Sweet, somewhat nauseous. _
-Power—Demulcent.
Use—Obstipations of the bowels, anes caleuli.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Order. Lomentacere—L. Leguminose—J.
Cuass X. Decandria. Orver Monogynia.

Willd. Sp. Pl. ii. 513. Woodv. Med. Bot. 2d Ed. iii. 60. Loudon Ency. Pl. 348.
Linn. Sp. Pl. 540. U.S. Dis. 186._ Stephenson and Churchill. Lindley, Flor. Med.
262. Per. 1. Mat Med. i 00% St a oe tame

| Genus. ca SIA. Pe
Prichee the Hebrew Resid restaeel e kactay in a Reagual and latinibed

assia

Synonymes,—Casse (Fr.) Rohnkassie(Ger.) Pypkassie ( Dutch.) Cassievar (Dan.
Swed.) Polpa di Cassia (I) Fistularis (Sp.) Ameltas (H.) Suvernaca (San.)
Konnekai (Tam.) Khyar Sheber (4rab.) Khyar Chirber (Pers.) — {Jav.)
Mentus (Malay.) Sonali (Beng.)

-°

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

Catyx. Sepals generally five, more or less united, often un-

equal.

Corotta. Petals five, either papilionaceous or regular, perigy-
nous,

Sramens. Diadelphous, monadelphous or distinct. Amthers
versatile. :

Ovary. Superior, single and simple. Sryle and Sitgma simple. z

CASSIA FISTULA.

Frurr. A legume, either continuous (one-celled) or (a loment)
jointed into one-seeded cells.
Seeps. Solitary or several, destitute of albumen.

»
THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS,

Cassia, Sepals five, scarcely united at base, nearly equal.
Petals five, unequal, but not papilionaceous. Stamens ten, dis-
tinct. Three upper anthers often manly ; three lower ones
beaked. Legume many seeded.

Calyx five-sepalled. Corol five-petalled. Anthers three, lower ones beaked, and
on longer incurved filaments, Legume membranaceous

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.
t

Cassia Fisruna. Trunk from forty to fifty feet high, about
the size of a walnut tree. Leaves large, composed of from five
to six pairs of oval and acute folicles, from three to five inches
long. Flowers large, yellow, in oem hanging from the axilla
of the leaves.

Leaves in six pairs. Petioles glandless. Legume reniform.
THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

> Crass Decanpria. Stamens ten. Orpen Monocynta Fruit,
alegume, Ovary single and simple.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Cassta Fistuna is a native of Egypt and the East Indies, but

is now naturalized in the West Indies and South America, It

was known to the Arab and Greek physicians of the middle ages,

and is ‘supposed to have received its name from its agreeable
odor, somewhat resembling that of the celebrated spice.

The tree rises to the height or forty or fifty feet, with a
large trunk, covered with a soft, cineritious bark, and is much
branched at the top. The leaves are composed of six pairs of

_ ovate, pointed, undulated pinne, of a pale green color, with
many transverse nerves, and peduncled. The stipules are
pparent. The flowers which appear in June are of a

zolk , placed upon long pendent terminal spikes. The
leaves of ‘thus calyx are crenated, blunt and greenish. The
— —— spreading and waved. om ie tees

CASSIA FISTULA,

filaments are long and incurved. The others exhibit large
anthers, three of which are rostrated, or like the open beak of a
bird, at the extremity. ‘The fruit is a long woody, dark-brown
pod, about the thickness of the human thumb, and nearly two
feet in length, cylindrical, with two longitudinal furrows on one
side, and one on the other, and divided into numerous trans-
verse cells, each containing one smooth, oval, yellowish, shining
seed, with red lines dividing it lasgitadinally, imbedded in soft
black pulp.

The fruit of the Cassta Pikes gi is known in commerce by the
name of Cassia pods, which are said to undergo a kind of fer-
mentation, to prepare them for keeping. For this purpose they
are collected before they are quite ripe, and carried into a close
room, in which is prepared a layer of palm leaves and straw six
inches thick, on which they are laid, the room closed, and the
next day the heap sprinkled with water, and this process re-
peated. In this way they are treated for forty days till they be-
come black. Those which are brought to this market come
principally from the West Indies, packed in casks and cases, but
a superior kind is brought from the Hast Indies, and is easily
distinguished by its smaller, smooth pod, and by the greater
blackness of its pulp. The heaviest pods, and those in which
the seeds do not rattle on being shaken, are the best, and contain
the greatest quantity of pulp.

The tree will thrive in loam and peat, and euttings will root
in sand under a hand glass, 1 in moist heat.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES.

The pulp of Cassta Fisrvta is the only part employed in medi.
cine, it is of a very dark-brown color, of a very faint and sick
odor, and of a sweet mucilaginous and sub-acid taste. It is apt
to become sour if long exposed to the air, or mouldy if kept in a
damp place. It is viscid, almost entirely soluble in water, and
partially so in alcohol and sulphuric ether. The watery infu-
sion, which shows a tendency to gelatinize, has when filtered
the color of the pulp, and yields a precipitate with alcohol and
the solution of the superacetate of lead. The alcholic and ethe-
rial tinctures are not affected by the addition of water, although
when they are evaporated a thin pellicle of resin remains. No
alteration is produced on the alcoholic and watery infusions |
a a infusion of _ nitrate of silver, ee of _— nor ees ae

CASSIA FISTULA.

nitric nor sulphuric acids; but chlorine throws down a yellow-
colored precipitate, which is insoluble in ether. Hence there is
reason for concluding with Vanque.in, that this pulp contains
sugar, gelatin gluten, mucus, a small portion of resin, etxractive,
and some coloring matter.

Cassia pulp is a gentle laxative, and well adapted for children
and very delicate females. In small doses it is mild and agree-
able, and in larger ones purgative, but from the quantity required
to produce this latter effect, it is apt to occasion nausea, flatu-
lence, and griping. To assist its operation and prevent the
griping, it is usually conjoined with some neutral salt and an
aromatic. It does not appear to possess any advantage over the
pulp of prunes, and is not as agreeable. It is, however, seldom
used in this country, and as seldom in England.

The root also contains a bitter principle, and has been em-
ployed as a substitute for Peruvian bark. It contains a peculiar
principle, which has been examined by Caventon, who regards it
as a powerful diuretic. It forms soluble combinations with the
mineral acids. The leaves and the flowers are also purgative.
Their employment is indicated when in the course of a phleg-
masia it is necessary to keep the bowels open, but their adminis-
tration is contra-indicated in cases of hypochondria and in atonic
affections.

Conrectio Casstm Fistrutm, Confection of Cassia. Take of
fresh cassia pulp half a pound, manna two ounces, tamarind pulp
an ounce, syrup of roses half a pound. Bruise the manna, then
dissolve it in the syrup by the heat of a water bath, and having
mixed in the pulp, evaporate down to a proper consistence.

Evectuarium Casst® Fisrunz. LElectuary of Cassia, Take
of cassia pulp four parts, tamarind pulp, manna, of each one
part, syrup of damask roses four parts. Bruise the manna in a
mortar, and dissolve it in the syrup by means of a gentle heat,
then add the pulps, and by a continued heat reduce the mixture
to a proper consistence.

_ Or another. Take of freshly extracted cassia pulp half a
pound, manna two ounces, tamarind pulp an ounce, syrup of
orange half a pound. Bruise the manna, then dissolve it in the
- syrup by means of a moderate heat and add the pulp; lastly,
eraperee slowly the mixture to a proper consistence.

_ This electuary is gently purgative, and is used to relieve

: Sidiseal, costiveness, as a purge for children, and as a vehicle for
: ay Ses See . |

io.
A

*
4
ay
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a
2
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a

N° 78.
PAMAX @iLTN QU If TF ODI Ro
Gins eng Red-berry. Five Fin gers XC.

: _ ARATIACER.
a r ali ta ds.
N. ue 8.
PANAX QUINQUEFoLIUM.
Bees Red-berry, Five fingers, Me Fc.

¢—North America,
iS Quality—Sweetish, aromatic.
_ Power—Stimulant, antispasmodic,
Use—Nervous affections, debility.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Order. Hederacern—L. Araliacen—J.
Crass V. Pentandria, OrvEer Digynia.

Willd. Sp. Pl. iv. 1124. Woodv. Med. Bot. 2d Ed. 149 t 58. Loudon Ency. P,
ey Bigelow Med. Bot. ii. 82._Linn. Sp. Pi. 393. _ U.S. Dis. 530. Raff. Med. Bot

53. Per. El. Mat. Med. ii. 474. Griff. Med. Bot. 344. Kost. Mat. Med. 518,
Tor, and Gray Fl. i. 646. Wood. C. B. 295

— PANAX.
From the Greek Tay all, and axas a remedy supposed to be a panacea or universal

remedy.

Synonymrs.—Ginseng d@Amerique (Fr.) Ginsang (Jt.) Kraftwurzel (Ger.)

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS.

@aryx. Superior, entire, or toothed.

Corotta, Petals five—ten deciduous, rarely wanting, valvate
in eestivation.

Sramens. Equal in number to the petals, and alternate with
them. <Anthers introrse.

Ovary. Crowned with a disk, two or many celled. Ovutes : i

solitary Styles as many as the cells.
Frum, Baccate or * spate of several onersoedo cells.

PANAX QUINQUEFOLIUM.
THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS. -

Panax. Diceciously polygamous. Calyx sdmbe to the ovary.
Limb short, obsoletely five-toothed in the perfect flower, Calyx
in the staminate flower entire. Petals five. Stamens five,
alternate with the petals. Styles two—three. Fruit baccate,
two—three celled. Cells one seeded.

Polygamous, unbelled. Involucre many-leaved. Calyx five-toothed in the perfect
flower, superior. Berry heart-form, two or three seeded. Calyx in the staminate
flower entire.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.

Panax Quinquerouiwm, Root fusiform. Leaves three, ver-
ticillate, five foliate. Leaflets oval, acuminate, serrate, petiolate.
Pedicles of the umbel rather shorter than the common petioles.

Root fusiform. Leaves ternate, quinate. Leaflets oval, acuminate, petioled, serrate.
THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS,

Crass Pewranpeta, Stamens five. Oapan Drevwra. Calyz
superior. Flowers umbelled. — five pemstod.

NATURAL HISTORY.

The Ginseng is a perennial plant indigenous to North America
and Chinese Tartary. It occurs in most parts of the temperate
portions of the United States, but is most common to the west-
ward, being almost eradicated in the Atlantic States. It is
usually found at the roots of trees, in rich soil, especially in hilly
situations. It flowers in June and July. The hardy species

__ thrive well in light rich soil, the others grow in loam and peat,
and are merennes “by cuttings in sand ender a hand-glass, but

Se ian Pua: ‘eeceabbk cos is a high-sounding title, weaning
ae little less than that the plant which bears it is the long sought
universal elixir, a remedy for all things. In Chinese Tartary
3 = the plant oe and silos as an ee - oe

PANAX QUINQUEFOLIUM.

The Asiatic kind is found principally in that country between
39° and 47° north latitude, in the same kind 6f localities as in
this country, The collection of it is a monopoly enjoyed by the
Emperor, who guards the districts in which it grows with great
vigilance. Each individual who is employed to collect it, de-
livers two catties of the best roots gratuitously, and is paid its
weight in silver for all over this quantity. This insures the
Emperor about 20,000 catties at about one-fourth of their mar-
ket price. ie dies ee

Notwithstanding that large quantities of this root are exported
from this country to China, and being there recognized as the
true Ginseng, and that most botanists have declared that the
plants are identical, yet it is now admitted, by some of the best
authorities, that they are distinct species, though very closely
allied. The mistake originally arose from the Jesuits, some of
whom becoming acquainted with the plant in Tartary, thought
that they recognized it in the American species; and, in conse-
quence, it was sent to China, where, although considered an
inferior kind, it met with a ready sale. But the market has
fluctuated very much, as from a fancied deterioration in the ar- _
ticle, or from some other cause, it sometimes has not paid the ©
charges of exportation.

The following is a description of the American species. Root
fusiform, whitish and thick, often branched, fleshy, with trans-
verse wrinkles. Stem erect, one to two feet high, round, smooth, —

green below, purplish red above, divided at top into three petioles, a

having a central peduncle at their base bearing a simple umbel, _
Leaves on round and smooth footstalks. The petioles are long |
and commonly furnished with five, bat sometimes with three or
seven obovate leaflets. These are ovate, acuminate, doubly ser-
rate, dark green above, paler beneath, smooth on both sides, sup-
ported on partial footstalks, which, like the general ones, are

tinged with red at their insertion. The flowers are small, yel- ee

lowish, on short pedicles. The barren ones borne on separate —
plants have larger petals and an entire calyx. ‘The fertile ones —
are succeeded by berries of a bright scarlet color. The fruit is
red, baccate reniform, with two semi-globose seeds. a

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.
‘Ginseng has a peculiar and rather pleasant camphorat ed smell;

PANAX QUINQUEFOLIUM.

bitterness. It is a fine, gentle and agreeable stimulant, also re-
storative and anfispasmodic. No analysis has been made of it;
but Rarinesque states that the root owes its active properties to
a peculiar substance very similar to camphor, which he calls
Panacine. We says that this is white, pungent, soluble in alco-
hol and water, and more fixed than camphor ; it contains also a
volatile oil, sugar, mucilage, resin, &c.

According to the Chinese authorities, the use of this plant
nourishes and strengthens the body, clears the judgment, re-
moves all nervous affections, gives a vigorous tone to the human
frame, and in short is an effectual remedy in all complaints.
Ossuk, in his Voyage to China, (Svo. London, 1781,) says that:
‘he never looked into the apothecaries’ shops but they were always
selling Ginseng ; that both poor people and those of the highest
rank made use of it, and that they boil half an ounce in their
tea or soup every morning as a remedy for consumption and
other diseases. Father Jarrovux relates that the most eminent
physicians of China have written volumes on the medicinal
_ powers of this plant; asserting that it gives immediate relief in
extreme fatigue, either of body or mind, that it dissolves pitui-
tous humours and renders respiration easy; strengthens the

_ stomach, promotes appetite, stops vomiting, removes hysterical,

_ hypeondriacal, and all nervous affections ; gives a vigorous tone
of body even in extreme old age. It is given by them in a
variety of forms, and the only ill [resailt that it is capable of pro-
ducing is a Sectinany to hemorrhage when it is used in very large
doses. It may be stated, also, that other persons who have used
the Chinese root are of opinion that.many of the virtues attri-
buted to it are real, and that it is a highly valuable remedy,
On the other hand, the trials made with it, both in this country
and in Europe, show that the American species gives no proof of
such efficacy. It is merely a gentle stimulant, with some anti-
spasmodic powers, and is of little estimation. No fair and ex-

tended trial of it, however, has been made; and as regards the
Chinese kind, it is difficult to come to any just conclusion, for
it ean scarcely be possible that any article se long in use and so

highly prized, can be wholly worthless; and yet there is much

reason to believe that its beneficial effects are rather to be as-
= Lae to fashion and the effects of Mier ea than to be in-

N° 79.

CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA.
Black Snake root, Black Cohosh, Squaw root &c.

RANUNCULACEA.
Crowfoots.
Nee
CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA.
Buack Swaxe Roor, Black Cohosh, Squaw Root, §e.

Place—Europe and America.
- Quality—Bitter, nauseous.

Power—Tonic, stimulating.

Use—Rheumatism, affections of the lange, on, eer

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.

Natural Order. Multisiliqnae—L. Ranunculacew,—J.
Crass XIII. Polyandria. Orper Di-Pentagyma.

Loudon, Ency. Pl. 476. Raf. i. 85. Per. El. Med Mat. ii. 758. Griff. Med. Bot.
92. Kost. Mat. Med. 232. T. & G. Fl.i. 36. U.S. Dis. 211. Wood 0. B. 147.

Genus. CIMICIFUGA.

From the Lat. cimer, a bug, and fugo, to drive away, indicating certain ‘tome a
species is supposed to possess, or alluding to its offensive odor.

Synonymes.—Cimicaire (F.) Das wanzenkraut (Ger.) Wantsdryver (D.) Tageurt
(Dan.}

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

Catyx. Sepals, mostly five, sometimes three, four or =
mostly deciduous, and imbricated in estivation.

Corotta. Petals, three—fifteen, hypogynous, sometimes ir-
regular or wanting. ;
Sramens. Indefinite, or numerous, distinct, hypogynous.

_ Anthers adnate or innate.
Ovary. Indefinite or numerous, rarely ‘solitary, « or few, di
_tinet seated on the torus

CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA.

Frurr. Hither dry achenia, or baccate or follicular. Embryo
minute, at the base of horny or fleshy albumen.
Seeps. Numerous.

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS.

Cimiciruca. Sepals, four—five. Petals, three—eight, some-
times wanting. Stamens, indefinite or numerous. Anthers, in.
trorse. -Follicles, one—eight, oblong, many seeded.

Sepals, four or five. Petals, three to five, concave or unguiculate (sometimes by
abortive growth fewer or none if the genus Macrorrys is included. Carpels, one to
eight, follicle like, many seeded.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS,

Cimictruea Racemosa.. Leaves, ternately decompound.
Leaflets, ovate oblong, incisely serrate. Racemes, very long.
Petals, two, forked slender. Style, one. Capsule, follicular
dry, dehiscent, ovate.

Leaves, decompound. Leaflets, oblong-ovate, gash-toothed. Racemes, in wand-like
spikes. Capsules, ovate.

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS,

Crass Poryanprra. Siamese, twenty. or more, arising from
the receptacle (hypogynous). Orver Di-Penracynia. Leaves
never peltate. Herbs, with acrid, colorless juice.

NATURAL HISTORY.

The Black Snake Root is common all over the United States
from Maine to Florida, Louisiana and Missouri, growing in open
woods and hill sides. It flowers in June and July, when its
long, white racemes are very conspicuous. ‘The plant is of east
culture. It has a heavy, unpleasant smell when handled, anda
Gisagrecable, nauseous taste.

“There are several varieties of this genus, but they a are not

sufficiently distinct to require notice, and they continue to inter-
__ change their species according to the different views of botanists.

‘This plant was placed in the genus Actm by ‘Linneus, and
= me: Pursh to Crncrrvea, also a Linnean genus, in this

not agro with the characters 0 of the latter, better than with

C{MICIFUGA RACEMOSA.

those of the former. Rafinesque made it the type of his genus
Macrorrys, and altered the specific name to Actocoides ; this
generic change was approyed in part by De Candolle, who recog-
nized it as a sub-genus of Acraza. Subsequently, however,
Rafinesque bestowed an entire new appellation on it, describing
it in his Medical Flora as Borrorpuis serpentarta. Much differ-
ence of opinion after all, exists among botanists with regard to
the true limits of this genus, some rejecting from it all the
monogynous species, whilst others include them, merely making
of them a separate section. The genus Borropnis of Rafinesque,
founded on the single pistil, and single dehiscent capsule would
now be adopted, were it not that the officinal species is still
recognized in the United States Pharmacopeeia, as Cumicrruea, as
well as by many of our best botanical authorities,

Root perennial, blackish, large, with numerous long fibres-
Stem simple, straight, from three to six feet high, smooth, angular, —
furrowed. Leaves few and alternate, one nearly radical, is very
large, decomposed, three pinnate, the upper one is bi-pinnate _
Leaflets sessile opposite, three to seven, dentate or incised.
Flowers in a terminal raceme, from one to three feet long.
Calyx, four or five leaved, white. Petals, from four to eight,
thickish, sometimes wanting. Stamina numerous. Pistils, from
one to five. Capsule, oblong, many seeded. Seeds squamous.

