^ ^^ f^y. £Lr-i:X THE AMERICAN FLORA, OB HISTORY OF PLANTS AID ¥ILD ELO¥EES: CONTAINIKO THEIR SCIENTIFIC AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION. NATURAL HISTORY, CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES, MODE OF CULTURE, PROPAGATION, &C. AS A BOOK OF REFEP.EXCE FOR BOTANISTS, PUYSICIANS, FLORISTS, aARDENEES, STUDENTS, ETC. BY A. B. STRONO, M. D. VOL. I. IS ILLUSTRATED WITH SIXTY-SIX BEAUTIFUL COLORED ENGRAVINGS, TAKEN FROM NATURE. LIBRARY « , NEW YORK BOTANICAL NEW-YORK: ^"^^"^^ PUBLISHED BY HULL & SPENCEB, 13 ANN STREET. 1855. i^ vN- • 'f Entered accorJing to Act, of Cougiess, in the year 1S45, by GREEN i SPENCER, In the Clerk's 0£5ce of the District Court of the Southern District of Xew York ^ B PREFACE. In the whole catalogue of the Materia Medica, the productions of the animal and mineral kingdom bear a small proportion to those of the vegetable. Though it must be acknowledged that, fur some time past, the medicinal uses of vegetable simples have been less regarded by physicians than they were formerly, which probably may be ascribed to the successive discoveries and improvements in chemistry ; it would, however, be difficult to show that this prefer- ence is supported by any conclusive reasoning, drawn from a com parative superiority of chemicals over galenicals, or that the more general use of the former has actually led to a more successful practice. The various American works on Botany have given but very limited portions of the vegetable kingdom ; yet limited as they are, few medical practitioners have a distinct botanical knowledge of the individual plants of which they are composed, though generally well acquainted with their effects and medical uses. But the practitioner who is unable to distinguish those plants which he prescribes, is not only subjected to the impositions of the ignorant and fraudulent, but must feel a dissatisfaction which the inquisitive and philosophic mind will be anxious to remove, and to such, it is presumed, the American Flora will be found an acceptable and useful work ; the JV PREFACE. profos.seil dcsi^r. of v. Lull is uol only to enable the reader to dis- tinguish with prccisiou all those plants which are directed for med- ical use, and to furnish him at the same time wiih a circumstantial detail of their respective virtues, and of the diseases in which they have been most successfully employed by different authors. A child may walk into the field, and amuse himself with the groups of flowers which there present themselves to his notice. He may be able to distinguish between the Tulip and the Snowdrop, the Rose and the Lili/, and be delighted with their external beauties and rich varieties; but it is the liotanist alone, who by an accu- rate knowledge of the various parts of the plant, can expatiate on its wonderful formation. If, then, a knowledge of Botany is so necessary to men of science and general literature, it must be obvious that those plants in the vegetable kingdom which possess medicinal properties, ought certainly to attract the attention of medical men. The Author has the satisfaction of introducing many rare and valuable plants, which have never been completely portrayed in any preceding work whatever, embracing all the Wild Flowers of America, all beautifully colored, and their drawings taken from nature ; and by subjoining a botanical description, natural and medi- cal liistory of each species, curiosity is more fully giatified, and a double interest is excited in the mind of the student. LATIN NAMES. Kletris farinosa Aloe pcrfoliata Aloe socotorina Aloe vulgaris Amygdalus communis Anacardium occidentale - Anemone pralensis Anthemis nobilis Anthemis pyrethrum Aquilegia canadensis Arctium lappa Atropa belladonna Borago officinalis Camelia japonica Capsicum annum Cassia fistula Celastrus scandens Chelone glabra Cichorium intybiis - Cistus creiicus Citrzis aurantitim Colchicum autumnale Convolvulus jalapa Croton tiglium Dianthus caryopkyllus [hgitalis purpurea Gtntiana pttrpurea • Oladiolus alatus Habranthus roseus ffetleborus niger Hyacinthus orientalia Hypericum perforatum fnula helenium INDEX. COMMON NAMES. tkOt. Star Grass 51 Common Aloe 83 Socotorine Aloe 74 African Aloe 72 Common Almond Tree 173 Cashew Nut 25 Pasqiie Flower 36 Common Chamomile 167 Spanisli Chamomile 111 Columbine - - . 29 Burdock 96 Deadly Nightshade 100 Common Borage 8S Japan Rose Tree 61 Guinea Pepper 115 Purging Cassia 88 Bitter Sweet 140 Balmony ... 146 Wild or Blue Succory - 142 Cretan Cistus 136 Orange Tree 53 Meadow Saffron 134 Jalap Bind- Weed 44 Purging Croton 123 Clove or Carnation Pink 132 Purple Foxglove 66 Purple Gentian 119 Sword-Lily 48 Rosy Habranthus 127 - Black Hellebore 58 Common Hyacinth 18T St. John's- Wort 98 Elecampane . . . 38 INDEX. LATIN NAMES. COMMON ^AME3. PIOB. Iris florentitia Florentine Orris 165 Ixia Crateroides Cup-Shaped Ixia 157 Ixia tricolor - - - Three-Colored Ixia 156 Juniperus sabina Common Savine 129 Leontodon taraxacum Dandelion . - - 138 lAimm usilalissimum Common Flax . . - 113 Lobelia syphilitica Blue Lobelia 148 Malva sylvestris Common Mallow 93 Martynia probocidea Horny Martynia 27 Mentha viridis - - - Spearmint ... 171 Morns 7iigra Common Mulberry Tree 178 Myristica Moschata Nutmeg Tree - - . 121 Narcissus triandrus - Three- Aiithered Rush Daffocli 184 Oxalis acetosella Wood-Sorrel 176 PcBonia officinalis Common Peony 33 Papaver rhceas - - - Red or Com Poppy 81 Passijlora ccerulea Passion Flower 169 Pulmonaria officinalis Common Lungwort 90 Pyrolla tmibellata Pipsissewa . . - 150 Pyriis spectablis Chinese Pear 10 Quassia am^ara Bitter duassia 182 Quercus robur Common Oak ... 163 Rododendrum chrysanthuv% - Yellow-flowered Rhododendrum 161 Rhus glabrum Upland Sumach 12 Ribes rubrum Red Currant 154 Ribes sangnineiim High Blackberry 78 Rosa canina Dog Rose or Hep Tree 109 Rosa centi/olia Hundred-Leaved Rose - 7 Rubus idans Common Raspberry' Bush 70 Rubtis strig-osns Red Raspberry 18 Scutellaria lateriflora Blue Scull Cap 180 Spigelia marilandica Carolina Pink - - - 159 Stalagmitis cambogioules Gamboge Tree 144 Tropaoliim majiis Indian Cress ... 