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 VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDICA 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNITED STATES : 
 
 OR, 
 
 MEDICAL BOTANY. 
 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2016 
 
 
 https://archive.org/details/vegetablemateriaOObart 
 
VEGETABLE MATERIA MEDIC A 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNITED STATES; 
 
 $ - 
 
 OR 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 A BOTANICAL, GENERAL, AND MEDICAL HISTORY, OF MEDICINAL 
 PLANTS INDIGENOUS TO THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY 
 
 COLOURED ENGRAVINGS, 
 
 MADE AFTER ORIGINAL DRAWINGS FROM NATURE, DONE BY THE AUTHOR, 
 
 BY WILLIAM P. C. BARTON, M. D. 
 
 SURGEON IN THE UNITED STATES’ NAVY, AND OF THE NAVAL HOSPITAL AT PHILADELPHIA : 
 
 AND 
 
 PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 VOLUME II. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY M. CAREY & SON, CORNER OF FOURTH AND CHESNUT STREETS, 
 
 JOSEPH R. A. SXF.RRETT, PRINTER, 
 
 1818 
 
EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO WIT: 
 
 RE IT REMEMBERED, That on the third day of December, in the forty-third. year of the 
 Independence of the Cnited States of America, A. D. 1818, WILLIAM P. C. BARTON, of the 
 said District, hatli deposited in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as Au- 
 thor, in the words following, to wit: “Vegetable Materia Medica of the United States; or Medical 
 Botany: containing a Botanical, General, and Medical History of Medicinal Plants, indigenous to 
 the United States. Illustrated by coloured Engravings, made after original drawings from nature, 
 done by the author. By William P. C. Barton, M. D. Surgeon in the United States’ Navy, and 
 of the Naval Hospital at Philadelphia : and Professor of Botany in the University of Pennsylvania. 
 Volume II ” In conformity to the act of the congress of the United States, entitled, “ An act for 
 the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors 
 and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned.” — And also to the act, enti- 
 tled, “ An act supplementary to an act, entitled, “An act for the encouragement of learning, by 
 securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies 
 during the times therein mentioned,” and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, 
 engraving, and etching historical and other prints.” 
 
 D. CALDWELL, Clerk of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania * 
 
f ' 
 
 \ 
 
 E 
 
 fcl*3V 
 
 vl 
 
 TO 
 
 ibwuskb* 
 
 AN ACCOMPLISHED SCHOLAR, 
 
 AND 
 
 AN EMINENT MEMBER OF THE PHILADELPHIA BAR: 
 
 THIS VOLUME, 
 
 IN EVIDENCE OF ESTEEM, 
 
 AND IN GRATITUDE FOR HIS LONG-TRIED FRIENDSHIP, 
 
 IS INSCRIBED 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR. 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 IN presenting tlie second volume of this work to the public, it may 
 be proper to offer a few remarks, relative to the nature of the enter- 
 prise, and the progress which has been made towards achieving it. As 
 soon as my attention was directed to the Botany of our country, it 
 appeared to me obvious, that a rich treasure of Medicinal vegetables, 
 remained imperfectly described and unknown. Considering, indeed, 
 the vast extent of territory, and the luxuriance and number of the ve- 
 getables of the United States, its botany has been investigated with a 
 surprising degree of zeal and research. But, unfortunately, only its 
 nomenclatural botany, has hitherto excited much attention. I did 
 believe, when I conceived the design of illustrating the medical 
 botany of our country, that such a work, even though it were limit- 
 ed to the delineation and description of the known medicinal plants, 
 or those supposed to be medicinal, would have the effect of directing 
 a more general attention to this important subject, than had pre- 
 viously been bestowed, and of giving an impulse perhaps, to the 
 studies and observations of those physicians and botanists whose 
 qualifications and opportunities were equally propitious to investi- 
 gations of this nature. And it must be confessed, I have had my an- 
 ticipation, on this point, fully realized. To this work, and that of my 
 fellow traveller in the same path, may perhaps be attributed, some 
 
Ylll 
 
 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 of the eager curiosity and attention which our native medicinal 
 plants now manifestly excite. Thus much may, it is hoped, with 
 propriety be said. And if this work only perform the office of the 
 finger-post on the road, which, though it stirs not one inch of the 
 way itself, points out the right path to be pursued, it will not have 
 been published in vain. Already the attention to this subject may be 
 seen, in a late valuable edition of the Edinburgh Dispensatory, by Dr. 
 Dyckman, of New York, in which more of our native medicines will 
 be found, than have, heretofore, appeared in the American Dispensato- 
 ries. And it is not doubted, that when the national Pharmacopoeia, 
 now meditated, is given to the world, the Materia Medica of the 
 United States will not only be extensively used by our own physi- 
 cians, but will be eagerly sought for by those of foreign countries. 
 But, our Materia Medica is not the only worthy object of enquiry, to 
 the botanist : tbe Materia Alimentaria of North America, is equally in- 
 teresting. From an unfortunate race of human beings now rapidly 
 disappearing, by the influence of the combined effects of warfare, 
 civilization, and amalgamation with the whites, much valuable infor- 
 mation might, in all probability be obtained, on the subject of their ma- 
 teria alimentaria.* For among the esculent vegetables of the Indians 
 
 ' It is highly probable that among the manuscripts which were left by the late Pro- 
 fessor Barton, much interesting information on this subject might be collected. His 
 well known inquisitiveness, and his constant habit of recording, in however desultory a 
 manner, the facts with which his enquiries made him acquainted, warrant the belief, 
 that the public are deprived of some curious and very interesting knowledge, in conse- 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 IX 
 
 of our country, it has always been supposed there were some worthy 
 of cultivation for the table. This has heretofore been prevented, 
 in consequence of our ignorance of the identical plants, or precise spe- 
 cies, which were used by the savages. The travels of Lewis and Clarke, 
 have put us in possession of the Indian names of many native dietetic 
 articles, and these names have occasionally been accompanied by im- 
 perfect descriptions. Not much more therefore than conjectures, could 
 be expected to arise from such informal and unscientific accounts ; 
 and indeed, little else has resulted, on this subject, from the rich op- 
 
 quence of the cloak which has been thrown over his collections. Strange as it may ap- 
 pear, it is not the less true, that not a single one of these manuscripts, not even his 
 lectures on Materia Medica,* has ever seen the light. The public is yet to be inform- 
 ed what has become of the industrious collections of that eminent man ; and it is sin- 
 cerely hoped they have not been recklessly destroyed. Though the author of this work, 
 his own nephew, was engaged in the same pursuits which occupied much of the time 
 and attention of the late Professor, not a single line of his manuscripts has ever been put 
 into his hands, or seen by him ; nor was his opinion even asked about the disposition of 
 them. But on the contrary, he was refused a sight of such memorandums and notes as 
 were asked to enable him to write an authentic account of his life, when called on so to 
 do by the Philadelphia Medical Society, of which the Professor, at the time of his 
 decease, was president. It has been deemed proper to make this public avowal, because 
 it has been mentioned to the author, that some persons supposed him possessed of all 
 the papers and collections of the late Professor Barton, designing by such intimation, 
 to deprive the author of whatever credit his persevering exertions, in despite of dis- 
 couraging and opposing obstacles, may have deserved. 
 
 * The manuscript lectures on Materia Medica, were sold to Mr. Dobson, more tha* two years since, but 
 have not yet been published. 
 
X 
 
 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 portunities of that governmental expedition. It is well known, that no 
 botanist or naturalist accompanied those travellers; although our or- 
 nithology might have been enriched by some new species of birds, 
 or some interesting facts relative to the habits and migrations of 
 known species, had the humble and entreating offer of the lamented 
 Wilson,* to accompany the expedition, been accepted. It is neither 
 my intention, nor my province, in this place, to make any animad- 
 versions on the direction of that great undertaking : but I cannot for- 
 bear to remark, that from the discoveries made by a botanical exa- 
 mination of the few plants brought by captain Lewis, we are war- 
 ranted in the belief, that a very spendid harvest might have been 
 reaped, had any competent botanist accompanied the party. I need 
 only mention, in proof of this, the discovery of the plant which yields 
 the bread-root of the Indians. 
 
 The Opopanok , the Mockshauw , the wild-potatoe , and the hog -potatoes 
 are yet entirely unknown ; at least the identical plants bearing these 
 names, are not yet ascertained. They are, undoubtedly, native vege- 
 tables; and it was formerly supposed that some one or two of them, 
 
 '*For an affecting account of the transaction here aliuded to, I beg leave to refer to 
 the masterly biographical sketch of his friend, by John (3rd, Esq. prefixed to the tenth 
 volume of Wilson’s Ornithology, which was edited by this zealous naturalist. 
 
 f 1 am aware that the convolvulus panduratus has been called hog-potutoc, but whether 
 it is really the plant so commonly recognised by that name formerly, is somewhat pro- 
 blematical. 
 
 2 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 XI 
 
 were aboriginal names for the common Irish-potatoe, (solanum tu- 
 berosum.) The enquiries and investigations, however, of the late 
 Professor Barton, in relation to this subject,* while they prove, beyond 
 the possibility of doubt, that the Irish-potatoe, as it is generally now 
 called, is not a native of any part of North-America, sufficiently sa- 
 tisfy us, that neither of the vegetables under the above names, can 
 be identical with that plant. 
 
 The travels of Baron Humboldt, which have so much enriched 
 our knowledge, by details of the practical and ceconomical uses of 
 plants, acquaint us, that the inhabitants of Palma and Gomera make 
 a composition out of the root of Pteris aquilina and barley-meal, which 
 serves them for food.f This fern is plentifully distributed along the 
 moist edges of woods, fields and bogs, all over the United States. It 
 grows near the falls of Schuylkill, and indeed all along its western 
 shores, and in Jersey, near the Delaware river. The Lenni- 
 Lenappes, we well know, used two important dietetic articles, the 
 Mockshauw, and a subterranean aquatic tuber, which has by some 
 been conjectured to be the Sagittaria sagittifolia.f This, however, 
 
 * Tilloch’s Philosophical Magazine. 
 
 f They grind the roots to powder, then mix it with the meal, and hoil it. When thus 
 prepared, it is termed gojio. 
 
 t While I have mentioned this plant, I may not inappropriately state, that the root 
 seems to have been successfully used as a poultice, in cases of sphacelating ulcers. 
 
Ml 
 
 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 certainly is not the case ; but the Pteris aquilina may be the plant 
 meant under the name of Mockshauw. I throw this out as a mere 
 suggestion ; at the same time I ought to remark, that in perusing the 
 “Materia Venenaria regni Vegetabilis,” of Puihn, I met with an ob- 
 servation relative to Orontium aquaticum, (which also inhabits the 
 borders of rivers, and such places as the Delaware Indians were said 
 to have resorted to for their favourite Mockshauw,) which induced me 
 to think it not improbable, that this is the plant intended by that name. 
 The observation is as follows: “Orontii aquatici radix, qute cineribus 
 tosta Americanis sylvestribus cibo est, cruda ob acredinem homini- 
 bus toxifera habetur. Semina quoque, qute bene siccata et cum aqua 
 aliquoties cocta ferculum exhibent, cruda acerrima sunt.”* 
 
 “The Indians had their sallads,’’ we are told by the late Professor 
 Barton, who remarks at the same time that the “ Indian sallad and 
 the “ Shawnee sallad of the states of Kentucky and Ohio, are praised 
 by the white settlers $ and adds, “they are unknown to me.”f It 
 
 An officer of the war department pointed out this plant to me in a marsh in the city of 
 Washington, and informed me, that an officer in the army, with whom lie was acquainted, 
 had caused the plant to be dug up, the roots bruised, moistened, and applied to a very 
 extensive and ill-conditioned ulcei’, in which mortification had commenced, and that 
 one or two applications of the poultice checked the progress of the mortification, and 
 the sore healed kindly and rapidly. 
 
 * Materia Venenaria, p. 80 . 
 
 f Collections for a Materia Medica, and Discourses on some of the principal deside- 
 rata of Natural History, read before the Philadelphia Linnsean Society. 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 Xlll 
 
 would perhaps be going too far to say, at this period of my informa- 
 tion on the subject, that I had ascertained the plant to which these 
 names refer ; though I am certainly warranted in saying, that the facts 
 I am possessed of render it extremely probable, that the Shawnee or 
 Indian sallad of the state of Kentucky, is the Hydrophyllum appendi- 
 culatum.* 
 
 But these are merely a few instances of the desiderata on this 
 point. From an investigation of so rich a subject, much novel and in- 
 teresting information must necessarily be acquired. 
 
 * Sometime since. Dr. Short, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, sent a specimen of a plant 
 to a friend in this city, with the following note : « I send you a plant, vulgarly known 
 in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, by the name of Woollen-breeclies. The young 
 shoots are eaten in the spring, as a sallad, and highly praised by all who eat them. 
 I could wish to know the name of this plant, which I understand Mr. Correa was 
 very anxious to see, when in this part of the world.” The plant in question proves 
 on examination, to he Hydrophyllum appendiculatum. I subsequently received a better 
 specimen from Dr. Eberle, of Lancaster, who obtained it, I believe, from the late Dr. 
 Muhlenberg, or who found it in one of the books purchased from the reverend doctor’s 
 library. From this specimen, aided in the colour of the flowers, by a sketch sent on the 
 blank page of the letter, by Dr. Short, I have made a drawing. I have already said, 
 I do not assert that this plant yields the Shawnee sallad, or Indian sallad so called ; 
 but as it certainly is an Indian sallad, and inhabits the districts of country in which 
 the Shawnee sallad is said to grow, it is by no means unlikely that it may be the plant 
 intended by those appellations ; and from what has been said concerning it, is un- 
 doubtedly worthy of cultivation. The roots of a species of the same genus, Hydro- 
 phyllum Canadensis, we learn, were eaten by the Indians in times of scarcity. 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 xiv 
 
 Impressed with these views, I had determined, after embracing 
 the whole of the medicinal plants of these states, to continue the 
 work by delineating all the dietetic native vegetables of our country, 
 and giving of each a correct coloured plate. Whether this part of my 
 design will ever be accomplished, it is difficult to say. There are 
 many discouraging circumstances connected with investigations of 
 this nature, which I may not feel willing to combat or oppose. Among 
 them, is the notorious discouraging influence, at least in this city, rela- 
 tive to botanical pursuits, proceeding too from sources where acciden- 
 tal and professional elevation gives a kind of adventitious importance 
 to opinions, which would otherwise be wholly inefficient in their ope- 
 ration, if not beneath notice or refutation. As regards my own efforts, 
 I am free to confess, that my interests are too deeply connected with 
 such opposition to the pursuits of the professorship I have the 
 honour to hold, to be very solicitous to run counter to, or struggle 
 against, such appalling circumstances. And at least necessity, if not 
 the will, would urge a relinquishment of pursuits, which are indus- 
 triously taught to be incompatible with the severe, and more useful 
 occupations of medicine, or with the attainment of the more conspi- 
 cuous eminence to which the practice of physic and surgery lead. 
 
 It may now be proper to inform the public of the state of forward- 
 ness of this work. The whole number of plates necessary to complete 
 it, are engraved ; and were it not for the tediousness of the colour- 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 XV 
 
 ing,* the second volume might be presented complete, in a month 
 from this time. By the first of the ensuing March, however, the 
 eighth and last number will be published. And though all the im- 
 portant medicinal plants of our country, cannot be comprehended 
 within the limits to which it was thought prudent, on the subscribers’ 
 account, to affix to the present undertaking, still, it is hoped, a suffi- 
 cient number have been figured and described, to render the work 
 useful. If the public desire a continuance of it, their encourage- 
 ment may effect it. To them already the publishers are indebted for 
 a very extensive patronage, and the author for a very flattering 
 reception of his labours. The former were richly 1 entitled to it by their 
 enterprise, in undertaking so costly a publication, and their great 
 
 * It may be proper to mention in this place, that when this work was com- 
 menced, the author believed, being under the impression that the subscription would be 
 very limited, that he would be enabled to execute all the colouring with his own hand. 
 The large subscription which was immediately filled up, soon convinced him, that this 
 was utterly impracticable; and he consequently was obliged to have recourse to the as- 
 sistance of others. And even with the assistance, sometimes of six persons, he could 
 not supply the coloured copies as rapidly as the publishers orders called for. He 
 has been fortunate in meeting in his own family, with some persons, whose colouring 
 is faithful — but in many instances he has met with repeated disappointment and mortifi- 
 cation, in those who wanted this faithfulness — and in despite of all exertions to prevent it, 
 some colouring has passed through his hands, which, though not very faulty, was far from 
 being as well executed as could be desired. With a view to complete the work as soon 
 as possible, a few plates have been done by Mr. Boyd, and Mr. Warnicke ; the largest 
 number, however, have been executed by Messrs. Tanner, Yallance, Kearny, and Co. 
 The plates are highly creditable to the talents of all these excellent artists. 
 
XVI 
 
 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 liberality in conducting it; and the author can say with sincerity, that 
 lie has spared no effort in endeavouring to render his work useful, and 
 worthy of the distinguished countenance with which it has been 
 honoured. 
 
 Philadelphia , December 3d, 1818, 
 
PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM. 
 
 MAY-APPLE. 
 
 Mandrake. Wild Lemon. Ipecacuanha. Duck’s-foot, (in England.) 
 
 Germ. Schildblattriger Entenfuss. (Willd.) Entenfuss ; Fluss blatt. 
 
 Dutch. Eendenpoot. 
 
 Podophyllum peltatum. L. Sp. PI. 723. a. Murr. 489. Hort. Kew. ii. 222. 
 Boerh. ii. 72. Catesb. Car. 1. 1. 24. Schoepf. 86. Bart. Collections, 31. 37. 40. 
 ed. 3d. 31. 39. Coxe’s Disp. ed. 3d. p. 499. Thatcher’s Disp. ed. 3d. p. 318. 
 Dale 421. col. 1. par. 1. Stokes’s Bot. Mat. Med. iii. p. 179. Bigelow, Florula 
 Bost. p. 132. Pursh. FI. Am. ii. 366. Juss. 235. Mich. FI. Am. i. 309. Hort. 
 Cliff. 202. Hort. Ups. 137. Gron. Yirg. 5. Roy. Lugdb. 480. Trew. ehret. t. 
 29. Mill. Diet. Houttuyn. Lin. Pfl. Syst. 7. p. 187. Willd. Sp. PI. tom. ii. par. 
 iii. p. 1141. Dyckman’s edition of the Edinburg Dispen. p. 347. Barton’s 
 Cullen, vol. i. p. 91. vol. ii. p. 375. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. vol. ii. p. 10. Bart. 
 Prod. FI. Ph. 57. Bart. Compendium Florae Philadelphia, vol. ii. p. 9. 
 Mentz. Pugill. t. 1 1. Ait. Hort. Kew. vol. iii. 287. Lamarck, Illustr. t. 449, 
 Muhl. Cat. 53. Pharm. Med. Soc. Mass. 26. 
 
 PODOPHYLLUM. 
 
 Gen. PI. ed. Schreb. n. 879. 
 
 Cor. 9-petala, (610 petala. B.) Cal. 3-phyllus. Dacca 1-locularis, coronata stigmate, 
 
 2 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
10 
 
 Podophyllum peltatum. 
 
 Calix 5-leaved. Petals 9. Stigma even ate, sessile. Capsule superior, 1-celled, many- 
 seeded, becoming an ovate berry. Receptacle unilateral, large and pulpy. — 
 J Witt. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Ranunculaceoe. Classis XIII. Ordo I. 
 
 Podofhyixum, L.* A napodophyllum, T.* Calix 3-phyllus. Petala 9. Stylus 0; stigma 
 capitatum. Caiilis 2-phyllus foliis palmatis, in dichotomia 1 -floras jlore albo. 
 
 Juss. Gen. Plant, ed. 1789. p. 235. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Rhoeadece. 
 
 Classis Polyandria. Ordo Monogynia. Lin. Syst. 
 
 Gen. Ch. Cal. Perianth interior, of three large, coloured, ovate, concave, ascending 
 leaves, soon falling. Cor. Petals nine, orbicular, concave, plaited at the mar- 
 gin. Stain. Filaments numerous, very short ; anthers oblong, large, erect. 
 Pist. Germen superior, roundish; style none; stigma obtuse, furrowed. Pei'ic. 
 Berry globose, crowned with the permanent stigma, of one cell. Seeds numer- 
 ous, roundish. Receptacle central, unconnected. 
 
 Ess. Ch. Corolla of nine petals. Calix of three leaves, deciduous. Berry of one cell, 
 crowned with the stigma. Ency. 
 
 Podophyllum peltatum ; stem one-flowered ; leaves peltate, palmate, lobate ; lobes 
 cuneate, incised. Barton’s Compendium Florje Philadelphia, vol. ii. p. 9. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Axapodophyllum Canadense. Catesb. 
 
 Aconitifolia humilis, flore albo unico campanulato fructu cynosbati. Mentz. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Podophylli peltati, Radix ; interdum/rucius. 
 
 2 
 
Podophyllum peltatum. 
 
 ll 
 
 The generic name Podophyllum , is derived from *•««■, a foot, and 
 a leaf, from a fancied resemblance of the leaf to the web-foot 
 of aquatic birds. It was called originally by Tournef ortMapodophyllon, 
 from anas , the Latin name for a duck ; butLinnseus’s more correct no- 
 tions of derivation, caused him to modify this exceptionable word in 
 the manner it is now universally received. The species which is the 
 subject of this article, is a hardy perennial herbaceous plant, and is per- 
 haps, one of the most important medicinal vegetables indigenous to 
 our country. The root is creeping, very long, often from three to six 
 feet in length, of a burnt-umber or bistre colour externally, and yel- 
 lowish-white within. It is smooth and round, but interrupted by joints 
 or nodes, from which proceed numerous large fibres of a colour con- 
 siderably lighter than the main root. The stem is upright, simple, 
 round, smooth, yellowish-green, about a foot or fourteen inches high, 
 supporting two large leaves, and a single flower in the fork, formed by 
 the junction of the petioles. The leaves when they first appear are 
 often marked with brown discolorations; these occasionally continue 
 on them when mature. They are peltate, the petioles inclining mostly 
 towards the edge of the fissure in the base. They are palmately di- 
 vided for the most part into six large lobes, attenuated towards the 
 bottom, and irregularly incised at the top, with sometimes sharp and 
 often obtuse points. They are strongly veined, are of a fine yellow- 
 green above, pale underneath, inclining in the mature leaves to a 
 grey or bluish-green, and are reputed to possess a deleterious quality. 
 The flower is drooping, mostly of the size represented in the plate, 
 
Podophyll um peltatum . 
 
 is 
 
 consisting of three deciduous calix leaves (Fig. 8.) and from six to 
 nine white petals, delicately reticulated with veins, and forming a 
 concave flower. The pistil is somewhat urceolate, of a yellowish 
 colour and crowned with a crenate stigma, much darker. The sta- 
 mens arc from thirteen to twenty, and of a yellow colour. The fruit 
 varies much in size, according to the different situations in which 
 the plant may have grown. Its usual size is that represented in the 
 figure, or of a common plumb, but I have very frequently seen it 
 twice as large, and it is often smaller. It is, when mature, of a le- 
 mon-yellow colour, slightly maculated with round brownish dots, 
 and is crowned with the persistent stigma. It consists internally of 
 a delicate pulp, in which about a dozen seeds are immersed, attach- 
 ed by umbilicate fibres to the receptacle, which is situated more to 
 one side than the other. This fruit is extremely delicious to most 
 persons, and to many quite apperient; it may be eaten in consi- 
 derable quantities without any unpleasant effect, and being sub- 
 acid and grateful, may be considered healthful. Schoepf says, the 
 pigeons of Carolina are fattened by eating it. The seeds are about 
 twelve in number, of the size and shape represented in the draw- 
 ing, and of a light yellowish colour. 
 
 This plant is propagated so luxuriantly by the creeping of its 
 roots, that but a small proportion of the flowers produce fruit; 
 perhaps not more than one in forty or fifty; so that it is not un- 
 common to find whole patches consisting of two or three hundred 
 
Podophyllum peltatum. 1 3 
 
 plants, with scarcely more than a couple of dozen fruiting speci- 
 mens. 
 
 The May-apple is exclusively a native of North America; and is 
 found from the northern to the southern boundaries of the United 
 States, in great profusion, generally inhabiting moist, rich, and shady 
 woods, though not unfrequently met with in open or exposed situa- 
 tions, as well as often by the edges of rivulets. It appears, how- 
 ever, to delight in moist soil, being always most luxuriant in humid 
 places. When it grows in low and very wet or marshy grounds, the 
 roots become larger than usual, and quite succulent, so that in ex- 
 siccation they lose more than half their diameter. 
 
 Why this plant has received the name of May-apple, it is diffi- 
 cult to conjecture, since it only commences flowering, at least in the 
 middle and northern states, in the latter part of the month of May, 
 and is not in full bloom until the first week in June. Its fruit is not 
 mature till the latter part of September, at which time the leaves 
 have become faded to a yellow colour, or have entirely fallen off*. 
 Then is the proper period for collecting the roots for medicinal 
 uses ; they should be dried and pulverized for use. The Indians 
 dry them in the shade. (For Chemical Analysis, see Appendix.) 
 
14 
 
 Podophyllum peltatum. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 The root of the May-apple, exclusively, is used in medicine. 
 There is no indigenous plant whose medicinal virtues are better 
 ascertained at present. Its proper place in the Materia Medica, 
 is among cathartics ; and it may be ranked among the most safe and 
 active of this class of medicines. Schoepf briefly remarks that the 
 root is emetic, without specifying the dose which produces that ef- 
 fect ; and Puihn speaks of it as a powerful emetic : “ Podophylli 
 peltati radix valde emetica est.”* Like most active purgatives, this 
 medicine will occasionally act upon the stomach ; and I have on two 
 occasions found large doses, to produce full vomiting. But this is 
 certainly not the usual, or conspicuous effect of the powder ; on the 
 contrary, it almost always acts as an active purgative. In an exten- 
 sive use of this article for two years past, I have, with the exception 
 of the two instances just mentioned, uniformly found it to affect the 
 bowels ; and I have repeatedly employed it alone ; though the bet- 
 ter mode of administering it is in conjunction with the supertartrate 
 of potash, calomel or rhubarb. The root has “ often been found 
 to operate as an anthelmintic, and it is used as such by the Cherokee 
 
 # Materia Yenenaria Regni vegetabilis. 
 
Podophyllum peltatum. 
 
 15 
 
 and other southern Indians. 55 * Of this my experience affords 
 neither corroboration nor refutation ,* but in all probability the plant 
 is destitute of any specific anthelmintic virtue ; and most likely ex- 
 pels worms as calomel and many active purgatives do. The late 
 Dr. Barton tells us that he had heard much of the virtue of an ex- 
 tract of the root of May-apple, but had never himself used it. It is 
 reputed to have been found highly useful as a cathartic in colica 
 pictonum.t He seemed to think that, as a cathartic, the powder 
 possessed some advantages over rhubarb and jalap ; he does not 
 however mention in what respect he deemed it superior or prefer- 
 able. My impression, from an impartial administration of the 
 powder, in repeated trials, is, that it is equal to the common jalap of 
 the shops, in doses of the proportion of a scruple of the former, to 
 fifteen or eighteen grains of the latter ; and in this it seems indeed 
 to be preferable to the jalap, that it is less nauseous to irritable sto- 
 machs. Dr. Barton remarks, “ that Podophyllum has been thought 
 by some practitioners, to be especially adapted, as a purge, to cases 
 of intermittents, remittents and dropsy; 5 ’ and concludes by ob- 
 serving, that he “ believes the medicine possesses some narcotic 
 quality. 5 5 J 
 
 * Barton’s Collections. 
 
 f Barton’s edition of Cullen’s Materia Medica, vol. 2. p. 375. 
 i Ibid. 
 
(6 
 
 Podophyllum peltatum. 
 
 TABLE XXV. 
 
 Fig. 1. Represents the Podophyllum peltatum in flower, the stem 
 broken from Fig. 2. at the mark.+ 
 
 3. The lower portion of the stem and root of the same. 
 
 3. The mature fruit of the commonest size. 
 
 4. A cross section of the same, shewing the pulp and the at- 
 
 tachment of the seeds to the receptacle. 
 
 5. A longitudinal section of another fruit, which shews the va- 
 
 riation in the shape of the apple, and gives a different view 
 of the seeds. 
 
 6. A back view of a seed. 
 
 7. A front view of the same. 
 
 8. A view of the unexpanded flower, exhibiting the calix before 
 
 it has fallen. 
 
 9. A stamen. 
 

 
 IP ©ID ©IPWnHLiILUM^ JPElTiTATI'T/i . 
 
 Mliv 
 
* 
 
 HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 
 
 YELLOW-ROOT. 
 
 Germ. Canadische Hydrastis. (Willd.) 
 
 French. Hydraste de Canada. 
 
 Hydrastis Canadensis. L. Sp. PI. 784. Mant. 408. Hort. Kew. ii. 273. Mill. Pli. ic. 
 190. t. 285. Stokes’s Bot. Mat. Med. iii. 278. Houttuyn. Lin. Pfl. Syst. vii. p. 
 379. Mich. FI. Am. Boreal, i. 317. Pursh. FI. Am. ii. 389. Muhl. Cat. 57. 
 Willd. Sp. PI. ii. p. 1340. Coxe’s Disp. ed. 3d. 374. Dyckman’s Ed. Disp. 
 416. Barton’s Collections, ed. 3d. par. i. p. 9. par. ii. p. 13. Bart. Comp. 
 FI. Ph. ii. p. 22. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. p. 61. Juss. 232. Lamarck, Diet. v. 3. 
 151. lllustr. t. 500. Lin. Gen. PI. 283. Schreb. 379. Mart. Mill. Diet. v. 2. 
 Bart. Elem. Bot. par. 3. p. 70. 
 
 HYDRASTIS. 
 
 Gen. PI. ed. Schreb. n. 958. 
 
 Hydrastis. Cal. 0. Petala 3. Nedaria 0. Bacca composita acinis monospermis. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Ranunculacece. Classis XIII. Ordo I. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 3 
 
K 
 
 1 8 Hydrastis Canadensis. 
 
 Hydrastis, L. * Calix 0. Petala 3. Baccje numerosse minima 1 . Caulis alterne 2-phyl- 
 lus, foliis palmatis ; flos solitarius terminalis ; fructus et habitus Rubi herbacei. 
 Alb n is Podophyllo, sed polygyna. An semini perispennum corneum ? 
 
 Juss. Gen. Plant, ed. 1789. p. 232. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Multisiliqiice ? 
 
 Classis Polyandria. Ordo Polygynia. Lin. Syst. 
 
 Gen. Cli. Cal. Perianth none. Cor. Petals three, ovate, regular. Stam. Filaments nu- 
 merous, linear, compi’essed, a little shorter than the corolla; anthers com- 
 pressed, obtuse. Pist. Germcns numerous, ovate, forming themselves into an 
 ovate head ; styles very short ; stigmas broadish, compressed. Peric. Berry 
 composed of oblong grains. Seeds solitary, oblong. 
 
 Ess. Ch. Calix none. Petals three. Nectary none. Berry composed of single-seeded 
 grains. Ency. 
 
 Hydrastis Canadensis; caule superne opposite diphyllo; foliis petiolatis basi emargi- 
 natis, palmatis, serratis, ineisis; pcdunculo terminali solitario unifloro.* — 
 Willd. and Pursh. 
 
 Stem above oppositely two-leaved ; leaves pctiolate, emarginate at the base, pal- 
 mate, serrate, incised ; pedmicle terminal, solitary, one-flowered. B. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Warneba Canadensis. Mill. 
 
 Hydroimiyulum verum Canadensium. Sp. PI. 1. p. 146. 
 
 PH ARM. 
 
 Hydrastis Canadensis, Radix. 
 
 Among the numerous distinguished contributors to the herbarium 
 of Linmeus, was the industrious Mr. John Ellis ; and to him we are 
 2 
 
 % 
 
Hydrastis Canadensis. 
 
 19 
 
 indebted for the generic name Hydrastis, and the first description of 
 the only species of the genus yet discovered.* Linnaeus seems, 
 through some misapprehension in the history or discovery of this 
 plant, or some confusion relative to the communication of it by 
 Mr. Ellis, to have supposed that his friend designed to commemorate 
 “ a young lady of noble birth other botanists have thought it pro- 
 bable,! that the name had a reference to the natural situation of the 
 plant, from water, or »<$>£<*, an imbibing of water. It is ex- 
 tremely doubtful whether this was really the derivation of the word ; 
 for the plant, as far as any thing of its natural history is known to me, 
 is neither remarkable for imbibing, nor for growing in the vicinity 
 of water ; neither does it appear to delight in a very moist soil, for 
 in the vicinity of Lancaster, where I have met with the greatest abund- 
 ance of it, and where it grows in profusion, it is confined altogether 
 to shady woods of rich soil. It was first cultivated in England by 
 P. Miller, in 1759, and is erroneously there called, a bog-plant . 
 
 The root consists of a tortuous or gibbous caudex, from which 
 proceed a great number of tolerably large fibrous portions ; all of a 
 bright yellow colour, but the fibres rather more brilliant than the 
 
 * I am aware that Walter has described a species by the name of H. Carolinensis, 
 but it is probably nothing more than a local variety of this one. Dr. Muhlenberg 
 has introduced it in his catalogue with the doubtful mark. 
 
 f Edit. Article Hydrastis. Rees’s Ency, 
 
20 
 
 Hydrastis Canadensis. 
 
 main root. It shrinks considerably in drying, often losing two- 
 thirds of its bulk. The stem is upright, from eight to twelve inches 
 high, round and finely pubescent or hairy, especially in the young 
 state of the plant. It is terminated by two leaves of unequal size, 
 beyond the smaller of which the peduncle projects to the length of 
 three quarters of an inch, and is terminated by a single three- 
 petalled, white or very pale rose-coloured flower. 
 
 The leaves are petiolated, emarginate at the base, palmate, un- 
 equally serrated, three, four, or five lobed, the lobes having a smaller 
 lobe on each side. The leaves are at first small during the flores- 
 cence, but afterwards become much larger, as represented in the 
 outline (Fig. 2.) When the plant is quite advanced, they are often 
 even larger than that figure. The fruit is said to be about the size 
 of a raspberry, and of a bright red colour. It is a compound berry, 
 consisting of a number of muricated acini, the points occasioned by 
 the persistent styles. This plant is in flower in the beginning of 
 May, but as the petals are fugacious, it is seldom seen in full 
 florescence. I have not myself seen it except just after the petals 
 had fallen ; in consequence of which I have been obliged to make 
 the drawing of the petals, from a specimen in the Muhlenbergian 
 Herbarium. Hydrastis is not a very common plant, except westward 
 of the Allegehany mountains, where it is said to grow in profusion. 
 It is however sufficiently abundant in the woods near Lancaster, in 
 Pennsylvania. In the neighbourhood of this city, it is very rare. 1 
 
Hydrastis Canadensis. %i 
 
 have two or three times found it on the Wissahickon creek, near 
 Germantown. The young plants which appear in midsummer have 
 but a single leaf. (For the Chemical Analysis, see Appendix.) 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 The medicinal virtues of Hydrastis, reside in the root. When 
 dried, it has a strong and somewhat narcotic smell, and it is exceed- 
 ingly bitter. Hence spirituous infusions of it are used, and recom- 
 mended by country practitioners, for their tonic effect. It is a com- 
 mon practice in some parts of our country, particularly in Kentucky, 
 in the vicinity of the falls of Ohio, to use a cold, strained infusion, in 
 inflammation of the eyes. This fact was known to the late Pro- 
 fessor Barton who has mentioned it in his “ Collections and on 
 his authority it has been introduced into our Dispensatories. This 
 plant has been described to me by a gentleman of my class from 
 Kentucky, as being much used in the manner just mentioned. The 
 commendations which have been bestowed on yellow-root, have, 
 unfortunately, not been confined, as perhaps they should have been, 
 to the bitter-tonic virtues which it indubitably possesses ; but a mere 
 supposition, rather inadvertently thrown out by the late Professor 
 Barton, that “ the Cherokee Indians employ a plant in the cure of 
 cancer, which is thought to be Hydrastis,” has caused some persons 
 
Hydrastis Canadensis. 
 
 .22 
 
 to attacii to its other medicinal qualities, the questionable power of 
 curing or alleviating cancer ; and it is much to be regretted that 
 I)r. Dyckman, in his valuable edition of the Edinburg Dispensatory, 
 has mentioned cancer as one of the diseases for which Hydrastis is 
 a remedy. It is, I believe, not to be doubted, that there is scarcely 
 a plant distinguished for any medical powers that is not, in some 
 part oi’ other of our country, commended by the vulgar, as a cancer- 
 remedy. The almost irremediate nature of that disease by any 
 other means than the surgeon’s knife, is the obvious cause of such 
 perpetual recurrence to a multitude of remedies, which have, in all 
 probability, no other claim to the name of cancer-remedies, than that 
 which exists in the imaginations of the credulous persons who em- 
 ploy them, and whose temerity in the indiscriminate use of active 
 plants in the treatment of this disease, is unrestrained by that fear, 
 which knowledge inspires, and uncontrolled by a sense of the dan- 
 ger of using acrid or irritating applications. I have made some 
 trials with the pulverised root and spirituous tincture of Hydrastis ; 
 and these sufficiently justify me in recommending it to the notice of 
 physicians as a strong tonic bitter. Yet I confess myself unwilling 
 to believe that the plant is possessed of any properties sufficiently 
 active, or of such a nature, as to lead to any reasonable expectation 
 of being serviceable in cancers ; though it is probable enough that it 
 is one of the numerous vegetable bases of the many quack medicines 
 for this disorder. 
 
7S*V.‘ 26‘ 
 
 
 Ft a. J . 
 
 % 
 
 Dtnurrt /r\m, VaSt/sr 6/l / FPi 'Jjar6sn 
 
 I II YBHAOTI s vjmimwpp . 
 
 ( Mlow = IHooi . ) 
 
Hydrastis Canadensis. 
 
 23 
 
 (Economical use. 
 
 The root of Hydrastis affords a juice of a brilliant yellow colour, 
 which has been employed for the purpose of dyeing. 
 
 TABLE XXVI. 
 
 Fig. 1. Represents a flowering specimen of Hydrastis Canadensis, 
 about the usual size during florescence. 
 
 2 . The size of the leaves when the plant is further advanced 
 
 and in fruit. 
 
 3 . A petal. 
 
 4. A stamen, a very little magnified. 
 
 5. Represents the immature fruit about half advanced towards 
 
 perfection, and about one-third of the size of the full 
 grown berry. I have figured it in this imperfect state, 
 never having seen the mature fruit. 
 

 
 
 . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 r 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 • - . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 
 
OROBANCHE VIRGINIAN A. 
 
 CANCER-ROOT. BEECH DROPS. 
 
 Virginian Broom-rape. 
 
 Germ. Virginisclie Sommerwurz. (Willd.) 
 
 Okobanche Virginiana. L. Sp. PL 882. Walt. 167. Gron. Virg. 96. Mor. Hist. ox. 
 s. 12. t. 16. row. 1. f. 9. Stokes’s Mat. Med. iii. p. 408. Schoepf. 101. Coxe’s 
 Disp. ed. 3d. p. 465. Dyckman’s Ed. Disp. 418. Barton’s Collections, ed. 3d. 
 par. 2. p. 6. Mich. FI. Boreali-Am. ii. p. 26. Pursh. FI. Am. Sep. ii. p. 431. 
 Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. ii. p. 60. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. 66. Bart. Comp. FI. Ph. ii. 
 p. 50. Muhl. Cat. 61. Walt. Carol. 167. Raj. Supp. 595. Houttuyn. Lin. 
 Pfl. Syst. 8. p. 152. Willd. Sp . XI. tom. in. par. 1. p. o50« Xnn. Gen. 321. 
 Schreb. 421. 
 
 OROBANCHE. 
 
 Gen. PI. ed. Schreb. n. 1045. 
 
 Cal. 2-4. s. 5-fidus. Cor. ringens. Caps. 1-locularis, 2-valvis, polysperma. Glandula 
 sub basi germinis. 
 
 YOL. II. 
 
 4 
 
26 
 
 Orobanche Virginiana. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Peilicularcs. Classis VIII. Ordo II. 
 
 Orobanche, T. L. * Orobanche. Calix 3-bracteatus, nunc tubulosus 5-fidus insequalis, 
 nunc subnullus bracteis 2 interioribus latioribus 2-fidis calicem supplentibus. 
 Corolla tubulosa ventricosa irregularis 2-labiata, supra concava emarginata, 
 infra reflex a 3-fida insequalis. Stamina 4 didynama, sub labio superiore. Ger- 
 mcn basi glandulosum; stylus 1; stigma 2-lobum. Capsula acuminata 1-locu- 
 laris 2-valvis polysperma, singula valva medio 2-placentari et seminifera, 
 seminibus minutissimis. Herbse subcarnosse rufescentes, parasiticse plantarum 
 radicibus innascentes ; radix tuberosa, squamis imbricata ; caulis alterne squa- 
 mulosus, ssepe simplex ; flores bracteati, spicati terminales. Species qusedam 
 scapo nudo 1-floro, flore spathaceo aflines Lathrseis 1-floris. Thunbergius 
 Phelypece nomine describit herbam Orobanche similem, unicaulem, aphyllam, 
 squamulosam, dioicam apice florentem, calice 2-partito bracteiformi, corolla 
 6-partita connivente ciliata pilosa, filamento 1-hypogyno, anthera clavata, ger- 
 mine supero, stylo 1, stigmate capitato, capsula columnari 7-valvi 7-loculari 
 polysperma, columna intra fructum centrali : an planta vere corollata, aut 
 vere 1-andra? Juss. Gen. Plant, ed. 1789. p. 101-2. 
 