The root, as found in the shops is composed of a rough tuber-
culated head and numerous radicals, seven inches long, of a
black color externally, white internally. The radicals are ex-

tremely britile and liable to be separated. The odor is feeble _

and earthy, the taste bitter and astringent, leaving an impression
of acrimony on the palate. The sensible properties depend upon
the time when the root is collected, and the mode of drying and
preserving it. It should be collected late in the summer or
in the autumn.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND site

The Crmcrrvca Racemosa has been frequently analysed by
several eminent and respectable physicians and druggists,
according to whom the following substances have been detected.
Fatty matter, gum, starch, resin, tannin, wax, gallic acid, sugar, ©
oil, black coloring matter, green coloring matter, lignin, and
salts of lime, iron, magnesia and potassa. ‘he experiments,
. pore led to no decided Seichasion as to the a the

CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA.

The first account we have of the exhibition of this root as a
remedial substance is given by the late Professor Barton who
considered it a valuable astringent. ,

Dr. Garden, of Virginia, may be said however to have been
the first who particularly drew the attention of the profession to
its properties in phthisis, pulmonalis, and other affections, and he
speaks of the beneficial effects in the highest terms. He has
shown that this medicine, like digitalis, affected the brain and
operated powerfully upon the secretory organs and absorbent
system, When exhibited in large doses it prostrates to a Uis-
tressing degree, producing nausea, vertigo, anxiety, great rest-
lesness, pains in the extremities, &c. These effects are, however,
only temporary.

Dr. N. Chapman states :—“ besides the astringent property of
this root which I have never been able to discover in any degree,
it is expectorant, narcotic, anti-spasmodic, diaphoretic, and in
a large dose, emetic. Given so as to effect sensibly the system, |
we find first some nausea, followed by great freedom of expecto-
ration, and more or less relaxation of the surface, with slight
nervous tremors, and vertiginous affections. The pulse during
this state is considerably lowered, and is apt to remain so for
‘some time.” He moreover adds, ‘It is alleged in consumption

to lessen the frequency of the pulse, to allay the cough, to quiet

the mobility of the system, and particularly to subdue hectic
fever. How far this is true my own experience does not enable
me to say.”

Dr. Mears, who tried the medicine upon himself, has pub-
lished a number of cases, tending to prove its great efficacy
and utility in catarrhal affections generally, rheumatism and
violent coughs, and that it is also a valuable astringent in bowel
complaints of children.

In chorea it is strongly recommended. Dr. Young, several
years ago brought Cmncirvca Racemosa before the profession
as a good remedy in this disease, and his results have to a con-
siderable extent been verified by other physicians. Professor
Wood found that a case under his care yielded to it after the

= : failure of purgatives and metallic tonics. The latter author ex-

hibited it satisfactorily in a case of convulsions occurring period -

- jeally, and connected with uterine disorder. In these cases,
SS however, the. precise mode of its operation is obscure. se

; > Roo may be given in powdr, i in era of half a

M
ye

N° 80. |
CHELONE GLABRA,
Balmony. Snake head. Shel] Flower Xc.

SCHROPULARIACE®.
Fig wor ts.

CHELONE GLABRA.
Swaxe Heap, Salt Rheum weed, Balmony, Shell-flower,

Place—North America,

Quality—Unpleasant, sicken
Power—Tonic, laxative. 2
Use—Fever, jaundice, del ty.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.

Crass XIV. Didynamia. Orvder Angiospermia.
Natural Order. Personate.—L. Schropulariacex,—ZJ.

Swain. acy Pl. 516. Linn. Sp. Pl. 748. Raf. Med. Flor. ii.117. Per. Mat.

Med. Griff, Med. Bot. 519. Kost. Mat. Med. 456. T. Flor. 243, Wood c.
400.

Genus. CHELONE.

From the Greek y:\ovn, a tortoise, to the back of which the Heleset of the present
genus has been faneifully compared.

Synonyurs.—Galane or tortue (F.) Die schildblume (Ger.) Schildbloem =
Skiolblomster (Dan.) Skoldblomster (Swed.)

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS.

Catyx. Sepals, four or five, unequal, more or less united at
base, inferior, persistent.

Corotua. Bilabiate, personate or otherwise irregular, the lobes
imbricate in estivation,
Sramens. Four—didynamous rarely with the rudiment of the

- fifth, sometimes two only, the three others either pppunen
tary, or wholly wanting.

CHELONE GLABRA.

Ovary. Free—two-cslled, many-seeded. Style simple. Stigma
two-lobed.

Frurr. Capsule two-celled, tw-valved, with central placente.

Seeps. Indefinite, albuminous. Embryo straight.

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS,

Cuetone. Calyx deeply five-parted, with three bracts at
base. Corolla inflated, bilabiate, the fifth filament abortive,
smooth above, shorter than the rest. Anthers woolly. Cap-
sule valves entire. Seeds broadly membranacious, winged.

Calyx five-cleft or five-sepalled. three-bracted. Coro?. Ringent, inflated, the
upper lip emarginate-obtuse, under lip slightly three-cleft. The rudiment of a

smooth filament, between and shorter than the two tallest stamens. Anthers woolly
Capsule two-celled, two-valved. Seeds with membranaceous margins.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS,

CueLone Guasra. Smooth. Leaves opposite, oblong-lan-
ceolate, acuminate, serrate. Flowers densely spiked.

a opposite, —— scuninat serrate. Sg “aaa densely-flow-

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS. :

Crass Dipynamta. Stamens four, two of iam leaber than
the other two. Orver Anciospermta. Seeds in a pericarp.
Calyz inferior, Herbs. Herbage green. Seeds many. Calyx
imbricate in wstivation.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Cuevone is a North American genus, consisting of but few
species, all herbaceous plants with opposite leaves, and sub-
t’mbricately spiked, terminal flowers having the lower lip of the
_ corolla bearded internally. They differ in the form and insertion
_ of the leaves and in the color of the flowers, which vary from pure
white to purplish. They are all handsome plants, with singular
ornamental and large blossoms, but inodorous, and shaped much
like the head of a “miakees the mouth open and tongue extended,
. They abound in most parts of the United States in wet situations,

5 : lear brooks and waters, and blossom from July until late in the

_ Autumn, They are of ei culture i in : soil, or loam al d
a little peat proj ivid: :

CHELONE GLABRA.

opposite, of a dark and shining green above, with irregular
serratures and sessible or nearly so. Flowers terminal in a
dense short spike. Each flower sessile, and furnished with three
bracts, which are ovate, acute, and entire. Calyx with five
unequal imbricated segments, oblong and obtuse. Corolla white,
often tinged with red, inflated, contracted at the mouth, with
short gaping lips. Filaments hairy. Style long, exsert, bending
downwards,

For medical purposes, the plant should be collected in clear,
dry weather, and as soon as it is in bloom, as the leaves fre-
quently become mildewed after that time. It should be dried
in the sun, or in a warm chamber, or loft, and carefully guarded
from a moist, or damp atmosphere, or it will is a = or
black color,

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The best detailed account of the properties of Cuttows Guapar
is given by Rafinesque, who appears to have been the first also
who introduced this plant into notice. He was indebted to Dr.
Lawrence of New Lebanon, and the Doctor to the Indians and
Shakers.

The whole plant may be used, but the leaves only are pre-
ferred ; these are extensively bitter, and furnish one of the most
important and strongest ingredients to the best bitters, without
any aromatic smell, and very little astringency. They are said

to be tonic, cathartic, and hepatic, but no certain information =

has been afforded on the subject. No analysis has been made —
of them, but they appear to contain, gallic acid, a peculiar 3
resinous substance, similar to pierine and aloes, of a black color,
and very bitter taste, lignine, &c. They communicate their
properties to both water and alcohol. Wine is the best men-
strum, but it becomes intolerably bitter.

Snakehead is useful in many diseases, fevers, jaundice, hepa-
titis, eruptions of the skin, &e. In small doses it is laxative.
but in full doses, it purges actively, acting powerfully on the
liver, and removing the yellowness of the skin in jaundice and
liver diseases. The dose is a drachm of the powdered leaves
three times a day. The wine of it in small repeated doses has
_ nearly the same effect, although neither so speedily or violently.
The Indians use a strong decoction of the whole plant in a
variety of Sotaeipiatty and it is held i in much esteem t them. is

CHELONE GLABRA.

The leaves make a vermifuge, which is safe in common cases.
It should be administered in infusion, continued for a time, and
followed by a suitable purge. An ounce of the dried leaves is
sufficient in most cases for children.

“As I have discovered,” says Dr. Curtis of Ohio, “in the
snakehead no tendency either to open or constipate the bowels,
I call it a pure, neutral bitter. As bitterness is in its nature
stimulant, it is of course deobstruent, and finally restorative. It
should therefore be used freely as a general equalizer of the
circulation and purifier of the blood.”

The following formula is highly recommended :—

Take of pulverized poplar-bark six pounds, golden seal, cloves,
ginger, and prickly-ash bark, each a pound and a half, snake-
head a pound, cayenne three quarters of a pound, and sugar
seven pounds. Mix thoroughly and sift. If the prickly-ash is
omitted, the quantity of cayenne may be somewhat increased.
It is usual to add about one-twentieth part of cayenne to the
tonic or restorative preparation.

The above preparation is found to be one of the best medicines
in use for restoring the tone of the digestive organs. It is an
excellent remedy in jaundice, dyspepsia, worms, flatulency,
piles, headache, giddiness, pains in the stomach and bowels,
diarrhea, gravelly complaints, strangury, gonorrhea, fluor albus,
heart-burn, rickets, mercurial salivation, consumption, and the
whole train of chronic diseases, It is a laxative, and keeps the.
bowels open, unless they are obstinately costive. Its use would
be improper during the continuance of a violent febrile or in-
_ flammatory affection, but as soon as the disease is subdued it

se Ne @1.
AYPERICTUM PERFORATYM.

aie a

HYPERICACEAE.
St. John’s-worts.

No. 81.
HYPERICUM PERFORATUM.
Common St. Joun’s-worr.

Place—Europe.

Quality—Balsamic.

Power—Astringent, anthelminthic,

Use—Hamoptysis, hypochondriasis, phthisis, and ule
cers, tumors, &c.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Order. Rotacee—L Hypericaceae.—J.
Crass XVIII. Polyadelphia. Orvrr Polyandria.

Linn. Sp. Pl. 1105. Willd. Sp. Pl. iii. 1453. Cullen. Mat. Med.173. ‘Loud. Ency.
Pl. 658. Raf. Med. Flor. ii. 229. U.S. Disp. 1263. . and G. Flor. i. 160. Gri
Med. Bot. 156. Beach. Fam. Ph. 682. Lind. Flor. Med. 117. Pursh. Flor. M. A.
ii. 377. Wood, Class Book,184. 2 = :

Genus. HYPERICUM.

A name of unknown meaning. Yrnorxov, Dioscorides. ;
Synonymes.—Le millepertuis (Fr.) Das Johannis Kraut (Ger.) St. Jans Kruid
(Dutch.) Pilatro (Z) Corazoncillo (Sp.) Melfurade (Port.) Sweioboi (Russ.)

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

Catyx. Sepals, four—five, distinct or cohering, persistent,
unequal, dotted.

Corona. Petals four—five, hypogynous, estivation twisted,
veins oblique, dotted. a

Stamens. Hypogynous, indefinite in three or more parcels

_ Anthers versatile. ee ee

Ovary. Single, superior. Style slender. Stigma simple. =

HYPERICUM PERFORATUM.

Fruit. A capsule or berry, many seeded
Seeps. Indefinite, minute.

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS.

Hypericum. Sepals five, connected at base, subequal, leaf-like,
Petals five, oblique. Stamens indefinite, or numerous (sometimes
few) united at base into three—five parcels with no glands between
them. Styles three—five, distinct or united at base, persistent.

Calyx five—parted, divisions equal, subovate. Corol five—petalled. Filaments often
united at the base in three or five sets. Styles two—five. Capsule membranaceous,
roundish, with a number of cells equal to the number of styles, The bases of the
filaments are often in groups, when they are not united.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.

Hypericum Perroratum. Flowers with three styles. Sem
two-edged, branched. Leaves elliptical, with pellucid dots,
Sepals lanceolate, half as long as the petals. Segments of the
calyx lanceolate. '

Erect, branching. Stem two edged. Leaves oblong, obtuse, transparently punctate.
Paniele terminal brachiate, leafy. Petals longer than the acute, lanceolate calyx.

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS,

Crass Ponyapeupma. Stamens united by their filaments into
more than two sets. Orper Potyanpria. Leaves opposite
punctate. Flowers yellow. Fruit a membranaceous capsule.

NATURAL HISTORY.

This extensive Genus Hypericum, contains herbaceous, or
shrubby species, found in all parts of the world, and of which
between thirty to forty are natives of North America. They all
possess medicinal properties in a greater or less degree, propor-
tionate to the abundance or otherwise of the oil, bearing glands
of the flowers and leaves. Certain species having a berry in-

stead of a capsular fruit, have been separated under the generic
_uame of Vismia. These are principally natives of tropical
climates, and furnish a yellow product very analogous to gamboge.
_ Hypericum Perroratum is a hardy plant, a native of Europe,
_ but has been introduced on this continent, prevailing almost

HYPERICUM PERFORATUM.

as it has become very abundant, and is not only very difficult to
eradicate, but extremely exhausting to the ground. It has a
peculiar balsamic odor, Its taste is bitter, resinous and somewhat
astringent. The root is perennial, fusiform and tortuous, The stem
is ancipital, about eighteen inches in height, much branched,
curved below, and erect above. The leaves are closely sessile, of
an ovate elliptical shape, of a light green color, and conspiciously
marked with numerous pellucid dots. The flowers are of a bright
yellow color, arranged in a terminal corymb, ‘The calyx is per-
sistent, and is composed of five acute-lanceolate sepals, united at
base. The corolla is of five-ovate, obtuse, sessile petals, much
longer than the sepals, of a yellow color, with numerous dark
glandular spots at the edges. The stamens are numerous, and
divided into three sets, The anthers are small. The styles
are three with very small stigmas. The fruit is a somewhat
globose capsule, with three cells, and opening naturally by three
valves. Seeds numerous, very small.

Everlasting John’s-wort is apt to flourish undisturbed and fill
the earth with seeds or roots, in readiness to spread and grow
whenever the earth is moved for their reception. This plant has
taxed the ingenuity of vigilant farmers in effecting its removal.
It should never be allowed to perfect its seeds, and if they are
ever so permitted, the farmer has suffered an enemy to steal a
march upon him, which may require much time and labor to
subdue.

CHEMICAL AND ‘MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES. 4

No complete analysis of the cen Perroratum has ever
yet been made, but from the experiments of Mr. Blair (Am.
Jour. Pharm, ii, 23.) its active constituents appear to be an
acrid, resinous substance, pervading the whole plant, a red oil,
furnished by the gland on the petals, and some tannin. Hy-
pericum is not recognized as officinal by the United States Phar-
macopeia, but is so by many of the European authorities as a
constituent of a variety of syrups, tinctures, &c.

The St. John’s-wort was, notwithstanding, held in high per
mation by the earlier writers on the Materia RE and
numerous virtues attributed to it particularly as a febrifuge and
anthelmintic. ‘The leaves, flowers, and seeds stamped (says
Gerard, 1590), and put into a glass with olive oil, and set in
the warm sun for several weeks together, and then strained from

HYPERICUM PERFORATUM.

those herbs, and the like quantity now put in and sunned in like
manner, doth make an oil of the color of blood, which is a most
precious remedy for deep wounds and sures, and those that are
through the body, for sinews that are pricked, or any wound
made with a venomed weapon. I am accustomed (continues
Gerard), to make a compound oil hereof, the making of which,
any one shall receive at my hands, because that I know in the
world there is not a better, no, not natural balsam itself, for I
dare undertake to cure any such wound as absolutely in each
respect, if not soaner and better, as any man whatsoever, shall
or may with natural balsam.”

The plant still enjoys much reputation in some parts of
Europe in the treatment of many diseases, hysteria, mania,
intermittent fever, dysentery, gravel, hemorrhages, pectoral com-
plaints, worms, and jaundice. It was also formerly held in
high estimation for the cure of demoniacs, and the superstition
still lingers among the vulgar in some countries. At present the
plant is scarcely used except as a domestic remedy. The flow-
ering summits are the parts employed, though the unripe
capsules are possessed of the same virtues, in an equal degree,
and the seeds are said to be even stronger. It is difficult to
ascertain its exact value as a remedy, but from its sensible
properties, and from the character of the complaints in which it
has been thought useful, it may be considered independently of
its astringency, as somewhat analogous in medicinal power, to
the turpentines. Whatever may be the real value of this plant
however, as a medicinal agent, it deserves attention, and that a
fair trial should be made of it, the testimonies in its favor are so —
strong that it can scarcely be as inert as is now supposed, and
as is observed by Cullen (Mat. Med., 173), ‘we should not be
so audacious as to neglect it, for by the sensible qualities it
appears active, and there are many well vouched testimonies of
its virtues, particularly of its diuretic powers.”

St. John’s-wort is said to exercise an injurious effect on cattle
by inflaming the’skin wherever the hair is white. Although —

this belief is very general, it is by no means certain, that the
injury is owing to this plant. Is it not rather attributable to a
species of Euphorbia which in almost all cases is found growing
where the: to sii pine me ee acrid jaice of the former

ee ee Be 7
<UAIATUM OFPICENALE
Lignum vite. Guaiarum.

RUTACEA.

Rueworts.
N° 82.
GUAIACUM OFFICINALE.
Lienum-vitz, Guaiacum.

Place—Jamaica, Hispaniola,
Quality—Drying, somewhat acrid.
Power—Aperient, purifying, sternutatory. _
- Use—The bark and resin in syphilis, leucorrheea, gout,

scabies.
BOTANICAL ANALYSIS. ;
Natural Order. Gruinales—L. Rutacee,—J.

Crass X. Decandria Orprer Monogynia.

Linn. Sp. Pl. 546. Willd. Sp. Pl. ii. 538. Woody. i. 43. Lind. Flor. Med. 214,
Stokes ii. 486. Stephenson and Churchill ii. 90. Loudon, Ency. Pl. 352. Raf. Med.

Bloc, 3 205, Us 8. Bi aeaeae: ieee cges. Per, SMe. ME. leis

Beach Fam. 7, 656. Kosts, Mat. Med. 528.

ate Genus. GUAIACUM.
From Guaiac, the chal given to the tree by the natives of Guiana.

Synonymes.—Gayac, Gomme-resin de Gayac (F.) Gemeiner Franzosenholz,
Guajak-gummi (G.) Pokhout (Dutch.) Franzostrace (Dan.) _ Franzosenholts
(Swed.) Guajaco, Gommo-resina di Guajaco (Z) Guayaco(S.) Guajaco (Port.)

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

Catyx. Sepals, four—five.

‘Corotita, Petals, four—five, rarely wanting, or none.

Sramens. As many, or twice or thrice as many as petals
inserted on the outside of a cup-like disk.

Ovary. ‘Three—five lobed, three--—five celled. Szyles united
or distinct only at base.

Frurr. Uusually separating into its gee few-seeded

carpels. :
_ Szeps. Not numerous.

GUAIACUM OFFICINALE.

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS.

