UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL

MEDICAL
LIBRARY

Presented by
THE

BRISTOL MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL
SOCIETY

*

I

(

MEDICAL BOTANY,

CONTAINING

SYSTEMATIC AND GENERAL DESCRIPTIONS,

WITH

PLATES, OF ALL THE MEDICINAL PLANTS,

INDIGENOUS AND EXOTIC,

COMPREHE J^>ET I^N^TgJ E

CATALOGUES OF ^Wfi^^fe

AS PUBLISHED EY THE

ROYAL COLLEGES of PHYSICIANS of LONDON and EDINBURGH :

ACCOMP AN IED WITH A

CIRCUMSTANTIAL DETAIL OF THEIR MEDICINAL EFFECTS,

AND OF THE

DISEASES IN WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN MOST SUCCESSFULLY EMPLOYED.

By WILLIAM WOODVILLE, M. D.

OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS, LONDON.

IN THREE VOLUMES.

Vol. I.

Medicus omnium Stirpium (fi fieri potcjl ) periiiam habeat ; Jin minus plurium faltem quibus
frequenter utimur. , Galen, Lib. De Antidot.

LONDON:
Printed and Sold for the Author, by James Phillips, George Yard, Lombard Street.

M. dcc. xc.

UNIVERSITY
Of BRISTOL

MEDIO**

T O

Sir GEORGE BAKER, Bart.

PRESIDENT,

THE

FELLOWS,

AND THE

LICENTIATES,

OF THE

ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS,

L O N D O N:
THIS FIRST VOLUME OF MEDICAL BOTANY,

WITH THEIR PERMISSION,
IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED,

B Y

THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

IN the catalogues of the Materia Medica, the productions of the
animal and mineral kingdoms bear a fmall proportion to thofe
of the vegetable. Though it muft be acknowledged that for fome
time paft the medicinal ufes of vegetable fimples have been lefs regarded
by phyhcians than they were formerly, which probably may be
afcribed to the fucceflive difcoveries and improvements in chemiftry ;
it would however be difficult to mew that this preference is fupported
by any conclufive reafoning drawn from a^comparative fuperiority of
Chemicals over Galenicals, or that the more general ufe of the former
has actually led to a more fuccefsful practice.

Although what may be called the herbaceous part of the Materia
Medica, as now received in the Britifh pharmacopoeias, comprifes but
a very inconfiderable portion of the vegetable world ; yet limited
as it now is, few medicinal practitioners have a diftinct botanical
knowledge of the individual plants of which it is compofed, though
generally well acquainted with their effects and pharmaceutical ufes.
But the practitioner, who is unable to diftinguifh thofe plants which--
he prefcribes, is not only fubjected to the impofitions of the ignorant
and fraudulent, but muft feel a diffatisfadion which the inquifitive
and philofophic mind will be anxious to remove, and to fuch it is
prefumed Medical Botany, by colletting and fupplying the
information neceffary on this fubject, will be found an acceptable
and ufeful work ; the profefTed defign of which is not only to enable

a the

CATALOGUE,

In which all the Plants compofmg the MATERIA MEDICA,
as referred to by the Colleges of London and Edinburgh,
are arranged according to the Syftem of Linnaeus, and diftinguimed
refpectively by the letters L E.

CLASS I. MONANDRIA.

ORD. MONOGTNU.

Amomum Zingiber L E

Cardamomum L E

Ksempferia rotunda L E

Curcuma longa L E

II. D I A N D R I A.

MONO G TNIA.

Olea europaa L

Veronica Beccabunga L ■

Gratiola officinalis L

Rofmarinus officinalis L

Salvia officinalis L

TR IGTNIA.

Piper nigrum L
longum L
Cubeba L

III. T R I A N D R I A.

MO NOG TNI A.

E

E
E
E

E

E
E

Val eriana officinalis
Tamarindus indica
Crocus fativus
Iris fiorentina
Pfeudo Acorus

L E

L E

L E

L E

— E

DIG TN I A.

Saccharum officinarum L E

Hordium dijlichon L — -

Triticum hybernum L —

Averia Jativa L —

IV. TETRANDRIA.

MONOGT'NIA.

Rubia tinclorum L E

Plantago major — E

Dorftenia Contrajerva L E

S ant alum album -— E

V. PENTANDRIA.

MO NOG TNIA.

Anchufa tincloria

E

Menyanthes trifoliata

L

E

Spigelia marilandica

L

E

Convolvulus Scammonia

L

E

Jalapa

L

E

Cinchona officinalis

L.

E

Verbafcum Thapfus

E

Datura Stramonium

E

Hyofcyamus niger

E

Nicotiana Tabacum

L

Atropa Belladonna

E

Solanum Dulcamara

E

Pfychotria emetica

L

E

Capficum annuum

L

E

Chironia Centaurium

L

E

h

Xll

C A T A L

L

E

E

L

E

L

E

L

E

L

E

E

L

E

L

L

E

E

E

L

E

Teucrium Scordium
Hyflbpus officinalis
Lavandula Spica
Mentha piperita

fpicata, Hud.
Pulegium
Glecoma hederacea
Marrubium vulgar e
Origanum vulgare >
Majorana
Thymus Serpyllum

vulgaris
MelifTa officinalis

ANGIOSPERMIA.
Digitalis purpurea L E

XV. TETRADYNAM I A.

S ILICULO SA.

Cochlearia officinalis L E

Armoracia L E

S ILIQUO SA.

Sifymbrium Najluriium L E
Sin apis nigra L E

Cardamine pratenfis L E

XVI. MONADELPH I A.

POL T AND R I A.

Althaea officinalis
Malva Jylvejtris

L E
L E

XVII. DIADELPHIA.

HE XA ND R I A.
Fumaria officinalis — E

O G U E.

OCT AND R I A.

Poly gal a Senega L E

D EC AND R I A.

Pterocarpus fantalinus L E

Dolichos pruriens — E

Spartium fcoparium L E

Geoffroya inermis Wrig. — E

Glycyrrhiza glabra L E

Trigonella Fcenum gracum L E

Aftragalus Tragacantha L E

XVIII. P O L Y AD E LPH IA.

ICOS A NDRIA.

Citrus Medica

Aurantium

L E
L E

POLTANDRIA.
Hypericum perforatum L

XIX. SYNGENE SIA.

POLTGAMIA JEQTJALIS.

Cynara Scalenus
Leontodon Taraxacum
Arctium Lappa

POLTGAMIA SUPER FLU A.

L E
L E
L E

Tancetum vulgare
Artemifia Abrotanum
Abfmthium
vulgaris
maritima
Santonicum

L E

L E

L E

— E

L —

L E

CATALOGUE.

• • ■

xin

Tu fiil ago Far far a
Inula Selenium
Arnica montana
Anthemis nobilis_

pyretbrum
Achillea Millefolium

L
L
L
L
L

E
E
E
E
E

— E

PO LYGAM1A FR US TR 4NEA.

L E

Centaurea benedicla
k

MONOGAMI/f.

Lobelia fiphilitica
Viola odorata

— E
L E

XX. G Y N A N D R I A.

D IAND R I A.
Orchis mafcula — E

HE X AND R 1 A.

Ariftolochia Serpentarit L E
rotunda, &c. — E

POLTANDRIA.
Arum maculatum L E

XXI. M O N O E C I A.

M 0 NA N D R I A.
Myriftica mofchata Thunb. L E

TETRANDRIA.

Urtica dioica
Morus nigra

L E
— E

P 0 LTAND R I A.

Quercus Rohur L E

Juglans regia L —

MO NAD E LP H I A.

Pinus fpecies varia L E

Croton Cafcarilla L E

Ricinus communis L E

STNGENESIA.

Momordica Elaterium L —

Cucumis Colocynthis L E

Bryonia alba — E

XXII. DIOECIA.

D IAND R I A.
Salix fragilis — E

PENTANDRIA.

Piftacia 7* erebinthus
Lentifcus

L —

L E

H E XAND R I A.
Si mi lax Sarfaparilla L E

MO NAD E LPHIA.

Juniperus communis
Lycia
S a bin a

Cifiampelos Pareira

L E

L E

L E

L —

XIV

CATALOGUE.

XXIII. POLYGAMIA.

MO N 0 E C I A.

Veratrum album L E

Parietaria officinalis L E

Stalagmitis Ca}nbogioidesJ'Mur.L, E

Mimofa miotic a L E

Catechu L E

D I 0 E C I A.

L E
L E

Fraxinus Ornus,
Panax quinquefolium

TRIOECIA.
Ficus Carica L E

XXIV. C R Y PT O G A M I A.

F I L I C E S.

Afplenium Tricfiomanoides — E
Polypodium Filix mas L E

A L G M.
Lichen ijlandicus — - E

FUNGI.
Boletus igniarius — E

APPENDIX, Palm*.
Cocos lutyracea — E

Tor an Arrangement of the above, according to their Medicinal

Effects, fee the loft Volume.

ATROPA BELLADONNA.

ATROPA BELLADONNA. DEADLY NIGHTSHADE.

SYNONYMJ. Belladonna, Pharm. Ed'm. Belladonna
trichotoma, Socop. Cam. i. p. 1 60. Belladonna caule
herbace%, brachiato, foliis ovato-lanceolatis, integerrimis. Hah
Stirp. Helv. N. 579. Solanum Lethale, Chtf. Hifl. p. 86.
Dod. purg. p. 360. Solanum Melanocerasus, Bauh. Pin.
166. Solanum majus, Cam. epit, p. 817.

Clafs Pentandria. Order Monogynla. L. Gen. Plant. 249.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cor. campanulata. Stam. diftantia. Bacca, globofa,
2-locularis.

1

Spec. Char. Atropa Belladonna, caule herbaceo, fol. ovatis integris'.

THE Belladonna has a thick, whitiiTi, root, which is perennial,
and fends forth ftrong, branched, annual, purple-coloured ftems,
from three to five feet high. The leaves are of unequal fize, entire,
oval, pointed, and ftand in pairs upon fhort footftalks. The flowers
are of a dark or brownifh purple colour, large, pendent, bell-fhaped,
furrowed, and the limb cut into five fegments. The whole plant is
covered with fine hairs or down : the flowers appear in June or July,
but the berries are not ripe till September, when they acquire a
ftiining black colour. It grows in ftiady and ftony wafte grounds,
but is not very common near London.

Whether this plant is the ^r§vxm nAvim of Diofcorides or not,
botanifts have not yet afcertained, but it has certainly been long
known as a ftrong poifon of the narcotic kind ; and the berries,
though lefs powerful than the leaves, furniih us with many inftances
No. 1. A of

( 3 )

of 0 their fatal effects, particularly upon children, who are readily
tempted to eat this fruit by its alluring appearance and fweet tafte.
The number of thefe berries necelfary to produce deleterious effects,
may probably depend upon the Hate of maturity in which they are
eaten : if not more than three or four be fwallowed, according to
Haller's account, no bad confequence enfues ; " Baccse fapore fatuo
*l dulci poflunt abfque noxa edi b fi numerus tres quatuorve non
" excellent : plures etiam a ftudiofo medicinae Colonienfi nomine
" Simonis vidi deglutiri." Hal. Stirp. Helv. No. 579.

* Sennert. lib. vi. par. 7. cap. 9. Lobel Stirpium Adverfa. p. 103. Matthiolus
Oper. Omn. p. 754. Oetinger de Belladonna. Aug. Vindel. Strychnomania, &c.
Bodaeus a Stapel. Comment, in Theophraft. 586. Simon Pauli Quad. Botan. p. 488.
Gerard's Herbal, 341. Wepfer's Cicut. Aquat. Hiftor. et Noxae, p. 228. Boulduc.
Hiftoire de PAcad. a. 1703. Roffi Plant. Venen. p. 11. Boerhaave's Hift. Plant.
Lugd. Bat. Hort. p. 510. Journ. de Med. ann. 1759. Gent. Magaz. 1747 & 1748.
Hill's Britifh Herbal, p. 329. Spielman's Diff*. Veget. Venen. p. 16. Mapp. PI. Alfat.
p. 36. Murray's Apparat. Medicam. p. 431. Many other recent fails of the fame
kind might be adduced from various periodical publications. Ray found by applying the
leaves of the Belladonna near the eye, a remarkable relaxation of the uvea was produced.
' Sauvages (Nofol.) fuppofes that the Belladonna was the plant which produced fuch
ftrange and dreadful effe&s upon the Roman foldiers, during their retreat (under the
command of Anthony) from the Parthians ; they are faid to have " fuffered great
" diftrefs for want of provifions, and were urged to eat unknown plants : among others
" they met with an herb that was mortal ; he that had eaten of it, loft his memory and
" his fenfes, and employed himfelf wholly in turning about all the ftones he could find,

" and after vomiting up bile, fell down dead." Plutarch's Life of Anthony. The

Scotch hiftorian, Buchanan, relates that the Scots mixed a quantity of the juice of the
Belladonna (Solanum SomniferumJ with the bread and drink, which by their truce they
were to fupply the Danes with, which fo intoxicated them, that the Scots killed the
greateft part of Sweno's army while afleep. Lib. vii.

Ray relates a curious inftance of the effects of this plant in the following words.
Hift. Plant, p. 680. Accidit, ni fallor, tempore Pontificis Maximi Urbani ultimi, ut
quidam de famulitio Cardinalis magni nominis (ut mini hie Auguftae retulit ejus
hortulanus) infunderet in vino Malvatico herbam illam quam Bellam Donnam vocant,
daturam alias per noclem ut ejus herbae effecStus difcerent; infufum hoc propinarunt
cuidam fratri mendicanti ex conventu S. Hieronymi, qui Patavii Fratrum ignorantias
dicitur, a primo breve delirium, cachinni, gefticulationes variae j dein infania vera, poft
ftupor mentis qualis eft ebriorum vigilantium. Cardinalis proebrio in carcere includit;
deinde a medico qui rem fubolfecerat innocens pronuntiatur, qui aceti cyatho propinato,
a dementia quam Bella Donna caufavit eum liberat. Plachftellcrus Decad. 7 Ob.
And Shakefpeare in his Macbeth makes Banquo fay,
Or have we eaten of the infane root
- That takes the reafon prifoner.

b Hort. Florent. p. 62,

But

( 3 )

But when a greater number of the berries are taken into the
ftomach, fcarcely half an hour elapfes before violent fymptoms fuper-
vene; viz. vertigo, delirium, great thirft, painful deglutition, and retch-
ing, followed by furor, ftridor dentium, and convulfions ; the eye-lids
are drawn down, the uvea dilated and immovable ; the face becomes
red and tumid, and fpafms affect the mouth and jaw ; the general fen-
fibility and irritability of the body fuffer fuch great diminution, that
the ftomac^L often bears large and repeated dofes of tart. emet. (gr. 14.)
without being brought into action ; the pulfe is fmall, hard, quick, and
fubfultus tendinum, rifus fardonius & coma, generally precede death.
The body being opened, inflammation has been difcovered in the
inteftines, mefentery, and liver, Comm. Nor. 1743, p. 61. And
Boulduc, Hift. de l'Acad. des Sc. de Paris, 1703, p. 56. found the
itomach of a child eroded in three places. It may be neceffary to
remark, that vinegar, liberally drunk, has been found very efficacious
in obviating the effects of this poifon ; evacuations mould however
be always firft promoted.

The leaves of the Belladonna were firft ufed externally to difcufs
fcirrhous and cancerous tumours, and alfo as an application to ill
conditioned ulcers : their good effects in this way at length induced
phyficians to employ them internally for the fame diforders, and we
have a confiderable number of well authenticated facts which prove
them a very ferviceable and important remedy.0 But it muft likewife
be confeffed, that many cafes of this fort have occurred in which the
Belladonna has been employed without fuccefs :d this, however, may

c Junker's Confpe£t. Ther. Gen. Ed. 1725. p. 491. Journ.- de Med. ann. 1766*
Timmermann's Progr. Mich. Albertus de Belladonna. Tib. Lambergen, ftated in
the Phil. Tranf. vol. 50, by Mr. Pultney. Comment, de Rebus, torn. 8. p. 654.
Durlac Journ. de Med. t. 11. p. 449. Amoureux, 1. c. torn. 13. p. 47. Marteau.
I. c. torn. 14. p. 11. van den. Block. 1. c. torn. 14. p. 108. Ludw. Adverf. Praft.
vol. 1. P. 4. p. 637. and vol. 2. p. 314. To which we may add the later authorities of
Bergius, (Mat. Med. p. 128. vol. 1.) and Murray, App. Med. vol. 1. p. 440. who
ufed them fuccefsfully in convulfions and epilepfy. The good effects of the berries may
be learned from Gefner, Epift. p. 34. Eph. N. C. arm. 3/ Obf. 64. Smetius, lib. 4.
p. 238. Mayerne Prax. Med. Syntagm. Alt. p. 136.

d Heifter Chirurgie, p. 328. Van. Der. Harr. over de Kn\erknoeJl-tn Ranker Gezwelleih^
p. 85. Van. Dovern. in litt. ad Timmermann Progr. Timmerman junr. ibid. Acrel.
Chir. Hdndelfer. p. 40. De Haen Rat. Med. torn 2. p. 45. Schmuckero Chirurg..
Wahrnehmungen, torn. 2. p. 150. And fome accounts given of this plant by our own
countrymen Gataker and Bromfield..

be

( 4 )

"be faid of every medicine ; and though Dr. Cullen repeatedly ex-
perienced its inefficacy, yet the facts he adduces in confirmation of
the utility of this plant, are clear and decifive : " I have had a cancer
" of the lip entirely cured by it ; a fcirrhofity in a woriian's breaft,
" of fuch a kind as frequently proceeds to cancer, I have found
" entirely difcufTed by the ufe of it ; a fore a little below the eye,
<c which had put on a cancerous appearance, was much mended by
" the internal ufe of the Belladonna : but the patient having learned
" fomewhat of the poifonous nature of the medicine, refufed to
" continue the ufe of it, upon which the fore again fpread, and
€i was painful ; but upon a return to the ufe of the Belladonna, was
*' again mended to a confiderable degree : when the fame fears again
" returning, the ufe of it was again laid afide, and with the fame
" confequence of the fore becoming worfe. Of thefe alternate
<c ftates, connected with the alternate ufe of, and abftinence from,
*' the Belladonna, there were feveral of thefe alternations which fell
i{ under my own obfervation."

The fenfible effe&s produced by the leaves of this plant taken in
medicinal dofes, are ufually by the {kin, the urinary paffages, and
fometimes by ftool ; in larger dofes troublefome drynefs of the mouth
and throat, giddinefs, and dimnefs of fight are experienced.
. That the advantages derived from the internal ufe of Belladonna
are only in proportion to the evacuations effected by it, is a con-
clufion we cannot admit as fufficiently warranted by the facts adduced
upon this point.

As this plant is very uncertain in its operation, the proper dofe is
with difficulty afcertained ; the moft prudent manner of adminifter-
ing it is by beginning with one grain or lefs, which may be gradually
increafed according to its effects. Six grains are confidered as a very
large dofe. — With refpect to the berries, fo fuccefsfully employed as
an anodyne, by Gefner and others, in dyfenteries, a fmall fpoonful
(coch. parvum) of a fyrup of the juice was the dofe given.

The root feems to partake of the fame qualities as the leaves,
but is lefs virulent.

MENYANTHES TRIFOLIATA.

*

*

( 5 )

MENYANTHES TRIFOLIATA. WATER TREFOIL, OR

BUCKBEAN.

STNONTMJ. Trifolium Paludosum, Pharm. Lond.
Edin, Menyanthes Palustre Triphillum, Tourn. Boerh.
Ray. Trifolium Fibrin um, Off. Germ. Acopa, Diofcor.
Hift. 0xo7i.

Clafs Pentandria. Order MonOgynia. L. Gen. Plant. 202.

Eff. Gen. Char. Cor. hirfuta. Stigma 2-fidum. Caps, i-locularis.

Spec. Char. M. fol. ternatis.

THIS plant is common in every part of England ; it grows
in marines and ponds, producing its flowers in an open terminal
fpike about the latter end of June. The fcapus, or flalk, rifes from
fix to twelve inches in height. The petals are fometimes entirely
white, but more commonly rofe-coloured on the outfide, and within
they are finely fringed, fo as to have a "hairy or fibrous appear-
ance, hence named Trifolium Fibrinum : the root is perennial,
creeping, and jointed, fending forth many long flender filaments.
The trifoliata is eafily diftinguifhed from the other fpecies of Meny-
anthes by its ternate leaves, which have been thought to refemble
thofe of the common garden bean, and have given it the Englifh
name, Buckbean.

The whole plant is fo extremely bitter, that in ,fome countries
it is ufed as a fubftitute for hops in the preparation of malt liquor3 j
yet Linnasus obferves, that the poorer people in Lapland make a
bread of the powdered roots mixed , with meal, but at the fame time
he acknowledges it is a very unpalatable food b.

8 Flor. Lappon. p. 50.

No. 1.

* Ibid.

B

fails

( 6 )

The blacknefs manifefted by adding a folution of green vitriol to
the juice, or to a ftrong infufion of the leaves of Buckbean, is a
fufficient teft of its aftringency ; while a dram of the powdered leaves
feldom fails to open the body, or produce vomiting; fo that in com-
mon with the tonic properties of a bitter, it feems farther to poffefs
a confiderable jfhare of medicinal activity : we can therefore more
eafily credit the reports of its fuccefs in a great number of chronic
difeafes mentioned by various authors0, as fcurvy, dropfy, jaundice,
afthma, periodical headachs, intermittents, hypochondriacs, cachexia,
obftructio menfium, rheumatifm, fcrophula, worms, gout. Dr. Boei-
haave was relieved in the laft mentioned complaint by drinking the
juice mixed with wheyd; and Dr. Alfton tells us, that " this plant
had remarkable effects in the gout, in keeping off " the paroxyfms j"
but adds, u though not to the patient's advantage e.

In confirmation of the good effects of Water Trefoil in dropfies,
we are told that fheep, when forced to eat it, are f cured of the
rot ; (oves tabids) yet as we have but few and imperfect proofs of its
diuretic powers, this fact will be confidered of little weight.

Bergius confines the ufes of this plant to fcorbutus, leucophleg-
matia, arthritis, rheumatifmus, cacoethes*, and this fpecification is
ftill farther contracted by later writers on the Materia Medica. In
Lewis's Mat. Med. [by Mr. Alkiti) it is faid, that the leaves of
♦ buckbean " have of late years come into common ufe as an al-
" terative and aperient, in impurities of the humours, and fome
" hydropic and rheumatic cafes ;" and as an active and eccoprotic
bitter, we mould fuppofe them not ill adapted to fupply the want
of bile in the primed vice, and thus infer their ufe in protracted

c Trifolii Fibrini Hiftoria, felectis obfervationibus et perfpicuis exemplis, illuftrata
a Jo. Franco, anno 1701.

Recte obfervavit D. Tancredus Robinfon herbam hanc Germanis, aliifque genti-
bus feptentrionalibus nunc dierum unice charam et in magno pretio efle, et affiduo ufu
frequentari in omnibus fere morbis, ut certiffimam panaceam, ad quam etiam in de-
ploratis affeetibus, velut ad facram anchoram, confugiunt (Raii Hiftor. Plant, p. 1099.)
See alfo Willius Act. Hafn. vol, 3. Sim. Pauli, (Juadrip. Bot. p. 173. et feq. Tilling
Mifc. N. curios. Dec. 2. Gulbrand DifT. de Sanguifluxu Uterino. Du Clos Anc.
Mem. p. 329. Schulz Mat. Med. p. 445.

d Eph. Nat. Cur. Dec. I. ann. III. Obf. 123 (this anfwers Dr. Anion's query,
who afks, « Where is this related ?" Alfton. Mat. Med. vol. 2. p. 240.

• 1. c. f Dr. T, Robinfon. s Mat. Med. vol. 1. p. 91-

jaundice,

*

( 7 )

jaundice, and other biliary obftruclions. Dr. Cullen has " had fe-
E( veral inftances of their good effects in fome cutaneous difeafes of
" the herpatic and feemingly cancerous kind h."

The leaves may be given in powder from 3i to 9ij for a dofe
two or three times a day, but a ftrong infufion of them is perhaps
preferable, and with delicate ftomachs it may be neceffary to con-
join a grateful aromatick : they impart their properties both to wa-
tery and fpi|jtous menftrua, and an extract is ordered to be prepared
from them in the Ph. Dan. p. 171. Efficax et frequentis commodi-
que ufus. Murray,

LEONTODON TARAXACUM. COMMON DANDELION.

SYNONYMA. Taraxacum, Pbarm. Lund. fcf Edin, Dens
Leon is, Auclornm.

Clafs Syngenefia. Order Polygamia iEqualis. L. Gen. Plant. 912.
* Semvflofcidofi Tonrn, corollis ligidatis omnibus,

EJf, Gen, Char, Recept. nudum. CaL imbricatus, fquamis laxi-
ufculis. Pappus plumofus. .

Spec. Char. L. T. calyce fquamis inferne reflexis, foliis run-
cinatis denticulatis Isevibus.

DANDELION is fo very common, that a plot of ground can
fcarcely be feen where it does not prefent its yellow flowers *.
It is eafily diftinguifhed from the hawkweeds and other ligulated

h Mat. Med. vol. 2. p. 75.

* It has been obferved that thefe flowers poflefs a certain degree of fenfibility, for
when under the powerful influence of the fun in a fummer's morning, an evident
motion of the flowerets may be difcovered. MS Led, of the late Dr. Hope.

plants,

( 3 )

plants, by the outer calyces being bent downwards, and by the flower
italic, which is fimple, coloured, mining, and unifloral : the leaves
are all radical and cut in a peculiar way, forming a good example
of what botanifts call runcinata. The feeds, in approaching to ma-
turity, become crowned with a fine downy feather, difpofed in a
fpherical fhape. The root is perennial and fpindle-fhaped, which
with the whole plant abounds with a milky juice.

The young leaves of this plant in a blanched ftate have the
tafte of endive, and make an excellent addition to thofe plants
eaten early in the fpring as fallads3. At Gottingen the roots are
roafted and fubftituted for coffee by the poorer inhabitants ; who
find that an infufion prepared in this way can hardly be diflin-
guifhed from that of the coffee b berry.

Dandelion is generally confidered by medical writers as the mofl
active and efficacious of the ladtefcent plants ; the expreffed juice is
bitter and fomewhat acrid, the root however is ftill bitterer c, and
poiTeffes more medicinal power than any other part of the plant.
Taraxacum has been long in repute as a mild detergent and ape-
rient, and its diuretic effects may be inferred from the vulgar name
it bears in moft of the European languages, quafi ledtiminga et uri-
naria herba diciturd. Murray fays, Vifcidos nimirum tenacefque
humores ftirps folvit, et obftructa vafa referat, eruptionem variam
fanat e : and Beffius recommends its ufe in obftructions of the liver,
hypochondriafis, and jaundice. Its fuccefsful ufe in the firft of thefe
difeafes is confirmed by his own experience*. De Haen alfo gives
us another inflance of the fame complaint cured by the fame means ;

a Withering's Bot. Arrang. p. 839.
b Murray's Apparat. p. 107.
c Haller's Strip. Hel. n. 58.

d plus lotii derivat in veficam quam pueruli retinendo funt, pnefertim inter dor-

miendum, eoque tunc imprudentes et inviti ftragula permingunt. Ray's Hift. PI.
p. 244.

e Murray, I. c.

J *

f In hepatis morbis, praeftantiffima eft radix haec recens, fero lactis, jufculis et apoze-
matibus inco&a. Praeclara identidem inde vidi, ubi alia fefellerunt. Saepe mihi fuc-
ceflit refolvere duritiem hepatis cum jufculo parato e radice rec. Taraxaci et fol. rec.
acetofe, in fero ladlis coclis, vel in aqua, addito vitello ovi, quod jufculum quotidie
per plures feptimanas, immo menfes, fumpferunt aegroti, propinato fnnul cremore tar-
tari. Hoc regimen exoptata prseftitit etiam in calculo felleo et in afcitidc. Mat. Med.
torn. 2. p. 649.

and

f 9 )

and we have various proofs of the good effects of the Taraxacum
related by different authors, in jaundice s, dropfy h, pulmonic tuber-
cles \ and fome cutaneous diforders k.

The leaves, roots, flower ftalks, and juice of Dandelion, have all
been feparately employed for medical purpofes, and feem to differ
rather in degree of ftrength than in any effential property : therefore
the expreffed juice, or a ftrong decoction of the roots have moft com-
monly beltfi prefcribed, from one ounce to four, two or three times
a day. The plant fhould be always ufed frefh ; even extracts pre-
pared from it appear to lofe much of their power by keeping l.

z Van Svvieten's Com. torn. 3. p. 102. and Boerhaave apud Boretium.

6 Bergius loc. cit. Bonafas in Hautefierckii Recueil d'Obferv. torn. 2. p. 360.
Frank. Samml. t. 1. p. 226.

I Zimmerman, vide Murray, 1. c. Haller, 1. c. Park. 780.

II Leidenfroft Diflert. de Succif. Herb. rec. p. 27. Frank. Samml. 1. c. p. 126.
Delius's Difi*. de Tarax. aq. teraxaci per fermentationem parata: et in aliis morbis
utitur. Febure Chemie. 2. p. 408.

Ingreditur cum radice graminis regiam illam ptifanam, cujus formulam Ludovicus
XIV. magno pretio redemit. Haller's Stirp, Hel. No. 56.

1 Lewis's M. M, 273.

No, 1.

G

ARNICA

( io )

ARNICA MONTANA. MOUNTAIN ARNICA.

STNONTMJ. Arnica, Pbarm. Lon. fcf Edin. Doronicum

AUSTRIACUM QUARTUM, Clllf. Pann. p. 5 20. A/<%Mr/*„ Re-

?ieaulme, p. 118. Doronicum Plant agin is folio alterum,
C. B. 185. To urn. Injlitut. 487. Doronicum Germanicum
Park EsP Ray. Doronicum Germanicum foliis femper ex
adverfo nafcentibus villofis, J. B. III. 19. Calendula Al-
pina, Gerard 740. Arnica foliis conjugates, ovatis, integer-
rimis, Hal. Stirp. Helv. No. 90.

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Polygamia fuperflua, L. Gen. PI. 958.

EJf. Gen. Char. Recept. nudum. Pappus fimplex. Corollula radii
filamentis 5 abfque antheris.

Sp. Ch. A. foliis ovatis integris: caulinis geminis oppofitis.

THIS plant is very common upon the northern mountains of
Germany and Switzerland, and was firft cultivated in this country by
Mr. P. Miller in 1759, a The'ftalk grows above one foot high,
erecl:, roundifh, ftriated, rough, hairy. The radical leaves are oval,
narrow at their bafes, and more obtufely lanceolated than the cauline
j leaves. On the ftalk they are feffil, entire", oval, obtufely lance-fhaped,
and ftand in pairs: the flowers are large, yellow, radiated, folitary,
terminal, appearing in July : the calyx is imbricated, and confifts of
a fmgle row of narrow, pointed, rough leaflets: the root is perennial,
thick, 'flefhy, and fpreading.

The odour of the frefh plant is rather unpleafant, and the taflc
acrid, herbaceous, and aftringent ; a watery infufion of it ftrikes a

a Hortus Kewenfis, vol. 3. p. 226,

black

( II )

black colour by the addition of fal martis b, and the powdered
leaves act as a ftrong fternutatory.

That the Arnica is a medicine of confiderable activity there can-
not be a doubt ; but how far it deferves the extravagant praifes it
has received at Vienna, is not for us to determine ; either the fads
ftated by Dr. Collin are not admitted by the phyficians of this
country, or we are difregardful * of a remedy of the firft impor-
tance in the Materia Medica.

But as our bufmefs is to adduce whatever is recorded of. each
plant by authors of refpectability, (whether of Arnica or Hemlock)
ftill the medical reader muft form his own judgment of the evi-
dence.

The virtues of this plant c, according to Bergius, are emetica,
errhina, diuretica, diaphoretica, emmanagoga, and from its fuppofed
power of attenuating the blood, it has been efteemed fo peculiarly
efficacious in obviating the bad confequences occafioned by falls and
bruifes, that it obtained the appellation of panacea lapforum d ; and
to this refolvent power its fuccefs in fundry difeafes has been ac-
counted for, particularly pulmonic complaints, fuppreffio menfium,
and vifceral obftructions e. Of the advantages derived from its ufe
in paralytic and other affections depending upon an interruption or
diminution of nervous energy, we have feveral proofs f ; and it is
obferved in thefe cafes, that the recovery is generally preceded by
great uneafinefs, or acute pain in the parts affected. But it is the

b Bergius, m. 111.-683
* The author has not been able to procure this plant from any of the London drug-
gifts.

c There is a variety of this fpecies with narrower leaves, which is more powerfully
medicinal. Gmelin Flor. Sibir. t. 2. p. 153.

d Fehrius Eph. N. C. Dec. 1. ann. 9 & 10. Obf. 2. Acta Med. Berolin, Dec. 1.
vol. 1. n. 4. vol. 10. p. 80. Dec. 2. vol. 1. p. 66. Buchner, Diff. de genuinis princi-
piis et effeciibus Arnicae. Schulzius, M. M. De La Marche DhT. deArnicae vera ufu.
Rofenftein. Apot. p. 21. Scopol. Fl. earn. p. 377.

e Fehr loc. cit. Bruckner, in Sel, Med. Francaf. vol. 3. p. 19c. Act. Berol. Dec. 1.
vol. 9. p. 24. Quarin, Meth. Med. inflam. p. 80. Act. Berol Dec. 1. vol. 10. p. 82.
1. c. Dec. 2. vol. 4. p. 92 & 94. Nebel in Act. nat. cur. vol. 8. Obf. 113. Vater,
DifT. de Ictero.

f Bergius m. m. Junker Therap. gen, p. 173. Efchenbach Obf. p. 353. & Dr. Collin,
Flor. Arnicae Vires, mentions 28 cafes of paralyfis, and 9 of amaurofis. Aalkow So-
ciet. Med. Havan. vol. 2. p. 162.

extraor-

( 12 )

extraordinary febrifuge and antifeptic virtue of the Arnica, which
have been lb highly extolled by Dr. Collin g.

It had long been a defideratum of his to find an European plant
of equal medicinal powers with the Peruvian bark in fevers of the
intermitting and putrid kind ; and after feveral fruitlefs trials of dif-
ferent fimples, at laft he had the fatisfaction to find them in the
Arnica ; for by the flowers of this plant, made into an electuary h
with honey, he cured more than one thoufand patients labouring
under the different fpecies of intermittent fevers in the Pazman hof-
pital, from December ijji, to July 1774; and during the follow-
ing winter the Doctor made trial of a watery extract of the flowers,
by which he cured thirty quotidians, forty-fix tertians, and fifty-
eight quartans *.

In putrid fevers the Doctor experienced equal fuccefs with the
flowers employed in the way of infufion l, with which many hun-
dreds of patients were fnatched from the very jaws of death. How-
ever, there are fome cafes where the Doctor recommends the root k
in preference to the flowers, believing the former to pofTefs more
cordial, tonic, and antifeptic qualities ; and it is accordingly directed
in thofe' cafes where putridity and debility are more prevalent than
fever ; alfo in a malignant dyfentery Dr. Collin could relate many
hundred inftances of the fuperior efficacy of Arnica root, and his
practice in this difeafe was imitated and confirmed by Dr. Dietl '.

Dr. Collin farther afcertains the medicinal powers which he at-
attributes to this root in thirteen cafes of gangrenes, where its anti-
's Hen. Jof. Collin, phyfician to the Pazman hofpital, De arnicas in febribus, & aliis
morbis putridis viribus.

h R. Pulv. Flor. Arnicas drach. ix. mellis q. f. bidui fpatio abfumendum.
* Dr. Collin is, we believe, the only author who has experienced the good effects
of Arnica in intermitting fevers, if we except the two cafes ftated by Aafkow (I. c.)
where it acted as a powerful evacuant. Bergius employed it in quartan intermittents,
which were aggravated, rather than bettered, by the ufe of this medicine, m. m.

i R. Flor. arnicae unc j. infunde in s. q. aquae fervidae per" \ horam, deinde vafe
claufo per medium \ horae ebulliant j colat. lib. ij. add. fyr. capill. vener. q. f. ad gratiam;
et omni bihorio diei fumat unc ij.

k R. Pulv. Rad. Arnicae unc. ij. digere in phiala alta balneo arena adaptata, exa&c
claufa, per 12 horas cum aq. q. f. colatur. unc. xxx. adde fyr. aelth. unc. iij. m. fumat
jeger omni bihorio unc. ij. vel iij. And to make this medicine more palatable to the
patient, he occafionally added lemon juice, fpt. vitriol, or wine.
1 Phyfician to the military hofpital of invalids, at Vienna.

feptic

( i3 )

feptlc effects admitted of more evident proof. As the Arnica, when
firft adminiftered, often excites vomiting, or uneafinefs at the fto-
mach, it will be neceffary to begin with fmall dofes ; but by re-
peating the medicine two or three times this uneafinefs goes off.

CONVOLVULUS SCAMMONIA, SCAMMONY BIND-WEED.

SYNONYMA. Convolvulus, foliis fagittatis, poftice truncatis,
pedunculis bifloris. RoyLngdb. 427. Convolvulus Syriacus.
Morris Hift. 2. p. 12. Scammonium Syriacum. Gerard^
866. Lobel Icon, 620. Gummi-Resina. Scammonium.
Pbarm. Lond. &Edin. 'SKa.y.y.avict Diofc. Acucpt^W Tr alii an et quorund*
Grtecor.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Monogynia. L. Gen, Plant. 215.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cor. Campanulata, plicata. Stigmata 2. Caps. 2-locu-
laris: loculis difpermis.

Spec. Ch. C. fol. fagittatis poftice truncatis, pedunc. teretibus
fubtrifloris.

THIS plant grows plentifully about Maraafh, Antioch, Edlib,
and towards Tripoly in Syria : it was firft cultivated in England by Mr.
Gerard, in 1597. The root ls &om tnree t0 f°ur feet l°ng> and from
nine- to twelve inches in circumference, covered with bark of a light
grey colour, it is perennial, tapering, branched towards the bottom,

No. 1. D and

( H )

ancf contains a milky juice; the ftalks are numerous, {lender^ twining,
and fpread themfelves upon the -ground, or neighbouring trees, to the
extent of fifteen or twenty feet- the leaves are arrow-fhaped, fmooth,
of a bright green colour, and ftand upon long footftalks : the flowers
are funnel-fhaped, yellowifh, plicated, and, according to Dr. Ruflel,
placed in pairs upon the pedicles : the calyx is double, confining of
four emarginated leaflets in each row : the capfule is three and
fometimes four locular,* containing feeds of a pyramidical fhape.
No part of the dried plant poflefles any medicinal quality but the
root, which Dr. Ruflel adminiftered in decoction, and found it to be
a pleafant and mild cathartic.

It is from the milky juice of the root that we obtain the officinal
Scammony, which is procured in the following manner by the
peafants, who collect it in the beginning of June : " a Having
" cleared away the earth from about the root, they cut off the top,
" in an oblique direction, about two inches below where the ftalks
t( fpring from it. Under the moft depending part of the flope they
" fix a fhell, or fome other convenient receptacle, into which the
<c milky juice gradually flows. It is left there about twelve hours,.
f* which time is firfficient for draining off the whole juice : this,
ie however, .is in fmall quantity, each root affording but a very
** few drams. This juice from the feveral roots is put together,
" often into the leg of an old boot, for want of fome more proper
" veffel, where in a little time it grows hard, and is the genuine
" Scammony." This concrete is a gummy-refin, generally of a
light, fhining, grey colour, and friable texture. It is brought from
Aleppo and Smyrna ; b that which comes from the latter place is lcfs
valued than the former, and is fuppofed to be more ponderous and
of a deeper colour; but the colour affords no teft of the goodnefs

* The Caps i-locularis of Linnaeus, ought to be corrected.

a Dr. Rulfel's Defcription of this plant in the Medical Obfervations and Inquiries,
v. i. p. 18.

b The Jews make it their bufinefs to go to the places where the Scammony is col-
lected, and there buying it while yet foft, have an opportunity of mixing it with fuch
things as belt anfwers their purpofe j as wheat-flower, aflies, fine fand, with all of
which Dr. Ruflel found it adulterated, The pureft Scammony is therefore the moft
active and moft folublet

of

( *5 )

of this drug, which fecms to depend entirely upon the purity or
the concrete. The fmell of Scammony is rather unpleafant, and the
tafte bitterifh and flightly acrid. The different proportions of gum.
and reiin of which it confifts, have been varioufly ftated, c but as
proof ipirit is the beft menftruum for it, thefe fubftances are fuppofed
to be nearly in equal parts.

Scammony appears to have been well known to the Greek and.
Arabian phyficians, d and was not only employed internally as a
purgative, but alfo as an external remedy for tumours, fcabies, tinea,
fixed pains, &c. — Although this drug was feldom given alone, yet
we find it was very generally ufed, c and an ingredient in many
f compounds which were formerly held in very great repute. —
Hoffman, however, entertained an opinion, that Scammony was a
dangerous medicine ; " Ego nunquam in praxi mea in ufu habui,
" nec in pofterum habebo ; me femper ab iftiufmodi venenis-
" colliquativis abftinens. Hoff. in Scbrod. p. 543." But fmce Boer-
haave's time it has been confidered as a fafe though ftimulating
cathartic, and frequently prefcribed uncombined with any other
fubftance, yet neither producing tormina nor hypercatharfis. Like
other refmous purgatives it is uncertain in its operation, which may
be occafioned by the interlines being more or lefs defended from the
action of thefe ftimulants, by the quantity of natural mucus with,
which they are covered.

* Boulduc Mem de l'Ac. de Sc. 1702. Geoffroy Mat. Med.

* Hippocrates, Diofcorides, Aetius, Mefue, &c.

e As Diagrydium. Scam defoecatum per fuccum citroniorum. Extra&um fpt vin..
Extract, diagridii aromaticum. Extract, {cam glycyrrhizatum. Elixir Scammon. Scam,
vitriolatum, Scam lulphuratum, Scam, rofatum, Infufum fcammonii, Diacydonium
lucidum fcammoniatum. Gelatina cydoniorum laxativa, &c.

r Among thefe were the Pulvis de Tribus, or Pulvis trium Diabolorum, Pulvis
Bafilicus, Pulvis Comitis de Warwick, which was afterwards called Pulvis Cornachini,
becaufe Marcus Cornachini, profeflbr of medicine at Pifa, recommended it as a panacea,,
in a book, the title of which is, " Methodus qua omnes humani corporis aff~e£tiones ab ■
" humoribus copid aut qualitate peccantibus genita, tuto, cito7 et jucunde curaniur." *

The

1

'( 16 )

The dofe of Scammony is generally from three to twelve grains.
'It is commonly triturated with fugar, almonds, &c. or with a decoc-
tion of liquorice, as recommended by the college of Wirtemberg.
In the London Pharmacopoeia it is ordered in the following com-
pounds: — Pulvis e fcammomo compofitus. Pulvis e fcammonio
compofitus cum aloe. Pulvis e fcammonio cum calomelane. Pulvis
c fenna compofitus. Extra&um colocynthidis compofitum. And
in the Pilulse ex colocynthide curn aloe of the Edinburgh Pharm,

ACONITUM NAPELLUS. COMMON WOLF's-BANE, or

MONK's HOOD.

SYNONYM J. Aconitum, Pharm. Lond. Esf Edin. Stoerck tab. 3.
Aconitum cseruleum feuNapellus, Bauh.pin. 183. Aconitum
caule fimplici, fpica denfa, petiolis unifloris, caflide breviter
mucronata, Hal. Stirp. Helv. No. 1197, vires aute?n, No. 1198.
Aconitum verus caeruleus, Gerard. Aconitum, Spec. 1, Rati.
Napellus, M-atth. Camerar. Dodon. Esfr.

Clafs Polyandria. Order Trigynia. L. Gen. Plant. 682.

EJf. Gen. Char Cal. o. Petala 5 : fupremo fornicato. Neclaria
2, pedunculata, recurva. Siliqucey 3^5.

Sp. Ch. A. foliorum laciniis linearibus fuperne latioribus linea exaratis.

THE root is perennial, turnip-fhaped, or more commonly
fufiform ; the ftalk is fimple, erett, ftrong, befet with many leaves,
2nd- grows from two to five feet high ; the leaves are lobed, deeply

laciniated,

( 17 )

laciniated, and ftand alternately upon long footftalks, but the upper
leaves are almoft feffile, and the lacinise much broader than thofe to-
wards the bottom of the ftem ; the fuperior pagina of the leaf is of
a dark green colour, but the under pagina is whitifh ; the peduncles
are generally unifloral, erect, and villous ; the flowers terminate the
ftalk, are without calyces, and grow in a long racemus or fpike ;
each flower confifts of five petals, which include two nectaries, the
uppermoft petal is arched over the lateral ones, fo as to appear
helmet-lhaped, or hooded ; they are all of a purplifh or deep violet
colour : the piftilla, (according to Jacquin) are three, four, and fome-
times five. The Aconitum is a native of the mountainous and
woody parts of Germany, France, and Switzerland ; but fmce the
time of Gerard, it has been cultivated for ornament in moft of the
flower-gardens in this country.

The figure of this plant given by Stoerck, is fuppofed, by Haller
and Bergius to be the Aconitum Cammarum of Linnseus : Murray,
however, is of a different opinion ; and upon comparing Stoerck's
Aconitum with the Cammarum and Napellus, as delineated by
Jacquin, (Flor. Auft.) we have no hefitation in referring it to the
latter.* . ... .....

Every part of the frefli plant is ftrongly poifonous, but the
root is unqueftionably the moft powerful, and when firft chewed
imparts a flight fenfe of acrimony, but afterwards, an infenfibility,
or ftupor at the apex of the tongue, and a pungent heat of the lips,
gums, palate, and fauces, are perceived, followed with a general
tremor and fenfation of chillinefs. Though the plant lofes
much of its power by drying, yet Stoerck obferves that, when
powdered and put upon the tongue, it excites a durable fenfe of
heat, and {harp wandering a pains, but without rednefs or inflamma-
tion. The juice applied to a wound, feemed to affect the whole

* In the Cammarum the top of the flower rifes much higher, and forms a more acute
angle ; the flowers are of a fainter blue colour, and the racemus is always fhorter than
that of the Napellus. • ■

a Reinhold, however, defcribes the leaves of this plant, when dry, as almoft infipid.
Dili*, de Aconit". Napello.

No. 2. E nervous

( i8 )

nervous fyftem ; b even by keeping it long in the hand, or on the
bofom, we are told unpleafant fymptoms have been produced/ That
the ancients confidered the Aconitum to be the moft deftructive of
vegetable productions, appears from their fanciful derivation of its
origin : " ut ab Hecate inventum aut ex Cerberi fpuma enatuin
" pronunciarent and Ray fays, " Napellus venenorum praefenta-
" neorum facile princeps." d The deleterious effects of this plant,
like thofe of moft vegetable poifons, are produced by its immediate
action upon the nervous energy; for of the different animals0 which
have been deftroyed by it, we find but one inftance, wherein upon
dhTection, marks of organic difeafe f were difcovered, and this, as
well as thofe mentioned in our former number refpecting the Bella-
donna, we attribute to the action of fecondary caufes.

The fatal fymptoms brought on by this poifon, are thus ftated by
Haller : " Intus adfumtus Napellus vomitum movet, convulfiones,
" rigorem, vertiginem, maniam, hypercatharfes, furfum & deorfum
" .erumpentes, turn ventris tumor es, & alia gravilTima fymptomata,
*' fudorem frigidum, afphyxiam." 5 Stoerck appears to be the firft"

who

b The juice was applied to a wound of the finger, which not only produced pains in
the hand and arm, but cardialgia, great anxiety, a fenfe of fuffbcatioir, fyncope, &c.
and the wounded part fphacelated before it came to fuppuration. Rodder in Alberti
Jurifp. Med. t. 6. p. 724.

c If this be admitted, it muft be referred to a peculiar idiofyncrafy of the body rather
than to the power of the plant. Murray; Apparat. Med. vol. 3. p. 12.

d Ray obferves that the Napellus lofes much of its virulency by being tranfplantei
from the mountains into our gardens; and this obfervation has been confirmed by the
experiment of D. Martinus Bernhardus a Berniz, in Ephem. Germ. ann. 2. Obferv. 42 .
(Ray, Hift. Plant, p. 702.) and for farther confirmation fee Pet. Joh. Faber in
Pauth. 1. 1. cap. 43.

e The root of the Napellus is an immediate poifon to almoft all animals,,but actual
experiments with it have been made upon wolves, cats, dogs, mice, &c.' See Wepfer,'
Hift. de Cicut. p. 176. de Napello. Phil, Tranfadl:. vol. 27. p. 488'. Sprogel Diff.
Kxper. circa venena, p. 6. Hillefeld, p. 23. Ehrhart, vide Reinhold, Diff. cit.
Cows and Goats, by being forced to eat this plant, perifhed. Moraeus Fil. in K.
Vet. Acad. Handl. 1745. p. 217.

f This was a wolf, wherein marks of inflammation of the ftomach were difcovered.
Wepfer, 1. c. p. 180. .

s N. 1 198. 1. c. Thefe fymptoms are collected from a number of fatal inftances of
its poifonous effeas, fome of which we fliall mention. The root was given by way of

experiment

( '9 )

who gave the Wolf's-bane internally, as a medicine ; and fince his
experiments were publifhed, in 1762, it has been generally and
often fuccefsfully employed in Germany, and the northern parts of
Europe, particularly as a remedy . for obftinate rheumatifms : and
many cafes are related where this difeafe was of feveral years dura-
tion, and had withftood the efficacy of other powerful medicines,
as mercury, opium, antimony, cicuta, &c. yet, in a fhort time, were
entirely cured by the Aconitum.h Inftances are alfo given us of its
good effects in gout, fcrophulous fwellings, venereal nodes, amaurofis,
intermittent fevers, &C.1, Bergius defcribes its Virtus to be pellens,
fudorifera, diuretica, fubvertiginofa; rece?is venenata: ZTfits, rheu-
matifmus, arthritis, malum ifchiadicum.

This plant has been generally prepared as an extract or infpiffated
juice, after the manner directed in the Edinburgh and many of the
foreign pharmacopoeias. k and like all virulent medicines, it mould be
flrft adminiftered in fmall dofes. Stoerck recommends two grains of the
extract to be rubbed into a powder, with two dram9 of fugar, and- to
begin with ten grains of this powder two or three times a day- We
find however, that the extract is often given from one grain

experiment to four condemned criminals, two at Rome,, in the. year 1524, and two at
Prague, in 156 1, of whom two foon perifhed, the other two, with great difficulty,
recovered. Matthiol. in Diofcorid. p. 768. It has frequently been eaten by miftake
for other plants, and- proved fataL Willis de Anima brutor. p. 289. Dodon. Stirp.
Pempt. L. 4. p. 442. Bacon, Philof. Tranf. vol. 38. p. 284. And the following re-
markable fact is (aid to have happened at Sweden : — A perfon having eaten fome of the
frefh leaves of the Napellus, became maniacal, and the furgeon who was called to his
affiftance declared, that the plant was not the caufe of the diforder j and, to convince
the company that it was perfectly innocent, he eat freely of its leaves ; but he fuffered.
by his temerity, for foon after he died in great agony. Moraeus, 1. c. 1739. p. -41.

h Stoerck libell. de ftramon, &c. Contin. Exper. Libell. de Pulfatill. Nig. p. 58.
Rofenftein, Hall Epift. vol. 5. p. 174. Collin Obferv. parf. 2. Blom Vet. Acad.
Handl. 1773. p. 258. Odhelius, ibid. 1776. p. 68. Haft, Med. Virkets tilftand, p.
307. Ribe, vide Reinhold DifT. p. 37. Comment, de rebus, vol. 2. p. 240. DifT.
de ufu falutari Extr. Aeon, in Arthritide pref. Bohmer Hal. 1768. a pag 10 ad 13.
Aug. Phil. Gefner. Beobacht a. d. Arzn. vol. 1. p; 196. Tode, Med. chir. Bib. vol.
2. P. 1. p. 120. Tritze Mediz. Annalen. vol. 1. p. 327. Stoller, Beob. u. Erf.
p. 146. Stoll Rat. Medend. P. 3. p. 167.

1 See the authors referred to above.

k Its efficacy is much diminifhed on being long kept.

to

( 20 )

to ten for a dofe, and Stoll, Schenckbecher, and others,- increafed this
quantity very confiderably. Inftead of the extract, a tincture has
been made of the dried leaves, macerated in fix times their weight
of fpirits of wine, and forty drops given for a dofe.

VERONICA BECCABUNGA. BROOKLIME SPEEDWELL.

SYNONYMS. Becabunga, Pharm. Lond. Curt. Flor. Lond.
Veronica foliis ovatis ferratis glabris ex alis racemofa, Hal.
Stirp. Helv. n. 534. Anagallis Aquatica vulgaris five Becabunga,
Park. Tbeat. 1236. Anagallis Aquatica minor, folio fubrotundo.
Bauh. pin. 252. Anagallis feu Becabunga. Gerard, 620.

Clafs Diandria. Ord. Monogyhia. L. Gen. Plant. 25.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cor. Limbo 4-partito, lacinia infima auguftiore.
Capfula bilocularis.

Corymbofo-racemafce .

Sp. Ch. V. racemis lateralibus, fol. ovatis planis, caule repente.

THE root is perennial, creeping, jointed, and from each joint
fends forth many long llender fibres ; the leaves are thick, oval,
fmooth, obtufely ferrated, of a pale-green colour, and ftand upon
the ftem in pairs, either lellily, or upon very ihort footftalks ; the
ftem is round, jointed, creeping, fmooth, fucculent, often of areddifh
brown colour, and from eight to twelve inches high ; the racemi or
flower fpikes, are lateral, oppolite, bra&eated, and terminated by

the

i

( at )

the flowers, which are of a faint blue colour, and divided into four
fmall roundifh leaves ; the calyx is quadripartite. This plant is very-
common in ditches and mallow ftreams.

The leaves and ftem of Brooklime have a bitterifh fubaftringent
tafte, but manifeft little or no acrimony, nor any peculiar odour : by-
chemical experiments they appear to be fubacid, and poffefs fome
degree of aftringency ; thefe qualities, however, are common to
almoft all frefh vegetables, and afford no proof of their medical
powers.

This plant was formerly confidered of much ufe in feveral dif-
eafes, and was applied externally to wounds and ulcers ; but if it have
any peculiar efficacy, it is to be derived from its antifcorbutic virtue.
As a mild refrigerant juice it is preferred where an acrimonious
ftate of the fluids prevails, indicated by prurient eruptions upon the
fkin, or in what has been called the hot fcurvy ; it is ordered in the
London Pharmacopoeia as an ingredient in the fuccus cochliaria*
compofitus, probably with a view to correct the pungency of the
crefs. Rutty fays, " Succus ejus faponaceus eft, aperiens, & majori
" copia fumptus, alvum movet commodiffime." We muft, how-*
ever, acknowledge, that we mould expect equal benefit from the
fame quantity of any other bland frefh vegetable matter taken into
the fyftem. To derive much advantage from it, the juice ought to
be ufed in large quantities, or the frefh plant eaten as food.

No. 2.

F

FERULA

( ™ )

FERULA ASSAFCETIDA. ASAFCETIDA GIGANTIC

FENNEL.

SYN0NTMu4. Planta umbellifera, tripedalis, erecta, ramofa,
glauca, More luteo, Hope, Phil. Tranf. vol. 75, p. 36. As afoetida
umbellifera Leveftico affinis, foliis inftar Pceonise ramofis ; caule
pleno maximo ; femine foliaceo nudo folitario ; . Brancas urfinse %
vel paftinacas fimili ; radice afam fcetidam fundente. Kaempfcr
Amcz?iit. Eocot. p. 535. Gummi-refia, Afafoetida, Pbarm. Lond. £sf_
Edin. Hingifeh Perfarum. AXxihtArabum, et a quibufdam creditur
's./Wicv vel o?roi (riKqtov Diofcor. Tbeopbrq/l. Hippoc. £ffr. Lafer et
Laferpitium, Latinorum.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Digynia. L, Gen.. Plant. 343.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Friidlns ovalis, comprefTo-planus, ftriis utrinque 3-.

Spec. Cb. F. Foliis alternatim finuatis obtufis.

LINN^US has given the fpecific character according to
Kaempfer's reprefentation of the Afafcetida plant, which differs in
many refpe£ts from the figure here annexed, which is taken from that
communicated to the Royal Society by the late Dr. Hope, and pub-
lifhed in the 75th volume of the Philofophical Tranfactions : and this
difference being fo confiderable as to indicate more than a mere
botanical variety, Sir Jofeph Banks thinks it probable that Afafcetida
may be produced from different fpecies of the ferula. Dr. Hope was
undoubtedly the firft who cultivated the Afafoetida plant in Britain,
or perhaps in Europe, and his accurate defcription of it, as it grew

\ Branca urfina is the Heracleum Sphondylium of Linnaeus.

in

( n )

in the botanical garden near Edinburgh, in the year 1784, is inferted
below.* Though Afafcetida was formerly in great eftimation both
as a medicine and a fauce, yet we had no particular account of the
plant till Kaempfer returned from his travels in Afia, and publifhed
his Amcenitates Exotica in the beginning of the prefent century.
As he faw the plant growing, and defcribes it from his own obferva-
tion, we have collected the following general defcription from the
hiftory he has given :

It is a native of Perfia, the root is perennial, tapering, ponderous,

* Plant a umbellifera, tripedalis, erecta, ramofa, glauca, flore luteo.
Radix perennis.

Folia radicalia fex, procumbentia, trilobo-ovata, multoties pinnatim divifa ; foliolis

incifis, fubacutis, fubdecurrentibus ; petiolo communi fuperne piano, linea

elevata longitudinaliter per medium decurrente.
Caulis bipedalis, ereclus, tereriufculus, annuus, leviter ftriatus, glaber, nudus praster

unam circa medium foliorum imperfectorum conjugationem ; petiolo mem-

branaceo concavo.

Ra?ni nudi, patuli ; quorum tres inferi, alterni, fuftinentur finguli folii imperfecTi
petiolo membranaceo concavo.
Quatuor intermedii verticillati funt. Supremi ex apice caulis o£to, quorum
interni eredti.

Omnes hi rami fummitate fuftinent umbellam compofitam feflilem terminalem,

et praeterea 3- — 6 ramulos externe pofitos, umbellas compofitas ferentes.
Hoc modo, rami inferiores fuftinent 5, raro 6 ramulos ; intermedii 3 vel 4 j

fuperiores I et 2.
Cal. Umbella univerfalis radiis 20 — 30 conftat.

1 partialis flofculis fubfeflilibus 10 — 20.

Umbella compofita feflilis convexo-plana.

pedunculata haemifpherica.

Involucrutn univerfale nullum.

partiale nullum.

Perianthium proprium vix notabile.
Cor. univerfalis uniformis.

Flofculi umbellae feflilis fertiles.

pedunculatae plerumque abortiunt.

propria petalis quinque sequalibus, planis, ovatis : primo patulis, dein reflexis,

apice afcendente.

St am. Filamenta 5, fubulata, corolla longiora, incurvata. Anther a fubrotundae.
Pist. Germen turbinatum, inferum.
Styli duo, reflexi.
Stigmata apice incraflata.
Per. nullum : fru&us oblongus, plano-comprefliis, utrinque 3 lineis elevatis notatus eft.
Sem. duo, oblonga, magna, utrinque plana, 3 lineis elevatis notata.

Planta odorem alliaceum difFundit. Folia, rami, pedunculi, radix, truncus, fecli
fuccum fundunt la&eum, fapore et odore Afas fcetidas.

and

( *4 )

and incieafes to the fize of a man's arm or leg, covered with a blackifh
coloured bark, and near the top befet with many ftrong rigid fibres;
the internal fubftance is white, flefhy, and abounds with a thick
milky juice, yielding an exceflively ftrong fetid alliaceous fmell ; the
ftalk is fimple, erect, ftraight, round, fmooth, ftriated, herbaceous,
about fix or feven inches in circumference at the bafe, and rifes
luxuriantly to the height of two or three yards, or higher;3 radical
leaves fix or feven, near two feet long, bipinnated, pinnulae alternate, j
fmooth, varioufly finuated, lobed, and fometimes lance-fhaped, of a
deep green colour, and fetid fmell ; the umbels are compound, plano-
convex, terminal, and confift of many radii : the feeds are oval, flat,
foliaceous, of a reddifh brown colour, rough, marked with three
longitudinal lines, have a porraceous fmell, and a fharp bitter tafte :
the petals Kaempfer did not fee, but fuppofes them in number five,
minute, and white.

This plant is faid to vary much according to the fituation and foil
in which it grows, not only in the fhape of the leaves, but in the pe-
culiar naufeous quality of the juice which impregnates them ; this
becomes fo far altered that they are fometimes eaten by the goats.

Afafcetida is the concrete juice of the root of this plant, which is
procured in the following manner on the mountains in the provinces
of Chorafaan and Laar in Perfia. At that feafon of the year when
the leaves begin to decay, the oldeft plants are feledted b for
this purpofe. Firft the firm earth which encompafTes the root, is
rendered light by digging, and part of it cleared away, fo as to leave
a portion of the upper part of the root above the ground ; the leaves
and ftalk are then twifted off and ufed with other vegetables for a
covering to fcreen it from the fun, and upon this covering a ftone is
placed to prevent the winds from blowing it down ; in this ftate the
root is left for forty days, after which the covering is removed, and
the top of the root cut off tranfverfely ; it is then fcreened again from
the fun for forty-eight hours, which is thought a fufficient time for
the juice to exude upon the wounded furface of the root, when the
juice is fcraped off by a proper inftrument, and expofed to the fun

a Caulis, in orgyjae, fefquiorgyjas, vel majorem longitudinem Iuxuriole exfurgens,
craflite in imo quanta manus complexum fuperat.

b Radix quadriennio minor parum la&efcit & nunquam fecatur.

to harden : this being done, a fecond tranfverfe fe&ion of the root
is made, but no thicker than is neceflary to remove the remaining
fuperficial concretions which would otherwife obftrucl: the farther
effufion of frefh juice ; the fcreening is then again employed for
forty-eight hours, and the juice obtained a fecond time, as before
mentioned. In this way the Afafcetida is eight times repeatedly
colle&ed from each root ; obferving, however, that after every third
fe&ion, the root is always fuffered to remain unmolefted for eight or
ten days, in order that it may recover a fufficient ftock of juice.
Thus, to exhauft one root of its juice, computing from the firft time
of colle&ing it to the laft, a period of nearly fix weeks is required;
when the root is abandoned, and foon perifhes.

The whole of jthis bufinefs is conducted by the peafants who live
in the neighbourhood of the mountains where the drug is procured ;
and as they colled: the juice from a number of roots at the fame
time, and expofe it in one common place to harden, the fun foon
gives it that confiftence and appearance in which it is imported into
Europe.

Afafcetida has a bitter, acrid, pungent tafte, and is well known by
its peculiar naufeous fetid imell, the ftrength of which is the fureft
teft of its goodnefs ; this odour is extremely volatile, and of courfe
the drug lofes much of its efficacy by keeping. According to
Kaempfer's account, the juice is infinitely more odorate when recent
than when in the ftate brought to us : Affirmare aufim, unam drachmam
recens effufam, majorem fpargere fcetorem, quam centum libras
vetuftioris quern ficcum venundant aromatarii noftrates. " We have
this drug in large irregular mafles of a heterogeneous appearance,
compofed of various mining little lumps or grains, which are
partly whitifh, partly of a brownim or reddifh, and partly of a violet
hue. Thofe mattes are accounted the beft which are clear, of a pale
reddifli colour, and variegated with a great number of fine white
tears. Afafcetida is compofed of a gummy and a refinous fubftance,
the firft in largeft quantity. Its fmell and tafte refide in the refin,
which is readily diflblved and extracted by pure fpirit, and, in a great
part, along with the gummy matter, by water.0 "

No. 2.

c Lewis's Mat. Med.
G

Afafcetida

( 26 )

Afafoetida is a medicine in very general life, and is cei'tainly a
more efficacious remedy than any of the other fetid gums : it is
moft commonly employed in hyfteria, hypochondriacs, fome fymp-
toms of dyfpepfia, flatulent colics, and in moft of thofe difeafes
termed nervous : but its chief ufe is derived from its antifpafmcdic
effects; and it is thought to be the moft powerful remedy we poflefs.for
thofe peculiar convulfive and fpafmodic affections which often recur
in the firft of thefe difeafes, both taken into the ftomach and in
the way of enema. It- is alio recommended as an emmenagogue,
anthelminthic, expectorant/ antiafthmatic, and anodyne. Where
we wifh it. to act immediately as an antifpafmodic, it mould be ufed
in a fluid form, as that of tincture.

In the London Pharmacopoeia, a fpirituous tincture of it is directed,
and it is alio an ingredient in the Pilulse e Gummi. In the Edinburgh
Pharmacopoeia, Afafoetida is ordered in the Tinctura fuliginis, in the
pilulse gummofae, and in the form of tincture with the Spt. Sal.
ammon. vinos.

d Dr. Cullen prefers it to the Gum Ammon as an expectorant. Afafoetida fliould
therefore have a double advantage in fpafmodic afthmas..

TORMENTILLA

PbtKtm JiVWoodrilU F'br? 1 J 79°-

( *7 )

TORMENTILLA ERECTA. COMMON TORMENTIL, Or

UPRIGHT SEPTFOIL.

STNO NT MA. Tormentilla, Pbann. Lond. fcf Edin. Tor-
mentilla Officinalis, Curt. Ft&r, Lond. Fragaria tetrape-
tala, foliis caulinis feffilibus qumati's. Hal. Sfirp. Hclv. n. 1 1 1 7.
Tormentilla fylveftris, Bauh. Pin. 326c Pentaphyllum aut
potius Heptaphyllum, flore aureo tetrapetalo, Tormentilla dictum.
HJl. Oxon, II. 190.

Clafs Icofandria. Ord. Polygynia. L. Gen. Plant. 635.

EJf. Gen. Char. Cal. 8-fidus. Petala 4. Sem. fubrotunda, nudar
receptaculo parvo exfucco affixa.

Spec. Char. T.. caule erectiufculo, foliis feffilibus^

THE root is perennial, thick, roundifh, irregularly conical,
knobbed, and covered with baik of a dark brown colour ; the internal
lubftance is denfe, and has a reddifh tinge ; it fends forth many
Items, which grow about a fpan high ; they are round, flender, firm,
fomewhat hairy, more or lefs erect, and branched towards the top.
The leaves upon the ftalk are generally divided into feven, but thofe
upon the branches are commonly five; of thefe, three are larger than,
the others ; they are all of an eliptical fhape, deeply ferrated, villous,
and the upper furface is of a deeper green colour than the under.
The flowers ftand fingly upon long peduncles, which fpring from the
alae of the leaves, each flower confirming of four fmall, roundilh, emar-
ginated, yellow petals; the calyx is cut into eight unequal fegments;
the piftilla are commonly eight, and contain as many feeds. This plant
is common in drypaftures, and ufually flowers in June. It is diftin-
guifhed from the Tormentilla reptans, .by its leffile leaves, its fmaller
petals, and its more erect ftem.

The.

( 28 )

The root is the only part of the plant which is ufed medicinally j
it has a ftrong ftyptic tafte, but imparts no peculiar fapid flavour.
As a proof of its powerful aftringency, it has been fubftituted for oak
bark in the tanning of fkins for leather/ This root has been long held
in great eftimation by phyficians, as a very ufeful aftringtnt ; and as
the refin b it contains is very inconfiderable, it feems more particularly
adapted to thofe cafes where the heating and ftimulating medicines of
this clafs are lefs proper ; as phthifical diarrhoeas, diarrhoea cruenta,
&c. Dr. Cullen c thinks " it has been juftly commended for every
virtue that is competent to aftringents," and fays, " I myfelf have
had feveral inftances of its virtues in this refpect ; and particularly I
have found it, both by itfelf and as joined with gentian, cure inter-
mittent fevers ; but it muft be given in fubftance, and in large
quantities." Rutty recommends it in thefe words : <£ Ulcera Vetera

putrida fanat vino vel aqua decocta collutione & infperfu. In vino
cocta optime deterget & roberat, in ulceribus fcorbuticis oris, gutturis,
& faucium ac in gingivis dhTolutis, fanguinem ftillantibus. Decocla
ad appetitum deperditum maxime valet, tonum ventriculi reftituens,
& fordes ejus abftergens. Non eft vegetabile quod in fluxionibus
alvi efhcacius fit. In dyfenterea epidemica quidam in ore tenent ad
prsecavendum contagium. In fluxu fanguinis, fluore albo, & mictu
involuntario valet." d

This root may be given in powder from half a dram to one dram
or more for a dofe, but it is more generally given in decoction,
and the following form is recommended by Lewis : An ounce and
an half of the powdered root is directed to be boiled in three pints
of water to a quart, adding, towards the end of the boiling, a dram
of cinnamon : of the ftrained liquor, fweetened with an ounce of
any agreeable fyrup, two ounces or more may be taken four or five
times a day.

Tormentil is ordered in the pulvis e creta compofitus of the
London Pharmacopoeia.

3 Bartholini A&. Med. Hafn. v. i. p. 88. and it has been obferved, that the leather
has been perfected in lefs time than when oak bark was ufed. Muf. Ruft. vol. 2. n. 1 2.
p. 51. b It gives out its aftringency both to water and rectified fpirit, moft perfectly to
the latter. The extracts obtained by infpiflation, are intenfely ftyptic, the fpirituous
moft fo. Lewis's Mat. Med. 654.

c Cullen's Mat. Med. vol. 2. p. 36. d Rutty's Mat. Med. 521.

( *9 )

HYPERICUM PERFORATUM. PERFORATED St. JOHN's

WORT.

SYNONYMA. .Hypericum, Pbarm. Lond. Hypericum
caule terete, alato, ramofiffimo, foliis ovatis perforatis. Hal. Stirp.
Helv. n. 1037. Hypericum vulgare five perforata, caule rotundo,
foliis glabris. J. Baubin III. 382. Hypericum vulgare, Baub.
pin. 279. Raii Synop. 342.

*

Clafs Polyadelphia. Ord. Polyandria. L. Gen. Plant. 902.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. 5-phyllus. Petala 5. NecJ. o, Capfula. Aborts
Hortus Kewenfis.

Spec. Cb. H. Floribus trigynis, caule ancipiti, fol. obtufis pellucido-
punctatis,

THIS fpecies of the Hypericum generally grows to the height of
a foot and a half ; the root is perennial, ligneous, divided and fubdi-
vided' into many fmall branches, and covered with a ftraw-coloured
bark ; the {talks are round, fmooth, of a light colour, and towards the
top fend off many oppofite floriferous branches ; the leaves are with-
out footftalks, and placed in pairs ; they are entire, oval, and. befet
with a great number of minute tranfparent veficles, || which have
the appearance of fmall perforations through the dilc, and hence
the fpecific name, perforatum.

The flowers are numerous, pentapetalous, terminal, of a deep
yellow colour, and grow in a corymbus, or in clufters, upon jfhort

|| Folia enim innumeris fcatent foraminibus, iifque adeo minutis, ut vifum effugiant,
nifi ipfa fulia fole obje<%a infpiciantur. Matthiol. in Liofcord. p. 668. And thefe
veficle?, or glandr, have been found to contain an efiential oil of a terebinthinate quality.
GeofFroy Mat. Med. Gadd tbjnks that it approaches nearer to the gum-refin, Lac.
Vet. Acad. Handl. J 762. p. J 19.

No. 2. H peduncles;

( 30 )

peduncles ; each petal is of an irregular oval fliape, and on the under
lide near the apex, is marked with many blackifh dots ; the calyx
conlifts of live perfiftent acute leaves ; the ftamina are numerous, and
commonly unite at their bafes into three portions, or bundles ; the
antherse are yellow, and marked with a fmall black gland j* the
ftyli are three, and the capfule has three cells, which contain many
fmall oblong brownifh feeds. It grows commonly in woods and
uncultivated grounds, and flowers in July.

Bergius defcribes the Hypericum quadrangulum inftead of the per-
foratum, and thinks it the better officinal plant. " In pharmacopo-
liis noftris indifcrete colligunt Hypericum perforatum & quadrangu-
lum ; quod perinde quoque effe poterit, cum amba? fpecies puncta
nigrecantia gerant ; quadrangulum vero plurima."* Hypericum has
a bitterifh fubaflringent tafte, and a fweetifh fmell. It was in great
repute with the antients,who prefcribed it in hyfteria, hypochondriacs,
and mania : they alfo imagined that it had the peculiar power of
curing demoniacks, and thence obtained the name of Fuga dctmonum?
it was alfo recommended internally for wounds,bruifes, ulcers,hasmop-
tyfis, midtus cruentus, gravel, dyfentery, agues, worms,cand outwardly
as an anodyne, and as a difcutient and detergent. However it is now
very rarely ufed, and its name is omitted in the Materia Medica of the
laft edition of the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia. In the London Pharma-
copoeia the flowers only are directed to be ufed, as containing the
greateft proportion of the refinous oily matter in which the medical
efficacy of the plant is fuppofed to relide. The dark puncta of the
petals and the capfules, afford this elfential oil, which is contained in
minute veficles, or glands, and gives a red colour to rectified fpirit,
and to expreffed oils : the latter has been long known in the mops
by the name of Oleum Hypericin

* Mr. Curtis obferves, that a little black gland on the anthera, diftinguiflies this
j'pecies at one view. Flor. Load.
» Bergius Mat. Med. 641.

b Scripfere quidam Hypericum adeo odiffe daemones, ut ejus fuffitu ftatim avolent.
Matthiol. 1. c.

c See Haller, 1. c. Alfton's Mat. Med. vol. 2. p. 150. "Bergius, 1. c. Murray's
Apparat. vol. 3. p. 518.
- This colouring matter gives a good die to wool. \Jadd. 1. c. aliique.

( 31 )

AMOMUM ZINGIBER. NARROW- LEAVED GINGER.

STNONTMA. Zingiber, Pbarm. Lond. fcf Editu Amomum
Zingiber, Jacquin Hort. Vindob. vol. i . /. 75. Zingiber,
Browne s Jam. 119, Shanes Jam. 1. p. 163. Infchi. Rbeed.
Mai. Z. anguftiori folio, &c. Pluk. Aim. Zingiber Majus,
Rumpb. Amb. 5. p. 156. ZiyyiGtph, Diofcorid. zlyyiGep, Galen,

Clafs. Monandria. Order. Monogynia. L. Gen. Plant. 2.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cor 4-fida : lacinia prima patente.
Sp. Cb\ A. fcapo nudo, fpica ovata.

c

THE root is perennial, firm, knotted, of a comprefTed roundhh
form, befet with tranfverfe rugse, covered with afh coloured
bark, partly of a purplifh tinge, and fends forth many long fibres and
ofF-fets ; the internal fubftance of the younger roots is foftifh, flefliy,
and greenilh ; of the older, it is compact, fibrous, whitifh, and when
powdered has a yellowifh appearance : the ftalks are about three feet
high, round, inclofed in an imbricated membraneous fheathing ; the
leaves are fword-fhaped, fmooth, pointed, entire, and ftand alternately
upon the fheathes of the ftalk the fcapus, or flower-ftem, riles about
a foot high, it is erect, round, alternately iheathed like the ftalks,
without leaves, and terminates in an oval, obtufe, bracteal, imbri-
cated fpike ; the corollsc, or flowers, appear between the bradteal
fcales of the fpike, two or three at a time.; they are of a dingy
yellow colour, monopetalous, tubular, and cut into three unequal,
acute, fegments, which have their points curled backwards ; the
nectary occupies the faux or mouth of the tube of the corolla,

No. 3. I and

[ 3* )

and has a bllabiated appearance ; the lip is obtufely trlfid, of a red-
difh purple colour, and marked with many yellowifh dots : but what
feems like the upper lip is the ftamen, or filament, which is convex
outwardly, concave within, and gradually tapers from its bafe to 'its
apex, where it is coloured like the nectary. The antherse are two,
oblong, whitifh, and lodged together in the cavity of the ftamen :
the ftyle is long and filiform : the ftigma obtufe and villous : the
capfule is three-celled, and contains many feeds.

The Ginger plant is a native of the Eaft-Indies, 3 and is faid to
grow in the greater!: perfection on the coaft of Malabar and Bengal ;b
but it is now plentifully cultivated in the warmer parts of America, J
and in the Weft-India iflands, from whence chiefly it is imported
into Europe. In 1731, it was firft introduced into this country by
Mr. P. Miller, c and is ftill carefully cultivated in the dry ftoves of
the curious. The flowers have a fweet fragrant fmell, and the leaves
and ftalks, efpecially when bruifed, alfo emit a faint fpicy odour, but
the hot acrid aromatic tafte is entirely confined to the root.

" In Jamaica, Ginger attains its full height, and flowers about
Auguft or September, and fades about the clofe of the year. When
the ftalks are entirely withered, the roots are in a proper ftate for
digging : this is generally performed in the months of January and
February. After being dug, they are picked, cleanfed, and gradually
feethed, or fcalded in boiling water ; they are then fpread out, and
expofed every day to the fun, till fuffkiently dried ; and after being
divided into parcels of about 100 lb. weight each, they are packed

a The following obfervation, made by Rumphius, feems however to deferve fome
notice : Quondam omne Zingiber petebatur ex ilia Africae parte, quae mari rubro adjacet
tarn intra quam extra illud, turn Arabia Trogloditica di<5t,a, cujus incolae hodie ab
Arabibus vocantur Zingi feu Zangi h. e. nigri feu adufti iEthiopes, unde & nomen
Zingiber feu Zingibel ortum duxit, ac fi difceretur, radices ex ^Ethiopia, atque nine jam
innotuit antiquis etiam fcriptoribus, utxDiofcoricl. lib. 2. cap, 154. Galeno. lib. b.?ned.Jimp.
ubi dicit Zingiber deferri ex Barbaria, per quam vocem intelligenda eft orientalis Africae
plaga. vide Herb. Amboin. vol. 5, p. 157. b Rurnph. I.e. % India Orientali per
Hifpanos ac praefertim per Francifcum de Mendofa, filium imperatoris Anthonii de
Mendofa cum aliis aromaticis herbis in novam Hifpaniam dedu&um eft, tejle Monardo
Jimp. Medic, cap. 18. Rumphius, 1. c. — Upon the death of Mendofa, thefe plants were
negledted, and all loft but the Ginger. Ginger is faid by fome to grow wild in America,
but Jacquin fays, M Sylveftrem in America non vidi."

? Aiton's Hort. Kewen.

in

»

C 33 )

in bags for the market: this is called the Black Ginger." d White
Ginger is the root of the fame plant, but inftead of the roots
being fcalded, by which they acquire the dark appearance of the
former, each root is picked, fcraped, feparately warned, and after-
wards dried with great care; of courfe more than a double expenfe of
labour is incurred, and the market price is proportionably greater.*
Black Ginger lofes part of its effential oil by being thus immerfed in
boiling water;6 on this account it is lefs ufeful for medical and other
purpoles than the white, which is always good when perfectly found
and free from worm-holes : but that imported from the Eaft-lndies
is ftronger than any we have from Jamaica. Ginger gives out its virtues
perfectly to rectified fpirit, and in a great meafure to water. According
to Lewis/ its active principles are of a remarkably fixed nature ; for a
watery infufion of this root being boiled down to a thick confiftence,
diffolved afrefh in a large quantity of water, and ftrongly boiled down
again, the heat and pungency of the root ftill remained, though with
little or nothing of its fmell. Ginger is generally confidered as an aro-
matic, lefs pungent and heating to the fyftem, than might be expected
from its effects upon the organs of tafte. Dr. Cullen thinks, however,
that there is no real foundation for this remark.5 It is ufed as an anti-
fpafmodic and carminative. The cafes in which it is more imme-
diately ferviceable, are flatulent colics, debility and laxity of the
ftomach and interlines, and in torpid and phlegmatic conftitutions to
excite brifker vafcular action. It is feldom given but in combination
with other medicines. In the Pharmacopoeias it is directed in the
form of a fyrup and a condiment,11 and in many compofitions it is
ordered as a fubfidiary ingredient.

d Long's Hiftory of Jamaica, p. 700.

* Rumphius remarks alfo, " Rubrse fpeciei radices crafliores funt, magifque nodofae?,
externc plerumque cinerea primum, atque fub hac purpurea rubente obdudtae pellicula,
uti & ipfarum caro ad oras rubet. &c. 1. c.

e We mention this on the authority of Jacquin, vide Hort. Vindob. vol. 1, No. 75,
f Mat. Med. Ackin's edition, p. 687. 8 Cullen's Mat. Med vol. 2, p. 206.

h For this purpofe the root fhould not be older than four or five months. Of the very
young roots the aromatic tafte is peculiarly grateful. " Junior recens crudaque radix
in Martinica in menfis apponitur, parvaque ejufdem portio folet cum bubuhi elixa comedi.
Eft etiam tunc infigniter acris, fed aroma longe gratius poflider, quam exficcata.'*
Jacquin. 1. c.

BUBON GALBANUM.

( 34 )

BUBON GALBANUM. LOVAGE- LEAVED BUBON.

STNONTMA. Bub on Galbanum. Jacquin Hort. Vindob. vol.
3, p. 21. Anisum Africanum frutescens, folio anisi,

GALBANIFERUM. Pluken. Aim. p. 31,/. 12. FERULA AfRICANA
GALBANIFERA, FOLIO ET FACIE LIGUSTICI. Herm. Parad. p.

163./. 163. Gummi-resin a. Galbanum, Pharm.Lond*l$ Edin.

xahCctvn Diofcorid. Tuk^vh Grac.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Digynia. L. Gen. Plant. 350.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Fruclus ovatus, ftriatus, villofus.

Sp. Ch. B. foliolis rhombeis dentatis ftriatis glabris, umbell. paucis. L.
B.Foliolis ovato-cuneiformibus acutis argute ferratis, umbellis paucis,
feminibus glabris, caule frutefcente glauco. Aito?is Hort. Kewen.

THE ftalk is fhrubby, feveral feet high,* flender, purplifh,
covered with a glaucous-coloured exudation,b round, bending, knot-
ted or jointed, towards the bottom woody and naked, but towards
the top fending off leaves and branches ; the compound leaves rife
from the ftriated fheathes of the ftem, they are fubtripinnated, the
uppermoft fubbipinnated, and have ftrong round ribs ; the fimple
leaves are rhomboidal, acute, thickifh, of a fea-green colour, veined,
fubtrilobed, cut, or irregularly ferrated, but near the bafe entire, and
fome leaves upon the upper branches arefomewhat wedge-lhaped; the

yiov oil) iU . ioin yvri to iDol c&rtJ T-'blo 3d 3on biiioni jgoi oni yifKiiuq ioi

xibu%. supstuaa ?asor)i Tpini/L " .iul •• /Lisitioadi zl 9&si Dbsrpow.sdl/iJoai saw?
* Jacquin fays five feet or more ; but tins plant is now growing in the King s garden

at Kew, four yards high.

b This obfervation applies to the younger plants, or to the upper and fofter part of the

folk,

UU;:/ JJ/,0 , ;Jini ' principal

( 3S )

principal umbel terminates the ftem, and Is large, plano-convex, and
compofed of numerous radii ; the lateral umbels are few, and grow
upon flender pendent branches; the leaflets of the general involucrum
are about twelve, narrow, lanceolated, membraneous,whitifh, and bent
downwards ; of the partial involucrum they are fix, of the fame fhape
and patent. The flowers ate all hermaphrodite, fertile, firft open
at the circumference of the umbel, and followed fucceffively by
thofe towards the centre ; the petals are equal, patent, have their
points turned inwards, and are of a greenilh yellow colour; the ftamina
are greenifh, longer than the petals, and the antherae are yellow ; the
germen is round and narrow atrfhe bafe, the ftyles are two, fliort and
tapering ; the feeds are two, brownifh, oval, with fmooth uneven fur-
faces, and marked with three elevated lines. The whole plant is fmooth,
has an aromatic fmell, and an acrid biting tafte. It is a native of Afri-
ca, about the Cape of Good Hope, and flowers in June and July. It
was firft introduced into Britain by Mr. John Gerard in 1596/ and
all the four fpecies defcribed by Linnseus have been fince cultivated
by Mr. Miller. Through the induftry of Mr. Maflbn, a new fpecies of
the Bubon (the laevigatum) has been difcovered at the Cape of Good
Hope, and is now in the Royal garden at Kew. Notwithftanding we
have reprefented the Bubon Galbanum as the plant yielding the
officinal drug ; yet it is ftill a matter of doubt which fpecies of
thefe umbelliferous plants really produces it ; and although we have
referred to Herman's Ferul^Africana, yet we wifti to obferve, that
he thought this matter ftill uncertain/ It feems highly probable that
Galbanum is obtained from different fpecies of the Bubon,e though,
upon the authority of Linnaeus, the London, Edinburgh, and other
medical colleges, confine their reference to the fpecies we have
figured.

The juice is obtained partly by its fpontaneous exudation

e Aiton's Hort. Kew. d Genuina ilia planta, quae Galbanum officinarum fundit,
noftri faeculi Botanicis nondum innotuit. Ferulaceam cfle veteres docent omnes, quaenam
vero fpecies fit, non conftat. Parad. Bat. 1. c.

Hermann is certainly a good authority ; he was an intelligent phyfician, and prac-
tifed many years in the Eaft-Indies, about the latter end of the laft century, and alfo at
the Cape of Good Hope : his judgment therefore, as well as his fidelity, is at leaft equal
to that of Plulcenett's, which Linnaeus prefers.

e Plures extare pofTunt ftirpes, quae fuccum Galbano fimilem ftillant, ut de variis
lachrymis quae inter fe conveniunt & e diverfis ftirpibus leguntur, nobis compertum eft.
Herm. 1. c.

No. 3. K from

( 3^ )

from the joints of the ftem, but more generally and frl greater
abundance by making an incifion in the ftalk a few inches above
the root, from which it immediately iflues, and foon becomes fuffi-
ciently concrete to be gathered.

Galbanum is commonly imported into England from Turkey, and
from the Eaft-Indies, in large foftifh ductile pale-coloured maffes, which
by age acquire a brownifh yellow appearance; thefe are intermixed with
diftinct white grumes or tears, which are accounted the beft part of the
mafs ; but the feparate hard tears are externally of a ferruginous colour,
and always preferred to the mafs itfelf. Geoffroy diftinguifhes the for-
mer into Galbanon en larmes9and the latter into G alb anon en pains. Spiel-
man mentions a liquid fort of Galbanum, which is brought from Perfia,
" Proftat etiam interdum Galbanum liquidum ex Perfia, confiftentia
terebinthina? inltructum, cui multae faeces nigra? commixtse funt, tem-
pore ad fundum fecedentes, odorem refinae, nunquam Galbani, habet."f
Galbanum has a ftrong unpleafant fmell, and a warm bitterifh acrid
tafte ; " like the other gummy refins it unites with water by tritura-
tion into a milky liquor, but does not perfectly diflblve, as fome have
reported, in water, vinegar, or wine. Rectified fpirit takes up much
more than either of thefe menftrua, but not the whole : the tincture
is of a bright golden colour. A mixture of two parts of rectified
fpirit, and one of water, diflblves all but the impurities, which are
commonly in confiderable quantity.2" — In diftillation with water, the
oil feparates and rifes to the furface, in colour yellowifh, in quantity
about one-twentieth of the weight of the Galbanum. Newman
obferves, that the empyreumatic oil is of a blue colour, which
changes in the air to a purple*

Galbanum, medicinally confidered, may be faid to hold a middle
rank between Afafcetida and Ammoniacum ; but its fetidnefs is very
inconfiderable, efpecially when compared with the former, it is there-

f Mat. Med. p. 560. « Lewis's Mat. Med. by Dr. Aikin, p. 314.
The Galbanum colour was a prevailing fafliion with the Romans.
Reticulumque comis auratum ingentibus implet,

Ccerulea indutus fcutulata, aut galbana rafa; Juvenal, Sat. 2, 1. 96.

And Martial, fpeaking of an effeminate perfon, fays, Galbanos habet mores. Lib.

i.Epig. 97. Commentators differ about the colour of Galbana Rafaj we have

defcribed the Galbanum flower to be of a greenifh yellow.

fore,

( 37 )

fore accounted lefs antifpafmodic, nor is it fuppofed to affect the
bronchial glands fo much as to have expectorant powers equal to thofe
of the latter; it has the credit however of being more ufeful in hyfterical
diforders,and of promoting and correcting various fecretions and uterine
evacuations. Externally Galbanum has been applied to expedite the
fuppuration of inflammatory and indolent tumours, and medically as
a warm ftimulating plafter. It is an ingredient in the pilule e gummi,
the emplaftrum lithargyri cum gummi, of the London Pharm. and in
the empl. ad clavos pedum of the Edin.

TUSSILAGO FARFARA. COLTSFOOT.

STNONTMA. Petasites scapo unifloro, flore radiato,
Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 143. Bechium, Do don. Pempt. 586.
Tussilago vulgaris. Baiih. Pin. 197. Zannich. Venez. t. 266.
Tussilago. Clus. Hijl. 1 40. Camer. Epit. 590. Gerard, 811. Par-
kinfon , 1 220. Rati Hift. Plant, 25 9. Tussilago Farfara. Curtis
Flor. Lond. Relhan. Flor. Cantab. Withering. Bo tan. Arrang. p.
904. 1 »x">v * Diofcorid. Hippoc. &c.

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Polygamia Superflua. L. Gen. PI. 952.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Recept. nudum. Pappus fimplex. Cal. fquamse
aequales, difcum sequantes, fubmembranacese.

Sp. Char. T. fcapo unifloro imbricato, fol. fubcordatis angulatis
denticulatis.

THE root is long, round, tapering, creeping, and fends off* many
fmall fhort fibres ; the ftalks are furrowed, downy, fimple, fix or eight

* Suppofed to be derived from tuflis, hence Tuflilago*

inches

( 3§ )

Inches high, befet with feveral fcaly leaves, of a brownifh pink
colour, and clofely embracing the ftem ; the leaves are obtufely heart-
fhaped, angular, irregularly indented, above of a bright green colour,
beneath white, downy, and ftand upon long roundifh radical foot-
ftalks ; the flowers are compound, large, and yellow ; the florets in
the difc are hermaphrodite, tubular, the limb is cut into five acute
fegments, which curl outwardly ; the antherse, by uniting, form a
tube, but their apices are feparate and pointed ; the germen is fhort,
the ftyle filiform, longer than the antheraz, and the ftigma is
round : the florets at the circumference are female, tubular at the bafe,
and the limb is long and linear ; the germen is oblong ; the ftigma
bifid ; the feed is oblong, and of a pale-brown colour, crowned with
fimple down ; the calyx is cylindrical, and the leaflets or fquamse are
oblong, pointed, and alternately narrower. It is common in moift
clayey places, and the flowers appear fometime before the leaves, in
March or April.

The fenfible qualities of Tuflilago are very inconfiderable ; it has
a rough mucilaginous tafte, but no remarkable fmell. The leaves
have always been of great fame, as pofiefling demulcent and pectoral
virtues ; of courfe, it is efteemed ufeful in pulmonary confumptions,
coughs, afthmas, and in various catarrhal fymptoms.a Fuller, in his
Medicina Gymnaftica,b recommends Coltsfoot as a valuable medicine
in fcrophula ; and Dr. Cullen, who does not allow it any powers as
a demulcent and expectorant, found it ferviceable in fome ftrumous
affections/ It may be ufed as tea, or given in the way of infufion,
to which liquorice-root or honey, may be a ufeful addition.

a We might, without exception, cite every writer upon the Materia Medica. Percival
found it alfo ufeful in he&ic diarrhoeas. Eflays Med. & Exper. vol. 2. p. 224. Cartheufer
advifes it to be given with the roots of Dandelion. Mat. Med. 416. The juice,
liberally drunk, has been beneficial in calculous complaints. Comm. Lit. Nor. 1736,
p. 194. b p. 84.

c Every part of the plant has been medicinally employed for the fame purpofe, but more
ufually the leaves, and thefe are the principal ingredient in the Britifh herb tobacco. It
is remarkable, that the fmoking of this plant has the recommendation of Diofcorides,
Galen, Pliny, Boyle, &c. Et adhuc hodie plebs in fuecia inftar tabaci contra tuflim
fugit. Lin. Flor. Suec. p. 289, and under the direction of Pliny it is certainly an
eiftcacious remedy — in fingulos hauftus, paflum guftandum eft. lib. 26. c. 6. p. 651.

PLANTAGO MAJOR.

( 39 )

PLANTAGO MAJOR. COMMON GREAT PLANTANE,

Or, WAY-BREAD.

SYNONYM A. Plant a go. Pharm. Edin. Plant ago foliis
petiolatis, ovatis, glabris ; fpica cylindrica. Hal. Stirp. Helv.
n. 660. Plantago latifolia finuata, Bauh. Pi??. 189. Plan-
Tago fimpliciter dicta. Rait Hlft. Pla??t. 876. Plantago
latifolia vulgaris. Parkin/on, 493. Plantago vulgaris.
Gerard. 419. Plantago Major. Curtis, Flor. Lond. Relhan,
Flor. Cantab, p. 61. Withering, Bot. Arrang. 142. <L?voyhco<r<Tov
Diofcorid. * (lingua agnina) CI. Aiton pro varietatibus habet

* Plantago latifolia vulgaris. Park. Tbeat. 493.

0 Plantago major, panicula fparfa. Ba?ih. Hiji. 3. p. 503.

y Plantago latifolia rofea, floribus quafi in fpica difpofitis. Bauh,

Pin. 189. vide Hort. Kew.

+ - >

Clafs. Tetrandria. Ord. Monogynia. L. Gen. Plant 142.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. 4-fidus. Cor. 4-fida : limbo reflexo. Stami?ia
longiffima. Caps. 2-locularis, circumfcifTa.

Sp. Ch. P. foliis ovatis glabris, fcapo tereti, fpica flofculis imbricatis.

THE root is perennial, fhort, thick, and puts forth feveral long
whitifh fibres, which ftrike down in a perpendicular direction : the
leaves are oval, procumbent, irregularly fubdentated, of a pale green
colour, ribbed; ribs, commonly feven, often five, and fometimes nine:
the footftalks are long, concave above, and proceed from the root ;
the fiower-ftems are generally three or four, about a fpan high, downy,

* (Plantago Media) It has alfo been named from the number of ribs, or nerves of
the leaf, as poft«foffFj eT7*TA$t/j>r, &c.

No- 3- L round,

( 40 )

round, fmooth below the fpike, and fomewhat incurvated ; the calyx
is of four leaves, fomewhat erect, oval, obtufe, fmooth, and perfiftent;
the flowers are fmall, produced on a long cylindrical imbricated fpike,
which occupies more than half the ftem ; each flower confifls of a
roundifh tube, narrow at the mouth, and the four fegments are heart
maped, pale, withered, and bent downwards ; the bra&ea is oval, flefhy,
and larger than the calyx ; the ftamina are whitifh, longer than the
corolla, and the antherse are purple : the germen is oval, the ftyle
fhort and filiform, and the ftigma fimple ; the capfule divides
horizontally in the middle ; and, according to Mr. Curtis, contains
about twenty unequal brown feeds. It grows commonly in paftures
and way-fides, and flowers in June.

The name Plantago, is omitted in the London Pharmacopoeia,
but it is ftill retained in the Materia Medica of the Edinburgh
college, in which the leaves are mentioned as the pharmaceutical part
of the plant : thefe have a weak herbaceous fmell, and an auflere
bitterifh fubfaline tafte ; and their qualities are faid to be refrigerant,
attenuating, fubftyptic, and diuretic.

Plantago was formerly reckoned amongft the moft efficacious of
vulnerary herbs ; and by the peafantb the leaves are now commonly
applied to frefh wounds, and cutaneous fores. Inwardly, they have
been ufed in phthifical 3 complaints,15 fpitting of blood, and in various
fluxes, bothcalvine and hsemorrhagic. The feeds, however, feem to us
better adapted to relieve pulmonary difeafes than the leaves, as they
are extremely mucilaginous. The roots have alfo been recommended
for the cure of tertian intermittents ; and from the experience of
Bergius, not undefervedly : " Plurima: funt narrationes de utilitate
radicis plantaginis in Tertianis. Periculum ipfe feci, dofi largiori,
fcil. a drachmis 3 ad 6, quovis die, fub apyrexia; fed contra febres
autumnales nihil valuit Plantago ; in vernalibus autem febribus
fubinde opem tulit.d " An ounce or two of the exprefled juice, or

• Celfus, lib. 3. c. 22. Schulz, Mat. Med. p. 412. Pliny, lib. 26. c. 2. Petzoldt.
Eph. Nat. Cur. cent. 7. Obf. 10. p. 25. b Boyle de util. Phil. Nat. p. 2. p. 150.
c Rofenft. Bafkd. p. 81. A Mat. Med. p. 70.

* Plantane has been alledged to be a cure for the bite of the rattle-fnake : but for this
there is probably but little foundation, although it is one of the principal ingredients
in the remedy of the Negro Caefar, for the difcovery of which he received a conliderable
reward from the Aflembly of South Carolina." Duncan's New Edinb. Difpen.

hi

( 41 )

the like quantity of a ftrong infufion of Plantane, may be given for
a dofe ; in agues the dofe lhould be double this quantity, and taken
at the commencement of the fit.

ARCTIUM. LAPPA. BURDOCK.

SYNONYMS. B ardana. Pharm. Lond. & Edin. Lappa.
Hal. Sfirp. Helv. n. 161. Lappa seu Personata. RaiiHift.
p. 332. Lappa Major, Arctium Dioscoridis. Bauh. Pin.
198. Personata. Camerar Epit. 887. Bardana sive
Lappa major. Dodon. 38. J. Bauh. vol. 3. 570. Bardana
major. Gerard^ 809. Bardana Vulgaris major, Park.
1222. Arctium Lappa. Cart. Flor. Lond. Relh 'an Cant. 302.
Withering. B. A. 163. a?ks-iov, h^i\m Gracor. Varietates
fic fe habent, Hort. Kew. vol. 3. p. 136.
«* Lappa major capitulo glabro maximo. Rail Syn. 196.

SMOOTH-HEADED COMMON BURDOCK.

P Lappa maj'or montana, capitulis tomentofis. Bauh. Pin. 198.

WOOLY-HEADED BURDOCK.

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Polygamia iEqualis. L. Gen. PI. 923.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. globofus : fquamis apice hamis inflexis.

Sp. Ch. A. foliis cordatis inermibus petiolatis.

THE root is biennial, fubcylindrical, long, fimple, externally of
a dark brown colour, internally white, and lends off many /lender
fibres : the ftalk is erect, roundilh, grooved, villous, purplifh, above
an inch in diameter, three feet high, and alternately branched : the
leaves are alternate, patent, heart-ftiaped, veiny, above of a dark
green colour, underneath whitifh ; the lower leaves are very large,
and ftand upon long footftalks, which are grooved like the ftem : the

calyx

( 4> )

calyx is common to all the florets, imbricated, globular, the exterior
Icales are entangled in line wooly threads, firm, elaftic, and their
extremities are polifhed and hooked ; the flowers are numerous, dif-
pofed in heads, and ftand alternately upon footftalks on the
branches ; the corolla is compound, the florets purple, tubular,
each having the limb divided into five pointed fegments ; the ftamina
are five, white, and filiform ; the antherse unfte into a tube, are of
a bluifh colour, and project beyond the corolla; the germen is fome-
what triangular, the ftyles white, and longer than the ftamina, and the
ftigma bifid ; the feeds are oblong, brown, and have irregular rough
furfaces.

This plant is common in wafte grounds and road fides ; it flowers
in July and Auguft, and is well known by the burs, or fcaly heads,
which ftick to the clothes, a circumftance from whence the word
Lappa is fuppofed to be derived. J The Pharmacopoeias direct the
root for medical ufe : it has no fmell, but taftes fweetifh, and mixed
as it were with a flight bitterifhnefs and roughnefs. Its virtue,
according to Bergius, is mundificans, diuretica, diaphoretica ;a and
many inftances are upon record in which it has been fuccefsfully
employed in a great variety of chronic difeafes, as fcurvy, rheuma-
tifm, gout, lues venerea, and pulmonic complaints. We have never
had an opportunity of obferving the effects of this root, except as a
diuretic, and in this way we have known it fucceed in two dropfical
cafes, where other powerful medicines had been ineffectually ufed :
and as it neither excites naufea nor increafes irritation, it may occa-
fionally deferve a trial where more active remedies are improper. The
feeds alfo poffefs a diuretic quality, and have been given with advan-
tage in the dofe of a dram in calculous and nephritic cor%plaints, and
in the form of emulfion as a pectoral. The root is generally ufed in
decoction, which may be made by boiling two ounces of the frefh
root in three pints of water to two, which, when intended as a
diuretic, fhould be taken in the courfe of two days, or if poffible in
twenty-four hours.

£ Lappa dici poteft vel a-ro t« \a.Q>uv prehendere vel Ka^thv lambere. Ray, I. c.

a Mat Med. 653. b Henricus III. Galliarum Rex, a Petro Pena deco&o radicum
Lappa; ab hac lue lanatus fuit. Vide Rcverius, Obf. 41.

The young ftems of this plant, ftripped of their rind, are boiled and eat like afparagus.
When raw, they are good with oil and vinegar. Withering, 864. 1. c.

( 43 )

GUAIACUM OFFICINALE. OFFICINAL GUAIACUM.

STNON TMA. Guaiacum. Pharm. Loud, fc? Edin. Millers
Di6l. Guaiacum, foliis fere impetiolatis, bijugatis, obovatis &
leniter radiatis ; pinnis & ramulis dichotomis. Browne s Jamaica,
225. Lignum Vitse, or Guaiacum. Hughes's Barbadoes, 142.
Guaiacum Americanum primum, fructu aceris, five legitimum.
Breyn. Prodr. i. 31. Pruno vel Euonymo affinis arbor, folio alato,
buxeo, fubrotundo, flore pentapetalo cazruleo racemofo, fructu
aceris cordato, cujus cortex luteus corrugatus, femen unicum
majufculum nigricans nullo ofliculo tectum operit. Shane's Jam.
vol. 2, 133. &° Cat. P. Jam. 186. Guaiacum flore caeruleo, fructu
fubrotundo. Plum. Nov. Gen. 39. Guaiacum, magna matrice.
Bauh. Pin. 448. Lignum fan&um, Lignum Indicum, et Palus
fanctus, ^uorundam.

Clafs Decandria. Order Monogynia. L. Gen. Plant. 518.

EJf. Gen., Ch. Cal. 5-fidus inasqualis. Petala 5, calyci inferta. Caps,
angulata 3 s 5-locularis.

Sp. Ch. G. foliolis bijugis obtufis.

THE Guaiacum tree grows to the height of forty feet, and to
the circumference of four or five, fending forth feveral large , dividing
and fubdividing knotted branches : the bark of the trunk is of a
dark grey colour, variegated with greenifh or purplifh fpecks, but of
the branches it is uniformly afh-coloured, ftriated, and marked with
filfures ; " the roots are very thick in proportion to the fize of the
tree, and run a great way into the ground, in a perpendicular direc-
tion :"the leaves are pinnated, confifting of two, three, and fometimes
four pair of pinnae, with very fhort footftalks, fmooth, fhining, veined,
No. 4. M of

( 44 )

of an inverfely oval fhape, and dark green colour : the flowers grow
in clutters, or umbels, upon long peduncles, which fpring from the
divifions of the fmaller branches : the calyx is of five leaves : thefe
are concave, oblong, obtufe, patent, unequal, and deciduous ; the
petals are five, elliptical, concave, fpreading, and of a rich blue colour;
the ftamina are eredt, villous, taper from the bafe, and are crowned
with yellowifh hooked antherae ; the germen is oval, angular, and in
its capfular ftate alTumes the figure we have feparately defcribed ; the
ityle is fhort and tapering ; the ftigma is limple, and pointed j the
feeds are folitary, hard, and of an oblong fhape.

Linnaeus makes three fpecies of the Guaiacum, viz. the officinale,
fanclum, and afrum ; the fpecific difference between the two former
he fixes wholly on the number of the pinnae of the leaves, defining
the firft foliolis bijugis, and the fecond foliolis multijugis ; but the
leaves, according to the plant we have figured, commonly confift of
three, and fometimes four pair of pinnae, a fo that this fpecific defcrip-
tion is by no means diftinctly chara&:eriftic. In a medical fenfe,
the fanctum has been generally confidered fynonymoufly with the
officinale, and from the invefligation we have given this fubjecl:, we
believe it founded in botanical truth.b

This tree is a native of the Weft: India iflands, and the warmer
parts of America, and appears from the MS. of Sir Hans Sloane, in
the Britifh Mufeum, to have been firft cultivated in this country by
the Duchefs of Beaufort in 1699.° The wood, gum, bark, fruit, and
even the flowers of this tree, have been found to poffefs medicinal
qualities/ The wood is brought here principally from Jamaica in
large pieces of four or five cwt. each, and, from its hardnefs and
beauty, is in great demand for various articles of turnery ware. —

a There can be no doubt of our plant being the true officinale, we had it with feveral
others from Mr. Aiton, whofe extenfive botanical knowledge is above our praife, and
only to be equalled by that liberality of mind with which he communicates it. The
teftimony of Sir Hans Sloane is in oppofition to Linnaeus, for he obferves that the
leaves have fometimes four pair of pinnae.

*» Monardus divides the wood into three forts, and C. Bauhin adopts two of thefe by
the diftin&ions of Guaiacum magna matrice, and the Guaiacum propemodum fine
matrice : thefe circumftances, however, depend upon the age, fize, &c. of the tree.
The icons of thefe fpecies, given by Blackwell and Regnaulr, cannot, we prefume, be
confidered as decifive.

« Vide Alton's Hort. Kew.- d Long's Hiftory of Jamaica, vol. 3. p. 725.

It

( 45 )

It is extremely compact, and fo heavy as to fink in water : the outer
part is of a pale yellowiih colour, the heart of a dark blackiih brown,
with a greater or lefs admixture of green. It fcarcely difcovers any
fmell, unlefs heated, or while rafping, in which circumftances it
yields a light aromatic one : chewed, it impreifes a flight acrimony,
biting the palate and fauces. Its pungency refides in a refinous
matter, which is totally extracted by digeftion in rectified fpirit, and
partially by boiling water. The quantity of folid extract, obtained
by reclined fpirit, amounts to about one-fourth of the weight of the
wood ; with water, fcarcely one-fixth is obtained.6 The gum, or
rather gummy refm, is obtained by wounding the bark in different
parts of the body of the tree, or by what has been called jagging.
It exudes copioufly from the wounds, though gradually ; and when
a quantity is found accumulated upon the feveral wounded trees,
hardened by expofure to the fun, it is gathered and packed in fmall
kegs for exportation. This refin is of a friable texture, of a deep
greenifh colour, and fometimes of a reddifh hue ; it has a pungent
acrid talte, but little or no fmell, unlefs heated. It contains more
refin than the watery extract made from the wood ; and more gummy
matter than the fpirituous extract/ — The Guaiacum tree alfo yields a
fpontaneous exudation from the bark, which is called the native gum,
and is brought to us in fmall irregular pieces, || of a bright femipellucid
appearance, and differs from the former in being much purer.5 The
Bark contains lefs refinous matter than the wood, and is confequently
a lefs powerful medicine, though in a recent irate it is ftrongly
cathartic. The Fruit, (fays a late author) " is purgative ; and, for
medicinal ufe, far excels the bark. A decoction of it has been known
to cure the venereal difeafe, and even the yaws in its advanced ftage,

e Lewis's M. M. 330. f Des Marchais, Voyage en Guinee & Cayenne, torn. 3.
p. 246. " The Gum, or rather the refin of this plant, tranfudes frequently of its own
accord, and may be feen concreted on many parts of it at all feafons of the year; but
it is generally found in greater abundance where the bark has been cut or wounded."
Browne's Jam. 226.

