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MEDICAL BOTANY

CONTAINING

SELECTIOJI OF ABOVE 100 FIGURES AND DESCRIPTIONS OP MEDI-
CAL PLANTS, WITH THEIR NAMES, QUALITIES, PROPERTIES,
HISTORY, &C. : AND NOTES OR REMARKS OH UEARL7
500 EQUIVALENT SUBSTITUTES.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

MEDICAL FLORAE

OR,

MAHTJAL

OP THE

OF THE
OF

VOLUME THE FIRST,
A M

WITH 52 PLATES.

edical Plants are compound Medicines prepared by the hands e
JVature, ^-c. — Med. Priiic. 31.

BY C. S. RAFINESQUE, A. M...PH. D.

Prol. of Botany, Natural History, &c. in Transylv. University of Lex-
ington, the Franklin Institute of Pliilatklphia, &c.

Member of the Medical Societies of Cincinnaii and Lexington— the
"^Pf- Lyceum of Neio York— the Acad, of Nat. Sc. of
iiladelphiu—the Amer. Antiq. Society— the Kentucky Institute— the
nnean Soc. of Paris— the Imp. Nat. Cur. Soc. of Bonn.— the Imp.
:on«mical Soc. of Vienna— the R. Italian Inst.— the R. Inst, of
at. Sc. of Naples, ^c. ^c.

PHILADELPHIA:

XBIUTXT) Xmj) PTJnUSHtlD BY ATKINSON & ALKXAKDEB,

No. 112 Chesnut .Street.

1828. -1^

... ^,

Eastern District of Pennsylvania, to wit:

BE IT REMEMBFRED, that on the eleventh day
of January, in the fifty-second year of the Independence
of the United States of America, A. D. 1828, Atkinson
and Alexander of the said District, have deposited in
this office the Title of a Book the right whereof they
claim as Proprietors, in the words following, to wit:

Medical Flora; or, Manual of the Medical Botany of the United States
of America. Containing a selection of above one hundred figures and
descriptions of medical plants, with their names, qualities,i properties,
^ history, he. : and notes or remarks on nearly five hundred equivalent
substitutes. — In two volumes.

Volume the first, A H. with fifty-two Plates.

Medical riants are compound medicines prepared by the hands of Nature, &c.

Med. Princ. 31.

By C. S. Rafinesque, A. M.— Ph. D. Ex-Prof, of Botan^^ Natural His-
tory, &:c. in Transylv. University of Lexington, the Franklin Institute of
Philadelphia, See. Member of the Medical Societies of Cincinnati and
Lexington— the Philos. Soc. and Lyceum of New York — the Acad, of
Nat. Sc. of Philadelphia— the Amer. Antiq. Society — the Kentucky In-
stitute—the Linnean Soc. of Paris — the Imp. Nat. Cur. Soc. of Bonn. —
the Imp. Ecotiomical Soc. of Vienna — the R. Italian Inst. — the R. Inst,
of Nat. Sc. of Naples, &c. &c. Sec.

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, intituled,
"An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of
Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies,
during the times therein mentioned" — And Also to the Act, entitled,
"An Act supplementary to an Act, entitled, "An Act for the Encou-
ragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts and
Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies during the times
therein mentioned," and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of de-
signing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints."

D.CALDWELL,
Clerkof the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

GLASGOW I

uNivEssmrl

/

TO

DR. TORREY,

Professor of Chemistry and Botany, in the Medical School of
the University of JVew-York:

DR. SHORT,

Professor of Materia Medica and Medical Botany, in the Med.
School of Transylvania University, in Lexington,
Kentucky : and

STEPHEN ELLIOTT, ESQ.

Professor of Botany, ^c. in the Medical School of Charleston,
in South Carolina :

THESE PAGES,
^WZ> FIGURES OF MEDICAL PLAJ^TS,
ARE DEDICATED,

IN TOKEN OF

FRIENDSHIP, ESTEEM AND RESPECT,

By THEIR FRIEND
THE AUTHOR,
C S. R.

IIVTRODUCTIOJS^.

1. The Science of Botany was at all times
intimately connected with medical knowledge.

5. Several ancient nations, such as the Gre-
cians, Romans, Hindoos, Chinese, &c. consi-
dered Medical Botany as equivalent to both
botanical and medical knowledge.

3. Medicine was then, and is still among
rude nations, nothing more than the application
of an empirical knowledge of vegetable sub-
stances.

4. Thence the usual vulgar division of Plants,
into the five great Classes of Aliments, Sim-
ples, Poisons, Flowers and Weeds, or ali-
mentary, medical, poisonous, ornamental and
useless plants.

I 5. At the revival of learning in Europe, this
"notion being general, the first works on Botany,
"were of course mere sketches of Medical Bo-
tany, and comments on Grecian or Roman wri-
ters.

6. When Tournefort and Linnseus, about a
century ago, became botanical reformers, and
made Botany a separate Science, their efforts
and improvements were resisted by those who
at all times contend against useful innovations.

A

INTRODUCTION.

7- Linnseus in his Materia Medica, gave a
model of systematical Medical Botany, equally
concise, perspicuous and accurate; but desti-
lute of the help of figures.

8. This model was followed by Schoepf in
his Materia Medica of North America, the
first general work on our medical plants, pub-
lished in Germany and in Latin towards I787.
This small work of Schoepf has never been
translated nor republished in America, although
highly deserving of it.

9. When America was settled, the native
tribes were in possession of many valuable ve-
getable remedies, discovered by long experi-
ence, the knowledge of which they gradually
imparted to their neighbours.

10. This knowledge partly adopted even as
far as Europe, and partly rejected by medical
skepticks, became scattered through our country
in the hands of country practitioners. Herba-
lists, Empirics and Botanists.

11. Schoepf collected his materials from them,
and noticed about three hundred and sixty plants
as medical; but he did not go every where, nor
exhaust the subject, since nearly double that
number are actually in common use in diflerent
States of the Union.

13. Since the United States have become an
independent and flourishing nation, much has
been done to teach and spread correct medical

knowledge.

13 The establishment of Medical Schools,
Chairs of Materia Medica, of Medical and
Systematical Botany, Medical and Botanic
Gardens, Infirmaries, Hospitals, have largely

INTRODUCTION.

Ill

contributed to impart Medical and Botanical
knowledge, tlirough the professional class.

14. This purpose has been aided by mime-
reus publications of learned Physicians and
Botanists, Medical Works, Pamphlets and
Journals, Pharmacopeias, Dispensatories, In-
augural Theses, &c.

15. Notwithstanding all these means, it is a
positive and de{)lorab]e fact, that but few medi-
cal practitioners, apply themselves to the Study
of Botany, and therefore are deprived of the
aid of comparative Medical Botany.

16. It is not less certain, but still more de-
plorable that beyond (be immediate sphere of
medical knowledge, the majority of the people
are yet in prey to medical credulity, supersti-
tion and delusions, in which they are confirmed
by the repeated failures of Theorists, and the
occasional success of Empirical Rivals.

17. Even in large cities and in the centre of
medical light. Empirics are thriving, because
they avail themselves of the resources aflbrded
by active plants, often neglected or unknown to
the regular practitioners.

18. it is not perhaps so well known that tbere
are in this Age and in the United States, Ame-
rican Marabouts who like the Marabouts of
the wilds of Africa, attempt in some remote
places, to cure diseases by charms, prayers,
blowing, spitting, &.c.

19. It is therefore needful to spread still
further correct medical knowledge; and the
state of medical science is such in the United
btates, as to require a greater diffusion of the

iy

INTRODUCTION.

acquired knowledge, aided by freedom of en-
quiry, liberal views, and mutual forbearance.

30. The practice of medicine is now exer-
cised in the United States by three sets of men
or Classes of Practitioners. 1. The Rationals,
2. the Theorists, and 3. the Empirics.

21. The Rational medical men are liberal
and modest, learned or well informed, neither
intolerant nor deceitful, and ready to learn or
impart information. They comprise the Ln-
jprovers, Eclectics, and Experi?nentalists.

22. The Improvers study nature and the hu-
man frame, write their observations, and im-
prove medical knowledge.

2S. The Eclectics are those who select and
adopt in practice, whatever is found most bene-
ficial, and who change their prescriptions ac-
cording to emergencies, circumstances and ac-
quired knowledge.

While tlie E.vperi?nentalists are those
•wlio are directed by experience and experi-
ments, observations, dissections and facts.

25. But the Theorists are often illiberal,
intolerant, proud and conceited ; they follow a
peculiar theory and mode of practice, with little
deviation, employing but few vegetable reme-
dies, and enlisting under the banner of a teacher
or sect.

2Q. They are divided into many beets, al-
ways at war among themselves and their rivals :
such are the Broumists, Galenists, Mesme-
rians, Skepticks, ChemicalistSf Calomelists,

EntomistSj &e. , mtx x

S7. The Empirics are commonly illiterate,
isinorant, deceitful and reserved : they follow a

INTRODUCTION.

V

secret or absurd mode of practice, or deal in
patent remedies.

28. They inelnde the Herbalists, vulgarly
called Indian or Root Doctors, and the Steam
Doctors, who follow the old practice of the na-
tives, the Quacks or dealers in Nostrums, the

1 Patent Doctors, the Prescrihers of receipts,

. the Marabouts, &c.

§9. All these classes need instruction on the
natural knowledge of medical substances, and
it ought to be afforded to them, that they may

f become properly acquainted with those which
they employ or may avail themselves of.

30. Medical Sciences have lately been widely
enlarged, by borrowing the help of all the Na-
tural Sciences ; and the enlightened physicians
begin to avail themselves of all the materials
they can command, rendering all the Sciences
subservient or auxiliaries to their pursuits.

31. By Botany, the great majority of medi-
cal Substances are ascertained and become
available: while the study of natural affinities
enables to detect and compare botanical and
medical Equivalents.

33. Medical Botany teaching to know and
appreciate the greatest number of articles em-
ployed in Materia Medica, is become indispen-
sable to the enlightened physician.

33. Vegetable Chemistry analyses vegetable
substances, discovers their active principles, re-
lative medical value, and ascertains the equi-
valent or incompatible substances.

34. Even Pharmacy is become a science, by
the aid of Botany and Chemistry. Druggists
and Pharmacians who sell vegetable Articles or

A 2

vi

INTRODUCTION

Drugs ought to be botanically acquainted with
them, so as to distinguish the genuine kinds,
and detect the frauds or blunders of the collec-
tors and herbalists.

S^. Works on Medical Botany are of two
kinds, with or without figures. This last kind
includes all the Materia Medicas, Dispensa-
tories, Pharmacologies, Pharmacopeias, &c.
which try to convey the knowledge of medical
substances by mere descriptions.

36. The other kind, and the most useful, em-
ploy, Iconography or figures, besides descrip-
tive references, to give a complete knowledge
of the officinal plants: such are the Herb als,
Medical Botanies, Medical Floras, &c.

37. A Critical List shall be given of such
Works or Essays relating to our Plants, which
have been consulted: but the three principal
works with figures, deserve perhaps a separate
notice.

38. Bigelow and W. Barton published some
years ago, and towards the same time, two vo-
luminous and expensive Works on Medical
Botany. Barton's Work in two volumes quarto,
contains only fifty plants and figures, and Bige-
low's sixty in three volumes quarto.

39. Several plants are described and figured
in both works, reducing the total number of
medical plants given to about eighty, for which
the price is about forty dollars or half a dollar
for every plant.

40. These imperfect and costly works have
each their merit, and although not free from
errors and omissions, are useful assistants to
those who can afford to buy them. Bigelow's

INTRODUCTION.

VU

is the most learned, accurate and useful, while
I Barton's has often the best figures.
I 41. It is to he regretted that these authors by
I following the expensive plan of Woodville's
^Medical Botany have lessened their utility and

public circulation.

I 42. Some years before the above publications,
a herbalist or spurious Botanist, Samuel Henry,
printed in New York, 1814, a Medical Herbal,
comprising in one octavo volume of five dollars,
about one hundred sixty medical plants, with
small fictitious figures.

43. This Work is merely mentioned here to
1 warn against it. It is a worthless book, with
I incorrect names, wrong descriptions, erroneous
ii indications, and figures mostly fictitious or
i misapplied. It is of no medical nor botanical
; account; yet it contains some of the Empirical
I concealed knowledge, available in a few in-
stances.

44. Works of general utility ought to be ac-
curate, complete, portable and cheap. Such

1 alone can spread the required correct know-
ledge, and suit every class of readers.

145. The popular knowledge of the natural
sciences has been prevented in tlie United
States, by the first works published on them,
' having followed the model of the splendid Eu-
ropean publications intended for the wealthy or
public libraries.

46. It is time that we should return to the
pristine Linnean simplicity, and by the addition
of cheap but correct figures of objects, engraved
on copper, zinc, pewter, stone or wood, speak
to the eyes as well as the mind.

VIU

INTRODUCTION.

47. Such is the aim of the actual work, which
is intended as a portable manual of Medical
Botany, for the daily use of medical Students,
Physicians, Dru^^gists, Pharmacians, Chemists,
Botanists, Florists, Herbalists, Collectors of
herbs, heads of families. Infirmaries, &e.

48. It was many years in contemplation, and
publicly proposed ever since 18 1 6. It is now
offered to the public, as a humble attempt to
render one of the popular branches of medical
and natural science, attainable and available
by all.

49. The author has been collecting his mate-
rials for many years, while travelling through
fourteen states of the Union, and lecturing on
medical plants in Transylvania University.

50. His qualifications for the task result from
fifteen years of botanical and medical obser-
vations and researches, and 8000 miles of bo-
tanical travels, wherein he diligently enquired
and elicited from the learned and the illiterate,
the result of their practical experience.

51. He has never despised knowledge because
imparted by an uncouth mouth, and lias often
made experiments on himself and others to test
peculiar facts.

52. Several Physicians and Botanists in Phi-
ladelphia, Baltimore, Wasiiington City, Wil-
mington, Winchester, Alexandria, Bethlehem,
Pittsburg, Wheeling, Lexington, Bowling-
green, Sandusky, &c. have at different timeg
communicated to him additional facts, or con-
firmed the properties of some plants.

53. He feels particularly indebted to the ob-
liging kindness of several friends for many im-

INTRODUCTION.

iportant facts or valuable communications, for
) which he feels happy to tender this public tes-
iitimony of gratitude.

i 54. They are Dr. Mease, and Z. Collins of
iPhiladelphia.

Drs. Short and Brown of Lexington.

Dr. Eoff of Wheeling.

Dr. MuUer of New Harmony.

Dr. Drake of Cincinnati.

Dr. Crockett of Frankfort.

Dr. Graham of Harrodsburg.

Dr. Mac Williams of Washington City.

Dr. Hales of Troy.

Dr. Lawrence of New Lebanon.

Drs. L. Beck and TuUy of Albany.

Drs. Mitchell and Torrey of New York.

55. It has been ascertained that there are
inearly six hundred medical plants actually
known and used as such in the United States:
many of which are merely medical equivalents.

56. This number being too great for the pur-
•pose of a manual, one hundred and five of the
most active and efficient medical Types have
been selected, figured and described.

57« The others have been referred to these
as substitutes or succedanea, when they possess
tnearly the same ostensible qualities and pro-
iperties. In fact they are mostly used for each
other throughout the country.

58. Those selected include all the species of
Bigelow and W. Barton, with twenty-five addi-
tional species. It had been advised to reduce
the whole number to fifty active plants; but
such a reduction would have left out many va-

X

INTRODUCTION.

liiable plants and not oiferetl a sufficient quan-
tity of generic Types or typical Equivalents.

59. Wlien a Genus contains several medical
species, only one is figured, unless tlieir pro-
perties are quite different, and tiie others are
mentioned with some remarks as equivalent
substitutes. The plants of genera not figured
are inserted in the general table or appendix.

60. The Botanical alphabetic order has been
adopted, as tlie most easy, obvious and service-
able, since no scientific arrangement could hare
been equally available.

61. The medical arran2;ements are as nume-
rous as the writers on Materia Medica. Every
plant having commonly many pro|)ertieS; cannot
be classed into any definite medical order, but
should belong to several at the same time.

62. The defective and indelicate sexual sys-
tem of Linnseus is now too obsolete for the state
of the science.

63. The natural method would have been
preferred, if the novelty of the attempt had not
been anticipated as an obstacle to practical use.

64. Most of the figures have been drawn by
the author, and a few reduced from Bigelow or
Barton ; tiiey liave been engraved and printed
in a style suited to the assumed purpose.

65. For the sake of perspicuity and conveni-
ence every article is divided into sections. The
names are at the head, and the Botanical name
is the first.

66. The English, French and German names
are given, next the officinal names used ia
Pharmacopeias, and last the vulgar or common
names of the country, which are variable in al-

INTRODUCTION.

xi

most every section or state. When a plant had
received several hotanical names, the obsolete
are given as synonyms.

67. After the names follow the botanical and
medical authorities connected, the generic and
specific characters, the complete botanical des-
criptions, the locality or native places of growth,
with the general history of the genus and spe-
cies, forming the botanical sections of each ar-
ticle.

'68. The medical division contains the sen-
fsible and chemical qualities of the plant, with
the medical properties, including uses, doses
' and preparations.

69. Equivalent substitutes, and various re-
f marks conclude the article. The plan of adding

medical substitutes is borrowed from the ex-
cellent French work of Peyrilhe on Medical
Natural History.

70. The knowledge of those medical Equi-
valents will be found very useful, when the re-
quired plants are not obtainable, while some
••ubstitutc may perhaps be procured. It fol-
lows of course tiiat each Equivalent is vice-
versa a mutual substitute in most cases: although
the plants are seldom identical in power and
;ictivity.

71. Botanical accuracy has been strictly at-
tended to throughout, and all the descriptions
are original. To avoid other novelties, but few
improvements have been attempted or sugges-
ted in nomenclature or criticism. The locali-
Ucs are however greatly extended.

73. In the medical part, brevity has been
.adopted, without impairing accuracy. All the

■1

INTRODUCTION.

matter of Schoepf and subsequent writers has
been incorporated. Nothing essential has been
omitted, but discussions are avoided, and ex-
periments merely stated in result.

73. This order and plan has enabled to give
a complete knowledge of the objects in all their
botanical, medical, chemical and historical
points of view: while the general principles of
the science are prefixed as preliminary guides.

74. If this labour may suit all the classes of
readers and all those who employ medical
plants, the wishes and object of the author will
be fulfilled.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

OF

MISDICAXi BOTANY.

FIRST SECTION-BOTANICAL PRINCIPLES.

I. BOTANY is the science and knowledge of vegetable bodies
OP plants.

2' A botanical species is formed by the collective association
3f all the individual bodies, which have a similar form.

3. VARIETIES are mere occasional deviations from this spe«
jific typical form.

4. All the individuals of the same species, have the same
'opms, qualities and properties, but modified in some varieties.

5. The principal branches of Botany, are, Glossology, No-

MBNCLATXJHE, ClaSSIFJCATTON, DeSCKIPTIVE BoTANT, BOTAWlCAi

nsTOKT and Philosophy. ■

6. Glossology gives names or Botanical terms to every Organ
>f"plants, and to all their modifications of form or structure.

7. These names must be sought for in special botanical works;
t is beyond this scope to notice them here, except in general.

8. NoMENCLATTjHE appHcs nan"ies to every species, and succes-
live groups of species, referring their Synonyms to each.

9. These names derived chiefly from the Latin and Greek
anguages, become universal, and common to all languages and
lations.

10. Synonyms are of wo kinds, 1. Erroneous or obsolete
)otanical names, 2. Local or variable Vulgar names employed
)y each nation.

II. Classipicatioji teaches how to co-ordinate the species in
Benera, orders and classes by methodical or systematical arrange*
■nents.

B

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

12. Geneiia are groups of species having the same essential
Organs of fructification or reproduction, and affording the same
collective characters in their structure and form.

13. Ordehs and Classes are successive groups of Genera af-
fording some similar general characters. Families, Sections,
Subclasses are Divisions of these groups based upon some pecu-
liar considerations.

14. A Method studies, seeks and preserves all the natural
affinities of plants, grouping together, those which have the
greatest resemblance.

15. Systems follow a peculiar theory, or are based upon a sin-
gle consideration, without attending to natural affinities.

16. Descriptive Botany gives accurate descriptions of all the
species and their varieties. Genera and Groups of Genera.

17. These Descriptions consist of two modes or parts 1.
Complete Descriptions, 2. Definitions or abridged Descrip-
tions, being the analytical epitome of the principal dsscriptive
characters.

18. Botanical histoiit includes many details and considera-
tions comprising the Etymology of names, mode of growth, time
of flowering and seeding, cultivation, collection, discovering,
introducing, authors who have described plants, their biography,
bibliography or knowledge of Botanical Books, criticism, &.c.

19. The Locality of plants is a branch of Botanical history,
which has lately been separated and called Botanical Geogea-
pax ; it teaches the soils, climates and places where plants grow
spontaneously, and also their migrations, naturalization, &c.

20. Botanical Philosopht considers plants under all their
points of view, which are many ; forming the following branches :

1. Organology, studying their organization.

2. Physiology— their vital functions.

3. Anatomy — their internal structure.

4. Chemistry— their component elements.

5. Pathology— their diseases.

6. Cultivation— their culture.

7. Utility— their useful or noxious properties.

21. The ORGANS are external or internal ; the internal be-
long to botanical anatomy : the external or the most conspicuous

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

3

I afford the obvious descriptive characters, and form several serie«
J according to their vital use, as follows :

22. Nutritive Oikjans are the Cotyledons, Roots, Leaves,
&c. The Roots are commonly under ground, and the Leave*
above : while the Cotxledons are within the seed.

23. Repkoductive Obgasts which are the Flowers, Fruits and
Seeds, with the Buds, Bulbs, and Gems.

24. Upon the flowers, fruit and seeds are chiefly based the
generic and other general characters ; being present and conspi
CU0U3 in every plant except those of the lowest orders.

25. The Roots, Leaves, Flowers, and Fruits assume a great
variety of shapes, which have all peculiar names, and offer the
specific characters and distinctions usually resorted to.

26. UpHOLDiNft Organs such as the stem and branches, the
Scapes or leafless radical stems, Petioles, Pedicles, Nerves, &c.

27. Preserving Organs as the Barks, Cuticles, &c.

28. Circulatite Organs which are the Wood, Liber, Pith,
Fibres, Vessels, &c. The woody plants are called Trees or
Shrubs.

-29. Secretort Organs, such as Glands, Pores, Hairs, &c.

30. - Accessory Organs are the thorns, bracteoles, stipules,
tendrils, tubercles, down, wool, &c.

31. Inflouescenck is the mode in which the flowers are dis-
posed and unfolded.

■ 32. The essential parts of the flowers are the Stamina or Sta'-
MENs and Pistils : a complete flower has both ; when they are
separate, the flowers are called Staminate or Pistilate.

33. The essential part of the Stamen is the Anther; when the
filament or support is missing, the anther is called sessile.

34. The essential parts of the Pistii are the Germ or Gehmeh,
'and the Stigma. The germ is the bud of the fruit ; it is usually

' sessile; when it has a support or Podogtne, it is called stipitated.

35. The Germ is usually free and central ; but when it is
connected or coherent with the perigone, it is called adherent or
inferior, and the perigone becomes symphogyne or superior.

36. The Stigma is a pore, gland or appendage upon the
Germ, single or multiple, sessile or supported by a base called
Stub.

4

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

37. The accessory parts of the flowers are the Terioovt, Nec-
taries and Bracteoles.

38. The PEniGONE around the Stamina and Pistils is either
single, double or multiple. When single it retains that name ;
but when double the exterior is called Calix, and the interior
CoBOL or CoKoxiA. In the multiple perigone, the inner range
is the true Conoii.

39. The segments of the perigone and calix are called Sepals,
or folioles, and those of the Corol Petais.

40. The Nkctahies are Glands, scales, crowns, disks and other
appendages within the flower.

41. The Bhacteoles are small leaves, scales, involucres, &c.
around the flowers, when they resemble a perigone and sur-
round many flowers, they are called Pehianthe or common calix.

42. Plants being organized bodies like Animals, perform the
same vital functions, three of which are essential to life, and
common to all plants, 1. Nuthition, 2. GnowTH, 3. Kephodcc-
Tioir.

43. The others are less essential, or less evident; they are
1. Circulation, 2. Respiration, 3. Secretion, 4. Irritability, 5. Ca-
lorification, 6. Solidification, &c.

44. Plants are also like Animals subject to Sleep, hyemal Tor-
por, Diseases, Necropsy and Death.

45. The ANATOMICAL structure of plants off'ers a multitude
of internal apparatus (about thirty kinds) formed by the aggre-
gation of vessels, fibres and tissues.

46. The principal are the Cellular, fibrose, glandular, absor-
bing, moving, vital, nutritive, reproductive, &c.

47. CHEMICAL BOTANY detects almost all the simple ele-
ments in the vegetable substances : the most abundant and pre-
vailing are however, Carbon, Oxigen. Hydrogen, Azote, Potas-
um, Sodium, Calcium, Sulphur, &c.

48. The compound chemical bodies absorbed or formed by
vegetable Life are very numerous, the principal are Water, Air,
Oils, Acids, Aromes, Tannin, Extractive, Alkalis, Resins, Muci-
lage, Sugar, Fecula, &c. . . , r

49. Diseases in plants are as numerous as among Animals, it
not Men , they have only been attended to as yet with fruit trees,
and useful cultivated plants; many are easily curable.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

5

I 50. Agriculture and Horticulture are two arts, having' for spe-
cial object the cultivation of useful or ornamental plants,
i 51. These arts are closely connected with Botany, from which
nhey borrow their materials. The general cultivation of medical
plants in medical gardens is highly desirable.

52. Useful plants have three kinds of properties, 1. Alimen-
:ary, 2. Economical, 3. Medical. The noxious and poisonous
^oroperties are included with the medical.

53. We are dependent upon vegetables for our food and drinks
Dur solid and liquid aliments; they furnish us materials for our
ilress, dyes, fuel, buildings, arts and manufactures.

54. Every plant has two names and two characters, both Ge-
leric and Specific.

55. The Generic name is the first and is a substantive, the
specific follows and is an adjective appellation.

56. The Generic character is the collective definition ef the
principal organic indications of each Genus, which constitute
he TYPE of the Genus.

57. The Specific character is an abridged description of all the
ndividuals forming a species, and it constitutes the TYPE of the
ipecies.

58. Orders and Families, Classes and Sections have also sub-
stantive names, and peculiar characters assigned to each.

59. Three great natural classes constitute the vegetable King-
don, l.DlCOTTIES, 2. MnifOCOTTI-ES, 3. ACOTTLES.

60. The DICOTYLES are Vascular plants, with concentric
ibres and vessels, and a bilobe or multilobe germination. They
;omprise two thirds of all the plants, shrubs and trees.

6L The MONOCOTYLES are Vascuxah plants with fascicu-
ar fibres and vessels, and a lateral unilobe germination. ,Such
re the Palms, Lilies, Grasses, Ferns, and Mosses.

62. The ACOTYLES are Ceilulah plants without vessels nor
ibres, and destitute of lobes in the germination. Such are the
/ichens, Algae and Fungi.

63. These natural classes may be divided in other less natural
< lasses, and these into natural orders and famihes, by the botani-

al process of analysis,

64. The natural orders of Linnseus were fifty-eight, Jussien has

6

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

enumerated one hundred, now upwards of one hundred and fifty
are known or designated.

65. Many of these being rathernatural families may be reduced
to about sixty-four great natural orders, including upwards of two
hundred natural families.

66. Each natural family and order has some qualities and pro-
perties, common to all their genera, and may therefore serve of
Medical Indication.

SECOND SECTION-CHEMICAL PRINCIPLES OR
PRINCIPLES OF BOTANICAL CHEMISTRY.

1. The knowledge of the substances which enter into the
bodily composition of Plants, form a branch of Chemical Sciences
called Vegetable Chemistry.

2. This branch of Chemistry is intimately connected with Me-
dical Botany,, and becomes an essential part of it.

3. By it, the three Sciences of Botany, Chemistry, and Patho-
logy are rendered subservient to each other.

4. Chemistry borrows from Botany the true knowledge of the
Plants, while Chemistry teaches Botany the nature of the Sub-
stances in these plants.

5. The Medical Sciences receive from Vegetable Chemistry
the more intimate knowledge of the greatest proportion of Sub-
stances employed in practice.

6. Chemistry acquires this knowledge by tests, analytical de-
compositions, and reaching the first Elements or elementary
bodies evolved in the plants.

7. Vegetable life assimilates or produces nearly all the Natural
Bodies and creates many Substances peculiar to itself.

8. This is the foundation of three great Divisions or Classes in
Vegetable Substances or their proximate Elements.

1. Class. MlNEllAL, common to plants, animals and Mine-
rals.

2. Class. ANIMAL, foreign to Minerals, but common to
Plants Animals.

3. PECULIAR. Not found either in Animals nor Minerals.

GB^EKAL PRINCIPLES.

7

9. These Classes may be divided into Orders, Genera and Spe-
cies of Chemical Bodies, each possessing peculiar properties and
actions.

10. Veg'etable Chemistry has not yet obtained the same cer-
tainty and attention as Mineral Chemistry. It is now emerging
from the Clouds of ancient errors, and becoming a Science of de-
cided importance.

11. A small portion as yet of the endless chemical Constituents
of all the plants, has become known.

12. A long time will be required before the 60,000 known
plants be analyzed, or even the 5000 Species of North America.

13. But some Substances are common to many different plants,
and each active Genus has generally the same active principles.

14. The special knowledge of this branch of Medical Botany
must be sought for in the Chemical Works. We shall merely
give here a small Table of the principal Orders and Genera,
lately detected and well ascertained.

15. It must be remembered that every plant contains many
Elementary bodies, and that these Bodies are all reducible to
their pristine Si nple Elements.

16. It is not our purp :)se to designate the properties of these
Vegetable Substances. This knowledge constitutes Medical
Chemistry, a new Science, or branch of Pharmacy.

CHEMICAL TABLE.

I. Class— MINERAL ELEMENTS.— 5 Orders.

1. Order. SIMPLE KTHERIAL. G. Caloric. Light. Oxi-
gene. Hydrogene. Azote.

2. Order. SIMPLE i.nd COMBUSTIBLE. G. Sulphur. Car-
bone. Phosphore.

3. Order. SIMPLE and OXIDABLE. G. The Metals.

4. Order. OXIDES. G. Airs. Waters. Limes. Potashes.
Alumines. Chaly bates. Silicates, &c.

5. Order. SALTS. G. Carbonates. Citrates. Fungates. Muri-
ates. Malates. Gallates. Nitrates. Oxalates. Phosphates. Sul-
fates. Tartrates, &c.

8

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

II. Class— ANIMAL ELEMENTS— 1 Order.

1. O. COMPOUNDS of Carbone, Hydrogene, Oxigene and
Azote. G. Glutten. Albumine. Gelatine. Adipocire. Fungin, &,c.
IIL Class.— PECULIAR ELEMENTS.— 4. Orders.

1. Order. AZOTES or Vegetable Alkalies, containing Azote.
3 Families. Carbonits. Oxigenits. Ammonits or true Alkalis. G.
Ferment. Narcotine. Asparagine. Morphium. Quinine. Eupato-
rine. Cornine. Daturine, &c.

2i Order. ACIDS, formed by Carbone, Hydrogene, with Oxi-
gene in excess. G. Acetic. Malic. Oxalic. Benzoic. Citric. Tar-
taric. Gallic. Moric. Fungic, &c.

3. Order. WATERS, formed by Carbone with Hydrogene and
Oxigene in the proportion of Water. G. Lignites. Fecules. Sac-
charines. Gums. Amarines. Polychromites. Tannines. Extrac-
tives. Mucilages. &c.

4. Order. OILS, formed by Carbone, Oxigene, with Hydrogene
in excess. G. Gluines. Wax. Fixed Oils. Aromes. Resins. Plcrines.
Acrines. Camphors, &c.

THIRD SECTION-MEDICAL PRINCIPLES.

1. Every vegetable substance produces effects on the human
frame ; but these effects can only take place by actual contact of
the parts, or their efiBuvia.

2. These effects are either grateful, or unpleasant, or noxious,
and either nutritive, or medical, or poisonous.

3. Nutritive substances sustain life, the noxious impair it ;
while the medical preserve or restore health.

4. Plants may be noxious to man, while they are innocent
or nutritious for animals or cattle, and the everse may as ofte n
occur.

5. The popular belief that every country produces simplea
suitable to cure all their prevailing local diseases, is not devoid
of truth.

6. There are many modes of effecting cures by equivalent re-

GENERAL PRINCIPLES. 9

edies ; but vegetable substances afford the mildest, most effi-
cient, and most cong-enial to the human frame.

7. A vegetable substance is called active when producing
strong or quick effects, and inactive or inert, when producing-
weaker or slower effects.

8. But there is hardly a plant totally inert, and not producing
in large doses some sensation or effect.

9. Active plants and substances are commonly known by the
senses of smell or taste : while inert plants are scentless and
tasteless.

10. The most active plants are not always the best for use, be-
ing less grateful than others, and more liable to impair the func-
tions of life.

11. Poisonous plants are all available as medicinal, and often
the most active ; but they are hable to the same objection, in a
greater degree.

12. Active and poisonous plants, must be used with care and
judgment, sparingly and in small doses only.

13. Similar or consimilar tastes or smells, indicate similar or
consimilar Qualities and Properties.

14. The sensible Qualities of plants are the results of their or-
ganization, and chemical composition ; their medical Properties
urise from these Qualities.

15. Plants of the same Genus have commonly the same quali-
*^ies and properties, more or less unfolded.

16. Genera of the same Natural Family or Order, have often
consimilar qualities and properties.

17. Modifications or Deviations from these two last rules occur
when the organization and locality are very different.

18. Artificial Systems, like the sexual system of Linnaeus
separating the most related Genera, and uniting the most remote,
cannot indicate medical affinities.

19. Where the artificial systems coincide with the natural me-
thod; they may both answer the purpose of medical indications.

20. Few plants possess a single property ; many are commonly
blended in the same plant.

21. Different parts of a plant have often separate qualities and
properties.

iO

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

22. Incompatible Substances are seldom or never found in the
same plant.

23. Every plant has a peculiar and specific mode of action on
the human body, in health or disease.

24. Even congeneric and consimilar species have their modi-
fied effects at equal doses, which a difference in the dose may
equalize.

25. The medical effects of the same plant are also modified by
the soil, climate, season, and age ; also by exhibition and dose.

26. Botanical affinities indicate medical equivalents, which may
be substituted to each other.

27. R^t Experience alone can decide if the substitution will
be available and efficacious, and teach when and how it ought to
be made.

28. Vegetable Equivalents are either botanical or medical, and
each of three degrees.

29. In Botanical Equivalents these three degrees are : 1st Cox-
gexehic, belonging to the same genus : 2d AFritiATED belong-
ing to different genera of the same family. 3d Remote, belonging
to remote genera.

30. Medical Equivalents have the degrees of 1. Specific or
having exactly the same value, 2. Similak or producing the same
effects, 3. Consimieau or producing effects somewhat different.

31. Every MEDICAE PLANT IS a COaiPOTIND mediciite pbepared

BT THE HANDS OF NATURE, in the most Suitable form for exhibi-
tion and efficacy in suitable cases.

32. Medical substances becoming more powerful by admixture,
those which enter by vital action into the organs of plants, are
rendered more powerful by intimate combination.

S3. By combining several medical plants in prescriptions their
effect is increased.

34. Nauseous or noxious plants may be rendered grateful and
available by combination with others of a different character.

35. But all combinations must either coincide or correct each
other, else they are superfluous and useless.

36. When too many substances are mingled, or several that do
not well coincide, they often impair each other.

37. The combination of substances which exert a chemical ac-

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

11

on on each other, must be avoided, unless a peculiar medical
esult is required.

38. When an unexpected result happens by a combination of
ubstances, it must be corrected by suitable clianges.

39. The active principles of medical plants may be obtained in
concentrated form by chemical operations.

40. When these active principles are obtained, their effects
are stronger and quicker ; but less congenial to the human frame,
bian in their natural pristine combination.

FOURTH SECTION-MEDICAL PROPERTIES.

1. The medical properties were detected by chance, or as-
certained by indication, and confirmed by experience.

2. There are four kinds of indications, 1. Botanical, 2. Che-
mical, 3. Medical, 4. Evident.

3. Botanical indications have already been alluded to, they are
proximate or remote, and teach us Botanical Equivalents.

4. Chemical indications result from analysis and decomposi-
tion : when the same elements and substances are found in equal
proportions ; the presumption must be that chemical equivalents
have been detected.

5. Medical indications are the result of medical inference ;
when substances act alike or produce similar effects in some
cases, they may do the same in other cases.

6. The most obvious indications are however, those which
arise from the Evidence of the sensible qualities of plants.

7. These qualities are constituted by chemical elements, and
evinced to our senses by contact or effluvia.

8. Each plant, and sometimes each part of a plant, has a pecu-
liar smell and taste, hardly alike in any two of them."

9. No plant is absolutely scentless or tasteless, even the most
insipid evince themselves to our nose and palate.

10. The vegetable Orders and Sapors may be classed under
two great divisions, GRATEFUL or UNPLEASANT,

11. Orders may be further divided into six series, and one hun-

IS

genp:ral principles.

cired and fifty Genera: Sapors into ten series and as many genera
at least.

12. The GRATEFUL Odors or Smells indicate wholesome
properties, the three Series are

1. pRAGBANif, indication of stimulants and sudorifics, &c.

2. Aromatic — of stomachics, warm stimulants, &c.

3. Sweet— of Pectorals, Demulcents, &c.

13. The UNPLEASANT Odors indicate active properties,
their three Series are

1. Fetid, indication of noxioMS plants, emetics, 8tc.

2. GnAVEOLENT — of powcrful medical plants.

3. Insipid— of Emollients, inert plants, &c.

14. GRATEFUL SAPORS or Tastes, belong to plants of mild
properties. Their five Series are

1. Fiavohed, belonging to palatable substances.

2. Spicy — to stimulants, sudorifics, stomachics; &c,

3. Acid — to Refrigerants, Diluents, &c.

4. Sweet— to Nutrients, Demulcents, &c.

5. Sapie or Saltish — to Antiscorbutics, &c.

15. UNPLEASANT SAPORS belong to plants of active pro-
perties. Their five Series are

1. Nauseous, belonging to Narcotics, Emetics, Cathartics,
Antispasmodics, &.c.

2. AcHiD— to Salivatories, Stimulants, Epispastics, Anthel-
minthics, Emenagogues, &c.

3. Bitter— to Tonics, Corroborants, &c.

4. Acerb — to Astringents, Diuretics, &c.

5. Insipid — to Emollients, Demulcents, Diluents, &c.

16. The sense of feeling is susceptible of ascertaining at least
five qualities in substances.

1. Coolness, belonging to Refrigerants.

2. Heat — to Stimulants and Rubefacients.

3. Stinbing— to external stimulants.

4. Vesication— to Epispatics, &c.

5. Corrosion— to Escharotics, and Caustics.

17. These different qualities vaiiously combined and modified
by each other, form all the immense variety perceptible in plants.

18. Medical Properties of a corresponding nature being co-

ll

GENERAL PRINCIPLES,

13

existent with these sensible qualities, are obviously indicated by

19. Yet some plants of weak qualities and seemingly inert, are
ften possessed of unindicated active properties, resulting from

chemical combinations or g^zeous emanations.

20. Classifications of medical properties and remedies are end-
less, and of little use. Every writer on Materia Medica common-
ly contrives a new one.

21. As much could be done here, or some one adopted ; but
it will be sufficient to mention that the most general Distribu-
tion is at present in three Classes, 1 Stimvlatst, 2 C hemi-
CAL, and 3 Mechanicai, Properties or Remedies.

22. The following alphabetical Glossary of the principal medi-
cal properties, will probably be more useful for reference.

TABLE OF PROPERTIES.

ABSORBENT, absorbing or involving noxious matter.

ABSTERGENT or DETERGENT, cleaning foul ulcers and
sores. . .'

ANODYNE, soothing the nerves, allaying pain, very similar
to Sedative and Nervine.

ANTACID, chemical remedies, neutralizing Acids.

AGGLUTINANT, uniting divided solids.

ALTERATIVE, producing a change in the whole system, or
altering the appearance oflocal diseases.

AMBROSIAL, of exquisite smell or taste, very palatable and
restorative.

ANALEPTIC, gentle stimulant of the nerves.
ANTIBILIOUS, correcting the Bile.

ANTIDOTE or ALEXITERIAL, commonly counter poisons,
chemical remedies correcting the effects of poisons.

ANTI-DYSENTERIC, against dysentery and bowel complaints,
local and mechanical, unless astringent.
, ANTILITHIC, curing the gravel and stone.
ANTISPASMODIC, diffusible stimulant, acting on the muscles,
i curing spasms, pains, &c.

ANTHELMINTIC, expelling worms.
ANTISCORBUTIC, useful in scurvy,
ANTISCROFULOUS, useful in scrofula.

C

14

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

ANTEROTIC, sedatives of venery.

ANTISEPTIC or ANTIPUTRID, Tonic useful to prevent
external or internal mortification.
ANTALKALINE, neutralizing alkalies.
APERIENT, promoting- excretions.
APHRODISIAC, stimulating Venery.

AROMATIC, diffusible stimulant,heating the stomach and body,

ASTRINGENT, permanent stimulant, corrugating the fibres.

ATTENUANT, or DEOBSTRUENT, local stimulant, remov-
ing obstructions of the glands, liver, &c.

BALSAMIC, mild healing stimulant.

CALEFACIENT, local stimulant, heating the parts.

CARMINATIVE, or RUCTANT, local stimulant, expelling
winds.

CARDIAC or CORDIAL, acting on the heart, and increasing
its muscular action.

CATHARTIC or PURGATIVE, local stimulants cleaning the
bowels.

CAUSTIC, local stimulants, burning the parts,
CEPHALIC, curing the head ache.
CHOLOGOGUE, purging the bile.

CONSOLIDANT, a kind of tonic, repairing defects in solids.
CORROBORANT, a kind of stomachic, giving strength.
COSMErTIC, smoothing or lubricating the skin.
DEMULCENT, mechanical remedy, shielding the surfaces
from acrid matter, and lubricating the organs.
DEPILATORY, removing the hair.

DIAPHORETIC, increasing the insensible exhalation of the
skin and lungs.

DIFFUSIBLE, spreading through the whole frame.

DILUENTS, diluting and expelling morbific matter, increas-
ing the fluidity of the blood, &c.

.DISCUTIENT, healing sores of the skin.

DIURETIC, stimulant, increasing the discharge from the
bladder and kidneys, expelling accumulated fluids, and promoting
dropsical discharges.

DRASTIC, cathartics purging with violence and pain.

EFFLUVIAL, producing gazeous emanations which affect the
skin.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

i5

EMENAGOGUE, increasing the menstrual discharge.

EMETIC or VOMITIVE, local stimulant producing a dis-
charge from the stomach.

EMOLLIENT, the opposite of tonic, relaxing the fibres.

EPISPASTIC or BLISTER, local stimulant, acting on the
skin and membranes, blistering them, &c.

ERODENT, removing spots and warts of the skin.

ERRHINE, promoting sneezing and a discharge from the nose.

ESCHAROTIC, corroding and decomposing the skin and
other solids.

EXHANTHEMATIC, useful for Exhanthems.
■•. EXHAURIENT, exhausting vital powers.

EXCITANT, stimulant exciting the vital functions.

EXPECTORANT, promoting expectoration.

FEBRIFUGE, curing fevers, one of the effects of tonics.

HEPATIC, useful in diseases of the Liver.

HUMECTANT, a kind of Diluent moistening the solids.

HYDRAGOGUE, a kind of Diuretic, discharging waters.

INCITANT or INCISIVE, stimulant, acting on the glandular
system,

INEBRIATING or EXHILARATING, producing intoxication
in different degrees. . ■ - -

INVISCANT or COAGULANT, mucilagiaous remedies, thick-
ening tlie fluids.

LAXATIVE, useful against constipation and mild purgatives.

LITHONTHRIPTIC, chemical remedy, dissolving the gravel
or stone in the bladder, or bezoars of the liver.

LOCHIAL, a mild Menagogue.

NARCOTIC or STUPEFIANT, diffusible stimulant, acting
on the nervous and vascular system, producing sleep, stupor and
death in large doses.

NAUSEANTS, producing Nausea without Emesis.

NEPHRITIC, local stimulant of the kidneys.

NERVINE, acting particularly on the nerves, and soothing
pain, promoting sleep, useful in hysterics, epilepsy, &c.

NOXIOUS or DELETERIOUS, or Pkhnicious, or BAUEFur, or
Vejtomous, all Synonymous of Poisons, producing pain, disease or
Death.

NUTRIENT, furnishing nourishment to the body.

IB

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

ODONTALGIC, allaying or curing the tooth-ache.

OPHTHALMIC, useful in diseases of the Eyes.

PECTORAL, useful in diseases of the breast and lungs.

PELLENT or REPELLENT, charging the course of dischar-
ges, or repelling the morbid fluids.

PHTHIRIAC'or PSORIC, destroying Lice and Itch.

PHRENETIC or PIIANTASTIC, acting on the brain, pro-
ducing delirium and dreams.

PROPELLENT, moving the fluids.

PROPHYLACTIC, preserving health, or preventic, a peculiar
disease.

REFRIGERANT, cooling, lessening the heat of the body, al-
laying local or general inflammations.
RESTORATIVE, restoring strength.

REVIVING, diffusible stimulant, relieving from faintness,
torpors, and necropsy.

REPERCUSIVE, throwing back an eruption, a kind of repel-
lent.

REVULS1V-e', a local stimulant, promoting a change or re
vulsion in a disease.

RUBEFASCIENT, tbplcal remedy, exciting redness and heat.

SEDATIVE, allaying inordinate motions and pains, by lessen-
ing the action of the heart and circulation of the blood.

SIALOGOGUE or SALTATORY, exciting salivation.

SOLVENT or RESOLVENT, a kind of Diluent, promoting
solution of the solids, acting on the lymphatic system, useful in
scrofula, &c.

SOPORIFIC or HYPNOTIC, promoting sleep.

SORBEFACIENT, raising pimples, &c.

SPECIFIC, a remedy supposed to act especially on a disease.

STIMULANT, acting by stimulating the body or some parts
of it.

STINGING, acting like nettles by producing a burning pain.

STOMACHIC, promoting appetite, useful in diseases of the
stomach, and cholics.

STYPTIC, sloping bloody discharges.

SUDORIFIC, promoting a copious perspiration.

SUPPURATIVE or RESOLUTIVE, promoting suppuration ot
ulcers, tumors, &c.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

17

I. -SYPHILITIC, useful in syphilis and venereal diseases.
I TONIC, permanent stimulant, acting on the whole body, in-
creasing the tone of the fibres, &.c.

TOPICAL, a remedy acting by external application.

UTERINE, acting on the uterus.

URETHRAL or STRANGURIAL, a local stimulant, acting on
the Urethra, producing Strangury, &c.

VIRULENT, of strong active properties, producing powerful
and somewhat noxious effects.

VULNERARY, healing wounds and sores.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

1. Physicians do not agree on the mode of action of the pro-
perties, nor the proximate and intricate operation of remedies ;
but the ultimate effects and results being ascertained, they are
^ufficient for practical use.

2. Drugs are Vegetable substances prepared for use, and kept
'^'or sale by Druggists or Pharmacians.

L. 3. Those which are imported, are often adulterated, or in-
r^erior kinds are substituted ; for instance Peruvian Bark or Cin-
chona, and Saffron or Cnocus, are hardly to be met with in the
U. S. — Caribean bark or Poutlanjiia, and Bastard Saffron or Car-
THAMUS, are usually sold instead, which are very weak substitutes.

4. This arises from a want of medical inspections and officinal
knowledge : the results are, that prescriptions fail, physicians
are disappointed, and patients suffer.

5. To avoid in part these evils, it is desirable to employ our
own genuine medical substances, whenever they afford sufficient
remedies and suitable equivalents.

^ 6. Medical substances being often impaired by age, it is de-
sirable to obtain them fresh, or in yearly rotation.

7. Fresh and genuine substances can only be obtained at all
times from medical gardens, or honest dealers.

8. The best medical gardens in the United States are those
established by the Communities of Siiaketis, or modern Esse-
nians, who cultivate or collect about one hundred and fifty kinds
of medical plants,

9. They sell them cheap, fresh and genuine, in a compact and

c 2

18

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

portable form. Pharmacians would do well to supply themselves
with them, or to imitate their useful industry.

10. Several of our medical plants and drugs are already an
object of trade to Europe and elsewhere. Many more may be-
come in demand, when their valuable properties will be better
known.

11. Anew branch of trade may thus be opened, which it is
our duty to encourage, by collecting and cultivating our medical
plants.

12. Herbalists and Collectors are often ignorant and deceitful.
The best way to prevent their fraudsjand corpect their blunders
is, by enlightening them, adopting botanical names, and refusing
spurious drugs.

CRITICAL TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL AUTHORS
AND WORK^CONSULTED.

Adansox families of plants. Paris.

AiTow, hortus kewensis — had many new American plants.

American Phahmacopeia, or rather of the United States,

Atiee, Dissertation on Monarda punctata. Fig.

B, Bartoit, collections towards a Materia Medica of the United
States. Phil, 1798, and Suplt. 1804 — many medical plants and
properties indicated, no descriptions nor figures.

W. Bartoit, 1. Vegetable Materia Medica of the United States,
Phil. 2 vols, 4to, 50 fig. — 2. Flora of North America, 3 vols, 4to,
106 fig, — Another costly work mentioning about 1 plant in 40
of N, Amer. Descriptions short and flimsy,

•Bartram — Travels in Florida and the Southern States, Phila,

Beck, plants of Missouri, in Silliman's Journal.

BiGELOw, 1. American Medical Botany, 3 vols, 4to. Boston,
1817, &c, 2. Sequel to the American Pharmacopeia, 1 vol, 8vo,
1822. 3, Florula Bostoniensis, 1 vol. 8vo. — deficient in species
and descriptions.

Brickeli., Essay on the plants of Georgia and N. Carolina.

Bursok, Dissertation on 7 medical plants.

Cadet, Materia Medica Veget, Guyamensis, 1816.

Carter, Travels in North America.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

19

Cahpenteb, on Cinchonas, &c.

Chapman, Materia Medica. Philad. — mentions some American
I plants.

Chakievoix, useful plants of Canada, with figures.
■ CiATTOX, Flora Virginica, with medical indications.

CoELiT, Specifica Canadensis, in Amenit. Acad.

• CoxDEN, useful plants of New York.