Guatacum. Calyx five—partite, obtuse. Petals, five. Sta-
mens, ten, with filaments naked or sub-appendiculated. Style and
Stigma one. Capsule substipitate, five—celled, five—angled,
or from abortion two to three—celled. Seeds solitary, fixed to the
axis pendulous. Albumen cartilaginous, rimulose. Cotyledons
thickish.

Sepals five, obtuse, unequal. Petals five, equal. Stamens ten. Filaments naked.

le and Sti, united. Capsule led, two—five celled. Leaves abruptly
pi Sma ip ang!

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS,

Guatacum Orricwwate. Leaves, opposite. Peduncles axillary
one to three together, one flowered, filiform, minutely puberu-
lous. Sepals five. Petals, five thrice the length of the sepals,
oblong, bluntish, blue, hairy. Filaments, ten. Anthers, bifid
at the base, arcuate, yellow. Fruit, a fleshy capsule.

Leaves bijugate. Leaflets sessile, more or less obovate, rounded at the apex, nerved,

glabrous. The common petioe terete, channelled above. Peduncles axillary, one to
three together, germinate.

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

Crass Decanpria.—Stamens ten. Orper Monocynta. Fruit,
notalegume. Leaves not sensitive. Calyx five—cleft, unequal.
Petals five, inserted into the calyx. Capsule angular, three or
five celled.

: NATURAL HISTORY.

The Gvatacum is a native of the West India islands, growing in
Cuba, St. Domingo, Jamaica and the warmer parts of America.
It rises from forty to sixty feet high, and is four or five in cir-
eumference with crowded flexuose branches. The bark is
thick and smooth, and of a grayish color. The wood is exceed-
ingly hard. It is known as the Lignum-vite of commerce, used
by turners in the fabrication of articles requiring density and
strength. The leaves are abruptly pinnate, consisting of two or
three pairs of smooth, shining, veined, obovate, dark green
“ leaflets, almost sessile. ‘The flowers are peduncled in a kind

_ of umbels which spring from the divisions of the smaller branches.
_ The calyx consists of five concave, oblong, blunt, spreading,
unequal, deciduous leaves. The petals are five, of a blue color,

GUAIACUM OFFICINALF.

binate, on a short pedicel, smooth, and of a pale ferruginous
hue, pentagonous, with ribbed angles, and five—celled, but two
or three of the cells are often abortive. The seeds are solitary.

All the parts of this tree possess medicinal qualities, but the
wood and the peculiar substance afforded by it, are the only
parts used. The virtues of the wood depend altogether on the
peculiar matter it contains. This is spontaneously exuded from
the tree, and is called native gum, it concretes in tears, which
are semi-pellucid and very pure, but the greater part of it is
obtained by making incisions into the trunk, or as it is termed,
jagging the tree. This operation is performed in May, and the
juice which flows copiously is concreted by the sun. It is aiso
obtained by sawing the wood into billets, and boring a hole
longitudinally through them, so that when one end of a billet is
laid on a fire, the guaiac, melting runs through the hole from the
opposite end, and is collected in a calabash. Boiling the chips
or raspings in salt and water, also separates the guaiac, which
as it rises to the surface may be collected by skimming.

The wood is brought to market either in large solid pieces
which weigh from four to five cwt. each, and are covered with
a yellowish alburnum, or it is already rasped.

The guaiac, or gum as it is improperly termed, arrives in
casks and mats, the former containing from one to four cwt.,
the latter generally less than one cwt. each.

Jguaebane ns: AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The iia BS Cites is alee. but when sated it pe
an aromatic odor, and the taste is bitterish, sub-acrid, and biting.
It is heavier than water, its specific gravity is 1,333, externally —
yellowish and internally of a blackish brown color mixed with
green streaks, Its goodness may be ascertained by exposing it to
the fumes of nitrous acid, which give it a bluish green color, if it be
good, yet the decoction is not affected by nitrous acid. The resin
or guaiac has a fragrant odor, with scarcely any taste, but occa- —

sions, when swallowed, a sensation of heat in the throat. It hasa
resinous aspect, is of a greenish brown color, externally and inter-
nally presents a mixture of greenish, reddish, and brownish tints.
It is somewhat translucent, breaks with a vitreous fracture, and
is easily reduced to a powder which is grey at first, but becomes

green in a short time when it is exposed to the air and light, a tee

GUAIACUM OFFICINALE.

The specific gravity of guaiac is 1,2289. It is sometimes adul-
terated with common resin and manchinal gum. The former
is detected by the turpentine emitted when the suspected guaiac
is thrown on hot coals; and the latter by adding to the alco-
holic solution a few drops of sweet spirit of nitre, and diluting
with water the guaiac is precipitated, but the adulteration floats _
in white strie.

Both the wood and the guaiac are stimulant, diaphoretic,
diuretic, and purgative. The wood was introduced into Europe
by the Spaniards, as a remedy for lues venera, in 1508, by
Gonsalvo Ferrand, and gained much cvlebrity from curing
Ulrich Van Hutten, but it had long before been used for the same
purpose by the natives of St. Domingo, and it is not certain that
Van Hutten’s case was one of pure syphilis, as he had been suf-
fering from the disease from the age of nine years. It obtained
so much reputation, however, that the exhibition of mercury was
discontinued for a considerable time, and even in the eighteenth
century its specific powers over this disease were maintained
by Boerhaave, but frequent disappointments, and more correct
observations have shown that it possesses no powers of eradi-
cating the venereal virus, and that it is useful only after a suc-
cessful mercurial course, for repairing the strength and vigor of
the system, ‘“‘and where a thickened state of the ligaments, or
of the periosteum, remains, or where there are foul, indolent
ulcers, or in suspending the progress of some of the secondary
symptoms for a short time, as ulcers of the tonsils, erruptions
and nodes, The decoction of the wood has been found more
useful in cutaneous diseases, scrofulous affections of the mem-
branes and ligaments, and in ozena, The guaiac itself is an
efficacious remedy in chronic rheumatism, and arthritic affec-
tions, as well as those diseases for which the decoction of the
_ wood is usually given, and in every respect it may be regarded

as the active ingredient of the wood. Its sensible effects are a
grateful sense of warmth in the stomach, dryness of the mouth,
and thirst, with a copious flow of sweat, if the body be kept
externally warm, or if the guaiac be united with opium and
_ antimonials, but when the body is freely exposed, instead of
producing: diaphoresis, it augments considerably the secretion of

Brine. ix may be exhibited either in substance: or in tincture.

— Raa Ege be
TANATE TUM VULGARE.

Yaesy. common tansy. aan

COMPOSIT A.

Asterworts.
N° 83.
TANACETUM VULGARE.
Tansy, Common Tansy.

_ Place—Europe.

Quality—Bitter. :
Power—Tonic, stomachic, satholuitette.

Use—Dyspepsia, hysterics, intermittents, worms, gout,
&e.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.

Natural Order. Composite Discoidex.—L. Corym-
bifere—J.

Crass XIX. Syngenesia. Order Polygamia super flua.

Linn. Sp. Pl. 1184. Willd Sp. Pt. 1814. Woodv. i. 115. Stephenson &
Churchill ii. 96. Cullen Mat. Med. i, petit. Ency. Pl. 696. Raf. Med. Flor. ii.
266. U.S. Dis. 703. T. & G. Flor. ii. 414. Griff. Med, Bot. 407. Per. El. Med.
Bot. 407. Beach. Fam. Ph. 675. Wood. C. B. 350.

Genus. TANACETUM,

An alteration or corruption of a privative and @avaros death, a plant which does not
perish, or possess durable flowers.

Synonrmes.—Tanassie (F.) Rheinfarn (G.) Worm Kruid. (Dutch.) Rhreinfan

(Dan.) Renfana (Swed.) Kiviat wrotyezowy (Pol.) Tanaceto (Z) Atanasia (S.)
Tanasia (Port.) Dikajariabina ( Russ.)

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

Canyx. Cleely adherent to the ovary, The limb wanting, or
_membranaceous, and divided into bristles, hairs, &e, called

as ea

TANACETUM VULGARE.

Corotia. Superior, consisting of five united petals, either ligunate
or tubular,

Sramens. Five alternate with the lobes of the corolla. Anthers
cohering into a cylinder.

Ovary. Inferidf®, one-celled, one-ovuled. Style two-cleft, the
inner margins of the branches occupied by the stigmas.
Frurr. An achenia, dry, indehiscent, one-seeded, crowned with

the pappus,

Seeps, Numerous.
THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS.

Tanacetum. Involucre hemispherical, imbricate, the scales all
minute. Receptacle convex, naked. Pappus a slight mem-
braneous border. Achenia with a large epigynous disk.

Involucre imbricate, hemispheric. Scales acuminate. Rays obsolete, three-cleft.
Egret somewhat marginal. Receptacle naked.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS,

Tanacetum Vutcare. Leaves pinnately divided. Segments
oblong—lanceolate, pinnatifid and incisely serrate. Heads
fastigiate—corymbose.

Leaves, doubly pinnate, paah-—eerrate. In the variety Tanace1um Crispum, double
tansy. The liguis are crisped and dense.

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

Crass Syncenesta. Stamens five, cohering by the tips of
their anthers. Orper Potycamia Surerriva. Herbaceous plants.
Flowers, or florets, collected into dense heads (compound flowers).
Corollas monopetalous of various forms. : ,

NATURAL HISTORY

_ Tansy is a native of Europe, and was a favorite plant with

_ old King Charlemagne, who took considerable pains that it should

be cultivated in his domains, It is, however, naturalized in
many parts of the United States, and grows wild on hills, and by
the sides of roads and hedges, and in old fields. It flowers from
Jul to Sep mber. It is also cultivated in gardens irdens as well for

TANACETUM VULGARE.

above purposes, the curled which is generally preferred for the
second, and the variegated which is chiefly used for ornament.

Tansy may be propagated in spring or autumn by rooted slips,
or by dividing the roots into several sets, plant them in any
compartment of the kitchen or physic eunisigs from twelve to
eighteen inches asunder. The plant continues for several years,
producing abundant tufts of leaves annually. As they run up
in strong stalks in summer, these should be cut down to encour-
age a production of young leaves low on the stem.

Tanacetum Vuneare is a perrenial herbaceous plant, the root
is creeping, sending up stiff, erect stems, about two feet in
height, leafy, obscurely hexagonal and striated, with alternate
leaves, doubly pinnatifid, acutely cleft, somewhat downy on the
under side, cased at the base, and embracing the stem. The
flowers are in terminal, dense, corymbs of a bright yellow color,
and flattish. The leaflets of the calyx are obtuse, with a dry
scaly margin. ‘The florets are numerods, those of the disc her-
maphrodite and five-cleft, those of the margin female and
triid. The seeds are small, uniform, inversely pyramidal,
pentagonal, ribbed, of an ash color, and crowned with a narrow
marginate, membranaceous pappus.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

Tansy has a strong disagreeable, peculiar, fragrant odor, and
a warm acrid bitterish taste, somewhat resembling that of cam-
phor. The leaves and flowers are used ; they yield their peculiar
qualities to water and alcohol, and in distillation with water
they afford a greenish-yellow essential oil, which has i in perfec-
tion the odor and taste of the plant. This oil (oleum tanaceti) i is
yellow, sometimes green, and its specific gravity is 0.952. The
leaves and flowers contain also a peculiar acid which has been
called tanacetic, volatile-oil, bitter resin, fatty oil, wax, &c. They
have been analyzed by Fromherz, and by Peschier, and the con-
stituents are as already mentioned. Their medical properties
are owing to the oil and bitter resin. The tanacetic acid is crys-
tallizable. It precipitates lyme, baryta, and oxide of lead. With
a solution of acetate of copper it causes a precipitate,

Tansy produces the usual effects of the aromatic bitter tonics,
which by continued administration in debilitated and relaxed
conditions of the body, increase gradually the tenacity of the —
== and thereby TR Ae, fibres more tense and

TANACETUM VULGARE,

strong, and give better firmness and density to all the tissues and
organs.

The leaves and flowers of Tansy are tonic, stomachic, and
anthelmintic. They were formerly regarded as a powerful
remedy in intermittents, dropsy, hysteria, and obstructed men-
struation. There is a common belief that it acts specially on
the uterus, and hence the oil has frequently been resorted to for
the production of abortion, and several cases of death have en-
sued from the practice. A fatal case of poisoning with half an
ounce of oil of tansy is recorded in the Medical Magazine for Nov.
1834. Frequent and violent clonic spasms were experienced,
with much disturbance of respiration, and the action of the heart
gradually became weaker till death took place from its entire
suspension.—(U. 8. Dis, ‘from Am. Jour. of Med. Sciences,
XVI. 256).

In medicine, the plant is rarely employed by the regular prac-
titioner. Experience and the knowledge of better remedies have
in a great measure set aside its use. An infusion of the whole
herb in boiling water has been recommended as a preventative
of the return of gout. It is also said that if fresh meat be rubbed
with it, the flesh-fly will not injure it.

As a vermifuge the plant certainly possesses some pretensions,
rather, however, as a preventative of the generation of worms,
than as an agent for their removal when they have become a
source of annoyance. In the investigation of the pathology of
the existence of worms, various plausible abnormal conditions
of the intestines have been invoked for evidence in favor of a
_ theory which contemplates the cold slime or mucous accumula-
tion of the intestines as the essential elements of their existence,
and which supposes that without this nourishment the worms
could not find means of subsistence, and that by consequence
their being would be ephemeral, or at least very contingent. The
prophylactic power of Tanacerum Vuucare against worms is
therefore chiefly to be ascribed to its power of improving the
physilogical condition of the intestines, so as to change their
3 eee and thus remove these parasites. _

_ Tansy tea (prepared by infusing two ounces of the herb in

one pint of boiling water), may be taken in doses of from one

a Paola fluid ounces. A — or two sean the: oil cond be oddey to

N° 64.

“* SICOTIANA TA BACT M.

Tolsaece, Viréicia tobacco

SOLANACEA.
Nightshades.

N° 84,
NICOTIANA TABACUM.

Tozacco, Virginia Tobacco,

Place—America.
Quality—Nauseous, poisonous.
Power—Anodyne, antispasmodic, Gre pete
Use—The leaf in wounds, scabies, tinea, cough ; the
= smoke in constipation of the bowels; the syrup in
asthma, colic, hysterics, dysentery, jaundice, dropsy,

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS. ,
Natural Order. Luride—L. Solanacee.—J.
Crass V. Pentandria. Orprr Monogynia.

Linn. Sp. Pl. 258. Willd. Sp. Pl. i. 1014. Woodv. ii. 208. Stokes i. 390. Stes

henson & Churchill i. 37. Loud. Ency. Pl. 136. Bigelow Am. Med. Bot. ii. 171.

Med. Flor. ii. 245. U. S. Dis 697. Griff. Med. Bot. 493. Per. El. Med.
Bot. ii. 322. Beach. Fam. Ph. 67. Wood, Class Book, 445.

Genus. NICOTIAN A.
Named from John Nicot of Nismes, in Languedoe who introduced it into Europe.
Synonymzs.—Le tabae (Fr.) Deztabak (Ger.) Tebak (Dutch) Tobacco (Z)
Tabaco (Sp.) Petume (Brazil.) Tamaka (Indian.) Tabar (Russ., Pol., §c.)
THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

Catyx. Sepals, four—five more or less united, mostly per-
sistent.

Coronra. Regular. Limb four—five, cleft, plaited in wstiva-
tion, deciduous.

Stamens. four—five (sometimes one abortive), inserted on the —
corolla, alternate with its segments. Anthea pepe, :
~ longitudinally, rarely by terminal pores, gg :

NICOTIANA TOBACUM.

Ovary, Free, (superior), two-celled (four-celled in Datura) with
the placenta in the axis. Styles and stigmas united,

Frurr. A capsule or berry.

Seeps. Numerous. Embryo curved, lying in fleshy albumen.

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS,

Nicotrana. Calyx urceolate, five—cleft. Corolla infundi-
buliform, regular. Limb five—lobed. Stamens five. Stigma
emarginate. Capsule two-celled, two—four valved.

Calyx urceolate, sub-tubular, five—cleft, Corol funnel—form, five—cleft. Limb

plaited. Stigma notched. capitate. Stamens inclined. Capsule two-celled, two to
four-valved.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.

Nicortana Tapacum. Viscid—pubescent, Leaves lanceolate,
sessile, decurrent. Tube of the corolla inflated at the throat
Lobes acute.

Leaves lance-ovate, sessile, decurrent. Flowers acute.
THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

Crass Penranpria. Stamens five. Orper Monocynia. Mono-
petalous. Flowers inferior. Corolla regular. Herbs (rarely
shrubby). Stamens alternate with petals. Fruit capsule or
berry. Cells with many seeds. Cells two. Zistivation plicate.

NATURAL HISTORY.

The only plants cultivated as Tobacco are the species Nico-
Tiana Tapacum and Nicortana Rustica, the former greatly pre-
ferred. The popular narcotic which it furnishes is probably in
more extensive use than any other, and its only rival is the Betel
of the east. According to Linneus, Tosacco was known in
Europe from 1560. It was brought to England from T»bajo in
the West Indies, or Tobasco in Mexico (and hence the name) by
_ Ralph Lane, in 1586, but only the herb for smoking. — After-
_ wards, according to Hakluyt, seeds were introduced from the
_ same quarter. Sir Walter Raleigh first introduced smoking,
_ which has consequently been common in Europe for more than
: two hundred years. _ Topacco as used by man, says Du Tour,
‘gives pleasure to the savage and the philosopher, to the inhabi

_ tant of the burning desert and frozen zone. Its use either in

NICOTIANA TABACUM.

_ powder, to chew, or to smoke is universal, and fur no other reason
than a sort of convulsive motion (sneezing), produced by the
first, and a degree of intoxication by the two last modes of
usage. A hundred volumes have been written against it, of
which a German has preserved the titles, Among these books
is that of James Stuart, King of England, who violently opposed
it as injurious to health, and absolutely poisonous. The royal
author styles it “a custom loathsome to the eye, hateful to the
nose, harmfull to the brain, dangerous to the lungs, and in the
black stinking fume thereof, nearest resembling the horrible
Stygian smoke of the pit that is bottomless.” Notwithstanding,
however, such opposition, smoking together with the use of
snuff, has spread not only cordial civilized, but among savage
nations, and there.is now probably no single product of the
vegetable kingdom which is so extensively employed. All the
sovereigns of Europe, and most of those of other parts of the
world, derive a considerable part of their revenue from tobacco.

CHEMICAL sees MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The recent leaves of Topacco possess very little odor or taste,
but when dried their odor is strong, narcotic, and somewhat
feetid, their taste bitter and extremely acrid. When well cured,
their color is yellowish green, They emit sparks in burning, and
give out a suffocating smoke, and when distilled, yield an essen-
tial oil of a green phe; on which their medicinal properties are
supposed to depend, and which is said to be a virulent poison.
This oil is dissipated by the long coction of tobacco with water ;
yet in distillation with ether, water or alcohol, no oil comes
over. By infusion, however, it yields its active principles to all
of these fluids. Its deflagration shows the presence of nitrate of
potassa, and muriate of potassa has been discovered in its in-
spissated juice. According to Vanquelin, tobacco appears to
contain albumen or gluten, supermalate of lime, acetic acid,
nitrate and muriate of potassa, muriate of ammonia, a red matter,
soluble in alcohol and water, a green fecula, and a peculiar
substance, on which the properties of the plant appear to depend,
and which has been therefore named nicotin. This substance is
colorless, acrid, has the odor of tobacco, and like it occasions
violent sneezing. It is volatile, poisonous, and produces color-
less solutions with alcohol and monet from .which it is thrown

ee mae

NICOTIANA TABACUM.

