.3;.«K ^ \4 ■ta#: :■■**& %•.,. - * ^>., *™*0< 3» ?*'••** ?^3 1 V ■-y.w' a*'£ r %ZU,UiJ>\JiJL:&OU'&~ % Surgeon General's Office IA [&' ^$&khn, \ YVvA 0 oca; No. .2-4- '.2-4£ ^ £3* r*m ■*U~* * v S* 'rt\\ &\€/. ^—K ^ $7 &^ V-' .(TV ^ > >>.. / / ? / '# 1 J ' V^* '■■■/ ' x - W >A AMERICAN MEDICAL BOTANY. VOLUME III.--PART I. AMERICAN MEDICAL BOTANY, BEING A COLLECTION OF THE NATIVE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE UNITED STATES, CONTAINING THEIR BOTANICAL HISTORY AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS, AND PROPERTIES AND USES IN MEDICINE, DIET, AND THE ARTS, WITH COLOURED ENGRAVINGS. BY JACOB BIGELOW, M. D. HCMFORD FHOFESSOR, AND PROFESSOR OF MATERIA MEDICA IX HARVARD UNIVERSITY. VOL. III. .<- BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY CUMMINGS AND HILLIARD, AT THE BOSTON BOOKSTORE, NO. 1 CORNHILL. UNIV. PRESS....HILLIARD AND METCALF, PREFACE TO THE THIRD VOLUME. J. he subjects of the present work, for reasons which prevail in many publications of the kind, have been inserted without reference to any par- ticular arrangement or system. Those plants received the earliest place, the observations re- specting which were earliest matured, and the drawings of which were first completed. Al- though this plan has been objected to in some foreign criticisms, it is the one pursued in several of the most extensive and useful botanical works of the day, which are accompanied with plates ; and in periodical publications, or those which appear in successive numbers, it has more than one decided advantage. It gives time for all the figures to be completed at leisure, from perfect specimens, in proper and convenient seasons ; at the same time that it does not necessitate prema- ture and imperfect descriptions of their subjects, which must take place were an arrangement adopt- VI PREFACE. ed, which might require the first insertion for plants not yet obtained or imperfectly examined. A systematic method may be adhered to in a work which is furnished for the press at once, but must occasion delay and imperfection in a periodical one. As the American Medical Botany is terminat- ed by the completion of its third volume, the opportunity is now afforded for taking a methodi- cal view of its contents. Considered in a medici- nal point of view, the subjects will be best classed as in systems of Materia Medica, by a reference to their leading properties or most striking modes of operating on the human system. In this light they may be arranged as follows. Narcotics. Tonics. Datura Stramonium, Menyanthes trifoliata, Conium maculatum, Humulus Lupulus, Cicuta maculata, Eupatorium perforatum, Hyoscyamus niger, Coptis trifolia, Nicotiana tabacum, Cornus florida, Solarium dulcamara, Gentiana Catesbsei, Kalmia latifolia ? Alelris farinosa, Polygala rubella, Astringents. Sabbatia angularis, Geranium maculatum, Prinos verticillatus, Statice Caroliniana, Liriodendron tulipifera, Arbutus Uva ursi, Magnolia glauca. Rubus villosus, Acrid stimulants. Rhododendron maximum, Arum triphyllum, Nymphsea odorata, Ictodes ftetidus, Myrica cerifera. Ranunculus bulbosus. PREFACE. vii Emetics. Lobelia inflata, Phytolacca decandra, Gillenia trifoliata, Veratrum viride, Sanguinaria Canadensis, Iris versicolor, Apocynum androssemifolium, Dirca palustris, Euphorbia ipecacuanha, Euphorbia corollata. Erythronium Americanum. Cathartics. Podophyllum peltatum, Juglans cinerea, Triosteum perfoliatum, Cassia marilandica, Diaphoretics. Aristolochia serpentaria, Asarum Canadense, Xanthoxylum fraxineum, Solidago odora, Gaultheria procumbens, Laurus sassafras, Illicium Floridanum. Diuretics. Juniperus communis, Pyrola Umbellata. Expectorants. Polygala senega, Asclepias tuberosa. Demulcents. Panax quinqefolium. Anthelmintics. Spigelia marilandica. External stimulants. Juniperus Virginiana, Rhus Vernix, Rhus radicans. We avail ourselves of classification in the Materia Medica founded on the kind of operation which medicines exert on the human body, be- cause there are seemingly no better characteris- tics by which to arrange them. But even this method is defective, because few medicines are simple in their operation, and of course most of them have claims to stand in more than one class. As examples, Tobacco, Henbane, Fox- Vlll PREFACE. glove, and Opium are all of them properly placed by authors under the head of Narcotics. But of these, Tobacco is an emetic, Henbane a cathartic, Foxglove a diuretic, and Opium, while it checks all other excretions, is itself sudorific. Mercury, under its different forms and modes of adminis- tration, is capable of fulfilling half a dozen differ- ent intentions. The classifier of medicines then can do no more than to arrange them by their most obvious and well known properties, whatever these may be, leaving it understood that the name of a class is by no means fully descriptive of the character of its contents.* In forming a selection of sixty plants to be represented in this work, it has been endeavoured to choose those which are among the most interesting to botanists, at the same time that they possess claims upon the attention of medi- cal men. It is by no means to be asserted that all these possess so decided an efficacy as to enti- tle them to the rank of standard medicines, or to make it advisable that pharmacopoeias should be swelled by their introduction. A part of them no doubt are eminently entitled to this distinction. Others are efficacious only in a second degree, * For a botanical arrangement of the plants, see the systematic index at the end of the volume. PREFACE. ix but are still in use, and often advantageously so, in the hands of country practitioners. There are some of yet inferior efficacy, which, having formerly enjoyed a certain degree of medicinal notoriety, are inserted here with a view of defin- ing their true character. The progress of botanical students is much facilitated by the possession of correct drawings and dissections of a variety of dissimilar plants. In this country botanical figures, especially of American plants, are scarce, and accessible to but a small number of those who pursue this study. It is hoped that the present work may, in a cer- tain degree, supply the deficiency, at least until the extension of natural science among us, and the increased number of botanical students, shall call forth and support works of greater magnitude. A part of the plants contained in this work have never been figured in any botanical work. Others have been represented a great number of times ; yet their importance, in a medical point of view, required their admission; and the figure being always made from an American specimen, it may, on this account, be not destitute of in- terest. Having arrived at the termination of the American Medical Botany, the author feels it 2 X PREFACE. incumbent on him to state, that he has at no time had cause to regret the undertaking of a work, which has furnished a most inte»esting employ- ment for his leisure hours ; and which has been honored with a patronage, greatly exceeding his anticipations. Yx I AMERICAN MEDICAL BOTANY. GILLENIA TRIFOLIATA. Common Gillenia. PLATE XLI. JN otwithstanding the principle avowed by Linnseus, that genera are formed by nature ; the determination of generic consanguinity in species occasions in many instances one of the greatest perplexities of the botanist. What difference in structure and external form either of flower or fruit, is sufficient to separate families of plants from each other; is a point often difficult to decide; and is perhaps as frequently set at rest by conve- nience and by arbitrary decision, as it is by any unexceptionable boundaries designated in nature. When the species of a vegetable order are exceed- ingly numerous, and a close similarity pervades the whole ; genera are multiplied by botanists, that the discrimination of species may be facilitat- 42 gillenia trifoliata. ed. On the other hand, where a group of species is not unwieldy from its size, or deficient in dis- tinctive marks, the genera are made as compre- hensive, as natural affinity will permit. The di- versity of structure, which exists in the flowers of Gentiana, or the fruit of Bunias, would be deemed ample foundation for constructing half a dozen ge- nera among the umbelliferous, leguminous, or gramineous orders. But as the species of the genera above have a strong agreement in one part of their fructification, as well as in general habit, and as no great obscurity or inconvenience results from keeping them together, it has not been thought worth while to multiply nomenclature by arranging them under separate titles. The separation of Gillenia from Spiraea is one of those cases, upon which the botanist may hesi- tate long, without finding reasons strong enough to influence his decision. The natural order to which they belong is remarkable for having its genera well defined, so that there is no necessity for the separation, arising from confusion or indis- tinctness. The fruit of Gillenia is exactly the fruit of Spiraea, and the habit of the herb in one is not very foreign from that of the other. There is nevertheless something in the irregular corolla. taken in conjunction with the campanulate calyx. common gillenia. 13 which I think would prevent any one, at first sight, from considering the plant a Spiraea; and which may afford sufficient ground for following the example of Mcench in considering it a distinct genus. The Gillenia trifoliata grows in woods, in a light soil, from Canada to Florida. In the mari- time states I have not met with it north of the Hudson. Its flowering time is in June and July. The generic character, which distinguishes this plant from Spirsea, is as follows : Calyx cam- panulate, five toothed; corolla irregular, petals lanceolate, contracted near the claivs ; capsules five, The species trifoliata has termite, lanceolate* serrate leaves, and stipules which are minute, linea- lanceolate and nearly entire. Class Icosandria, order Pentagynia. Natural orders Senticosce, Lin. Bosacece, Juss. This plant has commonly a number of stems from the same root, which are a foot or two in height, erect, slender, flexuous, smooth, commonly of a reddish tinge, and considerably branched. The leaves are alternate, trifoliate, with very short petioles, furnished with small lanceolate, slightly toothed stipules at the base. Leafets ovate, lan- ceolate, acuminate, sharply toothed, the upper ones often single. The flowers are few in num- f 4, gillenia trifoliata. her, scattered, terminal, nodding, forming a sort of panicle, with long peduncles, occasionally fur- nished with minute lanceolate bractes. Calyx subcampanulate, or tubular, with the lower half narrowest, the border divided into five reflexed acute teeth. Petals five, the two upper ones separated from the three lower, white, with a red- dish tinge on the edge of the outside, lanceolate, unguiculate, contracted, and approximated at base. Stamens about twenty in a double series within the calyx. Germ round, styles approximated. Capsules five, not one, as some authors have stated, diverging, oblong, acuminate, gibbous without, sharp edged within, two valved, one celled, one or two seeded ; seeds oblong, corresponding in shape to the capsule. The root of this plant is much branched and knotty. It consists of a woody portion, invested with a thick bark, which when dry is brittle, and very bitter to the taste. The predominant, solu- ble ingredients in this root appear to be a bitter extractive matter, and resin. When boiled in water it imparts to it a beautiful, deep red, wine colour, and an intensely bitter taste. This decoc- tion undergoes no change from alcohol or gela- tine, though it gives a precipitate with muriate of tin. Water distilled from the root has its peculiar COMMON gillenia. 15 flavour, with little of the bitterness. A large portion of resin is precipitated on the addition of water to an alcoholic tincture of the root. Under the name of Spirsea trifoliata, this plant is well known to students of the American Materia Medica, as an emetic. To the remarks which have been made by various writers, I can add my own testimony of its possessing properties in a certain degree analogous to those of ipecacuanha. It requires, however, a larger dose, and I have not been satisfied that it is at all certain in its opera- tion. At times I have known fifteen grains to produce a full operation; at others thirty grains have been given to a person already predisposed to vomit, without producing the least sensible effect. The best printed account which I have found respecting its mode of operation is contained in an Inaugural Dissertation, published at Phila- delphia in 1810, by Dr. De la Motta, then of Charleston, S. C. This gentleman, in addition to other trials, took the root himself twice in sufficient quantity to produce vomiting. " In order," he says, " to ascertain this particular power of the Spiraea, I, early in the morning, fasting, prescribed for myself twenty-five grains of the powdered root of this plant. I divided this quantity into four 16 gillenia trifoliata. equal parts, one of which I took every fifteen minutes, conceiving this a sufficient length of time to allow for the action of each dose in my stomach. The first dose taken produced no manifest effect. At the expiration of fifteen minutes I took a second dose ;—a degree of un- easiness was experienced, attended with some nausea;—at the end of fifteen minutes more I swallowed a third dose,—nausea increased, until the convulsive action of my stomach took place. The fourth dose was now taken ; considerable efforts were made to vomit, and finally the con- tents of my stomach were thrown up, together with a profuse quantity of bile. The determina- tion of blood to my head, the frequency of my pulse, and heat of my system were much aug- mented. I now drank half a pint of warm water ; the action of my stomach subsided, and the nau- sea gradually wore off. A portion of the medicine, I was induced to believe, had insinuated itself into the intestines, as two copious evacuations were produced within the space of three hours. During the day I felt much debilitated, but im- puted this to the general effect of emetics. " I was thus satisfied with respect to its efficacy as an emetic upon an empty stomach. But, being still desirous of becoming better acquainted with COMMON GILLENIA. 17 its particular operation after eating an usual meal, I made a second experiment, one month after the first. In the morning, one hour after I had eaten a hearty breakfast, I took twenty grains of the medicine, in divided doses, as in the former ex- periment. At the expiration of a very few min- utes nausea commenced, which continuing to increase, with very few efforts I discharged the contents of my stomach. The effects of the second trial answered exactly my expectations." Some authors have attributed a tonic power to the Gillenia, when administered in small doses. That it possesses such a power is rendered prob- ble by its bitter taste, and by the fact, that small doses of ipecacuanha exert a beneficial stimulus on the stomach in certain cases of debility in that organ. 3 18 GILLENIA TRIFOLIATA. BOTANICAL REFERENCES. Gillenia trifoliata, Mc. to see if there are no spots of the juice adhering to him. These, if present, should be removed, as they will otherwise serve to keep up and extend the dis- order. From a want of this precaution, the disease is frequently transferred from the hands to different parts of the body, and likewise kept up for a longer time than if the cause had been early removed. As washing does not eradicate the stains of this very adhesive juice, it is best to rub them off with some absorbent powder. POISON IVY. &9 The Rhus radicans has been administered internally in certain diseases by a few practi- tioners in Europe and America. Dr. Horsefield, in several instances, administered a strong infusion in the dose of about a teacup full to consumptive and anasarcous patients. It ap- peared to act as an immediate stimulant to the stomach, producing some uneasiness in that organ, also promoting perspiration and diuresis. Some practitioners in the Middle States, we are told by the same author, have exhibited it with supposed benefit in pulmonary consumption. A French physician, Du Fresnoy, has reported seven cases of obstinate herpetic eruption, which were cured by the preparations of this plant. His attention was drawn to the subject by finding that a young man who had a dartre upon his wrist of six years' standing, was cured of it by accidentally becoming poisoned with this plant. The same physician administered the extract in several cases of palsy, four of which, he says, were cured by it. Dr. Alderson, of Hull, in England, gave the Rhus toxicodendron in doses of half a grain, or a grain three times a day, in several cases of paralysis ; and states, that all his patients recov- ered, to a certain degree, the use of their limbs. 