104 Tulippa oculis solis - Scarlet Tulip 107 Veronica bcccabunga Brooklime - - . 125 Wachcndorfia paniculata Panicled Wachendorfia 158 INDEX. COMMON NAMES. LATIN N/MES. Pica. Almond Tree Amygdalus communis 173 Aloe, African Aloe vulgaris ... 72 Aloe, Common Aloe perfoliata 83 Aloe, Socotorine - Aloe socotorina 74 Balmony Chelone glabra 146 liitler Sweet Celastras scandens 140 Blackber'-y, High Ribes sanguincum - 78 Borage, Common Borago officinalis 85 Brooldime Veronica beccabimga 125 Burdock Arctium lappa ... 96 Cashew Nut Anacardium occidentale 25 Cassia, Purging Cassia fistula ... 83 Chamomile, Common Anthemis nobilis 167 Chamomile, Spanish Anthemis pyrethrum HI Columbine Aquilegia canadensis 29 Cretan Cistus Cistus creticus 136 Croton, Purging Croton tiglium 123 Currant, Red Ribes rubrum ... 154 Dandelion Leontodon taraxacum 139 Elecampane Inula helenium 38 Flax, Common Linum usitatissimnm 113 Foxglove, Purple Digitalis purpurea 66 Gamboge Tree Slalagmits cambogioides 144 Gentian, Purple Gentiana purpurea m Hal)ranthus, Rosy Habranthus roseus • 127 Hellebore, Black Helleborus niger 68 Hyacinth, Common - Hyacinthus oricntalis 187 Indian Cress TropsEolum majus 104 Ixia, Cup-shaped Ixia crateroides 157 Ixia, Three-colored Ixia tricolor . - - 160 Jalap Bind- weed Convolvulus jalapa 44 Lily, Sword Gladiolus alatus 48 Lobelia, Blue 3 Lobelia syphilitica - 148 iV INDEX. COMMON NAMES. Lnngwort, Common Mallote, Common Marly nia, Horny Mulberry Tree, Common Nighl-shade, Deadly Niilmeg- Tree Oak, Common Orange Tree Orris, Florentine Pasque floicer Passion Jloicer Pear, Chinese Peony, Common Pepper, Guinea Pink, Carolina PiTik, Clove or Carnation Pipsissewa Poppy, Red or Com Quassia, Bitter - Ra.'pherry Bush, Common • Raspberry, Red Rododendrum, Yellow-Jlowerti Rose, Dog or Hep Tree Rose, Hundred-leaved Rose, Japan Rush Daffodil, Three-anthered tSttffron, Meadow SSavine, Common ScuVcap, Blue Sorrel, Wood Spear-mint - • Star Grass - . • iS». John's- Wort Sticcory, Wild or Blue Sumach, Upland Tulip, Scarlet W Senticosce. RUBUS STRIGOSUS. RED RASPBERRY, Class XII. IcosANDRiA. Order V. Polygnia. Gen. Char. Calyx, five-cleft, inferior. Petals, five. Fruit, com- posed of many one-seeded juicy acines, on a dry receptacle. Spe. Char. Leaves, unarmed, rigidly hisped. Leasts, three or pinnate-quinate, oval, at the base obtuse, acumate, marked with lines, and white downy beneath. Peduncles and Calyx, hisped. The ste7n of this species of raspberry, is upright, branching, of a pale red color, thickly covered with stiff bristles, and rises from three to five feet in height; the leaves stand in one or two pairs, supported on long slender hairy footstalks, with an odd one at the end : they are wrinkled edged with acute teeth, marked with par- allel lines on the upper surface, of a silvery whiteness beneath, and terminated by long slender points ; the Jhwers are white and dis- posed in little nodding clusters, succeeded by a profusion of deep scarlet red berries. It flowers in June and sometimes again in Sep- tember, producing a second crop of fruit, when the season oermits. The raspberry is found throughout nearly all the northern and southern States, growing in dry waste lands, and on stoney hills. It is very abundant in the New England Statss, growing on the mountain sides and among; the rocks. Ruhiis ardkus. Dwarf crimson Bramble. This is rather a creep- ing plant, never rising more than eight or ten inches high ; stems herba- ceous, smooth, unarmed ; leaves trifoliate, almost glabrous ; leaflets Vol, 1.-18. NAT. ORDER. SENTICOS*. 19 obovate, obtuse, crenately serrated ; stipulas ovate, very blunt ; flow- ers solitary, terminal, deep rose-colored ; calycine segments, lanceo- late-linear, downy, shorter than the corolla ; petals eraarginate ; fruit large, purple, or red, sweet scented. Limiajus has accurately figured this species of Bramble in his Fl. Lapponica, out of gratitude, as he expresses himself, from the benefit he reaped from it in his Lapland journey ; it having so frequently recruited his spirits when almost sinking with fatigue and hunger, by the vinous nectar of its berries. He informs us that the principal people in Norland, make a syrup, a jelly, and a wine from these berries, which they partly consume themselves, and partly send to their friends ; this wine is of the most delicious kind. This is a native of Canada, of Siberia, and the northern part of England. Flowers in June and July. Riihiis chnnvrmorus. Mountain Bramble. This is a creeping plant, only rising from six to eight inches in height ; stem simple, one-flowered, puberidous, unarmed ; leaves somewhat uniform, wrin- kled, plicate, roundly lobed, and toothed ; stipidas oval, obtuse ; flowers dioecious ; calycine segments, ovate, longer than the corolla ; petals elliptical, rather incumbent ; carpels nearly globose, large, flowers white ; fruit large, of a dull orange-color, acid nuicilaginous, and_ pleasant to the taste. From their exalted situation, they are sometimes called cloud berries, also knot benies, krwut berries, or roe berries. The plant flowers in June, soon after the snow is dissolved, and the berries are scarcely well ripened in August, before the plant is again overwhelmed with its winter covering. The snow preserves the fruit, and is used by the Laplanders to keep it through the win- ter ; for they, as well as the Scotch highlanders, esteem it as one of their most grateful and useful fruits, especially on accomit of its long duration. Its taste is moderately acid and mucilaginous, with some- thing of the flavor of tamerinds. They are held tc be an excellent anti-scorbutic. The Norwegians pack them upon wooden vessels, 20 NAT. ORDER. SENTICOSJE. and send them to Stockholm, where they are served up in deserts or made into tarts. The Laplanders bruise and eat them with the milk of tlie reindeer. Neill observes, that they are the most graceful kind of fruit gathered by the Scotch Highlanders. On the sides and near the