Cohnut, Plants of Canada, in I^atin and French.

CoxE, American Dispensatory, Tth Edit. Philad. 1827. — Use-
ful compilation, few original indications on plants.

Cttilek, Materia Medica, Amer. Ed. Philad.

CuTiEH, Plants of New England, rude attempt, many botanical
mistakes, some medical indications.

Decandolle. 1. French Flora. 2. Species Plantanum. 3. Si-
nopsis pi. 4. Theory of Botany. 5. Medical Natural Families, &c.
— All classical works, following and improving the natural me-
thod, the species pi. is not yet completed.

DicTioiirAiBE des Sciences Medicales. Paris.

DisPENSAiiiEs, or American Edition of European Dispensatories.

DissEKTATioNs on Medical Plants, Inaugural and others, by
Shultz, Eberle, TuUy, Mead, Atlee, Cogswell, Burson, Watkins,
Dupuy, Horsefield, Macbride, Mease, &c. &c.

Dbake, Picture of Cincinnati with a list of medical plants.

Dkayton, View of South Carolina, with ditto.

Dumont-Couhset, Botaniste Cultivateur, 7 vols. 8vo. Paris,
1816. * .

DuKCAjr, Amer. Ed. of New Edinburg Dispensatory.

Duhajiel, Arbres et Arbustes. Paris.

Eaton, Manual of the Botany of the Northern and Middle
States, 4th Ed. Albany, 1824— A popular elementary work, as
good as a Flora.

Elements of Botany, by B. Barton, Wildenow, Necker,
Mirbel, Scopoli, Sprengel, Link, Sumner, Smith, Lea, Thornton,
Locke, Nuttal, DecandoUe, Richard, &c.— the best are by De-
candoUe, Sprengel, Wildenow, Mirbel, and Necker.

EiLioTT, Sketch of the Botany of Carolina and Georgia, 3 vols.
Bvo. Charleston, 1818 to 1822.— Under that modest title, we
have the best Flora of the Southern States, full of New Species,
good descriptions and with several medical indications.

20

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

Garden, Observations on the plants of Carolina.

GnoNOvius, Flora Virginica from Clayton's.

Henut, Medical herbal, 1 vol. 8vo. New York, 1814. — Empe-
rical, erroneous in names, descriptions, facts and figures, some
medical facts, and local names.

HtJNTEB, Narrative, 1 vol. Bvo. Philad. 1824. — Another impos-
tor, he has given a list of western medical plants with Osage
names, not to be depended upon nor ascertained.

Inaugtiial Theses of Medical Students, some on medical plants
with experiments.

A. Ives, Amer. Ed. of Paris Pharmacology, 2 vols. 8vo. New
York, 1825. — Many medical plants introduced.

E. Ives, Tracts and Observations in Journals.

JouHifAxs, Many Medical and Scientific, Med. Repository,
Med. Recorder, Med. Register, Med. Museum, New Eng. Med.
Journal, Silliman's Journal, Philad. Journal of Med., B. Barton's
Journal, &c.

JussiEu, Genera phantarum. Paris, 1789.

Kaim, Travels in North America.

Lamauk, Dictionary of Botany, &c.

Laukence, Catalogue of Medical Plants, cultivated at the Medi-
cal Garden of New Lebanon, New York.

Lewis and Cxauke, Travels to the Pacific Ocean.

LiNUjsus, 1. Philosophy of Botany. 2. Genera Plantarum.
3. Species Plantarum. 4. Materia Medica. 5. Amenitates Acade-
mica, &c. S.^ystema Vegetabilium, &c. — All classical works.

Macbhide, Medical remarks in Elliott's Flora.

MARsaALt, American Grove. Philad. 1785.

Mease, Medical Tracts and Dissertations.

MicHATJX, Flora boreali Americana, 2 vols. 8vo. Paris, 1803. —
Edited by Richard, incomplete, some figures.

MicHAux, Junior, American Sylva, 3 vols. 8vo. Paris. — Good
work ; but many trees are omitted.

MiTCHiii., Many Tracts and Dissert, in Med. Repository, &c.

MuHLENBEHG, 1. Catalogue of Amer. Plants. 2. Graminea
3. Florula Lancastrieusis. 4. New plants communicated to Wilde-
now.

MunnAT, Amer. Ed. of his Materia Medica.

NuTTAiL, 1. Genera of North American Plants, 2 vols. 12mo

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

SI

IPhiltid. 1819. Good botanical work. — 2. Elements of Botany.
1 vol. Bost. 1827 unworthy of him, not keeping pace with ac-
tual knowledge.

PERSoojiT, Sinopsis Plantarum, 2 vols. Paris, 1805 & 7. — Excel-
lent manual.

Pethiihe, Medical Natural History in French, 2 vols. Svo.
11805. — Excellent work and plan, including the officinal plants.
I Pharmacopeias of London, Dublin, Edinburg, Paris, America,
Thatcher, Coxe, Dr. Paris, &c.

PuasH, Flora Americ. Septentr. 2 vols. Svo. Lond. 1815; — good,
but many oversights, classical, till a better Flora is given ; has
some figures and medical indications.

RAFiNEsauE, 1. New Gen. & Sp. of Amer. plants, and remarks
on Amer. and Naturalized plants, in Med. Repository, N. York,
1808. — 2. Precis des Decouvertes Pal. 1814. — 3. Principles of
Semiology Pal. 1814. — 4. Encycl. Journal of Sicily, 1814. — 5.
Analysis of Nature, 1815. — 6. Florula of Louisiana. N.York, 1817.
— 7. Florula Kentuckensis, 1825. — 8. Many Tracts and Disserta-
tions, See.

Robin, Travels in Louisiana, 3 vols. 8vo. in French, with an
Account of the Plants at the end.

RoMER, Systema Segetabilium, Zurich, 1818,

Salisbttrt, Tracts and Botanical Dissertations.

ScHOEPF, Materia Medica Americana potissimum regni vegeta-
bllis, Eriang, 1787. — Classical on our Materia Medica.

ScopoEi, Materia Medica, and Botanical works.

Peter Smith, the Indian Doctor, Dispensary, Cincinnati, 1813.
A guide for Empirics, some medical facts ; but it is difficult to as-
certain to what species they apply, no descriptions nor figures,
nor correct names are given.

SwEDiArn, Materia Medica, Paris, &c. in Latin.

Thatcher, Pharmacopeia, — the first to introduce many new
medical plants.

Samuel TnoMPsojr, New Guide to Health. Boston, 1825. — An
Empiric who has introduced some efficient plants in practice. No
descriptions nor figures, names local.

Torret, 1. Flora of the Northern and Middle States, 1st vol.
N. Y. 2. Compendium of the same, including all the Species to

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

Cryptogamia, N. Y. 1826.— 3. Many Botanical Tracts.— An accu-
rate writer; classical works.

TuLLT, Medical Tracts in Journals, Sec.

ViTMAN, Summa plantarum, 6 vols. 8vo. MUan, 1789.

Waiteb, Flora Caroliniana, 1789 — only a florula.

WiLDENow, Species plantarum. — Laborious heavy work on
the linnsean plan, canned as far as the Ferns.

WooDviLEE, Medical Botany, in 4 vols. 4to. with coloured
figures, London.— Expensive work, noticing about one tenth of
the medical plants known.

ZoLLicKOFFER, Materia Medica of the United States. Bait.
1826. No descriptions, and many errors.

EXPLANATION OF SOME BOTANICAL TERMS.

Achene, a single seed like wheat.
Acuminate, abruptly sharp. — Acute, same as -sharp.
Adnate, connivent or growing together.
Alternate, situated on two sides, but not opposite.
Anient, catkin or spike of the oak, willow, &c.
Ancipital, having two sharp sides like a sword.
Angular, forming angles.
Annual, lasting only one year.
Anomalous, out of order or irregular.

Axillary, situated at the corner' between the stem and leave
Biennial, lasting two years.
Bifid, divided in two, trifid when in three, &c.
Binate, twin leaves or flowers.
Bract, a floral leaf, bracteole a small one.
Bulb, scaly thick root like Onions, Tulips, &c.
Campanulate, shaped like a bell.
Capsul, a dry fruit opening by valves or holes.
Cells, the Internal divisions of the fruit, one celled or unilocu-
lar, two celled or bilocular, three celled or trilocular, &c.
Ciliate, having hairs on the edges.

Cluster, or thyrsus, a bunch of flowers or fruit, like Lilac.

Cordate, shaped like a heart.

Corymb, umbel with scattered shafts.

Cuspidate or mucronate having a bristle at the end.

Cylindric, long and roimd like a cylinder.

Deciduous, falling off.

Decomposed, cut up In many successive segments.

Deltoid, triangular like a Delta.

Dichotome, forked several times.

Diclinous, with staminate and pistillate flowers.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

S3

Dioical, having staminate and pistilate flowers on different in-
dividuals.

Disk, the flat part of a leaf or petal, &c.-
Z>iscolo7; leaves having two colors.
Distichal, in two flat rows.
Drupe, a stone fruit like Peach or Plumb.
Elliptic, oblong with rounded ends as an ellipsis.
JExsert, protruding out of the flowers, &c.
Fascicle, u small bundle of leaves or flowers, called then fasci-
culate.

Filiform, shaped like a thread.
Fistulose, a hollow stem, &c.
Flexuose, bent in many ways, or crooked.
Floret ar Floscule, a small flower in compound flowers.
Foliole or leaflet, a small leaf of compound leaves.
Fronde, leaves bearing the fructification, or stems shaped like
eaves.

Fusiform, shaped like a spindle.
Glabrous, same as smooth.
Gladiate, sword shaped.
Glandular, having glands.
Glume, the perigone of gi'asses.
-Hastate, halbert shaped.

Imbricate, slanting over each other, like tiles or shingles.

Inferior, below something.

Inflorescence, mode in which the flowers grow.

Involucre, bracteoles surroimding or annexed to several flowers

Labiate, flowers with one or two lips uni ov bilabiate.

Lanceolate, shaped like a lance.

Legume, the pods of Peas, Beans, &c.

Ligulate, like a small tongue.

Lobe, a rounded segment, lobed with lobes.

Lyrate, shaped like a lyre.

Monoical, having staminate and pistilate flowers on the same
)lant.

Muricate, covered with short prickles.
JVerves, prominent fibres in the leaves, &c.
J^eutral, flowers without Stamina nor pistils and sterile.
Oblique or Obliqual, having a slanting position, oblique leaves
ike those of the Elm, have two unequal sides.
Obtuse, not sharp, blunted or rounded.
Opposite, situated one over the other.
Orbicular, perfectly round.
Oval, shaped like an egg.

Panicle, a loose bunch of flowers, much divided.
Pappus, the downy or bristly calix of florets.
Parted, cut into segments, 2 — 3 — 4-^5 parted, &c.
Pedicel, a small peduncle, or a branch of it.
Peduncle, the foot stalk of flowers and fruits.
Perianthe, the involucre or calix of compound flowers.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

Petal, parts or leaves of the Corolla, monopetal or peripetot
having only segments ; 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 petal, having as many leaves
or petals ; polypetal having many petals.

Perennial, lasting several years.

Persistent, not falling off.

Petiole, support of the leaf : petiolate having a petiole.
Phoranthe, the central part of compound flowers bearing the
florets.

Pinnate, leaves having many folioles.
Pinnatifid, having many deep lateral segments.
Pi7inule, the segments of pinnatifid parts.
Polygainous, having complete flowers, as well as some either
Staminate or pistillate.

Pome, fruit similar to an apple.

Raceme, a spike with pedicels to the flowers.

Radiate, having rays or ligulate flowers around the florets.

Radical, growing from the root.

Ramose, branching, divided into branches.

Receptacle, the place where the seeds are attached.

Reniform, shaped like a kidney.

Retuse, blunt and notched.

Rugose, wrinkled or roughened by nerves, &c.

Runcinate, cut up into sharp segments like a barbed arrow.

Sagittate, shaped like a forked arrow.

Scape, stem, surrounded by radical leaves.

Segment, a part not quite divided.

Sepals, the folioles of the Calix or Perigone.

Sessile, having no support.

Serrate, toothed like a saw.

Siliqne, the pods of Turnip, Cabbage, &c.

Sinuate, having sinuses.

Solitary, standing by itself.

Spadix, a thick support of many crowded flowers.
Spatha, Involucre surrounding a Spadix, or ia\ohwg flowers.
Spur, a hollow appendage to some flowers.
Stipule, appendage to some leaves.
Subulate, shaped like an awl.
Superior, standing above something.
Terminal, standing at the end.
Ternate, three by three. , . ,., , ,

Tomentose, covered with woolly hairs like cloth.
Trioical, bearing complete, staminate and pistilate flowers in
three different individuals

Tuberous, thick roots like Potatoes and Turnips.
Tubular forming a tube.

Umbel, cluster of flowers forming a kind of umbrella, as in
Carrot and Fennel.

Undulate, having waved margins.

Veins, fibres of leaves not prominent like nerves.

Verticillate, forming whorls.

ACORUS CALAMUS.

_■ . ■ > ■ ■ P-

No. 1.

ACORUS.

35

]Vo. 1.

ACORUS CALAMUS.

English Name— SWEET FLAG.
French Name — Acore Odorant.
German Name — Kalmus.

Officinal Names — Calamus Aromaticus, Calami
Radix.

Vulgar Names — Flag-root, Sweet Cane, Myrtle
Flag, Sweet Grass, Sweet Root, Sweet Rush.

AifTHORiTiES — Linnaeus, Michaux, Pursh, Dispen-
saries, Schoepf, Woodville, Thacher, Coxe, Swediaur,
Bigelow's Sequel, W. Barton fig. 30 bad, &c. <S'C.

Genus Acorus — Spadix cylindrical with crowded
flowers. Perigone simple, six-parted persistent.
Stamina six pericentric. Germen one, no style, stig-
ma punctiform. Capsuls three celled, many seeded.

Species A. Calamus Var. Americanus — Leaves
and stems sword shaped, ancipital, stems longer,
Spadix cylindrical, obtuse, solitary, oblique, subme-
3ial lateral. Capsuls oblong acute.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, horizontal,
ointed, rugose, nearly cylindrical, from six to
wenty-four inches long, joints from half an inch to
m inch long, white, with triangular shades, or rings
>f brown and rose ; the inside is spongy, and loses
nuch by dessication ; bunches of coarse fibres hang
lownwards, and hairy brown fibres spread upwards.

c

I

I

36

ACORUS.

No. 1 .

The leaves are all radical sheathing at the base,
and variegated of white, rose and green ; they be-
come flat above, green and smooth, with a ridge on
each side in the middle, the end is very sharp,
length from one to three feet. The stems are similar
to the leaves ; but commonly longer and bearing
near the middle on one edge, the spadix or thick
spike of flowers.

Spadix solitary, oblique, cylindrical from one to
three inches long, both ends tapering but obtuse. —
Flowers small, ci'owded spirally on it, and yellow.
Perigone with six equal and truncate segments —
Stamina six, filaments thick, anthers bilobe — Ger-
men one gibbose, oblong, stigma sessile, pointed —
Capsul oblong with many minute, slender seeds.

HISTORY— The Genus Acorus is so perfectly
natural that the few species belonging to it, are hardly
distinguished from each other. The Chinese Acorus
{A. gramineus) has narrow leaves and the spadix
nearly terminal. The \siatic and Malabar species
verus,) has a slender root and thin leaves. i he
European Acorus is deemed by all Botanists similar
to the North American, and yet differs as much from
it as the Chinese. The above specific character ap-
plies to our American variety or species : while the.
European plant may be distinguished by the follow-
ing definition.

A. Calamus Var. Europeus—hea.ves and stems
sword-shaped, nearly equal, hardly ancipital. Spadix
cylindrical, obtuse, oblique, lateral, often double.
Capsuls trigone obtuse.

#

No. 1. ACORtJs. a-r

These distinctions hardly amount to specific differ-
ence, and therefore the genus might properly be con-
sidered as having a single type, which being widely
spread has undergone some variations in China, India,
Europe and North America. This surmise will be
confirmed by the habit of these plants being perfect-
ly identical, and all possessing the same aromatic
smell and medical properties.

AcoRus is a name derived from the Greek and
alluding to a former belief that it w^as beneficial for
disorders of the eyes. Calamus meant a Reed or
Rush in Greek and Latin.

This genus belongs to Hexandria Monogyuia of
Linnaeus ; but in the natural arrangement to the tribe
of o«up<TiDEs, a branch of Typhides, next to the
genus Orontium. It is like them an aquatic plant,
growing on the borders of streams and ponds or mea-
dbws, ditches, &c. throughout Korth America, from
Canada to Louisiana, east and west of the mountains,
in company with the Iris or Flags, Typha, Sparga-
nium, Orontium, Juncus, and other Rushes. The
fine smell of the leaves and roots, enables to distin-
guish It from all other Flags and Rushes at any time.

The roots are the most essential part. They form
an article of trade in China, Malabar, Turkey, &c —
In the early stage of the North American Colonies,
It was exported to England ; and is even now occa-
sionally sent abroad. It might be carried to China
fwhere it is esteemed. It grows so copiously that
i there will be no need to cultivate it; but when it
may become expedient to produce more, it will be

28

ACORUS.

No. 1.

very easy to raise it by planting slips of the roots in
ditches and swampy grounds. To prepare the roots
for use or exportation they must be dug, cleaned and
dried. The best time to collect them is the spring
and fall.

Cattle will not eat this plant, and it is noxious to
insects ; the leaves, therefore, may be used to advan-
tage against moths and worms. This is owing to
their strong smell. Leather can be tanned by the
whole plant.

The blossoms appear in May or June ; they are
yellow and crowded on a thick spike or spadix.

Qualities — A chemical examination of the roots,
evinces the presence of Tannin, Amarine, and an es-
sential Oil, in which resides the aromatic smell but
this last can only be obtained in the proportion of
Jialf per cent. The bitter principle is better soluble
in water than alcohol.

PROPERTIES — The roots are warm, aromatic,
pungent and bitter. They are deemed stomachic, to-
nic, corroborant and carminative. The infusion in
wine or spirits becomes bitter, but acquires a nauseous
flavour. The infusion in water preserves the fine
smell, and becomes pleasantly warm and bitter.

It is useful in disorders of the stomach, flatulency,
vertigo, cholics, dyspepsia, &c. ; candied roots and
the extract, or chewing the roots and swallowing
the juice, are eflicient in those cases. — The warm
infusion like tea, cures the wind cholic of infants,
sailors, &c.

The dose of the extract is half a drachm. When

No. 1.

ACORUS.

the root is masticated, a copious salivation is produc-
ed, which has cured the tooth ache. Children are
fond of this root in many places, and may be indulged
with it ; the taste is spicy and pleasant. The can-
died roots are palatable and much used in Asia.

This root enters into many compound preparations,
theriaca, mithridate, &c.

It has been recommended in intermittents, which it
lias cured when the bark had failed , but more effec-
tual tonics, may be used.

Substitutes— Pa ?2aar quinquefolium or G'm-

sei\^—^nisum or Aniseed — Jingelica—Illicium

Solidago odora or Golden Rod — Frasera or Colum-
bo — with all mild tonics and aromatic-bitter sub-
stances.

Remarks — The Iris pseud o-Jicorus of Europe
doe« not grow in America, and cannot be mistaken
there for this. Some other Iris roots ( L florentina,
L versicolor, &.C.J which are also sweet scented, but
more agreeable, may be distinguished by the violet
smell.

Henry calls this Jicrous ! and gives a bad figure
of it.

30

ADZAKTUM,

No. 2.

No. 2.

ADIANTUM PEDATUM.

English Name— AMERICAN MAIDENHAIR.

French Name — Capillaire du Canada.

German Name — Frauenhaar.

Officinal Names — Capil Veneris, Herba Veneris.
Filix Veneris.

Vulgar Names — Maiden-hair, Rock-fern. Sweet-
fern.

Authorities — Linnaus, Michaux, Pursh, Schoepf,
Charlevoix, French Dispensaries, &c. not in Barton
nor Bigelow.

Genus Adiantum — Fern with divided Frond.
J'ructification in small interrupted marginal lines.
Integument univalve, opening below.

Species A. Pedatum — Petiole glossy pedate dich-
©tome. Frondules pinnate, folioles alternate, pe-
tiolate, oblong, trapezoid, entire before and below,
jagged and fructiferous on the upper margin, obtuse
and crenate at the end.

DESCRIPTION—Koot Perennial, large, fibrous,
brown. Frond about a foot high ; stems or petioles
ef the Frond smooth, compressed, contorted, shin-
ing or glossy chesnut color, forked upwards, and
each branch bearing upwards from four to seven
frondules, the first being the largest, which gives
the pedate appearance. These frondules are pinnate,

1

No. 2.

ADIANTUM PEDATUM.

3^

ADIANTUM.

No. 2.

New Fngland to Missouri and Virginia. It becomes
more scarce in the South, being confined to the
mountains. It delights in rich soil and deep woods,
but is also found on hills and among rocks. It may
be collected at any time; but must not be mistaken
nor blended with the Sweet fern shrub, Compionia
^splenifolia^ which is a shrub with fragrant leaves.

This genus belongs to Cryptogamia Filices of
Linnaeus. The natural order of Ferns or Filices is
very easily known by having a Frond or flat foliage,
bearing an inconspicuous fructification in lines or
dots without flowers. All the ferns have a peculiar
smell, rather grateful, and more or less fragrant ; it
is very perceptible in the Brake or Pteris aquilina^
the ThelipteriSj Driopieris, &c. i\lthough but
slightly unfolded in the Jl. pedatum, yet it gives a
flavor to its decoction or syrup.

Qualities — The active qualities of this fern,
reside in its mucilage united to a small portion of
aroma and tannin. The same principles are found in
various proportions in all the other medical ferns.

PROPERTIES — Pectoral and expectorant, muci-
laginous, subastringent, subtonic. It is used in decoc-
tion or syrup. The celebrated Syrop de Capillaire
of the French is made with it, which is a pleasant
summer drink, and popular pectoral remedy through-
out Europe, although liiile known in America, ex-
cept among the French and Germans. It is found
useful in all coughs and hoarseness, also in asthma
and tickling of the throat, and even in pleurisy and
all disorders of the bronchia, larynx and breast.

No. 2.

ADIANTUM.

83

Its properties as a promoter of secretions, and a
cure for the jaundice are doubtful. But it strength-
ens tiie fibres and promotes expectoration. It is a
very good vehicle and auxiliary for pectoral remedies,
and even for cathartics, such as Croton-oil, Castor-oil,
&c. which are rendered palatable by it. liquorice
may be added to the decoction, instead of sugar, to
render it more efficient

Influenza is often cured by using some of the
syrup to sweeten its own decoction or any other
suitable herb tea. It has the advantage that it may
; be used ad libitum, or in any chosen dose. My own
experience has tested the value of this plant and its
syrup, in cough and influenza, and I can recommend
the following cathartic, as one of the most effectual
and withal pleasant to the taste : One single drop of
Croton Oil dissolved in a spoon-full or cup-full of this
syrup.

Substitutes — Althea officinalis or Marsh Mal-
low— Jlgrimonia — Violet flowers — Gaultheria pro-
cumbens or Mountain Tea — Tussilago or Coltsfoot
— Pulmonaria Virginica or Lungwort — Inula He-
lenium or Elecampane — Evonymus atropurpureus
or Wahoon— crusgalli or American Haw-
ihovn—Marrubinm Vulgare or liorehound, and
many sweet Filices, &c. &c

Remarks— In Ifenry's herbal the figure of this
plant is nothing like it ; perhaps the . capilvenen's

I is meant ^ which, however, does not grow in

I America.

34«

No. G.

No. 3.

AGRIMONIA EUPATORIA.

English Name— COMMON AGRIMONY.

French Name — Aigremoine Commune.

German Name — Gemeine Oderminig.

Officinal Names — Herba Agrimonia.

Vulgar Names — Cockle-bur, ^5tickwort, &c.

Authorities — Linnaeus, Decandolle, Michaux,
Pursh, Henry, Schoept, Dispensaries, &c. — Not in
Bigelow nor Barton.

Genus Agrimonia — Calyx permanent urceolate
five toothed, bristly outside. Corolla with five petals
inserted on the calyx. Stamina twelve to fifteen in-
serted on the calyx. Two germens, two styles, and
two seeds surrounded by the calyx — Leaves pinnate.

Species A. Eupatoria — Stem simple; leaves inter-
rupted pinnate, folioles opposite, sessile, oval, oblong,
deeply serrate, the terminal petiolate; interfolioles
short and jagged

DESCklPTION— Root Perennial— Stem hairy,
rounded, one or two feet high, seldom branched —
Leaves alternating, the inferior larger, hairy, pinnate
or compound, having from five to nine larger folioles
and some smaller ones interposed, which are broad
but short, and much divided. All the folioles are
sessile and opposite except the last. Shape oval or
oblong, acute at both ends, margin deeply and une^

No. 3.

AGRIMONIA EUPATORIA.

COMMON AGRIMONY.

No. 3.

qually serrated. Inflorescence in a terminal slender
spike.

Flowers small, sessile. Calyx green, bearing the
Corolla and Stamina, bristly, five toothed. Corolla
yellow, with five oblong petals. Stamina yellow,
I short, anthers oval. Fruit, a small green bur, form-
ed by the permanent Calyx, enclosing two seeds,
convex outside, flat inside, and crowned by the two
styles. This bur often sticks to clothes, like other
bristly burs.

HISTORY— This plant has a wide range, being
found in Europe, Asia, and North America, with
hardly any change. It has been deemed medical
very anciently, and although not very powerful, is
not destitute of efficiency.

The Genus contains but few species ; the Ji^rimo-
nia parvijlora is another found in North America, and
probably equal in properties ; it merely differs from
this by narrower leaves, more numerous folioles,
longer slender spike, and smaller flowers, but more
fragrant. The Ai^^rimonia Eupatoria is spread
from Canada to Missouri and Carolina, and grows in
woods, fields, glades and near streams. The Jigri-
monia parvijlora is more common in the west and
south. Both blossom in summer. The whole plant
is used and is slightly fragrant.

The Genus belongs to the natural order of Rosacea
or Rhodantiies, next to Poteriiim and Waldstei-
nia. In the Linnean arrangement it is placed in
Dod; CANDRiA Di^ynia. The name is a classical one,
and Eupatoria comes from Eupator, to whom many

36

AORZXaONXA.

No. 3.

useful plants were dedicated by the Greeks : here it
is employed for the species, while in Eupatoriuni
it becomes a generic denomination.

Qualities — Similar to Adiantum ; but it has
less mucilage, and more tannin, with some gallic
acid. The Aroma is different, rather similar to that
of Melilot or Clover.

PROPERTIES — A mild astringent, tonic and cor-
roborant. Useful in coughs, and bowel complaints.
Being a very mild astringent it may be given in
diarrhea, dysentery and relaxed bowels, it has
been recommended in many other complaints, and is
said to have cured the asthma. The best way to
take it, is in a strong decoction sweetened with honey
or Maiden-hair syrup. The dose is four cups every
day. Both root and plant may be boiled.

SuBSTiiuTES — Adiantum pedatum or Maiden-
hair—iS'o/eWairo odora or Golden-rod— Cewm vir-
ginicum — Glechoma Hederacea or Ground Ivy —
Rose flowers and all mild vegetable astringents.

Remarks— This is one of the few plants which
Henry has not altogether mistaken either in name or
figure ; yet his figure has both leaves and flowers too
large and too sharp.

No. 4.

ALETRIS FARINOSA.

No. 4,

ALSTRXS.

37

No. 4.

ALETRIS FARINOSA.

English Name—MEALY STARWORT.

Fre NCH Name — Aletris Meunier.

German Name — Mehlige Sterngrass,

Officinal Name — Aletris Radix.

Vulgar Names— Star-Grass, Blazing Star, AIo-
"oot, Bitter Grass, Unicorn Root, Ague Root, Ague
j-rass, Star-root, Devil's-bit.

AuTHORiTiEs^Linnaeus, Wildenow, Michaux,
Schoepf, Pursh, Elliot, Cutler, Bigelow Mat. Med,
jig. 50 bad, Bigelow Sequel, &c.

I Genus Aletris — Perigone simple, corolliform,
jubular, persisted, six cleft, wrinkled, six stamina
nserted at the base of the segments. Germ one
blong. Style one triangular tripartible, Capsul
bree celled, many seeded, opening at the top— Leaves
adical, stem simple, scaly, flowers in a slender spike.
I Species Al. Farinosa— Leaves lanceolate mucro-
late membranaceous, scales adpressed, subulate,
lowers cylindrical, white, farinaceous.
I DESCRIPTION-Root perennial small, black
wtsidc, brown inside, ramose, crooked— Radical
2aves from six to twelve, spreading on the ground
ke a star ; but all unequal in size, sessile, lanceolate,
nUre, very smooth, membranaceous, with many
ongitudinal veins, sometimes canaliculate, very

11

38

ALETRZS.

Nt>. 4.

sharp at the end : they are of a pale green or glan-
cous, and hleach in winter or by drying ; the longest
are four inches — Stem from one to two feet high,
very simple and upright, scapiform or nearly naked,
with remote scales, whitish, adpressed, sometimes
changing into leaves, subulate, acute.

Flowers white, forming a long slender scattered
spike; each flower has a minute bract and very
short pedicel ; shape oblong, spreading into six acute
segments like a star at the top, the outside has a
mealy, rugose appearance— -six short stamina are in-
serted near the mouth, anthers cordate. Germ
one, central (not inferior) pyramidal. Style one,
separable into three. Capsul triangular, clothed by
the perigone, triangular, three valved at the top,
three celled, and with many central minute seede.

HISTORY — A true natural genus peculiar to
North America, and containing two species very
similar to each other. The A. Aurea differs merely
by narrower leaves, and yellow flowers more cam-
panulate. The A. fragrans, and others of Africa,
must form a peculiar genus, the Osmanthes, different
from this in habit and fruit. Both American species
have the same properties.

This genus does not belong to Liliacea nor m^s-
phodelides ; but to Aloides, next to dhes and Cri-
nttm, in the natural arrangement. In the Linnaean
it ranks in Hexandria Monogynia. Aletris means
a miller in Greek, and farinosa means mealy in
Latin ; boUi names allude to the mealy appearance of
the flowers.

No. 4.

AZ.ETHXS.

This species has a wide range, being found from
New England to Georgia, and west to Kentucky and
Missouri. But the Aurea is conlined to the south
from Carolina to Alabama. The A. farinosa is also
more abundant in the south, and always confined to
dry and poor soils, in sunny glades and fields. It is
unknown in the rich limestone soils and alluvial re-
gions. In Kentucky and the west it is confined to
the hilly glades, open prairies and barrens of tlic
knob-hills. It is estival, blossoming in June and
July.

Many vulgar names given to it are common to
other plants, dissimilar in properties if not in aspect.

The Veratrum luteum or dioicum which is also
called Star-grass, may be distinguished by its thick
plumose dioical spike. The Sisyrinchium^ another
Star-grass, has single, blue and triandrous flowers,
besides long grass leaves. Unicorn-root is also a
name of Feratrum and NeotHa. Ague-root is a
name applicable to a dozen roots. Such is the con-
fusion arising from vulgar names. The root is the
part employed, and being small, does not afibrd much
hope to become an article of trade.

Qualities — The root contains an intense bitter
emulsive resin, soluble in Alcohol, somewhat similar
to Aloes, but less cathartic. This bitter principle is
also partly soluble in water. The tincture is render-
ed milky by water. 'J he resin is therefore different
from Amarine and Aloine, and is perhaps a peculiar
compound, Aletrine, formed by Amarine, an oil an4
a gum.

40

AIiETRIS.

No. 4.

PROPERTIES— The root is intensely bitter, like
Quassia and Aloes. It is a pure resinous bitter, and
not cathartic like Aloes. It is tonic, stomachic, nar-
cotic and repercussive. It is employed by many coun-
try physicians, and Indian Doctors, and highly valued
by them as well as the Indians. But small doses
only must be used, because large ones produce nausea,
dizziness and narcotic effects ; twelve grains of the
powdered root is to be the largest dose. In repeated
small doses it invigorates the appetite. The infusion
or decoction is still preferable and may be substituted
to Quassia. It cures the flatulent and hysteric cholic
and is said to relieve the chronic rheumatism, either
in powder, tincture or cordial. In fevers it avails
speedily. Bitters made of it are too powerful. A
mild cordial is the best spirituous preparation. Dose
three small glasses each day.

Substitutes — Quassia — Frasera or Columbo —
Gentians — Sabbatia angularis or Centaury, &c. and
all the pure intense bitter plants.

Remarks — The figure given for Aletris by Henry
is perhaps the Ncottia Cernua ; and his account is
full of blunders as usual with him. Bigelow's figure
makes the root green, the leaves too green and too
broad, &c.

Schoepf calls it a mild cathartic, and one of the
plants used against the bite of rattle-snakes.

No. 5.

ANDROMEDA ARBOREA.

41

No- 5.

ANDROxMEDA ARBOREA.

English Name— SORREL TREt:.

French Name — Andromeoier.

German Name — Sauer Baum.

Officinal Name— Andromeda folia, Ji'gnum, &c-

Vulgar Names— Sour Tree, Sour Wood, Elk
Tree, Elk Wood, Sorrel Wood, Sour Leaf.

Authorities— Linnaeus, Clayton, Michaux Flora
and Sylva, Pursh, Elliot, Sehoepf, W. Barton Flora
fig. 30.

Genus Andromeda— Calix minute five parted.
Corolla ovate or cylindric, border five cleft. Stami-
na ten inclosed equal. One Pistil superior inclosed,
style pentagonal. Capsul five celled, five valved*
valves septiferous, many minute seeds.

Species A. Arborea— Leaves petiolate, oblong
acuminate, smooth, beneath glaucous ; Panicle termit
nal and loose, flowers racemose and lateral. Co-
rolla ovoid pubescent, anthers linear mutic

DESCRIPTION_A small tree from fifteen to
forty feet high, seldom fifty to sixty. Branches cy-
lindrical, slender. Bark of the stem light brown, of
the old branches reddish, of the young shoots green.

Leaves large, crowded, alternate and petiolate,
from three to six inches long, from one to two broad,'
oblong, base acute, end acuminate, margin often un-

D 2

4^ ANDROIMEDA. No. b.

dulate, entire, or sometimes serrulate, nerve with
regular veins, surface smooth, glossy, green above,
glaucous beneath, the young leaves are slightly

downy at first.

Flowers white, terminal, one third of an inch long,
forming a large, loose panicle, composed of many
long and loose racemes, bearing each from twelve to
twenty flowers pedunculate, alternate and secund—
Calix small, greenish, with five acute teeth— Corolla
pubescent ovate with five acute teeth— Stamina and
Pistil inside of the Corolla ; ten equal filaments, an-
thers small mutic linear— Pistil one, germ oval,
style pentagonal persistent, stigma obtuse— Capsuls
ovate mucronate, reddish brown, with five cells con-
taining many small subulate seeds, imbricate and

inembranaceous.

HISTORY— The Genus Andromeda belongs to

the natural order of Ericides or extensive heath

tribe ; and to Decandria Monogynia of Linnseus.

The name is poetical or mythological, being dedicated

to the Nymph Andromeda.

This species is the largest and the only tree of the

genus, whence its specific name ; all the others being
shrubs, many of which are ornamental like this, and
mostly native of North America. This tree attains
its largest size in the most southern states ; but be-
comes almost a shrub in Tennessee and Kentucky.

It blossoms in May.

The eommon names of this tree have all a reference
to tlie acidity of the leaves and wood. The elk and
deer eat those leaves, and even cattle like them.

No. 5. ANDROMSBA.

43

They are palatable and allay thirst when chewed by
the hunters in want of water.

LocALiTY—The Alleghany mountains, and the
hills and valleys diverging from fhem, as far as their
most southern limits in Georgia and Alabama ; but
seldom met north of Virginia and Kentucky, although
Schoepf gives New York as its northern range. It,
is unknown in the alluvial and limestone regions.

Qualities— A fine acid, (is it tlie malic acid
similar to that of the cranberries and whortleberries
is diffused throughout this tree, and most unfolded in
the leaves ; but united to some astringency owing to
a mixture of gallic acid.

PROPERTIES-The leaves and wood are a fine
astringent acid, refreshing, cooling, allaying thirst,
and antifebrile. Clayton says that a decoction of
the leaves mitigates the ardour of fevers, and helps
their cure. It is useful in all cases where a refrige-
rant astringent is needed. A kind of lemonade can
be made with it. It may be substituted to the Rhus
glabrum,ov shumac, and the cranbeiries. Like shu-
mac the leaves impart a black color to wool. The wood
IS soft, reddish, and will not burn ; but like the buck-
«ye wood may be used to make chip hats and paper.
. SuBSTiTUTEs-Shumac berries-Pomegranate-
Strawbernes-Cranberries-Currants-Sorrels &c
With many other mild vegetable astringents and acids.

Kkmarks-B. Barton mentions the ^. Mariana
another species as pernicious, but a decoction of it
useful in ulcers of the feet, for which this might be
perhaps substituted. -

ANTHHIVIIS.

No. 6.

No. 6.

ANTHEMIS COTULA.

English Name-WILD CAMOMILE.
French Name— Camomile Puante.
German Name— Stinkende Kamille.
Officinal Names— Cotula, Camomila Spuria.
Vulgar Namer— May-Weed, Dog's Fennel, Dil-

ly, Dil weed, Field weed, &c.

Authorities— Llnn^us, Wildenow, Pursh, La-
mark, Schoepf, Dispensaries, Bigelow Seq. W. Bar-
ton Mat. Med. fig. 14.

Genus Anthemis— Flowers compound radiate
Perianthe hemispherical imbricate. Rays above five,
female. Phoranthe conical, ehafi-y. Seeds naked.

Species A. Cotula— Annual puberulent, stem
angular, furrowed, branched. Leaves bipinnatiftd,
sessile, carinate, pinnules linear, acute. Peduncles
grooved, naked, thicker above ; chaff bristly, seeds
obovate, four sided, furrowed.

DESCRIPTION — Root annual, crooked, hbrous.
Stem and leaves covered with short, adpressed, wooly
hairs Stem from one to two feet high, erect and
very much branched, irregularly angular and striated ;
branches corymbose. Leaves alternate sessile, flat
doubly pinnatifid, or almost pinnate, cannate beneath
in the middle; pinnule, flat unequal, hnear, acute,
entire or trifid.

Bro.6

ANTHEMIS COTULA.

No; 6.

ANTHEM3S.

45

Flowers many, forming a terminal corymb ; each
en a naked peduncle, erect, grooved and thicker up-
wards. Perianthe or common calyx, hemispherical,
imbricated hairy, rough ; scales linear, pale green,
nearly equal, scariose on the margin and end. The
central florets of the disk are numerous and bright
yellow ; those of the rays are ligular, from seven to
twelve, and white. Phoranthe or common recepta-
cle conical, covered with short bristly chafl', or palea.

Central florets tubular, glandular, five-toothed, with
five stamina, anthera united. Germ inferior obo-
vate. Style filiform bifid. Stigmas two filiform
reflexed,

Rays or ligular florets without stamina, oblong,
'two nerved, bidentate or tridentate at the end.

Seeds brown, obovate, four sided, grooved and
! tuberculated.

HISTORY— The genus Cotula of Tournefort has
been blended with Anthemis by Linnaeus, from
which the naked seeds, without a membranaceous
appendage, and the conical instead of convex phoran-
the, partly distinguish it, so as to allow of a subgenus
or section at least.

There appears to be some differences between the
«/^. Cotula of the north and south of Europe and
our American plant ; but although the various bota-
nical descriptions offer several trifling diversities,
they hardly amount to specific distinctions. Our de-
scription applies to the American plant. The Euro-
pean is smoother, more fetid, and sometimes describ-
ed with bipinnate leaves, and trifid folioles. I have

46

AKTHEMZS.

No. 6.

seen both, and once had distinguished this by the
name oi Cotuloides ; but being unwilling to inno-
vate in this work, I have followed our Botanists in
uniting the plants of both continents, although I great-
ly doubt the botanical propriety of it.

It blossoms from June to November, affording a
profusion of flowers in succession, of the size of
Camomile, but never double. The whole plant has a
strong graveolent smell, disagreeable to some per-
sons, but not fetid. It is not eaten by cattle nor
domestic animals.

The name of Jinthemis is Greek, and applies to the
profusion of flowers. Cotula is a diminutive of Co/ff,
another plant of the same genus.

Jinthemis belongs to the natural tribe of Radiates,
section of Jlnthemides. In the Linnean system it is
placed in class Stngenesia. Order Folygamia Su-
perjlua.

Abundant as it is, the collection of it becomes easy;
the whole plant may be dried when in bloom, or the
blossoms alone may be collected.

Locality — Our plant is indigenous and not natu-
ralized as mentioned by some Botanists. It is spread
all over the United States from Maine to Louisiana ;
but confined almost every where to open fields. It
is never found in woods, but delights in the sun, road
sides, stony places and old fields, or near towns and
villages. It is scarce in mountains, but prefers the
limestone soils and plains. It is extremely abundant
Qn the Ohio and in the Western States, covering ne-
glected fields, and alternating in fallows with the Iron-

I No. 6. ANTHElMnS. 47

i

jweed or Vernonia. It is deemed a troublesome
weed, although being annual it is easily destroyed by
learly ploughings.

I Qualities — Graveolent, bitter, and nauseous ;
jthe smell of the plant resides in a Volatile Oil, pos-
^ sessed of a strong or graveolent aroma, and diffused
( throughout the plant, although more concentrated in
i the flowers. It is similar to the smell of Camomile, but
more pungent, and less balsamic. This oil is bitter and
1 communicates a bitterish acrid taste to the whole plant
PROPERTIES— The same as those of Camomile,
but weaker and less pleasant to the taste : it may be
substituted thereto with safety. It is an active tonic,
sodorific, stimulant, anodyne, emetic, and repellent ;
extensively used throughout the country for rheuma-
tism, hysterics, epilepsy, dropsy, asthma, scrofula, &c.
both internally and externally. The external use in
warm baths or fomentations is proper in rheumatism,
hysteric fits, suffocations, hemorrhoidal swellings,
pains and contusions. The decoction and infusion are
given for colds, fevers, rheumatism, asthma, &c. but
a single cupful, if too strong, may produce vomiting,
and even a weak infusion nauseates the stomach- It
acts always as a sudorific, promoting copious sweating,
and is often beneficial as an auxiliary to an emetic.
In large doses it becomes emetic : in small ones it is
a gentle tonic and diaphoretic, useful whenever it is
needful to promote perspiration in fevers. Its advan-
tages in epilepsy, dropsy and scrofula, are doubtful.
The European plant is said to blister the hands, whicb
I is not the case with ours.

48

ANTHEXMEZS.

No. 6.

Substitutes — Camomile or Matricaria Chamo-
mila — Eupatorium perfoliatum — Ruta vulgaris
or Rue — Hedeoma pulegioides or Penny-royal —
Marrtibium Vulgare or Horehound — Achillea mil-
lefolium or Yarrow — Tanacetum or Tansey, with all
the graveolent bitter tonics and sudorifics.

Remarks — The figure in Henry's, under the name
of Mayweed, is quite fictitious, having entire leaves;
but his article applies to this plant.

No. T.

APOCYNUM ANDROSEMIFOLIUM.

BITTJBR DOOSBANE.

No. r * APOCYNUM.

49

No. 7*

APOCYNUM ANDROSEMIFOLIUM.

English Name— BITTER DOGSBANE.

French Name— Apocyn Amer.

German Name — Fliegen Fangemdes.

Officinal Name — Apocynum radix.

Vulgar Names — Milk-weed, Bitter-root, Honey-
5loom, Catchfly, Flytrap, Ipecac.

Authorities — Linnzeus, Kalm, Michaux, Pursh,
Schoepf, Elliot, Bigelow, fig. 36, &c.

1 Genus Apocynum— Calyx five cleft. Corolla bell
ihaped, five cleft. Five Corpuscles surrounding the
;erm. Five Anthers alternating with them, conni-
¥€nt and adhering by the middle to the stegyne or
cover of the pistils, whifch are two, small and conceal-
ed; succeeded by two follicles, with numerous downy
eeds.

Species A. Androsemipolium — Smooth, stem
srect, dichotome ; leaves petiolate, opposite, entire,
cute ; cymes nodding, lateral, and terminal, beyond
he leaves. Follicles linear.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, large, bitter
nd milky like the whole plant. Stem very smooth as
Ivell as the leaves, lactecent and with a tough fibrous
Jiark : from three to five feet high, with few branches
nd leaves, cylindrical, often rose coloured : forked
everal times upwards. Leaves opposite, petiolate.

60

t

APOCYNUM,

No. 7.

pale beneath, ovate, acute, entire, two or three inches

long, with one large nerve.

Flowers on cymose racemes, lateral and terminal ;

always longer than the leaves, lax nodding and few l

flowered. Minute acute bracts on the peduncles.
Calyx short, five cleft, acute. Corolla white, tinged
with red, similar to a little bell, divided into five
spreading acute segments at the top. Stamina five,
with short filaments, anthers connivent arrow shap-
ed, cohering with the stegyne or singular body co-
vering and concealing the pistils, (mistaken for a stig-
ma by many Botanists) : it is thick and round. Five
glandular corpuscles, (called nectaries by same,) al-
ternate with the stamina. Two pistils ovate, con-
cealed, two sessile stigmas. Fruit a pair of follicles,
slender, linear, acute, drooping, cylindrical. Seeds
numerous, oblong, embricate, seated on a central re-
ceptacle or spermophore, and crowned by a long |
down.

HISTORY — A pretty and interesting plant be-
longing to a very distinct genus, which gives name to
a large natural tribe of plants the Apoctnes, distin-
guished by the singular stegyne, double follicles, &c.
In the Linnaean system they are put in Pentandria
digynia, although the stegyne was mistaken for a
single stigma.

Jipocynum means dogsbane in Greek, and the
specific name implies the similitude of the leaves to
Androsemum. There iare some other species of the
same genus in North America, but none so pretty.
All have small white flowers, while in this the flow-

ii

1

i

So. 7.

APOCYNUM.

51

srs are larger, flesh or rose coloured. The *jSp. can-
iiabinum has been used by the Americans to make
1 kind of hemp : the fibrous tough bark of all the spe-
jjies are calculated to afford it by maceration. All
iave a bitter milky juice, and yet the flowers smell
|)f honey, and produce that sweet substance.
. Bees and olber insects, collect this honey ; but
^mall flies are often caught by inserting their probos-
;is between the fissures of the anthers, where it is
lot easy for them to extricate it ; they are often seen
Jead in that confined situation, after unavailina: struo--
. jles. Whence one of the names of this plant, Catch-
ly. No animals eat it.

Locality — Rather a common plant, found from
IJanada to Georgia and Missouri. It grows in woods,
iills, dry or sandy soils, along fences, and over old
ields : it is rare in limestone soils, and rich land. It
)lossoms in summer from June to Jul v.
! Qualities — Kalm has mentioned this plant to be
joisonous and blistering like Rhus Vernix ; but it is
[uite harmless. The root when chewed has an in-
ensely bitter and unpleasant taste, perceptible in the
<vhole plant in a lesser degree, except the flowers, and
rising from the bitter milk it contains. The decoc-
ion is of a red colour and very bitter. The spiritu-
us solution is colourless but bitter. It contains there-
are a bitter principle soluble in water and alcohol,
nd a colouring principle not soluble in alcohol ; be-
iides a volatile oil and caoutchouc.

PROPERTIES— This is a very active plant, high-
y valued by the Southern Indians, It is tonic

02 AFOCTNUIVK. No. i

-emetic, alterative and syphilitic. The root is the
most powerful part : but it must be used fresh, since
time diminishes or destroys its power. At the dose
of thirty grains of the fresh powdered root, it acts as
an emetic, equal to Ipecacuana ; in smaller doses it is
a tonic, useful in dyspepsia and fevers. The Chicka-
saw and Choctaw Nations employ it in syphilis, and
consider it a specific, they use the fresh root chewed,
swallowing only the juice. This later use has been
introduced into Tennessee and Kentucky as a great
secret. It must act as a tonic in all those cases, to-
nics being often emetic and antivenereal. An ob-
jection to this plant is its nauseous bitter taste. Many
substitutes may be found of a less disagreeable na-
ture.

Substitutes — Ipecacuana — Eupatorium perfo-
Jiatum — Frenanthes opicrina — Lobelia siphilitica
— Jiletris farinosa — Sanicula marilandica — Eu^
phorbia Corollata 4* E. Ipecacuana — Frasera—-
Mczereon — Guayncum, &c. and all bitter tonics or
emetics.

Remarks — Barton and Henry have not mentioned
this plant. Bigelow represents it with leaves too
sharp or acuminate. All the other species of the same
genus have the same properties in a lesser degree.
The A. cannabiiium is distinguished from this by
smaller leaves and flowers in shorter panicles ; while
the A. hypericifolium has prostrated stems with nar-
row leaves, and grows only on tlie banks of streams
and lakes.

No. 8.

ARALIA NUDICAULIS.

SMAU SPIKENARD.

No. 8.

ARALZA.

No. 8.

AUALIA NUDICAULIS.

English Name— SMALL SPIKENARD.
French Name — Petit Nard.
Ge RMAN Name — Nardwurzel Aralie.
Officinal Names — Aralia radix, Nardus Ameri-
canus.

Vulgar Names — Spiknard, Sassaparil, Sarsaparil-
la, Wild Liquorice, Sweet-root.

Authorities — Linnaeus, Wildenow, Michaux,
Pursh, Schoepf, Golden, Dispensaries, Bigelow Se-
quel. ' " '•

Genus Aualia — Calix united or superior five-
toothed. Petals five entire. Stamina five epigyne

! alternate. Pistil united to the calix, five styles and
stigmas. Berry crowned by the calix and styles,

h five celled, five seeded — Flowers in simple umbels.

I Species A. Nudicaulis — Stem naked, strai<rht.

p smooth, bearing three umbels without involucrum :

li leaves radical, biternate ; folioles ovate, acuminate,

(serrulate.
DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, brown, yellow-
ish, cylindrical, creeping twisted, sometimes many
feet long, thickness of the finger. One stem and one
leaf mostly rising together, and less than two feet
high. The stem is straight, leafless, cylindric, with
tiiree small simple naked umbels at the end. Leaf

i E 5

ARALIA.

No. 8.

biternate or with nine folioles, the lateral ones sessile,
the terminal ones petiolate, all ovate, oblong, round-
ed at the base, end acuminate, margin serrulate, sur-
face smooth. Sometimes some folioles are coales-
cent.

