i Cabsjormi RECEIVED BY PURCHASE November 28, 1941 ~~ ter: rr . ° ~ | BOTANY. MEDICAL BOTANY: OR DESCRIPTIONS OF THE MORE IMPORTANT PLANTS USED IN MEDICINE, WITH THEIR HISTORY, PROPERTIES, ‘AND MODE OF ADMINISTRATION. BY R. EGLESFELD GRIFFITH, M.D., MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY ; OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA, ETC. ETC. Scire potestates herbarum usumque medendi— Mneid. xii. 396. WITH UPWARDS OF THREE HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS. PHILADELPHIA: LEA AND BLANCHARD. 1847. s “ . “er FS - ', SH a oh ‘ : m. 2 ~ C *. . | " bin * = .: $ 7 « ; i “7 4 " t "ey so % , : anes - . 9 i a Las 9 . rc ” ule ; eS ¢ f 4 - 9 J = s : ‘ 5 ° - : F pak age to the Act of Coniiress, in the ia 1847, wae ‘ — dl : - , ° 7 ‘ a i gat ak aE ANCHARD, Ye. Po In the Clerk’s apes rict Court for the Eastern Dine OF *» u ; . - Pennsylvania. Se ares We anigeet., . * : ? . " - .* . * ‘a ¢ v : } : => rer” x. ‘ - é ,., ] F id ¢ A : °° sf ag a wy BI ” *, mak | . : ™ o. “+ ? «} 4 : . - as gta 4 < “, 7 > wl . ; | { " s“% i. ¥ " J ’ J? ar z e ade w o « ol : y . i % : $. & * > P \ ‘ , ” “A ft ‘ a ; .* rs ‘- 4 ’ } 4 " ‘ e a i « * - : . q ‘ee ’ or (ie c. SHERMAN, ea . : : 7 * e I , ~~», 10m, mee ) wt . - 7 >” + “x fF 3 a? wt e 5 ’ Pa é 4 ° . * J s 7? : TO t JOHN TORREY, M.D. F.L.S., ETC. PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY AND BOTANY, IN THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND ASA GRAY, M.D. ETC.,, PROFESSOR OF NATURAL HISTORY, IN HARVARD UNIVERSITY, WHOSE NAMES ARE IDENTIFIED WITH NORTH AMERICAN BOTANY, THIS WORK “1s RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THEIR FRIEND THE AUTHOR. 6” PREFACE ‘THE work now efteted to the Profession it is hoped may supply a defi- ciency that has long existed in our medical literature. In Europe many able treatises on this ‘subject have appeared, but none have issued from the Ame- rican press. It is true, we have some excellent paplications on the Vegetable Materia Medica of the United States ; ; one by Dr. Bigelow, and a second by Dr. W. P. C. Barton, both deserving of the highest praise, but both are now out of print, and are likewise too expensive for general use. ‘To these may | be added the ‘** Medical Flora” of Rafinesque, which contains some important notices and facts as regards our native plants, but mingled with much that is incorrect and futile. | | The student who wishes to obtain correct systematical descriptions of the ' various plants employed in medicine, must either consult a long series of ex- pensive books, or be content with the short notices to be met with in the usual treatises on the Materia Medica, and hence the important subject of Medical Botany has been almost wholly neglected in this country. To supply this want, has been the aim of the author in the present publication, which, whilst it gives a general view of the Vegetable Materia Medica, is still sufficiently cheap to be within the reach of all. It may be asked, will not the excellent works of Pereira, Royle, Ballard and Garrod, and Drs. Wood and Bache, supply all the botanical knowledge that is required by the student? We think not; the intention of the authors of these treatises is rather to present to their readers an account of medicinal articles, and of their composition and uses, than to dwell on the characters and history of those derived from the vegetable kingdom; at the same time, they all contain much that is interesting and important on these topics. The . oun PREFACE. r ; work now offered to the Profession is intended as a companion to the more practical -treatises, and also to convey such information on the systematic classification, characters, and history of Medical Plants as has been necessarily omitted in the publications alluded to. In the execution of the plan, the author has experienced some difficulty in - determining the limits of the work. To notice all the plants which have at different times been employed in medicine, or have had remedial properties assigned to them, would have been impossible in the compass of a single volume, and merely to describe those recognised in the Pharmacopeeia would have militated against the object of the work. It was thought that the end would be best attained by dwelling at some length on the most important articles of the Vegetable Materia Medica, or on such as are involved in some obscurity as regards their botanical characters and history, and by noticing the others in a brief manner. In doing this, they have been arranged according to the natural orders, and it will be seen that the technical descriptions have been drawn up in strict accordance with the present improved state of botani- cal knowledge. - These descriptions are selected from the best authorities ; in some cases without alterations, but in others altered, corrected, or con- densed, so as to present as great a uniformity of phraseology as possible. As the work is, from its very nature, a compilation, the only originality that can be claimed by the author is in the selection and arrangement of his materials. To render the publication more generally useful, especially to those readers who are not conversant with Botany, a short Introduction on the Structure and Composition of Plants has been prefixed, with a copious Glossary of terms, and a Conspectus of the Natural Orders of Plants containing remedial substances ; these it is hoped will add to the value of the work, whilst they do not materially swell its bulk. In the present state of Botanical Science, the most eminent authorities dis- agree as regards the best mode of arranging the natural orders, and their exact relations witheach other. In this country, the classification of De Can- dolle is best known, more especially as modified by Drs. Torrey and Gray. By some, however, that of Lindley is preferred, whilst others prefer the sys- i — ¥ PREFACE. iy a ¢ tem of Jussieu, &c. That adopted is founded on the views of De Candolle, but modified by those of Lindley, Gray, and others. The groups into which the orders have been divided, are mainly those suggested by the two latter au- | thorities, but altered in some respects according to the views of the author. ed only remains to notice the sources from which the information con- tained in this work has been obtained. In the Introduction, much has been derived from Gray’s “ Botanical Text-Book,” Reid’s “« Medical Botany,” and Carpenter’s ‘‘ Vegetable Physiology.” The Conspectus is principally founded on the views of Lindley and Gray, from whom the characters of the groups and orders have been addpted with certain modifications. In the main body of the work, information has been gleaned from every available source, but more especially from Lindley’s * Medical Flora,” and ** Vegetable Kingdom,” Merat and De Lens’s “ Dictionnaire de Matiére Medicale,” and also from the ‘‘ American Dispensatory,” and the respective treatises of Ainslie, Royle, Pereira, Dunglison, &c. As regards American Plants, the principal authorities have been Bigelow, W. P. C. Barton, Rafinesque, &c. Much has also bean derived from the journals, | and especially from the “‘ American Journal of Pharmacy,” and the “ American Journal of Medical Sciences.” In most cases it will be found that the authorities for the medical qualities ascribed to thé species are those of the writers quoted in the Botanical references ; where this is not the case, the exact authority for a statement is expressly mentioned. The illustrations have been taken from the various works of Royle, Pereira, Rafinesque, &c., with the addition of numerous others from the masterly graver of Mr. Gilbert. Philadelphia, May Ist, 1847. F ua | al ole ae Oe on oayt ne iy ti aad 7 tt 4; Foti bint vw * wien rr in chon $ ac baie." salt baxoit he ea 6. “fpsbac haigiony ra ~ a a i edfucrn a o4th lo bach wich alt 7 lity oth «il sertotianiibegey ir ae. {. io: moet are . Ne vote ie henasiy Phen a weal. a ne = ost} moth we | 7 . a ry... y on AS, pi fe f . ei e. : = °° sei Dicat f to seitedi ay ooypot 9 att sie aaa oer ne a 5 « Ed ; essitivo At ; N2iti tal i}. sofies- 1 ete a " : a9 begin uit | NY porals seine Ay 8 ae mA laa ice ae e ae = od Sule, ene rf obi: as ‘ CADE M : nie off - sonal: we AP ets vii : a sy, ee Le SP ees | *. of ‘Wane o to ‘laserpe ns 9 2! med * Of ogre. ity ne [ao ns at atiins he wht etek: wise a .% » . et 4 be r r o! - OSU Ie "han és . : m ORD ts : i iG ot ober abe 2 aut oe “ean ie PiSBR ROT RIG avaih Ohl aif dea) ; ve hitodtia, tht tee baie edt Diep vi is ioe + 2990 ts tog lj etc El 2 sate Esty yw ait See ten Ws ory v4) c¥ - . tie hal w. eal yb a ohip 200 Nell gitmenn eerenG® ci toswininss ty leiliin beara: ath tuts Ail ona xs r tr 't} Ft t yet m win . ana ee : e er P : . - re ee ) CEA ae rest pa Ia Yes ft) tat "if CPOE KI. MY shee} : « . sia are ee } : Mn ene RD SEE RSS SERaRaR ee a Bc tUN Wa ane 5 arpa yh ls lalallala ie > a , > + > * -_ Ay rye ds hte ee mA , i TOC el ah -faplagtnd H or ‘af J : i" P r } ‘ i, 7 < ‘ n ‘ j) i fs ‘ x * 7 = r 2 f : 1 a* * “> CONTENTS. Preface, Introduction, . . Anatomy of Plants, F : ‘ Vegetable tissues, Organs of nutrition, Organs of reproduction, Inflorescence, Flower, Fruit, Vegetable Pipsiilert, Propagation of Plants, - Nutrition of Plants, Fecundation of Plants, ‘ Vegetable Chemistry, Compounds not containing Ni neon, Oxygen and Hydrogen i in same pro- portions as in water, Hydrogen in greater excess than’ in water, ; P Oxygen in icin excess than in water, ‘ : Classification of Plan “ Artificial system, . Natural system, . . Pharmaceutic Botany, Collection and Preservation of 4 Botanical Terminology, . Conspectus of Natural Orders, Description of Plants used in Medicine, Phenogamous or Flowering Plants, 67, 7 Exogens or Exogenous Plants, 67, Polypetalous Exogenous Plants, 67, ; 5 67, Ranunculacee, ; 67, Polycarpales, Clematis, Anemone, . Hepatica, Hydrastis, . Ranunculus, . Helleborus, = Coptis, ‘ Nigella, Delphinium, . Aconitum, ‘ vii Peonia, Cimicifuga, Actes; ..\ Zanthoriza, Magnoliacee, Magnolia, Liriodendron, . Drimys, Anonacee, Menispermales, Menispermacee, . Cocculus, Anamirta, . : Cissampelos, Myristicacee, Mpyristica, Berberales, Berberidacee, Berberis, ‘ Leontice, Podophyllum, . Fumariacee, . Nymphzacez, Papaverales, Papaveraceex, Papaver, Sanguinaria, .. Argemone, Chelidonium, Cruciferales, Brassicacez, Cochlearia, Sinapis, Capparidaceez, Resedacez, Cistacex, Cistus, . Violales, . Violacee, . Viola, ‘ Ionidium, F lacourtiacee, Passifloracee, Samydacee, xii Guttiferales, Dipteracee, Dryobalanops, . Ternstrémiacee, Thea, Clusiacee, Hebradendron, Hypericacee, Hypericum, Silenales, : Caryophyllacee, Malvales, Sterculiacee, . Byttneriacee, Malvacee, Althea, Gossypium, Aurantiacales, Aurantiacee, . Citrus, . Amyridacee, Balsamodendron, Boswellha, Cedrelacee, Soymida, Meliaceze, Melia, Canella, Rutales, Anacardiacee, Rhus, Pistacia, Rutacee, . Ruta, Barosma, Galipea, Xanthoxylacee, . Xanthoxylon, Ptelea, :. Simarubacee, Simaruba, Picreena, Quassia, Zygophyllacee, Guaiacum, Geraniales, Linacee, . Linum, Oxalidacee, Oxalis, Geraniacee, Geranium, . Sapindales, Sapindacee, JEsculus, Erythroxylaces, . Rhamnales, Rhamnacee, Rhamnus, . Ceanothus, CONTENTS. 69, 146 69, 146 146 69, 148 148 69, 152 152 69, 156 156 69, 158 69, 158 69, 158 69, 158 69, 159 69, 161 161 162 69, 164 69, 164 165 69, 170 170 174 69, 176 177 69, 178 179 181 69, 183 70, 183 184 186 70, 189 189 191 192 70, 195 195 197 70, 197 198 200 202 70, 203 203 70, 206 70, 206 . 206 70, 208 . 208 70, 209 . 209 70, 211 70, 211 212 70, 215 10, 216 10, 216 216 218 Celastracee, . Vitacee, . Vitis, Polygalales, Polygalacee, . - Polygala, Krameria, Monnina, Leguminales, Fabacee, . Baptisia, Cytisus, Indigofera, . Glycirrhiza, Tephrosia, . Robinia, Astragalus, Mucuna, Pterocarpus, Piscidia, Andira, Myrospermum, . Hematoxylon, Cassia, Tamarindus, Copaifera, . Acacia, Rosales, Rosacee, Rosa, * Rubus, Fragaria, Potentilla, . Geum, Spirea, Gillenia, Drupacee, Amygdalus, Prunus, Cerasus, Pomacee, Cydonia, Pyrus, Myrtales, Myrtacee, Punica, Melaleuca, Caryophyllus, Eugenia, Eucalyptus, Lythracee, Lythrum, Onagracee, (Enothera, Cucurbitales, Cucurbitacee, Momordica, Citrullus, Ecbalium, Luffa, 71, 272 70, 219 70, 220 . 220 71, 224 71, 224 225 227 229 71, 229 71, 229 231 233 234 236 237 238 239 241 242 246 246 247 252 253 . 262 264 268 71, 272 272 75 Q77 278 279 280 282 71, 284 284 286 287 71, 291 291 . 292 71, 293 71, 293 294 295 298 300 301 71, 302 302 71, 303 303 71, 304 71, 304 305 306 307 310 Bryonia, Saxifragales, Saxifragacee, Heuchera, Umbellales, Apiaceez, . Eryngium, Cicuta, Petroselinum, Carum, Pimpinella, Feniculum, Archangelica, Opoponax, Ferula, Narthex, Dorema, Galbanum, Anethum, . Heracleum, Cuminum, Thapsia, Daucus, Prangos, Conium, Coriandrum, Araliaceex, Panax, . Aralia, Hedera, Cornacee, Cornus, Hamamelidacee, Hamamelis, CONTENTS. 311 71,312 71,312 312 72, 314 72, 314 . 314 316 317 318 319 321 321 323 324 326 331 333 334 335 72, 347 72, 350 Monopetalous Exogenous Plants, Cinchonales, Caprifoliacee, Triosteum, Sambucus, Cinchonacee, Richardsonia, Cephalanthus, Cephaélis, Psychotria, Coffea, Chiococca, Pinckneya, Exostemma, Remija, Cosmibuena, Coutarea, a a Hymenodictyon, Cinchona; Uncaria, Rubiacee, Rubia, Valerianales, Valerianacee, Valeriana, 72, 351 Asterales, Asteracee, . Liatris, Eupatorium, Mikania, Tussilago, Erigeron, Solidago, Inula, Helenium, Maruta, Anthemis, Anacyclus, . Achillea, Ptarmica, Artemisia, Tanacetum, Antennaria, Arnica, Cnicus, . Carthamus, Lappa, Hieracium, Taraxacum, Lactuca, | Campanales, Campanulacee, Lobeliacee, Lobelia, Ericales, Pyrolacee, Chimaphila, Ericacee, Gaultheria, Arctostaphylos, Rhododendron, Kalmia, . Ebenales, Aquifoliacee, Ilex, Prinos, . Ebenacee, Diospyros, Styracee, Styrax, . Sapotacee, Oleales, _ Oleacez, Olea, : Fraxinus, Gentianales, Apocynacee, . Apocynum, Nerium, Asclepiadacee, Hemidesmus, Asclepias, Calotropis, . Cynanchum, Gentianaceez, 72, 420 73, 447 Xili 72, 386 386 388 389 392 393 394 396 397 398 399 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 . 407 409 410 411 412 413 415 72, 416 72, 416 72, 417 418 73, 420 421 73, 423 424 425 427 428 73, 431 431 431 434 73, 435 435 73, 437 437 73, 440 73, 441 73, 441 442 445 447 448 Xiv Sabbatia, Erythrea, Gentiana, Frasera, Menyanthes, Loganiacee, . Spigelia, Strychnos, . Ignatia, Convolvulacee, Batatas, Ipomza, Convolvulus, Solanacee, . Solanum, Hyoscyamus, Atropa, . Datura, Nicotiana, Capsicum, Echiales, Boraginacee, . Lamiacez, Lavandula, Mentha, Lycopus, Salvia, Rosmarinus, Hedeoma, Cunila, Monarda, Origanum, Nepeta, Marrubium, Collinsonia, Bignoniales, Pedaliacee, Sesamum, Bignoniacee, Scrophulariacee, Scrophularia, Gratiola, Chelone, Digitalis, Plumbaginacee, . Statice, Apetalous Exogenous Plants, Asarales, Aristolochiacee, . Asarum, Aristolochia, Santalacee, Chenopodales, Phytolaccacex, Phytolacca, Chenopodiacee, Chenopodium, . Polygonacee, Rheum,.. Rumex, CONTENTS. 458 Polygonum, . . 547 «- 459 Coccoloba, . 548 460 Daphnales, . . 74, 549 462 Lauracez, . ‘ 74, 549 464 Laurus, 550 73, 466 Sassafras, . . 551 466, kw & Benzoin, 552 - ° 468 Camphora, . 553 471 Cinnamomum, . 555 "7a, 4/2 9 Thymelacee, . 75, 559 472 | Daphne, . : 559 473 Dirca, . Sel 477 Ulmacee, . 75, 563 73, 479 Piperales, 75, 564 480 Piperacee, 75, 564 485 Piper, 564 486 Chavica, 566 490 Cubeba, 567 493 Urticales, 75, 571 - . 497 Urticacez, 75, 571 73, 499 Cannabinacee, 75, S72 75, 499 Cannabis, 572 501 Humulus, 574 501 Moracee, 75, 673 502 Ficus, 576 504 Dorstenia, . ne | 505 Artocarpacee, 45, 579 507 Amentales, 75, 580 508 Altingiacee, 75, 580 509 Salicacee, 75, 581 510 Salix, 581 511 Populus, . » 62 Fi Myricacee, 75, 583 512 Myrica, 583 515 Comptonia, 584 74, 515 Quernales, 75, 585 74, 515 Corylacee, 75, 585 wi) ae Quercus, 585 74, 516 Juglandacee, 75, 588 74, 517 Juglans, ~- seg 518 Euphorbiales, 75, 590 518 Euphorbiacee, - 75, 590 519 Euphorbia, 591 —. oe Croton, 595 74, 524 Ricinus, : 599 su Gymnogens or Gymnospermous Plants, 74, 526 75, 602 74, 526 Cycadeacee, 76, 602 74, 526 Pinacee, 76, 603 527 Pinus, 604 529 Abies, 605 74, 534 Juniperus, ’ ~~ Fz 74, 534 Endogens or Monocotyledonous Plants, 74, 534 76, 610 535 Palmales, 76, 611 74, 537 Palmacee, 76, 611 537 Areca, 611 74, 539 Sagus, . 612 539 Arales, 76, 615 545 Aracer, gartae Y 76, 615 ————“{(—-——---- Alismales, Alismacee, Juncales, Orontiacee, Symplocarpus, Acorus, Narcissales, Hemodoracee, Aletris, Iridacee, Iris, Crocus, _Amomales, Musacee, Zingiberacee, Zinziber, Curcuma, Amomum, . Elettaria, Alpinia, Kempferia, Marantacee, . Maranta, Canna, Orchidales, Orchidacee, Cypripedium, Liliales, . é Melanthacez, Asagrea, Veratrum, Colchicum, Trillium, Liliacee, CONTENTS. 76, 617 Erythronium, . ° 76, 617 Aloe, 76, 618 Squilla, 76, 618 Allium, 619 . Smilicales, = 620 Smilacez, 76,622 | Dioscoracee, 76, 622 Glumales, ‘ ‘ 623 | . Graminacee, 76, 624 Oryza, 624 Zea, MEST Ese a vtipek AES % Tien elt Pe f 24 } 2 7 av ‘ - » Po ey a ge ors = ep ry eae om. Pv " ~ | a an INTRODUCTION. 4. ANATOMY OF PLANTS. ‘ @ oe” Sev EGETABLE TISSUES. : a On a microscopical examination of the organs, or parts of plants, they wil be found to consist of vesicles, tubes, and fibres, constituting what is terméd cellular, vascular, and woody tissues. ' Cellular Tissue is of universal occurrence, no part being destitute of it, in some form, and many wholly composed of it. It consists of membranous vesicles or cells, cohering together. They are of various forms, depending on the circumstances under which they are placed. When first formed they are nearly globular or ovate, but when pressed together from any cause, they assume other shapes, and their sides . become flattened ; when the pressure Fig. 1. is uniform, they become twelve-sided, a b A or else cubical; when the -pressure yp ; is lateral they assume a_prismatical £ I), SS nae yy or. cylindrical form. In general, this q\%, elongation takes place in the direc- ()"\ tion of the growth, but in the stems “W | of many trees, there is a peculiar fet A ea a Separate vesicles. } Section of BB a gl extending ean cen. SS aaa es of pith. c Section of flattened tre to the circumference, which are longest horizontally ; the cells being of an oblong, flattened shape, and ar- ranged like bricks in a wall. The cells contain fluid, and often solid matter. This tissue or parenchyma constitutes’ the pulpy and succulent parts of plants, the pith, the leaves, with the exception of the veins, a part of the bark, &c. It sometimes is so compressed as to be very hard, as in the stone of a peach. Woody Tissue has received the name of fibre from its always existing in an elongated thread-like form. It consists of vesicles of cellular tissue drawn out into tubes of great tenuity and toughness, each end tapering to a fine point. These tubes are closely applied to each other by their sides, so as to form cords or bundles of fibres. Woody fibre is designed to convey fluid in the direction of its length, and is readily permeated by it. This tissue is 18 INTRODUCTION. not confined to the wood, but forms part of the bark, the veins of leaves, &c. In coniferous trees, the fibres or tubes are not only larger than in Fig. 2. ; Fig. 3. Bundle of Woody Fibre. Woody Fibre of Pine. other plants, but are also marked on their sides with circular dots or disks, the true office of which is not fully understood. Vasiform Tissue consists of large tubes which are formed of cylindrical cells placed end to end, and opening into each other ; the sides are marked with dots or pits. They have == been termed dotted ducts, and were thought to be true vessels ; these dots are caused by the unequal deposit of solid matter on their interior. They are the largest tubes in plants, and their orifices are conspicuous on the cross section of most kinds of wood. Vascular Tissue consists of membranous tubes marked with transverse rings, or with a spiral fibre attached to their interior surface. ‘This spiral fibre is the real type of the vascular tissue; the thin and deli- cate membrane covering the fibre being trans- parent the latter only is visible, and resembles a coil of slender wire. ‘The spiral fibre is usually single, but is sometimes double, or even triple or quadruple. In their perfect state they contain air only. ‘They may readi- ly be seen in their unrolled form, by breaking almost any leaf stalk, and pulling the extremi- ties gently asunder. In plants having pith, they are found in a circle around it. Where the spiral fibre cannot be unrolled, the vessels are called ducts. Sometimes the turns of the coil are in contact, forming closed ducts, which so closely resemble spiral vessels as. only to be distinguished from them, by their not being capable of being unrolled. There are others in which the turns are distant, or a Annular broken into separate rings placed at regular duct, bSpir_intervals; these are called annular ducts. Sometimes the coil terminates in a ring, and then commences again, with the intervention of two or three rings. Some- times they cross each other, when they are termed vetzculated ducts, or are broken into short, irregular bands. In some ducts again, no traces of spiral fibre are to be seen. Ducts of all these kinds occur abundantly in the woody tissue of most plants, Lactiferous Tissue consists of a series of branching vessels, which freely Fig. 5. a Spiral Vessels, a Single. 6 Quad- ruple. INTRODUCTION. 19 anastomose with each other, and are remarkable for their irregular con- tractions and expansions. Their sides are very delicate, and their average diameter is not more than one fourteen-hundredth of an inch. These vessels serve for the passage of the nutritious sap or proper juice of the plant; they are found in the under surface of leaves, and in the ” bark... Every portion of the external sur- face of a plant is covered by a cuti- Lactiferous Vessels, aaa cle or epidermis, which consists of . layers of cellular tissue, in which the cells are much gattonedy ang in close contact with each other. Their — form is various, sometimes they Fig. 8. are oblong and regular, whilst at others they are very dissimilar, and appear to interlock with each other. This cuticle is provided with small apertures, usually of an * oval form, and bounded by two or | more oblong or reniform cells placed side by side ; and by their eee of Stoma. 5} Cells REecdéi via. expansion or contraction, the open- . ing is increased or diminished. These apertures are called stomata, and ap- pear to subserve the functions of respiration and evaporation. They are chiefly found in the soft green tissue of leaves and young shoots, but may also be detected in the flowers. | Glands are organs Caetano to elaborate peculiar secretions from the vege- table fluids. They are | foundon all parts of plants, Pig, 2 and are of various forms and composition; some be- ing composed merely of cellular tissue, whilst others contain ne addition, a large number of vessels of different kinds. They have received various names, according to their form, but are not fully understood. Sometimes they are combined with hairs, which are expan- sions of the cellular tissue of the cuticle, consisting either of single elongated cells; of several cells placed end to end; or of cells branching from each =~ | other. These hairs may arise from a gland, or bear one at their apex. Cc a Hairs and Glands of various kinds. 20 INTRODUCTION. Prickles are also appendages of the cuticle, composed of indurated cellular tissue, and differ from ¢horms which proceed from the wood. Oreans oF NutRITION. The trunk or axis of a plant consists of two parts, growing in opposite directions ; one, ascending or the stem; one, descending, or the root. The point of junction of these is called the crown, neck, or collar. The Root is that part which descends into the earth, acts as a support to the plant, and absorbs nourishment from the soil for its sustenance, It dif- fers from the stem, not only in its mode of growth, but also in being destitute of leaves and other appendages; in its epidermis being destitute of stomata and in not producing buds, except under peculiar circumstances. Roots, however, are not always produced under ground; they sometimes arise from any portion of the stem. ‘Thus the branches of most woody plants, when bent down and covered with earth, will put forth roots. This takes place na- turally in many. trees in Fig. 10. tropical climates, which give off roots from their trunk or branches, high above the earth. This phenomenon is_ very striking in the Ficus re- ligiosa or Banian tree, and in the Pandanus or Screw pine. Roots also attach themselves to the surface of other vegeta- bles, and thence draw their nourishment; plants of this character arecalled parasitic. Roots increase in length chiefly by the addition of new matter to their extremities. It is by these extremities, called spongzoles, that absorption takes place, They are of various forms, the principal of Pandanus with Aerial Roots. which are, 1, Conical or tap root, which is un- branched, and tapers regularly from the crown to the apex, as in the carrot. 2. Fusiform or spindle-shaped resembles the first, except that it tapers up- wards as well as downwards. 3. Napiform or turnip-shaped is much broader than long. ‘The small branches of roots are called fibrils or rootlets. If the root divides immediately into fibrils, it is said to be fibrous. When these are thickened and dilated, it 1s fasczculated, as in the dahlia. Where it is furnished with knobs it is called ¢wberous, but it should be noticed that in some cases, what are called tuberous roots are in fact altered stems, as in the potato. Bulbs also, which are usually termed roots, are merely subterranean buds; so also, many creeping roots are really underground stems. ‘The Stem is that portion of the plant which grows in an opposite direction to the root, and gives support to the leaves and organs of reproduction. All flowering INTRODUCTION. 2] plants have stems, but in some cases they are so short and concealed beneath the earth, as to be called stemless.» Stems do not always ascend ; sometimes they trail on the ground, or burrow beneath its surface. From the size and duration of the stem, plants are divided into herbs in which the stem is not woody, and dies after flowering; wander shrubs, which are woody plants of small size, branched from the base; shrubs, which are similar, but of greater height; and ¢rees, which attain a still greater altitude, and seldom bear branches near the ground. When stems are too weak to stand erect, they are said to be decumbent, procumbent, or prostrate, and when they strike root at certain intervals, they are called creeping. When they cling to surrounding objects for support, they are climbers ; if they coil themselves around these objects, they are twzners. When the base of the stem sends off a prostrate, slender branch, which takes root and pro- duces a new plant at its extremity, it is called a runner. An erect branch from the underground part of the stem, capable of producing leaves, and taking root, is termed a sucker, When the branch is from an aerial part of the trunk, and descends and takes root, it is a stolon. A spine is a short branch of a woody plant, arising from a bud; they sometimes bear leaves. , Mon- last, but with a short tube; ventricose or urceolate or pitcher-shaped, contracted at the orifice. It is irregular when the incisions are not uniform, and the opposite sides are not arranged on the same axis. It may be rzzgent or bilabiate, gaping like the mouth of an ani- mal, the tube widening above, and the limb divided transversely into two unequal parts ; personate, when the tube is expanded, and the orifice nar- rowed by the approximation of the two lips. A polypetalous corolla also may be regular or irregular. The lower part of the petals is called the claw, and where this is well marked, they are said to be w7- guiculate ; the. upper and spreading por- tion is termed the damina or border. The regular polypetalous corolla is crz- ciform, when there are four petals ar- ranged in the form of a cross 3 rosaceous ‘when the petals, with little or no claw, spread out as in the rose; caryophyllaceous when the petals have long claws, Fig. 20. Papilionaceous flowers. 28 INTRODUCTION. as in the pink, The irregular polypetalous corolla is paptlionaceous when there are five petals, the upper and posterior of which is broad and dilated (vexellum or standard); the two middle and lateral parallel to each other (alé or wings); and the two lower also parallel and united below (carzna or keel). There are many other irregular forms, but it is impossible to class them. Stamens are the male organs of a plant, and are situated within the floral . envelopes. They vary in number in different flowers. A stamen consists of. two parts, the filament and anther; the former supports the latter, and is a long slender body, containing numerous spiral vessels ; it is said to be pro- minent when it projects beyond the anther, petalord when it is broad and thin, They vary in number and position in different plants, but are usually more numerous than the pistils. Where there is one stamen the plant is said to be monandrous, where two, diandrous (see classification) ; when four, of which two are longer than the others, it is called didynamous ; when six, of which four are longer, tetradynamous ; when united by their filaments, they are called monadelphous, diadelphous, &c., according to the number of bun- dles into which they are formed; when they are united by their anthers, they are called syngenesious ; when seated on the pistil, they are gynan- drous. When stamens are longer than the corolla, they are termed exserted ; when shorter zmcluded. The anther is the essential part of the stamen, and contains the pollen. It is of a cellular tex- ture, and usually consists of two cells or lobes, attached to a prolongation of the fila- ment called the connectevum. Its attach- ment may be in one of three modes ; by its back, when it is adnate ; by its base, when Various forms of stamens and anthers. it is ennate wy OE by a single point, so as to qe SRD. 6: Solanum. dBerbe- hang loosely, when it is versatile ; when the filament is on the outside of the anther, so that this latter faces the pistil, it is termed ¢trorse; when it looks away from the pistil and towards the petals, it is called eztrorse. Each lobe is commonly marked with a furrow; this is the suture or line of dehiscence, by which the anther opens; but anthers may dehisce in other modes ; some open by a transverse slip, some by pores or chinks at the apex; or by valves, as in the Barberry, when the whole side of the cell is detached, and turns back as on a hinge. Sometimes anthers are one-celled by the stpasoian of one lobe, or by the disappearance of the partition. The pollen i is a very fine powder, contained in the cells of the anther. It consists of small vesicles containing a mucous fluid (fovilla) ; it is usually of a yellow colour. The form of the vesicle or grains is usually spheroidal, but occasionally cylindrical, many-sided, &c. They have two coats, the outer, called extine, and the inner, ivtime. The grains are generally distinct from each other, but in Oenothera they are connected by cellular threads, and in Mimosa arecoherent in small masses, and in the Orchidacez and Asclepiadaceer are united in one or more groups, called pollinia. These, in the former class, have an elastic stalk or caudicle. When ripe, the pollen grains burst, and the inner membrane protrudes, constituting a channel for the transmis- sion of the Joville to the ovule. The disk is a ring, either entire or lobed, or a row of fleshy bodies, some- times intervening between the stamens atid pistils, around the base of the latter, when it is hypogynous ; or partly covering the ovary, with the sta- mens arising from it; or adhering to and lining the tube of the calyx, when Fig. 22. Se nd ant « INTRODUCTION. 29 it is perigynous ; or when the calyx adheres to the ovary, it appears on the ‘summit of the latter, and is epzgynous. In such case, when confluent with the base of the style, it is called a stylopodium. ‘The insertion of the sta- mens and position of the disk always correspond, hence the same terms are employed to designate the origin of the former as are employed to denote the situation of the latter. | Pistit. ‘This consists of three parts; the ovary or germ, the style, and the stzgma. ‘The number of pistils is very various in Fig. 23. different plants ; where there is one, the flower is said | to be monogynous, where two, degynous, &c. (see Linnean classification.) The pistil is sometimes at- ‘tached to the receptacle by a prolongation of the sub- stance of the latter, called a gynophore, as in the Strawberry where the eatable part is the gynophore. The stzgma is of a glandular nature, and is usually: covered with a viscid fluid; it is destitute of a cuticle, and is essential, as it receives and exercises a peculiar _ action on the fecundatory pollen. It is called sesszde when the style is wanting, being then placed imme- diately on the ovary. The style is the long cylindrical column arising from the ovary and terminated by the stigma. It is some- times articulated with the ovary, in which case it falls off when it has performed its function; and sometimes is continuous with it, when it is persistent. It is not essential, and is frequently absent. Usually it arises from the summit of the ovary, but sometimes from the tenia side of it, when it is termed lateral. The ovary is the Bee ppd hr Dar ge ea lower and thicker part of the pistil, and contains the @ Placenta. e¢ Ovules.’ f ovules.. A single pistil consists of a transformed leaf *' 4 7s folded inwards, with the margin united. The line formed by the union of these margins is called the ventral suture ; the opposite line, representing the midrib, is termed the dorsal suture. The surface of the pistil, of course, corresponds to the lower, and its interior to the upper surface of the leaf. The stalk of the pistil, if present, answers to the petiole; and a prolongation of the apex of the changed leaf, forms the style. The leaf, in this modified state, is called a carpe. When there is only one cell in an ovary, it has been formed of a single carpel, or of several with the divi- sions obliterated. In a many-celled ovary each cell is formed of a single carpel, and the divisions or parti- tions are called dzsse- Fig. 24. ‘ Fig. 25. prments, They are bla of leaf into pistil. a Carpel- Pistil of Coriaria myrtifolia, lary leaf. 6 Pistil, c Double leaf. d_ showing distinct carpels and formed of two layers, Double pistil. styles. ‘ and are vertical; and — = - — -- - i = 30 INTRODUCTION. an ovary is wndlocular, bilocular, &c., according to the number of the cells. When the margins of the carpel.unite, there is a ridge or suture, called the placenta ; this is central when the carpels are developed round a central axis; parietal when, from the contraction of the dissepiments, projecting from the inner surface of the ovary, but not dividing it into cells, the ovules are placed near or on the walls of it. When there are several carpels united in one mass, the pistil is said to be syncarpous ; where they are more or less separated, it is called apocarpous. When an ovary forms no adhesion to the sides of the calyx, its base and that of the stamens being inserted into the top of the receptacle, it is said to be superzor, and they are ¢nfervor or hypogy- mous ; when it adheres to the side of the calyx, and the stamens and corolla are inserted into the latter, or into a disk above the ovary, it is termed 27- Jerior, and the other organs swperior or epigynous. A flower being a transformed branch, each row or set of organs is a whorl of leaves which has undergone a peculiar change, and hence there is a gradual transition of ordinary leaves into those of the calyx, of the latter into petals at ae and of these into stamens, and vice Fig. 26. versa. In some plants the transition: from the form of petal to that of stamen I\ is very marked; this is the case in the water lily, in which there are several rows of petals, the outermost of which are scarcely different from the calyx, \ | whilst the innermost are neither petals nor stamens, but appear intermediate | between the two,—being petals bearing Transformation of petals of Nymphza into stamens, @N imperfect anther; the next series are more reduced in size and have perfect anthers, until finally perfect stamens make their appearance, In what are called double flowers, the reverse takes place and the stamens are. converted into petals. A complete and regular flower should consist of four whorls of an equal number of parts, alternate with each other, ‘Thus if the calyx have five sepals, the corolla should consist of five petals, alternate with the sepals, the stamens be five, alternate with the petals, and the pistils five, alternate with the stamens. This typical condition is, however, by no means constant, being altered by a variety of causes ; as the production of one or more additional whorls of some of the floral organs; by the union of the parts of the same whorl; by a cohesion of their contiguous margins ; by a cohesion of adjacent parts of different whorls; by the suppression or abortion of some of Fig. 2 O® Nae, N — Plan of flowers. aCherry. 6 Squill. Plans of flowers. a Primrose. b Samolus. Fig. 28. the parts of a whorl, or of one or more of the whorls ; by an unequal develope- ment or unequal union of different parts of a whorl; by changes in the form INTRODUCTION. 81 of the receptacle or axis of a flower, &c. For example, in the cherry there are five sepals, five petals alternate with them, but the stamens are twenty, but these may be viewed as forming four whorls with five stamens in each. In the Squill the parts are disposed in threes, here the sepals and petals are normal, but the stamens are six in two rows, the outer one alternate with the petals and the inner alternate with the outer. So, also, by irregularity from abortion, in the Primrose the sepals, petals and stamens are normal as to number, but the latter are opposite the petals instead of being alternate with them; to account for this, we must suppose a row of undeveloped stamens between those present and the petals ; this is the case in Samolus, which has five small scales or aborted stamens in such a situation. A multitude of other examples might be adduced, but these are sufficient to explain the theory. The Ovule is the rudiment of the future | seed. Ovules are attached to the placenta, ~ Fig. 29. either immediately or by a short stalk, called funiculus or podosperm, They vary in number; where there is one, it is said to be solitary, where their number is uniform and not numerous, they are said to be definite, ' where they are very numerous, to be inde-. finite. ‘They also vary as to situation and direction with respect to the cavity in which they are contained; thus they are ascending when they are fixed to the placenta above ovary of. Thamnia. a Calyx. b Ovary. the base, and directed upwards ; horizontal ¢ Disk, ¢ Ascending wmyles. when they project from the side of the cell ; pendulous er when their direction is downwards; and suspended ge _when they are affixed to the top of the ovary,and hang perpendicularly. _ The ovule consists of a xucleus, enclosed within two q.-- sacs called the primine and secundine. ach of these sacs have open mouths; that of the first termed ezos- tome, that of the latter exdostome ; these contract as es the ovule changes to a seed, and become connected ; the pat ER nde spi small aperture, or the scar indicating its position, is termed foramen or micropyle. 'Thesacs and nucleus are distinct and uncon- nected, except at base, where they are confluent, and the point of union is the chalaza. In what may be considered as the typical condition, the two coats and nucleus are connected to each other at the base of the ovule, that is, next the placenta, and the axis is rectilinear, the foramen being opposite the chalaza; such an ovule is called orthotropous ; but it often happens that a change takes place during its growth, consisting either in its complete inversion upon the funiculus, so that the apex is brought down by the side of the stalk and points towards the placenta, when it is termed anatropous ; or the ovule curves upon itself and thus brings the apex near the stalk, in which case it is campylotropous. \n anatropous ovules the stalk adheres strongly to the part of the surface to which it is applied, and the ripe seed breaks away at the point where it is free from the coats or skin, to which the adherent portion remains attached. This receives the name of Raphe, and appears in the form of a ridge, passing from the Az/wm or scar left by the detachment of the stalk from the seed, to the chalaza. The raphe is only found in ana- tropous seeds, in all others the hilum corresponds to the chalaza, whilst in these they occupy opposite extremities of the seed. 32 INTRODUCTION. THe Fruit. The fruit is composed of the ovary and its contents, arrived at maturity and usually changed in texture. It consists of two parts, the covering pert- carp or seed vessel, and the seeds. When the floral envelopes are not adherent to the ovary, they usually wither or fall off soon after fecundation ; but when coherent they become a part of the fruit. Thus in the apple and pear, the most of the bulk consists of a thickened and fleshy calyx; but the mass is sometimes made up from other organs as in the strawberry, in which the , pulp is an enlarged and fleshy receptacle, &c. A Pericarp is almost always present, though sometimes very thin, as in’ the umbelliferous plants, but may be wholly wanting as in the Pine Tribe, The part by which it is attached is called the dase, ~and the other extremity the apex ; the imaginary line passing from one of these points to the other is called the azis. When there is a real axis it is called a cotumella. This is formed by the extension of the peduncle or by a cohering placenta. When the pericarp consists of two parts, the outer is called the epicarp, and the inner the endo carp or putamen ; when it consists of three portions, the intermediate is usually pulpy or fleshy and is termed sarcocarp or meso carp ; thus in the cherry the skin is the epicarp, the flesh the sarcocarp, and the hard shell con- taining the seed the endocarp. A pericarp consisting of one cell is called unilocular ; of two cells, bilocu- lar, &c. Thecells are separated by partitions called dissepiments. As the fruit is only a matured pistil, it should agree in structure with it, but some alterations occasionally occur in consequence of the abortion or obliteration of parts, or of the irregular growth of others. Thus a many-celled ovary may afford a one-celled pericarp ; as in the oak, where the ovary is three-celled with a pair of ovules in each, whilst in the acorn there is but one cell and a single seed. On the other hand, the fruit sometimes has more cells than. existed in the ovary, as in the Stramonititi 3 in which a two-celled ovary be- comes a four-celled pericarp, caused by the growth of the placenta on each side, so as to reach and connect with the dorsal suture. When the mature fruit does not open spontaneously to permit the escape of the seed, it is called tndehiscent ; when it opens to discharge its contents it is termed dehzscent, and the pieces into which it divides are denominated valves. Pericarps formed of a single carpel, have two marked lines on their surface, by which they readily dehisce ; one is called dorsal, and occupies the place of the midrib of the leaf become a carpel; the other is termed ventral, and answers to the lines of union of the margins of the leaf. In a many-celled pericarp, each cell or carpel has these sutures more or less distinctly marked. The dehiscence is loculicidal when the pericarp bursts vertically at the back of the cells or by the dorsal suture; it is septiczdal when it bursts longi- tudinally through the dissepiments, and usually by the ventral suture. Some- times the dissepiments remaining coherent in the axis separate from the valves ; this form is called septifragal. Occasionally the dehiscence is transverse, taking place across the sutures, the upper part falling off like a lid; this is called circumscissile. The pericarp may also open by pores, or irregular openings at or near the apex. There are several other irregular varieties of dehiscence, but they do not require particular notice. When the pericarp has lateral appendages like wings, it is said to be dupterous, tripterous, §-C., ac- cording to their number; where there are none, it is apterous. The pericarp is of various forms, and these have been named as follows: INTRODUCTION. 33 Follicle, a fruit of a single carpel, dehiscing by the ventral suture, as in the larkspur. Legume or pod, a fruit of a single carpel, opening by both the ventral and dorsal sutures, so as to separate into two valves. When a legume is divided.into joints it is called a Loment ; these joints are sometimes inde- hiscent, and sometimes dehiscent. A Drupe is a more or less fleshy fruit, con- taining an indehiscent stony one-celled nut; where there is more than one cell, it is called drupaceous. An Achenium is a dry, indistinct, one-seeded pericarp, often terminated by the persistent and plumose style, called pappus ; in the Rose the achenia are seated on the hollow expansion of the receptacle ; in the Strawberry they are on the surface of the pulpy receptacle. A Cremo- rp is a pair of achenia placed face to face, and covered by the calyx tube, and when ripe separate from each other, or from a central axis, called carpo- “phore, as in the umbelliferous plants. Each half fruit is called a Hemicarp “ pom a7. A. Caryopsis is a dry one-seeded pericarp, closely adhering to ‘the integument of the seed, so as not to be separated from it, as in Indian corn, wheat, &c. A Utricle i is like a caryopsis, but the pericarp is separable from the seed as in Chenopodium. A JNut is a one-celled, one-seeded, inde- hiscent fruit like an achenium, but produced by an ovary of two or more cells, with one or more ovules in each ; all but a single ovule and cell disap- pearing at maturity ; the nut is sometimes enclosed or surrounded by a kind of involucre called a cupule, as the cup in the acorn, and bur in the chestnut. A Capsule is a dry, many-celled pericarp, resulting from a compound ovary, and opening by valves or pores. A Szligua or pod isa two-valved oblong pericarp, rendered two-celled by a spurious dissepiment, formed by an exten- sion of the placenta ; when it is broad and short it is called a Szdzcuda or pouch. A Pyxidium or Pyxis is a capsule which dehisces transversely. A Samara is a nut or achenium with a winged apex or margin. A Pome is a fruit com- posed of a fleshy or juicy calyx, enclosing two or more cartilaginous or bony carpels. A epo is an indehiscent, fleshy, or internally pulpy fruit, usually formed of three carpels, invested by the calyx, and with a firm rind. A Berry is an indehiscent fruit, fleshy or pulpy throughout ; a Hespertdiwm or orange is merely a berry with a coriaceous rind. A Sétrobzle or cone is the collective fruit of the fir tribe ; each scale represents an open carpel, bearing one or more naked seeds, Seep. ‘The seed like the ovule, consists of a nucleus usually enclosed in two integuments. The outer of these is called ¢esta or episperm, and varies much in texture and form. It is sometimes furnished with a tuft of hairs at one end called a coma ; or is wholly covered with a long wool. The inner integument, corresponding to the secundine of the ovule is termed tegmen. Where the proper coat of the nucleus is visible, it is denominated endo- pleura, Seeds are sometimes furnished with a complete or partial covering, exterior to their proper coats, from an expansion of the placenta, or of the apex of the funiculus; this is dated artilus or aril, as the mace of the nutmeg. The scar left by the separation of the seed from its stalk is termed the hilum. The nucleus or kernel consists of the albumen, and the embryo. ‘The albumen is a mucilaginous or amylaceous substance contained in the cellular tissue of the nucleus, for the protection and nourishment of the embryo. It is mealy in the grasses, horny in the coffee, &c., oily in the poppy, &c., and fleshy in most seeds. Where it has a’wrinkled or folded appearance, from not being deposited uniformly, it is said to be vumdenated. The albumen is not essential, and therefore is wanting in many seeds, as in all the cruci- ferous plants, the pea tribe, &c. Where it is present, seeds are said to be albuminous ; where it is wanting, to be ezalbuminous. 34 INTRODUCTION. The embryo or rudiment of the new plant is produced within the sac of the amnios, which is mostly absorbed during its growth, but sometimes remains in the form of a bag, called the vetellus. Where no albumen is pre- sent, the whole substance of the nucleus is Fig. 31. absorbed, and the embryo occupies its place. | The embryo consists of one or more lobes, called cotyledons, which surround the ter- minal bud called the plumule, and the por- tion which becomes the root, termed the Ny zadicle. In some rare cases the embryo is wy destitute of cotyledons; these plants are called acotyledonous ; where there are two : cotyledons they are dicotyledonous ; this is Seed of onion. @a Albumen. b Embryo. the case in all the exogenous plants ; where there is but one cotyledon, they are mono-. cotyledonous, as occurs in the endogenous plants. The embryo is either stvazght, or curved, or spiral. Its position as ere the albumen, when this is present, is usually in its axis; but it is some- times eccentric, as in the palms ; or external, as in Indian corn, &c.; where it is external, or nearly so, and curved round the albumen, it is perzpheric. When it is so bent that the radicle is placed against the edges of the cotyle- dons, the latter are said to be accwmbent, and when the radicle rests against the back of one of them, they are termed zmcumbent. The radicle always points to the micropyle; and the apex of the cotyledons, except when spiral, to the chalaza. | VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY. PROPAGATION OF PLANTs. Germination. or nipple-like projection. The hilum is at the small KUN extremity ; it is very small, circular and indistinct. Ww, The rings are numerous, closely set together and white past Indian Arrow-Root. delicate. The product of Curcuma angustifolia, &c. \ ae Arrow-Root, Tahitt. A fine white powder, often . with a slight musty smell. Under the microscope it appears to consist of circular, mullar-shaped or poly- hedral particles. The mullar-shaped particles are often narrowed at base, and seem to be hollowed out. The hilum is small and circular, and cracks in a linear or stellate manner. The rings are few and Fig. 41. nw iif / vy (2) |) a p b * We) » ff r f cy Mile yy y {| y ( My A : Ur” AY Al ! TT Fi | \ WA | ()) = S , it \\ penetil Me quiul! somewhat indistinct. Produced by Tacca pinnatt- Me iiti Meco -itoot: jfida. Arrow-Root, Portland. A white powder. Under. the micro- Fig. 42, scope the particles appear very minute. They are circular, @P%o mullar-shaped or polygonal. The hilum is circular, and seems % 2 to be at the bottom of a slight depression; it cracks ina linear Og@e ~ -or stellate manner, It is obtained from Arum maculatum, and portiand Ar- is probably identical with the starch afforded by A. triphyllum, —tow-Root. Tous les mois, is an arrow-root with a satiny appearance, and looks more like potato starch than the above mentioned feculas. Under the mi- croscope it is found to consist of larger particles than any other known starch. They are oval or oblong, usually more or less ovate. The hilum is circular, and usually at the smaller extremity ; occasionally it is double.. The rings are numerous, regular, and close set. They and the hilum are often cracked. It is procured from a species of Canna. Potato Starch. A white powder. Under the microscope it appears to consist of particles of various shapes and sizes, the regular form probably being ovate; they have concentric rings on their surface. The hilum is cir- cular, and is often double. The cracks observable in some of the particles usually commence at the hilum. The size of the particles is greater than those of the other feculas, with the exception of the last mentioned. Potato Sago. An article is manufactured from potato starch in imitation of pearl sago, and is often sold for it. Under the microscope it is found that the particles of the artificial are larger than those of the true sago, and that they are more regularly oval and ovate, more distinctly annulated, smoother and less broken. When cracks occur at the hilum, they are usually in two diverging fissures. : Sago, There are two forms of sago; one pulverulent or sago flour, the Fig. 43. Tous les mois. 42 INTRODUCTION. Potato Sago. @ Normal particle. 5 Irregular do. e¢ d Particles with two hila. efg Particles broken by pressure and water. ¢ other granulated, which is either white or brown. The first is whitish, with a somewhat reddish tint; it has a faint odour. Under the microscope it is found to consist of oval or ovate particles, many of which appear as if trun- cated, so as to be more or less mullar-shaped. They are usually more or less broken, and most of them have an irregular or tuberculated surface. The hilum, when perfect, is circular, and cracks either with a simple slit, or in a cruciform or stellate manner. The surface is annulated, but less distinct than in potato starch. The granular sago consists of the same kind of particles, but larger, more broken, and less regular in their form. Sago is obtained from several species of Sagus. Tapioca, Is in small irregular lumps or grains, partially soluble in cold water. When examined under the microscope, they are found to consist of entire and broken particles ; the first of which appear circular or mullar-shaped, with a distinct and marked hilum. Sometimes the mullar- 4. formed ones have a contracted base; at others, instead of the flat end, there are two faces meeting at an obtuse angle. ‘The hilum is surrounded by rings and cracks in a stellate form. Suear. There are several kinds of sugar, some capable of undergoing fermentation, the others not. ‘To the first class belong cane, grape, or starch sugar, and to the latter liquorice sugar, mannite, &c. Cane Sugar. This is found principally in the sugar cane, but also exists in some quantity in the root of the beet, in the sap of the maple, &c. It crys- tallizes in oblique rhombic prisms, and requires one-third its weight of cold water to dissolve it. When acted on by dilute acids, it is converted into grape sugar. Its composition is C1? H** O11, Grape Sugar. This exists in grapes, honey, figs, &c., and can also be obtained by the action of dilute sulphuric acid on starch, lignin, &c., and even by the same means from cane sugar. Much of it exists in molasses. It is less soluble than cane sugar. Its composition is C*? H** O%, Mannite. Forms the greater portion of pure manna, and is also found in the celery and other plants. It is not capable of fermentation. Its composi- tion is C8 H7 O08, Liquorice Sugar. 'This is very soluble in water, but cannot be made to crystallize ; with acids it forms compounds which are very sparingly soluble. It is incapable of fermentation. Gum. ‘This substance exudes in a fluid form from many plants, and _be- comes hard by an evaporation of its watery particles. When pure, it is co- oy N = . it) x f mm § (5 A y q \ i Ai LZ Auli o2 Tapioca. INTRODUCTION, 43 lourless or straw-coloured, but is often tinged by some colouring principle of the plant; it is transparent and brittle, very soluble in water, forming muci- lage, but insoluble in alcohol. It is principally obtained from different species of Acacia, but is plentiful in the plum, peach, and cherry. There are several kinds of gum, differing from each other in the relative proportions of Avabine or Bassorine they contain. Mucilage is a modification of gum, differing from it in being precipitated by neutral acetate of lead. It abounds in the roots of many plants, as the mallow, &c.; in the leaves of others, as the benne; in the pith of some, as the sassafras ; and in the testa of the seeds of others, as in flaxseed. Pectin, or Pectic acid. Is a compound found in many vegetable juices. When moist, it forms a transparent jelly, tasteless and imperfectly insoluble in water; when dry, it is in the form of a translucent mass. To the presence of this substance, the consistence of fruit Jolliga 3 is owing. Its composition is C2 Hs O19, Extractive. Under this name certain matters found in the juices of vegetables, and apparently similar in properties, have been designated. They are, however, almost always impure, being modified by ‘other vegetable com- pounds. Many of what have been called the neutral principles of vegetables, belong to this class. HyDROGEN IN GREATER EXCESS THAN IN WATER. ‘ Fixed Oils. These substances are very similar in composition to those obtained from the animal kingdom, and like them, are usually composed of « oleine, stearine, and margarine. They are principally obtained by expres- sion from the fruit, and are mostly combined with a certain portion of muci- lage and colouring matter, and hence acquire different colours and flavours. When perfectly pure, they are colourless, and almost tasteless and odourless. Many of them are highly esteemed as remedial agents. Their consistence is various, from that of a thin fluid, to that of compact fat. Almost all of them contain a peculiar acid, or are capable of acidifying. Volatele Oils. ‘These are exceedingly numerous in the vegetable king- dom, and are not confined to any particular part of the plant, but may occur in all portions of them. ‘They are characterized by possessing some strong and peculiar odour, and are obtained by distilling the plant with water. When perfectly pure, they are colourless, but in general, are coloured from the presence of some impurity. Their odour is powerful, and their taste pungent and burning. Many of them consist only of carbon and hydrogen, whilst others contain some oxygen, and some are also combined with sul- phur. To the first of these belong oil of turpentine, whose formula is C> H4; . to the second, camphor, C*° H® O; to the third, oil of mustard, C** H®° S° O85, Resins and Balsams. Resins exude spontaneously from many trees, and are very various in composition. They are all insoluble in water, but solu- ble in alcohol. Balsams consist of resin, volatile oil, and sometimes contain benzoic ‘acid. What are termed gum-resins, are composed of resin, volatile oil, and gum. Caoutchouc. ‘This substance when pure, is nearly white. It is softened, but not dissolved by boiling water, nor is it soluble in alcohol, but it is so by ether, naphtha, and some of the volatile oils. It is found in larger or smaller proportions in most plants having milky juices. 44 INTRODUCTION. OxYGEN IN GREATER EXCESS THAN IN WATER. Vegetable Acids. These possess the usual properties of the mineral acids, being sour, reddening vegetable blues,.and forming salts with bases. Some of them, however, have the power of uniting with more than one atom of base, and hence are called polybasic; by heat, they are frequently resolved into more simple acids. Some of them are very generally diffused through the vegetable kingdom, whilst others are confined to one or more orders. In general they contain no nitrogen. CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTS. Systematic Botany has been defined by Dr. Lindley, to be “ the science of arranging plants in such a manner that their names may be ascertained, their affinities determined, their-true place in a natural system fixed, their sensible properties judged of, and their whole history elucidated with certainty and accuracy.” To accomplish this, all botanists, whatever might be their views as to the mode and order in which the members of the vegetable kingdom were to be arranged, have felt the necessity of separating them into groups, which they divide and subdivide in various ways, in accordance with: their respective views. At the present day, the following divisions are universally adopted, though there is some difference of opinion as to the exact limits of some of them. | . A Species includes all individuals which, although they may differ in un- important particulars, are identical in their real characteristics, and produce, ‘ from their seeds, other plants wholly resembling the parent. When slight _ differences occur in these offspring, as a variance in the colour, &c.; they are called vareeties. A Genus isa group of closely-related species, a agreeing more with each other in their characters than with plants of another ; group. When some of these are more closely allied together, than with others of the genus, they have been erected into a sub-genus. An Order, or Family, is a group of nearly- connected genera, and where certain minor groups exist in it, they are said to constitute a swb-order. Some botanists are of opinion that it is advantageous to consider the different groups into which a sub-order may be divided, under the name of Z’rzbes, which they again separate into sub-trzbes, A Class, is a group of orders having certain marked characters in common. This, in like manner with the other divisions, is separated into swb-classes, An enumeration of the points of difference or distinguishing marks of any one of these groups, whether of higher or lower order, is denominated its character, ‘Thus the character of a class points out only those important points of structure on which it is founded; that of orders, notices the general structure of the plants embraced in it, especially of their fruit and flowers ; the generic character, the particular modifications of the ordinal character in a given genus; and lastly, the specific character gives those less important of form, colour, &c., which mark it as distinct from its kindred. Two methods of arranging plants have been followed; one the Artéficial, founded by Linnzeus, and at one time almost universally followed by botanists ; the other, the Natural, originally sketched out by Jussieu, and since improved and augmented by the researches of many eminent botanists. The first of these has no other merit, nor was any other proposed by its author, than that of furnishing a ready mode of ascertaining the name of a plant, its rela- INTRODUCTION. | 45 ‘ictal being kept out of view, except that the species of a genus are kept to- gether, even when they do not possess the artificial character of the order in which they are placed. . ARTIFICIAL SysTEM. As this system is still followed by many, and especially by those who are commencing the study of botany, and as most systematic works, until within a recent period, are arranged according to it, it is essential that it should be understood, and hence the following brief sketch of it has been introduced. The classes and orders, it will be seen, are wholly founded on the num- ber, position, and connexion of the stamens and pistils. The classes, which are twenty-four in number, are founded upon modifications of the stamens, and have names derived from the Greek, designating these modifications, as follows : . Monandria ; one stamen to each flower. . Diandria ; two stamens. Triandria ; three stamens. Tetrandria ; four stamens. . Pentandria ; five stamens. Hezxandria ; six stamens. . Heptandria ; seven stamens. . Octandria ; eight stamens. Enneandria ; nine stamens. 10. Decandria ; ten stamens. 1 § Podecdnaria: twelve to nineteen stamens. 12. lcosandria ; more than ten stamens, in- serted on calyx; (usually twenty.) 13. Polyandria ; more than ten stamens ; (usu- ally more than twenty ; variable.) 14. Didynamia ; four stamens, two longest. Flowers labiate. 15. Zetradynamia; six stamens, four long, and two short. Flowers cruciform. 16. Monadelphia ; filaments united into a sin- : gle set, tube, or column. Number of Stamens. CMDNWMNREXKe Number and Position. Number and relative Length. 17. Diadelphia ; filaments united in two sets. Connexion of Stamens by Flowers papilionaceous. Filaments or Anthers. Polyadelphia ; filaments united in more ’ than three sets. 19. Syngenesia ; anthers united into a ring or tube. Flowers compound. 20. Gynandria ; stamens on the pistil or style. 21. Monecia ; stamens and pistils in separate flowers, but on the same plant. 22, Diecia; stamens and pistils in separate flowers, and on different plants. 23. Polygamia ; stamens and pistils, in the same or separate flowers, on the same, or on different plants. Invisible, or wanting: 24. Cryptogamia; stamens invisible or wanting. — @ Position of Stamens as respects the Pistils, 46 | INTRODUCTION. The eleventh, eighteenth, and twenty-third classes have generally been omitted since the-time of Linnzeus, and the genera poiaisies) in them distri- buted among the other classes. The orders in the first thirteen of these classes are fisanded onthe number of styles, or where these are wanting, of the stigmas, and are: 1. Monogynia; one style to each flower. 2. Digynia ; two styles. 3. Trigynia ;. three styles. 4. ‘Tetragynia ; four styles. , iin 5. Pentagynia ; five styles. Number of Styles or / 6. Hexagynva ; six styles. Stigmas. 7. Heptagynia ; seven styles, 8. Octagynia ; eight styles. 9, Enneagynia ; nine styles. 10, Decagynia ; ten styles. 11. Dodecagynia ; eleven or twelve styles. 12. Polygynia ; more than twelve styles. The orders of the fourteenth class are only two: § Gymnospermia; having naked seeds. Seeds naked or covered. < Angzospermia ; having the seeds .covered or in ¢ a pericarp. The serail the fifteenth class are also two: Scliculosa ; fruit a silicle, or short pod, Form of fruit. Szliquosa ; fruit a silique, or long pod. The orders of the sixteenth’ to the eighteenth, and twentieth to twenty- second classes, are founded on the number of stamens, and. bear the ‘names of the first thirteen classes, as monandria, &c. The orders of the nineteenth class are founded on the character of the flowers; they are: Polygamia equalis ; flowers in heads, and all perfect. Polygamia superflua ; rays or marginal flowers, pistillate only. Polygamiafrustranea ; marginal flowers neutral, the others perfect. Character of flowers, Polygamia necessaria ; marginal flowers pistil- late and fertile, disk flowers staminate and sterile. Polygamia segregata ; each flower with its pro- per involucre. Monogamia ; flowers solitary, but with united anthers, The orders of the twenty-third class are founded on the characters of the two preceding classes. Monecia ; unisexual and perfect flowers on the same plant. Diacia ; the different flowers on different individuals. Triacia ; perfect flowers on one plant, staminate on a second, and pistil- late on a third plant. INTRODUCTION. 3 - Ay The orders of the twenty-fourth class are natural, and therefore not to be defined by an artificial character. They are: Filices; or Ferns, Musci ; or Mosses. Alge ; or Lichens, Sea Weeds, &c. Fungi; or Mushrooms, &c. The method by which the name of a plant can be diseévered is very simple. The student first examines it to ascertain to what class it belongs; this being accomplished, he next ascertains to what order it appertains ; when this is satisfactorily done, by a reference to a botanical work or works, he will find that the order in question is probably subdivided into sec- tions, and by comparing his plant with the characters of these subdivisions, he will find that it corresponds to one of them; by then examining it, in reference to the characters of the genera composing this subdivision, he will discover to what genus it belongs; and by a comparison of it with the description of the species of that genus he will finally identify it. This system, however, beautiful and simple as it is, has gradually been abandoned from its only being fitted for this identification of a species, and not at the same time conveying any information as regards the structure, natural alli- ances or properties of plants. NATURAL SysTEM. The great object proposed to be attained by a natural system of arranging plants, is to group together such species as most closely resemble each other, not in one point only, but in all important characters, and hence all points of resemblance or dissimilarity are allowed due weight. By pursuing this plan, it must be evident that the essential characters of the various groups, when fully detailed, actually show in what particulars the plants composing it agree among themselves, and differ from those of other groups. This plan being pursued from the highest classes down to the species, will enable the student not only to ascertain the name of an individual plant, but also will give him a tolerably correct idea of the structure, habits, and even, in many cases, sensible properties of the group to which it belongs. Although this is called a natural system, no one that has been proposed is truly so, for whilst they all express the natural affinities of plants in a greater or less degree, they are all artificial to a certain extent, as every classification of the objects of nature must be, which is devised by the finite mind of man. Numerous systems have been proposed, founded on the peculiar views of the devisers of them. Some writers, as Jussieu, &c., commence their expo- sition with the lowest order, and gradually ascend to the highest ; whilst others, as Decandolle, &c., begin with the most perfect, and conclude with the least organized. In the succeeding pages the system of Decandolle, with some slight modifications, has been adopted as that most generally known . and followed. . The vegetable kingdom may be divided into two great series, the Frowrr- inc and the FLoweruzss plants, answering to the old divisions of Pheno- gamia and Cryptogamia. The flowerless series may naturally be separated into two classes. The first, or Acrocens, including those having a stem, or decided axis of growth, and usually furnished with leaves ; their stems in- crease from the apex only, and scarcely at all in diameter. The second, or Thallogens, have no such division of parts, being stemless, leafless, and flowerless, 48 INTRODUCTION. The flowering plants are also divisible into two classes, founded on dis- tinct kinds of structure and growth. One the Exocerns, increasing from the periphery ; and the other the Enpocens, increasing from the interior. The embryo of the first having two cotyledons, it has also been called Decotyle- donous, and that of the second having but a single one, it has received the name of Monocotyledonous. ‘These characters have already been spoken of, as well as the distinction between them in the venation of their leaves. But there is a group of Exogenous plants, in which the ovules and seeds are naked, instead of being contained in an ovary or pericarp; there is also a group of spurious Exogens, which have the same peculiarity, and the two have therefore been formed into a separate class, under the name of thea GENs or Gymnospermous (naked-seeded) plants. A fourth class, containing a few but most extraordinary plants, appears to form a passage from the Endogens to the Thallogens. They are composed of cellular tissue, and bear flowers, and yet are propagated by spores and not by seeds. This class has received the name of SPOROGENS or Rhizanthee, (root flowering). The six classes of plants may be thus characterized : 1, Exogens or Dicotyledons. Structure of stem exogenous. Seeds in a pericarp. Em- bryo with two cotyledons. Leaves reti- culated. 2. Gymnogens or Gymnosperms. Seeds naked. Embryo with two or more cotyledons. . Endogens or Monocotyledons. Structure of stems endogenous. Seeds in a pericarp. Embryo with one cotyledon. Leaves pa- rallel, veined. 4. Sporogens or Rhizanths. Structure mainly cellular. Pericarp containing spores in- stead of seeds. Embryo none. 5. Acrogens having a regular stem growing from Destitute of Flowers. _ the’apex, and clothed with leaves. 6. Thallogens. Stemless, rootless, and leafless. Furnished with Flowers. iv) These classes are of very different extent, as regards the number of spe- cies contained in them ; the exogens having more than all the other flowering plants together; the endogens are also very rich in species, as are also both the acrogens and thallogens, whilst the two others possess but few. “Many + divisions or sub-classes have been proposed in these classes, almost ' all of which are exceedingly artificial, but are convenient for practical pur- poses. Jussieu has split the exogens into three divisions founded on the pre- sence, union, or absence of the petals; these have been generally adopted : they are: Polypetale. Calyx and corolla both present, the latter having distinct petals. Monopetale. Petals united. Apetale. Petals wanting. These divisions, as well as the other classes, have been variously subdi- vided by different authors, but it would be a useless task to attempt to notice INTRODUCTION. 49 them; enough has been said to explain the plan to be carried out, and more fully elucidated, in the progress of the work. - PHARMACEUTIC BoTAany. The relations existing between the medical properties of vegetables and their structure, have long attracted the notice of the learned, and it was early declared, that plants closely resembling each other in their external appear- ance, were possessed of analogous qualities. The first to promulgate this doctrine was Camerarius, according to Decandolle, and Cesalpinus, accord- ing to Dierbach. Linneus expressly says cn this subject: ‘‘ Plants that agree in genus, agree in quality ; those of the same natural order have nearly similar properties ; and those of the same natural class are somewhat similar in their powers.” Decandolle and Lindley hold much the same sentiments, in which they are supported by numerous other and esteemed writers. That these opinions are correct to a great extent, must be admitted; but on the other hand, the exceptions are both numerous and important, for whilst in some orders there is found the most striking consonance between the external form and the remedial qualities of the species composing it, in others, it has been shown, that the most dissimilar properties occur. ‘Thus, in the Solane, the fruit of Capsicum is pungent and stimulant, and that of Atropa, narcotic and poisonous. This dissimilarity extends even to genera, though less fre- quently. So, also, plants differing widely in their external appearance and structure, furnish products of analogous medical qualities. Thus, turpentines are furnished by trees of very distinct orders, and even classes, and manna is equally a secretion of a Frazinus and a Eucalyptus. It cannot be admitted, as is asserted by Lindley, that “a knowledge of one ~ plant is a guide to the practitioner, which enables him to substitute with con- fidence, some other plant that is naturally allied to it.” All, that in the pre- sent state of our knowledge can be conceded, is, that as a general rule, plants of the same order agree in their remedial qualities, though this is not univer- sally the case. Many attempts have been made to classify medicinal plants and thejr pro- ducts, by their sensible properties; namely, their colour, taste, and dour, but none of these have been successful, as it has been found that in all cases, the exceptions are so numerous as to render such arrangements of little prac- tical benefit. This has arisen not only from the difficulty of describing and defining sensations, but also from the fact that two or more articles having the same sensible property, may differ widely from each other in action on the system. ‘Thus, for instance, morphia, quinia, and aloes, are all bitter, and yet the first is a powerful narcotic, the second an efficacious tonic, and the third an active purgative. The best examiples of this method of arranging plants, are found in a paper by,Dr. Osborne, (Trans. Assoc. §-c. King & Queen’s College, V.) and an Essay on the subject by Dr. Graves, (Supp. Edin, Dispen.) | | CoLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF PLANTS. Vegetables used as medicinal agents, should, as far as possible, be collected every year, and those previously obtained, rejected, as many vegetable sub- stances are altered and deteriorated by keeping, A variety of circumstances exercise an influence on the activity of a plant, as the locality in which it 50 INTRODUCTION. grows, the season of the year, and its dryness or wetness, its natural or cul- tivated state, &c. Asa general rule, the time for collecting a vegetable sub- stance depends on the part of it required for use. Plants should never be gathered for medicinal purposes whilst very young, as their peculiar principles have not had time to become developed, and hence they are in most cases inert; thus the young shoots of the Poke, or of the Asclepias, are used as substitutes for Asparagus, and can be eaten with impu- nity, whilst at a later period, they are possessed of acrid and purgative powers. ‘The influence of soil is very remarkable. Most of the Umbelliferz growing in a dry soil are aromatic, whilst those peculiar to wet places, are narcotic and poisonous. Thé Cruciferz thrive best in damp places, but the Labiate are principally found in dry situations, The same plant is much in-. fluenced by a difference of locality ; thus it is stated, that Cinchona obtained from trees growing in low situations, is always of inferior quality, whilst the bark from the same species, but inhabiting a high and airy spot, is possessed in the fullest degree of those properties for ‘which this article is esteemed. Cultivation also exerts the greatest influence on the constitution of vege- tables, and in almost every instance deteriorates their: active, but increases their nutritive qualities. Thus, it is found that by cultivation, the dry and tasteless sarcocarp of many of the Pomacee and Drupacee, becomes pulpy and grateful to the palate, and the unpleasant and narcotic juices of the Celery, become bland, aromatic, and mucilaginous. Hence, as a general rule, plants should be collected where they naturally grow, as their active virtues are there most strongly developed. There is one striking exception to this, in the Labiate, their aromatic flavour being much enhanced by cultivation. Roots. The roots of annual and biennial plants should be collected in the autumn ; the first before the decay of their stem, and the latter on the dis- appearance of the leaves of the first year. Those of perennial vegetables are best collected in the winter, or early in the spring. All intended to be kept, must be carefully washed and dried; where the root is large and succulent, it must be cut into slices. The aromatic roots should not be scraped, as much of their odorous and active qualities reside in the epidermis. Stems. These are either herbaceous or ligneous; the former are to be gathered after the formation of the leaves, and before the appearance of the flowers. The latter should be procured in the winter, as at this time the wood furnishes a greater quantity of extract. Barks. They are to be collected at the season when they can be most easily separated from the wood. ‘They should, in all cases, be procured be- fore the flowers are produced, or after the reproductive process is terminated, as during the time the plant is elaborating the organs necessary to that func- tion, all its powers are directed to that purpose, and other portions of its structure are deprived of their usual proportion of proper juices. Barks should not be taken from very young or very old plants; in the first case they have not attained their full powers, and in the second, they have lost them ; and the quantity of soluble matter in them becomes diminished. The desiccation of stems and barks requires no remark. Leaves are to be collected after the flowers are expanded, and before the seeds ripen. An important remark on the collection of the leaves of the biennial narcotic plants has been made by Mr. Houlton. He states that they do not attain to their full powers, until ‘their second year, and that those of the first year’s growth are mucilaginous and inert (Jour. Roy. Inst. i. 196). The drying of leaves must be so conducted as to preserve their natural colour, and therefore they should never be exposed to the direct action of the sun. INTRODUCTION. 51 Mr. Battley, who has paid much attention to this subject, gives the following directions. ‘‘ The leaves being in a high state of preservation, and entirely freed from the stalks, and as much as possible from external moisture, must be laid in thin layers in baskets of willow stripped of its bark, in a drying room, from which light is to be excluded. They should then be exposed to a temperature of not less than 130° to 140° F. for three or four hours, or until they begin to shrivel. They are then to be turned, in the same tempe- rature, and the heat kept up for six or eight hours longer, when the operation is generally finished, which is known by the leaves crumbling without much difficulty in the hand. If the process has been in all its parts properly ma- naged, the result will be, that the leaves retain a beautiful green colour, and also, in a high degree, the medical properties of the plant to which they be- long.” (Lond. Med. Repos. xiv. 429.) ‘They are to be kept in proper ves- sels, and carefully excluded from light and moisture. If they are to be used in the form of powder, it is better to powder them as soon as they are pro- perly dried, and to preserve the powder in well-closed opaque bottles. Frowmrs, It is very difficult to dry flowers so as to keep both their colour and odour. Some are incapable of complete desiccation, without at the same time destroying their active qualities. Others may be dried with fa- cility and without deterioration, in the manner directed for leaves, To pre- serve both flowers and leaves, the plan of compressing them, as practised by the Shakers, answers a very good purpose; by this mode many leaves and flowers are kept in a very efficient condition; but it is essential that they be deprived of moisture before they are subjected to the pressure, otherwise they become ‘mouldy and deteriorated. _ An excellent paper on the preservation of plants and their preparations will be found in the American Journal of Pharmacy, i. 268, by the late Mr. Duhamel, to which we would refer, as containing ample information on the subject. BOTANICAL TERMINOLOGY. Abnormal, A departure from the or- dinary structure. Abortive, Not arriving at perfection, Abrupt Leaf. A pinnate leaf, with no terminal leaflet. Abrupt Root. Where the end appears broken or bitten off. Acaulescent. Stemless. Acerose. Needle-formed. Achentum, A one-celled carpel, with a dry, indehiscent pericarp. Achlamydeous. Wanting floral en- velopes. Acine. A grain or globule of a com- pound fruit, Acotyledonous. Without cotyledons. Acrogens. Flowerless plants, with stems growing from the apex, and having leaves. Aculeate. Armed with prickles. Acuminate. Sharp-pointed, Acute, Terminating in an angle; not rounded. Adnate. Adherent; growing toge- ther. AEstivation. The manner in which the floral envelopes are folded in the bud. Aigret. A pappus or coma. Albumen. ‘The farinaceous, fleshy, or horny deposit around the em- bryo. Albuminous, Furnished with albu- men, Alburnum. Sap wood. Alternate, Placed oppositely, but at ‘different heights. Alveolate. ney-comb. Ament, Catkin, a spike with scaly bracts crowded together on a ra- chis, Deeply pitted, like a ho- Amphitropous. Straight ovules, with the chalaza at one end, the apex at the other, and the hilum between. Amplexicaul, Embracing the stem. Anatropous. An inverted ovule: Anastomosing. The joining of ves- sels and fibres, so as to form a net- work, Anciprtal, 'Two-edged. Andrecium. ‘The staminate system of a flower. Androgynous. See Moneecious, Angular, Having angles. Annual, Lasting one year. Annulated. Ringed. Anterior. The side of a flower next the leaf or bract from which it springs. Anther, The case or cell containing the pollen. Antheridium. Organ of fructifica- tion in mosses. Anthocarpus. Collective or com- pound fruit. Apetalous. A flower without petals. Apex. The summit, or upper end. Aphyllous. Without leaves, Apophysis. A process from the base of the theca in mosses. Apothecvum. 'The shield in lichens containing the sporules. Appendages. As thorns, tendrils, &c. Appressed. Closely applied. Approximate, Growing near. Apterous, Without wings. Aquatic. Belonging to the water. Arachnoid, Having i interwoven hairs, like a cobweb. Arborescent, Becoming woody ; tree- like. Areolate. spaces, Divided into angular 7 BOTANICAL TERMINOLOGY. 53 Aril. An expansion of the placenta or funiculus round a seed. Aristate. Bearded; awned. Aromatic. Sweet-scented. Articulated., Jointed. ' Ascending. Rising or directed up- wards. Ascidium. A.kind of hollow leaf. Assurgent, Ascending obliquely. Atropous. See Orthotropous. Attenuated. ‘Tapering gradually till it becomes slender. Auriculate. Having ear-like pro- cesses. Aul-shaped. Slender; becoming sharp and curved at apex. Awn. A bristle-like appendage. Awned. Furnished with awns. Axil. tion of a leaf or = li with the stem. Azillary. Growing in an axil. Baccate, Berry-like. Banner. The upper petal of a papi- lionaceous flower. Bark. The outer covering of vege- tables. Barren. Producing no perfect seed. Bearded. Having tufts of hair. Bell-shaped. Swelling at base, and with no tube. Berry. A pulpy or fleshy indehis- cent fruit. Bicuspidaie, Waving two points, each with a sharp apex. Biennial. Living during two years. Biferous. Bearing twice a year. Bifid. Divided into two, two-cleft. Bifoliate. 'Two-leafed. Brfololate. With two leaflets. Bifurcate. Two-forked. Byugous. A pinnate leaf, with two pairs of leaves on each part. Bilahiate. A corolla, with two lips or segments, Bilamellate. Waving two lamine. Bilocular. 'Two-celled. Binate. Of two parts. Bipartite. Divided into two parts. Bipinnate. Doubly pinnate. Bipinnatifid. Doubly pinnatifid. Buternate. Doubly ternate. Bivalve. Uaving two valves. The angle formed at the junc- | Blade. Uamina. Expansion of leaf. Blunt. Obtuse, rounded. Brachiate, Having opposite spread- ing branches. Bract. Floral leaf. Bractlet, Bracteole. A bract on a branch of inflorescence. Branch. M 106 MEDICAL BOTANY. "9 vermin. The principal consumption of these sonia’ is for the purpose of adul- _ > terating malt liquors to make them more inebriating ; ; whether this dangerous fr is practised in this country there is no direct evidence, but that it is /, common in England, and to a very great extent, is generally admitted, Ina ‘treatise on brewing, by Morrice, he states that it gives an inebriating quality which passes for strength of liquor, and prevents a second fermentation in bottled beer, and consequently the bursting of. bottles in a warm climate. The root is used in India in many diseases of the bowels, and is highly esteemed, the branches are said to afford a rich yellow dye. Several other plants are said to furnish seeds possessed of much the same qualities as those of the Anamérta; among these the Cocculus lacwnosus and C. plukenetit are noticed by Merat‘and De Lens, but whether they belong to Anamirta or Cocculus has not been determined. CIssAMPELOS.—Linn. Flowers diecious. Sterile flowers, sepals 4 in a double series; petals 4, united into a cup-shaped corolla. Stamens 5, anthers connate. Fertile flowers. Sepal 1, rounded ; petal 1. Fruit a 1-seeded berry. This genus as instituted by Linnzus, contained a number of species pos- sessed of very dissimilar characters, but is now very greatly restricted, though it still requires much investigation, as the limits of the several species are by no means settled in a satisfactory manner, They are all natives of tropical climates, and are found both in Asia and South America, but principally in the latter. 7 C. parrira, Linn,—Leaves peltate, orbicular, cordate, villous; sterile flowers racemose ; fertile flowers spicate longer than the leaves. Linn., Sp. Pl. 1473; De Candolle, Prod. i. 533; Flor. Medicale, v. 262 ; Woodville, t. 82; Lindley, Flor. Med. 372. Cie Common a RR oe leaf, Ice vine. ‘ene Foreign names.—Pareira brava, Fr. Sp.; Grieswurzel, Ger. Fig. 61. Description—The velvet- leaf is a climbing shrub, attain- ing a great size and covering even the tallest trees with its foliage. The root is woody and ~ branching. The stem is round, smooth, or with a closely-ap- pressed tomentum. The leaves are large, peltate, subcordate, ovate articulate, of a dark 3 green, and smooth above and silky pubescent beneath. The flowers are unisexual; the males with four sepals in a double range, and four petals forming a cup-like corolla, with an entire margin. The sta- mens are united, bearing con- nate anthers opening horizon- taliy. The female flowers have but a single sepal and petal. The ovary is solitary, sur- mounted with three stigmas. The fruit is a round, or reniform, hispid, scarlet berry. C. pareira. 1. Separate flowers. 2. Embryo. 3. Calyx. & . “ 4 t ae = » a all MENISPERMACEAZ. 107 Itis knownin Jamaica, where it grows in abundance in the mountainous districts, by the name of Velvet-leaf. It also occurs in several other of the West India islands, and in A South America. It is also spoken of by Ainslie as a @'% fh native of the East Indies, but PY BES it appears that the plant to YAKS which he refers is C. mauri-° teana, which is closely allied both in botanical characters and in medicinal qualities. The part used in medicine is parsed the root, which, as found in 1, Racemeof flowers. 2. Separate raceme. 3. Section of ovary. commerce, is generally in large billets, very tortuous, of a dark colour externally, and ofa yellowish hue within. The axis is not central, and a section displays a number of concentric layers, traversed by many radiating lines, between which are triangular bundles of woody fibres and ducts. The taste is sweetish, somewhat aromatic, but leaving a bitter and unpleasant impression in the mouth. The smell is very faint. The first notice given of this root was by Piso, who mentions that a root was employed by the natives of Brazil, under the name of Caapeba, in cer- tain diseases of the bowels and urinary organs; this plant was erected into a species by Linnzus with the appellation of Cissampelos Caapeba, and may be distinct from the C. pareztra, though it appears probable that it is at most a mere variety of it. In fact, Merat and De Lens state that there is every rea- son to believe that the C. guayaquilensis and C.,argentea, Humboldt, as well as the C. microcarpa, De Candolle, are identical with it ; as before mentioned, the Pareira of Ainslie is the product of another species, and that of Aublet, is-said to belong to another genus, Abuta, but nothing is known with certainty with regard to it. The genuine article is the product of the C. parezra, as this is certainly the root spoken of by Sloane and others. Pareira has been analyzed by Fenuelle, and more recently by Wiggers. The first found a soft resin, a yellow bitter principle, which is the active in- gredient, a brown colouring principle, vegeto-animal matter, fecula, some salts, &c. Wiggers states that he has detected a new vegetable alkaloid in it, which he calls Cissampelin, but its properties have not been described. Medical Properties, §-c.—Pareira was introduced into medical practice by. » the Portuguese, and at one time was much employed in diseases of the blad- der and kidneys, and even considered as a powerful lithontriptic ; its virtues were at one time so highly thought of, that Helvetius declares that calculi of a large size had completely disappeared under its use, and that the operation of lithotomy was no longer required; but from one of those unaccountable changes in the opinions of the medical world, which have so often occurred without any adequate reason for them, it rapidly sunk into almost perfect ob- livion, till within a few years since it again began to attract the attention of the profession, and it has been shown to possess most unequivocal powers in certain affections of the bladder. Sir B. Brodie, who was one of the first to resume its use, states that he has seen more good effected by this root in dis- charges from the urino-genital organs, than by uva ursi. In chronic inflamma- tions of the bladder, he says, ‘* I am satisfied that it has great influence, lessen- ing very materially the secretion of the ropy mucus, which is itself'a very great pe 108 -" MEDICAL BOTANY. evil, and I believe, diminishing the inflammation and irritability of the blad- _ der itself.” He recommends it to be given in decoction, to which some tinc- . ture of hyoscyamus may be added. It is given in powder, in doses of from half a drachm to a drachm, but , s the infusion or decoction is a far more eligible mode of administration. An extract and a tincture have also been prepared from it. The leaves of the C. mauritvana are used in India as being very comtinde’ and the root, in diseases of the bowels, in combination with aromatics; and those of the C, tomentosa are employed in Venezuela as a poultice to matu- rate abscesses. The Braziliansuse the roots of the C. glaberrima as a reme- dy for snake-bites, and Royle states that in India, an intoxicating liquor is distilled from the roots of the C. obtecta; that of C. glabra is extremely acrid. (Rozd.) Besides these, other plants of the order are medicinal, thus, Perezza me- dica (Lindi.), a climbing shrub found in Ceylon, furnishes a large bitter root, which is considered by the Cingalese to be an excellent stomachic ; it is used j in infusion (Loxburgh, Fl. Ind. iii. 809). ‘The root of Clypea bur- mann is employed in Malabar in fevers, bowel diseases, and hemorrhoids, As before stated, one kind of Pareira brava is the product of Abuta rufescens ; this is similar in its effects to the genuine. Orver 5.—MYRISTICACE.— Lindley. Leaves alternate, exstipulate, not dotted, entire, petiolate, coriaceous. Flowers in axil- lary or terminal racemes or panicles; very small, often each with one short, cucullate bract, Calyx coriaceous, usually tomentose outside; trifid or rarely quadrifid, with a valvate estivation. Unisexual; male flowers with the filaments separate or united in a cylinder. Anthers 3-12 or more, extrorse, with a longitudinal dehiscence; connate or distinct. Female; calyx deciduous; carpels solitary or many, with a single erect ana- .tropal ovule ; style very short; stigma somewhat lobed. Fruit baccate. Albumen ru- minate, between fatty and fleshy. Embryo small, cotyledons diverging. Radicle infe- rior. — A small order of tropical trees often furnishing a red juice; most common to Asia. The bark abounds -in an acrid, viscid juice, and the rind of the fruit is caustic. The fruit of most of the species of Myristica are aromatic, and yield a fatty oil on expression, which is also the case with that of Virola. The red juice of some of them is used as a substitute for dragon’s blood, and that afforded by the mace of Pyrrhosa tingens is used in Amboy- na in union with lime, to stain the teeth. ( Blume.) Much difference of opinion exists respecting the station this order should occupy ; in general it is placed near the Lauracez, on account of its apeta- lous flowers, but it differs from them in many important particulars, From its alliance with the Anonacee through Hyalostemma and Bocagea, in its trimerous flowers, ruminate albumen, and arillate seed, it may be placed near that order with more propriety. I have, however, followed Lindley in ar- ranging it in the same group as the Menispermacez, on account of its uni- sexual flowers, more especially as it agrees with the Monimiaceze in its di- verging cotyledons, and is connected with Menispermaceze through Azomo- spermum, which has a ruminated albumen. Myristica.—Linn. Flowers diecious. Calyx urceolate, three-toothed. Male, stamens united into a co- lumnar tube; anthers 6-10, cohering. Female, ovary simple, style none, stigma two-lobed. Pericarp fleshy, two-valyed, 1-seeded. Seed enclosed in a coriaceous, many-cleft arillus. This genus, of about eight species, was established by Linnzeus on the im- . “ * a “MYRISTICACEZ. - 109 perfect figure and confused description of Rumphius (Herb. Amb, ii. 14, t. 4), and he was unable to assign it its proper characters; these were first given in a satisfactory manner by Lamarck (Act. Par. 1788). It is princi- pally Asiatic, though some species also occur in tropical America, and in Africa ; they all are aromatic and stimulant, though one only is in general use. M. moscnata, Thunberg.—Leaves elliptic-oblong, acuminate, smooth, paler beneath, with simple: veins. Peduncles few-flowered. we % Thunberg, Act. Holm. 1782; Woodville, iv. t. 238; Bot. Mag. t. 2756, 2757 ; Stephenson & Churchill, ii. 104; M. officinalis, Linn. Suppl. 265 ; Lindley, Flor. Med. 21; M. aromatica, Lam. Illus. t. 882. Common name.—Nutmeg tree. Foreign names.—Muscadier, Fr. Moscato, It, Muskatbaum, Ger. Pela, Malay. Description.—A tree from twenty to twenty-five feet high, having a grayish-brown, and somewhat smooth bark, abounding in a yellow juice, and furnished with many whorls of spreading branches. The leaves, which are alternate, on short petioles, are oblong, pointed, smooth, entire, of a dark-green, and somewhat shining above, and paler beneath, with simple parallel veins, and when bruised, are aromatic. The flowers are in axillary racemes, and are supported . on glabrous peduncles, each pedicel having a deciduous bract at the summit. The male flowers are from three to five on a peduncle. The calyx is urceolate and peta- loid, of a fleshy texture, and somewhat tomentose external- ly, of a pale-yellowish colour, and three-cleft. The stamens are united into a cylindrical column, bearing six to ten connate, linear-oblong, two- celled anthers, with a longitu- dinal dehiscence. The female flowers are frequently solitary, having a short style, borne on a broadly-ovate germ, and ter- minating in a two-lobed per- sistent stigma. The fruit is pyriform, pendent, having a fleshy pericarp opening by twonearly longitudinal valves, and abounding in an astrin- gent juice. The arillus (mace) is fleshy, much laciniated, al- most enveloping the nut, of a brilliant scarlet colour when fresh, but of a yellow-brown and brittle when dry. The nut is oval, with a_ hard, rugged, dark-brown, shining shell, marked by the mace. M. moschata. 1, Calyx and stamens. 2.Stamens. 3. Anthers. 4. Female flower. It closely envelopes the seed, 5. Nut, 6. Seed divided. 7. Embryo. and its inner coat dips down into the substance of its albumen, giving it a marbled (rwminated) appearance. The seed when fresh is quite smooth, but shrivels on drying ; its substance or albumen is fleshy TIO. MEDICAL BOTANY. and whitish, but traversed by veins of a red-brown colour, abounding in oil. Near its base is the large, fleshy embryo, and the hemispherical radicle. The nutmeg-tree is said by Rumphius to resemble the pear-tree in size and appearance, and to bear fruit at the age of ten years, and to become more prolific as it increases in growth, until it has: attained a longevity of a hun- dred years. It is principally found in the Moluccas, and especially in the Banda Isles, to which the Dutch have endeavoured to restrain its growth. Of late years according to Ainslie it has been cultivated in Java, Sumatra ; 3 and has also been introduced into the West Indies, The nutmeg does not appear to have been known to the Greeks or Ro- mans, though some writers have supposed it to be the xwuaxov of ‘Theophras- tus, the cinnamum, quod comacum appellant of Pliny. (L206. xii. c. 63.) It was, however, in use in Egypt, since fragments of the nut have been found in mummies. The first definite notice of it is by Avicenna (/20. ii. c. 503), who terms it Jzanszban, and it is also mentioned by Serapion under the name of Jusbagme. It was brought in small quantities to Europe by the caravans, but was not in general use as a condiment until after the discovery of the passage to India, round the Cape of Good Hope, and especially since the con- quest of the Banda Isles by the Dutch in 1612, since which the consumption has been immense. In the year 1746 the annual produce was 163,000lbs. -of nutmegs, and 46,000lbs. of mace; between the years 1796 and 1798, the imports into England by the East India Company was 93,732lbs. of nut- megs, and 46,730lbs. of mace, and about a third more by private individuals, In 1840, it is stated by Pereira (ii. 266), that 114,160lbs. of nutmegs and 16,333lbs, of mace were entered at the English custom-houses. The average crop is considered to be 350,500]bs. of nutmegs, of which 250,000lbs. are exported; and 100,000Ibs. of mace, 90,000 of which are sent abroad, Craw- ford states if a fruit weigh 15, the mace will be 2, the shell 5, and the nut- meg 8. In the East Indies the trees are almost always loaded with both fruit and flowers, and three gatherings are made: in July and August, when the fruit is most abundant, but the mace is thinner than in November, when the second collection is made; the third and principal harvest is in March, when the nuts, as well as the mace, are in the greatest perfection, The fruit is ga- thered by hand, and is never used in its entire form, on account of its acridity, except in its young state, when by boiling it with brandy and sugar, it forms a pleasant. sweetmeat. The outer pulpy coat is removed with a knife, and thrown away; the mace is then carefully separated and dried in the sun, sprinkled with sea-water and again partially dried; in this process it changes. from its original crimson colour to a brownish yellow. The nutmegs require more attention, as they are liable to the attacks of an insect ; they are first exposed to the sun for a few days, and then slowly dried by a ‘slow fire for a length of time, until the seed becomes perfectly detached from the shell, this is then broken and the seeds soaked in lime-water, which not only protects them from the insect, but also prevents the volatilization of the aroma, Nutmegs should be chosen heavy, firm, of the shape of an olive, of a lightish- brown on the outside, and of a reddish-gray with red veins internally, of an agreeable fragrant odour, warm aromatic taste, and unctuous feel. The round nutmeg is preferred to the oblong. When distilled with water, they furnish an essential oil of a viscid consistence, of a pale straw-colour, with the odour and taste of the seed. By expression, a fatty substance is obtained, known as “ butter of nutmegs,” of about the consistence of sperma- ceti, of a yellowish-brown colour, and having an agreeable smell, and a fatty, pungent, bitterish taste. Bonastre (Jowr. de Pharm, ix. 281) found that MYRISTICACEA 111 500 parts of nutmegs consisted of: stearine 120, elaine 38, volatile oil 30, acid 4, starch 12, woody fibre, gum, &c., 296. Mace, as found in commerce, when fresh and good, is of a reddish-brown or saffron colour, of a pleasant aromatic smell, of a warm, bitterish, pungent taste, and a tough oleaginous texture. On distillation, it affords an essen- tial oil, having the odour and flavour of the mace. According to an analysis by Henry, (Jour. de Pharm. x. 281,) mace contains a small quantity of volatile oil, much odorous, fixed oil of a yellow colour, about an equal portion of a red, fixed, fragrant ojl, a peculiar extractive, and a small proportion of woody fibre. Medical Uses, §-c.—The great employment of the nutmeg and mace is for cu- linary purposes, as condiments, for which purpose they are admirably adapted from their agreeable taste and their stimulating properties. In the East, they are in general use both by the natives and Europeans, as the most energetic of the digestive excitants, as well as to impart a flavour to insipid articles of food. As remedial agents, they owe their activity to the volatile oil they contain, and when administered in moderate quantities, produce the usual effect of the other spices, but in large doses they cause an unpleasant train of narcotic symptoms, not unlike those induced by an undue use of camphor ; instances of,this are noticed by Bontius, Lobel, Etmuller, Ainslie, Cullen, Pereira, and others, and hence they should be avoided in cerebral affections. © In India they are considered among their most valuable remedies in dyspeptic complaints, and in all cases. requiring cardiacs and corroborants, and are also prescribed to children suffering much in weaning : they are likewise given in low fevers, consumptive complaints, and asthma, generally in combination with other aromatics. In Europe and the United States they are seldom employed except as con- diments, their principal use in medicine being as a flavouring ingredient, or to obviate the drastic effects of certain purgatives, though from their cordial, carminative and narcotic powers they have produced good effects in bowel complaints. Nutmeg forms an important ingredient in the aromatic confec- tion so frequently used in these diseases, and also entered into the composi- tion of numerous electuaries at one time so much prized, as the theriac, orvie- tan, &c. . The volatile and expressed oils are occasionally resorted to as external sti- mulants in rheumatism and palsy, but are inferior to many other articles of the same character. The dose of either nutmeg or mace is from a few grains to a scruple, or even more, according to circumstances ; habit reconciles the constitution to much larger doses than can be borne by persons unaccustomed to the use of these articles. The volatile oil may be administered either on sugar, or dissolved in spirit, in doses of two to ten drops. Several other species of Myristica furnish analogous products, though none of them are equal to those of the moschata. The M. tomentosa of southern India is said to afford what are called dong or male nutmegs, which, although possessing the same qualities as the genuine article, are much inferior to them in flavour ; the fruit of the WM. officinalis Spix is considered in Brazil as ‘an energetic tonic ; and in the East Indies the fruit of the 17. spurza and M. acu- minata are used as substitutes for the true nutmeg. The coarse, unpleasant- smelling nutmegs of Santa Fe are the produce of the J. otoba ; the mace of this is the basis of an ointment used in Colombia as a remedy in the itch. Some of the species have insipid nuts; thus in the I. fatwa, the fragrance is very slight and soon disappears, whilst in others it is scarcely perceptible ; but at the same time the nuts are still active, as Mr. Hinds (Lond. Jowr. Bot. —— rn hc S— 112 3 MEDICAL BOTANY. i. 675) states that a single one is capable of causing nausea and disturbance of the bowels. | Group III.—Berberales. OrvrER 6.—BERBERIDACEA.—Brown. Sepals deciduous, 3—6 in two rows. Petals hypogynous, equal in number to the sepals, or twice as many, glandular at base. Stamens as many or twice as many as the petals, and opposite to them. Filaments short. Anthers adnate, opening by recurved valves. Ovary solitary, simple. Style sometimes lateral or oblique, sometimes wanting. Stigma orbicular or peltate. Truit baccate’or capsular. Seeds 1 or few. Embryo in the axis or near the base of the fleshy or horny albumen. The species of this order are natives of the temperate parts of the northern hemisphere, and of the mountainous parts of South America ; none are found in Africa, Australasia, or the South Sea islands. The physical properties of them are various, though it may be said that their fruit is generally acid, and somewhat astringent, and their bark astringent and tinctorial. The roots of some of them are edible, whilst in others they are cathartic. ‘The seeds of Leontice thalictroides have been used as a substitute for coffee, whilst the root of the L. leontopetalum is employed at Aleppo instead of soap, and is regarded by the Turks as an antidote against over-doses of opium. BERBERIS.— Linn. Sepals 6, with 3 bracts. Petals 6, bi-glandular at base, Stamens 6. Stigmanearly sessile, orbicular. Fruit a 1-celled, 1—9-seeded berry. The genus Berberis is composed of shrubs, with alternate, petiolate leaves, having spines at their base, formed of the remains of the primary foliage. Many of the species, especially those belonging to the sub-genus or section Mahonia are evergreen. ‘They are mostly natives of cold or temperate climates. B. vutearis.—Linn. Branches dotted, with triple spines. Leaves obovate-oval, closely serrulate. Racemes nodding, many-flowered. Berries oblong. Linn. Sp. Pl. 472; Torrey and Gray, #7. i. 49; Richard. ii. 617; Ra- finesque, Med. FV. i. 82 ; Lindley, Veg. Kang. 437 f. 305; Flor. Med. 63. Common name i Barberry. Foreign, names.—Epine Vinette, Fr. ; Berberitze, G7. ; Berberi, Jt. Description.—A shrub from four to eight feet high, with long bending branches, which are dotted. The leaves are crowded, and form fan-like groups; they are alternate, petio-— late, and closely serrate; at their base are small thorns, which are a transformation of the primary leaves. The flowers are on slender and pendulous racemes; they are yellow and small; they are succeeded by loose bunches of berries, of an oblong form and red colour, of a pleasant acid taste. The Barberry is a native of Europe, but is naturalized in many parts of the United States, especially in New England. Some confusion has exist- ed among botanists, respecting the American plant, some considering it as a variety of, or even distinct from, the European, mistaking it for the plant originally indicated by Marshall as found in Virginia, and described by Pursh, under the erroneous name of Canadensis, as it has not been found in that country, being confined to the Southern States. In consequence, however, of the habitat he assigned to it, most of our botanists have considered that he had in view the naturalized plant, and hence this is generally separated from the like those of the Kal- ¥ towards the pistil on BERBERIDACESE. , - 348 vulgaris under Pursh’s name. Rafinesque, in his Medical Flora, has fallen into this error, and has described and figured the foreign species as the true Canadensis. The distinctions be- tween the two are ably pointed out by. Torrey and Gray, founded on original specimens col- | lected by Pursh. The stamina are ex- ceedingly irritable, and Fig. 64. mia suddenly spring being touched. The smell of the flowers is unpleasant and nause- ous, and it is a com- mon belief that the dust or pollen from them is injurious to wheat, causing rust; this opi- nion has been de- fended in an able me- moir by Mr. Yvart, but notwithstanding the ingenuity of his arguments, nothing can be more unfound- . B. Vulgaris. ]. Flower. 2. Calyx. 3. Petal andstamen. 4. A single stamen. _éd, as the most ample 5. Section of ovary. 6. Aripe seed. 7. Section of do. 8, Em- and _well-conducted DER? experiments have shown. Medical uses, §-c.—The berries are used in Europe in the preparation of acidulated drinks in febrile affections, as a substitute for Tamarinds and other acid fruits. The bark, especially of the root, is bitter and astringent, and has been used with some success in the treatment of aphthous sore mouth, and at one time was much employed in the treatment of jaundice. It has also been substituted for the bark of the Pomegranate, with which it has scarcely a property in common. From an analysis by MM. Buchner and Herberger, it is shown that this root contains a new principle, which they call Berberine, of a yellow or brownish colour, and very bitter taste. This article acts like Rhubarb, and with equal promptness and activity. Another species, B. lyciwm, a native of India, is stated by Royle (Ildustr. 64), to be useful in. ophthalmia. An extract is made from the root and branches, and is called **rusot.” It is most beneficial when the acute symp- toms have been removed. Lrontice.— Linn. Sepals 3-6. Petals 6, furnished with a small scale or nectary at the inner base. Carpel membranaceous, caducous or inflated, 2-4 seeded. Seeds erect, globose. Albumen horny. ™ 8 114 MEDICAL BOTANY. A small genus which has been variously divided, the American species having been separated by Michaux under the name of Cauwlophyllum, in which he is followed by many botanists, but it may without confusion be con- sidered merely as a section, which is the view taken of it by Torrey and Gray. L, rHaxictrorpes, Linn.—Leaves triternate ; leaflets incisely 2-3 lobed. Panicle small, shorter than the leaves. Brown, Linn. Trans. xii. 145, t. 7; Mich. FV. i. 305, t. 21; Torrey & Gray, Fl. i. 52; Rafinesque, Med. FV. i. 97, t. 19. Common names.—Blue cohosh, Papoose-root, Squaw-root, &c. Fig. 65. — S/? =. L. thalictroides. is dry, sweetish, in- This plant is a native of most hilly woods of the United States, flowering in May and June, and ripens its seeds the © latter part_of the — summer, The fruit — sipid, and resembles - that of the Vacci- — nium. The seeds when roasted, are sid said to form an ex- | cellent substitute for coffee. The part — ; used in medicine is the root, This is © sweetish, somewhat — 4 pungent pgaesS wa tic, affording a yel- : low infusion or tince- ture. No chemical } ‘investigation of it has been made. Medical uses, gc. —It is unknown in © regular practice, but has been much used: by empirics, who are said to have derived a_ know- ledge of its powers from the Indians. It is stated to be demulcent, anti- spasmodic, and emmenagogue, and has been administered in rheumatism, dropsy, nervous disorders, &c. Rafinesque states that it is particularly adapted for female disorders, and that the Indian women make use of a tea of the root for some time before their confinement, asserting that it facilitates — parturition. It is likewise said to be an active emmenagogue. Riddell ( Sy- nop. 14) also says that it is “ bitter, diuretic, and a preparatory parturient.” Although our information respecting it is very imperfect, it was thought BERBERIDACEA. 115 best to notice it, in the hope that a fair trial may be made of its powers, and whether it deserves the popular reputation it has acquired, Poporuyitum.—Linn. Sepals 3, deciduous. Petals 6-9, obovate. Stamens 6-18, with linear anthers. Ovary ovate, subsessile, peltate. Fruit fleshy, indehiscent, containing numerous seeds in seve- ral rows, in a pulpy placenta. Although this genus differs from the Berberidaceze in having more nume- rous stamens, and in the absence of the peculiar dehiscence of the anthers, still it is so closely allied in other respects, that it seems advisable to leave it in this order, rather than to consider it.as the type of a new one, though this been done by several very eminent botanists. Lindley, who places it in the Ranunculacez, is of opinion that it forms a link between that order and _the present. It is mainly North American, and was thought to consist of _ but one species, though Rafinesque recognises three, the P. peltatum, mon- - tanum, and callicarpum ; the latter is considered by Torrey and Gray to bea mere variety of the first, and this is probably the case ; the montanwm, however, judging from Rafinesque’s description and plate, presents many dif- _ ferential characters, especially in having palmate but not peltate leaves. “Other species have lately been found in Northern India, one of which has but six stamens. . _ . P. peLratoum, Linn.—Stem 1-flowered ; leaves peltate-palmate ; lobes cuneate, incised. Stamens 12-18. Linn. Sp. Pl. 722; Torrey & Gray, Flor. i. 54; Bigelow, Med. Bot. i. - 35; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. ii. 9; Rafinesque, Med. Flor. i. 59. Common names.—May-apple, Wild Lemon, Mandrake, Raccoon berry, &c. _ Description.—The root is creeping, long, of a brown colour externally, and yellowish within; the stem is simple, upright, and smooth, about a foot in height, two-leaved, and bearing a single flower at the insertion of the petioles. The leaves are large, peltate, and divided into five or six lobes, which are incised at top; they are of a yellowish- green above, and somewhat glaucous beneath. The flower is nodding, large, white, and somewhat fragrant, and is succeeded by an oval fruit, of a lemon-yellow colour, contain- ing a thick, somewhat mucilaginous pulp, in which the seeds are immersed, all connected to the lateral receptacle by fibres. _ The May apple is found in great plenty in almost all parts of the United States, in damp and shady woods, though occasionally to be met with in dry and exposed situations. It flowers in May and June, and ripens its fruit in September, at which time the leaves wither and fall off. The fruit is edible, and is very agreeable to some persons, whilst to others it is extremely unpleasant; it very closely resembles in taste and even. appearance, the fruit of the Passzflora edulis of the West Indies. It is slightly aperient, and may , be partaken of in large quantities, without any unpleasant effect. The In- - dians are very fond of it, and consider it medicinal. The leaves are said to be narcotic and poiSonous, but no experiments have been made to ascertain their true qualities. The root has long been known and celebrated as a cathartic of considerable activity. Medical uses, §¢c.—The root of this plant was in common use among the Indians, before the settlement of the country by the whites, and was considered by them as one of their most powerful purgatives, The first writers on the Materia Medica that noticed it, as Schoepf and Puihn, speak of it as an emetic, but except used in too fresh a state or in large $ 116 | MEDICAL BOTANY. doses, it will not affect the stomach more than any other active purgative. The concurrent testi- Fig. 66. : mony of all practition- ers who have given a Cont = QM YA {aN fair trial to the Podo- a phyllum, is in its favour, y wy. (9 NZ as a certain and active be ws purgative, closely re- Bb sembling jalap in its action upon the bowels, but rather more drastic, It induces watery stools, more especially when given in conjunction with cremor tartar. It is also said to be an anthelmintic, and to be used for that purpose dians, but this power is probably owing merely to its purgative quali- ties, and not to any peculiar action on the worms. The dose of the powdered root is from ten grains to a Sie =i) Ws scruple. An_ extract which is officinal in the U.S. Pharmacopeia may be prepared from : it, the dose of which is from five to fifteen grains, As found in the shops, the root is in pieces of various Jengths, about the thickness of quills, of a blackish-brown colour externally, and somewhat cor- rugated, with occasional knots; internally it is of a dirty white. It has a faint, unpleasant odour, somewhat resembling that of ipecacuanha, and a bit- terish, and at the same time sweetish taste.’ P. peltatum. This root has been examined by Dr. Staples, and also by Mr. Hodgson 7 the first detected in it, besides the usual constituents, a peculiar substance which crystallized in white silky tufts; this was’ not found by Mr. Hodgson, and was probably a salt of lime. The latter pharmaceutist obtained a pecu- liar principle which he terms Podophylline, which evidently belongs to the same group as Salicine and Populine. When dry, it is in pale brown scales of considerable lustre, is unalterable in the air, and has a permanent, bitter taste. The peculiar properties of the root are probably due both to this prin- ciple and to the resin. The P. montanum described and figured by Rafinesque (Med. Flor. ii. 59, f. 73), seems to differ from the above in having a slender, furrowed stem, the leaves with sharp, bifid segments, and not peltate. Torrey and Gray do not notice this species in their “ Flora of North America,” in any way. As Rafinesque states that it is equally possessed of medical qualities with the P. peltatum, I have added a copy of his description and figure. among the southern In- — FUMARIACES. 117 «“ P. montanum, Raf. Stem elongated, deeply furrowed ; leaves palmate, not peltate, sinuses narrow, segments unequal, ends acutely bifid, with many unequal teeth; petals oblong, obtuse, six to seven; stamens seven to nine, berry oblong, yellowish. In the Alleghany mountains, from New York to Virginia ; variety, 1. acumenatum ; 2. parviflorum,.” Fig. 67. P. montanum. Orper 7.—FUMARIACEX.— Decandolle. Leaves generally alternate, multifid, often with tendrils. Flowers purple, white, or yellow. Sepals 2, caducous, Petals 4, cristate, very irregular. Stamens 4, distinct, hypogynous, or 6, in 2 parcels, opposite the outer petals, very seldom all separate; anthers membranous, the outer of each parcel 1-celled, the middle one 2-celled. Ovary free, 1-celled; ovules horizontal, amphitropal; style filiform ; stigma with two or more points. Fruit various; either an indehiscent 1 or 2-seeded nut, or a 2-valved or succulent inde- hiscent, polyspermous pod, Seeds horizontal, shining, crested. Albumen fleshy. Em- bryo minute, out of the axis; where the fruit is indehiscent straight, where it dehisces, somewhat curved. A somewhat extensive order of herbaceous plants, with bitter stems and a watery juice, principally occurring in the temperate latitudes of northern cli- mates. It has usually been placed in the vicinity of Papaveracee, and by — ae | 118 5 - MEDICAL BOTANY. some writers considered as forming part of that order ; but as is observed by De Candolle, it differs in the juice being watery instead of milky, in the irre- gularity and coherence of the petals, and in its diadelphous stamens. It is certainly closely allied to the Berberidacez, and its place seems to be inter- mediate between these two orders. Many of the species have attained some celebrity as medicinal agents, but are seldom employed in regular practice in this country. The Fumaria officinalis, F. capreolata and others Bie 08." a were at one time in high repute as altera- tive bitters, especially in cutaneous af- fections, and they still are employed in Europe, particularly in France and Ger- many, by many eminent practitioners, both in these cases and in derangements of the liver. They are given either in decoction, extract, syrup, or the ex- pressed juice. The tuberous root of Corydallis bulbosa has been employed as a substitute for the > PAPAVERACES. 123 instead of saliva, they reply that water would injure the opium. The opium is then wrapped in dry leaves, and is fit for sale. The seed is not injured by the extraction of the opium from the capsules. It appears, from the accounts of other travellers, that the process of ex- traction varies in different countries; thus, in Persia, Kaempfer states that the incisions are made transversely, with a many-bladed knife. In India, according to Mr. Royle (Productive Resources of India), the Poppy not being a native of tropical climates, is not cultivated during the hot months, but from October to March. He further states, that the plant requires good soil, and above all a careful management of the irrigation, as the strength of the ‘juice depends upon the quantity of moisture, and even that of the dew which collects upon the capsule,—a deficiency of it preventing the proper flow of the milky juice, whilst an excess, besides washing off the milk, sepa- rates the soluble from the insoluble portions of the Opium. ‘This is con- firmed by Mr. Texier, who says that, in Turkey, a few days’ rain in May and June, when the capsules are formed, causes a great loss of Opium. An inspection of different kinds of Opium also shows that the modes of ex- tracting it, and the subsequent manipulations it undergoes, vary according to the place in which it is grown; thus some of the Turkey Opiums have evi- dently undergone no other preparation than that of agglutination, as they are formed of small tears or drops, which would not be the case if prepared as noticed by Mr. Texier. In Persia, according to Kcempfer, it is pounded in a mortar with water, and is well worked with a waoden spatula, and hence the masses present no appearance of drops or tears, but are of a uniform texture. This is also the case with the Indian, which is subjected to additional mani- pulations before it is exposed for sale, which are thus described by Dr. O’Shaughnessy (Manual of Chemistry), as practised at the government. fac- tory at Behar: “‘ The reception of Opium at the government factories com- mences with the hot season and terminates late in the rains. The drug generally arrives in batches or chelans of several j jars, the production of one ztllah, or its subordinate kotés or districts. The jars contain from twenty seers to one maund, and it is no uncommon event to have five hundred of these paraded in the morning for the inspection of the Opium agent and his assistants. The first examination, and the resulting classification, are ex- tremely simple; the examiners thrust a slit bamboo into the contents of the _ jar, and judge from experience of the state of consistence, flavour, and colour of the specimen. Marks are chalked on the jar, according to the degree of each of these qualities, from 1. 1. 1. to 4, 4. 4. inclusive. Opium of the first class is of a fine chestnut colour, aromatic smell, and dense consistence; it is moderately ductile, and, when the mass is torn, breaks with a deeply-notched fracture, with sharp, needle-like fibres, translu- cent, and ruby red at the edges. 100 grains of this opium will yield to cold distilled water an extract of from 35 to 45. If 100 grains be evaporated at 212°, it loses from 20 to 28 per cent. of water, giving a consistence of: from 72 to 80, the standard of the factory. The gecond class is of a darker colour, less agreeable smell, softer texture, and often shows black specks on its surface and texture; it is more ductile, but breaks with a more even fracture. Its consistence ranges from 65 to 70, and yields an extfact averaging from 27 to 35 per cent. The third class is black, pasty, of a very heavy smell, drops from the examining rod, gives off from 40 to 50 per cent. of moisture on evaporation ; the extract is very dark and deliquesces rapidly. The last class comprises all that is too bad to be used in the manufacture of balls; it is of all colours, from deep black to —S 124 a ia MEDICAL BOTANY. bright brown, and of all degrees of consistence, from fluidity to a solid tex- ture. , After this examination, a portion is taken from each parcel and mixed to- gether, and from this, three samples, of 100 grains each, are weighed and evaporated to dryness; if the residue is above 70, a corresponding price is paid, and vice versa. The amount of extract is taken at the same time. On these data, the contents of the jars are sorted for mixture in great tanks ; the jars are then washed, and the washings, with the opium of the last class, is used as paste to agglutinate the covering of the petals in making up the balls or cakes. When all the opium has been received, the tanks are gradually cleared of their contents, and the soft mass exposed to the action of the air, until it dries to a consistence of 69 or 70. It is then made up into cakes, of a certain weight, each covered with a layer of the petals of the plant. These are care- fully dried. Some of the best opium is prepared with more care for the medical service, But it is not in Asia alone that opium has been collected ; many successful attempts have been made in England and other parts of Europe, but the cul- ture of the poppy for this purpose ‘has been very limited, and rather for the purposes of experiment than for sale. These trials have shown that an article fully equal to Turkey opium can be prepared, and at a lower price. There are many varieties of opium known in commerce, the principal of which are the Smyrna or Turkey, the Egyptian, and the East Indian, the two first of which alone come to the United States. The first is in irregular, rounded, or flattened cakes, enveloped in the petals of the plant, and covered with the capsules of a Rumex. The fracture is waxy, the odour strong, and the taste bitter and nauseous. ‘The Egyptian: is in round flattened cakes, of a more regular form than the last, covered with a leaf, but not with the seed- vessels of a Rumex. This is inferior to the Turkey, though sometimes par- cels are met with as rich in Morphia, but the quality is by no means uniform, No plant has more engaged the attention of chemists than the Poppy and its products ; but notwithstanding the numerous examinations made, nothing of importance was developed until 1803, when the investigations of Derosne, Seguin, Sertuerner, and others, showed that opium owed its powers to the presence of certain peculiar principles; and later experimenters, in following up the path thus opened to them, have demonstrated that this drug is extremely complex in its composition, containing no less: than 17 or 18 constituents, of which Morphia is the most important. These are morphia, narcotina, codeia, narceia, meconine, paramorphia, pseudomorphia, meconic acid, brown ex-. tractive, resin, fatty oil, gummy matter, caoutchouc, albumen, volatile oil, lignin, &c. It does not comport with the character of this work to enter into an examination of the methods of separating these various substances, nor their respective action on the human system; an able abstract on this subject will be found in Pereira’s Elements of Materia Medica. ; Effects of Opium.—The precise action of opium on the system has been the subject of much controversy, and the most opposite opinions have been pro- mulgated respecting it; some regarding it as a direct sedative, while others have asserted that it was a powerful stimulant; but it is now generally ad- mitted that it may be so given as to obtain from it both these effects, and that whilst the former are primary, and the result of a moderate dose, the latter are secondary, and caused by a larger quantity. When given in a moderate dose to a person not habituated to its use, it first produces excitement of the pulse, with a pleasant exhilaration of mind ; this is followed by a diminution of muscular power and a lessened susceptibility to external impressions, with PAPAVERACES, | 125 an irresistible tendency fo sleep ; all the secretions are diminished except that of perspiration, and there is often nausea and vomiting. ‘The stimulant ope- ration seldom lasts more than one hour, but the sedative effects persist for several, When an excessive dose is taken, the sedative influence is almost imme- diate, there being no stimulant stage: there is giddiness and stupor, which rapidly increase, and the person becomes insensible to all external impres- sions, with heavy and stertorous breathing, a slow and oppressed pulse, and contracted pupils. This state continues some time, when the pulse sinks, re- laxation of the muscles comes on, and death ensues, or else violent convul- sions come on, which cease a short time previous to the final event. The quantity requisite to produce these phenomena, varies with almost every individual. ‘To some constitutions opium is injurious in very small doses, whilst on others, again, it acts with very diminished powers ; this may arise from the effects of habit or the presence of pain, both of which modify the action of this drug in-an astonishing manner. The effects of habit in diminishing the powers of opium on the system are fully exemplified in the large quantities which are daily used with impunity by confirmed opium eaters ; thus, De Quincy, in his extraordinary work, the ‘‘ Confessions of an English Opium Eater,” acknowledges to have taken 8000 drops of laudanum or 210 grains of opium per diem ; and in Pereira’s Materia Medica a case is recorded, where an opium eater was in the habit of taking from 120 to 150 grains of solid opium in the same space of time. In Turkey, in consequence of the prohibition of wine and spirituous liquors, the consumption of opium as a stimulant was at one time very great, but of late years has much declined, from a relaxation of the laws respecting the sale of alcoholic drinks, though great numbers of ¢erzakis, or opium eaters, are still to be met with who take this narcotic in large quantities. At the opium shops, where it is sold, it is mixed with a rich syrup, or made up into small lozenges with spices. Notwithstanding the morbid effects produced by the use of opium, it has been disputed whether its habitual employment tends to shorten life, and Dr. Christison has given many cases, which serve to prove that it does not; but it is evident that these and other instances which have been adduced are merely exceptions to the general rule, and cannot be considered as establish- ing that the habitual use of a deleterious article is innocuous, for nothing can be more distressing than the condition of those who indulge in this species of intoxication, when they are not under the influence of the drug. Another mode in which opium is largely used, especially in China and the Malayan Archipelago, is that of smoking it; this appears even more injurious than taking it in substance. We are told that it occasions stupor, forgetful- ness, deterioration of the mental faculties, emaciation, debility, and loss of appetite ; and if the stimulus be withheld, a train of still more distressing symptoms, and even death, ensue. The action of opium is also greatly diminished where violent pain exists at the time of taking it, or in peculiar conditions of the system, as tetanus or mania a potu; in such cases, immense doses of opium have been adminis- tered with scarcely a sensible result, the disease appearing to overcome the powerful properties of the drug. Opium diminishes all the’ secretions, except that from the skin, which it generally promotes, more especially if given in combination with a small portion of ipecacuanha. It is also said not to arrest the secretion of milk or the catamenial discharge in females. In some cases, on the other hand, in- stead of arresting secretions and discharges, it promotes them, and will act 126 MEDICAL BOTANY. asa purgative or diuretic, according to the peculiar idiosyncrasy of the indi- vidual. When opium or any of its preparations have been taken in poisonous doses, the great object is to evacuate the contents of the stomach. This may be done either by means of emetics or the stomach-pump. ‘The best emetic in these cases is the sulphate of zinc in large doses; when not to be procured, the sulphate of copper. ‘Tartar emetic or ipecacuanha may be resorted to, or if not at hand, a spoonful of mustard or common salt mixed in a tumbler of warm water, will often prove effectual. Where it can be procured, the sto- mach-pump is the most effectual mode of thoroughly removing the poison ; after it has been thoroughly evacuated, the administration of coffee, and of some of the milder stimuli, has been found useful, and every means must be resorted to to prevent the patient from fallmg into a lethargy, by keeping him in continual motion ; in extreme cases, flagellation to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet has been found very successful. The affusion of cold water has also been used in some cases with decided benefit, even where other means had failed. When the respiratory function is imperfectly per- formed, artificial inflation of the lungs must be practised. General bleeding in these cases, more especially whilst any of the poison remains in the sto- mach, is decidedly injurious, as the abstraction of blood favours absorption. _ Topical bloodletting by means of ‘cups to the head, is, however, requisite in some cases; where a poisonous dose of opium has been taken, it generally proves fatal within twelve hours ; those who survive longer, usually recover, though cases have occurred where there was a partial recovery, followed by a fatal termination. The appearances after death in cases of poisoning by opium, are by no means marked, or indicative of the cause, being principally confined to a tur- gescence of the vessels of the brain, and even this is not always present. Where there are marks of inflammation in the alimentary canal, these are to be attributed to the vehicle in which the narcotic has been taken, and not to the poison itself. Opium is given in a vast variety of forms; in substance as sweden pill, or electuary, in solution, in tincture, and in combination with the vegetable acids, and in these various forms, either alone or in combination with other articles. Of late years, morphia and its salts have been much employed in- stead of opium or its preparations. ‘The forms recognised by the U. 8. Phar- macopeeia are pilule opil, confectio opii, pulv. ipecac. et opii, tinctura opil, tinc- tura opii camphorata, vinum opii, morphia, morphiz acetas, morphiz sulphas, The medium dose of opium is one grain ;.of the tincture, twenty-five drops; and of morphia and its salts, one-sixth of a grain. For full information on the subject of the preparations, reference may be had to Pereira’s Elements of Mat. Med. vol. ii. Several other species of poppy have been used in*medicine, but none of them have attained any celebrity except the P. rhwas or corn-poppy of Europe, now naturalized in some parts of the United States. This beautiful flower is exceedingly common in the grain fields of Europe, and proves very detri- mental to the agriculturist. It flowers in June and July, when its brilliant red petals render it a conspicuous object. Its capsules contain a milky juice in small quantities, similar to that of the P. soniniferum, but it is the petals only that are employed medicinally. These form the basis of a syrup which _ is recognised as officinal in some of the Pharmacopeeias, but is possessed of very feeble powers, and is seldom prescribed in this country. It is of a beau- tiful red colour, and has the power of tinging the mucous membrane of the stomach ofa bluish-red, resembling that caused by inflammation, ‘The dose of the syrup of poppies is from half an ounce to an ounce. PAPAVERACES.. , 127 SANGUINARIA.— Linn, Sepals 2. Petals 8.12. Stamens 24. Stigmas 2, connate. Pericarps oblong, pod-like, acute at each extremity, 2-valved. Seeds numerous, obovate. A genus named from the circumstance of the root containing a large quan- tity of a blood or rather orange-red juice; it consists of but ohne species, pe- culiar to North America. . S. CANADENSIS, Linn.—Leaves radical, solitary, cordate, lobed; scape sheathed at base, _ 1-flowered; petals oblong, obtuse. Linn. Sp. Pl. 723; Torrey & Gray, Fi. i. 62; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. i. 31; Bigelow, Med. Bot.i. 75; Rafinesque, Med. Flor. ii. 78; Lindley, Med. Flor. 16. Common names.—Blood root, Puccoon, Turmeric, &c. Description. — Root. a_ horizontal, fleshy rhizome, truncate or premorse, giving off a few fibres, and abounding , in a bright orange juice. The leaf and flower spring up together, the scape ’ and flower-bud being enveloped in the young leaf, which unfolds as the flower expands. The leaf is erect, supported on a long petiole, cordate or subreni- form, smooth, of a green colour above, and glaucous beneath. The scape is 1-flowered, erect. The calyx is formed of two ovate, obtuse sepals, which fall off as soon as the corolla expands; this is composed of eight or more spreading, oblong, obtuse petals, of a white colour. The stamens are nume- rous, short, with orange-coloured, ob- long anthers. The ovary is oblong and compressed, and crowned with two connate stigmas. The capsule is oblong, narrowed at each end, 2-valved, and containing numerous, obovate red seeds, with a white arillus. This beautiful plant is one of ‘the first harbingers of spring, ex- panding its delicate white petals in March and April. ‘It is found in most parts of the United States, in rich, light soil, on shaded banks, or at the edge of woods. The flowers are devoid of smell, and the petals are very caducous. The leaf is small whilst the plant is in blossom, ,but rapidly in- creases in size afterwards. The whole plant is pervaded with an acrid orange-coloured juice, which is in greatest abundance in the root. There are several varieties Fig. 72. S. canadensis. differing in the number and form of the petals, but none of them are perma- 128 “ MEDICAL BOTANY. nent. It has a marked tendency when in a wild state, to multiply its petals, and under cultivation often produces double flowers. It bears transplanta- tion very well, and thrives luxuriantly in a garden, | This plant was well known to the Indians, who employed it to paint them- selves with, and as a dye for a variety of articles. It has not been used to any extent in the arts, as the colour is apt to fade; if means could be found to render it permanent, it would become an important article to the manufac- turer. From experiments made by Dr. Downey, it appears that the sulphate of alumine will partially fix the colour on woollen stuffs, and the murio-sul- phate of lead on cotton and linen. Medical Uses.— The medicinal powers of Sanguinaria have been in- vestigated by Dr. Downey, who made it the subject of an inaugural disser- tation in 1803, and at a later period, in the fullest manner, by Dr. Tully, who considered it one of the most valuable of our native remedies. He attri- butes to it the action of squill, seneka, digitalis, guaiacum, and ammoniacum. This is evidently going too far, and has not been corroborated by the expe- rience of other practitioners, though there is no doubt of its active properties, which are those of an acrid narcotic, acting, in doses of ten grains to a seruple, “as a powerful emetic, and often occasioning a sense of burning heat in the stomach, with vertigo, prostration of strength, and other untoward symptoms. The root is generally used, but every portion of the plant is endowed with ‘active qualities; the seeds are apparently more narcotic than the root, and cause symptoms resembling those produced by stramonium. From the experiments of Dr. Dana, in 1824, it is shown that Sanguinaria owes its powers to the presence of an alkaloid principle, which he has called Sanguinarina, His analysis has been confirmed by that of Mr, C. J. Lee (Am. Jour. Pharm., i. 32). It is obtained by digesting the powdered root in alcohol, precipitating with ammonia, decolorizing by means of animal char- coal, redissolving in alcohol, and evaporating to dryness. The principle thus separated is of a white colour, changing, on exposure to the air, to a light yellow ; it is extremely acrid, and possesses the properties of an alkali. ‘The salts it forms with the acids are various rich shades of red, crimson, or scarlet. It has not as yet been employed in medicine. Sanguinaria has been successfully administered in. many diseases of the lungs, and has been recommended in rheumatism and diseases of the liver. The powder and decoction have also been found useful in the treatment of ill-conditioned ulcers, as an escharotic or wash. Dr. Shanks, of Tennessee, cured a case of gelatinous polypus with Sanguinaria, after extraction had twice failed. (Am. Jour. Med. Sct., Oct. 1842.) Its exact powers in these and other complaints require further investigation, and deserve the attention of the profession. It may be given in powder, of which the dose, as an emetic, is from 10 to 20 grains ; as a stimulant or expectorant, 3 to 5 grains several times a day. It may also be given in infusion, made with half an ounce of the root to a pint of water, the dose being a ‘tablespoonful. The tincture, which is officinal, may be administered in doses of half a drachm to half an ounce, according: to the indications to be fulfilled. Dr. Downey states that the leaves are used in veterinary practice in Mary- land, to produce sweating, and thus facilitate the shedding of their hair in the spring; and from our own experience with it for this purpose, we are con- vinced of its efficacy, and also of the powers of the fresh root, given at inter- vals, mixed with the usual food, in the destruction of bots in these animals. One or two roots, chopped fine and mixed with oats or in a mash, will be generally found sufficient. PAPAVERACES. oo 129 ARGEMONE.— Linn. Sepals 2. Petals 4-8. Stamens indefinite. Stigmas 4.7, nearly sessile, radiating, concave, free. Capsule obovate, opening at the apex by valves. Seeds globose, pitted, and reticulated. A small genus of annual glaucous plants, having sessile leaves, which are repand-sinuate or pinnatifid, with prickly teeth. ‘They abound in an acrid yellow juice.. They are principally found in warm climates, but have become naturalized 1 in the more temperate regions. 4 mexicana, Linn.—Leaves usually mottled with white; flowers solitary; calyx gla- brous, prickly ; petals yellow or white; capsules prickly. Linn., Sp. Pl. 727; Torrey and Gray, FV. i. 61; Botan. Mag. t. 243. Common Names.—Prickly Poppy, Yellow Thistle, Thorn Poppy. The Thorn Poppy is a native of Mexico, the West Indies, and the southern _and western parts of the United States, and has become naturalized in many parts of the world, especially in India. “The whole plant abounds with a milky, viscid juice, which, on exposure to the action of the air, becomes of a bright yellow colour, resembling gamboge. This juice has an acrid, un- pleasant taste, but is almost inodorous. Medical Uses.—The inspissated juice, according to Long (Hist. Ja- maic., iii, 845), has been found useful as a hydragogue purgative in dropsies and jaundice. In Java, the fresh juice is administered internally in obstinate cutaneous affections, and applied externally to warts, chancres, and ill-con- ditioned ulcers; and Ainslie (Mat. Ind., ii. 43) states that it is considered by the Hindoos as a valuable remedy in ophthalmia, rubbed on the tarsus, or even dropped into the eye. The seeds are employed, in the West Indies, as a substitute for ipecacu- anha, in doses of two drachms infused in a pint of water (Wright, Med. Plants W. Ind.) 'They also act on the bowels, and are used as a purgative in many parts of South America (Aublet, Hist. Guiane). An oil prepared from them has much reputation in India as an application to tinea capitis, and is also considered beneficial as an external application in cases of head- ache occasioned by exposure to the heat‘of the sun. It is likewise used as a purgative and deobstruent, and also for the domestic purpose of burning in lamps. It is asserted (Journ. de Pharm., xiv. 73) that this oil is as active as that of the Croton tighum ; but this ig erroneous, as is the statement of Long, that the seeds are a more powerful narcotic than opium. | The flowers are said by De Candolle (Essaz, iii.) to be administered in Mexico as a hypnotic. CHELIDONIUM.— Linn. Sepals 2. Petals 4, Stamens somewhat numerous. Capsule pod-shaped, narrow, 2-valved; valves dehiscing from base to apex. Seeds numerous, with a glandular cristate raphe. A genus of perennial herbs, furnished with a yellowish acrid juice, and containing probably but a single species, which is a native of Europe, but has become extensively naturalized in the United States and elsewhere. C. masus, Linn.—Peduneles many-flowered. Pedicels somewhat umbellate. Leaves pinnately divided, glaucous. Segments ovate, cuneately-incised or lobed, terminal one cu- neiform-obovate. Capsules torulose. 9 =. = -— - 130 MEDICAL BOTANY. Linn. Sp. Pl. 723; Eng. Bot. i. 1581; Woodville, i, 140; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 86 ; Torrey and Gray, FV. i. 62. Common names. —Celandine, Tetterwort. Celandine is a native of most parts of Europe, and is extensively natural- ized in the United States, growing in waste places, and flowering throughout the summer. ‘The whole plant is very brittle, and exudes when broken, an orange-coloured, foetid juice. Its taste is intensely bitter and acrid, occasion- ing a sense of burning in the mouth and fauces, which lasts for some time, The root is more powerful than the stems, and is the part generally used. The active principle is soluble both in water and alcohol, and although not volatile, is sumewhat diminished by drying. According to an analysis by Chevallier and Lassaigne (Jour. de Pharm. iii. 451), the juice of this plant contains—a bitter resinous substance, of a deep yellow colour; a gum-resin of an orange colour, having a bitter and nauseous taste; albumen ; some salts, &c. Thomson is of opinion that it is very analogous to gamboge ‘both in composition and properties. Medical uses.—Although Celandine is now, but seldom employed in regular practice, it at one time enjoyed a very high reputation as a stimulating aperient, diuretic, deobstruent, and sudorific, and was thought to be. particu- larly efficacious in the removal of obstructions of the liver, in promoting ex- pectoration, and in the cure of chronic cutaneous affections; thus Miller (Compend. Herb.) says, “it is aperitive and cleansing, opening obstructions of the liver and spleen, and of great use in curing the jaundice and scurvy. Some reckon it cordial and a good antidote against the plague. It is put into aqua mwrabuis. . Outwardly it is used for sore eyes, to dry up rheum, and , to také away specks and films, and also against tetters and ringworms, and © scurfy breakings out.” It may not be as effectual in the treatment of these various affections as is stated, but is certainly possessed of much activity, and is one of those remedies that has been unduly neglected in our rage for new and foreign drugs. According to the observations of numerous German practitioners, its bene- ficial results in scrofula are unequivocal ; Wendt and Kuntzmann have given cases where it proved completely successful in this disease (Jour. Hufland, 1813). As a drastic and hydragogue purgative it appears fully equal to _ gamboge, and might replace it in all cases in which the foreign article is used. It has also been recommended as an external application to the feet, in those cedematous swellings succeeding fevers. Recamier is of opinion that it has a peculiar elective action on the spleen, and hence is very effectual in removing engorgements of that viscus. Externally the juice has long been known as a caustic for the removal of warts, and is said to be very efficacious in stimulating and healing old and indolent ulcers, speedily removing fungous flesh, and giving a healthy action to the torpid and indolent granulations. Hildanus, Ettmuller, Geoffroy, and others attest the powers of the juice, when diluted with some bland liquid, in specks and opacities of the cornea. A cataplasm of the bruised leaves has also been successfully used in herpes and obstinate psora. The dose of the dried root is from Sss. to 3j.; of the fresh juice from 30 to 40 drops, mixed with some bland liquid; of the watery extract 5 to 10 grains ; and of the vinous tincture about 5}. to ij. BRASSICACE. 131 Group ViI.—Cruciferales, Orver 10.—BRASSICACE.— Lindley. Herbaceous, rarely shrubby plants, with alternate leaves, and small white, yellow, or whitish-purple flowers. Sepals 4, deciduous. , Petals 4, hypogynous, alternate with the sepals, cruciate, regular, nearly equal. Stamens 6, two of which are shorter, and usually inserted rather lower than the others; the other four in pairs. Anthers introrse. Torus with 2 or-more glands, between the stamens and the ovary. Ovary generally of 2 cells, with a membranaceous (spurious) partition. Style short or none, with a two-lobed or double stigma. Pericarp a silique or silicle, opening by the two valves separating from the permanent placenta, usually 2-celled, many-seeded (rarely 1-celled, and indehiscent.) Seeds mostly pendulous, attached in single’ rows to each edge of the placenta, with no albumen. Embryo with the cotyledons variously folded on the radicle. This is a very extended and, at the same time, very natural family of plants, all the species composing it being closely allied in structure and pro- perties. It is divided into two great sections, founded on the structure of the fruit, the Scdiquose and the Szliculose, It is equivalent to the 15th class of the sexual system, or Tetradynamia, a striking instance of a perfectly natural group in a purely artificial arrangement. It has been divided by botanists into many tribes, founded on the number and character of the cotyledons, which tribes are again subdivided, according to the structure of the pericarp. The Brassicaceze are all more or less acrid and pungent. In some of them, this acrid principle is in union with a considerable quantity of muci- lage, when they become useful articles of food. The acridity in all of them appears to depend on a volatile oil, which is dissipated by heat. A very large number of culinary vegetables and condiments are derived from this class, as all the varieties of Cabbage, the Turnip, Mustard, Horse Radish, Cress, &c. As medicinal agents they are of little importance, though from the pun- gency of the volatile oil contained in some of them, they are frequently em- | ployed as external stimulants, and sometimes administered internally to excite the intestinal canal. They are, however, all useful as antiscorbutics. ‘The U.S. Pharmacopeeia recognises but two of them as officinal, the Horse Radish and Mustard. CocHLEARIA.— Linn. Silicle ovate, globose, or oblong ; valves ventricose. Seeds many,not bordered. Calyx equal, spreading. Petals 2-parted. Stamens not toothed. Style short or none. Flowers white. Leaves usually fleshy. C. armoracia, Linn. — Radical leaves, oblong, crenate; cauline leaves lanceolate, dentate, or incised. Silicle ellipsoid. Linn. Sp. Pl. 904; Eng. Bot. xxxiii. t. 2323; Woodville, Med. Bot. t. 150 ; Stephenson and Churchill, Med. Bot. ii. 114; Lindley, Med. Flor. Common Name.—Horse bedah, Foreign Names,—Grand Raifort, Moutarde des allemands, F’r. ; Meerettig, Gr.; Barba forte, Rafano, J. aie a 1382 MEDICAL BOTANY. Description.—The root is long, white, Fig. 73. cylindrical, striking deep into the earth. The stem is round, erect, branched, and about two feet high. The radical leaves are large, petiolated, of a dark green colour, — crenate, waved, and sometimes lobed; those of the stem are few, scattered, smaller, ses- sile, lanceolate, sometimes entire, but gene- rally more or less toothed. The flowers are numerous, white, and in terminal clusters... The sepals are ovate, concave, and deciduous. The petals are obovate, twice as long as the sepals, and ungui- ‘ culate. The stamens are as long as the calyx, incurved and supporting heart- shaped anthers. The ovary is oblong, with a short style, bearing a short capitate - stigma, and changing into an elliptical, compressed, bilocular pod, containing about four seeds in each cell, many of which are abortive. ; The Horse Radish is a native of many parts of Europe, growing na- turally in moist and rich soils, and has. long been cultivated for the sake of its roots, which are exten- sively used as a condiment. When 1. Radical leaf. 2. Raceme. 3. Stamens and planted in gardens it is. extremely pistils. 4. Pistil. 5. Silicle. difficult to be eradicated, as the roots ‘are furnished with many buds or eyes, each of which will give rise toa plant. They should always be grown in a rich and somewhat moist soil, otherwise they will be small and stringy. This plant is said to have been known to Dioscorides and Hippocrates, but this is extremely doubtful, though it was in use in the time of Pliny, The root, which is the only part used, has a pungent odour, and a warm ‘acrid taste with a slight sweetness. It imparts its properties to water and alcohol, and in a still greater degree to vinegar. These qualities depend on the presence of a volatile oil which is dissipated by heat or desiccation ; on drying, the root first becomes sweetish, and afterwards nearly insipid ; it may be kept for a long time uninjured if covered with sand in a cool place. Its principal use is for a condiment to various kinds of animal food and more espe- cially to beef, for which purpose it is grated or scraped and mixed with vinegar, if this preparation is kept in well-closed jars, it retains its pungency for a long time. : ; Medical Properties, §-c.—As a remedial agent it acts very much like mus- tard, but promotes the secretions, especially that of urine, in a more marked manner. When taken into the stomach in any quantity, it excites that organ powerfully, and also operates as a sudorific and diuretic. It was at one time considered useful in paralysis and chronic rheumatism, and was used with success by Sydenham’ in dropsy supervening on intermittent fever. The infusion acts as an emetic, and like mustard, may be employed where there is torpidity of the stomach, either alone, or to aid the operation of other emetics. It has also been prescribed as a masticatory in paralysis of the tongue. Dr, Cullen states that a drachm of the root infused in four ounces of boiling © water in a close vessel, and made into a syrup with double its weight of sugar, acts very beneficially in the removal of hoarseness arising from re- C. armoracia. BRASSICACES. 133 laxation or a deficiency of secretion; a teaspoonful is to be taken at a time and swallowed very leisurely, repeating the dose from time to time. Dr. Withering also says that an infusion of this root in milk forms an excellent and safe cosmetic. Horse Radish has likewise been used as an external irritant, for which purpose it should be grated fine and mixed with vinegar ; it acts promptly and energetically on the skin, and is a far neater application than a sinapism and in most cases quite as effectual. The dose of the root is one or two drachms cut into small pieces or grated. Another species of this genus, C. officenalis, or Scurvy grass, is admitted into many Pharmacopeeias, but is more generally used as a salad, than as a remedial agent. It possesses the sensible qualities of the order in a marked degree, and hence has been found very useful in scurvy, as its common name indicates. It has also been recommended in various other diseases, but is now deservedly abandoned and forgotten, except as a culinary vegetable. Srnapis.—Linn, Silique somewhat terete, valves ribbed. Styles short, acute. Seeds in a single row, subglobose. Calyx spreading. The genus Sinapis is composed of numerous species of herbaceous plants, with yellow flowers, and lyrate, incised or pinnatifid leaves. They are almost all annual or biennial, and are found in all parts of the world. ‘Two of them are recognised as officinal in most Pharmacopeeias. The general name is that by which it is spoken of by Pliny and others; it was also noticed by Theophrastus and Dioscorides, and its properties fully known to them. De Theis is of opinion that the Romans derived their name for it from the Celtic, as Nap in that language is used for most of the cruciferous plants. The common name is supposed to be derived from mustwm ardens, hot must, as the must of wine was formerly employed to prepare it for use. 1. S. nigra, Linn.—Siliques somewhat quadrangular, smooth, appressed to the stem; lower leaves lyrate, upper leaves linear, lanceolate, entire. Linn. Sp. Pl. 933; Torrey and Gray, FU. i. 99; Stokes, Med. Bot. iii. 475; Woodville, Med. Bot.t. 151; Stephenson and Churchill, Med. Bot. 1. 42; Lindley, Med. Flor. 92. Common Names.—Black Mustard ; Mustard. Foreign Names.—Moutarde, Fr.; Schwartzer Senfe, Gz.; Senape, JZ. The Black Mustard is a native of the temperate regions of Europe, and is a troublesome weed in the grain fields ; it has become naturalized in many parts of the United States, but is not very common in a wild state ; it is, however, grown to some extent in many parts of the country, both for do- mestic use and as an article of commerce. The only parts used are the seeds ; these are small and round, of a dark colour externally and yellowish within. They have little or no smell when entire, but when bruised exhale a peculiar odour, which becomes pungent on the addition of water or vinegar. The principal use of the Black Mustard seed is as a condiment, for which purpose it is prepared in several modes. In England, and most gene- rally in this country, after being ground, the bran or husk is separated from the flour, which is then of a dark lemon colour. In France, the ground seed is used without sifting ; this affords a brownish-yellow flour, which, although not as sightly, is far more powerful than when it is prepared in the English method. No article in common use is more often adulterated than flour of mustard ; in some cases, what is sold: as such, does not contain a particle of it, being composed of wheat flour, coloured with turmeric and rendered pun- ete an eB 134 MEDICAL BOTANY. gent by red pepper. The seeds of many of the other Cruciferee are also used as substitutes for, or adulterations of, the mustard ; of these the wild Radish is the best, as with the exception of colour, it affords a flour in every respect similar to the Sinapis. In the East Indies, the seeds of several other | species of Sinapis, as the orientalis and chinensis are used both in domestic economy and in medicine, instead of those of the nigra. Medical Properties, §-c.—The qualities of mustard are those of a volatile acrid stimulant; in small quantities it excites the stomach and promotes diges- tion, in larger doses it acts as an emetic, and in undue quantity causes all the phenomena of gastro-enteritis. When applied to the skin, it acts promptly and powerfully as a local excitant, producing redness, burning pain, and if long continued even vesication and ulceration. The dose, as an emetic, is from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful in a glass of water, and it is preferable to most other evacuants of the stomach, when this viscus is in an atonic condition, as it will often act when tartar-emetic or ipecacuanha wholly fail in producing emesis. In some cases it is given as a diuretic ; for this purpose the best form of exhibition is mustard whey. The most general use of this article is for the purpose of stimulating the sur- face, in the form of a cataplasm. In making a mustard poultice, the best mode is to mix it with equal parts of rye or linseed flour and moisten to the proper consistence with warm but not boiling water, as the latter coagulates the albuminous or gummy constituents, and prevents the extrication of the volatile oil on which the irritating properties depend. Boiling vinegar has been recommended, but the experiments of Trousseau and others, show that the acetic or any other acid deprives the mustard of much of its. activity. The analyses of mustard, by Pelouze, Robiquet, Bussy, and many other chemists, show that its constituents are numerous and many of them very peculiar ; the most important of these are myronic acid, myrosyne, and sina- pisin, and it is to the mutual action of these on each other when water is added to the powdered seeds, that the volatile oil is owing, this principle not existing in a formed state in them ; this is shown by alcohol extracting no volatile oil from the powder, but after the generation of this by a mixture of thé farina with water, the alcohol takes it up readily. 2. S. ausa, Linn -—Siliques hispid, not appressed to stem, shorter than the beak. Leaves byrate. Linn. Sp. Pl. 923; Stokes, Med. Bot. iii. 474 ; pei ek and Churchill, Med. Bot. i. 42; Lindley, Med. Flor, 92. Common name.—White Mustard. foreign names -—Moutarde Blanche, Fr. ; Luchettone, Jt. ; Senfsamen, Gr. Like the last-mentioned species the White Mustard is a native of Europe, but is also cultivated for the sake of its seeds. These, although resembling those of the Black Mustard in their qualities, are much milder, though they are frequently employed in the manufacture of mustard for table use. ‘They attained great celebrity at one time in the treatment of dyspepsia and other atonic conditions of the stomach and bowels, and were considered as a panacea in all complaints of the digestive organs, but as with all other popu- lar remedies, their injudicious use often produced a far worse train of evils than those they were intended to remedy. . Given in doses of a spoonful once or twice a day, they sometimes prove beneficial by stimulating the digestive organs to a regular performance of their functions, but on the other hand - ie Pa) ‘as besides the common constituents ‘CAPPARIDACEZ. 135 they have caused great irritation of the stomach and bowels, and in some cases fatal results have ensued. . - The analysis of the white mustard seed would seem to prove that it differed much in composition from the black, Fig. 74. Fig. 75. of oily seeds, it is said to contain two peculiar principles, sw/phosena- pisin and erucin, and a non-vola- tile acrid principle is developed by the action of water on the farina, precisely as the acrid volatile oil is developed in the black mustard. (See Pereira, Elem. Mat. Med. ii.686.) It is extraordinary that two Seeds so analogous in their physical proper- ties and derived from closely allied plants, should present such different constituents on analysis. Many other plants of this order have been and are still used as re- | medial agents, though their efficacy is extremely problematical. Thus the Cardamine pratensis, is_ said to be diuretic, sudorific and anti- : spasmodic, and the flowers were Fig. 73. S. alba. Fig. 74. S. nigra. once employed in epilepsy in chil- dren, and were recommended by Sir George Baker in cholera and spas- modic asthma. (Med. Trans. i, 442.) Several species of Szsymbrium, Erysimum and Nasturtium have likewise been celebrated as anti-scorbutics, and as remedies against hoarseness. The seeds of several of them, espe- cially of the genus Brassica, furnish large quantities of oil, much used in the arts, under the name of rapeseed oil. Those of Avabis chinensis are pre- scribed by Hindoo practitioners as stomachic and gently stimulant, but are said to produce abortion in pregnant females, if imprudently given. The root of one species, Isatis tinctorta, yields a blue colouring matter, called woad, formerly a favourite dye, until superseded by Indigo. Numerous species are cultivated as ornamental plants, as the wall flower, stock, rocket, &c. Orver 11.—CAPPARIDACEA.—Lindley. _ Sepals 4, either distinct, imbricated or valvate, equal or unequal, or cohering in a tube, the limb of which is variable in form. Petals 4, hypogynous, cruciate or irregular, usually unguiculate and more or less unequal, sometimes wanting. Stamens seldom tetradynamous, usually 6-12 or a high multiple of 4, definite or indefinite, inserted on a short or sometimes elongated torus; anthers innate or introrse, with a longitudinal de- hiscence. Ovary stipitate or sessile, 1-celled, with two or more parietal placente ; style none or filiform ; stigma generally roundish. Fruit either pod-shaped and dehiscent, or baccate, rarely 1-2, mostly many-seeded. Seeds generally uniform, exalbuminous, but with the lining of the testa tumid. Embryo curved; cotyledons flattish, foliaceous: radicle taper, turned to the hilum. A somewhat extensive order of herbs, shrubs, or rarely small trees, with alternate, petiolated, undivided or palmate leaves, without true stipules, but sometimes with spines in their places. The species are chiefly natives of the 136 MEDICAL BOTANY. tropics, a few, however, are found in more northern regions, especially in North America. The physical properties of the order are somewhat analo- gous to those of the cruciferous plants, but there is also conjoined in many o | OE at them an acrid and poisonous principle, rendering them suspicious and even dangerous. Thus the bark of the root of Crateva gynandra blisters like cantharides ; this is the case also with several species of Capparis, Polanisia and Cleome. Many have been employed medicinally, among which may be noticed the Polanisia graveolens, a native of the United States, which is an active anthelmintic, much resembling in its effects Chenopodium anthelmin- ticum ; the whole plant is used either in powder, decoction, or syrup. It was first noticed by Schéepf, and is a popular remedy in some parts of the country. The Cleome felina is stated by Dr. Hamilton to be used in India, bruised with milk and sugar, against epistaxis. (Ainslie, Mat. Ind. ii. 360.) The C. tcosandra is employed in Cochin-China, as a rubefacient (De Candolle, Essaz, iii.) The C. triphylla has some Fig. 76. reputation in Haytias an anti-scor- : butic. (Flor. Med. des Antill. i. 202.) The C. viscosa is said to.be used in India in cases of deafness. (Rheede, Malabar, ix. 23.) The Gynandropsis pentaphylla, a na- tive of Asia and the United States, is considered in the former as a power- ful sudorific, and is used externally in headache and other cephalic affec- tions ; a decoction of the seeds also is employed in convulsive attacks and typhus, ( Aznsize, ii. 452.) Dr, Macfadyen also states that the juice, either alone or mixed with oil, is an excellent remedy in ear-ache, as a topical application, (Flor. Jam.) The best known plants of this order are those species of Capparis, as the spinosa, rupestris, g-c., which furnish the flower buds used to make the celebrated pickle and con- diment called Capers. These are stimulating, anti-scorbutic, and even. aperient. Another species, the C. sodada, has a narcotic odour, and its acrid stimulating fruit is em- ployed to promote fecundity ; and A ail . the roots of the C., sed¢quosa are re- 1. Flower. 2. A petal. 3. Calyxandovary 4. Sec- puted to be anthelmintic, aperient tion of fruit, 5. Section of seed. 6. Embryo. and’ stimulant. (Flor, des Antiil, i, 141.) The same properties are attributed to the Cadaba indica. An in- fusion of .C. cynophallophora has been found useful in dropsy. (Flor. Jam.) It is evident that this order is endowed with active qualities, and is de- serving of attention in a pharmacological point of view, but our information on the subject is extremely vague, and will require much investigation of the real properties of the several species, to ascertain their value as therapeutic agents, or to admit them into the already overcrowded lists of the Materia Medica. a i at aS 4, , Hea \\ 48 Bey, LC ¥, eae hid \schttes. ir MENED SEDC Cec Marigot STE x yf. SN Ke \ hl e : CISTACEA, 137 OrvER 12.—RESEDACEA.—De Candolle. be qe 4.6, somewhat connected at base, persistent. Petals 4-6, or by abortion fewer, fleshy, having lacerated appendages at the back, unequal, Stamens definite, in- on a flat, rounded, hypogynous disk ; filaments erect; anthers 2-celled, opening udinally. Ovary sessile, l-celled, 3- 4 lobed, usually with 3-6 parietal placenta ; ; stigmas 3, glandular, sessile. Fruit dry and membranous, rarely succulent, opening at the apex; or apocarpous, with empty carpels round a central placenta. Seeds numerous, reniform, smooth or pitted ; embryo taper, arcuate; albumen none, or scarcely any. Herbaceous plants or rarely small shrubs, with alternate, entire or pin- nately-divided leaves, and small, gland-like stipules. They are all natives of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean, with the exception of a very few species, one of which is pectliar to California. It is difficult to ascertain the exact station of this order, but as it agrees with the Capparidacez in its seeds, hypogynous disk, parietal placente and curved embryo, I have fol- lowed Lindley in placing it in the present group instead of the following. The species are unimportant in a medicinal point of view, though some of them were formerly esteemed as endowed with considerable powers. The genus Leseda derivés its name from a plant noticed by Pliny (lib. xxvii. c. 12), which was used as a topical calmant to abscesses, pronouncing at the same time the words reseda morbus. The R. luteola or Weld, a native of Europe and naturalized in some parts of the United States, affords a yellow dye for wool- len stuffs, and has been known for a long time, being noticed by Virgil under the name of Croceum luteum. It was formerly considered to be diaphoretic and alexipharmic, and was employed as an antidote in snake-bites, and is also stated to be a powerful vermifuge, and to be the basis of Darbon’s reme- dy against the tenia. The R. phytewma is said by the old writers to be aphrodisiac, but is used as a garden vegetable by the modern Greeks, Le- mery (Dzct. 715), speaks of the A. sesamoides as a good vulnerary and detersive. The most celebrated of these plants is the R. odorata, so familiar under the name of Mignonette, for its fragrancy. The properties of the other species of this order have not been ascertained, but it is probable that they are inert, and of little value. ORDER 13.—CISTACE.— Lindley. Sepals 5, persistent; two outer, small or wanting; three inner, imbricated. «Petals 5, or by abortion 3 or more, caducous, hypogynous. Stamens indefinite, seldom few, dis- tinct, hypogynous ; anthers short, innate. Ovary of 3-5 connected carpels; styles and stigmas generally united. Pericarp 3-5 valved, l-celled, with parietal placente, or 3-5 celled, with dissepiments arising from the centre of the valves. Seeds few or numerous. Embryo nearly straight or spirally convolute. The Cistaceee are herbaceous or small shrubs with simple, and generally entire leaves, which are opposite or alternate, the lowest always opposite, and in many cases having stipules. The flowers are red, white, and yellow, and are in some cases large and showy, but at others, very small and inconspi- cuous. They are found in most parts of the world, but the larger proportion of the species are natives of temperate climates. The medical properties of the order are slight and unimportant ; some of the species, however, furnish a resinous, somewhat balsamic product, parti- cularly the Cistus creticus, from which the Ladanum is obtained. The Cochlospermum gossypium of India affords a gum called Kuteera, used as a substitute for Tragacanth. A decoction of the roots of C. zmsigne is 138 MEDICAL BOTANY. employed in Brazil in internal pains, and that of C. ¢énctoria in amenorrhea, and as a yellow dye. The Helanthemum vulgare was at one time used as a vulnerary, and in the treatment of phthisis, and Kramer states that he has’ seen cures effected by it. The H. canadense is also employed by empirics * in this country in scrofulous complaints, both internally in decoction, and ex- ternally as cataplasms, | * Cistus.— Linn. 9 Calyx regular. Corolla with 5 equal petals. Stamens numerous. Style simple. Cap- sule 5-celled, many-seeded. C. creticus, Linn.—Sepals lanceolate ; leaves ovate, spathulate, rugose, without sti- pules. : Linn, Syst. Veg. 497 ; Richard, Elem. d’ Hist. Mat. Med. ii.743; De Can- dolle, Prod. i. 264; Lindley, Flor. Med. 131. Common names.—Rock rose; Rose of Crete. Foreign names.—Ciste de Crete, Fr. Cisto, Ladano, Zt. Cisten, Ger. Description.—A small shrub, with di- varicate, pubescent branches, furnished which are waved at their edges, and pu- bescent on both surfaces; they are sup- ported on a broad and membranaceous petiole. The flowers are pedunculate, large, of a beautiful rose colour, and are generally in threes at the end of the branches. As in all the other species, they last but one day. The calyx has five ovate-lanceolate, pubescent sepals much smaller than the petals, and per- sistent. The stamens are numerous, of a golden colour. The pericarp is a globose, pubescent capsule, almost co. vered by the calyx, and opening by five valves. - Itis a native of Syria, and of many of the islands of the Medi- terranean Archipelago, growing in dry and stony situations, and cul- tivated elsewhere for the beauty of its flowers. From it and other species of the genus, a resinous substance is collected, known un- der the name of Ladanum. ‘This is a natural exudation from the plant, and is obtained for use in a variety of modes. In former times, it is stated by Dioscorides, it was collected by combing the beards of goats which had browsed upon | the plant. At present, the usual OC; eretiount plan is to beat or brush the bushes by means of a.kind of rake, formed of a double row of leathern thongs ; to these the resin adheres, and is after- ” with ovate, somewhat spathulate leaves, % | VIOLACES. 