bases of the mountains, it may be collected for several months in succession. It is not cultivated without difficulty, and it seldom yields fruit in a garden. By crossing the flowers with those of the common l)raml)le or raspberry, and raising from the seeds so impregnated, in all probability this plant might become a valuable accession to the kitchen garden. It is a native of Europe, Siberia, and North America. Flowers in June. The fruit of the Raspberry is grateful to most palates as nature pre- sents it, but sugar improves the flavor; accordingly it is much esteem- ed when made into sweetmeats, and for jams, tarts, and sauces. It is fragrant, sub-acid, and cooling, allays heat and thirst. It is much used in distilling, to make the cordial spirituous liquor, from which it has its name. Raspberry syrup is next to the strawberry in dissol- ving the tartar of the teeth, as like that fruit it does not undergo the acetous fermentation in the stomach ; it is recommended to gouty and rheumatic persons. There is already known one hundred and forty- seven species of this delicious plant, besides an innumerable number of their varieties. Propagation aivl Culture. The varieties can be perpetuated by the young suckers, which spring from the roots in spring and smmner ; when these have completed one year's growth, they are proper to de- tach with roots for planting, either in the autumn or the next spring in February or March, but never later than the middle of April. These new plants will bear some fruit the same year, and furnish a suc- cession of strong bottom shoots for full bearing the second year. New varieties are easily raised from seed, and they will come into bearing the second season. NAT. ORDER. SENTICOS;E. 21 Soil and Situation. All the varieties will succeed in any com- mon mould, trenched about two feet deep, and sufficiently manm-ed ; but the soil in which the raspherrij bush prospers most and bears the finest fruit, is in a light rich loam. Allot the main crop a free expo- sure to tlie sun, that the beri'ies may ripen in perfection. Be careful to favor the double bearers, with a dry soil, and a sheltered sunny situation, to give the second crop every aid in coming to maturity When raspberries are cultivated on a large scale, it is best to keep them in plantations by themselves. Set them in rows from four to six feet asunder, as the bushes are of the smaller or smallest kinds, and by three or foiu" feet in the row. Scattered bushes may either occupy a small row lengthwise along the back part of tlie border, or suuid in detached stools, at ten or fifteen feet distant from eacli other. Select sorts are frequently trained against walls, stakes, or espaliers, from the most sunny to the most shady aspect, for early and late fruit of improved growth and flavor. Neill says the raspberry bush grows freely in any good garden soil ; but is the better for being slightly moist. Although the place be inclosed by trees, and even slightly shaded, the plant succeeds well. In an inclosed and well sheltered quarter, with rather a damp soil, containing a proportion of peat moss, we have seen very great crops of large and well flavored benies produced. • Neic Plantations. Raspberry bushes are in their prime about the third and fourth year, and, if well managed, continue in perfection five or six years ; after which they are apt to decline in growth, and the fruit to become small, so that a successive plantation shoidd be improved in time. Select new plants from vigorous shoots, in full perfection as to bearing. Summer Culture. Keep them free from weeds during the sum- mer by hoeing between the rows, at the same time loosen the earth about the plants ; under this management the plants, if tolerably 22 NAT. ORDER. SENTlOOSiE. strong, will both yield a moderate crop the first season, and supply yoimg steins for bearing in greater plenty and perfection the foUow- ' ing season, and so from year to year the summer culture should be repeated. As the plants get established, let all straggling suckers between the rows, or from the extreme roots of single shoots, be cleared out by hoeing, or twisted off, to admit the air and sun freely to the fruit. Tlie fruit of the raspberry may be obtained of a very large size, other circumstances being favorable, by destroying all the suck- ^ t ers ; but in this way, the plant being destroyed, a double plantation is wanted, one to grow only suckers, and the other fruit. Pruning and Whiter Dressing. It is requisite every winter or spring to cut out the dead stems, and to thin and regulate the suc- cessional young shoots. This annual priming may be performed any - time during open weather, from November till the beginning of April. When kitchen garden crops are cultivated between the rows, it is most convenient to do this as soon as the old bearers begin to decay. As to prmiing indiscriminately in the open weather in winter, it sometunes happens that severe frosts immediately foUow, and par- tially kill the plants ; therefore it is safer to shorten the tender young shoots early in the spring, but let it not be deferred till the buds are ■ making new shoots, as that would weaken the roots. Cut out all the old dead stems close to the bottom, and having selected from the strongest young shoots on each main stool, four or five to be preserv- ed for a succession of bearers, cut away the superabundant shoots close to the ground. Let each of the shoots retained be pruned at the top below the weak bending part, cutting tliem in smaller plants to about tliree or four feet in length, and in the large sorts to the length of five or six. feet. If any of the stems diverge irregularly, or strag- gle much asunder, they may be tied together at the top, and thus the strong ones will support the weaker, or the taller varieties may have the support of stakes. Pnme plants against a wall or trellis, in the NAT. ORDER. SENTICOS^. 