Flowers from twelve to thirty in each umbel, pe-
dunculate, small, yellowish. Calix greenish, obconi-
cal, united to the pistil, crowned with five teeth.
Petals five, oboval, obtuse, yellowish white. Five
stamina and five styles filiform. Berries small, round,
similar to Elder berries in size.

HISTORY — The genus Aralia is the type of a
natural tribe the Aralides, to which Panax or Gin-
seng belongs likewise ; this last diflfering only by hav-
ing two styles and two cells instead of five. This
family difiers from the Umbellate by producing
berries instead of two seeds. All the plants of this
genus and family have active properties. Two other
American species A. racemosa and %d. hispida, have,
the same properties as this, and may be used for each
other. The t/i. spinosa or Angelica Tree partakes of
the same, and also of the properties of Angelica root
and Xanthoxylum.

Aralia belongs to Pentandria pentagynia of
Linnaeus.

This species blossoms in summer. It is often called
Sarsaparilla, the root being similar to that article, and
paving similar properties. I( might become an arti-
jile of trade as such, and deserves to be cultivated.

Locality — Found from New-England to Carolina,
afid Indiana, more common in the north than the

ARALXA.

59

south : it delights in deep woods, shady groves and
valleys, good soils, &c.

Qualities — The whole plant is balsamic, fragrant,
and has a warm aromatic sweetish taste ; most un-
folded in the root and berries. They contain mucir
lage, aroma, and an essential milky oil or balsam.

PROPERTIES— All the Spikenards or Aralias
are popular medical plants throughout the United
States : they made part of the Materia Medica of the
native tribes, and are extensively used by country
practitioners. They are vulnerary, pectoral, sudori-
fic, stimulant, diaphoretic, cordial, depurative, &c.
The roots and berries are most efficient j in ^. spi-
aosa the bark.

The roots bruised or chewed, or in poultice, are
used for all kinds of wounds and ulcers by the In-
dians. Fomentations and cataplasms are useful for
cutaneous affections, erysipels and ring-worms. An
infusion or a decoction of the same, are efficient sub-
stitutes for those of Sarsaparilla, (and more powerful,)
in all diseases of the blood, syphilitic complaints,
shronical rheumatism, local pains, cardialgy, belly-
iche, &c. As a pectoral botii roots and berries may
)e used in syrups, cordials, decoctions, &c. and have
been found useful in coughs, catarrh, cachexia, lan-
I -our, pains in the breast, &c. The cordial of Spike-
nard berries is recommended for the gout, and the
uice or essential oil for the ear ache and deafness.

Substitutes— All the Aralias— Elder— Sarsapa-
1 -ilia— Guayac— Angelica-root— Cuiiila tnariana—
sassafras— Ginseng— AV^^e^iwm aquaticum^Xan'

56 AXIAI.IA<

j>Jo. 8.

thoxylum or Prickly Ash — Magnolia Bark — Collin-
sonia Canadensis, &c. and many aromatic stimu-
lants.

Remarks — Henry calls this plant Nardus Amt-
ricanus, and his figure is fictitious, being like Fennel.

Since all our species may be substituted to each
other, and we can only give the figure of one at pre-
sent, it may be well to add a short notice of each.

j1. racemosa or Large Spikenard — Root larger and
thicker. Plant larger. Stem leafy, leaves similar to
^. nudicaulis, but with larger and cordate folioles.
Flowers in large axillary clusters, formed of many
racemose umbels — Common from Canada to Alabama.

j3. hispida or Rough Spikenard — Stem hispid,
leaves decomposed, folioles small oval, umbels ter-
minal, &c. — Confined to Canada, New-England,
New-York, and the Aileghanies.

A. spinosa or Spikenard Tree, called also Angeli-
ca Tree, Tooth -Ache Tree, and Prickly Elder — A
small tree full of thorns, leaves ample, decomposed,
prickly. Flowers terminal, forming an ample pani-
cle of umbels — From New- York to Georgia, and
west to Missouri, &c.

No. 9.

ARBUTUS UVA-URSI.

BEAR-BSRRir.

aubvtvs.

No. 9.

ARBUTUS UVA-URSI.

i English Name— BEAR-BERRY.

I French Name— Bousserole Raisin d'Ouks.

German Name — ErdbeArtege SANDBEERt* lerar^'

Officinal Name — Uva-Ursi.
^ Vulgar Names — Mountain Box, Redberry, TJp-
]Iand Cranberry.

|l Authorities— Linnaeus, Woodville, Michaux,
Pursh, J.S.Mitchell, Murray, Girardi, Dispensa-

;|ries, Schoepf, Ferriar, Dehaen, B. Barton, Bigelow,
fig. 6, and Sequel, &c.

Genus Arbutus — Calix live parted and free. Co*
rolla ovate, five toothed. Stamina ten basilar, fila-,
iments hairy, anthers bifid, each part bipore. One
pistil, one style, stigma simple. Berry free, five
celled.

I' Species A. Uva-Ursi — Stem procumbent; leaves
scattered, cuneate, obovate, entire, coriaceous : flow-
3rs in small clusters, peduncles reflexed, bracteolate :

I berries globular, smooth, five seeded.

(1 DESCRIPTION — Roots perennial, creeping, slen-
ier. Stems procumbent, trailing, cespitose, radicate,
;he young shoots tending upwards, cylindric, cuticle
Dealing off. Leaves numerous, scattered, variable in
ihape, narrow or broad, always acute and alternate at
'hebase,on^hortpetiol5, thick, coriaceous, evergreeny

58

aubutus.

No. 9,

and smooth, shining above, pale beneath, margin en-
tire, thick or rounded, and nearly obtuse.

Flowers nearly terminal in a small racemose clus-
ter, from six to twelve together, of a pale, rosy, flesh
color. Peduncles shorter than the flowers, colored,
reflexed, with some minute acute bracts, two of which
in the middle. Calix colored, with five rounded
acute segments. Corolla ovate, urceolate, white with
a rosy tinge, transparent at the base, contracted above,
hairy inside, with five acute, short, and reflexed seg-
ments or teeth. Ten equal stamina inserted at the
base of the corolla, with hairy, short, cuneate fila-
ments, anthers equal in length, bifid, each part with
two pores. Germ round, style straight, longer than
the stamina, stigma obtuse. A black indented and
persistent ring around the base of the germ, called
nectary or gynophore. JBerries globular, depressed,
of a scarlet color, pulp insipid, mealy, five seeds aU
most coalescent together.

HISTORY — The G. Arbutus is very near to Vac-
cinium, (whortleberry,) differing chiefly by the free
calix and berry, and to Andromeda, which has a cap-
sul instead of a berry for fruit. It is divided into two
sections or subgenera, (by some considered as gene-
ra.) 1. Unedo, having a rough, many seeded berry.
2. Mairania, a smooth five seeded berry. To this
last belongs our actual species. Arbutus is an an-
cient name, Mairania is dedicated to the French phi-
losopher Mairan, Uva-Ursi means Bear's-grape in
Latin. It was known under this last name to the
Oreeks, and Galen mentions it as a medical plant.

No. ?.

ARBUTUS.

59

Belonging to the natural order of Ericines, (heath
tribe,) section With berries : and to Decandria mo-
nogy.Jiia of Linnaeus.

I Locality — This plant is scattered throughout the
northern hemisphere in Europe, Asia and America.
In Europe, found from Lapland to the Pyrenees and
Apenines. In Asia, from Armenia and the Volga to
'Kamtschatka. While in America it grows from Ice-
land and Greenland to Hudson Bay and Alaska, ex-
fending south to Canada, New-England, the high-
ands, and hills of north New-Jersey. It covers dry,
'itony and gravelly soils, barren spots, and even sandy
(voods.

It blossoms late, and the red berries are ripe in
vmter. These are eaten by bears, and many other
mimals.

The leaves are chiefly used, and may be easily dried,
n Sweden and Russia they form an article of trade,
)eing used to tan Russia leather. They begin to be
collected in America.

The Indians smoke them like tobacco, and call
hem Sagack-homi in Canada. They dye black.
I Qualities— Taste astringent, styptic and bitterish;
nodorous. It abounds in Tannin, which is the active
)rinciple, and is easily soluble in water. The other
iubstances are mucus, resin, lime, and bitter extrac-
ive.

PROPERTIES— Astringent, tonic and diuretic,
t was extolled once in Europe as a remedy against
Tavel ; but has since been found to be only a toler-
ble palliative in nephritis, gravel, calculous cases,

60

ARBUTUS.

No. 9.

disury, strangury, acting as an astringent, useful even
when other remedies fail. I)r. Wistar, B, Barton,
Mitchell, Bigelow, &c. recommend it in those cases.
It has also been used for leucorhea, gonorhea, the ca-
tarrh of the bladder, menorhagia, debility, diabetes,
cnnuresis, disentery, ulcerations of the kidneys and
bladder, and has often given relief or even cured ;
yet more efficient tonic remedies may be substituted.

It was once recommended in pulmonary consump-
tion ; but it only abates the hectic fever. *

The powder, decoction or syrup, may be used.
The doses are from five to twenty-five grains of the
powder, or a wine glass of the decoction every hour.
A syrup of the leaves and berries is made in Sweden,
which is preferable.

Substitutes — Chimaphila or Pipsiseva — Eri-
geron Philadelphicum, &c. — Heuchera or Alum-
root— Geranium maculatum — Statice Caroliniana
— Asparagus — Strawberries — Tannin — and many as-
tringents, acids, tonics and diuretics.

Remarks— The figure of Henry is fictitious.

!

i

No. 10.

ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA.

No. 10. AaiSTOLOCHIA. 61

No. 10.

ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA.

English Name— SNAKEROOT BIRTH WORT.

French Name — Serpentaike de Virginie.
I German Name — Schlangen Osterluzey.

Officinal Name — Serpentaria Virginiana.

Vulgar Names — Virginia Snakeroot, Snakeweed,
iSnagrel.

Authorities— Linnaeus, Schoepf, Woodville,
Pursh, Elliot, Catesby, Golden, Cornutus, Moseley,
B. Barton, Bigelow fig, 49, W. Bart. 2. fig. 28, and
all the Dispensaries, Pharmacopeias and Materia Me-^
licas, &c.

•Genus Aristolochia — Perigone tubular colored,
base swelling, tube tortuose, limb labiate, often ligu-
lar. No corolla. Germ inferior : stigma sessile lobed,

: surrounded by six stamina epigynous sessile. Capsul

.ilx celled, many seeded.

' Species A. Serpentaria — Stem simple flexuose ;
"leaves lanceolate, cordate, entire, and acuminate :
.lowers bilabiate subradical, peduncles curved, uni-
ilore, scaly and jointed.

I DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, knotty and gib-
30se, brown and very fibrous, fibres long, small, yel-
when fresh — Stems round, slender, weak, flex-
lose, jointed, less than a foot high, bearing from three
.0 seven leaves, and from one to three flowers — Leaves

F

ARXSTOLOCRZA.

No. 10.

alternate and petiolate, oblong or lanceolate, base cor-
dolate, end acuminate, margin entire, sometimes un-
dulate, surface smooth or pubescent, of a pale green.

Flowers nearly radical and solitary, on peduncles cur-
ved, jointed, colored, with some small scales. Germ
inferior, perigone redish or purplish, tube crooked,
limb bilabiate, upper lip notched, lower entire, both
short and lobular. Six sessile anthers, oblong, ob-
tuse, attached to the sides of a large round sessile
stigma. Capsul oboval, with six angles, six cells,
and many minute seeds.

HISTORY— The genus Aristolochia requires a
thorough investigation and reform, being rather a fa-
mily than a genus : two subgenera at least must be
made of it.

1. Glo ssula. Flowers unilabiate and ligular. True
type of the genus.

Pisiolochia. Flowers bilabiate and ringent. To
this belong A. serpentaria, A. ringens, A. bilabia-
ta, &c.

While many species widely deviating from the ge-
neric characters must form peculiar genera, such as

Siphisia. Flowers not labiate, limb equal trilobe.
Such are A. sipho, A. tripteris, A. tomentosci^ &c.

Endodeca. With twelve stamina, Ex. A. dodecan-
dra, and perhaps Bigelow's A. serpentaria.

Ei7iomeia. With only five stamina, capsul five
celled, such as pentandra, &c.

The actual species is by no means very definite as
yet. The \ irginia Snakeroot of Commerce is col-
lected from half a dozen species or varieties, Jl. has-

I No. 10. AIIZSTOI.OCBXA. 6S

\tQ.ta, Ji. tomentosa^ and many called jl. serpenta-
\ria, because they have consimilar leaves and roots,
iwhile the flowers are different. The Ji. serpeniaria
of W. Barton appears to be a peculiar variety, with
long slender peduncles, having few scales and not co-
.lored, while the flowers are small, purple, and hard-
ly bilabiate.

Bigelow's plant, which is from the Southern States,
ihas the leaves trinervate, less acuminate, and more
undulate 5 while the flowers are large, bilabiate and
red, scales many and broad, stamina twelve ! and stigma
'lobed convolute. This may be a distinct species be-
longing perhaps to Endodeca.

Our figure is from a large flowered variety of the
western glades j but many other varieties exist there,
one has broad leaves.

All these plants blossom but seldom or once in their
lives, in May or June ; being very similar to each
other, (except tomeiitosa,) they are collected in-
discriminately. The roots alone enter into Com-
merce, and sell for more than the Seneca Snakeroot.
They are an article of exportation to Europe.

Aristolochia belongs with Asarum to the natural
order of Asarides. Linnaeus has put it into Gynan-
DRiA hexandria.

|l Locality — In shady woods from New-England to
Florida and Missouri, most abundant in the Allegha-
ay and Cumberland mountains, scarce in the alluvial
and limestone regions.

j Qualities — The root has an agreeable, penetrating-,
I aromatic smell, somewhat similar to Valerian and

64

ARXSTOZ.OCRZA.

Spruce : and a warm bitterish pungent taste. It
Contains pure camphor, a resin, a bitterish extractive,
and a strong essential oil. By distillation a pearly-
fluid is produced. By infusion in alcohol, it gives a
yellow or green tincture ; and in water a brown li-
quor : the tincture is most powerful. By decoction
or distillation much of its active prinaiples evaporate.

PROPERTIES— Diaphoretic, tonic, anodyne, an-
tispasmodic, cordial, antiseptic, vermifuge, exanthe-
matic, alexitere, and a powerful stimulant of the whole
system. It was first introduced into Materia Medica
as a remedy against snake bites, whence its name, and
was used as such by the Indians, with many other
plants : it acts then as a sudorific and antiseptic. It
is useful in the low stage of fevers to support strength
and allay irregular actions : too stimulant in inflam-
matory fevers and disorders ; but an excellent auxili-
ary to Peruvian bark and other tonics in intermit-
tents, enabling the stomach to bear them, and increas-
ing their effects. In remittent fevers it is preferable
to bark. It is deservedly a popular country remedy
in infusion, for pleurisy, exanthems, cachexia, catarrh,
rheumatism, &c. acting as a sudorific. In bilious
pleurisy it has been found highly serviceable : in bi-
lious complaints it checks vomiting and tranquillizes
the stomach. In typhus and typhoid pneumonia ii
has beneficial effects, promoting perspiration, check-
ing mortification, and abating the symptoms.

Thus the Snakeroot may be deemed an active and
valuable medicine, it is often associated with other to-
nics, and camphor, opium, valerian, &c. to increa^f

i No. 10.

ARISTOLOCHXA.

; their action. It is probably a good substitute for cam-
phor and valerian in many cases. The doses of the

■I powder are from ten to thirty grains, often repeated,
or an ounce of the warm infusion every three hours.
Wine is an excellent vehicle for it in fevers. Many
1 compound tinctures contain it. When too stimulant
Spikenard (Aralia) and Elder {Sambuciis) may be
substituted to advantage.

Substitutes Canrvjihor Rosemary Seneca

Snakeroot — Eupaiorium perfoliatum — Asarum
Canadense and Virginicum — All the native AiHs-
iolochias — G a\diheria procumhens, and many other
tonic and diaphoretic stimulants.

Remarks — The bark, seeds, and roots of the A.
Sipho, (or Siphisia glabra,) called vulgarly Dutch-
man-pipe flower or Pipe Vine, may be substituted,
having the same properties. It is a tall vine, with
large cordate smooth leaves, and brown flowers like
a pipe with a trilobe mouth, growing on the Ohio, &c.

|, ^. tomeniosa (or Siphisia tomeniom) is a low
vine, with cordate woolly leaves, growing in the

S Western States.
A. hastata is a small plant, with long narrow
leaves, having obtuse auricles at the base : it grows
in the Southern States. The roots of these two last
are often mixed with the common kind in the shops.

Henry's figure represents probably the A. iomen^
tosa, but the leaves are too sharp.

66

AHUM.

No. 11.

No. 11.

ARUM TRIPHYLLUM.

English Name— THREE-LEAVED ARUM.
French Name — Pied-de-Veautriphylle.
German Name — Dretblattrige Aron.
Officinal Name — Arisarum trifolium, Arum ra-
dix.

Vulgar Names — Indian Turnip, Dragon Root,
Dragon Turnip, Pepper Turnip.

Authorities — Linnaeus, Michaux, Pursh, Elliot,
S'choepf, Dispensaries, Bigelow fig. 4, Sequel, &c.

Genus Arum — Spathe univalve cucullate, convo-
lute at the base. Spadix naked above : no perianthe.
Stamina and pistils naked separated at the ba§e of the
spadix : filaments with two or four anthers ; berries
conglomerate, one celled, few seeded.

Spec^i' A. iriphyllum — Leaves radical, ternate,
folioles sessile, oval, acuminate, entire and smooth :
scape with one spathe ovate acuminate, inflexed : spa-
dix club shaped, shorter : flowers polygamous, trioi-
cious.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, round, flatten-
ed, tuberous, with many white fibres around the base:
skin dark, loose, and wrinkled. — Leaves one or two
on long sheathing petiols, three folioles verj^ smooth
and sharp, pale beneath, oval or rhomboidal or ob-
long, entire or undulated, with regular parallel nerves.

No 11.

ARUM TRIPHYLLUM.

THRSE-UBiLVBD ARUM.

(No. 11.

ARUM.

67

I Scape or leafless stem, tunicated at the base by vagi-
' nated membranaceous acute sheaths, supporting one
; large upright spathe, tubular at the base, hooded at
the top, either green or purple, or variegated with
both colours in stripes within. Spadix cylindric, ob-
1 tuse at the top, also variable in colour, bearing the
flowers at the base where it is contracted. Some plants
have only stamina, others pistils, and others have
both, wherefore it is polygamous trioicious. Anthers
two or four on short crowded filaments. Pistils crowd-
ed below, round, without styles, stigma punctiform.
Sometimes abortive pistils and stamina intermixed,
i T^he upper part of the spadix withers with the spathe,
( while the pistils grow into a large compact head of
i shining scarlet berries.

j HISTORY — Arum is the type of a natural family,
ithe Aroides, among Monocotyle plants. In theLin-
msean system it has been put in Gynandria or in Po-
ly andria; yet many species are polygamous. Lin-
naeus did very improperly, and against his own bota-
nical rules, change the previous name of Tournefort
Arisarum into Arum, which is a mere termination
|of many other genera, Asarum, Comarumj &c. :
driphyllmn means three leaved.

The A. iryphillum blossoms with us from May to
iJuly, and in the summer bears its bright scarlet ber-
ries. The vulgar names are common to all the North
American species, which have similar roots. Their
\ leaves are sensible to a harsh grasp like Onoclea sefi-
' sibilis, and the A. dracontium coils them when pluck-
ed. The seeds and roots may be rendered edible-like

6s

ABXJM.

No. 11.

A. esculentum (notwithstanding their caustic pun-
gency) by long coction ; they were eaten by the In-
dians roasted and otherwise.

Locality — All over North America in woods : it
is said to extend to South America as far as Brazil ;
but probably a different species is found there. All
soils and regions appear to suit this plant : it delights
however in good, rich, and shady grounds.

Qualities — The whole plant, and particularly the
root, is violently acrid, pungent, and even caustic to
the tongue, but not to the skin. It burns worse than
Capsicum or Cayenne pepper. This active princi-
ple is a peculiar substance, Aroine, highly volatile,
having no affinity with water, alcohol, oil or acids,
and becoming an inflammable gas by heat or distilla-
tion. The roots yield one fourth of their weight of a
pure amylaceous matter, like starch or arrow-root,
or a fine white delicate nutritive fecula, by the same
process as Cassava or Jatropha manihot.

PROPERTIES— Powerful acrid, stimulant, inci-
sive, restorative, expectorant, calefacient, carmina-
tive and diaphoretic. The fresh roots are too caus-
tic to be used internally, unless much diluted, and
when dry they are often inert, unless they have been
dried very quick, or kept buried in sand or earth, Jt
must be used in substance mixed with milk or mo-
lasses, since it does not impart its pungency to any
liquor ; or the fresh roots must be grated, or reduced
to a pulp, with three times their weight of sugar,
thus forming a conserve, the dose of which is a tea
spoonful twice a day.

No. 11. ^JLRUm. &9

I In these forms it is used for flatulence, cramp in the
stomach, asthmatic and consumptive affections. It
quickens circulation, and promises to be a useful to-
pical stimulant when the acrid principle may be ren-
dered available. It has been found beneficial in lin-
jgering atrophy, debilitated habits, great prostration
in typhoid fevers, deep seated rheumatic pains, or
] pains in the breast, chronic catarrh, &c.
I . Substitutes — Capsicum — Salep — Erythromum —
Squill — Arrow-root — Polygonum hydropiper — Salvia
iirtictfolia — Cyclamen europeum—Arum dracontiumt
, and other native Arums — besides Ranunculus bulbo-
sus, and some other acrid pungent substances.
, Remarks — A. dracontium has a large pedate leaf,
Iwith five to fifteen oblong segments, and grows in the
Southern and Western States.

A. virgmkum has sharp, wide, cordate leaves, and
grows in Virginia, &c.

A. sag'itefolium has sharp, long, sagittated leaves,
jand grows from New- York to Carolina. All these
have similar roots, seeds, and properties.

Henry, has assumed the name and figure of the Eu-
ropean A^ maculatum for this plant.

70

No. 13

No. 12.

ASARUM CANADENSE.

English Name— BROADLEAF ASARABACC A.
French Name — Asaret du Canada.
German Name — Canadische Haselwurz.
OmciNAL Names — Asari Canadensis, radix anc.
herba.

Vulgar Names — ^Wild Ginger, Indian Ginger, Ca-
nada Snakeroot, Heart Snakeroot, Coltsfoot, &c.

AuTHORiTLEs — LinnsBus, Schoepf, Michaux, Pursh.
Cornut, Coxe, Dispensaries, B. Barton, W. Bartony,
fig 32, Bigelow fig. 15 and Sequel.

Synonyms — A. latifolium of Salisbury. A. caro^
linianum of Walter.

Genus Asaritm — Perigone urceolate trifid. Stav
mina twelve epigynous, anthers adnate. Germ coa-i-
lescent with the base of the perigone, style short,,
stigma stellated six parted. Capsul six locular, manyv
seeded. — Stemless, leaves radical geminate, flowersa
solitary in the bifurcation.

Species -4. Canadense — Leaves broad, reniform, en-
tire, puberulent : flower woolly, tripartite, segments -
lanceolate reflexed.

DESCRIPTION— Roots perennial, creeping,
fleshy, cylindric, jointed, with scattered fibres, brown
outside, white inside. — Radical leaves, geminate, pu-
bescent, with long and round petioles, reniform or

Na. 12.

ASARUM CANADEN^E;

BROADLEAr ASARABACCA.

)fo. 12.

ASARtTM.

kidney shaped, broad, entire, tip often mucronatebut
Dbtuse, surface puberulent, veined like a net work,
'md often spotted, glaucous beneath. No stems.
Flower solitary between the two leaves, on a curved
peduncle, tomentose, purple, darker inside. Peri-
i^one with three equal segments, acuminate reflexed,
Stamina twelve unequal, filaments mucronate, an-
hers adnate laterally. Three filiform nectaries or'
ibortive stamina, alternating with the segments.
Style conical grooved, or six coalescent styles, crown-
bd by six thick revolute stigmas. Capsul round, hexa-
i^onal, crowned, and with many small seeds.

HISTORY — A humble stemless plant, with flow-
ers nearly concealed in the ground. It has many va- ^
•ieties, with small or large leaves, rounded or mucro-
late, spotted or unspotted ; the flowers also vary in
colour from greenish purple to dark purple : they
olossom in May and June.

Asarum is an ancient name, the genus gives name
to a natural order Asarides, called Mstolochides
by Jussieu, and Sarmentacea by Linnsus. In the
Linnean system it is placed either in Dodecandria or
xynandria. It has been called Canadense, because
Srst noticed in Canada, the name latifolia of Salisbury
,would be preferable.

The names of Wild Ginger, Heart Snakeroot, &c.
be common to all the other species. The roots are
Dften collected and sold for Virginia Snakeroot, al-
/thuugh very different in appearance, but similar in
'taste, smell and properties. They deserve to be col-
Uected more extensively, as an article of trade and ex-

ASARUXWC.

No. 12.

portation ; being an excellent substitute for ginger in
every instance. '

Locality — From Canada to Carolina and Missou-
in shady woods, it is most abundant in hills, val-
leys, and rich alluvions.

Qualities — The whole plant, but particularly the
root, has an agreeable aromatic bitterish taste, inter-
mediate between Ginger and Aristohchia serpentaria ;
but more pleasant, warm, and pungent. The smell
is spicy and strong. The active substances are a vo-
latile oil, possessing the taste and smell of the plant,
with a red and bitter resin, both soluble in alcohol ;
they contain besides much fecula and mucilage.

PROPERTIES— Aromatic stimulant and diapho-
retic, cordial, emenagogue, subtonic, errhine, &c. ;
but not properly emetic like the A. europeum, al-
though often mentioned as such. It is a grateful sub-
stitute of the Serpentaria in many cases. It is useful
in cachexia, melancholy, palpitations, low fevers,
convalescence, obstruclions, hooping-cough, &c. The
doses must be small and often repeated, since it be-
comes nauseous in large doses. The best preparation
is a cordial made with the tincture and syrup ; the
tincture is coloured dark red by the resin.

The dried leaves make a fine stimulating and ce-.
phalic snuff, when reduced to powder, which may be
used in all disoi ders of the head and eyes.

A grateful wine or beer may be made by the infu-
sion of the whole plant, in fermenting wine or beer.

Substitutes — Ginger — Arifitolocliia serptnUiria —
Aralia species — Helmiwn autunviale — Spices — Lau-

j No. 12.

1

ASARUM.

73

rus benzoin, with many aromatic stimulants, and all
the other American species of this genus.

Remarks — A. Virginicum may be known by its
smooth cordate leaves ; it is found from Maryland to
Georgia and Tennessee, particularly in mountains,
and is still more grateful than A. Canadense,

A. arifolium has smooth, hastated, spotted leaves,
and a tubular flower j it is found in Carolina and Ten-
nessee.

The figure of Henry represents the leaves sharp,
which is never the case, and he calls it Swamp Asa-
rabocca, although never growing in swamps.

74

ASCLEPZAS.

No. IJ.

No. 13,

ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA.

English Name— ORANGE SWALLOW-WORT.

French Name — Houatte Tubereuse.

German Name — Knollige »^chwalbenwurz.

Officinal Name — A. tuberosa radix.

Vulgar Names — Pleurisy root, Butterfly weedy
Flux root, Wind root, White root. Silk weed, Canada
root, &c.

Authorities — Linnaeus, Schoepf, Michaux.Pursh,
B. Barton, Chapman, Thacher, Dispensaries, Parker,
TuUy, Bigelow, Med. Bot. fig. 26 & Seq. W. Bar-
ton M. Med. fig. 22, &c.

Genus Asclepias — Calix quinquefid. Corolla five
parted, flat or retlexed, bearing five auricles with ap-
pendages, and a large central truncate stegyne, sup-
porting and concealing the five stamina, covering the
two pistils : which are succeeded by two lollicles.

Species A. Tuberosa — Hairy, leaves scattered,
variable, nearly sessile, oblong or lanceolate, entire :
umbels with subulate bracts, flowers lax and orange
eolor.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, large, fleshy,
%vhite, of variable form, fusiform, crooked or branch-
ed— Many stems either erect or ascending or pro-
cumbent, round, hairy, green or red — Leaves scat-
tered, sessile, or on short petiols, very hairy, pale

, No. 13.

ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA.

lORAKCB SWAUOW-WORT.

No. 13.

ASCLEPZAS.

75

beneath, entire or undulate, oblong or lanceolate, or
nearly linear, obtuse or acute.

^ Several terminal or lateral umbels, divaricate, with
subulate bracts for involucre. Flowers erect, pedun-
€led, and of a bright orange color, Calix small re-
fexed, five parted Corolla reflexed, five parted, see-
ments oblong ; auricles erect, nearly as long, cuculate,
with incurved appendages or horns. Stegyne tough,
•pyramidal, having five coalescent stamina around,
each with two cells and two masses of pollen suspend-
ed by a threat. Two pistils completely concealed by
the stegyne ; germs ovate with short styles, stigmas
obtuse.— Follicles two, often abortive, lanceolate,
acute, erect, downy, dehiscent laterally ; seeds many,
imbricate, fiat, ovate, connected to a longitudinal re-
ceptacle by long silken hairs.

HISTORY— The beautiful genus Asclepias be-
longs to the natural order of Apocynes, section Jis-
clepides. In the Linnean system, it has been put in
Pentandria dip;ynia; but the singular structure of
the flower is such as to puzzle Botanists, and it might
as well be considered as decandrous, or monad'e^
phous ! the flowers appear to have a double corolla, the
inner one has five lobes called nectaries or auricles.
This structure renders, however, the genus very na-
tural and easily recognizable. It is dedicated to Es-
culapius, the ancient god of medicine, under his
Grecian name of Asclepias.

This species is easily known at first sight by its
bright orange flowers blossoming in July and Au-
gust, among all the numerous American congeneric

76

ASOLSPZAS.

Ntf. 13,

species ; which are upwards of thirty. It is a very
Grnamental plant, although inodorous, while many
others are sweet scented. The roots which are near-
ly tuberous, have given name to it, although the A.
acuminata is also tuberous. The A. decumbens of
some Botanists is only one of its varieties : it is very
variable in the stems and leaves.

All the Asclepias are milky; but this less than
others. They all produce a fine glossy and silky down
in the follicles or pods ; which has been used for heds,
hats, cloth and paper. This down makes excellent
beds and pillows, being elastic, and one pound and an
lialf occupying a cubic foot. Light and soft hats are
made with it : the staple is too short to be spun and
woven alone ; but it may be mixed with flax, cotton,
wool and raw silk. It makes excellent paper, and the
stalks of the plants afford it likewise, as in flax and
*.3.pocy7ium. The A. syriaca or Silky Swallow-wort
producing more of the down, has been cultivated for
the purpose, and a pound of down produced from
forty to fifty plants. Its young shoots are edible
like poke, and the flowers produce a honey by com-
pression.

The A. syriaca, A. incarnata, and several other
species, have similar medical properties, and may be
substituted to this, although somewhat less active.

Locality — Found all over the United States, but
most abundant in the South ; it prefers open situa-
tions, poor and gravelly soils, along gravelly streams
and on hills. Rare in rich and loamy soils.

Qualities — The root is brittle when dry, and easi-

No, 13.

ASCZ.EPZAS.

ly reduced to powder ; it is somewhat bitter, bat not
unpleasant : it contains a bitter extractive and fecula,
both soluble in boiling water. When fresh the root,
as well as the whole plant, is rather unpleasant, sub-
acrid and nauseous,

PROPERTIES— Subtonic, diaphoretic, expecto-
rant, diuretic, laxative, escarotic, carminative, antis-
pasmodic, &c. It is a valuable popular remedy, and
a mild sudorific, acting safely without stimulating the
body. It is supposed to act specifically on the lungs,
to promote suppressed expectoration, and to relieve
the breathing of pleuritic patients. It appears to ex-
ert a mild tonic efiect, as well as stimulant power over
the excretories. It relieves the dyspnoea and pains
in the chest. It often acts as a mild cathartic, suita-
ble for the complaints of children ; it is also useful in
cholic, hysteria, menorhagia, dysentery, &e.

In the low state of typhus fever, it has produced
perspiration when other sudorifics had failed. In
pneumonia and catarrh it is always beneficial. It re-
stores the tone of the stomach and digestive powers.
It has been given in asthma, rheumatism, syphilis,
and even for worms.

All these valuable properties, many of which are
well attested, entitle it to general notice, to become
an article of commerce, be kept in shops, &c.

The doses are from twenty to thirty grains of the
powdered root three times a day, or a gill of the de-
eoction and infusion every few hours : a vinous infu-
sion and a decoction in milk are also recommended
in some cases.

o 2

78

No. 13.

Substitutes — Snakeroots — Myrrh — Spikenard-^

Squill Asarabaca — Sassafras — Tolu — Apocynum

androsemifolium Liquorice— Ginseng Many

other Swallow-worts, &c.

Remarks — It may be useful to notice some other
species possessing the same properties.

t/^. syriaca or common Silkweed, grows all over
the United States near streams; it has large oblong
opposite leaves, white beneath, and large globular
umbels of sweet scented flowers of a lilac color.

»/?. incarnata, grows also near streams every
where, has lanceolate leaves, opposite and acute ;
flowers flesh colored or red, scentless.

A. acuminata, also near streams in New-Jersey,
&c. with opposite ovate acuminate leaves, flowers red.
and white.

quadrifolia, from New-York to Kentucky im
woods, beautiful little plant with leaves like the fore-
going, but four in a whorl, flowers flesh coloured andi
very fragrant.

Henry calls our plant A. decumbens, but his fi-
gure is a very bad one of %d. incarnatOr,

No. 14.

BAPTISIA TINCTORIA.

TBUOW INDIGO-BROOM.

79

IVo. 14,

baptisia tinctoria.

English Name— INDIGO-BROOM.
French Name — Indigo trefle.
German Name — Farbende Baptisia.
Officinal Names — Baptisia tinctoria, herba &
radix.

Vulgar Names — Wild Indigo, Indigo weed,
Horsefly weed, Yellow broom, Clover broom, Rat-
tle-bush, Yellow indigo.

Synonyms — Sophora tinctoria^'Lin. Podalyria tinc-
toria, Mich. &c.

Authorities— Linnaeus, Michaux, Pursh, Elliot,
Weems, Thacher Dispensary, Comstock, Schoepf,
Bart. M. Med. fig. 29.

Oenus Baptisia— Calix bilabiate, four cleft. Co-
rolla papilionaceous, petals nearly equal, vexillum la-
terally reflexed. Stamina ten, free unequal. Pistil
stipitate, ventricose, many seeded — Leaves ternate.

Species B. tinctoria— Very smooth and branched,
leaves small nearly sessile, folioles cuneate, obovate,
■obtuse ; racemes terminal, few flowered ; pods ovate
on long pedicles.

DESCRIPTION — Root perennial, large and woody,
irregular, blackish outside, yellowish within, fibres
lighter. Stems two or three feet high, round and
smooth, yellowish green with black dots, very much

80

BAPTISIA.

No. U

ramified ; but branches thin and with small leaves.
These leaves are alternate, and with three folioles
nearly sessile, obovate, smooth, of a bluish green ;
stipules minute, evanescent, oblong, acute.— Flowers
bright yellow, in small loose spikes at the end of
branches, pea like, but smaller.— Calix campanulate

bilabiate, upper lip entire or notched, lower trifid

Stamina inclosed deciduous.— Pistil single and stipi-
tate, succeeded by a swelled oblong pod of a bluish
black color, with a row of small rattling seeds.

HISTORY — This plant has the appearance of a
small shrub and broom : it blossoms in July and Au-
gust. The whole plant (even the flowers) often be-
come black in the fall or in a herbarium ; it dyes a
kind of blue like Indigo ; but greatly inferior. The
young shoots are eaten like those of Poke in New-
England, and are like it of a drastic nature. It is
■often used to keep off the flies from horses, as these
insects appear to avoid it.

Several other species grow in the Southern and
Western States, which have probably similar quali-
ties. The B. australis with large blue flowers, verv
ornamental, grows on the banks of streams : the B.
alba has white flowers, &c. These plants were an- '
nexed to Sophora by Linnaeus, and to Podalyria by
other botanists, until properly separated by Vente- ■
nat, &c.

Buptisia belongs to the great natural order of Le-
euMiNosE plants, (bearing pods,) and to the section
Lament aceous, having free stamina : also to Decan-
ORiA monogynia of Linnzeus.

No. 14.

SAPTZSZA.

81

Locality— Found all over the United States from
Maine to Louisiana and Illinois, in woods, and on
hills ; it prefers dry and poor soils, is unknown in
rich loamy soils, and seldom met in alluvions.

Qualities — The whole plant, but particularly the
root, is nauseous, subacrid, subastringent, but inodo-
rous. It is active and dangerous in its fresh state, if
taken internally; but loses much of its action by long
keeping, and by boiling. Its active principles are lit-
tle known ; it contains tannin, indigo, and an acid.

PROPERTIES — Astringent, antiseptic, febrifuge,
diaphoretic, purgative, emetic and stimulant. It is
a valuable remedy for all kinds of ulcers, even the
foulest, either gangrenose, phagedenic, or syphilitic:
also for almost every sore, such as malignant ulcerous
sore throat, mercurial sore mouth, sore nipples, aph-
thous, chronic sore eyes, painful acrid sores, and every
ulcerous affection. It must be used externally in
strong decoction as a wash or in fomentation, also in
poultice, or ointment with lard or cream.

This is one of the most powerful vegetable anti-
septics in putrid disorder and in internal mortification,
it may be given internally at the dose of half an ounce
of a decoction, made with twenty times its weight of
water. It stops gangrene, has cured Scarlatina angi-
nosa, inverted uterus, and sometimes putrid and ty-
phus fevers. As a cathartic and emetic, it is incon-
venient and variable in results.

Substitutes — Kalmia latifolia — Charcoal — To-
nic Barks — liubus villosus — Collinsonia Canaden
ds—'Solanum dvkamrira & (S*. virs^inicum, <§'c.

8S

BERBERZS.

No. 15.

JVo. 15.

BERBERIS CANADENSIS.

English Name— BARBERRY.
French Name — Epine Vinette.
Ge RMAN Name — Berberitze.
Officinal Name— Berberis baccae, &c.
Vulgar Name — American Barberry bush.
Synonyms— i5erier2* Vulgaris Var. Canadensis
of Linnaeus, Michaux, &e.

Authorities — Linnaeus, Michaux, Pursh, Schoepf.
■several Dispensaries, and Mat. Med.

Genus Berberis — Calix free with six sepals or fo-
lioles, and three small bracts outside. Corolla with
six petals, bii^landular at the base. Stamina six, op-
posite to the petals. One free pistil, germ oblong,
stigma sessile and umbilicate. Berry one celled,
two-four seeded.

Species B. Canadensis — Shrubby, upright, bran-
ches dotteci, with triple thorns ; leaves fasciculate obo-
vate, remote serrulate : racemes nodding or drooping.

DESCRIPTION — A pretty shrub rising from four
to eight feet high, with long bending branches, hav-
ing many confluent dots and some small thorns, often
three together. The leaves are crowded and unequal
in each fascicle ; on short petiols ; they are smooth
and glossy, oboval, obtuse, with small remote teeth.
The flowers are on slender and lax racemes, either

No. 15.

BERBERIS CANADENSIS.

BJ^RBBRRY BUSH.

No. U.

BERBERXS.

83

nodding or pendulous ; they are yellow, on long pe-
dicels, and rather small. The petals are oblong ob-
tuse, and have each two glands and a stamen at the
hase. The berries hang in loose bunches, they are
oblong and j ed, smaller and less juicy than in the com-
mon garden Barberry of Europe.

HISTORY — Berberis is an ancient name, it is the
type of the natural order of Berberides. In the Lin-
nean system it is placed in Hexandria monogynia.
This species was considered a variety of the B. vul-
garis of Europe, till Pursh separated it, and it hardly
differs from it. It blossoms in April and May, and
ripens the berries in June ; but they are sometimes
abortive.

The stamina of the flowers are irritable, and bend
with elasticity towards the pistil. It is supposed that
the vicinity of this shrub is injurious to wheat, and
this has been noiiced as one of the instances of vege-
table antipathy or incompatible vicinity. It is liable
to the rust, sterilifv, and many other diseases.

Locality— 1 rom Canada to Virginia, in mouii-
tains, hills, among rocks, &c. Common in New-
England in rocky fields : rare in the West and in
rich soils.

Qualities — The whole shrub (even the root) is
acid ; in the berries this acid becomes very pleasant,
and is probably the tartaric ; but mixed with some as-
tringency ; the bark is yellow and bitter.

PROPERTIES — Antiseptic, acid, subastringent,
refrigerant, &c. The berries, leaves, bark and roots,
may be used in putrid fevers, dysentery, bilious di-

BEABERZS.

No. 15

arrhea, summer flux, and all kinds of acute inflamma--
tions. A syrup, jelly, conserve, &c are made with
them, which prove very palatable, cooling, and bene-
ficial in those complaints, as auxiliary remedies. It
has also been used in the jaundice and other diseases ;
but with less success and certainty. The bark has
very different properties : it is tonic and purgative ; it
has been given in Leucorhoea, aphthes, jaundice, &c.
it also dyes of a j^ellow color.

Substitutes — Red Currants — Pomegranate — Le-
mon Juice — Cream of Tartar — ^tidromeda t/lrborea
— Callicarpa *^mericana — Oxalis — Common Bar-
berry— Tamarinds, and all strong vegetable acids —
also Elixir of Vitriol, &c.

No. 16.

BOTEOPHIS SERPENTARIA.

No. 16.

BOTROPHXS.

I

8.7

No. 16.

BOTROPHIS SERPENTARIA.

English Name— BLACK SNAKE -ROOT,

French Name — Serpentaire noire.

German Name— Schwarz Schlangewurz.

Officinal Name — Serpen taria nigra.

Vulgar Names — Squaw root, Rich weed, Rattle
weed, Rattle-Snake-root, Black Cohosh &c.

Synonyms— ^c/ea racemosa, Lin. &c. Cimicifu-
ga Serpentaria, Pursh, &c. Macrotrys, Sub-G. Ra-
finesque and Decandolle.

Authorities— Linnaeus, ,^ho§pf, Colden, Mi-
chaux, Pursh, B. Barton, Elliot, Decandolle, som^;
Dispensaries, Tully, Big. Sequel, &c.

G. BOTROPHIS. I G AcTEA.

1. Cal. four leavedjCalix four leaved

2. Corolla, with
many minute
flat petals.

3. Stamina many

4. Pistil 07ie.

5. Capsut dehis
cent longitudi
nally.

6. Seeds many la
teral.

Corolla, with four
large flat petals.

Stamina many.
Pistil one.
Berry not open-
ing.

Seeds lateral.

G. CiMICIFREGA.

Calix four leaved.
Corolla with four
urceolate petals.

Stamina many.
Pistils several.
Se veral dehiscent
capsuls.

Seeds scaly.

"Species R. Serpent aria — Leaves ample, decom-
posed or tripinnate, folioles ovate acute, serrate pr

S6

BOTROFHIS.

No. IG.

jagged ; raceme terminal, very long, more or less
bent: flowers scattered, peduncled, bracteolate.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, blackish, thick,
with long fibres. — Stem simple straight, from three
to six feet high, smooth, angular, furrowed, often
crooked — leaves few and alternate, one nearly radical,
remote, ample, decomposed, tripinnate, upper one
bipinnate; folioles sessile, opposite, three to seven on
each last division of the petiole, oval or lanceolate,
acuminate, smooth, pale beneath, with yellowish re-
ticulated veins, margin unequally jagged, or sharply
serrate, particularly outside : the last foliolc is trifid.

Flowers in a long terminal raceme, from one
io thr^e feet long, often with one or two shorter i)nes.
near its base. This raceme is cylindrical, white, al-
ways bent or crooked at first ; the flowers are scatter-
ed, lax, often geminate or fasciculate, on short pedun-
cles, with a subulate bract. The calix is white, like a
corolla, with four thick rounded and obtuse sepals ;
the petals are very small, shorter than the calix
and stamina : these last form a pencil, the filaments
are white, club shaped ; the anthers yellow, oblong,-
terminal. Pistil oval, without style, stigma sessile,
lateral and flattened. Capsul blackibh and dry, with
one cell and a longitudinal receptacle, opposite to the
opening, to which many flat seeds are attached.

This plant has many varieties, one is dwarf, a foot
high, with a triangular stem, leaves small, biternate,
and with several racemes : growing in the moun-
tains of New York. If it is a peculiar species; it might
be called B. pumila.

No. 16. BOraOPHIS.

HISTORY— Notwithstand ingmy reluctance to in-
novate in this work, I am compelled to separate this
plant from the Genera Actea and Cimicifuga, to
which it has been by turns united. I did so ever
since 1808, calling it Macrotrys, which meant long
raceme, which name Decandolle has adopted as a
subgenus of Actea ; but this name being delusive, too
harsh, and an abbreviation of Mucrobotrys, I have
framed a better one, meaning Snake raceme : the ra-
ceme or long spike of flowers being mostly crooked,
and like a snake. To convince any one of the neces-
sity of this change and impossibility of leaving this
plant with Acfea or Cimicifuga, I have given the
characters of the three genera in opposition to each
other, whereby the striking difference in the corolla^
pistils and fruit, will be perceived at once.

Actea and Botrophis belong to a peculiar natural
family, the Acteides, having single pistils and fruits:
while Cimicifuga belongs to Ranunculides with
several pistils. Botrophis must be put with Actea in
PoLTANDRiAwo;zo^yma, while Cimicifuga belongs
toPoLYANDRiA pentugynia ov polygynia.

The Actea japo7iica is probably a Botrophis. The
American species has an extensive range, and was
used by all the Indians. It blossoms in June and
July. The whole plant, and even the flowers are
medical.

' Locality— All over the United States, from
Maine to Florida, Louisiana and Missouri, also in
Canada and Texas ; very common in open woods, rich
grounds and sides of hills ; less common in rocky

88

BOTROFHZS.

No. 16.

mountains and sunny glades, very rare in moist and
wampy soils.

Qualities — The root and plant have rather an un-
pleasant smell, and a disagreeable nauseous taste.
Schoepf considers it as nearly poisonous, and to be
used with caution, yet powerful and heroic. It has
not been analyzed, but appears to contain extractive
and a fetid oil.

PROPERTIES— Astringent, diuretic, sudorific,
anodyne, repellent, emenagogue, subtonic, &c. It is
an article of the materia medlca of the Indians, much
used by them in rheumatism, and also in facilitating
parturition, whence its name of Squaw-root. It has
been found useful in sore-throat, as a gargle : also ia
dropsy, hysterics and psora, in decoction alone, or
united with Sangiiinaria Canadensis. It is a bene-
Jicial auxiliary in the treatment of acute and chronic
rheumatism. It is used by the Indian doctors for
agues and fevers, which it cures like Eiipatoriiim
perful'uilum, by a profuse perspiration. Yellow fe-
ver is said to have been cured by it, after an emetic
had been laken.

This is one of the numerous Indian cures for the
bites of snakes : they use the root chewed and ap-
plied to tlie wound ; but they consider the Eryn-
gium aquaticum E. yuccefolium (corn Snake-
root, or Rattle-snake flag) as by far more powerful
and efficient. A decoction of the root cures the itch!
It is useful for the diseases of horses and cattle, is said
to purge them, expel their worms and cure the mur-
l ain, ariven as a drench.

No. 16. BOTROPHZS.

89

Substitutes — Actea alba <§• rubra — Eryngi-
um aquaticum Sf E. yuccefolium — Eupatorium
perfoliatam — Snakeroots — Spikenards ar Aralias —
Cohosh or Caulophyllum — Juniper and other similar
sudorifics and diuretics.

Remarks — Not figured in Bigelow nor Barton's
works. Henry's figure of the Squawroot, which he
wrongly calls Asclepias purpurascens, is a bad re-
presentation of this plant; but his description and text
apply to some other plant.

The Jictea alba or Whiteberry Snakeroot, which
has the same properties, will be known by a shorter
stem, smaller leaves, short, oblong raceme, with
round white berries like wax. It grows from New
York to Tennessee, in rich woods.

The A. rubra or Redberry Snakeroot, hardly dif-
fers from A> alba, but has red berries and is less
common.

These two plants are also called Baneberries, and
their berries are poisonous. They aie called White
-and Red Cohosh by the Indians : the blue Cohosh is
the Caulophyllum, and the black Cohosh the Botro-
phis.

H S

90

SRASIiNXA.

No. 17.

No. 17.

BRASENIA HYDROPELTIS.

English Name— WATER-SHIELD.

French Name — Hydropelte.

German Name — Wasserschild.

Officinal Name — Gelatina aquatica, Brasenia.

Vulgar Names — Frogleaf, Little Water Lily^
Water Jelly, Deerfood.

Synonyms — Hydropeltis purpurea, Michaux, &c.

Authorities — Schreber, Wildenow, Persoorij Mi-
chaux, Pursh, Elliot, Niittal, &c.

Genus Brasenia — Perigone simple, colored, co-
roliform, with six equal sepals or petals, stamina
manyj shorter, hypogynous, anthers adnate : many
pistils, germs sessile with a style. Fruit, many
small one-seeded achenes.

Species B. Hydropeltis — Roots creeping, leaves
lioating, alternate, peltate, elliptic, entire, gelatinous
beneath : flowers axillary, solitary, peduncled.

DESCRIPTION— The roots are perennial, creep-
ing under water and mud, cylindric, jointed with
bundles of fibres at the joints — Stems many, growing
till the leaves reach the surface of the water, almost
similar to the roots — Leaves alternate, on very long
slender petioles, floating on the water, of a regular el-
liptic form, like an oblong shield, entire and obtuse,
smooth and lucid above, with regular radiating veins-.

No. IT.

BRASENIA HYDROPELTIS

WATER SmiSKD,

90

No, 17.

SIULSENZA.

91

white and veinless beneath, but covered with a coat of
pale jelly, sometimes purplish : the leaves are two or
three inches long.

Flowers on long axillary and solitary peduncles,
similar to the petioles: these flowers are ofa dark pur-
ple color, the six petals are oblong and acute ; Stami-
na from twenty to thirty, shorter than the petals, sur-
rounding the pistils which are from twelve to twenty,
germs oblong, styles short, stigma obtuse. Achenes
or small nuts naked, maturing under water, oval ob-
long.

HISTORY — This plant was unknown to Linnseus;
it was first described by Schreber, and called Bras^
enia, from a German botanist, Brasen : Michaux
changed improperly tl^it name into Hydropeltis,
meaning water-shield in Greek ; both names may be
retained, but Brasenia has a prior claim to be the
generic. Only one species is known.