30 RHUS RADICANS. The first symptom of amendment was an un- pleasant feeling of prickling or twitching in the paralytic limbs. Dr Duncan, author of the Edinburgh Dispensatory, states, that he had given it in larger doses without experiencing the same success, although he thinks it not inactive as a medicine. My own opinion is, that the plant under consideration is too uncertain and hazardous to be employed in medicine, or kept in apothecaries' shops. It is true, that not more than one person in ten is probably susceptible of poison from it. Yet, even this chance, small as it is, should deter us from employing it. In persons not constitu- tionally susceptible of the eruptive disease, it is probably an inert medicine, since we find that Du Fresnoy's patients sometimes carried the dose as high as an ounce of the extract, three times a day, without perceiving any effect from it. It is true that the external application of the Rhus radicans and Rhus vernix would, in certain cases, afford a more violent external stimulus, than any medicinal substance with which we are acquainted. But since it is neither certain in its effect, nor manageable in its extent, the prospect of benefit, even in diseases like palsy and mania, is not sufficient to justify the risk of great evil. POISON IVY. 31 BOTANICAL REFERENCES. Rhus radicans, Willd. Sp. pi. i. 1481.—Elliott, i.—Rhus toxicodendron, &c. Michaux, Flor. i. 183.—Pursh, i. 205.—Toxi- codendron rectum &c.—Dillenius, Elth. t. 291. MEDICAL REFERENCES. Du Fresnov, quoted in Annals of Medicine, iv. 182.—v. 483.— Med. and Phys. Journal, i. 308.—vi. 273.—x. 486.—Duncan, Dis- pens. 294—Horsefield, Dissertation, Philad. 1798. PLATE XLII. Fig. 1. Rhus radicans, the barren plant in flower. Fig. 2. Fruit. Fig. 3. Barren flower. Fig. 4. Fertile flower. Fig. 5. Petal. Fig. 6. Stamens and rudiment of a style in the barren flower. Fig. 7. Germ, style and abortive stamens in the fertile flower. MYRICA CERIFERA. Wax Myrtle, PLATE XLIII. Almost every region of the United States produces varieties of the Wax myrtle. Michaux considers them all as belonging to one species, a conclusion which is warranted by the great num- ber of intermediate sizes, and forms of leaf, which may be observed between the different extremes. Pursh, however, has chosen to distinguish three species which bear wax, and which he names eerifera after Linnseus, Caroliniensis from Will- denow, and Pennsylvanica from Lamarck. The Wax myrtle or Bayberry, as it is often called, which is common in New England, varies in height from one to seven or eight feet. It is found in every kind of soil from the borders of swamps to the tops of barren hills, and is very much influenced in its size and appearance, by the place in which it happens to grow. /v. jmh . //„ rsrrf rrrf/f7rr ■f c$\ WAX MYRTLE. 33 The genus Myrica belongs to the class Bioecia and order Tetrandria, It is also ranked among the Amentaceoe of Linnseus and Jussieu. The generic character consists in an imbri- cated ament; the scales without a corolla; the barren flowers containing four anthers, the fertile ones two styles. Fruit, one seeded.—The spe- cific character, as given by Michaux, is as follows. Leaves wedge-lanceolate, with a few serratures at top; barren aments lax ; fruit spherical, naked, distinct. The Wax myrtle is found bearing fruit at every size, from the height of one foot, to six or eight. In Louisiana, it is said to grow to twelve feet. The top is much branched, and covered with a grayish bark. The leaves are wedge- lanceolate, varying in width, sometimes entire, but more frequently toothed, particularly toward the end. They are somewhat pubescent, a little paler beneath, and generally twisted, or revolute in their mode of growth. They are inserted in a scattered manner by short petioles. The flowers appear in May before the leaves are fully ex- panded. rI he barren ones grow in catkins, which are sessile, erect, about half an inch or three quarters long; originating from the sides of the last year's twigs. Every flower is formed by a 5 34 myrica cerifera. concave rhomboidal scale, containing three or four pairs of roundish anthers on a branched footstalk. The fertile flowers, which grow on a different shrub, are less than half the size of the barren ones, and consist of narrower scales, with each an ovate germ, and two filiform styles. To these aments succeed clusters or aggre- gations of small globular fruits resembling berries, which are at first green, but finally become nearly white. They consist of a hard stone inclosing a dicotyledonous kernel. This stone is studded on its outside with small black grains resembling fine gun-powder, over which is a crust of dry white wax, fitted to the grains and giving the surface of the fruit a granulated appearance. Botanically speaking, this fruit has been im- properly called a berry, and a drupe ; since it is always dry and never invested with a cuticle, or any thing but the grains and wax. Every young part of the Wax myrtle has a fragrant, balsamic smell, which it communicates to the fingers when rubbed by them. This appears to be derived from a resinous exudation, which may be seen in minute points of a bright transparent yellow, covering the young shoots and under surface of the leaves. In the berries this resinous substance is within the wax. WAX MYRTLE. 35 The bark and leaves of the Myrica cerifera contain gallic acid, tannin, resin, and a small quantity of mucilage, which are manifested by their usual tests. The wax of the Myrica is obtained for com- mon purposes by boiling large quantities of the berries in kettles with water euough to cover them to the depth of several inches. The ber- ries, which float at first, gradually subside to the bottom when the wax is melted off, which latter substance floats on the surface. When the boiling has been continued long enough to divest the berries of most of their wax, the liquid is suffered to cool, and the wax concretes on the top. It is purified by melting it anew, and is then cast into masses. In this state it is of a greenish gray colour, with a consistence which is intermediate between that of bees wax and tallow, being brittle and not remarkable for adhesiveness or unctuosity. It burns with a white flame, which is less vivid than that of tallow or whale oil. The chemical properties of this wax have been examined by M. Cadet, in France, and Dr. Bostock, in England. From their experiments, we learn that water has no action on the Myrtle wax, either cold or at the boiling heat. Dr. 36 MYRICA CERIFERA. Bostock informs us that alcohol, at the ordinary temperature of the atmosphere, has no action upon it; but one hundred parts by weight of the fluid, when boiling, dissolve about five parts of the wax. About four fifths of this is deposited by cooling, and the rest is slowly deposited in a few days, or may be precipitated by water. Of the mass of wax, a certain portion remains insol- uble in alcohol. Sulphuric ether, according to Dr. Bostock, dissolves but little of the wax, when cold, but acts upon it rapidly, when boiling, taking up somewhat more than one quarter of its own weight. Upon evaporation, the wax is deposited in a crystalline or lamellated form, its texture resembling that of spermaceti.—Rectified oil of turpentine, when assisted by heat, dissolves about six per cent of its own weight, most of which is deposited on cooling.—Pure potash, in water, renders the wax colourless by boiling, and forms a soap with a small part, which may be decom- posed by an acid, and affords the wax nearly un- changed.—The sulphuric acid, assisted by heat, dissolves about one twelfth of its own weight, and forms a dark brown mass. The nitric and muriatic acids exert \ery little action upon it. Dr. Bostock considers the Myrtle wax to be a fixed vegetable oil, rendered concrete by oxygen. WAX MYRTLE. 37 M. Cadet, in addition to many of the above characteristics of Myrtle wax, found that it com- bined readily with the semivitreous oxyde of lead, forming a very hard plaister. When distilled in a retort, the wax was partly decomposed, and a portion which passed over was white and of a soft consistence. Oxygenated muriatic acid bleaches it, but with more difficulty than bees wax. The experiments which I have made on this substance confirm the preceding statements with the following exceptions. Cold alcohol dissolves a minute portion, which is gradually separated by the addition of water, and floats in perceptible fiocci, near the surface. Cold ether dissolves about one sixteenth of its weight. This it does with great rapidity, and if thin shavings of the wax be dropped into a vessel of ether, they disappear almost immediately. Dr. J. F. Dana has published, in Silliman's Journal, an account of some experiments made to ascertain the proportion of wax, and of the other parts which compose the entire berry. He found the wax to constitute nearly a third of the whole, or thirty two per cent; the kernels 47.00, the black powder 13.00, with about 8.00 of a resinoextractive matter. 38 MYRICA CERIFERA. There undoubtedly exists, in the berries of this shrub, some interesting constituents beside the wax and insoluble portions, as the following results will show. If water be distilled from the fresh berries, it acquires a slight pearly appear- ance and a fine aromatic odour and taste. This indicates the presence of a volatile oil, though I have not performed the experiment sufficiently in the large way to obtain any oil separate. The decoction remaining in the retort gives proofs of gallic acid. When the wax, in a separate state, is boiled in alcohol, a portion is dissolved, which is mostly deposited on cooling, leaving the fluid clear. But if alcohol be boiled upon the berries till a strong solution is formed, it does not give a deposit on cooling, but the solution coagulates into a soft solid and remains afterwards unaltered. This coaguium is readily soluble in cold ether, and melts when exposed to heat. If the berries be boiled in water until the wax is melted and principally detached, the remaining parts still give a coagulating solution with alcohol.—The tincture made by digesting cold alcohol on the bruised berries is considerably coloured, and becomes turbid on the addition of water, but whether the resinous substance thus precipitated WAX MYRTLE. 39 is the same in small quantity, which produces the coagulation in a large one ; I am not pre- pared to say. It appears, then, that there exists in the berries of the Myrica a peculiar vegetable prin- ciple, bearing nearly the same relation to alcohol, as starch and gelatin do to water. I have not yet obtained it in a separate state, and cannot there- fore give any additional characteristics to those which have been already stated. The Myrtle wax is useful for many of the purposes for which bees wax and tallow are employed, particularly for candles. It burns with a clear flame, though less vivid than that of common oil, and emits a considerable fragrance. It was formerly much in demand as an ingredi- ent in a species of blacking ball, to which it com- municajted a temporary lustre and power of re- pelling water. It has occasionally been used in pharmacy in various compositions intended for external use, and is mild or stimulating according as it is more or less pure and freed from the colouring matter. In some parts of Europe plantations of this shrub have been raised with a view to the profit to be derived from the wax. In this country. where the shrub abounds, the berries are often 40 MYRICA CERJTERA. neglected, their collection and the separation of the wax being deemed too laborious to compen- sate the trouble. In Dr. Thatcher's Dispensatory, we are in- formed, on the authority of Dr. Mann, that the bark of the root of the Myrica cerifera is emetic. With a view to examining thoroughly its medici- nal properties, Dr. S. L. Dana, in 1818, made it the subject of an inaugural dissertation. He found that the powdered bark was acrid and as- tringent, but did not appear to possess any other qualities than were attributable to those two. Moderate doses of the powder and decoction pro- duced no effect on the stomach or bowels. Large doses, for instance two scruples, were swallowed with difficulty on account of their acrimony, and occasioned heat and nausea at the stomach. Larger doses, of a drachm, produced a powerful burning sensation and vomiting. Costiveness generally followed the use of this medicine. The powder, when snuffed up the nose, proved pow- erfully sternutatory, and when applied to the fungous granulations of an ulcerated leg, it pro- duced so much pain as compelled the patient to wash it oft*. We may then consider the bark of the Myrica as an acrid stimulant and astringent. That it WAX MYRTLE. 41 sometimes proves emetic, in large doses, is to be explained in the same way as the operation of mustard and horse-radish, which some of the older physicians employed as emetics. When the stomach is burdened with an undue quantity of stimulus, it naturally tends to relieve itself by vomiting. On the whole, we are to esteem the Myrica cerifera as more interesting in a chemical, than a medical point of view. The pleasant aroma of the water distilled from the berries, and the ap- plication of the wax to some purposes of phar- macy, are all, that this shrub at present offers, much deserving the attention of physicians. BOTANICAL REFERENCES. Myrica cerifera, Willd, iv. 745.—Michaux, ii. 227.—Pursh, ii. 620.—Myrtus foliis lanceolatis, &c.—Gronovius, 155.—Myrtus brabanticse similis, Sec.—Catesby, i. 13 ? MEDICAL AND CHEMICAL REFERENCES. Cadet, translated in Nicholson's Journal, 8vo. vol. iv. 187.— Bostock, in ditto, 129.—Kalm, Travels, i, 129.—Dana, in Silliman'6 Journal, vol. i.—Thacher, Disp. 288. fi MYRICA CERIFERA. PLATE XLIII. Fig. 1. Myrica cerifera, with fruit not fully ripe. Fig. 2. A barren branch in flower. Fig. 5. Fertile ditto in flower. Fig. 4. A barren flower. Fig. 5. The same with the scale turned down, shewing the mode of growth of the antherst Fig. 6. Fertile flower. Fig. 7. Fruit somewhat magnifled. 'Sf/ //// JJf/ t/f/tfr/f.j ro*tt ft**'"*' JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS. Common Juniper. PLATE XLIV* 1 he prostrate variety of the common Juniper is so peculiar in its mode of growth, that it has some claims to be considered a distinct species. On comparing it, however, with European speci- mens, I find the similarity so great, that I do not see sufficient grounds for separating it, especially as there are, in Europe, several varieties in size and mode of growth, which are not recognized as separate species. The variety, which is the only one I have met with in the Northern States, is a large trailing shrub, continually throwing out roots from its branches, and spreading in all directions until it forms beds, which are many rods in circumference. In this way it continues to advance outward, supporting itself by new roots even after the original trunks, at the centre, K Very beautiful drawings, from which this and the following plate are engraved, were sent me by a lady in Hampshire county. 44 JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS. are dead and decayed. It seldom rises more than two or three feet from the ground. The genus Juniperus belongs to the class Bioecia, order Monadelphia, and natural order Coniferas of Linnreus and Jussieu. It is distin- guished by an ovate ament with peltate scales, which, in the barren flowers, are whorled in threes, with from two to four anthers ; in the fertile ones opposite. Berry three seeded.