23 same manner as directed above, and train the shoots to rise a little diagonally. After pruning, having cleared away the cuttings, dig the ground between and about the plants. To tiu'n m a little rich com- post, will conduce much to then- growth ; lay it at the extremities of the roots, and deeper as the plantation gets older. Eradicate all straggling .suckers. Taking the Crop. The fruit of the cUfierent varieties comes in from the end of June or July till October, or later. As it ripens it should be timely gathered for immediate use, because when fully ripe it will not keep above two or three days before it decays and becomes unfit for use. Mcdiad Properties and Uses. The leaves of this plant have of late become quite fashionable as a substitute for black tea ; many villages in some sections of the Northern States use, and prefer the raspberry leaves to the best of black tea, which is not easily distin- guished apart. The raspberry is certainly the most wholesome, and with the addition of a little sugar and mUk, forms a very pleasant beverage. Tlie fruit is considered cooling, gently laxative, and antiseptic, and can be used with gi-eat advantage to correct any putrid tendency in the stomach or bowels, especially dui'ing the hot weatlier. Dr. Mattson, author of the " American Vegetable Practice," appears to have made himself more fully acquainted with this species of raspberry tiian most botanists ; he describes the leaves as being " moderately astringent, with a slightly bitter, and very agreeable aromatic taste." A decoction made from the leaves and small branches he highly recommends as an " excellent remedy in the bowel complaints of children ; and if used in season, will arrest the disease and effect a cure. It should be given in small draughts, and administered also by way of injection. The addition of a little ulmus falva will render it stUl more efficacious." The tea is very valuable as a soothing and cleansing wash for ulcers, 24 NAT. OKDEK. SE.NTICOS^E. scalds, burns, and all excoriated surfaces, which are very.sore or irritable. From my own experience in the the use of the raspberry for several years past, I must acknowledge that I have found it one of the most valuable medicines in use. I have administered it in hun- dreds of cases, and never found any deleterious or bad effects from it, taken in any quantity or in any stage of disease. A strong and pleasant tea made from the leaves and given to children afflicted with diarrhoea (or summer complaint so called), I have found it to give more speedy and permanent relief than any other article with which I am acquainted. The addition of a little bark of the myrica cerifera will render it still more effectual. A syrup is prepared from the berries, called the syrup of raspberries. Also a cordial which is a most delicious drink. Various other preparations are prepared from the fruit, which renders it not only useful as a medi- cine ; but extremely delicious when made into preserves. -^ ^4r 'iL_ • ,-7 r^/"/. lA^/'y- ^^ // /. NAT. ORDER. SolonacecB. ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE. CASHEW-NUT. Class X. Decandria. Order I. Monogynia. Gen. Char. Calyx, five leaved. Petals, five, reflex. Anthers, ten, one only fertile. Spec. Char. Nut, kidney-shaped, on the top of a fleshy receptacle. This beautiful small tree rises from twelve to twenty feet in height; the fruit is about twice as large as a large sized orange; the calyx is divided into five parts, the divisions ovate and decidu- ous; the corolla consists of five reflected petals, which are about twice the length of the calyx ; the stamens consist of ten capillary filaments, which are shorter than the calyx ; the anthers are small and roundish ; the pistil has a roundish germen ; the style is subu- late, reflexed, and about the length of the corolla ; the stigma is oblique ; jJericarp none ; the receptacle is large and fleshy ; the seed is a large kidney-shaped nut, placed above the recejatacle. Of this only one species is as yet known to botanists. It is a native of the West Indies, and cannot be cultivated either here or in Europe without great care and difficulty. A gum exudes spon- taneously from the bark of this tree, which bears some resemblance to gum Arabic. The fruit of this tree is full of an acrid juice, and in appearance and taste resembles that of the common lemon ; to the apex of this fruit grows a kidney-shaped nut, much larger at the end which is next the fruit, than at the other, consisting of two shells, with a black juice between them, and a sweet oily kernel within the inner shell This plant is easily raised from the fresh nut 26 NAT. ORDER. SOLONACEiE. they should be planted each in a separate pot filled with a light sandy soil, and placed in a hot bed of tanners bark ; they should be kept dryish until the plant comes up, otherwise the seed is apt to rot. Medical Properties and Uses. In describing the medical pro- perties of this rare plant we shall take the authority of both modern and ancient writers. Wood and Bache says, " the receptacle is a redish yellow, and of an agreeable sub-acid flavor with some astrin- gency. It is edible, and affords a juice which has been recom- mended as a remedy in dropsy. This juice is converted by fermentation into a vinous liquor, from which a spirit is obtained by distillation, much used in making punch, and is said to be power- fully diuretic. The nuts are well known under the name of cashew- nuts. The black juice contained between the inner and outer shell, is extremely acrid and corrosive, producing when applied to the skin, severe inflamation, followed by blisters or desquamation of the cuticle. It is used in the West Indies for the cure of corns, warts, ringworms, and obstinate ulcers, and is said to be sometimes applied to the face by females in order to remove the cuticle, and produce a fresher and more youthful aspect. The worst case of external poisoning which has ever come under our notice, was produced in a lady who was exposed to the fumes of the nut while roasting. The face was so much swollen that for some time not a feature was discernible. The kernel when fresh has a sweet, agree- able taste, and is eaten like chesnuts, either raw or roasted. It is also used as an ingredient in puddings, &c., and forms an excellent chocolate when ground with cocoa. By age it becomes rancid and looses its agreeable flavor." The natives of the Island make use of the juice in obstinate cases of diarrhcea, and diabetes. The oil is used by painters to give their colors a lasting black, and to preserve wood from putrefaction. / '.yCpt^^t/yy (.y/uiU /^/u-ciy. 2 (/^■^M^?