I It is fometimes fophifticated by the negroes with the gum of the Manchineal tree,
(a fpecies of the Hippomane) but this is eafilv detected by difiolving a little in fpirit of
wine or rum. The true gum imparts a whitifh or milky tinge ; but the Manchineal
gives a greenifh caff. Long, I. c. 724. Mouch advifes a few drops of Spirit, nitri
dulc. to be added to the fpirituous folution, and then to be diluted with water, by which
the gum is precipitated in a blue powder j but the adulteration will appear floating in
white ftriae, &c. Vide Crcll's Chem. Journ. P, 2. p. 78. * Long, 1. c.

without

( 46 )

without the ufe of mercury." The Flowers, or bloflbms, are laxative,
and in Jamaica are commonly given to children in the form of fyrup,
which in appearance much refembles that of violets. It is only the
wood and rehn of Guaiacum which are now in general medical ufe in
Europe ; and as the efficacy of the former is fuppofed to be derived
merely from the quantity of refinous matter which it contains, they
may be confidered indifcriminately as the fame medicine. Guaiacum
was firft introduced in the Materia Medica foon after the difcovery
of America, h and previous to the proper ufe of mercury in the lues
venerea, it was the principal remedy employed for the cure of that
difeafe, and its great fuccefs brought it into fuch repute, that it is
faid to have been fold for feven gold crowns a pound but notwith-
standing the very numerous teftimonies in its favour J, it often failed
in curing the patient, and was at length entirely fuperfeded by
mercury ; and though it be ftill occasionally employed in fyphilis,
yet it is rather with a view to correct other vitia in the habit, than
for its effects as an antivenereal.*

The general virtues of Guaiacum are ftated by Bergius to be
mundificans, fudorifera, diuretica, fubcalefaciens, ftomachica, and its
ufe to be in fyphilis, arthritis,*)" rnorbi cutis, odontalgia; kand to thefe
we may add chronic rheumatifm, fcrophula, and fome fcirrhous
difeafes. — To Dr. Cullen Guaiacum feems analogous to the na-
ture of the balfams and turpentines, he therefore fuppofes it like

h Initium celebritatis dedit felix curatio, qiiam in infula St. Dominici Hifpanus
quidam fuperioris ordinis, qui morbum ab India muliere contraxerat, jam doloribus
diris detentus, fuadente famulo fuo Indo, ex hoc ligno in femet experiebatur. Ejus
exemplo praeeunte, plures alii Hifpani eodem modo contaminati ad idem auxilium faufiro
fucceilli confugerunt. Quod quum poft reditum Hifpali ab hifce evulgaretur, hinc per
totam Hifpaniam, & inde per toturn reliquum orbem, quern lues occupaverat,fama remedii
increbuit. Monardes Simpl. Med. p. 341. Vide Murray's Ap. Med. vol. 3. 409.
And according to Delgado, Guaiacum was ufed in Spain fo early as 1508. (del modo de
adoperare el Legno fanto. Venet. 1529).

1 Vide Friend's Hift. voL 2. p. 365. And Maffa de Morb. gal. 71. fays, Ligni libra
una fcutatis aureis undecim veniret. % Vide Bohm DifT. variae fiphilidis therapia;.

* Perhaps the opinions and fa&s adduced by Boerhaave, Aftruc, Plenk, De Haen,
Hutten, anu'lately by Mr. Hunter, may be confidered in fome meafure as exceptions. —
The laft of thefe authors remarks, that the Guaiacum was firft ufed in Europe as a
remedy for the Syphilis in 1517 ; but from the authority we have cited above, it appears
to have been employed nine years fooner.

t Though upon 'the authority of Mead, Pringle, and others, Guaiacum has been
much employed in rheumatifm?, yet it was of little eftimation in the gout till Mr.
Emerigon of Martinico, publiihed his letters about thirteen years ago, (Specifique contre
la goutte, &c,) k Mat, Med. 346,

thefe

( 47 )

thefe to be very diffufible in the fyftem, and thereby to have a con-
fiderable power in ftimulating the extreme veffels every where ; and
in this way he accounts for its power in chronic rheumatifm, and
from its palling off by the pores of the fkin, he confiders it a
probable remedy in fome cutaneous diforders.1

This opinion correfponds with Murray's, who fays, Et

hifce partibus refinofis quidem Guaiacum per minimos corporis noftri
canales efficaciter penetrat, impatta refolvit & difcutit, balfamicam
virtutem exercet et fudorem potenter pellit, item evacuationes per
alvum vel lotium, vel aliquando falivse profluvium, ciet.ra According
to Lewis, where the excretory glands are obftrutted, the veflels lax
and flaccid, and the habit replete with ferous humours, it has good
effects : but in thin emaciated habits, and an acrimonious ftate of the
fluids, it often does harm." — We have frequently conjoined it with
mercury and foap, and in fome cafes with bark or fteel, and found it
eminently ufeful as an alterative. In the pharmacopoeias it is directed
in the form of tincture and elixir; the latter is ordered by the
Edinburgh college to be prepared in two ways, viz. with rectified
fpirit, and the vinous fpirit of fal ammoniac.0 Of thefe compounds
the dofe may be from two fcruples to two drams : the powder is
generally given from 6 grains to 20, or even more, for a dofe, either
by itfelf, or in a fluid form, by means of mucilage or the yolk of egg.
The Decoctum lignorum, (Pharm. Ed.) of which Guaiacum is the
chief ingredient, is commonly taken in the quantity of a pint a day.

1 Mat. Med. vol. 2. 197. m Murray's Ap. Med. vol. 3. 408. n I. c. 331.
• Dr. Cullen obferves, that " feveral phyficians have apprehended mifchief from the
ufe of the Guaiacum in a fpirituous tincture, and I am certain that it fometimes happens.
It is therefore that in imitation of the very refpectable Berger of Copenhagen I avoid the
fpirituous tinflure of Guaiacum, and employ almolt only the diftunon of it in water.
In preparing this, having firft with an equal part of hard fugar reduced the Guaiacum to
a fine powder, I apply fome portion of the yolk of egg, or of a mucilage of gum
arabic, and rubbing thefe together very carefully, I form an emulfion with water, or
watery liquors, as may be thought proper. This preparation I give over night in foch a
quantity as may open the belly once next day, which will happen to different perfons
from dofes containing 15 to 30 grains of the Guaiacum." M. M. 199. Berger's formula
is the following^: ft G. guaiaci *fs G. arabici Jjij. Bene trita folv. in aqua; hyflbpi
vel alius diftill $ix. Add. facchari |fs m. d. f. folutio, cujus duo cochlearia majora
mane & vefperi capiantur, fuperbibito libra una deco&i hordei vel avenas. Vet. Acad.
Handl. vol. 1. p. 74. Theden recommends the Guaiacum made into pills with foap of
almonds, which is ftill more convenient (new BemerL u Er/abr, a. d. JVundarzneyk. und
drz. P. 2. 204.)

No. 4. N HiEMATOXYLUM

( 48 )

HiEMATOXYLUM CAMPECHIANUM. LOGWOOD.

SYNONTMd. Lignum Campechense. Pharm. Lond.tf Edin.
Hsematoxylum fpinofum, foliis pinnatis, racemis terminalibus.
Browne s Jam 221. Lignum Campechianum, fpecies quaedam
Brafil. Vide Sloanes Jam. vol. 2. p. 183. Crifta pavonis Coro-
nillse folio fecunda, five tin&oria Indica, flore luteo racemofo
minore, filiqua latiffima glabra, lignum rubrum, Sappan dictum'
ferens. Breyn. Prodr. 2. 37. Erythroxylum, five lignum rubrum
Indicum fpinofnTimum, colutese foliis, floribus luteis, filiquis
maximis. Herm. Par. Bat. 333. Hcematoxylum. Long's Jam.
vol. 3. p. 754. Miller s Dicl. Jacqain, Ob. Bot. 1. p. 20.

Clafs Decandria, Order Monogynia. L. Gen. Plant. 525.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Cal. 5 partitus. Petala 5. Caps, lanceolata, i-locu-
laris, 2-valvis : valvis navicularibus.

THE Campechianum is the only fpecies of the Hsematoxylum
hitherto difcovered ; it is a much fmaller tree than the Guaiacum,
and both the trunk and the branches are extremely crooked, and
covered with dark-coloured rough bark ; the fmaller ramifications are
numerous, clofe, prickly, or befet with ftrong fharp fpines ; the
leaves are pinnated, generally compofed of four or five pair of
pinnae, of an irregular oval fhape, obliquely nerved, and obtufely
finuated at the top ; the flowers grow in racemi, or in clofe regular
terminal fpikes, and appear in March ; the calyx divides into five
oblong obtufe fegments, of a brownifh purple colour; the petals are
five, patent, obtufely lance-fhaped, and of a reddifh yellow colour ; the
ftamina are fomewhat hairy, tapering, of unequal length, fhorter than
the corolla, and the anthers are fmall and oval ; the ftyle is nearly
the length of the ftamina, and the germen becomes a long double

valved,

( 49 )

valved pod, which contains many oblong comprefled, or fomewhat
kidney-fhaped, feeds.

This tree is a native of South America, and grows to the higheft
perfection at Campeachy, in the Bay of Honduras, whence the feeds
were brought to Jamaica in 171 5, with a view of propagating it
as an article of commercial export. And though it does not appear
to have anfwered this purpofe fo fully as could have been wifhed,
yet we are told that in fome parts of the ifland, efpecially where the
ground is fwampy, this tree, in the courfe of three years, will rife
to the height of ten feet, and by this quick and luxuriant growth,,
foon overrun and deftroy the neighbouring plants.3 The Logwood
tree was firft cultivated in Britain by Mr. P. Miller in 1739," who
fays, " there are fome of thefe plants now in England which are
upwards of fix feet high, and as thriving as thofe in their native
foil ;"c but this obfervation will not apply to the prefent time, for we
have fearched in vain for this plant through molt of the principal
garden ftoves in the neighbourhood of London.

The wood of this tree is of a folid texture, and of a dark red
colour; it is imported' into Europe principally as a dying drug, cut
into junk6 or logs of about three feet in length ; of thefe pieces, the
largeft and thickeft are preferred, as being of the deepeft colour.. This
wood has a fweetifh fubaftringent tafte, and no remarkable fmell ; it
gives a purplifh red tincture both to watery and fpirituous infufions,
and tinges the ftools, and fometimes the urine, of the fame colour ;
but from the experiments of DuHamel and others, it does not appear to
colour the bones of animals, as obferved of madder and fome otherplants
of that clafs. It is ufed medicinally as an aftringent and corroborant.
In diarrhoeas it has been found peculiarly efficacious, and has the
recommendation of fome of the firft medical authorities :d alfo in the
latter ftages of dyfentery, when the obftructing caufes are removed,,

a In fome parts of Jamaica (c are fuch quantities of it growing wild, as to incommode
the land-holders extremely." Long's 1. c. 754. He alfo obferves, that " it makes an
excellent and beautiful fence, which, if kept properly trimmed, grows fo ftrong and
thick, that nothing can break through."

b Hort. Kew. c Dictionary abridged, fixth edition, d Baker, Clark, Pringle,
Duncan, Zimmerman, Baldinger, and others..

to

( 50 )

to obviate that extreme laxity of the interlines ufually fuperinduced by
the repeated dejections. Extra&um ligni campechenfis is ordered in
the pharmacopoeias, and may be given in the dofe of one fcruple or
two, repeated according to the urgency of the fymptoms.

HELLEBORUS NIGER. BLACK HELLEBORE, Or,

CHRISTMAS ROSE.

STNO NYMA. Helleborus Niger, seu Melampodium.*
Pharm. Lo?id. & Edin. Helleborus Niger legitimus. Clus. Hiji.
274. Helleborus Niger flore rofeo. Bauh. Pin. 186. Helle-
borus Niger flore albo ; interdum etiam valde rubente. J. Banh.
3. 635. Helleborus Niger verus. Gerard' 's Herb. 975. True
Black Hellebore, or Chriftmas Flower. Rail. Hift. Plant. 697.
An noftra planta fit Eaas/So^ fxi\a.{ et MsA^a-oe/W Grsecor. et Helleborus,
Elleborus, Veratrum, Latinorum, nihil certi pronunciari poflit.

Clafs Polyandria. Order Polygynia. L. Gen. Plant. 702.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Cal. o. Petala 5 f. plura. Ne&aria bilabiata, tubu-
lata. Caps, polyfpermae, erettiufculse.

Sp. Ch. H. Scapo fubbiflore fubnudo, foliis pedatis.

THE root is perennial, rough, knotted, and externally of a
black colour, internally whitifh, fending off many ftrong round
long fibres ; the flower ftalks are erect, round, tapering, and towards
the bottom reddifh ; the bracteal leaves fupply the place of the
calyx, and are oval, concave, and generally indented at the top ;
the petals are five, large, roundifh, fpreading, at firft of a white

a AMelampo qui primus purgationem inftituit: unde xa&zfTJKj id eft purgator nomi-
nates fuit, & hocce medicamento Praeti filias in furorem aftas perfanavit. GeofF.

colour,

I-,.t>l.fh.<l tjt J>* WiedvitU ^ifril J. 17<}0.

( 5i )

colour, fucceeded by reddifh tints, but finally putting on a
o-reenifh appearance 5 the nectaria are about eight in number, tubu-
lated, fomewhat comprefled, bilabiated, and of a greenifh yellow
colour ; the filaments are white, the anthers yellow ; the germina
vary, commonly from four to eight, and the capfules, or pods, contain
many oval fhining blackifh feeds ; the leaves are compound, divided
in a peculiar manner, or pedated, and ftand upon long radical foot-
ftalks ; the fimple leaf is elliptical, fmooth, thick, and ferrated towards
the top. This plant is a native of Auftria and Italy, and was
unknown to the gardens in this country till cultivated by Mr. John
Gerard in 1596. If the weather be fufficiently mild, it flowers in
January, and hence the name of Chriftmas Flower.

If any arguments were required to evince the neceffity of botani-
cal accuracy in difcriminating medicinal plants, the Helleborus Niger
would furnifh uo with many facts on which fuch arguments might
be deduced. For a great number of inftances is recorded of the
effects of this plant, by which it fince appears that other plants were
miftaken for it, and actually employed ; of thefe we may enumerate
the Helleborus viridis, Adonis vernalis, Trollius europseus, Actaea
fpicata, Aftrantia major, and Aconitum Napellus ;b and as the roots
of thefe plants poffefs very different powers, we cannot be furprifed
that the medical hiflory of this root is not only confufed and contra-
dictory, but calculated to produce very mifchievous and even fatal
confequences.

The tafte of the frefh root is bitterifh, and fomewhat acrid, and
according to Grew, " Joeing chewed, and for fome time retained
upon the tongue, after a few minutes it feemeth to be benumbed,
and affected with a kind of paralytic ftupor, or as when it has been
burnt with eating or fupping any thing too hot."c It alfo emits a
naufeous acrid fmell, but being long kept, both its fenfible qualities
and medicinal activity fuffer very confiderable diminution. Bergius
has very properly attended to this circumftance„ for in defining its
virtues he confiders it under three different degrees of drynefs :d
" VIRTUS: rec. venenata, rubefaciens, veficans; recenterficcatte: eme-
tica,purgans, emmenagoga, antiphthiriaca,fternutatoria ; diu confervata:

h Probably art, as well as ignorance, had fome fhare in thefe fubftitutions j for the
particulars of which fee Murray's Ap. Med. vol. 3. from p. 44. to p. 50.
c On taftes, vide Anatomy of Plants, p. 283. * Mat. Med. p. 496.

No. 4, O vix

( s* )

vix purgans, alterans, diuretica." Although many writers confider
this root to be a perfectly innocent and fafe medieinp, yet we find
feveral proofs of its poifonous effects,' from which Murray collects
the following fymptoms : — " Fateor, difperfas hinc inde extare
oblervationes contrarias, querelas moveri de vomitionibus effrsenis
inde contra&is, hypercatharfi, torminibus, anxietate, fiti, fingultu,
animi deliquiis, ludoribus frigidis, faucium ftrangulatione, convul-
fionibus, fternutatione, torpore quodam artuum et infueta rigiditate,
inflammatione ventriculi et inteftinorum, quin morte pedhTequa
praeviis variis didtis malis."

It feems to have been principally from its purgative quality that
the ancients efteemed this root fuch a powerful remedy in maniacal
diforders, with a view to evacuate the atra bilis, from which thefe
mental difeafes were fuppofed to be produced ; but though evacua-
tions be often found neceflary in various cafes nf alienations of mind,
yet as they can be procured with more certainty and fafety by other
medicines, this catholicon of antiquity is now almoft entirely
abandoned. f At prefent it is looked upon chiefly as an
alterative, and in this light is frequently employed in fmall dofes for
attenuating vifcid humours, promoting the uterine and urinary
difcharges, and opening inveterate obftrudtions of the remoter
glands :g it often proves a very powerful emmenagogue in plethoric
habits, where fteel is ineffectual, or improper.11 It is alio recom-

e Vide, Doering De Medicina et Medicis, p. 242. Act. Helv. vol. 5. p. 326.
Buchner DifT. de falut. et noxio Ellebori Nigri ufu. p. 22. Hildanus Obf. Med. chir.
cent. 4. obf. 12. Scopoli Fl. earn. ed. 1. p. 557. Morgagni de fed. & cauf. morb.
Epift. 59. art. 15. et Act. Helv. 1. c. Hartman Vet. Acad. Hand), a 1762. p. 276.
Schulz Mat. Med. p. 152.

f Whether our Hellebore be the fame fpecies as that faid to grow in the ifland of
Anticyra, and about Mount Olympus, fo frequently alluded to by the latin poets,
is no eafy matter to determine. From the accounts of Tournefort and Bellonius, who
botanized thefe places, a fpecies of this plant was found in great plenty, which the for-
mer fuppofes to be the Hellebore of Hippocrates; it differs from the fpecies here
figured, by having a large branched ftem, and alfo by its effects, for he found that a
fcruple of the extract brought on violent fpafms and convulfions. Many plants however
are known to vary as much by a removal from their native foil and climate.

s Duncan's Ed. new. Difpenfatory. Lewis's Mat. Med.

fcMead, (mon. et praec. med. p. 138) fpeaks of it as the moft potent of all emmena-
gogues ; but Home (clin. exper. & hift. p. 386) and Pafta (Diflertaz. mediche fopra i
meftrui delle, Donne, p. 192) found it often unfuccefsful.

mended

( 53 )

mended in dropfies/ and fome cutaneous difeafes.k The watery
extract of this root, made after the manner directed in the pharma-
copoeias, is one of the beft and fafeft preparations of it, 1 when
defigned for a cathartic, as it contains both the purgative and diuretic
parts of the Hellebore ; it may be given in a dofe from ten grains to
a fcruple, or more. A tincture of this drug is alfo ordered in the
pharmacopoeias, which is preferred for the purpofes of an alterative
and deobftruent ; of which a tea-fpoonful twice a day may be con-
fidered a common dofe.

* By Avicenna, Gefner,. Klein, Milman, and Bacher whofe famous ionic pills are thus
prepared : Ext. Helleb. Nig. Myrrhae Solutae aa 5Jj pulv. Card, bened. ^iij M.
F. f. a. Mafia aere ficco exficcanda, donee formandis pilulis apta fit, fingul. ad gran,
femifs. k In the lepra Graecorum. Vide Aretaeus Oper. ed. Boerh. p. 136. Schmidel
DhT, de lepra in Haller's collect. Difp. pra£t. T. 6. p. 83. And Hildanus mentions the
cafe of a girl who was cured of an obftinate fcabies of the face by this extradl;. 1. c.
1 The irritating power of its active matter being confiderably abated by the boiling.
Lewis's M. M»

HELLEBORUS FOETIDUS. FETID HELLEBORE, Or,

BEAR's-FOOT.

SYNONYMJ. Helleboraster. Pharm. Lond. Helleborus
Niger Fcetidus. Bauh. Pin. 1 85. Helleborafter maximus flore &
femine prsegnans. Lobel. p. 679. Helleborafter maximus. Gerard,
Herb. p. 977. Helleborus maximus five Confiligo. Park. t. 212.
Helleborus caule ramofo, multifloro, foliis multipartitis, ferratis,
ftipulis ovato-lanceolatis, coloratis. Hallers Stirp. Helv. p. 1 1 93.
Elleborus niger fylveftris adulterinus etiam hyeme virens. J. Bauh,
3. p. 880. Veratrum nigrum 3. Dodon, Pempt. 382. Great
Black Hellebore, or BearVFoot. Setterwort, Rati Sy nop/is x
p. 271. Withering s Bot.Arr an. 582. Relhans Flor. Cant, p. 218.

Clafs Polyandria. Order Polygynia. L. Gen. Plant. 702.

Effl Gen. Ch. Cal. o. Petala 5 f. plura. Neclaria bilabiata, tubu-
lata.* Caps, polyfpermae, erectiufculse.

Sp. Ch. H. caule multifloro foliofo, foliis pedatis.

THE root is fmall, but befet with a prodigious number of fender

dark

( 54 )

daik coloured fibres the ftem rifes to the height of a foot and a half,
or more, towards the bottom it is round, ftrong,firm, naked, and marked
with alternate cicatrices, the veftiges of the former leaves ; at the top
it divides and fubdivides into branches, producing many flowers, and is
garnifhed with fcaly leaves, or bractea? ; the leaves are numerous, and
itand upon long footftalks, furrounding the middle of the Item ; they
are divided like the Helleborus niger into fimple leaves, which are
commonly eight or nine, long, narrow, lanceolated, ferrated, and of a
dark green colour ; the fcaly leaves, placed at the ramifications of the
flower ftem, are fmooth, trifid, alternate, and often purplifh, but
thofe near the flowers are oval and pointed ; the flowers are nume-
rous, terminal, pendent, of a roundilh fhape, and (land upon pedun-
cles, forming a fort of umbel ; the petals are five, oval, concave,
perfiflent, of a pale green colour, and their margins are ufually tinged
with purple ; the ftamina are the length of th^ petals ; the antherse
are white ; the germina three, hairy, and fhaped limilarly to thofe of
the Helleborus niger. This plant grows wild in many parts of Eng-
land, and flowers about February.

The Helleborus niger, though conftantly ufed in medicine fince
the time of Hippocrates, was the only fpecies of Hellebore b known
in the Materia Medica of our pharmacopoeias, till the late introduction
of this plant by the London College, probably upon the authority of
Dr. BhTet, who recommends the leaves as poflefling extraordinary
anthelminthic powers. The fmell of the recent plant is extremely
fetid, and the tafte is bitter, and remarkably acrid, infomuch, that
when chewed, it excoriates the mouth and fauces ; it commonly
operates as a cathartic, fometimes as an emetic, and in large dofes
proves highly deleterious.0 The leaves, the only part noticed by the
College, haVe been long domeftically employed in this country for
their vermifuge effects, and are thus fpoken of by Gerard : — " The
leaves of baftard Hellebor, dried in an oven, after the bread is drawne
out, and the ponder thereof taken in a figge or raifin, or ftrawed

* Gerard's defcription we find very juft. l< The root confifteth of many fmall black
firings, involved or wrapped one within another very intricately." Johnfon's Gerard,
977. b It muft be obferved, that the Heleborus Albus of the fliops, is a Veratrum.

Vide Threlkeld's Irifti Herbal ; and in the Oxford Magazine for March 1769;, p.
99. fatal cafes are related by John Cook of Oxford*

upon

( ss )

upon a piece of bread fpread with honey, and eaten, killeth worms in
children exceedingly." d — BhTetfays, " The great baftard black Helle-
bore, or Bear's-Foot, is by far the moft powerful vermifuge for long
round worms of any I have yet experienced. The anthelmintic virtue
of this plant is well known to the vulgar in the Dutchy of Cleveland,
Yorklhire, who generally give it to their children when they fufpect
them to have worms. The decoction of about a dram of the green
leaves, or about fifteen grains of the dried leaves in powder, is the
ufual dofe adminiftered to children betwixt four and feven years of
age ; a full or fufficient. dofe generally proves more or lefs emetic,
and often loofens the belly a little. It is ufually repeated on two, and
fometimes three fucceffive mornings. The fecond dofe has commonly
a greater effect than the firft, and never fails to expel round worms
by ftool, if there be any lodged in the alimentary tube."

" The juice of the green leaves of the Bear's-Foot, made into a
fyrup with coarfe fugar, is almoft the only vermifuge I have ufed
againfl round worms for three years paft. Before preffing out the
juice, I moiften the bruifed leaves, which are a little fucculent, with
fome vinegar, which is a corrector of this medicine, and prevents it
from inducing great ficknefs, or much vomiting. Of this fyrup I
give one tea-fpoonful at bed-time, and one or two in the morning,
on two or three fucceffive days, to children betwixt two and fix years
of age ; increafing or diminifhing the dofe a little, according to the
ftrength of the patient." e When this does not open the body, an
equal quantity of tincture of rhubarb is directed to be added.

d Gerard, 1. c. e An Effay on the Medical Conftitution of Great Britain, p. 235.
and p. 330,. Dr. B. fpeaks of this plant as ufeful alfo in fome afthmatic and hypochon-
driacal diforders.

We have tried the anthelminthic effe&s of this plant upon a girl of twenty years of
age> (a patient in the Middlefex Difpenfary) with conftderable advantage.-

No. 4

P

OXALIS

( 56

OXALIS AC ETO SELLA.

)

WOOD-SORREL.

SYNONYM J* Lujula. Pharm. Lond. Oxalis Acetosella,
fcapis unifloris, fol. ternatis : foliolis obcordatis pilofis. Thunb.
Dijf. de Oxal. n. 5. Curtis Flor. Lond, Withering s Bot. Arrcutg.
p. 470. Relhaiis Flor. Cant. p. 176. Oxys fcapo unifloro, foliis
ternatis, radice fquamofo-articulata. Hal. Stirp. Hclv. n. 928.
Oxys five Trifolium acidum, flore albo &. purpurafcente. J. Banh.
II.387. Trifolium aeetofum vulgare. Bauh.Pin.^o. Parki?ifon
&f Theat. 746. Oxys Alba. Gerard. Herb. 1201. Raii Synop.
p. 281. Wood-Sorrel. Hift. Plant. 1098. Acetosella,
et Alleluja, ^uorundam*

Clafs Decandria. Ord. Pentagynia. L. Gen. Plant. 582.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Cal. 5-phyllus. Petala unguibus connexa. Caps-..
angulis dehifcens, 5-gona.

Sp. Cb. O. fcapo unifloro, foliis ternatis obcordatis, radice dentata,.
L. Syft, ed. 13.

THIS delicate little plant is excellently defcribed by Mr Curtis,
(Flor. Lon.) we mall therefore adopt his defcription, as far as it
coincides with our plan. The root is perennial, horizontal, ffcafys
and of a bright red colour ; the leaves grow three together, inverfely
heart-fhaped, of a yellowifh green colour, frequently purple un-
derneath, and befet with a few hairs ; the leaf ftalks are about
three inches long, nearly upright, tender, proceeding from little
bulbs, which form a kind of flieath, at the -bottom thefe ftalks
are red and round, but towards the top grooved on one fide :
the flowers are white or flelh-coloured, and elegantly ftreaked with
red veins. The flower-ftalk is fomewhat longer than the leaf-ftalk,

and

fullipttd tj Z>r Wcodvilll April 1.

( 57 )

and furnifhed near the top with two oval pointed bradtese, which
partly furround it ; the calyx is divided into five fegments ; thefe
are fhort, permanent, bluntifh, membraneous at the edges, and
often fpotted with purple ; the petals are five, affixed to the recep-
tacle by the claws, which bend a little inward juft above where the
claws adhere together, they are blunt, flightly crenated, and tinged
at the bottom with yellow; the ftamina are ten, upright, white,
the five exterior the fhorteft ; the antherse are yellow and bilocu-
lar ; the germen is quadrangular and green ; the ftyles are five,
very flender, a little longer than the ftamina, and the ftigma is
blunt ; the capfule is ovalifh, pentagonal, fpotted, divided into five
cavities, each containing three feeds, which are heart-fhaped, longi-
tudinally grooved, convex on both fides, of a bright reddifh brown
colour, and inclofed within a fhining white elaftic arillus, by the
burfting of which the feeds are thrown outj. This plant is a native
of England, it flowers about April and May, and is commonly found
in woods, or in fhaded fituations.*

The Acetofella is totally inodorous, but has a grateful acid tafte,b
which is more agreeable than the common forrel, (Rumex Acetofa)
and approaches nearly to that of the juice of lemons, or the acid of
tartar, with which it alfo correfponds in a great meafure in its medical
effects, being efteemed refrigerant, antifcorbutic, and diuretic. It is
recommended by Bergius in inflammatory, bilious, and putrid fevers,,
and from the cafes adduced by Francus,c he concludes, " Acetolfellam
appetitum reftaurare,vomitum confopire, alvum ftringere,fitim fedare,
oris amaritiem tollere, cordis vires reparare, anginamque abigere."d
The principal ufe however of the Acetofella is to allay inordinate
heat, and to quench thirft ; for this purpofe, a pleafant whey may
be formed by boiling the plant in milk, which under certain cir-
cumftances may be preferable to the conferve directed by the London

% As a diftinguiftiing part of the generic character, Ray fays, K Quod per maturi-
tatem levi tadhi diililiens cum impetu femina ejaculantur, (hift.. 1098).

a Mr. Curtis obferves,. that this plant continues to produce feeds during the greatefr.
part of the fummer, without any appearance of expanded bloflbms.

fc This makes it ufeful in fallads, in fome meafure fupplying the place of vinegar.

e De vera herba Antiquorum Acetofella, &c. d Mat. Med. p. 379.

College,

( 58 )

College, though an extremely grateful and ufeful medicine. Many
have employed the root of Lujula, probably on account of its
beautiful red colour rather than for its fuperior efficacy. An efTential
fait is prepared from this plant, known by the name of EfTential
Salt of Lemons, and commonly ufed for taking ink-ftains out of
linen.8

e This fait is made from the exprefled juice. Vide Boerh. Chem. vol. 2. proc 7. &
Savary, Difl*. de Sale Eflent. Acetofellae. p. 9. Thunberg found that the Oxalis cernua
of the Cape of Good Hope, yields the fait in greater quantity than the Acetofella. —
This fait, when genuine, which is feldom to be procured fo,|| is compofpd of the vegetable
alkali and a peculiar acid, which feems more allied to the acid of fugar than that of
tartar. Vide Bergman A£t. Up. Nov. vol. 2. p. 215. where the manner of feparating
this acid is alfo given, and related by Murray. Ap. Med. vol. 3. p. 497.

|| Vide Scheele in Gorwells nya t'ldningar^ 1775. n. 30. p. 237. & Savary, 1. c.
What is fold under the name of Effential Salt of Lemons in this country, appears fome-
times to confift of C. Tart, with the addition of a fmali quantity of vitriolic acid, MS.
Lectures on Chemiftry by Dr. Hamilton.

CONVOLVULUS JALAPA.

[

h.Hffhtd ty J>- VfbedvilU . . w«r t- J/9°

( 59 )

CONVOLVULUS JALAP A. JALAP BIND-WEED.

ST NO NT MA. Jalapium. Pharm. Lond. Jalappa. Pharm.
Edin. Convolvulus Jalapa, fol. difFormibus cordatis angulatis
oblongis lanceolatis, caule volubili, pedunculis unifloris. Lin. Syjl.
Veg. & Mant. 43. Convolvulus foliis variis, pedunculis unifloris,
radice tuberofa cathartica. Mill. Dicl. Convolvulus Americanus
Jalapium di&us. Rait Hijl. vol. 1 . 724. Mechoacanna nigricans,
five Jalapium. Park. 180. Bryonia Mechoacanna nigricans.
Batch. Pin. 298.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Monogynia. L. Gen. Plant. 215.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cor. campanulata, plicata. Stigmata 2. Caps.
2-locularis : loculis difpermis.

Sp.~ Ch. C. caule volubili, foliis ovatis fubcordatis obtufis obfolete
repandb fubtus villofis, pedunculis unifloris. Hart. Kew. vol. 1 . 2 1 1 .

THE root is perennial, large, ponderous, abounding with a milky
juice, of an irregular oval form, and blackifh colour ; the (talks are
numerous, fhrubby, ilender, twifted, ftriated, rifing above ten feet
high, and twining for fupport round the neighbouring plants ; the
leaves are various, generally more or lefs heart-fhaped, but often
angular, or oblong and pointed ; they are fmooth, of a bright green
colour, and ftand alternately upon long footftalks ; the flowers are
produced from fhort branches, fending off two peduncles, each of
which fupports a fingle flower ; this is large, bell-fhaped, entire, pli-
cated, externally of a reddifh colour, but of a dark purple within ;*
the calyx confifts of five oval leaves, thefe are concave, fomewhat

* The colour will no doubt vary. This plant, at Kew, produced yellowifh flowers ;
but the plants obtained by Houfton from the Spanifh Weft Indies anfwer to the
defcription we have given.

No. 5. Q_ indented

( 60 )

indented at their points, and of a pale green colour ; the filaments
are five, llender, fhort, and the antherse large, and yellow ; the ftyle
is fhorter than the ftamina ; the lligma is round, and the germen oval.
It is a native of South America, and flowers in Auguft and Septem-
ber.* The plant we have figured was introduced into the Royal
garden at Kew in 1778, by Monf. Thouin, and under the direction
of Mr, Aiton it acquired great vigour and luxuriance, extending
its (talks fifteen feet in length ; and, by means of flips obtained
from it, two healthy young plants have fince been produced : this
circumftance is the more fortunate, as the parent plant lately died.
Botanifts have differed much refpecting the officinal Jalap plant;*
Linnseus following Clufius, Plumier, Tournefort, and others, firft
referred it to the Mirabilis, but in the fecond edition of his Materia
Medica he adopts the opinions of Ray and Miller, in confidering
it a Convolvulus ; and indeed after the account of this plant given
by Dr. Houfton, b we are furprifed that any doubt fhould itill remain
upon this fubjec~t..c

It is faid that the root of Jalap was firft. brought to Europe about
the year 1610, and took its name from Xalapa, a province or town
in New Spain. In the fhops we find this root both cut into flices,
-and whole, of an oval fhape, folid, ponderous, blackifh on the
outfide, but grey within, and marked with feveral dark veins, by
the number of which, and by its hardnefs, heavinefs, and dark
colour, the goodnefs of the root . is to be eftimated. It has fcarcely
any fmell, and very little tafte, but to the tongue and to the throat
manifefts a flight degree of pungency. The medicinal activity of
Jalap refides principally, if not wholly, in the refin, which though
given in fmall dofes, occafions violent tormina. The gummy part

3 Hort. Kew. b See Linnaeus's Obferv. in Mat. Med. 1772. p. 7.

c The London College have not referred to the Linnaean name of this plant. —
Bergius found that neither the dried root of the Mirabilis Jalapa, nor of the M. longi-
flora, given in the dofe of half a dram, produced any cathartic effects, but he fays that
of the M. dichotoma fatis bene purgat ; and as its root alfo bears fome refemblance to the
true exotic jalap, he hence infers that it is the fame. However, with great deference
to the learned profeflbr, we think thefe reafons infufficient to warrant his concluiion,
more efpecially as they are repugnant to eftablifhed fads. We may alfo obfcrve, that all
the three fpecies of the Mirabilis are in fome degree purgative j but even when foftered
in the warm climate of Jamaica, fo congenial to their native foil, their roots, both in
appearance and medicinal power, effentially differ from thofe of jalap.

bears

( 6i )

bears an inconfiderable proportion to the refinous, and is found to
have little or no cathartic power, but as a diuretic it is extremely
active. — That Jalap is an efficacious and fafe purgative daily expe-
rience muft evince, but according as the root contains more or lefs
reiin, its effects muft of courfe vary. Hoffman thought it particu-
larly improper and unfafe to adminifter this medicine to children ;
but Dr. Cullen obferves, that if Jalap " be well triturated before
exhibition with a hard powder, and the cryftals of tartar are the
ritteft for the purpofe, it will operate in leffer dofes than when taken
by itfelf, and at the fame time very moderately and without griping.
' Except when given in very ]arge dofes, I have not found it to be
heating to the fyftem ; and if it be triturated with a hard fugar, it
becomes, in moderate dofes, a fafe medicine for children, which in
this form they will readily receive, as the jalap itfelf has very little

tafte."-)- Jalap, in large dofes, or when joined with calomel, is

recommended as an anthelmintic and a hydragogue, and from its
general efficacy in dropfies was called Panacea Hydropicorum/ For
the different conftitutions and conditions of body in which it is more
efpecially indicated, or its ufe forbidden, we may cite the opinion of
Geoffroy : " Obfervandum tamen Jalapam non convenire in febribus
acutis, neque calidis & ficcis conftitutionibus. In his enim, ficut
csetera purgantia acria & irritantia, calorem intenfum & faepe inflam-
matorium in vifceribus accendit, parcioremque imo faepe nullam
evacuationem promovet. Sed iis convenit, qui frigidae funt temperiei
& fero fcatentes, fpeciatim in hydrope, anafarca, & cachexia." M. M.
In the Pharmacopoeias, we have Jalap in the form of tincture and of
extract: ; and the Edinburgh College direct it alfo in powder, with
twice its weight of the cryftals of tartar. The dofe of the fimple
powder is commonly from one fcruple to two ; of the compound
powder it may be double this quantity, which is nearly equal to I o ot
15 grains of the extract, or about two drams of the tincture.

t Cullen's Mat. Med. vol. 2. p. 540. d Marcgrave M. M.

CONIUM MACULATUM.

( 62 )

CONIUM MACULATUM. COMMON HEMLOCK.

S TNO NTMA. Cicuta. Pbarm. Lond. fc? Edin. Hal. Stirp. Helv.
766. Cicuta major. Baub. Pin. 160. Cicuta vulgaris major, Park.
933. Cicutaria vulgaris. Clus. Hift. 2. 200. Cicuta. Gerard, 1061.
Rail Hift. vol. 1. 451. Synop. p. 215. Stoerck. Suppl. Conium
Maculatum. Scop. Flor. Cam. p. 207. Bergius Mat. Med. 192.
Curtis Flor. Lond. Withering Bot.Arrang. 277. Re/ban Flor. Cant.
112. Kwvj/ov Gr<zcor.

Clafs Pentandria. (W. Digynia. L. Gen. Plant. 336.

Eft] Gen. Cb. Involucella dimidiata, fubtriphylla. Fruclus fubglo-
bofus, 5-ftriatus, utrinque crenatus.

Sp. Cb. C. feminibus ftriatis.

THE root is biennial, tapering, fometimes forked, eight or ten
inches long, and about the thicknefs of a finger : the ftalk is five or
fix feet high, round, mining, befet with brown and purplifh fpecks ;
towards the top branched and ftriated near the bottom about three
inches in circumference, and covered with a bluifh exudation, ap-
pearing like a fine powder : the lower leaves are very large, tripin-
nated, of a mining green colour, {landing upon long, ftriated, concave
footftalks, which proceed from the joints of the ftem ; the upper and
fmaller leaves are bipinnated, and placed at the divifions of the
branches : the flowers are produced in umbels, which are both
univerfal and partial, and compofed of feveral ftriated radii. The
univerfal involucrum % confifts of five or feven leaves, thefe are
lanceolated, whitifh at the margin, and bent downwards ; the partial

X The calyx of umbelliferous plants is termed involucrum, and may be univerfal,
partial, or proper, according as it is placed at the univerfal umbel, partial umbel, or
flower.

involucrum

( «J )

involucrum is compofed of three or four leaves, which are placed on
the outer fide of the radial ftalk ; the petals are five, oval, white, and
curl inwards at their points ; the ftamina are five, white, about the
length of the corolla, and crowned with whitifh antherae ; the ftyles
are two, filiform, inclining outwards, and terminated by round ftig-
mata ; the fruit is oval, ftriated, confining of two irregularly hemif-
pherical ftriated brownifh feeds. This plant flowers in July, and is
commonly found near dunghills and wafte grounds.1 It has a pecu-
liar faint fetid fmell, and a flight aromatic herbaceous, and fomewhat
naufeous tafte.b

. The common refemblance of moft of the umbelliferous plants leads
us to fufpedt, that they were very imperfectly diftinguiflied by the
ancients ; for though the botanical description of the KuveoiVf given
by Diofcorides, applies in great meafure to this plant,0 yet it muft
be confidered, that his defcription is without difcrimination, and is,
with a few exceptions, equally applicable to all the genera of plants
compofing the natural order of Umbelliferce : fo that the accounts
given of Cicuta by ancient writers, ihould be admitted with great
caution/ Whether this fpecies of hemlock was the poifon ufually
adminiftered at the Athenian executions, and which deprived Athens
of thofe great characters, Socrates and Phocion, we are at a lofs to
determine ;e but that it is a deleterious poifon there cannot be a
doubt/ though fome circumftances render it probable that it is

lefs

a " The Hemlock is obviouily diftinguiflied from our other umbelliferous plants by
its large and fpotted flalk^ by the dark and Jkining green colour of its bottom leaves^ and
particularly by their difagrceable fmell when bruifed, and which, according to Stoerck,
refembles that of mice." Curt. Flor. Lond. The Chaerophyllum bulbofum has a
fpotted Item, but its fwelled joints, and rough feeds, diftinguifh it from the hemlock.

b Bergius. M. M. 194. Stoerck fays, that the milkyjuice of the root is fo extremely
acrid and deleterious that a fmall drop or two of it being applied to his tongue produced
great pain and fwelling of that organ, and for fome time deprived him of the power of
fpeech. -In anfwer to this fee note (8).

c Haller refers it to the Cicuta virofa. «« The word Cicuta, with the ancients,
feemed not indicative of any particular fpecies of plant, but of poifonous vegetables in
general. Vide Plinii Hift. Nat. L. 14. c. 5. L. 25. c. 13.

e For further information on this fubjea, confult Steger Diff. de Cicuta Athenienfium.
Ehrhart Difl*. de Cicuta. Joannis Viventii de Cicuta comment.

f Of the moft decifive inftances of its fatal effects, which have occurred in |is country,
is that related by the late Dr. Watfon in the Phil. Tranfad, in which it is fully afcer-
No- 5- R tained

«

( <H )

lefs powerfully fo than is generally imagined.6 The fymptoms
produced by Hemlock, when taken in immoderate doles, are related
by various authors, the principal of which have been collected by
Haller and others, and ftated in the following words : " Intus fumpta
facit anxietates, cardialgias, vomitus, appetitum proftratum diutur-

tained by him, that two Dutch foldiers, at Waltham Abby, were killed in a very fhort
time by eating this plant. Other proofs of this fort are given by Heins, (Pharm. rat.
p. 370) which happened to fome boys at Drefden. Saml. rur Gefchichte von Ober.
Sachs. III. p. 221. Scaliger, Subtil. Exerc. 152. Amatus A£t. Cur. 98. Cent. V.
See alfo the cafes mentioned by "Wolf in Comment, lit. Nor. anno 1740 and J749. —
Wepfer. Cicut. p. 71. 312. BrafTavola Examen. omn. fimp. We may alfo notice
the following from Theophraftus, (L. IX. c. 17.) Thrafyas Mantineenfis remedium a
le inventum fuifle gloriabatur, quod abfque dolore vitam abrumperet, ex Cicuta &
Papaveris fucco miftum, &c. vide Hal. Stirp. Helv. p. 338. — to which work we are obliged
for many of the fadls juft recited. Although fheep and fome other animals eat this
plant v/ith impunity, yet to many it is ftrongly poifonous. Three fpoonfuls of the juice
killed a cat in lefs than a quarter of an hour. Rozier, Tableau, torn. i. 1773. Upon
opening thofe animals to which it proved fatal, inflammation of the ftomach and
interlines was difcovered. Harder apiar. Obf. 24SC25. Wepfer cicut. p. 334. And
we may here add, what we noticed formerly under Belladonna, that vinegar has been
found the molt ufeful in obviating the effects of this poifon ; and that by macerating or
boiling this plant in vinegar, it becomes totally inert. Lindeftolpe de venenis.

s Refpecling the root of Hemlock, we have the following inftances, fhewing unequi-
vocally that it does not poflefs any noxious power whatever. Ray relates, (Phil. Tranf.
XIX. vol. p. 634/ that the fkilful herbalift, Mr. Petiver, ate half an ounce of the root
of Hemlock, and that Mr. Henly, in the prefence of Mr. Petiver, fwallowed three or
four ounces, without experiencing any remarkable effecl:; and thefe facts fee m confirmed
by the later experiments of Mr. Alchorne and Mr.TimothyLane, neither of whom perceiv-
ed any fenfible effecl: on eating this root. Mr. Curtis fays, Mr. Alchorne " affures me, *
that he has tried this in every feafon of the year, and in moft parts of our ifland, without
finding any material difference : and Mr. T. Lane informs me, that he alfo, with great
caution, made fome experiments of the like kind, and in a fhort time found he could eat
a confiderable part of a root, without any inconvenience ; after this he had fome large
roots boiled, and found them as agreeable eating at dinner with meatus carrots, which
they in tafte fomewhat refembled; and as far as his experience, joined with that of others,
informed him, the roots might be cultivated in gardens, and either eaten raw like celery,
or boiled as parfeneps or carrots." (Flor. Lond.) And Murray obferves, Non tamen
tantopere effe Conium reformidandum, ut quidam exiftimant, patet hide, quod etiam
infantibus tenellis impune exhibitum, nec fcetum affecerit fub matris graviditate datum,
nec gravidam matrem, nec detrimentum attulerit largior et per protradiius tempus, ad
drachmas fex extracti ufque fupraque intra nychthemerum, ufus. Stderck, vide Murray,
Ap. Med. vol. 1. p. 216. — Quin&exftantexempla vetuftiora, ingeffam herbam vel fuccurn
majori adeo quantitate fubinde tarn homines quam bruta impune tulifle. Sic Plinius
caulem viriu. m comedi, Sextus Empericus feminam producit, quae drachmam unam fucci
abfque noxa cepit. Murray, 1. c.

nam,

( 6S )

nam, convulfiones, csecitatem, fopores," (1. c.) " vertiginem, cle-
mentiam, mortemque ipfam." Murray A pp. Med. vol. i. p. 215.— «
Cicuta feems to have been, both by the Greek and Arabian phyfi-
cians, very generally employed as an external remedy for tumours,
ulcers, and cutaneous eruptions ; it was alfo thought to have the
peculiar power " frangere ftimulum venereum;"11 and this circum-
ftance is the "more remarkable, as Stoerck, Bergius, and others,
recommend its internal ufe for complaints of a contrary nature, and
adduce proofs of its aphrodifiacal powers.1

Baron Stoerck was undoubtedly the firft phyfician, who brought
Hemlock into repute as a medicine of extraordinary efficacy, by his
publication in 1760 ; and his claim to this diflinction is the ftronger,
as his facts only have fmce been able to fupport its reputation to
any very confiderable extent ; nay it never fucceeded fo well as
when under his own direction, or confined to the neighbourhood in
which he refided, k and to the practice of thofe phyficians with
whom he lived in habits of intimacy and friendfhip.* To enumerate
all the difeafes in which he fets forth the powerful efficacy of Cicuta,
in four fucceffive books on the fubject, would be to give a catalogue
of moft of the chronic difeafes with which human nature is afflicted.
And Bergius, though he experienced no advantage by employing it
in true cancerous affections, ftill recommends its ufe in " Ulcera
fordida & fiphilitica, Scabies, Morbi cutis, Gonorrhoea, Leucorrhcea,
Phthifis, Impotentia virilis, Rheumatifmus chronicus, Scrophula;"
and he confiders its Virtus to be " narcotica, refolvens, fuppurationem
promovens, diuretica." To eftimate with precifion the medicinal
utility of Hemlock is no very eafy talk. Had Dr. Stoerck's publi-

h Aretaeus de Morb. Acut. L. 2. c. 1 1. Et incrementa mammarum & teftium
cohibere, Anaxilaus & Diofcorides.

i Impotentiam virilem fub ufu Conii curatam obfervavi, in viro quodam plufquam
quadrigenario, qui omnem ere£tionem penis perdiderat, poftinde tamen plures liberos
procreavit. Bergius Mat- Med. p. 195. — Dr. Cullen, however, never difcovered its
effedts in this way.

k The general inefficacy of Hemlock experienced in this country, induced phyficians
at firft to fuppofe that this plant, in the environs of Vienna and Berlin, differed widely
from ours, and this being ftated to Dr. Stoerck, he fent a quantity of the extracl:, pre-
pared by himfelf, to London, but this was found to be equally unfuccefsful, and to differ
in no refpect from the Englifli extra#. * Coljin, Locher, Quarin, Leber, &c.

cations

( 66 J I

cations upon this fubject contained but few and lefs extraordinary
proofs of its good effects in certain obftinate and painful difeafes, the
virtues of cicuta might have been held in greater eftimation than
they actually are:1 while thofe authors, who have as generally-
condemned this medicine as uniformly ufelefs or "dangerous, feem to
have done it equal injiiftice."1 Although we have not in this country any
direct facts, like thofe mentioned by Stoerck, proving that inveterate
fcirrhufes, cancers, ulcers, and many other difeafes hitherto deemed
irremediable, were completely cured by the Cicuta ; we have, how-
ever the teftimonies of feveral eminent phyficians, mewing that fome
complaints, which had refitted other powerful medicines, yielded to
Hemlock;" and that even fome diforders, which, if not really
cancerous, were at leaft fufpected to be of that tendency, were
greatly benefited by this remedy. In chronic rheumatifms, fome
glandular fwellings, and in various fixed and periodical pains, the
cicuta is now very generally employed ; and from daily experience,
it appears in fuch cafes to be a very efficacious remedy. It has alfo
been found of fingular ufe in the chincough." We cannot there-
fore but confider this plant an important acquifition to the Materia
Medica. Externally the leaves of hemlock have been varioufly ap-
plied with advantage to ulcers, indurated tumours, and gangrenes. .

Much has been faid refpecting the variable nature of this plant, the
time of collecting it, the part which ought to be preferred, and the
beft manner of preparing it for medical ufe ; but as thefe circumftances

1 That it fliould be of fome eftimation in many of the difeafes, in which it is recom-
mended by Stoerck, appears from the numerous authorities cited by Murray, who con-
cludes with thefe words : " Et fic quidem in multis pertinaciflimis morbis liquandi fpifla,
obftru&a referandi et fanginem depurandi, efEcacia auxilio fuit." 1. c.

m Vide Andree's Obfervations on Stoerck's Pamphlet, anno 1761. Lange DifT. dubia
Cicutse vexata. anno 1764. De Haen Epift. de cicuta, anno 1765. Bierken (Tal
om Kreaftjkador ) who, with Bergius, fays, that in all cancers it does mifchief.

n Among thofe we may mention the late Drs. Fothergill and Rutty. Vide Med. Obf. &
Inquir. vol. 3. — alfo in the 5th vol. the former gives an account of painful affe&ions of
the face, which he attributes to cancerous acrimony, removed by the -ufe of cicuta. —
Dr. Cullen fays, " I have found it in feveral cafes (of cancer) to relieve the pains and
mend the quality of the matter proceeding from the fore, and even to make a confider-
able approach towards healing it." Mat. Med. vol. 2. 266. Several others inftance its
good effects in glandular difeafes, and Mr. Hunter commends its ufe in fyphilis.

0 Dr. Butter on the Chincough.

feem

( 67 )

feem only to produce a mere variation in the ftrength of the medicine,
we conceive fuch pharmaceutical inquiries to be of very little import-
ance, requiring only a proportionate adjuftment of the dofe, which,
under the direction of a fkilful practitioner, will always be regulated
by its effects only, beginning with a few grains of the extract or
powder, and increafing it daily p till a flight vertigo or other fymptoms
manifeft. the fufficiency of the dofe : and unlefs this method has been
purfued, the medicine cannot be faid to have had an 'efficient trial.
" An extract from the feeds is faid to produce giddinefs fooner than
that from the" leaves. Hence, while both the London and Edinburgh
Colleges have given a place to the fuccus fpiffatus cicutse, into the
pharmacopoeia of the latter an extractum feminum cicutas is alfo
introduced."4

p This mould alfo be attended to on recommencing with a frefh parcel of the me-
dicine, as it may differ very materially from the former preparation ufed ; of this Dr.
Cullen gives a remarkable inftance, ftroiigly evincing the neceflity of fuch a pre-
caution, 1. c. i Duncan's Edin. New Dif.

The powder of the^'^d leaves of Hemlock feems to aft with more certainty, and
is more to be depended upon than the extraft ; great caution however is required in
drying and preferving thefe leaves. Dr. Withering recommends the following method,
which appears to us extremely proper : " Let the leaves be gathered about the end of
June, when the plant is in flower. Pick off the little leaves, and throw away the leaf
ffalks. Dry thefe felefted little leaves in a hot fun, or in a tin dripping pan or pewter
dim before the fire. Preferve them in bags made of ftrong brown paper, or powder
them and keep the powder in glafs vials, in a drawer or fomething that will exclude the
light, for the light foon diflipates the beautiful green colour, and with its colour the
medicine lofes its efficacy.. From 15 to 25 grains of this powder may be taken twice
or thrice a day. I have found it particularly ufeful in chronic rheumatifms, and alfo in
many of thofe difeafes which are ufually fuppofed to arife from acrimony. The nature
of this book does not allow minute details of the virtues of plants, but I can affure the
medical practitioner, that this is well worth his attention." Bot. Arrang. 2d Ed. p. 280;

No. 5.

S DAPHNE MEZEREUM.

( <■ )

DAPHNE MEZEREUM.

MEZEREON.

SYNONYM J. Mezereum. Pharm. Lond.^ Edin. Thymelaea '
fpica cylindrica, fuperne foliofa. Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 1024.
Chamelcea Germanica. Dodon. Purg. p. 130. Chamelaea Germa-
nica five IViezereon. Gerard. Hijl. 1402. Park. 201. Rati Hi/I.
1587. Laureola folio deciduo, flore purpureo ; officinis Laureola
foemina. Bauh. Pin. 462. Daphnoides. Camer. Epit. 937. Daphne
fioribus feffilibus, infra folia elliptica lanceolata. L. Fl. Lap. 105.
Daphne Mezereum, Flor. Dan. 268. Withering' s Bot. Arrang. 402.

* Varietates funt,

« Fioribus rubris.

& Thymelaea Lauri folio deciduo, flore albo, frudu flavefcente.
Du Hamel Arb. 2. p. 325. n. 4. Du Roi Hort. 1. p. 213.
Vide Hort. Kew.

Clafs O&andria. Ord. Monogynia. L. Gen. Plant. 485.

EJf. Gen. Ch, Cor. 4-fida corollacea, marcefcens, ftamina includens.
Bacca i-fperma.

r

Sp. Ch. D. fioribus feffilibus ternis caulinis, foliis lanceolatis deciduis.

THE Mezereon is a hardy fhrub, which ufually grows to the
height of five or fix feet, and fends off feveral branches ; the exterior
bark is fmooth, and of a grey colour ; the root is of a fibrous texture,
of a pale colour, and covered with fmooth olive-coloured bark ; the
leaves are few, tender, lance-fhaped, feffile, deciduous, and appear at
the terminations of the branches after the flowers are expanded ; the

* Dr. Ruflel found no difference in the effe&s of thefe varieties, by the trials he
made with the rind, which is the only part of the root now in ufe.

flowers

JU*^fk'd Oy Jjr WoocTvill,. Ufar. 1. I790.

( 69 )

flowers furround the branches in thick clutters, they are feiTile, mono-
petalous, tubular, having the limb divided into four oval fpreading
fegments, commonly of a purple colour ; the ftamina are eight,
alternately ihorter, and concealed within the tube of the corolla ; the
ftvle is very lhort, the ftigma flat, and the germen, which is oval,
becomes a reddifh berry, containing a round feed. This fhrub is a
native of England, though not very common. It is faid to grow
plentifully in fome woods near Andover in Hampfhire, and alfo about
Laxfield in Suffolk ; but it is generally cultivated in gardens, on
'account of the beauty and earlinefs of its flowers, which appear in
February and March.

This plant is extremely acrid, efpecially when frefh, and if retained
in the mouth excites great and long continued heat and inflammation,
particularly of the throat and fauces ; the berries alfo have the fame
effects, and, when.fwallowed, prove a powerful corrofive poifon, not
only to man,1 but to dogs,b wolves, foxes,0 &c. The bark and berries
of Mezereon, in different forms, have been long externally ufed to
obftinate ulcers and ill-conditioned fores. In France the former is
ftrongly recommended as an application to the fkin, which under
certain management ll produces a continued ferous difcharge, without
bliftering ; and is thus rendered ufeful in many chronic difeafes of a
local nature, anfwering the purpofe of what has been called a perpe-
tual blifter, while it occafions lefs pain and inconvenience.

a Mulierculae ruri baccas Coccumgnidii propinant in morbis rebellious, faepe effectu
deleterio. Bergius M. M. p. 307. A woman gave twelve grains of the berries to her
daughter, who had a quartan ague ; me vomited blood, and died immediately. Wither.
1. c. As the acrimony of thefe berries is not immediately perceived upon being tafted,
the ignorant and unwary are the more eafily betrayed to fwallow them.

b Haller. 1. c. c Lin. Fl. Lap. p. 105.

d As fome may wifh to try this practice, which is unknown to this country, and pro-
mifes beneficial effects in feveral complaints, we fhall briefly recite the ufual mode in
which it has been conducted : — A fquare piece of the recent bark, about an inch long,
and three quarters of an inch broad, macerated a little in vinegar, is applied to the flcin,
over which is bound a leaf of ivy or plantane. This application is at firft renewed night
and morning till it cauterizes the part and brings on a ferous difcharge, when a renewal
of the bark once in 24 hours is found fufflcient to continue the iflue for any length of time.
By means of fuitable platters, we conceive that it might be applied behind the ears to
relieve the eyes, and on a larger fcale prove an ufeful practice in fundry difeafes. —
It muft be obferved however, that it fometimes produces cutaneous eruptions, which
Bergius attributes to the abforption of the acrid particles of the bark. 1. c. vide Effai
fur l'ufage & les effets de l'ecorce du Garou.

In

( 7° )

Iii this country the Mezerion is principally employed for the cure
of fome fyphilitic complaints, and in this way Dr. Donald Monro was
the firrt who gave teftimony of its efficacy in the fuccefsful ufe of the
Lifbon diet drink/" Afew months after this,levcral cafes were publifhed
by Dr. Ruffel, then phyfician to St. Thomas's Hofpital, fully eftab-
lifhing the utility of the cortex mezerei in venereal nodes/ He fays,
" the difeafe for which I principally recommend the decoction of
mezereon root as a cure, is the node, that proceeds from a thickening
of the membrane of the bones, which appears to be the caufe of the
greater!; part of thofe tumours, at leaft when recent. — In a thickening
of the periofteum from other caufes I have feen very good effects from
it." But in the nocturnal pains, accompanying fyphilis, unlefs occa-
fioned by the node itfelf, he found it neceffary to join a folution of
fublimate to the decoction. g We may alfo remark, that Dr. R. never
found the decoction to increafe any of the natural evacuations. Dr.
Cullen obferves, that. " Dr. Home has not only found this decoction
to cure fcirrhous tumours, which remain after the lues venerea, and
after the ufe of mercury, but that it healed alfo fome fcirrhous
tumours from other caufes ; and that he has employed it in feveral
cutaneous affections, and fometimes with fuccefs." h

The confiderable and long continued heat and irritation that is
produced in the throat when Mezereon is chewed, induced Dr.
Withering to think of giving it in a cafe of difficulty of fwallowing,
feemingly occafioned by a paralytic affection. The patient was
directed to chew a thin nice of the root as often as fhe could bear it,
and in about a month recovered her power of fwallowing. This
woman had fuffered the complaint three years, and was greatly re-
duced, being totally unable to fwallow folids, and liquids but very
imperfectly.1

e Eff. & obferv. phif. & lit. p. 402. vol. 3. f Med. Obferv. & Inquir. vol. 3. p. 189.

Dr. R. firft joined farfaparilla to the mezereon, but afterwards ufed the following

only: ' ,

Cort. rad. Mezerei *j

Aq. fontan. cong. ifs

Coc ad cong. j fub fin. addend, rad. glycyrrhiz. incis, ^j. dos. lbfs quater in die.
And by this many of the patients were entirely cured without ever taking mercury.

h M. M. vol. 2. p. 215. 1 1. c.

DIGITALIS PURPUREA.

( 7* )

DIGITALIS PURPUREA. COMMON FOX-GLOVE.

S TNO NTMA. Digitalis. Pharm. Lond. fc? Edin. Digitalis foliis
calycinis ovatis, galea fimplice. Hal. Stirp. Helv. no. 330. Virga
regia major, fiore purpureo. Catfalp. 348. Aralda Bononienfibus.
Gefner. Digitalis purpurea vulgaris. Park. 1653. Digitalis Pur-
purea. Gerard. Herb. 790. J. Bauh. II. 811. Rati Hijl. 767.
Synop. p. 283. Flor. Dan. 774. Curtis Flor. Lond. Withering s
Account of the Fox-glove.

Varietates. f* Digitalis purpurea, folio afpero. Bauh. Pin. 243.

0 Digitalis alba, folio afpero. . Bauh. Pin. 244. Hort. Kew.

Clafs. Didynamia. Qrd. Angiofpermia. L. Gen. Plant. 758.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. 5-partitus. Cor. campanulata, 5-fida ventricofa.
Caps, ovata, 2-locularis.

Sp. Ch. D. calycinis foliolis ovatis acutis,, corollis obtufis : labio
fuperfore integro.

THE root is biennial, branched, and fibrous; the ftalk is erect,
fimple, tapering, covered with fine hairs or down, and rifes com-
monly to the height of four or five feet ; the leaves are large, oval,
narrowed towards their points, obtufelyferrated, veined, * downy,
and ftand upon fhort winged footftalks ; the floral leaves or bractese
fpear-fhaped, feflile, purplifh towards the point ; the calyx confifts of
five fegments, which are elliptical, pointed, nerved, or ribbed, and the
uppermoft fegment is narrower than the others; the flowers grow in a
long terminal fpike, chiefly on one fide, they are large, monopetalous,
pendulous, bell-fhaped,a purple, and marked on the infide with little
eyes, or dark coloured dots, placed in whitifh rings ; the tubular part
appears inflated, and almoft cylindrical, but fwelling towards the
bafe, and opening at the limb into four irregular, fhort, obtufe feg-
ments, of thefe the uppermoft is the fhorteft, appearing truncated or
cut oft* tranfverfely ; the peduncles are round, fhort, villous, and bend

* On the under fide thefe veins form a kind of net-work.
* The flowers bear fome refemblance to the finger of a glove ; hence the name Digitalis.

No. 5. T downwards

( 72 )

downwards by the weight of the flowers ; the filaments are two long
and two fhort, white, crooked, inferted in the bottom of the tube,
and crowned with large oval yellow anthers ; the ftyle is fimple, and
thickening towards the ftigma, which is bifid ; the germen is oval,
and furrounded at the bottom by a fmall nectarious gland ; the cap-
fule is bilocular, and contains many blackifh feeds. It grows com-
monly about road fides and hedges, efpecially in dry gravelly foils,
and flowers in June and July.

The leaves of Fox-glove have a bitter naufeous tafte, but no
remarkable fmell ; they have been long ufed externally to fores and
fcrophulous tumours with confiderable advantage. Reflecting the
internal ufe of this plant we are told of its good effects in epilepfy,
fcrophula, and phthifis ; but the incautious manner in which it was
employed rendered it a dangerous remedy : thus we find Ray (after
reciting the cafe of epilepfy cured by it, as mentioned by Parkinfon,)
fays, " Verum medicamentum hoc robuftioribus tantum convenit,
fiquidem violenter admodum purgat & vomitiones immanes excitat:"b
and others, fpeaking of its fuccefsful exhibition in fcrophula, remark,
" Sed ob nimiam remedii vehementiam, continuationem ejus neceffa-
riam detrectavit."c Yet while Digitalis was generally known to
pofTefs fuch medicinal activity, its diuretic effects, for which it is now
defervedly received in the Materia Medica, were wholly overlooked ;
that to this difcovery Dr. Withering has an undoubted claim, and
the numerous cafes of dropfy, related by him and other practitioners
of eftabliihed reputation, afford inconteftible evidence of its diuretic
powers, and of its practical importance in the cure of thofe difeafes.d
From Dr. Withering's extenfive experience of the ufe of the Digitalis
in dropfies, "he has been enabled to judge of its fuccefs by the fol-
lowing circumftances : — " It feldom fucceeds in men of great natural
Itrength, of tenfe fibre, of warm {kin, of florid complexion, or in
thofe with a tight and cordy pulfe. If the belly in afcites be tenfe,
hard, and circumfcribed, or the limbs in anafarca folid and refilling,
we have but little hope. On the contrary, if the pulfe be feeble, or
intermitting, the countenance pale, the lips livid, the fkin cold, the
fwollen belly foft and fluctuating, the anafarcous limbs readily pitting

b Raii Hift. p. 767. c Vide Murray's Ap. Med. vol. r. p. 192. d See his account
of the Fox-glove, published 1785; a book, which, in the opinion of Dr. Cullen,
" fbould be in the hands of every practitioner of phyfick," (M. M.)

under

( 73 )

under the preflure of the finger, we may expert the diuretic effects
to follow in a kindly manner.'"5 Of the inferences which he deduces,
the fourth is, " that if it (Digitalis) fails, there is but little chance of
any other medicine fucceeding." Thus we are to infer, that men of
great natural ftrength, and under the other circumftances juft men-
tioned, when affeded with dropfy, have little to hope for from the ufe
of this diuretic, and ftill lefs from any other medicine/ As this obfer-
vation is the refult of experience, and of confiderable practical con-
fequence, we wifh particularly to prefs it on the attention of the me-
dical reader. Although the Digitalis is now generally admitted to be a
very powerful diuretic, and many cafes may be adduced of its fuc-
cefsful ufe g in addition to thofe already publifhed, yet it is but juftice
to acknowledge that this medicine has more frequently failed than could
have been reafonably expected, from a comparifon of the facts ftated
by Dr. W.h — " The dofe of the dried leaves, in powder, is from one
grain to three twice a day. But if a liquid medicine be preferred, a

dram

• 1. c. p. 189. & feq. f In fuch cafes Dr. W. attempts to induce a change in the
conftitution, and thereby to fit it for the acYion of the Digitalis. Would not repeated
purging, according to Sydenham's plan, fucceed beft in thefe cafes ?

s The author could bring many inftances were it necefTary, of the good effe&s of
the Digitalis : a clinical patient at Guy's Hofpital, treated by Dr. Relph laft winter,
afforded a ftriking proof of the efficacy of this medicine in hydrothorax.

h Among the principal of the unfuccefsful cafes we may notice the eight fatal ones
related in the Medical Memoirs by Dr. Lettfom. In reply to thefe cafes, Dr. Witherino-
fent me the following Letter, * which is publifhed by the permiffion of Dr. Lettfom,
who authorizes me to fay, that as his only objedt in this bufinefs is the iriveftigation of
truth, he willingly appeals to the juftice and candour of the public, how far his practice
is fairly reprefented in Dr. Withering's letter :

SIR, * Pleafe to accept my thanks for your offer of inferting any thing new
which I might have to fay reflecting the Digitalis ; but I really have nothing new to
obferve, nor have I any thing to retract of what I have faid before. Under my own
management, under that of the medical practitioners in this part of England, and I may
add, alio in the hands of fome worthy and refpedtable Clergymen in village fituations, it
continues to be the moft certain, and the leaft offenfive diuretic we know ; in fuch cafes,
and in fuch conftitutions, as I have advifed its exhibition. I have alfo the fatisfaclion to
find, by letters from fome of the moft eminent Phyficians in different parts of England,
that it is equally ufeful and fafe in their hands. But I complain of the treatment this
medicine has had in London. Its ill fucctfs there cannot be altogether owing to diffe-
rence of conftitutions. Dr. Lettfom has related his unfuccefsful attempts with a degree
of courage, and of candour, which do the higheft honour to his integrity;* but no one
can compare his choice of patients, with my declarations of the fit and the unfit, or the
dofes he prefcribed, and the perfeverance he enjoined, with mydofes, rules, and cautions, ||

* Memoirs of the Med. Society of London, vol. II, p, 145. § Acsount of the Fox-glove p. 18 1, 184, et feq.

without

( 74 )

dram of the dried leaves is to be infufed for four hours in half a
pint of boiling water, adding to the ftrained liquor an ounce of any
fpirituous water. One ounce of this infuhon, given twice a day, is
a medium dofe. It is to be continued in thefe doles till it either acts
upon the kidneys, the ftomach, the pulfe, (which it has a remarkable
power of lowering) or the bowels."

without being aftonifhed that he could fuppofe he had been giving this medicine " in the

c< manner prefcribed by me."-f- 1 am fully fatisfied, that, had i prelcribed it in fuch

cafes, fuch forms, fuch dofes, and fuch repetitions as he has done, the effects would,
in my hands, have been equally uf( lefs, and equally deleterious. 1 muft therefore fup-
pofe, that he had forgotten what I had written, without being confcious that his memory
had deceived him. Had it been otherwife, after perufing the cafes I had published at pages
xx. and pages 151, &c. of my Account, &c. he would hardly have thought it neceflary
to have publilhed more inftances of what I had ftigmatized as bad prafiice ; or to have
fought for further proofs, that an active and ufeful medicine might be employed fo as to
prove a deleterious poifon.

•f- Memoirs of the Medical Society of London, vol. II. page 169.

. •T~t' ".:iww».j!i.i 1— 1. •

ARUM MACULATUM. COMMON ARUM, or WAKE-ROBIN.

STNONTMJ. Arum. Pharm. Loud. Sf Edin. Arum foliis
fagittatis, fpatha recta, clava cylindrica. Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 1302.
Arum minus. Camerar. Epit. p. 367. Arum maculatum et vulgare
non maculatum. Bauh. Pin. 195. Arum vulgare maculatum et
non maculatum. Park. 37:£V Arum vulgare. Qerard. H. 834.
Raii Hi/i. 1208. Wake-Robin Cuckow-pmt. Raii Synop. 266.
Arum Maculatum. Flor. Dan. 505. Flor. Lond. Withering s
Pot. Arrang. 1012. Relhaus Flor. Cant. 342.

Varietates funt

a. Arum vulgare non maculatum. Bauh. Pin. .

/3 Arum maculatum, maculis candidis, vel nigris. Bauh. Pin.
7 Arum italicum, foliis haftatis acutis, petiolis longimmis,
fpatha maxima erecta. Mill. Dial.

Clafs Gynandria. Ord. Polyandria. L. Gen. Plant. 1028.

Ef. Gen. Ch. Spatha monophylla; cucullata. Spadix fupra nudus,
inferne femineiis, medio ftamineus.

Sp. Ch. A. acaule, foliis haftatis integerrimis, fpadicc clavato>

( 7S )

THE root is perennial, tuberous, about the fize of the thumb,
fending off many long fimple fibres : the leaves are commonly three
or four, growing from each root ; thefe are arrow-fhaped, of a deep
green or purplifh colour, befet with many veins and dark fpots, and
itand upon long grooved and fomewhat triangularly lhaped footftalks ;
the flower ftalk is very fliort and channelled ; the calyx is a lheath
of one leaf, large, oval, nerved, and enclofing the fpadix, wThich is
round, club-fhaped, fleihy, above of a purple colour, below whitifh,
{landing in the centre of the fheath, and fupporting the parts
neceffary to fructification : on tracing it towards the bafe we firft.
difcover the nectaries, or feveral oval corpufcles, which are terminated
by long tapering points ; next to thefe are placed the antherae, which
are quadrangular, united, and of a purple colour ; under thefe we
find again more nectaries, and laftly the germina, which are very
numerous, round, vvithout ftyles, and crowned with fmall bearded
ftigmata. This curious fpecies of inflorefcence difplays itfelf early
in fpring, but the berries do not ripen till late in the fummer, when
they appear in naked clufters, of a bright fcarlet colour, making a
confpicuous appearance under the hedges, where they commonly
grow. ,

The root is the medicinal part of this plant, which in a recent
and lactefcent ftate is extremely acrimonious, and upon being
chewed excites an intolerable fenfation of burning and pricking in
the tongue, which continues for feveral hours : when cut in flices
and applied to the Ikin, it has been known to produce blifters. This
acrimony, however, is gradually loft by drying, and may be fb far
diffipated by the application of heat, as to leave the root a bland
farinaceous aliment ;a its medical efficacy therefore refides wholly in the
active volatile matter, and confequently the powdered root muft lofe
much of its power on being long kept, a circumftance which very
properly caufed the omiffion of the Pulvis ari compofitus in the

[Arum, by a modern botanift, is arranged under the clafs Monoecia ]
a In this ftate it has been made into a wholefome bread. It has alfo been prepared as
ftarch. The root, dried and powdered, is ufed by the French to warn the fkin with,
and is fold at a high price, under the name of Cyprefs Powder : It is undoubtedly a good

and innocent cofmetic. Withering, I.e. Thefe roots are alfo faid to poflefs a

faponaceous quality, and have been ufed in wafhing linen, to fupply the place of foap.
Raii Hid. p. 1208.

No. 6", U laft

( 76 )

laft edition of our Pharmacopoeia. Lewis fays, " the frefh. and
moderately dried roots were digefted in water, in wine, in proof
fpirit, and in rectified fpirit, with and without heat : the liquors
received no colour, and little or no tafte. In diftillation neither
fpirit nor water brought over any fenfible impregnation from the
Arum. The root, neverthelefs, lofes in thefe operations almoft the
whole of its pungency."15 The qualities of this root are thus
enumerated by Bergius : " Virtus recent, ficcatte : ftimulans, aperiens,
incidens, diuretica ; rccentis vehementiffima ; annofcz || nutriens."c-—
Dr. Cullen d feems to confider it as a general ftimulant, not only
exciting the activity of the digeftive powers, where they happen to
be languid, but ftimulating the whole fyftem ; in proof of this he
obferves, that it has been ufeful in intermittent fevers. Arum, by
ancient writers, is much commended, both as an external and as an
internal remedy, and is faid that " Ratione particularum tenuium &
volatilium mucum vifcidum & fpiffum ventriculi & inteftinorum
parietibus adhasrentem potenter incidit, attenuat, atque refolvit and
wras prefcribed in all that numerous- clafs of difeafes formerly fup-
pofed to proceed a "fuccorum lentore. Bergius confiders it ufeful in
Colluvies pituitofa, Anorexia, Cephalaea fympatica,e Afthma humorale,
Cachexia, Febris intermittens. Arum is certainly a very powerful
ftimulant, and by promoting the fecretions may be advantageoufly
employed in cachectic and chlorotic cafes, in rheumatic affections,
and in various other complaints of phlegmatic and torpid conftitu-
tions ; but more efpecially in a weakened or relaxed ftate of the
ftonrach, occafioned by the prevalence of vifcid mucus. If this
root is given in powder, great care mould be taken that it be
young and newly dried, when it may be ufed in the dofe of a fcruple
or more twice a day : but in rheumatifms and other diforders requir-
ing the full effects of this medicine, the root mould be given in a
recent ftate, and to cover the infupportable pungency it difcovers on
the tongue, Dr. Lewis advifes us to adminifter it in the form

b Lewis M. M. 119. c M. M. 722. d M. M. vol. 2. 212.

j| Tales radices Ari annofae vix acres funt, prout fupra monuimus, & quae reftare
poteft acrimonia, mitigatur penitus ebullitione. Caeterum plures Ari fpecies apud varias
gentes efculentae funt. Nutriunt omnes fuo farinofo. Bergius, 1. c.

e Bergius fpeaks highly of the efficacy of Arum in thefe headachs, which were of the
moft violent kind, and refifted all the means he employed, till he ufed the powder of this
root, which never failed to relieve them.

of

I

( 77 )

of emulfion, with gum arabic and fpermacseti, inereanng the dofe
from tea grains to upwards of a fcruple three or four times a day ;
in this way " it generally occafioned a fenfation of flight warmth about
the stomach, and afterwards in the remoter parts manifestly promoted
perfpiration, and frequently produced a plentiful fweat. Several
obitinate rheumatic pains were removed by this medicine, which is
therefore recommended to further trial."

MYRTUS PIMENTA. PIMENTO, JAMAICA PEPPER,

ALL-SPICE.

SYNONYM J. Pimento. Pharm.Lon. Pimenta & Piper Jamaicenfis.
Pbarm. Ed. Caryophyllus aromaticus Americanus,Lauri acuminatis
foliis, frudu orbicul?ri. Pluk. Phyt. 155. f. 4. Amomum quorundam
odore Caryophylli, J. B. Caryophyllus aromaticus frudtu rotundo,
Caryophyllon Plinii. Bauh. Phi. Piper adoratum Jamaicenfe nof-
tratibus. Rail Rift. 1507. Myrtus arborea aromatica foliis lauri-
nis. Shane1 s Jam. vol. 2. p. 76. Caryophyllus foliis oblongo-ovatis
glabris altarnis, racemis terminalibus et lateralibus. Browne s Jam.
p. 247. Caryophyllus foliis lanceolatis oppofitis, floribus race-
mofis terminalibus & axillaribus. Miller s Dicl.

Clafs Icofandria.* Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 217.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Cal. 5-fidus, fuperus. Petala 5. Bacca. 2. f. 3-fperma.

Sp. Cb. M. floribus trichbtomo-paniculatis foliis oblongo-lanceolatis.
Hort. Kezv.

Varietates, « foliis oblongo-lanceolalis acuminatis; acumine obtufo.
0 foliis ovalibus obtufis. Hort. Kew.

* " Some of thefe trees are frequently obferved to be barren, which has introduced a
jnotion among the people of Jamaica of their being male and female trees in general ; and
that fome of the male or barren trees were neceflary in every walk ; which, as they are
commonly many, is a vaft detriment. It is however certain, that all thofe I have obferved
were hermaphrodites : and' I am credibly informed, that thofe they call males, when
lopped and broke like the reft for one or two years, do bear very well : which I am the
more apt to believe, as I have never obferved a diftinct male or female flower on any
of them." Browne, 1. c,

THIS

( 78 )

THIS handfome myrtle grows above thirty feet in height, and
two in circumference ; the branches near the top are much divided,
and thickly befet with leaves, which by their continual verdure always
give the tree a beautiful appearance ; the bark is very fmooth, exter-
nally, and of a grey colour ; the leaves vary in fhape, and in fize,
but are commonly about four inches long, veined, pointed, elliptical,
and of a deep mining green colour ; the flowers are produced in
bunches, or panicles, and ftand upon fubdividing or trichotomous
{talks, which ufually terminate the branches ; the calyx is cut into
four roundiih fegments ; the petals are alfo four, white, fmall, reflex,
oval, and placed oppofite to each other between the fegments of the
calyx ; the filaments are numerous, longer than the petals, fpreading,
of a greenifh white colour, and rife from the calyx and upper part
of the germen ; the anthers are roundifh, and of a pale yellow
colour ; the ftyle is fmooth, fimple, and erect ; the ftigma is obtufe ;
the germen becomes a round fucculent berry, containing two kidney-
fhaped flattifh feeds. This tree is a native of New Spain and the
Weft-India iflands. In Jamaica it grows very plentifully, and in
June, July, and Auguft puts forth its flowers, which, with every
part of the tree, breathes an aromatic fragrance/

The Pimento tree was firft introduced and cultivated in this
country by Mr. Phil. Miller in 1739, and the figure we have annexed
was drawn from a recent fpecimen, obtained from the garden of his
Grace theDuke of Northumberland at Sion-Houfe, where the plant is
now in full bloom. Pimento, or the berries of this fpecies of myrtle, are
chiefly imported into England from Jamaica, and hence the name
Jamaica Pepper. It is alfo named All-fpice from its tafte being fup-
pofed to refemble that of many different fpecies mixed together. —
When the berries arrive at their full growth, but before they begin
to ripen,b they are picked from the branches, and expofed to the fun

For

a C£ The leaves and bark are full of aromatic particle?, which make them (the plan-
ters) extremely cautious of fire in all Pimento walks ; where, if it Should once catch, it
runs with great fury." Browne, 1. c.

b " Such of the berries as come to full maturity do, like many other feeds, lofe that
aromatic warmth for which they are efteemed, and acquire a tafte perfectly like that of
Juniper berries, which renders them a very agreeable food for the birds, the moft induf-
ttious planters of thefe trees." Browne, 1. c. " The berries when ripe are of a

dark

4

( 79 )

for feveral days, till they are fufEciently dried; this operation is to be
concluded with great care, obferving that on the firft and fecond day's
expofure they require to be turned very, often, and always to be pre-
ferred from rain and the evening dews. After this procefs is com-
pleted, which is known by the colour and rattling of the feeds in the
berries, they are put up in bags or hogfheads for the market. This
fpice, which was at firft brought over for dietetic ufes, has been long
employed in the fhops as a fuccedaneum to the more coftly oriental
aromatics; " it is moderately warm, of an agreeable flavour, fomewhat
refembling that of a mixture of cloves,cinnamon,and nutmegs. Diftilled
with water it yields an elegant effential oil, fo ponderous as to fink in
the water, in tafte moderately pungent, in fmell and flavour approach-
ing to oil of cloves, or rather a mixture of cloves and nutmegs. To
rectified fpirit it imparts, by maceration or digeftion, the whole of
its virtue : in diftillat'on it gives over very little to this menftrnum,
nearly all its active matter remaining concentrated in the infpiffated
-extract.

Pimento can fcarcely be confidered as a medicine : it is, however,
an agreeable aromatic, and on this account is not unfrequently employ-
ed with different drugs, requiring fuch a grateful adjunct:. Both the
Pharmacopoeias direct an aqueous and fpirituous diftillation to be
made from thefe berries, and the Edinburgh College order alfo the
Oleum eflentiale piperis Jamaicenfis.

dark purple colour, and full of a fweet pulp, which the birds devour greedily, and
muting the feeds, afterwards propagate .thefe trees in all parts of the woods. It is
thought 'that the feeds paffing through them, in this manner, undergo fome fermentation,
which fits them better for vegetating than thofe gathered immediately from the tree j
and I believe this is the fact." Long's Jamaica, vol. 3. p. 703.

No. 6

X

LAURUS

( 8o )

LAURUS CINNAMOMUM. CINNAMON-TREE.

SYNONYM J. Cinnamomum. Pharm. Loud. Esf Edin. Caflia
cinnamomea. Herm. Lugd. Bat. 129.1.655. Pluk. Almag. 88.
Cinnamomum foliis latis ovatis frugiferum. Burm. Zeyl. 62. t. 27.
Arbor canellifera Zeylanica, cortice acerrimo feu praeftantimmo,
qui Cinnamomum Officinarum. Breyn. Prod. ii. 17. Cinnamo-
mum five Canella Zeylanica. Bauh. Pin. 408. Canella feu Cin-
namomum vulgare. Bauh. Hijl. 1446. The Cinnamon-tree of
Ceylon. Rait Hijl. 1561. Lauras Cinnamomum. Jacq. Americ,
p. 59. t. 117. RalTe Coronde. Zeylonarum.

Clafs Enneandria. Ord. Monogynia. L. Gen. Plant. 509.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. o. Cor. calycina, 6 partita. Neclarium glan-
dulis 3, bifetis, germen .cingentibus. Filament a interiora
glandulifera. Drupa i-fperma.

Sp. Ch. L. foliis trinerviis ovatOroblongis : nervis verfus apicem
evanefcentibus.

THIS valuable and elegant laurel rifes above twenty feet in height;
the trunk extends about fix feet in length, and one foot and a half
in diameter ; it fends off numerous branches, which are covered with
fmooth bark, of a brownifh am colour ; the leaves ftand in oppolite
pairs upon fhort footftalks ; they are of an ovalifh oblong fhape,
obtufely pointed, entire, firm, from three to five inches long, of a
bright green colour, and marked with three whitifh longitudinal
nerves ; the common peduncles grow from the younger branches,
and after dividing, produce the flowers in a kind of paniculated umbel.
The petals are fix, oval, pointed, concave, fpreading, of a greenifh
white or yellowifh colour, and the -three outermoft are broader than
the others j the filaments are nine, Shorter than the corolla, flattifh,

erect,

( 8i )

ereft, ftanding in ternaries, and, at the bafe of each of the three
innermoft, two fmall round glands are placed ; the antherae are
double, and unite over the top of the filament ; the germen is oblong,
the ftyle fimple, of the length of the ftamina, and the ftigma is
depreffed and triangular : the fruit is a pulpy pericarpium, refembling
a fmall olive of a deep blue colour inferted in the corolla, and con-
taining an oblong nut.

The true Cinnamon-tree is a native of Ceylon, where, according
to Ray, it grows as common in the woods and hedges as the hazel
with us, and is ufed by the Ceylonefe for fuel and other domeftic
purpofes. Its cultivation was firft attempted in this country about
the year 1768 by Mr. Philip Miller, who obferves " that the Cinnamon
and Camphire-trees are very near akin," and that if the berries of
thefe trees were procured from the places of their growth, and planted
in tubs of earth, the plants might be more eafily reared than by layers,
which require two years or more before they take root. We wifh,
however, to caution thofe who make the trial, to plant this fruit im-
mediately upon being obtained from the tree ; for Jacquin remarks,
" Cseterum ad fationem tranfportari femina nequeunt, quum paucos
intra dies nuclei corrumpantur, atque effceti evadunt."2 Ray feems
to think that the Caflia cinnamomea of Herman, the Caflia lignea,
and the Caflia fifhila of the ancient Greek writers, were the fame,
or varieties of the fame fpecies of plant." But an inquiry of more
importance is, whether the Cinnamon of Ceylon is of the fame
fpecies as that growing in Malabar, Sumatra, &c. differing only
through the influence of the foil and climate in which it grows, or

* Jacquin's Americ. At Ceylon, c< it is particularly owing to a certain kind of
Wild Doves, which, from their feeding on the fruit of the Cinnamon-tree, they call
Cinnamon-eater st that thefc trees grow fo plentifully in this ifland." A. Seba Ph. Tranf.
vol. 36. p. 10(5.

b It is neceflary to obferve, that the ancient fignification of thefe names is very dif-
ferent from the modern. The younger branches of the tree, with their bark covering
them, were called by the Greek writers nmx^u^ov Cinnamomum, and fometimes
Caflia li gnea ; but when they were diverted of their bark, which by its
being dried became tubular, this bark was denominated x*<ri« ov$iy%y or caflia fiftula.—
But as in procefs of time the wood of this tree was found ufelefs, they ftripped the bark
from it, and brought that only; which cuftom prevails at this day. See Account of the
Cinnamon-tree by Dr. Watfon, Phil. Tranf. vol. 47.

from

( 82 )

from the culture or manner of curing the Cinnamon. Mr. White
and Mr. Combes, who have investigated this fubjett with confiderable
attention, agree with Gracias, and determine this queftion in the
affirmative.*

The ufe of the Cinnamon-tree is not confined to the bark, for it
is remarkable that the leaves, the fruit, and the root, all yield oils of
very different qualities, and of confiderable value : that produced
from the leaves is called Oil of Cloves, and Oleum Malabathri : that
obtained from the fruit is extremely fragrant, of a thick confiftence,
and at Ceylon is made into candles, for the fole ufe of the King ; and
the bark of the root not only affords an aromatic effential oil, or what

* According to many botanical writers the principal marks of diftinction of thefe
plants are to be found in. the leaf, which in the Cinnamon of Ceylon is more oval and
lefs pointed than the others, and the nerves do not reach to the margin ; while in the
Cinnamon of Sumatra they are faid to be continued to the extremity of the leaf. —
Reflecting the bark it is well known to be lefs warm and grateful to the tafte, mani-
fefting that vifcofity on being chewed which is never obfervable in the Ceylon Cinna-
mon. But Mr. White, with the afliftance of Dr. Matty, carefully compared the
fpecimens of'the Cinnamon-tree, (commonly called Caflia) which he had from Sumatra,
with thofe from Ceylon, preferved in the Britifh Mufeurn, which were the collections
of Boerhaave, Courteen, Plukenet, and Petiver, and found the difference fo inconfider-
able, as fully to juftify his opinion. In Murray's edition of the Syftema Veg. we find
fuperadded to the defcription of Caflia, w EfTe modo Varietatem praecedentis, (Cinriam.)
foliis anguftioribus et obtufioribus, Thunberg in Act. Stockh. 1780. p. 56. The
difference of the bark itfelf is thus ftated by Ray, " Oflicinae noftrae Cafliam ligneam
aCinnamomo feu Canella diftinctam faciunt, Cafliam Cinnamomo crafliorem plerumque
efTe colore rubicundiorem, fubftantia duriorem, folidiorem & compactiorem, guftu
magis glutinofo, odore quidem & fapore Cinnamomum aptius referre, tamen Cinna-
momo imbecilliorem & minus vegetam efTe ex accurata obfervatione. Tho. Johnfon.'"'
But Mr. White fays, " From the fpecimens I mall now produce, it will moft plainly
appear, that thefe differences are merely accidents, arifing from the age of the Canella,
the part of the tree from whence it is gathered, and from the manner of cultivating and
curing it." And he obferves, " If any conjecture can arife from hence, it may be,
that the Cinnamon of Ceylon was formerly, as well as that of Sumatra and Malabar,
called Caflia ; but that the Dutch writers, being acquainted with the excellent qualities
which the ancients afcribed to their Cinnamon, chofe to add the name Cinnamon to that
of Caffia ; and in procefs of time they have found the name of Cinnamon more profita-
ble than that of Caflia, by which we chufe to call our Canella, to our national lofs of
many thoufands a year." (Phil. Tranf. vol. 50. p. 887.) How far the reafoning of
Mr. White is really well founded, we leave to the judgment of others ; it may however
be remarked, that his opinion is not a little fupported, from the confideration that the
Cinnamon plant varies exceedingly, even in the ifland of Ceylon, where Burman
collected nine different forts, and Seba actually defcribes ten.

( 83 )

has been called Oil of Camphor, and of great eftimation for its me-
dical life, but alfo a fpecies of camphor, which is much purer and
whiter than that kept in the fhops.

The fpice, fo well known to us by the name of Cinnamon, is the
inner bark of the tree ;c and thofe plants produce it in the moft per-
fect ftate, which are about fix or feven years old, but this muft vary
according to circumftances. Seba fays, " Thofe which grow in the
vallies, where the ground is a fine whitim fand, (and there are many
fuch vallies in the ifland of Ceylon) will in five years time be fit to
have the bark taken off. Others, on the contrary, which ftand in a
wet flimy foil, muft have feven or eight years time to grow before
they are ripe enough." And the bark of thofe trees, which ftand in
a very dry foil, and much expofed to the fun, has often a bitterifh
tafte, which Seba attributes to " the camphor being by the fun's
rays rendered fo thin and volatile, that it rifes up and mixes with the
juice of the tree." The bark, while on the trees, is firft freed of
its external greenifh coat ; it is then cut longitudinally, ftripped from
the trees, and dried in fand, till it becomes fit for the market, when
it is of a reddifh yellow, or pale rufty iron colour, very light, thin,
and curling Hp into quills or canes, which are fomewhat tough, and
of a fibrous texture. It is frequently mixed with caflia, which is
diftinguiftied from the Cinnamon by its tafte being remarkably flimy.
This bark is one of the moft grateful of the aromatics j of a very
fragrant fmell, and a moderately pungent, glowing, but not fiery
tafte, accompanied with considerable fweetnefs, and fome degree of
aftringency. Its aromatic qualities are extracted by water in infufion,
but more powerfully by it in diftillation, and in both ways alfo by a
proof fpirit applied. Cinnamon is a very elegant and ufeful aromatic,
more grateful both to the palate and ftomach than moft other fub-
ftances of this clafs : by its aftringent quality, it likewife corrobo-
rates the vifcera, and proves of great fervice in feveral kinds of
alvine fluxes, and immoderate difcharges from the uterus. The
aromatic principle is an eflential oil, which is obtained by diftilling

you tafte the inner membrane of the bark when frefti taken off, you will find
it of moft exquifite fweetnefs, whereas the outward part of the bark differs but very
little in tafte from the common trees ; but in drying, the oily and agreeable fweetnefs
communicates and diffufes itfelf throughout the whole outward part." Seba 1. c.

No. 6. Y at

( 84 )

at once large quantities of this fpice, or rather caffia, which is ufually
employed in thefe operations ; and the oil thus feparated is fo
extremely pungent, that on being applied to the {kin it produces an
efchar ; in dofes of a drop or two diluted, by means of fugar,
mucilages; &c. it is one of the mod immediate cordials and reftora-
tives in languors, fingultufes, and all debilities. This oil is imported
from the Eaft-Indies, and a tincture, a fimple, and a fpirituous water,
are directed by the Pharmacopoeias to be prepared from this fpice.

GLECOMA HEDERACEA. GROUND-IVY, Or, GILL.

STNONTMA. Hedera terreftris. Pharm. Edin. Gerard. 8 56.
Raii Hift. vol. 1. 567. Synop. 243. Hedera terreftris vulgaris.
Banh. Pin. 306. Park. Theat. 6j6. ChamascilTus five Hedera
terreftris. J* Banh. vol. 3. 855. Chamseclema caule procumbente
radicato, foliis reniformibus, rotunde crenatis. Hal. Stirp. Helv.
No. 245. Glecoma hederacea. With. Bot. Arrang. 603. Relhan
Flor, Cant. 225. Curtis Flor. Lond. Flor. Dan. t. 789.

Clafs Didynamia. Ord. Gymnofpermia. L. Gen. Plant. 714.

FJf. Gen. Gh. Anther •ar urn -.fingulum par in formam crucis connivens.
Calyx 5-fidus.

Sp. Ch. G. foliis reniformibus crenatis.

THIS plant has a fmall, perennial, creeping, fibrous root, which
puts forth ftalks from fix inches to a foot and a half in height ; thefe
are fquare, procumbent, and at the knots or joints woolly ; the leaves
are of a roundifh kidney-fhape, fcolloped, hairy, and Hand in oppo-
fite pairs upon channelled footftalks ; the flowers grow in verticilla,
or whorls of three, four, or five together, on fhort peduncles, placed
about the footftalks of the leaves j the calyx is tubular, permanent,

ftriated,

VVVT .

( ss )

ftriated, rough, and divides into five unequal pointed fegments ; the
flower is blue, monopetalous, bilabiated, with a flender comprefled
tube ; the upper lip is cleft, erect, blunt, the. lower lip is expanded,
large, divided into three lobes, of which the middle one is the
largeft, and is notched at the end ; the bractese are fmall, tapering, and
grow from the peduncles ; the filaments are four, two long and two
fhort, covered by the upper lip, and the antherse of each pair approach
fo as to form a crofs ; the ftyle is filiform, the ftigma is bifid, and
pointed -T the feeds are four, oval, naked, and lodged in the calyx.
It is a well known plant, growing commonly under hedges, and
flowering in April.

Ground-ivy has a peculiar ftrong fmell,a and its tafte is bitterifh, and
fomewhat aromatic. It is one of thofe plants which was formerly in
confiderable eftimation, 2nd fuppofed to pofTefs great medicinal powers,
but which later experience has been unable to difcover ; in proof of
this, its name is omitted in the catalogue of the materia medica by
the London College. The qualities of this plant have been defcribed
by different authors, as peroral, detergent, aperient, diuretic, vul-
nerary, corroborant, errhine, &c. — and it has been varioufly recom-
mended for the cure of thofe difeafes to which thefe powers feemed
moft adapted, but chiefly in pulmonary15 and nephritic c complaints.
In obftinate coughs it is a favourite remedy with the poor, who
probably experience its good effects by ftill perfevering in its ufe.
Ray, Mead, and fome others, fpeak of its being ufefully joined with
fermenting ale;* but Dr. Cullen obferves, " it appears to me frivo-
lous. In fhort, in many cafes where I have feen it employed, I have
had no evidence either of its diuretic or of its pectoral effects. In

3 Dr. Withering has obferved, that the leaves are cc befet underneath with hollow dots,
■ in which are glands fecreting an eflential oil, and above with little eminences, but which
do not fecrete any odoriferous oil; for this furface being rubbed gives out no peculiar
fcent, whereas the under furface affords a pleafant reviving fcent." 1. c.

b Willis, Pharm. rat. fe£r. 1. c. 6. Morton, Phthifiologia, lib. 3. Cap. 5. Sauvages
Nofol. Tom. 3. P. 2. cap de phthifi. Ettmuller, Oper. T. p. 639. Scardona Aphoris.
lib. 2. p. 69. River. Prax. P. 1. p. 397. See alfo Ray, Gerard, Miller, and others.

c Paulli Quadrip. bot. p. 74. Sennertus. Oper. T. 3. p. 576. Plater. Prax. Tom.
2. p. 499. Reufn. Obferv. Med. p. 90. apud Welch. Mead Mon. et prsec.. med.
p. 97.

* from the general ufe of Ground-ivy, mixed with ale, &c, it acquired the name of
Ale-hoof and Tun-hoof,

common

( 86 )

common with many other of the verticillata*, it may be employed as
an errhine, and in that way cure a head-ach,d but no otherways by
any fpecific quality." It is ufually taken in the way of infufion, or
drunk as tea.

d Ray gives a remarkable inftance of its efficacy in this way, in the cafe of Mr.
Oldacres, and fays, " Succus hujus plantse naribus attra&us cephalalgiam etiam vehe-
mentiflimam & inveteratam non lenit tantum fed & penitus aufert — Medicamentum
hoc non fatis poteft laudari, fi res ex ufu aeftimarentur, auro aequiparandum." 1. c.

COCHLEARIA OFFICINALIS. COMMON SCURVY-GRASS.

S TNO NT MA. Cochlearia hortenfis. Pbarm. Lond. fcf Edin.
Cochlearia. J. Baub. 2. 942. Cochlearia rotundifolia. Gerard.
324. Cochlearia folio fubrotundo. Baub.Pin.no. Cochlearia
major rotundifolia five Batavorum. Park. 285. Cochlearia. Rati
Hift. Spec. 1. p. 822. : Synop. 302. Nafturtium foliis radicalibus
fubrotundis, caulinis oblongis, fubfinuatis. Hal. Stirp. Helv. No.
503. Cochlearia officinalis. With. Bot. Arrang. 677. 'Flor. Dan.

1.35-

Clafs Tetradynamia. Ord. Siliculofa. L. Gen. Plant. 803. f

EJf. Gen. Cb. Silicula emarginata, turgida, fcabra ; volvulis gibbis,
obtufis.

Sp. Cb. C. foliis radicalibus cordato-fubrotundis ; caulinis oblongis
fubfinuatis. Caulis ramofus.

THE root is perennial, fibrous, and ufually produces feveral
upright branched angular ftems, about a fpan high ; the radical leaves
'are heart or kidney-fhaped, flefhy, fucculent, and ftand upon long
footftalks ; the ftem-leaves alternate, rhomboidal, blunt, and dentated
on each fide ; towards the top the leaves are feffile, or embracing the
ftem, but towards the bottom they are frequently upon Ihort broad
footftalks i the flowers are cruciform, and ftand upon fhort peduncles,

terminating

■>'.)

/

I1

( 87 )

terminating the branches in thick clufters; the calyx confifts of four
leafits, which are oval, blunt, cancave, gaping, deciduous, and whitiih
at the margin ; the petals are four, white, oval, fpreading, and twice
the length of the calyx ; the filaments are fix, four long and two
fhort, greenifh, tapering, and crowned with yellow antheras ; it has
no ftyle, and the germen becomes a fmall roundifh compreifed pod,
containing rough feeds. It is found on the mountains of Scotland,
Cumberland, and Wales, but more commonly about the Sea mores :
it flowers in April and May.

We have figured this plant from a fpecimen obtained from Mr.
Curtis's- botanic garden at Brompton, where it differs in no refpect
from the fame plants growing in their native foil, a circumftance
which induces many to cultivate Scurvy-grafs in gardens for medical
ufe. It has an unpleafant fmell, and a warm acrid bitter tafte. " Its
active matter is extracted by maceration both in watery and in fpiri-
tuous menftrua, and accompanies the juice obtained by expreffion.
The moft considerable part of it is of a very volatile kind ; the
peculiar penetrating pungency totally exhaling in the exficcation of
the herb, and in the evaporation of the liquors. Its principal virtue
refides in an eflential oil, feparable in a very fmall quantity, by diftil-
lation with water."1 — Scurvy-grafs bis antifeptic, c attenuant, aperient,
and diuretic, and is faid to open obftructions of the vifcera and
remoter glands, without heating or irritating the fyftem ; it has been
long confidered as the moft effectual of all the antifcorbutic plants,*

* Lewis M. M. 242. " The oil is fo ponderous as to fink in the aqueous fluid, but
of great volatility, fubtility, and penetration. One drop diflblved in fpirit, or received
on fugar, communicates to a quart of wine, or other liquors, the fmell and tafte of
Scurvy-grafs." . Lewis 1. c.

_ b This fpecies is now preferred to all the other fpecies of Cochlearia for its medical ufe.

c See the experiments of Sir John Pringle.

* We have teftimony of its great ufe in fcurvy, not only from phyficians, but
•nigators, as A'nfon, Linfchoten, Maartens, Egede, and others. -And it has been juftly

noticed, that this plant grows moll plentifully in thofe high latitudes, where the fcurvy
is moft obnoxious : Forfter found it in great abundance in the iflands of the South Sea.
In Iflandia parant incolae hanc herbam cum la&e acidulato vel ejus fero; condiunt earn
etiam fale culinari in magnis doliis, & per hiemem fervant. Cum oves in locis, ubi
Cochlearia crefcit, pafcuntur, avide quidem illam edunt & valde pinguefcunt, fed caro
naufeofo fapore inficitur. Olafsen. Reife durch JJland, T. 1. p. 257. Vide Berg.
M. M. 557.

No. 6. Z and

( 88 )

and its fenfible qualities are fufficiently powerful to confirm this
opinion. In the rheumatifmus vagus, called by Sydenham Rheuma-
tifmus fcorbuticus, confifting of wandering pains of long continuance,
accompanied with fever, this plant, combined with Arum and wood-
forrel, is highly commended both by Sydenham and Lewis/ — A
remarkably volatile and pungent fpirit, prepared from this herb, and
known by the name of Spiritus ant'ifcorbuticus s. mixtura /implex
antifcorbutica Drawi%ii.% (Pharm. Wert.) was found by Werlhof e
to be a ufeful remedy in paralyfis and other difeafes requiring an
active and powerful ftimulant, given in the dofe of thirty drops
feveral times a day. But as an antifcorbutic, neither this, nor the
conferve promifes lb much benefit as the frefh plant, eaten as fallad,
or the exprefTed juice, as directed in the Pharmacopoeias.

d Opera 278. M. M. 241.

% Fit ex fpiritu tartari et fpiritu cochleariae, quibus vitriolum ad rubidinem calcin-
atum. irroratur, fuccedente digeftione et diftillatione. Murray Ap. Med. vol. 2. p. 347.

e Obf. de febr. p. 145. Dr. Cullen obferves, that " feveral foreign difpenfatories
have ordered it to be treated by diftillation with fpirit of wine, and have thereby obtained
a volatile poignant fpirit, that may prove a ufeful ftimulus in feveral cafes. It may pro-
bably be improved by a combination with the volatile acid of tartar, as in the fpiritus
antifcorbuticus Draivitzii, and in this ftate may be a ufeful ftimulant in paralytic cafes ;
it may alfo be employed as a diuretic, and in this way alfo be ufeful in fcurvy." M. M.
vol. 2. 165.

CARD AMINE PRATENSIS.

L

30

ruin/hd fir Df H**/Mt>> JUnd i. lytfo.

( 89 )

CARD AMINE PRATENSIS. COMMON LADIES-SMOCK,

Or, CUCKOW-FLOWER.

S TNO NTMA. Cardamine. Pharm. Lond. fcf Edin. Nafturtium
pratenfe magno flore. Banh. Pin. 104. Nafturtium pratenfe
majus feu Cardamine latifolia. Park. 825. Iberis Fuchfii feu
Nafturtium pratenfe fylveftre. J. B. 2. 889. Cardamine. Gerard.
Raii. Hifl. Sp. 2. p. 814. Synop. 299. Cardamine foliis pinnatis
radicalibus fubrotundis, caulinis linearibus. Hal. No. 473. Car-
damine pratenfis. With. Bat. Arrang. 688. Relhan. Flor. Cant.
255. Curt. Flor. Lona. « Floribus fimplicibus. /3 Floribus plenis,
H. Kew. 2(irv^/3f/oy ET5fov. Diofcor.

Clafs Tetradynamia. Ord. Siliquofa. L. Gen. Plant. 812.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Siliqua elaftice difliliens valvulis revolutis. Stigma
integrum. Cal. fubhians.

Sp. Ch. C. foliis pinnatis : foliolis radicalibus fubrotundis ; caulinis
lanceolatis.

THE root is perennial, branched, and fends off many long round
fibres; the ftalk is erect, round, fmooth, fometimes branched towards
the top, and rifes about nine inches high : the leaves are pinnated,
radical leaves frequently wanting, otherwife fpreading in an orbicular
Ihape, with roundifh pinnae, which are dentated, or cut into feveral
irregular unequal angles ; the leaves upon the ftalk are erect, and
confift of four or five pair of pinnse, which are narrow, fpear-fhaped,
concave, pointed, and the odd or terminal leafits are the largeft ; the
flowers terminate the ftem in a clufter or racemus, and ftand upon
fmooth naked peduncles ; the calyx is compofed of four fcaly leaves,
which are oblong, obtufe, concave, deciduous, and alternately pro-
tuberant at the bafe ; the corolla is cruciform, and of a purplifh
white colour ; the petals are obverfely veined, fomewhat notched at

the

( 90 )

the apex, and yellowifh at the bafe ; the filaments are fix, four long
and two fliort, inverted at the bottom with four ne£tareous glands ;
the antherse are fmall, oblong, and placed upright upon the fummits
of the filaments ; there is no ftyle ; the germen is round, flender,
about the length of the ftamina, and becomes a long compreffed
pod of two valves, which, on opening, roll back in a fpiral manner,
and in the cells are contained many round. feeds. It is common in
meadows and moid paftures, producing its flowers in April and May.

This plant has the fame fenfible qualities as water-crefs, though in
an inferior degree to it, and indeed to moll of that clafs of plants,
called by Dr. Cullen filiquofae, which comprehends both the orders of
filiquofa and filiculofa of Linnaeus, and the cruciform of Tournefort.
It is the flower of the Cardamine which has a place in the materia
medica of the Britilh Pharmacopoeias, upon the authority of Sir
George Baker, who, in the year 1767, read a paper at the London
College, recommending thefe flowers as an antifpafmodic remedy,*
which has fince been publifhed in the Medical Tranfa£tions.b In this
account Sir George relates five cafes c wherein the flores cardamines
were fuceefsfully ufed ; and in a P. S. to the fecond edition, he fays,
" Since the firft edition of this volume, I have feen feveral inftances of
the good effects of flores cardamines in convulfive diforders." In
Epilepfy, however, this remedy has been generally found unfuccefsful.
Greeding, who tried it in a great number of cafes, and in large
dofes, experienced but one inftance of its good efTedts.d The dofe of
the powdered flowers is from half a dram to two drams.

a We find no account of the ufe of thefe flowers but by Dale, who fays of the plant,
<c Calida & acris eft, &c nafturtii pollet viribus. Flos in convulfionibus laudatur ex
MSS. D. Tancred Robinfon, M. D." Pharmacol, 204.

b Medical Tranfactions, vol. r. 442.

c Viz. two of chorea fandti Viti, one of fpafmodic afthma, an hemiplegia accompanied
with convulfions on the palfied fide, and a cafe of remarkable fpafmodic affections of the
lower limbs; the two firft were cured in lefs than a month ; the two fecond were alfo
happily removed : but in the laft cafe the patient had experienced fome relief from the
flor, card, when fhe was feized with a fever which proved fatal. See I. c.

d Ludwig. Advers. Medico-pradl:. Vol. 3. P. 3. p. 564.

Ml./).../ A «' ./-fr 17't°

( 9i )

LAURUS SASSAFRAS. SASSAFRAS-TREE.