It belongs to the natural order of Ranunculides,
and to PoLYANDRiA ;?o/y^j/n7a of Linn^us. It blos-
soms in July and August. The flowers are pretty, but
have no smell : the leaves are very singular, and af-
ford one of the few instances of pure homogenous ve-
getable jelly, being spontaneously produced, and co-
vering the whole under surface of the leaves, the
stems and petioles arc also more or less covered with
it. Deer and cattle are very fond of eating these
leaves: they resoitto the places where they grow
plentifully, and even swim in the water in search of
them.

Locality— From Carolina to Kentucky, and Flo-

92

BRAS£1TZA.

No. 17,

rida, rare in Virginia, Missouri and Kentucky, found
only in some local places, but there extremely abun-
dant, and spreading so as to cover the whole surface
of ponds, lakes, marshes and sluggish streams.

Qualities — The plant has no smell, but the taste
is subastringent and bitterish ; the Jelly is a pure muci-
lage similar to that of Lichen and Sesamum, and
spontaneously evolved ; becoming gummose in dry-
ing.

PROPERTIES— Mucilaginous, astringent, demul-
cent, tonic, nutritive, &c. Intermediate between
Lichen Islandicus and the Water Lilies. The fresh
leaves may be' used like Lichen, in pulmonary com-
plaints and dysentery : when dry the gelatinous mat-
ter almost disappears, yet they impart mucilage to
water. If no virose quality exists in this plant, as the
taste of deer for it appears to indicate, it may become
a useful substitute or auxiliary to Lichen in phthisis,,
inflammations, debility, &c. boiled into decoction or
jelly.

Substitutes — Lungwort or Pt/Zmo/^a/^ff — Lichens-
— Arrow-root — Salep — Nymphea & Nelumbimn —
Polypodium — Jld'ianthum — Tiissilago — Elecampane
— Liquorice — Marshmallow — Sesamum — Flaxseed.

Remarks — Unnoticed as yet by all medical wri-
ters, but well known to the Indians.

No. 18.

CASSIA MARILANDICA.

AMERICAN SENNA.

Ho. 18.

CASSIA.

93

No. 18.

CASSIA MARILANDICA.

English Name— AMERICAN SENNA.

French Name — Senne' d'amerique.

German Name — Marilandische Cassia.

Officinal Names — Senna Americana, folia, &c.

Vulgar Names — Wild Senna, Locust plant.

Authorities — Linnaeus, Michaux, Pursh, Schoepf,
Coxe, Thacher, Chapman, B. Bartonj W. Bart. fig.
1-2, Big. fig. 39, & Seq. &c.

Genus Cassia — Calix five parted, colored, deci-
duous and unequal. Corolla with five unequal pe-
tals. Stamina ten, unequal and free, the three up-
per sterile, the three lower longer, anthers linear
curved. Pistil stipitate. Pod bivalve, curved, many
celled transversally — Leaves even pinnate.

Species C. Marilandica — Herbaceous, leaves
with eight or ten pairs of oblong mucronate folioles,
petiole uniglandular : racemes axillar and terminal,
panicled : pods linear, flat and pendulous.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, contorted, irre-
gular, woody, black, fibrose— Stems many, nearly
smooth, upright, from three to six feet high, cylindri-
cal and simple — Leaves alternate, not many, large,
horizontal ; petioles compressed, channelled above,
with an ovate stipitate gland at the base, bearing from
eight to ten pairs of folioles or leaflets, which are

OASSZA.

No. lii.

smooth, green above, pale beneath, with short uni.
glandular petioles, shape ovate, oblong or lanceolate^
entire, equal, mucronate at the end — stipules subu-
late, ciliate, deciduous.

Flowers of a bright or golden yellow, forming a
panicle, although partly axillary and in short racemes,
having each from five to fifteen flowers ; peduncles-
furrowed, pedicels long, glandular, with short bracts.
Calix colored, with five oval obtuse and unequal seg-
ments. Petals five, spatulate, concave, obtuse, une-
qual, two lower larger. Stamina with yellow fila-
ments and brown anthers, the three upper filaments-
have abortive anthers, the three lower filaments are
longest, crooked, with long rostrated anthers, all the
anthers open by a terminal pore. Germ deflexed withi
the lower stamina and hairy, style ascending, stigmaa
hairy. The fruits or pods are pendulous, linear, hard-
ly curved, flat and membranaceous, a little hairy,,
blackish, from two to four inches long, holding from:
twelve to twenty seeds, or small brown beans.

HISTORY— The genus Cassia, although very-
striking by the structure of its flowers, varies much;
in its pods, and must be divided into many genera ;;
Tournefort and Gaertnesr had separated the Cassia,
fistula &c. with cylindrical, pulpy, evalve pods, cal--
ling the others Senna ; but Persoon, &c. called the
Cassia fistula by the new name of Cathartocorpus,
leaving: the name of Cassia to the Sennas. This was
superfluous, and if 1 was not unwillingto increase this
confusion, I would call this species Senna riparia,
the name of Marilandica being also improper; it was.

No. IS. CASSIA.

given to it because sent first from Maryland to Eu-
rope.

Cassia is an oriental name, derived from Ketsich,
name of the Cassia lignea and fistula. The genus
belongs to the natural order of Leguminose, section
Lomentaceous. In the Linnean system it is placed in
Decandria monogynia, although it has only seven
fertile stamina.

This plant blossoms from June to August ; the best
time to collect it, is in September, when the pods are
ripe ; since they are with the leaves, the efficient
parts of the plant. It has been ascertained that this
plant is more efficacious than the Senna of Egypt ; it
ought therefore, to superse le it altogether with us,
and even to be exported to Europe : but the East In-
dia senna is said by Bigelow to be a little stronger.

The Senna of the shops is obtained from diflerent
plants, Cassia lanceolata, C. Senna, C. italics, &c.
and even from Cynanchum olefolium.

Locality— Found from Massachusetts to Mis«
souri and Georgia, In rich moist and alluvial soils,
near streams principally. Very common in the west-
ern States.

Qualities— The taste of the leaves is slightly nau-
ieous: they have no smell , they contain\-esin ex.
.ractive and a volatile oil. The infusion and decoction
lave the taste of the plant ; the distilled water is nau-
eous ; the tincture is dark brown and rendered tur-
)id by water.

PROPERTIES-All the Sennas are simple ca-
thartics, some kinds occasion gripings and yet are not

96

CASSIA.

No. 18.

SO active as rhubarb or jalap. This kind operates with
mildness and certainty, at the dose of an ounce in d€'
coction : both the leaves and pods are employed ; the
infusion is weaker, the tincture is less available, al-
though stronger. They may enter into compound
laxatives and cathartics, &c.

Substitutes — Senna — Cassia fistula — Rhubarb —
Juglans Cinerea — Podophyllum peltatum — Castor
oil, and all mild purgatives, besides the following spe-
cies of Cassia ; which are, however, still left active.

Remarks — Clayton and Schoepf, mentions the C.
Ugustrina as equal to Senna : it grows from Virginia
to Georgia, has seven pairs of lanceolate, unequal fo-
lioles, and oblong curved pods.

C. chamecrista, small plant found every where in
dry soils ; it has many pairs of linear folioles, and
large geminate flowers with two purple spots.

C. nictitaiis, or sensitive Senna, similar to the fore-
going, but with very small flowers : common.

C. toroicies, N. Sp. or sickle Senna, is perhaps the
C. tora of some botanists; found from Georgia to
Kentucky, it has three pairs of ovate folioles and long
fulcated axillary pods.

All the American Sennas have yellow flowers. —
Schoepf, says that the C. hiflora'xs antisyphilitic.

Henrv's figure of the American Senna is fictitious,
having four pairs of folioles and regular terminal
flowers.

No. 19.

CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTR01DE8

BLUXSBSIIKT COHOSH.

No. 19. CAULOPKYLLUM.

97

No. 19.

CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES.

English Name— BLUEBERRY COHOSH.

French Name — Cohoche Bleu.

German Name — Blau Cohosch.

Officinal Name — Caulophyllum radix.

Vulgar Names — Cohosh, Cohush, Blueberry,
Papoose root, Squaw root, Blue Ginseng, Yellow
Ginseng.

Synonyms — Leontice thalictroides Linnaeus, &c.
Authorities — Michaux, Pursh, Elliot and some
dispensaries* Not in Barton nor Bigelow.

Genus Caulophyllum — Calix colored with six
equal sepals. Corolla with 6 small petals, opposite to the
sepals of the calix and much shorter. Stamina six op-
posite to the petals, anthers opening laterally. One
central free pistil, one Style and Stigma. Fruit a glo-
bular one seeded drupe. — Leaves three on a trifurcate
stem.

Species C. thalictroides — Very smooth, three
leaves with three dissected or lobed folioles, the ter-
minal cordate: in the centre a dichotome corymb,
shorter than the leaves.

DESCRIPTION— Whole plant from two to four
feet high, — Root perennial, yellow inside, brown
outside, hard, irregular, knobby, branched, with many

I

CAULOPKYIiLUWI, No. 19,

fibres — Stem upright, straight, smooth, trifurcate at
the top or dividing into three leaves, in the centre of
which comes out the panicle of flowers — Leaves pe-
tiolate smooth, pinnate lobed, with three, yery sel-
dom five folioles, the lateral ones nearly sessile, oval
or oblong, inequally bifid and acute: the terminal fo-
liole separated, larger, subcordate, with five, seldom
three, unequal lobes or segments, oval and acute.

Flowers in a short central loose corymb, yellowish
green, rather small ; rachis slender, dicholome, with
minute bracts at each division. Each flower pedun-
eled, with six equal elliptic obtuse sepals — Petals six
very small, opposite and notched, with each an op-
posite longer stamen, filaments short, anthers elliptic
bilocular, opening on each side — Germ globular,
style short, stigma obtuse — Drupes resembling ber-
ries succeed the blossoms; they are smooth of a dark
fejue, globular, rather large, with only one hard seed.

HISTORY — This genus which includes only one
species, was united to Leontice by Linnteus ; but se-
parated by Michaux ; they both belong to the natural
family of Berberides, and to Hexandria inonogy-
nia. Caulophylhini implies that the stem and leaves
are connected as it were, and the specific name alludes
to the leaves being similar to many Thalictrums — Co-
hosh was the indigenous name of this plant, and a
bptter one than Blueberry, the usual one in many
parts: it blossoms in May and June, while the leaves
are yet tender and small, the berries are ripe in sum-
mer; they are dry, sweetish, insipid., similar to
iuicklo berries, but larger.

No. 19. CAULOPHYLLUM.

99

This is a medical plant of the Indians, and although
not yet introduced into our officinal books, deserves
to be better known. I have found it often used in
the country and by Indian Doctors ; Smith and Hen-
ry extol it.

Locality — AH over the United States, from Ca-
nada and New England to Missouri and Georgia ;
but chiefly on mountains and shady hills, rare in
plains and glades, yet often found in deep fertile soiLs,
«wampy and moist, grounds ; in river islands, &c.

Qualities — The root is the only part used : in
smell and taste, it partakes of Ginseng and Seneca
root, and is sometimes mistaken for both. It is sweet-
ish, a little pungent and aromatic: the infusion and
tincture are yellow — it contains a gum, resin and oil.

Properties — Demulcent, antispasmodic, emena-
^ogue, sudorific, &c. It is used by the Indians and
their imitators for rheumatism, dropsy, cholic, sore
throat, cramp, hiccup, epilepsy, hysterics, inflamma-
tion of uterus, &c. It appears to be particularly suit-
able for female diseases, and Smith asserts that the
Indian women owe the facility of their parturition, to
a constant use of a tea of the root for two or three
weeks before their time. As a powerful emenagogue
it promotes delivery, menstruation, and dropsical
discharges. It may be used in warm infusion, de-
coction, tincture, syrup or cordial.

SujiSTirvTiisSauguinaria canadensis — Penny-
royal—Po%a/a Senega— Snake roots— Red Cedar
— Spikenard — Camphor — Ginseng, &c.

Remarks— The figure of Henry has trifoliate
ieaves and the berries on the leaves !

im OEFKALANTKUS.

No. 20.

No. 20.

CEPHALANTHUS OCCIDENTALISM

English Name— BUTTON-WOOD SHRUB,

French Name — Cephalanthe d'amerique.

German Name — Americanische Weissball.

Officinal Names — Cephalanthus Cortex, &c.

Vulgar Names — White Ball, Little Snowball,
Swampwood, Pond Dogwood, Globe flower, in Lou-
}siana Bo?s de Marais.

Authorities — Lin. Mich. Pursh, Elliot, Robin>
W. Bart. Fl. fig. 91.

Genus Cephalanthus — Flowers crowded on a
globular and hairy phoranthe. Calix symphogyno
quadrangular, margin small fourtoothed. Corolla
tubular-funnelform, four cleft, epigyne, bearing four
stamina equal and protruding. Pistil one cohe-
rent with the calix, style long, stigma globose. Cap-
sule two celled, two seeded, nearly bipartible, and
each cell nearly bivalve, valves uniserial.

Species C. occidentalis — Leaves ternate or oppo-
site, petiolate, oval-accuminate, entire and smooth :
beads of flowers terminal, peduncled, upright.

DESCRIPTION— A fine ornamental shrub from
five to fifteen feet high, very branched ; bark yellow
brown spotted with red, rough on the stems. Leaves
tei-nate or opposite, with red petiols from two to four

]^o. 20.

CEPHALANTHUS OCCIDENTALIS.

BUTTONWOOD SHRUB.

No. 20.

CSPHAI.ANTHUS.

101

inches long, oval, base acute, end acuminate, margin
often undulate, smooth on both sides, but* glaucous
beneath, nerves often red, veins yellow.

Flowers terminal peduncled, forming round balls
of a cream white color, and sweet scented, fringed
all over by the protruding Stamina and styles, nearly
■as larse as a walnut, Phoranthe or common recepta-
cle globular and hairy, flowers crowded all over it.
Calix coherent with, the pistil, with four small
acute teeth — Corolla inserted on the Pistil, tubular or
nearly funnel form, with four ovate segments. Sta-
mina and style filiform, double the length of the Co-
rolla, anthers and stigma yellow — Capsuls small,
crowded, formed by two semibivalve cells, the valves
opposite to each other, the two outside valves angular,
each cell has only one seed.

Locality — All over the United States from Cana-
da to Louisiana, Missouri and Florida ; mostly found
near streams, ponds, swamps, lakes, &c.

HISTORY — Cephalanthus means head-flower in
Greek, alluding to the globular form of the blossoms.
Linneus only knew this species, and gave to it the
name of occidental. It is peculiar to North America ;
the same kind said to be found in Cochinchina is a
different species ; but there are several varieties in
the United States, not yet well noticed, some of
which may be perhaps peculiar species ; such are

Var. pubescens, v/ith pubescent leaves, in Georgia.

Var. macrophyUa, with large leaves half a foot
long, corolla hairy inside: in Louisiana, &c.

T f

10^ CEPSAXiANTHtrS. No. W

.. . II .

Var. obtusifolia, leaves oval-oblong, obtuse, not
undulate : in New York.

They all blossom in summer, July and August :
the flowers have a peculiar fragrant smell, similar to
Jessamine. The wood is brittle and useless.

The Genus belongs to the great natural order of
RuBiACEous, forming with Nauclea, &c. a peculiar
section or family, with capitate flowers. It ranks in
Tetrandria Monogynia. ^

Qualities — The whole shrub* active, and bitter-
ish, the bitterness is most enfolded in the bark of the
roots : this bark and the inner bark of the stem are
brittle, somewhat resembling Cascarilla and Dog-
wood, in appearance and qualities. It has not been
analyzed J but contains an essential oil, besides the'
usual principles of tonic barks : the oil is most abun-
dant in the flowers.

PROPERTIES— Tonic, febrifuge, cathartic, dia-
phoretic, &c. The flowers, leaves, bark of stems and i
roots, are used by the Southern Indians, and the
French settlers of Louisiana, It has not yet beem
noticed in our materia medica, and is even omitted by
Schoepf and Henry ; but it deserves further atten-
tion. A. fine fi'agrant syrup may be made with the
flov/ers and leaves, which is a mild tonic and laxative. .
The most efficient part is the bark of the root. A decoc-
tion of it, cures intermittent fevers, acting on the bow-
els at the same time, is useful in relaxed bowels, &c.

Substitutes — Cornus or Dogwood — Magnolias
— Pinckneya — Lirio iendron — Cascarilla, &c.

Remarks — The Platonus occidetilalis or Syca-
more, also called Button-wood is a large tree.

No. 21.

CHENOPODIUM ANTHELMINTHICUM

No. 20 CHENOPODXUIVX.

103

No. 21.

CHENOPODIUM ANTHELMINTICUM.

English Name— WORMSEED GOOSEFOOT.
French Name — Anserine Vermifuge.
German Name — Wurmsamen Gansefuss.
Officinal Name— Chenopodium seu Botrys An-
thelminticum.

Vulgar Names— Jerusalem Oak, Wormwood,
Worm seed, Stinking weed.

Authorities— Linnaeus, Michaux, Pursh, Schoepf,
B. Barton, Mease, Wilkins, Coxe, Thacher, Chap-
man, Stoker, Big. seq. W. Bart. Mat. Med. fig. 44.

Genus Chenopodium— Perigone simple persistent,
caliform,rive parted, Stamina five perigyne Pistil
free with a bifid style. Seed single, lenticular, co-
vered by the perigone.

Species Ch. anthelminticum— Leaves oval-ob-
long, sessile, sinuate-toothed : flowers terminal, ses-
sile, in glomerules, forming leafless panicled slender
spikes.

DKSCRIPTION-Root perennial and branched-
Stem upright, grooved and branched, branches fasti-
giate, giving a shrubby appearance to the whole plant,
which rises from two to five feet in height-Leaves
sessile, alternate or scattered ; attenuated at bolh ends,
oval or oblong, rather thick, dotted beneath, margin
sinuate by large unequal obtuse teeth, nerves very
conspicuous.

Flowers very small, numerous and yellowish green

104 CHENOPODZUM.

No. at.

like the whole plant, forming large, loose leafless ter-
minal panicles, composed of many slender alterning
small spikes, and these of many small scattered une-
qual glomerules, containing from five to twelve sessile
flowers. Calix or simple perigone with five short
oval segments; stamina opposite to the segments,
and protruding. Styles bifid or trifid, filiform, lon-
ger than the stamina. Seed flat, lenticular, shining,
covered by the persistent calix.

HISTORY — rhe whole plant has a strong, pun-
gent smell, somewhat like valerian, which is disgust-
ing to many persons ; this smell is easily known and
enables to distinguish it from some other consimilar
species, which are often blended with it : such are the
Ch. amhrosioides Sf Ch. botrys, whose smell is agree-
able and fragrant, although strong.

The genus belongs to the natural order of Atripli-
CES, and to Pentandria digynia of Linnaeus. The
sreneric name means Goosefoot in Greek, the specific
refers to its value against worms.

It blossoms from July to September, at which time
the plant may be collected and dried ; but if the seeds
are wanted, October is the best time, although they
ripen in succession during all the autumn. The plant
is now sometimes cultivated for medical uses, both in
America and Europe. The dried plant retains the pe-
culiar smell.

Locality— From New England to Missouri and
Georgia, more abundant and larger in the South :
common in old fields, along fences, in alluvions, gra-
vel, rubbish, aud even in streets ; but never in woods
tiof mountains.

Ho. 21, cbenopodxuxm:. 109

Qualities — The strong and lasting smell of the
whole plant, is owing to an essential oil, very pene-
trating or pungent, and in which resides the medical
property. It is diffused throughout the plant, parti-
cularly in the globular dots of the leaves, and the
seeds. The taste is bitter, acrid and aromatic.

PROPERTIES— A powerful vermifuge used both
in America and Europe ; found equal to the officinal
vi^ormseed, which is the Jirtemisia Santolina^ a very
different plant, native of Syria and Africa. It expel*
speedily, the Lumbrics and other worms of the in-
testines. It must be given in repeated small doses,
and the most palatable form : the seeds and their es-
sential oil are the most efficacious, eight or ten drops
of the oil, mixed with sugar are a common dose for a
child, or a table spoonful morning and night fasting,
of an electuary mode of the pulverized seeds with
honey. A conserve, marmelade, syrup, beer, decoc-
tion in milk, of the leaves, (or even their juice,) are
also used. Children often dislike the strong smell of
this medicine, and it must be disguised by orange peel
or sweet substances. The seeds and oil are now kept
in the pharmacies, but the last is often adulterated
with oil of Botrys or of Turpentine ; which lessen its
lower ; it may then be known by a less pungent
smell.

This plant has only been employed against worms,
IS yet, but it possesses probably all the properties of

|he Ch. Botrys and ambrosioides, which are pecto-
■i-al, resolvent, carminative and emenagogue; useful in

■isthma, suppressed menstrations, &c.

i SUBSTITUTES — Spigelia or Pinkroot— Zo6e//a

106 CHENOPOSIUZVI. No. Si

cnrdincilis — Wormwood — Silene Virqinica — Pola
nisia graveolens, and all other vermifuges.

REMARKS—Many other species of Chenopodl
urn are medical ; but none vermifuge like this : those
which approximates in appearance and smell are the
following ; which must not be mistaken for this al -
though useful in other respects.

Ch. bottys or sweet Jerusalem oak, has oblong ob
tuse sinuate leaves, and crowded panicles. Common
all over the United States, in sand and gravel neai
streams.

Ch. amhrosioides or Fragrant Jerusalem oak, hai '
narrow or lanceolate toothed leaves, and leafy pani
cles, with a very fragrant smell, stronger than in th(
foregoing. Grows promiscuously with Ch. anthel
minticum*

The whimsical name of Jerusalum oak has been
given to these plants, from a fanciful similitude to th«'
leaves of the oak.

Henry's figure represents probably the Ch. hoiryss,

No. 22.

CICUTA MACULATA.

AMUmCAK HEMKOCK.

)io. 22.

No- 22.

CICUTA. MACULATA.

English Name— AMERICAN HEMLOCK.

French Name — Cigue d'Amerique.

German Name — Americanische Schierling.

Officinal Names — Cicuta Americana.

Vulgar Names — Snakeweed, Death of man, Wa-
ter Parsley, Poison root, Wild hemlock, Children's
bane.

Authorities — Linnaeus, Schoepf, Pursh, B. Bar-
ton, Ely, Stockbridge, Bigelow, fig. 1£.

Genus Cicuta — Flowers umbellate : No invo-
lucres, involucels many leaved and short; calix sym-
phogyne, crown five toothed : petals oboval, entire,
inflexed ; five long stamina ; Fruit orbicular, crown-
ed ; with ten furrows, bipartible, bisperme.

Species C. maculata — Root fasciculate, tube-
rose : Stem hollow and striated ; leaves tripinnate,.
folioles lanceolote, serrate, acuminate, teeth mucro-
nate, veins exmedial: involucels acute, flowers lax.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, composed of
many oblong fleshy tubers, of a finger's size — Stem
from three to six feet high, hollow, striated, jointed,

purple or green, smooth and branched. Leaves

smooth, decomposed, alternate with petioles clasping
at the base, bilobe, membranaceous ; decreasing in
size upwards, where they are only ternate, while the
In^ver are tripinnate or triternate, folioles sessile, op*

108

CXOUTA.

No. 32.

posite, lanceolate, serrate, acuminate, with veins end-
ing at the notches, which is very unusual.

Flowers whitein terminal umbels,withoutinvoIucres,
umbels with seven to twelve umbellules, each having
from twelve to twenty flowers, upright, not crowd-
ed : Involucels very short, oblong, acute ; calix con-
nected with the pistil, crowned, crown with five
minute segments. Petals five obovate, white, entire,
end inflexed. Filaments longer filiform, anthera
oval. Two short recurved styles. Fruit nearly globular,
divisible into two seeds as in all the umbellate plants,
each is flat inside, convex outside, with five furrows.

Locality — In wet meadows, pastures, and ditch-
es ; near streams and swamps, from New England to
Georgia and Ohio : also in the mountains of Penn-
sylvania and Virginia. — Blossoming in summer, from
July to August.

HISTORY — The genus Cicnta is one of the poi--
sonous hemlocks; \he Cojiium maculaiim, is, how-
ever, considered as the true hemlock and the most:
virulent: but the deadly poison of that name (ren-
dered famous by the death of Socrates) was a com-
pound beverage. Jn the United States, the same
name is capriciously given to a beautiful and useful I
species of Fir-tree.

Both Cicuta and Conium belong to the natural or-
der of UMBELLATE, or Umbelliferous plants, and to
Pentandria dh^ynia of Linngeus, although they
have only one pistil.

Cicuta was the old latin name, maculala means;
spotted ; but the plant not being spotted, it is a very

No. 22,

CXOUTA.

109

bad specific name ; which Bigelow would have
changed into fasdculata, if changes of old names
should not be avoided.

Many umbellate plants growing near waters are
poisonous, although the Sweet Sisily or Myrrhis is
not. The root of the last is often sought for by chil-
dren, who like its sweet taste ; but are apt to mistake
this and many other poisonous plants for it, by which
mistake several have been poisoned. It would bo
well to avoid all similar plants ; or at least to attend
to their diffei'ent smell and taste, which is strong and
disagreeable in all the pernicious kinds.

These deleterious plants appear to lose some of
their virulence when growing in a drier soil, or cul-
tivated in gardens. Sheep and goats eat them with
impunity, and even cattle do not appear injured by
them when mixed with hay.

Several persons searching for Angelica root. Sweet
flag, Sweet Sisily (which have all a pleasant aromatic
smell and taste,) have eaten this root by mistake, and
some hav6 died in an hours time. The effects of the
poison were violent convulsions, a frothing mouth,
a bleeding nose, dilated pupils, fixed eyes, &c. When
vomiting was produced naturally, they were saved,
after being very sick for three days, with stupor,
paleness, &c. Persons poisoned in this way, ought
therefore to evacuate the stomach, by tickling the
throat, or taking an emetic ; sulphate of zinc is the
most speedy. Vinegar or Lemon juice may also be
given to neutralize the narcotic poison, and next Cas-
tor oil, mild purgatives, strong coffee, &c. after vo-
miting.

110

CICUTA.

No. '2^,

Qualities — The root has a strong penetrating
smell and taste, its bark contains a yellowish juice in
small cavities. The juice of the root is viscid, resin-
ous, dissolves in alcohol, and is precipitated by wa-
ter. It produces a thick volatile oil by distillation,
and a resin of a dark orange color is left. The de-
coction of the root is whitish. The extract of the
\yhole plant is dark and has a nauseous smell.

PROPERTIES — A strong narcotic, solvent, and
good substitute for the Conium maculatumt being
more powerful, and requiring a lesser dose. A few
grains of the dried leaves or extract have been given
in schirrose and scrofulous tumors and ulcers, with
equal advantage ; but a larger dose produces nausea
and vomiting : the doses should be very small, often
repeated and gradually increased. It has been used
in gargle for the sore throat, but safer substances
Ought to be preferred.

Substitutes — Co7iium maculatum — Angelica
atropurpurca, and other violent narcotics.

Remarks— The Indians when tired of life, are
^aid to poison themselves with the roots of this plaat
and the purple Angelica, »^.t. atropurpurca.

No. 23.

COLLESrSONIA CANADENSIS.

BROADLXLar STONZOIOOT.

N0.2S. OOLLXNSOSrXA. m

Wo. 23.

COLLTNSONIA CANADENSIS,

English Name— BROADLEAF COLLTNSONI;!

French Name. — Collinsonb du Canada.

Oerman Name — Canadische Collinsonie,

Officinal Name — Collinsonia.

Vulgar Names— Ri oh weed, Riehleaf, Heal-all^
Horsevveed, Knot-root, Stone-root, Knot-weed, &c.

AuTHORiTiEs-^Lin. Mich. Pursh, Scboepf, Jklease,
&c.

Genus Collinsonia— Calix campanulate, bilabiate,
Hve toothed. Corolla tubulose, limbus unequal sub-bi.
kbiate, campanulate, upper lip very short, notched,
lower lip fringed. Stamina two or four, or rather
four, two of which are often sterile, or without an-
thers. One pistil, one style, stigma lateral. Fruit
four seeds, often . only o^ie or two by abortion— Leaves
opposite, flowers terminal panicled, commonly yel-
Jowish.

Species C. canadensis— Smooth; leaves few, am-
ple, petiolate, cordate, serrate, acuminate : panicle
lax, teeth of the calix subulate, equal to the tube of
the corolla, two fertile stamina.

DESCRIPTION— Hoot perennial, knotty, depres-
sed, hard with many slender fibres— Stem simple,
round, straight, about two feet high.— Only two qv
three pairs of large thiqt leaves, on long petioles, , cor-

il2 OOZiLmSONZA. No. 23.

date at the base, broadly ovate, acuminate, with broad
teeth, surface smooth, with small veins.

Inflorescence in a terminal leafless panicle, formed
by branched racemes — Flowers opposite on long pe-
duncles, with short subulate bracleoles. Calix cam-
panulate, witii five subulate teeth, forming two lips,
the lower lip is longer and with two segments. Co-
rolla yellowish, tubular at the base, spreading above
in two lips ; the upper lip is very sbort and notched,
the lower lip is lobed on the sides, and fringed
around. Two long protruding stamina, filaments fiH-
form, anthers oval. Style protruding. Seeds ofteu
abortivje, and only one ripening.

HISTORY — Collinsonia is a genus peculiar to
North America, and dedicated to Collinson, an En--
glish botanist and philosopher. It was at first formedl
by this single species, but has since been increased by
many others, which have all the same habit : where--
by the genus is easily distinguished from the Salviai
(Sage)^ Monarda and Lycopus, genera belonging to)
the same natural order of Labiate, and section off
Diandrous. But this genus offers the anomaly off'
having some tetrandrous species : wherefore it mightt
be placed both in Diandria^ Tetrandria ox Didynur-
mia of Linnaeus !

The species with four stamina are C. *^Jiisaia,,
V. lon^ijlora 8; C. Verticillaru fl. ludov. They.-
must of course form a peculiar subgenus, which I have
called Hypogon ; and perhaps consistency requires too
make a genus of it, in order to obviate the anomalyy
in classificatien. However, tliey all possess the samee

!Ko. 2S OOLXiZMSONZA. 1 1^3

■qualities and properties, as well as the striking habit
of large leaves and panicled fringed flowers often yel-
low.

The C. canadensis is a handsome «stival plant,
•blossoming from July to September.

Locality — Found from Candida to Carolina, is
woods rare towards the south and confined to iricli
valleys; very common in the mountains afPennsyl-
>vania and New York. It disappears west of the moun-
'tains ; but is replaced by other congeneric species.

Qualities — The whole plant has a strong balsamic
smell, somewhat similar to that of Salvia Sclarea : it
'is sweeter and stronger dn the blossoms and worse in
the root. It affords .by distillation an essential oil,
possessing the same smell. The taste is pungent and
warm.

PROPERTIES — Vulnerary, coroborant, carmina-
■live, subtonie, diuretic, and a warm stimulant. Itap-
jjears to combine the properties of Sage, Mint and
Woundwort: {Anthyllis Viilneraria) therefore it may
•be substituted to them. It is one of the plants called
Heal-all, in the United States, because they cure
■sores and wounds : the Indians employ this plant for
(that purpose. In the mountains and hills of Virginia,
•Kentucky, Tennessee and Carolina, this genus is con-
sidered as a panacea, and used outwardly and inward-
ly in many disorders ; it is applied in poultice and
'wash for bruises, sores, blows, falls, wounds, sprains^
.contusions, and taken like tea for head aches, cholics,
■cramps, dropsy, indigestion, &.e. The whole planfe

£,2

11*

eOLLXNSOKZA.

No. 2S'

are used, both fresh and dry : they are also employed
for the sore-backs of horses.

According to Schoepf, it is useful in the dumb fe-
ver, lochial cholic, bites of snakes, and for rheuma-
tic pains, in strong frictions of the leaves. Dr. Mease
relates that the root infused in ;cider has cured the
•dropsy.

Substitutes — j9corus Calamus — Aniseed — Sal-
via or Sage — Monarda or Horsemint — Mentha or
Mint — Cunila or Dittany — and many other labiate
plants. — For sores Baptisia tvictoria — Solanum
Virginicum — Galax rotundifolia, &c.

Remarks — All the other species of this genus have
the same smell, taste and properties : they are equal-
ly employed. The C. anisata has a finer smell,
somewhat similar to aniseed, by which it may be easi-
ly known. The other species are so much alike as
to be easily blended, or taken for each other. They
Jiave, however, narrower leaves, often hairy : and
the C. tuherosa has aiarger softer root.

The most common and officinal in Kentucky, Ohio
Sic. is a new species, which I have called C. angusti-
folia ; it is about a foot high, ,has smooth lanceolate
or oblong leaves, three inches long, acute at both
ends, margin crenate serrate ; racemes slender, flow-
ers small, yellowish, teeth of the calix acute, shorter
than the tube.; corolla less fringed than in the others;
iwoJong stamina.

I

No. 24.

COMPTONIA ASPLENIFOLIA.

SHRUBBY SWBETrSRN.

*Io. 24

COMPTOXriA.

No. 24.

COMPTONIA A8PLENIF0LIA.

^English Name— SHRUBBY SWEETFERN.

French Name — Gomptonier oborant.

'German Name — Streifenparren.

Officinal Names — Comptonia, Dulcifilix folia.

Vulgar Names — Sweet-fern, Sweet-bush, Sweet-
-ferry, Pern-bush, Fern-gale, Spleen wort-bu^h, &c.

Synonyms — Liquidambar peregrinum Sf L. aspk"
nifol'ia of Linnaeus. Mi/rica aspkJiifolia Gronoviiis,

Authorities — Linnaeus, Alton, Michaux, PursK,
Schoepf, B. Barton, W. Barton, M. M. ftg. 19, &c.

Genus Comptonia — Monoical, amentaceous — M.
■fl. in long cylindrical catkins, scales one flowered,
perigone two-leaved, three forked stamina, six anthers.
P. fl, in globular inferior catkins, scales one flowered,
perigone six leaved, one pistil, two styles, fruit ovate,
•evalve, one-seeded nut or achene.

Species C. Asplenifolia— Shrubby, leaves crovvd-
•cd, sessile, narrow lanceolate, alternately crenate-si-
nuate.

DESCRIPTION— A small shrub from two to five
feet high, with many crooked branches and long hori-
zontal roots— Leaves alternate, crowded, sessile, with
two small oval acute stipules at the base, from three to
five inches long, half an inch broad, acute at both
-ends, with a strong middle nerve ; each side regular-

11<5

COnOPTOKZA.

No. 24.-

ly sinuate by large equal obtuse lobules — F'lowers ap-
pearing before the leaves ; the male in many superior
lateral and cylindrical catkins, the female inferior in a
few globular or oval lateral catkins — scales of both
catkins imbricated concave, reniibrm, acuminate, ca-
ducous and one flowered. Male flowers wilii a two-
leaved perigone, shorter than the scales, each part
equal and keeled. Six stamina or anthers, on three
short forked filaments. Female flowers with a bristly
perigone of six filiform persistent segments, longer
than the scales. Pistil oval, two capillary styles.
Seeds evalve oval outs or achenes, compressed yel-
low, forming a round burr.

HISTORY— This pretty shrub forms hy itself a
solitary genus of the natural order amentaceous, de-
dicated by Solander and Alton to Compton, an En-
glish bishop, and friend of Botany. It may be placed
in MoNOECiA triandria or hexandria or triadel-
phia !

It has been called Sweet-fern, owing to its singular-
leaves, similar to the Spleenwort fern, and having ai
pleasant spicy scent. It blossoms very early in March
and April, before the leaves are unfolded.

Linnseus had united it to Liquidambar or the sweet;
gum tree, and Gronovius befoj-e him to Myrica or wax;
shrub, which have a similar inflorescence.

Locality — From New England to Carolina, om
Jiills and alluvial plains, in poor, rocjiy and sandy^
soils, forming vast glades in thin woods. Commo.ni
both on the Allegheny mountains and the plains off

No. 24.

OOMPTONIA.

117

New Jersey, &e. but nearly disappearing west of the
mountains, and unknown to the western plains.

Qualities — The whole plant, but chiefly the leaves
hsive a peculiar strong smell, of a sweet and balsamie
nature ; becoming stronger by pressing or bruising
them. It contains the benzoic acid, tannin and a resi-
nous substance. The taste is balsamic and pungent.

PROPERTIES— Astringent, tonic, calefacient,
cephalic, balsamie, expectorant, &c. It possesses all
the properties of the tonic and astringent balsams.
Barton recommends it for diarrhea, loose bowels and
the summer complaint of children, or cholera infan-
tum, in the form of a weak decoction ; but it is used
in Pennsylvania and Virginia for many other diseases,
such as all children's bowel complaints, (where it
forms a grateful drink for them) in rhachitis, in debili-
ty, in fevers as a diluent tonic ; m rheumatism and
contusions it is less available. The root chewed stops
blood-spitting, according to Sclioepf. Upon the whole
this shrub appears to be deserving of further atten.-
tion, I have seen it employed throughout the country
as a substitute or auxiliary to the more expensive bal-
sams, in asthma, bronchitis, &c.

Su BSTiTUTEs — Storax — Tolu — Sassafras — LauTUS
benzoin-A^vimony — Mitchella repens — Gaultheria
proeumhens, and all mild balsamic astringents.

118

No. 25.

JVo. 25.

CONIUM MACULATUxM.

English Name— COMMON HEMLOCK.
1" BENCH Name — Cigue commune.
German Name — Gemeine Schierlivg.
Officinal Name — Conium, Cicuta officinalis.
Vulgar Names — Poison Parsley, Spotted Pars-
iey.

Authorities — Linnaeus, Schoepf, Murray, Cui-
Jen, Coxe, many Dispens. Bigelow, fig. 11, and Seq.

Genus Conium — Flowers umbellate, with many
leaved involucres, and dimidiate involucels. Calix
concrete with the pistil, margin entire. Petals five
entire inflexed. Stamina five. Styles two. Fruit bi-
partible, two seeded, oval, compressed, ribbed, ribs
wrinkled or crenate. ^

Species C. MaculaTum — Stem round, hollow,
striated, ,and spotted ; leaves decomposed, bi or
tripinnate, folioles opposite, sessile., pinnatifid : fruit
with undulated ribs.

DESCRIPTION— Boot biennial, elongated, branch-
ed or fusiform — Stem from two to four feet high,
'branched, smooth, round, striated, hollow, jointed,
and with oblong purplisli dotts — Leaves smooth, de-
composed, two or three times pinnate, with short
sheathing petioles, leaflets or folioles pinnatifid, oval,
aearly obtuse, often confluent.

No. 25.

CONIUM MACULATUM.

coBsnoir hbbilocs.

1

No. 25.

cornvm.

110

Flowers in terminal peduncled umbels, wilh arv in-
volucre of ten to twelve lanceolate, reflected, acute
leaflets — Umbellules from six to nine on long; pedun-
cles, involucels with three or four similar leaflets situ-
ated on one side. Flowers very small and white.
Calix without apparent teeth — Petals five, oval, in-
flexed, obtuse and entire at the end — Stamina five, as
long as the petals. Pistil coherent with the calix,
rounded, bearing the petals and stamina : Styles two,
reflexed outside. Fruit nearly oval compressed, with
crenate ribs, separating into two elliptical seeds, flat
inside, convex outside.

HrST<;;RY-The Conium of the Greeks and the
Cicuta of the Romans, was a poisonous plant, the
juice of which was used to produce death in Ceos and
Athens. Socrates and Phocion, two virtuous, emi-
nent and innocent Athenians, were condemned to
drink it, and their death has rendered famous, that
joisonous potion. Either this plant or the Cicuta
virosa of Europe afforded it, or a compound beve-
rage was made from several poisonous umbelliferous
slants, which procured a speedy but tranquil disso-
ution.

It has since been found, that these plants, like ma-
ly other poisons, have valuable medical properties,
learly similar in all the deleterious species oi this
amily. The Conium maculatum, is the most em-
ployed, and must be distinguished from others, either
nore or less active, by its botanical characters.; be-
iides its strong smell, spotted stems, parsley leaves,
5ic. The power of this plant vary exceedingly, ac-

120

COKXUM.

No.

cording to the place and climate where it grows, the
time when collected, and the preparations of it.

It is most powerful in warm climates, in the sum-
mer, and when full grown. Some persons are hardly
affected by it : while others are more susceptible ; on:
these it produces dizziness, nausea, disturbed sight,,
faintness, &c. which symptoms appear in half an.
hour and last half a day or more. A farge dose pro-
duces worse symptoms, vertigo, paralysis, convul-
sions and death. There is little danger of being poi-
soned by this plant through mistake, owing to its badl
smell : yet there are instances on record that children!
have taken it for parsley and the root for carrot::
whereby sickness and death have been produced. Im
the United States, the Cicuta maeiduta is more dai>i-
gerous on that score.

This plant blossoms in summer from June to Aa-]-
gust. It belongs like all the Umbellate to Penv
TANDRiA digynia of Linnaeus.

Locality — Native of Europe ; but now naturalize
©d in New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Yirr
ginia, Ohio, &c. mostly found in old fields, near road..:
and fences, on the banks of rivers, &c. Very comi
mon in some local spots ; but not found every wheree cli

Qualities — The whole plant has a disagrecablli \
virose smell (somewhat like the urine of a cat) wliicl)
becomes stronger when the leaves are bruised. Thi
rpot contains in the spring a milky juice, highly virr \
uleiit. The essential active acrid principle of thi.i
plant appear to reside in a green resinous suhslancetl
called Coneinc, dissipating by exposure to air anolij

No. 25.

comuM.

121

light, but not by fire. It contains Gum, Extractive,
a green fecula, Resin, Albumen and many alkalies ;
but no essential oil. The taste is bitter and nau-
seous.

PROPERTIES — A powerful acrid narcotic and
resolvent ; but the uncertainty of its action lessens
Its value. It is never dangerous in very small doses,
often repeated, and gradually increased. It is also an
efficient anodyne, sedative and antispasmodic, useful
to allay pain in acute diseases. It has been recom-
mended in many chronic diseases, such as cancer,
epilepsy, mania, syphilis, &c. but in those cases it
acts only as a palliation to pain, like opium, to which
it is often preferable, as less constipating.

The diseases in which it has been found useful, are
chronic abcesses, schirrose tumors, foul ulcers, ric-
kets, caries, repelled itch, abdominal and internal
swellings, obstructions, hemicrania, dropsy of the
joints, obstinate ophthalmia and cataracts, &c. In all
these cases it acts as an efficient repellent and resol-
vent.

True Schirrus and Cancer cannot be cured by it ;
but obstinate and scrofulous tumors or swelled testi-
cles (which terminate in, or are mistaken for schir-
rus) have been removed by its use.

The effects of this plant are so variable, that some
physicians have pronounced it inert or a mere diuretic,
having been deceived in their prescriptions owing to
bad preparations or otherwise.

In tic douleureux it has afforded relief or even ef-
fected a cure, when nothing else could avail. Whil^

J*

1S3

CONZUM.

No. 25.

it is highly extolled in jaundice, removing the yel-
lowness in a short time, and curing the disease, when
not too complicated. It has also a relaxing effect in
facilitating the passage of biliary concretions.

Although recommended for the whooping cough, it
is not a safe medicine for children.

The best way to administer it, is that of the pow-
dered leaves, beginning with two or three grains, and
increasing the doses gradually. The leaves must
preserve their green color to be efficient. Yet the
most usual, form is the green extract, beginning with
one to five grains ; but it is difficult to regulate the do-
ses, each parcel having a different strength, and being
even nearly inert when made with dry leaves, or young
plants, or with too much heat, or when become old.
It would therefore be desirable to procure the Coneine
of a permanent strength. An extract from the seeds
is said to be stronger and produces giddiness very
soon. Externally it has been used in cataplasms for
carcinoma, syphilis, leprosy and obstructions. Vine-
gar and lemon juice are the antidotes for the poisoa
or over-doses of this plant.

Substitutes— Cicw/cc maculata — AngeUca atro-
purpurea — Datura stramonium — Hyosciamus ni-
ger — Solanum dulcamara — Opium, &c.

Remarks — The white and milky root of this plant
is considered a violent poison and not used, although
t might be more efficient than the leaves. It cannot
contain however the active principle called Coneine,
which is green, and it is found that whenever the
leaves or extract lose their green color they become
inert.

No. 26.

CONVOLVULUS PANDURATUS.

No. 26.

G0NV0LVULV8. 1^3

IVo. 26.

CONVOLVULUS PANBURATUS.

English Name— MECHAMECK BINDWEED^

French Name — Liseron mechamec.

German Name — Geigenblattrige winde.

Officinal Names — Con vol v. pandurati seu Pseu-
do-mechoacana, radix.

Vulgar Names— Wild Potatoe, Wild Rhubarb,
Mechameck, Wild Jalap, Man in the ground, Meco-
acan, Potatoe Vine, Kussander, Kassader, &c.

Authorities— Linnaeus, Schoepf, Coxe, Disp..
Bigelow Seq. B. Barton, Nuttal, W. Bart. V. M
M. fig. £3.

Genus Convoi.vt7Lus— Calix five parted, segments
unequal imbricated. Corolla bell or funnel shapea,
limbus equal, nearly entire, with five folds and teeth!
Five unequal stamina on the corolla. One pistil sur-
rounded by a glandular disk, one style, stigma bifid
or bilobe. Capsule bilocular, few seeded.

Species C. Panduratus— Root tuberose; stem
twining; leaves cordate, acute, entire or pandurate;
peduncles multiflore, calix mutic, corolla funnel-
shaped.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, very large, cy.
lindric or fusiform, from two to four feet long, as
thick as the arm, yellowish outside, whitish and^'mil-
ky inside, with many fissures, often branched below

i^ii CONVOLVULES.

No. 26.

and attenuated above. — Stem procumbent or climbing,
round, purplish, from three to twelve feet long, some-
times branched — Leaves cordate at the base, broad,
alternate, petiolate, margin entire or undulate, or
lobed on the sides like a fiddle, very sharp, but hard-
ly acuminate, smooth, deep green above, pale green
below. ,

Flowers in fascicles of two to six, on long pedun-
cles, longer than the petioles, and axillary, pedicels un-
equal. Calix with five unequal segments, ovate ob-
tuse, concave, mutic, two smaller opposite outside —
Corolla large, funnel shaped, about two or three in-
ches long, and as broad above, base tubulose, color
white or incarnate or purplish. Stamina white, fila-
ments filiform, unequal, inclosed, anthers oblong.
Style white, filiform, stigma bipartite, segments li-
near. Capsule oblong, with two cells and four seeds. .

HISTORY — A great botanical confusion had aiisen .
in this genus, and tne natural tribe of Volvulides or
Convolvulacea, of which it is the type. The genera ,
of this family had not been well fixed, and Jpomea
particularly was so little distinguished from Convol-
vulus that many species were considered as belonging
to both ! It is now ascertained (as I pointed out in a .
dissertation published in 1820) that the inequality of
the stamina is the principal character of the family,
and that Ipomea is distinguished, not by the variable
corolla, but by the trilocular capsul and capitate or
trilobe stigma. Both genera contain a multitude of
species, many of which are medical , such as C. Sea-.-
moiiia^ C. turpethumj CJalapUy &c. which are 411
ctrastic or cathartic,

No. 26. c6]snroLvt7t.t7d.

125

The true jalap of commerce has been ascribed to s6-
veral plants, and a controversy exists on the subject,
This plant is one of the false jalaps, the others are the
fpomea macrorhiza or Michaux, found from Georgia
to Yucatan on the sandy shores, and several Bind^
weeds growing in South America. The true CJa-
lapa appears to grow on the Andes of South America
and Mexico.

Our C. panduratus has also been mistaken for Sea.
mony, Rhubarb and Mechoacan. The native name
of Mechameck ought to be given to it as a distinc-
tive appellation. It blossoms in summer, from June
to August. It was named panduratus by Linn^us
because the leaves are often lobed on the sides like a
fiddle ; but this does not always happen, and some
plants have all the leaves cordate and entire.

The cathartic properties of this plant and of Ipo-
mea macrorhiza have been denied by Bigelow
Baldwin, &c. and even thelatter considered as edible-
but It appears that all the species of these two ge'
nera, having milky roots, are more or less cathartic,
particularly when fresh.

They both belong to Pentandria monogynia of
Linnaeus. Convolvulus, {Wke Evolvulus)d^nves(vom
the twining habit of the genus.

LocALiTY-Common all over the TTnited States,
trom Canada and New England to Florida and Mis-
souri, in poor and loose soils, sandy and slaty fields
gravelly hills and alluvions, open glades and thickets:'
out seldom in shady woods.

QuALiTiEs-The taste and smell of the root, ap-
proximate to Scamony and Jalap j but are less nau.

l2

CONVOLVULUS. No. 26.

seous and acrid. This root may be known by its size,
yellowish color, and crevisses. It is milky when
fresh. The extract from it resembles Scamony and
possesses the same properties.

PROPERTIES — Cathartic, diuretic and pectoral.
It acts like jalap, rhubarb, briony and scamony at a
larger dose, when given in substance ; but the extract
from the fresh root is more efficient, and is a mild ca-
thartic at a small dose of ten or twelve grains. It is
seldom used by physicians, but often by Indian doc-
tors. It is a safe substitute for the more costly roots
above mentioned, and as a root often weighs twenty
pounds, it might be made an article of trade. As a
diuretic it is useful in gravel, strangury, dropsy, &c.
it enables to evacuate small calculous granulations,
and may be taken in substance or decoction. As a
pectoral it has been used for consumptive coughs and
asthma ; a syrup is made of it with Skunk cabbage,

for that purpose.

Substitutes Jalap Rhubarb — Scamony

Briony— Erigeron Sp. — Fi/rola umbellata—As-
clepias tuherosay Sj-c.

Remarks — It is asserted that the Indians can han-
dle Rattle-snakes with impunity, after wetting tiieir
hands with the milky juice of the root of this plant,
or of *drum triphyllum.

Henry's figure is erroneous, having triangular leaves
and bracteolate flowers.

The root must be collected at the end of summer;
and if to be dried ought to be cut in slices.

No. 27.

COETIS TRIFOLIA.

COTtmOK GOLPTHRBAP

No. sr.

COPTZS.

137

No. 27.

COPTIS TRIFOLIA.

English Name— COMMON GOLDTHREAD,

French Name — Coptis triphylle.

German Name — 'Kleinste christwurz.

Officinal Names — Helleborus trifolius, Coptis,
Fibraiirea, &c.

Vulgar Names — Gold-Thread, Mouthroot.