^m/ 'une^. NAT. ORDER. Pedalinece. MARTYNIA PROBOCIDEA. HORNY MARTYNIA. dass XIV. DiDYNAMiA. OrdcT II. Angiosperma. Chn. Char. Calyx, five parted. Corolla, ringent. Capsule, woody, dry, with a hooked beak, containing a four celled-nut. »^e. Char. Stem, branched. Leaves, alternate, lobed cordate at the ba.se. Stamens, four, all fertile. Thi.s plant rises from one to three feet in height ; stem branched, annual, villous, and vi.scid ; the leaves are placed alternately upon the stem and branches, they are lobed and cordate at the base ; the stamens are four, all fertile ; corollas with a yellowish white tube, variegated with green, yellow, and violet spots and lines ; limb wide, pale violet, marked with saffron-colored and violet dots and lines ; the lobes of stigma close when touched, according to best authority. This plant is a native of Louisiana, found growing on the banks of the Mi.ssissippi ; also some parts of Mexico. iMartijnki longijlora. Long-flowered Martynia. This species rises about two feet in height ; the stem is erect, scabrous, simple ; leaves three-nerved, opposite, roundish, repand; flowers axillary, solitary, and hang on short pedicels ; tube of corolla, very long, gib- bously flattened at the base ; stamens foiu", all fertile ; corolla pur- plisli ; in place of bracteas at the base of the pedimcles, there is a pedicellate gland. Native of the Cape of Good Hope. Flowers in July and August. Martynia diandria. Diandrous Martynia. This species ri&es from two to three feet in height ; the stem is reddish and considera- Vol. i.— 27. 28 NAT. ORDER. — PEDALINEfi, bly branclicd ; leaves villous, viscid, opposite fobed, and cordate at the base ; stanieus four, two of them sterile ; flowers thyrsoid, in the forks of the stem, tkooping ; corolla with a white tube, tinged with purple, and spotted with red and yellow ; limb pale-red, with a shin- ing purple spot at each segment ; upper lip reflexed. Native of Mexico, at Vera Cruz, and near Campeche. Martynia Zanquchnrica. Zanzibar Mart}niia. The stem of this plant rises from one to two feet in height; leaves pinnatified, pilose ; flowers axillaiy, solitary, and of a pale purple color ; beaks of capsules secund ; calyx pilose, with lanceolate, nearly equal, de- ciduous, expanded segments ; corolla ringent, with a large, roundish, gibbous tube, and a short limb ; upper lip trifid, obtuse, the middle segment emarginate ; the lower lip ovate, longer, entire ; fruit bisul- cate on botli sides, foiu'-beaked, four-celled, one-seeded, and two-valv- ed. Native of Zanzibar. Flowers in July and August. 3Iartijnia liitca. Yellow-flowered Martynia. Tliis plant rises only from one to two feet high ; the stem is branched and clothed with glandular doY^^l ; the leaves stand opposite upon the stamaned branches, cordate-orbicular, toothed, and clothed with glandular do^-n ; beaks much longer than the pericarp ; calyx involucred by two bracteas ; corolla large, funnel-shaped, orange yellow, clothed with blood-color inside. Native of Brazil. Flowers in August. This genus was named, accorcUng to Houston, in honor of John Martyn, professor of Botany at Cambridge : author of Historia Plan- tarimi Variaram, and several other works : editor of Virgil's Georgics and Eclogues. Born Sept, 1699, died 1768. Pro])agati(m and Culture. The seeds of the species should be reared on a hot-bed, as other tender annuals ; and when transplanted into other parts, they should be kept in the hot-house or green-house, until the seed is ripened. A light rich soil suits them best. NAT. ORDER. Ranunculaccce. AQUILEGIA CANADENSIS. COLUMBmE. Class XIII. PoLYANDRiA. Order V. Pentagynia. Gen. Char. Calyx five-leaved, petaloid, deciduous. Petals five, terminating below in a spurred nectary. Capsule five, erect, acuminate with the styles, many-seeded. iS^e. Char. Spurs straight. Styles and stamens exserted. Calyx rather acute, longer than the petals. Leaves three-parted, rather obtuse, incisely toothed. The Columbine is a native of America, growing in abundance in rocky places, fi-om Canada to Louisiana, and is also found in most parts of Europe, where it is cultivated in gardens as an ornamental flower. It is a perennial, herbaceous plant, all parts of it having been exten- sively medicinally employed. The roots, leaves, and flowers have a disagreeable odor, and a bitter, acrid taste ; the seeds are small, black, shining, inodorous, and of an oleaginous sweetish taste, followed by a sense of acrimony ; it starts up early in the spring, and rises from two to four feet in height, and continues to flower from May to July. There are seven different kinds of Columbine, which we shall here- after notice: among them are the Aquilegia Vulgaris, or common single Columbine ; Aquilegia vulgaris fllore plena, common double Columbine ; Aquilegia inversis corniculis, double inverted Colum bine ; Aquilegia rosea, the rose Columbine ; Aquilegia degener, the degenerate Columbine, and the Aquilegia Virginiana, the early red T'olumbine of Virginia. 