SYNONYM A. Saflafras. Pbarm. Lond.& Edinb. Cornus mas
odorata, folio trifido, margine piano, Saflafras dicta. Pluk. Aim.
1 20. Catejb. Carolin. 1. p. 55. Saflafras five lignum pavanum.
J. Bauh. i. 483. SalTafras, arbor ex Florida, ficulneo folio. Banh.
Pin. 431. Saflafras. Gerard emac. 1525. Park. Tbeat. 1606.
Rati Hijl. ii. 1568. Laurus foliis integris trilobifque. Trew. Ebret.
t. 69. Dubam. Arb. 1. p. 350. Kalm. Canad. 2. p. 270.

1 Clafs Enneandria. Ord. Monogynia. L. Gen. Plant. 503.

. EJf. Gen. Cb. Cat. o. Cor. calycina, 6-partita. Nediarium glandulis
3, bifetis, germen cingentibus. Filament a interiora glandulifera.
Drupa i-fperma.

<Sp. Cb. L.. fol. trilobis integrifque,

THE Saflafras tree rifes fometimes to the height of twenty or
l thirty feet,* and is about twelve or fifteen inches in diameter, but it
iis commonly of much lefs growth, and is divided towards the top into
ifeveral crooked branches: the bark of the young fhoots is fmooth
;and green, of the old trunks it is rough, furrowed, and of a light
;afli-colour : the leaves vary both in form and fize, fome being oval
;and entire, others cut into two or three lobes; they are all of a
ipale-green colour, veined, downy on the under fide, and placed
: alternately upon long footftalks : the flowers are produced in pendent
ifpikes or panicles, which fpring from the extremities of the moots
« of the preceding year ; they appear in May and June, and are
j generally male and female upon different trees : the corolla is divided
iinto fix leaves, which are narrow, convex, and of a dingy yellow

* Vide MarfhalPs Arbuftrum Americanum, p. 75.

No. 7. A a colour;

( 9* )

colour ; the male flowers have nine a filaments, crowned with round
autherae ; the bradteae are linear, and placed at the bafe of the pe-
dicles ; there is no calyx, and the berries produced by the female
flowers are fimilar in fhape and colour b to thofe of the cinnamon,
[cee plate 27.]

The Saflafias tree is a native of North America,0 and appears to
have been cultivated in England fometime before the year 1633, for
in Johnfon's edition of Gerard, he fays, " I have given the figure
of a branch taken from a little (Saflafras) tree, which grew in the
garden of Mr. Wilmote at Bow."J It is faid that the SalTafras-tree
was firft difcovered by the Spaniards in 1538, when they poflefled
themfelves of Florida ; d and the wood was firft imported into Spain
about the year 1560, where it acquired great reputation for curing
various difeafes.0 It is now ufually imported here in long ftraight
pieces, very light, of a fpungy texture, and covered with a rough
fungous bark. It has a fragrant fmell, and a fweetifh aromatic
fubacrid talte : the root, wood, and bark, agree in their medical quali-
ties, and are all mentioned in the pharmacopoeias ; but the bark is the
ir oft fragrant, and thought to be more efficacious than the woody
part, and the fmall branches are preferred to the large pieces. " The
virtues of Saflafras are extracted totally by fpirit, but not perfectly
by water. Diftilled with the latter it yields a fragrant eflential oil of

* Miller fays eight, but in the fpecimen figured, which was procured from a male tree
in the King's garden at Kew, nine ftamina were obferved in all the flowers.

»> Marftiall, 1. c.

c " G. Pifo Monardis defcriptioni circa lignum Saflafras non acquiefcendum eue ait,
fiquidem affirmat Saflafras Florida? lignum decorticatum vix ullius dignitatis efle, cum
Brafilienfe eximiae dignitatis &c virtutis habeatur, atque a cortice liberatum in aliquot
annos immune fervatur." Vide Raii Hift. p. 1569.

J This account differs from that given by Ray, who fays, that — " Tho. Johnfonus
in Gerardo fuo emaculato : qui Saflafras arbufculae a fe vifze in horto D. Guliel. Coys
Stratfordiae prope Londinum ramulum defcribit & depingit, &c. Hift. 1. c.

* " It is called cinnamon-wood on account of its fmell, which made the Spaniards,
when they conquered Florida, in 1538, under Ferdinand de Soto, hope to find that
valuable fpicery there, which grows only in Ceylon." Savory Difl. ii. 1487.

e " Ligni quoddam genus ex Florida^ nunc recens in Hifpaniam invehitur, cujus
ante paucos annos, notitiam Gallus quidam mihi dedit, ejus facultates mirum in modum
praedicans advcrfas varios morbos, ut Galli experti erant, ab incolis edo&i. — Dioitur
Indis Pavame, Gailis, ncfcio quam ad caulam, Saflafras," Monard. Hiji. ed anno 1569.

a penetrating

( 93 )

a penetniting pungent tafte, and fo ponderous as to fink in water.
Rectified fpirit extracts the whole tafte and fmell of SafTafras, and
elevates nothing in evaporation ; hence the fpirituous extract proves
the moft elegant and efficacious preparation, as containing the whole
virtue of theyroot." SafTafras, according to Bergius, is " fudorifera,
diuretica, pirrificans," and ufeful in " rheumatifm, cutaneous difeafes,
and ulcers." Lewis fays that it is ufed as a mild corroborant, diaphoretic,
and fweetener in fcorbutic, venereal, cachectic, and catarrhal diforders/
Its medical character was formerly held in great eftimation, and its
fenfible qualities, which are ftronger than any of the other woods,
may have probably contributed to eftablilh the opinion fo generally
entertained of its utility in many inveterate difeafes ; for foon after
its introduction into Europe,, it was fold at a very high price,5 and
its virtues were extolled in publications profeffedly written on the
fubject.h It is now, however, thought to be of very little import-
ance, and feldom employed, but in conjunction with other medicines
of a more powerful nature. Dr. Cullen " found that a watery
infufion of it taken warm, and pretty largely, was very effectual in
promoting fweat ; but (he adds) to what particular purpofe this'
fweating was applicable, I have not been able to determine." 1 In
fome conftitutions SafTafras, by its extreme fragrance, is faid to pro-
duce head*-ach ; to deprive it of this effect the decoction ought to
be employed.

SafTafras is an ingredient in the decoctum farfaparillse compofi-
tum, or decoctum lignorum ; but the only officinal preparation of it
is the efTential oil, which may be given in the dofe of two drops to
ten. Watery infufions made both from the cortical and woody part,
rafped or lhaved, are commonly drunk as tea ; but the fpirituous
tincture, or extract, which contains both the volatile and fixed parts
< of the medicine, appears to be preferable.

f Lewis M. M. c Viz. 50 livres per pound.

h See Saflafrafologia, &c. publifhed by J. R. Bremane, 1627. 1 Cullen's M. M. ii. 200.

LAURUS NOBILIS.

( 94 )

LAURUS NOBILIS. COMMON SWEET-BAY,

S TN 0 NT MA, Laurus. Pharm. Lond. fcf Edink Dodon. 849.
Came?-. Epit. 60. Gerard emac. 1407. J. Bauh. Hi/I. 1. 405.
The Common Bay-tree. Raii Hijl. 1688. Laurus vulgaris.
Bauh. Pin. 460. Laurus major five latifolia. Park. Par ad. 598.
Laurus nobilis. Trew. nov. aft. ph. med. A. N. C. vol. 2. p. 381.
Laurus foliis ovato-lahceolatis, ramis florigeris, folio brevioribus.
Hall. Stirp. Helv. n. 1602. A?~bor Fruclus a«?wok Diofcor,

Clqfs Enneandria. Ord. Monogynia. L. Gen. Plant. 503.

JEff. Gen. Ch. Cal. o. Cor. calycina, 6-partita. Neclarium glanduhs
3 bifetis, germen cingentibus. Filamenta interiora glandulifera.
Drupa i-fperma.

Spf Ch. L. foliis venofis lanceolatis perermantibus, floribus quadrifidis.

THE Bay-tree never rifes to any confiderable height, but ufually
fends off many radical moots, which grow clofe and bufhy : a the
bark is fmooth, and of a dark olive colour • the. leaves are elliptical,
pointed, fmooth, veined, entire, often waved at the margin, of a
mining green colour, and ftand erect upon fhort channelled footftalks :
the flowers come forth in April and May, and, like thofe of the
Saffafras, are male and female upon different plants ;* they appear in
clufters of three or four together, ftanding upon ihort peduncles at
the axillae of the leaves ; the corolla divides into four oval leaves,
which ftand erect, and are of a yellowifh white colour ; the ftamina
vary in number, from feven to thirteen ; there is no calyx, and the
glands, 6cc. correfpond with the generic defcription : the ftyle of the

a Turn fpifla ramis laurea fervidos
Excludet i£lus. — Kor. lib. ii. Ode xv,

* We have figured the male plant.

female

32

( 95 )

female flowers is very fhort, and the germen becomes an oval berry, co-
vered with a dark green rind, and feparable into two lobes or cotyledons.

This tree is a native of Italy, and other fouthern parts of Europe,
and the firft account we have of its cultivation in England is given
by Turner in 1562 ;b it is a handfome evergreen, and now very
common in the fhrubberies and gardens of this country. The leaves
and berries poffefs the fame medicinal qualities, both having a fweet
fragrant fmell, and an aromatic aftringent tafte.c — The berries are
imported from the Streights, and are much ftronger than the leaves.
« In diftillation with water the leaves yield a fmall quantity of very
fragrant eflential oil : with rectified fpirit they afford a moderately
warm pungent extract . The berries yield a larger quantity of eflential
oil : they difcover likewife a degree of unctuofity in the mouth, give
out to the prefs an almoft infipid fluid oil, and on being boiled in
water a thicker butyraceous one, of a yellowifh green colour, im-
pregnated with the flavour of the berry." d

The Laurus of honorary memory,6 the diftinguifhed favourite

b Turn. Herb, part 2. fol. 32. in Hort. Kew. cit. c Lewis M. M. 382.
d Their fpicy warmth has recommended them for culinary purpofes, and in this way
they were much ufed by the Romans, " Apud veteres Romanos inter cibi condimenta
in culinis frequenter adhibebantur, ut teftatur Apicius Coelius." And the leaves both of
this plant, and the common laurel, are frequently ufed in cuftards, &c. But the practice
has by many been difcontinued, fince a recent and fatal proof of the poifonous qualities
of the latter was made public. To fuch we may obferve, that the common laurel, or
Prunus Lauro cerafus of Linnaeus, differs very materially from the plant here reprefented,
both in its effects and in its botanical characters. The common fweet bay may be thus
ufed not only with fafety but with the advantage of affifting digeftion : and it has even
been thought to obviate the poifonous effects of the laurel : " Aqua ftillatiti.i Lauri,
fecundum Clar. Cantwell, antidotus eft aquae ftillatitiae Lauro cerafi." (Hall. 1. c.) It
may be remarked, however, that the deleterious part of the laurel is the eflential oil
which requires to be feparated by diftillation, in order to become an active poifon.

e Laurus planta eft, Apollini lucidiffimo facra : quin etiam a Jove colitur. It was
not only generally worn as a triumphal crown, but, by the Emperor Tiberius, as a pro-
tection againft thunder. " Laurum fulmine non percuti veteribus perfuafum fuit."
" Eadem fuperftitione nititur obfervatio ilia de crepitu quern folia & virgae Lauri inter
urendum edunt. Nam fi crepuiflent abunde ac fonatius, haud dubie portendi felicem
eventum rebantur : quod fi tacita deflagraflent, triftem & inaufpicatum." The Laurus,
as well as the Olive, was confidered as an emblem of peace, and called Laurus pacifera,
" fi ejus rami praetendebantur inter armatos hoftes, firmum quietis erat indicium."
(Matthiol) Mufas in Laurinis montis Parnafli fylvis fidere finxerunt. Eadem corona-
bantur Pcetae. Necnon adhuc quibufdam in locis novi Medicinas Doctores Lauro
coronantur : inde fortaffe Laureandi & Laureati dicuntur. ( Geoff. )

No. 7. B b of

( 96 )

, of Apollo/ may be naturally, fuppofed to have had no mcon-
fiderable fame as a medicine ;g but its pharmaceutical ufes are
fo limited in the prefent practice, that this dignified plant is now
rarely employed, except in the way of enema, or as an external appli-
cation ; thus, in the London pharmacopoeia the leaves are directed in
the decoctum pro fomento, and the berries in the emplaftrum cumini.
The berries however appear to poffefs fome fhare of medicinal
efficacy ,h and if we do not allow them to be fo extenfively ufeful
as reprefented by J. Bauhin, Tournefort, Geoffroy, and fome
others, yet we have no doubt of their virtus, ftomachica, refolvens,
pellens menfes, urinam, fudorem, as ftated by Pergius, who recom-
mends them only in hyfteria. They have been long thought to act
with peculiar power upon the uterine fyftem, and on this account
we are cautioned againft their ufe in pregnancy.1 An infufion of the
leaves is fometimes drunk as tea ; and the elfential oil of the berries
may be given from one to five or fix drops, on fugar, or dilfolved by
means of mucilages, or in fpirit of wine.

f Cui Deus, At conjux quoniam mea non potes efle,

Arbor eris certe, dixit, mea. Semper habebunt

Te coma, te citharae, te noftrae, Laure, pharetrae.

Tu ducibus Latiis aderis, cum lasta triumphum

Vox canet j & longae vifent Capitolia pompae.

Poftibus Auguftis eadem fidifiima cuftos

Ante fores ftabis ; mediamque tuebere quercum.

Utque meum intonfis caput eft juvenile capillis ;
' Tu quoque perpetuos Temper gere frondis honores.

Ovid. Met. I. v. 557.

s " Laurus apud veteres medicos magnum habuit in medicina ufum, & veluti panacea
aeftimata fuit." Geoff.

h Haller fays, " Calida & aromatica planta, femine potiffimum, cujus vires a medicis
nondum pro dignitate per experimenta exploratae fiint." I. c.

1 Baccas Lauri interne fumptas, abhorret cl. Spielmann, ob vim prout dicit, infamem
abortum promovendi, fanguinemque multum exaeftuandi, etiam ubi pauca folum grana
data fuerint. In praxi hodierna raro exhibentur baccae j vidi tamen plures, etiam fcemi-
nas, quae pulverem e feminibus Capfici & baccis Lauri, fupra memoratum, innoxie
fumpferunt, faepe per ocliduum. Bergius M. M. 324.

SOLANUM DULCAMARA.

( 97 )

SOLANUM DULCAMARA. WOODY NIGHTSHADE.

STNO NT MA. Dulcamara. Pharm. Edln. Solanum fcandens
feu Dulcamara. Bauh. Pin. 176. Glycypicros, five Amara-
dulcis. y. Baah. ii. 109. Amara Dulcis. Gerard, emac. 350.
Solanum lignofum five Dulcamara. Park. The at. 350. Rail
Synopjis, 265. Rati Hift. 6j2. Solanum caule flexuofo frutef-
cente, foliis fupremis tripartitis & cordato-lanceolatis. Hal. Stirp.
Helv. n. 575. Hudfoti Flor. Ang. p. 78. Withering. Bot. Arrang.
235. Flor. Dan. tab. 607. Curtis Flor, Lond. i-tpy?* Theophrqfl.

Varietates,

a Solanum fcandens feu Dulcamara. I. c.

0 Solanum dulcamarum africanum foliis craffis hirfutis. Hort,
Elt. Vide Hort. Kew.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Monogynia. L. Gen. Plant. 251.

EJf. Gen. Ch, Cor. rotata. Anthers fubcoalitce, apice poro gemino
dehifcentes. Bacca 2-locularis.

Sp. Ch. S. caule inermi frutefcente flexuofo, foliis fuperioribus
haftatis, racemis cymofis.

THE ftalk is flender, climbing, alternately branched, fomewhat
angular, brittle, hollow, and frequently rifes above fix feet in height :
it is covered with bark of an am-colour, and that of the young
branches is of a purple hue : the leaves are long, oval, pointed,
veined, and many of thofe near the top are halbert-fhaped, but the
lower leaves are entire, and of a deep green colour: the flowers hang
in loofe clufters or cymsej the corolla is monopetalous, wheel-fhaped,

divided

( 98 )

divided into five pointed fegments, which are bent backwards,
of a purple colour, and the bafe of each marked with two round
green fpots : the tube is fhort, and the faux or mouth is of a
mining black colour : the calyx is fmall, and divides into five blunt
perfiftent fegments, of a purple colour : the five filaments are fhort,
black, and inferted in the tube of the corolla ; the antherae are
yellow, erect, and unite at their points ; the ftyle is fomewhat longer
than the ftamina, and terminated by a fimple obtufe ftigma ; the
germen is oval, and becomes a roundifh bilocular berry, which finally
acquires a red colour, and contains many flat yellowifh feeds. It
grows plentifully in hedges well fupplied with water, and the flowers
appear about the latter end of June.

The roots and ftalks of this Nightfhade, upon being chewed, firft
caufe a fenfation of bitternefs, which is foon followed by a con-
fiderable degree of fweetnefs ; and hence the plant obtained the name
of Bitterfweet. The berries have not yet been applied to medical
ufe ; they feem to act powerfully upon the prima? viae, exciting vio-
lent vomiting and purging : thirty of them were given to a dog,
which foon became mad, and died in the fpace of three hours, and
upon opening his ftomach, the berries were difcovered to have
undergone no change by the powers of digeftion ;a there can there-
fore be little doubt of the deleterious effects of thefe berries ; and as
they are very common in the hedges, and may be eafily miftaken by
children for red currants, which they fomewhat referable, this cir-
cumftance is the more worthy of notice. The ftipites, or younger
branches, are directed for ufe, in the Edinburgh Pharm. and they
may be employed either frefh or dried, making a proportionate
allowance in the dofe of the latter for fome diminution of its powers
by drying. In autumn, when the leaves are fallen, the fenfible
.qualities of the plant are faid to be the ftrongeft,b and on this account
it fhould be gathered in autumn rather than in fpring.

Dulcamara does not manifeft thofe narcotic qualities, which are
common to many of the nightfhades; it is - however very generally
admitted to be a medicine of confiderable efficacy. Murray lays that

a Floyer Pharmac. p. 86.
b Colliguntur ftipites vel primo vcre vel autumni fine, foliis deftituti, tunique et odor
•frporque infignior. Murray Ap. Med. vol. i. p. 424.

it

( 99 )

it promotes all the fecretions :c Haller obferves that it partakes of the
milder powers of the Nightfhade, joined to a refolvent and fapona-
ceous quality;11 and the opinion of Bergius feems to coincide with
that of Murray ; " Virtus : pellens urinam, fudorem, menfes, lochia,
fputa; mundificans."6 The difeafes in which we find it recommended
by different authors are extremely various \ but Bergius confines its
uie to " rheumatifmus, retentio menfium & lochiorum." Dulca-
mara appears alfo, by the experiments of Razoux and others, to
have been ufed with advantage in fome obftinate cutaneous affections.5
Dr. Cullen fays, " We have employed only the ftipites or flender
" twigs of this fhrub ; but as we have collected them they come out
" very unequal, fome parcels of them being very mild and inert,
" and others of them confiderably acrid. In the latter ftate we have
" employed a decoction of them in the cure of rheumatifm, fome-
" times with advantage, but at other times without any effect.
" Though the Dulcamara is here inferted in the catalogue of
u diuretics, it has never appeared to us as powerful in this way ;
" for in all the trials made here, it has hardly ever been obferved
" to be in any meafure diuretic.11 " This plant is generally given in
decoction or infufion, and to prevent its exciting naufea, it is ordered
to be diluted with milk, and to begin with fmall dofes^ as large dofes
have been found to produce very dangerous fymptoms.1 Razou
directs the following: ft Stipitum Dulcam. rec. drac. fs. in aqua?
font. unc. 1 6 coquatur ad unc. 8. This was taken in the dole of

c Per omnia colatoria corporis efficaciam exercent. L c.
d Vis partim folanacea, mitis, partim refolvens, quafi faponacea. 1. c.

e- Mat. Med. 131.

f See the inftances adduced by Haller and Murray. 1. c. Of the chief of thefe we
may mention Phthifis, Lues venerea, Peripneumonia notha, Scorbutus, Icterus, Aithma,
&c. on the authority of Boerhaave, Sauvages, Sager, and others.

8 Journ. de Medecine. t. 22. p. 236.

h Mat. Med. ii. 354.

1 Vide Linnaeus DhT. de Dulcamara, p. 9. Haen. rat. med. Tom. iv. p. 247.
" Largior Dulcamaras ufus initio et antequam ventriculus i 11 i aflueverit, naufeam et
vomitum excitat, quin convulfiones et deliria, et notante cl. Govan, protradtus paralyfin
linguae." Vide Murray 1, c.

No. 7. C c three

( ioo )

three or four drams, diluted with an equal quantity of milk every
four hours.k

k Linnaeus directs two drams or half an ounce of the dried ftipites, to be infufed half
an hour in boiling water, and then to be boiled ten minutes ; and of this decoction he
gives two tea-cups full morning and evening. 1, c.

POLYGONUM BISTORTA. GREATER BISTORT, Or,

SNAKEWEED.

STNONTMJ. Biftorta. Pbarm. Loud. Ssf Edinb. Biftorta
major. Gerard, emac. 399. Biftorta major vulgaris. Park. Theat.
391. Biftorta major rugofioribus foliis. J. Bauh. iii. 538.
Biftorta radice minus intorta. Bauh. Pin. 192. Rail Syjiopfis, 147.
Rati Hift. iS6.Jpec. |» Polygonum radice lignofa contorta, fpica
ovata, foliorum petiolis alatis. Hal. Stirp. Helv. No. 1558.
Withering Bot.Arrang. 406. Flor. Dan. 421. Curtis Flor. Lond.

Clafs Octandria. Ord. Trigynia. L. Gen. Plant. 495.

EJ[.. Gen. Gh. Cor. 5 -partita, calycina. Sem. 1, angulatum.

Sp. Ch. P. caule nmpliciflimo monoftachyo, foliis ovatis in petiolum
decurrentibus.

THE root is about the thicknefs of a finger, perennial, crooked,
rugofe, of a firm texture, and of a reddifh or flefh colour, covered
with a brown rind, and furnifhed with numerous fmall fibres and
creepers : the ftalk is fimple, bending, folid, round, lmooth, fwelled
at the joints, enclofed by the fheaths of the ftipulse, and is a foot and a
half or two feet in height ; the radical leaves are ovalilh, or rather
heart-fhaped, pointed, and ftand upon long winged footftalks ; the
upper leaves embrace the ftem, and are narrower and undulated.
The flowers ftand upon fhort footftalks, and terminate the ftalk in

an

( 102 )

an oblong clofe fpike ; the corolla is fmall, of tubular appearance,
and divided into five oval obtufe fegments, of a reddifh white
colour, and at the bafe fupplied with feveral nectarious glands ; the
bracteal, or floral leaves, are membranous, withered, and each
encloies two flowers ; the filaments are tapering, white, longer
than the corolla, and the antherse are purple ; the ftyles are three,
about the length of the ftamina ; the ftigmata are fmall and round ;
the germen is triangular, of a red colour, and the feeds are brown
and remarkably gloffy.

Biftort a is a native of Britain;* it grows in moift meadows,b and
flowers in May and September. Every part of the plant manifefts
a degree of ftipticity to the tafte, and the root is efteemed to be one
of the moft powerful of the vegetable aftringents. Lewis fays, that
this " aftringent matter is totally dhTolved both by water and rectified
fpirit ; the root, after the action of a fufficient quantity of either
menftruum, remaining infipid : on infpifating the tinctures, the water
and fpirit arife unflavoured,. leaving extracts of intenfe ftipticity." c

The root of Biftort was formerly confidered to be alexipharmic and
fudorific ; but its ufes feem only to be derived from its ftyptic powers ;
it is therefore chiefly indicated in haemorrhages and other immoderate
fluxes. Dr. Cullen obferves, that the Biftora, u both by its fenfible
qualities, and by the colour it gives with green vitriol, and by the
extracts it affords, feems to be one of the ftrongeft of our vegetable
aftringents, and is juftly commended for every virtue that has been
afcribed to any other. As fuch we have frequently employed it, and
particularly in intermittent fevers, and in larger dofes than thofe
commonly mentioned in Materia Medica writers. Both by itfelf,
and along with gentian, we have given it to the quantity of three
drams a day." d The dofe of the root in fubftance is from a fcruple
to a dram.

a Biftora, quafi bis torta, twice twifted, or wreathen, is a modern name. Alfton
M. M. i. 399. " Radix eft ferpentis modo iritorta." Whence it was called Serpen-
taria, Colubrina, and Dracunculus. And it has been varioufly confidered to be the
Oxylapathum, Britannica, and Limonium of the ancients. Vide Bauh. Pin. 192.
Matth. 946.

* In the North of England this plant is known by the name of Eafter-Giant, and the
young leaves are eaten in herb pudding.

b It grows about Batterfea, and by the fide of Bi/bop's Wood near Hampjiead. Curt.
Flor. Lond. c Mat. Med. 154. d Mat. Med. ii. 40.

IMPERATORIA

( )

IMPERATORIA OSTRUTHIUM. COMMON MASTERWORT.

S TNO NT MA. Imperatoria. Pharm. Edinb. J. Bauh. iii. 137.
Gerard emac. 1001. Hal. Stirp. Helv. No. 805. Imperatoria
major. Bauh. Pin. 156. Imperatoria five Aftrantia vulgaris.
Park. Tbeat. 942. Common Mafterwort, by fame erroneoujly Pellitory
of Spain. Rati Hijl. 436. Magiftrantia. Camer. Epit. 592. Im-
peratoria Oftruthium. Withering. Bot. Arrang. Lightfoot Flor. Scot.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Digynia. L. Gen. Plant. 356.

EJf. Ch. Fruclus fubrotundus, comprefTus, medio gibbus, margine
cin£tus. Petala inflexo-marginata.

Imperatoria Oftruthium. L. Sp. PL 371.

THIS is the only Imperatoria defcribed by Linnaeus. The root
is perennial, large, flefhy, fucculent, round, tapering, rough, articu-
lated, externally brown, internally whitifh, creeping, and fends off
many lateral fibres : the (talk is thick, ftriated, round, jointed, and
rifes about two feet in height: the leaves are compound, and proceed
alternately from long footftalks, which fupply the ftalk with a fheathy
covering at each articulation ; the fimple leaves are ovato- elliptical,
pointed, irregularly ferrated, and placed in treble ternaries, and the
terminal leaf is commonly cut into three lobes : the general umbels
are large, flat, and terminal ; the partial umbel convex and unequal ;
there is no general involucrum; the partial involucrum conlifts of one
or t-vo flender leaves, nearly of the length of the radii ; each flower
is compofed of five oval petals, which are of equal fize, white,
notched, and having their points bent inwards ; the five filaments are
tapering, white, erect, and longer than the corolla ; the antherse are
double j the germen is roundifh, ftriated, truncated, above white,

beneath

7,5

( I03 )

beneath greenifh : the two ftyles are tapering, fpreading, and a little
Ihorter than the ftamina ; the ftigmata are fimple and obtufe. The
flowers appear in May and July.

Mafterwort may be confidered as a native of Scotland, Mr. Lightfoot
having found it growing in feveral places on the banks of the Clyde.
It is frequently cultivated in our gardens ; but the root, which is the
part directed for medical ufe, is greatly inferior to that produced in
the South of Europe, efpecially in mountainous fituations : hence
the fhops are commonly fupplied with it from the Alps and
Pyrenees.

This root has a fragrant fmell, and a bitterifh pungent tafte,
leaving a glowing warmth in the mouth for fome time after it hfc$
been chewed. Its virtues are extracted both by watery and fpirituous
menftrua, but more completely by the latter.

This plant, as its name a imports, was formerly thought to be of
fingular efficacy, and was preferred to moft of the other aromatics,
for its alexipharmic and fudorific powers. * In fome difeafes b it was
employed with fo much fuccefs as to be diftinguifhed by the name of
" divinum remedium." c At prefent, however, phyficians confider
this root merely as an aromatic, and it is of courfe fuperfeded by-
many of that clafs of a fuperior character. Half a dram of the
root in fubftance, and one dram of it in infufion, is the dofe directed.

a " Imperatoria ob raras & praeftantes facultates nominata fait." Vide Bauh.
Pin. f. c.

b The difeafes, in which it has been chiefly recommended, are Hyfteria, Hydrops,
Colica, Paralyfis, Vermes, Febres intermittentes. It has been alfo ufed as a fialagogue.

c C. Hoffman. Officin. L. 2. c. 116.

No. 8. D d

FRAXINUS

( i©4 )

FRAXINUS ORNUS. FLOWERING ASH.

S TNO NT MA. Fraxinus tenuiore & minore folio. Baah. Hi/I,
i. p. 177. Fraxinus humilior five altera Theophrafti, minore &
tenuiore folio. Baub. Pin. p. 416. Fraxinus Onus, foliolis
ferratis, floribus corollatis. Lin. Sp. Plant. Mannifera arbor.
Succus condenfatus eft Manna. Pharm. Lond. & Edinb.

Clafs Polygamia. Ord. Dioecia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1 1 60.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Hermaphrod. Cah o, f. 4-partitus. Cor. o, f. 4-petaia.
St am. 2. Pift. 1. Sem. 1, lanceolatum.
Fem. Pift. 1, lanceolatum.

Sp. Cb. - F. foliis ovato-oblongis ferratis petiolatis, floribus corollatis.
Hort. Kew.

THIS tree greatly refembles our common am: it is lofty, much
branched, and covered with a greyifh bark. The young moots pro-
duce the leaves, which are pinnated, oppofite, and confift of feveral
pair of pinnx, or fmall leaves, terminated by an odd one, pointed,
ferrated, veined, ftanding upon footftalks, of an oval or oblong
fhape, and bright green colour. The flowers grow in clofe thick
branched fpikes, and open in May and June. In the fpecimen we
have figured, the flowers were all hermaphrodite ; the corolla divided
into four narrow whitifh fegments, fomewhat longer than the ftamina ;
the two filaments tapering, and crowned with large furrowed erect
antherae ; the germen oval, and a little comprefTed ; the ftyle fhort
and cylindrical ; the capfule is long, flat, membranous, and contains
a fingle flat pointed feed.

This tree is a native of the fouthern parts of Europe, particularly
of Sicily and Calabria.8 It was firft introduced into England about

a The Ornus is obferved by Dr. Cirillo to be very common on the famous mountain
Garganus, fo.that the words of Horace may ftill apply;

aut Aquilonibus

Querceta Gargani laborant,

Et foliis viduantur orni. L. ii. Od. 9.

fixty

( io5 )

fixty years ago, by Dr. Uvedale ;b and at prefent adorns many of
the gardens of this country.

The Ornus is not the only fpecies of afh which produces Manna ;
the rotinidifolia and exceljior, efpecially in Sicily, alfo afford this
drug, though lefs abundantly. Many other trees and fhrubs have
likewife been obferved, in certain feafons and fituations, to emit a
fweet juice, which concretes on expofure to the air, and may be
confidered as of the manna kind.0 In bicily the three fpecies of the
Fraxinus, mentioned above, are regularly cultivated for the purpofe
of procuring Manna, and with this view are planted on the declivity
of a hill, with an eaftern afpett. After ten years growth, the trees
flrft begin to yield the Manna, but they require to be much older
before they afford it in any confiderable quantity. Although the
Manna exudes fpontaneoufly upon the trees, yet in order to obtain
it more copioufly, incifions are made through the bark, by means of
a Iharp crooked inftrument ; and the feafon thought to be moft
favourable for inftituting this procefs, is a little before the dog-days
commence, when the weather is dry and ferene. The incifions are
firft made in the lower part of the trunk, and repeated at the diftance
of an inch from the former wound, frill extending the incifions up-
wards as far as the branches, and confining them to one fide of the
tree, the other fide being referved till the year following, when it
undergoes the fame treatment. On making thefe incifions, which

b Vide Hort. Kew.

c Dr. Cullen is certainly right in fuppofing " Manna a part of the fugar fo univer-
fally prefent in vegetables, and which exudes on the furface of a great number of them;"
the qualities of thefe exudations he thinks are " very little if at all different." The
principal trees known to produce thefe mannas in different climates and feafons, are the
larch, [vide Murray Jp. Med. i. p. 17. J the fir, (lac. V. Engeftrom in Phyfiogr.
Sdlfkapets Hand I. Vol. i. P. 3. p. 1 44. J the orange, (De La Hire Hi/L de Tacad. dlfc. de
Paris, 1708.; the walnut, (Hal. Stirp. Hdv. N. 1624.J the willow, (Mouffet in Du
Hamel. Phyjique des arbres, P. i. p. 152.) the mulberry, (Micheli in Tragioni Tozzetti
Viaggi, Tom. 6. p. 424.) oaks, fituated between Merdin and Diarbekir (Niebuhr
Befchreib V. Arab. p. 145. Otter, Voyage en Turquie et en Perfey Vol. 2. p. 264.,) alfo
oaks inPerfia near Khounfar (Otter. 1. c.) the al hagi Maurorum, or the hedyfarum alhagi
of Linnaeus ; of this manna Dr. Fothergill prefented a fpecimen to the Royal Society,
which he confidered as the Tereniabin of the Arabians, (Phil. Tranf. Vol. 43. p. 87.)
the ciftus ladaniferus in fome parts of Spain produces a manna, which, in its recent ftate,
has no purgative quality, and is eaten by the fhepherds: fo that fome fermentation feems
neceffary to give it a cathartic power, (Vide Dillon s Travels through Spain, p. 127.)

are

( !°6 )

are of a longitudinal direction, about a fpan in length, and nearly
two inches wide,, a thick whitilh juice immediately begins to flow,
which gradually hardens on the bark, and in the courle of eight
days acquires the confiftence and appearance in which the Manna is
imported into Britain, when it is collected in bafkets, and afterwards
packed in large chefts.J Sometimes the Manna flows in fuch
abundance from the incifions, that it runs upon the ground, by
which it becomes- mixed with various impurities, unlefs prevented,
which is commonly attempted, by interpofmg large concave leaves,
ftones, chips of wood, &c. The bufmefs of collecting Manna ufually
terminates at the end of September, when the rainy feafon fets in.d

From this account it is evident, that Manna is the fuccus proprius
of the tree ; any arguments therefore brought to combat the ancient
opinion of its being a mel atrium-, or honey- dew, are wholly
unneceflary : that, with which the Ifraelites were fo peculiarly
favoured, could only have been produced through miraculous means,
and is confequently out of the province of the ?iatural hiftorian. —
Manna is generally diltinguimed into different kinds, viz. the Manna

in

% La manne eft le principal revenu de ce pays & de quelques autres qui en font
voifins. II monte dans une bonne annee a vingt-cinq mille Louis d'or. Houel Voyage
Pittorefque, torn. I. p. 53.

d This account is taken from Houel Voyage Pittorefque, and Seftini Lettere della
Sicilia^ and related by Murray: to which we (hall fubjoin Dr. Cirillo's account, com-
municated to the Royal Society. Vide Vol. 60. p. 233.

" The manner, in which the manna is obtained from the Ornus, though very fimple,
has been yet very much mifunderftood by all thofe who travelled in the kingdom of
Naples ; and among other things they feem to agree, that the beft and pureft manna is
obtained from the leaves of the tree ; but this, 1 believe, is an opinion taken from the
doctrine of the antients, and received as an inconteftible obfervation, without confulting
nature. I never faw fuch a kind, and all thofe who are employed in the gathering of
the manna, know of none that comes from the leaves. The manna is generally of two
kinds ; not on account of the intrinfic quality of them being different, but only becaufe
they are got in a different manner. In order to have the manna, thofe who have the
management of the woods of the Orni in the month of July and Auguft, when the
weather is very dry and warm, make an oblong incifion, and take off from the bark of
the tree about three inches in length, and two in breadth ; they leave the wound open,
and by degrees the manna runs out, and is almoft fuddenly thickened to its proper con-
fiftence, and is found adhering to the bark of the tree. This manna, which is collected
in bafkets, and goes under the name of manna grajfa, is put in a dry place, becaufe
moift and wet places will foon diffolve it again. Th'is firft kind is often in large irregular
pieces of a brownifh colour, and frequently is full of duft and other -impurities. But

when

( io7 )

in tear, the canulated and flaky Manna, and the common brown or
fat Manna. All thefe varieties feem rather to depend upon their
refpe&ive purity, and the circumftances in which they are obtained
from the plant, than upon any eflential difference of the drug : when
the juice traniudes from the tree very flowiy, the Manna is always
more dry, tranfparent, and pure, and confequently of more eftimati-
on • but when it flows very copioufly it concretes into a coarfe
brown undious mafs ; hence we have a reafon, why, by applying
ftraws and other fuch fubflances to receive the flowing juice, the
Manna becomes much improved : Houel, who tailed the manna
when flowing from the tree, found it much bitterer than in its
concrete ftate; this bitternefs he attributes to the aqueous part,
which is then very abundant, of courle the manna is meliorated by
all the circumftances which promote evaporation. According*to Lewis,
" the beft Manna is in oblong pieces, or flakes, moderately dry, friable,
very light, of a whitifh or pale yellow colour, and in fome degree
tranfparent : the inferior kinds are moift, unctuous, and brown.
Manna liquifies in moift air, diflblves readily in water, and, by the
afliftance of heat, in rectified fpirit. On infpiffating the watery
folution, the Manna is recovered of a much darker colour than at
firft. From the faturated fpirituous folution, great part of it feparates
as the liquor cools, concreting into a flaky mafs, of a fnowy white-
nefs, and a very grateful fweetnefs."

Manna is well known as a gentle purgative, fo mild in its

when the people want to have a very fine manna, they apply to the incifion of the bark,
thin ftraw, or fmall bits of fhrubs, fo that the manna, in coming out, runs upon thofe
bodies, and is collected in a fort of regular tubes, which give it the name of manna in
cannoli, that is, manna in tubes : this fecond kind is more efteemed, and always preferred
to the other, becaufe it is free and clear. There is indeed a third kind of manna, which
is not commonly to be met with, and which I have feen after I left Calabria : it is very
white, like fugar; but as it is rather for curiofity than for ufe, I mail fay no more of it.
The two forts of manna already mentioned undergo no kind of preparation whatfoevcr,
before they are exported ; Jbmetimes they are finer, particularly the manna grajj'a^ and
fometimes very dirty and full of impurities ; but the Neapolitans have no interelt in
adulterating the manna, becaufe they always have a great deal more than what they
generally export; and if manna is kept in the magazines, it receives often very great
hurt by the Southern winds, fo common in our part of the world. The changes of the
weather produce a fudden alteration in the time that the manna is to be gathered ; and,
for this reafon, when the fummer is rainy, the manna is always very l'carce j.nd very bad."

No. 8. E e operation,

( io8 )

operation, that it may be given with fafety to children and pregnant
women ; in fome conftitutions however it produces troublefome
flatulencies, and therefore requires the addition of a fuitable aromatic,
efpecially when given to an adult, where a large dofe is neceffary ; it
is therefore ufually acuated by fome other cathartic of a more pow-
erful kind. The efficacy of Manna is faid, by Vallifnieri, to be much
promoted by caffia fiftularis, a mixture of the two purging more than
both of them feparately ; it is therefore very properly an ingredient
in the electuarium e caffia.

RUTA G R AVE O LENS. COMMON RUE.

STNONTMA. Ruta. Pharm. Lond. &f Edinb. Ruta hortenfis.
Gerard, emac. p. 1255. Ruta hortenfis major. Park. Thsat. p.
132. Ruta fativa vel hortenfis. Banh. Hijl. iii. p. 197. Ruta
hortenfis latifolia. Bauh. Pin. p. 336. Rait Hijl. p. 874. Ruta
foliis duplicato-pinnatis, lobulis ovatis. Hal. Stirp. Helv. No. 1003.

Pvr-n JeU Ueyxvov Gr&C .

Clafs Decandiia. Ord. Monogynia. L. Gen. PL 523.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. 5-partitus. Petala concava. Receptac. punclis
melliferis decern cindtum. Caps, lobata. ^uinta pars numeri
in quibufdam cxcluditnr.

Sp. Ch. R. foliis decompofitis, floribus lateralibus quadrifidis. .

THE root fends forth feveral fbrubby ftalks, which towards the
bottom are ftrong, woody, and covered with rough, grey, ftriated
bark ; the upper on young branches are fmooth, and of a pale green
colour : the leaves are compound, confifting of double fets of
irregular pinnae, which are minutely notched or crenulated, of an

obverfely

( *°9 )

obverfely oval fhape, and of a glaucous or bluifh green colour : the
flowers are numerous, and produced in a branched corymbus on
fubdividing peduncles : the calyx commonly divides into four and
fometimes into five pointed leaves ; the corolla confifts of four
and frequently of five petals, thefe are hollow or boat-fhaped,
dentated or fringed at the edges, and of a yellow colour ; the ten
filaments are yellow, tapering, fpreading, and generally lodged in
the cavity of the petals ; the antheras are yellow and quadrangular ;
the ftyle is fhort; the ftigma is fimple; and the germenis large, oval,
green, rough, and marked by four longitudinal furrows ; the feeds
are angular, rough, and of a blackilh colour. This fhrub is a
native of the South of Europe, and flowers in June and September.

The firft account we have of the cultivation of Rue in Britain, is
given by Turner, who publifhed his Herbal in 1562/ It is now
extremely common in our gardens, where it retains its verdure the
whole year. Rue has a ftrong ungrateful fmell, and a bitter, hot,
penetrating tafte ; the leaves are fo acrid, that by much handling they
are faid to irritate and inflame the fkin ; and the plant, in its natural
or uncultivated ftate, is reported to poffefs thefe fenfible- qualities ftill
more powerfully. Both water and rectified fpirit extract its virtues,
but the latter more perfectly than the former.*

Rue was much ufed by the ancients, who afcribed to it many
virtues. Hippocrates commends it as a refolvent and diuretic, and
attributes to it the power of rehiring the action of contagion, and
other kinds of poifons, and with this intention it was ufed by
Mithridates :b this imaginary quality J of the Ruta, is now however

* Vide Hort. Kew.

* From the experiments of Beaume it appears, that the recent plant contains but a
very fmall portion of effential oil: thus from 21 lb. of the leaves he fcarcely obtained a
dram, while 10 lb. of the feeds yielded two ounces. Berg. M. M. p. 350.

b In fan&uariis Mithridatis maximi regis devicti, Cn. Pompeius invenit, in peculiari
commentario ipfius rpanu, compofitionem antidoti, e duabus nucibus ficcis, item ficis
totidem & ruta; foliis viginti fimul tritis, addito Talis grano : & qui hoc jcjunus fumat,
nullum venenum nociturum illo die. Plin. L. 23. c. 8. p. 604.

% " One virtue particularly afcribed to Rue, that of refifting contagion, or of expelling
itwhcn taken in, I hold to be abfolutely without foundation." — CullenM. M.v.2 p. 365.

very

( no )

very little credited, though fo highly extolled hy Boerhaave.c Ac-
cording toBergius it is " alexiteria, pellens, emmenagoga, fudorifera,
rubifaciens." It is doubtlefs a powerful ftimulant, and may be con-
iidcred, like other medicines of the fetid kind, to have attenuating,
dcobftruent, and antifpafmodic powers,11 and to be more peculiarly
adapted to phlegmatic habits, or weak and hyfterical constitutions,
fuffering from retarded or obftrudted fecretions. In the London
Pharm. Ruta is directed in the form of an extract, and it is alfo an
ingredient in the Pulvis e myrrha compolitus. By fome it is em-
ployed in the way of tea.

c The opinion formerly entertained of this plant, may be collected from the Schola
Salernitana, in which its virtues are thus celebrated, c. 37. p. 427.

Nobilis eft ruta, quia lumina reddit acuta ;
Auxilio rutae, vir lippe videbis acute;
Cruda comefta recens, oculos caligine purgat.
Ruta viris minuit Venerem, mulieribus addit.
Ruta facit caftum, dat lumen, & ingerit aftum.
Cocla & facit ruta\de publicibus loca tuta.

d " Ihave no doubt in afferting its antifpafmodic powers." Cullen M.M. v. 2. p. 365.

SALVIA OFFICINALIS. GARDEN SAG E.

SYNONYM J, Salvia. Pbarm. Lond. & Edinb. Salvia major.
Gerard Emac. p. 764. Dodon. Pempt. p. 288. Bauh. Pin. p.
237. Salvia major vulgaris. Park, Theat. p. 49. Salvia latifolia.
Bauh, Hift. iii. p. 304. Ran Hift. p. 509. zp«xe*« Theophraji. &f
Diofcoridis exiftimatur eiTe.

Varietates,

05 Salvia major. C. Bauh. Allot -unique , s. c.

Common, or Greater Garden Sage.

6 Salvia minor, aurita et non aurita. Bauh. Pin. 237. Salvia

minor, feu anguftifolia, Auclorum.

Small Sage, or Sage of Virtue. *

* Both thefe varieties are ufed medicinally j and the narrow leaved fage is by many
preferred to the broad.

Clafs Diandria.

( III )

Clafs Diandria. Ord. Monogynia. L. Gen. Plant. 37.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Cor. insequalis. Fllamenta tranfverfe pedicello affixa.

Sp. Cb. S. foliis lanceolato-ovatis integris crenulatis, floribus fpicatis,
calycibus acutis.

THE root is perennial, long, and fibrous; the ftalk is fhrubby,
fquare, firm, divided into many branches, and rifes above two feet
in height : the leaves are oblong, rough, crenulated, or finely
notched at the edges, generally of a reddifh or purplifh tinge, and
ftand in pairs upon long footftalks : the flowers appear in June, and
terminate the branches in long fpikes, they are of a blue colour,
monopetalous, tubular, and feparate at the extremity into two lips ;
the upper lip is entire and concave, the lower divides into three
roundifh lobes, of which the middle one is the largeft : the calyx is
tubular, large, reddifh, ftriated, bilabiated, and cut into acute feg-
ments ; the two filaments are fhort, and crofled tranfverfely by two
others affixed to them ; the antherae are large and yellow ; the ftyle
is long, filiform, of a blue colour, and the ftigma is bifid ; the feeds
are four, roundifh, naked, and placed at the bottom of the calyx.

Sage is indiginous to the fouthern parts of Europe, and was cul-
tivated in this country by Gerard, who firft publifhed a figure of
this plant in the year 1597, and it is now a conftant inhabitant of
the kitchen garden : it has a fragrant ftrong fmell, and a warm
bitterifh aromatic tafte, like other plants containing an efTential oil ;
it gives out its properties more perfectly to fpirituous than to aqueous
menftrua. In ancient times fage was celebrated as a remedy of
great efficacy ;a but, at prefent, few practitioners confider it as an
article of much importance in the materia medica; and although
frequently employed as a fudorific, it feems to have no advantage

* " Cur moriatur homo cui falvia crefcit in horto ?
Contra vim mortis non eft medicamen in hortis."

— " Salvia falvatrix naturae conciliatrix,"

— " Salvia cum ruta faciunt tibi pocula tuta."

<c Efficacia et nomen herbae dedit (a falvando) et cumulum laudum attulit, in tremore
artuum, paralyfi, obftructione menftruorum, fluore albo, arthritide & rheumatifmo,
morbis contagiofis, apthis, ulceribus, aliifque multis morbis, quorum nomina colligere
abfque teftium fide non intereft." Murray Ap. Med. vol. 2. p. 167.

No. 8. F f over

( "2 )

over other planes, whofe aromatic flavour renders the fluid in which

they are infufed more acceptable to the ftomach ; and by fome it has

been fuccefsfully ufed even for the purpofe of reftraining inordinate

fweating.b As 'poflefling a fmall fhare of aromatic and aftringent

power, it may prove a ferviceable tonic in fome cafes of debility of

the ftomach and nervous fyftem : the Chinefe, who are faid to have

experienced the good effects of fage in this way, value it highly,

and prefer it to their own tea. The power of this plant, in refilling

the putrefaction of animal fubftances, has alfo been, adduced in proof

of its medicinal efficacy.0

b Infufed in wine or fpirit, Van Swieten found it remarkably 'efficacious in flopping
night fweats. Vide Comment, torn. 2. p. 370. — Quarin remarks, that a ftrong infufion
of fage in water was experienced to be equally fuccefsful. Method, med.fehr. p. 37. —
Baron Van Swieten alfo found it ufeful in reftraining the improper continuing of a flow of
milk from the breafts of women, after they had weaned their children. Com. torn. 4. p. 645.

e From the experiments of Etlinger, it is difcovered to have a confiderable fhare of
antifeptic power. Vide Comment, de Salvia, p. 16.

IRIS FLORENTINE FLORENTINE ORRIS, or IRIS.

STNO NT MA. Iris florentina. Pbarm. Lond.& Edinb. Gerard.
Emac. p. 52. Iris alba florentina. Baub. Pin. p. 31. Parkinfon
Per ad. p. 180. Iris flore albo. J. Baub. Hijl. ii. 719. Rati Hiji.
p. 1 1 80. Spec. 2. Iris barbata foliis enfiformibus glabris brevio-
ribus, fcapo fubbifloro. Tbunb. Dijf. de Iride. n. 5. igv 'm^,
Diofcor. et Grac.

Clafs Triandria. Ord. Monogynia. L. Gen. Plant. 59.

EJ[. Gen. Ch. Cor. 6-petala, inxqualis, petalis alternis geniculato-
patentibus. Stigmata petaliformia, cucullato-bilabiata. Tbunb.
DlJf. de Iride.

Cor. 6-partita : Petalis alternis reflexis. Stigmata petaliformia. Lin.

Sp. Cb. I. corollis barbatis, caule foliis altiore fubbifloro, floribus
feflilibus.

THE

I

( "3 )

THE root is perennial, tuberous, ponderous, fomewhat comprerTed,
branched, fibrous, externally brown, internally of a yellowifh white
colour : the leaves are fword-fhaped, radical, inferted in each other,
pointed, Ihorter than the ftem, and of a dull green colour : the ft em
is round, fmooth, jointed, and about a foot in height : the flowers are
large, upright, of a white colour, and often have a bluifh tinge : the
calyx is a fpatha of two valves : the corolla divides into fix fegments
or petals, of thefe, three ftand erect, the other three,, which are of an
irregular oval fhape, turn back, and at the bafe are painted with brown
lines, and bearded with yellow hairs ; the filaments are three, and
crowned with long yellow antherse ; the ftyle is fhort and fimple ; the
ftigma feparates into three expanded fegments, refembling petals,
which arch over the ftamina ; the genrien is long, of an obtufely
triangular fhape, and placed below the corolla ; the capfule has three-
cavities, which contain numerous flat brown feeds.

This Iris is a native of Italy, and flowers in June : it was culti-
vated in England by Gerard in 1596, and is now conftantly propa-
gated by the florifts ; but the roots of the Orris produced in this
country have neither the odour, nor the other qualities, of thofe of
warmer climates, fo that for medicinal ufe they are commonly im-
ported from Leghorn.

This root, in its recent ftate, is extremely acrid, and when chewed
excites a pungent heat in the mouth, which continues feveral hours :
on being dried, this acrimony is almoft wholly diflipated, the tafte
flightly bitter, and the fmell agreeable, and approaching to that of
violets. No eflential oil has been hitherto obtained from this root,
but fpirituous tinctures of it contain more of its virtues than watery
infufions. The frefh root is a powerful cathartic, and for this pur-
pofe its juice has been employed in the dofe of a dram and upwards
in dropfies. It is now chiefly ufed in its dried ftate, and ranked as
a peroral, or expectorant, and hence has a place in the Trochifci
amyli of the London Pharm. We have however no evidence of its
expectorant powers, and therefore muft confider it as valuable only for
the pleafantnefs of the perfume, and -the flavour which it communicates.3

a « What this might do in its recent and acrid ftate, I cannot determine ; but in the
dried ftate, in which we commonly have it in our fhops, we are perfuaded of its being
a very infignificant expectorant." Cullen M. M. v. 2. p. 459.

IRIS PSEUDACORUS.

( iH )

IRIS PSEUDACORUS. YELLOW WATER FLAG.

S TNO NT MA. Iris Paluftris. Pharm. Edin. Iris paluftris lutea.
Gerard Emac. 50. Acorus adulterinus. Bauh. Pin. p. 74.
Acorus paluftris, &c. Park. Theat. p. 12 19. Yellow Water
Flower-de-luce. Rati Hijl. p. 11 85. Synop. 374. Iris caule
inflexo, foliis enfiformibus ; petalis erectis minimis reflexis imber-
bibus. Hal. Stirp. Helv.n. 1260. Iris Pfeud-Acorus. Lightfoot
Fl. Scot. p. 86. Withering Bot. Arrang. p. 39. Curt. Fl. Lond.

Clafs Triandria. Ord. Monogynia. L. Gen. Plant. 59.

]LJ[. Gen. Ch. Cor. 6-petala, insequalis ; petalis geniculato-patentibus.
Stigmata petaliformia, cucullato-bilabiata. Tbunb. Dijf. de Iride,

Sp. Ch. I. imberbis, foliis enfiformibus, petalis alternis, ftigmate
minoribus. Tbunb. 1. c.

THE root is perennial, thicker than the thumb, of an irregular
fhape, horizontal, on the outfide blackifh, covered with rigid fibres,
and puts forth many long whitifh perpendicular flender roots; within
it is fpongy, and of a yellowifh red colour ; the leaves which grow
from the root are upright, broad, fword-fhaped, and at the bottom
riding, or clofely embracing, each other ; thofe on the ftalk are fhort,
alternate, and fheathe the joints of the Item: the ftalk is upright, round,
fmooth, alternately inclined from joint to joint : the flowers are
large, fhowy, of a yellow colour, and ftand upon mort branches,
which proceed from the joints of the ftem : the corolla divides into
fix fegments or petals, of thefe, the three inner ones are fmall and
erect, the three outermoft are large, of a roundifh oval fhape, turning
back, and painted near the bafe with reddifh lines : the calyx is a
fheath, or fpatha, of two, three, or four valves, according to the num-
ber of the flowers : the filaments are flat and tapering ; the anthenc

oblong,

!

( H5 )

oblong, yellowim at -the edges, purplifh, and bent down by the
(ligmata : the germen is triangular, and placed below the corolla ; the
ftyle is mort and flender ; the ftigma divides into three petalous
expanfions of a yellow colour, thefe aie oblong, bent outwards, and
irregularly ferrated at the extremity : the capfule is triangular, and
divided into three cells, which contain numerous flat feeds of a
yellow colour.

This plant is common in marines, and on the banks of rivers, and
is rendered very confpicuous by its large yellow flowers, which appear
in the beginning of July. It formerly had a place in the London
Pharm. under the name of Gladeolus luteus. The root is without
fmell, but has an acrid fhiptic tafce, and its juice on being muffed up
the noftrils, produces a burning heat in the nofe and mouth, ac-
companied with a copious difcharge from thefe organs : hence it is
recommended both as an errhine and fialagogue.a This root is
fuch a powerful aftringent, that it has been ufed inftead of galls in
the making of ink,b and alfo for the purpofe of dying black ;c and
from this quality it has been fuccefsfully employed as a medicine for
the cure of diarrhseas :d When given with this intention, the root
is to be well dried; for th^. frefh root and its juice are ftrongly cathartic,
infomuch that 80 drops of the latter produced repeated evacuations,
after jalap, gamboge, &c. had failed, and by continuing its ufe
in an increafed dofe, it cured an inveterate dropfy.c Hence Bergius
fays, " Virtus, recent, hydragoga, purgans. siccat. adftringens."
The exprefled juice is like wife laid to be an ufeful application to
ferpiginous eruptions and fcrophulous tumours/

» Vide Armftrong on the difeafes of children, p. 146. Cullen. M. M. v. ii. p. 439."

h Phil. Tranf. No. 117. p. 397.
« Vide Pennant's Tour in Scotland, 1772. p. 214. Lightfoot's Flor. Scot. v. 2. p. 86.

d Blair's Obfervations, &c. p. 78.

e ; " By this time the ftrongeft cathartics, fuch as Jalap, Gamboge, Mercury, &c.

were quite ineffectual : whereupon Dr. Rutherford ordered 80 drops of the luccus
radicis, Iridis palufrris, to be given every hour or two in a little fyruft of buckthorn,
which had very immediate effects, making him pafs feveral Scots pints of water by ftool

that very night." Medical Eflays, vol. 5. p. 94. We may here remark, that this

juice is very uncertain in its operation : that which is exprefled from the old roots is the
moffc active.

f Murray Ap. Med. vol. 5. p. 277. Lewis Mat. Med. 359.

No. 9. Gg CROTON

C 1x6 )

CROTON CAS CARILLA. CASCARILLA, Or,

WILLOW-LEAVED CROTON.

ST NO NT MA. Cafcarilfa. Pharm. Loud. & Edinb. ohm
Elutheria dicla. Ricino affinis odorifera fruticofa major, rofmarini
folio, fructu tricocco albido. Shane yam. p. 133. tab. 86. Croton
(RofmarhufoUiini) foliis lineari-lanceolatis, glabris, fubtus argenteis,
.caule fruticofo, floribus fpicatis terminalibus. Mill. Dicl. Croton
lineare foliis linearibus integerrimis obtufis fubtus tomentofis, caule
fruticofo. Alton. Hort. Kew. vol. iii. p. 374. jfacquin Stirp%
Amerk. 256. tab. 162. Am. Acad. 5. p. 41 1.

Clafs Monoecia. Ord. Monadelphia. L. Gen. Plant. 1083.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Ma sc. Cal. cylindricus, 5-dentatus.

Cor. 5-petala. Stam. 10-15.

Fem. Cal. polyphyllus. Cor. o. Styli 3, bifidi.
Caps. 3-locuIaris. Sem. 1. -

Sp. Ch. C. fol. lanceolatis acutis integerrimis petiolatis fubtus
tomentofis, caule arboreo.

THIS flirub never rifes to any confiderable height; it fends off
feveral round branches, and is covered with a brown bark, the external
coat of which is white and rough : the leaves are long, narrow, entire,
fomewhat pointed, placed on fhort footftalks, above of a bright green
colour, beneath downy, and of a filvery whitenefs ; the ftipulse, or
fcaly leaves, are narrow and lance-fhaped ; the flowers are produced
about July, in a long terminal fpike, and are both male and female :
the male flowers are placed uppermoft, and are furnifhed with a
cylindrical calyx, cut at its extremity into five fegments ; the petals
are five, fmall, oval, and of a white or yellowiih colour } the ftamina

are

41

( i*7 )

are numerous, commonly from ten to fifteen. The female flowers
have no corolla ; the calyx confifts of five or fix oval leaves ; the
ftyles are three, forked ; the capfule divides into three cells, each of
which contains a fingle feed.

Writers on the Materia Medica have differed much refpe&ing
the plant which produces the officinal cortex cafcarillse ;a and even
now this point does not appear to be fufficiently afcertained : the
London College has therefore cautioufly avoided making any bota-
nical reference to the plant which affords it. Linnaeus, whofe autho-
rity is certainly the beft, in his firft edition of the Mat. Med. con-
fidered the Cafcarilla as a fpecies of the Clutia ; but in the fecond
edition it is defcribed as a Croton, and in his Amamitates Academics
we are again prefented with the Clutia Cafcarilla? What adds to
this uncertainty is, that under both thefe genera it is referred to the
fame fynonyma of Sloane and Browne ; yet it is remarkable, that
neither of thefe authors notices the medicinal ufes of its bark,c although
fo long known as a medicine in great eftimation in every part of
Europe.

The plant,d from which the annexed figure of the Cafcarilla is
taken, was found to agree very accurately with the generic character
of the Croton, as the plate itfelf muft evince : we are therefore under
no difficulty in affigning it to that genus. Whether the Cafcarilla
then is really a Croton or a Clutia, depends upon the fidelity and
precifion with which the fynonyma have been refpettively applied.*

* This may be underftood from the following names :

Cortex Thuris. Dale Pharmac. p. 346. Cortex Thuris nonnullis di£tus, vel
Thymiama. Raii Hijh 184 1. Storax rubra officinarum. Bauh. Pin. 453. Thus
Judaeorum. Park. Theat. 1602. Schakarilla, Chakarilla. Mout. Exoi.%. Kina-kina
Aromatica, Cafcarilla, Cortex Eleterii five Scacarilla officinarum, Cortex peruvianus
grifeus five fpurius. Geoff. M. M. b Vide vol. 5. p. 411.

c It is mentioned only as being ufed in medicated baths, and for fomentations. Vide
Sloane 1. c. The Ricinoides Elaeagni folio of Catefby, is ftated by him to be a good
aromatic bitter, and, on being burnt, to yield a fine perfume. Carolin. vol. 2. p. 46.
Walter, in his Flor. Carolin^ does not mention the Cafcarilla, though he difcovered a
new fpecies of the Croton.

d This fpecimen was procured from the garden at Sion-Houfe, the feat of his Grace
the Duke of Northumberland.

* Murray, Bergius, Spielman, the Edinburgh and moft of the foreign Pharm. make
it a Croton.

According

( "5 )

According to Lewis, the cortex cafcarillse Is Imported into Europe
u from the Bahama iflands, particularly from that which is called
Elatheria, in curled pieces, or rolled up into fhort quills about an
inch in width ; covered on the outfide with a rough whitifh matter,
and brownilh on the inner fide, exhibiting, when broken, a fmooth
clofe blackifli brown furface. This bark, freed from the outer
whitifh coat, which is infipid and inodorous, has a light agreeable
fmell, and a moderately bitter tafte, accompanied with a confiderable
aromatic warmth ; it is very inflammable, and yields, whilft burning,
a remarkably fragrant fmell, fomewhat refembling that of mulk.
Its virtues are partially extracted by water, and totally by rectified
fpirit. Diftilled with water it yields a greenifh effential oil, of a very
pungent tafte, and of a fragrant penetrating fmell, more grateful
than that of the Cafcarilla itfelf, and obtained in the proportion of
one dram from fixteen ounces of the bark."c The agreeable odour
which this bark produces during its burning, induced many to fmoke
it mixed with tobacco/ before it became known as a medicine in
Europe, which was not till towards the latter end of the laft century;
when it was recommended by ProfefTor Stifler,8 who found it to
be a powerful diuretic and carminative, and who ufed it with fuccefs
in calcalous, afthmatic, phthifical, fcorbutic, and arthritic complaints.
After this it was fold at Brunfwick as a fpecies of the Peruvian bark,
and many phyficians in Germany experienced its good effects in
fevers of the intermittent, remittent, and putrid kind.h But while
the facts eftablifhing this febrifuge power of the Cafcarilla are fup-
ported by authors of great refpectability,1 they are yet fo little
regarded, that this medicine is now very rarely prefcribed in fevers,
either in this country, or on the neighbouring continent. In inter-
mittents however there can be no doubt but this bark, or indeed

e The analyfis, given by Bohmer, differs from this ; for which fee D'iff. de cert,
cafcar. p. 29.

f When ufed in a confiderable quantity in this way, it is faid to produce intoxication.

E Anno 1690. Vide del. labor at. chytn. fpecim. cap. 9.

h Ludovicus Apinus firft employed it in fevers, and experienced great fuccefs by its
ufe in an epidemic, which raged in the neighbourhood of Nurenburg, (by Lewis erro-
neoufly called Norway) during the years 1694 and 1695. Feb. cpidem. bijlorica relatio.

1 Junker, Fagon, Werlhof, Santheffon, and others.

»

( "9 )

any other medicine porTeiling tonic and aromatic qualities, may
frequently effect a cure. The German phyficians have alfo given
much credit to the Cafcarilla as an aftringent, and recommended it
in haemorrhages, and various alvine fluxes, in which feveral inftances
of its utility are recorded.1"

Dr. Cullen was in doubt whether to clafs this drug with the
aromatics or with the tonics, but he determined upon the latter as the
moft proper ; befides its being Itomachic and corroborant, it is alfo
reported to be diuretic : but proofs of its efficacy in particular
difeafes have not (as far as we know) been afcertained, nor even
attempted by any adequate trials made in this country.1 We mall
not therefore follow a late ingenious author, in depreciating this
medicine, from a mere fpeculation on its fenfible qualities, but
rather recommend it to the medical practitioner, as deferving a farther
trial. It promifes moft advantage given in fubftance, the dofe of
which is from 15 grains to a dram.

k Degner de dyfenr. bil p. 164. Bergius Mat. Med. p, 766. Hift. de l'Acad. Royalc
des Sc. pour l'ann. 1719..^

1 What is faid of it by Monro, (Milit. Hofpit. p. 202.) and by Lind.. (DiiT. in hot
climates) cannot be confidered as exceptions.

CENTAUREA BENEDICTA. BLESSED, Or HOLY THISTLE.

STNONTMA. Carduus benedidus. Pharm. Land, fcf Edinb.
Gerard Emac. p. 1171. J. Baub. iii. 77. Park, Par ad. p. 530.
Raii Hift. 1303. Dodon Pempt. 725. Camer. Epit. 562. Cnicus
fylveftris hirfutior five Carduus benedi&us. Baub. Pin. 378.

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Polygamia fruflranea. L. Gen. Plant. 984.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Recept. fetofum. Pappus fimplex. Cor. radii infun-
dibuliformes, longiores, irregulares.

Sp. Cb. C. calycibus duplicato-fpinofis lanatis involucratis, foliis
femidecurrentibus denticulato-fpinofis.
No. 9. H h THE

( 120 )

THE root is annual, cylindrical, whitifti, branched, and furniflied
with feveral (lender fibres : the ftalk is erect, roundifh, channelled,
rough, from one to two feet high, and often branched towards the
top : the leaves are long, elliptical, rough, runcinated, or varioufly
ferrated, and barbed with {harp points ; above of a bright green
colour, underneath whitifli, and reticulated : the upper leaves are
feflile, and on one fide extend along the ftalk, but the lower leaves
ftand upon footftalks : the flowers are enclofed by an involucrum of
ten leaves, of thefe the five external ones are the largeft : the calyx
is oval, imbricated, fmooth, woolly, and confifts of feveral fquamous
coverings, terminated by rigid, pinnated, fpinous points : the flowers
are compound, or compofed of feveral yellow florets ; thofe at the
circumference want the parts necelTary to fructification, but thofe at
the centre are hermaphrodite, tubular, unequally divided at the limb,
and dentated at their upper extremities : the filaments are five,
tapering, white, downy, and inferted in the bale of the corolla: the
antherse are cylindrical, tubulous, brownifh, ftriated, and fomewhat
longer than the corolla : the ftyle is filiform, and of the fame length
as the ftamina : the fligma is yellow and cloven: the feeds are oblong,
brown, ftriated, bent, and crowned with a hairy wing or feather,
fimilar to that of the receptacle. It is a native of Spain and the
Levant, and flowers in June and September.

The firft account of the cultivation of this plant in England is
given by Gerard, in 1597, anc^ ft 1S now ufually cultivated with other
exotic medicinal fimples. It has an intenfely bitter tafte, accompa-
nied with an unpleafant fmell, which it lofes upon being well dried.
" Cold water, poured on the dry leaves, extracts in an hour or two
a light grateful bitternefs : by ftanding long upon the plant the liquor
becomes difagreeable. Re&ified fpirit in a fhort time extra&s the
lighter bitter of the Carduus, but does not take up the naufeous fo
eafily as water." a The watery extract, by keeping, produces a fait
upon its furface, which refembles nitre.b

This plant obtained the appellation of Benedi&us, from its being
fuppofed to poflfefs extraordinary medicinal virtues ; for exclufive of
thofe qualities which are ufually attributed to bitters, it was thought

a Lewis Mat. Med. p. 195.
b Sal commune continere albi. Hilt, de l'Acad. des Sc, de Berlin, 1747, p. 79.

to

L

( 121 )

to be a very powerful alexipharmic, and capable of curing the
plague, and other fevers of the moft malignant kind ;c but its good
effects in this way have now as little credit as thofe of its external
ufe, by which cancers and carious bones are faid to have been healed/
Bergius reports, that it is antacida, corroborans, ftomachica, fudorifera,
diuretica, eccoprotica ; and that it is ufeful in Anorexia, Cachexia,
Cephalalgia fympatica, Arthritis, Febres intermittentes. We might
v however, with equal propriety, attribute thefe virtues to many other
fimple bitters, from which the Carduus does not feem to be peculiarly
different. In lofs of appetite, where the ftomach was injured by
irregularities, the good effects of the Carduus have been frequently
experienced.0 Formerly it was a common practice to affift the opera-
tion of emetics, by drinking an infufion of the Carduus ; but the
flowers of chamomile have fince been fubftituted for this purpofe,
and probably may be advantageoufly done for feveral others in which
the Carduus is recommended. The feeds have alfo been employed
in emulfion with the fame intention as the leaves.

c Matthiol. in Diofcor. p. 597.
* J. Bauh. hift. torn. 3. p. 79. Arnold de Villa Nova praft. c. 44.
e Duncan Edintx. New Difpenf.

MEMORDICA ELATERIUM. WILD, Or SQUIRTING

CUCUMBER.

SYNONYM A. Cucumis agreftis. Pbarm. Lond. Cucumis
afininus. Gerard Fmac.p. 912. Cucumis fylveftris afininus dictus-.
Bauh* Pin. 314. Cucumis fylveftris five afininus. J. Bauh. i. p.
248. Raii Hijl. p. 64.J. Cucumis agreftis five afininus. Park,
neat. 161. 2(wi«V?<°j Grcecorum. Succus fructus infpifTatus, Elate-
rium dictus.

Clafs Monoecia. Ord. Syngenefia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1090.

FJf. Gen. Ch. Ma sc. Cal. 5-fidus. Cor. 5-partita. Filamenta 3.

Fem. Cal. 5-fidus. Cor. 5-partita. Stylus 3-fidus.
Pomum elaftice difhliens.

Sp. Ch. M. pomis hifpidis, cirrhis nullis.

THE

THE root is annual, long, thick, and of a flefliy fubftance ; it
fends forth feveral ftems, which are round, branched, thick, rough,
and trailing like the common cucumber, but without tendrils : the
leaves are irregularly lfeart-fhaped, flightly finuated, veined, above
of a deep green colour, underneath paler, rough, reticulated, and
ftand upon ftrong footftalks : the flowers proceed from the bafe of
the footftalks of the leaves, and are both male and female on the fame
plant : the corolla is divided into five acute fegments, reticulated with
green veins, and placed above the germen : the calyx confifts of live
narrow acute fegments : the ftamina, in the male flowers, are three,
fhort,v tapering, two of which have cloven antherae, the other has a
fimple one ; in the female flowers the filaments are very fhort, and
without antherae : the ftyle is fhort, trifid, and terminated by oblong
ftigmata, of a green colour : the fruit is large, oblong, hairy, divided
into three cells., which contain many flat feeds : when ripe this
fruit, on being touched, burfts open with great force, and throws its
contents to a confiderable diftance ; hence the name Squirting Cu-
cumber. It is a native of the South of Europe, and flowers in June
and July.

Since the time of Gerard, the wild cucumber has been regularly
cultivated in this country for medical ufe : all the parts of the plant
are bitter, and ftrongly purgative,* but the dried juice, or faeculae of
the fruit, known in the mops by the name of Elaterium, is the
only part now medicinally employed, and has been diftinguifhed into
white and black Elaterium : the firft is prepared from the juice, which
ifTues fpontaneoufly, and the latter from that which is obtained by
expreflion.a The method directed in the London Pharm. for pre-
paring this medicine, is as follows : — " Slit ripe wild cucumbers,
and pafs the juice (very lightly prefied) through a very fine fieve into
a glafs vefTel ; then fet it by for fome hours, until the thicker part has
fublided. Pour off the thinner part fwimming at the top, and
feparate the reft by filtering ; cover the thicker part which remains
after filtration, with a linen cloth, and dry it with a gentle heat."

*Radicum vis cathartica major eft quam foliorum, minor vero quam fru&uum. Geoff".

* This drug was formerly prepared in feveral different ways, a circumftance neceflary
to be attended to in the hiftory of its medicinal effefts.

The

g^^^w ^^^^^

j-utu/h^bm-ir^.ii' s./.*r i. 1790.

( m )

The fenfible qualities of this infpiflated juice are not remarkable
either to the fmell or to the tafte ; it is inflammable, and diflblves
readily in watery or fpirituous menftrua. Elaterium is a very
powerful cathartic, and was frequently employed as fuch both by
the Greek and Arabian phyficians, and its ufe has fmce been much
commended in hydropic cafes, particularly by Pauli,1' Sydenham,0
and Lifter. d It is undoubtedly the moft violent purgative in the
Materia Medica, and ought therefore to be adminiftered with great
caution, and only where the milder cathartics have proved ineffectual.
The dofe is from half a grain to three grains : the moft prudent and
effectual way in which dropfies are now treated by this remedy, is
by repeating it at fhort intervals in fmall doles.

b Although S. Pauli employed this medicine with great fuccefs, yet from the extreme
violence of its operation, he thinks it fhould not be ufed until the milder purgatives
have failed.

c u Elaterium five faecula Cucumeris agreftis, potenter, in permodica quantitate
vires fuac c«f«i-;«-, in ^nnmrbanda alvo, & faecibus, cum ferofis & aquofis humoribus
copiofe egerendis," &c. Op. p.

d We may alfo notice, that Lifter obferves that the patients, by taking this medicine,
became very hot, and found unufual ftrong pulfations at the extremities of their fingers.
De Hydrope, in App. Op. Mortoni, p. 25.

CONVALLARIA POLYGONATUM. COMMON SOLOMON's

SEAL.

S T N 0 NT MA. Convallaria. Pharm. Edinb. Polygonatum.
latifolium flore majore odoro. Bauh. Pin. 303. Polygonatum
floribus ex fmgularibus pediculis. J. Bauh. iii. p. 529. Polygo-
natum majus flore majore. Park. 7 he at. p. 696. Sweet-fmelling
Solomon's Seal. Gerard. Emac. 904. Rail Synopfis^ p. 263.
Spec. 2. Raii Hiftor. p. 665. Withering. Bot. Arrang. p. 354.
Flor. Dan. Icon. 337.

/3 Polygonatum Hellebori albi folio, caule purpurafcente. RaiiSyn. 263.

Clafs Hexandiia, Ord. Monogynia. L. Gen. PL 425.

No. 9. Ii EfiGcnXb.

( "4 )

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cor. fexfida. Bacca maculofa 3-locularls.

Sp. Ch. C. foliis alternis amplexicaulibus, caule ancipiti, pedunculis
axillaribus fubunifloris.

THE root is perennial, horizontal, white, fibrous, befet with
knobs, and laid a to be marked with circular depreffions, refembling
the impreffions of a feal ; hence the name Solomon's Seal. The ftalk
is inclined, angular, fmooth, and rifes about a foot in height : the
leaves are oval, pointed, ribbed, fmooth, above of a deep green
colour, underneath glaucous, and at the bafe embrace the ftem : the
flowers are long, bell-fhaped, white, or tinged with green ; divided
at the extremity into fix fhort fegments, and hang from the fame
fide of the ftalk upon {lender peduncles : the filaments are fix, taper-
ing, fhort, and inferted in the corolla : the antherse are oblong and
erect : the ftyle is filiform, longer than the ftamina, and crowned with
a blunt triangular ftigma : the germen is round, and when ripe be-
comes a black berry, divided into three cells, each cwitaraning a fingle
round feed. It grows in the rocky and woody parts of England, and
flowers in May and June.

The root, which is the medicinal part of Solomon's Seal, is very
generally, by writers on the Materia Medica, referred to the Con-
vallaria multiflora of Linnaeus, or the'Polygonatum latifolium vulgare
of C. Bauhin. It is of a mucilaginous b quality, and has long been
commonly employed as a difcutient poultice to various kinds of
tumours, but more particularly to bruifes, accompanied with extra- .
vafation of blood in the cellular membrane:0 it is alfo recommend-
ed as a cofmetic ; and in Galen's time was ufed by women to
remove pimples and freckles of the fkin. Of its aftringent effe&s,
when taken internally, there can be no well grounded expectation.
The berries, flowers, and leaves, are extremely acrid, and are faid to
be of a poifonous quality/

* Thefe depreffions are more peculiarly chara&eriftic of the Convallaria multiflora.

b Asa proof that thefe roots contain a confiderable proportion of farinaceous matter,
Bergius fays, " Panem e radice recente, addita farina frumenti, annonre caritate coxerunt
ruftici noftrates, qui fufcus fuit, & fubglutinofo fapore." M. M. 271.

c " Cataplafma e radice familiare remedium eft in fugillationibus, & in omni contu-
fione, fanguinem grumofum efficaciter difcutiens." Rutty M. M. 403.
- Vide Haller Stirp. Helv. No. 1243. Geoff. M. M.

CARUM CARUI.

6.

a Z (Mti

( )

CARUM CARUI. COMMON CARAWAY.

S TNO NT MA. Caruon, Pharm. Lond. Esf Edinb. Carum feu
Careum. Gerard Emac. p. 1034. Caros. J. Banb. iii. p. 69.
Cuminum pratenfe, Carui officinarum. Baub. Pin. p. 158. Carum
vulgare. Park. Tbeat. p. 910. Carrier. Epit. 516. Rail Hift.

p. 446. Synop, p. 213. Mori/on Umbellifer. p. 24. Jacq. Flor,
Anji. 393. Haller Stir p. Helv. N. 789. Withering. Bot. Arrang.

p. 312. Kx?os Diofcorid. Careum. PUnii.

Clqfs Pentandria. Ord. Digynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 365.

EJf.Gen.Ch. FruBus ovato-oblongus, ftriatus. Involucr. i-phyllum.
Petala carinata, inflexo-emarginata.

THE root is biennial, long, thick, white, and has a fharp fweetifh
tafte:* the ftalk is round, ftrong, channelled, branched, and rifes to
the height of two or three feet : the leaves are long, and fubdivide
into numerous pinnulas or fegments, which are narrow, pointed, of
a deep green colour, and have a fweet tafte : f the flowers grow in
• terminal umbels, generally confifting of ten radii, and furnifhed with
both a general and a partial involucrum, each of which, in the fpe-
cimen we have figured, confifted of four or five narrow fegments :
the corolla is compofed of five roundifh blunt petals, which are white,
and cUrled inwards at the extremities : the five filaments are flender,
about the length of the petals, and crowned with fmall round
antherae : the two ftyles are fhort, capillary, and furnifhed with fimple
ftigmata : the feeds are two, naked, brown, bent, ftriated, and of aa^
oblong fhape.

* Parkinfon fays that thefe roots are better eating than parfneps.
•f The leaves are faid to afford an oil fimilar to that of the feeds, —Vide Lewis and others.

This

t

( »6 )

This plant produces its flowers in May and June. It is a native
of Britain, and grows in meadows and low grounds ; but the feeds
of the cultivated plant are faid to be larger, more oily, and of a more
agreeable flavour than thofe of the wild plant, which are hot and
acrid.

Caraway feeds are well known to have a pleafant fpicy fmell,
and a warm aromatic tafte, and on this account are ufed for various
oeconomical purpofes.a " They give out the whole of their virtues,
by moderate digeftion, to rectified fpirit. Watery infufions of thefe
feeds are ftronger in fmell than the fpirituous tincture, but weaker in
tafte : after repeated infufion, in frefh portions of water, they ftill
give a confiderable tafte to fpirit. In diftillation, or evaporation,
water elevates all the aromatic part of the Caraways : the remaining
extract is almoft infipid, and thus difcovers, that in Caraways there
is lefs, than in moft of the other warm feeds of European growth, of
a bitterim or ungrateful matter joined to the aromatic. Along
with the aqueous fluid there arifes in diftillation a very confiderable
quantity, about one ounce from thirty, of eflential oil ; in tafte hotter
and more pungent than thofe obtained from moft of our other warm
feeds.""

The Caraway feeds are efteemed to be carminative, cordial, and
ftomachic, and recommended in dyfpepfia, flatulencies, and other
fymptoms attending hyfterical and hypochondria! diforders : they
are alfo reported to be diuretic, and to promote the fecretion of milk.
They formerly entered many of the compofitions in the Pharmaco-
poeias ; but are now lefs frequently employed. An eflential oil,
and a diftilled fpirit, are directed to be prepared from them by the
London College.

a S.emina Carui fatis communiter adhibentur ad condiendum panem. Ruftici noftrates
efitant jufculum e pane feminibus Carui & cerevifta co&um. Diftillatores feminibus
Carui utuntur in re£rificatione fpiritus frumenti, ut ille acuatur oleo ftellatitio carui,
ntpote calefaciente, unde fpiritus fortior apparet, &c.

* Beaume obtained from fix pounds of unbruifed caraway feeds four ounces of eflential
oil as colourlefs as water.

RHEUM PALMATUM.

L

( "7 )

RHEUM PALMATUM. OFFICINAL RFIUBARB.

SYNONYM J. Rhabarbanim. Pbarm.Lond. & Edin. Rhabarbarum
verum Med. Hope, I. inf. cit. Rheum palmatum ; fol. palmatis
acuminatis. Lin. Spec. Plant, p. 28 1- Conf. cel. Hope defcrip-
tionem in Acl. Pbilofopb. Londin. vol. 55. c. I. Linnxi ' jun.
in PL rarior. hort. Upfal. fafc. 1 . item cl. Sandemani in Diff. de
Rbeo palmato j et Milleri in ejus Illuflr. Syjl. Sex.

Clafs Enneandria. Ord. Trigynia. Lin* Gen. Plant. 506.

Eff. Gen. Ch. Cal. o. Cor. 6-fida, perfiftens. Sem. 1, triquetrum.

Sp. Ch. R. foliis palmatis acuminatis fcabriufculis : finu bafeos dilatato,
petiolis fupra obfolete fulcatis margine rotundatis. Alton. Hort. Kew,

THE root is perennial, thick, of an oval fhape, and fends off long
tapering branches; externally it is brown, and internally of a deep
yellow colour : the ftalk is erect, round, hollow, jointed, fheathed,
flightly fcored, branched towards the top, and rifes to the height of
fix or eight feet : the radical leaves are numerous, large, rough, of a
roundifh figure, and deeply cut into lobes, and -irregularly pointed
fegments, and ftand upon long fmooth round footftalks : the leaves
which proceed from the ftalk are. placed at the joints, which they
fupply with membranous fheathes, and are fucceffively {mailer to-
wards the upper part of the ftem : the flowers terminate the branches,
which they furround in numerous clufters, forming a kind of fpike,
and appear in April and May : the corolla divides into fix obtufe
fegments, which are of a greenifh white colour, and alternately
fmaller : the calyx is wanting : the filaments are nine, flender, about
the length of the corolla, and furnifhed with oblong double antherse :
the ftyle is very Ihort, and terminated by three reflected ftigmata :
the germen becomes a triangular feed, with membranous margins of
a reddilh colour. It is a native of Tartary in Afia.

No. 10. K k It

( "8 )

It was not until the year 1732 that naturalifts became acquainted
with any plant which feemed to afford the Rhabarbarum Officinale,*
when fome plants, received from Ruffia by Juffieu at Paris, and Rand
at Chelfea,b were faid to fupply this important defideratum, and as fuch
were adopted by Linnaeus, in his firft edition of the Species Plantarum,
under the name of Rheum Rhabarbarum. This however was not very
generally received as the genuine Rhubarb plant; and with a view to
afcertain this matter more completely, Kauw Boerhaave procured from
a Tartarian rhubarb merchant the feeds of thofe plants, whofe roots
he annually fold, and which were admitted at Peterfborough to be the
true rhubarb : thefe feeds were foon propagated, and were difcovered
byDe Goiter to produce two diftincl: fpecies, viz. the R. Rhabarbarum
of Linnaeus, or as it has fince been called R. undulatum, and ano-
ther fpecies, a fpecimen of which was prefented to Linnaeus, who
declared it to be a new one, and was firft mentioned in the fecond
edition of the Sp. Plantarum in 1762, by the name of R. palmatum,
(the plant we have figured). Previous to this time, De Gorter had
repeatedly fent its feeds to Linnaeus,c but the young plants which
they produced conftantly perifhed ; at length he obtained the frefh
root, which fucceeded very well at Upfal, and afterwards enabled
the younger Linnaeus to defcribe this plant d ann. 1767. But two
years antecedent to this, Dr. Hope's account of the Rheum palma-
tum, as it grew in the botanic garden near Edinburgh, had been
read before the Royal Society at London ; and of the great eftima-
tion in which this plant was held by him, we have the follow-
ing proof : " From the perfect fimilarity of this root with the beft
foreign rhubarb in tafte, fmell, colour, and purgative qualities, we

* The Rheum Rhaponticum of Linnaeus, or Rhaponticum folio Lapathi majoris
glabra of C. Bauhin, is generally fuppofed to be the Rhabarbarum of the ancients ;
<c Alpinus aliique putant efle P« vel Pwv veterum, cujus radicem ufurparunt. (Vide
Diofcorid. Mat. Med. lib. 3. cap. 2.) Ipfe Alpinus fibi circa annum 16 10, ftirpem
ex Thracia procuravit, et haec Patavlo Venetiam primo, dein inde in Angliam ad
Parkinfonium (Theat. Bot. p. 157.) pervenit." Murray A p. Med. vol. 4. 354. It is
well known that the ancient rhubarb had not the purgative power of the modern.

b Seeds of this fpecies were alfo fent to Miller from Boerhaave at Leyden, by the
title of " Rhabarbarum verum Chinenfe." See his Gard. Diet.

c See the letters between De Gorter and Linnaeus, by Nozeman, in Verhandelingen.
■van bet Genootjcbap to Rotterdam, vol. 1. p. 455, and cited by Murray.

d Vide Plant, rarior, hort, Upfal. fafc. r.

cannot

( "9 )

cannot doubt of our being at laft poffeiTed of the plant which pro-
duces the true rhubarb, and may reafonably entertain the agreeable
expectations of its proving a very important acquifition to Britain." c
But from the relation we have given, it appears that the feeds of
both R. undulatum and R. palmatum, were tranfmitted to Peterfbo-
rough, as thofe of the true Rhubarb : we are therefore to conclude,
that the former fpecies has an equal claim to this importance with the
latter ;-f- and from further enquiries made in Ruffia, there is the beft
authority for believing that the R. compactum alfo affords this very*
ufeful drug/ The feeds of the Rheum Palmatum were firft intro-
duced into Britain in 1762,* by Dr. Mounfey, (who fent them from
Rulha) and were fuppofed to be a part of thofe already mentioned ;
and fince their profperous cultivation by the late ProfelTor of Botany
at Edinburgh, the propagation of this plant has been gradually ex-
tended to moil of our Englifh gardens, and with a degree of fuccefs
which promifes in time to fuperfede the importation of the/ foreign
root.5

e See Pbilofoph. Iran/, for the year 1765.

f Bergius fays, <c Rheum palmatum producit Rhaharbarum in omcinis Sibiricum
appellatum; ceite e fem'mibus a Bucharis e montofis Tibeti in Rufliam apportatis, &
poftea fatis hocce Rheum palmatum enatum eft." (Vide Pallas Rrife, Sec. vol. 3. p.
157) " Rhabarbarwn vero Gbinenfe ex alia fpecie Rhei defumptum efle videtur." (Vide
Georgi Reife, &d vol. %» p. 211.)

f The roots of the Rheum Palmatum were confidered to be the beft rhubarb, " donee
viri celeberrimi, Pallas et Georgi, qui nuperrime in rem naturalem Ruffioe itineribus fuis
inquifiverunt, fcrupulos novos excitarent. Nam percontanti ill. Pallas Buchari, folia
Rhei palmati fibi ignota declararunt, defcribentes contra ea folia veri Rhabarbari rotunda
et in margine paucis modo incifionibus notata ; unde concludit ifte Rheum compadhim
pot'us fuifle intelleclum. Hue pertinent fupraexcl. Georgi itinerario dicta (V.p. 360)
de Cofacco quodam, qui Rheum undulatum pro vera fpecie fignificavit. Uterque etiam
arbitratur, Rheum, undulatum in montibus auftralioribus apertioribus et ficcioribus,
quales Tibetici funt, praeftantiorem poffe radicem ferre quam montes frigidi et humidi
Sibiriae." Murray I. c. Pallas Rei/e, vol. 3. p. 156. Georgi Rcife, vol. 1. p. 210.
The feeds of the compaclum were fent to Miller " from Peterborough, for the true
Tartarian rhubarb, and were gathered from the plants growing oh the fpot, where the
rhubarb was taken up ; and upon trial of the roots, they are found to be as good as the
foreign rhubarb." See his Diet. 6th edition.

* In the Hort. Kew. this plant is faid to have been firft cultivated in England by
Miller in 1768.

5 The Society for Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, has
laudably contributed to this national objec"t, of which their Tranfattions publifhed bear
fufficient evidence.

Two

( 13° )

Two forts of rhubarb roots are ufually imported into this country
for medical ufe, viz. The Chinefe,J and the Turkey " rhubarb ;h the
firft is in oblong pieces, flattifh on one fide, and convex on the other;
compact, hard, heavy, internally of a dull red colour, -variegated with
yellow and white, and when recently powdered appears yellow, but
on being kept becomes gradually redder. The fecond is the mod
valuable, and is brought to us in roundilh pieces, with a large hole
through the middle of each ; it is more foft and friable than the
former fort, and exhibits, when broken, many ftreaks of a bright
red colour. u The marks of the goodnefs of rhubarb are, the live-
linefs of its colour when cut ; its being firm and folid, but not flinty
or hard ; its being eafily pulverable, and appearing when powdered
of a fine bright yellow colour ; its imparting to the fpittle, on being
chewed, a deep faffron tinge, and not proving flimy or mucilaginous
in the mouth ; its tafte is fubacrid, bitterifh, and ibmewhat ftyptic ;
the fmell lightly aromatic."

The purgative qualities of rhubarb are extracted more perfectly
by water than by rectified fpirit : the root remaining after the action
of water is almoft if not wholly inactive ; whereas after repeated
digeftion in fpirit, it proves ftill very confiderably purgative. The
virtue of the watery infufion, on being infpiffated by a gentle heat, is
fo much diminillied, that a dram of the extract is faid to have
fcarcely any greater effect than a fcruple of the root in fubftance ;

X Colitur hoc a Chinenfibus, prsecipue in provincia Xenfi fub nomine Taihoang.
Bergius, M. M. p. 332.

h " Olim, quum commercium in orientalibus regionibus per Natoliam fieret,
Rhabarbarum ex portibus Turcicis ad Europasas transferebatur, unde nomen Rha-
barbari Turcici." Murray, 1. c. Mr. Bell (in his Travels from St. Petcrjburg to
divers -parts of Afia) lays, that the belt rhubarb grows plentifully on a long chain of
mountains in Tartary, which extend from Selin to the lake Koko-nor near Tibet. At
a proper age the roots are taken up, which, according to Pallas, is in April or May ;
but in Bell's account, this is faid to be done in the autumn : they are then to be cleaned,
the fmaller branches cut off, and the larger roots divided into pieces of a proper fize ;
after this they are perforated, and fufpended to dry either upon the neighbouring trees,
or in tents, or as fome have reported, to the horns of fheep. The proper exliccation of
this root is certainly attended with confiderable difficulty, and the cultivators of rhubarb
in this country have not yet agreed in what mode this is to be beft accomplifhed. The
recent root in this procefs, according to the experiment of Sir William Fordyce, lofes
nearly nine-tenths of its weight." See Tranf, of the Society for Encouragement of
jfrts, &c.

( i3* )

the fpirituous tincture lofes lefs ; half a dram of this extract proving
moderately purgative. " The qualities of this root are that of a
" gentle purgative, and , fo gentle that it is often inconvenient by
" reafon of the bulk of the dole required^ which in adults muft be
" from half a dram to a dram. When given in a large dofe, it will
" occalion fome griping, as other purgatives do ; but it is hardly
" ever heating to the fyftem, or Ihews the other effects of the more
" draftic purgatives. The purgative quality is accompanied with a
" bitternefs, which is often ufeful in reftoring the tone of the fto-
" mach when it has been loft ; and for the moft part its bitternefs
" makes it fit better on the ftomach than many other purgatives do.
" Its operation joins well with that of neutral laxatives; and both toge-
" ther operate in a leffer dofe than either of them would do lingly.

M Some degree of ftipticity is always evident in this medicine, and
*' as this quality ads when that of the purgative has ceafed, fo in
" cafes of diarrhoea, when any evacuation is proper, rhubarb has
" been confidered as the moft proper means to be employed. I muft
" however remark here, that in many cafes of diarrhoea, no further
" evacuation than what is occafioned by the difeafe is neceflary or
" proper. — The ufe of rhubarb in fubftance for keeping the belly
; regular, for which it is frequently employed, is by no means pro-
" per, as the aftringent quality is ready to undo what the purgative
" had done ; but I have found that the purpofe mentioned may be
" obtained by it, if the rhubarb is chewed in the mouth, and no
" more is fwallowed than what the faliva has diffblved. And I muft
" remark in this way employed it is very ufeful to dyfeptic perfons.
" Analagous to this, is the ufe of rhubarb in a folution, in which it
" appears to me, that the aftringent quality is not fo largely extracted
<f as to operate lb powerfully as when the rhubarb was employed in
« fubftance." k

The officinal preparations of this drug are, a watery and a vinous
infufion, a fimple and a compound tincture. It is alfo an ingredient
in different compofitions, as the Elixir ex aloe et rheo, pilulae ftoma-
chicas, and fome others.

k We have tranfcribed this account from Dr. Cullen, who has paid more than ufual
attention to this article. See Mat. Med. vol. 2. p. 529.

No. 10.

GRATIOLA

( 13* )

G RATI OLA OFFICINALIS. HEDGE-HYSSOP.

S TNO NT MA. Gratiola. Pbarm. Lond. Esf Edinb. Gerard.
Emac. p. 581. Raii Hill, p. 1885. Dodon. Pempt. p. 358.
Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 329. Gratiola, Gratia Dei. Lob. Hijl.p. 238.
Chab. p. 475. Gratiola centauroides. Banh. Pin. p. 279. Gra-
tiola vulgaris. Park. Tbeat. p. 220. Gratiola officinalis. Flor.
Dan. t. 363.

Clafs Diandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 29.

E/f. Gen. Ch. Cor. irregularis, refupinata. Stamina 2 fterilia. Caps*
2-locularis. Cal. 7-phylius : 2 exterioribus patulis.

Sp. Ch. G. foliis lanceolatis ferratis, floribus pedunculatis.

THE root is perennial, cylindrical, white, jointed, and furnifhed
with many {lender fibres : the ftalk is fimple, erect, round, thick, and
rifes nearly a foot in height : the leaves are lance-fliaped, long,
pointed, ferrated towards the extremities, and ftand in pairs, without
footftalks : the flowers proceed from the bafe of the leaves, and
appear in June and Auguft ; they are tubular, and divided at the
limb into four obtufe irregular ■■ fegments, of a pale purple colour:
the tube is yellow, and intermixed with reddifh ftreaks : the pedun-
cles are flender, of a red colour, and fupport a fmgle flower: the
calyx confifts of five or fix elliptical pointed fegments : the filaments
are four, two of which only are furnifhed with anther ae : the ftyle is
tapering, ftraight, with a divided ftigma : the germen becomes an
oval pointed capfule, feparated into two cells, which contain many
fmall feeds. It is a native of the South of Europe, and grows ufually
in wet meadows.

Koftrzewlki, who wrote profefTedly upon the virtues of this
plant,a fuppofes Matthiolus to be the firft botanift by whom it is

» Diff. de Gratiola, Vienna^ 1775. Vide page 8,

mentioned ;

JSiI'ltfhed lp l>r IPoodvt'Ur Oct? J. . P.

( 133 )

mentioned ; and the firft account of its cultivation in Britain is that
given by Turner in 1568 :b and it now has a place in moft of our
botanical gardens. It has a ftrong bitter naufcous tafte, but little or
no odour; and its virtues are extracted more perfectly by aqueous
than by fpirituous menftrua.

It has been obferved, that Gratiola refembles Digitalis both in the
fhape of its flowers, and in its medicinal effects ; and hence it has been
called Digitalis minima. It is certainly a powerful and active cathar-
tic, and operates with fuch violence upon the ftomach, as generally
to induce vomiting ;c and on this account it is thought by Chomel to
be a medicine adapted only to the more vigorous and robuft confti-
tutions/ Many others, however, recommend the Gratiola as a per-
fectly fafe and ufeful purgative, declaring their repeated experience
of its efficacy, without ever obferving any bad confequence to follow
its ufe. But as it is very uncertain in its effects, the employment of
this medicine requires the precaution of a gradual increafe of its
dofe. This plant has commonly been ufed in hydropical difeafes ;
and in moderate dofes it is faid not only to act as a hydragogue, but
alfo to manifeft a diuretic character;0 and inftances of its good effects
in afcites and anafarca, are related by many refpectable practical
wi iters/ Gefner and Bergius found a fcruple of the powder a fuf-
ficient dofe, as in this quantity it frequently excited naufea or
vomiting ; others have given it to half a dram, two fcruples, a
dram, and even more.g

b Turn. Herb, cited' in the Hort. Keiv.

c Vide Conr. Gefner. Epijl. Med. Lib. 3. Dodon. Pempt. p. 361. Boerhaave
Hiji. PL Hort. L. B. Bergius Mat. Med. p. 26. Thefe observations apply to this
plant both in its*rec*ent and dried Irate.

d Ufacll. t. 1. p. 48. c Succus nimirum expreiTus et infpifTatus ad dofin 24 vel 30
granorum blande purgat abfque vomitu, fed lotium efficaciter pellit. Extraclum vero ex
refiduo poft expreflionem aqua erutum et amarius eft, et eadem dofi violentius purgat
Boulduc. Mem. de V Acad. R. d. fc. 1 705. />, 189. Vide Murray, Ap. Med. vol. 2.
p. 200.

f Heurn. Prax. Med. p. 332. Camerar. Hort. Med. &c. p. 69. Ettmul.
Oper. torn. it p. 716. Heluich. Mifc. Nat. Cur. Dec. 3. A. 5. et 6 obf. 6j.p. 133.
Joel. Oper. Med. torn. 4. lib. 4. Hartm. Oper. Med. Cfoym. p. 60.

e Chomel gave half a dram, Hermann two fcruples. Many employed the frcfh plant
in deco&ion with the addition of cinnamon, mace, ginger, anifeeds, liquorice, &c.
See Geoffroy (M. M.) and others.

An

( 134 )

An extract of the root of this plant is faid to be more efficacious
than the plant itfelf, and exhibited in the dofe of half a dram or a
dram in dyfenteries, produces the beft effects.11 We are likewife told
by Koftrzewfki,1 that in the Hofpitals at Vienna, three maniacal
patients were perfectly recovered by its ufe ; and in the moft con-
firmed cafes of lues venerea it effected a compleat cure : it ufually
acted by increafing the urinary, cutaneous, or falivary difcharges.

b Boulduc L c. Kramer Tent. Bot. p. 18. where it is faid to have fimilar effects to
thofe of ipecacuanha.

t-Diffl clti p. 64.

SISYMBRIUM NASTURTIUM. WATER-CRESSES.

SYNONTMJ. Nafturtium aquaticum. Pharm. Lond.U Edinb.
Nafturtium aquaticum fupinum. Bauh. Pin. p. 105. Nafturtium
aquaticum, five Cratevse Sium. Gerard. Emac. p. 257. Sifym-
brium Cardamine five N. aquaticum. J. Bauh. Hift. vol. 2. p.
884. N. aquaticum vulgare. Rait Hift. 816. Synop. p. 300.
Park. Theat. p. 1239. Sifymbrium foliis pinnatis, pinnis fubro-
tundis, brevibus racemis. Hal. Stirp. Hclv. n. 482. Sifymbrium
Nafturtium. Withering. Bot. Arrang. p. 690. Flor, Dan. t. 690.
Curt. Flor. Lond* Ka^a^m f. 2(ov Diofcorid.

Clafs Tetradynamia. Ord. Siliquofa* Lin. Gen. Plant. 813.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Siliqua dehifcens valvulis rectiufculis. Calyx patens.
Corolla patens.

Sp. Ch. S. filiquis declinatis, foliis pinnatis : foliolis fubcordatis.

THE root is biennial, long, creeping, and befet with feveral clofe
tufts of long (lender fibres : the ftalks are thick, branched, and fre-
quently rife above a foot high : the leaves are pinnated, and confift
of two or three pair of irregular oblong pinnae, and terminated by

an

( *35 )

an odd one, which is the largeft : the flowers are difpofed in fhort
* terminal fpikes, and appear in June and July : the corolla confifts of
four petals, which at their extremities are roundilh, fpreading, and
, of a white colour : the. calyx is of four oval leafits, which commonly
fall off by the expanfion of the flower : the ftamina are fix, four
long and two fhort, and furnifhed with fimple antherse : the ftyle is
fhort, w:th an obtufe ftigma : the germen is long, flender, and becomes
a crooked pod, which contains fmall round feeds. It is a native of
Britain, and grows commonly in brooks and ftagnant waters.

" The leaves of the Water-crefles have a moderately pungent tafte,
emit a quick penetrating fmell, like that of muftard-feed, but much
weaker. Their pungent matter is taken up both J>y watery and fpi-
rituous menflxua, and accompanies the aqueous juice, which iflues
opioufly upon expreflion : it is very volatile fo as to arife,a in great
part, in diftillation, with rectified fpirit, as well as with water, and
almoft totally to exhale in drying the leaves, or infpiffating by the
gentleft heat to the confiftence of an extract, either the expreffed
juice, or the watery or fpirituous tinctures. Both the infpiflated
juice,- and the watery extract, difcover to the tafte a faline impregna-
tion, and in keeping throw up cryftalline efflorefcences to the furface.
On diftiliing confiderable quantities of the herb with water, a fmall
proportion of a fubtile volatile very pungent oil is obtained." b

Water-crefles obtain a place in the Materia Medica for their anti-
fcorbutic qualities, which have been long very generally acknow-
ledged by phyficians. They are alfo fuppoled to purify the blood
and humours, and to open vifceral obftructions ;c they are nearly
allied to fcurvy-grafs, but are more mild and pleafant, and for this
reafon are frequently eaten as fallad. In the pharmacopoeias the
juice of this plant is directed with that of fcurvy-grafs and Seville
oranges ; and Dr. Cullen has remarked, that the addition of acids
renders the juices of the plants filiquofa* more certainly effectual, by
determining them more powerfully to an acefcent fermentation.d

a This volatile matter has been erroneoufly attributed to an alkaline or alkalefcent
quality of the plant.

fc Lewis Mat. Med.
c Hoffman and Haller thought highly of its powers in this way.

* Mat. Med.

No. 10. Mm POLYPODIUM

( 136 )

POLYPODIUM FILIX MAS. MALE POLYPODY, Of,

COMMON MALE FERN.

STNONTMJ. Filix. Pbarm. Lond. fcf Edinb. Filix non
ramofa dentata. Banh. Pin. p. 358. Filix vulgo mas dicta, five
non ramofa. y. Bauh, Hifl. vol. iii. p. 737. ' Filix mas non
ramofa pinnulis latis denfis minutim dentatis. Gerard. Emac. p.
1 129. Filix mas vulgaris. Park. Theat. p. 1036. Raii Hijl. p.
143. Synop. p. 120. Polypodium, pinnis pinnatis, obtufis, den-
tatis. Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 1701. Bolton. Filices. Brit, p, 44.
Creditur elfe nr^s Diofcorid. et Tbeopbr.

Clafs Cryptogamia. Ord. Filices. Lin, Gen, Plant, 1 1 79.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Fruclific, in punctis fubrotundis fparfis per difcum
frondis.

Sp. Ch. P.frondibus bipinnatis : pinnis obtufis crenulatis,ftipite paleaceo^

THE root is large, long, firm, and covered with thick brown
feales, placed in an imbricated order, and furnifhed with many long
black tough fibres : the general leaves are from one to four feet in
length, the ribs of which when young are thickly befet with brown
tough tranfparent feales : the figure of the whole leaf is lance-fhaped,
broadeft in the middle, and gradually decreafes to each extremity,
terminating above in an acute point ; the partial, or fecond leaves,
are from fifteen to forty pairs, remote on the lower part, growing
gradually nearer upwards, and running together at the top : the lobes
are from feven to fifteen pairs, which are largeft at the bottom, and
regularly decreafe towards the top, where they unite into a point ;
each lobe is of an oval fhape, and a little indented at its upper ex-
tremity : the feed-veifels are placed in two rows on the back of the
lobes, in number from three to fix, of a kidney-fhape, and covered
with a pellicle 5 they are at firft white, and afterwards change to a

bluifli

bhum or afh-colour ; when the feeds are ripe, the pellicle burfts, and
after the difcharge of the feeds the veffels become brown, and appear
as if covered with duft. It is a native of Britain, and grows about
the borders of woods near rivulets, and in ftony rocky places.

The root of the male fern has lately been greatly celebrated for
its efFedts upon the tape-worm, or Taenia lata, of Linnseus ; and this
vermifuge power of fern-root feems to have been known to the
ancients ;a and is fince commended by different practical writers.*
Yet notwithftanding the virtues of this root are thus recorded, its
ufe was very generally neglected till fome years ago. Madame
Noufer, a furgeon's widow, in Switzerland, acquired great celebrity,
by employing a fecret remedy as a fpecific in the cure of the tape-
worm. This fecret was thought of fuch importance by fome of the
principal phyficians in Paris,0 who were deputed to make a complete
trial of its efficacy, that it was purchafed by the French king, and after-
• wards publifhed by his order.d The method of cure has been ftated as
: follows : After the patient has been prepared by an emollient clyfter,and
. a fupper of panada, with butter and fait, he is directed to take in the
: morn? lg, while in bed, a dofe of two or three drams of the pow-
tdered root of male fern. (The dofe for infants is one dram.) The
i powder muft be warned down with a draught of water, and two
3 hours after a ftrong cathartic, compofed of calomel and fcammony,
:is to be given, proportioned to the ftrength of the patient. If this
1 does not operate in due time, it is to be followed by a dofe of purging
ifalts, and if the worm be not expelled in a few hours, this procefs is
1 to be repeated at proper intervals. Of the fuccefs of this, or a fimilar
1 mode of treatment, in cafes of taenia, there can be no doubt, as many
] proofs of it in this country afford fufficient teftimony ;e but whether
the fern root or the ftrong cathartic is the principal agent, in the

I » Diofcorid. M. M. lib. 4. cap. 186. Theophraft. Hift. Plant, lib. 9. Galen de
'.Simp. Med. lib. 8. Pliny, lib. 28. cap. 9.

b F. Hoffman^ and others.

c Laflbne, Macquer, De La Motte, Juflieu, Carburi, and Cadet.

A Precis du Traitement contre le Tasnias ou Vers folitaires, pratique a Morat en
! Suifle, examine et approve a Paris. Publie par ordre du Roi j a Paris, 1775.

e See Dr. Simmons's " Account of the Taenia," &c.

definition

( '38 )

tleftru&ion of the worm, may admit of a queftion, and the latter
opinion we believe is the more generally adopted by phyficians/ It
appears, however, from fome experiments made in Germany, that
the taenia has in feveral inftances been expelled by the repeated exhi-
bition of the root, without the affiftance of any purgative.3

f Dr. Cullen has publiftied this opinion. See Mat. Med. art. Filix. See alfo Dr. Sim-
mons's 1. c. pref. p. 7.

s Vide C. C. Gmelin. Confid. gen. filkum. p. 34. Wendt. Nachricht vom. din. Injl
%u Er/angen, Per.f. 5. ct 6. p. 44. 46.

ANGELICA ARC HANG E LIC A. GARDEN ANGELICA.

STNONTMA. Angelica. Pharm. Land. ?sf Edlnb. Angelica
fativa. Banh. Pin. p. 155. J. Bauh. Htft. vol. Hi. p. 140.
Gerard. TLmac. p. 999. Park. Tbeat. p. 939. Rail Hift. p. 434.
Synop. p. 208. Angelica foliis duplicato-pinnatis, ovato-lanceolatis
ferratis. Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 807. Flor. Dan. t. 206.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Digynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 138.

EJjf. Gen. Ch. FruEius fubrotundus, angulatus, folidus,^/^ reflexis.
Corolla sequales : petalis incurvatis.

Sp. Ch. A. foliorum impari lobato.