Tobacco is narcotic, sedative, emetic, diuretic, cathartic, and
errhine, whether it be taken into the stomach, or externally
applied. The three first mentioned properties are sufficiently
obvious, even from the effects which smoking or chewing it
produces on persons unaccustomed to its use. From Mr. Brodie’s
experiments, the infusion of tobacco produces its effect in the
heart through the medium of the nerves. The symptoms are
very severe, sickness, headache, extreme. debility, cold sweats,
and sometimes even convulsions. The production of such a
state of the habit, however, being useful for relieving violent
spasmodic constriction, tobacco is advantageously employed in
obstinate constipation, ileus, suppression of urine, and incar-
cerated hernia, when other remedies fail of affording relief. The
smoke is either thrown into the rectum by means ofa pair of
bellows of peculiar construction, or an infusion of the leaves is
exhibited in the form of enema. From its narcotic power also,
the smoking or chewing tobacco has been found useful in allay-
ing the pain of toothache; and smoking is sometimes found
useful in shortening and rendering more supportable the parox-
ysm of spasmodic asthma. The infusion has been used as an
emetic, but the practice cannot be recommended, and notwith-
standing the success of some practitioners, who employ it in
dropsy and dysuria, its general effects are too violent for internal
exhibition, and it is not equal as a diuretic. either to squill or
foxglove, which are more manageable remedies. In dysuria,
however, its antispasmodic properties are of advantage, and con-
sequently its use in that complaint is less objectionable, The
external application of a strong infusion of tobacco, or of a cata-
plasm of the moistened leaves themselves is sometimes employed
as a lucal stimulant in porrigo, scabies and some other cutaneous
eruptions, but even in this mode of using it, tobacco is apt to
induce the same effect as when internally administered.

_ Topacco, as a sternutatory is the basis of all the kinds of
snuff generally used. The powdered leaves snuffed up the
nostrils, excite vehement sneezing, and promote a considerable
discharge from the nostrils, answering all the purposes for which
errhines are employed. As a luxury, snuff has been used for
_ more than two hundred years in Britain, in great quantities,

After the use of it has become habitual, it cannot be relinquished

without considerable risk, arising from the suspension of the —

ar - a diathari: it omens aa’ De Valen Ppwreed: from hia

N° 85
RHEUM PALMATUM.
Rhubarb.

POLYGONACE A.

Buckwheats.
N° 85
RHEUM PALMATUM.

PatmateD Ruvsars, Rhubarb.
Place—Thrace, Scythia, Mongal, on the borders of China
Quality—Styptic, bitter, nauseous.

Power—Purging, astringent, stomachic.

Use—The root in diarrhea, leucorrhcea, debility of the
stomach, hypochondriasis, and vermifuge,

_ BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.

Natural Order. Oleracee.—L. Polygonacee.—J.

Cees IX. Enneandria. ORDER Hague.

‘Linn. 8 1, Wl. Sp. Pi. 40, Wands. ‘Med, Bot. 662. Seas
“Churchill 25. 334. Raf. Med. Flor. ii. 256. U. 8. Dis. 587
Griff. Med. ge ne a4 El. Mat. Med. ii. 272. Beach. Fam. Bhs: or, . x
Mat. Med. 129. Wood, Class Book, 473. Lind. Flor. a

GENUS. RHEUM.

This name was ingeniously supposed by Linneus to have been derived from péa,
to flow, because the root causes a discharge of bile. It nevertheless was formed from
Rua the ancient name of the Volga.

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

Catyx. Sepals united at base, imbrieate in estivation.

Corotits. None.

Stamens. Definite, inserted on the calyx near the base.

Ovary. Free, with a single erect ovule. Styles or een
several.

RHEUM PALMATUM.

Frurr. Achenium, usually triangular.
Sseps. Embryo generally on one side of farinaceous albumen

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS,

Rueum. Calyx colored, six—sepaled, persistent. Stamens
nine. Styles three. Stigmas multifid, reflexed. Achenia
three-angled, the angles margined.

Calyx none Corol six-cleft permanent. Nut one, three-sided.
THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS,

Rueum Patmatum. Leaves roundish cordate, half palmate.
Petiole long, channelled, green, with purple ribs.

Leaves palmate, acuminate.
THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

Crass Enneanpria. Séamens nine, Orper Trieynia. Herbs
with alternate leaves and stipular sheaths. _ Calyz colored.

NATURAL HISTORY. .

This species, Ruzum Patmatum, is a native of Central Asia. It
grows on the snowy mountains of Boutan and of Dauria, and
arrives at considerable perfection when cultivated either in
England or the United States. The plant is of easy culture by
cuttings, or by seed. The soil best suited is one that is light,
rich, deep, and moderately moist,
The root is perennial, thick, oval, branched, externally brown,
and internally of a deep yellow color. The- stem, which rises .
eight or ten feet in height, is erect, round, hollow, jointed, very
slightly furrowed, and maculated with small oblong purple streaks,
the lower leaves stand upon long smooth petioles, are numerous,
large, divided into five segments, which are deeply sinuated,
toothed, and strongly ribbed; the petiole being divided at its
apex into the five midribs of the segments, of a deep green color,
rough above, and pale and villous below: those of the stem
spring from the joints, are also petiolate, and gradually lessen
_ in size towards the top of the stem. There is a sheathing sti-
_ pule, or ochrea at the base of each stem leaf. The flowers spring
__ from the axilla of the base in numerous panicled clfisters ; they —

RHEUM PALMATUM.

appear in May. The corolla is divided into six obtuse segments
of a greenish white color, tinted with light pinkish purple. The
filaments are nine, slender, the length of the corolla, and furs
nished with oblong double anthers. The style is short, with three
reflected capitate stigmas. The germen is a triangular seed en-
closed in a capsule with three membranous reddish margins or ale.
Most of the information that has been collected with respect
to the cultivation, preparation, &c. of rhubarb is derived from
the Bucharians, the family of Tartars who deal in the article,
and no European has been enabled to verify it. The Russian
variety grows naturally in the mountainous districts, either on
the sides of the mountains, or on their summits in soils of dif-
ferent kind. It prefers, however, light and sandy loose earth.
The most vigorous plants are those which grow in the shade.
The Siberian variety, on the contrary, thrives best in the sun.
The roots are collected twice annually in the spring and the
autumn. The age of the root before being removed from the
earth should be at least six years and sometimes even more.
When taken up it is immediately cleansed, deprived of its bark,
and dried under cover in the shade, but exposed to the air—this
may be done artificially. The drying process is the most diffi-
cult, and at the same time, the most important in the prepara-
_ tion of rhubarb. There is a difference in the appearance of the
two articles mentioned, which is owing to the preparation. The
Russian is angulated by the removal of the exterior with a sharp
instrument—it is simply perforated for inspection. The Chinese
is in rounded masses, smooth from attrition, which is accom-
plished in a barrel and perforated to be suspended on cords to
dry. se

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

Good Russian or Turkey rhubarb has a peculiar, somewhat
aromatic odor, and a bitter slightly astringent, subacid taste,
feels gritty between the teeth when chewed, and tinges the
saliva of a bright yellow color. It breaks with a rough,
hackly fracture, is easily pulverized, and affords a powder of a
bright buff yellow color. It should not be porous but rather
compact and heavy. Water at 212° takes up twenty-four parts
in sixty, forming an infusion of a brown color, nearly clear, and
reddening litmus paper. Alcohol extracts two seven tenths from _
ten parts, and gives a tincture of a rich golden color, which _

RHEUM PALMATUM.

reddens tincture of litmus, is not altered in its transparency by
the addition of water, and strikes a blackish olive hue with
solution of sulphate of iron, but no immediate precipitate falls.
Sulphuric ether takes up 1.5 in 10 parts of this rhubarb. The
tincture is of a golden yellow hue, and when evaporated in
water, leaves a thin pellicle of yellow resin and abundance of
extractive dissolved in the water, combined however with tannin.
Aceording to the analysis of M. Henry, it contains a yellow
coloring matter, a bland oil, fecula, a small quantity of gum,
tannin, lignine, oxalate of lime, supermalate of lime, sul-
phate of lime, a salt of potassa, and oxide of iron. East
India or Chinese rhubarb has a strong odor, and is more nauseous
to the taste than the Turkey, breaks with a more compact and
smoother fracture, and affords a powder of a redder shade.
Water takes up thirty parts in sixty, the infusion is not so deep
colored as that of Russian rhubarb, is more turbid, and reddens
also litmus paper. Alcohol extracts four parts in ten. The
tincture is of a much deeper color, and brownish, and gives a
deeper red to litmus tincture, is rendered slightly turbid by the
addition of water, and strikes a green, not blackish olive with
sulphate of iron, which it also quickly and copiously precipitates.
Ether takes up two parts in ten, the tincture is deeper colored,
and when evaporated on water, affords the same results except
that the compound of tannin and extractive is more soluble.
Ruvears is a mild purgative, and may be given to the
youngest infants. Its operation is quickened by the addition
of neutral salts and calomel, the purgative powers of which it
also reciprocally augments, so that a compound, formed of small
portions of rhubarb and a neutral salt or calomel, acts with more
certainty and quicker than large doses of either separately
taken. Rhubarb is particularly adapted for the majority of
cases of diarrhoea, as it evacuates any acrid matter that may
be offending the bowels, before it acts as an astringent. Exter-
nally it has been applied by friction to produce its purgative
_ effects, and its powder is sometimes sprinkled over uleers to
assist their granulation and healing. It colors the urine in the
space of twenty minutes after it is taken, and may be detected
by the aid of an alkali. It disappears after an hour or two,
but re-appears owing to a second absorption from the colon.
Bradner Staart also affirms that it can be detected in the urine
after using a bath impregnated with it, The Chinese use it
_ medicinally, but chiefly to color a spirituous liquor.

N° 86
THEA CHINENSIS.
Tea The tea plant.

TERNSTRG@MIACEA,

Teaworts.
No. 86.

THIA CHINENSIS.
Tea, The Tea Plant.

Place—Asia.

Quality—Sty ptic.

Power—Strengthening, drying, diuretic.

Use—The leaves in drowsiness, convulsions, calculus,
obesity. Hurtful to weak stomachs.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Order. Missellanee.—L. Ternstremiacex.—J.

Crass XIII. Polyandria Orver Monogynia.

Linn. Sp. Pi. 735. Woodv.. Med. Bot. 116. Raf. Med. Flor. ii. 267. U. S.
Disp. 1299. Griff. Med. Bot. 149. Per. El. Mat. Med ii. 664. Lind Flor. Med.
120. Wood, C. B. 205.

Genus. THA.

spErom the Greek ta, originating in the Chinese Tcha or Tsja, their name for
ea.

Synonymes Thi (F.) Der, Thee [Ger.] The [it.]
THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

Catyx. Sepals, five or seven, concave, coriaceous, deciduous,
the inner often the largest.

Corotia. Petals, Five—six, or nine, not equal in number to the
sepals.

Stamens. Indefinite or numerous, hypogynous. Filaments,
distinct or united into one or more setts.

Ovary. Superior, or with several cells. Styles three—seven
more or less combined,

Frurr. Two—seven-celled, capsular.

Seeps. Large, few attached to the axis.

THIA CHINENSIS.

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS.

Tura. Sepals, five-six rounded. Petals, six—nine ses-
sile. Stamens, numerous. Capsule, three-celled, seven-valved,
each cell containing one to two seeds, and opening at the upper
part.

Calyz, five or six-leaved. Corol., six or nine petalled. Capsule, three-seeded.
THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS,

Tuea Curensis. Leaves, alternate, smooth, ovate-oblong.

Flowers, axillary, either single or aggregated on short glabrous
peduncles. ; .

Corolla, larger than the Calyx. Stamens numerous. Flowers, six-petalled. Leaves,
oblong-oval, rugose.

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

Crass Potyanpria. Stamens twenty or more, arising from the

receptacle (hypogynous.) Orper Monocynta, Calyz imbricate
in wstivation. ‘T'rees.

NATURAL HISTORY.

This genus derives its name from its Chinese appellation,
and, in a commercial point of view, is one of the most im-
portant of the vegetable kingdom. But, notwithstanding this
importance, and the numerous notices of it and its cultivation,
no little uncertainty exists whether it contains one or more
species, or in other words, whether the black and the green teas
are the product of the same or of different species: many mod-
ern botanists, however, are of opinion that all are but varieties
of one species, which is therefore named Taea CHINENSIS.

Notwithstanding the many different kinds of Tea exported
from China, there is good reason to believe that they are all the
produce of one species (as has already been hinted), and that the
_ differences of quality are the result of variations in the charac-

_ ter of the plant, which are induced by differences of soil, cli-
_ mate &c., in the extensive tract over which it is grown,—and of
_ Variations in the age of the trees, the time of gathering the
leaves, and in the mode of preparing them. The tea districts of

* =

THIA CHINENSIS.

China extend from about the 27th to the 33rd degree of north
latitude, but the plant may ke cultivated in regions more dis-
tant from the equator, if the climate be mild and equable. ‘The
plant is raised from seed, and the first crop of leaves is gathered
in the third year. After the shrubs have attained the age of six
or seven years, their produce becomes so inferior that they are
removed to make room for a fresh succession. The leaves are
gathered from one to four times during the year, according to the
age of the tree. Most commonly there are three periods of
gathering: the first commences about the middle of April, the
second at midsummer, and the last in August. The leaves that
are earliest gathered are of the most delicate color and most aro-
matic flavor, with the least portion of either fibre or bitterness.
Leaves of the second gathering are of a dull green color, and
have less valuable qualities than the former, whilst those which
are last collected are of a dark green and of inferior value. The
quality is further influenced by the age of the wood on which
the leaves are borne, and by the degree of exposure to which
they have been accustomed. Leaves from young wood, and
those most exposed are always the best, as is readily understood
on physiological principles. The leaves when gathered are
partly dried by the air and sun, and partly by artificial heat,
and are carefully rolled up by the hand. It is commonly be-
lieved that the distinctive character of green tea is imparted to
it by being dried upon sheets of copper. For this belief, how-
ever, there is no foundation in fact, since copper is not used for
the purpose, and the most careful application of chemical tests
fails to discover any such impregnation. ‘ safig 7s
_ The history of commerce does not furnish any parallel to the
_circumstances which have attended the introduction of Tea into
Great Britain. The leaf was first imported by the Dutch
East India Company, in the early part of the seventeenth cen-
tury, but it does not appear to have found its way to England
until about the year 1650. The first historical notice of it is in
an Act of Parliament of the year 1660, in which it was enumer-
ated as one of the beverages sold in coffee-houses, on which a
duty was to be paid. That it was not then a common drink
is evident from an entry in the private journal of Mr. Pepys,
Secretary to the Admiralty, who says, 25th Sep. 1661: “I sent
for a cup of tea (a China drink) of which I had never drunk be-
fore.” In 1664 the British East India Company sent two
pounds of tea as a present to the King. In 1667 the Company

‘THIA CHINENSIS.

imported 100 lbs. Since then the consumption has gone on re-
gularly increasing. In 1734 the quantity imported was about
632,000 lbs., in 1768 it was nearly seven million pounds. In
1800 it was twenty millions, and during the last four years of
the East India Company’s charter, the average quantity import-
ed was over thirty-one millions. Since the abolition of the mo-
nopoly, the consumption has increased more rapidly, the amount
imported having nearly reached fifty million pounds,

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

Volumes have been written for and against this article.
Some authors attributing to it the most pernicious qualities,
such as inducing nervous tremors, dyspepsia, dropsy, &c.,
whilst others again have been as lavish in its praise. That the
use of tea may be abused, there can be no doubt; but it is
equally certain that a moderate employment of it, and especially
of the better kinds of black tea (which, it may be noticed, is the
only kind used by the Chinese) far from being prejudicial, has a
positive power in calming nervous irritation, and aiding the di-
gestive functions, and giving, after fatigue, a new life and tone
to the system. The green tea is very apt to affect the nervous
system of those unaccustomed tu its use, but at the same
time it does not appear that its constant employment is attended
with any ill effects,

Tea is often administered warm, to aid in the production of
diaphoresis, but does not seem to have any greater power than
any other mild infusion. From several analysés made of it,’ it
is shown to consist of a bitter extractive, mucilage, resin, gallic
acid, and tannin, and a peculiar principle called Theine, on
which its properties depend. This substance, which is also
found in coffee and chocolate, as well as in the Mate, is a highly
azotized principle, and has probably a much greater influence on
the system in aiding the assimilation of food than is generally
supposed ; and hence the great use made of the various plants
containing it, by almost all nations,

The properties of tea are not of so decided a character as to
render it capable of very extensive application as a medicine,
and its almost exclusive use is as a grateful beverage at the
evening and morning meals, As a medicine, however, tea may
sometimes be given advantageously in diarrhea, and a strong

infusion will often be found to relieve nervous headache.

N° 87.
FRAS TE RA CAROLINENSES.
American Columbo Indian lettuce. vc

GENTIANACEA.
The Gentian Tribe.

No 87.
FRASERA CAROLINENSIS.
America Conumso, Indian Lettuce, &§c.

Place—United States.

Quality—Bitter.

Power—(when fresh) Emetic, cathartic, token dry)
Tonic, antiseptic, febrifuge.

Use—Consumption, dyspepsia, jaundice, scurvy, &c.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS. |
Natural Order. Stellate.—L. Gentianacer.—J.

Criass IV. Tetrandria. Orprr Monogynia.

Linn. Sp. Pl. 735. Woodv. Med. Bot. 116. Raf. Med Flor. i.196. U.S. Dis.
336. Griff.. Med. Bot. 462. Per. El. Mat. Med. li. 354. Beach. Fam. Ph. 662.
Kosts. Mat. Med. 452. Barton. Veg. Mat. Med. ii. 103. Wood. C. B. 205. Lind.

Flor. Med. 120.
| Genus FRASERA.

In honor of John eae an -Kenaticen aitlerutor of exotics, ‘i whose exertions die
gardens, particularly of London, are indebted for many rare American plants.

Sxyronrues.—Frasera Colombo, [F.] Colombo Wurzel [Ger.]
THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

CGatyx. Sepals, four—five—ten, united at base, persistent.

Corotiua. Usually regular. Limb divided into as many lobes
as there are sepals, mostly twisted in estivation.

Sramens. Issuing from the tube of the corolla, as many as its
lobes, and alternate with them.

Ovary. One celled, sometimes rendered apparently two-celled
by the introflexed placentee. Style, united into one, or
wanting Stigmas one—two,

Fruit. Capsule many-seeded.

Seeps Small. Embryo straight, with fleshly albumen,

FRASERA CAROLINENSIS

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS,

FraserA. Flowers, mostly tetramerous. Petals united at
base, oval, spreading, deciduous, each with one or two bearded
or bicular glands inthe middle. Svyle one. Stigmas two, dis-
tinct. Capsule compressed, one-celled. Seeds few, imbricate,
large, elliptic, margined.

Calyx deeply four-parted. Corol. four-parted, spreading. Segments with bearded

planted in the middle. Capsule compressed, sub- -margined, one-celled, two-valved.
Seeds few, imbricated, oval, with a membranaceous margin.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.

Frasera Carotinensts, Stem tall, erect, glabrous, branched
above. Leaves verticillate, oblong-lanceolate, acutish, sessile,
feather-veined, entire or wavy. Panicle compound, pyramidal,
leafy, verticillate. Calyx segments acute, shorter than the ob
long, obtusish petals. Gland solitary, oval orbicular.