—In the common Juniper, the leaves are ternate, spreading, mucro- nate, larger than the berry. The Juniper is with us always a shrub, never rising into a tree. The tips of the branches are smooth and angular. The leaves grow in threes and are linear-acerose, sharply mucronate, shining green on their lower surface, but with a broad glaucous line through the centre of the upper. These leaves, however, are always resupinate, and turn their upper surface toward the ground. The barren flowers grow in small axillary aments, with roundish, acute, stipitate scales, inclosing several anthers. The fertile flowers, growing on a separate shrub, have a small, three parted calyx growing to the germ ; and three styles. The fruit is a fleshy, roundish, oblong berry, of a dark purplish colour, formed of the germ and conflu- ent calyx, marked with three prominences or COMMON JUNIPER. 45 vesicles at top, and containing three seeds. It requires two seasons to arrive at maturity from the flower. The leaves of the Juniper have a strong and rather unpleasant taste, with a little astringency. The peculiar juice of the bark appears to consist of resin and volatile oil. Gum Sandarach, which furnishes the material of pounce, is obtained from the European Juniper, from which it exudes spontaneously through crevices and perforations in the bark. The part principally used in medicine is the berries. These have a strong peculiar taste, accompanied with considerable sweetness. When long chewed, they leave an impression of bitter- ness. The sweetness appears to reside in the pulp, the bitterness in the seeds, or in their im- mediate investment, and the aromatic flavour in the essential oil. Dr. Lewis observes, that tinc- tures, made with these berries, differ according as they are prepared with the berries entire or bruised. When of a good quality these berries yield, in distillation, a large quantity of pungent, volatile oil of a peculiar flavour, the same which it com- municates to gin. The medicinal powers, for which this article is employed, may be considered as residing in this oil. 46 JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS. The berries of the Juniper have long been employed for the purposes of a diuretic, particu- larly in dropsy. Many of the older writers, whose names are of high authority in medicine, have given favorable reports of the operation of this medicine in hydropic cases. It has been used in substance, in infusion, and in various compound medicines. The effects of its most popular prepara- tion, that of an ardent spirit, are too universally known to require particular elucidation. In addi- tion to the specific effect of the essential oil, some physicians have attributed virtues to the rob, or inspissated decoction of the berries. Hoff- man found it of great use in debility of the stomach and intestines, particularly in old people. The stronger preparations have been found useful in uterine obstructions, and in paralytic affections of the vesica urinaria. Linnaeus informs us, in his Flora Lapponica, that a fermented decoction of Juniper berries is used in Sweden as a common drink, but he denies the infusion being substituted for tea and coffee, as some writers have stated, in Lapland. Wood- ville and others have misquoted him on this point. The American Juniper berries are considera- bly inferior to the European in strength and COMMON JUNIPER. 47 flavour. The best of the latter are said to be from Italy. But of the imported specimens, which I have examined at the druggists' shops in this country, very few possess any remains of the original strength, and much the greater portion of them appear to have undergone at least one distillation, before their exportation from Europe. The best Juniper berries have a strong impregnation of volatile oil, which, having been once tasted, cannot be easily mistaken. Those which have been subjected to distillation are dry and tasteless. BOTANICAL BEFERENCES. Juniperus communis, Linn.—Smith, Flor. Brit. iii. 1085.—Engl. Bot. t. 1100.—Woodville, ii. t. 95.—Michaux, ii. 245.—Pursh, ii; 646.—Blackwell, t. 187, MEDICAL REFERENCES. Murray, App. Med. i. 34.—Lewis, Disp. 240.—Linnaeus, Flora Lapp. 376.—Woodville, ut supra. 48 JLNIPERUS COMMUNIS. PLATE XLIV. Fig. 1. A branch of Juniperus communis in fruit. Fig. 2. A barren twig in flower. Fig. 3. Barren ament. Fig. 4. Scale of anthers of the same. Fig. 5. Fertile flower. J*Z.JTLl „,/<' »M<» /■*,'/>/<'«'« MENYANTHES TRIFOLIATA. Buck Bean. PLATE XLVI. J. he Buck bean or Marsh Trefoil is one of those plants which are native in Europe and North America, with so little difference of struc- ture, in the two continents, that their specific identity can hardly be doubted. I have com- pared specimens of the native, and foreign plant without being able to perceive the least definable difference, except in size ; the American being smaller. Yet, if we admit the statements of botanical writers, the plant flowers in England at least a month later than it does in the neigh- bourhood of Boston, a circumstance not usual in other species of vegetables. The most spongy and boggy soils, which are inundated at certain seasons, and never wholly destitute of water, are the favorite situations of the Menyanthes trifoliata. It often constitutes large 56 menyanthes trifoliata. beds at the margin of ponds and brooks. It is common in New England, and grows, according to Pursh, as far south as Virginia. The genus Menyanthes has its corolla hairy on the upper side; stigma bifid; capsule one celled, two valved. The species in the present article is named from its ternate leaves. Class Pentandria. Order Monogynia. Natural orders Itotacew, Lin. Gentianw, Juss. The root of this plant penetrates horizontally in the bog-earth to a great distance. It is regu- larly intersected with joints at the distance of about half an inch from each other, these joints being formed by the breaking off of the old pe- tioles and their sheaths. The leaves proceed from the end of the root on long stalks furnished viith broad sheathing stipules at base. They are tri- foliate, nearly oval, glabrous, somewhat fleshy, and slightly repand, or furnished with many irregularities at the edge, which hardly prevent them from being entire. The scape is round, ascending and smooth, bearing a conical raceme of flowers. Peduncles straight, scattered, sup- ported by ovate concave bractes. Calyx erect, subcampanulate, five parted, persistent. Corolla funnel shaped, the tube short, the border five cleft, spreading and at length revolute, clothed on BUCK BEAN. 57 the upper part with a coating of dense, fleshy, obtuse fibres. The colour, in the American va- riety, is generally white, with a tinge of red, par- ticularly on the outside. Stamens five, shorter than the corolla, and alternate with its segments ; the anthers oblong-arrow shaped. Germ ovate ; style cylindrical, persistent, as long as the corolla; stigma bifid, compressed. Capsule ovate, two valved, one celled. Seeds numerous, minute, attached to two lateral receptacles. In New England this plant flowers about the middle of May. The whole plant and particularly the root has an intensely bitter taste, hardly exceeded by that of Gentian and Columbo. This bitterness resides chiefly in an extractive matter, soluble in water and spirit. The root is, however, resinous and impregnates alcohol more strongly than water, and may be precipitated from its tincture, in part, by the latter fluid. The root of this vegetable is undoubtedly entitled to a high place in the list of tonics. In Europe it has long been admitted to a place in the Materia Medica, and has received the com- > Ihendations of various physicians. When given in small doses, about ten grains, it imparts vigour to the stomach and strengthens digestion. It*! 8 58 MENYANTHES TRIFOLIATA. tincture, moderately used, has the same effect. Large doses, such as a drachm of the powdered root, or two or three gills of the saturated decoc- tion, produce vomiting and purging, and fre- quently powerful diaphoresis. In this respect it agrees with many vegetable bitters, and perhaps resembles most nearly the Eupatorium perfolia- tum. Its bulk, however, and unpleasant taste render it inconvenient to be used as an evacuant. We are told by authors that the Buck bean has been employed with benefit in intermittent and remittent fevers. Boerhaave, in his own case of gout, was relieved by drinking the juice of the plant mixed with whey. Other physicians have found it useful in keeping off the paroxysms of that complaint. Dr. Cullen informs us, that he has " had several instances of its good effects in some cutaneous diseases of the herpetic or seem- ingly cancerous kind. It was taken by infusion in the manner of tea." Others have commended this vegetable in rheumatism, dropsy, scurvy and worms. Its reputation in the North of Europe, particularly in Germany, was at one time so high, that it was consumed in large quantities, and deemed a sort of panacea. Its true character, however, is simply that of a powerful bitter tonic, like Gentian and Centaury, to which it is closely BUCK BEAN. 5ft related in its botanical habit, as well as sensible properties. We may regard this plant as one of the numerous vegetable bitters abounding in our country, which are fully equal in strength to imported articles of their class, and which may hereafter lessen our dependance on foreign drugs. Linnaeus, in his Flora Lapponica, informs us, that in times of scarcity, sheep will subsist upon this plant, notwithstanding its bitterness. The Laplanders employ it as a substitute for hops to prevent acescency in their beer. They even introduce it in some instances into their bread, upon which Linnaeus bestows the epithet, " ama- rus et detestabilis." BOTANICAL REFERENCES. Menyanthes trifoliata, Linn. Sp. pi.—CEder. Flora Dan. t. 541. __Ccutis, Flor. Lond. 4. t. 17.—Woodville, Med. Bot. t. 2.— Smith, Engl. Bot. t. 495.—Michaux, Flora, i. 125.—Pursh, i. 139.— Menyanthes palustre triphyllum, Ray. Syn. 285.—Trifoliura palu- dosum, Gerard, em. 1194. MEDICAL REFERENCES. Murray, Apparatus med. ii. 33.—Linnjeus, Fl. Lap. 50.—Hal- ler, Hist. Stirp. Helv. 633.—Cullen, Mat.Med.ii. 53.—Thompson, Lond. Disp. 256. 60 MENYANTHES TRIFOLIATA. PLATE XLVI. Fig. 1. Menyanthes trifoliata. Fig. 2. Calyx. Fig. 3. Petal. Fig. 4. Stamen. Fig. 5. Style. Fig. 6. f»'/w7- /•/.. 1717/ - Sf,/ S/f///fYf /V/.i/f.J RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS. Bulbous Crowfoot, PLATE XLVII. At is a remarkable fact that a great portion of the weeds, which are most troublesome in the United States, are of European origin, having introduced themselves since the discovery of this country. Some of these emigrants have settled in our grazing and mowing lands, such as the Ranunculus bulbosus, acris and repens, indis- criminately called Buttercups, Crowfoot, and Fellow weed; the Chrysanthemum leucanthe- muni, or White weed; the Rumex acetosella, or Sorrel; the Hypericum perforatum, or St. John's ivort, §c. In our cornfields and gardens arc quartered the Couch grass, Triticum repens ; the different species of Goosefoot or Pig weed, Che- nopodium ; the Bock, Rumex crispus, 6jc.; the Charlock or Wild 'Radish, Raphanus Raphanis- trum ; Burdock, Arctium lappa, fyc. Some have 62 RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS. commenced their inroads within a few years, such as the Cnicus arvensis, improperly called Canuda thistle; the Genista tinctoria or Byer^s weed, §c. —In return for these introductions, we have sent them the Erigeron Canadense, and the prolific families of Ambrosia and Amaranthus. No race of plants is more familiarly known than the Ranunculi. Of numerous species, both native and imported, which we possess; several resemble each other so nearly, as to pass with common observers for the same plant. The great similarity of their properties renders it almost unnecessary in a medical or economical point of view to distinguish them. I have selected the bulbous-rooted species, not because it is more active in its properties than many others, but because it is one of the most common and best known. The genus belongs to the class Polyandria, and order Polygynia. It is found in the natural orders Multisiliquoz, Linn, and Banunculacece, Juss. Its generic character is formed by a five leaved calyx; five petals, with a melliferous pore at the base of each ; the seeds naked. No genus can be more strictly natural than this. A general resemblance pervades the whole of the species, which indicates their consanguinity at sight. BULBOUS CROWFOOT. 63 The nectary, the never failing concomitant of this genus, is a small cavity at the inside of the claw of each petal, generally covered by a flat scale, sometimes surrounded with a concave brim, and at others inclosed in a short cylinder. A subtle and violent acrimony, on which the medical properties seem to depend, is found in most, if not in all, of the species. The species bulbosus has compound leaves, an erect manyfiowered stem, a furrowed peduncle, refiexed calyx, and bulbous root. It grows gen* erally in dry pastures, mowing lands and road sides, flowering abundantly in May and the first part of June, after which it gives place to its equally abundant successors, R. acris and repens, which, however, generally prefer a more moist soil. These three species, having flowers of similar size and appearance, are indiscriminately known by the name of Buttercups. Their distinction affords a pleasing instance of different combina- tions of features, forming separate characters for similar plants. The R. bulbosus has a furrowed flower-stalk and refiexed calyx; R. repens a furrowed flower-stalk and spreading calyx, and R. acris a round flower-stalk and spreading calyx. 64; RANUNCULLS BULBOSUs. A more particular description of the plant in our figure is as follows. Root fleshy, solid, roundish, depressed, sending out radicles from its under side. In autumn it gives off lateral bulbs near its top, which afford plants for the next year, while the old root decays. Stems several, erect, round, hairy, branching. Root leaves on long petioles, ternate, sometimes quinate; the segments variously cut, lobed and toothed ; hairy. Stem leaves sessile, ternate, the upper ones more simple. Flowers several on a stem, solitary, of a bright glossy yellow. Pedun- cles furrowed, angular, hairy. Calyx leaves oblong, hairy, bent back against the peduncle. Petals five, inversely heart shaped ; the nectary at the claw covered with a small wedge-shaped emarginate scale. Stamens numerous, yellow, with oblong erect anthers. Germs numerous with refiexed stigmas. Fruit a spherical head composed of acute, naked, diverging seeds with recurved points. The roots of Ranunculus bulbosus appear to consist principally of albumen intermixed with ligneous fibres. If the root be macerated in cold water, it gives a solution of this substance, which coagulates in flocks on the application of heat, and undergoes the same process slowly on the BULBOUS CROWFOOT. 