THE root is biennial, long, thick, and furnifhed with numerous
fibres : the ftalk is thick, ftrong, jointed, channelled, round, of a
purplifh colour, rifes to the height of fix or eight feet, and fends off
feveral branches, which terminate in large umbels : the leaves are
pinnated, large,, numerous, confifting of feveral pairs of oval,
ferrated, pointed, veined, irregular fhaped lobes or pinna?, terminated
by an odd one : the flowers grow in large terminal umbels, which

are

( *39 )

are round, and compofed of many radii : the corolla is fmall, white,
and divided into five petals, which have their points turned inwards :
the general involucrum confifts of three or five narrow pointed leaves,
the partial involucrum of five, and the calyx is cut into five minute
fegments ; the five ftamina are longer than the petals, fpreading, and
furnifhed with roundifh antherse : the germen is placed below the
corolla, and fupports two reflected ftyles, crowned with obtufe ftig-
mata : the feeds are two, oval, flat on one fide, convex on the other,
and marked with three furrows. — It is a native of Lapland, a and
flowers in June and Auguft.

Angelica, as a native of a northern climate, feems to have
been unknown to the ancients. It has been cultivated in Britain
more than two centuries," and its medical character c has rendered it
of fufficient importance to be very generally propagated by the Eng-
lifh gardener. — The roots of Angelica have a fragrant agreeable
fmell, and a bitterifh pungent tafte : on being chewed they are firft
fweetifh, afterwards acrid, and leave a glowing heat in the mouth and
fauces, which continues for fome time. The ftalk, leaves, and feeds,
which are alfo directed in the Pharmacopoeias, appear to poffefs the
fame qualities, though in an inferior degree. It is faid that " on wound-
ing the frefh root early in the fpring, it yields from the inner part of
the bark an unctuous yellowifh odorous juice, which gently exficcated
retains its fragrance, and proves an elegant aromatic gummy refin.
On cutting the dry root longitudinally, the refinous matter, in which
the virtue and flavour of Angelica refides, appears concreted in little
veins." d Rectified fpirit extracts the whole of the virtues of the
root ; water but very little ; and in diftillation with the latter, a fmall
portion of very pungent eflential oil may be obtained.

We are told by Linnams, that the Laplanders entertain a high
i opinion of the utility of Angelica, and employ it both as food and
as a medicine0; and lince Aromatic plants are rarely inhabitants of the
Polar regions, their partiality for Angelica is extremely natural : and

a " Ubique per omnes alpcs Lapponiae juxta rivulos vulgaris eft." Lin. Flor. Lap. p. 67.
b Cultivated in 1568. Turn. herb. part. 3. p. 5. Vide Hort. Kew.
c We may alfo add its ufe in confectionary.
d Lewis Mat, Med. p. 59. c Flor, Lap. a. c.

No. 11. No from

( I4° )

from the enumeration of the virtues of this plant by Bergius, f we
Ihould alfo fufpeft him of being influenced by the fame phyfical
caufe. Angelica rauft however be allowed to pofTefs aromatic, and
what are called carminative, powers, and is ufed accordingly in the
tin&ura aromatica of the Edinb. Pharm. but as many other fimples
furpafs it in thefe qualities, it is feldom employed in the prefent practice.

f Firtus : alexiteria, flomachica, fudorifcra, carminativa. It may be remarked that he
fays nothing of its ufus. Mat. Med. p. 205. It was formerly recommended in female
difeafe?. Menfibus lochiifque obftructis, partu difficili, fuffbeatione uteri; contra
venena, & febrcs malignas.

DORSTE&IA contrajerva. contrayerva.

STNONTMJ. Contrayerva. Pharm. Lond. fcf Edinb. Dorftenia
fphondylii folio, dentarias radice. Plam. ic. p. 109. tab. 119.
yacqu'm coll. vol. iii. Auciorum feqacntium fynonyma ad no/lram*
plant am fatis dare referri ncqueunt. Drakena radix. Clus. Exot.
Pl 83* y* Bciuh. Hift. vol. ii. p. 740. Gerard. Emac. p. 1621.
Raii Hi/l.p. 1339. Contrayerva Hifpanorum five Drakena radix.
Park. Theat. p. 421. Pro matre radicis contrayerva in medicina
vulgo ufitattfy ex vivis fpeciminibus cl. Houftoun duas dorjlen'ue /pedes
defcrip/it, i° Dorftenia Dentarise radice, fphondylii folio, placenta
ovali, 2° Dorftenia Dentarise radice, folio minus laciniato, placenta
quadrangulari et undulata. (Phil. Tranf. vol. 37. p. 196 & 197 J
Vel Dorftenia Drakena, et D. Houftoni. Lin. Syjl. V eg.

Clafs Tetrandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 158.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Receptac. commune i-phyllum, carnofum, in quo
femina nidulantur.

Sp. Ch. D. fcapis radicatis, fol, pinnatifido-palmatis ferratis, recep-

taculis quadrangulis. „
^ b THE

( Mi )

THE root is perennial, tapering, unequal, compact, rugofe, exter-
nally brown, internally whitifh, and furnifhed with numerous fibres :
the leaves are various, of an irregular fhape, lobed, ferrated, or rather
dentated, pointed, veined, and placed upon long radical footftalks, which
are winged towards the leaves : the Icapi, or flower-ftems, are round,
rough, iimple, rife feveral inches in height, and each fupports an
irregular quadrangular receptacle, which contains the necefiary parts
of fructification : the flowers on examination were difcovered to be
diftincTily male and female, immerfed in the common receptacle, and
occupying the whole of its difc ; the former confuted but of two
flender fhbrt filaments, with yellow antherse ; j~ the latter of a
roundifh germen, fupporting a fimple ftyle, terminated by an obtufe
ftigma : the capfule, when ripe, poflefTes an elaftic power, by which
the feed is thrown out with considerable force.3 — It is a native of
South America and fome of the Weft India iflands.^

This plant is extremely fcarce in Europe : the annexed figure of it
was taken from a plant now in the Royal garden at Kew, where it
was lately introduced, and is, we believe, the firft of this kind that
ever grew in England.6 It does not fufficiently appear from what
authority Linnasus gives the Dorftenia Contrajerva. The London
College has however adopted it in the lift of the Mat. Med. and in
compliance with this we have figured the plant ; at the fame time we
muft acknowledge, that, upon the faith of Dr. Houfton, who examined
the Contrayerva plants in their native foil,0 we fhould otherwife
have had no doubt in referring the officinal radix contrayervse to the
fpecies he has defcribed, as has been done by Bergiusd and Murray.®
But as Houfton has obferved, that the roots of different fpecies of
Dorftenia are promifcuoufly gathered and exported for thoie of the
Contrayerva ; and as all the fpecies bear a great refemblance to each

t This plant cannot therefore be properly faid to belong to the clafs tetrandria.

3 Vide Jacquin. 1. c.

% Jacquin found it growing on the ifland of Martinico. Vide 1. c.

b We do not find any fpecies of the Dorftenia mentioned in the Hort. Kew. lately
publifhed.

c The firft fpecies on the high ground near Old Vera Cruz ; and the fecond on the
high rocky ground about Campechy in the year 1730. Phil. Tranf. vol 37. p. 197.

* Mat, Med, p. 73. • App, Med, vol, 4. />. 57a.

Other,

( W )

b

other, we conceive the further difcuffion of this fubject to be of no
material confequence. Nich. Monardus/ almoft two centuries ago,
lirft makes mention of the plant called Contrayerva; and as this name
is of Spanifb origin, lignifying an antidote to poifon, it might apply
to any other plant fuppofed to poflefs this power. We are told by
Clufius, that he received from Sir Francis Drake fome roots which
were brought from Peru, where they were highly valued, and re-
ported to counteract the effects of every kind of poifon, of which
the leaves T>f the fame plant were faid to be one. This root, in
compliment to the circumnavigator, he named Drakena radix, and is
generally thought by botanifts to be that of Contrayerva. The generic
name, Dorftenia, was firft ufed by Plumier,g and afterwards by Lin-
na:us, who makes four fpecies of this genus.

The root of Contrayerva has a peculiar kind of aromatic fmell,
and a light aftringent warm bitterifh tafte, and on being long chewed
it difcovers fomewhat of a fweetifh fharpnefs. According to Lewis,
" Contrayerva root gives out its virtue, by the affiftance of heat,
both to water and rectified fpirit, and tinges the former of a dark
brownifh red, the latter of a brighter reddifh colour: the watery
decoction is very mucilaginous, fo as not to pafs through a filter.'"1

The antipoifonous virtues formerly attributed to this root, have
been long very juftiy exploded as entirely chimerical, fo that it is now
merely employed as a diaphoretic of a moderately ftimulant kind,
being pofiefifed of lefs pungency than any other of thofe medicines
ufually denominated alexipharmic. Putrid and nervous fevers are
the difeafes in which Contrayerva is chiefly ufed, conformably to the
practice of Huxham and Pringle, whofe works are well known to
all our medical readers.

* Vide Clufius Exot, p. 311. B Nov. gen. plant. h Lewis Mat. Med.

HYOSCYAMUS NIGER.

<

( H3 )

HYOSCYAMUS NIGER. BLACK HENBANE.

SYNONYM J, Hyofcyamus. Pharm. Edinb. Hyofcyamus
vulgaris et niger. Bauh. Pin. p. 169. Hyofcyamus niger.
Gerard Emac. p. 353. Hyofcyamus vulgaris. J. Bauh. iii. 627.
Rail Hifl. p. 711. Synop. p. 274. Park. Tbeat. p. 362. Hyof-
cyamus. Hal. Stirp. Hclv. n. 580. Stoerck Libel, de Stramonio,
&c. Withering. Bot. Arrang. p. 231.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 247.

1

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cor. infundibul. obtufa. St am. inclinata. Caps.
operculata, 2-locularis.

Sp. Ch. H. foliis amplexicaulibus finuatis, floribus femlibus.

THE root is biennial, long, compact, white, and befet with many
fibres : the ftalk is erect, round, woody, branched, and rifes about
two feet in height: the leaves are large, cut. into irregular lobes or
pointed fegments, of a fea-green colour, undulated, woolly, and at
their bafes embrace the ftem : the flowers are produced in irregular
clu Iters at the tops of the branches ; they are funnel-fhaped, confift-
ing of a fhort tube, with an ^expanded limb, which is divided into
five obtufe fegments, of an obfcure yellow colour, and beautifully
painted with many purple veins : the calyx is divided into five fhort
pointed downy fegments : the five filaments are tapering, downy at
the bafe, inferted in the tube of the corolla, and furnifhed with large
oblong antherse : the germen is roundifh : the ftyle flender, longer
than the ftamina, and terminated by a blunt ftigma : the capfule is
oval, marked with a line on each fide, and divided into two cells,
which contain many fmall irregular brown feeds. It is a native of
England, and grows commonly amongft rubbifh, about villages, road
fides, &c. and flowers in June.

No. 11. O o " The

( 144 )

" The fmell of Hyofcyamus is ftrong and peculiar, and the leaves,
when bruifed, emit fomewhat of the odour of tobacco. This fmell
is ftill ftronger when the leaves are burnt ; and on burning they
fparkle with a deflagration, fomewhat refembling that of nitre, but
to the tafte they are mild, and mucilaginous." Henbane is a pow-
erful narcotic poifon,a and many inftances of its deleterious effects are
recorded by different authors ;b from which it appears that any part of
the plant, when taken in fuflicient quantity, is capable of producing

* Haller fays, Memini fodalem meum Sinionium, cum Leidae mecum, anno 1725.
Boerhaavii fcholas frequentaret, Aconita, Apocyna, Belladonna; baccas impune devorafle,
ab Hyofeyami vero femine victum, nimiae curiofitatis poenas dediffe, atque mente aliena-
tuni, akeroque latere refolutum, tamen a Praeceptore fervatum fuiffe. Stirp. Helv. n. 580.

b Out of the many inftances of this kind, we fhall only advert to fome of them, in
order to fhew that the roots, feeds, and leaves of this plant, have feparately produced
poifonous effects. Dr. i'atoudlat, Phyfician at Toucy in France, relates (in the PhiL
Iran/, vol. 40. p. 44b ) that nine perfons, in confequence of having eaten the roots of
Hvofcyamus, were leized with moft alarming fvmptoms ; " fome were fpeechlefs, and
fliewed no other figns of life than by convulfions, contortions of their limbs, and the
rifus fardonicus ; all having their eyes ftarting out of their heads, and their mouths
drawn backwards on both fides ; others had all the fymptoms alike ; however five of them
did now and then open their mouths, but it was to utter bowlings. The madnefs of all
thefe patients was fo complete, and their agitations fo violent, that in order to give one
of them the antidote, I was obliged to employ fix ftrong men to hold him while I was
getting his teeth afunder to pour down the remedy." And what is remarkable, Dr. P,
fays, that on their recovery, all objects appeared to them as red as fcarlet, for two or three
days. — Further accounts of the effects of thefe roots are given by Wepfer de Cicut, &c.

p. 230. Simon Pauli Quadr. p. 384. Blom, in Vet. Ac. Handl. 1774. p. 52.

Refpecting the feeds of Henbane, we have an account given by Sir Hins Sloane, (in the
Phil. Tranf. vol. 38. p. 99.) of four children who ate them by miftaking the caplules, in
which they were contained, for filberts. " The fymptoms that appeared in all the four
were great thirft, fwimmings of the head, dimnefs of light, ravings, profound fleepy
which laft in one of the children continued two days and nights." See a'fo EfJ'ays and
Obfervafions, pb)f. & lit. vol. 2. p. 243. Hehnont. Ort. Med. p. 306. Epbemer. Germ.

minis 7 & 8- iffc. The leaves of Hyofcyamus, we are told, were boiled in broth, and

eaten by feven perfons, (five men and two women) who foon became affected with fymp-
toms of intoxication. Dr. Stedman fays, '* I faw them about three hours after having
eat it; and then three of the men were become quite infenfible, did not know their
comrades, talked incoherently, and were in as high a delirium as people in the rage of a
fever. All of them had low irregular pulfes, flavered, and frequently changed colour :
their eyes looked fierv, and they catched at whatever lay next them, calling out that it
Was going to fall." Phil. Tranf. vol. 47. an. 1750.

For additional fact?, fee Haller I. c. Spielmanni Dijf. de veget. ven. -Aifat.

Henbane is poifonous to birds and dogs j but horfes, cows, goats, and fwine, it does
not affe£t,

very

( 145 )

very dangerous and terrible fymptoms. J But there cannot be a doubt
that this plant, like others of the fame natural order, under proper
management, may be llifely employed, and be found in many cafes
to be an active and ufeful remedy. Hyofcyamus was well known to
the ancients, and its effects as an anodyne were experienced by
Diofcorides,c and with this intention it has been ufed both internally
and externally by feveral fubfequent writers, particularly by Celfus ;d
and in hemorrhagic difeafes, the fern. Hyofcyami were fuccefsfully
given by Plater,6 Foreftus/ and Boyle.5

It appears however that for a long time part the employment of
Henbane, in the practice of medicine, was wholly laid afide till Baron
Stoerck publifhed feveral cafes of different difeafes, in which an ex-
tract, prepared from the juice of this plant, had been difcovered to
be an efficacious remedy.11 Thefe difeafes are ftated by the Baron to
be internal fpafms and convulfions, palpitations of the heart, mad-
nefs, melancholy, epilepfy, inveterate head-aches, hsemoptyfis; and a
troublefome cough, which accompanied the laft-mentioned complaint,
was completely appeafed by the repeated ufe of the extract, which in
feveral diforders was often found to produce fleep more powerfully
than opium. The fuccefs of Hyofcyamus in thefe cafes, (many of
which were faid to be of long duration, and to have refilled the
effects of other remedies) is alfo confirmed by Collin, who extended
the dofe of the Extract. Hyofcyami, to twenty-four or thirty grains
per diem.1 But from the experiments made of this medicine by
G reeding,- who tried it in forty cafes of melancholia, mania, and
epilepfia, the refult was very different :k yet while his practice {hews
that no benefit is to be expected in thefe three difeafes, it tends to prove
that this medicine is a ufeful anodyne ; and as it ufually opens the

% Vires emollientes, & narcoticas, claflis fuoe potentiffimas poflider, ut etiam magis,
quam reliquae, mentem emovere videatur, & deliria furiofa, rixofoque ciere, unde olim
nomen geflit alterci. Ea deliria aliquando fugacia funt, & temulentiae fimilia; alias
diutius durant; & denique in mortem tranfeunt. Alias Hyofcyamus hominem in
ftuporem conjicir. Sed & fopores facit, & vertigine?, convulfiones, rifufque fardonios, &
inflationes, ftrangulationes, ardorem faucium, frigus extremorum. Si alvum duxit, a
refolutione aliqua tonl id videtur factum fuifle. Haller I. c.

c Lib. 4. c. 69. d Lib. 5. c. 25. e Prax. Med. p. 635. f Obfervat. lib. 16.
t Ujefulnefs oj Nat. Phil, part 2. b Lib. dc Stram. Hyofcyam. &c. 1 Obferv. Tom.
2. p. 142. k Vide Ludw. Advcrf. Med. pr. Fol, i, P. i.p.ji.tf fq.

bodv,

( H<5 )

body, it may be advantageoufly fubftituted for opium, where the aftrin-
gency of the latter becomes an objection to' its ufe. Dr. Cullen fays,
" that in epilepfy, and various convulfive affections, for which Baron
" Storck particularly recommends the extract of -Henbane, we have
" very frequently employed it, but have never found it of any great
" virtue, nor of more than what we have found in opium. We
" have indeed found the Hyofciamus to be often an agreeable ano-
" dyne and foporiferous medicine ; and we have frequently found it
" fuch in perfons, who from particular circumftances did not agree
" with opium, and particularly .becaufe it was lefs binding to the belly
" than opium. We judge however that it is more ready in full
" dofes to give delirium than opium is, and therefore we found it in
" many cafes to give turbulent .and unrefrefhing fleep ; and not-
" withstanding its laxative qualities, for which we had employed it,
" we have been obliged to lay it afide."1 Stoerck and fome others
recommend this extract in the dofe of one grain or two ; but Dr.
Cullen obferves, that he feldom difcovered its anodyne effects till he
had proceeded to dofes of eight or ten grains, and fometimes to
fifteen, and even to twenty.

The leaves of Henbane are faid to have been applied externally
with advantage in the way of poultice, to refoh e fcirrhous tumours,
and to remove fome pains of the rheumatic and arthritic kind.

1 Mat. Med. vol. it. p. 27 1.

ALTHAEA OFFICINALIS. MARSH- MALLOW.

STNO NTMJ. Althaea. Pharm. Land. & Edinb. Althasa
Diofcoridis et Plinii. Bauh. Pin. p. 315. Althsea' vulgaris.
Park. "Theat. p. 303. Rati Hifi. 602. Synop. 252. Althssa Ibifcus.
Gerard. Emac. p. -933. Aithsea five Bifmalva. J. Bauh. Hljl. vol.
ii. p. 954. Aithsea tomentofa herbacea, caule erecto, foliis cordato-
lanceolatis obfolete trifidis. Hal. Stirp. Helv. 11. 1047. Althaea
officinalis. Flor. Dan. tab. 530. Withering. Bot. Arrang. p. 735.

A^Qxik f. I/3/rxor D/o/c'Orid,

Clafs Monadelphia.

r
1

I' m ' ( H7 )

Clafs Monadelphia. Ord. Polyandria. Lin. Gen, Plant. 839.

EJf. Gen, Cb. Cat. duplex ; exterior 9-fidus. Arilli plurimi, monofpermi.

Sp. Cb. A. foliis fimplicibus tomentofis. -

THE root is perennial, long, tough, white, and fibrous : the ftalk
is upright, firm, woolly, fomewhat branched towards the top, and
rifes to the height of three or four feet : the leaves are ovalifh, or
heart-fhaped, commonly with a lobe on each fide, pointed, irregularly
ferrated, covered with a foft down, and ftand upon long round foot-
ftalks : the ftipulse are two, narrow, and placed at the bale of each
leaf-ftalk : the flowers are large, and confift of five petals, inverfely
heart-fhaped, indented at the apex, and of a pale purple colour:
the calyx is double, the exterior conlilting of nine and the inte-
rior of five narrow pointed fegments : the {lamina are numerous,
united at the bafe, and terminated by kidney-fhaped anthers : the
germen is orbicular: the ftyli cylindrical, and furnifhed with many
long briftly ftigmata : the feeds are kidney-fhaped, numerous, placed
in a circle, and covered with an arillus. It is a native of England,
and grows commonly near the fea fhore, or about fait marines, and
flowers in Auguft.

The Althaea feems to have been known to the ancients,a and has

continued in very general officinal ufe by practitioners in every

country where the fcience of medicine is regularly cultivated. " T he

dry roots of this plant, boiled in water, give out half their weight

of a gummy matter,-)*' which, on evaporating the aqueous fluid,

forms a flavourlefs yellowifh mucilage. The leaves afford ■ fcarcely

one-fourth of their weight, and" the flowers and feeds (till lefs." b
«

a It is called Althaea, fays Diofcorides ltoc to uoXvockOes avr-ns a multiplici excellentique
quam in methodo prseftat militate. 1. 3. c. 163 p. 236. Hence alfo vifmalva & bif-
malva, malvavifcus, malva- ibifcus, (Alllon Lecl. on the Mat. Med.) and therefore
may be fuppofed to be the hibifcus of Virgil : —

Hcedorumque gregem viridi compellere hibifco.

Ec. ii. 1. 30. et Ec. x. 1. 71.

f This is thought to be nearly allied to Gum arabic, Tragacanth, Starch, &c. and it
has been found to diffolve myrrh, and fome other refinous fubftances, more readily than
the firft. Buchholz Ail, Nat. Cur. Tom. p. 60. Expt. 32.

b Lewis Mat. Med. p. 40,

No. ii, P p This

ft

( h8 )

This gluten or mucilaginous matter with which the Althaea abounds,
is the medicinal part of the plant, and is commonly employed for its
emollient and demulcent qualities. Its ufe is recommended where the
natural mucus of membranes becomes acrid or abraded; " for obtund-
ing and incraflating acrimonious thin fluids, in tickling coughs from
defluclions on the fauces and lungs, in hoarfenefs, erofions of the
ftomach and inteftines, ftranguary,J and for lubricating and relaxing
the paffages in nephritic and calculous complaints." c Radix Althaese
formerly had a place in many of the compounds in the pharmaco-
poeias, but now it is only directed in the form of a fyrup.

% Wc may here remark however, that in the opinion of Dr. Cullen thefe " demul-
cents can have no effect as fuch in the mafs of blood, or in pafiing by the various
excretions." Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 411.

c Lewis I. c.

MALVA SYLVESTRIS. COMMON MALLOW.

STNONTMA. Malva. Pharm. Land, fcf EdinB. 'Malva fylveftris
folio fmuato. Baub. Pin. p. 314. Malva- vulgaris flore majore,
folio fmuato. J, Baub. Hifi. vol. ii. p. 949. Malva vulgaris.
Park. Tbeat. p. 1Q)Q). Raii Hijl. p. 5 99. Synop. p. 251. Malva
caule ereclo, foliis lobatis, lobis ferratis, quinis & feptenis. Hal.
Stirp. Helv. n. 1069. Malva fylveftris. Gerard. Emac. 930.
Withering. Bot. Arrang. p. 738. Curt. Flor. Lond.

Clafs Monadelphia. Ord. Polyandria. Liu. Gen. Plant. 841.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. duplex; exterior 3-phyllus. Arilli plurimi,
monofpermi.

Sp. Ch, M. caule ereclo herbaceo, fol. feptemlobatis acutis, pedun-
culis petiolifque pilofis.

THE root is perennial, thick, long, whitilh, and furnifhed with
many ftrong fibres : the ftem is erect, round, ftrong, hairy, branched,
and rifes from one to three feet in height ; the leaves are numerous,

roundifh,

( H9 )

roimdifh, divided into five or feven lobes, unequally ferrated or
notched at the edges, and ftand upon long round hairy footftalks :
the two ftipulce are placed at the bafe of eaclil4botftalk : the flowers
are large, conlifting of : five petals, which are • inverfely heart-
lhaped, iinuated at the apex, and of a purple colour, painted with
veins of a deeper hue, and ftand upon flender peduncles, which
proceed from the bottom of the leaf-ftalks : the calyx is double, the
outer is compofed of three, and the inner of five oval pointed hairy
fegments : the ftamina are numerous, united at the bale in a cylin-
drical fhape, above feparate, bending downwards, and furnifhed with
kidney-fhaped antherse : the germen is roundifh : the ftyle cylindrical,
fhort, and furnifhed with many filiform ftigmata : the feeds are
numerous, of a kidney-fhape, and covered with a coat, or arillus,
which opens inwardly. It is common under hedges and in wafte
grounds, and flowers from June till September.

This plant a has a ftrong affinity to the Althnsa both in a botanical
and in a medicinal refpect ; but the roots of the malva are ufelefs,
while thofe of althaea are of more efficacy than any other part of the
plant. Accordingly we find that only the leaves and the flowers
of the former are directed by the college for pharmaceutical pur-
pofes. Formerly when horticulture was little underftood, and of
courfe the choice of efculent vegetables extremely limited, the
malva was admitted amongft the more common articles of diet ;b and
we are told that the Chinefe ftill eat the leaves of mallow either raw
as fallad, or boiled as fpinage.c

Refpe&ing the medicinal qualities of this plant, little remains to
be faid after the account we have given of Althaea, as the leaves

a « Malva quafi molva quod alvum molliat, ut inquit Feftus, fecundum trittwn ilium
Schohr Salern. verficulum, dixerunt malvam veteres quia molliat alvum. Gr. //.xXx^v,
unto (jLxXxssav, ob eandem rationem. Utrumquc etymon improbat C. Hoffman nec tauien
meliora iubftituit." Tourtif,

b Me pafcunt olivas

Me cichorea levefque malvae. Hor. I. I. Oil. 31.

Exoneraturas venirem mihi villica malvas
Attulit, & varias, quas habet hortus, opes. Martial.

The laxative quality of this plant is alio mentioned by Cicero.

Epijlol. lib. 7. epifl. 26.
c Melanges interejjans ct curieux. Tom. 4. />. 28.

afford

( *5° )

afford a fimilar glutinous juice, which is fitted to anfwer the fame
purpofes as thofe of marfh -mallow, and are therefore principally ufed
in fomentations, cat^ufms, and emollient enemas; but the internal
life of thefe leaves feems to be wholly fuperfeded by the radix althxx.11
d " Althaeae in omnibus fupra di£lis efficacior radix." Plin. Nat. Hift. vol. 2. p. 662.

LAVANDULA SPICA. COMMON LAVENDER.

S T N 0 NT MA. Lavandula. Pharm. Land. Esf Edinb. Laven-
dula anguftifolia flore cacruleo. Bauh. Pin. p. 216. Lavendula
minor five fpica. Gerard. Emac.p. 584. Raii Hift. p. 513. Park.
Theat. p. 73. Pfeudo-nardus quse Lavendula vulgo. J. Bauh.
Hift. vol. Hi. p. 282. Lavandula foliis lineribus, fpicis nudis.
Hal. Stir p. Helv. n. 232.

Varietates funt.

* Lavandula anguftifolia flore cseruleo. Bauh. Pin. p. 216.

Narrow-leaved blue flowered common Lavender.

/3 Lavandula anguftifolia flore albo. Bauh. I. c.

Narrow-leaved white flowered common Lavender.

y Lavandula latifolia. Bauh. I. c.

Broad-leaved common Lavender. Vide Aiton. Hort. Kew.

Clafs Didynamia. Ord. Gymnofpermia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 711.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Calyx ovatus, fubdentatus, bractea fuffultus. Corolla
refupinata. Stamina intra tubum.

Sp. Ch. L. foliis feflilibus lanceolato-linearibus margine revolutis,
fpica interrupta nuda.

THE root is perennial, thick, fibrous, and woody: the ftalk is
fhrubby, much branched, and often rifes to the height of five or fix
feet : the bark of the younger flioots is of a pale-green colour, but

of

( 151 )

of the old woody part of the ftem rough and brown : the leaves
are numerous, long, narrow, entire, without footftalks, of a whitifli
green colour : the flowers are produced in terminal fpikes upon the
young moots, and are of a bright blue colour : the corolla confifts
of a long cylindrical tube, divided at the mouth into two lips, the
uppermoft of which is largeft, and cut into two iegments ; the lower
expands downwards, and feparates into three : the filaments are four,
two long, and two fhort, inclofed within fhe tubular part of the
corolla, and fupport ffhall fimple antheras : in the place of a germen
we find four naked feeds, from the center of which proceeds the ftyle,
which is {lender, and furnifhed with a bilobated ftigma. It is, a
native of the fouth of Europe, and flowers from July till September.
This plant was formerly confidered as a fpecies of Nardus, and appears
to be the Pfeudo-nardus of Matthiolus and Pliny.

Lavender grov s fpontaneoufly in many of the fouthern parts of
Europe ; it appears from Turner to have been cultivated in England
previous to the year 1568/ and on account of the fragrance of its
flowers, it is now fo commonly cultivated, that we can fcarcely enter a
garden in which this plant is not to be found. The fragrant fmell of
the flowers is well known, and to molt people agreeable ; to the tafte
they are bitterifh, warm, and fomewhat pungent; the leaves are weaker
and lefs grateful. " Water extracts by infufion nearly all the virtue
both of the leaves and flowers. In diftillation'with water the leaves
yield a very fmall portion of elTential oil ; the flowers a much larger,
amounting in their perfectly mature ftate b to about one ounce from
fixty. The oil is of a bright yellow colour, of a very pungent tafte,
and pofTerTes, if carefully diftilled, the fragrance of the Lavender in
perfection.0 Re&ified lpirit extracts the virtue of Lavender more

a Vide Aiton's Hort. Kew.
b In order to obtain the largeft quantity of efiential oil from thefe and moft other
flowers of this kind, they fhould be allowed to grow to their full maturity, and be dried
; for fome time.

c Hence it is frequently employed as a perfume. This oil has been ufed for
ifrimulating paralytic limbs, and for other external purpofes. We are alfo told that it
ief}e<5tually deftroys cutaneous infe&s, and that if foft fpongy paper be dipped in this oil,
;and applied to the parts, it immediately kills the pedicuii inguinales. — This oil, diftilled
ffrom the broad-leaved lavender, and mixed with three-fourths of rectified fpirit, or oil of
1 turpentine, was the Oleum fpicge, formerly highly celebrated as an application to indolent
ttumours, old fprains, difeafed joints, &c.

No. 12. Q^q completely

( )

completely than water. The fpirit elevates alfo in dlftillation a con-
iiderable part of the odoriferous matter of the leaves, and greateft
part of that of the flowers ; leaving in the infpiflated extracts a
moderate pungency and bitternefs, with very little fmell." J

Lavender has been an officinal plant for a confiderable time, though
we have no certain accounts of it given by the ancients : its medicinal
virtue refides in the efTential oil, which is fuppofed to be a gentle cor-
roberant and ftimulant of the aromatic kind,6 and is recommended in
nervous debilities and various affections proceeding from a want of
energy in the animal functions. According to Dr. Cullen, it is,
" whether externally applied or given internally, a powerful ftimu-
" lant to the nervous fyftem ; and among the others of this order,
" named Cephalics, the Lavender has a very good and perhaps the
" beft title to it." And he further fays, " it appears to me probable,
" that it will feldom go further than exciting the energy of the brain
" to a fuller impulfe of the nervous power into the nerves of the
" animal functions, and feldom into thofe of the vital. It may
" however be with great propriety, that Profeflbr Murray has
" difluaded its ufe where there is any danger from a ftimulus applied
" to the fanguiferous fyftem. It is however ftill probable, that
" Lavender commonly ftimulates the nervous fyftem only, and
" therefore may be more fafe in palfy than the warmer aromatics,
" efpecially if the Lavender be not given in a fpirituous menftruum,
" or along with heating aromatics, which however is commonly
" done in the cafe of the fpiritus lavendula? compofitus."f The
officinal preparations of Lavender, are the efTential oil, a fimple fpirit,
and a compound tincture.

d Lewis's Mat. Med. p. 371.
e Bergius fays, Virtus: nervina, refolvens, tonica, emmcnagoga. Vfus : externus.
M. M. p. 513.

f Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 148.

TEUCRIUM MARUM.

( *53 )

TEUCRIUM MARUM. MA RUM GERMANDER,

Or, SYRIAN KERB MAbTICH.

STNONTMA. Marum Syriacum. Pharm. Lond. Marum
Cortuii. J. Banh. Hijl. v. ill. p. 242. Marjorana Syriaca vel
Cretica. Bauh. Pin. p. 224. Marum Syriacum vel Creticum.
Park. Tbeat. p. 13.* Rail Mifl. p. 527. Chamxdrys incana
maritima frutefcens, foliis lanceolatis. Tonrn. Injl. p. 205.
TragoriganumThymi latioribus foliis, fubtus incanis; flore magno
fuave-rubente. Piuk. Aim. p. 374. Thy mum Creticum, &c.
Breyn Prod. it. p. 99. C. Schreberi verticill. unilab. n. 28. et
Linn. DIJJ. de M^.ro refp. Dahlgren. p. 7.

Clafs Didynamia. Ord. Gymnofpermia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 706.

EJJ. Gen. Ch. Corolla labium fuperius (nullum) ultra bafin 2-partitum,
divaricatum ubi ftamina.

Sp. Ch. T. foliis integerrimis ovatis acutis petiolatis, fubtus tomen-
tofis, flor. racemofis fecundis.

THE root is perennial, long, ligneous, and divides into many
fibrous branches : the ftalks are numerous, flender, fhrubby, woolly,
fomewhat branched, and rife above a foot in height : the leaves are
oblong, pointed, entire, and near the bottom obfeurely lobed : the
upper pagina is of a pale green colour ; the under, white and downy;
they are placed in pairs upon flender footftalks, which become gra-
dually elongated towards the lower part of the Items : the flowers
are produced in fpikes, and all ftand on the fame fide in pairs, upon
fliort peduncles: the corolla conlifts of a {hort curved cylindrical
tube, which divides at the limb into two lips ; the upper lip is
fhort, erect, and divided to the bafe, by which it feems loft in the
under lip, which is long, of a pale purple colour, and feparated into
fix lobes, of thefe the outermoft are the largeft : the calyx is tubular,

whitiih,

( 154 )

wliitifh, woolly, and cut into five fhort pointed fegments : the filaments
are two long and two fhort, (lender, white, and furnifhed with fimple
anthers : the germen is quadrifid, and fupports a flender ftyle, with
a bifid ftigma : the feeds are four, of a brown colour, and lodged in
the calyx, which ferves the purpofe of a capfule.

This little fhrub flowers from July till September. It is a native
of Spain, and is faid to grow plentifully alfo in Greece, iEgypt,
Crete, and Syria.

Whether this plant was known to the ancients or not, does not
appear from the defcriptions of Theophraftus and Diofcorides. —
Cortufus a difcovered that cats are remarkably fond of Marum;* and
from this circumftance we are enabled with certainty to trace back
its hiftory to his time, for ever fince it has been known by the name
of Cat-thyme : there occurs however confiderable difficulty in afcer-
taining its fynonyma ; and probably fome of thofe to which we have
referred, are not fufficiently identified. It was firfh cultivated in
England by Parkinfon b in 1640, and is now to be found in many
of our gardens.

The leaves and younger branches of Marum, when recent, on
being rubbed betwixt the fingers, emit a volatile aromatic c fmell,
which readily excites fneezing, but to the tafte they are bitterifh
accompanied with a fenfation of heat and acrimony. Lewis obferves,
that " the Marum lofes but little of its pungency on being dried,
and in this refpect it differs remarkably from many other acrid
herbs, as thofe called antifcorbutic. It gives out its active matter
partially to water, and completely to rectified fpirit. — Diftilled with
the former, it yields a highly pungent, fubtile, volatile effential oil,
fimilar to that of fcurvy grafs, but ftronger, and of lefs perifhable
pungency. Rectified fpirit carries off likewife, in the infphTation of
the fpirituous tincture, a confiderable fhare of the fmell and pungency
of the Marum, but leaves much the greateft part concentrated in the

a See Jac. Antonii Cortufi Catalogus Horti Patavini, anno 1 591, & J. Bauh. 1. c.

* Cats are alfo known to have a fimilar fondnefs for the Nepeta Cataria, and the roots
of Valeriana off.

b Vide Aiton's Hort. Kew. "
c Murray fays, — Ut fal volatile olfa&um grato fuo et camphoraceo fere aromate nares
vellicant, in fternutationem ufque, et per momentum temporis animum cximie erigunt.
App. Med. vol. 2. p. 108.

extract ;

( >55 )

extract ; which, on being tailed, fills the mouth with a durable,
penetrating, glowing warmth.'"1

Judging from the fenfible qualities of this plant, it may be fup-
pofed to poifefs very active powers, and on this confideration it is
ftrongly recommended by Wedelius c as an important remedy in
many difeafes requiring medicines of a ftimulant, aromatic, and
deobftruent quality ; and his opinion feems in fome meafure to have
been fince verified by actual experience of its efficacy, as appears
from the inftances of its fuccefsful employment by Linn^us, f
Rofenftein,2 and Bergius.h The laft mentioned writer fays of it,
Virtus : nervina, tonica, refolvens, emmenagoga, diuretica, errhina.
Ufus : Cachexia, Hyfteria, Debilitas nervorum. — At prefent however
Marum is here chiefly ufed as an errhine, and is an ingredient in the
pulvis afari compofitus of the London Pharmacopoeia. The dofe of
the powdered leaves is from a fcruple to half a dram, which Murray
advifes to be given in wine.

d Lewis Mat. Med. p. 412.

c Dijf. de Maro rcfp. Hermanno 1703. — Its cephalic efficacy is highly commended
by Hermann (Cynos. Mat. Med. torn. 2. p. 349. J and Boerhaave (Hift. Plant, hort, L.
B. p. 262.)

{ Of thefe we may mention Menftrua fuppreffa, Apoplexy, Afthma, and various other
pulmonary affections. Vide 1. c.

e Murray fay?, <c Litteris vero ad me datis, vir. illuftris perfcripfit, fe eadem medela b.
Rofenfteinio, diriffima et pertinaciffima tufli cum difficillima refpiratione in ultimo morbo
confli£bto, levamen attuliffe exoptatiffimum." 1. c.

h He mentions the cafe of a lady who received a blow upon the head by falling from
a carriage, which brought on a fpecies of apoplexy, and was cured by this plant, after
feveral other means had been tried ineffectually. M. M. p. 504.

No, 12,

R r TEUCRIUM SCORDIUM.

4

( 156 )

TEUCRIUM SCORDIUM. WATER GERMANDER.

S TNO N TMA. Scordium. Pharm. Lond. fef Edlnb. Gerard.
Emac. p. 66 1. Bauh. Pin. p. 247. J. Bauh. HIJl. ill. p. 292.
Rail III/}, p. 576. Synop. p. 245. Scordium legitimum. Park.
Theat. p. in. Chamacdrys foliis mollibus, hirfutis, ellipticis,
crenatis, verticillis paucifloris. Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 288. Teucrium
Scordium. Withering. Bot.Arrang. p. 591. Flor. Dan. 593.

Clafs Didynamia. Ord. Gymnofpermia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 706.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Corolla labium fuperius (nullum) ultra bafm 2-partitum,
divaricatum ubi ftamina.

Sp. Ch. T. foliis oblongis feffilibus dentato-ferratis, floribus geminis
axillaribus pedunculitis, caule diffufo.

THE root is perennial, fibrous, creeping: the items are branched,
trailing, fquare, hairy, and more than a foot in length : the leaves
are ferrated, hairy, oblong, veined, of a dufky-green colour, without
footftalks, and placed in pairs : the flowers ftand in verticilli or whorls
of two, three, or four together, upon fhort peduncles, placed at the
bafe of the leaves : the corolla is monopetalous, conlifting of a fhort
tube, which divides at the mouth into two lips, but the upper is
extremely fhort, and cleft in the middle, and therefore appears to be
wanting : the under lip is long, of a purple colour, dentated at the
fides, and terminated by a large roundilh expanded fegment : the
calyx is tubular, hairy, and cut at the extremity into five fhort teeth :
the filaments are four, two long and two fhort, flender, bent, and
crowned with fimple antherse : the germen divides into four parts,
from the centre of which rifes a flender ft.yle, furnifhed with a bifid
ftigma : the feeds are four, naked, of an irregular fliape, and lodged
in the bottom of the calyx. It is a native of England, in marihy
fituations, and flowers in July and Auguft.

r,.H,,h,J fy JJ"WooJyill Det'l.lJOO.

( 157 )

The leaves of Scordium have a fmell fomewhat of the garlick
kind,3 and to the tafte they are bitterifh, and flightly pungent.
" When moderately and newly dried they give out their fin ell and
tafte both to water and to rectified fpirit. In diftillation their pecu-
liar flavour arifes with water, but the impregnation of the diftilled
fluid is not ftrong, nor could any effential oil be obtained on fub-
mitting to the operation feveral pounds of the herb." b

The ancients, to whom Scordium was well known,0 attributed to
it a peculiar analeptic d and alexipharmic power, and for many ages
it had the character of being remarkably efficacious in all peftilential
and putrid difeafes ; with a view to this, it was afterwards directed in
the compofition of feveral officinal medicines,6 fuppofed to be antidotes
to various kinds of poifons and infections ; and we are told, even at
a date not very remote from the prefent, of its fuccefsful ufe in the
plague, which raged in Turkey/ But notwithftanding the Scordium
was formerly conlidered fuch a celebrated remedy, and ftill has place
in both the Pharmacopoeias, yet it appears to be a very iniignificant
article of the Materia Medica, and is therefore very juftly fallen into
difufe ; and in this opinion we have the authority of Dr. Cullen, who
lays, " this plant has a bitter, joined with fome volatile parts ; but
neither of thefe qualities is confiderable enough to retain it in the
prefent practice."5 Bergius however ftates virtus to be antiputredinofa,
tonica, diaphoretica, diuretica, refolvens ;h and fome others recom-
mend it to be employed externally in antifeptic cataplafms and
fomentations.

a From this fmcll it is fuppofed to take the name Scordium, or SxofoSoy, which fignifies
Garlick j and the milk of animals, which feed upon this plant, is faid to acquire a fimilar
flavour. b Lewis Mat. Aicd. p. 596.

c We are far from being certain that the plant we have figured is really the Scordium
of the ancients, and on this account we have not referred it to the Greek writers.

d Of the fabulous accounts of its antifeptic powers, we may mention the following
from Galen: Scriptum autem eft a quibufdam viris graviffimis, cum in bello interemp-
torum cadavera multos dies infepulta jacuiflent, quaecunque fupra fcordium forte fortuna
ceciderant, multo minus aliis computruifle, ea praelertim ex parte quae herbam contigerat.
Lib. de Antidot. 6. cap. 12;

e The Mithridate andTheriaca have but latelvbeen expunged from our difpenfatories ;
and though often experienced to be ufeful remedies, yet with Haller we may fay, " Sed
eae farragines funt medicamentorum, in quibus non dignofcas, cui tribuas eventa." 1. c.
f Vide Lettrespar DeFoy. t. I. p. 198. and Chenot de pejle, p. 132.
s Mat, Med. vol. 2. p. 82. h Mat. Med. p. 505.

PUNICA GRANATUM.

( 158 )

PUNICA GRANATUM. POMEGRANATE TREE.

S TNO NT MA. Granatum. Pharm. Loud. &f Edlnb. Malus
Punica fativa. Baub. Pin. p. 438. Park. Tbeat. p. 15 10. Malus
Ptmica. J. Bauh. Hijt. vol. i. p. 76. Malus Granata five Punica.
Gerard. E.viac.p. 1450. Punica fpinofa, foliis nitentibus, ellipticis,
integerrimis, floribus feffilibus. Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 1098. Conf.
Du H'amel Traite des arbres, t. 2. p. 193. et Miller Illujlr. Syjl. Sex.
/3 Punica floribus plenis. Theophrafti et Diofcoridi arbor ejufque
frudfus dicitur Po* ; Hippocrati arbor audit wide cortex frutlus
2iS;ov vel Paw. F lores Punica fativte a u tern Diofcoridi et Galeni Kvr<w<
hodie Balauftiorum Flores, vocantur.

Clafs Icofandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 618.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Cal. 5-fidus, fuperus. Petala 5. Pomum multilocu-
lare polyfpermum.

Sp. Cb. P. foliis lanceolatis, caule arboreo.

THIS fmall tree rifes feveral feet in height: it is covered with a
brownifh bark, and divided into many fmall branches, which are
armed with fpines : the leaves are oblong, or lance-fhaped, pointed,
veined, of a deep green colour, and placed upon fhort footftalks :
the flowers are large, of a rich fcarlet colour, and ftand at the end of
the voung branches : the corolla is compofed of five large roundifh
{lender petals, with narrow claws, by which they are inferted into
the calyx : the calyx is large, thick, flefhy, tubular, of a brownifh red
' colour, and divided at the extremity into five pointed fegments : the
filaments are numerous, fhort, bent inwards, furnifhed with yellow
anthera?, and attached to the calyx: the germen is roundifh, and
fupports a fimple ftyle, of the length of the filaments, and terminated
by a globular ftigma : the fruit is about the fize of an orange, and
crowned with the five teeth of the calyx^ the rind is thick and tough,

externally

( 159 )

externally reddifh, internally yellowifh, filled with a red fucculent
pulp, a contained in tranfparent cellular membranes, and included
in nine cells, within which numerous oblong angular feeds are alio
lodged. This fhrubby tree is a native of Spain, Italy, and Barbary,
and flowers from June till September.

The Greek writers were well acquainted with the Pomegranate, as
appears from what we have already mentioned under the Synonyma ;
and Pliny tells us that its fruit was ufually fold in the neighbour-
hood of Carthage.b The cultivation of this tree in England is firft
to be dated from the time of Gerard, in 1596 ;c and though its fruit
feldom arrives to a ftate of perfection in this country,11 yet the large
and beautiful fcarFet flowers c which it produces, ftill render it a
defirable object of ornamental gardening. The rind of the fruit,
and the flowers, the calyces of which may be included, are the parts
directed in the Pharmacopoeias for medicinal ufe. The fruit has been
called cortex granati, malicorium, fidium, &c. In its fmell there is
nothing remarkable, but to the tafte it is very aftringent. " With
water it yields near half its own weight of a very auftere extract,
but gives out very little to rectified fpirit ; its aftringent matter, like
that of the fruit of the acacia tree, feeming to be indiftbluble in
fpirituous menftrua : in this refpect the aftringency of the fruit differs
from the latter," f which are named Balauftium or Balauftine flowers ;
thefe are commonly taken from the double-flowered variety, and like
the rind have little or no fmell, but a mild bitterifh ftyptic tafte.
They are both powerful aftringents,g and with this effect have long
been fuccefsfully employed in difeafes both internally and externally.
Dr. Culled obferves that " the ftrong ftyptic tafte of this bark, and the
" black colour it ftrikes with green vitriol, {hew fufficiently its aftringent
" power ; and it is commonly fuppofed to be among the ftrongeft of

* This is gratefully acid, fomewhat like that of oranges.

b Circa Carthagincm punicum malum cognomine fibi vendicat; aliqui granatum

appellant, h 13. c. 19. p. 333. <= Vide Aiton's Hort. Kevv.

d Miller tells us that he obtained fruit from fome of thefe trees which were planted in
a warm fituation, but they had not the proper flavour.

* The double flowered fort, more efpecially, makes a verybcautiful appearance.
f Lewis Mat. Med. p. 328. e Virtus corticis : validus adftringens,' coriaria ; jlorum:
paullo mitior; pulpcs refrigerans, reflringens-. Berg. M. M. p. 398.

No. 12. S S " this

( iCo )

this kind. As at the fame time, it gives out fuch a large portion of
its fubftance to water in infufion or deco&ion, it feems to be par-
ticularly fit for affording a liquid aftringent, and I have frequently
found it particularly ufeful in gargles, in diarrhoea, and in external
applications. That it is fo powerful an aftringent internally ufed,
as to be more dangerous than others, I cannot perceive ; and that
it has ever had the power of fupprefTing the catamenia, feems to
me very doubtful." h The dofe, in fubftance, is from half a dram
to a dram ; in infufion or decoction, to half an ounce.

h M. M. vol. ii. p. 44,
* Ufus cort. externuSj Laxitas uvulae, Prpcedentia inteftini. Berg. 1. c.

i ■■■ i ■■ It 1 1 WIIIBIIMIWIMMi .

POTENTILLA REPTANS. COMMON CINQUEFOIL.

STNONTMA. Pentaphyllum. Pbarm. Lond. Quinquefolium
majus repens. • Banh. Pin. p. 325. Quinquefolium vulgare.
Gerard. Emac. p. 98 7. Pentaphyllum vulgatiffimum. F ark. Tbeat.
p. 398. Rail Hijt.p. 611. Synop. p. 255. jf. Banh. H'ift.p. 397.
Fragara foliis quinatis, ferratis, petiolis unifloris, caale reptante.
Hal. Stirp. Helv. 11. 1 118. Withering. Bot. Arrang. p. 534.
Curtis Flor. Lond.

Clafs Icofandria. Ord. Polygynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 634.

EJf. Gen. C/j. Cal. 10-fidus. Petala 5. Sem. fubrotunda, nuda,
receptaculo parvo ex fucco ahixa.

Sp. Cb. P. foliis quinatis, caale repente, pedunculis unifloris.

THE root is perennial, long, tapering, or fufiform, furnilhed
with but few fibres, internally reddifh, and externally of a yellowim
brown colour : the ftalks are numerous, flender, purplifli, fmooth, and
creeping ; the leaves are quinate, or five, placed together, and fome-

times

0

( 161 )

times feven, of unequal fize, elliptical, obtufe, ferrated, veined, fome-
what hairy, and fitting clofe to the common footftalk, which is of
confiderable length, and rifes from the ftoloniferous joints of the ftem:
the ftipula; ftan'd in pairs, and are compofed of three ovalifh leaves :
the flowers are yellow, and placed fmgly upon long flender peduncles :
the corolla conlifts of five petals, which are inverfely heart-fhaped, of
a bright yellow colour, and inferted into the calyx by fhort claws :
the calyx is a perianthium of one leaf, divided into ten pointed feg-
ments, which are alternately fmaller, and frequently turned back :
the filaments are about twenty, fhort, tapering, and inferted at the
glandular bafe of the calyx, and crowned by oblong, flattifh, double-
celled yellow antherse : the gennina are numerous, and form a conical
head, fupporting fhort ftyles, terminated by blunt ftigmata : the feeds
are numerous, fmall, and of a brown colour. It flowers from July
till September, and is common on meadow banks, and on the fides
of roads.

The roots of this plant have a bitterifh ftyptic tafte, and give out
their aftringent matter both to water and fpirit. They were ufed by
Hippocrates and Diofcorides, and by the former particularly recom-
mended for the cure of intermittents.* And Ray tells us, that the
peafantry ftill employ them with this intention.b The medicinal
quality of Cinquefoil is confined to the external or cortical part of
the root, and depends merely upon its aftringent effects ; it has
therefore been chiefly prefcribed internally in diarrhoeas and other
fluxes, and externally in gargles and aftringent lotions : but as its
efficacy is much inferior to many other plants of this clafs, tne
Cinquefoil is now rarely ufed. In large doles, however, it may be
found no bad fubftitute for fome of the other aftringents.

a De Morb. 1. 2. p. 473. Foes.
* Hl/l. Plant, p. c. See alfo Senac de recond.febr. interm. nat. p. 185,

NICOTIAN A TABACUM.

( 1 62 )

NICOTIANA TABACUM. VIRGINIAN TOBACCO.

STNONTMA. Nicotiana. Pbarm. Lond. fcf Edlnb. Nicotiana
major latifolia. Baub. Pin. p. 169. Nicotiana major five Tabacum
majus. J. Baub. Hift. Hu p. 629. Tabacco latifolium. Park,
Parad. p. 363. Rail Hift, p. 713. Hyofcyamus Peruvianus.
Gerard. Emac. p. 357. Petum latifolium. Clufius. Exot. p. 309.
Herba fanda. Label. Adverf. p. 2 si. Nicotiana (Tabacum) foliis
lanceolatis, ovatis, decurrentibus. Miller. Dlcl.

* Nicotiana major latifolia. C. B, /. c.

Broad-leaved Virginian Tobacco.

& Nicotiana foliis lanceolatis acutis feffilibiis, calycibus acutis, tubo
floris longiffimo.- Miller. Diet.

Narrow-leaved Virginian Tobacco.*

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Monogynia, Lin. Gen. Plant. 248.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Cor. infundibul. limbo plicato. Stamina inclinata.
Caps. 2-valvis, 2-locularis.

Sp. Cb. N. foliis lanceolato-ovatis feffilibus decurrentibus, floribus acutis,

THE root is annual, large, long, and fibrous: the ftalk is erect,
ftrorig, round, hairy, branched towards the top, and rifes live or fix
feet in height : the leaves are numerous, large, oblong, pointed,
entire, veined, vifcous, of a pale green colour, without footftalks, and
follow the ftem downwards : the bracteae are long, linear, and pointed :
the flowers terminate the ftem and branches in loofe clufters or pani-
cles : the corolla is monopetalous, funnel-fhaped, with a long hairy
tube, which gradually fwclls towards the limb, where it divides into
five folding acute fegments of a reddifh colour : the calyx is hairy,
about the length of the corolla, and is cut into five narrow fegments :
* The figure here preferred feems to accord very well with this variety.

the

( i«3 )

the five filaments are bent inwards, tapering, and crowned with
oblong anthers : the germen is oval, and fupports a long flender
ftyle, terminated by a round cleft ftigma : the capfule is oval, and
divided into two cells, which contain many fmall roundifh feeds. — •
It is a native of America, and flowers, in July and Auguft.

Tobacco was firft imported into Europe about the middle of the
fixteenth century by Hernandez de Toledo, who fent it to Spain and
Portugal; at that time the Ambaffador of Francis II. refided at the
court of Lifbon, and in the year 1560, he carried the Tobacco into
France, when it was prefented to Catharine de Medicis as a plant
from the new world, poflefling extraordinary virtues. The Ambaf-
fador's name was Nicot, and hence the appellation Nicotiana. It
appears from Lobel, that this plant was cultivated in Britain previous
to the year 1570 ;a and the introduction of the cuftom of fmoking
it in England is afcribed to Sir Walter Raleigh. The cultivation of
Tobacco * is now common in various parts of the globe, and though

a Vide I. c.

* Long, in his Hiftory of Jamaica, defcribes the method of its cultivation to be as
follows : — " When a regular plantation of Tobacco is intended, feveral beds are pre-
pared, well turned up with the hoe. The feed, on account of its fmallnefs, is mixed
with allies, and fown upon them a little before the rainy feafon. The beds are then
raked, or trampled with the feet, to make the feed take the fooner. The plants appear
in two or three weeks. So foon as they have acquired four leaves, the ftrongeft are
drawn up carefully and planted in the Tobacco field by a line, at the diftance of about
three fe-et from each plant : this is done either with a ftick or the finger. If no rain falls,
it fhould be watered two or three times, to make it ftrike root. Every morning and
evening the plants muft be furveyed, in order to deftroy a worm which fometimes invades
the bud. When they are grown about four or five inches high they are to be cleaned
from weeds, and moulded up ; and as foon as they have eight or nine leaves, and are
ready to put forth a {talk, the top is nipped ofF, in order to make the leaves longer and
thicker. After this, the buds which iprout at the joints of the leaves are all plucked,
and not a day fuffered to pafs without examining the leaves, to deftroy a large caterpillar
which is fometimes very deftructive to them. When they are fit for cutting, which is
known by the brittlenefs of the leaves, they are cut with a knife clofe to the ground ;
.and after being left to lie there fome little time, are carried to the drying-fhed or houfe,
where the plants are hung up, by pairs, upon lines or ropes ftretched acrofs, leaving a
fpace between, that they may not touch one another. In this ftate they remain to fweat
and dry. When they become perfectly dry, the leaves are dripped from the ftalks, and
made into fmall bundles, tied with another leaf. Thefe bundles are laid in heaps, and
covered with blankets. Care is taken not to overheat them ; for which reafon the heaps
arc laid open to the air from time to time, and fpread abroad. This operation is repeated
till no more heat is perceived in the heaps, and the Tobacco is then flowed in calks for
exportation." — Vol. 3. p. 719,

No. 12, T t prohibited

( i64 )

prohibited by the laws of this country, frill the manufacture of it
forms no inconfidcrable branch of commerce.

The different forts of Tobacco and Snuffs prepared from it which are
now in ufe, are to be attributed to the difference of the climate and foil
in which it grows, and the peculiar mode of managing and manufac-
turing the plant, rather than to any effential difference in its qualities ;
we {hall therefore proceed to the confideration of the effects of Tobacco
upon the body, which from its general employment deferves particular
attention ; and no apology will be thought neceffary for tranferibing
the whole of what has been lately advanced upon this fubject by Dr.
Cullen. — " Tobacco is a well-known drug, of a narcotic quality, which
" it difcovers in all perfons, even in fmall quantity, when firft applied-
" to them. I have known a fmall quantity of it, muffed up the nofe,
" produce giddinefs, ftupor, and vomiting; and when applied in diffe-
" rent ways, in larger quantity, there are many inftances of its more
" violent effects, even of its proving a mortal poifon. In all thefe
" inftances it operates in the manner of other narcotics : But along
" .with its narcotic qualities it poffeffes alio a ftrongly ftimulant power,
" perhaps with refpect to the whole fyftem, but efpecially with respect
" to the ftomach and inteftines; fo as readily, even in no great dofes,
" to prove emetic and purgative.

" By this combination of qualities, all the effects of tobacco may
" be explained ; but I fhall begin with confidering its effects as they
" appear in the ufe of it as an article of living.

" As fuch it has been employed by muffing, fmoking, and chewing;
" practices which, as having been for two hundred years paft common
" to all Europe, need not be defcribed here. Like other narcotics,
" the ufe of it may be introduced by degrees ; fo that its peculiar
" effects, even from large quantities employed, may not, or may
" hardly at all appear : but this does not at all contradict the account
" I have given of its quality with refpect to perfons unaccuftomed to
" it, and even of its tendency to mow its power in thofe much ac-
" cuftomed to it : for even in thefe, the power of habit has its limits;
" fo that in perfons going but a little beyond the dofe to which they
" have been accuftomed, very violent effects are fometimes produced.

" On this fubject it is to be remarked, that the power of habit is
" often unequal ; fo that in perfons accuftomed to the ufe of tobacco,

(i a leffer

( i «5 )

*' a lefler quantity than what they had been accuftomed to, will often
u have Stronger effects than had before commonly appeared. I knew
" a lady who had been for more than twenty years accuftomed to
" take fnuff, and that at every time of day ; but {he came at length
" to obferve, that fnufhng a good deal before dinner took away her
" appetite : and fhe came at length to find, that a fingle pinch, taken
M any time before dinner, took away almoft entirely her appetite for
" that meal. When, however, fhe abftained entirely from fnuff before
" dinner, her appetite continued as ufual; and after dinner, for the reft
" of the day, fhe took fnuff pretty freely without any inconvenience.

" This is an inftance of the inequality of the power of habit in
u exerting its effects : but in what cafes this may take place, we
" cannot determine, and muft now go on in marking its ufual and
" ordinary powers. When fnuff, that is, tobacco in powder, is firft
" applied to the nofe, it proves a ftimulus, and excites fneezing ; but
" by repetition that effect entirely ceafes. #

" When fnuff is firft employed, if it be not both in fmall quantity
<c and be not thrown out immediately by fneezing, it occafions fome
" giddinefs and confufion of head ; but by repetition thefe effects
" ceafe to be produced, and no other effect of it appears in the
" accuftomed, when not taken beyond the accuftomed quantity. But
" even in the accuftomed, when it is taken beyond the ufual quantity,
" it produces fomewhat of the fame giddinefs and confufion of head
" that it did when firft employed; and in feveral cafes, thefe effects
" in the accuftomed, depending on a larger dofe, are not only more
" considerable, as they act on the fenforium, but as they appear alfo
" in other parts of the fyftem, particularly in the ftomach, occa-
" fioning a lofs of appetite, and other fymptoms of a weakened tone
" in that organ.

" With refpect to this, it is to be obferved, that perfons who take
" a great deal of fnuff, though they feem, from the power of habit,
" to efcape its narcotic effects ; yet as they are often liable to go to
" excels in the quantity taken, fo they are ftill in danger from thefe
" effects operating in an infenfible manner ; and I have obferved
" feveral inftances of their being affected in the fame manner as
u perfons are from the long continued ufe of other narcotics, fuch as
" wine and opium j that is, by a lofs of memory, by a fatuity, and

" other

( 1 66 )

" otlier fymptoms of die weakened or fenile ftate of the nervous
" fyftem, induced before the ufual period.

" Among oilier effects of excefs in fnuffing, I have found all the
" fymptoms of dyfpepfia produced by it, and particularly pains of the
" ftomach, occurring every day. The dependance of thefe upon the
" ufe of fnuff became very evident from hence, that upon an acci-
" dental interruption of fnuffing for fome days, thefe pains did not
" occur ; but upon a return to fnuffing, the pains alfo recurred ; and
" this alternation of pains of the ftomach and of fnuffing having
" occurred again, the fnuff was entirely laid afide, and the pains
" did not occur for many months after, nor, fo far as I know, for
" the reft of life.

" A fpecial effect of fnuffing is its exciting a confiderable difcharge
" of mucus from the nofe ; and there have been feveral inftances of
" headachs, toothachs, and ophthalmias relieved by this means : and
" this is to be particularly remarked, that when this difcharge of
" mucus is confiderable, the ceafing or fuppreffion of it by abftaining
" from fnuff, is ready to occafion the very diforders of headach,
" toothach, and ophthalmia, which it had formerly relieved.

" Another effect of fnuffing to be taken notice of is, that as a part
" of the fnuff is often carried back into the fauces, fo a part of this
" is often carried down into the ftomach, and then more certainly
" produces the dyfpeptic fymptoms mentioned. Thefe are the con-
" fiderations that relate to fnuffing ; and fome of them will readily
" apply to the other modes of ufmg this drug.

" Smoking, when nrft practifed, -{hows very ftrongly the narcotic,
" vomiting, and even purging powers of tobacco, and it is very often
" ufeful as an anodyne ; but by repetition thefe effects difappear, or
" only fliow themfelves when the quantity fmoked is beyond what
" habit had before admitted of ; and even in perfons much accuftomed
" to it, it may be carried fo far as to prove a mortal poifon. From
" much fmoking all the fame effects may arife which we faid might
" arife from excefs in fnuffing.

" With refpect to the evacuation of mucus which is produced by
" fnuffing, there are analogous effects produced by fmoking, which
" commonly ftimulates the mucous follicles of the mouth and fauces,
" and particularly the excretories of the falivary glands. By the

" evacuation

( 1 67 )

" evacuation from both fources, with the concurrence of the narcotic
« power, the toothach is often greatly relieved by it ; but we have
" not found the fmoking relieve headachs and ophthalmias fo much
" as fnuffing often does. Sometimes fmoking dries the mouth and
" fauces, and occafions a demand for drink ; but, as commonly the
« ftimulus it applies to the mucous follicles and falivary glands draws
" forth their liquids, it occafions on the. other hand a frequent fpitting.

" So far as this is of the proper faliva, it occafions a wafte of that
" liquid fo neceffary in the bufmefs of digeftion ; ' and both by this

wafte and by the narcotic power at the fame time applied, the tone
" of the ftomach is often weakened, and every kind of dyfpeptic
" fymptoms are produced. Though in fmoking a great part of the
" fmoke is again blown out of the mouth, ftill a part of it mull
" neceffarily pafs into the lungs, and its narcotic power applied there
" often relieves fpafmodic afthma ; and by its ftimulant power it there
" alfo fometimes promotes expectoration, and proves ufeful in the
" catarrhal or pituitous difficulty of breathing.

" Smoking has been frequently mentioned as a means of guarding
" men againft contagion. In the cafe of the plague, the teftimony of
" Diemerbroek is very ftrong ; but Rivinus and others give us many
" facts which contradict this : and Chenot gives a remarkable inftance
" of its inutility. We cannot indeed fuppofe that tobacco contains
" an antidote of any contagion, or that in general it has any antifeptic
" power; and therefore we cannot allow that it has any fpecial ufe
" in this cafe f but it is very probable that this and other narcotics,
K by diminilhing fenfibility, may render men lefs liable to contagion ;
" and by rendering the mind lefs active and anxious, it may alfo
" render men lefs liable to fear, which has fo often the power of
" exciting the activity of the contagion. The antiloimic powers of
" tobacco are therefore on the fame footing with thofe of wine,
" brandy, and opium.

" The third mode of ufing tobacco is that, of chewing it, when it
c< fhows its narcotic qualities as ftrongly as in any other way of ap-
" plying it ; though the naufeous tafte ,of it commonly prevents its
" being carried far in the firft practice. When the practice, however,
" is continued, as it is very difficult to avoid fome part of it diffolvcd
" in the faliva from going down into the ftomach, fo this, with the
No. 13. Uu " naufea

( ICS )

" naufea excited by the tafte, makes vomiting more readily occafioned
u by this than the other modes of applying it. They are the ftrong,
" and even difagreeable impreffions repeated, that give the moft du-
" rable and tenacious habits; and therefore the chewing of .tobacco
" is apt to become one of thefe : and it is therefore in this way that
' " it is ready to be carried to the greater!: excefs, and to mow all the
" effects of the frequent and large ufe of narcotics. As it commonly
" produces a confiderable evacuation from the mouth and fauces, fo
" it is the moil powerful in relieving the rheumatic affection of
" toothach. This practice is alfo the occafion of the greateft wafte
" of faliva; and the effects of this in weakening digeftion, and perhaps
" from thence efpecially, its noted effect of producing emaciation
" may appear.

" Thefe are the effects of the different modes of employing tobacco,
" when it comes to be of habitual ufe and an article of living. Thefe
" effects depend efpecially upon its narcotic power, and certain cir-
" cumftances accidentally attending its application to the nofe and
" mouth : but as we have obferved before, that befide its narcotic, it
" poffeffes alfo a ftimulant power, particularly with refpect to the
" alimentary canal : by this it is frequently employed as a medicine
" for exciting either vomiting or purging, which it does as it happens
" to be more immediately applied to the ftomach or to the interlines.

" An infufion of from half a dram to a* dram of the dried leaves, or
" of thefe as they are commonly prepared for chewing, for an hour
" or two, in four ounces of boiling water, affords an emetic which has
" been employed by fome practioners, but more commonly by the
" vulgar only. As it has no peculiar qualities as an emetic, and its
" operation is commonly attended with fevere ficknefs, it has not been,
" nor is it likely ever to come into common practice with phyficians.

" It is more commonly employed as a purgative in glyftei-s ; and,
" as generally very effectual, it is employed in all cafes of more
" obflinate coftivenefs ; and its powers have been celebrated by many
" authors. I have known it to be in frequent ufe with fome practi-
" doners ; and it is indeed a very effectual medicine, but attended
" with this inconvenience, that when the dofe happens to be in any
" excefs, it occalions fevere ficknefs at ftomach ; and I have known
u it frequently occafion vomiting.

( i69 )

" It is well known, that in cafes of obftinate coftivenefs, in ileus
»« and incarcerated hernia, the fmoke of burning tobacco has been
" thrown into the anus with great advantage. The fmoke operates
" here by the fame qualities that are in the infufions of it above
" mentioned ; but as the fmoke reaches much further into the intef-
" tines than injections can commonly do, it is thereby applied to a
" larger furface, and may therefore be a more powerful medicine
" than the infufions. In feveral inftances, however, I have been
" difappointed of its effects, and have been obliged to have recourfe
" to other means.

" The infufion of tobacco, when it is carried into the blood-veffels,
" has fometimes fhown its ftimulant powers exerted in the kidneys ;
" and very lately we have had it recommended to us as a powerful
" diuretic of great fervice in dropfy. Upon the faith of thefe recom-
" mendations w£ have now employed this remedy in various cafes of
" dropfy, but with very little fuccefs. From the fmall dofes that are
" proper to begin with, we have hardly obferved any diuretic effects;
" and though from larger dofes they have in fome meafure appeared,
" we have feldom found them confiderable : and when, to obtain
" thefe in a greater degree, we have gone on increafing the dofes,
" we have been conftantly reftrained by the fevere ficknefs at ftomach,
" and even vomiting, which they occaiioned : fo that we have not
" yet learned the adminiftration of this remedy fo as to render it a
" certain or convenient remedy in any cafes of dropfy.

" The fame circumftances have occurred to feveral other praeti-
" doners of this city and neighbourhood ; and of late the trials of it
" have been very generally omitted, owing perhaps to our practitioners
" being directed at the fame time to the ufe of the digitalis, with which
" they have had fome more fuccefs.

" From fome experiments we are certain that tobacco contains a
" quantity of volatile parts that may be dimpated by long boiling in
" water ; and that by fuch a practice its emetic, purgative, and nar-
" cotic qualities may be greatly diminifhed ; and we are of opinion
*' that the preparation in extract, as prefcribed in the Wirtenberg
" difpenfatory, is upon a good foundation, and may be employed in
" pectoral cafes with more advantage and fafety than the fimple in-
" fufion or decoction made by a fhort boiling only.

" When

( *7° )

" When we were reftrained in employing the infufion of tobacco

" as a diuretic, as mentioned, we expected to fucceed better with the

" decoction ; and I have found, that by long boiling this might be

" given in much larger dofes than the infufion : but we {till found it

" retaining fo much of the emetic quality, that we could not employ

" it as a diuretic without being interrupted in its ufe by the fame

" emetic quality that had interrupted the ufe of the infufion.

" Befides the internal ufes of tobacco mentioned, I muft now

" remark, that it has likewife been commended for its virtues as

" externally employed. I have known the infufion employed with

" advantage as a lotioi*»for fome obftinate ulcers : but the many in-

" fiances of its being abforbed, and proving thereby a violent poifon,

" difluade from fuch a practice ; efpecially as there are other medi-

" cines, of as much efficacy, that may be employed with much

" more fafety. Bergius recommends it to be employed as a fomen-

" tation in the paraphymofis j but we have had no opportunity of

" employing it." *

* The preceding quotation has completely anticipated What we have to offer upon
the {ubject of Tobacco. Refpe£Hng its poifonous, or narcotic, effects, We fhall fub-
join the following references: — Epbem. Nat. Cur. Dec. 2. Ann. 10. Obf. i^i.p. 222.
we are told, that by the immoderate ufe of fnuff, fomnolency, and at length fatal
apoplexy, was induced. Hcllwig Obf. Phyf. Med. p. 45. gives two inftances of the fame
kind, occafioned by fmoking 17 or 18 pipes of Tobacco. For the effects of Tobacco,
by abforption from its external ufe, fee Eph. cit. Ann. 4. p. 46. et Ann. 1. Obf. 108. p. 262.
Al/lon's M. M. vol. it. p. 190. The oil of Tobacco, applied to a wound, is faid by Redi
to be as fatal as the poifon of a viper. See Exp"rim. Nat. p. 8. 50. 315. Albinus
however did not find that this was the cafe with the different animals on which he tried
the experiment. Diffl de Tobac. p. 11. This oil, given to pigeons, produced fatal
effects, and was conftantly attended with vomiting. Abbe Fontana. Vide Phil. Tranf. vol.
Ixx. Tobacco, taken by dogs, alfo produces vomiting. Gefner. Epift. lib. it. p. 79.
The fmoke of Tobacco has been fuccefsfully ufed in the way of injection, by means of
a proper inftrument, for obftru&ions and inveterate conftipations of the belly, ever fince
the time of Sydenham ; and Haen, in his Rat. Med. gives feveral inftances of its good
effects : it is alfo recommended in cafes of afyphxia, or, what has been termed, fufpended
animation.

Erratum. In the defcription of the calyx of the Tobacco-plant,
read half the length of the corolla.

RICINUS COMMUNIS.

1

( *7* )

RICINUS COMMUNIS. COMMON PALM A CHRISTI.

STNO NT MA. Ricinus. Pbarm. Lond. & Edinb. Gerard.
Emac. p. 496. Ricinus vulgaris. Bauh. Pin. 432. J. Banh.
Hijl. Hi. p. 642. Ricinus five Cataputia major vulgatior. Park.
Tbeat. p. 182. Rati Hifi.p. 166. Ricinus- 1. Fruticofus affurgens
foliis majoribus peltato-lobatis, lobis ferratis acutis. Brozvne's Jam.
p. 350. Ricinus Americanus fructu racemofo hifpido, &c. Shanes
Cat. 38. The Oil nut tree. Long s Jam. v. Hi. p. 712. Ricinus
foliis peltatis insqualiter ferratis, capfulis hifpidis. Miller, Figures
of Plants, tab. 219. In horto botanico Gottingenfi tres exftant va-
rietates : ^glauca^chilo. petiolis coftifque foliorum ftipulis pedunculis
capfulifque pallide rubris. Ricinus ruber Rum ph. Herb. Amb.
torn. iv. p. 79. ; nitens, caule petiolis coftis foliorum ceterifque
partibus et fummis foliis fangidneis. Ricinus lucidus Jacquin. Mifc.
Aujlr.vol.ii.p. 360. ttlcon.rarior. tab. 2 7.utputo; ^glauca totaque
viridis prxter ftylos rubicundos. Ricinus albus R um ph. 1. c.p. 92.
Avanacoe f. Citavanacu. Hort. Malab. torn. 2. p. 57. tab. 32. Vide
Murr. App. Med. v. iv. p. 195.

Clafs Monoecia. Ord. Monadelphia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1085.

EJJ. Gen. Ch. Ma sc. Cal. 5-partitus. Cor. o. Stam. numerofa.
Fem. Cal. 3-partitus. Cor. o. Styli 3, bifidi. Cap/. 3 locul. Sem. 1.

Sp. Ch. R. foliis peltatis fubpalmatis ferratis.

THE root is biennial, long, thick, whitifh, and befet with many fmall
fibres : the ftem is round, thick, jointed, channelled, glaucous, of a
purplifh red colour towards the top, and rifes luxuriantly fix or eight
feet in height : % the leaves are large, and deeply divided into feven

% Long fays that in Jamaica it grows with furprifing rapidity to the height of fifteen

No« *3- Xx lobes

*

( *72 )

lobes or pointed ferrated fegments, of a bluifh green colour: the
footftalks are long, tapering, purplifh, and inferted in the difc of the
leaf (peltated) : the flowers are male and female on the fame plant,
and produced in a cluftered terminal fpike : the male flowers are
without a corolla, and confift of a calyx, divided into five oval
pointed purplifh fegments, enclofing numerous long ftamina, which
unite at the bale : the female flowers occupy the upper part of the
fpike, and have the calyx cut into three narrow fegments, of a reddifh
colour: the ftyles are three, flender, and forked at the apex: the
capfule is a large three-celled nut, covered with tough fpines, and
contains three flattifli oblong feeds, || which are forced out on the
burfting of the capfule. It is a native of both the Indies, and
flowers in July and Auguft.

This plant appears to be the K/*/, or K^ru* of Diofcorides,3 who
obferves that the feeds are powerfully cathartic ; -f- it is alfo men-
tioned by iEtius, Paulus iEgineta, and Pliny. The Ricinus was firft
cultivated in England in the time of Turner,13 (1562) and is now
annually reared in many gardens in the neighbourhood of London;
and in that of Dr. Saunders,0 at Highbury, the plant from which the

|| Hujus cuilibet loculo inert nux ovata, utrinque Compreffa, interiori prsecipue fuper-
ficie, qua? et linea longitudinali diftinguitur, magnitudine feminis Phafeoli minoris flore
phoeniceo, hilo prominente furfum notato, cui callus ante adhaeferat. Cortex ex bruno
luteoque variegatus, fragilis, cingit nucleum album, veftitum cuticula tenella concolore—
Figurse feminis cum infecto Ricino (Acaro Ricino L.) bobus & canibus infefto, fimili-
tudo anfam denomlnationis totius plantse dedit. Murr. Ap. Med. vol. iv. p. 197.

a Mat. Med. lib. ^ cap. 1 64.

■j- Their violent and irritating effects in this way are noticed by almoft all the Materia
Medica writers, and feem to be confirmed byThunberg, (Dijjl de Medtcina Africanorum^
p. 4. and Browne^ (h c). This acrimony however appears from later experiments to
be owing to the membranes which invert the kernel, (vide Heyer in Crells n. chem.
Entdeck. P. 1. p. 47. Alfo Glendenberg in ejufd. chem. Anna/. 1785. vol. ii. p. 34. )
Bergius fays, " Semen unicum Ricini vulgaris, tempore vefpertino, a viro fano & vegeto
mafticatum & deglutitum, fapore fuit amygdalarum, fed fenfationem mordentem in fau-
cibus reliquit. Per totam nodlem tranquille dormivit hie vir ; fed fequente die mane
expergefacStus, emefi violentia correptus fuit atque per totam diem fuftinuit njfus alter-
nantes vomituritionis & purgationis alvi, tametfi parum dejiciebat. Eadem vice nobilis
matrona tenerae conftitutionis, femen unicum pariter comedit, fed prius teftam membranam-
que obvelantem fedulo feparavit abjecitque ; & nullam noxam inde fenfit." M.M.p. 774.

b Vide Hort. Kew.

c From the number of feeds which the Doftor has lately procured from different parts of
the globe, and his fcientific and folicitous care in their cnltivation, we are induced to hope,
that Medical Botany, under fuch aufpices, will eventually receive confiderable illuftration.

prefent

( i73 )

prefent figure was taken, it grew to a ftate of great perfection. An
oil extracted from the feeds d of this plant, and known by the name
of oleum ricini, Palma Chrifti, or caftor oil, is the drug to which'
the pharmacopoeias refer, and which has lately come into frequent
ufe as a quick, but gentle, purgative. The London College direcl:
this oil to be expreffbd from the feeds in the fame way as that of
almonds,6 and without the affiftance of heat, by which the oil would
feem to be obtained in the pureft ftate : however, we have fome feafon
to believe that this method is feldom pra&ifed, and that the oil ufualiy
employed here is imported from the Weft-Indies, where it is com-
monly prepared in the following manner : " The feeds being freed
from the hufks, or pods, which are gathered upon their turning brown,
and when beginning to burft open, are firft bruifed in a mortar, after-
wards tied up in a lirten bag, and then thrown into a large pot, with
a fufficient quantity of water, (about eight gallons to one gallon of
the feeds) and boiled till the oil is rifen to the furface, when it is
carefully flammed off, ftrained, and kept for ufe. Thus prepared,
the oil is entirely free from acrimony, and will ftay upon the ftomach
when it rejects all other medicines." And Mr. Long remarks, that
M the oil intended for medicinal ufe is more frequently cold-drawn,
or extradited from the bruifed feeds by means of a hand-prefs. But
this is thought more acrimonious than what is prepared by coclion." f
Dr. Browne is alfo of this opinion, and prefers the oil procured by

d Where the oil is rejected, the feeds may be carefully feparated from their fhells and
the inner white membrane, and formed into an emulfion, and given as an agreeable
fubftitutc for the oil.

c Some objection has been made to this manner of obtaining the oil, as ftated in our
pharmacopoeia, which we fhall here mention in the words of Murray: Expreffione fi
eliceatur oleum, quidam fuadent decorticati feminis praeviam conquafiationem in mortario,
(Canvane Dijf. on the Oleum Palma Ghrifti, &c. p. 20,) fed inde ob mucilaginis evolu-
tionem, quae fimul contingit cramamSc turbidum evadit oleum (quod bene adjecit Bonclli
in verfione libri cl. Canvane. p. 63. Glendenberg I. c. p. 32), nec nifi difficulter eruitur.
Prasftat igitur nucleos integros premere. Facilius quoque evocatur oleum ex feminibus,
quae moram aliquam traxerunt, quam ex recentibus ; mucilago enim fenfim iiccior evadere
videtur, tumque connubium fuum cum oleo relaxare." ( Heyer in Cretls Entd. P. 3.

$> 74-0 * .

f Long's Jamaica, p. 713. It is well known however, that the oil obtained by boiling
becomes much fooner rancid than that by expreffion. The beft oil is limpid, and deftitute
of tafte or fmell. In the Weft Indies it is ufualiy confumed in lamps, and for other
domeftic purpofes.

codlion

*

( i74 )

cocYion to that by expreflion ; he attributes its greater miklnefs to the
adion of the fire, oblerving that the expreffed oil, as well as the mixed
juices of the feeds, are far more active and violent in their operations.6
Dr. Cullen obferves, that " this oil, when the ftomach can be recon-
" ciled to it, is one of the moft agreeable purgatives we can employ.
" It has this particular advantage, that it operates fooner after its
" exhibition than any other purgative I know of, as it commonly
" operates in two or three hours. It feldom gives any griping, and
" its operation is generally moderate, to one, two, or three ftools only.
u It is particularly fuited to cafes of coftivenefs, and even to cafes of
" fpafmodic cholic. In the Weft Indies it is found to be one of the
" moft certain remedies in the dry-belly ach, or colica pic"tonum.h
" I have never found it heating or irritating to the rectum, and there-
" fore have found it fufneiently well fuited to hemorrhoidal perfons.
" The only inconvenience attending the ufe of this medicine is, that
" as an oil it is naufeous to fome perfons ; and that, when the dofe is
" large, it occafions ficknefs at the ftomach for fome time after it is
" taken. To obviate thefe inconveniences, feveral means have been
" tried ; but I mail not detail thefe here, as I can affert, that the moft
" effectual means is the addition ^of a little ardent fpirit. For this in
" the Weft Indies they employ rum ; but that I might not withdraw
" any part of the purgative, I employ the tinctura fennse compofita.
" This, added in the proportion of one to three parts of the oil, and
" very intimately mixed by their being fhaken together in a phial,
" both makes the oil lefs naufeous to the tafte, and makes it fit more
" eafy on the ftomach. The common dofe of this oil is a table-
" fpoonful, or half an ounce ; but many perfons require a double
" quantity." 1

s L. c. But this is better explained under note f
h We may add, that it has been experienced to be an ufeful medicine in various febrile
complaints, and in bilious cholics, nephritic cafes, worms, efpecially the tape-worm.

1 M. M. vol 1. p. 563, Dr. Cullen remarks, " It is particularly to be obferved of
this medicine, that if it be frequently repeated, the dofe of it may be gradually more and
more diminifhed. And I know inftances of perfons who, formerly of a coftive habit, at
firft required half an ounce or more for a dofe ; but after being frequently repeated, they
now find that two drams are enough, at leaft to keep the belly regular."

CLEMATIS RECTA.

r

///fr/f.j r<rf<r

TittUfktd fir »" Urr./- ,//' .l;nrv I /7,9f

( ^75 )

CLEMATIS RECTA. UPRIGHT VIRGIN's BOWER.

SYNONYM J. Flammula Jovis. Pbarm. Edinb. Flammula
re&a. Banb. Pin. p. 300. Clematis five Flammula furre&a alba.
J. Banh. Hi/?, vol. ii.p. 127. Flammula Jovis furrecta. Gerard.
Emac. p. 888. Park. Tbeat. p. 382. Raii Hijl. p. 621. fp. 4.
Clematis caule ere&o, foliis pinnatis ovato-lanceolatis. Hal. Stirp.
Helv. 11. 1 144. Flor. Aujl. tab. 291. Stoerck Libell. de Flam,
jfovis, tab. 1.

Clafs Polyandria. Ord. Polygynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 696.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Cal. o. Petala 4 — 6. Sem. caudata.

Sp. Cb. C. foliis pinnatis : foliolis ovato-lanceolatis integerrimis,
caule erecto, floribus pentapetalis tetrapetalifque.

THE root is perennial, white, and fibrous : the ftalk is erect,
fcored, round, fmcoth, branched towards the top, and rifes about two
feet in height : the leaves are oppofite, and pinnated, the pinnaz are
placed in pairs, and terminated by an odd one ; they are all ovally
lance-fhaped, acute, entire, fmooth, and veined. The flowers ter-
minate the ftem and branches in irregular umbels : there is no calyx :
the petals are four or five, of an oval fhape, and whitifh colour : the
filaments are numerous, erect, tapering, fhorter than the petals, and
terminated by the antheras, which are fcored on each fide : the ger-
mina are many, roundifh, hairy, and fupport bearded ftyles, of the
length of the ftamina, and crowned with obtufe ftigmata : the feeds
are roundifh, compreffed, and attached to the ftyles, which appear
like long feathered tails ; and hence the name, fern, caudata.

This plant is a native of Hungary, Auftria, and France, and flowers
from June till Auguft : it was firft cultivated in England by Gerard,
previous to the year 1597, and is now fufficiently known to the

No. 13. Y y Britifh

( 176 )

Britifli gardeners. This, like fome other fpecies of the clematis, h
extremely acrid, and hence the name Flammula. The recent leaves,
upon being chewed, excite a burning heat of the tongue and fauces,
and if retained long in the mouth, produce blifters and ulceration ;
but, by drying, this acrimony is considerably diminifhed : the flowers
likewrfe poffeis a mare of acrimony, though in a lefs degree. The
Flammula Jovis, although mentioned by Dale and fome others as an
external remedy, was firft recommended to the attention of practi-
tioners by Baron Stoerck in 1769, as an ufeful medicine in many
obRinate complaints. J He publifhed feveral cafes of its fuccefsful
exhibition, particularly in inveterate fyphilitic difeafes producing head-
aches, pains in the bones, nodes, ulcers, cutaneous affections, &c*

Whether this plant really deferves the character which the Baron
has thus, attempted to eftablifh, by ftating its uniform fuccefs in
twenty-two cafes out of twenty-four, in which it was tried, refts
folely upon his own authority ; and it is with concern we obferve,
that the medical facts at Vienna are not very confidently received by
the phyficians in this country. It was ufual for Dr. Stoerck to
employ the leaves and flowers, as well as an extract prepared from
the former, yet the preparation which he chiefly recommends is an
infufion of two or three 'drams of the leaves in a pint of boiling
water ; of which he gave four ounces three times a day, while the
powdered leaves were applied as an efcharotic to the ulcers.

% Although thefe were principally venereal, yet in ulcers, cancers, and fevere head-
aches, not proceeding from this caufe, the Flammula Jovis is faid to have been liicewife
fuccefsful ; and in his Lib., de Pulfat. p. 57. we are told of its remarkable efficacy in a
cafe of melancholia trifthTima. It generally acled as a diuretic or diaphoretic.

* Vide Libell. de Flammula Jovis.

LOBELIA SIPHILITICA.

*

( 177 >

LOBELIA SIPHILITICA. BLUE LOBELIA; Or,

CARDINAL-FLOWER.

STNONTMA. Lobelia. Pharm. Edinb. Rapunculus Ameri-
canus, flore dilute cscruleo. D. Dodart Memoir es, l£c, p. 297.
Rapunculus galeatus virginianus, flore violaceo majore. Morrifon
Hijl. t. ii. p. 466. Lobelia fiphilitica caule erecto lsevi, foliis lato
lanceolatis ferratis incijis utrinque acuminatis, floribus casruleis.
Walter Flora Carotin, p. 218. Conf. Kalmii defcriptio largior in
K. Vet. Acad. Handl. p. 2 84. and Bartrams Appendix ^ containing
descriptions, virtues, and ufes of fundry plants, &c.

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Monogamia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1006.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. 5-fidus. Corolla i-petala, irregularis. Capfula
infera, 2 — f. 3-locularis.

Sp. Ch. Caule ere&o, foliis ovato-lanceolatis fubferratis, calycum
finubus reflexis.

THE root is perennial, and furnifhed with many white fibres r the
ftem is upright, ftrong, fimple, fmboth, and rifes upwards of two
feet -in height: the leaves placed towards the top of the ftem, are
oval and pointed ; thofe at the bottom are elliptical, and obtufely
lance-fhaped ; they are both "minutely ferrated, veined, fmooth, and
without footftalks : the flowers are numerous, large, blue, and grow
in a long fpike, upon fhort peduncles : the corolla confifts of a long
tube, which is nearly cylindrical, and divided at the limb into five
pointed oval fegments, of a rich blue colour : the calyx is compofed
of five halberd-fhaped leaves, which are fringed at the margin, and
reflected at each fide : the filaments are five, tapering, equal in length
to the tube of the corolla, and clofely connected at the top by the
antherse : the germen is ihort and conical ; the ftyle is of the length of

' . . ( 178 )

the ftamina, and terminated by a blunt hairy ftigma : the capfule is
oval, and divided into two cells, which contain many fmall feeds.
It is a native of Virginia, and flowers from Auguft till October.

Rea is the nrft Englifh botanift to whom Mr. Aiton afcribes the
cultivation of this fpecies of the Lobelia, and, as a handfome plant,
it is now in the pofleffion of many of our gardeners. Every part of
the plant abounds with a milky juice, and has a rank fmell. The
root, which is the part directed for medicinal ufe, in tafte refembles
tobacco, and is apt to excite vomiting. It derived the name fiphi-
litica from its efficacy in the cure of fyphilis, as experienced by the
North American Indians, who confidered it a fpecific in that difeafe,
and with whom it was long an important fecret. This fecret was
purchafed by Sir William Johnfon, and fince publimed by different
authors.9

The method of employing this medicine is ftated as follows : A
decoction is made of a handful of the roots in three meafures of
water. Of this, half a meafure is taken in the morning failing, and
repeated in the evening ; and the dofe is gradually increafed till its
purgative effects become too violent, when the decoction is to be
intermitted for a day or two, and then renewed till a perfect cure is
effected. During the ufe of this medicine, a proper regimen is to be
enjoined, and the ulcers are alfo to be frequently warned with the
decoction, or if deep and foul, to be fprinkled with the powder of
the inner bark of the New Jerfey Tea-tree (Ceanothus Americanus.)
Although the plant thus ufed is faid to cure the difeafe in a very fhort
time, yet we do not find that the antifyphilitic powers of the Lobelia
have been confirmed by any inftances of European practice.

h Kalm. 1. c. Bartram. 1. c.

ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM.

( i79 )

ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM. COMMON YARROW;

Or, MILFOIL.

STNONTMA. Millefolium. Pharm. Edinb. Millefolium vul-
gare album. Baub. Pin. p. 140. Millefolium terreftre vulgar e.
Gerard. Emac. p. 1072. Millefolium vulgare. Park. Theat. p.
693. Raii Hi/?, p. 345. Synop. p. 183. Achillea foliis pinnatis,
pinnis longe asqualibus, pinnatis, pinnulis trifidis et quinquefidis.
Hal. Stirp. Helv. 0. 107. A. M. Withering, Bot. Arrang. p. 941.
Curtis Flor. Lond.

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Polygamia Superflua. Lin. Gen. Plant. 971.

EJ[. Gen. Ch. Recept. paleaceum. Pappus nullus. Cal. ovatus
imbricatus. Flofculi radii circiter quinque.

Sp. Ch. A. foliis bipinnatis nudis -j.^ciniis linearibus dentatis j caulibus
fuperne fulcatis.

THE root is perennial, creeping, round, and furnifhed with many
whitifh fibres :a the ftalk is upright, round, towards the bottom fmooth
and downy, but near the top it is llightly grooved, woolly, branched,
and rifes above a foot in height : the leaves ftand alternately upon the
ftem, which they partly embrace, and are bipinnated or fubdivided
into a double feries of pinna? : the pinnule are numerous, narrow,
and fomewhat pointed : the flowers are white, or tinged with purple,
and terminate the ftem in a clofe corymbus : the bractese are fmall,
pinnatifid, and placed at the peduncles : the calyx is ovate, downy,
imbricated with concave oval fcales, which are membranous, and
fringed at the margins : the corolla is compound, and radiated ; at the
difc the florets are about twelve, hermaphrodite, funnel-maped, of
the length of the calyx, confifting of a long yellowim tube, divided

a Dr. Grew obferves, that the frefh young roots have a glowing warm tafte, ap-
proaching to that of Contrayerva, and thinks they might in feme meafure fupply its
place. — On Tajics, (hap. 5. §. 2.

No. 13. Z z at

( i8o )

at the limb into five (hort fegments : at the radius the florets are female,
ufually live, flat, fpreading, roundifli, cut at the apex into three teeth,
and furnifhed with a cylindrical, greenifh, ftriated tube, which is about
the length of the calyx : the filaments are live, fliort, and flender :
the anther* are yellow, and unite into a cylindrical tube : the germen
is oblong, comprefTed, and fupports a filiform ftyle, divided into two
reflexed ftigmata. It is common in dry pailures, and flowers from
July till Odober.

The leaves and flowers of this plant have an agreeable weak aromatic
fmell, and a bitterilh, rough, and fomewhat pungent tafte. u The
virtue of both is extracted by watery and fpirituous menftrua ; the
aftringency moft perfectly by the former ; their aromatic warmth and
pungency by the latter ; and both of them equally by a mixture of
the two. The flowers, diftilled with water, yield a penetrating eflen-
tial oil, poffefling the flavour of the Milfoil in perfection, though
rather le'fs agreeable than the flowers themfelves." *

This plant appears to be the ZrgJltwm xiXl0<Pv^0S || of the Greek writers,
by wliom it was adeemed an excellent vulnerary f and'ftyptic, and
was generally employed internally as an ufeful aftringent in all
hemorrhagic complaints. Inftances of its good effects in this way b
are likewile mentioned by feveral of the German phyficians, particu-
larly, by Stahl and Hoffman,0 who alfo recommend it as an efficacious
remedy in various other difeafes : the former found it not only an aftrin-
gent, but alfo a powerful tonic, antifpafmodic, and fedative. Jn proof
of the laft mentioned quality, we may remark, that in fome parts of
Sweden it is ufed in making beer, in order to render it more in-
toxicating ; and Sparrman has obferved, that it is employed for
this purpofe in fome parts of Africa. The leaves and flowers of
Milfoil are both directed for medicinal ufe in the Edinburgh Pharm.
in the prefent practice however this plant, we believe, is wholly
neglected.

* Vide Lewis's M. M. p. 424. || Vide Stratiotes, Matthiol. in Diofcorid.

f Vulneraria infuper habetur fub externo ufu, jam ab Achille, ut ferunt, fanatione
vulnerum fubjectorum fibi militum, auftorato. Murray App. A'led. vol. i. p. 167.

b H;emoptyfis, Epiftaxis, Menorrhagia, et Hjemorrhois.

e Stahl DiJJ'. de Tbcrap. paff. hypoc. Hoffman, De prcsjt. rem. §. 18.
d Vide Linn. Flor. Succ. p. 299.

HYSSOPUS OFFICINALIS.

( 181 )

HYSSOPUS OFFICINALIS. COMMON HYSSOP.

STNO NTMA. Hyflbpus. Pbarm. E^dinb. Hyflbpus Oflicinarurri
caerulea five fpicata. Bauh, Pin. p. 217. Hyflbpus vulgaris.
Park.Tbeat. Hyflbpus Arabum. Gerard. Emac. p. 576. Hyflbpus
vulgaris fpicatus anguftifolius. J. Daub. Hi/l. Hi. p. 274. Raii
Hifi.p. 5 16. Hyflbpus foiiis linearibus punclatis, verticillis in fpica
continuatis. Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 249. Jacquin Flor.Ai/Jl. t. 254.

Variegates funt, «. foiiis glabris, floribus cseruleis : /3 foiiis glabris,
floribus rubris : y foKis glabris, floribus albis : * foiiis pilofis.
Aiton s Hort. Kew.

Clafs Didynamia. Ord. Gymnofpermia. Lin, Gen. Plant, yog.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Corolla labium inferius lacinula intermedia crenata.
Stamina re£ta, diftantia.

Sp. Cb. H. fpicis fecundis, foiiis lanceolatis.

THE root is perennial, knobbed, woody, and furnifhed with many,
long fibres : the ftalk is Ihrubby, fomewhat fquare, upright, much
branched, and riles about two feet in height : the leaves are long,
narrow, elliptical, entire, obtufely pointed, of a deep green colour,
and ftand in pairs without footflalks : the flowers are produced chiefly
on one fide, in fliort verticillated fpikes, terminating the branches, and
are of a blue colour : the calyx is tubular, ftriated, and divided at the
extremity into live pointed fegments : the corolla is monopetalous,
and conlifts of a narrow tube, which divides at the limb into two
expanded lips; the uppermofl: is fliort, roundifh, and notched at the
apex ; the lowermofl: is feparated into three fegments, of which the
undermoft is very large, and inverfely heart-lhaped : the filaments are
four, two lpng and two fhort, and crowned with Ample anthers : the
ftyle is flender, and divided at the top into a double ftigma : the ger-
men is feparated into four parts or feeds, which are lodged at the

bottom

( l82 ) *

bottom of the calyx. It is a native of Siberia, and the mountainous

parts of Auftria, and flowers from June till September.

The Hyflbp, mentioned in the Old Teftament, is not fuppofed to
be the plant here defcribed, which is neither the Efofot the Hebrews,
nor the Immt of the Greeks.3 It was firft cultivated in England by
Gerard,* in 1596, and is now extremely common in our gardens.
" The leaves of Hyffop have an aromatic fmell, and a bitteriih mo-
derately warm tafte. They give out their active matter both to water
and to rectified fpirit ; to the laft mod perfectly. On infpiflating the
fpirituous tincture, very little of the flavour of the herb exhales or
diltills with the menftruum : the remaining extract is bitteriih, and
very warm, and difcovers a penetrating pungency, fomewhat like that
of camphor. Water, diftilled from the frefh herb, is found pretty
flrongly impregnated with its flavour : an eflential oil feparates and
rifes to the furface, which is very pungent, and in fmell exactly
refembles the Hyflbp." b

Dr. Cullfen clafles this and all the verticillated plants as ftimulants,
and this quality is to be afcribed to the quantity of eflential oil which
they contain ; the Hyffop therefore may be efteemed aromatic and
Aftimulant ; and with a view to thefe effects, Bergius recommends it as
an emmanagogue and antihyfteric ; c but it is chiefly employed as a
pectoral, and has been long thought an ufeful medicine in humeral
afthmas, coughs, & catarrhal affections ; for this purpofe, an infuflon
of the leaves, fweetened with honey or fugar, and drank as tea, is
recommended by Lewis. The external application of Hyflbp is faid
to be particularly efficacious in the way of fomentation and poultice,
in contufions, and for removing the blacknefs occafioned by the
extravaflated fluids/

a Vide Le Clerc's Hift. p. 626. cited by Alfton, who fays, I fliall only take notice
that kxKxims in St. Matthew's Gofpel, chap, xxvii. ver. 48. is vsswnos in St. John's, chap,
xix. ver. 29. Probably it is the Zufe or cyfc, i. e. Hyflbp of the Arabians. Lect. on
the M. M. v. ii. p. 152.

* Vide Hoft. Kezu. b Lewis M. M. p. 348. c M. M- p. 5".

d All the old writers praife it highly in this refpeft : Nec cxcluduntur fugillationes
oculorum quibus herba intra facculum aqua vel vino deco£ta claufis palpebris fubvenit.
Riolan. and Sim. Pauli.

It is alfo recommended as a vermifuge by Rofenftein. Barns jukd. p. jfS.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

INDEX TO THE FIRST VOLUME.

Systematic Names.

Officinal.

English.

Page

Achillea Millefolium

Millefolium

Common Yarrow

179

Aconitum Napellus

Aconitum

Common Wolf's Bane

16

/iiuiXci ojjicinaiis

xiunasa

1\ /To r(Y\ \A n 1 1 rtxxr

iviariii-iviaiiuvv

T A f\

' Amomum Zingiber

Zingiber

Ginger

31

Angelica Jrchangelica

Angelica

Garden Angelica

n8

Arctium Lappa

Bardana

Burdock

4.1

Arnica Montana

Arnica

Mountain Arnica

IO

Arum maculatum

Arum v

Common Arum

74.

Atropa Belladonna

Belladonna

Deadly Nightfhade

I

Bub on Galbanum

Galbanum

Galbanum Bubon

34

Cardamine pratenjis

Cardamine

Ladies-Smock

89

Carum CWr«/

Caruon

Caraway

125

Centaurea beneditla

Carduus benedi&uS

Holy Thiftle

119

Clematis raf?«

xJammula Jovis

Virgin s Bovver

175

Cocnlearia officinalis

Cochlearia hortenlls

bcurvy-Cjrrals

86

Conmm maculatum

\J 111 U 111 //HI t HHI nwu

Cicuta

ri pm lork

X X 1 1 1 1 VJ V_ XV.

\J J*

Convallaria Pohzonatum

Convallaria

Solomon's Seal

121

Convolvulus Scammonia

Scammonium

Scammony Bindweed

J3

■ Jalapa

Jalapium

Jalap Bindweed

59

' Croton Cafcarilla

Cafcarilla

Cafcarilla

116

Daphne Mczcremn

Mezereum

Mezereon

68

Digitalis purpurea

Digitalis

Fox- Glove

7i

Dorftenia Contrajcrva

Contrayerva

Contrayerva

140

Ferula Jjfa fastida

Afafoetida

Afafoetida

22

Fraxinus Ornus

Manna

Flowering Afh

104

Glecoma hederacea

Hedera terreftris

Ground-Ivy

84

'Gratiola officinalis

Gratiola

Hedge-Hyflbp

132

/ Guaiacum officinale

Guaiacum

Guaiacum

43

y Hxmatoxy\um.Campecbianum Lignum Campechenfe

Logwood

48

Helleborus niger

Helleborus niger

Black Hellebore

50

g. ■' - " — fcetidus

Helleborafter

Bear's Foot

53

INDEX.

Systematic Names.

Officinal.

Hyofcyamus nlger

Hyofcyainus

Hypericum perforatum

Hypericum

Hyflbpus officinalis

Hyflbpus

Imperatoria Oftruthium

Imperatoria

Iris ftorenthia

Iris florentina

• ■ "H P [eudo-acorus
j

Iris paluftris

.Laurus Lmnamomum

Cinnamomum

' KtllfJUf f ({/J

otiiiaii ais

* 1 ■ nob'd'is '

1 * *

Laurus

Lavandula Spica

Lavendula

Leontodon Taraxacum

Taraxacum

Lobelia fiphilitica

Lobelia

Malva fyheftris

Malva

Menyanthes tr if oil at a

Trifolium paludofum

Momordica Elaterium

Llatenum

iviyrtus r imcnta

Pimento

Nicotiana Tabacum

Nicotiana

Oxalis Acetofella

Luiula

J

X ltll*L<4tiL> IilLljUI

r m nt^i cm

X X L.X. l l \. cl d^\J

Polygonum Biftorta

Biftorta

Polypodium wtfj

filix

Potentilla reptans

Pentaphyllum

Punica Granatum

Granatum

Rheum palmatum

Rhabarbarum

Pvicinus communis

Ricinus

Ruta graveolens

Ruta

Salvia officinalis

Salvia

Sifymbrium Nafturtium

Nafturtium aquaticum

Solanum Dulcamara

Dulcamara

Teucreum Marum

Marum Syriacum,

• • ■ Scordium

Scordium

Tormentilla erecla

Tormentilla

Tuflilago Farfara

Tuflilago

Veronica Beccabunga

Becabunga,

T< XT /*"» T T C T.T

Pace

|-t I n /"» L'" l-l/inKina

jjiciLK. nenuanc

*43

St. John's Wort

2Q

Common Hyflbp

181

(vi 3 IrPriirnrf"

I OZ

X JUJLllLlllL vyilla

112

i enow vv ater r lag

114

Cinnamon

8o

baliafrals

9i

o vVcCL- Jjciy

94-

j-/avenaer

150

1 1 O fWl 1 I'M"*

7

Blue Lobelia

177
/ /

Common Mallow

148

Buck-Bean

5

Wild Cucumber

121

All- Spice

77

Tobacco

162

vv uuu-oorrci

5°

Great Plantane

39

f>;/inrf.
jjiiturt

I OO

iviaie r ern

136

Cinquefoil

l60

Pomegranate

158

isnuoarD

127

Palma Chrifti

I7r

Common Rue

108

fl T1 n Soft"/*

vraruen odgc

ill J

vv dtcr — wrciic^

J3+

Woody Nightfliade

Q7

Herb Malticn

*53

Water Germander

156

Tormentil

27

Coltsfoot

37

Brooklime

20

MEDICAL BOTANY,

CONTAINING

SYSTEMATIC AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION S>

WITH

PLATES OF ALL THE MEDICINAL PLANTS,
INDIGENOUS AND EXOTIC,

COMPREHENDED IN THE

CATALOGUES 6f THE MATERIA MEDICA,

AS PUBLISHED BY THE

ROYAL COLLEGES of PHYSICIANS of LONDON and EDINBURGH:

ACCOMPANIED WITH A

CIRCUMSTANTIAL DETAIL OF THEIR MEDICINAL EFFECTS,

AND OF THE

DISEASES IN WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN MOST SUCCESSFULLY EMPLOYED,

r

By WILLIAM WOODVILLE, M. D„

FELLOW OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY,
OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS, LONDON,

AND

PHYSICIAN TO THE SMALL-FOX AND INOCULATION HOSPITALS*

IN THREE VOLUMES.

Vol. II.

" " et berharum fubjetta potentia nobis.. OviDi

LONDON:
Printed and Sold for the Author by James Phillips, George Yard, Lombard Street.

M. DCC. XCII.

T O

JAMES EDWARD SMITH, M. D. F. R. S.
PRESIDENT OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY,

AND

POSSESSOR OF THE LINNEAN COLLECTION.

SIR,

Not only Friendjhip and Gratitude,
but Propriety induce me to dedicate this Volume to You:
for, as the jirfi Volume of this Work, which relates both
to Medicine and Botany ', has been honoured by the Patronage
of the Prefident of the Royal College of Phyficians, I am
happy to find a Botanical Patron, to do equal Honour to
the fecond V olume, in the Prefident of the Linnean Society.

I have the honour to be
With the utmofl refpeSl and efieem,
Your faithful Servant,

B Wm. WO 0 DVILLE..

P ENrOXFILLE,
February 20th, 1792.

*

CATALOGUE II.

In which all the Plants compofing the MATERIA MEDICA,
as referred to by the Colleges of London and Edinburgh,
are arranged according to their Botanical Affinities or Natural
Orders, adopted by Profeffor Murray.

Systematic Names.
Pinus jyhejlrls
— ... Picea

< Abler

■ Larix
Junfperus communis

Lycia
<• Sabinct

Salix fragilis
Juglans regia
Quercus Robur
Piftacia Terebintbus
m. ■ I. ■ ■ Lentifcus

Arctium Lappa
Centaurea benedicla
Leontodon Taraxacum
Artemifia Abrotanum
• Abfmthium
" vulgaris
' maritima
————— Santonica
Tanacetum vulgare
Tuffilago Farfara
Anthemis nobilis
- Py ret brum

Inula Helenium
Arnica montana
Achillea Millefolium

CONIFER iE.
English.
Scotch Fir
Silver Fir Tree
Norway Spruce Fir Tree
Common White Larch Tree
Common Juniper
Olibanum Juniper
Common Savin

II. AME NTACEJE,
Crack Willow
Common Wallnut Tree
Common Oak Tree
Common Turpentine Tree
Common Maftich Tree

III. C O M P 0 S I TJE.
Common Burdock
Holy Thiftle
Common Dandelion
Common Southernwood
Common Wormwood
Common Mugwort
Sea Wormwood
Tartarian Wormwood
Common Tanfy
Colt's Foot
Common Camomile
Pellitory of Spain
Elecampane
Mountain Arnica
Common: Yarrow
b

Oeficinal.

Pix liquida
Terebinthina vulgaris
Pix Burgundica
Terbinthina veneta
Juniperus

Olibanum, gummi rejina
Sabina

Salix

Juglans

Quercus

Terebfnthina chia.
Maftiche

Bardana

Carduus benedidhis

Taraxacum

Abrotanum

Abfmthium

Artemifia

Abfmthium maritimum

Santonicum

Tanacetum

Tuffilago

Chamaemelum.

Pyrethrum

Enula campana

Arnica

Millefolium-

vi C

A T A L O G

U E.

IV.

A G G R E G A T M.

Systematic Names.

English.

Officinal.

Valeriana officinalis

Officinal Valerian

Valeriana fylveftri*

V.

CONG LOME RATM.

Plantago major

Great Plantane

Plantago

VI.

VMBELLATM.

Eryneium maritimum

Sea Eryngo

Eryngium

Daucus Carota

Wild Carrot

Daucus fylveftris

Conium maculatum

Common Hemlock

Cicuta

Ferula Affa fcetida

Afafoetida Gigantic Fennel

Afafoetida, gummi rejina

Angelica Archanvelica.