Leaves whorled, or opposite. Flowers in clusters.
THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS,

Cuass Terranpria. Stamens four. Orper Monocynta, Mono-
petalous, Flowers inferior. Corolla regular. Herbs (rarely
shrubby.) Stamens alternate, with petals. Fruit capsule.
Capsule one-celled, many-seeded,

NATURAL HISTORY.

The American Columbo is found in great abundance in the
rich glades of the Western States, where it grows most luxuri-
antly, sometimes attaining the height of ten feet. It is ont of
the tallest and handsomest of our native herbaceous plants, hav-
ing a large pyramid of crowded flowers, sometimes three or four
feet in length, It is a true triennial, the stalk and flowers not
shooting up till the third year. There is, however, some differ-
ence of opinion as to its duration, Rafinesque stating that it is
_ Strictly a triennial, whilst other botanists agree in considering it
_ to bea biennial. It was first discovered by ; Wm. Bartram, who
Speaks of it in his travels under the name of Indian lettuce.. The

habitation of this plant is variously described by different bota-

_ nists. Michanx has observed it in wet or swampy places, in

ao = Caroline. ” Parsh says it is found ‘‘in the swamps
of Lower Carolina, and on the borders of the lakes of Pennsyl-

FRASERA CAROLINENSIS.

venia and New York.” Mr. Nutall says, “in the dry and open
woods of Pennsylvania and New York, in certain localities, it is
abundant.” Dr. Wm. Short says, “it grows in the barrens or
prairies of Kentucky.” The late Dr. Barton observed it growing
in great abundance on the west side of the Genesee river in the
State of New York. It is said to be common in some parts of Upper
Canada, but the States of Kentucky and Tennessee yield it in
profusion. From the abundance which grows in the neighbor-
hood of Marietta, in Ohio, it is sometimes called Marietta Co-
lumbo. According to Walter, Michaux, Mr. Wm. Bartram, and
Mr. Elliott, it grows in Carolina and Georgia. The latter gen-
tleman mentions that it has been found in Fairfield district and
in Abbeville.

The root is large, yellow, tuberose, hard, horizontal, spindle-
shaped, sometimes two feet long, with few fibres. The whole
plant is perfectly smooth. The stem from five to ten feet high,
round, erect, solid, with few branches except at the top, where
they form a pyramid of flowers. Leaves in whorls; the radical
or root leaves form a star spread upon the ground, from five to
twelve in number, from ten to eighteen inches long, and from
three to five broad, constituting the whole plant in the first two
years, or before the stem grows. The stem leaves are whorls,
from four to eight, smaller than the radical leaves, Flowers
yellowish white, numerous, forming a large pyramidal panicle,
peduncles leafy or bracteate. Calyx deeply four cleft, spreading,
segments lanceolate, acute, persistent, nearly as long as the
corolla. Corolla with four elliptic segments flat and spreading,
margin somewhat inflexed, a fimbriated pit in the centre of each.
Stamens four, alternate, with the segments, filaments short,
subulate, anthers oval, oblong. Ovary compressed, bearing a
short style with two short stigmas. Capsule yellowish, oval,

‘acuminate, compressed, margin thin, two-valved, one-seeded,
Seeds flat, elliptical winged. The seeds grow in pods, shaped
like a horse-bean, and are much like parsnip seeds.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The American Cotomso has been thought to resemble the
foreign article, both in medical properties as well as in appear-
ance, but experience has not confirmed the high estimate which
‘was at one time formed of its virtues, and though perhaps it is

still much employed both in regular and domestic practice in -

FRASERA CAROLINENSIS.

some parts of the country by several eminent practitioners, yet
it has failed entirely to supplant the tonic of Mozambique.

The part that is officinal are the roots, and these in a fresh
state often weigh several pounds. As found in the shops, they
are in slices, somewhat resembling those of the Colombo, having
a thick yellow bark, and a yellowish spongy meditullium. The
taste is pure bitter, without any aroma. They may be distin-
guished from Colombo by their lighter color, and by affording
a dark green precipitate with the salts of iron. A chemical
examination has been made of this root by Mr. Douglass (Am.
Jour, Pharm. vi. 177), and it was found to contain bitter ex-
tractive gum, tannin, gallic acid, resin, a fatty matter, sugar,
&e. &c. Water and diluted alcohol extract its virtues, and the
tincture throws down a precipitate upon the addition of water,
but is not disturbed by tincture of galls, thus affording addi-
tional means of distinguishing the root from Colombo.

Cotomgo Roor is emetic and cathartic when fresh, tonic, anti-
septic and febrifuge when dry. It has a sweetish bitter taste
like gentian. The leaves are also bitter, It yields its bitterness
to water, but proof spirits is its proper menstruum. It may
be given in powder or infusion. The dose of the former is from
thirty grains to a drachm, that of an infusion made in the pro-
portion of an ounce of the bruised roots to a pint of boiling
water, is one or two fluid ounces, to be repeated several times a
day. The root should be collected from the fall of the second
_ year to the spring of the third year of its growth.

The root is used with considerable success in diseases of the
stomach and debility. It avails in intermittents, like other pure
bitters, and is extensively used in the Western States in fevers,
colics, griping, nausea, relaxed stomach and bowels, indigestion,
&e. As a purgative it is substituted for rhubarb in many
cases, particularly for children and women enceinte. Cold water °
is said to add to its efficacy and prevent nausea, and vomiting.
A teaspoonful of the powder in hot water and sugar will give im-
mediate relief in case of heavy loading a weak stomach, It isa

_ good corrector of the bile, alone or united with other bitters.

_ The Colombo leaves occasion sweat copiously when laid on
_ the forehead, and will commonly relieve headache. This will
__ also apply to any kind of inflammation, rheumatism, &c. Such
efficacy of this root, says Peter Smith, that when they
ce it recover, they are indeed well and need no other

N° 8B.
CEANOTHUS AMERICANUS.
Jersev-tea, red-root.

RHAMNACEA.
Buckthorns.

mn 58.
CEANOTHUS AMERICANUS.

. Jersey Tea, Red-root.
Place—United States.
Quality—Diuretic,
Power—Purifying, purgative.
Use—Dysentery, syphilitic complaints.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.

Natural Order. Dumoce.—L. Rhamnacee.—J,

Crass V. Pentandria. Orver Monogynia.

Linn. Sp. Pl. 284. Loud. Ency. Pl. 178. Raff. Med. Flor.ii.205. U.S. Dis. 1240.
T. &G. i. 264. Griff. Med. Bot. 218. Per. El. Mat. Med. 354. Beach. Fam. Ph.
662. Kost. Mat. Med. 485. Wood, Class Book, 217.

Genus. CEANOTHUS.

Keavw6os is a name used Theophratus to designate a prickly plant, from «
to prick, because it pricks at the extreme parts. if a

SynonyMEs.

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

Catyx. Sepals four or five, united at base, valvate in ewstiva-
tion. 7

Corotta. Petals four or five distinct, cucullate or convolute,
inserted into the orifice of the calyx. Sometimes wanting
or none.

Stamens. Opposite the petals, four or five.

Ovary. Superior, or half superior, with an erect ovale in each
cell.

Frurr. A capsule, drupe or berry.

Seeps. Not numerous,

CEANOTHUS AMERICANUS.

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS,

Ceanotuus, Calyx tubular, campanulate, five-cleft, sepa-
rating transversly after flowering. Petals five, saccate-arched,
with long claws. Stamens, mostly exserted. Style, mostly
three-cleft. Capsule obtusely triangular, three-celled, threo
seeded, surrounded at base by the persistent tube of the calyx.

Petals scale-like, vaulted. Claws long standing in the five-cleft, cup-form, calyx.
Stigmas three. Berry or capsule dry, three-grained, three-celled, three-seeded, three-
parted, opening on the inner side.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS,

Cranotnus Americanus, Leaves oblong-ovate, serrate, three
veined. Panicles axillary, elongated,

Leaves ovate, acuminate, serrate, three-nerved, pubescent beneath. Panicles
axillary, long-peduncled, sub-corymbed.

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS,

Cuass Pentanpria. Stamens five. Orver Monocynta. Poly-
petalous. Flowers inferior, regular. \ Stamens opposite to the
petals. Shrubs. Stem thorny. Calyx four-five cleft.

NATURAL HISTORY.

This almost American genus consists of shrubs or shrubby
plants. The roots of the whole of them are large, reddish, and
astringent. The leaves are alternate, usually ovate or elliptical,
serrate or entire, persistent or deciduous. The flowers are white,
blue, or yellowish in umbellike fascicles, which are aggregated
at the extremity of the branches. There are several varieties,
differing principally in the form of the leaves. It is probable
that the medical properties of all the species are very much the
same, though one only has attracted attention. The New Jersey
tea is found in all parts of the United States, in copses and dry- *
woods, and very abundant on the barrens at the west. The
plant flowers from June until September, is of very easy culture,

_ and of very little beauty. ;

_ The root of the Ceanoraus Amertcanus is large and dark red.
The stem is shrubby, suffruticose, from two to four feet high,
lender, with many round, smooth branches, the younger of |

1 are pubescent. ‘The leaves are three-nerved, rounded, or

CEANOTHUS AMERICANUS.

a little cordate at base, ovate or oblong-ovate, somewhat
acuminate at the apex, serrate, nearly smooth above, and
whitish, tomentose beneath, the pubescence of the veins and
petioles somewhat reddish, they are thrice as long as broad,
very downy, with soft hairs beneath. Flowers minute, in
crowded panicles from the axils of the upper leaves. The calyx
is white, five-cleft, and the upper portion separates by a trans-
verse line, leaving the tube adhering to the fruit. The corolla
is formed of five saccate, arched petals, which are longer than
the calyx, and with filiform claws at base. The stamens are
_ five, enclosed in the curiously vaulted corolla, exserted and
bearing ovate, two-celled anthers, The ovary is three-angled,
and surrounded with a ten-toothed disk. The styles are three,
united to the middle, but diverging above. The fruit is dry and
coriaceous, obtusely triangular, three-celled and three-seeded.
The seeds are convex externally, and concave within, the cavity
marked with a longitudinal line.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The Cranoraus Americanus is a well-known plant and is ©
considerably celebrated for having been much used during the
Revolutionary war of the United States, as a substitute for the
Chinese tea, whence its common name. The leaves when
dried have an odor very much resembling that of the black tea
of commerce, and are said to form an excellent substitute for it.
_ The leaves of the Jersey tea plant are slightly bitter, and —
somewhat astringent. The root is mach more active, and was
very highly esteemed among the Indians who used it as an
astringent and febrifuge. It was afterwards very much em-
ployed also as a remedy in gonorrhcea, and even syphilis. In
the first of these complaints, it is stated by Ferrien that a cure
is effected in two or three days, and in the latter, even inveterate
cases yield to it in fifteen. It is given in the form of decoction
made in the proportion of two drachms of the root to a pint of
water. Adamson also observes that he has employed it in these
diseases with considerable success, These statements receive
confirmation, in part at least, from the success that has attended
this method of cure in private and domestic practice, as well as
by several physicians and practitioners of the On ae
__ In a communication to the Boston Medical and Surgical
Journal (Sept., 1835), Dr. Hubbard speaks in very high terms

CEANOTHUS AMERICANUS.

of a decoction of the leaves as a wash and gargle in the aphthe
of children, and in those cases of sore mouth subsequent to fever,
and states that he was successful with it even where all other
means had failed. He also found it very beneficial in those
eases of ulceration of the fauces attendant on scarlatina, in
these he used it in combination with Mayweed, Maruta cotula,
and borax. He further adds that as an astringent in dysentery,
he found it fully as efficacious as the Hardack, sptrea tomentosa,
It may be used in diarrhcea, cholera infantum, and other com-
plaints in which astringents are indicated.

With this testimony in its favor, Ceanoraus AMERICANUS -
certainly deserves a more extended trial, and should it be found
to merit, even in part, what has been said of it, it will rank as
an important article of our native Materia Medica.

It may be proper to mention that the Ceanothus caruleus is
considered as a powerful febrifuge in Mexico, and that the
Ceanothus decolor is employed in dysentery in Senegal.

Men of observation and science ought to be employed to ex-
plore the country with a view to its geology, mineralogy,
botany, zoology, and agricwiture. They ought not only to
examine with their own eyes, but to avail themselves of local
information to be derived from intelligent men in every part of
the State. By these means a mass of valuable and authentic
information may be obtained which can in most cases be ac-
quired in no other way.

The celebrated Linnzus often expressed a wish to visit
America, in order to explore its vegetable productions. His
disciple, Kalm, travelled through his country in 1748 for that
purpose. Since the revolutionary war several European princes
have sent scientific men here to make collections and observa-
tions on our natural history. In fact, several of the most
valuable and interesting observations we pdssess, were made by
them, who devoted themselves almost exclusively to this special
_ object—the unfolding the bright volume of Creation, the pages
of which are daily and hourly exhibited, “ written,” to use the
_ impressive words of Lord Bacon, “ in the only language which
_ hath gone forth to the ends of the world, unk ffooves by the con-
_ fusion of Babel.” .
| _ Tt may” be safely affirmed that Botany is capable of afford-
ing ere to interest and instruct, more to refresh and relax the
1 SF sed mind, than any other pursuit. ‘It is therefore im-

perieee and Ss ite = |

We 69.

Winters Bark.

iit

MAGNOLIACEA.

Magnoliads.
| No. 89.
DRIMYS WINTERI.

Winter’s Bark,

Place—South America,
Quality—Aromatie.
Power—Stimulant, tonic,

Use—Scurvy, and as a condiment.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Order. Winteracee.—L. Magnoliacee.—J.

Crass XIII. Polyandria Orver Polygynia.

Willd. Sp. Pl. ii. 1239. Woodv: Med. Bot. 647. Stephenson & Churchill, iii. 178
U.S. Dis. 744. Griff. Med. Bot.100. Per. El. Mat. Med. ii. 742. Kost. Mat. Med.
443. Lind. Flor. Med. 26. Wood, C. B. 149.

_ Genus. DRIMYS.

From é Greek aaa on ‘account of its hot and pungent flavor.
Synonymes.—Cannelles de Winter (F.) , Winterana (Z), Cortiza Winterana (8.

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS.

Catyx. Sepals, three—six, deciduous, colored Jike the petals.

Corouta. Petals, six—twelve, hypogynous, in several rows, im-
bricate in «stivation. Pi

Sramens. Indefinite hypogynous, distinct, with short filaments,
and adnate anthers.

Ovary. Several, in many rows upon an elongated torus.

Frurr. Follicular or baceate, one—two seeded. yee

Seeps. Attached to the inner suture of the carpels, from which _
(ia Magnolia) they are ishetargst me a — ewe
-faniculus 5 ies

DRIMYS WINTERL.

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS,

Daimys. Calyx, two—three cleft. Corolla two—three pe-

tals, (sometimes more), Stamens, numerous, clavate. Anthers
two-celled. Ovaries four—eight. Carpels conjested, baccate,
many seeded.

Calyzx splitting unequally. Petals numerous. Stamens club-shaped, with terminal

two-lobed anthers. Style none. Berries superior, aggregate. Seeds, several in a
double row.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS,

Dremys Wintert. Leaves, alternate, obtuse, oblong, glau-
cous beneath. Peduncles simple, approximated or very short,
divided into elongated pedicels.

Leaves alternate, petiolate, oblong, obtuse, entire, smooth. Flowers small, solitary,
or in clusters of from three to four. Bark of the trunk gray, that of the branches green.

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

Ciass Ponyanpria. Stamens twenty or more, arising from the

receptacle (hypogynous.) Orper Pouyeynia, Leaves never pel-
tate. T'rees with large showy flowers.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Wintir’s Barx was brought before the medical profession in a
paper read to the Medical Society of London, in 1779, by the
facetious John Fothergill, M.D. In this paper is published
a history of the discovery of the tree, with a botanical account
of it, drawn up by the celebrated Dr. Solander. It appears that
the tree and the bark were unknown until the return of Captain
John Winter from a voyage to the South Seas, in 1579. Captain-
Winter was the commander of the ship Elizabeth, which sailed
with Sir Francis Drake in 1577, but after having passed through

_ the Straits of Magellan, on the 8th of October of the following

year, was obliged by stress of weather to return to the Straits,
and remaining there some time, procured the bark, which -

_ sius, in honor of him, named Cortex Winteranus. —
Other navigators, upon visiting the Straits, noticed the tree,
| but _—* dofinita » was known of its — until in 1691, _ =

DRIMYS WINTERI

George Handasyd, upon his return, presented some specimens to
Sir Hans Sloane, who gave a description and figure in the Philo-
sophical Transactions. But it appears that the flowers and fruit
were wanting, and a systematic location was impossible, until
in 1768, Captain Wallis, of the Dolphin, brought some perfect
specimens, which came into the hands of Dr. Solander, who, from
these, and his own observations drew up his description,
““Drimys Winreri is one of the largest forest trees upon Ter-
ra del Fuego; it often rises to the height of fifty feet. The
branches do not spread horizontally, but bend upwards, and forra
an elegant head of an oval shape. The leaves come out without
order, of an oval, elliptic shape, quite entire, obtuse, flat, smooth,
shining, of a thick, leathery substance, evergreen ; on the upper
side, of a lively deep green color, and of a pale bluish color un-
derneath, without any nerves, and their veins scarcely visible;
they are sometimes narrower near the footstalks, and there their
margins are bent downwards. In general the leaves are from
three to four inches long, and between one and two broad ; they
have very short footstalks, seldom half an inch long, which are
smooth, concave on the upper side, and convex underneath.
From the scars of the old footstalks, the branches are often tu-
berculated. The peduncles, or footstalks for the flowers, come
out of the axilla foliorum, near the extremity of the branches ;
they are flat, of a pale color, twice or three times shorter than
the leaves, now and then support only one flower, but are oftener
near the top divided into three short branches, each with one
flower. The bractee are oblong, pointed, concave, entire, thick
whitish, and situated at the base of each peduncle. Calyx it
has none, but in its place the flower is surrounded with a spatha-
ceous germ of a thick leathery substance, green, but reddish on
the side which has faced the sun; before this germ bursts, it is.
of a round form, and its size is that of a small pea. It bursts
commonly so that one side is higher than the other, and the seg-
ments are pointed. The corolla consists always of seven petals,
which are obtuse, oval, concave, erect, white, have small veins,
and are of an unequal size, the largest scarcely four lines long ;
they very soon fade, and drop off almost as soon as the germ
bursts. The ji/aments are from fifteen to thirty, and are placed
on the flat end side of the receptacle ; they are much shorter —
than the petals, and gradually decrease in length towards the

sides. The anthera are large, oval, longitudinally divided into

two, or as if each was made up of two oblong antheras. The

DRIMYS WINTERI.

germina are from three to six, placed above the receptacle, tur-
binated, or of the shape of an inverted fig, flat on the inside, and
somewhat higher than the stamina; they have no styles, but
terminate in a stigma, divided into two or three small lobes,”

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The bark of the Drimys Winter: attracted the attention of
navigators, from its warm, spicy, aromatic properties; and in the
treatment of scorbutic disease, which broke out in vessels going
into the Straits of Magellan, was a very valuable auxiliary, It
is rarely brought into the market as a drug, and has become
very scarce in commerce. It is sometimes confounded with Ca-
nella Alba, from which it differs in color, as it is pale yellowish,
or dull reddish-gray, with elliptical dull brown spots externally,
and brown internally. It has an aromatic odor and a warm bit-
terish taste. Winter’s Bark was found by M. Henry to contain
resin, volatile oil, coloring matter, tannic acid, several salts of
potassa, malate of lime, and oxide of iron. The presence of tan-
nic acid and oxide of iron serves to distinguish it essentially from
the Canella Alba, as these chemical evidences are present in one
case and not in the other.