139 wards removed by scraping them with knives. As found in commerce, it is very impure, containing a very large propor- tion of dirt and sand. When pure, the smell is balsamic and agreeable, and the taste some- ¥ what bitter and aromatic. It is insoluble in : water, but is almost wholly dissolved by alco- hol. According to Guibourt, it consists of re- sin and volatile oil, 86 ; wax, 7; aqueous ex- tract, 1; impurities,6. This analysis being of | the pure article, differs widely from that of Pel- letier, who examined this substance as usually : found in the shops, which afforded him but 20 Rahat teu . of resin, whilst there was 72 of sand and impu- |. Tities. | Ladanum is now but seldom used as a medicinal agent, though it was for- | merly in some repute as an ingredient in several stimulating plasters, oint- ments, and theriacs. Its principal employment is in perfumes, and as a con- stituent in aromatic pastilles. | Group VII,—Violales. | Orver 14.—VIOLACEH.—De Candolle. Sepals 5, persistent, produced at base. Petals 5, alternate with the sepals, hypogy- nous, usually unequal, the upper one generally spurred or saccate at base. Stamens 5, alternate with the petals, inserted on the hypogynous disk, filaments dilated and project- ing beyond the anthers, two of them usually with a gland at base. Anthers 2-celled, : innate, introrse, opening longitudinally. Ovary 1-celled, of 3 united carpels, with 3 pari- etal placente. Style sometimes declined or‘curved, with an oblique cucullate stigma. Pericarp a 1-celled, 3-valved, many-seeded capsule. ‘Seeds often with a tumour at base, and a horny testa. Embryo straight-in the axis of a fleshy albumen. The Violacez consist of herbs or shrubs, with simple, petiolate, generally alternate leaves, having two stipules. The roots of almost all of them are nauseous and emetic.’ The species of Viola are most numerous in temperate climates, whilst those of Jonidium are almost peculiar to South America, where many of them are known under the name of Ipecacuanha. Viota.— Linn. Sepals 5, unequal, more or less appendaged at base. Petals 5, unequal, the upper (by re-supination the. lower) calcarate at base. Stamens approximate, filaments distinct. Anthers connate. Capsule bursting elastically. This extremely numerous genus is composed of small Nectaecans plants, which are mostly perennial, having a fleshy rhizome or subterraneous stem, or a visible stem and fibrous roots. The leayes are alternate. The flowers are solitary on angular peduncles, and generally blue, yellow, or white. De Candolle enumerates many species, of which over 30 are natives or have become naturalized in North America. The derivation of the name is not known, but many conjectures have been hazarded by etymologists, all of which are rather fanciful than just; thus one says it is indicative of the powerful scent of the plant, “a vi olendi;” another insists that it is a dimi-- nutive of vza, because “ quod juxta vias nasci amat.”” Whatever may be its derivation, the plant has been known from the earliest ages, both as a theme for the poet and as a medicinal agent. V. oporaTa, Linn.—Stemless. Leaves cordate, smooth as well as the footstalks. Sepals obtuse. Lateral petals with a hairy line in the centre. 140 MEDICAL BOTANY. Linn., Sp. Pi., 1824; Engl. Bot., ii. 619; Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med., ii. 440; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 29; Lindley, Flor. Med., 97. Common Names.—Violet, Sweet Violet, Garden Violet. Foreign Names.— Violette odorante, Fr.; Viola mammola, /.; Blaue veilchen, Gr. This Violet is a native of every part of Europe, and is also found in many parts of Asia; it is not indigenous to the United States, but has become natu- ralized in some places, It is well known as occupying a place in every gar- den, on account of the early appearance and fragrance of its flowers. There are numerous varieties, both as regards colour and the multiplication of the petals. The Violet is mentioned by Homer, Theophrastus, and most of the ancient writers; but it has been stated by Lord Mahon (Letter to the Antt- guarvan Soc.) that the Violet of these authors was a species of Iris, and that this latter plant is still called vzola in Sicily. His arguments, however, are far from satisfactory, and any evidence drawn from the name is applicable to numerous other plants besides the Iris, as the Italians term a variety of sweet-smelling plants vzola. The odour of the Violet is extremely pleasant and grateful to most persons, - but is repugnant and even injurious to some individuals, causing headache and vertigo; and Triller reports a case where it caused apoplexy in an old lady. The Violet at one time‘enjoyed a high reputation as a remedial agent, but is now only used in the preparation of a syrup from the flowers, which is a mild laxative and demulcent; but is still more employed by chemists as a reagent in the detection of acids and alkalies. ‘The seeds. are also somewhat purgative; and Bichat states that three or four drachms of them, made into an emulsion with sugar and water, acts as a mild and pleasant purgative. The roots are possessed of far more energetic properties, being emetic and purgative, in about the same doses as ipecacuanha, for which they have been proposed as a substitute ; but they have the disadvantage of being uncertain in their effects, sometimes acting very powerfully,.and at others producing little or no impression, They owe this power to the presence of a peculiar principle, discovered by Boullay in every part of the plant, but principally in the roots and seeds, and which he calls vzolzne. This is closely allied to emetine in composition and action, and was at one time considered as identi- cal with it. Several other species of violet have been used in medicine, and have been spoken of in high terms by different writers. One only’is officinal in our national Pharmacopeeia, the V. pedata, a native of the United States, and re- markable for the size and beauty of its flowers and its many-parted leaves. It has been successfully employed as an expectorant and demulcent, and may be considered an equivalent to the V. odorata of Europe. Much stronger testimony has been adduced of the powers of two of the caulescent species, the V. arvensis and V. tricolor, more especially by German writers, These two plants long enjoyed the reputation of being excellent depuratives, but were not fully experimented with until Strack made them the subject of a dis- sertation in 1776, Since then the observations of Metzer, Ploucquet, and others have shown that they are possessed of much efficacy in the treatment of cutaneous diseases, and especially of that obstinate and unpleasant erup- tion, crustea lactea. On the other hand Alibert denies their powers; but it does not appear that his opinion is founded on actual experiment. The fresh plant, or its juice, is to be used, as drying destroys its active qualities. _ Straek states that when this remedy has been taken for some time, the urine becomes extremely foetid, smelling like that of the cat. According to Ber- gius, these plants are extremely mucilaginous, an ounce and a half in twelve VIOLACES. 141 of water producing a consistent jelly. From the strong proofs brought for- ward of the efficacy of these plants in the treatment of chronic diseases of the skin, they well deserve a further trial, and as the V. tricolor is to be found in every garden, the fresh herb can always be procured. Ionrp1uM.— Ventenat. - Sepals small, membranaceous at margin, unequal. Petals unequal, marcescent. Sta- mens five, approximate. Filaments short, dilated, bearing the anthers near the base. Ovary sessile, 1-celled, 6-seeded. Style declined. Pericarp 3-valved, with a loculicidous suture. Seeds shining, truncate at apex. The species composing this genus was formerly included in Viola, until separated by Ventenat. They are herbaceous or suffruticose plants, mostly peculiar to South America, two species only occurring in the United States. It was at one time supposed that the Ipecacuanha was the product of one or more plants of this genus, as the roots of the whole or of the greater number of them are endowed with analogous properties, and are much used as substi- tutes in Brazil. The most prominent of them.are the I. zpecacuanha, I. par- viflorum, and IL, microphyllum. I. 1recacuanua, Linn.—Hirsute. Stem erect, herbaceous, Leaves alternate, lanceo- late, acutely serrate. Peduncles bibracteate, axillary, solitary. Calyx glandular, dentate. Aublet, Guian. 313; Ventenat, Malm. 23; Martius, Spec. Mat. Med. Bras. 14; Lindley, Flor. Med. 98. Description.—Root perennial, ligneous, perpendicular, four to six inches in length; the old roots about the size of the little finger, the younger about that of a goose-quill. Stem cylindrical, branching, somewhat pilose. Leaves alternate, obovate, acute, dentate, on a short petiole, and having two linear stipules at base. Flowers pedicellate, solitary, with two or three small, linear bracts. Calyx hairy, glandular. Corolla irregular, two upper petals narrow, and not longer than the sepals, the two lateral broad and twice the length, the inferior still longer. Stamens distinct. Anthers not connate, having a mem- branaceous appendage at their apex. Pericarp almost triangular, 1-celled, 3-valved. This species occurs very plentifully in sandy soils in Brazil, Colombia, and some of the West Indian islands, flowering in July and September. It is known in Brazil under the name of Ipecacuanha branca, or white vomiting root, and is much prized by the inhabitants as an emetic. Martius states that he often observed large parcels of it dried and kept for use. The mode of preparation is to shave the cortical portion from the root, and infuse it in water for twelve hours; the dose of the infusion is from half a drachm to a drachm, in which quantities it acts mildly, but with much certainty. This root has been known in commerce under the name of white Ipecacuanha, and is sometimes to be found mixed with the true article, but may always be distinguished from it, by its want of the rings so characteristic of the genuine drug. Its properties, however, seem almost identical with the real Ipecacuanha, and the analysis \\\ of it by Richard shows that its chemical composition #)\) is very analogous to it. A sufficient number of expe- riments have not been made with it to establish its exact value, but it would appear from all that is known re- specting it, that it might be used instead of the true Ipecacuanha, without inconvenience. Root of I. ipecacuanha. — 142 MEDICAL BOTANY. 2. I. micropHyLttum, Humb.—Stem procumbent, shrubby. Leaves ovate. Stipules longer than the petioles. Peduncles with a hairy line on one side, longer than the leaves. ‘Lindley, Flor. Med. 98; Bancroft, Comp. to Bot. Mag. i. 278 ; Amer. Jour. Pharm. vii. 186, vil. 125. Description.—Root ligneous, round, tortuous, much-branched, Stem somewhat shrubby, procumbent, round, tubular, the branches pubescent on two of their sides. Leaves alter- nate, oval, cuneate at base, serrate, with the apex of the teeth glandular. Petioles short. Stipules longer than the petioles, ovate, lanceolate. Flowers on solitary, axillary pedun- cles, which are longer than the leaves, with a single line of pubescence. Calyx persist- ent; the sepals smooth, ovate, acute. Corolla very unequal, marcescent, the lower petal much longer than the others. Stamens distinct, with the anthers near the base, and ex- panding above into an ovate membrane, which surrounds the style. Anthers destitute of glands. Capsule somewhat trigonal, 1-celled and 3-valved, few-seeded, Seeds globose- ovate, dark-brown, shining. Some years since the attention of the profession was excited by statements that a discovery had been made in South America of a plant which had proved eminently beneficial in the treatment of elephantiasis and leprosy, and a long essay on the subject was published by Dr. Bancroft in the Jamaica Physical Journal, in which he cites numerous cases in corroboration of its powers, and describes it as a species of Ionidium, under the specific name of Marcucci, deeming it to be new ; from specimens sent to Dr. Lindley, how- ever, it appears that it had previously been noticed by Humboldt under the name of microphyllum, whilst Sir Wm. Hooker received specimens which proved to be I. parviflorum. About the same time Professor Mutter, of this city, obtained specimens, and shortly afterwards we were favoured by the late Dr. Hulings with dried specimens, a drawing of the plant, a report made to the Colombian government on the subject, and directions to aid in the search for it. From all these sources, it appears evident that more than one plant is known in South America, under the local name of Cutchunchull. The drawing represents the J. microphyllum of Humboldt; and the specimens received by Dr. Miitter were the same, as were also those sent to Dr. Lind- ley ; those we obtained were principally of L. parviflorum, with a few of the other, and the official description alluded to clearly points out that species. As the virtues of both appear to be identical, and as they are indiscriminately used for the same purposes, this discrepancy of opinion is of little consequence in a practical point of view, however interesting a proper discrimination of the respective species may be to the botanist. From Dr. Bancroft’s essay and the official report, it appears that the reme- dial properties of a certain root, known by the natives under the name of Cuichunchulli, in the cure of elephantiasis, were well ascertained, but were not communicated to the Spaniards until about the middle of the last century, when they were made known to a Jesuit in Cuenca, but attracted no attention until 1829, when an account was published in a newspaper published at Bogota ; this induced a trial of its powers in several cases of elephantiasis and other cutaneous disorders, which was attended with the most marked be- nefit to the patients, It is given in doses of half a drachm, in substance or infusion, every two or three hours; this causes a copious flow of urine and nu- merous alvine evacuations, and by a continuance of the medicine, the natural functions of the skin are gradually restored. Although its full powers and real efficacy have not been sufficiently tested, it is evident that it closely re- sembles the Madur (Culotropis) of the East Indies in its properties, as well as those of the Apocynum; they all act as emeto-purgatives in the first instance, and afterwards-display strong diuretic qualities. * FLACOURTIACEZ. 143 The analysis of the I. ipecacuanha by Richard, already alluded to, shows that these plants owe their emetic property to the presence of Emetine ; their other qualities are probably to be attributed to a peculiar extractive matter, soluble in water, and which exists in large proportion in the root. Several other species of Ionidium are used medicinally by the natives of South America, the principal of these are: the white Ipecacuanha of China, I. heterophyllum, Venr. ; this has slender, white, tortuous, nauseous roots: white Ipecacuanha of the Galipous, I. hybanthus, Venv.; this is generally known in Brazil by the name of Poaya. The roots are white, slender, twisted and interlaced, and of a disagreeable taste and smell. White Ipeca- cuanha of Guiana, J. calceolaria, VENT.; in this the roots are slender, no- dose, tortuous, striated longitudinally, yellowish-gray; the taste is at first mucous, and afterwards somewhat acrid and bitter; it is emetic in doses of 30 grs., and purgative in those of 40. Ipecacuanha of St. Thomas, J, strzc- tum, VeNrT.; the roots somewhat resemble those of the true Ipecacuanha, J. polygefolium, Vent. I. poaya, St. Hrtarre, called in Brazil Poaya do campo; the root is tortuous and annulated : emetic in doses of 25 to 30 grs. I. brevicaule, Martius. J. urticefolium, Martius. All these and many others are employed as substitutes for the genuine Ipecacuanha, and act in a similar manner, except that they are more apt to affect the bowels. Orper 15.—FLACOURTIACE.— Lindley. Sepals 4.7, slightly cohering at base. Petals equal in number to the sepals, and alter- nate with them or wanting. Stamens hypogynous, equal in number to the petals or some multiple of them. Ovary roundish, sessile or slightly stipulate, free, 1 or more celled, with 2 or more parietal placente; style filiform or wanting ; stigmas several, more or less distinct; ovules attached to the surface or sides of the placente. Fruit 1-celled, “either fleshy and indehiscent, or capsular, with 4 or 5 valves, the centre filled with a thin . pulp. Seeds indefinite, usually enveloped in a pellicle formed by the withered pulp. Albumen fleshy, somewhat oily ; embryo straight, with the radicle turned to the hilum ; cotyledons foliaceous, flat. The species of this order are shrubs or small trees, with alternate simple leaves on short petioles, with no stipules, of a coriaceous texture and often marked with transparent dots. They are natives of tropical climates with the exception of a few occurring in New Zealand, &c. The fruits of several of the Flacourtias are edible, having a pleasant sub- acid taste. According to Ainslie (Mat. Med. ii. 407), the leaves and shoots of the F. cataphracta have a taste not unlike that of rhubarb, but without bitterness ; they are considered as stomachic, and in a slight degree astringent, and are prescribed in India in diarrhcea, general weakness, and phthisis ; and in Behar an infusion is given in cases of hoarseness. An infusion of sepiaria is said by Dr. Wight to be useful in bites of snakes, and the bark infused in oil so as to form a liniment, is employed on the Malabar coast as a remedy in gout. Several other plants of the order are possessed of active properties, but no definite account has been given of their application or uses. The most important of the species is the Biza orellana, the angular seeds of which are covered with an orange-red pulp or pellicle; this, when sepa- rated and prepared, is the Arnotto of the shops, so much used in the arts. It isa native of South America and the West Indies, and is cultivated in India. Arnotto is prepared by rubbing the seeds in water, and then strain- _ 144 , MEDICAL BOTANY. ing; the pulpy mass is then worked vvell with the hen and dried. When of good quality it is dry, easily bro- g mr ken, of an unpleasant ue) smell, and of a red- dish colour, It is used in dyeing, but its tints are.very fugitive, and — are destroyed by acids and alkalies. It is also added to several preparations of cho- colate and is constant- ly employed to colour cheese, and in Java it forms the basis of a drink. It was at one time used in medicine as a stomachic and mild purgative, and is still in some estimation in South America as a cordial, astringent and febrifugal remedy in dysentery. Bomare observes, but without citing any authority for the assertion, that it is an antidote to the poison of the manioc. It has been analyzed by John (Ann. de BBE ——_——S =) i\ b ka = ran fa B. orellana. ‘ F iat 1, Flower. 2.'Petai. 3. Pistil. /.4, Section of seed: 5. Fruit. Chim. \xxxvili. 99) and by Bousingault (Ibid. xxviii. 440). In corroboration of these statements, there is the authority of Dr. Macfadyen, who says that the seeds are a gentle purgative, and have been used with advantage in dysentery, and also that it is thought to be an antidote to the poison cassava. (Flor. Jam. 42.) OrveErR 16.—PASSIFLORACEA,.— Lindley. Sepals mostly .5, sometimes irregular, combined into a tube of variable length, the sides and throat being lined with filamentous or annular processes. Petals 5 arising from the throat of the calyx, sometimes wanting, or irregular. Stamens 5, monadel. phous, rarely indefinite, and adhering to the stalk of the ovary; anthers extrorse, linear, 2-celled, with a longitudinal dehiscence. Ovary on a long pedicel, superior 1-celled ; styles 3, arising from the same point, clavate; stigmas dilated; ovules indefinite,. ana- tropal, parietal. Fruit stalked, 1-celled, with 3 parietal polyspermous, placente, some- times 3-valved. Seeds attached in several rows to the placente, with a brittle sculptured testa, surrounded by a pulpy aril; embryo straight, in the midst of a fleshy thin albu- men; cotyledons foliaccous, flat. Fa . " PASSIFLORACEZ. ; 145 is order consists of her- : baceous or shrubby plants, a ry usually climbing by tendrils, NR OD and having alternate, entire or palmately-lobed leaves, mostly furnished with stipules, and often glandular. The flowers are axillary or terminal, often with a 2-leaved involucre. The species are most abun- dant in the warm regions of America, but are also found in Asia and Africa, and one or two in the United States as far | north as Virginia. The fruits of many of them are eatable, especially those of the P. guadrangularis or Granadilla, the P. daurifolia, cerulea, coccinea, gc., and are much esteemed in their native countries. In a medical point of view, they are also of some interest, being possessed of active qualities ca- pable of fulfilling a variety of indications ; though it should be noticed that our information in regard to them is far: from definite. The only memoir on the subject deserving of notice is that of Dr. Ricord Madiana (Jour. de Pharm, xvii. and Ann. Lyceum Nat. Hist. is) on the P. guadrangularis ; a decoction of the root of this, he found to be poisonous, acting like a narcotic; he discovered in it a peculiar principle which he calls Passéflorine. Martius states that this root is emetic, but if it possess the powerful narcotic powers ‘spoken of by Dr. Ricord, its use would be dangerous ; it may be mentioned that this writer says that a decoction of the Cecropia peltata is an antidote to it. The P. contrayerva is said to be alexipharmic and ¢arminative, and ac- cording to Brown, (Hist, Jamaica,) a tincture of the flowers of the P. rubra is used in Jamaica as a substitute for laudanum. The P. fetida and some closely-allied species are esteemed pectoral, and are said by Poupée-Desportes to be antispasmodic and emmenagogue. The leaves of the P. daurifolia are administered in the dose of one or two drachms as a vermifuge in some of the West Indies (Labat. Nouv. Voy.) The fruit of the P. lyrifolia is con- sidered to be cooling and aperient, and is given in fevers, cutaneous affec- tions, &c., whilst a decoction is in some esteem as a diuretic. (Flor. Med. des Anitill. iv. 97.) Se Some of the other genera of this order afford edible fruit, among which may be noticed several species of Tacsonia and Paropstia. ‘The Murucuja ocellata, a South-American plant, is reputed to be anthelmintic, diaphoretic, and anti-hysteric; it, with some other.species, is highly spoken of by Piso (Bras. 107) for these purposes, and he also ‘states that the bruised leaves relieve the pain in hemorrhoids. Orver 17.—SAMYDACER.— Lindley. Sepals 4—5, more or less coloured, somewhat cohering at base, estivation imbricate, seldom valvate. Petals wanting. Stamens inserted on the calyx tube, 2-4 times as many as the sepals; filaments monadelphous, either all bearing anthers, or alternately shorter, villous or ciliated, with alternate, erect, 2-celled anthers. Ovary superior, 1-celled. Style single, filiform, with a capitate or slightly-lobed stigma. Capsule coria- ceous, l-celled, 3-5 valved, many-seeded; valves with an imperfect dehiscence, often somewhat pulpy within and coloured. Seeds adhering to the valves, on the papillose or 10 > 7 2 \ 2 ° 146 «MEDICAL BOTANY. ah pulpy part, with a fleshy aril and excavated hilum; albumen fleshy or oily; embryo large, in the middle of the albumen. Cotyledons ovate, radicle pointing to end remote from the hilum. . : HS9 Trees or shrubs, with alternate, often somewhat distichous, simple, entire, or dentated evergreen leaves, mostly having pellucid markings, and furnished with stipules. They are all natives of tropical climates, and principally Ame- rican. The bark and: leaves of most of the species are astringent. The leaves of Cascarza ulmifolia are employed in Brazil as a remedy in snake- bites, both externally and internally ; and those of C. Amgua are esteemed, in the same country, in the treatment of malignant fevers and inflammations. In India, a decoction of the leaves of C. anavinga is thought to be beneficial as a warm fomentation in rheumatism and pains of the joints; and the juice of the fruit is said to be a powerful sudorific, and also to act on the bowels. ‘ The roots of C. esculenta are bitter and purgative, but the leaves are edible. Group VIII.—Guttiferales. Orver 18,—DIPTERACEX.—Lindley. Calyx tubular, 5-lobed, unequal, persistent, and afterwards enlarged at base; estiva- tion imbricated. Petals hypogynous, sessile, often united at base, with a valvate estiva- tion, Stamens hypogynous, indefinite, distinct, or somewhat and irregularly polyadel- phous. Anthers innate, subulate, with a longitudinal dehiscence near the apex; fila- ments dilated at base. Ovary superior, 3-celled. Ovules in pairs, pendulous. Style single. Stigma simple. Fruit coriaceous, l-celled by abortion, 3-valved or indehiscent, surrounded by the calyx, which has tough, leafy, enlarged divisions, crowning the fruit. Seeds single, with no albumen. This order is composed of large trees, abounding in resinous juices, and furnished with alternate leaves, having deciduous, oblong, convolute stipules. | The flowers are generally large. They are pecu- liar to India and its archipelago, where they form the largest trees in the forest. They all are replete with a balsamic juice, which concretes in various forms. Thus the Dryobalanops aromatica affords one of the kinds of camphor. The Vaterza indica fur- nishes the East Indian copal or Gum Anime, Blume states that the resin of the Dzpterocarpus . trinervis forms an excellent material for plasters, YPN t and made into an emulsion, with the yolk.of an WN egg, is a good substitute for copaiva in inflamma- tions of the mucous membrane (flor. Jave). Some other species of the same genus furnish bal- \ sams which have similar properties. ‘The ‘Shorea Siibbaste. robusta, which affords the best and most exten- sively used wood in India, also produces a resin used as incense in the temples, and likewise it is much employed as pitch, under the name of Dammer. Fig. 82. i ARN ~~ » Ni N in Lyn DrvyosaLanors.—Geriner. -. Calyx 5-sepaled. Sepals long, ligulate, scarious, united at base. Corolla 5- piled. Fruit 3-valved, 1-celled. Seed solitary. Embryo inversed, without a perisperm. © This genus was established by Gertner, but was not acknowledged until CT ne es ~DIPTERACES. © 147 description given of it by Mr. Colebrook, in the Asiatic Researches, showed that it had been erected on sufficient grounds, His views were con- firmed by the full account of it by Mr. Jack, in the Malayan Miscellanies. The genus Shorea of Roxburgh, if not identical with it, is wery closely allied. D. aromatica, Gert.—Leaves elliptical, alternate and opposite, stipulate. Flowers ter- minal and axillary. rtner, Blume, FZ. Jav. 8; Lindley, Flor. Med., 146; Shorea campho- oxburgh, FZ. Ind., ii. 616 ; D. camphora, Colebrooke, Asiat, Re- oarch., xii. 539; Jack, Malay. Saas ; Stephenson and Pe &, Zn 170, \W Description—The Sumatra Camphor- tree is very lofty and striking in its ap- pearance ; it often attains a height of ninety feet, with a trunk of six or seven in diameter, covered with a brown bark. The leaves are opposite below, and alter- nate above, elliptical, obtusely acuminate, entire, smooth, supported on short petioles ~ and furnished with subulate, caducous sti- ‘poles, in pairs. The flowers are terminal d axillary, forming a kind of panicle at the ends of the branches. The calyx is composed of five linear, lanceolate, spread- ing sepals, united below. The corolla is 5-petaled, longer than the calyx; the petals are ovate-lanceolate, and somewhat connected at base. The stamens are nu- merous, with the filaments monadelphous. The anthers are nearly sessile, within the mouth of the tube, and terminate in mem- branous points. The ovary is superior, ovate, and bears a slender, filiform style, longer than the stamens and crowned by a capitate stigma. The capsule is ovate, fibrous, woody, longitudinally grooved, surrounded below by the persistent calyx, I-celled and 3-valved. The seed is soli- tary, thin, membranaceous. The embryo is contained in an interior fold of the coty- ledons.* D. camphora, This tree is found in great abundance in the forests of Sumatra and Borneo, and is said to flower but once in three or four years. It was at one time supposed that the only plant furnishing camphor was the Laurus cam- phora of Linnzeus, but the researches of Mr. Colebrooke, and those of Mr, Jack, (Malayan Miscellanies,) have conclusively shown that the tree under consideration furnishes a product which is far more highly esteemed in the East, but as it has been found only in a limited district in Sumatra and in. Borneo, added to the difficulty of obtaining the produce, its price is very exorbitant, being 78 times that of the Japan or common camphor. It was long since stated that the Chinese knew of two varieties of this drug, and Keemp- x * Dr. Lindley is of opinion that this plant is not truly a Dryobalanops, and that the figure in Stephenson and Churchill, of which our cut is a copy, cannot be intended for it. 148 MEDICAL BOTANY. fer has remarked that the camphor found in a concrete state in the cavities and fissures of the trunk of a tree in Borneo and Sumatra, was akan from that of the Laurus. According to the authorities above quoted, the Camphor is found i in a solid state, occupying portions of about a foot or a foot and a half in the heart of the tree. In searching for it the natives make a deep incision in the trunk about fourteen or eighteen feet from the ground, and if it is found to contain camphor, the tree is cut down and divided into pieces about three feet long, in order to permit the gum to be extracted. The same tree also yields an oil or liquid camphor which is even more esteemed in eastern countries than the camphor itself; to obtain this it is merely necessary to wound or pierce the tree. The product of a middle-sized tree is about eleven pounds, though some furnish double that quantity. * The Dryobalanops camphor occurs in small fragments of crystals; these are transparent, brittle, harder than the Laurus camphor, and do not sublime as readily. The oil is sometimes limpid and colourless, but usually is of a yel- lowish or brownish colour. Its smell resembles that of Cajeput, but is more camphorated. It is used principally in making scented soap. This camphor probably possesses the same properties as the camphor of the shops, which will be noticed under the appropriate head, (see Camphora officinarum,) but as no trials have been made with it in Europe or this country, nothing certain is known of them. In the East, as before mentioned, it is infinitely preferred to the Japan kind, and Ainslie states that it is the most frequently employed in India, and the Chinese attribute the most extraordinary virtues to it, Orprr 19.—TERNSTROMIACE.— Lindley. Sepals 3-5 concave, coriaceous, persistent, the innermost often largest, estivation im- bricated. Petals mostly 5, hypogynous, alternate with the sepals, often united at base. Stamens indefinite, inserted on the petals; filaments usually cohéring in one or more parcels at base; anthers adnate or versatile. Ovary 2-7-celled, usually sessile on a dis- coid torus; ovules 2 or more in each cell; styles 2-7, distinct or combined. Fruit 2-7- celled, capsular, baccate, or coriaceous and indehiscent. Seeds commonly few and large, albuminous or exalbuminous. Embryo straight,or curved; cotyledons often large, and containing oil. é This order, which includes the Theacese of some authors, is composed of trees and shrubs, with alternate, mostly coriaceous, exstipulate leaves, which are sometimes marked with pellucid dots. The flowers are large and showy, on axillary and terminal peduncles. The order, though a small one, is re- markable for the importance of some of the plants contained in it; among these the Tea stands pre-eminent, both as an article of commerce and also in a medical point of view. It also contains the Camellia, so esteemed for the beauty of its flowers, and for the oil extracted from its seeds, and those orna- ments of the American forest, the Gordonias and Stuartias. Tura.—Linn. Sepals 5-6, rounded. Petals 6-9, sessile. Stamens numerous. Capsule 3-celled: 7-valved, each cell containing one to two seeds, and opening at the upper part. This genus derives its name from its Chinese appellation, and in a commercial point of view, is one of the most important of the vegetable king- dom. But notwithstanding this importance, and the numerous Notices of it, and its cultivation, no little uncertainty exists whether it contains one or more ———— ee ee ’ TERNSTROMIACES 149 species, or in other words, whether the black and the green teas are the pro- duct. of the same or of different species. Linnzeus, who established the genus, distinguished two species, the 7. bohea having six petals, andthe 7. viridis, having nine; and Loureiro, who spent a long time in the East, recognised three of the TZ’ oleosa, T’. cantoniensis, and T. cocheaahaaanals, but 1 many modern botanists are of opinion that all-these are but varieties of one species, which has therefore received the name of TJ. sinensis, Sir Wm. Hooker, (Bot. Mag. 3148,) is decidedly of opinion that there are two distinct species, which maintain their peculiar characters even under long cultivation, and this is corroborated by the observations of Mr. Royle (Ilustrations, 109); at the same time it is admitted although each of these species furnishes a peculiar leaf, or in other words, that one affords the green and the other the black tea of commerce, yet both can be made from the same plant according to the mode of manufacture. Dr. Abel, (Narrative of a Journey,) says, ‘* From persons conversant with the Chinese method, I learnt that either of the two plants will afford the black or green tea of the shops, but the broad, thin-leaved plant, (JZ. viridis,) is preferred in making green tea.” This statement is corroborated in a letter from Mr, Millett, of Canton, written to and cited by Sir Wm. Hooker; he states: ‘ Of the plants there are two kinds, of which one has a leaf of a much darker colour than the other. This difference may partly arise from cultivation ; but it is to the various modes of preparation that the green and black teas of the shops are due, In proof of this, we sent home last year, green tea from the black tea plant. You may therefore conclude, that though there are two plants, differ- ing as much in appearance and growth as any “two varieties of the Camellia japonica, each by proper management will produce black or green tea in- differently.” This accords, in every particular, with the observations of Mr. Royle. With this testimony, and the remark of Dr. Lettsom, that after an exami- nation of many hundred flowers, both from the Bohea and green tea districts, he was convinced that their botanical characters were uniform, I am inclined to think that but one species of the tea plant has been described, and that the viridis and bohea are merely varieties, more especially as we find far more marked variations in all cultivated plants; thus not to mention others, many of the acknowledged varieties of the genus most closely allied to the tea, Camellia, are far more-unlike each other than the two kinds of tea. And it may be added that, although Loureiro described three additional species, he states that he is inclined to believe that of the tea proper there is but one true species ; and Kempfer’s figure of the Japanese tea plant, is that of the 7. bohea and not the viridis. I shall, therefore, consider them as constituting but varieties of a single species. T. sinensis, Richard.—Characters those of genus. a. Viridis, Linn.— Leaves ellipto-lanceolate, undulate ; flowers axillary, solitary. Linn. Spl. Pi. 735 ; Woodville, Supp. 116; Hooker, Bot. Mag. 3148 ; Lindley, Flor. Med. 120, Common Name.—Green tea. : Foreign Names.—Thé vert, Fr.; The.verde, Jt. b. Bohea, Linn.—Leaves smaller, coriaceous, dark-green; flowers axillary, aggregated, Linn, Spl. Pl. 735; Bot. Mag. 998. Common Name.—Black tea. Foreign Names.—Thé noir, f’7,; The nero, It. %. 150 MEDICAL BOTANY. Description—A shrub or small tree, which in a state of nature may attain a height or twenty-five or thirty Pig. 64. ig feet, but which, when cultivated, seldom ex- ceeds five or six, The leaves are alternate, with short petioles, ' very smooth, ovate-ob- long, somewhat acumi- nate, stiff, and coria- ceous, slightly dentate and shining. The flowers are white, axil- lary, and either single or aggregated, on short glabrous peduncles. The calyx is persistent, short, with five ovate, rounded, obtuse divi- sions, The corolla, which is much larger than the calyx, con- sists of from six to nine, somewhat unequal, rounded, very concave petals. The stamens are very numerous, ra- ther shorter than the corolla, with subulate white filaments, bear- T. sinensis. ing rounded, reniform anthers, opening at the ’ sides. The ovary is ovate, downy, surrounded by a fleshy ring at base, three-celled, each cell containing two ovules. The styles are three, united below, free above, with obtuse | stigmas. The fruit is a three-celled capsule, each cell containing one, sometimes two seeds. | he S The native country of the tea is the Eastern part of Asia ; it is cultivated . in China, Japan, and the adjoining districts and islands, and has also been — : introduced into Assam and Brazil, in both of which countries it has been : found to grow luxuriantly. It is, however, a plant of the temperate zone ; the tea districts in China are thus described by -Dr. Abel : that of the Green between 29° and 41° N., and of the Black within the 27th and 28th degree N. The green variety is, therefore, almost a hardy plant, whilst the other will not endure the frosts of winter, = The different kinds of tea of commerce, as known in Europe and this country, are very numerous, but are far exceeded by those recognised in China, They are all referable to the two great divisions of green and black. The quantity of tea produced in China must be enormous; for the whole supply of the world is derived from that country, as little or no commerce exists with Japan, Cochin China, &c., and though the cultivation of the plant has succeeded in Brazil and Assam, the amount of tea produced has been very small. In China it may be calculated that it is cultivated over a square area of upwards ofa million of miles. The tea harvest is said to take place twice a year: the first in the spring, and the last about September. The first gathering affords the finest qualities. The leaves are carried in baskets to the drying-house, and thrown in small quantities on iron plates, heated by small furnaces, and rapidly shifted about that they may not scorch; when they begin to curl, they are removed and placed on a table, where they are ~ TERNSTROMIACEZ. 15l rolled and rapidly cooled so as to twist or curl properly. These operations are repeated until the leaves are quite dry. ‘The coarser leaves of the last gathering are steamed so as to soften them, previous to subjecting them to the heating process. After being perfectly cured, they are packed in baskets, and again dried before being finally put in chests for exportation. The use of tea in China is of very ancient origin. According to the Japa- nese tradition, a holy man by the name of Darma, visited China about the year 516, to instruct the natives in the duties of ‘religion. He led a life of . great abstinence, and especially denied himself the comforts of rest; but having been worn out, he fell asleep ; as a penance for this transgression, he cut off his eyelids and threw them on the ground; each became a tea plant, and Darma, having discovered the virtues of the shrub, recommended the use of it to his disciples. The first account received in Europe of this article was that of Lynschot, who states that the Japanese prepare a drink from an herb, which they offer to their guests as a mark of high consideration. Caspar Bauhin speaks of it in his ‘* Pinax”’ under the name of Cha. About the commencement of the seventeenth century, it was brought by the Dutch to Europe as an article of commerce, but it was some time before it was generally_used, as the sales of the East India Company, about a hundred years since, did not amount to more than 50,000lbs., whereas, at present, the sales reach to twenty-eight or thirty millions. In 1666 it sold for 60 shillings a pound, so scarce and valuable was it at that period. Next to Great Britain, the greatest consumption of tea is in Russia and the United States. That imported into Russia is said to be far superior to any which has been subjected to the heat and delay of a long voyage. In the Asiatic portions of that great Empire a kind of tea is used which is unknown in other countries; this is what is termed Brick tea, and is said to consist of old and damaged leaves and stalks, moistened, pressed into moulds, and then dried in an oven. In France, and the southern parts of Europe, the consumption of tea is very small, nor- has it been much increased for many years past. »» Medical Properties, §-c.—Volumes have been written for and against this article; some authors attributing to it the most pernicious qualities, such as inducing nervous tremors, dyspepsia, dropsy, &c., whilst others again have een as lavish in its praise. ‘That the use of tea may be abused, there can be no doubt, but it is equally certain that a moderate employment of it, and especially of the better kinds of black tea, (which it may be noticed is the ‘only kind used by the Chinese,) far from being prejudicial, has a positive + in calming nervous irritation and aiding the digestive functions, and siving, after fatigue, a new life and tone to the system. The green tea is very apt to affect the nervous system of those unaccustomed to its use, but at the same time it does not appear that its constant employment is attended with any ill effects. ? Tea is not used as a medicinal agent, properly speaking; though it is often eer warm, to aid in the production of diaphoresis, but does not seem to ave any greater power than any other mild infusion. From several analyses made of it, it is shown to consist of a bitter extractive, mucilage, resin, gallic acid, tannin, and a peculiar principle called eine, on which its properties depend. This substance, which is also found in coffee and chocolate, as well as in the Maté, is a highly azotized principle, and has probably a much greater influence on the system in aiding the assimilation of food than is generally supposed, and hence the great use made of the various plants con- taining it, by almost all nations. 152 MEDICAL BOTANY. Orver 20.—CLUSIACEA,—Lindley. Flowers hermaphrodite or unisexual. Sepals 2—6, usually persistent, estivation im- bricated. Petals hypogynous,4—10, Stamens numerous, distinct, or combined in one or more parcels. Filaments unequal. Anthers adnate, introrse or extrorse. Torus fleshy, sometimes 5-lobed. Ovary solitary, superior, 1 or many-celled. Ovules solitary, erect. Style none or very short. Stigma peltate or radiate. Fruit dry or succulent, 1 or many-celled, 1 or many-seeded, dehiscent or indehiscent. Seeds immersed in a pulp, apterous, often with an arillus. Testa thin and membranaceous, exalbuminous. Embryo straight. The Clusiacez consist of trees or shrubs, some of which are parasitical. The leaves are exstipulate, opposite, very rarely alternate, coriaceous, entire, with a strong midrib and numerous lateral veins. The flowers are generally numerous, axillary, or terminal, and articulated with their peduncle. They all abound in a viscid, yellow, acrid, and purgative gum-resinous juice, and are natives of the tropics; the greatest number of South America and the East Indies. Several of them afford edible fruits, more especially some of the species of Garcinia. HEBRADENDRON.— Graham. Flowers unisexual. Males: sepals 4, persistent, membranaceous. Petals 4. Stamens monadelphous, Filaments quadrangular. Anthers terminal, with an umbilicate, circum- scissile operculum. Females unknown. Berry 4-celled, cells 1-seeded, crowned by a sessile, lobed, muricated stigma. This genus was established by Dr. Graham (Comp. to Bot. Mag. ii. 199) for a tree growing in the island of Ceylon, which furnishes some of the Gam- boge of commerce. The name is founded on the peculiar dehiscence of the anthers. _ The female flower not having been discovered, it cannot be classed according to the sexual system ; but it is likely that it belongs to the same class as Garcinia. H. camsocioiwes, Graham.—Male flowers in axillary fascicles. Sepals, when young, sub-equal. Leaves obovate-elliptical, abruptly sub-acuminate. . Graham, Comp. Bot. Mag. ii. 199; Amer. Jour. Pharm. xiii. 19 ; Lind- ley, Flor. Med. 118 ; Cambogia gutta, Linn. Zeylan. 87. Description—A moderate-sized tree, with opposite, petiolate, obovate-elliptical, ab- ruptly acuminate, coriaceous, - Fig. 85, smooth shining leaves, which are dark green above, and clustered in the axils of the petioles, on short one-flowered peduncles. The sepals are four, imbricated, sub-equal, concave, membranaceous ; the outer sub-entire, the inner denticulo-ciliate, yellow with- in, yellowish-white external- ly. .The petals are also four, spathulate-elliptical, crenu- late, coriaceous, longer than the calyx, deciduous, yellow- ish-white, with a red tinge on the inner base. The stamens ‘ are monadelphous. The fila- H. cambogioides. ments quadrangular, and 1. Calyx, 2, Stamens, 3, Anthers. 4, Top of anther, 5, Berry. bearing terminal anthers, '. which open by a cireumscis- paler beneath. The flowers are unisexual. The males CLUSIACES. 153 sion of a flat umbilicate lid. The female flower is unknown. The fruit is a berry about the size of a cherry, round, with a firty reddish-brown external coat, and having a sweet pulp, quadrilocular, surrounded at base by the persistent calyx, and a few abortive sta- mens, and crowned by a four-lobed, tuberculated, sessile stigma; each of the cells con- tains a single seed. This is large in proportion to the berry, uniform-elliptical, com- pressed on the sides, with a yellowish-brown testa. The cotyledons are thick, and cohere into a uniform cellular mass, The radicle is central, filiform, and sliglitly curved. This tree is a native of Ceylon, where it is called Kana Goraka, and the fruit is eaten by the natives. It abounds in a yellow resinous juice, which, when hardened,‘is one of the varieties of Gamboge of commerce, that of Ceylon; and it is probable that the Siam article is furnished by a closely- allied species, as their chemical composition is all but identical. Much difference of opinion has existed respecting the tree or trees from whence this gum-resin was derived, one author attributing it to a Garcinia, another to a species of Stalagmitis, &c. Dr. Graham has investigated the subject so fully that a synopsis of his remarks will place the matter in the clearest point of view. He observes that Linneus, in his Flora Zeylanica, when noticing his Cambogia, quotes as a synonyme of it the Carcapult acosté of Plukenett’s Almagestum Botanicum ; this Dr. Graham thinks iden- tical with f, 3 t. 147 of his Phytographia, which is Xanthochymus ovalifolius. Linnzus also quotes the “ arbor Indica, que gummi guttam fundit,” &c., of Commelin’s Flora Malabarica, which is the Coddam Pullt of Rheede, the Mangostana cambogia of Gertner, the Garcinia cambogia of Desrousseaux and De Candolle. He also cites *‘ carpapuli acostee, arbor indica,” &c., of Burmann, which is Mangostana morella of Geertner, Garcinia morella of Desrousseaux and De Candolle, and the Stalagmztis cambogioides of Moon, To add to the confusion, Wight and Arnott state that the Stalagmitis cam- bogioides of Murray is a species of Garcinia, perhaps identical with the G. cochinchinensis of Choisy, the Ozycarpus cochinchinensis of Loureiro; and also that it is the same as the Xanthochymus ovalifolius of Roxburgh. The specimen from which Murray drew up his account of Stalagmitis having, at Dr. Graham’s instance, been examined by Mr. Brown, he ascertained that it _ was rnade up of two plants, and probably of two genera, the flowering part belonging to Xanthochymus, and the other to the species under consideration, and which Mr. Brown says is very like the specimen in Hermann’s herba- zum, which was the type of the Cambogia gutta of Linnzus. Now by the laws of priority the name given by Roxburgh must cede to that of Stalag- mitis, and as this genus was established on parts of two distinct genera, it must fall to the ground ; and as the plant described by Dr. Graham differs in several important particulars from Garcinia, it must ‘take the name he has bestowed upon it. There is still another tree, a native of Malabar, which has been Pcforred by Wight and others to Garcinia. It was first described. by Roxburgh (£7. Ind. ii. 627) as G. pictoria, but is considered by Drs. Graham and Lindley to belong to Hebradendron. It is thus described by Royle (Mat. Med. 304.) H. prictorium.—A tall tree, with a pretty thick bark, having considerable masses of gamboge on its inside. Leaves on short petioles, oblong, ventricose, rather acute, from 3 to 4 inches long, by 14 to 2 broad. Flowers yellow, axillary, solitary. Calyx per- manent, of two pairs of concave, obtuse sepals. Petals 4. Stamens from 10—15, with the filaments united into four masses, which all coalesce at base into anarrowring. An- thers of the male flower peltate; of the female 2-lobed, and seemingly fertile. Germ superior, round, 4-celled, with a single ovule in each, attached to the axis a little above its middle. Stigma 4-lobed, permanent. Berry size of a large cherry, oval, smooth, very slightly marked with 4 lobes, crowned le the permanent stigma. Seeds 4, when all ripen, oblong reniform. 154 MEDICAL andes rior to the Chinese, but not so permanent. r. Dyer, from whom he pro- cured it, states that it is Fig. 86. as afeonte as a purga- tive, and equal in all respects to any other kind. Dr. Christison, who examined some gamboge from W ynaad, says that it has the com- position of the Siam, but with less gum; is a good purgative, and not fugacious, as asserted by Roxburgh (Royle, OY Cxe0 It is evident, however, that although the Hebra- dendron furnishes the Ceylon gamboge,that a H. pictorium. similar product is af- 1. Berry. 2. Calyx. 3. Cells of berry. 4, 5,6. Seeds. forded by a variety of | ‘trees of the natural or- der of Clusiacee, perhaps from the whole of them. Mrs. Walker, a resi- dent of Ceylon, from whom Dr, Graham obtained his specimens, states that gamboge ‘is collected by cutting pieces of the bark completely off, about the size of the palm of the hand, early in the morning. The gamboge oozes out from the pores of the bark in a’ semi-liquid state, but soon thickens and is scraped off by the collectors next morning, without injury to the tree, the wounds in the bark readily healing and becoming fit to undergo the opera- tion again.” She also says that the j juice of the Garcinia cambogia, one of the most common trees in her vicinity, affords a similar juice, but that it never hardens thoroughly, and is not collected by the natives. Almost all the gamboge of commerce is from Siam, and not from Ceylon; but, as before stated, as they are identical in chemical composition, it is highly probable they are the product if not of the same species, at least of plants of the same genus, Pereira observes that it has been suggested, that the plant may have been carried from Siam to Ceylon, for the religion of Bhudda is supposed to have passed from the former to the latter, and with it the practice. of painting the temples and holy dresses with gamboge. According to Mur- ray, this gum-resin is obtained in a different manner-in Siam from that de- scribed by Mrs. Walker as practised in Ceylon; he states that the small branches and leaves are broken or torn, and the resinous juice that exudes is received either in leaves or cocoa-nut shells, and thence poured into flat earthen vessels, where it is allowed to harden sufficiently to be made into rolls, which are then enveloped in leaves; or else poured into bamboo cylinders, whilst still liquid. Gamboge is a gum-resin, of a yellow orange colour, white ecpare on ex- posure to “the air, opaque, brittle, having a conchoidal fracture, possessing very little smell, but a taste which, although insipid at first, becomes acrid ; it tinges the saliva of a bright yellow colour. It is soluble i in the alkalies, alcohol, and the essential oils, but only forms an emulsion with water, It is composed of about three parts of resin to one part of gum, ‘The resin is con- Dr. Roxburgh says that the colour of the setae this tree is supe- CLUSIACEAE. 155 sidered as an acid by,some writers, and is called the Gambogic ; it is the active principle, the gum being inert. Gamboge was first described by Clusius in 1605. It was brought from China by the Dutch, under the name of Ghittacemou, and soon attained much celebrity as a hydragogue purgative. Several kinds are found in commerce ; that from Siam being in cylinders or pipes, or in lumps and cakes, the first being most esteemed; that from Ceylon, which is unknown in our market, is stated by Dr. Christison to be in roundish flattish masses, as if moulded in shallow bowls. The only article that can be confounded with Gamboge is a gum-resin from New Holland, called yellow gum, the produce of the Xanthorrhea hastile ; but as the alkalies act in a very different man- ner on it than on Gamboge, any falsification could be readily detected. Medical Properties, §-ec.—Gamboge is an active hydragogue:and drastic purgative, less active than elaterium or croton oil, but more so than jalap, scammony, or colocynth. It is very apt to cause irritation of the stomach and produce nausea and vomiting. This has been explained on the ground of its ready solubility in the fluids of the stomach ; but as aloes and some other purgative substances are equally soluble, and yet do not act on this viscus in so decided a manner, it is much more reasonable to attribute it to the great acri- dity of the substance. The best mode of obviating it is to.give the medicine in the form of a pill, or to combine it with some article that will lessen its acrid properties, , Gamboge is a purgative well calculated for those cases where a powerful impression is wished to be made on the bowels, either to rouse them to acti- vity when they are torpid, or to make them a centre of irritation, to relieve some other organ. From the hydragogue powers of this drug, it has also proved extremely beneficial, where it is of importance that large quantities of the fluids should be eliminated, as in dropsies. For this purpose Gamboge, in combination with jalap.or cream of tartar, is very serviceable. If it be combined with an alkali it will also act on the kidneys. As an anthelmintic | it has also been found useful, more, however, from its evacuating powers, than from any action it exercises on the worms themselves. From its ex- treme activity and irritating qualities, it is contra-indicated whenever there is inflammation of the stomach or bowels; in the pregnant state or in an excited condition of the uterus in females, and where there is irritation or disease of the urinary organs, The dose is from one to four grains, in the form of pill, to be repeated until the desired effect is produced. An excellent mode of giving it, is in the form of the Compound Cathartic Pill, U.S. P. ; Many other plants of this order are possessed of medical properties. The Calophyllum inophyllum affords an oil from its nuts, which is much prized in the Philippine Islands as an application in rheumatic affections; it is also used for burning. Dr. Horsfield states, that in Java the nuts and bark of the root are considered to possess diuretic properties. This plant and the C. calaba furnish the resin known as East Indian Tacamahaca, and Barham (Hort. Amer. 18) speaks of the balsam from the C. brasiliense as of great efficacy as a vulnerary. In the genus Mesua, the bark and root are bitter and aromatic, and possess much sudorific power; the leaves are mucilaginous, and the unripe fruit aro- matic, acrid, and purgative. From the wood an oil is obtained, somewhat resembling that of anise; it has been analyzed by M. Lassaigne (Jour. de Pharm., ix. 468). An article derived from the West Indies and South Ame- OO ———————— 156 MEDICAL BOTANY. rica, under the name of Hog gum, is furnished by more than one plant of this order; Endlicher says it is the product of the Clusza flava; Dr. Macfadyen, that it is derived from the Moronobea coccinea; and Bancroft, that it is from a plant allied to Garcinia. The Mammea affords a resinous juice, which is used in the West Indies to destroy the Chzgoe (Culex penetrans) ; the fruit is much esteemed as de- mulcent and pectoral, but the. seeds are astrin- gent and poisonous. The flowers of several species of Clusza abound in a resinous juice, which is used as a vulnerary in some parts of the West Indies (Nicholson, Hist. St. Do- ming. 232). The C. insignis furnishes this product in great abundance; Martius states that he obtained an ounce from two flowers, in Brazil. This resin, rubbed down with butter of cacao, is employed in the sore breasts of nursing women. As previously stated, many of the fruits are edible, and highly esteemed, especially those of some species of Garcinia, one of which, the el dleewostieas Mangosteen, is generally acknowledged to be ‘ the most delicious of all fruits. The large berries of the Platonia insignis, of Brazil, are sweet and pleasant, and the seeds have the taste of almonds. | Fig. 87. Orver 21.—HYPERICACEA.— Lindley. Sepals 4—5, distinct or united at base, persistent. Petals as many as and alternate with the sepals, hypogynous as well as the stamens, which are numerous, and. more or less united at base into several parcels. Anthers attached by the middle, introrse. ‘Ovary of 2-5 carpels. Styles slender, persistent. Pericarp baccate or capsular, 2—5- valved. Seeds numerous, small, anatropous, with no albumen. This order consists of trees, shrubs, or herbs, having a resinous juice, and variously and largely furnished with glands. ‘The leaves are opposite, entire, not provided with stipules, and closely dotted with small, depressed, resinous glands. The flowers are in most cases yellow, and very often the sepals and petals are marked by dark-coloured glandular dots or lines. The species are very numerous, and are widely dispersed over the world; they are all pos- sessed of aromatic and resinous qualities, and some of them are actively pur- galive. Hyrericum.—Linn. Sepals 5, somewhat equal, foliaceous. Petals 5, oblique. Stamens numerous, scarcely united at base. Styles 3-5, distinct or united, persistent. Pericarp membranaceous, roundish, cells equal in number to the styles. This extensive genus contains herbaceous or shrubby species, found in all parts of the world, and of which between thirty to forty are natives of North America. They all possess medicinal properties in a greater or less degree, proportionate to the abundance or otherwise of the oil-bearing glands of the flowers and leaves. Certain species, having a berry instead of a capsular fruit, have been separated under the generic name of Vismza. These are principally natives of tropical climates, and furnish a yellow product, very analogous to gamboge, _ , HYPERICACES. ' .. Parr a . H. PERFORATUM, Tian —Steigagpital, erect, branched ; leaves ovate-elliptical, obtuse, with pellucid dots; petals longer than the acute-lanceolate sepals. Linn., Sp. Pl. 1105; Willdenow, Sp., iii. 1453; Pursh, £7, ii. 377; Torrey and Gray, FV., i. 160; Eng. Bot., t. 295; Lindley, £7. Med. 117. Common Name.—St. John’s Wort. Foreign Names.—Millepertuis, Fr. ; Caccia diavoli, Iperico, I. ; St. Jo- hannes Kraut, Ger. : Description—Roots perennial, fusiform, tortuous. Stem ancipital, about eighteen inches in height, much branched, curved below, but erect above. ‘The leaves are closely sessile, of an ovate-elliptical shape, of a light green colour, and conspicuously marked with numerous pellucid dots. The flowers are of a bright yellow colour, arranged in a terminal corymb. The calyx is persistent, and is composed of five acute-lanceolate sepals, united at base. The corolla is of 5 ovate, obtuse, sessile petals, much longer than the sepals, of a yellow colour, with numerous dark glandular spots at the edges. The stamens are numerous and divided into three sets. The anthers are small. The styles are 3, with very small stigmas. The fruit is a somewhat globose capsule, with three cells, and opening naturally by three valves. Seeds numerous, very small. , This common plant is a native of Europe, but has been introduced into the United States, and, unfortunately for the farmer, has become very abundant, as it is very difficult to eradicate, and is extremely exhausting to the ground. It is also said to exercise an injurious effect on cattle, by inflaming the skin wherever the hair is white. Although this belief is very general, it is by no means proved that the injury is owing to the St. John’s Wort, and we are much inclined to believe that it is attributable to a species of Euphorbia, which is in almost all cases found growing where the Hypericum abounds, the acrid juice of the former plant being fully capable of causing inflamma- tion, whilst the oil furnished by the glands of the latter, and which is the active principle of the plant, is celebrated for its vulnerary powers. The St. John’s Wort was held in high estimation by the earlier writers on the Materia Medica, and numerous virtues attributed to it, particularly as a febrifuge and anthelmintic; and it still enjoys much reputation in sore parts of Europe, in the treatment of many diseases, but is seldom or never em- ployed by the regular practitioner. In this country, it is only used to make an oi] or ointment, which is said to be an excellent application in ulcers, the reduction of tumours, &c.; and, from some trials with it, we are disposed to think favourably of it. It is made by infusing the flowers in oil or lard until these substances are tinged of a red colour. ‘The first of these preparations, although perfectly fluid at first, has a tendency to solidify, when kept for any length of time. Whatever may be the real value of this plant as a medicinal agent, it deserves attention, and that a fair trial should be made of it; the testimonies in its favour are so strong, that it can scarcely be as inert as is “now supposed ; and, as is observed by Cullen (Mat, Med. 173), ‘* we should not be so audacious as to neglect it, for by the sensible qualities it appears active ;” and further adds, ‘‘ that there are many well-vouched testimonies of its virtues, particularly of its diuretic powers.” No complete analysis has been made of this plant; but from the experi- ments of Mr. Blair (Am, Jour. Pharm., ii. 23), its active constituents appear to be an acrid, resinous substance, pervading the whole plant, a red oil, fur- nished by the glands on the petals, and some tannin. Hypericum is not recognised as officinal by the United States Pharmacopeeia, but is so by many of the European authorities, as a constituent of a variety of syrups, tinctures, &c. a There are many other species, which have obtained some celebrity ; thus the H, lanceolatum, a native of the Isle of France, is there used as a specific 158 MEDICAL BOTANY. e in syphilis, and the H. connatum is employed in Brazil as an astringent in sore throat, as is also the H. daxtusculum agamst the bites of venomous snakes; and finally, several species are considered in Russia as efficacious in hydrophobia. Group IxX.—Silenales. Orver 22.—CARYOPHYLLACEA. Sepals 4—5, continuous with the peduncle, persistent, distinct, or cohering in a tube. Petals 4-5, hypogynous, unguiculate, inserted on the peduncle of the ovary, sometimes split into 2 parts or even wanting. Stamens generally twice as many as the petals, or equal in number to the sepals and opposite to them, inserted on the peduncle of the ovary ; filaments subulate, sometimes monadelphous; anthers innate, 2-celled, with a longitudinal dehiscence. Ovary stipulate, on the apex of a pedicel (gynophore) composed of 2—5 car- pels, with adherent and valvate edges, or so turned inwards as sometimes to touch the - central placenta; stigmas 2-5, sessile, filiform; ovules few or indefinite. Capsule 2-5 valved, either 1. or 2—5-celled. Placenta central. Seeds usually indefinite; albumen mealy ; embryo external, curved round the albumen, or sometimes straight. These plants are usually small herbs, occasionally suffruticose, with oppo- site and entire leaves often connate at base, without stipules. ‘They are princi- pally natives of cold and temperate climates; those occurring in tropical regions usually growing at high elevations. Their general character is that of insipidity. Some, however, are endowed with more active qualities; thus many of them have saponaceous properties depending on the presence of a peculiar principle called Sapondne, and. allied to the active constituent of Sarsaparilla, ‘This exists in the roots of Sapona- ria officinalis, Gypsophila struthium, &c.; it is bitterish, spumescentzwith water, and used instead of soap, in Europe, for cleansing clothes.’ The plants in which it is found, have obtained some notice as substitutes for sarsaparilla in the treatment of syphilis, chronic cutaneous affections, jaundice, &c. Several of the American species of. Silene have been employed with some success as anthelmintics, especially the S, vz7ginzca, (Barton, Collec. i. 39.) The flowers of the Pink, (Dzanthus,) were at one time esteemed to be tonic, © astringent and sudorific, but are at present only used to colour certain prepa- rations, Lemery, (Dict. 264,) says that the petals of the D. plumarius are cephalic, and have been found efficacious in epilepsy. The seeds of Agro- stemma gtthago, or Corncockle, are reported to render meal unwholesome when ground with the grain ; from the experiments of Cordier, it would appear that this is erroneous, ‘for although somewhat acrid, they are not poisonous. On the other hand, many of the older writers sneak of them as active, and recommend them highly in some cutaneous disorders, and also in hamor- rhages, and as an external application to ulcers and fistulas, Group X,—Malvales. OrpEeR 23.—STERCULIACEA.—Ventenat. Calyx naked, or surrounded with an involucre of 5-sepals, more or less connected at base, with a valvate wstivation. Petals 5, (or more,) hypogynous, convolute in estiva- tion. Stamens ne variously monadelphous; anthers 2-celled, extrorse. Pistil consisting of 5, (rarely 3,) carpels, either distinct or cohering. Styles equal i in number to carpels, Miathnct or united; oyules erect, if definite, sometimes indefinite. Fruit capsular, with 3-5 cells, or drupaceous, or berried, or even composed of distinct follicles. Seeds STERCULIACES. 159 ovate or angular, winged of eel; albumen rarely wanting, oily or fleshy. Embryo straight or curved. 8 These plants are larg 2s or Shrubs, with alternate simple or compound, or even digitate leaves, with free deciduous stipules, The inflorescence is various. Nearly all the species are tropical, or at least natives of warm climates ; some of them are of prodigious size; the Adansonia having been found with a trunk of 30 feet in diameter, and some species of Bombax and Cezba are of almost as gigantic dimensions, | They are chiefly remarkable for the abundance of mucilage they con- tain, but some of them have more efficient properties. The leaves of the Adansonia are reduced to powder in Africa, in which state it is called Lado, and mixed with their food by the negroes, they being of opinion that it tends to diminish perspiration ; it has also been found useful in bowel complaints. The juice of the fruit is used as a drink in fevers, (Bot. Mag. 2792.) The dried pulp mixed with water is considered efficacious in dysentery, and from the experiments of Dr. L. Frank, it would seem that its virtues have not been overrated, (Delile. Cent. 12.) _ The fruit forms an object of commerce in Africa, and is transported to great distances. When burnt, the ashes are mixed with palm oil to form a soap. The powder of the capsules of the He/icteres zsora is used in India, made into an ointment with castor oil, in ulcerations of the ears, (Azmsize, ii. 447,) and Rheede states that a decoction of the fruits and leaves is useful in fevers, catarrh, &c. (Hort. Malab. vi. 55.) Sloane and Lunan speak of the efficacy of the juice of the root of a Jamaica species in stomach affections, and St. Hilaire found the H. sacarolha used in Brazil in venereal complaints, (Pl. usuelles. Bras. lib. 13,) and Martius says that the Myrodia angustifolia is employed for the same purpose. Many species of Stercudza are likewise resorted to for remedial purposes. The S. tragacantha furnishes the Sierra Leone tragacanth, and the S. wrens, of India, affords a similar product. The pod of S. feteda is employed in’ Java against gonorrhcea, whilst the leaves. are considered aperient and revulsive, (Horsefield ;) the bark of S. balanghas has some reputation in the Moluccas as an emmenagogue. The seeds of several of the African species are employed in Africa to render brackish and semi-putrid water palatable, and are. spoken of by travellers under the name of Kola nuts. One of the most curious plants of this order is the Chewrostemon platanoides, or Hand-tree of Mexico; the flower of this has no petals, but a large angular calyx, somewhat resembling a leather cup, from the centre of which rises up a column, bearing five narrow curved anthers, with a curved style in the centre, looking like a hand with claws. It was known to the Mexicans by the unpronounceable name of Macpalzcochiquauthitl. Only one tree was known, near Toluca, which they con- sider as holy. . C, platanoides. OrpER 24.—BYTTNERIACEA.—R. Brown. Calyx herbaceous, membranous or coriaceous, 4—5 lobed, valvate in estivation. Co- rolla none, or of as many petals as there are lobes in the calyx, either flat, but twisted in estivation, or arched and ligulate ; folded inwards towards the edges and valvate in esti- vation, permanent or deciduous. Stamens hypogynous, definite, opposite the petals, or twice as many, half only fertile and opposite the petals, or indefinite, as many being bar- ren as there are sepals and opposite to them, usually united in a tube. Anthers introrse, 3-celled, with a longitudinal dehiscence, rarely by a cleft or pore near the apex. Ovary free, sessile, or on a short pedicel, composed of 4~10 carpels, around a central column, or ESE E— 160 © MEDICAL BOTANY. * one only. Styles terminal, consolidated. Stigmas equal in number to the cells. Fruit usually a capsule splitting through the cells, or dividing at the partitions. Seeds some- times winged, but generally round. Embryo usually in a small quantity of fleshy or mucilaginous albumen, straight or curved. Cotyledons fleshy, or usually foliaceous, entire or split, plaited or folded, or even rarely spiral. Trees, shrubs, or undershrubs, sometimes climbing, generally furnished with a stellate or forked pubescence or scurfy.. Leaves simple, alternate, usu- ally notched at the edges, generally with deciduous stipules. Inflorescence various. ‘They are natives of tropical or temperate climates. Many of them are possessed of medicinal powers, and one is valuable as furnishing the cacao, The Waltheria douradinha is employed in Brazil as a vulnerary, and its decoction is reputed efficacious in syphilis, catarrhal complaints, &c. (St. Hi- laire, Pl. usuell. Bras., liv. viii.) Another species, the W. frutecosa, is said by Rottboll to be febrifuge and anti-venereal (Sprengel, Hast. Med., vi. 467). The bark of Gauzuma ulnufolia is administered, in infusion, as a sudorific, and is esteemed beneficial in cutaneous affections in Martinique (for. des Antill., ii. 73); the fruit abounds. in a pleasant mucilage, and the young bark is used to clarify sugar. The bark of Kydia calycina is employed in India as a remedy in eruptive diseases. The fibrous tissue of the bark is so strong in some of the plants of this order as to be manufactured into cordage. The most important species of the order are those composing the genus Theobroma, the seeds of which, called Cacao, are the basis of chocolate. These are afforded by several species, and are not been asserted. They are all small trees, occur- ring in the West Indies and South America. The seeds are contained in an ovoid capsule, deeply furrowed on the sides, of different colours in the various species and varieties, usually, however, of some shade of yellow, when fresh, and brown when dried. Each of these pods contains from twenty to thirty nuts, of an almond shape, and consisting of a white and sweet, somewhat oleagi- nous substance, covered by a leathery-like shell. When the fruit is perfectly ripe, it is broken to extract the seeds; these are now pulpy, of a sweetish acid taste; they are then dried and packed for exportation. Whilst the fruit is fresh, an ardent spirit can be distilled from it. There are a variety of kinds of Cacao; the best is that of Caraccas. Before being formed into choco- late, the nuts are roasted, and their external covering removed; the ker- nel is triturated until it forms a paste, when it is put into moulds, where it soon hardens into what is, called chocolate. When in a state of paste it is variously flavoured with sugar, vanilla, spices, and other ingredients, according to taste. The use of chocolate is universal; it is nourishing, but does not agree with the stomachs of many persons. Where it is digested without difficulty, it is very restorative and analeptic. Those who cannot use chocolate can often take an infusion of the husks, with much benefit. The nut contains a fatty, solid oil, generally known under the name of butter of cacao. This is of a pleasant smell, of a whitish-yellow colour; it is very emollient, and has been used for suppositories, as an in- gredient in cough mixtures, &c., but its principal consumption is by the per- fumer, in the formation of soaps and pomatums. Cacao contains a neutral crystalline principle, called Theobromine, analo- gous in composition to Theine and Caffeine, being, like them, highly azo- tized. It may be noticed as remarkable, that the plants containing these the product of one only (the TZ. cacao), as has- a ae MALVACEA, 161 principles are*instinctively used by almost all nations, and especially by those who feed principally on vegetable products, OrpER 25.—_MALVACEA.—Jussieu. Sepals 5 (seldom 3-4), united at base, often with an exterior calyx or involucrum ; esti- vation valvate. Petals as many as sepals, hypogynous, estivation valvate. Stamens hypogynous, as many or commonly a multiple of the petals, monadelphous. Anthers reniform, l-celled, dehiscing transversely. Ovary of many carpels, round a common axis, distinct or coherent. Styles as many as carpels, united or distinct. Stigmas as many or twice as many as styles. Fruit capsular, rarely baccate. Carpels 1 or many- seeded, sometimes united or distinct, the dehiscence septicidal or loculicidal. Seeds ex- albuminous. Embryo curved. Cotyledons foliaceous, twisted. The large order of Malvacez is composed of trees, shrubs, and herbs, with alternate, stipulate leaves, which are in general palmately veined and clothed with a stellate pubescence. They occur in many parts of the world, the shrubby and arboreous species being mostly confined to warm regions. Their general character is that of abounding in mucilage, and being destitute of any unwholesomé qualities, or of marked medicinal powers, though seve- ral of them have been recognised as officinal among the class of demulcents. AtTH#esa.—Linn. Calyx surrounded with a. 6-9 cleft involucel or outer calyx. Capsules numerous, in- dehiscent, 1-seeded, arranged in a ring round the axis. A. orFicinauis, Linn.—Leaves with a soft tomentum on both sides, cordate or ovate, toothed, entire or 3-lobed. Peduncles many-flowered, shorter than the leaves. Linn., Sp. Pl. 966 ; Woodville, i. 53 ; Stokes, Med. Bot., iii. 5380 ; Stephen- son & Churchill, i. 51 ; Torrey & Gray, FV.,i. 229; Lindley,.Flor. Med., 143. Common Name.—Marsh-mallow. Foreign Names.—Guimauve, Fr.; Altea, Jt. ; Eibisch, Ger. Description.—The root is spindle-shaped and somewhat woody. The stems are annual, round, leafy, erect, somewhat branching towards. the top, and downy. The leaves are of a hoary green colour, tomentose on both sides, alter- nate, ovate or cordate, plaited, more or less di- vided into lobes, and are supported on long petioles. The flowers are of a uniform: pur- plish-rose colour, and grow in short, dense, axillary clusters. The calyx is double, the outer one 6-9 cleft, whilst the inner one is di- - vided into five segments. The petals are five, ob-cordate, unguiculate. The stamens are nu- merous, separate above, and bear réniform an- thers. ‘The ovary is orbicular, surmounted by - a cylindrical style, divided into many subulate - stigmas. The capsules, which are often twenty in number, are compressed and ranged in a circle, round a columnar axis; each has two valves, and contains a single, reniform, smooth, brown seed, This plant is indigenous to many parts of Europe, and has been naturalized in “Wi some places in this country. It is gene- A. officinalis, rally found in wet situations, especially _1- Styles. 2. Stamens. egret fer near the sea, In Europe it is also cul- Bets bic 11 162 - MEDICAL BOTANY. tivated on account of its roots, which are much employed theré for medicinal purposes. These, as found in the shops, are.in pieces of three or four inches in length, about the thickness of the finger, of a white colour externally, owing to the removal of the grayish-yellow epidermis. They possess scarcely any odour, and have a vapid, mucilaginous taste. They have often been analyzed, with nearly similar results, namely, a large proportion of mucilage, fecula, inuline, &c. Mr. Bacon discovered what he thought to © be a new principle in them, on which he bestowed the name of Althezne, but subsequent researches have shown that it is identical with asparagine. Medical Properties, §c.—The Marsh-mallow is very, generally used in Europe as a demulcent and emollient, but in this country its employment is very limited, its place being supplied by other articles of equal efficacy, which are more readily procurable, and especially by the bark of the Slippery Elm. It would be superfluous to advert to the various preparations of this article and their applications ; it is sufficient to state, that externally, it is employed in fomentations, baths, and cataplasms, and internally, in infusion, syrup, and in a conserve that enjoys a high reputation as a demulcent in irritations and inflammations of the respiratory organs. The powder is also used to give consistence to many pharmaceutical preparations. As almost all the Mal- vacez possess the same mucilaginous properties, several of them are advan- tageously substituted for the Marsh-mallow, some of them, in fact, present much higher claims to notice, particularly the Adbelmoschus esculentus, or Okra, which abounds in a bland mucilage that might be advantageously employed as an emollient in many of the phlegmasie. : | The flowers of the A. rosea, are used in Greece for the same purposes as those of the Marsh-mallow, and the leaves are said to yield a blue colouring matter analogous to indigo. P GossyPrium.—Linn. Calyx cup-shaped, obtusely 5.toothed, with a three-leavel involucel, with the leaves united and cordate at base, and irregularly dentate and incised ; stigmas 3-5. Capsules 3-5-celled, loculicidal. Seeds numerous, embedded in cotton. This highly interesting and important genus consists of several species, but the best botanical authorities differ as to the exact number. De Candolle admits of thirteen,and many more are enumerated by other writers. Dr. Hamilton, who is followed by Wight and Arnott, is of opinion that there are but two, the G. album, with white seeds, and the G. 2zgrum, with black seeds. Cultivation has produced so many changes that it is now difficult to decide as to the propriety of thus limiting or extending the species. In all of them the young branches and leaves are more or less marked with black dots, and the nervures of the lower surface of the leaves furnished with one or more glands, They are natives of the tropical regions of Asia and America. G. nerpaceum, Linn.—Leaves 3-5 lobed, with a single gland below, lobes mucronate. Seeds free, covered with a short tomentum under the long white cotton. Linn., Sp. Pl. 845; De Candolle, Prod. i. 456; Roxburgh, FV. Ind. iii. 184; Torrey and Gray, FZ. i. 230. Common Name.—Cotton Plant. ' Foreign Names.—Cotonnier, Fr. ; Bambagia, Cotone, J¢.; Krautargige baumevolle, Ger. Description—A shrub which is about three or four feet high, with a round, upright pubescent stem, brown at the lower part, with straight fissures, spotted with black at the top, the branches are spreading. ‘The leaves are five-lobed, with a single gland below. The calyx is cup-shaped, obtusely five-toothed, and surrounded by a three-leaved inyo- lucel, the leaflets of which are much cut and dentate. The corolla is composed of five spreading petals united below into a tube, of a pale yellow colour, with a red spot on each ae ee ee ee MALVACES. | 163 at base, deciduous. The capsule is bluntly three-cornered, three-valved, three-celled ; con- taining about three seeds in each cell, immersed in cotton; these seeds are dlethed with a close, dense, short tomentum, are convex on one side, and somewhat flattened on the other. The varieties are exceedingly numerous, both as regards the glands, the colour of the flowers and the shape of the leaves, as well as the length and fineness of the cotton, and the height to which the bush grows. Dr. Mac- fadyen, (Flor. Jam. i.74,) says: “I am inclined to the opinion that the numerous sorts of cotton we meet with, are properly but varieties of one species, and hence the characters by which it has been attempted to distinguish them, are so variable and so little to be depended upon.” Cotton appears to be indigenous to all,the tropical regions of the old and new world. I[t was early known and used in India and Egypt; in the former of these countries, apparently antecedent to its employment in the latter, where it was long preceded by the use of flax, as is shown by the mummy-bandages of the earliest date being universally composed of linen. Both Herodotus and Arrian speak of cotton as indigenous to India, whence it probably was carried to Egypt. It was found in general use in Mexico and South America at the time of the conquest, and the cloth made from it, found in Peruvian tombs, demonstrates that it was a production of the country, and not derived from Eastern sources.. It may also be stated that the wild species i in the _ two hemispheres. The cotton plant, as before stated, is a native of warm climates, but is often found at considerable elevations, as Humboldt saw it growing in Central America, at an elevation of 9000 feet, and in Mexico as high as 5500, and Royle states that in the Himalayas it occurs at 4000 feet above the level of the sea. The finest qualities are grown near the sea, as in the case of the Sea Island cotton, from the coast of Georgia. Jn a work like the present, it would be out of place to speak of the commercial importance of this article, but its medical properties require notice, though they are not of a very de- cided character. The flowers are used for the same purposes as those of the mallow, as are also the roots, which Ainslie, (Mat. Ind. ii. 283,) states have been useful in India, In complaints of the urinary organs. In Brazil a decoc- tion of the leaves is thought beneficial in the bites of venomous reptiles; and steeped in vinegar, they are said to relieve hemicrania. According to Mar- tius, the seeds, which afford much oil,are emollient, and are employed in emulsions, and injections in diseases of the mucous membranes. The cotton-wool, when carded, forms an excellent application to burns and scalds, and has hee Recommends asa dressing to blisters, when it is wished to dry them rapidly. It has also proved useful in erysipelas. Besides the above, many other plants of this order have acquired some re- pute for their demulcent and emollient qualities, among which may be noticed Abutilon cordatum, a common native species, the leaves of which are very _ mucilaginous, and are employed in some parts of the Southern States as a substitute for the Marsh-mallow ; the fibres of the bark were used by the In- dians in place of hemp. A. ezdicume, and other allied species, are esteemed in India as emollients, as is Spheralcia cisplatena in Brazil. ‘The most im- portant plant of the order, after the cotton, is the Abelmoschus esculentus, so well known under the name of Okra, and so extensively used as a culinary vegetable. ‘This plant abounds in mucilage, and may be employed medici- nally in all cases requiring the employment of emollients and demulcents. The A. moschatus yields seeds having a strong odour of musk, and which are considered as cordial and stomachic. Dr, Hamilton, ( Zrans. Med. Bot. Soc. 1834,) gives an instance where these seeds were successfully administered in the bite of a venomous reptile. 164 MEDICAL BOTANY. Group XI.—Aurantiacales. OrpER 26.—AURANTIACEA.—Corvea. Calyx urceolate or campanulate, 3-5 toothed, marcescent. Petals 3-5, broad ‘at base, , slightly imbricated in es- tivation, inserted on the outside of a hypogynous disk. Stamens equal in number to or some mul. tiple of the petals, inserted on a hypogynous disk; fil- aments flattened below, sometimes distinct, some- times combined; anthers terminal innate. Ovary many-celled; style 1, cylin- drical; stigma slightly di- vided, somewhat lobed. Fruit pulpy, many-celled, with a leathery indehis- cent rind, abounding with vesicles of volatile oil. Seeds solitary or many, attached to the inner angle of each cell, usually pendu- lous; raphe and chalaza usually very distinctly Fig. 91. Cc. Limonum From a wild specimen from the Himalayan mountains. _ marked, exalbuminous. 1. Stamens. 2. Bundle of Filaments and Petals, &c. 3, Cotyledon Embryo straight; cotyle- and Radicle. 4. Disk. dons thick and fleshy. This well-marked order is composed of trees and shrubs, with alternate, often compound leaves, always articulated to the petiole, which is frequently winged ; they are smooth and are filled with pellucid glands containing a vola- tile oil. They are almost exclusively natives of the East Indies, but have been spread over most tropical countries by cultivation. ‘The Prince of Neu- wied, however, speaks of a wild orange in Brazil, and Bartram makes frequent allusions to groves of oranges in Florida, supposed to be indi- genous. (Travels, 244, 258, &c.) Fruit divided. ovate, others again pear-shaped, furrowed,. &c.; some are ex- tremely acid, whilst others ate sweet. All, however, preserve the general . characteristics of the species. This fruit, like the others before mentioned, is of Asiatic origin, and does not appear to have been introduced into Europe until long after the citron, being brought from the East at the time of the Crusades, the notices in the Roman writers, generally supposed to refer to this fruit, being, as has before been said, to the citron. This, as is observed — by Mr. Royle, is confirmed by the fact, “that the Persian and Arabian AURANTIACES. 169 authors do not, as is their wont, give any Greek synonyme of either, but of the citron, which is supposed to have been known to the Romans.” The Lemon is now cultivated in all tropical climates; but the principal supply to our markets is from the Mediterranean, and especially from Sicily, though some are derived from the West Indies and other warm regions, The Lemon bears fruit much more freely, and of a better quality, in the ar- tificial climate of a hot-house, than the orange, which seldom attains any perfection, at least in this country. . | The juice and rind are officinal. The latter is pale yellow and rough, the colour darkening on drying. It has an aromatic and bitter taste, and an agreeable, fragrant odour; these properties are owing to the presence of a volatile oil and of a bitter principle. It is an aromatic stimulant, principally employed, however, as a mere flavouring ingredient, being seldom or never administered alone. The volatile oil (oil of lemons), although carminative and diaphoretic, is more used as a perfume, and to mask the taste of nau- seous medicines, than as a remedial agent; some success has attended its employment as an external stimulant, especially in chronic inflammations of the eye. The juice owes its sourness to the presence of the citric acid it contains, in combination with mucilage, extractive matter, some sugar, and water. Scheele was the first chemist who obtained this acid in a pure state. The process he devised is the same now employed, that of saturating the juice with chalk, and decomposing the citrate of lime thus formed, by means of sulphuric acid, when the vegetable acid is set free, and may be purified and crystallized. Citric acid thus obtained is extremely acid, but not as agreea- ble as the juice itself; it is, therefore, but seldom used in medicine, when the latter can be procured. It is, however, largely employed in the arts. Medical Propertves, §-c.—Lemon-juice, as being one of the most grateful of the acids, is much used in the formation of refreshing drinks in febrile complaints, and also in the preparation of effervescing draughts. A mixture of this kind, made with one scruple of the carbonate of potash dissolved in an ounce of water, and half an ounce of lemon-juice, taken in a state of effer- vescence, is advantageously employed to check vomiting and to diminish morbid irritability of the stomach. But the juice appears to possess proper- ties of a higher order: Whytt found that, given in half ounce doses, that it al- layed the paroxysm of hysteria, and relieved palpitation of the heart. As a preventive to scurvy, this article is well known, and the only drawback to its general use is the difficulty of preserving it on long voyages. The crystal- lized citric has been substituted for it; but it has been found that this, although useful, is not equal to the juice itself, It has also been much re- commended in poisoning by opium and its preparations ; but, in general, the directions for its use are highly erroneous, as it is ‘spoken of as an antidote for the poison, which it is far from being, as, if it is given whilst the poison remains in the stomach, it adds to its effect on the system, by rendering the morphia more soluble; but if it be administered after the removal of the nar- cotic, it is of much benefit, in restoring the powers of the stomach, and in giving relief to the patient. In the West Indies and South America, a cata- plasm of the pulp mixed with common salt, is a usual remedy for the bites of venomous reptiles. There are several other species or marked varieties of Citrus, among which the C."acida, or Lime, is very largely used for the preparation of citric acid. Almost all the juice that comes from the West Indies is obtained from this fruit, and not from the Lemon; it is more acid, but possessed of the 170 - MEDICAL BOTANY. same properties. The C. decumana, or Shaddock, the Pampelmouse of the French, bears the largest fruit of any of the genus; the pulp is acid, and the rind, as well as the interior dissepiments, are excessively bitter. This rind is superior to that of the bitter orange for medicinal purposes, but is not used in medicine. The C. bergamza, or Bergamot, bears a fruit closely resem- bling the Lemon; some varieties of it are eatable, and others are used for preserves, as a substitute for citron, but its chief value is in the quantity of essential oil obtained from it. This article, well known under the name of owl of bergamot, is of a pale greenish colour, a very peculiar but agreeable odour, and is of greater specific gravity than any other of the essential oils furnished by the genus Citrus. Its only use is in perfumery. Orper 27.—AMYRIDACER.— Lindley. Flowers hermaphrodite, or sometimes unisexual by abortion. Calyx with 2—5S sepals, persistent. Petals 3—5, inserted below a disk, arising from the calyx, with a valvate but sometimes an imbricate estivation. Stamens twice or four times as many as the petals, all fertile. Disk orbicular or annular. Ovary 1—5-celled, superior, sessile in or on the ‘disk. Style solitary and compound, Stigmas equal in number to the cells. Fruit hard and dry, 1—5-celled, with its outer part often valvular. Seeds exalbuminous. Cotyledons wrinkled, plaited, or amygdaloid. Radicle straight. The Amyridacez are all trees or shrubs, abounding ina balsamic juice, and having alternate or opposite leaves, which are ternate or unequally pinnate, sometimes with stipules, and occasionally with pellucid dots. They are all natives of tropical climates ; one species only is found in the United States. They are all more or less endowed with remedial properties, and several of them afford products recognised as officinal. Besides these, the resin of Canarium commune has the same properties as Balsam Copaiva, and the nuts, both raw and cooked, form an article of food in Java; though when raw, they are apt to create some disease of the bowels. The Bursera pant- culata of the Isle of France yields a copious flow of a liquid oil, of a terebin- — thinate odour, which soon congeals into a camphor-like consistence. Several species of Hedwigia likewise afford resinous products, useful in medicine and the arts; thus, the Chibou resin is obtained from the H. gummufera, the Canara from the H. acuminata, and the Baume a sucrier from the H. bal- samifera. One of the resins, called Tacamahaca, is ; from a species of Elaphrium, and the Icicas furnish numerous articles of some utility ; the incense wood: being derived from L. guzanensis ; American Elemi from J. zczcariba ; Ame- rican Balm of Gilead from I. carana, &c. Much of the Elemi of commerce is derived from the Amyris hezandra and plumiert ; the wood of A, bal- samifera furnishes one of the kinds of Lignum rhodium, whilst the A. toze- Jera is said to be poisonous. The leaves of Balanites egyptiaca are stated to be anthelmintic, and the unripe fruit to be purgative. The bark of Picram- mia ciliata, according to Martius, forms a good substitute for Cascarilla. In short, it would appear that there is scarcely a species belonging to this im- portant order that does not possess some useful qualities, BaLsAMODENDRON.— Kunth. Flowers irregular. Calyx four-toothed, persistent. Petals four, oblong-linear. Stamens ; AMYRIDACEX. 171 eight, with elevated warts between them, Ovary single, supporting a short, obtuse style. ’ Drupe ovate, acute, with four sutures. 1—2-celled. Cells 1-seeded. This genus was. formed by Kunth from certain species of Amyris, having the germen superior, and not inferior, and has been adopted by many bota- nists, but is not recognised by others, among whom is De Candolle. 1. B. Myrrua, Nees.—Stem shrubby. Branches squarrose, spinose. Leaves ternate. Leaflets obovate, obtuse, somewhat dentate at apex. Fruit acuminate. | Nees, Besch. Offic. Planz. liv. 17; Royle, Mat. Med. 335 ; Protewm Ka- taf, Lindley, Flor. Med. 170. Description.—A small shrubby tree, with spiny branches, having a pale gray or whitish- gray ‘bark, with an . aromatic smell, The Fig. 94. leaves ternate on short petioles. The flowers ‘are unknown. ‘The - fruit is ovate, brown, smooth, a little larger than a pea, attached to the persistent calyx, and supported on a very short peduncle. It is a native of Ara- bia, where it is said to be abundant. It fur- nishes a gum-resin, which is one of the varieties of Myrrh. The history of Myrrh is involved in great obscurity, 1A ahs and notwithstand- eee. Bmetee ing the recent dis- coveries and investigations on the subject, much remains to be known respecting it. It derives its name from Myrrha, the daughter of Cyniras, and who is said by the poets to have been changed into a tree, after having given birth to Adonis. An article under this name was known very early in the history of the world, and is always alluded to as exceedingly precious, and possessing an exquisite perfume and great virtues. Dioscorides speaks of eight kinds of it, and Pliny of seven, proving that several distinct substances were included in one common name. They state that it is derived principally from the country of the Troglodytes on the Red Sea, whilst Herodotus «and Diodorus state that the trees which produce it are in vast abundance in Ara- bia. The first definite account of its origin is given by Theophrastus, who says that it is derived from a shrub with spiny branches, and leaves resem- bling those of the olive, agreeing in this with the more recent accounts. Linnzeus was of opinion that it was an animal product, and that it was caused by insects. By Bruce it was considered as derived from a species of Mimosa; Loureiro states that it was furnished by a Lawrus found in Cochin- China, and Forskal by a species of Amyris, which he calls A. kataf; finally, Ehrenberg and Hemprich discovered a plant in Arabia, exuding Myrrh, which proved to be very analogous to that described by Forskal, and is even consi- dered by Lindley to be identical with it; but, according to Dr. Royle, differs 5 172 MEDICAL BOTANY. much from Forskil’s specimen of B. kataf in the herbarium of the British Museum, as will be seen in the annexed cut. It was found in Arabia, in the vicinity of Gison, in great abundance, growing with Acacias and Euphorbias. This accounts for the origin of one of the kinds of Myrrh met with in com- merce, the Turkey, which is stated to be collected in Arabia, and taken to Turkey by the route of Egypt, but leaves the same state of uncertainty as regards the source of the East Indian, which is said to be gathered in Abys- -synia, and thence sent to the Indian ports. That these two kinds are not the product of the same district of country is proved by the fact, that the impuri- ties or extraneous substances found mingled with them vary widely, which would not be the case, if both kinds came originally from the same place. It may prove, however, that they are the product of the same species, growing in different countries, more especially as the climate of the coast of Abyssinia is very analogous to that of Arabia. Myrrh, as found in the shops, is in small fragments, called tears, or in masses composed of agglutinated portions of various shades of colour. When of good quality it is reddish- yellow, somewhat translucent, and possesses a peculiar aromatic odour, and a bitter, warm taste. It is partially soluble in water, alcohol, and ether. It has been often analyzed, the latest examination of it being by Brandes, who operated on specimens collected by Ehrenberg and Hemprich; in these he found volatile oil, about one-fourth of resin, one- half of gum, and several salts. The resin consisted of two kinds, one hard, in small proportions, and which presented some of the properties of an acid, the other soft, and probably a mixture of resin and volatile oil. Medical Properties, §-c.—Myrrh is a stimulant tonic ; in small doses it pro- motes appetite and aids digestion, and appears to diminish excessive secretions from the mucous membranes. When administered in large quantities it acts as an irritant to the alimentary canal, excites fever, and creates much ‘dis- turbance of the system. It also appears to have some special affinity to the uterus, though this is denied by many writers, It is given in a variety of complaints, though it is only calculated for cases where there is a diminution of vascular action, and a general relaxed condition of the system, or of some of the organs. In an atonic state of the stomach and bowels, it has proved highly useful, especially in combination with some of the preparations of iron, in which form also, it is very beneficial in those disordered conditions of the uterine system, attended with anemia, as in chlorosis and some forms of amenorrhea. It also forms a good external application in aphthous sore mouth, in a spongy or ulcerated condition of the gums, and to foul ulcers. When given internally in substance, the dose is from ten to thirty grains, either in powder, or suspended in water. It is but seldom given alone, being generally combined with the chalybeates, or with aloes or some of the feetid gums, according to the indication to be fulfilled. 2. B. Ginzapense.—De Candolle. Leaves ternate. Leaflets entire. Peduncles one- flowered, lateral. De Candolle, Prod. ii. 76; Woodville, iii. 192 ; Stokes, Med. Bot. ii. 857 ; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 157; Amyris gileadensis, Linn., Mant. 65 ; A. opobalsamum, Forskal, Arab. 79 ; Protium. Gileadense, Lindley, Flor. Med. 169. Common Names.—Balm of Gilead, Balsam of Gilead. Foreign Names.—Balsamier de la Mecque, Fr, ; Balsamino di Gilead, Zt, ; Gileadischer Balsamstrauch, Ger. AMYRIDACE&. 173 Description.—It is an evergreen shrub or small tree, seldom more than twelve Fig. 95. or fourteen feet in height, with a flat top, giving it a stunted appearance. The trunk is about eight or ten inches in dia- meter, with many spreading, crooked, purplish branches, having protuberant buds, covered with an aromatic resin. The wood is resinous, light, of a reddish colour. The bark is smooth and ash- coloured. The leaves are thinly-scattered, small, composed of one or two pairs of opposite leaflets and an odd one; these leaflets are sessile, obovate, and of a bright green colour. The flowers are in threes; they are small, of a whitish co- lour, and furnished with small, somewhat bifid bracts. The calyx is persistent, and composed of four spreading sepals. The petals are four, oblong, concave, spread- ing. The stamens are eight, tapering, and erect, bearing erect anthers. The ovary is superior, ovate, and supporting a thick style, having a quadrangular stigma. The fruit is reddish-brown, ovate, somewhat compressed, four-valved, and containing a pointed smooth nut, marked on one side by a longitudinal ~ furrow. : B. gileadense. . a, Cluster of flowers. b. Expanded flower. This tree is found in many parts of Arabia and Abyssinia, and was formerly cultivated in Judea, as it was from Gilead in that country that the Egyptians derived the balsam. At present, according to Buckingham, not a plant of it is to be found; but Burckhardt states that it is still partially cultivated near the lake of Tiberias. It was also discovered by Bruce in Abyssinia, in company with the Myrrh tree, all along the coast to the Straits of Babelmandel ; this agrees with the account of Josephus, who says, that according to tradition, it was introduced into Judea by the Queen of Sheba, when she visited King Solomon ; though this tradition is erroneous, as will be shown. | This tree and its odoriferous balsam are noticed in the earliest records, and it appears to have always been held in high esteem. Thus in Genesis (xxxvi.) it is stated that the Ishmaelites carried it as an article of merchandise to Egypt. ‘A company of Ishmaelites came from Gilead, with their camels, bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.” Now, as is observed by Bruce, this took place full a thousand years before the time of the Queen of Sheba, and shows that the plant had been trans- planted into Judea long anterior to the period to which the tradition refers. On the other hand, it may be said that Gilead was merely the mart for such products, as these same merchants carried myrrh and spicery which cer- tainly were not the growth of Judea. The ancient profane writers constantly allude to this balsam. | Pliny, in speaking of it, says, “but to all other odours whatever, the balsam is pre- ferred, produced in no other part but the land of Judea, and there in two gar- dens only, both belonging to the king.” This account agrees with that of Strabo, who states that it grew only in the king’s garden at Jericho, Showing that it was a cultivated and not an indigenous plant, and highly prized. In fact, it was of such consequence, that all writers treating on Judea 174 MEDICAL BOTANY. notice it. Vespasian and Titus each carried some of the balsam to Rome as a great rarity, and Pompey exhibited one of the trees at his triumphal entry. At the time of the visit of Alexander the Great to Judea, it was so scarce that all that could be collected during a summer’s day was one spoonful ; and it is stated that in the most plentiful year, not more than seven gallons were ob- tained in the whole country. Of course it bore a very high price, being sold at twice its weight in silver. There are three kinds mentioned by Pliny and others: the Opobalsamum, which was a green liquor found in the kernel of the fruit, the Carpobalsamum, expressed from the ripe fruit, and the Xylobal- samum, derived from the small twigs; but these names are differently ap- plied by Lemery and other pharmaceutical writers of his day, designating by the first the balsam itself, by the second the dried fruits, and by the latter the twigs and branches. At present the Balsam of Gilead or Mecca, as it is sometimes called, is procured from Arabia, and principally, according to Milburn, between Mecca and Medina. The Beat kind is said to exude naturally, but iuiakien qualities are obtained by boiling the branches. It is at first turbid, and white, of a strong, pungent, agreeable aromatic smell, and slightly bitter, acrid taste. "When it is kept, it becomes thin, limpid, of a greenish hue, and afterwards yellow. As may be supposed, it is very liable to adulteration from its scarcity and high price... It was formerly supposed that an infallible criterion of its purity was, that when dropped on water, it formed a thin pellicle, which could be taken up, unbroken, with the point of a needle, but this, as is well known, will take place with any consistent balsam. Bruce states, the true article, when dropped on woollen cloth, may be washed off by simple water. Ac- cording to an analysis of it by Trommsdorff, it consists of volatile oil, a soft resin insoluble in alcohol, and a hard resin soluble in that vehicle. This balsam is in much estimation among the Asiatic nations, especially the Turks and Arabs, both as a medicine and perfume, and it is also employed as a cosmetic of undoubted efficacy in the harems, but from all that can be gathered, it possesses no virtues beyond those of the other turpentines, its excessive price being probably one great reason for the esteem it enjoys. In Kurope, and this country, the drug known under the name of Balsam of Gilead, is the product of a native tree, the Adzes balsamea, which, if not quite as fragrant, is equally efficacious as a medical agent. As toa quack remedy in great repute in England some years since, under the name of ‘* Solomon’s cordial balm of Gilead, ” it did not contain a drop of the balsam, but is said to have been a tincture of cardamoms with cantharides. A species of this genus is mentioned by Mr. Griffith, (Ann. Nat. Hist. x. 194,) as being extensively cultivated in Affghanistan, on account of its stimu- lant and aromatic properties. ‘The gum called Bdelliwm, so long known in medicine, but respecting whose origin so much uncertainty exists, and which has been attributed to so many different sources, is in part derived from one or more species of Balsamodendron ; that observed by Adanson, in Senegal, and which he says is called Niouttout by the natives, is the B. africanum, whilst that from India, which is probably the kind known to the ancients, is said to be furnished by the B. Roxburghi. BosweEtiia.— Roxburgh. re Flowers bisexual. Calyx small, inferior, persistent, five-toothed. Petals five. Stamens AMYRIDACES.’ 175 ten, inserted under a torus. Torus a crenate ring around the base of the ovary. Style one, caducous. Capsule triangular, 3-valved, 3-celled. Seeds solitary, winged. This genus, which was established by Dr. Roxburgh, is peculiar to India, and has also received the name of Libanus from Colebrooke, from its Hebrew appellation. ‘The species are all large trees, and all afford a resinous juice, and a wood which is heavy, hard, and durable. B. serrata, Roxburgh.—Leaves pinnate, leaflets serrated, pubescent. Racemes simple, axillary. Petals ovate. Stamens inserted on the external margin of the torus. Roxburgh, Pl. Coromand. v. 3; Ainslie, Mat, Ind. i. 264; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 147; B. thurifera, Wightand Arnott, i. 174; Royle, Mat. Med. 333; Lindley, Flor. Med. 171 ;. Colebrooke, Aszat. Research. ix. 377. Description.—A lofty tree, with the leaves at the extremity of the branches. The leaves are pinnate, consisting of about ten pairs of obliquely, oblong, obtuse, serrated, villous leaflets, with a terminal one, some- times opposite, sometimes alter- nate, on short, round, pubescent petioles. The flowers are in sim- ple axillary racemes, shorter than the leaves, numerous, small, of a pale pink colour, and fur- nished with minute bracts. The calyx is small, five-cleft and downy ; the petals are oblong and spreading, villous externally, and much longer than the stamens; these are ten in number, inserted on the outer edge of a cup-shaped torus or nectary, which is crena- ted and fleshy, surrounding the ovary ; the stamens are alternately shorter, and support oblong an- thers. The ovary is superior, ovate, and bears a cylindrical style : . B, serrata. with three lobed stigmas, The , 1. Single expanded flower. fruit is a three-angled, smooth capsule, having three cells opening by the same number of valves, and each containing a single seed, which is broad, cordate at base, deeply emarginate, with a long slender point. This Boswellia occurs in some abundance in the mountainous districts of Central India, and another species, the B. glabra, also affording a fragrant resin of the same character as Olibanum, is found in the northwestern parts of the same country. These two species furnish the Indian drug, whilst that called African, and imported from Egypt, and originally obtained from Arabia and the eastern coast of Africa, is the product of a tree which is stated by Capt. Kempthorne, (Harris, Highlands of Ethiopia, App. iii.,) to grow from the bare rocks ; he says, “ from the base of the trunk, and about treble its diame- ter, a very round, thick substance is protruded, of a nature between bark and wood. This adheres most firmly to the stone, and at a distance resembles a mixture of mortar and lime. From the centre of the mass, the stem, having taken a bend or course outwards of several inches, rises straight up to a height of forty feet. It throws out at the top short branches covered with a bright- green folliage, the leaves being narrow and rounded at the end, five or six inches long by one broad, crimped like the frill of a shirt. From a foot to eighteen inches is the usual girth of the stem, and it tapers gradually away to the summit. The bark is perfectly smooth, and consists of four layers.” «The inner of all is about an inch thick, of a dull, reddish hue, tough, not Aa P ~ ————— i7s. MEDICAL BOTANY. unlike leather, but yielding a strong aromatic perfume.” He further states that on an incision being made into it, a milky juice exudes which soon hardens, and that the young trees produce the best gum. This gum is collected by the natives and sold to the Arabs, by whom it is sold tothe merchants. Royle, (Mat. Med. 333,) states that this tree has been identified by Mr. Bennet, of the British Museum, with Pléslea floribunda, Endlicher, but that it appears to be a Boswellia. At one time it was generally supposed, on the authority of Linneus, that Olibanum was obtained from the Juniperus lycta, a native of the south of Europe; but this was found to be erroneous, and it was’ then attributed to several different plants. Mr. Colebrooke has, however, satisfactorily shown that what comes from India, is afforded by the Boswellia under consideration, but it is very likely that the variety from Africa is derived from other plants. That from India is esteemed the best, and is by far the most common in com- merce, | Olibanum, or Frankincense, was well known to the ancients, and was used by them as now by Roman Catholics, in their religious ceremonies. It is the Lebonah of the Hebrews, and is noticed by Moses in Exodus (xxx.); their knowledge of it was most probably derived from the Egyptians, who, like all the pagan nations of antiquity, used it largely as an incense to mask the un- © pleasant emanations arising from the sacrifices offered in their temples. The article then used, was all mostly derived from Abyssinia and Ethiopia, as the communication with India at that time, especially by the (rreeks and Romans, was very uncertain, though the more eastern nations of Egyptians and He- brews had a large commerce with that distant land. Olibanum is now rarely used in medicine, though formerly it was em- ployed in chronic discharges from the mucous membranes, and formed an in- gredient in several stimulating plasters. An analysis of it by Braconnot, shows that it is composed of about one half of a resin soluble in alcohol, of a gum soluble in water, of a resin insoluble in either, and of some volatile oil. It is in the form of semi-transparent masses or tears, of a pale yellowish or pink colour, solid, hard and brittle. It has a bitterish acrid taste, and when chewed, sticks to the teeth and renders the saliva milky. OrperR 28.—CEDRELACEA.—R. Brown. Sepals 4-5, united or distinct. Petals as many as the sepals, distinct, sometimes un- guiculate; estivatiun twisted. Stamens twice as many as the petals, unequal,. some abortive ; filaments united in a tube, or distinct, inserted on a hypogynous disk ; anthers introrse, Ovary with as many cells as petals, surrounded by the discoid torus; styles and stigmas united into one, the latter 3-5-angled, discoid. Fruit, a woody 2-5-celled, 3-5-valved capsule with septicidal dehiscence. Seeds anatropous, many or few in a cell, imbricated in two rows, flat and winged, not arilled; albumen thin and fleshy or none. Embryo with thick foliaceous cotyledons and a very small radicle, This order is very closely allied to the next in many particulars, but differs in the eestivation and in the seeds. It consists of trees with a very hard and durable wood, which is often fragrant and resinous. The leaves are alter- nate, pinnate, and exstipulate. ‘The flowers are in terminal panicles, perfect, or sometimes diclinous by the abortion of the ovary or stamens, ‘They are natives of warm climates, and many of the species are of great importance in the arts: thus, the wood of the Swzetenza mahogont, and perhaps other species affords the Mahogany so much used in furniture ; the Cedrela odorata, that employed for the boxes in which segars are packed, Others, again, as ‘ CEDRELACE. . oe the Soymida febrifuga, the Cedrela toona, &c., are possessed of remedial powers. The whole of the species in fact are more or less tonic and astrin- gent. Soymrpa.— Jussieu. Sepals 5. Petals spreading, unguiculate. Stamen tube cup-shaped, 10-lobed, each lobe 2-toothed, with an anther between the teeth below. Ovary on a disk covering the bottom of the tube, 5-celled; ovules 12 in each cell. Style short, equal, 5-angled; stigma pel- tate, 5-angled. Capsule, oblong obovate, 5-celled, 5-valved, dehiscing from the apex, with a thin woody sarcocarp becoming detached from the endocarp, and both from a large permanent 5-angled axis. Seeds pendulous, winged. This genus, which is very closely allied to Swietenia, and is included in it by many eminent botanists, consists of trees with abruptly pinnate leaves, having 3-6 pair of opposite leaflets. It is peculiar to the East Indies. S. FepriruGca, Jussieu.—Leaves alternate ; leaflets 3-4 pair, elliptical, obtuse or emar- ginate, tinequal at base. Panicles terminal, divaricate. A. Jussieu, Meliac. 98 t. 26; Wight and Arnott, i. 122; Lindley, FV. Med. 155; Steph. and Church. ii. 81. Description.—A lofty tree with a straight trunk of great thickness, and covered with a gray, rugose, cracked bark. The branches are numerous, the lower ones spreading, the upper ascending, forming a large head. The leaves are alternate and abruptly pin- nate, large and composed of three or four pairs of opposite, petiolate, oval, obtuse or emarginated leaflets, which are smooth and shining, of a bright-green colour. The flowers are very numerous, middle-sized, white and inodorous, disposed in panicles aris- ing from the axils of the upper aborted leaves, and hence appear terminal with small bracts. The calyx is inferior, five cleft, oval and deciduous. The petals are five, obovate, obtuse, concave and spreading. The stamens are ten, united into a tube with the anthers at the mouth within. The ovary is conical, surmounted by a thick tapering style, crowned with a large discoid stigma. ‘The capsule is large, ovate and 5-valved, the valves gaping at top. The seeds are numerous, imbricated, obliquely cuneate, and furnished with a large membranous wing. , This tree is a native of many parts of the East Indies, where it is called Soymida by the Telingas, and Shemmarum or red-wood tree, on the Coro- mandel coast. It flowers about the end of the cold, and beginning of the hot season, and ripens its seeds in three or four months. The wood is of a dull red colour, very hard and heavy, and is esteemed by the natives as the most durable the country affords. ‘The bark, which is the part used in medi- cine, is of a dingy red colour, and has a rather pleasant bitter taste, with a slight degree of astringency ; it is brittle, and is covered externally with a rough, gray epidermis. It was first brought to the notice of the profession by Dr. Roxburgh, who found it in use among the Hindoo practitioners. “It has attracted, however, but little attention in this country or Europe, but is said to be extensively used by the army surgeons in India in all cases in which cinchona }s indi- cated. Medical Properties,. §-¢c.—This bark is tonic and astringent, and has been found efficacious as a febrifuge in intermittent and remittent fevers. Mr, Breton, who published a paper on it'in the Medico-Chirurgical ‘Transactions (v. ii.), states that in these diseases he has put the bark to the fairest possible test, and with uniform success, and is of opinion that it answers every pur- pose of the Peruvian, in allaying irritability and: restoring strength. This is confirmed by the testimony of many practitioners, who all agree in support of the observations of Mr. Breton, and add that it is better retained on the sto- mach when in substance and in greater quantities than cinchona, Dr. Ainslie (Mat. Ind. i. 124) also recommends it, but says that if the doses ns 12 178 MEDICAL BOTANY. exceeded four or five drachms in the twenty-four hours, there was a derange- ment of the nervous system with vertigo and subsequent stupor. Dr. Roxburgh is of opinion that the bark should be collected when the sap begins to ascend, and that the small or middle-sized branches furnish the best. The dose in substance is from one to five drachms a day ; it may also be given in infusion and tincture. The barks of the other species of this order are possessed of much the same powers: thus, that of the Swetenia mahogonz is used in the West Indies as a tonic and febrifuge, but is far inferior to cinchona. It may be mentioned that Blume describes a species of C. edrela which he calls febrifuga, occurring in the island of Java, where it is known by the natives under the name of Suren, which is highly esteemed in the treatment of the malignant intermit- tents of that island. This tree has been thought to be the same as the C. toona of Roxburgh, but it is more than probable that it is identical with the Soymida febrifuga, with the characters of which it agrees in all respects. Horsefield used it in the latter stages of dysentery with much benefit, and Forsten (Dess, de Cedrel.) is of opinion that it is very beneficial in bilious fevers and in protracted diarrhcea kept up by atony of the muscular fibres. Khaya Senegalensis is a native of Senegal, noticed by Batka- under the name of “ Quinquina de Senegal,” as having very bitter bark, found useful in the fevers of the country ; it is always given in infusion or decoction, never in substance; it is considered by De Candolle and others to belong to Swie- tenia. The tree noticed by Dr. Hancock ( Trans. Med. Bot. Soc. 1834) under the name of Juribalt or Euribal, a native of Pomeroon, probably belongs to this order or the next, though his description is too imperfect, to be even cer- tain of this. The bark is a powerful bitter and astringent, and is stated to be more’effectual than cinchona in fevers of a malignant or typhoid type. It does not constipate the bowels or affect the head, but generally opens the pores and promotes perspiration. To render it more active, it should be given in a warm decoction. Dr. Hancock observes in addition, that another tree, the Jctca altissima, is often known under the name of Juribali, and is also febrifuge (Journ. Phil. Coll, Pharm. v. 144). Orper 29.—MELIACEE.—Jussiew. Sepals 3-5, somewhat united at base. Petals 3-5, hypogynous, cohering at base, sometimes unequal, estivation imbricated. Stamens of the same number as, or double the number of the petals, monadelphous at base, inserted on the outside of the torus. Anthers sessile, within the ring of filaments. Ovary 3-5-celled, each cell containing 1-2 ovules. Styles and stigmas usually united into one, 3—5-lobed. Fruit drupaceous, bac- cate, or capsular, 3-5 celled, each 1-2 seeded, when dehiscent, loculicidal. Seeds never winged or flat, albumen scanty or none. ; . The Meliacez consist of trees and shrubs, with alternate or occasionally somewhat opposite’ leaves, which are simple or pinnate and exstipulate. They are found in most parts of the world, but principally in warm climates, the extra-tropical species being few. ‘Their usual qualities are those of the bitters and astringents; but in some of them other and more powerful pro- perties are present. Several species of Trichilia are very active; the TZ. cathartica is a violent purgative, and at the same time is excessively bitter, According to Martius, it is given in fevers, dropsies, &c. (Jour. Chim. Med., iii. 498). The 7 emetica has emetic roots, but its fruit is eatable, though its seeds are acrid, and are used to cure the itch. 7. glabra is a powerful pur- MELIACES&. 179 gative. The juice of the bark of Guarea trichiloides.is also an active pur- gative and emetic (Awbiet, Guy, iii. 487). The bark of 7. moschata has the odour of musk, and is said by Hancock to be eminently febrifuge; it is very bitter, and tinges the saliva of a red colour, The berry of TZ. spinosa affords a stimulating, fragrant oil, employed in India in chronic rheumatism and paralytic affections (Aznsie, ii. 71). The plant called jzto,in Brazil, which operates so violently upon the bowels as to be, in the opinion of Piso, rather a poison than a medicine, is supposed by Lindley to be a species of Guarea, perhaps the G. purgans, which Martius says acts: powerfully on the uterus, and in an over-dose, will cause abortion. The root of Sandoricune tndicum is aromatic, and is used in cases of leu- corrhaea, combined with the bark of the root of Carapa obovata, which is bitter and astringent. The bark of C. guzanensis is eminently febrifuge, and - contains a peculiar bitter principle (Jowr. de Pharm., vii. 348); the oil of its seeds is bitter and anthelmintic, and is poisonous to insects (Perrotet, Ann. Soc, Lin., 1824). An alliaceous odour is so marked in the fruits of some species (Dysoxylon, Epicharis, &c.), that they are used in some parts of Java as a substitute for garlic. Some of these plants furnish edible and plea- sant fruits, especially those of the genus Lansium and Milnea (Royle, Illus. 141). . Meuia.— Linn. Calyx small. Sepals united below. Petals oblong, spreading. Stamens 10, united into a tube, bearing the anthers in the orifice. Ovary on a short disk, 5-celled. Style with a 5-lobed stigma. Drupe ovate, with a 5-celled bony nut. Cotyledons foliaceous, This genus derives its name from the resemblance of its principal species to those of the ash, Melza of the Greeks. The species closely resemble each other in their appearance and properties, and are all natives of Asia. ‘They have long been known, and were described by the earlier writers, under the name of Azedarach, which was unnecessarily changed by Linnzus to that it at present bears. M. azEparacu, Linn.—Leaves deciduous, bipinnate; leaflets smooth, obliquely ovate- lanceolate, dentate, acuminate. Petals nearly glabrous. Lion., Sp. Pl., 550; De Candolle, Prod., i. 621; Lindley, FV’. Med., 151. Common Names.—Pride of India, Pride of China, Bead-tree, &c. ' Foreign Names.—Azedarach commun, Fr.; Pater Nostri di S, Dome- nico, It. Description—A tree thirty to forty ‘feet high, with spreading branches. The bark is scabrous on the trunk and large branches. The roots are horizontal, rather superficial, extending to a considerable distance. The leaves are large, alternate, bipinnate, each pinnule with five opposite, ovate-lanceolate, acute, dentate leaflets. The flowers are odorous, of a light violet colour, forming a drooping panicle, arising from thg axil of the upper leaves, The calyx is very small, and is formed of five obtuse, slightly-pubescent sepals, united at base. The petals are much longer than the calyx, spreading, oboval, and obtuse. The stamens are united into a tube, which is rather shorter than the petals, dilated at base, of a dark violet colour, and 10-toothed ; each tooth being bifid, it appears 20-toothed, except on close inspection. The anthers are bilocular, M. azedarach. alternate with the dentures of the tube, and attached to its inner surface. The ovary is globular, surmounted by a thick style, which is terminated 180 MEDICAL BOTANY. by a small 5-lobed stigma. The fruit is a fleshy berry, of an ovoid shape, about the size of a cherry, and containing an elongated nut, which is 5-celled and 5-seeded. The Pride of India is a native of many parts of Asia, but has long wade naturalized in the southern parts of Europe, where it was probably intro- duced from Syria, after the conquest of that country by the Romans. Pliny speaks of it as not being uncommon, and was apparently acquainted with its properties. [t is also naturalized in the warmer parts of the United States ; it is said to have been introduced into Georgia and Carolina soon after the settlement, and has now become as common as if originally a native. It succeeds perfectly well as far north as Virginia, and will sometimes survive for a few years in Pennsylvania ; but is most generally destroyed by the severity of the winters, even when, by care and attention, it may have attained some size. Rafinesque states that it is a native of Arkansas and Texas, but fase not give any authority for the assertion; and Dr. James found it on the Canadian apparently in a wild state. All other writers on American plants unite in declaring it to be of foreign origin; and it is probable that the plants found in a wild state owe their origin to the seeds having been dispersed by birds, as some species feed eagerly on the berries. _ The early medical history of this plant is involved in much uncertainty ; for although it appears to have been used in India for a long time, the first certain account of it is given by Avicenna, who notices its narcotic proper- ties. It does not seem, however, to have attracted much attention in Europe, being only valued for the hard nuts contained in its berries, for the purpose of making rosaries, for which they are extensively used in Roman Catholic countries ; hence its name of Bead-tree, &c. The writers of the middle ages allude to it very briefly, and chiefly on account of the pulp of its fruit, as the basis of an ointment for the destruction of lice and other parasitic insects. In this country it appears to have been used as an anthelmintic very soon after the settlement, and was at one time in considerable repute, though at present but seldom employed. Medical Properties, §-c.—The most efficient part is the bark of the root, which has a bitter, nauseous taste, and an unpleasant, virose smell. Its active principle appears to be volatile, as it is much more efficient in a fresh than in the dried state. It is endowed with marked anthelmintic powers, and in large doses is narcotic and emetic. Dr. B. S. Barton says that it is one of the most valuable articles of its class ever discovered; and Dr. Kollock, of Georgia, uses the following language with regard to it. “It is a vermifuge of efficacy. Its use is, in some measure, general among the planters, and with many supersedes the use of. all others. I have given it with success, where all others in common use have failed of relieving. But when given in the months of March and April, when the sap is mounting into the tree, it has been followed by stupor, dilatation of the pupil, stertorous breathing, &c. ; but these symptoms, like those sometimes produced by spigelia, pass off, without any perceptible injury to the system.” Other writers speak in the same high terms of it. Ainslie (Mat. Ind., it. 453) says, that in Cochin China it is well known to native practitioners, and used as an anthelmintic, but given with great caution, from its liability to induce vertigo and con- vulsions, This bark is given in substance, in doses of twenty grains; but the usual form is in decoction, made with two ounces of the root to a pint of water, boiled down to a half, Of this a tablespoonful is given every few hours, till it produces the desired effect, to be followed by an active cathartic. The leaves are also endowed with some activity, Merat and De Lens MELIACES. , 181 state ‘that a decoction of them is purgative; but they appear rather to be analogous to those of the other species in their properties, tonic and astrin- gent. They are eaten by cattle with perfect impunity. The berries, which have a sweetish pulp, are also said to be anthelmintic, but only in large doses. Sornetimes, however, they cause unpleasant effects ; thus M. Tournon gives a case in which convulsions, and the most copious vomiting and purging were induced by the ingestion of a few of them (Jour. Gen. de Med.) The nuts furnish much oil on expression, which is used as a vermifuge by the Javanese, and is also esteemed as an application to foul ulcers, and as a liniment in rheumatic and spasmodic disorders. Michaux States, that an ointment prepared from the pulp, is employed in Persia, in cases of tinea capitis and other obstinate cutaneous affections. _ All the other species of Melia are possessed of active qualities ; but the ast important is the MM. azederachta, which differs from the last-mentioned species mainly in having simple pinnate leaves. ‘The medical properties of this are, however, very different; as Ainslie states that the bark is bitter and astringent, and is considered by the Hindoo practitioners as amongst their most valuable tonics, and they employ it for every purpose to which cinchona is applicable, and with fully equal success. He is also of opinion that it con- _ tains a principle analogous to quinine. A sort of toddy is also obtained from this tree, and the M. sempervirens, which is prescribed in India as a stomachic. CaNELLA.— Swartz. Sepals 5. Petals 5, somewhat coriaceous, estivation contorted. Stamens 15, con- nected, with 15 BAowed anthers. Stigmas 3. Berry 3-celled (or by abortion 1); wie 1—2-seeded. A genus of a single species, respecting which much confusion formerly existed among botanists, from its being confounded with the Drymzs winter. This latter, as mentioned when treating of it, was discovered by Captain Winter, in 1579; and, in honour of him, was called Cortex winterana by Clusius. In the beginning of the seventeenth century the present bark was introduced, and noticed by the same writer under the name of Canedla ; this, Parkinson, in his Theatrw2, has mistaken for the Winter’s bark ; but Bauhin was the first who confounded the names, by styling the Cortex winteranus, Canella alba; and although Sir Hans Sloane gave separate descriptions of them in the Transactions of the Royal Society, these were so:little attended to, that not only Lemery, Pomet, and other. writers on the Materia Medica, considered them as identical, but even Linnzeus included them both under the name of Laurus winterana, but afterwards established the Canella as a dis- tinct genus, calling it Wintera, thinking that it was the tree furnishing the bark discovered by Captain Winter. Of late years this having been again found, and the tree described, no further mistake can arise, The two plants grow in different parts, and belong to very different natural orders. C. auza, Murray.—Flowers in terminal corymbs; leaves coriaceous, spathulate, and obtuse. elliptic, oblong, bluntish petals, which are somewhat spreading. At the base of the co- rolla is a disk or nectary Gitae with petaloid processes. The stamens are five, subulate, bearing ovate, incumbent, anthers. The ovary is superior, turbinate, supporting an erect style crowned with a simple stigma. The capsule is ovate, containing a single, oblong black shining seed, with an elastic testa. - Like the rest of the species it is a native of Southern Africa, where it was 192 MEDICAL BOTANY. known to the natives both as a perfume and a sudorific medicine. » The Hot- tentots, from whom the Dutch derived their knowledge of the plant, also — distil the leaves with wine, making what they term Buchu brandy; this they consider as a sovereign remedy in “all complaints of the stomach, bowels, and bladder. Burchell and other travellers state that they likewise apply a de-" coction of the leaves to wounds. It was not, however, until 1821 that it attracted the attention of the medical profession, when Dr. Reece published some papers on the subject, which induced a trial of its powers by other practitioners, who having given a favourable account of it, it became gene- rally used and was recognised as officinal. Medical Properties, §-c.—The Buchu is an aromatic stimulant and tonic. When administered in moderate doses, it excites the appetite and acts as a carminative and anti-emetic, and promotes the secretory functions of the bladder and skin, especially the first, as it appears to have a direct influence on the urinary organs. It was in diseases of this apparatus that it was first used by the profession, and is still mainly employed, though there is evidence of its good effects in chronic rheumafism, and in irritative affections of the rectum. ‘The cases in which the most decided benefit have arisen from its employment, are chronic inflammations of the bladder and urethra, attended with an excessive secretion of mucus; in such a state of things which are often the result of a mismanaged gonorrhea, or of retention of urine, diseased prostate gland, &c., the buchu has proved highly beneficial, by diminishing the secretion, and relieving the irritability of the bladder, though in some in- stances, the very reverse has been the case, the complaint having been rather exasperated than mitigated. The .buchu has been analyzed by several chemists, and shown to contain a volatile oil, resin, bitter extractive and the ordinary constituents of leaves. The volatile oil is lighter than water, and possesses the peculiar odour of the plant. The extractive, which Brandes considers as a peculiar principle, and has termed Diosmin, is soluble in water, but not in alcohol or ether. The Buchu is given in powder in doses of a scruple to half a drachm, but the in- fusion or tincture are generally preferred; the dose of the first of these pre- parations is from two to four tablespoonfuls; and of the latter from one to four drachms. As found in commerce, Buchu consists of several species of Barosma, besides that noticed above ;- at this time most of this drug in the shops in this city, is composed of the leaves of the B. serratzfolia, which are distinguished by their linear-lanceolate form, and serrulate edges. ‘Those of the B. crenu- lata are also often mixed with these two; they much resemble those of the B. crenata, but are oblong-ovate, and have a narrow pellucid margin around the whole leaf. As all the species are possessed of the same properties, they can be used indifferently without inconvenience. GaLirEA.—Aublet. Calyx short, 5-toothed. Petals 5, united at base into a short tube, bell-shaped. Sta- mens 4—7 hypogynous, unequal; 2—5 shorter, sterile. Style 1, bearing a 4—5 grooved stigma. Carpels 5, sometimes by abortion fewer, seeds solitary by abortion. This genus, which is peculiar to South America, was established by Aublet on specimens found in Guyana, without his indicating it as the source of the Angustura bark, as that article was supposed to be derived from Africa. Hence, when Humboldt and Bonpland visited Angustura, and found that the bark was there termed Cusparé by the natives, and that the tree producing it appeared to belong to an undescribed genus, they established one for its re- RUTACE&. . 193 ception under the name of Cusparia; a specimen in the mean time having been sent to Willdenow, who considered it to be new, he bestowed upon it the name of Bonplandia, i in honour of one of the travellers, and his name was afterwards adopted by them in preference to that proposed by themselves. This has created much confusion, for not only has it been shown that the Angustura bark is derived from one or more species of the Galipea of Aublet, but also that another genus had been previously established by Cavanilles under the name of Bonplandia. ‘This genus has also received many other names; thus it is the Amgostura of Roemer and Schultz, the Conchocarpus of Milcan, and the Obentonia of Velloz. There has been equal confusion as regards the species ; the officinal bark at one time being considered as the product of the G. cusparia (Bonplandia trifohata) on the authority of Humboldt and Bonpland, and recognised under this name in the various pharmacopceias ; but the observations of Dr. Han- cock have conclusively shown that although this species may afford an An- “gustura bark, that the article knowo in commerce is derived from another species, to which he has affixed the name of officenalts, which appellation has been adopted in the U. S. Pharmacopeeia. 1. G. orrictnaLis, Hancock.—Leaves trifoliate. Racemes stalked, axillary terminal. Fertile stamens 2, sterile 5; anthers without appendages. Hancock, Trans, Med. Bot, Soc. 1829, 25; Lindley, Fl. Med, 211. Description.—A small tree not more than twelve to twenty feet in height, and about _ three to five inches in diameter. The leaves are alternate and petiolate, and consist of three oblong leaflets, pointed at both extremities, on short footstalks, of a bright green _ colour, and when fresh exhaling a narcotic odour resembling that of tobacco; common petiole as long as the leaflets. The flowers are white, hairy, numerous, and arranged in terminal and axillary racemes, or with long peduncles; they, like the leaves, have an un- pleasant smell. The calyx is somewhat campanulate, 5-cleft, inferior; the corolla is about an inch in length, composed of five unequal, oblong, obtuse petals, united at the base into a short tube, and somewhat reflexed above. The fertile stamens are two, and the sterile ones five, and linear. The style is erect, with a simple stigma. The fruit consists of five bivalve capsules, with two black seeds i in each, one of which is often abor- tive, as are sometimes two or more of the capsules. This small tree is found in great numbers in the district of country bor- dering on the Orinoco, at a distance of two hundred miles and upwards from the sea, and at an elevation of from six hundred to a thousand feet. It is known by the natives under the name of Orayuri; and by the Spanish inhabitants, by that of Cascardlla, or Quina de Carony. It was first described by Dr. Hancock, and proved to be the source of the Angustura bark, as is shown by the character of the bark found in the shops, which is evidently the pro- duct of a shrub or small tree, and not derived from one of the size of the species noticed by Humboldt and Bonpland. 2. G. cuspAria, De Candolle.—Leaves trifoliate. Sterile stamens three, fertile ones two; anthers with two appendages. Stigma 5-gzooved. _ St. Hilaire in De Candolle, Prod. i. 731; Lindley,-Flor, Med. 210; Cus- paria febrifuga, Humb. & Bonp., Bonplandia trifoliata ; Willd. Act. Berol., 1802 ; Angostura cusparia, Reem. & Schultz, iv. 188. Description.—A lofty evergreen tree, rising to the height of 60 to 80 feet, with gray bark, and much branched towards the summit. The wood is of a bright-yellow, not un- like the box in appearance and hardness. The branches are alternate, and the upper ones nearly horizontal. ‘The leaves, which have an agreeable odour when fresh, are alternate, about two feet long, independent of the petiole, and composed of three oblong ovate folioles, acuminate at each end, attached to a common petiole of about a foot long. The flowers a are in a terminal raceme, composed of alternate peduncles, each from two to six- 13 194 MEDICAL BOTANY. flowered. The calyx is inferior, persistent, and tomentose. The cordlla is funnel-shaped, tubular below and divided into five petals above. The stamens are shorter than the co- rolla, and consist of two fertile and three sterile ones. ‘The germen is superior, and com- posed of five ovate, hairy ovaries, with a single style and an oblong, 5-grooved stigma. The fruit consists of five oval, bivalve capsules, each containing a single seed. This species has been discovered in many parts of South America, but chiefly in Cumana. It was considered by Humboldt and Bonpland to furnish the true Angustura bark of commerce, but as has before been stated, this opinion has been disproved by Dr. Hancock, but it is highly probable that all the species of Galipea have very analogous properties, and might be employed indiscriminately without inconvenience. Angustura bark was first carried to Europe about 1778, and was then thought to be an African product, but it was-soon ascertained that it came from Angustura, in South America, and hence this name was bestowed upon it; but it was not known from what tree it was derived, many writers supposing that it was the product of a Magnolia, whilst others, among whom was M. Guibourt, attributed it to the Rouwhamon, Aublet, both widely differing in — natural characters from the true plant. At present, although there may be some uncertainty as to the officinal species, there is none as regards the genus, though there is much discrepancy in the nomenclature of different Pharmaco- peias ; thus the London terms it Galipea cusparza, on the authority of De Candolle, the Edinburgh and Dublin, Bonplandia trifoliata, following Hum- boldt and Bonpland, whilst the United States has adopted the opinion of Han- cock, and terms it G‘alipea officinalis. | As found in commerce, this bark is in pieces.of various lengths and sizes, sometimes flat or somewhat rolled, or more rarely quilled. Externally, it is of a light-gray colour, and is covered with lichens, the epidermis sometimes is soft and spongy, and thick, or it may be wholly wanting; internally the colour is of a yellowish-brown. It breaks with a compact, resinous fracture ; the odour is disagreeable, and the taste bitter, and somewhat aromatic, leaving a sensation of pungency. In consequence of a poisonous bark having been mixed with some parcels of Angustura offered for sale in Europe,some years since, and fatal results having attended its administration, much attention was excited to the subject and numerous experiments were instituted to verify the two substances, The false bark is always heavier and more compact than the true, is destitute of lichens on the epidermis, and is either coated with a rust-coloured dust, or is of a yellowish-gray colour with numerous whitish elevations. One of the best modes of distinguishing the two barks is by the action of nitric acid upon them, this agent producing a dull, red colour on either surface of the true bark to which it is applied, whereas it induces an emerald- green when dropped on the epidermis of the false, and a blood-red tint on the in- ternal surface. This false bark was, at one time, supposed to be the product of the Brucea ferruginea, a native of Abyssinia, but this was abandoned when it was shown that it was brought from South America and.not from Africa; for the same reason, the idea that it was derived from the Strychnos colubrina, a plant of the East Indies, was also given up. It is now supposed to have been obtained from some unknown species of Strychnos, though some writers have contended that it is yielded by a Solanwm. Angustura bark is a stimulating tonic, which, when given in large doses, acts on the stomach and bowels ; at one time it was considered of equal if not superior efficacy to Cinchona in the cure of paroxysmal diseases, and was also esteemed of great benefit in chronic diarrhea, obstinate dysentery, and a debilitated condition of the stomach and bowels. A more extended trial of its powers, has shown that it is vastly inferior to the Peruvian bark in the re- moval of intermittent fever, and not superior to many others of the vegetable XANTHOXYLACE SX. 195 tonics in the treatment of complaints in which such remedies are required. Its use is therefore limited to cases of debility of the digestive organs, for which it is well adapted, as it does not oppress the stomach. At the same time it should be stated that Dr. Hancock speaks in the highest terms of its efficacy in malignant fever, dysentery and dropsy, occurring in its native country, considering it far superior toCinchona. His success withit may have arisen from the bark being more powerful in a fresh state, or from the form in which he administered it; this was in a fermented infusion given very freely. Several analyses have been made of this article, by which it is shown to contain, in addition to the usual vegetable constituents, a volatile oil, which is the odorous ingredient ; a peculiar bitter principle, Cusparin of Saladin :.this is neutral, crystallizable, soluble in alcohol, ‘slightly so in water, and insoluble in ether or the volatile oils; two resins, one hard, brown and bitter, and the other soft, greenish-yellow and balsamic. Angustura is given in powder, in doses of from ten grains to half a drachm, or preferably in infusion or tincture. There are several other species of Galipea noticed by Aublet in his Plants of Guyana, and Dr. Hancock states one of the species of Raputra, of the same author, properly appertains to this genus. It is likely that the whole of them possess analogous properties, as the order to which they belong is an extremely natural one. | Orvér 32,—XANTHOXYLACEX,—Lindley. Flowers regular, diecious, or polygamous by abortion. Sepals 3—5, rarely 6—9, con- nected at base. Petals as many as sepals, sometimes wanting ; estivation twisted. Sta- mens as many as, and sometimes twice as many as petals, distinct. Ovaries usually as many as sepals, either distinct or united, ovules 2—4 in each carpel ; styles distinct or con- nate when the ovaries are separate, and combined when these are united. Fruit baccate or membranaceous, of 1—5 drupes or 2-valved capsules. Seeds solitary or in pairs, pendu- lous, with oval, flat cotyledons, and the embryo within a fleshy albumen. ‘ This order, which will probably require revision, consists of trees and shrubs, which are furnished with alternate or opposite, simple or pinnate, ex- stipulate leaves, mostly marked with pellucid dots. They are generally aro- matic and bitter; and the properties of the several species are very similar, being stimulant and tonic. XANTHOXYLON.—Kunth. -Diecious. Sepals 3—9,small. Petals sometimes wanting. Stamens as many as the sepals. Ovaries 1—5 ona central disk, with two suspended ovules. Carpels 2-valved, 1—2. seeded. This genus, whose name is variously spelt by botanists, Zanthozylum, Xanithoxylum, and Xanthozylon, the latter of which is most correct, is com- posed of trees and shrubs, which are usually prickly on the branches, petioles, and midribs of the leaves. The species, with a few exceptions, are peculiar to America, and principally to the tropical regions, two or three only being natives of the United States. The species vary much in their reproductive organs, and several genera and sub-genera have from time to time been founded on these differences, but have not been generally adopted by bota- nists. All the species have an aromatic and pungent bark, and might in all probability be indifferently used in medicine; only one, however, is recog- nised as officinal in our national pharmacopceia. X. FRAxINEUM, Willdenow.—Prickly. Sepals 5 or more, petaloid. Petals none, Um. bels lateral. Leaves pinnate ; leaflets ovate, oblong, nearly sessile. Carpels stipitate. 196 MEDICAL BOTANY. Willdenow, Sp. Pl. iv. 757; Torrey & Gray, FV. i. 214; Bigelow, Med. Bot., iii. 156 ; Rafinesque, Med. Fv., ii. 113; Lindley, F/. Med., 216. Common Names.—Prickly Ash, Toothache-bush, Yellow-wood, &c. Foreign Names.—F rene epineux, Fr. ; Radice Lopeziana, IZ. - Fig. 103. Description.—A shrub of from five to ten feet in height, with alternate branches, having strong, sharp, scattered prickles. The leaves’ ) \ are alternate, pinnate; leaflets in four to five / \\ pairs, and a single terminal one, nearly sessile, | ovate-oblong, with slight glandular serratures, somewhat pubescent beneath ; the common pe- tiole is round, usually prickly, but sometimes unarmed. ‘The flowers are in small sessile um- bels, near the origin of the young shoots; they are small and greenish, with a somewhat aro- matic smell. They are usually dicecious, but sometimes polygamous; where they are per- fect, the calyx is 5-parted, with large erect seg- ments. The .stamens vary in number; in the perfect flowers there are 5, whilst in the male flowers they are from 3—5. In the perfect flowers the styles are from 3—4, and in the fe- male 5. The capsules are stipitate, elliptical, punctate, of a reddish-green colour, 2-valved, and containing one oval blackish seed. The Prickly ash is found in most parts of the United States, growing in woods -and thickets. The flowers appear in April and May, before the foliage. Some discrepancy of opinion has existed among botanists with regard to this species. It was first described by Miller, under the , name of americanum, in 1781; then by Marshall, as frazinifolium, in 1785, . which hame was changed by Willdenow in 1796 to fraxineum, by which specific | appellation it has been generally recog- <"fexiioua | oO" nised. It is also the rameflorum of Michaux, and the trzcarpum of Hooker. There is no doubt that it should bear the name bestowed upon it by Miller, and which is adopted by Torrey and Gray; but we have deemed it best to retain that by which it is most generally known, and which is recognised in the Pharmacopeia. It may also be noticed that the Avala spinosa is very often called by the name of Prickly Ash; this, although possessing some of the qualities of the Xanthoxylon, is by no means identical with it as a remedial agent. "The whole plant is endowed with active qualities; the leaves and fruit abound in a volatile oil, which is extremely fragrant; and the bark is acrid, pungent, and aromatic; this latter is the officinal portion. As found in the shops it is in quilled fragments, of a grayish-white colour externally, and somewhat shining within. Where it has been derived from the small branches it is beset with prickles, — It is light, brittle, has a somewhat starchy fracture, and when dry possesses very little smell. The taste is at first somewhat sweet and aromatic, but soon becomes bitter and very acrid. Medical Properties, §c.—This article is somewhat allied to Mezereum in EO ' SIMARUBACE A. 197 its properties, as it is an active stimulant, causing more or less general excite- ment, with a tendency to perspiration. Tt has been much used in domestic practice in the treatment of chronic rheumatism, and with much success ; it is also employed in the relief of flatulence and colic, and externally as a topical stimulant to ulcers. From its great acridity it has been employed as a sialagogue in toothache, and like other powerful irritants, oftentimes with much success. It is administered in powder in doses of from ten to twenty grains, but the most common form is in decoction, made by boiling an ounce in three pints of water down to a quart, of which one-half is to be taken in divided doses 1 in twenty-four hours, ~ © | It has been analyzed by Dr. Staples, who found it to consist.of a volatile oil, a greenish fixed oil, resin, gum, a colouring matter, and a peculiar crys- tallizable principle, which he calls Xanthoxzyline. This substance appears to be identical with that discovered by Chevallier and: Pelletan in the bark of another species (the X..clava-Herculis), and which they have termed Zan- thopicrite ; both these are closely allied to Piperine, and both, like that sub- stance, probably owe their sensible properties to the presence of volatile oil. The other native species, X. carolinianum, is identical in its properties with the above, but is more powerfully acrid. In the West Indies, the X. clava-Herculis, or Yellow-wood, is held in high esteem, and is said to cause a profuse salivation if its internal use be persevered in for any length of time; and a Brazilian species, the X. hzemale, is stated by A.St. Hilaire, to be used by the natives as a topical application for the relief of ear-ache. X. cara- beum is said to be febrifuge; and in China, the root of X. nztedum is consi- dered as sudorific, febrifugal, and emmenagogue. The X. piperztum and avicenne are thought in China and Japan to be antidotes to all poisons. The seeds of X. budrunga smell like lemon-peel, and the unripe capsules of X. rheis@ taste like that-of the orange. The X. a/atum is used in Nepal by the - natives as an aromatic stimulant. PreLea.—Linn. Flowers unisexual. Calyx 4—5-parted, short. Petals 4—5, spreading, longer than the calyx. Male; stamens 4—5, longer than the petals, inserted round a receptacle bearing a sterile pistil. Female: stamens 4—5, short, abortive. Ovary ona convex receptacle, com- pressed, 2-celled. Fruit compressed, membranous, indehiscent, swelled in the middle, surrounded by a circular wing. ) A small genus of shrubs peculiar to America and India. The native spe- cies, P. trifolzata, is said by Scheepf (Mat. Med. Am.) to be anthelmintic, for which purpose the leaves and young shoots are used in a strong infusion. The fruit is aromatic and bitter, and is stated to be a good substitute for hops. Orprer 33,—SIMARUBACEA.— Richard. Flowers hermaphrodite or unisexual. Calyx 4—5 sepaled, persistent. Corolla with 4—5 petals, hypogynous, deciduous, estivation twisted. Stamens equal or double in number to the petals, placed on a hypogynous disk. Ovary four to five-lobed, containing one suspended ovule in each cell; style single, filiform, larger at base. Carpels as many as petals, capsular, bivalved, opening inwardly, monospermous. Seeds pendulous, exal- buminous, with two thick cotyledons, and a short superior radicle. This order formerly constituted a division of the Rutacez, but was separa- ted by Richard, and has been adopted by most modern botanists. It is com- _ 198 MEDICAL BOTANY. posed of trees and shrubs, having alternate, pinnate, exstipulate leaves, and a very bitter bark. — are principally peculiar to the tropical regions of America. SrmaruBa.—Aublet, Flowers unisexual. Sepals 5, Petals 5, longer than sepals, spreading. Male : sta- mens almost as long as petals, arising around a receptacle having five small lobes at its apex. Female: five ovaries, surrounded by 10 hairy scales. Style one, divided at base into five, united at top, and bearing a five-lobed stigma. Fruit baccate. This genus was first established by Aublet, but was not admitted by bota- nists for some time ; the species being included in Quassia ; it was again sepa- rated by Richard, and made the type of anatural order. In this he has.been followed by most recent writers. The species are all large trees, with ever- green foliage. S. Amara, Aublet—Male flowers decandrous. Stigma 5-partite. Leaves abruptly pinnate ; leaflets alternate, almost sessile, pubescent beneath. Aublet, Guain. ii. 859 ; Lindley, FZ. Med. 207 ; Quassia stmaruba, Wood- ville, ii. 76; Wright, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin., ii. 73; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 171. , Common NNames.—Simarouba; Simarouba Quassia ; Mountain Damson. Foreign Names.—Simarouba aé Cayenne, £7. ; Sihatubs, It. ; ; Simaruba Quassia, Ger. Description.—A tall tree with long roots» and a thick stem with a blackish and fur- rowed bark and sending off alternate spread- ing branches, whose bark is. smooth and gray, marked with yellow spots. The wood is hard, white, and has scarcely any bitter taste. The leaves are pinnate ahd are alternate; the leaflets are also alternate, from two to nine on each side, about two inches. long, obovate, entire, somewhat coriaceous, of a dark green above and whitish beneath. The flowers are of a yellowish-white colour, monecious, and collected in branched spikes or long axillary panicles. (Dr. Wright states that in Jamaica the tree is diecious.) The calyx is small, and divided into five obtuse, erect segments. The petals are lanceolate, equal, spreading, somewhat reflexed, and much longer than the calyx. The stamens are ten, equal, about as long as the corolla, bearing oblong, incumbent anthers, with a small hairy scale at base. The ovary is ovate, five-parted, crowned with an erect, cylindrical style, bearing a five-lobed stig- ma, and surrounded at base with a ring of hairy scales. The fruit consists of five ’ §. amara. ovate, black, smooth, one-celled berries, all 1. Female flower. 2. Drupes. 3. Male flower. connected with a fleshy ’ pentagonal ie 4, Stamen. tacle, and opening by a fissure when ma- ture, each containing a single oblong seed, This tree is a native of Jamaica and several parts of South America. It is known in Jamaica by the names of Mountain Damson, and Stavewood. Although generally considered by botanists to appertain to Decandria Mono- SIMARUBACES. 199 gynia, of the sexual system, it evidently is pentagynous; for although the styles are connected above, they are distinct below, are crowned with five connected stigmas, and spring from a quinque-lobate germ. It flowers in November and December, and prefers a sandy, arid soil. The bark was long known and used in Europe before it was ascertained from what plant it was procured. It was first sent from Guyana to Paris under the name of Simarouba, as an almost infallible remedy in dysentery. The first to ascer- tain its origin, was Aublet, but his account was overlooked until the publica- tion of a paper by Dr. Wright, in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, in which he gave a full account of it under the name of Quassia stmaruba, since which it has been described by many botanists, but unfortu- nately under various names ; thus it is the semaruba Guyanensis of Richard, the S. officinalis of De Candolle, and the Quassta simaruba of Linneus, but the appellation bestowed upon it by Aublet, having priority, must be adopted. ‘The wood is used in Jamaica for a variety of purposes, but accord- ing to Father Labat it is not fit for culinary purposes, as it imparts a bitter taste to the food. It may here be noticed that Merat and De Lens, in their Dictionary of Materia Medica, commit a great error in stating that this tree is a native of Louisiana and Carolina, and is there used for cabinet work, shingles, é&c., but it has not been found within the limits of the United States. The Simaruba bark of commerce is in long pieces of various sizes, which are much rolled or quilled. ‘They are very fibrous, tough, light, of a grayish colour externally, and of a yellow internally ; the surface is scaly, warty, and marked with prominent ridges. They are inodorous, but excessively bitter. This bark is obtained from the root only, that of the trunk and branches being far inferior in its physical qualities. From an analysis of it by Morin, it was found to contain Quassin, a bitter resin, a volatile oil, several’ salts, malic, and traces of gallic acid, a little iron, and the usual vegetable constituents. Pfaff states that it also contains a large quantity of mucilage. Simaruba in small doses is a simple bitter tonic and is extremely analogous to Quassia, but when administered freely it occasions vomiting and purging, followed by copious perspiration and increase of the urinary discharge. It was first introduced into practice as a valuable remedy in dysentery ; during an epidemic of which in France, during 1718 to 1723, it was highly beneficial, and was found to be successful when all other reme- dies proved ineffectual. In’ consequence of this, it was very generally used throughout Europe, not only for this complaint, but for every derangement of the digestive organs, as well as those of the mucous membranes generally, and the highest testimonials of its efficacy have been recorded by the most eminent writers of the day. These writers all agree in stating, that in inter- nal diseases it restores the normal powers of the bowels, allays their spasmo- dic motions, promotes urine and perspiration, removes the mental depression so constantly attending these complaints, disposes to sleep, relieves tormina and tenesmus, and changes the character of the alvine evacuations. Not- withstanding the high character awarded to it, it is now but little used. This may have arisen from the discredit thrown on it by Cullen, who declares that in his hands it proved inferior to Chamomile in its remedial powers. At pre- sent those practitioners who are in the habit of using it, are of opinion that it is appropriate only to those cases of bowel disease where there is no fever ; or in other words, in the latter stages.’ In such a state of things, given in conjunction with laudanum, it has proved highly beneficial. Like Ipecacu- anha, it acts most favourably when it creates some nausea. With the other tonics of its class, it may be given in dyspepsia, and where it is wished to restore the strength. It is evident that it is too much neglected at present, and its true powers should be carefully tested. It is given in infusion, made with » 200 MEDICAL BOTANY. two or three drachms of the bark to a pint of boiling water, the dose of which is from one to two ounces when used as a tonic. — A. St. Hilaire discovered another species in Brazil, perfectly identical in its properties with the S. a@mara, and which he has called S. versicolor. Prormna.— Lindley. Flowers polygamous. Sepals 5, very small. Petals 5, longer than the sepals. Sta- mens 5, longer than the petals. Ovaries 3, on a tumid receptacle. Style trifid. Fruit globose, 1-celled, 2-valved. ) The solitary species on which this genus is founded has generally been included in Quassia. The differences were first pointed out by Dr. Wright, who separated it, under the name of Pecranza ; but it had been previously noticed by Brown, and afterwards by Long. These writers call it Xylopia, but without assigning sufficient characters to establish its generic rank. — exceisa, Lindley.—Leaves pinnate; leaflets opposite, petiolated. — Quassia polygama, Lindsay, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin., iii. 205; Q. ex- celsa, Swartz, Prod. Ind. Occ., ii. 742; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 173 ; P. excelsa, Lindley, Flor. Med. 208; Carson, Idlustrat., t. 21. Common Names.—Lofty Quassia, Bitter-wood, Bitter Ash. Foreign Names.—Frene amer, Fr. ; Unchte Quassie, Ger. Fig. 105. Description.—A tall . tree, frequently attain- / ing a height of 100 feet, with a straight, tapering stem, often 10 feet in circumfe- rence. The branches are given off near the _ top, and both they and the trunk covered with a smooth, gray or ash-coloured bark ; that of the roots is of a yellowish colour, not unlike that of the Si- _Inmaruba, ‘The wood is of a pale yellow ~hue, tough, but not very hard, though susceptible of a good polish. The leaves are pinnate, and compos- ed of from 4 to 8 pairs of nearly opposite, el- liptical, pointed, en- tire, smooth leaflets, on short footstalks. The flowers are in co- rymbose clusters, nu- merous, small, of a yellowish-green, some male, and the rest hermaphrodite .in the same cluster. The calyx is very small, - with five equal, ovate, SSS SSS ——S = AZZ SS P. excelsa, 1, Male flower. 2. Flower expanded. 3. Fertile flower, 4. Drupe. pointed sepals, The corolla consists of 5 t ~ & SIMARUBACES. 201 equal, lanceolate petals, longer than the sepals. The stamens are 5, somewhat longer than the petals, pubescent, and supporting roundish anthers. The ovary is ovate, sur- mounted by a slender, grooved style, which is trifid at the'apex. The fruit is a small black drupe, usually three, sometimes two, or even only one, attached to the side of a fleshy receptacle. This fine tree is a native of Jamaica, and some of the other West Indian islands, flowering in October and November, and ripening its fruit in Decem- ber and January. Much confusion has existed with regard to it, from its having been confounded with the true Quassia. Sloane, in his Plants of Ja- maica, describes it under the name of Quassza excelsa, but refers to a plate in Plukenet of a different plant. Both Brown and Long, in their respective — histories of the same island, notice it under the names of Xylopicrum and Xylopra glabra; and in Wright’s account of the medicinal plants, it is called Picrania amara, whilst Swartz styles it Quassza excelsa. The first accurate description of it, however, was given by Mr. Lindsay, in the Trans- actions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, under the name of Quassza poly- gama. De Candolle includes it in the genus Szmaruba, The wood, which is used as a substitute for the genuine Quassia, and bears the same name, is imported from the West Indies in logs of various sizes, covered externally with a smooth, brittle bark. The wood is white, but by age and the action of the air, becomes yellowish; it has no marked odour, _ but possesses a most intense and permanent bitter taste. In consequence of the scarcity of the true Quassia, this article is almost universally substituted for it in this country, though, if full credit be given to the accounts of the powers of the former, it is far inferior; and Willdenow suggests that this is perhaps the cause why modern practitioners make so little use of it. The principal consumption of this wood is by brewers, to give additional bitterness to malt liquors. ; In noticing the qualities of this article, it is difficult to ascertain to which of the two woods, authors refer, both bearing the same name, and apparently possessed of the same physical qualities, though, as just observed, more ac- curate observations may show that they differ in many important particulars. No complete analysis of it has been made, though it has often been examined. From what has been done, it appears that Quassia contains a bitter principle, which is termed Quassin, gummy extractive, a small proportion of volatile oil, some salts, woody fibre, &c. Quassin is a neutral crystallizable princi- ciple, very soluble in alcohol, less so in water, and intensely bitter. Its solu- bility is much augmented by. both acids and alkalies. : The medical properties of Quassia are peculiar. In moderate doses it acts like a simple tonic, with no irritating, stimulant or astringent effects ; nor have any ill consequences been observed by the generality of practitioners from a long-continued or free use of it; though it is stated, by Barbier and others, that effects have been noticed which would induce a belief that it had some influence on the cerebro-spinal system. These statements receive confirma- tion, from the fact that it operates as a narcotic poison on the lower animals, as is well known as regards flies; an aqueous solution, properly sweetened, destroying these insects very readily ; and the experiments of Buchner and others show that animals of a higher grade, as dogs and rabbits, are de- stroyed by small quantities of the extract. Quassia is now principally used as a tonic in dyspepsia, want of appetite, and other functional disorders of the stomach and bowels, and is sometimes given in intermittents and other paroxysmal complaints, but is far inferior to Cinchona and many other febrifuges. At one time it was in high repute in the treatment of malignant fevers, verminose affections, and even gout; but 202 MEDICAL BOTANY. its reputation was of short duration, whether from the repugnance of patients to take it on account of its extreme bitterness, or from its having been found inefficient, it is difficult to say ; though it may have arisen from the circum- stance before adverted to, the substitution of an inferior article for the genu- ’ ine, which may really possess the high qualities attributed to it. r Quassia is seldom given in powder, the general modes of administration being in infusion, tincture, or extract. The first of these preparations has the advantage over most of the other vegetable bitters, that chalybeates can be combined with it without undergoing alteration. | \ Quass1a.— Linn. Flowers hermaphrodite. Sepals 5. Petals 5. Nectaries 5. Stamens 10, bearing transverse anthers. Style slender, not divided at apex. This genus, which now consists of but one species, though at one time containing the whole of the Simarubacee, was instituted by Linneeus, and the name given in honour of a negro of Surinam, named Quassi, who is said to have discovered the virtues of the wood in curing the malignant fevers of that climate, and disclosed the: secret to Governor Dalbergh, by whom specimens were sent to Sweden. Linnzeus the younger, reunited it to Semaruba, and his example has been followed by De Candolle and others. Q. amar, Linn.—Leaves pinnate. Leaflets opposite, sessile. Common petiole jointed, — winged. Flowers racemose. Linn., Amen. Acad. vi, 421 ; Woodville, ii. 77 ; Stephenson and Church- ill, iii. 172; Bot. Mag. xiii. 497; Lindley, Flor. Med. 207 ; Carson, Illus. t.20, Description.—A small tree or shrub, much branched, and covered with'an ash-coloured bark. The leaves are alternate, and consist of two pairs of leaflets, and a terminal one; they are elliptic-lanceolate, entire, very smooth, two or three inches in length, and of a deep green colour. The common footstalk is narrow, but winged on each side with a leafy membrane, which expands towards the base of each pair of leaflets, where also it is jointed or articulated. The flowers are all hermaphrodite, of a brilliant scarlet colour, and are collected in long spikes, which are secund and bracteate. The bracts are lanceo- late, reflexed, and of a pink colour. The calyx consists of five small, persistent sepals. The corolla is formed ‘of five lanceolate petals, which are never fully expanded, being twisted in a spiral manner, and opening in an irregular manner. At the base of the corolla is placed the nectary, consisting of five roundish, coloured scales, The stamens are ten, slender, longer than the corolla, and bearing simple anthers, attached by their .middle, so as to be transverse. The ovary is ovate, 5-parted, and supports a slender style, longer than the stamens, and terminated by a subulate stigma. The fruit consists of five black drupes, containing a small unilocular nut, and all attached to a fleshy re- ceptacle. This shrub is a native of Surinam, and is cultivated in Cayenne, and in ~ geveral of the West India islands. It is remarkable for the beauty of its flowers, which appear in great profusion during November and December. This furnishés the true Quassia, although the article now known under that name is the product of a wholly different plant, which does not occur in Suri- nam, and is a lofty tree belonging to a distinct genus, having polygamous and pentandrous flowers, whilst in this the reproductive organs are hermaphrodite and decandrous, It appears that when first discovered, the root only was used, but afterwards the wood of the trunk; this is very analogous, in its physical qualities, to 7 4 == ZYGOPHYLLACEAZA. 203 that of the Picrena, just described, though as then stated, there is much reason to believe that they are of a higher order, and may possess the medi- cinal powers ascribed to them by all writers, at the commencement of the last century. Be this as it may, it is certain that the Quassia, as now found in commerce, is very far from possessing the efficacy formerly attributed to it, being merely a simple tonic of very little superior virtue than Sabbatia or Anthemis. Besides the plants already noticed, several others of the order are possessed of much the same qualities. The Mma quassioides is employed as a bitter tonic in the north of [ndia, and the Samadera indica furnishes the Niepa bark, which is in some esteem as a febrifuge. The Brucea antidysenterica, erroneously supposed to be the origin of the false Angustura bark, is spoken of by Bruce (Append. to Trav.) as of much utility in dysentery, and the B. swma- trana is thought by Dr. Roxburgh to possess the same remedial qualities; . he states that the bark is fcetid and intensely bitter. ‘There is another plant — noticed by Horsefield, under its Javanese name of F'ranolot, which appears to be a species of this genus; it has the same properties, and has been admi- nistered with much advantage. al OrveErR 34.—ZYGOPHY LLACEA.— Lindley. Flowers regular. Sepals 5, distinct, or scarcely cohering at base. Petals as many as, and alternate with the sepals; unguiculate, inserted on the receptacle. Stamens twice as many as the petals, hypogynous. Anthers fixed near their middle. Ovary of 4—5 united carpels, surrounded at base with 5 scales or a sinuate disk. Styles five, united into one. Fruit a capsule of 5 carpels, 4—5-seeded, dehiscent at the superior angle. Seeds albuminous or exalbuminous. Albumen cartilaginous or horny. Embryo green, straight. Cotyledons foliaceous. This small order is composed of trees, shrubs, and herbs, whose branches are mostly: articulated at the nodes, and whose leaves are usually compound, opposite, having stipules at their base, and not dotted. ,The species are prin- cipally natives of warm climates; and but few of them are possessed of medi- cinal qualities, but some are endowed with no inconsiderable powers. Besides the Guaiacums, several others of the order have attracted attention; the Zy- gophyllum fabago, a native of Egypt, is said to be vermifuge, and Gmelin states that its unexpanded flower-buds are used like capers at Astracan. The juice of the Z. szmplex is employed by the Arabs as a cosmetic (Encyc. Bot. ii, 441). ‘The Hottentots are of opinion that the Z. herbaceum and Z. sesst- ifolium are poisonous to sheep ( Thunberg). In Turkey, the seeds of Pega- num harmala are,used as spices and for dyeing red. The flowers of Melz- anthus major secrete so much honey, that on shaking the tree, it falls in a Shower, and the Porlinia hygrometrica possesses qualities analogous to Guaiacum. 