30 NAT. ORDER. RANUNCDLACE^. Acjuilcgia vulgaris. Coimnon Columbine. This species rises from oue to two feet high ; the spurs are a little incurved ; capsules villous ; stem leafy, luaay-floweredj and is, as well as the leaves, smoothish ; styles not exceeding the stamens in length ; flowers either single or double, blue, white, rose-colored, purple or variegated, or spotted with the same colors. The whole plant has been recommended to be used mecUcinally, but it belongs to a susj^icious natural order, and Linna;us aflkms that cliildren have lost their lives by an over-dose of it. The virtues ascribed to a tincture of the flowers as an anti- phlogistic, and for strengthening the gums and deterging scorbutic ulcers in the mouth, appear to be better founded ; the tinctm'e being made with au addition of the vitrioUc acid, and cUfleruig but little from our officinal tincture of roses. It is a native all OA^er the United States, m waste places, pastures, on the side of hUls and mountains, among rocks. It flowers in JiUy and August. Aquilegia ccerulea. Blue Columbine. This species rises about one foot high ; spurs straight, almost twice the length of the limb of the petals ; styles and stamens shorter than the corolla ; stipulas acute ; segments of the leaves deeply lobed ; flowers blue. Native of North America, on the Rocky Mountains. Aquilegia brevistyla. Short-styled Columbine. This species rises about two feet high ; the whole plant is rather pubescent ; spurs incurved, shorter than the limb ; styles short, inclosed ; stamens rather shorter than the coroUa ; stem and leaves as in Aquilegia vul- garis, but the flowers are only about one-half the size, color, blue. Native of North America, in the western part of Canada, and as far north as Bear Lake. Aquilegia viscosa. Clammy Columbine. Tliis species rises from eighteen inches to two feet in height ; spurs incurved ; capsules vil- lous ; stem bearing one, or tliree flowers, almost naked, and is as well as the leaves clothed with clammy pubescence ; style not ex- NAT. ORDER. — RANUNCULACE^. 31 ceetling the stamens in length. This very much resembles the Aqid- legia vulgaris, and is only selected from it by its being clothed with a clammy pubescence, and the flowers being much larger, and of a purple color. It is a native of Spain, Portugal, south of France, Peid- mont, Naples, etc., in rugged moimtainous places, exposed to the sun. Flowers in May and June. Aqidlegia alpina. Alpine Columbine. This species rises from twelve to eighteen inches high ; spin's straight but somewhat incurv- ed at tlie apex, and one-half shorter than the petals ; stem leafy, two or three-flowered ; segments of leaves deeply divided into linear lobes ; flowers large and blue. This is the most showy of all the species. It is a native of the Alps, Switzerland, ;i^>'/yW-./>^^^ NAT. ORDER. LURID.E. 67 wards tlie stiginc, which is bifid ; the germ is oval, .iiul surrounded at the bottom by a small uectarious glaud ; the cajjsule is bilocular, aud contains many blackish seeds. It grows usually by the road- sides and ditches and hedges, especially in dry gravelly soils, aud flowers in June and July. The leaves of the Foxglove have a bitter, nauseous taste ; it grows wild in most of the temperate countries of Europe, and in the United States, and is often cultivated in gardens for ornament and me(hcinal purposes. The leaves are the part usually employed^ altliough the seeds are recognized as being officinal. Much care is requisite in selecting, preparing, and preserving Foxglove, in order to insure its activity. Digitalis parvljlora. Small-flowered Foxglove. This species rises from two to three feet high ; leaves oblong-lanceolate, undula- ted, deflexed, ciliated with wool, entire, margined, radical ones oI)0- vate ; racemes dense, cylindrical ; segments of corolla, as well as those of the calyx, roundish ; corollas small, brownish-purple, pilose. The native country of this plant is unknown, but grows sparcely in many places throughout the United States, and some parts of Europe. It flowers m June, July, and August. Digitalis fuloa. Tawny-flowered Foxglove. This species rises from two to three feet high ; leaves lanceolate, ciliated ; bract eas all not half so long as the corolla ; corolla downy, reticulated, fulvous, with a rusty color ; segments ovate, acute ; lip bearded ; stamens about equal in length to the tube, and glabrous ; calyx downy. By some this is thought to be a hybrid between some other species. The native country of this is also unknown. I have found it growing by tiie side of small streams, on Great Hills, in Leverett, Mass. It waa in flower, in its wild state, in July and August. Propagation and Culture. Most of the species of Foxglove are showy, and well (itted for decorating flower borders. Tiicy all grow freely in comiimn garden earth, and are rculily increased 68 NAT. ORDER. LDRID^E. by seed. Some of (lie more tender species require protection in winter. Medical Propcrlks ami Uses. Digitalis is narcotic, sedative, and diuretic — a violent poison, but yet a valuable medicine — and when administered in quantities isapt to produce a sense of tightness, or weight, with dull pain in the liead, vertigo, dimness, or other dis- order of the vision, and of the mental operations ; externally it has been used in sores and scrofulous tumours, with considerable advan- tage. Respecting the internal use of this plant, we are told of its good effects in epilepsy, scrofula, and phthisis, but the incautious man- ner in which it has been employed, renders it a very dangerous rem- edy ; yet while Digitalis was generally known to possess such medi- cinal activity, its diuretic effects, for whicli it is now deservedly re- ceived in the Matei'ia Medica, were wholly overlooked. To this dis- covery. Dr. Withering has an undoubted claim ; and the numerous cases of dropsy related by him, and other practitioners of established reputation, afford incontestible evidence of its diuretic powers, and of its practical importance in those diseases. Foxglove has been analizcd by Destouches. Foiu* ounces of the dried leaves yielded successively, nine drachms of watery and seventy- eieht grains of alcoholic extract. The first was brown, smooth, and of a consistence fit for making pills. The second had a very deep green color, a virose and disagreeable smell, the consistence of tallow, but more tenacious : did not im-nish ammonia by distillation, and was not acted upon by acids. The ashes contained salts of lime and po- tass. The effects o^ foxglove, vf\\ci\ taken into the stomach, are to diminish the frequency of the pulse, and the irritability of the sys- tem ; and to