Drimys Wintert is stimulant, aromatic, and tonic, and may
be employed in all cases in which the Canella and Cinnamon
are indicated. It was much praised by the discoverer as an
anti-scorbutic. Ferrein states that the natives of Terra del
Fuego employ it to preyent a cutaneous disease to which they
are subject, from eating seals’ flesh.

Some confusion is apparent among the authors who have
treated upon the tree, with respect to its name; hence the dif-
ferent appellations by which it has been described, The term
Winterana Aromatica was bestowed by Linneus, in commemo- —
ration of its discoverer; in so doing, however, he mistook it for
the Canella Alba, and gave the account of the fructification of
that plant. Browne, however, had stamped that genus with the
name of Canelia. Foster having obtained the parts of fructifica-
tion, gave to the plant the name of Drmys Winrert, from its
hot and pungent flavor. Murray, in his Linn. Syst. Veg. gave
the generic name Wintera, which he preferred to the original
_ Linnean one, and finally De Candolle has adopted the name of
_ Foster, in imitation of Lamarck, The species which Lamarek —
ealls Drimys Punctata is a variety only, . |

Ne 90.

SOULANUM TUBEROSUP .
Common Potato.

SOLAN ACH.A.
Nightshades.
No 90.
SOLANUM TUBEROSUM.

Common Poraro.

Place—South America,
Quality—Viscous, :
Power—Anti-spasmodie, slightly narcotic,
Use—Chronic rheumatism, scurvy, &c.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Order. Luride.—L. Solanacew.—J.

Cuiass V. Pentandria. Orver Monogynia.

Loud. Enc. Pl. 156. Griff. Med. Bot. 482. Per. El. Mat. Med. ii. 336. Wood,

C. B. 448.
Genus SOLANUM.

Etymology uncertain. Some derive it from Lat. Sor, sun, and Greek dvev, { without
ing reference to the nightshade species. (Others from Lat. Souani, to comfort;
though the application is not evident. ~ = :

Synonymes.—Pomme de terre [F.], Die Kartoffeln [Ger], Aardappelen [ Dutch],
Tertufibianci [/.], Batatas Inglezas [Sp.], Batata de terra [Port.]

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

Catyx. Sepals, four—five, more or less united, mostly per-
sistent.

Corotta. Regular. Limb four—five cleft, plaited in wstivation,
deciduous.

Sramens. Four—five (sometimes one abortive), insarted on the
corolla, alternate with its segments. Anthers bursting
longitudinally, rarely by terminal pores.

Ovary. Free (superior) two-celled, (four-celled in Datura), with
the placenta in the axis. Styles and Stigmas united
into one. as gee

SOLANUM TUBEROSUM.

Frurr. A capsule or berry.
Seeps. Numerous. Embryo curved, lying in fleshy albumen.

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS,

Sotanum. Calyx five—ten parted, persistent. Corolla ro-
tate subcampanulate. Tbe very short. Limb plicate, five—
ten lobed. Anthers erect, slightly cohering or connivent, opening
at the top by two pores. Berry, two—six celled, sub-elobose or
depressed, often torose. Seeds numerous.

Calyx five to ten parted, permanent, Corol bell or whell-form, five-lobed, plaited.
-Anthers thickened, partly united, with two pores at the top. Berry containing many
seeds, two to six-celled.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.

Sovanum Tuserosum. Root tuberous, Stem herbacecus.
Segment of the leaves unequal, the alternate ones minute.
Flowers subcorymbed. Corolla five-angled.

Stem wing-angled, unarmed. Leaves interruptedly pinnate. Leaflets entire. Flow-
ers subcorymbed. Roots knobbed—tuberous.

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

Crass Penranpria. Stamens five. Orper Monoeynta. Mo-
nopetalous. Flowers inferior. Corolla regular. Herbs (rarely
shrubby.) Stamens alternate, with petals. Fruit capsule
or berry. Cells with many seeds. Cells two. Astivation
plicate.

NATURAL HISTORY.

This most valuable plant is suppposed to be a native of
South America, and to be found in a wild state in elevated
places in the tropical regions, and in the more temperate dis-
tricts of the western coasts of that country. It appears proba-
ble that the potatoe was first brought into Europe, from the
mountainous parts of South America, in the neighborhood of
Quito, where they were called papas, to Spain, early in the 16th
century, From Spain, where they were called battatas, they

_ found their way to Italy, and there received the same name as

the truffle, taratoufli. From Italy they went to Vienna, through
the Governor of Mons, in Hainault, who sent some to Clusius,
1598, To Bngland the potato found its way from North —

SOLANUM TUBEROSUM.

America, being brought from Virginia by the colonists sent out
by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584, and who returned in July 1586;
**and probably,” says Sir Joseph Banks, “ brought with them
the potato.” Gerarde in his Herbal, published in 1597, gives a
figure of the potato under the name of Potato of Virginia,
whence, he says, he received the roots; and this appellation it
appears to have retained, in order to distinguish it from the bat-
tatas or sweet potato, Convolvulus Battatas, till the year
1640, if not longer. Gough says that the potato was first
planted by Sir Walter Raleigh, on his estate of Youghall, near
Cork, and that they were soon after carried into Lancashire.
Gerarde and Parkinson, however, mention them as delicacies
for the confectioner, and not as common food. Even so late as
Bradley’s time, they are spoken of as inferior to skirrets and
radishes. :
The use of the potato, however, became more and more
known after the middle of the 18th century, and has greatly in-
creased in all parts of the world. It is in very general use in
Holland, and many parts of France and Germany, and is in-
creasing rapidly in Russia. In Spain and the East and West
Indies, they are not much cultivated, owing to the heat of the
climate, but in all the temperate parts of North America, Aus-
tralasia, and South America, they are grown in abundance.
In China they are cultivated, but not extensively. Indeed no
root hitherto discovered is so well adapted for universal use as
the tubers of the potato; for, having no peculiarity of taste, and
consisting chiefly of starch, their farina is nearly that of grain.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The So.anum Tuserosum, or Potato, is of more interest as an
article of diet than as a medicinal agent, though the stalks pos-
sess the narcotic qualities of the other species, and even the tu-
bers contain a certain portion of the alkaloid. This appears to
be confined to their epidermis, and is greatly increased in quan-
tity where the potato is exposed for any time to the action of
the light, in which case the epidermis assumes a greenish color,
and the poisonous principle is so much developed as to render the
root unfit for food. The water in which potatoes are boiled
contains solanina. The potato contains much starch, which is
- eontained in a cellular tissue; this starch, which is the princi-
pal nutritious ingredient of the tuber, is used asa substitute _

SOLANUM TUBEROSUM.

for arrow-root, and is also so manufactured as to resemble and
be sold for sago. The tissue of potatoes is cellular,—each cell
contains from ten to twelve grains of starch. Both in the cells
and in the intercellular spaces is an albuminous liquid. By
boiling the cells are separated, the starch-grains absorb the al-
buminous liquid, swell up, and completely fill the cells, while
the albumen coagulates and forms irregular fibres, which are
placed between the starch-grains. Potatoes in which these
changes are complete, are called meally, while those in which
the liquid is only partially absorbed, acd the coagulations im-
perfectly effected, are denominated doughy, or watery.

Potatoes have been repeatedly subjected to chemical examina-
tion ; their principal constituents are starch, starchy fibrin, al-
‘ie gum, acids, salts, and water. The relative proportions
vary with the season, the varieties of the potatoe, &c. Potato-
starch consists of particles of varied shapes, and sizes—the nor-
mal form is probably ovate. Their size varies from one six-
hundredth to one thirtieth of a line in diameter. They are
characterized by concentric rings, observed on their surface, and
which Fritzche regards as indications of concentric layers, of
which he asserts these grains to be composed. The hilum is
circular. The cracks observed on some of the danger grains
proceed usually from the hilum,

‘Sugar is sometimes manufactured from potatoes. By fer-
mentation potatoes yield a vinous liquid (potato-wine) of good
quality. By distillation this yields potato-spirit, from which a
volatile oil (ot of potatoes) has been extracted. An extract
obtained from the stalks and leaves of potatoes is said to possess
narcotic properties, in doses of two or three grains, but the cases
are not perfectly satisfactory.

The tubers of potatoes when boiled are a most valuable article
of food, both for men and animals. Those of good quality are
_ not only perfectly innocuous but highly nutritious, and easy of
digestion. In the raw state they have been found less nutri-
tive for animals, while on man they are said to prove laxative
and diuretic, and to excite slightly the nervous system. The
process of cooking is probably useful in two ways, by rendering
_ the starch. digestible, and secondly by extracting some noxious
Matter. The potato in a raw state, eaten as a salad with vin-
egar, has proved of much benefit on ship-board as a preventative
of scurvy. An extraet of the leaves is recommended in chronio
Pheumatin, and paises of the stomach and bowels.

Ne 1.
CHELIDONIUM MAJUS.
Common Celaudine, pilewort _ tetterwort .

PAPAVERACE A.

Poppyworts.
No 91.
CHELIDONIUM MAJUS.

GeLanpine, Pilewort, Tetterwort, ete.
Place—Europe.
Quality—Bitter, acrid, caustic.
Pow er—Diuretic, diaphoretic
Use—Jaundice, dropsy, herpes, etc.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.

Natural Order. Rhceadex—L. Papaveracee.—J.

Crass XIII. Polyandria. Orper Monogynia.

Linn. Sp. Pl. 723. Woody. Med. Bot.I. 140. Stephenson and Churchill I.
Ency. Pl. 460. Raf. Med. Flor. Il. 207. U. 8. Dis. 1240. Griff. Med. Bot. 129. Per.
= Mat. Med. II. 687. Beach. Fam. Ph. 650 Wood, Class Book, 156. T. and G.

. 1. 162. : 2

Genus CHELIDONIUM.

From the Greek ys\:éo», the swallow, the plant being supposed to flower with the
arrival of that bird, and to perish with its departure. The English word Celandine
appears to be a corruption of Chelidonium.

Synonymes.—La chelidoine { F.], Das scholkraut [Ger-], Schelkruid [ Dutch], Celi-
donia [1.], Celidonia, [Sp.], Svaleurt, [Dan.]

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

Catyx. Sepals, two, rarely three, deciduous, imbricated in-
_-estivation. See Se
Corona. Petals, four, rarely five or six hypogynous,

CHELIDONIUM MAJUS.

Sramens often indefinite or numerous, but some multiple of
four, rarely polyadel phous. Anthers, innate.

Ovary, solitary. Style, short or wanting. Stigmas, two, or if
more, stellate upon the flat apex of ovary.

Fruit, either pod-shaped, with two parigtal placenta, or cap-
sular with several.

Sreps, indefinite.or numerous, minute. Embryo, minute at
the base of oily albumen.

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS.

CueLiponium. Sepals, two, suborbicular. Petals, four, sub-
orbicular, contracted at base. Stamens, twenty-four—thirty-
two, shorter than the petals. Stigma, one, small, sessile, bifid.
Capsule—silique—form, linear, two-valved, one-@elled. Seeds
crested. .

Calyx two-leaved, caducous. Corol, four-petalled, sige like. Capsule, one-
celled, two-vaived, linear. Seeds crested, many.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS,

Cueviponium Masus. Leaves pinnate. Leaflets lobed. Seg-
ments rounded. Flowers in umbels. :

Umbels axillary, peduneled. Leaves alternate, pinnate, lobed.
THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS,

Cuass, Potyanpria, Stamens, twenty or more, arising from
the receptacle (hypogynous). Orver, Monoeynta. Ovaries,

compound. Placente, parietal. Sepals, two (or three). Juice.
colored.

NATURAL HISTORY.

CueLipontum is a genus of perennial herbs, furnished with a
yellowish acrid juice, and containing probably but a single
_ species, which is a native of Europe, but has become exten- _
mele naturalized in the United States and elsewhere.

_ Common Celandine is a pale green, and fleshy perennial her-
eecae plant, growing in meadows and waste places, by run-
ning brooks, and on wet lands, flowerin shore the 2

CHELIDONIUM MAJUS.

summer, It rises to the height of from one to two feet—has
many tender, round, green, watery stalks, with large joints,
very brittle and transparent. Leaves smooth, glaucous, spread.
ing, consisting of two—four pairs of leaflets, with an odd one,
Leaflets irregularly dentate and lobed, the partial stalks winged
at base. Umbels thin, axillary, pedunculate. Petals elliptical,
entire yellow, and very fugacious, like every other part of the
flower. The flowers are succeeded by pods, which, when fully
ripe, burst suddenly, or, if compressed by the fingers, they will
instantly fly to pieces, and scatter the seed ; hence, Celandine
is sometimes also called Touwch-me-not,
The plant is of remarkable easy culture,

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The whole plant, Cue.montrum Magus, is very brittle, and ex-
udes, when broken, an orange colored feetid juice. Its taste is
intensely bitter and acrid, occasioning a sense of burning in the
mouth and fauces, which lasts for some time. If applied to
the skin, the juice produces inflammation, and even vesication.
The whole plant is used; the root is more powerful than the
stem, and is the part most generally approved. The active
principle is soluble both in water and alcohol, and although not
volatile, is somewhat diminished by drying. According to an
analysis by M, M. Chevallier and Lassaigne (Jour, de Pharm.,
III. 451), the. plant afforded a bitter resinous substance of a
deep yellow color—a kind of gum-resin of an orange color, and
bitter, nauceous taste, mucilage, albumen, and various saline
substances, besides free malic acid and silica. Dr. Probst, of
Heidelberg, has more recently found in it a peculiar acid, de-
nominated Cheledonic acid ;.two aikaline principles, one of
which forms neutral salts with the acids, and is called Chelery-
thrin, in consequence of the intense redness of its salts; the
other unites with, but does not neutralize the acids, and is
named Chelidonin ; and iastly, a neutral, crystallizable, bitter
principle, which, from its yellow color, is called Chilidoxanthin
Of these principles, chelerythrin appears to rank among the
acrid narcotic puisons (Annal. der Pharm. XXIX. 113).

Celandine is an acrid purgative, possessed also of diuretic, —
diaphoretic, and expectorant properties. In over doses it pro- =
: duces _ ee effects, and is by some considered pier ae

CHELIDONIUM MAJUS.

By the ancients, it enjoyed a very high reputation, and was
thought to be particularly efficacious in the removal of obstruc-
tions of the liver, in promoting expectoration, and in the cure
of chronic cutaneous affections. Miller (Compend. Herb.), says,
it is operative and cleansing, opening obstructions of the liver
and spleen, and of great use in curing the jaundice and scurvy.
Outwardly it is used for sore eyes, to dry up rheum, and to take
away specks and films, and also against tetters and ringworms,
and scurfy breakings out. It may not be as effectual in the
treatment of these various affections as is stated, but is cer-
tainly possessed of much activity, and has been unduly neg-
lected. ‘‘ There is no doubt,” says Withering, ‘“ but a medicine
of such activity will one day be converted to more important
purposes.”

According to the observations of numerous German prac-
titioners, its beneficial results in scrofula are unequivocal.
Wendt and Kuntzmann have given cases where it proved com-
pletely successful in this disease (Jour. Hufland, 1813). As a
drastic and hydragogue purgative it appears fully eqnal to gam-
boge, and might replace it in all cases in which the foreign
article is used. It has also been recommended as an external
application to the feet in those oedematous swellings succeeding
fevers. Recamier is of opinion that it has a peculiar elective
action on the spleen, and hence, is very effectual in removing
engurgements of that viscus,

Externally the juice has long been known as a caustic for
the removal of warts and corns, which it destroys by stimulating
them beyond their vital powers. The juice is also said to be
very efficacious in stimulating and healing old and indolent —
ulcers, speedily removing fungous flesh, and giving a healthy
action to the torpid and indolent granulations. Hildanus,
Ethnuller, Geoffroy, and others, attest the powers of the juice,
when diluted with some bland liquid in specks and opacities of
the cornea. A cataplasm of the bruised leaves has also been
successfully used in herpes and obstinate psora. The dose of
the dried root or herb, is from thirty grains to a drachm, that
of the fresh root one or two drachms, and the same quantity

may be given in infusion. The watery extract, and the ex-
_ pressed juice, have also been employed. ‘The dose of the for-
- Iner is Loot vd to ten L seemed of Ss — ae =

Ne 92. :
COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE .
Meadon saffron, naked lady.

MELANTHACEA.
Melanths.

No. 92.
COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE.
Meapvow Sarrron—WNaked Lady.

Place—Europe.

Quality—Strong smelling, acrid.
Power—Narcotic, diuretic, purgative.
Use—Dropsy, gout, piles, rheumatism.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Order. Spathacee.—L. Melanthacee.—J.

Cuass VI. Hezandria. Orver. Trigynia. |

Linn. Sp. Pl. 485. Will Sp. Pe I. 272, Woodv. Med. Bot.°759. ‘Stephenson
and Churchill, 11.70, Loud. Ency. Pl. 292, U.S. Dis. 255. Griff Med. Bot. 644.
Per. Et. Mat. Med. 11.92. Lind. Flor. Med. 589. : sae

Genus. COLCHICUM.

From Colchis, says Dioscorides, where this plant grows in abundance

Synonrmes.—Colchique d’automne [F.], Die zeitlose [Ger.], Wildi saffraan [D.],
sak Leo Ps Villorita [Sp.], Colchico [Port.], Beswremennoi zwjet [Russ.],
siad [ Pol.

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS. |

Purinra regular, in two series, each of three segments,
which are distinet or united at base, generally involute —

‘in estivation. oe
‘Sramens six, with extrorse anthers. —

COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE.

Ovary, three-celled, nine-many-ovuled. Siéyles distinct, or
wanting. Stigmas undivided.
Frourr. Capsule or Berry, three-celled, generally with septi-
cidal dehiscence.
SeEDs, with a membraneous testa, and dense fleshy albu-
men.

THE SECQNDARY CHARACTERS

Coucnicum. Perianth single tubular, very long, rising from
a spathe. Limb campanulate, six partite petaloid. Capsule
three-celled. Ced/s united at the base.

Spatue. Corolla six-parted, with a rooted tube. Capsules three, connected, in-
flated. ‘

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS,

Cotcuicum AurumnaLe. Form ovate, solid, fleshy. Leaves
dark green, smooth, obtuse, long, somewhat carinate. Flowers
several, radical, leafless, of a purple color. Capsules three, dis-
tinct. Seeds whitish, polished.

Leaves plane, broadly lanceolate, erect. Fruit oblong, elliptical. Seeds small,
sperical, internally white.