Synonyms — Helleborus trifolius Linn^us, &c.
Fibra aurea Golden and Schoepf. Anemone groel-
andica Oeder. Chryza fibraurea Raf.

Authorities— Linnaeus, Michaux, Pursh, Salis-
bury, Schoepf, Pallas, Oeder, Thacher, Coxe, B.
Barton, Bigelow, M. B. fig. 5, & Sequel, W. Bart.
V. M. M. fig 34.

Genus Coptis— Calix corolliform and caducous,
with five or six leaves. Corolla with five or six nec-
tariform cucullate petals. Many hypogynous stamina.
Pistils five to eight, stipitate, germs oblong, styles re-
curved. Capsuls as many, stipitate, oblong, beaked,
one celled, many seeded, dehiscent longitudinally.

Species C. trifolia — Roots filiform, creeping;
leaves sub-radical, ternate ; folioles sessile, rounded,
crenate; scapes one flowered.

DESCRIPTION— Roots perennial, creeping, fili-
form, of a bright yellow, with many small fibres—
Caudex or base of the scapes and radical leaves, cover-

1^8

COPTZS.

No. 27.

ed with imbricate scales, ovate acuminate and yellow-
ish— Leaves evergreen, on long slender petioles, pro-
ceeding from the caudex, with ternate folioles, ses-
sile, rounded or obovate, base acute, margin with
unequal acuminate crenatures and lobes, surface
smooth, firm and veined. Scapes as long as the leaves,
slender filiform, with one flower and a minute mucro-
nate bract under it.^

Flowers about half an inch wide, with a white co-
rolliform calix of five, six or seven sepals or folioles,
oblong, obtuse, concave. Petals as many, shorter,
nectariform, obovate, hollow, yellow at the top. Sta-
mina many, filaments slender and white, anthers
rounded, adnate and yellow. Pistils from five Lo eight,
stipitate germs shorter than the gynophore or base,
oblong, acute, compressed. Styles short and curved,
stigmas acute. Capsules like the pistils naked, the ca-
lix having fallen off", umbellate, on long divaricate pe-
dicels, oblong rostrate, unilocular, dehiscent on the
inner side, and many seeds attached to the other
side.

HISTORY — This plant was erroneously united to
Hellehorus by Linnaeus. I proposed to call it Chry-
za, in 1808 : it was since called Coptis by Salisbury;
although my name is anterior and more descriptive,
and Fibraurea of Golden would have been good also,
I am so little tenacious as to admit the Coptis which
has already been adopted by many. The principal
distinctions are found in the stipitate pistils and cap-
sules, besides petals not bilabiate. My new genus
Enemion bitermtumf differs from Coptis by waut of

No. sr.

petals, and two seeded capsuls. Many botanists call
the petals of this plant nectaries, and the calix corol-
la, thus saying that they have no calyx : but the na-
tural affinities teach that wherever the perigone is dou-
ble, the inner range is the corolla, whatever be its
form.

Both Coptis and Helleborus belong to Polyandria
polygynia of Linnaeus, and to the Rakdnculaceous
tribe, or natural order Adnantheria, section with
irregular petals, and dehiscent fruits. This plant blos-
soms early in the spring of the cold regions or in May.

The roots are the only parts used j they are of a
fine golden color, whence the name. They ought to
be collected in the summer, and are easily dried ; but
not easily reduced to powder. The plant itself is a
pretty evergreen, having the appearance of the straw-
berry plant.

Locality— A boreal plant found from Canada to
Greenland and Iceland on the east, and to Siberia on
the west. The most southern limits are New En-
gland, New York, and the shores of Lake Erie. It
is commonly found in mossy swamps and bogs of
evergreen woods ; but also on the rocks of the White
Mountains, Labrador, Newfoundland, &c.

Qualities— A pure intense bitter, without smell,
nor astringency, consisting of extractive matter and
a bitter principle, soluble in water and alcohol : the
tincture is yellow.

PROPERTIES — Tonic and stomachic, promoting
digestion, strengthening the viscera, useful in dyspep-
sia, debility, convalescence from fevers, and whenever

130

COPTIS,

No. 27.

a pure bitter is required ; being a good substitute forr
Quassia, Columbo, Gentian, &c A tincture madce
with an ounce of the roots in a pound of diluted alcot-
hol, is recommended in doses of a tea spoonful thrice^
a day, or ten to twenty grains of the powder: bothh
agree with the stomach.

It has been used for ulceration of the mouth, in gar-
gle, &c. but Bigefow pretends that it is inert in thatt
case, being devoid of astringency ; and to other arti-
cles added to it, are to be ascribed the benefit it mayv
have afforded.

Substitutes — Quassia — Columbo — Menyanthess
irifoliata — Frasera verticillata — tfiletris farinosa-"
Sabbaiia angularis^ and other pure bitters.

No. 28.

C0RNU8 FLORIDA.

No .28. OORNUS. 131

No. 28.

CORNUS FLORIDA.

English Name— COMMON DOGWOOD.
French Name — Cornouiller fleuri.
German Name — Schonbluhender Hartriegel.
.^Officinal Name — Cornus florida.
Vulgar Names — Dogwood, Dogtree, Boxtree,
'lorid Cornel, Monhacaniminschi, &c.
AuTHORiTiFs — Lin. Mich. Piirsh, Schoepf, Cates-
by, Thacher, Cose, Carpenter, Elliot, B. Barton, Big.
fig. 28, and Seq. W„ Bart. fig. 3, &c.

Genus Cornus — Calix symphogyne, four toothed,
etals four, small and broad. Stamina four, epigyne
alternating with petals. One style and stigma. Fruit
drupe inclosing a bilocular two seeded nut.
Species C. Florida — Asborescent ; leaves oppo-
te, ovate, acuminate, base acute, glaucous beneath :
nvolucres corolliform, nearly obcordate ; drupes
avate and scarlet.

DESCRIPTION-Stem rising from fifteen to thir-
:y feet, with a rough blackish bark full of fissures:
)runches opposite, spreading, with reddish bark and
•ings where the old leaves grew.— Leaves opposite,
>etiolate, oval, entire, base acute, end acuminate, pale
Jeneath, with strong parallel veins.

31

13S

No. 28.

Flowers terminal, appearing when the leaves are
young, with a large four leaved involucre three in-
ches broad, commonly mistaken for the blossom,
white, obcordate, veined. The true flowers are in the
centre, small, crowded, sessile, yellowish. Calix cam
panuiate, symplrogyne, with four obtuse teeth. Co-
rolla with four oblong, obtuse petals. Stamina four
erect, anthers oblong, style short, erect, stigma ob-
tuse. Fruits several oval scarlet drupes, with a nut
inside having two cells and two seeds.

HISTORY — The genus Cornus or Cornel, must be
divided into two sections, those species having the
flowers capitate, sessile, and with an involucre, are
the true Dogwoods, ( Cynoxylon)^ and those with cym-
ose, naked flowers, are the true Cornels. It belongs
with Hedera to the naturalfamily of Hederaces, and
to Tetrandria monogynia of Linnasus. Cornus is
the ancient latin name of the Cornels, and fiorida im-
plies that the blossoms are more conspicuous than in
any other species.

The C. Jlorida is a handsome tree, enlivening the
woods in the spring by a profusion of large white
blossoms, and bearing in the fail clusters of beautiful
scarlet berries. In Louisiana, where it is called Bois
houton, or Bois dc flee he, (Budvvood and Arrow-
wood) it blossoms in February ; in the middle states
in April and May, and more northwardly in June. It
lasts a fortnight in full bloom, and every where indi-
cates according to the Indians, when Indian corn is to
be planted.

No. 28.

CORNUS.

133

This tree grows very slow, and the wood is hard,
compact, heavy and durable ; it is white outside, and
chocolate color in the centre, taking a very fine polish.
It may be used like Boxwood, and when stained of a
light yellow color, resembles it altogether. All kinds
of tools and instruments are made with it, also cogs
of wheels, teeth of harrows, spoons, &c.

Locality — All over the United States, and almost
in every soil, from Massachusetts to Louisiana, and
from Florida to Missouri. Most abundant in swampy
and moist woods.

Qualities — The bark of the root, stem and branches
is bitter, astringent and slightly aromatic. By analysis
it has been found to contain in different proportion
the same substances as Cinchona^ having more of Gum
mucilage, extractive and Gallic acid, and less of Re-
sin, Quinine, and Tannin. The Quinine of the Cor-
nun has been called Cornine, it has all the properties
of the genuine Sulphate of Quinine, but very little is
afforded. The double distilled water Conms is le-
mon color, that cf Cinchona is reddish.

The extract of Cornus is less bitter and more as-
tringent than that of the best Cinchona, but prefera-
ble to the extract of the inferior kinds.

This extract contains all the tonic properties, the
resin alone is merely stimulant. The bark of the root
is the strongest ; it is more soluble in water than Cin-
chona. The fresh bark frequently disagrees with the
stomach, and is improved by keeping at least one year.

PROPERTIES — Tonic, astringent, antiseptic, co-
roborant and stimulant It is one of the best native

M

13Jt

COENUS.

No. 28.

substitutes for Cinchorta, although evidently different
in some respects ; the powdered bark quickens the
pulse, and sometimes produces pains in the bowels ;
but the Sulphate of Cornine and the extract are not so
stimulant. They are used in intermittent and remit-
tent fevers also, typhus and all febrile disorders. The
doses of the powder are from twenty-five to thirty-
live grains, often repeated. The Cornine like Quinine.

In cases of debility it acts as a corroboraat; it may
be joined in practice with Gentian, Colombo, Camo-
mile, Liriodendron, Seneca root, &c. It is often used
in decoction in the country, and even the twigs are
chewed as a prophylactic against fevers. Drunkards
use a tincture of the berries as a bitter for tlie same
purpose and for indigestion.

The flowers have the same properties, and are
chiefly used by the Indians, in warm infusion for
icvers and cholics. All these preparations have a
more agreeable bitterness than the Peruvian bark.

It is said that the twigs rubbed or chewed, clean and
keep sound the gums and teeth. A decoction'of the
bark is used to cuie the distemper of horses called the
yellow water. Joined with sassafras it is employed
in strong warm decoction to clean foul ulcers and can-
cers. Lastly, a kind of black ink can be made with the
bark, in the usual way, instead of galls.

Substitutes — Cinchona — Liriodendron Mag-
nolia sp—PincJcneya — Cepfialantlnvi, and most of
the astringent tonics, besides several species of the.
same genus.

Remarks — Almost all the species of this genus have
more or less the same tonic properties, and may be

No. 28.

COHNUS.

135

substituted to the C. florida. • Three of the best
known as most efficient will be mentioned here.

. 1. Cornus Sericea or Blueberry Cornel, vulgarly
called Swamp Dogwood or Rose Willow, is a shrub
from six to twelve feet high, growing from Canada
to Virginia, near swamps and streams. There is a
figure of it in W. Barton, fig. 9. The leaves are like
those of C. florida, and silky beneath, but the flowers
are very different, in large terminal cymes, without
involucrum, yellowish white, and succeeded by large
clusters of small round blue berries. — The bark is less
bitter, more astringent and pleasant to the taste than
in C. florula.

£. C. circinnata or Round leaved Cornel, also
called Alder Dogwood, is a shrub with warty twigs,
large rounded leaves, woolly beneath : the flowers
are in cymes, without involucrum. It grows from
Canada to Pennsylvania. — Prof. E. Ives of New Ha-
ven, and Dr. A. Ives of New York, extol this kind,
they say it resembles the pale Peruvian Bark, Cm-
chona lancifolia : an ounce of the bark yields by boil-
ing 150 grains, of an astringent and intensely bitter
extract. In use it is found preferable to Colombo and
Cinchona cordifolia, it is much employed in the
Northern States, in substance and otherwise, for
diarrhoea, dyspepsia; but is too heating in fevers.

S. C. alba or Wax-berry Cornel, is also a shrub,
growing from New England to Siberia in Asia, with
•broad ovate leaves, white beneath, flowers in cymes,
berries round, white like wax. — All these blossom
from May to June: many birds are fond of their ber-
ries and the beavers eat their bark.

J 36 CUNILA. No. 29.

No. 29.

CUNILA MARIANA.

English Name— AMERICAN DITTANY.

French Name — Cunile d'amerique.

German Name— Americanische cunile.

Officinal Name — Cunila herba.

Vulgar Names — Mountain Dittany, Stone Mint,
Wild Basil, Sweet Horsemint, &c.

Authorities — Linnaeus, Schoepf, Mich. Pursh,
Elliot, Torrey, Stokes, W. Barton, fig. 42, &c;

Genus Cunila — Calix tubular, striated with five
subequal teeth. Corolla tubular, ririgent, upper lip
erect flat emarginate, lower lip three parted. Two
exerted fertile stamina, two sterile stam. very short.
G.ermen four lobed, style exerted, stigma lateral.
Four seeds within the calix closed by hairs.

Spe cies C. Mariana — Smooth, stems slender and
branched; leaves opposite, sessile, punctate, ovate, re-
mote, serrate; flowers in terminal fasciculate corymbs.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, fibrous, yel-
low.— Stem about a foot high, smooth, yellowish
or purplish; slender, hard brittle, with many brachi-
ate remote branches.— Leaves remote, sessile, smooth,
dotted, pale green, glaucous beneath, base subser-
date, end acuminate or sharp, margin with small
remote acute teeth, nerves regular, texture dry.

Flowers small but handsome, of a pink or white

No. 29.

CUNILA MARIANA.

No. 29.

137

color, forming terminal dusters or corymbs, by the
union of several branched fiiscicles of three to seven
flowers, with very small short oblong bracteoles.
Each flower peduncled and naked, calix green nearly
cylindrical with ten furrows, and five small sharp
teeth nearly equal. Corolla twice as long as the
calix, nearly cylindric, with two short lips, lower
lip larger with three rounded lobes, upper lip smaller,
flat and notched. Four stamina, two of which are
long, slender and protruding with the style, bearing
small didymous anthers: two small, very short, without
anthers. — Fruit formed by four small obovate seeds at
the bottom of the persistent calix, mouth of it closed
by hairs.

HISTORY — This genus belonars to the screat na-
tural order of Labiate, section with two fertile
filaments, next to the genera Lycopiis, Collinsonia
and Hedeoma. It ranks with them in DmndriOr
monogynia of Linnaeus. It contains now only this
species, which has been called mariana because first
sent to Europe from Maryland. Linnjeus had
united it to Satxircja at first, and called it 8. ori-
gunnides, When he made a new genus of it, he
united with it the C. pulegioides, which is now
Hedeoma pulegioides : these are examples of the
botanical vacillations and errors, to which c-rcat
writers are liable when they wish to improve the
science, and are not ashamed of correcting them-
selves.

The C. mariana is a pretty plant, with a very
fragrant smell, similar to Marjoran and Dittany. It

M

J 39 CUNILA. No. 29.

is commonly called by this last name throughout the
United States ; but is very different from the Dit-
tany of the gardens, which is the Dictamnus
Jraxinelhi, and the other Dittanies of Europe, Ori-
ganum dictconnus, Marrubium jjseudodictamnus,
&c. Our Dittany is peculiar to America, and distin-
guished by its corymbose flowers, which blossom in
summer from July to September.

Locality — All over the mountains and dry hills
from New England to Kentucky and Carolina, com-
mon among rocks and sides of hills, unknown in tlie
plains and alluvions.

Qualities — The whole plant has a warm fragrant
aromatic pungent taste and smell, residing in an es-
sential oil, which can easily be extracted by distilla-
tion, and approximates to the oil of Origanum, but
is more balsamic. It is the most fragrant of all the
native labiate plants, and the essential oil has a very
strong balsamic fragrance.

PROPERTIES— Stimulant, nervine, sudorific,
subtonic, vulnerary, cephalic, &c. The whole plant
is used, and usually taken in warm infusion : Dit-
tany tea is a popular remedy throughout tl e Country
for colds, headaches, and whenever it is requisite lo
excite a gentle perspiration. It partakes of the pro-
perties of all the grateful aromatic labiate ])lants, and
also of Camomile, ^flntheviis Cotula, and the Evpa-
torium perfoliaium : while it affords a more palata-
ble drink. Its fragrant tea is preferable to that of
Sage and Monarda, it has neither tiie pungency of
MUtj nor the nauseous smell of Pennyroyal or

No. 29.

CUNILA.

139

Hedeoma. Solidago Odora comes nearest to this,
by its fragrance ; but is weaker and not so grateful.
It rel ieves nervous headaches and liysterical disor-
ders. It is used in Carolina, Kentucky, &c. in fevers
to excite perspiration, and suppressed menstruations,
&c. It is a useful drink in nervous diseases, cholics
and indigestion. Externally it is employed like Col-
Unsoiiia for bruises, sprains, &c. but is not so effi-
cient. According to Schoepf, it was one of the plants
resorted to for curing the bites of snakes,- the juice
was mixed with milk for this purpose. There are
fifty plants in the United States, employed occasion-
ally as an antidote for this purpose, which merely act
as sudorifics The essential oil possesses all the pro-
perties of the plant, and a few drops of it are sufficient
to impart them to mixtures*

SUB.STITUTES— Besides the plants mentioned above-,
all the mild sudorifics, and Eryngiian ijucefidium,
YarroW; Tansey, Snakeroots, Inula helciiium., &c!

140 CYPRIPEDIUM.

No. 30.

CYPRIPEDIUM LUTEUM.

English Name — Yellow Ladies' Slipper.

French Name — SxVbot de venus jaune.

German Name — Gelb Fuauenschuh.

Officinal Name — Cypripedium radix.

Vulgar Names — Mocasiii flower, Yellows,
Bleeding heart, American Valerian, Yellow Umbil,
Male Mervine, Noah's Ark, &c.

Synonyms — CypripecHum Calceohis Var. b. Lin.

Cypr. hiteum Alton — C. Jlavescens Redoute— C.

piibescetis and C. parvcJIorum^''Meno\v, Salisbury,
Persoon,Pursh, Elliot, Torrey, Eaton, W.Barton,&c.

Authorities — Wildenow, Alton, Pursh, Elliot?
W. Bart, flora fig. 74, &c.

Genus Cypripedium— Perigone symphogyne con-
crete with the germen at the base, with five unequal
sepals or divisions, superior and often colored ; the
innermost or labellum larger, different, ventricose,
split. Central pillar or gonophore bearing two Anthers
and a terminal lobe.

Species C. Luteum— Stem leafy, leaves broad,
often acute and pubescent; flowers with the labellum
shorter than the other sepals, saccate and compressed,
two inner sepals linear spiral and very long, terminal
central lobe deltoid nearly obtuse.

DESCRIPTION— Roots perennial with many long,
thick, fleshy cylindrical and flexuose fibres, of a pale

No. 30,

CYPRIPEDIUM LUTEUM.

3UOW LADIES' SUPFSR.

No. 30.

CVPHIPEDIUM. 141

yellowish cast, diverging horizontally from the cau-
dex. — Stems one to five from the same caudex, sim-
ple, erectj often pubescent and angular, rising one or
two feet, three to seven leaves, and one to three
lowers. Leaves alternate, sessile, sheathing, ovate or
oblong, acute pubescent or smooth, but always entire
and with many ])arallel nerves, green above, paler be-
neath.

Flowers sessile, when more than one, each has a
bracteal leaf. Germen concrete or inferior, green,
cylindrical, often curved. Perigone with five unequal
and different sepals, called petals by the Linnean Bo-
tanists : two are external oblong or lanceolate, acute,
longer than the labellum and green : two are internal
longer, narrower, spirally contorted and green : the
fifth or innermost and lower, called Labellum, is to-
tally different from the others, shorter but larger,
yellow with or without red spots, hollow like a bag,
convex beneath, rounded in front, split above with
inflexed margins. Style and stamina concrete in
the centre, above the germen, forming a central pil-
lar, flattened above into an oblong deltoid lobe, sup-
posed to be the stigma by some Botanists, and bear-
ing before two anthers, lodged in separate cells. — The
fruit is an oblong capsul, with one cell, three valves,
and a multitude of minute seeds, as in all the Orchi-
deous tribe.

IIISTORY — The natural order of the Orchideous
to which this plant belongs, is a very striking and
peculiar tribe of Monocotyle vegetables, which even
LinntEus con^ijdered as natural, and put in his class

142

No. =30.

Gynandria and order Diandria, although most of
them are truly monandrous. He called their peri-
gone, a corolla, because often colored, and deemed
the labellum a nectary, while it is evidently a part
of the perigone or sexual covering. The generic
hame of Cypripedmm, means Venus' Shoe ; it is a
splendid genus containing several beautiful American
and Asiatic species. Many Botanists have made two
species, C. pubescens and C. parvijloriau oiiWis, to
which the previous and better name of C. luteum
ought to be restored. I have ascertained that they
form only one specieS; affording many varieties, son-.e
of which are

1. C. L. Var. pubescens, entirely pubescent even
the flowers.

2. C, L. Var. glabrum^ nearly smooth.

3. C. L. Var. grandiflorum, slightly pubescent,
labellum very large.

4. C. L. Var. /?flrm77orw7?z, slightly pubescent, la-
bellum small.

t 5. C. L. Var. maciilatum,\dhe\\mx\ more or less
spotted, with red dots, lobule often red. ^

6. C. L. Var. bijloruviy with two flowers and. '
bracteoles.

7. C. L. Var. concolor, the whole flower yellow
or yellowish, unspotted.

8. C. L, Var. angusti folium, leaves and brac-
teoles lanceolate.

A multitude of intermediate varieties or deviations5
may be seen, with undulate or spiral sepals, obtuset'
or acute lobule, broader or narrower leaves, &c.

No. 30.

CYFRXPESXUM.

143

This plant blossoms in May and June^ it is much
valued in gardens for its beauty and singularity, but
it is difficult to cultivate : it will seldom grow from
seeds; the roots must be taken up with earth round
them, and transplanted in a congenial rich light
soil. For medical use, they must be collected in the
fall, or early in the spring, carefully dried and re-
duced to po\vder.

Locality— Found all over the United States, from
New England to Louisiana ; but very rare in some
places, while it is common in the hills and swamps
of New York, the Highlands, Green and Catskill
Mountains, and also in the glades and prairies of the
Western States.

Qualities — The roots are the only medical parts :
they have a pungent, mucilaginous taste, and a pe-
culiar smell, somewhat nauseous. They contain ex-
tractive, gum, fecula, and perhaps a small portion of
essential oil.

PROPERTIES-Itiswith some satisfaction that
I am enabled to introduce, for the first time, this beau-
tiful genus into our Materia Medica : all the species
are equally medical ; they have long been known to
the Indians, who called them Mocasin flower, and
were used by the Empirics of New England, parti-
cularly Samuel Thompson. Their properties how-
ever have been tested and confirmed by Dr. Hales of
Troy, Dr. Tully of Albany, &c. The most efficient
IS the C. luleum, next C. acaule, and last C. spec-
tabile and C. candidum. Neither Schocpf nor any
other medical writer has mentioned them.

144 CYPRIPEDIUM.

No. 30.

They are sedative, nervine, antispasmodic, <5'C. and
the best American substitute for Valerian in almost
all cases. They produce beneficial effects in all nerv-
ous diseases and hysterical affections, by allaying
pain, quieting the nerves and promoting sleep. They
are also used in hemicrania, epilepsy, tremors,
nervous fevers, &c. They are preferable to Opium
in many cases, having no baneful nor narcotic effects.
The dose is a tea spoonful of the powder, diluted in
sugar water, or any other convenient form. As in
Valerian, the nervine power is increased by combina-
tion with mild tonics. The powder alone has been
used ; but an extract might be also efficient, unless
the active principle is very volatile.

It is well known that the roots of all the tubercular
Orchideous, afford the officinal Salep, which is so
highly esteemed in Asia as aphrodisiac, nutritive and
pectoral. The roots of many species of Orchis could
afford it in America. The CypHpcdium having
long fleshy roots appear to afford a different kind of
substance, by their efficiency as equivalents to Vale-
rian and Opium.

Substitutes — All the species of this fine genus
being equally nervine, it will be well to notice them,
so as to be easily known.

1. C. acuule or Red Ladies' Slipper, Dwarf Umbil,
&c.— Two radical leaves, one large red flower on a
naked stem. Common in New Jersey, and on the
alluvial plains of the Atlantic States. Best substitute.
Roots smaller and brownish. There is a bad figure of
it in W. Barton's Am. Flora.

No. 30. CYPRIPEDItTM.

145

2. C. specfabile, or Red and White Ladies' Slip-
per, Female Nervine, &c. — Stem leafy, one or two
flowers white and rose colored, sepals oval and short
— Rare from New York to Louisiana.

3. C. candidum, or White Ladies' Slipper, White
Umbil, &c. — Stem leafy, flower white, sepals longer
than the labellum — Rare in deep woods, Pennsylva-
nia to Ohio.

The other succedanea may be Valeriana officinalis
— Humulus lupiilus or hops — Ulmus fulva — Ami"
ca Montana — Doronicum sp. — Cunila mariana —
Inula helenium, &c.

Remarks — The Orchideous plants which have
long roots like the Cypripeilium, appear to have dif-
ferent properties from those which have round or
oval tubercles. The Goody era is antiscrofulous.

The Genus Cladorhiza or Corallorhiza, which
has fleshy branched roots, has also active properties,
&c. The Hahenaria fimhriata has anthelmintic roots,
and theHab orhiculata is one of the Heal-alls or com-
pion Vulneraries.

All the bulbs of our tubercular Orchideous are
more or less like Salep, Aphrodisiac and Uterine.
IBut one of them the Aplectrum hyemale, (called
formerly Cymbidium and Corallorhiza by other
liotanists,) commonly known by the vulgar name of
Adam and Eve, furnishes a kind of Glue, and has ac-
tive properties. A species of the same genus ^plec-
trum lutescens which grows in the Western States,

said to be a powerful Uterine, employed by the In-
dian Women to procure abortion.

K

146

DATUTRA.

No. 31.

No. 31.

DATURA STRAMONIUM.

English Name— COMMON THORN APPLE.
French Name — Stramoine vulgaire.
German Name — Gemeine Stechapfel.
Officinal Name — Stramonium.
Vulgar Names — Jamestownweed, Jimson, Stink-
weed, &c.

Authorities — Linn, and all botanical writers,
Schoepf, Stoerck, B. Barton, Marcet, Hufeland,
Woodville, Fisher, CuUen, Murray, Chapman, Ar-
cher, Thatcher, Coxe, A. Ives, Bigelow, fig. 1. & Seq.

Genus Datura — Calix tubular, angular, deciduous,
five toothed. Corolla funnel-shaped, plaited, five
toothed: stamina five equal. Pistil one, style fili-
form, stigma bilobe. Capsule four celled, four valved,
many seeded.

Species D. Stramonium — Stem dichotome; leaves
alterne oval, sinuate-angular, acute, smooth: flowers
solitary, capsuls erect, ovate, thorny.

DESCRIPTION— Root annual, white, crooked.
Stem erect, from one to eight feet high, branched
by forks or dichotome, cylindrical, often hollow,,
smooth or pubescent^ Leaves alternate at the forks, pe.
tiolate, oval or oval-oblong, base diecurrent, end acute,,
margin almost angular by large unequal acute teeth,,
sinuses rounded, and irregular. — Flowers axillaryr
solitary, on short peduncles, erect, or sometime

No. 31.

DATURA STRAMONIUM.

COV/mOU THORNAPPKS.

No. 31.

DATUBA.

147

nodding, large, white or blueish. Calix monophylle,
tubular, with five angles and teeth, deciduous, but
leaving a rim at the base. Corolla twice as long,
monopetalous, base tubular, subangular, limb with
five angles, plaits and teeth, these last are acuminate.
Stamina five, filaments coherent with the tube, fili-
form, equal, anthers oblong erect. Germen central,
free, but the base concrete with the persistent rim of
the calix, oval, hairy ; one style filiform, as long as
the stamina, one stigma bilobe at the base or sub-
reniform. Fruit a large fleshy capsule, ovate, thorny,,
with four valves opening at the top, inside with four
cells. Many black seeds filling each cell, and at-
tached to a central receptacle in each cell, shape
reniform.

HISTORY— The Genus Datura belongs to the
LuRiDEs of Linnffius or Solanea of Jussieu ; but
ought to be the type of a peculiar family Daturines,
hardly different from the Convolvulides, except by
having equal stamina. It is one of the numerous
genera of the linnean Pentandria monogynia.

Some obscurity appear to exist on this species and
several others, owing to mistakes of the best botanists.
Linnaeus blended the Datura tatula of Africa, with a
variety of D. Stramonium, and the D. metel hardly
differs from both. Individual varieties answering to
these three species, are found in the United States;
but they have all the same properties, as well as the
D.fastuosa and D. ferox of the East Indies. The
following varieties are common with us, and are
linked by imperceptible changes.

148 DATURA.

No. 31,

1. Var. Tatuloides. Stem purple dotted with
green, leaves subtruncate at the base, flowers purplish.
This is the D. tatula of some botanists, but not the
real one of South Africa and Asia.

2. Var. Cordata. Leaves cordate at the base,
stem green, flowers pale bluish.

3. Var. Sngustifol'ia. Leaves oblong-lanceolate,
sinuate, flowers pale bluish.

4. Var. Physaloides. Leaves oblique at the base,
viscid, flowers white.

5. Var. Meteloides. Stem viscid, tall, leaves sub-
cordale pubescent viscid, flowers white, nodding. —
This is the D, metel of some Botanists, but not the
true kind of Africa, which has globose capsuls, and
leaves nearly entire.

6. Var. Alba. Stem green without dots, flowers,
pure white.

This plant has handsome flowers, sometimes four-
inches long, with leave* from three to seven inches;
long, of a lurid aspect.- It has been formerly culti--
vated for its beautiful blossoms, although they have ai
lurid smell. Children use them as yet for garlands,
by forming strings of the flowers within each other. '
Notwithstanding its noxious qualities, I have seen; y
Cows, Sheep and Goats browze on the leaves.

It blossoms from May to September, in the Southern!
States, and in the Northern from July to October,,
bearing yet blossoms when the seeds of the firstt (it
flowers are ripe. It is killed by the frost with us;;
but in warmer climates becomes a half biennial plant., is

The whole plant is a narcotic poison, producing; 11 J

No. 31.

DATURA.

149

many strange effects on the human system, according
to the doses and constitutions. Tlie leaves eaten
boiled, have occasioned delirium and intoxication for
many days, without producing death, or else madness
or tetanus and death. The Antidotes of this poison
are emetics, vegetable acids, and strong coffee.

The vulgar name of Jimson is a corruption from
Jamestown ; as it is said to have spread from the
town of that name in Virginia.

Locality — One of the erratic or wandering plants,
common to all the parts of the world, and spreading
with the utmost facility. It is probably a native of
Persia and India; but has spread to Europe, Africa
and America. It was once thought to be a native of
North America ; but it has spread in it only since its
colonization: the Indians call it the White people's
plant. Its migrations and colonies might be traced
from Virginia, and New England. In the Western
States it has sprung only since their late settlement,
and from seeds carried there as a pretty garden plant.
It is now become a noxious weed, infesting the fields,
&c.; but as it is annual, it might easily be destroyed
by pulling it before seed time. It is commonly met
with near houses, along the roads, in commons, old
fields, &c., never in woods nor mountains, and is
found in all the States; also in Canada, and beyond
Louisiana to Mexico, and even to Peru in South Ame-
rica.

Qualities — The whole plant has a fetid, lurid and
narcotic smell, causing head ache and stupor; it has
a bitter and nauseous taste. It contains gum, resin,

N 2

150

DATURA.

No. 31.

carbonate of ammonia, nitrate of potash, malic acid,
and a peculiar alkaline principle called Daturin, to
which most of its activity is ascribed. Daturin cris-
talizes in quadrangular prisms, and is only soluble
in boiling alcohol : yet the plant yields its properties
to Water and Alcohol, because the Daturin is com-
bined with the acid and forms a soluble mallate of
Daturin.

PROPERTIES— This loathsome weed is one of
those bounties of nature scattered almost every where,
and possessing energetic medical powers. Itis narcotic,
phantastic, antispasmodic, anti-epileptic, anodyne,
sedative, &c. and externally refrigerant, detergent,
resolvent, &c. It has been recommended by Physi-
cians in Asia, Europe and America, in Epilepsy,
rheumatic pains, tic douleureux. Gout and all kinds of
pains. Mania, Convulsions, Asthma, Chorea, Sciatica,
&c., and externally for burnings, scaldings, tumors,
ulcers, cancer and piles. It is now a common article
of Materia Medica every where ; but it fails some-
times and requires care in the exhibition, owing to
its noxious qualities when taken internally in too
great quantity. It produces then Vertigo, confusion
of mind, dilatation of the pupil, loss of sight, head
ache, tremors of the limbs, loss of motion, dry throat,
nausea, anxiety, faintness, delirium, convulsions,
lethargy and death. Vinegar neutralizes the Datu-
rin, as Will as all vegetable acids; but an emetic is
always serviceable when poisoned by narcotics.

The effects of this narcotic when administered in-
ternally for medical purposes, and in proper doses, is

No. SI.

DATURA.

151

to lessen sensibility and pain, to cause a kind of ner-
vous shock attended with some nausea, a feeling of
intoxication and suffocation, to have little influence
on the pulse, to relax the bowels, to dilate the eyes,
&c. , followed by a sensation of ease and quiet, which
induces sleep.

It has been too much extolled by some writers ;
but the results of the numerous cases in which it has
been given, are as follows : — In asthma, it is only a
palliative, useful in the paroxysms, but useless in ple-
thoric cases, it is commonly smoked like Tobacco,
a practice likely to be attended with some danger,
and suitable only for smokers. In Mania it is of little
use except in some cases ^difficult to be ascertained ;
but in Epilepsy and Convulsions it cures the periodi-
cal fits, while it avails not in the sudden fits. It is
highly serviceable in Chronic acute diseases, such as
Sciatica, Syphilitic pains, disease of the spine, para-
plegia, Cancer of the breast, uterine pains, rheuma-
tism, &c., also in chorea and dysmenorhea, strangury
and Calculus, acting in all those cases as an antispas-
modic. In tic douleureux it has only afforded relief
in some cases, and has required repeated doses, but
it has failed in others.

Externally it is a safer and certain remedy for
burns, tumors, gout, ulcers, inflammations and some
cutaneous eruptions. The leaves or their ointment
are applied to the parts, they promote the granulations
or cicatrization of the worse ulcers, and afibrd speedy
relief in piles and painful hemorrhoidal tumors. Sur
geons use them topically to enlarge the pupil of the

15S

DATUHA.

No. 31.

eye previous to the operation of Cataract. It is said
that the leaves applied to the head, produce sleep
and dreams. The plant may be gathered for use at
any time ; but it is best when in blossom. All the
parts of the plant are efficient even the root; but the
seeds contain more Daturin, and are preferable in
some instances.

Many preparations are made for internal use; but
the distilled water is nearly inert. The powdered
leaves, juice, extract, decoction, tincture, &c. are all
available ; for external use an ointment is made by
simmering one pound of fresh leaves in three pounds
of lard. The doses for internal use are to be very
small. Dr. Bigelow recommends the following : one
grain of dry powdered leaves or extract, half a grain
of powdered seeds, one quarter of a grain of extract
from the seeds, and from 15 to 20 drops of the tinc-
ture. Marcet and others say that even one-eighth of
a grain is a sufficient dose to begin with. One pound
of seeds affijrd two ounces of extract, and one pound
of leaves three ounces.

Substitutes — Hyosciamus niger — Conium ma-
culatum — Lactuca elongaia — Solanum Virgini-
eum and S. dulcamara — Cypripcdium Sp — Opium
and other active narcotics or sedatives.

1

No. 32.

DIOSPYROS VIRGINIANA.

No. 32.

DZOSPYROS.

153

No. 32.

DIOSFYROS VIRGINIANA.

English Name— PERSIMON TREE.

French Name — Plaqueminier.

German Name — Persimon Baum.

Officinal Name — Diospyros.

Vulgar Names — Persimons, Yellow Plums, Win-
ter Plums, Guaiacan, Seeded Plums, Pishmin, &c.

Authorities — Lin. Mich. Fl. and Sylva, Pursh,
Eaton, Torrey, Elliott, Schoepf, Kalm, Catesby,
Woodhouse, Coxe, Brickell, Zollickoffer, &c.

Genus Diospyros — Diclinous, Calix 4 to 8 cleft.
Corolla rotate or urceolate 4 to 8 cleft. Staminate
flowers with 8 to 20 Stam. filaments free with one or
two anthers. Pistilate flowers with one Pistil, a
short style and 4 to 6 stigmas. Berry with 8 to 12
seeds. — Trees with alternate leaves.

Species D. Virginiana — Leaves ovate oblong, acu-
minate, entire, smooth, pale and reticulate beneath,
petiolate, petiols pubescent; Berries solitary globose.

DESCRIPTION— The Persimon is a common
tree rising from 15 to 60 feet, with a smooth bark,
and spreading branches. The leaves are from three
to five inches long, shining above, whitish or pale
and reticulate beneath, oval or oblong, base acute,
end or tip acuminate, margin entire, on short alter-
nate and pubescent petioles. These leaves vary in

154

DXOSPYROS.

No. 32.

size, and some varieties have them glaucous or pu-
bescent beneath. Buds smooth.

Flowers lateral, extra axillary, solitary, nearly
sessile or on a short pedicel. Calix spreading persis-
tent, commonly 4 cleft, seldom 5 or 6 cleft, seg-
ments oval acute shorter than the Corolla, which is
yellowish, with as many segments as the calix, broad
ovate, acute. Diclinous blossoms on separate trees
or dioical, sometimes a complete flower occurs, in
which are as many stigmas as segments to the Calix,
and double the number of Stamina. The filaments
are short, free or inserted on the calix instead of the
corolla, depressed, anthers bilobe. One Pistil, ger-
men round, style very short, stigmas obtuse, spread-
ing.— Fruit a globular yellow berry, similar to a.
plum, with a thin skin, fleshy pulp and many com- ■
pressed hard seeds.

HISTORY — This genus amply evinces the ab--
surdity of the Linnean system, since hardly two spe--
cies of it have the same number of stamina. Linnaeus i
put it in his class Polygamia ; it is now put in Dioe- ■
da octandria, although many species have 10 or 12
or 16 or 20 Stamina, and 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 Styles of
Stigmas. It however belongs to a very natural family
the Ebenaceous. The whole genus appears to need I
reform, and ought to be divided in many Sub General
or Genera, such as

Diospyros to which D. Lotus, Flrginiana, &c.
belong.

Embriopteris (Gaertner) 20 stam. One cruciate:
stigma.

No. 32.

DIOSPYROS.

155

Ebenum. Cal. 5 Segm, Stam. 10. Berry 10 locular.
Dimia, with 2 or 3 Styles, type D. digyna.
Chloroxylon, type D. ditto.
Gonopyros, Cal. and Cor. 5 fid. Berry angular or
lobed.

The D. Virginiana is by no means a definite spe-
cies. Pursh and Michaux, jun. have noticed that two
species are probably blended under that name: to one
of them Pursh gave the name of D. pubescens. I
have ascertained three principal varieties at least, (and
there are more) which might almost be deemed spe
cific; they are

1. Var. Macrocarpa. Leaves smaller, glauceous
beneath, fruit very large — Southern States.

2. Var. Concolor. Leaves middle size, hardly pale
beneath, somewhat obtuse, fruit of a good size.

3. Var. Microcarpa. Leaves large acute, pubescent
beneath, fruit very small. — Virginia, &c. This is the
D. pubescens of Pursh, who says that the leaves are
tomentose beneath, petioles longer, &c.

The blossoms are of a pale yellow or orange color,
they appear in May and June, when the leaves are
yet small and not quite unfolded. The berries are
only ripe late in the fall, and after frost; they re-
semble a yellow plum, but are globular: before their
maturity they are exceedingly acerb and astringent;
but when fully ripe and soft, become sweet, and have
a fine flavor. These berries were one of the spon-
taneous fruits used by the native Tribes ; who pre-
served them in various ways, dried them and made
a paste with them : also a kind of Beer or Wine: this

156

DZOSPYROS.

No. 32.

liquor contains alcohol, which has been attempted to
be extracted ; but too many substances afford it al-
ready.

A gum exudes sometimes from the tree, but in
small quantity. The Persimon Beer is made by
forming the fruits into cakes with bran, drying them
in an oven, and bruising these cakes afterwards in
water. The large variety has fruits as big as an egg,
and deserves to be cultivated on a large scale as a fruit
tree. The wood is hard and fine, suitable for tools
and many other domestic articles. To make Persimon
Wine the skin of the ripe fruits ought to be taken off,
as it contains too much astringency.

Locality — From New York to Louisiana, rare
beyond the 42d degree of latitute, common in the:
South, in woods and groves; more common in the:
plains than the mountains.

Qualities — Bark bitter and acerb, containing;
Tannin, Extractive, &c. Fruit sweet and wellfla--
voured when ripe, containing sugar, mucilage, gallic:
acid and several other substances.

PROPERTIES — Bark astringent, styptic, tonic,
corroborant, antiseptic, &c. Ripe fruits subastrin-
gent, nutrient, antiseptic, anthelmintic, &c. The:
inner bark is the most officinal part : it is extremely
bitter, and a good astringent tonic, useful in sore;
throat, fevers, intermittents, and Dysentery. In thisi
last disorder it is often united with rhubarb. It isi
much used in Carolina and Tennessee for intermit--
tent fevers. It is also a powerful antiseptic, and.
equal to the Cinchona: Some physicians consider'

No. 32.

DXOSFYROS.

157

it, as well as its equivalent the Sorbus Americana
as the best succedanea to Cinchona. It has been
useful in ulcers, and ulcerous sorethroat. The doses
are the same as common tonics either in substance or
extract. It has not yet been analysed; but probably
contains a peculiar principle, Diospyrine, which is
by far more astringent than Cornine or even Quinine,
owing to its union to the gallic acid.

In the South of Europe the Dwspyros Lotus,
which is very much like the Var. microcm-pa, is
called holy wood, and employed as a substitute for
Guayac wood. This may perhaps possess similar
properties.

The unripe fruit has nearly the same properties as
the bark ; but is too austere and very styptic. The
ripe fruit is very palatable, sweet and vinous ; it has
been used to kill the worms of children.

Substitutes — Sorbus Americana — Pruniis Vir-

giniana Quercus rubra Spirea tomentosa

Pinckneya bracteata— Cinchona Sp. and most of
the Astringent Tonics.

Remarks— The Persimons, Wild Grapes, Papaws
(Asiminci) Hickorynuts, Pecans, Walnuts, Chesnuts,
Chincapins, Filberts, Whortleberries, Cranberries^
Strawberries, Mulberries, Raspberries, Blackberries'
Crab Apples, Wild Plums, &c. were the fruits of the
native tribes. Several have been introduced already
in o'lr gardens,- but the Persimon has not yet been
cultivated, although no fruit deserves it better: it pro-
mises to improve in flavor and size under the care of
the gardener, affording a fine table fruit, many pre-
serves, and a peculiar kind of wine.

0

158

DZB.CA.

No. 33.

No. 33.

EIRCA PALUSTRIS.

English Name— SWAMP LEATHERWOOD.
French Name- — Dircier triflore.
German Name — Leder-holz.
Officinal Name — Dirca.

Vulgar Names Leatherwood, Moosewood,

Svvampwood, Ropebark, (Bois de plomb in Canada.)

Authorities — Linnseus, Pursh, Kalm, Bartram,
Duhamel, fig. 212. Torrey, Eaton, Elliott, Locke,
B. Barton, Zollickofier, Bigelow, fig. 37, &c.

Genus Dirca — Perigone simple, colored or corol-
liform, tubular, funnelshaped, nearly entire, sub-eight;
toothed. Stamina eight perigynous, exserted, four-
alternate longer. Germen free oval, style lateral-
Berry one seeded.

Species B. palustris — Shrubby, branches articu-
lated; leaves alternate, subsessile, oval, entire; pe--
duhcles triflore drooping.

DESCRIPTION — Shrub, from three to seven feet',
high, v/ith branches spreading, cylindric, flexuose
articulate, green, smooth. Leaves alternate or scat-
tered, distichal, nearly sessile, petioles very short;:
shape oval entire, acute at both ends, downy when;
young, smooth and membranous when full grown,,
pale beneath, unfolding after the flowers.

Ko. 33.

OmCA PALUSTRIS,

SWAMP KEATHERWOOD

No. 33.

DIRCA.

159

Flowers blossoming early and before the leaves
ome out, forming in the fall within terminal buds,
vhere they hybernate, buds with many oblong hairy
scales, and three flowers. Peduncle bearing a fascicle
of three flowers, formed by three cohering pedicels.
T^ach flower yellow, half an inch long, with a simple
perigone, called Corolla by Linnaeus because it is co-
lored : this perigone is drooping, tubular, contracted
at the base and middle, campanulate at the end, with
eight obscure teeth on the margin. Eight Stamina
inserted on the perigone, with slender filaments, longer
than the perigone, and alternately longer and shorter,
anthers rounded. Germen oval, central free, with a
long filiform curved style inserted on one side of the
base, Stigma acute. Fruit a small orange berry, oval,
acute, with a single seed.

HISTORY — One of the few American genera con-
taining as yet a single species. It is a very distinct
genus belonging to the natural family of Daphnides,
called Thymelea by Jussieu and Vepreculce by Lin-
naeus, and also to Octandriamonogynia of his sexual
system. The specific name palustris implies that it
grows in swamps; but it is oftener found on the banks
of rivers and even among rocks.

The blossoms are scentless and appear very early
in the Spring, as soon as the Maples blossoms, long be-
fore the leaves are unfolded. The bark is very tough,
can hardly be broken, and tearing in long stripes is
used as yet in many parts for ropes, a practice bor-
rowed from the Indian tribes : the wood is also flexible.
The berries are poisonous, children must avoid

160

DIRCA.

No. 33.

them ; if eaten by mistake, an emetic must be re-
sorted to.

Locality — From Maine and Canada to Georgia
near streams, and in shady swamps, rare west of the
Alleghany mountains, yet occuring in Ohio and
Kentucky.

Qualities — The bark and root have a peculiar
nauseous smell, and unpleasant acrimonious taste;
they contain an acrid resin, bitterish extractive, mu-
cilage, &c. : the resin or active principle, is only so-
luble in boiling alcohol. The decoction and extract
are bitter, but not acrimonious.

PROPERTIES— Emetic, cathartic, rubefacient,
eplspastic, &c. and the berries narcotic. The fresh
root and bark in substance at the dose of five to ten
grains produce vomiting, with a sense of heat in the
stomach, and sometimes act as a cathartic also. They
are an active and dangerous medicine, to which less
acrimonious substances ought to be preferred. Ap-
plied to the skin they produce rubefaction and vesi-
cation in thirty hours; this appears a more safe mode
to use them, as they might become auxiliaries to the
Spanish flies. The berries produce nausea, giddiness,
stupor, dilatation of the pupil and insensibility like
other narcotics. Bigelow considers this plant as a
substitute for the Poly gala Senega; but this last is
by far better and safer, and therefore preferable. We
are not told whether it acts like the Poly gala and is
expectorant, sudorific, &c. Upon the whole this
shrub possesses such active properties as to deserve
attention ; but we do not possess as yet sufficient evi-

No. 33.

DIRCA. 161

dence of its utility. When the bark is chewed it
produces salivation, it is so tough that it cannot be
reduced to powder, but forms only a kind of lint.
The watery preparations are nearly inert.

Substitutes — All the milder emetics and acrid
substances, Cantharides — Baptisia tinctoria — Coni-

um maculatum Polygala senega Jipocynum

androsemifoUum — Eupatorium perfoliatum — Ra-
nunculus sp. — Euphorbia corollata and E. Ipeca-
cuana — Rhus Sp. — Clematis Sp. &c.

Remarks — Our native epispastics are little known
as yet, and deserve attentipn. The Juglans Cinerea
and the Oil of Sassafras are with the Dirca most
ikely to become practically useful.

We have also in the United States, several species
of Cantharides, such as Cantharis Vittata. C. mar^
^inaia, C, atrata, C. cinerea, &c. which are equal
Lo the oiEcinal Spanish flies, and would be available
if not so scarce.

IB 0

163

ERIGERON.

No. 34,

No. 34.

ERIGERON PniLADELPHICUM.

English Name— SKEVISH FLEABANE.

French Name — Erigeron de Philadelphie,

German Name — Skewisch Berustjngskratjt.

Vulgar Names — Skevish, Scabish, Sweet Sca-
bious, Daisy, Cocash, Frostweed, Fieldweed, Squaw-
weed, &c.

Authorities — Linn. Mich. Pursh, Pers. Torrey,
Eaton, B. Barton, Depuy, Hales, A. Ives, Bigelow
Seq. Thatcher, Coxe. W. Bart. fig. 20.

Genus Erigeron — Flowers compound radiate. Pe
rianthe imbricated, folioles subulate unequal. Pho
ranthe naked. Rays ligulate, linear, entire, nume
rous, pistillate; central flowers of the disk tubula
complete or staminate, five toothed. Seeds oblon
crowned by a simple pappus.

Species. E. Philadelphicum — Pubescent, leave
cuneate oblong obtuse, lower petiolate, upper semi
amplexicaule, nearly entire subciliate: flowers c
rymbose, rays twice as-long as the hemispherical peri
anthe.

DESCRIPTION Roots perennial yellowish

formed by many branching thick fibres. The whol
plant is pubescent and rises two or three feet, stem
one to five, straight, simple, branched and corymbose
at the top, a little angular. Radical and lower leaves

Wo. 34.

ERIGERON PHILADELPHICUM.

SKZnnSK FLEABAZVS.

(

1

i

(

No. 34.

163

oblong, base cuneate decurrent on a long petiole,
nearly obtuse, margin ciliate entire or seldom serrate :
upper leaves sessile or nearly amplexieaule, cuneate,
narrow oblong, obtuse, entire, alternate remote : floral
leaves small lanceolate.

Flowers numerous forming a panicled Corymb,
peduncles scattered, slender, bearing one to three
flowers. Buds globular. Perianthe or common calix
hemispherical, formed by many subulate, adpressed
folioles. Flowers radiate, half an inch in diameter,
with yellow disk and rays white, bluish or purplish.
Rays or radial florets ligular numerous, spreading,
crowding, narrow, entire, pistilate. Florets of the
disk, convex, crowded, the central ones sometimes
staminate and abortive. Phoranthe or common re-
ceptacle, bearing all the florets, flat, naked, pitted.
Germen of the pistillate and complete florets oblong
smooth, having a symphogyne calix forming above a
pilose pappus which crowns the seeds. Each floret
produces a single seed.