3 . Guaracum.— Linn. - Sepals 5, obtuse, unequal. Petals 5, equal. Stamens 10. Filaments naked, Style and stigma united. Capsule angled, 2—5-celled. Leaves abruptly pinnate. The name of this small South American genus is derived from the Spanish word Gwayaco, a corruption in turn of the Mexican appellation, Hoazacan. The species are few and are trees of some size, having a heavy, dense wood, well known in commerce under the name of Lignum vite. They are all resinous, and possessed of stimulating properties. | 4 4 204 MEDICAL BOTANY. G. orFicinaLe, Linn.—Leaves bijugate. Leaflets elliptical, obtuse. Peduncles germi- nate. Linn. Sp. Pl. 546 ; Woodville, i. 43; Stokes, ii. 486; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 90; Lindley, Flor. Med. 214; Carson, Idlust. t. 17. Common Names.—Lignum vite ; Guaiacum, Foreign Names.—Gayac, Er. ; Guaiaco, Zt, ; Guayaco, Sp. ; Franzosen- holz, Gr. Description—A tree Fig. 106. of thirty or forty feet in height. Stem generally crooked, with numerous divaricated, knotty branches. The bark is smooth, but furrowed; of a green colour, varie- gated with white; that of the branches ash-co- loured, fissured. The wood is hard and pon- derous, with a dark _ olive-brown centre, but bark, and has a peculiar smell. The leaves are opposite, abruptly pin- nate, consisting of two G. officinale. or three pairs of ellip- 1. Corolla and stamens, 2. Seeds. 3. Fruit. tical, entire, smooth, rigid folioles, which are nearly sessile. The flowers are pale blue, on simple, axillary, clustered footstalks, shorter than the leaves. The calyx consists of five ovate, obtuse, concave, deciduous sepals; the — two outer ones being smaller than the others. The petals are five, roundish, obovate, with short linear claws, inserted into the receptacle. ‘The stamens are fen, awl-shaped, erect, shorter than the petals, with oblong cloven anthers. The ovary is compressed, with a short awl-shaped style. ‘The capsule is obovate, coriaceous, of a yellow colour, with from two to five rounded angles, and as many cells, opening at these angles; two or three of these cells are often abortive. The seeds are solitary, pendulous, convex on one side, angular on the other, with a cartilaginous albumen and a straight, green embryo. This tree is a native of South America and several of the West India islands. It first became known to the Spaniards in Hispaniola, soon after the discovery of the island, where its wood had long been used by the na- tives as a remedial agent of great value. About the beginning of the sixteenth century, Guaiacum was introduced into Spain as a remedy in syphilis, which then prevailed throughout Europe to a terrible degree. Its fame was diffused so rapidly that, according to the testimony of the writers of the day, thousands of diseased persons had derived benefit from it within a few years after the first promulgation of its virtues. Such was the esteem in which it was held, that it is mentioned by Freind (Hist. of Physic) that it sold at seven golden crowns a pound, The general mode of employing it was in decoction; this was administered in every form of the disease, and in all its stages, aided by purgatives, con- finement to the house, and steam baths, with a most rigid diet. This process was continued for six weeks or even longer. So successful was this plan, that the use of mercury was given up, and the Guaiac looked upon as a true specific, which had the power of destroying the venereal virus and expelling it from the system. Among those on whom it acted in a highly beneficial manner, and whose cure by it tended in a great measure to exalt its reputa- whitish towards the -~ ZYGOPHYLLACEZA. 205 tion, was the celebrated Van Hutten, who was restored to health after having been subjected to eleven courses of mercurials, and published an account of his case, The use of it, however, declined, in consequence of a neglect of the severe regulations in the treatment just alluded to. After a lapse of some years, it was again restored to confidence, and Boerhaave and other practi- tioners of his day, speak of it in terms of the utmost confidence, but the nu- merous cases of failure where it alone was relied upon, again introduced the use of Mercury, and as this remedy was used with more judgment and cau- tion than heretofore, it became the almost universal remedy. Of late years, its true powers have been more fully understood, and it is admitted that although it has no specific powers in the cure of syphilis, it is an admirable adjuvant in the treatment, especially in the secondary stages. Both the wood and the resin are officinal. ‘The first, which is used exten- ‘sively in the arts, is well known under the name of Lignum Vite; it is imported in logs, the outer portion or sapwood of which is of a pale-yellow colour, whilst the inner or heart is of a greenish-brown, in consequence of the large quantity of resin which pervades it. As found in the shops it is in shavings or raspings, procured from the turners who work in the wood. The resin, which is usually, but erroneously termed a gum, is procured from the tree in several different modes: either by natural exidation, by tapping the tree and permitting the juice to escape and concrete, or by heating the wood, and thus distilling off the resin. ‘This resin is found in the shops in tears or masses, but most usually in the latter form.- These are of conside- rable size, and are generally mixed with various impurities; their colour is brownish or greenish, always assuming the latter tint when exposed to the action of the air and light.. They have a certain degree of transparency, and the fracture is resinous. ‘The smell is balsamic, but not powerful; the taste is not decided, though a burning sensation is occasioned in the throat when the resin is swallowed. i Medical Properties, §-c.—Guaiacum is an acrid stimulant, proving diapho- retic in small and repeated doses, acting on the bowels in large quantities, and often stimulating the bladder. It has been frequently employed in chro- nic rheumatism, especially when of a syphilitic character, or in scrofulous subjects. From its good effects in this disease, it has been tried in gout with some advantage. It is in chronic diseases of the skin, however, that it has proved most beneficial either alone, or in combination with other sudorifics. Its efficacy in venereal complaints has been spoken of already. In another class of diseases, those of the uterus, especially in obstructed and difficult menstruation, it has also proved of much benefit’; the volatile tincture was a great favourite with the late Dr. Dewees in these cases, and its powers in the relief of this distressing condition of the female system is confirmed by the testimony of many writers. | As the activity of Guaiacum is dependent on the ‘resin, the operation of the wood is of course milder than that of the preparations of that article. From the stimulating qualities of the remedy, it should not be given where there is much irritation of the system, or a tendency to such a state, but its use should be confined to atonic and chronic forms of disease. Several analyses have been made of the resin, the best of which is that of Brande in 1806. He found that when devoid of impurities it consisted of 91 parts Guatacin or Guatacum proper, and 9 of extractive. This Guaiacin has the properties of an acid, and is remarkable for the changes it undergoes from the influence of different agents. It has been stated by some chemists that it is composed of two isomeric acids, one soluble in ammonia, the other merely forming a tarry compound with it. 206 MEDICAL BOTANY. There are numerous officinal preparations of both the wood and resin, The dose of the latter in’ powder is from ten to thirty grains; of the tincture from one to four drachms. Another species of this genus has also been used, the G. sanctum, a much smaller tree, growing principally in South America; it is possessed of the same properties as the other, but in a minor degree. The wood is paler, and lighter, and is seldom imported except mixed with the true Lignum vite and as an adulteration of it. It may always be distinguished by the smaller size of the billets and the less decided green tint of the heart-wood. Group XIII.—Geraniales. Orper 35.—LINACEA.—Lindley. _ Sepals generally 5, (3-5) persistent. Petals as many as the sepals, and alternate with them, hypogynous, caducous, twisted in estivation; unguiculate. Stamens equal in num- ber to the petals, united at base, often with an abortive filament between each; anthers innate. Ovary with as many cells as there are sepals; styles equal in number to cells, stamens capitate. Pericarpa globose capsule, with 5 (or 3-4) cells, containing 2 seeds in each, Seeds suspended, compressed, albumen none, or very thin ; testa mucilaginous ; embryo flat, oily. The Linacee are herbaceous or suffruticose, with entire sessile leaves, which are usually alternate, or alternate and opposite-on the same stem, and are without stipules. The flowers are terminal, and in corymbs or panicles, Most of the species are distinguished for the tenacity of the fibres of their bark, and the mucilaginous coating of their seeds. Linum.—Linn. Sepals 5. Petals 5. Stamens 5. Styles 3-5, distinct or connected. Capsule globose. Seeds ovate, compressed. This genus is a very extensive one, and the species are widely diffused throughout the world; the larger proportion of them are peculiar to the warmer parts of Europe, but: five or six are found in the United States, in- cluding the cultivated one. L. usitatissimum, Linn.—Sepals ovate, seneny 3-nerved at base. Petals crenate. ine alternate, lanceolate, acute. Stems glabrous, branched above. Linn., Sp. Pl. 397 ; Woodville, t. 111; Stokes, ii. 186; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 61 ; Torrey and Gray, 1. 204. Common Names.—Flax ; Lint. Foreign Names.—Lin, Fr; Lino, Jt. ; Flachs, Ger. Description.—The common flax ae a small, aban root, giving rise toa round, slender; smooth stem, branched above, and about two feet in height. The leaves are small, entire, lanceolate, sessile, alternate, and of a glaucous colour. The flowers are in a corymbose panicle, numerous, large, of a blue colour, and supported on long peduncles. The calyx has five lanceolate, erect sepals, which are three-nerved at base, and imbricated in ewstiva- tion. ‘The corolla consists of five crenate, oblong petals, broad above, narrow below, and contorted in wstivation. -There are five stamens, which are subulate, erect, as long as the calyx, and supporting two-celled sagittate anthers. The ovary is superior, ovate, and surmounted by five blue, slender styles. The fruit is a globular capsule, with five cells, containing two seeds each, divided from each other by a false dissepiment. Seeds ellipti- cal, smooth, brown, and shining. It is by no means certain where F'lax is truly indigenous, for although it has become naturalized in most parts of Europe, and partially so in the United LINACE&. 207 States, its original habitat is probably in more eastern climates. It was known at a very early period, as it is mentioned in the ninth chapter, thirty-first verse of Exodus, as growing in Egypt, and although there has been much differ- ence of opinion among commentators, as to whether the fine linen mentioned in various places in Scripture, was a cotton or flax fabric, it is now generally conceded that it may mean both, as it is clear that flax was cultivated at an epoch anterior to any historic record, and also that it was used for the fabri- cation of cloth, as is shown by linen being found as envelopes to mummies. It is true that cotton was also used for this purpose, and Forster, in a curious dissertation on the subject, states that the words translated linen, in the Scrip- tures and ancient histories, most frequently should be rendered cotton; but even allowing this, it is also certain that flax was used as an article of manu- facture during the first ages. At present, this plant is grown far more ex- tensively in northern than in southern countries, both on account of the fibres of its stem in making thread, and also for the oil obtained from its seeds. It need scarcely be said, that the substance called flax is prepared from the fibrous portions of the bark. From this flax, linen is made, which, when scraped, is termed lint, in which form it is extensively used as a dressing to wounds. The seeds and the oil extracted from them. are officinal. These seeds are small, oval, flattened at the sides, shining, of a brown colour. They are devoid of smell, and have a mucilaginous taste when unbroken, which becomes oily if they are chewed. The cuticle affords a peculiar gummy matter when the seeds are steeped in warm water; the viscid mucilage thus obtained is inodorous, and possesses very little taste. By expression, a pecu- liar oil is extracted from the bruised seeds; this oil is bland, sweetish, and has but little smell when heat has not been used in its preparation. As found in commerce, however, from the seeds being roasted before they are subjected to pressure, the oil is of a yellowish-brown colour, nauseous taste, and disa- greeable smell. This oil, which is known under the name of Linseed orl, is largely employed in the arts, especially in painting, and in the manufacture of printers’ ink, It becomes solid on exposure to the action of the air, or in other words, is one of the dryzng ovls ; it does not congeal except at temper- atures below zero, and boils at 600° F. Flaxseed contains about one-fifth of mucilage, and one-sixth to one-fourth of oil, The cake, or refuse, remaining after the expression of the oil, is much used for the fattening of cattle, under the name of oil-cake. 1 er Medical Properties, §-c.—The mucilage from the seeds made by infusing half an ounce of them, unbroken, in a pint of hot water, has been found highly useful as an emollient and demulcent in inflammations of the mucous membranes: when a decoction of the seeds is made, it always contains a por- tion of the oil, which renders it unpleasant to the taste, but adds to its power as a laxative injection. Flaxseed meal when mixed with hot water forms an admirable emollient poultice. The oil is laxative in doses of half an ounce to an ounce, but is seldom given on account of its disagreeable taste. Stephenson and Churchill state, that when cold expressed, it is an excellent corrector of habitual costiveness, in doses of a tablespoonfil, and that the addition of a small quantity of tincture of rhubarb will enable it to agree with the most fastidious stomach. The most general use of the oil, as a remedial agent, is in combination with lime water, as a liniment to scalds and burns. Several analyses have been made of the mucilage, from which it is found to consist of two parts, the one soluble, analogous to arabine, and constituting about one half; the other not soluble in water, and not yielding mucic acid. The oil is constituted of oleic acid, margaric acid, and glycerine, of which the first is in the largest proportion. . 208 MEDICAL BOTANY, | -— Several other species of Linum have been used in medicine, especially the — LL. catharticum, a native of Europe, where it was formerly in some repute as a cathartic and diuretic. It is still employed in Sweden, especially asanan- © thelmintic. The dose is 3}. in substance, or Sij. 3 in infusion, Orver 36.—OXALIDACE.— Lindley. Sepals 5, persistent, estivation imbricated.~ Petals 5, hypogynoiis, deciduous ; estiva- tion spirally twisted. Stamens 10, monadelphous. ‘Ovary of 5 ‘united carpal; styles distinct. Capsule membranaceous, 5-lobed, 5-celled : carpels Tl }eceded. Seeds anatro. 7 pous.. Embryo straight, cotyledons broad and foliaceous. This natural order, which was formerly included in the Geraniacez, con- sists of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees, mostly having alternate, com: q pound leaves with petioles articulated at the base, sometimes, but rarely the leaves are opposite and in whorls. They all abound in an acid juice, and hence have been much used as ipenhscer hairs and refrigerants, Oiakiie tay foe Sepals distinct, or only united at base. Capsule 5-celled, membranaceous, aduiics, Seeds f with an elastic testa, many in each carpel. Most of the species -are perennial, a few only being annual ; they are ex- ceedingly numerous, upwards of a hundred species having been described; these are principally natives of South Africa, a few only being found in other parts of the world; of these six or eight are indigenous to North America. The leaves are sometimes pinnate, though i in general, they are trifoliate, as in all the North American species. In all, these ree are more or-less sensi- i tive and nictitant. QO. ACETOSELLA, Linn. —Rhizome creeping. pbk: bdthieal ternate ; leaflets obcordate, “a pubescent. Scape 1-flowered, bibracteate. Linn., Sp. Pl. 602; Torrey and Gray, Fil. i. 211; Woodville, Med. Bot. t. 20; “1. 63; Lindley, Fl. Med. 222. Europe, and also occurs in the more Northern States in this country. It is pe- rennial and usually grows: in. moist shady Gerarde notices in his Herbal, that among its various names it has received those of Cuckoo-meat and Alleluya, ‘by reason when it springeth forth and flowereth, the cuckoo singeth most; at which time EY also Alleluya was wont to be sung in 0. acetosella, churches ;” this latter name is also bestow- ed upon it in Italy, and is perhaps a cor- ruption of its Calabrian appellation, Lujula, though Gerarde may be right in q the explanation he has given. It has been satisfactorily shown by Mr, Bicheno (Phil. Mag.) that this plant is the Shamrock of the tea which is | generally supposed to be'the Clover. Stokes, li, 555.; Stephenson & Churchill, E | This plant is found in most parts of | woods, flowering in May and June. It is” very acid to the taste, and was formerly | in much repute .as a refrigerant, Old- GERANIACES, 209 The Wood sop? is now seldom used in medicine; it is, however, a good antiscorbutic, and the bruised leaves have been employed with advantage as an external application to scrofulous ulcers. The juice is also sometimes used as a cooling drink in febrile complaints, either diluted with water, or boiled with milk so as to forma whey. The principal value of the plant arises from the quantity of binoxalate of potash it contains. Neuman obtained two | ounces two drachms and one scruple of this salt from six pounds of the juice ; in Switzerland and some parts of Germany, where this manufacture is carried on to some extent, it is calculated that 500 parts of the fresh plant furnish four of the pure salt. No detailed analysis of it has been made, but it is probable that in addition to the oxalate of potash, that it contains merely the usual vegetable consti- tuents. This salt also exists in the other species of the genus, as the O. cor- niculata and O. violacea, as well as in many plants not allied to them, as in. several species of Rheum and Rumez. | OrpEr 37.—GERANIACEA.— De Candolle. . Sepals 5, persistent, sometimes spurred at base, with an imbricate estivation. Petals _5 (by abortion sometimes four) hypogynous, unguiculate, with a twisted estivation. Stamens usually monadelphous at base, as many or twice as many as sepals; anthers fixed by the middle, introrse. Ovary of 5 lobes, each 1- or 2-celled, placed alternate with _ the sepals, round an elevated axis; styles 5, cohering round the axis. Pericarp of 5 '- carpels, united to the central axis, and when mature separating by the twisting of the | .permanent style. Seeds solitary, exalbuminous, with a lateral hilum; radicle straight, ends ns ea plaited. This extensive order, which is mainly constituted of the genus Geranium of Linnzus, contains an immense number of herbaceous, rarely shrubby plants, having tumid stems which are separable at the nodes; the leaves are mostly apposite, generally furnished with stipules, petiolate, palmately-lobed or divided, though sometimes entire. The peduncles are terminal or axillary. The general character of this order is astringency. Grranium.—Linn. Sepals equal. Petals 5,equal, regular. Stamens 10, fertile ; the alternate ones larger, each with a melliferous gland at base. Arilli 5, 1-seeded, awned, awns naked at length revolute. ‘ The genus Geranium, as now recognised by botanists, 1 is confined to those species having ten fertile stamina, those with five forming the genus Evodium, and those with seven, Pelargonium. The species are almost all herbaceous, and are principally natives of Europe ; about six are found in North America, of which several are common to both continents. The name is derived from the Greek appellation of the crane, from a supposed resemblance of the si | manent style to the bill of that bird. _ G, macutatum, Linn.—Stem erect, pubescent, dichotomous; leaves 3—5 parted, incised ; eauline opposite, radicle on long petioles; petals entire ; peduncles long. -Linn., Sp. Pi. 955 ; Bigelow, Med. Bot. i. t. 8; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. - i,t. 13; Torrey and Gray, FV. i. 206; Lindley, F/. Med. 221. ‘Common Names.—Crowfoot ; Alum Root ; Common Crane’s-bill, &c, Foreign Names.—Bec de grue, Fr. ; Gefleckter Storchschnabel, Ger. 210 MEDICAL BOTANY. Description.—Root perennial, irregularly gibbous and horizon- tal, brownish, mottled with green externally, and greenish-white internally. From the root spring a number of radical leaves and one or more stems; these latter are erect and terete, of a green colour and furnished with reflexed hairs. At the height of six to ten inches, the stem becomes forked, and at the point of divi- sion are two large, petiolate leaves, which are generally re- flexed. The leaves on the upper part of the stem are either sessile or with very short petioles. The peduncles arise from the dicho- tomous divisions of the stem, and bear two flowers on short pedicels. The calyx consists of five, oval, lanceolate, ribbed, .cus- pidate sepals, plumosely ciliate on their outer margin, and mem- branaceous on the other; some- times three only of the sepals are ciliate. The petals are five, obovate, not emarginate. The stamens are ten, furnished at base with glands, and terminated , by oblong, convex, deciduous an- thers of a purple colour. The ovary is ovate, bearing five styles, at first.about the length of the stamens, but finally longer; the styles cohere to a permanent central axis before maturity, but aE i aagse Ss separate from it in a twisted AWS vPSSESSENS form when the seed is ripe. The 4 LORE iota 5 . ° F7- ai Li kL capsule contains five seeds, which : become detached by the elasticity G. maculatum. of the awns. There are numerous varieties of this species; in the form of the leaves, colour of the flowers, and pubescence of the stem; these depend on accidental causes, as soil, exposure, &c. It is found in all parts of the United States, generally growing in thickets, borders of wood, and hedges, where the soil is — low and damp, but is by no means confined to such situations. It flowers in April and May. : It was known to, and much esteemed by, the Indians, as an astringent ; but the first account of its medical properties was given by Coelln in the fourth volume of the Amcenitates Academice, on the authority of Colden ; he states that it was found useful in dysentery. Shoepf, who seems to have considered that every plant must be endowed with remedial powers, was not likely to | pass over one manifesting such marked qualities as the Geranium, and | speaks of it in high terms as a useful astringent. It is now recognised as a regular article of the Materia Medica, and is admitted into the primary list in the Pharmacopeia. Medical Properties, §-c.—From the concurrent testimony of all who have given the Geranium a fair trial, it is shown that it is a powerful astringent, SAPINDACEZ. 911 and very similar to Kino and Rhatany in its action on the system. The statements of Colden and Schoepf in relation to the efficacy of the root in dys- entery have been adverted to; and it may be mentioned, in corroboration, that it is known under the name of Alum root in many parts of the country, and is much prized in the treatment of the secondary stages of bowel com- plaints. Dr. B.S. Barton speaks favourably of a decoction of it in milk, in cholera infantum, and Dr. Eberle states that it is much used in this complaint by the inhabitants of Lancaster county.. As a remedy in aphthous affections of the mouth, and in ulcerations of the fauces and tonsils, it has proved highly successful. Dr. Eberle observes, “‘In a chronic and very obstinate case of aphthous ulceration of thé mouth, after various articles had been used by other physicians and myself unsuccessfully, the patient was relieved by the use of gargles made of the root of this plant.” This testimony of its powers is confirmed by Zollickoffer and others. The Geranium has also been ad- vantageously employed as a substitute for Kino and Rhatany, in cases in which these articles are indicated. . The part used is the root, which is found in the shops in the form of wrinkled, rough pieces, of various sizes, of a dark-brown colour externally, and pale flesh-colour within; the taste is astringent, but not bitter, and scarcely any smell. It may be given in a variety of modes. Of the powder the dose is from ten to thirty grains. Of the tincture from two drachms to half an ounce. The decoction is made by boiling an ounce of the bruised root in a pint of water; the dose is from one to two tablespoonsful. The best form of exhibition is in extract; this, when properly made, closely re- sembles that of Rhatany, and may be advantageously substituted for it. No complete analysis has been made of this root. Dr. Bigelow, however, gives the result of an examination of it, in which he found gallic acid and tannin, and states that it afforded a larger precipitate with gelatin than Kino. A later series of observations by Dr. Staples (Jour. Phil. Coll. Pharm. i, 171), show that it contains a large quantity of gallic acid, tannin, mucilage in small proportion, amadin, red colouring matter from the. cortical portion, a small quantity of resin, and a peculiar crystallizable principle. Several species of Geranium have been used in medicine, with’some suc- cess, especially the G. Robertianum and the G. sanguineum, both natives of Europe, but the first also found in the United States. They possess the same properties as the G‘. macudatum, but in a minor degree, but are also said to be diuretic, and to have proved useful in diseases of the kidneys and bladder, Group XIV.—Sapindales. OrvER 38.—SAPINDACEA.—Jussieu. Calyx 4—5-parted, or 4—5-leaved, westivation imbricated. Petals 4—5, sometimes absent, alternate, with the sepals hypogynous, sometimes naked, sometimes with a doubled appendage on the inside; estivation imbricated. Disk fleshy, regular, expanded between the petals and stamens, sometimes glandular, the glands between the stamens and petals. Stamens 8—10 (rarely 5—7) seldom 20, inserted on the disk, or on the receptacle. Fila- ments free, or connected at base. Anthers introrse. Ovary 3-celled, rarely 2—4-celled, cells containing 1—3, seldom more, ovules. Style simple, or 2—3-cleft. Fruit sometimes capsular, 2—3-valved, sometimes a samara, sometimes fleshy and indehiscent. Seeds generally with an aril; the outer integument crustaceous, or membranous, the inner pellucid. Embryo usually curved or spital, seldom straight. No albumen. The Sapindacez are usually large trees, sometimes climbing shrubs, and | rarely twining herbs, with alternate, compound, rarely simple, leaves, with or 212 MEDICAL BOTANY. without stipules, and often marked with lines or pellucid dots. The species differ widely from each other, but all have unsymmetrical flowers, the petals have an appendage, and the embryo is curved or spiral. They are princi- pally natives of tropical regions, though some are found in more temperate climates. Their physical properties are very various, but a ‘saponaceous principle appears to be very general in the fruits or seeds; but in some is very slight, or so modified as to be scarcely perceptible. Thus the berries of Sapindus saponarta and others lather freely with water, and are used in the West Indies as a substitute for soap. The seeds of the various kinds of Horse Chestnut also possess this property. Many of them, however, are edible, and in some cases delicious ; for in- stance, the Longan and Litchee are the product of species of Nephelium. The Fruta de Parao, a sweet and pleasant Brazilian fruit,is derived from the Schnudeha edulis. The Melicocca bijugis of the West Indies bears agree- able, sub-acid drupes. Some species of Sapzndus also afford edible berries, &c. But the products of this order are always suspicious, and even where the fruit may be partaken of with impunity, the seeds are oftentimes injuri- ous; for example, although the drupes of Nepheliwm can be freely eaten, the seeds are exceedingly bitter, and in Sapzndus they are actively poisonous, The nuts of the Horse Chestnut also contain a bitter, narcotic principle; and in various species of Paullinza a deleterious constituent is much developed, especially in P. pimnata, the whole abounding in an acrid juice, from which the natives of Brazil prepare a potent poison, which is capable of slowly but certainly destroying life; from the P. curruru the savages of Guiana obtain a venom for their arrows, and from P. cupana an. intoxicating drink is prepared. The most interesting product of this order is that of the P. sorbzlzs, the seeds of which are used in Brazil to prepare a cake or bread, called Guarana; according to Martius, this is pounded and mixed with sweetened water, and is esteemed stomachic, febrifuge, and aphrodisiac; he says that it is cer- tainly endowed with great powers, and states that it is very useful in diseases of the urinary organs; in Brazil it is considered as an indispensable requisite for travellers, on account of its restorative qualities. It owes its powers: to the presence of a peculiar principle called Gwaranine, which appears to be identical in composition with théine and caffeine. (See Dunglison, New Re- medies, 489.) | Many other plants of this order are useful in medicine and the arts. The root of Cardiospermum halicacabum is sudorific, diuretic, andaperient ; and on the Malabar coast the leaves are considered efficacious in pulmonic affec- tions (Aznslie, ii. 204). The Dodoneas are somewhat aromatic; but the wood of D, angustifolia is said by Thunberg to be purgative. The root of Schaudeha serrata is employed in India to check obstinate diarrhcea (Ainslie, ii, 413), /Escutus.— Linn. Calyx 5-toothed, campanulate. Petals 4—5, irregular, unequal. Leaves palmate, 5—7 ~ foliolate, Flowers i in terminal racemes or panicles. This genus, which contains many species, is almost exclusively North American, and has been variously divided by botanists from the armed and unarmed character of the fruit, &c.; but the differences pointed out are scarcely sufficient to entitle these divisions to more than sectional, or at most SAPINDACE &. ; 213 sub-generic rank, Their medicinal qualities are much the same, being tonic, and sometimes narcotic and emetic. JE. uirrocastanum, Linn.—Leaves digitate, with 7 obovate, acuminate leaflets. Petals 5. Stamens 7. Fruit echinate. Linn., Sp. Pl., 488; Woodville, 349; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 68 ; Lindley, F'7. Med., 124. Common Names.—Horse-chestnut, Buck-eye. ‘Foreign Names.—Marronier d’Inde, Fr.; Castagno d’India, Jt. ; Ross- kastanienbaum, Ger. Description.—A beautiful and lofty Fig. 109. tree, with numerous, _ spreading branches, covered with a _ rough, brown bark, The wood is white and soft, and is very liable to decay.. The leaves are on long footstalks, are large, and composed of seven leaflets, arising from a common centre, the middle one /- being the largest; they are of a spa- p thulate form, acuminate, serrate, much y, varied, and of a bright green colour. SZ YY The flowers are in thyrsoid racemes Ce SHY or panicles, at the extremity of the WV NZ JZ branches. The calyx is pale green, 5- nif toothed and spreading. The corolla is Na Y formed of five petals, which are irregu- 6 = = lar, unequal, spreading, inserted into Lj Hi = the calyx by narrow claws, waved at the edges, of a white colour, marked be- low with a yellowish-red spot. The sta- mens are seven, with awl-shaped fila- ments, supporting reddish, oblong, dou- ble anthers. The ovary is roundish, and furnished with a short style and pointed stigma. The fruit is prickly, coriaceous, roundish, 3-celled, and usu- ally containing two seeds, These seeds are exalbuminous, with a brown, shin- ing testa, and a large, paler hilum. ZZ Sa } === 2 4. hippocastanum. a Flower. 0b Fruit. This magnificent tree is a native of the northern region of Asia, but has been cultivated in most parts of Europe since the middle of the sixteenth cen- tury, when it was introduced by Clusius; it was brought to this country soon after its settlement, where, however, it is not commonly planted, as its place is supplied by native species of equal beauty. It is of rapid growth, and flowers in May’and June, ripening its fruit late in the autumn. The 4isculus of the Romans-was a kind of oak, and not the tree now under consideration, which, as before said, was not known in Europe until the year 1550, when it was described by Matthiolus, from specimens received from Constantinople. At the time Clusius wrote,it was still so scarce, that but one tree existed at Vienna. Even at the period of the publication of Par- kinson’s great work, it was so little known, that he mistakes it for a kind of chestnut, and observes, ‘it is of greater and more pleasant aspect for its fair leaves, but also of as good use for the fruit, which is of a sweet taste, roasted and eaten, as the ordinary sort of chestnut.” The tree is said to derive its name from the fact that horses will eat the nut greedily. They are also eaten by sheep, goats, and deer; but their extreme bitterness requires to be de-— 214 MEDICAL BOTANY. stroyed, by steeping in some alkali, before the first of these animals will taste them. They have been used in this way, and also by permitting them to germinate, which, as with barley, developes a saccharine matter, to some extent in Europe as a food for cattle, and it is said, that mixed with the pro-— vender of cows, they increase the quantity of milk. They contain a sapona- ceous principle, which has been taken advantage of in the fulling of stuffs and cloths. A paste has also been made from them, which is said to be pre- ferable to any other, as not only possessing great tenacity, but. likewise from the circumstance that no moths or verntin will attack any thing cemented with it. The fruit has also been applied to a variety of other purposes ; but the most valuable of all its uses is the formation of starch, which is superior to that from any of the cerealia. In a medicinal point of view, this tree is also deserving of attention, as, from numerous trials made with the bark, it appears that it is possessed of powerful febrifuge. properties. A notice of this was given in a paper read before the Royal Academy of Sciences of Paris, in 1720, by the president, Bon ; but the attention of the profession was not attracted towards it until about 1733, when Zanichelli, an apothecary of Venice, published a full account of its virtues. It was, in consequence, experimented upon by nume- rous practitioners, and generally with much success, though by some its curative powers were wholly denied. It, however, was almost forgotten, when, at the commencement of this century, the French government directed the medical men of France to examine and report on its real value as a febri- fuge. This was done, but the reports were of the most contradictory cha- racter ; and it is evident, from a review of them, that, although the Horse- chestnut bark is capable of removing the paroxysms of intermittent fever, it is far inferior, not only to cinchona, but also to many other of the bitter tonics. It was at one time thought that it was analogous in composition to the Peru- vian bark; but the fanfare of Pelletier and Caventou shows that it contains a reddish astringent matter, a greenish oil, a yellow colouring substance, an ae &c., but no trace of any alkaloid. (See Dunglison, New Remedies, 351. ) The American species are numerous, and all but one belong to the section Pavia, having an unarmed fruit. They are known in the Western States, where they grow in great abundance, under the name of Buck-eye, from a supposed resemblance between the nut to the eye of the deer. The roots of several of them are saponaceous, and used to cleanse woollen stuffs. They, as well as the branches and leaves, are somewhat narcotic; and the fresh fruit, macerated in water and made into a paste, will stupify fish. In some experiments made on the nuts of the small Buck-eye (4. pavia) by Dr. Woodhouse, he found that the starch is superior to that from wheat ; that it is readily procured, and keeps for a great length of time; and also, that the water of the fresh washings of the flour is narcotic and poisonous. Dr. McDowell, of Danville, tried the powder of the rind in some cases, and states that ten grains of it were equivalent to three grains of opium. A strong decoction of the bark has been recommended as a lotion to gangre- nous ulcers. | ERYTHROXYLACEA. 215 Orper 39.—ERYTHROXYLACE.—Lindley. Sepals 5, combined at base, persistent. Petals 5, hypogynous, broad at base, with a plaited scale, equal. Stamens 10, monadelphous, anthers innate, erect, 2-celled, dehiscing longitudinally. Ovary 3-celled, with two of the cells spurious; styles 3, distinct or united to near the tip; stigmas 3, capitate; ovule solitary, pendulous. Fruit drupaceous, l-seeded. Seed angular ; albumen between fleshy and mealy, or none. Embryo straight. These are trees or shrubs, the young shoots often covered with acute im- bricated scales, and compressed ; the leaves are usually smooth and alternate, _with stipules within the petioles. ‘The flowers are small, whitish, or greenish. They are mostly natives of South America and the West Indies; a few spe- cies are found in the tropical regions of Asia. Many of the species afford useful products. A brown dye is obtained from the bark of Erythroxylon suberosum. The young branches and leaves of the E. areolatum are said to be cooling, and when mixed with benne oil form a refreshing liniment for the head. The bark is also used asa tonic. (Avzms- lie, ii, 422.) The bark of EF. angutfugum is thought to be an antidote against snake-bites in Brazil, and that E. campestre is employed in the same country as a purgative. (Martius, Mat. Med. Bras.) . The most important plant of the order is the E. coca, a species found in many parts of North America, and extensively cultivated in Peru and Bolivia. The leaves, which apparently are almost devoid of activity, having merely a slight ae. Be scent and a _ grassy, bitterish taste, are a very powerful stimulant, and ope- rate on the system somewhat like opium, except that they do not produce as marked a narcotic influence. Their use among the Indians of parts of South Ame- rica is very great, according to Poeppig, ( Travels.) The value of the Coca crop in Peru and Bolivia is upwards of two and a half millions of dollars, and 2000 persons are occupied in the culture of the plant. The leaves are dried in the sun, and packed tightly in bales; they are chewed with the addition of a small quantity of quicklime ; and the consump- tion averages an ounce and a half a day with those who use it moderately ; but inveterate chewers have been known to use four ounces. It has been stated by some writers to contain much mucilage, and to be stomachic and nutritive. This is denied by Poeppig, who says that it is an active stimulant of very peculiar pow- ers. Its first destructive effects on the system are shown in a derangement of the digestive organs, followed by bilious symptoms, jaundice, deprivation of sleep, and a frightful train of nervous phenomena. It appears to be less violent in its first effects than opium, but that a long-continued use of it is more injurious, 216 MEDICAL BOTANY. It has been employed from time immemorial, and is extensively used by the natives as a restorative when engaged in any Jaborious work, as in long journeys, mining, &c. They insist that it prevents hunger, and enables them to undergo the most severe toil with. impunity. From the accounts of recent travellers, there appears to be no doubt of its powerful stimulant powers, and of its restorative qualities when the body is exhausted by exertions of any kind; and also of its finally injuring the constitutions of those using it, in an irreparable manner. No correct analysis has been made of it. The active principle appears to be volatile, as it doeS not afford any peculiar product on distillation, A full account of it is given in Hooker’s Companion to Bot. Magazine, 1, and Ruschenberger, Three Years in the Pacific, 176. 4 Group XV.—Rhamnales. Orper 40,—RHAMNACEA.— Lindley. Calyx 4—5-cleft, estivation valvate. Petals 4—5, sometimes wanting, inserted in the orifice of the calyx. Stamens equal in number to the petals, with introrse or versatile anthers. Ovary of 2—4 united carpels, 2—4-celled, each with a solitary ovule. Styles: more or less united. Stigmas usually distinct, simple. Fruit sometimes dry and capsu- lar, dehiscing by three valves, sometimes fleshy and indehiscent. Seed erect, not arilled, albumen fleshy. Embryo erect. Radicle short. Cotyledons large, flat. _ The Rhamnacez consist of trees and shrubs, with oftentimes thorny branches. The leaves ‘are simple, alternate, rarely opposite, and mostly furnished with very small stipules. The flowers are small, usually of a whitish or greenish-white colour, sometimes moncecious, dicecious, or poly- gamous by abortion. The species are found in most parts of the world, except in the arctic zone. The properties of the various plants of this order are very diversified. The fruit of some of them is actively purgative, as in Rhammnus ; in others, as in Zizyphus, it is nutritive and demulcent ; thus some of the species, as Z. vulgaris, gujuba, &c., furnish the gummy extract known as jujube paste. The berries of Z. lotus, or lote-bush, are much used for food among the Arabs. In Hovenza dulcis the peduncle becomes much enlarged and succulent, and is in great repute in China as a fruit, resem- bling a fine pear in taste. Several others also fur- nish edible fruits. Some species are astringent, hydragogue, &c. The bark of Zizyphus joazetro is bitter and astrin- gee. ) gent, with some acridity ; that of Z. napea is used as a remedy in windy colic. The leaves of Z. tr2- nervius are employed in India as alteratives in chronic cutaneous and vene- real affections (Azms/ze, ii. 69), Anti-syphilitic virtues are also attributed to Berchemia volubilis ; and the bark of the B. lineata is said to be hydra- gogue, Ruamnvus.—Linan. Calyx 4—5.cleft, often circumscissile after flowering, the lower part permanent, Petals 4—5, or none, Stamens inserted opposite the petals. Styles 2—4, connate. Fruit baccate, 2—4.celled. Seeds with a deep groove. Am RHAMNACE#. 217 This is a large genus, the species of which are either trees or shrubs, some with perennial and others with deciduous leaves, and differing much in the number of male organs, some being tetrandrous and others pentandrous. They are found in all parts of the world, but principally in America and the south of Europe. But one of them has been recognised as officinal. R. caraarticus, Linn.—Erect, branches thorny at the summit; leaves ovate, serrate ; flowers polygamous-diecious, usually tetrandrous; berry 4-seeded. Linn., Sp. Pl. 279 ; Woodville, t. 114; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 119 ; Torrey and Gray, £7., i. 261; Lindley, vor. Med., 167. Common Name.—Buckthorn. Foreign Names.—Nerprun, Fr, ; Ramuno catartico, J, ; Gemeine Kreuz- dorn, Ger. Description——The Buckthorn is a large shrub, with a dark-brown bark and yellowish wood. The branches are alternate or nearly opposite, spreading, and armed with spines at the extremity. The leaves are simple, entire, smooth, ovate, serrate, and of a bright- green colour. The flowers are small, of a greenish colour, and borne at the extremity of the branches of the former year. They are generally of different sexes on different plants, though sometimes polygamous; the fertile flowers have the rudiments of stamens, narrow petals, and four almost united styles; the barren ones have an abortive ovary and broader petals. ‘The anthers are small, rounded, and borne on short, subulate filaments, which are inserted in the mouth of the calyx. The berries are globular, about as large as a pea, black when ripe, and containing a green pulp, with four cells, and as many seeds, which are smooth, elliptical, convex on one side and flattened on the other. This shrub is a native of many parts of Europe, and has been found in several places in the United States, apparently in a wild state, but probably introduced. It flowers in May and June, and ripens its fruit in September and October. The berries have an unpleasant smell and a disagreeable, bitter taste. They have, however, long been used in medicine as a pur- gative; but are more generally employed, at the present day, in the manufac- ture of a pigment, known under the name of Sap Green. This is the in- - spissated juice, with the addition of a little alum; or else it is prepared by adding lime-water and gum arabic to the juice, and evaporating to a proper consistence. Medical Properties, §-c.—The juice of the berries is a violent, drastic pur- gative, sometimes causing serious irritation of the bowels, and hence it is now but seldom used. Corvisart, however, thought so highly of the hydra- gogue powers of the syrup, that he habitually employed it in almost all cases of serous affections; and it is still considered of value by some European practitioners as a revulsive, when it is wished to make a powerful impression on the bowels. The drastic qualities of this remedy are much modified by the addition of aromatics and the use of demulcents to sheathe the bowels. It is, however, a remedy that may well be dispensed with, and is not recog- nised by our national Pharmacope@ia. The juice of the berries has been analyzed, and found to contain, in addition to the usual constituents, a pecu- liar purgative principle, somewhat allied to cathartine, but differing in some respects from that substance. The mucilage is also peculiar, as it disappears on fermentation. mi The berries of several other species of Rhamnus are used in the arts, Those of the R. infectorius are known under the name of French Berries, and are largely employed in calico printing. They are also used to give the colour to yellow morocco, The R. alaternus affords a fruit which is employed for the same purpeses. Another species, the R. paliurus, is said to be one of the most common shrubs in India, and is supposed by some to 218 ; MEDICAL BOTANY. be the plant from which the crown of thorns placed upon the head of Christ was composed. Cranoruvus.— Linn. Calyx 5-cleft, campanulate, circumscissile, lower part permanent. Petals 5, unguicu- late. Stamens 5, exserted. Styles 2—3, united to the middle, diverging above. Capsule 3-angled, 3-celled, 3-seeded ; cells opening by the inner suture. This almost American genus consists of shrubs or shrubby plants, which are unarmed. ‘The roots of the whole of them are large, reddish, and astrin- gent. The leaves are alternate, usually ovate or elliptical, serrate or entire, persistent or deciduous. ‘The flowers are white, blue, or yellowish in umbel- like fascicles, which are aggregated at the extremity of the branches. It is probable that the medical properties of all the species are very much the same, though one only, has attracted attention. C. americanus, Linn.—Leaves ovate, or oblong-ovate, smooth above, tomentose beneath. Panicles axillary, peduncled, elongate, leafy. Luin,, Sp. £4, 284: Bot. Mazg., 1479; Darlington, Fv. Cest., 148; Torrey and Gray, F7., i. 264; De Candolle, Prod., ii. 31. ~ Common Name.—New Jersey Tea. Description.—Root dark-red. Stem shrubby, suffruticose, from one to three feet high, with many branches, the younger of which are pubescent, The leaves are 3-nerved, rounded, or a little cordate at base, ovate or oblong-ovate, somewhat acuminate at the apex, serrate, nearly smooth above, and whitish, tomentose beneath, the pubescence of the veins and petioles somewhat reddish. ‘The calyx is white, 5-cleft, and the upper por- tion separates by a transverse line, leaving the tube adhering to the fruit. The corolla is formed of five saccate, arched petals, which are longer than the calyx, and with fili- form claws at base. The stamens are five, exserted, and bearing ovate, 2-celled anthers. The ovary is 3-angled, and surrounded with a 10-toothed disk. The styles are three, united to the middle, but diverging above. The fruit is dry and coriaceous, obtusely tri- angular, 3-celled and 3-seeded. The seeds are convex externally, and concave within, the cavity marked with a longitudinal line. The New Jersey Tea is found in all parts of the United States, in copses and dry woods, flowering from June until September. There are several varieties, differing principally in the form: of the leaves. It is a well-known plant, and is celebrated for having been much used during the Revolutionary war as a substitute for the Chinese tea, whence its common name. The leaves when dried have an odour very much resembling that of the black tea .of commerce, and are said to form an excellent substitute for it. They are slightly bitter, and somewhat astringent. The root is much more active, and was in use among the Indians as an astringent and febrifuge, and was afterwards very much employed as a remedy in gonorrhoea and even syphi- lis. In the first of these complaints, it is stated by Ferrien, a cure is effected in two or three days; and in the latter, even inveterate cases yield to it in fifteen. It is given, he says, in decoction, .made with two drachms of the root to the pint of water. Adanson also observes that he has employed it in these diseases with success. We quote this from Merat and De Lens’ Dic+ tionary, not having seen the works in which these statements are made; but they receive confirmation, in part at least, from the success that has attended this method of cure by empirics in our country. Dr. Hubbard (Boston Med. and Surg. Journ., Sept. 1835) speaks in high terms of a decoction of the leaves as a wash and gargle in the aphthe of children, and in those cases of sore mouth subsequent to fever, and states that he was successful with it CELASTRACESZ. 219 _ even where all other means. had failed. He also found it beneficial in those eases of ulceration of the fauces attendant on scarlatina; in these he used it | in combination with May weed (Maruta cotula) and borax. He further adds, | that as an astringent in dysentery, he found it ly as efficacious as the Hardhack (Spirea tomentosa). With this testimony in its favour, it well deserves a more extended trial, and if it should be found to merit even in part what has been said of it, it will rank as an important article of our native Materia Medica. It may be mentioned, that the C. ceruleus is considered as a powerful febrifuge in Mexico, and that the C. decolor is employed in dysentery in Senegal. Orprr 41.—CELASTRACEA.— Lindley. Sepals 4—5, imbricated, inserted in the edge of an expanded disk. Petals as many as | sepals, inserted by a broad base into the disk; estivation imbricate. Stamens as many as petals, and alternate with them, inserted on the margin, or within the edge of the disk. Anthers innate. Disk large, expanded, flat, closely surrounding the ovary, Ovary im- mersed in the disk, free from the calyx. Fruit superior, 2—5-celled, either drupaceous or capsular. Seeds ascending, either arillate or the reverse. Albumen fleshy. Embryo straight. | An order composed of small trees or shrubs, with alternate, seldom oppo- site, simple leaves, with ‘small deciduous _ stipules, The flowers are small, green, white, or purple, in axillary cymes. The spe- cies are found in the warm parts of Europe, Asia, and North America, very abun- dant in South Africa; they are principally extra-tropi- cal, The most general charac- ter of the order is acridify, but the seeds yield an oil which is useful for a variety of purposes. The bark of Celastrus scandens, a native plant, has considerable re- putation in domestic prac- tice as an emetic, discutient, and anti- -syphilitic; it also appears to possess some nar- cotic powers. Riddell (Syn. Fil. 33) states that it is used by the Thomsonians as a stimulating diuretic, and considered capable of re- moving hepatic obstructions. The C. senegalensis has much the same properties, while the spines of C. vene- natus are stated to cause the most painful wounds. Fig. 112. E. atropurpureus. . L Petals. 2. Calyx. 3. Disk with stamens. 4. Stamen. Many species of Evonymus 5, Ripe fruit. 6. Section of do. 7. Seed. 8, 9. Sections of do. are also possessed of active 220 - MEDICAL BOTANY. qualities ; the bark of E. atropurpureus is used in the same manner as that of the Celastrus; those of E. Americanus and E. obovatus, as well as E, Europeus, have similar properties; the seeds of all are nauseous, purgative, and emetic, and are used in some places to destroy vermin in the hair; the leaves are poisonous to sheep and other animals feeding on them. The bark of E. tengens is of a ‘beautiful yellow colour on the inside, and is used in India as a dye, and is also esteemed of benefit in diseases of the eyes. The most striking of these plants is the Catha edulis, if the accounts of its properties be founded on fact; Forskal (Flor. Arab. 63) says that he was informed that it is cultivated by the Arabs for the sake of its leaves, which they use in a green state, believing that they are powerfully anti-hypnotic, causing such extreme watchfulness, that a person remains awake all night without drowsiness ; they also regard them as a perfect antidote to the plague, and that a person with some of them in his bosom may go among the in- fected with perfect impunity, and also that the disease never appears in places where the plant is cultivated. Botta states that in a fresh state these leaves are intoxicating. It should be noticed that Forskal observes that there is nothing in the taste or odour of the leaves to indicate such potent qualities. The. Maytenus chilensis is considered in Chili as tapable of relieving the poisonous effects of the Laurus caustica (Feuillée, Plant. Med. iii. 41). The root of Myginda uragoga is noticed by Jacquin as a powerful diuretic, and even lithontriptic (Flor. Med. Antill. iv. 81). The leaves of Goupia glabra are stated by Aublet to be employed in Guyana as applications to inflamma- tions (Gutane, i. 297); and according to Roxburgh the bark of the root of Eleodendron roxburahit i is used for the same purpose in India; it is a pow- erful astringent (Cor. ” Plant). Orver 42.—VITACEA.—Jussieu. Calyx short, nearly entire, Corolla with 4—5 petals inserted on the outside of a hypo- gynous disk, inflexed in estivation, deciduous. Stamens. opposite, and as many as the petals. Anthers ovate, versatile. Ovary superior, 2-celled, with 2 erect collateral ovules in each cell. Style short, with a simple stigma. Fruit a pulpy berry, often from abor- tion 1-celled ; 1—5-seeded. Seeds with a hard testa, and a cartilaginous, or fleshy albu- men. Embryo shorter than the albumen. Radicle slender. Cotyledons lanceolate or subulate. This very important order is composed of trailing or climbing shrubs, sup- porting themselves by tendrils growing in the place of racemes. The leaves are simple or digitate, the lower ones opposite, the upper alternate, opposite the racemes or tendrils. ‘The flowers are greenish-yellow and small, usually arranged in racemes or thyrsoid panicles. The order contains but few genera ; these are very closely allied to each other, and were formerly all included in that of Vitis. ; Viris.— Linn. Calyx nearly entire. Petals 4—5, united at apex, distinct at base. Disk elevated in the centre, and bearing the stamens at base. Stamens five. Style short. Stigma dilated. Berry 1—4.seeded, cells and seeds often abortive. It is wholly impossible, at the present day, to come to any correct conclu- sion as to the species of this variable genus. Either they must all be consi- dered as varieties of one single kind, or they must be-extended almost indefi- VITACES. 221 nitely.. Thus those inhabiting the United States differ less from each other than do many of the cultivated varieties of the V. vinifera, and they can hardly be distinguished from some of these, except that they are more uni- formly polygamous. No less than 1400 varieties are said to be cultivated in the Luxembourg gardens at Paris ; and Rafinesque has described 41 species of those peculiar to North America, and 60 of foreign origin, besides nume- Tous varieties, and he states that Mr. Adlum, who paid much attention to the subject, stated that he had distinguished 200 varieties in a wild state in the United States. V. vinirera, Linn.—Leaves lobed, sinuated, toothed, naked, or smooth. Linn., Sp. Pl. 293; Woodville, 195; Stephenson and Churchill, Med. Bot. iii. 140 ; Rafinesque, Med. FV. ii. Common Name.—Grape Vine. Foreign Name.—Vite, It. Description—It is so variable a shrub, that no description will apply to all the kinds. The leaves are more or less lobed, smooth, pubescent,.or tomentose; are flat, crisped, or even plaited, either of a pale or of a dark green colour. The branches may - be prostrate or climbing or erect, and tender or hard. The racemes are loose or com- pact, ovate or cylindrical. The fruit is white or pale, yellow, red, or purple; glo- bose, ovate, or oblong in form; and sweet, musky, or austere in taste. The seeds are also variable in number, and sometimes by Zz abortion are wholly wanting. Se Vaan »S AY Vix The early history of the Vine is in- volved in some obscurity, for the oldest of the profane writers that mention it, ascribe to it a fabulous origin. Its cul- ture of course begun in the East, and we are told in Scripture, that Noah, after coming out of the ark, planted a vineyard, and “ drunk of the wine and was drunken ;” evidently showing that its properties were well known anterior to the deluge; though some commen- V. vinifera. tators are of opinion that this was the first time that wine was made, and that Noah was therefore ignorant of its intoxicating properties. The traditions of ancient Egypt ascribe the first cul- ture of the wine to Osiris, while in the Grecian mythology it is attributed to Bacchus. All accounts, however, point to the East as the first place in which the vine was reclaimed from its wild state, and became an object of culture. Dr. Sickler, who regards this useful plant as of Persian origin, has given a learned account of its migration to Egypt, Greece, and Sicily, from the latter of which countries it is supposed to have extended to Italy, Spain, and France. The Phocians are said to have carried it to the south of France, and the Romans to have planted it on the banks of the Rhine. It has been found that for the successful culture of the vine, the annual mean temperature should be between 50° and*63°, or the mean temperature may be as low as 48°, provided that of the summer reaches 68°. In Europe, these conditions are found to exist as far north as latitude 50°, but in the United States not 4: 222 MEDICAL BOTANY. . beyond 40°, on the eastern sea board, but at a somewhat higher latitude in the valley of the Mississippi. In both hemispheres the profitable cultivation of it ceases at about 30°, except in elevated situations or in islands. ‘Thus the region of vineyards occupies about 20° in breadth in Europe, but not more than half that extent in the United States. In the southern hemisphere the observations have not been sufficient’ to ascertain whether the same rule will apply; though the Cape of Good Hope, where the vine flourishes, wo seem to show that it is equally true in Africa. Ainslie states that the grape can be successfully grown in India, but that the climate precludes the making of wine. The age to which the vine will attain is very great, and equals, if it does not surpass that of the oak, Pliny speaks of one which had existed for six hundred years, and Bose states that there are vines in Burgundy upwards of four hundred years of age. One growing in England, which was upwards of one hundred years old, covered one hundred and thirty-seven square yards with its branches, and measured four feet in circumference. Grapes are usually distinguished by their colours and the. shape of the berries, and have been variously classed by different authors. Besides their use as an article of diet, they have been prescribed medicinally ; when ripe, they are wholesome, antiseptic and cooling, and when partaken of freely, somewhat diuretic ed laxative, and have been found beneficial in many dis- eases, In a dried state they are termed Razsins ; these are prepared either by cutting the stalks of bunches half through, and leaving them suspended to the vine until sufficiently dry, or by gathering them, dipping them into a weak ley, and then exposing them to the heat of the sun. What are termed dried currants, are the raisins of a small grape peculiar to some of the Grecian islands, particularly Zante.. Raisins are more laxative than the fresh fruit, but are very apt to cause flatulence and colic. ‘They are used in medicine, principally to impart a pleasant taste to certain pharmaceutical preparations, as some of the compound tinctures, &c. At one time almost every part of the vine was recognised as officinal, and considered as possessed of remedial qualities, but are now generally disused ; the leaves, tendrils, and young shoots contain malic and citric acids, and some bitartrate of potash; they are now principally employed in wine countries ‘to flavour vinegar. The juice of the grape consists of water, sugar, mucilage, glutinous matter, citric and malic acids, and tartrates of potassa. These principles, when left to themselves for a short time, undergo many important reactions, and their elements assume a new arrangement, and two new compounds are formed wine and acetic acid. When the grapes are fully ripe, they are gathered for the wiaridierebure of — wine, and’ in most cases are, as soon as possible, subjected to pressure to sepa- rate the juice from the skin and seeds ; for some wines, however, especially those of a rich and luscious character, they are permitted to become partially dried before gathering; this is practised in making the celebrated Tokay. Several modes are pursued to separate the juice, sometimes, as in Italy, the grapes are placed in perforated tubs over the vat, and trodden with the feet, or they are subjected to the action of a press in hair-cloth bags. The expressed fluid, or must, is then poured into a proper vessel and exposed to a tempera- ture of at least 55° to enable it to commence the fermentative process. In a short time the liquor becomes turbid, its temperature increases, and the skins, seeds, and other impurities rise to the ‘surface, and carbonic acid is generated. When this fermentation is over, the spongy crust which had formed at top, falls to the bottom, the fluid becomes clear, is found to have lost its former VITACES. 223 character, and has become wine, or in other words, there has been the forma- tion of alcohol. Where the juice contains too large a proportion of sugar, some tartar is added to it, and where the saccharine matter is deficient, sugar is added. It requires great attention and practical skill to manage the fermenta- _tion properly, as on this depends the quality of the wine. Almost every kind of wine requires a different treatment, and the same fruit is obliged to be : managed differently in different seasons. fter this it is drawn off into casks, where a slow and almost imperceptible fermentation continues, with a loss in the quantity of the fluid, which loss must be supplied by the addition of other liquor. The result of this insensi- ble fermentation is a gradual increase in the quantity of alcohol, and the de- posit of the tartar, which collects on the sides of the cask, mixed with the colouring matters of the juice. A variety of modes are adopted at this period of the process to give the different wines their peculiar characters and strength ; these differ not only with the kinds of wine, but with the product of every vineyard, for the odour and flavour of wines depend not only on cultivation and soil, but also on the methods of conducting the fermentation in its different stages; though it is also certain that the same grape, in the same climate, soil, and mode of treatment, will produce wines of very various qualities. Posi- tion and aspect have much influence, for the product of two adjoining vine- yards, but differing in exposure, are widely dissimilar. The quality and flavour of the fully fermented wines evens principally on thé method of conducting the fermentation ; but the sweet and half fer- mented wines derive their taste more immediately from the grape. ‘Thus Ma- deira, Sherry, Marsala, and Port, are dry and strong; Malaga, Tokay, Tinto, Montefiascone, &c., are sweet, od contain sugar titi the pa being imperfect. Champagne, and other sparkling wines, owe their briskness to the presence of carbonic acid ; whilst Hock, and the Rhenish wines generally, and many of the French, contain much uncombined acid. The roughness and flavour of the red wines are usually derived from the husks of the fruit, but are often artificially communicated to them by the addition of astringents, as rhatany, kino, &c. The tints of wines are either natural or communicated by the addition of various matters, and the strength is constantly augmented by the addition of brandy. It would require a volume to notice, even in a brief manner, the varieties of wine, and their supposed excellencies and demerits. It may be sufficient to say, that whatever may be their differences, the essential constituents are the same, though the relative quantities of each, vary with the kind of wine. Wine con- tains alcohol, an odorous principle generally supposed to be a volatile oil, co- louring matter derived from the husk, tannin, bitter extractive, sugar, gum, fer- ment, acetic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, bitartrate of potassa, bitartrate of lime, other salts of lime and carbonic acid. The quantity of alcohol varies exceedingly ; from 9 to 25 per cent. according to Brande, and from 7 to 17 per cent. according to Christison. (See Carson’s edition of Pereira’s Elements of Mat. Med., ii. 645.) Medical Properties, §-c.—Wine is stimulant and tonic. In moderate quan- tities it excites the energies of the system, promotes digestion, quickens the action of the heart and arteries, increases the secretions, enlivens the senses, awakens the passions, and improves the intellectual powers. But as thése are the result of an artificial stimulation, its habitual use in a state of health must prove injurious, by exhausting the vital powers, to a degree commensu- rate to the quantity and quality taken, and to the condition of the system, and its susceptibility to the action of aleohol. When taken to excess it intoxi- cates, with its degrading consequences. Its habitual and long-continued use even in moderation, is equally destructive to mind and body, producing dys- 224 MEDICAL BOTANY. pepsia, hypochondriasis, hepatic disease, gout, apoplexy, and a long and fright- ful catalogue of other ills. It should be noticed that the action of wine upon the system, though mainly dependent on the alcohol contained in it, differs in many respects from that of the latter; its stimulant operation is: less sudden and more durable, and hence may be considered as more tonic. Nor is the intoxicating effect off . Wine in exact proportion to the proportion of alcohol it contains, nor to that of a mixture of alcohol and water of corresponding strength. Thus eight. fluid ounces of brandy contain about four ounces of alcohol, whilst 18 cua Port wine contain the same. Thus a pint of wine should be as intoxicating as halfa pint of brandy, which is well known not to be the case. It is possi. ble that this difference of action is owing to a modifying influence exercised by the other constituents of the wine. The after results of an habitual use of distilled spirits and wine are also different ; thus diseases of the liver are fre- quently caused by the use of ardent spirits and are seldom produced by an indulgence in wine. The chief medicinal employment of wine is as a stimulant and tonic in fevers of a low grade, or to obviate symptoms arising from exhaustion and de- bility, and to rouse the energies of the system. In these cases it has proved highly beneficial, as its powers can be regulated with ease and certainty, whilst it is generally grateful to the patient. The quantity to be administered is dependent on the state of the system. The object to be attained is to afford such stimulus as is required, and at the same time to avoid any excess that may occasion a subsequent exhaustion. It must therefore be regulated by the effects it produces, advantage being derived from it when it renders the pulse more slow and firm, where irritation is lessened, delirium removed and sleep induced. On the other hand, if the pulse be quickened, restlessness induced, thirst excited, and the heat of body and delirium increased, it is obvi- ously injurious, and must be relinquished. . ia Group Pa eainealeles Orver 43,—POLYGALACE.— Lindley. Sepals 5, often irregular and unequal; 3 exterior and smaller, (1 superior, and 2 infe- rior,) and 2 interior. Petals hypogynous, usually 3, deciduous, | anterior and larger than the other two, which are alternate with the upper and lateral sepals, sometimes united at base; or when 5, the two additional ones are very small. Stamens 6—8, united by the anthers into 2 fasciculi; anthers innate, 1-celled, opening at the apex. Ovary com- pressed, 2-celled, each cell with one pendulous ovule, (rarely 2—6); style and stigma simple. Pericarp an indehiscent small capsule. Seed pendulous with a fleshy albumen. The plants in this small ‘order are herbaceous, as is the case with all the North American species, or shrubby. ‘They have alternate, entire leaves, without stipules, often verticillate at the lower part of the stem. The flowers are generally small, and in racemes or terminal spikes. The roots are bitter and sometimes milky. ‘They are found in most parts of the world. The properties of the different species are various. Some are bitter and tonic ; this is the case with several species of Polygala, as P. amara, vulgaris, rubella, §-c., and particularly with the Sowlamea amara, called by Rumphius ‘rex amaroris.” This plant is used in some parts of the East Indies with great success in cholera, and is regarded as a most valuable febrifuge. Some are emetic, purgative and diuretic, of which the most important is the P, senega, though some others participate in these qualities. Some have merely emetic properties, as the P. poaya, and others. Some are diuretic and sudo- rific, as the P. thesioides and the Bardiera diversifolia, and finally some are poisonous, as in P. venenosa, of Java, POLYGALACES. 225 Others again appear to have saponaceous qualities, the bark of several spe- cies of Monnina being used as a substitute for soap, and is also said to be efficacious in bowel diseases. Potyeata.—Linn. Sepals persistent; the interior wing-like. Petals 3, their claws adnate to the stamineal tube, the inferior one carinate. Ovary 2-celled, ovules solitary in each cell. Pericarp compressed, obovate, obcordate or elliptical. Seeds pubescent, carunculate. This very extensive genus consists of herbaceous and shrubby species, which are found in all quarters of the globe, but most numerous in America and southern Africa. The name is derived from two Greek words, signify- ing much milk, from an idea entertained by the ancients, that cows feeding on these plants had an increased secretion of that fluid. Many of the species have been used medicinally, as tonics, expectorants, and’ diuretics, and all of them are endowed more or Jess with these qualities, P. Seneca, Linn.—Stems numerous, simple; leaves lanceolate, with scabrous margins. Racemes spiked. Flowers on very short pedicels, wings orbicular-ovate. Capsule nearly orbicular. Torrey and Gray, Fi. i. 131; Bigelow, Med. Bot. ii. 97; Barton, Veg. Mat, Med. ii. 111; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 103. Common Names.—Seneka snake root; Rattlesnake root; Senega rattle- snake root. Foreign Names.—Polygale de Virginie, Senega, Fr, ; Senegawurz, Klap- perschlangenwurz, Ger. ; Poligala virginiana, J. _ Description.—The root is contorted, ligne- ous, branching, and perennial. Stems annual, Fig. 114. numerous, simple, erect, somewhat terete, of a brownish-red below and green above, about a foot in height. The leaves are alternate, lance. olate, acuminate, and scabrous at their mar- gin. The flowers are in a somewhat dense, terminal spike, of a greenish-white or reddish colour. The sepals are all obtuse. The pe- tals are small, with the crest small and the lateral segments obtuse. The style is short, somewhat rostrate. The capsule is obcordate, invested by the persistent calyx, and contain- ing two, oblong-ovate, slightly hairy seeds, of a blackish colour. The Seneka snakeroot is found in most parts of the United States, but is most abundant to the south and west; it generally grows on hill sides and in dry woods, flowering from June to Au- gust, the spike opening gradually, so that it often presents seed at the lower part, whilst the upper flowers have not expanded. The root, which is the offi- cinal portion of the plant, as found in commerce, varies in size from the thick- ness of a quill to that of the little gr ‘ | . Detached flower. 2. Keel with stamens finger. It is much contorted, and pre- ’ ae eee edhe eetaeeT sents a tuberous head, with the remains 15 226 MEDICAL BOTANY. of the stem, below which is the tapering, corrugated root, of a yellowish-brown or brownish-gray colour. This part of the root is marked with a ridge or carina throughout its length, and with more or less numerous rings or pro- jections. The cortical portion is thick, resinous, and of a grayish-yellow colour; the central woody part is white. The active qualities of the root reside wholly in the bark, the woody fibre being wholly inert. Seneka root has a peculiar, but. nauseous smell; the taste is at first inucilas’ ginous and somewhat sweetish, but afterwards becomes acrid and irritating, acting powerfully on the mouth and fauces. It imparts its properties to Ware? and alcohol, but most fully to the latter. Medical Pr operties, §-c.—The remedial qualities of Seneka are very vari- ous; it has been successfully employed as an emetic, a stimulant, an expec- torant, a sudorific, a diuretic, and in fact to fulfil almost every indication. Dr. Chapman speaks. of it as an emmenagogue, expectorant, and diuretic ; and Dr. Cullen classes it among the purgatives. It was in use among the Indians as an antidote against the bites of venomous snakes, and was consi- dered by them as most decided in its effects. It was first introduced to the notice of the profession by Dr. Tennant, about a hundred years since, in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory organs, and has since maintained a high rank as an expectorant, especially in croup, in which its curative powers were thought by some practitioners as almost certain; but it is seldom used in this complaint at present, except in the form of hive syrup, which excellent combination is one of the best adjuvants in the treatment of that fatal disease. Dr. Archer gave it in a strong decoction, in teaspoonful doses, until an impression was made on the disease. The emmenagogue powers of the Seneka were first pointed out by Dr. Hartshorne; and it has been found highly useful in recent cases of amenorrhea, but is seldom bene- ficial in those of long standing. Dr. W. P. C. Barton recommends a trial of it in hydrophobia, under an impression that from its powerful action on the larynx and trachea, it might prove beneficial ; no fair trial has been made of it in this terrible disease, but it is worthy of attention, for if it did not cure, it might at least alleviate the sufferings of the patient. Several analyses have been made of the Seneka, the most recent of which is that of Quevenne (Journ. de Pharm. xxii.) This chemist states that it contains two peculiar acids, the Polygalic and the Virgineic, on which its properties depend. The first of these acids was discovered by Peschier of Geneva, who also noticéd another principle in it, which he termed Be w kinds of peas and beans are the best known NTS i @\ ~ > and most generally employed, but even WE A FASS) among these, some are unwholesome and p i DF WY é even poisonous, as for instance the Lathyrus al) VS [ Ba aphaca, the seeds of which when mature, py a, oa are somewhat narcotic and produce head- ee Sa S. ache, though when green they can be eaten wy & ee with impunity. Some of these seeds con- Arachis hypogea. tain much oil; this is the case with the or edible properties confined to the fruit; the roots of Glycirrhiza glabra and others of the genus, contain much mucilaginous saccharine juice. Those of several species of Dolichos, Apios, &c., are wholesome food. A — kind of manna is produced in Persia and the adjoining countries from a species of Adhagt. But marked medicinal qualities also exist in a great number of these plants. Some are purgative, for example, the leaves of Colutea arborescens, of seve- ral species of Coronilla, Genista, Cytisus, &c. The roots of Tephrosia senna are purgative, and those of 7. virginica also anthelmintic. Others are diuretic, as the roots of Genzsta, Ononis, &c., whilst the young shoots of Cytisus scoparius are both purgative and diuretic. ‘The roots and leaves” of Baptisia tinctoria are both emetic and purgative. Some again are tonic and astringent, thus the African kino is the product of Pterocarpus erina- ceus, and P, marsupium furnishes the East In- dian, whilst dragon’s blood is obtained from P. draco. Several others of these plants furnish similar resins, as some species of Butea, Dal- bergia, &c. A few produce gum, for instance, Tragacanth exudes from many species of Astra- galus, and others afford dyes, as Indigo is derived from various species of Indigofera, Tephrosia, Baptisia, &c., and yellow tints are obtained from Genista tinctoria, the flowers of Butea frondosa and others, _ Nor are narcotic qualities wanting ; the seeds Butea frondosa, of Abrus precatorius are acro-narcotic, according to most authorities, though this is-denied by Dr. ) . Arachis hypogea. Nor are the nutritious — FABACES. 231 Macfadyen (Flor. Jam.) The bark of the root of Piserdia erythrina is a usual fish poison in Jamaica, and yields a highly narcotic and diaphoretic tincture. Several of the Zephroszas have the same qualities. The barks of Andira and Geoffroya are anthelmintic, purgative, and narcotic. The seeds of Ervum ervilia are said to cause loss of power in the limbs, almost _ amounting to paralysis. A variety of other indications are fulfilled by many of these plants, for instance, the hair of the pods of Mucuna prurvens is anthelmintic, and an infusion of the root isin much repute in India in cholera, Euchresta Horsfieldit is esteemed by the Javanese as a specific against poisons of all kinds. The leaves of the Indigofera anil are used in India in hepatitis, and a decoction of the root of Zephrosia purpurea considered efficacious in dyspepsia and tym- panitis. In addition to all this, a great number of species are employed in the arts. Some of them furnish a strong fibre used as a substitute for hemp, thus the Crotalaria juncea affords the material, from which gunny bags are made. The Dipteriz odorata bears the aromatic seed known under the name of Tonka, so much used to scent snuff. Several species of Melzlolotus are used to flavour Chapziger cheese. Several afford timber of excellent quality, as the Robinia’ pseudacacza or locust, some species of Dalbergia, &c. But it would be an almost endless task to enumerate all the qualities and uses of _ the numerous plants of this sub-order. iv adieed sas Ventenat. Calyx bilabiate, 4 cleft. Corolla papilionaceous, petals many, equal, vexillum reflected _ laterally. Stamina 10, unequal, free. Legume ventricose, many-seeded.. The species composing this genus were formerly included in Sophora, by Linnzeus ; in Podalyria, by Michaux, and others; but finally erected into a distinct one by Ventenat. They are all perennial plants, and natives of North America, and are twelve or fourteen in number, generally with yellow, but in some cases with white or blue flowers. B. tinctoria, R. Brown.—Glabrous, much branched, leaves nearly sessile, ternate, leaf- lets obovate, or cuneiform ; racemes terminal, few-flowered; legumes ovate on long a Brown, Hort. Kew. iii. 6; Torrey and Gray, FV. i. 386; Barton, Veg. ye Med. ii. 53; Rafinesque, Med. Fl. i. 79; Lindley, Flor. Med, 237 ; Sophora tunctoria, ‘Tain’ Spl. Pl. 584; Podalyria tinctorva, Willdenow, Sp. Fi, ii, 503. Common Names.—Wild Indigo; Horsefly weed; Rattle bush, &c. Foreign Names Indigo frefie, ce Farbende Baptisia, Ger. Description.—Root perennial, large and woody, very irregular, blackish externally, and yellowish within, with numerous, lighter-coloured radicles. -Stem two or three feet high, round, yellowish-green, smooth, marked with black dots, much branched; branehes slen- der, and of a yellowish colour. Leaves alternate, small, formed of three sessile, obovate, smooth, bluish-green leaflets, with minute, evanescent stipules, Flowers yellow, in small, loose spikes at the ends of the branches. Calyx campanulate, bilabiate, upper lip entire or emarginate, lower trifid. Stamina included, deciduous. Ovary stipitate, bearing a minute stigma. Legume bluish-black, inflated, oblong, with a row of small seeds. The Wild Indigo is shrub-like, and is found in most parts of the United States in dry situations, though sometimes to be met with in marshy, low ground, It flowers in July and August, when its bright yellow blossoms ren- 232 MEDICAL BOTANY. der it very conspicuous. The whole plant becomes black when dried, and affords a blue dye re- APE, a? sembling Indigo, but very inferior to that article. From its being so generally-used to drive away flies from horses by being at- tached to their har- one of its common names. If it really be more obnoxious to flies than any other plant, which is at least doubtful, it is proba- bly owing to its nar- cotic and unpleasant smell. The young shoots are used in some parts of the country as a substi- tute for asparagus, which they somewhat ther substitute for that vegetable, the young: poke, they B. tinctoria, é sometimes act as a drastic purgative, particularly if used after they begin to assume a green colour. Medical Properties, §-c.—The whole plant, but more especially the root, is subacrid and nauseous. It is actively emetic and purgative when fresh, but loses much of its power when dried. It has attracted but little attention from the profession ; but from the testimony of those who have made trial of it, appears worthy of notice. Dr. Thacher (Dzspensatory), says: ‘In the hands of some physicians it is found to operate, in a large dose, with much severity as an emetic and cathartic. A decoction of the bark of the root has, it is said, been made’ known by an empiric, experienced in its use, as a remedy in scarlatina anginosa, and its employment has been ex- tended in a few instances to typhus or putrid fever with such good effect as to encourage further trials. An experienced physician considers it as ian excellent antiseptic and febrifuge, preferring it in some fevers to Peruv an bark.” He then goes on to speak of it as an external application to foul ulcers, aphthee, mercurial sore mouth, &c., in which he states that it has proved eminently beneficial. This high character of the Baptisia is fully corroborated by Dr. Comstock (Eclectic Repertory, vi.), not only in the con- ditions of the system noticed by Dr. Thacher, but also in others of a still more morbid nature, as gangrene and mortification, which he says it arrests with promptitude and power. Dr. Barton (Veg. Mat, Med.), corroborates these statements, as respects its good effects, as a sub-astringent antiseptic in correcting the vitiated discharges from foul and gangrenous ulcers, and check- ing the progress of mortification, when used simultaneously with the internal administration of Peruvian bark, ness, it has derived ay resemble. Like ano- 7 . FABACES. 233 It is given internally in decoction made with an ounce of the recent root to a pint of boiling water ; the dose is about a tablespoonful every three or four hours ; if it acts on the bowels, the quantity must be diminished, or laudanum be given with it. - An ointment made by simmering the fresh root in lard, has been found beneficial in burns and ulcers, Cytisus.— Linn. Calyx bilabiate, upper lip entire, lower three-toothed. Vexillum ovate, large; carina _ obtuse. Stamens monadelphous, Legume flat, many-sceded, glandless. > _ This genus derives its name from the island of Cithzsus, where several of the species are found. The plant so designated by the ancients, and especially noticed by Virgil, as augmenting the milk of goats, is considered to be a species of Medicago. All the species are shrubs, generally with ternate leaves, ‘yellow flowers, and destitute of spines. _ C. scorarius, Link.—Leaves oblong, ternate, upper ones solitary. Branches angular’ unarmed. Flowers axillary, peduncles short. Legume fringed. Link, Enum. ii. 241; Lindley, F7. Med. 239; Spartiwm scoparium, Linn. Sp. Pl, 996 ; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 67; Eng. Bot. 1339. Common Names.—Broom ; Common broom. Foreign Names.—Genet a balais, Fr. ; Genista, Jt. ; Pfriemenkraut, Ger. The Broom is a native of many parts of Europe, and grows on dry and sandy soils, flowering in May and June.. The flower buds are sometimes pickled as a substitute forcapers. The young branches are often mixed with hops in brewing, and are still more used for brooms ; and according to Wood- ville, the seeds have been used as a substitute -for coffee; but from the sus- picious character of the seeds of this genus, they can by no means be devoid of active properties. ; Medical Properties, §-c.—The parts used in medicine are the tops of the shoots or branches; these have long enjoyed a reputation as emetic, cathartic, and especially as diuretic, and were at one time in very general use.both in regular and domestic practice. Dr. Cullen speaks of a decoction of them in dropsy, in very high terms, and states that he never failed in a single instance with it, in causing an increased action of the kidneys. It, however, was over- looked in favour of other remedies, until its use was again revived in conse- quence of its having been prescribed with much benefit to the Duke of York some years since. It is said to be peculiarly useful in dropsy of the thorax, combined with disease of the lungs. The mode of administration is in de- coction made with an ounce of the green tops, boiled in a pint and a half of water down to a pint, of which a teacupful is given every hour till it produces some effect. It may also be administered in the form of a powder of the seeds, the dose of which is from ten to fifteen grains, to be aided by the free use of diluents. There does not appear to have been any analysis of this _ plant, but it is probable that it contains the same active principle as the C. /a- burnum, viz. Cytisine, an energetic substance which has been detected in plants of very different orders, | This plant has often been confounded with the plant called Broom, the Spartium junceum, as they resemble each other in many partieulars, both in appearance and medical properties. Another species of Cytisus has attracted some attention from the poisonous nature of its seeds, this is the C. laburnum, so well’ known as an ornamental shrub in gardens. The leaves and young shoots are emetic and purgative, and the seeds emetic and acro-narcotic, and have been productive of several serious accidents, 234 MEDICAL BOTANY.’ They owe these properties to the presence of Cyizszne, which appears to act with much power on the cerebro-spinal system. INDIGOFERA.— Linn. Calyx 5-cleft, lobes obtuse. Vexillum roundish, emarginate. Carina on either side, near the base, producing a subulate, spreading spur. Stamens diadelphous. Legume linear, rather small, terete or quadrangular. This vast genus, of upwards of a hundred species, is composed of herba- ceous and suffruticose plants, with simple or pinnate leaves, furnished with small stipules. They are all more or less tomentose or hirsute, and have purple, blue, or white flowers. The greatest number of them are natives of Africa and India; a few are indigenous to the United States. Many of them furnish a peculiar product, well known as Indigo, the preparation of which was known to the aborigines of this continent at the time of the discovery ; and it is remarkable, as is observed by Sonnini, that N2Z or anz/ is one of the American names for the Indigo plant, which is also called INedz by the Arabs. Although many species furnish Indigo, the best, or Bengal, is pro- cured from the J. tenctorza. ; I. tinctoria, Linn.—Leaflets 4—5 pairs, ovate, somewhat pubescent beneath; racemes shorter than the leaves; legumes terete, arcuated, deflexed. Linn., Sp. Pl. 1061; Lam., Dict. iii. 245; Lindley, Fl. Med. 242; De Candolle, Prod. ii. 224. ; Common Name.—Indigo Plant. Foreign Name,—Indigotier, Fr. Description—A shrub about two feet in height, with spreading, sub-flexuose branches, which are angulose, and appressed-puberulous near their extremities. Leaves pin- nate. Leaflets 4—5 pair, with an odd one, petiolated, ellip- tic, acute at base, mucronate at tip, with an appressed pu- bescence beneath. Stipules small and subulate. Racemes axillary, not as long as the leaves. Flowers pedicellate, with minute subulate bracts. Calyx 5-toothed, the two upper wider apart than the others. Flowers of a greenish colour, marked with vermilion red. Standard ovate, mucronate, mi- nutely ciliate, and pubescent externally. Wings shorter than the keel, which is concave, greenish, minutely ciliated. Le- I. tinctoria. gume more than an inch in length, arcuated, terete, pube- scent, containing ten seeds. Several species of Indigofera are cultivated, but the J. ¢énctorta is that grown in India and very extensively in South America, the Guatimala plant, I, disperma, being considered by De Candolle as a variety of it. Besides this, the I. anal, I. caroliniana, and I. argentia, are also used, the two latter in the United States. The J. tinctoria abounds most in colouring principles, and is therefore the one generally selected for cultivation. Indigo is a rich blue substance, light and friable, tasteless, almost devoid of smell, of a smooth fracture, insoluble in water or alcohol, but dissolved by sulphuric og nitric acid. It consists of indigotin, or indigo blue, indigo brown, indigo red, and a gelatinous substance. It is procured in three different modes ; by fermentation, which was the most general plan, by scalding, and by the dry process; which latter is becoming much used in India, and is said to afford the best product, whilst it is not so injurious to the health of those en- gaged in the manufacture, (See Encyclop. Amer., Art. Indiga.) In what- y FABACES. 235 ever way Indigo is procured, a certain degree of fermentation appears neces- sary, as it does not appear to exist in the leaves, and is therefore rather a product than an educt. The mode of preparing it, and of applying it to the purposes of dyeing, seem to have been known in India from the earliest ages, and it is noticed by Dioscorides and Pliny, though the term Jndicum was also applied to other colouring substances. Its use was likewise known to the Mexicans and other American natives, long anterior to the conquest. As early as the fifteenth century the Venetians were in the habit of receiving it from India, by the way of Egypt; but it was not generally employed in Europe until about the middle of the sixteenth century, when it was brought from the East Indies by the Dutch. When it was thus introduced, there was a great prejudice against it, and it was considered to be a kind of stone; it was prohibited in England by Elizabeth, and in Saxony by the Elector, who speaks of it in his edict as a corrosive substance, and food fit only for the devil. ' The best Indigo is of a deep-blue colour, inclining to violet, of a smooth grain, and bright and sparkling when broken. It should break easily, swim in water, and burn freely, leaving but little residue. | Medical Uses, §-c.—A' decoction of the root, used as a lotion, effectually destroys vermin, and is much used for that purpose in Jamaica. The juice of the young branches, mixed with honey, is recommended as an application in the aphthous sore mouth in children, and Indigo sprinkled over foul. ulcers is said to cleanse them (Macfadyen, Flor. Jam., i. 251). The leaves are supposed to have virtue in hepatitis, given in the form of powder mixed with honey, and a decoction of the root is reckoned as alexipharmic. (Ainslie, Mat. Ind., i. 179.) Indigo itself has been employed for a long time. The Romans ascribed extraordinary virtues to it; ‘ rigores et impetus sedat et siccat ulcera,” (Plin., _ lib. xxxv. c. vi.) It was employed at one time as an.astringent, in immode- rate discharges of the lochia, and for curing a prolapsus of the uterus or rec- tum. (James, Pharm. Univer., 345:) Of late years it has attained some celebrity in the treatment of spasmodic diseases, especially epilepsy, in which it is stated to have been very successful in numerous cases, in Germany. The trials made with it in England and this country have not been attended with the same good results (Dunglison, New Rem., 361). To produce any effect the doses must be as large as the stomach can bear, beginning with a few grains and increasing. The best form of exhibition is in an electuary of one part of Indigo to two of syrup. According to Roth (Perezra, ii. 610) it produces the following effects. ‘Shortly after taking it the patient experi- ences a sense of constriction at the fauces, and an impression of a metallic taste on the tongue. This is followed by nausea, and frequently by vomiting. In some persons the vomiting is so violent as to prevent any further use of the remedy. When it has subsided, a diarrhcea, often accompanied with cardial- gia, ensues; the stools are fretuent, liquid, and of a blue colour. Dyspepsia and vertigo sometimes occur. The urine becomes of a dark-brown or violet colour. After its use for some time, spasmodic twitchings of the muscles sometimes take place.” This article, however, appears to ‘be possessed of very little power, as most persons can take it in very large doses; two ounces having been administered daily for a length of time without producing any very manifest effect, except a derangement of the digestive apparatus. 236 MEDICAL BOTANY. GLYCYRRHIzA.— Linn. Calyx tubular, naked, bilabiate ; upper lip 3-cleft, lower entire. Carina 2-parted. Le- gume ovate, compressed. This genus consists of perennial, herbaceous plants, generally with roots having a sweet taste. The flowers in axillary racemes, and of a blue, violet, © or white colour, They are natives of the south of Europe, Tartary, the countries bordering on the Levant, and North America. ! G. craBra, Linn.—Legumes smooth. Flowers spiked, distant. Leaflets ovate, some- what retuse, viscid beneath. My Linn., Sp, Pl. 1046; Woodville, ii. 169; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 134; Lindley, FV’. Med. 243. ; Common Names.—Liquorice ; Common liquorice. Foreign Names.—Reglisse, Fr.; Liquirizia, Jt.; Lackrizen, Ger. Description.—Root per- ennial, long, giving rise to Fig. 121. several erect stems ofa pale- % green colour, and striated, ] with a few branches. The leaves are alternate, pin- nated, and composed of five or six pairs of leaflets, witha terminal one onsome- what long petioles; the leaflets are ovate, some- a yellowish-green colour, and viscid on the under surface. The flowers are in pedunculated spikes, shorter than the leaves. bluish or purplish colour. The calyx is persistent, tu- bular, bilabiate, and five- toothed. The corolla con- sists of an ovate, lanceo- late, obtuse, erect vexillum, two oblong ale, and a two- parted, straight carina. The stamens are diadel- phous; the anthers simple and rounded. The ovary is short, with a subulate style and blunt stigma. The legumes are oblong, smooth, compressed, point- G. glabra. : ed, and one-celled, contain- ing two or three small, re- niform scales, The Liquorice is a native of the south of Europe and Asia, but is capable of cultivation in much colder climates, It was well known to the ancients, and is noticed by Dioscorides and Hippocrates, and appears to have been in very general use in the time of Pliny, as he says of it “ pra- stantissima in Cilicia, secunda Ponto, radice dulci, et hac tantum in usu.” There is, however, some difference of opinion as to the exact species known to the Greeks, whether it was the one under consideration or not. Dr. Sib- thorp inclines to think it was the G. echinata, and Dierbach, the G'. glandu- what retuse, petiolate, of They are small, and of a : FABACES, 237 lifera, both of which possess sweet roots, though not as pleasant or succulent as the G. glabra. The only part used is the root ; this is in long, cylindrical pieces, about as thick as the finger, of a grayish- brown colour externally, and yellowish within. The odour is faint, but earthy and peculiar ; the taste is very sweet and mucilaginous. Unlike other sweets, it has long had the reputation of not ‘causing thirst ; this is attributed by Cullen to an acrid and bitter principle which follows the extraction of the sweetness when chewed. It contains, ac- cording to an analysis by Robiquet, glycyrrhizin, asparagin, starch, oil, albumen, some salts, &c. Glycyrrhizin belongs to the unerystallizable sugars, and is not susceptible of vinous fermentation, and is the sweet princi- ple in the root; the bitterness is owing to the resinous oil. A large quantity of liquorice is imported in the form of an extract, from Spain and the Mediterranean ports, That from Spain, which is the best, is obtained from the G. glabra, whilst that from Sicily and Calabria is pritiete pally made from the G. echinata. The extract is manufactured on a large scale in Spain, the exports of it from that country being upwards of two hundred tons annually ; a large pro- portion of this is sent to London, where it is used in the brewing of porter. This extract, from the manner in which it is made, is very impure, and much of the saccharine principle in it, is charred by the heat used in evaporation, and requires to be refined or purified for pharmaceutical purposes, Medical Properties, §-c.—Both the root and the extract are demulcent, emollient, and nutritive, and are much employed in inflammatory affections of the mucous membranes, especially of the respiratory organs, either alone or combined with mucilaginous substances. They are also used to cover the unpleasant taste of several bitter and nauseous drugs, and the powder of the root, to give the proper consistence to pills, and to prevent their adhe- sion to each other. Trrurosta.—fersoon. Calyx ebracteolate, 5-toothed or 5-cleft. Vexillum large, roundish, spreading or re- flexed; keel obtuse, cohering to the wings. Stamens monadelphous or occasionally diadelphous ; the tenth filament sometimes half united with the others. Style filiform, bearded longitudinally, or glabrous ; stigma terminal. Legume usually sessile, and much compressed ; linear, many-seeded. Seeds compressed. The plants of this genus are shrubby or herbaceous, with erect or procum- bent, silky-villous stems. The leaves are unequally pinnate, with the stipules free from the petiole, lanceolate or subulate, —SFig- 122 The flowers are in terminal or axillary racemes, and white or purplish. They occur principally in tropical Asia or Ame- ricaga bout five species being natives ofthe UnitedStates. Their properties are very, various. The bitter root of 7. purpurea is prescribed by Hindoo practitioners in dyspepsia, lientery, and tympanitis (Aznsle, ii. 49.) TT. senna is used in Po- ' payan as a substitute for senna (Humb. & Bon. Nov. Gen. vi. 459). TT. leptostachya has some reputation in Senegal as a purgative (Merat & De Lens, Dict. vi.) _T. tovicaria is employed in Jamaica for intoxicating fish (Lunan, Hort. Jam. ii. 217), and TJ. apollinea is used to adulterate the Alexandria Senna, and according to Mr. Hoskins, is culti- T. apollinea, vated in Nubia, for its indigo, It is a small plant, covered Legume and with closely-pressed down. re T. virerniana, Persoon.—Stem erect, villous-pubescent ; leaves subsessile, leaflets 8—14 238 MEDICAL BOTANY. pairs, linear, oblong, obtuse or somewhat acute, mucronate; raceme terminal, subsessile ; calyx very villous; segments about as long as the tube. Persoon, Synop. ii. 329; Torrey & Gray, FV. i. 296; Lindley, Fv. Med. 244, Common Names.—Turkey pea, Goats’ rue, Catgut. Description.—Roots matted, very long, slender; stems many, simple, one to two feet high, clothed with a whitish, villous pubescence. Leaves unequally pinnate; leaflets 8—14 pairs, linear-oblong or elliptical, obtuse or rather acute, mucronate, silky-villous be-. neath, minutely silky pubescent above. Raceme of flowers terminal, oblong, sessile. Calyx very villous, 5-cleft, the segments acuminate, cuspidate, about as long as the tube. Corolla of a dark-yellow colour, tinged with red or purple; keel petals very broad. Sta- mens diadelphous. Style longitudinally bearded on the inside. Legumes long, somewhat faleate and villous. Seeds many ; compressed. It is found in dry, sandy soils, in most parts of the United States, flowering in June and July. Several varieties occur both in the colour of the flowers and in the degree of pubescence of the leaves, It is a very ornamental plant, and well deserving of cultivation. _ Medical Uses.—The roots were used by the Indians as a vermifuge before the settlement of the country by the whites, and are a popular remedy in many parts at the present time. The mode of administration is in a decoc- tion which is said to act powerfully, and to be as effectual as Spigelia; it has not, as far as can be ascertained, been employed in regular practice, but it deserves a fair trial, as the other species, as noticed above, are possessed of active qualities, especially of a purgative character. Rogsinta.— Linn. Calyx small, campanulate, 5-toothed or 5-cleft, 2 upper segments shorter. Stamens diadelphous, caducous. Legume many-seeded, compressed, nearly sessile. Seeds small, compressed. A small genus of trees or shrubs, most of which are natives of South Ame- rica. Three are found in the United States. The leaves are unequally pin- nate, with petiolate, stipellate leaflets. ‘The flowers are white or rose-coloured, in pendant, axillary racemes. R. pseupacacta, Linn.—Branches virgate, armed with stipular prickles. Racemes loose, drooping, and smooth. Leaflets ovate or oblong-ovate. Legumes smooth. Linn., Gen. Pl.,879; Torrey and Gray, 1. 294; Mich., FZ. Syl. ii. t. 76. Common Names.—Locust tree ; Black Locust; Yellow Locust. Foreign Names.—Robinier, F’7.; Falsa acacia, Jt.; Uneechte aciacien- baum, Gir. j Description—A tree from forty to fifty feet Fig. 123. * in height, with a trunk of a foot to two feet in diameter, covered with a darkish-coloured rough bark. The branches are numerous, and armed with short, strong spines. The leaves are une- qually pinnate. The leaflets are 4—8 pairs, with minute setaceous, partial, stipules, and of a bright green colour, The flowers are pro- duced from the sides of the branches, in long pendulous racemes, of a white colour, and some- what fragrant smell, and are succeeded by com- pressed pods of three or four inches in length, and half an inch in width, containing several hard, reniform seeds, It is found in many parts of the United States, but is most common west of the R, pseudacacia. FABACES. 239 mountains, not appearing to be indigenous to the north of Pennsylvania or near the sea coast in the Southern States. This well-known tree has not re- ceived the attention it deserves; for, although highly esteemed for the valu- able properties of its wood, which from its durability is extensively used for tree-nails in ship building, and for posts; this is generally considered to be the extent of its usefulness, but such is far from being the case, as almost every portion of it is endowed with some good quality. The leaves,'when prepared in the same manner as those of the Indigo plant, may be advantageously used as a substitute for them; they also afford an excellent nourishment for cattle, either in a fresh or dried state. (Wdllch. Dom. Ency. i. 10.) The flowers possess antispasmodic properties, and fur- nish a very agreeable syrup ; and an excellent liqueur has also been prepared from them. (Bonafous, Ann. Hort. ix. 168.) It has also been asserted by Grosier (Descrip. de la Chine, i. 507), that they are used by the Chinese to produce the beautiful yellow so remarkable in their silks by the following process: half a pound of the flowers not fully expanded, are roasted over a gentle fire, in a copper pan, stirring them continually ; when they turn yel- low, some water is poured on them, and boiled till it acquires a deep colour ; it is then strained, and half an ounce of alum and an ounce of shell lime added, when the dye is fit for use. The author has perhaps mistaken the plant for the &. flava, as it appears strange that a white flower should fur- nish a bright yellow dye. Merat and De Lens (Dict. Univ. Mat. Med. vi. 101), likewise state that these flowers furnish a palatable dish, when fried. The seeds are somewhat acrid, but furnisha large quantity of oil on expres- sion ; by infusion in water, they become perfectly mild, and afford an excel- lent farina. The inner bark is fibrous, and capable of being spun. Medical Uses, §-c.—The bark of the root is sweetish, but cathartic and emetic, and is used in some parts of the country in domestic practice. From a.case recorded by Dr. Gendron (Ann. Chin. Montp. xxiv. 68), of some boys who had chewed some of the bark and swallowed the juice, it would appear that it also possesses some acro-narcotic properties, as, besides vomit- ing, they were affected with coma and slight convulsions. Several other species have likewise been used medicinally. The root of A. amara is a powerful bitter, and is prescribed in China in diarrhoea and obstruc- tions of the mesentery and uterus ; and that of the R. flava is employed in the same country as a febrifuge. (Loureiro, Flor. Cochin. ii. 556.) Humboldt and Bonpland state that the powdered bark of the R. maculata is employed in Campeachy as a poison for rats and mice. (Nov. Gen. vi. 395.) ASTRAGALUS.—Linn. Calyx 5-toothed. Corolla with an obtuse carina, Stamens diadelphous. Legumes gibbous, of two longitudinal cells, or half cells; lower suture inflexed. This very extensive genus is composed of suffruticose or herbaceous plants, having pinnate leaves, furnished with stipules, either distinct from, or con- nected with, the petiole ; and in one division or sub-genus, the Zragacanthi, with these petioles rigidly persistent, forming spines, The flowers are glo- merate or spiked, and axillary or terminal. The greater portion of them are natives of Asia. | Most of the spinous species furnish a peculiar exudation, known under the name.of Gum tragacanth ; this is more particularly the case with those found in'warm regions; and it is highly probable, that under the same circum- stances, the whole of them would afford a similar product. This supposition is strengthened by a number of analogous instances; thus, the Manna Ash exudes its peculiar juice in Sicily and Calabria, but in more northern parts is 240 "MEDICAL BOTANY. destitute of it, and the same takes place with the Liquidambar, as in Georgia, &c., it affords large quantities of balsam, whilst in Pennsylvania this secretion is almost wanting in it. All the spiny species of Astragalus possess the same general appearance and characteristics, and form so natural a group, that it was proposed by some botanists to erect them into a genus under the name of Tragacantha. They are, without exception, small shrubs, with very numerous branches, covered with imbricated scales, and beset with spines. So great is their ana- logy and resemblance, that Linnzeus considered them as varieties of one spe- cies. The more recent researches of Pallas, Liedebour, and De Candolle, have shown the error of this amalgamation ; though it must be confessed that the characters assigned to these species are vague and unsatisfactory, and may arise rather from climate and situation than from any inherent difference in the plants. In fact, the confusion that exists in the synonymy is so great, that it has become almost impossible to ascertain what species really exist, and what are founded on varieties. Thus, the original A. tragacantha of Linneus is the A. masszlensis of Lamarck, and the A. massiliensis of the former is the A. aristatus of Villars, though not perhaps of Sieber or Sibthorp. The-A. tragacantha of Hablizt is the A. potertum of Pallas; the A. creticus of Lamarck is the A. echinoides of Willdenow, and the A. gummzfer of Labil- lardiére is the A. caucasicus of De Candolle, &c. From this confusion it becomes almost impossible to decide what species furnish the gum of com- merce, though it is certain it is from the spinous kinds only. The London College and the United States Pharmacopeia have followed Olivier in as- cribing it to the A, veruws, and the Edinburgh to the A. gummzfer, in accor- dance to the opinion of Labillardiére. The species which are generally ad- mitted are four, and will, therefore, be noticed separately. 1. A. verus, Olivier—Flowers axillary, in clusters of 2—5, sessile. Calyx tomentose, obtusely 5-toothed. Leaflets 8—9 pairs, linear, hispid. | Olivier, Voyage, ii. t. 44; De Candolle, ii. 296; Lindley, F7. Med., 247. This species is found in Asia Minor, Armenia, and Persia, and is stated by Olivier (Voyage dans ? Empire Ottoman, iii. 44) to afford the largest propor- tion of the gum sent to Europe. It, like the others, is a low shrub, and very hispid. 2. A. cummirer., Labillardiére—Flowers 3—5, axillary, sessile. Calyx 5-cleft, and with the legumes woolly. Leaflets 4—6 pairs, oblong, linear, smooth. Labill., Journ. Phys., 1790; De Candolle, Prod., ii, 296; Lindley, F7. Med., 247. It is a native of Syria and Koordistan, and, according to Lindley (Bot. Reg., 1840), who received specimens of it from the English consul at Erze- roun, is the plant furnishing the best kind of tragacanth. 3. A. creticus, Tournefort—Flowers axillary, sessile, clustered. Calyx 5-partite, with setaceous lobes, rather longer than the corolla. Leaflets 5—8 pairs, oblong, acute, tomentose. Lamarck, Dzct., i. 321; De Candolle, As- trag., t. 38; Lindley, Fv. Med., 248. This grows in Crete, where it was found by Tournefort, and considered by him to be ; the source from whence the gum was obtain- 5 ed. There is little doubt that this is the spe- A, creticus. cies alluded to by the ancient writers, though Dr. Sibthorp is of opinion that it was the next. : FABACES. | 24] 4, A, arsstatus, L’Heritier.—Peduncles very short, usually 6-flowered. Teeth of calyx long and setaceous. Leaves with 6—9 pairs of linear, oblong, pointed, hairy leaflets. A native of mountainous situations in the south of Europe and Greece, and, as above stated, was considered by Sibthorp to be the species known to the an- cients as furnishing gum. Some of the > vagecanth imported from Smyrna and Marseilles is the product of this plant. | ‘Dr. Lindley has also described another species, the A. strobiliferus (not of Royle; A. Dicksoni, Royle), from Koordistan, as the origin of the inferior or dark-coloured gum; but it is, evident, from an inspection of the gum of commerce, that all the qualities are collected at the same time, and that they have a common source, as, whatever may be the port from whence they come, both kinds are mingled together; and it moreover is shown, that this product must be ascribed eat a to a sub-genus of Astragalus, than to any particular species. Tragacanth, as found in commerce, consists of several varieties, as regards the colour and form of the pieces, though in the same parcel they may all be found. The best is in tortuous, vermicular fragments, often flattened or con- voluted, of a whitish or yellowish-white appearance, and in some cases trans- lucent. The inferior kind is darker coloured, and of a rounded or oblong form more frequently than vermicular. This gum is hard and tough, and is pulverized with much difficulty, except when thoroughly dry and in a heated mortar. Its taste is mucilaginous and mawkish; it has no odour. When water is added to it,,it absorbs.a portion of the fluid, swells much, and forms a soft mass, but does not dissolve on the addition of more water. The mix- ture forms a uniform, tenacious paste or mucilage; this, when thin, separates into two portions, the upper consisting of water, with a small quantity of solu- ble gum, and the lower of the Tragacanth, in a pasty form. From different analyses, it is shown to consist of two distinct gums, of dissimilar properties, the one called Adragantin, or the soluble part; this differs from arabin in ~ several of its characters; the other termed Bassorin, or the insoluble por- tion; this merely imbibes water, but does not dissolve in it. Medical Properties, §-c.—Tragacanth is merely emollient, demulcent, and nutritive ; but is not as easily digested as some of the other gums. It is em- ployed rather as a vehicle for the administration of other medicines than for its own remedial properties. Many other species of this extensive genus have been employed in medi- cine, though none of them are regarded as officinal by our own or the British pharmaceutical authorities, The A. exscapus, a native of the Alps, was brought forward in the latter part of the last century, as a remedy in vene- real affections, especially those of a constitutional character, and where noc- turnal pains existed. From trials made with it, it was found inferior to many other articles, and its use has therefore been abandoned. Mucuna.—Adanson. Calyx campanulate, bilabiate, the lower lip trifid, the upper entire. Vexillum ascend- ing, shorter than the carina or ale. Carina oblong, straight, acute. Ale oblong, as long as carina. Stamens diadelphous, anthers 20, of which 5 are oblong, linear, and 5-ovate, hirsute. Legume oblong, 2-valved, with cellular partitions. This genus has undergone many changes in its nomenclature, being at one time included in Phaseolus, then in Dolichos ; afterwards separated by Browne, under the name of Stizolobium, and by Roxburgh, under that of Carpopogon ; whilst at present it is recognised as Macuna, as first instituted by Adanson. ‘The species are twining herbs, with pinnately-ternate leaves 16 242 MEDICAL BOTANY. ° and axillary racemes. The legumes are hispid and stinging, owing to their — being covered with very brittle, pungent hairs. | M. rruriens, Linn.—Legumes with somewhat keeled valves. Leaflets hairy beneath, acuminate; the middle one rhomboidal, the lateral ones dilated externally. Dolichos pruriens, Linn., Sp. Pl. 867; Woodville, iii. 172 ; Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med., iv. 22; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 179; M. pruriens, De Candolle, Prod., ii. 405; Lindley, Fl. Med. 253. : Common Names.—Cow-itch, Cowhage. Foreign Names.—Pois a gratter, Fr.; Fagiolo antelmintico, J. ; Kratz- bohnen, Ger. Fig. 125, Description—The root is perennial and fibrous. The stem is herbaceous; climbing, cylindrical, tomentose, divided into many branches. The leaves are _ ternate, petiolate. The central leaflet is rhomboidal, and the two lateral ones oblique, dilated externally, all of them entire, acuminate, smooth on the upper surface, and hairy beneath. The flow- ers are large, inodorous, of a purplish or violet colour, and collected by threes in long, pendulous, axillary racemes. The calyx is bilabiate, the lower lip trifid, and the upper entire, semi-ovate. The corolla consists of a vexillum, which is roundish, concave, and double the length of the calyx, but shorter than the other petals. The carina is straight, obtuse, and furnished on each side of the apex with a short spur. The ale are oblong, and as long as the carina. The ~ stamens are ten, diadelphous, five of _ them supporting oblong, linear anthers, and the others ovate, hirsute ones. The © ovary is oblong, villous, and furnished j with a slender style, with a small, orbi- ac arei cular stigma. The legume is a coria- a. Flower. 6. Stamens. ¢. United do. d. e. Separate do. ee: ceous pod, compressed, curved like the letter f, thickly set with short, reddish, pungent, brittle hairs, somewhat terete, and keeled. The seeds are oval, and of a brown colour. : This species is a native of the West Indian Islands, and has generally been considered the same as the East Indian MM. prurzta, until the differences were pointed out by Sir W. J. Hooker (Bot. Miscell., ii. 348). It does not appear to have been known before it was described by Ray (Hzst., 887.) It is very uncertain when it was first used in medicine as an anthelmintic, though it appears that, finding it employed for this purpose in the West Indies, Drs. Bancroft and Kerr recommended it to the attention of the profes- sion about the year 1780. Ainslie states that it was not in use in India as an anthelmintic; and the writers on the Materia Medica, about the commence- ment of the last century, speak of the beans being used in dropsies, but never of the spicule for the expulsion of worms, Sir Hans Sloane notices the diu- retic qualities of the roots and pods, but says nothing of any vermifuge pro- perties. Browne (Jamaica), it is true, states that a syrup is made of the pods which is effectual against worms. The first account that entere into any details, was that given by Dr. Kerr, in the Edinburgh Medical Commentaries. The fullest, however, is that by Dr. Bancroft (Hist. Guana), / » | FABACES. 243 who states, that during his residence in Guiana, he found it in general use as a remedy in the removal of dwmbrict. In consequence of his recommendation it was introduced into Europe, and was employed very generally. The officinal portion is the hairs of the pods; these latter are principally brought from ‘the West Indies. They are of a brownish colour, shaped. like an italic /, and are densely covered with short, brown, rigid, pungent hairs, which create an intolerable itching when applied to the skin. Medical Properties, §-c.—The hairs are celebrated for their anthelmintic properties; these are considered to be wholly mechanical, or in other words, to irritate and pierce the worms, and thus oblige them to relinquish their ad- hesion to the bowel. That they are capable of exercising this action on worms out of the body there is no doubt, but it is difficult to understand how they can operate on the worms in the intestines, without, at the same time, acting equally on the bowel itself; the common explanation of the mucous coat being protected by it&8 secretion, is scarcely sufficient to account for it, as the worms are also enveloped in it, added to which these spi- cule would readily penetrate this mucus. Another objection is, that the spicule are softened by the fluids of the stomach and bowels, so as to lose most of their penetrating and irritating power, and yet there is no other mode of explaining their action, except as mechanical agents, as a decoction has no anthelmintic power, nor is there any thing in the chemical composition of the hairs that could induce a vermifuge effect, as the only article found besides lignin was some tannin. Be the cause what it may, there can be no doubt of the efficacy of this remedy in the expulsion of lumbrici. The mode of administration is to mix a sufficient quantity’ of the sete with molasses or syrup to give it the consistence of thick honey, of this a teaspoonful is a dose for a child, and a tablespoonful for an adult, to be taken night and morning, to be followed in a few days by a brisk cathartic. The roots are used by the native practitioners in India as a remedy in cholera, being given in a strong infusion, sweetened with honey ; and Ainslie also states that the beans are used as food. There are several other species all possessing the same hairy pods, and pro- bably identical in their effects ; among which the M. prurita, as before stated, has generally been confounded with the plant under consideration. Prrrocarpus.— Linn. Sepals 5, cohering at base. Petals 5; Stamens 10, variously combined. Legume in- dehiscent, irregular, somewhat falcate, surrounded witha wing, often varicose, 1—3-celled ; each cell ‘L-seeded. ’ This genus, which derives its name from the orbicular and aan form of its seed-vessels, contains about twenty-five species of trees and shrubs pecu- liar to tropical climates; they all have an astringent bark, and generally abound in red-coloured resinous juice. , Several species have been employed . In medicine, though but two are recognised as officinal. 1, P. erinaceus, Lamarck.—Leaves pinnate; leaflets alternate, elliptical, obtuse, gla- brous above somewhat pubescent beneath. Legume with a short, straight point. Lamarck, Dict. v. 728; De Candolle, Prod. ii. 419; Stephenson and < iii, 168; Hooker in Gray Trav, 395. Description.—A middle-sized tree, with spreading branches, covered with an ash.co- Mca bark. ‘The leaves are deciduous, pinnate; the leaflets are alternate, ovate, entire, _ Smooth above and reddish pubescent beneath, and supported on short petioles. The flowers are numerous, yellow, on short curved peduncles, furnished with two small subu- late bracts. They are in compound and terminal racemes. The calyx is campanulate, unequally 5-toothed, pubescent. ‘The flowers are caducous, and consist of a roundish, 244 MEDICAL BOTANY. cordate vexillum ; two lanceolate ale, and a double carina. The stamens are alternately longer, united at base, with roundish, yellow anthers. The ovary is oblong pubescent, . with a curved, filiform style and simple stigma. The fruit is a compressed, orbicular pod, with a leaf-like edge, covered at the side with white bristles, and containing a single reniform seed. - This tree is a native of Africa, and was first noticed by the celebrated Park, who found it on the Gambia, and sent specimens to Europe. It was, however, first described by Lamarck in the Encyclopedie Methodique. The fullest account of it has been given by Messrs. Gray and Dochard (Travels in Western Africa) ; they state. that it is known to the inhabitants by the name of Karz, that it loses its leaves in November, and flowers in the succeeding month, and also that it is the tree from which the African kino is obtained. The history of this astringent gum-resin is deserving of notice. In 1757 Dr. Fothergill first described an astringent gum which he supposed to be de- rived from the vicinity of the Gambia, in.1774 it was recognised in the Edin- burgh Pharmacopeia as kino, and in 1787 by that of London, but in a few years, several substances under this name, but from various countries, and differing from each other in external appearance, and in astringency, appeared in commerce, and at last superseded the original article so completely, that it is now seldom met with. The origin of most of these is unknown, but it has been ascertained that the Botany Bay kind is the product of the Eucalyptus resinifera ; the Jamaica of the Coccoloba uvifera; the East Indian of the Nauclea gambir, of the Butea frondosa, but principally of a tree which Pereira supposes may be the Plerocarpus marsupium. ‘This is confirmed by Royle, who shows incontestably that most of the kino from the Malabar coast is de- rived from this source. He describes the plant as follows: 2, Marsurium, Rorburgh.—Leaves pinnate, leaflets 5—7, alternate, elliptic, emarginate. Legume with the under three-fourths orbicular, the upper side straight. Roxburgh, Corom. Pi. ii. t. 116; Fl. Ind. iii. p. 284; De Candolle, Prod. il, 418; Lindley, #7. Med. 256. Description.—A lofty tree, with the outer layer of bark brown, and the inner red, fibrous and _astrin- gent; leaves pinnate; leaflets alternate 5—7, elliptic, emarginate, of a dark-green co- lour, and shining above; panicles ter- minal, petals yellow- ish-white, long claw- ed, waved or crested on the margins; sta- mens ten, united at base, but divided into two parcels above; ovary 2-celled. Le- gume on a long pe- tiole, the lower edge curved, the upper straight; the whole surrounded witt “waved membran wing, which is rug ose and woody in the . centre; generally one P. marsupium. but sometimes 2-cell- ed. Seed single, A ey form. . 4 FABACE&. 245 This tree is found in the elevated portions of Malabar, and also at the foot of the Himalaya mountains. All these varieties contain a large proportion of modified tannin. They dis- solve better in alcohol than in water, being muddy in solution in the latter, but transparent, and of a rich red colourin the former. From the analyses of Vau- quelin and Bucher it is shown that the East Indian contains about 75 of mo- dified tannin, the remainder being a red gum and catechine. Medical Properties, §-c.—Kino is powerfully. astringent, and is given in the same manner and for the same purposes as Catechu. It is principally employed in obstinate chronic diarrhceas, and in uterine and intestinal heemor- _rhages, either alone or combined with other astringents. It has also been employed to restrain mucous secretions. Externally it is used as a wash to indolent ulcers and as a gargle. It is given in substance in a dose of from ten grains to half a drachm. The tincture in doses of from one to two drachms. 3. P. Santatinus, Linn.—Leaves ternate ; leaflets roundish, retuse, glabrous. Petals with long claws, crenate, waved. Legume long stalked, with a broad membranous wing, obtuse at base. Linn., Suppl. 318 ; Woodville, iv. t. 254; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 168.. Common Name.—Red Saunders. Foreign Names.—Santale rouge, Fr. ; Sandalo rosso, Jt.; Rothes sandal- holtz, Ger. Description—The Red Saunders is a lofty tree with alternate branches, covered with a brown bark. The leaves are ternate, seldom pinnate, with ovate, blunt, entire leaflets, which are very smooth on the upper surface, and hoary beneath. The flowers are in axillary simple or branched erect spikes, The calyx is five-toothed; the vexillum of the corolla is obcordate, reflexed, dentate and waved at the edges, of a yellow colour with red veins ; the ale are yellow, spreading, toothed and waved; the carina is oblong, inflated and curled at tip, The filaments are yellow, with globular white anthers. The ovary is oblong, compressed and hairy, supporting a curved style with a simple stigma. The legume is curved upwards, compressed, smooth, with a membranous wing, and contains one orbicular, compressed seed. — This tree is a native of the East Indies, thriving in a rich soil; it is very abundant in the Mysore. and is also found in Ceylon, in both places at some elevation. It was first observed and described by Keenig. The wood is im- ported in billets, which are blackish externally, of a blood-red internally, with black veins; they are very hard, heavy, and capable of a high polish. The wood has a slight’odour, and a weak and nearly insipid taste. It has some- times, but erroneously, been confounded with the Red Sandalwood, but is very different from that highly-perfumed substance. Its colouring matter is very sparingly soluble in water, but is readily so in alcohol, ether, or some of the volatile oils. Red Saunders has been found to consist of a peculiar co- louring matter, called by Pelletier, Santadin, extractive, gallic acid, &c. Medical Properties, §-c.—Red Saunders was formerly used as a mild astringent and tonic, but is now seldom or ever employed, except as a colour- ing agent, especially in the preparation of compound tincture of Lavender. Most of the other species of Pterocarpus furnish analogous products to the _ above; among them may be mentioned the P. draco, a large South American tree, which affords one of the varieties of gum-resin known under the name of Dragon’s-blood ; this: comes from Carthagena, and is of inferior quality. The P. flavus, a native of China; the bark is used as a vulnerary and also - as a dye. 246 MEDICAL BOTANY. Piscrip1a.— Linn. Calyx campanulate, 5-cleft. Carina obtuse. Stamens monadelphous, with the tenth free at base. Style glabrous. Legume linear, with 4 membranous wings. Seeds oval, compressed. ! A genus of West Indian trees, with unequally pinnate leaves. It derives its name from the bark, especially that of the root, being used to poison fish. P. EryTHRINA, Swartz.—Leaflets oblong, or obovate- elliptic ; racemes axillary ; pedun- cle of the legume, three times longer than the calyx; wings interrupted. Linn., Sp. Pl. 993; Sloane, Jam. 2, t. 176, f. 45; Macfadyen, Fl. Jam. i, 258 ; Lindley, Fil, Med. 246. Common Names.—Jamaica Dogwood ; Common Dogwood. Foreign Name.—Bois ivrant, Fr. This tree is very common in Jamaica, and many of the other West Indian islands; flowering in the spring, before the appearance of the leaves. The wood is much esteemed, being heavy, firm, and durable. The bark is used to intoxicate fish ; for which purpose it Is coarsely powdered, and thrown into the deep, still water of some stream ; or, being previously macerated with the lees of a still-house and quick-lime, and put into baskets, these are held over the side of a boat until their contents are washed out, when, in a short time, the fish are affected, and float on the surface. Medical Uses, §c.—F rom the experiments of Dr. Hamilton, (Lond. Med. § Phys. Journ., and Journ. Phil. Coll. Pharm., v. 159,) it would appear that this bark is likely to prove a valuable. addition to the Materia Medica. He found that the active ingredient in it, was of a resinous nature, and hence that a tincture was the best mode of exhibition. He used one ounce of pow- dered bark to twelve ounces of alcohol; the tincture obtained, was of a honey- yellow colour, with no offensive taste or smell. A drachm of this taken whilst suffering from a severe toothache, caused a burning sensation in the epigastric region, spreading to the surface, and a copious perspiration, fol- lowed by a deep sleep, with no unpleasant sensations on waking, as is the case with the preparations of opium. He also tried its effect as a topical application in cases of toothache from carious téeth, and found it successful in every instance, with no return of the pain. He states that the bark should be gathered in April, when the plant is in full flower. Should further expe- riments show that this bark has the efficient properties ascribed to it by Dr. Hamilton, it will supply a great desideratum in our curative agents. Another species, the P. carthagiensis, also a native of Jamaica, and said by Lunan to be called Bitch-wood, has the same properties as the Dogwood. They both probably derive their name from the decoction of the bark being used to cure the mange in dogs. Anptira.— Loureiro. Calyx urceolate, 5-toothed, or entire. Corolla papilionaceous, Stamens diadelphous. Legume drupaceous, l-celled, 1-seeded. This genus was first noticed by Piso, under the narne of Andira, but was included in that of Geoffroya, of Linnzeus, from which it has again been sepa- rated on account of the character of its fruit. At the same time, as is justly observed by De Candolle, these two genera are very closely allied; an neither of them can, with strictness, be considered as appertaining to the Fabacew, as their fruit is analogous to that of the Amygdalew. All the. species are large trees, and possessed of medicinal properties. —— ee ee ee FABACEX, — 247 F . A. 1nerMis, Kunth—Unarmed. Leaves pinnate ; leaflets ovate-lanceolate, smooth on both sides, . Piso, Bras. t. 81; Linn., Sp. Pl. 1043; Woodville, ii. 112; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 144; Wright, Phzlos. Trans. xlvii. 507 ; Swartz, Fl. Ind. Occ. 1255. Common Names.—Cabbage Bark Tree; Bastard Cabbage Bark. Foreign Names.—Geoffroya de la Jamaique, Fr. ; Geoffroea, Jt. ; Wurm- rinde, Ger. Description.—A lofty tree, with the branches towards the top, of a straight, smooth _trunk. The bark is smooth and gray. The leaves are pinnate, composed of six or seven pairs of lanceolate, acuminate, smooth leaflets, of a dark-green colour, on short petioles, with a terminal one on a longer footstalk. The flowers are in large, branched, terminal, downy panicles. The calyx is campanulate, of a dark purple colour, and divided into five obtuse segments. The corolla is of a pale rose-colour, having a concave vexillum, emarginate at top, two oblong, obtuse, somewhat shorter ale, and an obtuse, divided carina. The stamens are diadelphous, with roundish anthers. The ovary is oval, with a tapering, curved style, and hooked stigma. ‘The fruit resembles a small plum, is pulpy, and contains a hard nut, or legume. This tree is a native of Jamaica, and others of the West Indian Islands, where its bark has long been used as a vermifuge. This bark is in long, thick, fibrous pieces, externally of a brownish ash colour, and generally covered with lichens, internally yellowish; it has a resinous fracture, a dis- agreeable smell, and a sweetish, mucilaginous, bitterish taste. From an analysis by Huttenschmid (Dzss, Inaug. 1824), it is shown to contain a co- - louring principle, gum, wax, resin, starch, phosphorus, several salts, and a peculiar alkaloid he has named Jamazcine. Medical Properties, §-c.—The anthelmintic properties of the bark were first made known by Mr. Duguid (Edin. Phys, and Lit, Essays), and after- wards more fully by Dr. Wright (Phlos. Trans. |xvii.); but notwithstand- ing his testimony in its favour, supported by the still stronger commendation of Dr. Rush (Med. Inquir. 1), it never was generally employed by the pro- fession, and is now almost forgotten. It, however, appears to be a powerful, certain, and safe vermifuge. It is given in powder, decoction, or Syrup, which latter form is preferred; in any form, its use should commence in small doses, to avoid nausea and vomiting; and, according to Dr. Wright, cold water should not be drank during its operation. The fruit, or rather the kernel of the nut, has likewise been recommended as a vermifuge, and is said by Piso to be very active, though some experiments made at Paris have not confirmed his assertion; this may have arisen from the nut having lost its power by keeping. | The dose of the powdered bark, for an adult, is from a scruple to half a drachm ; of the syrup, a teaspoonful two or three times a day; and of the decoction, about the same quantity. If any narcotic or other unpleasant . arise, a dose of castor oil must be administered, and lime-juice freely aken. | There are several other species of Andira possessed of very similar pro- perties ; the A. Surinmamensis, a native of South America, is said to act in the same way, but to require larger quantities to produce the same effect, The bark of this tree was also analyzed by Dr. Huttenschmid, but with very erent results; he attributes its power to the presence of an alkaloid he ms Surinamine. The A. racemosa, also peculiar to South America, ac- ording to Dr. Hamel, more closely resembles the A. emermzs ; and, as in that Species, the nut is vermifuge in doses of a scruple. The A. Harsfeldii, a native of Java, according to Leschenchault, is very different in its properties, 248 MEDICAL BOTANY. the nut being employed as an alexipharmic and stomachic. It is doubtful whether it properly belongs to this genus. a MyrosPpeERMuM.—Jacquin. Calyx campanulate, 5-toothed, persistent. Petals 5, the upper one largest. Stamens ‘10, free. Ovary oblong, membranous, with a filiform lateral style. Legume with the stalk naked at base but winged above, 1-celled ; 1—2-seeded ; seed covered with a balsamic juice. ere, This genus was established by Jacquin for certain.trees peculiar to South America, and includes Toluzfera, Linn. and Myrozxylon, Mutis; the latter name had already been used by Forster for another plant. The meaning is sweet or odorous seeds. They have unequally pinnate leaves, and compressed, membranous, oftentimes one-seeded legumes. 1, M. reruirerum, De Candolle.—Leaflets coriaceous, pointed, emarginate, persistent. Claw of larger petal twice the length of the ealyx. Wing of the legume very thick, not buried. De Candolle, Prod. ii. 95; 8S. and C. ii. 102; Lindley, FZ. Med. 279; Myroxylon perurferum, Linn., Suppl, 233. , Common Names.—Balsain of Peru ; Quinquino. Foreign Names.—Baume de Peru, Fr.; Balsamo del Peru, 7. ; Peruvi- anischer Balsam, Ger. Fig. 127. Description—A large and see elegant tree, with the trunk and branches covered with a gray, coarse, thick, compact bark, of a pale colour internally, and filled with a fragrant resin. The branches are almost horizontal. The leaves are alternate, and are composed of two to five pairs of nearly opposite leaflets, Gr which are ovate lanceolate, ( Vy a, acute, but with the apex some- = MN _what obtuse and emarginate, Pax iiy smooth, shining, entire, with / 7 pellucid dots, on short petioles. Many leaves terminate une- qually. The flowers spring from the axils of the leaves in long, tomentose, erect racemes, longer than the leaves, with slender peduncles and a small bract at the base of each. The calyx is bell-shaped, dark-green, five-toothed. The corolla is formed of five petals, four of which are narrow, lanceolate, equal; the fifth broad, reflexed, and twice the size of the others. The stamens are ten, with elongate, sulcate anthers. The ovary is oblong pedicellate, wit a short, subulate, crooked style. bearing a simple stigma. The fruit is a pendulous, yellowish M, peruiferum. legume, somewhat clavate and curved, and terminating by the 4 = Ly SU] vA FABACES. . 249 persistent curved style. It contains a single seed, which is crescent-shaped, and enveloped in a liquid balsam, which at last becomes resinous. This tree is a native of several parts of South America, in low, warm situ- ations, and flowers from August to October. It is known to the natives of Peru under the name of Quinquino, and its bark and fruit by that of Quzn- guina ; by the Mexicans Hoztzzloxitl, and by the Brazilians Cabureiba. The tree abounds in a balsamic juice, which flows copiously on an incision being made into the bark. ‘This balsam, was long known and described before any accurate account of its source was published, as it was not until 1781 that Mutis sent specimens, under the name of Myroxylon, to the younger Linneus, who described them in his Supplementum. It was afterwards more fully noticed by Ruiz, and at a still later period by Lambert, in his work on Cin- chona. The balsam soon attracted the attention of the Spaniards, and almost all the works published on the natural products of America notice it. Hernan- dez says that the tree was cultivated by the Mexican Emperors, and that if the bark be wounded at any time of the year, but especially at the close of the rainy season, a balsam distils from the incision, of a dark or blackish orange colour, of an acrid and somewhat bitter taste, and a most powerful but highly agreeable smell. Monardes states that there are two modes of obtaining it, one by incision into the tree, and the other by boiling the bark and branches in water; the first of these operations affording a white liquid balsam, and the second a dark one. Ruiz observes that it is procured by incision at the begin- ning of the spring, when the weather is showery ; it is collected in bottles, where it keeps liquid for some years, and is called White liquid balsam. But when placed in mats or calabashes, as is done in Carthagena and the moun- tains of Tolu, it hardens, and is then termed dry balsam, or balsam of Tolu. He goes on to say, that according to Bomare, an extract can be made from the bark by boiling it in water; it always remains liquid and of a dark colour, and is known by the name of Black Peruvian Balsam. These ac- counts by no means agree, and it has been doubted whether the dark-coloured balsam is the product of coction, as it appears to be a natural exudation, as stated by Herdandez. From all that can be gathered on the subject, it would seem that the article known under.the name of Balsam of Peru, may be ob- tained from more than one species of Myrospermum, and this is confirmed by the statement of Guibourt, that he had received specimens collected by M. Bazire, in San Salvador, from a species of this tree with a fruit differing widely from that of the M. peruiferum. Moreover, the balsam as found in commerce, presents varieties that seem to show a difference of origin. Balsam of Peru, as usually met with, has the consistence of honey, is of a transparent brown or blackish colour, an agreeable smell, and a hot acrid taste. It is inflammable, but creates much smoke in burning ; when boiled with water for some time, benzoic acid, or as stated by Fremy, cinnamonic .acid is de- posited from the fluid on cooling. It is soluble in alcohol, but soon forms a deposit. Many analyses have been made of it, with somewhat contradictory results, The last is that of Fremy (Ann. de Chim.); he found it composed of an, 1. Oily matter, which he calls cimnameine, containing, in solution, a crystalline substance, metactnnameine ; 2. Cinnamonic acid; 3. One or more resins ;—these results, however, have been doubted by several chemists. _ Medical Properties, §-c.—This balsam is very similar in action, on the _ system, to other analogous substances; it is stimulant and expectorant, and diminishes excessive secretion from the mucous membranes. Applied ex- ternally, it acts as a topical stimulant, and hence has been found useful in indolent ulcers, Internally it is principally administered in chronic affections 250 MEDICAL BOTANY. of the bronchial mucous membrane, but from its stimulating character, is not suited to those where there is inflammation. The dose is half a drachm, sus- pended in water by means of mucilage, or white of egg. 2. M. ToLuIFERUM, Richard.—Branches and leaves smooth. Leaflets oblong, acumi. nate thin, equilateral, rounded at base. Common Name.—Balsam of Tolu tree. Foreign Name.—Baumier de Tolu, £7. . Richard, Anz. Scz. Nat. ii. 168; De Candolle, Prod. ii. 95; Lambert, Edin, Jour. xviii. 316; Lindley, Fv. Med. 279. Description.—There has been no detailed description given of this tree. Richard, who saw specimens in Humboldt’s herbarium, says that the leaflets are thin, membranous, and obovate, which are lengthened and pointed at their upper extremity, and also, that the terminal one is much larger than the lateral ones. Linnzeus first noticed it in his Materia Medica, and his son described it in his Supplementum as a new genus Toluzfera, on account of fruit attributed to it by Miller, differing from that of Myrozylon (Myrospermum), but the subsequent researches of Ruiz, Ventenat, Richard, and others, have shown that it is a tree belonging to Myrospermum, and very closely allied to the M. peruyferum, so closely, in fact, that Ruiz considered them to be identical, but the distinctive characters have been ably pointed out by Richard, in a memoir in the Annales de Sct. Nat. for 1824. N. von Esenbeck, has figured the leaves (t. 322); these are so similar to those of the other species as to lead to a belief that Richard may be mistaken in supposing that they differ from each other. It is found in several parts of South America, but. especially in Colombia, in the mountains of Tolu. At the same time it is very probable that what is termed Balsam of Tolu, is not only derived from this tree, but also from its kindred species, and that the two balsams of Peru and Tolu rather differ in mode of collection and preparation than in origin. Monardes, who gave the first account of this balsam, states that it is pro- cured by making incisions in the tree, and receiving the liquid juice in vessels of black wax, from which it is transferred to calabashes or earthen jars. When first imported, it is usually soft and tenacious, but by age becomes hard and brittle, resembling resin. It is transparent, shining, of a yellowish or reddish-brown colour, a very fragrant odour, and a sweetish, warm taste. It softens under the teeth, and when subjected to heat, readily melts ; ; when inflamed, it evolves an agreeable smell. It is wholly soluble in alcohol, and like the balsam of Peru, gives up its acid to water. Its chemical composition is very similar to that balsam, and Appears to differ only in its greater apti- tude to become resinous. Medical Properties, §-c.—This, like the last, is stimulating and expecto- rant, and is used in the same class of complaints ; from its agreeable flavour, it is more frequently employed, especially in the treatment of bronchial affec- tions. It is also used as a flavouring ingredient in several mixtures. It is given in doses of ten to thirty grains in emulsion, or in the form of a syrup, which is officinal. There are several other species which furnish a balsam; the MM. frutescens of Jacquin affords a resinous juice, which, according to Kunth, is strong, and disagreeably flavoured, whilst that of the WM. pubescens, which some writers deem identical with the M. peruiferum, is very analogous to the balsams — above described. Kunth states that its seeds are used in South America in colic and other abdominal pains. : : ’ } f FABACE&X, 251 Sub-order 2. CasanrinigE&%.—Petals imbricated in estivation ; the uppermost interior ; stamens perigynous, - This sub-order is distinguished for its purgative properties, for although some of the species bear edible fruits, still they are comparatively few, and even of these, most are laxative when partaken of freely. Very few of them, at the same time, are poisonous, though some are emetic and anthelmintic, combined with the prevailing cathartic character. ; The most important of this group in a medicinal point of view, are the Cassias, affording the senna of the shops; the Copazferas, from which the Balsam of Copaiba is ob- tained, also are found here, as are likewise many of the dye-woods, as Logwood, Brazil wood, Camwood, &c. As before mentioned, some of them have edi- ble fruits, as the Tama- rind, the Ceratonia, West Indian locust, &c. h The Ceratonia siliqua YF | eM or Carob tree, has a MW large pod, the seeds of which are enveloped in a nutritious pulp, and is supposed to be the locust on which St. John fed in the wilderness; the seeds afford much oil, and are used in Spain to feed horses. The Hymencea courbaril or West Indian locust, is valuable in many respects. The mealy substance in | which the seeds are Ceratonia siliqua. enclosed, is sweet and ; pleasant, but is apt to purge when fresh, but loses this property when kept ; a decoction of it will ferment, and forms a drink resembling beer; a resin exudes from the roots, known under the name of Gum anime; a decoction of the inner bark is said to be anthelmintic. (Macfadyen, Fl. Jam. i. 349.) Some species have tonic properties, among which may be noticed G‘uélan- dina bonduc, the bark and seeds of which are very bitter; the latter pounded fine and mixed with castor oil, are said to form a good external application in incipient hydrocele (Aznsiie, ii. 136) ; in Cochin-China, according to Lou- reiro (£%. Coch. Ch, i. 265), the leaves are considered deobstruent and em- menagogue, the root astringent, the seeds emetic, and the oil from them an excellent application in paralysis and convulsions. The Poinczana pulcher- ryma has a bitter and tonic root, but an infusion of the leaves or flowers is a powerful emmenagogue, and the seeds powdered are stated to relieve colic. (Macfadyen, i, 331.) An oil is obtained from the seeds of some, as the Cesalpinia oleosperma, whilst from others a gum exudes, as is the case with several species of Baw- as WY ey , Uy Yj Mg MT, i 3 252 MEDICAL BOTANY. hinia, and, according to Martius, a gum resembling Senegal is the product of Pithecolobium gummiferum. It has been mentioned that Aneme is procured from the Hymenea courbaril, and the Mexican and Brazilian copal are supposed to be from other species ; that of Madagascar is from the H, verru- cosa. Among the dyes, Logwood is from Hematozxylon Campechianum ; Bra- _zil wood from Casalpinia echinata ; Braziletto wood from C. Brasiliensis ; “Sappan wood from C. sappan ; Camwood from Baphia nitida, &c. Many of these trees afford a fine, hard, heavy wood, much used in the arts. HamatToxyvton.—Linn. Sepals 5, united at base into a persistent tube; lobes caducous. Petals 5, not much longer than sepals. Stamens 10, diadelphous. Legume compressed, 1-celled, 2-seeded. There is but a single species of this genus, which is peculiar to South America and the West Indies. Its name-is founded on the blood-red colour of the heart-wood. H. campeacuianum, Linn.—The only species. Linn., Sp. Pl. 549; Woodville, Med. Bot. iii. t. 163; Sloane, Jam. ii. t. 10, f. 1—4; Catesby, Car. il. t. 66; Sle a Fl. Jam, i. 332; Lind- ley, Flor. Med, 264. Common Names.—Logwood ; Eainbeachy wood. Foreign Names.—Bois de Campeche, Fr. ; Legno tah ee Thine Kaine peschenholz, Ger. _ Description. — A middle- sized tree with a contorted Say trunk, rarely more than a foot TONY and ahalf in diameter, and covered with an ash-coloured, Su a ae rough bark, The branches ft Wh are crooked, and beset with sharp thorns. ‘The leaves are pinnate, or somewhat bipin- nate, with obovate or subcor- date leaflets, The flowers are yellow, have an agreeable odour, and are collected in ter- minal racemes, The sepals are united at base into a pér- n. | sistent tube, with five decidu- GAIA “= 2 ous lobes. The petals are f “=, scarcely longer than the se- pals. The stamens are ten; the filaments hairy at base, and the anthers without H. campechianum. glands. The ovary is com- 1. Style. 2. Legume. pressed, and bears a capillary style. The legume is flat, lanceolate, acuminate at both ends, 1-celled and 2-seeded, the valve bursting in the mid. dle longitudinally. ‘The seeds are transversely oblong. The Logwood is a native originally of Campeachy, and other maritime parts of South America, but having been long since introduced into many of the West India islands, has become naturalized there. The part used both in medicine and the arts, is the heart-wood, the bark and white alburnum nt Ce ee ee a—<— : . FABACES, 253 being removed previous to exportation. As found in commerce, it is in logs of different sizes, of a dark colour externally, and a deep-red. internally, heavy, and susceptible of a high polish. The taste is sweetish, somewhat astringent and peculiar ; the odour is rather pleasant. For medical use it is either cut into chips, or rasped into a coarse powder. Its use in the arts as a dye is very great, it being the basis of many of the reds in printing ca- licoes. It has several times been analyzed. Chevreul found in it, volatile oil, ha- matine, resinous matter, tannin, various salts, &c. Headatine, which is the colouring principle, is a red, erystalline substance, somewhat bitter, acrid, and astringent, soluble in alcohol and ether, and slightly so in water. Medical Properties.—Logwood is a mild astringent, which has been used with some success in chronic diarrhea, and especially in that weakened con- dition of the bowels subsequent to cholera infantum. When given for any time, its colouring principle is absorbed, and may be detected in the urine, It has also been administered in malignant dysentery and low fevers, in which Weinrich (Diss. Inaug. 1781), states that he has found it of more efficacy than cinchona: It is given in decoction or extract, both of which are offici- nal; the dose of the first is from an ounce to two ounces, and of the latter, ten grains to half a drachm. As an external application, the leaves beat into a pulp with a little turpentine, has been found useful in phagedenic sores of obstinate character. (Macfadyen, 1. 334.) Cassta.—Linn. Sepals 5, scarcely united at base, more or less unequal. Petals 5, unequal. Stamens 10, free, unequal ; the 3 upper usually sterile, the 3 lower longest, 4 middle short and straight; rarely 4—7, and all fertile. Anthers dehiscent at apex by 2 pores or clefts or by an opening at base. Ovary pedicellate. Legume various. This extensive and important genus consists of trees, shrubs, and herbs, with simple and abruptly pinnate leaves, the leaflets opposite, and the petioles often furnished with glands. The species are found in most parts of the world, and many of them have long been employed as medicinal agents. Much difference of ‘opinion exists among botanists as regards its limits; some dividing it into several distinct genera, whilst others, among whom is De Can- dolle, consider these divisions merely as sections. ‘This view of the subject has been adopted rather from its having been followed in the Pharmacopeia, and by the principal authorities on Materia Medica, than from a conviction of its accuracy, as it is evident that some of the divisions have every right to generic rank, if marked differences in form of calyx and legumes are consi- dered as sufficient grounds for such a distinction. Sec. 1. Fistuta, D. C—Sepals obtuse. Anthers ovate, bicleft at apex. Legume terete or compressed, indehiscent, woody, with numerous transverse septe ; cells 1-seeded, filled with a soft pulp. Seeds elliptical, sub-compressed, horizontal. 1, C. ristuta, Linn.—Leaflets 4—6 pairs, ovate, sub-dcuminate, smooth; petioles egrandulate ; racemes lax, ebracteate ; legumes terete, straight, smooth, sub-obtuse. Linn., Sp. Pl. 540; Woodville, iii. 160; Stokes, ii. 453; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 155 ; Macfadyen, Fl. Jam., i. 337; Cathartocarpus fistula, Persoon, Synop. 1. ‘459 ; Lindley, Fl. Med. 262. Common Names. ian Purging Cassia ; Pudding-pipe tree. Foreign Names. —Caneficier Cassier, Fr.; Cassia fistula, J¢.; Fistul- kassie, Ger. . +g 254 MEDICAL BOTANY. Description—A middle-sized tree, much branched towards the top. The bark is brownish, or dark ash-coloured, and very much furrowed and cracked. The wood is soft and white. The leaves are alternate,and composed of four to six pairs of ovate, pointed, . smooth leaflets, of a pale-green colour, supported on short petioles. The flowers are large, odorous, yellow, and produced in long pendant axillary racemes. The calyx has five oblong, obtuse sepals. ‘The corolla consists of five petals which are concave, unequal, spreading, and waved. The ovary is slender, cylindrical and curved. The fruit is a long, woody brown pod about an inch in diameter, and nearly two feet in length, cylindrical, with two longitudinal furrows on one side, and one on the other, divided into numerous cells by thin plates or partitions, each containing a single, smooth, somewhat compressed seed, embedded in a soft black pulp. This species of Cassia is a native of Egypt and the East Indies, but is now naturalized in the West Indies and South America. It was known to the Arab and Greek physicians of the middle ages, and is supposed to have re- ceived its name from its agreeable odour, somewhat resembling that of the celebrated spice. The pods, which are but seldom imported into this country, come from the West Indies, though it is stated that the East Indian afford a far sweeter and more grateful pulp. Those found in the shops do not appear to have undergone any preparation, but Hasselquist (Voyage) says that in Egypt they are collected before they are quite ripe, and carried into a close room, in which is prepared a layer of palm leaves and straw six inches thick, on which they are laid, the room closed, and the next day the heap sprinkled with water, and this process repeated. In this way they are treated for forty days till they become black. | The pulp is the part used, has a faint nauseous odour, and a sweet, rather pleasant mucilaginous taste. It contains sugar, gum, a matter resembling tannin, a glutinous substance, and a colouring principle (Henry, Jour. Chim. Med.) To prepare the pulp for use, the bruised pods have boiling water poured on them, so as to wash out the pulp, which is strained and then evapo- rated to a due consistence. Medical Properties, §-c.—In small doses, the pulp is a mild and agreeable laxative, and in larger ones purgative; but from the quantity required to pro- duce this latter effect, it is apt to occasion nausea, flatulence and griping. It does not appear to possess any advantage over the pulp of prunes and is not as agreeable. It is seldom or never used in this country, and but seldom in England except in certain confections, The leaves and the flowers are also purgative. ! , The root also contains a bitter principle, and has been employed as a sub- stitute for Peruvian bark. It contains a peculiar principle, which has been examined by Caventou, who regards it as a powerful diuretic. It forms solu- ble combinations with the mineral acids. | The pulp from the pods of several other species belonging to this group are possessed of the same qualities, but are not as agreeable to the taste; among these may be noticed the C. braszliana and the C. bacallaris, the pod of which latter is very like the C. fistw/a, but smaller and pointed at the ex- tremities. Sec. 2. Senna, Gert.—Sepals obtuse. Anthers with 2 pores. Legumes membranaceous, flat, compressed, with many transverse partitions; scarcely dehiscent, almost pulpless. Seeds vertical or parallel to the valves, compressed, somewhat obcordate. This section contains the officinal Senna, respecting which so much discre- pancy of opinion exists among the writers on medical botany, scarcely any two of them agreeing as to the species. The following is the result of much study and comparison of descriptions and authorities, and although by 7‘ = ee ae ee . FABACE &. 255 no means as satisfactory as could be wished, will be found to contain the sum of our knowledge on this intricate subject. > * Glandless.’ 1. C. mepica, Forskall_—Leaflets 5—8 pairs on short petioles, lanceolate-acute, smooth above, downy beneath. Petioles glandless, Legumes pendulous, membraneous flat, nearly straight. A perennial, shrubby plant, with erect, round, smooth, stems, somewhat flexuous near their extremities. The leaves are alternate, abruptly pinnate, with 5—8 pairs of leaflets on short pedicels; they are. ovate-acute on the lower branches, and lanceolate- acute on the upper portions of the plant; somewhat mucronate, smooth above, rather downy beneath, especially when young; with the veins turning inwards and forming a flexuous intramarginal line; petiole glandless; stipules softly spinescent, semi-hastate, spreading, minute. Racemes axillary and terminal, erect, stalked, rather longer than the leaves, pedicels ebracteolate. Sepals linear, obtuse. Petals bright yellow. Five lower stamens small and sterile, the two next large, curved and perfect, the three uppermost very small and glandlike. Ovary linear, downy, falcate, with a recurved, smooth style. Legumes pendulous, oblong, membraneous, about 14 inch long and 3 broad, straight, tapering abruptly to the base and rounded at the apex, containing 5—8 whitish rugose seeds. , Forskall, FZ. Arab. 111.; C. lanceolata, Royle, Illus. 37 ; Mat. Med, 351 ; Wight and Arnott, i. 288; Wallich, Med. Jour. 1837; C. elongata, Lem. ~ Lisanc, Jour. Pharm. vii. 345; Fee, Cours d@ Hist. Nat. Pharm., ii. 69 ; Pereira, Mat. Med. ii. 593; Wood and Bache, C. officinalis ; Geertner, ii. t. 146 ; Roxburgh, FV. Ind. ii. 346. The following appear to belong to this species : ~ a. C, LANCEOLATA, Royle (0. c.)—Leaf.- Fig. 130. lets large, thin, lance- - olate, smooth above, a little downy be- neath. Legumes ob- _ long, membraneous, _ straight, tapering suddenly at base, -and rounded at apex. This is culti- vated in India; originally from Arabian seeds, but is stated by Dr. Burns to be wild near Kaira in Guzerat (Royle _ Mat. Med. 351). It does not seem i to differ in any essential character from the “‘Senna mecce, Lohaje inve- niebatur, foliis 5—7 jugis, lineari-lanceolatis.”” Forskall, (0. c.) ——————— rr” C. medica, var. C. lanceolata, Royle. 1. Separated flowers. 2. Seed. 3. Legume. | b. C. lanceolata of most authors; C. acutifolia, Heyne, ix. t.41. Nees and Eberm. * 345 | . | The leaves of this variety constitute the largest proportion of the Alexan- _ dria senna of commerce. It grows in upper Egypt, to the south and east of Syene and Assouan. Royle is of opinion that it is the plant figured by 256 MEDICAL BOTANY. Stephenson and Churchill t. 30, but Pereira considers this plate to represent the C. ovata of Merat and De Lens; and Lindley that it is intended for the C. acutifolia, Delille. This Fig. 131, shows that these plants can : | at most be but varieties of each other. _ b. C.acutirotta, Delille.—In this the leaves are lanceolate and acute; the pods being flat and elliptical, and curved at the upper margin. It is the C. acutifolia, Delille (F'l. d’ Egypte, t. 27, fig. 1), and Esenbeck and Eberm. t. 346; C. lanceolata, Nectoux. This variety also grows in Upper Egypt, and leaves answer- ing to the description are always of commerce. Dr. Royle observes of these varieties that he is ‘ unable to distinguish them by any perma- nent characters ; nor dried Senna leaves cultivated at Saharunpore from good specimens of Bombay Senna) imported from India ; nor those from Surra Mukki sent him by Dr. Malcolmson from Aden, and which he states are the produce of Africa, but in appearance exactly resemble the Arabian Senna.” ob C. medica, var. C. acutifolia, Nees. a. Detached flower. 2. C. opovata, Colladon.—Leaflets in 4—7 pairs, smooth, obovate, rounded, mucronate, Legumes oblong, falcate, membranous, smooth, rounded at each end. Colladon, Mon. 92; De Candolle, Prod. ii. 192; Lindley, Fl. Med. 259; C. senna, 3; Linn. Sp. Pl. 539 ;.Nectoux, Voyage, Pl. 1; Lam. Jdlus. t. 332; C. obtusa, Wight and Arnott, i. 288; Senna obtusa, Roxburgh, Fi. Ind. ii. 344; C. porturegalis, Bancroft, C. burmanni; Wallich, Med. Jour. 1837. A perennial shrub, about eighteen inches high. Stem pubescent at base, cylindrical. Leaves alternate, with two subulate, entire, persistent stipules at base ; with from four to seven pairs of leaflets, which are opposite, nearly sessile, oboval, cuneiform, obtuse but mucronate, unequal at base; the uppermost gradually the largest, slightly pubescent. The flowers are pale yellow, and are disposed in erect, rather lax axillary racemes, The legumes oblong, fuleate, membranous, smooth, rounded at the two ends, with an elevated, interrupted ridge along the middle, ‘The seeds are 6—8 and heart-shaped. This species is found in Egypt, Nubia, Central Africa, Cape de Verds, India, &c,, and has been naturalized in some of the West Indian islands, and cultivated in many parts of Southern Europe. It furnishes an inferior Senna, known under the name of Italian and Aleppo Senna, and is also one of the constituents of the Alexandrian, The C. obtwsata of Heyne does not appear to differ materially from this species, Senna (that is ordinary Indian © to be foundin the Alexandriasenna ———S c. ~ FABACEX. . 257 * * Glandular. C. tancroiata, Forskal.—Leaflets in 4—5 pairs, never more ; oblong, and either acute or obtuse, but neither ovate nor lanceolate, and never tomentose, even when young. Pe- tioles with a small, round, brown gland, a little above the base. The legumes are erect, oblong, tapering to the base, turgid, mucronate, somewhat falcate, especially when young ; at which time they are sparingly beset with scattered hairs. This plant is a native of many places in Arabia, and is the Suna of the natives. It is considered by Forskal as the true Mecca Senna. It differs from C. medica and its varieties by the presence of a gland on the petiole, and in the leaves never being tomentose. Forskal, #7. Arab, 65; Lindley, Fl. Med. 259; C. Forskdli, Royle, Mati. Med. 350; Sene de Nubie, Nectoux, t. 2? 4, C. xTuloptica, Guibourt.—Leaflets in 3—5 pairs, pubescent, oval-lanceolate. A gland at the base of the petiole, and one between each pair of leaflets. Legumes flat, smooth, not reniform, rounded, tawny-coloured, containing 3—5 seeds. Guibourt, Hist. des Drogues, ed. 3, ii. 219; Lindley, FV. Med. 259; C. ovata, Merat and De Lens, Dict. vi. 311 ; Royle, Mat. Med. 351. Merat and De Lens are of opinion that it is C. lanceolata, fig. C. pl. xv. of Colladon, Histoire Naturelle des Casses. Guibourt, however, does not re- _ fer it to this, but says that it is represented by Sené de Nubie, plate 2, of 1 Nectoux ; and as before said, Pereira thinks that it is C. senna, Stephenson and Churchill, i. 830, which is stated by Lindley to be a good figure of C. acu- tefolca, Delille. It is said to be a low shrub, not exceeding eighteen inches in height, found in Nubia and Fezzan, south of Tripoli. The leaves are smaller, shorter, and less acute than those of C. lanceolata, but may be a variety of it, though the presence of the additional glands appear to entitle it to be considered as dis- tinct. As the plant has not been described by any botanist from perfect specimens, and all that is known of its characters are derived from the leaves and pods, as found in commerce, it is impossible to decide with certainty re- specting it. It furnishes the Tripoli Senna, the least esteemed of the acute- leaved kinds, These are the species supposed to yield the Senna, and it will be perceived, as before stated, that great confusion exists with regard to them. This has arisen from many causes; the principal of which are, the want of authentic specimens ; the difficulty of studying the plants in their places of growth ; the ignorance of what effect a difference of locality exercises in producing varie- ties, and whether the presence or absence of the glands on the petioles are to be assumed as specific characters. From my own observations on some West Indian species of Cassia, especially the C. occidentalis, | have been con- vinced that the presence, absence, or particular situation of the gland is a fal- lacious indication. In some specimens, the gland was wanting on one or more _ of the petioles; on others it was situated near the insertion, and again, might be seen between the first pair of leaflets. Delille admits that the plant he de- scribed and figured was the same as that noticed by Nectoux, and yet the first of these authors states that the petiole is without a gland, whilst the latter says that it has not only a gland at the base of the leafstalk, but one between each pair of leaflets. As the matter now stands, it appears that the older writers were right in making but two species, the C. alezandria and C. ta- fica; the first including those with narrow and acute leaves, and the latter confined to what is now called C. obovata. Much observation and comparison are required before this question will be satisfactorily settled. Some excellent 17 ~ » 258 MEDICAL BOTANY. remarks on the subject, by Dr. J. Carson, will be found in the American Journal of Pharmacy, ii. 178. . Fortunately, this confusion does not exist in any great degree in the Sennas of commerce, which are divided into many kinds, designated by the names of the places at which they are grown, or from which they are imported. Senna is brought from the different Mediterranean ports, and from India; much of the East Indian comes to this country by way of London. Nume- rous varieties have been described, but they may be reduced to three :—the Alexandrian, the East Indian, and the Tripoli. | Alexandrian.—This comes from the Egyptian and other Mediterranean ports, and consists een not only of the leaves PUY of the acute-leaved Cassias, but also of those of C. obovata, and is always. adul- terated with leaves and flowers of So- lenostemma argel, sometimes with those of Tephrosia apolle- nea. Mr. Landerer states that itis chiefly 2: \ \ \ \ \ (- i AT (ie i Egypt, Nubia, Sen- Legume and leaflet of C. medica, var tnniéeolaths Do. do. of — peo Se-, and is 1 al bie ih always obtained from wild plants. ‘The har- vest commences in September, when the branches of the shrub are cut, and exposed to the sun, until the leaves begin to fade. They are then collected into bundles, and placed on rocks and high grounds, so as to have the full benefit of the sun’s rays and the air. When the leaves are quite dry, the branches are laid in heaps, and threshed until the leaves are separated from them. These not being broken or mixed with twigs and dirt, are the most prized. The leaves not being all detached by this means, the bundles are placed on a clay floor, and camels driven over them, till no more leaves’ remain attached. This process breaks them much, and they become mixed with portions of twigs, &c. ‘The Senna thus collected in various places is packed in sacks, and conveyed to the Nile, where it is transferred to boats and carried to Cairo and Alexandria, where it is unpacked, sorted, and repacked in large bales. He further states, that the adulteration of Senna is not practised intentionally. (Amer. Jour. Pharm, xii.74.) This latter assertion is widely different from that of other authors, who state that the ad- mixture takes place at the various entrep6ts on the Nile, where the Senna is received from the caravans, * Rouillure (Anm. de Chim. lvi. 161) says that at Boulak, the proportions of the different leaves are, 500 parts of acute leaves to 300 of obtuse and 200 of Argel leaves, As found in the shops, this kind of Senna is of a grayish-green colour, with an odour somewhat resembling that of tea, and an unpleasant, viscid taste. It presents a broken appearance, and consists of the leaves, flowers, and fruits of the above-mentioned plants, and various impurities. The Argel leaves and flowers may readily be recognised from those of Senna; the first by their paler colour, thicker and more coriaceous texture, by their being equilateral, and the imperfect developement of their lateral veins ; the flowers by being in corymbs, Dr. Pereira states that in some bales, Argel flowers brought from Upper | : FABACES, 259 nave constituted a third (see Solenostemma). The leaves and pods of the Te- phrosia appear to be an accidental or involuntary admixture, and are seldom found in any quantity (see Tephrosia). It is said that on the continent of Europe the Senna is adulterated with the leaves of Corzaria myrtifolia, but this fraud is seldom or never practised on the parcels that come to this country. East Indian Senna,—Is now much used in this country, and consists mainly of large, thin, unbroken leaves of a yel- lowish-green colour; they are seldom adulte- Fig. 133. rated, the admixtures found among them being probably accidental. There are several varie- ties, the best of which is the Tinnivelly ; which is the product of plants derived from seed ob- tained from Arabia. The other kinds are the Saharunpore, the Madras, and Bombay, the latter of which is the variety most frequently met with. All of them are of the acute form, and when good, are fully equal to the Alexan- drian. Tripolt Senna.—This has much _ resem- blance to the Alexandrian, but is still more broken, and contains more leaf-stalks, but is not adulterated with Argel. It consists of one of the acute-leaved species (C.. ethzoptica), and Stine some slight Picdlaetcs of 5 obovata. has Reon So Ok not been held in much estimation, though a far | purer Senna than the Alexandrian, and fully equal to that article in its reme- dial action. This may have arisen from its being lower in price, and still more from being deemed inferior ; the refuse of other kinds having been sold for it. . _ The Aleppo or Italian Senna is never imported into this country. It con- sists of leaflets of C. obovata, and is said to be less effective as a purgative, and apt to create nausea and griping. Senna is prepared Fig. 134. for-use by picking out the leaflets, and re- jecting the leaf-stalks, pods, and any extra- neous substances, as stones, &c. The pods, although but little em- | ployed in the United | States, are possessed of considerable pur- | gative powers, and - are officinal in France and Germany. They are also much pre- ferred to the leaves in the countries where _ _ Senna grows, and are _ sold in all the drug _ bazaars in Constanti- f nople, Smyrna, &c. A. Cassia medica. B. Tinnivelly senna. C. C. acutifolia. D. So- The leaves of the dif- co alone or . ao myrtifolia. F. Tephrosia apollinea. G. | ferent Sennas, and 260 MEDICAL BOTANY. those used for adulteration, are well represented in the annexed cut from Dr. Royle’s Materia Medica, which gives a better idea of their differences of form than any description. Senna has a faint, sickly odour, and a bitter, nauseous, sini somewhat mu- cilaginous taste. It gives out its properties to cold and hot water, and to alcohol ; long boiling impairs its purgative powers in a great degree. It has often been analyzed; the fullest examination of it is by MM. Lassaigne and Fenuelle (Ann. de Chim. xvi. 16). These chemists found it to contain a peculiar bitter principle, which is called Cathartin; yellow colouring matter, volatile oil, albumen, mucus, several salts, &c. It owes its properties to the cathartin; this is a yellowish-red, uncrystallizable substance, of a peculiar odour, and a bitter, nauseous taste, very soluble in water and alcohol. It is stated by Pereira to cause nausea, griping, and purging, in doses of three grains ; but Royle says that M. Heelein, who has recently experimented upon it, states that it is not the active principle; and that he has taken four doses, of Dj. each, at an interval of an hour and a half, without any effect. Medical Uses.