 Gen. Ch. Perianth inferior, of two leaves, mostly divided, lateral, sometimes com- 
 bined at their base, erect, coloured, permanent. Cor. of one petal, ringent, 
 withering. Tube bending, ample, inflated. Limb spreading ; its upper lip con- 
 cave, dilated, notched ; lower reflexed, three cleft, uneven at the margin, 
 notched,' its segments various in size and proportion. Nectary a gland, in 
 front, at the base of the germen. Stam. Filaments four, awl-shaped, conceal- 
 ed under the upper lip, two of them longest ; anthers erect, approximated, 
 shorter than the corolla, tumid, two-lobed, and acutely awned. Pist. Germen 
 superior, oblong ; style simple, the length and position of the stamens; stigma 
 drooping, thick, of two obtuse lobes. Peric. Capsule ovate-oblong, pointed, 
 of one cell and two valves. Seeds numerous, minute. Receptacles four, linear, 
 lateral, attached to the valves. 
 
Orobanche Yirginiana. 
 
 27 
 
 Ess. Ch. Calix of two natural leaves. Corolla ringent. Capsule of one cell and two 
 valves. Seeds numerous. A gland under the germen in front. Ency. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Personatce. 
 
 Classis Didynamia. Ordo Jlngiospermia. Lin. Syst. 
 
 Orobanche Yirginiana ; caule ramoso, floribus alternis distantibus, corollis deciduis 
 4-dentatis. Willd. and Pursh. 
 
 Stem branched, flowers alternate, distant,* corollas deciduous, 4-toothed. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Orobanche caule ramoso, floribus distantibus. Gron. 
 O. minor Yirginiana lignosior, &c. Morris. 
 Epifagtts Americanus. Nutt. 
 
 Epipagus Virginianus. Bart. Comp. FI. Ph. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Orobanch. Virg. Radix et Herba. 
 
 The Cancer-root is a very singular, handsome, and interest- 
 ing parasitic plant. It belongs to a genus which is the o ? *p* yx>1 
 of the Greeks ; so named from «;•£•{, a vetch, and to strangle , 
 or suffocate , because the species of the genus designated by this 
 name were supposed to starve, or render barren, the different plants 
 on which they grow. The name of Broom-rape , by which all the 
 species of the genus are designated in England, was given in conse- 
 
28 
 
 Qrobanche Virginiana. 
 
 quence of the Orobanche having been originally discovered in that 
 country, to be parasitic on the broom. 
 
 The present species is singular in its liabit and structure, and in- 
 teresting, because of the agency there is good reason to suppose it 
 had in the formation of a celebrated cancer-powder. The whole 
 plant is somewhat fleshy ; it is herbaceous and wholly without ver- 
 dure, or even any approximation to that common hue of the vegeta- 
 ble creation. It is frequently altogether of a sickly yellow colour, 
 but most commonly is of a pale pink, with longitudinal stripes of 
 dark purple, white and yellow. These stripes are on the ridges of 
 the stems and branches, all which are finely furrowed. The root is 
 tuberous, yellow, carnose, covered with short convoluted and mat- 
 ted fibres on its lower end, and interspersed with squamose projec- 
 tions towards its junction with the stalk. The stem is glabrous, 
 erect, about twelve or fifteen inches high, much branched from the 
 base, and garnished with scattered, short ovate scales instead of 
 leaves, of which it is entirely destitute. The flowers are numerous, 
 remote, alternate, and situated just above the cauline scales. The 
 calix is a short membranaceous cup, with five vertical acute ribs 
 projecting above, and joined together by their crenate margin. The 
 acute points of those projections are deep purple, inclining to crow- 
 black. The corolla of the fertile or fruiting flowers, is small, being 
 in reality, little else than a four-toothed scale, crowning the large 
 and rapidly enlarging germ, after the manner of the calyptra of 
 
Orobanclie Virginiana. 
 
 29 
 
 mosses. This corolla, which is represented by the beak-like pro- 
 cess in (Fig. 5.) is extremely deciduous, owing to the increase in 
 the size of the germs, which is very rapid, as well as to their oblique 
 form. The later and infertile flowers, which are numerous, and 
 situated towards the tops or extremities of the branches, are about 
 half an inch long, arcuate, tubular, compressed, and bilabiate : the 
 upper lip is somewhat notched, the lower three-toothed ; their ca- 
 lices are like those of the primary or fertile flowers, but their co- 
 rollas are of a cream-white, delicately striped with rose-red, and 
 have, on close inspection, a very beautiful appearance. The pale 
 yellow specimens are generally destitute of these long tubular 
 flowers. The stamens are four in number, rarely exserted, but 
 have no attachment to the corolla ,• they are furnished with smooth 
 filaments, crowned with small globose pubescent anthers. The 
 style is simple and smooth. The capsule which opens only on one 
 side, contains an immense number of very minute, ovate, yellowish- 
 white seeds, resembling coarse meal. 
 
 It has been already said, that this is a parasitic plant, and it is 
 chiefly, if not always found growing on the roots of the Beech, 
 ( Fagus sylvatica , and F. feruginea .) Hence the common name 
 Beech-drops , from the vulgar notion, that as the plant is found under 
 the shade of those trees, it is produced by some kind of seed 
 falling from them. The vulgar name cancer -root, may have had its 
 origin in the cancerous like structure, if I may so speak, of the root,* 
 
30 Orobanche Virginiana. 
 
 or perhaps from the use made of the plant in the treatment of 
 cancers. 
 
 Mr. Nuttall says this plant is “ equally indigenous to every part 
 of North America.’’ In the neighbourhood of this city, it is very 
 abundant, particularly in the woods above the falls of the Schuyl- 
 kill, on the west side ; where it covers the ground for rods together. 
 It is in full flower in those situations, about the tenth of September, 
 at which time it should be gathered for medical use. (For Chemical 
 Analysis, see Appendix.) 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 The cancer-root is now introduced into all our dispensatories, and 
 has obtained, whether deservedly or not. I am unable from any ex- 
 perience on the subject to say, not a little reputation as a remedy 
 for cancer. The chief claim it has to any consideration as an effica- 
 cious application to cancerous affections, is derived from the cir- 
 cumstance of its having been collected by Dr. Hugh Martin, in the 
 neighbourhood of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of mak- 
 ing his renowned cancer-powder,* a preparation supposed to consist 
 
 * See Barton’s Collections, ed. 3d. par. 2. p. 8. 
 
Orobanche Virginicma. 
 
 31 
 
 of the white oxyd of arsenic* and this vegetable base. On this subject 
 the late Professor Barton has made these observations : “ The Oro- 
 
 * Since there is so much reason to believe that the subject of tiiis article was really 
 the vegetable base of this celebrated powder, it may be useful to quote Professor 
 Rush’s paper on the subject, at length. I do this the more willingly, because the 
 transactions of the Philosophical Society in which it is published, are not very ac- 
 cessible to most persons. 
 
 An account of the late Dr. Hugh Martin’s Cancer Powder, with brief observations 
 on cancers. By Benjamin Rush, M. D., &c. &c. “ A few years ago a certain Dr. 
 
 Hugh Martin, a surgeon of one of the Pennsylvania regiments stationed at Fort Pitt, 
 during the latter part of the late war, came to this city, and advertised to cure cancers 
 with a medicine which he said he had discovered in the woods, in the neighbourhood of 
 the garrison. As Dr. Martin had once been a pupil of mine, I took the liberty of wait- 
 ing upon him, and asked him some questions respecting his discovery. His answers 
 were calculated to make me believe, that his medicine was of a vegetable nature, and 
 that it was originally an Indian remedy. He shewed me some of the medicine, which 
 appeared to be the powder of a well-dried root of some kind. Anxious to see the success 
 of this medicine in cancerous sores, I prevailed upon the doctor to admit me to see him 
 apply it in two or three cases. I observed in some instances, lie applied a powder to 
 the parts affected, and in others only touched them with a feather dipped in a liquid 
 which had a white sediment, and which he made me believe was the vegetable root dif- 
 fused in water. It gave me great pleasure to witness the efficacy of the doctor’s appli- 
 cations. In several cancerous ulcers, the cures he performed were complete. Where 
 the cancers were much connected with the lymphatic system, or accompanied with a 
 scrophulous habit of body, his medicine always failed, and in some instances did evi- 
 dent mischief. 
 
32 
 
 Orobanche Virginiana. 
 
 banche has been supposed by many persons, to have formed a part 
 of the celebrated cancer-powder of Dr. Hugh Martin, whose success 
 
 “ Anxious to discover a medicine that promised relief in even a few cases of cancers, 
 and supposing that all the caustic vegetables were nearly alike, 1 applied the phyto- 
 lacca or poke root, the stramonium, the arum, and one or two others, to foul ulcers, 
 in hopes of seeing the same effects from them which I had seen from Dr. Martin’s 
 powder; but in these I was disappointed. They gave some pain, but performed no 
 cures. At length I was furnished by a gentleman from Fort Pitt with a powder which 
 [ had no doubt, from a variety of circumstances, was of the same kind as that used by 
 Dr. Martin. I applied it to a fungous ulcer, but without producing the degrees of 
 pain, inflammation, or discharge, which I had been accustomed to see from the appli- 
 cation of Dr. Martin’s powder. After this, I should have suspected that the powder 
 was not a simple root, had not the doctor continued upon all occasions to assure me 
 that it was wholly a vegetable preparation. 
 
 “ In the beginning of the year 1784 the doctor died, and it was generally believed that 
 his medicine had died with him. A few weeks after his death, I procured from Mr. 
 Thomas Leiper, one of his administrators, a few ounces of the doctor’s powder, partly 
 with a view of applying it to a cancerous sore which then offered, and partly with a 
 view of examining it more minutely than I had been able to do during the doctor’s 
 life. Upon throwing the powder, which was of a brown colour, upon a piece of white 
 paper, I perceived distinctly a number of white particles scattered through it. I sus- 
 pected at first that they were corrosive sublimate: but the usual tests of that metallic 
 salt soon convinced me that I was mistaken. Recollecting that arsenic was the basis 
 of most of the celebrated cancer-powders that have been used in the world, I had re- 
 course to the tests for detecting it. Upon sprinkling a small quantity of the powder 
 upon some coals of fire, it emitted the garlic smell so perceptibly as tq be known by 
 
Orobanche Virginiana. 
 
 33 
 
 in the management of many cases of this dreadful disease, has been 
 acknowledged by the regular practitioners of Philadelphia, £$c. 
 
 several persons whom I called into the room where I made the experiment, and who 
 knew nothing of the object of my enquiries. After this with some difficulty I picked 
 out about three or four grains of the white powder, and bound them between two pieces 
 of copper, which I threw into the fire. After the copper pieces became red hot, I took 
 them out of the fire, and when they had cooled, discovered an evident whiteness im- 
 parted to both of them. One of the pieces afterwards looked like dull silver. These 
 two tests have generally been thought sufficient to distinguish the presence of arsenic 
 in any bodies ; but I made use of a third, which has lately been communicated to the 
 world by Mr. Bergman, and which is supposed to be in all cases infallible. 
 
 “ I infused a small quantity of the powder in a solution of a vegetable alkali in water 
 for a few hours, and then poured it upon a solution of blue vitriol in water. The colour 
 of the vitriol was immediately changed to a beautiful green, and afterwards pre- 
 cipitated. 
 
 «I shall close this paper with a few remarks upon this powder, and upon the cure of 
 cancers and foul ulcers of all kinds. 
 
 “ 1. The use of caustics in cancers and foul ulcers is very ancient, and universal. But 
 I believe arsenic to be the most efficacious of any that has ever been used. It is the 
 basis of Plunkett’s, and probably of Guy’s well known cancer-powders. The great art 
 of applying it successfully, is to dilute and mix it in such a manner as to mitigate 
 the violence of its action. Dr. Martin’s composition was happily calculated for this 
 purpose. It gave less pain than the common or lunar caustic. It excited a moderate 
 inflammation, which separated the morbid from the sound parts, and promoted a plen- 
 tiful afflux of humours to the sore during its application. It seldom produced an escar; 
 hence it insinuated itself into the deepest recesses of the cancers, and frequently sepa- 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 5 
 
34 
 
 Orobanche Virginiana. 
 
 “As early as 4785, at which time I was a student of medicine, I 
 was informed, by the people inhabiting the western parts of Penn- 
 rated these fibres in an unbroken state which are generally called the roots of the 
 cancer. Upon this account, I think, in an ulcerated cancer it is to be preferred to the 
 knife. It has no action upon the sound skin. This Dr. Hall proved by confining a 
 small quantity of it upon his arm for many hours. In those cases where Dr. Martin 
 used it to extract cancerous or schirrous tumours that were not ulcerated, I have rea- 
 son to believe that he always broke the skin with Spanish flies. 
 
 “ 2. The arsenic used by the doctor was the pure white arsenic. I should suppose 
 from the examination I made of the powder with the eye, that the proportion of ar- 
 senic to the vegetable powder, could not be more than one-fortieth part of the whole com- 
 pound. I have reason to think that the doctor employed different vegetable substances 
 at different times. The vegetable matter with which the arsenic was combined in the 
 powder which I used in my experiments, was probably nothing more than the powder 
 of the root and berries of the solanum lethale, or deadly nightshade. As the principal, 
 and perhaps the only design of the vegetable addition was to blunt the activity of the 
 arsenic, I should suppose that the same proportion of common wheat flour as the doctor 
 used of his caustic vegetables, would answer nearly the same purpose. In those cases 
 where the doctor applied a feather dipped in a liquid to the sore of his patient, I have 
 no doubt but his phial contained nothing but a weak solution of arsenic in water. This 
 is no new method of applying arsenic to foul ulcers. Dr. Way of Wilmington, has 
 spoken in the highest terms to me of a wash for foulnesses on the skin, as well as old 
 ulcers, prepared by boiling an ounce of white arsenic in two quarts of water to three 
 pints, and applying it once or twice a day. 
 
 « 3. I mentioned formerly that Dr. Martin was often unsuccessful in the application 
 of his powder. This was occasioned by his using it indiscriminately in all cases. In 
 
 a 
 
Orobanche Virginiana. 
 
 35 
 
 sylvania and Virginia, that this Orobanche formed the principal part, 
 if not the whole, of Martin’s powder. It was even said, that Martin, 
 
 schirrous and cancerous tumours, the knife should always be preferred to the caustic. 
 In cancerous ulcers attended with a scrophulous or a bad habit of body, such particu- 
 larly as have their seat in the neck, in the breasts of females, and in the axillary glands, 
 it can only protract the patient’s misery. Most of the cancerous sores cured by Dr. 
 Martin were seated on the nose, or cheeks, or upon the surface or extremities of the 
 body. It remains yet to discover a cure for cancers that taint the fluids, or infect the 
 whole lymphatic system. This cure I apprehend must he sought for in diet, or iu the 
 long use of some internal medicine. 
 
 “To pronounce a disease incurable, is often to render it so. The intermitting fever, 
 if left to itself, would probably prove frequently, and perhaps more speedily fatal than 
 cancers. And as cancerous tumours and sores are often neglected, or treated impro- 
 perly by injudicious people, from an apprehension that they are incurable, (to which 
 the frequent advice of physicians “ to let them alone,” has no doubt contributed) per- 
 haps the introduction of arsenic into regular practice as a remedy for cancers, may in- 
 vite to a more early application to physicians, and thereby prevent the deplorable cases 
 that have been mentioned, which are often rendered so by delay or unskilful manage- 
 ment. 
 
 “ 4. It is not in cancerous sores only that Dr. Martin’s powder has been found to do 
 service. In sores of all kinds, and from a variety of causes, where they have been at- 
 tended with fungous flesh or callous edges, I have used the doctor’s powder with ad- 
 vantage. 
 
 “ I flatter myself that I shall be excused in giving this detail of a quack medicine, 
 when the society reflect that it was from the inventions and temerity of quacks, that 
 physicians have derived some of their most active and useful medicines.” Trans. Amer. 
 Phil. Soc. vol. 2. p. 212. 
 
f 
 
 36 Orobanche Virgmiana. 
 
 who had passed some time at Fort Pitt, was known to have collect- 
 ed the plant for the purpose. I believe it to be a fact sufficiently 
 established, that the basis, or perhaps rather the most active part, 
 of Martin’s powder, was the oxyd of arsenic. This has been shown 
 by a chemical examination of the powder, and by other circum- 
 stances nearly as decisive. Thus comatose affections, such as are 
 known to be induced by arsenic, have been induced by the powder 
 of Martin, even when externally applied in cancerous ulcers. A case 
 of tliis kind came under the notice of a physician in Philadelphia. 
 The patient seemed to fall a victim to the application of the medi- 
 cine. 
 
 “ But the powder of Martin did not consist entirely of the oxyd of 
 arsenic. This is certain. I believe it to be certain also, that he 
 combined with the arsenic, a vegetable matter; and from what has 
 been said, it would seem not entirely improbable, that this vegetable 
 was the Orobanche Virginiana. 
 
 “ It may be said, and it is not impossible, that Martin added the 
 vegetable matter merely to disguise the arsenic, reposing, at the 
 same time, all his confidence in the arsenic alone. I think it more 
 probable, however, that the superior efficacy of Martin’s powder, 
 and of the powders in the hands of other empirical practitioners, 
 has been, in part, owing to tSie addition of something to the arsenic. 
 If there be no foundation for this suspicion, how has it happened, 
 
Orobanche Virginiana. 
 
 37 
 
 that in the management of cancers, the empirical practitioners have 
 often succeeded so much better with their medicines than the regu- 
 lar physicians have done ? Both use arsenic. Some of the cancer- 
 powders, employed by empirics, in Europe, are known to have been 
 composed, in part, of arsenic and a vegetable matter. The cele- 
 brated powder of Plumked was made up of arsenic, the root of a 
 species of Ranunculus, or Crow-foot, and sulphur. 
 
 “ Whatever may have been the vegetable which Martin used in 
 combination with arsenic, it is certain, that the powder of the Oro- 
 banche, or Cancer-root, has been of great service (in Philadelphia, 
 £$c.) externally applied to obstinate ulcers, some of which had re- 
 sisted the applications that are commonly made use of in such cases. 
 It would be well to try the effects of this vegetable in those dreadful 
 ulcerations, by some writers deemed cancerous, which are too 
 frequently the consequence of the use of mercury, when it has been 
 given in large quantity. Cases of the kind I allude to, are recorded 
 by Dr. Donald Monro, Mr. Adams, in a valuable work, and other 
 writers. I have had occasion to see some ulcerations of the same 
 kind in Philadelphia. They often refuse to yield to stimulating or 
 to mild applications. 
 
 “ With the view to encourage further enquiry into the nature and 
 properties of the Orobanche Virginiana, I may here mention, that 
 one of the European species of this genus, the Orobanche major, or 
 
38 
 
 Orobanche Virginiana. 
 
 Greater Broom-rape, is a very powerful astringent, and is said to have 
 been found useful, externally applied, in cases of ulcers. This I men- 
 tion on the respectable authority of sir John Floyer. The activity of 
 the European plant may even be inferred from the fact mentioned 
 bv Schreber, that cattle do not eat it.”* 
 
 It would seem then, that the cancer-root is an active vegetable, 
 and it would be naturally expected, from the foregoing account of 
 its effects, to be considerably astringent. This is the fact, and its as- 
 tringency is very perceptible to the taste in the recent, and in the 
 dry plant. When fresh, the plant is also bitter and nauseous to the 
 taste ; exsiccation seems to lessen in some degree its sensible pro- 
 perties. 
 
 Dr. Barton tells us “ it has been celebrated in dysentery.’’ He 
 does not mention the manner nor the dose in which it has been ad- 
 ministered in that complaint; and as I have never administered it 
 myself internally, I am not prepared to offer any opinion on the 
 subject. 
 
 Upon the whole, the cancer-root may be justly said to have a 
 claim to the attention of physicians and surgeons, for further and 
 more extensive trials of its virtues than have heretofore been made. 
 (For the Chemical Analysis, see Appendix.) 
 
 * Barton’s Collections, ed. 3d. par. 2. p. 6. 
 
OJROBiWC HE VJI1R G ITM il A MA . 
 
 ( ^anrci'-fool . Be cell- drops. ) 
 
Orobanche Virginiana. 
 
 39 
 
 TABLE XXYII. 
 
 Fig. l. Represents the upper portion of a flowering specimen of 
 Orobanche Virginiana, separated from the thickest stem 
 of No. 2 . 
 
 2 . The root and lower part of the same. 
 
 3. A tubular infertile flower, with its calix. 
 
 4. Calix, stamens, and pistil. 
 
 5 . A fertile flower with the gibbous germ full of immature 
 
 seeds, situated in the calix. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 m . 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENT ARIA, 
 
 VIRGINIAN SNAKE-ROOT. 
 
 Snakeweed Root. Snake-root Birthwort. 
 
 Germ. Die Schlangenosterluzey, die Virginische Schlangen oder Vipernwurzel.— > 
 Arzeneykraftige Osterluzey. (Willd.) 
 
 Dutch. Slangenwortel, Virginische Slangenwortel. 
 
 Danish. Slangrod. 
 
 Swedish. Ormrot. 
 
 French. L’aristoloche serpentaire, vulg. Serpentaire ou Coluvrine de Virginie. 
 Portugu. &c. Serpentaria de Virginia. 
 
 Aristoxochia serpentaria. L. Sp. PI. 1363. Mat. Med. 196. Gron. Virg. 140. 
 Mill. Diet. n. 6. Pluk. Aim. 50. t. 148. f. 5. Catesb. Car. 1. p. 29. t. 29. 
 Raj. Suppl. 394. Mor. Hist. 3. p. 510. s. 12. t. 17. f. 14. Pluk. Aim. 50. 
 t. 78. f. 1. Willd. Sp. PI. tom. iv. par. 1. p. 159. Walt. Carol. 223. Woodv. 
 ii. 291. t. 106. Gron. Virg. ed. 1st. 112. Park, theatr. 420. Ger. by Johns. 
 848. n. 6. line 16th? Bannister in Phil. Trans. Abr. ii. 644. Alst. 1. 520. 
 Chaim. 1. 67. 149. 152. 155. 165. 186 ; ii. 6. 115. 167. 208. Hume in Lett, 
 and Ess. 257. Lew. ii. 364. Mead. Mon. ii. 90. Ploucq. Bibl. 1. 506. 516. 
 Pott. iii. 158. Quarin. Febr. 36. 69. 92. 121 ; animad. 176. Smyth Jail Dist. 
 VOL. II. 6 
 
42 
 
 Aristolochia serpent aria. 
 
 121. Stoll. Med. iii. 109. Underw. 1. 77. 259. Pharm. Edin. Hoven, ac- 
 count from, in Med. Rev. ii. 363. Lew. Disp. by Dune. 153. Murr. J. i. 
 1S4 ,• ii. 69. Pearson, R. i. 245 ; ii. 170 ; ed. 2d. 328. Valentine, account from, 
 in Chir. Rev. xi. 240. Pharm. Lond. Berg. 716. Bruce in Lind. Hot Clim. 
 254. Cartheus. iii. 68. Cold, in Med. Obs. i. 221. Cull. ii. 85. Dale 194. 
 Douglas, account from, in Med. Ess. iv. 390. Fuller. Pharm. 75. Geoffr. ii. 
 141. Herm. 36. Hill 61. Hillary Barb. 128. 165. Lin. 235. Mead. Mon. i. 33. 
 46. Mill. Jos. 410. Monro, iii. 265 j Sold. 258. Murr. i. 348. Robertson Fev. 
 375. Rutty. 482. Schoepf. 131. Spielm. 297. Stoll. Med. 1. 8. 45. 54. 
 apli. n. 678. Underw. 1. 94. Vog. 211. Wintringh. in Mead. 1. 223. 230. 
 Pharm. Austriaco. Prov. 67. Clark. LongVoyag. 175. 261. Hume, in Lett, 
 and Ess. 229. Jackson Jam. 236. 322. 333. Lempr. ii. 162. 174. 191, 192. 
 Lind. Hot. Clim. 104 $ Seam. 202. Moseley 162. 169. 222. Pott iii. 359. 
 Pringle 274 j app. 108. Lind. Seam. 259. Pringle 311. Rush v. 182. 
 Bisset Ess. 75. Stokes’s Bot. Mat. Med. ii. p. 275. Barton’s Collections, 3d. 
 ed. Coxe’s Disp. 3d. ed. 201. Thatcher’s Disp. 3d. ed. p. 151. Pharm. 
 Mass. Med. Soc. 7. Barton’s Cullen, ii. 59, 60, 61. Dyckman’s Edin. Disp. 
 183. Pursh. FI. Am. Sep. ii. 596. Mich. FI. Boreali-Am. ii. 162. Miihl. 
 Cat. 85. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. ii. 199. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. 87. Bart. Comp. 
 FI. Ph. ii. 146. 
 
 ARISTOLOCHIA. 
 
 Gen. PI. ed. Schreb. n. 1383. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Aristolochice. Classis VI. Ordo I. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Sarmentacece. 
 
 Artificial Syst. Lin. Classis Gynandria. Ordo Hexandria. 
 
 Cal. none. Cor. 1-petala, ligulata, basi ventricosa. Caps. 6-locularis, polysperma infera. 
 
 2 
 
Aristolochia serpentaria. 
 
 43 
 
 Aristolochia, T. L.* Jlristoloche. Calix coloratus tubulosus, basi ventricosus, apice 
 dilatatus, in ligulam extensus, antherse 6-subsessiles sub-stigmate. Stylus sub- 
 nullus ; stigma 6-partitum. Capsula 6-gona, 6-locularis. Caulis erectus aut 
 volubilis ; folia alterna ; Sores axillares ,• tubus quorumdam scyphiformis in- 
 curvus. Juss. Gen, Plant, ed. 1789. p. 73. 
 
 Calix none. Corolla of one petal, ligulate, with a ventricose base. Capsule six- 
 celled, many-seeded, inferior. 
 
 Gen. Ch. Cal. none. Cor. Monopetalous, tubular, irregular; base swelling, subglo- 
 bular, tortulose ; tube oblong, hexagon-cylindric ; limb dilated, extended be- 
 low into a long tongue. Stain. Filaments none ; anthers six, fastened at the 
 bottom of the stigmas, four-celled. Fist. Germ oblong, inferior, angular; 
 style scarcely any ; stigma sub-globular, six-parted, concave. Per. Capsule 
 large, six-angled, six-celled. Seeds several, depressed, incumbent. Ency. 
 
 Ess. Gen. Ch. Stigmas six. Cal. none. Cor. Monopetalous, tongue-shaped, entire. 
 Caps, six-celled, inferior. 
 
 Aristolochia serpentaria : foliis cordatis oblongis, acuminatis, caule flexuoso ad- 
 scendente, pedunculis radicalibus, corollse labio lanceolato. Willd. 
 
 Leaves cordate, oblong, acuminate ; stem flexuous, adscendent ; peduncles radi- 
 cal ; lip of the corolla lanceolate. B. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Aristolochia pistolochia, s. serpentaria Yirginiana, caule nodoso. Pluk. Catesb. 
 Aristolochia pistolochia, caule nodoso; s. serpentaria Yirginiana. Raj. 
 Aristolochia polyrhizos Virginiana, fructus parvo pentangulari. Moris. 
 Polvrhizos Yirginiana. Park. 
 
 Pistolochia Yirginiana. Ger. by Johns, (the figure is A. sempervirens.) 
 Pistolochia, or Serpentaria Virginiana. Bannister. 
 
44 
 
 Aristolochia serpent aria. 
 
 Serpextaeia Virginiana of some Pharmacopoeias and medical writers, as quoted in 
 the list of references. 
 
 Serpextaeia Yirginica. Pharm. Austriaco. prov. 
 
 Snake-root of Clark, Hume, Jackson, Lempr., Lind, Moseley, Pott, Pringle, &c. &c. 
 Virginian Snake-root of Lind. Seam. 259. Pringle, 311. Rush, v. 182. Underw. 
 &c. &c. 
 
 Serpentary of Plane. 
 
 Snakeweed-root of Bisset. 
 
 Viperine of Chom. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Off. The root. 
 
 Aristolochia: serpentariae Radix. Ed. 
 Serpentaria: Radix. Lond. 
 
 Serpentaria: Virginianae Radix. Dub. 
 
 OFFICINAL PREPARATIONS. 
 
 Tinctura Aristolochiae serpentariae. Edin. Lond. Dub. 
 Tinctura Cinchonae compositae. Lon. Dub. 
 Euectuarium Opiatum. Edin. 
 
 Cataplasma Cumini. Lond. 
 
 The little plant which is the subject of this article, is well known 
 in physic, having been long employed by practitioners of the 
 healing art in many parts of the world, and always with the effect 
 
Aristolochia serpentaria. 
 
 45 
 
 of supporting its reputation as an important, active and useful 
 medicine. It belongs to a genus containing about forty-one species, 
 twenty of which are shrubby and indigenous to the tropical regions 
 of America. One of these is described by Baron Humboldt, as 
 growing on the borders of Madalena, which produces flowers so 
 large as to afford hats for children. Several species are endued 
 with medicinal virtues, but none in so remarkable a degree as the 
 present one. The Aristolochia rotunda, A. longa, A. Clematitis, were 
 formerly admitted into the Materia Medica of the British pharma- 
 copoeias ; and the last is still retained by the Edinburgh College. 
 
 The generic term Aristolochia, (Birthwort,) is derived from s, 
 and or *«'*;*, *, from the supposed use of the plants it comprises, 
 in disorders attendant on parturition. The species indigenous to 
 North America, according to Muhlenberg, are four in number, A. 
 sipho, (broad-leaved Birthwort, or Dutchman’s pipe ;) A. serpentaria, 
 (snake-root,) A. hirsuta (hairy Birthwort,) and A. sagittata, (arrow- 
 leaved Birthwort.) On an examination of the specimens of these 
 species in the Muhlenbergian Herbarium, the serpentaria , hirsuta 
 and sagittata , appeared very closely allied; and on tasting and 
 smelling the roots I could perceive no difference in their sensible 
 properties. The A. hirsuta, is the tomentosa of Mr. Nuttall ; and the 
 A. sagittata, of which I have given an outline figure of two leaves 
 from different specimens, (Fig. 6, 7 ) is the hastata of Mr. Nuttall. 
 This is hardly a distinct species, unless there be some well marked 
 discrepancy in the flowers. 
 
*16 
 
 Anstolochia serpentaria. 
 
 The most common species in the United States, is the serpentaria. 
 It has a perennial root, consisting of very numerous small fibres, 
 proceeding from a short gibbous caudex. The small roots are of a 
 yellow ochre colour, and become deep brown or black, on drying. 
 The thick and knotty portion of the root is brown. The stems are 
 slender, round, weak, flexuose, from eight to ten inches high, and 
 jointed at irregular distances. The upper portion is yellowish, the 
 lower purple. 
 
 The leaves are lanceolate-cordate, entire, acuminate, of a yellow- 
 green colour, and have short petioles. The flowers are solitary, and 
 consist of a monopetalous, brownish purple, tubular and irregular 
 corolla, without any calix. The peduncles which are slender, round, 
 and jointed, and occasionally garnished with a scale or two, are radi- 
 cal or nearly so, and so arcuate as to bury the flower for the most part 
 beneath the earth or dead leaves near the roots. The filaments are 
 wanting, and the six anthers are attached to the stigma, which is 
 nearly globular. The hexagonal capsule is dark brown, and consists of 
 six cells, which contain several minute flat seeds. This plant flowers 
 in May and June, and ripens its seeds by the last of September. 
 It inhabits rich shady woods from New England to Carolina, and 
 Pursh says it is particularly abundant in the mountains. In the neigh- 
 bourhood of this city it is not common ; it is however found in 
 some of our woods, both on the east and west side of the Dela- 
 
 ware. 
 
Aristolochia serpentaria. 
 
 4r 
 
 CHEMICAL ANALYSIS. 
 
 “ Snake-root has an aromatic smell, approaching to that of valerian, 
 but more agreeable, and a warm, bitterish pungent taste, which is not 
 easily concealed or overpowered by a large admixture of other ma- 
 terials. It gives out its active matter both to water and rectified spirit, 
 and tinges the former of a deep brown, the latter of an orange co- 
 lour. Greatest part of its smell and flavour is carried oft' in evapo- 
 ration or distillation by both menstrua : along with water there arises, 
 if the quantity of the root submitted to the operation be large, a 
 small portion of pale-coloured essential oil, of a considerable smell, 
 but no very strong taste, greatest part of the camphorated pungency, 
 as well as bitterness of the root, remaining in the inspissated extract. 
 The spirituous extract is stronger than the watery : not so much 
 from its having lost less in the evaporation, as from its containing 
 the active parts of the root concentrated into a smaller volume ; its 
 quantity amounting only to about one-half of that of the other.’’* 
 
 “ Treated with alcohol it affords a bright green tincture, which 
 is rendered turbid by water ; by filtration a small portion of green 
 matter is separated, but its transparency is not restored. It neither 
 
 * Lewis, M. M. p. 602 , 
 
48 
 
 Aristolochia serpentaria. 
 
 precipitates tannin nor gelatin, nor affects the salts of iron or tinc- 
 ture of turnsole. When the diluted tincture is distilled, the spirit and 
 tincture pass over milky, strongly impregnated with its peculiar 
 flavour.”* 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 It is remarkable that the snake-root, which is so deservedly es- 
 teemed as a medicine, has no reputation among regular practitioners 
 as a remedy for those affections for which it was first brought 
 into notice. It is now universally acknowledged to be useful in cer- 
 tain diseases, for which it was not thought of as a remedy, until a 
 considerable period subsequent to its introduction into medical prac- 
 tice. 
 
 In 1635, Dr. J. Cornutus published at Paris, a work entitled “ Cana- 
 densium plantarum, aliarumque nondum editarum, Historia and in 
 that book noticed the serpentaria under the name of Radix Sanagroel 
 Noth* Anglise, and extolled it as an effectual remedy for the bites of 
 the most poisonous serpents. f The ancient and now exploded doc- 
 
 * Edin. Disp. 
 f M. M. vol. 1. p. 521. 
 
Aristolochia serpentaria. 
 
 49 
 
 trine, that the morbific matter of malignant fevers was analogous to 
 the poison of serpents, and that its influence on the human system 
 might be obviated by the same means, led to the employment of the 
 snake-root in all fevers of a malignant type.* In accordance with 
 those notions, this plant was considered the most powerful of the me- 
 dicines termed alexipharmics, or antidotes to poisons.f But this prac- 
 tice, originating in the erroneous ideas of the old physicians, was not 
 without its usefulness. The employment of snake-root in malignant 
 fevers, led to its more general use in fevers of another kind ; and it 
 was not long before, by the united consent of the medical world, 
 this plant was acknowledged to be a powerful diaphoretic stimulant 
 and tonic ; and peculiarly suited, from the antiseptic virtue which it is 
 generally believed to possess, to such cases of disease as required 
 powerful remedies endued with such properties. The high authority 
 of Lind, Huxham, Hillary, Lysons, Monro, Cullen, Rush, and others, 
 is not wanting to support the claim of serpentaiia to a distin- 
 guished rank in the Materia Medica. It has been recommended to be 
 used in combination with Peruvian bark, in intermittent and con- 
 tinued fevers; and the bark has been found more efficacious when 
 thus used in union with the serpentaria, than when employed alone.J 
 It should be recollected, that the medical powers of this plant depend 
 
 * Woodville Med. Bot. vol. 2. p. 292. 
 
 f Ibid. 
 
 t Woodville and Lysons’ Practical Essays upon Intermitting Fevers, p. 13. 
 
 7 
 
 yol. ii. 
 
50 
 
 . iristolochia serpentaria. 
 
 chiefly on an essential oil, which it abundantly yields ; and as this, 
 like most other essential oils, is heating and stimulating, the snake- 
 root, consequently, cannot be safely administered when the pulse de- 
 mands blood-letting. But in the secondary stage of fevers, or after 
 the inflammatory action has subsided or been subdued ; and espe- 
 cially when the skin is obstinately dry, the paroxysms not termi- 
 nating by sweat, then the serpentaria may be used with much 
 advantage. It produces an immediate action on the skin, and is 
 gently diuretic. During a very extensive practice in Norfolk, Virginia, 
 in the years 1809 and 1810 , while surgeon of the frigate United States, 
 I had many opportunities of witnessing the efficacy of the serpentaria 
 in cases similar to those above described, as well as in typhus fever. 
 The sick lists were daily crowded with cases of fever incident to that 
 climate, and arising from the exposure of the crew; and at one time 
 they contained cases of typhus to the daily number of from twenty to 
 forty for a month or six weeks together. It was my constant practice 
 to use the serpentaria in those fevers, in various ways, as tincture, 
 (the officinal,) in substance, and in union with camphor and Peru- 
 vian bark. In no instance had I reason to be dissatisfied with this 
 practice, to which I have adhered in a multitude of similar cases 
 since that time, with the same beneficial effect. While I was attend- 
 ing physician of the army in the fourth military district, during the 
 late war, the hospital for recruits, and the lazaretto hospital, where 
 I also prescribed, were continually crowded with cases of pneumonia 
 typhoides. Many of the subjects of this disease, were afflicted with 
 
 2 
 
Avistolochia serpentaria. 
 
 51 
 
 unusual malignant symptoms, and great tendency to rapid prostra- 
 tion of the system. Encouraged by my former success, I used the 
 serpentaria still more extensively, often alone, but most commonly 
 with camphor, polygala senega and Peruvian bark. In some in- 
 stances, the malignity of the disease made rapid strides to dissolu- 
 tion; but in not a few I had every reason to believe the use of the 
 snake-root had been of infinite service, particularly in relieving 
 bilious vomiting. Upon the whole, I am inclined to think that the 
 serpentaria is entitled to a much more general use in our fevers 
 with putrid tendency, than is usual. Throughout the United States, 
 the country practitioners are much more in the habit of prescribing 
 it in autumnal and other fevers, than the physicians of large cities, 
 but as their voices are united in favour of the success of that prac- 
 tice, it would be well if it were more commonly imitated. The anti- 
 septic virtues of serpentaria have led to its use in gangrene; and it 
 is often externally applied as a gargle in putrid sore throat. It has 
 been found serviceable in dyspepsia, and has been known to remove 
 the disease in a short time, and remarkably to renovate and strength- 
 en the lost tone of the stomach. It has also been recommended in 
 exanthematous diseases, when the fever is of the typhoid type, to 
 support the action of the skin, and keep out the eruption. I have 
 known it used in tincture, on the borders of York and Elizabeth rivers, 
 in Virginia, as a prophylactic against agues. 
 
52 
 
 Aristolochia serpentana. 
 
 TABLE XXYIII. 
 
 Fig. 1. Represents the Aristolochia serpentaria in flower, of the na- 
 tural and common size. 
 
 2 . A section of the corolla, with the germ. 
 
 3. The capsule. 
 
 4. A seed. 
 
 5 . The reverse of the same. 
 
 6. A leaf of the variety in the Muhlenbergian Herbarium. 
 
 7. Another leaf from a different specimen in the same. 
 

 
 ■- 
 
 { ^igtalaa Sipakfl^'-'- '1 
 
 Jw.3 
 
 -- "5 ' "7 
 / 
 
 J 
 
 Tanntri T T aRantt l Sharny & Co. sc 
 
 Fid A. Rq 6 
 
 1 f 
 
 Ro.Z 
 
 
BAPTISIA TINCTORIA. 
 
 WILD INDIGO. 
 
 Indigo-weed. Horse-fly- weed. Broom. 
 
 Germ. Farbende Podalyria. (Willd.) 
 
 Baptisia tinctoria. L. Sp. PI. 534. Mant. 377. Mill. Diet. 3. Lamarck Illustr. Gen. 
 t. 327. f. 1 . Houttuyn. Lin. Pfl. Syst. 6. p. 500. Willd. Sp. PI. tom. ii. par. 1 . 
 p. 503. a. Murr. 391. Hort. Kew. ii. 534. Gron. Virg. 64. Pluk. Aim. 129 ; 
 Phyt. t. 86. f. 2. Ehret. t. 1. f. 3. Schoepf 63. Cutler 473. Mich. FI. Boreali- 
 Ara. i. 265. Pursli FI. Am. Sep. i. 308. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. i. 281. Muhl. Cat. 
 42. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. 48. Bart. Comp. FI. Ph. i. 206. Big. Florula Bost. 
 104. Thacher’s Disp. 3d. ed. 360. Coxe’s Disp. 3d. ed. 567. Brown in Hort. 
 Kew. vol. 3. p. 5. Bot. Mag. 1099. Woodville Med. Bot. ii. 292. Dyck. Ed. 
 Disp. 382. Comstock in Eclec. Rep. vol. 6. 
 
 BAPTISIA. 
 
 Ventexaxt. R. Brown. 
 
 Pouaeyria. Michaux, Lamarck. 
 
 Sophora. Lin. 
 
54 
 
 Baptism tinctoria. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Leguminoscv. Classis XIV. OrdoXI. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Papiliomcece. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Decandria. Ordo Monogynia. 
 
 Calix half 4 or 5-deft, bilabiate. Corolla papilionaceous, petals nearly equal in length; 
 vexilluin laterally reflected. Stamina deciduous. Legume ventricosc, pedicellate, 
 many-seeded. — Brown Hort. Kew. 3. p. 5. 
 
 Baptisia tinctoria; glaberrima, ramosissima, microphylla; foliis ternatis subsessili- 
 bus, foliis cuneato-obovatis rotundato-obtusis, stipulis obsoletis oblongis acutis 
 petiolo multoties brevioribus, racemis spicatis terminalibus; leguminibus ovatis 
 longo-stipitatis. — Willd. and Pursh. 
 