Locality— Found all over the United States, al-
though bearing the name of Philadelphian. It grows
in New England, New York, Ohio, Kentucky, Mis-
souri, and as far South as Louisiana and Georgia. It
is a field plant, seldom seen in woods and mountains j
but covering sometimes whole fields, dry meadows,
commons and glades. In old fields it is deemed a
pernicious weed, like the other kinds which com-
monly accompany it.

HISTORY — Three species (if not more) of this
genus have similar properties, and will therefore be
included in this article, the other two are.

164}

SRI6ER0N.

No. 54,

1. Erigeron heterophyllum, (Aster Annuus of
Linnasus) Jagged Fleabane, which merely differs
from this by broader jagged difforme leaves, the ra-
dical and inferior ovate, sinuate dentate, acute, the
upper one lanceolate subpinnatif, and the floral entire
— Common in meadows, &c., mixed with E. phila-
delphicum. Figured by W. Barton, fig. 21. Biennual.

2. Erigeron Canadense, Canada Fleabane. It has
linear crowded entire leaves ; flowers paniculate, very
small, with oblong perianthe and rays exceedingly
short. One of the most common weeds from Canada
to Kentucky, and yet perhaps the most efficient of
the three. It infests old fields, and has been spread
in Europe by chance. Very variable, principal varie-
ties 1. Unijlorumf 2. Pusillum, 3. Maritimum,
4. Virgatum, 5. Serratum, 6. Lanceolatum, &c.

A multitude of vulgar names are applied to these
plants. Fleabane is the true English name, Daisy
alludes to the flowers which are similar to those of
the true Daisy or Bellis perennis, but the Bellis in-
tegrifolia is the true American Daisy. Scabious is
erroneous, since they are nothing like the genus
Scabiosa, Skevish derives perhaps from Scabious or
from Cocash the Indian name.

They all blossom from July to October, or until
frost. They are deemed bad weeds ; but are easily
extirpated. The E. canadensis is annual.

Erigeron is a genus of the Radiate Order next to
Mey, of which it merely differs by numerous narrow
rays. Both belong to Syngenesia Suptrjiua of
Linnceus.

No. 34.

ERIGERON.

165

Qualities — These plants have a peculiar smell
most unfolded by rubbing them, which is not dis-
agreeable. Their taste is astringent, acrimonious and
bitter: the smell and taste are most unfolded in
E. canadense and E. jjJiiladdphicum, They contain
Tannin, Amarine, Extractive, Gallic Acid and an
essential Oil. This Oil is very peculiar, as fluid as
Water, of a pale yellow color, a peculiar smell
somewhat like Lemon, but stronger and a very acrid
taste. It holds probably in solution Acrine or a pe-
culiar substance Erigerine,

PROPERTIES— These Weeds are valuable medi-
caments, possessing very active powers; they are
Diuretic, Sudorific, Astringent, Styptic, Menagogue,
Pectoral and Tonic in a high degree, and act in a
mode peculiar to themselves, by means of their acrid
quality. Their Oil is so powerful that two or three
drops dissolved in Alcohol, have arrested suddenly
uterine hemorrhagy, in the hands of Dr. Hales of
Troy, who employs the Oil of E, canadense. This
kind is most use<,l in New England and New York,
the others in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The
whole plants are available.

The Diseases already relieved or cured by these
plants are Chronic Diarrhoja, Ascites, Disury, Nephri-
tis, Gravel, Gout, Anasarca, Suppressed Menstrua-
tions, Dropsy, Ilydrothorax, Dry Coughs, Cutaneous
Eruptions, Hemorrhagics, Dimness, Rash, Cold hands
and feet, &c. TJie Avhole plants are used fresh or
dried, in infusion, decoction or tincture. Their ex-
tract is rather fetid, more astringent than the infusion

166 * ERZGERON.

No. 34.

or tincture ; but less than the Oil, which is one of the
most efficient vegetable Styptics. This extract and a
syrup of the plant have been given usefully in dry
coughs, hemoptysis, and internal hemorrhages. The
dose is from five to ten grains of the extract, often
repeated.

As diuretic the infusion, decoction and tincture are
preferable and more active ; they have increased the
daily evacuation of urine from 24 to 67 ounces, A
pint or two of the former may be taken daily; they
agree well with the stomach, even when Squill and
Digitalis are intolerable : the dose of the tincture is
from two to four drachms daily; it is made by di-
gesting one ounce of the leaves in a pound of proof
Spirit. They are beneficial in all diseases of the
bladder and kidneys, attended with pain and irritation,
in which they give speedy relief. Also in all com-
pound cases of gravel and gout. In rheumatism they
have not been tried, although they are sudorific. In
all Dropsical disorders they act as diuretic. In chro-
nic Diarrhoea as astringent and have cured it without
auxiliary.

They are even useful externally in wounds, also in
hard tumors and buboes, which a cataplasm of the
fresh plants dissolve as it were. But the most valu-
able property is the astringent and styptic power of
the Oil, which has saved many lives in parturition
and uterine hemorrhagy. A saturated solution ofi
the Oil in Alcohol is applied and a little given in ai
spoonful of Water; and an instantaneous stop takes i
place in the bloody flow.

No. 34.

167

Since these plants appear to increase as well as to
prevent several discharges from the body, they must
not act as other diuretic and astringent remedies ; but
by a peculiar acrid eflfect on the system, worthy of
investigation. I highly recommend these plants to
medical attention. They were known to the North-
ern Indians by the name of Cocash or Squaw-weed
as menagogue and diuretics, and are often employed
by Herbalists. They may be collected for medical
use at any time when in blossom.

Substitutes— ^ry/2^m??i yucefolium and ^qiui-
ticum, or Corn-snake root, said to be the strongest
diuretic and sudorific of the Southern States— j5o/ro-
phis SerpentaYia—Pyrola umbellata, maculata,
kri.—Daucus Car Ota and other diuretics. — For as-
tringents Spirea tomentosa—Heuchera Sp.—Statice
Caroliniana — Jirhutus Uva Ursa — Geranium ma-
culatum — Comptonia asplenifolia^ &c.

Remarks — -Other species of this genus may possess
the same properties: they are very similar to each
other. The following might be tried.

E. hellidifolium or Daisy Fleabane, a vernal kind.
Integrifolium, or Slender Fleabane.

E. purpureum, or Purple Fleabane.

E. strigosum, or Rough Fleabane, &c.

168

ERTTHRONZUIVE. No. 35.

No. 35.

ERYTHRONIUM FLAYUM.

English Name— YELLOW SNAKELEAF.

French Name — Dent-de-Chien Jaune.

German Name — Gelb Hundzahn.

Officinal Name — Erythronium.

Vulgar Names — Yellow Adder's tongue, Adder-
leaf, Dog-Violet, Rattle Snake violet, Lamb's tongue,,
Scrofula root, Yellow Snow drop, &c.

Synonyms — E. Jlavum Smith. £. americamim
Ker, Nuttal, Torrey, &c. E. dens-ccuiis Mich.
Eaton, &c. E. lanceolaium Pursh. E. longifolium
Poiret.

Authorities — Michaux, Pursh, Smith, Nuttal,.
Elliott, Torrey, Bigelow, fig. 58, and Sequel, W.
Barton, flora fig. 33, Coxe, Zollickofier, &c.

Genus Erythronium — Perigone corolliform, with
six deciduous colored sepals, subequal, campanulate ;
the three inner ones with a fossule at the base. Sta-
mina six subequal, inserted at the base of each sepal.
One pistil, germ turbinate. Style fistulose, Stigmai
clavate three lobed. Capsul obovate, three celled,,
three valved, with many ovate seeds. — Stem with
two opposite leaves and one flower, root bulbous.

Species E. Flavum — Leaves subequal, subradical..
lanceolate, mucronate, smooth, entire, flower noddingj.
sepals oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, the inner ones bi^-

No. 35.

ERYTHEONIUM FLAVUM.

YZ2UOW SNAKEKSAF.

4

No. 35. ERYTHRONIUlVr. . I69

dentate near the base: Stigma with three united
lobes.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, a solid pyriform
bulb, deep in the ground, white inside, covered out-
side with a brown loose tunic, sheathing the base of
the Stem, fibres of the root inferior, thick and short.
Stem partly uader ground with two leaves appearing
radical because near the ground, the whole plant
sihooth and shining ; Stem white below, greenish pur-
ple above, slender cylindrical from five to twelve inches
long, two sessile leaves : on the first year of the
growth only one leaf is produced, and it is commonly
broader and elliptic. Leaves a little unequal, one
being commonly narrowej. or smaller, they are from
three to seven inches long, lanceolate or oval-lanceo-
late, shining and glabrous, veinless and with a single
nerve, often spotted by large irregular spots of a dull
brown, above, pale and unspotted below, and with
an obtuse callous point.

A single flower at the end of the Stem, one inch
long, nodding, of a yellow colour, sometimes with a
mixture of red outside by a stripe or veins on the
external sepals or petals, which are lanceolate reflect-
ed, sometimes acute, while the inner ones are oblong
lanceolate, obtuse, quite yellow, veinless, with a cal-
lous notch on each side at the base, and a furrow in
,he middle above the fossule or little pitt of the base,
ibove the Stamina, which are inserted quite at the
Ibase, shorter than the sepals, yellow, with depressed
subulate filaments, and depressed linear anthers. Germ
turbinate triangular, Style fistulose, Stigma clavate

ERYTHRONIUM. No. 35.

prismatic trilobe above. The Gapsul is naked, turbi
nate triangular, with three cells and many large ovall
seeds.

HISTORY — This pretty genus was long formedi
by a single species E. dens-canis growing in Europe;
and Asia, to which was referred this at first. Several
species have since been discovered in America, and
they afford many varieties, some of which may on
further attention be deemed peculiar species. They
all possess the same properties as well as a striking^
peculiar generic habit, somewhat similar to Clai/tonia,,
Clintonia, Mayanthus, Sfc. The Stem has been mis
taken for a Scape by many, because it is partly sub'
terraneous. When this «pecies was distinguished
from E. dens-canis, several. names were given to it
by Botanists nearly at the same time, I have chosern
the best if not the oldest also, applying to its yellow*
flowers, while all the others have white flowers ; th
name of %Q'mericanum so often proposed, is becom*
absurd now. The varieties of this yellow specie.^
which I have detected are,

1. Var. F'iperimim, Leaves canaliculate with larg?i
reddish brown spots; external sepals acuminatee
veined with red outside, all the sepals with small
purplish dots inside. Stigma entire, trigone, pubescent!
This is probably the kind figured by W. Barton. Ij|ti

2. Var. Crocejim, Leaves narrow flat with smajJ j
spots, flower drooping, external sepals partly red ouliiipp
side and obtuse, Stigma trilobe smooth. This il^
figured by Bigelow. I \^

3. Var, Bracieaiumj Leaves unequal, Stem witit|)^j

No. 35. ERYTHaONIUM.

171

a lanceolate bract, flower small. This is the E. brae-
teatum of Boott and Bigelow, from Vermont and the
Alleghany ; probably a peculiar species.

4. Var. Lucidum, Leaves unspotted, flat shining,
oblong lanceolate, flowers quite yellow. This is
figured here.

5. Var. Glaucum, Leaves unspotted glaucous,
flower yellow with some red veins.

6. Var. LafA folium , Leaves broad oval or elliptic,
flat, seldom spotted, flower yellow.

7. Var. Grandijlornm.

8. Var. Parvifloruni, &c.

Many strange vulgar names have been given to
these plants, the spotted kinds are called Snakeleaf,
Adder's tongue or leaf, because compared to Snake's
spots, while the unspotted kinds become Lamb's
tongue. The Goodyera and Hieracium Vmosum
are also called Rattle Snake leaf and used as equiva-
lents. Snow-drop alludes to its early blossoms, com-
ing often through snow. In fact it is in the United
States the representative of the Galanthiis nivalis or
true Snow-drop of Europe, blossoming in March and
April, while snow is yet falling. The E. albidum
is called White Snow-drop. They are both pretty
vernal blossoms, deserving to be cultivated in gardens
although scentless.

Erythronium is a generic name of Greek origin,
applying to the red spots of the leaves. The genus
belongs to the fine natural order of Liliacea, near
Tulipa and Fritillaria. It belongs to Hexandria
monogynia of Linnasus. .

173 ehythronium.

No. 35.

Locality — It grows from New England to Ohio
and south to Carolina ; in the Western States it is
often superseded by the E. albidum, which extends
from New York to Missouri and Tennessee. They
both grow in woods, and under the shade of trees,
shrubs or plants.

Qualities — The whole plant, but particularly the
root, contains fecula, mucilage, a resin, and some
Tolatile principle rather acrid. When dry, the root
is farinaceous and loses its unpleasant flavor.

PROPERTIES— The root or bulb and the leaves
are emetic, ernollient, suppurative and antiscrofu-
lous when fresh, nutritive when dry. The plant
appears to possess nearly the same properties as the
bulbs of many Lilies; but with the addition of an
acrid emetic effect, which is lost by drying, boiling,
roasting, &c. The dose to produce the emesis is
twenty-five grains of the fresh root, or forty of the'
recent dried root. As it loses its activity by keeping,
it is an inconvenient and unsafe emetic. Bigelow'
proposes to try it as a substitute of Colchicum: al-l
though they belong to different Natural Orders. Thisi
plant promises better as an antiscrofulous, for whichu
purpose it is employed as well as the E. alhidum\
from New York to Kentucky, &c. the fresh roots ;
and leaves are stewed with milk and applied to the i
scrofulous sores as a poultice, healing them speedilyrt
this new medical property was first communicated to!
me by Dr. Crockatt. Many bulbs of Lilies have**
been used in the same way for sores, but the active :
acrid principle of this, may act beneficially on the r

Ko. 35. ERYTHRONIUM.

scrofulous sores. Bigelow mentions that even bulbs
of Tulips and Daffodils have acted as emetics sometimes.
The roots and leaves of this plant may be eaten after
boiling, like those of -S. dens-canis ; but the broth is
emetic and nauseous, while it is said that the E. dens-
canis makes good broth in Siberia. Salep could be
made of these roots by scalding them and drying
them afterwards.

Substitutes — Erythronium alhidum and Good-
yera pubescens for Scrofula, Salep, Roots of Acrid
Liliaceous plants, many Emetic roots, &c.

REMARKS—The E. alhidum, White Snakeleaf or
Snow-drop, will be known by its bluish white blos-
soms, and trifid stigma. It offers as many varieties
as the E.flavum, such as 1. Cerulescens, 2. Candi-
dum, 3. Maculatum, 4. August I folium, 5. Eraciea-
him, 6. Grandiflorum, 7. Parvijiorum, 8. Clan-
destinum, 9. Glaucum, &c. Found from New York
to Missouri and Kentucky.

174 EUPATORZniM!. No. 36.

No 36.

EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM.

English Name — BONESET.

French Name — Eupatoire percefeuille.

German Name Durchwachsener Wasser-

DOST.

Officinal Name — Eupatorium perfoliatum.

Vulgar Names — Thorough- wort, Boneset, Joe-
pye, Teazel, Feverwort, Sweating-plant, Thorough-
stem, Crosswort, Indian Sage, Agueweed, Thorough-
wax, Vegetable Antimony.

Synonym — E. connatum Michaux.

Authorities — Lin. Mich. Pursh, Golden, Schoepf,
Cutler, Stokes, B. Barton, Torrey, Eaton, Elliott,
Thatcher, Coxe, Anderson, Guthrie, Burson, A.
Ives, all the Dispens. and Mat. Med. Bigelow, fig.
2 and Sequel, W. Barton, fig. 37.

Genus Eupatorium — Flowers compound fioscu-
lose. Perianthe imbricate, unequal, oblong or cy-
lindric. Phoranthe naked. Floscules five toothed.
Style exserted bifid. Seeds oblong angular. Pappus
subplumose. — ^Leaves commonly opposite or verticil-
late, flowers corymbose. \

Species E. perfoliatum — Stem villose, cylindric ;
leaves opposite connate-perfoliate, oblong, tapering,
acute, serrulate, rugose above, tomentose beneath:
flowers with a dozen of floscules.

m 36e

EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM,

80NESXST.

No. 36. EUPATORinaW.

175

DESCRIPTION Root perennial, horizontal,

crooked, with scanty fibres, and sending up many
Stems, which are upright, simple at the base, branched
above in a trichotome form, forming a depressed
corymb ; from two to five feet high, round, covered
with flexuose hairs ; the whole plant has a greyish
green color, and even the flowers are of a dull white.
Leaves opposite, decussate, connate at the base, or
united to each other there, where broadest, and gra-
dually tapering to a sharp point, from three to eight
inches long, narrow oblong, rough above, woolly be-
neath, margin serrulate, upper leaves often sessile,
not united.

Inflorescence in a dense depressed terminal Corymb
formed by smaller fastigate corymbs, peduncles hairy,
as well as the perianthe or common calix, each in-
closing from twelve to fifteen floscules or florets,
Scales lanceolate acute, florets tubulose white, five
black anthers united into a tube. Seeds black, pris-
matic, oblong, base acute, pappus with scabrous hairs.

HISTORY — A very striking plant, easily recog-
nized among all others, even when not in bloom, by
its connate leaves, perforated by the Stem, as in the
Teazel or Bipsacus fullonum. It belongs to a genus
containing nearly one hundred species, all very dif-
ferent from this except the E. sessilifolium which is
nearly alike, but has smooth Stems, leaves rounded at
the base, not united nor tomentose, flowers whiter,
whereby they will be easily distinguished.

One half of the Species grow in America, and many
have medical properties; but this appears the most

176 EUPATORIUM.

No. 36.

efficient, and being also best known, deserves a pre-
ference, although several are useful substitutes in
some cases. It is by no means a handsome plant,
while many congeneric are quite elegant plants, in-
troduced into many gardens, such are the E. celesii-
num with beautiful azure blossoms, common all along
the western streams, and the E. purpiireum with
large purple flowers, on a stem five to eight feet
high, with whorled leaves.

The genus belongs to the great Natural Order of
Corymbose plants, family Fiosculose, or to Syjige-
nesia Equalis of Linnaeus. It takes its name from
Mithridates Eupator, an ancient eastern king ; it was
first given to the E. cannabinum, the Asiatic and
European species, whose medical powers were made
known by him ; it is an emetic, purgative and altera-
tive like this.

They are all autumnal plants: this blossoms from
August to October.

Locality — Common in swamps, marshes, and
near streams, from Maine to Florida, and from Ohio
to Louisiana: Avhere it appears to have been stationed
by the benevolence of nature, wherever men are
liable to local fevers. It is found also in Nova Scotia,
Canada, Missouri, Arkansas, &c.

Qualities — The whole plant, roots, stems, leaves,
and flowers are intensely hitler, but not astringent;
they have a peculiar flavor and faint smell. They
have been analized by Anderson, Bigelow and Lau-
rence, and found to contain Extractive, Amarine, a
gum, a resin, an acid similar to the gallic. Acetate of

No. 36. EUPATOmUM. 177

lime, some azote and tannin, and lastly a peculiar
substance Eupatorine^ brown, bitter, resiniform,
soluble in water and alcohol, forming sulfates, ni-
trates, &c.

PROPERTIES — A valuable sudorific, tonic, al-
terative, antiseptic, cathartic, emetic, febrifuge, cor-
roborant, diuretic, astringent, deobstruent and stimu-
lant. It was one of the most powerful remedies of
the native tribes for fevers, &c. It has been intro-
duced extensively into practice all over the country
from New England to Alabama, and inserted in all
our medical works, although writers differ as to the
extent of its effects. It appears to be superior to An-
themis nobilis or Camomile as a sudorific tonic, and
preferable to Barks in the treatment of the local au-
tumnal fevers of the country, near Streams, Lakes
and Marshes. I have seen them cured efficiently
by it when other tonics failed. It acts somewhat like
Antimony, without the danger attending the use of
this mineral. The cold preparations are powerful
tonics and do not produce emesis as an over-dose of
the warm decoction. It acts powerfully on the skin
and removes obstinate cutaneous diseases. It has
cured the following disorders in many instances, In-
termittent and remittent fevers; petechial or spotted
fever, called also malignant or typhoid pleurisy ; dis-
eases of general debility. Ascites, Anasarca, Anorexia,
and debility arising from intemperance; acute and
chronic rheumatism; violent catarrhs; bilious and
typhus fever, particularly low typhus, incident to
marshy places, and attended with a hot and dry skin ;

178

HUPATORZXTIME.

No. 36.

also influenza, the Lake fever similar to the yellow
fever, and the yellow fever itself; ring- worms, and
Tinea Capites, Dropsy, Gout and Syphilitic pains :
dyspepsia and complaints of the Stomach, and Bites
of Snakes.

This plant may be so managed as to act as a tonic,
a sudorific, a laxative or an emetic, as required. No
other tonic of equal activity can be exhibited in fevers,
with less danger of increasing excitement or produc-
ing congestion : the only objection to its general use
is its nauseous and disagreeable taste. In substance
or cold decoction, and combined with aromatics it
becomes very efficient in intermittents and dyspeptic
disorders : it strengthens the viscera and restores tone
to the system. The doses of the powder are from ten
to twenty grains, the decoction and infusion from
one to three ounces. No unpleasant effects follow the
cold preparations.

Ample accounts of the beneficial effects of this
plant, are to be found in all our medical Works.
Burson says that in Anorexia consequent to drunken-
ness, a cold infusion has speedily restored the tone of
the stomach. Zollickofier extols it as an alterative
remedy in tinea capites, united to cremor tartar and
sugar, two spoonfuls given three times a-day. Thatcher
says that the cold infusion cures bilious cholic with
obstinate constipation, a tea-cup full every half hour
producing a cathartic effect. The warm infusion
causes a copious perspiration, and often becomes a
safe and certain emetic. Chapman relates that it
cured the kind of Influenza called Breakbonc fever,

No. 36. BUPATORIUM.

179

acting as a diaphoretic, whence its popular name of
Boneset. The name of Joepye is given to it, and to
E. purpureum, in New England from an Indian of
that name, who cured typhus with it, by a copious
perspiration. Eberle says that catarrhal fevers may
be removed by drinking a weak infusion of it in
going to bed. It is particularly useful in the Indi-
gestion of old people : and may be used as an auxiliary
to other tonics and emetics in all cases. The extract
and syrup preserve all the properties, and are less
disagreeable to the palate.

Substitutes — Anthemis nohilis and Cotula —
Matricaria Camovaila — Marrubium Vulgare or
Common Horehound — Asclepias tuberosa — Leptan-
dra — Botrophts — Yarrow, Tansey and Sassafras, &c.
Besides the following species of the same Genus.

1. E. teucrifolium or Rough Boneset (Wild hore-
hound, &c.) has rough sessile ovate leaves, with some
teeth at the base, the flowers white with five florets.
Common from New England to Georgia. — Milder,
less bitter and disagreeable than the former, a larger
dose may be given, chiefly used in the South, in
bilious remittent fevers, when Barks are inadmissible,
dose two or four ounces of the infusion made by one
ounce in a quart of water.

2. -purpureum or Purple Boneset (Joepye, Gra-
vel root, &c.) Stem hollow, rough, five to six feet
high, leaves whorled, four to five, petiolate, lanceo-
late, serrate, rugose : flowers purple, many florets. In

meadows and near streams from New England to
Kentucky. It has the same properties as E.perfoUa-
iuiTif has been used in fevers and gravel, &c.

180

EUPATOMUIW. No. 36.

3. E. vertkillatum or Tall Boneset (Joepye, &c.)
Stem solid, smooth, five to eight feet high, leaves
whorled three to five, sessile, ovate-lanceolate, base
attenuate, unequally serrate, smooth : flowers pur-
plish with many florets — With E. purpureum, same
properties often blended together.

4. E. maculatum or Spotted Boneset. Stem solid
sulcate, spotted ; leaves petiolate, ovate-lanceolate,
pubescent beneath, four to five in a whorls— With,
the last. Stem four to five feet high.

6. E. trifoUaium or Wood Boneset. Stem solid,
leaves petiolate, ternate, ovate, acuminate, serrate,
punctate, rough.— In woods from New England to
Kentucky, Stem three to four feet high.

6. E. sessilifolium or Bastard Boneset. Described
above, common in dry and hilly grounds, while the.
E. perfoliatum is always found in damp and low
grounds.

7. E. urticefo/ium or Deerwort Boneset. Leaves-
opposite, petiolate, ovate, serrate, similar to nettle
leaves, flowers white, many floscules.— In woods,
exceedingly common in the Western States, eaten
by Deer.

8. E. violaceum, Violet Boneset. Leaves oppo-
site, petiolate, cordate, toothed, undulate, pubescent.
—In Louisiana, Alabama, &c. a beautiful species with
fine blossoms of a violet color, deserving to be culti-
vated.

These and many others are much weaker than the.
three first.

No. 37.

EUPHORBIA COROLLATA.

BLOOBSmG 8FURGS.

Ko. 37.

EUPKOABZA.

181

JVo. 37.

EUPHORBIA COROLLATA.

English Name— BLOOMING SPURGE.

French Name — Tithymale fleuri.

German Name — Blum Wolfsmilch.

Officinal Names — Ipecacuana, Euphorbia radix.

Vulgar Names — Milkweed, Ipecacuana, Picac,
Hippo, Ipecac, Persely, Milk-purslain, White-pursely,
Indian Physic, Purge-root, Emetic-root, Bowmari-
root, Apple-root, Snake's milk, and Peheca in Loui-
siana.

Authorities— Lin. Clayton, Schoepf, Michaux,
Pursh, Torrey, M'Keen, Zollickoffer, A. Ives, B.
Barton, Coxe, W. Bart. Eberle, Bigelow, fig. 53,
and Seq. '

Genus Euphorbia— Monoical. Perianthe persistent
caliciform, ventricose, alternate Segments petaloid.
Staminate flowers eight to sixteen in the Involucre,
naked, each has one bilobe anther with a filament
articulated to a pedicel. Pistilate flowers solitary
central, stipitate, one germ, three bifid styles. Cap-
sul stipitate, three celled, cells formed by the involv-
ed valves, one or two seeded.

Species E. Corollata— Stem simple erect ; leaves
scattered sessile, oblong-euneate, obtuse, entire; umbel
with five rays and leaves, rays trifid with two oblong

183

EUFKORBIA.

No. 37.

bracts; flowers pedicellate, rotate, five lobed, corolli-
form ; capsuls smooth.

DESCRIPTION — Root perennial, large, one inch
thick, two feet long, yellowish. Several Stems from
two to five feet high, simple, round, erect, often
smooth. Leaves sessile, entire scattered, often crowd-
ed, oblong, obovate, cuneate or linear, flat or revolute,
smooth or hairy, A large terminal umbel with five
rays, and as many leaves in a whorl, similar to the
stem leaves. Rays trifid and next dichotomous, each
fork has two oblong bracts. Perianthe (mistaken for
the Calix by Linnseus, &c.) large, rotate, white, with
five rounded flat segments, looking like a corol. Five
small inner segments (nectaries of Lin.) like obtuse
projections at the base of the segments. A dozen of
Stamina, evolving gradually, each is a true flower
on a pedicel, with an articulate filament and a bilobe
anther. Many perianthes without pistil, when ex-
isting it is central, stipitate, nodding, rounded, with
three bifid Styles. Capsul three cocca or formed by
three valves rolled in and making three cells, each
with a seed convex outside, angular inside, where it.
is inserted.

Locality — From Canada to Florida and Louisi-
ana, in dry soils, barren fields, among stones and I
rocks, also in glades, seldom in woods and never near
waters, nor in rich alluvial soils.

HISTORY As in the case of the Erigeron this?

article shall include three species, which have equi--
Talent properties, the two others arc

1. E. Jpecacuana Lin. Ipecacuana Spurge. Pe-

Ko. sr. EUPHORBIA.

183

rennial, smooth, diflfuse or procumbent, dichotome,
articulated : leaves opposite, sessile, entire, variable,
round, oboval, elliptic, oblong, lanceolate or linear :
Flowers solitary at the forks, on long pedicels, peri-
anthe small, campanulate five lobed : capsuls round
and smooth. — Confined to the great Atlantic alluvial
region extending from New Jersey to Florida and
Mexico, along the Sea : very common there in sands
land Pine woods. It blossoms from June to August,
and afibrds a multitude of varieties, such as 1. Cespi-
tosOf 2. Prostrata, 3. Hotundi/olia, 4. Lanceolata,
5. Uniflora^ &c. this last has only a single white
flower, with procumbent stem, and obovate leaves. I
described it in 1808, as a N. Sp. E. uniflora. 6.
Rubra, the whole plant is red, 7. Portulacoides with
erect stems and oval leaves, described by Linnasus as a
peculiar species. — Root grey, white inside, very long.
It is figured by Bigelow fig. 52 and by W. Barton,
fig. 18.

2. E. hyperkifolio Lin. (also E. maculata of
Lin.) Black Spurge, (or Spotted Pursely, black
Pursely, &c.) Annual, smooth, dichotome, erect or
procumbent, divaricated: leaves opposite, petiolate,
oblique, subfalcate, oblong, serrate, acute ; flowers ter-
minal fasciculate, perianthe four lobed and white, cap-
suls smooth.— Common all over the United States, in
fields, &c. Several Varieties, 1. Prostrata, 2. Mul-
tijiora, 3. Maculata with a purple spot on each leaf.
4. Simplex, &c.

The varieties of E. coroUata are 1. Linearis
the leaves linear obtuse. 2. Pubescens, Stems and

184<

EUPHORBIA. No. 37.

leaves pubescent. 3. Rosea flowers tinged with rose
color. 4. P aucijlor a on\y 5 or 6 flowers, &c. They
all blossom in Summer, from June to September, and
make a pretty appearance by their fine umbels of
snowy blossoms : they are bad weeds in some fields,
and all animals avoid them.

In these plants, we have quite efficient substitutes
for the Brazilian Ipecacuana, Calicocca, which is
often adulterated or old in ourshbps. We could even
export them as true Equivalents of the officinal Ipe-
cacuana. The E. hypericifolia, however, which is
an annual plant is available as an herb, while the
E, Ipecacuana has a large root from four to six feet
long, which might be exported and afforded cheap.
It is a singular coincidence that the name given to
these roots by the Indians of Louisiana is Peheca, very
similar to the Brazilian native name of Ipeca, both
meaning Emetic-root. The Psychotria emetica and
Viola Ipecacuana furnish also similar emetics.

The Genus Euphorbia has been named after Eu-
phorbus, physician of Juba, king of Mauritania, who
brought the Euphorbium or Juice of the E. offici-
fialis into practice. It is a very extensive and ano-
malous genus, divided into many sections. Esula,
Tithymalus, Characias, Lathyras, &c. It is the
type of the Natural Order of Tricocca or Euphor-
biaceous plants. Linnaeus put it in Dodccandria
monogynia, mistaking the perianthe for a Corolla,
but it is now properly removed to Monoccia monan-
dria. Most of the species are medical, more or less
drastic and emetic, but difficult to manage, and in large

No. 37.

eufhoubza.

185

doses they bring on violent pains, heat and thirst, de-
bility, cold sweats and even death. The E. helios-
copia and a species akin to E. peplus grow also in
the United States and have been used in Europe in
small doses, as well as the E. esula, dulcis, exigua,
characias, paliistrh, cyparissias, &c. Each has a
peculiar mode of action, and the E. officinalis of
Africa produces a blistering gum. They are all
milky plants.

Qualities — These plants have been analysed by
Barton, Bigelow and Zollickoflfer ; they contain mu-
cilage, sugar, starch. Caoutchouc, Resin, an essential
Oil, Tannin, and a peculiar principle similar to Emeta,
which is soluble in Alcohol and colors it yellow,
but insoluble in Water, forming oxalic Acid with
Nitric Acid, it might be called Oxalemis. The ana-
lysis of the true Ipecacuana differs from this and gives
Starch forty, Gum twenty, Wax six, Fibrine twenty,
Oil two. Emetine or Acidified Emeta sixteen parts.
The roots and leaves of these Euphorbia have a
sweetish taste subastringent and not unpleasant, with
a peculiar smell, when rubbed; but no nauseous taste
nor smell : the milk is acrid.

PROPERTIES — Emetic, cathartic, diaphoretic,
expectorant, astringent, rubefacient, blistering, and
stimulant. These plants are highly recommended by
some physicians as equivalent to the officinal Ipecac,
which it is said they ought to supersede ; but Bige-
Jow contends that they are less mild and bland, and
although equal or even stronger, are not so useful in
all mdications. They were formerly considered too

2 Q

186

SUFHORBZA.

No. sr.

violent in their operation ; but have since been found
to be manageable and safe: the action is always pro-
portionate to the quantity taken, which does not hap-
pen with common Ipecac. As a cathartic they have
been found equal or better than Jalap or Scammony ;
requiring only half the dose, ten grains will com-
monly purge well, while twenty-five to thirty grains
produce repeated evacuations from the stomach.
Given in large doses they excite violent vomiting,
"attended with heat, vertigo, dizziness and debility.
The E. corollata appears to be the most efficient
since it purges at the dose of three to ten grains, and
vomits at ten to twenty. But a diversity has been
noticed in various constitutions, the same doses being
sometimes inert, cathartic or emetic, or both in some
instances; they often produce nausea even in small
doses, and then act as diaphoretics like Ipecac, to
which they are preferable by having no unpleasant
taste, nor exciting pains and spasms-.

The medical properties reside in the thick bark of
the root, which forms two thirds of the whole root, and
produces one twelfth of watery extract, and one tenth
of alcoholic extract. They may be substituted to
Ipecac in all the pharmaceutical preparations, wine,
tincture, extract, &c. ; the emetic dose of the wine is
an ounce, of the extract three to five grains. When
used as a diaphoretic and expectorant, the dose is
three or four grains of the powder : it may be com-
bined with opium or antimonials. The bruised root
applied to the skin, produces vesication in about twelve
hours, which lasts two or three (Jays ; this property

I

No. sr.

£UPBORBXA.

187

has not yet been applied to practical use ; but might
be equivalent to that of the officinal Euphorbium used
by farriers. The milk of all the species of this genus
destroy Warts and cure Herpes, they may afford a
kind of black Varnish, or Gum Elastic. The other
diseases in which these plants have been occasionally
employed are Dropsy, asthma, also hooping cough and
fevers, but we have no great evidence of their success,
except in Asthma vi^hen they act as pectoral sudorifics.

The E. hypericifolia appears to differ in its effects
from the two others, it is an annual, the herb being
employed instead of the root : it has been brought into
notice by Zollickoffer, who says that it is more astrin-
gent and slightly narcotic ; but it is also purgative, &c.
After evacuations, he prescribes it in tea-spoonfuls of
the decoction, for Cholera infantum, diarrhea and
dysentery. This plant is also one of those producing
the salivation of horses, called Slabbering, when eaten
by them through chance in meadows, and the remedy
for which are Cabbage leaves. All our Spurges are
more or less active plants, those with large perennial
roots are all emetic, while the annual kinds are altera-
tive or pernicious. One species E. peploides {E.
peplus Americana) is said to cause the milk fever, or
disease of Cows and cattle which render their milk or
flesh pernicious. It grows from New- York to Ten-
nessee, on rocks near streams. By a strange mistake
the capsuls of the E. lathyrus (Capper plant of New
England) are pickled instead of Cappers, being mis-
taken for the Capparis Spinosa or true Capper, and

188

ZiUPXXOHBIA.

No. 37.

are not found unpalatable, although they cannot be a
healthy condiment.

Substitutes — Gillenia Sp. — Sanguinaria Cana-
densis— Lobelia inflata — Jlsclepias Sp. — Erythro-
nium Sp. — Eiipatorium perfoliatum — Officinal Ipe-
cacuana and other active Emetics.

Remarks — The figure of Henry, under the name
of Bowman's root is fictitious; the true Bowman's -
root is the Leptandra,

The helioscopia, which grew in the Northern States,
has nearly the properties of the E. hyperici folia, as,|
was well as the E. polygonifolia a small annual plant,, j
growing on the sea shores from New England to
Florida, and spreading flat on the sand.

No. 38.

FRAGAEIA VESCA.

No« 38.

FRAGARIA.

189

No. 38.

FRAGARIA VESCA.

English Name— COMMON STRAWBERRY.

French Name — Fraisier Sauvage.

German Name — Gemeine Erdbeere.

Officinal Name — Fragaria baccae.
' Vulgar Names — American Strawberry, Wild
Strawberry,

SrNONYMs — F. virgimana and F. canadensis,
Wildenow, Persoon, Pursh, &c.

Authorities Lin. Clayton, Colden, Cutler,

Schoepf, Michaux, Pursh, Torrey, Eaton, many bo-
tanical works and some Materia Med. &c.

Genus Fragaria — Calix ten cleft, subequal, bear-
ing the corolla and stamina. Petals, five on the base
of the calix. Many stamina, unequal, filaments fili-
form, anthers round. Large central gynophore, pulpy,
deciduous, bearing many Pistils immersed in it, and
forming together a pulpy many seeded berry. — Leaves
trifoliate, serrate, stipulate.

Species F. Vesca — Stoloniferous and hairy; radi-
cal leaves as long as the stems, stem leaves few, sub-
sessile: folioles subsessile, oboval, lateral ones oblique.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, creeping, knot-
ty, bunches of fibres at the knots. Stems of two
kinds, some procumbent, stoloniferous, creeping,

190

FRAGAKZA.

No. 38.

rooting, slender, with few small leaves, and commonly
sterile; true stems upright or reclined, short, with
few leaves; both stems and leaves are more or less
hairy. Leaves either radical or caulinal, the former
on long petiols, the others nearly similar when at the
base of the stem ; but much smaller and with short
petioles when higher up : stipules lanceolate or oblong,
acute : three folioles sessile or nearly so, the middle
one subpetiolate, nearly equal, but the lateral ones
commonly oblique, and with fewer teeth inside ; shape
oboval or oval or nearly round, margin broadly ser-
rate, surface with regular veins, lower surface pale
and more hairy.

Flowers one or many on each stem, with pedicels
erect or drooping. Calix spreading or reflexed, di--
vided into ten acute segments, the alternate somewhat:
shorter. Five white 'petals, oboval or obcordate in--
serted on the calix. Many small stamina inserted
there also, with short filiform filaments and smalll
round anthers. Pistils many, very small, oval, withi
a small sessile stigma, forming a convex head, being;
inserted on a fleshy gy noph ore, which grows, becomes?
pulpy and colored, involving the pistils or the smalll
seeds succeeding them, and forming together the fruit t
or Strawberry, which is either round or oval, andl
scrobiculate or punctate by little pitts, each corres--
ponding to a seed inside : these fruits are either red!
or white.

HISTORY— Few plants are better known at firsfct
sight, and yet more difficult to describe, owing to thw
variable characters. Linnseus and many botanistM

No. 38.

FRAGARIA.

191

thought that all the Strawberries of the five parts of
the world, formed only one species, the actual one.
Others have thought otherwise and attempted to dis-
tinguish several species and varieties, among those
found in America, Africa, Asia and Polynesia 5 but
the difficulty has been to ascertain (as among the
Roses) which are the specific or constant forms and
which are variable deviations.

If every deviation of form, color, direction, pubes-
cence and composition, was to be considered specific,
we should have 100 kinds of Strawberries, and indeed
some gardeners have described thirty or forty kinds,
while more accurate botanists only acknowledge ten
to fifteen species as yet. Meantime these species have
all the same habit and flowers, differing only by some
inconspicuous details.

Our wild Strawberry was long thought the F. vesca,
until Wildenow and Pursh made two new species of
it. In attending to the many varieties which I have
seen in my travels, I thought that three or four more
species could be made from them ; but noticing that
they are all connected by intermediate links, I came
to the conclusion that they were only varieties of tho
F. vesca, and that the whole genus requires a revision.
I could mention about twenty varieties of our wild
Strawberries and seventeen from our gardens; but
shall confine myself to seven of the most remarkable
native kinds.

1. Var. Uniflora, stems simple, one flowered, one
leaved, as long as the radical leaves, folioles sessile,
iuboval, incise-serrate ; calix spreading or erect, pe-

19S

FRAGAHZA.

No. 33.

tals rounded, fruits rounded or depressed — Common
in glades. This is figurted here.

2. Var. Clandestina. Nearly stemless, stems short-
leafless, two to five flowered, concealed by large radi-
cal leaves, folioles oboval, sessile; calix spreading or
reflexed, fruit round or oval. — Rare in New York,
Ohio, &c.

3. Var. Pumila. Stems short, one to two flower-
ed, leaves shorter, very small oval and oboval, with
adpressed silvery hairs, calix spreading and small. —
In the mountains of Virginia &c. one or two inches:
high.

4. Var. Glabra. Stems two to three flowered,,
leaves ample, longer, nearly smooth, folioles oboval,.
subsessile, fruit oval. On the banks of the Ohio, Ten -
nessee, Cumberland, &c.

5. Var. Sprica. Stems one to five flowered, leave; •.
shorter, hairy, glaucous beneath, folioles subsessihe
oval and oboval, calix spreading, fruit suboval. — Ver]v
common in the western glades, and open fields fronj
New Jersey to Virginia.

6. Var. Sylvatica, Stems 1-5 flowered as long an
the leaves, folioles broad oval, subsessile, smootlii
above, calix spreading, fruit round or oval — This i, i
probably the F. virginiana of many; common ii:
woods and mountains.

7. Var. Pendula. Stems three to five flowered;
leaves ample, folioles broad oval, smooth above, sub
sessile, calix spreading ; fruits pendulous, globularr
pubescent. — In the mountains of New England, Penna

No. 38.

193

sylvania, &c. This must be the Fr. Canadensis of
Pursh, &c.

All these varieties afford excellent fruits, rather
small, but highly flavored, they are red, seldom white,
and ripe from May to June, the blossoms appear in
April and May. Strawberries are deservedly esteem-
ed as pleasant and healthy fruits, and have long been
tenants of gardens: the wild ones are always as good
as those cultivated.

Fragaria belongs to the natural family of Senti-
cosEs next to Rubus and Comarum, and to Icosan-
dria polygynia of Linn^us.

Locality — Strawberries are scattered all over the
globe, in cold climates, or on the high mountains of
warm countries. They are found on the Himala
mountains of the centre of Asia, and from Natolia to
Siberia and Japan in that Continent ; they grow all
over Europe, on Mount Atlas of Africa, on the moun-
tains of. the Polynesia Islands, and in America all
over the Andes from Oregon to Chili, also from Alas-
ka to Canada. In the United States, they are found
every where in woods, glades, &c.

Qualities— The whole plant has a subastringent
taste, the flowers have a honey smell, the fruits have
a peculiar fragrant smell, and ambrosial acid flavor.
The plant contains tannin: and Strawberries contain
the malic and tartaric acid, some sugar and much
v/ater, besides an essential oil giving the Aroma.

PROPERTIES— Although Strawberries have been
commonly considered as an ariicle of food, they highly

194*

PRAOAXIZA.

No. 3S.

deserve a place among medicaments, which are not
the worse I should think for being palatable, Lin-
naeus introduced them in his Materia Medica, as well
as Schoepf, &c. They are diluent, refrigerant, sub-
astringent, analeptic, diaphoretic, diuretic, pectoral,
eccoprotic, &c. They are useful in fevers. Gravel,
Gout, Scurvy, and Phthisis. They are cooling, pro-
mote perspiration, give relief in diseases of the blad-
der and kidneys, upon which they act powerfully,
since they impart a violet smell and high color to
urine. Hoffman and Linnteus have long ago extolled
them in gout and phthisis ; persons labouring under
these chronic complaints ought to eat them frequently
when in Season, and use at other times their Syrup.
An excessive dose of either is however liable to pro-
duce emesis or a painful stricture in the bladder, with
red urine, as I have experienced myself. But used
moderately they are certainly a valuable medical diet
in many cases. They possess also the property of
curing chilblains, their water is used in France for
that purpose as a wash. A fine wine can be made
with them and some sugar. The Plant and leaves;
have nearly the same properties, although tliey are •
less cooling and more astringent. Both have been
employed like Cinquefoil and Agrimony for sore:
throat, swelled gums, bowel complaints, jaundice and ;
fevers in infusion and decoction. A Vinegar Infu--
sion, Distilled Water, Syrup, Conserve, &c. of Sti-aw--
berries are kept in shops in Europe.

Substitutes — Raspberries best substitute, Black--

I
I

No. 38.

FBAeARXA.

195

berries, Mulberries, Red Currants, Cranberries and
other acid berries,, but none is so good, lacking either
the diuretic or diaphoretic property.

Remarks — The Arhutus Unedo or Strawberry-
tree of Europe, is a fine evergreen and ornamental
shrub, producing large berries similar to Strawberries,
but belonging to different orders of plants, the Bi-
coRNEs and Decandria Monogynia like the ^rbutu^
Uva ursi. These berries are edible but less acid than
Strawberries, and they are emetic even at a moderate
dose, as I have myself experienced. This fine shrub
does not grow in the United States, except in gardens.

The Evonymus Amencanus is also called Straw-
berry shrub with us ; but erroneously, since the ber-
ries hardly resemble Strewberries, being depressed!,
with four or five warty lobes, not eatable, and without
any of their properties. The leaves of this shrub,
however, as well as of Evonymus atropur-pureus (the
Wahoon or Arrow wood of the West and South) make
a fine pectoral tea, much used for colds, coughs, ca-
tarrh, influenza, &c. The leaves of the Crategus
criis-galli, or White-thorn are also used for the same
purpose.

196

FRASEBA.

No. 39.

No. 39.

FRASERA VERTICILLATA.

English Name— AMERICAN COLOMBO.

French Name — Fkasere Colombo.

German Name — Colombo Wurzel.

Officinal Name — Colombo. Frasera radix.

-Vulgar Names — Colombo-root, Columbia, In-
dian Lettuce, Yellow Gentian, Golden Seal, Curcuma,
Meadow Pride, Pyramid, &c.

Synonyms — Sweriia difformis Lin. Sw. frasera
Smith in Rees' Cyb. Frasera carolinensis Walter.
Fr. officinalis B. Bart. Fr. Walleri Mich. &c.

Authorities — Walter, Bartram, Michaux, Pursh,
Persoon, Nuttall, Torrey, Schoepf, Elliott, Dralie,
Bigelow Sequel, Thatcher, Coxe, A. Ives, Hildreth,,
Zbllickoffer, many Dispens. B. Barton, W. Barton,
fig. 35 bad.

Genus Frasera — Calix persistent, four parted-.
Corolla spreading, rotate, four parted, segments ellipc
tic, each having in the middle a large bearded gland.
Stamina four short, alterne with the segments. Onfr
pistil, germen oval compressed, one style, two stig-
mas. Capsul oval flat, one celled, two valved, several
winged imbricate seeds inserted on the valves.

Species Fr. verticillata — Very smooth, leaves ses-
sile, entire, radical leaves procumbent, elliptic, obtuse
stem leaves vesticillate by five to seven,, oblong op

No. 39.

FBASERA VERTICILLATA.

AMERICAN COKOBXBO.

■»

No. 59.

lanceolate, acute: flowers in a pyramidal panicle,

bracts opposite.

DESCRIPTION— Root triennial, large, yellow,
rugose, suberose, hard, horizontal, spindle shaped, .
two feet long sometimes, with few fibres. The whole
plant perfectly smooth, stem from five to ten feet high
cylindrical, erect, solid, with few branches, except at
the top, where they form a part of the pyramidal in-
florescence. Leaves, all vertidllate, sessile and entire,
with a single nerve : the radical leaves form a star
spread upon the ground, they are elliptical and obtuse,
from five to twelve in number, from ten to eighteen
inches long and from three to five broad, constituting
the whole plant in the fii-st years, or before the stem
grows. The stem leaves are in whorls of four to eight,
seldom more or less, smaller and narrower than the
radical leaves, the lowest are narrow oblong, the up-
per lanceolate, acute, and sometimes undulate.

Flowers yellowish white, numerous, large, forming
an elegant pyramidal panicle, the branches of which
are axillary to leaves or bracts, unequally verticillate
or trichotome : this pyramid is from one to five feet
long: the bracts are ternate or opposite, shorter than
the leaves, broader at the base, acute: pedicels lax,
longer than the flowers, cylindric. Calix deeply four
parted, spreading, segments lanceolate, acute, per-
sistent, nearly as long as the Corolla, which is one
inch in diameter, open, flat, deeply four parted, with
four elliptic cruciate segments, margin somewhat in-
flexed, end cucullate obtuse, a large gland in the mid-
dle of each, convex on both side, ciliate- The four

r2

498

FHASEnA.

No. 351

stamina opposite to the sinuses and inserted on them,
filaments short, subulated, anthers oval oblong, base
notched. Germen central oval, compressed, desinent
into a style as long, and having two thick glandular
stigmas. Capsul yellowish, borne on the persistent
calix, oval, acuminate, very compressed, margin thin,
sides subconvex, with a suture, opening in two flat
Talves, one celled. Seeds flat, elliptic, imbricated,
winged around, inserted on the sutures of the valves.
Sometimes a few flowers have five or six stamina, and
as many segments to the Corolla.

Locality — It grows West, South and North of
the Alleghany mountains; but neither on them, nor
East of them. It is spread from the western parts of
New York to Missouri and thence to Alabama and
Carolina. It is found in rich woody lands, open
glades and. meadows. 'Rare in some places, in others
extremely abundant.

HISTORY — One of the handsomest native plants
of America: I have seen it in the western glades of
Kentucky ten feet high, with a pyramid of crowded
blossoms 4 or 5 feet long. They are scentless and in
full bloom from May to July. It is a true triennial,
the root sending only on the tliird year a stem and
flowers.

Linn£Bus did not know well this plant, and called
it Swertia difformis: it is so large that botanical spe-
cimens of it are generally defective like the patched
figure of Barton. Walter gave it the name of FraserUf
thinking that it was new, and dedicating it to an En-
glish gardener, Mesadeiiia would have been a better

No. 39-.

FAAS]SHA.

name, expressing its generic peculiarity, of having 4
central glands, while Swertia has 8 glands, 2 at the
base of each segment. Four specific denominations
have been given, among which I have selected the
best. It bears also many vulgar names, but Colombo
root is the most common, since it has been found
medical, and very similar to Calumba, once called
Colombo also, the Cocculus palmatus. It is become
a kind of substitute for it, and an article of trade on
that account, being largely collected in the western
states.

It affords few varieties, and stands as yet alone in
its genus, the varieties are, 1. Oppositifolia. 2. Un-
dulata. 3. Paucijlora. 4. »dngustifolia, &c. the
names expressing their deviations. It belongs to the
Natural order of Gentianides next to Swertia, and
to Tetrandria monogynia of Linnseus.