—Senna is an active and certain purgative, and is well adapted for all cases where it is wished to make a decided, but not very vio- lent impression on the bowels. It is contra-indicated where there is an in- flammatory condition of the digestive canal, hemorrhoids, prolapsus ani, &c. The great objections to its use, are its tendency to gripe, its nauseous taste, and the large dose in which it must be administered to produce the desired effect. The griping may be much lessened or obviated by combining it with one of the neutral salts and with aromatics; the latter addition also tends to disguise its unpleasant taste. Its purgative powers are increased by com: | bining it with one of the bitters, but as the cathartin is precipitated by gallic acid and: tannin, the bitter to be selected should be one containing but little of either of these principles. The decoction of guaiacum is said to answer the same purpose. P Senna is seldom given in powder, the bulk of the dose rendering this form: inconvenient. The general mode of administration is in infusion, made with an ounce of the leaves to a pint of water, with the addition of an aromatic, as coriander or aniseed. The dose of this is about four fluid ounces. It is also frequently prescribed in the form of tincture, especially when combined with: other ingredients, as the Tincture of Rhubarb and Senna, or Warner’s Cordial, so well adapted to cases of constipation, with gastric distress, i in persons of gouty diathesis, and accustomed to the use of alcoholic drinks, Section 3. CHamasenna, De Candolle.—Sepals obtuse. Anthers oblong, with two pores. Legume compressed, dehiscing by somewhat tumid sutures, and having nume- rous internal partitions; cell pulpless. Seeds vertical, ovate, or somewhat quadrate. 7. C. Maritanpica, Linn.—Leaflets 8—9 pairs, ovate, oblong, mucronate; petiole with an obovate gland at base. Legume narrow, arcuated, sparsely hispid. Linn., Sp. Pl. 541; Torrey & Gray, F7.1; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. i. 137; Rafinesque, Med. FV. i. 93; Lindley, FZ. Med. 261. Common Names.—Wild Senna; American Senna, &c. Foreign Names.—Senué de Maryland, Fr. ; Marilandische Cassie, Ger. Description—The Wild Senna is about three or four feet high, with many stems aris- ing from a woody, perennial root. The leaves are alternate, rather long, not numerous, and composed of eight to nine pairs of ovate, lanceolate, entire leaflets, which are smooth, of a green colour above, and a yellowish-green beneath; the common petiole is fur- nished with an ovate, stipitate gland at base. The flowers are bright yellow, in axillary racemes, on furrowed peduncles; the pedicels are long, glandular, and bracteate. The FABACES. 261 petals are unequal, the two lower largest. The stamina have yellow fila- ments and brown anthers. The legume is pendulous, long, narrow, arcuated, mucronate, blackish, with a few scattered, reddish hairs, and _ containing many seeds. This beautiful and showy plant is found in most parts of the United States, in moist situations, and along water-courses, It flow- ers from June to the latter part of August. It has attracted some attention as a substi- tute for the foreign Sennas ; and, from the trials made. with it, is well deserving of re- placing them for most purposes. It has been employed by many practitioners with good effect, and is cultivated by the Shakers to some extent, and it is from them that the shops are usually supplied. The general opinion seems to be, that it is inferior to the Alexan- ; C. marilandica. drian Senna, requiring a larger portion to produce the same effect, but of this there is no direct evidence ; on the contrary, those who have given it the fairest trial, con- sider it equal to the generality of the imported article. Much, however, depends on the time of collecting it; if this be done before the seeds be- gin to ripen, the active principle does not appear to be developed to its full extent; and it is evident, from an inspection of the foreign Sennas, that they are not picked until this time, as the seed-vessels found among them are usually in a matute state. Another cause for the less active properties of the native drug is the absence of the leaves of the argel, always mixed with the Alexandrian, and which add much to its action on the system. ‘The only fair mode of judging of the comparative merits of the two is by making trials of them, free from all extraneous substances. When this is done,.it will be found, I am satisfied, that the American Senna is fully entitled to as high a rank as is the Alexandrian or the East Indian, and may be substituted for them in every case with advantage. A great number of other species of Cassia have been employed in medi- 262 MEDICAL BOTANY. cine; in fact, they all seem to possess more or less active properties. The C. alata, or Ringworm-shrub, of the West Indies, has some reputation in the cure of cutaneous eruptions ; for which purpose the juice of the leaves and buds is used; the infusion has been employed as a tepid-bath in the same cases ; and the flowers and young leaves, beaten into a pulp, form an excel- lent poultice for the superficial sores consequent to impetigo and rupia.— (Macfadyen, i. 338.) The C. occidentalis, also a species of tropical America, is used for a va- riety of purposes. The root is diuretic ; and, according to Marcgraff, a good alexipharmic. A decoction of the leaves, taken internally, and used exter- nally as a wash, is said to be beneficial in itch, erysipelas, and irritations of the rectum. The negroes apply the leaves, smeared with a little grease, as a dressing to slight sores (Macfadyen). In Brazil, where it is known under the name of Fedegoso, it is considered to act powerfully on the lymphatic system, to be beneficial in atony of the stomach, and to operate as a diuretic, (Chernoviz, Form. 222.) The C. falcata, and C. hirsuta, are also known by the same appellation, and used in similar cases (Martius). The seeds of C. absus are much esteemed in Egypt as a remedy in ope thalmia, for which purpose they are well washed, dried, and powdered ;. this powder is added its weight of sugar, and a small quantity of the —— | is blown into the eye, when the first stage of inflammation has subsided ;.this creates irritation, and a copious flow of tears, with a subsequent alleviation of the disease (Colladon, Hist. des Casses, 78). The leaves of C. tora, a native of India and Arabia, are used to adulterate C. obovaia, to which they bear much resemblance. These leaves when fresh are mucilaginous and fcetid- smelling, and are given in India in decoction, in the febrile condition atten. dant on teething in children; fried in castor oil they are considered a good application to foul ulcers ; the seeds ground with buttermilk are employed to ease the irritation of itching eruptions; and the root rubbed up with lime- juice is thought to be very effectual in ringworm. (Ainslie, Mat. Ind. ii. 405.) The root of C. medica, Velloz, is eared as a substitute for cin- chona. (Vogel, Linm., ii. 656.) The seeds of the C. aurzculata are paicderad by Hindoo practitioners as refrigerant and attenuant, and they prescribe them in cases where the system is unduly heated or depraved ; they also order them in conjunction with the Indian fig, in diabetes. ‘The powder is used in inflammations of the eye in the same manner as the C. absus (Aznsive, ii. 31). According to Rheede (Hort. Malab.), the bark of the root of C. glauca mixed with milk and fresh saffron, is used in Malabar against the gout; the leaves pounded with sugar and milk in virulent gonorrhea, and the bark in diabetes. The juice of the leaves of C. sophora, as well as the fresh root, is reckoned a sovereign reme- dy in ringworm; it is usually used in conjunction with lime-juice ; in Java the leaves are considered to be cathartic (Aznshe, ii. 331). Among the spe- cies found in the United States, the C. bzflora is stated by sehoaPh to be anti- syphilitic, and the C, chamecrista to be purgative. TamMARINDUS.— Linn. Calyx tubular at base, bilabiate, upper lip trifid; lower, two-toothed. Petals three. Sta- mens 9—10 ; seven short and sterile ; others longer, monadelphous, Style one. Legume pulpy within. There is some difference of opinion among botanists whether this genus is composed of a single species, or whether there are two, one peculiar to the FABACER. ~~ 263 East, and the other to the West Indies, but the only marked difference be- tween them is in the pod, which is much longer than broad, and many-seeded in the first, and only twice to three times broader than long, and few-seeded in the latter. As the tree is not a native of the West Indies, this difference is probably owing to a yariation produced by cultivation and change of cli- mate. T. unpica, Linn.—The only species. Linn., Sp. Pl. 48 ; Woodville, iii. t. 166; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 87; Lindley, Fl. Med. 266. iss Common Name.—Tamarind tree. Foreign Names,—Tamarinier, Fv.; Tamarindo, J. ; Tamarindenbaum, Ger. _ Description.—A large tree with spread- . ing branches,. bearing tufts of alternate, abruptly-pinnate leaves, composed of many pairs of smooth, bright-green, el- liptic-oblong, . sessile, entire leaflets. These leaflets close in the evening, or in cold, moist weather, like those of the sensitive plant. The flowers are in sim- ple racemes, terminating the’ short, late- ral branches; the calyx is somewhat tubular at base, bilabiate, the. upper lip three-partite, the lower broad, two-tooth- ed. The petals are three, yellowish, va- riegated with red veins, ovate, acute, concave, about as long as the ¢alyx. The stamens are ten, of which seven are very short and sterile, and three long, pur- plish, curved, united at base, bearing large, ovate anthers, The ovary is ob- long, compressed, incurved, and supports a subulate style with an obtuse stigma. ‘The legume is oblong, compressed, one- celled, two to twelve-seeded. Those from the West Indies are from two to five inches long, and contain two to four seeds, whilst the East Indian are double this length, and have six to twelve seeds. The seeds are roundish, flat- tened, hard, polished, and are lodged in a soft pulp. T. indica. aSetofstamens. 6 Style. cc Pod. The tamarind is very common in. most parts of the East Indies, and is said to grow in great perfection in Java, and more especially in the island of Madura. It is also extensively naturalized in the West Indies, but the fruit is not equal to the East Indian in the quantity of saccharine matter contained in the pulp, for the latter are preserved without the addition of sugar, whilst this cannot be done with the other. Mr. Crawford states that those exported from one of the Indian islands to another, are merely dried in the sun, but those which are sent to Europe are cured with salt. . In India it is deemed dangerous to sleep under this tree, and the observation made by Ainslie that grass or herbs of any kind are seldom seen growing in such situations, and never with luxuriance,” is also applicable to the West Indies. The part used is the pod; this is sent to Europe from the East Indies, both dried and preserved ; from the West Indies, whence the supply for this ‘country is obtained, always preserved. This, says Long (Hist. Jamaica), 264 MEDICAL BOTANY. is done as follows: ‘* The pods are gathered during the summer months, accord- ing to their maturity. The pods must be fully ripe, which is known by their fragility, or easily breaking on a small pressure between the finger and thumb. The fruit taken out of the pod, cleared from fragments of shell, is placed in casks, in layers, and boiling syrup from the ¢ache, or first copper in the boiling house, is poured in, just before it begins to granulate, till the cask is filled; the syrup pervades every part, quite to the bottom, and when _ cool, the cask is headed for sale.” Dr. Wright (Med. Plants, Jam.), says that a better plan is to place alternate layers of tamarinds and powdery sugar in a stone jar. As found in the shops, tamarinds consist of a soft, dark-coloured pulp, mixed with seeds, and many fibres. They have an ‘agreeable, acidulated taste, and are considered as very cooling, and to assuage thirst ; hence tra- vellers, before leaving Cairo to cross the deserts, are always pileiniad to add them to their stores. Vauquelin (Anz. de Chim.), found them to contain citric, malic, and tartaric acids, bitartrate of potash, sugar, gum, pectin, and a large quantity of parenchymatous matter. Medical Properties, §c.—Tamarinds are cooling and laxative, and are therefore often administered in febrile complaints for a double purpose. They are also added to purgative remedies to increase their effects and disguise their taste ; but their principal use in this country is as a refreshing drink, for which purpose boiling water is added to them, and when cold, the whole strained to separate the seeds and fibres. ‘Tamarind whey is also a favourite mode of exhibiting this article ; this is made by boiling a couple of ounces of the pulp with two pints of milk, and straining. The Hindoo practitioners use the tamarind- pulp as a laxative, but in i boyna, according to Rumphius, it is considered injurious where the stomach is disordered, or obstructions in the spleen exist, unless aromatics be con- joined to it. A decoction of the leaves are likewise used by the Vytzans as an external application, in cases requiring repellent fomentations, and inter- nally, they are employed by the Tamool doctors in jaundice. ‘The stones or seeds are prescribed in the same country in dysenteric complaints, and as they possess much astringency, probably with benefit in the latter stages of the complaint. These seeds, in time of scarcity, are eaten by the poor in India ; they are first toasted, and then soaked for a few hours in water, when the hard skin comes off, leaving the bean white and soft; they are said to taste somewhat like the common bean, and are boiled or fried for use. CoparrERA.— Linn. Calyx with 4 sepals united at base, ebracteolate. Petals none. Stamens 10, distinct, nearly equal. Style filiform. Legume 2-valved, 1-seeded. ' This genus consists of several species of large trees, peculiar to South America, having abruptly-pinnate leaves, with coriaceous, somewhat unequal, ovate leaflets. ‘The flowers are paniculate. But one species was known to Linneus, and was for a long time thought to be the only source from whence the balsam was obtained. ‘The researches of Martius, Hayne, and others, have recently shown that the species are numerous, and that they all abound in an analogous balsamic juice, and moreover, that it is probable the commer- cial article is obtained indiscriminately from them all, though the quality differs according to the tree furnishing it, that from the C. officinalis being inferior to the others; as this was, tiverever, the first described, and is the type of the genus, it will be noticed in more detail than the others. ——_ ‘ FABACE&. 265 1. C. orricinatis, Linn,—Leaflets 2—5 pairs, incurved, ovate inequilateral, obtusely acu- minated, with pellucid dots. Linn., Sp. Pl. 557; Woodville, iii. t. 37; Stokes, ii, 520; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 158. Common Name.—Officinal Copaiva-tree. Foreign Names.—Le Copaier officinal, Fr. ; Copaiba, It. ; Westindischer Copaivabaum, Ger. Description.—A large and handsome tree, with numerous, crooked, small branches and a nearly smooth, brownish-gray bark. The leaves are alternate, pinnated, composed of from-two to five pairs of ovate-lanceolate, smooth, inequilateral, coriaceous leaflets, which are not exactly opposite, and are supported on short petioles. The flowers are in axillary panicles at the ends of the branches, and divided into about eight alternate common pedun- cles ; the flowers, which are white, being almost sessile. The calyx is composed of four oblong, acute, spreading, concave sepals, somewhat united at base and tomentose within. The petals are wanting. The stamens are filiform, incurved, somewhat longer than the sepals, and bearing oblong incumbent anthers. The ovary is roundish, compressed and hairy, crowned with a thin incurved style furnished with an obtuse stigma. The legume is ovate, sub-compressed and coriaceous, containing a single elliptical seed. This species is found in several places in South America, particularly in Venezuela, and also in some of the West India islands. It affords one of the varieties of the Copaiva of commerce, but of inferior quality. Langsdorff ( Travels) says, in speaking of Saint Catharine’s: “ The tree which yields co- paiva balsam, or balsam of Tolu, Copazfera officinalis, is here called olo breto, or black olive. It abounds in the forests, but very little use is made of it. I was assured, that when the incision is made to procure the balsam, which is done only in the very Kot summer months, a strong sound is heard, and the sap, or balsam, rushes out in a stream, as when a vein is opened in the human arm.” ‘The greater part of the balsam imported comes from the different. Brazilian ports, but some from Carthagena, Maracaibo, &c., from each of which places it differs in quality ; that from Para, generally being the best. When good, this balsam is clear and transparent, and rather more consis- tent than olive oil. It is of a pale-yellowish colour, a peculiar, and to most persons a disagreeable smell, and a bitter, pungent, nauseous taste. By age it becomes thicker, until at last it assumes the solidity of a resin. But as before said, much difference exists both as to colour, consistence, and the re- lative proportions of its constituents. Thus the Para balsam, of good quality, is thin, light-coloured, and limpid, whilst that from the West Indies is in gene- ral, thick, dark, and not transparent. Several analyses have been made of Copaiva by Hoffmann, Stoltze, and Gerber, which show that it contains volatile oil, a yellow resin (copatvic acid), and a brown, soft resin; the two first vary in their relative proportions, ac- cording to the age and quality of the article, but the resin always forms at least one half of the balsam. When Copaiva is distilled with water, the vola- tile oil readily passes over, Nitric acid acts on it with much energy; when mixed with magnesia, the copaivic acid unites with the magnesia, forming a copaivate of that base, which has considerable consistence; this property is not peculiar to copaiva, as some of the terebinthine act in the same manner, and sometimes when the balsam is apparently of the best quality, no solidi- fication takes place on the addition of the alkali. It is stated by Dr. Cooke (Journ. Phil, Coll. Pharm.v.), that the best test for its purity, or its capacity for solidifying, is in its perfect solubility in Spts. Etheris Nit. fort. He says 266 MEDICAL BOTANY. ‘5 that he has always been successful in making solidified copaiva with balsam that would dissolve in that menstruum, but always failed where the reverse was the case. He adds that the test proposed by Gerber, and also by Planche, of solution in caustic ammonia, is insufficient and not to be relied upon. Medical Properties, §-c.—Balsam of Copaiva, like the other oleo-resins, is stimulant, diuretic, and ‘cathartic. It appears, however, to exert more in- fluence on the urinary passages than the other articles of its class, and has, in consequence, been much used in diseases of these parts. An old writeron Materia Medica (Fuller, Dzspensatory), says of it: ‘It wonderfully deterges the reins, ureter and bladder when obstructed with sand, mucus or pus; strengthens them when relaxed, and ‘heals them when ulcerated. It provokes urine, extinguishes its heat, and cleanses off its bloody, foul, and purulent contents more effectually than anything I ever met with.” When the balsam is taken internally, it is absorbed, and some of the oil passes out of the system by the lungs, as the odour of it is very marked in the breath; it also passes off by the urinary passages, as is manifested by the heightened colour of the urine, and the odour communicated to it. It often creates nausea and vomit- ing, even in small doses, and any long-continued use of it impairs the diges- tive function in a striking degree. In large doses it acts as an irritant to the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane, giving rise to heat, nausea, vomiting, griping, and severe purgation. The principal employment of copaiva is in mucous discharges from the genito-urinary organs, and especially in gonorrhea, but there is much dif- ference of opinion as to its exact powers in this complaint, and tothe time or stage of the disease to which it is most appropriate ; some writers recom- mend that it should be given at the very commencement of the disease, with- out any preliminary treatment, whilst others, on the contrary, assert that it is injurious, except when the violence of the inflammatory stage is subdued by ap- propriate remedies. ‘The first of these plans is very commonly resorted to in this country, and has, in some cases, been productive’ of unpleasant results, at the same time it must be stated that empirical as such treatment must appear, it is more successful than where the balsam is employed ata later stage of the complaint. In all stages, the copaiva is more successful in gonorrhea in males than in females; this is accounted for by the fact, that except at the very commencement of the disease, and oftentimes even then, the vagina is more affected than the urethra. Copaiva has also been much employed in chronic inflammation of the blad- der, and in some obstinate forms of chronic bronchitis, spasmodic asthma, and hooping cough, either alone or in combination with opium and ipecacuanha. In old inflammations of the lower intestines, it has proved beneficial, and ac- cording to Cullen, it gives great relief in heemorrhoidal affections. Copaiva is given in a variety of forms, either dropped on sugar, or floated on water, with the addition of a few drops of bitter tincture to disguise the taste, or in emulsion made of white of egg or mucilage, flavoured by some aromatic, or with the addition of sweet spirits of nitre. When combined with liquor potassee, its effects in gonorrhea are much increased, It is also given in pills made of the balsam solidified, by means of magnesia, but since the invention of the gelatine capsules, the usual form of administration is’in an unmixed state, enclosed in these coverings, by which the nauseous odour and taste are completely removed. The dose of copaiva'is from twenty drops to a drachm, or more. Numerous other species have been described by Hayne and others, but only five are recognised by De Candolle, in his Prodromus. | ie FABACE A, 267 2. C. LANGSDORFFII, Fig. 137. Desfontaines. — Leaflets 3—5 pairs, equal sided, obtuse, with pellucid dots ; the petioles and pe- _duncles slightly downy. This species, and C. coriacea, Martius, are found in the ge. | UN = ee Provinces of San © il Ae Ga. 7 Paulo, and Minas, ™ “a ss WW in Brazil, and afford oh the best balsam which SS comes from Rio Ja- neiro, though other species also con- tribute their quota, as all those growing in hot and moist situ- ations yield a good C. langsdorffii. product, and in large quantities, whilst those in drier and more inland localities afford a smaller proportion, but of a more resinous character. a 3. C. cortacea, Martius.—Leaflets 2—3 pairs, elliptical, equilateral, emarginate, coria- ceous, not dotted, smooth on both sides, somewhat glaucous beneath, Bahia, San Paulo, and Minas, 4, C. curanensis, Desfontaines.—Leaflets 3—4 pairs, ovate-elliptic, smooth, mucronate, with pellucid dots. Rio Negro, Para, and Guiana. 5.C. muutisuca, Hayne.—Leaflets 6—10 pairs, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, mucronate, with pellucid dots. Para. This is said to afford a very excellent balsam. Besides these, Hayne enumerates the C. beyrichiz, C. Marti, C. Jussieut, C. nitida, C. laxa, C. cordifolia, C. sellowii, and C. oblongifolia, as all pro- ducing balsam of different degrees of purity. He is of opinion that the species mentioned by Piso (Med. Bras.), was the C. byjuga. De Candolle notices a ' tree affording this balsam, and said to inhabit -the island of Mauritius, under the name of C. disperma, but it is very imperfectly known, and it is probable that there is some mistake as to its habitat. Sub-order 3. Mimosr2.—Corolla valvate in estivation. The most general characteristics of this group are astringency in the bark, and the production of a gum. The bark of most of them is astringent and tonic. In some species of Acacia, it abounds so much in tanning prin- ciples as to become an object of commercial importance. But this property is not confined to the bark alone; in A. catechu the heart-wood contains a valuable astringent substance, called Catechu, which is obtained by boiling and evaporating. Several of the Ingas are astringents of a similar nature. The gums are principally the product of species of Acacia, but are also afforded by other plants of the group. Some are emetic, as the Entada pur- setha of Java; others are purgatives, This is the case with the pulp of the pods of Inga vera and I. feculifera. A few are. poisonous, among which are the roots of several species of Mimosa. The Inga unguiscati is said to be a good remedy in urinary complaints and obstructions of the liver and 268 MEDICAL BOTANY. spleen. A decoction of the bark is very astringent, and has also the reputa- tion of acting as a diuretic. (Macfadyen, i. 306.) . “Many produce edible fruit or seeds, among which may be noticed Parkia africana, the seeds of which are much used in Africa (Brown, Append. Denham and Clapperton). Those of the J. camatchili are also esteemed in Manilla for the agreeable pulp that surrounds them. (Perrotet, Ann. Soc. Lin.) The bark of some species, as Algarobia, afford an intoxicating liquor when distilled with sweetened water; and finally, the wood of many of these plants is very useful in the arts. Acacta.— Willdenow. Flowers polygamous, bisexual and male. Calyx 4—5-toothed. Petals 4—5, free or cohering to form a 4—5.cleft gamopetalous corolla. Stamens indefinite. Legume con- tinuous, juiceless, 2-valved. This extensive genus, which contains upwards of two hundred and fifty species, formerly constituted part of Mimosa; but was separated by Willde- now, with many others, from that heterogeneous group. It is composed of trees and shrubs, of various habit and foliage, with stipular or scattered thorns, or unarmed. ‘The flowers are yellow, white, rarely red, capitate or spiked, and are decandrous, polyandrous, or monadelphous, _ It is still a cha- otic: mass of ill-defined species, and requires much revision. 1. A. catecuu, Linn.—Thorns stipular; leaves pubescent, bipinnate; pinne 10—30 pairs; leaflets 30—50 pairs; petiole with a large gland below the first pinne, and an- other near extremity ; spikes cylindrical; legume flat, thin, straight, 4—8-seeded. Linn., Suppl. 409 ; Woodville, iii. 433 ; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 76 ; Willdenow, Sp. Pl. iv. 738. , Common Names.—Catechu, Catechu Acacia. Foreign Names.—Cachou, Fr. ; Catto d’India, Jt. ; Katechubaum, Ger. * Fig. 138, Description—A small tree, fifteen or twenty feet high, with a thick, scabrous, ferruginous bark, which is red within, very astringent, and somewhat bit- ter. The branches are irregu- lar, and more or less pubescent when young; the older ones beset with numerous stipular prickles, in pairs and recurved. The leaves are alternate, and composed of from ten to thirty pairs of pinne, each having nu- merous small, linear leaflets, covered with short hair, and of a pale-green colour. The com- mon petiole is sometimes armed on the lower side with a few recurved prickles, and bears a gland below the lower pair of A. catechu. pinne, and another near the 1, Stamens. 2, Legume. extremity. ‘The flowers are hermaphrodite and male, nu- ~ merous, axillary, in slender cylindrical spikes, of a pale-yellow colour. The calyx is tu- bular, hairy, and 5-toothed. The corolla is composed of 5 petals, united into a tube at base, and is much longer than the calyx. The stamens are numerous, with roundish FABACES. 269 anthers. The ovary is oval, supporting a slender style, and terminated by a simple stigma. The legume is straight, smooth, and pointed, containing six or eight roundish seeds. The Catechu-tree is found in several parts of India, and affords one of the articles known in commerce under the name of Catechu, Terra Japonica, &c. “This was formerly supposed to be an earth derived from Japan, and its true origin was first pointed out by Mr. Kerr (Med. Obs. and Inquir. v.) | It is an extract prepared from the wood of this tree, and the process of making it is thus described by Mr. Kerr and others. ‘The sap-wood is all removed, and the heart or coloured portion cut into small chips, and placed with water in earthen pots in an oven or fire-place, and the fluid evaporated to one-half, and then strained into earthen pots, and further evaporated till it becomes some- what consistent, when it is poured into clay moulds of a square form, or placed on mats, and cut into a quadrangular shape by means of a string, and then completely dried in the shade. This forms ‘one of the many kinds of Catechu found in commerce, and is the best, especially when light-coloured. There are two varieties, in square cakes, one much darker and inferior to the other, but both probably from the Acacia; but, besides these, there are some twelve or fifteen others, differing in appearance and quality, the origin of many of which is wholly unknown ; most of them, however, coming from the East Indies. These have been ably investigated by M. Guibourt (Hast. des Drogues), and Dr. Pereira (.Hie- ments Ilat. Med.), and shown partly to be derived from the Areca catechu, partly from the Uncaria Gamlir, but generally are of unknown origin. These various products differ much in the form of the pieces and their enve- lopes, as well as in their quality ; some being almost pure, whilst others con- tain a large proportion of earthy matter, or cther impurities. For an account of the various kinds of Catechu in the Paris drug market, a paper by M, Gui- bourt, in the Jowrn. Phil. Coll. Pharmacy, iv. 49 (from Journ. de Pharm.), may be consulted with advantage; and [ may mention that most of these va- rieties, and some not mentioned by him, may be occasionally found in our shops. Catechu has often been analyzed; the best consists of one-half of Tannin, and one-third of a peculiar extractive, which has received the name of Cate- chine, to both of which it owes its peculiar properties. Catechu is applied to various purposes in the arts, and is largely employed in the East, when mixed with the Betel-nut, for chewing, a practice almost universal through- out the Indian continent and islands. Medical Properties, §-c.—Catechu is a powerful astringent, much resem- bling the extract of rhatany in its effects, and is an extremely valuable article of its class, and may be advantageously ermployed in all cases where it is wished to restrain immoderate discharges, where these are not attended with inflammatory action, or produced by congestion. It is used in affections of the mouth and throat, especially where there is a debility or relaxation of the parts, as.in relaxed uvula and in loss of voice. In form of lozenges, mixed with gum arabic and sugar, it has been found very useful to persons who have occasion to speak long in public, as it diminishes or prevents the hoarse- ness consequent to too great exercise of the vocal organs; it has also proved useful in an aphthous condition of the mouth and scorbutic affections of the gums, As a topical application to ulcers it is sometimes beneficial, where they are of a phagedenic character. ‘In India,” Mr. Kerr says, ‘ the extract is a principal ingredient in one of their ointments of great repute ; composed of blue vitriol four drachms, catechu four ounces, alum nine drachms, white resin four ounces; these are reduced to a fine powder, and mixed with the 270 MEDICAL BOTANY. a hand, adding olive oil ten ounces, and water sufficient to bring the mass to a proper consistence for an ointment. This is used in every sore from a fresh wound to a venereal ulcer.” | 2. A. vera, Willdenow.—Spines in pairs, subulate. Branches and petioles glabrous. Leaves bipinnate ; leaflets 10—20 pairs. Legume moniliform. Linn., (1. nalotica,) Sp. Pl. 1506; De Candolle, Prod. ii. 461 ; Seis and Churchill, ii. 77; Lindley, FY. Med. 296. Common Names —Egyptian Thorn; Egyptian Gum Arabic Acacia. Foreign Names.—Acacie d’Egypte, Fr.; Acacia Egiziana, Jz. ; Egyptische Acacia, Ger. Description.—A middle-sized tree, with a crooked stem, covered with a smooth gray bark; that of the branches is yellowish- “green or purplish. ‘The leaves are alternate, - bipinnate, composed of two pairs of opposite pinne, with numerous small, oblong, linear leaflets, with a gland between the pinne. The flowers are bright yellow, and coliected in globular heads about two together, upon axillary peduncles, and furnished with two small bracts. The legume is four or five inches long, moniliform, nearly flat, smooth, of a pale-brown colour, and contracted into numerous orbicular portions, in each of which is lodged a flattish seed. This tree grows in several parts of Africa and in Arabia, where it’ IS asso- ciated with other species yielding similar products. ‘It was originally referred by Linnzeus to Mamosa, under the name of mz/o- tica; but with many others, was formed into the genus Acacia by Willde- now, and called A. vera, as the Linnzan species included not only this spe- cies, but some others; it is very closely allied to the A. arabica, and, in fact, Ehrenberg considers this latter as merely a variety of it. This fileniehiee a fine quality of Gum Arabic, and also some Gum Senegal. 3. A. araBica, Willdenow.—Spines in pairs. Branch- Fig. 139. - es and petioles pubescent. Leaves with 4—6 pairs of pinne. Leaflets 10—20 pairs, oblong, linear. Le- gumes moniliform. Willd., Sp. Pl. iv. 1084; Lamarck, Dict. i. 19; (A. nzlotica,) Delille, IZ. fr. Egypt. 31 ; Lindley, F2. Med, 269. Description.—A small tree, with pubescent branches and petioles. The leaves are bipinnate, in four to six pairs, composed of from ten to twenty pairs of oblong, linear leaflets, with a gland on the common petiole, be- low the first, and generally one between the last pair of pinne. The flowers are yellow, in globose, peduncu- lated, axillary, subternate heads. The legume is mo- A. arabica. niliforma, but the orbicular portions are said not to be as well defined as in the A. vera. Wiki, ¥ NW ANAR N= Ww = This species is a native of Africa, Arabia, and India, and like the last, furnishes Gum Arabic and part of the East Indian gum, 3. A. cummirerA, Willdenow.—Spines straight. Branches smooth. Leaves with 6 pairs of obtuse, linear leaflets, with a gland between them, Flowers in axillary, oblong spikes. Legume sub-moniliform, tomentose. Willd., Sp. Pl. iv. 1056 ; = Candolle, Prod. ii. 455; Sassa gummifera, — Gmel. | This species grows in Egypt, and about Mogadore in Morocco. It is * 3 FABACES, 271 stated by Forskal to afford a gum, which is gathered by the Arabs. Dr. Pereira thinks that what is called Barbary gum is in part at least, the product of this tree, and Dr. Lindley says that it is by no means: certain that Gum Sassa is not produced by it. Besides these, it is stated on good authority, that several other species not only secrete an analogous juice, but that a large portion of the gum of com- merce is derived from them: these are— . re sryAL, Delille—A native of Egypt and Senegambia. This yields part of the gum senegal. This gum occurs in white, hard, vitreous, reniform pieces. 5. A. senzcaL, Willdenow.—Is found in Arabia and in Africa, from Senegal to the Cape of Good Hope. It produces gum senegal. It is A. verek, Adanson. 6. A. rortiLis, Forskadl——A native of Arabia; the gum is collected by the Arabs, and is said to be of very fine quality. 7. A. EHRENBERG, Hayne.—Also a native of Arabia, and affords a product like the last. All these species, and probably many others, are exceedingly similar in their appearance and habits, and the gum from them is almost identical, vary- ing more in appearance and purity, than in composition and uses. The Acacia and its product has been known from the earliest antiquity. The _ Shittim trée, mentioned in several places in the Old Testament, is- generally supposed to have been an Acacia. The author of the notes to the Pictorial Bible (i. 202) is of opinion that it was A. horrida, and Dr. Carpenter to be A, vera. Hippocrates also speaks of the Acacia under the names of Egyptian thorn and white thorn, and likewise mentions the gum as useful in medicine. Pliny alludes to a tree under the name of Spena sztiens, which there is reason to believe was a species of this genus. It was of course well known to the Arabian physicians. There are numerous varieties of gum found in commerce, known under the names of Gum Arabic, Gum Senegal, Barbary Gum, East India Gum, Cape Gum, &c., all possessing the same characteristics, the finer portions of them being sold as Gum Arabic, a full account of which will be found in Guibourt, Hzstovre des Drogues, and a good synopsis of their peculiarities in Pereira, Elements Mat. Med. 11. 579, &c. , Gum flows naturally from the gum-bearing Acacias at certain seasons of the year, principally during the hot months; but to increase the discharge, incisions are also made. Jackson (Morocco, 137) says, ‘“ that the more sickly the trees appear, the more gum they yield, and the hotter the weather, the more prolific it is.’ In Senegal, Adanson, however, says that the greatest flow is during the rainy season. As found in the market, Gum Acacia is in tears or fragments of different sizes, wholly inodorous, but with a slightly sweetish, mucilaginous taste. These may be transparent and colourless, or opaque and dark-coloured, or . with any of the intermediate characters. Gum dissolves both in hot and cold water, forming a mucilage. It is insoluble in alcohol, which precipitates it from its watery solution. According to the analysis of Guerin and others, Gum Acacia is composed of about three-fourths of soluble gum or Arabine, the rest being water, &c. When pure, it contains no Bassorine, so large a constituent of Gum Bassora, the product of an unknown plant. Medical Uses, §-c.—Gum is employed as a demulcent, and as an article of diet in cases of irritation of the alimentary canal. Although from its mild- ness, it causes no uneasiness to the digestive organs, it is very nutritious, and in fact it forms a very large constituent of many kinds of vegetable food. But 272 MEDICAL BOTANY. even alone it is capable of supporting life, in quantities not exceeding a few ounces daily. It is said to be a common article of food in some parts of Africa, and Hasselquist mentions a caravan of more than a thousand persons, who having exhausted their provisions, were supported for two months on the gum they were carrying as merchandise. , Many other species of Acacia have properties deserving of notice. The bark of A. ferruginea is very astringent, and when added to sugared water, forms an intoxicating drink, The wood and resin of A. orfata are employed by the Arabs as a fumigation in epilepsy, and-the leaves prevent milk from turning sour for some days. (Forskal, FY. Arab. 177.) The bark of A, deu- cophlea is similar in its properties to that of the A, ferruginea. Several of the Australian species furnish a kind of Catechu, as the A. mollissuma, A. decurrens, and A, melanoxylon. Group XVIII.—Rosales. OrpER 45.—ROSACEA.—Jussieu. Calyx 4—5 lobed, with a disk lining the tube, or surrounding the orifice. Petals 5, perigynous. Stamens indefinite or definite, arising from the calyx, just within the petals; anthers innate, 2-celled, dehiscing longitudinally. Ovaries superior, solitary, or several, 1-celled, sometimes forming a many-celled pistil ; ovules 2 or more, anatropal, suspended, rarely erect; stvles lateral; stigmas usually simple. Fruit either 1-seeded, nuts, or acini, or follicles containing several seeds. The species of this order are herbaceous or shrubby, with simple or com- pound alternate leaves, often with two stipules at base, and occasionally dotted. They are principally natives of the temperate and cool climates of the northern hemisphere. None of them bear poisonous fruits, these pro- ducts being in many cases palatable and salutary. The bark and roots are usually astringent and tonic. Thus the root of Potentilla has been used for tanning ; Gewm and Comarum are excellent tonics, as is also Agimonia ; most of the Spzreas, and several species of Rubus, are much em- ployed as astringents. But other properties also exist ; for example, the roots of Gillenta are emetic and diaphoretic, and one of the most powerful anthel- mintics known, is afforded by the Brayera-anthelmintica, a native of Abys- sinia, whence it is exported to Egypt, Turkey, &c., and used with much suc- cess against the tape-worm, It was first described by Dr. Brayer (Notice dun Nouv. Pi., §-c., 1823), and the genus named after him by Kunth. The part used is the flowers, four or five drachms of which are made into an in- fusion with twelve ounces of water; this is divided into two doses, and given at the interval of an hour ; it purges severely, and is said to destroy the worm , in almost every case. Some of the barks are endowed with saponaceous qualities ; the most remarkable is Quallaja saponaria, which is used in some parts of South America as a substitute for soap ; it is said to remove all kinds of spots and stains, especially from woollens, and form an excellent wash for the hair, imparting glossiness, and preventing its falling out. Section 1. Rostip#.—Calyx tube fleshy, covering the achenia. Rosa.— Linn. Calyx pitcher-shaped, 5-cleft, finally fleshy, contracted at the neck. Achenia nume- rous, hispid, affixed to the inner side of the tube of the calyx. Stipules adnate to the petiole. ‘ 77 a Fs ROSACES. 273 This genus is very extensive, containing upwards of 150 species, and almost innumerable varieties. They are all shrubby and prickly plants, with pinnate leaves, sometimes, but rarely, reduced to a single leaflet. They are, with scarcely an exception, found in the northern hemisphere, and between 20° and 70° latitu The greater portion are natives of Europe and Asia; in North America, Moerdins to Torrey and Gray, there are about 15 species, but Rafinesque, in a monograph on the subject (Amn. Scz. Phys. v.), extends the list to more than double this number. In Africa, there are very few spe- cies found. Those of Europe, North America, and Northern Asia are very closely allied, but the Chinese and Indian have a totally different habit and aspect. Ina work of the character of the present, it would be out of place to dwell on the history and attributes of this “ queen of flowers,” but a few general observations may be allowed. The name is supposed to be derived from the Celtic rhudd or red, or 70s, from whence also are derived the names of a number of other plants, as Rhus, Rubia, Rubus. The rose has been cultivated from the earliest ages, as even in the times of Herodotus and Theophrastus, the flower had become doubled ; and Pliny speaks of several kinds, among which is the Sweet briar and Hundred-leaved rose. In consequence of this long attention to it, the varieties have not only become almost interminable, but it is utterly impos- sible to trace them back to their original stocks. Numerous and magnificent _ works have been published on this genus, but no two of the writers agree in their opinions as to either varieties or species. Some of these plants are recognised as medical by the different authorities, but their qualities are rather those of a negative than of a decided character, and the preparations from them are more employed as excipients and for fla- vouring and aromatising, than as remedial agents. 1. R. gatuica, Linn.—Leaflets rigid, elliptical, smooth. Prickles unequal. Calyx ovate, finely glandulose, hispid. Fruit sub-globose, coriaceous. Linn., Sp. Pl. 704; Redouté, Les Roses, i. 73, 185, &c.; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 99 ; Lindley, Mon. 68. Common Manis. 2 Rad Rose; French Rose; Provence Baan Foreign Names.—Rose de Provins, F*. ; Rosa domestica, Jt.; Essig- rosen, Gr. Description,—In a cultivated state it is about three feet high, the creeping roots send- ing up many stems, armed with fine, short, straight prickles. ‘The leaves consist of two or three pairs of leaflets, with a terminal one, on very short petioles ; they are ovate, rigid, doubly serrate, smooth, of a dark shining green above, and pale and downy beneath. The ope are linear-lanceolate, pointed, entire, downy, and glandular. The flowers consist of a few spreading petals, of a deep and peculiar red tint, golden-yellow at base. The segments of the calyx are downy, and sometimes fringed at the margin with a row of linear-lanceolate leaflets. The stamens have roundish, yellow anthers. The fruit is sub- globose, and of a pale crimson colour. _ This species is a native of the south of Europe, but is common in our gardens, flowering in June and July. A great number of varieties have been described and figured by writers, some of which are very unlike the original species. ‘The parts used are the petals of the buds, deprived of their white claws. ‘l'hese leaves are much more astringent than those of the fower when fully expanded. When dried, they have a purplish red colour, an agreeable odour, and a bitterish and astringent taste. The colour is destroyed by the _ action of light and air, and they should therefore be kept in close boxes or | canisters. ‘They contain tannin, gallic acid, volatile oil, a peculiar colouring | matter, some salts, &c. . 18 274 MEDICAL BOTANY. Medical Properties—They are a very mild astringent, but sometimes act as a laxative. These properties, however, are of very little importance, as their principal use in pharmacy is as a colouring ingredient in certain mix- tures. The infusion, with the addition of sulphuric acid, is an agree- able refrigerant and astringent in some cases. The confection is a very com- mon a basis, and it is for this purpose that the article is principally em- ployed. 2. R. centiroiia, Linn.—Prickles unequal, large, somewhat curved. Leaflets glandu- lar at the margin. Flowers somewhat drooping. Calyx glandulose, hispid. Fruit oblong. Linn, Sp. fl. 704; Redouté, Roses, i. 25, 37,, &c.; Stephenson and Churchill, |. c.; Lindley, Mon. 64. Common Names.—Cabbage Rose; Hundred-leaved Rose, &c. Foreign Names.—Rose a cent feuilles, Fr.; Rosa centifoglie, Z.; Die Centifolienrose, G7. Description.—It is impossible to draw up a description of this rose that would be ap- plicable to all its varieties. It may be generally stated that it is a taller plant than the R, gallica, and that the edges of the leaves are furnished with minute glands, and that its fruit is more or less elongated. De Candolle admits of seventeen distinct varieties, but upwards of a hundred are cultivated in the gardens; of these varieties the most striking is the Moss Rose, so highly esteemed for the beauty of its half-expanded flowers. Although this is the officinal species, the petals of almost every other culti- vated rose are employed for the purposes for which it is designated. Lind- ley is of opinion that it is a native of Asia; but it is generally stated to be indigenous to the south of Europe, and Sir J. E. Smith considers it as a mere variety of R. gallica. ‘The parts used are the petals of the fully-ex- panded flowers, well dried, or preserved by means of salt. Their taste is sweetish, yet acidulous and bitter. They contain a volatile oil, gallic acid, a sweet extractive, colouring matter, &c. Their principal use is for the prepa- ration of Rose water, and the volatile oil well known under the name of Attar of Roses. The fragrance of the Rose, although extremely pleasant to most persons, acts injuriously in some cases ; and numerous instances are recorded where it caused grave accidents. Rose water, so much used as a perfume and flavouring ingredient, and also in some pharmaceutical preparations, is obtained by distilling eight pounds of Rose leaves, with two gallons of water, and drawing off a gallon. This re- quires to be redistilled, or some alcohol added to it to preserve it; for phar- maceutical purposes the first is the best plan, as the addition of the spirit ren- ders it unfit for some medicinal uses. The attar of roses is prepared in Persia and other Asiatic countries ; bit, with all the aid of science, very little of it can be obtained in Europe. In the Asiatic Researches, Colonel Polier has thus described the mode of its preparation. Forty pounds of roses, with their calyces, are put in a still with sixty pounds of water. The mass being well mixed, a gentle fire is put under the still; and when the fumes begin to rise, the cap and pipe are properly fixed and luted. When the product begins to come over, the fire is gradually lessened, and the distillation continued until half the water has distilled off; this requires four or five hours. ‘This is to be poured upon another forty pounds of roses, and above twenty pounds of product drawn off. This is poured into pans, and left exposed to the air for a night. The attar is found congealed and floating on the surface in the morning, when it is carefully re- moved; when a certain quantity is obtained, it is cleared of any water and impurities. ‘The remaining water is used for fresh distillations. The quan- tity of attar thus produced is very small, as, under the most favourable cir- ‘- a eg A : ROSACES. 275 cumstances, not more than a drachm and a half is obtained from the eighty pounds of roses. , The attar, as found in commerce, is seldom pure, being frequently adulte- rated with the oil of sandal-wood, or with an oil procured from a sweet-scented grass, or even with spermaceti. These may all be detected, from the attar being congealed by common cold, which the adulterating additions are not. This oil is obtained from many species of the sweet-scented roses ; it is gene- rally imported from Turkey, though some comes from India. Medical Properties —The petals of the Cabbage-rose are slightly lax- ative, and a syrup is prepared from them, which is administered to children as a laxative, but is seldom used in this country. Rose-water is employed as a lotion, collyrium, &c., and enters into the composition of some ointments ; but it is more on account of its pleasant odour than for any medical proper- ties it possesses. Its principal use is as a perfume. Several other species of Rose are officinal in Europe; among which the common Wild Rose, &. canina, is most used, The pulpy part of the fruit of this, is somewhat astringent, and is beaten up with sugar into a confection, which enters into the composition of several electuaries, and was formerly much esteemed in the treatment of dysentery. It is also used as an article of dessert; and in Germany a sauce is prepared from it, somewhat like that of the tomato. The root was at one time much celebrated in hydrophobia, whence its specific name of canina. The Tartars use the leaves in place of tea, and a spirit is prepared from the flowers by fermentation. Section 2, PotentiLLIp#.—Calyx tube herbaceous. Fruit a heap of achenia. Rusvus.— Linn. Calyx concave, or flattish at base, naked, 5-cleft. Petals 5, deciduous. Stamens nu- merous, inserted in the calyx. Achenia numerous, pulpy, aggregated on a conical or cylindrical spongy torus. Styles terminal, or nearly so. A very extensive genus, composed of perennial shrubby, or suffruticose plants, with erect or procumbent stems, which are usually prickly and bien- nial. The leaves are pinnately or pedately compound. The flowers are either white or reddish, succeeded by an eatable fruit, which is black, red, or sometimes yellowish, and well known under the names of Blackberry, Dew- berry, Raspberry, &c. It is a very widely dispersed genus of upwards of a hundred species, the greater part of which are found in temperate or cold cli- mates. Several species are officinal, among which two of our native species deserve particular notice. 1. R. vittosus, Aiton.—Pubescent, hispid, and prickly. Leaves 3—5 foliolate. Fo- lioles ovate, oblong, acuminate, serrate, pubescent. Stems and petioles prickly. Calyx short, acuminate. Racemes loose. Pedicels solitary. Aiton, Hort. Rev. ii. 210; Torrey and Gray, FV. i. 454; Bigelow, Med. Bot. t. 38; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. ii. 151. Common Names.—Blackberry, High Blackberry, &c. | Desctiption.—The root is horizontal, irregularly tuberous, perennial, woody, of a red. _dish-brown colour. The stems are biennial, from three to seven feet high, somewhat ) shrubby, of a brownish colour, and armed with strong, curved prickles. The smaller _ branches and new shoots are decumbent, herbaceous, greenish, and are pubescent as well as prickly. The leaves are ternate and quinate, oval, acuminate, finely and sharply ser- rate, villous on both sides. The petioles are hirsute and prickly. The flowers are white, large, in terminal panicles or racemes, and consist of a 5-petalled corolla and numerous . 276 MEDICAL BOTANY. stamens; the filaments of the latter are slender, and the anthers small. The fruit is large, at first green, then red, and finally black. There are several varieties, as regards the mode of growth and appearance of this plant ; sometimes it is tall and erect, and at others it is weak and pro- cumbent, and the racemes of flowers are sometimes leafy. It is found in most parts of thi United States, in old fields, edges of woods, &c., and in all kinds of soil. It flowers in May and June, and ripens its fruit in August. The fruit varies exceedingly in size and flavour, and the finer kinds, if cultivated, -would probably be much improved. ‘The root is officinal in the U. 8S. Phar- macopeeia; as found in the shops, it is in pieces of various sizes, of an ash-brown colour externally, and yellowish-white within. Its odour is faint, and its taste astringent and bitter; this is confined to the cortical por- tion as the woody fibre is destitute of any virtues. No analysis has been made of this root, but it is known that the active qualities are dependent on the presence of tannin and some bitter extractive. Medical Properties.—Blackberry root is an efficient astringent, though not of great power, and has been found exceedingly useful in bowel complaints, especially in the cholera of children. No article of the Materia Medica is more relied upon in domestic practice in the country, than a decoction of this root, under the name of Blackberry tea; and although it has been much overrated, and virtues attributed to it which it does not possess, there is no doubt that it is a very useful remedy in certain cases, where mild astringents are indicated, It is generally given in decoction, made with about an ounce of the root to a pint of water, of which the dose for a child is two or three teaspoonsful, and for an adult a wine-glass full, several times a day. This decoction is somewhat bitter, but is not disagreeable; it is, however, much improved by the addition of a little orange peel to it. The fruit, which agrees with most persons, is considered as beneficial in dysentery, especially in the form of a jam or syrup; and there is strong evi- dence of its good effects in this disease. It is exceedingly grateful to the pa- tient, and often relieves the painful tenesmus so constantly an attendant of the complaint. A jelly made from the unripe fruit, at the time it is red and acid, is said to be advantageous in gravel, but there is no corroboration of the statement from any authentic source. 2. R. canapensis, Linn.—Stem shrubby, ascending at base, trailing or procumbent, prickly, leaves 3—6 foliolate, glabrous or pubescent, leaflets oval, rhombic ovate, or almost lanceolate, mostly acute or acuminate, membranaceous, sharply and unequally serrate, often somewhat incised. Petioles and peduncles naked or armed with bristly prickles. Stipules linear, entire, or serrate. Flowers racemose or somewhat corymbose, with leafy bracts, the lower peduncles distant, the upper crowded. Petals twice the length of the sepals, Fruit large and black. Linn., Sp. Pl. 494 ; Torrey and Gray, i. 455, Common Names.—Low Blackberry ; Dewberry. This is the species which is generally known under the name of Dewberry, and is the R. trivialis of most American botanists and of the Pharmacopeia, but is not the species described under that name by Michaux; this latter is a _ native of the Southern States, and ripens its fruit at a time when the more — northern &. canadensis is first coming into flower. The species in question — very closely resembles the procumbent varieties of R. vellosus, and can scarcely be distinguished from them. The fruit ripens in July and August, and in general is more juicy and higher flavoured than the Blackberry ; but, as with that fruit, there is much variation, The root is officinal, under the name of R, trivialis, in the U. 8. Pharmacopeia ; it closely resembles that . | } i | | ROSACE&. 277 of the R. villosus in every respect, and is given in the same cases; some persons deem it more effiacious, but there is no evidence of any difference in power between them. | e Fracarta.—Linn. Calyx inferior, 10-cleft, 5 of the segments alternately smaller. Petals 5. Receptacle succulent or pulpy, and deciduous, with dry achenia scattered over its surface. Styles lateral, with depressed stigmas. The Strawberries are perennial, stoloniferous herbs, with tri-foliolate leaves, found in most parts of the world, in cool climates. The species are very dif- ficult to define, as they all have the same habit and flowers, differing only in some less important details. Ifevery deviation of form, colour, pubescence, &c., is to be considered specific, the species would be infinite. Linnzeus and many other botanists considered that there was but one; but at present some fifteen or twenty are recognised, of which three are noticed by Torrey and Gray as natives of North America. F. vesca, Linn.—Fruit conical or hemispherical, the achenia superficial. Calyx spreading, or reflexed in fruit. Peduncles usually longer than the leaves ; direction of the _ pubescence variable. Linn., Gen, 633; Torrey and Gray, 1. 448; English Bot. 1524; Flor. _ Med. iii. 169. Common Names.—Strawberry ; Garden Strawberry. Foreign Names,—Fraisier, Fr.; Erdbeer, Ger. ; Fragola, Jt. Description—Root perennial, creeping, knotty. Stems procumbent and stoloniferous, Fig. 140. and upright and reclined, short. Leaves cauline and radical, the latter on long pe- tioles, tri-foliolate. Leaflets sessile or nearly so, oboval, oval or nearly round, deeply ser- rated, hairy; the former nearly similar, but smaller, both with lanceolate, oblong, acute stipules. Flowers from one to many, with erect or drooping pedicels. The calyx is spreading or reflexed, divided into ten acute segments, the alternate one being somewhat shorter. The petals are five, white, oboval or obcordate, inserted on the calyx. Stamens indefinite, small, and also inserted on the calyx. Ovaries many, with each a small sessile stigma, inserted on a succulent gyno- phore, which increases in size, becomes co- loured, and forms the fruit. This species is found in Europe and this country, and presents innumerable varieties ; it is one of those cultivated in gardens. It flowers from April to May, and ripens its fruit in May and June. Medical Uses. — The fruit is freely used as a dessert, and for flavouring syrups, &c., but is also said to possess medicinal qualities. Gesner speaks of its good effects in calculous disorders, and Linnzus extols its efficacy in gout, having, he states, pre- F. vesca. 278 ' MEDICAL BOTANY. vented paroxysms of it in himself, by partaking of this fruit very freely. They have also been recommended as having vermifuge properties, and as being useful in phthisis. In some persons, they always induce an eruption, resem- bling nettle-rash, with a derangement of the digestive organs. The leaves are somewhat astringent, and have been recommended in bowel complaints, but are much inferior to the Blackberry-root and other articles of the class. The roots are used in Europe as diuretics, and are frequently given in dysuria in infusion, made with an ounce to the pint of water; they also enter into the composition of many drinks in gonorrhea, &c. A water dis- tilled from the fruit or from the whole plant, was at one time in some repute as a cosmetic, but is at present seldom or never used. PoTENTILLA.— Linn. Tube of calyx concave, border 4—5-cleft, externally 4—5-bracteolate. Petals 4—5, Stamens numerous. Carpels numerous. Style lateral. Receptacle procumbent, persis- tent, dry. Linnzus established two genera, Potentilla and Tormentilla, which differ from each other in so slight a degree that Sibthorpe reunited them into one under the first of these names; in this he is followed by most of the modern authorities. The only character that might justify a separation of them, is the difference of the receptacle ; but this scarcely amounts to more than a sec- tional distinction. ‘The genus is a very extensive one, and consists of herba- ceous and suffruticose plants, with pinnate or pinnately-compound leaves. The flowers are generally white or yellow, but in a few species red or purple. They are almost universally natives of the northern hemisphere. P. TORMENTILLA, Sibthorp—Stem ascending, dichotomous. Leaves ternate, cauline ones sessile. Stipules none or 3-toothed. Carpels rugose. Receptacles villose. Sibthorp, FZ. Oz. 162; Tormentilla erecta, Linn., Sp. Pl.'716; Wood- ville, i. t.9; Stephenson and Churchill,i.26; TZ. officinalis, Eng. Bot. t. 863. Common Names.—Common Tormentil ; Septfoil. Foreign Names.—Tormentil, Fy. ; Tormentilla, 2. ; Tormentilwurzel, Gr. Description.—Root large, perennial, woody, irregular, dark brown. Stems several, erect or somewhat procumbent, round, slender, branched towards the top. Leaves mostly sessile, and composed of three oblong, acute, deeply-serrated leaflets, somewhat hairy and paler beneath, dark-green above, furnished with small, deeply-cut stipules. The flowers are small, solitary, of a bright yellow colour, supported on long, slender, axillary, or ter- minal peduncles. The calyx is hairy, and composed of 4—5 segments, with an equal number of bracts. The petals are 4—5, obcordate, unguiculate. The stamens are nume- rous, with subulate filaments, shorter than the corolla, with roundish anthers. The styles are lateral and deciduous, on small ovaries. The achenia are ovate, obscurely wrinkled, smooth, and seated on a small, depressed, hairy receptacle. This plant is a native of many parts of Europe, growing in barren pas- tures and bushy places. It was early known and employed in medicine as a remedy in bowel diseases, and it is said that its name of Tormentella is de- rived from tormentum, a pain or griping. ‘The part used is the root, which, when dried, is in irregular pieces, more or less cylindrical, knotty, and tu- berculated. Externally, it is of a dark reddish-brown colour, internally reddish. Its smell is faint, and its taste astringent. It contains tannin, gummy extractive, gum, bitter extractive, a little resin, cerine and myricin, &c. Medical Properties.—Tormentil root is an astringent of moderate powers, but is serviceable in many cases, as it produces its astringent effects without ROSACES. 279 stimulating. Dr. A. T. Thomson speaks well of it in the colliquative diarrhea of phthisis. It is also beneficial in aphthous sores of mouth and gums, and has been used as an external application to ill-conditioned ulcers. At one period its reputation was very great in the plague and other malignant diseases, and it was recommended by Vesalius as equal to guaiacum in the treatment of syphilis. It is seldom or never employed in this country, where there is such a number of native remedies of similar and even superior powers. The dose in substance is from half a drachm to adrachm. It isemployed in some parts of Scotland for the purpose of tanning leather, and in Lapland as a dye. Greum.— Linn. Calyx sub-campanulate, deeply five-cleft. Petals five, obtuse, or emarginate. Stamens numerous; filaments somewhat persistent. Achenia numerous, dry, aggregated in a conical or cylindrical head, caudate with the persistent styles. An extensive genus of perennial herbs, with variously pinnately divided leaves, and white, yellow, or purplish flowers. It has been separated into a number of other genera by different botanists, but most of these are not enti- tled to a higher rank than that of sub-genera or sections. ‘The species which are most numerous in North America, are peculiar to cold and temperate cli- mates, and are all more or less possessed of astringent qualities, and may be substituted one for the other without inconvenience. The G. urbanum is officinal in some of the foreign pharmacopeeias, and the G. rivale in that of the United States; but as this latter is found only to the north, whilst the G. virgintanum occurs in almost every part of the country, this latter has been selected as a type of the properties of the genus. G. vircinianum, Linn.—Pubescent, stem erect; lower leaves ternate, petiolate; upper ones sessile and simple; folioles ovate-lanceo- late, acute, unequally serrate; stipules mostly Fig. 141. toothed; awns of carpels uncinate, hairy, twisted, Linn., Sp. Pl. 500; Torrey and Gray, FY. i. 421; Rafinesque, Med. Fl, i. 220; G. canadense, Jacquin, are. i. t, 275. Common INames.—White Avens; Throatroot; Bennet; Chocolate-root. Description —Root perennial, small, brown, contorted, horizontal, Stem erect, about two feet high, simple, pubescent, few-flowered. Radical leaves on long petioles, without sti- pules ; lower stem leaves furnished with large stipules, but on shorter petioles; upper leaves sessile, simple, resembling the folioles of the lower leaves, which are oval or ovate-lanceo- late, acute at base, and acuminate, deeply and unequally serrate. ‘The flowers are ter- minal, white, on erect peduncles. Calyx sub-campanulate, deeply five-cleft, with five exterior alternate bracteoles. Petals five, yellowish-white, shorter than the calyx, and <4 inserted into it. Stamens numerous, short, 7 7N unequal ; filaments filiform, anthers roundish and yellow. Styles numerous, long, hairy, SN F, G. virginianum. 280 MEDICAL BOTANY. a geniculate above the middle, lower portion glabrous, persistent, uncinate after the upper portion falls off. Fruit a cluster of dry achenia, which are oval, brown, smooth, having a tail or awn formed of the persistent styles, twisted and uncinate at apex. This plant is found in woods and along streams in most parts of the United States. The flowers are small, and few in number; and the leaves are exceedingly various in their mode of division, and, like the stipules, vary much in size. The whole herb is astringent, but the most efficient portion is the root. This, when dried, is of a brown colour, brittle, crooked, and tuberculated, white internally, of a bitterish, astringent taste, and a somewhat aromatic smell, especially in the spring. No analysis has been made of it; but its composition is probably very similar to that of the G. wrbanum, which has been shown to contain much tannin and bitter extractive, gum, &c. It yields its active principles to water and alcohol, and communicates a red colour to them. Medical Properties.—This and the other species alluded to, are tonic and astringent. They are much used in some parts of Europe in a variety of diseases ; and are also frequently employed, especially the G’. rzvale, in the New England States and Canada. Both Drs. Ives and Bigelow speak of this with praise in dyspepsia and debility of the visceral functions. They have also been employed with some success in leucorrhcea, chronic hemorrhages, &c.; but it is evident that they might be rejected from the Materia Medica, as there are many other articles of much greater value, and better capable of fulfilling these indications. , Avens is given in powder, in doses of half a drachm to a drachm, but most frequently in decoction, made with an ounce of the root to a pint of water, of which an ounce or two is to be taken several times a day. Another mode in domestic practice is to take a weak decoction with sugar and milk, instead of tea or coffee. Te _ The G. rivale is found both in Europe and the United States, in bogs and wet meadows, and is the species generally employed in the Northern States. The G. urbanum is peculiar to Europe, and has yellow flowers. Section 3. Sprrazipz.—Calyx tube herbaceous. Fruit, a ring of follicles. Seeds not winged. Sprrwa.— Linn. Calyx 5-cleft, persistent. Stamens 10—50, inserted with the petals into a torus ad- hering to the calyx. Carpels distinct, rarely coherent at base, sessile, rarely stipitate. Seeds exalbuminous, ] This extensive genus, which has been variously divided by botapisel” into numerous sections, and even into other genera, consists of unarmed shrubs, or perennial herbs, with alternate branches, and variously-formed alternate leaves, and white or red, but never yellow, flowers. The species, some of which are highly ornamental, are principally natives of temperate and cold climates, the largest number of them being found in Siberia and North America. S. romentosa, Linn.—Stem simple, shrubby, erect. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, unequally serrate, tomentose beneath. Spikes terminal, compound. Flowers crowded, pentagy- nous, Linn., Sp. Pl. 701; Torrey and Gray, FV. i. 415; Rafinesque, Med. Flor, ii. 91; Mead, Med. Repos. Common Names.—Hard-hack ; White-leaf, &c. ROSACES. 281 Description.—A small shrub, with many simple, up- Fig. 142. right, downy stems, from 2 to 4 feet in height, proceed- ati ing from the same root. The leaves are alternate, PS g crowded on very short petioles, oblong or ovate-lanceo- jis late, somewhat acute at both ends, and having unequal, te acute serratures, of a dark-green or brownish colour £04 Ba above, and covered with a white tomentum beneath. a The flowers are in terminal spikes, or panicles, of a OR” beautiful rose-colour, formed of compound racemes of Se Y small, sub-sessile flowers. The calyx is campanulate, with 5 acute segments. The petals are also 5, round. The stamens are numerous and exserted. The styles are 5. The carpels are tomentose and spreading. ‘The seeds are subulate at each end. This is one of the most beautiful of the shrubby species, as the 2-coloured leaves and the nume- rous rose-tinted spikes of flowers give it a striking and ornamental appearance. It is common in low, moist grounds, in most parts of the United States, flowering in July and August. It was known to the Indians as an astringent, and much used by them, but has not attracted the attention it deserves from the medical profes- sion. It is recognised in the U. S. Pharmaco- peia; but the officinal portion is there stated to be the root, whereas this is the least valuable part of it, the bark and leaves being the most | efficient, and those usually collected for use, As found in the shops, it is in packages of va- rious sizes, containing a mixture of leaves and flowers. The smell is not unlike that of black tea; the taste is bitter, and exceedingly astrin- gent. No analysis has been made of it; but some experiments have shown that its efficient constituents are tannin, gallic acid, and bitter extractive, and of course its sensible properties and medicinal qualities can be extracted by water. S. tomentosa. Medical Properties—Hard-hack is a tonic and astringent of some considerable power, and may be advantageously em- ployed where remedies of this character are indicated, as in diarrhoea, heemor- rhages, &c. It was first brought into notice about 1810, by Dr. Cogswell, of Hartford; and has been since noticed by Drs. Ansell W. Ives, Bigelow, and Tully, as a very valuable addition to the class of astringents, from the fact that it seldom disagrees with the stomach. The best form of administration is that of extract; this is made by the Shakers for sale; but, like many extracts prepared by them, is often empyreu- matic. Made by displacement and evaporation in a water-bath, it affords a beautiful article of an agreeable odour, and astringent, bitter taste, that is fully equal to catechu, and might replace it in all cases where that medicine is required. The dose of this extract is from 5 grains toa scruple. The de- coction, made by boiling an ounce of the plant in a pint of water, may be given, cold, in the dose of one or two fluid ounces. Some other native species of Spirea are also employed in domestic prac- tice, among which the best known is the S. opuilifolva, or Ninebark, a large a ae ae 982 MEDICAL BOTANY. 7 shrub, with white corymbose flowers, very common on the banks of streams in most parts of the country. — _Rafinesque states that it is possessed of the same properties as the Hard- hack, but some experiments with it have not confirmed this statement ; its astringency is much less, and it also possesses an unpleasant odour that militates against its use as an internal remedy. It is, however, useful as an external application in the form of fomentation or cataplasm to ulcers and tumours. The seeds are extremely bitter, and are said to be tonic. The leaves and roots of S. wlmaria and S. filupendula, natives of Europe, but generally cultivated in our gardens as ornamental plants, are bitter and astringent, and also possess some diuretic qualities; hence they have been found useful in certain cases of disease of the urinary organs as a substitute for uva ursi. The flowers of the first are aromatic, and a fragrant water forming a pleasant beverage, may be distilled from them. (Lindley, Flor. Med, 230.) GILLENIA.—Moench. Calyx sub-campanulate, 5-toothed. Petals 5, linear-lanceolate, somewhat unequal, long. Stamens 10—15, mostly included, 5, sometimes shorter. Styles 5, contiguous, Carpels 5, distinct, or at first connate, 2—4-seeded. The genus Gillenia was long considered as forming part of Spirea, until Moench proposed to separate the species composing it into a distinct genus; his suggestion was for a long time disregarded, and it has only been within a recent period that botanists have assented to its propriety. It differs from Spirea in having the stamens mostly included, instead of exserted, in the cap- sule being uniformly of five carpels, each containing two to four seeds. It is exclusively North American, and consists of but two species, which are iden- tical in their medical properties. G. TRiFoLIATA, Moench.—Leaves trifoliolate, upper folioles lanceolate, serrate, unequal ; lower ones obtuse, with an abrupt, acute termination. Stipules linear, setaceous. Moench, Suppl. 286; Bigelow, Med. Bot. iii.*t. 41; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med, i.t.5; Griffith, Jour. Phil. Coll. Pharm. iv. 177; Spirea trifoliata, Linn., Sp. Pl. 702; "Bot. Mag. 489. Common Names.—Indian Physic ; Bowman’s Root; Ipecacuanha, &c. Description.—Root perennial, composed of a great number of slender brown fibres arising in a radiated manner, from a brown irregular tuber. Some of these fibres are very long, and are knotted or annulated for some distance, as in the true Ipecacuanha.. The number of stems varies much, there sometimes being only one, and at others many, arising from the same root. ‘These stems are branched above, and are about two or three feet high, of a reddish or brownish colour. The leaves are all ternate; the upper | leaflets lanceolate, serrate, and nearly equal, the lower broader at the end, but terminated abruptly by an acute point. The stipules are linear and entire. The flowers are in ter- minal, loose panicles, and are composed of fivé lanceolate, narrow petals, somewhat obtuse and unguiculate at their insertion. They are usually white, but sometimes of a rose red. The calyx is tubular, eampanulate, terminating in five sharp segments. The stamens are about twenty, inserted in the calyx, and included, with small anthers. The styles are five, with obtuse stigmas. The capsule is composed of five carpels, connate at base, one- celled, two-seeded. The Indian Physic is found from Canada to Florida on the east side of the great ridge of mountains, generally in hilly woods, in light gravelly soil. It begins to flower towards the latter end of May, and continues in inflorescence for about a month, ripening its seeds in August. It early attracted the atten- - hte ROSACEA, — | 283 tion of botanists, who found it well known to the Aborigines as a certain and safe emetic. It is a curious fact, connected with the history of our vegetable Materia Medica, that there is scarcely any native plant possessed of remedial powers, with which the Indians were not well acquainted, before any com- munication with the whites, whilst there is scarcely one indigenous remedy that has been the result of sci- entific research. One of the first writers to notice the Gille- nia was Shoepf, who, as usual, lauds it in the highest terms, and considers it as an excellent substitute for Ipecacuanha. Lin- nzeus also notices it as possess- ing properties which were extra- ordinary in a plant belonging to the order in which he placed it. From a well-founded opinion of its active qualities, it has been recognised in our Pharmaco- peia. A The root, which is the offici- nal part, as found in the shops, is of a reddish-brown colour, much wrinkled, and composed of an easily separable cortical portion, and an internal ligne- ous cord. This cortical part is readily pulverized. It has a very feeble odour, and a nause- ous, bitter taste. A chemical examination by Mr. Shreeve (Am. Jour. Pharm. i. 28), shows that it contains starch, gum, resin, wax, a fatty matter, a red colouring substance, a vo- latile colouring matter, and a peculiar principle soluble in al- cohol and dilute acids, but inso- luble in water or ether. Medical Properties.—Gille- nia is a safe and efficacious emetic in about the same doses as Ipecacuanha. In smaller quantities it acts as a gentle tonic, especially in the torpid condition of the stomach, ac- companying some forms of dys- pepsia. The only writer that Fig. 143. G. stipulacea. appears to doubt the powers of this article is Dr. Baum (Phd. Jour. Med. and Phys. Sct. v. 15), who, from experiments made with it, is of opinion that it is almost inert; but on the other hand we have the concurrent testimony of numbers of the medical profession, that not only is the Gillenia possessed of the qualities generally attributed to it, but also that it is a most valuable addi- tion to the Materia Medica. Some years since I examined this question at 284 - MEDICAL BOTANY. some length (Jour, Phil. Coll. Pharm. iv. 177), and endeavoured to point out in what manner Dr. Baum might have been misled in his views, by the deterioration of the roots experimented upon; since which it has been stated to me, that the article he employed was from plants that had been cultivated in a garden for some years. This circumstance would at once account for their inertness, as it is well known, that cultivation increases the starch, but de- creases and even destroys the acrid principles of plants, as is evidenced in the potato, parsnip, &c. The testimony in favour of its active powers from Drs. Eberle, Bigelow, Zollickoffer, W. P. C. Barton, and others, is so direct and positive that no doubt can exist of its value, and that it is more analogous to Ipecacuanha in its action, than any other native emetic as yet discovered. It is given in powder or strong infusion, of which the former is to be pre- ferred ; as an emetic, the dose is about thirty grains. When employed as a tonic, the dose is from two to four grains; it may also be administered with good effect as a sudorific, in the form of Dover’s powder. ‘The infusion, which is often used in domestic practice, is given in wine-glassful doses, fre- quently repeated, till the desired effect is induced. This is an objectionable form, as it causes hyper-emesis and catharsis. The other species, G'. stipulacea, which is found on the western side of the Alleghany Mountains is distinguished by having the lower leaves pinnatifid, the upper ones trifoliolate, the folioles lanceolate, incised, serrate ; the stipules foliaceous, oblique, and jagged. It is rare in calcareous or alluvial regions, but is common in hilly and sandstone districts. It is identical with the trafo- liata in its sensible properties, but is stated to be more certain in its effects, and not to be deteriorated by cultivation, though the latter assertion has not been fully tested. OrverR 46.—DRUPACEA.—De Candolle. Calyx 5-toothed, deciduous, lined with a disk, Petals 5, perigynous. Stamens 20, or thereabouts, inserted on the throat of the calyx. Anthers innate, 2-celled, dehiscing lon- gitudinally. Ovary superior, solitary, simple, 1-celled. Ovules 2, suspended. Styles terminal, with a furrow on one side, terminating in a reniform stigma. Fruit a drupe, with the putamen sometimes separating spontaneously from the sarcocarp. Seeds usually solitary, suspended. Embryo straight. Albumen none. Trees and shrubs, with simple, alternate leaves, glandular towards the base ; stipules simple, commonly glandular. Exclusively natives of the northern hemisphere, and almost invariably confined to the cold and tempe- rate regions, very few being found in tropical latitudes. The general character of the fruits is that of being edible and wholesome, but the kernels and leaves of very many of them contain prussic acid, as in the peach, cherry, &c., but peculiarly evidenced in the cherry laurel, The bark of many of them is tonic and febrifugal, combined with some sedative action. AmMyYGpDALvus.— Linn. Calyx 5-cleft. Drupe pubescent, velvety, with a juiceless cortex ; which is detached irregularly. Shell pitted or smooth. This genus, which, as constituted by Linnzus, included both the Almond and the Peach, is now restricted to the former of these. The species are natives of Asia, with the exception of one found in Mexico. DRUPACES. 285 A. communis, Linn.—Leaves oblong-lanceolate, serrulate. Flowers solitary. Calyx campanulate. Fruit ovoid, compressed, tomentose. Linn., Sp. Pl. 677; Stokes, Med. Bot. iii. 101 ; Woodville, ii, 280; Ste- phenson and Churchill, i. 43. Common Name.—Al|mond tree. Foreign Names.—Amandier, Fr.; Mandarlo, Zt.; Mandelbaum, G7. There are several varieties, five being admitted by De Candolle, but they are far more numerous; the only kinds that deserve notice as presenting important peculiarities are the Sreet and Better, which differ so much from, ° each other, especially in their sensible properties, as to render it probable that they may be specifically distinct; the differences between them are thus ~ noticed by De Candolle. a. Amara.—Styles nearly as long as the stamens, tomentose below. Seeds bitter; petals white, rosaceous at base. Shell of nut hard or soft. b. Dulcis.—Leaves ash-green. Flowers earlier. Styles much longer than the sta- mens. Fruit ovate, compressed, acuminate. Seeds sweet. Shell hard. The Almond is a native of most of the warm parts of Asia, and perhaps of the Barbary Coast. It was very early cultivated in Europe, though there is no evidence of the time at which it was introduced; from the fact that Cato speaks of almonds as Nuces Gece, itis probable that it came to Italy by way of Greece, but was derived originally from Asia Minor or Persia. They were known in very ancient times, as they are mentioned in Genesis; and Hippocrates employed both the sweet and bitter kinds, and the oil from them. They are cultivated to a large extent in Southern Europe, and would succeed perfectly well in many parts of the United States, as they are by no means as liable to be injured by frost as the orange. They are imported from the South of Europe. There are several varieties or qualities of both the bitter and sweet almond, depending on the thickness or thinness of the shell, the flavour and form of the kernel, &c. The best of the sweet kind come from Malaga. The kernel of the sweet almond is inodorous, farinaceous, of an agreeable taste, and con- tains a large proportion of oil. That of the bitter is also inodorous when entire ; but when triturated with water, has the odour of prussic acid, and the taste resembles that of the peach kernel; the expressed oil is like that from the sweet kind. Previously to being used, almonds are decorticated, or blanched, by putting in hot water, which detaches the seed coat from the cotyledons. Many analyses of both the sweet and the bitter almond have been made; that of the first, by Boullay, shows it to contain about one-half of fixed oil, about a fourth of emulsin or vegetable albumen, and a small quantity of sugar, gum, woody fibre, &c. Vogel’s examination of the bitter kind gave the following results: less than a third of fixed oil, about a fifth of essential oil and hydrocyanic acid, nearly a third of emulsin, and small proportions of gum, sugar, &c. The fixed oil of almonds is obtained from both varieties, though generally procured from the bitter, from the cheapness of them, and the greater value of the residue ; it is inodorous, and has a bland, oleaginous taste ; it congeals less readily than olive oil; a hundred-weight of almonds affords from forty- eight to fifty-two pounds of it. The volatile oil is a very peculiar product, not being procurable by expres- sion, or, in other words, not existing in a formed state in the kernel. It is obtained by distilling the powdered almond, or the marc left after the expres- 286 MEDICAL BOTANY.: sion of the fixed oil, either with water alone, or with salt and water. It is largely prepared for the use of perfumers, confectioners, and cooks, who ge- nerally use what is called essence of almonds, or a solution of 3ij. of the oil in Svj. of alcohol. A hundred-weight of the bitter almond cake, after the expressed oil has been obtained, is distilled with four hundred gallons of water ; the product varies much in quantity, being from one ounce to three. This oil, as before stated, does not pre-exist in the almond; but is shown by Robi- quet, Liebig, and others, to be formed by the action of water on some of the constituents ; these are the emulsin and amygdalin, the latter of which is a . crystalline substance, found in the bitter, but not in the sweet almond. This volatile oil is of a golden-yellow colour, an agreeable smell, and an acrid, bitter taste. It is a most active poison, acting as rapidly, and giving rise to the same symptoms as hydrocyanic acid. The bitter almond itself is poison- ous, although the poisonous principle is not developed until after it has been for some time in the stomach, and has been acted upon by the fluids of that viscus, Medical Properties—Almonds are demulcent and nutritive, but are difficult of digestion where the stomach is weak, on account of the quantity of oil they contain, and when not deprived of their epidermis, are still more liable to disagree ; in some persons they induce urticaria, whilst in others a few blanched almonds will relieve heartburn. They are used in medicine for making emulsions, confections, syrups, &c., which have been found useful in irritating coughs, affections of the bladder, &c. Many of the nostrums for, eruptions, as Gowland’s Lotion, Milk of Roses, &c., consist of corrosive sublimate dissolved in emulsion of almonds, sometimes with the addition of sugar of lead or oxide of bismuth, but generally with the mercurial salt alone. The oil of almonds possesses the same properties as the other bland oils; and, like them, in large doses, acts as a laxative; it is also used in the form of an emulsion, made by the addition of mucilage or yolk of egg in the same cases as that from the almond itself. The volatile oil is seldom used in me- dicine in this country, its principal employment being by perfumers and con- fectioners. The bitter almond has been extolled by some writers as a remedy in intermittent fever; and Dr. Mylius, of Russia, states that he has been emi- nently successful with it. : A. persica, or Peach, usually considered as derived from Asia, appears to have been cultivated by the Indian tribes in the southern parts of this coun- try at the time of the discovery, as it was found common among them by the earliest travellers ; there is, however, no satisfactory evidence to show that it is a native of America. The fruit is too well known to require notice. The leaves, flowers, and kernels, abound in hydrocyanic acid. The leaves have been used as a vermifuge and purgative, but should be employed with much caution; the same remark applies to the flowers, which at one time were in much vogue for the same purpose, and are still employed in some parts of Europe as the basis of an anthelmintic syrup. Dr. Christison ( Treat. on Pov- sons, 58,) quotes two cases from Coullon, in which the flowers proved fatal, producing all the symptoms of acro-narcotic poisoning. The kernels are much used as a substitute for bitter almonds, in culinary preparations, and in the manufacture of Noyau; their shell is said to be febrifuge, and, according to M. Burtin (Mat, Med. Ind. '73) are fully as efficacious as cinchona. Prunvus.—Linn. Calyx urceolate, 5-parted, deciduous. Petals spreading. Stamens 15—20. Ovary glabrous, with 2 pendulous ovules. Drupe ovate or oblong, fleshy, glabrous, usually co. “? DRUPACE&. 287 vered with a bloom. Stone more or less compressed, acute, smooth, the margins some- what grooved, This genus consists of trees and shrubs peculiar to cold and temperate climates, having simple leaves, usually glandular at base. The fruit is eat- able, the bark yields gum, and the leaves, bark, and kernel of the fruit con- tain hydrocyanic acid. As formerly instituted by Linnzus, Prunus com- prised many species which have since been very properly erected into separate genera. P. pomestica, Linn.—Flowers almost solitary. Leaves lanceolate-ovate, convolute. Branches not spinous, Linn., Sp. Pl. 680; Woodville, iii. 187; Fore, Med. v. 280. Common Names.—Plum Tree; Green Gage, &c. Foreign Names.—Prunier, Fr. ; Susina, Jz, Description.—T he cultivated plum tree presents such an immense number of varieties, that it is impossible to give a description that is applicable to all, except that it is a small tree with white flowers. De Candolle, in his Prodromus, admits 9 varieties ; but Don, in his System of Gardening, enumerates 270, which is far from including all that are known. Although now found in many parts of Europe, it is supposed to have been originally _ brought from Asia Minor: it was not known to the Romans until the time of Pliny ; and _ it is thought by Tenore that the Plum noticed by Theophrastus and Dioscorides was not this species, but the P. cocumiglia, a native of some parts of Italy. The only parts used in medicine are the dried fruits, well known under the name of Prunes. These are principally prepared in the south of France, and are imported from Bordeaux and Marseilles. They are usually em- ployed as a dessert; but are also used as a laxative, either raw or stewed, and alone, or combined with a decoction of senna, and are added to some ofh- cinal preparations to improve their flavour or to add to their effects. Several other species have been used in medicine. The bark of P. spi- nosa@ is stated to be eminently febrifuge, and, according to some authors, is fully equal in this respect to'Cinchona. It is given in powder, in doses of half a drachm to two drachms (Willemet, Mat. Med. Indig. 70). It closely resembles in its effects the P. cocwmiglia, spoken of above, and which, ac- cording to Tenore (Mem. sud Pruno cocumiglo), is much employed in Ca- labria in intermittent fevers. Crrasus.—Jussieu. Drupe globose, fleshy, destitute of bloom. Stone mostly globose, smooth. This genus®* was originally instituted by Tournefort, but was included in Prunus by Linneus, again separated by Jussieu, and now recognised as dis- tinct by almost all botanists. It consists of trees and shrubs, which may be divided into several natural groups or sections, founded on the mode of flow- ering and the persistence or non-persistence of the leaves. One of these (Eucerasus, Torrey and Gray) contains those species in which the flowers spring from lateral, leafless buds, appearing before or with the leaves, the pedicels being umbellate-fascicled or corymbose. This group contains the cultivated varieties, so well known as Cherries, which are supposed to be de- rived from several distinct wild species. As, however, they are of little im- portance in a medicinal point of view, they require no further notice. Section 2. Padus.—Flowers in racemes, terminating leafy branches, appearing after the evolution of the leaves. Leaves deciduous. 288 MEDICAL BOTANY. 1. C. srrotina, De Candolle.—Leaves somewhat coriaceous, oval, oblong, or lanceo- late-oblong, acuminate, glabrous, or bearded along the midrib beneath, smooth and shin- ing above, finely serrate, with appressed or incurved, callous teeth. Petioles (or base of the leaf) mostly with two or more glands, Racemes elongated, spreading. Petals broadly obovate. Drupes globose, purplish-black. (Torrey and Gray.) Seringe, in De C.,, ii. 540; Loisel, in Duhamel, p. 2; Torrey and Gray, Fl, i. 410. Common Names.—Wild Cherry; Black Cherry ; ; Choke Cherry. Description—aA large tree, attaining a great height and size in the Southwestern States, but usually about twenty-five to thirty feet. The trunk is covered with a rough, blackish bark, which spontaneously detaches itself in thick, narrow plates. The wood is hard, heavy, and close-grained, and is much used in cabinet-work. The leaves are ovate- oblong, acuminate, unequally serrate, smooth on both sides, except the midrib, and sup- ported on petioles furnished with two or more glands. The flowers are in elongate, spreading, and sometimes pendulous racemes, of a white colour, and of a smell of bitter almonds. The fruit is globose, of a purplish-black colour, eatable, but having a bitter taste. The flowers appear in May, and the fruit ripens in August and September. It is found in most parts of the United States. There has been much confusion regarding this and the C. virginiana, in consequence of a transposition of names, originating with Michaux. This was rectified in De Candolle’s Prodromus, and more fully elucidated by Drs, Torrey and Gray (Flor. N. Am.) as follows: “ This (C. virginiana) and the succeeding species (C. serotena) are perfectly distinct, and are well cha- racterized by Errhart, who first distinguished them. -‘The confusion respect- ing them has resulted from an error of the older authors, and the subsequent transposition of the specific names. The Prunus virginiana of Linneus was founded on the present species (the Choke Cherry), as appears from his description and herbarium; but the synonyme adduced from Gronovius re- lates to the succeeding species, that of Plukenet (omitted in edition ii.) to Itea virginica, and that of Catesby to Cerasus caroliniana, Michaux, having taken the following for the Linnzean species, the present plant came to be called P. serotzna, by American botanists applying to it, to increase the confusion, the character of Willdenow’s P. serotina.” This transposition of names has been followed by all American botanists, and by most writers on American plants, though the name might have indi- cated the error, for the C. sevotena ripens its fruit near a month later than the C. virgenica. ‘The Pharmacopeeia still adheres to the old nomencla- ture, and calls it the P. virginiana, not recognising the genus Cerasus. As regards the specific name, it is of little importance, as it is more than proba- ble that both species are identical in their effects, and that both are indiscri- minately used. I[t is also likely that the American species belonging to the section Eucerasus are also endowed with similar qualities, and are so spoken of by Rafinesque; but no proper trials have been made to ascertain their real value. The part used for medical purposes is the bark of the roots or branches, the former of which is always to be preferred. As found in the shops, it is deprived of its epidermis, in pieces of various lengths and sizes, of a reddish- brown colour, bitter, and readily pulverized. When fresh it has an odour of bitter almonds ; this is almost lost on drying, but becomes apparent on ma- ceration. ‘The taste is bitter, aromatic, resembling that of peach-kernels. Many chemical examinations have been attempted of this bark, but the first that afforded a clear view of its real constitution, was by Mr. 8S. Procter (Jour. Phil. Coll. Pharm., vi. 8). He found in it resin, starch, gallic acid, tannin, fatty matter, red colouring matter, some salts, &c. On distilling it 7 mn | ————— DRUPACES. 289 with water, a volatile oil, combined with hydrocyanic acid, was obtained. This product was subsequently examined by Mr. Wm. Procter (Amer. Jour. Pharm., iii, 8300, iv. 197), and shown to be nearly identical with the oil of bitter.almonds, and, like that substance, not to pre-exist in the bark, but to be formed by the action. of emulsine on amygdaline, as in the almond. These observations show the close chemical alliance existing between the genera Amygdalus and Cerasus, and which the same experimenter has proved to extend to the inosculating genus Armenzaca ; thus confirming the validity of their botanical arrangement, Medical Properties.—The bark is tonic and exciting in its operation on the digestive organs, and at the same time exercises a sedative influence on the circulatory and nervous systems, owing to the presence of the hydrocy- anic acid. From this combined action, Wild Cherry Bark has. been found extremely useful in a variety of diseases or states of disease, where it is of importance to impart tonicity, and yet to avoid any undue excitement of the Circulation; as during the first stages of convalescence from inflammatory attacks, in many of “the pulmonary diseases. In phthisis, where hectic fever exists, it has also proved highly beneficial, and its use is becoming very general in this complaint. It has been advantageously employed in some forms of dyspepsia, especially in the form of a cold infusion, It has likewise been used as a febrifuge in intermittents, and, like all other tonic remedies, has proved serviceable, ‘but should not be rélied upon, except in cases where the Peruvian bark or its salts are inadmissible. This article has not yet been sufficiently investigated, as regards its true curative powers, but enough is known to entitle it toa very high rank among the articles of the Materia Medica, either of foreign and native origin. It is given in powder, in doses of half a drachm to two drachms, or in in- fusion, which is officinal in the U. S. Pharmacopeeia ; it is made with half an ounce of the bark to a pint of water ; the dose a couple of ounces or more, as may be required. ‘This preparation is a pleasant and effectual mode of exhi- biting it; as the hydrocyanic acid is volatilized by the heat required to make a decoction, this latter form is highly objectionable. . Another preparation of it has, within a short time, attained much celebrity, and is highly spoken of ‘by those who have used.it; this is the Syrup (see Amer. Jour. Pharm. vil.); this is a neat and effective form of exhibition, and is coming into very general use. 7 Section 3. Lauro-crrasus.—Flowers in racemes from the axils of the persistent leaves of the former season. 2. C. Lavro-cerasus, Loisel.—Racemes shorter than the leaves. Leaves ovate-lanceo. late, remotely serrate, with 2—4 glands beneath. Fruit ovate, acute. Linn. ., Sp. Pl. 678; Woodville, iii. 518; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 117; Lindley, Flor. Med, 232. Common. Names. —Cherry Laurel; Common Laurel. Foreign iNames.—Laurier cerise, Fr.; Lauro regio, It.; Lorbeer- kirsche, “Ger. Description—The Cherry laurel is a small tree, with spreading branches covered with a smooth brown bark. The leaves are evergreen, persistent,'alternate, on short petioles; they are elliptical, tapering towards the base, pointed and curved at the apex, finely serrate, smooth, deep-green, and furnished with two or more glands at base. The flowers .are in short, axillary, erect racemes. The calyx is inferior and five-toothed. The corolla consists of five small, concave, spreading petalsyof a whitish colour. The stamens are alternately : longer atid shorter, about fifteen to cighteen in number, 19 290 MEDICAL BOTANY. with subulate filaments and roundish anthers. Fig. 144. The ovary is round, and supports a columnar style, with a globose stigma. The fruit is a globular drupe,, of a shining black colour, — closely resembling a small cherry, in appear- ance and structure. . This plant flowers in May, and is cul- tivated as an ornamental evergreen in many parts of Europe, but is too tender to withstand the frosts of the northern and middle sections of this country, but ' would probably: grow perfectly well to the south, where many allied species are native. It is indigenous to the Levant, and was introduced into Italy towards the close of: the sixteenth century. It has been mistaken by some writers for the true Laurel (Laurus nobilis), and sup- posed to have been the plant dedicated ‘to Apollo, and used to crown victors ; but it does not appear to have been known to the Greeks or Romans; the mistake has arisen probably from the plant in question having received the name of Laurel, whilst the true laurel C. lauro-cerasus. became known under the name of the Bay tree, The part of the Cherry laurel which is officinal is the leaves ; these are almost inodorous, until they are bruised, when they emit a bitter almond odour. Their taste is bitter, aromatic, and somewhat astringent. When they are dried, they lose all smell, but retain their flavour. The properties of these leaves depends i in a great measure on the hydrocyantc acid they contain. On distillation with water, they afford a volatile oil, which, as inthe case of the C. serotena, is probably a product of the operation, from the transformation of amygdalin by the action of emulsin; it should be stated that Wohler and Liebig were unable to detect this substance in their examination of the leaves, The volatile oil closely resembles that of. the bitter almond in its properties, but is not as powerful in its action on the stomach. Besides the oil, distilla- tion affords a medicated water, Cherry laurel water, which is also poisonous, from containing a certain proportion of hydrocyanic acid. This water is officinal in some of the foreign Pharmacopeias, and was formerly much used in the cases in which the diluted hydrocyanic acid is employed, but is now seldom prescribed as a medicine, though is in request as a flavouring ingre- dient in certain culinary preparations, more especially in Europe, being su- perseded in this country by: an equally poisonous preparation, ‘ Peach- eng water,” Medical Properttes.—As both the volatile oil and the distilled water owe their powers'to the hydrocyanic acid they contain, they are of course appli- cable to the same deranged conditions of the system in which this artiele has been found useful, and as just said, have been almost superseded by it. The: distilled water is chiefly interesting at present, in a medico-lezal point of view, as many cases of poisohing with “t have occurred, and been the subject of judicial investigation ; one of the most celebrated of which was that of Captain Donelly for the murder of Sir Theodosius Boughton. This case, has 7 | POMACES. 29] by many writers been considered as one in which the evidence of poisoning was by no means clear, and where, in the words of Mr. Phillips ( Zheory of Presumptive Proofs), a man was unwarrantably condemned on circumstantial evidence, has been most ably commented upon by Dr. Beck, and the presump- tion shown to be, in accordance with the verdict of the jury, that the ac- cused was guilty. Many accidents have occurred from this article, where it has been too freely used in cookery, and the preparation of cordials ; and it cannot be too strongly impressed on the public that there is always danger i in partaking of food, in which this or any other flavouring ingredient containing hydrocyanic acid has been used. Thus, death has occurred from a single glass of Noyau, a cordial which is made with peach or cherry kernels. There are several species of Cerasus belonginy to this section of the genus, which are natives of the Southern States, and all of them are doubtless fully as poisonous as the Cherry laurel. ‘Thus Elliot (Sketch Bot. So, Car.) states that the leaves of the C. caroliniana are very. deleterious, frequently destroy- ing cattle that are tempted to feed on them. Many of the foreign species are also very active, particularly the C. capricida of Northern India, the leaves of which are highly injurious and even fatal to goats. The bark of C. ca- pollim, a native of the cooler parts of Mexico, furnishes a febrifuge bark which is much esteemed in the treatment of intermittent fevers. The C. padus _ of Europe also affords a tonic bark, which at one time was much employed for the same purpose. Orver 47,—POMACE.— Lindley. Calyx adherent, 5-toothed. Petals 5, unguiculate, inserted in the throat of the calyx ; the odd one anterior. Stamens indefinite, inserted in a ring in the throat of the calyx. Disk thin,’ ovaries 1—5, adhering more or less to the sides of the calyx and to each other; ovules usually 2, collateral, ascending, rarely solitary, sometimes none ;-styles 1—5; stigmas simple. Fruit, a pome, 1—5-celled, seldom spuriously ten-celled; the en- docarp either cartilaginous, spongy, or bony. Seeds ascending, solitary, Albumen none. Embryo erect. Trees or shrubs with alternate, simple or compound, stipulate leaves, natives of the northern hemisphere, and almost exclusively of the temperate parts. The fruits are edible, and the bark, especially of the roots, is bitter and febrifuge, containing in the Apple a peculiar principle, to which the name of Phloridzine has been given. That of Pyrus aucuparia contains as much . prussic acid as is afforded by the leaves of the cherry laurel. Some of the barks contain a colouring matter, that of Photinia dubia, being used in Nepal for dyeing scarlet, Cypon1a.— Persoon. Calyx 5-cleft. Petals somewhat orbicular.’ Stamens erect. Styles 5. Pome closed, 5-celled ; ‘cells many-seeded, cartilaginous. Seeds enveloped ina mucilaginous pulp. This small genus was first indicated by Tournefort, but all the species were included by Linneus in that of Pyrus,in which they remained till again erected into a distinct genus by Persoon, in which he has been sanctioned by succeeding botanists. ‘They are all small trees with undivided leaves. The flowers are large, solitary or few. They are natives of temperate or cool climates. C. vuLGARIs, Persoon_ tigen ovate, roundish, entire, obtuse at base, downy beneath. Flowers solitary. Calyx serrated, reflexed, tomentose. “Persoon, Ech. ii, 40; Lindley, Flor. Med., 234; Pyrus cydonia, Linn., Sp. Pl. 687; Woodville, iii, 505; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 115. 992 MEDICAL BOTANY. Common Names.—Quince Tree; Common Quince. Foreign Names.—Coignassier, poe .; Melacotogna, Jz. ; : Ouittenkornen, Ger. The Quince tree is a native of the countries along the Danube, Greece, &c. It derives its generic name from Cydon in the island of Crete. It was known to the ancients, and was used by Hippocrates as an astringent in dysentery ; this was, probably, the fruit of the wild plant, which is very austere ; the Romans cultivated it, and termed it malwm cotoneum, from its downy covering. It was one of the first of the foreign fruits introduced into England. ‘There are several varieties, but they are far from being as hume- rous as might have been expected, where a plant has been so long cultivated. This may have arisen from the fact, that it is seldom propagated’ by seed, but by layers, suckers or cuttings. The finest is said to be the Portugal or oblong quince. ‘The tree flourishes best in a moist soil, but the fruit is not as fine as when it grows in a dry situation. In a raw state, the fruit is not eatable; but when cooked or preserved, it is highly grateful. The expressed juice, in small -quantities, is somewhat astringent, and has been recommended to allay nausea and vomiting. The only officinal part at present is the seeds; these are inodorous, nearly insipid, and abound with a mucilage which they yield to water. One drachm affords nearly six ounces of a nearly colourless mucilaginous infusion, about as con- sistent as the white of an egg. This mucilage is peculiar, and has received the name of cydonin ; its properties approach nearer to bassorin than to any’ other of the gums, but differs from it by solubility in water. Medical Properties:—The mucilage is a demulcent, and has been used “in gonorrheea, in dysentery, in aphthous affections and excoriations of the mouth and fauces, in which latter cases it is usually combined with borax and honey. It has also been: used with some success ‘as a collyrium in inflam- mations of the eyes. It is very pleasant and seldom offends the stomach, but is not equal to that from the pith of sassafras; it is also very apt to spoil and become mouldy in a short time, and, therefore, should be pre- pared only as it is wanted. It is also used by ladies? hair- pare to give a consistence and smoothness to braids. Pyrus.— Linn. Calyx tube urceolate, superior; limb 5-lobed. Petals 5, rounded, larger than the calyx, with short claws. Stamens 20, arising from the rim of the calyx, shorter than the corolla. Anthers 2-lobed, oblong. Ovary inferior; styles 2—3 to 5, filiform, about the length of the stamens; stigmas simple, bluntish. Pome rounded, or somewhat ob- long, umbilicated, fleshy, with as many cartilaginous or membranous cells as there are styles. Seeds 2 in each cell, testa chartaceous or cartilaginous. This important ‘genus is composed’ of middle-sized trees, with simple or pinnate, alternate leaves... The flowers are mostly corymbose and terminal, rarely solitary, and of a white or rose colour, The fruit is generally eat- able. The species are natives of the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, Botanists are by no means in unison as regards the limits of the genus ; some with Lindley (Linn. Trans, xiii. 97) considering it com- posed of Pyrus and Sorbus, Linn., whilst others are of opinion that it should be divided into several distinct genera. As Lindley’s view of the subject has been adopted by Torrey and Gray (£7. IN. Am. i. 470), it will now be fol- lowed, though it is highly probable, that what they regard as sections are entitled to rank as genera. Sec. 1. Malus.—Leaves simple, not glandular; cymes simple; petals spreading, flat; styles 3—5, united at base; pome usually globose or depressed, umbilicate at base; cells cartilaginous. : MYRTACEX. 293 The endless varieties of the Apple are all said to be derived from the P. malus or wild crab, a native of the temperate parts of Europe. ‘The apple was very early cultivated, and is noticed by the first writers whose works have come down to us, Tts uses as a fruit and as furnishing cider are too well known to require notice. Asan article of the Materia Medica, this is mainly employed when roasted, to obviate costiveness, or in the forma- tion of cooling drinks; the cooked pulp has also been recommended. as a cataplasm in cases of inflammation of the eyelids. The acid juice of the crab apple, known under the name of Verjuice, has been found useful as a topical application to sprains and bruises. The most important remedial agent obtained from this genus is Phloridzine, a bitter principle which exists in all the Pomacez, but appears to be most abundant in the apple tribe. ‘This was discovered by M. de Koninck about ten years since. It is neutral, of a white colour, and very bitter taste, and has been found very beneficial in intermittent fevers, and is said to have succeeded-where quinia had no effect. It is givenin the same manner as this alkaloid. (See Dunglison, New Rem. 490.) Sec. 2. Sorbus.—Leaves pinnate or pinnately lobed; cymes compound ; petals spread-. ing; styles 2—5, distinct ; pome globose or turbinate ; cells not cartilaginous, Several species of this section have been ranked as medicinal agents ; but the only one that appears. deserving of notice is P. aucuparia or Mountain Ash of Europe. The bark, flowers and root of this tree contain so much of the peculiar essential bitter of almonds as to yield as much hydrocyanic acid as the cherry. laurel. (Buch. Reper., 27, 238.) The North American P. americana, so closely allied to the above as to be scarcely distinguishable from it, probably partakes of the same chemical characters, and if so, might be advantageously employed in those cases in which the Wild cherry has been found so beneficial ; but no experiments have been made to ascertain its true character. Rafinesque says of it, ‘* Bark smells and tastes like cherry bark, equal to it, more astringent, fine tonic, antiseptic, contains prussic acid, used in fevers and other diseases like cinchona.” Group sai: 3 —Myrtales. OrpvER 48 —MYRTACE. — Brown. Calyx adherent, valvate, 4—5- cleft. “Petals equal in number to the segments of the calyx, with a quincuncial estivation ; rarely none. Stamens indefinite, or twice as many as the petals, rarely equal to them in number; filaments either distinct or connected in several parcels; anthers ovate, 2-celled, small, with a longitudinal dehiscence. Ovary inferior, 1—2, 4—5, or 6-celled ; style simple, springing directly from the placenta; ovules usually pendulous, or erect and anatropal; occasionally peltate and amphitropal, always inserted into a central or axile placenta. Fruit dry or fleshy, dehiscent or indehiscent. Seeds usually indefinite, variable in form; embryo straight or curved, with no albumen. Trees or shrubs with Opposite or alternate, entire leaves, generally with transparent dots, and a vein running parallel to their margin. Flowers red, white, or yellow, never blue. They are natives of warm climates, princi- pally in South America and the East Indies, but a considerable number are found in New Holland, and the South Sea Islands. Their general character- istics are those of aromatics and astringents. The pellucid dotting of the leaves indicates the presence of a volatile oil, and to this is due’ the most striking quality of the order; this aroma is found i in the fruit of the Guava, Psidium, and the Rose apples, Ewgenza, the berries of the Myrtle, &c.; in many it is in union with an astringent principle. In some this aromatic and stimulant oil predominates, as in Cloves, which 294 MEDICAL BOTANY. -are the dried flower-buds of Caryophyllus aromaticus ; in Pimento, or the fruit of one or more species of Eugenia ; in Melaleuca cajeputi, from the leaves of which the Cajeput oil is obtained. a JP In others again, the astringent principle is predominant, as in Punzca, the bark of the fruit of which contains much tannin; in the bark of many species of Eucalyptus, which are used for tanning. On the other hand, some species afford a sweet gum, especially the Eucalyptus mannifera. ‘The leaves of others are substitutes for tea, as various species of Leptosp®rmum, &c. Punitca.— Linv. Tube of the calyx turbinate, limb 5—7-cleft, coriaceous. Petals 5—7. Stamens in- definite ; filaments free; anthers anteriorly 2-celled, dehiscing by a double chink. Style filiform ; stigma capitate. Fruit spherical, crowned with the limb of the calyx, coated with the tube, indehiscent, unequally divided into two parts by a horizontal diaphragm, the upper 5—9-celled, the lower three celled, dissepiments membranous. Placente of upper chamber fleshy, spreading from the sides to the centre; those of lower chamber, in irregular processes from its base. Seeds very numerous, mixed with a pellucid pulp, ex- albuminous; embryo oblong ; radicle short, straight cotyledons foliaceous, spirally convo-— luted. A small genus erected into an order by Don (Ed. Phil. Jour, 1826), in which he has been followed by De Candolle and other high authorities. Lind- ley, however, is of opinion that it may be allowed to remain in the Myrtacee, on the ground that the only real differences it presents are its leaves without a marginal vein, its convolute cotyledons and pulpy seeds. P. cranatum, Linn.—Leaves lanceolate. Stem arborescent. Linn., Sp. Pl. 676; Woodville, t.58; Stokes, Med. Bot. iii. 84; Stephen- son and Churchill, i. 57; Lindley, Flor. Med. 74. , Common Name.—Pomegranate tree. Foreign Names.—Grenadier, Fr. ; Pomogranato, Jt. ; Granatbaum, Ger. Fig. 145. Description.—A small tree covered h A . with a brownish bark, with many slender branches, which are more or less spiny. The leaves are opposite or ternate, sessile, waved, entire, lan- ceolate, of a_ bright-green « colour. The flowers are large, of a rich scar- _ let colour, solitary, or two or three together, terminal. The calyx is turbinate, thick, fleshy, of a red co- lour, and divided into five acute seg- ments which are valvate in estiva- tion. The corolla is formed of five large, wrinkled petals, .somewhat spreading. ‘The stamens are indefi- nite, with capillary filaments, and oblong, two-celled anthers, bursting in front by two chinks. The ovary is inferior, with a simple style, crowned by a papulose stigma. The fruit is the size of an orange, globu- P. granatum. lar, somewhat compressed, and inde- 1, Calyx and stamens. 2. Stamen. 3. Fruit. hiscent; it is filled with numerous, angular, exalbuminous seeds, each enveloped in a juicy rose-coloured pulp, and is crowned with the limb of the calyx, and covered with a thick, tawny, coriaceous rind, which is the dilated calycine tube. This balaust,as it is termed, is divided into two chambers by a transverse diaphragm. The upper chamber is five to nine-celled, and the lower three-celled. The placente of the MYRTACE&. 295 . upper division extend from the parietes to the centre, whilst those of the lower proceed ir- regularly from the bottom. The Pomegranate is a native of Northern Africa, Syria, and Persia, and is now naturalized in the warmer portions of Europe, the West Indies, &c. It was very early known, being constantly referred to in the Bible, and is noticed by Homer. “ The Romans became acquainted with it during their con- tests with the Carthaginians, and hence called it Malum Punicum. The flowers, which were termed Balaustra by the ancients, are nearly inodorous, but somewhat of a styptic taste. The juice, which is contained in the mem- branous cells, exhales a vinous smell when fresh, is of an agreeable subacid taste ; it is very refreshing ; it contains much mucilage united to a little tan- nin ; itis much used inthe East for making sherbets, and is highly esteemed. The flowers, rind of the fruit, and the bark of the root, are all officinal, but the two latter only are recognised in the U. S. Pharmacopwia. The flowers are mild astringents, but never used in this country. The rind of the fruit, when dry, is in irregular, convex, brittle, brownish fragments, with no smell, but a bitter astringent taste. The bark of the root is in small pieces, of an ash gray or yellowish colour.externally, yellow within, brittle, not fibrous, of an astringent but not bitter taste. These substances have been several times analyzed ; Reuss (Hand. d. Chim.) found in the rind of the fruit, tannin, extractive, gum and a little resin; and Latour de Trie in the bark of the root, tannin, gallic acid, resin, mannite, &c. This analysis, however, is not satis- factory, as it does not show the existence of any principle in the bark, which will produce the symptoms which ensue on an administration of a large dose of it. Medical Properties—The pulp of the fruit is refreshing to persons suffering from fever, and is said to be somewhat diuretic. It is much used by Hindoo practitioners to allay unnatural heat of the system. The rind of the fruit is a powerful astringent, and as it gives out its properties to water has been recommended by Dr. Cullen, and others in relaxation of the uvula and in aphthous disorders of the mouth, and also in chronic diarrhoea, prolapsus uteri, &c. It has also been beneficially employed in the perspirations atten- dant on phthisis, and in the colliquative diarrhoea so frequent in the last stages of that complaint. This substance is but little used, as it is far less agreeable and not more efficient than. many others of its class, and has been found in many cases to cause nausea and uneasiness of the stomach. The bark of the root has long been used in India as a specific in cases of tape-worm, and in consequence of the recommendations of Drs. Fleming, Buchanan, and Ainslie, it was extensively experimented with in Europe, and with almost universal success. In this country, from the comparative rarity of the disease, it has been but little used, added to which it has been found that the oil of turpentine, in large doses, is perfectly effectual. Another cause will always prevent its general employment in cold climates, which is, that the bark must be used in a recently dried state. The mode of administration is in decoction made with two ounces of the freshly dried bark to two pints of water, boiled down to a pint, of which a wineglassful is to be taken every half hour till the whole is consumed. It generally creates nausea, and sometimes vomiting, purging, and even vertigoand syncope. M. Bourgeoise (Bz). Med. 1824), who gave it in a great number of cases, advises that before com- mencing with its administration, the patient be kept on a strict and spare diet for some days, and the evening before the medicine is taken, to have his bowels well opened by means of a full dose of castor oil. Metatevca.—Linn. Calyx -5-parted.. Petals 5. Stamens numerous, very long, in five bundles. Styles fili- orm. Capsule 3-celled, many-seeded. 296 MEDICAL BOTANY. An East Indian genus containing a few species of trees which abound in an aromatic volatile oil; they principally grow in Amboyna, Java, and Borneo, and are used for various purposes. Crawford (Hist. Ind. Archipel. ) says that the bark of one furnishes the material with which the native vessels are caulked, and the wood is employed for a variety of purposes. M. casuruti, Maton.—Leaves alternate, elliptical, lanceolate, somewhat acute, slightly falcate, 3—5-nerved. Flowers spiked, rather distant. Rachis, calyx and young branches tomentose, Maton, Lond. Pharm. 1800; Roxburgh, Fl tad ili, 394; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 84; Lindley, Fi. — 73; Colebrooke, Trans. Med. Bot. Soc. 1. 27 5 Tour, Phil. Coll. Pharm. i. 193; M. miinor, Smith, Rees’ Cy- clop.; De Candolle, Prod. iii, 212 5M. Weave desir vk Lamarck, pirtoahe 441, fig. 4. Oenittoai Names.—Cajeput-tree ; Lesser Cajeput. Foreign Names.—Cajeput, Fr.; Melaleuca orientale, 2.; Kaya-puti, Malay. Description. Oak erect, but crooked, covered with a very ae or ash-coloured, soft, thick, smooth, spongy Fig. 146. bark, the bated lamina of which peels off from time to time, like the But- tonwood or Birch. The branches bear scattered, slender twigs often droop- ing, they are round and smooth, the young shoots sericeous. The leaves are not unlike those of the willow, lanceolate, and whilst young, sericeous; when full grown, smooth, deep-green, three to _five- nerved, and sometimes a ~ little faleate. When bruis- ed, they have an aromatic _ M. cajuputi. odour ; but the cells con- 1, 2. Ovary. 3. sae andstamens, taining the oil are barely visible, The spikes are terminal, and from the et ncchni axils, Fi ae The flowers are small, white, sessile, and inodorous, accompanied by solitary, lanceolate; sericeous bracts. The calyx is urceolate, sericeous, and divided at the margin into five deciduous segments. The petals are five, — rounded with short claws and longer than the calyx. The stamens are numerous, united in five bundles at base, much longer than the petals and with them inserted on the calyx ; anthers ovate-cordate, with a yellow gland at their apex. The ovary is ovate, crowned with a slender style longer than the stamens, and having an obscurely three-lobed stigma. The capsule is three-valved, covered by the thick permanent tube of the calyx, many- seeded. 4 This tree is a native of the. Moluceas, and was first described by Rum-— phius (Amboina, li. 76) as Arbor alba minor, afterwards by Sir J. E. Smith | (Rees Cycloped.) as M. minor, and some years subsequently by Dr. Rox- burgh (Cat. 59) as M. cajuputi. It is the species furnishing most of the cajeput oil of commerce, which at one time was supposed to be exclusively derived from the MM. leucadendron, but specimens of the tree, affording this product, having béen. obtained in the Moluccas by Mr, C, Smith and sent to England, they were found to belong to the MZ. minor, and young trees trans- mitted by the same collector to the Botanic Garden at Calcutta, all proved to alternate, on short petioles — MYRTACES. 297 be of that species, and not of the MM. lewcadendron. Rumphius states ex- plicitly that the oil is obtained from the small species, and makes no mention of any from the larger one; and Dr. Roxburgh, whilst admitting that the two resemble each other very much, says the leaves of the larger kind pos- sess little or no fragrance when bruised. On these grounds it is now assumed that the Cajeput oil of commerce is exclusively derived from the IM. minor. 1 may mention, however, that having had an opportunity of exa- mining a quantity of Cajeput oil direct from the Moluccas, and in the original packages, I found the bottles packed in leaves of both species, and that these leaves had evidently been subjected to distillation ; and when it is considered that the two species are so closely allied to each other as to render it difficult to discriminate between them, that they grow in the same regions and are exposed to the same circumstances of soil and climate, it would be an ano- maly that one of them should furnish an oil, and the other be destitute of it. The oil, which is the officinal portion, is obtained from leaves gathered during warm, dry weather, and placed in a sack, where they become heated in a short time; they are macerated in water and fermentation permitted for one night, and afterwards distilled. The product is very small ; and is of a grass-green colour. When pure, it is of different shades of ‘green, which at one time was thought to be owing to the presence of copper, but careful investigation has shown that this tint is dependent on chlorophylline or some analogous resinous principle. Sometimes the oil is nearly white, clear, and very limpid. It has a strong aroma resembling a ‘mixture of camphor, rosemary and cardamoms ; the taste is pungent, with an after-sensation of coolness like that produced by the oil of peppermint. No oil is more often adulterated, and when of a dark colour and not wholly soluble in alcohol, should always be rejected. Levekéhn says that this oil is a compound fluid, consisting of two distinct oils, one of a green colour, heavier than the ordinary fixed oils, the other, which constitutes seven-eighths of the whole, being light and colourless. Medical Properties.—Cajeput oil is a powerful diffusible stimulant and antispasmodic, with some diaphoretic powers; it is somewhat allied both to valerian and camphor in its action, but does not affect the mental faculties when given in large doses, as is the case with these two articles. It is much used among the Malays and on the continent of Europe, but is seldom pre- scribed in England or this country. It is employed in ‘much the same cir- cumstances in which the others have been found beneficial, as in convulsive and spasmodic affections. In flatulent colic and some forms of gastralgia, a few drops taken on sugar, it has procured much relief, and itis said by Ru- dolphi to be a good anthelmintic. During the prevalence of the Asiatic Cholera in Europe it was confidently recommended, and in consequence rose enormously in price, but a short trial with it proved that it possessed no power over the disease, beyond that of any other stimulant. As a stimulating em- brocation in chronic rheumatism, it has attained much celebrity, and has certainly proved more beneficial than most of the external means of the same character, but is not equal to the Ol. monarde. It. is sometimes effectual in removing toothache, by application to the carious tooth. 3 . It has also been used with some success to protect woollen articles and Specimens in natural history from the attacks of insects ; and it is the best solvent for Caoutchouc. Another species, the M. myrtifolia or tea-tree, is abundant in New Holland, where the leaves were formerly used by the colo- nists as a substitute for the Chinese tea (Bennet, Wanderings, i. 95). 298 MEDICAL BOTANY. CaRYOPHYLLUS.—Linn. Calyx with the tube cylindrical, and the limb 4-partite. Petals 4. - Stamens distinct, arranged im four parcels, inserted in a quadrangular hollow near the calycine teeth. Berry 1—2-celled; 1—2-seeded. A tropical genus composed of trees with opposite, rigid, dotted leaves, and cy- mose, somewhat corymbose, terminal and axillary flowers. It was first esta- blished by Tournefort, and adopted by Linnzeus, but afterwards included in that of Eugenia by Thunberg, in which he was followed by Willdenow and others ; Persoon restored it to its original rank and name, as he found it differed from Eugenia in the fruit, which is dry and 1—2-celled in Caryophyllus, and fleshy and many-seeded in the former. _ C. aromaticus, Linn.—Leaves obovate, oblon lary and terminal, many-flowered. g, acuminate at both ends. Cymes axil- Linn, Sp. Pl. 735; Woodville, t. 185; Stokes, Mat. Med. iii. 73; Ste- phenson and Churchill, ii. 95; Bot. Mag. 2749. | Common Names,—Clove tree ; Clove spike-tree. Foreign Names.—Giroflier, Fr. ; Garfano aromatico, Jt. ; Gewirzniaglen. Ger. Fig. 147. C. aromaticus. Description.—A. handsome tree with a trunk from fifteen to thirty feet high, with many slender, op- posite branches, forming a dense, pyramidal head. The leaves are opposite, persistent, rigid, with a strong midrib and parallel lateral nerves; ovate, lanceolate, entire, smooth on both sides, with nume- rous pellucid dots, and supported on long, slender footstalks, which are extremely aromatic. The flowers are odorous, in short, ter- minal cymes, trichotomously di- vided, and jointed at every divi- sion. The calyx is superior, and consists of a cylindrical tube, and four concave, spreading segments; it is first green, but afterwards red. The petals are four, ovate, con- cave, yellowish-red, larger than the calyx, coherent by their edges, and forming a calyptra which is cadu- ‘cous. In the centre of the calyx, and at the top of the ovary, is a quadrangular, elevated line, into which the stamens are. inserted ; these are longer than the petals, and bear.small, yellow, ovate-cor- date anthers. The ovary is oblong, ' crowned by a short, subulate style. The berry is purplish, elliptical, 1—2-seeded. Seed covered with - a soft, thin integument. The Clove tree_is a native of the Moluccas, where it was abundant pre- vious to their conquest by the Dutch, who, in a spirit of selfish monopoly, MYRTACEZ. 999 destroyed them, except in the island of Amboyna, over which they had full control, and this is still the principal source of them, as they. grow to full perfection in that group of islands alone. In 1770 the French obtained plants, which were disseminated to other parts of the East Indies, to their possessions in America, &c., where the tree is now extensively cultivated, but the best cloves still come from the Moluccas, those from other places being smaller, and containing less oil. ) It is stated that just before the Portuguese took possession of Amboyna, the seeds of the tree were secretly carried to Amboyna, Ceram, &c., from Machian, and in fifty or sixty years these islands were covered with young plants. On the conquest of these places by the Dutch, they extirpated them with the exception of those in Amboyna, Ternate, and two or three other neighbouring islands, in order that the product might not be too plentiful. In 1769, they ordered that the number of trees should not exceed 500,000, and a few years afterwards, one-tenth of these were ordered to be destroyed. This narrow policy caused constant insurrections on the part of the natives, so that Valentyn observes, ‘““It would have been’ better, if, instead of extir- pating their trees alone, we had at the same time exterminated this revenge- ful and sanguinary nation.” | 3 In an extremely interesting account of this tree by Sir W. Hooker (Bod. Mag.), he says, that it is difficult to ascertain when the clove first became known to Europeans. It most certainly is not the caryophyllum of Pliny ; and the first distinct notice of it-is by Paulus AXginetus, a Greek physician of the seventh century ; Sprengel is of opinion that Simeon Seth was the first who mentioned them, whilst Sir J. E. Smith supposes that they are the Ca- runjel of Serapion, and the Carunfel bellum of Avicenna. J. Bauhin asserts the inhabitants of the Moluccas were unacquainted with the value of this spice, until some Chinese vessels visited them. Be these statements true or not, cloves were scarcely known or used in Europe until after the conquest of the East Indies by the Portuguese, Dutch, &c. The Clove is the unexpanded flower, the corolla forming a ball or sphere at the top; and the calyx, the tapering somewhat quadrangular base, resembling a nail, whence the common name from the French c/ow, and it may be noticed that the same designation is given to it in most European languages, it being called Naghel by the Dutch, Clavo, by the Spaniards, and Chiodo by the Italians. Cloves are gathered by hand, or beaten from the trees by slender rods, and dried in the sun, or by means of a fire, which latter plan always gives an inferior article. The clove is from five to ten lines long, and from one to one and a half thick; they are of a dark-brown colour, with a yellow- ish-red tint. When good, they are dark, heavy, perfect, of a strong; fra- | grant odour, hot, acrid taste, and when pressed with the nail, should give out _ oil. When fresh gathered, they yield on simple pressure a fragrant, thick, | reddish oil. Sometimes they have a considerable portion of this oil drawn from them, and are then mixed with those that retain it. When they have _been thus treated, they are paler, look shrivelled, and the ball at top is broken. Another mode of deceiving purchasers is to place the cloves near a vessel of water, by which they not only become plumper, but gain considerably in weight. ‘ | . _ The oil of cloves is pale, reddish-brown, becoming darker by age, ex- tremely pungent and acrid, and is heavier than water. Much of that imported from the East Indies is adulterated with other oils. Cloves contain volatile oil, resin, tannin, &c. ; the oil, which is the active principle, consists of two oils, a heavy and a light, and on being kept for some time, furnishes a pecu- 7 300 . MEDICAL BOTANY. liar deposit, which has been termed Eugenin; this is a fatty body, resem- bling Stearoptene. Medical Properttes.—Cloves are the most stimulating of the aromatics, but are principally employed for culinary purposes, as a flavouring ingre- dient. In medicine their main use is as an addition to other remedies, either to disguise their nauseous taste, or to correct their operation. The essential oil is added to some extracts for the same purposes, and is a popular remedy for toothache. ‘The infusion of cloves is a warm and grateful stomachic, and has been advantageously used to relieve nausea, flatulence, and other dyspep- tic symptoms. An aromatic syrup or liqueur is also prepared from them, and they are used in some articles of perfumery. The ripe fruits are preserved with sugar, and are much esteemed as an aid to digestion ; in a dried state they have been imported under the name of Mother of cloves ; they are much less aromatic than the unripe clove. Gui- bourt states that the peduncles are also imported into France, and used by the distillers. Lesson (Voy. Med.), says that he saw at Amboyna what is called the Royal clove, which has a double calyx, is- smaller than the ordinary clove, much more aromatic, and bears a very high price. This must, of course, be the product of a tree belonging to another genus. Eveenra.—Linn. Tube of the calyx roundish, limb 4-cleft. Petals 4. Stamens indefinite, distinct. Berry nearly globular, crowned by the persistent calyx ; 1—2-celled, 1—2-seeded. This genus is very closely allied to Myrtus ; and the species to be noticed was included in it by Linnzus, but has been removed to Eugenia by De Candolle and others, Lindley, in the Encyclopedia of Botany, made'it the type of Pimenta, attributing a 5-cleft calyx and 5 petals, which are not no- ticed by other writers, who invariably speak of these parts as quadripartite. All the species are trees and shrubs, and are inhabitants of warm climates. E. prmenta, De Candolle.—Leaves SilamAleavanlats, pellucid, dotted. Flowers in trichotomous paniclés: Myrtus pementa, Linn., Sp. Pl. 576; Woodville, i. 26; Stephenson and Churn i. 124; E. pementa, Lindley, Fl. Med. 76. Common Names.—Pimento; Allspice; Jamaica Pepper; Bayberry Tree. Foreign Names.—Pimente, Fr; Pepe dell Giamaica, Jt.; Gewirzmyrte, — Ger. 1 Description —A. handsome evergreen tree, with a straight trunk about thirty feet high, much branched towards the top, and covered with a smooth gray bark. The leaves are opposite, on short footstalks, oblong-lanceolate, smooth, shining, pointed, of a deep-green colour. When recent they have an aromatic taste, and abound in an essential oil. The flowers are small but numerous, and are produced in trichotomous panicles at the extre- — mity of the branches. ‘The calyx is formed of 4 roundish sepals. The petals are 4, re- — flected, of a greenish-white colour. The stamens are numerous, longer than the corolla, _ of the same colour as the petals, with rounded, white anthers. The styleis simple, with — an obtuse stigma. The fruit is a smooth, shining, succulent berry, crowned with the q persistent calyx, of a black or purplish colour when ripe, and containing two reniform, — flattish seeds. t ) J The Allspice-tree is a native of the West Indies and South America ; it~ grows abundantly in the hilly parts of Jamaica, and is also cultivated largely in that island, It begins to bear fruit when three years old, and arrives at maturity at seven, and grows best in a calcareous soil, covered with a light | mould. The berries are collected before they are ripe, and dried on cloths MYRTACES. 301 spread on terraces. The first day or two they are often turned, so as to be fully exposed to thesun. When they begin to dry, they are frequently winnowed, and are removed under cover at night. In about two weeks they become dark, dry, and wrinkled, and are then packed. Some planters kiln-dry them, which expedites the process very much. It is said that nothing can be more fragrant than the odour exhaled from these trees, especially when in blossom. Pimento is in round, brown, dull, roughish berries, rather larger than a corn of black pepper; they consist of an external, hard, brittle shell, which is paler within, and encloses two dark-brown seeds. They have an aromatic, agreeable smell, and a strong, clove-like taste. On analysis they have been found to contain volatile oil, a green oil, astffngent extract, a gummy extract, &c. &c. The kernels contain less volatile oil, and more astringent extract, than the shell. The volatile oil is of a greenish-yellow colour, and is very pungent. Medical Properties, §-c.—Pimento is but little used in medicine, being only employed to correct the operation of other medicines, especially some of the drastic purgatives, and to stimulate the stomach in some forms of dyspepsia. The oil, like that of cloves, is used to cure the toothache. As a condiment, however, its use is very general, and the consumption of it very great. 4 Evcatyrtus.— Heretier. Tube of calyx obovate or globose, cup-shaped, permanent, limb entire, deciduous. Pe- tals none. Stamens distinct, numerous. Capsule 4-celled, or by abortion 3-celled, many- seeded, opening at the apex. This genus is peculiar to Australia, and contains numerous species, having simple, entire, glaucous leaves, with numerous apetalous flowers. The leaves are dotted with‘numerous vesicles of oil, and it is probable that on distillation they would. afford a product analogous to cajeput. The species differ much from each other in their physical qualities. From one, EL. resenzfera, is ob- tained a concrete juice, soluble in warm water and known as Botany Bay Kino, It is in irregular, odourless fragments of a dark-red colour in the - mass, but of a transparent, ruby-red in small pieces. When chewed it sticks to the teeth, and has an astringent taste. Pereira (11. 531) is of opinion that it is composed of a peculiar substance, Eucalyptin, somewhat analogous to pectin andtannin. White (Jour. Voy. to New S. Wales, 231) employed it with some success in bowel complaints, and its powers in these affections have been con- firmed by Alibert (Mat. Med. i.7,8). Ainslie states that it is the only kind to be found in the Indian bazaars (Mat. Ind.i.186). Sée Bennet, Wander- mgs, i. 142. E, robusta secretes a sweet gum, which is found in cavities in its stem between the annual layers of wood; it is of a rich vermilion or red colour. E. mannifera exudes a manna-like substance, which has analogous proper- ties with that article, but is not as nauseous. It is not produced by insects, and only appears in the dry season, when it coagulates and drops from the leaves in large particles; some other species afford a similar product. It is sweet and mucilaginous; and, though generally aperient, does not act on some persons (Bennet, Wanderings, i. 319). Other species yield large quantities of tannin, which has become an article of export to England. The EF. Gunnii, on being wounded, exudes a large quantity of a cool, refreshing, and somewhat aperient fluid, which is used as a beverage in Tasmannia; when kept any time, it ferments and acquires the properties of beer. The L. globulus has an aromatic bark, leaves, and fruit, which are used as substitutes for spices. 302 MEDICAL BOTANY. Mr. Bennet ( Wanderings, i i, 165) states that several species of Elcalypi afford a camphorated oil, closely resembling the cajeput. Some contain it in such abundance as to cover the hand with oil if one of the leaves be gently rubbed against it. This oil has been used 1 in medicine. Orver 49,—LYTHRACE.—Lindkey.. Calyx tubular and persistent, enclosing the 2—4-celled ovary, but free from it. deciduous, sometimes wanting, inserted between the lobes of the calyx. nite, inserted below the petals. Petals Stamens defi- Styles perfectly united into one. Capsule membrana- ceous, often l-celled by the obliteration of the dissepiments. This order is composed principally of herbs with angled or four-sided branches, and opposite, verticillate, or alternate, entire, not dotted leaves, not furnished with stipules. wet, marshy places ; some few are indigenous to temperate regions. The species are mostly tropical, ahd inhabitants of The general character of the species is astringency, a few are somewhat acrid ; but their medical properties are not well known. Fig. 148. sip &) E 2 yas OY Hi 0 Ss %y ‘ fo a 9 a LEAR » a o Mm™ WW) yy Ade VAR SARE DK 22 2 0 fe ay CZ qr c< ul Soe aw Aa >. VAG SS Z (I) We 5 NENYNV Wye. Wii, i \an » ol Y ew AN aN Za mid Bs | Lawsonia inermis. Some, however, have been employed for various purposes; and one has been long celebrated for its tinctorial qualities; this is the Lazw- sonia tnermis, from which the Henné of Egypt is ob- tained, and has been in use for staining the nails of the hands and feet from the earliest ages, as traces of it are found on mummies. It is also used in many parts of Asia for the same purpose. The flowers are very fragrant, and much esteemed. In India an extract is in much repute in cases of ‘lepra and obstinate cuta- neous affections. The bark and leaves of Lagerstré- mia regine are said to be purgative and hydragogue and the seeds purgative. The flowers of Hezmia salici- _ folva are employed in Mexico to.excite copious perspi- ration in venereal complaints. In Brazil a decoction of Cuphea balsamora has been found useful in inter- mittent fevers. In India, according to Ainslie (Mat. Ind., ii. 92), the leaves of Ammanta vesicatorta, which have a streng mu- riatic smell, are used to raise blisters in rheumatism. Calyx cylindrical, striate. diate teeth or processes, inserted above the middle or near the base of the calyx, nearly equal, Stigma capitate. ) Lyrurum.—Linn. Teeth short, 4—6, usually with as many minute interme- Petals 4—6. Stamens as many or twice as many as the petals, Style filiform. Capsule oblong, 2- celled, many-seeded, enclosed in the calyx. The species of this genus are moat herbaceous, in some few cases assum- ing a shrubby appearance. ofa purple or white colour. They all have entire leaves, and axillary flowers, One species only, deserves notice, and that rather from its former reputation than frorn any marked remedial qualities it pos- sesses, L. saticaria, Linn.—Leaves lanceolate, cordate at base. spike. Petals 6—7. Linn., Sp. Pl. 640; Churchill, iii. 146 ; Flowers sessile, in a long Torrey and Gray, Fv. i, 482; Stephenson and. Woodville, v. 65. | ONAGRACEAE, 303 Common Names.—Loosestrife, Purple Willow Herb. Foreign Names.—Lisimaque rouge, Fr. ; Salicaria, lt. ; Braune Weide- rich, Ger. Description.—Root perennial, woody, sending up several erect, leafy, slender, reddish stems, three or four feet high, quadrangular or even hexangular near the root. The leaves are mostly opposite, sessile, lanceolate, pointed, entire, the upper ones resembling bracts. The flowers are in terminal spikes, in numerous axillary whorls, six in each, of a purplish colour, inodorous. The calyx is inferior, cylindrical, striated, downy or hairy, with twelve marginal teeth, six of which are long, subulate, erect, and reddish; the others minute, ovate, concave, and inflected. The petals are six, elliptic-oblong, equal, waved. The stamens are twelve, filiform, the six alternate ones shorter, bearing roundish anthers. The ovary is ovate-oblong, with a simple style and capitate stigma. The capsule is small, elliptical, 2-eelled, and enclosed in the tube of the calyx. This plant is found in various parts of the world, being an inhabitant of Europe, Asia, North America, and New Holland, growing in wet situations. It is inodorous, but has a herbaceous, mucilaginous, somewhat astringent taste. It has not been analyzed, but probably contains tannin and much mucilage. Medical Properties.—It is a demulcent and astringent, and was at one time much celebrated as a remedy in diarrhcea and dysentery, for which it is even now a highly popular domestic medicine in Ireland. Many German practi- tioners likewise speak of it in high terms in bowel diseases, but of late years it is seldom prescribed ; and in this country it is never administered in regu- lar practice, though sometimes employed as a domestic remedy, especially among our German population. It is given in powder, in drachm doses, twice or three times a day; but more generally in decoction, made by boiling an ounce of the root in a pint of water, of which the dose is a fluid ounce to twice that quantity, to be repeated as occasion may require. Orper 50.—ONAGRACEA.— Jussieu. ‘Calyx adherent to the ovary, and usually produced beyond it into a tube. ' Petals usu- ally 4, and the stamens as many or twice as many, inserted into the throat of the calyx. Ovary commonly 4-celled. Styles united. Stigmas’4, or united into one. Fruit gene- rally capsular. - An order of herbaceous, rarely shrubby plants, with alternate or opposite leaves, not dotted nor furnished with.stipules; the flowers are generally showy. ‘The larger number of the species are peculiar to the American | continent, especially on the western side of it. ‘They afford many ornamen- | tal plants much prized by horticulturists. ‘Their medical properties are very | little known, but, as far as ascertained, are demulcent and emollient. | Tube of the calyx prolonged beyond the ovary, deciduous. Segments’ 4, reflexed. Petals 4, equal, mostly obcordate, obovate. Stamens 8, nearly equal or unequal. Ovary \4.celled, with numerous horizontal or ascending ovules. Stigma 4-lobed or capitate. Capsule various in form, 4-valved, many-seeded. CEnoTHERA.— Linn. A very extensive genus, of which upwards of sixty species are indigenous ‘to North America. They are sometimes suffrutescent, with axillary or ter- minal flowers, which.in some species open only in the evening or at night. ‘The roots of some of them are edible, and resemble in taste the Salsafy. 304 MEDICAL BOTANY. CE, srennis, Zinn.—Stem erect, mostly villous, or hirsute. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, flat. Flowers terminal, sub-spicate, sessile, with the stamens shorter than the corolla. Linn., Sp. Pl. 346; Torrey and Gray, F/, i. 492; Griffith, Jour. Phil. Coll. Pharm. Common Names.—Evening Primrose, Cure-all, &c. Description.—Stem from three to five feet high, rough, hairy,and branching. Radical leaves petiolated, cauline leaves sessile ; both pubescent and more or less dentate. Flowers in a terminal, somewhat leafy spike, of a pale-yellow colour. Tube of the calyx much longer than the ovary, and from one-half to two or three times longer than the segments. Stamens obliquely declined, a little shorter than the somewhat obcordate petals. Ovary sessile, 4-grooved. Capsule oblong, somewhat tapering above, four-sided or terete, valves l-ribbed. Seeds numerous, arranged in two rows in each cell. This species is very common in this country, and is naturalized in Europe. It isexceedingly variable, and numerous species have been indicated on its varieties which do not appear entitled to that rank. When it grows in secluded situations, the leaves become covered with a white mucor, giving them a highly pubescent appearance; and by cultivation the flowers become of a much deeper colour and of a larger size. ‘They expand in the evening, just at the commencement of twilight, and continue open till the sun begins to exert some power the succeeding morning. ‘The same flower does not expand a second time. Pursh states that he has “ frequently observed a singularity in this plant, and it might be interesting to make further inquiry into its cause; it is that in a dark night, when no objects can ‘be distin- guished at an inconsiderable distance, this plant, when in full flower, can be seen at a great distance, having a bright white appearance, which probably may arise from some phosphoric properties of the flowers.” Medical Properties.—The bark and leaves in a recent state are mucilagi- nous, and leave a slight sensation of acridity, after being chewed. This latter is not so marked after they have been dried, though the mucilage does not appear to be diminished. Some years since, hearing of the efficacy of a decoction of the plant in infantile eruptions, I made a trial with it in seve- ral cases of an obstinate character, which had resisted other modes of treat- ~ ment, and became satisfied that it was highly beneficial; and this opinion has been confirmed by subsequent experience with it. The plant is to be gathered about the flowering season, and the small twigs with the bark of the large branches and stem, retaining the leaves with them, to be dried in the shade. Of these a strong decoction is to be made, with which the eruption is to be bathed several times a-day. Schoef states that the O. mollessima, which is probably the lanescent variety of this plant, is a vulnerary, and in domestic practice,.in many parts of the country; the Evening Primrose is a favourite emollient in ulcers. ~ From some experiments, it appears to possess the abstergent qualities of the Quillaja saponaria, though not in an’equal degree, but fully as much so as the Saponaria officinalis. Group XX.—Cucurbitales. Orper $1.—CUCURBITACE.—Jussieu: Calyx 4—5 (rarely 6) sepals, united in a tube, and in the fertile flowers adherent to the ovary. Petals as many as sepals, usually more or less united into a monopetalous corolla, which coheres to the calyx. Stamens 5 or 3, inserted into the base of the corolla or ealyx, either distinct or variously united by their filaments and contorted anthers. Ovary of them in a wild state are active and poisonous. ' in one species, the Té/fairza pedata, are very CUCURBITACE&. 305 2—5-celled, the thick and fleshy placenta often filling the cells, or carried baek so as to reach the walls of the pericarp, the dissepiments often disappearing during its growth. Stigmas thick, dilated, or fringed. Fruit (a pepo) usually fleshy, with a hard rind, some- times membranous. Seeds flat, often arilled, exalbuminous. Cotyledons foliaceous. A very extensive order of tropical and sub-tropical plants, with a few extra- tropical species. They are all succulent herbs, climbing by tendrils, with alter- nate, and palmately-veined or lobed, rough leaves. The general character of the order is acridity and a drastic purgative power, which is found in some part of the plant; for, although the fruits of many of them are edible and bland, the roots and leaves are usually active and dangerous. In some cases, the fruit or its pulp is eminently powerful, as in the Elaterium and Colocynth, and there is reason to believe that the edible kinds owe their freedom from acrimony to cultivation, for some Fig. 149. The seeds are usually mild and oleaginous, and SYS3 SF Jarge, and are used as an article of food in WS AES \ LF Africa; they are said to be very agreeable, and = § Gi A pe \\’ ? “s y g ’ D RS » No WENSIZ < of \ y RS i . when pressed to yield an abundance of oil, equal _ ¥ I SSS in flavour to that of the olive. De Candolle AOS Uf Fae states that none of the seeds of this order are T. peata. active or poisonous, but in this he was mistaken, as those of several species of Fewzllea are intensely bitter and violent emetics and cathartics, and those of Anzsospermum passiflora and Hypanthera gua- peva are stomachic in small doses, but purge in large ones. A decoction of those of the Watermelon acts as a mild diuretic, Momorpica.— Linn. ° Petals 5, adnate to the base of the calyx, deciduous. Anthers all cohering. Ovules in ‘a single row in each cell. Stigma 2-lobed, Fruit a capsular, elastically-bursting three- valved pepo. The species of this genus are principally natives of India, but one is com- mon to that country and Florida; though it is doubtful whether it has not been introduced into the latter. Most of the fruits are mild, and are esteemed as vulneraries. M. zarsamina, Linn.—Leaves smooth, widely-palmate. Linn., Sp. Pi., 1453; Descourtilz, Flor. Med. Antill. iii. 62. Common Name.—Balsam Apple. Foreign Names.—Pomme de Mervielle, Fr.; Balsamina, J. Description.—Stem climbing, slender, angular, furrowed. Leaves lobed, smooth, of a bright-green colour, petiolated. Flowers axillary, of a whitish-yellow colour. Fruit tu. berculated, oblong, somewhat resembling a cucumber, but more pointed at the ends, of a yellowish-red colour when mature, bursting elastically, and discovering the seeds, which are reddish, crenulated, and marked with waved elevations. It is a native of India, but is now naturalized in the West Indies, and ac- cording to Rafinesque, if it is his Newrosperma balsamina, as is supposed by Seringe, is also found in Florida. It is frequently cultivated in gardens, on account of the beauty of its fruit. This fruit has long been used in Syria and other Eastern countries as a vulnerary, for which purpose, Hasselquist (Jter. Palest.) informs us, it is cut 306 MEDICAL BOTANY. open and infused in sweet oil, which is exposed to the sun for a few days, until it becomes red, and then preserved for use ; dropped on cotton, and ap- plied to a wound, it is considered as a vulnerary almost equal to the balsam | of Mecca. It is used in the same way in Europe and this country. Dr. Des- courtilz (Flor. Med. Antzll, iii. 62) states that it is acrid and poisonous, but that an extract from it has been found of benefit in dropsies as a hydragogue \ purgative. In Manilla a decoction of the plant is used as an emetic. Rafi- ws nesque (Med. Flor. ii. 245) says that the root is useful in jaundice and liver complaints, and that the powder is emetic. Several other species are also active. The leaves of M. charantia, which are bitter, and of a strong odour, are vermifuge, and are also employed in decoction in Jamaica to promote the lochial discharge. (Browne, Jam.) The root of IM. dioica is recommended by Hindoo physicians in the form of an electuary, in bleeding piles, and bowel complaints. (Aznsle, ii. 274.) ~ Crrrutius.— Necker. Corolla persistent, 5-parted, sub-rotate. Anthers tridelphous, bilocular. Style trifid. Stigma obcordate, convex. Fruit a fleshy or dry and fibrous, many-seeded peponida. This genus is very variable in its properties, especially as regards the fruit, in some species being edible, as in the Watermelon, whilst in others it is acrid, poisonous, and purgative, as in the Colocynth, &c. It is probable that the roots and stems of all the species are endowed with active properties. C. cotecyntuis, Linn.—Leaves many-lobed; petioles as long as the lamina. Fruit globose, smooth, bitter. Cucumus colocynthis, Linn., Sp. Pl. 1092; Woodville, iii. 175 ; Stephen- son and Churchill, ili. 188 ; Citrudlus colocynthis, Royle, 396. ~ Common Names.—Colocynth ; Bitter Cucumber. Foreign Names.—Coloquinte, Fr. ; Coloquintida, Z¢.; Koloquinthen, Ger. Description.—Root annual, whitish. Stems Fig. 150. herbaceous, trailing, angular, branched, rough with short hairs. The leaves are on long pe- tioles of a triangular form, deeply and ob- tusely sinuated, of a bright green on the upper surface, paler, and clothed with whitish hairs beneath, ‘The flowers are solitary, axillary, and of a yellow colour, The calyx of the male flower is bell-shaped. The corolla is monope- talous, campanulate, divided at the margin into five pointed segments. The stamens are three, short, distinct; two are bifid at the apex, or rather have twoanthers. The female flower is like the male, but the filaments are destitute of anthers. The ovary is inferior, large, with a very short cylindrical style, furnished with three thick stigmas. The fruit is a round pepo, the size and colour of an orange, and smooth on the outside when ripe ; the rind is thin but solid; internally it is trilocular, each cell containing numerous ovate acute, compressed seeds, enveloped by a white spongy pulp. This plant is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, Japan, India, Nubia, Syria, é&c., and is cultivated in Spain and C. colocynthis, Italy. It is supposed to be the gourd alluded to in the Old Testament (2 CUCURBITACES. 307 Kings, iv. 39, 40) as poisonous. It was known to, and employed by Hippo- crates, not as a purgative, but as a pessary to induce menstruation. Other ancient writers allude to it, and Pliny speaks of it under the name it now bears. There are two varieties mentioned by Ray, the major and mznor, which agree with the Spanish and Mogadore of the present day. It is im- ported into this country from various ports in the Mediterranean, and all that comes to this market is of the first variety, and is always deprived of its rind. It is in the form of round, white, light balls, composed of a spongy, dried pulp, containing numerous seéds, The pulp is tough, and intensely and dis- agreeably bitter. ‘The seeds, when perfectly freed from the pulp, are bland and oleaginous, and are used in some parts of Africa as an important article of food. Colocynth has been analyzed by several chemists, and found to contain : bitter matter (colocynthin), extractive, resin, gum, &c.; the active principle is the bitter matter, which forms about an eighth of the whole pulp; it is a yellowish-brown, translucent, brittle substance, soluble both in water and al- cohol, but most readily so in the latter. ‘The part used in medicine is exclu- _ sively the pulp, which from its nature being powdered with great difficulty, is ~ seldom administered in substance, but is usually prescribed in the form of ex- tract, either alone or variously compounded with other ingredients. Medical Properties.—In small doses, Colocynth is a safe and valuable purgative of the hydragogue class ; in large doses it operates as a drastic, and in over-quantities acts as an acrid poison. [n its action it resembles gam- boge, but acts more energetically on the colon. It is scarcely ever given alone ; but there is no purgative more habitually prescribed than the com- pound extract, either alone or in combination with calomel. The dose of colocynth is from two to eight grains, mixed with bland powder ; of the ex- tract from five grains to a scruple, which is also that of the compound ex- tract. No preparation is better suited to cases of habitual constipation than this, as it operates effectually, but at the same time mildly. Colocynth and its preparations may be employed to fulfil every indication for which purga- tives are administered; and it would therefore be superfluous to notice its powers in any individual disease. Some other species are possessed of the same properties as the C, hard? wickit, a native of India. It has a very bitter pulp, and is similar in quality to Colocynth. (Royle, /@us. 220.) Another Indian species, C. pseudo-colo- eynthis (Royle, L//us.'220), is in common use: in Northern India as a purga- tive; it is said to be fully equal to the officinal article. The Colocynth of the Cape of Good Hope may also prove distinct, as it certainly bears a much milder fruit, since this is used as a pickle, and is said to possess no bitterness. Our native species, C. perennis, found west of the Mississippi, is probably active, as the fruit is extremely bitter and fetid. Ecsatium.— Richard. Corolla 5—6.cleft ; anthers tridelphous, ovules in two rows in each cell. Stigmas 3, 2-horned, Fruit an elastically and irregularly-bursting peponida. This genus was established by Richard to contain certain species of Mo- mordica, and appears to be a very natural one. E. eLatertum, Linn.—Leaves cordate, sinuated or lobed, rough. Stem short without tendrils. Fruit elliptical, hispid. Momordica elatervwm, Linn., Sp. Pl, 1434; Woodville, ii, t. 71; Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med. iv. 166; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 84; Lindley, FY, Med. 85; Echalium elaterium, Rich., E. officinale, Nees-and Eberm. iii. 101, 308 MEDICAL BOTANY. Common Names.—Squirting or Wild Cucumber; Wild Balsam Apple. Foreign Names.—Concombre sauvage ou d’ane, Fr.; Concomero salva- tico, Jt. ; Esselsgurten, Ger, Fig. 151. E. elaterium. sat H Hy Ay hy Yy A) Hi) Oa Wik ie RU VM WIG LAY Aibseste Cc es Q \\\ Mag % Ff Zz YIN 4 4 =a E. elaterium, a. Pepo discharging its seeds and juice, b, Stalk. c, Transverse section of pepo. _. Description.—Root fleshy and Taree, giving rise to several thick, round, rough, trailing stems, divided into many bran- ches, destitute: of tendrils. The leaves are irregularly-cordate, somewhat lobed, rough, hairy, of a grayish-green colour above, and paler beneath, supported on long petioles. The flowers are axillary, of a straw-yellow co- lour, and both male and female on the same plant; the males on short peduncles, the female, ses- sile on the ovary ; the corolla is composed of five acute segments, tomentose and veined with green ; the stamens are short, in- serted into the base of the corolla, and support recurved, double- headed, orange-coloured anthers; the style is short, cylindrical. three-cleft and terminated by an oblong stigma. The fruit is watery, of a coriaceous texture, pendulous, oblong, of a grayish colour, and closely set with short bristles. The seeds, when mature, are black. When ripe, this pepo bursts and throws out, with some vio- lence, the juice and seeds, through a hole at the insertion of the footstalk. The Wild Cucumber is a native of the south of Europe, growing in waste places; being a hardy annual it will grow in most parts of the United States without much attention. Its specific name was used by Hippocrates for all drastic purgatives, but he appears to have known and employed this article, and Dioscorides, describes the method of preparing it for use, Pliny also alludes to it, and it was familiar to most of the medical writers of the middle ages. In consequence of the peculiar manner the mature fruit expels its seeds, Richard removed the plant from Mo- mordica and made it the type of a new genus which he called Ecbaliwm ; in this he has been followed by Nees von Esenbeck and others. All parts of the plant are actively cathartic, and a century since, the root was the part principally used. James (Pharmacop, Universalis), says,“ after an incredible number of experiments, M. Boulduc found that an extract from its s CUCURBITACES. 309 dried root was the best preparation he could obtain from it, since it was at once.a mild and powerful hydragogue.” Geoffroy and Lemery also speak of the root as powerful, and as much used as the fruit; the active portion of this latter was not. understood; it was termed “ extractum elaterit,” but it is not an extract, nor is it an inspissated juice, nor a fecula as it has been suc- cessively termed. In consequence of the uncertainty respecting it, Dr. Clutter- buck instituted a series of experiments which conclusively proved that ** the most active principle belonging to this plant, is neither lodged in the roots, leaves, flowers, nor stalks, in any considerable quantity; nor is it to be found in the body of the fruit itself, nor in the seeds contained within it: it was only in the juice around the seeds therefore that it could be looked for, and here it will be found.” On these experiments of Dr. Clutterbuck, the processes now followed have been based; these are to slice the fruit and permit the juice to drain off, either spontaneously or aided by pressure ; the fluid thus obtained deposits a pale-green substance, which is what is termed elaterium; the quantity afforded by a fruit is very small, as forty fruits only produced six grains. ‘This substance being insoluble in water, a question has arisen as to what kept it in a state of solution in the juice ; which has been solved by Dr. A. T. Thomson: he suggests that the elaterium does not exist in a formed state in the juice, and is the result of an absorption of oxygen by the fluid, as this is at first nearly colourless and transparent, and does not become turbid or make any deposit until it has been exposed to the action of the air ; if the progress of this change be examined by means of a microscope, it will be seen that there is a gradual formation of minute crystals, mingled with vege- table matters. The elaterium of the shops, therefore, consists of these crys- tals (elaterin) mixed with green colouring matter, Selhaber tissue, starch, &c., and according to the care taken in the preparation, will be the proportional quantity of this active principle, as it varies from 5 to 44 per cent. The best elaterium is in light, friable, thin, somewhat curled flakes or frag- ments, of a pale grayish-green colour, which changes to yellowish by expo- sure, The taste is acrid and bitterish, it has a faint animal odour. Numerous analyses have been made of it with very different results as to the proportionate quantity of the active principle, but agreeing in other respects, showing that these discrepancies have arisen from the different degrees of purity of the specimens experimented upon. laterin is separated by making an alcoholic solution of elaterium, evaporating to the consistence of thin oil, and adding boiling distilled water, when the elaterin will be gradually separated in a crystalline form (Morries, Journ. Phil. Col. Pharm. iii, 130). This substance is in silky crystals, very bitter but inodorous, neither acid nor alkaline, soluble in alcohol, but insoluble in water. It is extremely active, as one-tenth of a grain will purge actively, and Dr. Golding Bird is of opinion that one-six- teenth of a grain is enough to commence ‘with. Tn consequence of this ex- treme activity it is seldom | used, the elaterium itself, if good, being sufficiently active for all purposes for which it is required, _Elaterium, as has been seen from the above, is variable in its effects, owing to the difference in its quality; when good, it is the most powerful purgative known, the only article that approximates to it being Croton oil. Medical Properties.—From what las been said, it will be evident that elaterium is a purgative of great violence of action, and Is to be resorted to only where a powerful impression is wished to be made on the in- testinal canal. Its principal use is to excite copious watery evacuations in dropsy, in certain cases of which it has proved very useful, but should never be given when inflammation or organic disease of the bowels exists, and is of course contra-indicated when the patient is debilitated ; but even in the > 310 MEDICAL BOTANY. cases most favourable to its use, its effects must be closely watched. It is also beneficial as a revulsive in cerebral affections, and has been employed with good effect in obstinate constipation depending on sluggishness of the bowels, Dr. Clutterbuck speaks highly of it (Obs. on Epidem. Fev.) in febrile affec- tions, and states that he has never found any single remedy equally effica- cious in cutting short the disease. The dose of elaterium is from one six- teenth to half a grain; it is usually given in the form of pills. Elaterin is given in powder in combination with bitartrate of potash or in solution in alco- hol, in doses of one-sixteenth to one-eighth of a grain. (See Dunglison, Gen. Therap. i. 202.) | | | Lurra.— Tournefort. Petals 5, inserted on the base of the calyx; anthers distinct, or 2—3-delphous. Style trifid ; stigmas reniform or bipartite. Fruit at length dry, and internally fibrous, usu- ally opening by a terminal lid, rarely indehiscent. . A well-marked genus, established originally by Tournefort, and subse- quently recognised by Cavanilles and Wight, (Am. Nat. Hist.) Most of the species are possessed of active properties, and none of them are edible. | L. orercutata, Linn.—Leaves obscurely 5-angled, petioles long-channelled. Fruit an oval, trilocular capsule. Momordica operculata, Linn., Sp. Pl. 1090; Commelin, Plant. rar, t. 22; Hancock, Jour. Phil. Coll. Pharm. ii. 144. Description.—Root fibrous. Stem very long, 5-angled. Leaves distant, angular, some- _ what 5-lobed, roughly pubescent, on long-channelled petioles. Flowers yellow, the males in clusters on a common receptacle; females solitary, elevated above the germ on a co- lumnar torus, which becomes the lid or operculum of the capsule. Petals thrice the length of the calyx, obovate, spreading, obtuse. Stamens five, cohering. Ovary large, angular; style cleft. Fruit an oval, trilocular, prickly, brown, dry capsule, with a deciduous oper- culum, which on being detached, discovers within a white three-celled reticulum or web- like substance, lying loose, and enveloping black, compressed seeds. This plant is found in Guiana, where it is abundant. The description of it by Dr. Hancock, does not agree with the characters of Momordica, but _ approaches nearer to those of Luffa, and it is probable that more than one plant is confounded under the name of M. operculata. The fruit is not a true pepo, but adry, trilocular capsule with a deciduous lid at the apex. The web, or reticulum, which is the active portion, weighs about six or eight grains, and is more intensely bitter than any other known substance ; when agitated with - water it gives out much froth, like soap. | Medical Uses, §-c.—Dr. Hancock states it is one of the most active hydra- gogue purgatives hitherto discovered, and also proves diuretic and sudorific ; in small doses it is alterativeand stomachic. The mode of administration he prefers is to infuse two of the capsules in a quart of boiling water, with the addition of a tablespoonful of common salt, and agitating well whilst cooling. The dose of this is from one to two fluid ounces. When given in substance, the dose is one grain, Where it is given as a cathartic, it is better to admin- ister the full dose, as it does not act as well in divided portions ; when given in infusion, an over-dose is certain of being rejected, and nothing is to be feared from it, for if the evacuations are too profuse, they are readily controllable by opiates and demulcents. When a full dose is taken, the patient should lie down and remain tranquil for an hour or two to prevent nausea. It has been found of great utility in dropsy, and as an enema in colica pictonum. Dr. Hancock - % CUCURBITACEAZ. 311 states that it exceeds any thing he has tried; he also employed it, with good results, in some cases of enlargement of the spleen. It is possible that this plant is the MZ. purgans, Martius, from the fruit of which an extremely bitter extract is made, and which has been found very efficacious in dropsy. The plant described by Dr. Hancock is extremely abundant, he says, in Guiana, and it is well deserving of further trial, for if it is found to fulfil what he has stated of its powers, it will be a valuable addi- tion to the, class of hydragogue purgatives, and it appears to be more cer- tain in its effects than Hlaterium, and could be afforded at a much lower price. Several other species of Luffa are active; thus L. amara, of India, is ex- tremely bitter, and has a violently emetic and cathartic fruit. The juice of the roasted pepo is used by the natives as a topical application in headache, and the seeds as an emeto- -purgative (Roxburgh, ii. 715), The L, bendaal, is said by Royle to be used in Northern India as a drastic in cases of dropsy. Many other plants of this order have been found to be endowed with medi- ~ cinal and active qualities. All the species of Lagenaria, or gourds, are fetid, and even poisonous, especially in a wild state. Lindley (#7. Med. 84), states some sailors died from drinking some beer that had been standing in a gourd; and Royle says he learned from a Hindoo physician, that the pulp. would occasion vjolent purging. The fruit of Melothria pendula, a native of ~ the West Indies and United States, is extremely drastic ; half'a one is a dose for an adult, and Martius (Jour. Chim. Med. ili. 193) states, that three or four act powerfully on a horse. The fruit of Trecosanthes palmdta are con- sidered poisonous, and Ainslie (Mat. Ind.) says, that the seeds pounded and mixed with warm cocoa-nut oil is esteemed a valuable application in India in offensive ulcers of the ears and nose. The seeds of 7. amara, according to Martius, are used in the West Indies as a bitter and astringent, but sometimes prove emetic. The fruit of TZ. vzllosa acts like colocynth, and that of J. cu- cumerina is reckoned, in India, to be anthelmintic. The root of J. cordata is bitter, and has been employed in the same country as a substitute for Co- lumba. The seeds and leaves of Muricia cochinchinensis, according to Loureiro (FV. Coch., 596), are abstergent, and aperient, and are thought bene- ficial in Bieeeutions of the liver, tumours, &c. The root and seeds of Szcyos angulata, a native plant, are bitter and diuretic, (Rafin.'Med. FJ. ii. 263.) Bryonra,— Linn. Flowers monecious or dicecious. Calyxwith 5 short teeth. Petals 5, distinct or united at base. Males, stamens 5, triadelphous; anthers flexuous. Females, style mostly 3-cleft. Fruit an ovate, or globose, smooth berry, generally few-seeded. B. piorca, Willdenow.