 Very glabrous and much branched, small-leaved; leaves ternate, subsessile, 
 folioles cuneate-obovate, round, obtuse; stipules obsolete, oblong-acute, much 
 shorter than the petiole; racemes spiked, terminal; legumes ovate, on long 
 footstalks. — Bart. Comp. FI. Ph. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Sophora tinctoria. Sp. PI. 534. 
 
 Podaltria tinctoria. Mich., Lam., and Wild. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Baptists; tinctorise, Radix et Herba. 
 
 The subject of this article was originally referred by Linn te us to 
 tbe extensive genus Sophora. Michaux, Lamarck, Willdenow, and 
 others, assigned it a place under the genus Podalyria: and more re- 
 cently it has been placed by Brown and Ventenant, as a species of 
 
Baptisia linctoria. 
 
 55 
 
 Baptisia. The latter name is given here, because it more properly 
 belongs to the genus it designates, than to either of the other two. 
 This fine, luxuriant, bushy plant is a native of North America, and 
 is almost universally known by the English name at the head of 
 tills chapter. 
 
 The root is perennial, large, ligneous, irregularly shaped, of a 
 bistre colour, inclining to black externally, and yellowish within. 
 The radicles proceeding from the main root, which is occasionally 
 ramified, are numerous, and of a lighter colour than the caudex. 
 The stalks are two or three feet high, round, yellowish-green, 
 smooth, and covered with an infinite number of black dots. They 
 are much ramified, and become more yellow towards their extre- 
 mities. The leaves are small, seldom larger than the thumb-nail, 
 ternate, cuneate-cordate, nearly sessile, and of a deep indigo-bluish- 
 green. The stipules are very minute and evanescent. The flowers 
 are gamboge-yellow, becoming black, (as indeed the whole plant does 
 upon drying,) after being plucked, or sometimes even while they re- 
 main on the bush, after bloom. They are numerous, and situated in 
 loose spikes on the extremities of the branches, and are supported 
 by slender peduncles. ’I he seed-vessel is an inflated, oblong pod, of 
 the same bluish hue as the mature leaves, inclining to crow-black. 
 The period of flowering is from the beginning of July to the middle 
 and last of August. 
 
5 6 
 
 Baptisia tindona. 
 
 Wild indigo is a common plant in the United States, being found 
 in every state of the union. It promiscuously inhabits a variety of 
 situations, though almost always in a dry soil. It seems to prefer the 
 borders of dry hilly woods, being found in most abundance in such 
 places ; yet the borders of thickets, and the edges of cultivated fields, 
 are frequently decorated by the numerous gay flowers of this pretty 
 plant. It is seldom seen in moist situations ; though on the edges of 
 low woods in Jersey, and sometimes in the marshy thickets it is met 
 with : and it must be acknowledged, that in these situations it does not 
 appear to deteriorate ; so that I fancy it possesses a flexible constitu- 
 tion, enabling it to accommodate itself with facility, to many scites 
 widely discrepant in the nature and effect of their peculiar soils. 
 
 MEDICINAL, PROPERTIES. 
 
 Both the root and plant may be used for medical purposes. The 
 former has no smell, but is subacrid and a little nauseous to the taste. 
 This remark applies only to the bark of the root, which is thick. 
 Though wild indigo is manifestly an active plant, it has excited, 
 hitherto, comparatively, little attention among any other than empi- 
 rical practitioners; but among the latter I am strongly inclined to 
 suspect it is very generally used. It has happened to me on several 
 
Baptisia tinctoria. 
 
 57 
 
 occasions during ray herborizing excursions, to meet with negroes 
 and others, collecting large quantities of this plant, which they always 
 spoke of by the name of wild indigo. My enquiries of these people, 
 who in every instance, except one, were collecting for other per- 
 sons, convinced me the search for the plant was for medical purposes. 
 It does not, however, appear likely, that in any other way than as an 
 external application, the Baptisia will become useful in medicine. I 
 am inclined to offer this opinion, from my own trials with it, and 
 those of other persons. Yet, as an external remedy in certain affec- 
 tions presently to be mentioned, it is far from being devoid of use- 
 fulness ; and I here present it to the notice of physicians, as an anti- 
 septic and sub astringent plant, capable of correcting the vitiated dis- 
 charges of foul and gangrenous ulcers ,* and checking the progress, 
 perhaps, of mortification, when used simultaneously with the internal 
 administration of Peruvian bark. The cathartic and emetic effect 
 which has occasionally followed its use in large quantities, should, I 
 think, be disregarded as far as any benefit may be expected from 
 their effects ; neither do I believe the diaphoretic effect which has 
 supervened upon the free use of the decoction and infusion, in my 
 own hands, and in the trials made by others, is entitled to any atten- 
 tion because, like its purgative and emetic effect, it only followed 
 the use of the article, pushed to considerable and inconvenient ex- 
 tent. It is also slightly stimulant, both in the powder and in the de- 
 coction of the root, but probably not more so, than any active sub- 
 stance introduced into the stomach. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 8 
 
5S 
 
 Baptism tinctoria. 
 
 After premising these cautionary remarks, I shall notice the extent 
 of the information relative to the medical powers of this plant, as con- 
 tained in the only two publications of any claim to authority, that 
 have met my eyes ; the Dispensatory of Dr. Thacher of Plymouth, 
 (New Eng ) and a paper by Dr. Comstock, published in the Eclectic 
 Repertory. To these gentlemen, confessedly, is due the credit of 
 bringing this plant into notice, which will sufficiently excuse my giv- 
 ing in their own language the result of their experience. “In the 
 hands of some physicians,” says Dr. Thacher, “ it is found to operate 
 in a large dose, with much severity as an emetic and cathartic. But 
 a weak decoction of the root has frequently been given with the ef- 
 fect only of a mild laxative. A decoction of the bark of the root has, 
 it is said, been made known by an empiric experienced in its use, as 
 a remedy in scarlatina anginosa ; and its employment has been ex- 
 tended in a few instances to typhus or putrid fever with such good 
 effect as to encourage further trials. An experienced physician con- 
 siders it as an excellent antiseptic and febrifuge, preferring it in some 
 fevers to Peruvian bark. As an external application, its antiseptic 
 qualities ought to be more extensively known. In the form of fomen- 
 tation or cataplasm it has proved eminently beneficial when applied 
 to phagedenic and gangrenous ulcers, especially if the decoction be 
 administered internally at the same time. 
 
 “ Some experiments have been made with the pulverized root in 
 closes of twenty to thirty grains, for the purpose of ascertaining its 
 s 
 
j Baptisia tmctoria. 
 
 59 
 
 emetic and cathartic powers, but without a very favourable result. 
 It appears to possess valuable antiseptic properties, as an external 
 application to vitiated ulcers of almost every description ; an infu- 
 sion of the root has surpassed in efficacy any other remedy which I 
 have ever employed. In aphthous and other ulcers of the mouth, 
 sore nipples, chronic sore eyes, and in various painful ulcers, dis- 
 charging acrid matter, the assuaging and healing qualities of an infu- 
 sion of wild indigo root has answered every expectation in practice. 
 Impressed with the assurance of its great utility, and solicitous to dif- 
 fuse an experimental knowledge of it more extensively, I was in- 
 duced to furnish several medical friends in Boston with the root, to 
 be used in the marine hospital and in the almshouse, particularly in 
 cases of syphilitic ulcers ; nor has the result disappointed my san- 
 guine expectations. In their hands it has proved extremely beneficial 
 when applied to venereal ulcers, mercurial sore mouth, and other 
 ulcerous affections. In malignant ulcerous sore throat, no opportu- 
 nity has presented for trial, but the happiest effects are anticipated in 
 that disease, as well as others of a putrid nature. An ointment may 
 be made by simmering the fresh root in hogs lard, or in cream, to be 
 applied to burns and ulcers. The virtues of the root appear to be con- 
 siderably diminished by long keeping.”* 
 
 Dr. Comstock, of Rhode Island, has had considerable experience 
 with this article, and he details-}- an instance of its successful exhibition, 
 
 * Thach. Disp. p. 361. 
 
 t Eclectic Repertory, vol. 6. 
 
60 
 
 Baptism tinctoria. 
 
 in a case of inverted uterus. The Baptisia was used in decoction, as 
 a local application to the protruded viscus which was nearly gangre- 
 nous, at the same time that bark was given internally, and he remarks, 
 “ as to the remedy used in this case to stop the progress of gangrene, 
 (Sophora tinctoria,) I am disposed to consider it a very powerful 
 antiseptic ; having, besides the above, used it in a great many other 
 cases wherein mortification was threatened or actually present, with 
 the most decided benefit, both externally and internally.” The same 
 gentleman has recently corroborated the above favourable statement 
 of the antiseptic virtues of this article, in a letter addressed to a gen- 
 tleman* in our University, who has made this plant the subject of his 
 inaugural dissertation. “ I would observe,” says Dr. Comstock in 
 the letter alluded to, “ that it is used in cases of mortification, in 
 fevers supposed to be putrid, and inclining to putrescency, and 
 in general where antiseptics are indicated. In cases of mortification 
 it is used as a poultice, applied externally, or in strong decoction as 
 a fomentation. When used internally, I consider an ounce of the re- 
 cent root to a pound of boiling water, about a suitable proportion. 
 The quantity to be administered of this decoction, is half an ounce, 
 in from four to eight hours. If it proves cathartic, the quantity is to 
 be diminished, or laudanum to be given with it. I consider it to be the 
 most powerful antiseptic in use, and it is very frequently resorted to 
 by the people in this part of the country, and by some practitioners 
 of medicine.” 
 
 ^ Mr. Weems. 
 
Baptisia tinctoria. 
 
 61 
 
 The foregoing remarks are unquestionably entitled to much credit. 
 They are amply sufficient to induce an extensive use of the wild in- 
 digo for its antiseptic virtues, and I am glad to say, that my own 
 trials of the decoction as an external application to foul ulcers, fully 
 corroborates the reports of Drs. Comstock and Thacher. 
 
 (Economical uses. 
 
 The young shoots of this plant, which resemble asparagus in ap- 
 pearance, have been used in New England as a substitute for it. 
 Like the young shoots of poke, however, they have occasionally pro- 
 duced drastic evacuant effects. 
 
 The very common practice in the country of placing this plant 
 about the harness of horses, to kill or drive away flies, has given it 
 in some places the name of Horse-fly-weed. It is supposed that the 
 leaves and flowers contain something noxious or deleterious to the 
 flies, for it is said, I know not with what truth, more effectually to 
 keep off those insects, than any other plant. 
 
62 
 
 Baptisia tinctoria. 
 
 TABLE XXIX. 
 
 
 Fig. 1 . A flowering twig of Baptisia tinctoria of the size of nature, cull- 
 ed in the month of August, when the capsules begin to be 
 formed. 
 
 2 . The vexillum or banner of the corolla. 
 
 3. One of the wings. 
 
 4. The carina or keel. 
 
 5. Calix, stamens, and pistil. 
 
 6. Pistil. 
 
 7 . The calix. 
 


ACORUS CALAMUS 
 
 CALAMUS. SWEET-FLAG. 
 
 Germ. Yielleicht tier acorus der Alten ; Acorus verus Calamus officin.; Acorus odoratus. 
 Der Kalrnus oder Calmus ; die wohlriechende Schvvertlilie. Gemeina Cala- 
 mus. (Willd.) 
 
 Dutch. Kalmus. 
 
 Dan. Kalmus, Calmus. 
 
 Swed. Kalmuss. 
 
 Engl. The sweet smelling flag ; sweet cane; sweet grass; myrtle-flag; sweet myrtle- 
 grass. — Galic . Milsean-mara. 
 
 French. L’acore odorant. Lamarck; L’acorus veritable. Bom. 
 
 Ital. Acoro, calamo odorato, canna odorifera. 
 
 Span. Acoro calamo. (Im arancel de rentas y diezmos del ano de 1T09 wird er cala his 
 genannt.) 
 
 Port. Acoro calamo; canna cheirosa. 
 
 Russ. Keren, Ir. 
 
 Poln. Tatarskie ziele. 
 
 Rohm. Pruskwoi’ek, Prasskworec. 
 
64 
 
 Acorns calamus. 
 
 Hunga. Kalmuss. 
 
 Lett. Kalmus sakkenes, kanveles, Karili. Fischer. 
 
 Ehstn. Kalmusfid, kalmus ; So ingwer. 
 
 Fran. L’acorus dcs Indes ou asiatique. Bom . — La bassombe. Lamarck. 
 
 JIalab. Waembu. Rheed. 
 
 Ceylon. Vazumbo. 
 
 Java. Deryngo. 
 
 Japan. Kawa sobu. Thunb. 
 
 Bra. Bembi. 
 
 Egypt. Cassabel, Bamira. 
 
 Hebr. Kneh-boschem. 
 
 Acorus Calamus ; Ait. Hort. Kew. 1. p. 474. Roy. Lugd. 6. FI. Suec. 277. £97. 
 Mat. Med. p. 96. Hall. Helv. n. 1507. Gmel. lib. 1. p. 1. Scop. Carn. n. 
 4£6. Pollich. Pal. n. 343. Ludw. ect. t. 34. Kniph. Ceut. 9. n. 3. Hoffm. 
 Germ. 1£3. Roth. Germ. i. 153. ii. 398. a. Acorus vulgaris, Bank. Pin. 34. 
 Hort. Cliff. 137. Blackw. t. 466. Mor. Hist. 3. p. £46. s. 8. t. 13. f. 4. 
 Tabern. 64£. /3. Acorus verus. Herm. Lugdb. 9. FI. Zeyl. 13£. Garz. £88. c. 
 Rumph. Amb. 5. p. 178. t. 7£. f. 1. Rheed. Mai. 11. p. 99. t. 60. Hout- 
 tuyn. Lin. Pfl. Syst. 6. p. 354. Smith. Brit. FI. 373. Engl. Bot. t. 356. L. 
 Suec. n. £97. Sp. PI. 462. Willd. Sp. PI. tom. 11. par. 1. p. 199. Woodville 
 Med. Bot. 472. t. 173. Bot. Arrang. 357. Mich. FI. Bor. Am. 1. 194. Huds. 
 147. FI. Dan. t. 1158. Thunb. Japon. 144. Hort. 196. Scop. Carn. n. 426. 
 Jacq. Yind. 60. Gouan. Hort. 18. Hist. ox. s. 8. t. 13. f. 4. Raii. Syn. 437. 
 Lob. Adv. 29. Dalech. 1618. Clus. Hisp. 521. Lob. Obs. 30, inner fig. and 
 ic. 1. 57. outer fig. Dod. 249. Repr. in Lob. Obs. 30, inner fig. &c. Ger. by 
 Johns 62. Clus. Panr. 259. Cop. in Bankn. J. ii. 734. and Park. Theatr. 
 140, and Repr. in Ger. by Johns 62. Blackst. Haref. 2. Alst. 1. 356. Cutl. 
 435. Krock. n. 540, Schrod. 525. Ruttcy 9. Dale 259. Geoffr. ii. 2. Herm. 
 8. Hill. 570. Mill. Jos. 12. Pharm. Edin. Lew. Disp. by Dune. 127. Mur. 
 J. 1. 195. Pearson, R. ii. 165. Pharm. Lond. Cartheus. iii. 60. Heberd. 
 161. Huleland, account from, in Med. Rev. ii. 458. Lin. Hot Clim. 314 j 
 
Acorns calamus. 
 
 05 
 
 Seam. 148. Monro iii. 36; Sold. ii. 128. 186. Moseley 169. Neum. ii. 200. 
 Percival ii. 275. Ploucq. Bibl. 1. 129. 176. Quarin. Animad. 170. 172. 175. 
 Spielm. 242. Yog. 189. Pharm. Suec. Berg. 274. Linn. 112. Mur. v. 39. 
 Schoepf 49. Lew. 1. 251. Cliom. 180. L. Sp. 463. Herm. Hort. 9. Jour. 
 1. 259. Boerh. ii. 167. Garzias, ap. Clus. exot. 200. Rheede xi. 99. t. 60. — - 
 Acorus indicus, Geoffr. ii. 5. Herm. 11 . A. asiaticus , Dale 259. A. veriis , Linn. 
 112. Mur. v. 39. Stokes’s Bot. Mat. Med. ii. 283. A. calamus, Pursh. FI. 
 Am. Sep. i.235. Muhl. Cat. 35. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. 43 ; Compend. FI. Ph. 
 i. 169. Big. Florula Bost. 83. Pharm. Mass. Med. Soc. 4. Thach. Disp. 3d. 
 ed. 131. Coxe’s Disp. 3d. ed. 177. Abbot. 77. Eng. Bot. 356. Dyck. Ed. 
 Disp. 149. 
 
 ACORUS. 
 
 Gen. PI. ed. Schreb. n. 586. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Typhce. Classis II. Ordo I. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Piperitce. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Hexandria. Ordo Monogynia. 
 
 Spadix cylindricus, tectus flosculis. Cor. 6-petalse, nudae. Stylus 0. Caps. 3-locularis. 
 Acortjs, T. L.* Spadix cylindricus flosculis tectus. Calix 6-partitus persistens. Sta- 
 mina 6, (calici inserta ?) Germen 1 ; Stylus 0 ; Stigma punctual prominens. 
 Capsula 3-gona 3-sperma, (3-locul. polysp. ex Lin.) Spadix innascens medio 
 folio ultra producto semulanti spatham pianam. Aflinior forte juncis, ex Bern. 
 Jussaeo. Juss. Gen. PI. ed. 1789. p. 25. 
 
 Acortjs Calamus ; scapo mucrone longissimo foliaceo. Willd. 
 
 9 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
66 
 
 Jicorus calamus. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Titha aromatica, clava rugosa. Moris. 
 
 Acorcm legitinnim. Tabern. 
 
 Calamus aromaticus. Garz. 
 
 Acorum. Rumpli. 
 
 Waember. Rheed. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Acori Calami Radix. Edin. 
 
 Calami Radix. Lond. 
 
 Acori Radix. Dub. 
 
 Calamus is a fine aromatic, and well-known aquatic plant. It is 
 truly indigenous to our states, and though not specifically, is slightly 
 different from the foreign vegetable. It is a species of the genus 
 Acorus, a term derived from the pupil ; having been formerly 
 esteemed peculiarly beneficial in disorders of the eye. There are 
 only two described species, the subject of this chapter and the A. 
 gramineus, which is cultivated in China. Of the A. calamus, European 
 writers describe two varieties, the vulgaris , European sweet-rush, 
 sweet-smelling flag or calamus aromaticus, and the verus seu Asi- 
 aticus , Indian sweet-rush, or calamus aromaticus. The former is said 
 to be distinguished by “ its long sword-shaped leaves, resembling 
 those of the flag, but narrower, of a brighter green, and yielding, 
 when broken, a strong aromatic scent ; and also by its oblique cvlin- 
 
 2 
 
Acorns calamus . 
 
 67 
 
 dric spike of flowers, proceeding from the side of the stem at the 
 edge of the leaf, which spike is generally single, sometimes double, 
 and more rarely triple, or quadruple. It grows naturally on the banks 
 of rivers, and in shallow standing waters ; and is found in many 
 parts of England ; and plentifully in the standing waters and canals 
 of Holland, and is, besides, common in many parts of Europe.”* The 
 other variety is called the Indian calamus, and grows not only in 
 marshy ditches, but in more elevated and dry places in Malabar, 
 Ceylon, Amboyna, and other parts of the East Indies ; it is said to 
 differ little from the European, except in being a little more tender 
 and narrow, and of a more hot and pungent taste. The shops are 
 usually supplied with this article from the Levant : but such roots are 
 said not to be superior to those of the plant indigenous to England ; 
 and the same may be said respecting that indigenous to the United 
 States, a figure of which is here given. 
 
 The root is perennial, rugose, horizontal, jointed, somewhat com- 
 pressed, from half an inch to an inch thick, and from six inches to 
 two feet long, sending off from the base, a great number of small and 
 large round fibres, which are sometimes white, and often yellow. 
 The joints are from half an inch to an inch long. They are white, 
 tinged by triangular shades of sienna, rose-red and bistre, and often 
 covered with numerous round elevated spots, occasioned generally 
 by the insertion of the fibrous portions which have fallen off. From 
 these joints, and from the point between the lateral union of the roots, 
 
 # Edit. Article Acorus. Rees’s Ency. 
 
68 
 
 Acorns calamus. 
 
 bunches of brown fibres resembling coarse hair, are always found 
 when the plant has grown in its natural wet situations. The root is 
 internally of a white spongy texture, and loses nearly one half of 
 its diameter in exsiccation. Its odour is strong, aromatic, subtle and 
 pungent, particularly when dried ; and its taste very peculiar, being 
 somewhat saccharine, and agreeably aromatic when first chewed, 
 but upon mastication becoming bitter, acrid and nauseous. The leaves 
 are long, sword-shaped, sheathing, especially at the base ; and at their 
 origin from the root are of a red colour mixed with green and white. 
 The flowers are tesselately arranged on a spadix, coming out 
 laterally from the middle of a foliaceous scape, which extends a 
 considerable distance beyond it, so as to have the appearance of a 
 leaf ; and indeed it is generally said by botanists, that the spadix 
 proceeds from a leaf. This spadix is solitary, from one and a half to 
 two inches and a half long, something less than half an inch in dia- 
 meter, cylindrical and attenuated at its base and apex. It is croud- 
 ed spirally with numerous small greenish-yellow flowers, consisting 
 of six small concave membranous truncated petals, without any calix, 
 and stamens varying in number, from six to five and four, which 
 have thick filaments and double anthers. The germen is gibbous and 
 without any style, being crowned by a pointed stigma. The capsule 
 is somewhat oblong, and contains a great number of small thin seeds 
 in its numerous cells. Its favourite situations are the borders of ri- 
 vulets, creeks, and small running streams, where it is generally 
 emerged half its height in the water. In these situations it is found in 
 company with different species of Iris, and Typha, (cat’s-tail or bull- 
 
Acorus calamus. 
 
 69 
 
 rush) all which are indiscriminately known by the common name of 
 flag. It is often, however, found in swampy meadows, old ditches, 
 overflowed places, and low moist grounds contiguous to water. It 
 flowers in May and June, at which time it may readily be distinguish- 
 ed from the other plants called flags. Calamus is a common inhabitant 
 of the sites just specified, throughout the United States, and can 
 seldom be sought for unsuccessfully, at the period of its florescence. 
 When out of bloom, the smell of the roots, and indeed, of the whole 
 plant, will readily direct to the spot where it grows. 
 
 MEDICINAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 The root only of calamus is used in medicine. It is carminative 
 and stomachic, and is used as an ingredient in many bitter infu- 
 sions. It communicates, however, as has already been remarked, 
 a nauseous flavour to such infusions. The root, when dried, has a 
 warm and tolerably strong aromatic smell, and a pungent bitter 
 taste. It contains an essential oil, to which is probably owing its pe- 
 culiar taste, and the agreeable flavour it is known to communicate 
 to the bitter infusions of which it is an ingredient; for the residuum 
 after distillation has a nauseous flavour dissimilar to calamus. Hoff- 
 man* obtained only two ounces of the essential oil from fifty pounds 
 
 * Observat. Physico-chym. lib. 1. obs. 1. 
 
70 
 
 Acorus calamus. 
 
 of the root; but Neuman and Cartheuser obtained it in much 
 greater proportions. It was formerly recommended by a writer of 
 authority,* * * § in vertigo, proceeding from a vitiated stomach ; and in 
 intermittents, which are said to have been cured by this medicine, 
 after the bark had failed. f To its reputed efficacy in scorbutic and 
 haemorrhagic complaints, in the words of Dr. Woodville, “ little cre- 
 dit should be given, and still less to its supposed elexipharmic 
 power.”t Calamus also stands as an ingredient in the renowned 
 mithridate and theriaca, and in the compound powder of arum. 
 The candied roots are said to be used by the Turks in Constan- 
 tinople, as a prophylactic against contagion. The preparations of 
 it enumerated by Murray, $ are, a dry confection of the roots, a 
 distilled water and oil, a spirituous and aqueous extract, and the 
 elixir vitse Matthioli, and elixir vitrioli Mynsichti. The infusions 
 in water are strongly imbued with the odour of the root, and 
 have a moderately warm and very bitter taste. Spirituous tinc- 
 tures are more warm and pungent than aqueous infusions, but 
 much less bitter, and have but little smell, and water applied after 
 spirit gains a considerable bitterness. || Hence it is evident that water 
 is a better menstruum than spirit to extract the medical virtues of 
 
 * De Mayerne, Prax. Med. p. 59. 
 
 f Act. Societ. Med. Hav. vol. 9. p. 206. 
 
 t Med. Bot. 
 
 § App. Med. 2. 5. p. 39. 
 
 || Lewis, Mat. Med. p. 252. vol. 1. 
 
Acorus calamus. 
 
 71 
 
 calamus. According to Lewis, on distilling the spirituous tincture, 
 the distilled spirit has scarcely any smell or taste of the root, and 
 the extract has very little smell and much less taste than might be 
 expected from so warm and pungent a root.* 
 
 It may be necessary to remark, that the American variety of cala- 
 mus does not differ in medical properties from that imported from 
 Asia and the Levant; or from that indigenous to Europe. While it 
 will be seen, that this article has a conspicuous rank in all European 
 works on Materia Medica, it must be confessed it is at present 
 but little used in this country. Yet the disuse into which it 
 has, undeservedly I think, fallen, is more the consequence probably 
 of that kind of fashion which sways in medicine as in other spheres, 
 than to any want of confidence in the virtues of the medicine. As 
 there is no good reason why this confidence should be impaired, 
 it cannot be improper to urge a recourse to the use of this 
 article, as extensive as its peculiar virtues merit. In my opi- 
 nion, it is one of the most efficacious stomachics which the Ma- 
 teria Medica presents. Dr. Swediaur recommends it either in the 
 form of extract, (dose half a drachm) or candied, in dyspeptic cases. 
 My experience enables me to say that, in dyspeptic flatulency, and 
 other disorders of the stomach, and in colic, it merits the mark- 
 ed attention of physicians. It has, in my practice, proved ener- 
 
 * Lewis, Mat. Med. p. 252. vol. 1. 
 
72 
 
 Acorns calamus. 
 
 getically beneficial in that distressing complaint to which sailors are 
 so frequently subject, from the nature of their life and diet, well 
 known, particularly to naval surgeons, by the name of wind colic ; 
 given in hot decoctions in the manner of ginger tea, it quickly re- 
 lieves the distressing swelling of the belly, by the discharge of wind. 
 It may be chewed by dyspeptic persons, and the juice swallowed, 
 rejecting the pulp ; and in this manner it proves a pleasant remedy 
 for indigestion, in the course of a week or two. I have on some oc- 
 casions prescribed the hot infusion to infants labouring under colic, 
 and with success. In intermittents I have had no experience with it, 
 neither do I know of any authentic accounts on this point ; though it 
 has repeatedly been mentioned to me by country people, that 
 they cure agues by the free use of the tincture. When masticated, 
 it stimulates the salivary glands powerfully, producing a copious dis- 
 charge of saliva. I have heard of its being used in this manner, with 
 success, to cure the tooth ach. 
 
Acorus calamus . 
 
 73 
 
 (Economical uses. 
 
 Beckstein observes, that the leaves are noxious to insects : and 
 it is well known that no kind of cattle will eat any part of the 
 plant. It has been suggested therefore, that the leaves might be 
 usefully employed in destroying the moths that infest woollen cloths, 
 and the worms which injure books.* M. Bautroth has used the whole 
 plant for tanning leather ; and it is supposed by Dr Bohmer, that 
 the French snuff, called a la violette, receives its peculiar scent from 
 this root Throughout the United States, it is used by the country 
 people as an ingredient in making wine bitters 
 
 * Mease’s Edit. Dom. Ency. 
 
 VOL. II 
 
 10 
 
Acorns calamus . 
 
 74* 
 
 TABLE XXX. 
 
 Fig. 1 . Represents the upper portion of the floriferous leaf, support- 
 ing the spadix of flowers. 
 
 2. The root. 
 
 (Of the size of nature.) 
 
 3. A stamen. 
 
 4. A flower. 
 
 5. The stigma and germ. 
 
 (Magnified.) 
 
 s 
 
rrom Nature by WN. C. Harcon. 
 
 Tanner. V- -g once .Kerr nv Sc Co sc 
 
 ( Sweet Flag.Calarous.) 
 
 ACOMITS CAXiAJMTlETS ° 
 
 Fig. 2. 
 
 Fig. I. 
 
SPIGELIA MARILANDICA. 
 
 CAROLINA PINK-ROOT. 
 
 Indian Pink. Pink-root. Worm-grass. Carolina Pink. Unsteetla, of the Cherokee 
 
 Indians. 
 
 Germ. Nordamerikanische Spigelie. (Willd.) 
 
 Spigelia Marilandica. Syst. Yeg. 166. Hope. Act. Edin. 3. ann. 1771. p. 151. t. 1. 
 Curt. Mag. 202. L. Sp. PI. 2. p. 249. Gron. Yirg. 142. Rai. Dendr. 32. 
 Catesb. Car. 2. p. 78. t. 78. Houttuyn Lin. Pfl. Syst. 5. p. 502. Curt. Bot, 
 Mag. 1. t. 80. Woodville Med. Bot. 2. 288. t. 105. Walt. FI. Car. 92. Mich. 
 FI. Bore. Am. 1. 147. Pursh, FI. Am. 1. 139. Elliot, Sketch. 1. 236. Gron. 
 Yirg. 30. Chalmers, Diseases S. Car. 1. 67. Pharm. Edin. Bart. 39, repr. 
 in Phys. Jour. viii. 428. Lew. Disp. by Dune. 317. Murr. J. 1. 378. Home, 
 F. Clin. 420. Rush, 1. 185. Schoepf, 21. Monro, iii. 270. Pharm. Lond. 
 Berg. 94. Lew. ii. 377. Yog. 216. Garden in Phys. Ess. iii. 145. Graing. 
 28. Lining in Phys. Ess. 1. 436. Stok. Bot. Mat. Med. 1. 309. Big. Med. 
 Bot. 1. 146. Willd. Sp. PI. tom. 1. par. ii. p. 825. Thacher’s Disp. 3d. ed, 
 362. Coxe’s Disp. 3d. ed. 568. Pharm. Mass. Med. Soc. 30. Barton’s 
 Collections, 3d. ed. par. 1. 38, 39. 61. Dyck. Edin. Disp. 383. Nutt. Gen. 
 Am. PI. ii. 134. 
 
76 
 
 Spigelia Marilandica . 
 
 SPIGELIA. 
 
 Gen. PI. ed. Schreb. n. 272. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Gentianae. Classis VIII. Ordo XIII. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Stellatae, p. 
 
 Artificial Syst. Lin. Classis Pentandna. Ordo Monogynia. 
 
 Cor. infundibulif. Caps, didyma, l-locularis, polysperma. 
 
 Spigelia, L.* Arapabaca, PI.* Calix 5-partitus Corolla infundibuliformis, limbo patens 
 5-fida jequalis. Stamina 5. Germen didymum ; stylus 1 ; stigma 1. Capsula 
 didyma 2-locularis quasi 2-cocca, 4-valvis polysperma seminibus angulo locu- 
 lorum interiori atfixis. Herbse ; folia opposita (floralia in S. Anthelmia 4-verti- 
 cillata ;) flores terminates bracteolati spicati aut cymosi, in spicis secundi. 
 
 Juss. Gen. Plant, ed. 1789. p. 143. 
 
 Gen. Ch. Cal. Perianth inferior, of one leaf, deeply five-cleft, pointed, small, perma- 
 nent. Cor. of one petal, funnel-shaped ; tube much longer than the calix, nar- 
 rowed towards the base; limb spreading, cloven into five broad pointed seg- 
 ments. Stam. Filaments five, simple ; anthers simple. Pist. Germen superior, 
 composed of two globes ; style solitary, awl-shaped, the length of the tube ; 
 stigma simple. Peric. Capsule two-lobed, of two cells, and four valves. Seeds 
 numerous, very minute. 
 
 Ess. Ch. Corolla funnel-shaped. Capsule of two globular cells, with many seeds. 
 Spigelia Marilandica: caule tetragono, foliis omnibus oppositis. Willd. 
 
 Stem four-sided, leaves all opposite. 
 
 SYNONYM A. 
 
 Spigelia oppositifolia. Stokes. 
 Spigelia Americana. Monro. 
 
Spigelia Marilandica. 
 
 77 
 
 Lonacera Marilandica spicis terminalibus, &c. Sp. PI. 2. p. 249. Gron. Virg. 142. 
 Pericxymeni Virginiani flore coccineo, &c. Rai. dendr. 32. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Off. The root. 
 
 Radix Spigelije Marilandica. Edin. 
 
 Spigelia Radix. Lon. Dub. 
 
 DESCRIPTIO UBERIOR. 
 
 Radix perennis. Caules simplices, erecti, scabri, quadrangulares, rigidi, annui. Folia 
 opposita, sessilia, ovato-lanceolata, integerrima, glabra, patentia. Spica soli- 
 taria secunda. Bracteis parvulis oppositis. Calix pentaphyllus : foliolis subu- 
 latis, persistentibus. Corolla superne 5-angulata, fauce gibba, basi dilatata : 
 Limbus 5-partitus: laciniis lanceolatis revolutis. Stamina 5, corolla breviora. 
 Antkerm sagittate, conniventes. Germen superum. Stylus teres, interne ar- 
 ticulatus parte superiore decidua. Stigma attenuatum. Capsula subrotunda, 
 didyma: loculis bivaivibus. Semina plurima, angulata, scabra. ( WiUd .) 
 
 To a celebrated professor of anatomy and surgery at Padua, Dr. 
 Adrian Spigelius, the genus, of which a species is now to be particu- 
 larly described, was dedicated by Linnseus. Spigelius was a distin- 
 guished botanist* in his day, in consequence of which he was thus 
 
 * Dr. Spigelius was a profound anatomist and distinguished surgeon. He was born 
 at Brussels in 1578, and died professor of three branches at Padua, whither his fame 
 
78 Spigelia Marilandica. 
 
 honoured by the learned Swede. Of this genus there are two other 
 species besides the Marilandica, and which are natives of Brazil and 
 Cayenne. 
 
 Spigelia Marilandica is a herbaceous plant, from six to twenty 
 inches high ; it has a perennial root, consisting of a multitude of slen- 
 der fibres, forming together a large bunch, as represented in the 
 plate (Fig. 2.) They are of a yellow colour when recently remov- 
 ed from the ground, and become black when dried. From the root 
 proceed several four-sided, smooth stems of a purplish colour, gar- 
 nished with two or three small leaves, which are usually of a faded 
 green or brown colour. The leaves are few, sessile and opposite, 
 ovate, acuminated, entire and glabrous, except on the margins and 
 the veins, where they are pubescent. The flowers are borne on a 
 terminal racemous spike, which leans towards one side, and sup- 
 ports from four to twelve flowers, situated on short peduncles. The 
 corolla is funnel-shaped, contracted at the top, and divided into five 
 acute segments. It is of a beautiful carmine colour externally, ex- 
 cept towards the base, where it is blended into white ; and of an 
 orange-yellow within. The edges of the corolla segments are slight- 
 
 had caused him to be invited, in 1625. The works he published are as follow : “ Isa- 
 goges in Rem. Herbariam Libri duo.” “ De Lumbrico lato Liber, cum notis et ejus- 
 dem Lumbrici icone.” “ De incerto tempore Purtus.” “ De Semitertiana Libri 
 quatuor.” « De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri, cum Tabulis 98 sere incisis.” “ De 
 formato Fcetu liber singularis, teneis figuris ornatus.” “ Tractus de Arthritide.” 
 
Spigelia Marilandica. 
 
 79 
 
 ly tinged with green, which is sufficiently conspicuous when they 
 are reflected. Only one or two of the flowers are expanded at 
 once. The calix consists of five long and narrow leaves, which 
 are a little serrated on the margin; it is permanent, and has the 
 segments reflected when the fruit is mature. The stamens appear 
 to be short and inserted into the corolla towards the upper part • but 
 in all the specimens I have examined, they may be said to have 
 been adnate, and the length of the tube, as represented in Fig. 5 . 
 for the filaments could be distinctly traced down to the base of the 
 tube, and easily detached. The anthers are oblong and narrow. 
 Germen superior, ovate ; style the length of the corolla, terminated 
 by a long fringed stigma, projecting beyond it a quarter of an inch. 
 The capsule is double, two-celled, and contains many seeds. 
 
 This plant is a native of the southern states, where it is abundant. 
 It was formerly found wild near Baltimore, but has been extirpated. 
 Even in Virginia it is rare, and does not grow wild in any state 
 north of it. It is, however, cultivated abundantly in some of our 
 gardens, particularly at Kingsess, where it thrives luxuriantly. From 
 living specimens obtained thence, I made the drawing, from which 
 the plate has been engraved. It grows in rich, dry soils, on the bor- 
 ders of woods, and its time of flowering, according to Mr. Elliot, is 
 from May to July. 
 
80 
 
 Spigelia Marilandica. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 Carolina pink-root is a medicine of high reputation as a vermi- 
 fuge. It is said this property was learned from the Cherokee In- 
 dians ; but it was first brought into notice among physicians by Drs. 
 Garden, Lining, and Chalmers, who have all spoken in strong terms 
 of its anthelmintic virtue. It also acts powerfully as a cathartic, 
 but this effect is uncertain, and only follows large doses. As the 
 plant contains no resin, it yields its principal medicinal virtues to 
 water. It is accordingly given, most frequently, in infusion and de- 
 coction. The root is supposed to be more powerful than the plant; 
 but the usual practice is to employ the whole herb in hot infusion or 
 decoction. When given in substance, the powdered root alone is 
 administered. Dr. Garden discovered that the recent plant was 
 most active, and that when the root became old, it was very consi- 
 derably impaired. This circumstance should be borne in mind, 
 whenever it is necessary to employ the plant in medicine; and 
 when it is known to be old, to make a proportionate allowance for 
 the deterioration. The pink-root occasionally induces violent nar- 
 cotic effects, such as dimness of sight, giddiness, dilated pupil, spas- 
 modic motions in the muscles of the eyes, and even convulsions. 
 Indeed, Dr. Chalmers attributes the loss of two children, who died 
 
Spigelia Marilandica. 
 
 81 
 
 in convulsions, to this article. Dr. H. Thompson found large doses of 
 the root, to produce in his own system, acceleration of the pulse, 
 flushed face, drowsiness, and stiffness of the eye-lids. Notwithstand- 
 ing these narcotic effects, which have undoubtedly followed the use 
 of the plant, it is said that no danger need reasonably be appre- 
 hended from them: and some eminent physicians even assert, that 
 they merely indicate the favourable operation of the medicine. 
 
 The use of pink-root has not been confined to cases of 
 worms. Dr. Garden mentioned, in the first letter to Dr. Hope, 
 which was written about the year 1763 , that “its purgative quality 
 naturally led him to give it in febrile diseases, which seemed to arise 
 from viscidity of the primes vies; and in these cases it succeeded to 
 admiration, even when the sick did not void worms.” According 
 to Dr. Garden, the pink-root never does much good, except when 
 it operates gently as a purgative. Hence it has become a common 
 practice to unite calomel or rhubarb with it, in order to ensure the 
 cathartic effect, which has already been said to be very uncertain. 
 He recommended that a vomit should be given previously to the 
 administration of the pink-root; and this practice is often adopt- 
 ed ; and almost universally, a mercurial cathartic is given after the 
 pink-root. The late Professor Barton recommends this medicine 
 in the protracted remitting fever of infants, which is supposed to lay 
 the foundation of hydrocephalus. Garden, and others, since his 
 time, have combined the Aristolochia serpentaria with this plant, 
 
 11 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
82 
 
 Spigelia Marilandica. 
 
 and it is said, with the effect of counteracting the narcotic power of 
 the pink-root. Professor Bergelius* has known instances of con- 
 vulsions cured by Spigelia, without the expulsion of worms; and 
 Dr. Barton informs us,f that an extensive use of the plant convinced 
 him it often affords relief in supposed cases of worms, but in which 
 none were discharged. 
 
 An opinion formerly prevailed that the poisonous effects of Spi- 
 gelia were not produced by that plant, but by the roots of another, 
 which was accidentally gathered with it. This idea is not, at this 
 time, entertained ; and the small black fibres which are found among 
 the roots of the spigelia, and which were supposed to belong to the 
 deleterious plant, are now known to be nothing else than the decay- 
 ed roots of the spigelia, from the preceding year, and which, ac- 
 cording to Mr. Elliot, are particularly visible in the spring, at which 
 time the pink-root is gathered. 
 
 The spigelia is somewhat mucilaginous, and is sweetish or insipid 
 to the taste. It is therefore readily taken by children. The dose is, 
 of the dried pulverized root, about fifteen grains or a scruple for a 
 child between six and eight years of age, and half that quantity for 
 an infant under six years. To an adult a drachm or two drachms 
 
 * Essays and Observations, Physical and Literary, vol. iii. art. x. p. 149. 
 
 f Collections. 
 
 2 
 

 He. 2. 
 
 Ho. 4 . 
 
 ftrntvrt from Nafurr by IV J* C JjQ/’fon 
 
 Tanner. VaUemcr. Koirry <k Co -re 
 
 Ho.l. 
 
 SPIGEJLIA M» A¥1ICA, 
 
 ( Carolina rink-root . ) 
 
 
Spigelia Marilandica. 
 
 83 
 
 may safely be given. The common mode of administering the in- 
 fusion is in the proportion of an ounce of the root and plant to a 
 pound of boiling water, of which from one to three table spoonsful 
 may be given to a child, and about half a pint to an adult. If no 
 effect follows, the doses may be augmented. 
 
 TABLE XXXI. 
 
 Fig. 1. Represents a flowering branch of the Spigelia Marilandica, of 
 its natural size. 
 