Qualities — The root is the officinal part, it has a
sweetish bitter taste like Gentian, and resembles Ca-
lumba in appearance, having a thick yellow bark, and
a yellowish spongy wood. But their chemical cha-
racters are very different, the Frasera contains Ex-
tractive, Amarine, and Resin ; while the Cocculus
palmatus contains Cinchonin, a bitter Resin, Oil,
Starch, Sulfate of Lime, and Calumbine. I suspect,
however, that the analysis of the Frasera has not been
accurate, and that it contains Inuline or a peculiar
substance, Fraserine, intermediate between Inuline
and Calumbine. It yields its qualities to water and
alcohol. The leaves are also bitter.

PROPERTIES— Emetic and Cathartic when fresh,

soo

rnASEHA.

No. 39.

Tonic, antiseptic and febrifuge when dry. When first
brought into notice it was supposed to be equal to the
.Cahmiba, and substituted thereto ; but has been found
to be inferior, A. Ives even contends that it is infe-
rior to many other native tonics. It has however
the advantage over them to afford a very large root,
often weighing several pounds, and to sell ch€ap : it
is about equal to Gentian and Rhubarb, in diseases of
the stomach, and debility. It has cured a wide spread
gangrene of tJie lower limbs by internal use and ex-
ternal application, when bark had failed. It avails ia
Intermittents like otlier pure bitters, and is exten-
sively used in the Western States in Fevers, Cholics,
Griping, Nausea, relaxed stomach and bowels. Indi-
gestion, &c. As a purgative it is substituted to Rhu-
barb in many cases,, particularly for Children and
Pregnant Women, being found serviceable in the
constipation of pregnancy, &c. It has the advantage
of not heating the body. Cold v^^ater is said to add to
its efficiency and prevent nausea or emesis. A tea-
spoonful of the powder in hot water and sugar will
give immediate relief in case of heavy food, loading
a weak stomach. It is a good corrector of the bile
alone or united with other bitters. Clayton and
Schoepf, calling it Swert'ia difformis, say that it is
employed in jaundice, scurvy, gout, suppressed men-
struation and is a specific in hydrophobia! these indi-
cations require confirmation. The root ouglit to be
collected from the fall of the second year to the spring
of the third year growth ; when in blossom the root
becomes softer and less- bitter. The doses are two

No. 39.

FEASERA.

SOI

drachms of the powder, one or two ounces of the
infusion ; an extract of it ought to be made which
would probably be like that of Gentian j. a Vinegar is
made of it in the west, useful as a refrigerant tonic, &c.

Substitutes — Coptis trifolia — Xanthorhiza api-
folia — Triosteum perfoliatum — Menyanthes iri-

foliata Sabbatia nngularis Gentiana Sp. —

Rhubarb, Common Gentian, Calumba or Cocculus
palmatus and many other tonics, chiefly roots, rather
than barks.

Remarks — The Frasera deserves to be cultivatsd
for its beauty and utility. It grows easily from seeds.
It begins to disappear like the Ginseng, from large
tracts of country, by being wastefully gathered. Per-
haps the true Calumba might also be cultivated im.
Florida and Louisiana.

GAUTXZinA.

No. 40.

No. 40.

GAUTIERA REPENS.

English Name— MOUNT AIN-TEA.

French Name — Gautiere rampante.

German Name — Bergbeere.

Officinal Names — Gaultheria, Gualtheria.

Vulgar Names — Partridge-berry, Grouse-berry,
Deerberry, Spiceberry, Teaberry, Redberry, Win-
tergreen, Redberry-tea, Mountain-tea, Groundberry,
Ground Ivy, Ground holly, Hillberry, Box-berry,
Chequer-berry, &e»

Stnomyms — Gualtheria or GauttReria procuni-
bens of many Botanists, &c.

Authorities — Lin. Sehoepf, Kalm, Duh. Golden,
Mich. Pursh, Eaton, Torrey, B. Bart. fig. 15. Coxe,
ZoUickoffer, Big. fig. 22 bad and Seq.

Genus Gautiera — Calix campanulate five cleft
persistent with two scales at the base. Corolla oval
five toothed. Stamina ten equal, ©•n the base of the
Corolla, filaments hairy, anthers bifid above, ten
scales alternate with the filaments. Germen free
round, style filiform, stigma obtuse. Fruit a round
berry formed by the persistent calix become globulous,
fleshy, five toothed, inclosing a Capsul five celled,
five valved, many seeded-.

Species G. repens — Root creeping, Stems erect,
leaves few, terminal, conferted, evergreen, petiolate,

!fo. 40.

GAUTIERA REPENS.

CREEPING POLLOZIX,

I

I

1

l7o. 40. GAUTIEB.A.

obovate, mucronate. Flowers few, terminal, with
drooping peduncles.

DESCRIPTION — Root horizontal, creeping, slen-
der, yellowish, with few fibres. Stems several, up-
right, few inches high, slender, base naked witli a
few scales. Leaves terminal, nearly fasciculate, un-
equal, few, three to five on short petiols, scattered,
coriaceous oval or oboval, pale beneath, acute, with
some short mucronate teeth.

Flowers few, terminal, subaxillary, on drooping
downy peduncles. Calix double, external bifid, scaly,
interior campanulate five cleft, changing afterwards
into the fleshy covering of the fruit. Corolla ovale,
white or flesh colored, with five teeth. Ten Stamina
of a rose color, filaments plumose, bent on the base of
the corolla, alterne with ten small scales, anthers ob-
long orange color, bilobe two-horned, dehiscent out-
side, pollen white. Germ round, depressed resting
on a ring which bears the ten scales or teeth. Style
erect, filiform. Stigma obtuse, moist. The fruit is
a small five celled five valved and many seeded cap-
sul, inclosed within the fleshy calix, which assumes
the appearance of a round scarlet perforated berry, of
the size of a pea.

Locality — On hills and mountains, in shady woods,
Pine woods, rocky and sandy soils, from Maine to
Carolina and Indiana ; unknown in rich alluvial or
limestone plains.

HISTORY— Dedicated to Dr. Gautier of Canada
by Kalm, wrongly mispelt Gaulthejna and Gualthe-
ria by many ; but errors ought not to be copied for-

S04

(^AUTZERA.

No. 40.

ever, thus the misname of procumbens given to it
must at last be changed into G. repens, since it is
creeping and not procumbent. It belongs to the Na-
tiiral family of Ericines or Bicornes, and to Decan-
dria monogynia of Linnaeus.

The whole plant has long been known and used as
a pleasant common drink in the country by the name
of mountain-tea. The berries have a peculiar grate-
ful flavor, and are eaten by children, although rather
dry. They are eaten greedily by Game and birds.
Deer, Rabbits, Partridges, Grouse, &c. and impart a
fine flavor to their flesh, in the fall and winter, when
ripe. The plant blossoms from June to September.
It is known by a multitude of local names.

Qualities — The whole plant has a peculiar taste
and smell, aromatic and sweet. It contains sugar,
tannin, mucilage and an essential Oil, in which reside
the taste, smell and properties. This Oil is very sin-
gular and peculiar, it is very heavy, sinking in water,-
yet volatile, perfectly transparent of a greenish white,
aromatic, sweet and highly pungent, containing a
peculiar principle Gautierine,

PROPERTIES— Stimulant, anodyne, astringent,
menagogue, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, lacteal, cor-
dial, &c. A popular remedy in many parts of the
Country. It is generally used as a tea, but the essence
and Oil possess eminently all the properties, and are
kept in shops. The tea is used as a palliative in
asthma, to restore strength, promote menstruation,
also in cases of debility, in the secondary stage of
diarrhoea, and to promote the lacteal secretion of the

No. 40.

GAUTIEHA.

205

breast, &c. : it is a very agreeable and refreshing be-
verage, much preferable to imported China Teas.
The Oil and Essence prepared by dissolving it in Al-
cohol, are employed whenever warm and cordial sti-
mulants are required. The Oil cures the tooth-ache
or allays the pain of carious teeth, like other strong
essential Oils. The Indians made great use of this
plant as a stimulant, restorative, cordial, &c. It is
injurious in fevers.

Substitutes — Monarda Sp. — Panax or Ginseng
—Laurus benzoin — Aristolochia serpeniaria — Asa-
rum canadense, &c. &c.

Remarks — All the plants which have more or less
the smell and taste of Gautiera, contain the same
Oil and principle, and may probably be available
equivalents. They are Gautiera hispidula and
Spirea ulmaria, roots of Polygala paucifolia and
Spirea iobata, bark of Betula lenta or Sweet Birch
tree, &c. They are called Pollom by the Indians.

The Oil of Gautiera is now used in all the secret
officinal Panaceas to disguise or cover the taste of the
other ingredients, which are generally common arti-
cles such as Guayacum, Solanum dulcamara, Sarsa-
parilla, Mezereon, Stillingia sylvatica, Snake roots,
Spikenards, &c

S06

GENTIAN A.

No. 41.

No. 41,

GENTIANA CATESBEI.

English Name— CATESBIAN GENTIAN.

French Name — Gentiane de Catesby.

German Name — Katesbys Enzian.

Officinal Name — Gentiana Catesbiana.

Vulgar Names — Blue Gentian, Southern Gen-
tian, Blue-bells, Bitter-root.

Authorities — Catesby fig , Walter, Elliott,

Macbride, Bigelow, fig. 34, and Seq. Coxe Disp.
ZollickofFer, &c.

Genus Gentiana — Calix campanulate four or five:
cleft, segments unequal. Corolla with a tubular base,,
and a variable limb, with four to fifteen lobes on
teeth. Stamina five equal, inserted on the tube, not:
cxserted. One stipitate Germen oblong, two stigmass
sessile or with a style. Capsule 1 celled, 2 valved,.

many seeded.

Species G. Catesbei— Stem rough, leaves oppo-
site, sessile, ovate lanceolate, subtrinerve, acute..,
flowers capitate ; calicinal segments longer than the;;
tube : Corolla tubular, ventricose, plaited, with ten
teeth, five alterne larger acute, five smaller bifid.

DESCRIPTION Root perennial, yellowish.,

branching, fleshy. Stem simple, erect, cylindric.:,
rough, 1 or 2 feet high. Leaves remote, opposite.^,
decustate, ovate or lanceolate, entire, slightly trinerve;,

No. 41.

GENTIANA CATESBEI.

CATESBIAUr GENTIAN,

No. 41.

GENTZANA.

S07

acute, rough in the margin. — Flowers subsessile in a
crowded terminal head, of six to twelve, surrounded
by an involucrum of four leaves and some lanceolate
bracts, oftensome axillary flowers below thehead. Calix
with segments longer than the base, linear-lanceolate,
unequal, acute. Corolla large two inches long, of a
fine azure blue, base short tubular, limb large, plaited,
swelled, tubular, open at the top; border ten cleft;
five smaller lobes alternating with the others, but op-
posite to the calicinal and stamina, bifid, acute, cili-
ate: the five larger lobes rounded, acute, entire.
Five Stamina shorter than the corolla, with subulate
filaments and sagittate anthers. Germen oblong-
lanceolate, compressed, stipitate; style very short,
two oblong reflexed stigmas. Capsule oblong, acute
at both ends, one celled, two valved, many small
seeds inserted on the valves or a longitudinal placenta
on each valve.

Locality — It grows from Carolina to Alabama
and West Kentucky, In glades and open plains.

HISTORY — This species was long considered as
a variety of the G. Saponaria of the Northern States ;
but distinguished by Walter and Elliott, and named
after Catesby, who gave an imperfect figure of it long
before. It is one of our best native medical Gentians,
but we have many others ; in the Northern States the
C. quinqueflora is the ofiicinal kind.

All the Gentians are beautiful plants, more or less
bitter in the roots or leaves. There are many species
in the United States, some of which have only lately
been noticed and many are as yet undescribed. The

SOS

No. 41.

Genus Gentiana took its name from Gentius, king of
Illyria, it gives its name to a large Natural Family, and
belongs to Pentandria digT/nia oCLinnsdus, although
it has often more or less than five Stamina, and seldom
if ever two styles. That genus is a very heterogene-
ous one, although striking by its habit; but the
flowers have the peculiarity of being variable in shapesj
and numbers ; wherefore many botanists have ration-
ally divided it into subgenera, which might be rather
deemed Genera. Almost all our species belong to
the S.^G. Pneumonanthe having oblong or tubular
Corolla, and five Stamina, except the G. crinita
which belongs to S. G. Eublephis having four Sta-
mina and a hypocrateriform ciliated Corolla. While
the officinal Gentian or G. lutea of Europe belongs toj
S. G. Rotularia having rotated Corolla, with five to
nine Stamina.

All our Gentians are autumnal plants, blossoming:
very late from September to November: They arcj
all ornamental and would adorn our gardens, where:
some are already introduced.

Qualities — The root has a mucilaginous anc
sweetish taste, followed by an intense bitterness lik(.
that of the officinal Gentian. It contains Amarine
Extractive, Mucilage, Resin, Sugar, Oil, and the;
principle Gentia, which is soluble in Water and All
cohol, as well as all the active parts: the solutions arn
more bitter than the root in substance: No astrin.
gency.

PROPERTIES Tonic, Sudorific, Antiseptic-
Corroborant, Cathartic, &c. It is very little inferia

Ko. 41.

GENTZANA.

209

to the officinal Gentian in strength and efficacy, it
invigorates the stomach, and is very useful in de-
bility of the stomach and the digestive organs : it in-
creases the appetite, prevents the acidification of food,
enables the Stomach to bear and digest solid food,
and thus cures Indigestion or Dyspepsia. It is much
used in the Southern States in hectic and nervous
fevers, pneumonia, &c. acting as a sudorific tonic. It
may be used like common Gentian in general debility,
Marasm, Hysteria, and even Gout. Also united to
astringents for intermittents and other fevers. The
dose is in substance from 10 to 40 grains, in tincture
one fourth of an ounce to one ounce, in extract 2 to S
grains. In large doses the Gentians prove cathartic
like Frasera. They enter in all digestive pills and
preparations.

Substitutes— J^ra^em Verticillata, Menyanthes,
TriosteiLm, Coptis, Sabbatia, Xanthorhiza, &c.,
besides nearly all the native Gentians that follow.

Remarks— Our native Gentians being little known
as yet, and all medical, I deem it proper to annex
here a complete account of them, with notices on the
new kinds.

1. G. Quinqueflora Lin. or five flowered Gentian.
Easily known by its branched winged Stem; small
oval, clasping leaves ; flowers five cleft, small, axillary
by bunches of three, four or five and blue— Common
from New England to Kentucky, and the best sub-
stitute, the whole plant may be used, being intensely
bitter like Sabbatia angularis. Annual.

3. G. ^^marelloides Michaux or Yellow bunch

2 s

eENTXANA.

No. 41.

Gentian. Differs from the former by oval lanceolate
/ leaves, stem round with four small angles, flowers
axillary and terminal, yellowish, calix longer foliace-
ous. — In Kentucky, Illinois, &c. Equal to the former.
Annual.

3. G. Crinita Wild. Fringed Gentian. Easily
known by its lanceolate leaves, large solitary flowers
on long peduncles with a fringed four cleft corolla,
&c. — An elegant species found from New York to
Carolina. Perennial like all the following.

4. G. Saponaria Lin. Soap Gentian. Leaves
oval lanceolate, acute, trinerve, flowers verticillate,
sessile ; calix with short oval segments : corolla ob-
long, with ten teeth, the interior unequally trifid. —
Common from New England to Virginia, medical.

5. G. Clausa Raf. Closed Gentian. Stem round
smooth, leaves ovate lanceolate, acuminate, subtri-
nerve: flowers' verticillate, sessile ; calix four to six cleft
angular, segments foliaceous short : Corolla clavate,
short, closed 8-10 teeth, internal teeth equally bilobe.
On the Taconick and Green mountains, flowers blue,
half the size of G. Soponaria and quite shut. Variety
with ternate lanceolate leaves.

6. G. Angustifolia Michaux. Narrow leaved G.
Stem simple, slender, one flowered, leaves narrow,
linear spreading: Corolla funnel shaped ten cleft,
with five internal lacerate segments. — Rare, beautiful
large flowers, in New Jersey, Carolina, &c.

7. G, lAncaris Willd. Linear G. Stem rough,
leaves linear lanceolate, undulate, ciliate; flowers ca-
pitate, sessile, Corolla campanulate five cleft, with

No. 41.

GENTIAN A.

the internal folds denticulate. — In the Alleghany
mountain?.

S. G. Ochroleuca Wild. Pale G. Stem rough an-
gular, leaves elliptic rough ; flowers capitate, ses-
sile : Corolla ventricose, closed, five cleft, inner folds
simple, acute. — In New Yoik, Pennsylvania, &c.
flowers yellowish white.

9. G. Heterophylla Raf. Grey G. Stem simple,
erect, round, smooth ; leaves subtrinerve, lower ob-
oval obtuse, medial elliptic, upper oblong acute:
Flowers terminal, sessile two to four, calix campanu-
late, segments cuneate obtuse; Corolla ventricose,
five cleft, segments acute, bidentate on one side. — On
the mountains of Virginia, East Kentucky and Ten-
nessee, flowers of a pale bluish grey. Sometimes
called Flux-root and used for the Disentery.

10. G. Serpentaria Raf. Snake-root G. Stem
smooth, fiexuose, subangular; leaves obovate or ob-
long, subobtuse, subtrinerve, undulated : Flowers
fascicled sessile, bracteoles petiolate, calix campanu-
late, angular, segments linear and carinate: Corolla
tubular five cleft, segments obtuse notched, inner
folds lacerated. — In Indiana, Illinois, &c. Root consi-
dered a specific for men and cattle bitten by Rattle-
snakes and Copper-heads j it is also said to stupify
snakes.

11. G, Shortiana Raf. Shortlan Gentian. Several
assurgent stems, rough, ancipital, one'flowered ; leaves
oblong or cuneiform, as long as the intervals, glau-
cous beneath, edges rough, uninerve, the lower ob-
tuse. Flower sessile bracteate, calicinal segments

GSNTZANA.

No. 41.

short, oblong: Corolla nearly campanulate, five cleft,
internal folds lacerated — Common in the glades of
Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, &.c. Stem sometimes
only four inches, and flower above one inch, blue.
Var. bijiora, stem upright, two flowered. Dedicated
to Dr. Short of Kentucky, who has communicated
to me several of the fine following new species.

12. G. TorreyanaoxToTveyan. Stem erect, rough,
quadrangular, leaves linear-lanceolate, obtuse, glau-
cous, short, twice as long as the intervals, uninerve,
clasping, often revolute. Flowers three to five, ter-
minal, sessile, calicinal segments linear, as long as the
tube : Corolla nearly campanulate, five cleft, segments
acute, inner folds entire — In the glades with the fore
going, flowers blue, one inch long. Dedicated to Dr.
Torrey.

13. G. Rigida Raf. Stiff G. Stem stifi", round,
rough; leaves lanceolate, acute, stifi", small, subtri-
nerve, clasping, longer than the intervals. Flowers
one to five terminal, calicinal segments linear, as long
as the tube: Corolla campanulate five cleft, segments
acute, inner folds entire — In West Kentucky, Ten-
nessee, &c. stem red, flower biue, one inch long,
leaves glaucous beneath, small.

14. G. Elliot tea Raf. or Elliottian G. Stem
round, smooth, leaves oblong, narrow, subacute at both
ends, as long as the intervals, subtrinerve, glaucous>
beneath: Flowers three to five terminal, sessile ; calixv
elongated, segments oblong acute, as long as the tube :
Corolla campanulate, segments acute, inner folds lace-

No. 41.

&EXVTXA2TA.

SIS

rated— In West Kentucky, leaves few, three inches
long, flowers 1 1-2 inches, blue. Dedicated to Elliott.

15. G. Gracilis Raf. Slender G. Stem slender,
rough, round ancipital ; leaves twice as long as the
intervals, not spreading, linear, uninerve, clasping, the
lower obtuse, upper acute : Flowers two to five, ses-
sile, long and slender, calicine segments linear, as
long as the tube: Corolla slender, tubular sub-cam-
panulate, five cleft, segments deep, acuminate, inner
folds simple — In West Kentucky. It has neither the
leaves ciliate and undulate as in G. linearis nor the
glaucous short leaves of G. torreyana. A variety of
this with broader leaves, more spreading, may be the
G. pneumonaiithe of Michaux, but not Linnaeus.
Leaves in both one inch long, and flowers two inches
long.

16. G. Jlxillaris Raf. Axillary G. Stem round,
rough ; leaves oblong lanceolate, acute at both ends,
trinerve, twice as long as the intervals : flowers axil-
lary, pedicellate, shorter than the leaves; segments of
the calix linear, as long as the tube : Corolla tubular,
five cleft, segments acute, with a lateral tooth — Glades
of West Kentucky. Leaves three inches long, flow-
ers one inch, with two lanceolate bracts.

17. G. Co/Zm^zana Raf. Collinsian G. Stem round,
smooth ; leaves lanceolate, acuminate, trinerve, longer
than the intervals; flowers capitate, involucrate, seg-
ments of the calix lanceolate, acute, as long as the
tube: Corolla campanulate, five cleft, segments mu-
cronate, inner folds rounded, notched. — A fine species,
leaves three inches long, flowers two inches, blue. —

GSNTXANTA.

No. 41.

In the glades of Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and West.
Kentucky. Dedicated to Z. Collins.

I have never seen the G. pneumonanthe nor G,.
Villosa of Linnaeus. I suspect that the true G. pneu-
monanthe of Europe, does not grow in America, all
our species being dijQferent from the European, and;
that either G. gracilis or G. torreyana was meant by
Michaux. As for G. villosa it is a doubtful plant,
seen by very few botanists, all our Gentians have
smooth leaves, I suspect that it may be a hairy variety
of my G. heterophyllo.

The above account may be considered as a concise'
monography of our Gentians; but there are some'
other species in the southern states. The perennial
kinds, which are the most numerous, have their medi-
cinal properties concentrated in the roots, which may
safely be substituted to the officinal Gentian. The :
annual kinds have the whole plant intensely bitter and!
available as in Sabbatia, Chelone glabra, Verbena
hastata &c. They all ought to be cultivated for their
beautiful blue blossoms, and officinal utility.

No. 42.

GERANIUM MACULATUM.

SPOTTED CRAMTESBZIX.

No. 42. GERAmtTM.

215

No. 42.

GERANIUM MACULATUM.

English Name— SPOTTED CRANE'S BILL.
French Name — Geranium Macule.
German Name — Geflecter Storchschnabel.
Officinal Names — Geranium radix, Kino Ame-
ricanus.

Vulgar Names — Crowfoot, Alum-root, Tormen-
til, Storkbill. In Canada and Louisiana, Racine q,
becquet.

Authorities — Lin. Mich. Pursh, Schoepf, Golden,
Coeln, Tbacher, B. Barton, Mease, Coxe, Eberle,
A. Ives, Zollickoffer. Big. fig. 8, and seq. W. Barton
fig. 13.

Genus Geranium — Calix five parted, equal, per-
sistent. Corol five equal petals. Stamina 10, hypogy-
nous, filaments monadelphous or united at the base,
five alternate shorter. Germ central with five glands
at the base, a persistent style, five stigmas. Fruit five
capsuls one seeded, attached by a beak to the persist-
ent style.

Species G. Maculatum — Perennial, hairy, erect
dichotome ; leaves few, opposite, three to five parted,
palmate, segments oblong acute, jagged : peduncles
elongated, biflore, petals obovate.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, horizontal, ob-
long, thick, rough, knobby, brownish spotted with
greenish, whitish inside, very brittle when dry, with

S16

GEHANIUM.

No. 42.

few short fibres. Stem erect, round, with few di-
chotome branches and leaves, covered as well as the
petiols with retrorse hairs, and from one to three feet
high. Several radical leaves on long petiols, the stem
leaves opposite, at the distant forks, on shorter petiols;
floral leaves nearly sessile: all are palmate, five parted,
seldom three parted, segments oblong or cuneate, pu-
bescent entire at the base, unequally jagged above,
sometimes spotted: stipules linear or lanceolate, mem-
branaceous ciliate.

Flowers geminate on biflore peduncles, arising from
the forks, erect, round, swelled at the base, with linear
bracts, similar to the stipules. Calix formed by five
deep segments, oval lanceolate, cuspidate, five nerved,
hairy outside, margin membranaceous or ciliated.
*"Five equal petals, obovate, entire, red with purple
veins, twice as long as the calix. Stamina 1 0, filaments
erect, shorter than the petals, connected at the base,
filiform above, five alterne shorter, anthers oblong:
violet — Germ ovate, with five glands at the base,,
style erect, grooved, persistent, five oblong obtuse
stigmas. Fruit a capsul divided into five cocoas or-
one seeded capsuls, attached inside to the style, and
curling up at maturity.

Locality — All over the United States from Maine,
to Louisiana, Missouri and Florida; very common in.
woods, copices, hedges, glades, &c. no where more,
abundant than in the western glades of Kentucky, &c.

HISTORY — The genus Geranium of Linnaeus?
forms a most beautiful group of plants, of which nearly
200 kinds are known, and many adorn our gardens.

No. 42.

GERANIUM.

S17

They are now the type of a natural family Gruinales
or Geranides, divided into many genera: Erodium
with five stamina, Pelargonium with seven, besides
Gruinalium, Monsonia, Oxalis, &c. The name is
now restricted to the species with ten stamina; it de-
rives from a Greek name meaning Crane, The G,
macxdatum belongs to the true decandrous Geraniums :
the specific name applies to the root and leaves which
are often spotted or mottled ; but a variety is spotless.
The varieties are many, such as 1. Humile^ 2. Di-
phyllum, 3. Virtde, 4. S.lhiJiorum, 5. Macrophyl-
/um, &c.

It is a beautiful plant, deserving cultivation, the
flowers are large, but scentless, red, purple or white,
with darker veins. It blossoms in the spring, from
May to July. It has an extensive native range, and I
have seen it growing by millions in the glades of
West Kentucky, where it could be collected cheaply
for use and exportation. The best time for collection
is the fall.

Qeranium belongs to Monadelphia decandria of
Linnaeus, the Pelargonium or African Geraniums of
the gardens, to M. heptandria.

Qualities — Root nearly scentless, taste astringent,
but not unpleasant; it contains much tannin, more
than kino, extractive, lignine and kinic acid? or a
peculiar acid differing from gallic acid in not redden-
ing vegetable blues, and not passing over in distilla-
tion. The aetive principles are soluble in water and
alcohol : the alkalies neutralize them.

PROPERTIES — Powerful astringent, vulnerary,

T

S18

OERANZTTM.

No. 42,

subtonic and antiseptic. The root is the officinal part,
and is a pure, pleasant and valuable astringent, equal
to kino and catechu, and deserving not only the name
of American Kino ; but to be introduced in Material
Mcdica as a superior equivalent. It is a better tonic:
than Icino, and therefore preferable to it in the treat;
nicnt of morbid fluxes connected with relaxation and:
debility. Its internal use is indicated in the secondary^-
stages of Dysentery and Cholera Infantum : it is ex-:
tensively used in the country for all bowel complaints
but sometimes improperly or too early. A gargle o
the decoction is useful in cynanche tonsilaris and it:
ulcerations or aphthous sores of the mouth and throat;
The infusion is a valuable lotion in unhealthy ulcerr^
and passive hemorrhagy, also one of the best injec
tions in gleet and leucorhea. It was once deemed ,
styptic in bleeding hemorrhagy, but has failed in man^^
instances. United to our native Gentians or to Fra
sera, it forms one of the most efficient cures for intei
niittcnts. A decoction in milk is very good in loose-,
ness of bowels and diarrhea. Our Indians value thi
plant highly, and use it for wounds, gonorrhoea, ulcer-
on the legs, diabetes, bloody urine, involuntary dis-
charges of urine, immoderate menstruations, &:c. Th i
general effects on tlie system are to give tone to th i
bowels and stomach, stop all immoderate dischargef^
and prevent internal mortification. It has also bee
recommended in scurvy, nephritis and phthisical diai
rhea, but does not avail much in those disorders. Nc
being at all stimulant, it may be useful when sedativi
astringents are required. It has cured a periodic!.

No. 43.

S19

hemoptysis according to Dr. Harris. It is also used
in Veterinary for the diseases of cattle or horses, and
cures the bloody water of cattle. The doses are one
to two ounces in infusion or decoction, two to four
drachms of the tincture, fifteen to forty grains of the
powder, and ten to fifteen grains of the extract, which
is a most powerful and efiicient astringent, equalled
only by the extract of Spirea tomentosa.

Substitutes — Orobanche Virginiana — Station
Caroliniana — Tormentilla erecta — Rubus villosus
— Heuchera species — Geum Sp — Spirea tomentosa
and Sp. Gpulifolia—Kmo, Catechu, Galls and all
powerful vegetable astringents.

Remarks — The ofiScinal kinos are four. 1. African
Kino or Pterocarpus erinacea, 2. Botany Bay Kino
or Eucalyptus resinifera, 3. Jamaica Kino or JBuiea
frondosaj 4. American Kino or Geranium macula-
turn, this last is the most efficient and powerful, by
far preferable to all the others, since it has no bitterish
taste nor resinous matter, like the first and third, nor
the disagreeable sweetish taste of the second. It ought
to supersede them in our pharmacies at least, if not
elsewhere. The Catechu or extract of Minosa Cate-
chu is merely equal to it.

The Geranium robertianum of Europe, grows also
in North America from New England to Ohio, on
stony hills, and is a weak equivalent of the 6?. macu-
latum; but it is also diuretic, and therefore more
available in nephritis, gravel, and diseases of the blad-
der. It will be easily known by its musky smell,
annual root, small flowers, &c.

2S0 GEUM. No. 43.

No. 43.

GEUM VIRGINIANUM.

English Name— WHITE AVENS.

French Name — Benoite de Virginie.

German Name — Bennet.

Officinal Name — Geum radix.

Vulgar Names — Evan root, Avens, Chocolate
root, Bennet, Cure-all, Throatroot.

Authorities— Lin. Mich. Pursh, Kalm, Schoepf,
Cutler, A. Ives, Buckhaven, Melandri, Zollickoffer,,
Bigelow seq. Coxe, &c.

Genus Geum— Calix ten cleft, spreading, the alter-
nate segments smaller. Petals five on the calix. Many-
stamina inserted on the base of the calix. Many cen-
tral pistils, each with a long persistent style and ob-
tuse stigma, and becoming a seed. Seeds forming a--
cluster, awned by the styles.

Species G. Virginianum— Pubescent, stem erect,
radical and lower leaves ternate, petiolate, upper ses-
sile and simple, folioles ovate, lanceolate, acute, un-
equally serrate, stipules ovate, serrate or entire:
flowers few, erect, petals oboval, shorter than tlie calix
awns uncinate, hairy, twisted.

DESCRIPTION — Roots perennial, small, brittle-,
brown, crooked, tuberculated, oblong, horizontal
Stem simple, erect, about two feet high, pubescent,
few flowered. Radical leaves on long petioles, with;

No. 43.

GEUM VII^GINIANUM.

WHITE AVEWS.

r

No. 43.

out stipules, lower leaves with large stipules and
shorter petioles, upper leaves sessile, simple, similar
to the folioles of the lower leaves, which are oval, or
oval- lanceolate, or lanceolate, base acute, and acumi-
nate, border deeply and unequally serrate : stipules
large, broad, sessile, ovate or rounded, serrate or near-
ly entire.

Flowers terminal, white, few, on erect peduncles.
Calix spreading, ten cleft, segments lanceolate, acute,
five alternate smaller. Five yellowish white petals,
opposite to the short segments, shorter than the longest,
and inserted on the base of the calix, oboval, entire,
flat. Stamina many, short, unequal, perigynous ; fila-
ments filiform, anthers roundish and yellow. Pistils
many, conglomerate, oval, styles long, hairy, stigma
hooked. Fruit a small burr or round cluster of achenes
or single seeds, oval, brown, smooth, having a long
tail or awn, formed by the persistent styles, filiform,
hairy, twisted and uncinate at the top.

Locality — Common from Maine to Carolina and
Kentucky, in woods, groves, thickets, hills, &c.

HISTORY — An estival plant blossoming in June
and July, the flowers resemble those of Strawberries,
but are smaller; a variety has them yellowish. The
varieties are 1. Uni flora, 2. Macrophylla, 3. Lan-
ceolata, 4. Ochroleuca, 5. Ramom, &c.

The Geum rivale or water Avens, a boreal plant,
spread from New England to Canada in damp places,
is more commonly employed in the north, and this
species in the south j they are both equivalents.

Geum belongs to the natural order of Senticoses

T 2

1

aEUM. No. 43.

near Dryas, Daliharda and Stylypus, and to Ico-
sandria polygynia of Linnaeus.

Qualities — The whole plant is available, but the
root is principally used, it has a bitterish astringent
taste, and a pleasant smell, somewhat like cloves, only
perceptible in the spring, when it must be collected
for use. It contains resin, gum, tannin, extractive,
mucilage, fibrine, a volatile oil, &c. The Geum ur-
banum, a consimilar and equivalent species, has been
found to contain out of two ounces, 496 grains of lig-
nine, 118 of tannin, 181 extractive, 61 of saline and
soapy matter, 92 of mucilage, £3 of resin, 76 of oil
and water. It yields these principles to water and
alcohol, and dies them red: the alcoholic preparations
are scented, the watery scentless and merely astrin-
gent.

PROPERTIES— All the Avens have nearly the
same properties, they are astringent, styptic, tonic,
febrifuge, stomachic, &c. They are much used in
the Northern States and Canada. In Connecticut
they supersede the Chincona ; but they are weaker,
although less stimulant, in fevers. They do not in-
crease excitement and are therefore useful in hemop-
tysis and Phthisis. They are decidedly excellent in
dyspepsia and visceral affections; Ives states thatitsf
long use, restores to health the most shattered and:
enfeebled constitutions. They are often used in de-
•oction with sugar and milk, like chocolate or coffee,
k) which they resemble : and also for dysentery, chro-
jttic diarrhea, colics, debility, asthma, sorethroat, leu-
eorhea, uterine hemorrhagy. They are the base of

No. 43.

the Indian Chocolate of Empirics, ^he doses are a
daily pint of the weak decoction, or about 60 grains
of the powder daily, divided into three doses : this
powder may be mixed with honey. A table-spoonful
of the tincture is also given in some cases. These
roots are sometimes put in Ale, as stomachics.

Substitutes — Geranium maculatum and all the
plants mentioned as equivalent to it ; the Geum rivals
and G. urbanum, also the Stylypus Fernus.

Remarks — The IiJ. urbanu?n does not grow in .
America, although indicated by some. The 6?. rivale
of America is a peculiar variety. It will be known
from this, by its locality in the north, near waters,
the radical leaves pinnate, cauline three cleft, and
large purplish nodding flowers. It is said to be more
efficient than this kind.

My Stylypus vermis is a new annual plant, grow-
ing only in the Western States, from Ohio to Ten-
nessee, in woods, and bears small yellow blossoms in
March and April. It has the properties of this plant
and Agrimony. The generic and specific character
are as follows.

G. Stylypus. Calix persistent, campanulate, five
cleft, segments reflexed. Five small petals and many
Stamina inserted on the top of the calix. Many
Pistils in a head borne by a cylindrical gynophore.
Several Seeds or Achenes, with persistent smooth
Styles. — Stylypus vernus Annual, many decum-
bent Stems, leaves interrupted pinnate, folioles laci-
niated, upper leaves simple jagged : flowers terminal,
few, peduncled.

234

aXLLENIA.

No. 44.

No. 44.

GILLENIA STIPULACEA.

English Name— WESTERN DROPWORT.

French Name — Gillenia occidentale.

German Name — Gillenwurzel.

Officinal Name — Gillenia radix.

Vulgar Names — Indian Physic, Indian hippo,
Ipecac, Beaumont root. Bowman's root, Meadow
sweet, &c.

Synonyms — Spirea trifoliata Var. Auct.

Authorities — Pursh, Wildenow, Schoepf, Thatch-
er, Coxe, Duncan, Nuttal, Mcench, Eberle, A. Ives,
Baum, W. Bart. fig. 6, &c.

Genus Gillenia — Calix campanulate 5 cleft. Five
narrow unequal petals inserted on the calyx. Many
short Stamina inserted there also. Five coherent
pistils, five Styles. Capsules five connate at the base,
opening inside, unilocular, two seeded.

Species G. Stipulacea — Lower leaves pinnatifid,
upper leaves trifoliolate, folioles lanceolate [incise
serrate ; stipules fijliaceous, ovate, oblique, jagged :
flowers loosely corymbose.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, dark brown,
amorphous, with large and long fleshy fibres. Several
Stems from two to three feet high, slender, smooth,
brittle, reddish, branched. Leaves large, alternate,
sessile, with three folioles and two large stipules;

No. 44.

GILLENIA STIPULACEA.

No. U. ' GZLLENIA.

S35

these last are oblique, ovate, irregularly jagged, acute.
Folioles smooth, lanceolate, acute at both ends, with
a large nerve, border unequally serrate or jagged, and
in the lower leaves often pinnatif. — Flowers in loose
thin terminal corymbs, peduncles clingated, calix
campanulate with five teeth; petals white, three times
as long, linear lanceolate, a little unequal, base cunei-^
form, and nearly obtuse. Stamina short, inclosed,
anthers round yellow. Pistil central free, five parted,
five filiform Styles, five obtuse stigmas, five connected
Capsuls, &c. &c.

Locality — Found only West of the Alleghany
mountains, from Ohio and West Virginia to Missouri
and Louisiana ; rare in the limestone and alluvial re-
gions, very common in the hilly and sand-stone re-
gions, growing always in poor or gravelly soils, both
in woods and glades.

HISTORY — This genus contains two species, this
and G. trifoliafa, which has similar properties, and
will be known by its locality, growing on the moun-
tains Alleghany, or north, east and south of them from
Canada to Florida, but never west of them. It is a
larger plant, with broader folioles, small linear sti-
pules and fewer flowers, but larger. It has been figur-
ed by Barton and Bigelow, but resembles this ao
much as not to need it.

Both blossom in June and July, and are pretty
plants, worth cultivation. They had formerly been
united to Spirea, Filipendula, and Uhnaria, Mcench
proposed long ago the genus Gillenia, but it was only
lately adopted. It belongs to the Natural Order of

2S6

OXLLENXA.

No. 44.

Senticoses, family Spireadia, and to Icosandria
pentagyiiia. The G. Stipulacea was only lately des-
cribed. It offers many varieties, 1. Unijiora, 2. Pin-
natijida, 3. Virgata, 4. Variegata, &c. Cattle do
not eat it.

Qualities — Roots scentless, taste bitter but not
unpleasant. Containing a resin, extractire, lignine,
fecula, amarine, and a coloring matter, which dies
the solutions red.

PROPERTIES— Both species are emetic, cathar-
tic, and tonic; but the Q. stipulacea is by far the
best and strongest. It has even happened that the
O. trifoliata has proved inert, in some cases, when
old, or taken from cultivated plants: while the Q,
stipulacea has never failed, and supersedes'the Ipecac
in common practice throughout the West. It is as
mild and efficient, milder than the Euphorbia corol-
lata. The roots are collected in the fall, and kept
in many stores ; the bark of the root is chiefly used,
but the woody part is not inert as supposed. The
dose is from 15 to SO grains of the powder. It ope-
rates often also as a cathartic. In small doses it be-
comes a tonic, and is used in intermittents. The In-
dians employed it, and took larger doses or strong
decoctions of it, which operated violently ; this prac-
tice is yet followed and brings on debility: Eberle
has successfully used the G. trifoliata in dyspepsia,
also in dysentery with opium. It is given in decoc-
tion to horses and cattle as a tonic and digestive.

Substitutes — Euphorbia Sp. Sanguinaria—^

Ipecacuana and all the mild Emetics.

No. 45.

HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA.

WINTER WITCH-HAZEL.

No. 45. HAMAMELIS.

2S7

No. 45.

HAMAMELIS VIRGIN IC A.

English Name— WINTER WITCH HAZEL.

French Name — Hamamelier d'hyver.

German Name — Hexehasel.

Officinal Name — Hamamelis Cortex.

Vulgar Names — Witch hazel, Snapping hazel-
nut, Winter bloom, Pistachoe nut, &c.

Authorities — Lin. Mich. Pursh, Cutler, Schoepf,
Mitchell, Golden, Catesby, fig. 2. Barton Flora, fig.
78, Elliott, &c.

Genus Hamamelis — Calix four cleft, persistent,
with scales at the base. Petals four long and linear.
Stamina four opposite to the petals. Filaments broad
and short, anthers adnate, two celled, dehiscent by-
vertical valves, one pistil, two stigmas. Capsule coria-
ceous nut-like, two celled, two lobed, two valved
above, valves cleft: one oblong seed in each cell.

Species St. Virginica — Leaves obovate, obtuse,
smooth, base obliquely cordate, margin erose; flow-
ers in small remote clusters, calix and fruit pubescent
externally.

DESCRIPTION— A shrub from six to ten feet
high, with irregular branches, flexuose and knotty :
bark smooth grey, with brown dots. Leaves rather
large, smooth, alternate, petiolate, obovate, base with
a small sinus and unequal lobes, margin with unequal

HAIVEAMELZS. No. 4^.

faint teeth, commonly obtuse, end obtuse, nerves pro-
minent.

Flowers on short pedicels, clustered three to five
together, in several places along the branches. C'alix
small, but enlarging with the fruit, with three or
four scales at t"^ base, divided into four thick oval
pubescent segments. Petals yellow, much longer,
linear, obtuse, often undulate or revolute. Stamina
four opposed to petals, shorter than the calix. Pistil
oval central, a short style, two stigmas obtuse. Fruit a
nut-like Capsule, similar to a hazel-nut ; but bilobed
and split above, pubescent, yellowish, with two cells
containing each an oblong black seed, with a broad
arilla at the base. This capsule is one year ripening,
and opens with elasticity and instantaneously with a
noise, by two half valves, throwing the seeds off.

Locality — From New England to Carolina and
Ohio, commonly on hills and mountains, near stony
banks of streams. Rare in plains and alluvions.

HISTORY — This is a very singular Genus, formed
by Linnseus with the Trilopus of Mitchell, which
name he ought not to have changed for the actual,,
which is the Greek name of the Mespilus or Midlan
tree. He knew only one species, several are now.
known, which are sometimes polygamous, monoical
and even dioical. They all blossom in winter.,, when,
no other tree is in bloom ; the blossoms last from Oc--
tober to February. The fruits stand on the whole;
year, till next fall, and then explode successively
with a noise, like Hnra crepitans, scattering the.
seeds around. These seeds are eaten by the Indians,.

45. EAMAMELSS. ggg

and in the South where they are called erroneous!}^
Pistachoe, nuts, although quite unlike the Pi&iacia
vera or true Pistachoe of the Mediterranean. They
are similar in shape to the esculent Pine seeds of
Finns picea, cylindrical, shining black outside, white
and farinaceous inside, rather oily and palatable.

The shrub resembles very much in the appearance
of the leaves and nuts, the common hazelnut, Cory-
his Americana ; but the blossoms are totally different.
It has become in the United States the Witch hazel,*
affording the divining rods, employed by the adepts
of the occult arts, to find or pretend to find AVater,
Ores, Salt, &c. unuer ground. The Alnus and Cory,
his are often substituted, a forked branch is used, the
two branches held in both hands ; when and where
the point drops, the springs, or metals sought for, are
said to be! A belief in this vain practice is as' yet
widely spread.

It belongs to the Natural Order of Berberides,
distinguished by opposite petals and stamina, and to
the section or family wiih capsular fruit like Jefer
sonia. Aha to Tetrandria monogynia of Linn^^us.

QuALiTiEs-The bark and leaves are somewhat
bitter, very astringent, leaving a sweetish pungent
taste: The smell is not unpleasant. It has not been
analyzed as yet, but probably contains tannin, ama-
rine, extractive, and an essential oil

PROPERTIES-Sedative, astringent, tonic, dis-
.utient, &c. The Indians value this shrub highly
and It IS much used in the North by herbalists. The
bark affords an excellent topical application for pain-

2B0

sATaAmsms. no. 45.

ful tumors and piles, external inflammations, sore and
inflamed eyes, &c. in cataplasm or poultice or vva^i.
A tea is made with the leaves, and employed for
many purposes, in amenorrhea, bowel complaints,
pains in the sides, menstrual effusions, bleeding of
the stomaph, &c. In this last case, the chewed leaves,
decoction of the bark or tea of the leaves, are all em-
ployed with great advantage. A strong infusion is
given in injection for bowel complaints. It is said to
be a mild yet efficient astringent in all cases, and a
safe substitute of Statice, Myrica and Eiibus.

Substitutes — Coniuni macula turn — Viburmim
acerifolium and F. dentatum — NymjjJiea odoraia
MyricLi ccrifera — Agrimonia Eupatorium — Geum
Sp, — Rims .typhinum and R. glahrum — Statice Ca-
roliniana and many other mild astringents.

Remarks — All the species of this genus have pro
bably the same properties. In the north the H. par
vifolia is equally used. It is distinguished by smaller
leaves, pubescent beneath, hardly cordate at the
base, undulate and sinuate. The shrub is smaller
with blossoms of a brighter yellow, and grows ii
mountains.

The //. macrophijlla or Bigleaf Witch hazel, ij
only found in the Southern mountains, and will b©
known by its large, rough and round leaves.

No. 46.

HEDEOMA PULEGIOroES.

No. 46. HEJDEOMA. 2SL

No. 46.

HEDEOMA PULEGIOIDES.

English Name— AMERICAN PENNYROYAL.

French Name — Hedeome Pouliot.

German Name — Poleyblattrige.

Officinal Name — Hedeoma herba.

Ytjlgar Names— Pennyroyal, Tickweed, Stink-
ing Balm, Squaw-mint, &c.

^YSo^YMs— Melissa pulegioides Lin. Cunila pu-
legioides Lin. and many botanists.

Authorities— Lin. Mich. Pursh, Persoon, Kalm,
Schocpf, Thacher, Cullen, Big. seq., Duncan, Eberle,
Zollickoffer, Chapman, Elliott, B. Barton, W. Bar-
ton, M. M. fig. 41.

Genus Hedeoma— Calix bilabiate, ten striated, base
gibbose, upper lip trifid, lower with two subulate
teeth and ciliated bristles, corolla bilabiate, upper lip
nearly entire, lower trilobe, middle lobe obcordate.
Two fertile stamina as long as the corolla, two sterile
and short. One style, four seeds.
. ^ Species H. pulegioides— Annual, leaves subpe-
liolate, oblong, acute, subserrate, a little rougln
Flowers axillary, verticillate by six, on short pedi-
eels, with two small bracteoles.

DESCRL-TION-Root annual, smal^, yellowish,
branched fibrose. Stem upright, about a foot high,
with Slender erect braiiches, terete, pubescent. Leaves

S33

KESSOMA.

No. 46.

opposite, small, oblong lanceolate or suboval, on short
petioles, base attenuated, end subacute, margin with
small remote serratures, surface rough or pubescent,
nerved and pale beneath.

Flowers all along the branches in axillary whorls
of six, nodding, on short pedicels, very small. Calix
as above, pubescent. Corolla very small, hardly
longer, white, with the lips purple, base slender, then
campanulate with two small lips, the upper rounded,
seldom notched, the lower with two rounded lateral
lobes, and an obcordate middle lobe. Stamina and
style filiform, anthers oblong. Stigma lateral acute.
Fruit four small oblong seeds in the persistent calix,
mouth closed by the ciliated bristles of the lower lip.

Locality — Very common and abundant all over
the United States, and in Canada, in dry woods and
hills chiefly, but also in plains, alluvions, roads, stony,
fields. Never in moist soils. No where more abun
dant than in lime soils or arid grounds.

HISTORY— It was the fate of this plant to be sue
cessively united by Linnaeus and other botanists too
Melissa and Cunila, until distinguished and named
by Persoon, and it is as yet commonly blended, ever
by medical writers, with the European Pennyroya
or Mentha pnlegm?n, which does not grow in A me
rica; the shape, smell, and properties being somewha
similar, whence the same vulgar name; but our plan
appears to be more efficient.

It belongs to the natural order of Labiate, and t
Dia7idria vionogynia of Linnaeus. It blossoms i
summer from July to September. The name of Hi

No. 46.

233

deoma means sweet smelling in Greek; the whole
plant is scented ; but the smell far from agreeable,
being strong and graveolent: many persons, however,
like it and call it pungent, reviving and pleasant:
females are sometimes fond of it as well as of Rue or
Ruta graveolens, although both very graveolent.

Qualities — The smell and taste are very warm,
pungent, strong, and hardly aromatic, but pleasant or
disagreeable according to different personal affections.
The medical principle resides in an essential oil, pos-
sessing eminently the same smell and taste.

PROPERTIES— Carminative, resolvent, pectoral,
diaphoretic, antispasmodic, menagogue, pellent, stimu-
lant, &c. It is a popular remedy throughout the coun-
try for feinale complaints, suppressed menstruations,
h^^sterics, '&c. It is chiefly beneficial in obstructed
catamenia, and recent cases of suppressions, given as
a sweetened tea, with the pediluvium. Eberle, how-
ever, deems its menagogue property problematical,
and useful only as a vehicle for other remedies i that
he is mistaken, is proved by daily experience. It
promotes expectoration in the whooping cough, it al-
leviates spasms, pains in the hips, and the spasmodic
or dyspeptic symptoms of menstruation. Schoepf
mentions it for palpitations, fevers and gout; but it is
too stimulant in fevers. A warm cataplasm of the
herb is useful in severe pains, and thrilling palpita-
tions. Zoilickoffer says that it is a valuable medicine
•n some cases of diarrhea, but which? Some herbalists
in the north, employ it extensively for colds, cholics
of children, to remove obstruction, warm the stomach

.u 2

1

23-t HEDEOMA. No. 46.

and promote perspiration. Although it affords one of
the most popular graveolent tea, there are many other
labiate plants which arc equivalent to it and more
agreeable withal: the best are Mint, Dittany, Balms,
Sage, Monarda, Isanthus, &c. The oil is now kept
in pharmacies, and often used instead of the infusion,
in mixtures, &c.

Substitutes — Monarda Sp. — Mentha pulegium
and M. piperita — Cunila mariana — Isanthus ceru-
feiis — Buta graveolens — Salvia officinalis — Melissa
nepeta — Jiiniperus Sp. — Rosmarinus officinalis —
Euhia iinctoria — Polygala senega, &c.

Remarks — This plant is also frequently used to
kill the Ticks, {Ixodes) which attach themselves to
men, dogs and cattle, in summer. These troublesome
animals are found wherever the Hedysarums and Le-
spedezas or true Tickweeds grow, upon which they
breed, but both are unknown in the limestone plains.
By rubbing the legs or boots with this plant or its oil,
these insects will avoid you, or if they have taken
hold, the oil kills them. A strong decoction of the
plant is equally convenient, and a strong decoction of
Tobacco as good likewise.