Garden Angelica

Angelica

Bubon Galbanum

Lovage-leaved Bubon

Galbanum, gummi refma

Cuminum Cymynum

Cumin

Cuminum

Coriandrum fativum

Common Coriander

Coriandrum

S ium nodijlorum

Creeping Water Parfnep

Sium

ImDeratoria Olivuth'ium

Common Mafterwort

Imperatoria

Paftinaca Opopanax

Rough Parfnep

Opopanax, gummi refm*

Anethum praveolens

o

T~\. * 1 1

Common Dill

Anethum

Common Fennel

Foeniculum

Carum Cffrzw

Common Carraway

Caruon

Pimpinella Saxifraga

Small Burnet Saxifrage

Pimpinella

— — — — — An if urn

Anife

Anifum

Apium Petrofel'mum

Common Parfley

Petrofelinum

VII.

HEDERACEM.

Vitls vinifera

Common Vine

Vitis

Panax quinqe folium

Ginfeng

Ginfeng

i VIII. SARMENTACEM.

Snilax Sarfaparilla

Sarfaparilla Srnilax

Sarfaparilla

Ciflampelos Pareira

Pareira brava CifTampelos

Pareira brava

Ariftolochta Serpentaria

Snake root Birth wort

Serpentaria virginiana

- ■ clematitis

Upright Birthwort

Ariftolochia tenuis

Afarum europium

Afarabacca

Afarum

IX.

STELLA r m.

Rubia tinftorum

Dyer's Madder

Rubia tintStorum

Spigelia marilandica

Perennial Worm-grafs

Spigelia marilandica

CATALOGUE.

X.
XI.

Systematic Names.
Cucumis Colocynthh
Momordica Elaterium
Bryonia alba

XII.

Solarium Dulcamara
Atropa Belladonna
Hyofcyamus niger
Datura Stramonium
Nicotiana Tabacum
Capficum annuum
Verbafcum Thapfus
Digitalis purpurea

c r M O S E.
C U C U R B I
English.
Bitter Cucumber
Wild Cucumber
White Briony

S A LO NA C
Woody Nightfhade
Deadly Nightftiade
Black Henbane
Common Thorn Apple
Tobacco

Annual Capficum
Common Mullein
Common Foxglove

T A C EE.

Officinal.
Colocynthis
Cucumis agreftis
Bryonia

EM.

Dulcamara

Belladonna

Hyofcyamus

Stramoinum

Nicotiana

Piper indicum

Verbafcum

Digitalis

XIII. CAMPANACEM.

Convolvulus Scammonia
■ ■ i y a lappa

Lobelia fiphilitica
Viola odor at a

Scammony Bindweed
Jalap Bindweed
Blue Lobelia
Sweet Violet

Cinchona officinalis

Gentiana lutea
Chironia Centaurium
Menyanthes trifoliata

Olea europaa

Arbutus Uva urji
Sty rax officinale
Styrax Benzoin
Santalum Album

Anchufa tincloria

XIV. C O NT O R TE.
Peruvian Bark Tree

XV. R 0 TA C E E.
Yellow Gentian
LefTer Centaury
Buck-Bean

XVI. S E P I A R IE.
Common European Olive

XVII. B I C 0 R N E S.

Bear-Berry

S tor ax Tree

Gum Benjamin Tree

Yellow Saunders Tree

Scammoniuni
Jalapium
Lobelia
Viola

Peruvianus cortex
Gentiana

Centaurium minus
Trifolium paludofura

Oliva

TJva urli
Styrax, rejina
Benzoe, refina
Santalum Citrinur*

XVIII. ASPERIFOL IE.

Anchufa

Dier's Buglofs

CATALOGUE.

XIX.

Systematic Names.

VERTICILLA T JE.
English.

Offi

CINAL,

r I l p ri 1 1 m Ji/ln r*t j >»?
%. CUvllUIU JvJU/ltr/l

xxcru ivxairicn

Marum fyriacum

w ctLci vjermanuer

ocoraium

■ livmilQ <7);//'T/7J*f c

vj iii Uv.i x iiyuic

1 nymus

- — Serpyllum

vv no 1 nyme

oerpyllum

]\.f r »1 1 fpi /j ffj/- instil c

l r\ yyy mnn Malm

IMC II lid

Hy flop u s offi c i nails.

v^ommon nynop

HyfTopus

Lavandula Spied

vxomnion j_/avciiaer

Lavendula

I Fri(Yoniim c 1 1 j 1 rr si v 0
KJl JgaJlUIil UltlgitfC

Ul J 11 J IKjl 1 XVX4J UldlU

i 1 f* 1 rro Mil m

v_/rig4iium

A/In n/i**/7M/y

OWCCL IVTarj (JI alii

iviarjorana

Mentha piperita

Pepper-Mint

Mentha piperitis

■ viridls

Spear-Mint

1 fativa

< Pulegium

Pennyroyal-Mint

Pulegium

Marrubium vidgare

Common Horehound

Marrubium.

Salvia officinalis

Garden Sage

Salvia

Rofmarinus officinalis

Rofemary

Rofmarinus

Glecoma hederacea

Ground Ivy

Hedera terreftris

XX.

Gratiola officinalis
Veronica Beccabunga

Papaver Rhceas
' fomniferum

P E R S 0 N A TM.
Hedge-Hyflbp
Brooklime

Gratiola
Becabunga

XXI.

R H 0 E A D E S.

Red Poppy

Common White Poppy

XXII. PUTAMINEJE

XXIII. S I L I 0 S M.

Papaver erraticurn
Papaver album, Opium.

Sifymbrium Najlurtium
Cardamine pratenjis
Sinapis nigra
Cochlearia officinalis
- Armor acia

Water-Crefles
Ladies- Smock
Common Muftard
Scurvy-Grafs
Horfe-Radilh

Nafrurtium aquaticum

Cardamine

Sinapi

Cochlearia hortenfis
Raphanus rufticanus

Dolichos pruriens
Geoffroya inermis
Spartium fcoparium

XXIV. PAP1L10NACEJE.

Cowhage Dolichos Dolichos
Smooth Baftard Cabbage-tree Geoffraea
Common Bro©m Genifta

CATALOGUE.

Systematic Names. English.
<Glycyrrhiza glabra Common Liquorice

Aftragalus T ragacantha Goats Thorn Milk Vetch
Trigonella Fcenum gracum Common Fenugreek

XXV. LOME NT AC
Senna Caffia
Purging Caflia
Catechu Mimofa^
Egyptian Thorn Mitnofa
Tamarind Tree

Caflia Senna

Fiflula

Mimofa Catechu
— — — nilotica

Tamarindus indica

Haematoxylum campechianum Logwood Tree
Polygala Senega Rattlefnake-Root Milk-Wort Seneka

Fumaria officinalis Common Fumitory Fumaria

XXVI. MU LT I S I LI M.

Officinal.
Glycyrrhiza
Tragacantha, gunvni
Foenum graecum

EM.
Senna

Caflia fiftulans
Catechu, extraStum
Arabicum, gummi
Tamarindus
Lignum Campechenfc

Aconitum Napelltts
Delphinium Staphifagria
Helleborus niger
- I, ... fcetidus
Anemone pratenjis
Clematis recla
Di&amnus albus
Ruta graveolens

Common WolPs-Bane
Stavefacre
Black Hellebore
Bears'-Foot
Meadow Anemone
Upright Virgin's Bower
Baftard Dittany
Common Rue

XXVII.

Napeflus
Staphifagria
Helleborus niger
Helleborafter
Pulfatilla nigricans
Flammula Jovis
Di&amnus albus
Ruta

S E NT I C 0 S JE.

Potentilla repians
Rubus idaus
Rofa centifolia
gallica

canina

Pyrus Cydorua
Prunus domejlica
• Jpinofa
Amygdalus communis
Punica Granatum
Citrus Medica
-- Aurantium

Cinquefoil
Rafp-Berry
Hundred-leaved Rofe
Red Officinal Rofe
Hip, or Dog Rofe

XXVlil. P O MA C

Quince Tree
Prune, or Plum Tree
Sloe Tree
Common Almond
Pomegranate
Lemon Tree
Orange Tree

EM.

Pentaphylluoi

Rubus idaeus
Rofa damafcena
Rofa rubra
Cynofbatus, fruclus

Cydonium malum
Prunum gallicum
» fylveftre
A mygdala
Granatum
Limon

Aurantium hifpalcnfr

CATALOGU

Systematic Names.

Ribes rubrttm
nigrum

English.
Red Currant
Black Currant

E.

Officinal,
Ribes rubrum
nigrum

XXIX. HESPERIDEJE.

Myrtus Pimenta All- Spice Pimento

Caryophyllus aromaticus Clove Tree Caryophyllum aromaticum

XXX. SUCCULEN T M.

XXXI. C Q LUMNIFER/E, S.. MALVACEJE*.
Marfli Mallow Althaea
Common Mallow Malva

XXXIL GRUINALES.

Althaea officinalis
Malva fyhejlris

Guaiacum officinalis
Quaflia amara

■ ■ Shnaruba
Linum ufitatijji?mm
Oxalis Acetofella

Guaiacum
Bitter Quaflia
Simaruba Quaflia
Common Flax
Wood- Sorrel

Guaiacum

Quaflia

Simarouba

Linum

Acetofella

Dianthus Caryophyllus

xxxiii. cjg.ro

Clove Pink

P HYLLE M..

Caryophyllum rub,.

XXXIV. C A LYC A N THE MM.

XXXV. ASCYROIDEM.

Ciftus creticus Cr«tan Ciftus Ladanum, rejina

Hypericum perforatum St. John's Wort Hypericum
Fraxinus Ornus Flowering A(h Manna

XXXVI. COADUNATM.

XXXVII. D U M O S M.
Purging Buckthorn
Common Black Elder
Gum Elemi Tree
Balfam of Gilead Tree
Balfam of Capaiva Tree
Balfam of Peru Tree
Balfam of Tolu Tree

XXXVIII. T RI H I LA TM.
^fculus Hippo-cajlanum Horfe-Chefnut Hippocaftanum

Rhamnus catharticus
Sambucus nigra
Amyris Elemifera
— — gileadenfis
Copaifera officinalis
Myroxylf.n peruiferum
Toluifera Balfamum

Spina cervina
Sambucus
Elemi, refina
Balfamum gileadenfe
Balfamum Copaiva
Balf. peruvianum
Balf. tolutanum

CATALOGUE.

Systematic Names. English. Officinal..

XXXIX. T R I C O C C JE.

Croton Cafcarilla

Willow-leaved Croton

Caicanlla

Ricinus communis

Palma Chrifti

Ricinus

Stalagmitis Cambogioides Gamboge Tree

Gambogia

XL. 0 L E R A C E JE.

Salfola Kali

Prickly Salt- Wort

XJcUllXa) 1> all un

Chenopodium Vulvaria Stinking Goofefoot v

Atriplex foetida

Rumex aquaticus.

Water Dock -

Hydrolapathum

< Acetofa

Common Sorrel.

Acetofa

Rheum palmatum.

Officinal Rhubarb

Rhabarbarum

Polygonum Bijlorta

Briftort Snakeweed

Biftorta

Laurus Cinnamomum

Cinnamon Tree

Cinnamomunr

- nobilis

Sweet Bay

.Laurus

■ Sajfafrar

Saflafras Tree

baharras

■ ■ Campbora

Camphor Tree

Camphora

Ganella alba

Laurel-leaved Canella

Canella alba

Myriftica Mofchata

Nutmeg Tree

Nux mofchata

XLI. S CABR I DJE.

Parietaria officinalis

Wall Pellitory

ranetana

Dorftenia Contrayerva Coritrayerva

Contrayerya-

Ficus Ciirua

Fig Tree

Carica

Urtica dioica

Common Nettle

Urtica

Morus nigra

Mulberry Tree

Morum

Ulmus campejlris

Common Elm

Ulmus

XLII. VE R P E C XJ LJE.

Daphne Mezereum.

Mezereon

Mezereum.

XLIII. P A L M M.

Cocos butyracea

Oil Palm Tree

D 1 7

ralma, oleum

XLIV. PIPERITA.

Piper nigrum

Black Pepper

Piper nigrum

■ long am

Long Pepper

— — — longum

'■ Cub'eba

Cubeb Pepper

Cubebae

Acorus Calamus

Sweet Flag

Calamus aromati

Arum maculatum

Common Arum

Arum

XII

CATALOGUE.

XLV.
Systematic Names.

Amomum Zingiber
*- Cardamomum

Curcuma longa
Kasmpferia rotunda

I. ilium canclidum
S cilia maritima
Allium fativutn
Veratrum album
Colchicum autumnalt
Crocus fativus
Aloes fpecies varies
Convallaria Polygonatum

SCITAMINEM.
English.

Ginger
Cardamom
Turmeric
Zedoary

XLVI. LILIACE/E.
Common White Lily
Officinal Squill
Common Garlick
White Hellebore
Common Meadow Saffron
.Saffron
Aloe

Solomon's Seal

Officinal.
Zingiber

Cardamomum minus
Curcuma
Zcdoaria

Lilium album
Scilla
Allium

Helleborus albus
Colchicum
Crocus
Aloe

Convallaria

Iris fiorentina
— - Pfeudo-acorus

Orchis mafada
Calamus Rotang

XLVTI. ENSJT/E.
Florentine Orris
Yellow Water Flag:

Iris fiorentina
Iris paluftris

XLVIII. ORCHIDE/E.

Male Orchis Satyrium

XLIX. TRIPE T A L O ID EM,

Dragon's Blood Tree

L.
LI.

Triticum hybernum
Hordeum diftichon
Avena fativa
Saccharum officinarum

CA LAMAR I JE.
G RA M I N A
Wheat
Barley
Oat

Sugar Cane

LII. F I LI C E S.

Polypodium Filix mas Male Fern

Afplenium Trichomanoides Maidenhair

LIIL MU S C L
LIV. A L G M.

Lichen ijlandicus Eryngo-leaved Lichen

LV. FUNGI.
Boletus igniarius Agaric

Sanguis draconis

Triticum
Hordeum
Avena
Saccharum

Filix

Trichomanes

Lichen iflandicus

Agaricus chirurgorum

( i83 )

MIMOSA CATECHU. CATECHU MIMOSA.

Ex hujus plantae ligno paratur Catechu, vulgo Terra Japonic a,

Pharm. Land. & Edinb.

S TNO NTMJ. Mimofa Cate ; fpinis duabus ftipularibus, foliis
bipinnatis 15-30 jugis, foliolis 40 jugis', fpicis elongatis axillaribus.
Vide Murray App. Med. vol iu p. 415. Coir a vel Cairo, in Pro-
vincia Bahar dicitur. See Kerrs " Defcription of the Plant from
which the T erra Japonica is extra&ed. Med. Obf. fcf Inquir. vol.
v. p. 151. Suppl. Plant, p. 439.

Clqfs Polygamia. Ord. Monoecia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1 158.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Her map h. Gal. 5-dentatus. Cor. 5-fida. St am. 5 f.
plura. Pift. 1 Legumen.

Ma sc. Cal. 5-dentatus. Cor. 5-fida. Stain. 5, 10, plura.

Sp. Ch. M. fpinis ftipularibus, foliis bipinnatis multijugis : glandulis
partialium fmgulis, fpicis axillaribus geminis f. ternis pedun-
culatis. Syjl. Veg. ed. 14.

ACCORDING to Mr. Kerr, this fmall tree grows to
^/"^ twelve feet in height, and to one foot in diameter ; it is
covered with a thick rough brown bark, and towards the top
divides into many clofe branches : the leaves are bipinnated, or doubly
winged, and are placed alternately upon the younger branches : the
partial pinnae are nearly two inches long, and are commonly from
fifteen to thirty pair, having fmall glands inferted between the
pinnae : each wing is ufually furnifhed with about forty pair of
pinnulae or linear lobes, befet with fhort hairs : the fpines are fhort,
recurved, and placed in pairs at the bafes of each leaf : the flowers
are hermaphrodite and male, and ftand in clofe fpikes, which arife
from the axilla? of the leaves, and are four or five inches long : the
calyx is tubular, hairy, and divides at the limb into five oval pointed
legments : the corolla is monopetalous, whitifh, and of the fame form
as the calyx, but twice its length : the filaments are numerous, capil-
No. 14. 3 A lary,

{ i84 )

hry, double the length of the corolla, adhering at the bafe of the
germen, and crowned with roundifh anthera? : the germen is oval,
and fupports a flender ftyle, which is of the length of the filaments, and
terminated by a fimple fligma: the fruit, or pod, is lance-fhaped, brown,
fmooth, comprefled, with an undulated thin margin ; it contains fix
or eight roundifh flattened feeds, which produce a naufeous odour
when chewed. This tree grows plentifully on the mountainous parts
of Indoftan, where it flowers in June.

An Indian drug, known by the name of Terra Japonica, and now more
properly called Catechu, has long been an officinal medicine inEurope;
and though foon difcovered by chemical analyfis to be of vegetable
origin, yet neither was the plant from which it is produced, nor the
procefs by which it is prepared, fufficiently afcertained for near a
century afterwards. Writers on the Materia Medica-very generally,
from the time of Clufius, confidered the Catechu to be extracted from
the feeds of a nut, the produce of a fpecies of palm ; (Areca, or
Beetle-nut) and conformably to this opinion, Linnnsus, in both the
editions of his Mat. Med. refers this drug to the " Areca Catechu
frondibus pinnatis, foliolis replicatis oppofitis praemorfis." We are
told however by Mr. Kerr, that in the Province of Bahar, where the
Terra Japonica is manufactured, the price of the Areca-nut far ex-
ceeds that of the Catechu.2 But he thinks it probable that where
this nut is in great plenty, " they may perhaps join fome of the
fruit in making the extract, to anfwer a double purpofe, for the mod
frequent ufe of both is in chewing them together, as Europeans do
tobacco ; to thefe two fubftances they add a little fhell lime, and a
leaf called Pauw" b Cleyerus and Herbert de Jager,c more efpecially
the latter, have afferted, that the Catechu is not extracted from one
tree only, but from almoft all the fpecies of Acacia, whofe bark is
aftringent and reddifh, and from many other plants, which by boiling
yield a juice of the like fort; and though thefe extracts differ confider-

a Mr: Kerr fays, if the Terra Japonica were extracted from this nut, it would be
twenty times dearer than in the prefent fales. Vide 1. c.

b Hence the following lines :
Quis foliis credat commixta calce tenellis,
Cum fructu hoc Indos vefci, unde ore cruento
Purpureum ejiciunt fuccum, tarn dentibus atris
Horrendum arringunt, & dentibus ore minantur?
« Vide Mifc. Nat. Cur. Dec. 2. Ann. 4. 01 f. 3. & Dec. 2. Ann. 3. p. 8.

ably,

( i8*. )

ably, yet in India they are all denominated Khaath or Catechu. J

But the tree which affords the beft extract, according to his defcrip-

tion, appears evidently to be a. Mimofa.d

In this " uncertainty our knowledge concerning the production of

Terra Japonica ftill remained, till Mr. Kerr (aftiftant furgeon to the

civil hofpital at Bengal) tranfmitted an acdount of this fubftance,

which completely removed every doubt respecting its origin. In this

account we are told, that he not only carefully attended to the procefs

of the manufacturer in the preparation of Catechu, but that he actually

repeated it himfelf ; and upon the faith of the figure and defer iption

of the plant which he has given, and from which he prepared the

Catechu, the younger -Linnaeus has admitted it into the Supp. Plant.

under the name of Mimofa Catechu ; and we have accordingly

figured the plant. The preparation of the extract is ftated by Mr.

Kerr to be as follows : " After felling the trees, the manufacturer

carefully cuts off all the exterior white part of the wood. The interior

coloured wood is cut into chips, with which he fills a narrow-mouthed

unglazed earthen pot, pouring water upon them until he fees it among

the upper chips; when this is half evaporated by boiling, the decoction,

without (training, is poured into a flat earthen pot, and boiled to one

third part ; this is fet in a cool place for one day, and afterwards

evaporated by the heat of the fun, ftirring it feveral times in the day;

when it is reduced to a confiderable thicknefs, it is fpread upon a mat

or cloth, which has previoufly been covered with the allies of cow

dung ; this mafs is divided into fquare or quadrangular pieces by a

firing, and completely dried by turning them frequently in the fun,

until they are fit for fale." e .

J This

X The derivation of the word Catechu feems to favour this opinfon ; Cate, in the
oriental language, fignifies a tree, and Cbu, juice.

d According to the Linnasan nomenclature we have no genus under the name Acacia.
But the Mimofas are very numerous, and that moft known in Europe is the M. pudicar
or humble fenfitme plant, and the remarkahle'contraclions which it manifests upon being
touched, or even approached, induced my ingenious friend Dr. Marfhal, to difledt the
moving fibres. In his letter to me, he fays, " I have made two or three diffe&ions
" (more to gratify the curiofity of the moment than to afcertain any difcovery) of the
" flefhy joints of the Mimofa pudica ; branch is articulated with ftem, petiolus with.
" branch, and petiolus of the leafit with the common petiolus. Within the flefhy fub-
" ftance of the joint are found numerous white threads, which go from the one articu-
" lated body to the other, inferted into both. Thefe it would appear, are the irritable
f* fibres, by which the motions are performed."

e " In making the extract, the pale brown wood is preferred, as it produces the fine

whitifh

( i86 )

This extract is called Cutt by the natives, by the Englifh Cutch,
and by different authors Terra Japonica, Catechu, Khaath, Gate,
Cachou, &c. " In its pureft ftate it is a dry pulverable fubftance,
outwardly of a reddifh colour, internally of a fhining dark brown,
tinged with a reddifh hue ; in the mouth it difcovers confiderable
aftringcncy, fucceeded by a fweetifh mucilaginous tafte. According
to Lewis, " it diflblves almoft totally in water, excepting the impu-
rities ; which are ufually of the fandy kind, and amounting in the
fpecimens I examined to about one-eighth of the mafs. Of the pure
matter, rectified fpirit dhTolves about feven-eighths into a deep red
liquor : the part which it leaves undiffolved, is an almoft infipid mu-
cilaginous fubftance." f " Catechu may be ufefully employed for
moft purpofes where an aftringent is indicated, provided the moft
powerful be not required. But it is particularly ufeful in alvine
fluxes ; and where thefe require the ufe of aftringents, we are ac-
quainted with no one equally beneficial. Befides this, it is employed
alfo in uterine profluvia, in laxity and debility of the vifcera in
general, in catarrhal affections, and various- other difeafes where
aftringents are neceffary. It is often fuffered to diffolve leifurely in
the mouth, as a topical aftringent for laxities and exulcerations of
the gums, for apthous ulcers in the mouth, and fimilar affections." 5
" This extract: is the bafis of feveral fixed formulas in our pharma-
copoeias, particularly of a tincture and an electuary : but one of the
beft forms under which it can be exhibited, is that of a fimple infufion
in warm water, with a proportion of cinnamon or caffia ; for by this
means it is at once freed from its impurities, and improved by the
addition of the aromatic."

whitifh extract : the darker the wood is, the blacker the extract, and oflefs value. They
are very careful in drying their pots upon the fire, before they are ufed; but very neg-
ligent in cutting their chips upon the ground, and not ftraining the decoction, by which,
and the dirty allies they ufe, there mult be a confiderable quantity of earth in the extracl:,
befides what avarice may prompt them to put into it." Kerr L c.

f Lewis's M. M. p. 642. g See Duncan's Edlnb. New Difpcnf. p. 167.
The antifeptic quality of Catechu appears from the experiments made by Sir John
Pringle. (Vide Dif. of the Jrmy, Jpp. Exp. 10. ) Huxham employed it fuccefsfully in
cafes where a putrid dlflblved ftate of the blood prevailed. This extracl is the principal
ingredient in an ointment of great repute in India, compofed of Catechu four ounces,
alum nine drams, white refin four ounces ; thefe are reduced to a fine powder, and mixed
•with the hand, adding olive oil ten ounces, and a fufficient quantity of water, to bring
the mafs to the confidence of an ointment. To all fores and ulcers in warm climates
aftringent applications of this kind are found to be peculiarly ufeful. See Kerr I.e.

MIMOSA NILOTICA.

\

( i87 )

MIMOSA NILOTIC A. EGYPTIAN MIMOSA,

ACACIA, EGYPTIAN THORN.

Gummi Arabicum, Pharm. Lond. £s£ Edinb. fponte ex hac

plant a fluit.

STNONTMJ. Acacia vera. J. Baub. Hift. vol. i.p. 429. Acacia
foliis fcorpioides leguminofse. Banh. Pin. 392. Acanthus Theo-
phrafti. Rail Hift. p. 976. Acacia vera five fpina ./Egyptiaca.
Park. Theat.p. 1547. Acacia veraf. Spina iEgyptiaca, fubrotundis
foliis flore luteo ; filiqua paucioribus ifthmis glabris nigricantibus.
Pluk. Aim. 3. 123./. 1. Acacia iEgyptiaca filiquis Lupini,
floribus luteis. Herm. Parad. Bat. Prod. 303. Conf. Hajfelq. it.
p. 475. Ax**;* Diofcorid. L. i. cap. 133.

Clafs Polygamia. Ord. Monoecia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1158.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Hermaph. Cal. 5-dentatus. Cor. 5-fida. Stam.
5. f. plura. Pi/l. 1. Legtmien.

Ma sc. Cal. 5-dentatus. Cor. 5-fida. Stam. 5, 10, plura.

Sp. Cb. M. fpinis ftipularibus patentibus, foliis bipinnatis : partia-
libus extirnis glandula interftincl:is, fpicis globolis pedunculatis.

THIS, like the preceding fpecies of Mimofa, rifes feveral feet in
height : it is covered with fmooth bark of a grey colour, and that of
the branches has commonly a purpliih tinge : the leaves are bipin-
nated, and placed alternately: the partial pinnx are oppofite, furnifhed
with a fmall gland between the outermoft pair, and befet with nu-
merous pairs of narrow elliptical pinnulse, or leafits : the fpines are
long, white, fpreading, and proceed from each fide of the bafe of
the leaves : the flowers are hermaphrodite and male, they amime a
globular fhape, and ftand four or five together upon flender peduncles,
which arife from the axilla? of the leaves : the calyx is fmall, bell-
fhaped, and divided at the mouth into five minute teeth : the corolla
confifts of five narrow yellowifh fegments : the filaments are nume-
No. 14, 3 B rous,

( "88 )

|

rous, capillary, and furnifhed with roundim yellow antherse : the
germen is conical, and fupports a flender ftyle, crowned with a fimple
Sigma : the fruit is a long pod, refembling that of the Lupin, and
contains many flattifh brown feeds. It is a native of Arabia and
Egypt, and flowers in July/

Diofcorides was certainly well acquainted with this tree, as he not
only mentions the gum which it produces, but alio the renowned
Acacia vera fuccusf obtained from its pods ; lince his time, however,
it has been thought that gum arabic is not the production of the
Acacia or Mimofa, as it is now called ; but the accounts given by
Alpintis, and thofe of fubfequent naturalifts, leave no doubt upon
this fubjecV

Although the Mimofa nilotica grows in great abundance over the
vaft extent of Africa, yet gum arable is produced chiefly by thofe
trees, which are fituated near the equatorial regions; and we are
told that in Lower Egypt the folar heat is never fufficiently intenfe
for this purpofe/ The gum exudes in a liquid fcate from the bark
of the trunk and branches of the tree, in a fimilar manner to the gum
which is often produced upon the cherry trees, &c. in this country;
and by expofure to the air it foon acquires folidity and hardnefs. In
Senegal the gum begins to flow when the tree firft opens its flowers,0
and continues during the rainy feafon till the month of December,
when it is collected for the firft time. .Another collection of the gum
is made in the month of March, from incilions in the bark, which
the extreme drynefs of the air at that time is faid to render neceflary/

a The M. nilotica was cultivated in England by Evelyn in 1664. Kalend. h. p. 75.

A plant of this fpecies is npw in the Royal Garden at Kew, about four feet in height :
and in Dr. Lettfom's garden at Grove Hill, where it flowers annually.

b The pod, and manner of preparing the juice, are thus mentioned by Murray: " Ex
fructu elicitur, qui ipfe legumen eft complanatum viridi brunum, quatuor vel quinque
pollices longum et o&ies vel decies anguftius, compofitum ex fex vel decern partibus vel
articulis difcoideis et intra utramque" cuticulam parenchyma gummofum rubicundum
continens. In quovis articulo latet femen ellipticum fulco utrinque pariter elliptico
notatum. Succus exprimitur ex fruclu immaturo in mortario contufo, et calore in
fpiffitudinem extradti denfatur," &c. Vide Jpp. Med. vol. ii. p. 412.

c HafTelquift. Adanfon, Sparrman, and others. d Niebuhr Reifebefch. Arab. 1. B.
p. 143. c Adanfon Mem. de l'Ac. d Sc. d. Paris, 1773. p. 8. f Demanct Nouvelle
Hift. de l'Afrique Francoife, t. 1. p. 56.

Gum

( i89 )

Gum arabic is now ufually imported into England from Barbary,
not packed up in fldns, which was the practice in - gypt and Arabia,
but in large cafks or hogmeads. The common appearance of this
gum is lb well known as not to require any defcription of it here;
and the various figures which it affumes feerfl to depend upon a variety
of accidental circumftances attending its transudation and, concretion.

Gum Arabic of a pale yellowifh colour is moft efteemed ; on
the contrary, thofe pieces which are large, rough, of a roundifh
figure, and of a brownifh or reddhn&ue, are found to be Ids pure, and
are faid to be produced from a different fpecies of Mimofa: (M.
Senegal) but the Arabian and Egyptian gum is commonly intermixed
with pieces of this kind, fimilar to that which comes from the coaft
of Africa, near the river Senegal. Gum Arabic does not admit of
folution by fpirit or oil, but in twice its quantity of water it diffolves
into a mucilaginous fluid, of the confiftence of a thick fyrup, and in
this ftate anfwers many ufeful pharmaceutical purpofes, by rendering
oily, refmous, and pinguious fubftances, mifcible with water.3

The glutinous quality of gum arabic is preferred to moft other
gums and mucilaginous fubftances as a demulcent, in coughs, hoarfe-
neffes, and other catarrhal affections, in order to obtund irritating
acrimonious humours, and to fupply the lofs of abraded mucus.
It has been very generally employed in cafes of ardor urina*, and
ftranguary : but it is the opinion of Dr. Cullen, " that even this
mucilage, as an internal demulcent, can be of no fervice beyond the
alimentary canal. In common practice hardly more than a few
ounces are given in one day ; and what that can give of a mucilagi-
nous quality to many pounds of ferofity, I leave my intelligent
reader to judge. Still, however, it may not be thought enough to
reafon a priori, and I mould fay, what experience has actually taught.
What others may have obferved, I cannot determine ; but, for myfelf
I can affert, that, in innumerable trials, I have never obferved the
effects of gum arabic in the mafs of blood, or in the excretions derived
from it. The moft frequent occafion for its ufe is in the ardor urinas ;
and in that I have been often difappointed, and have often found that
two pounds of water or watery liquors added to the. drink, would be

e See Mr. French's Experiments in Lond. Med. Obferv. vol. i, p. 413, &c-

of

*

( 190 )

of more Service than four ounces of gum arable taken in without
iuch addition." h This gum is an ingredient in the Hartfhorn
dccodion, the chalk Julep, the common emulfion, and fome of the
troches as direcled in our Pharmacopoeias.

Mat. Med. p. 415. vol. 2.
Gum arabic has been found a good fubftitute for food ; and Dr. Sparrman tells us
that he pointed out this gum to the Hottentots, " which they might gather in many
fpots thereabouts frorn the Mimofa nilotica ; but this was a fpecies of food very well
known to them, and which they had often tried. — When in want of other provmons,

the Bofhies-men are faid to live upon this for many days together." Voyage to the

Cape, vol. ii. p. 23.

RUB IA TINCTORUM. DIER's MADDER.

ST NO NT MA. Rubia. Pharm. Land, fcf Edinb. * Rubia
fylveftris afpera. & Rubia tinctorum fativa. Bauh*. Pin. p. 333.
Rubia tin£torum. Gerard. Emac.fi. 11 18. Rubia major fativa.
Pari. Tbeat.fi. 274. Rubia fylveftris monfpeffulana major. J.
Banh. Hlji. vol. iii.fi. 715. Rubia tin&orum. Raii Hift. fi. 480.
Vide Hall. Stirfi. Helv. n. 708. Rubia foliis fenis. Miller s Dicl.
Efi£fo$avov vel EgtvSolSxvov Grcccorum.

Clafs Tetrandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 127.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cor. i-petala, campanulata. Bacca 2, monofperma?.

Sfi. Ch. R. foliis annuis, caule aculeate Mant. 330.

THE root is perennial, long, round, jointed, befet with fmall
fibres, externally of a bright red colour, but towards the center
yellowifh : the ftalks are quadrangular, flender, procumbent, jointed,
four or five feet in length, and covered with rough fhort points, by
which they adhere to the neighbouring plants for fupport : the leaves
are elliptical, pointed, rough, ciliated, and are placed in whorls of
four, five, or fix together at the joints of the ft em : the branches

ftand

( i£>i )

ftand in pairs at the articulations of the ftalk, and upon their various
iubdivifions produce fmall terminal flowers of a yellow colour : the
calyx is divided at the mouth into four teeth : the corolla is fmall,
bell-lhaped, and cut at the extremity into four oval fegments : the
filaments are four, fhort, and fupport fimple erect antherse : the ger-
men is double, and placed below the corolla : the fiyle is (lender, and
at the top divides into two globular ftigmata : the fruit confifts of two
round berries, each containing an oval feed, with a cavity at its fmaller
extremity. It is a native of the South of Europe, and flowers in June.

Madder is frequently mentioned by the Greek writers, who em-
ployed its roots with the fame mevicinal intentions for which they
now are recommended by moft of the* modern writers on the Materia
Medica. Our knowledge of the firft cultivation of this plant in
England is from Gerard ;a and though an extenfive cultivation of
Madder in Britain feems to promife confiderable advantage both
to the planter and to the nation, yet we find that the great quantity
of Madder roots ufed here by the Diers and Callico-printers, has
been for many years almoft wholly the growth and export of Holland.b
Madder appears to differ from other fubftances ufed for the purpofe of
dying, in having the peculiar property* of tinging with a florid red
colour not only the milk, urine, &c.c but even the bones of thofe
animals which have fed upon it; a circumftance which was firft
noticed by Antonius Mizaldus,d but not known in England till Mr.
Belchier publifhed an account of a pig and a cock, whofe bones
became red by eating Madder mixed with their food ;c fince that time

■ Vide Hort. Keiu. b Miller Dicl. in which is alfo given a full account of the culti-
vation of this plant. But we are happy to obferve, that by the laudable endeavours of
the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, &c. confiderable quantities of Englifti
Madder have been produced, and found as good at leaft, if not better than any imported.
Sec Tranfaflions, p. 10. vol. i.

* Some other plants of the fame natural order (Stellate) have alfo the effect of tinging
the bones, as the Galium Mollugo and Aparine. Vide Guettard Mem. de I' Ac. dc Sc. a,
1 746 & 1747. And the Valantia cruciata. Bobmer Dijf. de rad. rub. tincl. p. 42.

c Bobmer alfo found the ferum of the blood reddened by the Madder. Dijf. rad. rub.
tintl. £sV. p. 13. And Leyret obferves, that it fometimes tinged the excretion by the
fkin, Sur les Accoucbemensj p. 278. •

d Memorab. ut. ac jucunda Cent. 7. Apb. 91. Lutet. 1566.
e Phil. Tranf. vol. 39. p. 287. & p. 299. See alfo vol. 41. Afterwards experiments
Were profecuted by Batanus, Geojfroy, Du Hamel, Fougcroux^ Bergius, and others.

No. 14, 3 G various

( i92 )

various experiments relating to this fubject have been made, from
which it appears that the colouring-matter of Madder affects the bones
in a very fhort time, and that the raoft folid, or hardeft, part of the
bones iirft receives the red colour, which gradually extends, ab externa^
through the whole ofleous fubftance, while the animal continues
to take the Madder ; and if this root be alternately intermitted and
employed for a fufficient length of time, and at proper intervals, the
bones are found to be coloured in a correfpondent number of con-
centric circles. According to Lewis, " the roots of Madder have
a bitterifh fomewhat auftere tafte, and a flight fmell not of the
agreeable kind. They impart to water a dark red tincture, to rec-
tified fpirit, and to diftilled oils, a bright red ; both the watery and
fpirituous tinctures tafte ftrongly of the Madder." f

Madder, by medicinal writers, has been confidered as a deobftruenr,
detergent, and diuretic, and is chiefly ufed in the jaundice, dropfy,
and other difeafes fuppofed to proceed from vifceral obftructions,
particularly thofe of the liver and kidneys ; and fome modern authors
have recommended it as an emmenagogue,s and in rickety affections.11
With regard to its diuretic quality, for which there are many refpec-
table authorities, Dr. Cullen -afferts, that in many trials both for this
and other purpofes, fuch an effect is. not conftant, having never oc-
curred to him. As a remedy for the jaundice, it has the authority of
Sydenham, and was formerly an ingredient in -the decoctum ad icteros
of the Edin. Pharm. but as it feemed more adapted to the faces albida
than to the difeafe itfelf, this decoction was expunged. That fome
French writers fhould prefcribe Madder in a rickety ftate of the bones,
appears a little furprifing, as the brute animals, to which it was given,
especially the younger, fuffered confiderable emaciation and proftra-
tion of ftrength from its effects. Its virtues, as an emmenagogue, reft
principally on the authority of Dr. Home, who gave from a fcruple to
half a dram of the powder, or two ounces of the decoction, three or four
times a day. But this medicine failed with Dr. Cullen, who alfo lays,
" I know of other practitioners in this country, who, after feveral
ineffectual trials made with it, have now entirely deferted its ule."1

{ Mat. Med. p. 546. e See Home's Clinical Experiments, p. 388. h Levret. I. c.
and Mi, 1 Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 39.

RUMEX ACETOSA.

( 193 )

RUMEX ACETOSA. COMMON SORREL.

STNO NT MA. Acetofa. Pharm. Lo?id. Ssf Edinb. Acetofa
pratenfis. Bauh. Pin. p. 1 14. Oxalis crifpa. J. Bauh. it. p.
990. Oxalis feu Acetofa. Gerard. Emac. p. 396. Acetofa vul-
garis. Park. p. 742. Lapathum acetofum vulgare. Rait Synop.
p. 148. Raii Hi/I. p. 178. Lapathum fexubus diftin&is, foliis
fagittatis, hamis retrorfum porre&is. Hal. Stirp. Heh. n. 1597.
R. Acetofa. Withering. Bot. Arrang. p. 376. Relhan Flor. Cant,
p. 149. Hudfon s Ang. 156.

Qlafs Hexandria.* Ord. Trigynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 451.
Eff.Gen. Ch. Cal. 3-phyllus. Petala 3, conniventla. Sent. 1, triquetrum.
Sp. Ch. R. Flor. dioicis, fol. oblongis fagittatis.

THE root is perennial, flender, long, and fibrous: the (talk is
erect, channelled, branched at the top, partially of a purplifh red
colour, and ufually rifes from one to two feet in height : the radical
leaves are narrow, oblong, arrow-fhaped, of a bright green colour,
and ftand upon long footftalks, but thofe on the ftem are without
footftalks, and placed alternately : the flowers are produced in ter-
minal branched fpikes, partly tinged of a reddifh colour, and ftand
upon fhort flender peduncles : the calyx is compofed of three
oval fegments : the corolla confifts of three petals, fhaped like the
divifions of the calyx : the fix filaments are fhort, flender, and fur-
nifhed with erecl: double antheras : the germen is triangular, and
fupports three fimple reflected ftyles, with bearded ftigmata : the
feeds are naked, fingle, and of a triangular fhape. Jt is common in
meadows and paftures, and flowers in June,

Some writers have referred this plant to the Lapathum quartumaof

* This plant, according to the ftri&nefs of methodical fyftem, ought to belong to
the clafs Dioecia, as the flowers are diftin&ly male and female in different plants : ovr
figure reprefents the former. » L ii, cap. 108.

Diofcorides,

( 194 )

Diofcorides, and to the Lapathum fylveftre, quod alii oxalidem appel-
lant, of Pliny.b But as the word itf has been indifcriminately ufed both
to fignify fharp, with refpect to the tafte of a plant, and in relation to
the form of its leaves, there may be a doubt whether thofe authors have
done right, in exclufively applying it in the former fenfe as in the
name Acetofa. — The leaves of common Sorrel have an agreeable acid
tafte, like that of the Oxalis Acetofella, or Wood-forrel, which we
have before defcribed ; (fee page 56) and as they are medicinally
employed for the fame purpofes, what has been already faid of that
plant will in a great meafure apply to this ; which from being eafily
procured in great abundance may be conveniently fubftituted for it.
Sorrel, taken in confiderable quantity, or ufed varioufly prepared as
food, will certainly be found of important advantage where a refri-
gerant and antifcorbutic regimen is required ;c and we are told by
Linnaeus, that the Laplanders experience a ferum acetofatum to be
in this refpecT: an ufeful and pleafant diet.d

b L. xx. cap. 21. c See Morin in Hifl. de VAc. des Sciences, 1708, p. 52.

Barthol. Aft. Havn. 167 1, p. 35. Boerhaave Hift. Plant. L. B. P. it. p. 540.
* Flor. Lapp. p. 94.

ARBUTUS UYA URSI. TRAILING ARBUTUS; Or

BEAR-BERRY.

STNONTMJ. Uva urn. Pbarm. Lord &f Edinb. Uva urfi
Cluf. Rarior. Plant. Hift. p. 62. Vaccinia urfi five Uva urfi
apud Clufium. Gerard. Emac. p. 141 6. jf. Baido. Hift. vol. i,
p. 523. Banh.Pin. p. 470. Park. Tbeat. p. 1457. Ran Sy nop/is y
7?. 457. Hift. p. 1489.^. 5. Flor. Dan. 33. Marr. Comment,
de Arbuto uva urfi. Gotiing. 1 764. Girardi Ngvcs Animadver.
Patavii 1764. Sandifort Dijf. tab. 8. Withering. Bot.Arr. p. 428.

Clafs Decandria. Ord. Monogynia* Lin. Gen. Plant. 220.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Cal. 5-partitus. Cor. ovata : ore bafi pellucida.
Bacca 5-locularis.

Sp. Cb. A. caulibus procumbentibus, foliis iritegerrimis.

The

70

( >95 )

THE root is perennial, long, branched, and fibrous: the ftems
are numerous, procumbent, fpreading, woody, fcarcely a foot in
length, and feldom divided into branches : the leaves are oblong,
obtufe, narrowed towards the bafe, entire, thick or flefhy, fmooth,
without footftalks, of a dingy green colour, and clofely furround the
upper part of the ftalk : the flowers are whitifh or flefh-coloured, and
terminate the ftems in fmall clufters upon fhort flender pedicles : the
_ calyx is very fmall, and divided into five obtufe teeth : the corolla
confifts of a fingle petal, which is tubular, oval, contracted, a and
divided at the margin into five minute reflexed fegments: the filaments
are ten, fhort, downy, tapering, and crowned with erect reddifh
antherae : the germen is oval, and placed above the infertion of the
corolla : the ftyle is tapering, longer than the filaments, and terminated
with a fimple ftigma : the fruit is a pulpy, round, red berry. It is a
native of the Northern parts of Britain, and flowers in June.

ProfelTor Murray has not been able to determine whether this
plant is the «Voy which is much commended by Galen b in

cafes of hsemoptyfis, or the ?i£„ ufed as a general aftringent by
Diofcorides.0 It grows in great abundance in different parts of
Europe and America, particularly in barren fandy foils ; and that
which is found in dry, lofty, and expofed fituations, is preferred d for
medical ufe to that which is collected in valleys and fhady grounds.
The leaves of this plant, in a dried ftate, have no remarkable fmell,
but a bitterifh aftringent tafte, and by fome are ufed for the purpofe
of dying an afh-colour, and for tanning leather. The fapid matter
of thefe leaves has been attributed rather to the prefence of gummy
than of refinous particles, as watery menftrua extract their virtues
more completely than fpirituous.c

The Uva Urfi, though employed by the ancients in feveral
difeafes requiring aftringent medicines, had almoft entirely fallen
into difufe till about the middle of the prefent century, when it firft
drew the attention of phyficians as a ufeful remedy in calculous and

a Our artift, by fuppofing the contra&ed ftate of the corolla to be merely the effect
of drying, has made it appear too inflated in the annexed figure.

b De comp. med. fee. he. L. 7. e. 4. p. 548. Ed. Chart. c Mat. Med. L. 4. c.
42. p. 482. Ed. Vergil. d Girardi /. c. p. 454. e Murray Jpp, Med. vol. ii. p. 58.

No. 15. 3D , nephritic

( 196 )

nephritic affections ; and in the years 1763 and 1764, by the
concurrent teftimonies of different authors/ it acquired remarkable
celebrity not only for its efficacy in gravelly complaints, but in almoft
every other to which the urinary organs are liable, as ulcers of the
kidneys and bladder, cyftirrhcea, diabetes, &c. and its utility was
then thought to be fo fully eftablithed, that a Spanifh writer g made it
his boaft that the man, to whom thefe important difcoveries of the
effects of this plant ought firft to be referred, was his countryman*
He was however fuperfeded in this claim by the phyficians at Mont-
pelier, who had been in the habit of prefcribing Uva Urfi in thefe
difeafes for many years before.11 But the cafes publifhed fucceffively
by De Haen tended more to raife the medical character of Uva Urfi
over Europe than all the other books profeffedly written on the
virtues of this plant : and encouraged by his fuccefs, many practi-
tioners in this country have been induced to try its effects ; and
though the ufe of this plant has been frequently obferved to mitigate
the pains in calculous cafes, yet in no inftances do we find that it has
produced that effential or permanent relief, which is faid to have
been experienced by the German phyficians.1

From the experiments of Dr. Alexander/ the leaves of Uva Urfi
feem to poffefs very little diuretic power, and thofe made by Murray1
{how that they have nO material effect upon the urinary calculi : the
efficacy they may therefore have in relieving the calculous difeafes,
we are difpofed to afcribe to their aftringency ; and in confirmation
of this opinion we may cite the obfervation of Dr. Cullen, who, in

f De Haeny Gerhard, £hier> Girardi, Murray, Buchoz, and others.

% Quer. See the French verfion of his book, viz. Difjertation fur la maladie ncphritique,
ct fur fon veritable fpecifique le Raifm d'ours, p. 84. h Vide Barbeirac form. Med. p. 163.

J " The trials of the Uva Urfi made in this country, have by no means anfwered
expectation : in all the cafes that have come to my knowledge it produced great ficknefs
and uneafinefs, without any apparent benefit, though continued for a month." Lewis
M. M. p. 683. And in a cafe of Incontinence of urine, Dr. Fothergill obferves, " The
Uva Urfi, fo much extolled of. late in ulcers of the urinary paflages, feemed but to
aggravate the fymptoms." Med. Obf. & Inquir. vol. Hi. p. 144. But in the preface to
this volume we are told, " that the Uva Urii had been frequently prefcribed fuccefsfully
by many of the Members of the Society of Phyficians in London."

k See his Exp. Effays, p. 154.
1 The calculi were macerated in a ftrong decoction of the Uva Urfi. Fide I. c.

his

( i97 )

his chapter on Aftringents,1" notices the dhTertation of De Heucher,
under the title of Calculus per adjlringentia pellendus : and though he
does not think with this author that aftringents are lithontriptics, yet
from his own experience, and that of others, he believes they often
have a powerful efFecl: in relieving calculous fymptoms; and in proof
of this he refers to the exhibition of the Uva Urfi. The leaves
may be employed either in powder or decoction ; the former is moft
commonly preferred, and given in dofes from a fcruple to a dram
two or three times a day.

m Mat. Med. vol. it, p. 12. & feq. And Dr. Withering, fpeaking of the effe&s of
this plant, fays, " Perhaps, upon the whole, we fhall find it no better than other vege-
table aftrinqents ; fome of which have long been ufed by the country people in gravelly
complaints, and with very great advantage $ though hitherto unnoticed by the regular
practitioners." /. c.

II .■■IIIJIUIMMI.U.mum. ., .,

STYRAX OFFICINALE. OFFICINAL' STORAX.

Styrax, Pharm. Lond. £sf' Edlnb. ab hac arbore effluit.

SYNONYM A. Styrax folio mali cotonei. Baub. Pin. p. 452.
Styrax arbor. J, Baub. Hijl. vol. i. p. 341. Gerard. Emac. p.
1526. Rati Hi/l. p. 1680. Styrax arbor vulgaris. Park. Tbeat*
p. 1530. Lin. Spec. Plant, p. 635. Miller s Figures, p. 260,

Clafs Decandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 595..

Eff. Gen. Ch. CaL inferus. Cor. infundibuliformis. Drupa 2-fperma.

Sp. Ch. S. foliis ovatis fubtus villofis, racemis fimplicibus folio,
brevioribus. Ait. Hort. Kew.

THE Storax-tree ufually rifes above twenty feet in height; it
fends off many ftrong branches, which are covered with a roughifh
bark of a grey colour : the leaves are broad, elliptical, entire, fome-
what pointed, on the upper furface fmooth, and of a light green
colour, on the under furface covered with a whitifli down j they are

placed

( 198 )

\

placed alternately, and ftand upon fhort footftalks : the flowers are
large, white, and difpofed in clufters upon fhort peduncles, which
terminate the branches : the corolla is monopetalous, funnel-fhaped,
and divided at the limb into five lance-fhaped fegments : the filaments
are ten, placed in a regular circle, and feem to adhere towards the
bafe : the antherae are erect and oblong : the germen is oval, and
fupports a flender ftyle, with a fimple ftigma : the fruit is a pulpy
pericarpium, which contains one or two nuts of an oval comprefled
figure. It is a native of Italy and the Levant, and flowers in July.

Gerard appears to be the firft who cultivated the Storax-tree in
England ; and although it is indigenous to many of the fouthern
parts of Europe, yet the refinous drug which it produces is only to
be obtained in perfection from thefe trees growing in Afiatic Turkey.1
The Storax iflues in a fluid ftate from incifions made in the bark of
the trunk, or branches, of the tree ; and as it was formerly the cuftom
to coiled; and export this gum-refin in reeds, it obtained the name of
Styrax calamita. But the only two kinds of Storax b now to be met
with in the fhops may be divided into the pure and the common
Storax ; the firft is ufually in irregular compact mafles, free from
impurities, of a yellowiih or reddifh brown appearance, and inter-
fperfed with whitifh tears, fomewhat like Gum ammoniac or Benzoin ;
it is extremely fragrant, and, upon the application of heat, readily
melts. This has been called Storax in the lump, red Storax, and the
feparate tears, Storax in the tear. The common Storax is in large
mafTes, very light, and bears no external refemblance whatever to the
former Storax, as it feems almoft wholly compofed of dirty faw-duft
merely caked together by the refinous matter ; and though much lefs
efteemed than the purer kinds of Storax, yet when freed from the

2 " Copia ejus effluit ex arboribus procerioribus in Gallo-Provinciae fylvis (de la
Chartreufe de Montrieu, Du Hamel Traite ties arbres torn. it. p. 288), item incifione
promanat in planitie quadam agri Tiburtini montium catena feptentrionem verfus cin&a.
(Mazeas, Journal des Sfavans, 1769./*. 105. Ed. ih^}°). Sed quae in ofEcinis fervatur,
orientalis originis eft", transferturque ad nos ex Turcia per MaHiliam." Murray Jfp.
Med. vol. ii. p. 80.

b It is necefTary to obferve, that no reference is here made to the Styrax liquida, which
is produced from a very different tree, viz. the Liquidambcrftyracijlua ; and, according to
Monardes, is obtained by boiling the branches in water, which occafions the drug to
feparate, and rife to the furface, when it is fkimmed off for ufe.

woody

( m )

woody part, we are told that it pofTefles more fragrance, and is fuperior
to the other kind. Rectified fpirit, the common r^enftruum of refms,
readily diffolves the Storax, which may be infpidated to a folid con-
fiftence, as directed for the Styrach fiUrificatio in the London Pharm.
without fuftaining any confiderable lofs of its fenfible qualities.

" Common Storax, infufed in water, imparts to the menftruum a
" gold yellow colour, fome fhare of its fmell, and a flight balfamic
" tafte. It gives a confiderable impregnation to water by diftillation,
" and ftrongly diffufes its fragrance when heated, though it fcarcely
" yields any effential oil. The fpirituous folution, gently diftilled
" off from the filtered reddifh liquor, brings over with it very little
" of the fragrance of the Storax ; and the remaining refm is more
" fragrant than the fineft Storax in the tear, which I have met with.
" The pure refin diftilled without addition, yields along with an
" empyreumatic oil, a portion of faline matter, fimilar to the
" flowers of Benzoine : I have fometimes alfo extracted from it a
" fubftance of the fame nature by coction in water."0

Storax, with fome of the ancients, was a familiar remedy as a
refolvent, and particularly ufed in catarrhal complaints, coughs,
afthmas, menftrual obftructions, &c. and from its affinity to the
balfams it was alfo prefcribed in ulcerations of the lungs, and other
flates of pulmonary confumption. And our pharmacopoeias formerly
directed the pilule e Jiyrace ; but this odoriferous drug has now no
place in any of the officinal compounds ; and though a medicine
which might feem to promife fome efficacy in nervous debilities, yet
by modern practitioners it is almoft totally difregarded.

c Lewis Mat. Med. p. 621.

No. 15.

STYRAX BENZOIN.

( 200 )

STYRAX BENZOIN. BENJAMIN TREE.

Benzoe, Pharm. Lond. &f Edinb. ex hac arbore exfudat.

STNONTMA. Benjui. Garcias ab Horto in Qhfti Exoticis, p.
155. Arbor Benzoini. Grimm, in Epbemer. Acad. Nat. Curiof.
Dec. 2. Ann. 1. p. 370. fig. 31. Sylvius in Valentini Hijloria
Simplicium, p. 487.

Benzuin. Radcrmacher in Act. Societ. Batavia^ vol. Hi. p. 44.

Benjamin or Benzoin. Marfdens Hift. of Sumatra, p. 123.

Laurus Benzoin. Houttuyn in Aft. Harlem, vol. xxi. p. 265. tab. 7.
See Dryander's Botanical Defcription of the Benjamin T ree of
Sumatra. Phil. Tranf. vol. Ixxvii. p. 307.

1

Clafs Decandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 595.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. inferus. Cor. infundibuliformis. Drupa 2-fperma.

Sp. Ch. S. foliis oblongis acuminatis fubtus tomentofis, racemis
compofitis longitudine foliorum. Dryander. I. c.

THIS tree is of quick growth, and rifes to a confiderable height:
it fends off many ftrong round branches, which are covered with a
tomentofe or whitiih downy bark : the leaves are oblong, entire,
veined, tapering to a long point, on the upper furface fmooth, on the
under downy ; they ftand alternately upon fhort footftalks, which
are round, fcored, and downy : the flowers are produced in bunches,
and ufually hang all on the fame fide upon fhort llender pedicles : the
racemi, or common peduncles, are nearly of the length of the leaves,
compound or branched, downy, and arife from the axillse of the
leaves : the calyx is fhort, bell-fhaped, downy, and divided at the
extremity into five obfcure imperfect teeth : the corolla is monopeta-
lous, externally of a cineritious colour, downy, and cut into five

obtufe

72

( 201 )

obtufe parallel fegments growing clofe together : the filaments are ten,
of the length of the calyx, adhering at the bafe, bearded towards the
top, forming a circle upon the receptacle in which they are inferted,
and crowned with linear erect antherse : the germen is oval, downy,
and placed above the infertion of the corolla : the ftyle is filiform,
longer than the ftamina, and terminated with a fnnple ftigma : the
fruit is fimilar to that of the Styrax officinale.*

The botanical character of this tree was entirely miftaken by modern
botanifts, even till the year, 178 7, when that excellent naturalift, Mr.
Dryander, fully afcertained it to be a ftyrax.a I his was done at the
requeft of Sir Jofeph Banks, who obtained a proper fpecimen for
the purpofe from Mr. Marfden at Sumatra : and as we have copied
the figure given by Mr. Dryander, we mail alfo transcribe the follow-
ing obfervations with which it is introduced. " Though Garcias
ab Horto, Grim, and Sylvius,15 were acquainted with the real
tree from which Benjamin, or Benzoin, is collected, their defcriptions
of it are fo imperfect and infufficient for its botanical determination,
that fucceeding botanifts have fallen into many errors concerning it ;
and it is remarkable, that although this drug was always imported
from the Eaft-Indies, moft of the later writers on the Materia Medica
have conceived it to be collected from a fpecies of Laurus, native of

* Defcriptio botanica a cl. Dryander.
Rami teretes, tomentofi..

Folia alterna, petiolata, oblonga, integerrima, acuminata, venofa, fupra glabra, fubtus
tomentofa, palmaria. Petioli teretes, ftriati, canaliculati, tomentofi, breviffimi.

Racemi axillares, compofiti, longitudine fere foliorum. Pedunculi communes tomentofi ;
partiales alterni, patentes, tomentofi. Pedicelli breviflimi. Flores fecundi.

Calyx campanulatus, obfoletiffime quinquedentatus, extus tomentofus, linea longior.

Petala quinque, (bafi forte connata) linearia, obtufa, extus tomento tenuiffimo cinerea,
calyce quadruplo longiora.

Filamenta decern, receptaculo inferta, petalis paulo breviora, inferne connata in cylin-
drum longitudine calycis, fuperne infra antheras ciliata. Anther a lineares,
filamentis longitudinaliter adnata?, iifque dimidio breviores.

Germen fuperum, ovatum, tomentofum. Stylus filiformis, ftaminibus longior. Stig?na.
fimplex.

* L. c. Before this time however Sir Jofeph Banks feemed to have no doubt that the
Benjamin-tree was a ftyrax. Vide Loder in Balding. Med.Journ. P. 5. p. 50.

b Fide lib. in Synon. at.

Virginia,

( 202 )

Virginia, to which, from this erroneous fuppofition, they have given
the trivial name of Benzoin. This miftake feems to have originated
with Mr. Ray, who in his Hiftoria Plantarum, vol. ii. p. 1845, at
the end of his account of the Arbor Benivifera of Garcias, fays,
" Ad nos fcripfit D. Tancrcdus Robin/on Arborem refiniferam odora-
" tarn foliis citrinis prasdidtae haud abfimilem tranfmiflam fuiffe e
" Virginia a D. Banifter, ad illuftriflimum Prsefulem D. Henr.
" Compton, in cujus inftru&iflimo horto culta eft. — Arbor ifta
" Virginiana Citrii, vel Limonii foliis Benzoinum fundens, in horto
" reverendiffimi Epifcopi culta." This error was detected by Lin-
nasus, but another was fubftituted by him in its place ;c for in his
Mantilla Plantarum Altera he tells us, that Benjamin is furnifhed by
a fhrub defcribed there under the name of Croton Benzoe, and
afterwards, in the Supplementum Plantarum, defcribes again the fame
plant, under the name of Terminalia Benzoin. M. Jacquin, who
had been informed that this fhrub was called by the French Bienjeint^
fuppofes, with reafon, that the fimilar found of that word with
Benjoin, the French name for Benjamin, may have occafioned this
miftake/ Since that period, Dr. Flouttuyn has defcribed the Ben-
jamin tree of Sumatra ; but for want of good fpecimens has been fo
unfortunate as to miftake the genus to which it belongs." c

This tree, which is a native of Sumatra, is deemed, in fix years,
of fumcient age for affording the Benzoine, or when its trunk acquires
about feven or eight inches in diameter; the bark is then cut through
longitudinally, or fomewhat obliquely, at the origin of the principal
lower branches/ from which the drug exudes in a liquid ftate, and by
expofure to the fun and air foon concretes, when it is fcraped off
from the bark with a knife, or duffel. The quantity of Benzoine
wrhich one tree affords never exceeds three pounds,5 nor are the trees
found to fuftain the effects of thefe annual incilions longer than ten
or twelve years.h The Benzoine which iffues firft from the wounded

c This difcovery was not made till after the publication of his Spec. Plant, where it
ftands as a laurus.

d Hort. Vincloh. vol. Hi. p. 51.
c Houttuyn had the fpecimens from Rademacher, from which he determined the tree
to be a laurus. f Vide Grimm & Marfdcn, 1. c. p. 124.

e Grimm. I c. b Marjden. I. c.

bark

( 203 )

bark is the pureft, being foft, extremely fragrant, and very white ;
that, which is lefs efteemed, is of a brownifh colour, very hard, and
mixed with various impurities, which it acquires during its long con-
tinuance upon the trees.1 EfcheHkron k diftinguifhes Benzoine into
three kinds, viz. Camay an poeti, or white Benjamin, which, upon
being melted in a bladder by the heat of the fun, appears marked
with red ftreaks, or veins. Camayan bamatta is lefs white than the
former, and often fpotted with white circles, called eyes, from the
number of which its goodnefs is eftimated : it likewife melts by the
heat of the fun. Camaya?i itam, or black Benjamin, which requires
to be melted in hot water for its prefervation in bladders. In Arabia,
Perfia, and other parts of the Eaft the coarfer kinds of Benjamin are
confumed for fumigating and perfuming the temples, and for
deftroying infefts.

The Benzoine which we find here in the mops " is in large brittle
maffes, compofed partly of white, partly of yellowifh or light brown,
and often alfo of darker coloured pieces : that which is clearer!:, and
contains the mod white matter, called by authors bewzoe amygdaloidesy
is accounted the heft." " This refin has very little tafte, impreffing •
on the palate only a flight fweetnefs : its fmell, efpecially when rubbed
or heated, is extremely fragrant and agreeable. It totally diffolves in
rectified fpirit, the impurities excepted, which are generally in a very
fmall quantity, into a deep yellowifh red liquor, and in this ftate
difcovers a degree of warmth and pungency, as well as fweetnefs.
It imparts, by digeftion, to water alfo a confiderable fhare of its
fragrance, and a flight pungency : the filtered liquor, gently exhaled,
leaves, not a refinous or mucilaginous extract, but a cryftalline
matter, feemingly of a faline nature, amounting to one-tenth, or one-
eighth, of the weight of the Benzoine."1 Expofed to the fire in
proper veffels, it yields a quantity of a white faline concrete, called
flores benzoes, of an acidulous tafte, and grateful odour, foluble in
rectified fpirit, and in water by the afliftance of heat.

As the trees,which afford the drugs benzoine and ftyrax,are congeners,
and as their refinous produces are very fimilar in their external appear-

1 Grimm, I. c. k Cfr. Efchelfkron Befchreib. von Sumatra, p. 62,

1 Lewis M. M. p. 142.
No. 15. 3 F ances,

( 204 )

ances, and not widely different in their fenfible qualities, it is reafon-
able to fuppofe them analogous in their medicinal effects. Benzoine,
however, though rarely employed in a fimple ftate, has been fre-
quently prefcribed as a pectoral ; and we find it recommended for
inveterate coughs, afthmas, obftructions of the lungs, and phthifical
complaints, unattended with much fever : it has alfo been ufed as a
cofmetic, and in the way of fumigation for the refolution of indo-
lent tumours. Dr. Cullen, who claffes Benzoine with the ftimulants,
fays, " The flowers, which is the only preparation employed, are
manifeftly a faline fubftance of the acid kind, of confiderable acri-
mony and ftimulant power, as I have found in every trial of them I
have made, It has been recommended as a pectoral, and I have
employed it in fome afthmatic cafes without finding it of ufe ; and in
a dofe of half a dram it appeared to be heating and hurtful." m Jn
the pharmacopoeias the flowers are directed in the tinctura opii
camphorata, and it is ordered in fubftance in the tinctura benzoes
compofita.

m Mat. Med. vol. it. p. 192. We may alfo notice, that Dr. Cullen thinks " the
benzoine is a lingular compofition of an acid fait with an oily and refinous fubftance ;
but as a faline matter of the fame kind is found in raoft of the turpentines and balfams — «
it appears to me, that the benzoin affords an analogy for explaining the compofition of
all thefe."

APIUM PETROSELINUM.

4

73

'( 205 )

APIUM PETROSELINUM. COMMON PARSLEY.

SYNONYM A. Petrofelinum. Pharm. Lond. fcf Edinb. Apium
hortenfe vulgo Petrofelinum. Bcmh. Pin. p. 153. Petrofelinum
vulgare. F 'ark. '1 heat. p. 922. Apium hortenle. Gerard. Emac-
p. 1 01 3. ' Raii Hi/}, p. 1448.

a Apium fativum. Riv. pent. 88. Common Parfley..

/3 Apium crilpum. Riv. pent-. 90. Curled Parfley.

y Apium radice efculenta. Hort. Up/. 67. Large rooted Parfley.

Alton s Hort. Kew,-

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Digynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 367.

Ef. Gen. Cb. Fruelus ovatus, ftriatus. Fnvolucrnm i-phyllunv
Pctala aequalia.

Sp. Cb. A. foliolis caulinis linearibus, involucellis minutis.

THE root is biennial, long, white, and befet with fibres: the*
ftem is upright, round, fcored, branched, jointed, and ufually ri'es
two feet in height : the radical leaves are with footftalks, com-
pound, pinnated in ternaries : the leaflts are fmooth, veined, divided
into three lobes, and notched at the margin : the leaves of the
ftalk proceed from the vaginal fheaths at the joints, and have the
ieahts cut into narrow linear entire fegments : the flowers are fmall,
of a yellow colour, and terminate the ftem and branches in umbels
compofed of general and partial radii ; the former are about ten in
number, and the latter twenty in each umbel ; it feldom has a general
involucrum, but the partial involucrum confifls of fix or eight leaflts,
unequal, pointed, fpreading, and fhorter than the umbel : the corolla
confifls of five oval petals, which have their points inflected : the
filaments are five, fpreading, flender, twice the length of the corolla,
and crowned with roundifh antherse : the germen is oval, ftriated,
and fupports two fhort reflected ftyles, terminated with obtufe ftig-
mata : the feeds are of a dark green colour, oblong, angular, ftriated,
flat on one fide, and convex on the other. It is a native of Sardinia,
and flowers in Tune and Tuly,

( 206 )

All the varieties of Parfley have been long very generally cultivated
in England/ and its frequent ufe for culinary purpofes renders it
more familiar than moft of the plants which our kitchen gardens
produce. Both the roots and feeds of Parfley are directed by the
London College for medicinal ule ; the former have a fweetifh tafte,
accompanied with a flight warmth or flavour, fomewhat refembling
that of a carrot : the latter are in tafte warmer, and more aromatic
than any other part of the plant, and alfo manifeft confiderable
bitternefs. In diftillation, three pounds yielded above an ounce of
efTential oil, a great part of which funk in the fluid. They give
out little of their qualities by infufion in watery menftrua, but
readily impart all their virtue to rectified fpirit. The roots, by dif-
tillation in water, were found to yield a very confiderable portion of
efTential oil, not above two or three drams from as many hundred
pounds of the root.b Thefe roots are faid to be aperient and diuretic,
and have been employed in apozems, to relieve nephritic pains, and
obftructions of urine.c In this way they have been prefcribed by
Dr. Cullen without producing any diuretic effect, and this he thinks
may in fome meafure be attributed to the lofs of their active matter,
which they fuftain in boiling.d The feeds, like thofe of many other
umbelliferous plants, poflefs a fhare of aromatic and carminative
power; but as this is inconfiderable they are now feldom employed. J
The bruifed leaves have been fuccefsfully ufed as a decutient poultice
to various kinds of tumours.0 Although Parfley is fo commonly
ufed at table, it is remarkable that facts have been adduced to prove
that in fome conftitutions it occafions epilepfy, or at leaft aggravates
the epileptic fits in thofe who are fubject to this difeafe/ It has been
fuppofed alfo to produce inflammation in the eyes.s

a Cultivated in 1551. Turn. Herb. fart, l.ftgn. D iiii. Vide Alton's Hort. Keiv.
b Lewis, Mat. Med. p. 499. c See Hoffman and others. d Mat. Med. p. 159.

% Externally they have been advantageoufly ufed for deftroying cutaneous infects in
children. Vide Con. Mich. Valentini Aft. Nat. Cur. vol. i. p. 285. and Rofenftein
Barns junkd. Ed. 3, p. 533.

e We are told by kange, (Mifc. writ* med. p. 26 ) that this application has fucceeded
in fcirrhous tumours where Cicuta and Mercury had failed.

f Hannemannus, in Eph. Nat. Cur. Dec. 3. A. 3. p. 78. And Marriotte in Journ.
de Med. t. 23. p. 545. 5 See Boyle's Works, t, 1. p. 503. Alfton's Left, on M. M.
vol. i. p. 381. And cited by Murray.

P 6 RIBES RUBRUM.

RIBES

( 207
RUBRUM.

)

RED CURRANT.

SYNONYM J. Ribes rubrum. Pbarm. Lond. Ribes vulgaris
fruttu rubro. Gerard. Emac. p. 1 593. Rati Hiji. p. 1485. Synop.
p. 456. Ribes frudu rubro. Park. Theat. p. 1561. Ribes vul-
garis acidus ruber. J. Bauh. Hift. it. p. 97. Groflularia, multi-
plici acino, live non fpinofa hortenfis rubra. Bauh. Pin. p. 455.
Ribes inerme floribus planiufculis ftipulis minimis. Hal. Stirp.
Helv. n. 818. Hud/on Flor. Aug. p. 99. Withering. Bot. Arrang.
p. 243.

« Ribes rutilum. Red Currant.

& Ribes album. White Currant.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 281.

EJ[. Gen. Ch. Petala 5 et Stamina ealycr inferta. Stylus 2-fidus»
Bacca polyfperma, infera.

Sp. Ch. R. inerme, racemis glabris pendulis, floribus planiufculis.-

THIS fhrub grows five or fix feet in height, is divided into many
branches, and covered with a dark brown bark, except that of the young
branches which is whitifh or afh-coloured : the leaves are ferrated,
veined, divided into five, and fometimes feven lobes, of a pale green
colour, and ftand upon tapering footftalks, which are about the
length of the leaves, and hairy towards the bafe : the bractes are
fmall, oval, pointed, and placed at the bafe of the leaf flalks and'
peduncles: the flowers grow in laterarpendulous racemi, or clufters,
and appear in April : the calyx is divided into five fpreading, reflexed,
pointed, oblong, concave, permanent fegments, which are of a yeHowifh
green colour : the corolla is compofed of five fmall obtufe upright
petals, of a yellowifh colour, and inferted in the calyx : the filaments
. are five, tapering, erect, and inferted in the calyx : the antherse are
1 comprefled, gaping at the edges, and attached at their fides to the
No. 15, 3 G filaments :

( 208 )

filaments : the germen is roundifh, placed below the corolla, and
fupports a cloven flyle, with obtufe fiigmata : the fruit is a round
fhining red berry, of one cell, feparated into two receptacles, and
containing many roundifh feeds. It is a native of Britain, and
ufually grows in dry woodlands.

As the white Currant-tree is merely a variety of the red, the fruit
of both, whether confidered in a botanical or medical fenfe, is per-
fectly analogous ; therefore what is obferved here of the latter will
apply equally to the former. •

It is well known that the red Currant is abundantly cultivated in
our gardens, whence we are plentifully fupplied with the fruit, which,
from its grateful acidity, becomes univerfally acceptable, either as
nature prefents it, or varioufly prepared by arta with the addition of
fugar. By Dr. Cullen, this fruit is clafTed with the alimentary plants,
and from being generally and exclufively confidered as fuch, it was
not received in the Britifh catalogues of the Materia Medica till that
publifhed in the laft edition of the London Pharmacopoeia.

The medicinal qualities of red Currants appear to be fimilar to
thofe of the other fubacid fruits, which are efteemed to be mode-
rately refrigerant, antifeptic, attenuant,* and aperient. They may be
ufed with confiderable advantage to allay thirft in moft febrile com-
plaints ; to leffen an increafed fecretion of bile ; b and to correct a putrid
and fcorbutic ftate of the fluids, efpecially in fanguine temperaments :
but in conftitutions of a contrary kind, they are apt to occafion flatu-
lency and indigeftion.

a « The juice is a moft agreeable acid in punch. If equal weights of picked currants
and pure fugar are put over the fire, the liquor that feparates fpontaneoufly is a moft
agreeable jelly." Withering. I. c. The juice of red currants, with fugar, is a common
beverage at Paris, where it is generally preferred to orgeat, or lemonade.

* Hoffman and Boerhaave had great confidence in the efficacy of thefe fruits in
obftinate vifceral obft ructions.

b See Maclurg on the Bile, where the effects of the vegetable acid are confidered.

RIBES NIGRUM.

( 2o9 )

RIB ES NIGRUM. BLACK CURRANT.

ST NO NT MA. Ribes nigrum. Pharm. Land. Ribes nigrum
vulgo diftum folio olente. J. Bauh. Hifl. it. p. 98. Rati Htft.
p. i486. Synop. p. 456. Groflularia non fpinofa fru&u nigro.
Bauh. Pin. p. 455. Ribes fru&u nigro. Park. Theat. p. 1 562.
Gerard. Emac. p. 1593. Ribes inerme, olidum, calyce oblongo,
petalis ovatis. Hall. Stirp. Helv. n. 819. Hud/on Flor. Ang. p.
99. Withering. Bot. Arrang. p. 243.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lift. Gen. Plant. 281.

EJ. Gen. Ch. Petala 5 ttjamm calyci inferta. Stylus. 2-fidus.
Bacca polyfperma, infera.

Sp. Ch. R. inerme, racemis pilofis, floribus oblongis.

THE Black Currant-tree ufually rifes fix or feven feet in height •
the old wood is covered with a dark brown or blackifh bark, but that
of the younger moots is of a whitifh colour : the leaves are com-
monly divided into three lobes, much veined, irregularly ferrated of
a deep green colour, and on the under fide befet with many yellowifh
glands, which fecrete an odoriferous fluid, impregnating the whole
leaf; the leaf-ftalks are fimilarly fhaped to thofe of the red currant •
the brafteae, or floral leaves, are oval, fhort, and woolly : the flowers
are produced in pendent bunches, upon flender pedicles, placed alter-
nately upon the common racemus, or peduncle : the calyx is divided
into five oval fpreading fegments, of a pale green or yellowifh colour •
the corolla is compofed of five roundifh petals : the nedtarium is larger
than that in the red currant, and the fruit or berries are black. In other
refpeds, the parts of frudification correfpond with the defcription
already given of the red currant. It is a native of Britain, preferring
a fwampy ground, and flowers in May. &

The

( 210 )

The berries of the black Currant are larger than thofe of the red ;
and we are told that in fome parts of Siberia they grow to the fize of
an hazel nut. Befides having the properties in common with the
frudlus acido-dulces, thele berries are alio faid to be peculiarly ufeful
in fore throats, and to poffefs a diuretic power in a very confiderable
degree. From thofe qualities which they manifeft to the organs of
tafte, there can be little doubt but that in cafes of inflammatory
angina, they may be advantageoufly employed to anfwer the fame
intentions as gargles :a the proofs however of their diuretic powers
* feem to want confirmation, as Foreftus, on whofe authority they reft,
and who firft noticed this property of the black currant, conftantly
prefcribed it in combination with the feeds of wild carrot.b

The leaves of the black Currant are extremely fragrant, and have
been likewife recommended for their medicinal virtue, which Bergius
ftates to be mundificans, pellens, diuretica.c

The officinal preparations of the black currant berries, in the
London Pharmacopoeia, are the fyrupas rlbis nigri^ and the fuccus ribis
nigri infplffatus.

a From their efficacy in this way they acquired the name of Squinancy berries.

We may obferve here, that the black currant jelly in common domeftic ufe for this
purpofe, is rendered lefs efficacious by having too much fugar in its preparation.

Both the fruit of this, and of the red currant, afford a pleafant wine; and that made
of the former is mentioned by Haller, " Ex eo optimum vinum fieri non deterius vinis
verioribus viteis, quarido annuum eft." 1. c. Smith Nat. Hi/L of Cork^ p. 359.

b Opp. Lib. 25. Obf. 10.

c Mat. Med. vol. i. p. 155. An infufion of thefe leaves is faid to have the tafte of
green tea ; and when prepared from the young leaves, is to fome people peculiarly
agreeable.

QITASSIMA SIMARUBA.

( w )

QUASSIA SIMARUBA. SIMARUBA QUASSIA.

S TNO NT MA. Simrouba. Pharm. Lond. fcf Edinb. Simaruba
amara. Avblet Hifl. des Plantes de la Gniane Franfoife. torn, iu
p. 859. tab. 331, 332. Euonymus frudu nigro tetragono, vulgo
Simarouba. Bar re re France cqninoxiale. p. 50. Le Simarouba
vel Bois amer. Des Marc ha is Voyages en Guinee et a Cayenne,
vol. it. p. 124. Bancroft s Nat. Hifl. of Guiana, p>. 84. A
Botanical and Medical account of the Quaffia Simaruba. Wright
in the Tranfaclions of the Royal Society of Edinb. vol. ii.p. 73. &feq.

Clafs Decandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 529.

Ef. Gen. Ch. Cal. 5-phyllus. Petala 5. Neclarium 5-phyllum.
Pericarpia 5, diftantia, i-fperma.

Sp. Ch. Q^floribus monoicis, foliis abrupte pinnatis : foliolis alternis
fubpetiolatis, petiolo nudo, floribus paniculatis. Supp. Plant.

THIS tree grows to a confiderable height and thicknefsj and fends
off alternate fpreading branches : the bark, which covers the trunks
of the old trees, is black, and a little furrowed, but that of the younger
trees is fmooth, grey, and here and there marked with broad fpots of
a yellow colour : the wood is hard, white, and without any remark-
able tafte : the leaves are numerous, and ftand alternately upon the
branches ; each leaf is compofed of feveral pinnse, nearly of an ellip-
tical fhape, on the upper fide fmooth, and of a deep green colour,
on the under fide whitifh, and ftand alternately upon fTiort footftalks':
■ the flowers are of a yellow colour, and placed on branched fpikes,
or long panicles : the calyx is fmall, and cut into five obtufe erecl:
fegments : the corolla is divided into five petals, which are femle,

* w This tree is known in Jamaica by the names of Mountain Damfon, Bitter
Damfon, and Stave-wood. The mops are fupplied with this bark from Guiana j but
cow we may have it from our own iilands at a moderate expenfe." Wright. 1. c.

No. 16. 3 H equal,

( 212 )

equal, lance-fhaped, bent outwards, and triple the length of the
calyx, into which they are inferted : the nectarium is compofed of ten
oval hairy fcales, inferted at the bafe of the filaments : the ftamina
are ten, (lender, equal, about the length of the corolla, and fur-
nifhed with long anthers : the receptacle is a flefhy fubftance, of
an orbicular fhape, and marked with ten furrows. The female
flower, (according to Dr. Wright, whofe figure of the male
plant we have given) is never found at Jamaica on the fame tree
which produces the male flower ; it is furnifhed with five roundifh
germina adhering together : the flyle is cylindrical, erect, about the
length of the corolla, and divided at the top into five recurved per-
fiftent ftigmata : the fruit is an oval, black, fmooth, flefhy, foft pulp,
or drupa ; the number of thefe drupa^ is five on each common recep-
tacle, but feldom more than two or three arrive at perfect maturity,
wiien each contains an oblong pointed nut with a flattifh kernel.
It is a native of S. America and the Weft Indies, and flowers in April.

Although the medicinal bark, which the roots of this tree are known
to furnifh, was fiift imported into Europe in the year 1713, it is but
a few years fince the Simaruba was botanically afcertained.

Linnaeus at firft fuppofed it to be the Piftacia foliis pinnatis deciduis,
foliolis ovatis ; but in the fecond edition of his Species plantarum and
Mat. Med. it is recorded as the Burfera gummifera, and both thefe
genera are referred to the Terebinthus major of Sloane, or the Birch
turpentine-tree of Browne. However Jacquin, who examined the
root of the Burfura, and compared its bark with that of Simaruba,
found it to be very different. Linnseus therefore in his obfervations
on the Mat. Med. publifhed in 1772, very properly mentions it
among thofe plants which are not fufliciently determined. About
this time the Simaruba tree was difcovered and inveftigated at Guiana
by Aublet, and at Jamaica by Dr. Wright, from whofe fpecimens it
evidently appears to be a Quaflia, and under this name it has fince
been defcribed by the younger Linnseus in the Supp. Plantarum.
Dr. Wright, to whofe botanical refearches we are much indebted,
fays, " in 1773, fpecimens of the fructification were fent (from Ja-
maica) in fpirits, accompanied with a botanical account of the tree,
to my late worthy friend Dr. Hope, ProfefTor of Botany in the
Univerfity of Edinburgh j alfo fome dried bark from the roots.

The

( 213 )

The following year fpecimens with fimilar defcription, were trans-
mitted to my late learned friend Dr. John Fothergill of London, who
fent them to the celebrated Linnseus at Upfal, as appears by Profeffor
Murray's Apparatus Medicaminum.3 Dr. Fothergill caufed elegant
drawings to be made of this plant, and thefe drawings I now have
the honour of prefenting to the Royal Society of Edinburgh."13 By
the affiftance of Mr. Alexander Anderfon a plant of this fpecies has
been lately introduced into the Royal garden at Kew.c The cortex
Simarubae of the mops is the bark of the roots of this tree, which,
according to Dr. Wright, " is rough, fcaly, and warted. The inficle,
when frefh, is a full yellow, but when dry, paler : it has but little
fmell : the tafte is bitter, but not difagreeable." " Macerated in water,
or in rectified fpirit, it quickly impregnates both menftrua with its
bitternefs, and with a yellow tindure. It feems to give out its virtue
more perfectly to cold, than to boiling, water ; the cold infufion being
rather ftronger in tafte than the decoction; which laft, of a tranfpa-
rent yellow colour whilft hot, grows turbid and of a reddifh brown,
as it cools. The milky appearance, 'which Juffieu fays it communi-
cates to boiling water, I have not obferved in the decoction of any
of the fpecimens which I have examined.'"1

This bark was firft fent from Guiana to France in 171 3 to the
Count de Porchartrain, then Secretary of State, as a remedy of
great efncacy in dyfentery. In the years 171 8 and 1723, an
epidemic flux prevailed very generally in France, which refilled all'
the medicines ufually employed in fuch cafes ; fmall ddfes of ipecacu-
anha, mild purgatives, and all aftringents were found to aggravate,
rather than to relieve, the difeaie :|| under thefe circumftances,recourfe
was had to the cortex Simarubsc, which proved remarkably fuccefsful,

a Qiialis vera ejufdem arbor fit, jamjam Jubletii indagine cognofcimus; ut tamen et
mihi monere incumbat, b. Linncum, Equitem, litteris jam a. 1776. ineunte mihi datis,
antequam Jubletii elegantiffimutn opus illi innotefceret, fignificafle, Simarubum Quaffiae1
fpeciem a fe haberi. Ille autem Simarubae cortex, quo cl. IVright (Conf. Bibl. mea med.
v. iii. p. 483) arborem in Jamaica vulgarem veftitamefle innuit, pariter inalvi profluviis
efficaci, dijcrepat a vulgo ujitato corticc, ut fpecimine mihi miffo reperic, quod fcdicet tenue e/f^.
tenacius, longe pallidius, obtccluvi extrinfecus verrucis exiguis fere Jlipitatisj valde amaru7n.,t
Vol. iii. p. 458. b L. c. p. 74.

c See Alton's Hort. Kew. d Lewis Mat. Med. p. 606. || See Wright, 1. c

and

( 2i4 )

and firft eftablifhed its medical character in Europe.:): Dr. Wright
fays, " moft authors who have written on the Simaruba, agree, that in
" fluxes it reftores the loft tone of the inteftines, allays their fpafmodic
" motions, promotes the fecretions by urine and perfpiration, removes
" that lownefs of fpirits attending dyfenteries, and difpofes the patient
" to fleep ; the gripes and tenefmus are taken off, and the ftools are
" changed to their natural colour and confiftence. In a moderate dofe
" it occafions no difturbance or uneafinefs, but in large dofes it pro-
" duces ficknefs at the ftomach and vomiting.

" Modern phyficians have found from experience, that this medicine
" is only fuccefsful in the third ftage of dyfentery, where there is no
" fever, where too the ftomach is no way hurt, and where the gripes
" and tenefmus are only continued by a weaknefs of the bowels. In
" fuch cafes, Dr. Monro gave two or three ounces of the decoction every
" five or fix hours, with four or five drops of laudanum ; and found
" it a very ufeful remedy. The late Sir John Pringle, Dr. Huck
" Saunders, and many others, prefcribed the cortex fimaruba in old and
" obftinate dyfenteries and diarrhoeas, efpecially thofe brought from
" warm climates. Fluxes of this fort, which were brought home from
" the fiege of Martinico and the Havaunah, were completely and
" fpeedily cured by this bark. The urine, which in thofe cafes had
" been high coloured and fcanty, was now voided in great abundance,
ct and perfpiration reftored. Dr. James Lind at Haflar Hofpital, fays,
" that the Simaruba produced thefe effects fooner and more certainly,
" when given in fuch quantity as to naufeate the ftomach. Dr. Huck
" Saunders remarks, that if the Simaruba did not give relief in three
" days, he expected little benefit from its farther ufe ; but others have
" found it efficacious in fluxes, after a continued ufe for feveral weeks.
. " My own experience, and that of many living friends, are

% Jefuitae patri Soleil collegio Pari fi no adfcripto anno 1713, quaedam hujus corticis
fpecimina mifcrunt, ille in dyfenteria gravi, quse anno 17 18, Parifiis furebat, jufTu Regio,
fuit tentatus, bonos inde obfervatos effedus, anno 1723, reiterata experimenta uberius
confirmarunt, variis itaque in locis in ufum tragus efficaciam fuam in fiftenda dyfenteria
ubivis probavit Degner, Schwenk, TifTot, Grafhuis, Boennicken, Werlhoff, teftibus,
efficacem quoque in alvi fluxu chronico & lienteria Schwenk, TilTot, Boennicken
Juffieu funt experti, in haemorrhagia uteri Du Buiifon & JufTieu : has ejus virtutes non
modo a vi adftringente, qua polJet, pendere, fed illam ipfam materiem quoque horum
morborum corrigere & e corpore educere, Schwenk & JufTieu ex eo probant, quod fub ejus
ufu excrctiones aquufse promoveri obferventur. Spielman Mad. Med. p. 228.

convincing!

( »i5 )

m convincing proofs to me of the efBcacy of this medicine, and I hope
ui the Simaruba bark will foon be in more general ufe."c

Dr. Wright recommends two drams of the bark to be boiled in.
rttwenty-four ounces of water to twelve ; the decoction is then to be
fftrained and divided into three equal parts, the whole of which is to
Ibe taken in twenty-four hours, and when the ftomach is reconciled to
tthis medicine, the quantity of the bark may be increased to three
L drams. To tins decoction fome join aromatics, others a few drops
cof laudanum to each dole.

e L. c. p. "8 It may here be remarked, that Dr. Cullen fays, " we can perceive nothing
h in this bark but that of a fimple bitter, the virtues afcribed to it in dyfentery have
mot been confirmed by my experience, or that of the practitioners in this country; and
! leaving what others are faid to have experienced to be further examined and confidered
':by practitioners, i can only at prefent fay, that my account of the effecl: of bitters will
^perhaps explain the virtues alcribed to Simaruba. in dyfentery 1 have found an infufion
of chamomile flowers a more uleful remedy." Mat. Med. vol. it. p. 75.

QJJASSIA AMARA. BITTER QUASSIA.

SYNONYM A. Quaflia. Pbarm. Lond. &f Edlnb. Quaffia
pentaphylla pediculis alatis, floribus racemofis terminalibus coccineis
fru&u pentafpermo. Patris in Gazette falutaire, IJJJ, n, 41. 42.
item in Rozier Obfervations far la Pbyfique. Tom. ix. iJJJ'ft*
140. Sapp. Plant, p. 235.

Clafs Decandria. Ord. Monogynia. Liu, Gen. Plant. 529.

'• . EJf. Gen. Cb. Cal. 5-phyllus. Petala 5. Neclarium 5-phylIum.
Perlcarpia 5, diftantia i-fperma.

iS^. Cb, floribus hermaphroditis, foliis impari-pinnatis, foliolis
oppolitis feffilibus, petiolo articulato alato, floribus racemofis.
Suppl, Plant.

THIS tree rifes feveral feet in height, and fends off many ftrong
branches : the wood is white and light ; the bark is thin, and of a
grey colour : the leaves are placed alternately upon the branches, and
confift of two pair of oppofite pinnas, with an odd one at the end :
No. 16. 3 I all

( «6 )

all the leafets are of an elliptical fhape, entire, veined, fmooth, pointed,
feflile, on the upper pagina of a deep green colour, on the under
paler : the common footftalk is articulated and winged, or edged, on
each fide with a leafy membrane, which gradually expands towards
the bafe of the pinnae : the flowers are all hermaphrodite, of a bright
red colour, and terminate the branches in long fpikes : the bractese
or floral leaves are lance-fhaped or linear, coloured, and placed alter-
nately upon the peduncles : the calyx is fmall, perfiftent, and five-
toothed : the corolla confifts of five lance-fhaped equal petals, at the
bafe of which is placed the nectary, or five roundifh, coloured, fcales :
the filaments are ten, {lender, fomewhat longer than the corolla, and
crowned with fimple antherse, placed tranfverfely : the receptacle is
flefhy and orbicular : the germen is ovate, divided into five parts, and
fupports a flender ftyle, longer than the filaments, and terminated by
a tapering ftigma : the capfules are five, two-celled, and contain
globular feeds. It is a native of South America, particularly of
Surinam, and alfo of fome of the Weft-India iflands.

The botanical character of this fpecies of Quaffia was known long
before that of the Simaruba, as it is noticed in its proper place in the
Sp. Plantarum, upon the authority of Dahlberg, when it was thought
peculiar to Surinam ; afterwards, Linnseus, in his Materia Medica,
referred it to the Nux americana, foliis alatis bifidis of Commelin.\
It appears, however, that the figure given in the Amcenitates Acade-
mics,* is not a faithful reprefentation of this fpecies ; hence the
younger Linnseus has obferved, " Figura floris in Diflertatione Pa-
rentis de Quaffia vera eft, fed ramulus cum foliis ad aliam pertinet ;"b
and confequently thofe copied from it, and fince publifhed by Buchoz,
and others, are with refpedt to the leaves erroneous ;* this will be
evident, upon confulting the plate and defcription of the Quaflia
given by Patris, as well as the Icon here annexed, which was drawn
from a fpecimen in the pofleflion of that able naturalift Dr. J. E.
Smith, Prefident of the Linnsean Society."

|| Hort. i. p. 423. t. 94. a See Vol. vi. p. 416. b Suppl Plant, p. 235-
* On this account, we have not referred to the figure of the Quaflia, lately pubhihed
by Dr. Lettfom in the Mem. of the Med. Society.

c The ample and valuable collection of fpecimens in Natural Hiftory made by Lin-
nseus, and to which moft of his cotemporary naturalifts were contributors, are now in
the poffeflion of this Gentleman, who has obligingly offered us any afliftance it may
afford us in the profecution of this work. •

The

( 217 )

The root, bark, and wood d of this tree, are all comprehended in
the catalogues of the Materia Medica ; but as the roots are perfectly
ligneous, they may be medically confidered in the fame light as the
wood, which is now moft generally employed, and feems to differ
from the bark in being lefs intenfely bitter ; the latter is therefore
thought to be a more powerful medicine. Quaffia has no fenfible
odour ; its tafte is that of a pure bitter, more intenfe and durable
than that of almoft any other known fubftance ; it imparts its virtues
more completely to watery than to fpirituous menftrua, and its infu-
lions are not blackened by the addition of martial vitriol. The watery
extract is from a fixth to a ninth of the weight of the wood ; the
fpirituous about a twenty-fourth. Quaffia derived its name from a
negro named Quaffi, (by Fermin e written Coiffi, and by Rolander
Quafs) who employed it with uncommon fuccefs, as a fecret remedy
in the malignant endemic fevers, which frequently prevailed at
Surinam. In confequence of a valuable confederation, this fecret was
difclofed to Daniel Rolander, a Swede, who brought fpecimens of
the Quaffia-wood to Stockholm, in the year 1756; and fince then the
effects of this drug have been very generally tried in Europe, and
numerous teftimonies of its efficacy publifhed by many refpectable
authors/ Various experiments with Quaffia have likewife been made,
with a view to afcertain its antifeptic powers, from which it appears
to have confiderable influence in retarding the tendency to putrefac-
tion,2 and this Profeffor Murray thinks cannot be attributed to its
fenfible qualities, as it poffeffes no aftringency whatever, nor can it
depend upon its bitternefs, as gentian is much bitterer, yet lefs anti-
feptic. The medicinal virtues afcribed to Quaffia are thofe of a tonic,
ftomachic, antifeptic, and febrifuge ; it has been found very effectual
in reftoring the tone of the ftomach, producing appetite for food,
affifting digeftion, expelling flatulency, and removing habitual cof-

d It may alfo be remarked, that the leaves, flowers, &c. likewife pofl'efs fnnilar qualities.
Toutes les parties du Caflie, ecorce, bois, feuilles, fleurs, calice, enveloppes des graines,
et les graines memes, font d'une amertume energique, et dont n'approche aucun medica-
ment jusqu'a prefent connu, &c. Patris I. c. p. 144.

c Defcription de la Colonie de Surinam. 'Tom. i. p. 212.

f Of thefe we may mention Linnaus, Dahlberg, Blom, Fermi n, Tiffht, Thorftcnfen,
Scverius, Ebeling, Patris, and many others, for which fee Murray App. Med. vol. Hi.
p. 432. &frq. « Vide Ebeling DiJ. de Quaffta, &c. p. 14. Scverius, Comment,

in quo medicates QuaJJia vires expenduntur. p. J].

tivenefs,

\

( *i8 )

tivenefs, produced from debility of the inteftines, and common to a
fedentary life. Dr. Lettfom, whofe extenfive practice gave him an
opportunity of trying the effects of Quama in a great number of
cafes, fays, " In debility, Succeeding febrile difeafes, the peruvian
" bark is moll generally more tonic and falutary than any other
" vegetable hitherto known ; but in hyfterical atony, to which the
" female fex is fo prone, the Quama affords more vigour and relief
" to the fyftem than the other, especially when united with the
" vitriolum album, and ftill more with the aid of fome abforbent."
In dyfpepfia, arifing from hard drinking, and aifo in diarrhoeas, the
Doctor exhibited the Quaffia with great fuccefs. But with refpect to
the tonic and febrifuge qualities of Quaffia, he fays, " I by no means
" fubfcribe to the Linnsean opinion, where the author declares, me
" quldem judice chinchinam longe fuperat : it is very well known, that
" there are certain peculiarities of the air and idiofyncrafes of con-
*' ftitution, unfavourable to the exhibition of the peruvian bark,
" even in the moft clear intermiffions of fever, and writers have re-
" peatedly noticed it ; but this is comparatively very rare. About
" Baidfummer, 1785, I met with feveral inftances of low remittent
" and nervous fevers, wherein the bark uniformly aggravated the
" fymptoms, though given in intermiffions the moft favourable to its
" fuccefs ; and wherein Quaffia, or fnake-root, was fuccefsfully fub-
" ftituted. In fuch cafes, I moftly obferved, that there was great
" congeftion in the hepatic fyftem, and the debility at the fame time,
" difcouragcd copious evacuations." — And in many fevers without
evident remillions to warrant the ufe of the bark, whilft at the fame
time increafing debility began to threaten the life of the patient,
the Doctor found that Quaffia, or fnake-root, fingly or combined,
" upheld the vital powers, and promoted a critical intermiffion of
" fever," by which an opportunity was offered for the bark to effect
a cure.h It may be given in infufion, or in pills made from the
watery extract, the former is generally preferred in the proportion of
three or four drams of the wood to twelve ounces of water.

h See Memoirs of the Med. Society, vol. i. p. 1 50.
Dr. Cullen fays, " J believe Quaffia to be an excellent bitter, and that it will do all
that any pure and iimple bitter can do ; but our experience of it in this country does
not lead us to think it will do more ; and the extraordinary commendations given of it
are to be afcribed to the partiality fo often ftiewn to new medicines. Mat. Med. v. ii.p. 74*

SAMBUCUS

( 2I9 )

SAMBUCUS NIGRA. COMMON BLACK ELDER.

STNONTMJ. Sambucus. Pbarm. Lond. fcf Edinb. Sambucus
frudu in umbella nigro. Bauh. Pin. p. 456. Sambucus vulgaris.
Park. Theat. p. 407. J. Baah. vol. i. p. 544. Rail Hi/l. p. 1609.
Syjiop. p. 461. Gerard. Emac. p. 1422. Hud/on Flor. Ang. p.
130. Flor. Dan. 545. Withering. Bot. Arrang. p. 320. Duhamel,
t. 65. Sambucus arborea,floribus umbellatis. Hal.jStirp.Helv.?i.6yo.
Varietates funt,

/3 Sambucus frudu in umbella viridi. C. Baah.
v Sambucus laciniato folio. C. Bauh.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Trigynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 372.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. 5-partitus. Cor. 5-fida. Bacca 3-fperma.

Sp. Ch. S. cymis quinquepartitis, foliis pinnatis, caule arboreo.

THE root is woody, from which hTues a Ihrubby ftem often to
the height of twelve or fixteen feet : it is much branched towards the
top, and covered with a rough whitifh bark : the wood is hard, tough,
and contains in the centre a large proportion of medullary matter, or
pith : the leaves are pinnated, confifting of two or three pair of
pinnae or leafits, with an odd one at the end ; they are oval, veined,
fmooth, deeply lerrated, and of a deep green colour : the flowers are
fmall, white, and produced in large flat umbels or clufters : the calyx
is permanent, placed above the germen, and divided into five fegments :
the corolla is monopetalous, wheel-fhaped, fomewhat convex, and
divided into five obtufe fegments : the filaments are tapering, fpread-
ing, equal in length to the corolla, and crowned with roundhh.
antherse : the germen is oval, and furnifhed with a prominent gland,
which fupplies the place of the ftyles, and fupports three blunt ftig-
mata : the fruit is a round fucculent berry, of a blackifh purple colour,
and contains three feeds, which are flat on one fide, and angular on
the other. It is a native of Britain, in moift hedges and woods, and
' flowers in May and June.

No. 16. 3 K This

( 220 )

This fpecies is the A>m, 8 of the Greek writers, and has been long
very generally employed for medical purpofes. The whole plant has an
unpleafant narcotic fmell, and fome authors have reported its exhala-
tions to be fo noxious as to render it unfafe to fleep under its made."
The parts of the Sambucus, which are propofed for medicinal ufe
in the Pharmacopoeias,0 are the inner bark, the flowers, and the berries.
The firft has fcarcely any fmell, and very little tafte : on firft chewing,
it imprefles' a degree of fweetifhnefs, which is followed by a very
flight, but durable, acrimony, in which its powers feem to refide, and
which it imparts both to watery and fpirituous menftrua. It is ftrongly
cathartic, and on this account was much ufed by Sydenham d and
Boerhaave,cwho recommend it as an effectual hydragogue; the former
directs three handfuls of it to be boiled in a quart of milk and water,
till only a pint remains, of which one half is to be taken night and
morning, and repeated for feveral days : it ufually operates both up-
wards and downwards, and upon the evacuations it produces, its
utility depends. Boerhaave gave its exprefled juice in dofes from a
dram to half an ounce. In fmaller dofes it is faid to be an ufeful
aperient and deobftruent in various chronical diforders.

" The flowers have an agreeable flavour, which they give over in
diftillation with water, and impart by infufion both to water and rec-
tified fpirit : on diftilling a large quantity of them with water, a fmall
portion of a butyraceous eflential oil feparates. Infufions made from
the frefli flowers are gently laxative and. aperient : when dry they are
faid to promote chiefly the cuticular excretion, and to be particularly
ferviceable in eryfipelatous and eruptive diforders." Externally they
are ufed in fomentations, &c. and in "the London Pharmacopoeia
directed in the form of an ointment. " The berries, in tafte, are
fomewhat fweetifli, and not unpleafant ; on expreflion, they yield a

a Sambucus, 'Axii Graecis, a Sambuca mufico inftrumento, quod alii pectida, alii
magadin vocant, didta putatur. Alii ab autore cui nomen Sambyx denominatam malunt.
Nobis vox incertae originis efle videtur. Rati Hi/?.- p. 1609.

b The Berries are faid to be poifonous to poultry. (Barthol. Hifl. anat. rarior. Cent,
iv. p. 248. ) And the flowers to peacocks. Linn. Flor. Succ. p. 79. If turneps, cab-
bages, fruit-trees, or corn, (which are fubject to blight from a variety of infects) are
whipped with the green leaves and branches of Elder, the infe&s will not attack them.
Withering* h c. See Phil. Tranf. vol. Mi, p. 348.

« The leaves are purgative like the bark, but more naufeous.
' Oper. p. 496. c Hijl Plant. P. I. p. 207.

line

( 221 )

fine purple juice, which proves an ufeful aperient and refolvent in
recent colds and fundry chronical difeafes, gently loofening the belly,
and promoting urine and perfpiration."f The officinal preparation
of thefe berries is the fuccus baccse fambuci fpifTatus. (Pharm. Lond.)

f Lewis M. M. p. 576.

PYRUS CYDONIA. COMMON QUINCE TREE.

S TNO NT MA. Cydonium malum. Pharm. Lond. fcf Edinb.
Malus Cotonea. Gerard. Emac. p. 1452. Rait H'ift. p. 1452.
J. Banh. Hijl. vol. u p. 35. Malus Cotonea vulgaris. Park.
Theat. p. 1504. Mala cotonea majora. Bauh. Pin. p. 434.
Flor. Aujlr. v. iv. t. 342. Duplex varietas in hortis colitur, fcil.
1. Cydonia fructu oblongo Ircviori. Tourn. Injlit. p. 632. Mala
Cotonea majora^ C. Banh. I. c. depicl:a ab ill Du Hamel, in
Traite des Arb. fruit, ad p. 206. 2 Cydonia frudtu breviore et
rotundiore. Tourn. I. c. Mala cotonea- minora. C. Bauh. I. c.
depida in Du Hamel Traite des Ai~b. et Arbitftes Tab. 83.
Proftat et alia 3 varietas : Cydonia latifolia lufitanica. Tourn. cujus
fru&us oblongus fuccofior et minus acerbus, fed rarioris proventus.-
Vide Murray App. Med. vol. Hi. p. 196.

Clafs Icofandria. Ord. Pentagynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 626.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. 5-fidus. Petala 5. Pomum inferum 5-loculare,
polyfpermum.

Sp, Ch. F. fol. integerrimis, flor. folitariis.

THIS tree feldom rifes very high, being ufually crooked and
diftorted : it fends ofF feveral branches, and is covered with a brown
bark : the leaves are fimple, roundifh or oval, entire, on the upper
fide of a dufky green colour, on the under, whitifh, and ftand
upon ffiort footftalks : the flowers are large, folitary, of a pale red
•or white colour, and placed clofe to the axillas of the leaves : the

calyx

( 222 )

calyx is compofed of one leaf, and divided into five fpreading oval
notched fegments : the corolla confifts of five petals ; thefe are large,
convex, roundifh, and notched at their extremities : the filaments are
about twenty, tapering, fhorter than the corolla, inferted into the
calyx, and furnifhed with fimple antherse : the germen is orbicular :
the ftyles are five, (lender, nearly of the length of the filaments, and
fupplied with fimple ftigmata : the fruit is of the apple kind, and di-
vided at the centre into five membranous cells, containing the feeds,
which are oblong, angular, pointed at one end, obtufe at the other,
on one fide compreffed, on the other flat, and covered with a brownifh
pellicle. It is a native of Auftria,* and flowers in May and June.

It appears from Pliny,3 that the malus Cydonia, or m»ae* wlmix of
the Greeks, was originally brought from Cydon in Crete, hence the
name Cydonia. At prefent, the Quince tree is known to grow wild
on the banks of the Danube, though in a much lefs luxuriant ftate
than we obferve it in Britifh gardens, where it was cultivated in the
time of Gerard. The form of the fruit approaches to that of the
pear or apple, according to the different varieties of this fpecies of
tree from which it is produced, and which we have already noticed
under the fynonyms : it has a pleafant odour, and a very auftere tafte: ||
its exprefled juice, repeatedly taken in fmall quantities, is faid to be
cooling, reftringent, and ftomachic, ufeful in naufea, vomitings,
nidorous eructations, and fome kind of alvine fluxes.b Formerly this
juice was ordered in the Lond. Pharm. to be made into a fyrup ; but
the only preparation of the Quince which it now directs is a mucilage
of the feeds, made by boiling a dram of the feeds in eight ounces of
water, till it acquires a proper confiftence. This has been recom-
mended in apthous affedions, and excoriations of the mouth and
fauces. It may be a more pleafant mucilage, but it is certainly a lefs
efficacious one, than that of the fimple gums.

* Vide Alton 's Hort. Kew. a Lib. xv. cap. II.

Heifter Dijf. de Cydon i is, p. 59.
|| But upon being boiled and preferved in fyrup, this fruit is well known to give a
pleafant flavour to apple-pies.

b Lewis Mat. Med. p. 267.

DI AN THUS CARYOPHYLLUS.

( 223 ) ;

DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS.il CLOVE PINK.

S TNO NT MA. Caryophyllum rubrum. Pbarm. Lond. &f Edinb.
Caryophyllus hortenfis fimplex flore majore. Bauh. Pin. p. 208.
Caryophyllus fimplex major. Gerard. Emac. p. 590. Vide Park.
Parad.p. 306. Rati Hifl, p. 986. Synop. p. 336. Dianthus
Caryophyllus. Hud/on. Flor.Ang. Withering. Bot. Arr. p. 441.

a Caryophyllus hortenfis fimplex flore majore. C. Bauh.

Clove Pink.

0 Caryophyllus maximus ruber -& variegatus. C. Bauh.

Common Carnation*
Clafs Decandria. Ord. Digynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 565.

Ef. Gen. Ch. Cal. cylindricus, i-phyllus : bafi fquamis 4. Petala 5,
unguiculata. Caps, cylindrica, i-locularis.

Sp, Ch. D. floribus folitariis, fquamis calycinis fubovatis breviffimis,
corollis crenatis.

1

THE root is perennial, firm, divided, and befet with many
nbres: the Items are flender, fmooth, branched, upright, jointed of
a glaucous, or lea green, colour, and rife from one to two feet in
height : the leaves upon the Item are fhort, linear, and placed in pairs
at the joints : thofe of the young fhoots are numerous, narrow,
pointed fmooth, entire, and of the fame colour as the ftalk : the
flowers ftand fingly at the extremities of the branches, and are of a
deep cnmfon colour : the calyx is tubular, cylindrical, divided at the
mouth into five fegments, and furrounded at the bafe with four oval
pointed fquama: : the corolla confifts of five petals, which at the
limb are roundifh, patent, fcolloped, fringed, and attached to
;tne common receptacle by long narrow claws: the ten filaments

|| « Utnomen traxifle ab odoris affinitatc qualicunque dubium non eft - ita nefcio
fine qus et undc fit barbara ilia vox tunica, bauh. tin. p. c.
. _ * Vide Alton's Hort, Km.

JNo. 17. -7 J,

7 6 u are

t 224 )

are longer than the calyx, tapering, fpreading towards the top, and
furnifhed with comprefled oblong antherae : the germen is oval : the
ftyles two, flender, longer than the filaments, and their ftigmata
curled outwards : the capfule is cylindrical, and contains many fmall
roundifh feeds.