 2. The lower parts of the stems, with the tuft of fascicled roots. 
 
 3. The calix. 
 
 4. The pistil. 
 
 5. The corolla opened. 
 
AS ARUM CANADENSE. 
 
 WILD GINGER. 
 
 Indian Ginger. Colts-foot. Canada Snake-root. American Asarabacca. Kidney- 
 leaved Asarabacca. 
 
 Germ. Canadische Haselwurz, ( Willd .) 
 
 Asahum Canadense. L. Sp. PI. 633. Hort. Kew. 1. 1£4. Sal. R. Hort. 344. Gron. 
 Virg. 72. Corn. 24. t. 25. Park, theatr. 266. Hist. Ox. s. 13. t. 7. f. 4. 
 Bart. Collect. 26. 48. ed. 3d. par. 1. p. 24. 27. Big. Med. Bot. 1. p. 150. 
 Coxe’s Disp. 3d. ed. 213. Dyck. Ed. Disp. 195. 411. Schoepf, 72. Mich. 
 FI. Am. Bor. 1. 279. Pursh, FI. Am. ii. p. 596. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. 53. 
 Comp. FI. Ph. ii. 146. Muhl. Cat. 47. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. ii. 200. Willd. Sp. 
 PI. tom. ii. par. ii. p. 838. Mill. Diet. n. 2. et Ulustr. Syst. Thunb. Jap. 190. 
 Salisb. Prod. Chap. Allert. 344. Gron. Virg. 52. Corn. Canad. 24. t, 25, 
 Houttuyn. Liu. Pfl. Syst. 7. p. 3. Walt. FI. Car. 143. 
 
 ASARUM. 
 
 Gen. PI. ed. Schreb. n. 801. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Aristolochiae. Juss. 
 Nat, Ord. Sarmentaceae. Lin. 
 
36 
 
 Asarum Canadense. 
 
 Art. Syst. Lin. Classis Ghjnandria. Ordo Dodecandria. 
 
 Asarum, T. L.* .isaret, Cabaret. Calix urceolatus 3-fidus. Stamina 12 brevia, germini 
 imposita ; antberse mediis filamentis adnatse. Stylus brevis ; stigma stellatum 
 6-partitum. Capsula 6-locularis. Radix tuberosa emittens cauliculos 2-phyllos, 
 in foliorum dichotomia 1-floros. Juss. Gen. PI. ed. 1789. p. 73. 
 
 Gen. Ch. Cal. Perianth one-Ieafed, bell-shaped, three or four cleft, coriaceous, colour- 
 ed, permanent ; clefts erect, bent in the apex. Cor. none. Stam. Filaments 
 twelve, subulate, half the length of the calix ; anthers oblong, fastened to the 
 middle partition of the filaments. Pist. Germ, inferior or concealed within the 
 calix ; style cylindric, the length of the stamens ; stigma stellate, 6-parted. 
 Per. Capsule coriaceous, usually six-celJed. Seeds several, ovate. 
 
 Ess. Gen. Ch. Cal. Three or four cleft, placed on the germ. Cor. none. Capsule coria- 
 ceous, cx-owned. Stigma six-cleft. Ency. 
 
 Asarum Canadense ; A. foliis lato-reniformibus geminatis, calice lanato, profunde tri- 
 partite, laciniis sub-lanceolatis reflexis. Mich., Willd., and Pursh. 
 
 A pair of broad-reniform leaves ; calix woolly, deeply three- parted; segments 
 sub-lanceolate, reflexed. 
 
 SYNONYM A. 
 
 Asarum latifolium. Salisb. 
 
 Asarum foliis suh-cordatis petiolatis. Gron. 
 
 Asarum Carolinianum. Walt. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Asari Canadensis, Radix et Herba. 
 
 DESCRIPTIO UBERIOR. 
 
 Folia utrinque minutissime pubescentia. Gerinen obsolete trigonum. Calix foliolis iil- 
 ferne incurvis cavis, superne plus minus patentihus, planiusculis, marginibus 
 revolutis. Filamenta vix altitudinein stigmatum. Willd. 
 
Jtearum Canadense. 
 
 87 
 
 The root of wild-ginger is long, creeping, horizontal, jointed, 
 fleshy, and of a light yellowish colour, sending off* radicles of the 
 same hue. It smells powerfully aromatic, and is exceedingly grate- 
 ful. The stems are very short, bifoliate, and bear a single drooping 
 flower, in the fork formed by the junction of the two petioles. These 
 petioles are from six to ten inches long, round, woolly, greenish 
 above, and flesh-coloured below. The leaves are broad, kidney- 
 shaped, pubescent above and below, have strong prominent veins 
 which give the under part a bullated appearance. They are of a 
 rich, shining light-green above ; and pale, almost bluish underneath. 
 The calix is very woolly, and is divided into three broad, concave, 
 acuminated segments, with the point reflexed. They are of a deep 
 brown-purple colour at the inside, and of a dull purple, inclining to 
 blue-green externally. I have however found many specimens in 
 which both externally and internally the colour was fine purple. 
 The stamens are clavate, of unequal length, inserted on the germ, 
 and are generally about twelve in number. The anthers are adnate 
 to the filaments close to the ends, a slender point of the filament pro- 
 jecting in each stamen beyond the anther. There are three nectarine 
 filaments or perhaps abortive stamens, inserted near the lacinial di- 
 visions of the calix. The pistil consists of an inferior, irregularly hex- 
 agonal germ, and a conical deeply grooved style, (or perhaps six 
 styles closely connected together,) crowned by six revolute stig- 
 mas. The flower is generally buried under the earth by its drooping 
 uncurved hairy peduncle. The geographical range of the wild-ginger, 
 
ss 
 
 Asarum Canadense. 
 
 is from Canada to Carolina, and perhaps further south. It inhabits 
 rich shady woods, and appears to delight in hilly places. The period 
 of flowering is from April to May. This plant grows abundantly on 
 the banks of the Schuylkill, above the falls on the west side, and on 
 the Wissahickon creek. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 Wild-ginger is nearly allied in its medical properties, to the Aris- 
 tolochia serpentaria.* The root possesses the same spicy and aro- 
 matic odour, as the root of that plant ; but the Asarum has it more 
 powerfully, and it is not in this confined to the roots : the petioles, 
 flowers and even leaves, being endued with the same grateful odour. 
 The wild-ginger may deservedly be received into the Materia Medica, 
 as a warm, grateful aromatic stimulant, acting on the skin, when 
 taken in sufficiently large doses, with tolerable certainty, and as a 
 powerful errhine, the latter property residing in the leaves. The 
 emetic powerf attributed to the expressed juice of the leaves is 
 scarcely worth noticing, the dose that is necessary to produce the 
 
 * Schoepf informs us that the Asarum Virginicum, (which is nearly allied to the A. 
 Canadense) was formerly sold in England, for Aristolochia serpentaria ; and that the 
 inhabitants of Carolina called it Heart snake-root. 
 
 f Barton’s Collections. 
 
Asarum Canadense . 
 
 89 
 
 emesis, being so copious, that it is doubtful whether the effect on the 
 stomach is not produced by the quantity of crude indigestible mat- 
 ter. (For the Chemical Analysis, see Appendix.) 
 
 (Economical uses. 
 
 The roots steeped in fermented wine, produce a grateful drink ;* 
 and the dried pulverized root is commonly used in many parts of our 
 country, as a substitute for ginger: hence the common name. 
 Schoepf says the same epithet has been applied to the Asarum Vir- 
 ginicum. 
 
 * Asari Canadensis radices suaveolentes in petio vino fermentanti immersse, liquoram 
 gratiorem reddunt. Cornut. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 IS 
 
As arum Canadensa. 
 
 90 
 
 TABLE XXXTI. 
 
 Fig. i. Represents a specimen of Asarum Canadense in flower, of 
 its natural size. 
 
 2. The calix with the stamens and pistil brought into view. 
 
 3. A stamen. 
 
 4. The pistil. 
 
Tabic 32 
 
 go?.) 
 
 Tanner. Va/Zzrics.Jfc, irny l Cose 
 
 J)ra vim from. 
 
 Her 3. 
 
 ry. 2. 
 
LAURUS BENZOIN. 
 
 SPICE-WOOD. 
 
 Allspice-bush. Fever-bush. Wild Allspice. Spice-berry. Fever-wood. 
 
 Germ. Benzoin Lorbeer. ( 'Willd .) 
 
 Laurtjs benzoin. L. Sp. PI. 530. Hort. Cliff. 154. Gron. Virg. 46. Roy. Ludgb. 226. 
 Fabric. Helmst. 401. Du Roi hai’bk. 1. p. 354. Mill. Diet. n. 6. Willd. Arb. 
 1G5. Wangh. Amer. 87. Comm. Hort. 1. p. 189. t. 97. Pluk. Aim. 42. t. 139. 
 f. 3. 4. Houttuyn. Lin. Pfl. Syst. 1. p. 534. Pursh, FI. Am. Sep. i. p. 276. 
 Willd. Sp. PI. ii. p. 485. Mich. FI. Am. Bor. i. p. 243. Bart. Comp. FI. Ph. i. 
 p. 192. Bartram’s Travels 21. Baylies in Med. Pap. 47. Stokes’s Bot. Mat. 
 Med. vol. 2. p. 425. Cutler, 440. Hort. Kew. ii. 40. Barton’s Collec. 3d. ed. 
 par. 1, p. 20. par. 2. p. 52. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. 48. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. 1. 
 259. Big. Florula Bost. p. 97. 
 
 LAURUS. 
 
 Gen. PI. ed. Schreb. n. 388. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Lauri. ClassisVI. Ordo YI. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Holeraceae. 
 
 Artifi. Syst. Lin. Classis Enneandria. Ordo Monogynia. 
 
 Cal. 0. Cor. calycina, 6-partita. Nedarium glandulis tribus, bisetis, germen cingenti- 
 bus. Filamenta interiora glandulifera. Drupa 1-sperma. 
 
92 
 
 Laurus benzoin. 
 
 I. .wars, T. L.* Lavrier. Calix 6-partitus aut 6-fidus sequalis Starninum filamenta 
 12, 6 exteriora fertilia, 6 interiora exterioribus opposita quorum 3 fertilia basi 
 2-appendicuIata aut 2-glandulosa et 3 alterna sterilia. Stigma capitatum. Folia 
 plerumque integra, in paucis subopposita ; flores in plurimis subpaniculati 
 axillares aut terminates, in paucis solitarii aut glomerati axillares, quandoque 
 scxubus abortivis dioici. Calix quorumdam deciduus, cseterorum pcrsistens 
 cupulajformis integer aut lobatus. Drupa in plurimis Olivse aut Ceraso similis, 
 in L. Fersea pyriformis magna. Ex Linnreo stamina quorumdam numero va- 
 ria, 6-8 in L. Sassafras, 8-14 calice 4-fido in L. Nobili, $-c. Confer in vivis. 
 An genus dividendum ? Juss. Gen. Plant, ed. 1789. p. 80. 
 
 Gen. Ch. Cal. none, unless the corolla be taken for such. Cor. in six deep, ovate, point- 
 ed, concave, erect, alternately external segments. Nectary consisting of three- 
 pointed coloured tubercles, each terminating in two bristles, surrounding the 
 germen. Stam. Filaments nine, shorter than the corolla, compressed, obtuse, 
 three in each row ; anthers attached to the edges of each filament, in the upper 
 part, at each side. There are two globular glands, on a very short stalk, at- 
 tached to every filament of the innermost row, near its base. Pist. Germen supe- 
 rior, nearly ovate ; style simple, of equal thickness throughout, the length of the 
 stamens ; stigma obtuse, oblique. Peric. Drupa oval, pointed, of one cell, con- 
 tained within the corolla. Seed. Nut ovate, pointed, with a kernel of the same 
 shape. Ency. 
 
 Laurus benzoin; ramis virgatis sub floratione aphyllis, foliis deciduis, cuneato-ovali- 
 bus, subtus albicantibus subpubescentibus, floribus glomerato-umbellatis, gem- 
 mis pedicellisque glabris. — Willd. and Pursh. 
 
 Leaves ovate, lanceolate, pubescent underneath ; flowers in clustered umbels ; 
 buds and pedicels glabrous. Bart. Comp. FI. Ph. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Laurus pseudo benzoin. Mich. 
 
 Laurus jestivalis. Wangh. 
 
Laurus benzoin. 
 
 93 
 
 Arbor Yirginiana citrese vellimonii folio, benzoinum fundens. Comm, llort. 
 
 Arbor Yirginiana, pishaminis folio baccata benzoinum redolens. Pluk. 
 
 Laurus, sub genus, Euosmos benzoin. Nutt. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Lauri benz. Cortex et bacca. The bark and berries. 
 
 The term Laurus was the ancient name for the bay-tree, and it 
 is now continued, not only to designate that tree, but is applied to 
 a genus, comprising in common with it, a great number of fine aro- 
 matic shrubs and arborescent vegetables. 
 
 The laurus benzoin is one of these, and it is, without doubt, one 
 of the finest aromatic shrubs of our country. It is polygamous, and 
 rises to the height of from four to ten feet, and is very bushy. The 
 stems are of an ash colour, often spotted with white dots. The 
 flowers appear early in April or the last of March, long before 
 the leaves put out. About the first week of April the leaves are about 
 as far advanced as represented in Fig. 1, of the plate. They after- 
 wards become the size of those represented in Figs. 2, and 3. They 
 are cuneate-oboval, nearly pubescent beneath, and always paler 
 than above. 
 
 The greenish-yellow flowers appear in small umbels, containing 
 each from two to four flowers ; the pedicels in these umbels are 
 
94 
 
 Laurus benzoin. 
 
 smooth. The calix is hexaphyllous ; the leaflets oblong, thin, costate, 
 with globular olearia. There are generally nine stamens, which have 
 two of the three outer filaments simple, the third with a pedun- 
 culate gland at the base ; the three at the base of the three other 
 leaflets, with two pedunculate glands at the base ; the three inner 
 
 with glands at the base ; pistil terete and attenuate. The flowers are 
 
 \ 
 
 succeeded by shining, oval, scarlet or crimson berries, which are 
 ripe in the last of September. They possess an aromatic and grateful 
 taste, and according to Dr. Drake, are used for medicinal purposes. 
 The spice-wood inhabits low and moist places, and damp shady 
 woods. It is partial to the borders of streams and rivulets, and in 
 such places seems to thrive better than elsewhere. It is found from 
 the most northerly state of our union to Florida; and is every where 
 well-known by one or other of the vulgar names at the head of this 
 chapter. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 The medical virtues of spice-wood, are not inconsiderable. The 
 bark is highly aromatic, stimulant and tonic, and is extensively used 
 in the country, I have been informed, with much success, in in- 
 termittent fevers. It is given generally in decoction, but not unfre- 
 quently in powder. The late Dr. Barton informs us, that a watery 
 infusion of the twigs has often been given to children with a view to 
 
Laurus benzoin. 
 
 95 
 
 dislodge worms, and that it is deemed an efficacious medicine in such 
 cases. Of this I know nothing myself ; but as the tea made by in- 
 fusing the young branches is very pleasant, it would certainly be 
 well to try it as a vermifuge. The Indians are said to esteem the 
 spice-wood highly as a medicine ; in what complaints they use it 
 I have not been able satisfactorily to learn. Dr. Drake* mentions 
 that the oil of the berries is used medicinally, and that it is sti- 
 mulant. The dose of the infusion or decoction is about a pint in 
 twenty-four hours. When the powdered bark is used, one drachm 
 is given two or three times a day, in a glass of wine. I have known 
 the flowers used for making tea, in the manner that sassafras blos- 
 soms are, and taken as a gentle refreshing stimulant. 
 
 (Economical use. 
 
 The berries partake of the same spicy flavour which distinguishes 
 the bark of the shrub ; and we are informed, that during the late 
 American war, the inhabitants of the United States used them dried 
 and powdered as a substitute for allspice.f 
 
 * Picture of Cincinnati. 
 fBai'ton’s Collections^ 
 
Laurus benzoin. 
 
 TABLE XXXlir. 
 
 Fig. l. Represents a flowering twig of the Laurus benzoin, with the 
 leaves just coining out. The earliest flowers appear before 
 there are any leaves on the shrub. 
 
 2. A specimen of the plant in fruit, culled on the tenth of Sep- 
 
 tember. 
 
 3. An outline of one of the largest leaves. 
 
 4. A group of flowers with the four bractes. 
 
 5. An expanded flower separated. 
 
 6. A seed. 
 
. i. •, rrt*/>i Yacure hv W.J? C 3orfon 
 
 Tanner VoTJnnuSearny Sc Co sc 
 
 pMMl 1B^TT^(D)IN‘o 
 
 
 
 rr/t/s 33 . 
 
 
COPTIS TRIFOLIA. 
 
 GOLD-THREAD. 
 
 Mouth-root. 
 
 Germ. Kleinste Christwurz. ( Willd .) 
 
 Coptis trifolia. Lin. Sp. PI. 784. Am. Acad. v. 2. p. 356. t. 4. f. 18. Mich. FI. Bo- 
 reali-Amer. 1. 325. Pursh, FI. Am. Sep. ii. 390. Salisb. in Linn. Trans, viii. 
 305. Sp. PL Willd. ii. 1335. Kalm’s Travels, iii. 379. Big. Med. Bot. 1. p. 
 64. Lepech. Iter. 1. 190. CEder. FI. Dan. t. 566. Pallas, Iter. iii. 34. Big. 
 Florula Bost. p. 134. Thach. Disp. 3d. ed. p. 235. Cutler, Amer. Acad. 1. 
 457. Dyck. Ed. Disp. 249. 
 
 COPTIS. 
 
 Salisbury. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Ranunculaceae. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Linn. Multisiliquae. 
 
 Art. Syst. Lin. Classis Polyandria. Ordo Monogynia. 
 
 Calix none. Petals five or six, caducous ; nectaries five or six, cucullate ; capsules 
 from five to eight, pedicelled, beaked, many -seeded. 
 
 Coptis trifolia; leaves ternate, scape one-flowered. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 13 
 
98 
 
 Coptis trifolia. 
 
 SYNONYM A. 
 
 Anemone Gronlandica. FI. Dan. t. dlxvi. 
 Heixeborus trifolius. L. and others. 
 Heixeborus scapo unifloro. Am. Acad. 
 
 Nigeixa. Cutler. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 C'optis trifolia. Radix. The root. 
 
 DESCRIPTIO UBERIOR. 
 
 Radix fibrosa, filiformis, repens, perennis. Folia radicalia ternata; foliolis sessilibus, 
 obverse ovatis, extrorsum magis gibbis, argute serratis, rigidiusculis, glabris, 
 venosis. Petioli filiformes, folio longiores. Scapus solitarius, filiformis, petiolis 
 duplo Jongior, instructus bractea subovata. Flos solitarius, magnitudine Boris 
 Trientalis. Corollae petala quinque, ovata, basi in ungues attenuata, alba, stri- 
 ata. Nectaria petalis saipius plura, lutea, limbo ovata, basi attenuata in cylin- 
 drum perforatum, petalis dimidio breviora. Staminum filamenta capillaria, 
 alba, plurima, nectariis vix longiora. Antherae albse, subrotundse, erectse. 
 Pistilli germina quinque compressa. Styli filiformes, longitudine staminum, 
 recurvi. Stigmata obtusa. Pericarpium capsulis quinque, acuminatis, com- 
 pressis, coadunatis margine interiore. Semina plurima. Minima est hsec planta 
 in suo gencre, attamcn spectabilis; inter Flores Sibirise speciosos et maxirne 
 singulares est, et jam qusedam Fumaria bulbosis affinis, floribus condecorata in 
 suo genere maximis. Amcen. Acad. p. 355. 
 
 2 
 
Coptis trifolia. 
 
 99 
 
 This pretty little evergreen plant, was referred by all botanists 
 to the genus helleborus, until Mr. Salisbury separated it, on the 
 characters which are given above. He associated it with another 
 plant, having twice ternate leaves and green flowers, found by 
 Mr. Menzies on the north-west coast of America. To the genus he 
 gave the name of coptis, from to cut; and botanists now uni- 
 versally adopt his name and generic characters. The species which 
 is the subject of this chapter, is a native of Siberia, Iceland, Labrador, 
 and the northern parts of the United States. 
 
 The roots are perennial, about the size of bobbin, creeping, fasci- 
 cled, and of a bright-yellow colour, which gives them the name of 
 gold-thread. The stems are slender, round, and proceed from 
 sheathing, ovate, sharp-pointed squamous sheaths. The leaves 
 are ternate, coriaceous, smooth, and of a deep, shining evergreen, 
 conspicuously and delicately veined. They are supported by long 
 and short, round, slender petioles. The folioles are cuneate-obo- 
 vate, with acuminate crenatures on the margin. The scapes are 
 one-flowered, slender, terete, and garnished, with a mucronate scale- 
 like bract at some distance below the flower. The corolla consists 
 of from five to seven oblong, greenish-white, concave petals. There 
 are five or six clavate fistulous nectaries, which are tinged with 
 yellow at the top. The stamens are numerous, consisting of delicate 
 white filaments and globose anthers. Germs oblong, flattened. The 
 capsules are oblong, rostrate, and pedicellate, containing many seeds 
 
100 
 
 Coptis trifolia. 
 
 attached obliquely across their sides, to the inside. This little alpine 
 evergreen is restricted to Canada and some of our most northerly 
 states.* It is found in sphagnous swamps, and in cold situations most 
 abundantly, flowering in the month of May. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 The root of gold-thread is a pure and powerful bitter, devoid of 
 any thing like astringency, and yielding its virtues readily to watery 
 menstrua, though its bitterness is equally well given out to spirit. It is 
 used in both ways, in the New England states, where, according to 
 Dr. Thacher, it has long been a popular remedy for apthous affections 
 of the mouth in children; and the doctor says, “ experience has evinc- 
 ed its beneficial effects.” He informs us, also, that it is considerably 
 employed as a stomachic bitter in debility of the stomach and loss of 
 appetite. Professor Bigelow states, that larger quantities of this article 
 are sold in the druggists’ shops of Boston, than of almost any other 
 indigenous production; and that the demand arises from its reputed 
 efficacy as a local application in apthous and other ulcerations of the 
 mouth. He thinks, however, that its reputation in these cases is 
 
 * My specimens were brought to me from New England, in 1814, by a physician of 
 this city, and a large quantity of the root, which had belonged to the late Professor 
 Barton, fell into my hands after his death. 
 
Coptis trifolia. 
 
 1®1 
 
 wholly unmerited, and attributes the benefit which has attended its 
 use, to other stimulating and astringent articles which have been 
 combined with it. I have had no further experience with this plant, 
 than simply in a few trials to ascertain its tonic and stomachic vir- 
 tues ; and in these, the results fully confirmed the promise which the 
 sensible properties of the root held out. It is one of the purest bitters 
 I am acquainted with, and though not so intense as quassia, is some- 
 what similar to it. It may be safely recommended for its tonic and 
 bitter powers. 
 
102 
 
 Coptis trifolia. 
 
 TABLE XXXIV. 
 
 Fig. l. Coptis trifolia, of its natural size, in flower, and with the last 
 year’s fruit on. 
 
 3. A petal. 
 
 3. A pistil. 
 
 4. A nectary. 
 
 5 . Stamen. 
 
 6. Capsule opened, shewing the seeds. 
 
 ►All greatly magnified. 
 
 7. The entire capsule, (still more magnified.) 
 
 N. B. The organs of the plant as above, viz. Figs. 3, 4, and 5, 
 are copied from the FI. Dan., my specimens not being sufficient to 
 enable me to draw them from the American plant. 
 
Dratrn from Jffature bv K P C Barton. 
 
 Tanner Tall ante Loony- & ('<> 
 
 (ndWPTIS 
 
 (Gold - Thread.) 
 
 
 Fit/. 2 
 
 
 Fig. 3. 
 
FRASERA WALTERI. 
 
 AMERICAN COLUMBO. COLUMBO. 
 
 Columbia. Indian Lettuce. Columbo-root. Marietta Columbo. Wild Columbo. 
 
 Frasera Walteri. Walter, FI. Car. 88. Mich. FI. Bor. Am. 1. p. 96. Pursh, FI. 
 Am. Sep. 1. p. 101. Drake’s Piet. Cin. p. 85. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. 1. p. 
 102. Bart. Collec. ed. 3d. par. 2. p. 16. Bart. FI. Virg. 49. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 
 ii. p. 215. 256. Persoon, Syn. Plant. 1. p. 137. Bartram’s Travels, p. 42. 
 Med. Rep. New York, vol. 15. Elliot. Sket. vol. 1. p. 205. 
 
 FRASERA. 
 
 Walter. Michaux. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Gentianae. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Tetrandria. Ordo Monogynia. 
 
 Cal. profunde 4-partitus, patens, laciniis lanceolatis, acutis. Cor. calyce multo major, 
 profundissime 4-partita, patens : laciniis ovalibus, ob utrumque marginem ver- 
 sus summitatem incumbenti-inflcxum quasi acuminatis. Glandula conspicua, 
 
104 
 
 Fraser a Walteri. 
 
 orbiculata, convexo-protuberans et eleganter barbata in parte laciniarum me- 
 dia. Stain. 4, corolla breviora eique alterna, filamenta subulata; anther® 
 subovato-oblong®, interne subsemibilid®, demum reflex®. Fist, ovarium ob- 
 longo-ovatum, compressum, sensim desinens in stylum ipsius circiter longitu- 
 dinc: stigmata 2, crassa, glandulosa, divergentia. Caps, majuscula, ovalis, 
 valde compressa, ambitu submarginata, subcartilaginea, rudimento styli mu- 
 cronata; 1-locularis, margine 2-valvis. Semina pauca, (8-12) elliptica, plano- 
 compressa, membranaceo-marginata; ad latera utriusque sutur® immediate 
 longitudinaliter per marginem alterum ita adnexa, ut sibi invicem imbricatira 
 incumbant. 
 
 Obs. Genus gentianeum ; fructu fere Menyanthis Nymphoidis. 
 
 Mich. Flor. Boreali-Amer. p. 96. 
 
 Calix deeply 4-parted. Corolla 4-parted, spreading ; segments oval, with a bearded 
 orbicular gland in the middle of each. Capsule compressed, partly marginated, 
 1-celled. Seeds few, (8 to 12) imbricated, large, elliptic, with a membra- 
 naceous margin. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Frasera Carolinensis. Walter. 
 
 Frasera officinalis. Bart. FI. Virg. 
 
 Frasera verticillata. Drake, and others. 
 
 PH ARM. 
 
 Fraser.® Walteri. Radix. The root. 
 
Frasera Walteri. 
 
 10 5 
 
 The superb plant which is the subject of this chapter, was dedi- 
 cated by Walter to Mr. John Fraser,* and is the only species of the 
 genus known at present. The root is biennial, large, tuberous and 
 fleshy, and of a yellow colour. The stalk is strong, succulent, and 
 fleshy, from eight to ten feet high, nearly square and furrowed, send- 
 ing of whorls of large, deep-green glabrous leaves, at intervals of six 
 or eight inches, to about half its length, and smaller leaves and 
 flowering branches in whorls to the top. “ The lower leaves are ob- 
 long, lanceolate, entire, membranous, delicately veined, from six to 
 eight inches long, and from two to three wide ; upper leaves narrow, 
 lanceolate, small.’ ’f 
 
 The leaves according to Pursh, Mr. Elliot, and the late Dr. Bar- 
 ton,:]: are occasionally opposite. They generally grow to the number 
 of four or eight together, are lanceolate or sometimes oblong, 
 ovate, and acute. The flowers are aggregated in clusters ; the 
 segments of the corolla are lanceolate, greenish-yellow, or cream- 
 white, finely speckled with purple, and having a pubescent or ciliated 
 oval gland in the middle of each petal, which is green internally, 
 and brown on the edges. Those glands are conspicuous on both 
 sides of the petals, as represented in the front and back views of the 
 
 * An indefatigable nursery and seedsman, to whose exertions the gardens of Eng- 
 land, and particularly of London, are indebted for many rare American plants. 
 
 f Elliot. ^ Flora Virg. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 14 
 
106 
 
 Frasera Wallen. 
 
 two expanded flowers in the plate. The peduncles are from one 
 to three inches long, one-flowered; calacine segments lanceolate, 
 shorter than the corolla. Filaments four, shorter than the corolla, 
 attached to the base, and alternating with the segments of the co- 
 rolla. Anthers oblong, incumbent. Germ superior, ovate, tapering 
 above. Style only the attenuated germ, bifid. Stigmas two, diverging. 
 The capsules are compressed, somewhat margined, one-celled, and 
 contain about eight or twelve diaphanous flat seeds, with a membra- 
 naceous margin, and are imbricately attached to the attenuate mar- 
 gins of the capsule. These capsules (in the dried specimens) are of 
 the colour represented in the plate, (Fig. 2.) The habitat of this plant 
 is variously described by different botanists. Michaux, it appears, has 
 observed it in wet or swampy places “ in Paludosis Carolinse.” 
 Pursh says it is found “ in the swamps of Lower Carolina, and on 
 the borders of the lakes of Pennsylvania and New York.” Mr. 
 Nuttall says, “in the dry and open woods of western Pennsylvania, 
 and New York, in certain localities it is abundant:” and Dr. William 
 Short, in a letter* to me, says it grows in the barrens or prairies of 
 
 * The following is an extract from the letter of this gentleman, which will, I am sure, 
 be interesting in this place. « The flowers of the Frasera are by no means showy 
 at a distance, but exquisitely delicate upon minute examination. 
 
 « The Columbo, for so it is universally denominated here, grows abundantly in the 
 country in which I reside, particularly those portions of it called barrens or prairies, 
 where, from the annual passage of fires over them, the forest growth is stunted and 
 sparse, but affording in the summer, rank and luxuriant growths of annual plants, and 
 
 2 
 
Frasera Walteri. 
 
 10 7 
 
 Kentucky. The late Dr* Barton observed it in 1797, growing in 
 great abundance, on the west side of the Jenisseia river, in the state 
 of New York. It is said to be common in some parts of Upper 
 Canada; but the states of Kentucky, and Tennessee, yield it in pro- 
 fusion. From the abundance which grows in the neighbourhood of 
 Marietta, in Ohio, it has received the name of Marietta Columbo. 
 According to Walter, Michaux, Mr. William Bartram, and Mr. Elliot, 
 it grows in Carolina and Georgia. The latter gentleman mentions 
 that it has been found in Fairfield district, and in Abbeville. 
 
 The credit of the discovery of this fine and interesting plant, 
 seems to be due to Mr. William Bartram,* of Kingsess gardens. He 
 
 some shrubs. Here among the hazle, and different species of Sumac, the Frasera rears 
 its conical head in all its grandeur, frequently attaining the height of eight and ten 
 feet — in other parts of the country, not so particularly congenial to its growth, I have 
 seen it of much smaller size.” 
 
 * Mr. Bartram is still living, though aged and infirm. He resides at Kingsess gar- 
 dens, where he hallows by his venerable appearance, and graces by his instructive 
 converse and simple manners, the seat founded and supported by his family. He is 
 one of the most unambitious lovers of nature I have ever seen. With a mind keen, 
 penetrating and vivacious, he applied himself in early life, to the study of botany, 
 and indeed natural history generally ; but more particularly devoted himself to the study 
 of the manners and habits of our birds, and other interesting points of inquiry con- 
 nected with their history and migrations. In his travels into Florida, he relates these 
 in all the fervour of a real lover of nature’s works, and with such innocent enthusiasm, 
 that we cannot fail to love and venerate the author. He ranks as a botanist in a very 
 high grade. All his observations have been communicated to others, for the good of 
 
108 
 
 Fraser a JValteri. 
 
 describes it under the name of Indian Lettuce.* The time of flower- 
 ing of the columbo, is in May, June, and July. 
 
 From a variation in the number of parts of the flower and other 
 circumstances, it is asserted by the editor of the article Frasera, in 
 Rees’s Encyclopaedia, to be the Swertia difformis, of Linnaeus ; and 
 Pursh remarks that the genus is so nearly allied to Swertia, that 
 without seeing the fruit, the plant might readily be mistaken for a 
 species of that genus. It is said by Dr. Barton, f that “ flowers with 
 five stamens are very frequently met with, and six stamens occasion- 
 ally occur.” In the specimens in my possession, for which I am in- 
 debted to Dr. Drake, of Cincinnati, the stamens are uniformly four. 
 
 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 The following is an account of the experiments made with the root 
 by Dr. Daniel Drake, of Cincinnati, with a view to ascertain the com- 
 parative qualities of the Frasera, and the officinal columbo. “This root, 
 (F. Walteri) gives out its bitterness both to aqueous and alcoholic 
 menstrua, but more fully to the latter ; the reverse of which is the 
 
 science; and to him, the late Professor Barton, Dr. Muhlenberg, Wilson, the orni- 
 thologist, and many others, have been largely indebted for much useful information. 
 *See his Travels, p. 42. fFl. Virg. 
 
Frasera Walteri. 
 
 109 
 
 case with the columbo. Its spirituous tincture sutlers decomposition 
 upon the addition of water, indicating that it contains resin, which 
 the columbo does not, at least in any considerable quantity ; and the 
 addition of a decoction or tincture of galls to its watery or spirituous 
 infusion, causes no precipitate of cinchonin, one of the chief consti- 
 tuents of columbo.”* (For further chemical results, see Appendix.) 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 The root of Frasera is a pure, powerful and excellent bitter, desti- 
 tute of aroma. It is said to be not at all inferior to the gentian or 
 columbo of the shops, and is equal to any of the common tonic bit- 
 ters used in medicine. In its recent state it is said to possess consi- 
 derable emetic and cathartic powers.f I have been informed that it is 
 extensively used in the western states, and that it supports its repu- 
 tation wherever it is generally known. I have never used the plant 
 in any way, and consequently can say nothing from experience on 
 the subject. The late Professor Barton shewed me some slices of the 
 dried root several years ago, but the quantity he possessed was not 
 sufficient to enable him to make any extensive trials with it. It may 
 be used in powder, decoction, infusion, and tincture. 
 
 Picture of Cincinnati. 
 
 f Ibid. 
 
110 
 
 Frasera Walteri. 
 
 TABLE XXXT. 
 
 Fig. l. Represents a whorl of leaves, and a flowering branch of the 
 Frasera Walteri. 
 
 3. The capsules. 
 
 3. A seed. 
 
 (All the size of nature.) 
 
 N. B. The drawing from which the plate was engraved, was made 
 from good dried specimens, which I received from Dr. Drake ; the 
 colouring of the flowers is imitated from a sketch made in a letter, 
 by Dr. William Short, of Kentucky, in the faithfulness of whose pencil 
 I have much reliance. The uncoloured whorl of leaves is an exact 
 copy of Dr. Short’s outline sketch, made with a pen. 
 
' 
 
 Tan ns r. lallojicc, TCcarnv, ScCo.Sc. 
 
 JJmwfi from JVatiur hv W. J~‘ C. Harlan . 
 
 Fiy. 
 
 IF IES. ASIES IIS. ,i\\ WTI IXTTT ir IhjiTFRlT 
 (Imencffn Columndbo .) 
 
POLYGALA SENEKA. 
 
 SENEKA SNAKE-ROOT. 
 
 Rattlesnake-root. Senega Rattlesnake-root. Officinal Milk-wort, or Rattlesnake* 
 
 root, in England. 
 
 Germ. Giftwiderstchende Polygala. (Willd.) Senegawurz. Klapper-schlangenwurZ. 
 French. Polygale de Virginie ; Seneka; Racine de serpent a sonnettes. 
 
 PoltgaIiA seneka. L. Sp. PI. 990. Bot. Mag. t. 1051. Mill. Ph. Diet. ed. vii. t. 5. 
 Repr. in ed. viii. at Art. Polygala. Hort. Kew. iii. 6. Walt. 178. Wood. 
 Med. Bot. 253. t. 93. Thornt. 629. Gron. Yirg. ed. 1. 80. L. Am. ii. 139. 
 t. 2. at p. 141. f. 2. Pharm. Lond. Archer, account from, in Phys. Jour, 
 i. 83. 106. Chir. Rev. vi. 194, and Underw. 1. 336. Bang, in Act. Haun. 1. 
 20. Ill, 112. 257. Callisen, ib. 73. Chaim, ii. 115. Darw. ii. 392, and 398. 
 Bree, 258. Cull. ii. 532. Lem. Duham. and Juss. account from, in Med. Ess. 
 vi. 377. Spielm. 581. GeofFr. ii. 137. Haen. i. 357. Hill. 630. Lew. ii. 240. 
 Pharm. Lond. Noviss. Mackenzie, in Med. Obs. ii. 288. Monro, iii. 257. 
 Perciv. T. in Med. Jour. iv. 67. Repr. in Perciv. T. ii. 395. Und. 1 . 338. 
 Bang, in Act. Haun. 1 . 239. 254, 255 ; ii. 41. 51. Berg. 595. Carth. ii. 435. 
 Linn. 200. Murr. ii. 436. Ploucq. Bibl. 1 . 661. Schoepf, 110. Yog. 226. 
 Pharm. Edin. Stoke. Bot. Mat. Med. iii. 500. Bart. Collec. 3d. ed. par. 1. p. 
 
112 
 
 Polygala seneka. 
 
 26. 32. 34. 56. par. 2. p. 37. Cassel, account from, in Med. Rev. iv. 44. Lew. 
 Disp. by Dune. 284. Massie, account from, in Cliir.Rev.xiv. 63. Murr. J.i. 331 ; 
 ii. 46. Pears. R. i. 152. 230. 256. Arch, account from, in Ann. Med. iv. 511. 
 and Med. Rev. iii. 426. Scot. J. ib. 313. Lew. Juss. and Bouvart, in Ac. Soc. 
 abr. by Souther, iii. 297. Tenant. Disp. of Virginia, and account from, in 
 Med. Ess. vi. 376. Graing. 66. Rush, v. 176. Dyck. Ed. Disp. p. 348. 
 Coxe’s Disp. 3d. ed. 500. Thach. Disp. 3d. ed. p. 319. Barton’s Cull. ii. 370. 
 390. 411. Mulil. Cat. 66. Mich. FI. Boreali-Am. ii. 53. Pursh, FI. Am. Sep. 
 ii. 464. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. ii. 87. Willd. Sp. PI. 3. p. 894. Raj. Suppl. 640. 
 Houttuyn. Lin. Pfl. Syst. 8. p. 490. Drake’s Piet. Cin. p. 87. Chapman’s 
 Element. Ther. and Mat. Med^Vol. l.p. 270. Pharm. Mass. Med. Soc. 26. 
 
 POLY GALA. 
 
 Gen. PI. ed. Schreb. n. 1154. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Pediculares. Classis VIII. Ordo II. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Lovientaceae. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Diadelphia. Ordo Octandria. 
 
 Cal. 5-phyllusj foliolis duobus alseformibus, coloratis. Legumen obcordatum, bilocu- 
 lare. 
 
 Polygala, T. L.* Calix 5-partitus, laciniis 2-longe majoribus alseformibus ssepe co- 
 loratis. Corolla convoluta in tubum supra fissum, limbo 2-labiatum, labio supe- 
 riore 2-partito fisso, inferiore concavo subtus barbato aut imberbi, intus obte- 
 gente stamina 8 in duas lasces collecta; antherse 1-loculares. Stigma sub- 
 bifidum. Capsula compressa obcordata. Herbae aut frutices ; folia plerumque 
 alterna ; florcs 1-3-bracteolati, alterni, laxe aut dense spicati, terminales. 
 Fructus P. spinosae baccatus et ramuli pungentes. Calix P. Heisteriae 5-par- 
 titus sequalis, corolla non fissa, germen 4-corne. 
 
 Juss. Gen. Plant, ed. 1789. p. 99. 
 
Poly gala seneka. 
 
 113 
 
 Gen. Ch. Cal. Perianth inferior, permanent, small, five unequal, ovate, acute leaves : 
 two of them below the corolla ; one above it ; and two very large, flat, colour- 
 ed, like wings, at the sides. Cor. imperfectly papilionaceous. Standard tubular, 
 nearly cylindrical, short, its mouth reflexed, small, cloven. Keel concave, com- 
 pressed, swelling towards the extremity, near to which are attached, for the 
 most part, two feathery three-cleft appendages. Stam. Filaments eight, in two 
 sets, both united, contained within the keel ; anthers eight, simple. Pist. Ger- 
 men oblong, superior; style simple, erect ; stigma terminal, tumid, cloven. 
 Peric. Capsule turbinate, somewhat heart-shaped, compressed, sharp-edged, 
 with two cells and two valves, bursting on each side at the edges, thejjartition 
 contrary to the valves. Seeds solitary, ovate, with a glandular scar. Ency. 
 
 Poly gala Seneka; caulibus erectis simplicissimis foliosis, foliis alternis lanceolatis, 
 spica terminali filiformi, floribus alternis. Willd. and Pursh. 
 
 Stems erect, quite simple, leafy ; leaves alternate, lanceolate ; spike terminal, slen- 
 der ; flowers alternate. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Plantula Marilandica, caule non ramoso, &c. Raj. 
 
 Poly gala floribus imberbis spicatis, &c. Gron. 
 
 Poly gala Virginiana. Lem. Juss. and Bouvart. 
 
 Seneka, of many medical writers, as quoted in the list of references. 
 
 Rattlesnake root of Tennant. 
 
 Senega Rattlesnake-root of Graing. 
 
 PH ARM, 
 
 Off. The root. 
 
 Radix Polygalse Senegse. Edin. 
 
 Senegas Radix. Lond. 
 
 Seneke Radix. Dub. 
 
 YOL. II. 
 
 15 
 
114 
 
 Polygala seneka. 
 