65 admixture of alcohol. But the most interesting constituent in this, and in most other species, is the acrid principle which pervades every part of the plant in its green state. Like the acrimony of flie Arum, it is volatile, and disappears in dry- ing, or upon the application of heat. It differs, however, in not being destroyed by a moderate heat, and in being fully preserved in distillation. I have subjected various species of Ranunculus to this experiment, and always found the distilled water to possess a strong acrimony; while the decoction and portions of the plant remaining in the retort were wholly destitute of this property. This distilled water, when first taken into the mouth, excited no particular effect; but after a few seconds a sharp, stinging sensation was always produced. When swallowed, a great sense of heat took place in the stomach. I pre- served some of the water distilled from leaves of Ranunculus repens, for several months in a close stopped phial; during which time it retained its acrimony undiminished. In winter time it froze, and on thawing had lost this property. Tilebein, as quoted by Dr. Pulteney, in some experiments on this genus of plants, found that water distilled from R. sceleratus, on cooling, deposited small crystals, which were hardly soluble in any men- 9 66 RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS. struum, and were of an inflammable nature. I have not met with an appearance of this kind. The distilled water, however, had a substance dissolved in sufficient quantity to yield a gradual precipitate with some reagents, such as muriate of tin and acetate of lead. The strength of the distilled water is impaired by continuing the operation too long. The acrimony of the plant is expended in a very short time at the boiling heat, and a farther continuance of the distillation brings over only water. Since the time of Dioscorides [JVofe A.] the acrid and stimulating properties of the Ranunculi have been well known. This acrimony resides in all the species, with the exception of R. auri- comus, which is said to be mild, and perhaps two or three others. It is so powerful that it speed- ily inflames or corrodes the lips and tongue, if kept in contact with them. In the nostrils it acts as a violent sternutatory, and if swallowed in considerable quantity, it brings on great pain, heat and inflammation of the stomach, and has even occasioned convulsions and death. Before the introduction of Cantharides as a vesicatory, different species of Ranunculus were used upon the skin, as external stimulants. Their power of occasioning erosion and ulceration BULBOUS CROWFOOT. 67 appears to have been known to the ancients. Different medical writers have given accounts of their mode of operation ; but the most extensive history and investigation is that of Krapf, pub- lished at Vienna, in 1766. This work, which I have not seen, is quoted in all its principal facts by Professor Murray of Gsttingen in the Appara- tus medicaminum. According to this author the various species, with which his experiments were made, proved capable of exciting inflammation, blistering and ulceration, when applied to the skin. A slice of the fresh root of R. bulbosus placed in contact with the inside of the finger, brought on a sense of burning in two minutes. When taken off, the skin was found without red- ness, and the sense of heat and itching ceased. In two hours, however, it returned again, and in ten hours a full serous blister was raised. This was followed by an ulcer of bad character and difficult to heal. He remarks that, if the appli- cation is continued after the first itching, the pain and subsequent erosion is much greater. From the accounts given of this species, also of R. sceleratus, R. acris, and some others, it appears that the leaves, flowers, buds, or roots of these plants, if bruised and applied to the skin, excite redness and vesication. This effect is not 08 RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS. constant, but fails to take place in certain con- stitutions or at certain seasons of the year. Geuerally, however, they are said to operate in half an hour, or less, from the time of their appli- cation. They are stated to possess the advantage over blisters made by flies, that they never occa- sion symptoms of strangury. With a view to their external stimulus they have been used advantageously in rheumatism, the hip disease, hemicrania, and fixed pains of various descriptions. Among the old practition- ers, who have recorded instances of their effects, are Baglivi, Storck, and Sennertius. A curious practice, at one time, prevailed in several coun- tries in Europe, of applying the Ranunculus to the wrists or fingers, for the cure of intermittent fever. This is mentioned by Van Swieten, Tissot, and some others. In hemicrania it was applied to the head, and in this case it did not produce a discharge, nor break the skin; but occasioned tumefaction of the hairy scalp. An objection against the use of the Ranunculi, as external stimulants, exists in the uncertainty of their operation, and the violent effects which sometimes have followed after they had been ap- plied. Those writers, who have witnessed their application, record instances in which these vege- BULBOUS CROWFOOT. 69 table blisters have been followed by deep, ill- conditioned and sloughing ulcers, which were not healed without great difficulty. Tissot mentions an instance, in which an application made to the thumb caused a deep, painful ulcer, which pene- trated to the bone, and occupied some months in its cure. In another case the blister spread, in a few hours, over the whole arm, occasioning fever and delirium, and was followed by such a tendency to gangrene, that the limb was with difficulty saved. Chesnau, quoted by Murray, advises that the Ranunculus should be applied to a small surface only, anil through a perforation in an adhesive plaister, to prevent it from spread- ing. From want of this caution, he had known extensive inflammation to arise and spread over a greater part of the face, neck, and breast.— Linnaeus, in his Flora Suecica, relates that beg- gars, in Sweden, were known to excite ulcerations of their feet with the Ranunculus sceleratus, to assist them in extorting charity from passengers. I know not to what extent the efficacy of the Ranunculi, externally applied, can be depended on. Certain it is that they do not affect all persons alike, and this fact is avowed by those who have used them most. I have repeatedly made applications of the contused roots and 70 RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS. leaves of different species to my arm and hand, and worn them for a dozen hours, without feeling any particular sensation, or perceiving any visible effect. The rapid drying up of the moisture of the plant seemed to prevent it from acting upon the skin. I am inclined to believe, there is something in the action of these vegetables anal- ogous to that of the poisonous species of Rhus described in this work; which some individuals, but not all, are susceptible of. The extensive and spreading inflammation, which they occa- sionally produce, resembles more the effect of these shrubs, than of any of the ordinary rube- facients or vesicants. The burning sensation which the Ranunculi excite in the mouth when chewed, extends to the stomach if they are swallowed. Krapf states that a small portion of a leaf or flower of R. sceleratus, or two drops of the juice, excited acute pain in the stomach, and a sense of inflam- mation in the throat. He gave a large quantity of the juice to a dog, which brought on vomiting and great distress ; and the animal being killed, was found with the stomach inflamed and con- tracted, and the pylorus hardly pervious. The same author informs us that dilution greatly diminishes the power of this fluid, so that half a BULBOUS CROWFOOT. 71 drachm of the juice, in six ounces of water, may be taken with entire safety. Dr. Withering, as quoted by Dr. Pulteney in the Liun&an transactions, asserts, that the dis- tilled water of Ranunculus flammula is an emetic more instantaneous and less offensive than sul- phate of zinc. I know not in what publication of Dr. W. this statement is made, but the fact appears to me not improbable. Acrid substances, such as mustard, pepper, and horse-radish, if swallowed in large quantities, excite the stomach to relieve itself by vomiting. An objection, however, exists against the distilled water, owing to the uncertainty of its strength ; which must vary in proportion to the quantity of the plant employed, the time occupied in distillation, and the subsequent time for which the fluid is kept. Krapf states that R. auricomus and R. lanugi- nosa are so free from acrimony, that they are eaten as greens or sallads. All the species lose their pungency in boiling, so that even the R. sceleratus, one of the most acrid, is used for the same purpose. Grazing cattle generally avoid the plants of this genus, which grow among grass, as far as it is possible for them to do it. Accordingly we observe the flowers of Ranunculi left untouched, 7S RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS. while the grass is closely cropped around them. It is nevertheless unavoidable, so common are these plants, that portions of them should be eaten very often by these animals. It is probable that small quantities of the less acrid sorts do them no injury* At least, it appears that their stomachs are much less susceptible to this kind of stimulus than ours. In the Pan Suecus some experiments upon these plants, with domestic animals, are detailed ; in which, it is stated that, horned cattle refused to eat all the species when offered to them, except R. auricomus. This species was rejected by horses, while they would eat R. flammula. Sheep and goats eat the R. acris, one of the most pungent species. Dr. Pulteney states, as a well known fact, that hogs, in England, devour the roots of R. bulbosus. How it is that these animals resist the deleterious effects of so virulent plants, it is not easy to say. It is, however, a not more remarkable fact, than the power of some animals to devour Cantharides and even mineral poisons with impunity.* In their dry state, various species of Ranun* cuius enter into the composition of hay, particu- larly R. acris. Having lost their acrimony altogether in drying, they are harmless and probably nutritive. • See a note, vol. i. p. 164. BULBOUS CROWFOOT. 73 Dr. Pulteney has published a memoir in the Linnsean transactions on the economical use ot some of the Ranunculi, particularly the R. fluvia- tilis, which he considers a variety of R. aquatilis. Contrary to the common effects of the other species, this plant is said, by him, to be not only innocent, but highly nutritive to cattle. He states that, " in the neighbourhood of Ringwood, on the borders of the Avon, which affords this vegetable in great abundance all the year, some of the cottagers sustain their cows, and even horses, almost wholly upon this plant; since the remain- ing part of their food is nothing more than a scanty pittance, they get on the adjacent heath, which affords little more than Ling, Lichen, Bog- moss or Sphagnum, §c. It is usual to employ a man to collect a quantity for the day every morning, and bring it in the boat to the edge of the water, from which the cows, in the instance seen, stood eating it with great avidity. I was indeed informed," says he, "they relished it so highly, that it was unsafe to allow them more than a certain quantity; I think between twenty five and thirty pounds daily, each; but with variation according to circumstances. The cows I saw were apparently not in a mean condition, and gave a sufficient quantity of good milk. I 10 74 RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS. was told by the person whose cattle were feeding on it, that he kept five cows and one horse so entirely on this plant and what the heath afforded, that they had not consumed half a ton of hay throughout the whole year; none being used except when the river was frozen over. I exam- ined the whole parcel on which four cows were feeding, in the beginning March, and found the whole consisted exclusively of the Ranunculus fluviatilis without any mixture of the Potamoge- ton, Carex, Sparganium, or other aquatic plants. In summer, however, it can hardly be avoided but that there must be a mixture of some of these, but other plants are not chosen. " This account was confirmed to me by differ- ent persons ; by whom I was further informed that hogs are also fed with the same plant, on which they improve so well, that it is not neces- sary to allow them other sustenance, till it is proper to put them up to fatten." In Veterinary practice the Ranunculus bul- bosus has been employed as an external stimu- lant. To this purpose Dr. Chapman, in his Therapeutics, thinks it may be better adapted than other topical excitants. BULBOUS CROWFOOT. 75 BOTANICAL REFERENCES. Ranunculus bulbosus, Linn. Sp. pi.—Curtis, Flora Lond. i. 38. —Martyn, Flora rustica, t. 28.—Smith, Flora Britt. 59\.—Engl. Bot. t. 515.—Michaux, i. 321.—Pursh, ii. 393.—Ranunculus tube- rosus magor, J. Bauhin, iii. 417.—Ranunculus pratensis, &c— CEder, Fl. Dan. t. 515. MEDICAL REFERENCES. Murray, Apparatus, Med. iii. 88.—Krapf. Ranunculi. Vienna, 1766.—Lewis, Mat. Med. ii. 262.—B. S. Barton, 23.—Pulteney, Lin. transactions, v. 14.—Chapman, Therapeutics, ii. 411. PLATE XLVII. Fig. 1. Ranunculus bulbosus, the radical leaf of the largest size and more subdivided than common. Fig. 2. Radical leaf of smaller size and more common shape. Fig. 3. Petal and nectary. Fig. 4. Two stamens enlarged. Fig. 5. Fruit. ILLICIUM FLORIDANUM. Starry Anise. PLATE XLVIII. The same qualities which entitle the Lirio- dendron and Magnolias to a place among medi- cinal plants, exist abundantly in the kindred genus of lllicium. This family consists of fine, spicy, flowering shrubs, one of which, the I. anisatum, growing in Eastern Asia, derives its name from the similiarity of its flavour to that of Anise, a quality which exists, though less simple, in the subject of the present article. Another species, the I. parviflorum, a shrub with small yellowish flowers, first discovered by Michaux in the mountains of Georgia and Carolina, has so exactly the flavour of the Sassafras root, that they are not to be distinguished by the taste. The I. Floridanum forms beautiful thickets in the country bordering on the north of the Gulf of 3 STARRY ANISE. 77 Mexico, and is often mentioned by the traveller Bertram, with his accustomed enthusiasm, as one of the chief beauties of that exuberant region. In the Northern states, as well as in Europe, it is preserved by artificial heat. The drawing, which illustrates our description, was made from a greenhouse specimen. The character assigned to this genus is formed by^ a six leaved calyx, twenty seven petals, and a number of capsules arranged in a circle, two valved, one seeded. The species Floridanum has its leaves acuminate and its petals numerous, oblong and linear. The class and order are Polyandria, Polygy- nia; and the Natural orders Coadunatce, Linn. Magnoliw, Juss. The Illicium Floridanum is a shrub, in some instances entitled to be considered a small tree. Its leaves are scattered, or grow in tufts, on short petioles. They are evergreen, oval lanceolate, slightly acuminate, entire, smooth on both sides, and firm or fleshy. The flower buds proceed from the sides of the branches at the axils of the last year's leaves. The flowers grow on slender, nodding peduncles, an inch or two long. When fully expanded, they are about the size of a dollar, and of a dark, purplish crimson. Calyx deei- 79 ILLICIUM FLORIDANUM. duous. Petals linear, obtuse, in three rows, about nine in a row, the uppermost row ascend- ing, the lowermost descending, and broader or more spatulate. Stamens thirty or more, diverg- ing, flat, depressed with the anthers recurved; pollen white. Germs a dozen or more, round- ish-rhomboidal, compressed and arranged in a circular manner; styles short, recurved, pubescent on the inside. The fruit, which I have not seen, is represented by authors, as has been stated in the generic character. The leaves and young shoots of this species of Starry anise abound in a fine, clear mucilage, which becomes immediately perceptible in the mouth, if these parts are chewed, and which com- municates to water in a short time a ropy con- sistence. This mucilage is separated from the decoction by alcohol in the form of dark brown, tough, stringy coagula. Muriate of tin causes a precipitate after these coagula are withdrawn, which seems to indicate the presence of extract. Sulphate of iron added to the decoction, coagu- lated the mucus and darkened the colour. I discovered no traces of resin in the portions submitted to experiment, and a strong tincture was not disturbed by water. The trial, however, was conducted on a small scale. STARRY ANISE. 