—Leaves palmate, 5-lobed, toothed, rough on both sides. Flowers racemose, dicecious. Willdenow, Sp. Pl. iv. 621; English Bot. t. 489; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 64; Woodville, ii. 194. Common Names.—Bryony ; Tetter Berry’; Wild Hops. Foreign Names.—Bryone, Fr.; Brionia bianca, Jt. ; Zaunrube, Ger. This Bryony is a native of Paeiand, and has often been confounded with the B. alba of the continent of Europe, which, however, it is identical with in its sensible properties. Although it is now seldom employed as a medicinal agent, it was at one time held in such high repute that it deserves notice, added to which several cases of poisoning by it have occurred, rendering a knowledge of its properties.of importance to the physician and medical jurist. 312 MEDICAL BOTANY. The root, which.is the part employed, is spongy, and has a very disagreeable odour, and an extremely nauseous taste, depending on an acrid principle which can be removed by washing, so as to leave a pureand nutritive fecula, which was used in France during a time of scarcity, and found very nutritious. The root has been analyzed by several chemists, and shown to contain fecula, a pe- culiar acrid principle (bryonzme), gum, several salts, &c. Collard de Mar- tigny (Nowy. Bib. Med. ii. 219) is of opinion, that bryonine, although very active, is not the only purgative principle in the root. Medical Properties.—Bryony is an energetic purgative and emetic, and was known to the ancients, as both Dioscorides and Pliny recommend the juice in epilepsy, and it was also much used in other cerebral affections, and also in dropsy, and many other complaints. As the properties of the root depend upon the acrid juice, the root should be dried for use in such a way as to prevent the volatilization of this as much as possible. The infu- sion is the best mode of administering it where its purgative powers are desired ; for this purpose half an ounce of the dried root is to be infused in a pint of boiling water, to which some aromatic may be added; of this a wineglassful, taken every four hours, will produce copious evacuations, both from the bowels and bladder. In France the juice is a common domestic purge; this is pro- cured by cutting off the vine, scooping a hole in the. root, and collecting the fluid that exudes into it. It was also celebrated for its wonderful anthel- mintic powers, and for its emmenagogue qualities, When given in powder, in doses of half a drachm, it acts.as an emetic, followed His afterwards. by purgation. The recent root is capable of blistering the skin, and has been found useful ‘in rheumatic affections, and for the removal of extravasated blood. Most of the other species-are likewise active; the B. africana, according to Thunberg, is used at the Cape of Good Hope as an emetic and purgative, and Ainslie states that the seeds of the B. callosa are used in India as a ver- mifuge, and the B. epigea, according to the same authority, is regarded by the Hindoo physicians as one of their most valuable remedies, in dysentery, inveterate venereal affections, and as a vermifuge. \ Group XXI.—Saxifragales. Orper 52.—SAXIFRAGACEA.—Jussieu. Calyx of 4—5 more or less united sepals, either free from, or more or less adherent to . the ovary; persistent. Petals as many as the sepals, rarely wanting. Stamens as many, twice as many, or rarely 3—4 times as many as the sepals. Ovaries usually 2 (some- times 3—4,) usually united below, and distinct at summit. Seeds numerous. This very extensive order consists of herbs or shrubs with alternate or op- posite leaves; it is divided into four sub-orders, the first of which, the Sagz- frage@ proper, is composed of herbaceous plants only, whilst the other three are all shrubs. The roots of many of them are astringent, but the only genus that is entitled to notice for its medicinal properties is Heuchera. Hevcurersa.—Linn. Calyx campanulate, 5-cleft. Petals 5, small. Stamens 5, exserted or included; an- thers 2-celled. Styles 2, Capsule 1-celled, with two parietal adnate placente; many- secded, 2-beaked, dehiscent between the beaks, EE === - ea SAXIFRAGACEX. 313 Almost all the species of this genus are North American ; they are peren- nial, mostly acaulescent herbs, with numerous radical leaves on long petioles ; the cauline ones, when they exist, are alternate. cles, on long scapes. The whole of the species have astringent roots, and may be used indiscriminately, and are known under the common name of Alum root. H. cautescens, Pursh.—Petioles villous. Leaves glabrous, acutely 5—7-lobed, lobes acute, unequally and acutely-toothed. Scape naked, or about 2-leaved; nearly glabrous. Petals linear, spatulate, about as long as the stamens, The flowers are in pani- Pursh, F¢. Am. 1.188; De Candolle, Prod. iv. 51; Torrey and Gray, FV. N, A. i. 578, H. acertfolia ; Rafinesque, Med. Flor, i. 241, f. 49. Description.—Root perennial, yellow- ish, horizontal. Radical leaves on long, slender, somewhat villous petioles; shaped like those of the maple, base cordate ; sharply five to seven-lobed ; the — segments acute, unequally toothed; the » teeth short and acute; hispidly ciliate. Flowers in a loose panicle; the peduncles many-flowered, with linear or subulate bracts. Calyx with five acute teeth. Petals linear-spatulate, about the length of the exserted stamens. Capsule with ~ two beaks, two-celled, many-seeded. This species is found in high situations in many parts of the United States, and is identical in its * properties with the H. americana, and therefore may always be em- ployed in the same cases. Medical Properties.—The roots of all the species are extremely astringent, and were used by the aborigines as styptics, and as appli- cations to ulcers, and are domestic remedies of some repute for the Same purposes in many parts of the country. They are also said to form the basis of some of the cancer powders of empirics, They have been found useful in aphthous sore mouth, and may be employed wherever the powerful astringents are indicated. From some expe- riments I have made with them, it seems probable that an extract might be used as a substitute for Rhatany or Catechu. % or me Fig. 153. 4 \ 7 S\ A VAY H, caulescens, SS Z 314 MEDICAL BOTANY. Group XXII.—Umbellales. Orper 53.—APIACE.— Lindley. Calyx coherent with the surface of the ovary, its limb entire, five-toothed or obsolete. Petals 5, inserted with the 5 stamens on-a disk crowning the ovary. Styles 2, sometimes united and dilated at base (stylopodium), Fruit dry, separating from each other, and often from a slender axis (carpophore), into two indehiscent carpels (mericarps), adhering by their faces (commissures). ‘They are marked by a definite number of ribs (juga), _ which are sometimes produced into wings; the intervening spaces (intervals), as well as the commissure, sometimes contain canals or receptacles of volatile oil called vitte. This very extensive and difficult order is composed of herbs with hollow stems, and mostly with alternate and much-divided leaves, with the petioles sheathing or dilated at base. The flowers are in simple or mostly compound umbels, sometimes contracted into a kind of head. They are found in all parts of the world, but are most abundant in the northern hemisphere. In tropical regions they are confined to the sea-side or to the mountains. They are all furnished with a volatile oil or balsam, most plentiful in the root and seeds ; some again furnish gum-resifs, and a few are pervaded in every part with an alkaloid, acro-narcotic principle. Many species are used as articles of food, and still more are medicinal. Without attempting a*detailed enumeration of the real or asserted proper- ties of the numerous species used as’ food or medicine, the following brief notice will explain the general properties of the most important of them. Among the poisonous species, Conzwm is the most striking for its acro- narcotic powers. A violent poison also exists in the roots of Cicuta macu- lata ; the C. virosa is also very active, causing tetanic convulsions. Haller is of opinion that it was the.@oniwm of the Greeks. The leaves of Athusa cynapium arealso noxious, as are the roots of Ginanthe crocata. Many also of the cultivated species, as Celery and Parsnip, are injurious in their wild state. The roots of Lichtensteina pyrethrifolia are used by the Hottentots to prepare an intoxicating drink. The most generally employed of those with aromatic and carminative seeds are Anise, Caraway, Coriander, and Cummin. Of those which afford gum-resins, the most important are the Ferulas yielding Asafcetida. Galba- num is said to be produced by the Opordia galbanifera, but is also furnished by other plants. Opoponax chironum yields Opoponax. Gum ammoniacum is partly derived from a Dorema, and partly from a species of Feruda, and it is thought that Sagapenum is also obtained from another species of the same genus. Numerous plants of this order are employed for food, as Parsnips, Carrots, Celery, Parsley, Samphire, &c., besides many others of less note. OrTHOSPERM ®. Section 1. Saniculee.—Fruit ovate-globose. Vitte often wanting. Eryvnoium.—Linn. Flowers sessile. Calyx-tube with scale-like vesicles, lobes somewhat leafy. Petals connivent, oblong, with a long inflexed point. Styles filiform. Fruit obovate, nearly terete, squamate or tubereulate. Carpels semi-terete, without vitte or ribs. Carpophore adnate with the carpels, The genus Eryngium consists of herbaceous or suffruticose plants, with e ® o we’ | he) 5 a a ° Ps 7 APIACE. 315 leaves that are often prickly. The flowers are usually blue or white, and bracteated, the lower bracts being involucrate, the others intermixed with the flowers in the form of scales. ‘There are nine or ten species found in the United States, some of which are medicinal, as are also some of those pecu- liar to Europe. E. maritimum, Linn.—Radical leaves roundish, ‘laited, spinous. Scales of the recep- tacle 3-cleft. Linn., Sp. Pl. 337 ; Woodville, i. 120; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 143. Common Names.—Eryngo ; Sea Holly. | Foreign Names.—Panicaut maritime, Fr.; Eringio marino, J. ; Meer- strandmanstreu, Ger. Description.—Root creeping, horizontal, cylindrical, about as thick as a finger, very long. Stem about a foot high, round, branched, striated, leafy. Radical leaves roundish or reniform, petiolated, plaited, 3-lobed ; those of the stem sessile, the whole smooth, of a glaucous colour, and armed with sharp spines, like those of the holly. -The flowers are disposed at the ends of the stem and branches, in dense, conical heads. They are small, numerous, of a bright-blue colour, and separated by small, rigid scales, and surrounded at base by a pinnatifid, spinous involucrum. The scales are 3-toothed. The calyx is superior, consisting of five erect, equal sepals. The-corolla has five, equal, oblong petals, with their points inflexed. The stamens are five, longer than the corolla, with oblong anthers. The ovary is ovate-oblong, hispid, crowned with two filiform styles, bearing simple stigmas. ‘The fruit is bristly, separable into two parts, and consisting of a like number of oblong, nearly cylindrical seeds. * The Sea Holly is found in most of the maritime parts of Europe, on sandy — beaches, flowering in July and August. It was well known to the ancients, and is spoken of by Dioscorides as an antilithic, and became very celebrated, till within the last century, for the numerous virtues it was supposed to possess, Not to speak of earlier writers, Boerhaave quotes it as the first of the ape- rient diuretic roots ; and it was much used by his contemporaries in gonor- rhoea and visceral obstructions, particularly of the gall-bladder and kidneys. But the most eminent of the powers attributed to it, were those of provoking the menstrual discharge, for which it was considered as a specific that scarcely ever failed; nor was it less celebrated as a febrifuge in paroxysmal fevers. Baglivi speaks of it in high terms in affections of the bladder. Ata later period it was much praised by Drs. Hoffmann and Guthe, of Manheim, in phthisis. In fact, no article of the Materia Medica was at one time in greater repute than this, nor any one that has more completely been forgot- ten. It must be possessed of some active powers, to have so long maintained its reputation, and the subsequent neglect of it can only be attributed to one of those caprices, unfortunately too common with regard to remedial articles, scarcely one of which has not been successively lauded to the skies, to be laid aside and forgotten, in a few, years to be again restored to favour. Among its other virtues, it was much esteemed for its aphrodisiac qualities, which appear to have been noticed at a very early period, and are constantly alluded to by the dramatists and poets of the Elizabethian and succeeding ages. Shakspeare frequently notices it, as does Prior in one of his tales, The root was prepared candied, at Colchester, in England, and sold in con- siderable quantities, as we are told by Sir J. E. Smith (Eng. Bot.) The part used in medicine is also the root; this has a sweet, agreeable taste and aro- matic smell ; it gives out its properties to water. The E. campestre, also a native of Europe, is possessed of the same qua- lities, and is employed in the same way. A. native species, the E. aquati- cum, which occurs in low, wet places, from Virginia to Florida, has been used with some success as a diaphoretic and expectorant. In large doses it ¢ - 316 MEDICAL BOTANY. proves emetic. The root, which is the part that -is officinal, is pungent, bitter, and aromatic. Section 2. Amminee.—Fruit with primary ribs only, compressed laterally or didy- mous. Crcutra.—Linn. Margin of calyx 5-toothed, teeth somewhat foliaceous. Petals obcordate, point in- flexed. Fruit roundish, contracted laterally, didymous. Carpels with 5 flattish, equal ribs, lateral ones marginal; intervals filled with single vitte. Commissure with 2 vitte. Carpophore 2-parted. Seed terete. This genus is small, and consists of perennial, aquatic, glabrous herbs, with terete, fistulous stems and tri-pinnately or tri-ternately-divided leaves. The involucrum is wanting, or is few-leaved. The involucels are many- leaved. The flowers are white in all the species. They are extremely poi- sonous, and are known under the common name of Hemlock. C. macuutata, Linn.—Root fasciculate. Stem streaked with purple. Leaves biter- nately divided. Follicles lanceolate, mucronately serrate. Umbels terminal and axil- lary. Linn., Sp. Pi. 367; Torrey and Gray, F7. i. 610; Bigelow, Med. Bot. i, t. 12; Rafinesque, Med. Flor. i. 107. Common Names.—Water Hemlock, Spotted Cowbane, Beaver Poison, &c. Fig. 154. Description.—Root pe- rennial, composed of se- veral oblong, fleshy tu- bers, about the size of the finger. Stem from 3 to 8 feet high, hollow, joint- ed, striated with green GE, an oltray , Fay ad lehs ee C240 and purple, or spotted, RAR —LG PE, 909 Brass wilaas Poy VG MOG Y ; i XS r sometimes entirely green. The lower leaves are on long petioles, the terminal division quinate or pin- nate,the segments more or less lanceolate ; upper leaves usually ternate, all of them petiolate, with the primary veins running to the notches, and not to the points of the ser- ratures. Flowers white, in terminal or axillary umbels, without involu- cres, rays of the umbels long and slender. Invo- lucels of five or six short linear leaves. Calyx connected with the ova- ry, 5-toothed at margin. The petals are five, ob- ovate, white, entire, with the point inflexed. The stamens are longer than the petals, with ovate an. . maculata, thers. The styles are two, short and recurved. Q APIACES. 317 The fruit is nearly globular, aromatic. The mericarps are flat inside, convex on the other, with five ribs, which are broad, and filled with a white cellular substance. The Water Hemlock is found in all parts of the United States, growing in wet places, and flowering in July and August. It is well known as one of the most poisonous plants indigenous to the country, and has occasioned the death of many children, from their having eaten the root, in mistake for that of the Sweet Cicely.— When taken in any quan- tity it causes all the symp- toms of the acro-narcotics. The whole plant, ina fresh state, is poisonous ;_ but by drying, the stem and leaves become innocuous, and are eaten by cattle without danger. The root, how- ever, is the most active portion; it has a strong aromatic taste and odour, and the cortical portion contains a yellowish, vis- cid juice. Medical Properties. — It is a powerful narcotic, somewhat resembling the Conium in its action, sel- dom employed in practice, but has been given as a sedative, to alleviate the pain in scirrhus and can- cer. Dr. Bigelow says that it is identical with the C. virosa in its properties ; and it may be mentioned that the C. maculata has been figured for that spe- cies by Bulliard (Plantes de France),and by Roques (Phytographie Medicale), as well as in the Flore Medicale. The C. virosa, which is common to Europe, is also found in Canada, and is equally poisonous with the above. Haller considered it the Conium of the Greeks. Fig. 155. C, virosa, 1. A flower. 2. Fruit. PETROSELINUM.— Hoffmann. Calyx with the limb obsolete. Petals rounded, incurved, scarcely emarginate, with the apex narrow and inflexed. Fruit ovate, compressed at the sides. Mericarps with 5 equal ribs, the lateral ones marginal. Channels with single vitte ; commissure with 2 vitte. Axis bipartite. Involucre few-leaved; involucels many-leaved. A small genus separated by Hoffmann from Apzwm, with which, how- ever, it is closely allied. ! 318 ‘MEDICAL BOTANY. P. sativum, Hoffmann.—Leaves decompound ; segments of lower ones cuneate-ovate, trifid and incised dentate, of the upper, linear-lanceolate, nearly entire; involucels subu- late. Hoffmann, Umd. 1, t. 1, f. 2; De Candolle, Prod., iv. 102; Darlington, Fil, Cest., 188; Apium petroselinum, Liun., Sp. Pl. 379. Common Name. —Parsley. Foreign Names.—Persil, Fr. ; Die petersilie, Ger. Description.—Root saniGiriaiy fleshy, biennial. Stem 2—4 feet high, somewhat angu- lar, striate with green and yellow lines, branching, smooth. Leaves of a bright green, smooth; the lower much dissected, terminal segments 3-parted; upper mostly 3-parted, with narrow segments. Umbels terminal and axillary, pedunculate. Involucre often of a single leaf, sometimes 2—3, linear or subulate. Involucels of 5—6 short subulate leaves. Petals greenish-white. Fruit ovate; styles short and recurved. This plant is a native of the countries bordering on the Mediterranean, and is now generally cultivated in gardens. It flowers in June, and ripens its fruit in August. A variety is often met.with, having the lower leaves broader and much curled at the edges. The whole herb possesses a peculiar aromatic odour. It is cultivated principally for the sake of its leaves, which are used for a variety of culinary purposes. The parts used in medicine are the root, seeds and leaves. ‘They all owe their properties to the presence of a volatile oil. Medical Uses, §c.—The root has some celebrity as a diuretic, but is sel- dom employed in regular practice. Dr. Chapman, however, speaks of it in high terms in the treatment of dropsies (Elem. Therap., &c. i. 276); and it has also been advantageous in suppression of urine, especially in children, and in strangury. ‘The best mode of administering it is in strong infusion. The seeds have been employed as carminatives, and for the same purposes as the root. It is asserted by Richter that, when powdered and sprinkled on the hair, or applied in the form of an ointment, they will effectually destroy vermin. (Am. Cyclop. Prac. Med., ii. 199.) The leaves and whole herb have been used in a variety of diseases, ‘Tissot says that they will cure the bites or stings of insects, and they are much employed to relieve the pain and swelling of contusions. ‘They have also been considered efficacious in swelled breasts and enlarged glands, (Nowv. Jour. de Med., v. 209.) Roche- fort states that they are useful in small-pox (Mat. Med.s i. 446.) One of the most extraordinary properties attributed to this herb is, that it will cause the fracture of glass vessels by being rubbed on them; this is gravely asserted by Lemery, who says it is owing to a penetrating salt contained in the plant, corroding the glass. ‘The volatile oil is usually obtained by distillation from the seeds ; it is of a pale yellow colour, has the odour and taste of the plant, and deposits a white camphoraceous substance by standing. It may be used in all cases in which the seeds are employed, but is seldom prescribed. Burnett says that the ‘seeds are a deadly poison to parrots. Carum.—Linn. Margin of calyx obsolete. Petals obovate, emarginate, inflexed. Stylopodium de- pressed. Fruit contracted on the side, ovate or oblong. Mericarps with five equal equi- distant ribs; intervals with a single vitta. Commissure flat, vittate. Carpophore free, bifid at apex. A small genus of smooth, and often perennial herbs, with tuberous edible APIACEX, © 319 roots. The leaves are pinnatisect, the segments many-cleft. Involucre variable, and flowers white. C. carut, Linn.—Root fusiform, Stem branched. Involucre none, Leaves bipinna- tisect. Linn., Sp. Pl. 378; Woodville, i. 102; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 59 ; Lindley, £7. Med. 37. Common Names.—Caraway ; Caroy. Foreign Names.—Carvi, Fr. ; Comino tedesco, Jt. ; Kummelsamen, Ger, Description.—Root fusiform. Stem erect, branched, furrowed, about two feet high. Lower leaves of a bright-green colour, petiolate, smooth, bipinnate, with numerous finely- cut leaflets, the segments of which are narrow, linear, and pointed; those of the stem are smaller, opposite, one of them with a dilated petiole, the other sessile. The flowers are numerous, of a pale flesh-colour, in a terminal umbel, which is generally without an involucre, but sometimes is furnished with 1—3 involucral Ieaves. ‘The calyx is very — small. The petals are five, small and inflexed; the stamens are about as long as the petals, and bear small, roundish two-lobed anthers. The ovary is ovate, and supports styles which are at first very short, but become elongated. The mericarps are elliptic- ovate, of a grayish-brown colour, and are marked with single vitte. The Caraway is a native of most parts of Europe, where, as well as in this country, it is also cultivated. It was known to the ancients, and is spoken of by Dioscorides and Pliny. The parts used are the seeds, well known under the name of caraway seeds. ‘These, as found in the shops, are of a brownish colour, with five lighter-coloured primary ridges, and with a vitta in each interval; they are curved inwards. The taste is aro- matic and warm, and the odour fragrant but peculiar. ‘They have not been analyzed, but the aromatic properties are owing toa volatile oil which is officinal. ‘This oil is at first colourless, but becomes dark by keeping. It has the aroma of the seed, and a hot acrid taste. . Medical Properties.—Caraway is very little used in medicine. An infu- sion of the seeds is sometimes given to relieve the flatulent colic of children, and the oil and distilled water are employed as correctives to the nauseating and griping qualities of some medicines, and also like the infusion to relieve flatulence. The seeds are, however, much used by the confectioner, cook, and distiller. In Germany they are frequently added to bread, and also enter into the composition of a certain kind of cheese. In former times, the roots were used as a vegetable instead of parsnips, and Parkinson says that they are superior in flavour to that root. : PIMPINELLA.— Linn. Margin of calyx obsolete. Petals obcordate, inflexed. Fruit ovate-oblong, crowned by a disk and the persistent styles. Mericarps with five filiform, equal ridges. Intervals trivittate. Carpophore bifid, free. Seed convex, anteriorly flattish. This, like the other, is a small genus peculiar to the Old Continent; it con- ‘sists of plants with simple, fusiform roots, and pinnatisect lower leaves; the segments are roundish-toothed, rarely undivided ; those of the stem are much more finely cut. The umbels consist of many rays. The involucre is want- ing. The flowers are white, but sometimes pink or yellow. P. anisum, Linn.—Stem smooth. Radical leaves cordate, 3-lobed; middle ones pin- nate, round; upper ones trifid, undivided, linear, 320 MEDICAL BOTANY. Linn., Sp. Pi. 379; Woodville, i. 135; Stokes, ii, 140; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 156 ; Lindley, Fl, Med. 38. Common Name. — Anise. Foreign Names.—L’anise, Fr. ; Anice, Jt.; Anis, Ger. ; Annison, Arad. Description.—Root fusiform, euddiy. Stem erect, branched, solid, round, jointed, stri- ated, somewhat rough or downy, and about a foot high. The lower leaves are roundish, somewhat three to five-lobed, unequally-toothed, and supported on furrowed, sheath-like petioles; those on the upper part of the stem are divided into narrow, pinnated, acute segments. The flowers are small and white, in flat, terminal umbels, without any invo- lucre. The calyx is very minute, or wanting. The corolla consists of five nearly equal, obcordate petals, incurved at tip. The stamens are five, filiform, longer than the petals, with roundish anthers. The ovary is ovate, downy, with slender styles bearing obtuse stigmas. ‘The fruit is ovate; the mericarps with five rather prominent ribs, the intervals being rugose. The Anise is a perennial, and was originally a native of Egypt, but is now extensively cultivated in many parts of Europe, especially in Spain, Malta, and Germany. ‘The seeds are the officinal portion. These are slightly com- pressed, ovate, of a grayish-green colour, with five paler, narrow ridges, and somewhat downy. ‘Their odour is aromatic, and their taste grateful and sweetish. They are principally imported from the Mediterranean, and from some of the German ports; but the first are preferred. They owe their pro- perties to a volatile oil, which is officinal; but is almost superseded by the oil of the Lddicaum anisatum, which resembles it in almost every particular. Medical Propertves.—Anise is an aromatic stimulant, and is used both in the form of infusion and in the oil in colic, dyspepsia, and to prevent the griping effects of some purgatives. The principal employment of it is by the confectioner and distiller. Hoffmann strongly recommends these seeds in weakness of the stomach and bowels, and says that they fully deserve the appellation bestowed upon them by Van Helmont, of zxtestinorum solamen. It is said that the milk of women, who have taken the oil, is impregnated with its odour, which may account for an idea formerly entertained, that this oil promoted the secretion of that fluid. Vogel states a curious fact with regard to it, that a few drops will destroy a pigeon, and this has been noticed by other writers. The smell is peculiarly inviting to rats, and forms one of the flavouring ingredients in the pastes, &c. used to destroy these animals. Anise is the basis also of a very common liqueur, known under the name of Ani- seed Cordial, or Créme @anise. The root of P. saxifraga is astringent ; and, according to Burnett, is em- ployed as a masticatory in toothache, and, in decoction, to remove freckles. Two other European species, P. magna, and P. dissecta, have similar pro- ~ perties. Section 3, SeseLine“.—Fruit with primary ribs only ; the transverse section orbicular. Fanicutum.—Gertner. Margin of calyx tumid, toothless, Petals roundish, entire, involute. Mericarps with five prominent, blunt ridges, the lateral ones broader and marginal. Intervals ae. Commissure bivittate. Seed nearly semi-terete. A genus of herbaceous plants, which was formerly included in Anethum, but was separated by Giertner on account of the difference of the seed. They are biennial and perennial, with tapering, somewhat striated stems, and pin- natifid, decompound leaves, having setaceous, linear segments ; the ivolucre is almost wanting; the flowers are yellow. Some confusion exists with - APIACES. 321 regard to the species, or at least the officinal ones. The Edinburgh Pharma- copeeia includes these under the name of F officinale; whilst Pereira, in ac- cordance with De Candolle, admits two species, the /. vulgare and dulce ; and the London College quotes the F. vulgare as the officinal plant. ‘To add to the confusion, Merat and De Lens give three species, the F. vulgare, offici- nale, and dulce. As these appear to be mere varieties of each. other, they will be considered under the same head. F. oFFIctnaLe, Allioni.—Stem terete at base. Leaves tripinnate; leaflets subulate, drooping. Linn., (Anethum,) Sp. Pl. 377; Woodville, t. 49; EF. vulgare, Stephen- son and Churchill, iii. 137 ;° Lindley, #7. Med. 41. Common Names.—Fennel; Sweet Fennel; Italian Fennel. Foreign Names.—Fenouil, Fr. ; Finocchio, Jt. ; Fenchel, Ger. Description.—The root is fusiform and whitish. The stem is striated, solid, jointed, shining, of a deep glaucous-green colour. The leaves are alternate, tripinnate, composed of long, capillary, acute, drooping leaflets, and supported on petioles with a broad, mem- branous, sheathing base. The flowers are in broad, flat, yellow, terminal umbels. The petals are obovate, with their points inflexed ; the stamens are shorter than the petals, in- curved, yellow, with roundish anthers.. The styles are short, and the seeds oblong, very little compressed, five-ribbed, and of a brownish-olive colour. The Fennel is a native of the South of Europe, but has become naturalized in other parts, and is cultivated in gardens both there and in this country. The officinal part is the seeds, of which three kinds are found in commerce : 1, ovoid, glabrous, of a dull green, marked with lines, of which two are more | prominent than the others; these are the product of the F. vulgare, and are seldom used; 2d, long, somewhat curved, of a brighter green, pedicel often ad- hering to them, they are very aromatic; these are the product of the . off- cinale ; 3d, much broader and ovoid, ribs strongly marked; these are pro- duced by the &. dulce, and form probably what Dr. Pereira terms shorts, whilst No. 2 furnishes what he designates as. longs. The variety dulce is annual; but, as the plant is only known in a cultivated state, this variation, and its less aromatic but greater sweetness of taste may be safely attributed to this cause, and not to any specific difference in the plants. The seeds owe their properties to the presence of a volatile oil, Medical Properties —Fennel seeds are carminative and stimulant, and are used in infusion in the flatulent colic of children; and the distilled water and oil, like those of the anise and caraway, as vehicles for, or to correct the action of other remedies. The leaves of the common fennel are used in cookery, in sauces, and for garnishing dishes. The stalks of the sweet kind are much used in Italy and Sicily as a culinary vegetable, under the name of Fanocchio dolce, The F. panmorium, of India, has a fruit exactly resembling the Fennel seeds of commerce, and with the same odour and taste. It is employed in its native country as a warm aromatic and carminative in flatulent colic and d yspepsia. ata Section 4. AnceLiceEz.—Fruit with primary ribs only. Margin of carpels dilated into » a double wing. % Calyx teeth short. Petals elliptical, entire, acuminate, with the point incurved. Fruit somewhat compressed at the back. Carpels with three rather thick, carinated, dorsal ribs; lateral ribs dilated into marginal wings. Vittea numerous, surrounding the seed, ves ARCHANGELICA.— Hoffmann. 21 322 MEDICAL BOTANY. This genus was separated by Hoffmann from Angelica of Linnzus, on ac- count of many important differences ; for though the general aspect of the species of the two genera is very similar, they differ'in almost all their de- tails. They are perennial; the leaves are 3-parted,.with the divisions pin- nately or bipinnately divided, the segments being ovate, toothed or serrate, and are supported on large, inflated petioles. The involucre is almost want- ing, but the involucels are many-leaved. The flowers are greenish or white. A. oFFICINALIS, Hoffmann.—Stem glabrous, terete, striate ; leaves bipinnately divided ; segments subcordate, lobed, acutely serrate, the terminal one 3-lobed ; involucel as long as the umbellets. ; Hoffmann, Umb. 166; Koch., Umb. 98, f. 17; Torrey and Gray, FV. i. 621; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 83; Lindley, Fl. Med. 43; Angelica archangelica ; Linn., Sp. Pl. 360; Eng. Bot. 2561. Common Names.—Angelica; Garden angelica, &c. Foreign Names.—Angelique, Fr. ; Angelica domestica, .; Angelika, Ger. Description—Root large, branched, resinous. Stem four to five feet high, jointed, round, hollow, striated, smooth, of a purplish colour below, much branched. The leaves are numerous, large, petiolated, smooth, and pinnated, with the leaflets ovate-lanceolate, pointed, acutely serrated, smooth, and having the terminal ones three-lobed ; the petioles are membranous at base, tumid, with many ribs, and much dilated. The involucres are almost wanting ; the involucels consist of eight linear, lanceolateleaves. The flowers are numerous, of a greenish-white colour, and grow in large, terminal umbels. The calyx has a small, short, five-toothed margin; the corolla is small, and composed of five une- qual, elliptic, lanceolate petals, with their points inflexed; the stamens are longer than the petals, with roundish anthers. The ovary is furrowed, ovate, and supports two very short, erect styles with obtuse stigmas. The fruit is dorsally compressed ; the meri- carps are flat on one side, and convex on the other, with four acute ribs, emarginate on both ends, and winged at the sides. Angelica is a native of many parts of Europe, and has been found in the most northern parts of this continent. It is frequently met with in gardens. The best is said to come from Spain and Bohemia, but Linnzeus states that it is most vigorous and aromatic to the north. ‘The parts used are the root and stalks; the first has a fragrant, agreeable odour, and a bitterish, pungent taste on being chewed; they are at first sweetish, afterwards acrid, and leave a sensation of heat in the mouth and fauces, which continues for some time. The stalks have the same qualities, but in a lesser degree. The root has been analyzed, and found to contain bitter extractive, gum, an acrid, soft resin, a little volatile oil, &c. Medical Properties.—Angelica is an aromatic stimulant and gentle tonic,. but is very seldom used as a therapeutic agent, its principal employment being as a sweetmeat, for which purpose the root and stalks are candied. In Lap- land, however, it is held in high esteem in a variety of complaints, especially in those of the lungs and bowels. At one time it was in much repute as an antidote against poisons and malignant disorders, Gerarde says of it: ‘* The roote of Garden Angelica is a singular remedie against poison, and against plague, and all infections taken by evil and corrupt air, if you do but take a peece of the roote and hold in your mouthe, or chew the same between your teeth, it doth most certainly drive away the pestilentiall aire. It is a most singular medicine against surfeiting and lothsomnes to meate; it helpeth concoction in the stomacke and is right beneficial to the harte; it cureth the bitings of mad dogs, and all venomous beasts.” (Herball, 849.) A native species, the A. atro-purpurea, is very similar in its properties to the above, and when dried, is used in flatulent colic and cardialgia, In a re- APIACE. 323 cent state the root is acrid, and is said to be poisonous. The stems are candied as a sweetmeat in some parts of the country; by cultivation, it is probable that this plant would become fully equal to the garden kind. The root of the Angelica lucida is fully as aromatic as the above, and was highly valued by the Southern Indians, both as a remedy and as a condiment, and it deserves notice in a horticultural point of view, for if the accounts given of it be true, it would be an acquisition to our culinary vegetables. Section 5. Peucepanes.—Fruit a primary wings only. Margin of caxpels dilated into a single wing. Oporonax.—SKoch. Margin of calyx obsolete. Petals roundish, entire, involute. Stylopodium broad, thick. Styles very short. Fruit elliptical, compressed, with a dilated margin. Meri- carps with three dorsal, thin, prominent ridges, and no distinct lateral ones. Vitte three in each interval ; 6—10 to each commissure. This genus, which approaches very closely to Pastinaca, formerly was included in it, but was separated by Koch (Umebell.), in consequence of the differences presented by the seed. ‘There is but a single species. O. curronum, Koch.—Leaves bipinnate ; leaflets unequal at base, scabrous on both sides. Linn., (Pastinaca), Sp. Pl. 376; Woodville, i. 111; Stephenson and Churchill, 11. 98. Common Names.—Opoponax ; Rough parsnip. Foreign Names.—Panais opoponax, Fr. ; Herba costa, J. Description.—Root perennial, very large, fleshy, of a yellow colour, covered with a cork-like bark. The stem is seven or eight feet in height, thick, round, striated, and rough at base, with numerous angular, smooth, shining, hairy branches near the top. The leaves are large, rough on both sides, more or less hairy, acutely serrated ; the cau- line leaves are pinnate, composed of oblong, serrated leaflets, the terminal one cordate, large; the petioles are sheathing; the radical leaves are simple, cordate, and crenated. The involucres and involucels consist of four to six very small linear leaflets, but are sometimes wanting. The flowers are small, numerous, of a greenish-yellow colour, in terminal, flat umbels. They are all uniform, and generally fertile.. The limb of the ca- lyx is very small; the petals are involute, entire, equal; the stamens filiform, with roundish anthers; the ovary is roundish, with short, erect styles. The fruit is elliptical, roundish, eonioheseeds striated, with three dorsal ribs, and two indistinct lateral ones, forming a thin border. The Opoponax is a native of the countries bordering on the Mediterranean, but it is only in the warmer parts that it affords its peculiar product ; this is a gum-resin, obtained by wounding the roots of the plant. At first it is in the form of a milky juice, which gradually concretes into tears or masses, and is known under the name of Opoponax. As found in commerce, it is in ir- regular reddish-yellow lumps or tears, of an unpleasant smell, and acrid, ‘bitter taste. When rubbed with water, it forms an emulsion. It consists of about forty per cent. of resin, and thirty per cent. of gum, anda small portion _of volatile oil, to which latter it owes its smell. Medical Properties.—It was known to Hippocrates, and four kinds of it ~ are described by Theophrastus, and three by Dioscorides. It was much es- teemed by the ancients, and according te Celsus, was highly beneficial in dis- eases of the spleen and scrofula. Ata later period, it was considered useful in paralysis, cerebral affections, &c., and on the continent of Europe, still holds a rank as a discutient, carminative, and resolvent, but is seldom or 324 MEDICAL BOTANY. never employed in England or this country. It, however, possesses much the same properties as galbanum, and might be used wherever that article is indicated. Feruta.—Linn. Margin of calyx with 5 short teeth. Petals ovate, entire, acuminate, with an incurved point. Fruit flattened at the base, with a dilated flat border. Mericarps with three dor- sal filiform ridges, the two lateral, obsolete and lost in the dilated margin. Vitte in the dorsal channels 3 or more, in the commissure, 4 or more. Seeds flat. Carpophore bi- . partite. A genus of herbaceous plants having smooth stems and much-divided leaves, principally natives of the warm parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and mostly furnishing a gum-resin of a strong and unpleasant smell. The stalks abound in pith, which forms an excellent tinder, and the dried stalks were formerly used by school-masters, whence the term ferwle. The roots are fleshy, and the flowers yellow. Several species of this genus have been thought to afford the fetid gums, as Assafcetida, Sagapenum, Ammo- niacum, and Galbanum, but recent observations are by no means confirma- tory of this, and although the subject is still in a most unsatisfactory state, it now appears clear that the best qualities of these drugs are derived from plants of other, though closely allied genera. Most of the species, however, yield products of an analogous nature, and no doubt are «he origin of some of the varieties of these gums as found in commerce. 1. F. persica, Willd.—Root perennial. Radical leaves supra-decompound, ternate ; With the segments decurrently pinnate, with linear-lanceolate lobes, which are dilated, cut, and ciliated at the end. Stem about two feet high, erect, taper, smooth, with concave membranous sheaths. Lower branches alternate, middle ones verticillate. Rays of the general umbel 20—30, of the partial 10—20. Involucres wanting. Fertile flowers ses- sile, sterile ones stalked. Willdenow, Sp. Pl. i, 1418; De Candolle, Prod. iv. 173; Nees and Eberm. ii. 55; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 169; Lindley, Fi. Med. 45; Bot. Mag. t. 2096 ; F, sagapenum, Fee, Cours. ii. 201. This plant is a native of Persia, and is said by Willdenow, Sprengel, and Fee, to yield Sagapenum, whilst Olivier asserts that it produces Am- moniacum, and Hope (Philos. Trans. |xxv. 36) considers it as affording Assafoetida ; this latter supposition seems to be the most correct, and is ad- mitted by the Edinburgh College, which recognises it as the origin of the drug. Michaux sent its seeds from Persia as those of the plant yielding it, and Stephenson and Churchill observe, that this species does furnish assafee- tida “ seems confirmed by the strong smell of that drug which pervades the whole herb, and Dr. Sims informs us that he has collected small globules of true assafcetida that had exuded from the stem.” Nees and Ebermaier are likewise of opinion that this is one of the sources from whence the drug in question is procured, It would seem, therefore, that some of the assafcetida of commerce is derived from this Ferula, though the most of it may be af- forded by another plant. (See Narruex.) The gum-resin called Sagapenum is principally imported from the Levant. It is in masses, formed of soft, cohering fragments, somewhat translucent, of a brownish-yellow or reddish-yellow colour externally, but paler within, of a waxy consistence, an alliaceous odour, but less disagreeable than that of assa- foetida, and a warm, bitterish, unpleasant taste. According to Brandes (Gmelin, Handb. ii. 625), it consists of Resin 50°29; Gum, 32°72; Basso- rin, 4°48; Volatile oil, 3°78, &c. These results are very analogous to APIACES. 325 those obtained by Pelletier (Bull. de Pharm. iii. 481). Its action and uses are much the same as those of Assafcetida, and it is considered to partake of the qualities of that article and Galbanum. It is now seldom used, but at one time was in much repute as a resolvent in indolent tumours; it has also been recommended as an emmenagogue and antispasmodic. It was very early used in medicine, being noticed by Hippocrates and Dioscorides, the latter of whom states that it is the product of a species of Ferula. 2. F. orrentais, Linn.—Root large. Stem about 3 feet high, 14 inch thick, of a pur- plish colour. Lower leaves large, tomentose, 5—6 times pinnated, the principal divisions naked at base; of a bright green, setaceous; the upper leaves smaller, with a very large © inflated, sheathing petiole. Involucres subulate. Flowers yellow. Fruit oblong or ellip- tical, brownish, bitter, oily. Linn., Sp. Pl. 356; De Candolle, Prod. iv. 173; Tournf., Voyage, ii. 154; Lindley, F7. Med. 46; F. ammonifera, Lemery, Dict, des drog. 37 ; Fee, Cours. ii. 198. This species is a native of Asia Minor, Greece, and perhaps of Morocco, and was at one time supposed to be the Fashook stated by Jackson to afford the Ammoniacum of the Barbary coast, but recent observations by Dr. Lindley and others show that this is rather to be referred to the next species. 3. F. rinerrana, Linn.—Stem tapering, branched. Leaves supra-decompound, shining ; segments vblong-lanceolate, cut, toothed; the upper petioles large and sheathing. Umbel terminal, on a short stalk; lateral flowers few, male, on longer stalks. Involucre wanting. Linn., Sp. Pl. 355 ; De Candolle, Prod. iv. 173; Viviani, 7. Lev. 17 ;. Lindley, Fl. Med. 47; Fashook, Jackson, Morocc. t. 7. A native of Barbary, and said to be found about Cyrene, though this is denied by Viviani. This plant is most probably the Agasyliis of Dioscorides, and Metopion of Pliny, which is stated by the first to grow near Cyrene, and by the latter near the temple of Jupiter Ammon. Both these authors speak of two kinds of gum, one much superigr to the other. Jackson in his ac- count of Morocco says that the plant affording this gum-resin grows in that country, and is known under the name of Fashook ; his description and figure were until lately supposed to refer to F. orzentales, but Drs. Lindley and Royle having obtained seeds from Morocco, marked as those of the Furogh or gum ammoniac plant, some of them were sent to Dr. Falconer of the Saharunpore Botanic Garden, who grew them and found the plants to be identical with F. temgitana ; this fact had also been ascertained by Dr. Lindley from an inspection of the seeds themselves. There appears to be little doubt that this is the plant spoken of by the older writers as affording the gum ammoniac then in use, but the article now employed is exclusively a product of Asia, and is obtained from a wholly different genus. (See Dorema.) 3. F. rerutaco, Linn.—Stem terete, striated.. Leaves supra-decompound, with pinna- tifid, divaricating segments, and linear, cuspidate lobes. Involucre with numerous, ob- long-lanceolate, reflexed leaflets. Rays of general umbel about 12, of the partial rather more. Fruit obovate; the three dorsal ridges thick and elevated, the lateral ones less distinct. Margins somewhat thickened, Vitte indefinite in number on both sides, slender. Linn., Sp. Pl. 356; De Candolle, Prod. iv. 171; Lindley, F7. Med. 46 ; F. nodiflora, Jacq. Aust. App.t. 5; F. galbanifera, Nees and Eberm. iii. 49. A native of the Mediterranean coasts, Transylvania, Caucasus, &c. It affords an abundant gum-resinous juice, and was considered by Lobel to be the source of Galbanum, as seeds which he found attached to the gum, on 326 MEDICAL BOTANY. being sown, produced this plant. In this he is followed by Nees and Eber- maier; but as the Galbanum of commerce is principally imported from India and the Levant, the ports of which it reaches by way of the Persian Gulf, it is almost certain that it has another origin. (See GatBanum.) Pereira (ii. 490) describes the African gum as very like the Persian, except in odour. In addition to the above, several other species of Ferula have been noticed as affording analogous products ; thus the F. hooshee of Upper India yields a gum resembling Opoponax (Lindley, F7. Med. 46); and the F. glauca of the Levant abounds in an acrid, lactescent juice, of a strong odour. Nartruex.— Falconer. Margin of calyx obsolete. Petals? Stylopodium plicate-urceolate. Styles filiform, finally reflexed. Fruit plano-convex, with a dilated border. Mericarps with 5 primary ridges ; the 3 intermediate ones filiform, the 2 lateral obsolete, immersed in the con- tiguous margin. Vitte in the dorsal furrows usually single; in the commissures 4—6, unequal and variable.’ Seed flat. Carpophore bipartite. This genus was established, by Dr. Falconer, on the Ferula assafetida, Linn., from a careful investigation of wild specimens and cultivated plants. It certainly differs in many essential characters from Ferula, and appears to be distinct and well marked. The above characters and the ensuing de- scription of the only species yet discovered of it, are extracted from Dr, Fal- coner’s remarks, as published by Dr. Royle (Mat. Med. 407, et seq.) N, assaF@Tipa.—Stem simple, terete. Radical leaves fasciculated. Petioles trifurcate. Divisions bipinnatisect. Leaf segments linear-ligulate, obtuse, unequilateral, entire, sinu- ate, decurrent. Ferula assafetida, Linn., Mat. Med. 79; De Candolle, Prod. iv. 173 ; Lindley, Flor. Med. 45; Assafetida disgwnensis, Kempfer, Aman. Exot. 930. . Description. — Peren- Fig. 156. | nial. Root simple, or divided, fusiform, large, ( with a dark-grayish, transversely corrugated bark; the upper part Y above the soil, covered \~ ee with dark, hair-like, fi- brous processes, which are the persistent exuvie of former years; cortical portion tough and thick, y LN, white or ash-coloured ee L N/A a | when cut, easily separa- hy ble from the central part, and with it abounding in a milky, opaque, very feetid, alliaceous juice. Stem erect, simple, te- rete, striate, solid, the spongy medulla tra- versed by bundles of tough, fibrous vessels ; the surface invested with N. assafetida. the remains of persistent leafless petioles. Leaves = . <=" . REO APIACEA, | 327 fasciculate above the root, numerous, large, and spreading, of a light-green colour above, paler beneath, of a dry, leathery texture. Petioles terete, amplexicaul, and channelled at base, trifurcated a little above it, the divisions united at an angle with each other, as in a tripod, and bipinnatisect. Leaf-segments linear-ligulate, obtuse, entire or sinuately-lobed, either alternate or opposite, and usually inequilateral and decurrent, forming a narrow, winged channel on the petiole. Midrib prominent on the under side. Veins slender and much anastomosed. General and partial involucres wanting. Umbels 10—20-rayed, arising from the dilated spherical head of a common peduncle. Rays 2—4 inches long. Partial umbels with very short rays, collected in round capituli, having from 10—20 rays in the fertile, and from 25—30 in the sterile. Flowers small. Margin of calyx obsolete, being reduced to minute points. Petals of the sterile flowers small, oblique, inequilateral, acute, without an elon- gated apex. Stylopodia Fig. 157. urceolate and plicated, with asinuous margin. Styles filiform, reflect- ed in the mature fruit, rather short, attached by a broad base. Fruit from 7—15, on short pedicels. Mericarps varying from broad elliptical to elliptic- obovate, 5—6 lines long by 3—4 broad, flat, thin, foliaceous, somewhat convex in the middle, with a di- lated border, mostly inequilateral, of a dark reddish-brown at the centre, but lighter at the edges, smooth, and somewhat shi- ning. Dorsal primary ribs 5; the 3 middle of 9, Ovary; style and stylopodium enlarged. 10. Partial umbel, with fertile : flowers. 11. Umbel of barren flowers. 12. Partial umbel in fruit, with which are filiform, a persistent carpophores. little crenated at their junction ; 2 lateral ridges more obsolete, placed close to the margin, and immersed in the substance of the border, but distinctly marked on the surface of the commissure, and con- fluent with its middle nerve. Vitte in the dorsal furrows large and broad, filling the whole width of the vallecule, usually single, but sometimes double, in one or other of the middle furrows, and usually double or dichotomous in the broadest side of the margin. Vitte of the commissure from 4—6, unequal and variable; one very slender vitta, fre- quently separating into two fine threads, confluent at the apex, being situated close to each side of the middle nerve ; another, of the size of the dorsal vitte, placed more out- wardly, and a third at the inner side of the dilated border, over the edge of the seed, more slender, but often subdivided and interrupted so as to cover the border with a network of anastofmosing ramifications. Seed flat, with a plain albumen. Carpophore bipartite, per- sistent, twice as long as the pedicels. Flowers white? N. assafetida. This plant is a native of many parts of Persia, and agrees in most respects with the Assafetida disgunensis of Keempfer, described a century and a halt since, but not met with by any botanist, until Dr. Falconer found it at Astore. This observer states that he compared his materials with Keempfer’s figures and description, and with his original specimens in the Banksian collection in the British Museum, and found them very similar. The main differences are, that Keempfer says the umbellule have only 5—6 rays, whereas Dr, Fal- coner found them to consist of 22—80 in the sterile heads, and 10—20 in the 328 MEDICAL BOTANY. fertile ones ; this Dr. Fal- coner accounts for by the admission of Kempfer, that he never saw the plant in flower; and if the description was made from the ripe state of it, it is perfectly applicable, as the partial umbels at times, sometimes have only seven fruit-bearing stalks, Another discre- pancy is, that Kempfer states that the leaves ap- pear in the autumn, and vegetate during the win- ter, whilst Dr. Falconer says that in his Astore Co | plant, they make their 1—4. Mericarps of natural size. a@ Dorsum. b. Commissure. 5. appearance in the spring. Mericarps in Kempfer’s herbarium, dorsal aspect. 6. Transverse The differences presented section of enlarged mericarp. 7. Seed,natural size. 8. Petals of : barren flowers, enlarged. by the mericarps are dwelt on at some length by Dr. Falconer (Royle, 409), but he admits that the only two of Kempfer’s species preserved in the herbarium, are so damaged, that their vittee cannot be distinctly made out, and do not agree with the description of them, which is “‘ quadratenus pilosum sive asperum,” whereas they are perfectly smooth. It may therefore be fairly assumed that these plants are identical, the differ- ences between them being such only as might arise from locality, age of spe- cimens, &c. The concurrent evidence of Kempfer, Sir Alex. Burnes, M. Bellangé, Dr. Falconer, and others, prove that this is the plant which furnishes much. of the Assafcetida of commerce, all of which is originally derived from the countries of which it is a native. At the same time it is not certain that it is the sole origin of that drug. As heretofore stated, seeds of Ferala persica were sent to Europe by Michaux, as those of the plant from which it was obtained. Dr. Falconer also states that he examined the fruit of another umbelliferous plant in ‘the collection of Dr. Royle, labelled as the seed of the wild assa- foetida plant, sent by Sir J. Macneil, from Persia, and found that it differed widely both from that of Narthex and Ferula, and belonged to another tribe of the order, Assafoetida was early known and used in the East, but it is very uncertain when it became known to the Greeks and Romans. Sprengel says that the first notice of it was by Aristzeus, about 617, B. C. It appears that a fetid gum was known and esteemed by these nations, which was called by the first omos xupyvaixos, or Cyrenaic juice, and by the Romans Laser, This was sup- posed to be the product of a plant called Se/phion, which grew about Cyrene, and which is represented on many of their coins, mirrors, &c. (See Thap- sia.) In consequence of this gum becoming scarce, others of a similar character were substituted for it, and both Pliny and Dioscorides mention a kind of Laser that came from Persia and other Eastern countries. This, which was probably assafoetida, was not as much esteemed as the Cyrenian gum, but was in general use as a substitute for it. Ata later period, Avi- cenna describes it under the name of Hu/teet, and says there are two kinds, APIACES. 329 one from Chiruana, which was of a pleasant smell, the other fetid, from Persia, which seems to be the present drug. The name is said to be derived from the Hebrew word asa, to heal, and fetida, from its odour. Royle says that assa is probably of oriental origin, and is applied to other gum-resins, Assafcetida is procured from incisions made into the upper portion of the root, or by taking successive slices from it. According to Kempfer, the pro- cess of collecting is divided into four parts; the first of which in April con- sists of clearing away the earth from the root of the plant, and removing the lower leaves and fibres, which are then laid over the root to protect it from the sun; in May the top of the root is transversely divided, and the covering of leaves replaced ; two or three days afterwards, the exuded juice is scraped off and put in cups; these processes are repeated until the root is exhausted. Another collection being made in June, and a final one in July. The product is exposed to the sun to harden, after which it is packed for exportation. Assafcetida as found in the shops, is in masses of different sizes and con- sistence. It is sometimes somewhat soft and adhesive, and at others quite hard and brittle. It is not readily pulverised, except at a low temperature, as it softens under the pestle. On being broken it presents a waxy lustre. It is very various in colour, but is usually whitish, intermixed with darker parts. On exposure to the air it becomes reddish, and finally brown. Its taste is unpleasant, bitter, and acrid. The odour is powerful, alliaceous, and even fetid, being peculiarly disagreeable to most persons, whence the Germans have expressively called it Teufelsdreck, or Stercus diaboli. On the other hand, among many Eastern nations, it is highly esteemed as a condiment, and Capt. Kinnier states, that in Persia the leaves of the plant are eaten as greens, and even the root, when roasted, (Ainslie, Mat. Ind. 1, 21.) Sir Alex. Burnes also says, ‘In the fresh state it has the same abominable smell, and yet our fellow-travellers greedily devoured it.” (Travels, ii. 243.) Keempfer, moreover, observes that it is much more powerful in the fresh than in the dried state, one drachm of the recent juice giving out a stronger smell than a hundred pounds of the concrete gum. But its use as a condiment is not con- fined to the Asiatics ; it is also employed to flavour certain articles of food in Europe. Even when used ‘as a medicine, persons often become so fond of it as to swallow it with absolute pleasure; this has been remarked in cases of children, who have taken it for some time as a palliative in hooping cough. Assafcetida partakes of the usual characters of the gum-resins, but when exposed to heat never completely melts, though it softens and becomes ad- hesive. According to Brandes, it consists of Resin, 48°85; Gum, 19°40; Bassorin, 6°40; Volatile oil, 4°60, &c. Pelletier obtained more resin and volatile oil, and it is probable the proportions of the constituents vary in dif- ferent specimens. ‘The volatile oil is said to be most abundant in the fresh drug, and is the ingredient on which the offensive odour depends; the medi- cal qualities also are mainly attributable to it, though some efficacy is un- doubtedly owing to the bitter resin. The effects of Assafcetida on the system, are stimulating, antispasmodic, expectorant, and emmenagogue. Its local effects are moderate, for although when internally administered in moderate doses, it produces a sensation o warmth, and an increased action of the heart and arteries, with some heat of skin, it is destitute of the irritating properties of many articles of its class. From the experiments of Jérg, it also appears to cause an increased peristaltic action of the bowels, and of the mucous secretions, with headache and gid- diness, and a stimulation of the genito-urinary apparatus. Its influence on the nervous system is very marked, as is shown by its efficacy in so many morbid conditions. Dr. Pereira is of opinion that it has a special action on 330 MEDICAL BOTANY. the excito-motory nerves. Its volatile oil, or at least its odorous principle, is absorbed, as it is recognisable in the secretions, especially in the perspiration, which becomes fetid and alliaceous. Medical Uses.—From what has been said of its properties, it is evi- dent that, whilst its employment is improper in inflammatory conditions of the system, it is well suited to all cases of nervous derangement, unaccompa- nied with general or local excitement. Thus few remedies have been found more beneficial in hysteria than assafcetida, though its effects are rather to be regarded as palliative in the relief of the immediate paroxysm, than as abso- lutely curative of the disease. This remedy has also been found very useful in hypochondriacal affections, and even in chorea. In obstinate cases of sin- gultus it has also proved highly beneficial: Much benefit has been derived from it as a stimulating expectorant and antispasmodic in various forms of chronic or spasmodic pectoral affections. In the chronic catarrh of elderly persons it often gives great relief, as it does also in some kinds of asthma; and the late Dr. Parrish found it of much service in infantile catarrhs, com- plicated with nervous irritation (IV. Am. Med. and Surg. Jour., i. 24). As a remedy in hooping-cough, after a removal of the primary inflammatory symptoms, it has attained much celebrity, but, like all other remedies in this disease, has been much overrated. Dr. Dewees says of it (Practice, 440), ‘our own experience is by no means calculated tu advance the reputation of its powers ; we have found it occasionally useful, but never of decided effi- cacy.” Other eminent practitioners, however, speak more favourably of it. In diseases of the abdominal viscera, assafcetida is often useful as a stimu- lating antispasmodic and laxative ; thus in flatulent colic, especially in hyste- rical or dyspeptic persons, or in young children, it is very efficacious, and may be advantageously employed as an injection, It is also of service in combination with cathartics in costiveness attended with flatulence, particu- larly in the cases of elderly persons, or in those of a weak and relaxed con- dition of body. At one time this article was much used as an anthelmintic, but is now seldom employed, though it may still be resorted to with advan- tage, where there are signs of nervous disorder. As an emmenagogue it has been highly praised, and no doubt has proved of benefit, when a stimulating action is required, or where the uterine disorder is combined with a disturbance of the nervous functions; but in cases of simple suppression or retention of the menses, it ought not to be relied upon. It should at the same time be stated that the experiments of Jorg tend to show that it has a specific influence on the genito-urinary apparatus. Assafoetida has likewise been considered as a resolvent of much power in chronic swell- ‘ings, scrofulous tumours, &c., but does not appear to be Supa to galbanum other articles of the same class, he dose of Assafcetida is from five to twenty grains, or even more. From its unpleasant taste and smell, it is usually given in pill. When the dose is large, or where a speedy action is required, it is best given in emul- sion; that of the United States Pharmacopeia contains two drachms of the gum-resin in half a pint of water, and is given inthe dose of one or more tablespoonfuls. This is the form in which it is to be used as an enema. Another form is that of tincture, the medium dose of which is a fluid drachm. Besides the gum-resin, it is stated ‘by Royle (0. ¢., 410), that the seeds are extensively employed in India, under the name of “¢ Andoojan.” ‘They are classed among the stimulants, APIACES. 331 Dorema.—Don. Disk epigynous, cup-shaped. Fruit slightly compressed from the back, edged; with 3 distinct, filiform, primary ridges near the middle, and alternating with them 4 obtuse secondary ridges; the whole tomentose, Vitte, 1 to each secondary ridge, 1 to each primary marginal ridge, and 4 to the commissure, of which 2 are very small. This genus was instituted by Mr. Don (Zvrans. Linn, Soc., xvi. 599), on specimens of a plant collected in Persia by Col. Wright, as that affording the Gum Ammoniacum. It differs from Ferula in its sessile flowers buried in wool, in its cup-shaped disk, and the single vitta to the ridges. D. ammoniacum, Don.—The only species. Don, Trans. Linn. Soc., xvi. 599; Pereira, Mat. Med. ii. 489; Lindley, Fl, Med. 47; Royle, Mat, Med. 412. - Description.—Root perennial, large. Stems 7—9 feet high, and about four inches in circumference at base, clothed with a glandular down (Don), smooth (Fontannier), glau- cous, resembling opoponax. Leaves large, petiolate, somewhat 2-pinnate. Pinne in 3 pairs, each pair somewhat remote. Leaflets inciso-pinnatifid, with oblong, mucronulate, entire, or slightly-lobed segments, coriaceous. Petiole sheathing at base, large, tomen- tose. Umbels proliferous, racemose; partial umbels globose, on short pedicels, usually arranged in a spiked form. General and partial involucre wanting. Flowers sessile, im- mersed in wool. Petals white, ovate, apex inflected. Margin of calyx with 5 minute, acute, membranous teeth. Disk large, cup-shaped, fleshy. Stamens and styles yellow, the latter complanate, recurved at apex. Stigmas truncate. Ovary very woolly. Fruit elliptical, compressed, with a broad, flat edge. Mericarps with 3 distinct, filiform, primary, dorsal ridges, and, alternating with them, 4 obtuse, secondary ridges. Vitte, 1 beneath each secondary ridge, 1 beneath each primary marginal ridge, 2 on each side of the suture of the commissure, the exterior being very small. This description is condensed from those of Don, Lindley, and Fontannier, the latter of whom states that Gum Ammoniacum exudes naturally from the axils of the umbels and the tumid extremities of the peduncles (Merat and De Lens, Dict. i. 252). ~The plant is a native of many parts of Persia, in dry plains and gravelly soil, where it is exposed to an ardent sun. Although there seems now no doubt as to this species being the source of the Asiatic Gum Ammoniacum, it is also certain that an analogous product is obtained from other plants, and more especially (as has already been noticed) from the Ferula tingitana, which is probably the origin of the Ammoniacum of Dioscorides and Pliny, which they say was obtained from a plant growing in Africa, in the vicinity of the temple of Jupiter Ammon, whence its name, and not, as supposed by Mr. Don, from a corruption of Armeniacum. The various opinions as regards the origin of this gum are deserving of a brief notice. Lemery (Dict. 37) speaks of it as coming from Lybia, and calls the plant producing it Ferula ammonifera. Chardin (Voyages, ili. 299) says that the plant affording it is very common in Persia, where it is called Ows- chioc. Peyrilhe, in his translation of the “ Materia Medica” of Linneus, at- tributes it to a species of Pastinaca. Olivier, who visited Persia, but did not reach the part of the country in which the plant grows, was of opinion, from the information he obtained, that it was a species of Feruwda, which he named persica, but which, Willdenow asserts, produces sagapenum, ‘This latter writer raised a plant from seed picked from ‘a fragment of the gum, and found it to be a species of Heracleum, and called it gwmmiferum ; but admits that he could obtain no gum-resin from it; and later botanists consider that this plant is identical with H. pyrenaicum, a native of the mountains of southern 332 MEDICAL BOTANY. Europe. Other writers have attributed it to Sedinum gummiferum (Spren- gel, Bot. Med. 477). The opinion of Jackson (Morocco), has already been noticed. The first definite account of the origin of this gum was by Captain Hart, in a letter to Dr. Wallich ( Zrans. Med. Soc. Calcutta, i. 369); he saw the plant furnishing it in several places in Persia, and gives a general descrip- tion of it, accompanied with a poor drawing. It was soon afterwards found by M. Fontannier, who sent specimens to Merat, who considered them as those of a Ferula, and proposed to retain it under the specific name given by Lemery. Mr. Don, however, is of opinion that it forms the type of a distinct genus, on which he has bestowed the appellation of Dorema, and his views have been generally adopted. In addition to this, it may be men- tioned, that Dr. Royle (Mat. Med., 418, note) states, that from fragments of a plant obtained by Aucher-Eloy in the same localities, Jaubert and Spach have described it under the name of Dzsernestum gummiferum ; this, Dr. Royle thinks, is only the Dorema described’ from imperfect specimens. From the above, it would appear that the gum-resin in question is certainly the product of two dissimilar plants, one a native of Africa, the other of Per- sia, and possibly that it may be afforded by other distinct Asiatic species. According to M. Fontannier, the gum-resin exudes spontaneously ; but Captain Hart says, that when the plant is mature, it is pierced in all direc- tions by beetles, and from the punctures thus made, the juice flows out abun- dantly, and when hardened is picked off. The finest pieces are kept sepa- rate, and form the a@mmoniacum in tears, whilst the inferior kinds are pressed together and constitute the lump ammoniacum. Major Willock states, that the juice exudes principally from the stems, and either concretes on them or falls to the ground; that it is collected in the autumn, and is conveyed to ports on the Red Sea, whence it is taken to India, and thence sent, to Europe and this country. Gum ammoniac is moderately hard and brittle, but softens with a mode- rate heat, is inflammable, partially soluble in water, wholly so in alcohol. The taste is unpleasant, bitter, and somewhat acrid. The smell is peculiar, but somewhat like that of galbanum, stronger in the lump than in the tears. According to Braconnot (Ann. de Chim., Ixviil. 69) it ts composed of Resin 70:; Gum 18°4; Gluteniform substance 4°4, &c. It also contains a small portion of volatile oil. Its effects on the system are similar to, but less powerful than those of assafcetida, and from containing much less volatile oil, not nearly as stimu- lating. Jt appears to have special influence on the bronchial mucous mem- brane, promoting expectoration. . Medical Uses.—Its principal internal use is in chronic affections of the respiratory organs, in which cases it has been of essential benefit, but is wholly unsuited where there is inflammation or much irritation of the bron- chial mucous membrane. It is seldom given alone, being usually combined with other expectorants. Dr. Chapman ( Therap., i. 507) speaks highly of a mixture of it with nitric acid, where a large accumulation of purulent and viscid matter exists, with feeble and difficult respiration. It has also been employed as a diuretic, emmenagogue, and antispasmodic, and at one time was much esteemed as a deobstruent; but is now seldom prescribed to fulfil these intentions. As an external application, it is em- ployed as a discutient in indolent tumours and chronic scrofulous swellings, either alone or combined with mercury, and has been found very beneficial, especially in cases of swellings about the joints. The dose of gum ammo- niac is from 5—80 grains, either in pill or emulsion; the latter form, either APIACE£. 333 alone or in combination, is the preferable mode, when administered as an expectorant. GaLBanum.—Don. - Fruit compressed at the back, elliptical; ridges 7, elevated, compressed, bluntly keeled, not winged ; the lateral distinct, marginal. Channels broadish, concave, without vitte, commissure flat, dilated, with 2 broad curved vitte. This genus was established by Mr. Don (Trans. Linn. Soc., xvi. 603) on some seeds found adhering to the gum Galbanum of commerce, and which he supposes may be those of the plant, though no other proof of the fact has yet been adduced. D. orricinaLe, Don.—The only species. Don., Trans. Linn. Soc., xvi, 603; Lindley, F7. Med., 51; Pereira, Mat. Med., ii. 493; Royle, Mat. Med., 414. The exact habitat of this plant is not known, but it is most probable that it is a native of Persia, which appears to be the head-quarters of the gum- bearing Apiacee. The gum-resin itself was very early known, and is sup- posed to be the substance spoken of by Moses (Haodus, xxx. 34) under the name of Chelbenah, though he classes it among the sweet spices, which ap- pellation is certainly not applicable to what is now known as galbanum. It was likewise mentioned by Hippocrates, and described by Dioscorides,. who states that it is the product of a Ferula. Theophrastus, who also speaks of | it, attributes it to a species of Panaz,; but as these terms had a very ex- tended signification among the ancient botanists, they afford no clue as to the exact plant, further than that it appertained to the umbelliferous tribe. It was well known to the earlier Arabian physicians, who speak of it under the name of Barzud, and call the plant producing it kimneh and nafeel. D’Herbelot (626. Orient. 175) says that in Persia the gum is called Burzud and the plant gzarkhurst. The information derived from more modern authorities is not more definite. Lemery (Déct. 377) speaks of two kinds of galbanum; one produced in Arabia and Syria, which he says is derived from Ferula galbanifera, and the other of Indian origin, and the product of Oreoselinum africanum galbaniferum, the latter of which is now known as Bubon galbaniferum, and was generally supposed to afford the commercial article, but it has been shown that this plant is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, where no galbanum is produced, and also that it has neither the smell nor taste of this drug. Lobel, who sowed some seed which he found attached to the gum, obtained plants of Ferula ferulago, which, although affording a gum-resinous secretion, does not yield true galbanum. Within a few years, Sir John M’Neil sent to England specimens of a plant from Khorassan to which were adhering a gum-resin, which Dr, Lindley thought to be galba- num, and the plant being new, he described it under the name of Opoidia galbamifera (Bot. Reg. 1839.) Dr. Pereira, however, who examined this product, was unable to identify it with any known gum-resin, It is, there- fore, evident, that all that is known with certainty as regards the origin of. galbanum, is that it is produced by an umbelliferous plant. Galbanum is said to be obtained in the same manner as assafeetida, by making incisions into the crown of the root and stalks, and removing the juice which flows out and soon concretes. Jt is imported both from India and the Levant, which places it probably reaches through the Persian Gulf. As met with in commerce, it is in the form of tears or in lump, the first of which is the purest, having a yellow or brownish-yellow colour, and free from ° 334 MEDICAL BOTANY. impurities; the lump-galbanum, which is that commonly met with, is in masses of a brownish or dark brownish-yellow colour, formed of agglutinated tears, and containing many impurities, as sand, fragments of bark, &c. The odour is peculiar and somewhat balsamic ; the taste is hot, bitter, and acrid. It is soft, but when exposed to cold becomes brittle, and may be powdered. It forms an emulsion with water, but is soluble in alcohol. According to Missner it contains, Resin, 65°8 ; Gum, 22°6; Bassorin, 1:8; Volatile oil, 3°4, &c. It has the same action on the system as the other gum-resins already noticed, and is usually considered to rank between assafcetida and ammoniac, being less powerful than the first and more active than the latter. Some German writers are of opinion that it has a special influence on the uterine system, but this has not been confirmed by experience. Medical Uses.—Galbanum is seldom employed in this country as an internal remedy, but was at one time prescribed in Europe, in chronic affec- tions of the respiratory organs, chronic rheumatism, and amenorrhea. Ex- ternally it is applied as a stimulant and resolvent to indolent swellings, form- ing the basis of the Compound Galbanum Plaster of the U. S. Pharmacopezia. The dose, when administered internally, is from ten to twenty grains either in pill or in the form of an emulsion. AnETHUM.—Linn. Margin of calyx obsolete. Petals roundish, entire, involute, with a squarish retuse lobe. Fruit lenticular, flattened from the back, surrounded by a flattened border, Me- ricarps with equi-distant filiform ridges; the 3 dorsal acutely keeled, the 2 lateral more obsolete, losing themselves in the border. Vitte broad, solitary, filling the channels, 2 on the commissure. A small genus of upright, smooth annuals, with decompound. leaves, hav- ing setaceous linear segments. The flowers are yellow. They are princi- pally natives of the south of Europe, and of Asia. Most of them have aro- rnatic seeds, which are used as condiments. A. craveozens, Linn.—Fruit elliptical, surrounded with a flat dilated margin. Linn., Sp. Pl. 377 ; Woodville, t. 159 ; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 137 ; Lindley, £7. Med. 50. Common Names.—Dill ; Common Dill. Foreign Names.—Aneth, Fr.; Aneto, It. ; Dill, Ger. Description.—Root tapering, long. Stem smooth, from 1 to 14 foot high, striated, simply branched. Leaves tripinnate, with fine capillary segments; petioles broad and . sheathing at base, which has a distinct, somewhat membranous border. Umbels on long stalks, destitute of an involucre. Petals varnished, yellow. Fruit oblong, bright shining brown and convex at the back; paler, and also convex at the edge, which is separated from the base by a deep hollow; dorsal edges: sharp, filiform, elevated, very distinct. Commissure dull grayish-brown, with the humid vitte only indistinctly seen. The Dill is a native of the South of Europe, Egypt, and Persia, and has been found at the Cape of Good Hope and Timor. It resembles the Fennel very much in appearance, but the odour is less agreeable. It was well known to the ancients, and was in general use among them as a condiment. The part employed in medicine is the seed. This is oval, flat, dorsally com- pressed, of a brown colour, surrounded by a lighter-coloured membranous border. The odour is aromatic, and the taste warm, pungent, and some- what bitter. ‘These properties are owing to the presence of a volatile oil ; this is of a pale-yellow colour. APIACES, 335 Medical Uses.—It is principally employed in Europe to relieve flatu- lence and colic in infants, but is seldom or never prescribed in this country. The ancients supposed that the seeds were hypnotic, and the oil has been highly recommended in hiccough. The leaves are sometimes employed for culinary purposes as a substitute for fennel. The fruit of another species, A. sowa, is esteemed in India as an ingre- dient in curries, and also as a carminative in flatulent colic, and in infusion as a cordial drink to women after lying in. (Ainslie, Mat, Ind. i., 109.) Heraciteum.—Linn. Calyx 5-toothed. Petals obovate, emarginate, with an inflected lobe; the outer often radiating and bifid. Fruit flattened at the back, with a broad flat border. Mericarps with very fine ridges; the 3 dorsal equidistant, the 2 lateral distant from the others, contiguous to the margin, Vitte solitary in the channels, usually 2 on the commissure, all shorter than the fruit, and mostly clavellate. A genus of large, coarse, herbaceous plants, with pinnate, 3-parted or lobed leaves, having large sheathing petioles. The umbels are many-rayed, and the involucre usually of a few, deciduous leaves. The species are chiefly European ; one, however, is a native of North America, and is offi- cinal. H. tanatum, Michaux.—Stem sulcate, pubescent, leaves ternately divided, tomentose, pubescent beneath; the segments petiololate, roundish-cordate, lobed ; fruit oval or obo- vate. : Michaux, FV. i. 166; Torrey and Gray, FV. i. 632; Rafinesque, Med. Fil, ii, 227, Common Names.—Cow Parsnip; Masterwort. Description.—Root large, with a strong unpleasant smell. Stem 4—8 feet high, and often an inch or more in diameter at the base. Leaves very large; ternately divided ; tomentose beneath ; the segments almost petiolate, unequally lobed; the lobes acuminate and almost eiaprdts above. The umbels are very large, and spreading, with an involucre of 6—10 oblong-lanceolate, deciduous leaflets. Involucel composed of lanceolate leaflets which are narrowed to a long point. Flowers white; petals of the exterior ones unequal, as if unequally 2-cleft, owing to the enlargement of the lobes on each side of the inflexed apex. Fruit nearly half an inch long, often sige eae Vitte of the channels cla- vate. Commissure usually with 2 vitte. It grows in damp places in most of the northern and middle parts of the United States. It is closely allied to the foreign H. spondylium. It was considered as a powerful remedial agent by the Aborigines, but has attracted little attention from physicians, though it is certainly possessed of active qualities. Dr. Bigelow (Mat. Med. 208) i is of opinion that it is virose, and should be used with great caution, especially when gathered from a watery situation. The‘ odour of the leaves and root is unpleasant and rank, and the taste is pungent and acrid. When applied to the skin in a fresh state, the root is capable of producing vesication. Medical Uses.—The root in a dried state has been used as a diuretic, expectorant, and antispasmodic. It, as well as the leaves, are employed by em- pirics in a variety of disorders, and to fulfil the most opposite indications. The only account of its powers that can be relied upon, is in a communication to the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1803, by Dr. Orne of Salem, in which he gives his experience with it in epilepsy, and states, that three cases in five in which he administered it, were cured. He gave it in large doses, both in 336 MEDICAL BOTANY. substance and infusion. This writer admits that in these cases the disease did not appear to be dependent on a primary affection of the brain, but on a disordered condition of the digestive organs. Its good effects as a stomachic and carminative are confirmed by cther practitioners, and Dr. Coxe says (Amer. Dispen, 326) that in some cases of dyspepsia, accompanied with flatulence and cardialgia, a strong decoction of it has been found very bene- ficial. The leaves are used externally as rubefacients, and form a good cataplasm in abscesses, and the seeds are said to be expectorant. Dr. Richardson | (Faun. Bor, Am.) says that the Northern Indians use a portion of the hol- low stem of this plant to imitate the voice of the male deer, and thus to attract the females within gun-shot. The H. spondylium of Europe has somewhat similar properties to the above; the leaves being used in cataplasms, and the bruised root as a caustic to remove warts, while the seeds are considered to be carminative. Not- withstanding the acridity of the root, it is stated to contain sugar, (Lindley, Fl. Med. 51.) The H. panaces and H. sibiricum have very saccharine roots, which afford on distillation an agreeable alcoholic liquor. The roots of H. tuberosa are eaten in Chili (Molna, 108), and in Sicily it is said the root of H. cordatum is used instead of Angelica. I[t is aromatic, and en- dowed with the qualities for which the officinal article is prized. HH. gum- miferum, as has been stated, was considered by Willdenow to furnish gum ammoniacum, from his having raised this plant from seeds picked from a specimen of the gum. Section 6. Cumuveam.—Fruit with primary and secondary ribs. Ribs wingless, fruit somewhat laterally contracted. CumiNum.—Linn. Calyx teeth 5, lanceolate, setaceous, unequal, persistent. Petals oblong, emarginate, erect, spreading, with an inflexed lobe. Fruit contracted on the side. Mericarps with wingless ridges, the 5 primary filiform, minutely muricated, the laterals forming a border ; the 4 secondary prominent and aculeated. Channels under the secondary ridges with 1 vitta in each. Carpophore bipartite. A genus of herbaceous plants, principally natives of Asia, having multifid leaves, the lobes of which are setaceous. The flowers are white or pink, They all bear aromatic seeds, which are much used in the Last as condi- ments. One species, the C. cyminum, is officinal in the British Pharmaco- peia, but it is not recognised in that of the United States. Cumin is rarely employed internally as a medicine, but is sometimes substituted as a condiment for caraway, which it resembles, but is less agreeable to the taste. These seeds are, however, much employed in veterinary practice. Section 7. Tuars1#.—Fruit with primary and secondary ribs. Secondary ribs mostly winged; wings unarmed. Tuapsra.— Linn. Margin of calyx 5-toothed. Petals elliptical, entire, acuminate, with the apex inflected. Fruit compressed from the back, Mericarps with 5 primary filiform ridges of which the 3 middle ones are at the back; the two lateral on the plane of the commissure; and 4 secondary, the dorsal being filiform, the lateral membranous, winged, entire. Channels beneath the secondary ridges with each 1 vitta. : APIACE &. 337 1 - Perennial herbaceous plants with decompound leaves and sheathing pe- tioles, the upper leaves often reduced to the petiole alone. Umbels large, many-rayed. Involucres deciduous. Flowers yellow. Inhabit Asia, Northern Africa, and Southern Europe. These plants all appear to be active, but are principally interesting from the circumstance of one or more of them affording the celebrated Sz/phion or Laser of the ancients. This gum-resin has been successively stated to be the product of Opoponaz, of Ferula tingitana, of Laserpitium siler, and gummiferum, Thapsia as- cleptwm, &c., but the researches of Della Cella in Cyrene, appear conclu- sively to show that it is procured from the 7. se/phion, Viviani. This is the only umbelliferous plant of that district of country that agrees with the representations of it on ancient coins and monuments. The Laser cyrenaicum or Asadulcis of Cyrene, which was deemed the best, was held in the highest estimation for its curative powers. According to ancient writers it would neutralize poisons, cure the worst wounds, restore sight to the blind, &c. So great was its reputation that it was represented on the coins of Cyrene, and it was estimated at its weight in gold. It must have been very early known, for among the representation of Etruscan antiquities, of a date anterior to the foundation of Rome, figures of the plant are to be re- cognised. Although the powers attributed to it are evidently extravagant and absurd, there can be no doubt that it must have been an active and efficacious remedy, and one that deserves attention, now that its true origin has been dis- covered. In consequence of the great demand for it, the plants furnishing it at Cyrene became exterminated, and various analogous gum-resins were sub- stituted for it, thus Pliny (Hist. Nat. 1, xxii. c, 28) says, that in his time it was chiefly imported from Syria, the best coming from Media and the worst from Parthia, that of Cyrene being wholly exhausted. Davucus.— Linn. Margin of calyx 5-toothed. Petals obovate, emarginate, with the apex inflected; the outer ones usually radiating and bifid. Fruit somewhat compressed from the back, ovate or oblong. Mericarps with the 5 primary ridges filiform and aculeated; the 3 middle ones at the back, the lateral on the plane of the commissure; the 4 secondary equal, pro- minent winged, split into a single row of spines. Vitte single i in the channels below the secondary ridges. The species of this genus are generally biennials with bipinnate leaves. The bracts of the involucre are multifid, leafy. The flowers are white or yellowish, the central one usually dark purple, fleshy and sterile. They are mostly natives of countries bordering on the Mediterranean, but the cultivated species, D. carota, is found in many parts of the world, but is probably only naturalized and not truly a native. D. carota, Linn—Stem hispid; leaves tripinnate; leaflets incised, linear-lanceolate, acute; umbel concave; fruit bristly, Linn., Sp. Pl. 348; Torrey & Gray, Fv. i. 635; Eng. Bot. t. 1174; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 56; Woodville, t. 161. Common Names.>-Cartan Common carrot. Foreign Names.—Carotte, Fr.; Carota, Jt.; Gemeine mohre, Ger. 22 i 338 MEDICAL BOTANY. Fig. 159. __ Description.—Root slender, lowish, aromatic and swee Stem 2 or 3 feet high, erect branched, leafy, hairy. Leaves alternate, on broad, concave rib- bed petioles, bipinnate, incised, narrow, acute, distantly hairy. Umbels solitary, large, white, ex- cept a central neutral flower, which is dark red. General in- volucre, with the leaflets pinnati- fid, nearly the length of the um- bel; those of partial one undivided, or partly 3-cleft, membranous at the edges. Fruit small, pale dull brown, oval. Mericarps with the primary ribs filiform, bristly, three near the middle of the convex . back, and two on the plane of the D. carota. commissure. Secondary ridges A. Horizontal section of fruit. B. Flower seen from above, deeper and irregularly split into g, e. disk. C, Plan of flower. D, Vertical section of fruit. getaceous lobes, Vittz. one under f. Pericarp. o. Seed. p. Albumen. e. Embryo. E. Vertical : : section: of flower. p. Petals. e. Stamens. o. Ovary. s. each secondary ridge, and two on Styles and stigmas, g, e. Disk. the commissure. The Carrot is a native of many parts of Europe, and .is extensively natu- ralized in the United States, and in both countries is generally cultivated for its esculent roots. The root of the Wild carrot is whitish yellow, hard, of a strong smell, and unpleasant, somewhat acrid taste; that of the cultivated is ° from a reddish-yellow to a dark red colour, succulent, of a pleasant, some- what aromatic odour, and a sweet, mucilaginous, peculiar taste. The seeds are light, of a dull brownish colour, an oval shape, convex and bristly on one side, and flat on the other. They have a warm, pungent, bitterish taste, and an aromatic smell. The root of the cultivated kind contains some volatile oil and a large proportion of pectin, a peculiar colouring principle called carotin, and some sugar. That of the wild variety has much more volatile oil, which is also found, but in larger proportion, in the seeds. This oil is of a pale yellow colour. aR: Medical Uses.—The root of the wild variety and the seeds of both kinds are stimulant, carminative and diuretic, and have been administered to fulfil these intentions. An infusion of them is said to relieve strangury from blisters. The root of the garden carrot has attained some reputation as an external application to unhealthy and foul ulcers, and is considered useful in correcting and even altering the morbid condition of the parts. ‘To fit it for this purpose it is scraped or grated. When boiled it becomes perfectly mild, and on being mashed forms a very good emollient cataplasm, but retains none of its peculiar properties. CAMPYLOSPERM®. Section 7, Smyrnizx.—Fruit with primary ribs only, laterally compressed. Fruit turgid. Prancos.— Lindley. Calyx a 5-toothed rim, Petals ovate, entire, involute at the point. Disk depressed, scarcely visible in the fruit. Fruit nearly taper, with a broad commissure. Mericarps compressed at the back, with 5 smooth ridges, thick at the base, ending in vertical mem- branous wings, Vitte: numerous. APIACE &. 339 small genus of perennial herbs, founded by Lindley on the P. pabu- laria, a large species, the leaves of which are dried and form the winter food of cattle in the north of India, and are considered highly nutritious ; from its stimulating effects it is said by Mr, Moorcroft to destroy the fluke worm in sheep. It is only interesting in a medical point of view on account of Dr. Royle having suggested (IMustratzons, 230), that it was one of the kinds of Silphion of the ancients, described by Arriamas growing on the mountains of Northern India (Paropamzsz), and fed on by sheep, Sir A. Burnes found it in the spot spoken of by Arrian, greedily eaten by sheep, and even forming food for man, and was convinced that it was the plant noticed by the Greek historian. ) Contum.—Linn. _ Margin of calyx obsolete. Petals obcordate, with a short inflected apex. Fruit ovate, compressed at the sides. Mericarps with 5 prominent, equal, undulate-crenate ridges, of which the lateral are at the edge. Channels with numerous strie, but no vitte. A small genus of biennial plants, with fusiform roots; terete and branched stems, and decompounded leaves ; they are all poisonous. C. macutatum, Linn.—Stem glabrous, spotted; segments of the leaves lanceolate, pin- natifid, the lobes acute ; leaflets of the involucel lanceolate, shorter than the umbel. Linn., Sp. Pl. 349; Torrey and Gray, Fl. i. 640; Bigelow, Med. Bot. i. 113, t. il.; Rafinesque, Med. Flor. i. 118, t. 25. Common Names.—Hemlock ; Poison Parsley, &c. Foreign Names.—Cigue ordinaire, Grande Cigue, Fr. ; Geflecter shierling, Ger. ; Cicuta, Jé. Description.—Root fusiform, Fig. 160. whitish, fleshy. Stem from three to five feet high, erect, round, hollow, glaucous, polished, often spotted with purple. Leaves large, of a bright-green, repeat- edly compound; leaflets cvate, closely’ and sharply pinnatifid, with the lower lobes incised ; pe- tioles long, furrowed, and sheath- S$ eas ing at base. Umbels terminal, RT QO numerous, erect, and compound ; YING Ses all many-rayed and smooth. Zr Sw General involucre ovate, cuspi- e Roots of Richardsonia. a, R. scabra. b. R. emetica 2? / 356 MEDICAL BOTANY. CEPHALANTHUS.—Linn. Calyx tube obpyramidal, limb 4-toothed. Corolla tubular, slender, four-cleft, lobes erect, with a valvate estivation. Stamens 4, somewhat exserted. Style filiform, very long, with a capitate stigma, Fruit inversely pyramidal, coriaceous, 2—4-celled, nearly bipartite, and each cell nearly bivalve and one-seeded. Seeds with a rind or corky arillus. ; A small genus of shrubs with oval or lanceolate, opposite or ternate leaves, furnished with short, distinct, or somewhat united stipules. The flowers are densely congregated in a globose head, ona terminal or axillary peduncle. The species are all American, if ,the genus be restricted to the two-seeded, which has been done by Richard, and others. C. OCCIDENTALIS, Linn.—Leaves opposite and ternate, glabrous, ovate, or oblong-oval, acuminate, petiolated ; peduncles longer than the heads, often ternate at the extremity of the branches. Linn., Sp. Pi.138; Torrey and Gray, 7. ii. 31; Barton, FZ. Am. Sep. iii. t. 91; Rafinesque, Med. Flor. i. 100. Common Names.—Button Bush, Pond Dogwood, Globe Flower, &c. Foreign Names.—Bois de Marais, Fr.; Scabiosa Americana, Jt. ; Ame- ricanische weissbau, Ger. a Fig. 169. Description.—A shrub from three to fifteen feet \ high, much_ branched, i Wr bark smooth on _ the DK | branches, rough on the P ! \\ WN stems. Leaves opposite SUZ \\, or ternate, with red pe- ZB -tioles, oval, base acute, apex acuminate, margin sometimes undulate, smooth on both sides, or sometimes more or less pubescent. ‘The flowers are terminal, forming round balls of a cream- white colour, about an inch in diameter, on pe- duncles of two inches long. Calyx ‘tube pro- duced above the ovary, teeth obtuse, persistent. “I i \\ i ~ WN Na I~ {e— (43 ABZ aa Corolla with a somewhat Ee |B Zee funnel-shaped tube, with ABEZe : LZ A

four ovate segments, Za elee oe ; Stamens not much longer Wy than the corolla, with yellow anthers. Style. i, filiform, much exserted, i with a yellow stigma, Gocdidentalis, Capsules small, crowded, . formed of two half bi. valve cells, with the valves opposite, each containing one seed. e The Button-bush is found in most parts of the United States, in low, wet . situations, or on the banks of streams and ponds, ‘There are several varie- ties, as regards the size and pubescence of the leaves. It flowers in July and August, and has a peculiar and heavy odour. The wood is light and spongy.. The whole plant is bitter, but this quality is most developed in the bark of the root. This, when dried, somewhat resembles Cascarilla in ap- = feet long, every where nodose, ‘sending off roots at the knots, - Leaves four to six, rarely more, CINCHONACES. 357 pearance and qualities. It has never been analyzed, but contains some vola- tile oil, and much bitter extractive. Medical Properties. —These have not been well ascertained, though enough is known to say that the bark is tonic, with some aperient qualities, It was in use by the southern aborigines ; and is a domestic remedy in Louisiana, where it is considered useful in intermittents. Dr. Elliott says ‘ the inner bark of the root is an agreeable bitter, and frequently used as a remedy in obstinate coughs.” ’ It has attracted but little attention from the profession, but deserves a trial as to its real powers. CErPHAELIS.— Swartz. Calyx tube obovate, limb very short, 5-toothed. Corolla somewhat infundibuliform, five-parted, segments obtuse, anthers included. Stigma bifid, often exserted. Fruit an ovate-oblong berry, crowned with the remains of the calyx, 2-celled, 2-seeded. ' An extensive genus of American plants, composed of shrubs and herbs with ovate, acute, petiolate leaves, furnished with stipules which are free, or _ connected, or bi-dentate. “The flowers are in terminal or axillary capituli, either pedunculated or sessile, furnished with 2—8 involucrate bracts, and with bracteoles between the flowers. Many of the species are imperfectly known, and it is possible that several of them do not properly belong to this genus. One only of them has been used in medicine, though from the uni- formity of character among the herbaceous species it is very likely that they may all possess similar properties. C. rreecacuanna, Richard. — Stem ascending, at last erect, somewhat pubescent to- wards the top. Leaves oblong-ovate, rough above, finely pubescént beneath. Stipules divided into setaceous segments. Heads terminal, erect, at length pendulous. Bracts four, somewhat cordate. Richard, Bull. Med. iv. 92; Martius, Mat. Med. Bras. v. t. 1; Stephen- son and Churchill, i. 62 ; Lindley, Il, Med. 442 ; Callicocca ipecacuanha, Brotero, Trans. Linn. (ors Ver Ped. Common Names.—lIpecacuanha ; Ipecacuan. | Foreign Names.—Ipecacuanna, Fr. ; Ipecacuana, /t.; Bréechwurzel, Ger. Description.—Root perennial, simple, ne divided into a few divergent branches; flexuose, contorted, entering the earth obliquely, from four to six Fig. 170. inches long, about the thickness of a quill, much thinner towards the base and apex, annulated; epidermous, glabrous, of a pale fuscous in the recent root, and umber or blackish-brown in ‘the dry; the cortex is soft, white, and sub-amylaceous in the fresh root, and pale reddish or rose- coloured in the dried state, of a shining and resinous fracture, and readily separable from the thin, central, ligneous fibre-stem, suffruticose, from two to three . oblong-ovate, petiolate ; leaves at the top of the stem opposite, those towards the base alternate. Sti tipules erect four to six-cleft, deciduous. Flowers in semi- C. ipecacuanha. 358 MEDICAL BOTANY. globose heads, surrounded by an involucrum. Calyx adhering to the ovary, small, obo- vate, whitish. Corolla white, funnel-shaped, five-cleft. Fruit ovate, obtuse, at first pur- ple, ‘afterwards violet-black, containing two seeds. 4 It is found in various parts of Brazil, but is most abundant between the 8th and 20th degree of south latitude. It flowers in January and February, and ripens its fruit in May. The root forms a very valuable export from Brazil. It is principally collected by the Indians, who, during the two months in which it is gathered, leave their villages almost deserted, and dwell in the forests in which it is found ; the consequence is, that it is almost extirpated in many spots formerly abounding with it. The plants are pulled up, the roots separated from the stem, washed clean, and tied in small. parcels, for the pur- pose, of drying. ‘This is done in January and February, or during the flow- ering season, thus giving the plant no chance of increasing by seed. The first account of* this article was given by Michael Tristan, a native of Brazil. He speaks of it as a remedy in dysentery in the following terms: “« Topecaya or Pigaya is profitable for the bloodie fluxe ; the-stalke is a quarter long, and the roots another or more; it hath onely fegiee or five leaves; it smelleth much wheresoever it is, but the smell is strong and terrible. This root is beaten and put in water all night at the draw, and in the morning, if this water with the same root be beaten and strained, be drunk (onely the water), it causeth presently to purge in such’sort that the taske ceaseth. alto-: gether.” (Purchas’ Pilgrimes, iv. 1311). It was a few years afterwards noticed by Piso, (Hast. Nat. Bras, 101,) in 1648; he says that it was emetic, and considered as a specific in diseases of the bowels ; ; his description of it, however, was very imperfect, and it was not until 1672 that it was introduced into Europe, when a French physician by the name of Legras, brought a quantity from South America, and sold it under the name of Mine dor. From having been improperly given, or being deteriorated, it was esteemed as of little value, and it was owing to mere accident that it was again brought into notice by Helvetius. Whilst he was a student at Paris he accompanied a physician by the name of Afforty, to visit a merchant named Grenier; this latter having recovered from his disease, testified his gratitude by making Afforty a present of a por- tion of a valuable remedy in dysentery, that had been sent to him from South America. Afforty attaching but little importance to the gift, transferred it to Helvetius, who experimented with it on several persons affected with bowel complaints and was very successful. Finding that the virtues of the article had not been exaggerated, he published to the world that he was in possession of a certain remedy in dysentery, carefully concealing what it was. But several of the attendants on Louis XIV., and finally the dauphin being at- tacked with the prevailing disorder, the king ordered an arrangement to be made with Helvetius for the promulgation of his secret. This was done, and a thousand louis d’ors paid him for it. Its use now became general, and it — was universally looked upon as. a perfect panacea in all complaints of the digestive organs. This increased demand caused a variety of different roots, all known in Brazil under the name of Poaya, to be sent to Europe, until the appellation of Ipecacuanha was bestowed upon all roots of American origin, endowed with emetic properties; but nothing was known with regard to the plants producing them. Until the time of Linnzeus it was generally thought that [pe- eacuanha was furnished by a kind of violet. About the year 1724, how- ever, the celebrated Mutis, then travelling in New Granada, sent to the Swedish naturalist an account of a plant, which he supposed to be that no- CINCHONACES, 359 ticed by Piso. A description was published of it by the younger Linnzus in the Supplement to the Species Plantarum under the name of Psychotria emetica. 'This was considered satisfactory until the beginning of the present century, when Brotero pointed out the real origin of this useful root, and described and figured the plant in the Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, vol. vi., under the name Cadlicocca ipecacuanha ; at a more recent period, Richard, (Bull. Med. Par. iv. 92,) finding that it did not agree in cha- racter with that genus, removed it to that of Cephaélis of Swartz, and this change has been recognised by most succeeding botanists. Notwithstanding this, mach uncertainty still existed as regarded other roots, also derived from Brazil, and bearing the same name. In 1802, De Candolle published a memoir in which he proved that the Ipecacuanhas of commerce were not only derived from the plants described by Mutis and Brotero, but also from others of different and widely-separated genera. ‘This has since been fully corroborated by A. St. Hilaire, in ‘his work on the plants of Brazil, by Richard, and in a:still more ample manner by Dr. Martius, in his Specz- men, Mat. Med. Brazil. 'The Ipecacuanhas may be divided into two classes, the annulated or true, and the striated or false. The latter of these will be found noticed under Jonidium, Psychotria, Richardsonia, &c. The true, as imported into this country, where, it may be mentioned, very little of the false is sent, is in pieces about the size of a quill, of an irregular, twisted, and con- torted shape, and: apparently formed of small, un- equal annular ruge or rings, of about a line in Fig. 171. height, separated by narrow interstices. When broken, they present two distinct parts, a thin lig-— neous axis or centre, and a thick cortical laver of a brownish colour, and resinous fracture, having an herbaceous, acrid, and somewhat bitter taste, with a slightly nauseous odour. The epidermis presents several varieties of colour, to which some importance has been attached by pharmacologists, but these differences do not appear to extend to the qualities of the roots, and according to Martius arise from the respective ages of the roots and the mode of drying. The principal of these varieties are the Brown, the Gray, and the Red, of which the first is the most common and the most esteemed; the gray is very rare, and the red is far from common, at least in this country, though specimens can al- ways be found among the bales of the brown. The variety noticed by Dr. Pereira (fig. 6), which is not annulated, but slightly warty, is to be found in-all the parcels of roots that come to this market. Ac- cording to the analysis of Pelletier, the cortical portion contains 16 per cent, of a peculiar principle, which is the active ingredient, and called Emetin, with a large proportion of starch, gum, &c. ; a more recent analysis, by Bucholz, of the whole root, only afforded him little more than four per cent. of Eme- my FRA . a a inge ortion, ortion tin; this can only be accounted for by the latter varenhie. i. operating on roots that had become deteriorated. Pure emetin will cause vomiting in doses of one-sixteenth of a grain. Medical Properties: —The medical effects of Ipecacuanha differ according to the mode of administration. When given in small and repeated doses, it 360 | MEDICAL BOTANY. principally acts on the secreting organs, especially those of respiration, pro- moting expectoration and a restoration of healthy action; when the dose is increased, it displays its powers on the stomach and induces nausea, depres- sion of pulse, or if aided by warmth exerts a diaphoretic influence; when given in full doses, it operates as a certain but mild emetic. By combination with other remedies, these effects are increased; thus when mixed with squills, it acts still more actively as an expectorant, whilst with opium it exerts a much more decided diaphoretic action. From these various proper- ties, it is extensively employed in the treatment of almost every disease, and to fulfil a great diversity of indications. ‘ There is one etfect of this article that deserves. notice, which is its irritant effect on the respiratory passages of many persons, bringing on an attack resembling asthma ; some individuals are so susceptible to its influence that the mere odour of it will cause diffi- culty of breathing. It has been said, that ipecacuanha was first introduced as a remedy in bowel diseases, and that it proved eminently successful in such cases ; but at present, it is seldom resorted to in their treatment, except in conjunction with opium, and its whole benefit is then attributable to its diaphoretic action. Some late writers have, however, used it with advantage in large doses, in conjunction with some of the bitters or with opium, at the commencement of an attack of dysentery, and it is said with advantage. The dose of ipecacuanha as an emetic, is about fifteen to twenty grains, though a much smaller quantity will often suffice; it has one advantage, that an increase of dose does not act injuriously on the patient, as it is brought away at the first discharge from the stomach.. As a nauseant the dose is from two to four grains, and as an expectorant from one to two grains. There are many preparations of this drug, none of which are much employed, with the exception of the compound or Dover’s Powder, which is one of the most valuable medicines in the beige Medica, where it is wished to produce diaphoresis. 7 Psycuorria.—Linn. Calyx tube ovate; limb short, 5-lobed, 5-toothed or entire. Corolla infundibuliform, usually short, 5-, rarely 4-cleft, regular; limb spreading or recurved; estivation valvate. - Stamens five, rarely four; anthers exserted or included; style simple; stigma 2-cleft. Fruit drupaceous, containing 2 mucules, crowned with the limb of the calyx, and ribbed ; mucules coriaceous, ribbed, angled or even, l-seeded. Seed erect, with a cartilaginous, solid albumen. J A tropical genus, composed principally of trees and shrubs, rarely herba- ceous. The leaves are opposite and petiolated. The flowers in panicles or ~ corymbs on terminal peduncles. The number of species is very great, being nearly two hundred, but they require careful revision, as much uncertainty exists with regard to many of them. P. emetica, Linn.—Stem herbaceous, procumbent; leaves lanceolate, smooth; stipules setaceous; flowers in axillary capituli, peduncles few-flowered. Linn., Supp. 144; Humboldt and Bonpland, P?, AZg., ii. 142 ; Martius, Spec, Mat. Med, Bras. ; Lindley, Fl. Med. 440. Common Names.—Striated Ipecacuanha ; Black Ipecacuanha. Description.—Root perennial, almost horizontal, cylindrical, about the size of the little finger, with here and there narrow, deep depressions. Stem somewhat ligneous, simple, about a foot to two feet in height, somewhat pubescent. Leaves opposite, lanceolate, on short petioles, and furnished with narrow acute stipules. Flowers white, small, on axil- lary peduncles, CINCHONACES. 361 This plant grows in Peru and Colombia, and pro- bably in other parts of South America. Humboldt found it in great abundance near the Magdalena, but it must be scarce in Brazil, as Martius was unable to detect it among the Ipecacuanha sent for exportation to Bahia and other ports. It is seldom or never brought to this country or Europe, though it enjoys » a high reputation in South America. As met with in the dried state, it is in pieces about the size of a large goose-quill, less twisted than those of the true Ipecacuanha, but striated longitudinally, and pre- senting at intervals deep circular depressions. The fracture is brownish, slightly resinous; the odour is very feeble and the taste somewhat bitter but insipid. The epidermis is of a dirty reddish-gray colour, be- coming blackish by age. The cortical ‘portion is soft, and the ligneous part is yellowish, perforated by an infinite number of minute holes. From an analysis by Pelletier, it has been found to contain nine per cent. of emetine, fatty matter, gum, starch, &ec. Medical Properties —These are the same as those of the Ipecacuanha, and it is administered in the ~— Roots of P. emetica. same manner, a, Old root. b. Contorted do. . Corrrea.— Linn. Tube of the calyx ovate, globose or turbinate; limb small, 4—5-toothed. Corolla in- fundibuliform, with a dilated 4—5-parted limb with oblong lobes. Stamens 4—5, in- cluded or exserted. Style bifid at apex. Berry umbilicated, naked, or crowned, 2-seed- ed. Seed convex above, flat beneath, with a longitudinal furrow. This genus is a large one, and consists of shrubs or trees with opposite leaves, furnished with stipules. Many of the species included in it are wholly distinct in their characters, and belong to other genera, and a further exami- nation will possibly restrict it to those noticed by De Candolle in his first section of it. The Coffee of commerce is derived from more than one species, or at least from several strongly-marked varieties. C. arazica, Linn.—Leaves oblong, ovate, acuminate. Peduncles axillary, aggregate. Corolla Anplette Stamens exserted ; berry ovate. Linn., ‘Sp. Pl, 245; Bot. Mag. 1303; De Candolle, Prod. iv. 499; Lindley, 7. Med. 440. Common Names.—Coflee tree ; A ranien Coffee tree. Foreign Names.—Caffayer Arabique, Fr, ; Caffé di Moca, Jt. ; Arabische ‘Kafferbaum, Ger. Description.—An evergreen shrub from ten to twenty feet high, with an erect stem, covered with a brownish bark. The branches are opposite, as are also the leaves, which are ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, entire, smooth, shining, bright green above, and paler beneath, on short petioles. The flowers are white, odorous, sessile, in clusters of four or five together, in the axils of the leaves, The calyx is superior, small, 5-toothed. The corolla is funnel-shaped and divided into five lanceolate, spreading segments. The stamens are inserted into the tube of the corolla, and have yellow, linear anthers. The ovary is inferior, ovate, and supports a simple style, with two awl-shaped, re- 362 MEDICAL BOTANY. Fig. 173. . flexed stigmas. The berry . is globular, about the size of a cherry, umbilicated at the summit, 2-celled, and containing a somewhat ge- latinous pulp. The seeds are hemispherical, convex on one side and flat on the other, longitudinally fur- rowed, of a pale glaucous colour, and invested in a > thin, elastic, somewhat translucent arillus. ' The Coffee tree is usu- ally considered to be a native of Arabia, but Bruce ‘states that as it derives its name from Caffee in Africa, where it still grows Spontaneously, it was probably: originally from thence. Ains- lie says that it is a native of Yemen. It certainly was unknown to the Greeks and Ro- mans, nor is there any allusion toit in the Bible, which would be, the case, were it known at the times at which its ernest various books were a. Corolla and stamens. J. Pistil. c. Berry. d,e. Sections of the written, It is said to same. f. Embryo. have been first used in Persia, whence the cus- tom was introduced into Arabia, about the time of the Hegira (622). The progress it made was very slow at first, as it was not until 1554 that coffee was publicly sold in Constantinople. Much uncertainty prevails with respect to the time of its introduction into western Europe, though it is probable that the Venetians, who had an extensive commerce with © Turkey, were the first to employ it, as late however as 1615. Peter de Valle speaks of bringing home to Italy some coffee, which he says was unknown in his own country. Thirty years afterwards it was in- troduced into Marseilles, and about 1671 a coffee-house was established in that city, but these establishments were of earlier date in London, as one was opened by a Greek in 1652, and in 1660 a tax of fourpence a gallon was laid on all coffee made and sold, showing that its use had become very gene- ral. But the berries were imported into every part of Europe, and were be- come an article of trade, long before it was known what plant produced them. Prosper Albinus had seen the tree in Egypt, but without fructification (Aegypt., 1592), but the first definite account of it was published by A. de Jussieu, in 17138, (Mem. Acad. Roy.) The plant itself was brought to Europe from Batavia to Amsterdam, in 1690 (Index Plant. Hort. Lug.), and from the progeny of this single plant not only was the supply obtained CINCHONACES, 363 for the botanic gardens of Europe, but all the West India and South Ameri- can plantations owe their origin to it. Coffee cannot be cultivated to any advantage where the temperature at any time is below 55°. The trees grow best in virgin soil, on gentle slopes, and where shade can be obtained. They begin to bear when two years old, and the next are in full vigour. The seeds are known to be ripe when the berries assume a dark-red colour, and if not gathered will drop sponta- neously. In Arabia they are not gathered, but the trees shaken over cloths laid to receive the berries. ‘These are then spread on mats and exposed to the sun until perfectly dry, when the husk is broken by means of heavy rollers, when the seeds are winnowed and again dried. In the West Indies the berries are gathered by hand; when a sufficient quantity is collected, they are placed in the sun on terraces prepared for the purpose, in layers about four inches thick; a fermentation ensues which destroys the pulp, and in about three weeks they are dried. Another mode is to subject the berries at once to the action of a mill, they are then dried, and then in both cases subject- ed to appropriate treatment to remove the pellicle, when they are winnowed and put into bags-for sale. The varieties of coffee are very great, no two countries producing an iden- tical article, and even adjoining plantations may .differ in their product. These varieties result from soil and climate, aided perhaps by some difference in the mode of cultivation and preparation, as all those in this continent, as before stated, arose from oné stock, for it is well known that as late as 1718 a plant was presented to Louis XIV., by the magistrates of Amsterdam. This was placed under the care of Jussieu, and it was not until some years afterwards, that its progeny were carried to the French settlements in America. When coffee is roasted, a portion is converted into tannin by the action of the heat, and a peculiar and aromatic principle is developed, the precise nature of which has not been ascertained, though it is found to be also evolved on the roasting of other substances, but not to an equal amount. An infu- sion of unroasted coffee in boiling water is of a yellowish-green colour, but becomes brown if boiled for any time. Bothyoasted and raw coffee have been repeatedly analyzed, but the results are not satisfactory. It has been shown ‘that the distilled water of’ coffee contains traces of a volatile oil; some che- mists, however, declare that the aroma depends on the volatilization of a peculiar acid, whilst this is denied by others. . It is at the same time probable that it does depend on a volatile oil, but of an unknown character. A pecu- liar principle has been found in coffee, which has been termed, caffein ; this is highly azotized, and is analogous if not identical with those obtained from tea, mate and chocolate, showing a curious identity in principle in the most common beverages of man, though found in the most dissimilar plants. Medical Properties.—Raw coffee has been used as a substitute for cin- chona with some success, but is seldom employed as a remedial agent. _ When. roasted, its nutritive qualities are mostly destroyed, and it becomes more stimulating. A decoction of roasted coffee is powerfully antisoporific, though habit has in many people counteracted this effect. It is considered in India that it allays nervous irritation, and is a powerful anti-emetic (Aznsie). Pringle declaresthat it is the best abater of periodic asthma that he hasemployed ; to be useful it must be made very strong. As a palliative in many forms of headache its powers are well known; it has also been employed as a febri- _ fuge in intermittents, more especially in Italy ; as a stomachic in some forms of dyspepsia, though in general in this disease it aggravates the symptoms ; as an astringent in diarrhoea, and in a variety of other complaints. Most certainly the abuse of this beverage, when taken in too large quantities and 364 MEDICAL BOTANY. too strong, will impair digestion instead of promoting it, and in many persons it acts as a powerful stimulant, and if its use be persevered in, occasions dis- ease. | 7 Cuiococca.— Linn. Tube of the calyx ovate; limb 5-toothed, persistent. Corolla infundibuliform, 5-lobed. Stamens 5, attached to the base of corolla, included, with linear anthers. Style single, with the apex subclavate or sub-bilobate. Berry small, roundish, compressed, crowned with the persistent calyx; 2-celled, 2-seeded. Seeds pendulous, compressed, roundish. A small genus of shrubby, somewhat climbing plants, principally found in tropical America, with opposite, ovate, or oblong-acute, smooth leaves, fur- nished with stipules. The flowers are in opposite, axillary racemes. The general medicinal properties are emetic, purgative, and diuretic. . , ‘Stet = C. racemosa, Linn.—Leaves oval, acuminate. Stipules short, acuminate. Racemes many-flowered ; corolla much longer than the calyx. F ilaments hairy. Linn., Sp. Pl, 246; Sloan, Jam. t. 188, f. 3; Richard, Elem. Mat. Med. il. 331 ; "Torrey and Gray, Fl. li, of., Common Names,—Cahinca ; Cainca; Snowberry. Description.—A sub-scandent shrub, somewhat resembling the Jasmine, with oppo- site branches. Leaves oval, acuminate, or sometimes obtuse, on a short petiole; they are entire, very smooth, and furnished with two short, acuminate stipules, which are con- nate at their edges. The flowers are in axillary racemes, generally shorter than the leaves; they are usually secund; at first they are white and inodorous, and afterwards yellow and fragrant. The fruit is a'small, white, compressed berry. There are several " varieties, differing in the form of the leaves, and more or less scandent character of the shrub. It is-a native of the West Indies, South America, and also of the sea-coast of Florida, ‘The officinal portion is the root, which, as found in commerce, is of a reddish-brown colour, and is in cylindrical pieces of various sizes and lengths, somewhat bent and contorted, and wrinkled or striated longitudinally, and also presenting small, irregular asperities. The root is composed of a thin, brown epidermis, covering a thin, brittle, brownish cortex, with an in- ternal ligneous portion, which torms the larger portion of it. The virtues of the root are principally found in the cortical part. This has a disagreeable taste, with some bitterness and astringency, and an unpleasant odour. It has been analyzed by several chemists. Pelletier and Caventou found in it a crystallizable substance, to which the bitterness is owing; a green, fatty matter of a disagreeable smell; a yellow colouring matter, yand a coloured, viscid substance. The first of these appears to be the active peti and has received the name of Cahincic acid. Medical Properties.—Cahinca is a tonic, diuretic, purgative, and emetic, according to the mode in which it is administered. When it is given in mo- derate doses, it increases the force of the circulation, and stimulates the bowels and kidneys, though in a gentle manner, and if the patient be kept warm, it will also act as a diaphoretic. In large doses it operates powerfully as an emetic and cathartic. It has long been in use in Brazil as a remedy for the bites of poisonous snakes, though another species is much preferred. Brown (Jamaica), speaks of it as resembling Seneka, and very useful in rheumatism, and Ricord Madianna ( Tract. de Mancell., 19), also states that it is beneficial in that disease, as well as syphilis, &c. It was first brought into notice by Mr. Langsdorff, the Russian Consul at Rio Janeiro, about the CINCHONACES. 365 year 1826, as a remedy in dropsy, since which it has been experimented with, by many practitioners, and especially by Dr. Francois of Paris, who speaks of it in the highest terms, and considers it superior to any other remedy in this class of diseases. From his account, and that of subsequent writers, it is evident that it resembles in all respects in its power and operation, those of the Apocynum, and does not appear to be in the least superior to that native article, and has the same disadvantage of occasionally proving very inefficient, and at others, of exercising the most powerful. and distressing effects. It is given in powder in doses of a scruple to a drachm, but the best form is in an aqueous extract, the dose of which is from ten to twenty grains, Two other species are described by Dr. Martius (Spec. Mat. Med. Brasii.), the C. anguifuga, and the C. densifolza, the first of which is held in high re- pute by the natives, who term it Poaya do sugippe, and have much faith in it as an alexipharmic in snake-bites ; for this purpose the cortical portion of the fresh root is pounded with water, and the turbid and thick infusion admi- nistered ; this dose causes the most violent symptoms, as frequent eructations and violent spasmodic agitations, almost amounting to convulsions, until co- pious alvine evacuations ensue, followed by copious perspiration, which relieve the patient. These roots are also used in eruptive diseases, and as emmenagogues. ‘The dose is the same as of the C. racemosa, Section 2, Cincnonre“.—Ovary many-seeded. PincknEya.—Michauz. Calyx-tube oblong, turbinate ; limb 5-parted, four of the segments linear, lanceolate, the other foliaceous, coloured. Tube of the corolla cylindrical, 5-toothed ; segments linear-oblong, recurved, spreading, somewhat imbricate in estivation. Stamens 5; in- serted near the base of the corolla; exserted ; anthers oblong. Style filiform, stigma ob- tusely 2-lobed. Capsule sub-globose, coriaceo-chartaceous, 2-valved. Seeds Fig. 174. numerous, horizontal, in a double series, flat, with a reticulated, membranaceous wing. C. pupens, Michaux,— The only Vi species. alan Michaux, FZ. i. 103; Torrey _ . eS E NN and Gray, FV. ii. 36 ; Rafinesque, y¥ AFM Med, Fl. ii. 57 ; Barton, Fl, Am. Sy Sep. t. 7. DPB Common Names.—Bitter bark ; Fever tree; Georgia bark. Description —A large shrub with NY many stems, from fifteen to twenty feet high, with opposite and tomentose [8 branches. The leaves are opposite, large, ‘A lanceolate, entire, slightly acuminate, in shining on the upper surface, though fi somewhat furnished with sparse hairs, lower surface and petiole tomentose. Flowers in terminal and axillary pani- cles, composed of 5-flowered fascicles, Calyx superior, 5-parted, persistent, somewhat coloured; segments rarely equal and acuminate, usually 1, and sometimes 2 segments are dilated into a large, ovate, coloured leaf; when two FP. paler i} nt ay \é 366 MEDICAL BOTANY. segments are thus enlarged, they vary much in size. Corolla tubular; tube of an obscure green colour, tomentose ; limb 5-parted, segments oval, obtuse, purple. Stamens inserted into the base of the corolla, longer than the tube, with incumbent, 2-celled anthers. Ova- ry turbinate, with a short style, having an obtuse stigma. Capsule nearly globose, open- ing at the summit, loculicidal. Seeds flat, orbicular, with a membranaceous wing. This shrub is a native of Georgia and Florida, growing in wet soils along the sea-coasts; its western limits have not been fully ascertained. It was first discovered by Bartram, who considered it a species of Mussenda, but was erected into a separate genus by Michaux, and named by him in honour of Gen. Pinckney. It flowers in June and July. It is closely allied to Cinchona, and like that genus, it is possessed of bitter and tonic properties. The part used is the bark ; this closely resembles some of the varieties of the Cinchona, both in appearance and physical characters. No accurate analysis has been made of it, but Dr. Coxe (Am. Dispen. 1830), states that Mr. Farr detected a considerable amount of Cinchonine in it, but from some accident, was prevented from completing the examination, — Medical Properties—From its resemblance and alliance to the Peruvian barks, as might be supposed, it partakes of their medicinal properties. It has been used for a long time in domestic practice in the parts of the country where it grows, in intermittent fever, with much success, Dr. Law (Am. Dispen. 499), states that in severe cases in which he used it, it was perfectly efficient in six. It did not distress the stomach, although an ounce was given at a dose, in two of the cases. The usual dose is a drachm in substance. It may also be given in decoction, made and administered in the same manner as directed for the Cinchona. From all that can be gathered on the subject, it would appear that this bark is very like the pale Cinchona in its composition and action on the system, and is an excellent substitute for that article, but it requires further experiments to determine its exact value. ExostemMa.—Linn. Calyx obovate, 5-toothed: Corolla with the tube terete, and the limb 5-parted. Seg. ments linear. Anthers linear, exserted. Capsule crowned by the persistent calyx, de- hiscing from the apex through the dissepiments, into two half-fruits. Seeds with a mem- branous, entire border. A genus of trees and shrubs, with oval or lanceolate, short-stalked leaves, having solitary stipules on each side of the petiole. The flowers are white or pink, in axillary or terminal panicles, . Several of the species have bitter and febrifuge barks, which contain nei- ther quinia nor cinchonia. The £. floribundum, a native of the West. India Islands, furnishes the St. Lucia Bark, or Quinquina piton. This is in cylindrical pieces, thin, light, very fibrous. Its external appearance is variable; internally it is dark-coloured, with longitudinal, white fibres; its fracture is of a yellowish-gray. Its odour is feeble, but nauseous, and its taste bitter and disagreeable. It acts as a tonic and febrifuge, but is apt to affect the bowels, and to cause griping pains. E. caribeum is a branched shrub, found in the West India Islands and Mexico. Its capsules, before they are quite ripe, are very bitter, and their juice causes a burning itching in the lips (Jacquin. Amer.) ‘The bark is febrifugal, and often causes vomiting, especially if it be fresh. It is in convex fragments, composed of a yellowish, spongy, and friable epidermis, and a hard, fibrous, greenish-brown liber. The taste of it is at first sweetish and mucilaginous, afterwards bitter and disagreeable. It is known under the name of Jamaica bark, or Quin- CINCHONACES. 367 guina caraibe, E. peruvianum, a native of the colder parts of Peru, on the Andes, furnishes a very bitter, but somewhat sweet bark, having a nauseous smell. E. sowzanum, a native of Brazil, produces a bitter bark, known as Brazil bark, or Quinquina de Piauht. It colours the saliva yellow, and contains, according to Buchner, an alkaloid, which he calls Esenbeckine. The Pitaya bark, or Quinquina bicolore, is said to be furnished by a tree of this genus. It is stated to contain an alkaloid, on which its discoverers, MM. Folchi and Peretti have bestowed the name of Pitaina, Remisya.— De Candolle. Calyx-tube obovate, limb 5-cleft, permanent. Corolla-tube slender, limb divided into 5 linear segments. Filaments unequal. Anthers linear, included. Disk fleshy, ele- vated, truncated, separated from the'style. Stigmas 2, linear, included. Capsule open- ing from apex to base, dehiscent, loculicidal. Seeds numerous, winged, peltate. The species are slender bushes, with oblong or ovate, coriaceous leaves, deeply furrowed above, opposite or ternate, revolute at the edges, and covered with ferruginous hairs beneath. The stipules are lanceolate, connate, deci- duous. The flowers are in opposite fascicles, on long, axillary, interrupted racemes, The bark of all of them is bitter and febrifuge, and is known under the names of Quina de Serra, or Quina de Remijo. It is used in Brazil in fevers, but is considered inferior to Cinchona. The species best known are the R. ferruginea and R. vellozv (St. Hilaire, Pl. us. de Bras.) CosMIBUENA.—Ruiz and Pavon. Calyx 5-toothed, campanulate, deciduous. Corolla with a long, curved tube, and a 5- parted limb. Anthers oblong, subsessile, exserted. Stigma bipartite. Capsules oblong, taper, 2-celled, somewhat 4-valved, with a septicidal dehiscence. Seeds surrounded by a membranous, lacerated wing. South American trees, with a smooth bark, and ovate leaves, on short petioles. Stipules large, oval, obtuse, erect, deciduous. Flowers white, long, terminal. One species, C. hezandra, affords a bark, known as Rio Janetro bark, or Quinguina colorado. It is of indifferent quality, contain- ing a very little cinchonia. It is.thin, blood-coloured internally, and exceed- ingly bitter, nauseous, and disagreeable. Gomez states that it is a good febrifuge, but too stimulating to be used in a majority of cases, M. Batka is of opinion that the Aina nova is also the product of this tree (Jour. Pharm. Berlin, xxvi, 16); but this is usually attributed to the Portlandia grandi- flora. CovrarEsa.—Aubiet. Calyx-tube turbinate ; limb 6-parted. Corolla infundibuliform, tube short, limb 6-lobed, ventricose. Stamens inserted at the bottom of the throat. Anthers linear, exserted. Capsule coriaceous, obovate, compressed ; valves bifid at their apex. Placente spongy, at last almost free. Seeds with membranous wings. Shrubs or trees found in South America, having ovate leaves, and large, showy flowers. One species, C. speciosa, is said to afford a febrifuge bark of considerable powers. This is probably the Guzana bark ; but it is im- possible to speak with certainty, as there is much confusion and uncertainty on the subject. ‘This has arisen from the Portlandia hexandra having been 368 . MEDICAL BOTANY. assumed by some writers as the type of Cosmibuena, and by others as that of Coutarea ; whilst Merat and De Lens appear to consider all of them as identical (Dict. v. 457). Guibourt was formerly of opinion that this species affords Spongy Carthagena bark, but changed his views, and now attributes this to Cinchona lancifolia ; in which he is followed by Pereira, Many authors state that the Kina mova is furnished by this tree; but, as before stated, it is usually attributed to Portlandia grandiflora. Hymenopictyon.—Wallich. Calyx-tube ovate; limb 5-toothed. Corolla infundibuliform, 5-lobed. Stamens very short. Filaments smooth, inserted lower than the throat. Anthers exserted. Style long, prominent. Stigma clavate, capitate, somewhat lobed. Capsule naked, 2-celled, 2-valved, with a loculicidal dehiscence. Seeds surrounded with a reticulated wing, bifid at the base. These are large trees, natives of India, with compressed branches, decidu- ous stipules, having glandular fringes, and small, inconspicuous, green, downy flowers. The H. eacelsa, which is called a Conmchona by Roxburgh and Ainslie, is found in the mountainous parts of India, where its bark is used as a substitute for the Peruvian. Roxburgh (FV. Ind. ii. 149) says, ‘the inner coat possesses the bitterness and astringency of the Peruvian bark; the bitter, however, on chewing is not easily perceived, but is more lasting. The bark is employed by tanners, and is also prescribed by Hindoo practitioners in cases requiring astringents.” Cincuona.—Linn. Calyx persistent, 5-toothed. Corolla with a terete tuhe; limb hypocrateriform, 5- parted; estivation valvate. Stamens inserted in the middle of the tube. Filaments short. Anthers linear, included. Capsule ovate or oblong, dividing along the dissepi- ment into two carpels, open at the commissure, and crowned by the persistent calyx. Seeds many, with a membranaceous, lacerated wing or margin. Albumen fleshy. This very important genus consists of trees and shrubs, with shortly-petio- lated leaves, having dabs margins, and ovate or oblong, Sdikeatoocales free, deci- duous stipules. The flowers are paniculate, corymbose, terminal, white, or reddish. They are natives of South America, where they inhabit the moun- tains, at considerable elevations above the sea. Notwithstanding the great importance of this genus, and the attention it has received from botanists, much confusion and perplexity still exist, as regards an assignment of its products to the species from which they are derived, It may be asserted, that after all the labour and research bestowed upon the subject, all that is known is, that most of the species furnish valuable medicinal barks, some of which are possessed of higher powers than others; but from what species these are obtained, yet remains to be ascertained. Ina few cases, however, this has been accomplished, with every appearance of exactness ; but when it is recollected, that the bark of the same species may be of inferior quality and worthless, if growing in lowland districts or in confined valleys, and of high value and properties when obtained in mountainous regions, it must be con- ceded, that even with those species whose medicinal virtues are supposed to have been most clearly ascertained, numerous errors may still exist. Fée asserts that one kind of Cinchona passes into another, and that nobody knows with absolute certainty the origin of the various barks. P6éppig, who resided ——— CINCHONACEA, 369 for a long time in the bark districts, seems to be of the same opinion; and states that much prejudice exists among the Cascardlleros or bark collectors, and that they will reject one tree and eagerly select another without any valid reason; and also, that the same species is divided by them into several varie- ties, and considered to afford different qualities or kinds of bark, on no set- tled or definite principle. Nor are botanists less at variance, as regards the species, there scarcely being any two of them who agree. This has arisen from several causes; the principal of which is owing to the numerous varieties that occur; and hence those who have only studied them from dried specimens, have multiplied the species far beyond their true number, and thus given rise to an almost inextricable confusion. The first account of Cinchona was given by Dr. Arrott (Zrans. Roy. Soc. 1737). At the same period Condamine, and in 1740 the’ elder Jussieu, ob- tained specimens from near Loxa, In 1772, Mutis, a Spanish botanist, re- siding at Santa Fé de Bogota, having discovered Cinchona trees in the vicinity of that place, called the attention of his government to the fact, sent speci- mens to Linneus, and having obtained official charge of the Cinchona forests, became a leading authority among botanists, as to the trees producing the barks of commerce; but unfortunately he has occasioned much error and confusion by asserting that the barks of the northern parts of South America were identical with those of Peru and Chili; this long misled botanists, and was the cause of many of the difficulties that have arisen; these were added to by the inaccurate information on the several species he published in conjunc- tion with Zea. The next to undertake the investigation were Ruiz and Pavon, who, under the auspices of the Spanish government, commenced in 1777 an examination of the botanical treasures of Peru; the results of their investigations were published from 1792 to 1801, in their Flora Peruviana and Quinologia, in which they notice many species, and ascertained the qualities of their barks. Their opinions were, however, attacked by Mutis and Zea, and unfortunately the erroneous views of the latter were generally adopted by botanists, though not to the same extent by pharmacological writers. Humboldt and Bonpland promulgated some valuable information in their Plante Afquinoctiales, but adopted the errors and misstatements of Mutis and - Zea, and hence rendered their observations of less practical value. In 1797 Mr. Lambert published his Description of the Genus Cinchona, and in 1821 his Id/ustration of the same, but like the authors just named, placed too much reliance on the statements of Zea, and was thus led intothe sameerrors. This has also been the case with Romer and Schultes, in their Systema Vegetabi- iitum, and with De Candolle in his Prodromus, In 1838 Dr. Lindley, in his Flora Medica, from the ample materials with which he was furnished, did very much in settling the species and synonymy, and has given, by far, the best monograph of the genus yet laid before the world, having all the works previously published, and access to an exten- sive series of specimens collected by Mutis, both in Peru and Colombia, now in the possession of Dr. A. T. Thomson, as well as to that of Mr. Lambert, which, besides many others, contained nearly a complete set of those noticed by Ruiz and Pavon. From these materials he has described twenty-one species, and noticed five others. ‘These will be adopted, with some few and slight alterations and additions, in the following pages, and although it will extend the account of the genus toa much greater length than could have been wished, it is trusted that the importance of thé subject will be deemed a sufficient excuse. 24 wh 370 MEDICAL BOTANY. ° 1. Limb of the corolla stupose. Leaves scrobiculate. HEY! 1.C. micrantua, Ruiz Fig. 175. and Pavon.—Branches AX Von . quadrangular, smooth, iy except among the in- . Qe 2 florescence. Leaves ob- LY long, obtuse, or hardly acute, rather membra- nous, very large, quite smooth on both sides, distinctly pitted at the axils of the veins, and either smooth or hairy there ; those near the 5, base of the inflores- dy ( im ieee = cence, shorterand blunt- ee tN NY) oe) Yj ‘er. Flowers the small- y.. y WE WE? } est of all the species, Z Av. except C. lancifolia. 523 Sy | Calyx tomentose, with ; a short 5-toothed limb, scarcely changed in the fruit. Corolla tomen- tose, woolly inside the the limb. “ie UES = fi un ra ae lL—~ ‘ rst | SV Ruiz and Pavon, Fl. Peruy, ii. 52, t. 194; Quznol. Supp. 1; De Candolle, Prod. iv, 354; Lind- ley, Med. Fl. 412; C. scrobiculata, Hum- AY boldt and Bonpland, . Ber ie Pl. Aiquin. i. 165, f ‘ : t. 47; De Candolle, Prod. iv. 352. This species inhabits high, cool, and wooded mountains of Peru. It affords the silver or gray Cinchona. According to Humboldt and Bonpland, and Ruiz and Pavon, this is commonly called Cascarwlla fina. Péppig terms it Cascarilla provinciana, and says that the trees furnish three kinds, one of which, the product of the small branches, is known as Pata de Gallinazo (or Vulture’s claw). Mr. Reichel, who compared Poppig’s speci- mens with those of Bergen, is of opinion that the Casc. provinciana is the Huanaco bark, and the Pata de Gallinazo forms part of the Lima bark, | 2. C. nitipa, Ruiz and Pavon.—Branches and leaves quite smooth. Leaves thin, obo- vate-lanceolate, acute, slightly shining, tapering very regularly and gradually into the petiole, which is sometimes winged almost to its base; with deep, ciliated pits in the axils of the principal veins on the under side. Branches of inflorescence, almost smooth, ex- cept the pedicels, Peduncles corymbose, forming a small thyrsus in the axils of the upper leaves. Calyx-tube tomentose; limb campanulate, smooth, 5-toothed ; teeth triangular, acute. Corolla like that of C. lanceolata? Ruiz and Pavon, Flor, Peruv. ii. 50, t. 191; Quinol. 56; Lindley, FV. Med. 413; C. lanceolata, pars, De Candolle, Pu. - C. condamined, pars, Lambert, Tllust. Found in lofty mountains of the Andes, in cold situations. According to Ruiz, it is considered as the best of all barks, and brings the highest price in ' CINCHONACEAE. | 371 Huanaco, Huamalies, &c. ; it, like the last species, is called Cascarilla fina. Poéppig speaks of a bark under the name of Casc. hoja de Ohiva, which he thinks is produced by this tree; the same has been noticed by Ruiz, but he does not consider it to have this origin. 3. C. conpaminEA, Humb. Fig. 176. and Bonpl. — Branches smooth to the inflores- cence. Leaves quite smooth at all periods of growth, usually ovate-lan- ceolate, sometimes nar- rower and only lanceolate, occasionally ovate ; rather ‘thin, not shining on the upper surface, or but little _ so in some specimens; mostly with a pit or scro- bicula at the axils of veins beneath, when full grown; this pit is either naked or ciliated, but young leaves are indis- tinctly or not all scrobi- culate. Petioles smooth, about a fourth the length of the leaves; stipules oblong, obtuse, membra- nous, smooth. Peduncles panicled, corymbose, forming a large, loose, verydowny thyrsus,inthe \%) axils of the upper leaves. Tube of the calyx tomen- tose, limb shortly urceo- C. condaminea. late. 5- d a. Calyx. b. Ovary and style. c. Corolla. d. Capsule split into 2 cocci. itt toothe » pubescent, e. Capsule divided, showing the 2cells. f. Seeds in capsule. g, Single not shining; the teeth seed. acute, roundish, triangu- lar. Tube of the corolla slender, about four times as long as that of the calyx, tomen- tose ; limb very shagg’y within. 7 | Humb. and Bonp., Pi. Ziquin. i. 33, t. 10; Lindley, FZ, Med. 414. Inhabits on the mountains near Loxa, and several other places in Peru, always in micaceous schist, and occupies a zone of 1800 feet growing at elevations between 5700 and 7500 feet. According to Dr. Lindley, a manu- script note of M. Bonpland, in Mr. Lambert’s Herbarium, states, this is the C. lancifolia of Mutis, but Humboldt asserts that species to be the same as C. an- gustvfolia, Ruiz, which he also deems to be different from C. condaminea. This species furnishes the Cascarilla fina de writusinga or Crown, or Loxa bark. 2. Limb of corolla not stupose. Leaves not scrobiculate. A, C. tanciFoiia, Mutis—Branches quadrangular, except when very young, when they are covered with short spreading hairs. Leaves oblong, lanceolate, very acute at both ends, revolute at the edge; somewhat coriaceous, not shining, smooth above, thinly beset with hairs on the veins underneath, not scrobiculate. Peduncles axillary, hairy, 3-fid, shorter than the leaves, and not forming a panicle or thyrsus ; the divisions cymose and about 5-flowered. Tube of calyx tomentose; limb smooth, campanulate, 3—5- toothed, teeth revolute at the apex. Corolla hairy, the smallest in the genus, with a tube 372 MEDICAL BOTANY. about three times as long as the cup of the calyx. The limb on each side smooth, sur- mounted by an enlarged calyx. Mutis, Period. de Santa Fe. ; we. #1. Med.’ 4155 -C, ess Pavon, Quinol. Supp. xiv. f. a.; C. tunita, Lopez, MSS. Found in woods in Colombia van around Sante Fe. Dr. Lindley states that it has the credit of furnishing the best Pale bark of commerce, but ac- cording to Pereira, it affords the new spurious yellow bark, which is the Quin- guina de Carthagene spongieux of Guibourt, and which he found to be identical with the Quina naranjada of Mutis, which is indubitably the pro- duct of this species. 5. C. tucumarotta, Pavon.—All parts of the plant quite smooth, except the corolla. Leaves oval, lanceolate, obtuse, coriaceous, shining, somewhat revolute at the edges. No trace of pits on the lower surface; gradually narrowing into rather a long petiole. Pe- ‘duncles axillary, corymbose, longer than the leaves, somewhat spreading, but stiff, often forming a large open thyrsus, Calyx with a campanulate limb, having 5 shallow, trian- gular teeth. Corolla tomentose, except at the base, which is nearly smooth, with the tube thrice as long as the calyx. The limb shaggy inside. Pavon, Herb. Lamb. ; Lindley, Fl. Med, 416; C. stupea, Pavon, Herb. Lamb., C. condaminea, pars Lambert. : This species is found at Loxa in Peru, and is placed by} Ruiz among those which furnish the Quena fina de Lozxa, 6. C. LANcEOLATA, Ruiz and Pavon.—Branches smooth to the inflorescence. Leaves almost smooth at all ages; generally quite elliptical and acute at each end, sometimes more oblong, occasionally roundish-oblong and obtuse or almost cordate at base; coria- ceous, very shining on the upper surface, with rather prominent veins beneath, which are hairy or smooth, usually hairy at the axils, and but slightly, if at all scrobiculate. Pe- tioles smooth, sometimes downy when young, from a tenth to a sixth as long as the ex- pansion. Peduncles panicled, corymbose, scarcely longer than the upper leaves, to which they are axillary, forming a close, compact thyrsus, covered with a short thick down. Tube of the calyx downy. Limb campanulate, shining, mostly smooth, with acute or acuminate triangular teeth. Tube of the corolla cylindrical, tomentose, about thrice as long as that of the calyx. Limb very shaggy within. Ruiz and Pavon, FV. Peruwv. i. 51, il, t. 223; Lindley, Fv. Med. 416. Inhabits cold elevated situations in the Andes. The bark is said by Ruiz and Pavon to be known as cascarilla or Quina boba amarilla, from its colour internally, and that the flavour is like that of Quena de Calisaya. Ruiz in his manuscript states that it is also called Quina anteada, cascarilla amarilla, and casc. boba de muna, and that it is one of the finest sorts. That it is the source of Calisaya or yellow bark is confirmed in part by the observations of Guibourt, who says that on an examination of specimens brought from Upper Peru by M. Delondre, purporting to be from trees fur- nishing calisaya bark, they were found to belong to C. micrantha, conda- minea, and three other species, but in the interior of one of the quills, he detected a leaf, appearing to belong to C. lanceolata, and hence he con- jectures this to be really the species affording the bark. 7. C. ovatirotia, Humb. and Bonp.—Branches smooth, apparently angular and fur- rowed. Leaves rather.thin, oval, scarcely acute at the apex, tapering into an unusually short petiole, except in the case of those leaves next the panicle, which are rounded at the base; so as to have an ovate or even cordate form; not shining, smooth on the upper side, finely and impalpably downy on the lower surface, especially when young; with the veins, particularly the axils, distinctly hairy, but no signs of pits; when old CINCHONACES. 373 losing the down. Panicle terminal, naked, thyrsoid, small, occasionally with small leaves subtending the lower branches. Calyx Fig. 177. tomentose, with a sha]. low, 5-toothed, downy limb, which does not alter its form after flow- ering, except by enlarg- ing a little and harden. ing. Corolla tomentose, - rather infundibuliform, as small as in C. mi- crantha, with the tube three or four times as long as that of the calyx. Limb shaggy within. Fruit oval, rather downy, very strongly ribbed when mature. Humboldt and Bon- pland, Pl. Ag. i. 65, t. 19; Lindley, Fl. | Med. 417 ; C. Hum- a” |; boldttana, Romer and YO A Schultes, v.18; De —— XI Candolle, Prod. iv. LLY \ \ 353. aus \\ Growson the Andes = in the vicinity of = Loxa, é&c. Humboldt == N and Bonpland state —= i that the bark of this . 1 species is not much e esteemed, but that . C. ovalifolia. much of it was col- : lected, and that it was called cascarilla peluda, or velvet-leafed quina. Pereira says it is the white cinchona of Mutis. 8. C. ovata, Ruiz und Pavon.—Branches quadrangular, smooth, except towards their ends, where they are hairy rather than tomentose. Leaves large, thin, ovate-oblong, when young, velvety beneath, with a short thick felt, which is detached as the leaves grow older, smooth on the upper side; when full grown obtuse or rather acute at base, with smooth veins, but shaggy axils; the uppermost leaves almost cordate. Peduncles thick, quadrangular, tomentose, branched in the axils of the upper leaves, and leafy at their own base, forming a coarse, compound panicle. Flowers sessile or nearly so, in thick clusters. Calyx very tomentose, except the limb, which is smooth, thick, campanulate, 9-toothed, and apparently ofa deep purple colour. Corolla purple, according to Ruiz and Pavon, tomentose, with a white, spreading, shaggy limb. Ruiz and Pavon, F7. Perwv. ii. 52, t. 195; Lindley, Flor. Med. 417. Inhabits close, badly-ventilated woods, in the hottest parts at the foot of the Andes, near Huanaco. Dr, Lindley states that according to a note in the hand- writing of M. Bonpland, in Mr, Lambert’s Herbarium, it is considered | by him as a variety of C. cordifolia of Mutis. But Dr. Lindley says that it is perfectly distinct, both from that species and the C. pubescens of Vahl. Pa- von, (Quinol. Supp. 18,) also says that it is the same as GC cordifolia, pro- ducing the Quzna amarilla of Santa Fé, but Ruiz in his manuscripts does 314 MEDICAL BOTANY. not confirm this, as he expressly states that he is unable to say what species affords the Quina amarilla or Q. baya de Santa Fé. In his work he says this is called Cascarella con corteza de color de Pata de Gallereta. Pereira, on the other hand, observes that Bergen found his Chzna jaen or ash-coloured bark to be identical with that of the C. ovata, contained in Ruiz’s collection. 9. C. rorunpIFoLIA, Ruiz and Pavon.—Branches covered with a short, thick fur near their extremities. Leaves roundish-oblong, obtuse but not cordate at the base, scarcely acut@, thin, quite naked on the upper side, except along the midrib, beneath soft with down, not pitted. Petioles and veins covered with a close thick fur. Peduncles corym- bose, tomentose, forming a close leafy thyrsus in the axils of the upper leaves. Calyx tomentose, with a short, 5-toothed limb. Corolla tomentose, rather infundibuliform, with the tube about four times the length of that of the calyx. Segments of the limb shaggy within. Ruiz and Pavon, MS. ; Lambert, Zllus. Cinchon. 5; ee Flor. Med, 418: This species is found in Loxa, Nothing is known of the bark it affords. 10. C. corpiroi1a, Mutis.—Branches quadrangular, smooth. Leaves roundish, obtuse at both ends, especially at base, or roundish-oblong and tapering to the base, strongly- veined, thin, smooth above, downy beneath, and hairy at the veins and axils when young, becoming nearly smooth when old; never pitted, Panicle contracted, thyrsoid, leafy at base, or formed of» corymbose peannclan axillary to the upper leaves, ith, the ramifica- tions tomentose. Calyx tomentose, with a large, smooth, campanulate, 5-toothed cup, the lobes of which become quadrate and cuspidate ; the tube sub-globose when it first begins to enlarge after the fall of the corolla, afterwards becoming longer. Corolla tomentose, with a thick tube, whose diameter is equal to the arth of the shaggy lobes. Mutis, MS.; Humb., Berlin. Mag. d. Naturf., b AT Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 185 ; Lindley, Flor, Med. 419. Mountains of New Granada, at an elevation of from 5000 to 8000 feet. According to Humboldt and Bonpland, this tree furnishes Quina jaune, but there may be some error in this, as Dr. Lindley states that Bonpland con- founded several species under this name. Ruiz and Pavon also say, that their C. ovata is the C. cordifolia, Mutis, and affords the Quina amarilla of Santa Fe ; but in his MZS., Ruiz speaks of the bark of C. ovata as totally distinct from the Q. amarilla. Dr. Lindley supposes that the Quina baya or the Q. amarilla may be the product of this species, and Pereira states that the bark spoken of by Mutis, under this latter name, has been ascertained by Bergen and Guibourt to be the Hard Carthagena bark. 11. C. rusescens, Vahl.—Young branches, covered with a short, close down. Leaves never pitted ; when young, rather thin, not shining, somewhat downy on both sides, most so on the under and upon the petioles ; when older quite smooth, much firmer, and quite _shining ; those near and among the inflorescence roundish, somewhat broader than long, tapering into a long stalk, or merely ovate ; those below the inflorescence ovate-oblong, or nearly oval, and acnte. Peduncles trichotomously-branched, corymbose, many-flowered, tomentose in the axils of the upper leaves, forming a short and broad, spreading and leafy thyrsus, the: flowers in which are by no means compactly arranged ; the subdivisions being at almost right angles with each other. Pedicels and calyx-tube covered with a close fur; the limb of the latter downy, with five shallow, ovate, acute teeth. Corolla tube tomentose, much contracted at base, and nearly six times the length of that of the calyx; limb deep purple, shaggy inside. Fruit tomentose, narrow, oval, as thick at one end as at the other ; about an inch long, Vahl, Act. Hafn. i. 19, t. 2; Lambert, Descript. 21, t. 2; Lindley, or. Med. 419; C. purpurea, Ruiz and Payon, Flor, Perww. ii, 52, t. 193. CINCHONACES. 375 Woods at the lower parts of the Andes, where it is cool at night. Low hills in many parts of Bolivia, Peru, and Chili. Dr, Lindley observes, that this is probably the plant meant in ‘the drawing sent by Mutis to Linnzus, under the name of C. peruviana. In Peru it is one of the species called Cascarilla boba de hoja morada, according to Ruiz, who states that the bark is not known separately in commerce, but is mixed with those of C. lanceolata, hirsuta, and nitida, and is fully equal to them (Quznol.) ; but Lindley states, that in his MS., he classes it only with the second-rate barks. Péppig, who calls it Casc. boba colorada, says that the bark in a fresh state is very bitter, and may be useful for making cheap decoctions, as its value is low. It is not now much collected. Reichel determined from Péppig’s specimens that they belong to the Huamalies bark of commerce. 12. C. nirsuta, Ruiz and Pavon.—Young branches short-jointed, bluntly 4-angled, covered with coarse hair. Leaves oblong, acute or obtuse, coriaceous, revolute at the edge, shining above, with hairy veins, not pitted beneath. Peduncles shaggy, trifid, densely corymbose, in the axils of the upper leaves forming a compact, leafy thyrsus. Calyx-tube tomentose, angular; limb deeply campanulate, pubescent, with five acuminate teeth re- curved at the apex. Corolla with a cylindrical, tomentose tube, four times as long as that of the calyx; limb revolute, very shaggy. Fruit obovate, smooth, rather strongly-ribbed and veined. Ruiz and avin’ Flor. Peruv. ii. 51, t. 192; Lindley, Flor. Med. 421. Occurs in high and cold situations on the Andes, It affords a kind of Cascarilla fina, formerly employed under the name of Quina delgadilla or delgada, but not now much collected, as other kinds can be more readily ob- tained. (Ruiz.) Dr. Lindley is of opinion that it probably forms part of the fine Yellow bark of commerce. 13. C. eLanpuLireRA, Ruiz and Pavon.—Young shoots quadrangular, clothed with a short fur. Leaves oblong, usually cordate, obtuse or acute, with short petioles, rugose, undulated, shining and smooth above, covered with a short coarse hair beneath ; the se- condary veins are prominent. Seldom any trace of the glands described by Ruiz and Pavon as existing at the axils on the upper side, and when present, they are in the form of a minute, discoloured, scar-like spot. Peduncles tomentose, leafy, branched, forming a thyrsus rather than a cyme, in the axil of the upper leaves, the whole constituting a loose, leafy inflorescence. Calyx-tube tomentose; limb campanulate, nearly smooth, as long as the tube, with five sharp, ovdte teeth. Corolla tomentose, with a short, thick tube; the limb woolly inside. Ruiz and Pavon, Flor. Per. iii. t. 8324; Lindley, Flor Med, 421; C. mu- teszz, Lambert, [l/us. 9. There is a variety with smaller, more even leaves, not cordate ; this is the C. mutisiz, Lambert. Found on wooded mountains in Peru. It is called Cascarilla negrilla by the bark collectors, and ranks next in quality to the bark of C. lanceolata, and is much better than that of C. danczfolia. (Ruiz.) Péppig says it fur- nishes the best bark gathered near Cuchero,, The same writer states that the Case. provinciana negrilla is obtained from this tree, growing in warmer situations. Reichel was not able to identify Poppig’s specimens of this bark, with any known in trade, but is of opinion that it is equal to the best sorts from Loxa. 14, C. vitt0osa, Pavon.—Young branches somewhat quadrangular, villous, with long, loose hairs. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, or oblong-lanceolate, rather thin, acuminate, but hardly acute, pointed at base, not shining, upper ones among the flowers ovate ; almost destitute of hairs on the upper side, except the midrib; beset with scattered, numerous, 376 MEDICAL BOTANY. shaggy hairs on the under side, especially the veins and petioles. Panicles terminal, rather long, leafy towards the base, with very villous pedicels. Calyx tomentose, with a short, half-cleft limb. Corolla? Fruit about half an inch long, oval, rather strongly-ribbed, tomentose. Pavon, MS.; Lindley, Flor. Med. 422; C. humboldiana, Lambert, Illus. 7. Inhabits St. Jaen de Loxa. Nothing is known respecting its bark. 15. C. optonelroiia, Lambert.—Y oung shoots quadrangular, densely tomentose. Leaves large, ovate-oblong or rather cordate, obtuse, scabrous, with down on the upper surface, very densely and softly tomentose beneath, and having strong and prominent veins. Pe- tioles tomentose, long, Panicle rather-small, thyrsoid; terminal, tomentose, leafless, shorter than the upper leaves, Calyx coarsely tomentose; the limb with five sharp teeth. Corolla coarsely tomentose externally; the tube about thrice as long as that of the calyx ; the limb smooth inside, except at the edges, which are tomentose. Lambert, [d/us. 12; Lindley, Flor. Med. 422; not of Mutis, Is a native of St. Jaen de Loxa. Nothing is known respecting its bark. 3. Limb of the corolla smooth, or only downy at the edge. 16. C. acutiroi1a, Ruiz and Pavon.—Shoots quadrangular, when quite young covered with a fine soft down. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, acute or obtuse at base, cori- aceous, very even, somewhat undulate; the midrib and veins of the lower surface covered with long fine hairs, especially at the axils, which are not pitted; the uppermost leaves much narrower than the lower. Inflorescence leafless, tomentose. Calyx-tube very, to- mentose ; limb pubescent, deeply divided into long, narrow-channelled, obtuse teeth. Co- rolla almost smooth, much longer than the calyx; the segments of the limb smooth in- side, except at the edge, which is covered with a short close down. Ruiz and Pavon, Flor, FPeruv., iii. 1, t. 225; Lindley, Flor. Med. 423. Mountains of the Andes, Bark worthless. It is the Cascarilla de hoa aguda, Ruiz and Pavon. 17. C. maenirouia, Ruiz and Pavon.—Young branches quite smooth, scarcely angular. Leaves oblong, sometimes narrowed towards the base, obtuse, often a foot long, coriace- ous, strongly-ribbed, shining on both sides, perfectly free from hairiness, except when very young, unless on the principal veins and at their axils. Flowers in a large termi- nal, leafless thyrsus, with erect branches, merely downy, not woolly. Calyx-tube clothed with a very short, dense tomentum; limb pubescent, smooth at the edges, with oval, obtuse, imbricating teeth. Corolla externally tomentose, with a tube hardly four times as long as that of the calyx; limb quite smooth inside, except*just.at the edges, which are tomentose. Fruit smooth, narrower at the base than at the apex, slightly ribbed. Ruiz and Pavon, Mor. Peruv., ii. 53, t. 196; Lindley, Flor. Med. 423 ; C. caduciflora, Lambert, Id/us, 11, not of Bonpland ; C. oblongifolia, Mutis, according to Ruiz and Pavon, not of Lambert. Found in abundance on the mountains of Panatahuas, &c., in low land near torrents, in situations fully exposed to the sun, but badly ventilated. There is some discrepancy of opinion with regard to this species. Dr. Lindley says, that in Dr. Thomson’s Herbarium there is a branch of a plant resembling this, but also approaching to C, pubescens, This is what Mr. Lambert described as the C. magnifolia of Ruiz and Pavon; whilst what he calls C. caductflora is the true C. magntfolia of the authors of the Flora Peruviana, but very different from M. Bonpland’s plant of the former name. Ruiz calls this species Cascarilla amarila (Quinol, 71), and else- where speaks of it as Casc. de flor de Azahar, and says it is not met with in commerce, except in the form of an extract, which is of good quality. Ruiz and Pavon state that it is C. oblongzfolia, Mutis, but it is wholly dif- CINCHONACEA. 377 ferent from the species called by that name by Mr. Lambert. Dr, Lindley says that Ruiz, in his MS., speaks of the bark as being indifferent, and says it is the Quina roza of Santa Fe, the red cinchona of Mutis. Bergen found this was the case, and that it was the poor Red bark known in commerce as Quinquina nova. | 18. C. capucirtora, Bonpland—Dr. Lindley says that he has seen no specimens, but that it appears to differ from the last in its corolla being quite smooth, with a tube of only twice the length of the limb of the calyx, and in the stamens being inserted near the base of the tube, and not near its middle; nor is the fruit obovate. Bonpland, Pl. Afquz., i. 167; Lindley, Flor. Med, 424. Grows near the town of Jaen de Bracamoros, It is stated in the Plantes Ejquinoctiales that the bark of it is called Cascartla bora, and that no use is made of it, but that the trunk contains a great quantity of resin. 19. C, stenocarra, Lambert.—Branches somewhat quadrangular, slightly pubescent when young. Leaves elliptical, acute, tapering to the base, where they terminate in a long, smooth footstalk, rather shining, not coriaceous; smooth on the upper side, paler beneath, and slightly hairy, particularly on the veins and at the axils; principal veins prominent. Calyx-tube long, narrow, tomentose; limb 5-parted, pubescent, rather mem- branous, and with the segments acute. Corolla pubescent; tube slender, infundibuliform, rather more than thrice as long as that of the calyx; limb slightly spreading, with nar- row, acute segments, which are smooth, except at the edges, Flowers in terminal, thyr- soid, loose, leafless, pubescent panicles. Fruit long, narrow, smooth, of the same width at each end. Lambert, Id/us., 13; Lindley, Flor. Med. 425. - Found at Jaen in the mountains of Loxa. Dr. Lindley says this species is so like the last, except that the corolla is proportionably longer, that he should be inclined to think them the same, if M. Bonpland had not stated that the leaves of that species were similar to those of C. magnifolia. No- thing is known respecting its bark. 20. C. macrocarpa, Vahl.—Young branches acutely 4-angled, very tomentose. Leaves coriaceous, obovate, obtuse, revolute at the edge, sometimes a little cordate; when young tomentose on both sides; when full grown, smooth and shining above, except the mid- ‘rib and principal veins, which continue tomentose; beneath, thinly covered with down, except the midrib and large veins, which are very tomentose. Cyme terminal, of about 9 pedicellate flowers in 3 parcels; very tomentose, with a pair of small rhomboidal, ob- tuse leaves at base. Branches of inflorescence and pedicels short and thick. Calyx ob-conical, very tomentose without and within, with a spreading, shallow, 5-toothed limb. Corolla very tomentose, limb spreading, smooth inside, tomentose at the edge. Vahl, Act. me 1, 20, t.3; Lambert, Descript. 22, t. 3; Lindley, Med. Flor. 425 ; C: ovalifolia, Matis ; Hinte, Berl. Mag., i. 118, Occurs at oa and also in the northern sadist There is some difficulty as regards this species, Dr. Lindley says he has_seen but a few bad speci- mens of it, and that a single fruit in Mr. Lambert’s Herbarium appears to approach that of a Cosmibuena, but does not resemble that figured by Vahl, which is very like the capsule of C. magnifolia. That this is not a Cosmi- buena is shown by its valvate corolla and permanent calyx, though it is said in Plantes Aiquinoctiales (i. 67), to be the same as C’ obtusifolia. Ruiz and Pavon state that it is the Quina blanca or Cinch. ovalifolia of Mutis, but at present the bark is unknown, 21. C. cava, Pavon.—Young branches very tomentose. Leaves petiolate, oblong, sub-' cordate or obtuse at base, obtuse or rounded at tip, rather coriaceous, smooth above ; tomentose beneath. Cyme terminal, compact, trifid, tomentose, shorter than the subjacent 378 MEDICAL BOTANY. leaves. Calyx-tube long, narrow, tomentose; limb cyathiform, spreading away from the corolla, pubescent, with 5 shallow, blunt teeth. Corolla long, externally tomentose ; tube somewhat curved; limb valvate, tomentose, not stupose. Anthers inserted i in the throat, Fruit cylindrical, long, smooth, not ribbed. Pavon, MS. in Herb. Lamb. ; Lindley, Flor. Med. 426; C. pavonit, Lambert, Jus. 8. Grows in the neighbourhood of Quito. All further that is known of it is, that it is said to be called Canela. | Species imperfectly known. These, as enumerated by Dr, Lindley, are 22. C. picnotoma, Ruiz and Pavon.—Flor. Peruv. 11, 53, t. 197.—Grows on the Andes. It is very uncertain whether this is a Cinchona. Ruiz and Pavon say that it has the reputation of being one of the Quinas finas. ' 23. C. MacrocaLyx, De Candolle, Prod. iv. 353. 24. C. crassirotia, Pavon in De Candolle, Prod. iv. 354. 25. C. petaBa, Pavon in De Candolle, Prod. iv. 355.—Possibly C. rotundifolia. 26. C. muzonEnsis, Gondot in De Candolle, Prod, iv. 355. _ Martius has described three others (Pharm. Cent, Blatt. 1831), under the names of C. bergeniana, im lambertiana, and C. macrocnemia, and Bentham (Walper’s Repert.) one, C. ronaima. Cinchona was so named by Linnzus, in compliment to the Countess of Cinchon, the wife of the then Viceroy of Peru, who was cured of an ague by it, and btought some of the remedy to Europe in 1640; hence it was called Pulvis comitisse. But the. history of its discovery is in- volved in doubt, and many fables have been invented as respects it. The natives of the country, who called the trees kina or kinken, attached no febrifugal importance to the bark, and are even now said to entertain a prejudice against its use. Humboldt is of opinion, that the most probable explanation of the discovery of its virtues, is one that he found current at Loxa. That the Jesuit missionaries endeavoured to ascertain the qualities of different plants by the taste, which led them. to notice the remarkable bitterness of that of the Cinchona, and hence were induced to make trial of it as a febrifuge in the intermittent fevers so prevalent in Peru. The suc- cessful results of their experiments led them to make the article known in Europe, and for a long time they were the sole vendors of it, whence its name of Jesuits’ bark. As before stated, the Cinchonas are found on the Andes, principally in- Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru, or from 11° N. to 20°S. latitude; but the extent to which they ,extend to the eastward has not been ascertained, except that a species has been found by Mr. Bentham in Guiana. Their greatest pieva- lence appears to be to the west of the Andes, where they occur at elevations varying from 1200 to 10,000 feet ; the most esteerned kinds are in dry situa- tions, and at an average height of about 6000 to 8000 feet, and at an average temperature of about 68° F. The mode in which the bark is gathered varies somewhat in different parts of the country ; though on one point all are agreed, that the quality and ap- pearance depend much on the celerity with which it is dried. Full informa- tion on this subject and on the bark districts, will be found in a memoir by Pop- pig (Companion to Bot. Mag. 1), and in Stevenson’s Narrative of a Twenty Years’ Residence in South America, as well as the Quinologia of Ruiz and Pavon. Cinchona is imported in chests or seroons from various ports on the ~~ CINCHONACEA. 379 Pacific coast of South America, also some inferior kinds from Maracaibo. Some likewise reaches this country by way of Europe. As regards the classification of barks, numerous plans have been devised ; some founded on the botanical arrangement of the species from which they are supposed to be derived; some on their chemical composition, as those of Geebel and Geiger ; others on their physical characters, which, in the present state of our knowledge, is by far the best; such are that of Bergen (Ver- such einer Monog. der China, 1826), of Guibourt (Hist. Abreg. des Drog. Simp. 1826), that of Lindley (Flor. Med. 1838), and that of Pereira (Elem. Mat. Med. 1838) ; this latter, which is adopted by Royle, is a good one ; but as it does not agree in the names of the species with those of the preceding monograph, that of Lindley is preferred ; this is: fa, Pale Barks. Crown or Loxa, C. condaminea. Gray, or Silver, or Huanaco, .C. micrantha. Ash or Jaen, Unknown. White Loxa, Unknown. b. Yellow Barks. , ~ Yellow, C. lanceolata; also, C. hirsuta and C, nitida. Calisaya, | C. lanceolata? Carthagena, C. cordifolia? Cusco, Unknown. c. Red Barks. Red Bark of Lima, Unknown. Cinchona nova, C. magnifolia. d. Brown Barks. Huamalies, » C, purpurea. The divisions adopted by the different colleges and pharmacopceias into Pale, Yellow, and Red barks, is sufficient for general practical purposes, though they are faulty in their assignments of these to certain species. I shall not enter into an account of the various physical characters of these barks, further than to say that the Pale barks are almost always quilled, somewhat fibrous, with a more astringent than bitter taste ; their powder is of a grayish-fawn colour, and they contain much Cienckonza and little Quinia. The Yellow barks, of which the best is the Calisaya, are either in quills or flat pieces, more or less fibrous, are less astringent, but more bitter than the Pale barks; the powder is of a yellow-orange colour, and they contain much Quinia and little Cinchonia. The, Red barks are in quilled, but oftener in flat pieces, much thicker than the-other kinds, and coarsely fibrous; the powder is of a reddish-brown colour; the taste is very bitter, with a little aroma; they contain both Quznza and Cinchonia. The Cinchonas have often been analyzed, and with various results ; but it may be stated, from the more recent examinations of them, that besides the usual constituents of barks, as Woody fibre, Starch, Gum, Fatty, and Colour- ing matters, &c., they contain several peculiar principles, as a Volatzle oil of a thick consistence, acrid taste, and having the odour of the bark; an Insolw- ble red colouring matter, or Red cinchonic, agreeing: in’ its properties with Catechine ; two alkaloids, Quinta and Cinchonia, in combination with a peculiar acid, called the kénzc ; and in one kind of bark, the Cusco, Pelletier has discovered a third, which he denominates Avicina ; a fourth has also been announced, Chinozdina, but it is doubtful whether it is really distinct. 5 380 | MEDICAL BOTANY. Quinia exists in all the Cinchona barks; but most plentifully in the yel- low varieties, in all of them in the form of Kinate of quinia. It is most readily obtained by precipitating it from a solution of the disulphate, by means of ammonia. It is in the form of a white powder, being crystallized with much difficulty ; it is readily fused into a resinous mass ; it is little soluble in water, but easily so in alcohol; it forms erystallizable salts with acids, the solutions of which are precipitated by tannin. It is usually employed in the form of the Disulphate, which is the preparation generally known under the name of Quinine. Comp. C? H'? O? N, Cinchonia also is found in all the barks, but is in the largest proportions in the pale varieties. Jt always occurs in the form of a Kinate. When pure, it is in large, brilliant, four-sided prisms, nearly insoluble in cold water, but readily so in alcohol. It forms crystallizable salts with the acids, and the solutions of them are precipitated by tannin. Comp. C® H® N O, Medical Uses, §-c.—Cinchona and its preparations are universally admitted to be the most powerful and effective of all of the vegetable tonics. The barks, in substance, decoction, or infusion, are somewhat astringent, but eminently tonic and antiperiodic. When taken in a moderate dose, and re- peated in a few hours, it causes increased force and frequency of the pulse, augmented heat of the surface, and an improved tone of the system generally. The digestive and assimilative functions are promoted, but the secretions of the mucous membranes are usually diminished, and in most persons consti- pation is induced, though occasionally an opposite condition ensues. Bark is prescribed as a tonic where debility exists, but more especially to arrest the attacks of periodic diseases, as Intermittent and Remittent févers, Neuralgia, &c. In what manner it acts, is not understood, though various hypo- theses have been formed on the subject. Bark is given, in substance, decoc- tion, infusion, and tincture. But since the discovery of Quinia, this alkaloid, in the form of the sulphate, has nearly superseded all other preparations. The numerous applications of Cinchona and Quinia to different forms of dis- ease and conditions of the system, cannot be treated upon in a work of the present character-without exceeding all due limits.