 This humble plant is deservedly esteemed one of the first me- 
 dicines in point of importance, native to our country. The genus 
 to which it belongs is very extensive, containing more than one hun- 
 dred species.* It is an ancient name, compounded of two Greek 
 words, much , and y* a*, milk, in allusion to the reputation of 
 the effect of the plant on cattle that feed on it. But at this time it 
 is not known what is the precise plant supposed to be endued with 
 such virtues. The root of Polygala seneka is irregularly shaped, 
 contorted, gibbous, and ligneous; covered with a thick dull yellowish 
 or greyish bark. Several stems arise from one root. They are leafy, 
 slender, simple, erect, terete, of a dull brown purple colour below, 
 and greenish towards the top; and are from ten to fourteen inches 
 high. The leaves are alternate, lanceolate, acuminate, somewhat 
 undulate, smooth, and supported on short petioles. Towards the base 
 they are smaller, and inclined to ovate. The flowers are borne alter- 
 nately on a slender terminal spike. They are papilionaceous, and 
 though generally white, are often tinged with dull purple, and some- 
 times faint yellow. The calix consists of three short teeth, two in- 
 ferior, and one superior, in relation to the corolla. Michaux and 
 Pursh describe two distinct varieties, one of which they call *. albida ; 
 having lanceolate or oval leaves, with a somewhat crowded spike of 
 
 * “Europe affords six, South and Tropical America as far as Buenos Ayres twenty- 
 four, Barbary and the Levant four, Siberia two, Guinea two, the Cape of Good Hope 
 produces twenty-four, many of them ornamental shrubs, India and China thirteen, one 
 in Japan, one in Arabia Felix, and several others of uncertain locality.” Nutt 
 2 
 
Polygala seneka. 
 
 115 
 
 white sub-sessile flowers. The other j3 . rosea , which is either smooth- 
 ish or pubescent ; having linear leaves, a loose alternate-flowered 
 spike, and rose-coloured flowers. *. grows from Canada throughout 
 the Allegheny mountains, p. in Carolina and Georgia. The plant 
 is generally found on the sides of hills and in dry woods. It is abund- 
 ant in Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee, and flowers from June to 
 August. It was cultivated in England as early as 1759, by Philip 
 Miller, and is still found at Kew Garden and other botanic grounds. 
 
 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 To the taste, the root is bitter, pungent, subtle and peculiar ; but 
 it has little or no smell. Both aqueous, and spirituous menstrua ex- 
 tract its virtue ; but the alcoholic tincture obtains them most com- 
 pletely. The powder in substance, however, is generally believed to be 
 more active than either the tincture or decoction. The latter when 
 first taken are not peculiarly unpleasant, but speedily stimulate the 
 mouth and fauces, and produce a free discharge from the salivary 
 glands. A tincture of the root in rectified spirit, was formerly in 
 great repute ; and it was said to be more active and permanent in its 
 effects It is now disused. It has been said, and perhaps not without 
 foundation, that the bark of the root contains most of the active 
 power of the plant ; and that the ligneous portion is comparatively 
 inert. To this opinion Dr. Cullen inclines, though at the same time 
 
116 
 
 Polygala seneka. 
 
 he says the whole root has commonly been used without regard to this 
 difference inthepovver of its different parts. Murray relates the results 
 of analyses carefully made of the root of this plant, by those who have 
 written on it. But from them we learn nothing remarkable, except 
 that the aqueous is more abundant than the resinous extract ; 
 though the ligneous part of the root yields sufficiently, a resin, a 
 mucilage, 65c. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 The Seneka snake-root possesses various medicinal virtues. It is 
 stimulant, diuretic, sialagogue, expectorant, purgative, emetic and 
 sudorific ; and of late years it is esteemed a valuable emenagogue. Dr. 
 Cullen has treated of it, both under the head of cathartics, and under 
 that of diuretics. Dr. Barton, in his edition of Cullen, has assigned it 
 a place under the head of emcnagogues, and Dr. Chapman, under 
 the head of stimulating diuretics, as well as under the head of expec- 
 torants and emenagogues. Its purgative effect was regarded by Dr. 
 Cullen as its true characteristic ; and under the opinion that it was 
 'most salutary, when it produced copious evacuations, he arranged it 
 under the head of cathartics. From this opinion many respectable 
 physicians dissent. 
 
 It is now more than eighty years, (1735) since Dr. John Tennant 
 invited the attention of physicians to this medicine, as an antidote 
 
Polygala seneka. 
 
 117 
 
 against the bite of the rattle-snake. In an extensive intercourse with 
 the Indian nations of our country, it appears that, induced by the 
 offer of alluring rewards, he obtained from the Senagaroos, a disclo- 
 sure of their secret remedy for this accident, or the disease arising 
 in consequence of it. According to their practice, it was applied ex- 
 ternally and internally, either chewed and applied to the wound, or 
 in the form of cataplasm. Dr. Tennant himself saw, or thought he 
 saw, beneficial effects from the root of this medicine in cases of this 
 kind. He inferred from the similarity of those symptoms which su- 
 pervened on the poison of the rattlesnake, to those of pleurisy, 
 that the medicine would prove beneficial in that disease. He accord- 
 ingly recommended it, and it has been much used, and with repeat- 
 ed good effect, in peripneumonic cases. The most prominent of 
 the physicians who have borne testimony in favour of its powers 
 in those cases, are Bouvart, De Jussieu, Lemery, and Duhamel. Sir 
 Francis Millman, Dr. Percival, and others, have spoken highly of it 
 as a diuretic in dropsies. Of late years the Seneka has been much 
 used in croup, and numerous well attested instances of its beneficial 
 effects are to be found in various publications. The credit of discover- 
 ing the efficacy of the root in this complaint, is due to Dr. Archer,* 
 of Maryland, who, confessedly, was the first person that proposed its 
 use in that distressing malady. The late Dr. Barton, on this subject 
 says “ from my own experience I am led to repose more confidence 
 
 * See Medical Repository, New York, vol. ii. n. 1. art. viL 
 
118 
 
 Polygala seneka. 
 
 in the use of this medicine (in croup) than in any other.’’* * * § The sali- 
 vating property of seneka has been long known, and the instances of 
 this effect being succeeded by its use, are numerous and authentic. Its 
 expectorant power has caused it to be used in cases of typhus with 
 pneumonic symptoms, and with considerable success, greatly pro- 
 moting, by stimulating the lungs, the expectoration of mucus. “ Dr. 
 Brandreth, of Liverpool, has derived great benefit in some cases of 
 lethargy, from an extract of seneka combined with carbonate of 
 ammonia.’’! That it acts, occasionally, with much vigour as a sudo- 
 rific, seems beyond disputation ; but I cannot mention without some 
 apprehension of raising a smile, the marvellous effect said to have 
 been produced on the blacks who have used it. Dr. Barton mentions 
 that he “ has been assured it has been known to remove portions of 
 the mucous body or rete mucosum from their skin.”! According to 
 the doctor, the Indians use a decoction of this root in syphilis, and in 
 malignant sore-throat. We are told by Dr. Woodville, that “ the re- 
 pute which this root obtained in peripneumonic affections, induced 
 some to employ it in other inflammatory disorders, in which it 
 proved serviceable, particularly in rheumatism. The notion that this 
 
 * Collections. 
 
 f Edinburgh Disp. by Dyck. p. 348. 
 
 \ Collections. 
 
 § Med. Bot. vol. 2. p. 255. Com. Novic. 1741. p. 363. Sarcone Geschichte de 
 Kraukh. in Neapel, tom. 1. p. 108. 169. 173. 199. 
 
Polygala seneka. 
 
 119 
 
 root possesses the power of rendering the siziness of the blood more 
 fluid, has been satisfactorily refuted by De Haen ;* and does really 
 seem to be entitled to no serious attention. 
 
 From this summary of its virtues and effects, it will be seen that 
 the seneka is a medicine of no common powers ; but on adverting 
 to what is manifestly the most prominent effect of its operation, its 
 stimulant power, we cannot but be struck with the impropriety of 
 administering it in the first stages of inflammatory disorders, such 
 as pleurisy and croup ; for the latter cannot be considered purely 
 spasmodic. In these cases, unless the lancet has been freely used, 
 the seneka cannot, I apprehend, be safely given. It is a stimulant 
 of a very searching nature, influencing besides the circulation of the 
 blood, the lymphatic and secretory organs in a powerful and peculiar 
 manner. It does not really appear that it has ever cured true pleu- 
 risy ; neither has the lancet been omitted in most of the cases of cy- 
 nanche trachealis, in which it has proved serviceable: and it may be 
 questioned, whether Dr. Archer has insisted enough on the propriety 
 of blood-letting, prior to the extensive use of the seneka in croup. 
 He recommends a strong decoction of the root in this disease, which 
 acts as an emetic, cathartic, and expectorant. The decoction is made 
 from half an ounce of the bruised or coarsely powdered root, and eight 
 ounces of water, boiled over a slow fire down to half the quantity. 
 Of this decoction he gives a tea-spoonful every half hour, or every 
 
 * Ratio Medendi, par. 4. p. 252. 
 
ISO 
 
 Polygala seneka. 
 
 hour, according as the urgency of the symptoms may indicate ; and 
 at intervals, a few drops to keep up the stimulus, until the medicine 
 acts on the stomach or bowels. The medicine is to be repeated in 
 diminished quantities, so as to keep up a constant stimulus in the 
 throat and mouth. This practice has been imitated by many phy- 
 sicians with success.* 
 
 *The following is Dr. Barton's account of his use of this medicine in croup: 
 “Since the beginning of the year 1798, I have employed a strong decoction of this 
 plant in several cases of cynanche trachealis, or hives. I am persuaded, that the se- 
 neka is a very important medicine in the treatment of this common, and too frequently 
 unmanageable, disease; and praise, in my opinion, is due to Dr. Archer, for his im- 
 portant discovery ; for such I cannot but deem it. That the seneka is a specific, or 
 certain remedy, for the cure of the croup, 1 do not believe : but, from my own experi- 
 ence, I am led to repose more confidence in the use of this medicine than in any other. 
 I have made use of a very strong or saturated decoction of the root. I have always given 
 it in large quantities. It appears to be chiefly beneficial, when it occasions an expecto- 
 ration of mucus, and when it proves emetic. It is also very useful by virtue of its pur- 
 gative quality. But I have known it to occasion very plentiful stools, without benefiting 
 the patient. Indeed, in the exhibition of the seneka, I would rather wish to guard against 
 large purging. I have sometime treated my patients almost entirely with the seneka. 
 Even in such cases, I have perceived most unequivocal good effects from it. But I have, 
 more generally, given, along with the seneka, calomel, and sometimes calomel com- 
 bined with ipecacuanha. I have not omitted the employment of the lancet, (though this, 
 in many cases of croup, is not absolutely necessary,) and the use of blisters, or sina- 
 pisms, applied near to the seat of the disease. I am happy to close this short notice by 
 observing, that several respectable physicians in Philadelphia inform me, that they have 
 used the seneka, with much advantage, in the disease in question.” 
 
Polygala seneka. 
 
 121 
 
 It is a common practice to combine calomel with the seneka, and 
 also Virginian snake-root. In union with the latter, I have seen much 
 good effect from it in typhoid pneumonia. When combined with 
 calomel, it should be reduced to powder, and made into boluses, of 
 which the dose is, for an adult, about a scruple three or four times a 
 day. The dose of the powdered root alone, is from thirty grains to 
 two scruples ; but as in this form it is apt to operate as a purgative, and 
 sometimes as an emetic, it is preferred to give the decoction, which 
 may be made by boiling an ounce of the root in a pound and an half 
 of water, till it is reduced to a pound ; and of this a table-spoonful is 
 a dose, frequently repeated. 
 
 The discovery of the valuable emenagogue virtues of the seneka, 
 originated many years ago, with my friend Dr. Hartshorne, an emi- 
 nent surgeon of this city, whose experience, and habits of searching- 
 observation in the practice of his profession, warrant me in quoting 
 him as authority of the highest value. From him I have recently 
 learned the following facts : that he still continues to prescribe the 
 seneka in amenorrhcea, with unimpaired confidence, resulting from 
 much experience with its peculiar, (perhaps specific) operation in this 
 disease. He has prescribed it many times, when the suppression of 
 the catamenia was of very longstanding, but in these cases its efficacy 
 seems less conspicuous than in more recent cases. His usual mode 
 of administering it, is in saturated decoction, to the extent of a pint in 
 twenty -four hours, commencing about two weeks previous to the 
 
 16 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
Polygalci seneka. 
 
 i O =) 
 
 1<VV 
 
 expected menstrual period; and he has found it most efficacious when 
 the system was prepared for its operation, during the two preceding 
 weeks, by the administration of calomel, so as to produce a gentle 
 ptyalism. The doctor has also used the seneka in these cases in sub- 
 stance, but prefers the saturated decoction. When the cases are of 
 very long standing, one, two, or three years, he is in the habit of reite- 
 rating the practice as above detailed, with this exception, that he does 
 not continue the use of the seneka during the whole period, because 
 of the disgust it is under such circumstances apt to produce, by its 
 nauseating tendency. At the instance of Dr. Hartshorne, this article 
 was tried in amenorrhcea, some years ago, by Professor Chapman* 
 and he speaks in the highest terms* of his success. f 
 
 * See his Elements of Therapeutics and Materia Medica, vol. ii. article Polygala 
 seneka, under the head of Emenagogucs. 
 
 fit is much to be regretted, that the credit of this important discovery of the eme- 
 nagoguc powers of the seneka, has not been given, by either Dr. Thacher, or Dr. 
 Coxc, who copies and quotes the doctor, to him, to whom alone it is due ; and it is but just 
 to remark, that though in the publications of Drs. Thacher and Coxe,|| the name of Dr. 
 Chapman is alone mentioned in relation to this subject, yet the latter gentleman has, 
 in two publications§ on the seneka, not only acknowledged Dr. Hartshorne as first 
 pointing out this peculiar effect of the seneka, but gives him all due credit for the 
 discovery. These observations are made with a firm belief, that Dr. Hartshorne’s 
 name is inadvertently omitted in the publications of Thacher and Coxe ; and with a 
 design, by rendering unto Caesar the things "which are Caesar’s, to affix the merit due on 
 this occasion, to an unassuming man of great merit, whose modesty would never suffer 
 him to speak or write himself on the subject of any claim, wrested from him by inad- 
 vertence or design. 
 
 t Dispensatory, 3d. ed. I! Dispensatory, 3d. ed. 
 
 § Eclectic Repertory. Elements of Thera, and Materia Medica, 1818. 2d. vol. 
 
Polygala seneka. 
 
 12 3 
 
 I may here not impertinently remark, that in the treatment of a re- 
 cent case* of hydrophobia, under my care, I prescribed the Polygala 
 seneka in pills, of the pulverized root, and in powders, under the 
 impression, that in this fatal and mysterious malady, the prominent 
 feature of which is the distressing affection of the pharynx and larynx, 
 and an extreme difficulty of expectorating the great quantity of vis- 
 cid mucous with which the trachea seems choaked up — it might 
 prove serviceable. I was led to this practice from the analogy of its 
 effects in croup, as detailed by Dr. Archer : and though in the short 
 continuance of this disease, which ran its terrific and fatal course in 
 less than two entire days, I had but little opportunity of coming to 
 any decided conclusion on the effect of the seneka ; still I ought to 
 remark, that it promoted expectoration very freely. It was adminis- 
 tered but for three hours, and not to any great extent. In a disease 
 so direful in its symptoms and so universally fatal in its effect, it is a 
 matter of no inconsiderable importance to seek alleviating remedies. 
 I would therefore propose the free use of the seneka in cases of hy- 
 drophobia, with a view to its specific or remarkable operation on the 
 apparent seat of this malady, the lungs, trachea and larynx ; and 
 should another case ever occur in my practice, I shall lose no time in 
 the administration of a remedy so powerfully affecting these organs. 
 
 * Of this case, which occurred between the 28th and 30th of the present month, 
 (November,) and which supervened upon the bite of a rabid dog, I have drawn up a de- 
 tailed account, which is to be soon published in one of our periodical journals. 
 
124 
 
 Poly gala seneka. 
 
 TABLE XXXVI. 
 
 Fig. l. Represents a plant of the Polygala seneka in flower. 
 
 2. The root. 
 
 3. The calix. 
 
 4. 5 , 6, 7, and 8. The different parts of the papilionaceous 
 
 corolla. 
 
 (All the size of nature.) 
 
Eg 2 
 
 IP (!)) TT^iY (Fn-.f ^TL a^\ IKi TK" c\ » 
 
 j S cnfcka Snake -i?© ©t *) 
 
EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM. 
 
 BONE-SET. THOROUGH-WORT, 
 
 Thorough-stem. Vegetable Antimony. Cross-wort. Indian Sage. Thorough-wax. 
 
 “ Ague-weed,” of the Indians. 
 
 Germ. Durchwachsener Wasserdost. ( [Willd .) 
 
 Eupatoritjm perfoliatum. L. Sp. PI. 1174. Hort. Cliff. 396. Hort. Ups. 253. Roy. 
 Lugdb. 156. Gron. Virg. 119. Cold. Noveb. 181. Mill. Diet. n. 8. Pluk. 
 Aim. 140. t. 87. f. 6. Raj. Suppl. 189. Morris. Hist. iii. p. 97. Houttuyn. Lin. 
 Pfl. Syst. iv. p. 243. Willd. Sp. PI. iii. p. 1761. Mich. FI. Am. Boreal, ii. p. 
 99. Pursh, FI. Am. Sep. ii. p. 516. Hort. Kew. iii. 160. Cutler, 478. Stokes’s 
 Bot. Mat. Med. iv. p. 171. Guthrie, in Ann. Med. iii. 403. Schoepf, Mat. 
 Med. Am. 121. Bart. Collections, 3d. ed. part i. p. 28. 55. part ii. p. 22. 
 Anderson, Inaug. Diss. (New York, 1813.) Thach. Disp. 3d. ed.p. 220. Coxe’s 
 Disp. ed. 3d. p. 317. Dyck. Ed. Disp. p. 264. 415. Chapman’s Element. Mat. 
 Med. and Thera, vol. i. p. 343. ii. p. 415. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. 77. Comp. FI. 
 Ph. ii. p. 101. Big. Florula Bost. p. 190. Muhl. Cat. PI. Am. Sep. p. 74. 
 Pursh, in Medical and Physical Journal. Big. Am. Med. Bot. p. 33. Bart. 
 Med. and Phys. Jour. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. vol. ii. p. 135. 
 
 17 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
126 
 
 Eupatorium perfoliatiim . 
 
 EUPATORIUM. 
 
 Gen. PI. 1272. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Corymbiferae. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Compositae discoideae. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Syngenesia. Ordo Polygamia aequalis. 
 
 Eupatorium, T. L.* Eupatoire. Flores flosculosi. Calix imbricatus iniequaiis oblon- 
 gus cylindricus pauciflorus. Pappus plumosus. Caulis frutescens aut herbaceus, 
 interdum scandens ; folia in plurimis opposita, in paucis verticillata aut alter- 
 na; floressfepe corymbosi terminales aut axilla res, purpurascentes. Species quae- 
 dam Linnaeanae calice polyphyllo simplici non imbricato, Cacaliae affiniores ex 
 D. Lamark ; quaedam pappo piloso. An congener Critonia Brown. Jam. t. 34. 
 f. 1., cui ex Autore calix '4-florus, pappus ramosus, caetera similia ? 
 
 Juss. Gen. PI. cd. 1789. p. 178. 
 
 Gen. Ch. Common Calix oblong, imbricated ; scales linear-lanceolate, erect, unequal, 
 unarmed. Cor. Compound, uniform, discoid ; florets all uniform, perfect, fer- 
 tile, monopetalous, funnel-shaped, with a regular 5-cleft spreading border. 
 Stam. Filaments five, capillary, very short ; anthers united into a cylindrical 
 tube. Fist. Germen minute ; style thread-shaped, very long, cloven, slender, 
 bluntish, straight. Peric. None, except the; permanent calix. Seeds solitary, 
 oblong, angular ; down long, rough or feathery. Recep. naked. 
 
 Ess. Ch. Receptacle naked. Down rough or feathery. Calix imbricated, oblong. Style 
 prominent, cloven halfway down, divaricated. Ency. 
 
 Recep. Nudum. Pappus pilosus. Cal. imbricatus, cylindricus. Stylus semibifidus, 
 longus. 
 
 Eupatorium perfoliatum ; foliis connato-perfoliatis oblongis sursum angustatis ser- 
 ratis, rugosis, subtus tomentosis, caule villoso. — Willd. and Pursli. 
 
 Leaves connate-perfoliate, oblong, narrow above, serrate, rough, tomentose be- 
 neath ; stem villous. 
 
 2 
 
Eupatorium perfoliatum. 
 
 127 
 
 SYNONYM A. 
 
 Eupatorium Virginianum, Salvise lbliis, &o. Pink. 
 
 Eupatorium foliis connatis tonicntosis. Cutler, 
 
 Eupatorium connatum. Mich. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Eupat. perfol. Herba et flores — the flowers and leaves. 
 
 The subject of this article is wholly destitute of any thing like 
 comliness, but is a very general favourite and will probably always 
 be highly esteemed, for its medicinal powers. The plant which 
 gave name to the very extensive genus of which the Bone-set is 
 a species, is the e V7rx1 a p i oVy of Diosco rides, from Mithridates, sur- 
 named Eupator, who is reputed to have brought the original plant 
 into use as an antidote against poisons. Most of the species, of 
 which Willdenow enumerates seventy-one, are indigenous to Ame- 
 rica. Pursh describes twenty-seven as natives of North America ; 
 and others will be found extending beyond the tropics as far as 
 Peru and Paraguay. Those indigenous to our states, are all plain 
 looking plants, except the E. ccelestinum, the beautiful blue flowers 
 of which have given rise to the appropriate specific name. Many of 
 them, however, compensate in stature for what they want in beauty 
 
128 
 
 Eupatorium perfoliatum. 
 
 several of the red-flowered species being from five to seven feet 
 high. They decorate our autumnal landscapes, by the profusion 
 of their red and white flowers, and by the abundance in which they 
 are every where met with. 
 
 The present is perhaps one of the commonest, if not the most 
 common, of all the species inhabiting our country; being found 
 in meadows, damp woods, watery thickets, and on the margins of 
 brooks, rivulets and other small waters, in the greatest profusion — 
 covering indeed occasionally, whole acres of ground. It is peculiar 
 to North America, and is easily distinguished from all the other spe- 
 cies, to many of which it is nearly allied by its general habit and its 
 flowers, by the remarkable structure of its leaves, which decussate 
 each other in such a manner as to have given rise to the appellation 
 of cross-wort. It may also be readily known by its blistered or rugose 
 leaves, which have imposed on it the epithet of Indian Sage. But 
 another discriminating mark in the leaves, arises from the manner 
 in which they are perforated by the stem ; and hence the vulgar 
 names, Thorough-wort and Thorough-wax. 
 
 The origin of the common name bone-set , it is not easy to as- 
 certain ; though a mere suggestion of Professor Barton seems to 
 have afforded a late writer on the Materia Medica a hint for a 
 derivation, which he has not failed to avail himself of. We are 
 told by this gentleman, upon what authority other than his own, we are 
 
Eupatoruim perfoliatum. 
 
 129 
 
 left to conjecture, that the plant derived the name of bone-set from 
 the relief it afforded in a certain “ singular catarrh or species of influ- 
 enza,’’ which prevailed about thirty years ago, and was denominated 
 break-bone-fever. We are satisfied the Professor would find it ex- 
 tremely difficult to shew by any printed testimony, that the medici- 
 nal powers of Eupatorium perfoliatum were generally known even 
 twenty, much less thirty years ago, or that the vulgar name, bone- 
 set, is of earlier origin than fifteen years back. 
 
 The root is perennial, somewhat horizontal. The stems erect, 
 from two to four feet high, round, very hairy, (hair flexuose,) and di- 
 vided towards the top into decussating branches, so as to form when 
 in flower, a flat dense fastigiate corymb. The stem is generally 
 greyish-green, but often purplish towards the base. The leaves de- 
 cussate each other at regular distances ; are perfoliate, or perhaps 
 connate, broadest at their base or point of union with the stem, and 
 taper gradually into a long acumination. They are serrate, very ru- 
 gose or wrinkled, closely beset with hairs of a grey colour, which, 
 together with those wherewith the stem, and indeed nearly the whole 
 plant is covered, give it a greyish-green aspect. The under surface 
 of the leaves is paler than the upper, and both woolly. The two or 
 three upper pairs of leaves on the stems, and all those on the 
 branches, are given off in pairs, and lose the perfoliate or connate 
 character, being there merely sessile. Flowers terminal, white, sup- 
 ported on short hairy peduncles, in close fastigiate corymbs. Calix 
 
 
130 
 
 Eupatorium perfoliatum. 
 
 imbricate and hirsutulous; scales lanceolate, acute. Florets about 
 twelve or fourteen. Each flower tubulous, divided into five segments 
 or teeth, as represented in Fig. 3 . Anthers deep blue or black, fila- 
 ments five, united with a fistulous brace. Seeds prismatic, attenuate 
 at the base, of a crow-black colour, and situated on a naked receptacle. 
 Pappus or clown of the seed pilose ; hairs scabrous. The flowers are 
 fully expanded in the month of August, and the plant is everywhere 
 found in bloom during the autumn, and even as late as the last of Oc- 
 tober. 
 
 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 We are indebted to Dr. Andrew Anderson, for an excellent che- 
 mical analysis of this species of Eupatorium. According to his expe- 
 riments, it appears, that it contains first : a free acid — secondly, tannin 
 in small quantity — thirdly, a bitter extractive matter — fourthly, a gum- 
 my matter — fifthly, a resin — sixthly, azote — seventhly, lime, proba- 
 bly the acetate of lime ; eighthly, gallic acid, probably modified ; 
 ninthly, a resiniform matter soluble in water and alcohol, which 
 seems to contain a bitter principle. 
 
 The medicinal properties of bone-set are fully given out, both to 
 aqueous and spirituous menstrua. Proof spirit digested on the leaves 
 and flowers, make a fine preparation for cases which will bear the 
 spirit. 
 
Eupatorium perfoliatum. 
 
 13 i 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 Great indeed is the renown of the Eupatorium perfoliatum, as a me- 
 dicine, and various as well as powerful are the virtues attributed to it. 
 Should a wide extended experience justify, in future, only one-half the 
 encomiums which have been lavishly bestowed upon it, it will even 
 then be entitled to a distinguished rank in the Materia Medica. It is 
 impossible to read the accounts which are given of the virtues and 
 effects of this popular medicine, without indulging the belief, that fa- 
 vouritism, partiality, or fashion, has had some share in decorating it 
 out for public view. Believing as I do, that few plants of our country 
 are more deserving of the attention of physicians than this, for its 
 real virtues, I regret the too ready adoption from vague rumours, of 
 accounts of those which are merely imaginary, and which may lead, 
 on the discovery of the error, to limit its use, or to its total rejection 
 from practice. Notwithstanding the real, the obviously beneficial ef- 
 fects, in curing, or alleviating diseases, or symptoms of diseases, 
 which belong to this plant, some of those who have written on its 
 properties, have needlessly indulged in a vein of exaggeration, wholly 
 incompatible with the reality, and calculated to bring the medicine 
 sooner or later into disrepute. I have ventured to speak thus confi- 
 dently on this subject, because as it is a favourite article in my own 
 practice, I have consequently been led to use it frequently and ex- 
 
133 
 
 Eupatorium perfoliatum. 
 
 tensively, and to give it every trial which a favourable impression of 
 its powers would induce me to make. The result has been, that 
 while I deem its properties on the one hand much exaggerated and 
 even misrepresented in some points of view, I cannot but believe on 
 the other, that it is a highly important article, when administered in 
 those affections, to the symptoms of which its peculiar virtues are ap- 
 plicable and proper. 
 
 Bone-set has been represented by various writers, most of whom 
 have copied after others, as a tonic, stimulant, diaphoretic, eme- 
 tic, cathartic, diuretic, astringent, and deobstruent,* as capable of 
 curing obstinate cutaneous affections, yellow fever, petechial orspotted 
 fever, rheumatism, ^c. §c. thereby leading the unwary and the inex- 
 perienced practitioner, to depend too much on its reputed powers. 
 
 The sensible properties of bone-set would seem to point out its 
 most estimable medicinal powers. The whole plant is intensely bit- 
 ter. It is also possessed of some slight astringency. When dried it 
 has a peculiar, and not disagreeable odour. 
 
 The leaves and flowers according to some writers on the subject, 
 contain the bitterness, in different degrees of intensity. The late Pro- 
 fessor Barton states in his collections, that the flowers are more active 
 than the leaves, and in this error, Dr. Chapman has copied him. Dr. 
 Anderson on the other hand asserts, that the leaves are more active 
 
183 
 
 Eiipatorium perfoliatum. 
 
 than the flowers, and he has been copied by Thacher, Coxe, and others. 
 Careful practical experiments with the decoctions and infusions of 
 both these portions of the plant, in similar and dissimilar doses, have 
 led me to form the opinion, that there is no difference in the bitter- 
 ness or activity on the system, between the leaves and flowers. Both 
 may be used indiscriminately, and either will answer. The stems also, 
 allowing for the proportion of medulla which enter into their struc- 
 ture, are nearly as efficacious, as the other portions. Consequently, 
 the whole plant may be safely and advantageously used for medical 
 purposes. 
 
 I have said that the sensible properties of the bone-set indicate 
 its medicinal virtues; and it appears that the tonic and diapho- 
 retic effects, both of which are unequivocal and powerful, are those 
 most deserving attention. It is also somewhat stimulant, but this 
 effect is transient; and perhaps it is no more so than all bitters are, 
 in their first impression on the system, particularly if it be debilitated 
 by disease, or in a state of excitement from fever. It is certain that 
 it has been successfully prescribed in violent catarrhs attended with 
 some fever, and its stimulant effect has not been so considerable as 
 to be injurious in those cases. As a tonic bitter it has been long 
 known in this country, and the Indians are said to have used it in the 
 cure of intermittent fevers ; we are even told by the late Professor 
 Barton, that they recognize it by a name which may be translated 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 18 
 
134 
 
 Eupatorium perfoliatum. 
 
 ague-weed. Imitating their practice, many country physicians of 
 respectability use it as a substitute for Peruvian bark in these affec- 
 tions. Their reports are uniformly favourable to the powers of 
 the article in curing those fevers, unassisted by any other medi- 
 cines. This practice is particularly common in the middle and lower 
 parts of Jersey, where I have had opportunities of knowing that this 
 plant was successfully used by practitioners of medicine, and in do- 
 mestic practice, in the treatment of many of the different types of 
 intermittent fever. Dr. Anderson, in his inaugural thesis, enumerates 
 and details some cases of quotidian, tertian, and quartan intermittents, 
 in which the bone-set had, under his own observation, performed 
 cures. His favourable accounts are supported by the testimony of 
 Dr. Hosack, who has frequently prescribed the article in the treat- 
 ment of intermittents. I am not able to offer any corroborative testi- 
 mony in favour of this plant in these affections, never having used it 
 in them. Dr. Barton says, that in decoction it has been efficaciously 
 administered in the hot stage of simple intermittents. The copious 
 perspiration produced when thus given warm, is highly beneficial, 
 and it is this effect which has given the plant the appellation of 
 “ vegetable antimony.” The Doctor, however, seemed to think, that 
 to the heat of the water when employed in this manner, was greatly 
 owing the diaphoretic effect; and, unaided by this adventitious circum- 
 stance, he doubts whether the determination to the skin can equal 
 that of Polygala seneka. In cold infusion I have not been able to 
 see any very decided or remarkable diaphoretic effect from it. 
 
 2 
 
Eupatoriwn perfoliatum. 135 
 
 The efficaciousness of hone-set is not confined to the simple forms 
 of intermittent fever. It has, beyond disputation, been successfully 
 employed in remitting bilious, in yellow, and typhus fevers, particu- 
 larly in the form of the latter disease, lately so rife throughout the 
 United States. And it is in cases of this disease that I have myself 
 used it, and in which I can offer the additional experience of an ex- 
 cellent practitioner, the late Samuel C. Hopkins, M. D.* This gentle- 
 man resided in the village of Woodbury, New Jersey, and enjoyed 
 an extensive practice in a range of fifteen or twenty miles of a po- 
 pulous tract of country, in which, from the low and marshy nature 
 of the soil — exposure of many of the inhabitants holding fisheries, to 
 the water, and other pernicious causes — intermittent and typhus 
 fevers were very prevalent, and the latter particularly malignant. 
 The Doctor was among those partial to the sweating plan of 
 treating this fever, and his unusual success in a multitude of 
 eases for five or six years in succession, is strongly in favour of that 
 mode of practice. The bone-set was the medicine used in produc- 
 ing this effect. He prescribed it freely in warm and cold decoction, 
 but preferred the warm. He assured me that in many instances, his 
 sole reliance was on this plant, which was occasionally so varied in 
 its manner of exhibition, as to produce emesis; and frequently was 
 intentionally pushed to such extent, as to excite free purging. Its 
 
 * Late of Philadelphia.— This amiable and excellent man fell a victim to typhus 
 fever. 
 
136 
 
 Enpatorium perfoliatum. 
 
 diaphoretic effect, however, he deemed it indispensable to ensure, 
 and therefore preferred in general giving it warm. He has related to 
 me many instances in which farmers had, without calling in medical 
 advice, or where it could not readily be procured, resorted of their 
 own accord to the free exhibition of a strong decoction of this plant, 
 for several nights and days in succession, assisting its sweating effect 
 by warm bed-clothing; and uniformly with beneficial, often with en- 
 tirely successful effect. 
 
 Encouraged by these reports, I have in every instance which 
 has occurred to myself, imitated this practice, not, however, plac- 
 ing such entire reliance on this means of cure as did the Doc- 
 tor, but using in addition, repeated small purgings. Yet I am de- 
 cidedly of opinion, from my experience with this article, that it 
 is, in all cases of low typhus, attended with hot and dry skin, as 
 is commonly the case, an inestimable medicine ; and I have seen 
 reason, in my own trials, to prefer the warm decoction or infu- 
 sion, to the cold, or to the plant given in substance. In every 
 instance I have used the decoction of the flowers and leaves of the 
 dried plant, to which form I give preference to any other. I have 
 not found it so apt to produce vomiting in this way, if judiciously and 
 cautiously administered, as the writers in our dispensatories seem to 
 fear. From one to two table spoonfuls given every half hour is, I think, 
 the best plan to ensure its diaphoretic, and avoid its emetic effect. In 
 
Eupatorium perfoliatum. 
 
 137 
 
 this way it excites nausea, and keeps up the moisture of the skin. 
 Its mere tonic effect is most easily ensured by giving in substance, 
 from twenty grains to a drachm of the powdered leaves and flowers, 
 from three to six times in the course of twenty -four hours. 
 
 Of the beneficial administration of bone-set, in the treatment of 
 yellow fever, medical records present us with well authenticated ac- 
 counts. It was extensively used by some practitioners in this disease, 
 at least as early as one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight, 
 when it was then rife in this city ; and we have the authority of 
 Dr. Barton to believe, that in that epidemic and others, it was used 
 with much advantage. Pursh, the Botanist, likewise states, in a let- 
 ter addressed to William Royston, Esq. inserted in the Medical and 
 Physical Journal, that much benefit was derived from its use by him- 
 self and others, during his stay in the neighbourhood of Lake Ontario ; 
 where both the influenza and lake fever, the latter of which he says was 
 similar to the yellow-fever, were raging among the inhabitants. In 
 those cases it was used in decoction, and spirituous infusion. 
 
 It appears by Dr. Anderson’s Thesis, that the bone-set was exten- 
 sively used in the New York Alms-house, in the year one thousand 
 eight hundred and twelve, in the treatment of intermittents, to the 
 exclusion of the Peruvian bark. It was given either in decoction, or 
 in powder. In the latter, in doses from twenty to thirty grains every 
 second hour during the intermission. This practice the Doctor states, 
 
138 
 
 Eupatovium perfoliatum. 
 
 was followed with uniform success. He further informs us, that Dr. 
 Hosack and Dr. Bard, in the treatment of yellow-fever, placed al- 
 most exclusive dependence, after proper evacuations, on sudorifics ; 
 and among this class of medicines used the bone-set, and estimated it 
 highly. More evidence in favour of this article in febrile affections 
 might be adduced ; but 1 presume enough already has been stated 
 to show its undisputed claim to be ranked as a valuable article 
 of the Materia Medica. Yet, though I have much reliance on the 
 powers of this plant, I cannot advocate or recommend the prac- 
 tice of depending exclusively on its effects, in the treatment of 
 fever or catarrhs, of whatever kind. That it would be safer to use it 
 as an auxiliary, than to rely wholly on its powers, in any but slight 
 cases, does not, I think, admit of a doubt, 
 
 I must here mention, that the bone-set has likewise been said to 
 cure acute rheumatism ; and that it has been used in those cases, my 
 own enquiries and observations assure me. Though I do not know any 
 well-attested facts of its efficacy here, or of any cures that it has per- 
 formed of this disease, I yet think it more than probable, its sweating 
 powers might be advantageously enlisted, in conjunction with blood- 
 letting, to cure acute rheumatism, after the highly inflammatory ac- 
 tion has been nearly or wholly subdued. But, perhaps, in the chronic 
 state of this disease it would be more safely administered, and not 
 unlikely, more usefully. 
 
Eupatorium perfoliatum. 
 
 139 
 
 Dr. Barton speaks of its alledged beneficial effect in a cutaneous 
 affection of a very peculiar character, which appeared some years 
 ago in Virginia, and was called, from the part of the country in 
 which it raged, the James’s river ring-worm. This solitary fact is 
 all that can be adduced in favour of its efficacy in cutaneous diseases, 
 and it does really not appear to me to be sufficiently supported by 
 corroborative testimony, or the experience of others. 
 
 It cannot be doubted that, on this point, powers have been as- 
 cribed to the plant which it does not possess. This much a regard 
 for truth, obliges me to declare, that in three or four cases of ob- 
 stinate cutaneous eruptions, in which I have given the bone-set every 
 fair trial, it proved utterly worthless. 
 
 I can readily believe, it has done good in diseases of general debi- 
 lity, which occurred in the New York Alms-house, as mentioned in 
 the thesis already referred to. But that it is competent to the 
 cure of dropsies, I much doubt. Indeed my enquiries and observa- 
 tions in different states, do not corroborate the assertion of Dr. 
 Chapman,* that “ the physicians of this and the neighbouring states, 
 are much in the habit of prescribing it, in dropsical effusions.” I have 
 no where been able to learn, that, either by physicians or in domes- 
 tic employment of the plant, such a practice has been resorted to. 
 
 * Elements Mat. Med. vol. i. p. 34 5. 
 
140 
 
 Eupatorium perfoliatum . 
 
 Neither does it seem probable to me, that the sensible or other 
 known properties of bone-set, justify the notion, that in such cases it 
 would be efficacious. From its tonic effect, indeed, it may not be 
 injurious, but perhaps this is the utmost that can be said on this 
 point. Certainly the inconsiderable diuretic consequences of the use 
 of the herb, promise nothing beneficial in dropsies. For any effect 
 it may occasionally have on the kidnies, it shares with many other 
 diaphoretic remedies, which, particularly if given in warm decoc- 
 tion, are well known occasionally to increase the urinary discharge.* 
 Schoepf speaks of its use in gout, and recommends its external 
 application for the relief of pains. 
 
 After the preceding observations, I am fully justified in recom- 
 mending the bone-set as a valuable tonic bitter, at least equal to the 
 chamomile; and as a medicine truly valuable for its diaphoretic 
 effects. And though its other occasional qualities are not, in them- 
 selves, sufficient to recommend the plant to the notice of physicians, 
 yet they certainly enhance the value of the article. The plant is 
 so abundant throughout the country, that it is within the reach of 
 every country physician, and those residing in cities or towns can 
 also readily procure it; a circumstance which adds much to the 
 satisfaction I feel in recommending it. 
 
 * It is not improbable that the Professor, who disclaims all knowledge of botany, and 
 whose work indeed, on the Materia Medica, teems with botanical errors, may have 
 mistaken the plant used in dropsies, or been misinformed. 
 

lEIMTOOT Hi FEF-tF^ILTLf-rinT/lI 
 
Eupatorium perfoliatum . 
 
 141 
 
 TABLE XXXVII. 
 
 Fig. 1. Represents a flowering specimen of Eupatorium perfoliatum. 
 I have often seen the flowers reddish-purple. 
 
 2. A flower separated, and greatly magnified. 
 
 3. A floret separated from the flower, still more magnified. 
 
 4. Anthers embraced by the tube — somewhat enlarged 
 
 5. A seed, magnified. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 49 
 
MEDEOLA VIRGINICA. 
 
 INDIAN CUCUMBER. CUCUMBER-ROOT. 
 
 Germ. Virg'inische Medeola. ( [Willd .) 
 
 Medeoxa Yirginica. L. Sp. PI. 483. Mill. Diet. n. 3. Gron. Virg. 39. Pluk. Aim. 401. 
 t. 3£8. f. 4. Houttuyn. Lin. Pfl. Syst. vi. p. 389. Willd. Sp. PI. tom. ii. par. 1. 
 p. 270. Pursh, FI. Am. Sep. vol. i. p. 244. Bot. Mag. 1316. Mich. FI. Am. 
 Boreal, i. p. 214. Mulil. Cat. Am. Sep. 2d. ed. p. 37. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. 44. 
 Comp. FI. Pli. vol. i. p. 175. Big. Flor. Bost. p. 85. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. vol. i. 
 p. 238. W'alt. FI. Car. p. 126. Elliot. FI. Georg., &c. vol. i. p. 426. Schoepf, 
 Mat. Med. Am. p. 53. Bart. Collect. 3d. ed. par. i. p. 38. Hort. Kew. vol. i. 
 p. 489. Cutler, 437. Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 326. Coxe’s Disp. ed. 
 3d. p. 410. Dyck. Ed. Disp. p. 417. 
 