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

Crass Hexanpria. Stamens six. Orpver Tricynta. Endo-
gens. Calyx and Corolla similarly developed. Flowers con-
spicuous, mostly colored. Ovary many-seeded.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Mrapow-saFrron is a native of the temperate parts of Europe,
generally found growing in moist, rich meadow-grounds. and
flowering in September. The fruit appears in the aieetians
spring or summer. _

_ The cormus, commonly called the bulb or oa is solid, egg-
shaped, and covered with a brown membranous coat. The

leaves which appear in spring, are radical and spear-shaped,

about five inches long and half an inch broad at the base.
/ away fe eet = the. end of acme and are

COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE,

nevertheless preceded by the flower, which appears in autumn
without any leaves; and from this circumstance the plant is
sometimes called ‘* Naked Lady.” It is, however, proper to
state, that the bulb from which the flowers spring, is the offset
of that from which the leaves have decayed. ‘There ts no calyx.
The corolla, which js of a pale, pinkish lilac color, springs
directly from the bulb, and consists of a tube about five inches
long, two thirds of which are sunk in the ground, and a limb
divided into six lanceolate keeled segments, The filaments are
half the length of the segments of the corolla, subulate, united
to the upper part of the tube, and supporting yellow erect
anthers. ‘The stigmas are revolute. The fruit is a three-lobed,
three-celled capsule, on a thick short peduncle, The impreg-
nated germen remains under ground, close to the bulb, till the
following spring, when it rises in its capsular form above the
surface, -ucictn anil by the leaves. The seeds are ripe about
the end of June.

The thick old bulb begins to decay after the flower is per-
fectly expanded ; and the new bulbs, of which there are always
two formed on each old bulb, are perfected in the following
June, from which time until the middle of August they may be
taken up for medicinal use. The bulbs, when mature, on being
cut transversely, yield a milky-looking acrid juice, which pro-
duces a beautiful cerulean blue color, if rubbed with the alco-
‘holie solution of guaiacum.

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The recent bulb of this plant has scarcely any cdor. When
it is dug up at a proper season of the year, the taste is bitter,
hot, and acrid, occasioning a warm sensation in the stomach,
even when taken in a peal quantity. At other seasons, how-
ever, and in some soils and situations, it possesses very little
acrimony, and thence the contradictory opinions which authors
have given of it. Its acrimony resides in a peculiar alkali,
which can be separated from the other principles, and has been
named veratrine (veratria) by M. M. Pelletier and Caventou,
who discovered it. ‘The veratrine is obtained in form of a

white powder ; little soluble in water, but very soluble in 2g

alcohol ; it combines with acids, but the neutral salts are not
: -_-erystallizable. The other component parts of the bulb
— — — matter, malic acid, Ae colorin

COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE.

gum, starch, inulin in great abundance, and liguin. Vinegar
and wine are the best menstrua for extracting the active quali-
ties of the bulb. A deposit forms in the wine, which is ex-
tremely acrid, exciting nausea and griping, and ought to be
removed, as its removal does not alter the virtues of the medi-
cine. The seeds contain veratria, and yield it up to wine,
vinegar, and alcohol.

Co.cnicum AuTUMNALE possesses diuretic, purgative, and nar-
cotic properties. It is the hermodactylon of the ancients, In
Europe, where it was recommended to notice by Baron Stoerck,
it is a favorite remedy in dropsy, particularly hydrothorax, and
in humoral asthma. But as it does not differ in its mode of
action from squill, and is more uncertain in its operation, it has
not been much used in that complaint in this country. In gout
and rheumatism, however, its efficacy has been: fully ascer-
tained, and in allaying the pain it may be almost said to possess
a specific property. It operates on the bowels chiefly, stimu-
lating the orifice of the common gall duct in duodenum, so as
to produce copious bilious evacuations; and acting on the
nerves, it diminishes the action of the arterial system. The
petals of the flower and the seed, possess the same medicinal
properties as the bulb. In the seed the veratria exists in the
testa or husk, and, consequently, the seeds should not be
bruised in preparing the wine or tincture with them.

The dose, in substance, is from two to eight grains, which
may be repeated every four or six hours, till the effects of the
medicine are obtained. The medicine, however, is generally
given in the state of vinous tincture, :

To effectually preserve the virtuesof the plant, MeEapow-saFFRON,
the bulb, as soon as possible after it is dug up, should be
cut into transverse slices on clean white paper, distinct from
one another, without heat, or at a very low temperature. The
test of the drug being good and properly dried, is the appear-
ance of the blue color on rubbing it with a little distilled
Vinegar, and the alcoholic solution of guaiacum. The slices
also should not appear deeply notched or panduriform, as this is
the mark of the bulb having begun to empty itself for the
nourishment of the young bulbs, and, consequently, to suffer in
_ its medicinal powers from the chemical change which, at this
_ period, its contents must necessarily undergo for the nourish-
tment of the offsets, It should be preserved in slices in well-

N°? 93.

TISSAMUIPE LOS IPAVIETWA.
Jelvet leaf, lce vine.

MENISPERMACEA.

Jhenispermads.
No. 93.
CISSAMPELOS PARIERA. 7
Parra Brava—Velvet Leaf, Ice Vine.

Place—South America.

Quality—A. sweet bitter.

Power—Diuretic, demulcent, purifying.

Use—Calculus, difficulty of passing water, arthritis, gout,
dropsy, jaundice, &c.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Order. Sarmentaceer.—L. Menispermacesee.—J.

Cuass. XXII. Diewcia. Orvnre Monadelphia.

Linn. Sp. Pl. 1473. Woodv. Med. Bot. 82. De Candolle Prod. I. 533. Flor.
Med. V. 262. Loudon, Ency. Pl. 848 Raf. Med. Flor. Il. 209. U. 8. Dis. 532.
Griff. Med. Bot. 106. Per. El. Mat. Med.739. Lind. Flor. Med. 372.

Genus. CISSAMPELOS.

From xtooos, the Greek name of the Ivy, and azz\os vine, a plant partaking of
the nature of the former in its foliage, and of the latter in its fruit. -

Synonymes—Liane d coeur [F.], Die grieswurzel LG Touwdruif [Dutch]
Caapeba [Port].

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS.

Catyx. Sepals, three-eight in a double series, two-four. oe
each, imbricated in estivation, hypogynous, deciduous. oe
Corotta. Petals, one-eight, hypogynous, =_— as many as
the seeks: rarely wanting or none.

CISSAMPELOS PAREIRA.

Stamens distinct or monadelphous, equal in number to the
Petals and opposite to them, or three or four times as
many. Anthers, innate and consisting of four globose
lobes.

Ovary, usually solitary, sometimes two-four.

Fruit, a drupe, globose-reniform.

SEED, solitary, uncinate.

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS.

CissamPpELos Diwcious. Maur. Sepals, four in a double series.
Petals four, united into a cup-shaped corolla, with an entire
margin. Stamens, united into slender columns, dilated at the
apex, bearing two two-celled anthers, opening horizontally.
Cells, placed end to end, and forming a four lobed, four-celled
annulus round the top of the column. Frmate. Calyx of one
lateral sepal. Corolla of one petal in front of the sepal. Ovary
solitary. Stigmas, three. Drupe; obliquely reniform, but com-
pared, wrinkled round its margin. Seed, solitary, uncinate.
Embryo long, terete, enclosed in a fleshy albumen.

Flowers, diecious. Sterne Frowers. Sepals, four in a double series. Petals
four, united into a cup-shaped corolla. Stamens five. .Anthers connate. FrrtiLe
Fiowers. Sepal one, rounded. Petal one, placed before and but half the length of
the sepal, truncated, hypogynous. Fruit, a one-seeded berry.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.

CissampeLos Parema, Leaves, peltate, subcordate, ovate,
articulate, silky-pubescent beneath, Mane. Sepals four.
Nectary entire. Filament one. Crest very short. Anthers
five united in a capitate body. Femane. Racemes larger than
the leaf. Sepal and Petal solitary. Ovary, ovate, villous.
Berry globose, hispidulous.

Leaves peltate, orbicular, cordate, villous. Srzriuz Frowers. racemose. FERTILE
Fiowegs. spicate longer than the leaves.

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTER.

Cuass Diacia. Stamens apart from the pistils in different

_ flowers upon different plants. Oxpar Monaveurma. Herbs.

___Exogens, Dieecious, Fruit, a drupe. Stamens, more than ten.
— Leaves, peltate. Climbing, suffruticose plants. Racemes

CISSAMPELOS PAREIRA.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Paretra Brava is a native of South America and the West
India Islands. It is well known in J. amaica, where it grows in
abundance in the mountainous districts, by the name of Velvet-
leaf. It is also spoken of by Ainslie as a native of the East
Indies, but it appears that the plant to which he refers is Cis-
sampelos mauritiana, which is closely allied, both in botanical
characters and in medicinal qualities to the plant under consider-
ation, ‘This plant was first made known by Marcgraf and Piso
in 1648, who met with it in Brazil. The name given by them
for the root is Caapeba. In 1688, it was sent to Paris by M.
Amelot, the French Ambassador at Portugal. Some difference
of opinion exists with regard to the species or varieties affording
Pareira root. Linnceus made two species of the plant, founded
upon the characters of the leaf. I. Cissampelos Pareira with
petioles one to two inches long, villoas, cylindrical, with a re-
markable curveture at bottom, inserted in many individuals
into the leaves at a small distance from the base, so as to make
them appear peltate or obicular. II. Cissampelos Cuapeba with
petioles inserted into the lower edge directly. Poiret by close
examination, united them. According to Merat and De Lens,
some other species, regarded as distinct, may be merged in it as
varieties. The East India species may be different. Caapeba is
the name which the root bears in South America,

The Ice-vine, is a climbing shrub, attaining a great size and
covering even the tallest trees with its foliage. The root is —
woody and branching. The stem is round, smooth, or with a
closely appressed tomentum. The leaves are large, peltate,
subcordate, ovate, articulate, of a dark green, and smooth above
and silky pubescent beneath. The flowers are unisexual ; the
males, with four sepals and four petals, forming a SENS
corolla, with an entire margin. The se ais . bear-
ing connate anthers opening horizontally. T re aE —
have but a single sepal and petal. The ovary ce Pere ce 4
mounted with three stigmas. The fruit is a round or reniform

hispid scarlet berry. | |
CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

medical practice by the Portu- —

Parma was introduced into ployed in diseases of the

guese, and at one time was much em

CISSAMPELOS PAREIRA.

bladder and kidneys, and even considered as a powerful lithon-
triptic, its virtues were so highly thought of, that Helvetius
declares that calculi of a large size had completely disappeared
under its use, and that the operation of lithotomy was no longer
required.

The part used in modicine is the root which as found in com-
merce, is generally in large billets, very tortuous, of a dark color
externally, and of a yellowish hue within. The axis is not cen-
tral, and a section displays a number of concentric iayers, tra-
versed by many radiating lines, between which are triangular
bundles of woody fibres and ducts. The taste is sweetish, some-
what aromatic, but leaving a bitter and unpleasant impression in
the mouth. The smell is very faint. Pareira has been ana-
lyzed by Feneulle, (Journ. de Pharm.) It was found to contain
a soft resin, yellow bitter principle, brown coloring principle,
vegeto-animal matter, fecula, supermalate of lime, nitrate of
potash, and some ammoniacal and mineral salts. Wiggers more
recently, in 1838, announced the discovery of a new vegetable
alkaloid, which he calls Cissampelin, but its properties have not
been described. The yellow bitter matter is supposed to be the
active principle.

The medical] properties are those of a tonic and diuretic, de-
mulcent, and purifying. It has been employed with some
advantage in affections of the urino-genital organs, and respec-
- table authority asserts that more good has been effected by this
root in cases of this character, than by uva ursi. In chronic
inflammation of the bladder, the testimony of Sir B. Brodie,
(who was one of the first to resume its use,) is strongly in its
favor, he says, “‘ J am satisfied that it has great influence, les-
sening very materially the secretion of the ropy mucus, which
is itself a very great evil, and I believe diminishing the inflam-
mation and irritability of the bladder itself.’ He recommends
it to be given in decoction, to which some tincture of Hyoscya-
mus may be added. Dr. T. F. Betten, Philadelphia, a also
employed it successfully in similar cases.

It is also given in powder, in doses of from half a drachm to
a drachm, but the infusion or decoction is a far more eligible
mode of administration. An extract and a tincture have been pre-
_ parea from it. The tincture may be made by maserating one
part of the root in five parts of alcohol. Dose, a fluid drachm.
= ae aay be Like in a lose

: eo

pete ©

Ne 94.
CAPPANS SPINDSA. :
The caper shrub, capes

CAPPARIDACE.

Capparids.
No. 94.
CAPPARIS SPINOSA.

Tue Carper sHRuUB—Capers

Place—Europe.

Quality—Dry, somewhat bitter.
Power—Stimulant, antiscorbutic, aperient.
Use—Hy pochondriasis, paralysis.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.

Natural Order. Putaminex.—L. Capparidacee.—J.
Crass XIL. Polyandria. Orpen Monogynia.

Linn. Sp. Pl. 720. Loudon, Ency. Pl. 458. U.S. Dis. 1239. 1281. Griff Med.
Bot. 136. Blacken, herb, 417. Nat. syst. 2ed. 61. Bot. Mag. 291. Lindl. Flor.
Med. 94.

Genus. CAPPARIS.

From its Arabic name Kasar, from which the Greeks made xarzapis.

Synonymes—Le caprier [F.], Die Kapernstaude [Ger.], Kap - ( Dutch]. Cappari
[it.], Aleaparro [Sp.], Aleapparra [ Port.], Kapersowoy Kust | Russ.]

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS.
Catyx. Sepals four.

Corotta. Petals four, cruciate, unguiculate, ar more _
or less unequal.

CAPPARIS SPINOSA.

Stamens. Six—twelve, or some multiple of four, almost perigy-
nous. Torus small, often elongated, bearing a single
gland.

Ovary often stipitate, of two united carpels. Styles, united into
one. Stigma, discoid.

Fruit, either pod-shaped and dehiscent or fleshy, and indehis-
cent. Placenta, usually two.

SEeps many, reniform. Albumen wanting. Embryo curved.
Cotyledons foliaceous.

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS,

Carparis. Calyx. Sepals, four-parted, spreading oblong,
obtuse, concave, imbricated. Petals, four, large, white, emargi-
nate, downy at the base. Stamens numerous, hypogynous,
Ovary, oblong, one-celled. Stigma, round sessile, concave,
entire. Fruit, oblong, knotty. Seeds, reniform, smooth.

Calyx four-parted- Petals four, Torus small. Stipes of the ovary slender.
Stamens numerous. Fruit siliquose, somewhat bacoate, stipitate.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.

Capraris Spivosa. Peduncle, simple, one flowered, solitary.

Stipules, spiny. Leaves roundish, obtuse, smooth. Capsules
oval,

Siem trailing, smooth. Leaves ovate, quite smooth. Flowers auxillary, with
slender peduncles much longer than the petioles.

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

Cuass Poryanpria. Stamens, twenty or more arising from the
receptacle (hypogynous.) Orper Monoeynia. Rocks, walls and
cliffs, in the most southern parts of Europe, and in the Levant.

NATURAL HISTORY.

We are happy in having it in our power to give a representa-
_ tion of the Caper shrub, whose blossoms are rarely seen in this
_ country, though its flower buds are in very general use as a
_ Pickle, indeed, so great is their consumption that they furm a
_ very considerable article of commerce. It is a biennial plant
growing wild in some parts of the United States and believed to

CAPPARIS SPINOSA.

gardens and in cultivated fields, and is generally called Mole
Plant under the impression that moles avoid the ground where
it grows.

The plant grows spontaneously in the more southern parts of
Europe, especially in Italy and the Levant; in its wild state it
forms a shrub of low growth having numerous spreading spinous
branches, somewhat thickly beset with smooth roundish leaves.
The blossoms grow alternately on the branches, and when the
plant begins to flower, one opens generally every other morning,
but so delicate are its parts, that on a hot summer’s day it fades
before noon. The petals are white. The filaments which are
extremely numerous, are white below and of a rich purple color
above, in these the beauty of the flower chiefly consists, as in
the pestillum does its great singularity. At first view, it would
appear that the part so conspicuous in the center of the flower
was the style terminated by the stigma in the usual way, but if
this part of the flower is traced to a more advanced state, it will
be seen that what was supposed the style, is merely an elonga-
tion of the flower-stalk, and what was supposed the stigma, is in
reality the germen placed on it, crowned with a minute stigma,
without any intervening style. This germen swells, turns down-
ward, and ultimately becomes the seed vessel, rarely ripening
in northern or cold climates.

The plant is with difficulty preserved by cultivation, for it —
delights to grow in crevices of rocks, and the joints of old walls —
and ruins, and always thrives best in a horizontal position. [t
flowers in May and June, and is usually raised from seeds. ce

A plant stood near a century against the wall of the garden
of Camden House, Kensington, (near London,) it produced many
flowers annually, though the young shoots were frequently 2
killed to the stump during the Winter -

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

‘The dried bark of the root of Carparis Sprvosa was formerly —
officinal. It is in pieces partially or wholly quilled, about one 5
_ third of an inch in mean diameter, transversely wrinkled, grayish ee
externally, whitish within, inodorons and of a bitterish, some-
what acrid and aromatic taste. It is considered diuretic and :

~ was formerly employed in obstructions of the liver and.
> _-hheeotthaee and chronic rheumatism. es oe Se a4 —
oo pickle, the flower buds of the =

CAPPARIS SPINOSA.

esteem throughout Europe. In Italy the unripe fruit is prepared
in the same way as the flower buds; both are highly acrid and
burning to the taste. In the isles of the Mediterranean and near
Toulon, the flower-buds of the Carer are gathered just before they
begin to expand, which forms a daily occupation during six
months, when the plants are in a flowering state. As the buds
are gathered they are thrown into a cask among as much salt
and vinegar as is sufficient to cover them, and as the supply of
Capers is increased more vinegar is added. When the’ Caper °
season closes, the casks are emptied and the buds sorted accord-
ing to their size and color, the smallest and greenest being
reckoned the best, and put into small casks of fresh vinegar for
commerce. They will in this state keep fit for use for five or
six years. The best Capers are called Nonpareilles, and the
second best Capucines.

Cappares Spenesa contains a milky juice which is extremely
acrid, and the whole plant possesses the properties of a drastic
purge ; but the oil of the seed is the only part used in regular
practice. This oil is colorless, inodorous and when recent nearly
insipid, but it speedly becomes rancid, and acquires a dangerous
acrimony. ‘The oil may be extracted by expression, or by the
agency of alcohol or of either. In the first case the bruised seeds
are pressed in a canvay or linen bag, and the oil which escapes
is purified by decanting it’ from the whitish flocculent matter
which it deposits upon standing, and by subsequent filtration.
By the latter process the bruised seeds are digested in alcohol or
macerated in ether, and the oil is obtained by filtering and
evaporating the solution.

This oil is a powerful purge, operating with much activity in
a dose varying from five to ten drops. It was, some years since,
much used by certain Italian and French Physicians who did
not find it to produce inconvenient irritation of the stomach and
bowels. Its want of taste and the smallness of the dose recom-
mended it especially in the cases of infants. It was said to be
less acrid and irritating than the Croton oil, over which it also
had the advantage of greater cheapness, Some trials which
have been made with it on this side of the Atlantic, have not

xe tended to confirm these favorable reports. It was found un-

- _ Certain in its cathartic effect, and very liable to vomit. (Scatter- _
good, Jour. of the Phil. Col. of Pharm. 1V.124). a
t may be given in pill with the crumb 0 "bread, or in emul- aes

Ne 95.
CORIANDRUM SATIVUM.
Coriander. ga ee

UMBELDIFERA.

Umbellifers.
N° 95.
CORIANDRUM SATIVUM.

CoRIANDER.

Place—FEurope.
Quality—Nauseous.
Power—Carminative, driving away milk.
Use—The seeds in hysterics, tertian ague.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.
Natural Order. Umbellate.—J. Umbellifere. —J.