79 The bark and leaves of the Illicium Florida- num are strongly impregnated with a spicy, aromatic taste and smell, approaching that of the Magnolias and Liriodendron, but perhaps more similar to that of some of the pungent seeds, particularly Anise and Coriander, between which they seem intermediate. This aroma is preserved in the distilled water, and fills the room with its fragrance, while distillation is going on. I was not able in my limited experiments to separate any volatile oil or camphor, on one of which principles, as in similar cases, the aroma doubtless depends. An account of this species of Illicium is given, with a figure, in the Philosophical trans- actions for 1770, by John Ellis, Esq. He says, "We are indebted for the discovery of this curious American tree to a servant of William Clifton, Esq. of West Florida, who was sent to collect specimens of all the rarer plants by his master; and in April 1765, he met with it growing in a swamp near Pensacola, After this, in the latter end of January 1766, Mr. John Bartram, the king's botanist for the Floridas, discovered it on the banks of the river St. John, in East Florida, jis appears from his description of it, and a draw- ing of a seed-vessel with some of the leaves, sent 80 ILLICIUM FLORIDANUM. to Mr. Collinson." Mr. Bartram's description of it, as it appears in his journal up the river St. John, published by Dr. Stork, in his account of East Florida, is as follows. " Near here my son found a lovely, sweet tree, with leaves like the sweet bay, which smelled like Sassafras, and produces a strange kind of seed-pop ; but all the seed was shed. The severe frost had not hurt it;—some of them grow nearly twenty feet high, a charming bright evergreen aromatic.''* Of the medicinal properties of this shrub, I am unable to speak with the certainty, which might have attended an extensive number of trials, made with the bark of full grown specimens. From the evidence afforded by the bark and leaves of a greenhouse specimen, and by the analogy of other species, and similar trees, I should not feel much hesitation in attributing to the Illicium the prop- erties of a tonic-stimulant and diaphoretic. I have at least satisfied myself that the bark of a twig, and three or four of the leaves, produce no un- pleasant consequence. Its bitter taste and aro- matic quality point out its analogy to Cascarilla, Canelia, Sassafras, and other aromatic barks, which are regularly consumed in the shops. Its * It is very possible the above description may have been in- tended for Illicium parviflorum. STARRY ANISE. 81 co-species, the Illicium anisatum of the East, is used as a condiment to communicate an agreeable flavour to certain dishes. The Chinese chew it after dinner as a stomachic and a sweetener of the breath. In some parts of the East Indies the natives and Dutch mix it with their tea and sherbet. It is also burnt as incense before their idols by some of the oriental nations, and care- fully kept as an antidote to various poisons. The beauty of both these shrubs renders them desirable acquisitions to collectors of plants. BOTANICAL BEFERENCES. Illicium Floridanum, Linn,—Curtis, Bot Mag. t. 439.—Mi- chaux, i. 526—Pursh, ii. 380. MEDICAL REFERENCES. Ellis, in Philosophical transactions abridged, xiii, 87. t. 2.— SuHCEr-F, 91. PLATE XLVIII. Fig. 1. Illicium Floridanum. Fig. 2. Several stamens magnified. Fig. 3. Pistils magnified. Fig. 4. A pistil separate. 11 ◦ VRISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA. Virginia Snakeroot. PLATE XLIX* It is probable that this root, like many other articles now used in medicine, was indebted to its sensible qualities, for its first introduction into use. As the name implies, its earliest medicinal character was founded on a supposed antidotal power against the bite of venomous serpents. Cornutus, at the end of his book on the plants of Canada, published at Paris in 1635, tells us, that a root had been sent to him from " JVbt/ia Anglia," which was called Serpentaria, and in the vernac- ular tongue Snagrdel. This root was a very sure safeguard against the bite of a huge serpent in that country, which proved inevitably fatal within twelve hours, unless a good portion of the antidote * I am indebted to a gentleman in Georgia for the very natural drawing of this plant. G pl- rux i .Jsj*Asj/A/ *tv?- rf"^ . //v.i/f>//'r///,r , /s/yfs;//s, ff Sfff VIRGINIA SNAKER0 0T. 83 was swallowed in season ; which being done, no one was ever known to be in danger of his life from this cause. The snagr.6el has had a great many rivals in the character of specifics against the bite of serpents. So great, indeed, is the number of articles which are called uniformly successful in such cases, that we are compelled to believe, that the bite of the rattle snake, and doubtless of other venomous serpents in the country, although attended with severe and alarming consequences, is nevertheless but seldom fatal; and hence that the honor of proving specific in these cases is one of cheap acquisition. The Serpentaria grows in woods in the South- ern and Middle parts of the United States. It bears cultivation in any part of the union, though the most northerly situation, from which 1 have received wild specimens, is the vicinity of New Haven, from which place some living plants were sent to me by Dr. Monson. The genus Aristolochia has a monopelalous, tubular, crooked corolla, swelling at base, and dilated at the border. Capsule inferior, six celled. The species Serpentaria has its leaves heart- shaped, oblong, acuminate ; stem fiexuous ; pe- duncles radical. Pursh mentions a vaiicty with 84 ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA. leaves so narrow, as to appear like a distinct species ; the flower, however, being not different. Woodville's figure of our plant has the leaves much too broad for the common habit of the vegetable. It belongs to the class Gynandria, order Hexandvia, or more properly Bodecandria. It is one of the few genera placed by Linnseus in that class which are not of the Orchideous tribe. Natural orders Sarmentaceas, Linn. Aristolochw, Juss. This vegetable is humble in its growth, being most commonly under a foot in height. The root is extremely fibrous, and sends up a number of stems. These are simple or slightly branched, jointed, flexuous, and often of a reddish tinge. The leaves are alternate, on short petioles, oblong, entire, acuminate, heart-shaped at base and three nerved. The flowers grow close to the ground, like those of As arum. They have a stiff leathery texture, and a dull brownish purple colour. The peduncle which supports them has one or more leafets, and gradually enlarges into a furrowed obovate germ. The corolla, like others in this singular genus, consists of a long contorted tube, bent in the form of the letter S, swelling at its VIRGINIA SNAKER00T. 85 two extremities, having its throat surrounded by an elevated edge or brim, and its border expanded into a broad irregular margin, forming an upper and under lip, which are closed in a triangular manner in the bud. The anthers are twelve in number, growing in pairs to the sides of the fleshy style, which is situated in the bottom of the corolla, and covered by a firm, spreading convoluted stigma, which extends over the an- thers. The capsule is obovate, six angled, six celled, with numerous small flat seeds. Snakeroot has a penetrating, rather agreea- ble, resinous smell, and a pungent bitter taste, resembling somewhat that of the Pinus Canaden- sis, or Hemlock spruce. It communicates its qualities both to spirit and water, but most to the former. 1 subjected a quantity of the root to distillation for one hour, and obtained in the re- ceiver a whitish pearly fluid, very strongly im- pregnated with the aroma, but less bitter than the root. On standing twenty four hours, this fluid deposited round the edges of the surface a considerable number of small white crystals, which proved to be pure camphor. They were inflammable, fusible with a sudden, and volatile with a gradual heat. I perceived no essential oil, though Dr. Lewis informs us, that if the 86 ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA. quantity of root, submitted to the operation, be large, there arises a small portion of pale coloured essential oil of a considerable smell but of no very strong taste. There is probably a portion of resiu present, as I found that the root, after hav- ing been boiled in water an hour, still impregnated alcohol so as to cause a precipitate with water. The bitterness communicated to the infusion and decoction appears to reside in a variety of extrac- tive matter. Medicinally considered, Serpentaria is a tonic, diaphoretic, and in certain cases an antispasmodic and anodyne. It has been abundantly used in fevers of various descriptions, and has been com- mended by a host of medical, writers. There is no doubt that it has been injudiciously employed in many cases, in fever attended with an active pulse and inflammatory diathesis. The early stages, also, of febrile diseases rarely admit the exhibition of so decided a stimulant, without injury. But in the advanced stages of fever and those attended with typhoidal s\mptoms, this medicine is resorted to with great advantage, both alone and in combinaton with other tonics and stimulants. It is peculiarly useful in supporting the strength, and in allaying the irregular actions which attend great febrile debility, such as VIRGINIA SNAKEROOT. 87 subsultus tendinum, delirium, watchfulness, #jc. Its bitter ingredients, and the camphor which it contains, no doubt contribute to these effects. It is most advantageously given in combination with bark, or with wine and opium. Snakeroot is a popular remedy in exanthema- tous disorders as a diaphoretic, being given to keep out the eruption, and to restore it when it has receded. In the latter case its use is doubt- less injudicious, and if it fails to reproduce the eruption, it greatly increases the heat, pain, and restlessness of the patient. It is better in cases where the eruption has receded to the disadvan- tage of the patient, to attempt its restoration by nauseating and saline diaphoretics, and even by a full emetic, than to incur the risk of aggravating the symptoms by a stimulating regimen. Dr. Chapman, in his Therapeutics, considers the Serpentaria as partaking the mixed qualities of a stimulant and tonic, and acting also as a diaphoretic and diuretic. It is peculiarly useful as an auxiliary to the bark. He states, that one of the more early uses of the medicine was in the cure of intermittent fever. Whether alone it was found adequate to this purpose, does not clearly appear. "It was used by Sydenham in con- junction with wine, to prevent the recurrence of 88 ARIST0L0CIIIA SERPENTARIA. the paroxysm, and from his account, not without advantage. As a general rule, he says, that iu all cases, where it is expedient to combine wine with bark, the effect will be much increased by adding Serpentaria. The correctness of this observation has been fully confirmed by subse- quent experience, and it is now very much the practice to unite the two articles in the low states of disease." Dr. Chapman farther states, that though it is doubtful whether the Serpentaria, by itself, will cure ague and fever, it is certainly a powerful assistant to bark, not only in increasing its effi- cacy, but, what is of great consequence, in enabling the stomach to retain the medicine. To remittent fever he thinks this medicine better adapted. It has here, in many cases, an indisputable superiority over bark, inasmuch as it is rarely offensive to the stomach, and may be given without injury, in those obscure states of the disease, where the remission is not readily discernible. He prefers, in these cases, a com- bination of bark, snakeroot, and soda. Snakeroot, he informs us, is much resorted to as a popular remedy in the management of the secondary stages of pleurisy. After bleeding, it is the ordinary practice, in many parts of our VIRGINIA SNAKEROOT. 89 country, to resort to a strong infusion of this article with a view of exciting perspiration. Ca- tarrhs, rheumatisms, and other winter complaints, incident to rustic life, are managed in the same way. In that species of pleurisy which is properly enough designated by the epithet bilious, he has repeatedly had occasion to recur to the Serpen- taria, and always with more or less utility. This bilious pleurisy he considers as having all the characters of pneumonic inflammation, with the addition of some of the symptoms incident to au- tumnal fever, such as headach, great gastric dis- tress, and almost always violent vomitings of bile. It differs also from ordinary pleurisy in having less activity of inflammation, and consequently in not bearing the same extent of depletion. The sys- tem, indeed, will often be very evidently depressed by one or two bleedings. In this case the practice which has been commonly pursued is, after the removal of a comparatively small portion of blood, and the thorough evacuation of the alimentary canal; to administer very freely draughts of the infusion of the Serpentaria in order to excite copious diaphoresis. Dr. Chapman concludes his remarks on this article, by stating, that it is admirably suited to check vomitings, and to tranquillize the stomach, 12 90 ARISTOLOCH1A SERPENTARIA. more particularly in bilious cases. It is given for this purpose in decoction, in the small dose of half an ounce or less at a time, and frequently repeated. The most common form of exhibiting snake- root is in infusion, for which purpose half an ounce may be steeped in a pint of boiling water for two hours, in a covered vessel. Of this in- fusion an ounce or two may be taken every three or four hours. Decoction is a less proper mode of preparing this plant, as it tends to dissipate the volatile parts, a portion of which is detained in a state of mixture by the infusion. Sometimes the powder is given in doses of from ten to thirty grains. A tincture of snakeroot is made by di- gesting an ounce of the root in a pound or some- what less of proof spirit. The compound tincture of bark, commonly called Huxham's tincture, contains Serpentaria as one of its ingredients. BOTANICAL REFERENCES. Aristolochia serpentaria, Linn. Sp. pi.—Walter, Flor. Car. 223.—Woodville, ii. 291. t. 106.—Michaux, ii. 162.—Pursh, ii. 596.—Pistolochia sive Serpentaria Virginiana, &c.—Plukenj£t, t. 148./. 5.—Catesby, Car. i. 29. VIRGINIA SNAKEROOT. 91 MEDICAL REFERENCES. Murray, App. Med. i. 348.—Cullen, Mat. Med. ii. 85.—Chap- man, Therapeutics, ii. 411.—Lind. Hot climates, 104, 254. PLATE XLIX. Fig. 1. Aristolochia serpentaria with the flower beginning to expand. Fig. 2. Side view of the flower expanded. Fig. 3. Front of ditto. Fig. 4. Longitudinal section of the flower. Fig. 5. Style, anthers, and stigma magnifled. Fig. 6. Fruit. ALETRIS FARINOSA. Star Grass. PLATE L. 1 know of no plant which surpasses the Alteris farinosa in genuine, intense and perma- nent bitterness. Neither aloes, gentian, nor quassia exceed it in the impression produced on the tongue. It has, on account of this property, attracted the observation of some medical men, and may hereafter become an article of more consequence in the Materia Medica. Although the number of trials, hitherto made, are perhaps not sufficient to fix with precision its exact char- acter, yet in a collection of American medicinal vegetables it ought not to pass unnoticed. This plant grows in most parts of the United States in fields and about the edges of woods, and flowers in June and July. I have found it near Boston on the south, but never to the north of it. Pt.L. ,1n*in ic-SmitA ^ M. ///. > /f/ *///<>./(/ s ii ; STAR GRASS. 