* The dose of Bark, in powder, is from 9j. to 3j., or more where the sto- mach can bear it; of the infusion, from f3j. to f3ij. three times a day ; of the decoction, about ee same; of the tincture, from f3}. to f3i1j. The sulphate of Quinia is given in doses of gr. j. to grs. vy. ; but of late years, in some parts of our country, in much larger quantities, it having been exhibited in Dj. doses, and it is said with good effects. Many other salts of Quinia have been highly praised, a full account of which will be found in Professor Dun-. glison’s New Remedies. Uncarta.—WSchreber. Calyx 5.cleft, urceolate, limb short. ‘Corolla funnel-shaped, throat naked, lobes five, spreading, oval-oblong, tube slender. Anthers included or protruded. Style filiform, ex- serted; stigma tumid, not cleft. Capsules pedicellated, clavate. . Seeds numerous, wing- ed, imbricated. A genus of climbing plants, principally found in the East Indian islands and Malayan peninsula, having flowers in loose heads, the peduncles when old, becoming axillary, compressed, hooked spines. * See on this subject, Pereira, Elem. Mat. Med., ed. 2d, ii, 444, et seq. ; Dunglison, New Remedies, ed. 5th, 524, et seq.; Dunglison, Therap. a — Med., ed, 3d, ii. 76, et seq., &c. CINCHONACES. 381 U. GAMBIR, Roxburgh.—Branches terete. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acute, smooth on both sides, petioles short, with ovate stipules. Peduncles axillary, solitary, opposite, with bracteoles near the middle; lower ones sterile. Et J e e * Roxburgh, FV. Ind. i. 517; De Candolle, Prod. iv. 347; Lindley, Flor. Med. 405 : Pereira, Mat. Med. ii. 468; Nauclea gamlir, Hunter, Trans. Linn, Soe. ix. t.22; Hunts uncatus, Rumphius, Herb. Amboin, v. t. 34. “a Description.—Leaves opposite, from ovate-oblong to ovate-lanceolate, entire, acute, smooth on both sides; petioles short, with oblong-ovate stipules, uniting the upper margin of their base. Spines axillary, solitary, or in opposite pairs, simple, recurved, hooked. Peduncles axillary, solitary, jointed and bracteolated about the middle, supporting a single globular head of green and pink flowers. The bracts form a 3—4-cleft, circular involucre. Calyx silky on the outside, with a 5-cleft limb. Tube of the corolla filiform ; limb of 5 obtuse divisions, villous externally, and hairy at the centre internally. Fila- ments short. Anthers large, at the mouth of the tube. Ovary turbinate, sub-sessile, sericeous, supporting a style as long as the tube of the corolla, having a clavate stigma. Capsules pedicellate, clavate, longitudinally grooved, crowned by the persistent calyx; 2-celled, 2-valved. Seeds numerous, imbricated, winged. Inhabits the islands of the Indian Archipelago, and is largely cultivated in many places. A decoction of the leaves of this plant inspissated and dried by heat, affords an article called Gambzr in the East Indies, and Zerra japonica in Kurope, where it is largely imported for tanning. This product is a species of Catechw, and is designated as Catechu in square cakes by druggists. There are, however, several forms or varieties of it noticed by Mr. Bennett, (Med. §- Phys. Journ, \xvii.) One, in small round cakes, of a pale purplish-white colour, which is considered the best. The second in squares, which is that usually imported; this is in cubes of about an inch square, lighter than water, of a yellowish-brown or deep reddish-brown colour exteriorly, and of a yellowish cinnamon-brown within; the fracture is dull and earthy ; it has scarcely any odour; its taste astringent and bitter, with finally a sweetish flavour; it melts readily in the mouth. The third is in cylindrical pieces, of a pale, dull, pinkish-yellow colour internally, and some- what darker on the outer surface; it is heavier than water, and is less astrin- gent in its taste than the other kinds; it feels gritty when chewed. These varieties may not all be the product of the Uncaria, as Crawford (Indian Archipelago) says, Gambir is produced from two different plants, but usually from the Funis uncatus of Rumphius. Medical Uses, §-c.—Gambir has all the properties of Catechu, and is used for it, in the cases to which that article is applicable. . Numerous other plants of this extensive order have been used in medicine, among which the following are deserving of a brief notice. According to Martius (Specam. Mat. Med. Bras.), the root of Manettia cordifolia is em- ployed in Brazil as an emetic, and is-also held in much esteem in dysentery, in doses of about thirty grains to a drachm. The fruit of Randia dume- torum, when bruised and thrown into the water, will intoxicate fish. It is considered by Hindoo physicians as one of their best emetics, for which the whole nut is pounded. An infusion of the bark of the root is prescribed to produce nausea in bowel complaints (Ainslie, Mat. Ind. ii. 186). The fruit of Gardenia grandifiora is thought in India tobe cathartic and anthelmintic (Roxburgh, F¢. Ind. i. 170). The bark of Condaminea corymbosa is tonic and febrifuge; it is only slightly bitter, but somewhat viscid. Ruiz and Pavon (£7. Peruv, ii. 48), say that it is used by the bark-gatherers in Peru, to adulterate Cinchona. 382 MEDICAL BOTANY. The leaves, bark, and root of Ophiorhiza mungos, are in high repute in Ceylon as an alexipharmic. ‘The parts are so intensely bitter that the Malays call the plant by a name signifying Earth-gall; according to Kempfer (Amen.), the taste resembles Gentian, but is more penetrating, though less unpleasant. It has also been noticed by Avicenna under the name of Lohezh. On the other hand, both: Roxburgh and Horsefield state that it is insipid and inert, and think that it has been confounded with the Ophioxylon serpen- tenum, which is certainly active. The leaves of Oldenlandia umbellata are thought in India to be expectorant; and when dried and mixed with flour are made into cakes, and eaten by those suffering from pectoral affections. The root affords an excellent and durable red dye (Azmzsize, 11. 101)., Much the same virtues are attributed to the leaves of Nonatella officunales in Guiana, where it is called Azzer a Pasthme (Aublet, i. 183.) The root and bark of Antirrhea verticillata aré powerful astringents, and in the Isle of Bourbon they are employed to arrest heemorrhagies (Merat and De Lens, i. 355). The leaves of Peterta fetida are alliaceous and fetid, and a decoction of them is employed in India, to overcome retention of urine, and in certain febrile affections, and according to Roxburgh the root is emetic. Canthium parviflorum, a common bush in India, has edible leaves, a decoction of which and. of the root is given in certain stages of dysentery, and the latter is also thought to have anthelmintic properties (Ainslie, ii. 63). Many species of Palicourea possess active qualities; St. Hilaire states that P. marcgravii is poisonous, and employed to kill rats and mice, (P2. ws. Bras. 231,) and Martius notices that the leaves of P. longifolia, diuretica, officunalis, strepens, &c., are active diuretics, and. the root of P. crocea is emetic, and also that the leaves of P. speciosa is not only diuretic, but also antisyphilitic, but the decoction in over-doses acts like a poison. The same writer states that the roots of Geophila reniformis and macropoda are good substitutes for Ipecacuanha, as are also those of Borreria ferru- ginea and poaya ; the leaves of the latter are first sweet, but afterwards acid, and a decoction of them ts used in colic. -Orver 59.—RUBIACEA.—Jussieu. Calyx superior, obsolete, or 4—5—6-lobed. Corolla monopetalous, valvate, rotate, or tubular, inserted on the calyx; lobes equal in number to those of calyx. Stamens equal in number to the divisions of the corolla, and alternate with them. Ovary peltate, or 2- celled. Ovules solitary,.erect. Styles 2. Stigma simple. Fruit a didymous, inde- hiscent pericarp with 2 cells and 2 seeds. Seeds erect or peltate, solitary. Embryo. in the axis of a horny albumen. : . The species are principally natives of the northern hemisphere, or of the mountainous regions to the south of the equator. ‘They do not afford many species of importance to the arts or medicine. They are all herbaceous, with verticillate leaves and angular stems. It is generally considered by botanists that they are destitute of stipules; but Mr. Bentham has shown (Botanist, 82) that part of the so-called leaves are in fact stipules. This, however, is combated with much skill by Dr. Lindley, but is in fact a mere difference about words, since leaves are only developed stipules, and stipules rudimentary leaves. Rusia.— Linn. Tube of the calyx ovate, globose; limb almost wanting. Corolla rotate, 5-cleft. Sta. mens short. Styles 2, short. Fruit didymous, somewhat globose, baccate, juicy. RUBIACE S&. 383 A genus of suffruticose or herbaceous plants, with much-branched, square stems, verticillate leaves, and small, white or ochroleucous flowers. It con- tains about forty species, some of which are of much interest, but rather for their use in the arts than as medicinal agents. R. tinctorum, Linn.—Herbaceous. Leaves 4—6, in a whorl, subpetiolate, lanceolate, smooth above. Margin, midrib, and angles of the stems aculeate, scabrous. Peduncles axillary, trichotomous. Lobes of the corolla gradually callous, acuminate, not cuspidate. Linn., Sp. Pl. 158; Woodville, i. 173; Pereira, Elem. Mat. Med., il. 469; Lindley, #7. Med. 446. Common Names,—Madder ; Dyer’s Madder, &c. Foreign Names.—Garance, Fr.; Robbia, Zt. ; Krappwurzel, Ger. Description.—Root perennial, composed of numerous long fibres, of various sizes, and united to a common head. Stems many, slender, quadrangular, jointed, decumbent, and furnished at the angles with, short prickles, by means of which they can climb on a sup- port. The leaves are from four to six in a whorl, elliptical, acuminate, rough on edges and midrib. The flowers are small, yellow, and terminal, forming a ramose panicle. The corolla is rotate, 4-cleft, with the lobes somewhat callous. The stamens are short, as are also the styles. The fruit is a round, shining berry, or rather double berry, one of © which is abortive. Madder is a native of the South of Europe, and is extensively cultivated in France and Holland, and has succeeded very well in this country; but the - principal supply comes from Holland. ‘The root, which is the only part used, is not dug up till the plant is three years old. As found in commerce, it | is in long, cylindrical pieces, about as thick as a quill, and of a deep-red or brown colour. ‘They consist of a thin epidermis, covering an easily separa- ble cortex, and a ligneous meditullium, which is at first yellow, but on dry- ing becomes reddish. It is generally, however, imported in the form of a coarse powder, which is brownish-red, ofa peculiar but feeble nauseous odour, and a bitterish, astringent taste. It imparts these properties, as well as a red colour, to water and alcohol. Many analyses have been made of it, The last chemist states that there are no less than five colouring matters in Madder, two of which, Aizarim and Purpurin, had been noticed by Robi- quet and Colin, and another, Xanthzn, by Kuhlmann. Runge also mentions that two.acids exist in it, which he has called Madderic and Rubiacice. The colouring matters are probably all modifications of a single substance, which appears to be the Xanthin, as at first the juice of the root is yellow, and does not change to a red until it has been acted upon by the oxygen of the atmo- sphere. Madder also contains a saccharine matter, and some resin. Its . great employment is in the arts, as the basis of red dyes, as it affords a tint that is not affected by the action of light or moisture, when properly fixed by appropriate mordants. When taken into the stomach, the colouring matter is absorbed, and tinges the urine and other secretions, and, from experiments on animals, also the bones, of a red colour, though none of the other tissues are affected by it. Many theories have been proposed to account for this curious fact; but none of them are satisfactory. Medical Properties—Madder was employed by the ancients, and is no- ticed by Hippocrates, Galen, Dioscorides, and others, as a potential remedy in diseases requiring the production of diuresis; and also as of much use in jaundice and visceral affections; but the experience of modern practitioners is, that it is wholly inefficient in these cases, and that its only striking action 384 MEDICAL BOTANY. on the system is as an emmenagogue; and even this is denied by many writers of high standing, among others by Cullen. On the other hand, Home (Chir. Exper.) speaks highly of it, in large doses; and Dr. B.S. Barton states it exercises considerable effects on the uterus, and that it is worthy the attention of practitioners. Herz (Jour. de Med.) also eulogizes it, but considers that it is rather suited to cases of retention than of suppres- sion of the menses. ‘To this may be added the testimony of the late Dr. Dewees, who says, that if given near the period at which the flow should take place, it is more decidedly useful than any other of the emmenagogue medicines ; and also, that it may be given more safely than others, as it has no exciting power on the system generally (Dzs. Females, 74-81). It is given in powder, in doses of half a drachm to two drachms, several times a day, or, as advised by Dr. Dewees, in a decoction made with a pint of boiling water, poured on an ounce of the powdered root and a scruple of bruised cloves, and gently simmered for a quarter of an hour; when cool, strained off. The dose is a wineglassful every three hours. Several other species of Rubia are used, especially in the arts; and one of the R. cordifolia, a native of Nepaul, is employed by the Hindoo practitioners as an aperitive and emmenagogue, and also as a deobstruent in cases of scanty lochial discharge after childbirth (Ainslie, Maz. Ind., ii, 182). Group XXIV.—Valerianales. Orver 60.—VALERIANACEA.— Lindley. Limb of the calyx 2—4.toothed, obsolete, or else forming a kind of pappus. Corolla tubular or funnel-formed, sometimes with a spur at base, 4—5-lobed. Stamens distinct, usually fewer than the lobes of the corolla. Ovary with one perfect cell, and two abor- tive ones. Seeds suspended. A small but widely diffused order of mostly extra- tropical plants, com- posed of annual or perennial herbs, with opposite exstipulate leaves. Flowers generally in cymes or panicles. The roots of the perennial species generally odorous, and are antispasmodic and anthelmintic. VALERIANA.—Linn. Limb of the calyx involute during flowering, then unrolled into a deciduous pappus, of many plumose sete. Tube of the corolla ob- conical or cylindrical, equal at base, or gib- bous, without a spur, limb 3—5-cleft. Stamens 3. Fruit indchiscent, 1-celled, 1-seeded. This is an extensive genus of heybaacous species found in almost every part of the world, but principally in temperate climates, or if in tropical’ re- gions, usually on mountains at some considerable elevation. The leaves differ exceedingly in form, even varying on the same plant. The flowers are usually white, sometimes rose-coloured, bluish or yellow. V. orricinais, Linn.—Smoothish, erect. Stem furrowed. Leaves all pinnate, leaflets lanceolate, serrate, nearly equal. Fruit smooth. Lion., Sp. Pl. 45; Woodville, 1.77; Stokes, Mat. Med. i, 96 ; ae and Churchill, i. 54; Lindley, FZ. Med. 471. Common Nasnde. _.Wild Valerian; Capon’s tail, &c. Foreign Names,—Valeriane sauvage, Er, ; Amattlins Nardo salvatico, It. ; Wilde Valdrianwurzel, Ger. VALERIANACEZ. 385 Description.—Root a short tuberculated rhizome from which issue many long, slender fibres of a dusky-brown colour. The stem is erect, hollow, smooth, furrowed, about three or four feet high. The leaves are of a deep glossy green, serrated, somewhat hairy be- neath, opposite, pinnate, but differing in the number of leaflets. The lower leaves generally . are furnished with ten pairs, those of the stem with nine, and the upper ones with from five to seven. The radical leaves are larger and have long petioles. The flowers, which are small and of a reddish-white colour, are in dense corymb-like panicles, terminal and perfect. The calyx is a mere border finally expanding into a kind of pappus to the seed. The corolla is tubular with a protuberance at base, and is divided into five obtuse seg- ments., The stamens are three, subulate, with oblong yellow anthers. The ovary is inferior, oblong, and supports a filiform style, terminated by a trifid stigma. The seeds are oblong-ovate, compressed and crowned with a setaceous pappus of ten rays. The Wild Valerian is a tall perennial, found in many parts of Europe in damp places, flowering from June to August, and is cultivated to some extent in England. It was for a long time supposed to be the plant mentioned by Dioscorides, but Dr. Sibthorp states that the Valerian of the ancients was another species, which he has figured and described under the name of V. Dvuoscoridis, and he says that it has a much more pungent and durable, though not as unpleasant an odour, as the V. officinalis. The part used in medicine, is the root; this, as found in commerce, consists of numerous long, slender, cylindrical fibres, attached to a rough tuberculated head, often with part of the stem attached. There are, however, several varieties used under the name of Valerian, all differing somewhat in their appearance and derived from different species, especially the V. phu and the V. deowca. ‘The best is the English, which is exclusively the product of the plant under considera- tion. ‘The colour of the dried root is externally yellowish or brown, and in- ternally white. The powder is yellowish-gray. The odour is powerful and peculiar and extremely unpleasant to some persons, whilst to others it is agreeable. Cats are extremely fond of it, and the smell produces a kind of intoxication in them. ‘The taste is bitterish, subacrid and aromatic. Valerian yields its active properties both to water and alcohol. Its compo- sition according to Tromsdorff is Volatile oil, a peculiar Resinous extractive, Gummy extractive, Resin, &c. The volatile oil, which is the efficient principle, exists in small quantity, and is of a yellowish or pale-green colour. If the acid oil first obtained on distillation be mixed with magnesia and again dis- tilled, the pure oil passes over, and the magnesia unites to the acid, which is called the Valerianic. ‘The acid and its salts, especially that of zinc, have of late years attracted some attention as antispasmodics, but there is no evi- dence to show that they are more efficient than the oil. | Medical Properties.—Valerian acts with some energy on the cerebro-spi- nal system, but its effects are not constant, as in some constitutions, it ope- rates as a powerful stimulant and antispasmodic, whilst the same doses in others scarcely make any impression. It is, however, in very general use as a nervous excitant and antispasmodic, though in much more repute for- merly than at the present day, except in Germany, where it is deemed one of the most powerful of the nervous stimulants. It has been celebrated in epilepsy, and many cases are related in which it proved beneficial, but like everything else in this inexplicable disorder, the failures with it have been far more numerous than the cures. In cases of hysteria it is certainly bene- ficial, and oftentimes very prompt in its effects. The best mode of adminis- tration is in the form of the ammoniated tincture, the dose of which is from a drachm to two drachms, It is also given in powder in doses of a scruple to a couple of drachms, or in infusion, which latter form is to be prepared. Dr. Cullen is of opinion that the roots of those plants which grow in a dry . 25 886 MEDICAL BOTANY. elevated soil are far more efficient than those from low and damp situations ; in this he is supported by most of the authorities. Besides the V. officinalis, the roots of other ‘species are constantly used, and in this market what is called the German Valerian is as common as the English; this is the product in a great measure of the V. phu, and may be known by the rhizome being long and not a mere head like that of the V. officunalts, and the fibres being attached to its under surface only. It is said to be less powerful, but is more disagreeable, though it is much employed. It is indigenous to’ hilly districts in Switzerland, Silesia, &c. The roots of the V. doica, V. celtica, V. saliunca, and other species are also used, and are sometimes mingled with those of the officinal kind. V. dzoscoridis, a native of Greece, is said by Sibthorp to be the real Phu of Dioscorides, and to be the most powerful of the Valerians, for which the V. officenalis is merely a northern substitute. The root of V. hardwickit is thick, fleshy, and strong- scented, and is used,in medicine in Nepaul and the North of India. In addition to these species of Valerian, there are some other plants of the order that require notice. The root of Nardosta- ig. 178 chys gatamansz is thought to be the true Spikenard of AN the ancients, and the proofs adduced on this point by See Sir Wm. Jones (Aszat. Research. ii. 405) and by et Dr. Royle (JZdlust, 242) seem to leave little doubt . iN I] iy . \/ Uy Ni WE Ts \ K\ Viz upon the subject. The root is long, pilose and fusi- form. Stems very short. Leaves obovate-lanceo- late. Flowers triandrous, of a pale-pink colour. It is found in mountainous districts in upper India, The hairy portion of the stem when dried, is used in India to prepare an ointment or liniment for the head, it is also prescribed internally as a purifier of the blood, and is considered as a highly valuable : perfume. The young leaves of many of the species of Va- lerianella are used as salads, under the name of j Corn salad. Some kinds of Astrephia are esteemed in Peru and Chili as vulneraries. The Azia cochinchinensis is said by Loureiro (Flor. Cochin. 1. 44), to be much valued for medicinal powers, and thought equal to Ginseng. It acts as a diuretic, sudorific, and emmenagogue, and is also used in intermittent fevers and obstructions of the viscera. oT _ Nardostachys jatamansi. Group XXV.—Asterales. Orver 61.—ASTERACEA.—Lindley. Flowers collected in a dense head, upon a common receptacle, surrounded by an invo- lucrum, the separate flowers often furnished with bracteoles (palew). Limb of the calyx obsolete, or a pappus consisting of bristles or scales, &c., tube coherent to ovary. Corolla mostly of 5 united petals, regular or irregular. Stamens as many as the lobes of the re- gular corolla and alternate with them; filaments distinct or united above, inserted into the tube; anthers linear, united into a cylinder, Ovary 2-celled, style 2-cleft (usually undivided in sterile flowers). Fruit an indehiscent, dry, 1-seeded pericarp (achenium), crowned with the limb of the calyx or pappus, This vast order, which includes almost a tenth of the vegetable kingdom, consists of shrubs or herbs, very rarely of trees, found in all parts of the ASTERACEZ.’ 387 world. When the immense number of species is considered, the useful ones are comparatively few; their general characteristics are bitterness and as- tringency, but their properties vary much. According to De Candolle (Collec. Mem. No. x.) of 8523 plants of this order with which he was acquainted, 1229 were annuals, 243 biennials, 2491 perennials, 2264 suffruticose, 366 shrubs, 72 small trees, 4 large trees, 81 woody plants, size not known, 126 climbers, and 1201 respecting which little was ascertained. They are dis- tributed as follows: 3590 in America, 2224 in Africa, 1827 in Asia, 1042 in Europe, and 347 in the South Sea Islands. As is computed by M. Lasegue, they constitute about one-tenth of all known plants. Besides the species to be noticed more at length, the following deserve mention. The flowers of Santolina fragrantissima are very odorous when dry, and are employed in Egypt as a substitute for Chamomile. 8S. z2cana is used in the South of Europe as an antispasmodic and bitter, and according to Dr. Pierquin is an infallible vermifuge (Jour. de Prog. xv. 265). Matrz- caria chamomilla and Pyrethrum parthenium are sometimes substituted for Chamomile, but are not equal to it in power, and are more unpleasant to the taste. The Chrysanthemum leucanthemum has also been used for the same purpose, and is esteemed in Siberia to be efficacious in leucorrheea. Cantraine (Bull. Acad. Bruz. viii. 234) states, that it is a certain safeguard against fleas, destroying or driving them off ina short time. Donoricum pardalian- ches is very analogous in its properties to Avmzca, and is spoken of in high terms by Gesner, Lobel, &c. The leaves of Elephantopus scaber are pre- scribed in India as sudorific (Azms/ve, ii. 18), and in Brazil, according to Martius, the root is used in intermittent fevers. Some of the Asters, as A. cor- difolius, punicens, g-c., which have aromatic roots, are said to be antispas- modic; A. xovangli@ is used by the Shakers as an external application, in decoction, to cutaneous eruptions. Several species of Baccharis have been thought well of; thus B. zmdica, according to Horsefield, is used in Java asa stimulant (Aznsiie, ii. 173), and the B. zvefolza, is considered in Peru to be a stomachic. Many species of Naba/us have a reputation as antidotes to snake-bites, and the root is also used in dysentery. Some species of Sz/- phium afford a fragrant bitter. gum, which is stimulant and_ antispasmodic. The roots of Verbesena virginica, in decoction, are a powerful sudorific, and those of Vernonza are bitter tonics employed in the Western States in fevers. A plant has been noticed by Dr. Robertson (Amer. Jour. Med. Sci. xii. 382, N. S.), which appears to be Ambrosia trifida, as highly beneficial in arresting excessive salivation. Carlina vulgaris at one time enjoyed considerable reputation in plague, as a powerful sudorific, and is said also to be diuretic ; the root is bitter and acrid and acts on the bowels. Another species, the C. gummzfera, has been used as an anthelmintic; the fresh root is said to be poisonous. What is sold in Europe as Costus is the root of an Arabian plant allied to Cardopatum, but it has been ascertained by Dr. Falconer that the Costus of the ancients is the root of Aucklandia costus, a native of the mountains of Cashmere. The roots are aromatic and pungent and are considered to be aphrodisiac. It is used in Cashmere to protect woollens from the attacks of moths. Some of these plants are used in the arts; besides Curthamus, Serratula tinctorva affords a yellow; the Eclipta erecta stains the hair black. Guizo- tia oleifera, Madia sativa, and Helianthus annuus furnish a bland oil from their seeds, which is palatable and wholesome. Nor is the order deficient in esculents ; for instance, the tubers of Helianthus tuberosus, or Jerusalem artichoke, are much esteemed by some persons. The true artichoke is the succulent receptacle of Cynara scolymus, and Cardoons 388 MEDICAL BOTANY. the leafstalks of C. cardunculus. Among the more common culinary ve- getables are Tragopogon porrifolius or Salsify, Chicorium endivia or Endive, C. entybus or Succory, the root of which is used so largely to adul- terate coffee; Lactuca sativa or Lettuce, &c. The Asteracese are divided into sub-orders: 1. Tubuliflore ; 2. Labia- uuflore ; and 3. Ligulifore. Fig. 179. Sub-orders of Asteracee. 1. Liguliflore. 2,3. Tubuliflore. 4, 5, Labiatiflore. 1, Tusutirtor*, Corolla tubular and regularly 4—5-lobed, either in all the flowers, or in the central ones only; those of the margin presenting a ligulate or strap-shaped corolla. Trisk 1. Evparoriprx.—Style of the perfect flowers cylindraceous; branches or lobes elongated, obtuse or clavate, externally pubescent or papillose towards the summit ; stigmatic lines obscure, terminating near the middle. Anthers never caudate. Liatris.—Schreber,. Heads few, many-flowered. Scales of involucre few or numerous, imbricate not striate. Receptacle naked. Corolla tubular, 5-lobed, lobes usually elongated. Branches of style much exserted, cylindraceous, obtuse. Achenia nearly terete, tapering to the base, about 10 ribbed, Pappus of 15—40 plumose or barbellate bristles. A large genus of North American herbs, mostly with simple stems and a tuberous root, and alternate or scattered, usually lanceolate or linear and en- tire leaves, with a rigid margin. The heads of flowers are in a long spike or raceme, rarely corymbose ; they are usually of a purple colour, but some- times white. The root in a large proportion of them is a naked tuber, im- bued with a terebinthinate substance. A number of them have been indis- criminately employed as medical agents, especially in domestic practice, and >» ASTERACES. 389 as it is impossible to say which of them is to be preferred, one of the most common is therefore selected. L. squarrosa, Willdenow.—Stem simple, pubescent; leaves linear, very long; raceme few-flowered, leafy; calyx large, about 20-flowered, scales leafy, lanceolate, mucronate, rigid and spreading ; lobes of the corolla linear, villous internally. Willdenow, Sp. Pi. iii. 1635; Torrey and Gray, FV. ii. 68; Elliott, Sketches, ii, 282; Lindley, F/. Med. 450. Common Names. — Blazing Star, Button Snake-root; Rattlesnake’s Master. Description—Stem 1—3 feet high, often nearly glabrous, sometimes almost hirsute; very leafy; leaves linear, elongated, rigid, the lower ones 3—5-nerved, the radical very long. The heads of flowers few, sometimes solitary, sessile or on very short pedicels, many-flowered. The scales or palee are rigid, ciliate, with more or less elongated and pointed foliaceous extremities. ‘The flowers are bright purple, with the lobes of the co- rolla hairy within. The achenia are minutely pubescent and the pappus is very plumose, having eighteen to twenty bristles, often of a purplish colour. This species grows in dry, barren, or sandy soil, in almost every part of the United States, flowering from July to September. It has a tuberous root, which is the part used, furnished with a great number of long, slender, whitish fibres. This root aa an acrid, bitterish, pungent taste, and an aromatic, te- rebinthinate odour, which properties are owing to the presence of a peculiar balsamic substance; the qualities are partly given out to water, but are wholly so to alcohol. No analysis has been made of it, nor of any of the species, and it is therefore impossible to decide on the exact nature of the active ingredient, nor have they been subjected to a proper trial with regard to their therapeutic powers, though they have attained much celebrity in many parts of the country, and for many purposes, particularly for their alexipharmic powers in bites of venomous snakes. Medical Properties.—The best ascertained quality of this and the other tuberous-rooted species, is their diuretic property. This was noticed by Schoepf, who found them in use among the Indians for this purpose, and Dr. B.S. Barton speaks of them under the name of Sevvatula, as very useful in nephritic complaints, and in venereal diseases ; he quotes the testimony of several practitioners in favour of their virtues in these affections. The belief in their powers in the cure of persons bitten by venomous snakes, is very general; Pursh states that the L. scartosa and L. squarrosa are known to the inhabitants of Virginia, Kentucky, and Carolina, by the name of “ Rattle- snake’s master,” and goes on to say, “ that when bitten by the animal, they bruise the bulbs of the plants, and apply them to the wound, while at the same time ‘they make a decoction of them in milk, which is taken inwardly.” (Pursh, ii. 509.) Riddell (Synop. Flor. West. States), in noticing these plants, cites them as stimulant, carminative, and diaphoretic, and used for these purposes by the Thomsonians. From what has been said, it is evident that these roots are possessed of active properties, and that they deserve a fair trial, so that their true value may be ascertained, and whether they deserve a place i in the Materia Me- dica. Evpratrorium.— Linn. Heads 3- to many-flowered. Involucre cylindrical or campanulate, the scales imbri- cated in 2—3 or more series, or sometimes nearly even in a single series. Receptacle nae paked. Corolla tubular, funnel-shaped, or with a campanulate limb ; 5-toothed, fre- 290 ’ MEDICAL BOTANY. quently dilated at base. Anthers included. Branches of styles mostly exserted and elongated, cylindraceous, obtuse. Achenia 5-angled, without intermediate strie. Pappus a single series of very slender capillary bristles, scabrous or minutely serrulate. An extensive genus of perennial herbs, or somewhat shrubby plants, the larger portion American, with opposite, or sometimes alternate or verticillate, simple or rarely-divided leaves. Flowers generally in corymbs, of a purple, white, or blue colour, and with the leaves often covered with resinous dots. Most of the species are bitterish and diaphoretic, and several of them are offi- cinal. E. rerrouiatum, Linn.—Stem villous, hirsute, cylindrical; leaves opposite, connate- perfoliate, oblong, tapering, acute, serrate, rough above, tomentose beneath ; heads about 10-flowered. Linn., Sp. 7.1174; Torrey and Gray, FV. ii. 88; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med, ii. 125; Bigelow, Med. Bot. i. 33; Rafinesque, Med. Flor. i. 174. Common Names.—Boneset ; Thorough wort; Fever wort, &c. Foreign Name.—Eupatoire perfoliée, Fr. Description. — Root Fig. 180. perennial, horizontal, i crooked, sending up Ys hm o\ i a | as MN, Wy icy pet many erect stems, which are simple at base, branched above, he NWAe ray, BE, one, / round, hairy, of a gray- et AN NWA 4 Z Dy ish-green colour. The Sy) BOOS y E leaves are opposite, con- ee WIN Hp \If iy nate or perfoliate, de- : TEN VAz YF cussating, gradually ta- pering to a point, ser- rated, rough above, and tomentose beneath, of _the same colour as the stalks. The upper leaves and those of the branch- es are merely sessile. The flowers are in dense, depressed, termi- nal corymbs, formed of smaller, fastigiate ones ; the peduncles are hairy as well as_ the common calyx, each of which contains from twelve to fifteen florets. Scales lanceolate, en- tire. Florets tubular, 5- toothed, white. Anthers deep-blue_ or black, united into a_ tube, Seeds black, prismatic, acute at base, on a naked receptacle. Pap. pus with scabrous hairs. E. perfoliatum. There are several varieties, distinguished by greater or less pubescence of the leaves, and a striking one in which the leaves are ternate; this is far from being uncommon in the vicinity of Philadelphia; in some localities it is more plentiful than any other. ‘The Boneset is abundant in low grounds, and on r * ASTERACES. 391 the margins of streams in every part of the United States, sometimes in the greatest profusion. It flowers in August, and continues in bloom until Octo- ber. ‘The whole plant is used, and is generally found in the shops in packages put up by the Shakers ; these contain the leaves and flowers, and when not deteriorated by damp, are a good mode of preparing the article. Some differ- ence of opinion has existed as to which part of the plant was most efficient. Dr. Anderson (Déss. Inaug.) thought from his experiments, that the leaves were the most active; in this he is supported by Dr. Chapman and others, but more extended observations have shown that the flowers and small branches are fully as useful. No accurate analysis of this plant has been made, Dr, Bigelow made an examination of it some years since, which showed that the leaves and flowers abound in a bitter extractive matter, which is probably the active principle, It is soluble in water and alcohol, and forms copious preci- pitates with the metallic salts. Rafinesque speaks of a peculiar brown, bitter, resinous principle in it which he terms Eupatorine, but does not state: by whom it was detected. The odour of Boneset is agreeable, and its taste bitter but unpleasant. Boneset was known to the Indians, and held in much estimation by them _ for its febrifuge properties; from them the early settlers derived their know- ledge of its virtues, and it became a favourite remedy in domestic practice, long before it attracted the attention of the profession. Medical Properties.—T hese are various, and it has been employed to fulfil a number of indications, being given as a tonic, a diaphoretic, or an emetic, as the circumstances of the case might require. Besides these, many others have been attributed to it, but without much foundation ; if one-half that has been advanced respecting the curative powers of this article were to be credited, it would deserve the name of a universal panacea. It is certainly a highly important remedy when properly administered, but by no means endowed with the high powers that have been attributed to it. As an emetic, it is given in warm decoction, and is considered by Dr Ives as valuable in the early stage of autumnal fevers, but it is uncertain in its operation on the stomach, and does not deserve to rank higher than’ the infu- sion of chamomile. In large doses it is said to act on the bowels, and Dr. ‘Thacher states “ that it has long been esteemed as an efficacious remedy in bilious colic, accompanied by obstinate constipation, in the dose of a teacupful every half hour, until a cathartic effect is produced.” Asa diaphoretic, there is ample testimony of its powers, particularly in catarrhal affections ; and Dr. Anderson speaks of it in high terms in various forms of fever, in which he is fully sustained by the testimony of many distinguished practitioners. From an extensive use of it, | have been led to look upon it as an extremely import- ant auxiliary in the treatment of these complaints, but that it should not be relied upon to the exclusion of other, and more efficient articles. As a tonic, it is also deserving of notice, and is well suited to those cases of dyspepsia, and want of tone in the system, requiring the exhibition of the simple bitters. When given with this view, the best form is the cold infusion, It has been highly praised in the treatment of some cutaneous affections, but . has not been found as efficacious as has been stated. Dr. W. P. C. Barton states that it proved of no value in his hands in obstinate eruptions ; on the other hand, Dr. Zollickoffer found it eminently successinl in Tinea capitis, given in combination with Cremor Tartar. It is given in powder in doses of ten or twenty grains, and in infusion made with an ounce of the herb to a pint of boiling water, in those of two or three ounces. Two other native species are officinal in the U.S. Pharmacopeeia, the LZ. =” 392 MEDICAL BOTANY. purpureum, or Gravel root, and the E. teucrifolium, or Wild Horehound. The first of these, as its common name indicates, has obtained some celebrity asa diuretic in diseases of the kidneys and bladder, and the latter is spoken of highly as a diaphoretic, diuretic, and tonic, in febrile complaints, by Dr. Jones of Georgia. They do not, however, appear to possess any powers differing from the E. perfoliatum, E.cannabinum of Europe, was at one time in high repute as a deobstruent, but the recent experiments of Deslongchamps and others show that its therapeutic powers are very slight. The EF. aya- pana, a native of Brazil, was also considered entitled to a conspicuous rank as an alexipharmic and febrifuge, but ample trials of it have proved that it deserves no higher rank than the other species already mentioned. Mixanita.— Willdenow. Heads mostly 4-flowered. Receptacle naked, narrow. Scales of the involucre 4—5’ Corolla dilated, or campanulate at the summit, 5-toothed. Anthers partly exserted. Ache nia angled. Pappus i in a single series, capillary, scabrous. A genus of shrubby, or herbaceous, and usually climbing plants, mostly peculiar to tropical America, with opposite, commonly cordate leaves, but varying much. Heads corymbose, panicled, or spicate. Flowers whitish. They are very closely allied to Eupatorium, both in their sensible and medi- cinal properties, and would not require notice, were it not that one of the species attracted much attention some years since as a remedy in malignant fevers, cholera, &c. M. euaco, Humboldt and Bonpland——Stem twining, branches terete, sulcate, hairy ; leaves ovate, subacuminate, somewhat narrowed at base, remotely dentate, rough above, hairy beneath; corymbs axillary, opposite; flowers subternate, with linear bracteoles ;. achenia smooth. Humboldt and Bonpland, Pl. Aig. ii. 84; Kunth, Nov. Gen. Am. iv. 136 ; De Candolle, Prod. iv. 193; Lindley, Flor. Med, 452. Common Names.—Guaco; Huaco. Description.—Stem twining. Branches round, sulcate, hairy. Leaves petiolate, ovate, somewhat acuminate, shortly narrowed at base, remotely toothed, reticulate, roughish above, hairy beneath. Corymbs axillary, pedunculate, opposite. Heads somewhat ternate, ses- sile. Bracteoles linear, shorter than the involucre. Involucral scales linear, oblong, ob- tuse, downy. Achenia smooth. The part used is the leaves, and it is stated that they should be employed in a fresh state, as desiccation deprives them of much of their power, According to M, Faure, those met with in commerce are usually injured both by want of care in drying them, and by heating during the voyage. This chemist made an analysis of the dried leaves, and found them to contain: a Fatty matter analogous to wax, Chlorophylline, a peculiar Resin, which he calls gua- cine, Extractive and astringent matter analogous to tannin, &c. The guacine, from his account of it, appears to be very analogous to the resinoid substance found in the Eupatorium. The taste of the leaves is bitter, and in a fresh _ state their odour is strong and disagreeable. Medical Properties. —The Guaco has long been known to the natives of South America, and is highly esteemed by them as an antidote against the venom of serpents. For this purpose, the expressed juice of the leaves, or a strong infusion of them, is taken, and the crushed leaves applied to the wound. In corroboration of its good effects in such cases, Mutis states that he has been a personal witness of its curative powers, in the bites of the most venomous species of serpents; and his testimony is supported by that of Bertrero. To a ASTERACES, 393 be successful, it must be employed in a fresh state, but even when dried, it is also considered as a powerful febrifuge, anthelmintic, &c.; and some years since was spoken of in the most unequivocal manner as a certain cure in yel- low fever, cholera, and even in hydrophobia, and cases were cited of its won- derful powers in these diseases ; but as might have been expected, a trial of it at once disproved the truth of these extravagant assertions, and proved that it was possessed of much the same properties as the Eupatorium. At the same time, there can be no doubt that it has proved highly beneficial in nu- merous cases of severe disease, and it wel] deserves a further trial, that its exact influence on the system may be ascertained. Dr. Hancock denies any virtues to it, and is V of opinion that the real Guaco is some species of Avzsto- lochia. Two other species are also reputed very efficacious in Brazil. MV. office- nalis, called by the natives Coragoa de Jesu, is bitter and aromatic, and is said to be particularly beneficial as a febrifuge, and in weak digestion. (Cher- noviz, Form. 156.) MM. opifera, or Erva da Cobra, is used internally and externally as an alexipharmic, when it is said to prove remedial from its powerful diuretic action. TusstLaco.— Linn. Head many-flowered, heterogamous ; florets of the ray in many rows, pistillate, nar- rowly ligulate ; of the disk few, staminate, with a campanulate, 5-toothed limb. Recep- tacle naked. Anthers scarcely caudate. Scales of involucre oblong, obtuse, in about one row. Styles of the disk included, sterile, of the rays bifid, with terete branches. Achenia of the ray, oblong, cylindrical, smooth ; of the disk abortive. Pappus of the ray-florets in several rows, of the disk in one series, capillary. This genus, as now constituted, contains but a single species; the others formerly considered as appertaining to it, being either varieties, or belonging to other genera. T. rarFarA, Linn.—The only species. Linn., Sp, Pl. 1214; Torrey and Gray, F7. ii. 93; Woodville, i. 45; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 20; Lindley, FV. Med. 453. Common Name.—Colts-foot ; Horse-hoof, &c. Foreign Names.—Pas twin Fr.; Farfara, It. ; Fluflattish, Ger. Description —Root perennial, long. Leaves radical, cordate, on furrowed petioles, somewhat lobed and toothed, smooth above, white and tomentose beneath; when young, the leaves are revolute, and covered witha cottony down. The scapes, which are several, appear before the leaves ; they are erect, slender, round, and beset with numerous lanceo- Jate scales. Their colour varies from pale-green to reddish-brown ; they are one-flowered. Flower bright yellow, with the scales of the involucre linear-lanceolate, equal to the disk, at first erect, but finally reflexed. The inflorescence is compound, the florets of the ray being ligulate, numerous, and fertile, whilst those of the disk are few, tubular, and barren. The achenia are smooth, oblong, and compressed. The pappus is pilose, sessile, silvery, and permanent. The Coltsfoot is very common in Europe, and has become naturalized in some parts of this country, more especially in the Northern States. It grows in wet places and low meadows, flowering early in the season. The generic name is derived from tusszs and ago, in allusion to its pectoral powers; and - the specific one, from the resemblance of its leaves to a kind of poplar, called by the ancients Fazfarus. It was well known to the earlier writers on the Materia Medica, as it is spoken of by Hippocrates as a remedy in ulcerations of the lungs, and by Dioscorides, Pliny, and Galen as an excellent remedy, 294 MEDICAL BOTANY. when smoked through a reed, to relieve obstinate coughs. The leaves, flowers, and root, are all used. ‘The two former are inodorous, and have a rough, sub-viscid taste. ‘The root is pages co0ue and bitter. No analysis has. been made of them. Medical Properties.—The most prominent qualities of the Coltsfoot, are those‘ of an emollient, demulcent, and slightly tonic character. It was at one time in high repute in pulmonary diseases, and is still much employed in Europe as a popular remedy in these complaints. Old Gerarde says of it— “«The fume of the dried leaves, taken through a funnel, burned upon coles, effectually helpeth those that are troubled with the shortness of breath.” — It is still retained in the London Pharmacopeeia, but is seldom used by physi- cians. Dr. Cullen used the expressed juice of the leaves in scrofula, and was of opinion that it was of benefit; but a further trial of it, in such cases, has not confirmed its power. The quack medicine called ‘¢ Essence of Coltsfoot,” is a solution of some of the balsams in alcohol, and is highly stimulating, and unfit for the greater proportion of cases of pulmonary disease. The Coltsfoot is administered in decoction, made by boiling a handful of the leaves in two pints of water down to a pint, straining and sweetening with honey or sugar. The dose is ad libitwm. This decoction’ answers very well to allay tickling coughs, but is not superior to flaxseed tea or the other common demulcent drinks, Tribe 2. AstEroipEx.—Heads heterogamous or homogamous. Style of perfect flowers eylindraceous. Branches flat or flattish ; mostly linear or lanceolate above, equally-pu- bescent externally ; conspicuous stigmatic lines, terminating where the exterior pube- scence commences, not confluent. Leaves alternate or rarely opposite. Ericeron.— Linn. Heads many-flowered. Ray flowers numerous, in more than one series, pistillate ; those of the disk tubular, perfect; some of the exterior ones filiform-tubular and truncate, pistillate. Scales of involucre mostly equal, narrow, in a single or somewhat double series. Receptacle flat, naked, punctate or scrobiculate. Appendages of the style short and obtuse. Achenia compressed, usually pubescent, commonly with 2 lateral nerves. Pappus pilose, rough, of a single series of capillary bristles, or double, the outer series much the shortest. An extensive genus of herbaceous plants, with entire, toothed or lobed leaves, and solitary, corymbose or paniculate flowers, of a white, blue,, or purple colour. It is closely allied to some of the divisions of Aster, and there is much confusion as regards its sections, numerous genera being pro- posed to be taken from it by some writers, founded principally on the diffe- rences in the pappus, which, however, are not acknowledged by other autho- rities. ; E. annuum, Persoon.—Sparsely hirsute. Stem branched above. Leaves coarsely and sharply serrate-toothed; the radical and lowermost ovate, obtuse, tapering into a mar- gined petiole; the others ovate-lanceolate, sessile, acute, and entire; the uppermost lan- ceolate, mostly entire. Rays very narrow, not twice the length of the sparsely setose- hispid involuere, Persoon, Synop., ii. 431 ; Hoste and Gray, ii. 175 ; E. heterophyllum, Barton, Veg. Mat. Med., i. 231, Ponnivh ‘Names.—Flea-bane ; Scavish; Sweet Scabious. Description.—Annual or biennial. Stem stout, striate, roundish, pubescent, two to four feet high, much branched at top. Radical leaves ovate, acute, deeply-toothed, and ASTERACES. 395 supported on broad-winged petioles. Stem-leaves sessile, lanceolate, acute, sinuate, or remotely serrate-toothed in the middle; those of the branches lanceolate, entire, sessile. Flowers in terminal, rarely lateral corymbs, numerous, The disk-florets are yellow, and those of the ray capillary, white or pale-blue. This plant is common in most parts of the United States, and is now natu- ralized in Europe. It has been described by most writers under the name of heterophyllum, and is recog- nised by that appellation in the Fig. 181. United States Pharmacopeia ; but WA yp, the specific name of annuum hav- 7M ZS ly, | SW ing the priority, must be adopted, =, Ss y PANS Zi and has been so by Persoon, AS Y fairs Hooker, Torrey and Gray, .and WAV \VY Aw other distinguished botanists, It > .\%\\yS =. is very closely allied to the £, strigosum (HE. Philadelphicum, Barton, Veg. Mat. Med.), and spe- cimens may be found which might be referred to either species. They are also identical in their medical properties, and are employed indis- criminately. The whole plant is used, and should be gathered and dried during the flowering season. No analysis has been made of either of them. When bruised they have a peculiar but not un- pleasant smell; their taste is astrin- gent and bitter. An oil of a pale- yellow colour, of an acrid taste, is said by Ratinesque to have been obtained from them, as well as. from the E. canadense, which pos- sesses extraordinary styptic pro- perties. , Medical Uses.—The most strik- ing quality of the Erigeron is its diuretic power, for which purpose it has been used for a long time in domestic practice, and has proved highly successful in magy cases in the hands of regular practitioners, It has been prescribed in complaints of the bladder and kidneys, with much relief to the patient, and has also E. strigosum. — proved useful in the various forms of dropsy, but cannot be relied upon as a curative means. In dysury, espe- cially in children, it has been found very beneficial by Dr. Physick, and was a favourite remedy with Dr. Dewees in cases of difficulty in urinating in children, Dr, W. P, C. Barton likewise speaks of it in high terms, as reliev- ing the painful micturition attendant on nephritis. It has also been given as a diaphoretic and emmenagogue, for which latter purpose it was employed by the Indians, who called it Squaw-weed. From all that can be gathered on the subject, it is evident that the Erigeron is a valuable remedy, and one that 396 MEDICAL BOTANY. deserves a more extended trial; and should the oil have the power of arrest- ing uterine hemorrhage, attributed to it, it will be a most valuable addition to the Materia Medica. As a diuretic, the plant is given in a strong decoction, which is to be taken very freely ; and, as it does not disagree with the sto- mach, it may be administered where digitalis and squill would be rejected. The properties of the . strigosum are identical with the above; those of the L. canadense differ somewhat, being more tonic and astringent. Dr. De Puy, who made an examination of it, states that it contains Bitter extractive, Tannin, Gallic acid, and Volatile oil, which latter is acrid. It is from this spe- cies that the oil is principally obtained. The same writer states that this plant is useful in dropsical complaints and in diarrhea, and may be given in substance, infusion, tincture, or extract. The Canada Flea-bane is as com- mon as the other species, and is known in some parts of the country under the names of Horse-weed, Butter-weed, &c. It belongs to a different section of the genus, and may therefore vary in its medicinal properties. The whole subject, however, requires investigation, not only as to the remedial properties of the species, but also as to their chemical composition. f Sotipaco.— Linn. Heads few, many-flowered. Flowers of disk tubular, perfect, those of the ray few or wanting. Scales of the oblong involucre imbricated, appressed, without foliaceous or herbaceous tips. Receptacle narrow, usually alveolate. Style appendages lanceolate. Achenia many-ribbed, somewhat terete. Pappus simple, of numerous scabrous capillary bristles. An extensive genus of herbaceous perennials, most of the species of which are peculiar. to North America. The stems are mostly strict or virgate, with sessile alternate cauline leaves ; the radical never cordate. The flowers are yellow, in terminal or axillary racemes or clusters. The general character is that of mild astringency, combined, in one or two species, with some stimu- lating qualities, owing to the presence of an aromatic oil. S. opora, Aiton.—Stem somewhat pubescent in lines, usually simple and declined. Leaves linear lanceolate, entire, smooth, with rough margins, and punctate with pellucid dots. Racemes panicled. Aiton, Hort. Kew. i. 214; Torrey and Gray, Flor. ii. 219; Bigelow, Med. Bot. i. 188, t. 20. , Common Name.—Sweet Golden Rod. Description.—Stem two or three feet high, slender, often bending. Leaves sessile, at length reflexed, linear-lanceolate, tapering to a point, with a prominent midrib, covered with small pellucid dots. Panicle usually secund. Flowers on slender pedicles, with subulate bracts. Scales of the involucre few, almost glabrous. Pappus shorter than the florets of the disk. This plant is a native of most parts of the United States, in dry sandy soil, flowering in the autumn. It is remarkable for yielding a volatile oil on dis- tillation, of an odour partaking of that of aniseed; this odour is perceptible on bruising the leaves. Medical Uses, §-c.—The leaves are stimulant, diaphoretic and carminative, and are said to be an agreeable substitute for tea. Pursh states that they are exported to Canton, where they bring a high price, but we have been unable to verify this assertion, and feel very doubtful of the accuracy of his infor- mation. : The oil is used as an external application in headache, but the best mode ASTERACES. 397 of using it is in the form of essence, by dissolving it in spirit; in this state it is beneficially exhibited in complaints of the digestive organs, attended with flatulency, and from its aromatic flavour is well suited to disguise the nause- ous taste of many medicines. It has been found useful in arresting vomiting and spasmodic pains in the stomach. The S. virgaurea, a native of Europe and of the northern parts of Ame- rica, was at one time in much repute in complaints of the genito-urinary organs, and was even supposed to have lithontriptic properties, Gerarde says of it: “It is extolled above all other herbs for the stopping of blood in sanguinolent ulcers, and bleeding wounds.” Its true character appears to be astringent and tonic, and may be employed when a mild article of this class is required. It is probable that most of the species are possessed of analo- gous powers, Schoepf alludes to a species useful in wounds and snake-bites, and also in tumours, pains in the breast, &c. Inuta.—Linn. Head many-flowered, heterogamous ; florets of the ray pistillate, in one row, sometimes sterile by abortion, generally ligulate, rarely somewhat tubular and trifid; those of the disk hermaphrodite, tubular, 5-toothed. Involucre imbricated in several rows. Recep- tacle flat or somewhat convex, naked. Anthers with two sete at the base. Achenium without a beak, tapering or angled, Pappus uniform, in a single series, composed of capillary rough sete. A genus of mostly perennial berbs, natives of Europe and Asia, with their cauline leaves often amplexicaul. The flowers are yellow, in solitary or corymbose heads. Several species have been used in medicine, but only one of them deserves notice. , 7 I. neLentum, Linn.—Leaves: large, velvety, tomentose beneath, denticulate; radical ones ovate, tapering to a petiole; the cauline partly amplexicaul; heads solitary at the summit of somewhat corymbose panicles. Linn., Sp. Pl. 881 ; Torrey-and Gray, Fv. ii. 267; Woodville, i. t. 26; Stephenson and Churchill, 1. 49. | Common Names.—Elecampane ; Horse Heal ; Scabwort. Foreign INames.—Auneé, Aulneé, Fr.; Enula Campana, Jt.; Alant- wurzel, Ger. Description.—Root thick, fusiform, branching and aromatic. Stem three or four feet high, thick, round, leafy, furrowed, solid, branched and downy towards the top. The leaves are large, ovate, slightly-toothed, of a dark-green colour above and hoary beneath ; the radical ones are large, and petiolated, but those of the stem are sessile and clasping. . The heads of flowers are large, radiated, solitary, terminal, of a bright yellow colour. The involucre is hemispherical, the outer scales are broad and imbricated, and downy on both sides; the inner are narrow, linear and chaffy. The disk-florets are numerous, per- fect, tubular, 5-cleft; those of the ray are spreading, ligulate, linear, pistillate and trifid. The anthers are furnished with bristles at their base; the ovary is oblong with a filiform cloven style, and spreading obtuse stigmas. The seeds are quadrangular, smooth, and furnished with a simple pappus. , Elecampane is a native of Europe and Japan, and is naturalized in some parts of the United States, growing in moist places and about houses, flower- ing in July and August. Professor Alston is of opinion that it is the first Helenium of Dioscorides, and is also supposed to be the Inula of Pliny, who speaks of Helenium as a different plant; Horace also alludes to it. The part 398 MEDICAL BOTANY. used is the root, which as found in the shops is in longitudinal or transverse slices, of a yellowish- -gray colour, with an aromatic and peculiar odour, and disagreeable bitter taste, with an after-sensation of heat. Both alcohol and water extract its virtues, but the former most so. The root has been analyzed by several chemists, and found to contain a Volatile oil, a peculiar Camphor, Wax, acrid Resin, Gum, Bitter extractive, Inulin, &c. Inulin was first detected by Rose, but named by Dr. Thomson; Rose called it Alantine. It has also been detected in several other plants, and has been called Menyanthin, Dahlin, and Datiscin. It is an amyla- ceous substance, closely allied to starch. Medical Properties.—Elecampane is an aromatic tonic and expectorant, and also acts as a diuretic and diaphoretic. It was at one time in high re- pute in a variety of disorders, but more especially in those of the pulmonary organs, but is seldom employed by the medical practitioner at the present day, though it still retains much reputation in domestic practice. The following account of it by Dr. Short (Med. Brit.), will give an idea of the virtues attributed to it about a hundred years since. ‘The root is good for shortness of breath, cough, or asthma. It is a fine stomachic and pro- motes digestion. Its decoction or powder taken with sugar expels urine and the menses. Its infusion in white wine ts good for green sickness, and its decoction cures bloody urine, and is proper in cramp, convulsions, and scia- tica pains, &c.” It has proved beneficial in chronic catarrh, where there is Baste secretion of mucus, but no febrile symptoms, and also in dyspepsia, where there is de- bility and relaxation. It is sometimes allied in its action on the system to Calamus, but is not so stimulating, ‘The dose of the powder is a scruple to a drachm ; of the decoction, made with half an ounce of the root to a pint of water, one to two fluid ounces. In large doses it causes nausea and vomiting. Tribe 3. SenectonipeEx.— Heads heterogamous, homogamous, or heterocephalous. Style cylindraceous above, the branches linear, penicillate or hairy at the apex, either trun- cate or produced into a cone, or a more or less elongated and hispid appendage. ‘The stigmatic lines terminating in the base of the cone or appendage, not confluent. Leaves opposite or alternate. Hetentum.— Linn. Heads many-flowered, radiate; ray-florets in a single series, pistillate, cuneiform, ligu- late, 3—5-cleft at summit, with scarcely any tube. Scales of involucre in a double series ; the outer linear or sabulate foliaceous, spreading or relaxed; the inner few and shorter, chaffy. Receptacle convex, globose or oblong, naked. Florets of the disk with a short tube, and an inflated, cylindrical, 4—5- toothed limb. Branches of the style a little dilated and obtuse at tip. Achenia obovate-turbinate, striate or ribbed, villous on the ribs. Pap- pus of 5—8 membranous, apiculate, or awned scales. A small genus of North American plants, with erect, branching stems, and alternate, decurrent leaves, which are minutely punctate. The flowers are usually yellow. H. aurumnate, Linn.—Leaves lanceolate, serrate, acute, very decurrent. Scales of in- volucre linear-subulate. Rays flat, 3—5-cleft at tip, longer than the disk. Linn., Spec. ii. 866; Torrey and Gray, FZ. ii. 384; Barton, £2. Am, Sept. t. 26; Rafinesque, £7, 1. 235, f. 47. Common Names.—Sneezewort ; Swamp Sun-flower, ASTERACES. 399 Description. — Root pe- rennial, fibrous. Stems se- veral, one to three feet high, angular, branched, minute- ly pubescent. Leaves glau- cous, alternate, sessile, de- current, lanceolate, acumi- nate, unequally serrate, punctate. Flowers co- rymbose, of a bright yellow colour. Peduncles axillary, one-flowered, thicker above. Involucre with linear-acute scales, Disk semi-globose. Rays flat, cuneate, three to five-lobed. Pappus of five membranous, subulate, and awned scales. The Sneezewort is found in damp grounds in most parts of the United States, flowering in September and Octo- ber. It is ornamental, and usually grows in profusion when occur- ring. It has scarcely any smell, but a bitter, somewhat pungent, or acrid taste. No analy- sis has been made of it. Medical Uses, §-c.— - -H. autumnale. It appears to be tonic and diaphoretic, and also is powerfully errhine, It is noticed by Clayton and Schoepf as useful in intermittents, but does not seem to be generally employed in domestic practice, but is very celebrated for its errhine properties. The whole plant acts as such, but the flowers, and especially the central florets, are the most active. Rafinesque states that Dr. B. 8S. Barton esteemed it highly as a substitute for the more acrid articles of the class. It is not equal in power to the Asarwm, or the brown powder of the leaves of the Kalmza, but may be useful where these cannot be procured, in cases where such agents are required, which but seldom occur. Marura.—Cassintz. Heads many-flowered ; the rays neutral, continuous with the sterile ovary. Scales of the hemispherical involucre imbricated in few series, shorter than the disk. Receptacle conical, chaffy throughout, or only at the summit. Achenia obovoid or ob-pyramidal, ribbed, glabrous, destitute of pappus. A small genus separated by Cassini from Anthemis, and consisting of annual fetid herbs, with pinnately-divided leaves, and solitary heads terminating the branches. ‘The flowers are yellow at the disk, with white rays. M. coruta, De Candolle.—Scales of the involucre with whitish, scarious margins. Re- ceptacle conical, chaffy at the summit, chaff subulate. Linn. (Anthemis), Sp. Pl. 894; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. i. 161; Rafi- a 400 MEDICAL BOTANY. nesque, Med. Flor. i. 44; Maruta cotula, De Candolle, Prod. vi. 13 ; Torrey and Gray, Fv. ii. 408; Lindley, F7. Med. 459; M. feteda, Cassini, Dect. xia, 174. @ Common Names.—Wild Chamomile ; May-weed; Dog Fennel, &c. Foreign Names.—Maroute, Fr. ; Camomilla mezzana, Jz. ; Die stinkende kamille, Ger. Description. — Root Fig. 183. annual, crooked, fibrous. Stem and leaves covered with short, adpressed woolly hairs. Stem from one to two feet high, much branched, irregu- larly angular and stri- ated. Branches’ co- rymbose. Leaves alter- nate, sessile, flat, doubly pinnate, carinate be- neath. Leaflets linear, acute, entire or trifid. Flowers erect on a naked peduncle. Involucre he- mispherical, imbricated, hairy, rough, The scales linear, pale-green, scari- ous on the margin. Flo- rets of the disk bright yellow, numerous ; those of the rays ligulate, white. Receptacle coni- bristly chaff. Central florets tubular, glandu- lar, five-toothed, with five stamina. Ovary obovate, with a filiform, bifid style. Stigmas two, reflexed. Seeds brown, obovate, quadrangular, M. cotula. ribbed. A native of Europe, and now extensively naturalized in this country, where it has become a very troublesome weed in some places, and one very difficult to destroy, though merely an annual. It grows almost exclusively in open places, being very rarely found in woods. It flowers from June until it is killed by the frost. It has a strong and unpleasant smell, and a bitter, acrid, and nauseous taste. ‘The whole plant is officinal. [am not aware that any analysis has been made of it; but it is probable, from its affinity to Chamo- mile in botanical characters and sensible qualities, that its constituents are much the same, It is not eaten by cattle, and is said to be unpleasant to bees. Medical Properties.—It is tonic, diaphoretic, and emetic, and in fact closely resembles Chamomile in its action on the system, and is constantly used as a substitute for it in domestic practice, but is much more nauseous and unplea- sant, although its remedial powers are fully equal, if not more energetic, than that article. Both Barton and Rafinesque state that it differs from the Euro- pean plant in not being capable of producing vesication when fresh ; this, however, seems to be erroneous, as Dr, Ashley (Jour. Phil. Coll, Pharm.) cal, covered with short, ASTERACES, | 401 speaks of it as a powerful and prompt vesicant, and one that may be very ad- vantageously employed. The plan which he found best to insure this effect was to bruise the plant, and apply it in the form of a poultice ; he observes, in addition, that unlike the blisters caused by other vegetable irritants, the vesications readily heal. : Hi ANTHEMIS.—Linn. Heads many-flowered; the rays pistillate.. Scales of the involucrum imbricated in a few series. Receptacle convex or conical, with membranous chaff among the flowers. Achenia terete, or very obtusely quadrangular, striate, smooth, destitute of pappus, or with a minute crown. . A genus of odorous herbs, mostly natives of Europe and Asia, with pinnate or bipinnate leaves, and a single ebracteate head of flowers, on the ends of the branches, with their disk yellow, and the rays, in most cases, white. A. nostiis, Linn.—Stem decumbent, simple, downy, villose. Leaves sessile, pinnately- parted, downy, leaflets divided into linear-setaceous lobes. Branches naked, one-flowered at apex. Scales of the involucre obtuse, hyaline at margin. Pale of receptacle lanceo- late, not pointed, rather shorter than the florets, eroded at the margin. Linn., Sp. Pl. 1260; Woodville, i. 47; Stokes, Med. Bot. iv. 242; Ste- phenson and Churchill, i. 88; Lindley, Fv. Med, 458. Common Names.—Chamomile ; Common feverfew. Foreign INames.—Camomile Romaine, Fr.; Camomilla Romana, J.; Roemische kamiler, Ger. . Description.—Roots perennial, joint- ed, fibrous. Stems trailing, round, fur- Fig. 184. rowed, downy. The leaves are pin- nately-divided, and of a pale-green co- lour. The segments are small, rather flat above, somewhat downy, and gene- rally divided into three or more linear, setaceous lobes, The flowers are ter- minal, solitary, with a convex, yellow disk, and numerous white, spreading, reflexed rays. The involucrum is hemi- spherical, and composed of many close- ly-imbricated scales, with thin, mem. branous edges ; the disk florets are nu- merous, yellow, perfect, tubular, divided into five lobes; those of the ray are usually about eighteen, white, ligulate, spreading, three-toothed. The stamens are five, very short. The ovary is dbo- ANA A| ) 2 vate, and supports a slender style, with NY rc a bifid, reflexed stigma. The seeds are NZ frkéc | ovate, compressed, and slightly crowned. ai l a The receptacle is conical, with minute ead ie chaffy scales, one to each floret. Chamomile is a native of many WAS parts of Europe, and is also exten- “PAS \ sively cultivated there ; Mr. Nut- tall states that it is naturalized A. nobilis. near Lewistown, in the State of a. Ray florets. b. Disk do. Delaware, but it has been detected in no other place in this country. There are several varieties, depending on ms 26 402 MEDICAL BOTANY. the single or double character of the flowers, which are the officinal portion — of the plant.. These are collected before they are fully blown, and dried. They have a bitter, aromatic taste, and strong and peculiar odour; as these ‘properties reside principally in the tubular florets, which are most numerous in the single florets, they should always be preferred; but the large double flowers are generally the most esteemed, though inferior to the others, from their disk florets being converted into ligulate rays. By distillation, chamo- mile yields a Volatile oil, which, when first obtained, is of a pale blue colour, but by keeping, changes to yellow or brownish. Besides this oil, the flowers contain a bitter extractive and tannin. Medical Properties—Chamomile flowers are an aromatic bitter tonic in small doses, but act as an emetic when given in large ones. In the form of cold infusion they are useful in imparting tone to the ‘digestive organs, and are frequently administered when the stomach is disordered and a sluggish condition of bowels exists. Chamomile has also been recommended in inter- mittent fevers and has been spoken highly of, but is inferior to many other of the tonic remedies ; when given in doses sufficient to check the parox- ysms, it is very liable to induce profuse discharges from the bowels. The warm infusion is often employed to aid the operation of emetics, and the oil is given to relieve flatulency. The infusion or decoction are also oceasion- ally used in a hot state as fomentations. ‘The general mode of administra- tion is in infusion, made with half an ounce of the flowers to a pint of boiling water, to be macerated for ten minutes and then strained. The powder is Seldom used, as it is apt to create nausea. Several other plants have received the name of chamomile and have been used as a substitute for it; among which the most common are the Matricaria chamomilla and the Pyrethrum parthenium ; both of these are bitter and tonic, but are more disagreeable than the genuine article. Another very common substitute is the Achillea millefoliwm, which is fully as efficient, and at one time enjoyed a high reputation not only as a tonic, but also as an excellent vulnerary, and is still much employed in domestic practice in many parts of Europe ; its extremely disagreeable taste will, however, always pre- vent its coming into general use. Anacycius.—De Candolle. Head many-flowered, heterogamous. Florets of ray, pistillate, sterile, somewhat ligu- late, rarely tubular. Of the disk, perfect, 5-toothed. Receptacle conical or convex, paleaceous. - Involucre in few rows, somewhat campanulate, shorter than the disk. All the florets with an ob-compressed, two-winged tube. Style of the disk florets with ex-appendiculate branches. Achenia flat, or compressed with broad, entire wings. Pappus short, irre- gular, somewhat toothed. A small genus separated from Anthemis, to which, however, it is closely allied, and might without much extension of the generic characters, be con- sidered as a section. A. pyreturum, De Candolle-—Stem procumbent, pubescent. Radical leaves petiolated, smoothish, pinnately divided. Segments much cleft into linear, subulate lobes. Cauline leaves sessile. Branches one-flowered. Scales of involucre lanceolate, acuminate; with a brown margin, Linn., (Anthemis,) Sp. Pl. 1262; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 97; Anacyclus pyrethrum, De Candolle, Prod., vi. 15. Common Names.—Pellitory of Spain ; Spanish Chamomile. Foreign Names.—Pyrethre, Fr. ; Piretro, Jt, ; Zahn Wurtzel, Ger. ASTERACE &. 403 Description.—Root fusiform, fleshy. Stems several, about a foot high, round and hairy, one-flowered. The leaves are pinnately divided, with narrow, linear segments of a pale green colour. The flowers are large, terminal, solitary, with the florets of the disk yellow, and those of the radius white above and purplish beneath; these latter are pistillate and sterile. The disk florets are perfect, and closely resemble those in Anthemis. Pellitory is a native of the Levant, Arabia, Barbary, and the South of Europe, and has long been known as a medicinal agent. Dioscorides men- tions it as useful in toothache, and Celsus speaks of it as one of the articles forming a celebrated malagma or cataplasm, employed as a resolvent; he also states that it is useful as opening the mouths of wounds. The part used is the root, which as found in commerce, consists of inodorous pieces, about the size of the little finger, covered with a thick brown bark, marked with black shining points; it breaks with a resinous fracture, and presents a radiated structure. | When chewed, it excites a pricking sensation in the lips and tongue, with a burning heat. Grew gives a curious account of its effects ; he says, ‘“‘ The heat produced by Pyrethrum is joined with a kind of vibration, as when a flame is brandished with a lamp furnace. Being chewed, it makes a sensible impression on the lips, which continues, like the flame of a coal, betwixt in and out, for nine or ten minutes, but the heat in other parts much longer.”” By distillation this root furnishes a thick, resinous oil, of great pungency, and it is on this oil the properties of the root depend ; it has been considered as peculiar, and called pyrethrin ; besides this it contains colouring matter, tannin, &c. Medical Propertzes.—It is an energetic local irritant, producing inflamma- tion and vesication. It is scarcely ever employed internally, but is some- times used as a masticatory in toothache, and in some paralytic affections of the tongue, and rheumatic and neuralgic attacks in the head and face. In India, according to Ainslie, it is given by the Vytians as a cordial and stimu- lant in lethargic cases, in palsy, and in certain stages of typhus. It is one of those articles that might be advantageously omitted in the list of officinal drugs. ‘The tincture is used ‘to relieve toothache, under the name of odon- talgic tincture. , AcHILLEA.— Necker. ¥ Heads many-flowered; rays few, or 10—20, pistillate, short. Scales.of involucre im- bricated. Receptacle flat, sometimes elongated, chaffy. Achenia oblong, ob-compressed, margined, destitute of pappus. . An extensive genus of herbaceous perennials, with alternate, mostly pinna- — tifid or pinnately divided leaves, and small, corymbose heads. They are principally natives of Europe, a few only oceurring in other parts of the world. ‘The genus was formerly much larger than at present, but the sepa- ration of Ptarmica from it, has greatly reduced it. All the species are bitter and somewhat aromatic, A. MILLEFoLIuM, Linn.—Cauline leaves nearly sessile, bipinnately divided. Lobes linear, 3—5-cleft, mucronate. Radical leaves petiolate. Corymb compound, fastigiate. Rays 4—5. ‘ Linn., Sp. Pl. 899; Torrey and Gray, FV. ii. 409 ; Bulliard, Her®, t. 168 ; Eng. Bot. 758. Common Names.—Yarrow ; Milfoil. Foreign Names.—Millefeuille, Fr. ; Millefoglie, Zt. ; Garbenkraut, Ger. This plant is common to Europe and North America, growing in fields and woods, and flowering almost the whole summer. The American plant is pos- 404 MEDICAL BOTANY. sessed of more active qualities than the European. It is bitter and tonic, with a strong aromatic, but unpleasant smell; the root is somewhat astringent. On distillation, it affords an essential oil, senewhot similar to that of chamo- mile. Medical Uses, §-c.—This plant had at one time much reputation, from the supposed efficacy of its leaves in the cure of recent wounds ; but they are now seldom used for this purpose. Ferrein speaks of them as beneficial in inter- mittent fevers, hemorrhages, and abortion. Hoffmann considered the flowers as antispasmodic; and Maumery (Journ. de: Med. xxxiv. 402), speaks of them highly in retention of the menses and flatulent colic. They have also been recommended in leucorrhea and nervous atony. Linnzus (flor, Lapp.) states that in Dalecarlia they are added to beer to increase its strength. The root, when fresh, has a slight camphoraceous smell, and has been proposed as a substitute for Serpentaria; but trials made with it have proved that it is very inefficient. Several other species are also employed, as the A. mobzdzs in the South of Europe ; and A. falcata in Asia Minor and Egypt, where it is highly esteemed in hypochondriasis. The A. ageratwm has some repouition in the South of Europe as a vermifuge. Prarmica.— Tournefort. Involucre campanulate, scales brown and scarious at their edges. Receptacle flat, chaffy. Rays flat, longer than the involucre. Achenia ob-compressed, often with a wing- like margin. This genus was originally instituted by Tournefort, but the species were all included in Achillea by Linnzus. De Candolle has followed the first of these writers, and observes that it is intermediate between Amacyclus and Achillea, and is different in habit from either. Torrey and Gray have con- sidered it as a section of the latter genus. It is almost wholly European, a few species only being found in North America and Siberia. P. vutearis, De Candolle.—Leaves glabrous, lanceolate-linear, sharply and equally serrate, with appressed teeth. Heads loosely corymbose. Rays 8—12, much longer than disk. De Candolle, Prod. vi. 23; Torrey and Gray, FV. ii. 409; Achillea ptar- mica, Sp. Pl. 1266; Eng. Bot. 757: Common Names. = Si aene wort; Goose-tongue. Foreign INames.—Herbe a eternuer, Fr.; Herba starnuta, Jz. ; Niese- kraut, Ger. | A native of many parts of Europe; and, according to Pursh, also found in this country, but has not been met with by any other botanist, It flowers in the autumn. It is slightly odorous, and its leaves have a taste resembling that of Tarragon ; when chewed, they occasion a flow of saliva, and the dried herb in the form of powder produces sneezing, Medical Uses, §-c.—The root is employed for a masticatory as a substitute for Pellitory, and is applicable to the same description of cases. The pow- dered herb is used as a sternutatory, which property it enjoys, according to Sir J. E, Smith, (Eg. Bot.,) on account of the minute prickles that border the leaves. A decoction of the whole plant has some reputation in Russia in hematuria and hemorrhagia. , Many of the other species have been employed in medicine ; thus, the P, nana, moschata, and atrata, which are remarkable for their strong musky odour, constitute a portion of the plants known in Switzerland under the name ASTERACEX, — 405 of Genipi, and which are much esteemed for their vulnerary and sudorific properties, A liqueur is prepared from them called Absinthe de Suzsse, which is in high repute as a stomachic and tonic. The A. moschata also furnishes a distilled water much used in Europe, and known as Esprit d’ Iva. The® P. herba rota, of Piedmont, according to Allioni, (Flor. Ped. 656,) pos- sesses the same properties, and is much used. The P. clavenne was at one time greatly prized, in consequence of a treatise pub ished on its virtues by Clavenna, in 1609 ;, but it does not appear to possess more efficacy than the other species spoken of above. ARTEMISIA.— Linn. Heads discoid, few or many-flowered, heterogamous, with the eentral flowers perfect, and five-toothed ; and the radical pistillate in a single series, with a tubular, 3-toothed corolla ; or sometimes homogamous, with the flowers all perfect. Scales of the involucre iintiricated, mostly dry, with scarious margins. Receptacle flattish or convex, naked or villous. Achenia obovoid, with a small epigynous disk, and destitute of a pappus. An extensive genus of bitter and mostly aromatic shrubs or herbs, with alternate, and usually pinnately divided or dissected leaves, and small spicate or racemose heads of flowers, which are usually yellowish or purplish. = 424 MEDICAL BOTANY. ache, and even delirium. Lozseleuria procumbens has some reputation as an astringent. GavutrHeria.— Kalm. Calyx campanulate, 5-cleft. Corolla ovate; limb somewhat 5-cleft, revolute. Fila- ments hairy. Receptacle 10-toothed. Capsule superior, 5-celled, covered by the calyx which becomes a berry. A small genus of plants dedicated by Kalm to Dr. Gautier of Canada, and therefore erroneous in the spelling of its name, but as the mistake has existed from the first, and is now become settled by long usage, it would be inexpe- dient to attempt the change proposed by Rafinesque. All the species belong to temperate and cold climates, and are very remarkable for their. berry, which is formed by the calyx assuming a soft and fleshy condition and cover- ing the true fruit, which is a 5-celled capsule. G. procumBENs, Kalm.—Root creeping. Stems erect. Leaves few, terminal, coriaceous, obovate, serrulate. Flowers few ; terminal on drooping peduncles. Kalm, Amen, Acad., iii. 14; Barton, Veg. Mat..Med., t. 171; Bigelow, Med. Bot., ii. 27; Rafinesque, Med. Fl. i. 202. Common Names.—Partridge-berry ; Mountain Tea ; Chicker-berry ; Win- ter-green. Description.—Root horizontal, creeping, slender. Stems seve. ral, erect, a few inches in height, slender, ter- minated by a few ever- green, ovate, smooth, shining, coriaceous” paler —_ underneath, with a few short, mu- cronate teeth. The flowers are few, ter- minal, on curved, drooping peduncles. _ The calyx is 5-tooth- ed, with two bracts at base, finally chang- _ ing into a _ fleshy covering to the fruit. Corolla ovate, 5- toothed, white or flesh-coloured. Sta- mens ten, rose-co- loured, with plumose filaments, alternating with the short scales ‘ of the receptacle. ~ G, procumbens. Anthers bilobate. Style erect, filiform. Stigma obtuse. The fruit is a small, 5-celled, 5-valved, many-seeded capsule, enclosed in a fleshy calyx, which becomes of a scarlet colour. The Partridge-berry is very common in hilly woods, in dry and sandy leaves, which are ERICACEA. 425 soils throughout the United States, never found in rich alluvions or limestone plains. The specific name, like the generic, is erroneous, as the plant is creeping and not procumbent. It flowers from June to September, and from being well known and much employed in all sections of the country, has re- ceived a variety of local names, but is most generally called Partridge-berry, or Mountain tea. It was in common use by the Indians, but it has not been ascertained what properties they attributed to it. Schoepf speaks of it as an aromatic bitter, but the first correct notice of it as a medicine was by Kalm; it has, however, been introduced into the list of officinal articles only within a few years, though perhaps no one native plant has been longer in use in domestic practice. ‘The leaves are the officinal part; these as well as all other portions have a peculiar and aromatic taste and smell, to which in the leaves is added some astringency, and in the berries some sweetness, The aromatic properties depend on a volatile oil, which is separable by distilla- tion. ‘This, which is the heaviest of the essential oils yet discovered, is also found in a variety of other plants, as the Betula lenta, some of the Spz- reas, &c. From the careful examination of it by Mr. Wm. Procter (Am. Jour, Pharm, viii. 211, and ix. 241), it is shown to possess acid properties, and to have the same composition as the salicylate of methylene. The oil, as found in the shops, has a more or less.red colour, but when first distilled is colourless. Its Sp. Gr. is 1173; its taste is burning and aromatic, and mixes with alcohol or ether in all proportions, Medical Properties.—The Gaultheria is stimulant, aromatic and somewhat astringent, and is largely employed in domestic medicine in the form of tea, for a variety of complaints, especially in complaints of the bowels, and as an emmenagogue, as well as a restorative in cases of debility. The usual form, however, is-that of the oil, which is the only one employed in regular prac- tice, and then principally as a flavouring ingredient in mixtures. The essence or the oil dissolved in alcohol is in very general use throughout the country, as a carminative and stimulant. It is also said to be an ingredient in many of the quack syrups and panaceas, to disguise the character of their compo- sition, The leaves were used during the Revolutionary War as a substitute for China tea, and are still employed for this purpose in some parts of the country. The berries, which are aromatic and grateful to the taste, are also employed to flavour spirituous liquors. ARCTOSTAPHYLOS.— Adanson. Calyx 5-cleft. Corolla ovate-urceolate ; limb 5-toothed, revolute, short.” Stamens ten, included ; filaments somewhat dilated at the base, hairy ciliate ; anthers compressed, with two pores at the apex, laterally 2:awned, awns reflexed. Ovary globose-depressed, sur- rounded by three scales; style short; stigma obtuse. Fruit globose, drupaceous, 5—10- celled, cells one-seeded.. A small genus, separated by Sprengel from Arbutus, principally on account of the difference of its berry, but originally instituted by Adanson. They are small shrubs, with alternate, entire or dentate leayes, which are often persistent. Most of the species are North American. | A. uva ursi, Linn.—Stem procumbent. Leaves coriaceous, persistent, obovate, entire, shining. Flowers in small, terminal racemes, Bracteoles below the pedicels, small, obtuse. Linn., (Arbutus,) Fl, Lapp. 162; Woodville, i. t. 70; Stephenson and 426 MEDICAL BOTANY. Churchill, ii. 91; Bigelow, Med. Bot, i. 66; Rafinesque, Med. Flor.i. 57; Arctostaphylos, Sprengel, ii. 287. Common Names.—Uva Ursi; Bear-berry ; Upland Cranberry, &c. foreign Names,—Busserolle, Raisin d’ours, Fr.; Uva orsina, J, ; Baren- traube, Ger. Fig. 191. Description.—Root perennial, long, fibrous. Stems procumbent, round, woody and branched, covered with a smooth deciduous bark. The leaves are numerous, alternate, evergreen, obtuse, obovate, entire, coriaceous, smooth, dark green and wrinkled above, and finally reticulated and paler beneath, supported on short petioles. The ‘flowers grow in small clusters at the extremities of the branches, each on a short red peduncle, furnished with several minute bracts; they are usually six to twelve on each branch, drooping, and of a pale rose colour, The calyx is small, obtusely 5-toothed, and persistent. The corolla is ovate, smooth, transparent at the base, contracted above, with five short reflexed segments. The stamens have subulate downy filaments inserted at the base of the corolla, and reddish incumbent anthers, of two oval cells, opening by two termi- nal pores, and furnished with a pair of short horns or spurs. The ovary is roundish, bearing a cylin- drical erect style, with a simple stigma. The fruit is small, globose, smooth, and of a scarlet colour, containing a mealy pulp of an austere taste, and five almost-united angular seeds. A. uva ursi. 1. Anthers. 2. Single anther, showing spurs. The Uva ursi has a very extended range, being found in the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America, It is usually found in dry, stony or sandy spots, It flowers from June to September, and ripens its berries during the winter. The leaves are the only part that is used in medicine. When dried they have a faint hay-like odour, and a bitterish astringent taste. The powder is of a yellowish-brown colour. They yield their properties to water and alcohol. On analysis they afford Gallic and Tannic acids, Resin, Extrac- tive, Gum, some salts, &c. ‘The tannin forms full a third of the whole, and is the active principle. Medical Properties—Uva ursi is astringent and tonic, and is thought to have a specific influence on the urinary organs, in the diseases of which it is principally used. It is thought by Clusius to be the part spoken of by Galen as useful in hemoptysis, and having a red berry of an austere taste, but other commentators suppose this to have been the red currant. It is exceedingly doubtful whether it was known to the ancients, and very little is recorded re- specting it, until it was introduced by De Haen as a remedy in diseases of the kidneys and bladder, and is still mainly employed for the same purpose, in certain cases in which it undoubtedly possesses considerable powers, though ‘to be effectual its use must be persevered in for a long time. In chronic mucous discharges Prout speaks of it very highly, and his testimony is supported by that of many eminent practitioners, whilst on the other hand Sir B. Brodie and others declare that it has been much overrated. The truth seems to be, that it is uncertain in its effects, and even when successful, its beneficial operation is very slowly exercised, It has also obtained some ERICACEX | 427 celebrity in calculous complaints. De Haen and Van Swieten speak of its good results in such cases, and Drs. B, S. Barton and Bigelow also notice it favourably as alleviating the symptoms. Jn consequence of its apparent powers in mucous discharges of the bladder, an extended trial of it was made by Dr. Bourne, of Oxford, in affections of the lungs, the results of which were decidedly encouraging, and subsequent trials of it by Mr. Davie prove that it is capable of allaying the irritability of the system, so constant an at- tendant on chronic diseases of the lungs. As an astringent it is applicable to all the purposes for which the vegetable astringents are generally employed, as in leucorrhcea, diarrhcea, &c. It is administered in powder, in doses of a scruple to a drachm, but the decoction is generally preferred; this is made by boiling an ounce of leaves in a pint and a half of water down to a pint, the dose of which is a wineglassful several times a day. It has also been employed in extract, in doses of five to fifteen grains. a @ RHODODENDRON.— Linn. ‘Calyx 5-parted. Corolla sub-infundibuliform, 5-cleft. Stamens 5—10, declinate, open- ing by two terminal pores. Capsule 5-celled,.5-valved, opening at the summit. This genus, which is now considered to include both Rhododendron and Azalea of Linnzus, is extensive, and is principally found in temperate or cold climates, or at such an elevation in more tropical latitudes as are equivalent to them in temperature ; all the species are shrubby, some very small, whilst others attain the size of small trees. R. curysantuum, Pallas—Stem decumbent. Leaves ovate, oblong, rough above, paler or ferruginous and smooth beneath. Umbels terminal. Corolla irregular, nearly rotate. | Linn., Suppl. 237; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 80; Pallas, FV. Ross. i. 44; Lindley, Flor. Med., 378. Oommen Name. — Yellow Rhododendton~ Foreign Names.—Rose de Siberie, Fr. ; Rhododendro aureo, li. ; Alpro- sen, Ger. Description.—Stem from a foot to a foot and a half high, with numerous, decumbent, spreading branches, covered with a brown bark. The leaves are few, texininal, ovate, coriaceous, narrowed below, upper surface reticulated and rough, of a dark- green colour, the under pale or somewhat ferruginous, smooth, with their margins entire and involute. The flowers are large, yellow, and supported on long peduncles; they vary in number in each cluster from five to ten. The calyx is inferior, persistent, and deeply five- cleft. The corolla is also five-cleft, the lobes rounded, nearly equal, and spreading, the three upper ones somewhat the largest and marked with livid dots, whilst the two lower are unmarked. The stamens are ten, with equal, filiform, declining filaments, and oblong incumbent anthers, The ovary is five. sided, with a long slender style terminated by a five-lobed stigma. ‘The capsule is ovate, somewhat angular, not tomentose, five to ten- celled, containing numerous minute, irregular seeds. . This plant is a native of the mountains of Siberia, flowering in June and July. It was first discovered and described by Pallas, who states, that in Siberia it is called Sched or tea, and that the leaves are used as we employ those of the Chinese plant. They are collected for use in September, when the capsules are ripe. When dried, they are inodorous, but have a bitterish, austere taste, and a decoction of them has an unpleasant smell, and a rough, 428 MEDICAL BOTANY. bitter and acrid taste. No chemical examination has been made of them, that I am aware of. Medical Properties. —This plant has long been i in use in its native coun- try for a variety of complaints, but it was unknown to the medical profes- sion until the publication of memoirs on the subject by Gmelin, Loefflers, Koelpin, and others. It appears, from these accounts, that the Siberians, when overcome by fatigue and cold, apply a-decoction of the leaves to their limbs, to relieve pain and induce sleep. They also administer a strong infu- sion in rheumatism and other painful affections. This remedy occasions a sensation of heat, with a kind of intoxication, and a peculiar creeping and uneasy sensation of the affected parts. No fluid is permitted to be taken, until in a few hours alvine evacuations occur, and all the disagreeable symp- toms caused by the medicine disappear, and with them those of the disorder. Tt has since been used, with much success, in Russia, Germany, France, and England, not only in rheumatism but also in gout, though its use is principally confined to the two first of these countries. From the experi- ments of Dr. Home and others in England, it appears to be a stimulating diaphoretic, with some narcotic qualities, and also to possess the power of diminishing arterial action in a very marked manner. Sometimes it excites headache, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and other unpleasant symptoms. From all that can be gathered, it is evidently a powerful remedy, and one that has proved beneficial in a class of diseases that often baffle. the best-directed cura- tive means, but the trials made with it are not sufficient to assign it a definite rank in the Materia Medica. Mr. Churchill recommends the following mode of sdepiriintentitui half an ounce of the leaves are to be placed in twelve ounces of water, and gently semmered, not boiled, for four hours. The fourth of this infusion is to be given every four hours, the patient kept in bed, and the effects closely watched. Another European species, the R. ferrugzneum, is considered as poison- ous, and to be possessed of the same properties as the above. Two of our native species, the R. maximum and punctatum, are said to be stimulant and astringent. Dr. B. 8. Barton (Collections, 19) says the fruit is- certainly a poison, and that the brown powder attached to the footstalks and in the seed vessels is considerably errhine, but he does not state, as is attributed to him, that it had acquired reputation in the cure of rheumatism, but refers to the R. chrysanthum as having that reputed power. Michaux observes, that the honey of bees, where these plants abound, is often poisonous, Katmia,.—Linn. Calyx 5-parted. Corolla hypocrateriform, border on the under side with ten cornute protuberances, and as many cavities, in which the anthers: are concealed. Capsule 5-celled, many-seeded. A North American genus of evergreen shrubs, with alternate or ternately verticillated leaves, which are persistent except in K. cuneata. The flowers are in terminal racemose compound corymbs, All the species are considered poisonous to cattle, though deer and goats feed on them with impunity. K. vatiroiia, Linn,—Leaves on long petioles, clustered, coriaceous, ovate-lanceolate, entire, green on both sides; corymbs terminal, viscidly pubescent. Linn,, Sp. Pl. 545; Rafinesque, Med. Flor., ii. 16; _ Bigelow, Med, Bot. 1. 187. ERICACES.: . ; 429 Common Names. — Laurel ; ‘ Mountain Laurel ; Calico-bush ; Fig. 192. Ivy, &c. cae vis Description.—A shrub from four to twelve feet high, usually with very crooked stems, covered with a light- coloured rough bark. The leaves are persistent, green on both sides, but somewhat paler beneath, coriaceous, entire, ovate-lanceolate, on long pe- tioles, and in clusters at the ends of the branches. The flowers are very showy, in terminal compound co- rymbs, viscid, pubescent, with small subulate bracts. Corolla large, of a red colour ‘at first, afterwards becom- ing lighter; the tube is short, and the limb is salver-shaped, with five short, acute lobes, and ten protuberances on the exterior, answering to the same number of cavities in which the an- thers are lodged. The stamens are ten, long declined, and bear two-celled anthers, which have two terminal pores. The ovary is roundish, sup- porting a slender style, with an obtuse stigma. Fruit a dry capsule, which is five-celled and five-valved, the valves alternating with the divisions of the calyx. ‘The seeds are numerous, and K. latifolia. minute. The Laurel is found in most parts of the United States, on hills and mountains, flowering in June and July, when it is extremely ornamental, from the contrast of its profusion of rose-coloured flowers with the dark shining green of its leaves. Jt is not officinal, but is said to be possessed of active qualities, though this is denied by some highly-esteemed authorities. Dr, Bigelow detected in the leaves only Tannin, a Resinous matter and Gum, but Dr, Stabler, in addition, found a Volatile oil of a disagreeable narcotic odour, ‘and nauseous smell, which he supposes to be the active principle. (Am. Jour. Pharm, x. 241.) _ Medical Properties.—Very little is known respecting the real properties of this plant; the general belief is, that it is extremely poisonous. Dr. B.S. Barton says, ‘ It kills sheep and other animals; our Indians sometimes use a decoction to destroy themselves. In the county of Lancaster, an empiric has used the powdered leaves with success in certain stages of fevers, and in tinea capitis. A decoction of the plant, externally applied, has often cured the itch, but it must be used with much care, for thus applied it has been known to occasion disagreeable subsultus or startings and convulsions.” (Col- lections, 29.) Dr. Thomas made it the subject of an inaugural dissertation in 1802, and gives a case of diarrhoea which was cured by a strong decoction of the leaves, in small doses. Thirty drops were given six times a day, but causing vertigo, the doses were limited to four times daily. | In Dr. Stabler’s memoir, he states that he took a dose of ten grains of the powdered leaves, without any perceptible effect, and on increasing the dose to forty grains, about two hours afterwards, it still gave no indication of any power; but on trying a large dose of a strong decoction, it caused, in about half an 430 MEDICAL BOTANY. hour, vertigo, dimness of sight, great depression of the action of the heart, and cold extremities, without, however, producing any disorder of the mental _ faculties. He therefore concludes that this substance acts as a direct arterial sedative without any narcotic or acrid properties, and is suited to cases of hy- pertrophy of the heart, and other diseases where it is of importance to decrease the action of that organ ; and from the tannin present that it is peculiarly fitted for cases of hemorrhage, dysentery, &c. These observations are interesting, and if confirmed by further experiments, will give the Kalmia a high station among the sedatives; they are well worthy of notice and of repetition. Dr. Stabler proposes the following form of administration. Macerate two ounces of the leaves in a pint of alcohol for a week and strain ; the dose for an adult would be thirty drops every, two or three hours. It is very generally believed that the flesh of birds feeding upon the leaves becomes extremely poisonous, and numerous interesting cases have been re- corded by Drs. Mease, Shoemaker, Hayward, and others, of individuals suf- fering severely from having eaten partridges, in whose crops the laurel leaves were found. Notwithstanding the apparent certainty of the deduction, that the flesh had become deleterious from being imbued with the poisonous prin- ciple of the leaves, I am inclined to doubt the truth of the inference, and to attribute it to that peculiar state of animal decomposition in which an active poison is developed. 'The symptoms in, the cases alludedto are precisely similar to those given in most works on Medical Jurisprudence as resulting from other meats in a certain stage of putrefaction, added to-which hundreds of persons partake every year of partridges that have been feeding upon the laurel, without suffering any in- — convenience, which would not be the case if the flesh became noxious from this cause. Fig. 193. _ Tribe 2. Vaccinizm.—Ovyary ad- herent to calyx, becoming a berry or drupe-like fruit. | Shrubs or small trees, often evergreen, with alternate undi- vided leaves, often with glandu- lar notches, but without stipules. They principally occur in the more temperate portions of the world in swampy and subalpine situations. Some of the species from the mountains in Peru are said to be parasitic. ‘They in general have edible and plea- sant fruits, and their bark and leaves are astringent, and some- what tonic. ‘The berries of the various kinds of Vaccinium are well known under the name _ of Whortle or Huckle Berries ; those of Europe are derived from V. myrttllus, vitis idea, 0: nate © and wdzgenosum ; the juice of the latter is said to be somewhat AQUIFOLIACE&. t 431 narcotic; those of the United States are furnished by V. dumosum, frondo- sum, and tenellum, &c. The V. arborewm affords an astringent fruit, but of good flavour; the bark of the root is very astringent, and has proved useful in bowel complaints, The leaves of all of them are astringent, and have been used to tan leather, and also as a remedy in sore mouth and diarrhea, in form of a strong tea. In Popayan a kind of wine is made from the berries of T'hebaudia macrophylla (Humboldt, Nov. Gen, ili. 270), and from the flowers of T. quereme, an aromatic tincture is prepared in Peru, as a remedy for toothache. The fruit of Oxycoccos, called cranberries, are well known both in Europe and the United States ;.in the former they are obtained from the O. palustris, and in the latter from O. macrocarpa. Rafinesque notices two other native species, but they do not appear to be more than varieties. ‘The Ame rican fruit is superior in size and flavour to the European. The plant is found as far south as New Jersey, on the seaboard, but extends to Carolina in the mountain districts. They grow in bogey and swampy ground, and are cultivated to some extent in some of the New England States. The berries are very acid and a little astringent, and are much used when stewed with sugar, in which form they are cooling and laxative. These berries keep better than most of the succulent fruits, and are largely exported to the West Indies' and Europe. Group XXVIII.—Ebenales. Orver 66.—AQUIFOLIACE.—De Candoile. Sepals 4—6, imbricated in estivation, Corolla 4—6-parted, hypogynous, imbricated in estivation, Stamens inserted on the corolla, alternate with the segments; filaments erect; anthers adnate, 2-celled, with a longitudinal dehiscence. Disk none. Ovary fleshy, superior, a little truncatéd, with 2—6, or more cells; ovules solitary, pendulous, often from a cup-shaped funiculus ; stigma subsessile, lobed. Fruit fleshy, indehiscent, with from 2—6, or more stony seeds. Seeds suspended, nearly sessile; embryo small, in a large, fleshy albumen. , A small order of evergreen trees or shrubs, often with angular branches. The leaves are alternate, or opposite, simple, coriaceous, and exstipulate. The species are found in various parts of the world, especially in South America, the West Indies, and South Africa. Some occur in the United States, and but one in Europe. Their general character is that of astringency, but some have sudorific and emetic properties, and a decoction of the root of Myginda uragoga, is a most powerful diuretic, and even lithontriptic virtues are attri- buted to it (Flor. Med. Anil. iv. 81). The juice of the leaves of Monetia barlerioides is considered by the Hindoo practitioners as efficacious in catarrh, asthma, and phthisis (Aznsle, ii, 404).. The most important medicinal species belong to dex and Prinos. ¢ ILnex.— Linn. Calyx small, 4—5.toothed. “ Corolla rotate, 4—5-parted. Stamens 4—5, alternate with the segments of the corolla. Ovary 4-celled, each with one ovule, style none; stig- mas 4,sessile. Fruit, a berry, 1-celled, 4-seeded. A genus containing a few species of shrubs and trees with alternate leaves, which are in some cases persistent and spinous at their edges. ‘There is a 432 MEDICAL BOTANY. variation in the parts of fructification in some of the species, which render the genus difficult to be understood, and which will require it to be cer I. aquiroiium, Linn. —Leaves over, acute, spinous. Lion., Sp. 27, 181 | English ee. t. 496; Flor. Med. iv.t.197; Lindley, Flor. Med. 393. Common Name.—Holly. Foreign Names.—Houx, Fr. ; Alloro spinoso, Tt. Description.—A small evergreen tree with a smooth, grayish bark. Leaves alternate, almost sessile, oval, of a deep, shining grecn, very rigid, the lower ones very spinous, the upper entire. Flowers small, vellowish-white, in clusters in the axils of the leaves. Calyx slightly hairy, small. The corolla is monopetalous, rotate, deeply four-cleft, segments ob- tuse, spreading; the stamens are erect, and alternate with the divisions. The ovary is globular, depressed, four-celled, with four sessile stigmas. The fruit is globular, umbili- cated at the top, fleshy, scarlet, and contains four bony nucules. “8 The Holly is a pative of many parts of Europe, sometimes attaining a con- siderable size, but in general is small; it is of very slow growth ; ‘the wood is very hard and heavy, and is employed for a variety of purposes. The in- ner bark is glutinous, and is used in Europe to prepare bird-lime, for which purpose it is suffered to soften by burying it in the earth for some days, after which it is beaten in a mortar, and well washed in water to separate the im- purities. The viscous substance thus obtained is used to catch small birds, and was formerly employed as an application to gouty swellings. The leaves are the only part now considered as medicinal, and have long been in use in a variety of complaints. ‘They have a bitter and disagreeable taste, but no odour; they contain, according to Lassaigne, Wax, a Bitter substance, Gum, several salts, &e. Medical Properties.—They were first employed as a diaphoretic, and were considered as efficacious in small-pox, and other cutaneous affections, and were highly recommended by Paracelsus in gout, and have, within a few years, again been well spoken of in this complaint by Werlhof, and by Rous- seau, 1n “rheumatism, But it is as a remedy in intermittent fever that they Haye attracted the most attention, in consequence of the experiments of Dr, L, G. Rousseau (Nouv. Jour. de Med. xiv. 14), who having learnt that it was a favourite domestic medicinein intermittents, in various places in France, gave it an extended trial, and states that he was very successful with it even in the severest cases ; numerous other practitioners have given the same testimony, and declare that they found it as efficacious as the Peruvian bark. On the other hand, Chomel states that he used it in thirty-two cases, and always with- out benefit ; this result is too opposite to that of others to be received as defi- nite, and may have arisen from the bad quality of the leaves employed by him, or other modifying influences ; the testimony of all other practitioners is in its favour. It is given in powder, in doses of a drachm to a drachm and a half, two or three hours before the expected paroxysm, and it is stated that very often a couple of doses have proved sufficient to remove the complaint. The berries are said to be more active than the leaves; they have an acrid taste, and according.to those who have made use of them, are violently emeto- cathartic, causing copious watery evacuations. The J. opaca of this country is very’ closely allied to, if not identical with the above species, differing from it so little, that it may be considered rather a variety, than a distinct species. The bark, berries, and leaves are employed in domestic medicine, to fulfil'a variety of indications, but have not been used in regular practice; they, however, appear to be identical in their effects with those of the foreign plant. AQUIFOLIACEZ. 433 Another native species, the I. vomitoria of Aiton, appears to be endowed with still more powerful properties. This is a na- tive of the most Southern parts of the country, where it was held in high esti- mation among the Indians, who consid- ered it as a holy plant, and employed it in their religious ceremonies and great councils to purge their bodies from all impurities. They called both this and the I. dahoon by the name of Cassena, The leaves, which were the part employed, were collected with great care, and formed an article of trade among the tribes. Dr. Ef. Barton (Collections, 38) says of it, ‘«Itis thought to be one of the most power- ful diuretics hitherto discovered. It is held in great esteem among the Southern Indians; they toast the leaves and make a decoction of them. It is the men alone that are permitted to drink this decoction, which is called Black drink.” These leaves are inodorous, and have a some- what aromatic, acrid taste. In small doses the decoction acts as a powerful diuretic, and in large ones _ produces copious discharges from the stomach, bowels, and bladder. In North Carolina, on the seacoast, the inhabitants modify the deleterious action of their brackish water, by boiling a few leaves of Cassena with it. These plants require a careful examination as regards their true properties, : . The most celebrated of all the species is the J. Fig. 195. paraguayensis, which furnishes the Maté or Para- | guay tea,so extensively employed in South America, and forming so important an article of the internal commerce of that country. Its use there is as com- mon as that of the China tea in this country, and it appears to possess almost the same properties, being slightly stimulating and tonic, these qualities de- pending on the presence of the same active princi- ple in both plants, Itis a small tree or shrub, with oval, cuneiform, or oblong and lanceolate, dentate glabrous leaves, somewhat resembling those of the I orange. ‘The smaller the plant, the better is the Pah ames tea taken from it supposed to be. When gathered in the places of its growth, which are confined to Paraguay, it is torrefied by means of a peculiar kind of oven, and then packed in hides. (Robertson, Four Years in Paraguay.) As found in commerce, it is in the form'of a greenish-yellow dust, mixed with broken leaves and stems. This infused in boiling water forms the maéé, which is drank or rather sucked up by means of a tube. The herb is often mixed with some aromatic, as orange, or lemon peel, or cinnamon, to give it additional flavour. It is usually disagreeable to those unaccustomed to it, but ataste for it is soon acquired. (Ruschenberger, Three Years in the Pacific, 92.) 28 I. opaca. 494 MEDICAL BOTANY. : A full account of it is given in London Journ, Bot. i. 39. It is said that Theine has been detected in the leaves by Mr. Stenhouse. The I. gongonha is employed in Brazil in the same way. The fruit of I. macoucoua, in an unripe state, abound in tannin, and are used as a substitute for galls. (Martius, Mat. Med. Bras. 126.) Prinos.— Linn. Calyx 6-cleft, small, persistent. Corolla deeply 6-cleft, rotate. Stamens 6, filaments subulate, erect, shorter than the corolla. Anthers oblong, obtuse. Ovary superior, ovate, bearing a single style with an obtuse stigma. Fruit a berry. An American genus, closely allied to Idez, consisting of small trees or shrubs, with alternate, deciduous, or persistent leaves, and axillary or termi- nal flowers, which are small, and sometimes 5 to 8-cleft, with a similar number of stamina and seeds. P. verticiLLatus, Linn.—Leaves deciduous, ovate, serrate, acuminate, pubescent be- neath. Flowers often diecious, 6-parted. Fertile flowers aggregated; sterile ones axil- lary, subumbellate. : Linn., Sp. Pl. 471; Bigelow, Am. Med. Bot., iti. 141; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med., i. 203. Common Names.—Winter-berry ; Black Alder, &c. Foreign Names.—Apalachine a feuilles de prunier, /.; Virginische Winterbeere, Ger. | Description.—A shrub from eight to fifteen feet high, with a bluish-gray or ash-coloured bark. ‘The branches are alternate, horizontal, and spreading, furnished with ovate-acu- minate leaves, dentate on their edges, of an olive-green, and smooth above, but pubescent beneath, especially on the ribs; they are alternate and petiolate. The flowers are small and white, and are clustered in axillary and lateral groups; rarely solitary. The calyx is small and persistent, and the corolla rotate, 6 and sometimes 7-cleft. The stamens are equal in number to the divisions of the corolla. The berries are globular, and of a bright-red colour, persistent after the fall of the leaves. The Winter-berry is found in most parts of the United States, in damp situations and on the borders of water-courses, flowering in June, and ripening its berries late in the autumn. The officinal portion is the bark, which, when dried, is in slender pieces, more or less rolled, of a greenish-white colour in- ternally, and of an ash-gray mixed with brown externally, brittle, and with- out odour ; the taste is bitter and astringent, which is imparted to water. The berries have a sweetish, bitter taste, and are sometimes used. No chemical examination has been made of either of them. Medical Properties.—The bark is tonic and astringent, and is much used in domestic practice. It was known to the Indians, and was first noticed by Schoepf, who says that “it is an antiseptic, and is used in gangrene and jaundice ;” and it still enjoys much popular reputation as a local application to ill-conditioned ulcers and chronic cutaneous eruptions. It is also much employed in the treatment of intermittent fevers, but is far inferior in power to a number of other indigenous tonics, There is more evidence of its good effects in diarrhoea, in which it is extensively prescribed in some parts of the country ; and also as a corroborant in dropsy, &c. Dr, Wm. P. C. Barton states that he ‘* used both bark and berries on several occasions; and it is with no little satisfaction I bear testimony to its deserved claim to those com- mendations that have been bestowed upon it.” It is administered either in substance or decoction. The dose of the first is from thirty grains to a drachm, several times a day. ‘The decoction, which is the preferable form, is made with two ounces of the bark to three EBENACE Z. 435 pints of water, boiled down to a quart, of which a gill is to be taken every two hours. It has also been employed in a saturated tincture, made from the bark or berries, or both combined. : , OrDER 67.—EBEN ACEA.—Ventenat. Flowers often diecious, rarely sub-hermaphrodite. Calyx monopetalous, 3—7-lobed, persistent. Corolla monopetalous, 3—7-lobed, deciduous, regular, sericeous. Stamens variously inserted, twice to four times as many as the lobes of the corolla, unequal. Fi- laments short. Anthers free, introrse, 2-celled, dehiscing longitudinally. Ovary free, 3—12-celled, usually hispid. Styles usually with as many divisions as cells in ovary. Stigmas small, terminating the styles or the divisions of style. Fruit a berry, 3 to many- celled and gecdeds or, by abortion, 1-celled and 1-seeded. Seed usually compressed late- rally, with a coriaceous testa. A small order, consisting of trees and shrubs, often with a dark-coloured wood, most common to tropical regions, but not wholly wanting in cold cli- mates. ‘The leaves are alternate, entire, exstipulate, and on short petioles. The flowers are in axillary, rarely terminal cymes. Juice not lactescent. The species are principally remarkable for the hardness of their wood, and for the edible character of their fruit, The Euclea undulata affords a sac- charine berry, which is eaten by the natives of South Africa, and a kind of _wine made from its juice (Thunberg, Voy., i. 2538). Diosryvros.— Linn. Diecious. Sterile flowers. Calyx 4—6-cleft. Corolla urceolate, 4—6-cleft. Stamens 8—16. Filaments often with 2 anthers. Fertile flowers, calyx and corolla as in male. Stigmas 4—5. Fruit 8—12-seeded. A large genus, most of the species which are peculiar to the East Indies, consisting of trees and shrubs, with alternate, very entire leaves, and axillary, subsessile flowers ; the female furnished with sterile stamens. Their general medicinal quality, as far as known, is astringency, which is very strongly marked in the species found in this country. D. vireintana, Linn.—Leaves elliptical, obtusely-acuminate. Petiole and nervures pubescent. Racemes axillary, 1—3-flowered. Pedicels short, and with the calyx pu- bescent. Calyx 4-parted, lobes lanceolate. Corolla campanulate, glabrous, 4-cleft, lobes rounded. Linnzus, Sp. Pl. 1510; Torrey, Compend. 375; Rafinesque, Med. F/., 1,153; Michaux, WN. A. Syl., ii 219. Corner Names.—Persimmon; Yellow Plum; Date Plum. Foreign Name.—Plaqueminier, Fr. Description.—A tree from 20 to 60 feet in height, with a rugged, blackish bark, and alternate, spreading branches. The leaves are oval or oblong, acuminate, with an.entire margin, smooth and shining above, and whitish or paler and reticulated beneath, sup- ported on short, pubescent petioles. The flowers are lateral, axillary, mostly solitary, nearly sessile, or on a very short peduncle. The calyx is spreading, persistent, usually 4, but sometimes 5 or 6-parted. Segments lanceolate, shorter than the corolla, which is yellowish, and has as many segments as the calyx. Sterile and fertile flowers usually on different trees, but sometimes a perfect flower occurs, in which the stamina are double the number of the segments of the calyx, and the stigmas equal to these segments. The filaments are short, free, or inserted on the calyx, with bilobate anthers. The ovary is globular, supporting a very short style, with obtuse, spreading stigmas. The. fruit is a round, dark-yellow, or orange berry, containing a fleshy, eatable pulp, and many com pressed, hard seeds. 436 MEDICAL BOTANY. The Persimmon is found from New York to Louisiana, rarely above the 42° of latitude, but exceeding- Fig. 196. ly common to the South and West. It flowers in May and June, but does not ripen its fruit until the first frosts in the autumn. Before this it is very astringent, but when fully ripe is sweet and plea- sant-flavoured. This fruit, in several stages of growth, has been examined by Mr. B. R. Smith, who found that in a ' green state it contained Tan- nin, Sugar, a little Malic acid, and Woody fibre, &c.; that when ripe, the sugar has in- creased in quantity, as. has also the malic acid, and the tannin has almost disappeared (Am. Jour. Pharm., xii. 161). The wood is white and hard, and is used for a variety of purposes. A gum exudes from the bark in small quan- tity. The officinal part is the bark ; this is very bitter and astringent ; it has never been analyzed, but evidently con- tains much Tannin and Gallic acid (Woodhouse, Jnaug. Diss.) Medical Properties—This bark is tonic and astringent, and is much em- ployed in some parts of the country in the treatment of intermittent fevers, and as an astringent in complaints of the bowels. Dr. B.S. Barton (Collec- tions, 11) says, **I used the bark in ulcerated sore throat ;” and it has since been employed for the same disease with much benefit. I am inclined to believe that it is the most powerful of our native astringents. The unripe fruits have also been highly recommended by Dr. Mattauer (Am. Jour, Med. Scz., Oct. 1842) as an astringent, in the form of infusion, syrup, and tincture, in various forms of bowel disease and hemorrhage. The ripe fruits are very grateful, and are said to possess some anthelmintic properties. ‘They afford an alcoholic liquor on distillation, somewhat resem- bling brandy, and a kind of beer is prepared from them by forming the pulp into cakes with bran, drying them in an oven, and bruising them afterwards in water. The fruit varies much both in size and flavour; in some localities it is very large and delicious, whilst in others it is small and astringent even when fully ripe. This tree has never been cultivated, though it fully deserves it, for if it should improve in the same ratio as the plum, peach, &c., it would be a great addition to our autumn fruits, as it ripens at a time when most others have disappeared. The other species of Diospyros are principally noted for the value of their wood. Ebony is the product of D. ebenus, D. tessellaria, D. ebenaster, D. Roylei, &c. Some of them also afford edible fruits, as the D. chloroxylon and D.amara ; this latter bears berries as large as an orange, and are much used in China (Annail, Soc. Linn. Par. 1824). The D. kaki, of Japan, also D. virginiana. STYRACACEZ. 437 yields a fruit much esteemed in that country and China, but is said to be apt to cause dysentery (Keempfer, Aman. Acad. 85). That of the D. nigra is very large, and is eaten in the Philippine Islands. The Embryoteris glutinosa, a native of India, has a fruit of a rusty yellow colour, as large as an apple, affording a very astringent juice, which is so glutinous that it is used in Bengal to pay the bottoms of bom it is also employed as an application to wounds. Orpver 68.—STYRACACEA.— Lindley. Calyx inferior or superior, 5-parted, persistent. Corolla monopetalous, often differing in the number of its divisions from those of the calyx; estivation imbricated. Stamens unequal, more or less coherent; anthers innate, two-celled. Ovary superior or adhering to the calyx; three to five-celled; style simple; somewhat capitate. Fruit drupaceous, surmounted by or enclosed in the calyx, with one to five cells. A small order, closely allied to Ebenacee, and by some botanists deemed a section of it, but differing in many important points, and especially in its general properties. It consists of trees and shrubs with alternate exstipulate leaves, generally dentate, and becoming yellow on drying. The flowers are axillary, either solitary or clustered, with scale-like bracts. The species are generally inhabitants of warm climates, a few only occurring in the cold lati- tudes, The properties of the species are various. Some afford a balsamic resin- ous juice, as in Styraz ; others have tinctorial properties and some degree of astringency, thus the Hopea tenctoria of the Southern States has a bitter and aromatic root, which is esteemed as a valuable stomachic, and the leaves, which have a sweet taste, dye wool and silk of a bright-yellow colour. The Bobna laurina is celebrated in Bengal for its bark, which forms a mordant for red dyes. The leaves of Alstonia theeformis of South America, are used in Santa Fé as a substitute for the Chinese article, and are said to be sudorific and stomachic. (Plant. Afquin. i. t. 51.) Styvrax.— Linn. Calyx somewhat campanulate, entire or five-toothed. Corolla campanulate, three to seven-cleft. Stamens six to sixteen, exserted; filaments united to tube of corolla; an- thers linear, two-celled, dehiscing internally. Style simple, with an obtuse, somewhat lobed stigma. Fruit dry, splitting imperfectly into two or three valves, with one to three stones. Seeds solitary, erect. : A genus of a few species of which one half are natives of North America. They all abound in a fragrant juice, which in two of the foreign species when in an inspissated state is officinal under the names of Storax and Benzoin. S. orFicinaLe, Linn.—Leaves ovate, villous beneath. Racemes simple, shorter than the leaf. Linn., Sp. Pl. 635; Woodville,, t. 71; Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med. ii. 516 ; Lindley, Plor. Med. 390. Common Name.—Storax tree, Foreign Names.—Storax, Fr. ; Storaco, It.; Storax, Ger. 438 MEDICAL BOTANY. Description.—A tree of medium size, with _ Fig. 197. irregular, alternate, round branches, which are tomentose when young. The leaves are deciduous, elliptical, entire, somewhat pointed, and resembling those of the quince ; they are alternate, petiolated, smooth, of a bright-green colour above, and downy be- neath. The flowers are in clusters at the ends of the young lateral shoots, of a white colour. The calyx and corolla are both downy, the latter is somewhat funnel- shaped, and divided into five deep, ellipti- cal, obtuse, spreading segments; the sta- mens are ten, placed in a ring; the fila- ments subulate and inserted into the corolla, with yellow, erect, oblong anthers. The ovary is ovate, with a slender style and simple stigma. The fruit is a drupe of a globose form containing one or two angular nuts, convex on one side and concave on the other. _ The Storax is a native of Syria and the Levant, and is naturalized in some parts of Italy, especially about Tivoli, It was known to the ancients, i: and is noticed by all their writers 8. officinale. ee: ; . 1, Style. 2. Stamens and ovary. 3. Fruit. on medicinal plants ; Dioscorides speaks of several kinds of it, and Pliny says that the Arabians used it as a perfume. The best now comes from Asiatic Turkey, and is obtained in a fluid state from incisions made in the bark ; trees under six years old are never tapped, nor do they afford a product for more than twelve years. ‘There are several varieties of Storax found in commerce, though not more than two are met with in our shops. ‘The most esteemed is of a light colour, either in tears or amygdaloidal masses, and free from saw-dust or other impurities. ‘The common Storax of the shops is in cakes, masses, or powder of a brown or reddish-brown colour, light and friable, and softening under the teeth ; it appears to consist of saw- dust united by a liquid resin. The article called liquid storax is a semi-fluid, brown substance, with a smell resembling that of Balsam Peru. It is uncer- tain from what tree it is derived, but it certainly is not derived from our na- tive Liguidambar styraciflua as has been stated. Dr. Wood (Dispensatory) was one of the first to point out that it differed from this balsam, and I can confirm his statement of the dissimilarity, from several times having had an opportunity of collecting the latter product, which is widely different from any liquid storax I have ever seen. It may be obtained from the L. orzentale of Lamarck, which Jussieu thought was the source of the Storax. Landerer, as quoted by Pereira, however, affirms that it is derived from the Styrax by pressing the bark, Storax has a fragrant odour and aromatic taste, and im- parts its odour to water, whilst, with the exception of the impurities, it is wholly soluble in alcohol and ether. It has been analyzed, and, according to its quality, contains different proportions of Woody fibre, Gummy extractive, Resin, Benzoic acid, Volatile oil, &c. Medical Properties. —Storax is a stimulating expectorant, and was for- merly much employed in asthma, chronic catarrhs, and affections of the wind- pipe; it has also been prescribed in amenorrhoea and mucous discharges from the genito-urinary organs. It is now seldom or never used except to STYRACACES. 439 disguise the taste and smell of opium in certain compounds, and in the com- pound tincture of benzoin. From its fragrant odour when burning, it forms an ingredient of many fumigating pastilles, 2. S. senzomn, Dryander.—Leaves ovate, pointed, entire, downy beneath. Branches tomentose. Flowers in axillary, compound racemes. ne Dryander, Phil. Trans. \xxvii. 308; Woodville, t.72; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 112; Lindley, Flor. Med. 390; Benzoin officinale, Hayne. Common Names.—Benjoin tree ; Benjamin tree. Description.—A tree of some size and quick growth, with many strong, round branches, covered with a hoary and fine downy bark. The leaves are alternate on short petioles, ovate-acuminate, entire, smooth above and tomentose beneath. The flowers are in com- pound axillary racemes, shorter than the leaves, with angular downy peduncles and a few tomentose, oblong, deciduous bracts. The calyx is campanulate, downy, and mi- nutely-toothed ; the corolla is longer than the calyx and is 5-cleft, the segments are linear and obtuse, somewhat silky rather than tomentose. The stamens are ten; filaments con- nected below into a tube almost as long as the calyx and bearing linear, erect anthers. The ovary is superior, ovate-tomentose, with a slender style and simple stigma. The fruit resembles that of the last species. The Benzoin tree is a native of Sumatra, Borneo, Siam, Java, &c., where it is also cultivated. Much confusion at one time existed as to the tree affording the Benzoin of commerce, for although it was known to Gar- cias, Sylvius, and others of the older botanists, they were unacquainted with its botanical characters, and subsequent writers were led into very glaring errors; thus Ray attributed this gum-resin to the Laurus benzoin, a North American shrub, and Linneus, first to a species of Croton, and finally to a Lerminalia, and it was not until about 1787 that Dryander ascertained its true origin. It has been considered as a true Styrax by most botanists, but is erected into a separate genus by Hayne (Arzn. Gen. ii.), under the name of Benzoin officinale ; but there is nothing in its characters that authorizes this change, which is not admitted by De Candolle and other distinguished au- thorities, The resinous balsam, known as Benzoin, is obtained from this tree in the following manner. When the trees are six or seven years old, incisions are made in the bark, from which the balsam exudes in the form of a thick, white, resinous juice. By exposure to the air it soon hardens, and is then separated from, the bark by means of a knife or chisel. For the first three years the trees yield the purest product; this is of a white colour, inclining to yellow, soft and fragrant. Afterwards, for the next seven or eight years, an inferior kind is furnished; this is of a reddish-yellow colour, inclining to brown. ‘The trees are then cut down and split into logs; from these a still worse sort is procured by scraping them; this is dark-coloured, hard, and mixed with parings of the wood and other impurities. The Benzoin is carried to the ports of the island in large cakes covered with mats. In order to pack it in chests for exportation, these cakes are softened by heat, and then broken into the fragments in which it is found in commerce. (Marsden, Hist. Su- matra, 134.) There are several-kinds of Benzoin ; the best is in tears of a whitish colour, united by a-reddish-brown connecting medium, but that generally met with is in brown or blackish masses. Good Benzoin has an agreeable and fra- grant odour, and a somewhat acrid taste. When heated it gives out thick, white, pungent fumes, consisting mainly of benzoic acid. It is wholly solu- ble, when pure, in alcohol or ether, and imparts some of its properties to water. It has been often analyzed and found to consist of Volatile oil, Ben- 440 MEDICAL BOTANY. zoic acid, Resin, a Balsamic matter, Aromatic extractive, &c., in proportions varying according to the quality of the Benzoin experimented upon. Medical Properties.—Benzoin, like the other balsams, is stimulant and expectorant, and also appears to have some influence on the sexual organs. It was formerly much employed in, pulmonary diseases, but is now seldom prescribed except in chronic affections of the air passages, either in combi- nation, or in the form of fumigation, being scarcely ever administered alone. It forms a constituent of several officinal preparations, and enters largely into the composition of numerous quack remedies for coughs, and as cosmetics, or vulneraries. Its principal employment is as a fumigating perfume, and for the manufacture of Benzoic acid. A fragrant juice of a similar character is produced by other species, as S, Jerruginea, aurea, and reticulata, and is used in Brazil as frankincense. (Martius, Jour. Chim. Med., iii. 546.) It is probable that the article ex- amined by M. Bonastre, under the name of Storaz de Bogota, was the product of one of these species. (Jowr. de Pharm., xvi. 88.) Orprer 69.—SAPOTACE.— Lindley. Calyx regular, persistent, 5 or 4—8-lobed, valvate or imbricate.in estivation. Corolla monopetalous, hypogynous, regular, deciduous ; segments usually equal in number to those of the calyx, sometimes twice or thrice as many; estivation imbricated. Stamens arising from the corolla definite, distinct; fertile ones equal in number to segments of calyx; anthers usually extrorse; sterile-stamens as numerous as, and alternate with, the fertile. Ovary superior, many-celled, eachecontaining a single ascending or pendulous ovule; style 1; stigma undivided, or sometimes lobed. Fruit fleshy, with several 1- . seeded cells, or by abortion with one cell only. Seeds nut-like; with a bony shining testa, having a large hilum ; embryo erect, large, in a fleshy albumen. Trees or shrubs, often abounding in a milky juice, and having alternate, or sometimes almost verticillate leaves, entire, coriaceous, and exstipulate. They are principally natives of the tropics, very few being found in extra- tropical regions. ‘They are more celebrated for their fruit, than for their medicinal or other properties. The Chrysophyllum cainito bears the Star Apple, which is much esteemed in the West Indies, and the fruits of C. macrophyllum, C. macoucou, and C, philuppense, are also used as food in their native countries. Those of several species of Achras are in still higher repute; the A. sapota furnishes a deli- cious product, the Sappodilla Plum, of which there are many varieties ; these, besides their edible qualities, are in some estimation in the treatment of stran- gury. ‘The seeds, pounded and made into an emulsion, are diuretic and pur- gative, and have been recommended in gravel and nephritic colic, but in over- doses cause much pain and’even dangerous symptoms. The bark, as well as that of some other species, is tonic and febrifuge, and has been used as a substitute for Cinchona. The Lucuma mammosa bears the fruit called Mar- malade, which resembles the last, but is not so much esteemed. ‘The tree affords a milky juice, which Dr. Descourtilz (Flor. Med. Antiil., ii. 144) says is emetic, and caustic, and is used to destroy warts. The leaves of A. dissecta are employed in China, pounded with ginger, as an external appli- cation in paralysis. Mimusops elengi, and M. kaki, yield somewhat astringent fruits, but are much used by the natives of the East Indies; the bark affords a gum; the seeds of the first afford an abundance of oil, which is used in painting, and is said to be useful in facilitating parturition. Various species of Bassia are -OLEACES. 44] of much importance; the fruit of B. /ongifolia or Illupic tree, when pressed, gives out an abundance of oil, which is employed in India for food, soap- making, and burning ; it is also thought beneficial as an external application in cutaneous disorders, and a decoction of the leaves and the milky juice, are used in rheumatic affections. ‘The vegetable butter of India, called Ghee, is obtained from B. butyracea. (Royle, Illus., 263.) The Butter Tree of Mungo Park is also supposed to be B. Parkzi ; the seeds of this produce, on expression, a solid oil, which is in general use in some parts of Africa, both for food and as an external application in cases of rheumatism, cutaneous eruptions, &c.; the flowers are also employed as food and to flavour spi- rituous liquors, which use is likewise made of those of B. datzfolia in India. The bark of several species of Bumelia is: tonic and febrifugal ; this is very marked in B. nigra; the fruit of B. retusa is milky, that of B. lyce- oides, a native of the Southern States, is austere, and is said to be useful in bowel complaints, The bark called Monesza, which is derived from South America, is said to be the product of a plant of this order ; MM. Derosne, Henry, and Payen, who made a chemical examination of it, think it is a Chrysophyllum, but other naturalists suppose it is obtained from a Rhizo- phora, or an Acacia. It is certainly produced by a large-sized tree, and re- sembles the bark of one of the Sapotacee, more than that of any of the orders. It is of a dark-brown colour within, and of a grayish tint externally ; having a short fracture. Its taste is at first saccharine, but soon becomes acrid and irritating. It has been found useful in diarrhoea, menorrhagia, leucor- rhaea, and hemoptysis, and has been tried with various success, in debility of the stomach, bronchitis, &c. It has also been applied topically in ulcers, hemorrhoids, ophthalmia, &c. It is given in extract, in doses of sixteen to twenty-four grains, which are increased as occasion may require. (Am. Jour. Pharm., xiii. 151; Dunglison, New Remedies, 438.) Group XXIX.—Oleales. Orver 70.—OLEACEX.—De Candolle. Flowers perfect, rarely dicecious. Calyx monosepalous, persistent, generally 4-part- ed. Corolla hypogynous, monopetalous, 4-cleft, sometimes apetalous, estivation valvate. Stamens 2, alternate with the segments of the corolla; anthers 2-celled, dehiscing longi- tudinally, ovary simple, 2-celled, cells 2-seeded ; style 1 or U; stigma undivided or bifid. Fruit drupaceous, berried or capsular, often by abortion 1-seeded. Seeds with dense, fleshy, abundant albumen, embryo straight. This order is a small but important one; it consists of trees and shrubs with usually dichotomous branches, terminating by a conspicuous bud ; the leaves are simple or sometimes pinnated, and alternate. The flowers are in racemes or panicles, either terminal or axillary, the pedicels opposite, with single bracts. It has been divided into several tribes from the difference of fruit; as Frazinee, where it is dry and samaroid; Syringe, where it is dry and capsular ; Oleznee, where it is drupaceous and fleshy. The species are principally natives of temperate climates. Besides Manna and Olive Oil obtained from Fraxinus and Olea, several other products of this order require notice. The bark of the root of Chionanthus virginica, a native shrub, is tonic and febrifuge with some acro-narcotic properties, whence it is called Poison ash; this bark is also used in a cataplasm as an application to wounds and ulcers. The fruit of Noronhia emarginata is eaten in the Isles of France and Madagascar. The leaves of Phillyrea latifolia are used in 442 MEDICAL BOTANY. the South of Europe as astringent in ulcers of the throat and mouth; Lemery states that a cataplasm of the flowers made with vinegar is beneficial in headache (Dzct. 678) ; the other species appear to have the same properties. The leaves and bark of Legusirum vulgare or Privet are also astringent, and have been employed with success in the same cases as the above. All parts of Syringa vulgaris are very bitter, but the fruit and seeds are the most so ; these have been given with benefit as a febrifuge, and Cruveilhier states that he obtained excellent results in intermittent fevers from the extract (Med. eclairée par Vanat). In the hands of other practitioners this article has failed, and is now never given. ' OtEs.— Linn. Calyx small, 4-toothed. Corolla with a short tube, and 4-cleft limb. Stamens 2. Ovary bilocular; style short, stigma bifid or sub-capitate. Drupe baccate, oleo.carneous, by abortion with a single nut. A genus of about twenty-five species, peculiar to warm and temperate climates, with opposite entire, rarely dentate, coriaceous leaves. The flowers are generally fragrant, white, racemose or paniculate. One species only affords a useful product, but it is probable that many of the others by culti- vation would be equally important. O. europa, Linn.—Leaves lanceolate, entire, hoary beneath. Racemes axillary, dense. Branches angular, not spiny. Linn., Sp. Pi. 11; Woodville, ii. 280; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 15 ; Lindley, Flor. Med. 547. Common Name.—Olive tree. Foreign Names,—Olivier, Fr.; Ulivo, Jt.; Oelbaum, Ger. Description.—A small tree, much branch- Fig. 198. ed, covered with a grayish bark. The wood is hard and compact, of a dark-yellowish co- lour, susceptible of a high polish. The leaves are opposite, nearly sessile, lanceolate, of a whitish-green colour, smooth on the upper surface and downy beneath. The flowers are in small clusters in the axilla of the leaves, on short peduncles, and furnished with small, obtuse bracts; the calyx is obtuse and 4-cleft; the corolla is white, monopetalous, spreading, divided into 4 ovate, obtuse segments. The stamens are two, shorter than the corolla, sup- porting large elliptical anthers, and a single, slender, erect style, with a bipartite stigma. The fruit is a smooth drupe, of a violet colour when ripe, of an unpleasant bitter taste, but abounding in a bland oil, and enclosing an ovate, oblong, rugose nut or stone. There are several varieties of this tree, differing in the size and form of the leaves, and in the magnitude, co- lour and taste of the fruit. It is gene- O. europea. rally supposed that the olive is a native 1. Corolla. 2. Calyx. 3. Drupe. of Asia, but its cultivation having com- menced before the existence of any de- OLEACE, 443 finite records, and having been introduced into Europe and there naturalized at a very early period, it is impossible to come to any exact couclusion as to the locality whence it was originally derived. According to Gibbon (Decline and Fall), ** the Olive in the western world followed the progress of peace, of which it was considered as the symbol. Two centuries after the founda- tion of Rome, both Italy and Africa were strangers to that useful plant ; it was naturalized in those countries, and at length carried into the heart of Spain and Gaul.” It is constantly spoken of in the Bible, and frequent re- ferences are made to it by Homer, in both cases as a tree in general cultiva- tion: and the varieties now known were equally common in former times, as Virgil enumerates three kinds, Cato eight, and Columella ten. No plant is of more easy cultivation, and it has the additional advantage that it flourishes in the most barren soils. The suckers are removed from the trees‘in the spring and autumn, when the ground is ploughed, or it is merely loosened round the trees. The plant begins to bear at two years of age, and at six is productive, and is almost of endless duration, as a plantation is still in bear- ing near Terni, in Italy, which is supposed to be the same trees spoken of by Pliny as growing there in the first century. The Olive is cultivated with success in the old world, where the tempera- ture of the coldest month is not under 42°, and that of the summer not below 72°. Thus in Europe it extends as high as latitude 443°, whilst in America it would not flourish above 34°. There are three products of this tree that require notice, its gum, leaves, and fruit. Olive Gum.—This is, properly speaking, a resinoid substance, exuding naturally from the bark, consisting of a peculiar matter, called Olzvine, resin and benzoic acid; it was formerly used in medicine, but is now considered as of no particular virtue. Leaves.—T hese contain tannin and gallic acids, and have been employed with some success as astringents and tonics, but are seldom prescribed in re- gular practice, but form a domestic remedy in much repute in some parts of Europe. fruit.—This is employed for two purposes, the first and most important for the expression of the oil contained in them, and secondly as an article of food ; in the latter case they are prepared by pickling, and are used in an unripe state, being steeped in a weak solution of soda or lime, to deprive them of their bitterness, then washing them repeatedly in water, and finally preserving them in a strong solution of common salt, aromatized with bay leaves. Large quantities are imported into this country from Italy and France; these are made from the small variety (Jongéfolia) ; those from Spain being prepared when the fruit is almost mature are oily and strong, and are not as much esteemed ; they are from the large variety (latifolia). Olive Orl.—The time for gathering olives for the purpose of extracting their oil, is just before they are fully ripe. If this be delayed until they are mature, the tree will bear only in alternate years. The quality also de- pends on the time of gathering; they should be carefully picked by hand, and the harvest completed, if possible, in one day. In France and Italy the oil is drawn from the fruit by presses and mills. The fruit is gathered just as it attains maturity, or when it begins to redden, and immediately carried to the mill, and care taken that the milJ-stones are set at such a distance from each other as not to crush the nut of the fruit. The pulp is put in bags and moderately pressed ; the product obtained is of the first quality, and called Virgin oil. The marc remaining is broken in pieces, moistened with water and again pressed ; the oil from this second operation is of an inferior quality, but still fit for table use. The marc is again broken up, well soaked in water, 444 MEDICAL BOTANY. or sornewhat fermented, and then re-pressed, by which is obtained a coarse oil, fit only for soap-making or for burning. At Gallipoli, where a large quan- tity of oil is made, principally for manufacturing purposes, the several opera- tions are conducted in a very rude manner, and the oil obtained is of the coarsest kind, and is kept in large cisterns dug out of the rocks, until wanted for exportations ( Ulysses’ Travels). This is also generally the case in Spain, where the olives are beaten from the trees, and the ripe and unripe, sound and decayed, thrown together into a heap to ferment, then ground and press- ed; by these means a large product is obtained, but it is rank and disagree- able. According to De Candolle, one hundred pounds of olives afford about thirty- two pounds of oil, of ‘which twenty-one is from the pulp, the remainder from the seed and woody portion of the nut. When first made, it deposits a white fibrous matter, formerly employed in medicine under the name of amurca., The best table oil comes from the South of France and Tuscany. When good, it is an unctuous fluid, of a pale yellow or greenish-yellow colour, with scarcely any odour, and a bland and almost mucilaginous taste. When ex- poséd to a temperature of 32°, it congeals and separates into two portions, one solid, called Margarine by Lecanu, and Stearine by Chevreul, and the other fluid, called Elazne or Oleine. It is composed of about 72 parts of the latter and 28 of the former. Olive oil is often adulterated, especially with that from the poppy, and of late years, it is said, very largely with lard oil; several plans have been proposed to detect these adulterations, the most simple of which is the exposure to cold, as the pure oil will solidify when cooled with ice, which neither of the adulterating oils will do. If the oil be adulterated with lead, which is sometimes the case, to obviate its rancidity, it may be de- tected by shaking one part of it with three parts of water impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen, when a precipitate of the lead will ensue. Medical Properties—The medicinal qualities of olive oil are those of a nutrient, demulcent, emollient, and laxative. In catarrh and other pulmonary affections, it has been used as a demulcent in the form of an emulsion, but the oil of almonds is more generally employed in such cases. It is also oc- casionally recommended as a mild laxative, where there is much irritation of the intestinal mucous membranes; and as an antidote against certain poisons, among the rest where cantharides had been taken; but as it is an excellent solvent of the active principle of this drug, it augments the danger instead of mitigating it. Nor is it proper incases of poisoning with opium or its salts, with arsenic, copper, &c., in which it has been recommended, but is highly beneficial where poisonous doses of the alkalies have been taken, as it forms a soap with them. 7 Olive oil has enjoyed much reputation as an external remedy in the plague, and according to Mr. Jackson (Hzst. Morocco), is of the greatest benefit, not only as a preventive but as a curative means, after the accession of the dis- ease; but the trials made with it by several practitioners do not confirm his statement of its powers. It was also considered as an antidote against the bites of venomous serpents, but there are no just grounds for supposing that any reliance is to be placed upon it. It is principally employed in the composition of liniments, ointments, ce- rates, and plasters, and is alSo frequently prescribed as a constituent of laxa- tive enemata, where there is irritation of the lower bowels or adjoining parts. Its use as an article of food, or in the arts, is too well known to require com- ment, except to state that it is always improper for persons suffering from dyspepsia. ‘The dose, when it is intended as a laxative, is from a drachm to an ounce or more, OLEACE£., 445 Fraxinus.— Linn. Flowers polygamous or diccious. Calyx 4-cleft or wanting. Petals either 4, cohering at base, oblong or linear, or wanting. Stamina 2. Stigma bifid. Fruit qbicular, com- pressed, winged above, 1-seeded by abortion, not dehiscing,. A large genus, including both Frazinus and Ornus of most aubnrs. but which are considered by the best authorities as merely forming sections. The species are trees and shrubs confined to the northern hemisphere. ‘They have terete and sometimes tetragonal branches, and opposite, petiolate, pinnate leaves, with 2—7 pairs of leaflets, which are either petiolate or sessile, gene- rally dentate, rarely entire. ‘The flowers are racemose or paniculate. F. ornus, Linn.—Leaves opposite, large ; leaflets 3—4 pairs, ovate-oblong, acuminate, irregularly dentate. Panicles large and many-flowered. Flowers small and polygamous. furnished with a corolla, Fruit wedge-shaped, smooth and winged. Linn., Sp. P2. 1510; Woodville, i. 104, t. 86; Ornus europea, slid tates son and ‘Churchill, 1. 53; Lindley, flor. Med. BAT. Common Names. Flowering Ash ; Manna Tree. Foreign Names.—Fréne a fleurs, Fr. ; Avornello, Orniello, Zz. Description—A small tree, much branched, and covered with a smooth gray bark. The leaves are oblong, on channelled footstalks, and are pinnate and opposite ; the leaflets are in three or four pairs, with a terminal one, opposite, acuminate, unequally serrate, smooth, and of a bright green colour. The flowers are produced in loose panicles at the extremities of the branches, on supra-decompound peduncles. The segments of the calyx are ovate ; and the corolla consists of four, linear, pointed petals; the stamens are two, supporting long, yellow, incumbent anthers, ‘The ovary is oval, with a very short style, and a notched stigma. ‘The fruit is a pendulous, compressed samara, containing a single lanceolate, cylindrical, brown seed. This tree is found in the South of Europe, especially in Calabria and Sicily. It is probable that it is the Me/za of Theophrastus, and is the true Frazinus of the Roman writers. It is from this tree that a portion of the Manna of commerce is obtained, but the largest portion is said to be the product of the rotundifolza, and to be also procured from the F excelsior, and F. parvifolia. Cirillo (Philos. Trans. |xiii, 234) gives the following account of the mode of collecting it in Calabria. ‘In order to obtain the manna, those who have the management, in the months of July and August, when the weather is dry and warm, make an oblong incision, and take a piece off from the bark of the tree, about three inches in length and two in breadth; they leave the wound open, and by degrees the manna runs out, and is almost suddenly thickened to its proper consistence, and is found adhering to the bark. This manna, which is collected into baskets, and goes under the name of manna grassa, (manna tn sorts,) is put in a dry place, because moisture and a damp atmo- sphere will soon dissolve it again. This kind is often in large, irregular pieces of a brownish colour, and frequently full of dust and other impurities. But when the people want to have a fine manna, they apply to the incision in the bark, thin straw or bits of shrubs, so that the manna, in coming out, runs upon these bodies, and is collected in a sort of regular tubes, and is called manna in cannoli (flake manna). When the summer is rainy the manna is always scarce and bad.” Houel (Koy. Pittor. de Sicile), gives much the same account of the mode of obtaining it in Sicily. No manna is produced in countries to the north of Calabria, though the tree will bear the climate of England. Some writers suppose the manna a natural product, but others insist that it never takes place except the tree be wounded by an incision, or punctured by insects, 446 MEDICAL BOTANY. Several kinds of manna are described, but the only varieties that come to this country, are the flake, and manna in sorts, the first of which is the purest, though by no means the most purgative ; it is in irregular, unequal pieces, rough, light, and porous, of a yellowish-white colour, with a crystal- line or granular fracture, of a slight peculiar odour, and sweet taste. The common or manna in sorts is in masses composed of whitish or yellowish fragments, united together by a soft, tenacious, brownish matter ; this variety has a nauseous taste, which is the greater, according to the preponderance of the brown substance; where this latter forms the greatest portion, it has re- ceived the name of fat manna. Manna has been often analyzed ; it consists of a peculiar sugar called Manndte, which is incapable of undergoing vinous fermentation, Sugar, Purgative colouring matter, Gum, &c. The trees above noticed are not the only vegetables that furnish manna, or a product analogous to it. ‘Thus, according to Burckhardt and other travel- lers in Arabia, the Bedouins make use of an exudation from the Tamarisk tree, resembling this substance; and that used in India is derived from a thorny shrub, found in abundance in the Arabian and Persian deserts: it is the Ad- hagt maurorum ; a third kind is obtained from a species of Eucalyptus, growing in Australia; it is also furnished by the Larza europea, the Salix chilensis, &c.; but none of these are equal to that from the Frazinus. Man- nite also exists in many vegetables, as in the celery, asparagus, melon, &c, ; Ainslie (Mat. Ind. i.), after speaking of the various kinds of manna, observes, ** whether any of these mannas may be the product of the insect called Kermes mannifera, | know not, but the inquiry might be interesting. Major Macdonald Kinneir mentions, in his Geographical Memoir on Persia, a sort of manna which the Persians call guz, and which may be procured in great quantities in Louristan; he adds, that it is obtained from a shrub, in appearance like a fennel, about four feet high, and is supposed to be produced by small red insects. These are seen in great quantities on the leaves.” Medical Propertzes.—In small doses, manna is nutritive, and in large ones laxative, and appears to increase in power with age; at least when first ga- thered, it is said to be eaten in some quantity, without affecting the bowels, _The purest manna is not as purgative as the more inferior, for although man- _ nite is laxative, the principal purgative principle resides in the brown viscous matter. It is now seldom administered to adults, except in combination with other substances, to disguise their taste, and also from the fact that when given in any quantity, it is apt to cause flatulence and griping. It is, however, much employed, especially in domestic practice, as a laxative for children, It is given either in substance, or dissolved in warm milk or water. ‘The dose for an adult is from an ounce to two ounces, and for children, a drachm to two or three. The bark of most of the species is bitter and astringent, and before the in- troduction of Peruyian bark, was much employed in the treatment of inter- mittent fevers; that most generally used was obtained from the /. excelsior, and the evidence in favour of its curative powers is very great, It was also recommended by Bergius as a febrifuge. The leaves are purgative, and are spoken of by Coste and Willemet as nearly equal to Senna (Mat. Med. In- digen. 36). The seeds, which are acrid and bitter, are said to be hydragogue and diuretic, We APOCYNACES. AAT . . - Grdéup xxXxX.— entianales, Orver 71 ee NACEA.—Lindley. Calyx free, persistent, 5-parted. Corolla monopetalous, hypogynous, regular, 5-lobed, often with scales at the mouth, deciduous; estivation contorted. Stamens five, inserted on the corolla, with the segments of which they are alternate. Filaments distinct. An- thers cohering firmly to the stigma, 2-celled, with a longitudinal dehiscence. Pollen granular. Ovaries 2 or 1—2-celled, polyspermous. Styles 2 or 1. Stigma single, con- tracted in the middle. Fruit a follicle, capsule, or drupe, double or single. Seeds with fleshy or ¢artilaginous albumen. Testa simple. Embryo foliaceous. , A very large order, composed of trees, shrubs, or herbs, abounding in a milky juice, and having opposite, sometimes verticillate, entire leaves, often with glands on or between the petioles, but no proper stipules. The species are principally tropical, most common in Asia; a few only are found in. northern countries. ‘They are generally fine and showy plants. The whole order is suspicious, for although a few yield edible fruits, and some a nutritive and innoxious milk, the greater proportion are acrid and poisonous. Among the latter class, Tanghe- nia venenifera stands prominent ; the kernel —— of the fruit, although not larger than an almond, being sufficient to destroy twenty men. It is a‘native of Madagascar. It was formerly used as an ordeal to ascertain the guilt of suspected persons, but the custom is now discontinued. (Hooker, Bot. Mag. t. 2968.) It has been analyzed by O. Henry, who found its active principle to bean alkaloid, which he calls tanghinin (Jour. de Pharm. x. 49). Dr. Ollivier made numerous experi- ments with the seeds, and ascertained that the tanghinin was narcotic, and that another white, crystalline substance, contained in them, was acrid and stimulating. It acts on the cerebro-spinal system. ‘The different species of Thevetia are also very active. 7. nerwfolia, a native of the West Indies, has very poisonous seeds ; these have been examined by Dr. Madianna, and found to be violently acro-narcotic, even in small doses. (Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist.i. 86.) Descour- tilz states that the bark is eminently febrifuge, two grains being equivalent to a full dose of Cinchona. (Flor. Med. Antill. iii. 40.) The seeds of C. ahouar have much the same properties, and its bark is narcotic and purgative. A poison in use among the ancient Mexicans, was probably derived from the T. icotlt. Many of the Cerbera are very analogous in their action to the above ; the C. manghas, a native of India, has emetic and poisonous seeds ; in small doses even, they cause delirium (Horsefield, Aszatec Jour. 1819); the leaves and bark are considered as purgative, and the pounded fruit is ap- plied externally in diseases of the skin (Azns/ic, ii. 260) ; the other species partake of the same qualities. The Aldlamanda cathartica, found in Surinam, is a violent emeto-purgative, _ and was prescribed with success in colica pictonum, in small doses. An infu- sion of the leaves also acts as a cathartic. (Aznsiie, ii. 9.) Cowma guianensis, a native of Guiana, affords an odoriferous resin, and the fruits are edible. The yy) Ss — = T. venenifera. 448 MEDICAL BOTANY. wood of Hancornia and several others of the genera is as bitter as quassia. The root of Rawwolfia nitida is emeto-purgative, and the juice of R. canescens, mixed with castor oil, is employed as an external application in diseases of the skin, (Flor. Med. Antill. iii, 151.) The milky juice of Hasseltva arborea is used in Java as a violent purgative to destroy tape-worms, but is apt to cause in- flammation of the bowels, The milk of Plwmzera alba and others is used as a purgative, usually mixed with a vegetable acid, to mitigate its too powerful action ; ; that of P. drastica, mixed with the mak of Ape a is given in Brazil in.jaundice and chronic obstructions ; and that of P. phagedenica is in repute in the same country as a vermifuge. (Bull, Sct, Nat. xxxiv. 64.) The exudation from Cameraria latifolia is so virulent, that it is used by the South American Indians to poison their arrows. (flor, Med. Anizll. ili. 187.) Numerous others of these plants are endowed with similar qualities, In some species the poisonous properties are much diminished or disap- pear, and they become valuable as febrifuges and aromatics; this is the case with the Ophioxylon serpentinum of India, which is used by the Tellingogs as a febrifuge, and for the bites of venomous animals, and to ‘promote deli: very in tedious cases (Roxburgh, Flor. Ind., ii. 530); it is also spoken jof with praise by Rumphius, Burman, and others. The bark of Alyzxia stellata: resembles Canella alba, and may be used for the same purposes; it was experimented with by Blume at Batavia, and found beneficial as a stimulating’: tonic (Nees, Archiv. apot. )5 it is given in doses of half an ounce. The Conesst or Malabar bark is the product of the Wrightia antidy ysenterica ; this is a valuable febrifuge and astringent; it is much used in India in dys- entery (Aznslie, i. 462). Alibert (Nouv. Elem. Therap., i. 108) notices it, and states that the best mode of administration is in the form of an electuary Virey (fost, Mat, Med. 188) observes that it is eminently antidysenteric and febrifuge; it is usually given in decoction. The milk of some of these plants, instead of being poisonous, is inert and potable; this is the case with that of the Tabernemoniana utilis, one of the cow-trees of South America, and is thick, sweet, and nutritious. Some of them produce caoutchouc, as the Callophora utilis and Cameraria latifolia, in South America; Urceola elastica,in India; and Vahea gummefera, in Madagascar. As before mentioned, the fruits of some species are edible ; besides those already noticed, these are, Carissa carandas, which furnishes a substitute for currants; Hancornia, the fruits of which are sweet, sub-acid, and vinous; to which may be added those of Carpodinus, Melodinus, &c. In Ceylon, where the natives suppose the Garden of Eden was situated, they point out the forbidden fruit, which is borne by a species of this order, Tabernemontana dichotoma, in proof of which, the fragrance of the flowers, the beauty of the fruit, and it still bearing the marks of teeth; and although now poisonous, it only became so when Eve was tempted. (Bot. Reg. t. 53.) Apocynum.—Linn. Calyx 5-parted, lobes acute. Corolla campanulate, 5-cleft, lobes revolute, furnished at base with 5 glandular appendages, alternating with the stamina, Stamens inserted at the base of the corolla; filaments ligulate; anthers longer than the filaments, sagittate, somewhat connivent. Ovaries 2; style obsolete, stigma thick, acute and bilobate at the apex. Follicles long and linear. Seed comose, All the species are herbaceous or suffruticose, and erect, with opposite mem- branaceous, entire leaves; the flowers are in terminal or axillary cymes, They are mostly natives of the northern hemisphere, and especially of North -* A POCYNACES. —_—" America; they abound in a lactescent fluid, which, when dried, has the pro- perties of caoutehouc. © | _ 1. A. anprosamirouium, Linn.—Leaves -ovate-acute, above glabrous, beneath ve slightly pilose; cymes lateral and terminal, smooth; tube of the ¢orolla longer than the. calyx.. - f ‘ @ ; &é Linn., Sp. Pl. 311; Bigelow, Med. Bot., ii. 148; Rafinesque, Med. Fi., “ 1, 49; Zollickoffer, Am. Jour. Med. Scz., xii. 378. | Common Names.—Dog’s-bane; Bitter-root ; Milk-weed. Description.—Root peren- . nial, Jarge and bitter. Stem Fig. 200. smooth, three to five feét —— . high, lactescent, with a tough fibrous bark. The leaves are ‘ opposite, petiolate, ovate; en- tire, perfectly smooth, above, and very slightly pilose be- neath. Flowers in cymose racemes, longer than the. leaves, nodding,.few-flowered, with minute bracts on the . peduncles. The calyx is small, five-cleft. -The corolla . is flesh-coloured, campanu- late, and divided into five spreading, acute segments. The stamens are five, with short filaments, and _ long, sagittate, connivent anthers; there are five glandular ap- pendages, alternating, with the. stamens. The ovaries are two, ovate, and suppor- ting two sessile stigmas. The fruit is in the form of apair of slender, acute, drooping follicles, containing numerous oblong, imbricated — seeds, attached to a central ; ae torus, and furnished with a # androse mnierenm, long, downy, pappus. | e | It is found in some plenty in most parts of the United States, growing in dry, sandy soil, on hill-sides or in woods; flowering in June and July. The part that is officinal is the root, which is large, lactescent, and of a disagree- ably bitter taste; the active portion is the.cortical, which’ forms nearly two-thirds of it: It has never been fully examined, but from some experi- ments by Dr. Bigelow, it appears to contain a Bitter extractive principle, a Colouring matter, soluble in water but not in alcohol, Caoutchouc, and Vola- tile oil. It yields its properties to water and alcohol. Dr. Zollickoffer ob- tained 178 grains of alcoholic and 28 grainsof watery extract from 3240 grains of the cortical part of the root, and -inversely 160 of watery and 104 of alcoholic. (Am. Jour, Med. Sct.) : | Medical Properties:—This root is emetic and diaphoretic. In full doses, it promptly induces emesis, causing scarcely any previous nausea, and hence is well calculated for those cases where it is wished to evacuate the contents of the stomach, without producing that relaxation of the muscular system, incident to a’ long-continued nausea. As a diaphoretic, it is much inferior to . several others of the vegetable emetics, as it requires large doses in combina- : 99 . 450 MEDICAL BOTANY. tion with opium to produce this effect. Like Ipecacuanha, when given in small doses, it gently stimulates the digestive apparatus, and thus effects a corresponding impression on the general system. | Dose as an emetic, forty grains; as a diaphoretic, the same quantity with one grain of opium; as a tonic or alterant, from ten to twenty grains: 2, A. cAnnasinum, Linn.—Stem upright, herbaceous: Leaves oblong, tomentose be- neath; cymes lateral, longer than the leaves. ve Linn., Sp. Fl. 311; Torrey, Compend., 124; Griscom, Am. Jour. Med. Sci., x. '55. Common Names.—Indian Hemp; Dog’s-bane, &c. — : . Description.—Root perennial, creeping. Fig, 201. Stems brown, from two to three feet high, with oblong, ovate, somewhat pubescent y ve Ye leaves. The cymes are many-flowered, , YS 2 paniculate, smooth. Calyx with subulate segments, about as long as the corolla. Corolla small, campanulate, of a greenish or yellowish-white externally, with a tinge of pinkish within. Follicles long and slender. This. species is found in most parts of the United States, grow- ing in waste lands and neglected situations. .It flowers from July to September, ‘There are two marked varieties, which some botanists have considered to be distinct species, one with almost smooth leaves, the other with the under surface of these organs and the cymes pubescent. The officinal portion is the root. This is of a reddish-brown colour when young, and of a dark-chest- nut when old; on being wounded, itpours out a milky juice. In the fresh state, it has a nauseous, somewhat acrid, and permanently bitter taste, and a strong and unpleasant odour. When dried, it is brittle and readily pulverized, affording a powder re- sembling that of Ipecacuanha. The ligneous portion is yellowish- white, with some odour and a decided bitter taste. The cortical part is: brown externally, and white within, of a very bitter, nauseous taste. According to Drs. Knapp and Griscom, who each analyzed it, it contains Tannin, Gallic acid, Gum, Resin, Wax, Fecula, Colouring matter, a Bitter principle, for which they both propose the name of Apocynin, &c. Medical Properties.—Indian hemp is an emeto-cathartic, diuretic and dia- phoretic. Its first operation, in a full dose, is to cause much nausea, dimi- nishing the frequency of the pulse, and occasioning a tendency to sleep, independent of the exhaustion usually consequent on vomiting; this latter soon ensues, and is copious, followed by large and feculent watery alvine evacuations, A general perspiration almost invariably succeeds, Its diure- A. cannabinum. " “muddy water. It is probably the Rhododendron APOCYNACES, 451 © tic properties are not so geneity displayed, being very manifest in some cases, but not so marked in others. It also acts as a sternutatory, exciting much irritation of the nasal membrane. The fresh juice has likewise been employed as an external application in some cutaneous affections. The disease in which it has been found most useful is dropsy; in this, from the concurrent testimony of several eminent practitioners, its remedial powers are decided, sometimes operating as a hydragogue purgative, and at others causing the most profuse discharges of urine, and thus relieving the tissues from their morbid burden. Dr. Knapp gives the details of some cases of intermittent fever and pneumonic affections, in which he derived much benefit from this seats employed as a diaphoretic, (Am. Med. Rev. g§ Jour.) When given as an emetic, the powder is to be preferred, in doses of fifteen to thirty grains; where its hydragogue or diuretic effects are desired, the best form is in decoction, made by boiling an ounce of the root in a pint of water; the dose is about a wineglassful, two or three times a day. The wa- tery extract will act on the bowels in doses of from three to five grains, but is not as efficient as the decoction. (Amer. Jour. Med. Sct. 1836.) Besides the value of this plant as a therapeutic agent, it is entitled to * notice for its use in the arts. The -bark furnishes a fibre resembling hemp, but of a whiter colour, and superior in strength and durability ; and a decoe- tion of the plant affords a permanent brown or black dye, according to the mordant used. | Nerium.—Linn. Calyx 5-cleft. Lobes lanceolate, base within multiglandular. Corolla 5-cleft, throat of tube crowned with 5 appendages, Lobes obovate ; estivation sinistro-convolute.. Stamens inserted onthe middle of the tube. Filaments ligulate. Anthers longer than the fila- ments, bicaudate at base, and adhering to the stigma. Ovaries 2; style filiform, dilated at tip with a membranous indusium; stigma short, with 5 glands at base. Follicles long, straight. Seeds numerous, oblong, pubescent, with a large coma; albumen co- pious. he This small genus of ornamental shrubs is principally confined to Asia ; but one species is found in the south of Europe, and is generally cultivated under the name of Oleander. ‘ N. oreanver, Linn.—Leaves opposite or ternate, lanceolate, acute ; appendages of co- rolla 3—4-toothed. Linn., Sp. Pl. 305 ; Lamarck, Lust, t. 174; De Candolle, Prod. viii. 420. Common Name. LaQiedn der. foreign Names.—Laurier Rose, Fr. ; Alloro Indiano, J. The Oleander is originally a native of Asia, but is now naturalized in the south of Europe, where it grows in fissures of rocks by the sides of streams. It differs from the other plants of the order in having a transparent, and not a milky juice, which is stated by Gray (Supp. Pharm. 65) to clear Fig. 202. of Pliny, who says that although its leaves are a poison to all quadrupeds, that they are a counter- poison to the-venom of serpents (lib. xxiv. c. Xi.) This plant is an active poison, and is used at Nice to destroy rats. The leaves have been analyzed (Bull. de Pharm.), but the results are far from satisfactory. 7 Medical Uses, §-c.—An ointment made by boil- | ing the leaves in oil or lard, is in, much repute in. WGinbadex. the south of France in cutaneous eruptions, and to 452 ; MEDICAL BOTANY. destroy vermin infesting the hair or Min. Merat and De Lens state that they have used a solution of an extract from the leaves in the treatment of ‘itch - with much success (Dect. iv. 599). .Dr. Deslongchamps has administered the bark internally in small doses in lepra and syphilitic eruptions with bene- fit, but states that its use demands great caution, as an overdose will cause the most unpleasant symptoms (Dict. See. Med. xxvii. 338). Dr. Tarbes of Montpelier records two cases in which the. leaves were given in intermittent fever, and caused the death of the patients. -The powder of the leaves has also been used as a sternutatory; it acts slowly but violently (Ferrein, Mat. Med. i. 242). According to Orfila ( Toxicol, ii, 301), this plant is an active acro-narcotic, and the experiments of Dr. Grognier show that the wild plant is much more potent than the cultivated. Even the wood is highly deleterious. In 1809, when the French troops were near Madrid, some of the soldiers used branches of the Oleander, deprived of their bark, as spits on which to roast their meat ; this caused the death of twelve of them (Lindley, 600). M. Robert, director of the botanic, garden at Toulon, mentions a similar circumstance that took place in Corsica. The WV. odorum, of India, has much the same qualities. Ainslie (Maz. Ind, ii. 23), says it is considered as a powerful repellent applied externally,” and that the root taken internally is poisonous, and is resorted to by the Hindoo women for the purpose of self-destruction. ‘The flowers, which are - odorous, are said to have caused dangerous symptoms in persons who slept _ with them in their chambers (Richard, Elem. Hist. Mat. ii. 148). 