increase the action of the absorbents, and the discharge by urine. In excessive doses it produces vomiting, dimness of sight, vertitfo, delirium, hiccough, convulsions, collaps, and death. For tliese symptoms, the best remedies are emetics of Lobelia infata, cordials, and stimulants. Internally Digitalis has been recommend- NAT. ORDER. LURID.E. 69 eJ. First, in iaflammatory diseases, from its very remarkable pow- er of diminishing the velocity of the circuh'tion. Second, in active lueniori'hages, and phthisis. Third, in some spasmodic affections, as in spasmodic asthma, palpitation, <&c. Fomth, in mania, from effu- sion on the brain. Fiflli, in anasarcous and dropsical effusions. Sixth, in scrofulous tumors. Seventh, in auem'ism of the aorta, and hypcrtropliy of the heart. Externally it has been applied to scrofu- lous tumors. It may be exhibited — first, in substance, either by it- self, or conjoined with some aromatic, or made into pills, with soap or gum anunoniac. Withering directs the leaves to be gathered be- fore the plant comes into flower ; he rejects the petioles and mid-rib, and dries the remaining part either in the smishine or before the fire. In this state they are easily reduced to fine green powder, which is given in doses of one grain twice a day, and the dose is gradually in- creased until it acts upon the-kidneys, stomach, pulse, or bowels, when its use must be laid aside, or suspended. Second, in infusion ; the same author directs a drachm of dried leaves to be infused for four hours in eight oimces of boiling water, and an ounce of any kind of spirit for its preservation. Half an ounce, or an ounce, of this infusion may be given twice a day. Third, in decoction, Darwin di- rects that four ounces of the fresh leaves be boiled in two pounds of water, until they are reduced to one, and that half an ounce of the strained decoction be taken every two hours, for four or more doses. Fourth, in tincture, put one ounce of the dried leaves, coarsely poAv- dered, into four ounces of diluted alcohol ; let the mixture stand by the fire-side twenty-four hours, frequently shaking the bottle, and the satu- rated tincture, as Darwin calls it, must then be separated from the resi- dum by standing, or decantation. Twenty drops of the tincture were directed to be taken twice or thrice a day, but the dose is dangerous. The EJinburgh College, and the United States formulas, recommend eight ounces of diluted alcohol to one of the powder, but let it digest seven days. -'f NAT. ORDER. Senticos(B. RUBUS IDiEUS. . RASPBERRY BUSH. Class XII. ICOSANDRIA. OrdcT V. POLYGNIA. Gen. Char. Calyx five-cleft. Berry composed of one-seeded ocini. Spe. Char. Leaves quinate, pinnate, and ternate, tomentose under- neath. Petioles channelled. Stem prickly. The stems of the Raspberry are biennial, upright, branching, three or four feet high, of a reddish color, and thickly covered with very stiff bristles ; the leaves are rough, veined, serrated, downy on the under side, and composed of five or three pairs of oval pinna?, ter- minated by an odd one ; the Jlowers termmate the branches in panicles, and appear in succession ; the calyx is divided into five oblong ex- panding segments ; the corolla consists of five petals, which are up- right, blunt, narrow, white, and inserted into the calyx ; the Jilamcnts are numerous, somewhat shorter than the petals, fixed to the calyx, and terminated with roundish compressed anthers ; the germcns are numerous, and each supports a short capillary style, furnished with a simple, permanent stigma; the J'ruit is a red berry, composed of sev- eral roundish granulations, collected into a knob, which is convex above, concave beneath, and placed upon a conical receptacle ; each granulatio7i has one cell, containing an oblong seed. The Raspberry is a native of Europe, but has now become nat- uralised to this country, growing spontaneously in the different states, from Maine to Georgia, seeking moist situations, woods, hedges, rocky mountains, and the most inaccessible waste places, flowering in May 70 NAT. ORDER. — SENTICOS-E. 71 and June, and producing innumerable quantities of its fruit in July and August. It is also extensively cultivated in our gardens, not only as an ornament, but more particularly on account of its delicious fruit. The figure which accompanies this description vv'as taken from a gar- den specimen, and consequently appears more luxuriant than when the Rasjfberry is found in its natural or uncultivated state. For cultiva- tion they require a shelter afforded by a hedge or fence, in order to protect them from the too powerful rays of the sun. Tlie soil sliould be of a light, sandy loam, perfectly friable and well manured. They should be planted in double rows, twelve inches apart, and running east and west, that each row will serve in a measure to shelter the next one from the sun. The double rows should not be more than three feet apart, and the plants when first set out eighteen inches from each other, after which they may be allowed to run together ; they will be found most productive, and the fruit larger, when they are thus allowed to partially shade each other. The rows should be supported by a slight railing at each side, or by a cord attached to stakes or poles at suitable distances. Nearly all the varieties of the Raspberry are cultivated from suckers, by planting them in the ground, and again by loping down the ends of their summer shoots to the earth, which take root and form new plants. Medical Properties and Uses. The virtues of the Raspberry consist in allaying heat and thirst, and in promoting the natural excre- tions. Dr. Matson, in his practice, found it to possess cooling, gently laxative, and antiseptic properties. The leaves are moderately astrin- gent, with a slightly bitter, and very agreeable aromatic taste ; made into a tea it has proved to be one of the most valuable remedies in our country, for dysenteria and all bowel complaints in children, and if taken in season will usually effect a cure ; the tea is also soothing, and