No. 47.

HELENIUM AUTUMNALE.

COZNCMLON SNXSEZZSWORT.

No. 47.

HELENZUM.

S35

No. 47.

HELENIUM AUTUMNALE.

English Name— COMMON SNEEZEWORT.

French Name — Helenie d'automne.

German Name — Niessenkraut.

Officinal Name— Helenium.

VulgarNames — Sneeze weed, Sneezevvort, Swamp
Sunflower, False Sunflower, Yellow Star, Oxeye.

Authorities— Lin. Mich. Pursh. Torrey, Elli-
ott, Cornut, Claytonj Schoepf, B. Barton, W. Bart,
ft. fig. 26, Duncan, &c.

Genus Helenium— Perianthe many parted, seg-
ments linear. Flowers radiate, rays cuneate trilobe,
styliferous, from 15 to 20. Phor^nthe hemispherical,
naked, chaffy on the margin. Florets complete, four
or five cleft. Pappus with five chaff's. Seeds hairy.

Species H. autumnale— Pubescent, Stem corym-
bose above, winged: leaves lanceolate, serrate, de-
current: peduncles thicker above, rays flat, florets
five cleft.

DESCRIPTION-Root perennial, fibrous. Seve-
ral Stems from three to seven feet high, erect, angu-
lar, winged by the decurrent leaves, branched and co-
rymbose above: covered as well as the leaves with a
very short and dense pubescence. Leaves glaucoug,
alternate, sessile, decurrent, lanceolate, acuminate'
unequally serrate, dotted by small pits, subtrinervat^!

HELENXUM. No. 47.

Flowers corymbose, golden yellow, large, one or two
inches in diameter. Peduncles axillary, uniflore,
with one oval lanceolate bract, clavate or thicker
upwards. Perianthe with many unequal linear aoite
segments. Phoranthe semiglobose, with chaffs near
the rays, lanceolate. Rays from five to twenty,
spreading flat, or sometimes rather rcflexed, shape
cuneate, end broad trilobe, middle lobe often smaller.
Disk greenish yellow convex, florets small crov/ded
five cleft, with syngenesious stamina, a bifid style,
oblong germ, pappus formed by three to five chaffs
subulate and a wned. v' j, . . :

Locality — It grows all over the United States,
and from Canada to Texas and Florida, in wet mea-
dows, and Savannas, damp fields, overflowed grounds,
banks of streams, &c.^'''-''*'''"^'' ''f^ ''''- ^'^-^'^

HISTORY— Linnseus has employed the specific
nan»e of^the Inula helenium or Elecampane as a
generic one in this instance, owing to a faint resem-
blance. The Helenium was said by the Greeks to;
have sprung from the tears of the fair Helen. This-
was once a unique species, but now several others are
added, which grow in the Southern States. It be-
longs to the great Order of Radiate, where it is the
type of a small family the Helenides : Linnaeus puts
it in his Syngenesia suiierjlua.

It is a fine plant, rather ornamental, and adorning,
in the fall the meadows with its golden blossoms, ap-
pearing from September to November. The Cattlec
do not touch it. The varieties are 1. Villosay 2. Fu-
miluj 3. Prealia, &c.

No. 47.

S37

Qualities — The plant has hardly any smell: the
taste is bitter, and a little pungent or even acrid. It
has not been analyzed ; but contains amarine, extrac-
tive and an oil.

PROPERTIES— Tonic, febrifuge, errhine. Clay-
ton and Schoepf mention its use in intermittents ; but
it is not extensively employed as yet in fevers : while
it is known and employed all over the country as a
valuable Errhine. The whole plant reduced to pow-
der act as such ; but the flowers and particularly the
central florets are powerful sternutatory. A very
small pinch of their powder produces a lasting snee,z-
ing. The late B. Barton has eminently extolled it,
as a substitute to mora ao.rid Errhines. either alonft
or united to otlip.r ingredients. It may be used in
diseases of the head, deafness, anavrosis, head-ache,
heniicrania, rheumatism or congestions in the head
and jaws, &c. The shocks of sneezing are often use-
ful hi those cases, when ather remedies can hardly
avail. This plant has probably many other proper-
ties, little known as yet, and deserving investigation.

Substitutes — As a tonic Chelojie glubra, and
other herbaceous tonics. As an errhine, t^sarum
Canadensey Sanguinaria canadensis, Myrica ceri-
fera, Tobacco and Cephalic Snuffs. Besides the
Helenhnn quadridentatum of Louisiana and Florida,
which will be known by its lower leaves pinnatifid,
upper entire, and the florets quadrifid or four cleft.

238

HEPATICA.

No. 48.

No. 48.

HEPATICA TRILOBA.

English Name— COMMON LIVERWORT.
J^RENCH Name — Hepatique tkilobe.
German Name — Leberkraut.
Officinal Name — Hepatica.
Vulgar Names — Liverweed, Trefoil, Noble Li-
verwort.

Synonym — Anemone hepatica Linn. &c.
Authorities — Linn. Schoepf, Pursh, Torrey,
Eaton, Hereford, &c.

Genus Hepatica — Involucre caliciform, near the
flower, persistent, three parted. Perigone corolliform,
with six to nine oblong petals. Many short Stamina.
Many pistils, Styles short. Seeds awnless achenes.

Species H. triloba — Leaves radical, cordate, three
lobed, lobes entire, petioles and scapes equal in length
and hairy, scapes uniflora, flowers drooping before the
anthesis and pilose.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, fibrose, fibres
long fasciculate, brown. Leaves all radical, on long
hairy petioles, somewhat leathery and partly persis-
tent in winter, base cordate, divided into three equal
entite lobes, rounded, obtuse or acute, with obtuse
or acute sinuses, nearly smooth, mottled of olivaceous
and purplish above, glaucous and purplish beneath.
Several scapes equal in length to the petiols, upright.

No. 48.

HEPATICA THILOBA.

CO]»MOnr UVSRWORT.

No. 48.
»

HSPATZCA. S39

four to eight inches long, invested at the base with
several membranaceous sheaths, hairy, round, bear-
ing a single flower.

Flowers terminal, drooping at first, spreading when
unfolded. Involucre resembling a calix, very hairy,
hairs grey and long, segments very deep, oval, entire,
obtuse. Perigone like a Corolla bluish, purplish or
white, sepals elliptic obtuse, equal, but in two or
three series. Filaments subulate, anthers elliptic,
pale yellow. Pistils and seeds oval, acute.

Locality — A boreal plant, native of the northern
parts of Europe, Asia and America, spreading in this
last continent from Labrador to Virginia and the
Pacific Ocean, common in woods, hills and moun-
tains of the United States from New England to
Kentucky.

HISTORY — A pretty vernal plant, the leaves stand
the winter, and early in the spring the flowers come
out, even when snow is yet falling: they last frora
March to May, are rather pretty and deserving culti-
vation. The varieties are 1. Jllhijiora. 2. Jlcutiioba.
S. Parvijlora, flowers half the usual size and blue.
In Kentucky, perhaps a peculiar species.

Tournefort established this genus, Linnasus wrongly
blended it with Anemone, it has again been sepa-
rated lately. The name derives from its hepatic pro-
perties. It belongs to the Natural Order of Adnates
or Ranunculaceous, and to Polyandvia polygynia.

Qualities — Scentless and nearly insipid, not bitter;
but a little astringent and mucilaginous. It contains
tannin, mucilage, extractive, &c.

S40

HEPATZCA.

No. 43.

PROPERTIES— Subtonic, subastri ngent, hepatic,
deobstruent, pectoral, demulcent. It was known to
the ancients as a medical plant, and Linnjeus has it in
his Materia Medica; but it had lallen into disuse, its
properties being very mild. It was formerly used in
fevers, liver complaints, indigestion, cachexy, hypo-
chondria and hernia. It has lately been brought to
notice in America for hemoptysis and coughs, it has>
been used in Virginia with benefit in the form of
a strong infusion, drunk cold. It may be serviceable
in hepatisis and hepatic phthisis, as well as all com-
plaints arising from dyspepsicand hypochondric affec-
tions ; it may be used as a tea, warm or cold and ad-
libitum ; but it has no effect on the lungs beyond that",
of a mild demulcent astringent.

Substitutes — jSgrimonia — Geum Sp. — Lijcopusi
firginicus — Tussilago — Symphytum — Leontodon.
taraxacum, or Dandelion, — Sisyrnhrium or Wateri
Cresses, &c.

f

!,93D ' ?l .blira ^lav gnidd g9j uqo'iq

: ol fbn leoigqsqevb mo'il gni^M'T;: 'JnJfilq

on zRd : mutiu!*

jilsbfifiCI -lu jwi.

No. 49.

HEUCHERA ACERIFOLIA.

No. 49.

HEUCHSHA.

211

No. 49.

HEUCHERA ACERIFOLIA.

English Name— MAPLELEAF ALUMROOT.

French Name — Heuchere Erable.

German Name — ^Alaunwurzel.

Officinal Name — Heuchera radix.

Vulgar Names Alumroot, Sanicle, Ground

Maple, Cliffweed, Split-rock, &c.

Authorities for the Genus— Lin. Mich. Pursh,
Nuttal, Eaton, Torrey, Elliott, Dispens. Murray,
Stokes, B. Barton, W. Barton, Bigelow seq., Zol-
lickoffer, Coxe, &c.

Genus Heuchera— Calix persistent, campanulate,
five cleft. Five entire equal lanceolate petals inserted
on the calix. Five stamina inserted on the calix.
Pistil central, free, round, cleft, two styles. Capsule
bifid, bilocular, many seeded. Leaves radical, cor-
date and jagged, with radiating- nerves, scape with
a terminal panicle of flowers.

Species H. Acerifolia— Petioles hirsute, leaves
smooth, glaucous beneath, acutely five cleft, unequally
toothed, teeth mucronate : scape smooth, panicle elon-
gated, laxiflore, minutiflore, petals short, stamina ex-
serted.

DESCRIPTION-Root perennial, yellowish, hori-
zontal, crooked, with few fibres. Radical leaves on
long petioles, slender and covered with short stiff

243 EEUCHERA. No. 49.

hairs : shaped like those of the maple trees, base deeply
and acutely cordate, circumference acutely five cleft,
sometimes seven cleft or even nine cleft; segments
angular, acute, unequally toothed, teeth short, round-
ed, mucronate ; only five branched nerves : both sur-
faces smooth, upper green, lower glaucous. Scapes
round, smooth, fistulose, straight, one or two feet
high.

Flowers very small, forming a long panicle, occu-
pying the upper half of the scape, cylindrical, but
loose, small pinnatifid or pectinated bracts at the base
of the branches, which are scattered and irregularly
divided with small subulate bracteoles at the lower
divisions: pedicels longer than the flower. Calixwith
five acute teeth. Petals lanceolate, flesh colored, fila-
ments subulate, erect, jutting out, anthers rounded.
Pistil bifid with two long styles, Stigma obtuse. Cap-
sule with two beaks, opening inside of the beaks, with
two cells formed by the involute valves. Many small
black seeds.

Locality — In the mountains, hills, cliffs and fis-
sures of rocks in Kentucky, Tennessee, West Vir-
-ginia, and Pennsylvania, Ohio, Marj'land, &c.

HISTORY — All the species of this very natural
seuus have the same properties, and are used indis-
criminately under the name of Alumroot: they shall
therefore be united in this article. I have thought-
preferable to figure one of my new species, rather than
to ffive another figure of the most common kind,
wrongly called H. americana. Since the H. dic/io-
toma has been removed from this genus, all the knowr .

No. 49.

HECrCHUHA.

313

species are North American/ and possess the same
peculiar habit.

Linnasus only knew one species, Michaux two,
Nuttal three, Pursh five, and I know seven, besides
many varieties, without being sure of having seen all
the species of Pursh and Elliott. As this genus is
yet in a great confusion and uncertainty, I shall men-
tion here only those which I have seen : they are be-
sides the actual.

1. //. Viscida of Pursh, (ov H. cortusa of Mi-
chaux, the H. americana of Linnseus, &c. and W.
Bart. fig. 40.) Vicidly pubescent, scapes and leaves
a little scabrous, leaves oblong cordate ciliate, with
many rounded lobes, and unequal mucronate teeth,
surface concolor: panicle short and laxiflore, calix
short, obtuse, petals short lanceolate, stamina exsert-
ed. — The most common species east of the Alleghany
mountains, rare to the west: petals rose. The varie-
ties are 1. Macrophyllo, 2. Macula t a, .S. Scabra, &c.

2. H. ViUosa of Michaux, (or //. hispida of
Pursh.) Entirely hairy, leaves cordate, with acute
lobes, panicle laxiflore, minutiilore, pedicels filiform,
calix acute, petals short, &c.— In the Alleghany moun-
tains of Virginia, Carolina, &c. Flowers very small,
petals white.

3. H. Pulveruhjita (or H. pubescens o^VnrH\-\,kc.)
Leaves pulverulent-pubescent, cordate, with acute
lobes, toothed,. smooth beneath; scape smooth below,
rough above, panicle crowded, petals longer than calix,
stamina hardly exserted.— In the mountains from New

244

l^EUCHERA. No. 49.

England to Pennsylvania : petals red and yellow.
Var, 1. Rubra, 2. Grandijlora, &c.

4. H. Squamosa RaL Petioles pilose, leaves sub-
hirsute, ciliate, cordate, acutely seven lobed, denticu-
late, glaucous beneath : scapes hairy, n-ith oval distant
scales ; panicle short or oval, crowded, and scaly, pe-
dicels short, calix obtuse, stamina exserted. — In the
mountains of Maryland and Virginia, the Cumberland
mountains of Kentucky, &c. Leaves rather small,
flowers middle size. Var. 1. Pumita, Z. Laxifiova,
3, Conferti flora.

5. H, Reniformis Raf. Petioles smooth, leaves re-
niform rounded, faintly lobed and toothed, ciliolate,
concolor, sub-hirsute above, smooth beneath: scapes
rough, panicle elongated, grandiflore, laxiflore, pedi-
cels filiform, calix urceolate obtuse, petals and stamina
exserted. — In the Cumberland mountains and Knob
hills of Kentucky : leaves and flowers large, petals
white.

6. //. Glauca Raf. Smooth, glaucous, leaves cor-
date obtusely lobed, mucronate-denticulate ; panicle
laxiflore, elongated, minutiflore, petals and stamina
short. In the Cumberland mountains.

They all grow among rocks and near streams, blos-
soming in June and July. The genus has been dedi-
cated to Heucher, a German botanist. It belongs to
the natural order of Diceres or Saxifragides, differing
from Saxifra'ga merely by having five instead of ten
stamina,- and to Fentandria Digynia of L.

Qualities — The whole plants are astringent; but
the roots strongly so, and biting on the tongue like^

No. 49.

245

alum, but nearly scentless. They contain nearly the
same elements as Geraiiium maculatzim, but more
tannin and acid.

PROPERTIES— The root of these plants is a pow-
erful astringent styptic, antiseptic, vulnerary and de-
tergent, probably equal to Geratiium maculatum
and Spirea tomentosa. It was used by the Indians,
and is still used in Kentucky and the Alleghany moun-
tains, in powder, as an external remedy in sores,
wounds, ulcers, and even cancers : it is one of the
bases of the cancer powders of Empirics ; united to
Orohanche^ Hydrastis, &c. It is employed as a styp-
tic in internal and external hemorrhagy, bleeding of
the nose, foul or indolent ulcers, wounds and cuts. It
is seldom taken internally the taste being so inten-
sively astringent ; but it promises to be useful even
in very small doses, whenever astringents are indi-
cated. Coxe says that the Alumroot has been sold
for the Colchicum, to which it bears no resemblance
in form nor properties.

SuBSTiTtJTEs — Geranium, Geum, Spirea, Staiice
Sp. and other powerful astringents.

2 X

246

HUMULUS.

No. 50.

No. 50.

HUMULUS LUPULUS.

English Name— COMMON HOP.
French Name — Houblon commun.
German Name — Hopfen.

Officinal Names — Lupuli coni, humuli strobili.

Vulgar Names — Hops, Wild-hops, Hopvine.

Authorities Lin. Pursh, Nuttal, A. Ives>

Schoepf, Treaks, Bryorly, Bigsby, many Dispens.
Alibert, Coxe, Eberle, Maton, Roches, Zollickoffer,
Bigelow, fig. (30 and Seq.

Genus Humulus — Dioical, Staminate flowers with
a five leaved perigone, Stamina five, anthers bipore.
Pistilate flowers strobilate: bracts biflore, perigone
one leaved, persistent entire, concave, involute. One
pistil, two styles, one seed.

Species H. lupulus— Stem twining and rough,
leaves opposite, petiolate, cordate, three or five
lobed, acute, sharply serrate, rough : staminate flow-
ers panicled, fertile strobiles axillary peduncled.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial. Stem annual,
forming a climbing vine, twining from right to left,
angular, rough with minute reflexed prickles. Leaves
opposite, petiols crooked, smaller and floral leaves
cordate, acuminate, serrate: the main leaves nearly
palmate, trilobe, sometimes five lobe; lobes large,
oval acute, sharply serrate; sinusses obtuse, without

No. 50.

HUMULUS LUPULUS.

coraraoBT HOPS.

No. 50.

KVMULUS.

247

teeth; surface very rough with three main nerves and
many veins.

Flowers numerous and greenish. The staminate
on different individuals, forming axillary panicles,
with two or four bracts, reflexed, opposite, petiolate,
oval: each flower peduncled. Perigone caliciform,
with five oblong obtuse concave and spreading sepals :
five stamina, filaments short, anthers oblong, opening
by two terminal pores. Pistilate flowers forming
oval, opposite, axillary, drooping and peduncled
strobiles or cones. Scales imbricate, oval, acute,
tubular at the base, each covering two sessile flowers.
Perigone (Corolla of Linnaeus) shorter than the
scales, lateral, oval obtuse, infolding the pistil by the
edges. Germen rounded, compressed, two short
styles, two long subulate and downy stigmas. Each
flower produces a single round seed.

Locality— Native of Europe and America, and
cultivated also in both continents. Schoepf found it
wild in Virginia, Nuttal on the Missouri, and I have
seen it spontaneous from New York to Kentucky in
groves, thickets, coppices and banks of streams.

HISTORY—This vine is ornamental and useful.
It is extensively cultivated wherever malt liquors are
used, and forms a profitable branch of agriculture.
The fertile plants alone are raised, since the medical
and economical parts are the strobiles of the seeds.
The young shoots, when emerging from the ground,
are however eaten like Asparagus in Italy and Ger-
many. The fibres of the vine are also made into
coarse cloth in Sweden and England. The blossoms

HUMULUS.

No. 50;

appear in the summer, and although uncolored are
not devoid of elegance.

Humulus belongs to the Natural Order Scabrides
or Urticides, and to Dioecia pentandria. It has
but this species, both names are ancient.

Qualities — The whole plant, but particularly the
strobiles have a fragrant sub-narcotic smell, and a bit-
ter, astringent, aromatic taste. A. Ives has shown i
that this taste and smell reside in a fine impalpable}
yellow powder, sprinkled over the fertile plants, and I
I chiefly on the strobiles, which may be separated by
threshing and sifting. This powder has been called
Lupulin, although it is not a proximate principle, but
a dry secretion from the plant, and a compound sub
stance containing the active principles and properties
The Lupulin contains out of 120 parts, 46 of lignin
S6 resin, 12 wax, 11 amarina, 10 extractive, 5 tannin
besides two per cent, of a singular essential oil, very,
volatile, partly soluble in water, very acrid, and
having the narcotic smell of the Hop. The Lupulin
is very inflammable, it becomes soft and adhesive by
handling: the strobiles contains one-sixth of theii
weight of it, and it may be available in brewing like
the hops : one pound being equal to six pounds o
hops.

PROPERTIES— The whole plant, but chiefly the
Strobiles and the Lupulin are tonic, narcotic, phan
tastic, anodyne, sedative, alterative, astringent, anti
lithic, diuretic, corroborant, &c. The strobiles o:
hops have long been an ingredient of porter, ale am
other malt liquors, to which they impart a bitter an«

No. 50. HITMUliUS.

^49

aromatic flavor, besides a small share of their proper-
ties ; but by the habitual use of these liquors all the
good effects are destroyed. The hop-beer made with
molasses, hops and yeast, is a better liquor still, and
an agreeable, refreshing, tonic beverage.

As a medicinal article hops have been praised by
many physicians, and employed in Nephritis, Gravel,
Gout, Phrenitis, Alopecia, Luxations, articular Rheu-
matism, Dyspepsia, Scrophula, Rachitis, Eresypelas,
Debility, Strangury, Hysteric and Nervous com-
plaints. Cancer, &c. As tonic, stomachic and corro-
borant, they are available in diseases depending on
debility or a loss of tone in the stomach ; but their
powers are weak in this as well as all the other pro-
perties ascribed to them, which, however, may ren-
der them useful when mild remedies are required.
As a narcotic and sedative they operate mildly, and
are often preferable to opium ; they induce sleep with-
out producing the bad effects of opium. Even the
external application of hops, produces the same effect,
and a pillow of hops is a popular mode of promoting
sleep. Poultices and fomentations of hops are common
applications for painful swellings. Their antilithie
and diuretic property is questionable, they can at ut-
most act as palliative, and are sometimes injurious;
but available in the strangury produced by Cantha-
rides. Besides allaying pain and producing sleep,
hops have been found to reduce pulsations from 96 to
60, while rendering the pulse more firm. They are
useful in the weakness and watchfulness of hysteric
patients. An ointment of hops is a palliative in the

S30

BUnXULUS.

No. 50.

last stage of Cancer. They are said to act as antisep-
tic and corroborant in bowel complaints. Some phy-
sicians consider them as general alterative of the sys-
tem. Schoepf mentions the seeds as used in Obstipa-
tion. Zollickoffer has used the flowers to relieve the
pains after parturition.

Many preparations are made with them ; the tinc-
ture and extract of hops were formerly most used.
Now the pills, syrup, infusion, tincture, extract and
ointment of Lupulin are employed. Boiling water
and alcohol dissolve the Lupulin. The doses must be
small and gradually increased, beginning with one
grain of Lupulin, four of the extract, a tea spoonful
of the tincture, or two ounces of the infusion. An
over dose produces sore throat, nausea, purging, tre--
mor, head ache, &c.

Substitutes — The mild aromatic tonics and nar-
cotics ; but none are similar, nor combine the same
number of properties, the Lycopus virginicus alone,
comes nearest to it.

Remarks— The malt liquors brewed in the Unitedi
States, instead of being a wholesome beverage, are
often rendered deleterious by the substitution or ad-
dition of bitter and narcotic ingredients: the harmless
substitutes to Hops are. Liquorice, Wormwood, Quas-
sia, Teucrium Virginicum, &c. but Datura Stramo-
nium, Cocculus, Aloe, &c. that have been added in
Pittsburg and elsewhere, are dangerous, pernicious or
useless ingredients.

No 51.

HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS

TBUOW SYBROOT

No. 51.

HYDRASTIS.

201

No. 51.

HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS.

English Name— YELLOW PUCOON.

French Name — Htdraste du Canada.

German Name — Gelb Puckuhn.

Officinal Name — Hydrastis radix.

Vulgar Names — Yellowroot, Ground Raspberry,
Yellowpaint, Golden Seal, Orange root, Indian paint,
Eyebalm, &c.

Synonyms — WarneraCanadensisMiller — Hydro-
phyllum verum Linn. Hydrastis Ellis.

Authorities— Linn. Mich. Pursh, Miller, Elliot,
Eaton, Torrey, Stokes, Coxe, B. Barton, W. Barton,
fig. £6, bad.

Genus Hydrastis— Perigone simple, petaloid,
three leaved, caducous. Stamina many, unequal,
linear. Pistils many forming an ovate head, Styles
very short, stigmas compressed. Fruit a compound
berry,' formed by acines or fleshy seeds.

Species //. Canadensis— '^t^m two leaved, uniflore:
leaves unequal, alterne, lower petiolate, upper sessile,
palmate, cordate, three to seven lobed, lobes acute,
unequally serrate ; flower terminal on a short pedun-
cle.

DESCRIPTION— Root perennial, of a bright yel-
low, tortuose, knobby, wrinkled, with many long
fibres. Stem a foot high or less, simple, straight"^

HYDRASTIS.

No. 51.

round, pubescent, base naked, top with two unequal
alterne leaves. First leaf petiolate, cordate, palmate,
five or seven lobed, sinuses oblong and obtuse, lobes;
oval, unequal, acute, with irregular sharp serratures,
five branched nerves. The upper or second leaf
similar, [but sessile and commonly trilobe. These
leaves are not quite expanded when the blossoms ap-
pears.

Flowers single terminal, on a peduncle shorter than
the upper leaf. Three petals or petaloid leaves, flesh
or rose colored, oval, obtuse, equal. Many unequal
filaments, shorter than the petals, linear and com-
pressed; anthers oblong, obtuse, compressed. Many.
Pistils oval, crowded forming an oval head, styles
very short, stigma dilated, compressed. Berry red and
oval, formed by many oblong grains or acines ; fleshy,,
obtuse, muricatcd by the persistent styles, each one
seeded, seeds oblong.

Locality — From Canada and Maine to Carolina,
and Tennessee, in rich shady woods, on the banks oJ"
streams, sides of hills, deep valleys: very common,
in West Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, &c., rare in lime-
stone plains.

HISTORY — A pretty and singular plant, easily
known by its habit. It blossoms very early in thea
spring in March and April, and the petals are so ca-i-
ducous and fugaceous that the)'- fall off, as soon as the:
blossoms expands, leaving the Stamina and pistils bare. .
The fruit ripens in May, and is very much like' j.i
Raspberry of a bright red color; but scarcely edible.

LinnjEUs knew so little of this plant, that he uniteci

No. 51.

HYDRASTIS.

253

it at first with Hydrophyllum! he afterwards adopted
the name Hydrastis of Ellis, which is a very bad
name meaning iinbibirtg water, while this plant is
not at all aquatic. The name of Miller Warnera
would have been better, and I should have adopted
this last and called it Warnera diphylla or tinctoria
if established errors were not so difficult to correct.
The vulgar names of this plant are also various, and
common to many others, yellow root is a name given
to ten or twelve plants, Jeffersonia, Coptis, ^au-
thor hiza, &c. Pucoon is an Indian name for all roots
dying red, orange or yellow, such as Sanguinaria,
Batschia, Galium, Ceanoihus, &c. ; but this is their
best yellow Pucoon, afibrding a juice of a brilliant yel-
low color, which they use to stain skins and clothing;
it may become a valuable dye.

Hydrastis belongs to the Racunculaceous Order
where it forms a very distinct genus, by its berry
like seeds. Also to Polyandria polygynia.

Qualities — The root is only used, it is juicy when
fresh, and loses two thirds of its weight by drying.
The taste is exceedingly bitter, rather pungent and
-nauseous. The smell is strong and virose. It con-
tains Amarine, Extractive, several salts, and a pecu-
liar principle Hydrastin of a yellow color,

PROPERTIES — Tonic, ophthalmic, detergent,
&c. This plant is much used in Ohio, Kentucky,
&c. for diseases of the eyes, the juice or an infusion
are used as a wash, in sore or inflamed eyes. It is
considered a specific by the Indians for that disorder;
they also employ it for sore legs, and many external

T

HYDRASTIS.

No. 51.

complaints, as a topical tonic. Internally it is used as
a bitter tonic, in infusion or tincture in disorders of
the stomach, the liver, &c., and is equivalent to Jih-
tris and Coptis. It is said to enter into compound
remedies for the Cancer, acting as a mild detergent
tonic, and the Cherokees are supposed to use it in that
disease ; but better detergents are known. The proper-
ties of this plant are not yet fully known, it appears
to be slightly narcotic and available in many other
disorders. Some Indians employ it as a diuretic,
stimulant and escharotic, using the powder for blister-
ing, and the infusion for the Dropsy.

Substitutes — Jeffersonia binata — Coptis trifolia
Xanthorhizuj Aletris, Sanguinaria, Sigillaria,
Eraser a, Menyanthes, &c. But none of these is so
efficacious for sore eyes, except perhaps the Jeffer-
sonia. For Cancer Viburnum dentatum, Rumex
and Orobanche.

i\o. 52.

HY0SCIAMU8 NIGER.

I

No. 52. HYOSCIAMUS. 255

No. 52.

HYOSCIAMUS NIGER.

English Name— BLACK HENBANE.

French Name — Jiisquiame noire.

Ge rman Name — Schwarz Bilsenkraut.

Officinal Name — Hyosciamus.

Vulgar Names — Henbane, Poison-Tobacco,
Stinking Nightshade, &c.

Authorities — Lin. Pursh, Eaton, Torrey, Cullen,
Murray, Fothergill, Kinglake, Withering, Schoepf,
Thacher, Duncan, Coxe, and all Dispens. Eberle,
A. Ives, Woodville fig. 52, Bigelow fig. 17 and seq.

Genus Hyosciamus— Calix persistent, urceolate,
with five unequal teeth. Corolla funnel shaped, with
five unequal lobes. Stamina five, unequal. Pistil
oval, stile filiform declinate, stigma obtuse. Capsule
two celled, many seeded, operculate.

Species H. niger—Viscid hairy, leaves clasping,
lower oval oblong, acute, sinuate or undulate: flowers
unilateral, sessile, calix with sharp teeth, corolla reti-
culate, with rounded lobes.

DESCRIPTION— Root biennial, fusiform, whitish.
The whole plant glaucous, hairy, glutinous, lurid, and
fetid. Stem one or two feet high, stifi", round, branch-
ed. Radical or first year leaves spread on the ground,
oval or oblong, undulate, contorted, acute, sessile,
sinuated by large acute unequal teeth, nerve thick and

256

H70SCIA3MIUS.

No. 52.

branched. Lower leaves of the stem similar, crowded,
alterne, clasping: upper leaves smaller, narrower,
nearly entire.

Flowers forming unilateral rows on the branches,
extra axillary and opposed to the leaves. Calix urceo-
late with five short acute and stiff segments. Corolla
irregular, funnel shaped, with five unequal, spreading,
rounded and entire lobes, with acute sinuses : this ccr-
rolla is of a dingy yellow, with a pretty net work of
purple veins. Stamina inserted in the tube of the
corolla; filaments riliform unequal; anthers oblong,
large, yellow. Style slender, longer than stamina,
■with, an obtuse stigma. Capsule rounded, invested
by the calix, two celled, opening by a circular lid.
Seeds numerous, unequal, small, oblong, brownish.

Locality — In the Northern and Eastern States
only, from Nova Scotia to Rhode Island, and extend-
ing West to New York and Canada: very rare in Ohio
and Pennsylvania ; unknown in the South. It is sup-
posed to be a naturalized plant, being found merely
near houses, roads, rubbish, in old fields and gardens.
It is properl)'- an European plant, scattered all over
Europe and extending to Asia.

HISTORY — This genus belongs to the natural order
of LuRiDES, and family Verbascides, having irregular
corolla or stamina, and capsular fruits. Also to Pe7i-
tandria monogynia of Linnaeus.

It was known to the ancients as a violent narcotic
poison; horses, cattle, deer and swine eat it with im-
punity, but it poisons rats. The appearance is lurid,
the smell offensive and disgusting: there is therefore

No: 52.

K70SCEAMUS.

S57

little danger of using it inadvertantly. The whole
plant, roots and leaves, produce the usual effects of
narcotics. It blossoms in June and July. The seeds
are said to have the property of keeping long under
ground, and germinating whenever brought to light.

Qualities — The taste is insipid, slightly acrid and
mucilaginous; but the smell is virose, rank, strong,
fetid, pernicious and narcotic, which, however, is lost
by exsiccation ; when burnt it smells like Tobacco.
It contains resin, mucilage, extractive, gallic acid,
nitrates and other salts, besides Hyosciam an alka-
line and crystalline active principle, which does not
decompose by red heat. Yet decoction is said to de-
stroy the narcotic power of this plant, water and di-
luted alcohol extract it.

PROPERTIES— Narcotic, phantastic, phrenetic,
anodyne, antispasmodic, repellent, discutient, &e.
The whole plant may be used ; but the seeds contain
more Hyosciam. Externally the bruised leaves are
employed in cataplasm or an ointment made of them :
while internally the extract and tincture are chiefly
used. The extract ought to be made with the inspis-
sated juice without boiling, the doses are from one to
ten grains. This plant operates as a powerful narcotic,
and if taken in large doses, it produces drowsiness,
intense thirst, anxiety, head ache, irregular hard pulse,
vertigo, intoxication, delirium, dilatation of the pupil,
difficulty of breathing, aphonia, trismus, coma, a fall-
ing sensation, risus sardonicus, double vision or blind-
ness, convulsions, apoplexy, loss of speech, cold ex-
tremities, blue face, typhomania, carphologia, gan-

y2

S58

HYOSCIAMUS. No. 52.

grene, and death. A single dose of one grain has
even produced delirium in nervous persons. The root
having been mistaken and eaten for Parsnip, has caused
many of these alarming symptoms : the remedies are
vegetable acids, sulphate of iron, &c. which neutralize
the poison, and emetics which discharge it.

The internal use of this poison has been recom-
mended in epilepsy, hemoptysis, colica pictorum,
rheumatism, hysteria, mania, melancholy, trismus,
palpitations, spasms, arthritis, glandular swellings,
obstinate ulcerations, asthma, spasmodic coughs, tic
douleureux, &c. by many physicians, and deemed a
good substitute to opium and stramonium in most
cases ; but it is not so safe nor certain, and far less
uniform in its operation: the smallest doses are apt to
produce nausea, head ache, laborious sleep, confusion
of ideas and even delirium. The stomach is inflamed
and evinces dark gangrenous spots when death follows
overdoses, therefore it must be considered as one of
the most dangerous narcotics. It ought to be handled
by experienced physicians only, and always begun by
minute doses gradually increased. It may be prefer-
able to opium in some cases, as it is rather laxative,
than constipating, and does not stimulate the body..
It has often failed in epilepsy and convulsions. It acts-
better in spasmodic coughs, the leaves are directed to
be simmered in olive or almond oil, and the oil used
in emulsions. It is highly praised in Tic united to
Valerian and Oxide of Zinc. It has been found useful
in some puerperal complaints, &c.

The external use of IJenbane is more safe, and equal

No. 52.

HYOSOIAMUS.

259

to that of Stramonium. It may be safely employed
in painful swellings, schirrous or scrofulous or can-
cerous ulcers, inflamed piles, indolent tumors'or milk
indurations of the breast, wandering rheumatic pains,
inflamed eyes, spasms of the bowels; inflammation of
the kidneys, urethra, bowels, testicles, &e.; in chordae,
blind piles, and all painful external afiections, as a
very efficient topical anodyne. The fresh or powder-
ed leaves are used as well as poultices with bread and
milk, or liniments in wax and oil. Injections of it
for bowel complaints ought to be given in decoction
of milk. The extract has been used to prepare for
ophthalmic operations, by dilating the pupil, contract-
ing the iris and diminishing sensibility. The smoke
of the leaves and seeds, directed by a funnel to a cari-
ous tooth, is said to cure odontalgy ; but the practice
may be deleterious and attended with danger.

Substitutes — Datura Strainonium — Atropa

hdladonna—Solanum Sp.~Conium — Cicuta

Tobacco, Opium and other powerful narcotics. The
Hyosciamus albus of Europe is a milder equivalent,
as well as Humulus or hops.

261

ADDITIONS, CORRECTIONS, AND TABLE
OF ARTICLES.

For the sake of brevity, several details had been omitted; and
during the process of the work, many additional facts have 'been
evolved or procured: some of which are of sufficient importance
to be added, and will be conveniently'blended with casual cor-
rections.

Some plants might be looked for in this first volume which
will be found in the second, such for instance are Chimaphila and
Gyromia, restored to Pyrola and Medeola.

Otweh Medical Ppoperties.
Abortive, producing abortion.
Anti-emetic, preventing nausea and emesis.
Antilacteal, draining the milk in the breast,
Bechic, serviceable against cough.
Cosmetic, softening the skin.
EccopROTic, remedy for the gout.
Herpetic, against ring-worms, &c.
Lacteal, promoting the lacteal secretion.
Officinal, medical substances in general kept in pharmacies.

Other Works Consulted.
Alibert, Matiere Medicale. Paris.
Catesbt, Animals and plants of Carolina, &c. fig.
Dancer, Medical assistant, and Med. plants of Jamaica
Kingston, 1801.

Duncan read Dyckman.

EaaRLE, Materia Medica. Phil. 1824, 2 Vol.

Fleming, Medicinal plants of Bengal' Tnd Hindostnn. Cal^
culta, 1810.

z

262

Medical Plants.

No. 1. AcoRus Calamus — It contains also fecula and extrac-
tive; decoction destroys its activity: much employed in the East
Indies in infusion for the bowel complaints of children.

2. Adianthum Pedatum — Also corroborant and diuretic,
useful in obstructions. The Jl. trapeziforme is its substitute in
the West Indies, a pectoral syrup is made from it.

3. Agrimonia Eupatohia — The roots and whole plant boil-
ed in milk are used by herbalists for diabetes and incontinence of
urine. One of their remedy for the tape-worm is Agrimony tea,
with alum and honey. The roots are said to ba more astringent
than the leaves, the Indians use them in fevers, and some empi-
rics for jaundice with honey. It is said also to be diuretic and
vulnerary.

4. Aletris Farinosa — Another vulgar name is Black root,
and Himili one of its Indian names implies the same. It is a
powerful and dangerous substance, drastic even in small doses,
larger ones produce vertigo and bloody stools: it is also consider-
ed abortive by the Indians.

5. Andromeda Arborea — This tree indicates a poor soil,
the Indians make arrows with the wood and smoke the leaves as
Shumac and Tobacco. They also use the leaves for dropsy in
cold decoction mixt with Prunus Virginiana.

6. Anthemis Cotula — Other names, Wild Camomile, Piss-
weed, &c. The essential oil is bluish as that of Camomile. It
contains also resin, extractive and amarine; boiling dissipates the
active principles. The flowers and the disk florets particularly,
are most active ; they are impaired by keeping. A weak or cold
infusion is anti-emetic, while a strong or warm one is emetic.
They are sometimes used as an external discutient, and are bene-
ficial in injections for dysentery, spasmodic cholics, &c.

7. Apocynum Androsemifolium — There are several varie-
ties of this plant. 1. Jlcutifolium, 2. Acuminatum, 3. Obtusifo-
Hutn, leaves nearly elliptic, 4. Roseum, &c. The milk of this plant
is acrid; when dried, it forms a kind of gum elastic, very inflam-
mable. It bears also tha vulgar name of Snake's milk, and is
called Houatte in Canada and Louisiana like Mclepias. The
roots are creeping: the bark of these roots is the only active part,

263

being two thirds in weight of the whole. This bark is sohible in
water and alcohol; as a tonic the dose is fifteen to twenty grains,
as an emetic thirty to forty, it acts like Ipecac without inducing
vertigo. It Is also employed as a cathartic, to purge the bile, and
cure costiveness. ZolIickofTer has used it in acute rheumatism,
pneumonia, and phrenitis, after cathartics, as an efficient diapho-
retic, in doses often grains. Some Empirics use it in hemoptysis
without adequate care.

8. Aralia Nudicaulis— All the species of Aralia bear also
in New England the names of Life-of-man, Pettymorel, Pigeon
weed, &c. and the A. spinosa Shot bush. They act sometimes, as
a tonic in a relaxed state of the stomach, debility ond loss of ap-
petite ; a decoction is used for a kind of eresypelas called Shingles.
The roots are also nutrient, carminative and vulnerary: the In-
dia;is eat them in their war expeditions: a kind of beer can be'
made Avith them. The berries give a fine flavor to beer, and a
wine similar to Elder wine can be made with them. The fresh
roots and leaves chewed and applied to wounds, heal them
speedily; Dr. Sp. informed me that he was once cured by them
alone of a desperate accidental wound by a broad ax. ZoUick-
ofl^er has erroneously blended the A. spinosa v/ith Xanthoxylum.

9. Areutus Uva-ursi— Other vulgar names, Wortleberry
Foxberry, Checkerberry, &c. This plant often dies the urine
black; the berries are sometimes eaten in milk like those of the
Vaccinium genus, they are aromatic and diuretic.

10. Aristolochia Serpentaria— Has' been used also in
all bihous disorders and fevers with advantage: it is anti-emetic
m cold mfusion. In dyspepsia it is only useful when the disease
IS not mflammatory. In the West Indies the A. odorata is em-
ployed as a substitute, and in the East Indies the A. indica, whicli
are more bitter and also cathartic. The Collinsonia is stated to
have been sold fraudulously for Snake root: much of this article
kept m stores is worthless, being old or badly dried.

11. Arum TRiPHYLLUM-The root is not inert when dry, and
even the powder is used by Empirics with honey for coughs, &c
Dr. Mease recommends it for asthma, croup and whooping cough
grated m milk; it is said to promote the flow of mucus. It has
been used m mania: it is said to kill snakes. The Indians nse it
for coughs with Spikenard or Aralia, and for fevers with SnaL

264

roots and Prunn». Burson and Eberle prescribe it for chronic
asthma and catarrh, aphthous sore throat, rheumatism, tines
capitis, tetters, &c. in consumption it is only a palliative, lessening
the cough and dy,.5pnea. The dose of the powder is from twelve
to forty grains; an electuary or emulsion are convenient forms.
An omtment is made for external use in rheumatism, tinea, &c.
The seeds appear to have all the properties of the root with
double the strength, and being less liable to lose their activity,
ouglu to become the officinal substitute in half doses. The vulgar
names of Wa^e robin and JDevil's nip are also given to this plant.
The A. sequinum or Dumb Cane of Brazil and the West Indies is
used for the yaws, dropsy and gout, for which our Arums might
be. perhaps substituted.

12. AsARUM Canadense— Varieties, 1. Macraphyllum , 2
Pumilum, 3. Acutifolium, I have lately seen this Var. with acute
leaves in the Taconick mountains. The Western Indians use it as a
styptic for wounds, and an abortive also. A large dose produces
pyrosis and water brash, besides nausea. It may be combined
with tonics to advantage.

13. AsCLEPiAs TuBERosA*— Varieties, 1. Prealta,2. Decwn-
bcns, 3. Undulata. 4. Angustifolia, &c, The Southern Indians
employ it in dysentery, dropsy and asthma, also as an emetic in
large doses, and they use the powder externally in venereal chan-
cres as well' as fungous ulcers. They make a kind of hemp with
the stem, like that of A. dehilis and Apoeymm cannaiinum , and
use it for strings to bows. The silk makes better wicks for can-
dles than cotton. The A. asthmatica of the East Indias, and
A. cusassavica of the West Indies, are emetic also and used in
clysti^rs for dysentery and piles. Mease says that our A. tiiberosa
IS a safe and powerful diuretic. Burson extols it in Marasmus or
Atrophy, Cholera Infantum, and diseases attending the dentition
of infants as a mild cathartic destitute of smell and taste, he pre-
.«!cribes to unite it with aromatics. A. Ives considers it equivalent
to Sanguinaria, but milder and less certain. Eberle, Zollickoffer,
Hopkins, &c. confirm the valuable properties of this plant; yet it
is only a palliative in Phthisis. The A. incarnata has been no-
ticed by TuUy and Anderson in a thesis as a useful emetic and cjt-
thartic. The A. gyriaca has lately been employed as an anodyne
m asthma, and ii powerful JiuT tic in dropsy, Ives states many

265

cures performed in New York, but it fails sometimes and relapses
often happen. The A. serpentaria of Louisiana, is used by In-
dians against snakes.

1-t. Baftisia Tinctoria — Useful against painful swellings in
fomentations, and emploped against snake bites by the northern
Indians.

15. Berberis Canadensis — Other names Pipperidge bush
and Sourberry. In the north the berries are pickled. A tea of
the bark is used for indigettion, and an infusion in wine as purga-
tive. The root and bark with alum or lye produce a beautiful
yellow dye for leather and cloth.

16. BoTROPHis Serpentaria — It has been found to be nar-
cotic, nervine and tonic. , A full dose produces nausea, vertigo,
anxiety, pains, restlessness, uneasiness, dilatation 6( pupil, quick
small pulse, &c. These effects are immediate but transitory. It
has been used as a substitute to Digitalis and Lycopus in alarm-
ing symptoms of pulmonary phthisis, and with some success; it
imparts tone to the system and lessens arterial action: the tinc-
ture, infusion and powder have been used.

17. Bkasenia HYDRorEi.Tis — It extends to some parts of
New Englend and New York. Substitute of Hepatica.

18. Cassia Marilandica — It might be tried as a substitute
of the C. herpetica or Ringworm bush of the West Indies, used in
baths and fomentations against herpetic eruptions. The C. occi-
dentalis of Florida and South America has a diuretic root, the
juice is used against itch and yaws. The C. chamecrista is be-
lieved to be a counterpoison of the Nightshade in Jamaica. The
seeds of the C. ciliata of Louisiana are used as a substitute for
coffee.

19. Caxtlophyllum Thalictroides.

20. Cephalanthus Occidentali-s — Also called Button
bush. X

21. Chenopodium Anthelminthicum — Not perennial as
stated, but annual. It is said to extend to Mexico and South
America. It is antispasmodic like Ch. olidu7n, useful in hysteria,
and a tolerable substitute for Assafetida. Called sometimes Sow-
bank in New England.

-22. CicuTA MAcuLATA-;-It probably contains the Coneine.
Preferred to Conium in practice by some physicians as'safer and

266

less liable to lose its activity. The powder of the leaves gathered
when the seeds are ripe, and dried in the shade is the best exhibi-
tion. Large doses produce vertigo, cardialgy, coma and even
death.

23. CoLLiNSONiA Canadensis — Sometimes called Horse-,
balm in the north. The C. anisata is called Anise-root in the
West and used for flatulency.

24. CoMPTONiA AspiiENiFOLiA — Other names Meadow fern
.ind Astringent root. The root is styptic, and the Indians chew-
it for hemoptysis: they make a tea of the leaves for female com-
plaints. The Herbalist, Whitlow, employs it for scrofula in his
vapour baths. Other herbalists use the buds, blossoms or leaves
simmered in cream or butter for the itch and sores. A syrup is
also made with it.

25. CoNiuM Macu LATUM — Beneficial in internal ulcerations,-
.<icrophulous, malignant and sanious ulcers. Lepra and Elephan-
tiasis, Mania, &c. It ought to be taken in sufficient doses to
produce vertigo.

26. Convolvulus Pandur atus — It is said that hogs eat the
roots, and that Indians will handle snakes after washing theiy
hands with the juice. The C. brasiliensis of South America is
employed in decoction for dropsy.

27. CoPTis Trifolia — Ives and others appear to doubt the
assertion of Bigelovv that it is inert in sore mouth: it is yet used
extensively and alone for it and sore throat. It is also good for.
sore eyes like Hydrastis, of which it appears equivalent.

28. CoRNUs Florida — Called sometimes Bitter Redberry. It
ought never to be taken fresh, because it affects the bowels in
that state: it is beneficial in debility of the stomach and loss of
appetite. The Southern Indians use it in poultice for sores. The
C. paniculata is also another equivalent, and perhaps all our
Cornels are such.

29. CuNiLA Mariana — A good substitute to Mentha piperita
in cholera morbus, useful, in relaxed stomach and bowels: it is also
carminative, employed in flatulency, and to allay nausea. The
Southern Indians esteem it highly for colds, coughs, fevers, &c.:
they smoke and chew the leaves as a fragrant substitute to To-
bacco; it would be well to imitate them. Rabbits are said to feed
on it.

267

30. Cypripedium Luteum — The flowers of this fine genus
are favorites with the Indian women to deck their hair. I have
been informed that in Onondaga and other western counties of
New York, several physicians rely upon a decoction of the roots
of C. spectiibile as a valuable antispasmodic, which proves an
effectual remedy in many cases when the common medicines have
failed : doses a table spoonful of the decoction made by two ounces
of the root in a pint of water.

31. Datura Stramonium — Found also in the West Indies.
The leaves applied to the head cure the head ache, and applied
to the joints they relieve the gout. A tincture of the seeds is
said to be preferable to Laudanum for convulsions, &c. and the
extract by far superior to that of Conium.

32. DiospYRos Virginiama — One of the remedies used by
herbalists for the dysentery, is a syrup made with this, united to
Prunus, Rwnex and Rhubarb.

33. DiRCA Palustris — Also called Poisonberry.

34. Erigeron Philadelphicum.

35. EritiTronium Flavum.

36. Eupatorium Perfoliatum.

37. Euphorbia Corollata— Used by the Southern Indians
in fevers and bowel complaints.

38. Fragaria Vesca.

39. Eraser A Veticillato— Found also West of the Missis-
sippi in the great plain of Arkansas, Missouri, &c. It is a favour-
ite remedy of the Southern Indians with Prunus and Snake roots
for fevers, debility, &c. also in female complaints, and for chil-
dren to strengthen them, while using anthelmintics.

40. Gautiera rfpens— The Southern Indians are said to
esteem this plant highly, and to use it even in fevers and breast
complamts, although too stimulant; but it is useful in cough and
catarrh. The oil of this plant has a powerful smell, very fragrant
and yet approximating to Noyau : does it contain an atom of prus-
sic acid ? ^

41 Gextiana CATEsBEi-Pursh considers the G. villosa as
zdentic with G. ochroleuca.

42. Geranium Maculatum.

43. GeUM ViRGINlCUM.

44. Gii^LENiA STiPULACEA^Found also west of the Missis-

268

sippi, and used by the Indians as a valuable emetic and sudorific
in fevers, bowel complaints, &c.

45. Hamamelis Virginica — Called Shemba by the Osage
Indians, and used for ulcers, tumors, sores, &c. in poultjce.

46. Hedeoma Pulegioides.

47. Helenium Autumnale.

48. Hepatica Triloba.

49. Heuchera Acerifolia. >

50. humulus lupulus.

51. Hydrastis Canadensis.

52. Hvosciamus Niger.

NOTICE.

The second volume shall follow this in a few months, and con-i
tain from fifty to sixty plates and articles, many of which, upon
medical Genera either new or omitted by Bigelow and Barton
such as

Leontodon,

Leptandra,

Lycopus,

Monarda,

JVelumbium,

Oxalis,

Oxycoccus,

Pinckneya,

Polanisia,

Polypodium,

Pterospora,

Ruta,

Smnhucus,

Scrophularia,

Scutellaria,

Sigillaria,

Smilax,

Spirea,

Symphytum,

Trillium,

Ulwus,

Verbena,

Viburnum,

Vitis, &c.

The last article including a monography of the North Americai
Grape Vines, and the work concluding by a general table of a
the Equivalents, with additional details.

I

end of the first volume.

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