This fragrant plant is known to grow wild in feveral parts of
England on old walls and in the crevices of rocks ;f but the flowers,
which are pharmaceutically employed, are ufually produced in
gardens, where they become extremely luxuriant, and by the arts
of culture thofe beautiful varieties raifed which are fo highly efteemed
under the name of Carnations. The flowers of the Clove Pink, or
as it is more commonly called, Clove July Flower, have a pleafant
aromatic fmell, fomewhat allied to that of clove fpice : their tafte is
bitterilh and fubaftringent. " Rectified fpirit, digefted on the flowers,
receives a much paler tincture than watery liquors, but extracts the
whole of their active matter. In diftillation or evaporation, fpirit
elevates much lefs than water ; the fpirituous extract retaining a con-
fiderable mare of the fine fmell of the flowers as well as their tafte :
its colour is purplifh like that of the watery extract." a

Formerly thefe flowers were fuppofed to have confiderable effect
upon the nervous fyftem, and were therefore recommended in head-
achs, faintings, palpitations of the heart, convulfions, tremors, &c.
and S. Paulli fays, that he found them of great ufe even in malig-
nant fevers.b At prefent, however, they are valued merely for their
fenfible qualities, and the fyrupus caryophylli rubri, which is the
only officinal preparation of thefe flowers, is to be confidered in this
light : its pleafant flavour and fine colour rendering it an ufeful vehicle
for other medicines,

t At Rochefter, Deal, Sandown, and other caftles, plentifully. See Ray and Hud/on,
a Lewis's Mat. Med. p. 205. b Quad. Bot. p. 242.

VIOLA ODORATA

( 225 )

VIOLA ODORATA. SWEET VIOLET.

S TNO NTMA. Viola. Pbarm. Lond. fcf Edinb. Viola martia
purpurea, flore fimplice odoro. Bauh. Pin. p. 199. J, Bauh.
Rift. ii. p. 542. Raii Htft. p. 1049. Synop. 364. Viola nigra
five purpurea. Gerard. Emac. p. 550. Viola fimplex martia.
Park. Parad.p. 282. Viola acaulis ftolonifera, foliis cordatis. Hall.
Stirp. Helv. n. 558. Viola odorata acaulis, foliis cordatis, ftolonibus
reptantibus, bra&aeis fupra medium pedunculi. Curtis Flor, Lond.
Varietates funt,

* Viola martia purpurea, flore fimplice odoro. C. Banh. I. c. p. 199.

Purple Flowered Sweet Violet.
0 Viola martia alba. C. Bauh. 1. c. p. 1 99.

White Flowered Sweet Violet.
7 Viola martia multiplici flore. C. Bauh. 1. c. p. 199.

Double Flowered Sweet Violet.*
Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Monogamia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1007.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. 5-phyllus. Cor. 5-petala, irregularis, poftice
cornuta. Caps, fupera, 3-valvis, i-locularis.

Sp. Ch. V. acaulis, fol. cordatis : ftolonibus reptantibus.

THE root is perennial, knobbed, whitifh, and furnimed with
long fibres : the leaves are heart-fhaped, veined, crenated, or flightly
fcolloped at the edges, on the upper fide fmooth, and of a mining
green colour, underneath paler, fomewhat hairy, and ftand upon
long fmooth footftalks : the ftipulse are membranous, lance-fhaped,
minutely ferrated, and chiefly produced from the root : the peduncles
are ufually about four inches long, and fomewhat above the middle
furnifhed with two pointed bradteas, below which the peduncle is
quadrangular, but above it is grooved on the back, bent downwards
at the top, and fupports a fingle flower : the calyx is compofed of

» Vide Aiton's Hort. Kew,

five

( 226 )

five leafits, perfiftent, oval, obtufe, protuberant at the bafe, and tinged
with a dark purplifh colour : the corolla confifts of five irregular petals,
of a bluifh purple colour ; the two lateral petals are bearded towards
the bafe, and the claw of the undermoft formed into a horn-fhaped
nectarium : the five filaments are very fhort : the antherae are bilocu-
lar, flightly joined together, yellowifh, and terminated by 'an oval
membrane of an orange colour : from behind two of the antherae
there arifes a flat greenifh appendage, which is inferted in the necta-
rium : the germen is orbicular : the ftyle twifted, and fupplied with
a hooked ftigma : the capfule is roundifh, compreffed, feparated by
three valves, and contains feveral roundifh light-coloured feeds. It
is common near warm hedges, and on ditch banks, and flowers in
March and April.

This fpecies of violet may be diftinguifhed from the Viola hirta,
to which it bears a great refemblance, by the latter having its leaves
and footftalks befet with fmall hairs ; by not fending off creeping
fhoots which ftrike root ; by its flowers being inodorous, and of a
fainter blue colour ; and by the bracteas being placed fomewhat
below the middle of the fcapus or peduncle. b

The Viola odorata is evidently the iov't^\av of Theophraftus, and
the io» tsogtpvpuv of Diofcorides ;c it was alfo well known to the Arabian
phyficians, as Mefue commends its ufe highly in various inflamma- '
tory difeafes. Viola is likewife frequently mentioned by the Latin
poets, who allude to its effects as 'a vulnerary/ The recent flowers
only are now received in the catalogues of the Materia Medica ; they
have an agreeable fweet fmell, and a mucilaginous bitterifh tafte ; to
water they readily give out both their virtue and their fine flavour,
but fcarcely impart any tincture to rectified fpirit, though they im-
pregnate the fpirit with their flavour.0 Thefe flowers taken in the
quantity of a dram or two are laid to be gently purgative or laxative,J
and according to Bergius, and fome others, they poffefs an anodyne
and pectoral quality. The officinal preparation of thefe flowers is a

b This laft circumftance was firft noticed by Mr. Curtis, who introduced it into the

fpecific character.

<= " Viola, quafi vimla, Graecis M ab Io Pnella in vaccam a Jove converfam, d'dtai
cenfetur. Mattbiol. Vi ,.a per diminurionem a Graeco dicta eft, fpiritu leni in
literam converlb, at in aliis multis." Rati Htfi. p. 1049.

Vide Lewis's Mat. Med. p. 664. d Vide Ovid Mctamorplu lib. x. v. 190.

fyrupj

( 227 )

fyrup/ which to young children anfwers the purpofe of a purgative.
This fyrup is alio found ufefui in many chemical inquiries to detect an
acid or an alkali, the former changing the blue colour to a red, the latter
to a green. The feeds of Violets are reported to be ftrongly diuretic,
and ufefui in gravelly complaints.5 The root powdered, in the dofe
of a dram, proves both emetic and cathartic.11

f This fyrup is ufually prepared from the petals of the cultivated Violet ; and Dr.
Withering tells us, that at Stratford upon Avon large quantities of the Violer. are
cultivated for this purpofe. 1. c. e See the authorities cited byMurray,^>/>. Med. v. i.p. 519.

h Tournefort Hiji. des Plant, de Paris, t. i.p. 29 1. Henninger Dijf. de Viola purpur.

CISSAMPELOS PAREIRA. PAREIRA BRAVA CISSAMPELOS.

STNONTMA. Pareira brava. Pharm. Lond. Clematis baccifera
glabra et villofa, rotundo & umbelicato folio.' Plumier, Plantes
de V Amer. 78. /. 93. Shane's Jamaica, vol. i. p. 200. Cat. 85.
Caapeba folio orbiculari umbelicato & tomentofo. Plum. Gen. 33.
Cilfampelos fcandens, foliis peltatis orbiculato-cordatis villofis ;
floribus mafculinis racemofis, femininis fpicatis, fpicis foliolatis.
Browne"1 's Jamaica, p. 357.

iClafs Dioecia. Ord. Monadelphia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1 138.

^EJf.Gen.Cb. Ma sc. Cal. 4-phyllus. Cor. o. Ne&arium rotatum.

Sta?n. 4 : filamentis connatis.

Fem. Cal. monophyllus, ligulato-fubrotundus. Cor. o.
Styli 3. Bacca i-fperma.

Sp. Ch. C. foliis peltatis cordatis emarginatis.

THE root is perennial, long, thick, woody, compofed of diftincT:
bres, of a dull yellowifh hue, and covered with furrowed bark of a
brown colour : the {talks are numerous, fhrubby, flender, very long,
covered with a whitiih bark, and climb round the neighbouring trees
No. 17. 3 M for

( 228 )

for fupport :* the leaves are roundifh, indented at the top, about an
inch and a half long, two inches broad, entire, covered with foft
downy hairs," and hang upon round fimple downy footftalks, which
are inferted into the back of the leaf : the flowers are extremely
minute, of a greenifh colour, placed in clutters upon long axillary
fpikes, and are male and female in different plants : the calyx of the
male flower is divided into four fmall oval fegments : it has no corolla,
but the nectary is wheel-fhaped and membranous: the filaments are
four, very fmall, united, and furnifhed with broad flat antherae : of
the female flower the calyx is ftrap-fhaped or ligulated : the germen
is roundifh, and fupports three fhort ftyles, furnifhed with pointed
ftigmata : the fruit is a fmall one-celled berry, containing a roundifh
rough compreffed feed. It is a native of S. America and theWeft Indies.

The plant, which we have here reprefented, was drawn from a dried
fpecimen in the poffefiion of Mr. Aiton at Kew, to which a feparate
difplay of the parts of fructification was intended to have been intro-
duced, but from their extreme minutenefs and drynefs it was found to
be impracticable : the general appearance of the plant is however fo
characteriftic as in fome meafure to compenfate for this deficiency.

The medicinal ufe of the roots of this plant was firfl learned
from the Brazilians, who infufed them in water, which they
drank freely in all obftructions in the urinary paffages ; 0 and to-
wards the end of the laft century thefe roots were brought into
Europe by the Portuguefe, who recommended them to phyficians as
the moft effectual remedy hitherto difcovered in all calculous and
gravelly complaints ; and various accounts of their efficacy were foon
after publifhed.d This root " has no remarkable fmell ; but to the

a In Jamaica " this plant grows in great plenty, commonly amongft the ebony trees,
climbing about them." Long's Jam. •vol. Hi. p. 760.

b From this villous covering of the leaf, it is ufually called Velvet leaf.

c According to Browne, it is ft 1 11 ufed with this intention by the negroes at Jamaica-.
Vide 1. c.

d « Parifios per Regis Galliae legatum, Amclot, a. 1688. pervenit (Hift. de I'Acad.
des Scien. de Paris, 1710, p. 56.) tumque varii medici Galli ejus ufum fecere, interque
hos Helvctius, qui in Traite des maladies les plus frequentes et des remedes fpecifiqucs, ejus
mentionem aliquoties honorificam injicit." In Germania nondum initio feculi famam
excitaverat, fed multum ibidem ad ejufdem exiftimationem contulit Lochnerus (Scbcdiafma
de Pareira brava Norimb. 1719. Ed. 2. in 4.) cafibus potius diftin&e prolatis, quatn
luxuriantis cruditionis ornamentis, quibus obvelantur." Vide Murray Jp. Med, v. i. 3-J-5*

( 229 )

tafte it manifefts a notable fweetnefs of the liquorice kind, together
with a considerable bitternefs, and a flight roughnefs covered by the
fvveet matter. It gives out great part both of the bitter and fweet
fubitance to watery and fpirituous menftr.ua : in evaporating the
watery decoction a confiderable quantity of refinous matter feparates,
which does not mingle with the remaining extract, nor diffolve in
water, but is readily taken up by fpirit ; whence fpirit appears to be
the raoft perfect diuolvent of its active parts. Both the fpirituous
. tincture and extracl: are in tafte ftronger than the watery." e

The facts adduced on the utility of radix pareirae bravse in nephritic
and calculous cafes, are principally thofe by Helvetius, GeofFroy, and
Lochner :f the firft feems to think that it acts as a lithontriptic, but
Geoffroy attributes its virtues to its power of diffolving the indurated
mucus to which the fabulous matter adheres. It has alfo been recom-
mended in ifchuria, ulcers of the bladder, fluor albus, rheumatifm,
jaundice, afthma, and fome other chronic difeafes. The accounts
given of the fuccefsful employment of this root by the' French
writers, induced phyficians to try its effects in this country; but we
find no remarkable inftances of its efficacy recorded by Britifh prac^-
titioners ; and as a proof of its being fallen into difrepute, the Edin-
burgh College has expunged it from the Materia Medica.6 The dofe
of the powdered root is from one fcruple to two. Geoffroy directs
two or three drams of the root to be bruifed and boiled in a pint and
a half of water till only a pint remains, which is to be divided into
three dofes.

e Lewis Mat. Med. p. 480. f Vide 1. c. in note ( d )

s And Bergius fays, " Certe vidi ego calculofos, arthriticos & rheumaticos plures,
qui fatis diu ufum ejus abfque fucceflu continuarunt." Mat. Med. p. 815.

AMYGDALUS COMMUNIS.

( 230 )

AMYGDALUS COMMUNIS. THE ALMOND TREE.

S TNO NT MA. Amygdala (nuclei). Pbarm. Lond. &f Edinb.
Amygdalus amara & dulcis. J. Bauh. Hif. vol. up. 174. Rail
Hif. p. 15 1 9. Gerard. Emac. p. 1445. Park. Tbeat. p. 15 15.
Amygdalus foliis glabris, ovatis, utrinque acuminatis, ferratis,
petiolo imifque dentibus glandulofis. Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 1080.

Varietates funt,

« Amygdalus fativa. Bauh. Pin. p. 441. Amygdalus dulcis,
putamine molliore. Tournef. Inf. p. 627. Amandier a
coque tendre, vel Amandier des Dames. Du Hamel, Arbres
fruit. T. i. p. 120. tab. 5.

Sweet Almond Tree.
* Amygdalus amara. Tournef. Inf. p. 627. Amandier a fruit
amer. Du Hamel \ I. c. p. 123.

Bitter Almond Tree.

Clafs Icofandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 619.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. 5-fidus, inferus. Pet. 5. Drupa nuce poris perforata.

Sp. Ch. A. foliis ferraturis infimis glandulofis, floribus femlibus geminis.

THIS tree divides into many branches, covered with a dark grey
bark, and ufually rifes from twelve to fixteen feet in height : the
leaves are elliptical, narrow, pointed at each end, minutely ferrated,
veined, of a bright green colour, befet with fmall glands towards the
bafe, and ftand upon fhort footftalks : the flowers are large, of a pale
red colour, without peduncles, commonly placed in numerous pairs
upon the branches, and appear before the leaves : the calyx is tubuLir,
and divided at the brim into five blunt fegments of a reddifh colour :
the corolla confifts of five oval convex petals, with narrow claws :
the filaments are about thirty, fpreading, tapering, of unequal length, \
and of a reddifh colour, inferted into the calyx, and furnifhed with
fimple anthers : the germen is roundifh and downy : the Ityle is

fhort, fimple, and crowned with a round ftigma ; the fruit is of the

peach

/•«//.//,,./ />r>r.;,./r,/r, .v.iv /. ij<)i.

( 23I )

peach kind, the outer fubftance of which is hard, tough, hairy, and
marked with a longitudinal furrow where it opens ; under this is a
thick rough Ihell, which contains the kernel or almond. This tree
is a native of Barbary,1 and flowers in March and April.

The Almond-tree feems to have been known in the remoter!: times
of antiquity, being frequently mentioned by Theophraftus and Hip-
pocrates : it is probable however that this tree was not very common
in Italy, in the time of Cato, as he calls the fruit by the name of
Greek nuts.b It was cultivated in England by Lobel previous to the
year 1570/ and though it does not perfect its fruit in this country,
yet it is here very generally propagated for the beautiful appearance
of its flowers, which are the more confpicuous by mowing themfelves
early in fpring before the leaves are expanded.

The fruit or feeds of moft vegetables on being planted produce
varieties, differing more or lefs from the parent plant and from each
other, and of the Almond-tree this difference is principally confined
to the fruit, which is larger or fmaller, the fhell thicker or thinner,
and the kernel bitter or fweet ; hence the diftinction into bitter
Almonds and fweet Almonds, though the fame fpecies of tree affords
both. Sweet- Almonds are more ufed as food than medicine, but
they are faid to be difficult of digeftion, unlefs extremely well com-
minuted ;d their medicinal qualities depend upon the oil which they
contain in the farinaceous matter, and which they afford on expref-
fion nearly in the proportion of half their weight. The oil thus
obtained is more agreeable to the palate than moft of the other ex-
preffed oils, and is therefore preferred for internal ufe, being generally
employed with a view to obtund acrid juices, and to foften and relax
the folids ; in tickling coughs, hoarfenefs, coftivenefs, nephritic pains,
&c. externally in tenfion and rigidity of particular parts. The
milky folutions of Almonds in watery liquors, ufually called emul-
fions, poffefs, in a certain degree, the emollient qualities of the
oil, and have this advantage over the pure oil, that they may be
given in acute or inflammatory diforders, without danger of the ill
* Particularly in the hedges about Tripoli. See Bauh. I. c.
b See Pliny, Lib. 15. cap. 22. c Vide Hort. Kew.

d The Nuces oleofae are not always eafily digefted : " but it appears that this incon-
venience may be in a great meafure obviated by a very diligent triture, uniting very
intimately the farinaceous and the oily part." See Gullcn's Mat. Med. vol, i. p. 298.

No. 17. 3 N effe&s

( 232 )

effects which the oil might fometimes produce, by turning rancid.*
The officinal preparations of Almonds are the expreffed oil and the
emulfion ; to the latter the London College directs the addition of
gum arabic, which renders it a ftill more ufeful demulcent in catarrhal
affections, ftranguries, &c.

Bitter Almonds yield a large quantity of oil, perfectly fimilar to
that obtained from fweet Almonds; but the matter remaining after
the expreffion of the oil, is more powerfully bitter than the Almond
in its entire ftate. " Great part of the bitter matter diflblves by the
affiftance of heat both in water and in rectified fpirit : and a part
ariles alfo with both menftrua in diftillation."0 Bitter Almonds have
been long known to be poifonous to various brute animals/ and fome
authors have alledged that they are alfo deleterious to the human
fpecies, but the facts recorded upon this point appear to want further
proof.g However, as the noxious quality feems to refide in that
matter which gives it the .bitternefs and flavour, it is very probable
that when this is feparated by diftillation, and taken in a fufficiently
concentrated ftate, it may prove a poifon to man,h as is the cafe with
the common laurel, to which it appears extremely analagous. Thefe
Almonds are highly commended for the cure of hydrophobia by
Thebefius, who experienced their good effects in twelve cafes, in
which a few (no particular quantity is mentioned) were eaten every
morning.1 And Bergius tells us, that bitter Almonds, in the form
of emulfion, cured obftinate intermittents, after the bark had failed.*

•;; Several fubftances of themfelves, not mifcible with water, may, by trituration with
Almonds, be mixed with it in this form, and thus fitted for medical ufe, as camphor,
and various refinous and un&uous fubftances. e Leivis Mat. Med. p. 53.

f Particularly wolves, foxes, dogs, cats, and various kinds of birds. For which fee
Wepfer de Cicut. aquat. And many other inftances are related in the Ep. Nat. Cur.
See alfo Daries Epiji. deAtnygdalis et oleo amararum atherco. And Lorry de FenenisJ p. 17.
From the fudden effe&s which this poifon produces, and the convulfions and fpafms*
which follow its exhibition, there can be no doubt of its a&ing dire&ly upon the
nervous energy.

e Formerly they were eaten to prevent the intoxicating effects of wine, as is
noticed by Diofcorides, " et Plutarchus medicum filii Imperatoris Tiberii producit, qui
hocce pryfidio munitus inter quotidianas comefTationes in bibendo reliquos omnes ante-
cellere valuit." Murr. Ap. Med. vol. Hi. p. 260. But from twelve of thefe Almonds
Lorry experienced a fenfe of inebriation. De Venenis^ p. 17.

h One drop of this efTential oil killed a fmall bird in two minutes. See Dariesy 7. c,
1 Vide Nov. Ail. Nat. Cur. torn. i. p. 181. k Mat. Med. p. 413.

TRUNUS SPINOSA.

( 233 )

PRUNUS SPINOZA. SLOE TREE.

ST NO NY MA. Prunum fylveftre. Pbarm. Lond. Prunus
fylveftris. Gerard. Emac. p. 1497. Park. Tbeat. p. 1033.
Baub. Pin. p. 444. J. Bauh. Hift. vol. i. p. 198., Rait Hift. p.
1527. Sy nop. p. 462. Prunus fpinofa, foliis glabris ferratis ovato-
lanceolatis, floribus breviter petiolatis. Hall. Stirp. Helv. n. 1080.
Hud/on. Flor. Aug. p. 212. Withering. Bot. Arrang. p. 509.

Clafs Icofandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 620.

Ejf. Gen. Cb. Cal. 5-fidus, inferus. Petala 5. Drupes nux futuris
prominulis.

1 Gen. Cb. P. pedunculis folitariis, foliis knceolatis glabris, ramis
fpinofis.

THE root is woody, divided, and fpreading : the Hem is fhrubby,
l crooked, rifes to the height of- fix or eight feet, covered with a
I purplifh black coloured bark, and fends off many irregular fpinous
I branches : the leaves are oval, obtufely lance-fhaped, fmooth, mi-
1 nutely ferrated, of a deep green colour, and ftand upon fhort foot-
1 ftalks : -f the ftipulse are linear, notched, and difcoloured at their
{ points : the flowers are large, white, and ftand feparately upon fhort
[peduncles : the calyx is fmall, and divided at the brim into five oval
ifegments: the corolla is compofed of five oblong concave petals,
h attached to the calyx by fhort claws: the filaments are in number
it from twenty to thirty, fpreading, tapering, white, inferted in the
calyx, and furnifhed with orange coloured antherse : the germen is
roundifh, the ftyle fimple and flender, and the ftigma orbicular: the
•f fruit is of the drupous or cherry kind, though much fmallcr, of a
Ikblack colour, but covered with a bright blue exudation, and contains
"ka nut with an oblong kernel. It is common in hedges, and the
HBflowers appear in March and April, before the leaves are vifible.

t The ferratures of the leaves have been obferved by Linnaeus to be terminated by
jpn excretory duct.

The

( 234 )

The fruit of the Sloe-bufh, or, as it is frequently called, Black-
thorn, is fo harfhly fharp and auftere as not to be eatable till
thoroughly mellowed by frofts : its juice is extremely vifcid, fo that
the fruit requires the addition of a little water, in order to admit of
expreffion. The juice obtained from the unripe fruit, and infpiiTated
to drynefs by a gentle heat, is the German acacia, and has been
ufually fold in the mops for the Egyptian acacia, from which it differs
in being harder, heavier, darker coloured, of a fharper tafte, and
more efpecially in giving out its aftringency to rectified fpirit."

The Pruna fylveftria have been employed for their ftyptic powers
fince the time of Diofcorides ;b and as their aftringency is united to
the refrigerant qualities of the fruit, they may fometimes fuperfede
thofe medicines of this clafs which are of a refmous or heatim
quality. They have been recommended in diarrhseas, heemorrhagii;
affections, and as gargles, in tumefactions of the tonfils and uvulae,
Dr. Cullen confiders the Sloe as the moft powerful of the frudttH
acerbz, and adds, that he has often found it an agreeable and ufeful
aftringent ; but he thinks the conferve of this fruit, as directed by
the College, contains a larger proportion of fugar than is neceiTary.0

The flowers, with their calyces, are moderately purgative, and for
this purpofe an ounce infufed in a fufficient quantity of water, or
rather whey, was experienced to be a pleafant and ufeful laxative.11
The powdered bark, in dofes of a dram, is faid to cure agues.

a Lewis Mat. Med. p. 522. b Diofc. Mat. Med. Lib. i. cap. 173.

c Vide Mat. Med. vol. it. p. 41. See J. Bauh. Hiji. torn. i. P. i.p. 196. &f Fred.
Hoffman. Dijf. de praftantia remed. domeft. §. 26;

Dr. Withering fays, " The tender leaves dried are fometimes ufed as a fubftitute for
tea, and is I believe the beft fubftitute that has yet been tried. The fruit bruifed, and
put into wine, gives it a beautiful red colour, and a pleafant fubacid roughnefs. Letters
written upon linen or woollen with the juice of this fruit, will not wafh out." Bet.
Arr. p. 509.

PRUNUS DOMESTICA. COMMON PRUNE, Or PLUM TREE.

SYNONYMA, Prunum gallicum. Pharm.Lond. Prunus domeftica.

Gerard. Emac. p. 1497. Prunus vulgaris. Park, fhcat. p. 15 12.

In

( *35 )

Rati HIJl. p. 1526. Prunus foliis ferratis, hirfutis, ovato-lanceor
latis, floribus longe petiolatis. Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 1079.. Ut
Linnseo videtur Prunus fru&u parvo dulci atro-cscruleo. Tournef.
Lift. p. 622.

Clafs Icofandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 620.

Ef Gen. Ch. Cal. 5-fidus, inferos. Petala 5. Drupa nux futuris
prominulis.

Sp. Ch. P. pedunculis fubfolitariis, foL lanceolato-ovatis convolutis,
ramis muticis. Gemma florifera apbylla. Mur.

THIS fpecie's of Prunus grows much higher than the former; it
is without fpines, and covered with fmooth bark of a dark brown
colour: the leaves are oval, flightly indented at the edges, pointed,
veined, of a pale green colour, and ftand upon very fhort footftalks :
the ftipulas are oval, pointed, membranous, and placed in pairs at
the bafe of the peduncles : the flowers are large, and furround the
branches upon feparate peduncles : the calyx is divided into five nar-
row concave fegments, and befet on the infide with a number of
glandular hairs :a the corolla confifts of five roundilTi white petals :
the filaments are more than twenty, tapering, inferted in the calyx,
and furnifhed with reddifh antherse : the germen is round, and flip-
ports a fimple ftyle, which is fhorter than the filaments, and crowned
with a globular ftigma : the fruit is oblong, or egg-fhaped, confifting
of a fweet flefhy pulp, covered with a dark violet coloured pellicle, and
•including in the centre an almond-fhaped nut, or {tone. It is a native
of Britain, and flowers in April and May.

Among the many varieties of plums b we find confiderable diffi-
culty in referring with fufficient accuracy to that called by the
London College Prunum gallicum ; it is therefore probable that fome

■ See Withering, 1. c.

b Du Hamel (Jrbres fruit. T. i. p. 65. fq. ) defcribes forty-eight varieties : and
Mayer ( Pomona Francon. T. j. p. no.) makes them ftill more numerous.

The original parent of thefe varieties is not yet fatisfa&orily afcertained, — J. Bauhin
refers it to the Pruna cerea minora pnecocia.

No. 18. 3 O of

( s36 )

of the fynonyma introduced above, are not in this refpect fo correctly
applicable as they ought to be.c The Syrian Plums were much
eiteemed by the ancients, particularly a fpecies which grew in the
neighbourhood of Damafcus,d and hence a variety of this fruit is ftill
known by the name of Pruna damafcena. According to Pliny,6 the
tree was brought from Syria into Greece, and from thence into Italy,
where its fruit is repeatedly noticed by the Latin poet/

All our garden plums are eaten at table, and when fufficiently ripe,
and taken in a moderate quantity, prove a pleafant and wholefome
food. But in an immature ftate, they are more liable to produce
colicky pains, diarrhoea, or cholera, than any other fruit of this clafs ;
fome attention to this circumftance is therefore always neceffary.
Confidered medicinally, they are emollient, cooling, and laxative,
efpecially the French prunes, which are imported here in their dried
ftate from Marfeilles ; and though the laxative power of thefe is di-
minimed by drying, yet it is obferved by Dr. Cullen, that as they
contain a great deal of the acid which they originally had, they have
more effect in this way than the other dried fruits.g They are found
to be peculiarly ufeful in coftive habits, and are frequently ordered in
decoction with fenna or other purgatives. It is the pulp of this fruit
which is directed in the Electuarium e Senna, or Lenitive electuary.

c On this fubje£l Profeflbr Murray fays, "Hifce Pharmacopoeia Londinenfi duce in-
telligo vulgaria ifta oblonga, profunde violacea, ubivis in hortis reperiunda, cui varietati
non audeo inbrevitate defcriptionum adfcribere nomen Bauhinianum velTournefortianurn,
nifi fit Pruna oblonga ccerulea C. B. vel Pr. fru£tu oblongo coeruleo Tournef." App.
Med. vol. iii. p. 230.

d See Diofcorides, (Lib. i. cap. I. 174J by whom the tree is called Kojoo^Xe^ and
the fruit Kokw^tiXx,

e HiJ1. Nat. L. xv. cap. 13.

f It is alfo thus mentioned by Ovid :

Prunaque, non folum nigro liventia fucco,
Vcrum etiam generofa, novafque imitantia ceras.

Met. Lib. a/7/, v. 818.

s Mat. Med. vol. i. p. 254.

ASARUM EUROP/EUM.

( 237 )

ASARUM EUROPIUM. COMMON ASARABACCA.

SYNONYM A. Afarum. Pharm. Lond. 5sf Edlnb. B a uk Pin .
p. 197. Gerard. Emac. p. 836. J. Bauh. H'[ft. vol. Hi. p. 548.
Ray Hijl. p. 207. Synop. p. 158. Alarum vulgare. Park.Tbeat.
p. 266. Afarum foliis reniformibus fubhirfutis. Hal. Stirp. Helv.
n. 1547. Alarum Europium. Withering. Bot. Arrang. p. 488.
Flo?\ Dan. 633.

Clafs Dodecandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 589.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. 3-f. 4-fidus, germini infidens. Cor. o. Caps.
•coriacea, coronata.

Sp. Ch. A. foliis reniformibus obtufis binis.

THE root is perennial, ftrong, divided and fibrous: it has no
flalk, lo that the leaves rife immediately from the root ; they grow
In pairs, are kidney-fhaped, large, of a deep fhining green c lour,
and ftand upon long footftalks : the flowers are large, bell-fhaped, of
a dirty purple colour, and placed fingly upon lhort peduncles at the
bale of the footftalks : the calyx fupplies the place of a corolla, and
is large, bell-lhaped, divided at the mouth into three or four pointed
legments, which are of a brownilh purple colour, but towards the
bale it is greenifh : the filaments are twelve, about half the length of
the calyx, and furnifhed with oblong anthers, which are attached to
the fides of the filaments : from the germen arifes a fimple ftyle,
crowned with a ftigma, divided into fix radiated reflected parts : the
capfule is of a leathery texture, and divided into fix cells, which
contain feveral fmall oblong feeds. It is a native of England,'' and
flowers in May. -

It appears from Pliny ,b that by the Ancients the name of this plant
was frequently confounded with that of nardus and baccharis; and the
Englilh name Afarabacca has been derived from the words alarum and

' It is extremely fcarce. Ray obferves it is found in fome woods in Lancashire. 1. c.
b Mif* Nut. L. xit. c. 13. et L. xxi. cap. 6.
Afaron, ab » priv, & o-cepw orno} quoniam in coronis non addatur.

baccharis :

( a38 )

baccharls : it is evident however that the plants, now kno wn by thcfe
names, differ very confiderably both in their appearance and effects.

" The leaves and roots of Afarum have a moderately ftrong and
not very unpleafant fmell, fomewhat refembling that of valerian or
nard,j" and a naufeous bitterifh acrid tafte :" c they feem to agree alfo
in their medicinal effects, both proving ftrongly emetic and cathartic :
the root has been obferved to excite vomiting fo conftantly, that it is
propofed by Linnseus as a fubftitute for ipecacuanha ;d and Dr. Cullen
fays, " the root dried only fo much as to be powdered proves, in a
moderate dofe, a gentle emetic. It will commonly anfwer in dofes
of a fcruple, fometimes in a lefs quantity," " and as we judge
may be fuited to many of the purpofes of the ipecacuanha."0 In
fmall dofes it is faid to promote perfpiration, urine, and the uterine
flux/ Spirituous tinctures and watery infufions of the plant poffefs
both its emetic and cathartic virtues, but it is faid that by coction in
water the emetic power is firft deftroyed, and afterwards the purga-
tive.5 At prefent Afarum is feldom given internally, as the evacua-
tions expected from its ufe may be procured with more certainty and
fafety h by various other medicines, that it is now chiefly employed as
an errhine or fternutatory, and is found to be the mofl: ufeful and
convenient in the Mat. Med. For this purpofe the leaves, as being
lefs acrid than the roots, are preferred by the College, and in mode-
rate dofes, not exceeding a few grains, fnuffed up the nofe feveral
fucceffive evenings,- produce a pretty large watery difcharge, which
fometimes continues for feveral days together, by which headach,
toothach, opthalmia, and fome paralytic and foporific complaints,
have been effectually relieved. It is the bafis of the pulv. fternutato-
rius, or pulvis afari compofitus.

f Nardus Celtica L. c Lewis M. M. p. 122.

d Am. Acad. T. 7. f. 307. where it is alfo obferved, that when exhibited in a {late of
very fine powder^ it uniform'y acts as an emetic, but when coorfely powdered it always
panes the ftomach and becomes cathartic. e Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 473.

f " Diureticum & emmenagogum infigne : undc Merctriculae plus fatis frequentant
decoclum ejus, cum fentiunt fe gravidas. Quo tenuius eft tritum eo magis urinas mo-
vere, minus autem alvum ducere, creditur." Ray Hiji. p. 208. e Ran I. c.

h Ante aliquot annos civis hujus loci, vir quadratus, difBcuiter mobilis, fumit, fuafu
anicula?, pulverem afari foliorum & radicis ad integrum cochlear. Inde vero hyper-
catharfin patiebatur lethalem," 6cc. Wedehus Amanit. M. M. p. 240. & De Med.fac.

ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS.

1

( 239 )

ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS. COMMON ROSEMARY.

S TNO NT MA. Rofmarinus. Pharm. Lond. fcf Edinb. Rofma-
rinum coronarium. Gerard. Emac. p. 1292. Rofmarinus hor-
tenfis anguftiore folio. Banh. Pin. p. 217. Rofmarinus corona-
rius fructicofus. J. Bauh. Hift. v. it. p. 25. Rati Hi/I. p. 515.
Libanotis coronaria five rofmarinum vulgare. Park. Tbeat. p. 71.

Clafs Diandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 38.

EJ[. Gen. Ch. Cor. insequalis : labio fuperiore bipartite. Filament a
longa, curva, fimplicia cum dente.

TH E root is ftrong, woody, and fibrous : the ftalk is fhrubby, '

covered with a rough grey bark, divided into many branches, and

rifes frequently to the height of fix or eight feet : the leaves are

feflile, or without footftalks, numerous, long, narrow, entire, obtufely

pointed, on the upper fide of a dark green, on the under of a greyim.

or filvery colour, and placed in whorls upon the branches : the

flowers are large, of a pale blue colour, and arife from the axillse of

the leaves : the calyx is divided into two lips, of thefe the uppermoft

is entire, but the undermoft is cloven into two pointed fegments :

the corolla is monopetalous,. confiding of a cylindrical tube, longer*

than the calyx, and divided at the brim into two lips ; the upper lip

is creel; and bifid, the under lip is feparated into three fegments ; of

thefe the middle fegment is larger than both the others : the two

M filaments are long, curved, tapering, towards the bafe furnifhed with

ha fmall tooth, and fupplied with fimple anthers : the germen is fepa-

irated into four parts, which fupport a (lender ftyle, terminated by a

ccleft pointed ftigma : the feeds are four, of an oblong fhape, and

llodged in the bottom of the calyx. Rofemary a is a native of the

JSouth of Europe and the Levant. It is commonly cultivated in our

kgardens, where it ufually flowers in April and May.

a Ros dici putatur quia rofcidae fit naturae, vel quia roris inftar afpergatur, vel quia
eejus ufus in afpcrgillis, quod nobis verifimilius videtur : marinus autemvel quia in marinis
Uocis feliciter proveniat, vel quia faporis marini, hoc eft, amari, V ofs, Etymolog. Vide
ERay, 1. c.

No. 18. 3 P The

( *4° )

The ancients were well acquainted with this plant, as it is men-
tioned by Diofcorides, Galen, and Pliny. b It grows wild in fbme of
the fouthein parts of France, but more abundantly in Spain and
Italy. Its cultivation in this country, like many other plants which
we have had occaiion to mention, is probably of ancient date, but
now cannot be traced beyond the time of Gerard.

Rofemary has a fragrant aromatic fmell, and a bitterifh pungent
tafte. The leaves and tops of this plant are the ftrongeft in their
fenfible qualities : the flowers, which are alfo directed for ufe by the
College, are not to be feparated from their cups or calyces, as the
active matter principally, if not wholly, relides in the latter. c
" Rofemary gives out its virtues completely to rectified fpirit, but
only partially to water. The leaves and tops, diftilled writh water,
yield a thin light pale-coloured effential oil of great fragrancy, though
not quite fo agreeable as the Rofemary itfelf : from one hundred
pounds of the herb in flower were obtained eight ounces of oil : the
decoction thus diverted of the aromatic part of the plant yields, on
being infpiflated, an unpleafant bitterifh extract. Rectified fpirit like-
wile, diftilled from Rofemary leaves, becomes confiderably impregnated
with their fragrance, leaving however in the extract the greateft fhare
both of their flavour and pungency. The active matter of the flowers
is fomewhat more volatile than that of the leaves, the greateft part of
it arifing with fpirit." d

Rofemary is reckoned one of the moft powerful of thofe plants,
which ftimulate and corroborate the nervous fyftem ; it has therefore
been recommended in various affections, fuppofed to proceed from
debilities, or defective excitement of the brain and nerves; as in cer-
tain headachs, deafnefTes, giddineffes, palfies, &c. and in fome hyfte-
rical and dyfpeptic fymptoms. Dr. Cullen fuppofes the ftimulant^
power of Rofemary infufKcient to reach the fanguiferous fyftem ;rl

b It is called A//3*v«-m by the Greeks, (Diofcor. Lib. 3. cap. 89.) Pliny, Lib. 24. cap, a
II. de rere marine. Hence it may have been al!uded to by Virgil in the following lines:!

Nam jejuna quidem clivofi glarea ruris

Vix humiles apibus cafias roremque miniftrat. ' Georg. it. v. 2I2.I

c Lewis M. M. p. 544. d Lewis* I. c.

• « It has jjjftly had the reputation of" a cephalic, or as a medicine that gently ftimu- «
lates the nervous fyftem, but hardly to ftrongly as to ailed the fanguiferous." M. MM

vol. a. p. is1- .1

/ it

88

( Hi )

it has however the character of being an emmenagogue, and the only
dileafe in which Bergius ftates it to be ufeful is the chlorous/ The
officinal preparations of this plant are the oleum e(Tentiale roris marini,
and the fpiritus roris marini. It is alio a principal ingredient in what
is known by the name of Hungary water.

By many people Rofemary is drunk as tea for breakfaft.

f K Virtus : relblvens, nervina corroborans, emmenagoga. Ujus. Chlorofis."— *
M. M. p. 21.

FU MARIA OFFICINALIS. COMMON FUMITORY.

ST NO NT MA. Fumaria. Pbarm. Edinb. Fumaria oflicinarum
et Diofcoridis. Baub. Pin. p. 143. Fumaria purpurea. Gerard,
Emac. p. 1088. Fumaria vulgaris. Park, Theat. p. 287. Rati
Hi/}, p. 405. Synop. p. 284. Fumaria foliis multihdis lobis fub-
rotunde lanceolatis ; frtuftibus monofpermis. Hal. Stirp. Helv. n.
346. Hud/on Flor. Ang. p. 270. Lightfoot Flor. Scot. p. 379.
Curtis Flor. Lond. n. 112. Withering Bot. Arrang. p. 751.

Clafs Diadelphia. Ord. Hexandria. Lin. Gen. Plant. 849,

EJ[. Gen. Ch. Cal. dyphyllus. Cor. ringens. Filamenta 2, mem-
branacea, lingula Antberis 3.

Sp. Ch. F. pericarpiis monofpermis racemofis, caule difFufo.

THE root is annual, (lender, and fibrous: the ftalk is fpreading,
fm ooth, fomewhatt angular, bending, much branched, and ufually
rifes above a foot in height: the leaves are compound, doubly •pin-
nated, pinnulse trilobed, of a pale green colour, and (landing upon
(lender footltalks : the flowers are of a reddifh purple colour, and
grow in fpikes, which arife from the axilla: of the leaves : the brac-
teae are linear, purpliih, and placed at the bafe of the peduncles : the

calyx

( )

calyx is compofed of two deciduous equal leafits, flight! y indented at
the edges : the corolla is oblong, tubular, gaping, or ringent, the
palate projecting fo as to fill up the mouth ; the upper lip dilated at
the tip, keel-fhaped, hollow beneath, turned a little upwards at the
margin, and at the bafe obtufe, and curled inward ; the lower lip is
nearly fimilar to the upper ; the lateral petals cohere at the top, and
form a quadrangular mouth, in which there are three divifions on the
upper and lower part: the filaments are two, membranous, broad at
the bafe, and each furnifhed with three yellowifh. antherae : the ger-
men is oval : the ftyle is filiform, about the length of the filaments, and
crowned with a flattifh downy ftigma : the feed is roundifh, and con-
tained in a fmall heart-lhaped pod. Fumitory is common in corn
fields, and ufually flowers in May.

By the Ancients this plant was named Capnos,3 from being thought
to be peculiarly ufeful in dimnefs of fight, and other difeafes of the
eyes. The leaves, which are the part of the plant directed for
medicinal ufe by the Edinburgh College, are extremely fucculent, and
have no remarkable fmell, but a bitter fomewhat faline tafte. " The
expreffed juice, and a decoction of the leaves in water, infpiflated to
the confidence of extracts, are very bitter, and confiderably faline ;
on ftanding for fome time they throw up to the furface copious faline
efflorefcences, in figure fomewhat refembling the cryftals of nitre, to
the tafte bitterifh and flightly pungent. A tincture of the dry leaves,
in rectified fpirit, yields, on infpiflation, an extract lefs in quantity
and bitterer in tafte than either the watery extract or infpiflated juice. ,,l>
Fumitory has been fuppofed by feveral Phyficians of great authority,0
both ancient and modern, to be very efficacious in opening obftruc-
tions and infarctions of the vifcera, particularly thofe of the hepatic
fyftem : it is alfo highly commended for its power of correcting a
fcorbutic and acrimonious ftate of the fluids ; and has therefore been

* Kxmos Diofcor. Kocmios Gal. i. e. fumus — " Claritatem facit inuncYis oculis, .'
delachrymationemque, ceu fumus ; unde nomen." Plin. L. 25. cap, 13. See alio <
Galen. Simp. Lib. 7. p. 49.

b Lewis M. M. p. 315.
c Aetius, Boerhaave, F. Hoffman, and many others.

The juice of Dandelion and Fumitory is greatly commended by Leidenfrofl: in obfti- J
nate difeafes of the fkin. See Dijf. tie juccis herb. &c.

An infufion of the leaves is ufed as a cofmetic to remove freckles and clear the fkin. j

employed 1

( 243 )

employed in various cutaneous difeafes ; when taken in pretty large
dofes it proves diuretic and laxative, efpecially the juice, which may be
mixed with whey, and ufed as a common drink. Dr. Cullen claries
this plant among the tonics ; he fays, " it is omitted in the London
difpenfatory, but retained in ours, and in every other that I know of.
I have found it ufeful in many cafes in which bitters are prefcribed ;
but its remarkable virtues are thofe of clearing the {kin of many
diforders. For this it has been much commended ; and I have myfelf
experienced its good effects in many inftances of cutaneous affections,
which I would call Lepra. I have commonly ufed it by expreffing
the juice, and giving that to two ounces twice a day : but I find the
virtues remain in the dried plant, fo that they may be extracted by
infufion or decoction in water ; and the foreign difpenfatories have
prepared an extract of it, to which they afcribe all the virtues of the
frefh plant."

d M. M. vol. ii. p. 77.

SPARTIUM SCOPARIUM. COMMON BROOM.

ST NO NY MA. Genifta. Pharm Lo?id. fc? Edinb. Gerard.
Emac. p. 131 1. Genifta angulofa & fcoparia. Bauh. Pin. p.
395. Genifta vulgaris & fcoparia. Park. Tbeat. p. 228. Ge-
nifta angulofa trifolia. J, Bauh. Rift. vol. i. p. 388. Ray Rift,
p. 1723. Synop. p. 474. Spartium foliis inferioribus ternatis
hirfutis fuperioribus fimplicibus. Hall. Stirp.' Helv. n. 354. Spar-
tium fcoparium. Rudfon. Flor. Aug. p. 310. Witberi?ig. Bot.
Arrang. p. 756. Flor. Dan. p. 313.

Clafs Diadelphia. Ord. Decandria. Lin. Gen. Plant. 858.

pEff. Gen. Ch. Stigma longitudinale, fupra villofum. Filamenta ger-
mini adhaerentia. Cal. deorfum productus.

. Sp. Ch. S. foliis ternatis folitariifque, ramis inermibus angulatis.

No. 18.

THE

( 244 )

THE root is woody, tough, and extends to a confiderable length:
the ftalk is fhrubby, branched, and covered with light brown
bark : it ufually rifes from four to fix feet in height, and fends forth
a great number of flender angular green moots : the leaves are fmall,
downy, divided into three oval leafits, and ftanding upon footftalks
of different lengths : the flowers are large, numerous, of the papili-
onaceous fhape, and of a bright yellow colour : the calyx is tubular,
divided tranfverfely at the margin into two lips, of thefe the upper-
moft is entire, the undermoft flightly notched : the corolla is com-
pofed of five petals : the fuperior, or ftandard petal is inverfely heart-
ihaped, and bent backwards : the two lateral petals, or wings, are
oblong, convex, lefs than the ftandard, and united to the filaments :
the keel is compofed of the two undermoft petals, which are con-
nected together by foft hairs at the margin, fo as to appear keel-fhaped :
the filaments are ten, nine of which are united at the bafe, of unequal
length, curled inwards, and furnifhed with oblong anthers : .the germen
is flat, oblong, hairy, and fupports a flender ftyle, with an oblong
ftigma : the feeds are round, or fomewhat kidney-fhaped, and con-
tained in a long cylindrical pod, like that of the garden pea. It is
common in dry fandy paftures, and flowers in April and May.

Linnaeus, Bergius,a and feveral other writers feem to have con-
founded the medicinal qualities of this plant with thofe of Genifta
tinctoria : the officinal Genifta is however by the Britifh Pharmaco-
poeias confidered to be the common Broom, of which the tops and
feeds are directed for ufe. The tops and leaves of Broom have a
naufeous bitter tafte, which they impart by infufion both to water
and fpirit. They are commended for their purgative and diuretic
qualities, and have therefore been fuccefsfully employed in hydropic
cafes, of which particular inftances are related by Mead b and others,
to which we may add the following from Dr. Cullen : " Genifta,
though very little in ufe, I have inferted in my catalogue (of

* They both fay of G. tincloria, " Virtus: pellens, purgans, Usus: Hydrops;"
while the common broom is parted unnoticed. See M. M. Lin.p.ijo. Berg. p. 598.

b Mon. & Prccc. p. 138. where we are told that a patient by taking half a pint of a
decoction of green Broom tops, with a fpoonful of whole muftard feed, every morning
and evening, was cured, after bein^ tapped three times, and trying the ufual remedies
given in dropfies. See alfo Mobruig JR. iV. C. vol. v. p. 32, 1

cathartics) -

( 245 )

cathartics) from my own experience of it. I found it firft in life
among- our common people ; but I have fince prefcribed it to fome
of my patients in the manner following : I order half an ounce of
frefh Broom tops to be boiled in a pound of water till one half of
this is confumed, and of this decoction I give two table-fpoonfuls
every hour till it operates by ftool, or till the whole is taken. It
feldom fails to operate both by ftool and urine, and by repeating this
exhibition every day, or every fecond day, fome dropfies have been
cured."' The alhes of Broom have alfo been much ufed in dropfies,
and principally on the authority of Sydenham/ whofe account of
their good effects has been fince confirmed by the teftimony of Dr.
JVlonro,e and other writers/ We may obferve however that the
efficacy of this medicine muft depend entirely upon the alkaline fait,
and not in the leaft upon the vegetable from which it is obtained.
The feeds and flowers of Broom are faid to be emetic and cathartic ;
but the evidence upon which this aflertion refts is not wholly to be
relied upon, as the former when roafted have been ufed as a fubftitute
for coffee, and the latter employed as a pickle.6

c Mat. Med. vol. li. p. 534. d Opera, p. 497.

e He gave a dram divided into three dofes every day. On Dropfy, p. 64.
f See Odhelius in Fet. dead. Handl. 1762. p. 82.

t Purgat genifrae femen non minus potenter fere quam Spartium aut Helleborus, &c.

Idem confirmat Lobelius, femine Geniltae fcopariae voinitum no 1 fecus ac Spartio Diofc.
i fepius ^ii decocto propinato citra magnam contentionem fe moviffe fcribens. Verum flores
. recens decerptos faepirfime quamplurimos & per fe acetariis inditos vorat, ^ inquit plebecula

Arverna and Aquitani:e maxima copia innocuos non modo fed etiam adrr.odum guftui
(fuaves ; nec quicquam vomitionis naufea:ve, aut commotionis mov. re folent. Quin
;apud Brabantos, & Anglos non minus, gemmantes dum adnuc virides funt condiuntur
l£ale & aceto flores, menifque inferuntur, Capparum Olearumve pari .ommendatione.
.Ray I. c. Ray al(o informs us, that from the MS. of Dr Hulfe, he learned that the
fflor. genift. given in the form of eledluary, with honey of rofes, were found of great
tefRcacy in fcrophulous affe&ions.

ORCHIS MASCULA.

( 246 )

ORCHIS MASCULA. MALE ORCHIS.

STN ' ONYMA. Satyrion. Pbarm. Edinb. Orchis morio mas
foliis maculatis. Banh. Phi. p. 81. Park Tbcat. p. 1346. Rail
Hijl. p. 1 2 14. Synop. p. 376. Cynoforchis morio mas, Gerard.
E?nac. p. 208. Orchis radicibus fubrotundis ; petalis lateralibus
reflexis ; labello trifido ; fegmento medio longiori, bifido. Hal. Stirp.
Hclv. n. 1286. tab. 33. Orchis mafcula. Hudfon Flor. Ang. p. 333.
Lightfoot Flor. Scot. p. 515. Flor. Dan. t. 457. Curt. Flor. Lond. t.121.

Clafs Gynandria. Ord. Diandria. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1009.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Neclarium corniforme pone florem.

Sp. Cb. O. bulbis indivifis, nectarii labio quadrilobo crenulato:
cornu obtufo, petalis dorfalibus reflexis.

THE root is perennial, confifting of two roundifh bulbs, from
the upper part of which feveral fmall fibres are produced : the ftalk
is upright, round, fmooth, folid, fimple, purplifh towards the top, and
rifes about a foot in height : the leaves are radical, long, pointed with
a fharp prominent midrib, and commonly marked with dark coloured
fpots : the flowers are purplim, and terminate the ftem in a long
regular fpike : the bradtese are membranous, purple, lance-fhaped,
and generally twifted at their points : the corolla is compofed of five
petals, two of which are upright, of an oval pointed fhape, and their
tips bent inwards : the other three are placed outwardly, and approach
fo as to form a galea, or helmet : the lip is large, with three lobes, of
which that in the middle is the longeft ; they are notched, and fpotted
towards the bafe, which is white ; the neclarium is lengthened out
behind into a tubular part, refembling a little horn : the filaments are
two, fhort, inferted in the germen, and furniflied with oval anthers*,
which are incafed in the limb of the nectary : the germen is oblong
and twifted : the ftyle is fhort, with a comprefled ftigma : the caplule
is oblong, and contains numerous fmall feeds. It is common m
meadows, and flowers in April and May.

( 247 )

Tliis plant has a place in the Materia Medica of the Edinburgh
[Pharmacopoeia only on account of its roots, which abound with a
[glutinous flimy juice, of a fweetifh tafte ; to the fmell they are faint,
aand fomewhat unplea/afhf*

J This mucilaginous or gelatinous quality of the Orchis root has
rrecommended it as a demulcent, and it has been generally employed
\with the fame intentions and in the fame complaints as the root of
Riltha_'a and gum arabic. both of which we have already noticed.

Salep, which is imported here from the Eaft, and formerly held in
great eftimation, is now well known to be a preparation of the root of
Orchis || which was firft fuggefted byMr. J. Miller,"fand different methods
pf preparing it have been fmce propofed and practifed : of thefe the
Olatefb and moft approved is that by Mr. Mault, of Rochdale,1 wmich
kwe mail tranfcribe from the words of Dr. Percival,b who follows Mr.
CMault in recommending the cultivation of a plant in Britain which
ppromifes to afford fo ufeful and wholefome a food as the Salep.

Dr. Percival fays, " Mr. Mault has lately favoured the public with
\n new manner of curing the Orchis root, and as I have feen many
Specimens of his Salep, at leaft equal if not fuperior to any brought
frrom the Levant, I can recommend the following, which is his procefs,
frrom my own knowledge of its fuccefs. The new root is to be warned
i n water, and the line brown fkin which covers it is to be feparated
>y means of a fmall brum, or by dipping the root in hot water, and
ubbing it with a coarfe linen cloth. When a fufficient number of
Icoots have been thus cleaned, they are to be fpread on a tin plate,
iind placed in an oven heated to the ufual degree, where they are to
.emain fix or ten minutes, in which time they will have loft their
milky whitenefs, and acquired a tranfparency like horn, without any
iiminution of bulk. Being arrived at this ftate, they are to be
-emoved, in order to dry and harden in the air, which will require

|| Orchis mafcula, though the chief, is not the only fpecies from, which the Salep is
repared.

t Jofeph Miller (Botan. offic. 1722. p. 3S5,) to which we may add the names of

,arid He'ft<r- Thls W2S firft confirmed by Euxbcium (Plant. ?nin. cow. Cent. 7. p. O
|eee Murray^ Jp. Med. vol. 5. p. 280. '

a See Phil, Tranf. vol. 59,. p. 2.
b Percival's Eflays Med. & Exper. vol. ii. p. 39.
No. 19. 3 R feveral

( *4* )

feveral days to effecT: ; or by ufing a very gentle heat they may be
finimed in a few hours."0 '

Salep, considered as an article of diet, is accounted extremely
nutritious, as containing a great quantity of farinaceous matter in a
fmall bulk, and hence it has been thought fit to conftitute a part of
the provilions of every {hip's company to prevent a famine at fea.
For it is obferved by Dr, Percival, that this powder and the drie
gelatinous part of flelh, or portable foup, difiolved in boiling wate
form a rich thick jelly, capable of fupporting life for a conliderable?,
length of time. An ounce of each of thefe articles, with two. quarts,
of boiling water, will be fufficient fubfiftence for one man a day.*
Dr. Percival not only recommends the ufe of Salep as other authors havj
done in diarrhoea, dyfentery, dyfury, and calculous complaints ; but he*
thinks " in the fymtomatic fever, which arifes from the ablbrpticn cf
pus, from ulcers in the lungs, from wounds, or from amputations^
Salep ufed plentifully is an admirable demulcent, and .well adapted to
refill that diifolution of the crafis of the blood which is fo evident in
thefe cares."

The fuppofed aphrodifiac qualities of this root, which have been
noticed ever fmce the time of Diofcorides, feem to be founded oa
the fanciful doctrine of fignatures."

c The properqft time for gathering the roots is when the feed is formed, and the frallt
is ready to fall, becaufe the new bulb, of which the Salep is made, is then arrived to its
full maturity, and may be diftinguifhed from the old one by a white bud rifing from th,e
top of it, which is the germ of the orchis of the fucceeding year. Pit rivals I. c,

* Percival 1. c. See alfo Lind's Appendix to his EfTay on the Difeafes of Hot Climates..

" Salep ex orchide morione in.Suecia paratum citius folvi fe pafTum eft, quam Per"-
ficumjet tarn tenacem mucilaginem exhibuit o&o ejus grana in aqu.^ fervidae unica uni h.e.
radicem in 6o-plo aquae folvendo, ut per pannum linteum non perfe£te tranligi poMet, fedt
afFundi infuper deberet nqure feryidse uncia dimidia, quo auxilio mucilago i.ia denfitate
aequavit alteram ex Salep Perfico uncia una aqu e elicitam : remanfit vero reridui ex iftcx
Suecico Salep granum i{ et Perfico gr. i. Murray V. c. See Vet. Acad. Handl. 1764.
^ 245. Jq.

c Orchis, i. e. O^r, Tefticulus, habet radices inftar tcfficulorum.

CISTUS

CRETICUS,

( 249 )

CISTUS CRETICUS. CRETAN CISTUS.

Planta a qua colligitur Ladjnum. Pbarm. Loud.

STNONYMA. Cirrus ladanifera cretica, flore purpureo. Tourmf.
Cor oil. Infl. ret herb. p. 19. Voyage du Levant, t. i. p. 29. Ciftus
ladanifera vera. Park. c£hcat. p. 666. Ciftus, Ledon Cretenfe.
Bauh. Pin. p. 467. Ciftus Ledon Matthioli. Gerard. Emac. p.
1286. Ciftus ('creticus ) arborefcens, foliis ovato-lanceolatis, hirfutis,
marginibus undulatis, fioribus terminalibus, Miller. Dicl. yacqu.
ic. collet! . i. p. 80.

Clafs Polyandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 673.

- EJf. Gen. Ch. Cor. 5-petala. Cal. 5-phyllus : foliolis duobus mino-
ribus. Capfula.

Sp. Ch. C. arborefcens exftipulatus, foliis fpatulato-ovatis petiolatis
enerviis fcabris, calycinis lanceolatis.

THIS handfome fhrub feldom rifes to any confiderable height; it
is covered with a dark coloured bark, and fends off feveral fimple
branches : the leaves are oblong, pointed, waved, rough, vifcous,
veined, and ftand in pairs upon fhort footftalks, which are broad at
the bafe, fo as nearly to furround the younger branches : the flowers
are produced in fucceflion at the extremities of the branches in June
and July ; they are large, of a purplifh red colour, marked with dark,
fpots at the bafe oY each petal, and ftand on fhort peduncles : the
calyx is divided in five large oval pointed perfiftent fegments, of
which the two outermoft are the fmalleft : the corolla is cornpofed of
: five petals, which are large, roundilh, fpreading, and readily fall off
« on being touched : the filaments are numerous, very fhort, flender,
; and fupplied with fimple anrherae of an orange colour : the germen
iis oval, and fupports a fhort ftyle, furnifhed with a flat circular ftigma:
1 the eapfule is roundilh, and contains many fmall orbicular feeds.

( 250 )

This fhrub, which is a native of Candia and Tome of the iflands of
Archipelago, was firft cultivated in England by Mr. P. Miller in the year '
173 1, a and is now to be had of feveral of the London gardeners, though it J
is not fo commonly met with as many other exotic fpecies of this. genus.«
Not only this plant, but moft of its congeners, abound with a glutinous
liquor, which in fummer exudes upon their leaves, and feems to be
of the ladanum kind : but it is well known, that the Ciftus creticus
is the fpecies from which the officinal Ladanum is collected. This is '
done in Candia by means of an inftrument call there Ergaftiri, made
in the form of a rake, to which feveral leathern thongs are fixed
inftead of teeth, and with which the leaves of the fhrub are lightly
bruflied backwards and forwards, fo that the fluid Ladanum may
adhere to the leather, from which it is afterwards fcraped off with
knives, and formed into regular mafles for exportation.11

As this drug is obferved to iflue moft copioufly in the hotteft
weather, the method of gathering above defcribed muft be performed
when the intenfity of the fun's heat renders it a very laborious and
troublefome employment.

Three forts of Ladanum have been defcribed by authors, but only
two are now to be met with in the fhops. " The beft, which is
very rare, is in dark-coloured maffes, of the confidence of a foft
plafter, growing ftill fofter on being handled: the. other is in long
rolls, coiled up, much harder than the preceding, and not fo dark.
The firft has commonly a fmall and the laft a large admixture of fine
fand, which in the Labdanum examined by the French Academy
amounted to three-fourths of the mafs. It is fcarcely indeed to be
collected pure, independently of defigned abufes ; the duft blown on
the plant by winds from the loofe fands among which it grows, being
retained by the tenacious juice. The foft kind has an agreeable
fmell, and a lightly pungent bitterifh tafte : the hard is much weaker.

» See Alton's Hort. Kew.

b See Bclon. Obfervatiom de plufieurs fingularitcs en G?ece, JJie, &c- Lib. i. c. 7. and
Tournefort. Voyage du Levant, t. i. p. 29. where the Ergaftiri is defcribed and figured.

By the ancients we are told, that the Aa&axov was collected by combing the beards
and thighs of goats who browzed upon the ciftus, and to whofe hair the drug was found
to adhere : another method of gathering it, was by drawing cords over thofe fhrubs
which produced it. See Diofcorides, Mat. Med. Lib. i. p. 128. and Pliny, Hi/i. Nat.
Lib. xii. cap. xvii. . _ -

; Redified

\)2

( )

Rectified fpirit of wine diffolves nearly the whole of pure Labdanum.
into a golden-coloured liquor : on infpiffating the filtered folution, the
finer parts of the Labdanum rifes with the fpirit, and the remaining
refin proves both weaker and lefs agreeable than the juice at firft.
On infufing the Labdanum in water, it impregnates the liquor con-
fiderably with its fmell and tafte, and in diftillation with water, there
comes over a fragrant effential oil." d

This refin was formerly much employed internally as a pectoral
and aftringent in catarrhal affections, dyfenteries, and feveral other
difeafes; at prefent however it is wholly confined to external ufe, and
'is an ingredient in the ftomachic plafter, or emplaftrum landani of
the London Pharm. It is alio fometimes ufed in the way of fumi-
gation.

d Lewis, M. M. p. 368.

ANCHUSA TINCTORIA. DIERS BUGLOSS, or ALKANET.

ST NO NT MA. Anchufa. , Pharm. Edinb. Anchufa puniceis
floribus. Bauh. Pin. p. 255. Anchufa Monfpeliana. J, Bauh.
Hifl. vol. Hi. p. 583. Raii Hijl\p. 496. Anchufa Alcibiadion.
Gerard. Emac. p. 800. Anchufa minor purpurea. Park. Tbeat,
p. 517. Alkanna. Pharm. Suic. Wert. &c.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 182.

Ej/l Gen. Ch. Cor. infundibulif. fauce claufa fornicibus. Sem. bafi
infculpta.

Sp. Ch. A. tomentofa, fol. lanceolatis obtufis, ftamin. corolla
brevioribus.

THE root is perennial, long, round, fibrous, and externally of a
dark purplifh red colour : the llalk is thick, round, rough, hairy,
branched, and riles about two feet in height : the leaves are long,
lance-fhaped, obtufe, hairy, and without footftalks : the flowers vary
from a purpliih to reddim colour, and terminate the branches in clofe
clufters : the calyx is divided into five oblong erect rough perfiltent
No. 19. 3 S fegments ;

( )

fegments : the corolla is monopetalous, and funnel-fliaped, confirming
of a cylindrical tube, equal in length to the calyx, divided at the limb
into five blunt teeth, and clofed at the faux or centre by five fmall
prominent fcaly leafits : the five filaments are fhort, included in the,
tube of the corolla, and furnifhed with fimple antherae : the germens
are four : the flyle is filiform, about the length of the ftamina, and
fupplied with an obtufe notched ftigma : the feeds are four, of an
irregular fhape, and lodged within the calyx. It flowers from June
till Odober.

This fpecies of Anchufa* is a native of Montpellier, and was cul-
tivated in Britain by Mr. James Sutherland, in the year 1683/ ^
is propagated by our gardeners for the beauty of its flowers, but in
this climate its roots never acquire that deep colour on which its
utility depends. The red cortical part of the root of this plant, as
imported here from the fouthern parts of Europe, when feparated
from the interior white part, imparts a fine deep red to oils, wax, and
all unctuous fubftances, and to rectified fpirit of wine ; on this account j
the Edinburgh College introduces it into their catalogue of the Materia* .
Medica. " To water this root gives only a dull brownifh hue. The
fpirituous tincture, on being infpiffated to the confiftence of an extract,,
changes its fine red to a dark brown. In thefe general properties the
deep and pale roots agree one with another, and differ from all the
reft of the red drugs we know of : it is not therefore probable, that
the deep colour of the foreign roots is owing, as fome have fuppofed,,
to the introduction of an extraneous tincture." b Formerly the
Alkanet root was recommended in feveral difeafes, particularly as an.
aftringent, and it manifefts this quality in fome degree to the tafte ;c
but it is now ufed in no other way than for colouring oils,d ointments,
and plafters, which receive a fine deep red from one fortieth their
weight of the root.

* Anchufa ab ay.yu ftrangulo, fuffico, quod ferpentes ftrangulet necetque. Hac vt
pollere eft audtor Nicander, Diofcorides, Plinius, Galenus, &c. Bod. in Tbt-opb. p. 835.

a Sutherland. Hort. Edin. 24. no. 7. See Aiton's Hort. Kew.
b Lewis Mat. Med. p, 56.

e Alfton could not difcover this quality in the Anchufa. M. M. vol. i, p. 365.
* It is alfo ufed with oil by the cabinet-makers to ftain mahogany and other woods.

POLYGALA SENEGA

1

t

( 2*3 )

POLYGALA SENEGA. RATTLE SNAKE -ROOT

MILK-WORT.

S TNO NT MA. Seneka. Pharm. Land, csf Edinb, Polygala ma-
rilandica, caule non ramofo, fpica in faftigio fingulari gracili e
flofculis. albis compofita. Raii App. vel. Hlji. torn, iiu p. 670.
Polygala caule fimplici erecto, foliis ovato-Ianceolatis alternis inte-
gerrimis, racemo terminali erecto. Grog. F/or. Virgin, i. p. 80.
Polygala Senega. Aman. Acad. 'Tom. Hi. p. 124. Miller s Diet,
Fig. Ed. 7. Senegau. Trew. Copim. Lift. Nor. 1741. -Tab. 4.

Clafs Diadelphia. Ord. Octandria. Lift. Gen. Plant. 851.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Cat. 5-phyIIus : foliolis ala^formibus, coloratis.
Legumen obcordatum, bilocirlare.

>Sp. Cb. P. floribus imberbibus fpicatia, caule erecto herbaceo fim-
pliciffimo, foliis lato-lanceolatis.

THE root is perennial, woody, branched, contorted, about the
tthicknefs of a finger, and covered with afh-coloured bark: it fends
iup feveral Items, which are iimple, ered, flender, round, fmooth, of
aa dark reddifh colour, and rife nearly a foot in height : the leaves are
Iroblong, or lance-fhaped, acutely pointed, of a pale green colour, and
llftand alternately upon fhort footftalks : the flowers appear in June,
Itthey are white, of the papilionaceous kind, and grow in a clofe ter-
ipninal fpike : the calyx is divided into three narrow perfiftent fegments,
■two of which are placed beneath and one above the corolla : the
Icorolla is compofed of two exterior petals, or wings, which are flat,
kind of an oval fhape ; a fhort tubular Jlandard, undivided at the
Irmouth ; and a flattened keel diftended towards the end, from whence
■oroceeds a pencil-fhaped appendage : the filaments are eight, united
Bit the bafe into two portions, and fupplied with fimple antherse : the

germen

( 254 )

germen is oblong, and fupports a fimple erect flyle, furnifhed with a
cloven ftigma : the capfule is inverfely heart-fhaped, and contains
feveral fmall oblong feeds.

This plant is a native of Virginia, and other parts of North America.
It was firft cultivated in England in 1759, by Mr. P. Miller," who has
published a figure of it, which will be found to accord very accurately
with the icon here annexed, which was drawn from the plant now in
flower at the Royal garden at Kew. " This root, of no remarkable fmell,
has a peculiar kind of fubtile pungent penetrating tafte.b Its virtue is
extracted both by water and fpirit, though the powder in fubftance is
fuppofed to be more effectual than either the decoction or tincture.
The watery decoction, on firft tailing, feems not unpleafant, but the
peculiar pungency of the root quickly difcovers itfelf, fpreading through
the fauces, or exciting a copious difcharge of faliva, and frequently, as
Linnasus obferves, a fhort cough : thofe to whom I have directed this
medicine, have generally found a little Madeira moft effectual for
removing its tafte from the mouth, and making it fit eafy on the
ftomach. A tincture of the root, in rectified fpirit, is of more fiery
pungency, extremely durable in the mouth and throat, and apt to
promote vomiting or reaching.'"1 Rattlefnake-root was firft intro-
duced to the attention of phyficians about iixty years ago, by Dr.
John Tennent,d whofe intercourfe with the Indian nations led him
to difcover that they polTefled a fpecific medicine againft the poifon
of the rattlefnake,|| which, in confequence of a fuitable reward, was
revealed to him, and found to be the root of this plant, which the
Indians employed both internally and externally.0 Cafes afterwards
occurred, by which he was fully convinced of the efficacy of this
medicine from his own experience. And as the Doctor obferved,

a Dicl. Ed. 7. n. 5. See Hort. Kew.

b Bergius fays, " Sapor primum calidiufculus, deinde acidulus in faucibus fentitur cum
fpecie acrimoniae, inhaerens cum ficcitate." M. M. p. 596.

c Lewis, M. M. p. 518. d See his Phyficai DifquifitionSy P. 2. Lond. 1735.
|| A fortiori, it is prefumed to cure the poifonous effects of other ferpents, as being
lefs virulent. Teftatur exemplum ancilhe Suecica?, quae alvi dejiciendae caufa ruri pone
fruticem fecedens a ferpente quodam (Colubro Bero fine dubio) et in mulicribus ipiis
vulnerabatur fub gravimmorum fypmtomatum fatellitio, fed duabus unice doiibus ab ill.
a Linne fubminiftratis convaluit. Aman. Acad. vol. vi. p. 214.

c Chewed and applied to the wound, or in the form of a cataplafm.

that

( 255 )

that pleurctic or peripneumonia fymptoms -f were generally produced
by the action p£j this poifon, he hence inferred, that the Rattlefnake-
root might alio be an ufeful remedy in difeafes of this kind. It was
accordingly tried in pleurilies not only by Tennent himfelf/ but by
feveral of the French academicians and others/ who all unite in tef-
timony of its good effects. However, in many of thefe cafes, recourfe
was had to the lancet, and even the warmeft advocates for the Seneka
fay, that in the true pleurify repeated bleeding is at the fame time not
to be neglected. The repute which this root obtained in peripneu-
monic affections, induced fome to employ it in other inflammatory
diforders, in which it proved ferviceable, particularly in rheumatifm.h
It has alio been prefcribed with much fuccefs in dropfies,1 and this we
can the more eaiily credit from its effects in increafing the different
fecretions, for it is remarked that it produces a plentiful fpitting, in-
creafes perfpiration and urine, and frequently purges or vomits. It
is likewife reported to be a medicine of great power, in rendering the
fizinefs of the blood more fluid ; De I^aen however brings a ftrong
fact to contradict this opinion. k The uiual dofe is from one fcruple to
two of die powder, or two or three fpoonfuls of a decoction, prepared
by boiling an ounce of the root in a pint and a half of water till it is
reduced to one pint.

. f As difficulty of breathing, cough, haemoptyfis, a ftrong quick pulfe, &c.

f See his Ef. on the Pleurify. Phi/ad. 1736. Alfo his Epijile to Dr. Mead.

% Lemery, De Jeffieu, Du Hamel, Bouuvart, for which fee Mem. de V Acad, de Paris,
1739, fcf 1744.

h Comm. Neric. 1741. p. 362. Sarcone Gefchichte d. Krankh. in Neap el, Tom. i.p. ic8,
169, 173, 199. And Dr. Cullen fays, " We have had fome inftances of its being
ufeful, efpecially where it operated by producing fweat." M. M. vol. ii. p. 533.

1 Bouvart. 1. c. Mackenzie, Med. Obf. & Inq. vol. ii. p. 288. See alfo Percival,
Ejjays, vol. ii. p. 178.

k Ratio Medend. P. 4. p. 252.

No. 19. 3 T JUNIPERUS SABINA.

( *S* )

JUNIPERUS SABINA. COMMON SAVIN.

S TNO NT MA. Sabina. Pharm, Land, fcf Edinb.
Varietates funt,f

« Sabina foliis Cuprefli. Bauh. Tin. p. 487 '. Sabina baccifera. J.
Bauh. Hljl. vol. I. p. 288. Gerard. Emac. p. 1376. Sabina bac-
cifera major. Tark. Theat. p. 1026. Cedrus baccifera fructu
minore casruleo. Rail Hijl. p. 14 15. Juniperus foliis cauli ad-
preflis lanceolatis, alterne conjugatis. Hal. Stlrp. Helv. n. 1662.

0 Sabina folio Tamarifci Diofcoridis. Bauh. Tin. p. 487. Sabina
fterilis. Gerard. Emac. p. 1378. Sabina vulgaris. Tark. Theat.
p. 1027. Raii Hlft. p. 1415. fy*0vs Grcecorum.

Clafs Dioecia. Ord. Monadelphia. Lin. Gen. Tlant. 1134. .

Effl Gen. Ch. Ma s c. Amentl Calyx fquams. Cor. o. St am. 3.

Fem. Cal. 3-partitus. Tetala 3. Sty '11 3. Bacca
3-fperma, tribus tuberculis calycis insqualis.
Sp. Ch. J. foliis oppofitis eredis decurrentibus : oppofitionibus
pyxidatis.

THIS fhrub rifes but a few feet in height: it is covered with a
reddifh brown bark,and fends off many branches,which are numeroufly
fubdivided : the leaves are numerous, fmall, erecl;, oppofite, firm, and
wholly invert the younger branches, which they terminate in fharp
points : the flowers are male and female on different plants : the
calyces of the male flowers ftand in a conical catkin, which confifts of
a common fpike-ftalk, in which three oppofite flowers are placed in a
triple row, and a tenth flower at the end. At the bale of each flower
is a broad fhort fcalc fixed laterally to a columnar pedicle : there is
no corolla : the filaments in the terminating flower are three, taper-

t Thefe two varieties are precifely the fame as thofe noticed by Diofcorides. See
L. 1. C. 10/).

H-lhjhr.l /,, WTttnJrUt*. Jut, i. ,]q,.

\

( 257 )

ing, united at the bottom into one body, and furnifhed with fimple
antherse, but in the lateral flowers the filaments are fcarcely percep-
tible, and the antherse are fixed to the fcale of the calyx ; the calyx of
the female flowers is compofed of three fmall permanent fcaly fegments,
growing to the germen : the petals are three, ftifF, fharp, permanent :
the germen fupports three ftyles, fupplied with fimple ftigmata : the
fruit is a roundifh flefhy berry, marked with tubercles, which are the
veftiges of the petals and calyx j when ripe the berry is of a blackifh
purple colour, and contains three fmall hard irregular fhaped feeds.
It flowers in May and June.

Savin is a native of the South of Europe and the Levant : it has
been long cultivated in our gardens,* and from producing male and
female flowers on feparate plants it was formerly diftinguifhed into
the barren and berry bearing Savin : the latter of thefe our plate
reprefents.b " The leaves and tops of Savin have a moderately
ftrong fmell of the difagreeable kind, and a hot, bitterifh, acrid tafte ;
they give out great part of their active matter to watery liquors, and
the whole to rectified fpirit. Diftilled with water they yield a large
quantity of eflential oil.c Decoctions of the leaves, freed from the
volatile principle by infpiflation to the confiflence of an extract, retain
a confiderable fhare of their pungency and warmth along with their
bitternefs, and have fome degree of fmell, but not refembling that of
the plant itfelf. On infpiflating the fpirituous tincture, there remains
an extract, confifting of two diftinct fubftances, of which one is
yellow, unctuous or oily, bitterifh, and very pungent ; the other black
refinous, tenacious, lefs pungent, and fubaftringent." [|

Savin is a powerful and active medicine, and has been long reputed
the moft efficacious in the Materia Medica, for producing a determi-
nation to the uterus, and thereby proving emmenagogue ;d it heats
and flimulates the whole fyftem very confiderably, and is faid to pro-
mote the fluid fecretions.

» Cultivated in 1562. Turn. herb, part 2. fol. 124. Alton's Hort. Kew.

b For the male inflorefcence of this genus, fee the next plate, viz. n. 95.

P From thirty two ounces Hoffman obtained five ounces of this eflential oil, in which

the whole virtue of the plant feems to refide.

- Bcrgius ftates its virtus to be emmenagoga, abortiens, dturetica, fanguincm movens.
Mat. Med. p. 814. || Lewis Mat. Med.

The

( 258 )

The power which this plant poflefTes in opening uterine obftruc-
tions Is confidered to be To great, that we are told it has been- fre-
quently employed, and with too much fuccefs, for purpofes the mo ft
infamous and unnatural.0 It feems probable however that its effects
in this way have been fomewhat over rated, as it is found very fre-
quently to fail as an emmenagogue, though this, in fome meafure,
may be afcribed to the fmallnefs of the dofe in which it has been
ufually prefcribed by phyficians ; for Dr. Cullen obferves, " that
" Savin is a very acrid and heating fubftance,1 and I have been often
" upon account of thefe qualities, prevented from employing it in
" the quantity perhaps neceffary to render it emmenagogue. I muft
" own however that it mows a more powerful determination to the
" uterus than any other plant I have employed ; but I have been
" frequently difappointed in this, and its heating qualities always
" require a great deal of caution." f Dr. Home appears to have had
very great fuccefs with this medicine, for in five cafes of amenorrhcea
which occurred at the Royal Infirmary at Edinburgh, four were cured
by the Sabina,s which he gave in powder from a fcruple to a dram
twice a day. He fays it is well fuited to the debile, but improper in
plethoric habits, and therefore orders repeated bleedings before its
exhibition. Externally Savin is recommended as an efcharotic to foul
ulcers, fyphillitic, warts, &c.h

e Hinc in uterino fluxu ciendo adeo potens, qua vi abufae fubinde feruntur communi fere
effato, a Galeno inde tempore dedu&o, fceleftas matres ad abortum excitandum, fed
haud abfque proprio vitae periculo vel ante partum vel mox poll iftura. (Storch Hebam-
menb. f. 220.) Sufpe&ae huic naturae fubferipfit judicium Facultatis medicae Lipfienfis.
(Ammann. med. crit. p. 42. See Murray App. Med. vol. i. p. 42. And Haller 1. c.

f M. M. vol. it. p. 366. B Clinical Experiments, p. 387. h Fabre, Mai. verier.

r. i. p. 365.

JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS.

( 259 )

JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS. COMMON JUNIPER.

STNONTMA. Juniperus. Pharm. Lond.^f Edlnb. Juniperus
vulgaris fruticofa, Bauh. Pln.,p. 488. Juniperus vulgaris. Park.
Theat. p. 1028. Gerard. Emac. p. 1372. Rail Hijl. p. 141 1.
Synop. p. 44. Juniperus foliis Yonvexo-concavis, ariftatis, baccis
alaribus, feffilibus. Hal Stlrp. Hclv. n. 1661. Uudfon. Flor. Ang.
p. 436. Withering. Bot. Arrang. p. 11 29. Mill, lllujl. ic.

S Juniperus foliis ternis patentibus, acutioribus, ramis erectioribus,
bacca longioribus. Mill. Dltl. Swedi£h Juniper.

v Juniperus minor montana, folio lafiore, fructuquelongiore. Bauh.
Pin. 489. Procumbent Juniper.

Clafs Dioecia. Ord. Monadelphia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1 1 34.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Ma sc. Amentl Calyx fquamse. Cor. o. Stam. 3.

Fem. Cal. 3-partitus. Petala 3. Styli$. Bacca 3-fperma,
tribus tuberculis calycis insequalis.

Sp. Ch. J. foliis ternis patentibus mucronatis bacca longioribus.

THIS fpecies ufually rifes much higher than the Sabina; it is
•covered with brownifh bark, and divides into many branches : the
leaves are very numerous, long, narrow, pointed, of a deep green
colour, and ftand in ternaries : the flowers are male and female on
different plants, and anfwer to the defcription of thofe which we
have given of Juniperus Sabina: a the berries continue two years
upon the tree before they become perfedly ripe, when they are of a
blackifh colour, round, rilled with a brownifh pulp, and each contain

a Of the Sabina we ought to have remarked, that the effential oil and the watery ex-
tract, are kept in the (hops, and that it is an ingredient in Lhe pulv. e m) rrhu compolitus.

No. 20. 3 U three

( 260 }

three irregular hard feeds. It grows in feveral heathy parts of England,
and flowers in May.

Juniper is fuppofed to be the «fxw0<* of the ancients, [| who diftin-
guifhed it into two kinds. b Both the tops and berries of this plant
are directed for.ufe in our Pharmacopoeias, but the latter are ufually
preferred, and are brought to us chiefly from Holland and Italy.
" They have a moderately flrong not difagreeable fmell, and a warm
pungent fweetifli tafte, which if they are long chewed or previoufly
well bruifed, is followed by a conhderable bitternefs. The fweetnefs
appears to refide in the juice or foft pulpy part of the berry ; the
bitternefs, in the feeds ; and the aromatic flavour, in oily veficles,
fpread throughout the fubftance both of the pulp and the feeds, and
diftinguifhable even by the eye. The frefh berries yield, on expreflion,
a rich fweet honey-like aromatic juice : if previoufly powdered fo as
to thoroughly break the feeds, which is not done without great diffi-
culty, the juice proves tart and bitter. The fame differences are
obfervable alfo in tinctures and infufions made from the dry berries,
according as the berry is taken entire or thoroughly bruifed. They
give out nearly all "their virtue both to water and rectified fpirit.
Diftilled with water they yield a yellowifh eflential oil, very fubtile
and pungent, in fmell greatly refembling the berries, in quantity (if
they have been fufhciently bruifed) about one ounce from forty : the
decoction, infpiflated to the confiftence of a rob or extract, has a
pleafant, balfamic, fweet taMe, with a greater or lefs degree of bitter-
ifhnefs. A part of the flavour of the berries arifes alfo in diftillation
with rectified fpirit : the infpiflated tincture confifts of two diftinct
fubftances ; one oily and fweet ; the other tenacious, refinous, and
aromatic." c

Thefe berries are chiefly ufed for their diuretic effects ; they are
alfo confidered to be ftomachic, carminative, and diaphoretic. —

|| The odour of the Juniper-tree, though extremely fragrant, was, by Virgil, thought
to be noxious :

Surgamus ; folet efTe gravis cantantibus umbra :
Juniperi gravis umbra": nocent & frugibus umbrae.

Ecl. x. v. 75.

b See Pliny. Lib. xvi. cap. 25. Gum Sandrach, known alfo by the name of pounce,
is the product of this fpecics of Juniper : it exudes through the crevices of the bark, or
the perforations made by infcds.- c Lewis* Mat. Med. p. $62.

Of

( 26l >

Of the efficacy of Juniper berries in many hydropical affections,
we have various relations by phyficians of great authority, as Du
Verney, Hoffman, Boerhaave, and his illuftrious commentator,
Baron Van Swieten, &c. Authors however feem not to be perfectly
agreed which preparation of the Juniper is moft efficacious, many pre-
fer the rob or infpiffated decoction, but Dr. Cullen obferves,* that this
is an inert medicine, alleging that the effential oil rnuft be almoft
entirely diffipated by the boiling; for to this oil, which is much
the fame as that of turpentine, only of a more agreeable odour, he
thinks all the virtues afcribed to the different parts of Juniper are to
be referred. Hoffman, on the contrary, ftrongly recommends the
rob, and declares it to be of great ufe in debility of the ftomach and
inteftines ; and he experienced it to be particularly ferviceable to fuch
old people as are fubject to thefe diforders, or labour under a difficulty
with regard to the urinary excretion ; from hence it appears, that the
berries (till retain medicinal powers, tnough deprived of the ftimu-
lating effects of the effential oil.d But as the Juniper is now feldom
if ever relied upon for the cure of dropfies, and only called to the
aid of more powerful remedies, it is juftly obferved by a modern
author,, that " perhaps one of the beft forms under which the berries
can be ufed is that of a limple infufion. This either by itfelf, or with
the addition of a little gin, is a very ufeful drink for hydropic patients."6
Medical writers have alfo fpoken of the utility of Juniper in nephritic
cafes, uterine obftructions, fcorbutic affections, and fome cutaneous
difeales, and in the two laff. mentioned complaints, the wood and tops
of the plant are faid to have been employed with more advantage
than the berries/

We are told by Linnaeus,5 that the Laplanders drink infufions of

the Juniper berries as we do tea and coffee, and that the Swedes pre-

* M. M. vol. it. p. 187.

A Van Swieten prefcribed the following formula: Rob. Bacc. Junip. ijii. dilue in
aquas Junip. ffeii. add. fpirit. bacc. Junip. ^ii. Qiiandoque fpiritus nitri dulcis -:fs ad
fitim fedandam additur. Comment, in Boerb. aph. T. 4. p. 258. Of this mixture one or
two ounces were given every three hours. e Duncan New Ed. Difpenf. p. 214.

f Bergius fays, " Virtus: ligni & Jummitat. diuretica, fudorifera, mundificans. Bacca
diuretica, nutriens, diaphoretica." M. M. p. 810.

g Flor. Lapp. p. 301. T hey arc likewife known to afford a pleafant wine. See Du
Hamel, Jrbresr /'. p. 325.

pare

( 262 )

pare a beer from them, in great eftimation for its diuretic and anti-

icorbutic qualities. Our Pharmacopoeias direft the eti&ntia] oil and a
fpirituous distillation of the Juniper berries, to be kept in the fhops :
the former,, in doles of two or three drops, is found to be an active
and ftimulating medicine ; the latter contains this oil, and that of
fome other aromatic feeds united to the fpirit, and therefore differs
not considerably from the genuine geneva imported from Holland ;
but there is great reafon to believe, that the gin ufually fold here is
frequently nothing but the common fumentacious fpirit, imbued with
turpentine, or other materials to give it. a flavour.

VALERIANA OFFICINALIS. OFFICINAL VALERIAN.

SYNONYM A. Valeriana fylveftris. Pbarm. Land, Iff Edinb,
Valeriana fylveftris major. Baub. Fin, p. 164. Gerard, Emac. p.
1075. Park. Tbeat. p. 122. Raii Hijl. p. 388. Synop. p. 200.
Valeriana foliis pinnatis, pinnis dentatis. Hal. Hijl. Stirp. Hclv. n,
210. Valeriana officinalis. Hud/on. Flor, Aug. p. 12. Withering*
hot, Arr. p. 36. Flor. Dan. p. 570.

a Foliis anguftioribus.
Clafs Triandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 44.

Ejf. Gen. Ch, Cal: o. Cor. i-petala, bafi hinc gibba, fupera. Sent, 1.

Sp. Cb. V. floribus triandris, foliis omnibus pinnatis.

THE root is perennial, confifting of a great number of fimple
fibres, which unite at their origin : the ftalk is upright, fmooth,
channelled, round, branched, and rifes from two to four feet in
height : the leaves on the ftem are placed in pairs upon fliort broad
fheathes,' they are compofed of feveral lance-fhaped, partially den-
tated, veined, fmooth pinna?, with an odd one at the end, which is

( 2(53 )

the largeft : the radical leaves are larger, (land upon long footftalks,
and the pinna? are elliptical, and deeply ferrated : the floral leaves are
fpear-lhaped and pointed : the flowers are fmall, of a white or purplifh
colour, and terminate the ftem and branches in large bunches : there
is no calyx, or only a fmall narrow rim : the corolla conlifts of a
narrow tube, fomewhat fwelled on the under fide, and divided at the
limb into live obtufe fegments : the three filaments are tapering,
longer than the corolla, and furnifhed with round antherac : the ger-
men is placed beneath the corolla, and fupports a flender ftyle, (hotter
than the filaments, and terminated by a thick bearded ftigma : the
capfule is crowned with a radiated feather, and contains one feed of
an oblong fhape. It flowers in June, and commonly grows about
hedges and woods.

The narrower-leaved variety of this fpecies of Valerian, which
does not exceed two feet in height, and affects dry heaths and high,
paftures, is juftly in more repute than |:he other ; its roots manifeft
Stronger fenlible qualities, and confequently poiTefs more medicinal
power ; their fmell is ftrong, and has been compared to that of a
mixture of aromatics with fetids ; their tafte unpleafantly warm,
bitterifh, and fubacrid. " The powdered root, infufed in water or
digefted in rectified fpirit, impregnates both menftrua ftrongly with
its fmell and tafte. Water diftilled from it fmells confiderably of the
root, but no effential oil feparates, though feveral pounds be fub-
mitted to the operation at once."-}-

Valerian is fuppofed to be the <P* of Diofcorides and Galen,3 by
whom it is mentioned as an aromatic and diuretic : it was firft brought
into eftimation in convulfive affections by Fabius Columna,5 who
relates that he cured himfelf of an epilepfy by the root of this plant ;
we are told however, that Columna fuffered a relapfe of the diforder,
and no further accounts of the efficacy of Valerian in epilepfy followed
till thofe publifhed by Dominicus Panarolus c fifty years afterwards,

t Lewit, M. M.

a Graecis <fe e(Te credo, a <pv abominantis : olet enim radix felinum quid, non tamen fine
grato odore nardi Hojf. u This fmell is highly delightful to cats ; rats are alfo faid to be
equally fond of thefe roots, and that rat-catchers employ them to draw the rats together."
Withering. I.e. b Pbytobafamis Neapol. 1592. p. 97.

c Iatrologifm. s. medlcin, hi ft. pentac. quinque Rom. 1643. Pwtcc> 01 f. 33./*. 20.

No. 20. 3 X in

( 2<54 )

in which three cafes of its Tuccefs are given. To thefe may be
added many other inftances of the good effects of Valerian root in
this difeafe, fmce publifhed by Cruger,'1 Schuchmann,6 Riverius/
Sylvius/ Marchant,h Chomel,1 Sauvages,k Tiflbt,' and others.

The advantages faid to be derived from this root in epilepfy caufeci
it to be tried in feveral other complaints termed nervous, particularly
thofe produced by increafed mobility and irritability of the nervous
fyftem, in which it has been found highly ferviceable.™ Bergras*
ftates its virtus to be antifpafmodic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue,
diuretic, anthelminthic* Under the head ufus he enumerates Epilepfia,
Convuliiones, Hyfteria, Hemicrania,0 Vifus hebetudo. Dr. Cullen fays,
" its antifpafmodic powers are very well eftablrfhed, and I truft to
many of the reports that have been given of its efficacy ; and if it
has fometimes failed, I have juft now accounted for it,p adding only
this, that it feems to me, in almoft all cafes, it mould be given in-
larger dofes than is commonly done. On this footing, I have fre-
quently found it ufeful in epileptic, hyfteric, and other fpafmodic
affections. "q It is faid however, that in fome cafes of epilepfy at the
Edinburgh Difpenfary, it was given to the extent of two ounces a
day without effecT: ;r and our own experience warrants us in' faying,

<» Eph. Nat. Cur. Dec. 2. A. 7. Obf. 78.
e Eph. Nat. Cur. Dec. 2. A. 4. Obf 44. p. 116. fcf App. ad Dec. 3. A. 3. p. 86.
f Prax. Med. Lib. i. p. 62. g Opera, p. 427.

h Mem. deUAcad. d. Sc. de Paris, 1706. p. 333.
1 PL Ufuettes. T. i. p. 228. k Nofol. Method. T. Hi. P. 2. p. 231. Ed. Svo.

1 Traite de Pepflepjte, p. 310.
m Haller fays, " Ego certe ad hyftericos morbos, nimiamque nervorum fenfibilitatem-,
frequenter cum bono eventu hac radice ufus fum ; et in ipfa epilepfia, non malo fucceffu.
Stirp. Helv. 77. 210. n Mat. Med. p. 3.0.

* He fays, " Emeticam illam nunquam vidi, nec laxantem." The latter quality is
- however very generally afcribed to it by medical writers.

0 Fordyce commends it highly in this difeafe, De Hemicrania, p. 91. Whytt, who
joined it with manna, experienced its utility in epilepfy, On Nerv. Dif. p. 513. Joined
with guaiacum, Morgan found it ufeful in refolving glandular or ftrumous humours.
Phil, princ. p. 424.

p From the difeafe depending upon different caufes,and from the root being frequently
employed in an improper condition.

1 Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 372. r New Ed, Difpenf. by Dr. Duncan, p. 300.

that

97

( 265 )

that it will be feldom found to anfwer the expectations of the pre-
fcriber. The root, in fubftance, is mod effectual, and is ufually
given in powder from a fcruple to a dram : its unpleafant flavour
may be concealed by a fmall addition of mace. A tincture of Va-
lerian in proof fpirit, and in volatile fpirit, are ordered in the London
Pharmacopoeia.

MARRUBRUM VULGARE. COMMON WHITE

HOREHOUND.

STNO NTMA. Marrubium. Pbarm. Lond.'tf Edlnb. Marrubium
album vulgare. Baub, Pin. p. 230. Park. Tbeat. p. 44. Mar-
rubium album. Gerard Emac. p. 693. Jiaii Hift. p. 556. Synop.
p. 239. Marrubium dentibus calycinis denis, recurvis. Hal. Stlrp.
Helv. n. 258. Hudfon. Flor. Ang. pA 260. Withering. Bot. Arrange
p. 61 j.

'Clafs Didynamia. Ord. Gymnofpermia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 721.

EJf. Gen. Cb. CaL hypocateriformis, rigidus 10-Puiatus. Corolla
lab. fup. 2-fidum, lineare, rectum.

Sp. Cb. M. dentibus calycinis fetaceis uncinatis-

THE root is perennial, and furnifhed with numerous fibres : the
ftalks are upright, ftrong, fquare, hairy, or downy, and rile about a
foot and a half in height : the leaves are roundifh or oblong, deeply
ferrated, veined, wrinkled, hoary, and Hand in pairs upon thick
broad footftalks : the flowers are white, and produced in whorls at
the footftalks of the leaves : the calyx is tubular, fcored, and divided
at the mouth into ten narrow fegments, which are hooked at the end :
the corolla is monopetalous, gaping, comprefled, confifting of a cylin-
drical tube, opening at the mouth into two lips : the upper lip is
narrow, and cloven or notched 5 the under lip is broader, reflected,

and

( 266 )

and divided into three fegments, the middlemoft of which is broad,
and flightly fcolloped at the end; the lateral fegments are fpear-fhaped
and fhort : the filaments are two long and two fhort, fupplied with
fimple anthers, which are concealed in the tube : the germen is di-
vided into four parts, from which iflues a flender ftyle, furniflied with
a cloven fligma : the feeds are four, of an oblong fhape. It grows
near the fides of roads and rubbifh, and flowers in June.

" The leaves of Horehound have a moderately ftrong fmell of the
aromatic kind, but not agreeable, which by drying is improved, and
in keeping for fome months is in great part diffipated : their tafte is
very bitter, penetrating, diffufive, and durable in the mouth." " The
dry herb gives out its virtue both to watery and fpirituous menftrua :
on infpifiating the watery infufion, the fmell of the Horehound
wholly exhales, and the remaining extract: proves a ftrong and almoft
flavourlefs bitter : rectified fpirit carries off likewife greateft part of
the flavour, of the herb, leaving an extract in lefs quantity than that
obtained by water, and of more penetrating bitternefs." a

This plant is the ttga^m of the ancients, by whom it is greatly ex-
tolled for its efficacy in removing obftructions of the lungs and other
vifcera.b It has chiefly been employed in humoural afthmas,0 obftinate
coughs, and pulmonary confumptions ;d inftances are alfo mentioned
of its fuccefsful ufe in fcirrhous affections of the liver,c jaundice/
cachexies, and menftrual luppreffions.5

That Horehound poflefles fome fhare of medicinal power may be
inferred from its fenfible qualities, * but its virtues do not appear to

a LnutSy M. M. p. 4 r I. b Diofcorides, Lib. in, c. 1 19. See alfo Pliny, Lib. xx. c. 2*1
c Rhazes ad Manfoh'i. n. 42. Particularly, infarctions of the lungs and difficulty _
of breathing from vifcid mucous.

Lofechj Arzneym. p. 382. Langc^ Mi f cell, verit. med. p. 57.

d Alex. Trailian. Lib. v. Vide Cdjus, Lib. Hi. cap. 22. Caelius Aurelianus, Morb, \
chron. Lib. ii. p. 423. Dc Haen Rat. Mdcnd. P. iv. p. 252. But he and HaUefi
often found it fail ; the latter fays, Ego quidem in morbis fimilibus cum difficili fputorum.j
excreatione infufum aquofum utiliter dedi : & in phthifi fatis profecla femel vidi utile -
fuifle, non autem in aliis exemplis : potius vero mihi movere videtur, quam reprimere. I.e.

e Zacutus LufitanHS> Prax. admin Lib. 2. O'f 48. Chomcl^ Ujueil. T. i.p. 232.

* Forreft. Op. Lib. 19. Obf. 19. & 40. 5 Borcllus, Hlft. ct Obferv. Cent. iv. p. 14.' J
* Taken in confidcrable quantities it is faid to loofen the body.

be

( ^67 )

be clearly afcertained,h and the character it formerly obtained is fo
far depreciated, that it is now rarely prefcribed by phyficians. A
dram of the dry leaves in powder, or two or three ounces of the
expreffed juice, or an infulion of half a handful of the frefh leaves
have been dire&ed for a dofe. This laft mode is ufually pradtifed by
the common people, with whom it is ftill a favourite remedy in
coughs and afthmas.1

h Bergius fays, Virtus : tonica, emmenagoga, cliuretica. Ufus : Cachexia, ob. menfium,
Hyfteria, Afthma pituitofum.

1 " It has had the reputation of a pectoral : but in many trials, its virtues in that way
have not been obferved ; and in feveral cafes it has been judged hurtful. For its ufe in
Afthma and Phthifis, and for its power in refolving indurations of the liver, I confider
the authorities of Forreftus, Zacutus Lufitanus, and Chomel, to be very infufficient ;
and the events they have afcribed to it feem to be very improbable." Cullen Mat. Med.
vol. it. p. 155-

ASTRAGALUS TRAGACANTHA. GOAT's THORN

MILK VETCH.

Ex hac planta exudat Gummi Tragacantha. Pharm. Lond. Ess9 Edinb.

S TNO NT MA. Aftragalus aculeatus fruticofus Maflilienfis. BuL
Aim. p. 6o. Tragacantha. Bauh. Pin. p. 388. Tragacantha, five
fpina hirci. Gerard Emac. p. 1328. Tragacantha vera. Park.
Theat.p. 995. Tragacantha Maflilienfis. J. Bauh. Hijl. i.p. 407.
Rati Hijl. p. 933. Du Ha??iel, Traite des Arbres, t. ii. p. 343.
Tournefort, Voyage du Levant, t. i. p. 2 1.

Clafs Diadelphia. Ord. Decandria. Lin. Gen, Plant. 892.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Legumen biloculace, gibbum.

Sp. Ch. A. caudice arborefcente, petiolis fpinefcentibus.

THE root is perennial, long, tapering, and fibrous : the ftems
.are fhrubby, fhort, thick, branched, procumbent, clothed with brown
No. 20. 3 Y rigid

( 268 )

rigid fibres, and befet with long fharp fpines : the leaves are pinnated,
confifting of about eight pairs of fmall oblong pinnule, or leafits,
which are attached to a ftrong fpinous perfiftent footftalk, or midrib :
the flowers are large, of a pale yellow colour, and terminate the
branches in dole clufters : the calyx is tubular and divided at the rim
into five fharp teeth : the corolla is of the papilionaceous kind, con-
fifcing of a vexilhim or upper petal, which is longer than the others,
ftraight, blunt, reflected at the fides, and notched at the end ; two
aLz or lateral petals, which are of an oblong form, and a carina or
keel-fhaped under-petal : the filaments are ten, nine of which are
united, and one feparate : the antherae are fmall and round : the ger-
men is long and roundifh : the ftyle tapering, and furnifhed with a
blunt ftigma : the feeds are kidney-fhaped, and contained in a two-
celled pod. It flowers from May till July.

This plant was cultivated in England in the time of Parkinfon,
(1640) : it is a native of Afiatic Turkey, and the Southern parts of
Europe, particularly of Italy, Sicily, and Crete. Tournefort dis-
covered it growing plentifully about Mount Ida,a where he examined
the plant in the month of July, when both the bark and wood were
found diftended with gum Tragacanth, which by the intenlity of the
fun's heat forces its way through the bark, and concretes into irregular
lumps, or long vermicular pieces, bent into a variety of fhapes, and
larger or fmaller in proportion to its quantity, and the lize of the
wounds from whence it ifTues. This gum is imported here chiefly
from Turkey : it varies in its colour; but that moft efteemed is white,,
femitranfparent, dry, yet fomewhat foft to the touch.

M. de la Billardiere's late account b of the production of this gum
differs in fome refpects from that of Tournefort's. He fays, that he
vifited Mount Lebanon in Auguft, 1706, the feafon when the gum*
Tragacanth is collected : he then found the fpecies of Aftragaius
which afforded it, to be different from that figured and defcribed by

* Voyage, T. i. p. 21.

b Sec Defcription d'une nouvelle efpece d'aftragale, qui produit au Liban la gomms
adragant, Hijl. de i'Jcad.R. des Scien.du 16 Dec. 1788. aRozier, Obferv.fur la pbyfiquc*
pour Janvie **, 1 790.

Tournefort^

( 269 )

Tournefort, and confequently not the Tragacantha of Linnams.' He
alfo contradicts the opinion of Tournefort, who attributes the flowing
of the gum to the contraction of the fibres of the bark, occafioned
by the intenfity of the folar heat; obferving that it is only during the
night, or when the fun is obfcured by clouds, that the gum hTues
from the plant, and that the fame has been remarked at Crete.

" Gum Tragacanth differs from all other known gums, in giving a
thick contiftence to a much larger quantity of water ;* and in being
much more difficultly dilfoluble, or rather diflblving only imperfectly/
Put into water, it flowly imbibes a great quantity of the liquid, fwells
into a large volume, and forms a foft but not fluid mucilage : if more
water be added, a fluid folution may be obtained by agitation, but the
liquor looks turbid and wheyifh ; and on ftanding the mucilage fub-
fides, the limpid water on the furface retaining little of the gum:"~f-
nor does the mixture of gum arabic promote their union.

The demulcent qualities of this gum are to be confidered as fimilar
tto thofe of gum arabic : c it is feldom given alone, but frequently in
(combination with more powerful medicines, efpecially in the form of
ttrcches, for which it is peculiarly well adapted. It gives name to
<an officinal powder, and is an ingredient in the compound powder
(of cerufs.

c He makes the following diftin&ions : The ftem of the Cretan Aftragalus is blackifliv
tthat of Libanon is yellow ; the leaves of the firft are downy, of the fecond they are
t fmooth. The flowers of one are red, thofe of the other are of a pale yellow. From hence
hhe infers that there are various fpecies of Aftragalus which produce gum. tragacanth.

L * Multo fortius eft hoc gummi, quam G. arabicum, fc. ut i ad 24. Etenim dum G.
iTragac. fcrup. 8 aquae purae libr. 2 in confiftentiam Syrupi redigunt, requiruntur G.
UArab. unc. 8 ad eundem effectum prasftandum. Berg. M. M. p. 622.

I d Rutty averts, that in five or fix hours it will diffolve in cold water. Obferv. on tht
MlLond. iff Edin. Difpen. p. 179. f Lewis's M. M.

e See p. 189. Bergius fays, Virtus : demulcens, obtundens, incrafdns. Ufus: Dyfen-
Iccna,, Diarrhoea, Stranguria. /. c p. 621 -

PANAX QUINQU E FOLIUM,

( 270 )
PANAX QJJINQUEFOLIUM.

GINSENG.

S TNO NT MA. Ginfeng. Pbarm. Lond. Ssf Edinb. Raii Rift. p.
1338. Aureliana canadenfis. Lqfiteau in Memoir es concerhant la
precieufe plante de Ginfeng. Paris, 1 7 1 8. Et Hijl. de V Acad. 1 7 1 8.

42. Catejbys Car. 3. p. 16. t. 16. Brcyn. m Prod. rar.pl. 2.
/• 35- -^T- 52. Araliaftrum foliis ternis quinquepartitis

Gingfeng f. Ninfin officinarum. Ehret. tabid, a Trew, t. 6. Jig. 1.
Gin-feng Chinenfibus. Jartoux Phil. Tranf. vol. xxviii. p. 237.
Conf. Dcs lettres edijiantes &f curieufes, torn. x. p. 172. Araliaftrum,
quinquefolii folio, majus Ninfin avocatum. Vail. Sex. 43.

Clafs Polygamia. Ord. Dioecia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1 1 66.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Hermaphrod. Umbella. Cal. 5-dentatus, fuperus.
Cor. 5-petala. Stam. 5. Styli 2. Bacca difperma.

Ma sc. Umbella. Cal. integer. Cor. 5-petala. Stam, 5.
aS^. Cb. P. foliis ternis quinatis.

THE root is perennial, fmall, wrinkled, branched, of a pale yel-
lowifh colour, and fends off many fhort llender fibres : the ftalk is
erecT;, fmooth, round, fimple, tinged of a deep purple colour, and above
a foot in height : the leaves arife with the flower ftem from a thick
joint at the extremity of the ftalk; they are generally three, but
fometimes more, of the digitated kind, each dividing into five fimple
leaves, which are of an irregular oval fhape, ferrated, veined, pointed,
fmooth, of a deep green colour above, and Hand upon fhort footftalks
proceeding from a common petiolus, which is long, round, and almoft

• The plant formerly known by this name is now underflood to be the Sion Ninfl, j
of Linmeus.

erect: I

9y

( )

ere& : the flowers are white, produced in a roundifh terminal umbel,
and are hermaphrodite or male on feparate plants : the former, which
we have figured, ftand in clofe fimple umbels : the involucrum confifts
of feveral fmall, tapering, pointed, permanent leaves ; the proper calyx
is tubular, and divided at the rim into five fmall teeth : the corolla
confifts of five petals, which are fmall, oval, equal, and reflexed :
the filaments are five, fhort, and furnifhed with fimple antherae : the
germen is roundifh, placed below the corolla, and fupports two fhort
erect ftyles, crowned by fimple ftigmata : the fruit is an umbilicated
two-celled berry, each containing a fingle irregularly heart-fhaped
feed. The flowers appear in June.

Ginfeng was formerly fuppofed to grow only in Chinefe Tartary,
affecting mountainous fituations, fhaded by clofe woods ; but it has
now been long known that this plant is alfo a native of North America,
whence M. Sarrafin tranfmitted fpecimens of it to Paris in the year
1 704 ;b and the Ginfeng fince difcovered in Canada, Penfylvania,
and Virginia by Lafiteau,0 Kalm,d Bartram,0 and others, has been found
to correfpond exactly with the Tartarian fpecies, and its roots are now
regularly purchafed by the Chinefe, who confider them to be the fame
as thofe of eaftern growth, which are known to undergo a certain
preparation, whereby they affume an appearance fomewhat different.
For it is faid that in China the roots are wafhed and foaked in a
decoction of rice, or millet-feed, and afterwards expofed to the fleam
of the liquor, by which they acquire a greater firmnefs and clearnefs
than in their natural ftate.* The plant was firlt introduced into
England in 1740 by that induftrious naturalift Peter Collinfon/ and
our figure was drawn from a good fpecimen, growing in the Royal
Botanic garden at Kew.

The dried root of Ginfeng, as imported here, is fcarcely the thick-
nefs of the little finger, about three or four inches long, frequently

b Sarrafin was correfpondent of the Royal Academy of Sciences, in the hiftory of
which his account was publilhed in 1718. See p. 44.

c L. c. d Rofa til N. America, t. Hi. p. 334. e Comm. Nor. 1741. p. 36 r.

f See Hort. Kew.

* The Chinefe value thefe roots in fome meafure according to their figure, efteeming
thofe very highly which are regularly forked, or have a fancied refemblance to the
human form.