93 Its mode of growth is not without beauty, the leaves spreading close to the ground in a radiated manner, like a star ; while the spike is supported by an almost naked stalk, at a distance above them. The names Star Grass and Blazing star are generally given to it in the country, from the peculiar appearance of its leaves. The genus Aletris has its corolla tubular, six cleft, wrinkled, persistent; stamens inserted into the base of the segments; style triangular, separa- ble into three ; capsule opening at top, three celled, many seeded. The species farinosa, called alba by Michaux and Pursh, has its flowers pedicelled, oblong-tubular, somewhat wrinkled in fruit; the leaves broad lanceolate. Michaux observes that of the species referred by Linna3us to this genus, the A. farinosa is the only one which strictly belongs to it. Class Hexandria ; order Monogy- nia; natural orders Liliacew, Linn. Asphodeli, Juss. This plant has a single circle of radical leaves, which are sessile, nerved, lanceolate, and smooth. The stem or scape is from one to three feet high, invested with remote scales, which sometimes expand into small leaves. The flowers form a slender, scattered spike with very short pedicels and minute bractes. Calyx none. Corolla white, 94* ALETRIS FARINOSA. of an oblong bell-shape, divided at the mouth into six acute, spreading segments. The outside, particularly as the flower grows old, has a rough- ish, wrinkled or mealy appearance, by which the specific name was suggested. The stamens are short, inserted near the mouth of the corolla at the base of the segments. The circumstance of their being opposite to the segments, and not alternate with them, affords the most distinguish- ing mark of this genus. The anthers are some- what heart-shaped. Germ pyramidal, half infe- rior, tapering: style triangular, separable into three. Capsule invested with the permanent corolla, triangular, three celled, three valved at top. Seeds numerous, minute, fixed to a central receptacle. The Aletris aurea, of Michaux and Pursh, closely resembles this species, and it is difficult, by comparing specimens of the two, to point out any permanent distinctive marks. The leaves of A. aurea are somewhat narrower and the flowers bright yellow. Walter places it under A. farinosa as a variety, and adds that he could not detect a specific difference ; although the time of flowering and place of growth indicate that they are dis- tinct. In sensible properties they are similar. STAR GRASS. 95 In the London Philosophical transactions for 1730, a plant is mentioned by Clayton, which, though not described in botanical language, leaves little doubt that the Aletris farinosa is intended. He says, " there is another root of the species of hyacinths ; the leaves are grass-like, but smooth and stiff, of a willow-green colour, and spread like a star on the ground. From the middle shoots a tall, long, rush-like stem, without leaves, near two feet high ; on one side grow little white bell-flowers one above another. The root is black outwardly, but brown within. It is bitter and probably has the same virtues as Little Centaury. Some call it ague grass, others ague root, others star grass." The root of the Aletris is highly resinous, and appears to contain a portion of extractive matter. The tincture, made by digesting the root in alcohol, is intensely bitter, and assumes a milky turbidness if water be added to it. The decoction is moderately bitter, and is not dis- turbed by alcohol. With chalybeate solutions it undergoes little change. The tincture is to be considered a stronger preparation than the de- coction, although the latter has a good share of the virtues of the plant. 96 ALETRIS FARINOSA. The bitterness of this vegetable has brought it into notice in the quality of a tonic and stomachic. I have been informed of its use for this purpose by physicians in different parts of the country. The most common mode of its employment, I understand, is by infusion or decoction. Pursh speaks of it as a remedy in the colic, but on what principle it can operate in relieving that disease, I am at a loss to say.—The amount of bitter resin, which the plant contains, led me to suspect that it might possess some of the properties of aloes, to which the plant is botanically related ; but on trial, made in several instances with the root in powder, a dose of ten or twelve grains produced no effect of this kind whatever. A physician, who experimented with larger quantities, with a view to test this quality, informed me that a dose of twenty grains occa- sioned much nausea and tendency to vomit, followed by some dizziness ; but that no cathartic operation took place. Dr. Cutler, in his account of the plants of New England, informs us, that this plant has been considered useful in chronic rheumatism ; but does not mention the dose or preparation. As far as we can sum up the testimony hith- erto offered respecting the general properties of STAR GRASS. 97 this plant, it appears that the infusion or decoction acts as a tonic in small doses. Indeed the exhi- bition of large ones would be inconvenient from the extreme bitterness of the plant. The powder, in small quantities, produces no immediate visible effect, except that it has appeared to invigorate the appetite. In large doses it disturbs the stomach, and possibly exerts some narcotic effect on the system. It remains to be determined whether these consequences are attributable to the resin, which the infusion does not dissolve ; or whether the largeness of the dose is alone instru- mental. It is well known that the stomach does not tolerate even gentian or any common bitter in large a dose. And it seems probable that if the Aletris should ever increase in reputation as a tonic bitter, it will only be by its use in limited quantities. BOTANICAL REFERENCES. Aletris farinosa, Linn.—Willd. Sp. pi. ii. 183.—Bot. Mag. U 1418.—Aletris alba, Michaux, Flora, i. 189.—Pursh, i. 225.— Hyacinthus floridanus spicatus, Plukenet, amalth. 119, f. 437, /. 2. —Hyacynthus caule nudo, &c—Gronov. Virg. 38. 13 98 ALETRIS FARINOSA. MEDICAL REFERENCES. Clayton, Phil. Trans, abr. viii. 333.—Cutler, American Acad. vol. i. 435. PLATE L. Fig. 1. Aletris farinosa. Fig. 2. Corolla opened to shew the insertion of the stamens. Fig. 3. Stamen magnifled. Fig. 4. Pistil magnified. AMERICAN MEDICAL BOTANY. VOL. III.--PART. II. \ r, rf/ter/ft//f ///ff.r/////fM J I i AMERICAN MEDICAL BOTANY. RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM. American Bose bay. PLATE LI. A he scenery of the American forest is dis- tinguished not less by the greatness of its natural features, the imposing and picturesque appearance of its mountains, its rocky precipices, its broad streams and lakes ; than it is by the magnificent clothing of wild shrubs and trees, the uncommon beauty of which, gives to rough and inaccessible spots a richness, that cultivation can hardly imi- tate. The Kalmia, described in our first volume, and the Rhododendron of the present article, which are reared with care and difficulty as ornaments of European gardens and pleasure grounds, can be seen in perfection no where but in the uncultivated recesses of our own continent. 103 RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM. Near the summits of mountains, on the banks of torrents and deep ravines, from which rivers take their rise, where the deep shade, moist soil and dashing water, preserve the atmosphere in a state of perpetual humidity ; these shrubs, in luxuriant size and vigour, are seen to cover tracts of great extent, at one season presenting an unbroken landscape of gorgeous flowers, and at another with their evergreen foliage forming an impene- trable shelter for the wild animals of the forest. Of the Rhododendron maximum, Mr. Pursh has designated three varieties. These are, 1. The Red, which inhabits swamps and the borders of mountain lakes from Canada.to Caro- lina; 2. The White, found in the swamps of New Jersey and Delaware ; 3. The Purple, on the highest mountains of Virginia and Carolina. This last variety is represented as peculiarly magnificent, growing to the size of a small tree, having its trunk eighteen inches and more in diameter, and its foliage triple the size of any other species. The first variety of this elegant shrub grows abundantly on the banks of Charles river, a dozen or fifteen miles from Boston. It even supports the winter as far north as the state of Maine, and was observed, by Dr. Eaton, growing plentifully AMERICAN ROSE BAY. 103 on the borders of Sebago lake near Portland. It does not bear transplantation well, but is apt to dwindle after the first or second year. It succeeds best when removed to a damp springy soil, and to a situation calculated to afford it shelter from the sun. The Rhododendron, of the Northern states, is a large straggling shrub, very irregular in its mode of growth. The bark is of a greyish colour, very much cracked and broken. The leaves are in tufts at the ends of the branches. They arc evergreen, coriaceous, on round fleshy petioles, oblong-oval, entire, revolute at the edges, and pale underneath. Both leaves and petioles, when young, are covered with a light woolly substance. The flowers form a terminal cluster or thyrsus immediately above the leaves, the stalks and calyces of which are covered with a glutinous pubescence. Previous to its expansion, the whole bunch forms a large compound bud, resembling a strobilus or cone, each individual flower-bud being covered by a rhomboidal bracte, which falls off when the flower expands. Calyx small, of fiye unequal obtuse segments. Corolla mo- nopetalous, funnel-shaped, with a short tube, the border divided into five large, unequal segments, which are white, shaded with lake, the upper and 101s RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM. largest, having a collection of orange coloured spots at its centre. Stamens declinate, unequal j the filaments white, thickened and hairy at base; anthers two celled, opening by two pores at top ; pollen white. Germ ovate, hairy, glutinous ; style declinate, equal to the longest stamens, thickened upwards ; stigma a rough surface with five points. Capsule ovate, obtusely angular, five-celled. Seeds numerous, minute. Considered in its chemical character, this shrub is a resinous astringent. A decoction of the leaves gives strong proofs of the presence of tannin in large quantities. Both the bark and leaves, digested in alcohol, produce a resinous tincture, which is immediately rendered turbid by water. The glutinous covering of the flower stalks appears of a resinous nature. A decoction of the leaves in water affords nothing which is not soluble in alcohol, and did not alter by it in two days' standing. I have been induced to examine the Rhodo- dendron and to insert it in this work, on account of the reputation it has possessed of being poison- ous. The late Professor Barton, in his collec- tions towards an American Materia Medica, has given various intimations of this sort, the most conclusive of which is his expression, "This is AMERICAN ROSE BAY. 105 certainly a poison.''—The result of my own attention to this shrub does not give reason for attaching to it suspicions of possessing a very deleterious nature. None of its external charac- ters would lead to apprehensions of this sort, particularly the taste, which is simply astringent and herbaceous, and much like that of a common oak leaf. I know not what quantity might prove injurious, but under the conviction that the plant was not particularly dangerous, I have swallowed a green leaf of the middle size, so large that it required some resolution to masticate so unpala- table a morsel, but have found no ill effect what- ever to result from it. Medicinally considered, I think it must be ranked among the astringents, a place which both its sensible and chemical properties entitle it to hold. If it have any narcotic powers, they will probably be developed only by an extraordinary dose, which few persons will be likely to put to the test. 106 RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM. BOTANICAL REFERENCES. Rhododendron maximum, Willd. Sp. pi. ii. 606.—Bot. Mag. t. 951.—-Schmidt, Arb. t. 12!.—Pursh, i. 297—Michaux, N. A. s'///iy/. t. 67. MEDICAL REFERENCE. T5. S. Barton, Collections, i. 18. PLATE LI. Fig. i. .] branch of Rhododendron maximum in flower and in bud. Fig. 2. Calyx and sh/Jr. Fit /'fa <<>/v/tr/ft Armt/t k t TttM EUPHORBIA COROLLATA. Large flowering spurge. PLATE LIII. In point of stature and the shewy appear- ance of its flowers, this species of Euphorbia differs eminently from that described in the last article. In the common features, however, of the genus, such as its lactescence, its taste, and its medicinal powers; the consanguinity of the two plants evidently appears. I am not aware that this species has been much known for its operative qualities, until within a very recent period. The indians were, indeed, acquainted with the medicinal properties of more than one species of Euphorbia. They doubtless made use of the E. ipecacuanha, and not impossibly of the present species also. In Mr. Clayton's letter to Dr. Grew, contained in the Transactions of the Royal society for 1730, and which we have noticed 120 EUPHORBIA COROLLATA. in speaking of Aletris farinosa, the writer states, that the Aborigines made use of " the roots of Tythymal, of which there are two sorts, the one flore minimo herbaceo, the other flore albo. The flower of this last," he says, "is small, but large in comparison with the other. They are repentes, and grow in old manured grounds. They chiefly make use of the latter of these, and it is a most excellent purge, though it sometimes vomits. It is quick but moderate in its effect, and has this pe- culiarity, that it opens the body, when other more violent purgatives will not move it." We might safely conclude that the white flowering species, here noticed, is the Euphorbia corollata, were it not for the term repentes applied to both plants. It is not improbable that in this respect, the writer might have been misinformed. Pursh informs us that Euphorbia corollata grows in dry fields from Canada to Carolina. I have never met with it north of Pennsylvania. The drawing which illustrates our description is from a specimen cultivated in the Botanic garden at Cambridge. It is a tall, erect plant, from one to five feet in height, resembling, at a dis- tance, some of the white flowering corymbiferae. It begins to flower in June, but is not fully ex- panded until July or August. Its specific LARGE FLOWERING SPURGE. 121 character is as follows. Umbel five rayed, three parted, dichotomous; leaves and involucra oblong, obtuse; segments of the calyx obovate, petaloid, coloured. The shape of the leaves is subject to variety, as is also their smoothness or hairiness. This plant has a large branching root which sends up a number of stems, frequently from two to five feet in height. They are erect, round and in most instances simple. The leaves are scattered, sessile ; oblong, obovate or linear, a little revolute at the margin, smooth in some plants, very hairy in others. The stem divides at top into a large five rayed umbel, supported by an involucrum of as many leaves. Not unfre- quently a small axillary branch or two arise from the sides of the stem below the umbel. The rays of the umbel are repeatedly trifid or dicho- tomous, each fork being attended by two leafets and a flower. The top of the stem or centre of the umbel is turgid, and often bears a precocious flower. The calyx is large, rotate, white, with five obtuse petal-like segments, from which the name of the species has been taken. The nec- taries or inner segments are five, very small, obtuse projections situated at the base of the segments. Stamens a dozen or more emerging two or three at a time, with double anthers. 122 EUPHORBIA COROLLATA. Germ pedicelled. Capsule three celled. A great portion of the plants are wholly stamini- ferous. The results of a short chemical examination of this plant were very similar to those afforded by E. ipecacuanha. The ethereal solution was made turbed by alcohol, and the alcoholic by water. The precipitate in the last instance seemed denser and more abundant than it was in the former species. The decoction deposited a mucus or feculent substance, by means of alco- hol, as in the other plant. The same sweetish taste characterised the solutions of both veg- etables. It has been observed, by late experimenters in vegetable chemistry, that most of the lactes- cent or milky plants contain caoutchouc. That they contain a substance of this nature, which is dissolved by ether and not by alcohol, I am able to attest from the examination of various lactes- cent plants inserted in this work, and some others. The properties of Euphorbia corollata have been lately brought into notice by W. Zollic- koffer, M. D. of Baltimore, to whom I was first indebted for my specimens of the root and living plant; and who has furnished me with a variety LARGE FLOWERING SPURGE. 