4 ORDER 72.—ASCLEPIADACEE.— Lindley. Calyx 5-cleft, persistent. Corolla monopetalous, hypogynous, 5-lobed, regular; estiva- tion usually imbricated, seldom valvular. Stamens 5, inserted on the base of the corolla, alternate with the segments. Filaments commonly connate. Anthers 2-celled, some- - times almost 4-celled, from the dissepiments being nearly complete. Pollen cohering in masses, or in pairs, and adhering to the five lobes of the stigma. Ovaries 2. Styles 2, often short, closely approximating. Stigma common to both styles, 5-angled, with corpus- — culiferous corners. Follicles 2, one often abortive. Placenta attached to the sutures, but afterwards separating. Seeds numerous, imbricated, pendulous, almost always with a coma. Embryo straight. Albumen thin. This extensive order is composed of shrubs and herbs, in most cases abounding in a milky juice, sometimes twining, with entire, opposite, some- times alternate or verticillate leaves, having cilize between the petioles instead of stipules. The greatest number of them are natives of South Africa, but they also abound in all tropical climates, A few of the genera only are found in extra-tropical regions. The plants, but more especially their roots, are acrid and stimulating, and ~ operate as emetics, purgatives, and diaphoretics. Periploca gra@ca, a native of Europe, and cultivated in the United States, furnishes a very acrid juice, which is used in Greece as a wolf-poison, and the leaves to dress ulcers. Va- rious species of Secamone are used ; thus S, emetica has vomitive roots, and those of S. thunbergu are said to be actively purgative. In Z¥ylophora asth- matica the root. is emetic, and is used in India as a substitute for ipecacuanha ; Roxburgh speaks of it highly ; and Dr. Anderson, of Madras, states that it was employed very beneficially in dysentery ; in large doses it is emetic, and in small ones frequently repeated, it purges ; Burnett also says that it is effi- cacious as a diaphoretic in humoral asthma (Lindley, 626). Several native species of Gonolobus afford a very acrid juice, which it is said was used by - ASCLEPIADACES. 453 the aborigines to poison their Mraws? taken internally, in small doses, it operates as a drastic purge. The Vincetoxicum officinale was at one time much used in Europe as a hydragogue, and thought beneficial in cutaneous eruptions and scrofula, The roots of Sarcostemma glauca are employed in Venezuela as a substitute for ipecacuanha, Those of Gymnema sylvestre are supposed in India to possess virtues in snake-bites; they are used both externally and internally (Azzs/ze, ii. 340). The leaves of Solenostemma argel, as before observed, are used in Egypt to mix with senna, and sometimes form a large proportion in some samples of the Alexandrian; it is stated that the leaves of Gomphocarpus fruticosus are employed for the same purpose. The young stalks of Hoyea viridiflora are said in India to possess virtues in dropsical cases, and also as an expecto- rant. In short, almost all the plants of this order have much the same pro- perties to a greater or less extent. Some of them, it is said, are so ‘mild as to be used as food; but, as a general rule, they are deleterious ; ; a few of the species yield caoutchouc; and many of them afford a very tenacious fibre, that may be employed for all the purposes of hemp ; that of Asclepias syriaca has been manufactured into ropes, and found fully equal to the best Russian. Royle states that from some species a very good indigo can be made, par- ticularly from Marsdenta tinctoria (Illus, 274). : -Hemipresmus.—R. Brown. Calyx 5-parted. Corolla rotate, with coriaceous segments, and five rounded, thick scales in the throat of the tube. Filaments connate at base, inserted in the tube, above dis- tinct. Anthers free from stigma, cohering at tip, smooth. Pollen masses 20, granular, hav- ing a quaternary arrangement. Stigma pentagonal, stellate. Follicles cylindrical, smooth. A small East Indian genus, including a few species formerly - arranged in Periploca, and consisting of twining plants, with opposite or eee | irre- gular leaves, and flowers in interpetiolary cymes. H. rnpicus, Brown.—Smooth, leayes ovate, subcordate or oblong, with the ends obtuse, or linear and cuspidate. Cymes subsessile. Peduncles bracteolate. Scales of corolla obtuse, adhering to whole length of tube. Follicles slender, erect. Common Names.—Country Sarsaparilla ; Indian Sarsaparilla. It is a native of Lower India and Ceylon, and other parts of the East Indies. It was first described by Bergius ( Zey/an., 187), as a species of Periploca, and was considered as such’ until made the type of the present genus by Brown, It has been in use as a medicinal agent in India fora long time, but was almost tinknown in Europe until the attention of the pro- fession was called to it in 1819, by Dr. Asien (Lond. Med. and Phys. Jour.) ‘The root is the part used ; this is brownish externally, and is long, tortuous, round, rugose, and furrowed longitudinally. The cortical portion has a cork-like consistence, and the ligneous portion is yellowish. The odour is-peculiar and somewhat aromatic, resembling that of orris root, and the taste bitterish. It has been analyzed by Mr. Garden (Lond. Med. Gaz. 73 who found in it a peculiar Volatile, crystallizable substance, on which the properties of the root depended ; he, from supposing the root to be that of a Smilax, called it Smalasperic acid. | Medical Properties.—The properties of the Hemidesmus are much the same as those of sarsaparilla, for which it has been employed as a substitute. Ainslie (Mat. Ind. i. 382) states that it is “ recommended - -by the Tamool doctors in cases of gravel, given in powder, mixed with cow’s milk; they also give it in decoction, in conjunction with cummin seeds, to purify the blood and correct the acrimony of the bile.” Dr. Ashburner, who employed it in many cases, speaks in the highest terms of it as an alterative; he says it in- * % i 454 MEDICAL BOTANY. i . . . be i % v creases the appetite, acts as a diuretic, and improves the general health. It. has also been administered with advantage in venereal complaints, and in fact in all those disordered conditions of the system in which sarsaparilla has been found beneficial. It is given in infusion, decoction, or extract, both of which forms are objectionable, as the volatile active principle is partly driven off. ‘The syrup has been found advantageous, the best method of making which has been given by Mr. Bell, in the Lond. Pharm. Journ. (Am. Journ. Pharm., ix. 298.) apie , ASCLEPIAS.— Lin7. Calyx 5-parted. Segments small, ovate, spreading. Corolla deeply 5-cleft, mostly re- flected, Stamineal crown 5-leaved, leaflets cucullate, opposite the anthers, with a subu- late everted process at base. Pollen masses compressed, attached by a narrow apex, and pendulous. Stigma depressed, mutic. Follicles ventricose, acuminate, smooth or muri- cate. Seeds comose. Sh isicig A genus of about fifty species, principally of North American herbaceous perennials, with opposite, verticillate, rarely alternate leayes....All the species, afford a silky flax, and most generally abound in a lactescent juice. A. tuperosa, Linn,—Stem erect, hairy, with spreading branches. “Leaves oblong, lan- ceolate, sessile. Umbels numerous, terminal. ' Linn., Sp. F2., 316; Bigelow, Am. Med. Bot., ii. 59; Barton, Veg. ‘Mat. Med., i. 239; Rafinesque, Med. Fi.,i.74; Lindley, Med. Flor. 529. Common Names.—Butterfly Weed ; Pleurisy Root ; Wind Root, &c. Description—Root peren- nial, large, fleshy, white. Stems many, either erect, or more or less procumbent, round, hairy, green or red. Leaves scattered, sessile, en- tire or undulated, oblong or We (i) ey Wad i@2..__ lanceolate, sometimes nearly Ve Sex bak linear, very hairy, dark-green SOS CET KA, above, paler beneath. The Xe we Vesa flowers are in terminal, rarely yi TAS lateral, corymbose umbels, with dn involucre of nume- rous, linear, subulate bracts. The calyx is small, 5-parted, reflexed. The corolla is of a bright orange colour, 5- parted, reflexed, The sta- mineal crown has five erect, cucullate segments or leaves, with an incurved appendage or horn at the base of each. The follicles are two, often one or both abortive, long, narrow; and acuminated, The seeds are furnished with a long silky appendage. _ This species is found in most parts of the United States, but is most abundant to the South, growing in open situa- A, tuberosa. tions, in gravelly and sandy soils. It flowers ee ee ne, —— es ae : ASCLEPIADACE XS. 455 in July and August, and may readily be distinguished by its bright orange flowers, which, contrasting with its dark-green leaves, give it a very orna- mental appearance. ‘The root is the officinal part; this when fresh has an unpleasant, subacrid taste. When dried it is brittle and readily pulverised, and is bitter but not‘nauseous, It yields its properties to boiling water, No analysis has been made of it, but it is known to contain a bitter extractive, fecula, &c. Medical Properties.—This root is diaphoretic and expectorant, and also acts as a mild tonic. ,It is valuable, as it does not appear to exercise any stimulating powers. Schoepf was'the first to notice its medical properties. He says that it is diaphoretic, and somewhat astringent, and adds in another place, that it was found a certain remedy in pleurisy. Dr. B.S. Barton was the next writer that noticed it, he states (Collecttons): “It is said to possess a remarkable powér of affecting the skin, inducing general and plentiful per- spiration, without greatly increasing the heat of the body,” and also, that ‘it is much employed by practitioners of medicine in some parts of the United States, particularly, I believe, in Virginia, as.a remedy in certain forms of fever, in pleurisy, and other affections.” He esteemed it as one of the most important.of our indigenous medicines. | It has since been-a popular remedy fn a variety of diseases, and has been employed with much benefit in those of the respiratory organs, and there is most ample testimony of its curative powers when judiciously administered. Dr. Chapman (Elem. Therap. i. 351), states that it is distinguished by great certainty and permanency of operation, and is well suited to excite perspiration in the forming stages of most of the inflammatory diseases of winter; and is not less useful in the same cases at a more advanced period, after the re- duction of action by antiphlogistic-remedies. It has also been advantageously employed in acute rheumatism, and in the low state of typhus fever, when other diaphoretics were insufficient or contra- indicated. Some evidence has likewise been adduced of its power in bowel affections. Dr. Eberle found it useful in dysentery (Prac. Med. i. 216), and Dr. Parker of Massachusetts, who employed it for twenty-five years, had the greatest confidence in its powers. (Bigelow, Am. Med. Bot. ii. 26.) It is also said to be gently tonic, and has been popularly used in indigestion. accompanied with flatulence and pain, whence -one of its common names, wind root. From all that can be gathered on the subject, it may be deemed one of the most useful of our native articles, and deserves a full and un- biassed trial. By It is administered either in powder, in doses of twenty grains to a drachm several times a day, or preferably in infusion or decoction, made with an ounce to a quart of water, of which a teacupful is to be taken every two or three hours, until the desired effect is produced.’ Two other native species, A. Syriaca, (Cornutt, D. C.,) and A. incar- nata, are also recognised in the Pharmacopeia; they are said to possess *analogous properties with the A. twberosa, and to have been successfully used -in asthmatic, catarrhal, and rheumatic affections. Dr. Richardson of Med- way employed the first in these complaints, to the amount of a drachm a day, but in divided doses, with the best results. In all instances, it acted as an anodyne, relieving pain and inducing sleep (Coxe, Am. Dispen.) Dr. Tully, whose experience with our native remedies has been greater than that of any other practitioner, states that the A. imcarnata may be advantageously given in catarrh, asthma, syphilis, &c. (Bigelow, Med. Bot.) Some other species have also been resorted to, as emetics, sudorifics, and antispasmodics ; in fact, the whole genus appears to be endowed with much the same properties. 456 MEDICAL BOTANY. * Ca.LoTropis.— brown. Calyx 5-parted. Corolla subcampanulate, tube angular, limb deeply 5-cleft. Stamineal crown 5-leaved, lobes linear-oblong, sub-compressed, keel-like, vertically adnate to the gynecium ; below free, recurved, and involute. Pollen masses sickle-shaped, compressed, transverse, connected by their slender apex. Stigma five-angled, depressed. Folelos ventricose, smooth, base and apex umbilicate. Seeds comose. A small genus, formed from some species of Asclepias, consisting of shrubby African, and Asiatic plants, with a corky bark, broad leaves, gland- ular petioles, and large, handsome flowers. C. aicantEea, Brown.—Leaves opposite, nearly sessile, acute, entire, somewhat cordate’ at base. Segments of corolla aprepsine. or reflexed, ~~ Brown, Tr. Wern. Soc. i. 29; Hamilton, Tr. Linn. Soc. xiv. 248; Ains- lie, Mat. Ind. i. 486. _ Common Names.—Mudar; Madar, &c. , The Mudar, as this plant is called, is a native of various parts of the East Indies, and is naturalized in the West ‘ndies ; it is noticed by Browne as com- mon in Jamaica, where it is known as the French Jasmin. *Thave also met with it in abundance in St. Croix.. The part used in medicine is the root ; this is fusiform, branched, of a pale fawn-colour externally, covered witha brown- - ish powder, which adhetes to the fingers, and wrinkled longitudinally ; “within it is whitish ; it has liftle"6r no ota but a bitter, and somewhat nauseous taste. It is prepared by digging up the roots in the spring, washing them, and drying them in the open air until the milky juice is inspissated ; the epidermis is then scraped off, and the cortical portion kept for use in well-closed bottles. The powder is pale xfawn-colour. It has been analyzed by Cassanova, and found to contain an Extractive substance (Jadarine), soluble both in alcohol and water, an almost insoluble Resin, Gum, Starch, Albumen, and a little Fixed oil, &c. Medical Properties.—It is purgative, alterative, and dinphgretia. and is spoken of by a number of eminent practitioners as eminently successful in the obstinate cutaneous affections so common in tropical climates. Robinson praises it highly in elephantiasis and lepra (Med, Chir. Trans. x. 31); and Playfair states, that he has found it of the greatest utility in lepra, hectic fever, rheumatism, &c. (Trans. Med. and Phys. Soc, Calcutta, i.77). He gave it in doses of grs, iij.—xij., three times a day. Cassanova, who experimented largely with it, confirms these statements ; he says that its action is more particularly directed to the skin, increasing the action of the capillaries and absorbents of that tissue (Zssaz sur le Madar), When combined with opium it acts as a diaphoretic, and in small doses is expectorant and tonic, whilst in large ones it causes emesis. Dr. Duncan, who made many trials of it, states that he is satisfied that in every respect its action is so similar to that of ipecacuanha that it may always be substituted for it. He was not successful with it in elephantiasis, but found it beneficial in psoriasis and lepra oe Med, and Surg. Jour, xxxii, 62). Dr. A. T. Thomson is of; opinion that in some of its alterative effects it resembles mercury, and that itis most useful in low conditions of the system, | and also, that during its administration, the diet should be mild and vegetable (Elem. Mat. Med. ii, 492). Ainslie, from his own observations in India, pre- fers the dried, milky juice to the root, and.if the principle described by Dun- can and Cassanova be the‘active ingredient, this opinion is probably correct, The dose of the powder is from three grains to thirty, in which latter quantity —_. . - GENTIANACE A 457 it is emetic, in the smaller, alterative and expectorant.. It is also given in in- fusion, made with three drachms of the root to eight ounces of boiling water ; this is emetic in doses of two ounces, Although it is generally conceded that the Madar is furnished by the species under consideration, it is also certain that the roots of a number of the As- clepiadacece are known under this name in [ndia, and all possess analogous properties ; these are very similar to those of our native Apocynums, hereto- fore noticed. ; : 7 7 Cynancnum.—Linn. Calyx 5-parted, segments ovate. Corolla rotate, deeply 5-cleft, segments linear-oblong, or ovate, obtuse. Stamineal crown monophyllous, 10-lobed; anthers membranous at apex; pollen in round masses, pendulous. Stigma pentagonal, with twin tubercles. Fol- licles oblong, smooth, usually one by abortion. Seeds with a coma. This genus, as now restricted, contains but few species, which are mostly sarmentose or climbing plants, with cordate leaves. The flowers are in small, axillary umbels, They are found in various parts of the world, and all con- tain an active, milky juice. it. ea C. acutum, Linn.—Stem twining; leaves oblong-ovate, cordate, smooth; peduncles shorter than the leaves; follicles oblong, acuminate, smooth. Linn., Sp. P/, 310; Richard, Elem. Hist. Mat. Med. ii. 188; De Candolle, Prod. viii. 547; Jacquin, Miss. i. f. 4. mi It is a native of the countries bordering on the Mediterranean, where its juice, in an inspissated state, is used as a drastic purgative, under the name of Montpelier scammony. This is black, hard, compact, and when moistened, becomes dark-gray, unctuous and viscid. It has a faint but disagreeable smell, and a nauseous taste. It acts violently on the bowels, and causes much pain. It is now seldom employed in practice, but is said to be used to adulterate the Aleppo scammony. | | Some other species of Cynanchum (Zznm.), are in use in different countries. C. (Dimia) extensum, a native of India, is employed in that country as an anthelmintic, for which purpose a decoction of the leaves is preferred; the juice is ordered in asthma. The | root of C. (Marsdenia) erectum is eminently poisonous, and is said to have been formerly in use in Syria as a means of self-destruction, or murder. The leaves of C. (Sole- nostoma) argel are very purgative, and are used largely to adulterate Alexandrian Senna; and it is pro- bable that some of the griping and unpleasant effects of this purgative are, in a great measure, owing to the presence of Argel. Besides the leaves, which may be known from those of Senna by being more coriaceous, and wrinkled and equilateral, the flowers and fruit are also found in some parcels in abundance. Fig. 204. C. argel. Orverr 73.—GENTIANACE.— Lindley, Calyx of usually 4—5 persistent, more or less, united sepals. Corolla usually regular and persistent, divisions equal in number to those of the calyx, mostly twisted in estiva- tion, Stamens inserted on the tube of corolla, alternate with the segments, and equal in 458 MEDICAL BOTANY. number to them. Ovary I-celled, styles united or none; stigmas 2, Capsule many- — seeded, with 1 or 2 cells, usually 2-valved. Seeds small, with a fleshy albumen, and a minute embryo. A somewhat extensive Srder, consisting of herbs with a watery juice, and in almost all cases, opposite and entire leaves. The flowers are generally handsome. ‘The species are found in all parts of the world, from the frigid zones to the tropics. They all are pervaded by a bitter principle, which is most developed in the roots in some genera, and in the leaves and stalk in others. From this identity of properties, except that in some, especially in a fresh state, a slight narcotic power exists, they may be employed indifferently. SABBATIA.—Adanson, Calyx 5—12-parted, rarely 5-cleft, segments acute. Corolla rotate, regular, 5—12- parted. Stamens 5—12, inserted in the throat of the tube; anthers erect, spirally twisted after shedding the pollen. Ovary superior, ovate; style distinct, declining, bifid; stigmas capitate, ascending. Capsule bivalve, septicidal, somewhat 2-celled, valyes” inflexed. Seeds numerous, small. re This small genus of North American plants consistikof biennial species ; mostly with rose-coloured flowers. of much beauty, and possessed of very bitter properties. It was established by Adanson, and named in honour of a Roman botanist, but was united to Chironia by Lioneus, to which, in fact, it is closely allied, but has again been separated under its former name by more modern botanists. All the species are bitter and tonic, but only one is officinal. _ +. S. ancuLaris, Pursh.—Stem erect, angular, and winged; leaves amplexicaul, ovate, ba acute; segments of the calyx lanceolate, shorter than the corolla; stamens five. - Linn., (Chironta,) 272; Pursh, i. 187; Bar- ton, Veg. Mat. Med. i. 255 ; Bigelow, Am. Med. Bot. iii. 147; Rafinesque, Med. Flor. ii. 76 ; D. B. Smith, Jour. Phil. Coll. Pharm. ii. 213 ; Lindley, Flor. Med. 522. Common Names.—Centaury ; American Cen- taury ; Rose Pink. Description. — Root annual? or biennial, fibrous, yellow. Stem one to two feet high, with opposite branches, forming a corymb, smooth, angular, with Flowers terminal, numerous, of a rich rose colour, nearly white in the centre. Calyx of five narrow, lanceolate, almost subulate segments, about half the length of the corolla. Corolla with five obovate seg- ments. Stamens five, erect, with short slender fila- ments, and oblong anthers of a yellow colour, which are spirally twisted after fecundation. Ovary ovate, with a terete style, bifid, and’ the stigmas twisted together. Capsule many-seeded. Very common in low meadow grounds or ne- glected fields in most parts of the United States ; flowering in August and September. The whole plant is very bitter, and is officinal, and yields §. angularis, its virtues to alcohol and water, and also affords an efficient extract. It is to be preferred to the membranous wings at the angles. Leaves opposite, sessile, subcordate and clasping, smooth, very entire. GENTIANACES. 459 European Centaury, as the flowers as well as the leaves are active. It has long been known and employed as a domestic remedy, and is also generally admitted in regular practice where a pure and simple bitter is required. Medical Properties.—A pure bitter and tonic, with no astringency and very little aroma. It is much used as a stomachic, and has been found bene- ficial in intermittents, especially if the intervals between the paroxysms are sufficient to require tonics, but not such as would warrant the employment of Quinia. It is also said to act as an emmenagogue and vermifuge when given in warm infusion, The usual mode of administration. is in cold in- fusion,.made with an ounce of the herb to a pint of boiling water, and al- lowed to cool; the dose is a wineglassful every two hours. The dose of the powder is from thirty grains to a drachm. (Chapman, Therap. ii. 425.) Eryvrurxa.—Persoon. ( " Cals 5-parted, equal, Cintclla infundibuliform, with a cylindrical tube, marceseent. Stamens 5; anthers becoming spiral, Stigmas bidamellate. Capsule one- celled, or half two-celled. This genus also formed part of Chironza of Linnzeus, and is closely allied to the foregoing. It consists of annual herbs, with subangular branches, fur- nished with connate leaves, and white or rose-coloured flowers. They are all bitter and tonic. E. cenraurium, Persoon—Stem nearly Simple. Panicle forked, corymbose. Leaves ovate-lanceolate. Calyx half as long as ¢orolla, segments partly connected by a mem- brane, : Linn., (Chironia,) Sp. Pl. 332; Woodville, t. 157; Stephenson and ° Churchill, ii. 118; Persoon, Synop. i. 283; Lindley, Flor. Med, 521. Common Names.—Common Centaury ; Lesser Centaury. Foreign ‘Names.—Petite Centaurée, Ey. ; Peake Minore, Ph, Tau-. sendgiildenkraut, Ger. Description.— Root small, woody, and fibrous. Stem slender, erect, angular, about ten or twelve inches high, branched above. The cauline leaves are opposite, connate, ovate, or elliptic-ovate; the radical leaves are numerous and obovate, forming a tuft. The flowers are pink or rose-coloured, with opposite subulate braets. 'The calyx is slender, striated, and five-cleft. The corolla is divided above into five elliptical spreading seg- ments. The stamens are five, with slender filaments, and oblong, yellow anthers, which finally become spirally twisted. The ovary is oblong, and supports a straight style, with a roundish bifid stigma. 'The capsule is oblong and cylindrical, two-valved, with nume- rous seeds, t It is a native of Europe, in dry gravelly situations, flowering in July and August. Its specific name is from Chiron the Centaur, but is not the plant noticed by Pliny as curing him of a poisoned wound; this is supposed to be a Centaurea. ‘The officinal portion is the tops, though the whole plant is used. It is bitter, and contains a Bitter extractive, a free Acid, &c. The bitter mat- ter is considered peculiar, and has been called Centaurin. | Medical Properties.—Similar to those of the Sabbatia, and appropriate to the same cases, : Another species, the E. chilensis, a native of Chili and Peru, has been highly spoken of by many writers, as of very decided tonic powers (Lesson, Voy. Med. 15), and was employed with much success by Dr. Ruschenberger, in all cases where mild tonics were indicated. (Jows. Phil. Coll. Pharm, vi, 276.) The L. linaryola of Europe is also much praised by Alibert. 460 ; '- MEDICAL BOTANY. GENTIANA.— L227. Calyx 4—5-parted or cleft. €orolla marcescent, funnel-shaped, or campanulate, 4—5 or 6—8-cleft; sometimes with interposed spurious segments; segments entire or ciliated. Stamens five, insérted on the tube of the corolla; anthers sometimes connate. Style two- parted, each bearing a stigma. Capsule one- celled, An extensive genus, containing about 150 species, according to Grisebach, divided into numerous sections, but all plants mostly” perennial, with opposite leaves, though varying much in habit. They are found in all parts of the world, but are most numerous in temperate and cold regious. Their general properties are those of the pure and simple bitters. officinal. G. Lute, Linn. —Leaves broad, ovate. ceous, arivlatiyel. Several of them are ’ Flowers whorled, yéllow. Calyx membrana- Linn. Sp. Pl. 329; Woodville, i, 2738; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 132; Lindley, Flor. Med. 519, Common Names.—Common Gentian ; ny lie Gentian; Gall. wort. Foreign Names.—Grande Gentiane, ‘Fr; Gentiana gialla, Jt. ; Bitter- wurzel, Ger. sahipitia A —Root perennial, ‘long, roundish, with numerous thick, contorted branches, Fig. 206. G. lutea. of a brown colour ex.. ternally, and yellowish within. The stem is sim- ple, erect, hollow, round- ‘ish, somewhat annulated ‘at base, from three to four feet high. ‘The lower leaves are petiolate, large, spear-shaped, entire, rib- bed, and plaited; the cau- line are ovate, concave, smooth, sessile, and of a yellowish-green colour, pe- dunculate, in dense whorls. The calyx is membrana- ceous, and opens laterally. The corolla is rotate, and divided into five or more long, narrow, spreading segments. The filaments vary from five to eight, are shorter than the corolla, and alternate with its seg- ments, furnished with long, erect, anthers. The ovary is conical, abaertiog two sessile, reflected stigmas. The capsule is conical, divided into two valves, and contains numerous, small, compressed seeds, with membranous edges. It is a native of the mountains of Europe, but thrives well under cultiva- tion. It is said to owe its name to Gentius, a king of Illyria, and is first mentioned by Dioscorides, and also noticed by Pliny. The officinal part is the root; this, as*found in commerce, is in cylindrical, more or less branched pieces, of various sizes, marked with’ annular wrinkles, and longitudinal fur- rows. ‘The exterior is yellowish-brown, internally spongy, and ‘of a deep yellow. The odour in the fresh state is peculiar and disagreeable, when dried very feeble ; the taste is very bitter. The roots of other species, as the G. purpurea, punctata, and pannonica, are said to be often mixed with. the officinal, but as they possess much the same properties, this is of little con Mee eer eae 4 ‘Is a pure or simple bitter, and is L ae GENTIANACEZ. = 461 ae | “4 hd i sequence ; but it is also stated that those of the Ra nceulus thora are likewise mingled with them; this fraud is of some momentyas the qualities of the roots are widely different. ‘The spurious root may be‘khown by being paler exter- nally and whitish within, and having a mucilaginous, acrid taste. Gentian yields its virtues both to alcohol and water, | / It has often been analyzed, and the discovery of a peculiar principle was announced about the same time by Henry and Caventou; but more recently Tromsdorff asserts that two distinct substances have been confounded under the name of gentianin.; one crys- . talline and tasteless, the other ~~. Bis, (A7. bitter; and Leconte states the same. From the various exa-— minations, the root appears ‘to coutain a peculiar Oil, Gentisin, or Gentsicic Acid, Gentianite or the bitter principle, Pectin, Su- gar, &c. Medical Properties. —Gentian Ny such medication is required. It at one time occupied a high place ; as a febrifuge in intermittent fe- vers, but has been superseded by the Peruvian bark and its pre- parations. In large doses it is sometimes aperient, but in small ones is beneficial in certain forms of dyspepsia, chlorosis, &c., either alone, or in combination. with chalybeates or the alkalies. It is usually given in infusion with orange and-lemon-peel ; the dose is an ounce to two 6unces. The tincture is also used as a tonic and stomachic, in doses of a half to two drachms. Many other foreign species are employed as substitutes for the yellow Gentian; besides those mentioned above, the G. amarella, the campestris, and pneumonanthe are used in Eu- rope. In this country several : ) indigenous kinds are much given in domestic practice, and appear to be fully equal to the foreign. Among these the G. saponaria, catesber, and quin- queflora are the best known and most esteemed. In a fresh state they all prove cathartic in large doses. They are seldom employed in regular prac- tice, from the foreign root being readily procurable, but may always be used as a substitute for it. applicable to all cases where mR \\ a, G. catesbei. Opnetra.—Don. Calyx 4—5-parted. Corolla marcescent, rotate, 4—5-parted; in estivation twisted to the right, with glandular hollows, either protected by a fringed scale or naked, Stamens % 462 . MEDICAL BOTANY. 4—5, wy the throat of the corolla. Filaments either dilated and monadelphous at base or free. Anthers incumbent. Ovary I-celled. Style wanting or very short. Stigmas two, sessile, Capsule, 1-celled, 2-valved, septicidal, with a spongy placenta at the sutures. Seeds small, very numerous, A small genus formed by Don (Phel. Mag.) for the reception of-‘certain species of Gentiana and Swertia, and as now recognised by De Can- dolle, including also Agathotes of Don. ‘The species are all’ East Indian, and are mostly annual, rarely perennial, erect, branched, paniculate, with subequal internodes, and. opposite leaves. They possess the same general properties as the Gentians, O. ‘cutrayta, Grisebach—Stem round. Leaves ovate-lanceolate. Hollows of the corolla nectariferous, oblong, distinct. Scales capillo-fimbricate at the. margin. Grisebach, Gent. 320; Roxburgh (Gentzana), Asiat. Research., xi. 167 ; Don (Agathotes), Phil. Mag. 1836. m Common Names.—Chirayta; Chiretta; Wormseed Plant. Foreign Names,—Chiraeta, Hind. ; Kirataticta, Sansc. Description. — Annual root branching. Stem terete, smooth, jointed, branched. Branches long, erect, spreading. Leaves cordate-ovate, acuminate, sessile, smooth, 5 to 7-nerved. Flowers numerous, in cymose, few-flowered umbels. Calyx 4-cleft; segments shorter than the corolla, linear, acute. Corolla yellow, 4-parted; segments spreading, ovate-lanceolate, aeuminate, with two.oblong, distinct hollows, with fimbriated scales. Stamens 4, with subulate filaments, briefly connected at base. Capsule conical, 1-celled, many-seeded. This plant is a native of the upper part of India, in Nepaul, &c., and is mucb used and esteemed in that country as a tonic. Roxburgh (£*/or. Ind.) states that it is pulled up by the root, when the flowers fade and the capsules are filled. The whole plant is used. The root is fibrous, the stem round, smooth, and jointed; the odour is very feeble, but the taste exceedingly bitter. According to an analysis by Lassaigne and Boissel it contains Resin, a yellow Bitter Extractive, brown Colouring matter, Malic Acid, Gum, some Salts, &c. It yields its virtues to water and alcohol. This is the plant supposed by Guibourt to be Calamus verus of the ancient writers ;. but, as shown by Fée, this supposition is wholly untenable. Medical Properties.—Like Gentian it is a pure and simple bitter, and is applicable to the same morbid conditions. Jt is much employed in India in intermittents and in dyspepsia. It appears first to have been introduced into Europe by M. Leschenault, in 1822, and it has since been employed with some success, especially in England. Some practitioners attribute peculiar powers to it; thus Dr. Currie (Orzent. Herald) thinks that it has a special action on the liver, and Dr. Sigmond ( Lancet) corroborates this opinion, and states further, that its tonic effects are more permanent than those of the other bitters, and also that it is of great benefit where the system has been weakened by the use of mercury. Churchill and Stephenson say that, ‘“ from inquiries made of a Hindoo, we ascertained that the infusion, made very strong, is taken in large doses as a tonic, and often induces vomiting from its intense bitterness. It likewise occasionally acts with freedom on the bowels, producing copious bilious evacuations, on account of which it is highly esteemed in liver complaints.” The dose of the infusion, made with half an ounce of the plant to a pint of boiling water, is an ounce or two. ‘The tincture is also a good form, where it is used as a stomachic. FraserA.— Walter. Calyx 4-parted ; segments connected at base, persistent. Corolla deciduous, rotate, 4- e GENTIANACES. 463 parted; segments elliptical, each with a fimbriated hollow, but no scale. Stamens 4, short, the filaments connected at base. Anthers incumbent. Ovary 1-celled, with a single styled wo short stigmas. Capsule compressed, bivalved, 1-celled, with several winged seeds. » : A North American genus of a few species of perennial herbs, with oppo- site and verticillate leaves. It was first described by Walter, who named it in honour of a Mr. Fraser. Linnzus considered the only species then known to belong to Swertza, in which he was followed by Sir-J. E. Smith. F. carotinensis, Walter.—Stem tall, striated, glabrous. Leaves verticillate, lanceo- late-oblong, sessile. Walter, F7. Carol. 87; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med., ii. 103; Rafinesque, Med. Flor.,i. 196; Griffith, Jour. Phil. Coll. Pharm., iii, 269. Common Names.—American Columbo; Columbia; Indian lettuce, &c. Description. — Root triennial ? large, yellow, rugose, horizontal. ' Fig. 208. The whole plant smooth, stem from five to ten feet high, cylindrical, erect, solid. Leaves verticillate, ses- sile, entire; the radical elliptical and obtuse, long; cauline ones smaller and narrower. Flowers yellowish- white, numerous, forming a large pyramidal panicle; peduncles leafy or bracteate. Calyx deeply four-cleft, spreading ;segments lanceolate, acute, persistent, nearly as long.as the co- rolla. Corolla with four elliptic seg- ments, flat and spreading; margin somewhat inflexed, a fimbriated pit in the centre of each.. Stamens four, alternate with the segments; fila. ments short, subulate ;-anthers oval, oblong. Ovary compressed, bearing a short style with two short stigmas, Capsule yellowish, oval, acuminate, compressed ; margin thin, two-valved, l-seeded. Seeds flat, elliptical, winged. It occurs to the west of the Alleghany Mountains, from New York to Alabama, in rich woody lands and meadows. It is one of the tallest of our her- baceous plants, sometimes at- taining an elevation of ten feet, with a pyramid of flowers of three or four feet in length, There is some difference of opi- nion as to its duration; Rafi- nesque stating that it is strictly a triennial, whilst other bota- nists agree in considering it to be a biennial. It was first dis- covered by Wm. Bartram, who Speaks of it in his travels under the name of Indian lettuce. F, carolinensis, a 464 MEDICAL BOTANY. The part that is officinal are the roots; these are large, yellow, rugose, hard, and spindle-shaped ; when ina fresh state, they often weigh several pounds. As found in the shops, they are in slices, somewhat resembling those of the;Co- lombo, having a thick ‘yellow bark and: a yellowtsh spongy meditullium. — The taste is pure bitter, without any: aroma. They may be distinguished from Colombo by their lighter colour, and“by affording a dark-green precipi- tate with the salts of iron. A chemical examination has been made of this root by Mr. Douglass, (Am. Jour. Pharm. vi. 177,) and it was found to contain bitter Extractive, Gum, Tannin; Gallic acid, Resin, a Fatty matter, Suga &e. a) i . Medical Properties.—Frasera. is ‘an efficacious bitter tonic, inferior to Co- lombo, but fullyequal to most of the other articles of its class. It is much employed in the Western States, both in regular and domestic practice, and is spoken of in high terms by several eminent practitioners. It is only ina dried state that it displays its tonic powers, as, when recent, it proves both emetic and purgative, and is often employed as a substitute for rhubarb. The dose in powder is from thirty grains to a drachm, and of the infusion, yhade with an ounce of the root to a pint of boiling water, about a wineglass- ful, several times a day. . MEenyvyANTHES.— Linn. Calyx 5-parted, tubular below. Corolla deciduous, somewhat fun- nel-shaped, fleshy ; limb 5-parted, segments ciliated. Stamens 5, in- serted on the corolla; filaments distinct, anthers erect. Ovary surrounded by 5 hypogynous glands; style filiform with a bilo- bate stigma. Capsule 1-celled, somewhat l-valved. Seeds nume- rous, shining. A genus of a single species found in almost all temperate and cold climates, and difler- numerous localities. M. rrirotiata, Linn,—Leaves ternate, oval, glabrous. - Linn., Sp. Pl, 207; Wood- \V/f'/ ville, ii. 277; Stephenson and SV SSN Churchill, ii. 85; Bigelow, yo SW Am. Med. Bot. iii. 55; Ra- S\\ finesque, Med. Flor. ii. 33. Common INames.—Buck- bean; Bog-bean ; Marsh-tre- folia ; Water Shamrock. Foreign Names. — Trefle d’eau, Fr. ; Trifoglio palustre, It.; Bitterklee, Gev. Description—Root long and creeping and jointed. Stem EE smooth, erect, and cylindrical, about a foot in height. Leaves M. trifoliata, ing very slightly in any of its ' ee ee ee Pd i 1] | .* —_ - “ee - a w- it Pw Ba GENTIANACES, 465 bright-green, obovate, undulate, smooth, ternate, at the end of a long striated footstalk. ie in a loose spike at the extremity-ef an erect, round, smooth scape, longer than rolla somewhat funne shaped, eply cleft into five spreading or recurved, pointed segments, of a white’ colour tipped With rose, smooth externally and covered with dense white, shaggy fibres on the inner surface. he ovary is conical and supports a long slender style with a bilobate stigma. The capsule is ovate, succulent, 1-celled, containing several small, roundish seéds. ‘ mm: thegfeaves, sheathed at pare. fe divided into five, somewhat spreading segments. ’ It is found in most parts of the world’ where the climate is temperate or cold, ia moist, boggy soils, or even in ponds and ditches, flowering in this country in April and.May.. Rafinesque-is of opinion that*the plant of North America is specifically,.different from that of Europe, and“has called it M. verna, but other botanists consider it identical, the only observable difference being, that it is smaller. ‘The whole-plant is medicinal, but the root alone is recognised by the U.S. Pharmacopeia. It has no odour, but is intensely bitter. It has been analyzed by Tromsdorff, and found to:contain Bitter Ex- tractive, Albumen, Green resin, a peculiar Matter, precipitable by tannin, but soluble in water, Fecula, Malic acid, &c. Medical Properties.—In small, doses tonic and astringent; in large ones cathartic and sometimes emetic, especially when given in the fresh state. It is rarely employed in medicine, but is analogous in its action to gentian and centaury, and may be employed in all cases to which they are applicable. At one time it was in high repute in rheumatism, dropsy, scurvy, and worms, and Cullen speaks favourably of it in obstinate cutaneous affections, It is used in some parts of Europe as a substitute for hops in brewing. It may be given in powder, infusion, or extract ; the dose of the first is a scruple to half a drachm; the usual mode is in infusion, made with half an ounce of the dried root to a pint of boiling water, the dose of which is an ounce or two. Besides these plants, several others of the order merit a short notice. The Swertia perennis is used in Siberia as a vulnerary, and it is considered that the Pleurogyne rotata is equally efficacious (Pallas, Voy. iv. 465). | Accord- ing to Aublet, Schultesta stenophylla and Apophragma tenutfolia are esteemed as febrifuges (Guzane, 1.71). Several species of Leszanthus are employed in South America: thus L. purpurascens and L. grandiflorus are noticed by Aublet, and the L. pendulus and L. amplissimus by Martius (Jour. Chim. Med. iii. 448), as powerful tonics and febrifuges. ‘The younger Lin- neus (Swpplem. 134) states, that L. chelonoides acts as a powerful purga- tive, which is also the case with the Ewstoma ezaltata. The roots of Coutowbea ramosa and C. spicata are said to be febrifuge, deobstruent, and ver- mifuge. (Aublet, Gwzane, i. 73.) De Candolle speaks of Vellarsza ovata as used as a tonic at the Cape of Good Hope. Limnanthemum indica is es- teemed a holy plant by the Chinese on account of its many virtues (Mem. Acad, Dijon, 1829, 204), and the L. nymphoides has some reputation as a fe- brifuge in Europe, whilst it congener, L. peltata, is employed in like manner in Japan, where they also use the leaves as a culinary vegetable. (Thunberg, Voy. iv. 76.) Cicendia hyssopifolta is stated by Wight and Arnott to be bitter, and useful as a stomachic in decoction or powder. In large doses it is laxative. (Comp. to Bot. Mag. ii. 250.) 30 ee 466 MEDICAL BOTANY. ay Orper 74,—LOGANIACE.— Lindley. * "Calyx inferior, 4—5-parted, valvate or imbricate. Corolla regular or irregular, 4—5 or 10-.cleft, with a valvate or convolute estivation. Stamens inserted on the tube of the corolla, on the same line, not always symmetrical with the lobes. Anthers bilocular, with a longitudinal dehiscence; pollen with 3 bands. Ovary superior, 2-celled; style simple ; stigma simple or bilobate. Fruit a capsule and 2-celled, or drupaceous with 1—2-seeded stones, or berried with the seeds immersed in a pulp. Seeds often peltate, sometimes winged; embryo small; albumen fleshy or cartilaginous. ‘, - These plants are principally tropical or subtropical, very few of them being found in colder latitudes. They are trees, shrubs or herbs, with opposite en- tire leaves, usually having stipules which adhere to the petioles, or are com- bined in the form of interpetiolary sheaths. Most of them are exceedingly poisonous, as is exemplified in various species.of Strychnos. Some are ant- helmintic, as Spzgelza, and some are bitter and emetic, as Potalia amara. In P. resinifera, the leaves are mucilaginous and astringent, and are em- ployed in Brazil in cases of ophthalmia (Martius, Nov. Gen. &c. Bras. ii, 90), Sub-order 1. Srigzrizz.—Flowers isomerous, Aistivation valvate. Capsule didy- mous, many-seeded.. Seed not winged. Generally herbaceous. Stipules sometimes — wanting. Sriceti1a.— Linn. Calyx inferior, deeply 5-cleft, segments small, pointed, permanent. Corolla funnel- shaped, much longer than the calyx, narrowed at base; limb spreading, 5-cleft, segments broad, acuminate. Stamens five, simple; anthers simple, Ovary superior; style single, subulate, as long as corolla; stigma simple. Capsule didymous, 2-celled, 4-valved. Seeds numerous, minute. A genus of about thirty species, principally natives of tropical America, consisting of both suffruticose and herbaceous plants, with opposite and often connate leaves on the lower part of the stem, and quaternate above; flowers mostly sessile and secund, of a blue or red colour ; ; the roots and seeds often anthelmintic. S. mariLanpica, Linn,—Perennial, stem simple, quadrangular ; leaves opposite, sessile, ovate-lanceolate ; flowers crimson, in a simple, terminal, secund raceme. Linn., Sp. Pl. 249; Bigelow, Am. Med. Bot. i. 146; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. ii. 7B: Rafinesque, Med. Flor. ii. 89; Woodville, ii. 288 ; Stephenson and CbusChill, i. vil; Griffith, Jour. Phil. "Coll. Pharm. iv. 1. Common Nawies Pink Root; Carolina Pink; Indian Pink; Worm Grass, &c. Foreign Names.—Spigelie de Maryland, Fr.; Spigelia, [. ; Nordameri- kanische Spigelie, Ger. Description.—Root consisting of a great number of slender fibres, yellow. Stems many, somewhat 4-angled, smooth, annual, of a purplish colour, furnished with sessile, opposite, ovate, entire leaves, glabrous except on the margins and neryures, where they are pubescent. The flowers few in number, are borne in a terminal raceme, which is secund, and are supported on short pedicels, The corolla is funnel-shaped, contracted towards the top, and divided into five acute segments, It is of a rich carmine colour externally, and a ee oe contain an Oil, Acrid Resin, a Bitter LOGANIACEZ. 467 orange-yellow within. The calyx is per- sistent, of five long finely-serrated leaves, which are reflected when the fruit is ma- ture. - The stamens are shorter than the corolla, with oblong’ and narrow anthers. The style is about the length of the corolla, with a fusiform, acute, pubescent stigma. The capsule is double, and contains many angular small seeds. TA The Pink root is a native of the Southern and Southwestern States, but has become rare as far north as Virginia. It grows in dry rich soils, on the borders of woods, and flowers from May to July. There are seve- ral varieties, both as respects the form of the leaves and the colour of the flowers. It was known to the natives as a vermifuge, and was in: domestic use among the early colo- nists in the Southern States, a long time before it attracted the notice of ° the medical public. _At about the same period, however, it was brought forward as a remedy of much power ° by Drs. Garden, Lining, and Chal- mers, of Carolina, and from the information they gave, it became generally employed. The officinal portion is the root; this consists of a great number of slender, blackish fibres, forming a dense bunch, aris- ing froma short rhizome. The odour is very feeble and the taste sweetish, bitter and unpleasant. It has been analyzed several times, and found to Extractive, on which the vermifuge power depends, Tannin, Gallic Acid, | Sh ankiiaeadinns some salts, &c. Medical Propertves—Pink root is a powerful and certain anthelmintic. The whole plant is possessed of this property, but the root being the most active, is generally employed, and this is most striking when in a’ fresh state, as there is no article that deteriorates more by exposure and keeping. In conjunction with its anthelmintic qualities, it also sometimes displays those of a purgative, and some writers have attributed all its virtues to this action; but this is erroneous, as it.manifests its peculiar power on the worms, without exciting an increased action of the.intestines, and hence the usual practice of prescribing a purge after the exhibition of Spigelia. It is far more probable that its vermifuge qualities depend on the same principle that induces the nar- cotic symptoms, to which it occasionally gives rise. These are dimness of sight, giddiness, dilated pupil, spasmodic motions of the muscles of the eyes, and even convulsions. Dr, Chalmers attributes the death of two children with these symptoms, to the use of this article. (Hzs. So. Car.) 468 MEDICAL BOTANY. Dr. Eberle gives.a very full account of its narcotic effects in a child of six years of age ( Zreat. Mat. Med.) These symptoms, following the adminis- tration of Spigelia, have been thought by some to depend either on the roots of some other plant gathered with the Pink root, or on some parasitic vine that had attached itself to it. Mr. Elliot has shown that both these sugges- tions are erroneous, and that the root itself is narcotic. Its use has not been confined to the expulsion of worms. As early as 1763, Dr. Garden, in a letter to Dr. Hope, states that he had given it with great success in febrile attacks, apparently arising from a disordered condi- tion of the stomach and bowels; this is confirmed by Dr. Ives, and in fact al- most every practitioner must. have met with proofs of its efficacy in those febrile complaints in children, arising from irritation of the bowels, from any cause. Of this character was the protracted remittent with hydrocephalic symptoms, in which Dr, B.S. Barton found the Pink root of so much service. Rafinesque states that it is used among the Osages, as a sudorific and seda- tive in acute diseases. As an anthelmintic it is more generally prescribed than any other article in this country, and in most cases with unequivocal success, and without the production of any unpleasant symptoms. It may be given in powder or infusion; the dose of the first of which for children is _ from ten to twenty grains. The infusion, however, is by far the best mode of administration ; this is made with an ounce of the root to a pint of water, the dose of which is from an ounce to two ounces for.a child. One of the best methods is to give a full dose at bed-time, and to exhibit an active pur- gative in the morning, as in this way any narcotic symptoms it may display do not cause uneasiness. The most general plan is to give it in combination, especially with Senna; this forms a very well known and efficacious nostrum called Worm tea, for which there are several recipes, differing somewhat in the quantities of the ingredients. One of them much used, is, Spigelia, 3ss. ; Senna, 3ij.; Savin, 3ss.; and Manna, 3ij., to be infused in a pint of water and strained ; the dose is the same as of the simple infusion ; it usually purges actively, and does not excite narcotic symptoms. ‘The syrup is also said to be an effica- cious form of preparation. Many other species possess the same anthelmintic powers as the above, especially the S. anthelmia or Brinvilliers, as it ts called in the French West Indies, where it grows in abundance. From the accounts given of it by Ricord Madiana ( Tr. de la Brinvilliers), it appears to be far more active than the S. marilandica, as he states that it is used by the negroes as a poison. It is employed both in the West Indies and in South America as an anthel- mintic, but in much smaller doses than above indicated for the other species, two drachms only being used to the pint of water. Martius speaks of S, glabrata as a poison. Subaivder 2. Srryvcunem.—Fruit a bilocular berry or capsule, many-seeded, sometimes by abortion 1-celled, and many-seeded. Seeds peltate, not winged. Stryvcnnos.— Linn. Calyx 4—5-parted. Corolla tubular, with a spreading limb, 4—5-parted, and a valvate estivation. Stamens 4—5, inserted on the throat of the corolla, which is either naked or bearded. Ovary 2-celled, with a single style, having a capitate stigma. Berry corticated, 1-celled, many-seeded, or by abortion one-seeded. Seeds nidulant, discoidal. Albumen cartilaginous, almost divided into two plates. Embryo with leafy cotyledons, A large genus of trees or shrubs, often scandent and principally peculiar to warm countries, with opposite, entire leaves on short petioles, and white or ous. The corolla is of a greenish-white, and divided into LOGANIACES. 469 greenish-white flowers, in axillary or terminal corymbs, and. are often fragrant. It is the most virulently poisonous group of plants known, con- taining besides the Nux Vomica, the Upas and Wourali, two of the most active and rapidly deleterious agents yet discovered. S. nux vomica, Zinn.—Stem arborescent, without spines or tendrils. Leaves ovate, petiolate, three or five-nerved, smooth. Corymbs terminal. Calyx with five short teeth. Corolla glabrous within. Fruit a many-seeded berry. Linn., Sp. Pl. 271 ; Woodville, ii. 222 ; Roxburgh, Coromand. i. fag phenson and Churchill, i i. 52; Lindley, Flor. Med, 528. Common Names.—Poison N ut ; Nux vomica. Foreign Names.—Noix vomique, Fr.; Noce canina, Jt. ; Krahenaugen, Ger.; Koochla, Hind. ; Luzalke, Arad. Description—A middle-sized tree, with a short, crooked, thickish trunk, irregularly branched, and covered with a smooth, ash-coloured bark. The leaves are opposite, on short petioles, ovate, shining, smooth on both sides, entire, three to five-nerved. The flowers are small, greenish- white, and collected into small, terminal cymes, with a disagreeable odour. The calyx is 5-toothed and decidu- five segments. The stamens are five, very short, with roundish anthers. The ovary is superior, roundish, and crowned with a single style, as long as the corolla. The fruit is a berry, of the size of an orange, globular, covered with a smooth, hard rind, of a deep-yellow, and filled with a pulp, in which are five seeds; these are flat, round, with a prominence in the centre, of a grayish cqlour externally, and covered with a woolly matter, but internally hard and S. nux vomica. tough, like horn. It is a native of the East Indies, and is very common on the coast of Coro- mandel, where it flowers in the cold season. It appears to have been intro- duced into practice by the Arabian physicians, who probably obtained their knowledge of it from the Hindoos. The plant spoken of by Dioscorides and Pliny, under the name of Strychnos, was a kind of nightshade. ‘The seeds are the officinal part, but the bark has attracted some attention under the name of false angustura, and was falsely attributed to a species of Brucea, _ The seeds are round, peltate, less than an inch in diameter, nearly flat, or convex on one side, and concave on the other, and surrounded by narrow annular striz. They have-two Coats ; the outer is simple, fibrous, and covered with short, silky hairs, of a gray or yellowish colour ; within this is the inner coat, which i is very thin. The nucleus is formed of the albumen and embryo ; the first is bipartite, cartilaginous, or horny, of a dirty-white colour, and an intensely bitter taste ; the embryo is white, in the centre of the seed. They have been analyzed by several chemists; the most complete examination of them is that by Pelletier and Caventou. (Ann. Chim. et Phys. xii. 142.) They found : Igasuric acid, in combination with Strychnia and Brucia, Wax, Oil, Gum, &c. The two alkaloids are the active and poisonous principles, and are very similar in their effects, but the first is the most energetic. The bark is in quills or flat pieces, more compact and heavy than true an- gustura. ‘The external appearance varies, being sometimes of a fungoid or spongy, rust-coloured appearance, at others, covered with whitish prominences, The taste is intensely bitter, and the colour of the powder of a yellowish- white. It was at first imported into Hamburgh, and sold as angustura bark ; but some cases of poisoning resulting from its administration, the sale of it 470 MEDICAL BOTANY. was forbidden. For a long time its origin was unknown, and it was supposed to be derived from the Brucea ferruginea, but this was disproved by Geiger, on a comparison of the two barks, It was then asserted by Batka that it must be the product of a Strychnos, founding his supposition on its composi- tion and properties ; this was confirmed by Dr. Pereira, and fully established by Dr. O'Shaughnessy. (Mad. Jowr, and Am. Jour. Pharm. iv. 144.) An analysis of it by the above-mentioned chemists shows it to contain, Gallate of Brucia, Fatty matter, Gum, Yellow colouring matter, &c. Medical Propertves—Nux vomica and its alkaloids are powerful poisons, its action being principally on the cerebro-spinal system. In small doses, it usu- ally acts as a tonic, and increases the secretion of urine, and sometimes operates somewhat on the bowels, or produces a sudorific effect. When the dose is somewhat larger, the stomach is disordered, and uneasiness and nausea ~ induced ; on increasing the quantity, a new train of phenomena are induced ; a sense of weight and weakness in the limbs, and increased sensibility to ex- ternal impressions of all kinds, manifest themselves, soon followed by depres- sion of the spirits and anxiety ; a trembling of the limbs ensues, with slight convulsive motions of the muscles; if the medicine be repeated, these symp- toms increase; there is a universal convulsion of all parts of the body, espe- cially when motion is attempted, and erotic symptoms frequently occur. In paralytic patients the convulsive motions are principally confined to the af- fected parts. In still larger doses, tetanus, asphyxia, and death, are the result. The mode in which the medicine causes these effects is not clearly under- stood, especially why it first displays its influence on paralysed limbs. Seve- ral explanations have been attempted by Segulas, Marshall Hall, and others, oe none of them are perfectly satisfactory. (See Pereira, Elem. Mat, Med, i. 366.) The principal employment of Nux vomica is in the treatment of paralysis, especially when it is of some standing, and where no hyperemic or hemor- rhagic condition of the nervous centres exists, for it is usua!ly inapplicable in the recent forms, or until the removal of the primary affection by bleeding or other antiphlogistic measures. Its use is limited to those cases where, all in- flammatory action or congestion being removed, there is no return of power to the paralysed parts. It has been found more useful in paraplegia than in hemiplegia, and has also been found of benefit in some local palsies. It has also been recommended in dysentery, pyrosis, and other disorders of the alimentary canal, and has been found of some utility, though not of such de- — cided powers as to supersede other and less dangerous remedies. It has been given in cases of impotence with some benefit, ‘but sufficient trials have not beer’ made to establish its exact operation in these cases. It is used in the form of powder, tincture, and extract ; the dose of the first is from two to three grains, gradually increased ; of the tincture, five to ten drops ; and of the extract, half a grain, to be gradually increased to two or three. Strychnia and Brucia have the same properties as the Nux vomica, and the first is generally substituted for it, from possessing greater certainty and uniformity of action. From its excessively poisonous nature, great care is requisite. in ‘administering it, more especially as it appears, like digitalis; to sometimes accumulate in the system. This alkaloid is also used externally, either in the form of an ointment, or sprinkled on a blistered surface. The dose of Strychnia or its salts is from a twentieth to a sixteenth of a grain, gradually increasing the dose, until its effects on the muscular system become apparent. Brucia is seldom employed, but from the experiments of Dr. ihe LOGANIACES, 471 | Bardsley and others, it is shown to be analogous in its effects to Strychnia, but less intense. : ) . Several other species of Strychnos have attracted much attention for their poisonous properties ; of these the S. ézewté, or Upas, and S. toxifera, or Wou- rali, are the most celebrated. The first of these is a large climbiseelbrub, found in Java, where it is used as a poison, generally in combination with another Upas, the Antzaris. Although extremely powerful, it is not as rapid in its effects as the Wourali, which is a native of South America, and has been fully noticed by Mr. Waterton (Wanderings), and by Schomburgh (Ann. Nat. Hist. vii. 411). ; Among this collection of deadly poisons, there are two species that are endowed with far different powers, S. pseudoguina and the S. potatorum. The former, which is a native of Brazil, and is known under the name of Quina do Campo, is employed as a substitute for Cinchona, It contains neither strychnia nor brucia; the other, found in several parts of the East Indies, produces a fruit, the pulp of which is eaten, and the seeds very ex- tensively used for the purpose of clearing muddy water, and hence they are called “clearing nuts.” .'[The Hindoos never drink well-water if they can procure it from a pond or river, and it is, therefore, always more or less im- pure. One of the seeds of this plant rubbed very hard fora short time on the inside of a vessel containing muddy water, will cause a subsidence of the _ impurities in a few minutes, leaving the,fluid pure and wholesome. Sirychnos colubrina is stated by Blume to produce the true Lignum colu- brinum, once so much esteemed in paralysis, and still employed in Java in cases of intermittent fever, and as an anthelmintic, and also externally in dis- eases of the skin (Azmsize, 11. 202). Virey states that an over-dose excites tremors and vomiting, but in small ones it is a useful vermifuge, and has been given with advantage in, intermittents (Hzst. Nat. Med. 91). According to Roxburgh and Blume, other species also furnish this wood. The S. brachiata bears innoxious fruit, which are eagerly eaten by deer, and those of S. psezdo- guina are esteemed in Brazil. ‘Those of S. z2nocua, a native of Africa, are said by Caillaud to be acidulous and pleasant, without any dangerous qualities. Ienati1a.—Linn. Calyx 5-toothed, campanulate. Corolla infundibuliform, tube narrow, elongated ; limb 5-parted, lobes oblong, obtuse. Stamens 5, inserted at lower part of tube, included; fila- ~ ments filiform; anthers connivent.. Ovary ovoid. Style filiform; stigma bipartite, lobes filiform. Fruit with a woody rind, 1-celled. Seeds numerous, smooth, with obtuse angles. Embryo straight, in the axis of cartilaginous albumen. A genus of a single species, with opposite, petiolate, ovate, acute, entire leaves. Flowers.in small, axillary panicles, of'a white colour, and withthe odour of the Jasmine. It was included in Strychnos by the elder Linnzeus but sepa- rated by his son under the present name. I. amara, Linn.—The only species. Linn., Suppl. 149; Petiver, Phil. Trans. xxi. t. i. f. 4-6; De Candolle, Prod. ix. 18; Flore. Med. iii. 165. Common Name.—Bean of St. Ignatius. Foreign Names.—Feve St. Ignace, Fr. ; Fava di 8. Ignazio, Jt. Description.—A_ tree with long, cylindrical, glabrous branches, with opposite, almost sessile, ovate, acuminate, entire, glabrous leaves. The flowers are white, odorous, tubular in axillary clusters. The fruit is about the size of an apple, ovoid, and smooth, its rind A772 MEDICAL BOTANY. is dry and brittle ; the seeds, about twenty in number, are immersed in a soft pulp ; they are irregularly angular, about an inch long, of a pale-brown colour, striated and glabrous ; internally they are of a greenish tint, and of a horny consistence. This tree is a native of the Philippine Islands, Cochin China, &c. It was first made known by a Jesuit called Camelli, who sent specimens to Ray and Petiver, who published an account in the Philosophical Transactions in 1669. From the Jesuits having first promulgated the properties of this article, the genus was dedicated to the founder of their order, and the seeds, which are the parts used, are named after him in all the languages of Europe. ‘They are extremely bitter, without any smell. Like the Nux vomica they contain strychnia in combination with igasuric acid, but in less proportion. They were analyzed by MM. Pelletier and Caventou (Ann. de Chim. x. 147). They were first brought to Europe by the Portuguese, about the end of the seventeenth century. Father Camelli, who first noticed them in his commu- nication to Ray and Petiver, is of opinion that they were “* nuces vomice, legitimee Serapionis.” “Medical Uses, §-c.—These seeds may be employed “in all cases in which Nux vomica is required, and for the extraction of Strychnia; but as this active principle is less abundant in them, they have gone very much out of use. They are prescribed in Manilla in cholera, and ‘the raspings as an external astringent (Petiver, 0. c.) According to Loureiro, they are esteemed in 4 Cochin China as a panacea, being considered as tonic, diaphoretic, emmena- gogue, anthelmintic, &c.; he says he has administered this remedy a thousand times, generally with success, and never with any ill consequences (Flor. Coch. 156). They were much prescribed by Dr. Witz in epilepsy, and it is stated with much benefit (Bui/. Sez. Med, xi. 74). The German, and other European journals, contain numerous papers on the efficacy of this remedy in a variety of other diseases, but it is seldom employed in England, France, or the United States. Orper 75.—CONVOLVULACE.— Ventenat. Calyx five-parted, imbricated, persistent. Corolla plaited and twisted in estivation ; limb often entire. Stamens 5, inserted on the tube near the base. Ovary 2—4-celled ; styles united, or more or less distinct. Capsule 2—4, or by abortion, 1-celled; septifragal. Seeds large, with a little mucilaginous albumen. A large order of twining or trailing herbs or shrubs, often with a milky juice; the leaves alternate, entire, or variously cleft. Flowers generally large and showy. ‘They are principally natives of tropical regions, though some few are found in cold climates, Many of them contain a peculiar pur- gative, resinous matter, especially 1 in their thickened or tuberous roots. Some, however, have so little of it that they are eatable and nutritive. Baratas,—Choisy. Sepals 5. Corolla campanulate. Stamens included. Style 1. Stigma capitate, bilobate. Ovary 4.celled, or by abortion 2—3-celled. A small genus separated from Convolvulus and I[pomea by Choisy, dif- fering from the first in having but one stigma, and from the latter in the fruit being more than two- celled. The roots are often tuberous, and contain a large proportion of fecula, especially in the cultivated state. B. satara, Choisy.—Stem trailing or alialaien leaves cordate, entire, sinuate, or lobate, ’ CONVOLVULACES. 473 beneath pubescent, on long petioles ; peduncles pilose, 1—3-flowered ; sepals ovate-rounded, pubescent; seeds covered with a long, silky down. Choisy, Convol. rar. 125; Linn. (Convolvulus), Sp. Pl. i. 860 ; Pursh (Ipomea), Flor. i. 146 ; Michaux, Fl. Bor, Am. i. 141; Nuttall Rr. mecho- acana), Sill, Jour. 1822 ; Elliott (C. macrorhizus), Sketches, i. 252, Description.—Root perennial, somewhat fusiform, very large, weighing. when old, from forty to fifty pounds, white, farinaceous. “Stem twining, slightly angled, pubescent. Leaves when young, acute, and tomentose beneath; when old, often obtuse, and slightly muri- cate; petioles one to two inches long. Péduneles long, one to three-flowered. Calyx pubescent. Corolla large, limb obscurely ten-lobed, externally pubescent, white, tinged with purple. Filaments unequal, as long as the tube of the corolla, villous, and purple at base. Style as long as the stamens, with a bilobate stigma. Capsule 2—3-celled. Seeds dark brown, clothed with long, silky, brown hairs. The whole plant abounds in a lactes- cent juice. This plant is a native of Mexico, and the southern parts of the United States, and is the species supposed by Linnzeus to furnish the officinal Jalap, and sent by Michaux to the Botanic Garden in Paris, under the name of [pomea macrorhiza, which was figured by Desfontaines (Ann. du. Mus. i. ), as af- fording the purgative root; this opinion was also held by Pursh, who calls it Ipomea jalapa; it is also C. mechoacana of several botanists, but as is now satisfactorily shown, does not furnish the jalap of commerce, nor do its be properties agree with those attributed to the mechoacan, under which name it is highly probable that several species of the Convolvulacee are confounded. According to Dr. Baldwin (Elliott, Sketches, 1. c.), it has no cathartic effect, nor was any resin found in it on analysis; he further states that it contains much saccharine and farinaceous matter, and probably is not more cathartic than the sweet potato. Yet it is said by De Candolle that it is purgative, and in the Flor. Med. des Antilles, it is stated that it affords a white resin, which is too powerful to be used. Under the name of Mechoacan, the earlier writers clearly included, all purgative roots coming from America, and at all re- sembling Jalap, and to add to-the confusion, it is said by many writers that Linneeus had described a species of Convolvulus under that name ; Mr. Nuttall observes (Amer, Dispens. 374), “ of which I have not been able to obtain any account, being omitted in all the editions of the Species Plantarum, to which I have had access.” The fact is, Linnzeus made no such species, but in his Materia Medica he says, ‘‘ Convolvulus americanus, Mechoacana dicta, §-c.” The first to give this name was Vitman. What is called Mechoacan by Guibourt, is the product of C. mechoacan, which is considered by De Candolle to be the same as the J. macrorhiza of Michaux, is a root from South America, in variously shaped pieces, deprived of its epidermis, - white and farinaceous within, having no odour, and a slightly acrid taste, and is slightly purgative. Although this article is not now used, it was deemed deserving of notice, on account of its having been mistaken for jalap. Another species of this genus is of far more interest, as forming an im- portant article of food,—this is the B. edulis, or Sweet Potato, originally a native of the East Indies, but now so extensively cultivated in the West Indies and this country. The root of B. paniculatus is cathartic, and is employed medicinally in India. Ipomma.— Linn. Calyx 5 sepals. Corolla campanulate. Stamens included. Style 1. Stigma capitate, often bilobate. Ovary bilocular; cells with 2 ovules. Capsule 2-celled. 474 MEDICAL BOTANY. A very extensive genus, and one: that has been ill-defined, and even now, as exposed by Choisy, containing several species that may belong to other. genera. It is very closely allied to Convolvulus, and resembles it in most particulars. ‘The largest proportion of the species are natives of warm climates, Several among them have highly purgative roots, but they are by no means uniform in their qualities, There are aboyt 300 species described. I. purca, Wenderoth.—Leaves cordate, acuminate, entire, deeply sinuated at base, smooth. Peduncles 1—2, rarely 3-flowered. Sepals obtuse. Corolla. salver-shaped, with a cylindrical tube. Stamens a little exserted. Wenderoth, Pharm. Centralb., i. 457; Lindley, Flor. Med. 396 ; Royle, (1. jalapa,) Il. Hymal., 308; J. R. Coxe, (I. jalapa,) Am. Jour. Med. Sct. 1830. ° Common Name.—SJalap Plant. | Foreign Names.—Jalap, Fr. ; Scialappa, It. ; Jalappenharz, Ger. * Description.—Root roundish or pear-shap- .ed, perennial; tubers sending out long radicles. Stems several, roundish, herba- ceous, of a reddish-brown colour, much twisted, smooth. Leaves. cordate, entire, smooth, conspicuously acuminate, and deeply sinuated at base, the lower ones sometimes almost hastate, the under surface promi- nently veined, the footstalks often nearly the length of the leaf. Peduncles about the length of the petioles, two, rarely three- flowered. Calyx ebracteate, five-parted, ob- tuse, two of the divisions external. Corolla salver-shaped, of a lilac-purple colour, Stamens five. Anthers oblong, white, some- what exserted. Ovary slender, bilocular. Style slender. Stigma capitate. Seed not known. * The Jalap plant is found in Mexico, at a considerable height above the sea, and the roots are generally ex- ported from Jalapa by way of Vera Cruz. Until within a few years there has’ existed much difference of I. purga. opinion respecting the species of the Convolvulaceze furnishing this valuable _ purgative, | The first author who speaks of Jalap in a definite manner is G, Bauhin, in 1609, (Pinaz, 298,) under the name of Bryonta mechoacana nigricans. Ray (Hist. Plant., 724) referred it to Convolvulus, as C, Americanus, jala- pium dictus, in which he was followed by Plukenett (Phytog. Tad. f. 1). Some time afterwards Tourneéfort, misled by Plumier and Lignon, who stated that they had seen the plant in America, attributed the jalap to a species of Mirabilis (Inst. Ret Herb., 130), and this erroneous idea was also adopted by Lemery, in the second edition of his great work on drugs, where he figures a Mirabilis as the jalap plant. (P2. VI. 13.) But Miller (Gard. Dict.), and Sloane (Hist. Jam.), again referred it to Convolvulus, and their views were confirmed by Houston, who brought the plant from South America and showed it to Jussieu, who decided that it belonged to that genus. CONVOLVULACEZ. 475 Linneus, however, in the first edition of his Materia Medica, adhered to the opinion of Tournefort, and attributed it to the Mirabilis longiflora. Some years afterwards he recognised his error, and placed it in the genus Convol- vulus, under the specific name of Jalapa (Mant. i. 42) ; this, as before noticed, is now shown to be the same as the [pomea macrorhiza. Murray (Appar. Med. i. 216), on the authority of Thiery de Menonville, thought that there might be more than one species of Convolvulus furnishing the officinal jalap, the latter having stated that he found a species near Vera Cruz, which he affirmed to be the true jalap, and the roots of which weighed 25 pounds. He drew up a description of this plant, and transmitted it to Jussieu and Desfontaines, and the latter, on comparing it with that of the Lpomea ma- crorhiza, specimens of which were growing in the Garden of Plants at Paris, was convinced that the plants were identical ; hence when Michaux discovered the latter -in Florida, and sent the seeds to Paris, Desfontaines published a memoir (Ann. du Mus., ii. 220), in which he described it as I. macro- thiza, and gave the C. jalapa of preceding botanists as synonymous ; this opinion was adopted by Pursh, W. P. C. Barton, and others, but the accuracy of it was first doubted by Mr. Elliott (Sketches, i. 253), on the authority of Dr. Baldwin, as has been already stated. In 1827, Dr. J. R. Coxe having received roots of the true jalap from South America, published an account of it (Am. Jour. Med. Scz., 1830), but unfor- tunately under the name of Ipomea jalapa vel macrorhiza. In 1829, M. Ledannois sent a short description of the same plant to M. Chevallier at Paris. The same year in which: Dr. Coxe’s account of it appeared, it was also described by Dr. Schiede (Lznnea, v. 473), and Dr. Wenderoth (Pharm. Centralb. i. 457), under the.name of J. purga, and described and figured by Zuccarini in 1832. (Act, Acad. Reg. Monae. x.) .To conclude this subject, it may be stated that in 1837 Dr. Wood received tubers of the true plant from Vera Cruz, which produced plants having the same characters as those described by Dr. Coxe, and also that these roots had all the sensible pro- perties of the officinal drug (Carson, Am. Jour, Pharm. iv.28). The ques- tion may therefore be considered as settled, and the LZ. purga looked upon as the officinal species. It should be noticed that Dr. Christison (Proceed. Bot. Soc.) states that specimens derived from Dr. Wood’s plants do not exactly coincide with the plates of J. purga as figured by Hayne, or J. Sehagpana:; Nees, (non Hamilton, Bot. Reg. 1838.) It only remains to make a few observations on the representations given ; that of Lemery is so.bad that it is impossible to decide whether it is intended for a Convolvulus or a Mirabilis. The C. jalapa of Woodville resembles very closely one of the varieties of J. pandurata ; that of the Botanical Ma- gazine, 1572, and of Desfontaines (/. c.), are figures of B. jalapa. The true plant is figured in the American Journal Med. Sct. (1. c.), and Ameri: can Dispensatory, 1830; in Botanical Register, 1839 ; by Nees, Off. Pian. + _ Supp. 3, t. 13. The root, as found in the market, is in pieces of various forms and sizes ; when entire, they are more or less oval, but are generally in slices. The epidermis is thin and brown; and when they are broken, of a deep yellowish- gray colour, with brown, concentric rings. They should be heavy, hard, and difficult to powder, but there is much variation even in the true Jalap; besides which it is adulterated with what is called Male Jalap, first described by M. Ledannois, and supposed to be the product of the J. orizabensis, Stendel. Jalap is also liable to be worm- eaten, but this does not injure its purgative qua- lities. The odour of Jalap is nauseous, and the taste sweetish, sub-acrid, and unpleasant. From the various analyses of it, it is shown to contain Resin, 476 MEDICAL BOTANY. Extractive, Gum, Starch, &c. The resin consists of two substances, Jalapine composing nine-tenths of it, and Jalapic acid. Medical Properties.—Jalap is an active but safe ‘purgative, producing co- pious liquid stools, often causing nausea and sometimes vomiting, and almost always griping. It is applicable to all cases where it is wished to make a powerful impression on the bowels and to produce copious evacuations, and is to be avoided where there is intestinal inflammation or lesions of the conti- guous parts. Its hydragogue effects are much increased by combination with cremor tartar. Jt is given alone or in combination, as well as in tincture and extract. The dose of the powder is from ten to twenty grains, of the tincture from a drachm to four drachms, and of the extract from ten grains to a scru- ple. A very common combination is with calomel, ten grains of each. 2. I. panpurata, Meyer.—Stem twining, sub-pubescent. Leaves cordate, or panduri- form, acuminate, lobes rounded, peduncles 1—5-flowered; bracts small, at the base of the peduncles; flowers fasciculate ; corolla tubular, campanulate. : Linn., (Convolvulus,) Sp. Pl. 219; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. i. 249; Ra- finesque, Med. Flor. i. 123; Meyer, (Ipomea,) Prim. Esseq.100; Lindley, Med. Flor, 396. | . Common Names.—Wild Fig, 213. Potato; Wild Rhubarb; Wild | Jalap; Mechameck. Description. — Root perennial, very large, cylindrical or fusiform, sometimes as ‘thick as the arm and several feet in length, yellow- ish outside, whitish and milky within, much fissured, attenuated above. Stem procumbent or climbing, round, purplish. Leaves cordate at base, broad, alternate, petiolate, margin entire or andu- late, sometimes panduriform, smooth, dark-green above, paler beneath. Flowers in fascicles of two to five, on peduncles longer than the petioles, axillary. Calyx 5-parted, unequal, ovate-obtuse, two larger sepals external. Co- rolla large, funnel-shaped, white, with the tube purplish-red. Sta- mens white, anthers oblong. Style white, filiform, with a_ bilobate stigma. Capsule oblong, 2-celled, 4-seeded. PY Common in all parts of the United States in sandy or gravelly soils, and also found in Guiana and other places in South America, flowering from June to August. It was known to the Indians, and is noticed by Schepf as Me- choacana, which he says it resembles in appearance and I. pandurata, properties. In the fresh state the root has an unplea- SSS ———— CONVOLVULACE£. 477 sant odour, and a bitter and acrid taste. In drying, the root loses about three- fourths its weight. As found in the shops, it is usually in circular pieces of various sizes, being transverse sections, the colour somewhat brown exter- nally and whitish within, with radiating striz. They are powdered with difficulty, the powder is light and gray, According to an analysis by Mr. Shinn (Am. Journ. Pharm. v. 177), this root contains Resin, Bitter extractive, Starch,'Gum, Gallic acid, &c. % Medical Properties. _T he real qualities of this article are not well ascer- tained. Dr. B.S. Barton (Collectzons), says he knows nothing of it from ex- perience ; but that an extract but little inferior to seammony has been procured from one of the native species of Convolvulus, and further states that it was used with great success by Dr. Harris, of New Jersey, in calculous com- plaints, and also that it had obtained some celebrity in Virginia in the same disease; it was generally given in decoction. It has also a reputation among empirics, and in domestic practice, as a substitute for rhubarb and jalap, but is much feebler in its action than either, as it requires large doses to produce any effect. Elliott observes, that it certainly possesses some cathartic power, but in too slight a degree to bring it into use. The extract may perhaps be found useful, but certainly can never be equal to scammony. ‘The dose of the powder is forty grains to a drachm. Another species of this genus, the I. twrpethwm, a native of several parts of Asia,.was at one time in very general use as a purgative, but is now sel- dom employed, although it certainly possesses active properties ; according to Ainslie, it is much esteemed by the native practitioners in India, and even in Europe it is spoken of in high terms by some writers, but is never prescribed in this country. . The J. pes capre, corymbosa, discolor, and many others, have likewise been employed in different countries. A purgative resin is also obtained from J. tuberosa ; and it is stated by Mr. Hartweg that what is called Male Jalap is the product of the Z. datatordes (Lindley, Veg. King. 631). J. operculata yields a purgative drug called Gomma da Batata, which is said to be equal to Jalap (Gomez, Obs. Bot. Med. 23). J. cathartica has also a purgative root, employed as a cathartic in St. rane eae it is said to often cause superpurgation, - Lindley is of opinion that J. oririzabensis i is the * fakin macho,” or male Jalap of Mexico, specimens of which were sent to France by M. Ledannois, and described by M. Pelletan in the Journ. Chim. Med. x.1. It is the J. mestilantica (Choisy); and M. Ledannois states that the roots are a good pur- gative, without possessing the acridity of the common Jalap, and that he always administered them with success (Journ. Phil. Coll. Pharm. iii, 265). Lindley further states that Dr. Schiede had seen the roots, and found them to be very like that of I. purga (Flor. Med. 397). ConvoLvuULus. —Linn. Sepals 5. Corolla campanulate. Style 1; stigmas 2; linear-cylindrical, often revo- lute. Ovary 2-celled, with 4 ovules. Capsule 2-celled. Almost as extensive a genus as lpomza, and resembling it in many respects in its botanical as well as its physical characters. C. scammonta, Linn.—Stem smooth; leaves sagittate, posteriorly truncate ; lobes entire or elongate-laciniate ; peduncles very long, many-flowered. Linn., Sp. Pl. 218; Woodville, ii. 243; Stokes, i. 822; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 60; Lindley, Flor. Med. 398. 478 MEDICAL BOTANY. Common Names.—Scammony ; Syrian Bind-weed. Foreign, Names.—Scammonée, Fr.; Scammonea, Jt. ; Scammonium, Ger. Description.—Root fleshy, fusiform, with a light-gray epidermis, and abounding in a milky juice. Stems several, slender, cylindrical, villous. The leaves are sagittate, alter- nate, smooth, pointed, of a bright-green colour, truncate at base, and supported on long petioles. The flowers are on slender, erect stems, divided above into two or more pedi- cels, each supporting a pale-yellow flower. Calyx with 5 emarginate sepals. Corolla funnel-shaped ; limb entire, somewhat reflexed. Stamens five; ovary 2-celled, supporting a long slender style, with two linear, cylindrical stigmas. Capsule two-celled, with small pyramidal seeds. It is a native of Turkey, Syria, Greece, Persia, &c. According to Russel, it is found in great abundance on the mountains between Aleppo and Latakia, whence most part of the Scammony of commerce is obtained. The time for collecting the milky j juice, which, when inspissated, forms the drug known as Scammony, i is in the beginning of June; this is done as fol- lows. ‘‘ Having cleared away the earth from the upper part of the root, the top is cut off in an oblique direction, about two inches below where the stalks spring from it. Under the most depending part of the slope, a shell is fixed, or some other convenient receptacle, into which the milky juice gradually flows. It is then left about twelve hours, which time is sufficient for the drawing off the whole juice; this, however, is in small quantity, each root affording but a few drachms. ‘This milky juice, from the several roots, is put together, often into the leg of an old boot, for want of some more proper vessel, when in a little time it grows hard, and is the genuine scammony, It is the root only that produces this concrete, for the stalks and leaves near the root, even when pressed, afford no signs of a milky juice. Of this en- tirely pure scammony, but very little is ever brought to market, the greatest part of what is to be met with, being adulterated.” (Russel, Med. Inqgutr., 1.18.) This adulteration is principally practised at the ports from whence it is shipped, and consists of various admixtures of sand, ashes, chalk, &c., and probably of an extract of some other vegetable. There are several varieties met with in commerce. ‘The best is light, resinous when broken, and is fri- able, not effervescing on the addition of an acid, nor rendered blue by iodine ; the colour varies much, especially in large masses; but when good, it is always of a brownish-gray colour in powder. Russel states, that those who gather it assert, that the difference of colour depends on the different modes of drying it. Pereira has given a very full description of the varieties of | this drug found in London, which applies also to those occurring in the shops _in this country. (Elem. Mat. Med., ii. 339.) It has been several times exaiiiaed, with different results, sccombiaa to the purity of specimens operated upon. In the first quality, Aleppo, Macquart found Resin, Wax, Extractive, Gum, Albumen, &c, Besides the true Scam- mony, there are a number of other products bearing the same name, either wholly fictitious or derived from other plants, the best known of which is called Smyrna Scammony, and is said, though the fact is not proved, to be obtained from a species of Secamone, and the French or Montpellier is the product of a Cynanchum. Medical Properties.—Scammony was employed as a drastic purgative by Hippocrates and other Greek physicians, but it has been thought that the article they used was produced by other species of the Convolvulacex. It was also used by the Roman practitioners, and Celsus speaks of it as a good anthelmintic. The Arabian writers, with the exception of Rhazes, thought it too powerful a remedy to be employed, and even he advises it to be used SOLANACES. 419 with great caution. It is a powerful and highly drastic purgative, but is highly useful, when not contra-indicated by intestinal inflammation, both as an evacuant and a derivative. Where it is wished to moderate its action, it may be given in combination with some of the Neutral salts, Rhubarb, &c., with the addition of an aromatic, It is very seldom given alone, on account of the harshness of its operation, except when it is intended to. establish counter-irritation, as in diseases of the brain. It is much used by empirics, and forms a part of most of the vegetable pills so numerous in our quack. ridden country. ‘The dose of the powder is from ten to fifteen grains, and it should be powdered very finely. It enters into the composition of a variety of officinal preparations, as powders, confections, mixtures, &c. ‘Several other species have also, at different times, been employed in medi- cine, as the C. arvensis, C. althwoides, &c. The C. dissectus abounds in prussic acid, and is said to be used in the manufacture of Noyau. (Bot. Mag. 3141.) According to Dr. Uslar, the remedy called in Mexico Guaco, is derived from a Conyolvulus. (Lindley, Veg. Aing., 631.) ' Besides these plants, numerous species of other genera belonging to this order may be cited as having remedial properties. ‘Thus Pharbitis cathartica of St. Domingo, has much the same properties as Jalap; it is the P. pudt- bundus, Bot. Reg. 999; the P. nz is used in Japan ( Thunberg, iv. 53). Calystegia soldanella and C. sepiwm, have been much used-in Europe ; Dr. Deslongchamps, who examined the first with great care, is of opinion that it is almost equivalent to the Jalap. (Jour. Gen. Med. xlii. 173.) It is spoken of in high terms by Ferrein and others as a hydragogue and vermifuge; the P. sepium, is much less active, but it is said that a decoction of its leaves acts well as a mild purgative. The foliage of J. bracteata is employed in Brazil in a similar manner, and that of Argyreza bracteata and A. speciosa are used in India in preparing emollient poultices; they are also thought to possess virtues in cutaneous complaints, rubbed on the affected parts (Azns/ie, ii. 357). Two species of Rhodoriza, the florida and scoparius, yield an aromatic essential oil, of a bitter balsamic flavour, known as the Oil of Rhodium. The wood itself, when powdered, is used as a sternutatory, and is also employed for fumigation ; the oil is much used by rat-catchers to attract rats and mice, as they appear to be extremely fond of the odour. Even the seeds of some of these plants are active; this is the case with those of Pharbitis cerulea, which act as a quick, sale, aud pleasant poERatiyes. in doses of 30—40 grains. (Lindley, Veg. King. 631.) OrvEr 76,—SOLANACE.— Lindley. Calyx of 4—5 more or less united sepals, mostly persistent. Corolla regular, sometimes | a little irregular, plaited in estivation. Stamens inserted upon and-as many as the seg- ments of the corolla. Ovary 2-celled, with the placente in the axis; styles and stigmas united into one. Fruit a many-seeded capsule or berry. Embryo mostly curved, in a ‘fleshy albumen. A very extensive order, consisting of herbs or shrubby plants, with a watery _ juice, and alternate leaves; the floral ones sometimes double, placed near each other. The inflorescence is variable, often supra-axillary, the pedicels ebracteate. ‘The species are found in all parts of the world, except the frigid zone. The properties of this order are not! uniform, though the general cha- racter is that of the acro- -narcotics, but the fruit of some species and the roots of others are among the most valuable esculents, and the fruits of others, again, are purely stimulant, ‘= 480 MEDICAL BOTANY. Among the poisonous species, one of the most striking is the Acocanthera venenata, a large bush with fragrant flowers, found at the Cape of Good Hope ; a decoction of its bark is said to be a fatal poison, and is used by the Hotten- tots to destroy wild beasts, ( Z’hunberg, ii. 173.) Some of the Cestrums, as the macrophyllum and nociurnum, are also very poisonous ; an extract made from the berries of the latter, has been given in doses of 2—5 grains in chorea with some success, (Flor, Med. Anitzll., iii. 47.) Others of this genus, as C. parqut, bracteatum, &c., are found to have a diuretic action, and are also emollient, and applied to ulcers and wounds; the unripe fruits are said to be used in Brazil in affections of the liver and bladder. (Marteus.) The ripe berries of C. tenctortwm afford an indelible ink ; but other properties belong to species of this genus, as C. hediunda, pseudoquina, and laurifolhum, are used as tonics and febrifuges, and also applied externally, in decoction, in cedema and hemorrhoids. (Martius.) The different species of Physalis are — of some importance; the root of P. flexuosa, is considered in India as deob- struent and diuretic, and also to possess some alexipharmic powers, and the ae dipped in castor oil, are applied to carbuncular swellings. (Azns/ie, . 14.) The leaves of P. somnifera are thought, in Egypt, to dissipate local caine and inflammations; the roots are narcotic. (forskdl. 99.) The P. alkekengi has been celebrated as a diuretic from the time of Dioscorides, and has been employed in jaundice, retention of urine, &c., and Ray says the berries will prevent an attack of gout. (Murray, Apparat: Med. i. 679.) Our native species have also been prescribed as diuretics and sedatives, The berries of all of them are edible; they are acid with a slight bitterness. The leaves of some species of Saracha, found in Pera, are bitter, and are employed in the form of an ointment as anodyne and emollient. (Ruiz and Pavon.) The Himeranthus wncinatus of South America, is considered, by the natives, as an aphrodisiac, and as inciting to the passion of love. In the genus Lycium, the L. wmbrosum is esteemed as a remedy in erysipelas, in New Grenada. (Humboldt, Nov. Gen, iti, 54.) The Lycton of Dioscorides, so lauded as an astringent, and employed in dysentery, ulcers in the mouth, &c., is thought by Linnzus and Prosper Alpinus to be a plant of this genus ; the latter writer figures the L. afrum as best agreeing with the description; other authors, however, state that it was Catechu. Sotanum.—Linn. Calyx persistent, 5—10-parted. Corolla rotate, tube very short; limb 4—6-cleft, spread- ing. Anthers 4—6, partly united, oblong, opening at point by two pores. Berry 2—6- celled, many-seeded. Embryo spiral. A very large genus of herbaceous or shrubby plants, naked or aculeate, but seldom spiny, with the leaves simple, but often sinuately lobed, sometimes pseudo-pinnate, or growing in pairs; peduncles several or solitary. Pubes- cence stellate. With a few exceptions the species are indigenous to the warm portions of America, extending also to Asia and Africa. S. DULCAMARA, Linn.—Stem twining, shrubby, without thorns. Upper leaves hastate. Racemes compound, corymbiform, drooping. Linn., Sp. Pl. 264; Woodville, t. 33; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 17 ; Rafinesque, Med. Flor. ii. 86; Bigelow, Am. Med. Bot. i. 169; Lindley, Flor, Med. 511. Common Names.—Bitter sweet ; Woody Nightshade. Foreign Names.—Douce amere, Fr. ; Dulcamara, Jt. ; Bittersuss, Ger. ing its fruit in “the fall, the berries remaining on searlet, oval berry, containing several whitish, plano- SOLANACES. 481 Description A woody vine, creeping, or climbing, when supported, to the height of eight or ten feet, co- vered with a grayish-green bark on the stem and large branches. Leaves alternate, acute, mostly smooth, though sometimes pubescent, of a dull green colour, and petiolate. They are subcordate towards the base of the plant, but more or less hastate above. The flowers are in branched cymose racemes, opposite the leaves, or terminal, drooping, divaricate, aiid on alter- nately subdivided peduncles. ‘The calyx is small, acute. The corolla is rotate, five-cleft segments, acute, ovate, violet-coloured, with two whitish spots at base. The filaments are very short, the anthers erect, yellow, somewhat connected into a conical tube. Ovary | roundish, bearing a filiform style, longer than the an- thers, with a simple, obtuse stigma. The fruit is a convex seeds. The Bitter-sweet is indigenous to Europe, and is naturalized extensively, if it be not a na- tive of this country; it grows in shady, fertile situations, especially where there is some mois- ture; flowering from June to August, and ripen- the vine during most of the winter. ‘There are several varieties of it, founded on the form of the leaves, and their smoothness or pubescence. The officinal portion is the small stems. These should be collected in the autumn, after the leaves have fallen. When fresh the smell is heavy and disagreeable, but in a dried state it is inodorous. In both conditions they have a slight- S. dulcamara. ly bitter taste, followed by a peculiar sweetness. They give out their properties to water, but boiling for any aoe destroyssome of their powers. On analysis they have been found to contain, a Bitter- sweet extractive (Dulcarin), Vegeto-animal matter, Gummy extractive, So- lanina, &c. The Dulcarin or picroglycion, Pfaff, is a crystalline substance, having a bitter and sweet taste, and is thought by Soubeiran to be Solanina united to sugar. Solanina was discovered by Desfosses; it exists in other species of the genus, and is allied in many respects to the other alkaloids dis- covered in the Solanacez; but is not as powerful in its action on the system, Medical Propertues.—The medical qualities of the Bitter-sweet are those of a narcotic, diuretic, and diaphoretic, but its powers are not very great, though in large doses it certainly will.induce the effects of the acro-narcotics, cases of poisoning having been recorded from the berries as well as from the de- _ coction of the twigs. This decoction has attained some note as a remedy in chronic rheumatism, asthma, chronic catarrhs, and in those morbid condi- tions of the system in which sarsaparilla has been found beneficial. Its main reputation, however, has arisen from the benefit obtained from it in skin diseases of an obstinate character, as lepra and pityriasis ; in these, there is strong evidence that it has proved eminently successful, both administered internally and used as a wash to the affected parts. It is also said that it operates as an anaphrodisiac when given for any length of time. ‘The usual form of administration is in decoction, made with an ounce of the twigs toa pint and a half of water, boiled down to a pint ; of this the dose is about a . 31 482 MEDICAL BOTANY. wineglassful, three or four times a day, until the appearance of slight nar- cotic symptoms indicate that the remedy is acting on the system. Many other species of Solanum have been employed medicinally, espe- cially the S. magrum or common Nightshade, a variety of which, the virgi- nianum, is so abundant in this country. It appears to possess the ‘same properties as the Bitter-sweet, but in a greater degree; this may be accounted for by the fact that So/antna exists in it in a greater proportion. Gataker, who tried it extensively, states that he found it a powerful narcotic, sudorific, cathartic, and diuretic (Obs. on Solanum), and Orfila ( Zozzcol. Gen. ii. 190), says he found an extract of it equal in power and energy to lactucarium. It has been employed in the same description of cases as the Bitter-sweet. The leaves are used in Brazil in poultices or decoction to painful wounds. The S. tuberoswm or Potato is of more interest as an article of diet than as a medicinal agent, though the stalks possess the narcotic qualities of the other species, and even the tubers contain a certain portion of the alkaloid ; this appears to be confined to their epidermis, and is greatly increased in quantity where the Potato is exposed for any time to the action of the light, in which case the epidermis assumes a greenish colour, and the poisonous principle is so much developed as to render the root unfit for food. ‘The water in which potatoes are boiled contains solanina. The Potato contains much starch, which is contained in a cellular tissue; this starch, which is the principal nutritious ingredient of the tuber, is used as a substitute for arrow- root, and is also so manufactured as to resemble and to be sold for sago. The Potato in a raw state eaten as a salad with vinegar has proved of much benefit on shipboard as a preventive of scurvy; it sornetimes acts on the bowels, and even induces slight narcotic symptoms. An extract of the leaves is highly spoken of by Mr. Dyer in chronic rheumatism and painful affections of the stomach and bowels; he is of opinion that it ranks between Conium and Belladonna (Pharm, Jour. i. 590). Much difference of opinion has existed among naturalists as to the native country of the Potato, and from what place and by whom it was first carried to Europe. Some confusion has arisen from confounding it with the Batatas or sweet potato. ‘The first defi- nite record of it is by P. Cieca (Chronica dt Peru) in 1553; he says the na- tives of Peru have, besides maize, a tubercular root, they call Papas. After this it is noticed by Gomara in 1554, and Cardan (De Rerum, var. 16) in 1557, It is usually stated that it was carried to England from Virginia or Carolina by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1586, but this is not satisfactorily ascertained. ‘Iwo years afterwards, P. de Sivry sent Clusius two tubers, which were planted, and from the plants, Clusius described and gave the first representation of it in 1599. (Plant. Rar. |. iv. 79.) It has been found wild in Peru by Dr. Baldwin (Reliquie Baldwin), and by Pavon (Jour. Sct. and Arts, No. 9, 188). For further information on the subject, the following papers may be con- sulted with advantage: Duna, Histowre Naturelle et Medicale des Solanum, — 1813, most of the historical portions of which are taken from Bauhin (Hes¢. Plant. iii, 621); and an excellent synopsis by G. Orp, in the Annals of Nat. Hist. xvii. 1846. Besides the uses of the Potato as an article of diet, the stalks furnish a large quantity of potash, and it is said that if the stalks were appropriated to this manufacture, that they would supply most that is | required in commerce. ‘They also afford a bright yellow dye, which is obtained by cutting them when in flower, and bruising and pressing them to extract the juice. (Jour. Sct. and Arts, v.) The SS. Lycopersicon ( Lycopersicum esculentum) or Tomato, whose esculent fruit is in such general use in this country, is alsoa native of South America. : The leaves, which have a nauseous and narcotic odour, contain an alkaloid SOLANACES. 483 which is very analogous to, if it be not identical with Solanzna, a peculiar Oil, and an Animalized extractive; they have not been given remedially, but it is probable that they will be found to possess the properties of those of many others of the genus. The fruit contains a peculiar acid, and a brown, tarry, odorous, resinous matter, with some indications of the presence of an alkaloid. (Jour. Phil, Coll. Pharm. iv. 224.) They form a very healthy article of food, and are stated to act on the biliary functions in a very marked ~ manner. . Another edible fruit of this genus, is furnished by the S. melongena, or Egg-plant ; this is a native of India and Arabia, where it has long been used for food. There are several species known as Egg-plants, besides the above, the S. ovigerum, S. muricatum, &c. The berries of the following are also eaten: S. album, in China, according to Loureiro (lor. Coch. i. 159); S. athiopticum, which is a kind of Tomato, is esteemed in Japan (Flor. Jap. 92); S. aguivi, in Madagascar, according to Commerson (Encyclop. Bot. iv. 304); S. guetense: the fruit of this is as large and somewhat resembles an orange in appearance and smell. Those with useful roots besides the Potato, are S. valenzuale, which is a true tuberous root; it never grows large, but is as well-tasted as that of the S. tuberosum ; it grows near Bogota, and is used in soup, according to Feuillee (Plant. Med. iii. 62); the root and also the leaves of S. trelobatum are considered in India as beneficial in phthisis in the form of an electuary (Ainslie, ii. 427); the root of S. manosum is employed in Jamaica as a diuretic (Barham, Jam. Pl. 117); Ainslie states that the root and fruit of S. acguint are prescribed in India as an expectorant (ii. 91); the juice of S. bahamense, Lunan says, is employed in the West Indies in inflammation of the throat (Hort. Jam. i. 152); the S. bulbocastanum, a native of Mexico, has a qeeeg root, which is a substitute for the potato. (Emcyclop. Bot. xi. 749. Among the other numerous species of this genus may be mentioned S. violaceum, the juice of the leaves of which is deemed beneficial in Malabar in diseases of the lungs, and a decoction of them in cutaneous eruptions (Hort. Malabar. ii. 195); S. oleraceum, the leaves of which are eaten in some of the West Indies (Dumnal); S. vespertilio, with whose berries the women in the Canary Islands. paint their cheeks; those of S. gnaphalocdes are used for the same purpose in Peru (Flor. Perwv. ii. 81); S. fatidum, of which the leaves are employed in Peru to cleanse ulcers (Nov, Gen. &c. iii. 34); S. indicum,—according to Ainslie, the root is thought efficacious in dysuria and retention of urine (Mat. Ind. ii. 207) ; S. undatum, a woody spe- cies, of Madagascar ; the. root pounded and infused in wine is purgative; in small doses it arrests vomiting, and its decoction is used as a_ pectoral (Encycl. Med. iv. 843); S. sodomeum, a native of the Cape of Good Hope, has a large fruit, with'a greenish pulp, which is acro-narcotic, occasioning headache, stupor, and delirium; the roots are acrid and bitter, and are used - by the Hottentots in dropsies (Hist. Lug. Bat. 574); S. saponacewm,—the berries are employed in Peru as a substitute for soap (for. Per. ii. 39); S, paniculatum,—the juice of the berries and leaves are thought in the West Indies to be deobstruent; the fresh leaves are applied to wounds (Jour. Chim, Med. v. 423); another West India species, S. sammosum, has a large and poisonous fruit, which, according to Morin, contains malate of so- lanina; its extract in small doses has been given in cardialgia, lepra, &c. (Flor. Med, Antill. ii. 159); S.coagulans,—according to Forskal, the juice of the berries is used in Egypt to coagulate milk (Flor. Egypt. 47); S. cerrmuum is employed in Brazil as a sudorific in syphilis and gonorrhea (Martius). 484 MEDICAL BOTANY. A few have bitter and tonic barks, the most important of which is S. pseu- do-quina, a small tree, growing in Brazil; the bark is thin, somewhat wrin- kled, of a pale yellow or reddish colour, and very bitter; it is used as a sub- stitute for Cinchona, which it is said to equal in power. It has been analyzed by Vauquelin, but no alkaloid discovered in it. It has been stated that the Quina bicolorata is the product of this species (Martzus) ; but this does not seem to be the case. Merat and De Lens are of opinion that it is derived from the Strychnos pseudo-quina, whilst Guibourt attributes it to an Ezos- lemma. Many more species might be mentioned, but enough have been cited to show that the greater number of them are possessed of active or nutritive pro- perties, and that these properties are extremely various and diversified. Hyoscyvamus.— Linn. Calyx tubular, 5-cleft. Corolla funnel-shaped ; limb spreading, oblique, five-lobed, une- qual. Stamens five. Stigma capitate. Capsule ovate, compressed, and furrowed on each side ; apex with a lid or operculum. The name of this genus is derived from two Greek words, signifying hog’s bean, from the capsule somewhat resembling a bean, and the plant being eaten with impunity by the hog, whilst it is poisonous to other animals. It contains a limited number of species, but all possessed of active and poisonous properties, H. nicer, Linn.—Leaves sinuate, amplexicaul. Flowers nearly sessile. Linn., Sp. Pl.2573 Fig. 215. Woodville, t. 76? Stephenson and Churchill, i. 9 ; Bige- low, Med. Bot. i. 161; —Rafinesque, Med. Flor. i. 255; Lindley, Med. Flor. 508. Common Names. Tobacco, &c. Foreign Names.— Jusquiame, Brive Fava porcina, It. ; Bilsenkraut, Ger. Description. — The ‘root is fusiform, long, thick, wrinkled, brown externally, and white within. The stem rises to the height of two feet, is erect, branched, woody, cylindrical, somewhat viscid, and covered with a hairy down. The leaves sur- round the stem, and are alternate, large, deeply sinuated at their edges, and of a glaucous green colour. The flowers are H, niger. —Henbane; Poison — SOLANACEZ. 485 numerous, mostly sessile, of a straw-yellow colour, marked with purple veins, and either arise singly from the axilla of the leaves, or from long, nodding, secund spikes, at the end of the branches and stem. The corolla is monopetalous, funnel-shaped, and divided above into five obtuse segments. The calyx is tubular, 5-cleft, and persistent. The filaments are inserted into the tube of the corolla, downy at base, inclined, and bearing cordate, purple anthers. The ovary is roundish, with a filiform style, having a blunt, round stigma. The capsule is ovate, bilocular, and opening by a convex lid. It contains numerous small, obovate, unequal, brown seeds. The Henbane is a native of Europe, and is naturalized in the northern parts of the United States, flowering in July and August. There is some difference of opinion among botanists; whether it is annual or biennial; naturally, it is probably the former, but in a state of cultivation, it may be either one or the other. ‘The whole plant has an offensive, nauseous odour, and a forbidding appearance. , It was well known to the ancients, but not as much employed by them medicinally as another species, the H. albus, though Dioscorides recommends the oil of the séeds in pains in the ear; this oil was also much’ employed by the Egyptians for lamps. The present use of the plant may be considered as owing to the experiments of Stoerk, in 1762, who found it highly beneficial as a narcotic and sedative in several morbid affections, ‘The whole plant is officinal, and should be gathered at the time of its full inflorescence. It has a strong, fetid, narcotic odour, and abounds in a clammy juice ; thetaste is mucilaginous, unpleasant, and somewhat acrid. By the process of drying, it loses most of these qualities. The seeds are of a yellowish-gray colour, possess in some degree the odour of the plant, and have an oleaginous, bitter taste. They both owe their active properties to the presence of a peculiar alkaloid, discovered by Brandes, which he has called Hyoscyamza ; it exists in the plant in the form of a malate; it is almost identical in its action on the system with Atropina, and differs from it mainly in being more soluble in water. Medical Propertves.—Henbane is a valuable sedative and narcotic, when administered in small and repeated doses, and is an admirable substitute for opium, where the latter disagrees, or is contra-indicated. It appears to be free from the constipating effects of opium, and does not, like that drug, lock up, as it were, the secretory and excretory passages. In moderate doses, it acts as a sedative, diminishing irritability, induces sleep, relieves pain, and obviates spasm, and has the advantage, that when conjoined with purgatives, that it does not impede their action. As it has the power of preducing dilata- tion of the pupil, it is-occasionally used instead of belladonna for that pur- pose, prior to operations for the removal of cataract. Henbane has also been employed as an external application to painful, glandular swellings, irritable ulcers, and other painful diseases; for this purpose, a cataplasm of the bruised leaves, or fomentations of an infusion of the herb or extract, have sometimes proved beneficial. The seeds appear to have more irritating powers than the leaves, and their administration has in some instances been followed by unpleasant symptoms, analogous to those caused by the irritant poisons. The dose of the powdered leaves is from three to ten grains, but in this form it is seldom prescribed ; of the extract, the most usual form of exhibition, it is from five to fifteen grains. It should always be remembered that no pre- paration varies more in strength and efficiency. Henbane is also given in the form of tincture, the dose of which is from half a drachm to a drachm. Several other species are equally endowed with active properties; thus, the Hi. albus is generally employed in the south of Europe, and is said to be more powerful in its effects on the system than the H. nzger ; in botanical cha- racters, it is very closely allied to it. Forskal mentions a species, H. datora, a native of Arabia, the seeds of which he. states are used by the natives to 486 MEDICAL BOTANY. produce intoxication, and supposes it to be the Nepenthes of Homer. (Flor. Egypt. 45.) ATrRopa.—Linn. Calyx campanulate, 5-cleft. Corolla campanulate, 5-lobed, twice the length of the calyx. Stamens five, filiform, incurved. Berry globular, 2-celled, many-seeded. A small but very narcotic genus, whose name is derived from ATRopos, one of the destinies, indicating the fate of such as become subject to its influ- ence. ‘The earlier botanical writers included most of the species in Solanum, to which it is closely allied in properties and habits.. One species only is officinal, as the A. mandragora now is seldom employed. Descourtilz has described a shrubby species, a native of the West Indies, which is so acrid as to paralyse the pci on chewing a portion of it. (or. Med. Anil, iii. 119.) A. BELLADoNNA, Linn.—Stem herbaceous. Leaves ovate, entire. Flowers solitary. Linn., Sp. Pl. 260; Woodville, t. i.; Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med. i. 394; Ste- phenson and Churchill, i. 1; Lindley, Flor. Med. 508. Common Names.—Deadly Nightshade; Dwale; Black Cherry ; Night- shade. Foreign Names.—Belladonne, Fr.; Belladonna, Jt.; Tollkraut, Ger. Description. — Root thick, fleshy, creeping, much branch- ed. Stem erect, cylindrical, herbaceous, annual, hirsute, about three or four feet high. The branches are dichotomous, of a purplish colour, and fur- nished with ovate, entire, some- what soft leaves, which are acu- minate at both ends, of a dull green colour, growing in pairs, of an unequal size, on short pe- tioles. The flowers are solitary, somewhat drooping, on short, 1-flowered, axillary peduncles. The calyx is green, persistent, and deeply divided into five ovate segments. The corolla is monopetalous, campanulate, with the limb divided into five lobes, of a lurid purple exter- nally, darker on the upper inter- nal surface, yellowish below. The stamens are five, shorter than the corolla, and bearing cordate, 4-lobed anthers. The ovary is spheroidal, with a nec- tariferous gland beneath, and supporting a long, simple style, with a 2-lobed stigma. The fruit is a 2-celled berry, about the size of a small cherry, with a transverse furrow, shining, smooth, of a dark violet-black colour, and containing numerous A. belladonna. reniforti seeds, embedded in a 1, Stamens. 2, Style, 3, Stigma. 4. Berry and Seeds. soft pulp. | | | SOLANACEX | 487 The Belladonna is a native of Europe, and is cultivated in this country; it is also found in some parts of Asia, as. Ainslie (Mat. Ind. i. 246) states it is well known to the Arabians and Persians, but adds that he has never met with it in India. It is generally found in places where the soil is rich and moist, especially if it be calcareous. ‘The specific name is said to have been bestowed upon it in consequence of its having been used in Italy in the com- position of cosmetics. The whole plant is officinal in some Pharmacopaias, but the leaves only are recognised in the United States. These, when fresh, have an unpleasant smell, and a feeble bitterish, sub-acrid taste ; when dried they have scarcely any odour, but the taste remains the same. It is difficult to ascertain at- what time Belladonna was introduced as a re- medial agent, as the ancient writers seem to have confounded this and the Mandragora. The earliest certain reference to it is by Tragus, in 1532 (Historta), under the name of: Solanum hortense nigrum. It is supposed, however, to be the plant referred to by Plutarch as causing the death of so many of Antony’s army during the Parthian war, as the symptoms were very analogous to those produced by Belladonna. ‘There can-be little doubt that it is the poison alluded to by Buchanan (Rerwm, Scot. Hist. 162), as employed by Macbeth during a truce with the Danes, to poison the provisions sent to them, as the description of the plant used will apply to no other than the Belladonna. Brandes found the leaves to contain: super-malate of Atropia ; Pseudo- toxin, with malate of Atropia ; Phytocolla; Gum, Starch, &c.; besides these, Richter states that they contain an acid, which he calls Atropic, and Lube- kind has announced the existence of a volatile vegetable alkaloid, differing from atropia, which he calls LGelladonnin. Atropia when pure is in white prismatic crystals, soluble in absolute alcohol and ether. Water at ordinary temperature dissolves only about +}5th, but takes up a much larger portion when aided by heat. This solution has a disagreeable bitter taste. This alkaloid is a very powerful poison, acting with energy in doses not exceeding a tenth of a grain, and causing dilatation of the pupil when applied to the eye in the minutest quantity. The best and simplest method of separating it is oe ewes by Mein (Jour. Phil. Coll. Pharm. vi. 314). edical Properttes.—Belladonna is a powerful narcotic, having, like many other articles of its class, some diaphoretic and diuretic properties, and in some rare cases has been known to produce salivation (Lancet, i. 403). In small doses it acts as a sedative, and almost invariably causes a peculiar dry- ness of the mouth and throat. In increased quantities it manifests a peculiar influence over the cerebro-spinal system, causing dilatation of the pupils, dim- ness or loss of vision, disturbance of the sense of hearing, vertigo, and mental confusion, accompanied with difficulty of deglutition and articulation, a sense of constriction in the throat, thirst, nausea and sometimes vomiting, and oftentimes the appearance of a red eruption. When the quantity taken is excessive, all these symptoms are greatly aggravated, the brain becomes much affected, and delirium attended with violent gestures and fits of laughter ensues, followed by a state of coma. The pupil ‘becomes much dilated and insensible to light, the face red and tumid, the stomach and bowels insuscep- tible to impressions, and the whole nervous-system prostrated ; where the case terminates fatally, convulsions often precede the death. Dissection shows much inflammation of the digestive organs, and it is said that the body soon putrefies, it swells, becomes covered with livid spots, blood flows from the natural openings, and the stench is intolerable. Notwithstanding the powerful effects of this article on the system, it is much employed as a remedial agent, and has been recommended and used in almost every form of disease, but more especially where it is wished to allay 488 MEDICAL BOTANY. pain and nervous irritation, and as an antispasmodic. It has also been much praised as a resolvent or discutient, in scirrhus and cancer, but it does not appear to act more favourably than any other powerful narcotic. In dis- eases of the eyes it is much employed, from its property of dilating the pupil when locally applied, and hence becomes very useful in the operation for cataract, and where it is wished to examine the condition of the inner por- tions of the visual organs. It has also proved useful where there is a morbid sensibility to light, and also in iritis, to prevent or to destroy adhesions. Some years since it acquired great credit, especially in Germany, as a pro- phylactic in Scarlatina; for this purpose it was introduced by Hahnemann, the founder of the Homeopathic school, on the ground that as it caused an affection of the throat, and an eruption on the skin resembling those of scarlet fever, it would prevent or cure this latter, according to his axiom of ‘‘ semzlia similibus curantur.” A fair trial was given to it, and the result was a com- plete failure, at least, to use the words of Pereira, “all the facts brought for- ward in favour of the existence of this prophylactic power are only negative, while those that can be adduced against it are positive.” Dr. Sigmond gives an instance where eleven persons in one family took the medicine as a preven- tive, and yet every one of them contracted the disease. (Pereira, Elem. ii. 316.) The dose of the powder is one grain, to be gradually increased until the action of the remedy is manifested by dryness of the throat, and dilatation of the pupil. For children, the dose at first should not exceed an eighth of a grain. It is generally, however, given in extract, in the same way, The strength of this preparation is very variable, and it is safest therefore always to begin its use in small doses. \ 2. A. MANDRAGORA, Linn.—Stemless. Scapes 1-flowered. Fig. 217, Linn., Sp. . Pl. ~~ 2MO BloriMedyit. 62; Woodville, ii. 234, t. 83. : Common Name. — Mandrake. Foreign Names. ‘—Mandragore, Fr. ; Abrauntollkraut, G.; Mandragora, Jt. Description. — Root fusiform, very large and long, of a greenish- brown colour, smooth, often bifurcate. Stem- less. Leaves radical, large, sessile, forming a dense tuft. Scapes many, l-flowered, short. Flowers whitish-green, with a purplish tinge, infundibuliform, some- what tomentose. Fruit large, round, yellowish berries, containing se- veral white, reniform seeds, This plant is a A. mandragora. native of the coun- SOLANACES. 489 tries bordering on the Mediterranean, where it grows in rich soil. There are two varieties mentioned by old authors, the male and the female; the first having larger leaves and a round berry, whilst in the latter the leaves, are narrower and more fetid, and the berries oval. ‘The Man- dragora formerly enjoyed much reputation, and the most wonderful powers were attributed to it. ‘The root was fancied to bear so strong a resemblance to the human form, that it bore the name of Antromorphon ; and Matthiolus (Comment. Dioscor.) says that it was a kind of profession in Italy to prepare these roots so as to give them the proper figure, or even to imitate them with those of Bryony, &c. It was also named Circea,.from its being supposed to be one of the ingredients of Circe’s cup. It was collected with magic rites ; a circle was three times traced round it with a naked sword, and as the per- son who plucked it from the ground was considered to be exposed to many dangers, it was usually torn up by fastening it, by means of a cord, to a dog, who was chastised till, in his efforts to escape, he eradicated it. It is as- serted by Albertus Magnus that the most potent roots grow under a gibbet. It was said to be eminently aphrodisiac, and was much used for the pur- pose of exciting love; hence the name of Mandragontis bestowed on Venus. Some commentators are of opinion that the Mandrake, mentioned in our trans- lation of the Bible, as found by.Reuben and carried to his mother Leah, was this plant; but it was evident, frdm the account and from the reference made to it in Solomon’s song,—‘ the mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits,”—it is not probable that reference is had to so nauseous and offensive an article as the Mandragora. The He- brew word Dudaim is said to be derived from Dadim, breasts, or Dodim, friends, twins; and hence must mean something that is double; and as the Mandrake roots are remarkable for their bifurcate form, and are, as stated, considered to promote love, the general idea was that they were alluded to in the various texts of Scripture. But in the Talmud it is also called Szglin, which has been considered to be the jasmine or lily, and hence it must have had a pleasant smell. At present the most generally adopted idea is that it meant the fruit of the plantain or banana, Dr. Milligen (Curios. Med. Ez- perience) seems to think that allusion was had to an wo ig which has twin roots and an agreeable smell. ‘Among its other properties, it bad the precious one of balbling the amount of money it was placed with. It was also of great utility in detecting hidden treasures, and had a variety of other miraculous powers. As a-remedial agent, it was used by the ancients as a narcotic and stupe- fiant, and is constantly spoken of by Hippocrates, Galen, and Celsus, as proper to lull the pain of surgical operations, and is said to have been the drug which Hannibal infused in the wine left in his camp, when he feigned a retreat, and thus rendered his enemies, who partook of it, unable to withstand his subsequent attack. ‘The use of it now is almost abandoned. Boerhaave, however, recommended it as a cataplasm to scrofulous tumours, and Hoff- mann and Swediaur to scirrhous and syphilitic indurations. It was also pre- scribed, in small doses, in gout, and it is stated with much success. Pallas says that it is much employed in Siberia for a multitude of complaints. Lemery observes that it is good for inflammations of the eyes, erysipelas, scrofula, and tumours generally, Brandt and Ratzeburgh (Pereira, il. 335) say that when used internally it purges violently. It does not appear to have been analyzed ; but it is clear, from its very active qualities, that it contains some principle analogous to or identical with Atropia, and probably could be used in all cases to which the belladonna is applicable. 490 MEDICAL BOTANY. Datrura.—Linn. Calyx large, tubular, ventricose, 5-angled, 5-cleft above; segments caducous; base peltate, persistent. Corolla infundibuliform, plaited, 5-toothed, 5-angled. Stamens 5, equal. Style filiform. Stigma bi-lamellar. Capsule smooth or spinous, ovate, 2-celled ; cells 2 or more parted by large dissepiments. Seeds numerous. A small genus of mostly suffruticose or large herbaceous plants, with alternate leaves, and solitary, lateral flowers. They are principally natives of Asia, but one species is now naturalized in Europe and America. There is some confusion in the species, some writers considering as distinct what others regard as mere varieties. They are possessed of active properties, though one only is recognised as officinal. D. stramonium, Linn.—Stem dichotomous. Leaves ovate, sinuate-angular, smooth, acute. Capsules erect, spinous, ovate. ' Linn., Sp. Pl. 255; Woodville, ii. 197, t. 74; Bigelow, Am. Med. Bot., i. 17; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 6; Lor. Med., vi, 332; Lindley, Flor. Med. 510. Common Names.—Thorn-apple ; Jamestown Weed; Jimson, &c. Foreign Names.—Pomme epineuse, Fr.; Stramonia, Zt.; Steckapful, Ger. | Fig. 218. Description. — Stem ) : erect, smooth, round, of a yellowish-green colour, dichotomous above, cy- lindrical, often hollow. Leaves alternate at the forks, ovate, sinuated and toothed; base decurrent, _ dark-green above, paler beneath; on long, cylin. drical footstalks. Flow- ers large, erect, of a white or purplish colour, proceeding singly, on short peduncles, from the axils of the branches. The calyx is monosepalous, tubular, with 5 angles and 5 teeth, the latter. of which are deciduous, but leaving a persistent rim at base. Corolla long, D. stramonium. monopetalous; limb 5- plaited and _ 5-toothed. Stamens 5, the filaments adhering to the tube, and supporting oblong, erect anthers. Ovary free, but coherent at base with the persistent base of the calyx, oval, hairy. Style filiform, bearing an obtuse bi-lamellar stigma. Capsule large, ovate, thorny, 2- celled, with 2 or more large dissepiments. Seeds numerous, reniform. It is very uncertain where the Datura was originally native. It certainly appears indigenous to America, but was first introduced into Europe from ‘Tur- key. It was brought from Constantinople by Lord Zouch, in 1597, and by the writers of that period called “* Thorny Apple of Peru ;” yet Garcias says, “ nascitur in Malabar,” and Thunberg found it in Japan. Dr. Wallich also detected a variety in Nepaul. The native name in India is Dhetoora, so that SOLANACES, 491 there seems but little doubt that it grows naturally in the East Indies. How then is its presence at the time of the discovery to be accounted for in Ame- rica? Rafinesque states positively that it has appeared in North America since the discovery by the whites, and is known among the Indians as the ‘white man’s plant.” He further states that its advance through the coun- try can be traced from Virginia and New England, and that in the Western States it is of very recent appearance, and that it is always found near habi- tations ; never, like truly native plants, in woods or on the mountains, — Some difference of opinion exists respecting the varieties of this plant, as besides that with green stems and white flowers, two others are found in the United States ; one with purple flowers and a purple stem, dotted with green, and the second with a tall, viscid stem, somewhat pubescent Jeaves, and white, declining flowers. The first of these has been considered to be the D. tatula, and the other the D. metel ; but they neither of them agree with the description of these species, which are of foreign origin. Rafinesque has treated of them as varieties of the D. stramonium, under the names of tatulordes and mete- loides. ‘This appears to be the just view of the subject, especially as regards the first, but is liable to some objections in respect to the metelordes, which presents differences that are truly specific. Dr. Riddell (Synop. 77), in speaking of D. mete/, says that it occurs on the banks of the Ohio, and, on the authority of Dr. Locke, suggests that the seed has been transported by the river from Pittsburg, where the plant was at one time cultivated. The Stramonium is found in most parts of the United States, in Canada, Mexico, and is said to extend to Peru. It flowers from May to September. It has an unpleasant, narcotic smell, and a bitter and nauseous taste. When it is dried, the odour, and much of the taste disappear, but this process does not appear to diminish its active properties. ‘The parts employed in medicine are the leaves and seeds. Several analyses have been made of them, and it has been found that their peculiar properties depend on the presence of a vegetable alkali, which has received the name of datwrza, which is very ana- logous in its properties to hyoscyamia, strongly dilating the pupil and exer- cising a poisonousinfluence. Mr. Morries (Ed. Med. and Surg. Jour. xxxix. 379), has described an empyreumatic oil, closely allied to that from the fox- glove, and capable of inducing very unpleasant symptoms. The effects of Stramonium are those of an acro-narcotic, very similar to those of belladonna, but more marked on the secretory functions. In over- doses it causes intoxication, nausea; delirium, loss of sense, drowsiness, mania, loss of memory, convulsions, paralysis, cold sweats, excessive thirst, dilatation of the pupil, &c. ; the pulse is not much affected for some time, and then rather as regards strength than frequency, becoming in some cases almost imper- ceptible, but still retaining its natural beat as to time. In some instances an eruption resembling nettle-rash makes its appearance, either during the con- tinuance of the other symptoms, or after these have been relieved. One of the first and one of the most curious accounts of its effects, is given by Beverly (fist. Virgin, 121) ; he states, that ‘ it was gathered very young, for a boiled salad, by some soldiers sent thither (Jamestown), to quell the rebellion of Bacon ; and some of them ate plentifully of it; the effect of which was a very pleasant comedy, for they turned natural fools upon it for several days. One ~would blow up a feather in the air, another would dart straws at it with much fury ; another, stark-naked, was sitting up in a corner, like a monkey, grin- ning and making mows at them; a fourth would fondly kiss and paw his companions, and sneer in their faces, with a countenance more antic than any Dutch doll.” This lasted eleven days, when they recovered, without any re- collection of what had passed, 492 MEDICAL BOTANY. From the universal occurrence of Stramonium in this country, numerous cases of poisoning with it have occurred, pricipally among children, who are fond of sucking the sweet secretion from the flowers, and often swallow the seeds. Where these cases take place, the best plan of treatment is to evacu- ate the stomach as speedily as possible, after which, affusion with cold water, and the regulated use of stimulants will usually be successful. Medical Uses, §-c.—It has been much prescribed in neuralgic pains, and with considerable success in the form of extract; it has no direct tendency to cause sleep, except by relieving the pain, which it sometimes does very speedily and effectually, hence in rheumatism it has afforded much relief (Zollickoffer). It has also been highly recommended in mania and epilepsy, and numerous cases have been recorded in which it has proved a benefit in these diseases, but the general result of the practice has not been favourable, and it is now considered rather as useful in allaying the excessive mobility of the system, than as tending to soy absolute cure of the complaint (Chapman, Therap. ii. 230). Its good effects have been more marked in asthma, especially of the spas- modic kind, used as an inhalation by smoking or otherwise; in many cases of this kind, it has afforded much relief, but wholly fails in others, and has also proved highly injurious in some instances, causing the most dangerous symp- toms, and hence requires much caution in regulating it. Dr. Bigelow (Am. Med. Bot. i, 23), has given some very judicious remarks on its employment, and others will be found in Dr. Dunglison’s Practice of Medicine, ii, 328. Dr. Marcet, who experimented largely with this remedy, has given the result of his observations, that many kinds of painful diseases were more relieved by it when used internally, than by any other narcotic, that its effects on the bowels were rather relaxing than astringent, and that the great objection to its employment was the occasional production of disagreeable, nervous symp- toms (Med. Trans, 1815). Externally it has been used to dilate the pupil and to diminish the sensi- bility of the eye, but, in general, belladonna is preferred. Cataplasms of the fresh leaves have been found of benefit in inflammatory tumours, and to the swelled breasts of nursing women; and an ointment made with the powdered leaves has afforded much relief in hemorrhoids and painful ulcers. This ointment has also been recommended.in nymphomania to lessen venereal excitement, All parts of the plant are used, but the seeds, from containing most Da- turia, are the most powerful. The dose of the powdered leaves is one grain ; of the seeds half a grain; of the extract of the seeds a quarter of a grain; that from the leaves a grain; of the tincture ten to twenty drops; all to be gradually increased if required. The other species are likewise very active, and possess much the same pro- perties, but with some modifications, D. fastuosa, an annual plant of Egypt, with large, purplish flowers, has been employed in asthma in the form of a tincture, which Dr. Adam is of opinion might be prescribed in all cases in which that of digitalis is useful. (Zyans. Med. Phys. i. 871.) Dr. Skipton © found it beneficial in asthma, in the form of a strong decoction. ( Trans. Soc. Med. Calcut. iv. 282.) D. feroz, a native of India, resembling D. stramo- nium, but having the capsules still more spinous, has the same properties, and is said by Crawford (Ind. Archip. i. 466), to be used by the Malays to produce stupor, and to be a powerful agent in the hands of the Chinese to effect various impositions, DD. metel, another Indian species, has-long been | ! | SOLANACESZ. © 493 known for its soporific and intoxicating powers, and has frequently been em- ployed with criminal intentions (Fleming, Cat. Med, P/.). Belon (Sengulart- tés, 460), thus quaintly speaks of it: “ Voudroit-on chose plus singuliere que de trouver drogue pour faire incontinant dormir quelqu’un qui ne peut reposer. Iis vont chez un droguiste (car ils n’ont point d’apoticaires) auquel demandent pour demie aspre de la semence de Tatoula. Puis la baillent a celuy qui ne peut dormir. ‘Tatoula n’est autre chose ce que les Arabes appellent nux metel. Jovius escrivant de |’Empereur Seleim, dict qu’il avoit quelques fois accous- tumé manger d’ une semence qui rend les gens joyeux et oste la memovire des choses qui rend les hommes pensifs et molestez des choses humaines, et que quelques heures apres que on en a mangé, l’on ne demande qu’a se resiouyr et ne permit qu’on se soucie de penser quelque chose, qui rende l’esprit tou- menté.” The seeds of this plant were considered to be aphrodisiac, and are said to have been used by courtezans in India and Turkey. D. sanguinea and D, suaveolens, now included by some botanists in the genus Brugmansia, are both natives of Peru, and are used for a variety of purposes ; the leaves are made into an ointment, which is considered benefi- cial to ulcers, to maturate abscesses, and relieve pain. The seeds are nar- cotic, and a decoction of them is used to procure sleep. It is said that they were formerly used by the priestesses of the Sun before delivering their oracles. The flowers of the second-named are extremely odorous, and their emana- tions are dangerous in a closed apartment. (Feuillee, Plant. Med. ii. 761.) Nicotrana.— Linn. Calyx urceolate, 5-cleft. Corolla funnel-shaped, with the limb plaited, 5-cleft. Sta- mens five, inclined. Stigma emarginate. Capsule 2-valved, 2-celled, many-seeded. This genus is almost wholly American, a very few species having been found in other parts of the world. It consists of herbaceous or rarely suffru- ticose plants, with terminal flowers in racemes or panicles, and all possessing an unpleasant narcotic smell. Its generic name was bestowed upon it in honour of Jean Nicot, Ambassador of Francis II. of France to Portugal; he brought some Tobacco from Lisbon, and presented it to Catherine de Medecis as an herb possessing many valuable properties. Its common name is said by some writers to be derived from Tobaco, a province of Yucatan, where the Spaniards first found it, and learned its use ; others derive it from Tobago, but, according to Humboldt, it is a Haytian word, signifying the pipe or tube through which the herb is smoked. ‘There are several species of Tobacco used, but only one is officinal. | N. trazacum, Linn.—Leaves oblong-lanceolate, sessile, acuminate; the lower ones decur- rent. Segments of the corolla acute; throat inflated. Linn., Sp. Pl. 258; Woodville, ii. 208; Stokes, i. 390; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 37; Rafinesque, Med. Fior., ii. 245; Lindley, Flor. Med., 518. Common Names.—Tobacco ; Virginian Tobacco. Foreign Names.—Tabac, Fr. ; Tabacco, Jt. ; Tabak, Ger. Description.—Stem erect, round, branched towards the top, rising to the height of four or five feet. ‘The leaves are numerous, alternate, sessile, oblong, pointed, entire, of a dull-green colour; they, as well as the whole plant, are clammy and pubescent; the lower cauline leaves are decurrent; they become smaller and narrower as they approach the top. The flowers are in loose panicles, upon longish footstalks, and are furnished with long, linear, pointed bracts. The calyx is urceolate, and divided into five acute, pointed segments; the corolla is monopetalous, twice the length of the calyx, of a pale-greenish colour externally, and swelling above into an oblong cup, which expands into five pointed, i 494 MEDICAL BOTANY. plaited, rose-coloured segments. ‘The stamens are as long as the corolla, with oblong, compressed anthers. The ovary is ovate, and bears a long, slender style, terminated by a roundish, bilobate stigma. The capsule is ovate, and contains many small, reniform — seeds. This plant is indigenous to the warm parts of America, and was not known to Europeans before the discovery of this.continent. Columbus found it in use in Haytiin 1492. Humboldt (Person. Narr.) states, that it was first discovered in the Mexican province of Yucatan, and that it was there called Petum ; it was afterwards transported to the West Indies and North Ame- rica, and carried to Europe by Hernandes de Toledo, who went from Florida to Lisbon about the commencement of the sixteenth century ; when Raleigh took ‘Tobacco from America to England in 1586, it was already cultivated, to some extent, in Portugal. Another strong proof of its American origin is the fact, that in this continent it is known under a different name in the various languages of the aborigines, whereas, in every part of the old world, it is only called by appellations derived from the Haytian Tamaku. But some writers maintain, that a Tobacco was known and used in Asia long before the discovery of America, and point out the species peculiar to that region in corroboration of this, and also affirm, that it is impossible that its use could have become so universal, especially among nations so loth to adopt new habits as those of Asia, in the short space of time that has elapsed since its introduction into Europe. Bell, in his Travels, expressly states, that the Chinese have been Tobacco smokers for ages; but allowing the fact that they smoked as he says, it does not follow that they used Tobacco. Chardin also states ( Travels, iii. 304), that Tobacco grew in Persia 400 years before he visited it in 1660. Had this practice prevailed in Asia, there would have been some notice of it in Arabian and other works, describing the habits and _ manners of the inhabitants before the time of Columbus; but nothing is to be found in them respecting it. It is said by Ainslie, that as far as he can learn, Tobacco was first brought to India from Brazil in 1617, and he alludes to a proclamation of Jahangir, that it was introduced during his or the pre- ceding reign. (Mat. Ind. i. 447.) Other writers assign an earlier date, and - say that it was taken to India by the Portuguese in 1599. From India its use extended to China and Persia, whilst the more western Asiatic nations received the habit from Europe. Sandys, who was at Constantinople in 1610, speaks of Tobacco smoking, as a new custom among the Turks, The use seems to have spread with very great rapidity ; for at a very early date after its introduction severe edicts appeared against the custom in vari- ous countries; thus it was prohibited in Turkey by Amurath IV, at the time of Sandys’ visit alluded to above; and Sir Thomas Herbert mentions that there was a severe edict against it in Persia in 1628; in 1634 it was de- nounced in Russia, and twenty years afterwards in Switzerland, where its use was considered so heinous as to be classed as a crime next to adultery; it was also prohibited in Denmark by Christian IV.; James I. of England not only endeavoured to prevent its consumption by taxing it heavily, and order- ing that no planter in Virginia should grow more than one hundred pounds, but also wrote a book against it, “A Counterblast to Tobacco.” By a bull of Urban VIII. all persons using tobacco in church were excommunicated, Numerous laws and enactments on the subject might be cited; but enough have been noticed to show how rapidly the habit of employing a naturally repulsive article gained ground, and how impossible it was to eradicate it. For though, to use the words of King James, it is “a custom loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, dangerous to the lungs, and in the black stinking fume thereof, most resembling the horrible Stygian smoke SOLANACES. 495 of the pit that is bottomless,” it is now universal both in civilized and savage nations; and it isa strange fact that no custom is so soon acquired and so difficult to relinquish as that of using this weed. It appears to thrive in all parts of the world ; several species are cultivated, but the principal are IV. tabacum, N. paniculata, and N. rustica ; and from these an immense number of varieties have been derived, differing in appear- ance and in the quality of the leaf, according to species, locality, and mode of cultivation. ‘The mildest are said to be derived from the JV. rustica, which is the origin of the Syrian and Turkish kinds (Royle, J//us, 283), and was the kind carried to Europe and used by Sir W. Raleigh. ‘The celebrated and fragrant tobacco of Shiraz is stated by Lindley to be derived from the IV. Per- sica. Most of the American sorts are the product of varieties of NV. tabacum, though some of the milder are stated to be from the N. rustica, paniculata, and repanda. A full account of the commercial distinctions will be found in Macculloch’s Dzctionary of Commerce, and a brief synopsis in Pereira, (ii. 324.) Tobacco, is manufactured in various forms to fit it for smoking, snuffing, or chewing ; and the consumption is so immense that no estimate can be made of the quantity yearly used in these different forms throughout the world. The average export from the United States for late years has been upwards of 100,000 hhds.; to which must be added the vast home market. The leaf, as met with in commerce, is of various shades of colour, with a peculiar and narcotic odour, and a bitter, nauseous taste. The darker the hue, the stronger is the tobacco, and the greater its action on the system. It has been analyzed by many chemists both in the fresh, dried, and manufac- tured state, and with very various results ; but it is generally admitted at pre- sent that it owes its powers to an alkali called 2cotina ; this exists in all parts of the plant, and has very energetic properties ; it is a colourless, liquid, volatile alkali, with a strong odour of tobacco, and an acrid, burning taste ; it combines with acids, forming salts, some of which are crystallizable. Halfa grain will produce the most aggravated symptoms in a cat (Turnpenny, Journ. Phil. Coll, Pharm. vy. 198). It also affords a concrete volatile oil, the zcoteanin of Humboldt (Schweigger, Journ. xxxi, 441); this is only procurable from the dried leaf, and appears to be developed in the process of curing ; it is strongly endowed with the properties of the plant, as is also the empyreumatic oil. Dr. Paris (Med. Jur. ii. 417) is of opinion that “the juice of cursed hebenon,” by which the father of Hamlet is said by Shakspeare to have been poisoned, was the essential oil of tobacco, as it is supposed that the poet used the word hebenon for henebon, or henbane, which was, accord- ing to Gerarde, one of the names then used for tobacco. The eflects of tobacco on the human system are various, according to the dose and habituation to its use. In small doses it causes a sensation of heat in the throat, with some nausea and sense of swimming in the head, followed by diuresis, and sometimes by purgation. In larger quantities it induces much nausea, vomiting, and purging, with giddiness, and a feeling of sinking at the pit of the stomach; the pulse becomes small and weak, the surface cold and clammy, the respiration impeded, and sometimes convulsive actions of the muscles. In over-doses, these symptoms are increased, paralysis and coma ensue, followed by death. The same train of phenomena are present, when the leaves are smoked by those unaccustomed to their use, and in several cases death has ensued. Chewing will produce the same consequences in those who attempt it for the first time ; in those who have become habituated to it, it is liable to cause a derangement of the digestive functions, with a dis- ordered condition of the nervous system, attended with a morbid action of the — aE ee ee Dili, ieee 496 MEDICAL BOTANY. heart and other organs. The ill effects of smoking are not so well marked, though a depraved condition of the system may often be traced to this source. As regards snuffing, the principal effect produced is purely local; though, where the snuff is very strong, and especially in those who are unaccustomed to its use, it will sometimes pane giddiness ; where it is taken in large quan- tities it may bring on dyspepsia and the other symptoms heretofore spoken of, in consequence of its passing into the throat and stomach. (See Dunglison, Human Health, 330.) Where it is employed i in the form of a clyster, its operation is in most cases very violent, and sometimes fatal, even when directed by the most careful and experienced practitioner. ‘The application of it to abraded surfaces has like- wise been followed by evil consequences ; and even applied to the sound skin in the form of a cataplasm or decoction, it is often productive of its usual in- fluence. Tobacco is very analogous in its operation to Lobelia, but differs essentially from those of Hyoscyamus, Stramonium, or Belladonna, though its action on the system has been compared to that of these several articles. Medical Uses.—The great power this substance exercises on the mus- cular system has led to its use in many spasmodic diseases ; and it has proved beneficial in colic, ileus, suppression of urine, and strangulated hernia, and has generally been applied in the form of a clyster, either of the infusion or of the smoke; but is seldom resorted to until most other means of relief have failed, from the danger always attendant on its operation; but in some cases has proved eminently beneficial. It has also been used in substance as a suppository to provoke the action of the bowels. The employment of its smoke or infusion in asphyxia from drowning, once so highly recommended, has now very properly been abandoned. Dr. O’Brien, of Dublin, warmly advocates the use of ‘Tobacco enemata in tetanus and dysentery. It has been favourably noticed by Dr. Fowler (Med. Rep.) in dropsy, and has been advantageously spoken of by others ; but as digitalis is more cer- tain in its diuretic effects, and causes less distress to the patient, is now but seldom prescribed for this purpose. In dropsy and retention of urine, it has produced good effects from its powerful relaxing powers, and from its dimi- nishing the sensibility of the parts. In tetanus it has at times been of much benefit; Mr. Curling ( Zveat. on Tet.) notices it in the most favourable terms, and states that it has never been known to fail when fairly tried during the early stages of the disease. In fact in all spasmodic diseases it has occa- sionally been of much service, both given internally or applied topically. Dr. Godman detailed a case in which a snuff cataplasm to the throat relieved a child of a paroxysm of croup that had resisted other remedies, and Dr. Wood (U. S. Dispen,.) notices a case of spasm of the rima glottidis, removed by a tobacco cataplasm after copious venesection had been unavailingly tried. In spasmodic asthma, both the tincture and smoking have been bene- ficial. It has also been used as an anthelmintic. It is seldom given in substance, the wine or infusion being the general modes of administration when exhibited by the mouth ; the infusion or smoke when used as an injection, and the cataplasm or ointment when employed ex- ternally. The infusion, made with an ounce of tobacco to a pint of boiling water, may be given in doses of 60—100 drops. When used as an injection, from 20—30 grains to the pint of water is usually sufficient, and a stronger one might prove dangerous; even these proportions have caused death. The dose of the wine is from 10—40 drops. SOLANACES. 497 Carsicum.— Tournefort. Calyx 5-toothed, persistent. Corolla rotate, 5-cleft. Stamens 5, with converging an- thers, which are two-celled, dehiscing by fissures. Fruit a juiceless, coriaceous berry, 2—4.celled, many-seeded. ‘Seeds naked, A genus almost exclusively of American tropical plants, but the species are now naturalized in most warm climates; they are usually herbaceous, or suffruticose annuals, or perennials, and are distinguished by the hot and pungent character of their fruits, One species only is officinal, though all of them possess the same qualities. C. annuum, Zinn.—Stem herbaceous, Peduncles solitary, smooth. Fruit pendulous, oblong. Linn., Sp. Pl. 270; hated ie 80; Stephenson and Churchill, 1. 44; Lindley, Flor. Med., 509. Common Names.—Red Pepper; Capsicum ; Cayenne Pepper. Foreign Names.—Poivre d’Inde, Fr.; Pepperone, Jt. ; Spanischer, oder Turkischer Pfeffer, Ger. Description.—Annual, from one to two feet high. Stem herbaceous, crooked, much branched, smooth, somewhat angular. Leaves ovate, acuminate, smooth, entire, of a dark green colour, supported on long petioles., Flowers solitary, on curved peduncles, arising from the axils of the leaves ; of a greenish-white colour. The calyx is persistent, tubular, _and five-lobed. The corolla i is rotate, with a five-cleft limb. ‘The stamens are five, with oblong anthers. The ovary is ovate, with a filiform style, terminated by a blunt stigma. The fruit is a long, pendulous, inflated berry or pod, smooth, shining, of a crimson or yellow colour; two-celled, sera a spongy pulp, and numerous flat, kidney-shaped seeds. This species varies much in the form and colour of its pods. It is gene- rally considered to be a native both of Asia. and America, and to be the Piperitu or Siliquastrum of Pliny ; but as late writers are of opinion that it is not a native of the former of these countries, that author could not have _ been acquainted with it. At the same time, if it be not the plant known to —— — SS the Romans, there is scarcely any other to which the description will apply, except to the C. frutescens, which is the C; cmdecum of Rheede, and this is said to have been used in the East from time immemorial, and is stated by Crawfurd (Archipel., 182), to grow wild in the Eastern Islands; but is likewise supposed by Rumphius to be American, from its Malay name being of Mexican or Peruvian origin. Be this as it may, the two are now ‘cultivated in all parts of the world, and more especially in warm climates, where they are consumed in large quantities as a condiment, as is also another species, the C. baccatum or Bird pepper ; all are known under the common name of Challies. The C. annuum is much cultivated in this country, principally for culinary purposes, those used in medicine being generally imported from Africa and the West Indies. In tropical countries Chillies are used in great quantities, and are supposed _toaid the digestive functions, so generally weakened by a residence in hot climates. The inhabitants of these regions not only employ them as a seasoning to their food, but eat them raw with relish, whilst strangers from _ more temperate parts cannot support with impunity their pungent and acrid action on the mouth and throat. These peppers when dried and ground form what is called Cayenne Pepper, the best a which is made from C, baccatum, or from the African, which 32 498 MEDICAL BOTANY. appears to be derived from a variety of the C. frutescens. Much use is also made of the round or bell-shaped variety of the C. annuum, in a green © state for pickling; this variety has received the name of C. grosswm, but does not differ, except in the form of its fruit, from the annuum. Several analyses have been made of these fruits; according to Bucholz, (1816) the active principle is a soft acrid Resin, which he calls Capszcan ; this is obtained by digesting an alcoholic extract of Capsicum in ether, and evaporating. It is a thick fluid, of a yellowish or brownish-red colour, which evaporates in thick fumes at a high temperature. It is extremely acrid. Witting stated, in 1822, that he had obtained an alkaloid which was clearly the active principle, and which he calls Capsicina. It is very probable, how- ever, as in the Black pepper, that the active portion is the oil, and that the crystallizable substance is neutral and inactive, owing its apparent powers to an admixture of the oil. Medical Uses.—Although the principal use of Capsicum is rather as a condiment than as a medicine, it is also much employed remedially, espe- cially by the Thomsonians, who prescribe it in almost every complaint. Being a powerful stimulant, it has been found very useful in enfeebled, lan- guid, and torpid conditions of the digestive organs, and has been very advan- tageously administered in atonic gout, where there is much flatulence, as in the habitual drunkard. (Dunglison, Therap. i. 467.) It appears to act more locally than generally, as its influence over the circulation is not propor- tionate to its topical effect. This is well known to the inhabitants of warm climates, who assert, that whilst the use of Black pepper heats them, such is not the case with the red, which seems to spend its influence on the gastric organs, It is also given in conjunction with tonics, in some forms of inter- mittent, where there is torpidity of the stomach, so as to excite that organ, and render it susceptible to the action of the tonic. A more important benefit to be derived from it is in Cynanche maligna, ‘both as a gargle and as an internal remedy; when used for either purpose, Dr. Chapman (Elem. Therap. ii. 144) recommends the following mode, derived from the West Indian physicians, who first introduced the practice. ‘‘ Infuse two tablespoonfuls of the pepper and a teaspoonful of salt in half a pint of boiling water, adding the same quantity of warm vinegar, and strain- ing when cold; of this, two tablespoonfuls are to be given every half hour.” This internal use of Capsicum is also highly praised by many eminent Bri- tish practitioners. (Pereira, ii. 334.) This remedy is, of course, only suited ~ to violent cases. In common sorethroat, and in relaxed conditions of the uvula, the simple infusion has been found beneficial, or else the tincture applied with a soft brush to the parts. ; Externally it is used as a cataplasm, or in decoction, for the purpose of causing counter-irritation, and has proved very useful in chronic rheumatism, in the low stages of fever. The cataplasm excites much irritation, but very seldom vesicatés, though it is extremely painful. A weak infusion is some- times of advantage as a stimulant to scrofulous and fistulous ulcerations, The dose of the powder is 5—10 grains: it is best given in pill; of the tincture ten to sixty drops ; of the infusion, made with two drachms of pepper to half a pint of boiling water, the dose is about half an ounce. As before mentioned, most of the species and varieties are identical in their properties, except as to activity, some being extremely hot and even acrid, whilst others are almost bland; as a general rule, the fruit of C. fru- tescens is more powerful than that of C. annuum, and that of C. baccatum than either. Another species, the C. minimum, is said to be so extremely active as to affect the mouth for days after it has been eaten. Some species, BORAGINACEZ. 499 as the C. tozicaria, are stated to be endowed with narcotic properties, but this needs confirmation. (Lindley, Veg. King. 621.) Group XXXI—Echiales. Orper 77.—BORAGINACE.—Lindley. Calyx 4—5-cleft, persistent. Corolla hypogynous, monopetalous, usually regular, 5-cleft, (sometimes 4-); estivation imbricate. Stameys inserted on the corolla, equal to the lobes and alternate with them. Ovary 4-parted, 4-seeded, or 2-parted, 4-celled ; ovules attached to lowest part of the cavity; style simple, arising from base of ovary; stigma simple or bifid. Nuts 2—4, distinct. Seed separable from pericarp, exalbumi- nous. Embryo with a superior radicle. A tolerably extensive order of herbaceous plants or shrubs, with round stems and alternate leaves, which are often covered with hairs arising from a hard base. They are principally natives of temperate regions, especially of the northern hemisphere, almost wanting in the tropics. They are much less abundant in North America than Europe. Most of the species are possessed of mucilaginous and emollient properties, and contain nitrate of potash, as is shown by their decrepitation when thrown into the fire. ‘They are principally used as demulcents, but some of them afford tinctorial roots. Cerinthe major was formerly considered as an astringent, and was used in inflammations of the eyes. (Lemery, Dict.) Onosma echioides,.a native of Europe, affords a red dye from its roots, which is sometimes used as a substitute for Alkanet, especially in the south of France. Echium vulgare, indigenous to Europe, and now naturalized in many parts of this country, was formerly considered as an alexipharmic, but has only demulcent qualities; the roots of EL. rubrum of Asia afford a red dye. Several species of Pulmonaria have enjoyed a high reputation in dis- eases of the pulmonary organs; they are all emollient and demulcent, but not more so than numerous other plants, which have no peculiar virtues attributed to them, and it is most probable, that they owe much of their re- nown to a lingering reliance on the doctrine of signatures; for as the leaves are spotted somewhat like the lungs, it was supposed that they must of neces- sity be useful in diseases of those organs; the species most in repute is the P. officinalis and its variety angustifolia, the former growing upon high mountains, and the latter generally found through Europe, and most fre- quently used. Our native species, P. virginica, is stated to be astringent and demulcent (Rzddell, 83), and is much used in some parts of the country in catarrhs and other diseases of the respiratory organs. In Lithospermum, where the seeds are hard and stonelike, another instance of the influence of the doctrine of signatures is met with, for the species were, at one time, held in great esteem as lithontriptics, and were also considered efficacious in all diseases of the kidneys and bladder. Haller was of opinion, that these plants had some narcotic properties, but this does not seem to be the case. The species of Anchusa are principally valued for their tinctorial powers, but the A. ztalica and A. officinalis are also employed as mild sudorifics and demulcents ; Ehrenberg, however, says, that in Egypt the first is considered as a specific in jaundice (Bull, Sct. Med. xiii. 230), and Meyer reports, that in Siberia the second is regarded as infallible in hydrophobia (Nouv. Bzb. Med. lil, 443), It may be remarked as a curious fact, that almost all the vaunted specifics in this terrible malady, are plants of the most inefficient charactey as the Skullcap, Water-plantain, Pimpernel, and many others. The A. donc 500 i MEDICAL BOTANY. toria furnishes a red dye, which is much used under the name of Alkanet; is colouring matter is thought to be a peculiar principle, and has been named Pseud-Alkannin by John. Chevreul has discovered phocenic acid im the root (Bull, Pharm. vi. 445). Dr. Hare has proposed an infusion of this root as a substitute for Litmus in testing the presence of acids or alka- lies; the phenomena are ina reversed order to those occurring with that substance ; the liquid is turned blue by an alkali, and the red colour restored by an acid (Szd/. Jour. v. 348), The Myosotis scorpioides is stated by Gmelin (Flor. Sib. iv. 73), to be used in syphilitic affections in’ Siberia, and also as a cataplasm in ophthalmia, Lemery (Diet. 516) speaks of the roots as astringent and detersive, and effi- cacious in fistula lachrymalis. It is one of the species of this genus, that is so generally known by the poetic appellation of * Forget me not.” Symphy- tune officenale, or Comfrey, is a very popular remedy 4 in diseases of the lungs and bowels; the large succulent roots, which are the parts employed, abound in a tenacious mucilage, with a slight astringency, and hence has been found useful in diarrhea, dysentery, &c., as a demulcent; and also to replace with advantage the other mild pectorals, in catarrh and pulmonary affections, but possesses no peculiar virtues; at one time it was thought to have great vulnerary powers, and to be capable of arresting hemorrhages, even where a large vessel had been divided, and to cure wounds without leaving any cica- trix. From an analysis by Blondeau and Plisson, its composition appears to resemble very closely that of the Mallow, both containing an acid malate of Altheine (Jour. de Pharm. xiii. 635). The Borago officinalis is another plant formerly considered to be endow- ed with eminent virtues, but now seldom or never used in regular practice, though still maintaining some reputation as a domestic medicine. It was reckoned among the four cordial flowers, hence the old adage, ‘‘ Ego borago gaudia semper ago,” which old’ Gerarde renders “I borage bring always courage ;” the same writer adds, ‘Those of our time do use the flowers in salads, to exhilarate and make the minde glad. There be also many things made of them, used for the comfort of the heart, to drive away sorrow, and increase the joy of the minde.” It is a sudorific and demulcent of very feeble powers, and is very justly forgotten. Cynoglossum officinale, a native of Europe, and naturalized in some parts of the United States, appears to have more activity than any other plant of the order. It is stated by Vogel and Murray that it is narcotic, and Morison (Hist. Oxon. iii. 456), relates a case of poisoning from eating the leaves, and M. Chamberet (lor. Med. iii. 146), declares that he has been affected whilst gathering it; on the other hand, most writers deny that this quality exists. in it. The fresh plant is much more active than the dried, and hence some active volatile principle may exist, which is partly destroyed by desiccation. It is considered as anodyne, demulcent and astringent, and has been pre- scribed in coughs, dysenteries, &c. Jt is also used as a cataplasm to scro- fulous tumours, burns, and even to goitres. Among other virtues attributed to it, are those ofan alexipharmic, and of curing hydrophobia. According to an analysis by Cenedilla (Jowr. Pharm. Milan, 1828), it contains an odorous principle, to which it owes its powers, to tannin and several salts. It is not used in this country, but is probably unjustly neglected, as there is much evidence of its good properties in several diseases. C. omphalodes has much the same qualities, and our native C. amplezicaule is stated to afford a root which may be used as a substitute for Comfrey. LAMIACE&, | “501 * ~ Orper 78.—LAMIACE.— Lindley. Calyx inferior, tubular, persistent, 5—10-toothed, or irregularly bilabiate. Corolla mo- nopetalous, hypogynous, bilabiate, the upper lip undivided or bifid, the lower larger and 3-lobed. Stamens 4, didynamous, inserted on the corolla, alternate with the lobes of the lower lip, 2 upper stamens often abortive; anthers 2-celled. Ovary 4-lobed, placed on a fleshy hypogynous disk, each lobe with a single ovule; style solitary, arising from base of ovary; stigma bifid, usually acute. Fruit 1—4 small nuts or achenia, included in the persistent calyx. Seeds erect, with little or no albumen; embryo erect. An exceedingly large order of herbaceous or suffruticose plants, with quad- rangular stems, and opposite branches and leaves; the latter simple or divided, exstipulate and studded with vesicles, containing an aromatic oil. They principally abound in temperate climates. They are, in all cases, des- titute of any poisonous properties, and are generally fragrant and aromatic, and hence are used as stimulants, carminatives, sudorifics, ézc., and also as kitchen herbs for flavouring sauces; some few are astringent. A substance resembling camphor is obtained from the volatile oil, afforded by most of the species, but most plentifully from that of Rosemary. ‘LavanpuLa.—Linn. Calyx tubular, nearly equal, thirteen or rarely fifteen-ribbed, shortly 5-toothed, with the four lower teeth nearly equal, or the two lower narrower; the upper either but little broader than the lateral ones, or expanded into a lateral appendage. Upper lip of corolla 2-lobed ; lower 3-lobed ; all the divisions nearly equal. Stamens didynamous, declining. Filaments smooth, distinct, not toothed. Anthers reniform, 1-celled. A small genus of odoriferous, suffruticose plants, with narrow, rigid leaves, and smal] whitish flowers; mostly natives of the south of Europe. Several species are employed, and some confusion has existed as regards the nomen- clature of the officinal one, as under the name of L. spica Linnzus included two plants now considered as distinct species, one with narrow, the other with broader leaves ; the first of these is the true spzca of Linneus, and the second the datzfolia of Desfontaines. De Candolle has bestowed on the first the name of vera, leaving to the latter that of spzca, and this view of the subject has been adopted by most late writers on vegetable Materia Medica, with the ex- ception of Merat and De Lens (Dict. Mat. Med. iv.71), who retain the name of spica for the narrow-leaved, and give that of vera to the broad-leaved. In the following account the views-of De Candolle are adopted, though there is much reason to believe that he has given the name of vera to the true spica of Linnzus. L. vera, De Candolle.—Leaves oblong, linear or lanceolate, quite entire, when young hoary and revolute on the edges. Spikes interrupted. Whorls of six to ten flowers. Floral leaves rhomboid-ovate, acuminate, membranous. Bracts scarcely any. De Candolle, Fv. Fr. Sup. 398; Bentham, Zadiat, 148; Lindley, FZ. Med. 485; L. spica, Linn,, Sp. Pl. 800; Woodville, t. 114; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 40. Common Name.—Lavander or Lavender. Foreign Names.—Lavende Commune, Fr. ; Lavandola, Jt: ; Lavandel Blumen, Ger. Description—Shrubby, much branched, from one to two feet high; bark of the stem ¥ 502 MEDICAL BOTANY. rough and brownish, of the younger branches pale green. The leaves are numerous, linear, hoary, entire, slightly revolute; the upper ones sessile, the lower petiolated. The evors are in spikes, consisting of interrupted whorls, in which the florets are from six to ten, furnished with small ovate bracts. ‘The corolla is purplish-gray, and consists of a cylindrical tube, divided above into two lips, the uppermost of which is larger and bifid, the lower declining, and of three segments. The stamens are four, with small, simple anthers. The style is slender, and crowned by a bilobate stigma. Lavender is a native of the south of Europe, but is extensively cultivated in several places in England, and is a common garden plant in this country. It is generally propagated by cuttings.. The flowers, which are the officinal portion, are gathered in June and dried in the shade. They have an agree- able fragrant odour, and a pungent bitter taste. They owe their properties to a volatile oil. ‘This, which is obtained by distillation, is of a pale yellow colour, a very pungent taste and fragrant odour. From fifty to seventy pounds of the flowers afford a pound of oil. Medical Properties.—Stimulant, aromatic and stomachic. The flowers are seldom used except to obtain the oil; this forms the basis of a tincture, much employed as a cordial and anti-emetic, and to relieve colic. The principal use of lavender is as a perfume, especially in the formation of what is term- ed Lavender water, which is a solution of the oil, either alone or with other aromatics in alcohol. The L. stechas, has attained some reputation as an antispasmodic, emme- nagogue, and expectorant; but is not employed in this country. Its volatile oil is the true oil of spike, and is of a darker colour and less agreeable odour than that of LZ. vera. The L. spica, which is the most common species in the south of Europe, furnishes almost all the Oil of Lavender imported from the Mediterranean ports. It has the same properties as that of the L. vera, but its fragrance is not as pleasant. Ainslie, (Mat. Ind. ii. 144,) states that the fresh juice of an Indian species, the L. carnosa, is employed by the Hindoo practitioners, mixed with sugar candy, in cases of cynanche, and it also enters into the composition of a lini- ment for the head. _ Menrua.—Llinn. Calyx campanulate or tubular, 5-toothed, equal or somewhat two-lipped, with the throat naked inside, or villous. Corolla with the tube enclosed, the limb campanulate, nearly equal, 4-cleft; the upper segments broader, nearly entire or emarginate. Stamens 4, equal, erect, distant; filaments smooth, naked; anthers with two parallel cells. Style shortly bifid, with the divisions bearing stigmas. Achenia dry and smooth. This genus is principally European, but species of it are found in various parts of the world, and several of the European have become naturalized in other countries. ‘They are all herbaceous, and odorous, with verticillate flowers, either axillary or spiked. Several of the species are officinal. 1. M, prrerita, Smith.—Stem smooth; leaves petiolate, ovate.oblong, acute, serrate, rounded, erenate at base, smooth. Spikes lax, obtuse, short, interrupted at the base. Pedicels and calyx smooth at base, teeth hispid. Smith, Eng. Bot. x. 687; Woodville, ii. t. 120; Stokes, iii. 317; Ste- phenson and Churchill, i. 45; Bentham, Labdzat., 1. 687; Lindley, Flor. Med, 487. Common Name,—Peppermint. Foreign Names.—Menthe poivrée, Fr. ; Menta pepe, Jt. ; Pfeffermunze, Ger. ~ LAMIACES. 503 Description.—Rhizome creeping. Stem nearly erect, quadrangular, branched, and usually of a purplish colour, with short recurved hairs, about two feet in height. Leaves opposite, on short petioles, of a dark-green colour, ovate, serrate, acute, smooth, and shining above, and paler beneath; they are never hairy, but the midrib is furnished with short hairs. The flowers are in a terminal, lax, interrupted spike, leafy below. The bracts are lanceolate and fringed. The peduncles are either smooth or slightly hairy above. The calyx is slender, furrowed, and covered with pellucid dots, the base quite smooth, five-cleft, with the segments dark purple and fringed. The corolla is funnel- shaped, longer than the calyx, and of a purplish colour. The stamens are subulate, straight. The ovary is four-lobed, superior, supporting a slender style, longer than the corolla, and terminated by a bifid stigma. Peppermint is a native of Europe, and has become naturalized in some places in this country ; it grows in wet places, flowering the latter part of the summer. There are several varieties of it, and Sir J. E. Smith states that what is called Peppermint in the north of Europe, is merely a variety of M. hirsuta, having a similar odour, and is the MZ. piperita of the Linnean Her- barium. The whole plant is officinal. It has a peculiar and well-known aromatic odour, and a pungent, somewhat bitter taste, followed by a sensa- tion of coolness. It gives out its properties to alcohol, and partly to water. It contains Volatile oil, a Bitter principle, Resin, &c.. The Volatile oil on which its properties depend is colourless, but becomes yellowish or even reddish by age. Its specific gravity is 0-902. It has a powerful aromatic odour, and an extremely pungent taste. The camphor it contains is isomeric with the oil. Medical Properties.—Aromatic, carminative, and stimulant. It is much used to expel flatus, to obviate nausea, relieve pain in the bowels, and to dis- guise the unpleasant taste of other medicines. The usual form of adminis- tration is in the form of the Essence, which is a solution of a drachm of the oil, in an ounce of alcohol. The plant is also used in infusion, 2. M. viripis, Linn.—Spikes cylindrical, interrupted. Leaves sessile, lanceolate, acute, naked. Bracts bristle-like, somewhat hairy, as well as the teeth of the calyx. Stem smooth. Linn., Sp. Pl. 804; Eng. Bot. xxxiv. 2424; Woodville, ii. t. 121; Stokes, 311; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 45; Bentham, ZLadzat., 173; Lindley, Flor. Med. 486. Common Names.—Mint; Spearmint; Green mint. Foreign Names.— Menthe verte, Fr.; Menta Romana, Jt.; Frahen- munze, Ger. Description.