Cuiass V. Pentandria. Orper Digynia.

Willd. Sp. Pl. 1448. Woodv. Med. Bot. 137. Smith, Flor. Brit. 320. Louden,
Ency. Pl. 208. Lind!. Flor. Med. 58. U. 8. Dis. 275. Per. El. Mat. Med. UJ. 508

Gulf. Mat. Med. 341. Wood. C. B. 294.

Genus. CORIANDRUM.

From the Greek xopis,a bug; on account of the smell of the leaves. }
Synoxymes.—Coriandre( F:), Koriander Saamen (G.). Koriander (Dutch, Swed. and

Dan.), Koriandor (Pol.), Coriandro (Port.), Coriandro (I), Semilla de Clantro (8.),
Cottamillie (Tam.), Mety (Malay), Kezereh (Arab.), Kitauez (Pers.), D’hanya (#1),

D’amyaca (San.)
THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS.
Catyx adhering to the ovary, entire or five-toothed.
Corotta. Petals, five, usually inflected at the point, imbricate
in estivation. : if
Sramens. Five, alternate with the petals and inserted with them

upon the disk. pee Pe
Ovary, inferior, two-celled surmounted by the fleshy disk, which

bears the stamens and petals. Styles, two : distinct, ec
united at their thickened bases. Stigma, simple. ee

CORIANDRUM SATIVUM.

Frurr, dry, consisting of two coherent carpels, separating from
each other by their faces (commissure,) into two halves
(merocarps).

Seeps, Concave, numerous.

¢q

THE SECONDARY .CHARACTERS.

Corranprum. Calyx with five conspicuous teeth. Petals,
obcordate, inflected at the point, outer ones radiate, bifid. Fruit,
globose. Carpels, whering with. five depressed, primary ribs,
and four secondary, more prominent ones. Seeds concave on
the face.

Seeds, sub-spherical. Germ spherical. Perianth five-toothed. Petals cordate-in
flexed, outer ones largest. Involucre one-leaved or wanting.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.

Corranprum Sativum. Leaves, bipinnate, lower ones with
broad cuneate leaflets, wpper with linear ones. Carpels hemis-
pherical.

Fruit globose. Calyx and style permanent.
THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS.

Ciass, PEnvanpria. Stamens, five, Orver Dieynia. Poly-$
petalous, Seedstwo. Flowersin umbels. Herbs with hollow
stems.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Corianver is mentioned by Moses (16 Ex. 31.) “ And the
house of Israel] called the name thereof, Manna, and it was like
Coriander Seed, white ; and the taste of it was like wafers made
with honey.”

The plant is an annual, a native of Italy and the southern
parts of Europe. It is occasionally found wild in some parts of
the United States, but is cultivated in gardens owing to the
abundant use of it for medicinal purposes. It delights i in a sandy
loam. Itis raised from. seeds which may be sown in February
_ or March, when the weather is mild and dry; and the quantity

requisite for a bed four feet wide by six in length, to be sown in

_ rows, is halfan ounce, and when sown in drills, they may be nine
eae ees —_ the seed buried Sema inch. Where a con- —

CORIANDRUM SATIVUM.

stant succession is required, small successive monthly sowings

. will be necessary in Spring and Summer, as the plants in those
Seasons soon run to seed. There should be also small sowings
in the fall, to stand the Winter, under the defence of a frame.
The plants are to remain where sown.

The stem is ereet, about two feet in height, branching divari-
cated, round, smooth and obscurely striated. The leaves are
compound, the lower ones pinnated, with gashed wedge-shaped,
somewhat rounding leaflets and the upper thrice-ternate, with
linear-pointed segments. Both the umbels and the umbellules are
many rayed, with an involucre of one linear leaf and involucels of
three lanceolate narrow leaves, all on one side. The flowers are
of a white or reddish color. The calyx consists of five leaves. The
Petals are five also, oblong and inflected at the tips, but those of
the flowers of the circumference have the outermost petals larger
and not inflected. The fruit commonly termed coriander seeds
(fructus seu semtna coriandrt} is globular, about the size of
white pepper, of a grayish yellow color, and is finely or obscurely
ribbed. It consists of two hemispherical mericarps, adherent by
their concave surfaces. Hach mericarp has five primary ridges,
which are depressed and wavy, and four secondary ridges more
prominent and carinate. The channels are without vitte, but

the commissure has two. This form of the fruit distinguishes
Cortanprum Sativum, cortander, from all the other species of —

Umbelliferse.
The plant flowers in June, and ripens its seed in August, —

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

The dried seeds of the Corrannrum Sarivum have a grateful,
aromatic odor, and a moderately warm, pungent taste, qualities
which depend on.an essential] oi], that can be obtained separate —
by the distillation of the seeds with water. Their active
principles are completely extracted by alcohol, but only partially
by water. This oil (Olewm Cortandri) is yellowish, smells
strongly and pretty agreeably of the Coriander, and is the source
of the odor, taste and medicinal properties of the fruit, which, like |
the other carminative umbelliferous fruits are aromatic and stimu-
lant. The whole plant when green has an abominably foetid ador
if bruised, which extends even to the fruit. ‘It is cultivated ma
private gardens chiefly for the tender leaves which are used in e

soups and salads, Ona large scale it is cultivated for the seed.

CORIANDRUM SATIVUM.

which is extensively used by confectioners, druggists and dis-
tillers, in large quantities.

The seeds are sometimes used in flatulencies, but principally
to cover the unpleasant taste, and correct the griping quality of
some cathartics.

Dr. Cullen considered coriander as more powerfully correcting
the odor and taste of Senna than any other aromatic ; and hence
it was formerly a constituent of the compound infusion of Senna,
though now ginger is substituted for it. It is only employed in
medicine as an adjuvant or corrigent. It is a constituent of the
confectio senne, which when properly prepared is a mild and
pleasant purgative, and well adapted for those who are afflicted
with habitual costiveness.

CorrANDRUM Sativum is carminative, and therefore the follow-
ing observations respecting medicines of that class are introduced
for the use of the general reader. Carminatives are those
medicines which usually dispel flatulency of the stomach and
bowels by stimulating the inner coat of these organs. They in
general produce only temporary relief, for if the diseased con-
dition of the alimentary canal be not removed by appropriate
remedies it will very speedily become again distended with
flatus. The articles generally employed as carminatives are
infusions or tinctures of the aromatic seeds and vegetables. The
principal carminatives are ginger, cardamon, anise and caraway
seeds ; several of the essential oils, as those of peppermint, anise,
ctuiaier: and juniper. Ardent spirits and especially aromatic
tinctures. The use of these articles is decidedly injurious in
every instance in which the stomach or intestines are in the least
degree inflamed, or when their sensibility is morbidly increased,
They are however very favorite prescriptions with nurses and
mothers, to allay the gripings with which young children are so
frequently afflicted, and under these circumstances a great deal
of mischief is caused by their indiscreet ailministration. Whole-
some food, cleanliness of person, protection from cold and damp,
and sufficient exercise will most generally prevent a flatulent
_ state of the bowels of infants ; when, however, it depends upon
- the the disease « of these parts carminatives will seldom do much good
but will often i increase the a of f the little patient.

COCCULUS PALMATUS.,
‘The Colombo Plant. Columbo.

MUNISPERMACER.

Menispermads.
No 96.
COCCULUS PALMATUS.
CotumBa Puanr, Columbo,

Place—aAfrica.

Quality—Bitter.

Power—aAntisceptic, tonic,
Use—Indigestion, diarrhoea, fevers, cholera.

BOTANICAL ANALYSIS.

Natural Order. Sarmentacer—L. Menispermacex.—J.
Crass XXII. Diecta. Orper Hezandria.

Willd. Sp. Pi. 824. Woody. Med. Bot. V. 21. Stephenson and Churchill 160. Loud.
Ency. Pl. 844. U.S. Dis. 261. Griff. Med. Bot. 103. Per. El. Mat. Med. If. 733. |
Beach. Fam. Ph. 662. Kost. Mat. Med. 453. Wood, Class Book, 151. Lind. Flor.
Med. 369. De Candolle. Syst. Nat. I. 515.

Genus COCCULUS.

From Coccus, the name of the well known dyers’ insect, and has been applied to this
Genus on account of the resemblance which has been found to exist between that

insect and the scarlet berries of the plant.
Synonymes.—Colombo [F-}, Kolusiboveutiel [G.], Columba (t}, ], Raizade Colombe

{ Sp.], Kalumbo [ Port. ], Kalumb [ Mozambique], Columbo vaye. (Tan.]
THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS,

Catyx. Sepals, three-cight in a double series, two-four in each,
imbricated in zstivation, hypogynons, deciduous.
Corotia. Petals, one-eight, hypogynous, — as many as the

pele, rarely wanting or none.

COCCULUS PALMATUS.

Stamens distinct or monadelphous, equal in number to the Petals
and opposite to them, or three or four times as many.
Anthers, innate and consisting of four globose lobes,

Ovary, usually solitary, sometimes two-four

Fruit, a drupe, globose-reniform.

Serbs, lunate and compressed

THE SECONDARY CHARACTERS,

Coccutus. Flowers unisexual, dicecious. Ca/yz of twelve sepals,
in four series, with two three or more close pressed bracteoles.
Mares. Stamens six, or rarely three opposite to the inner sepals,
distinct. Anthers two-celled, terminal, dehising, vertically.
Filaments, either filiform or thickened at the apex. FremaLes,
Ovaries, three, six or numerous, Drupes one to six or numerous,
one-celled, one-seeded. Peduwncles axillary or rarely lateral.

Sepals and Petals ternate usually in two, rarely in three rows. Stamens, six distinct,
opposite the petals. Drupes barried, one to six, generally oblique, reniform, somewhat
compressed, one-seeded. Cotyledons distant.

THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERS,

Coccutus Patmatus Flowers small, green. Calyx of six

_ petals in two series with bracteoles. Petals six obovate, half-

enclosing the oppesite stamens. Anthers terminal, two-celled.
Ovaries three, united at the base. Drupes hairy.

Leaves cordate, flve—seven lobed. Lobes entire, acuminate somewhat hairy on
both sides. Stem and Germ with glandular hairs.

THE ARTIFICIAL CHARACTERS,

Crass Diacta. Stamens apart from the pistils in different
flowers upon different plants. Orper Hexanpria. Herbs,
exogens, dicecious. Fruit adrupe, Stamens more than ten.
Leaves peltate. Climbing snffruticose plant. Racemes axillary.

NATURAL HISTORY.

This plant is a native of the Mozambique, west of Africa.
Cibo is mentioned as.a locality of it. It there grows: spontane-
_eusly, and is not. cultivated by the natives. The manner of pre-
_ paring the root is to remove it from the earth during the dry
season which is in March, and after washing it to cut it into
pieces, usually horizontal, and then dry them in the shade. The

COCCULUS PALMATUS.

offsets are selected in preference, The pieces are marked by a
thick ring on the outside, corresponding to the dense vertical
substance, contrasting with the contracted interior, which is
formed of more spongy parenchyma. The surface is marked by
concentric rings,

Redi, in 1677, first mentioned the properties of the root of the
Co.umsa. It was not however introduced into Europe for a long
time after, and then little was known of its origin. Commerson,
in 1770, procured some specimens from the garden of Mr. Poivre,
of the Isle of France, and sent them to Europe. From these
Lamarik has given his description of the plant, under the name
of Menispermum palmatum. Mr. Ferton. a resident of Madras,
obtained a living specimen of the plant in 1805, and Mr. Berry
in the Astatic Researches figured and described it. In 1830 Sir
Wm. J, Hooker published a complete description both of the —
male and female plants in the Botanic Magazine. This was
made from the drawings sent to England by Mr. Telfair of
Mauritius who obtained living roots from Captain Owen, pro.
cured by him when on the survey of the eastern coast of Africa.
From the name Colombo root it was supposed to be the product
of Ceylon, but this is not the case as has been stated by Shurr-
berg and Dr. Rajuct. The name by which it is known in India
is Kalumb. Columba is brought into the market in bales, and
sometimes in cases, and as it constitutes an article of traffic in the
East it may be bought in most of the great marts of that portion
of the world. Usually Bombay, Madras or Calcutta, are the
indirect sources of it. The pieces are frequently much perforated
evidently by worms and not as has been supposed by stringing
to facilitate its drying. Those pieces which have the fewest
worm-holes, the brightest color, and are solid and heavy, are the
best. It is said that the root of white bryony, tinged yellow
with the tincture of columba has been fradulently substituted for

this root. :

CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES.

Cotumsa root has a very slight aromatie odor and a bitter taste
It breaks with a starchy fracture and is easily pulverized.
Water at 212° takes up one-third of its weight, and the infusion
has all the sensible qualities of the root. These are also extracted

by aleohol, but proof spirit is the best menstraum, ‘The infusion

is not altered by solutions of sulphate of iron, nitrate of silver,

COCCULUS PALMATUS,

muriate of mercury, and tartarized antimony, but a copious pre-
cipitate is produced by the infusion of galls, and yellow cinchona
bark, by asctate and superacetate of lead, oxymuriate of mercury
and lime-water. Hence Columba root was erroneously supposed
to contain cinchonia. M. Planche found it to contain a large
proportion of a peculiar animal substance; a yellow, bitter,
resinous matter, and one-third of its weight of starch. By re-
peated distillation, he also obtained a volatile oil, and from the
residue malate of lime, and sulphate of lime. By treating
columba root with alcohol of 0.835, then reducing the tincture
by distillation to one-third, allowing the residue to stand until
erystals form in it, and afterwards purifying these, Mr. Wittstock
of Berlin procured a new salt, to which he gave the name of
columbtna, and which he supposes to be the active principle of
columba root. It is inodorous, extremely bitter, neither acid
nor alkaline, and scarcely soluble in water or in alcohol. The
acetic acid is its proper menstruum.

Columba root is a useful antisceptic and tonic. It is frequently
employed with much advantage in diarrheeas arising from a
redundant secretion of bile and in bilious remittent fever, and
cholera, in which it generally checks the vomiting. It also
allays the nausea and vomiting which accompany pregnancy,
and according to Percival, it is equally servicable in stopping the
severe diarrhoea and vomiting which sometimes attend dentition.
Denman found it more usefal than cinchona ia the low stage of
puerperal fever. As a tonic, unaccompanied with astringency,
and possessing little stimulus, it has been recommended in
phthisis and hectic fever, to allay irritability and strengthen the
digestive organs, and in dyspepsia. It may be given combined
with aromatics, orange-peel, opiates and alkaline or neutral salts
as circumstances may indicate or require. The powder in com-
bination wiih rhubarb and sulphate of potassa is found exceed-
ingly serviceable in mesenteric fever. An ointment made with
the powder has been used in tinea capitis, and to destroy
vermin in the hair. Rubbed up with lard in the proportion of ten
grains to the ounce, it ee cures tinea capitis in less than a
month
_ It is given in powder, or in infusion or tincture. When boiled
_ in water the starch is dissolved, and a turbid thick solution is
_ ‘produced, a decoction is therefore objectionable, ‘The dose of the
powdered root is from fifteen grains to half a eto, repose 2
three or gees cae oe ee

PROSPECTUS

GOOD’S FAMILY FLORA *

AND

MATERIA MEDICA BOTANICA.

A PERIODICAL. _ .

Twelve Numbers form a Part, published Quarterly, in January, March, June, September
and December pb eo year, and these Parts pe @ Volume. Sabsoription’ Pive Dol.
lars per annum, tu advance.

Tue first volume and several parts also of the second volume of the Family
Flora being now published, the public, as well as the profession, are, we trust, in
possession of sufficient materials to form a judgment of the character of the whole.
We cannot but feel exceedingly flattered by the expression of praise that has been
bestowed upon the work by those who are the most competent to form an opinion
on the subject. The approval of the press has also been highly gratifying.

The following plan has been adopted in describing the plants illustrated in this

work.

compat

_ actually attempted some!

CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME OF GOOD’s
| FAMILY FLORA.

EXTRA PART.

TITLE*‘AND FRONTISPIECE . . yr . ey r : oe |
ComMENpbaTIons, &c. . - : ‘: ‘ ‘ ' “ ; ‘ : iii
TABLE OF ConTENTS . : 5 ‘ S : ‘ : : : aoe
InTRopUcTION To THE Stupy or Botany . ., eS, vii

MARCH, OR SPRING PART.

NO.
Podophyllum peltatum. May-apple, Wild Mandrake. . . 49
Daphne Mtzereum. Mezereon, Spurge Olive. a
Eupatorium perfoliatum. Boneset, PONG, wg ee ee

Asarum Canadense. Canada Snakeroot, Coltsfoot. ke ee oo
Arum trippyllum. Dragon-root, Wild ie ee
Mentha piperita. Peppermint. . . . . .. ‘
Convolvulus scammonia. Scammony, Syrian Bindweed. . . =. se
Datura stramonium. Thorn-a le, Jamestown-weed. . ‘ é : 56
Coptis trifolia. Goldthread, ‘Ment-rovt. sic. apes ay eee q :
— candidum. White Lily. ay Se ee

pocynum androsxmifolium. Dogsbane, Bitter-root. > : A : . 59
Gentiana lutea. Yellow Gentian... =. wg wtstizs

JUNE, OR SUMMER PART.

Spigelia Marylandica. Pink-root, Worm-grass. . . .
Vitis vinifera. Common Vine Grape. Ree oe esc ee er
Triosteum perfoliatum. Feverwort, Wild NR ae ig a
Papaver somniferum. Poppy, White dc: MECR ES Games Giese eae
Engenia pimenta. Pimenta, Allspice. . Peete i : : : : 65
Punica granatum. Pomegranate. . . . . Sa eee
Aristolochia serpentaria. Virgitia Snakeroot, Birthwort. . . . . 67

Ipomea jalapa. Jalap. . Sea ae se 6B
Hydrastis Coen Turmeric-root, Golden Sel. =. sy ea
umuluslupulus. Common Hop. . . . . 4, gee ee FO
lonymus 2 _ Spindle-tree, Wa-hoo (Ind.). . . ggg
ER, OR AUTUMN PART.
Hyoscyamus niger. Henbane, Poison ei aga, kegs See Nee oe
Hedeoma pulegioides. Pennyroyal, Tick-week, Squawmint, GG. ee eee
Aconitum napellus. Wolfsbane, Monkshood, §e. oN eae

Helonias dioica. Unicorn, Blazi Star, Aque-roct, Ge. . 6 8F gS
Cassia fistula. Cassia, Purging 1a, Pudding-pipe-tree, $e... =. 3. 97
Panax quinquefolium. Ginse : eatin Five Fingers, §c. pars ae
Cimicifuga racemosa. Black S; » Black Cohosh, Squaw-root.. . . 79
Chelone glabra. Balmony, Snake-head, Shell-flower, &c. bn ae Oe
Hypericum perforatum. “Common St. John’s-wort. °~ eee ee |
Guaiacum officinale. Lignum Lge Eesig: ops pant ae cr es cenrnee ee
‘Tanacetum vulgare. none; Comin Tibiy. OS 83

Nicotiana tabacum. Tobacco, Virginia Tobacco. . 3 ; : e ‘ 84
; =DECEM OR WINTER PART.

Rheum palmatum. Rhubarh. er r Se oe ea

Thea Chinensis, Soh Tee Tet Plant oe i
Frasera Walteri. American Columbo, Indian Lettuce. . ‘ . shee
Ceanothus Americanus. New Jersey Tea, wot ee

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