 MEDEOLA. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Jlsparagi. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Sarmentaceae. 
 
 Artif. Syst. Lin. Classis Hexandria. Ordo Trigijnia. 
 
 Corolla 6-parted, revolute. Calix none. Filaments and anthers distinct. Styles none. 
 
144 
 
 Medeola Virginica. 
 
 Stigmas three, filiform ami divaricate, united at the base. Berry 3-celIed; cells 
 5 or 6-seeded. Seeds compressed, 3 -sided. 
 
 Nutt. sub. Gyromia, Gen. Am. PI. 
 
 Medeola Virginica; caule lanugine decidua vestito; foliis in medio caule 6-8 verti- 
 cillatis, in summitate ternis ; ovali-Ianceolatis ; pedicellis aggregatis, termina- 
 libus. Mich. 
 
 Stem simple, erect ; leaves verticillated ; flowers terminal, aggregate. B. 
 
 SYNONYM A. 
 
 Medeola foliis stellatis lanceolatis fructu baccato. Gron. 
 Lilium s. Martagon pusillum, &c. Pluk. 
 
 Medeola verticillifolia. Stokes. 
 
 Gyromia Virginica. Nutt, and Bart, in Comp. FI. Ph. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 MEDEOLiE Virginicte Radix. 
 
 The Medeola Virginica is remarkable for the extreme regularity 
 and simplicity of its structure, and may certainly be considered 
 as a handsome plant. I have always endeavoured to give in 
 this work, the derivation of the generic name, wherever it was 
 known ; but in the present instance it is not easy to determine whence 
 the name Medeola originated. Professor Martin supposes that it is 
 
Medeola Virginica. 
 
 145 
 
 the diminutive of Medea, the renowned sorceress of ancient Mytho- 
 logy ; and this appears to be the only suggestion on the subject, en- 
 titled to consideration. 
 
 The genus Medeola comprises three species, one or two of which 
 Michaux, Gawler, and some other botanists have proposed to ex- 
 punge. Jussieu intimates that it should be referred to Trillium or 
 Paris, from its analogy to those genera, having verticillated leaves 
 and the habit of Trillium; and Mr. Nuttall has recently severed the 
 species now under notice, from Medeola, and constituted it a new 
 genus, to which he has given the name of Gyromia, from a 
 circle, in reference to its verticillated leaves. He does indeed 
 appear to have good reason for this separation ; the present plant, 
 having a three-celled berry, each cell containing from five to six 
 seeds ; while the other two, which are African species, have berries 
 containing three cordate seeds. Therefore it was, that in my Com- 
 pendium Florae Philadelphicse, I rather hastily adopted the new 
 name. As, however, some inconvenience arises in a medical work 
 like this, from the change of long-received names, I have, for the 
 present, preferred the old one of Medeola. 
 
 The root is horizontal, from one to two inches long, about half an 
 inch thick, oblong, fleshy, pure white, and covered with a few fibrous 
 radicles. The stem is from one to two feet high, herbaceous, very 
 erect, terete, shining, of a yellowish colour, and covered for a few 
 
146 
 
 Medeola Virginica. 
 
 inches above and below the lowest whorl of leaves, with a deciduous, 
 white, flocculent coat, which can easily be removed by drawing the 
 stems between the fingers. The leaves are in two distinct, remote 
 whorls. Those forming the lowest whorl, which is about midway of 
 the height of the stem, are about six or eight in number, broad, lan- 
 ceolate, acuminate, attenuate at the base, entire, three-nerved, of a 
 very yellow green above, and glaucous or nearly so on the under- 
 side. The upper whorl is at the top of the stem; and generally con- 
 sists of three, but sometimes of four or five leaves, which are ovate, 
 acuminate, attenuate at the base, and, like those of the lower whorl, 
 entire, three-nerved, yellowish green above and nearly glaucous 
 beneath. Mr. Elliot describes the leaves as membranous, which in 
 the living state of the plant, I think they can scarcely be considered ; 
 though they do indeed dry with that appearance. The flowers are 
 situated on the top of the stem; are aggregate, about three or six in 
 number, two being mostly opened at a time, pedunculated, generally 
 drooping and concealed under the upper whorl of leaves. They are 
 supported by peduncles about three quarters of an inch or an inch long, 
 first green, afterwards becoming red. The corolla consists of three 
 straw-yellow petals, which are revolute, lanceolate, or lanceolate-oval, 
 obtuse, appearing narrower on the flower than when separated and 
 spread out as in Fig. 4, owing to the margin being somewhat re- 
 pand; Linnseus says the specimen he received from Gronovius 
 had four petals. Stigmas three, long, irregularly twisted, and divari- 
 cating horizontally, grooved above, and of a fine chesnut or madder 
 
Medeola Virginica. 
 
 147 
 
 brown colour. Stamens six, of the same colour. The berry is about 
 the size of a common pea, of a blue colour, inclining to purple, and 
 containing three cells, each having from five to six compressed 
 three-sided seeds. 
 
 This plant has a wide range in our states, being every where found 
 in moist rich woods, according to Michaux, Pursh, $jc. from Canada 
 to Florida. Its favourite situations are low thickets, bordering on 
 rivulets ; and in such places it will be found abundantly in the neigh- 
 bourhood of this city, flowering in the months of May and June. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 The claims of cucumber root, to be ranked as an article of the 
 Materia Medica, are rather humble. It must be acknowledged 
 that the sensible properties of the plant do not augur very favoura- 
 bly of its activity or usefulness, and it is even said the Indians eat the 
 root as we do the cucumber. Yet it has been deemed proper to 
 figure and describe it in this work, in consideration of some little 
 repute it has enjoyed, as a diuretic, and its alleged benefit as a 
 hydrogogue. Little seems to have been known of its real virtues, 
 by those who have noticed it as a medicine. Schoepf, it is true, has 
 enumerated it among the articles of the vegetable Materia Medica 
 
148 
 
 Medeola Virginica. 
 
 of this country: but he only asks the question whether it is allied to 
 Ipecacuanha in its powers, referring to Linnaeus’s Flora Lapponica, 
 and to Gronovius. Undoubtedly it is not entitled to any regard as 
 an emetic; and it seems probable that its hydrogogue powers alone 
 are worthy of any consideration. The late Professor Barton speaks 
 dubiously in his publication on this subject, of its use in dropsies, 
 which he mentions it has had the credit of curing. But I learned from 
 him a year before his death, that some trials made by himself, in 
 consequence of various information received from respectable 
 sources of its virtues as a diuretic, resulted in the confirmation of 
 the good accounts of the plant. They induced him to think more 
 favourably of its powers. Though I have had no experience with it, 
 as a medicine, I beg leave to recommend it for further experiment. 
 Of the manner and dose in which it has been used, I know nothing. 
 


 
 
 
 
 Fio. ? 
 
 
 
 
 
 !>vW l l .r.JU„r<m . 
 
 MS';.' Ikv'MLil 
 
 f hutir.iia 'CtiM-vimher.) 
 
 Fisy.3. 
 
Medeola Virginica. 
 
 149 
 
 TABLE XXXVIH, 
 
 Represents the entire plant. 
 
 Fig. 1. The upper portion with the terminating whorl of leaves, 
 flowers, and incipient fruit. 
 
 2_ The lower portion (separated from Fig. 1, at the mark +) 
 with the inferior whorl of leaves. The shaggy marks of 
 the graver along this portion of the stem, intended to re- 
 present the flocculent investment, which in the plant 
 itself covers just thus much of the stalk. 
 
 3. The root and lower portion of the stem, severed from the 
 
 upper (Fig. 2.) at the mark o. 
 
 4. Peduncle supporting the germ, and three stigmas. 
 
 5. A stamen. 
 
 6. A petal. 
 
 7. The ripe berry. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 20 
 
RUBUS VILLOSUS. 
 
 COMMON BLACKBERRY-BUSH. 
 
 High or Standing Blackberry. Hairy American Bramble, Ait. 
 
 Germ. Haarige Himbeere. — ( TVilld .) 
 
 Rdbus Yillosus. Willd. Sp. PI. 2. p. 1085. Pursh, FI. Am. Sep. 1. p. 346. Hort. Kew. 
 ii. p. 210. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. i. 308. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. 56. Comp. 
 FI. Ph. it p. 232. Muhl. Cat. 2d. ed. p. 52. Dyck. Ed. Disp. 366. Tkach. Disp. 
 3d. ed. 340. Big. Florula Bost. 122. Mich. FI. Boreal, Am. i. 297". 
 
 RUBUS. 
 
 Gen. PI. 864. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Rosaceae. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Lenticosae. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Icosandria. Ordo Polygynia. 
 
 Rubus, T. L. * Ronce, Framboisier. Calix patens 5-fidus. Petala 5. Stamina liume- 
 rosa farevia. Semina numerosa baccata, supra receptaculum commune dense 
 collecta in baccam compositam. Frutices aculeati vel quandoque inermes, 
 
i52 
 
 Rubus villosus. 
 
 rarius herbse semper inermes; folia simplicia ant ternata aut digitata, aut pin- 
 nata in Rubis quibusdam Commersonianis habitu similibus Rosae; flores ter- 
 minales aut et rarius axillares, racemoso-paniculati aut rarius solitarii, in R. 
 odorato corymbosi et abortu dioici. R. Chamaemorus sub terra monoi'ca et ex- 
 tus dioica, radicibus maris et fseminse junctis, caulibus distinctis, observante 
 post Solandrum Linnseo. Juss. Gen. Plant, ed. 1789. p. 338. 
 
 Cal. Patens, 5-fidus. Pet. 5. Bacca composita, acinis monospermis. 
 
 Gen. Ch. Cal. Perianth inferior, of one leaf, fiattish, in five oblong, spreading, sim- 
 ple, permanent segments. Cor. Petals five, roundish or oblong, somewhat 
 spreading, inserted into the calix, and usually about the length of its segments. 
 Stam. Filaments numerous, shorter than the corolla, inserted into the ca- 
 lix ; anthers roundish, compressed. Fist. Germens numerous, altogether su- 
 perior; styles small, capillary, one springing from the side of each germen; 
 stigmas simple, permanent. Peric. Berry compound, consisting of several 
 roundish pulpy grains, each of one cell, collected into a convex head, hollow 
 underneath, inserted upon a conical spongy permanent receptacle, and at length 
 deciduous. Seeds solitary, oblong, compressed. 
 
 Ons. The separate juicy grains, which compose the general berry, are usually 
 so attached to each other, that they cannot be disunited without lacerating. In 
 R. saxatilis they are distinct. R. Chamaemorus is not, as Linnaeus first thought, 
 dioecious, but monoecious ; Dr. Solander having observed that the male and 
 female flowers grow from one root, though on separate stems. Each flower 
 of this species has indeed both stamens and pistils, though, in one or other 
 flower, one part is imperfect. 
 
 Ess. Ch. Calix in five simple segments. Petals five. Berry superior, composed of 
 single-seeded grains, deciduous. Receptacle permanent. Ency. 
 
 Ribus villosus; pubescens, hispidus,.aculeatusque; foliis 3-5-digitatis, foliolis ovato- 
 oblongis, acuminatis, serratis, utrinque pubescentibus, caulibus petiolisque acu- 
 leatis, calice brevi acuminato, racemo laxo, pedicellis solitariis. 
 
 Willd. and Pursh. 
 
Rubus villosus. 
 
 153 
 
 Pubescent, hispid and prickly; leaves 3-5-digitate, folioles ovate-oblong, acumi- 
 nate, serrate, every where pubescent; stems and petioles prickly, calix short, 
 acuminate, raceme loose, pedicels solitary. B. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Rubi villosi. Radix, herba et fructus. 
 
 The term Rubus is an ancient Latin word, said to be of the same 
 origin as ruber , which is supposed to be the Celtic rub, red; the 
 prevalent colour of the fruit of many different species of rubus being 
 red. The genus comprises a great number of plants, valuable for 
 the grateful esculent quality of their fruits ; and contains also about 
 fifteen species,* which may be considered as medicinal. The whole 
 number enumerated by Willdenow is thirty-one; but it is now 
 known to be much greater, at least fifty species being ascertain- 
 ed as existing in Europe, the West Indies, Peru, Chili, Japan, China, 
 in the islands of the Pacific, and on the continent of India. Those 
 indigenous to this country are about nineteen or twenty, of which 
 by far the most frequent, is the common blackberry, now to be 
 particularly mentioned. It is however so universally and so well known, 
 that it does not require a minute description. The root is creep- 
 
 * 1. Rubus chamsemorus. 2. R. trifidus. 3. R. arcticus. 4. R. saxatilis. 5. R. mo- 
 iuccanus. 6. R. quinquelobus. 7. R. occidentalis. 8. R. parviflorus. 9. R. csesius. 
 10. R. corylifolius. 11. R. fruticosus. 12. R. idseus. 13. R. rosifolius. 14. Rubus pro- 
 cumbens. 15. R. villosus. 
 
154 
 
 Rubus villosus. 
 
 ing, irregularly gibbous, perennial, woody, and of a reddish-brown 
 colour, imparting a madder-brown or claret colour to water boiled 
 on it. The stems are biennial, from three to seven feet high, weak, 
 somewhat shrubby, of a reddish-brown colour, armed with large 
 prickles. The smaller branches and new shoots are more slender, 
 herbaceous, greenish, with here and there a tinge of brown or red, 
 and also covered with prickles and fine hair. The leaves are in five’s 
 and three’s, oval, acuminate, finely and sharply serrate, villous on 
 both sides, and soft to the fingers, strongly veined and varying in 
 size. The petioles are prickly, and also covered with hair. The 
 flowers are large, white, borne in terminal panicles or racemes, con- 
 sisting of a five-petalled corolla and numerous stamens. The fila- 
 ments are very slender, and the anthers small. The fruit is first 
 green, then red, and, when full ripe, of a deep shining crow-black, 
 and deliciously flavoured when suffered to ripen on the bushes. 
 
 The blackberry is every where found in our states, by way sides, 
 in old fields, along the margins of stone quarries, 3jc. delighting in 
 dry arid soils. It flowers from May to* July, and ripens its fruit in 
 August. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 Popular confidence in the medicinal virtues of the blackberry, 
 has induced me to introduce it in this work ; and popular partiality 
 
Rubus vittosus. 
 
 155 
 
 may account for the numerous tales of its wonderful powers. Due 
 abatement on this account must therefore be made, from the re- 
 port of its efficacy as an antilithic, a vulnerary, a febrifuge, a re- 
 frigerant, £jc. 
 
 Few native articles possess a greater share of the favouritism of 
 domestic practitioners ; and in many sections of our country, black- 
 berry tea is resorted to as a general corrective of all vitiated humours, 
 a strengthener of the stomach and bowels, in short, as a perfect 
 panacea. Like most other favourite articles in family use, its vir- 
 tues have been overrated ; but I am persuaded that there re- 
 mains a sufficiency of creditable testimony in its favour, proving that 
 its real medicinal virtues are valuable, and eminently serviceable in 
 such disorders as require the exhibition of articles of an astringent na- 
 ture ; for this plant, in every part, is decidedly astringent, but the root 
 especially partakes of this property. It is the root which is generally 
 used, made into a tea; and the fruit in juice or syrup. The root is brought 
 to our markets in the spring and fall of the year, and sold for medi- 
 cinal purposes. A decoction made by boiling a handful of the cut or 
 bruised portions, in a pint and a half of water, down to a pint, is the 
 usual form of using it. Thus prepared, it is given in diarrhoeas and 
 dysenteries by the peasantry ; and, as I have been uniformly inform- 
 ed by intelligent persons, with great success. The decoction is 
 somewhat bitter, but not disagreeable, and is marked by a slight 
 but grateful aroma. Its tonic effect, of which I have heard some 
 
156 
 
 Rubus villosus. 
 
 praise, is certainly very inconsiderable, or at least evanescent ; and 
 in cases of mere debility, unless proceeding from a general laxity 
 of the system, accompanied with slight disorders of the alimentary 
 canal, it cannot be resorted to with any reasonable prospect of suc- 
 cess. As to its reputed powers as an antititbic, I really do not 
 tbink them worth consideration. 
 
 I have had some little experience with this article, and about 
 a year since prescribed it in two cases of colera infantum with 
 success. It was during my attendance in the Philadelphia Dis- 
 pensary ; and patients of the class which resort thither, are 
 prone to follow the prescriptions of their physicians, when they 
 order herb teas, so that I had a fair opportunity of seeing the 
 power of this article. The fruit which is gratefully acidulous, 
 is kind and healing to the disordered stomach and bowels of per- 
 sons labouring under dysentery, recent or protracted. It may be 
 eaten by such persons, in its full ripe state, when not too long gather- 
 ed, not only with impunity, but evident advantage ; being found to 
 promote the natural and healthy secretions of the body. To chil- 
 dren labouring under the bowel complaint, during dentition or at 
 other times, it is particularly grateful and beneficial. It is a more 
 common practice, however, to give in such cases, and in the dysen- 
 teries of adults, a preparation known in families by the name of 
 blackberry jam, or often a syrup, recent or preserved, made from 
 the full ripe fruit. Of the efficacy of the former I have seen many 
 
Rubus villosus. 
 
 157 
 
 instances, among which is my brother, who, while labouring under 
 a severe attack of dysentery, experienced the most sudden and salu- 
 tary change in his disorder, on my giving him the jam plentifully. 
 As nothing can be more grateful to the stomach of persons, adults 
 or infants, affected with this disease, it should always be resorted to 
 when procurable, and given almost ad libitum. The fine aroma of 
 the fruit is preserved both in the syrup and the jam, and a few 
 spoonfuls of it will be found to relieve the painful tenesmus. 
 
 A jelly made of the fruit when on the turn from red to black, has 
 been said to be useful in gravelly complaints ; but this, I think, is not 
 entitled to any credit. 
 
 The dose of the decoction, is a teacup full for an adult, and 
 two or three tea-spoonfuls for a child, three or four times a day. 
 
 Schoepf describes, in a medicinal point of view, the Rubus frutico- 
 sus, (certainly the present plant) and the Rubus occidentalis or wild 
 raspberry, together. They are undoubtedly closely allied in their me- 
 dicinal virtues, as they are in their botanical structure and habit. I have 
 seen raspberry jam (prepared from the Rubus idseus or garden rasp- 
 berry) used in the manner mentioned above, for the blackberry : 
 but it proved much inferior ; whether the jam and syrup prepared 
 from the wild American raspberry, be more closely allied in its vir- 
 tues to those made of the blackberry, I know not, but it is worth an 
 experiment. A syrup prepared from the juice of the garden rasp- 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 21 
 
158 
 
 liubus villosus. 
 
 berry, is ordered by the London Pharmacopoeia, for officinal use. And 
 I think the blackberry of our own country, is deserving of the same 
 attention. 1 had designed to give in this number a figure of the Ru- 
 bus procumbens, or dewberry, which is closely allied to the plant 
 now under consideration, in a medicinal point of view. I unfortu- 
 nately, however, let the period of its florescence pass by, and it will 
 consequently be excluded from these two volumes, though I shall not 
 omit to figure it, should the work be continued. What has been 
 said of the root, and of the fruit of the blackberry, however, may very 
 justly be considered as applicable to the root and fruit of the dewber- 
 ry. Indeed, the two plants are not unfrequently used indiscriminately. 
 
 TABLE XXXIX. 
 
 Fig. 1. Represents a flowering branch of the Rubus villosus, a spe- 
 cimen having been selected, containing a few flowers. 
 They are often very numerous and form a kind of pa- 
 nicle. 
 
 2. Represents the fruit, which is a compound berry, with the 
 acini frequently projecting irregularly beyond the line of 
 the circumference. It must here be remarked, that black- 
 berries are often found, particularly late in the season, 
 smaller, and less oblong, or more globular than this — - 
 which, however, is the genuine form of the fruit. 
 
> : L-- >25 V 1_1lj li_j U ^3 6 j 
 
 j J3J ;i i'ivlj r ) )'T, ’) 
 
 ■' ’ 
 
 
 Fnj.l. 
 
HEUCHERA AMERICANA. 
 
 ALUM ROOT. AMERICAN SANICLE. 
 
 Heuchera. Americana. L. Sp. PI. 238. Hort. Cliff. 82. Gron. Virg. 29. Roy. Lugdb. 
 437. Mill. Diet. Knip. Cent. 5. n. 42. Murray, Nov. Com. Gott. vol. iii. p. 
 66. Herm. Parad. 131. t. 131. Pluk. Aim. 332. t. 58. f. 3. Houttuyn. Pfl. 
 Syst. Lin. v. p. 840. AVilld. Sp. PI. i. p. 1328. Muhl. Cat. 2d. ed. p. 29. Hort. 
 Kew. i. p. 320. Royen. 437. Boerh. i. p. 208. Bart. Col. ed. 3d. par. i. p. 
 9. par. 2. p. 2. Coxe ? s Disp. 3d. ed. 350. Dyck. Ed. Disp. 416. Pursli, FI. 
 Am. Sep. i. p. 187. Mich. FI. Am. Boreali. i. p. 171. Elliot. Sketch, i. p. 337. 
 Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. i. p. 174. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. 36. Comp. FI. Ph. i. p. 
 133. Stoke’s Bot. Mat. Med. ii. 41. 
 
 HEUCHERA. 
 Gen. PI. 447. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Saxifragae. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Succulentae. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Pentcindria. Ordo Digynia. 
 
460 
 
 Heuchera Americana. 
 
 Heuchera, L.* Calix 5-fid«s. Petala 5-parva. Staminas. Capsula 2-locularis. Folia 
 H. Jlmericanae radicalia et flores in scapo paniculati terminates. H. Dichoto- 
 mae caulis dichotomus et pedunculi 2-flori foliis oppositis axillares. 
 
 Juss. Gen. Plant, ed. 1789. p. 308. 
 
 Caps. 2-locularis, 2-rostris. Pet. five, calici inserta. 
 
 Gen. Cli. Cal. Perianth of one leaf, with five roundish, narrow, obtuse segments. Cor. 
 Petals five, lanceolate, inserted into the margin of the calix, and of the same 
 length with it. Stain. Filaments five, awl-shaped, erect ; anthers roundish. 
 Pist. Germen roundish, cloven half way down, ending in two straight styles, 
 the length of the stamens; stigmas obtuse. Peric. Capsule ovate, acuminated, 
 half cloven, of two cells, with two beaks which are reflexed. Seeds numerous, 
 small. 
 
 Ess. Ch. Petals five. Capsule with two beaks and two cells; 
 
 Heuchera Americana ; viscido-pubescens ; scapo foliisque aperiusculis, foliis mo- 
 dice rotundato-lobatis dentatis ; dentibus dilatatis obtusis mucronatis, pedun- 
 culis panicul* tres dichotomis divaricatis, calicibus brevibus obtusis, pctalis 
 lanceolatis longitudine calicis, staminibus longe exsertis. Pursh. 
 
 Viscid and pubescent ; scapes naked, thyrsus elongated; radicle leaves on long 
 petioles, with rounded lobes. Pers. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Heuchera cortusa. Mich. 
 
 Heuchera viscida. Pursh. 
 
 Cortusa Americana. Herm. 
 
 Mitella Americana, flore squallidae purpureo, villoso. Boerh. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Heuchers American*, Radix. 
 
Heuchera Americana. 
 
 161 
 
 The genus Heuchera was named in honour of John Henry 
 Heucher, professor of medicine in the University of Wittemberg, 
 who was the author of a botanical and some medical publications.* 
 
 According to Pursh there are five species natives of North Ame- 
 rica; though Dr. Muhlenburg and Mr. Nuttall only enumerate three. 
 H. Americana is the only species with which I am acquainted. It is 
 indeed the only one growing in Pennsylvania and Jersey; and it is 
 in this neighbourhood quite common. 
 
 The root is horizontal, irregular, knotty, slightly compressed, of a 
 yellowish colour, and an intensely astringent taste. There are no 
 stems. The scapes are numerous from a single root, naked, terete, 
 smooth under the ground, and just where they emerge from it, of 
 a bright carmine colour. Higher up they become very hairy, and of 
 a green colour, frequently attaining a height of two or three feet. 
 The common height is about fourteen inches. The leaves are all 
 radical, cordate, five to seven lobed, having the lobes rounded and 
 toothed, and the teeth garnished with a small point. The flowers 
 are small, borne on a long, loose, terminal and pyramidal panicle or 
 thyrsus. Calix five-parted. Petals minute, rose-coloured, inserted 
 
 * He published in 1711, “ Index Plantarum Horti Medici Academise Wittemberg- 
 ensis,” arranged according to the system of Rivinius. And in 1712, he published a 
 treatise entitled, “ De igne per ignem extinguendo, sive de prsestantissimo Cam- 
 phor* usu in febribus acutis.” 
 
162 
 
 Heuchera Americana. 
 
 into the tube of the calix. Filaments more than twice the length of 
 the calix, delicate, yellow, and inserted into the calix. Anthers small, 
 red, globose, two-celled. Germ bifurcated at the summit, and end- 
 ing in two diverging slender styles. Capsule consists of two long 
 beaks, containing a great number of very small blackish or deep 
 brown seeds. 
 
 The whole plant is every where covered with a soft pubescence, 
 which on the branches of the panicles and upper parts of the scapes, 
 is viscid or clammy; and the margins of the leaves are finely 
 fringed. The viscid pubescence caused Pursh to alter the specific 
 name here used, to that of viscida. The plant inhabits shady woods, 
 thickets, among rocks, and stony places in fields, near water, seem- 
 ing always to prefer a moist soil, and one tolerably rich. It is in full 
 flower in May, June, and at this season may be found in every state 
 of the union. Pursh says, it varies with nearly smooth leaves. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 The Alum-root, as its name implies, is an astringent ; and for this 
 property, which it possesses in an eminent degree, the plant is here 
 figured and described. Little seems to be known, as yet, of its pro- 
 perties, further than this. And it is not used, so far as I know, in 
 Pennsylvania, Jersey or Maryland, as a medicine. It is said by Pro- 
 fessor Barton, to be one of the articles of the Materia Medica of the 
 
Heuchera Americana. 
 
 163 
 
 Indians, who use it as a styptic, and in the treatment of obstinate slug- 
 gish ulcers. 
 
 Dr. Barton further says, “ it is the basis of a powder, which has 
 lately acquired some reputation in the cure of cancers.’’* In such 
 cases he supposed its efficacy was owing to its astringency. 
 
 Of the medicinal virtues of the plant in question, my own personal 
 experience does not entitle me to speak, not having ever employed 
 it in any way. To those who feel inclined to make experiment 
 with native articles of the class of astringents, it may be confidently 
 recommended as worthy of notice. 
 
 * Collections. 
 
164 
 
 Heuchera Americana. 
 
 TABLE XL. 
 
 Fig. l. Represents the root, leaves and lower portions of the scapes. 
 
 The petioles are generally of unequal lengths, and often 
 much longer than here represented. 
 
 2. The upper portion of a flowering panicle. 
 
 3. A flower separated, of its natural size. 
 
 4. The germ and styles. 
 
 5 . The flowers opened, shewing the stamens and petals inserted 
 
 into the calix. 
 
 6. The same, greatly magnified. 
 
A ’txcunr by ll ' B C Bar con, 
 
 ■ IEUBHJ C IELIE TBJL AM IS 5UTC <, 
 
 I Aliun-xT nr. 
 
 Fio.l 
 
 Fut. 5. 
 
 \ .iijhl ■ 
 
 Fi;i. 1. 
 
 Fi,h 3. 
 
HEDEOMA PULEGIOIDES. 
 
 PENNYROYAL. 
 
 Germ. Poleyblattrige Cunile. ( Willd .) 
 
 Hedeoma Pulegioides. Sp. PI. i. p. 593. Sub. Melissa Pulegioides. Sp. PI. ii. p. SO. 
 Gron. Yirg. 167. Kalin, it. ii. p. 314. Houttuyn. Lin. Pfl. Syst. v. p. 136. 
 Willd. Sp. PI. i. p. 123. Pursh, FI. Am. Sep. ii. p. 414. Micb. FI. Am. Boreal, 
 i. p. 13. Mubl. Cat. PI. Am. Sep. 2d. ed. p. 3. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. 15 and 63. 
 Comp. FI. Ph. i. p. 13. Big. Floru. Bost. 7. Elliot, Sketch, i. p. 27. Nutt. 
 Gen. Am. PI. i. p. 16. 
 
 HEDEOMA. 
 
 Persoon Synopsis, ii. p. 131. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Labiatae. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Labiatae. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Diandria. Ordo Monogynia. 
 
 Cal. basi gibbus. Cor. ringens. Stam. 2-sterilia. 
 
 Hedeoma pulegioides ; pubescens, foliis oblongis serratis, pedunculis axillaribus ver- 
 ticillatis, calicis labio inferiore bisetso setis ciliatis. Pers. and Pursh. 
 Pubescent ; leaves oblong, serrate; pedunclesaxillary and verticillate; .the 
 lower lip of the calix biseted ; the bristles ciliated. B. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 22 
 
166 
 
 Hedeoma pulegioides. 
 
 SYNONYM A. 
 
 Cunila pulegioides. Willd. Sp. PI. 
 
 Melissa pulegioides. Sp. PI. i. p. 593. 
 
 Melissa floribus verticillatis, glomeratis, secundum longitudinem caulis, foliis tomen- 
 tosis. Gron. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Hedeoma pulegioidis, Herba. 
 
 DESCRIPTIO UBERIOR. 
 
 Planta spithamea, brachiata. Folia lanceolato-ovata, scabriuscula, uno alterove dente 
 notata : superiora angustiora. Verticilli secundum totam longitudinem plant*. 
 Bradeae utrinque bin* floribus majores, pr*ter alias minutas. (Mant.) Calix 
 decemstriatus, scaber : L. superiore trifido acuminato, inferiore setaceo. Co- 
 rolla alba, fauce violacea : Lab. superiore vix emarginato. Stamina duo, co- 
 rolla breviora, fertilia, et filamenta alia duo minora castrata. (Willd.} 
 
 Pennyroyal needs but little description, being so universally 
 known. The root is annual, small, branched, fibrous and of a yel- 
 low colour. The stem is from nine to fifteen inches high, obscurely 
 angular, but often quite terete, pubescent, and very much branched; 
 branches erect. Leaves small, opposite, lanceolate, or ovate, atten- 
 
 2 
 
Hedeoma pidegioides. 
 
 167 
 
 uated at the base, into slender petioles, sparsely dentated, promi- 
 nently veined, particularly beneath, and pubescent. Flowers very 
 small, pale-blue, verticillate on short peduncles. Calix striated and 
 pubescent, having the upper lip divided into two setous, ciliated seg- 
 ments ; the lower lip into three larger, and destitute of ciliation. 
 
 The flowers appear in July, and the plant continues to bloom till 
 the last of autumn. It is distributed extensively over every part of 
 the United States, growing always on dry, and seems to prefer arid 
 and calcareous soils. It is very abundant by road sides, and is fre- 
 quently seen growing in the crevices and ruts of turnpikes. 
 
 The whole plant gives out when pressed between the fingers or 
 agitated, a strong, pungent and grateful scent, which is extremely 
 reviving and pleasant. Great quantities of the herb are brought to 
 the Philadelphia Market, and vended at a trifling price, for medical 
 purposes ; and the ready sale it meets with, proves how extensively 
 it is used in domestic practice. 
 
 MEDICINAL, PROPERTIES. 
 
 Pennyroyal is introduced into this work, an account of the high 
 degree of popular confidence it enjoys, as an emenagogue. Whether 
 the herb is entitled to all the reputation it possesses, in pro- 
 ducing a return of the suppressed catamenia, I cannot undertake to 
 
1(58 
 
 Hedeoma pulegioides. 
 
 say : but certainly there are few persons who have used it, that do 
 not hear testimony of the efficacy of Pennyroyal tea, as the decoc- 
 tion is usually called, at least in common or slight cases of obstruc- 
 tion, or interruption of the menses. Hot water readily extracts 
 the peculiar warm, pungent and aromatic property of the plant ; and 
 sweetened with honey, molasses, or sugar, it is a grateful beverage. 
 It is generally administered simultaneously with the pediluvium ; and, 
 
 I have always heard, and from many highly creditable sources, with 
 complete success. From what I can learn on the subject, little de- 
 pendence should be placed on this practice, except in recent cases of 
 suppression. It is well known that the Mentha Pulegium, that is, Pen- 
 nyroyal or Pennyroyal-mint of Europe, has no inconsiderable repu- 
 tation in similar cases. It must not be forgotten, that the American 
 plant known by the name of Pennyroyal, or wild Pennyroyal, is entirely 
 distinct from the Pennyroyal of Britain, and belongs indeed to a very 
 distinct genus. I have mentioned this fact here, because it appears 
 that some of the writers in the American Dispensatories, seem to 
 speak of them as identical. The same observation applies to a late 
 work on the Materia Medica.* 
 
 An infusion of Pennyroyal is said by Kalm, in his travels through 
 this country, to be used by persons who have taken cold, and have 
 pains in the limbs. 
 
 I have heard that the Hedeoma pulegioides is sometimes given in 
 spirituous tinctures, but I know of no instance in which it has been 
 used. The plant yields an essential oil, for which see Appendix. 
 
 * By Dr. Chapman. 
 

 
 ■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
T. 
 
 Fist. 3. Fist. 3. 
 
 ^ 
 
 .XO- Jflarnts 7a Scufy?* 
 
 Fist. 4-. 
 
 Au WPJ JJurt. n 
 
 -v.---. 4rAv PTHLIJCTOIBES. 
 
 ( rcT' rryr oy al > 
 
Hedeoma pulegioides. 
 
 169 
 
 TABLE XLI. 
 
 1. Represents an entire plant of a very common size, of the He- 
 
 deoma pulegioides. 
 
 2. The calix, separated. 
 
 3. A front view of a separated flower, the size of nature. 
 
 4. The same, greatly magnified. 
 
 5. A side view of the separated flower. 
 
 6. The same, greatly magnified. 
 
CUNILA MARIANA. 
 
 DITTANY. 
 
 Mountain Dittany. Wild Basil. Mint-leaved Cunila. Maryland Cunila. 
 
 Cunila Mariana. Lin. Sp. PI. 30. Also, Sp. PI. i. 568. Gron. Virg. 64. Ed. n. 88. 
 Schoepf, Mat. Med. Am. 5. Hort. Kew. i. 31. Mich. FI. Boreali-Am. i. 13. 
 Vahl. enum. i. 213. Pluk. Mant. 34. t. 344. fol. 35. pi. 1. Hist. ox. iii. 413. 
 s. 11 . t. 19. f. 7. Stokes’s Bot. Mat. Med. 1 . 43. Pursh, FI. Am. Sep* ii. 406. 
 Muhl. Cat. PI. Am. Sep. ed. 2d. p. 3. Elliot’s Sketch, i. p. 27. Bart. Prod. 
 FI. Ph. 15. Comp. FI. Ph. i. p. 13. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. i. 15. 
 
 % ' 
 
 CUNILA. 
 
 Gen. PI. 35. Schreb. 46. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Ldbiatae. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Verticillatae. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Diandria. Ordo Monogynia. 
 
 Cunila, L. * Coniele. Ca/ixcilindricus 10-striatus 5-dentatus. Corolla bilabiata, supe- 
 
172 
 
 Cunila Mariana. 
 
 rius ereeta plana emarginata, inferius 3-loba. Semina intra calicera villis clau- 
 sum. Flores corymbosi aut verticillati, axillares and terminates. 
 
 Juss. Gen. Plant, ed. 1789. p. 111. 
 
 Cal. cylindricus, 5-dentatus, fauce villosus. Cor. ringens: labio superiore erecto, piano, 
 emarginato. Stain. 2-sterilia. 
 
 Calix cylindrical, 10-striate, 5-toothed. Corolla ringent, with the upper lip erect, flat, 
 and emarginate. Stamens 2-sterile. The two fertile stamens with the style 
 exserted, nearly twice the length of the corolla. Stigma unequally bifid. Seeds 
 four. Nutt. 
 
 Gen. Ch. Cal. Perianth one-leafed, cylindrical, striated, with five somewhat unequal 
 teeth, permanent. Cor. one-petalled, ringent; upper lip erect, flat, emarginate; 
 lower lip three-parted ; segments rounded, middle one emarginate. Stam. 
 Filaments two, fertile, two without anthers; anthers roundish, dldymous. Fist. 
 Germ superior, four-parted ; style filiform ; stigma bifid, acute. Peric. The 
 calix closed at the throat with shaggy hairs. Seeds four, egg-shaped, minute. 
 
 Ess. Cb. Calix five-toothed, corolla ringent; upper lip erect, flat. Two of the fila- 
 ments barren. Seeds four. 
 
 Ccnixa Mariana ; foliis ovatis serratis sessilibus, corymbis terminalibus dichotomis. 
 
 Willd. and Pursh. 
 
 Leaves ovate, serrate, sessile ; corymbs terminal, dichotomous. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Satfreja origanoides. Sp. PI. 1 . 568. Gron. 88. ed. 2d. 
 Thvmus, kc. Gron. 64. ed. 1. 
 
 Calamintha mariana mucronatis rigidioribus, kc. Pluk. Mant. 
 Caxamiktha ereeta Yirginiana, &c. Hist. ox. 
 
Cwiila Mariana. 
 
 173 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Cuntue Marian*. Herba. 
 
 Quit. Fragrans, spirans, odore ocyrnum referens. 
 
 Vis. excitans, nervina. 
 
 Usus. febres intermittentes ; cephalalgia ; snccus expressus cum lacte ad morsnra ser- 
 pentum. Schoepf. 
 
 DESCRIPTIO UBERIOR. 
 
 Radix fibrosa perennis. Caulis acute quadrangulatus, ramosus, fulvus. Folia sub- 
 sessilia, ovata, acuta, serrata basi sub-cordata subtus pallida. Corymbi termi- 
 nales et axillares dichotomis, pedicellis capillaribus, bracteolis linearibus. 
 Cal. cylindric, five-fidus, laciniis brevibus sequalibus acutis ; 10-striatus, pilis 
 nitentibus. Os calicis villosum : semina quatuor. Habitat in montosis siccis, 
 et sylvis aridis umbrosis, florens Julio. 
 
 The genus* to which this handsome little plant belongs, is peculiar 
 to America; and it contains properly, now that Hedeoma is separated 
 from it, only the single species here figured — the second species, C. 
 capitata of Vahl, being more nearly allied, it is said, to Ziziphora. 
 
 The root of dittany is small, fibrous and yellowish, resembling that 
 of the common pennyroyal. The stem is delicate and slender, four- 
 
 * Cunila is the k«»/a- j, of Plin. Nicand. 
 
 VOL. ii. 23 
 
174 
 
 Cunila Markina. 
 
 sided, very smooth, much branched, and of a reddish-yellow, rarely 
 purplish colour. The branches are given off opposite, or nearly so, to 
 each other. The leaves are small, punctated, sub-sessile, opposite, 
 ovate, acute, round-cordate at base, sharply serrated, of a dry texture, 
 and waved on the margin and disk. They are very glabrous above, 
 and of a fine green colour, and bluish-green, on their under surface. 
 Flowers numerous, in terminal and sometimes axillary dichotomous 
 corymbs, situated on short, filiform, yellow or reddish peduncles. 
 Calix striated. Corolla bluish-purple. Mr. Elliot describes it as white 
 in the mountains of Carolina. Stamens and style exserted, twice the 
 length of the corolla. Stigma bi-cleft, and didymous. The time of 
 flowering is from July to the last of September. 
 
 The dittany is always found on dry soils, in shady and hilly 
 woods, and, in the southern states chiefly inhabits mountainous 
 tracts of land. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 The earliest notice of the medicinal virtues of dittany, is in the 
 work of Schoepf, who describes it as a stimulant and nervine, and 
 as useful in intermittent fevers ; in head-ache ; and the expressed 
 juice with milk as an application to the bites of serpents. At the 
 time that Schoepf wrote, this country was more uncultivated than 
 
Canila Mariana. 
 
 1 75 
 
 now, and the bites of venomous serpents more frequent. Hence the 
 country people resorted to a variety of plants for the purpose of 
 healing those bites, and preventing their injurious effects on the sys- 
 tem. It appears, that among other supposed specifics, the dittany 
 was considered as useful. As, however, the properties of the plant 
 are not sufficiently active to promise any good in such cases, this 
 part of his account may be passed over. Of its use in intermittents, 
 I know nothing ; but in slight fevers and colds, the dittany tea is 
 much used, as I know from observation and enquiry, with a view to 
 excite perspiration. It still retains a considerable share of popular 
 confidence as a nervine, being frequently resorted to, to relieve ner- 
 vous head-achs, and various hysterical affections. I have never used, 
 nor prescribed dittany tea ; but as a warm, grateful, refreshing, and 
 slightly stimulating tisan, it may be safely recommended. Mr. Elliot 
 says, an infusion of the leaves of this plant is often given in the 
 southern states, in fevers, with a view to excite perspiration. The 
 dittany belongs to the class of stimulating, warm, and grateful aro- 
 matics, which comprises the mints, the monardas, and pennyroyal j 
 and does not, probably, differ essentially in medicinal virtues, from 
 any of these. 
 
176 
 
 Cunila Mariana. 
 
 TABLE XLII. 
 
 Fig. 1. Represents a flowering specimen, broken off a few inches 
 above the root, of Cunila Mariana. 
 
 S. A flower, separated. 
 
 3. The corolla, opened. 
 
 (All the size of nature.) 
 
C TTTMTnr, ^ MAMMA . 
 
 I Dittaim') 
 
 
LOBELIA CARDIN ALIS. 
 