— Rhizome creeping. Stem erect, branched, acutely-angular, smooth, sometimes purplish, from two to three feet high. The leaves are of a bright-green colour, lanceolate, nearly sessile, opposite, and sometimes a little hairy beneath. The stems and branches are terminated by long spikes of verticillate flowers, the whorls of which are somewhat distant, and furnished with narrow, lanceolate bracts; the pedicels are smooth. The calyx is campanulate, usually smooth, with five equal teeth, and sprinkled, equally with the leaves, with minute dots. The corolla i is funnel-shaped, Rucethi, of a light-purple colour; the stamens are generally shorter than the corolla, with roundish anthers. The ovary is four-lobed, with a filiform style, having a bifid stigma. The seeds are four, small, and often abortive. Spearmint is a native of Europe and is extensively naturalized in many parts of the United States, growing in moist situations. The whole plant is employed ; it has a peculiar and pleasant odour, which is not as powerful as that of Peppermint ; the taste is aromatic and slightly bitter. Its properties depend on a Volatile oil, besides which it contains a Bitter extractive. The oil is of a pale yellowish colour, becoming darker by age. 504 ; MEDICAL BOTANY. Medical Propertves.—The same as those of Peppermint, but not as powerfil, but from its taste being more agreeable to most persons, it is more frequently employed as.a flavouring ingredient, The infusion of the ‘dried herb is often used to obviate nausea. This species is more employed as a sauce and to give flavour to drinks, than as a medicine. ‘, There are numerous other species of Mint, used to fulfil the same indica- tions as those above-mentioned, among which the M. pulegiwm or European Pennyroyal, has obtained some celebrity as a carminative, and popularly as an antispasmodic and emmenagogue, the latter of which powers it does not possess in any greater degree than any other warm stimulant. The J. sativa, M. aquatica, and M. rotundifolia, are often used as substitutes for the above in Europe, and have the same properties. The species peculiar to the United States are seldom employed, as both their odour and taste are not as aromatic and pleasant as the naturalized, Lycorus.— Linn. Calyx tubular, 5-cleft or 5-toothed. Corolla tubular, 4-cleft, nearly equal; upper divi- sion broader and emarginate. Stamens distant. Seeds four, retuse. Mostly a North American genus, of small, herbaceous plants, with small, axillary, crowded, verticillate, sessile, and generally bi-bracteate flowers, and deeply-toothed or sinuated leaves. The flowers are diandrous ; but in the L. vulgaris there are rudiments of two additional abortive stamens. All the species grow in moist situations, and appear to be the most tonic and best stimulating of the labiate plants. L. vireinicus, Linn.—Stem simple. Angles obtuse. Leaves broad, lanceolate, serrate. Base alternated, entire, surface rugose, dotted beneath. Calyx 4-cleft, shorter than the seeds. Linn., Sp. Pi. 121; Pursh, i. 16; Elliott, Sket. i, 25; Rafinesque, Med. Fi. ii. 26 ; Bentham, 'Labiat., 186 ; Lindley, a “Med. 488. Common Names.—Bugle- weed ; Water Horehound. Description.—Root perennial, fibrous. Stem erect, hecbaestiis with four obtuse angles, furrowed, somewhat pubescent, simple or branched, from one to two feet high. Leaves opposite, sessile, acuminate, somewhat rough, with glandular dots beneath. Flowers in sessile, axillary whorls, with two subulate bracts at the base of each. flower. Calyx 4.cleft, shorter than the seeds, persistent. Corolla white, twice as long as the calyx, . the emarginate segment broader than the others. Stamens two, as long as the corolla, inserted on the tube near the base of the upper segment. Anthers erect, 2-lobed, pale purple. Ovary superior, quadrangular, somewhat furrowed, with a filiform style, some- what exserted, and terminated by a 2-cleft stigma, the lobes of which are acute. Seeds four, longer than the calyx, obovate, compressed, and crenate at top. The Bugle-weed is abundant in most parts of the United States, in moist situations ; it flowers in July and August. The whole plant is officinal. It has a peculiar, but somewhat aromatic odour, and a disagreeable, bitter taste, imparting these properties to water. No analysis has been made of it, but it is probable that its powers in a great measure depend on a peculiar essential oil; though, from the general effects of the herb on the system, it is evident that some other active constituents are present. Medical Properties.—Its operation as a remedial agent is not fully under- stood; Dr. A. W. Ives considers it to be mildly narcotic, but it is also tonic and astringent. It was brought into notice by Drs, Pendleton and Rogers and at the same time displays tonic LAMIACEA, - 505 of New York (NV. York Med. and Fig. 219. Phys. Jour, i. 179), and. is highly spoken of by many practitioners as beneficial in pulmonary affectitns, from its diminishing the frequency,sof the pulse, allaying irritation and preventing cough. It acts like a mild narcotic, powers. Those practitioners who have employed it are unanimous in declar- ing that it is an exceedingly valuable addition to the Materia Medica. It ap- pears to act like Digitalis in abating the frequency of the pulse, but its use is not attended with the appearance of those unpleasant symptoms so often attendant on the administration of that article. Should what is said of its se- dative powers prove correct, on further trials of it, it is certainly a most impor- tant remedy, and one that should be more extensively employed. It requires a thorough and fair trial. It is usually given in infusion, but has also been administered in powder, or even in syrup. A European species, the L. Evw- ropeus, but naturalized in the United States, has long been employed in Eu- rope as a febrifuge, and in Piedmont is known under the name of Erba china. Professor Ré of Turin, in a memoir on . the subject, declares that in doses of L. virginicus. two drachms of the dried plant, the most obstinate intermittents were removed. It has also some astringent powers, according to Dr. Brofferio. (Repert. Med. Chir. Turin.) Satvi1a.—Linn. Calyx sub-campanulate, striate, bilabiate, upper lobe 3-toothed, lower bifid. Corolla, margin bilabiate, upper lip arched and emarginate, lower 3-lobed, the intermediate one largest and rounded. Stamens two, fertile, transversely pedicellate. Anthers 1-celled, one of which is sterile. A numerous genus, the species of which are found in all parts of the world, but most common in warm climates; they are herbaceous or suffruticose, with opposite, usually dentate, or deeply-divided leaves, and often large and brilliantly-coloured flowers, having one to three bracts or axillary leaves. S. orricinaLis, Linn,—Leaves ovate-lanceolate, entire, tomentose beneath. Flowers in spines. Calyx-teeth subulate, acuminate. Linn., Sp. Pl., 34; Woodville, ii. t. 127; Flore Med. vi. t. 313; Ben- tham, Ladiat. 209; Lindley, Flor. Med. 489. Common Names.—Sage ; Garden Sage. Foreign Names.—Sauge, Fr. ; Salvia, It. ; Salvey, Ger. Description.—Perennial, shrubby, about two feet high, with a quadrangular, pubeseent stem, having ovate-lanceolate, crenulate, wrinkled, petiolate leaves, of a grayish-green 506 MEDICAL BOTANY. colour, sometimes tinged with red or purple. The flowers are in long, terminal spikes, composed of distant whorls, with ovate, acute, caducous bracts. The calyx is tubular and striated, bilabiate; the upper lip 3-toothed, and the lower one bifid. The corolla is of a blue colour, tubular, ringent, bilabiate ; the up lip being arched and concave, and the lower one divided into three lobes, of which the outer ones are the smallest. The stamens are affixed to short pedicels transversely about their middle. The Sage is indigenous to the south of Europe, and is extensively culti- vated in gardens both in Europe and this country. There are numerous varieties, differing in the colour of their leaves and flowers, but apparently identical in their qualities. This plant flowers in June, at which time the leaves, which are the officinal portion, should be collected. It has been cele- brated from the earliest ages, and is spoken of in terms of praise by all the ancient writers on medicine ; by the Romans, it was termed the Herba sacra, and the school of Salernum considered it as the best remedy for prolonging life: ‘ Cur moriatur homo cui salvia crescit in horto.”” Even in more modern times, it was still thought to be endowed with high powers, and was arranged among the heroic remedies. | It has an aromatic, but very peculiar odour, and a warm, bitterish, aroma- tic, and somewhat astringent taste, which it owes to the presence of an abun- dance of volatile oil, which may be obtained by distillation. This oil contains much camphor. Medical Uses.—Sage is principally employed as a condiment, but is also in frequent use, in the form of infusion, as a gargle in sore throat and relaxed uvula ; for these purposes the infusion is usually employed, in com- bination with vinegar, or honey and alum. The infusion is also given in a warm state, as a sudorific. At one time it was considered as a powerful an- tispasmodic, and as exercising a marked action on the brain ; but more mo- dern experience has shown that its powers in these respects are very feeble. Van Swieten states that a vinous infusion of it is an excellent fomentation to ‘arrest the flow of milk to the breasts of nurses who are weaning children. It is even considered by Aetius ( Teirad. i.) as capable of rendering women fer- tile, and of facilitating parturition, with many other marvellous properties. It is stated by Bomare that it was exported by the Dutch to China, and was so much preferred by the inhabitants of that country to their own tea, that they willingly exchanged two boxes of theirs for one of the European, but this account has not been confirmed by other writers. The essential oil has been administered internally as a carminative and stimulant, and employed externally as a friction in rheumatism, paralysis, &c. Numerous other species of this genus have somewhat the same properties as the S. officinalis. Among these may be noticed S. sclarea, also a native of Europe, especially in the southern parts. It has an agreeable smell, which has been compared to that of Balsam of Tolu and the Pine apple, and hence is used to aromatise jellies, &c. It is said to be antispasmodic and balsamic, and is used for the same purposes as the common sage, and also in hysteric affections. It also had some reputation especially in nebulosities of the cornea. Ettmuller says, that infused in wine, it gives it a muscat odour, and renders it more intoxicating. It is asserted (Journ, Pharm. vi. 316) that it contains benzoates. S. bengalensis is used in India as a substi- tute for the common ‘Sage, from which it differs only in having a highly camphorated smell. (Azzslie, i. 359.) S. pomifera, a native of Greece, de- rives its name from the leaves bearing small round excrescences, caused by the puncture of an insect ; Olivier says that these balls are made into a plea- sant sweetmeat by cooking them with honey and sugar. Belon thus describes them as occurring at Mount Ida: “Il croist des saugers qui portent des.pommes bonnes & manger; desquelles les paysans remplissent leurs sacs, qu’ils LAMIACES. 507 chargent a leur col pour les porter vendre aux villes prochaines. Ils les trouvent attachées aux feuilles au commencement du mois de May. Elles . Sont grosses comme une galle, convertes de poil par dessus et sont douces et plaisantes & manger.” Another species of Southern Europe, the S. horminum, is reputed to be aphrodisiac, and beneficial in affections of the eyes. It is mentioned by both Dioscorides and Pliny. The Peruvians make use of an infusion of S. 2nte- grifolia in pleurisy (Flor, Peruv.); and the S. leucantha is esteemed as a sudorific in the West Indies (Flor. Med. Antvil. iii, 303). Rosmarinus.—Linn, Calyx ovate-campanulate, two-lipped; the upper one entire, the lower bifid. Corolla with the tube smooth, not ringed within, somewhat inflated in the throat; limb bilabiate ; lips nearly equal, the upper one erect and emarginate, the lower spreading, trifid, with the lateral lobes erect, but somewhat twisted; the middle one large, declining. Stamens 2, ascending, inferior, exserted; no rudiments of superior stamens; filaments toothed at base, anthers linear, sub-two-celled. Upper lobe of the style very short; stigmas minute, terminal. There is only one species in this genus, though there are several marked varieties. It was well known to the ancients, by whom it was called Coronarzus, from being used in garlands, and T’huribudwm or Small frankincense. Pliny first applied the name of Rosmarinum to it. R. orricinaLis, Linn.—The only species. Linn., Sp, Pl. 23; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 24; Flor. Med. vi. 300 ; Bentham, Ladiat., 315; Lindley, Flor. Med, 489. Common Name.—Rosemary. Foreign Names.—Rosmarin, Fr. ; Rosmarino, Jt. ; Rosmarin, Ger. Description.—Perennial, evergreen, shrubby, two or three feet high, much branched, downy, and thickly furnished with leaves ; these are opposite, sessile, linear, dark-green, smooth, shining above, with the margins reflected, and whitish tomentose beneath. The flowers are pedunculated, of a pale-bluish colour, variegated with white and purple, and exhale, like the leaves, a fragrant camphoraceous odour. The calyx is campanulate and villous; the corolla is ringent, longer than the calyx, with the upper lip erect and bifid ; the lower divided into three segments, the middle one of which is largest, concave and emarginate. The stamens are two, longer than the corolla, curved and furnished with a minute tooth, near the base; the anthers are oblong and of a blue colour. The style is as long as the stamens, dans and furnished with pointed stigmas. The seeds are four, naked and situated at the base of the calyx. It is a native of the south of Europe, especially near the seacoast, and is cultivated in gardens in England and this country; it flowers in June. The flowers of the plant, in a wild state, are said to be larger, and the leaves broader than in the cultivated variety. Two other kinds are also occasionally met with in gardens, one with white-striped leaves, called Szlver rosemary ; the other with yellow stripes, and denominated Golden rosemary. The an- cients supposed that this plant had the power of imparting strength to the memory and of comforting the brain, and these properties are frequently re- _ ferred to by the older poets; and from the same belief it was worn at weddings, and used at funerals ; though its latter employment has been supposed by some to be a precaution against contagion, The officinal portions are the flowering tops. These have a fragrant odour, and a bitter pungent taste. When distilled with water, they afford a light, pale volatile oil, of great fragrancy, but not as agreeable as that of the fresh plant. One pound of the herb furnishes about a drachm of the oil. On being kept for some time it deposits crystals of camphor. 508 MEDICAL BOTANY. Medical Properties.—Rosemary is stimulant and carminative, but is rarely employed medicinally. It was formerly in some esteem for its supposed virtues in hysteria, in uterine obstructions, and nervous complaints, but is now mainly used as a perfume, especially in combination with other aromatics; though it also is employed as an odoriferous addition to various lotions and liniments. Heproma.— Persoon. Calyx bilabiate, gibbous at base, upper lip 3-toothed, lower 2; dentures all subulate. Corolla ringent. Stamens 4, didynamous; 2 fertile, as long as corolla, 2 sterile, short. The species composing this genus, which are mostly North American, were included by Linneus in Cunzla and Melissa, but were separated by Persoon, and now constitute a small but well-marked group. They are all small and herbaceous, with opposite leaves, and verticillate, bracteate flowers, One species only is officinal. H. puteciorpes, Persoon—Pubescent. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, serrated, a little rough. Flowers in axillary verticilli, on short pedicels. Persoon, Synop., ii. 131; Nuttall, Gez., 1.116; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med., ii. 165; Rafinesque, Med. Fi., i. 231; Bentham, Ladzat. 366; Lindley, Flor, Med, 491. Common Names.—Pennyroyal ; Tick Weed ; Squaw Mint. Fig. 220. Description—Annual, Stem ’ upright, much branched, about ¢ a foot high, somewhat angular, WS pubescent. Leaves opposite, ey, small, lanceolate-oblong, or ye ovate, narrowed at base, margin sparsely dentated, rough, pube- scent, pale beneath, shortly peti- olated. The flowers are in ax- illary whorls of about six, very small, pale-blue, on short pedi- cels, Calyx striated and pube- scent, bilabiate, the upper lip divided into two ciliated seg- ments, the lower into three rounded lobes. The stamens and style are filiform. The seeds are four, oblong, contain- ed in the persistent calyx, the mouth of which is closed by bristles of the lower lip. The Pennyroyal is abun- dant in most parts of the United States, in dry, ste- rile situations, and is espes cially abundant in calca- reous soils, It begins to blossom in July, and con- tinues to flower until late in the autumn. The whole plant is officinal. It has a powerful aromatic odour, which is extremely pleasant H. pulegioides. to some persons, but offen- sive to others. ‘The taste is LAMIACE &. 509 very pungent. It owes its properties to an essential oil, and imparts its vir- tues to boiling water. The oil is of a light-yellow colour, with a specific gravity of 0°948. Medical Properties.—Pennyroyal is a stimulant aromatic, and is used to obviate nausea and relieve flatulence, as well as to disguise the taste of nau- seous medicines. No one of the aromatic herbs is more employed in domes- tic practice than this, especially as an emmenagogue, and with more general success. It is given in warm infusion, and, aided by a hot foot-bath, acts very beneficially in slight cases of suppressed or scanty menstruation, though no dependence is to be placed upon it in those of long standing. It is also used with some benefit as a stimulating diaphoretic, in incipient catarrhs and rheumatisms. It is said that the plant or its oil is an effectual remedy against the attacks of ticks, fleas, and musquitoes; but, from many trials made with it, it does not appear to possess any more effect than the other aromatics. CuntLta.—Linn. Calyx tubular, striated, 5-toothed, subequal. Corolla tubular, ringent, bilabiate ; upper lip erect, flat, emarginate; lower lip 3-parted. Stamens 4; 2 fertile, exserted, 2 sterile short. Anthers didymous, roundish. Ovary 4-lobed. Style filiform, with a bifid stigma. Seeds 4, egg-shaped, small. A North American Fig. 221. genus, containing but few species, all aroma- tic and stimulant. Un- der this name Pliny speaks of several plants, differing widely from each other in botanical character and physical properties ; thus his C. sativa is a Satureja, and his C. mascuda an Inula. C. mariana, Linn, — Smooth ; stems slender and *branched. Leaves opposite, sessile, ovate, serrate, punctate. Flowers in ter- minal corymbs. Linn., Sp. Pl. 30; Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med. i, 43; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. ii.171 ; Ra- finesque, Med. Fl. i. 136; Bentham, Ladiat. Common Names.— Dittany ; Mountain Dit- _tany ; Stone-mint, Wc. \ _Description.—Root pe- _rennial, fibrous. Stem smooth, slender, about a foot high. Branches oppo- site or nearly so. Leaves opposite, sessile, smooth, punctate, cordate at base, C. mariana. 510 MEDICAL BOTANY. of a dry texture, pale-green above, glaucous beneath ; margin waved, with small, acute ser- ratures. The flowers are numerous, in terminal and sometimes axillary dichotomous co- rymbs, of a bluish-purple colour (sometimes white). Each flower is pedunculate. The calyx is green, with ten longitudinal strie, and five nearly equal, sharp teeth. The corolla is twice as long as the calyx, bilabiate ; lower lip largest, with three rounded lobes ; upper lip flat and emarginate. The stamens are four; two of them long, slender, and exserted, bearing small, didymous anthers; the two others sterile, very short. The stig- ma is bifid, exserted. ‘The seeds are four, small, obovate, at the base of the persistent calyx, the mouth of which is closed by rigid hairs. The Dittany is found in dry soils, in shady and hilly woods, in most parts of the United States, flowering from July to the last of September. The whole plant is used. It has a warm, pungent taste, and a powerful, aroma- tic smell, depending, as in the other plants of its order, on the presence of a volatile oil. This oil is not officinal, but is very powerful, resembling that of Monarda. Medical Properties—These are stimulant, carminative, and aromatic, as in the other labiate plants. It appears to have been employed by the Indians, and is noticed by Schoepf as stimulant and nervine, and useful in intermit- tent fevers, and the expressed juice, mixed with milk, as an antidote to the bites of venomous snakes. It is much employed in domestic practice as a sudorific, given in warm infusion; and, like all the stimulating teas, has ob- tained some reputation as an emmenagogue. It may be used wherever a warm, stimulating aromatic is required. | Monarpa.— Linn. Calyx tubular, 5-toothed. Corolla ringent, with a long tube; upper lip linear, involvy- ing the filaments; lower lip 3-parted, reflexed. Stamens 2, long, exserted. Style 1, with a lateral stigma. This beautiful genus is peculiar to North America, and is named in honour of Monardes, a French botanist. ‘The species are herbaceous, having axil- lary, verticillate, or terminal and capitate flowers, with involucrate bracts, which are sometimes highly coloured. They are all very aromatic, and abound in volatile oil, though only one species is officinal, the JZ. punc- tata, which is very powerful, but has the least agreeable aroma. M. punctata.—Somewhat smooth. Flowers verticillate. Bracts lanceolate,.coloured, longer than the flowers. Leaves lanceolate-oblong, remotely serrate. Stem obtuse- angled, tomentose. Linn., Sp. Pl. 126; Elliott, Sketches, i. 830; Torrey, Comp. 23; Atlee, Am. Med. Recor. ii. 496. Common Names.—Horsemint; Rignum, &c. Description—Stem about two to three feet’ high, obtusely 4-angled, whitish, downy stems. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, remotely serrate, smooth, punctate, tapering to a short petiole. Flowers in numerous whorls, having lanceolate, coloured bracts, longer than the whorls. The corolla is yellow, spotted with brown; the upper lip somewhat vaulted, containing the filaments, the lower shorter, and 3-cleft. It is found in light and sandy soils, from New Jersey to Florida, flowering from June to September. ‘The whole plant has an aromatic smell, and a warm, pungent, somewhat bitter taste, and abounds in a powerful volatile oil. This is usually distilled from the fresh herb. It is of a reddish-yellow or brownish colour, of a strong, aromatic odour, and a warm and exceedingly pungent taste. When applied to the skin, it produces redness and pain, and in some cases vesication. LAMIACES. 511 Medical Uses.—Horsemint, like most of the articles of its order, is stimulant and carminative. It is used in infusion for flatulent colic and other cases requiring the employment of an exciting carminative. Elliott states that the root has some reputation in domestic practice as an emmenagogue, for which purpose it is given in a warm infusion. The volatile oil forms a most efficacious rubefacient and counter-irritant, and is much used where such an application is required. Dr. Atlee, who experimented much with it, found it very beneficial as a liniment in chronic rheumatism, the low forms of fever, neuralgic pains, &c.; and it has proved very useful in the hands of other practitioners, Where the skin is tender, as in females and children, the oil should be diluted. It may be given internally as a carminative, in doses of two drops, on sugar. Oricanum.—Linn. Calyx ovate, tubular, ten to thirteen-nerved, striated, with 5 sub-equal teeth; throat villous within, upper limb of corolla nearly erect, emarginate; the lower spreading, 3- parted. Stamens four, exserted, didynamous, the lower ones longer. Style bifid at the point. Achenia dry, somewhat smooth. A small genus, almost peculiar to the countries bordering on the Levant, though some of the species are widely diffused throughout the world. ‘They are herbaceous, with flowers on axillary and terminal peduncles, each sup- porting several spikes, and each flower separated from the others by broad bracts. One species is officinal. O. vuteare, Linn.—Erect, villous. Leaves petiolate, broad-ovate, obtuse, subserrate, rounded at the base, green on both sides. Spikes roundish, oblong, panicled, fasciculate ; bracts ovate, longer than the calyx. Linn., Sp. Pl. 834; Torrey, Comp. 236; Woodville, t. 124; Lindley, Flor. Med, 490 ; Stephenson and Churchill, iii. 131. Common Name,—Common Marjoram. Foreign Names.—Origan, Fr.; Origano, Jt.; Gemeine Dosten, Ger. This plant is a native of many parts of Europe; it is also found in Asia, and has been extensively naturalized inthis country. It is generally found in dry, gravelly, or calcareous soils, and flowers from June to September. The whole plant is officinal, but is principally used for the extraction of the oil. This, when first obtained, is of a yellowish colour, but becomes red by age. It has the odour of the plant, and a very hot, pungent taste. Its specific gravity is 0-909. The proportion of oil obtained by distillation varies much, but the average product is half a pound from a hundred weight. Medical Properizes.—The marjoram resembles the other labiate plants in its remedial qualities, being mildly stimulant and carminative, but is seldom em- ployed. It formerly was held in high estimation as an emmenagogue, and the warm infusion is sometimes used as a diaphoretic. The essential oil is applied to carious teeth, to relieve pain, and enters into the composition of stimulating liniments, for the cure of sprains, rheumatism, &c. The Sweet Marjoram, which now forms the type of the genus Marjorana, is principally used for culinary purposes, to give flavour to soups, &c., but at one time was much esteemed as a popular remedy in nervous complaints, and Murray (Appar. Medicam.) states, that the fresh herb applied to painful scir- thous tumours of the breast has removed them. It is supposed that the O. ‘treticum is the plant mentioned by Dioscorides, but it is also stated that both it and the Amaracum of Pliny, refer to the O. dictamnus, now the type of Amaracus, Bentham. 512, MEDICAL BOTANY.’ Nepeta.—Linn. - Calyx dry, striated. ‘Tube of the corolla longish; intermediate lobe of the lower lip crenate; margin of the orifice reflected. Stamens approximate. A large genus, diffused throughout the world, but principally found in the south of Europe, the countries bordering on the Mediterranean, Persia, and India. They are herbaceous, with verticillately spiked flowers, rarely race- mose, or cymose. One species only is employed. - N. catarira, Linn.—Flowers spiked; whorls slightly pedunculated; leaves petiolate, cordate, dentate, serrate. Linn., Sp. Pl. 797; Torrey, Comp. 233; Flor. Med. ii. 105; Engl. Bot. 137; Lindley, Flor. Med. 492. Common Names.—Catnep ; Catmint. - Foreign Names.—Cataire, Herbe aux chats, Fr. ; Erba gattaria, It. Catnep is a native of many parts of Europe, and is abundantly naturalized in this country ; it grows in neglected, dry situations, flowering in June and July. The whole plant i is used ; it has a strong, peculiar, and even unpleasant odour, and a bitter, somewhat aromatic taste. Like Valerian, it appears to be extremely agreeable to cats, who delight in rolling on it, so as to develope the odour, which is said to act on themas an aphrodisiac. Ray states, that when this plant is raised from seed, instead of being transplanted, that these animals will not touch it. Medical Propertces.—It is much employed, in domestic practice, as a car- minative, especially in colic of infants, in the form of infusion. It possesses the usual properties of its class, and moreover, is endowed with marked anti- spasmodic powers, a strong infusion oftentimes acting very efficaciously in attacks of hysteria. Many European writers speak of it in high terms in the treatment of chlorosis, and amenorrhea, and it is also said to operate as a powerful vermifuge. It is now seldom employed in regular practice, but is far more deserving of notice than many articles admitted into the officinal lists. Several other species are employed medicinally, among which may be mentioned the LV. citriodora, which, according to Wiegmann, is a powerful emmenagogue (Bull. Sct, Med. x. 171); the NV. madagascariensis furnishes tuberous roots, which are eaten in Madagascar; and the NV. malabarica, the leaves of which, according to Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii, 295), are given in India in stomachic complaints, and in the later stages of dysentery, and also in intermittent fevers, and the expressed juice is prescribed for children in the febrile condition attending teething ; and Rumphius (Améovn., v. c. 75) states, that the juice mixed with oil of sesamum is much used by the Malays in chronic coughs and asthma. Marrvusium.—Linn. Calyx tubular, five to ten-nerved, equal, with five to ten bristly teeth. Corolla with the upper lip erect, the lower spreading and trifid, the middle lobe broadest. Stamens four, didynamous, included, anthers with divaricating, somewhat confluent lobes, Style with short, obtuse lobes. A small genus, principally indigenous to the south of Europe, and countries bordering on the Levant. The flowers are verticillate and sessile, with nu- merous linear bracts. The leaves are generally whitish and rugosely-veined. One species is officinal. LAMIACEZ. 513 M, vorearr, Linn.—Branches white-woolly. Leaves roundish-ovate, wrinkled, crenate, softly villous. Whorls many-flowered. Calyx woolly, with ten bristly, recurved teeth. Linn., Sp. Pl. 816; Torrey, Comp. 235; Lindley, Flor. Med. 494; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 135. Common Names. Be Horehound : White Horehound. Foreign INames.—Marrube Bade Fr.; Marrobio bianco, Zz. ; Witte mal- rove, Ger. The Horehound is a native of most parts of Europe; is also found in Asia, and has become ,naturalized in some places in the United States. It grows in waste grounds and among rubbish, especially in warm, dry situations, flowering in July and August. The whole plant is officinal. It has a strong and peculiar aromatic odour, and a bitter, somewhat pungent taste, which is very permanent. According to an analysis by Mr. M’Maken (Am. Jour. Pharm. xi. 1), it contains Resin, Tannic acid, Volatile oil, a peculiar crystallizable Bitter principle, &c. This bitter principle i is insoluble in water, but soluble in ether, and more so in hot than in cold alcohol, is perfectly neutral, and melts like resin when heated. Medical Propertes. —Horehound is tonic, somewhat stimulant and diuretic, and in large doses is gently laxative. It was at one time in much repute in asthma, jaundice, and visceral and uterine obstructions. It is seldom em- ployed at the present day in regular practice, but is a favourite domestic remedy in diseases of the pulmonary organs, and some cases of obstinate catarrhs have been much benefited by the expressed juice taken in milk, It is administered in powder, in doses of about a drachm, but more frequently in infusion made with an ounce of the dried herb to a pint of boiling water, and given in doses of a wineglassful several times a day. It also enters into the composition of several cough syrups and candies, CoLLINSONIA.—Linn. Calyx bilabiate ; upper lip three-toothed, lower bifid. Corolla much longer than the calyx, somewhat infundibuliform, unequally 5-lobed; the lower lobe longest, fimbriated. Stamens 4, two of which are often sterile. Seeds 4, often 2—3 abortive. A small North American genus of herbaceous plants, with large opposite leaves, and flowers in terminal panicles of a yellowish-violet colour, It was named by Linneeus, in honour of Peter Collinson, so advantageously known for his zeal and liberality in the promotion of science and learning in the then British Colonies. This genus is sometimes diandrous and sometimes tetran- drous, but in all the species the fertile stamens are exserted. C. canavensis, Linn.—Leaves broad, cordate, ovate, smooth. Teeth of the calyx short, subulate. Panicle compound, terminal. Linn., Sp. Pl., 40; Torrey, Compend., 24; Rafinesque, Med. Fi. i mm, t. 23. Common Names.—Horse-weed ; Rich-weed ; Knot-weed ;. Heal-all, &c. It is found in many parts of the United States, between the Atlantic and the mountains, but is more rare in the Southern States ; very frequent in rich valleys in New York and Pennsylvania. It flowers from July to September, and is a curious and rather handsome plant. The whole plant has a peculiar balsamic smell, which is milder and pleasanter in the flowers than in the root, this having somewhat a rank odour. It affords on distillation an essential oil, which possesses the same odour. The taste of both is pungent and warm. No analysis has been made of it, 33 514 MEDICAL BOTANY. Medical Uses.—It was in use among the Indians as a vulnerary at the time of the discovery, and is still used for this purpose in domestic practice in some parts of the country, being considered as efficacious in all kinds of wounds and bruises, and is taken in the form of an infusion for headache, colic, indigestion, &c., and hence has received the common name of Heal-all. Schoepf was the first writer who noticed it; he says it is beneficial in ague, snake-bites, and colic, and externally asa friction in rheumatism. Dr, Mease (.Domest. Ency., ii. 177), states that an infusion of the root in cider, has proved perfectly successful in several cases of dropsy. The best detailed account of the properties of this plant was given by Dr. C. Hooker, of New Haven (Annal. Soc. Lin. Par.), but Dr. French of Milford in Connecticut, appears to have been the first practitioner who employ- ed it in diseases of the urinary organs, and was extremely successful with it, and its efficacy in such cases is corroborated by Dr. Hooker and Dr. Biers ; the latter gave the powdered root in spoonful doses, but found that he was often obliged to suspend its use from the occurrence of irritation of the stomach; he also found it of service Fig. 222. in ovarian dropsy and ascites. Dr. Hooker is of opinion that the active » principle is volatile, and that the most advantageous mode of administration is the infusion, which should be made in a close vessel, and by a very gentle heat. The powdered root soon loses all power, and even when kept in an entire form cannot be depended upon, if kept for any time. It appears probable that the best preparation would be the essential oil, though the tincture might perhaps retain all the virtues of the recent plant. It is also said to be an excellent tonic, and has been given with benefit in low fevers, exhaustion of the forces, and leucorrhea. From all that can be learnt respecting it, there is no doubt that it is an active medicine, and one that deserves attention. All the other species have the same smell, taste, and properties. The odour of the C. anisata is somewhat similar resemblance to each other, but pre- sent sufficient specific distinctions to be recognised by an experienced eye. vA (om ( G\Si : Numerous other plants of this order a DAR (@UK@ have been, and are still employed as K NW Is stimulants, carminatives, &c., but it Ys would only be encumbering the pages C. canadensis. of this work to notice them except in the most cursory manner. Most of the species of Ocymum are stomachic, but some of them, as O. viride and O. sanctum, are reported to be febrifugic, and O. cavum and O. crispum to be sudorific. Meriandra bengalensis much resembles Sage in its & to that of aniseed. They have a close * PEDALIACES. 515 properties, but is more powerful. Rosmarinus officinals is principally employed as a perfume; it is said to encourage the growth and vigour of the hair, and it is stated an infusion of it will prevent it from uncurling in damp weather. Amaracus dictamnus is the celebrated Dittany of Crete, in so much repute among the ancients as a vulnerary. Leonurus cardiaca is a supposed tonic, and has been said to relieve palpitation of the heart; it has also been extolled in Russia as a preservative against hydrophobia ; for which purpose Scutellaria lateriflora obtained an undue reputation in this coun- _ try, but it is more than probable that neither has any efficacy in this malady. Stachys betonica when powdered, causes sneezing, from the fine rigid hairs with which it is covered. The root is said to be purgative and emetic. Group XXXII.—Bignoniales, Orver 79.—PEDALIACE.— Lindley. Calyx formed of 5 nearly equal pieces. Corolla monopetalous, irregular; the throat ventricose ; the limb bilabiate. Lobes somewhat valvate in estivation, Disk hypogynous, fleshy, sometimes glandular. Stamens didynamous, included, with the rudiment of a fifth. Anthers 2-celled; the connective articulated with the filament, somewhat pro- longed beyond the cells, terminated by a gland. Ovary on a glandular disk, 1-celled, sometimes divided into 4 or 6 spurious cells, by the splitting of two placentas, and the divergence of their lobes. Ovules anatropal, erect or pendulous, or horizontal, solitary, or 2 or several. Style 1. Stigma divided. Fruit drupaceous or capsular, valvular or indehiscent, 2—6-celled ; usually few-seeded when numerous, or many-seeded when two. Seeds wingless, exalbuminous, Embryo straight. Herbaceous plants usually with a heavy smell, covered with glandular hairs, or with vesicles. Leaves opposite or alternate, undivided and ex- stipulate. They are principally natives of the tropics. Many of them have mucilaginous leaves, and oily seeds. Sesamum.— Linn. Calyx 5-parted, persistent; upper lobe the smallest. Tube of the corolla large, limb plicate, somewhat bilabiate; upper lobe emarginate, lower slightly trifid. Stamens 4, didynamous, with the rudiment of a fifth. Anthers ovate-oblong. Stigma bi-lamellate. Capsule oblong, obtusely 4-angled, 4-grooved, 2-celled, 2-valved, valves recurved. Seeds numerous, thick, apterous. A small genus of East Indian herbaceous plants, with opposite, petiolate leaves, entire, or the lower ones tri-lobed. Flowers axillary, on short, glan- dular pedicels. ‘The seeds are oily and edible. S. rnpicum, De Candolle.-—Stem erect, pubescent; leaves ovate-oblong, or lanceolate ; the lower ones trifid or tri-lobate. Capsule mucronate from the persistent style, pu- bescent. De Candolle, P/. rar. Genev. 18 ; Linn., (var. a.) Sp. Pl. 884 ; Sims, (var. b.) Bot. Mag. 1688; Linn., (S. orientalis ») Sp. Pl, 883. Common Names. —Sesamum ; Benne. This plant has been known from a very early period, and is noticed by most of the ancient writers as in general use. It is a native of India, but is now cultivated in many parts of Asia and Africa, and was introduced into Carolina by the negroes, and is also extensively grown in.many of the West Indian islands, Both the seeds and the leaves are officinal. The first are small, yellowish, or in some cases blackish, of a pleasant, mucilaginous taste, rt 516 MEDICAL BOTANY. and abounding in a bland, inodorous oil, closely resembling that of the olive, and used for similar purposes. ‘The seeds are much employed in many parts of Asia and Africa, as well as by the negroes in our Southern States, and in the West Indies, as an article of food, prepared in a variety of different modes. The oil i is inodorous, of a bland, sweetish taste, and will keep a long time without becoming rancid. It is much employed in Asiatic countries as an article of food, instead of olive oil; the seeds furnish a very large quantity of it; Mr. Morel ( Zrans. Phil. Soc. 1) says that a hundred weight will produce ninety pounds of the oil, but other writers do not attribute as large a propor- tion to them. The leaves abound in a gummy matter, which they give out to water, so as to form a rich, bland mucilage. One or two of the fresh leaves stirred in half a pint of water, will render it sufficiently viscid. Medical Properties.—The oil is principally employed as an article of food, but is also used medicinally. In the East it is in much repute as a softener and beautifier of the skin, and as an application to furfuraceous eruptions. Administered internally, in somewhat large doses, it acts as a laxative ; and Ainslie (Mat. Ind. ii. 256) says that in India it is considered as emmena- gogue, and capable of causing abortion; this is also stated by Prosper Albinus (Plant. Egypt. 98). It has been employed, both alone and in emulsion, with some benefit, in dysentery and other bowel affections. The mucilage of the leaves is much used in the bowel complaints of children, and forms an emol- lient application in ophthalrnia, diseases.of the skin, &c., but is not at all superior to that of the Slippery-elm or of the pith of Sassafras, OrperR 80.—BIGNONIACE.—R. Brown. Calyx 5-parted, 2-parted, or bilabiate, often spathaceous. Corolla with an expanded throat, and a more or less irregular 5-lobed or bilabiate limb. Stamens 5, of which one, and often three, are abortive; when four are fertile, they are didynamous. Ovary 2- celled, with the placente in the axis; the base surrounded by a fleshy ring or disk. Cap- sule woody or coriaceous, pod-like, 2-valved, many-seeded. Seeds winged, destitute of albumen ; embryo straight, foliaceous, The species are trees, shrubs, or rarely herbs; often twining or climbing. The leaves are opposite, seldom alternate ; compound, or sometimes simple, exstipulate. ‘The largest proportion of them are found within the tropics, but some extend much further north and south, ‘They are principally noted for the beauty of their flowers, but some of them are possessed of medicinal powers. Catalpa cordifolia is said to have a vermifuge bark, and emetic wood. A decoction of the pods has been recommended in pectoral complaints ; and the dried seeds, smoked like tobacco, have proved useful in asthma; the leaves are emollient and somewhat anodyne, and have proved beneficial in local pains, used as a cataplasm. Several species of Bzgnonia have been employed, some of which appear to possess active properties. B. antisy- philitica of Brazil is considered in that country as one of the most effectual remedies in syphilitic swellings of a malignant character (Martius). B. chica affords a red colouring matter, which dyes cotton of an orange red. The bark of B. lewcoxylon is esteemed an antidote to the poison of the Man- chineel (Flor, Med, Antill, iii. 244). The branches of B. echinata are said to be used to adulterate Sarsaparilla. Tecoma tmpetiginosa abounds in tan- nin, and its bark is employed in decoction as a fomentation in debility of the limbs. 7. tpe has similar qualities, and is used in Brazil to form a gargle in aphthous affections of the mouth and fauces, The root of TZ" stans is diu- earlier writers as a depurative and antiscorbutic, SCROPHULARIACES. 517 retic; and that of Z. speczosa is both diuretic and cathartic. The leaves of Sparattosperma lithontriptica are stated by Martius to be bitter, acrid, and diuretic, and to be useful in calculous affections. Jacaranda procera has been employed in syphilis ; and the Rosewood of the cabinet-makers is stated to be the product of a species of this genus, but there is no certainty on th subject. Orver 81.—SCROPHULARIACE.— Lindley. ef Calyx of 4—5, more or less united, persistent sepals. Corolla bilabiate, personate, or more or less irregular, imbricated in estivation. Stamens 4, and didynamous; a fifth stamen sometimes present, in the form of a sterile filament, rarely antheyiferous ; or some- times only two, one pair being either wanting or reduced to sterile filaments. Ovary 2- celled, with the placente united in the axis. Capsule 2-valved. Seeds indefinite, albu- minous. This extensive order is most abundant in the warmer temperate or sub-tro- pical regions, but has representatives in all latitudes. They are generally herbaceous, but sometimes shrubby plants, with opposite, verticillate, or alter- nate leaves. Their properties are by no means uniform, but are usually bit- terish and acrid, and often endowed with deleterious qualities, The species of Verbascum are mostly narcotic ; the seeds of V. thapsus and nigrum are used to poison fish, and the flowers of V. lychnitis will, it is said, destroy mice. ‘The juice of the leaves of Torenta asvatica is used on the Malabar coast in gonorrheea, and an infusion of Scoparza dulcis in South America as a febrifuge, and in hemorrhoidal affections. The juice of Her- pestis monniera is considered as a good embroca- tion, when mixed with Petroleum, in rheumatic complaints; and the leaves of H. amara are extremely bitter and tonic. In Calceolaria trifida the leaves are said to be tonic and febrifugal, and in C. pinnata to be purgative and emetic, whilst the roots of C. arachnoides are much used in Chili as a crimson dye. Dr. Hancock (Trans. Med. Bot. Soc. 1829) says that Vandellia diffusa is a most valuable remedy in Guiana as an emetic and febrifuge in malignant fevers and dysentery, especially where the liver is disordered. Euphrasia offict- nalis is somewhat bitter and astringent ; at one time it had a great reputation in diseases of the eye, but is not now employed. Dr. Kra- nichfeld (Med. Gaz. xx. 528) says, however, that he has found it beneficial in catarrhal oph- thalmia, as well as in other affections dependent on catarrh. Several species of Veronica have enjoyed considerable reputation as medicinal agents. V. beccabunga was much praised by the and is still employed in Europe. V. offict- nalis also attained much celebrity in pulmonary affections, but does not appear to have any other properties than those of a mild astringent. V. pe- regrina is supposed in some parts of the United V. beccabunga. States to be very efficacious in scrofulous tumours 518 MEDICAL BOTANY. on the neck, hence its common name of Neck-weed ; it is given internally, and used as a wash. ScroPpHuLARIA.— Linn. Calyx 5-parted or 5-cleft, nearly equal. Corolla globose, with a short 5-lobed limb, the segments of which are rounded, and the uppermost united into an upper lip. Stamens didynamous, inclined, with transverse, 1-celled anthers; a fifth rudimentary stamen, with a lamelliform anther sometimes present. Stigma emarginate. Capsule roundish, often acuminate, with the valves entire, or merely bifid. The species of this genus are principally indigenous to the south of Eu- rope, the Levant, and Barbary, but some are found in almost every part of the world. As the name indicates, they were at one time considered as pos- sessing a curative power in scrofula, but are now but seldom employed; though several species are officinal. : Ss. NoDosA, Linn.—Leaves cordate, acute, deeply serrated, glabrous, three-ribbed at base. Stem rather obtusely 4-angled. Root tuberous. Linn., Sp. Pl. 863; English Bot. 1544; Woodville, v. 42; Lindley, Med. Flor, 503. . It is perennial, and a native of several parts of Europe, flowering in July. The leaves have a rank, fetid smell, and a disagreeable, bitter taste. The root has also a nauseous odour, and a sweetish, subacrid taste. They yield their properties to water and alcohol, and have been analyzed by Gran- doni (Perezra, ii. 306), and found to contain: a brown, bitter Resin, an Ex- tractive having the odour of benzoic acid, Extractive, with gum, Starch, Inu- line, &c. Medical Properties.—The Figwort is considered diuretic and sedative, but is seldom employed in regular practice, though it is much used as a popular topi- cal application to piles, ulcers, and various cutaneous eruptions. An ointment, made with the leaves, is officinal in the Dublin Pharmacopezia, and has been found useful by Drs. Stokes and Montgomery in some skin diseases. It was formerly much employed in itch, and formed an ingredient of the celebrated ointment of Tragus, so much esteemed in the cure of that complaint. It is evident that this plant is possessed of active properties, and although it is not true, as observed by Gerarde, “ that if it be hanged about the neck, or else carried about by one, it keepeth a man in health,” still it is worthy of further trials, in the cases in which it formerly attaimed so much reputation. Almost all the species are possessed of the same sensible qualities, and those peculiar to this country, the S. mardlandica and S. lanceolata, are much esteemed in some parts for their vulnerary and soothing powers, when used in fomentations or poultices to ulcers, tumours, &c. GRATIOLA.— Linn. Calyx 5-parted, often with two bracts at base. Corolla irregular, resupinate, 2-lipped ; the upper one 2-lobed; the lower equally 3-cleft. Stigma 2-lobed. Capsule 2-celled, 2-valved. A genus of about thirty species, a large proportion of which are East In- dian and American, principally in the warmer portions. The name is a di- minutive of gratza, and the epithet gratza Dez, by which the officinal species was formerly distinguished, is an evidence of the high estimation in which it was held. > SCROPHULARIACES. ¢ 519 G. orricinaLis, Linn,—Leaves ovate-lanceolate, serrate, 5-ribbed, smooth. Flowers solitary. Linn., Sp. Pl. 24; Woodville, ii. 360; Lindley, Flor. Med. 507 ; Ste- phenson and Churchill, i. 33. It is a native of the south of Europe, growing in meadows and moist places, and flowering in June and July. In some spots, according to Haller, it occurs in such abundance as to render the meadows useless as pasture grounds, from the injury it does cattle. The whole plant is officinal; it is inodorous, but has a bitter, nauseous taste. It gives out its properties to water and alcohol. From an analysis by Vauquelin (Ann. de Chim. |xxii. 191), it appears to contain, a brown, gummy Extractive, a very bitter, Resinous matter, some salts, &c. This resinous substance is the active portion, and has been called Gra- tion by Alibert. Since this examination of it, Dr. Whiting has announced ~ the existence of Veratrza in it, which accounts for its active properties, Medical Properties.—The Hedge hyssop is an energetic drastic cathartic and emetic, and also often proves diuretic. Although seldom used in Eng- land, and almost unknown in this country, it is much prescribed on the Con- tinent of Europe as a hydragogue purgative in many complaints, especially those of a dropsical character, and it is spoken of in high terms by some of the best authorities. Dr. Kastizewski (Dzss. de G'ratiola) states that he has ob- tained great success with it in syphilis, especially in the secondary forms, and it has also been employed beneficially in several cutaneous affections. Huff- land also speaks highly of it asa remedy against ascarides. Its principal repu- tation, however, is founded on its forming the active ingredient in the cele- brated gout medicine, the Eau medicinale, which is a strong vinous tincture of it, and the presence of Veratria explains why the tinctures of Colchicum and Veratrum are possessed of the same properties. When given in over-doses the Hedge hyssop causes violent vomiting and purging, with much pain in the bowels ; and M. Bouvier mentions (Jour. Gen. de Med. liv. 259) four cases of severe nymphomania, caused by injections of a strong infusion into the rectum. The dose of the powder is from fifteen to thirty grains; of the infusion, made with half an ounce of the dried plant to a pint of boiling water, half an ounce to an ounce; of the vinous tincture, about forty to fifty drops. Several of the other species of Gratiola have the same properties, among which the G. aurea, a native of this country, is fully as powerful, and might be advantageously used as a substitute for the @. officenalas. CuEeLone.—Linn. Calyx 5-parted, with 3 bracts. Corolla ringent, ventricose. Sterile filament shorter than the others; anthers woolly. Capsule 2-celled, 2-valved. Seeds many, with a mem- branaceous border. A North American genus of a few species, all herbaceous plants, with op- posite leaves, and sub-imbricately spiked, terminal flowers, having the lower lip of the corolla bearded internally. C. etasra, Linn.—Smooth, leaves lanceolate, oblong, acuminate, serrate; flowers in dense spikes. Linn., Sp. Pl. 748; Torrey, Comp. Flor. 243; Rafinesque, Med. Fi. ii, 117. Common Names.—Snakehead ; Shell flower, &c. Description.—Root perennial. Stem erect, from two to four feet high, somewhat quad- . . se . 520 8 ‘MEDICAL BOTANY. rangular. Leaves subsessile or petiolate, lanceolate, acuminate, more or less serrated. Flowers terminal’ in a dense short spike, each flower sessile and furnished with three bracts, which are ovate, acute and entire. Calyx with five unequal imbricated segments, oblong and obtuse. Corolla ringent, ventricose, convex above, five-lobed, two-lipped, the lower “lip bearded within. Stamens didynamous, with woolly anthers ; ; and a*short rile filament. Ovary ovate, with a slender style. Capsule oval, two-celled and vo. valyed, with many small seeds haying a membranaceous margin. There are numerous vari- eties of this plant, differing in the form and insertion of the leaves and in the colour of the flowers, which vary from Fig. 224. . ( A \9 vs pure white to purplish. These Vd i) ye flowers are large and orna- ZA aN i} VP; mental but modorous, and re- YY semble in form the head of a snake or turtle. It is found in most parts of the United States in wet situations, and blossoms from July until late in the autumn. The part used is the leaves ; these are inodorous but excessively bitter. No analy- sis has been made of them, but they appear to contain Gallic acid, and a Bitter extractive, &c.; they communicate their properties to both water and alcohol. Medical Propertves.—These are said to be tonic, cathartic C. glabra. and hepatic, but no certain in- formation has been afforded on the subject, the only writer that mentions the plant being Rafinesque, who de- rived his knowledge of it from the Shakers. He states that in smal] doses it is laxative, but in full ones it purges actively, acting powerfully on the liver, and also that it is held in much esteem by the Indians in a variety of complaints. The dose is a drachm of the powder. It has been noticed here to draw at- tention to it, for should it possess the powers attributed | to it, it will prove a valuable addition to the Materia Medica. We ENG : Dierrauis.— Linn. Calyx five-parted, unequal. Corolla campanulate, limb obliquely four-lobed, lobes une- qual, Stamens four, didynamous, no vestige of a fifth. Stigma simple or bi-lamellate. Capsule ovate acuminate. Most of the species of this genus are natives of warm climates, and many of them appear to be merely varieties or hybrids of the D. purpurea and lutea. They all are endowed with active qualities, though only one is offi- cinal. ‘The name is derived from the resemblance of the flower to a finger- stall or thimble, dzgitalis, and was bestowed upon it by Fuchsius in 1542, Pereira states that in a Saxon manuscript in the Cottonian library, older than the Norman conquest of England, it is noticed under the name of Folks- glove, which appears to be the earliest record of it, as none of the descriptions of the earlier writers apply to it. eee ee be 3 #, f 4 ; 7 | - i“ % ,; SCROPHULARIACES, °- 521. D. rurrurea, Linn.-Segments of the calyx ovate, acute; corolla. obtuse, upper lip searcely divided ;, leaves ovate, lanceolate, crenate, downy. Linn., Sp. Pl. 868; Woodville, t. 24; Flor. Med. iii. 151; Stephenson 4d Churchill, i. 18; Lindley, Flor. Med. 502. Common Names.—Fox-glove; Finger flower. Foreign Names.—Digitale pourpre, Fr.; Guantelli, It.; Der gemeine finger hut, Ger. : | Description —Root biennial, whitish. Stem round, erect, downy, about three or four feet in height. The lower leaves are large, ovate, acuminate, on Fig. 225. short, winged petioles, and spread- ing on the ground; the cauline ones are alternate, elliptical-oblong, somewhat decurrent, and both are tomentose, wrinkled, crenated, and of a dull-green colour above, paler beneath. The flowers are numerous, on short peduncles, drooping, of a reddish or purple colour, and are arranged in a long terminal spike. ' The calyx is divided into five acute segments, of which the uppermost is the narrowest. The corolla is. bell-shaped, hairy, spotted within, inflated on the lower side, and nar- rowed at base, the upper lip some- what cleft, emarginate, and smaller than the lower. The stamens are subulate, inserted in the base of the corolla, declined, and support large, oval, deeply-cleft anthers. The ovary is pointed, ovate, having a simple style, with a bifid stigma. The capsule is ovate, acuminate, two-celled and two-valved, contain- ing numerous small, oblong, brown- ish seeds. D. purpurea. we The Fox-glove is a native of Europe, and is cultivated in this country ; it flowers in June and July. There are several varieties of it, one of which, with white flowers, is often met with in gardens. As before mentioned, not- withstanding the striking appearance of this plant, it does not appear to have been noticed by the ancients. It is supposed by Mr. Rootsey to be the plant alluded to by Shakespear under the name of Long purples (Hamlet, iv. 7), though other writers consider that the poet referred to some species of Orchis. It appears to have early attracted the attention of. physicians, and Gerarde says of it, ‘‘ boiled in water or wine and drunken, it doth cut and consume the thicke toughness of gross and slimie flegme, and naughtie humours. The same, or boiled with honied water and sugar, doth scour and cleanse the breste, ripeneth and bringeth forth tough clammie flegme.” It was first recognised as officinal in the London Pharmacopeeia of 1721, but omitted in that of 1746, though afterwards restored, and this same course was pursued by the Edinburgh College. Its powers, however, were not un- derstood until about 1775, when it was noticed by Withering as a powerful diuretic in dropsy, since which it has maintained a high rank among the heroic remedies. As an instance how little was known respecting it anterior to this time, Lemery, in his great work says of it, “elle est detersive, un ry Ne tat. as 522 in MEDICAL BOTANY. peu laxative,” and James (Pharm. Umversalis, 1747) states that it “is emetic and vulnerary, and agrees in its virtues with the pilewort.” Even Vogel (Hist. Mat. Med. 1760) merely observes that ‘‘acris est, intus assumta vomi- tum movet et purgat; extus contusa ad strumas, podagram et rachitidem ab Anglis predicatur. De utroque vero dubitat.” The parts employed are the leaves and seeds, the latter, however, but sel- dom. ‘The leaves should be collected about the time of the inflorescence ; those from plants of the first year are very inferior. ‘They should be dried in the dark, and always kept protected from the light. Much of the digitalis in our shops is derived from plants cultivated in this country, and although in some cases of good appearance, is far from being as efficient as the foreign article obtained from the wild plants. In general, however, it is almost worth- less, being mouldy and changed in colour, which is always an indication of deterioration. When good, the leaves should have a dull-green colour, a feeble but somewhat narcotic odour, and a bitter, unpleasant taste. The seeds, which are not employed in this country, but are recognised by the Dublin College, are small, roundish, and of a grayish-brown colour. Numerous analyses have been made of the leaves, one of the latest of which is that of Radig (Pereira, ii, 297); he found in it Picrin, Digitalin, Scaptin, Acetic Acid, &c. The substance he calls picrin is the digitalin of Le Royer (Bib. Univer. des Sct.), and appears to be one of the active prin- ciples, though not the principal, which is the digitalin; this is a white, some- what crystalline substance, of an intensely bitter taste, soluble in alcohol, but scarcely so in water, not soluble in the acids, and possessing all the proper- ties of the leaves in a very concentrated degree. Scaptin is a brown extrac- tive, which leaves an acrid sensation in the mouth. The fullest account of digitalin is that by M. Homolle (Am. Jour. Pharm. xi. 97). Medical Properties.—Digitalis acts in a different manner on the system according to the dose and mode of administration, but is exceedingly variable in its effects in whatever way it is given. In small quantities often repeated, it usually affects the organic functions, either singly or collectively, the most obvious and frequent results being an increased flow of urine, and a reduction of the frequency and force of the pulse, but both these are very inconstant ; in some cases the diuretic effect of the medicine cannot be produced, whilst in others it readily occurs, even from very small quantities ; but its influence over the circulation is still more capricious, for though its more general re- sult is to decrease the activity of the pulse, in some instances it operates in a diametrically opposite manner, or it may cause an irregularity of it, whilst on some individuals the medicine appears to exercise no power over the cir- culation, even in large doses. This article is said to be one of those, which given in frequently rapes doses, have a cumudative effect, or in other words, do not display their powers for a certain time, and then produce effects equivalent to the whole amount administered ; that this has happened there can be no doubt, but the experi- ence of most practitioners shows that it is much less frequent than has been supposed, though it should always be borne in mind that such an event is possible, and is to be guarded against by suspending the use of the medicine from time to time, and closely watching its effects. Where it is given in too large doses, or its employment too lone continued, it operates like the acro-narcotics, especially tobacco and lobelia, causing a disordered condition of the digestive organs, the circulation and the cerebro- spinal system. In still more increased quantities it induces vomiting, purging, stupor, or delirium; slow, feeble and irregular pulse, cold sweats, great pros- tration of strength, disordered vision, followed, if the person be not relieved, SCROPHULARIACES£. 523 by insensibility and convulsions. Where these symptoms occur, the stomach should be promptly evacuated if it is supposed that any of the poison re- mains in it, and the condition of the system combated by the administration of the diffusible stimuli, as brandy and volatile alkali. Digitalis is employed to fulfil several indications: to produce diuresis, to promote absorption, to reduce the activity of the pulse, and sometimes though more rarely as a cerebro-spinant. For the former of these purposes it is often administered in dropsy, and has attained much celebrity for its powers, though it frequently fails in producing any good effect, and it requires some judgment in the selection of cases in which it may be beneficially employed. Withering has justly stated that it seldom does any good where the pulse is vigorous and the strength unimpaired, whilst in an opposite state of things it constantly succeeds ; nor does it display equal effects in all forms of dropsical disease, those of a general character being more benefited by its use than those of a confined nature, as hydrocephalus or ovarian dropsy. Notwith- standing its value in these complaints, it is of much more marked benefit in those cases where it is of importance to restrain the activity of the circulation, as in diseases of the heart and great vessels, and in some forms of hemor- rhage ; in these cases its beneficial effects have been unequivocal, especially when aided by repeated abstraction of blood and low diet. ‘As regards its efficacy in the cure of Phthisis, notwithstanding the eulogies of Beddoes, Ferriar, Fowler and others, it has been shown by more accurate observation that it possesses no curative powers, and only acts as a palliative by diminishing the rapidity of the circulation, but does not in any degree re- tard the progress of the tubercular disease. It has also been given in per- tussis, asthma, chronic bronchitis and the mental affections, and has occa- sionally been efficacious, from its double power of repressing vascular excite- ‘ment, and of acting on the brain and nervous system. Formerly it was much used in fomentations and ointments, and so highly was it esteemed by the Italians, that they have an adage “aralda tutte le piaghe salda,” foxglove cures all wounds, It is now seldom employed ex- ternally, though:Murray (Apparat. Med. i. 491), speaks highly of it, and an endermic use of it might be advantageous, where it could not be given inter- nally. . Digitalis is prescribed in powder, in doses of about a grain, two or three times a day, gradually increasing the dose, until its peculiar effects manifest them- selves, when it is to be reduced or wholly omitted. It should be noticed that this remedy is very permanent in its operation, as when it once affects the system, its action continues for some time, without an additional quantity being administered. It is also frequently given in infusion and tincture, both of which are officinal. The dose of the first is from half an ounce to an ounce, to be repeated as with the powder; of the tincture ten drops, in the same manner. An extract has also been recommended, but without great care in its preparation, all the properties of the medicine are destroyed, nor is such an article needed, as the original substance is sufficiently energetic. The decoction is the worst form in which it can be administered, as the powers of the medicine are much impaired or even destroyed by heat. Several other species or varieties of Digitalis are used, as the D. tomen- tosa, ambigua, epiglottis, ferruginea, &c., which are said to be identical in their effects with the purpurea, The D. lutea is stated by Careno to possess much greater diuretic powers, though in other respects to be analogous to the common species ; this, however, is denied by Vitet (Mat. Med.), Trousset, and others, 524 MEDICAL BOTANY. Group XXXIII.—Cortusales. Orver 82,—PLUMBAGINACE.— Lindley. iy, Calyx tubular, 5-toothed, plaited, persistent. Corolla hypocrateriform, limb 5-parted, (sometimes with 5 almost distinct petals), Stamens 5. Styles 5, either partially united or distinct. Ovary superior, 1-celled, 1-seeded; ovule pendulous, attached to the apex of a filiform podosperm which rises from the bottom of the cell. Pericarp a capsule covered by the calyx, sometimes indehiscent, or opening by 5 valves. This order is composed of herbaceous or suffruticose plants with entire, alternate or clustered leaves, usually crowded at base, and often sheathing or clasping, without stipules, but sometimes marked with pellucid dots. Most of the species are sea-side plants and natives of the temperate regions. Some are tropical, more especially those belonging to Plumbago, ‘The properties of the order are very various, as some of the species are tonic and astringent, and others are extremely acrid and'even caustic; these latter characters are powerfully developed in Plumbago, almost all of which are so active as to operate as vesicatories when applied to the skin. The bark of the root of P.. zeylanica, bruised into a paste, is used by the native practitioners in India as an application to incipient buboes. (Ainslie, Mat. Ind. ii.77.) The contused root of P. rosea, is employed in many parts of the East Indies as a vesicant; it excites more inflammation than cantharides, but much less serous dis- charge. It is also prescribed internally, in small doses, in rheumatic and paralytic affections. (Idd. 379.) The P. scandens, a native of South Ame- rica and the West Indies, is extremely active, and is known in the French islands under the name “ Herbe du diable.” Pison speaks of it (Bras. 105), as a good emetic in cases of the ingestion of poisons; but, according to Descour- tilz (For, Med. Anttll. iii. 94), it is too energetic to be given with impunity ; Brown, (Hort. Jam. ii. 235,) also speaks of it as extremely corrosive. The European species, P. ewropea, has long been employed as a medicinal agent, and appears to be the ¢rzpolvon of Dioscorides.. Bauhin speaks of it as a valu- able odontalgic, when used as a masticatory, and other writers notice it asa good application to old and malignant ulcers and even cancers, It has also been found useful in itch, and was at one time much employed in the South of Europe in the treatment of that disease. Taken internally it causes nausea and vomiting, with much irritation of the stomach and bowels, Ac- cording to Dulong d’Astafort, the root contains a peculiar principle, which he calls Plumbagin (Journ. Pharm, xiv. 441). ; The other species of the order are principally tonic and astringent; these properties are remarkably developed in Statece. Armeria vulgaris is re- garded in Germany as a powerful diuretic. The flowers are given in decoc- tion, which is aromatised with cinnamon or anise; when freely taken, this is said to excite a copious excretion of urine. (Med. Gaz. xx. 144.) Stratice.—Linn. Calyx tubular, scarious, plaited. Corolla with limb of 5 almost distinct petals. Sta- mens 5. Styles 5, germen superior. Seed one, invested by the calyx. A numerous genus, principally native in the southern part of Europe, though some of the species are found in most parts of the world. The roots of many of them are very astringent, but only one is officinal in our Phar- macopeeia, PLUMBAGINACES?. 525 S. carotiniana, Walter.—Radical leaves obovate lanceolate, acutely mucronate, entire, smooth ; scape alternately branched, flowers geminate, in unilateral spikes. Walter, Fl. Car. ; Nuttall. Gen. i. 206; Rafinesque, Med. Fl, ii. 93; Bigelow, Am. Med. Bot. ii. 51. . Common Names.—Marsh Rosemary ; Ink root, &c. Description.—Root perennial, fusiform, ob- tuse, fleshy, of a brownish-red colour. Radical leaves petiolate, erect, cuneiform, smooth, mu- cronate, entire. Scapes round, smooth, from a foot to eighteen inches high; paniculate above, divisions alternate, bearing unilateral spikes of small, somewhat sessile flowers, each with two scaly mucronate bracts. Calyx funnel-shaped, five-toothed, five-an- gled, the angles ciliate. Corolla blue, deeply five-cleft, divisions spatulate, obtuse. Sta- mens five, inserted on claws of corolla. Ovary superior, small, and obovate, supporting five styles, shorter than the stamens. Seed ob- long. This species approaches so closely to the foreign S. imonium and S. gmelini, that many botanists consider it as a mere variety; but these have | oblong, undulated leaves, whilst in the American plant, they are perfectly flat and cuneiform ; the flowers also of the limonium are much larger. It is found along the seacoast in marshy situa- tions from Maine to Florida, flowering during the latter part of the summer. There are several varieties, differing in the colour of the flowers, the length of .the leaves, &c. The officinal part is the root, which is fusiform or branched, heavy, fleshy, and of a reddish or purplish-brown co- lour. The taste of it is very bitter and astringent, but neither the root nor any _ part of the plant has any odour, It imparts its virtues to water or alcohol, but more readily to the former by the aid of heat. According to an analysis, by Mr. E. Parrish, (Am. Jour. Pharm, xiv. 111,) it contains about 12 per cent. of T’annin, some Gum, Extractive matter, &c., but no Gallic acid, as indicated by Dr. Bigelow, who, it should, be noticed, is of opinion that this root is equal in astringency to galls, and that the best mode of exhibition is the cold infusion, a statement at variance with the experiments of Mr. Parrish. Medical Uses.—It is a powerful astringent, and is much employed in some parts of the country in diseases of the bowels, and in decoction, as a gargle in aphthous and ulcerated sore mouth, or in affections of the throat and fau- ces, and has been found useful in some forms of cynanche, when other astringents have failed in making any impression. As a remedy in diar- rhea it enjoys much popular reputation; but is only suitable to the latter Stages, where a tonic and astringent action is required. It is applicable to S. caroliniana, 526 MEDICAL BOTANY. the same character of cases as the other powerful astringents, and its use is ‘to be regulated in the same manner. It is. given in infusion or decoction, which are rendered more palatable by the addition of some of the aromatics. The tincture may be employed as a good substitute for that of Kino. It may be stated that Dr. Zollickoffer speaks of this root as endowed with some emetic and sudorific properties. Dr. Coxe, (Amer. Dispen. 605,) says that Dr. Hews, of Providence, esteemed this plant very highly in ulcerated sore throat and scarlatina anginosa, and also in those cases of aphthous fever at- tendant on dysentery, as it could be administered where bark was inadmis- sible. Dr. Baylies, of Dighton, also notices it favourably'in ulcerated sore throat; he says that in large doses it acts as an emetic, and in a smaller asa powerful expectorant, and also possesses considerable antiseptic powers, Dr. Mott, of New York, also speaks highly of its powers in a variety of cases where astringents are required. (Experim. Inquir. on Statice, &c.) The S. imonium of Europe is possessed of the same powers, but in a less degree, and was very early employed as an astringent, being noticed by Dioscorides, Pliny, and others, and at one time enjoyed much reputation, but has been gradually supplanted by other articles, which, in many cases, owe their favour rather to caprice and higher price than to any superiority of remedial power. Other species have also been used; thus, the S. speciosa is employed in Russia in prolapsus uteri, and the S, éatarica, closely allied to the imoniwm, is esteemed in Siberia as a powerful astringent, where it is also used for the purpose of tanning leather. Sub=Class III._Apetalous Exogenous Plants. Group XXXIV.—Asarales. | ORDER 83 pe TOL ens Calyx tubular, adherent, with the segments valvate or induplicate i in estivation, regular or irregular. Corolla wanting. Stamens 6—12, epigynous, distinct or adhering to the style and stigmas. Ovary inferior, 6-celled, rarely 3-4-celled. Ovules indefinite, anatropal, attached horizontally to the axis. Style simple. Stigmas radiating ; as numerous as the cells of the ovary. Fruit dry or succulent, 3—4—6.celled; many-seeded. Seeds thin, an- gular or round, with a very minute embryo placed at the base of a fleshy albumen, An interesting order, with numerous species of herbs or shrubs, the latter often climbing. ‘The wood has no concentric zones, or inseparable wedges, The leaves are alternate, simple, petiolated, often with an opposite stipule, or with none. The flowers are hermaphrodite, They approach the Endogenous plants very closely in their structure, and are therefore usually classed at the confines of this class, and of the Exogens, They are principally natives of the tropical parts of South America, but are found sparingly in North America, Siberia, and Europe; in the latter usually in those regions bordering on the Mediterranean; a few also occur in India. These plants are in general possessed of tonic and stimulating properties, —— ARISTOLOCHIACE &. 527 and have been considered as eminently emmenagogue. Many of them are held in high estimation also as alexipharmics. Asarum.—Linn. * ~ Calyx campanulate, 3—4-cleft. Corolla wanting. Stamens 12, inserted on the ovary. Anthers adnate to the middle of the filaments. Style short. Stigma stellate, 6-lobed. Capsule inferior, six-celled, crowned by the persistent calyx. | A small genus of low herbaceous plants with creeping rhizomes, having short bifoliate stems, and a single dichotomal flower. The roots in all of them are aromatic, and pungent. Two species are officinal, one in Europe and one in the United States, 1. A. Europ#a.—Leaves reniform, obtuse, binate. Linn., Sp. Pl. 633; Woodville, i. t. 66; Engl. Bot., t. 1083; Stephenson and Churchill, i. 23; Flor. Med., i. t. 43. Common Names.—Asarabacca; Hazelwort; Wild Nard. It is a native of many parts of Europe, growing in moist shady situations, and flowers:in April and May. It was known to the ancients under the name of Asarum, but it appears from Pliny that it was confounded with the Baccharis, and it has been supposed that its common name of Asarabacca was a compound of both these appellations. The leaves and roots, which are the parts used, have a pepper-like odour, and an acrid, bitter, somewhat aromatic taste ; the odour of the leaves is very slight. According to Grager, they contain a liquid Volatile Oil,a Neutral principle, which he calls asarzte, and a Bitter substance, which he denominates asarzn, some Camphor, Citric acid, &c. 3 Medical Uses.—The roots and leaves have emetic, cathartic, and diuretic properties, At one time they were very much employed to excite vomiting, but since the introduction of ipecacuanha are seldom used for this purpose. In large doses they operate on the bowels with griping pains. Dr. Cullen has given them among his list of diuretics, but is doubtful if they have any specific power in exciting the action of the kidneys. According to Richter, however, this plant is capable of exercising a stimulant influence on the whole of the nervous and vascular system. It has also been recom- mended in fevers, obstructions, dropsies, &c., and is used by farriers as a vermifuge in horses. It is now mainly employed as a sternutatory. The powder in doses of one or two grains snuffed up the nostrils creates much irritation, accompanied by violent sneezing, and a copious. flow of mucus. This discharge sometimes continues for several days, and hence its administration in this way has proved useful in some affections of the head, eyes, and teeth. The so-called Cephalic snuffs usually owe their errhine properties to this plant. The dose of the powder as an emetic is from thirty grains to a drachm. ‘The leaves being milder than the root must be given in larger doses. 2. A. cANADENSE, Linn.—Leaves broad, reniform, entire, puberulent. Flowers tomen- tose, three-parted. Linn., Sp. Pl. 633 ; Bigelow, Med. Bot. i. 150, t. 15; Barton, Veg. Maz. Med, ii. 85, t. 32; Rafinesque, Med. Flor. i. 70. Common Names.—Wild Ginger ; Colt’s-foot ; Indian Ginger, &c. It is found in most parts of the United States in shady woods, especially 528 | MEDICAL BOTANY. , in hilly situations, but Fig. 297. always in rich soil. It flowers from the last of April to the beginning of June. The root, which is the part employed, as found in the shops is in long, somewhat twisted, or contorted pieces, about as thick as a small quill, wrinkled and brownish externally, and whitish or yellowish within, ‘The taste is aromatic and bitterish, and is thought to be intermediate be- tween that of ginger and serpentaria, but by some persons considered to be more analogous to that of cardamoms. The taste of the petioles .is less aromatic but of a more decided bitter. The smell, especially of the fresh root, is aromatic and grateful. An im- perfect analysis of the root was made by Dr. Bigelow, showing the presence of an Essential oil,a red, bitter, Resinous matter, &c. It was A. canadense, afterwards examined by Mr. Rushton, (Am. Jour. Pharm, x. 181), and more recently by Mr. Wm. Procter (Zdzd. xiii. 177). All these analyses prove that the active principle is an aromatic essential oil, and that the A. canadense does not contain either asarin, cam- phor, or asarite. Medical Uses.—The root is an aromatic stimulant, and in a warm decoc- tion is possessed of no inconsiderable diaphoretic properties, resembling the Serpentaria in its action on the system, and may be advantageously used as a substitute for it, but is rather more stimulating. It has also been ad- ministered with some success in colic and other painful affections of the stomach and bowels, where no inflammation exists. Dr, Firth gave it with benefit in the tetanus of children arising from cold. The leaves were sup- posed to possess the emetic properties of the European plant, but the obser- vations of Drs. Bigelow and Barton, prove that such is not the case, and that where vomiting has been caused by them, it is more attributable to the quantity taken, than to any inherent emetic qualities of the leaves themselves, When dried and powdered they have powerful errhine properties. ‘The root may be given in powder, tincture, or infusion ; the dose of the powder is about half a drachm. ARISTOLOCHIACESZ. 529 This root is used in some parts of the’ country as a substitute for ginger, and for many purposes is fully equal to it. It also forms the basis of a spirituous drink. It deserves more attention than it has received, as it may be employed as a substitute for Serpentaria in almost all cases to which that useful root is applicable. _ The roots of the other American species, the A. virginicum and A. arifo- “ium, are similar in their properties, but do not appear to be quite as aromatic or powerful, though Rafinesque is of opinion that the former is more grateful in its odour and taste than the Canadense. They are natives of the Southern and Southwestern States. ARISToLocHIA.— Tournefort. Calyx monosepalous, tubular, ventricose at base, dilated at the apex, forming a ligula. Anthers six, subsessile, inserted on the style. Stigma 6-lobed. Capsule 6-angled, 6- celled, many-seeded. This genus is composed of herbaceous or shrubby species, with erect or twining stems, and usually cordate or entire leaves; sometimes, but rarely, 3-lobed. The flowers are axillary or radical, with an oftentimes recurved tube. ‘The species are numerous, and are principally natives of the warmer regions of South America; these are principally shrubby. Some are found in North -America, in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean, and in India. They are almost invariably tonic and stimulating, and a great num- ber have been employed for medical purposes, though only one is officinal. It is remarkable that a firm belief in the efficacy of these plants as anti- dotes in cases of the bites of poisonous snakes should exist in all parts of the world, and among nations who could have had no communication with each other, though it does not appear that they possess any alexipharmic proper- lies beyond those dependent on their stimulating powers, The active portion in them all is the root, which, in some species, besides a stimulating quality, is extremely acrid, especially in a fresh state, and oie tae much caution in its administration. The genus has been much divided of late years, and several genera and sub-genera proposed; some of these are founded on just distinctions, whilst others rest on insufficient characters. As, however, the medical characters of all of them agree, for the most part, it has been thought preferable to con- sider them under one head. 1, A. serpentariA, Linn.—Stem slender, flexuous, erect. Leaves cordate, acuminate, pubescent. Peduncles almost radical, 1-flowered. Lip of the calyx lanceolate. Linn., Sp. Pl. 1363; Woodville, i. 158, t. 59; Flor. Med. vi. t. 325; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. ii. 41, t. 28; Bigelow, Med. Bot. 482, t. 49; Rafi- nesque, Med. Fi. i. 61. . ' Common Names.—Snakeroot ; Virginia Snakeroot ; Snakeweed. Foreign Names. —Serpentaire de Virginie, Fr. ; Schlangen osterluzey, Ger. ; Serpentaria, J. Description.—Root perennial, composed of numerous slender fibres, arising from a knotty, brown head. Stems one or several, round, slender, flexuous, jointed, about eight or ten inches. in height, usually of a,reddish colour near the base. Leaves alternate, petiolate, oblong or lanceolate, entire, acuminate at apex and cordate at base, surface more or less pubescent, of a pale-green colour. The flowers are nearly radical, on 1- flowered, curved, somewhat scaly peduncles. The calyx is of a purplish or reddish colour, with a curved tube and a bilabiate limb, the upper segment being notched and the lower entire. There is no corolla. The anthers are six, and sessile, oblong, obtuse, 34 ’ 530 MEDICAL BOTANY. Fig. 228. " and attached to the sides of a large, — . round, sessile stigma. The capsule is Vj I es obovate, with six angles, six cells, and A Y SN oO containing numerous seeds. C= There are numerous varieties of this plant, some of which may be found to be entitled to the rank of species. ‘The leaves in some, are narrow and almost hastate, whilst in others they are broad. The specimens figured in the respective works of Bigelow, Barton, and Ra- finesque differ much. Thus that of the first has tri-nervate, undu- lated leaves, with large, bilabiate, red flowers, the peduncles with large and broad scales, and the. stamens amounting to twelve. That represented by Barton has long and slender peduncles, al- most destitute of scales, and the flowers small, purple, and scarce- ly bilabiate; that of Rafinesque, which is drawn from a western specimen, represents the variety most commonly found in this vi- cinity, though that of Barton is not unfrequently met with. Under the name of Virginia Snakeroot, several species are confounded in the drug market,— A. serpentaria. namely, those of the A. serpenta= 7ta@ and its varieties; of the A. tomentosa, A. hastata, A. hirsuta, and A. reticulata ; the latter of which, of recent introduction, is now much used. This is of no consequence in a remedial point of view, as they are identical, or nearly so, in their pro- perties, but is of interest to the medical botanist, and they will therefore be noticed before entering upon the properties and uses of Snakeroot. In these observations much assistance has been derived from an essay on the subject by Dr. Bridges (Am. Jour. Pharm. xiv. 118). | 9, A. uirsuta, Muhlenberg.—Stem flexuous, jointed, erect, pubescent. Leaves alter- nate, large, cordate, rounded, obtuse; upper ones abruptly acuminate, very pubescent, with prominent veins. Peduncles sub-radical, scaly, 1-flowered, hirsute. Calyx also pubescent. This species is a native of the Southern States, and is seldom or never brought to this market, but is employed at the South. The root consists of numerous slender, simple fibres, arising from a knotty caudex ; they are of a yellowish colour, aromatic odour, and aromatic, bitter taste. 3. A. wastata, Nuttall.—Stem flexuous, simple, erect. Leaves mostly sub-cordate, hastate, acute, or attenuated, sub-lanceolate, auriculate. Peduncles nearly all radical, Lip of the corolla ovate. This is the A. sagittata, Muhlenberg, (Cat. p. 81, No. 611-4,) and also ARISTOLOCHIACES. 531 of his Herbarium; and, although admitted as a species by most botanists, does not appear to be sufficiently distinct from one of the varieties of A. ser- pentaria. At least specimens answering in all respects to it have been found in the vicinity of Philadelphia. Both Muhlenberg and Nuttall state that it is a native of the Southern States. 4, A, reticutata, Nuttall—Stems short, sometimes branched near the roots, slender, flexuous, jointed; very pubescent when young, slightly villous when old. Leaves on short petioles, oblong, cordate, large, obtuse, reticulated with very prominent veins, vil- lous on both sides. Peduncles sub-radical, hairy, scaly, several-flowered. Flowers on short pedicels, small, purplish, very pubescent. Capsule hexagonal, deeply sulcate, some- what hirsute. The root is composed of a knotty caudex, from which arise numerous long fibres, larger than those of the A. serpentaria, of a yellowish colour, aro- matic odour, and warm, aromatic, bitter taste. It is now not unfrequent in the drug market, and is derived from the States west of the Mississippi. It is fully equal to the officinal species, and even, according to the experiments of Mr. Wiegand (Am. Jour. Pharm. xvi. 10), is superior to it. 5. A. Tomentosa, Sims.—Stem twining, ascending to the tops of the tallest trees. Leaves roundish, cordate, villous beneath. Peduncles solitary, axillary, ebracteate. Calyx densely villous; limb trifid, greenish-yellow, orifice oblique and gaping; margin elevated, dark-purple, rugose ; inner part of tube white, with purple spots. Stigmas 3, This species, which is found in Carolina and the States west of the Missis- sippi, was confounded by Nuttall with the A. harsuta, but differs from it in several important particulars,—in the axillary and not sub-radical flowers, in having three stigmas, and a trifid and not a bilabiate calyx. It is more closely allied to A. sepho, and is included by Rafinesque with that plant in his sub-genus Szphisia (Med. Flor. i. 62). The root has not been described, but probably resembles that of A. szpho, in being coarser and less aromatic than those of the other species above-mentioned. The A. serpentaria is found in many parts of the United States, growing ‘in shady woods, especially on hill-sides. ‘It is less common in alluvial and calcareous soils. It flowers in May and June; Rafinesque states but once or seldom; but in this he Is in error, as, from actual observation, I am satis- fied that it flowers regularly each year, after it has attained a certain age, and, as. far as it has been ascertained, in its third year. In some seasons it flowers more plentifully and freely than in others, but never fails each suc- cessive year to develope its inflorescence. In consequence of the demand for the roots, it has become scarce in all the Atlantic States, or at least in their more eastern parts, but may still be found in some abundance in cer- tain situations. The root, as found in the shops, is in tufts of slender, long, matted fibres, attached to a knotty, rugged head. They are brittle, and of a “yellowish or brownish colour. The odour is aromatic and agreeable ; the taste is some- what pungent, bitter, and aromatic. The powder is grayish. It imparts its properties to alcohol and water, affording a greenish tincture with the former, and a yellowish-brown infusion with the latter. ‘The roots of the A. retecudata, as before mentioned, are very analogous, the main difference being the larger size of the fibres. Snakeroot usually comes to market in bales of about a hundred pounds, sometimes composed of the roots alone, and at others with the stems and leaves, for the most part free from foreign substances, but sometimes with an admixture of Spigelia (Smith, Jowr. Phil. Coll. Pharm. i. 265). The foreign writers state that it is sometimes adulterated with the 532 MEDICAL BOTANY. roots of Panax quinquefolium, Collinsonia precoz, and Asarum virgini- cum; but these admixtures are not found in the article sold here. Several analyses have been made of this root; by Bucholz in 1807, Chevallier in 1820, and Peschier in 1823. These show that the activity of it depends on a volatile oil, which Grassman compares in odour and taste to that of Valerian and Camphor combined ; it exists in small quantity, as the same writer states that he obtained but half an ounce from 100 Ibs. of the root ; a bitter principle also exists, to which the tonic properties are probably owing. According to Mr. Wiegand (Am. Jour. Pharm. xvi. 16), the A. re- tacudata contains a larger proportion of the volatile oil, and hence is more powerful and active. Medical Uses, §-c.—It was in common use among the Indians at the time of the arrival of the first settlers, and was much esteemed by them as a remedy in snake-bites, and was soon adopted by the early colonists as an ex- cellent tonic and stimulant. The first writer that notices it is Johnson, in an edition of Gerarde’s Herbal, in 1633, since which time it has been in general use. In small doses, it acts as a stimulant to the digestive organs, and, ac- cording to Jorg, when given in large quantities, causes nausea, flatulence, an uneasy sensation in the stomach, and an increased peristaltic action of the bowels, succeeded by an increase of the fulness and frequency of the pulse, and of the heat of the skin, as well as augmentation of secretion and exhala- tion ; in some cases, there is also some disturbance of the cerebral functions. It is employed as a stimulant and tonic, and also acts as a diuretic or dia- phoretic, according to the mode of its administration. No remedy is more popular as a tonic in febrile affections, and as a diaphoretic in a variety of complaints. In regular practice, although not as much employed as formerly, as the main agent “in the treatment of intermittents, it is still much resorted to as a valuable adjunct. It is also frequently prescribed in those conditions of the system attendant on, or following febrile diseases, where a tendency to sink manifests itself, and the system requires support ; yet will not support active stimulation. It has also been found useful in exanthematous affections, where the eruption is tardy in its appearance, or has been repelled, in re-. storing a-due action to the functions and organs. Dr. Chapman, (Elem. Therap. ii. 421) speaks highly of its powers in the secondary stages of pleu- risy and other thoracic complaints. He also states that in infusion itis well calculated to check vomiting, and to tranquillize the stomach. It has also ac- quired some reputation in certain forms of dyspepsia, given in the form of cold infusion or tincture, but does not appear to be at all superior to the other stimulating tonics, for this purpose. The dose of the powder is from ten to thirty grains; of the infusion (3j. to'the pint of water), which is the best and most general method of giving it, one to two fluid ounces may be given as often as occasion may require. The tincture, which possesses all the proper: ties of the root, may be given in doses of one to two fluid drachms. As before stated, numerous other species of Aristolochia have been and are still used in different parts of the world as tonics, alexipharmics, &c. It would be impossible to notice these, except in a cursory manner, without ex- tending this article beyond all due limits. A. sipho, a native and tall vine, closely allied in its characters to A. tomen- tosa, and well known under the name of “* Dutchman’s pipe,” from the pecu- liar shape of its flowers, has an aromatic and stimulant root, which may be used as a substitute for Serpentaria, but is not equal to it in power, é ARISTOLOCHIACE &. 533 A. clematitis. A perennial species found in the temperate and warmer parts of Europe ; it at one time enjoyed a high reputation as a febrifuge and em- menagogue, but has fallen into disuse. The part employed was the root, which is long, cylindrical, fibrous, contorted, of a faint and somewhat disa- greeable smell, and acrid, bitter, and astringent taste. According to Orfila, when given in large doses, it exercises an acro-narcotic influence. ( Loxicol, il. 277.) In Russia, it is stated by Pallas, that the leaves are esteemed in in- termittent fevers. The root formed one of the ingredients of the celebrated Portland powder, once considered as a specific in gout. A. prstolochia.—This plant is also indigenous to Europe. The root is formed of numerous slender fibres, and has an aromatic and agreeable odour, and an acrid bitter taste. It is somewhat like Serpentaria in its action on the system, and is given in the same class of cases. A, longa and A. rotunda differ from the above in having thick, somewhat succulent roots. ‘They are almost identical in their properties, and are much used by the French and German practitioners as emmenagogues and anti- arthritics, and enter into a great number of officinal preparations. They have an unpleasant odour when fresh, which in a great measure disappears on drying ; their taste is acrid and nauseous. They are tolerably energetic stimulants, in doses of about two drachms. Cadogan (Treat. on Gout) says that he has seen the longa produce unpleasant consequences, when incau- _tiously given, before the reduction of arterial excitement. According to Las- saigne (Jour. Pharm. vi. 565), this root contains much ulmine. A. trilobata, a native of tropical America, has the odour of the Prunus padus, and is said to be superior in medical virtues to the Serpentaria, Lin- neeus speaks of it in his Materia Medica as an excellent alexiteric. The part employed is the twigs, which are officinal in some of the foreign phar- macopeias. The A. anguicida, also a South American species, is said by Jacquin to be eminently alexipharmic, and to exert so powerful an influence on snakes, that a small quantity of the juice of the root introduced into the mouth of a snake, stupefies it to such a degree, that it may be handled with impunity, and in a larger dose will destroy it. Murray says, that the bruised root applied to a snake-bite, or the administration of a decoction of it, will prevent any ill consequences. (Appar, Med. i.516.) Lindley is of opinion, that this is the celebrated Guaco of the Colombians, of the supposed efficacy of which as an antidote, so much has been said by Humboldt and others, and states, that a leaf of this, or a closely allied species, was given to him by Dr. Hancock as the genuine article. (Veg. King. 794.) The same pro- perties are attributed to the A. cordifolia in Colombia, of which it is a native. (Humb. Nov. Gen. ii. 149.) The A. belobate, a native of Brazil and the West Indies, is there used as an emmenagogue, and even its root introduced into the vagina to induce a more speedy expulsion of the foetus. (Descourtilz, #7. Med. Antzll. ii. 5.) An infusion of the dried leaves of the A. bracteata, a native of India, is given by the native physicians, as an anthelmintic, in doses of 3ij. daily ; and the fresh plant, bruised and mixed with castor oil, is used as an external application in obstinate psora. (Ainslie, Mat. Ind. ii. 5.) Another Indian species, the A. zmdica, is stated by the writer just quoted, to be emmena- gogue and anti-arthritic, and Thunberg says, that in Ceylon it is considered to be stomachic and carminative. The A. sempervirens, inhabiting Arabia, is there employed, according to Forskal, in bites of poisonous snakes and wounds of tendons; the part used is the leaves, of which a decoction is made with milk. (Flor. Egypt. 157.) In South America, almost all the numerous species there found have been ‘ 534 MEDICAL BOTANY. ‘ employed ; besides those already noticed, the following are much esteemed: A. fragrantissima of Peru, the bark much used in fevers in scruple or half drachm doses ; it is compact, of an ash-gray colour externally, and reddish within ; has a camphorated odour, and a pungent, aromatic taste. It is also said to be emmenagogue and alexipharmic. (Alibert, Mat. Med. ii. 71.) Several of the Brazilian species, as the A. cymbifera, ringens, galeata, labiosa, §c., are highly stimulating; the roots have a strong, disagreeable smell, not unlike that of Rue, and a powerful bitter, yet aromatic taste ; they are in general use, in their native country, in nervous and intermittent fevers, dyspepsia, &c., and externally as applications to indolent ulcers. (Chernoviz, Formulario, 152.) A variety of others are noticed by Kunth, Ruiz, and other writers on South American plants, as haying analogous properties. Orper 84.—SANTALACE.—R. Brown. Calyx superior, 4—5 cleft, half-coloured, valvate in estivation; its base lined by a fleshy disk, the edge of which is often lobed. Stamens 4—5, opposite the segments of the calyx, and inserted into the edge of the disk. Ovary 1-celled, with from 1—4 ovules, fixed to a central placenta, usually near the summit; style 1; stigma often lobed. Fruit 1-seeded, hard and dry, and drupaceous, indehiscent, crowned with the limb of the calyx. Albuminous; embryo minute, axile, inverted. This order consists of trees or shrubs, or under-shrubs and even herbs, with alternate or nearly opposite leaves; sometimes small, and resembling stipules, The flowers are usually small, in spikes, ig 2 seldom in umbels or solitary. The smaller species & are found in Europe and North America; the larger Ad in the Polynesian Islands, New Holland, and the \ Kast Indies. The most important product is Sandal- wood, so much prized in China as an incense, and also employed for toys, &c., on account of its plea- sant odour. This is obtained from several species of Santalum: that of India, Timor, &c., being from S. myrtifolium ; that of Hawai from S. panicula- tum, and that from the Sandwich Islands from S. freycinetianum. ‘The powdered wood of the first is considered beneficial in India in fevers, from its sup- S! myrtifolium. posed sedative and cooling qualities; it is also used in gonorrheea, &c. An infusion of the leaves of Myoschilos oblongus is employed like senna, — as a purgative in Chili. Every part of Leptomaria billardieri, a native of Tasmannia, is acid and somewhat astringent. The fruit of Pusanus acumi- natus is used in New Holland as a substitute for almonds, and that of Cer- vantesia tomentosa for the same purpose in Peru. The nut of Hamltonia oleifera affords much oil. Group XXXV.—Chenopodales. Orver 85.—PHYTOLACCACEA. Calyx of 4 or 5 imbricated leaves, sometimes resembling petals. Stamens hypogynous or nearly so, either indefinite, or if equal to the divisions of the calyx, alternate with them ; anthers 2-celled, with a longitudinal dehiscence, Carpels solitary or several, dis- PHYTOLACCACEZ. 535 _ tinct or partially combined ; each containing 1 ascending ovule, either amphitropal or campylotropal; styles and stigmas equal in number to the carpels. Fruit baccate or dry, indehiscent. Seeds solitary, ascending, with a cylindrical embryo, curved round mealy albumen; radicle next the hilum. These are all under-shrubs or herbs, with alternate, entire, exstipulate leaves, often with pellucid dots. The flowers are racemose, regular, or irre- gular, and variously arranged. ‘They are natives of both Americas, Africa, and India. Their general character is acridity. Puyto.acca.— Tournefort. Calyx 5-parted, coloured, permanent. Stamens and styles 10 or more. Fruit de- pressed, furrowed; 10- or more celled, covered with a succulent pulp. Seeds solitary. A small genus, mostly peculiar to America, but few species being found in other parts of the world. P. pecanpra, Linn.—Leaves acute at each ‘end; flowers with 10 stamens and 10 styles. — Linn., Suppl. 631 ; Bigelow, Med. Bot. 1, t. 3; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med., li, 213; Lindley, Med. Flor, 351. » Common Names.—Poke-weed ; Jalap; Garget; Cocum, &c. Description.—Root very large, mostly branched, Fig. 230. fleshy ; stems annual, from six to eight feet high, m round, smooth, much branched, green when young, but becoming pur- iy plishasthe plant advances’. QA ( in age. Leaves scattered, WW — FB petiolate, ovate-oblong, a _ SY smooth on both sides, LEFF entire, acute at each end. LE Flowers on long pedun- Fu ee culated racemes, opposite 3 to the leaves. Peduncles Q& o nearly smooth, angular, CBs, ascending. Pedicels é divaricate, sometimes branched, green, white, or purple, having a linear bract at base, and two others at the middle. Calyx greenish-white, consisting of 5 round- ovate, concave, incurved CA sepals. Stamens 10, some- what shorter than the sepals, whitish, rounded, with 2-lobed anthers. Ovary round, depressed, 10-furrowed. Styles 10, : : short and recurved, Ber- P. decanara. ries in long clusters, dark purple, depressed, marked with 10 furrows on the sides. 536 MEDICAL BOTANY. The Poke is found in most parts of the United States, and is naturalized in some places in Europe and Northern Africa. It flowers in July and ripens its fruit in the autumn. The shoots, when they first emerge from the ground, are used as a substitute for Asparagus, but when they have attained any size are apt to act onthe bowels. The ashes of the stem and leaves contain a large proportion of potash, which in the plant is in union with an acid very similar to the malic; in consequence of this abundance of alkali, and the supposed detergent properties of the plant, the author of the notes to the Pictorial Bible (i. 161), suggests that this plant or one of its kindred species is the Hyssop of Scripture. The parts used in medicine are the leaves, berries and root, the two latter of which are officinal. These berries are succulent, and contain much purple juice. They have a sweetish, nauseous, somewhat acrid taste, and a peculiar though faint odour. The colouring matter is exceedingly changeable, and hence cannot be applied to purposes of dyeing. Some years since I made many hundred trials to discover a mordant for this purpose, but failed in them all; the nearest approach to fixing it being with the juice of the Crab apple, but in all cases it changed to a dirty brownish-red. The root as brought to mar- ket is in transverse slices, of a whitish-brown externally, somewhat wrinkled, and showing on the internal cut surface, numerous concentric rings; when fresh, these rings are alternately light-brown and yellowish-white, but change to a general shade of brown, when the root has been kept for some time. ~ The taste is somewhat sweetish, followed by a sensation of acrimony. When the root is fresh, it has an odour resembling that of Ginseng (Donnelly), which it loses by age. From an analysis by Mr. E. Donnelly (Am. Jour, Pharm. ix. 165), it appears to contain, Gum Resin, 2°62; Starch, 20; Potash, es a small quantity of fixed oil, éie.; and 66°5 of woody fibre. Medical Uses, SinPhe leaves are somewhat purgative, but are principally used in domestic practice as a dressing to ulcers. The root is an exceeding- ly active emeto-cathartic, and also displays some narcotic powers, and in large doses causes most of the symptoms of the acro-narcotics. Mr. Donnelly states that he has known it to cause all the effects of a severe coryza, on a person powdering it, accompanied with headache, purging, and prostration of strength. It has been proposed as a substitute for Ipecacuanha, but its tendency to act on the bowels, and its slowness of operation, militate against its use. Jt has been given in small doses, as an alterative in chronic rheu- matism. Drs. Jones and Kollock, of Savannah, state that it is an effectual remedy for syphilis in its various stages, and is also very beneficial in rheu- matism and chronic eruptions, (Coxe, Dispen.) The extract of the root, or of the whole plant, according to Dr. Shultz (Jnaug. Diss.), is highly useful in the cure of scabies and herpes, and in syphilitic rheumatism is more bene- ficial in allaying pain than opium. ‘This extract is also employed in domestic practice, in the treatment of indolent ulcers, and as a dressing to ulcers. From the berries an extract or tincture may be made, the first of which has attained some celebrity in rheumatism, and the extract has, it is said, been beneficial in scrofula, and as an external application to cancerous sores. An ointment, made by mixing a drachm of the powdered leaves or root with an ounce of lard, has proved of advantage in obstinate cutaneous affections, It has also been asserted on good authority, that a strong infusion of the leaves is an admirable remedy in hemorrhoids. It is to be given internally and by injection. The dose of the powdered root as an emetic is from ten to thirty grains ; as an alterative, from one to five grains. That of the tincture about f3)j., three or four times a day, hips | | | CHENOPODIACE &. 537 Orper 86.—CHENOPODIACEA.—Lindley. Calyx deeply divided, sometimes a little tubular at base, persistent, with an imbricated wstivation. Stamens as many as lobes of calyx, or fewer, inserted at their base. Ovary, with a single amphitropal ovule, attached to the base of the cavity. Style rarely simple, - in 2—4 divisions; stigmas undivided. Fruit membranous, not valvular, sometimes bac- cate. Embryo annular or horse-shoe shaped, surrounding the albumen; or in a flat spiral, separating two masses of albumen, or conically spiral without albumen. The plants of this order are some of them unisexual and some bisexual, and have very different seeds, and hence it is probable that it will have to be divided. ‘The species now included in it, however, correspond closely in general habit; they are chiefly herbs, rarely under-shrubs, with alternate, ex- stipulate, more or less fleshy leaves, and small flowers. They are found in all parts of the world, but mostly in extra-tropical regions, and frequently in salt marshes. Some of them are used as pot-herbs, as the Spinage, Lamb’s quarters, and Chard; and the roots of others form valuable articles of food, as the Beet, in one variety of which the juice abounds so much in saccharine matter, as to be largely used in France for the manufacture of sugar. The seeds of several species of Atriplex are said to be emetic, but the leaves of most of them are edible. All the species of Sadsola, Salicornia, &c., afford soda. Campho- rosma monspleliaca is stated by most writers to exhale the odour of Cam- phor, but this is denied by Pallas, and by Merat and De Lens. It was for- -merly used in the south of Europe as a diuretic, sudorific, and expectorant, but is now abandoned. Halogeton tamariscifolium, or Spanish worm-seed, has much the same properties as C. anthelminticum. Thelygonum cyno- crambe is a sub-acrid plant, and is slightly purgative. CuENoPopDIUM.— Linn. Calyx inferior, 5-parted, segments ovate, concave; 5-angled. Stamens as many as the lobes of calyx, and opposite to them; filaments subulate; anthers of two round lobes. Ovary orbicular, depressed. Styles two, rarely three, short; stigmas obtuse. Seed one, lenticular, horizontal, covered by a thin, membranous utricle, and invested by the perma- nent calyx. It is principally a European genus, growing in waste places. None of the species have any beauty; they are herbaceous, and many of them have suc- culent and edible leaves, which form a good substitute for Spinage, some- times, however, acting gently on the bowels. Those growing in salt marshes may be used for making soda. Some of them are possessed of a strong and peculiar smell, and are possessed of important medical properties. Most of these were classed by the earlier botanists under the name of Botrys, but were included by Linnzus in Chenopodium; latterly, however, they have again been separated by Spach, under the name of Ambrina, and they cer- _ tainly are sufficiently distinct to constitute a peculiar genus. This example of Spach would now be followed, were it not that the principal medicinal species is so well known under its former name, that it would lead to confu- sion to attempt a change at present. C, anTHELMINTICUM, Linn,—Leaves oblong-lanceolate, sinuate, dentate, rugose. Styles three. Linn., Sp. Pl. 320; Pursh, Fl. Am. Sep. i. 198; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. ii. t. 42; Rafinesque, Med, Flor. i. 103, t. 21; Lindley, Flor. Med. 348; Griffith, Journ. Phil. Coll, Pharm. v. 177. 538° MEDICAL BOTANY. Common Names.—Wormseed; Stinkweed; Jerusalem oak, é&c. Description. — Root perennial and Fig. 231. ‘branched. Stem upright, herbaceous, rz) much branched, deeply grooved. Branch- ie es fastigiate. Leaves nearly sessile, alter- ; oan ’ nate, and scattered, oblong-lanceolate, sentiv!, “id , deeply sinuate or dentate, studded beneath Me, He oF og with small, globular, oily dots. Flowers “3 |e of a yellowish-green colour, in long, slen- PEER Ko ely F _ der, axillary, or terminal racemes. Calyx “eye | SEF ti with five oval, concave segments. Sta- mens opposite the lobes of the calyx, and about as long. Styles three, sometimes two, longer than the stamens. Seed small, lenticular, covered by the persis- tent calyx. It is found in most parts of the _ United States, most abundantly, and of a larger size to the south. It has become naturalized in some parts of Europe. Rafinesque is of Wak | WY La opinion that two distinct species SAG \ZG7ZE_ = have been confounded under the x \\ \\ (Zee aT cae name of anthelminticum, and has SQ er ail Ee given the name of 7ugoswm to the Sw VY A ee : SQy i a, southern plant, which, however, .\ Where does not appear to differ, except in ‘ | JES, having a more vigorous growth. $k f@ ZAFF \ 1 Le GEA The whole plant has a strong, | fee WZ heavy, disagreeable odour, depend- HI LL ing on the presence of a volatile oil, which is most abundant in the i seeds. This oil is of a light yel- | low colour, when first extracted, Cvantneiningiientn « but becomes darker by age and ex- posure to light.. It is usually ob- tained from the seeds, but sometimes the whole plant is.used. The vermi- fuge properties of this species of Chenopodium and its oil, were discovered soon after the settlement of this country; the first trials of it were made in Vir- ginia, and it is spoken of by Schepf, Kalm, and others with various degrees of commendation, Its anthelmintic qualities are generally admitted, and. it is recognised in all the standard works on Materia Medica. _ Medical Uses.—It is usually classed among the vermifuge remedies, and is employed for this purpose alone, in this country ; but from the success obtained by Plenck with the C. ambrosoides in chorea, it is more than pro- bable that the anthelminticum would be found of still more benefit, from its superior powers. As an anthelmintic, it is administered in a variety of forms : as the expressed juice of the whole plant, an electuary of the seeds, a decoc- tion of the leaves in milk, and the essential oil, The disadvantages attendant on the whole of them are their nauseous taste and smell, which renders it very difficult to induce children to swallow them. When the expressed juice is given, it should be prepared as near the time at which it is to be administered as possible, as it loses much of its efficacy by keeping. ‘The dose is a tablespoonful evening and morning. ‘The decoction POLYGONACEA. 539 in milk is made by boiling the leaves in new milk ; the dose of this is about a wineglassful. To form the electuary, the seeds are to be pulverised and well mixed with honey or syrup. The best form is the essential oil, as this has the active properties of the plant in the smallest compass, and at the same time is not more offensive to the taste or stomach, than the other pre- parations. The dose for a child of two years of age is from five to:ten drops, three times a day, increasing the quantity in proportion to the years. The best mode of administering it is to drop the oil on a lump of sugar, which is then to be grated into water. Care must be taken in very young children not to make the dose too pungent and acrid. After taking it'some time, a dose of castor oil should be administered. Kalm speaks of a tincture being em- ployed with much advantage. . Two closely allied species, C. ambrosoides and C. botrys, have somewhat the same properties, but are not as powerful, and are seldom or never used as anthelmintics. The first has been favourably spoken of by Plenck and others as an antispasmodic, and the latter is reported by French physicians to be a valuable expectorant in catarrh. C’, olidwm,a native of Europe, has a very nauseous odour, and has obtained some reputation as an antispasmodic and expectorant, but is not employed in regular practice. C. baryosmon re- sembles the last, in odour and properties. C. guinoa is a common article of food in Peru. OrpvEer 87.—POLYGONACE.— Lindley. Calyx free, often coloured, with an imbricated estivation. Stamens definite, and in- serted on the calyx; anthers with a longitudinal dehiscence. Ovary free, usually formed by the cohesion of three carpels; 1-celled, with a solitary, erect ovule, having the fora- men at top; styles or stigmas as many as carpels. Fruit usually triangular, naked, or protected by the calyx. Albumen farinaceous ; embryo curved or nearly straight, gene- rally on one side, rarely in the axis. A pumerous and important order, consisting mostly of herbaceous plants, rarely shrubby. The leaves are alternate, with stipules forming sheaths round the stems. Flowers, occasionally unisexual, often in racemes. The species are found in most parts of the world. Their properties are various : some have purgative roots, as the Rhubarb, and some Docks; some:are as- tringent, as Coccoloba ; others acid, as in some species of Sorrel ; and others, again, acrid and caustic, as in many of the Polygonums. The root of Calh- gonum paillasit, a leafless plant, found in Siberia, furnishes a gummy nutri- tious substance, like Tragacanth, whilst the branches and fruit are acid. The fruit of Muhlenbeckia adpressa have a sweetish taste, and are used in Australia. Rurum.—Linn. Calyx petaloid, 6-parted, marcescent. Stamens about 9, inserted on the base of the calyx. Styles 3, reflexed; stigmas peltate, entire. Fruit, a triangular, winged achenium, with the withered calyx at the base. Embryo in the centre of the albumen. This is a very important genus, as some of the species afford the purgative root so well known as Rhubarb, but which of them, has not been ascertained with certainty, notwithstanding the numerous researches made for that pur- pose. The name is derived from that of Rha or Rheon, applied by Dios- corides to a root growing beyond the Bosphorus, and at one time generally supposed to be the modern Rheum, but his description does not apply to any species of this genus yet discovered. Pliny speaks of the same under the - 540 MEDICAL BOTANY. name of Rhacoma, and says it has a hot, astringent taste. Prosper Albinus thinks that the root noticed by Dioscorides was that of the R. rhaponticum, which was obtained by him in Thrace, and cultivated in Persia. It was, however, known to Paulus AXginetus and others, and appears to have been familiar to the early Arabian writers, one of whom, Mesue, speaks of three kinds, differing in quality. Notwithstanding this early use of Rhubarb, there is as much ignorance respecting the plant or plants producing it, as when it first came into notice ; all that science has accomplished is rather to have ascertained by what spe- cles it is not afforded, than to point out those that do. The species inhabit the great plains of Tartary, the steppes of Siberia, and the great ranges of mountains lying between these and the northern parts of India. Those now known, resemble each other very much in their flowers, and their principal specific differences are to be found in the leaves, and more especially in the footstalks. ‘Those that have been cultivated have become so changed that it is difficult to recognise from what wild species they are derived. Dr. Royle says, ‘‘ The Rhubarb of commerce is well known to be brought by the Chinese to the Russian frontier town of Kiatcha, according to the treaty formed between those powers in 1772. The Chinese obtain the ‘Rhu- barb produced in China proper, from that part of the province of Shensee, called Kansu, situated between the -85° and 40° N. Lat.; but the best, ac- cording to the missionaries, who say it is called Tai- hoang, i in the province of Luet-chen, from the mountains called Sue-chan, or of snow, which extend from 26° to 338° N, Lat., and from about 100° to 105° E. Long. That from the latter province probably forms much of what is called Chinese Rhubarb ; the missionaries met large quantities of it, brought down in the months of October and November. That from Kansu may afford some of what is called Russian Rhubarb; but both Pallas and Rehman have ascertained that the greater portion, if not the whole of this, is obtained in April and May, from the clefts of rocks in high and arid mountains surrounding Lake Kokonor. Bell also learnt that it was the product of Mongolia, and Marco Polo of Suc- cuir in Tanguth. Dr, Rehman ascertained that the trade is in the hands of one Bucharian family, who farm the monopoly from the Chinese govern- ment, and reside at Si-ning, a Chinese town on the very frontiers of Thibet, 3000 versts from Kiatcha, and 20 days’ journey from Kian-Sin and Sehan- sin, Tangutian towns, where the Bucharians go to purchase Rhubarb. This would bring the Rhubarb country within 95° E. Long., and 35° N. Lat., that is, the heart of Thibet.” (J//us. Him. Bot.) He goes on to say, that as no naturalist has visited this part, and neither plants nor seeds have been obtained thence, it is as yet unknown what species yields the Rhubarb. ‘In this opinion he is supported by Sievers, sent by the Russian government to investigate the subject ; and still more recently, Calau the apothecary at the Russian factory at Kiatcha states all that is known of the Rhubarb plant is erroneous, and that neither the true plant nor its seed have ever been obtained. The following species of Rhubarb are all that are known as possessing any properties entitling them to notice, according to Dr. Lindley, from whose account of them, with those of Royle, Pereira, and Guibourt, the present synopsis of them is drawn up. * Having spike-like racemes, 1. R. spictrormr, Royle.—Leaves thick, leathery, cordate, blunt, red, and reticulated be- neath, and covered with stellate down on each side. Petioles and peduncles smooth. Racemes arising from the root, spicate. Royle, ZUus, 318, t.78; Lindley, For. Med. 355, - rounded-angular, furrowed, with the upper side de- POLYGONACEZ. 541 Inhabits the northern face of the Himalayas, also:in Thibet. Dr. Royle says that Rhubarb sent Mr. Moorcroft, from near Ludak, was of excellent quality ; and it is suggested by Dr. Lindley that it is not improbable that it may have been furnished by this species, 2. R. moorcrortianum, Royle.—Petioles deeply furrowed, with stipules as long as the petioles, and much more membranous. The imperfect rudiments of leaves (scales) at the . base are even longer than the stipules, and are very thin and much torn. Leaves clothed with a short scabrous pubescence. Royle, Zd/us. 318; Mat. Med. 506; Lindley, Flor. Med. 356. Found at the Niti Pass in the Himalayas, and in Thibet. The root, like that of the last species, is compact, of a bright yellow colour, and is said to be more purgative. Dr. Royle thinks it probable that the commercial species will be found to resemble these two in habit, as they occupy the same kinds of locality. | ** Having compound racemes. 3. R. emop1, Wallich—Leaves cordate, acute, dull-green, but little wavy, flattish, very much Fig. 232. wrinkled, distinctly rough, with coarse, short hairs on both sides; sinus of the base open, not wedge- shaped, but diverging at an obtuse angle, with the lobes nearly turned upwards. Petioles very rough, pressed, bordered by an elevated edge, and much narrower at the upper than the lower end. Wallich, MSS., Hooker, Bot. Mag. t. 3508; Royle, Mat. Med. 506; Nees, Suppl. t. 31, A. B.; Lindley, Flor. Med. 354; Pereira, Mat. Med. ii. 273; R. australe, Don, Prod, Fl. Nep. 75; Sweet, Fl. Gard. t. 269. Inhabits the Himalayas. When this plant was first made known, it was de- | clared, especially by Mr. Don, that it was R. emodi. the species affording the Russia and Tur- key rhubarbs; but this was disproved by Dr. Pereira, who found that speci- mens of the root sent him by. Dr. Wallich were widely different from the commercial article. Dr, Lindley, however, says that the roots of both this species and the next are valuable medicines; and Mr. Twining ( Trans. Med. Soc. Calc. iii. 439) states that he has tried them in many cases, and found them nearly as efficacious a purgative as the best Turkey Rhubarb, less dis- agreeable to take, but more tonic and astringent. The petioles make ex- cellent tarts. 4, R. wessianum, Royle—Radical leaves large, long-stalked, cordate, acute; cauline ones obtuse, rather downy above, veiny beneath, and margin hairy. Petioles hairy. Royle, Jdus. 318, t. 78; Mat. Med. 506; Lindley, Flor. Med. 355; Pereira, Mat. Med. ii. 273; R. emodi, Meisner; Wallich, Pl. As. var. il. 65. The properties of this species are the same as the last. It is also found on the Himalayas. 5. R. ruaponticum, Linn,—Leaves roundish-ovate, cordate, obtuse, pale-green, but little wavy, very concave, even, very slightly downy on the under side, especially near the edge, and on the edge itself; scabrous at the margin; sinus quite open, large, and cu- neate. Petiole depressed, channelled on the upper side, with the edges regularly rounded ‘off, pale-green, striated, scarcely scabrous. 542 ; MEDICAL BOTANY. Linn., Sp. Pl. 531; Willdenow, Sp. Pl. ii, 488; Lindley, Flor. Med. 357 ; Royle, Mat. Med. 506 ; Guibourt, Hast. Abreg. ed. 2, 1, 335. This species is a native of Thrace, Siberia, North of the Caspian Sea, &c. Guibourt says that the root has a very astringent and mucilaginous taste, does not crackle under the teeth, has an odour like that of Rhubarb, but more dis- agreeable, and its powder is more reddish. It is cultivated for its roots, near L’Orient, in the department of Morbihan. The prepared root is similar to the Chinese article, and forms part of what is called French Rhubarb. It was analyzed by M. Henry (Bull. Pharm. vi. 87). It is also cultivated in Eng- land for its roots, but more extensively for its stalks, for which latter purpose it is also grown in this country, but not as frequently as some of the other species. 6. R. teucornizum, Pallas —Radical leaves nabs 3, short-stalked, coriaceous, trans- versely elliptical, scarcely hollowed out at base; with 3, thick, branched nerves project- ing very much beneath, smooth on both sides, denticulate at the edge, with here and there a few scattered, roughish warts; no cauline leaves, or scarcely ever one; petioles about an inch long, compressed, solid, with a narrow channel on the upper side. Pallas, Nov. Act. Petrop. x. 381; Ledebour, F7. Altaz. ii. 92; Lindley, Flor. Med. 356; R. nanun, Sikvets! Pall. n. nord. bevtr. Vil. 264 ; R. ta- taricum, Linn., ‘Suppl. 229. Grows in the deserts of Southern Siberia, the Altai Mountains, &c. This is a small species. This is suppased to yield what is called ‘“‘ White Rhubarb ;”’ at least, when Pallas was at Kiatcha, this article, which is said to be equal in its effects to the best kinds, was brought there by the Bucharian merchants, and he supposes that it was the produce of this plant, but Lede- bour says nothing of its roots, 7. R. crassinervium, Fischer—Leaves heart-shaped, acuminate, wavy, very bullate, deep-green, quite smooth on both sides, rather glossy on the upper; scabrous at the edge; the ribs of a slight red eolour, and the central ones very thick at base; sinus open, cuneate, with the lobes inflected. Petiole dull-red, rounded, rather angular, with the upper side narrow and flattened, the edges raised, narrower at point than at base. Lindley, Flor. Med. 259. Its place of growth is unknown, It was sent from St. Petersburg with this name, and is growing at the Apothecaries’ Garden at Chelsea, near London. Dr. Lindley says that roots of it, of three years of age, were as thick as the wrist ; and, when examined at Apothevaries’ Hall, were found to possess the peculiar odour and colour of the best Turkey Rhubarb. 8. R. caspicum, Fischer.—Leaves ovate, acuminate, cordate and inflexed at base, very wavy, of a deep green, thick texture, glossy and somewhat even on the upper side, scabrous at the edge, a little downy on the under surface. Sinus somewhat open, lobes rolling inwards. Petioles pale-green, with scarcely a tinge of red, minutely downy, semi-cylindrical, with elevated edges to the flat upper side, which is of equal breadth at both ends. Lindley, Flor, Med. 357; R. rhaponticum, Ledebour, FV. Altat, ii. 91. It is found near the Caspian Sea, and Altai Mountains, Nothing is known of its roots. 9. R. unpuLatum, Linn.—Leaves oval, obtuse, very wavy, deep-green, with the veins purple at base, often shorter than the petiole, downy on both sides, scabrous at the edge. Sinus open, cuneiform, lower lobes turned upwards. Petiole downy, blood-red, semi- cylindrical, with elevated edges on the upper side, narrower at the upper end than at the lower. Linn., Sp. Pl. 531; Willdenow, Sp. Pi. ii, 489; Stephenson and semi-cylindrical, somewhat comipressed at. the sides ; f yond it. Petiole pale-green, POLYGONACES. 543 Churchill, t. 177; Lindley, Flor. Med. 357; Pereira, Mat. Med. ii, 272; Royle, Mat. Med, 507; R: rhabarbarum, Linn. Syst. Veg, 385. . This species grows in Asiatic Russia, and probably in Chinese Tartary. In 1732 it was sent to Jussieu at Paris, and to the Apothecaries’ Garden at Chelsea, as the true Rhubarb; and in 1750, Kauw Boerhaave, physician to the Emperor of Russia, obtained seeds from a Tartarian merchant, of what was stated to be the plant producing the Rhubarb of commerce, which on growing, proved to be of both the A. undulatum and palmatum. It was for some time cultivated by the Russian government, but the product proved so inferior, that the culture has been discontinued, and Guibourt says that he never could obtain good Rhubarb from it. It is, however, raised in France, and its roots constitute a part of French Rhubarb; and Stephenson and Churchill state that what is sold under the name of English Rhubarb is the root of this plant, but Lindley doubts the accu- racy of their information, and says the species is Fig. 233. but little known in England. 10. R. compactum, Linn.—Leaves cordate, obtuse, much undulated, of a deep-green colour, and thick tex- ture, scabrous on the margin, quite smooth on both sides, shining on the upper surface; sinus nearly closed. Pe- tioles green, scarcely tinged with red except at base, upper side broad, flat, with elevated edges, and of the same size at either end. Linn, Sp. Pl. 531; Willdenow, Sp. Pi. ii. 489; Lindley, Flor, Med. 358; Nees, 121. A native of Chinese Tartary. It is cultivated in France, and affords part of the French Rhu- barb. Guibourt says this is a pretty good imita- tion of the Chinese, but when cleared of the R. compactum. yellow powder, its different colour and close radiated marbling distinguish it ; it does not crackle under the teeth, nor tinge the saliva of as deep a yellow. This is one of the species principally grown on account of their stalks. 11. R. patmatum, Linn.— Leaves roundish-cordate, semi- palmate; the lobes pinnatifid, | acuminate, of a dull-green colour, 5 not undulate, but uneven and 2e. Awe wrinkled on the upper side, apa scarcely scabrous at the edge, ut \ 7 By minutely downy on the under : side ; sinus completely closed,the ~ al | leaf-lobes standing forwards be- | marked with short purple lines, OK we terete, obscurely channelled at BAL, ay the upper end, Gy \ ’ ! Linn., Sp. Pl. 531 ; Aiton, NN Flort. Kew. ii. 41 ; Stephen- i son and Churchill, 25 ; Lind- i ley, Flor, Med, 358. Grows in Chinese Tar- tary, Mongolia, &c. As before mentioned, the seeds of this were obtained R. palmatum. 544 | MEDICAL BOTANY. with those of R. undulatum, as being those of the true Rhubarb plant. Pallas, however, states that he was informed by the Bucharian Rhubarb mer- chants that they were unacquainted with leaves of a Rhubarb resembling this species, and that those of the plant furnishing the commercial article were round and much cut at the edges. The opinion of writers, however, still leans to the belief that this plant furnishes the true officinal Rhubarb. Pe- reira says, that having carefully washed and dried the roots of the most of the species noticed in the foregoing pages, he found that of the R. palmatum closely resembled the Asiatic Rhubarb, in odour, colour, and marbling, and Guibourt declares of all the cultivated kinds, this species alone has roots which resemble in all parts, the Rhubarb of China. Stephenson and Churchill say that it is cultivated largely in England for the roots, but most certainly what is termed English Rhubarb differs very widely from the Asiatic drug, and Royle states that what is grown at Banbury is the R. rhaponticum. From the foregoing account it will be seen that it is very uncertain to what species of Rheum the Rhubarb of commerce is to be attributed, and that the probability is, that it is not yet known to botanists. It has, however, been ascertained that it principally grows in Chinese Tartary. From the information obtained by Bell, ( Travels, i. 311,) Du Halde, Sievers, and others, it appears that the roots are dug up during the summer season, and only those plants are selected which are five or six years old. The roots are then cleansed, deprived of their cortical portion, cut into pieces, pierced through their centre, strung upon a cord and dried in the sun. In China it is said the pieces are partially dried on a kind of oven, before they are bored. According to Sievers the drying process is very tedious, and that it is some- times a year before the root is fit to offer for sale. There are several kinds of Rhubarb recognised by pharmaceutic writers, as the Chinese, Russian or Turkey, Bucharian, Siberian, Himalayan, English and French, the first two of which are those most generally employed in this country. | Chinese.—This is the sort usually to be met with in the shops, as although not equal to the Russian, still, when of good quality, it answers perfectly well, and can at the same time, be afforded at a much lower price, It is in pieces of various forms, usually cylindrical or rounded, and sometimes flat on one or both sides. Pereira has described three varieties: one he terms Dutch trimmed ; in this the bark appears to have been cut off, and not removed by scraping ; the second, or Chinese Rhubarb, is irregular in shape, never angular, but presenting an appearance of having been scraped ; the third, or Canton stick Rhubarb, is in cylindrical pieces of about two inches in length, and from a half to three-quarters of an inch in diameter. All these are to be met with in our shops, and may be observed in the same parcel. This Rhubarb when good, is rather heavier than the Russian, has a somewhat compact texture, and its fracture is uneven ; the veins especially towards the centre are not regular, and are of a duller colour. [t has a peculiar odour, and an astringent somewhat bitter taste, feels gritty when chewed, and tinges the saliva of a yellow colour. Russian.—This, as previously stated, is delivered to Russian agents at Kiachta, whence it is taken by caravans to St, Petersburg and Moscow. The pieces vary in shape, and are often angular, from the cortical portion having been cut off, and not removed by scraping. They are smooth and of a yellow colour; they are less compact and heavy than the Chinese, of a livelier colour internally. Their fracture is uneven, marbled with white and red veins, which towards the centre assume a radiated form. ‘The taste is rather more aromatic than the Chinese, but the odour is much the same ; POLYGONACEZ, 545 there. is the same crackling on chewing it, and the same colour imparted to the saliva; the powder is usually of a brighter yellow than in the last variety. The Bucharian Rhubarb seems to be an inferior quality of the Russian. The Siberian, which is in cylindrical pieces, is probably the product of &. _rhaponticum. Of late years, Rhubarbs from Himalaya species have been tried in India, and found of excellent quality, and may perhaps hereafter become an article of commerce. The French and English Rhubarbs are of inferior quality, and are seldom employed in this country, as the Chinese is plentiful and at comparatively a low price. : Numerous analyses of Rhubarb have been made, and it has been found to owe its properties to the presence of Chrysophamic acid, which in its impure state has been described by Brandes as Rhabarberic acid, as Rhabarbarin by ' Geiger, and Rhein and Rheumin by other authors; to a mixture of several: - resins and Extractive matter ; the active principles are taken up by water and by alcohol ; with the alkalies it produces a red-coloured solution. Medical "Uses. —Rhubarb is a mild and safe purgative, and at the same time is gently astringent and tonic. Its colouring matter is rapidly absorbed, and tinges the urine and other secretions of a yellow colour. Asa purgative it is in general use, and is well adapted to delicate persons and children, where it is wished to evacuate the bowels without exciting an undue action in them. It is much employed in dyspepsia attended with constipation, and forms the basis of most of the preparations known as “ dinner pills,” &c. It is either given alone or in a variety of combinations, as with soap, to counteract its astringent quality, with magnesia to increase its action, or where acidity ex- ists. When toasted, much of its purgative power is destroyed, but its astrin- gency remains the same. The preparations of it are very numerous. It is given in powder in doses of from five grains to half a drachm, according to the indication to be fulfilled. The usual purgative dose is from ten to twenty grains. (See Amer, Dispen., Pereira, and Pasi: ) Rumex.—Linn. Calyx of three obtuse, spreading, persistent sepals, more or less combined at base, and of three ovate, larger, internal ones, thinner in texture, but of the same colour, finally in- creased in size and connivent ; in some species having a dorsal gland or tubercle. Sta- mens six. Filaments very short, capillary. Anthers oblong, erect, with two lobes. Styles four, capillary, with large stigmas, in numerous fine, tufted segments. Nut triangular, superior, naked. Embryo oblong, on one side of the albumen. An extensive genus, found in Europe, the temperate parts of Africa, and _ in the United States, The species have terminal or axillary paniculate flow- ers, and in some cases are monecious or diwcious. The roots are generally large and fleshy, and are usually astringent, but sometimes purgative. R. crispus, a native of this country, is said to be useful in decoction or ointment, ‘in the treatment of itch; the part used is the root; that of R. obtuszfoliws has _ the same properties, and that of R. patientze is much employed in France as _adepurative remedy in cutaneous disorders, scurvy, &c.; it is also consi- dered to be tonic and stomachic. ‘The leaves of this and several other of the species are used as greens ; R. sanguineus is also thought to be useful as an astringent in hemorrhagies, and that its juice was a beneficial application to | cancerous ulcers. The most active species is unquestionably R, alpinus, a native of the moun- é ~*~ 546 MEDICAL BOTANY. tainous parts of Europe. The root is large, fleshy, and purgative like Rhubarb, Although at one time in much use, especially among the inmates of monasteries, whence its name of ‘“* Monk’s Rhubarb,” it is now seldom or never employed ; and Merat and De Lens are of opinion that its powers are very feeble; Linnzus, however, took it for a variety of Rhewm rhaponticum. Several of the plants of this genus have acid leaves, owing to the presence of oxalic acid ; among these are R. acetosa, R. acetosella, and R. vesicarius. The first of these is much used as a culinary vegetable in France, and is esteemed very wholesome. Its employment for this purpose is of very ancient date, as Pliny speaks of it as rendering animal food easier of digestion. They are all cooling and aperient, and somewhat diuretic; but are prejudicial when too freely or frequently eaten, from the quantity of oxalic acid they contain. This is extracted in Switzerland, and forms part of the oxalic acid of commerce ; it is said that it requires fifty pounds of leaves to produce two and a half ounces of pure acid. A decoction of the leaves is much em- ployed in France as\a depurative remedy, especially in ‘the spring. PoLtyconum.— Linn. Calyx turbinate, coloured, with five deep, ovate, obtuse, persistent segments. Stamens 5—8, very short, subulate. Anthers roundish, incumbent. Ovary roundish, somewhat triangular or compressed. Styles usually three ; in those with a compressed ovary, two, filiform, short. Stigmas simple. Nut solitary, either Wrngulet or compressed, pointed. Embryo enveloped in a farinacous albumen. Almost all are herbaceous, with alternate leaves, sheathing at the base, and varying much in shape in the different species; furnished with ochree. Flowers axillary or terminal, usually spiked. Peduncles articulated. Stems and branches often nodose, but not articulated. The species are polymor- phous, and require revision. They are principally natives of Europe and North America; some few are found in the eastern parts of Asia. They differ as widely in their medical properties as they do in their botanical cha- racters, some being astringent, others very acrid, whilst others afford farina- ceous and edible seeds. The most important species of the first class is P, bistorta, a native of the north of Europe and America. It usually grows in damp situations, and has a creeping, fleshy, or woody root, which is power- - fully astringent ; this has been employed with benefit in all cases requiring the use of this description of remedies, and has also been recommended in combination with one of the pure bitters in intermittents. It contains. much tannin and gallic acid ; it also abounds in fecula, and is used in Siberia for food, after being roasted. ‘The fibrous root of P. aviculare is also said to be astringent, and was at one time much esteemed as a vulnerary. The seeds are emeto-cathartic ; this property, so unusual in the genus, is thought by De Candolle to reside in the testa. R. tamnzfolium is employed in some parts of South America as an astringent in hemorrhages, The acrid species are very numerous; but those which have been most generally employed are P. hydropiper and P. persicaria, The leaves of both these are very acrid and pungent, and will even vesicate when applied in a fresh state to the skin. Like most acrid plants, they become inert by desiccation. Many marvellous qualities have been attributed to the last of ! these species by the writers of the middle ages ; that it was capable of chang- ing the seat of disease from one part of the “body to another, &c. Ata much more recent period, some of the most eminent writers in the profession < -and have been used as a substitute for it; thus — (Jour. Chim. Med. iii. 545). Thunberg ( Voyage, POLYGONACE XS. have considered it to be an admirable astringent, vulnerary, febrifuge, @&c., and Baglivi states that it is a specific in diseases of the kidneys and bladder; notwithstanding which, it is now seldom prescribed in regular practice. P. hy- dropiperoides of this country, which is closely allied, if not identical, with the former of these, has been highly spoken of by Dr. Eberle ( The- vrapeut.) in obstinate cases of amenorrhea, and has also proved beneficial in the hands of other practitioners in similar cases. It is given in the form of a saturated tincture. The roots of some of these plants have been thought to possess the qualities of Sarsaparilla, P. amphibium is said by Coste and Willemet (Mat. Med. Indig. 116) to be much esteemed in Lorraine as a depurative, and even to be pre- ferred to the foreign article. In Brazil, accord- ing to Martius, P. ante-hemorrhoidale is in high repute.in the treatment of gout, hemorrhoids, &c. It is used in baths, fomentations, and cataplasms i, 338) states that P. barbatum is considered at the Cape of Good Hope to be beneficial in dropsy, on account of its diuretic properties; and an in- fusion of its leaves is prescribed in India to-re- lieve the pain in colic (Aznslie, il. 2). 5AT Fig. 235. P. persicaria. Those furnishing nutritive seeds are principally P. fagopyrum and P. ta- taricunt, both well known under the name of Buckwheat. These plants, with some others, have been erected into a separate genus, under the name of Fagopyrum. They are principally natives of the central and northern parts of Asia. Buckwheat was introduced into Europe about four centuries since, and, according to Gerarde, was cultivated in England in 1597. In some parts of Eu- rope Buckwheat is much used as food; this is the case more particularly in some of the departments of France. In this country, although much esteemed for breakfast-cakes, it is never made into bread. It is likewise employed in some parts of Germany for the making of beer. It is not as nutritive as the cereal grains, containing only one-half its weight of fecula. P. convolvulus, P. scandens, &c., which are climbing Species, bear seeds closely resembling those of Buck- wheat, and which might be substituted for them. The seeds of P. emarginatum are eaten in China. The roots of a few of the species are likewise ali- mentary; thus in Japan those of P. multiflorwm are Fig. 236. EPCS O S 3 ~ aN (Ger3 =~ AZ L_7 ~—— r “a, ( C” Be wD ee) OLS P. fagopyrum. eaten in a raw state, and are considered cordial and strengthening. When cooked they become bitter ( Thunberg, iv. 83). According to Pallas, the tubercles of P. sthbzrvicum also form an article of diet. The leaves of almost all these plants furnish a kind of indigo, and some of them have been extensively employed. P. tinctoriwm is largely cultivated 548 MEDICAL BOTANY. for this purpose in some parts of Europe, and is very generally used in China and Japan. % CoccoLtona.— Linn. C. uvifera. is said to be beneficial in bowel complaints. Calyx, 5-parted, persistent, finally becoming succulent. Stamens 5, unit- ed below, inserted on the base of the calyx. Styles 3. Stigmas simple. Nut l-seeded, bony, covered by the enlarged, succulent calyx. Embryo in the middle of the albumen. A genus of shrubs, and small trees, peculiar to South America and the West Indies, with entire, large leaves. The calyx in them all, is permanent, and at last be- comes succulent, and envelopes the seed, so as to resemble a small grape. The wood and bark contain an astringent juice. C. uvirera.—Leaves roundish-cor- date, smooth. Linn., Sp. Pl. 523; Bot. Mag. 3130; Sloane, Jamaze. ii. 129, t. 220; Lindley, Flor. Med. 303. A small tree, inhabiting the coast of South America and the West India Islands. ‘In Jamaica, where it is common, it is called ‘Seaside Grape.” The leaves are very large, coriaceous, en- tire, cordate, of a bright and glossy green, with the veins red, especially at their base. The fruit, which is eatable, though not much esteemed, is in long bunches, somewhat like those of the vine. It is acidulous, and somewhat astringent, and _ The wood is heavy, of a dark colour, and contains an astringent, reddish juice, which, when evaporated, forms what is termed Jamaica Kino. This is reddish-brown, approaching to black, opaque in the mass, but translucent and of a ruby-red colour when in thin splinters, It has no odour, but an astringent, bitterish taste. The Caraccas Kino is probably the product of some of the other species of Coccoloba, all of which are equally astringent. The fruit of C. mivea and C. pubescens those of the present plant, are much more agreeable than | . : LAURACEX. — 549 Group XXXVI.—Daphnales. OrpEr 98. —LAURACEA—Lindley Calyx 4—6-cleft, with an imbricated wstivation, the limb sometimes wanting. Petals none. Stamens definite, perigynous, opposite the segments of the calyx, and mostly twice as numerous; the innermost sterile or deficient, ac six outermost seldom abortive. Anthers adnate, 2—4-celled, cells bursting by a longitudinal persistent valve; the outer anthers valved inwards, and the inner valved outwards, or all with the valves on the inner side ; inner filaments usually having glands at base. Ovary superior, l-celled, with 1—2 single, pendulous ovules. Style simple. Stigma obtuse, 2—3-lobed. Fruit baecate or drupaceous, naked or covered, often placed upon or within the enlarged apex of the. pe- duncle. Seed exalbuminous. Embryo inverted. Radicle very short, superior. An important order, composed of trees and shrubs, with exstipulate, alter- nate, seldom opposite, entire or rarely lobed leaves. ‘The flowers, which are perfect, unisexual, or polygamous, are in panicles or umbels. They are principally natives of cool situations within the tropics; some few, however, extend beyond these limits. They are all more or less aromatic and fra- _ grant; some have aromatic fruits, others have fragrant and stimulant or febrifuge bark, whilst others afford Camphor. Besides those to be noticed more particularly, the following deserve men- tion: Persea gratissima bears a large fruit, highly esteemed in the West Indies, under the name of ‘‘ Avocado pear ;” the seeds are very astringent, and have proved beneficial in diseases of the bowels and menorrhagia. "The leaves and buds, according to M. Ricord Madiana (Jour. Pharm. xv. ), are employed as emmenagogues, carminatives, vulneraries, antispasmodics, &c. Dr. Lindley is of opinion, that the Laurus caustica of Molina, which is said to be so acrid and poisonous, is a species of this genus. Caryodauphne densiflora, a native of Java, is stated by Blume (Nees, Laurin. 228) to have a brownish, tonic bark, containing much bitter, balsamic extractive. . The leaves are aromatic, and used. in infusion in spasmodic affections of the bowels, and in convulsive ‘attacks of pregnant women. The inner bark of Mespilodaphne pretiosa has a very agreeable odour and taste, and is known in Brazil as the Casca pretiosa. Several species of Aydendron have aro- matic fruits—thus A. cujgwmary, a native of Brazil, affords oily seeds, which are said, by Martius, to be used as a substitute for the Pichurim: bean, in atony of the stomach and disorders of the bowels. (Ferussac, Bull. xxiv. 62.) One of the most celebrated species is the F. indica, or Banyan Tree, a native of the East Indies, and considered as sacred by the Brahmins. ‘The branches of this tree spread to a great extent, and send down roots, which, striking root, and enlarging in diameter, become new trunks, so that it may gradually cover a great extent of ground. Roxburgh states, that he has seen them full five hundred yards in extent, the main trunk being twenty-five feet to.the first branch, and eight or ten feet in diameter. Gum-lac is ob- tained from it; its white, acrid juice, is considered efficacious in toothache, and the bark is regarded, by the Hindoos, as a powerful tonic, and useful in diabetes. A still more venerated species is F. religiosa, or Pippul tree, the Brahmins fabling that their god Vishnu was born under its branches. F, demona of India, is pervaded by an extremely poisonous juice, and the leaves of F’. septica are emetic, and its fruit so acrid as to be used to destroy fungous flesh. The bark of /. racemosa is astringent, and has been reputed to be efficacious in hematuria and menorrhagia. The juice of the root is a powerful tonic (Aznshe, ii. 30). EF. edasteca furnishes caoutchouc in India, F. radula, ellipltica, and prinoides in South America. The juice of some is very bland, and Lindley states, that some of the Cow-trees, as they are called, from their potable juice, are of this genus. The FP. s¢ycamorus fur- nished the imperishable wood of which the Egyptian mummy cases were - constructed. DorstTEenra.— Linn. _~. Moneecious ; flowers on a fleshy receptacle, usually flat and expanded, variable in form. Sterile: on the surface of the receptacle, 2-lobed, fleshy, diandrous. Fertile: immersed, also mostly 2-lobed. Ovary 1—2-celled, with a solitary suspended ovule in each cell; style.1; stigma 2-lobed. Seeds lenticular, embedded in the receptacle, projected from it elastically, when ripe. _ A genus of dwarf herbaceous plants, with scaly rhizomes, peculiar to the West Indies and South America. Their rhizomes have long been known under the name of Contrayerva, and attributed, by the various Pharma- copeias, to one species, but it has been shown by Houston, Martius, and others, that the roots of several kinds are confounded under this appella- tion. | 1. D. srasitiensts, Lam.—Root oblong, woody, premorse, aromatic. Stemless. Leaves cordate, oblong, obtuse, crenulated, serrated or toothed, cucullate at base. Scape as long as the petioles. Receptacle orbicular, somewhat cup-shaped, crenated at the margin. Lamarck, Encyclop. ii. 314; Lindley, Fl. Med. 300; D. cordzfoha, Swartz, Fl. Ind. Occ, 275; D. tubicina, Hooker, Bot. Mag. 2804; Caa- _ peba, Marcgrave. A native of Brazil and several of the West India Islands, Martius states, that this species is far more efficient than the D. contrayerva, and that it grows on mountains and not in low places, as is the case with the ‘other plants of the genus. The tuberous root is employed as an antidote against the bites of poisonous snakes, and in nervous fevers and general debility. It sometimes acts as a mild emetic, It is much more powerful when fresh than when it has been kept any time. 37 578 MEDICAL BOTANY. w so) a 2. D. contrayerva, Linn.—Caulescent; PIES St stem covered with spreading, green, scaly : stipules. Leaves palmate; lobes lanceolate, acuminate, coarsely serrate, and gashed, sometimes almost pinnatifid. Receptacle on a long footstalk, quadrangular, waved or plaited. Linn., Mat. Med. 538; Willdenow, Se EL. 6B9' Jacquin, Amer, iii. 614; Lindley, Fl. Med, 300. Occurs in Mexico, Peru, the West Indies, &c. This is the officinal - species. 3. D. prakena, Linn. a Leaves cordate, interruptedly pinnatifid, with the segments ovate, entire, acute. Reyepele oval, entire. Willdenow, Sp. Pl. i. 683; ‘Miller, Dict. No. 3; Houston, Trans. Roy. Soc. ; Lindley, Fil. Med. 301. 5, ”, C AN Mb “i a) EX 7 yf \ } 4, WA () f y y Va ® iY, ff c Grows in Mexico, in the’ vicinity of } Vera Cruz. Lamarck considers it to D. contrayerva. | be a mere variety of the last, but it differs in many essential characters from that species. This is much employed in Mexico, and was the source of the roots sent by Drake from Peru, to Clusius, who a them in his Exotica, 311. 4, D. noustoni, Miller—Stemless. Leaves cordate, entire, or palmately angular, acute. Receptacle quadrangular, undulated. Miller, Dict. No. 2; Willdenow, Sp. Pl. i. 682; Houston, 0. c.; Lind- ley, Fl. Med. 301. Found in high rocky ground in Campeachy, and forms part of the Con- trayerva of commerce. The roots of these plants have long been in use in South America and the West Indies under the name of Contrayerva, which means counter-poison, | The first account of them is by Clusius from Monardes; in 1581 he de- | scribed another root received from Sir Francis Drake, under the name of | Drakena radiz, which is supposed to be that of D. drakena. As found in | the shops, it consists of praemorse rhizomes of an inch or two long, rough, hard and scaly, with numerous radicles attached to the lower part. It has a | somewhat aromatic odour, and a slight bitterish, warm taste. It yields its | properties to alcohol and boiling water. They depend on a Volatile oil, Resin, || and Bitter extractive. They evidently are those of D. brasiliensis and not || of D. contrayerva, which Pereira says is not met with in commerce. Medical Uses.—Contrayerva is a stimulant tonic and diaphoretic, much || resembling Serpentaria in its properties, and by which it has been superseded || in practice, being seldom employed.in this country. The dose in powder is; a scruple to halfa drachm. ‘The best form of administration. is the infusion, Other species have been noticed: thus, Gomez describes D. ar ifolia, | which has the properties of brast/zensis, but is not as active, Descourtilz | (Flor, Med. Antill. iv. 105) speaks of D. caulescens of Haiti as having ther qualities of Parietaria. é ; | | : | ARTOCARPACES. 579 The different species of Morus, as the nigra of Europe, and rubra of this country, bear edible fruits, which are lax- ative and cooling; their bark is said to be cathartic and anthelmintic. VW. alba has a vermifuge root, but is most important on account of its leaves being the favourite food of the silk-worm. ‘The wood of WM. tenctoria is well known in commerce under the name of Fustic, and is much used as a yellow dye. A native plant, Maclura au- rantiaca, has a tinctorial wood, which is _ very hard and elastic,and is much used by the Indians for bows, whence its common name of Bow-wood. The inner bark of Broussonetia papyrifera, or Paper Mul- berry, is generally employed in the South Morus nigra. Sea Islands in the manufacture of clothing. OrpeEeR 95.—ARTOCARPACEA.— Lindley. Flowers monecious, in dense heads. Sterile: calyx sometimes wanting, and having the stamens mixed with scales ; or of 2—4 sepals, often united in a tube, with only a rudi- ment of a limb. Stamens opposite the sepals, and usually equal.in number to them; filaments sometimes connate; anthers 2-celled, erect or incumbent, rarely peltate. Fer- tile flowers variously arranged on a fleshy receptacle of different forms ; calyx tubular, limb 2—4-cleft or entire. Ovary free, 1-celled; ovule erect and orthotropal, or amphi- tropal and parietal, or pendulous and anatropal; style lateral or terminal, ysually bifid, if undivided, with a lateral or radiating stigma. Fruit variable, having a fleshy involucre, or composed of aggregated fleshy calices, containing numerous nuts. Seeds erect, pa- rietal or pendulous. Embryo with albumen, straight. A strictly tropical order containing many important plants, though few have any medicinal properties, They are all trees or shrubs abounding in a milky juice, with alternate, simple, oftentimes lobed leaves, having large deciduous stipules. The most useful spe- _ cies are those of Artocarpus or Bread- fruit, which furnish so large a proportion of the food of the South Sea Islanders. Although all the species afford an edible fruit, the most esteemed is produced by A. imcisa and its numerous’ varieties. That of A. tntegrifolia or Jack fruit is much inferior, though also used. The famous Cow Tree or Palo de Vacca of South America, which yields a copious supply of a rich and wholesome fluid re- sembling milk, is a species of Bromisum ; another plant of this genus, B. alzcastrum, abounds in a tenacious, gummy milk. A. incisa. The seeds known under the name of ) Bread Nuts are much esteemed in Jamaica as an article of food. A decoc- tion of the leaves of Cecropia peltata is said by Dr. Ricord Madiana te be an antidote to the poison of Passiflora quadrangularis (Ann. Lyc, Nat. 580 MEDICAL BOTANY. Hist, i, 131), and Piso oe 72), that it is astringent and useful in-diseases of the bowels. A decoction of the leaves of Musanga cecropioides is said to be a powerful emmenagogue (Tucker, Expedzt.); the seeds areedible. Phy- tocrene gigantea, a large tree of Birmah, is stated by Wallich to discharge a large quantity of a pure and wholesome fluid when an incision is made in the trunk. ‘The fruit of Powrowma bicolor is sub-acid and mucilaginous, and, according to Martius, worthy of cultivation. Castclloa elastica affords caoutchouc, and the beautiful wood known as Snake-wood, is the product of Piratinera guianensis. One of the most virulent plants yet discovered is the Antzaris toxicaria or Upas tree of Java, and although the accounts of its fatal influence have been much exaggerated, it has been fully established that it is extremely poisonous. Mr. Leschenault states that a man he persuaded to ascend one of the trees, suffered severely, not only with an eruption and swelling of the body, but also from vertigo, nausea and vomiting; other persons experience no inconveni- ence from the exhalations, It is stated by Lindley, that the fatal effects of the juice when administered internally, are owing to the presence of Strych- nia, but MM. Pelletier and Caventou (Ann. Chim. xxvi. 44) were unable to detect this alkaloid in it. Cloth manufactured from the tough fibres of its bark, will excite the most excessive itching and irritation in those that wear shirts made of it. Blume is of opinion that this poison acts principally on the vascular system, but from experiments made with it in Europe, it evidently operates powerfully on the cerebro-spinal apparatus. Notwithstanding its virulence, it has been employed medicinally, but even in very minute doses is apt to produce the most excessive vomiting and purging. ‘From another species of Amtzaris, sacks are made in Western India, by detaching the bark in an unbroken piece from a section of a branch or trunk, by beating the latter with clubs until the fibre is loosened, and then stripping it off entir Group XXX1X.—Amentales. Orver 96.—ALTINGIA CER.— Lindley. Flowers monecious, in rounded aments or heads. Females on longer peduncles than the males, which are surrounded by a deciduous, 4-leaved involucre. Male: anthers nu- merous, oblong, nearly sessile, destitute of calyx, but having a few minute scales. Fe- male ; ovaries 2-celled, collected into a globe, each surrounded by a few scales. Styles two, long. Ovules indefinite, attached to the dissepiment; amphitropal. Fruit a kind of strobile, formed of the indurated capsules and scales. Capsules 2-celled, 2-beaked, opening between the beaks, several-seeded (or 1-seeded by abortion). Seeds compressed, membranous, winged, peltate, with a little fleshy albumen. Embryo inverted. Radicle short, superior. This small order contains but one genus, Liguidambar, the species of which are tall trees yielding a balsam, and having alternate, simple or lobed leaves, with glandular serratures at the edge, and furnished with deciduous stipules. ‘They are natives of the warmer parts of Asia, the Levant, and North America, in the latter of which one species is found as high north as 42° latitude. It was at one time supposed that these trees furnished the Sty- rax of commerce, but this idea is now shown to be erroneous ; they, however, afford a liquid balsam, of a somewhat analogous character, and which appears to have been much more in use formerly” than at present. This balsam, brought from India, and is produced by L. altingia ; country. ~SALICACES. 581 4 which is known under the name of Liquidambar, Liquid styrax, Copaline balsam, &c., is derived from three of the species. Most of that used in Europe comes from the Levant by way of Trieste, and is furnished by ZL. orzentale; some is also and part is sent from Mexico, where it is obtained from the ZL. styraciflua, or Sweet gum, which spécies is also found in the United States, but pro- duces scarcely any balsam, except in the most southern parts of the country. By boiling the branches, a small quantity may be obtained; from some experiments I made a few years since in the vicinity of Baltimore, where this tree abounds, I found that it existed in the largest proportion, just before the appearance of the leaves, and in young trees. Liquidambar, when pure, is about the consistence of honey, of a yel- lowish colour, of a pleasant balsamic odour, and a bitter, hot, acrid taste. It has the properties of the other balsams, but is seldom employed in this L. styraciflua. Orver 97.—SALICACEE.— Lindley. Flowers diecious, amentaceous, naked, or with a membranous, cup-like calyx. Male: stamens distinct or monadelphous. Anthers 2-celled. Female: ovary superior, 1-celled or imperfectly 2-celled. Ovules numerous, erect, anatropal. Styles or stigmas two, often 2-cleft. Fruit a sort of follicle, opening by two valves. Seeds numerous, ascending, co- vered with long, silky hairs, springing from their base, exalbuminous. Embryo erect. Radicle inferior. Trees or shrubs, with alternate, simple leaves, frequently with glands at the edge, or on the petioles, furnished with deciduous or persistent stipules. They are natives of the temperate and cold regions both of the northern and southern hemispheres. This order contains many species that are valuable on account both of their medicinal qualities, and of their use in the arts. They all have a more or less bitter bark, which is astringent and tonic, and contains two peculiar principles, termed Salicene and Populine, tannin, &c. Satrx.—Linn. Flowers diecious, rarely monecious, amentaceous, each with a single flexible bract; a gland around the stamens or ovary. Male: stamens 1—5 or more. Anthers 2-lobed, with a longitudinal dehiscence. Female: ovary ovate, 1-celled, many-seeded. Style ter- minal, permanent. Stigmas two. Capsule ovate, 1-celled, with two revolute, concave valves. Seeds numerous. A large genus, principally peculiar to the temperate and cold regions of both hemispheres. The bark is tonic and astringent, and was employed ata very early period, being spoken of by Dioscorides ; it appears to have been occasionally used, but did not attract much attention from the profession until about 1763, when it was brought forward as a remedy in intermittents, since which time it has been frequently prescribed. The number of species of Wil- low is very great, and as in all of them the bark is analogous, differing only 582 MEDICAL BOTANY. » in some degree in bitterness, they may all be considered as medicinal. The British Colleges recognise as officinal, S. fragalis, S. alba, and S. caprea, but other European species are fully as efficient, as S. helzz, S. russelliana, S. pentandra, and S. purpurea. The United States Pharmacopeeia, there- fore, only recognises the genus without designating the particular species. Among our native Willows, S. 2zgva, S. ervocephala, and S. conifera, are, perhaps, the most efficient. Michaux speaks of the first of these as affording a powerful bitter root employed as a preventive and cure in intermittents, Willow bark varies in appearance and qualities, according to the species from which it is obtained, and the age of the plant. When dried, it is usu- ally in rolled pieces, is fibrous, somewhat flexible, and difficult to pulverize. It has a slight aromatic odour, and a bitter, astringent, but peculiar taste. It has been often analyzed, and the honour of having discovered its active principle is claimed by several chemists, as Buchner in Germany, Fontana and Rigatelli in Italy, &c. Salicin is obtained by several processes, one of which, proposed by Messrs. Tyson and Fisher (Jour. Phil. Coll. Pharm. iii. 214), is simple, and gives good results. Salicin is in silky or scaly crystals, of a white colour, is soluble in water and alcohol, but not in ether. These solutions are neutral, but exceedingly bitter. If sulphuric acid be added to it, a blood-red colour is produced. It possesses tonic properties analogous to the sulphate of quinia, and is said to ‘be less liable to offend the stomach, and affect the nervous system. Notwith- standing the praises bestowed on it by some writers for its febrifuge powers, it is far inferior in this respect to quinia ; and the opinion of it expressed by Ballard and Garrod (Mat. Med. 399) I agree in fully, namely, that it is ineffi- cient as a tonic, when compared to the Cinchona alkaloids ; as a simple bit- ter, however, it appears to rank with Gentian, Calumba, &c., its principal good effect being seen in the improved appetite which sometimes follows its use. It may be mentioned that Quinia is often adulterated with this substance, and that it has been imported for this purpose ; but the fraud may always be de- tected by testing with sulphuric acid. The dose is from ten to thirty grains. Porutus.— Linn. Male : ament cylindrical, loosely imbricated. Bract single-flowered, cuneate, lacerated- Calyx turbinate, oblique, entire. Stamens eight or more, very short, capillary. Anthers drooping, large, quadrangular. Female: flower as in male. Ovary ovate, pointed. Style none. Stigmas four or eight, subulate. Capsule 1-celled, with two concave valves. Seeds numerous, small, ovate, beset with long wool. These are trees, with roundish, often cordate leaves; the petiole often bi- glandular; the buds sometimes balsamiferous, the floral ones appearing earlier than the leaves. ‘The species are most numerous in North America. The bark resembles that of the Willows, and has the same properties ; that of P. tremuloides has been employed in domestic practice with some success as a febrifuge and tonic. In P. balsamifera, it is said to be cathartic, and to be useful in rheumatism and gout. The buds of most of the species are aromatic and abound in a balsamic juice, especially in P. balsamifera ; this is collected, and has received the name of Tacamahaca, from its resemblance to the resinous product of the Fagara octandra, which bears that appellation. This balsam is said to be diuretic and antiscorbutic. The buds of the European species are used in the preparation of an ointment in France, &c., which has much reputation in the treatment of wounds, bruises, and tumours. MYRICACEAZ. 583 4 Orver 98.—MYRICACEE— Lindley. Flowers monecious or diccious ; both kinds achlamydeous and amentaceous. Sterile flowers: stamens 2—8 in the axil of a scale-like bract, anthers 2—4-celled, with a longi- tudinal dehiscence. Fertile: ovary 1-celled and 1-ovuled, surrounded by several hypogy- nous scales, in the axil of a bract; stigmas 2, subulate or dilated and petaloid. Fruit dry and drupaceous, often covered with a waxy secretion. Seed solitary, erect, exalbu- minous. fadicle short, superior. Small trees or shrubs, with alternate, simple leaves, with or without sti- pules. ‘They, as well as the branches, are covered with resinous glands or dots. The species are found in both Americas, Cape of Good Hope, and India. One species is also a native of Europe. They are all aromatic, and are generally possessed of astringent and tonic properties. Myrica.—Linn. Sterile aments ovate-oblong ; bracts loosely imbricated. Calyx of 1—2 subulate scales. Stamens 4, with short, capillary, erect filaments. Anthers vertical, large, with 2 divided lobes. Fertile aments like the sterile, but more compact. Sepals 2, ovate, acute, scale- like. Ovary ovate, flattish, superior. Stigmas 2, filiform, spreading, longer than the calyx, Fruit baccate, 1-celled, 1-seeded. Seed erect. This genus consists of aromatic shrubs and small trees, having Ei ernate, mostly entire leaves, covered with resinous dots. They are natives of North and South America, Cape of Good Hope, and Europe. In some of them the fruit is covered with a wax-like, aromatic coating. , M. cerirera, Linn,—Leaves cuneate-lanceolate, with a few acute serratures near the top. Sterile aments loose. Bracts acute. Fruit spherical. Linn., Sp. Pl. 1453; Torrey, Comp. 372; Bigelow, Med. Bot. iui. t. 43 ; Marshall, Arbust. 94; Lindley, Flor. Med, 305. Common Names.—Wax myrtle; Wax-berry; Bayberry, &c. This species is found in damp places in many parts of the United States ; it is very abundant in New Jersey. The hard berries are studded over with small, black granulations, and covered by a white, mealy crust, consisting of a kind of wax. This can be separated, by placing the berries in boiling water, when it will melt and collect on the surface of the fluid, and, on be- coming cool, congeal into a concrete substance, ofa pale- -green colour, agree- able odour, more brittle than wax. This is employed in some parts of the country for candles, and also forms the basis of a fine soap. It appears to have astringent and slightly narcotic properties, and was successfully em- ployed by Dr. Wm. Fahnestock in an epidemic of typhoid dysentery. He gave it in doses of one or two drachins, and is of opinion that its active prin- ciple is the green colouring matter (Am. Jour. Med. Sct. ii, 313). Rafi- nesque states that-a tincture of the berries with Heraclewm is beneficial in flatulent colic. The bark of the root is acrid and stimulant, and in doses of a drachm causes a sensation of heat in the stomach, followed by vomiting, and some- times diuresis. When chewed, it acts as a sialagogue, and has proved useful in toothache. The powder is an active errhine. The leaves have some celebrity in domestic practice as antispasmodic, antiscorbutic, and astringent. The other native species, M. pennsylvanica, M. carolinensis, and M. gale, probably are very similar in their properties.. The last-named species is 584 MEDICAL BOTANY. + also indigenous in Europe, where an infusion of the berries is thought to be efficient in the cure of itch, and as a vermifuge. In Sweden, the leaves are used as a substitute for hops in brewing. The fruit of IZ. sapida, of Nepaul, is large as a cherry, and is said to be pleasantly acid and edible. MV. cor- difolia, of the Cape of Good Hope, furnishes a wax, which Thunberg. states is eaten by the natives, | ComrTonia.—Az2ton. Flowers monecious, amentaceous. _ Sterile: in long, cylindrical, loosely im- bricated catkins, with deciduous, 1-flow- ered bracts. Stamens 6, adhering in pairs. Fertile: in ovate, densely imbri- cated catkins, with 1-flowered bracts. Sepals 6, larger than the bracts. Styles 2, capillary. Fruit an ovate, 1-seeded nut. The only species of this genus is a native of the United States. It was considered by Linneus to be- long to. Liguidambar, and was in- cluded in Myrica by Gronovius. C. AspLENIFoLIA, Aiton.— Shrubby. Leaves sessile, narrow-lanceolate, some- what pinnatifid, brown and rather downy beneath, and shining above. Aiton, Hort.,Kew, iii, 334; Will- denow, Sp. Pi. iv. 320; Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. i, 221, t.19; Ra- finesque, Med. Flor. i. 115. Common Names.—Sweet Fern ; 'Fern-bush; Spleenwort Gale, &c. It is a low shrub, which has an aromatic fragrance when rubbed or bruised between the fingers. It is very common throughout the Unit- ed States, and is much employed in domestic practice, though seldom prescribed by physicians. Schoepf, on the authority of Colden, states that masticating the root will check C. asplenifolia. a spitting of blood, and also that it is useful in rachitis and the debility succeeding to fevers. Its true character seems to be that of a mild astringent tonic, and hence has proved useful in diarrhcea. Dr. W. P. C. Barton says that he found a weak decoction of it, properly sweetened, a grateful drink to children suffering from the summer complaint, and a useful auxiliary in the treatment of this disease. It is used in some parts of the country as a fomen- tation in rheumatism and contusions. CORYLACE&. 585 £2 * Group XL.—Quernales, Orver 99.—CORYLACEH.— Lindley. Flowers generally monecious; sterile flowers in aments, with a scale-like or regular calyx, and the stamens 1—3, the number of its lobes. Fertile flowers solitary, 2—3 to- gether or in clusters, with an involucre which encloses the fruit, or forms a cup at its base. Ovary crowned by the rudiments of the adherent calyx, 2—6-celled, with 1—2 pendulous ovules. Stigmas several, subsessile, distinct. Fruit a bony or coriaceous 1-celled nut, more or Jess enclosed in the involucre. Seed solitary, exalbuminous, Em- bryo large, with fleshy cotyledons. Radicle minute, superior. This very important order is composed of trees and shrubs, with alternate, simple, straight-veined leaves, having deciduous stipules. They are found in the temperate regions of both continents. Some .are natives of tropical countries, but only on high lands. The main property of the order is astrin- gency, depending on the presence of tannin and gallic acid. A narcotic prin- ciple, which has been called Fagine, is found in the husks of the Fagus syl- vatica or Beech. The nuts of most of the species are edible, as those of the Chestnut, Hazel, and some kinds of Oak. In some, again, they are bitter and unpleasant. In a memoir by Mr. Duhamel (Amer. Jour. Pharm.), he states that Dr. Henbener, of Bethlehem, had employed the short, rigid hairs of the involucre of Corylus rostrata as a substitute for those of Mu- cuna, and found them to be equally anthelmintic. Querovus.— Linn. Flowers monecious, amentaceous. Sterile flowers, with membranous bracts, 4—5- or more cleft. Stamens 5—10, short, subulate. Fertile flowers: involucre hemispherical, imbricated, coriaceous, 1-flowered. Calyx in 6 minute, sharp, downy segments, closely surrounding the base of the style. Ovary globose, 3-celled, with 2 ovules in each. Style solitary, short and~-conical; stigmas 3, obtuse, recurved. Nut single, oval, coriaceous, indehiscent, 1-celled, attached by a broad scar to the ihvolucre. Embryo solitary ; radi- cle superior. A very large and important genus, principally of trees, rarely shrubs, with evergreen or deciduous leaves, which are entire or sinuately lobed.