No, 20, 3 Z forked,

( )

forked, tranfverfely wrinkled, of a horny texture, and both internally
and externally of a yellowifh white colour. " To the tafte it difcovers
a mucilaginous fweetnefs, approaching to that of liquorice, accom-
panied with fome degree of bitteriihnefs, and a flight aromatic
warmth, with little or no fmell. It is far fweeter and of a more grate-
ful fmell than the roots of fennel, to which it has by feme been fup-
pofed fimilar ; and differs likewife remarkably fr 0111 thofe roots, in
the nature and pharmaceutic properties of its active principles ; the
iweet matter of the Ginfeng being preferved entire in the watery as
well as the fpirituous extract, whereas that of fennel roots is deftroyeel
or diffipated in the infpiffiation of the watery tincture. The flight
aromatic impregnation of the Ginfeng is likewife in good meafure re-
tained in the watery extract, and perfectly in the fpirituous,." &

The Chinefe afcribe extraordinary virtues to the root of Ginfeng,
and have long confidered it as a fovereign remedy in ahnoft all difeafes
to which they are liable, having no confidence in any medicine unlefs
in combination with it. It is obferved by Jartoux, that the moft
eminent Phyficians in China have written volumes on the medicinal
powers of this plant, afferting that it gives immediate relief in extreme
fatigue, either of body or mind, that it diffolves pituitous humours,
and renders refpiration eafy, ftrengthens the ftomach, promotes
appetite, flops vomitings, removes hyfterical, hypochondriacal, and all
nervous affections, and gives a vigorous tone of body, even in extreme
old age.h Thefe, and many other effects of this root, equally impro-
bable and extravagant, are related by various authors, and Jartoux'
was fo much biaffed by this eaftern prejudice in favour of Ginfeng,
that he feems to have given them full credit, and confirms them in fome
meafure from his own experience.1 But we know of no proofs of

the

6 Lewis, M. M. p. 325.
h L. 0 See alfo Decker, (Exercit. pratt. p. m. 670.)

i He fays-, " Nobody can imagine that the Chinefe and Tartars would fet fo high a
value upon this root, if it did not conftantly produce a good effect."' — " I obferved the
ftate of my pulfe, and then took half of a root raw: in an hour after I found my pulfe
much fuller and quicker j I had an appetite, and found myfelf much more vigorous, and
could bear labour much better and eafier than before. But I did not rely on this trial
alone, imagining that this alteration might proceed from the reft we had that day : but

/

■

( 273 )

the efficacy of Ginfeng in Europe, and from its fenfible qualities we
judge it to poffefs very little power as a medicine.k It is recommended
in decoction, viz. a dram of the root to be long boiled in a fufficient
quantity of water for one dofe.

four days after, finding myfelf fo fatigued and weary that I could fcarce fit on horfeback,
a Mandarin who was in company with us perceiving it, gave me one of thefe roots : I-
took half of it immediately, and an hour after I was not the leaft fenfible of any weari-
nefs. I have often made ufe of it fince, and always with the fame fuccefs. I have
obferved alfo, that the green leaves, and efpecially the fibrous parts of them chewedj
would produce nearly the fame efFedf." Phil. Tranf. vol. xxviii. p. 239.

fe Dr. Cullcn fays, " We are told that the Chinefe confider Ginfeng as a powerful
aphrodifiac ; but I have long neglected the authority of popular opinions, and this is one
inftance that has confirmed my judgment. I have known a gentleman, a little advanced
In life, who chewed a quantity of this root every day for feveral years, but who acknow-
ledged he never found his faculties in this way improved by it/' M.M. vol, it. p. i6i»

VERATRUM ALBUM. WHITE HELLEBORE,

Or, VERATRUM.

STN 0 NY MA. Helleborus albus. Pharm. Lond. & Edinb.
Gerard Emac. p. 440. Rati Hlft. p. r68. Helleborus Albus,
flore fubviridi. Banh. Pin. p. 186. Helleborus albus vulgaris.
Park.. Tbeat. p. 217. Veratrum flore fubviridi. Tournef. Lift,
p. 272. Veratrum fpica paniculata, floribus maribus & feminis.
Hall. Stlrp. Helv. n. 1204. Veratrum album. J acq, Flor. Aujl,
v. iv. t. 335. Mill. Illujlr. ic.

Clafs Polygamia. Ord. Monoecia. Lift. Gen. Plant. 1144.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Hermaphrod. Cal. o. Cor. 6-petaku Stam. 6.
Pift, 3. Cap/. 3, polyfpermae.

Ma sc. Cal. o. Cor. 6-petala. Stam. 6. Pift. rudimentum.

Sp. Ch. V. racemo fupradecompofito, corollis ere&is.

THE

( 274 )

THE root is perennial, about an inch thick, externally brown,
internally white, and befet with many ftrong fibres : the ftalk is
thick, ftrong, round, upright, hairy, and ufually rifes four feet in
height : the leaves are numerous, very large, oval, entire, ribbed,
plaited, without footilalks, of a yellowifh green colour, and furround
the ftem at its bafe : the flowers are both hermaphrodite and male,
of a greenifh colour, and appear from June to Auguft, in very long
branched terminal fpikes : the hermaphrodite flowers are without
calyces : the corolla confifts of fix petals, which are oblong, or lancc-
ihaped, veined, perfiftent, of a pale green colour : the filaments are
fix, clofely furroundiug the germens, fhorter than the corolla, and
terminated by quadrangular antherse : the germens are three in each
flower, erect, oblong, ending in fhort hairy ftyles, which are crowned
with flat fpreading ftigmata : the capfules are three, oblong, com-
prefTed, erect, two-celled, opening inwardly, and containing many
oblong compreffed membranous feeds. The male flowers differ from
thefe only in wanting the germens.

This plant is a native of Italy, Switzerland, Auftria, and Ruflia :
its firft cultivation in this country is afcribed to Gerard, and of courfe
was previous to the year 1596.

The EMtfogo: moms of the Greek writers is by many fuppofed to be
our Helleborus albus ; but this opinion, like many others reflect-
ing the identity of the ancient nomenclature of plants with that of
the modern, feems drawn rather from the fimilarity of their effects
upon the body, than from an agreement in their botanical defcrip-
tions. This will evidently appear upon comparing the plant here
figured with the defcription given by Diofcorides :* and yet Geoffroy
fays, " Apud Diofcoridem hellebori albi defcriptio, veratro albo
noftro fatis apte convenit." a

* " Helleborus albus folia fert Plantaginis aut Betae fylveftris fimilia, fed breviora,
nio-riora, & dorfo rubefcentia : caulem palmi altitudine, concavum ; qui quidem tunicas
qutbus convolvitur abdicat cum arefcere incipit. Radices fubjaccnt numerofae, tenues
ac fibratze, ab exiguo & oblongo capitulo, ceu caepa, exeuntes, eidemque annexae. Naf-
citur in montofis & afperis," Diofcorid. M. M. L. iv. c. 150. This defcription of
the plant, thongh imperfect, is the only one given by the ancients.

* Mat. Med. vol. it. p. 68.

The

( 275 )

The famous Anticyran Hellebore,1' is likewife

thought to be the Helleborus niger of Linnaeus, an account of which
has been given at page 50 ; but the defcriptions of the former by the
ancients are fo vague that their identity is equally doubtful ;c the
application therefore of what has formerly been faid of the Hellebores
of the Greeks to thofe known to us, can only be admitted but as. a
matter of probability.

Hippocrates frequently mentions Hellebore fimply, or generically,
by which we are told the white is to be underftood, as he adds the
word black or purging when the other fpecies is meant ; and as the
purgative powers of Veratrum are known to be weaker than thofe
of helleborus niger, the diftinction is fo far applicable to the effects
now experienced of the roots of our Hellebores.

It appears from various inftances, that not only the roots of white
Hellebore but that every part of the plant is extremely acrid and
poifonous, as its leaves and even feeds proved deleterious to different
animals.d The dried root has no peculiar fmell, but a durable
naufeous acrid bitterifh tafte, burning the mouth and fauces ; when
powdered and applied to ilTues or ulcers it produces griping and
purging ; if muffed up the nofe it proves a violent fternutatory.
Gefner made an infufion of half an ounce of this root with two
ounces of water, of this he took two drams, which produced great
heat about the fcapulae, and in the fjce and head, as well as the tongue

b " Naviget Anticyram." —

Danda eft hellebori multo pars maxima avaris :
Necio, an Anticyram ratio illis deftinet omnem.

Hor. Sat. Lib. ii. v. 82.

It is faid that both the white and black hellebore grew at Anticyra, but the latter was
1 accounted fafer, and therefore more commonly employed. Paufanias^ Lib. x. p. 623.

c Though Tournefort fays, " Nous connumes deux Herboriftes a Prufe, 1'un Emir&
U'autre Armenien, qui palToient pour de grands Do&eurs. lis nous fournirent des racines
1 du veritable Ellebore noir des anciens, autant que nous voulumes pour en faire l'extrait.
iC'eft la meme efpece que celle des Anticyres & des cdtes de la Mer Noir." See his
: account of Mount Olympus. Voyage du Levant. But his defcription of the plant differs
\ widely from that of our Helleborus niger.

d See Pallas, Ruff. Reife, vol. i. p. 49. Kami's A7". Amer. torn. Hi. p. 48. G unner,
iFl. Norveg. P. ii. p. 1. For the poifonous effects of the roots, when applied to wounds
«©f different animals, Vide Phil. Tranf. vol. xhii. p. 82.

No. 21. 4 A and

( *76 )

and throat, followed with fingultus, which continued till vomiting was
excited.' Eergius alfo experienced very diftreffing fymptoms merely
by tafting this infufion/ The root, taken in large do'fes, difcovers
fuch acrimony, and operates upwards and downwards with fuch
violence that blood is ulually difcharged :g it likewife acts very power-
fully upon the nervous fyftem, producing great anxiety, tremors,
vertigo, fyncope, lofs of voice, interrupted refpiration, finking of
the pulfe, convulfions, fpafms, cold fweats, &c.h Upon opening
thofe who have died by the effects of this poifon, the ftomach dif-
covered marks of inflammation, with corrofions of its interior coat,
and the lungs have been found inflamed, and their veflels much
diftended with dark blood.1

The ancients, though fufhciently acquainted with the virulency of
their white Hellebore, were not deterred from employing it internally
in feveral difeafes, efpecially thofe of a chronic and obftinate kind,
as mania, melancholia, hydrops, elephantiafis, epilepfia, vitiligo, lepra,
rabies canina, &c. they confidered it the fafer when it excited vomit-
ing, and Hippocrates wifhed this to be its firft effect. To thofe of
weak conftitutions, as women, children, old men, and thofe labour-
ing under pulmonary complaints, its exhibition was deemed unfafe ;
and even when given to the robuft it was thought neceffary to mode-
rate its violence by different combinations and preparations ; for it
was frequently obferved to effect a cure not only by its immediate
action upon the prima? viae, but when no fenfible evacuations was
promoted by its ufe.k

e Epifl. Med. p. 69.

f M. M. p. 819. * Ettmuller. Oper. torn. ii. P. 2. p. 435. h Wepfer, de Cicut.
p. 48. Lorry de Melanch. it. p. 313. Borrich. del. Haf. vol. vi. p. 145. Albert.
Jurifprud. Med. vol. vi. p. 718. Brefl. Samml. 1 724. P. 2. p. 269. p. 537. AS:.
Berol. Dec. 2. vol. 6. Mifc. Nat. Cur. Dec. 2. Ann. 2. p. 239. i Aft. Bcrol. cit.
Mifc. Nat. Cur. cit.

Bergins fays, " Ego vix a memet impetrare potero, ut radicis, ita intenfe venenata,
ufum internum cuiquam fuafurus fim, nifi fumma adhibita circumfpicientia ; etenim
conftat, earn, in fatis parca dofi propinatam, faspe horrenda fymptomata excitafle, ut
fitim, cardialgiam, tormina, fingultum, fuffbeationes, convulfiones, tremores, inflammatio-
nem primarum viarum, ljpothymias, fudorein frigidum, immo & mortem." /. c.

k Hippocr. tr^t EAAf/3of/<rf*5 in Oper. ed. Lind, tern. i. p, 610. Et Aphorifm. Sefa
Aph. 13 — it.

Similar

( 277 )

Similar obfervations have been made of Veratrum by authors of
later times: Mayerne 1 gave from two to three grains of an extract of
this root with confiderable advantage in maniacal cafes, where no
remarkable evacuation took place ; and Con. Gefner,m who investi-
gated the qualities of Veratrum by repeated experiments, and whofe
encomiums on its efficacy feemed for a while to reft ore it to the
ancient character of Hellebore, exprefsly declares, that he did not
give it as an evacuant, but to produce the more gradual effects of thofe
medicines termed alteratives. Gefner's account of Veratrum was
followed by thofe of feveral other authors," in which it is faid to have
been ferviceable in various chronic difeafes. But the fulleft trial which
feems to have been lately, made of the efficacy of Veratrum is by
Greding,c who employed it in a great number of cafes, (twenty-eight)
of the maniacal and melancholic kind ; the majority of thefe, as
might be expected, derived no permanent benefit; feveral however
were relieved, and five completely cured by this medicine. It was
the bark of the root, collected in the fpring, which he gave in
powder, beginning with one grain : this dofe was gradually increafed
according to its effects. With fome patients one or two grains excited
naufea and vomiting, but generally eight grains were required to pro-
duce this effect, though in a few inftances a fcruple, and even more, .
was given. We may alfo remark, that he fometirnes ufed the extract
prepared after Stoerck's manner. — In almoft every cafe which he
relates, the medicine acted more or lefs upon all the excretions :

1 Prax. Med. Lib. i. c. J. p. 69. fq.

m He fays, " non ad purgapdum, fed ad referandos meatus & crafios humores attenu-
andum, eofque a centro & interioribus corporis ad fuperficiem & vias excretionum vari-
arura educendum." Adding, " recreat & roberat, & hilar iarem facit, & acuit ingenium :
quod in me & aliis fepiflime expertus fcribo." Had Gefner lived long enough, he had
ft'ill more to fay on this fubject. " Ego, fi vixero, in Ellebori hiftoria multa proferam,
quae mcdici admirentur." /. c.

n Hannemanri) §>uercetanus, Screta, Wepfer, Muralto, Linder.
0 Fermifchte Med. u. chirurg. Schri/hn. Altenb. 1781. to p. 30.
Wendt relates a cafe of mania, brought on by taking pepper and fpirits of wine as a
remedy for the ague ; the difeafe continued thirty-three weeks, when it was faid to have
been cured by a deco£tion of white hellebore ; but as copious and repeats! bleedings,
with other means, were employed, the cure cannot wholly be afcribed to the hellebore.
See Agalfiz. DiJJ'* de therapia mania. Erl. 1785. p. 37.

vomiting

( 278 )

vomiting and purging were very generally produced, and the matter
thrown off the ftomach was conftantly mixed with bile; a florid
rednefs frequently appeared on the face, and various cutaneous
efflorefcences upon the body ; and, in fome pleuretic, fymptoms with
fever fupervened, fo as to require bleeding, nor were the more alarm-
ing affections of fpafms and convulfions unfrequent. Critical evacua-
tions, we are told, were often very evident, many fweated profufely,
in fome the urine was confiderably increafed, in others the faliva and
the mucous difcharges : alfo uterine obftru&ions, of long continuance,
were often removed by this drug.

Veratrum has likewife been found ufeful in epilepfy, and other con-
vulfive complaints/ but the difeafes in which its efficacy feems leafl
equivocal, are thofe of the fkin,q as fcabies and different prurient
eruptions, herpes, morbus pediculofus, lepra, fcrophula, &c. and in
many of thefe it has been fuccefsfully employed both internally and
externally.

As a powerful ftimulant, and irritating medicine, its ufe has been
reforted to only in defperate cafes, and then it is firft to be tried in
very fmall dofes, in a diluted ftate, and to be gradually increafed, ac-
cording to the effects.

p Greding, /. c. See alfo Smyth in Medical Communications^ vol. i. p. 207.

* Its fuccefs in thefe complaints is mentioned both by the ancient and modern writers.
Smyth relates three cafes, See /. c .

The Veratrum nigrum of Lin. or Helleborus albus flore atro-rubente of C. Bauh. is
feid to produce the fame effects as the Veratrum album. See Lorry, de melanch. torn. iL
p. 289. iff Linnaeus, Jmoen. Acad. vol. ix. p. 261. Helleborus is fuppofed to be derived
into t« Ixtiv fa?* quod efu perimat. Veratrum dicitur quod mentem vertat, or, a verare
L e, vera loqui, V* C. Bauh, I, c.

LILIUM CANDIDUM.

( 279 )

LILIUM CANDIDUM. COMMON WHITE LILY.

5 T N 0 NT MA. Lilium album. Pbdrm. Edinb. Gerard Emac.
p. 1 90. Raii Hift. p. 1 109, Lilium album vulgare. Park. Farad.
39. J". Baub. Hift. ii. p. 685.

*

* Lilium album flore erect o et vulgare. Banh. Pin. p. 76.

6 Lilium album floribus dependentibus five peregrinum. Bauh. Pin,

p. 76. Nodding-Flowered White Lily.

Clafs Hexandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 410.

pjjf. Gen. Ch. Cor. 6-petala, campanulata : linea longitudinali nec-
tarifera. Cap/, valvulis pilo cancellato connexis.

■

Sp. Ch. L. foliis fparfis, corollis campanulatis : intus glabris.

THE root is a large bulb, from which proceed feveral fucculent
fibres : the Hem is firm, round, upright, fimple, and ufually rifes
about three feet in height : the leaves are numerous, long, narrow
pointed, fmooth, without footftalks, and irregularly fcattered over the
Hem : the flowers are large, white, and terminate the ftem in clufters
upon fhort peduncles : it has no calyx : the corolla is bell-fhaped,
confirming of fix petals, which within are of a beautiful fhining white,
but without ridged, and of a lefs luminous whitenefs : the filaments
are fix, tapering, much Ihorter than the corolla, upon which are
placed tranfverfely large orange-coloured antherae : the ftyle is longer
than the filaments, and furnifhed with a fleihy triangular ftigma : the
gcrmen becomes an oblong capfule, marked with fix furrows, and
divided into three cells, which contain many flattifh feeds of a femi-
circular form. It flowers in June and July,

No. 21.

This

( 28o )

This Lily, which now very commonly decorates the borders of
our gardens with the beautiful whitenefs a of its flowers, is a native
of the Levant, and has been cultivated here fince the time of Gerard.
The flowers of this plant have a pleafant fweet fmell, and were for-
merly ufed for medicinal purpofes ;b a watery diftillation of them was
employed as a cofmetic, and the oleum liliorum was fuppofed to
poflefs anodyne and nervine powers; but the odorous matter of thcfe
flowers is of a very volatile kind, being totally diflipated in drying,
and entirely carried off in evaporation by rectified fpirit as well as
water ; and though both menftrua become impregnated with their
agreeable odour by infufion or diftillation, yet no eflential oil could
be obtained from feveral pounds of the flowers. It is therefore the
roots only which are now directed by the Edinburgh College : they are
extremely mucilaginous, and are chiefly ufed, boiled with milk or
water, in emollient and fuppurating cataplafms : it is probable
however, that the poultices formed of bread or farina, poflefs every
advantage of thofe prepared of Lily root.

Lilium » Ksipiov vel By the Greeks it is called xpivo+.

a Alluding to this, Ovid, in the luxuriancy of his imagination, afcribes its origin to
the milk of Juno.

" Dum puer Alcides Divae vagus ubera fuxit
" Junonis, dulci prefla fapore fuit ;
" Ambrofiumque alto lac diftillavit Olympo
" In terras fufum Lilia pulchra dedit."

Pliny fays, Lilium Rofa nobilitate proximum eft ; and both thefe flowers have furniflied
their fhare of metaphor to ancient and modern poets.

Either fingly,

• vel mixta rubent ubi lilia multa

Alba rosa : tales virgo dabat ore colores.

JE$. lib. xii. 68.
fc Particularly as an antiepileptic and anodyne.

ERYNGIUM MARITIMUM

( a8i )

ERYNGIUM * MARITIMUM. SEA ERYNGO, or HOLLY.

SYNONYM J. Eryngium. Pharm. Lond. Bauh. Pin. p. 386.
Eryngium marinum. Gerard Emac.fi. 1162. Park. Theat.fi. 986.
J. Bauh. Hijl. vol. iii.fi. 86. RaiiHifl.fi. 384. Synofi.fi. 222.
Eryngium maritimum. Bauh. Pinax.fi. 386. Hudfon. Flor. d??g.
Withering. Bot. Arrang. fi. 264. Fler* Dan. tab. 875.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Digynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 324.

pjf.Gen.Ch. Flores capitati. Recefitaculum paleaceum. .

Sfi. Ch. E. foliis radicalibus fubrotundis plicatis fpinofis, capitulis
pedunculatis, paleis tricufpidatis.

TH E root is perennial, long, round, tough, externally of a
brown colour, internally whitifh : the ftalk is thick, fleihy, round,
ftriated, white, branched, and rifes from one to two feet in height :
the leaves, which grow fro m the root, are roundifh, plaited, trifid,
firm, fpinous like thofe of the holly, marked with white reticulated
veins, and of a very pale bluifh green colour ; thofe proceeding from
the ftalk are feflile, and furround the branches : the flowers are fmall,
of a blue colour, and terminate the branches in round heads : the
common receptacle is conical, and fupplied w\x\\ palete, which Sepa-
rate the florets : the nrvolucrum of the receptacle is compofed of
many pointed leaves, which are longer than the florets : the calyx
confifts of five erecl: fharp leaves, placed above the germen : the
corolla is compofed of five oblong petals, with their points turned
inwards : the filaments are five, flender, upright, longer than the
corolla, and fupplied with oblong antherse : the two ftyles are filiform,

* Oneci Philofophi Eryngium, quafi t§oyV**'y Sd eft ru&um, dictum putant, quod
capne qua; morfu furculum Eryngii pneciderint, vcl dt-glutiverint, cunilum gregem pone
fequentem quafi flupore attonitum fiitunt, donee Eryngium ru£tu rejecerint C.
Bauh. I. c,

and

( 282 )

and furmfhed with fimple ftigmata : the germen is befet with fhort
hairs, and ftands beneath the corolla : the fruit is two oblong feeds,
connected together. It grows abundantly on the fea coalts, and
flowers from July till October.

In the Materia Medica of Linnaeus, and in almoft all the foreign
pharmacopoeias, the Eryngium campcftre is confidered to be the
officinal plant: Geofrroy, however, has obferved that the E. maritimum
is by many thought to be a more powerful medicine, and Simon
Paulli 3 gives it the preference ; but Boerhaave b attributes the fame
virtues to both, and indeed it feems of little importance which is
preferred. Eryngo is fuppofed to be the ww of Diofcorides,0 who
with other ancient writers fpeak highly of its medicinal efficacy.
The root, which is the part directed for medicinal ufe, has no pecu-
liar fmell, but to the tafte it manifefts a grateful fweetnefs, and on
being chewed for fome time it difcovers a light aromatic warmth or
pungency. By Boerhaave this was elteemed the principal of the
aperient roots, and he ufually prefcribed it as a diuretic and antifcor-
butic :d it has likewife been celebrated for its aphrodifiac powers.6 But
this and the other effects afcribed to Eryngo feem now to obtain very
little credit.

" ghiadrip. p. 324. b Hift. pi. T. i. p. 194.

c Lib. 3. c. 24. |He recommends It ad menfes obftru&os, tormina, inflationes
hepaticos, venena, venenatos morfus, epifthotonicos, & comitiales.

d Vide, /. c.

* " Non male turn Graiis florens Eryngus in hortis
** Quaeritur : hunc gremio portet fi nupta virentem
" Nunquam inconceflbs conjux meditabitur ignes.

Rapinus in Boer. Hift.

The root is frequently candied, or made into a fweet meat.

The young flowering (hoots boiled, have the flavour of afparagus. Lin. Flor. Sure.

ANTHEMIS NOBILIS.

10 3

( **3 )

ANTHEM IS NOBILIS. COMMON CAMOMILE.

SYNONYM A. Chamsemelum. Pbarm.Lond.^Edinb. Gerard
Emac. p. 755. Park. Parad. p. 289. Chamazmelum nobile feu
Leucanthemum odoratius. Baub. Pin. p. 135. Chamaemelum
odorathTimum repens, flore fimplici, J. Baub. H'tjl. v. tii. p. 118.
Rail Hift. p. 35-3. Synop.p.i%$. Chamsemelum foliis fubhirfutis,
nervo duro, pinnis pinnatis, pinnulis lanceolatis incifis. Hal. Stirp.
Helv. n. 102. Anthemis nobilis. Hudfon^FIor.Aug. Witb.Bot.Arr*

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Polygamia Superflua. Lin. Gen. Plant. 970.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Recept. paleaceum. Pappus nullus. CaL hemifphaericus,
fubee-qualis. Flofculi radii plures quam 5.

Sp. Cb. A. foliis pinnato-compofitis linearibus acutis fubvillofis-

THE roots are perennial, fibrous, fpreading: the ftems are (lender,
round, trailing, hairy, branched, of a pale green cotour, and about a
foot in length: the leaves are doubly pinnated ; the pinnae are linear,
pointed, a little hairy, and divided into three terminal fegments ; the
flowers are compound, radiated, white, at the centre yellow, and ftand
fingly : the calyx is common to all the florets, of an hemifpherical
form, and compofed of feveral fmall imbricated fcales : the flowers
of the radius are female, and ufually about eighteen, narrow, white,
and terminated with three fmall teeth : the tubular part of the floret
enclofes the whole of the ftyle, but does not conceal the bifid reflexed
fiigma : the flowers of the difc are numerous, hermaphrodite, tubu-
lar,* and cut at the brim into five fegments : the filaments are five,
very fhort, and have their antherse united, forming a hollow cylinder :
the germen is oblong : the ftyle is fhort, flender, and furnifhed with
a bifid reflexed ftigma : the feeds are fmall, and of an irregular fhape:
the receptacle is fupplied with rigid briftle-like paleas. It grows in
moft paftures, and flowers in July and Auguft.

No. 21. 4 C The

( 284 )

The name Camomile is fuppofed to be expreffive of the fmell of
the plant xW^aXov, quoniam odorem mali habeat.a It is referred to
the «vV«of Diofcorides, and to the «V» of Theophraftus. Matricaria
Chamomilla, or Corn Feverfew, is fimilar in its general appearance
to the Anthemis nobilis, and is directed for officinal ufe by moft of
the foreign pharmacopoeias ; but the plant which we have here figured
has a more fragrant and a more powerful odour, yields more eflential
oil, and of courfe is the more efficacious.

A double-flower1 d variety of Camomile is very common, and
ufually kept in the mops, but as the odorous and fapid matter chiefly
refides in the difc, or tubular part of the florets, the London College
therefore judicioufly prefer the fimple flowers, in which this matter
is moil abundant. b

Both the leaves and flowers of this plant have a ftrong though not
ungrateful fmell, and a very bitter naufeous tafte, but the latter are
the bitterer, and confiderably more aromatic. " Camomile flowers
give out their" virtues both to water and rectified fpirit : when the
flowers have been dried fo as to be pulverable, the infufions prove
more grateful than when they are frefh or but moderately dried.
Diftilled with water, they impregnate the aqueous fluid pretty ftrongly
with their flavour : if the quantity of camomile, fubmitted to the
operation, is large, a little eflential oil c feparates and rifes to the fur-
face of the water, in colour yellow, with a caft of greenifh or brown,
of a pungent tafte, and a ftrong fmell, exactly refembling that of the
camomile. Rectified fpirit,. drawn off from the fpirituous tincture,,
brings over likewife a part of the flavour of the chamomile, but
leaves a considerable part behind in the extract. The fmell is in
great meafure covered or fupprefled by the fpirit, in all the fpirituous
preparations ; but the tafte both in the fpirituous tincture and extract,
is confiderable ftronger than in the watery." d

a Pl'nr. L. 22. C, 21..
b The tubes of the florets appear befet with minute glands, which probably fecrete
the eflential oil.

c Baume obtained from 82 Jfc of the flowers 13 drams, and once 18 drams of eflential
oil. But from a like quantity of the herb, without the flowers, only half a dram of this
oil was procured. See Berg. M. M. p. 695.

c Lewis, M. M. f: 221.

Thefe

( **S )

Thefe flowers pofTefs the tonic and ftornachic qualities ufually
ascribed to fimple bitters, having very little aftringency, but a ftrong
odour of the aromatic and penetrating kind, from which they are
alfo judged, to be carminative, emmenagoge, and in fome meafure
antifpafmodic and anodyne. They have been long fuccefsfully em-
ployed for the cure of intermittents ;e as well as of fevers of the
irregular nervous kind, accompanied with vifceral obftru&ions, for
which we have the authority of Sir John Pringle/

That camomile flowers may be effe&ually fubftituted for Peruvian
bark in the cure of intermittent fevers, appears from the teftimony of
feveral refpedtable phyficians, to which we have referred ; and to
which we may add that of Dr. Cullen, who fays, " I have employed
thefe flowers, and agreeable to the method of Hoffman, by giving *
feveral times during the intermiflion, from half a dram to a dram of
the flowers in powder, have cured intermittent fevers. I have found
however that the flowers were attended with this inconvenience, that,
given in a large quantity, they readily run off by ftool, defeating
thereby the purpofe of preventing the return of paroxyfms ; and I
have found, indeed, that without joining with them an opiate, or an
aftringent, I could not commonly employ them." s

Thefe flowers have been found ufeful in hyfterical affections,
flatulent or fpafmodic colics, and dyfentery, but from their laxative
quality, Dr. Cullen tells us, they proved hurtful in diarrhoeas. A
fimple watery infufion of them is frequently taken, in a tepid ftate,
for the purpofe of exciting vomiting or for promoting the operation of
emetics. Externally the flowrers are ufed in the decoctum pro fomen-
to, and they are an ingredient in the decoctum pro enemate.

e Morton, (Exercit. I. de febr. interm. cap. 6.) Hoffman, (Dijf. de praftan. rem.
dom. p. 29. ) Heifter, (Difl". de Medic. Germ, indig. p. 13. J found thefe flowers more
effectual in the cure of intermittents than the peruv. bark : and Dr. Cullen obferves,
that his celebrated countryman, Dr. Pitcairn, was of opinion that the powers of Cam.
flowers were in this refpeft equal to the bark.

f Dlf. cf the Jrmy, p. 216.. s M. M. vol. it, p. 79,.

ANT HE MIS PYRETHRUM.

( 286 )

ANTHEMIS PYRETHRUM. SPANISH CAMOMILE,

Or, PELLITORY of SPAIN.

SYNONYMS. Pyrethrum. Pbarm. Lond. fcf Edinb. Pyrethruni
flore bellidis. Baub.Pin.p. 148. Pyrethrum officinarum. Lob.
447. Gerard Emac. p. 758. Park. Tbeat. p. 858. Rati Hift.
p. 353. Chamsemelum fpeciofo flore, radice ionga fervida. 'Sbaw,
*dfr.p. 138. Anthemis caulibus fimplicibus unifloris decumbentibus.
Mill, Fig. t. 38. n^V Diofcorid, Lib. 3. c. 85.*

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Pofygamia Superflua, Lin. Gen. Plant. 970.

EJf.Gen.Cb. Recept. paleaceum. Pappus nullus. CaL hemifphaericus,
fubsequalis. Flofculi radii plures quam 5.

Sp, C'L A. caulibus fimplicibus unifloris decumbentibus, foliis
pinnato-multifidis.

THE root is perennial, tapering, long, externally whitifh, and
fends off feveral fmall fibres : the ftems are ufually fimple, round,
trailing, bearing one flower, and fcarcely a foot in height ; but the
fpecimen here figured was extremely luxuriant, and has in fome degree
departed from its more common and fimple appearance : the leaves
are doubly pinnated, fegments narrow;, nearly linear, and of a pale
green colour : the flowers are large, at the difc of a yellow colour,
at the radius white on the upper fide, oa the under fide of a
purple colour : the different florets anfwer to the defcription given
of the Anthemis nobilis. It flowers in June and July.

This plant is a native of the Levant and the foufhern parts of
Europe ; it was cultivated in England by Lobel in 1570,* but it does

* Ab ignc nomen habet, ob radicis ejus fervorem igneum. V. Baub. I. c.

A Advcr. p. 346. "Vide Hort. Kew.

not

( »*7 )

not ripen its feeds liere unlefs the feafon proves very warm and dry.h
The root of Pyrethrum has a very hot pungent tafte, without any
fenlible fmell." Its pungency refides in a refinous matter, of the
more fixed kind ; being extracted completely by rectiried fpirit, and
only in fmall part by water ; and not being carried off, in evaporation
or diftillation by either menftruum." c

The ancient Romans, we are told, employed this root as a pickle,*1
and indeed it Teems lefs acrid than many other fubllances now ufed
for this purpofe. In its recent ftate this root is not fo pungent as
when dried, yet if applied to the {kin it is faid to act like the bark of
mezerion, and in four days produces inflammation of the part.0

From the aromatic and ftimulating qualities of Pyrethrum, there
can be no doubt but that it might be found an efficacious remedy, and
equally fitted for an internal medicine, as many others of this clafs
now conftantly prefcribed. Its ufe however has been long confined
to that of a mafticatory/ for on being chewed, or long retained in
the mouth, it excites a glowing heat, ftimulates the excretories of
faliva, and thereby produces a difcharge, which has been found to
relieve toothachs, and rheumatic affections of the face ; in this way
too, it is recommended in lethargic complaints, and paralyfes of the
tongue.

b Miller Ditl.

c Lewis M. M. p. 527. d See Berg. M. M. p. 698,

e Bergius^ V. I. c.
f Its ufe in this way is mentioned by Serenus Samonicus*
" Purgatur cerebrum manfa radice pyrethri/'

No. 2 1*

SPIGELIA

( 288 )

SPIGELIA MARILANDICA. PERENNIAL WORM-GRASS*

Or, INDIAN PINK.

S YNO'NYMA. Spigelia. Pharm. Lond. fc? Ed'mb, Periclymeni
virginiani flore coccineo planta marilandica, fpica ere&a, foliis
conjugates. Catejby Carol, vol. it, p. 78. Lonicera marilandica
fpicis terminalibus, foliis ovato-oblongis acuminatis diftin&is fefii-
libus. Sp. Plant.p. 249. Spigelia marilandica fol. ovatis oppofitis
fpica fecunda terminali. Walter Flor. Carol, p. 92. Vide Ma n tiff.
Lin. it, p. 338. EJf. &f Obf. Phyf. & Lit. vol. Hi. p. 151. Curfi.
Bot. Mag. 80.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord, Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 209.

E[f,.Gen. Ch.- Cor, mfundibulif. Caps., didyma, 2-locularis, polyfperma.

Sp: Ch, S. caule tetragono, foliis omnibus oppofitis.

THE root is perennial, unequal, fimple, fends off many flender
fibres, and grows in an horizontal direction : the ftalk is limple, erecT:,
fmooth, oblcurely quadrangular, of a purplifh colour, and commonly
rifes above a foot in. height: the leaves are ovate, feflile, fomewhat
undulated, entire, of a deep green colour, and (land in pairs upon
the Item : the flowers are large, funnel-fhaped, and terminate the
item in a fpike : the calyx divides into five long narrow pointed
fmooth fegments : the corolla is monopetalous, confifting of a long
tube, gradually fwelling towards the middie, of a bright purplifh red
colour, and divided at the mouth into five pointed fegments, which
are yellow on the iniide : the five filaments are about the length of
the tube, and crowned with halberd-fhaped anthers : the germen is
fmall, ovate, placed above the infertion of the corolla, and fupports
a round ftyle, which is longer than the corolla, furnifhed with a joint
near its bafe, and bearded towards the extremity, which is fupplied
with an obtufe ftigma : the capfule is double, two-celled, and contains
many fmall angular plano-convex feeds. It is a native of America,
and flowers in July and Auguft. Linnaeus

( 2*9 )

Linnaeus firft fuppofed this plant to be a Lonicera, orHoney-fuckle,
but afterwards he afcertained its characters, and called it Spigelia, in
honour of the botanift Spigelius, whofe firft work was publilhed in
1606.*

Two fpecies of Spigelia are now known to botanifts, viz. S. An-
thelmia and marilandica ; they have both been ufed as anthelmintics;
the effects of the former are noticed by Dr. Browne in the Gentle-
man's Magazinine, for the year 1751, and in his Hiftory of Ja-
maica;3 alfo by Dr. Bocklefby,b and feveral foreign waiters. But the
accounts of the vermifuge virtues of Spigelia, given by Drs. Linningc
and Garden/ from Charleftown, South Carolina, evidently refer to
the latter fpecies, which is here figured ; and as the anthelmintic
efficacy refides chiefly in the root of the plant, that of the Anthelmia,
or Annual Spigelia, which is very fmall, muft be incomparably lels
powerful than the root of the marilandica, which is perennial. Dr.
Garden, in his firft letter to Dr. Hope, which was written about the
year 1763, fays, " About forty years ago, the anthelmintic virtues
" of the root of this plant were difcovered by the Indians ; fince
r which time it has been much ufed here by phyficians, practitioners,
p and planters ; yet its true dofe is not generally afcertained. I have
" given it in hundreds of cafes, and have been very attentive to its
r effects.. I never found it do much fervice, except when it proved
f gently purgative. Its purgative quality naturally led me to give it
f in febrile difeafes, which feemed to arife from vifcidity in the
r prima vite ; and, in thefe cafes, it fucceeded to admiration, even
" when the fick did not void worms.

" I have of late, previous to the ufe of the Indian Pink, given a
" vomit, when the circumftances of the cafe permitted it ; and I
" have found this method .anfwer fo well, that I think a vomit mould
" never be omitted. I have known half a dram of this root purge
f as brifkly as the fame quantity of rhubarb ; at other times I have
" known.it, though given in large quantities, produce no effect upon
r the belly : in fuch cafes, it becomes neceffary to add a grain or two

* Adriani Sp:gelii in rem herbarium Ifagogc, Patavii.

1 P. 156.
b Oec. & Med. ObJervationS) p. 282.

* Sec EJf% & Obferv. Phyfical IS Literary, vol. i. p. 386. " L. c.

" Of

( 290 )

" of fweet mercury, or fome grains of rhubarb ; but it is to be ob-
" ferved, that the fame happy effects did not follow its ufe in this
" way, as when it was purgative without addition. The addition
<c however of the purgative renders its ufe fafe, and removes all
" danger of convulfions of the eyes,c although neither ol. rut<z,fabintf^
" or any oth-er nervous fubftance, is given along with it. It is, in
u general, fafer to give it in large doles than in fmall; for, from the
"latter more frequently the giddinefs, dimnefs of the fight, and
" convulfions, &c. follow ; whereas, from large dofes, I have not^
*c known any other effect than its proving emetic or violently cathar-
4<< tic. To a child of two years of age, who had been taking ten

grains of the root twice a-day, without having any other effect
" than making her dull and giddy, I prefcribed twenty-two grains

morning and evening, which purged her brifkly, and brought
" away five large worms/ After fome months an increafed dofe had

the fame good effects. I prefer the root to the other parts of the
" plant, of which, when properly dried, I gave from twelve to fixty
u or feventy grains in fubftance. In infufion it may be given to the
<c quantity of two, three, or four drams twice a day. I have found
" that, by keeping, the plant lofes its virtue in part ; for forty grains
" of the root which has not been gathered above two months, will
M operate as flrongly as fixty which has been kept for fifteen
*' months."2

In Dr. Garden's fubfequent letters, addreffed to Dr. Hope in the
years 1764 and 1766, the efficacy of this root in worm cafes is further
confirmed, and he obferves, that the root keeps better than he at firft
thought, having lately ufed it feveral years old with great fuccefs.
In what he calls continued or remitting low worm fevers, he found
its efficacy promoted by the addition of rad. fepentar. virg.

e This root, when taken in large dofes, and not readily parting off by ftool or vomit-
ing, is obfcrved not only to affect the head but in a peculiar way the muicles which move
the eyes ; an effecT: which is noticed both by Linning and Garden, and is to be .removed
by adminiftering a cathartic.

f According to Linning, " thirty large worms, the tcretes, were at once voided*' by
a Negro girl from the ufe of this root. /. c.

e As this plant feems to be received into the Materia Med ica principally on the autho-
jity of Dr. Garden, we have judged it proper to give his account in his own words.

ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA.

i

( 29i )

ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA. SNAKE-ROOT

BIRTHWORT.

SYNONYM J. Serpentaria virginiana. Pharm. Lo?id. Edlnb.
Ariftolochia Piftolochia f. Serpentaria virginiana, caule nodofo.
Pluk. Aim. 50. /. 148. Catefby H'ift. of Carol, t. I. p. 29. tab. 29.
Raii Hi/l. vol. ill. p. 394. Ariftolochia polyrrhizps virginiana, &c.
Morris. H'ift. III. p. 310. Park. Tbeat. p. 420V

Clafs Gynandria. Ord. Hexandria. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1022.

E/f. Gen. Ch. Hexagyna. Cal.o. Cor. i-petala, lingulata, integra.
Caps. 6-locularis, infera.

Sp. Ch. A. fol. cordato-oblongis planis, caulibus infirmis flexuofis
teretibus, flor folitariis. Caidls genlculata valde nodofa. Flores
ad radlcem.

THE root is perennial, and compofed of a number of fmall fibres,
proceeding from a common trunk ; externally brown, and internally
whitifti : the Hems are llender, round, crooked, jointed, and rife about
eight or ten inches in height : the leaves are heart-fhaped, entire,
pointed, veined, and (land upon ftrong footftalks, to which they are
attached by three prominent ribs : it has no calyx : the flowers are
monopetalous, folitary, of a purplifh brown colour, and placed upon
long fheathed jointed peduncles, which rife from the lower articula-
tions of the ftem : the corolla is tubular, irregular; at the bafe ■ dis-
tended into a globular figure, at the middle contracted and twifted,
at the extremity Spreading, and of a triangular form : it has no fila-
ments, but fix antheraz, which are attached to the under fide of the
lligma : the germen is oblong, angular, and placed below the corolla :
the ftyle is extremely fhort : the ftigma is roundifh, and divided into
fix parts: the capfule is hexagonal, feparated into fix cells, which
contain feveral fmall fiat feeds. It is a* native of Virginia, and flowers
in Auguft.

No. 22. 4 E The

( 292 )

The firft account we have of Serpentaria is that given in Johnfon's
edition of Gerard, in which we are told that it was brought from
Virginia, and grew in the garden of Mr. John Tradefcant, of South
Lambeth, in 1632. But Johnfon evidently confounds the Serpentaria
with the Piftolochia cretica of Clufius. In 1635, Dr. J. Cornutus
publifhed at. Paris, Canadenfium plantarum, aliarumque nondum edita-
rum, Hiftoria, wherein the Serpentaria is noticed under the name of
Radix Snagroel Nothae Anglise, and highly extolled as an effectual
remedy for the bites of the molt, poifonous ferpents.*

Plukenet, whofe botanical knowledge of this plant will not be
doubted, informed Dale, that the roots of three different fpecies of
Ariftolochia were fent to Europe for thofe of fnake-root ;a but though
this might have happened a century ago, at prefent the practice ap-
pears to be no longer continued, for we have carefully examined feveral
parcels of fnake-root, without difcovering thefe roots intermixed with
thofe of the others referred to by Dale. We may notice however,
that among thefe roots, fome fpecimens of the whole plant were
found, which differed from the annexed figure, having lance-fhaped
leaves. And this variety of Serpentaria feems to accord with, that
noticed by Alfton, who fays, " the dried fpecimen I have of the whole
plant, brought directly from America by Mr. Richard Lightbody,
furgeon, agrees with none of them ; (meaning the three mentioned
by Dale) the leaves no way refembling a heart at the footftalk, being
there ail roundifh, or obtufely pointed." b The plant, from which
the prefent figure was defigned, is now growing in the Royal Botanic

* M MifTa quoque eft ad me ex notha Anglia rad-x quam Serpentariae vocant, vernacule
Snagroel cum hac infcriptione. Hsec radix alexiterium praefentirlimum eft, contra mor-
fum ferpentis ingentis pernitiofiffimique in notha Anglia, cujus morfus intra duodecim
horas interficit, nifi hujus radicis fumatur portio, qua fumpta nullus unquam auditus eft
periclitari de vita." p. 214.

* " Tres radices fub hoc nomine in officinis noftris veniunt, ut nos monuit eruditiffi-
mus ille Botanicus Leonard Plukenetim, M. D. in literis ad me datis, viz. I • Ariftolochia
polyrrhizos, auriculatis foliis Virginiana. Pluk. Phytog. Tab. 78. Almag. 50. Town.
Jnlt. 162. &t. 2. Ariftolochia Violte frutieofe foliis Virginiana, cujus radix Serpentaria
dicitur. Pluk. Phyto*. T. 15. Almag. 50. &c. 3. Ariftolochia Piftolochia, feu Serpen-
taria Virginiana, cauie nodofo." This laft is the plant we have figured. See Dale,
Pharmacol, p. 194.

b M. M. vol. r. />. 521.

Garden

( 293 )

Garden at Kew, where it was introduced by Mr. William Young about
the year 1770.°

" Snake-root has an aromatic fmell, approaching to that of valerian,
but more agreeable, and a warm bitterifh pungent tafte, which is not
eafily concealed or overpowered by a large admixture of other ma-
terials. • It gives out its active matter both to water and rectified
fpirit, and tinges the former of a deep brown, the latter of an orange
colour. Greateft part of its fmell and flavour is carried off in evapo-
ration or diftillation by both menftrua : along with water there arifes,
if the quantity of the root fubmitted to the operation be large, a
fmall portion of pale-coloured eflential oil, of a confiderable fmell,
but no very ftrong tafte, greateft part of the camphorated pungency,
as well as bitternefs of the root, remaining in the infpiflated extract.
The fpirituous extract is ftronger than the watery : not fo much from
its having loft lefs in the evaporation, as from its containing the active
parts of the root concentrated into a fmaller volume ; its quantity
amounting only to about one-half of that of the other." d

The root, as we have already obferved, was firft recommended as
a medicine of extraordinary power in counteracting the poifonous
effects of the bites of ferpents, and it has fince been much employed
in fevers, particularly thofe of the malignant kind : a practice which
feems founded on a fuppofition that the morbific matter of thefe
fevers is fomewhat analogous to the poifon of ferpents, and that its
influence upon the human fyftem might be obviated by the fame
means : hence Serpentaria has been confidered the moft powerful of
thofe medicines termed alexipharmics. Modern phyficians however
have exploded this theory of antidotes, and the alexiterials and
theriacas fo induftrioufly ftudied ever fince the firft ages of Greece,
are now wholly difregarded.

Serpentaria is thought to poffefs tonic and antifeptic virtues, and
is generally admitted to be a powerful ftimulant and diaphoretic ;
and in fome fevers where thefe effedts are required, both this and
contrayerva have been found very ufeful medicines, as abundantly

c We had this information from Mr. Aiton, who defircs us to fay, that, by miftake,
this plant was panned unnoticed in the Hart. Kew.

d Lewis, M, M. p. 602.

appears

( 294 )

appears from the experience of Huxham, Pringle, Hillary, Lyfons,
and others : yet it may be remarked, that by fome of thefe authors
this root has been employed too indifcriminately, for there feems to
us fome inconfiftency in the practice of bleeding and giving fnake-
root in the fame fever.

It is thought by many, that peruvian bark and wine may in every
cafe fuperfede the ufe of Serpentaria ;e but this opinion is alfo liable
to exceptions, as a mixed ftate of fever has been frequently obferved
to prevail, in which the bark has proved hurtful, though this root has
evidently had a good erTe£t ; and even in intermittent fevers the bark
has been found more efficacious when joined with Serpentaria than
when given alone ;f and this has been alfo the cafe in continued
fevers. The dofe of fnake-root is ufually from ten to thirty grains
in fubftance, and to a dram or two in infufion. A tinctura ferpenta-
rise is directed both in the London and Edinburgh Pharmacopoeias.

e In cafes marked with progrellive figns of debility and putridity, there cannot be a
doubt but that the bark, wine, and a fuitable application of cold, are the remedies chiefly
to be trufted ; but by admitting this, we are not to reject Serpentaria as utterly ufelefs
in all fevers.

f Vide Lyfons, Practical Ejjays upon intermitting fevers, p. i^.feq.

ARISTOLOCHIA LONGA. LONG-ROOTED BIRTHWORT.

STNONTMA. Ariftolochia. Pharm. Edinb. Ariftolochia longa.
Clus. Hiji. ii. p. jo. y. Bauh. Hiji. Hi. p. 560. Gerard Emac. p.
846. Rait Hiji. p. 762. Ariftolochia longa vera. Bauh. Pin. p.
307. Park. Theat. p. 291. Tourn. lnjl. p. 162. Miller s Fig.
tab. 61.

Clafs Gynandria. Ord. Hexandria. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1022.

E/j. Gen. Ch. Hexandria. Cal. o. Cor. i-petala, lingulata, integra.
Caps. 6-locularis, infera.

£p. Ch. A. fol. cordatis petiolatis integerrimis obtufiufculis, caule
infirmo, flor. folitariis.

THE

107

( 295 )

THE root is perennial, long, tapering, branched, externally-
wrinkled and brown, internally yellowifh : the Items are flender,
round, branched, trailing, and ufually exceed a foot in length : the
leaves are heart-fhaped, obtufe, entire, veined, of a pale green colour,
and placed alternately upon round footftalks, which are about the
length of the leaves : the flowers are folitary, and ftand upon pedun-
cles, which arife clofe to the leaf-ftalks : the corolla forms a more
regular tube than that of the Serpentaria, and is tongue-maped at the
extremity : the other parts of fructification are fimilar to thofe de-
fcribed of Serpentaria. It is a native of the South of Europe, and
flowers from June till October.

The medicinal character of Ariftolochia was formerly in great
repute, and phyficians very generally employed various fpecies of the
plant. Thofe received into our pharmacopoeias, were i. Ariftolochia
longa. 2. A. rotunda. 3. A. tenuis or clematitis of Linnseus. But
the roots of .thefe plants have for a long time been gradually falling
into difufe, and at prefent, we believe, are rarely if ever prefcribed :
they are all expunged from the Mat. Med. of the London Pharmaco-
poeia, but in that of the Edinburgh the laft fpecies is (till retained, and
therefore, according to our plan, it might have been figured here ; but
as thefe different fpecies are generally allowed to be fimilar in their
medicinal qualities, we truft that the firft, which is the moft rare and
curious, will be found the moft acceptable to our readers..

All the Birthwort roots have fomewhat of an aromatic fmell, and
a warm bitterifh tafte. That of the long and round fpecies, on firft
being chewed, fcarcely difcover any tafte, but in a little time prove
naufeouily bitter, accompanied with a flight degree of pungency.
" They give out their virtue, by infufion, both to fpirituous and
watery menitrua ; to the firft moft perfectly. In diftillation, pure
fpirit brings over little or nothing : with water there arifes, at leaft
from the flender-rooted fort, a fmall portion of eflenti'al oil, poffefiing
the fmell and flavour of the roots." a

The virtues which the ancients afcribed to Ariftolochia were very
confiderable, and it was confequently employed in various difeafes,

a Lewis, M. M. />. 112.

No. 22.

particularly

( 296 )

particularly thofe thought to proceed from obftrucT:ions,b more efpe-
cially of the uterine lyftem :c hence the name Ariftolochia is faid to
have arifen from its fuppofed emmenagogue powers/ And as a warm
Simulating medicine, Dr. Cullen tells us c he found it ufeful in fome
cafes of retention and chlorofis, but never in cafes of fuppreffion.
Ariftolochia has alfo been long very generally commended as a remedy
for the gout, and it is the firft ingredient in the Portland powder/
which has been much celebrated for the cure of this difeafe. It ap-
pears however that the long continued ufe of this powder, which is
necelTary for preventing the return of arthritic paroxyfms, feldom
fails to fuperinduce a premature fenile ftate of body, and to lay a
foundation for more fatal difeafes.g It is probable that the medicinal
qualities of this plant are fomewhat allied to thofe of its congener,
the Serpentaria ; but the fenfible properties of the latter demonftrajte
it to be a more aclive medicine.

Ariftolochia is given in fubftance from. a fcruple to two drams for
a dofe.

b Fernelius Method. Med. Lib. 6. cap. 12. p. 163.

c Hippocr. De nat. muliebri. p. 572. Oper. Fosfii.

d Ab iftaro; h It has alfo been derived from Ariftolochius, who is faid to have

firft difcovered its virtues.

■ See Mat. Med. vol. it. p. 83.

f The powder is thus prepared: R/. Ariftol. rotund, gentian, fummit. et fol.

chamaedr. chamaepit. centaur, min. ~ p. as. f. pulvis. A dram of this powder is di-
rected to be taken every morning (jejuno ventriculo) for the fpace of three months, when
the dofe is to be diminifhed to three quarters of a dram for the next three months, and
afterwards continued for fix months in dofes of half a dram, which, during the fecond
year is to be taken every other morning.

8 Brunner, De pancr. p. 143. Wcrlhoff. Caut. Med. Trail, i, p. 32. See alfo
Cullen's Firft Lin.

INULA HELENIUM.

/

( 297 )

INULA HELENIUM. COMMON INULA, Or,

ELECAMPANE.

SYNONYM A. Enula Campana. Pharm. Lond. Helenium.
Gerard Emac. p, 793. Raii Hi/?, p. 273. Synop. p. 176. Hele-
nium vulgare. Baah. Pin. p. 276. Helenium five Enula campana.
y. Bauh. Hijl. Hi. p. 108. Park. Tbeat. p. 654. After foliis ovato-
lanceolatis, ferratis, fubtus tomentofis, calycinis ovato-lanceolatis,
maximisr Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 72. Inula Helenium. Hudfoii
Flor. Aug. p. 368. With. Bot. Arr, p. 922. Flor. Dan. 728.

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Polygamia Superflua. Lin. Gen. Plant. 956.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Recept. nudum. Pappus (implex. Antberce bafi in
fetas duas definentes.

Bp. Cb. T. foliis amplexicaulibus ovatis rugofis fubtus tomentofis,
calycum fqtiamis ovatis.

THE root is perennial, large, thick, branched, externally brown
or grey, internally whitifh : the ftalk is upright, ftrong, round, ftriated,
branched, befet with foft hairs, and rifes three or four feet in height :
the leaves are large, ovate, ferrated, crouded with reticular veins,
fupplied with a ftrong flefhy midrib, on the upper pagina fmooth,
on the under downy : the leaves, which are placed on the upper
part of the item are feflile, and furround the branches, but thofe
towards the bottom ftand upon footftalks : the flowers are large,
yellow, of the compound kind, and terminate the ftem and branches :
the calyx is compoied of feveral rows of ftrong imbricated ovate feg-
ments : the corolla confifts of numerous florets, which are of two
kinds ; thofe occupying the centre are of a regular tubular form,
divided at the brim into five fmall fegments, and ai'e hermaphrodite^
each containing five ihort filaments, Which have their anthera: united
fo as to form a hollow cylinder and a long germen, which fupports a

fiender

( 298 )

flender ftyle, about the length of the tube, and furniftied with a
bifid ftigma : the florets at the circumference are female, and at the
lower part tubular, but at the upper ligulated or ftrap-fhaped, and
cut at the extremity into three narrow pointed teeth ; the female part
is fimilar to that in the hermaphrodite florets : the feeds are folitary,
itriated, quadrangular, and furnifhed with ,a fimple feather or pappus :
the receptacle is naked and flat. It is a native of England, growing
in moift meadows, and flowers in July and Auguft.

It is probable, that Elecampane is the Helenium foliis verbafci of
Diofcorides,* and the Inula of Pliny ,b who alfo mentions Helenium but
as a very different plant.0 Elecampane is feldom to be met with in its
wild ftate, but it is commonly cultivated in gardens, from whence the
mops are fupplied with the root, which is the part directed for medi-
cinal ufe. " This root, in its recent ftate, has a weaker and lefs grateful
fmell than when thoroughly dried and kept for a length of time, by
which 'it is greatly improved, its odour then approaching to that
of Florence orris. Its tafte, on firfl being chewed, is glutinous and
fomewhat rancid, quickly fucceeded by an aromatic bitternefs and
pungency. Spirituous liquors extract its virtues in greater perfection
than watery ; the former fcarce elevate any thing in diftillation ; with
the latter an effential oil arifes, which concretes into white flakes :
this poffefles at firfl the flavour of the Elecampane, but generally lofes
it on keeping. An extract, made with water, poffeffes the bitternefs
and pungency of the root, but in a lefs degree than that made with
fpirit."

The high opinion entertained by the ancients of the virtues of
Elecampane may be collected from the words of Schroder, who fays,
" Abftergit, difcutit, aperit, pulmonica eft. Stomacha, alexipharmaca,
fudorifera, &c. Ufus prctcip. in tartaro pulmonum renumque attenu-

a Lib. i. cap. 27. b Lib. xix. cap. 5.

c ct Helenium e lacrymis Helenae natum, & ideo in Helena infula laudatiffimum. Eft
■aatem frutex humi fe ipargens dodorantibus ramulis, folio fimili ferpyllo." Lib. xxu c. 9.

The lunula is noticed by Horace :
" Erucas virides, inulas ego primus amaras

Monftravi incoquere." Sat. 8. v. 51.

quum rapula plenus

Atque acidas mavult inulas. Sat. 2. v. 44.

ando,

109

{ 299 )

.anSo, ac educendo, &hinc in tuffi, afthmate, in cruditatibus ventriculi
emendandLs, ureteribus referandis, in pefte, contagiofifque morbis
arcendis, in fcabie."d Bergius alfo afcribes many virtues to this root,
and from its fenfible and chemical qualities it promifes to be a medi-
cine of fome efficacy; but -in the difeafes in which it is principally re-
commended, as dyfpepfia, pulmonary affections, and uterine obftruc-
tions, we have no fatisfactory evidence of its medicinal powers.0 One
dram of this root in infufion, and from two drams to half an ounce
.in decoction, is faid to be the dole ufually given.

d P. 602. See Jlfton's M. M. vol. i. p. 454.
e See Cullen's M. M. vol. iu p. 459.

THYMUS VULGARIS. COMMON GARDEN THYME.

STN0NTM4. Thymus. Pharm. Ed'mb. Thymus vulgaris
folio tenuiore. Banh. Pin. p. 219. Tourn. Injl. p. 196. Thy-
mum durius. Dod. Pempt. p. 275. Gerard Emac. p. 573. Rail
JTift. p. 521. Park. Theat. p. 7.

« Thymus vulgaris folio tenuiore. C. B.

JSfarrow-Ieav' d Garden 'Thyme,

$ Thymus vulgaris folio latiore.* C. R„

Broad-leav d Garden 'Thyme. Hort. Kern,

"Clafs Didynamia. Ord. Gymnofpermia. Lin. Gen. Plant aJ2J.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Calycis bilabiati faux villis claufa.

Sp. Ch. T. erectus, foliis revolutis bvatis, floribus verticillato-fpicatis.

TH E root is perennial, woody, and fubdivided into fmall fibres : the
ftems are numerous, round, hard, branched, and ufually rife about a foot

* This is the variety to which the figure and defcription here given apply.
No. 22. 4 G in

( 3oo )

in height : the leaves are fmall, narrow, elliptical, often flightly in-
dented at the edges, befet with fmall glands, and ftand in pairs upon
very fhort footftalks : the flowers terminate the branches in whorls or
round clufters : the calyx is tubular, ftriated, clofed at the mouth with
fmall hairs, and divided into two lips ; of thefe the uppermoft is cut
into three teeth, the lowermoft into two : the corolla is monopetalous,
confifting of a tube, which is about the length of the calyx, and
divided at the brim into two lips, of a pale purple colour ; the upper
lip is ere£t, or turned back, and notched at the end ; the under lip rs
longer, expanding, and divided into three fegments ; of thefe the
middle fegment is the broadeft : the filaments are two long, and two
fhort : the antherse fmall and round : the germen is divided into four
parts, from the centre of which iffues the ftyle, which is thread-
fhaped, and furnifhed with a bifid ftigma : the feeds are four, fmall,
roundifh, and lodged at the bottom of the calyx. It is a native of
the South of Europe,, and flowers from May till Auguft.

According to C. Bauhin, this plant is the ®ii(v>s of Diofcorides and
Theophraftus.* It grows wild abundantly in the mountainous parts of
Italy and Spain ; we are therefore the more induced to fuppofe-it to
be the plant of this name fo frequently mentioned by the Latin poet.b
It was cultivated by Gerard, and ufually finds place in our gardens
with the other pot-herbs.

This herb has an agreeable aromatic fmell, and a warm pungent
tafte. " To water it imparts, by infufion, its aromatic odour, but
only a weak tafte : in diftillation, it gives over an efTential oil, in
quantity about an ounce, from thirty pounds of the herb in flower;
of a gold yellow colour if diftilled by a gentle fire, of a deep brownifh
red if by a ftrong one, of a penetrating fmell, refembling that of the
Thyme itfelf, in tafte exceflively hot and fiery : the remaining decoc-
ticn infpiflated, leaves a bitterifh, roughifh, fubfaline extract. The

a " Diofcorid. L. 3. c. 44. Theophraft. 4. hift. y.Sc6. hift. 2. r. caus. 5. <xw> rs
&t;/>c«, quod iis qui animi deliquium patiuntur adhibeatur : alii »iro w SvfAxaeoi kxi
deducunt, quod hoc veteres in facris, quae igne accenfo fiebant, primum ufi fmt, ut apud
Rhodiginum, L 3. c. 23. Iegere eft."

b « Nerine Galatea, thymo mihi dulcior Hyblae.' Both this fpecies and the Serpyllum
are probably alluded to; they are equally fragrant, and coveted by bees.

a&ive

] 10

( 3°* )

active matter, which by water is only partially diffblved, is by rectified
fpirit dilfolved completely, though the tincture difcovers lefs of the
fmell of the Thyme than the watery infufion: the fpirit brings over,
in diftillation, a part of its flavour, leaving an extract of a weak
fmell, and of a penetrating camphorated-}- pungency." c

By Bergius the virtues of Thyme are faid to be refolvent, emme-
nagogue, diuretic, tonic, and ftomachic ;c but we find no difeafe
mentioned in which its ufe is particularly recommended either by him
or other writers on the Materia Medica. As. agreeing in common with
the natural order of verticillatse, its aromatic qualities may be found
equally ufeful in fome of thofe complaints for which lavender, fage,
roiemary, &c. are ufually employed.

c Lewis, M. M. p. 650.

f This plant feems actually to contain a fpecies of camphor, thus noticed by Murray:
Cami/horae fpeciem continet herba, qua? fefe declaruit mox poft deftillationem ejus cum
aqua, dum oleum ab ea fepararetur, tarn in goflypio quam orificio vitri, cryffallis exiguis,
dein poft aliquot dierum moram in fundo vitri cryftallis, avellanae nucis adeo magnitu-
dinis, cubicis, faccharo candi fimilibus." Apf>. Med. vol. ii. p. 125. Thefe with the
odour of Thyme, had in every other refpedt the qualities of camphor. See Phil. Tranf.
vol. xxxiii. p. 321. Jqq. Est p. 361.

.• M.M.- p.-$-g>.

THYMUS SERPYLLUM. WILD, or MOTHER of THYME.

SYNONYM A. Serpyllum. Pharm. Edinb. Serpyllum vulgare
minus. Banh. Pin. p. 220. Park. Theat. p. 8. Serpyllum vul-
gare. Gerard Emac. p. 570. Raii Hijl. p. 521. Synop. p. 230.
Thymus foliis ovatis ad bafin ciliatis. Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 235.
Thymus Serpyllum. Hudfon. Flor. Ang. p. 229. Withering, Bot,
Arrang. p. 623. Curt. Flor. Lond.

"■ Serpyllum vulgare minus. C. B. ■

Common fmooth Mother of Thyme.

® Serpyllum foliis citri odore.
Lemon Thyme,

C. B.

y Serpyllum

( 302 )

v Serpyllum villofum fruticofms, floribus dilute rubentibus. Ray Synofu
Hoary Mother of Thyme.

& Serpyllum anguftifolium hirfutum, C. B.

Hairy Mother of Thyme. See Hort. Kew.

Clafs Didynamiu. Ord. Gymnofpermia. Lin, Gen. Plant. 727.

Ef. Gen. Ch. Calycis bilabiati faux villis claufa.

Sp. Ch. T. floribus capitatis, caulibus repentibus, foliis planis obtufis
bafi ciliatis.

THE root is perennial, woody, fibrous, and of a brown colour:
the {terns are numerous, hard, fquare, branched, procumbent, and
rife from four inches to a foot in height : the flowers are of a
purplifh colour, and ftand in whorls towards the top of the ftem and
branches : the leaves are ovate, entire, fmooth, befet with numerous
fmall glands, fringed with hairs towards the bafe, and ftand in pairs
upon very fhort footftalks : the calyx, the corolla, and lexual parts,
correfpond with thofe mentioned of the Thymus vulgaris. It
is a native of Britain, affecting heaths and mountainous lituations,
flowering in July and Auguft.

It is obferved by Mr. Curtis, that " few plants are fubjec~t to fo
many varieties as the Wild Thyme. In its moft natural ftate, when
found on dry expofed downs,a it is fmall and procumbent : when
growing among furze or other plants, which afford it fhelter, it runs
up with a flender ftalk to a foot or more in height, and affumes an
appearance which might puzzle the young botanift." The fpecimen,
from which the drawing for the annexed plate was taken, grew in a
fituation which fubjected it to neither of thefe extremes ; but it has
been fo far fheltered as to participate more of the character of the

a It has been a received opinion, that this and other aromatic herbs give a flavour to
the flefh of fhcep that fced where thefe plants abound: but it is well known that iheep
refufe thefe aromatics when they have a choice of other pafturage. Curt. See Account
of . Sheep Walks in. Spain. Gent. Mag. 1764.

latter

( 3°3 )

latter than the former. This plant has the fame fenfible qualities as
thofe of the garden thyme, but has a milder, and rather more grate-
ful flavour. " Its effential oil is both in fmaller quantity, and lefs
acrid, and its fpirituous extract comes greatly fhort of the penetrating
warmth and pungency of that of the other." b From this it appears,
that the Serpyllum, though poffelTing fimilar qualities, is evidently
lefs medicinal than the foregoing fpecies.0

k Lewis, M. M. p. 65 r.

« If this is the fame as the Serpyllum of Diofcorides, he is of a different opinion,
as he fays, " Sylveftre ad medendi ufum aptius quam lit hortenfe." fagituKhoi, ab f^Tr*,
according to Pliny, who commends its ufe in various difeafes. L. xx. c. 22. See Diofc.
L. Hi. c. 46. Iheoph. 6. hiji. 7. Serpyllum is thus mentioned by Virgil :

Theftylis et rapido feflls mefforibus seftu

Allia (erpyllumque herbas contundit olentes. Ec. il. 10.

LINUM USITATISSIMUM. COMMON FLAX.

STNONTMJ. Linum. Pbartn. Land. & Edinb. Linum arvenfe.
Banh. Pin. p. 214. Linum fativum. Gerard, Emac. p. 556.
Park. Theat. p. 1335. Pail HiJl. p. 1072. Sjnop. p. 362.
Linum. y. Bauh. HiJl. iiL p. 451.; Hall. Stir p. Helv. n. 836.
L. ufitatiiTimum. Hudf. Flor. Ang. p. 133. Withering. Bot.
Arrang. p. 328. Curt. Flor. Lond. a»o» Diojcor. L. 2. c. 125.
Theoph. 8. HiJl. 7.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Pentagynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 389.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cal. 5-phyllus. Petala 5. Caps. 5-valvis, 1 o-locularis.
Son. folitaria.

Sp. Ch. L. calycibus capfulifque mucronatis, petalis crenatis, foliis
lanceolatis alternis, caule fubfolitario.

No- 23. 4 H THE

( 3°4 )

THE root is annual : the ftalk is erect, round, fmooth, branched
towards the top, and rites about a foot and a half in height :a the
branches are fimple, alternate, and terminated by the flowers, which
are folitary, and of a (ley-blue colour : the leaves are lance-ihaped,
acute, feflile, fmooth, glaucous, vertical, and alternately fcattered
over the ftalk and branches : the calyx is divided into five fegments,
which are femi-lance-fhaped, pointed, and {lightly fringed with final 1
hairs : the corolla is funnel-fhaped, confifting of live petals, which
are large, obovate, ftriated, and minutely fcolloped at their extremities :
the filaments are live, tapering, upright, about the length of the
calyx, united at the bale, and crowned with fimple antherae : the
germen is oval : the five ftyles are filiform, erect, of the length of
the filaments, ' and furnifhed with blunt ftigmata : the capfule is
globular, divided into five valves, and ten cells : the feeds are folitary,
gloffy, and of a flattifh oval fhape. It is a native of Britain, and
grows in corn fields and fandy paftures : the flowers appear in July.

Flax b is an article of fuch extenfive utility for various ceconomical
purpofes, that the plant which furniihes it has obtained the trivial
name of ufitatiffnnum; and when it is confidered that its feeds afford an
oil equally ufeful in arts and in medicine, it may well be deemed an
object of national importance. Senfible of this, the Society for the
Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, has laudably
endeavoured to promote and extend the cultivation of this plant in
Britain, and not without fuccefs. But ftill the greateft part of Flax
and Linfeed ufed in this country is the growth of the northern parts
of Europe, where it is cultivated moft abundantly.

" The feeds have an unctuous mucilaginous fweetifh tafte, but no
remarkable fmell ; on expreffion, they yield a large quantity of oil,
which, when carefully drawn without the application of heat, has no

a It is remarked by Hafelquift, that in Egypt this plant rifes with a ftrong ftem to the
height of four feet. Re/a til be/. Landct. p. 462.

b The bark of the plant is compofed of numerous fmall tough longitudinal fibre?, con-
nected together with a glutinous matter which is diflblved by maceration in water,
leaving the naked fibres, which are then to be dried nnd beaten, by which means the inner
'^•membranous parts are eafily feparated ; after this it is combed, and fit to be fpun into
thread.— It has been obferved that the water in which this bark has been macerated,
becomes poifonous to cattle, and on this account the practice of fteeping it in any
running ftream or common pond, was prohibited by Statute 33d Henry VJ.U. cap. 17.

particular

( 3°5 )

particular tafte or flavour : in fome properties it differs confidera-
bly from mod of the other oils of this kind ; not congealing in
winter ; not forming a folid foap with fixed alkaline falts :* acting
more powerfully as a menftruum on fulphureous bodies, than any-
other expreffed oil that has been tried. The feeds, boiled in water,
yield a large proportion of a ftrong flavourlefs mucilage : to rectified
fpirit they give out little or nothing."0

Linfeed appears to afford but little nourimment, and when taken
as food has been found to impair the ftomach, and produce great
flatulency: effects, which are noticed of thefe feeds by Galen,d and
iince amply confirmed by Tragus, who relates e that, in confequence
of a fcarcity of corn in Zealand, the inhabitants were urged to the
neceflity of eating boiled- Linfeed, which occafioned a remarkable
diftention of the hypochondria, fwellings of the face and other parts,
which in feveral inftances proved fatal.

Infufions and decoctions of thefe Teeds, like other vegetable muci-
lages, are ufed as emollients or demulcents in hoarfeneffes, coughs,
and pleuretic fymptoms, which frequently prevail in catarrhal affec-
tions ; they are alfo recommended in nephritic pains and ftranguries:
for thefe purpofes, a fpoonful of the feeds unbruifed is faid to be
fufficient for a quart of water/ The feeds are alfo much ufed externally
in emollient and maturating cataplafms. The expreffed oil is an
officinal preparation, and is fuppofed to be of a more healing and
balfamic nature than the other oils of this clafs f it has therefore been
very generally employed in pulmonary complaints, alfo in colics,h and
conftipations of the bowels/

* Geoffroy, Mem. de Vacacl. des fcicn. de Paris Vann. 1741.
c Lewis, M. M. p. 397.
d Simp. L. 7. de alim. fac. 1. i.e. 32.
e See Raii Hijt. p. 1073. f Lewis., I. c.

s This fubjedl is examined on treating of Olea europaea. See Med. Bot. vol. Hi.
h See Sydenham, (Oper. cap. de plcur. p. 265.) Haen, (Rat. Med. P. i. p. 24.
P. ii. p. 103. ) and others.

1 Haen, /. c. P. ii. p. 204. V. Swieten, Com. vol. ii. p. 143. Gallefky mentions
feveral cafes of conftipation and colic, proceeding from different caufes, fuccefsfully
treated by this oil, See Abhandl. v. Miferere u. d. Kriiften d. Leinols in dies. Krankh.
p. 75. feq. Alfo Lentin,'Beob. einig Krankh. p. 149. Vide Murray, App. Med. voj.
iii. p. 485. feq. — It is ufed in common with other oils as a vermifuge.

GEOFFROYA

( 3°<5 )

GEOFFROYA INERMIS. SMOOTH GEOFFROYA,

Or, BASTARD CABBAGE-TREE.

SYNONYM A. GeofTbea. Pbarm. Edlnb. Geoffrsea jamaicencis
inermis. Wright's Defcription and Ufe of the Cabbage-bark Tree of
famaica. Phil. Tranf vol. 67. p. 507. Geoffroya inermis, fo-
Holis lanceolatis. Swartz. Prodr. 106.

Clafs Diadelphia. Ord. Decandria. Lin. Gen. Plant. 876.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Gal. 5-fidus. Drupa ovata. Nucleus compreiTus.

Sp. Ch. G. inermis, foliolis lanceolatis. Swartz. I. c.

THIS tree rifes to a considerable height, and towards the top
fends off feveral branches : the wood is hard enough to admit of
being polilhed : the external bark is fmooth and grey, internally it is
black and furrowed : the leaves are pinnated, confiding of feveral
pairs of pinnse, which are lance-fhaped, pointed, veined, fmooth,
(landing in pairs upon fhort footftalks, but with an odd one at the
end : the flowers appear in clutters upon large branched fpikes : the
calyx is bell-fhaped, and divided into five fhort obtufe fegments : the
corolla is of the papilionaceous kind, of a pale rofe colour, confining
of a vcxilliwi, which is roundifh, concave, and notched at the apex ;
two altfy which are oblong, obtufe, concave, and fomewhat fhorter
than the vexillum, and an obtufe divided carina : the filaments are
ten, nine of which are united at the bafe : the antherse are fimple,
and roundifh : the germen i§ oval, and furnifhed with a tapering
curved ftyle, which is terminated by a hooked ftigma : the fruit is
pulpy, refembling a fmall plum, and containing a hard nut or feed,
feparated into two valves, and marked on each fide with a longitu-
dinal furrow.

This tree is a native of Jamaica, where it is diftinguifhed by the
name of Cabbage-bark tree,' or Worm-bark tree: the bark, which'
feas a mucilaginous and fweetifh taftc, and a difagreeable fmell, was

( 3°7 )

firft noticed a9 a vermifuge by Mr. Peter Duguid.8 Since that time
feveral accounts of its anthelmintic virtues have been given in the
Medical Commentaries by different authors : but Dr. Wright, who
refided a long time at Jamaica, has communicated the fulleft infor-
mation concerning this tree, both in refpect to its medical and bo-
tanical characters. Linnaeus enumerates only one fpecies of this
genus, which is called after Geoffroy, viz. G. fpinofa ; and, in con-
tradiftinction to this, Dr. Wright, on difcovering that the plant here
figured belonged to the fame family, and was deftitute of fpines,
very properly gave it the trivial name of iucrmis, and it has fince
been recognized and confirmed in this name upon the authorities of
Swartz and Alton, though, it is not yet admitted into any of the edi-
tions of the Syitema Vegetabilium of Linnaeus. This fpecies was
firft introduced into this country by Meffrs. Kennedy and Lee,
who cultivated it at Hammerfmith about the year 1778. According
to Dr. Wright, the bark of this tree is powerfully medicinal, and its
anthelmintic effects have been eftablifhed at Jamaica by long expe-
rience.

It may be given in different forms, as in decoction, fyrup, powder,
and extract ; and the manner of preparing and exhibiting thefe are
thus ftated by Dr. Wright :

" The decoction. Take frefh-dried or well-preferved cabbage-
bark, one ounce. Boil it in a quart of water, over a flow fire, till
the water is of an amber colour, or rather of deep coloured Madeira
wine ; ftrain it off, fweeten it with fugar, and let it be ufed imme-
diately, as it does not keep many days.

" Syrup of Cabbage-bark. To any quantity of the above decoc-
tion add a double portion of fugar, and make a fyrup. This will
retain its virtues for years.

" The extract of cabbage-bark is -made by evaporating the ftrong
decoction in balneo marlds to the proper confidence j it muff, be con-
tinually ftirred,as otherwife the refinous part rifes to the top, and on
this probably its efficacy depends.

a This author thinks that the inhabitants of Jamaica are more fubject to worms, " 011
account of their jvjeet vifeid .bread-kind, to wit, plaintains, yams, bananos, fwectifh
potatoes, &c." and confiders it particularly fortunate, that the ifland fuppltes them with .
this bark, which " appears to be the moft powerful vermifuge yet known, for it fre-
quently brings away as many worms by '{tool as would fill a large hat." See Ejjays and
Obfervations Pbyfical and Literary, vol. ii. />• 264.

No. 23. 4 I " The

t

( 308 )

" The powder of well-dried bark is eafily made, and looks like
jallap, though not of equal fpecific gravity.

" This bark, like molt other powerful anthelmintics, has a narcotic
effect ; and on this account it is always proper to begin with fmall
dofes, which may be gradually increafed till a naufea is excited,
when the dofe for that patient is afcertained. But by frequent ufe we
can in common determine the dofe, though we chufe to err rather
on the fafe fide.

kV A ftrong healthy grown perfon may, at firft, take four table
fpoonfuls of the decoction or fyrup, three grains of the extract, or
thirty grains of the powder for a dofe.

" A youth, three table fpoonfuls of the decoction or fyrup, two
grains of extract, or twenty grains of powder.

" A perfon of ten years of age, two table fpoonfuls of the decoc-
tion or fyrup, one grain and a half of extract, or fifteen grains of
the powder.

" Children of two or three years old, a table fpoonful of the de-
coction or fyrup, one grain of extract, or ten grains of the powder.
Children of a year old, half the quantity.

u Thefe maybe increafed, as above obferved, till a naufea is excited,
which will depend on the ftrength, fex, and habit of body of the
patient.

" Care muft be taken that cold water be not drank during the
operation of this medicine, as it is in this cafe apt to occafion ficknefs,
vomiting, fever, and delirium. When this happens, or when an
over large dofe has been given, the ftomach muft be warned with
warm water : the patient muft fpeedily be purged with Caftor-oil, and
ufe plenty of lime-juice beverage for common drink ; vegetable acid
being a powerful antidote in this cafe, as well as in an over dofe of
opium.

" The decoction is what is moftly given here, and feldom fails to
perform every thing that can be expected from an anthelmintic me-
dicine, by deftroying worms in the inteftines, and bringing them
away in great quantities. By frequent ufe, however, thefe animals
become familiarized, and we find it neceffary to intermit it, or have
recourfe to others of inferior merit.

" The

( 3°9 )

" The writers of the Edinburgh Medical Commentaries take notice,
that the deco&ion of cabbage-bark always excites vomiting. We find
no fuch effect from it here, and may account for it by their receiving
it in a mouldy ftate. A fyrup, therefore, is given there with better
effect. They obferve alfo that it has a diuretic virtue, which we have
not taken notice of here.

" This bark purges pretty brifkly, efpecially in powder, thirty or
forty grains working as well as jallap by ftool ; but in this way it
does not feem to kill worms fo well as in decoction.

" Five grains of the extract made a ftrong man fick, and purged
him feveral times ; but, by frequent ule, he took ten grains to produce
at length the fame effect.

" It muft not be concealed that fatal accidents have happened from
the imprudent administration of this bark, chiefly from over-dofing
the medicine. But this cannot detract from the merit of the cabbage-
bark, fince the beft medicines, when abufed, become deleterious ; and
even our beft aliments, in too great quantity, prove deftructive. Upon
the whole, the cabbage-bark is a moft valuable remedy, and I hope
will become an addition to the materia medical

PASTINACA OPOPANAX. OPO PANAX,

Or, ROUGH PARSNEP.

Opopanax, giimmi-refina. Pharm. Lond.

STNO NT MA. Panax coftinum. Baub. Pin. p. 156. Panax
Heracleum. Morris Hijl. t. Hi. p. 315. Boccone^Journ. des Sfav.
1676. p. 28. Gerard Emac. p. 1003. Rati Hi/i. p. 410. Hera-
cleum alterum, five peregrinum Dodonaei. Park. Tbeat. p. 948.
Paftinaca fylveftris altiffima. Tourn, Inft. p. 319. P. Opopanax.
Gonan, Illujlr, 19. t. 13, 14.

Clafs

( 3*° )

Clafs Pentandria. Orel Digynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 362.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Fru&us cllipticus, comprefTb-planus. Petala involuta,
integra.

Sp. Cb. P. foliis pinnatls : foliolis bafi antica excifis. Syft. Veg.

THE root is perennial, thick, fiefhy, tapering like the garden
parfnep : the feilk is ftrong, branched, rough towards the bottom, and
riles feven or eight feet in height : the leaves are pinnated, confifting
of feveral pairs of pinnas, which are oblong, ferrated, veined, and
towards the bafe appear unformed on the upper fide : the flowers are
fmall, of a yellowifh colour, and terminate the ftem and branches in
flat umbels : the general and partial umbels are compofed of many
radii : the general and partial involucra are commonly both wanting:
all the florets are fertile, and have an uniform appearance : the petals
are five, lance-fhaped, and curled inwards : the five filaments are
fpreading, curved, longer than the petals, and furnifhed with roundifh.
anthers : the germen is placed below the corolla, fupporting two re-
fiexed ftyles, which are fupplied with blunt ftigmata : the fruit is
elliptical, compreffed, divided into two parts, containing two flat
feeds, encompaffed with a narrow border. It is a native of the South
of Europe, and flowers in June and July.

This fpecies of Parfnep was cultivated in 1 73 1 by Mr. P. Miller,
who obferves that its " roots are large, fweet, and accounted very
nourifhing, " therefore recommended for cultivation in kitchen-gar-
dens.'1 It bears the cold of our climate very well, and commonly
maturates its feeds, and its juice here manifefts fome of thofe qualities
which are difcovered in the officinal opopanax ;b but it is only in the
warm regions of the Eaft, and where this plant is a native, that its juice
concretes into , this gummy refinous drug. Opopanax is obtained by

a £ee his DiSl.

» Alfton fays, " with regard: to thefe plants growing here, I venture to fay, jthat, if
their juice be not. the opopanax, it is very like it." M. M. v. ;/'. p. 443.

« We find no account of the manner of obtaining this drug fince that mentioned by
Dodonaeus, Pempt. (p. 309.) & Boccone, [I. c.)

means

( 3» )

means of incrfions made at the bottom of the ftalk of the plant, from
when^? t^e juice gradually exudes,0 and by undergoing fpontaneous
concrej aflumes the appearance under which we have it imported
from Turkey and the Eaft-Indies, viz. " fometimes in little round
drops or tears, more commonly in irregular lumps, of a reddifh yellow
colour, on the outfide with fpecks of white, internally of a paler
colour, and frequently variegated with large white pieces."

" This gummy-refm has a ftrong difagreeable fmell, and a bitter
acrid ibmewhat naufeous tafte. It readily mingles with water, by
triture, into a milky liquor, which on {landing depofits a portion of
refinous matter, and becomes yellowifh : to rectified fpirit it yields a
gold-coloured tincture, which taftes and fmells ftrongly of Opopanax.
"Water diftilled from it is impregnated with it's fmell, but no efTential
oil is obtained on committing moderate quantities to the operation." 4

Opopanax has been long employed by phyficians, and efteemed
for its attenuating, deobftruent, and aperient virtues ; but as it is
commonly prefcribed in combination with other medicines, thefe
qualities are by no means afcertained, nor do its fenfible qualities
indicate it to be a medicine of much power. Dr. Cullen claffes it
with the antifpafmodics ; it is however lefs fetid than galbanuin. though
more fo than ammoniacum, and therefore may be fuppofed to have
fome affinity to a union of thefe two. It has commonly been given in
hypochondriacal affections, vifceral obftructions, menftrual luppref-
fions, and afthmas, efpecially when connected with a phlegmatic habit
of body. It has no place in the Mat. Med. of the Edinburgh Phar-
macopoeia, but, by the London College it is directed in the pillulse e
gummi.

- Lewis, M. p. 468.

No. 23,

RHAMNUS

( 312 )

RHAMNUS CATHARTICUS. PURGING BUCKTHORN.

STNO NTMA. Spina cervina. Pbarm. Lond. &f JSyfo. 'gv&ham-
nus catharticus. Banh. Pin. p. 478. Rati Hiji. p. 1625. Synop.
p. 466. Hud/on. Flor. Jng.p. 98. Withering. Bot.Arrang.p. 239,
i^/or. Dan. 850. Rhamnus folutivus. Gerard Emac. p. 1337-
Rhainnus folutivus five Spina infetloria vulgaris. Park. Theat. p~
243. Rhamnus foliis fpinofis, ovato-lanceolatis, ferratis. Hah
Stirp. Helv. n. 824.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Moncgynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 265.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cah tubulofus : fquamis ftamina munientibus. Cor.
nulla. Bacca.

Sp. Ch. R. fpinis terminalibus, floribus quadrifidis dioicis, foliis
ovatis, eaule erecto.

THIS fhrub is covered with dark brownilh bark, divided into many
branches, befet with ftrong fpines, and ufually rifes feven or eight feet
in height : the leaves are nearly elliptical, ferrated, veined, and ftand
on mortifh footftalks : the flowers are commonly male and female
upon different plants, fmall, greenifh, and placed in clufters upon
fimple peduncles : the calyx fupplies the place of a corolla, it is
funnel-fhaped, of a pale green colour, and divided at the extremity
into four fpreading pointed fegments : the filaments are ufually four,
arifing from the bafe of a fmall convex fcale, very fhort, and furnifhed
with round antherse : the germen is round, and fupports a flender
ftyle, terminated by a trifid ftigma : the fruit is a round black berry,
containing four feeds, which are compreffed on one fide, and protu-
berant on the other. It is a native of Britain, ufually growing in
woods and hedges near brooks, flowering in May and June, and
ripening its feeds about the end of September.

The fruit or berries of this Shrub, which have been long received
into the Materia Medica, are about the fize of a fmall pea, and when

ripe

114.

( 3*3 )

ripe of a mining black colour : they contain a pulpy deep green juice/
which has a faint unpleafant fmelj, and a bitterifh, acrid, naufeous
tafte : they operate brifkly by ftool, and hence the plant derives the trivial
name catbarticus :b their purgative effects are conftantly accompanied
with confiderable thirft, and drynefs of the mouth and throat, and
frequently with fevere griping of the bowels, efpecially unlefs fome
diluting liquor be plentifully drunk immediately after taking them.

" The dofe is faid to be about twenty of the frefli berries in fub-
ftance ; twice or thrice that number in decoction : a dram or a dram
and a half of the dried berries ; an ounce of the expreflfed juice ; or
half an ounce of the rob or extract, obtained by infpiffayng the juice. "c
The juice made into a fyrup is the officinal preparation, and in this
ftate it has been generally preferred by phyficians, who found that in
dofes of one ounce to two' it' proved a very powerful purgative, and
was therefore much employed as a hydragogue. d Few patients
however are able to bear a frequent repetition of this medicine ; and
even Sydenham, who was partial to the purgative treatment of hydro-
pical difeafes, found that other cathartics more effectually anfwered
this purpofe : at prefent it is rarely prefcribed except in conjunction
with other medicines of this clafs.

The inner bark, like that of Elder, is faid to be a ftrong cathartic,
and to excite vomiting.6

a This juice is called by the French Verd de Veffie, or Sap Green, and is ufed for
painting or ftaining paper : that of the unripe berries is yellow, and when the berries are
gathered late in the autumn, the juice is purple. It is alfo ufed as a dye. See Lin.
Flor. Suec. p. 72.

b It is reported that the flefh of thofe birds which feed upon thefe berries is purgative.
Homberg, Mem. de l' Acad, des Sc. de Paris, 1712. p. 9.

c Lewis, M. M. p. 612.

* Riverius, Prax. lib. ii. cap. 6. p. 44.— Boerhaave, De vtrib. med. p. 308.— Chomel,
Xjfudl. torn. i. p. 19.— Sydenham, Opera, p. 488.

* Allioni, Fl, Pedmont, t. ii. p. 130.

TANACETUM

( 3*4 )

TANACETUM VULGARE. COMMON TANSY.

S TNO NT MA. Tanacetum. Pharm. Lond. & Edlnb. Raii Hifl.
p. 365. Synop. p. 188. Gerard Emac. p. 650. Tanacetum vulgare
luteum. Baith. Pin. p. 132. Tanacetum vulgare. Park. Theat. p.
80. Hudfon Flor. Aug. p. 357. Withering. Bot. Arrang. p. 887.
Flor. Dan. p. 871. Tanacetum foliis pinnatis, pinnis femipinnatis,
acute dentati^. Hal. £tirp. Helv. n. 132.

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Polygamia Superflua. Lin. Gen. Plant. 944.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Recept. nudum. Pappus fubmarginatus. Cal. im-
bricatus, hemifphaericus. Cor. radii obfoletse, 3-fidse.

Sp. Ch. T. foliis bipinnatis incifis ferratis.

THE root is perennial, long, creeping, and fibrous: the Hem is
ftrong, erect, often reddifh, branched towards the top, fmooth, befet
with leaves, and rifes two or three feet in height : the leaves are
doubly pinnated; leffer pinnae, numerous, notched, or deeply ferrated;
principal ribs edged with leafy clefts : the flowers are yellow, com-
pound, and produced in a corymbus : the calyx confifts of numerous
fmall imbricated fquamse, forming a common perianthum of an
hemifpherical fhape : the floret* at the difc are hermaphrodite ', tubular,
divided at the mouth into five pointed fegments : the florets at the
border are female^ and cut at the brim into three teeth : the filaments
are five, very fhort, flerider, and furnifhed with antherse, which unite
and form a- hollow cylinder : the germen in both the hermaphrodite
and female florets is oblong, fmall, and fupports a filiform ftyle, fur-
niftied with a cloven reflexed ftigma : the feeds are naked, folitary,
and of an oblong fhape : the receptacle is convex and naked. It is a
native of England, growing in moift paftures, borders of corn fields,
roads, and rivers, and flowering in July and Auguft.

This

"TB|,v

( 3*5 )

This fpecies, of which there is a variety, folih crifpis, the curled
Tanfy, which is faid to be more grateful to the ftomach than the
common Tanfy, and has therefore been preferred by fome for medical
purpofes ; but as the fenfible qualities of the latter feem moft powerful,
we judge it to be moft efficacious.

" The leaves and flowers of Tanfy have a ftrong, not very dif-
agreeable fmell, and a bitter fomewhat aromatic tafte : the flowers are
ftronger though rather lefs unpleafant than the leaves. They give
out tr^ir virtue both to water and fpirit, moft perfectly to the latter :
the tincture made from the PBkves is of a fine green ; from the flowers
of a bright pale yellow colour. Diftilled with water they yield a
greenilh-yellow eflential oil, fmelling ftrongly of the herb : the re-
maining decoction, infphTated, affords a ftrong bitter fubfaline extract.
The fpirituous tinctures give over alfo, in diftillation, a confiderable
part of their flavour ; a part of it remaining along with the bitter
matter, in the extract." b

According to Bergius, the virtues of Tanfy are tonic, ftomachic,
anthelmintic, emmenagogue, and refolvent ;c qualities ufually attributed
to bitters of the warm or aromatic kind ; many of which we mail
foon have occafion to notice under the genus Artemefia, which is
clofely allied to that of Tanacetum in its botanical character. Tanfy
has been much ufed as a vermifuge, and teftimonies of its efficacy-
are given by many refpectable phyficians : not only the leaves but
the feeds have been employed with this intention, and fubftituted for
thofe of Santonicum.

We are told by Dr. Clark, that in Scotland Tanfy was found
to be of great fervice in various cafes of gout ;f and Dr. Cullen, who
afterwards was informed of the effects it produced upon thofe who
had ufed the herb for this purpofe, fays, " I have known feveral
who have taken it without any advantage, and fome others who re-
ported that they had been relieved from the frequency of their gout."E

* See C. Bank. I. c. b Lewis, M. M. p. 633. c Mat. Med. p. 664.

d Hoffman fpeaks highly of its efficacy. See Med. Sy/i. T. 4. P. 2. p. 333. See
alfo Supp. p. 87. Rofenftein, BJkd. cap. de vermibus. e The latter however are

much more bitter and aromatic. See Lewis, I. c. f Vide, EJJays and Obf. phyfical and
lit. vol. Hi. p. 438. « Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 80.

No. 24. 4 L Tanfy

( 3i6 )

Tanfy is alfo recommended in the hyfteria, efpecially when this difeafe
is fuppofed to proceed from menftrual obftrudions.

This plant may be given in powder to the quantity of a dram, or
more, for a dofe ; but it has been more commonly taken in infufion,
or drunk as tea.

■ mi T i .

DICTAMNUS ALBUS. WHITE FRAXINELLA,

Or, BASTARD DITTANY.

STNONTMJ. Didamnus albus. Pharm. Edinb. Didamnus
albus five Fraxinella. Banh. Pin. p. 222. Fraxinella. Gerard
Emac. p. 1245. Morris, Hijl. Hi. p. 456. Tourn. Injl. p. 430.
Fraxinella flore purpureo & albo. Park. Par ad. p. 333. Fraxi-
nella, &c. Rati Hijl. p. 698. J. Bauh. Hi. p. 494. Hal. Stirp.
Helv. n. 1029. Miller s Figures, tab. 123. Jacquin, Flor. Jujl,
tab. 428. * Flore niveo. ^ Flore rubro.

Clafs Decandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 522.

EJf. Gen. . Cb. Cal. 5-phyllus. Petala 5, patula. Filamenta pundis
glandulofis adfperfa. Caps. 5, coalita?.

Sp. Cb. D. foliis pinnatis caule fimplici. Supp. p. 232.

THE root is perennial, and fends off many long fpreading fibres:
the leaves are pinnated and large ; pinnae elliptical, veined, pointed,
flightly ferrated, ftand in pairs, and are terminated by an odd one,
which is the largeft : the ftalk is round, fmooth, ered, and rifes about
a foot and a half in height : the bradese are ftipular, and placed
fingly at the bafe of the peduncles : the flowers appear from May till
July ; they are numerous, large, white, terminate the Hem, and ftand
alternately upon long peduncles, which towards the top are bent
downwards, and befet with fmall glands : the corolla is compofed of
five white petals, of an obverfely oval ihape, and inferted into the

( 3*7 )

calyx by long claws : the calyx is rough, and divided into five fhort
fegments : the filaments are ten^ about the length of the corolla,
marked with minute glands, and furnimed with large antherse : the
germen is pentangular : the ftyle fhort, tapering, and fupplied with
a pointed ftigma : the feed veffels are five united capfules, each of
which contains two fmall oval feeds.

This plant, which is commonly called Fraxinella,* is a native of France,
Germany, and Italy. It was cultivated here by Gerard, and fre-
quently adorns*the borders of our flower gardens, efpecially the red
variety, which is the handfomer plant. It emits a fragrant bitumi-
nous odour, which feems to be the eflential oil of the herb, fecreted
by numerous fmall glands, with which the peduncles and filaments
are abundantly furniihed. Thefe odorous effluvia are fo very inflam-
mable, that on the application of flame, they take fire, efpecially on
the evening of a hot dry day.3

The root, which is the part directed for medicinal ufe, " when
frefh, has a moderately ftrong, not difagreeable fmell, but as met
with in the {hops it has fcarcely any. To the tafte it difcovers a
pretty ftrong and very durable bitternefs, which is taken up both by
watery and fpirituous menftrua, and on infpiffating the filtered
tinctures, remains entire in the extracts : the aqueous extract is in
much larger quantity than the fpirituous, and proportionably weaker
in tafte." b

Formerly this root was ufed as a ftomachic, tonic, and alexipharmic,
and was fuppofed to be a medicine of much efficacy in removing
uterine obftructions, and deftroying worms;0 but its medicinal powers
became fo little regarded by modern phyiicians, that it had fallen almoft
entirely into difufe, till Baron Stoerck brought it into notice by
publilhing feveral cafes of its fuccefs,d viz. in tertian intermittenrs,
worms, (lumbrici) and menftrual fuppreflions. In all thefe cafes he
employed the powdered root to the extent of a fcruple twice a day.

* From the refemblance its leaves have to thofc of the afh.

■ Vide Du Hamel, Phyf. des arbres, torn. i. p. 150. Nollet, Cours. de Phyf. vol. i.
p. 300. b Lewis, M. m. p. 274. c See Geier, Difiamhograpbia. Buchner Dijf- de
Fraxinella. Matthiolus fays, « ad multa utilis eft." p. 523. c Vide libell. de Flummula
JoviSj Dittamno alboi tj'c.

He

( 3*8 )

He alfo made ufe of a tincture, prepared of two ounces of the

freih root digefted in fourteen ounces of fpirit of wine ; of this
twenty to fifty drops, two or three times a day, were fuccefsfully
prefcribed in epilepfies, &c. and when joined with fteel, this root,
we are told, was of great fervice to'chlorotic patients.

The Didtamnus undoubtedly is a medicine of confiderable power;
but, notwithftanding the account of it given by Stoerck, who feems
to have paid little attention to its modus operandi, we may ftill
fay with Haller, " Nondum autem vires pro dignitate exploratus
eft." 1. c.

CANELLA ALBA. LAUREL-LEAVED CANELLA.

STNONTMA. Canella alba. Pharm. Lond. & Edinb. Winterania
Canella. Lin. Supp. p. 247. Arbor baccifera laurifolia aromatica,
fructu viridi calyculato racemofo. Sloane* s Jamaica, vol. ii. p. 87.
/. igi.Jl 2. Catejbys Carolina, vol. ii. p. 50. t. 50. Canella foliis
oblongis obtufis nitidis, racemis terminalibus. Browne s Jamaica,
p. 275. /. 27. f. 3. CafTia lignea Jamaicenfis Laureolse foliis fub-
cinereis cortice piperis modo acri. Pluckenet Almag. p. 89. /. 81.
f. 1. Lin. Spec. Plant, p. 636. Conf. Swartz. Botanical Hi/lory
of the Canella Alba. Linnean Tranfaclions. p. 96.

Clafs Dodecandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin, Gen. Winterania. p. 598.

JEJl Gen. Ch. Cal. 3-lobus. Pet. 5. Anther cs 16, adnata: nedario
urceolato. Bacca 3-locularis. Sent. 2.

THE ftera of this tree rifes very ftraight, from ten to fifty feet in
height, and branched only at the top ; it is covered with a whitifh
bark, by which it is ealily diftinguiflied at a diftance from other trees in
the woods where it grows : the leaves are placed upon fhort footftalks,
aad ftand alternately : they are oblong, obtufe, entire, of a dark

fhining

( 3^9 )

fliinmg green hue, and thick like thofe of the laurel : the flowers
are fmall, feldom opening, of a violet colour, and grow in clutters
at the tops of the branches upon divided footftalks : the calyx is
monophyllus, divided nearly to its bafe into three lobes, which are
roundifh, concave, incumbent, green, fmooth, membranous, and per-
fiftent : the corolla is compofe'd of five petals, which are much longer
than the calyx, feffilefl oblong, concave, erect, and two of them are
fomewhat narrower than the other three : the nectary is pitcher-
ihaped, of the length of the petals, and fupports the antherse inftead
of h laments, which are wanting : the antherse are twenty-one, linear,
parallel, diftin£t, fingle valved, and fixed longitudinally to the nectary:
the germen is ovate, placed above the infertion of the corolla, and
fupports a cylindrical ftyle, furnifhed with two obtufe rough convex
ftigmata : the fruit is an oblong berry, containing four kidney-fhaped
feeds of unequal fize.* *>

It appears a little furprifing, that the Canella, which is a native of
the Weft Indies, and o£ which figures have been given by Plukenet,
Sloane, Catefby, Browne,* and others, mould have been generally
confounded with the tree which produces the cortex winteranus :
even the younger Linnaeus, who defcribes this tree under the genus
"Winterania, from a fpecimen in the herbarium of Montin, has acknow-
ledged that he could not difco\ er how far it differed from the Drimys,
or Wintera of Murray.1" The prefent figure, which is given on the
authority of Dr. Swartz, who prefented it to the Linnean Society,
accompanied with a botanical hiftory of the tree,j| will, we hope, re-

* " The whole tree (according to Dr. Swartz) is very aromatic, and when in bloflbnt
perfumes the whole neighbourhood. The flowers dried, and foftened again in warm
water, have a fragrant odour, nearly approaching to that of mufk. The leaves have a
ftrong fmell of laurel* The berries, after having been fome time green, turn blue, and
become at laft of a black glofly colour, and have a faint aromatic tafte and fmell. They
are, when ripe, as well as the fruit of feveral kinds of laurel, very agreeable to the
White -bellied and Bald-pate Pigeons, (Columba Jamaicenfis & leucocephala) which feeding
greedily upon them acquire that peculiar flavour fo much admired in the places where
they are found/5 1. c.

* Swartz obferves, that the only tolerable figure among thefe is that of Browne, 1. c.

b " Quantum difterat a genere Drimys nondum bene fcio." Supp. p. 247.

c Fide 1. c.
|| Read before the Linnean in December 1788.

No, 24. 4 M move

'( 3^0 )

move every doubt concerning the true characters of Canella alba ; and
by comparing the annexed plate with that publifbed of the Winterana
aromatica, in the fifth volume of Medical Obfervations and Inquiries
by Drs. Fothergill and Solander,|| it maybe obferved how far the tree,
which produces the cortex winteranus, differs from that of our plant,
the bark of wmich is the officinal Canella alba. The latter appears from
Clufius ro have been firft introduced into Britain about the year i6oo;-f-
the former was known in England twenty years before, and took its
name from William Winter, captain of one of the fhips which accom-
panied Sir Francis Drake to the Straits of Magellan, from whence he
brought this bark to Europe in 1579. John Bauhin appeal's to be the
firft d who confounded the names of thefe barks, by ftyling the cortex
winteranus Canella alba; and as Sir Hans Sloane, who has given a
feparate defcription of both trees, and was fenfible of a difference in the
tafte of their barks, feems to infinuate that this might depend upon the
place of growth, his remarks did not wholly remove the error.6

Profeflbr Murray, in his 14th edition of the Syftema Vegetabilium,
was the firft who made a diftinel: genus of Canella, and thus corrected
the miftake of Linn3eus,J who, difregarding the evidence of the old
botanifts,* combined two genera under the name of Laurus Winterana ;f
but he afterwards made it a feparate genus, and called it Winterania,5
a name by which it has been long univerfally, though improperly
diftinguifhed. Mr. Aiton, who has followed Murray in confidering
the Canella, as differing generically from the tree named after Winter,
informs us, that it was cultivated by Mr. Phillip Miller, at Chelfea,
in i7J9.h -

D " Some Account of the Cortex Winteranus, or Magellanicus, by Dr. John Fothergill,
with a Botanical Defcription by Dr. Solander, and fame Experiments by Dr. Morris." p. 41.

f He fays, u Ante paucos annos (1605) coepit exoticus cortex inferri, cui nomen
Canellse1 albse indiderunt." Exot. lib. iv. cap. 4.

d Hifl. vol. i. p. 460. c Phil, tranf. No. 192. p. 462.

-j- p. 443. Though Murray has here faid, " Cortex hujus eft Canella alba officina-
rum," yet the London College has not availed itfelf of this authority, no botanical
reference being given to Canella alba in the new pharmacopoeia.

* Among thefe we may notice Plukenet, who, fpeaking of thefe two trees, fays,
" Varie inter fe plurimum diverfse plantae per illarum ignorationem plane eonfunduntur."

Almag. Mant. p. 40.

f Sp. Plant, ed. 1. p. 371. * See his Hort. Cliff. 448. and Mat. Med.

h Hort, Keiv. vol. ii. 125.

The

( 321 )

The officinal Canella alba is the bark of the branches of this tree,
freed from its outward covering, and dried in the made. It is brought
to Europe in long quills, which are about three quarters of an inch
in diameter, fomewhat thicker than cinnamon, and both externally
and internally of a whitifh or light brown colour, with a yellowifh
hue, and commonly intermixed with thicker pieces, which are
probably obtained fronrthe trunk of the tree. This bark in tafte is
moderately warm, aromatic, and bitterifh ; its fmell is agreeable, and
refembles that of cloves. Its virtues are extracted moft perfectly by
proof fpirit. " In diftillation with water it yields an effential oil of
a dark yellowifh colour, of a thick tenacious confiftence, difficultly
feparable from the aqueous fluid, in fmell fufficiently grateful, though
rather lefs fo than the bark itfelf : the remaining decoction, infpiffated,
leaves an extract of great bitternefs, in confiftence not uniform, feem-
ingly compofed of a refinous and gummy matter, imperfectly mixed.
On infpiflating the fpirituous tincture, the fpirit which diftils has no
great fmell or tafte of the Canella, but is fo far impregnated with its
more volatile oil as to turn milky on the admixture of water : the
remaining extract retain? the bitternefs of the bark, but has little more,
of its warmth or flavour than the extract made with water."1

The ufe of Canella alba now fuperfedes that of fhe old bark of
Winter, on the authority of both the London and Edinburgh phar-
macopoeias. It has been fuppofed to poflefs a confiderable fhare of
medicinal power, and is faid to be an ufeful medicine in the fcurvy,
and fome other complaints ; but it is now confidered merely in the
character of an aromatic, and like many of the fpices is chiefly employed
for the purpofe of correcting and rendering lefs difagreeable the more
powerful and naufeous drugs. It is therefore an ingredient in the
pulv. aloet. Pharm. Lond. and in the tinctura amara, vinum amarum,
vinum rhei, &c. of the Pharm. Edinb. Swartz tells us that " this
bark, together with the fruit of Capficum, was formerly a common
ingredient in the food and drink of the Caribs, the ancient natives
of the Antilles ; and even at prefent it. makes a neceffary addition to-
the meagre pot of the negroes." 1. c.

i Lewis, M. M. p. 186.

SCILLA MARITIMA.

( 3^2 )

SCILLA MARITIMA. OFFICINAL SQUILL,

Or, SEA ONION.

£ T NO NY MA. Scilla. Pharm. Lond. EdirrL Scilla vulgaris
radice rubra. Bauh. Pin. p. 73. Ran Hift. p. 11 64. Scilla
rubra, five Pancratium verum. Park. Parad.p. 133. Scilla rubra,
magna vulgaris. J. Bauh. Hi/}, ii. p. 615. Pancratium Clufii.
Gerard Emac. p. 172. Ornithogalon maritimum, feu fcilla radice
rubra. Tourn. Lift. /. 38.1. # Scilla radice alba. Bauh. I. c.

Clafs Hexandria. Ord. Monogynia. Liu. Gen. Plant. 419.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cor. 6-petala, patens, decidua. Filamenta filiformia.

Sp. Ch. S. nudiflora, bracteis refra&is. ,

THE root is large, perennial, bulbous, coated, of a reddifh hue,
abounding with a tenacious juice, and furnifhed with many white
fibres, which ilfue from its bafe : the ftem is round, fmooth, fucculent,
and rifes two or three feet in height : the leaves are fword-fhaped,
radical, fmooth, pointed, long, and of a deep green colour: the flowers
are whitifh, produced in a long clofe fpike upon purplifh peduncles,
and appear in April and May : the bractese are linear, twifted, and
deciduous : it has no calyx : the corolla is compofed of fix petals, which
are ovate, patent, with a leddifh mark in the middle: the filaments
-are fix, tapering, fhorter than the corolla, and furnifhed with oblong
.antheras, placed tranfverfely : the germen is roundifh, fupporting a
fimple ftyle about the length of the filaments, and furnifhed with a
fimple ftigma : the capfule is oblong, fmooth, marked with three fur-
rows, and divided into three cells, which contain many roundifh feeds.