 CARDINAL PLANT. CARDINAL FLOWER, 
 
 Germ. Die rothe Kardinals blume. 
 
 Butch. Kardinaals bloem. 
 
 Engl. The Scarlet Lobelia, or Cardinals’ Flower. 
 
 French. Lobelie Cardinale ; La Cardinale. 
 
 Ital. Fior Cardinale : Cardinalizia. 
 
 Span. Escurripa. 
 
 Port. Cardealina. 
 
 Lobelia cardinalis. L. Hort. Cliff. 426. Hort. Ups. 276. Roy. Lugdb. 421. Gron. 
 Virg. 134. Mill. Diet. n. 1. sub. Rapuntio. Kniph. Cent. 4. n. 42. Knorr, 
 delic. ii. t. L. 2. Moris. Hist. ii. p. 466. s. 5. t. 5. f. 54. Hern. Mex. 879. t. 
 880. Houttuyn. Lin. Pfl. Syst. x. p. 65. Willd. Sp. PI. tom. 1. par. 11. p.944. 
 Mich. FI. Boreali-Am. vol. ii. p. 151. Pursh, FI. Am. Sep. vol. ii. p. 448. Bot. 
 Mag. 320. Rob. ic. 137. Knorr, delic. ii. t. L. 2. Bart. Comp. FI. Ph. vol. 
 ii. p. 62. Muhl. Cat. 2d ed. p. 22. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. vol. ii. p. 77. Drake, 
 Piet. Cin. p. 87. Schoep. Mat. Med. Am. p. 128. Bart. Collections, ed. 3d 
 par. 1. p. 40. Hort. Kew. iii. p. 284. Cutler, in Am. Acad. i. p. 484. Rupp, 
 al. Hall. p. 248. Park. Parad. t. 355. f. 6. Stokes, Bot. Med. vol. i. p. 344. 
 
 34 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
178 
 
 Lobelia cardinalis. 
 
 LOBELIA. 
 
 Gen. PI. 1363. 
 
 Cal. 5-fidus. Cor. 1-petala, irregularis, ssepius fissa. Caps, infera, 2-3-locuIaris. 
 
 Cali. v 5-cleft. Corolla monopetalous, irregular, on tlie upper side cleft nearly to its 
 base. Stamina united into a tube. Stigma 2-lobed ; involucrate ; involucrum 
 (or indusium) bearded. Capsule inferior or semisuperior, 2 or 3-celled, open- 
 ing at the summit. Seeds minute, scabrous. 
 
 Obs. Suffruticose, shrubby, rarely arborescent, most commonly herbaceous ; 
 leaves alternate ; flowers minutely bi-bracteolate, solitary and axillary, or ter- 
 minal and racemose; raceme bracteate; flowers bilabiate, 5-cleft, upper lip 
 cloven, segments linear, lower trifid, lacinise ovate or obovate, palate chan- 
 nelled or bidentate, often bimaculate. Tube of the anthers curved at the sum- 
 mit, bearded and perforated, at length admitting the egress of the stigma. 
 Colour of the flowers scarlet, fulvous, or more commonly blue. Nutt. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Jussieu. Lobcliacese. (Ann. du mus.) 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Campanacese. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Monadelphia. Ordo Fentandria. 
 
 Lobelia cardinalis; erecta, simplex, pubescens; foliis ovato-lanceolatis, acuminatis, 
 eroso-denticulatis, racemo subsecundo multifloro, gcnitalibus corolla longio- 
 ribus. Wilhl. and Pursh. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 ltapuntium galeafum Virginianum coccineo flore majore. Moris. 
 
 Rapuntium maximum coccineo spicato flore. Htrm. Max. 
 
 Flos cardinalis Barberini. Cal. ap. Hern. 
 
 Trachelium Americanum. Park. Parud. 
 
 Lobelia coccinea. Stokes. 
 
 2 
 
'£ 
 
 Lobelia cardinalis. 179 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Lobelia cardinalis, Radix. 
 
 Few native plants equal in beauty this gaudy flower. Indeed, it 
 is far more showy and elegant than a multitude of exotics so indus- 
 triously cultivated. Wherever seen, it is greatly admired, and per- 
 haps it only requires to be generally known, in order to obtain a 
 high station in the catalogue of favourite plants. 
 
 It is a native of all our marshes and meadows, from one end of 
 the union to the other; and in the autumn, the season of its flower- 
 ing, it decorates them with its beautiful, long-blooming carmine 
 flowers, forming a gorgeous contrast with the showy blue flowers of 
 its congener, the L. siphilitica. Pursh describes a white variety. 
 
 The root resembles that of many species of the genus, as the in- 
 flata, siphilitica, Claytoniana, §c. It is perennial, whitish-yellow, 
 fibrous, of a nauseous pungent taste, affecting the fauces in a manner 
 similar to that of the inflata, producing a taste resembling that of 
 tobacco. The stem is erect, pubescent, simple, from two to four feet 
 high, terminating in a long spike of brilliant carmine-coloured 
 flowers, those towards the top coming into bloom successively after 
 the lower ones have decayed, so that the plant continues a long time 
 in flower. The leaves are broad-lanceolate, of a fine shining green, 
 
180 
 
 Lobelia cardinalis. 
 
 and eroselv denticulate on the margin. The period of flowering is 
 from the last of July till September, during which time it may be 
 abundantly found in marshes, low meadows, the borders of rivulets, 
 springs, and in watery thickets, in every state in the union. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 This acrid, lactescent plant, is introduced in this work on account of 
 its reputed efficacy as an anthelmintic. Little, however, seems to be 
 known with certainty, of its powers ; the chief claim it has to notice 
 as a medicine, being derived from the circumstance of the Cherokee 
 Indians using it successfully to expel worms. The earliest notice of it 
 which has met my eye, is to be found in the valuable little work of 
 Schoepf. That writer intimates that it has been used in the same 
 manner as the L. siphilitica, in siphilis ; and though this circumstance 
 may not add to its medical importance, it evinces an early im- 
 pression of the activity of the plant, and of a similarity in its 
 virtues, to those of the better known species just alluded to. Dr. 
 Drake has enumerated the Cardinal Plant among the anthelmintic 
 vegetable productions of Ohio : but he does not say whether he has 
 ever used it, or ever seen it employed with a view to such an effect 
 on the system. Of the medicinal powers of this plant, I am not able 
 to state any thing from my own experience ; but am of opinion that 
 its sensible properties, its reputed powers, and the well known ac- 
 tivity of the genus to which it belongs, fully entitle it to further 
 notice. 
 

 
IL ‘Q>B IE ILIA (CAIM11MMLIIS <> 
 
 (Caaflniffll IPHttl „) 
 
 Tanner Valiant-/. Kearny. A' Co. Sc. 
 
 
 Fiy. 
 
Lobelia cardinally. 
 
 181 
 
 TABLE XLIII. 
 
 1. ^Represents the upper portion of a flowering specimen of Lo- 
 
 belia cardinalis, the size of nature. 
 
 2. An outline of one of the lower leaves, which are largest to- 
 
 wards the root, and gradually lessen in size as they are 
 situated higher up on the stem. 
 
 3. A flower separated. 
 
 4. The petals removed, shewing the column of stamens, and 
 
 pistil with the calix. 
 
 a. The stamens removed, exhibiting the pistil. The filaments 
 are carmine, and the anthers lead-blue. 
 
CHEN OPODIUM ANTHELMINTICUM. 
 
 JERUSALEM OAK. 
 
 Worm-seed. Worm Goose-foot. 
 
 Germ. Der wurmtreibender Gansefuss ; wurmsamen, wurmmelde ; wurmmelte. 
 Dutch. Wurmdryvend ganzevoet. Wurm-melde. 
 
 Engl. Shrubby Goose-foot. 
 
 French. L’Anserine vermifuge. Anserine anthelmintique. 
 
 Portu. Chenopodio vermifugo. 
 
 Span. Anserina anthelmintica. Ceniglo antelmentico. 
 
 ottoJ'i ov e A/tti vrayayov. 
 
 Chenopodicm anthelminticum. Kahn, Canad. ii. p. 283. Mat. Med. p. 73. Dill, 
 elth. 77. t. 66. t. 76. Houttuyn. Lin. Pfl. Syst. 5. p. 809. Willd. Sp. PI. vol. i. 
 p. 1304. Pursh, FI. Am. Sep. vol. i. p. 198. Lin. Sp. PI. 320. Mat. Med. 190. 
 Amoen. x\cadem. iv. p. 532. Clayton, Yirg. 145. Gron. Virg. ed. n. 39. Schoepf, 
 Mat. Med. Am. p. 31. Barton’s Cullen, vol. ii. p. 414. Drake’s Piet. Cincin. 
 p. 87. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. vol. i. p. 199. Thacher’s Disp. 3d ed. p. 180. 
 Dyck. Edin. Disp. p, 226. Wilkins, Med. Mus. vol. v. Coxe’s Disp. 3d ed. 
 p. 258. Mulil. Cat. ed. 2d p. 28. Barton’s Collec. ed. 3d, par. 1. page 39 and 
 63. Chapman’s Therap. and Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 70. Bart. Comp. FI. Ph. 
 vol. i. p. 149. Flore Medicale Francois. Elliott, Flor. Can. and Georg, vol. 
 i. p. 331. Walt. FI. Car. p. 111. Mich. FI. Boreal. Am. i. p. 173. Hort. Kew. 
 i. p. 313. Berg. p. 177. Merry, account from, in Chir. Rev. xviii. par. ii. 
 Murray, iv. p. 275. Chaim, i. p. 71. Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med. ii. p. 19. 
 
184 
 
 Chenopodium anthelminticum. 
 
 CHEN OPODIUM. 
 
 Gen. PI. 435. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Atriplices. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Oleraccae. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Pentandria. Ordo Digynia. 
 
 Sem. 1-lenticulare, superum. Cal. 5-phyllus, 5-gonus. 
 
 Calix 5-parted, with 5-angles. Corolla none. Style bifid (rarely trifid.) Seed 1-lenti- 
 cular, horizontal, covered by the closing calix. — Leaves alternate, often angu- 
 lar in the outline. Flowers glomerate, paniculate. Nutt. 
 
 Chenopodium anthelminticum ; foliis ovato-oblongis, dentatis, racemis aphyllis. 
 
 Leaves oblong-lanceolate, sinuate and dentate, rugose ; racemes naked; style 
 one, 3-cleft. Elliot. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Chenopodium lycopi folio, perenne. Dill. 
 
 Botrys prsealta frutescens, &c. Clayt. and Gron. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Chenopodii anthelmintic! — Herba, succus spissatus, semina, ol. essential. 
 
 This is a very common looking plant, of repulsive habit, and ex- 
 cessively disgusting odour. It closely resembles two or three species 
 
Chenopodium anthelminticum. 
 
 18 5 
 
 of the same genus,* and has been confounded, especially with one, 
 the Chenopodium ambrosioides, from which it is difficult for com- 
 mon observers to distinguish it. The root of Jerusalem oak is pe- 
 rennial. The stem is herbaceous, upright, very much branched, 
 deeply grooved, and from two to four, or five feet high. It is said 
 by some to exceed this stature, though it has not happened to me to 
 meet with it more than three feet high. The leaves are arranged 
 alternately, and somewhat irregularly; are sessile, very conspicuously 
 veined, of a yellowish-green colour; and, under a lens, covered on 
 their under surface, with terebinthinate globular dots. The flowers, 
 as in most of the species, are very small and numerous, being borne 
 on long, axillary, dense, leafless spikes. One of the principal charac- 
 teristics of this plant is discoverable in this leafless structure of the 
 spikes; and in this respect it differs remarkably from the C. ambro- 
 sioides, with which it is so frequently confounded. The calix is mo- 
 nophyllous, five-cleft, persistent, shewing the stamens conspicuously 
 beyond the extremities of the teeth. Filaments white, anthers yel- 
 lowish-white. Style trifid. The flowers of this plant appear in the 
 beginning of July, and continue till the last of August. 1 have, how- 
 ever, sometimes found flowering specimens as late as September. 
 
 Its favourite haunts are in loose soils, near rubbish and fences. It 
 is, however, not so common a plant as either of the other species, in 
 the middle and northern states. To the south it appears to be fre- 
 
 * Chenopodium is derived from (^va;,) and 5raw;, (TaJ'a;.) Anserine derived from 
 
 anser, a goose; hence the name goose-foot. 
 
 VOL. II. S5 
 
186 
 
 Chenopodium anthelminticwn. 
 
 quent and abundant, and to acquire a greater size than here. Pursh 
 says this species “ grows plentifully in the streets of Philadelphia.” — 
 He must certainly, in this instance, have observed carelessly, else he 
 would have ascertained that it is the Chenopodium ambrosioides 
 which is so common in our streets, by the gutter ways, and in the 
 suburbs on vacant lots among rubbish. The late Professor Barton 
 always considered that plant the C. anthelminticum, as did Pursh. — 
 The least attention, however, to the characters of the two species, 
 will prove that they have both erred in this instance. The odour 
 of the C. ambrosioides, is different from that of the plant under 
 notice. It is much less subtle, pungent and disagreeable, and 
 does not continue so powerful on the dried plant as in the other 
 species. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 The very peculiar odour emanating from every part of this plant, 
 I have already noticed, with a view to point out tiie distinction be- 
 tween it and the ambrosioides. This odour is so disgusting, that it 
 seems in some measure to detract from the value of the article as a 
 medicine, because of the difficulty of inducing children to swallow 
 any preparation from it. It has been compared to the odour of vale- 
 rian; which, however, is much more tolerable. The whole plant and 
 the seeds, are alike imbued with the peculiar scent. The medicinal 
 
 % 
 
Chenopodium anthelminticum. 
 
 18 7 
 
 preparations are — the expressed juice ; the bruised seeds, in an elec- 
 tuary; a decoction of the leaves in milk; and an essential oil, extract- 
 ed from the seeds. The latter is the most common form of admin- 
 istering the article ; and, as it conveys the essential properties of the 
 plant in the smallest bulk, seems to be entitled to a preference to 
 the other methods. In whatever manner it be given, the effect looked 
 for, is an expulsion of worms from the alimentary canal. The an- 
 thelmintic virtues of this species of goose-foot, were early noticed by 
 Kalm, Clayton, Schoepf, and others, and are now very generally ac- 
 knowledged, so that the article constitutes one of the legitimate 
 catalogue of medicines. It is conspicuously noticed in all our dis- 
 pensatories and works on Materia Medica ; and is undoubtedly very 
 estimable. 
 
 The essential oil, under the name of worm seed oil, enjoys a great 
 share of popular favour, and hence has unfortunately been an object 
 of a very reprehensible cupidity in the adulteration of it. A spurious 
 kind of oil is sold under the above name, which appears to be 
 made from the Chenopodium ambrosioides, with the addition of a 
 considerable proportion of turpentine spirit. This preparation is in- 
 efficacious as an anthelmintic, and is easily known by the absence of 
 the very remarkable odour of the true plant, and the oil prepared 
 from its seeds. 
 
 Of the expressed juice of the recent leaves, a table spoonful is re- 
 
188 
 
 Chenopodium anthelminticum. 
 
 commended to be given on an empty stomach morning and even- 
 ing, repeating the dose till worms be discharged. A wine glass full 
 of the decoction of the plant in milk, in the proportion of a handful 
 of the leaves to a quart of milk, is the dose for a child ; and when 
 the oil is administered, from five to eight or ten drops may be given 
 to a child two years old on a lump of sugar, and this continued twice 
 or thrice a day for three days ; a mercurial purge is then to be 
 given. If the effect be not produced, and worms be still suspected 
 to exist, the same plan is to be pursued till successful. In this 
 manner I have used this article, and found it efficacious, produc- 
 ing a full discharge of worms ; but have not had it in my power to 
 try it in any other form. M. Biette says, it is given in France, in 
 marmalade or beer, as a vermifuge ; and Chalmers particularly re- 
 commends an electuary prepared with the pulverized seeds, mixed 
 with honey. Of this a table spoonful morning and night for three 
 successive days, is the dose he recommends for a child. 
 
TabU J / 
 
 €MInTOF ©B'jniM iiVMB¥iBFIMm T T3€TIPA , 
 ( Jeiniiisnileinni OwlkJ 
 
 jfy s. 
 
 0 
 
 Tunnei-. Yallance.Keumy- &0* $ c - 
 
 
Chenopodium anthelminticum. 
 
 489 
 
 TABLE XLIV. 
 
 Fig. 1. A flowering specimen, the size of nature, of Chenopodium 
 anthelminticum. 
 
 2. A flower, greatly magnified. 
 
 s. The fruit enveloped by the calix, magnified. 
 
 4. Three seeds, the size of nature. 
 
 5. A seed, greatly magnified. 
 
PANAX QUINQUEFOLIUM. 
 
 GINSENG. 
 
 Germ. Fiinfblattrige Kraftwurz, KraftwurzeL 
 French. Ginseng. 
 
 Chin. Jin-chen 
 
 Japan. Nindsin ; dsindsom. 
 
 Tartare. Mandchon Orkoda. 
 
 Iroquois. Garent-oquen, 
 
 Banish. Ginseng, ginsem. 
 
 Portu. Ginsano. 
 
 Spanish. Jin-seng. 
 
 Pan ax quinquefolium. L. Sp. PI. 1512. Gron. Yirg. 147. Mat. Med. 222. Kalm, it, 
 iii. p. 334. Mill. Diet. n. 1. Blackw. t. 513. Regn. Bot. Mich. Am. ii. p. 
 256. Lafit. Ginseng. 51. t. 1. Catesb. Car. iii. p. 16. t. 16. Yaill. Sex. 43, 
 Trew. ebret. t. 6. f. 1. Houttuyn. Lin. Syst. Pfl. x. p. 333. Pursh, FI. Am. 
 Sep. vol. ii. p. 191. Catesb. Car. iii. t. 16. Bot. Mag. 1333. Woodville, Med. 
 Bot. i. t. 58. Breynius, Prod. p. 52. Sarrasin, Hist. Acad. 1718. Bourdelin, 
 Hist, de PAcademie, 1797. Jartoux, in Phil. Trans, xxviii. p. 237. Osbeck, 
 China, p. 145. Barton's Cullen. Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 115. Heberden, Med. 
 Trans, vol. iii. p. 34. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. vol. i. p. 176, Muhl. Cat. ed. 2d p. 
 101. Bart. Comp. FI, Ph. vol. i. p. 136. Coxe’s Disp, ed. 3d, p. 467, Raii. 
 Hist, p, 1338. Cutler, in Am. Acad. i. 492. Fothergill, J. in Gent, Mag, 
 
192 
 
 Panax quinquefolium. 
 
 xxiii. p. 209. Geoffr. ii. 115. Hill. 589. Stokes’s Bot. Mat. Med. ii. p. 157. 
 Lewis, i. 467. Disp. by Duncan, p. 269. Monro, iii. 119. Rutty, p. 219. 
 Spielm. p. 357. Yog. p. 219. Dale, p. 235. Pearson, R. ii. p. 193. Mur. i. 330. 
 
 PANAX. 
 
 Gen. Plant, ed. Schreb. n. 1604. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Aralise. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. Hederacese — later botanists, Umbellatse. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Pentandriq. Ordo Trigynia. According to Willdc- 
 now and others, Polygamia Dioecin. 
 
 Umbella simplex. Bacca cordata, 2-spcrma. Polygama. Pursli. 
 
 Hermaph. umbella. Cal. 5-dentatus, superus. Cor. 5-petala. Stain. 5-styli 2. Bacca dis- 
 perma infera. 
 
 Masculi. umbella. Cal. integer. Cor. 5-petela. Stam. 5. Willd. 
 
 Floxvers polygamous ; umbel simple. Calix 5-toothed. Corolla of 5-petals. Berry in- 
 ferior, subcordate, 2, sometimes 3-seeded. Calix in the male flower entire. 
 
 Nutt. 
 
 Panax quinquefolium ; radice fusiformi, foliis terms quinatis, foliolis ovalibus acumi- 
 natis, petiolatis, serratis. — Willd. and Pursli. 
 
 Root fusiform, leaves ternate and quinate, leaflets oval, acuminate, petiolate, 
 serrate. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Axrexiana Canadensis. Lafiteau and Catesby. 
 
 Araliastrum quinquefolii folio, (majus ninsin vocatum.) Yaill. 
 
 Araxiastrum foliis ternis quinquepartitis. Trew. 
 
 Araxia Canadensis. Tourn. 
 
Panax qitinquefolium. 
 
 193 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Pan. quinquefol. Radix. 
 
 The root of Panax quinquefolium is about three or four inches in 
 length, and usually of the thickness represented in the plate. It is 
 of a whitish-yellow colour, and consists of one, two, or three tap- 
 shaped portions. It is wrinkled transversely by parallel rugae or 
 lines, and the whole surface is covered with small, whitish radicles. 
 It is perennial ; and each year’s stalk leaves, after dying away, an an- 
 gular mark, as represented in the upper portion of the root figured, 
 where these marks are numerous. It is generally deep-seated in the 
 ground ; and growing most commonly at the roots of trees, is not 
 very easily obtained. The stem is erect, terete, green below, but 
 tinged with purplish-red towards the end, whence the petioles arise. 
 These are three in number, diverging in a regular manner, having 
 the flower-stalk situated in the fork, produced by the union at their 
 base with the top of the stem. The petioles are about two or three 
 inches long, round, and as in the genus Aralia, swelling into a kind of 
 knob at their base, where they have a slight motion with each 
 other, and support three compound leaves. The leaflets are 
 
 mostly five in number, but sometimes only three on one of the 
 
 % 
 
 petioles, as represented m the plate. I have not seen any specimens 
 with seven leaflets, though botanists state that they are sometimes met 
 with. They are ovate, acuminate, doubly serrate, deep green above, 
 
 26 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
194 
 
 Panax quinquefolium. 
 
 paler underneath, and smooth on either side ; they are supported 
 by partial footstalks, from a quarter to half an inch in length, flat- 
 tened and grooved, and tinged with red at the point of union with 
 the general footstalk. The flowers are very small, and borne in a 
 globose umbel on a peduncle, at first short, but afterwards becoming 
 elongated as the flower advances towards fruit : and when the fruit is 
 finally ripe, it attains the length represented in Fig. 7. The involu- 
 crum consists of numerous, small, yellowish, pointed leaves, which be 
 come reddish when the fruit is mature. The calix is cut into five 
 sharp teeth, and is persistent, being generally found on the apex ot 
 the ripe berry. The corolla is white, consisting of five oval, fugacious 
 petals. The stamens in perfect flowers are five in number, crowned 
 with heart-shaped anthers ; and the pistils consist of an irregular, 
 inferior, oblong or cordate flattened germ, and two persistent 
 arcuate styles; though occasionally there are three styles, and often 
 but one will be found ; in which case the berry will become single, 
 and irregularly shaped, as shown in some of those in Fig. 7. The 
 berries are of a fine Vermillion colour, commonly reniform, with an 
 apex or crown, as exhibited in the upper berries of the group in Fig. 
 7. and, as there represented, the inner flowers are but just ex- 
 panded, while the immature or green berry, and the ripe fruit are to 
 be found on the same stalk. It is not uncommon to find abortive or 
 barren flowers. 
 
 Ginseng is not a common plant in the northern and eastern states 
 
 2 
 
Pancix qmnquefolium. 
 
 195 
 
 of the union. It is much more frequent in the western states, always, 
 however, being thinly scattered over a large tract of country. It de- 
 lights in rich, shady, mountainous regions, where it retires to the 
 deepest recesses of shade and protection, and, as already mentioned, 
 is generally found near the roots of trees. In the vicinity of Phila- 
 delphia, it is certainly a rare plant : yet I have been successful in 
 finding it both on the high rocky banks of the Wissahickon creek, 
 under deep shade, and in the unbrageous woods above the falls of 
 Schuylkill on the west side, where it grows in company with other 
 rare plants, as Dentaria diphylla, D. concatenata, Caulophyllum thalic- 
 troides, Triosteum perfoliatum, Viola Pennsylvanica, Orchis specta- 
 bilis, Obolaria Virginiana, #jc. The specimens from which the figure 
 was made, I collected, the flowering one in July, and the fruiting one 
 in September last, at which time I found five individuals of this 
 scarce plant within a quarter of a mile of each other. 
 
 The root of this plant is the celebrated Ginseng of the Chinese, 
 which has, till within a few years past, constituted an article of ex- 
 tensive and profitable commerce to the inhabitants of North America. 
 It is not, however, now exported to China, owing either to the quan- 
 tities obtained in that country, or to some fancied deterioration in 
 the article ; and I have been informed by a supercargo, that a quan- 
 tity carried out to Canton a year or two since in a vessel in which he 
 sailed, was thrown overboard on their arrival there, to avoid pay- 
 
196 Panax quinquefolium. 
 
 ment of duties, which exceeded the price the article could com- 
 mand. 
 
 Ginseng was formerly considered as the peculiar production of 
 Chinese Tartary, and was not, until the enquiries and investigations 
 of M. Sarrasin,* * * § Lafiteau,t Bartram,J and Kalm,$ discovered to exist 
 in North America. The high value of this article in China, and 
 - the virtues it was reputed to possess, rendered it a subject worthy 
 of enquiry, whether the plant found in this country was iden- 
 tical with the Tartarian species. Accurate examinations of the two 
 plants, in comparison with each other, soon satisfied botanists of their 
 identity ; and the Chinese have long accredited the roots of our 
 Panax quinquefolium, sent to them for consumption, as the veritable 
 Ginseng of Tartarv. Accordingly they eagerly purchased it from us, 
 and hence it became an article of extensive traffic with them. Those 
 roots were found to meet with the readiest sale, which were clarified 
 after the manner used in China, to purify or render it transparent. 
 
 The most authentic account we have of the Eastern plant 
 which produces the esteemed Ginseng of the Chinese, is by Father 
 
 * See Memoirs of the French Academy of Sciences, 1718, where this writer has 
 given a copious account of American Ginseng. 
 
 f A Jesuit and missionary among the Iroquois of this country. 
 
 4 : John Bartram. 
 
 § Travels. 
 
Paiiax qidnqiiefolium. 
 
 197 
 
 Jartoux, a missionary at Pekin, who was licensed to make a 
 journey through the mountains of Chinese Tartary, with a view 
 to acquaint himself with the plant, and the manner of collecting 
 and preparing it. According to this writer, it is found in greatest 
 abundance between the 39th and 47 th degree of north latitude, 
 inhabiting the sides of deeply shaded mountains, and the banks of 
 streams of water, and near the roots of trees. In all the situa- 
 tions where he met with it, it seemed to court the deepest shade. 
 The Emperor of China monopolises the privilege of collecting all 
 the Ginseng in his dominions, and with a view to preserve his 
 right unmolested, he encloses and guards with great vigilance, 
 whole provinces. Notwithstanding the rigorous punishments in- 
 flicted on those who venture to infringe his right of collecting this 
 precious herb, the inhabitants frequently enter the interdicted tract 
 of country in vast numbers, and load themselves with the roots of 
 Panax, carrying with them for subsistence, during a long time, 
 nothing but parched millet, and sleeping on the bare ground. From 
 those employed by the Emperor himself to collect the roots, he ex- 
 pects a gratuitous portion, of two ounces of the best procured, from 
 each individual ; and pays for all above this quantity its weight in 
 silver. This plan insures him an annual receipt of 20,000 Chinese 
 pounds at about one-fourth of its real value in the market. The col- 
 lectors steep the roots in a decoction of rice or millet, scour them 
 with a brush, and then expose them to the fumes of the boiling li- 
 quor by placing them on sticks above it, till they become dry with a 
 
198 
 
 Panax quinquefolium. 
 
 semi-transparency, or resembling horn. The yellow colour so much 
 valued by the Chinese in this root, is acquired during this process. 
 When dried by fire or the sun’s rays, the roots are equally good, 
 but destitute of the yellow colour. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 As it is from the Chinese we first learned the medicinal vir- 
 tues of Ginseng, it may be proper to specify the effects they attribute 
 to it, previously to giving an opinion as to its real powers. It is al- 
 most impossible to conceive of a substance capable of producing a 
 series of more beneficial effects, on the human system, than those 
 which the fashion, prejudice, or caprice of the Mandarins ascribed to 
 the Ginseng. The Chinese physicians have, it is said by Jartoux, 
 written volumes on the root, in praise of its various extraordinary 
 powers, and it forms the base or chief ingredient in all their prescrip- 
 tions for the highest classes of the population, and is never or rare- 
 ly administered to the poor, because of its high price* as has al- 
 ready been stated. They consider it as a sovereign remedy in all the 
 diseases incidental to their climate and country; and yield no confi- 
 dence to any medicine which is not combined with it. They say it 
 gives instantaneous relief in cases of excessive mental or corporeal 
 
 * The price at Pekin, is said to have been eight or nine times its weight in pure silver, 
 and sometimes more; according to K.alm, the price at Quebec, in 1748, was five to six 
 livres a pound. The profit in China, must therefore have been immense. 
 
Panax qainqiiefolium. 
 
 109 
 
 fatigue, attenuates and dissolves humours, facilitates difficult res- 
 piration, imigorates the stomach and digestive organs, sharpens 
 the appetite, allays vomiting, cures hypocondriacal, nervous, and 
 hysterical affections, confirms the tone of the healthy system, and re- 
 novates the wasting and faded powers of senility, — in fact, that it is 
 a perfect panacea. Hence, the name of Panax, given to it by Lin- 
 nseus, a term intended to express this catenation of important vir- 
 tues.* The Chinese, besides chewing it, use it in decoction, 
 in the proportion of a drachm of the root boiled a long time in a 
 covered vessel, containing a sufficiency of water for a dose. They 
 again add water, and boil it a second time to extract all the virtues 
 of the precious drug. 
 
 It appears from Father Jartoux’s account,! that he himself 
 
 * Among other visionary effects ascribed to it, it is not surprising that they should 
 believe it to be an aphrodisiac. Writers on the Materia Medica, among whom, Cullen 
 is conspicuous, deny that the root has any such effect on the system : and this 
 author, in expressing his discredit of their accounts on the subject, says, he knew 
 a gentleman advanced in years, who chewed a quantity of the root every day, for 
 several years, but could perceive no aphrodisiac effect. Cullen, Mat. Med. 
 
 f « No body can imagine that the Chinese and Tartars would set so high a value 
 upon this root, if it did not constantly produce a good effect.” — “ I observed the state 
 of my pulse, and then took half of a root raw; in an hour after, I found my pulse much 
 fuller and quicker; I had an appetite, and found myself much more vigorous, and 
 could bear labour much better and easier than before. But I did not rely on this trial 
 alone, imagining that this alteration might proceed from the rest we had that day ; 
 but four days after, finding myself so fatigued and weary, that I could scarce sit on 
 
500 
 
 Panax quinquefolium. 
 
 could not withhold his credence from their extravagant tales ; but 
 the experience of other Europeans, does not by any means coincide 
 with his statement. They, on the contrary, believe it possesses little 
 medicinal worth ; and refer the numerous beneficial effects ascribed to 
 it by the Chinese, to the imagination of a people remarkable for their 
 prejudices, civil, moral and religious. As a proof of this it may be 
 mentioned, that they set a higher value upon those roots which have 
 a fancied resemblance to the human form, (as in the root figured in 
 our plate) and ascribe greater powers to them than to those of dif- 
 ferent shapes. The Chinese name, and that given it by the North 
 American Indians, have both reference to this fancied figure of a man. 
 If Ginseng be admitted into the Materia Medica, it must be arrang- 
 ed with demulcents, being nearly allied to liquorice. It will be per- 
 ceived, on chewing the root, that the first impression on the palate is 
 that of a saccharine substance : and on further mastication it is some- 
 what mucilaginous and slightly bitter, with a little aromatic flavour. 
 It has little or no odour. According to Lewis, it is much sweeter and 
 more grateful than roots of fennel, which it is said to resemble ; and 
 differs remarkably from those roots, in the nature and pharmaceutic 
 properties of its active principles; the sweet matter of the Ginseng- 
 being preserved entire in the watery as well as in the spirituous ex- 
 
 horseback, a Mandarin who was in company with us, perceiving it, gave me one of 
 these roots; I took half of it immediately, and an hour afterwards, I was not the least 
 sensible of any weariness. I have often made use of it since, and always with the same 
 success. I have observed also, that the green leaves, and especially the fibrous parts 
 of them, chewed, would produce nearly the same effect.” Phil. Trans, vol. xxviii. p. £39. 
 
Panax quinquefolium. 
 
 201 
 
 tract; whereas, that of fennel roots is destroyed or dissipated in the 
 inspissation of the watery tincture. He further remarks, that the 
 slight aromatic impregnation of the Ginseng is in a great measure 
 retained in the watery extract, and perfectly so in the spirituous.* 
 
 This root may likewise be considered as a gentle and innocent 
 stimulant, producing stomachic effects, and with this view it may be 
 safely and perhaps quite advantageously used. It is not uncommon 
 to use it as a masticatory: and referring to the effects on the stomach, 
 this cannot be esteemed an injurious article. 
 
 Alcohol precipitates a gummy mucilage from its solution in water. 
 It contains no resin nor tannin. The extract is said to be a good pre- 
 paration for medicinal purposes, and is recommended by Dr. Fother- 
 gill as a demulcent in the tupis senilis, or tedious chronic cough of 
 old people. 
 
 * Mat. Med. p. 325 . 
 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 27 
 
SOS 
 
 Panax quinquefolium. 
 
 TABLE XLY. 
 
 Fig. 1. Represents an entire plant of Ginseng, severed from the 
 root, of the size of nature. 
 
 а. The root — this is a common form — sometimes there are three 
 
 fusiform processes, and often two or three such roots as 
 here figured, connected together. 
 
 3. A fertile flower, with an involucrate leaf appended to the 
 
 pedicel, much magnified. 
 
 4. A barren flower, also magnified. 
 
 5. A stamen. 
 
 б. The calix, with the stamens and styles visible above. 
 
 s 
 
. 1 1 1 fur. - //// 1 / 7?c Ift art. 
 
 FANMC 'QTOjSTQBEF 0 T. HIM 
 
 
 
ZANTHORHIZA APIIFOLIA. 
 
 PARSLEY-LEAYED YELLOW-ROOT, OR YELLOW-WORT. 
 
 Shrub Yellow-root. 
 
 Germ. Sellerieblattrige Gelbwurz. 
 
 Zanthorhiza apiifolia. L’Herit. stirp. i. p. 79. t. 38. Ait. Kew. i. p. 399. Willd. 
 arb. 414. Willd. Sp. PI. Tom. 1. par. ii. p. 1568. Mich. FI. Boreal-Am. vol. 
 i. p. 186. Muhl. Cat. ed. 2d, p. 33. Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 194. 
 Marshall, Arb. Am. 168. Woodhouse, in New York Med. Rep. ix. 291. 
 Juss. Gen. PI. p. 234. Elliott, FI. Geo. and Car. vol. i. p. 376. Barton’s 
 Cullen, vol. ii. p. 57. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. vol. i. p. 207. Dyck. Edin. Disp. 
 p. 504. Thacher’s Disp. ed. 3d, p. 386. Coxe’s Disp. ed. 3d,p. 669. Pursh, FI. 
 Am. Sep. vol. i. p. 212. Barton’s Collections, 3d ed. par. i. p. 11. 
 
 ZANTHORHIZA. 
 
 Gen. PI. ed. Schreb. 1581. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. i lanunculacese. 
 
 Nat. Ord. Lin. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Pcntandria. Ordo Polygynia. 
 
 Cal. 0. Petala 5. Nectaria 5-pedicellata. Caps. 5. Monospermse. 
 
 Calix none. Petals five. Lepanthia five, pedicellate. Capsules five to eight, 1-seeded, 
 semi-bivalve. 
 
 Zanthorhiza apiifolia; frutex humilis tripedalis. Folia alterna impari-pinnata, fo- 
 liolis ovato-cuneiformibus, inciso-dentatis, terminali trilobo inciso. Flores 
 atroviolacei paniculati terminalis. W. 
 
204 
 
 Zanthorhiza apiifolia. 
 
 SYNONYM A. 
 
 Zanthorhiza tinctoria. Woodhouse. 
 
 Zanthorhiza simplicissima. Marshall. 
 
 Zanthorhiza Marbosia. Bar tram. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Zanthorhiza apiifolise. Cortex et lignum radicis. Cortex caulis. 
 
 This small slirub is from two to three feet high; and is a native of 
 the southern atlantic states, where it is principally restricted to the 
 mountains. It is abundant on the banks of the Ohio and in the upper 
 districts of Carolina, near the mountains. The root is horizontal, send- 
 ing off numerous suckers. The stem is simple, the bark smooth, but 
 covered on the young shoots with angular fissures, and the wood is 
 bright yellow. The leaves are triternate, simply or doubly pseudo- 
 pinnate, crowded together at the upper portion of the stem. Leaflets 
 broad-lanceolate, or ovate-lanceolate, acute, doubly serrated, sessile, 
 of a yellow-green colour, smooth above, and slightly pubescent un- 
 derneath, supported by long petioles swelling at the base into an am- 
 plexicaule sheath. Flowers in divided racemes, drooping below the 
 leaves, of a dark purple colour, with obovate, bilobed, deep purple 
 nectaries. Germs superior, flattened, from five to nine in number, 
 crowned by styles which vary from two to eight. Capsules inflated and 
 compressed, one-celled, two-valved, opening at the apex. Seeds oval 
 
Zantkorhiza apiifolia. 
 
 205 
 
 and flattened. The period of florescence is April. The specific name 
 tinctoria was given to it by the late Professor Woodhouse in allusion 
 to its dying property, that of Marbosiaby Bartram in honour of M. de 
 Marbois — but as L’Heritier’s name seems most appropriate I have 
 adopted it. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 The medical virtues of this shrub are those of a very pure tonic 
 bitter. Both the wood and bark of the root may be used, but only the 
 bark of the stems, according to Dr. Woodhouse. The shrub contains 
 a gum and a resin, both intensely bitter; the resin is more abundant 
 than the gum. 
 
 Dr. Woodhouse used the powdered stem and root in the dose of 
 two scruples for an adult, combined with other remedies, in many 
 of those cases in which bitters are recommended. It agrees well 
 with the stomach, and as a strong and pleasant bitter, it may be consi- 
 dered as a useful addition to the Materia Medica. It was the opinion 
 of the late Professor Barton, that the Zanthorhiza was a more intense 
 bitter than Columbo. He thought the bitterness of the wood of the 
 root was not so great as of the bark. Sulphat of iron does not alter 
 the colour of an infusion of the bark of this root in hot water. Yet 
 its after taste of acrimony or pungency on the palate seems to jus- 
 tify the opinion, that it is a less pure bitter than Columbo — though 
 very nearly allied to it. 
 
206 
 
 Zanthorhiza apiifolia. 
 
 (Economical uses. 
 
 The yellow juice of this plant imparts a drab colour to woollen 
 cloth, and a fine yellow to silk ; neither cotton nor linen, however, 
 imbibes any of it. With a proper mordant, it would in all probability 
 be a valuable native dye. The infusion in hot water is very yellow. 
 
 The watery extract of the grated roots mixed with alum, and 
 added to Prussian blue, was used by Mr. John Bartram, for colouring 
 plants and the green plumage of birds. This mixture is said to have 
 produced a more lively colour than the mixture of Prussian blue and 
 Gamboge, and stands well in the shade, but acquires a dull olive 
 colour on exposure to heat or a strong light. 
 
 TABLE XLVI. 
 
 Represents a flowering twig of Zanthorhiza apiifolia, of its natural 
 size, dra .vn from a specimen taken from Bartram’s Gar- 
 den, Kingsess. 
 
ZAWT H OlfflSl jygHIFOILiA 
 
 ( jPa *cl«v>lc o vc & lrcll.o>v-K»ot. or Yellow'\Vo,i-4. ! 
 
LOBELIA SIPHILITICA. 
 
 BLUE CARDINAL FLOWER. 
 
 Blue Lobelia, or Cardinal Flower. 
 
 French. Lobelie syphilitique ; Cardinale bleue. 
 
 Italien. Lobelia sifilitica. 
 
 Span. La siphilitica. 
 
 Germ. Blaue Kardinals blume, Gemeine Lobelie. 
 
 Engl. Blue cardinal’s flower. 
 
 Dutch. Pokkige Lobelia. 
 
 Danish. Kopper-Lobelise. 
 
 Lobelia siphilitica. L. Hort. Cliff. 426. Mat. Med. 194. Amoen. Academ. iv. p. 527. 
 Gron. Virg. 134. Kniph. Cent. 8. n. 60. Moris. Hist. ii. p. 466. s. 5. t. 5. f. 55. 
 Dodart. Mem. 297. Rob. ic. Houttuvp. Lin. Pfl. Syst. x. p. 66. L. Sp. PI. 
 1320. Mant. 482. Hort. Kew. iii. 284. Woodville, i. 177. t. 63. Drake’s Piet. 
 Cin. p. 87. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. p. 30. Bart. Comp. FI. Ph. vol. ii. p. 61. 
 Boerh. i. 250. Chisholm, 25. Lew. Disp. by Dune. 249. Pearson, J. account 
 from, in Ann. Med. Lustr. II. i. 271. and Chir. Rev. vii. 161. Barton’s Col- 
 lections, ed. 3d, part i. p. 56. Lew. ii. 73. Monro, iii. 160; Sold. ii. 243. Murr. 
 i. 514. Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med. i. p. 242. Rush, i. 31. Schoepf, 128. Vog. 108. 
 Mather, in Phil. Trans. Abr. by Jones, part ii. 160. and by Hutton, vi. 86. 
 Chapman, Elem.Therap. and Mat. Med. i. p. 272. Mich. FI. Boreal-Am. vol. 
 