123 of facts relating to its properties. Dr. Z. states that this plant is quite common in some parts of the state of Virginia. In some districts of Mary- land, and more particularly in Anne Arundel county, it grows in the greatest abundance, where it is recognised by the common appellations of Milkweed, Snake's milk, Ipecacuanha and Indian Physic. It delights in a poor, dry, and sandy soil. It is seldom or never found growing in the woods, but in fields that are cultivated every two or three years. The farmers have frequently told him that it is very hurtful to small grain, when it grows in great quantities, and the com- mon means that are made use of, such as plough- ing and harrowing, in order to kill bluegrasst have the effect of increasing the quantity and rapid growth of this plant. It is never eaten by animals. The root is sometimes used as an emetic by the country people ; and it is esteemed in the cure of dropsy. The stalks, which arise from the common trunk of the root, are some- times as many as thirty, and from this down to a single one. The largest roots, which he recol- lects seeing, measured from an inch to two inches and a half in circumference. He has been in the habit of using the Euphorbia corol- lata. for some time past in practice, as an emetic, 17 124 EUPHORBIA COROLLATA. in the place of the Ipecacuanha of the shops ; and thiuks it in no respect inferior to this article. Combined with opium and the Sulph. potassa? in the proportions of the Pulv. doveri, he has found it to be a valuable diaphoretic. The con- tused root, in its recent state, will excite inflam- mation and vesication, when applied to any part of the body ; which generally goes off in the course of four or five days whithout being attended with any inconvenience whatever. He was led to give it a number of trials in this way from the circumstance of his face becoming considerably inflamed after having handled large quantities of the root. As an expectorant, this plant, he says, is deserving of the attention of practitioners. Dr. Z. has furnished me with minutes of seventeen cases, in which he administered the powdered root of this plant in doses of from ten to twenty grains. In all of these it operated by vomiting, with the exception of two cases, where it produced nausea, followed by catharsis. Hav- ing tried a variety of preparations, he states, that the extract may be given in doses of from five to eight grains; the wine prepared in the same way as Vinum ipecacuanha?, in dose of an ounce or an ounce and an half. Of the root in powder from fifteen to twenty grains was found a proper LARGE FLOWERING SPURGE. 135 emetic. He considers this medicine as having a peculiar advantage in possessing no unpleasant taste; being only followed by a sense of heat in a few minutes after it is taken. But this is by no means lasting, nor does it produce any material uneasiness. In some experiments, to determine the solu- ble portions of this root, Dr. Z. found that two thousand one hundred and sixty grains of the recent root afforded one hundred and two grains of watery extract; and a like quantity by diges- tion in alcohol gave one hundred and twenty three grains of alcoholic extract. He did not observe any difference in the activity of these two extracts. Dr. McKeen, whose Dissertation on the species of Euphorbia has been already cited in the last article, has detailed the circumstances of twelve cases, in which he administered the Euphorbia corollata. His experiments differ from those of Dr. Zollickoffer, in the quantity of the root used, being always smaller. The doses, which he gave, were from three to twelve grains of the powder. In every instance the medicine operated as a cathartic. In most of the cases nausea was produced, but in three only, out of the whole number, it was followed by vomiting. 126 EUPHORBIA COROLLATA. In one case a dose of three grains proved actively cathartic in four hours. In another five grains produced vomiting. In a third no effect was experienced from twelve grains, except that of a moderate laxative. In one instance twenty grains were given, which produced vomiting three times, followed by about twenty alvine evacuations. I have placed portions of this plant in the hands of several practitioners and medical stu- dents, with a request to be informed of the effect, when suitable opportunities for its exhibition had occurred. In a majority of the instances I have been told, that a cathartic operation had followed its use ; and sometimes, though less frequently, an emetic. It rarely has proved inactive. The Euphorbia corollata must undoubtedly be ranked among the more efficient medicines of the evacuating class. Dr. McKeen concludes, from his experiments, that it is a very certain purgative, possessing, he thinks, about double the strength of jalap. It exerts its cathartic efficacy in doses of less than ten grains. If given to the amount of fifteen or twenty grains, it is very sure to prove emetic ; the proportion of its failures, being not greater than occurs in the use of other emetic medicines. The only inconven- iences which have come to my knowledge, as LARGE FLOWERING SPURGE. 127 attending it, are, that if given in small doses, for a purgative, it is apt to produce nausea; while in the large doses suitable for an emetic, it some- times has induced a degree of hypercatharsis. But it must be observed, that many of the medi- cines, in common use, may occasion similar consequences in persons of peculiar habit and irritable fibre. Future experiment will, no doubt, determine whether the Euphorbia corollata is any more irregular and unmanageable than other medicines of its kind, or whether it is entitled to a permanent and useful place in the Materia Medica. Many, and perhaps all the species of Euphor- bia are powerful external stimulants. Several are used as a sort of caustic to destroy warts. The gum, called Euphorbium, produced by the Euphorbia ofncinarum, is a strong vesicatory, employed by farriers, and sometimes used to adulterate the plaister of Cantharides. The blistering power of E. corollata has been stated by Dr. Zollickoffer. This active genus of plants deserves a thorough investigation with a view to this particular property, to determine whether they are safe and manageable vesications, or virulent and uncertain. -128 EUPHORBIA COROLLATA. BOTANICAL REFERENCES. Euphorbia corollata, Linn.—Willd. ii. 916.—Michaux, ii. 210, —Pursh, ii. 607.—Tithjmalus marianus, &c—Plukenet, Mant. 182. t. 446./. 2. MEDICAL REFERENCES. Clayton, Philosophical transactions abridged, viii. 331.—Zol- lickoffer, Materia Medica. Baltimore, 1819. PLATE LIII. Fig. 1. Euphorbia corollata, the top of a plant ratlier below the common size. Fig. 2. Barren flower. Fig. 3. Calyx not fully expanded. Fig. 4. Stamen. Fig. 5. Fertile fiower. PL.A/1 £3> ^ zr ' So///(/frf 130 POLYGALA RUBELLA. buried from the light. To the eye there is no difference between seeds taken from the upper or lower racemes of the plant. It would be worth while to ascertain if the two will vegetate equally well. The genus is marked by a calyx of five leaves, two of which are 7ving-like and coloured. Capsule obcordate, two celled and two valvcd. The spe- cies rubella has its stems simple ,• leaves linear- oblong, mucronated; flowers racemed, those of the stem winged, those of the root apterous. Class Biadelphia, order Octandria; natural orders Lomentacece, Linn. Pediculares, Juss. The Polygala rubella, here described, is the plant designated by that name in Muhlenberg's catalogue, as I have formerly learnt from the author himself. There is little doubt that Willde- now's plant is the same, described from an imperfect specimen. It is found in dry, sandy, or gravelly soils in many parts of the United States, and flowers in June and July. Root somewhat fusiform, perennial, branch- ing. Stems numerous, ascending, smooth, angu- lar, simple. Leaves scattered, smooth, the lower ones obovate, smaller; the upper ones linear- lanceolate, obtuse, mucronated, sessile. Flowers purple, short-crested, in terminal racemes. BITTER POLYGALA. 131 Bractes small, ovate-lanceolate, caducous. Wings of the calyx rhomboid-oval, obtuse, with a slight middle nerve. Corolla small, closed, of three segments, the middle one largest and crested by the division of its sides and extremity. Anthers eight, forming a double row, the filaments coa- lescing. Germ compressed, inversely heart- shaped ; style deflexed ; stigma bearded inside, with a prominence below it. Capsule inversely heart-shaped, nearly smooth, margined, and in- vested with the wings of the calyx. Seeds two, obovate, hairy, with a transparent appendage or strophiole on the inside. From the base of the stems proceed a number of prostrate shoots situated upon, and sometimes nearly under the ground, bearing a row of incomplete fertile flowers. These flowers are furnished with a calyx without wings, a minute corolla and stamens, and a short style. The germ and fruit precisely resemble those of the more perfect flowers. Like some of the European species which it resembles in habit, this plant is a strong and permanent bitter, imparting its sensible proper- ties both to spirit and to water. 1 digested a portion of the dried plant in ether, and added alcohol to the solution. No change was visible at the time of mixture, but on standing till the 18 13£ POLYGALA RUBELLA. ether had partly evaporated, the alcohol became turbid. A tincture of the plant was not imme- diately affected by adding water, but on standing over night it became very turbid, and in a few days deposited a large precipitate. The bitter- ness, which is probably of the extractive kind, was communicated to cold, as well as hot water; and to alcohol. The aqueous solutions appear strong enough to represent the virtues of this vegetable. The Polygala rubella, from its extreme bit- terness, has attracted the notice of various medical practitioners in the Northern states. I have been assured by those who have tried its efficacy, that the infusion administered in small doses, proves a useful tonic and stimulant to the digestive organs. In large doses it opens the body and excites diaphoresis. Its powers appear to resemble those of Polygala vulgaris and P. amara of Europe, to which it has a close botanical resemblance ; and which have enjoyed a certain degree of medicinal reputation as tonics and expectorants. BITTER POLYGALA. 133 BOTANICAL REFERENCES. Polygala rubella, Muhlenberg, Catal.—Willd. iii. 875.— Pursh, ii. 464,—Polygala polygama ?—Nuttall, genera, ii. 87. PLATE LIV. Fig. 1. Polygala rubella, Fig. 2. A flower. Fig. 3. Calyx. Fig. 4. Corolla magnified^ Fig. 5. Fruit of ditto. Fig. 6. Body of stamens. Fig. 7. Pistil. NYMPH.EA ODORATA. Sweet scented Water lily. PLATE LV. A he common Water lily, of North America, very much resembles that of Europe in its external form, but differs remarkably in the fine fragrance of its flowers, those of the old continent being nearly destitute of odour. It belongs to a very beautiful tribe of aquatic plants, a great part of which are natives of the torrid zone. Those species which support the cold of our northern latitudes, are enabled to do so only by the depth of water, under which it is their habit to vegetate. Nature has provided a sort of spon- taneous hotbed for these plants, by placing their roots at such a depth from the surface of the element in which they grow, that the frost, which would otherwise prove fatal, does not reach them at the coldest season. r /////A/srrsr ftr/erff/f/ SWEET SCENTED WATER LILY. 135 The Nymphsea odorata, the finest of the northern species, grows abundantly in most parts of the United States, about the edges of rivers and ponds, where the water is more than a foot in depth. It is one of the largest of our native flowers, and though it has often been represented as inferior, in size, to the water lily of Europe, I am sure that this comparison can only have resulted from the inspection of culti- vated specimens. The annexed drawing was made from a full grown and fully expanded specimen, and is actually smaller than the flower from which it was taken. Every angler is familiar with the leaves and stems of this plant, which, with a few similar aquatics, forms floating beds about the edges of deep fresh waters, affording to the fish a favourite shelter from the light; and often rendering them more essential service, by entangling the hooks and lines of their pursuers. The roots of this plant creep through the muddy bottoms of ponds to a great extent. They are very rough, knotted, blackish, and as large as a man's arm. The porous stalks, which proceed from these, are bouyed up by the quantity of air they contain, and continue to be elongated till they reach the surface of the water, which is 136 NYMPHiEA 0D0RATA. often at the height of several feet. The upper side of the leaves has a highly repellent power for water, owing to its finely polished surface, from which the fluid rolls off as from a coating of oil. When the buds have attained to maturity, they emerge and expand their flowers. This takes place in the morning; and when the sun is bright, a bed of these flowers presents a truly magnifi- cent spectacle. Owing to the concavity of the calyx and petals they continue to float during a great part of the day. They are seldom elevated from the surface, except when the stem is un- commonly large, or pushed upward by some displacement of the adjacent leaves. At night, or before, the flowers close, and either rest on the surface or sink beneath it till the subsequent day. When flowering is over, the germ sinks to the bottom and there ripens its fruit. The genus Nymphsea is now separated from some other plants formerly attached to it by the following character. Calyx four or five leaved ; petals many, inserted into the germ below the stamens ; stigma radiated, sessile with a tubercle in the middle; berry many celled, many seeded. This species very nearly resembles the JV. Alba of Europe, but appears distinct by the following marks. Leaves orbicular-cordate, entire, the lobes SWEET SCENTED WATER LILY. 137 acuminate, and veins prominent beneath; calyx four-leaved, equal to the petals.