This plant is a native of Spain, Sicily, and Syria, growing in fandy
fituations on the fea coaft, and hence the name maritima. It was
firft cultivated in England at the botanic garden at Oxford about the
year 1 648/ The red rooted variety has been fuppofed to be more

Vide, Hor>\ Oxon. ed. 1. p. 48.

efficacious

( 323 )

efficacious than the white, and is therefore ftill preferred for medicinal
ufe :b it is to the tafte very naufeous, intenfely bitter, and acrimonious,
but without any perceptible fmell. " Water, wine, proof fpirit
and rectified fpirit, extract the virtues both of the frefh and the dry
root. Nothing rifes in diftillation with any of thefe menftrua, the
entire bitternefs and pungency of the Squill remaining concentrated
in the infpiflated extracts : the fpirituous extracl is in fnfcller quantity
than the watery, and of a proportionably ftronger almoft fiery tafte,"

" Alkalines confiderably abate both the bitternefs and acrimony of
the Squill : vegetable acids make little alteration in either, though the
admixture of the acid tafte renders that of the Squill more fupport-
able. Thefe acids extract its virtue equally with watery or fpirituous
menftrua." c

The root of the Squill, which appears to have been known as a
medicine in the early ages of Greece,11 and has fo well maintained its
character ever fince, as to be defervedly in great eftimation, and of very
frequent ufe at this time, feems to manifeft a poifonous quality to
feveral animals. In proof of this, we have the teftimonies of Hillefeild,e
Bergius/ Vogel,5 and others. Its acrimony is fo great that even if
much handled it exulcerates the {kin ; and if given in large dofes,
and frequently repeated, it not only excites naufe'a, tormina, and violent
vomitings, but it has been known to produce ftrangury, bloody urine,
hypercatharfis, cardialgia, haemorrhoids, convulfions, with fatal inflam-
mation and gangrene of the ftomach and bowels.h But as many of
the more active articles of the materia medica, by injudicious admi-
niftration, become equally deleterious, thefe effectsof the Scilla do not
derogate from its medicinal virtues ; on the contrary, we feel ourfelves
fully warranted in reprefenting this drug, under proper management,
and in certain cafes and conftitutions, to be a medicine of great

b It may be obferved, that this red colour is only confined to the outer coats of the
.root. ' Lewis, M. M.

d Some refer its introduction to medical ufe to Epimenides ; others to Pythagoras.
Vide Haller, Bib. Bot. p. 12. It was fometimes called 2kiX\x, and fometimes nxyn^xno*
and is noticed by Diofcorides, Hippocrates, Galen, Aetius, Celfus, Pliny, Caelius Aure-
lianus, and the Arabian phyficians.

c Biff', experim. circa venena, p. 12. f Mat. Med. p. 265. e V. in Hillef. p. 18.

h See Lange, de remed. BrunJ. dome/}, p. 176. Alfo Quarin, Animadv. pracl.p. 166.

No. 24. 4 N practical

( 3H )

practical utility, and real importance in the cure of many obftmate
difeafes. Its effects, as ftated by Bergius, are incidens diuretica,
emetica, fubpurgans, hydragoga, expectorans, emmenagoga.' Jn hy-
dropical cafes it has long been efteemed the molt certain and effectual
diuretic with which we are acquainted ; and in afthmatic affections/ or
dyfpncea, occahoned by the lodgment of tenacious phlegm, it has
been the expectorant ufually employed.1 The Squill, efpecially in large
dofes, is apt to ftimulate the ftomach, and to prove emetic ; and it
fometimes acts upon the inteftines, and becomes purgative ; but when
thefe operations take place, the medicine is prevented from reaching
the blood veffels and kidneys, and the patient is deprived of its diuretic
effects; which are to be obtained by giving the Squill in fmaller dofes,.
repeated at more diftant intervals,1" or by the joining of an opiate to this
medicine, which was found by Dr. Cullen to anfwer the fame purpofe.
The Dr. further obferves, that from a continued repetition of the
Squill, the dofe may be gradually increafed, and the intervals of its
•exhibition fhortened ; and when in this way the dofes come to be
tolerably large, the opiate may be mofl conveniently employed to
direct the operation of the Squill more certainly to the kidneys. " In
cafes of dropfy ; that is, when there is an effufion of water into the
cavities, and therefore that lefs water goes to the kidneys, we are of
opinion, that neutral fait, accompanying the Squill, may be of ufe in
determining this more certainly to the kidneys : and whenever it can
be perceived that it takes this courfe, we are perfuaded that it will
alfo be always ufeful, and generally fafe during the exhibition of the
Squills to increafe the ufual quantity of drink." n

The diuretic effects of Squills have been fuppofed to be promoted
by the addition of fome mercurial ; and the lefs purgative preparations
of mercury, in the opinion of Dr. Cullen, are belt adapted to this
purpofe ; he therefore recommends a folution of corrofive fublimate,
as being more proper than any other, becaufe moft diuretic.

s L. c. k All the authors who have written on thefe difeafes, might here be cited.
' We do not notice its ufe as an emetic, as we think it entirely fuperfeded by the
ipecacuanha.

» This is mentioned on the authority of Dr. Cullen. M. M. v. ii. p. 558.
/ n Cullen, /. c.

Where

( 325 )

Where the primae vise abound with mucous matter, and the lungs
are oppreffed with vifcid phlegm, this medicine is likewife in general
eftimation.

As an expectorant, the Squill may be fuppofed not only to attenuate
the mucus, and thus facilitate its ejection, but by ftimulating the fecre-
tory organs and mucous follicles, to excite a more copious excretion of
it from the lungs, and thereby leffen the congeftion, upon which the
difficulty of refpiration very generally depends. Therefore in all
pulmonic affections, excepting only thofe of actual or violent inflam-
mation, ulcer, and fpafm, the Squill has been experienced to be an
ufeful medicine.

The officinal preparations of Squills are a conferve, dried Squills,*
a fyrup, and vinegar, an oxymel, and pills. Practitioners have not
however confined themfelves to thefe :° when this root was intended
as a diuretic, it has moft commonly been ufed in powder, as being
in this flate lefs difpofed to naufeate the ftomach ; and to the powder
it has been the practice to add neutral falts, as nitre, or cryftals of tartar,
efpecially if the patient complained of much thirft ; others recom-
mend calomel ; and with a view to render the Squills lefs offenfive to
the ftomach, it has been ufual to conjoin an aromatic. The dofe of
dried Squill is from two to four or fix grains, once a day, or half this
quantity twice a day ; afterwards to be regulated according to its
effects. The dofe of the other preparations of this drug, when frefh,
mould be four times this weight ; for this root lofes in the procefs
of drying four-fifths of its original weight, and this lofs is merely
a watery exhalation. p

* " We muft not, however, mifs to obferve here, that the drying of the Squill is a
bufmefs that requires much attention, as it may be readily over done, and thereby render
the Squill entirely ufelefs. This over drying in one way or other, happens more fre-
quently than our apothecaries are aware of ; and has led me to allow, that fome opera-
tion on the ftomach, fome naufea excited by the Squill, is a neceflary teft of the activity
of the portion of it employed." Cullen, I. c.

0 See on this fubje£t. Wagner, ohf. clin. feci. 1. in Hall, colled, clijf. Ludwig, Advers
Medio-pracl. vol. it. p. O95. Quarin, I.e. Werlhof, Oper. Stoll, Prtslccl. in morb,
chron. Home, Clin. Exper. &f Hijl. p. ^57« &c.

p Duncan, New Edinb. Difpenf. p. 322.

ARTEMISIA ABROTANUM

( 3*6 )

ARTEMISIA ABROTANUM. COMMON SOUTHERNWOOD.

SYNONYM A. Abrotanum. Pharm. Lond. & Edi?ib. Abrota-
num mas anguftifolium majus. Bauh. Pin. p. 136. Toum. Jujl.
p. 459. Duhamel) Arb. i. p. 20. /. 4. Abrotanum mas vulgare.
Park. Theat. p. 92. Abrotanum mas. Gerard. Emac. p. 1105.
Rait Hijl. p. 371. Dodon. Petnpt. p. 21.

05 A. caule erecJo.

6 A. humilis foliis fetaceis pinnatifidis, caule decumbente fuf-

fruticofo. Mill. Dicl.

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Polygamia Superflua. Lin. Gen. Plant. 945.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Recept. fubvillofum vel nudiufculum. Pappus nullus.
Cal. imbricatus, fquamis rotundatis, conniventibus. Cor.
radii nullae.

Sp. Ch. A. fruticofa, foliis fetaceis ramofiflimis.

THE root is perennial, woody, and fibrous: the ftalk is fhrubby,
round, covered with fmooth brown bark, fends off vertical branches,
and rifes two or three feet in height : the leaves are numerous, fome-
what hoary, doubly and irregularly pinnated ; pinna?, linear, long,
narrow, entire, concave on the upper fide, convex beneath, and ftand
upon long footftalks, which are alfo of this fhape : the flowers are
fmall, of a greenifli yellow colour, and placed in clofe terminal fpikes
upon the branches : the calyx is imbricated, confifting of feveral mem-
branous fcales : the flowers are compound, compofed of numerous
florets j thofe in the centre, or difc, are hermaphrodite \ but in the margin
they are female : the corolla is tubular, and extremely minute : the
filaments are five, fhort, and flendejr: the anthers are united, and
form a hollow cylinder : the ftyle is longer than the ftamina, and
furnifhed with a cleft reflected ftigma: the feeds are naked and
iblitary.

Southernwood

( 5*7 )

Southernwood is a native of France, Spain, and Italy: it was cul-
tivated here by Gerard, and its odour renders it fo generally accept-
able, that there are few gardens in which this plant is not to be
found, Although it bears the cold of our winters very well, it fo
rarely flowers in Britain, that a fpecimen proper for delineation can-
not without difficulty be obtained.

The leaves and tops of Southernwood, have a ftrong, and to molt
people an agreeable fmell : its tafte is pungent, bitter, and fomewhat
naufeous. Thefe qualities are completely extracted by fpirituous raen-
ftrua, the herb communicating to the fpirit a beautiful green colour.
Water extracts its virtues lefs perfectly, and the infufion is of a light
brown colour. In diftillation with water this plant affords but a
fmall quantity of effential oil; for from fixteen pounds of the frefh
leaves fcarcely three drams of this oil could be obtained.3

The Abrotanum mas & femina were regarded by the ancients b as
medicines of confiderable efficacy ; the latter is referred to Santolina 1
Chamge-Cypariffus, Lin. (Common Lavender Cotton) ; the former
is the fpecies now under confideration, and has been efteemed to be
ftomachic, carminative, and deobftruent : it is fuppofed to ftimulate
the whole fyftem, more particularly that of the uterus. But though
it ftill retains a place both in the London and Edinburgh pharmaco-
poeias, it is now rarely ufed, unlefs in the way of fomentation.

a Lewis, M. M. p. 4.

b See Theophraft. Hift. L. i, c. 15. p. 44. Diofcor. L. 3. c. 29. p. 184. Galen,
Simpl. L. 6. p. 40. Pliny, L, 21, c. 21.

No. 24. 4 0 ARTEMISIA

( 3^S )

ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM. COMMON WORMWOOD.

STNONTMJ. Abfmthium vulgare. Pharm. Land. &f Edinb.

• Abfmthium ponticum feu Romanum officinarum, feu Diofcoridis.
Bauh. Pin. p. 138. Abfmthium latifolium five Ponticum. Gerard.
Emae. p. 1096. Abfmthium vulgare majus. J. Bauh. Hiji. Hi.
p. 168. Abfmthium vulgare. Park. Theat. p. 98. Rail HIJI. p.
366. Synop. p. 188. Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 124. Artemifia Abfm-
thium. Hudf. Ang. p. 35-8. Withering. Bot. Arra?ig. p. 891,.

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Polygamia Superflua. Lin. Gen. Plant. 945-.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Recept. fubvillofum vel nudiufculum. Pappus nullus.
Cal. imbricatus fquamis rotundatis conniventibus. Cor. radii
miliar.

Sp. Ch. A. foliis compofitis multifidis, floribus fubglobofis pendulis :
receptaculo villofo.

THE root is perennial, long, and fibrous: the ftalks are round,
channelled, fomewhat downy, ligneous, rifing two or three feet in
height, and fending off feveral round branches : the leaves are com-
pound, divided into many bluntifh fegments in a pinnated order, on
the under fide downy, of a whitifh or pale green colour, and filky
foftnefs : the flowers are of a brownifh yellow colour, pendent, and
placed in numerous fpikes, which ftand alternately upon the branches:
the calyx is compofed of many oval fcales : the florets are hermaph-
rodite and male, placed upon a villous receptacle, and in the ftructure
of their different parts nearly refembling thofe defcribed of the pre-
ceding fpecies of Artemifia. This plant is a native of Britain, and
grows about rubbifh, rocks, and fides of roads.

The leaves of Wormwood have a ftrong difagreeable fmell ;
their tafte is naufeous, and fo intenfely bitter as to be proverbial.

The

120

( 329 )

The flowers are more aromatic and lefs bitter than the leaves, and
the roots difcover an aromatic warmth without any bitternefs.*

" The leaves give out nearly the whole of their fmell and tafte
both to aqueous and fpirituous menftrua. Rectified fpirit elevates
little from this plant in diftillation : water brings over almoit the whole
of its fmell and flavour. Along with the aqueous fluid there arifes
an eflential oil, which fmells ftrongly and taftes naufeoufly of the
Wormwood, though not bitter. The quantity of oil varies greatly,
according to the foil and feafon in which the herb is produced. *

" The watery extract lofes the diftinguifhing fmell and ill flavour
of the plant, but retains its bitternefs almoft entire. An extract,
made with rectified fpirit, contains, along with the bitter, nearly the
whole of the naufeous part;b water carrying off, in the evaporation,
all the oil in which the oflfenfive flavour refides, while pure fpirit
elevates very little of it."c

This fpecies of Wormwood, which is thought by Profeffor Murray
to be the Abfmthium ponticum of Diofcorides and Pliny ,d may be
confidered the principal of the herbaceous bitters. Its Virtus, in the
words of Bergius, is antiputredinofa, antacida, anthelminthica, re-
folvens, tonica, ftomachica.6 And although it is now chiefly employed
with a view to the two laft mentioned qualities, yet we are told of
its good effects in a great variety of difeafes, as intermittent fevers/
hypochondriafis,* obftructions h of the liver and fpleen, gout,1 calculi,k

* This plant communicates a bitter tafte to the flefh and milk of cows and fheep
which feed on it. Lin. Flor. Suec. n. 735. The milk of a woman, who took the extract,
became extremely bitter. A£i. Hafn. vol. 2. p. 165.

a Baume from twenty-five pounds of the herb obtained fix to ten drams of the oil.

b The extract, triturated with fait of tartar, emits a volatile odour; and hence
appears to contain fal ammoniacum. Sulzer. Dijf. An in plantis fal ejjentiale ammonia-
cum? Gatf. 1769.

c Lewis, M. M. p. 6.

d " Abfinthium bathypicron herba eft vulgo cognita. Praeftantius in Ponto & Cappa-
docia in monte Tauro appellato nafcitur." Diofcor. L. 3. c. 26. p. 183.

e Mat. Med. p. 670. f Boerhaave, Elem. Chem. Procerus. 39. Comm. Nor. 1734.
p. 225. s Haller, /. c.

h Lange, Brunov. p. HI. 1 Haller, /. c. Bomare, Ditt.

k Linnaeus, Am, Acad. T. 3. p. 160,

fcurvy,

( 33° )

fcurvy,1 dropfy,m worms, &c. Lindeftolphe n has aflerted, that by a
continued ufe of this herb, great injury is done to the nervous fyftem,
from its narcotic and debilitating effects, which he experienced upon
himfelf ; obferving alfo, that he could never tafte the extract or effence
of Wormwood without being immediately affected with head-ach and
inflammation of the eyes : and it is noticed hoth by him and his
commentator, Stenzelius, that Abfinthium produced funilar effects
upon many others. Thefe narcotic effects of Wormwood have how-
ever been attributed to a peculiar idiofyncrafy, as numerous inftances
have occurred in which this plant produced a contrary effect, though
taken daily for the fpace of fix months. Dr. Cullen, fpeaking on this
fubject, fays, " I have not had an opportunity of making proper
experiments ; but to me, with Bergius and Gleditfch, the odour of
Wormwood feems temulentans, that is, giving fome confufion of
head : and formerly, when it was a fafhion with fome people in this
country to drink Purl, that is, ale, in which Wormwood is infufed, it
was commonly alleged to be more intoxicating than other ales. This
effect is improperly fuppofed to be owing to its volatile parts : but I
am more ready to admit the general doctrine of a narcotic power ; and
I believe, from feveral confederations, particularly from the hiftory of
the Portland powder, that there is in every bitter, when largely
employed, a power of deftroying the fenfibility and irritability of the
nervous power/' 0

Externally Wormwood is ufed in difcutient and antifeptic fomen-
tations. This plant may be taken in powder, but it is more com-
monly preferred in infufion. The Edinburgh pharmacopoeia directs
a tincture of the flowers, which is, in the opinion of Dr. Cullen, a
light and agreeable bitter, and at the fame time a ftrong impregnation
of the Wormwood.

1 Eugal. De Scorb. p. 83. m Fehr, Hiera. pier a, vel de Abfmth. analecla. p. 117.
Heifter ;'«Hall. Difput. anat. vol. 6. p, 713. Mifc. Nat. Cur. Dec. 1. Ann. 3. Ob/.
322. ■ De venenis.p. 547. 0 Mat. Med. vol. 2. p. 81.

ARTEMISIA

121

( 33* )

ARTEMISIA VULGARIS. MUG-WORT.

SYNONYM J. Artemifia. f Pbarm. Edhib. Artemifia vulgar! s
major. Baub. Pin. p. 137. Artemifia mater herbarum. Gerard.
Emac. p. 1 103. Artemifia foliis pinnatis inferne tomentofis, pinnis
acute dentatis, fpica panlculata erec~ta. Hal. Stlrp. Hclv. n. 130.
Artemifia vulgaris. J. Bauh. Hi/1. Hi. p. 184. Park. ¥ beat. p.
go. Raii Hi/1, p. 372. Synop. p. 190. Hudf. Flor. Aug. p. 359.
Withering. Bot. Arrang. p. 891..

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Polygaraia Superflua. Lin. Gen. Plant. 945.

Eff. Gen. Cb. Recept. fubvillofum vel nudiufculum. Pappus nullus.
Cal. imbricatus, fquamis rotundatis conniventibus. Cor. radii
nullse.

Sp. Cb. A. foliis pinnatifidis planis incifis fubtus tomentofis, racemis
fimplicibus recurvatis floribus radio quinquefloro.

THE root is perennial, compofed of numerous ftrong fibres:
the ftalk is erect, branched, angular, filiated, reddifh, and ufually
rifes two or three feet in height : the leaves are irregularly and
deeply divided into feveral lacinise or lobes, which are oval, pointed,
on the upper fide of a deep green colour, on the under downy, or
covered with a cotton-like fubftance : the flowers are fmall, purplilh,
and produced in fpikes, which ftand alternately, and rife from the
bottom of the leaves : the calyx is compofed of feveral narrow fcales,
which are purplifh, woolly, and placed in an imbricated order: the
florets are longer than the calyx, fland upon a naked receptacle, and
appear in Auguft : the five florets of the circumference are female ;

f " Artemifia di6ta, ab Artem'xfm Mnufoll Carta regis uxore, qua? hanc fibi, ut loquitur
Pi'mins I. 25. c. 7. p. 636. adoptavit, cum antea ma.^is i. e. vaginalis, quod virgo
dca illi nomen dederit, vocarctur. Sunt qui ab Artemide Ilhh'ia cognominatam putent;
quoniam privatim fceminarum malis, quibus A^n^is i. e. Diana prxeft, medeatur."
G. Bauh. I. c.

No. 25. 4 P thofe

( 332 )

thofe of the centre are hermaphrodite, and both agree in their ftruc-
ture with thofe of the other fpecies already defcribed.

Mugwort is a native of Britain, and is commonly found growing
in wafte grounds, and the borders of fields. It is divided into red
and white varieties ; the former is diftinguifhed by a reddifh tinge
of the flalk and flowers ; in thofe of the latter they are of a pale
green. " The leaves have a light agreeable fmell, efpecially when
rubbed a little ; but fcarcely any other than an herbaceous talte. An
extract made from them by water is likewife ahnoft infipid ; and an
extract made by fpirit has only a weak aromatic bitternefs. Baierus
informs us, in a differtation on this plant, that by fermenting a large
quantity of it, and afterwards diftilling, and cohobating the diftilled
water, a fragrant fapid liquor was obtained, with a thin fragrant oil
on the furface. The flowery tops are confiderably ftronger than the
leaves, and hence mould feem to be preferable for medicinal ufe." a

This plant, though rarely ufed at prefertt, was by the ancients held
in great eftimation. Hippocrates b very frequently mentions Artemifia:
he thought it of great ufe in promoting uterine evacuations : with
this intention it was alfo employed by Diofcorides ;c and Galen for
this purpofe ufed it in the way of fomentation ; a practice which
teems in fome meafure conformable to that of the Chinefe women,
who, as we are told,'1 make a poultice of the leaves of this plant,
mixed with rice and lugar, which in cafes of amenorrhcea, and hyiteria,
inftar bellarii ingerunt. If this herb however pofTeiTes any powers
as an antihyfteric or uterine, they are very weak ; the London Col-
lege has therefore properly expunged it from the materia medica.

Moxa is a fubftance prepared in Japan from the dryed tops and
leaves of Mugwort,0 by beating and rubbing them betwixt the hands
till only the fine internal lanuginous fibres remain, which are then
combed and formed into little cones. Thefe, ufed as cauteries, are

a Lewis, M.M. p. ii j. b Di Morb. Mul. lib. i.

c Mat, Med. lib. 3. cap. 10. d Ten. Rhyne de Arthr. p. 133.

e This however is not the fpecies of Artemifia from which the eaftern Moxa is made,
but that prepared from this plant in Germany was found to anfwer very well, tee
Eph. Nat. Cur. Dec. 3. A. 7. 8. App. 141.

It has alfo been made from the down of Verbafcum.

greatly

( 333 )

greatly celebrated in eaftern countries for preventing and curing many
diforders ;f but chronic rheumatifms, gouty, and ibme other painful
affections of the joints, feem to be the chief complaints for which
they can be rationally employed. The manner of applying the Moxa
is very fimple : the part affected being previoufly moiftened, a cone
of the Moxa is laid, which being fet on fire at the apex, gradually
burns down to the fkin, where it produces a dark coloured fpot : by
repeating the procefs feveral times, an efchar is formed of any defired
extent, and this on feparation leaves an ulcer, which is kept open or
healed up as circumftances may require.

It is faid that the ufe of the Moxa was originally introduced by
the Jefuits f but it is probably of greater antiquity. From remote
times it has been the practice to cauterize the affected parts by various
means. Hippocrates for this purpofe not only uled iron but flax,
alfo a fpecies of Fungus ;h and the Laplanders ftill prefer the Agaric,
(Boletus igniarius) which they prepare and ufe in a fimilar way,
as the Japanefe do their Moxa1. The ^Egyptians produced the fame
effects by means of cotton or linen cloth ;k and in Spain a Moxa
is prepared from a fpecies of the Echinops.

f For a full account of thefe fee Kaempfer dmcen. exot. p. 502, &-c. Alfo Abbe
Grofier (Hi/i. of China) from whom it appears, that mirrors of ice or metal were ufed
for the purpofe of igniting tae moxa ; and that the ancient Ghinefe made paper, and a
kind of cloth, of the down of artemifia.

% See Recueil d'obfervatiotis curieufes^ torn. ii. p. 1 1 4.

h Lib. de ajfett. §. 30.

i Plarmens and Fiellftrom Dijf. Med, Lapp, in Hall. Collett. dijf. praR. torn. vi. p.
728. k Profper Alpinus, Lib. Hi. c. 12. p. 209.

ARTEMISIA

( 334 )

ARTEMISIA MARITIMA. SEA WORMWOOD.

S T NO NT MA. Abfinthium maritimum. Pbarm. Lond. Abfin-
thium feriphium Belgicum. Baub. Pin. p. 139. J. Bauh. Hi/I.
Hi. p. 188. Abfinthium feriphium five marinum Anglicum. Park.
Tbeat. p. 102. Abfinthium marinum album. Gerard. Emac. p.
1099. Rail Hi/I. p. 370. Synop. p. 189. Htidf. Flor. Ang. p.
359' Withering . Bot. Arrang. p. 890.

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Polygamia Superflua. Lin. Gen. Plant. 945.

EJf. Gen. Ck. Recept. fubvillofum vel nudiufculum. Pappus nullus.
CaL imbricatus, fquamis rotundatis, conniventibus. Cor,
radii nulla?.

Sp. Ch. A. foli.is multipartitis tomentofis racemis cernuis flofculis
femineis ternis.

THE root is perennial, fprcading, and fibrous : the Items are
procumbent, branched, about a foot in height, and covered with a
white down or cotton : the leaves are numerous, irregularly divided
into many fegments, which are narrow, linear, and covered both
above and below with a fine cotton-like fubftance, giving the whole
plant a whitifh appearance : the flowers are of a brownifh yellow colour,
and placed in pendent fpikes : the calyx is compofed of many roundifh
fcales : three florets at the circumference are female, the others are her-
maphrodite, and both in their ftructure refemble thole of abfinthium.
It is a native of Britain, growing plentifully on the fea more, and about
fait marfhes, and flowers in Auguft and September,

This plant feems to have been formerly confounded with the A.
pontica, or Roman Wormwood, as appears by Rayaand Dale;b their

« a Abfinthii fpeciem Londini & alibi in Anglia coli folitam nomine Abfinthii Romani,
non aliter zb hoc difFerre putamus quam cultura & loco natali." &c. Hi/I. p. 370.

b Speaking of this plant, he fays, " Mulierculie Botanopolre Londinenles Abfinthium
romanum vocant." Pbarm* p> 99.

fpecific

122

( 335 )

fpecific differences however are very evident. Its tafte and fm ell arc
confiderably lefs unpleafant c than thofe of the common Wormwood ;
and even the effential oil, which contains the whole of its flavour
concentrated, is fomewhat lefs ungrateful, and the watery extract
fomewhat lefs bitter, than thofe of the common wormwood. Hence
it is preferred by the London College in thofe cafes where the A.
Abfinthium is fuppofed to be too offenfive to the ftomach.J But as
the efficacy of thefe plants depends upon their fenfible qualities, this
fpecies, though its virtues approach to thofe of common wormwood,
yet from being lefs powerfully bitter, mult be confidered in a propor-
tionate degree a lefs powerful medicine.

A conferve of the tops of this plant is directed by the London
Pharmacopoeia.

« " In its wild {late it fmells like Marum or Camphor, but in our gardens it is lefs
grateful." fathering, I. c. *

The fait of Wormwood, which is obtained from the aflies of the A. Abfinthium,
differs not from other vegetable fixed alkali, provided they be equally pure.

X It appears by Diofcorides, that the ancients believed it to diforder the ftomach : —
" Abfinthium marinum, quidam o-epi<pi»v vocant, eft herba prsetenuibus furculis abrotoni
parvi fimilitudine, minutulis referta feminibus, fubamara Jlomacho inimica graveolens, &
cum quadam calfactione aftringens." /. 3. c. 17.

ARTEMISIA SANTONICA. TARTARIAN SOUTHERN-
WOOD.

SYNONYM J. Santonicum. Pharm. Lond, &f Edinb, Abfin-
thium Santonicum Alexandrinum. Banh. Pin, p. 139. Rati Hijl.
^.368. Sementina. Gerard Emac. p. 1100. Semen fanttum.
Lob. ic. 758. Abfinthium Seriphium ^gyptium & femen fanctum,
Scheba Arabum. Camer. Epit. p. 457. Abfinthium Santonicum
alexandrinum, five fementina & femen fanctum. Park. Tbcat.
p. 1020 Artemifia fruticofa incana ramofiflima, corymbis feffilibus
fpicatis fubrotundis, foliis fuperioribus linearibus breviffimis obtu-
fiufculis. Gmcl. Lib, 11. p. 115. /. 51.

No. 25. 4 Q_ Clafs

1

( 336 )

Clafs Syngenefia. Ord. Polygamia Superflua. Lin. Gen. Plant. 94;.

Eff". Gen. Cb. Recept. fubvillofum vel nudiufculum. Pappus nullus.
Cal. imbricatus fquamis rotundatis conniventibus. Cor.
radii nullce.

Sp. Cb. A. foliis caulinis linearibus pinnato-multifldis, ramis indi-
vifis, fpicis fecundis refiexis, floribus quinquefloris.

THE root is perennial; the Hem is round, fmooth, branched,
fomewhat hoary, and rifes about two feet in height : the lower leaves
are divided into many narrow linear fegments, Handing in a pinnated
order ; thofe of the branches are feflile, narrow, and undivided ; they
are all of a pale green on the upper fide, and whitifh beneath : the
flowers are roundifh, brown, and placed in fpikes-upon fhort flender
alternate peduncles : the calyx is compofed of numerous narrow fcales:
the florets are male and female, placed upon a naked receptacle, and
in their fituation and ftrutture agree with the other fpecies of Arte-
mifia already defcribed. It is a native of Siberia, and , flowers in.
September.

This fpecies, which was firft cultivated in England by Mr. P..
Miller,3 we obtained at the Royal Garden at Kew ; but whether it is
the officinal Santonicum, or not, feems very doubtful.*

It appears by the fpecies plantarum, that though Linnaeus firft con-
fidered this plant to be the Santonicum, afterwards however he changed
his opinion, and referred it to another fpecies, named Artemifia ju-
daica ;b and in this he has been followed by Murray and Bergius ; but
as the evidence upon which this determination is founded, is admitted
by Linnaeus himfelf to be ftill inconcLufive,0 we have in conformity
to the London College adopted the Artemifia as originally referred to.

a See Niton's Hort. Kew.
* The following, obfervation of Geoffroy on this fubje£t is ftill, in fome meafure,
applicable : — " Nulla quidem res in officinis magis ufitata & cujus ongo minus cqgnita
fit. Num. in Gallia proveniat, in Palseftina, in^gypto, vel in Perfia, aut in folo regno,
Boutan, in India orientali remotiilima." M. M. vol. ii. p. 466.

b Mantijfay p. III. & p. 281. And Mot. Med. fecond Edition.
c He enumerates the feeds of this plant among thofe of the other plants hitherto not
fufficiLntly afccrtained. See his Preface to the Materia Medica.

The

( 337 )

The feed of Santonicum or Wormfeed is fmall, light, oval, com-
pofed as it were of a number of thin membranous coats, of a yellowifh
green colour, with a caft of brown ; eafily friable on being rubbed be-
tween the fingers, into a fine chaffy kind of fubftance.

Thefe feeds are brought from the Levant ;d they have a moderately
ftrong and not agreeable fmell, fomewhat of the wormwood kind; and
a very bitter fubacrid tafte. Their virtues are extracted both by watery
and fpirituous menftrua.

Thefe feeds, in common with the other Artemifias, are efteemed
to be ftomachic, emmenagogue,0 and anthelmintic ; but it is efpecially
for the laft mentioned powers that they have been generally admi-
niftered ; and from their efficacy in this way they obtained the name
of Wormfeed. Their quality of deftroying worms has been afcribed
folely to their bitternefs ; but it appears from Baglivi, that worms
(lumbrici) immerfed in a ftrong infufion of thefe feeds, were killed
in five, and according to Redi, in feven or eight hours/ while in
the infufion of Wormwood, and in that of Agaric the worms con-
tinued to live more than thirty hours ; and hence it has been inferred
that their vermifuge effects could not wholly depend upon the bitter-
nefs of this feed. To adults the dofe in fubftance is from one to
two drams twice a day. Lewis thinks that the fpirituous extract: is
the moft eligible preparation of the Santonicum for the purpofes of
an anthelmintic.

rf Lewis, M. M. p. 580.

e Remarkable effects of the Santonicum in this way are related by Bergius : — " Puellae
cuidem decenni, vermibus confliclanti, femina Santonici exhibui, fed per illud temjius
quo iis utebatur, menfes fluxerunt, qua re cognita, ufum eorundem difluafi, unde
etiam fluxus lponte ceflavit." M. M. p. 668.

f Bagliv* Qper* p. 60. Redi de animal, viv. p. 159,

DATURA STRAMONIUM.

( 338 )

DATURA STRAMONIUM. COMMON THORN-APPLE.

S rNO NTMA. Stramonium. Pharm. Edlnb. Solarium fcetidum,
porno fpinofo oblongo. Bauh. Pin. p. 168. Stramonium majus
album. Park. Par ad. p. 360. Stramonium fpinofum. Gerard.
Emac. p. 348. Raii Hift. p. 748. Stramonium foliis angulofis,
fructu erect o, muricato calyce pentagonia. Hall. Stirp. Helv. n.
586. D. ftramonium. Withering. Bot. drrang. p. 230. Flor.
Danic. p. 436. Stocrck. Libcll. de Stram. &c. Curt. Flor. Lond.

Clafs Pentandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant, p. 246.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cor. infundib. plicata. Cal. tubulofus, angulatus,
deciduus. Caps. 4-valvis.

Bp. Ch. D. pericarp, fpinofis erectis ovatis, foliis ovatis glabris.

THE root is large, annual, white, divided, and fibrous : the {talk
is thick, erect, round, fmooth, mining, below fimple, above dichoto-
mous, and rifes about two feet in height : the leaves are alternate,
large, broad towards the bafe, pointed at the extremity, indented, and
formed into feveral obtufe angles, fmooth, of a dark green colour,
and Handing upon ftrong round fhort footftalks : the flowers are
folitary, large, white, and placed on fhort erect peduncles at the junction
of the branches : the calyx is compofed of one leaf, tubular, pentan-
gular, and divided at the brim into five teeth : the corolla is white,
monopetalous, funnel-fhaped, plicated, cut at the margin into five
teeth, and furnifhed with a long cylindrical tube : the five filaments,,
are tapering, about the length of the calyx, adhering to the tube, and
fupplied with oblong flat antherse : the germen is oblong, and placed
above the infertion of the corolla : the ftyle is filiform, equal in length
to the filaments, and terminated by a thick blunt ftigma : the capfule
is large, oval, flefliy, befet with fpines, divided into the cells, and four
valves, which contain numerous kidney-lhaped feeds. It grows wild

124

( 339 )

in tills country, about dunghills, rubbifh, and in gardens, flowering
in July.

This plant has been long known as a powerful narcotic poifon ;
its congener, the D. Metel, is thought to be ^vX^s pxvixos of Theo-
phraftus and Diofcorides, and is therefore the fpecies received by
Linnaeus into the Materia Medica. The Stramonium, in its recent
ftate, has a bitteriin tafte, and a fmell fomewhat refembling that of
poppies, or as called by Bergius, narcotic, efpecially if the leaves be
rubbed betwixt the fingers. By holding the plant to the nofe for
fome time, or fleeping in a bed where the leaves are ftrewed, giddinefs
of the head and ftupor are faid to have been produced.3

Inftances of the deleterious effects of this plant are numerous,
efpecially of the feeds,b fome of which we mail relate for the purpofe
of Hating the fymptoms which they produce. A man, aged fixty-nine,
labouring under a calculous complaint, by miftake boiled the capfules
of the Stramonium in milk, and in confequence of drinking this
decoction was affected with vertigo, drynefs of the fauces, anxiety,

a Stoerck, I. c. p. 5.

b Kramer, in Comm. Nor. A. 1733. p. 251. Kaauw. impet. n. 349. Lobfcen epi/7.
ad Gurrin. plant, venen. Aljat. Clauder. preys, med. leg. Cas. i. Epb. Nat. Cur. Cent.-
ix. obf. 94. Huckel, in Comm. Lit. Nor. 1744. p. 14. Kaauw. Ail. Franc, i. p. 200..
Buchner, Mifcell. 1725. p. 6n. Epb. Nat. cur. Dec. Hi. a. 3. obf. 170. JBarrere,
Effai fur Vhifl. nat. de la France (ed. nov.) p. 48. Deering. Catal. of Plants, &c. p.
209. Buchner, Mifc. Phyf. Math. Med. 1727. p. 122. Sauvages, Nofol. T. 2. P. 2.
p. 430. Fowler, Med. Comm. vol. v. p. 164.

The circumftances recited in the following advertifement, publiihed by my friend Dr.
Haygarth, me w the neceffity of adopting the precautions, which he judicioufly recom-
mends, and which ought to be made public.

" Gardeners are particularly defired to take care never to throw poifonous plants out
" of gardens into the ftreets, lanes, or even the fields to which people can have accefs..
" Poor children, for diverfion, curiofity, or hunger, are prompted to eat all kinds of
" vegetables which come in their way, efpecially feeds, fruits, or roots. This caution
" does not proceed from fanciful fpeculation, but from adtual mifchief, produced by the
« caufe here fpecified. A phyfician has lately feen feveral children poifoned with the
" roots of the Aconite or Monkfhood, thrown into an open field in the City of Chefter,
" and with the feeds of the Stramonium or Thorn Apple, thrown into the ftreet. The
" former were feized with very violent complaints of vomiting, an alarming pain of the
« head, ftomach, and bowels ; the latter with blindnefs, and a kind of madnefs, biting,
« fcratching, fhrieking, laughing, and crying, in a frightful manner. A4any of them
« were very dangeroufly affefted, and efcapud very narrowly with life. Thefe, and ail
" other, poifonous plants, taken out of gardens, mould be carefully buried or burned."

No. 25. 4 R. followed.

( 340 )

followed with lofs of voice and fenfe ; the pulfe became fmall and
quick, the extremities cold, the limbs paralytic, the features diftorted,
accompanied with violent delirium, continual watchfulnefs, and a
total fuppreffion of all the evacuations ; but in a few hours he was
reftored to his former ftate of health.0

Every part of the plant appears to pofTefs a narcotic power/ but
the feeds are the only part, of whole fatal effects we find inftances
recorded. Their foporiferous and intoxicating qualities are well known
in eaftern countries,6 and if we can credit the accounts of fome
authors, have been converted to purpofes the moft licentious and
difhonourable/ The internal ufe of Stramonium, as well as that of
feveral other deleterious plants which we have had occafion to notice,
was firft ventured upon and recommended by Baron Stoerck, who
gave an extract prepared of the expreffed juice of the plant, with
advantage, in cafes of mania, epilepfy, and fome other convullive
affections.5 But as the fuccefs of this plant, even in the hands of
the Baron, was not remarkable enough to claim very extraordinary
praife, his account of the efficacy of the Stramonium probably
would not have procured it a place in the Materia Medica of the
Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia, had its character refted folely upon his
reprefentation. Odhelius tells us, that of fourteen patients fuffering
under epileptic and convulfive affections, to whom he gave the Stra-

' Efi & Obf. Phyf. fcf Lit. v. ti. p. 247.

According to Haller, " Deliria facit utique & fopores, inde amentiam, maniam, con-
vulfiones, paralyfes artuum, fudores frigidas, fitim vehementem, tremores." /. c.

d For that of the root, fee Ray, I. c. For that of the leaves, Doderlin, Comm. Nor.
I. c. p. 15.

e " Ab Indis inter alia inebriantia et aromatica in elecluarium recipitur femen, ad
grata phantafmata cienda, et, ut quidam volunt, quo ad celera patranda tanto audaciores
evadant." Keempher, Exot. p. 650. Cited by Murray., App. Med. vol. i. p. 458.

It was a cuftom with the Chinefe to infufe the feeds in beer. Sprat, Hijl. of the Royal

.Society, p. 162. t m

f « Somnum facit adeo profundum, ut impune pudicitia puellae violan poflit, quae hoc
toxicum fumferit." See Haller, I. c. A mulierculis infidis Turcis, gynecaeis inclufis,
ad confopiendos & dementandos maritos, quo aliorum magis defideratorum amplexibus
fatientur, ufurpari, et Hamburgi a vetula lie honeftam feminam, quo fe infeia moechum
admitteret, intoxicatam narratur. Lindenjlolpe de ven. Ed. Stenzel. p. 531. Cited by

Murray, I. c. .kiJtL ' .

s Lib. dc Stram. &~c. pubhllaed in 1762.

monium

( 341 )

monium In an hofpital at Stockholm, eight were completely cured,
five were relieved, and only one received no benefit.h Bergius relates
three cafes of its fuccefs, viz. one of mania, and two of convulfions.1
Reef, a Swedifh phyfician, mentions its utility in two cafes of mania.fc
Wedenberg cured four girls, affected with convullive complaints, by
the ufe of this medicine.1 Other inilances of the kind might be added.
Greding however, who made many experiments, with a view to afcer-
tain the efficacy of this plant, was not fo fuccefsful ; for out of the
great number of cafes in which he employed the Stramonium, it
WTas only in one in fiance that it effected a cure; and he objects to the
cafes ftated by Dr. Odhelius, on the ground that the patients were
difmiffed before fufficient time was allowed to know whether the
difeafe would return again or not."1 In this country we are unac-
quainted with any practitioners whofe experience tends to throw any
light on the medical character of this plant. It appears to us, that
its effects as a medicine are to be referred to no other power than that
of a narcotic ; and Dr. Cullen, fpeaking on this fubject, fays, " I
have no doubt that narcotics may be a remedy in certain cafes of
mania and epilepfy ; but I have not, and I doubt if any other perfon
has, learned to diftinguifh the cafes to which fuch remedies are pro-
perly adapted. It is therefore that we find the other narcotics, as
well as the Stramonium, to fail in the fame hands in which they
had in other cafes feemed to fucceed. It is this confideration that has
occafioned my neglecting the ufe of Stramonium, and therefore pre-
vented me from fpeaking more precifely from my own experience on
this fubject." n

The extract of this plant has been the preparation ufually em-
ployed, and from one to ten grains and upwards, a day j but the
powdered leaves, after the manner of thofe directed of hemlock,
would feem for the reafon there given, to be a preparation more cer-

h See Vetenjk. Acad. Randl. 1766. /u 277. fq.

1 In his Mat. Med. he alfo fays, " Delirium poft puerperium faepe curavi cum Datura,
ubi alia fefellerunt adding, " Pariter ilia profuit adverfus ideam fixam ex moerore
cum deliratione manfueta conjun&a," p. 122.

k Strandberg, om. chron. fpikd. p. 16. 1 Dijf. de Stammonii ufu, &c.

m Ludwig. Adverf. vol. i. p. 354. ■ Mat, Med. vol, iu p> 282,

tain

( 342 )

tain and convenient. Greding found the ftrength of the extraft to
vaYy exceedingly ; that which he obtained from Ludwig, was a much
more powerful medicine than that which he had of Stoerck.

Externally the leaves of Stramonium have been ufed as an appli-
cation ^inflammatory tumours and burns ; in the latter a remarkable,
inftance is noticed by Gerard. 1. c.

VERB AS CUM THAPSUS. GREAT BROAD-LEAVED

MULLEIN.

ST NO NT MA. Verbafcum. Pharm. Edinb. Verbafcum mas
latifolium luteum. Banh. Pin. p. 239. Rail Hijl. p. 1094.
Sy?iop. p. 287. Verbafcum album vulgare, five Tapfus barbatus
communis. Park. Theat. p. 60. Tapfus barbatus. Gerard
Emac. p. 773. Verbafcum foliis decurrentibus utrinque tomen-
tofis (lanatls ) Hal. Stirp. Helv. n. 581. V. Thapfus. Flor. Da?u
p. 631. Hudfon. Ang. p. 89. Withering. Bat. Arr. p. 223.

Clafs Pentaiidria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 243.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Cor. rotata fubinasqualis. Caps. 3-Ioeularis, 2-valviy.

Sp. Ch, V, foliis decurrentibus utrinque tomentofis caule fimplici.

TH E root is biennial, long, divided, and defcends deeply into the
ground : the ftalk is fimple, ereel, round, rigid, hairy, rifes two or
three feet in height, and is irregularly befet with leaves, which are
large, without footftalks, at the bale decurrent, or running along the
ftem, oblong or oval, fomewhat pointed, indented at the margin, of
a pale green colour, and covered on both fides with thick down, or
white foft hairs : the bradtese are lance-fhaped, with narrow points,
hairy on the under fide, on the upper fmooth, and longer than the
calyx : the flowers are yellow, and produced in long clofe terminal
inclining fpikes : the calyx is divided into five pointed fegments,

which

( 343 )

which are hairy on the outfide : the corolla is mohopetalous, yellow,
divided at the limb into five unequal fegments, which are blunt, oval,
veined, and flightly indented at the edges : the live filaments are
hairy, of unequal length, and furniihed with double reddifli anthera? :
the germen is roundim, downy, and fupports a fimple ftyle, crowned
with a comprefied ftigma : the capfule is oblong, feparated into two
cells and valves, and contains many fmall angular feeds. It is a native of
England, and ufually grows on the banks of ditches, and flowers in July.

The Verbafcum, according to C. Bauhin, is the a of Diofco-
rides : it ranks with the natural order Solanacese, but does not feem
to poffefs thofe narcotic powers for which this order is diftinguifhed.*
The leaves have an herbaceous, bitterifh, fubaftringent tafte, but no
peculiar fmell : upon being chewed they difcover a mucilaginous,
quality; and hence they are recommended as emollients both inter-
nally and externally. In the way of fomentation and cataplafm they
are faid to be an ufeful application to hemorrhoidal tumours ; alfo for
promoting the refolution or fuppuration of glandular indurations.b

Catarrhal coughs and diarrhoeas are the complaints for which the
Verbafcum has been internally prefcribed. Dr. Home tried it in both,
but it was only in the latter difeafe that this plant fucceeded. He
relates four cafes in which a decoction of Verbafcum was given ; and
from which he concludes, that it " is ufeful in diminifhing or flopping
diarrhoeas of an old Handing, and often in eafmg the pains of the
inteftines. Thefe acquire a great degree of irritability ; and the
ordinary irritating caufes, aliment, bile, diftention from air, keep
up a quicker periftaltic motion. This is obviated by the emollient
and perhaps gentle aftringent qualities of this plant." c

The decoction was prepared of two ounces of the leaves, with a
quart of water, of which four ounces were given every three hours.
The flowers of this plant have likewife been employed medicinally,
having been fuppofed to poflefs anodyne and pectoral virtues : it is
probable, however, that neither the leaves nor flowers deferve to be
confidered as medicines of much efficacy.

* A tpxtyrs, uro, quafi pXoyor, flamma, quia hujus pro elychniis ufus eft. C. Bauh^l. c.

* We are told, however, that by the feeds of this plant fifties become fo ftupified a»
to fuffer themfelvtfs to be taken out of the water by the hand. Eoccone^ Vide Bergius,
Mat. Med. p. 117. b See Mur. M. M. vol. i.p. 488. c Clinical Ex. & Hijl.fecl. 22.

In pulmonary complaints of cattle the Verbafcum was found of great ufe, and hence is
by Gerard called Cow's Lung-wort.

Wo. 26. 4 S QUERCUS

( 344 )

QUERCUS ROBUR. COMMON OAK.

&TNONYMA. Quercus. Pharm. Lond. & Edink Quercus cum
longo pediculo. Bauh. Bin. p. 420. Quercufs vulgaris. Gerard
Emac.p.i^ap. Quercus latifolia. Park.Theat.p. 1386. Quercus
vulgaris longis pediculis. J. Bauh. Hijl. vol. i. p. 70. Raii Hi/},
p. 1385. Sytwp. p. 440. Quercus Robur. Evel. Sylv. by Hunter,
ed. 2. p. 67. Du Roy, Baumz. t. it. p. 236. Hudf. Aug. p. 421.
Withering, Bot. Arr. p. 1083. Hall. Stirp. Helv. n. 1626.

« Arborea, pedunculis elongatis (pedunculata) Aiton, Hort. Kew.
Female Oak Tree.

* Arborea, frudibus fubfiffilibus (feffilis) Aiton, Hort. Kew.
Common Oak Tree.

y Frutefcens, ramis virgatis, frudibus feflilibus (humilis) Aiton. I.e.
Dwarf common Oak Tree.

Clafs Monoecia. Ord. Polyandria. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1070.

EJf.Gen.Ch. Masc. Cal. 5-fidus fere. Cor. o. Stam. 5-10.

Fem. Cal. i-phyllus, integerrimus, fcaber. Cor. o.
Stfli 2-5. Se?n. 1, ovatum.
Sp. Ch. Q^ foliis oblongis glabris finuatis : lobis rotundatis, glan-
dibus oblongis. Aiton. Hort. Kew.

THIS tree frequently rifes to a very confiderable height,4 fends off

* An Oak tree, in the parifh of Little Shelfley, Worcefterfhire, meafured in cir-
cumference, at about two yards from the ground, 22 feet 4 inches, and clofe to the ground
nearly 48 feet, (Hollefear). — Of one growing in 1764, in Broomfield Wood, near
Ludlow, Shropftiire, the trunk meafured 68 feet in girth, and 23 in length : this tree,
allowing go fquare feet for the larger branches, contained 1455 feet of thick timber,
(Lightfoot). — The girth of the Green Dale Oak, near Welbeck, at eleven feet from
the ground, was 38 feet ; and one growing at Cowthorpe, near Wetherby, Yorkfhire,
meafured 78 feet in circumference clofe to the ground. (Hunt.Evel.) Sec fathering, 1, c.
This reminds us of the Oak alluded to by Virgil :

& quantum vertice ad auras

./Etherias, tantum radice in Tartara tendit. Mn. /. iv. 445.

ftrong

126

( 345 )

ftrong branches, and is covered with rough brown bark : the leaves
are oblong, broader towards the end, deeply cut or finuated at the edges,
forming obtufe lobes, and ftand upon mort footftalks : the flowers
are very fmall, and are male and female upon the fame tree : the
calyx of the male flowers is divided into five, fix, or feven fegments,
which are pointed, and often cloven : there is no corolla : the filaments
are from five to ten, and fupplied with large double antherae : the calyx
of the female flower is membranous, hemifpherical, and compofed of
numerous imbricated pointed fegments : there is no corolla : the
germen is oval : the ftyles from two to five, and furnifhed with fimple
permanent ftigmata : its fruit is a nut, which is oblong, fixed to a
fhort cup, and ripens in October, but the flowers appear in April.

This valuable tree is well known to be a native of Britain, where
it has in fome inftances acquired an extraordinary magnitude : its
wood is of general ufe in carpentry, and by uniting hardnefs with
fuch a degree of toughnefs as not eafily to fplinter, has been long
juftly preferred for the purpofe of building fhips.b

The aftringent effects of the Oak were fufficiently known to the
ancients, by whom different parts of the tree were ufed ; but it is the
bark which is now directed for medicinal ufe by our pharmacopoeias.
To this tree, we may alfo refer the G alias, or Galls, which are pro-
duced from its leaves by means of a certain infedt.

Oak bark manifefts to the tafte a ftrong aftringency, accompanied
with a moderate bitternefs, qualities which are extracted both by
water and by rectified fpirit. Its univerfal ufe and preference in the
tanning of leather is a proof of its great aftringency, and like other
aftringents it has been recommended in agues, and for reftraining
haemorrhagies, alvine fluxes, and other immoderate evacuations. A
decoction of it has likewife been advantageoufly employed as a gargle,
and as a fomentation or lotion in procidentia recti et uteri. Dr. Cullen
tells us, that he has frequently employed the decoction with fucccfs
in flight tumefactions of the mucous membrane of the fauces, and in

b Oak faw-duft is the principal indigenous vegetable ufed in dying fuffi'an. All the
varieties of drabs, and different fhades of brown, are made with oak law-duff, varioufly
managed and compounded. Oak apples are likewife ufed in dying, as a fubftitute for
galls. An infufion of the baric, with a fmall quantity of copperas, is ufed by the common
people to dye woollen of a purplifh blue, which is fufficiently durable. ' Wittering^ I. c.

many

( 346 )

probpfus uvula?, and cynanche tonfillaris, to which fome people are
liable upon the lead expofure to cold : and in many cafes this decoction,
early applied, has appeared ufeful in preventing thefe diforders. It
mult be remarked however, that the Dr. almolt conftantly added a
portion of alum to thefe decoctions/

Some have fuppofed that this bark is not lefs efficacious than 'that
of the Cinchona, efpecially in the form of extract ; but this opinion
now obtains little credit, though there be no doubt that Oak bark
may have the power of curing intermittents/

Galls, which in the warm climate cf the Eaft are found upon the
leaves of this tree, are occafioned by a fmall infect, with four wings,
called Cy nips qucrci folii, which depofits an egg in the fubftance of
the leaf, by making a fmall perforation through the under furface. The
ball prefently begins to grow, and the egg in the centre of it changes
to a worm ; this worm again changes to a nymph, and the nymph to
the flying infect above mentioned,* which by eating its palfage out
leaves a round hole : and thofe galls which have no holes, are found
to have the dead infect remaining in them.

Two forts of galls are diftinguifhed in the mops, one faid to be
brought from Aleppo, the other from the fouthern parts of Europe.
The former are generally of a bluifb colour, or of a greyifh, or black,
verging to bluenefs, unequal and warty on the furface, hard to
break, and of a clofe compact texture : the others are of a light
brownifh or whitim colour, fmooth, round, eafily broken, lefs com-
pact, and of a much larger fize. The two forts differ only in ftrength,

c Dr. Cullen tried alfo a folution of the alum alone, " but it did not prove fo effectual."
■See Mat. Med. vol. it. p. 45.

d " I have employed the Oak bark in powder, giving it to the quantity o fhalf a dram
every two or three hours during the intermiffions of a fever ; and, both by itfelf, and
joined with camomile flowers, have prevented the return of the paroxyfms of inter-
in ittents." Cullen, I. c.

* Many other excrefcences are produced on this tree, and the infects which inhabit
•it are very numerous. For an enumeration of thefe, fee Withering, I. c.

We have already noticed that the Oak in fome parts of the Eaft diftills a fpecies of
uiawia, (p, 105) lb that the words of Virgil feem literally verified: —

" Et dura? quercus fudabunt rofcida inella." Ed. iv. 30.

two

( 347 )

two of the blue galls being fuppofed equivalent in this refpect to three
of the others.*

Galls appear to be the moll powerful of the vegetable aftringents,
ftriking a deep black when mixed with a folution of ferrum vitrio-
latum, and therefore preferred to every other fubftance for the pur-
pofe of making ink. As a medicine, they are to be confidered as
applicable to the fame indications as the querci cortex, and by porTeffing
a greater degree of aftringent and ftyptic power, feem to have an advan-
tage over Oak bark, and to be better fuited for external ufe. Reduced
to fine powder, and made into an ointment, they have been found of
great fervice in haemorrhoidal affections/ Their efficacy in intermit-
tent fevers was tried by Mr. Poupart, by order of the Academy of
Sciences, and from his report it appears, that the Galls fucceeded in
many cafes ; and alfo that they failed in many other cafes, which were
afterwards cured by the Peruvian bark.6

e Lewis, M. M. f See Cullen, I. c, c See Mem. pour Pan. 1702.

JUGLANS REGIA. COMMON WALNUT-TREE.

STNONTMA. Juglans. Pharm. Lond. Nux Juglans five regia
vulgaris. Baah. Pin. p. 417. Tourri. Infl. p. 501. Nux Jug-
lans. Gerard. Emac. p. 1440. Rati Hijl. p. 1376. J. Baub.
Hift. vol.i.p. 241. Nux Juglans vulgaris. Park, Tbeat. p. 141 3.
Juglans foliis feptenis, ovato-lanceolatis, integerrimis. Hal Stirp.
Heh.n.1624.. Juglans regia. Ic.Mill.IlluJl. Cramer ForJlwefe?i.
tab. 22. Du Ham. Arb. 1. p. 50. t. 13. Hunt. Eve/.

Clafs Monoecia. Ord. Polyandria. 'Lin. Gen. P/ant. p. loyi.

EJf.Gen.Ch. Ma sc. Cal. i-phyllus, fquamiformis. Cor. 6-partita,

Filamenta^ 1 8.

Fem. Cal. 4-fidus, fuperus. Cor. 4-partita. Styli 2.
Drupa, nucleo fulcato.

Sp. Cb. J. foliolis ovalibus glabris fubferratis fubasqualibus.

No. 26. 4 T THIS

( 348 )

THIS is a large tree, and ufually fends off many ftrong fpreading
branches, covered with a greyifh bark : the leaves are large, pinnated,,
compofed of feveral pairs of oppofite pinnse, with an odd one at the
end ; they are oval, entire, nerved, veined, pointed, of a pale green
colour, and (land upon fhort footftalks : the flowers are male and
female upon the fame tree, appearing in April and May, and the
fruit ripens about the end of September : the male flowers are placed
in a clofe cylindrical catkin : the calyx is monophyllous and fquamous:
the corolla is divided into fix oval petals : the filaments are numerous,
(about eighteen) fhort, and furnifhed with erect pointed anthers : the
female flowers are generally three together ; the calyx is divided into
four fegments, which are erect, fhort, evanefcent, and ftand upon the
germen : the corolla is feparated into four fegments, which are pointed,,
erect, and longer than the calyx : the germen is oval, and placed
below the corolla : the two ftyles are very fhort : the ftigmata are
large> expanding, reflexed, and indented : the fruit is of the drupous
kind, large, unilocular, containing a large roundifh nut, which is too
well known to require a defcription here.

This tree, which is a native of Perfia, has been long cultivated in
this country, and bears our winters very well. Linnaeus defcribes its
leaves as fomewhat ferrated ; but this we have never obferved, and
therefore with Haller would rather fubftitute the word integerrimis
for fubferratis. The wood is of a dark colour, and beautifully varie-
gated, efpecially that of the root, and by being hard enough to admit
of polifhing, was much ufed by Cabinet-makers before the introduction
of mahogany.

The unripe fruit,1 which has an aftringent bitterifh tafte, and has been
long ufed as a pickle, is the part directed for medicinal ufe by the
London College, on account of its anthelmintic virtues. Its effects
in deftroying worms feem confirmed by the teftimony of feveral
authors :b and in proof of its pofleffing this vermifuge power, we are told

a We may notice for curiofity a notion which formerly prevailed : Ut nuces in proxi-
mum annum copiofius proveniant, mos eft hodie apud rufticos quofdam,ut nuces pertici*
<jecutiantur. Hinc non inconcinne quidam alludendo cecinit,
Nux, annus, mulier fimili funt lege ligata ;

H*ec tria nil frudtus faciunt, fi verbera ceflant. Vide Ray, I. e.

b Plater, Fifcher, Andry, and others.

that

riitlMftty jy^TrcaUvilU 7.1701

(' 349 )

that water, in which the green (hells of Walnuts have been macerated,
on being poured in a garden, was found to drive all the earth
worms together as far as the w^ater extended,0 and that the worms by
being immerfed in a ftrong infufion of thefe fhells were immediately
feized with fpafms, and died in two minutes afterwards.4 An extract
of the green fruit is the molt convenient preparation, as it may be
kept for a fufficient length of time, and made agreeable to the ftomach
of the patient by mixing it with cinnamon-water. This fruit, in its
immature ftate, i& alfo faid to be laxative,6 and of ufe in apthous affec-
tions and fore throats.* To anfwer thefe purpofes, the Wirtemberg
Pharm. directs a rob to be prepared of its juice.

The kernel of the Walnut f is firnilar in its qualities to that of the
almond and hazel-nut, and affords an oil which amounts to half the
weight of the kernel : according to De laHire,sthis oil does not congeal-
by cold, and anfwers the medicinal purpofes of the oil of almonds.

c Car. Stephan. Agrkult. lib. 3. c. 13. Andry, Generation des vers. p. 142. J. G.
Fifcher, Comm. de vermibus in C. H. et anthelmintico. Stadcs. l75i./>« 14*

* Vinegar, in which Walnuts have been pickled, we have found to be a very ufeful gargle,

d Fifcher, I. c e Bergius, M. M. p. 744. f De la Glace, p. 499.

* According to the Salernitan maxim, nuts, eaten after fifti, promote digeftion.
"Poft pifces nux fit, poft carnes cafeus efto."

iESCULUS HIPPO CASTANUM. COMMON HORSE

CHESNUT.

STNONTMA. Hippocantanum. Pharm. Edinb. Caftanea folio
multifido. Banh. Pin. p. 419. Caftanea equina. Gerard. Emac.
p. 1442. Park. Tbeat. p. 1401. Raii Hijl. p. 1683. Hippocaf-
tanum. Hal Stirp. Helv. n, 1029. JE. Hip. Miller Illuji. Hunt..
Evel. vol. i. p. 359.

Clafs Heptandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin, Gen. Plant. 462.

EJf. pen. Cb. Cal. i-phyllus, 5-dentatus, ventricofus. Cor. 5-petala,
inaequaliter colorata, calyci inferta. Caps. 3-locularis. ,

Sp, Cb, iE. foliolis feptenis..

THIS

( 35° )

THI S tree frequently grows to a great height," and from the upper
part of the trunk ufually fends off numerous fp reading branches,
covered with rough brown bark : the leaves are digitated, compofed
commonly of feven large lobes, which are long, obverfely oval,
ferrated, ribbed, of a pale green colour, and proceed from a common'
centre attached to a long footftalk : the flowers terminate the branches
in large conical fpikes, and make a beautiful appearance : the calyx
is tubular, and divided at the brim into five Ihort blunt fegments :
the corolla confifts of five petals, which are roundifh, fpreading,
undulated at the edges, inferted in the calyx by narrow claws, and of a
fine white colour, irregularly fpotted with red and yellow : the filaments
are feven, tapering, about the length of the corolla, bending at the top,
and fupplied with pointed anthera? : the germen is round, fupporting
a fhort ftyle, furniihed with a pointed ftigma : the capfule is round,
tough, flefhy, befet with fpines, divided into three valves, and con-
taining two b roundifh comprelTed feeds. It is a native of the northern
parts of Alia, and flowers in April and May.

Though the Caftanea was well known to the ancients, yet Mat-
thiolus feems to be the firft author'who defcribes the Horfe Chefnut ;c
which was brought into Europe about the middle of the fixteenth
century, and was fo fcarce in the time of Clufms, that there was
then but one tree known at Vienna; which being too young to bear
fruit,'1 nuts were obtained from Conftantinople in 1588; after
which this tree was very generally propagated. It was cultivated in
England by Mr. John Tradefcant in 1633, and is now very common
in this country. The wood is white, foft, foon decays, and is there-
fore of little value. The fruit in appearance refembles that of the
Spanifh Chefnut, and is eaten by fheep, goats, deer, oxen, and horfes.0

It

« A Horfe Chefnut-tree, above 80 years old, and 50 feet high, ftill continued in a
healthy and growing ftate. Samml. d. Berner landwirthfchaftl. Gefellfch. vol. ii.p. 943.

b The ripe capfule feldom contains more than one, but on being examined in its
embryo ftate, two are conftantly found. Lin. Gen. Plant.

c See his Epijl. medicinal, op. omn. p. 10 1. 125. Afterwards m Comm. in Diefcorid.

* Murray, Jpp. Med. vol. iv. p. 63.
e Horfes are faid to eat this fruit greedily, and by it to have been cured of coughs
and pulmonary diforders, and hence the name Horfe Chefnut. For the purpofe of fattening
cattle, and particularly fheep, it has been thought neceflary to macerate the nuts in

cauftic

( J

It contains much farinaceous matter, which by undergoing a proper
procefs, fo as to diveft it of its bitternefs and acrimony, probably
might afford a kirid of bread : ftarch has been made of it, and
found to be very good : { it appears alfo to polTefs a faponaceous
quality, as it is uied, particularly in France and Switzerland, for
the purpofe of cleaning woollens, and in warning and bleaching
linens.8

With a view to its errhine power the Edinburgh College has
introduced it *into the Materia Medica ; as a fmail portion of the
powder, muffed up the noftrils, readily excites fneezing ; even the
infufion or decoction of this fruit produces this effect ; it has there-
fore been recommended for the purpofe of producing a difcharge
from the nofe, which, in fome complaints of the head and eyes, is
found to be of considerable benefit.

On the Continent the bark of the Horfe Chefnut-tree is held in
great eftimation as a febrifuge, and upon the credit of feveral re-
fpectable authors appears to be a medicine of great efficacy. Zanni-
chellih at Venice was the firft, who publifhed its fuccefsful ufe in
various cafes of intermittents ; fince which its good effects have been
confirmed by Leidenfroft, Peipers,1 Junghanfs,k Cofte and WiUemet/
Saharot De La Varniere,'" Turra," Buchholz,°.and others : from whom
it appears, that this bark may be fubftituted for the Peruvian bark in
every cafe in which the latter is indicated, and with equal, if not
fuperior, advantage.

cauftic alkali, in order to take off the bitternefs, afterwards to wafh them in water, and
then boil them to a pafte* (See Bon Mem. de V Acad. 1720. p. 460.) Lime water was
alfo found to anfwer. (See Hijl. de la Societe R. de Montpell. torn. ii. p. 57.) But if
the nuts are cut 'and mixed with oats or bran, this purpofe may be effe&ed with lefs
trouble. Hannov. Mag. 1770. p. 226.

f Parmentier, Recherches fur les vegetaux nouriffans, p. 176. 2 1 8.

* Marcandier, Traite de Cbanvre, Leipziger Intelligenzblatt. 17 64. p. 46. JDe re
rujlica, or the Repofitory for papers in Agriculture, vol. ii. p. 75. fq. &c.

h J. Jac Zannichelli Lettera intorno alle Facolta dell' Ippocajlano, &c.
1 Leidenfroft in Peipers IX'tfJ'. de cortice Hippoc. Duijburg. 1763. k Dijf. de nucis
vomica et corticis Hippocajl. virtute med. 177Q. p. 25. fq. 1 EJfais fur les plantes

indigenes, p. 57. m Journ. ie Medec. torn. 47./*. 324. » Delia febbr if uga

Facolta dell' Ippoca/lano., in Vicenza. 1780. 0 Uber Antifept. Subjl. 1776.

See Murray, l. x.

No. 26. 4 U The

( 352 )

The bark, intended for medicinal ufe, is to be taken from thofe
branches, which are neither very old nor very young, and to be
exhibited under fimilar forms and dofes, as directed with refpedr. to
the cortex peruvianus. It rarely difagrees with the ftomach ; but its
aftringent effects generally require the occafional adminiftration of a
laxative.

MORUS NIGRA. COMMON MULBERRY TREE.

STNONTMJ. Morum. Phann. Land. Morns fru&u nigro.
Bauh. Pin. p. 459,. Morus. Gerard. E?nac. p. 1507. Morns
nigra. J. Bauh. Hijl. vol. i. p. 118. Rail Hift. p. 1429. Park.
Par ad. p. 596. E)u Hamel Traite des arbres fruitier vr, torn, u p.
335. Hunt. Evel. vol. ii. p. 39.

Clafs Monoecia. Ord. Tetrandria. Lin. Gen. Plant. 1055.

Eff. Gen. Ch. Mjsc. Cal. 4-partitus. Cor. o.

Fem. Cal. 4-phyllus. Cor. o. Styli 2. Cal. bac-
catus. Sem. 1.

Sp. Ch. M. foliis cordatis fcabris.

THIS tree never grows to a confiderable height, but fends off
feveral crooked branches, and is covered with rough brown bark :
the leaves are numerous, heart-fhaped, ferrated, veined, rough, of a
bright green colour, and ftand upon Iriort footftalks : the flowers are
male and female upon the fame tree :a the male flowers are placed in
clofe roundifh catkins, each floret compofed of a calyx, divided into
four leaves, which are oval, concave, and erect : ihere is no corolla :
the filaments are four, longer than the calyx, and furnifhed with
fimple anthers : the calyx of the female flower is divided into four

a This is not conftantly the cafe, as it fometimes happens that all the flowers are male,
♦r female, and confequently barren.

( 353 )

obtufe perfiftent fegments : there is no corolla: the germcn is roundim,
and fupports two rough, ftyles, fupplicd with fimple ftigmata : the
fruit is a large fucculent berry, compofed of a number of fmaller berries,
each containing an oval feed, and affixed to a common receptacle, it
flowers in June, and its fruit ripens in September.

The Mulberry-tree is a native of Italy, and is now cultivated in
moft parts of Europe,15 not only for the grateful fruit which it affords,
but in many places for the more lucrative purpofe of fupplying Silk-
worms with its leaves, upon which they feed.c

The ripe fruit abounds with a deep violet-coloured juice, which
in its general qualities agrees with that of the other acido-dulces,
allaying thirft, partly by refrigerating, and partly by exciting an
excretion of mucus from the mouth and fauces ; a fimilar effect is
alfo produced in the ftomach, where, by correcting putrefcency, a
powerful caufe of thirft is removed/ This is more efpecially the
cafe with all thofe fruits in which the acid much prevails over the
faccharine part, as the currant, which we have already noticed;6 and
to which the medicinal qualities of this fruit may be referred ; but
both thefe, and moft of tr/e other fummer fruits, are to be confidered
rather as articles of diet than of medicine. The London College
directs a fyrupus mori, which is an agreeable vehicle for various
medicines.

The bark of the root of the Mulberry-tree has an acrid bitter tafte,

and poflefles a cathartic power. It has been fuccefsfully ufed as an

anthelmintic, particularly in cafes of Taenia/ The dofe is half a

dram of the powder.

b Gerard is the firft who is known to have cultivated it in England.

e The leaves of the white Mulberry are preferred for this purpofe in Europe ; but in
China, where the beft filk is made, the filk worms are fed with thofe of the Morus
tartarica. (Forfter, in a letter to Profeflbr Murray. See App. Med. vol. iv. p. 597.
dated 1787.) From the bark of another fpecies of Mulberry, (M. papyrifera) the
Japanefe make paper5 and the inhabitants of fome of the iflands of the South fea make a
kind of cloth.

4 See Cullen's account of the fruclus acido-dulces. Mat. Med. vol. i. p. 242.
• Page 207. See alfo Rubus and Citrus.
f Vide, Andry, de la generation des vers^ &c. p. 172.

FICUS CARICA.

( 354 )

FICUS CARICA. COMMON FIG-TREE.

SYNONYM J. Carica. Pbarm. Lond. &f Edinb. Ficus com-
munis. Baah. Pin. p. 457. Ficus vulgaris. Park. Theat. p. 1494.
Ficus. Gerard. Emac.p. 141 o. Rati Hifl. p. \$$\. Ficus Carica.
Miller Illajl. Sjfl. fx. Du Hamel Trait e des arbres Fruitier s. torn,
i. p. 207. tab. 1. 2. Bernard in Obf. fur la pbyfque, Vhijl. nat. fcff,
torn. 29. 1. 2w«i Grac.

Glafs Polygamia. CW. Trioecia. Zi//. Plant. 1168.

G^;;. C6. Receptacidum commune turbinatum, carnofum, con-
nivens, occultans flofculos vel in eodem vel diftincto.

Masc* Cal. 3-partitus. Cor. o. Stam. 3.
Fem. Cal. 5-partitus. Cor. o. Pift. 1. Sem. 1.

Sp. Cb. F. foliis palmatis.

THE Fig-tree is covered with fmooth brown bark, and fends off
many fpreading branches : the leaves are large, fucculent, fmooth,
irregularly divided into five lobes, of a deep green colour, and ftand
upon ftrong footftalks. The fruit, in its early ftage, ferves as the
common receptacle, and contains upon its inner furface all the florets,
which are both male and female ; the former has the calyx (proper)
divided into three fegments, which are lance-fhaped, eredt, and equal:
there is no corolla : the filaments are three, briftly , of the length of
the calyx, and furnimed with double antherse. The calyx (proper)
of the female fower is divided into five fegments, which are pointed,
and nearly equal : there is no corolla : the germen is oval : the ftyle
is tapering, inflexed, and furnifhed with two pointed reflexed ftig-
mata: the calyx is oblique, and contains in its bofom a roundim
comprefled feed. It is a native of the fouth of Europe, and com-
monly produces its flowers in June and July.

The

fM)),,j i, ormolu, i;/'* /. 1792

( 355 )

From hiftory, both facred and profane, the Fig-tree appears to
have been known in the moft early times. It has been long culti-
vated in England, and if fcreened from the north-eaft winds, com-
monly ripens its fruit here. The Fig, which has always been
found a wholefome food, was by the ancients * ripened or
brought to perfection by Caprification ; a practice which in fome
countries is ftill continued.15 It had been obferved, that the fruit of
this tree frequently withered and dropped off before it arrived at a
ftate of maturity, and upon examination it was difcovered that thofc
figs fucceeded beft which had been perforated by certain winged
infects, which therefore were fuppofed to be inftrumental in ripening
the fruit. This gave rife to caprification, which formerly confided
in tying near the young figs the fruit of the wild fig tree, in which
the flies above mentioned breed in abundance, and thefe infects, upon
acquiring fufncient ftrength, iffue from the wild fruit, and by pene-
trating the young figs produce the effect intended. That this infect,
which by the ancients was called Pfenes, or Culex, and by Linnaeus,
Cynips Pfenes, produced this defirable effect, is generally admitted ;
but how it is to be explained has been the fubject of fome difpute.

To prevent ripe Figs from running into putrefaction, it is ufual to
dry them ; which may be done either by the heat of the fun, or by
means of an oven : the latter way is preferred, efpecially when the
fruit has been caprified, as the larva of the cynips is deftroyed by
the heat. The beft Figs are imported from the fouthern parts of
Europe in fmall chefts, and are compreffed into a circular form, of a
yellowifli colour, and filled with a vifcid fweet pulp, in which are
lodged numerous fmall yellow lenticular feeds. The furface of the Figs
is commonly covered with a faccharine matter, which exudes from the
the fruit, and hence they have been named Caricte pingues, or fat Figs.

The recent fruit, completely ripe, is foft, fucculent, and eafily
digefted, unlefs eaten in immoderate quantities ; when it is apt to
occafion flatulency, pain of the bowels, and diarrhoea.0 The dried
fruit is pleafanter to the tafte, and is more wholefome and nutritive.

a See Theophraflus, Suidas, Pliny, and others.
b Caprification, as practifed at fome of the Archipelago Iflands, when vifited by
Tourneforr, appears to be a very curious but troublefome bufinefs. See Tournefort,
Voyage du Levant^ vol. i. p. 130. c Murray, App. Med. vol. iv. p. 585.

No. 27. 4 X Figs

( 356 )

Figs arc fuppofed to be more nutritious, by having their fugar united
with a large portion of mucilaginous matter, which, from being
thought to be of an oily nature, has been long efteemed an ufeful
demulcent and pectoral ; and it is chiefly with a view to thefe effects
that they have been medicinally employed.

Figs are directed by the London Pharm. in the decoctum hordei
compofitum, and in the electuarium lenitivum. Externally applied
they are fuppofed to promote the fuppuration of tumours, and hence
have a place in maturating cataplafms ; with this intention they are
alio fometimes ufed by themfelves, as warm as they can eafily be
borne, to phlegmons of the gums, and other parts where a poultice
cannot conveniently be applied.

AMOMUM REPENS, OFFICINAL CARDAMOM.

seu CARDAMOMUM.

STNO NTMA. Cardamomum minus. Pbarm. Loud. & Edinb.
Gerard. Emac. p, 1547. Park. Tbeat. p. 1576. Cardamomum
fimpliciter in officinis dictum. Baub. Pin. p. 414. Cardamomum
cum filiquis feu thecis brevibus. J~ Baub. Hijl. vol. ii. p. 205.
Amomum repens, feu Le Cardamome de la Cote de Malabar.
Sonnerat Voyage aux hides oriental, torn. ii. p. 240. tab. 136* Alia
fpecies eft Amomum Cardamomum L.fcapo fimpliciffimo brevhTimo.

Clafs Monandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 2.

Ejf. Gen. Cb. Cor. 4-fida : lacinia prima patente..

■Sp. Cb. A. fcapis ramofis elongatis decumbentibus.

Smith, Syjl. Veg. ined.

THE root is perennial : the ftalks are fimple, fheathy, erect, grow
to a confiderable height, and befet with leaves, which are lance-
fhaped, large, entire, acutely pointed, ribbed, and ftand alternately
upon the fheathd of the ftalk : the flower ftalk proceeds immediately

from

( 357 )

from the root, and creeps along the ground ; it is commonly about
a foot and a half in length, articulated, in a zig-zag form,* and pro-
ducing numerous flowers, which are placed upon divided ftipulated*
peduncles, arifirig from the articulations : the calyx is fmall, and
obfcurely divided into three teeth at the margin : the corolla is mo-
nopctalous, ccmpoled of a narrow tube, divided' at the mouth into
four fcgments ; of there the three cutermoft are long, narrow, uniform,
and of a ft raw colour, but the central one, which has been confidered'
as a nectary, is large, broad, concave, of an irregular oval fhape, and
marked with violet coloured ftripes :. the filament is membranous,
ftrap-fhaped, lhorter than the fegments of the corolla, to the top
of which the anthera is joined : the germen is roundi'fh, and placed
below the infertion of the tube of the corolla : the ftyle is filiform,
of the length of the filament, and fupplied with an obtufe ftigma :
the capfule is triangular, divided into three cells and valves, containing
feveral fmall' dark coloured feeds..

This plant is a native of the Eaft-Indies, and' according to Sonnerat
grows abundantly on the Malabar Coaft :a it differs confiderably from
the Amomum Cardamomum of Linnseus, as appears by the fpecific
character he has given it, and the figures to which it is referred to in
his Species Plantarum.b Sonnerat, who firft. difcovered the Amomum
repens, and on whofe authority it is confidered to afford the feeds
officinally known by the name of Cardamomum minus, informs us,
that this plant abounds fo plentifully on a certain mountain on the
Coaft of Malabar, that it is called the Mountain of Cardamoms, from
which all India is fupplied with the feeds.

The Cardamoms imported into Europe have been diftinguifhed by
the names Cardamomum majus, medium, & minus ; the diff.inc~t.ion
depending upon, the Tefpec~tive fizes of their feeds ; but the different
fpecies from which the two former are faid to have been produced, are
fo imperfec~r.lv defcribed, and their botanical hiftories fo confufed, that
we are unable to give any fatisfactory information concerning them ;

* In afpecimen of this plant, which we have feen in the Herbarium of Sirjofeph Banks,,
this appearance was very remarkable.

a L. c. b Elettari. Hart. Malab. vol. it. tab. 5..

Rumph. Amboin. vol. v. tab. 65..

and.

'( 353 )

and whether the Amomum verum of the ancient Greek writers is
referable to our Cardamom, feems alfo equally uncertain.

The ieeds of the Cardamomum minus, which are now generally-
preferred for medicinal purpofes, are brought to us in their capfules,
or hunts, by which they are preferved ; for they foon lofe a part
of their flavour when freed from this covering. " Their virtue is
» extracted not only by rectified fpirit, but almoft completely by water
alfo ; with this difference, that the watery infufion is cloudy or
turbid, the fpirituous clear and tranfparent. Scarcely any of the
aromatic feeds give out fo much of their warmth to watery menftrua,
or abound fo much with gummy matter, which appears to be the
principle by which the aromatic part is made diflbluble in water : the
infufion is fo mucilaginous, even in a dilute ftate, as hardly to pafs
through a filter."

" In diftillation with water, a confiderable quantity of effential oil
feparates from the watery fluid, of a pale yellowifh colour, in fmell
exactly refembling the Cardamoms, and of a very pungent tafte : the
remaining decoction is difagreeably bitterim, and mucilaginous. On
infphTating the tincture made of rectified fpirit, a part of the flavour
of the Cardamoms a.rifes with the fpirit ; but the greateft part remains
behind, concentrated in the extract, which fmells moderately of the
feeds, and has a pungent aromatic tafte, very durable in the mouth,
and rather more grateful than that of the feeds in fubftance." c

Cardamom feeds, on being chewed, impart a glowing aromatic
warmth, and grateful pungency : they are fuppofed gently to ftimulate
the ftomach, and prove cordial, carminative, and antifpafmodic, but
wuthout that irritation and heat which many of the other fpicy
aromatics are apt to produce. We are told by Sonnerat, that the
Indians ufe it much, and believe it to ftrengthen the ftomach, and
aflift digeftion. Phyficians however confider Cardamoms merely
as an aromatic, and prefcribe them in conjunction with other medi-
cines, which they are intended to correct or aflift.

Simple and compound fpirituous tinctures of thefe feeds are directed
by the Pharmacopoeias ; they are alfo ordered as a fpicy ingredient in
many of the officinal compoiitions.

e Lewis, Mat. Med. p. 194.

CURCUMA

( 359 )

CURCUMA LONGA. LONG-ROOTED TURMERIC.

S TNO NT MA. Curcuma. Pharm. Lond. & Edinb. Cannacorus
radice crocea, five Curcuma officinarum. Tourn. Injl, p. 367.
Curcuma longa. Konig, in Rez. obf. bot.fafc. 3.^. 72. Curcuma
radice longa. Zanon, Hljl. PL ed. Mont. p. 86. tab. 59. Curcuma
domeftica major. Rumpb. Herb. Amboin. torn. 5. p. 162. tab. 67.
Manjella-Kura. Hort. Malab. torn. 11. p. 21. tab. 11. Amomum
Curcuma. Jacquhi^ Hort. Vindob. torn. 3. p. 5. tab, 4.

Clafs Monandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 6.

EJf. Gen. Cb. Stamina 4-fterilia, quinto fertili.

Sp. Cb. C. foliis lanceolatis: nervis lateralibus numerofiflimis.

THE root is perennial, tuberous, and furnifhed with ftrong fibres,
externally brownifh, and internally of a deep yellow colour : the
leaves are radical, large, lance-maped, obliquely nerved; at the bottom,
vaginal, and clofely embracing each other : the fcapus, or flower ftem,
rifes from the centre of the leaves ; it is fhort, thick, fmooth, and
forms a fpike of numerous bracleal imbricated fcales, between which
the flowers fucceflively iffue : the corolla is monopetalous, confifting
of a narrow tube, divided at the mouth into three oval fegments : the
ne&arium occupies the wide under- finus of the corolla, and is the
moft confpicuous part of the flower ; it is of a flefh colour, petal-like,
large, fpreading, and cut into three divifions, of which the middlemoft
is the largeft : the filaments are five, four of which are ered, flender,
linear, contracted, fterile ; the fifth is petal-formed, lodged within
the nedlarium, and cleft at the top, to which the anthera is adjoined :
the germen is roundifh, and placed below the corolla: the ftyle is the
length of the filament, and furnilhed with a fimple hooked ftigma :
the capfule is roundifh, three-celled, three-valved, and contains nu-
merous finall feeds.

No. 27. 4 Y Turmeric

( 3So )

Turmeric is a native of the Eaft Indies, and common in the gardens
of the Chinefe ; it grows abundantly in Malacca, Java, and Balega.*
It was fir ft cultivated in England by Mr. P. Miller in I759.b The
root of this plant has been long officinally known, and palled under
different names, a3 Crocus indicus, Terra merita, &c. In its dried
ftate, as imported here, it is various in fhape ; externally of a pale
yellow colour, wrinkled, folid, ponderous, and the inner fubftance
of a deep faffron or gold colour; its odour is fomewhat fragrant, and
to the tafte it is bitterifh, llightly acrid,c exciting a moderate degree
of warmth in the mouth, and on being chewed it tinges the faliva
yellow. It has been very generally employed for the purpofe of
dying,d and in eaftern countries it is much ufed for colouring and
feafoning of food.0

" This root gives out its active matter both to aqueous and fpiri-
tuous menftrua. In diftillation with water, it yields a fmall quantity
of gold-coloured eflential oil, of a moderately ftrong fmell, and a
pungent tafte : the remaining decoction, infpiffated, leaves a bitterifh
conlidcrably faline mafs. Rectified fpirit elevates little or nothing of
iis virtue ; all the active parts being left behind in the infpifTated
extract."'

This root has had the character of being a powerful aperient and
refolvent : it has been commonly prefcribed in obftructions of the
liver, and other chronic vifceral affections. The difeafe in which it
has been thought mod efficacious is the jaundice j but though the
ufe of this root is highly recommended by feveral practical writers,8

* Vide Konig, Rumphius, and Bontius. b Hort. Kew.

c The Chinefe ufe it as a fternutatory.

* " This fubftance is very rich in colour, and there is no other which gives a yellow
colour of fuch brightnefs ; but it porTefles no durability, nor can mordants give it a
fufficient degree : common fait, and ammoniacal muriat, are thofe which fix the colour
beft, but they render it deeper." Hamilton's tranflation of Berthollet's Elements of the
Art of Dyings vol. ii. p. 280. See alfo on this fubjeft, Hellot L'art de la Teint. p. 406.
and jPomer, Chym. Verfuche z. Nuz. der Farbekunjl^ vol. i. 1. Abh. Scharffs Reccpte
iib. verfch. Gattungcn. v. Farb. 1. St.

e It enters the compofition of the Curry powder which is now much ufed here.

f Lezuis, M. M.

e Of thefe we may more particularly refer to Bontius, (De Mid. Indor. p. 115. J
F- Hoffman, (Meth.Med. in Med. rat. torn. Hi. p. 542 •) Coe, (on Bileary Concrct.p. 285. J

it

( 36.i J

it is now very rarely employed ; and we are told by Dr. Cullen, that
the decoctum ad Iclericos of the Edinburgh Difpenfatory, (Ed. 1756)
" never had any other foundation than the doctrine of fignatures in
favour of the Curcuma and Cheledonium majus." h

h Mat. Med. vol. i. p. 25.

K/EMPFERIA ROTUNDA. ZEDOARY.

S TNONTMA. Zedoaria. I "harm. Land, fcf ' Edinb. I. Zedoaria
longa. II. Zedoaria rotunda. Bauh. Pin. p. 31. Park.Theat. p.
1 6 1 2. Rail Hift. p. 1340. Gerard, Emac. p. 1623. Malan-Kua.
Rheed. Hort. Malab. torn. 11. p. 17. tab. 9.

Clafs Monandria. Ord. Monogynia, Lin. Gen. Riant. 7.

Effl Gen. Cb. Cor. 6-partita : laciniis 3 majoribus patulis, unica
bipartita. Stigma bilamellatum.

Sp. Ch. K. fol. lanceolatis petiolatis.

THE root is perennial, tuberous, flemy, comprefled, externally of
an afh colour, internally of a bluifh grey : the flower ftem is covered
with fheaths, and rifes very little above the ground : the leaves are
large, radical, nearly elliptical, pointed, veined, and ftand upon broad
footftalks : the calyx is fmall and obfcure : the corolla is monopetalous,
confifting of a long .{lender conical tube, divided at the upper extre-
mity into fix parts, three of which are long, narrow, fpreading,
inferted below the others, of which two are oval, pointed, and erect ;
the remaining one is deeply cut into two obverfely heart-fhaped
divifions, of a reddifh colour, and beautifully ftriated with purple :
there is but one filament, which is membranous, and notched at the
end : the anthera is linear, doubled, entirely adherent, and fcarcely
rifes above the tube of the corolla : the germen is roundifh, and fup-

porta

( 3^2 )

ports a ftyle, which is about the length of the tube, furnifhed with a
folded roundifh ftigma : the capfule is triangular, divided into three
cells, and as many valves, and contains numerous fmall feeds.

On the authority of Linnaeus, the Colleges of London and Edin-
burgh have referred the officinal Zedoary to this plant, which is a
native of the Eaft Indies. But Bergius informs us, that he received
a fpecimen of the Zedoary plant from India, which, upon examina-
tion, was found to be a fpecies of Amomum ;a and it is obferved by
Murray, that this opinion receives additional weight by the defcrip-
tion of Zedoary, or the Indorum Tamogcanfi, given by Camellus.6

It feems no eafy tafk to difcover with any tolerable probability,
whether this drug was ufed by the ancients or not ; fome have fup-
pofed it to be the Coftus of Diofcorides, the Guiduar of Avicenna,
the Zerumbet of Serapion.* But this we leave to thofe who are
ready to decide upon what is merely conjectural.

The roots of Zedoaria, longa and rotunda, are both produced by
the fame fpecies of plant, and are indifcriminately ufed in the mops ;
the former are brought to us in oblong pieces, about the thicknefs of
the little finger, two or three inches in length, bent, rough, and
angular ; the latter are roundifh, about an inch in diameter, of an
afh colour on the outfide, and white within.

" This root has an agreeable camphoraceous fmell, and a bitterifh
aromatic tafte. It impregnates water with its fmell, a flight bitternefs,
a confiderable warmth and pungency, and a yellowilh. brown colour :
the reddifh yellow fpirituous tincture is in tafte ftronger, and in fmell
weaker, than the watery. In diftillation with water it yields a thick
ponderous effential oil, fmelling ftrongly of the Zedoary, in tafte very
hot and pungent." c

Cartheufer, who afcribes the virtues of Zedoary to a camphoraceous
volatile oil, confiders it as a general remedy for molt of the chronic

» " Plantam habui ex Cochinchina, figurae Rheedcanae convenientem, lectam a CI.
Joanne de Loureyro & comparatam fub itinere Chinenfi, CI. Car. G. Exeberg, Centurione
& navis Gubernatore, de fcientia botanices bene merito." Mat. Med. p. 5. He calls it,
J.fcapo niuh^fpica laxa truncata ; and makes its fynonyma to be, Kua. Rbccd. Malab.
II. p. 13. 7. Tommon itam. Rumpb Jmb. 5. p. 169. Zcdoaria Camell. Stirp. Luz.
p . 23. 0 See Rati, Hi/1, plant, vol. 3. in App. c Lewis, M. M. p. 684.

* See on this fubjecl, S. G. Manitius. Deatatibus Zcdoprics relatio. Drefd. 1691.

difeafes

13 I

( 3^3 )

difeafes with which humanity is afflicted ;e but as the camphor it con-
tains can avail but little, and its effects as a bitter or aromatic are fo
very inconfiderable, this root is now deemed to pofiefs very little
medicinal power, and might fafely be expunged from the materia
medica ;f though it ftill has a place in the confe&io aromatica of the
London pharmacopoeia.

e Sect, xiv. §. 3. f Dr. Cullen fays, « I am clear that it might fafely be

omitted in our lifts of the Mat. Med." Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 207.

MYRISTICA MOSCHATA. NUTMEG TREE.

S TNO NT MA, Nux Mofchata. Pharm. Lond. fcf Edinb. Park
^Theat. p. 1600. Rail Hi/I. p. 1522. Nux Mofchata, fructu rotundo.
Bauh. Pin. p. 407. Pluk. Almag.p. 267. Nux Mofchata rotunda,
five femina. Gerard^ Emac.p. 1536. Breyn. Prod. vol. ii. p. 77.
Nux Myriftica. Rumph. Amb. vol. ii. tab. 4. Myriftica Mofchata.
Thumb. Acl. Stockholm, ann. 1782. p. 46. /. I- Cotif. Memoir e fur
le genre du Mufcadier Myriftica^ par Mr. Be La Marck ; Hift. de
I' Acad. Royal des Scien. pour V an. 1788. pub. en lygo.p. 148.

Clafs Dioecia. Ord. $yngenelia. Shreb. Gen. Plant. 1562.

EJf. Gen. Ch. Ma sc. Cal. 3-fidus. Cor. o. Anthers? circum fu-

premam partem filamenti adnatse.
Fem. Cal. 3-fidus. Cor. o. Styl. brevifs. Stigma
bifida. Caps, drupacea. Shreb.
Sp. Ch. M. foliis lanceolatis fructu glabro. Thunb.

THIS tree attains the height of thirty feet, producing numerous
branches which rife together in ftories, and covered with bark, which
of the trunk is a reddifh brown, but that of the young branches is
of a bright green colour : the leaves are nearly elliptical, pointed,
undulated, obliquely nerved, on the upper fide of a bright green, on
the under whitifh, and (land alternately upon footftalks : the flowers
are fmall, and hang upon {lender peduncles, proceeding from the axillse
of the leaves : they are both male and female upon feparatc trees.
No. 27. 4 Z Of

( 3<54 )

Of the male /lower the calyx confifts of one bell-fhaped leaf, di-
vided at the brim into three fmall teeth : there is no corolla : the
(lamina, according to De La Marck, are from fix to twelve, joined in
a bundle, confifting of fhort filaments, inferted into the receptacle, and
furrounded with anthera?, which are long, linear, and united.

Of the female flower the calyx is fimilar to that of the male flower :
there is no corolla : the germen is* above, oval, and fupports a ftyle,
terminated by two ftigmata : the fruit is round or oval, and of the
drupous kind, of which the external covering is flefhy, tough, and
by opening at the top feparates into two valves, and difcovers the-
Mace, which has a reticulated appearance, and divides into three
portions, which clofely invert a flender fhell containing the feed or
Nutmeg. This tree is a native of the Eaft Indies, particularly the
Molucca Iflands.

The Nutmeg has been fuppofed to be the Comacum of Theophraftus,.
but there feems little foundation for this opinion, nor can it with more
probability be thought to be the Chryfobalanos of Galen. Our firft
knowledge of it was evidently derived from the Arabians ; byAvicenna
it was called Jiaufiban, or Jaufiband,* which fignifies Nut of Banda..
Rumphius both figured and defcribed this tree;b but the figure given
by him is fo imperfect, and the defcription fo confufed, that Lin-
naeus, who gave it the generic name Myriftica, was unable to aflign
its proper characters. Sonnerat's account of the Mufcadier is (till
more erroneous ;c and the younger Linnasus was unfortunately milled
by this author, placing the Myriftica in the clafs Polyandria, and
defcribing the eorolla as confifting of five petals/ Thunberg, who
examined the flower of the Nutmeg, places it in the clafs monoecia,
and according to his defcription, the male flower has but one filament,
furrounded at the upper part by the antherae ;e and as the filaments are
fhort and flender,and the antherse united, this miftake might eafilyarife.*

4 Lib. ii. cap. 503, and by Serapion it was named Jeuzbave.*
h Vide, /, c. c Voyage a la Nouvelle Guineey p.. 194. t. lib. d Suppl. Plant,
p. 265. e A£t. Stockholm. 1782. p. 46.

* Since writing the above, Mr. Dryander informed me, that he had examined feveral
fpecimens of thefe male flowers preferved in fpirit, in each of which he found only one
columnar filament, and concludes that De La Marck muft have been deceived by
dividing the fibres of this organ : consequently the myriftica fliould in ftri&nefs be
placed in the order monadelphia.

F Mr.

Mr. De La Marck informs us, that he received feveral branches of the
Myriftica, both in flower and fruit, from the Ille of France, where a
Nutmeg-tree, which was introduced by Monf. Poivre, in 1770, is now
very large, and continually producing flowers and fruit/ From thefe
branches, which were fent from Monf. Cere, Director of the King's
garden in that illand, Monf. De La Marck has been enabled to defcribe
and figure this and other fpecies of the Myriftica with great accuracy;,
and the annexed plate will fhew, that we have profited by his labours.

The feeds or kernels, called Nutmegs, are well known, as they
have been long ufed both for culinary and medical purpofes. Dif-
tilled with water, they yield a large quantity of eflential oil, refembling
in flavour the fpice itfelf ; after t^e diftillation, an infipid febacious
matter is found fwimming on the water ; the decoction, infpiifated,
gives an extract: of an unctious, very lightly bitterifh tafte, and writh
httle or no aftringency. Rectified fpirit extracts the whole virtue of
Nutmegs by infufion, and elevates very little of it in diftillation :
hence the fpirituous extract poflefles the flavour of the fpice in an
eminent degree.

Nutmegs, when heated, yield to the prefs a confiderable quantity
of limpid yellow oil, which on cooling concretes into a febacious-
confiftence. In the fhops we meet with three forts of unctious fub-
ftances, called Oil of Mace, though really expreffed from the Nutmeg..
The beft is brought from the Eaft Indies in ftone jars ; this is of a
thick confiftence, of the colour of mace, and has an agreeable fragrant
fmell : the fecond fort, which is paler coloured, and much inferior in
quality, comes from Holland in folid mafles, generally flat, and of
a fquare figure : the third, which is the worft of all, and ufually
called Common Oil of Mace, is an artificial compofition of fevum,
palm oil, and the like, flavoured with a little genuine oil of Nutmeg.5

The medicinal qualities of Nutmeg are fuppofed to be aromatic,,
anodyne, ftomachic, and reftringent,h and with a view to the laft
mentioned effects, it has been much ufed in diarrhoeas, and dyfen-
teries. To many people the aromatic flavour of Nutmeg is very
agreeable ; they, however, fhould be cautioned not to ufe it in large
quantities, as it is apt to affect the head, and even to mamfeft an.

f L. c. s Ed.. New Difpenf. byDr. Duncan, p. 238.. h Bergius^ M. M. p. 884.

hypnotic-

( 36<5 )

hypnotic power in fuch a degree as to prove extremely dangerous.
Bontius fpeaks of this as a frequent occurrence in India ;5 and Dr.
Cullen relates a remarkable inftance of this foporific effect of the
Nutmeg, which fell under his own obfervation,k and hence concludes,
that in apoplectic and paralytic cafes this fpice may be very improper.
The officinal preparations of Nutmeg are a fpirit and efTential oil,
and the Nutmeg in fubftance roafted, to render it more aftringent.
Both the fpice itfelf and its eflential oil, enter feveral compofitions,
as the confectio aromatica, fpiritus amonia? com. &c. Mace polfefles
qualities fimilar to thofe of the Nutmeg, but is lefs aftringent, and its
oil is iuppofed to be more volatile and acrid.

1 De Mcdlcina Indorurn^ p. 20. See alfo Mi/cell. Nat. Cur. dec. III. ann.il. obf. 120.

k " A perfon by miftake took two drams or a little more of powdered Nutmeg : he
felt it warm in his ftomach, without any uneafinefs ; but in about an hour after he had
taken it he was feized with a drowfinefs, which gradually increafed to a complete ftupor
and infenfibility ; and not long after he was found fallen from his chair, lying on the
floor of his chamber in the ftate mentioned. Being laid a-bed he fell afleep ; but waking
a little from time to time, he was quite delirious : and he thus continued alternately
ileeping and delirious for feveral hours. By degrees, however, both thefe fymptoms
ditninilhed, fo that in about fix hours from the time of taking the Nutmeg he was pretty
well recovered from both. Although he ft ill complained of head-ach, and fome drow-
finefs, he flept naturally and quietly the following night, and next day was quite in his
ordinary health." Mat. Med. vol. it. p. 204.

CARYOPHYLLUS AROMATICUS. CLOVE TREE.

SVJSTON TMA. Caryophyllum aromaticum. Pharm. Lond. £s?
Edinb. Caryophylius aromaticus, frudu oblongo. Baub. P'm. p.
410. Raii Hiji.p- 1508. Caryophylli. Park. Theat. p. 1577.
Gerard^ Emac.p. 1535. Caryophylius aromaticus, India? orientalis,
frudlu clavato monopyreno. Pluk. t. 155. f. 1. Caryo-

phyllum. Rumph. Herb. Amb. vol iu t. 1. 2.fq. Caryophylius
Kruidnagelboom. Houituyn natuurlyke hijlorie, vol. ii. P. 3. p. 44.
tab. 12. fig. 1. Le Geroflier. Sonnerat Voyage a la Nouvelle

Guin'ee. p. 196. tab. 119. .

r J Clafs Polyandna.

12>3

( 3^7 )

Clafs Polyandria. Ord. Monogynia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 669.*

EJf. Gen. Cb. Cor. 4-petaIa. Cal. 4-phyllus, duplicatus. Bacca
l-fperma, infera.

Sp. Cb. C. foliis ovato-lanceolatis oppofitis, floribus terminalibus,
&c Mill. Bia.

THIS tree never rifes to any confiderable height, but divides into
large branches, which are covered with fraooth greyifh bark : the
leaves are large, entire, oblong, lance-ihaped, of a bright green
colour, and Hand in pairs upon fhort footftalks : the flowers terminate
the branches in bunches or pannicles : the calyx of the fruit is divided
at the brim into four permanent fmall pointed fegments, and that of
the flower is compofed of four leafits, which are roundifh, concave,
deciduous, and placed above the germen : the corolla confifts of four
petals, which are roundifh, notched, very fmall, and of a bluifh co-
lour ;-f* the filaments are numerous, flender, inferted in the calyx, and
furnifhed with fimple antherse : the germen is oblong, large, termi-
nated by the calyx of the fruit, and placed below the infertion of the
corolla : the ftyle is tapering, and the ftigma fimple : the pericarpium
is one-celled, umbilicated, and terminated by the indurated converg-
ing calyx : the feed is a large oval berry.3 '

It is a native of the Eaft Indies, the Moluccas, &c. and was lately
found by Sonnerat in New Guinea. It has been afferted that the
Dutch, who have long been in poiTeflion of the principal fpice iflands,
deftroyed all the Clove trees growing in the other iflands, in order to
fecure a lucrative branch of commerce to themfelves, and confine the
cultivation of this tree to the ifland of Ternate ;b but it appears that
in 1770 and 1772, both the Clove and Nutmeg trees were brought
from one of the Moluccas, and tranfplanted in the Ifle of France,
Bourbon, and Seickelles,c where they have been found to thrive very
well, (fee Nutmeg) though the Clove tree has fince fiicceeded better
in Cayenne/ To bring this tree to the higher! perfection, a peculiar

* The Caryophyllus evidently belongs to the clafs Icofandria ; and modern botanifts
refer it to the genus Eugenia. f We examined this plant preferved in fpirit, in the
pofTeflion of the Prefident of the Royal Society, but without finding any corolla.
a The fruit, in its mature ftate, is known by the name Anthophyllus.

b Savary, Di&, vol. it. p. 653. c Htji. de 1' Acad, de Sc. de Paris, 1772. d Teflier,
in Rozier Journ. de Pbyf. 1779.

No. 27. 5 A . mode

•

( 3«8 )

mode of cultivation feems necefTary, and is practifed in Amboina by
the Dutch, by whom it is kept a profound fecret.* If the Clove was
known to the Greeks, it cannot be difcovered by their writings, nor
is there any diftinct account of it given by Pliny ; but it feems in fome
meafure applicable to the defcription of the Carunfel of Serapion, and
the Charumfel Bellun of Avicenna/ fo that this fpice, as well as the
Nutmeg, was probably known to the Arabians.

The fpice uled here, and known by the name of Cloves, is the
unexpanded flowers or rather calyces, which are found to be more
aromatic than in their advanced Irate ; they are of a dark brown colour,
which they acquire from the fmoke to which they are expofed ; for in
order to preferve the Cloves it is cuftomary firft to immerfe them in
boiling water, and then fubject them to fumigation, or merely to fumi-
gate them, and afterwards expofe them to the fun for further exficcation..

The Clove has a ftrong agreeable fmell, and a bitterifh hot not
very pungent tafte : thefe qualities are completely extracted by rectified
fpirit. After infphTating the filtered tincture, the remaining extract
has little fmell, but its tafte is exceffively hot and fiery.. Cloves im-
pregnate water more ftrongly with their fmell than they do fpirit,
but not near fo much with their tafte ; and in diftillation with water
they yield one-fixth of their weight of eflential oil, fmelling ftrongly
of the Cloves, but lefs pungent than the fpirituous extract.

" The oil of Cloves commonly met with in the fhop&, and received
from the Dutch, is indeed highly acrimonious : but this oil is plainly
not the genuine diftilled oil of Cloves, but confiderably more pun-
gent, containing half its weight of an infipid exprefled oil : it is.
probably from an admixture of the refinous part of the Clove that
this fophifticated oil receives both its acrimony and high colour." s

Clove is accounted the hotteft and mod acrid of the aromatics, and
by acting as a powerful ftimulant to the mufcular fibres, may in fome
cafes of atonic gout, paralyfis, &c. fuperfede moft others of the
aromatic clafs ; and the foreign oil, by its great acrimony, is alfo
well adapted for feveral external purpofes.

The eflential oil is the preparation of this fpice directed by the
pharmacopoeias, which, as well as the Clove itfetf* enters feveral
©fficinal compositions.

• Rumph. I. c. f Vide J. Bauh. Hiji. vol. i. p. 426. s Lewis, M. M. p. 203.
JPND OF THE SECOND VOLUMF.

INDEX TO THE SECOND VOLUME.

Systematic Names.

./Efculus Hippo-cajianum
Amomum repens, Sonn.
Amygdalus communis
Anchula tincloria
Anthemis nobilis
- — Pyretbrum

Apium Petrofelinum
Arbutus Uva urfi
Ariftolochia Serpentaria

■ ' longa
Artemifia Abrotanum
. Abfinthium
i vulgaris

. — — maritima

— — — — Santonica
Afarum europaum
Aftragalus , Tragacantha

y' Canella alba

Caryophyllus aromatic us

V Ciflampelos Pareira
Ciftus creticus
Curcuma longa

y Datura Stramonium
Dianthus Caryophyllus
Diclamnus albus

Eryngium maritimum.
Ficus Carica
Fumaria officinalis
V GeofFroya inermis
Inula Helenium
Juglans regia
Juniperus Sabina
'•< cammunis

Officinal-

English. Page*

Hippocairanum

Horfe-Chefnut

349

Cardamomum minus

Cardamom

356

Amygdala ( nuclei )

Almond Tree

230

Ancnula

Alkanet

251

Chamaemelum

Common Camomile

283

T> .1

ryrethrum

Pellitory of Spain

286

retrotehnurrt

Common Parfley

205

vjvd urn

Bear-berry

194

Snake-root Birthwort

291

A ri ftolorhia.

Long-rooted Birthwort

294

A nmf 5i tn myi

ill/1 ULtlllllllx

Common Southernwood

3*6

A hfi nthi um

Common Wormwood

328

Artemifia

Common Mugwort

33i

Abfinthium maritimum

Sea Wormwood

334

Santonicum

Tartarian Wormwood

335

Afarum

Common Afarabacca

237

Tragacantha (gummi)

Goit's Thorn Milk Vetch 267

Canella alba

Laurel-leaved Canella

318

Caryophyllum aromaticum

Clove Tree

366

Pareira brava

Pareira brava Ciflampelos

227

Ladanum, refina

Cretan. Ciftus

249

Curcuma

Turmeric

359

Stramonium

Thorn Apple

338

Caryophyllum rubrum.

Clove Pink

223

Diclamnus albus

Ballard Dittany

316

Eryngium

Sea Eryngo

281

Carica

Fig-tree

354

Fumaria

Common Fumitory

241

Geoffhea

Baftard Cabbage-Tree

306

Enula campana

Common Elecampane

297

Juglans

Walnut Tree

34?

Sabina

Common Savin

256

Juniperus

Common Juniper

259

/

I

N D E

X.

Systematic Names.

Officinal.

English.

Pag f

xvaemprei la ? otunaa

"Zedoaria

Zedoary

36l

;Luium candidum

T ' 1 • 11

.Lihum album

Common White Lily

279

JLinum ujitatijjimum

Linum

Common Flax

303

TV <T 1 • 7

Marrubium vulgare

Marrubium

Common white Horehound 26 <;

Mimoia Catechu

Catechu, extraclum

Catechu Mimofa

183

• nilotica

Arabicum, (gunvnt)

Egyptian Thorn

187

iviorus "'.g' "

W /I v-x r1! t l«>

iviorum

Common Mulberry

352

A/Ivriftica A/IoCchata

Niix mnTrhafa

Nutmeg Tree

363

■ 1 • • a n 1 0 • XT / .** 1 / / xt

\^rcnis wiqjluiu

Satyrion

Male Orchis

246

TTi * /• 7 ■

Panax quinquefoliion

Ginleng .

Ginfeng
Rough Parfnep

27O

raltinaca Upopanax

■Opopanax, (gummi refina)
beneka

3°9

.rolygala senega

Rattlefnake root Milkwort 253

1 runus Jpinoja

Prunum lylveitre

Sloe Tree

233

- domejlicd

Prunum gall i cum

Com. Prune or Plum Tree 234

Pyrus Cydonia

•Cydonium malum

Common Quince Tree

221

Quaflia Simaruba

bimarouba

Simaruba Quaflia

211

■ amara

Quaflu

Bitter Quaflia

21.5

Qiiercus R.obur

V£ueicus

Common Oak

344

Rhamnus cafharticus

opina cervina

Purging Buckthorn

-312

Ribes rubrum

Kibes rubrum

Red Currant

207

• nigrum

■ nigrum

Black Currant

209

Roftnannus officinalis

Koimannus

Common Rofemary

239

Rubia finSlsrum

Rubia

Diers Madder

190

Rumex Acetoja

Acetola

Common Sorrel

i93

.Sambucus nigra

bambucus

Common Black Elder

219

Scilla maritima

Scilla

Officinal Squill

322

Spartium fcoparium

Genifta

Common Broom

243

Spigelia ynarilandica

bpigelia

Indian Pink

288

Styrax officinale

:btyrax, (refina)

Officinal Storax Tree

197

. Benzoin

Benzoe, ( refina)

Benjamin Tree

200

Tanacetum vulgare

1 anacetum

Common Tanfy

3H

Thymus vulgaris

1 nymus

•Common Garden Thym<

! 299

'Serpyllum

berpyllum

Wild Thyme

301

Valeriana officinalis

Valeriana fylveftris

Officinal Valerian

262

Verbalcum Thapfus

V erbafcum

Common Mullein

342

Veratrum album

Helleborus albus

White Hellebore

273

Viola edorata

Viola

Sweet Violet

225

uNivEhsnry

Of BRISTOL

N