208 
 
 Lobelia siphilitica. 
 
 ii. p. 151. Elliot, FI. Car. and Geor. vol. i. p. 266. Muhl. Cat. ed. 2d, p. 22. 
 Pursli, FI. Am. Sep. vol. ii. p. 447. Jacq. ic. 3. t. 597. Dyck. Edin. Disp. p. 
 306. Coxe, Disp. ed. 3d, p. 404. Thacker’s Disp. ed. 3d, p. 271. Walt. FI. 
 Car. p. 218. D. Dodart. Memoirs, &c. p. 297. Nutt. Gen. Am. PI. ii. p. 77. 
 Lobelia siphilitica ; erccta, simplex, pistilla ; foliis ovato-Ianceolatis subserratis, 
 racemo folioso, calicibus hirsutis, sinubus reflexis. fVilld. and Pursh. 
 
 Erect, simple, a little hairy; leaves ovate-lanceolate, subserrate, raceme leafy; 
 ealices hirsute, with the divisions reflexed. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Raptjntipm Americanum ; flore dilute cceruleo. Tournefort and Boerh. 
 Rapunculus galeatus Virginianus, flore violaceo-majore. Moris. 
 
 Rapunculus Americanus, flore cceruleo. Dodart. 
 
 Lobelia reflexa. Stokes. 
 
 Trachelium Americanum, flore cceruleo. Rob. ic. 
 
 T an tuttipang. Mather, in Phil. Trans. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Lobelia siphiliticae. Radix. 
 
 Qual. lactescens, acris, nauseosa. 
 
 Uses, diuretica, pellens, purgans, emetica. 
 
 DESCRIPTIO UBERIOR. 
 
 Cuulis simplex erectus pedalis, angulis pilis rigidulis a folio rum marginibus decurren- 
 tibus. Folia alterna sessilia latius lanceolata serrata scabriuscula. Flores 
 
Lobelia siphilitica. 
 
 209 
 
 axillares solitarii brevissime pediculati coerulei. Calioc serrato-denticulatus ; 
 laciniis lanceolajtjs, sirmbus reflexis, germen tegentibus (ut in Campar.ulis Me- 
 dio, etc.) Corolla coerulea anguiata, laciniis sub?equalibus carina ciliatis, 
 palato 2 gibbositatibus. Mant. 482. 
 
 We have already figured and described two species of the genus 
 to which this fine plant belongs; and, as in them, the root of this one 
 is perennial, fibrous, acrid, and nauseous. The stem is erect, angled 
 and simple, hirsute above, destitute of pubescence below, and from 
 one to three feet high. It is sometimes though rarely branched. The 
 leaves are crenulate, larger below titan above ; those near the root, 
 and the lower portion of the stem, are lanceolate, elliptical, sessile, 
 strongly veined, somewhat shining, and irregularly and finely denti- 
 culate on the margin. Those above are lanceolate and also denticulate, 
 veined and smooth. As in the cardinal plant, the leaves gradually 
 diminish in size, particularly in length, from the bottom upwards, 
 giving the plant a pyramidal appearance when in full bloom. The 
 flowers are supported on short bracteated pedicels, arranged on 
 long, leafy, terminal, and sometimes axillary spikes. The flowers are 
 Prussian blue, blended with white on the under side, the buds being 
 tinged with yellow, and the inner side of the latinise of the co- 
 rolla of a darker blue. The calix consists of five hastate, hispid 
 segments, ciliated on the margin, and reflexed at either side. The 
 bracteal leaves, at the base of the pedicels, are likewise ciliated. The 
 filaments are lead-blue, the anthers white, and projecting conspicu- 
 ously inside of the upper segment of the corolla. The flowers are 
 
 vol. n. 
 
 28 
 
210 
 
 Lobelia siphilitica. 
 
 apt to fade white, without great care, in drying for the herbarium. 
 This elegant plant displays its flowers in August and September, 
 and is a very common inhabitant of meadows, the margins of rivers 
 and small waters, and the borders of watery thickets. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 Lobelia siphilitica is a lactescent, acrid, and rank-smelling plant, 
 particularly the root, which alone, seems to be useful for medicinal 
 purposes. It has found its way into the works on Materia Medica, 
 by its reputed efficacy in curing siphilis among the Indians of this 
 country. The use of the plant with this view, was long preserved as 
 an important secret among them, until it was purchased by sir Wil- 
 liam Johnson, who made it known to Europeans, and since then it 
 has been repeatedly tried under every favourable circumstance by 
 physicians of eminence,* and the result has been, that its reputed 
 antisiphilitic powers are no longer credited. Indeed, it seems 
 probable, that the Indians themselves did not trust in the cure of 
 true siphilis to this herb, but used, in conjunction with it, the bark of 
 Wild cherry, (Prunus Virginiana) the root of May-apple, (Podophyl- 
 
 * Bcsbois de Rochefort and others have administered this root in Siphilis without 
 the least success: and Pearson, in his work on the effects of various articles in the cure 
 of siphilis, corroborates the worthlessness of the herb in that disease. I have myself 
 used it in more than five or six cases, without perceiving the slightest benefit. 
 
 2 
 
Lobelia siphilitica . 
 
 21 L 
 
 lum peltatum) and many other plants.* They, in general, had re- 
 course to the advice of Europeans, when attacked with this disease, 
 not reposing entire confidence in their own inefficient plan of treat- 
 ment. Dr. Barton was of opinion that the plant had cured gonorrhoea, 
 and speaks confidently on this point, believing that it operated bene- 
 ficially in this complaint, by the diuretic virtues, which it certainly 
 possesses. Dr. Chapmanf mentions that some of the western physi- 
 cians resort to it for the cure of dropsy with success; but does not 
 himself speak of any personal experience on this point. It appears 
 to act frequently as a sudorific, a purgative, and an emetic. 
 
 The root is to be given in decoction in the proportion of half an 
 ounce to one or two pounds of water ; and also in extract, of which 
 from five to twenty grains made into pills, may be given. It is neces- 
 sary to omit the medicine when purging or vomiting is induced. The 
 directions given for its use, with a view to cure siphilis, are as follow: 
 “ a decoction is made of a handful of the roots in three measures of 
 water. Of this, half a measure is taken in the morning fasting, and re- 
 peated in the evening; and the dose is gradually increased till its pur- 
 gative effects become too violent, when the decoction is to be inter- 
 mitted for a day or two, and then renewed till a perfect cure is effect- 
 ed. During the use of this medicine, a proper regimen is to be en- 
 joined, and the ulcers are also to be frequently washed with the de- 
 
 * Barton’s Collections. f Elera. Therap. and Mat. Med. 
 
212 
 
 Lobelia syphilitica. 
 
 coction, or if deep and foul, to be sprinkled with the powder of the 
 inner bark of the New Jersey tea-tree, (Ceanothus Americanos.)”* 
 This plan is said to cure the disease in a very short time ; but we have 
 already given sufficient reasons for want of confidence in it. 
 
 TABLE XLVII. 
 
 Fig. 1. Represents the upper portion of Lobelia siphilitica, in flower. 
 
 2. An outline of a leaf near the bottom. 
 
 3. A flower separated, with the leaf always appended to the 
 
 peduncle. 
 
 4. The corolla, cut open. 
 
 5. The calix, With the column of stamens and pistil, 
 fi. The pistil and germ. 
 
 (All the size of nature.) 
 
 * Woodville, Med. Bot. 
 
-Fia 2.\ 
 
 fivm jVaiu/v by W. J? C. JBarran. 
 
 Tanner Valla nee. Kearny & Ca. Sc. 
 
 MBJElLilEA SIFMY]LITI(DA 
 
 ( BJmue (Cairdimial Plaint,,) 
 
PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 
 
 POKE. 
 
 Pigeon-berries. Garget. Poke-weed. Cocum. Jalap Cancer-root. Skoke, or Coakum. 
 
 American-Nightshade. 
 
 Germ. Gemeine Rermesbeere. Die Americanische Scharlachbere oder Rermesbeere ; 
 
 Americanischer Nachtschatten ; Virginische Purgaze. 
 
 Dutch. Tienmannige lakplant. 
 
 Engl. The branching Phytolacca or Virginian Poke. The mountain Calalse or 
 Pok-weed. 
 
 French. Morelle a grappes ; Grand morelle des Indes ; Vermillion plante ; Herbedela 
 laque ; Mechoacan du Canada ; Rasin d’Amerique. 
 
 Italian. Pianta lacca. 
 
 Span. Hierba carmin. 
 
 Phytolacca decandra. L. Hort. Cliff. 177. Hort. Ups. 117. Mat. Med. 118. Gron. 
 Virg. 161. Mill. Ulus. Reg. Bot. Blackw. t. 515. Du Roi. Harbk. ii. p. 7. 
 Hal. Helv. n. 1007. Dill. elth. 318. t. 339. f. 309. Mill. Diet. n. 1. Pluk. Aim. 
 353. t. 225. f. 3. Houttuyn. Lin. Pfl. Syst. vi. p. 693. Bart. Collections, 3d 
 ed. par. ii. p. 27. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. 52. Bart. Comp. FI. Ph. i. p. 219. 
 Pursh, FI. Am. Sep. vol. i. p. 324. Mich. FI. Boreal-Am. vol. i. p. 278. Drake’s 
 Piet. Cin. p. 85. Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 566. Bry. 126. L. Sp. 
 PI. 631. Hort. Kevv. ii. 122. Bot. Mag. t. 931. Cutler, 447. Dill. Hort. 318. 
 
214 
 
 Phytolacca decandra. 
 
 t. 239. f. 309. Boerh. ii. 70. Sloane, Cat. 84. Raii. Hist. 662. Park, tlieatr. 
 347. Munt. Phyt. 23. t. 112. Dale, 168. 173. Schoepf, 71. Vo g. 114. Murr. 
 iv. 335. Geoffr. suite, i. 403. Lew. Disp. by Duncan, 345. Chom. 787. Rush, 
 i. 259. Clayt. in Pli. Tran. abr. by Hutt. viii. 331. Amcen. Academ. vol. iv. 
 p. 524. Muhl. Cat. ed. 2d, p. 47. Puihn. Mat. Med. Venenar. p. 93. Nutt. Gen. 
 Am. PI. vol. i. p. 293. Coxe’s Disp. ed. 3d, p. 477. Edin. Disp. by Dyck. p. 
 337. Big. Med. Bot. vol. i. p. 39. Thach. Disp. ed. 3d, p. 312. 
 
 PHYTOLACCA. 
 
 Gen. PI. 800. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Polygonese. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Decandria. Ordo Decagynia. 
 
 Cal. 0. Pet. 5-calycina. Bacca supera, 10-locularis, 10-sperma. 
 
 Calix 5-leaved, petaloid. Berry superior, 10-cclled, 10-seeded. 
 
 Phytolacca decandra; foliis ovatis utrinque acutis, floribus decagynis. 
 
 Willd. and Pursh. 
 
 Leaves ovate, acute at each end ; flowers decandrous decagynous. 
 
 SYNON1MA. 
 
 Phytolacca Americana ; majori fructu. Clayt. Chom. Boerh. 
 
 Phytolacca vulgaris fructus et flores. Dill. 
 
 Solanum racemosum Americanum. Raii, Sloane, Pluk. 
 
 Solanum magnum Virginianum rubrum. Park. 
 
 Blitum Americanum. Munt. 
 
Phytolacca decandra . 
 
 2i5 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Phytolacca decandrse. Herba recens, succus, radix, baccae. 
 
 The Poke is a well-known, large, rank plant, growing abundantly in 
 every part of the United States, in wastes, rubbish, and near fences 
 and road sides. It grows to the height of six or eight feet, and 
 sometimes attains even a greater stature. The root is very large, 
 often five or six inches in diameter, and consists of a solid, but 
 soft, fleshy, fibrous mass of whitish colour. It is branched in one 
 or two large portions ; when dried, it becomes light and spongy. 
 The stem is thick, round, much branched and very glabrous ; the 
 branches are large, and spread in various directions, giving the plant 
 a breadth of four or five feet. The leaves are ovate, narrowed at 
 each end, acute, strongly veined on the under surface, and very 
 smooth on both sides. They are frequently tinged near the base 
 and along the costa with purple, and when old are quite reddish. 
 Those situated on the lower portions of the stem and branches are 
 very large, often nine or ten inches in length; the upper are 
 considerably smaller; and all of them are supported on short foot- 
 stalks. The stems are at first green, but become afterwards of a fine 
 purple hue. The flowers are small, numerous, and borne on long 
 racemes, sometimes erect, and often drooping, as is the case with the 
 berries. The corolla consists of five small, ovate, concave petals, 
 folding inwards ; there is no calix. Stamens, ten in number, shorter 
 
210 
 
 Phytolacca decandra. 
 
 than the petals, with double white anthers. The pistils are ten, con- 
 sisting of a flattened, globose, ten-furrowed green germ, and ten short 
 recurved styles. The berries are deep blackish purple, and very 
 shining, crowned with the persistent styles. They are full of a fine 
 purplish red juice. The pedicels of the flowers are variously co- 
 loured, being sometimes white, green and yellow, and often red ; 
 and when the berries are quite ripe, are of a fine carmine hue. This 
 plant commences flowering in July, and sometimes continues in bloom 
 during the whole summer. It is common to find flowers, and the 
 green and ripe berries for a length of time, on the same stalk. It is 
 a native of the South of Europe, some parts of Africa, and North 
 America. 
 
 CHEMICAL ANALYSIS. 
 
 We are indebted to M. Braconnot* for an excellent chemical ana- 
 lysis of this vegetable. According to this chemist, the Poke contains 
 an unusual quantity of vegetable alkali in neutral combination with 
 a peculiar acid allied to the malic, but in his opinion, a mean between 
 this and the oxalic acids. In his experiments with the colouring 
 matter of the berries, M. Braconnot discovered that a yellow liquor, 
 formed by the combination of the purple juice of the ripe berries 
 and lime water, was a very delicate test of the presence of an acid. 
 
 * Annales de Chimie, voL Ixxii. 
 
Phytolacca decandra. 
 
 217 
 
 A few drops of lime water added to the juice produces a change to 
 a yellow colour; the purple is again reproduced by a similar por- 
 tion of acid. M. Braconnot’s comparative experiments with respect 
 to the sensibility of litmus paper and this yellow liquor, resulted in 
 the fact, that one-fourth the number of drops of weak acid were suf- 
 ficient to restore the pristine purple of the yellow compound, which 
 were necessary to redden litmus paper. The yellow liquor, however, 
 must be used as soon as made, as it changes in a short time. For 
 a more detailed account of the chemical analysis, I refer to the me- 
 moir of M. Braconnot, already quoted, and to the dissertation of Dr. 
 Shultz. 
 
 (Economical uses. 
 
 The turiones of this plant are cut near the ground when about 
 three or four inches high, and brought in great abundance to the 
 Philadelphia market, as a table vegetable. These young shoots, 
 when they have had a rapid growth, and the acrid juices of the plant 
 have not become evolved by air and light, are innocent; and, by 
 some persons esteemed delicious. When well boiled and dressed 
 
 U. - , • - 
 
 in the same manner as asparagus, they are easily digested. Yet 
 this practice is not without danger; and I have known an in- 
 stance in a family in Lancaster, in which very violent narcotic effects 
 were induced in several persons who had eaten of the young 
 
 29 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
218 
 
 Phytolacca decanclra. 
 
 shoots of Poke. The probability is, that in the instance alluded to, 
 the shoots were too old, and had acquired the proper active juice of 
 the plant. 
 
 It is common to make a red ink from Poke-berry juice, with the 
 addition of alum. The colour, however, is evanescent, and the alum 
 does not appear to be a sufficient mordant. We are indebted to Dr. 
 Adam Seybert, the author of American Statistics, for a discovery of 
 the means of fixing the colour of these berries. Yet, I am sorry to 
 be unable to refer to his experiments, which were only published in 
 a newspaper, not known to me ; and the author being absent, I can- 
 not obtain any information on the subject. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 Many medicinal virtues have been attributed to Poke: but we shall 
 select those only which are prominent and authenticated. The 
 tincture of the ripe berries in brandy, seems to have acquired a well 
 founded reputation as a remedy for chronic and siphilitic rheuma- 
 tism, and for allaying syphyloid pains; and its effects have been 
 compared to those of the volatile tincture of guaiacum. It is con- 
 fidently recommended in cases which indicate the use of that arti- 
 cle, as a safe and efficacious remedy, under judicious management. 
 The late Professor Barton believed it to be a more valuable medi- 
 
 2 
 
Phytolacca decandra. 
 
 219 
 
 cine than the guaiacum — and recommended, as did Dr. Shultz,* the 
 simultaneous exhibition of calomel and other preparations of mercury 
 with it. He says he has “ employed the ripe juice of the berries, 
 inspissated to the state of an extract, in some cases of scrophula;” 
 but does not state the result of his trials. The tincture of Poke is 
 much used in this city by some highly respectable practitioners, in 
 rheumatism, and with undiminished contidence in its efficacy. 
 
 Poke has had no inconsiderable reputation as a remedy for cancer; 
 but, notwithstanding some high names were enlisted in support of 
 the accounts of its efficacy, it has deservedly lost its character as a 
 cancer-remedy. It is most likely that it was found serviceable in ill- 
 conditioned, sluggish ulcers, which are too frequently mistaken for 
 real cancer, and thus give undue reputation to the curative article 
 employed. That Poke in extract, and in form of ointment, has done 
 good in obstinate cutaneous affections, there seems no fair reason 
 to doubt. It is true the accounts of the efficacy of these prepara- 
 tions, have been greatly exaggerated; but still there remains a suffi- 
 cient portion of respectable testimony, to accredit the claims of the 
 article as a good local stimulating remedy in such affections. That 
 it has cured obstinate cases of tinia capitis, is not probable ; for it 
 is not reasonable to suppose that this very pertinacious disease of 
 the scalp, would yield to an article of so little activity in local ap- 
 plications, as either the ointment or extract of Poke. 
 
 * See Inaugural Diss. Univer. Penn. 
 
H20 
 
 Phytolacca decandra. 
 
 Some oi' the physicians of the eastern states, repose great confi- 
 dence in the pulverised root of Poke, as an emetic. They inform us 
 that in doses of ten or twenty grains, it operates as a certain vomit. It is 
 certain that Poke root produces emesis and catharsis violently, as 
 many active semi-narcotic plants do : and it is not to be doubted that in 
 some instances, convulsions and narcotic symptoms have supervened 
 to the violent vomiting and purging, produced by the internal use of 
 Phytolacca. Indeed, the convulsions then induced have been long 
 noticed, and Puihn particularly mentions this effect, as well as the 
 drastic purgative power of the root. The slowness of the emetic ope- 
 ration of Poke, together with the ambiguous narcotic symptoms ac- 
 companying it, will, in all likelihood, prevent any general recourse to 
 the article as an emetic. 
 
 It is to be regretted that Poke is mentioned in Thacher’s Dispen- 
 satory, on the authority of some physicians of Savannah, to be ade- 
 quate to the cure of siphilis without the use of mercury , thus adding 
 another ideal virtue to a plant already extolled beyond its medicinal 
 worth. Unfortunately the preposterous idea of curing this virulent 
 disease by means of herbs alone , (sarsaparilla, for instance) has found 
 some few proselytes in this country: hut surely the idea of substi- 
 tuting Poke for mercury, ought not to have obtained the countenance 
 of the respectable compiler of the American New Dispensatory. 
 
 The extract of Poke is much used by country practitioners, as a dis- 
 cutient in indolent tumours: and it is said they are in the habit ol in- 
 
Phytolacca decandra. 
 
 221 
 
 fusing the root in wine, in the proportion of an ounce of the former 
 to a pint of wine, and using it to produce vomiting, in the dose of 
 two spoonfuls. A strong infusion of the leaves taken internally, 
 has also been recommended in hemorrhois. On its efficacy here, 
 however, 1 cannot help suspecting, there is but little reason to rely. 
 The Poke ointment is made by boiling the fresh leaves in hogs lard 
 and bees wax, and straining while hot ; or it may be made by pow- 
 dering the dried leaves, and mixing the powder with lard or simple 
 cerate. The tincture may either be made by infusing the ripe ber- 
 ries in brandy or wine, or by dissolving the extract of the leaves in 
 their green or dry state, in spirit. 
 
 An extract may be made by slowly evaporating the expressed 
 juice of the recent leaves collected in July, to a proper consistence. 
 
 The ointment and extract produce a sense of heat and smarting, 
 when first applied. 
 
 The roots should be collected for medical use in the autumn, and 
 sliced transversely ; then dried and kept in covered bottles. As they 
 lose their activity in time, a fresh supply should be annually collect- 
 ed. The leaves ought to be gathered when the berries are ripe, and 
 used as already directed. 
 
22 2 
 
 Phytolacca decandva. 
 
 TABLE XLYIII. 
 
 Fig. i. Is a flowering twig of Phytolacca decandra, with a bunch of 
 green berries, taken from the upper portion of a plant. 
 
 2. A cluster of ripe berries, with a portion of the coloured stem, 
 taken from the lower part of the same plant. 
 
 (Both the size of nature.) 
 
 3. The germ, stamens and pistils, magnified. 
 
' by r /,: F CL 
 
 
 JFMSrWM JiC CjSL T : Eg 1 .AYWTiD TK jfl . 
 
 i Pnls i-,) 
 
LIATRIS DUBIA. 
 
 BLUE-BLAZING STAR. 
 
 Rattle-snake’s master, Button snake-root. 
 
 LIATRIS. 
 
 Gen. pi. 1263. 
 
 Recept. nudum. Pappus plumosus, coloratus. Cal. oblongus, imbricatus. 
 
 Nat. Syst. Juss. Corymbifera. 
 
 Artific. Syst. Lin. Classis Syngenesia. Oi’do Jlqualis. 
 
 Liatris dubia; radix tuberosa, radiculis comosis. Caulis rectus, lineatus, hispido-pu» 
 bescens. Foliis linearibus lsevibus, punctatis, imis multoties majoribus; supe- 
 rioribus, basi ciliatis. Spica longafloribus pedunculatis. Pedunculi pubescenti 
 uniflori elongati, foliolis aliquot instructis. Calix oblongus vel sub-globosus $ 
 squamis lanceolatis, subacutis, erectis, verrucoso-punctatis, imis ciliatis. 
 Corolla tubulosa, 5-fidse ; laciniis lanceolatis. Semina oblonga, angulata, basin 
 versus attenuata. B. 
 
 This plant is one of a genus nearly all the species of which vary 
 considerably, particularly in those marks usually supposed charac- 
 
22-i 
 
 Liatris dubici. 
 
 teristic, as the sessile or pedicellated flowers. After a very careful 
 examination of the specimen from which the figure was drawn, by 
 the descriptions of Pursh, Michaux, and Willdenow, together with a 
 close scrutiny of all the specimens of the genus in the JYluhlenber- 
 gian Herbarium, I cannot, to my own satisfaction, refer the plant to 
 any of the named species. Yet it is most probably not remote 
 from the spheroidea , scariosa , or graminifolia. In this hesitation I have 
 thought it best to add the doubtful mark, and let the figure and de- 
 scription I have given, establish its proper place among the described 
 species. 
 
 The root is tuberous, and sends off a great number of long, slen- 
 der, whitish, dry, fibrous portions. The stem is erect, in the speci- 
 men figured, three and a half feet high, striated with whitish lines, 
 covered with a sparse semi-hispid pubescence. The lower leaves are 
 longer, and much wider than the upper, somewhat arcuate, very much 
 dotted or pitted, glabrous, entire, sessile, and not scabrous on the 
 margin. The costa is prominent, yellowish. The upper leaves are 
 much smaller and quite linear, ciliated for the most part at the base, 
 but some of them ciliated two-thirds of their length. The spike is very 
 long, and leafy, the flowers being situated on long, leafy, pubescent 
 pedicels. The calix is somewhat cylindrical or sub-globose, the scales 
 lanceolate, subacute and erect, slightly spreading at the bottom 
 where the lowermost scales are ciliated. The corolla is tubulous and 
 divided into five lanceolate, acute segments; and, together with the long, 
 exserted anthers, are of a most brilliant and delicate violet colour. 
 
Liatris dubia. 
 
 225 
 
 All the leaves, peduncles, and calix scales are deeply pitted or dot- 
 ted, and in the dried specimen, have a verrucose appearance. The 
 plant flowers in the last of September. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 All the tuberous rooted species of the genus Liatris are active 
 plants, and seem to be uniformly diuretic. The Liatris macrostachya 
 is already noticed in Dr. Barton’s Collections, and Schoepf de- 
 scribes the L. scariosa, by the name of Rough-root lobelia, as 
 an acrid, sub-bitter plant, possessed of diuretic virtues, and 
 as useful in Gonorrhoea. He states that the root has been pre- 
 scribed with this view in weak decoctions, to considerable extent. 
 Pursh says the same plant, and L. squarrosa, are known among 
 the inhabitants of Virginia, Kentucky, and Carolina, by the name 
 of “ Rattle Snake’s Master and tells us, that when bitten by 
 that animal, they bruise the bulbs of these plants, and apply 
 them to the wounds, while at the same time they make a 
 decoction of them in milk, which is taken inwardly, in the same 
 manner as Prenanthes serpentaria. I have also two specimens 
 of Liatris from Mr. Collins, the one received from Mr. Lyon, and col- 
 lected by him in Ohio and Tennessee, under the name of Rattle-snake 
 plant, the other collected by Mr. Collins himself, in Cove, or North 
 Mountain, in the western part of Pennsylvania, last summer, where 
 
 30 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
226 Liatris dubia. 
 
 lie learned the plant was used for curing the bite of the Rattle-snake. 
 These two specimens do not materially differ from the plant here 
 figured, which was received by me, under the same name of “ Rat- 
 tle-snake root.’’ They are not improbably varieties of the L. sca- 
 riosa, graminifolia or spheroidea ; but neither of them agrees well 
 with the description of scariosa.* For the present, these remarks 
 are thrown together principally with a view to elicit information re- 
 specting the medicinal species of this beautiful genus of plants ; and as 
 the plate here given, is a supernumerary one in this number, the 
 above imperfect account will, it is hoped, be excused. 
 
 * The following remarks are from Plukenet, accompanying his Fig. of L. scariosa: 
 
 Fig. 4. Tab. 1 77. 
 
 Eupatoria adfinis Americana bulbosa, floribus scariosa, calicibus contectis. 
 
 Huic in capitulis saltern persimilis exhibitum, in Hist. III. exic. Reech. sub nomine Xar- 
 dro, ut bidesis, pag. 196. PlantapappescensnonlactescensVirginiana. D. Banister. 
 
 2 
 
7i/4 ^ 
 
 LIATBIIS JIMTJBM 
 
 ( -BIim? iBla.'jgiiflio' ) 
 
 ry 
 
Liatris diibia. 
 
 227 
 
 TABLE XLIX. 
 
 1. Represents a portion of Liatris dubia , near the root, of the 
 
 natural size. 
 
 2. An upper portion of the same specimen, also the size of 
 
 nature. 
 
 3. A flower separated, very little magnified. 
 
 4. The stamens. 
 
 5. The same, greatly enlarged. 
 
OROBANCHE UNIFLORA. 
 
 ONE-FLOWERED CANCER-ROOT. 
 
 Germ. Einblumige Sommerwurz. 
 
 Orobanche uniflora. L. Sp. PI. 882. Walt. Car. 166. Rai. Supp. 595. Gron. Virg. 
 70. Pluk. Mant. 89. t. 348. f. 3. Mitch. 25. Houttuyn. Lin. Pfl. Syst. 8. p. 
 152. Mich. FI. Boreal-Am. vol. ii. p. 26. Muhl. Cat. ed. 2d, 61. Pursh, FI. 
 Am. Sep. vol. ii. p. 431. Willd. Sp. PI. vol. iii. par. 1. p. 352. Bart. Comp. 
 FI. Ph. vol. 2d, addenda. Bart. Prod. FI. Ph. p. 66. 
 
 Genus Orobanche (see Orobanche Virginiana, p. 25.) 
 
 Orobanche uniflora; scapis nudis unifloris calice ebracteato, corolla recurvata. 
 
 Willd. and Pursh. 
 
 Scapes naked, one-flowered ; calix without bracts, corolla recurved. 
 
 SYNONYMA. 
 
 Orobanche aut Helleborine aflinis Marilandica, &c. Raii. 
 
 Dentaria s. Aublato cordi aflinis, &c. Gron. 
 
 Gentiana minor aurea, &c. Pluk. 
 
 Aphyelon. Mitch. 
 
 PHARM. 
 
 Orobanche uniflorae. Radix. 
 
230 
 
 Orobanche uniflora. 
 
 One species of this genus has already been figured and described 
 in this work, under the name of Cancer-root ; and a second is now 
 noticed for reasons presently to be given. 
 
 This little plant, like its congener just alluded to, is a leafless para- 
 site on the roots of trees and shrubs. It is above a span high, several 
 scapes proceeding from the same root. The root is gibbous or irre- 
 gularly knobby, and sheathing the scapes at their origin from it. It 
 is of a yellowish colour. The scapes are tortuous and round, about 
 the thickness of bobbin, and finely pubescent every where, but espe- 
 cially towards the upper part ; and of a delicate yellowish-white hue, 
 almost imperceptibly tinged with pink near the flower. The flowers 
 are secund, or leaning towards one side, snow-white, consisting of a 
 recurved inonopetalous corolla, and a five-leaved ebracteate calix, also 
 white, both finely and densely pubescent. The corolla is divided into 
 ovate, obtuse segments, on the lower of which, two yellow diverging 
 nectaries are perceptible, adding a little relief to the white flower. 
 The filaments of the stamens are white, and the anthers yellowish. 
 The germ is ovate, glabrous, and of a tan-colour. This singular little 
 plant delights in very shady situations in rich woods, and has but a 
 very slight attachment by its root, to the substance on which it grows ; 
 it is in flower about the beginning or middle of May, and soon fades 
 when culled. It is, when somewhat advanced, of a yellowish hue, but I 
 have always found the plant in its fresh state, of the colour described 
 above. Pursh mentions that it is but two or three inches high, of a 
 tan-colour, and the flowers pale-purple. This is much smaller than 
 
Orobanche unijlora. 
 
 331 
 
 I have been accustomed to meet with it (and in this neighbourhood 
 it is far from being rare) and I have never seen specimens having 
 purple flowers. It is likely the one described by Pursh, is a variety. 
 It must be noticed, however, that Gronovius, Willdenow and Pluke- 
 net, describes the flowers as pale blue.* It is possible, therefore, that 
 the plant growing in this vicinity, and which I have figured, may be 
 a white variety of the blue-flowered species. Which is the type of 
 the species I cannot undertake to decide. 
 
 MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
 
 I have discovered, since the publication of Nos. 5 and 6, in which 
 Orobanche Virginiana is described, that the present species is col- 
 lected with the other, and used with it under the name of Cancer- 
 root. My enquiries have satisfied me, that those who use the Cancer- 
 root already described, attribute equal power to the present species. 
 I have therefore, given a figure of the plant in an additional plate, 
 more with a view to direct attention to it, than in the belief, that it 
 has yet any undisputed claim to be ranked among medicines. Yet, 
 I am inclined to suspect most of the species of this genus to be pos- 
 sessed of active properties. 
 
 * Orobanche uniflora— -Vagina spathacea, Flos pallide coeruleus, cernuus. Sp.Pl. 
 
332 
 
 Orobciiiche uniflora. 
 
 TABLE L. 
 
 Fig. l. Orobanche uniflora, in flower. 
 
 2. The calix, with the germ and style. 
 
 3 . The germ and style, separated. 
 
 (All the size of nature.) 
 
 THE END. 
 
7Vt6{e &o. 
 
 * 
 
 JJravm fi-om A^aturr 6y W2 Zl 'Hart on. 
 
 ( Quae -TFlowei'ic d € aiicei- - II© ®t . 
 
INDEX 
 
 TO THE 
 
 SYSTEMATIC NAMES AND SYNONYMS. 
 
 The synonyms are in Italics. 
 
 A 
 
 C 
 
 Aristolochia serpentaria - - 41 
 
 Acorus Calamus - - - - 65 
 
 Asarum Canatlense 85 
 
 Aristolochia pistolochia - - - 41 
 
 Acoruvn legitimum - - - 63 
 
 Anapodophyllum Canadense - 9 
 
 Asarum latifoiium 85 
 
 Asarum Carolinianum - - ib. 
 
 Anemone Gronlandica - - - 97 
 
 B 
 
 Baptisia tinctoria - - - 53 
 
 Blitum Americanum - - - - 213 
 
 Coptis trifolia - - - 97 
 
 Cunila mariana - - - 171 
 
 Cbenopodium anthelminticum - 183 
 
 Calamus aromaticus 63 
 
 / 
 
 Cortusa Americana - - - 159 
 
 Cunila pulegioides ... i65 
 
 Calamintlia erecta, SfC. - - 171 
 
 E 
 
 Eupatorium perfoliatum - - 1£5 
 
 Epifagus Virginiana - - - 25 
 
 Eupatorium Virginianum - 125 
 
 Eupatorium connatum - - ib. 
 
 VOL. II 
 
 31 
 
234 
 
 Index to the systematic names and synonyms. 
 
 F 
 
 Frasera Walteri 
 Frasera Caroliniensis 
 Frasera officinalis 
 Frasera verticillata 
 
 G 
 
 Gyromia Virginica 
 
 H 
 
 Hydrastis Canadensis - 
 Heucliera Americana 
 Hedeoma pulegioides 
 Hydrophyllum verum, $*c. - 
 
 Helleborus trifolius 
 Heuchera cortusa 
 Heucliera viscida - 
 
 L 
 
 Laurus benzoin 
 Lobelia Cardinalis 
 Lobelia siphilitica 
 Liatris dubia 
 Laurus pseudo-benzoin 
 Laurus aestivalis - 
 Lobelia coccinea 
 
 Lobelia rejlexa 
 2 
 
 M 
 
 Medeola Yirginica - 143 
 
 Medcola verticillifolia - - - ib. 
 
 Mitella Americana - - - 159 
 
 Melissa pulegioides - - - 165 
 
 o 
 
 Orobanche Yirginiana 25 
 
 Orobanche uniflora ... 229 
 
 P 
 
 Podophyllum peltatum 9 
 
 Polygala seneka - - - 111 
 
 Panax quinquefolium - - - 1 191 
 
 Phytolacca decandra - - 213 
 
 Podalijria tinctoria - - - 53 
 
 Polyrhizos Virginiana - - - 41 
 
 Pistolochia Virginiana - - ib. 
 
 Polygala Virginiana - - - 111 
 
 Phytolacca Americana - - - 213 
 
 Fhytolaccse vulgaris, Sfc. - - ib. 
 
 R 
 
 Rubus Villosus - - - 151 
 
 Rapuntium galeatum, <§*c. - - 1 77 
 
 Rapuntium maximum , <Sfc. - - ib. 
 
 Rapuntium Americanum - - 207 
 
 103 
 
 ib. 
 
 ib. 
 
 ib. 
 
 143 
 
 17 
 
 159 
 
 165 
 
 17 
 
 97 
 
 159 
 
 ib. 
 
 91 
 
 177 
 
 207 
 
 223 
 
 - 91 
 
 ib. 
 
 177 
 
 207 
 
Index to the systematic names and synonyms , 
 
 235 
 
 S 
 
 w 
 
 Spigelia Marilandica - - 75 
 
 Sophora tinctoria - - - 53 
 
 Spigelia oppositifolia - - - 75 
 
 Spigelia Americana - - ib. 
 
 Satureja origanoides - - - 171 
 
 Solanum racemosum Americanum - 213 
 
 Solanum magnum Virginianum , Spc. ib. 
 Typha aromatica - - - 63 
 
 Trachelium Amerkanum - - 177 
 
 Warnera Canadensis 
 
 z 
 
 Zanthorhiza apiifolia 
 Zanthorhiza tinctoria 
 Zanthorhiza simplicissima - 
 Zanthorhiza Marbosia - 
 
 - 17 
 
 203 
 
 ib. 
 
 ib. 
 
 ib. 
 
INDEX 
 
 TO THE 
 
 ENGLISH AND VULGAR NAMES. 
 
 A 
 
 American Asarabacca 
 
 85 
 
 Allspice-bush - 
 
 - 91 
 
 American Columbo 
 
 103 
 
 Ague-weed - 
 
 - 125 
 
 Alum -root - 
 
 159 
 
 American Sanicle - 
 
 - ib. 
 
 American-Nightshade 
 
 213 
 
 B 
 
 Beech-drops - 
 
 25 
 
 Broom ----- 
 
 - 53 
 
 Bone-set - 
 
 125 
 
 Blackberry - 
 
 - 151 
 
 Blue Lobelia 
 
 207 
 
 Blue Cardinal Flower 
 
 - ib. 
 
 Button Snake-root 
 
 223 
 
 Blue-blazing Star - 
 
 - ib. 
 
 Branching Phytolacca, or 
 
 Virginian 
 
 Poke - 
 
 - 213 
 
 c 
 
 Cancer-root 
 
 25 
 
 Calamus - 
 
 - 63 
 
 Carolina Pink-root 
 
 75 
 
238 
 
 Index to the English and vulgar names , 
 
 Carolina Pink 
 
 - 
 
 - 75 
 
 Colt’s-foot - 
 
 - 
 
 85 
 
 Canada Snake-root 
 
 - 
 
 - ib. 
 
 Columbo 
 
 - 
 
 103 
 
 Columbia 
 
 - 
 
 - ib. 
 
 Col umbo-root 
 
 - 
 
 ib. 
 
 C ross-wort 
 
 - 
 
 - 125 
 
 Cucumber-root - 
 
 - 
 
 143 
 
 Cardinal Plant 
 
 . 
 
 177 
 
 Cardinal Flower 
 
 - 
 
 ib. 
 
 Cocum - 
 
 . 
 
 213 
 
 Coakum 
 
 D 
 
 - ib. 
 
 Duck’s-foot 
 
 . 
 
 9 
 
 Dittany 
 
 F 
 
 - 171 
 
 Fever-bush 
 
 - 
 
 91 
 
 Fever- wood - 
 
 G 
 
 - ib. 
 
 Gold-thread 
 
 - 
 
 97 
 
 Ginseng 
 
 - 
 
 - 191 
 
 Garget 
 
 / 
 
 H 
 
 213 
 
 Horse-fly-weed 
 
 - 
 
 - 53 
 
 High Blackberry 
 
 - 
 
 151 
 
 Hairy American Bramble - - 151 
 
 I 
 
 Ipecacuanha .... 9 
 
 Indigo-weed - - - - - 53 
 
 Indian Pink ... - 75 
 
 Indian Ginger - - - - 85 
 
 Indian Lettuce .... 103 
 
 Indian Sage - - - - 125 
 
 Indian Cucumber ... 143 
 
 Jalap 213 
 
 K 
 
 Kidney-leaved Asarabacca 85 
 
 M 
 
 Mandrake ----- @ 
 
 Myrtle-grass ... - 63 
 
 Mouth-root - - - 97 
 
 Marietta Columbo - - - 103 
 
 Mountain Dittany - - - 171 
 
 Maryland Cunila ... ib. 
 
 Mint-leaved Cunila - - ib. 
 
 Mountain Calalse, or Pok-weed 213 
 
 o 
 
 Officinal Milk-wort - - - 111 
 
 One-flowered Cancer-root - 229 
 
Index to the English and vulgar names , 
 
 239 
 
 P 
 
 Pink-root - 
 
 - 75 
 
 Pennyroyal ... 
 
 165 
 
 Parsley-leaved Yellow-root 
 
 - £03 
 
 Poke ----- 
 
 £13 
 
 Pigeon-berries ... 
 
 - ib. 
 
 Poke-weed - 
 
 - ib. 
 
 R 
 
 Rattle Snake-root 
 
 Ill 
 
 Rattle Snake’s Master 
 
 - ££3 
 
 s 
 
 Snake-weed Root 
 
 41 
 
 Snake-root Birth-wort - 
 
 - ib. 
 
 Sweet-flag ... - 
 
 63 
 
 Sweet-smelling Flag 
 
 - ib. 
 
 Sweet Cane - 
 
 ib. 
 
 Sweet Grass - - - - 
 
 - ib. 
 
 Sweet Myrtle-grass - 
 
 ib. 
 
 Spice-wood - - - - 
 
 - 91 
 
 Spice-berry ... 
 
 ib. 
 
 Seneka Snake-root 
 
 - Ill 
 
 Senega Rattle-snake-root - 
 
 ib. 
 
 Standing Blackberry 
 
 - 151 
 
 Shrubby Goose-foot - 
 
 183 
 
 Scarlet Lobelia - 
 
 - 177 
 
 Skoke - 
 
 213 
 
 T 
 
 
 Thorough-wort ... 
 
 - 125 
 
 Thorough-stem 
 
 ib. 
 
 Thorough- wax ... 
 
 - ib. 
 
 u 
 
 Unsteetla - 
 
 - 75 
 
 V 
 
 Virginian Broom-rape 
 
 25 
 
 Virginian Snake-root 
 
 - 41 
 
 Vegetable Antimony - 
 
 125 
 
 w 
 
 Wild Lemon ... 
 
 9 
 
 Wild Indigo - 
 
 53 
 
 Worm-grass - 
 
 - 75 
 
 Wild Ginger - 
 
 85 
 
 Wild Allspice ... 
 
 91 
 
 Wild Columbo - 
 
 103 
 
 Wild Basil - - - 
 
 - 171 
 
 Worm Seed - 
 
 183 
 
 Worm Goose-foot 
 
 ib. 
 
 Y 
 
 Yellow-root - - - - 17 
 
 Yellow-wort £03 
 

'O 
 
 Athsneum of Philadelphia 
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 Atlee, Edwin A., M. D. 
 
 Astley, Thomas 
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 Bonsall, Caleb, 3 copies 
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 VOL. II. 
 
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 Conrad, S. W. 
 
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