—Linnseus placed this genus in his Miscellanea?, and Jussieu with the Hydrocharides. The stalks, both of the leaves and flowers, spring directly from the root. They vary in length from one foot to five or six, according to the depth of the water. The petioles are some- what semicircular, the scapes round. Both are perforated throughout by long tubes or air-vessels which serve to float them. The leaves, which swim on the surface, are nearly round with a cleft or sinus extending to the centre, at which the petiole is inserted in a peltate manner. The lobes on each side of this sinus are prolonged into an acute point. The upper surface is of a bright glossy green almost without veins ; the lower surface is reddish and marked by a multi- tude of strong prominent veins diverging from the centre. The calyx has four lanceolate leaves. green without and white within. Petals nume- rous, lanceolate, of a delicate whiteness, with sometimes a tinge of lake on the outside. Sta- mens numerous, yellow, in several rows ; the filaments dilated, especially the outer ones, so as to resemble petals; the anthers in two longitu- dinal cells growing to the filaments and opening 138 NYMPHiEA ODORATA. inwardly. The stigma has from twelve to twenty four rays, very much resembling abortive anthers, at first incurved, afterwards spreading. At the centre is a solid hemispherical protuberance, usually called a nectary, but which appears to me more like the true stigma. The roots of this plant are among the strong- est astringents, and we have scarcely any native vegetable which affords more decided evidence of this property. When fresh, if chewed in the mouth, they are extremely styptic and bitter. Their decoction instantly strikes a jet black colour with sulphate of iron, and yields a dense, white precipitate to a solution of gelatin. With alcohol it deposites a slight flocculent substance resem- bling fsecula. Tannin and gallic acid in large quantities are to be considered its most character- istic ingredients. The flowers have a delicious odour, hardly surpassed by any perfume which the summer produces. This fragrance is perfect only when the flowers are fresh, and, as they droop, becomes contaminated with the common smell of aquatic plants. It is peculiar in its character, and resembles that of no other plant with which I am acquainted. I have several times attempted to separate this perfume by distillation both with SWEET SCENTED WATER LILY. 139 water and spirit, but have never succeeded in preserving it in the faintest degree. It is much more fugacious than the perfume of roses, and seems to be destroyed by the application of heat. Possibly the employment of a large quantity of flowers at a time might yield a better product. The stamens appear more odorous than the petals, or at least preserve their odour longer in drying. The roots of the water lily are kept by most of our apothecaries, and are much used by the common people in the composition of poultices. They are, no doubt, often injudiciously applied to suppurating tumours, since their astringency must be rather discutient, than promotive of suppuration. They are occasionally used by physicians in cases where astringent applications are called for, and answer a purpose somewhat analogous to that of lead poultices and alum curds. The roots, which, when fresh, are large and fleshy ; in drying, lose a great part of their weight and size, becoming spongy and friable. The Nymphrea alba of Europe, which appears perfectly similar in its qualities to the American plant, was celebrated by the ancients, [Note C] as an antaphrodisiac. and as a remedy in dysen- tery and some other morbid discharges. To the 19 140 NYMPHiEA ODORATA. latter purpose its astringency might, in some instances, make it well suited. The roots and seeds of the Nymphsea lotus were used by the ancient Egyptians as bread. BOTANICAL REFERENCES. Nymphsea odorata, Willd. Sp. pi ii. 1153.—Bot. Mag. 819— Bot. Repository, 297.—Pursh, ii. 368.—Nymphsea alba, Michaux, i. 311.—Walter, Carol 155. Castalia pudica, Samsburt, Annah of Bot.iu 71. MEDICAL REFERENCE. Cutler, Amer. Transactions, i. 456. PLATE LV. Fig. 1. Leaf and flower of Nymphata odorata. Fig. 2. Different stamens from the same flower. Fig. 3. Stigma. Fig. 4. Section of the germ. Fig. 5. A cell of the germ magnified. Fig. 6. Section of the scape. Fig. 7. Section of petiole. _[ifi///<->.} rst6r///s///////( <^'///?S7/r/rt/t////' ERYTHRONIUM AMERICANUM. Common Erythronium. PLATE LVIII. JT or a considerable time the genus Erythro- nium was considered as containing only one species, the E. dens canis of Europe and Asia. The American plant was considered, by Michaux, as a variety of the European, differing only in colour. Later botanists have, with propriety, separated it, and besides this, one or two other American species have been added to the genus.* The natural order, called Liliacew by Linnseus, and Lilia by Jussieu, is perhaps not exceeded by any other, in the uniform elegance of all its spe- * My friend Mr. F. Boott discovered a new species of Erythro- nium on the Camel's rump mountain in Vermont, which he calls E. bracteatum. Its character is E. foliis incequalibus, scapo bracteato. In all the specimens gathered by that gentleman, the leaves were very unequal, one being twice the size of the other; the scape had also a lanceolate bracte near the top. The flower was yellow and about half the size of E. Americanum. 15& ERYTHRONIUM AMERICANUM. cies. The Lily, Tulip, Crown imperial, and Gloriosa are specimens of this order. They belong to the same artificial class and order Rex- andria trigynia, and have a close affinity in all the parts of their structure. The Erythronium, which is generally called, I know not for what reason, Bog^s tooth violet, is one of the smallest of the order. This genus has no calyx. Its corolla is inferior, six petalled ; the three inner petals with a callous prominence on each edge near the base. The common American plant has its scape naked, its leaves lanceolate and involute at the point; and its style club-shaped and undivided. It is an early flowering plant, being in blossom in the first part of May. It grows in woods and fields in the Northern and Middle states. The root is a solid bulb, situated deep in the ground, brown outside, and white and homoge- neous within. The whole plant is smooth and glossy. Scape naked, slender. Leaves two, nearly equal, lanceolate, veinless, of a dark brownish green, clouded with irregular spots, sheathing the scape with their base, and termi- nating in an obtuse callous point. Flower solitary, drooping. Petals six, lanceolate, yellow, the three outermost partly crimson on the outside. COMMON ERYTHRONIUM. 153 the three innermost having an obscure tooth on each side near the base. In a clear sun the petals are expanded and revolute, but at night and on cloudy days, they are nearly closed. Filaments flat, anthers oblong-linear. Germ obovate, style longer than the stamens, club-shaped, three lobed at top and terminating in three distinct, but not detached, stigmas. Capsule oblong- obovate, somewhat pedicelled. The bulb of this plant, judging from its texture and taste, is almost wholly farinaceous. When dry, it is mealy and free from any un- pleasant flavour. Having lost my specimens of the root at the time of preparing this article, I was unable to submit this part to chemical exam- ination. A tincture was prepared from some dried leaves and flowers, which gave evidence of resin being present, when tested with alcohol. Water distilled from the same parts had a rather disagreeable odour. This vegetable possesses the power of acting on the stomach as an emetic. About twenty five grains of the green root and forty of the recently dried root have produced nausea and vomiting. When the root is fully and thoroughly dried, or when it has been exposed to heat, it appears to lose this property in a great measure. 154 ERYTHRONIUM AMERICANUM. In its power of acting on the alimentary canal, it resembles many other plants, which are related to it in botanical habit. The Squill, Colchicum, and Aloe are examples of this class, and even the common Daffodil and Tulip are found to be emetic. I have known a family of children to be taken with violent vomiting from having, by mistake, dug up, roasted and eaten some Tulip roots, supposing them to be Artichokes. It is probable that the medicinal activity of the Erythronium is of a volatile nature, capable of being dissipated by heat. Its farinaceous portion, when duly separated, is no doubt innox- ious. Gmelin, in his Flora Sibirica, states, that the Tartars collect and dry the roots of Erythro- nium dens cants, and boil them either with milk or broth, and consider them as very nutritious food. They are said nearly to resemble salep. It is remarkable that farinaceous roots, which possess active and even virulent qualities, do not impart them to the fsecula, which constitutes so large a portion of their bulk. The different species of Arum, Calla, and the Jatropha Mani- hot are examples of this fact, affording nutritious bread, although their crude juices are more or less poisonous. COMMON ERYTHRONIUM. 155 * The leaves of the American Erythronium are said to be more active than the root, but on this subject I am not fully informed. It is probable that the recent leaves have moie activity than the dry. BOTANICAL REFERENCES. Erythronium Americanum, Ker, Bot. Mag. t. 1113.—Nuttall, Genera, i. 223.—E. lanceolatum, Pursh, i. 230.—E. longifolium, Poiret, Encycl. Methodique.—E. flavum, Smith, Rees* Cycl.—E. dens canis, Michaux, Flora, i. 198. PLATE LVIII, Fig. 1. Erythronium Americanum, the flower rather more droop- ing than common. Fig. 2. One of the inner petals. Fig. 3. Stamen. Fig. 4. Pistil. Fig. 5. Stigma magnified. Fig. 6. Root. 21 XANTHOXYLUM FRAXINEUM. Prickly Ash. PLATE LIX. Ihe Prickly Ash is a shrub of middling height, found in woods and moist or shady decliv- ities in the Northern, Middle and Western states. It is rare in Massachusetts and the states north of it, its localities being very circumscribed. After I had taken pains to procure specimens from Connecticut, I accidentally discovered a thicket of the shrubs in a wood in Medford, six miles from Boston. Late botanists have placed the genus Xan- thoxyium in Pentandria Pentagynia, although it is dioecious, or rather polygamous. Its calyx is inferior, five parted ; corolla none ; capsules from three to five, one seeded. The X. fraxineum is prickly, the leaves pinnate ; leafets ovate, suben- tire, sessile, equal at base; umbels axillary. L 3. r /r//t///f>Jrvv/s//m /rs/.i// //r//w 0 0 PRICKLY ASH. 157 Linnseus placed the Xanthoxyla in his natural order Bumosce, but Smith thinks them better arranged with the Hederaceae. Jussieu places them with his Terebintaceis ajjinia. The branches of the Prickly ash are covered with strong, sharp prickles, arranged without order, though most frequently in pairs at the insertion of the young branches. Leaves pinnate, the common petiole sometimes unarmed and sometimes prickly on the back. Leafets about five with an odd one, nearly sessile, ovate, acute, with slight vesicular serratures, somewhat downy underneath. The flowers appear in April and May before the leaves are expanded. They grow in sessile umbels about the origin of the young branches, are small and greenish. I have observed them of three kinds, making the shrub strictly polygamous. In the staminiferous flower the calyx is five leaved, the leaves oblong, obtuse, erect. Stamens five with subulate filaments and sagittate four celled anthers. In the place of pistils are three or four roundish corpuscles supported on pedicels from a common base. The perfect flowers, growing on the same plant, have the calyx and stamens like the last; the germs are three or four, pedicelled, and having erect, converging styles nearly as long as the 158 XAXTHOXYLUM FltAXINEUM. stamens. The pistilliferous flowers grow on a separate shrub. Calyx smaller and more com- pressed. Germs about five, pedicelled; styles converging into close contact at top, and a little twisted. Stigmas obtuse. All the flowers are destitute of corolla. Each fertile flower produces an umbel of as many stipitate capsules as there were germs in the flower. These capsules are oval, covered with excavated dots, varying from green to red, two valved, one seeded ; the seed oval, blackish. The bark of the Prickly ash has a slight aromatic flavour, combined with a strong pun- gency, which is rather slow in manifesting itself in the mouth. The leaves arc more aromatic, very much resembling, in smell, the leaves of the Lemon tree. The rind of the capsule is highly fragrant, imparting to the fingers, when rubbed between them, an odour much like the oil of lemons. The odorous portion is an essential oil residing in transparent vesicular points on the surface of the capsules and about the margins of the leaves. The acrimony, which resides in the bark, has its foundation in a different principle ; being separated by decoction, but not by distil- lation ; at least none of it came over in my experiments, which were repeated with both the PRICKLY ASH. 159 green and dried bark. The water in which the bark is boiled has a peculiar pungent heat, which is not perceived when the liquid is first taken into the mouth, but gradually developes itself by a burning sensation on the tongue and fauces. It retains this acrimony after standing a week and more. The leaves do not appear to possess the pungency of the bark, and impart no acri- mony to the water in which they are boiled. They abound in mucilage, which coagulates in large films when alcohol is added to the decoction. They seem to possess more astringeney than the bark, and strike a black colour with sulphate of iron, while solutions, made from the bark, are but moderately changed by the same test. The alcoholic tincture of the bark is bitter and very acrid. Its transparency is diminished by adding water, and after standing some time it becomes very turbid. Whether the acrimony of this shrub resides in a peculiar acrid principle, or whether it belongs to the resin and becomes miscible with water in consequence of the presence of mucilage, may be considered as jet uncertain. The Prickly ash has a good deal of reputa- tion in the United States as a remedy in chronic rheumatism. In that disease its operation seems analogous to that of Mezereon and Guaiacum, 160 XANTHOXYLUM FRAXINEUM. which it nearly resembles in its sensible proper- ties. It is not only a popular remedy in the country, but many physicians place great reliance on its powers in rheumatic complaints, so that apothecaries generally give it a place in their shops. It is most frequently given in decoction, an ounce being boiled in about a quart of water. Dr. George Hayward, of Boston, informs me, that he formerly took this decoction in his own case of chronic rheumatism with evident relief. It was prepared as above stated, and about a pint taken in the course of a day, diluted with water sufficient to render it palatable by lessening the pungency. It was warm and grateful to the stomach, produced no nausea nor effect upon the bowels, and excited little, if any, perspiration. 1 have given the powdered bark in doses of ten and twenty grains in rheumatic affections with considerable benefit. A sense of heat was produced at the stomach by taking it, but no other obvious effect. In one case it effectually removed the complaint in a few days. I have known it, however, to fail entirely in obstinate cases, sharing the opprobrium of failure with a variety of other remedies. The Prickly ash has been employed by physicians in some cases as a topical stimulant. PRICKLY ASH. 161 It produces a powerful effect when applied to secreting surfaces and to ulcerated parts. In the West Indies much use has been made of the bark of another species, the Xanthoxylum Clava Herculis, in malignant ulcers, both internally administered and externally applied. Commu- nications relating to its efficacy may be found in the eighth volume of the Medical and Physical Journal, and the fifth volume of the Transactions of the Medical Society of London. By an ambiguity which frequently grows out of the use of common or English names of plants, the Aralia spinosa, a very different shrub, has been confounded with the Xanthoxylum. The Aralia, called Angelica tree, and sometimes Prickly ash, is exclusively a native of the warmer parts of the United States, being not found, to my knowledge, in the Atlantic states north of Vir- ginia. Its flavour and pungency, as well as its general appearance, are different from those of the true Prickly ash. It is nevertheless a valu- able stimulant and diaphoretic, and in Mr. Elli- ott's Southern Botany, we are told that it is an efficacious emetic. For the latter purpose it is given in large doses, in infusion. The name Xanthoxylum, signifying yellow wood, was originally given by Mr. Colden. The 162 XANTHOXYLUM FRAXINEUM. spelling has since been unaccountably changed to Zanthoxylon in a majority of the books which contain the name. The etymology, however, can leave no doubt of the true orthography. BOTANICAL REFERENCES. Xanthoxylum fraxineum, Smith, Rees* Cycl. No. 12.—Z. fraxi- neum, Pursh, i. 209.—Z. clava Herculis p. Linnaeus, Sp. pi—Z. ramiflorum, Michaux, Flora, ii. 235.—Fagara fraxini folio, Duha- mel, Arb. v. t. 97. MEDICAL REFERENCES. B. S. Barton, Collections, i. 9.5, 52; ii. 38.—Thacher, Dispen- satory, sub Aralia spinosa. PLATE LIX. Fig. 1. Xanthoxylum fraxineum in fruit. Fig. 2. A barren branch in flower. Fig. 3. Fertile branch in flower. Fig. 4. Barren flower magnified. Fig. 5. Stamen, do. Fig. 6. Abortive germ of the barren flower, do. Fig. 7. Fertile flower, do. Fig. 8. Pistils of ditto, do. Fig. 9. Perfect flower, do. Fig. 10. Capsule, do. beginning to open. Fig. 11. Seed, do. • //U//ff-> /tt/ltt/tt'.f ;:i' I'*'..? j*»" ***'*-**«>