a cleansing wash for ulcers, scalds, burns, and all excoriated surfaces which are very sore or irritable. I NAT. ORDER. LiliacecB. ALOE VULGARIS. THE AFRICAN ALOE. Class VII. Hexandr'a. Order I. Monogynia. Gen. Char. Corolla erect, with a spreading, smooth, and nectarif- erous bottom. Filaments inserted into the receptacle. Spe. Char. Floxccrs spiked, in corymbs, drooping, pedunclcd, sub- cylindrical. Stem-leaves toothed, embracing, sheatliing. The root is perennial, strong and librous ; the Jlowci'-stcms rise from two to six feet in height, varying according to the richness of the soil : they are smooth, erect, of a silvery green color, and toward the top beset with bracteal scales ; the leaves are first spreading, then ascend- ing, of a glaucous green color, someAvhat mottled with darker spots, flat on the upper surface, convex beneath, and armed with hard red- dish spines, distant from each other, numerous perpendicular to the margin, narrow, tapering, thick or fleshy, succulent, beset at edges with spring teeth; the^oiversare produced in terminal spikes, and of a purple or reddish color ; ca7i/x none ; the corolla is monopetalous, tubular, nectariferous, cut into six narrow leaves, separating at the mouth ; the filaments are six, which are tapering, yellowish, in- serted into the receptacle, and furnished with oblong orange-colored anthers ; the gcrmen is oblong, supporting a simple slender style, about the length of the filaments, and terminated by an obtuse stigma ; the capsule is oblong, and divided into three cells, three valves, and contains many angular seeds. The Aloe Vulgaris is a native of south-eastern Europe and the 73 iSZ^^^r^i^z^n t^t^:^. NAT. ORDER — LILIACE.E. -^3 norlh of Africa. It is cultivated in Italy, Sicily, Malta, and {specially in the AVest Indies, where it contributes largely to furnish the Barba- does Aloes. The U. S. Dispensatory, in its description of this species of Aloe, probably gives as good, if not a better, than any of the others. It remarks that " the proper aloetic juice exists in longitudi- nal vessels beneath the epidermis of the leaves, and readily ilows out when these are cut transversely. The liquid obtained by expression from the parenchjma is mucilaginous, and possessed of little medicinal virtue. The quality of the drug depends much upon the mode of pre- paring it. The finest kind is that obtained by exudation and subse- quent inspissation in the sun. Most of the better sorts, however, are prepared by artificially heating the juice which has spontaneously ex- uded from the cut leaves. The chief disadvantage of this process, is the conversion of a portion of the soluble active principle into an in- soluble and comparatively inert substance, through the influence of an elevated temperature. The plan of bruising and expressing the leaves, and boiliig down the resulting liquor, yields a much inferior product, as a kige portion of it must be derived from the mucilaginous juice of the parenchyma. The worst plan of all is to boil the leaves them- selves i:i water, and to evaporate the decoction. The quality of the drug U also affected by the careless or fraudulent mixture of foreign ■ 'atters with the juice, and the unskilful management of the inspis- ;-ition." Mtdkal Properties and Uses. The different varieties of this i.]ant are all similar in their mode of action. They are all cathartic, ' perating very slowly but certainly, having a peculiar affinity for the large intestines. Their action appears to be directed rather to the muscular coat than to the exhalent vessels, and the discharges which they produce are therefore seldom very thin or watery. In full doses they quicken the circulation and produce general warmth. NAT. ORDER. Liliacea. ALOE SOCOTORINA. SOCOTORINE ALOE. Class VI. Hexandria. Order I. Monogynia. Gen. Char. Corolla erect, mouth spreading, bottom nectariferous. Filaments inserted into the receptacle. S2)e. Char. Floicers in corymbs, sub-cylindrical, peduncled, droop- ing. The stem, like all of the Aloe tribe, is erect, from one to two feet in height, woody, leafless, and the lower part very rough, from the remains of decayed leaves. " At top it is embraced by green, sword-shaped, ascending leaves, somewhat concave on their upper sur- face, convex beneath, curved inward at the point, wath numerous small white serratures at their edges ; the Jlotcers, which are cylindrical, simple raceme, are scarlet near the base, pale in the centre, and green- ish at the summit, and have unequal stamens, of which three are longer than the corolla." The plant received its name from the island of Socotra, of which it is a native, and where the genuine Socotorine Aloes is produced. This island lies in the straits of Babelmandel, about forty leagues to the east of cape Guardafui ; but we are informed that a large portion of what is sold under that name, is prepared in the kingdom of Me- linda, upon the eastern coast of Africa, and some in the neighboring parts of Arabia. It is said that the commerce in this variety of Aloes is carried on chiefly by the maritime Arabs, who convey it cither to India, or up the Red Sea, by the same channel through which it NAT. ORDER. LILIACEJS. 75 reached Europe before the discovery of the southern passage into the Indian Ocean. History informs us that this species of Aloes grows on the sides and summits of mountain.^, from five hundred to three thou- sand feet above the level of tlic plains. It is found in all parts of the island, but most abundantly on the western portion, where the surface is thickly covered whh it for miles, and it appears to thrive best in parched and barren places. Much less of the drug is collected than formerly, as the whole produce seems to be monopolized bj' the Ara- bian Sultan of Risseen, who still claims sovereignty over the island. The leaves are plucked at any period of the year, and are placed in skins into which the juice is allowed to exude ; it is exported in skin3, and the qualities ditlcr much according to the care taken in its prepa- ration. Much of the Aloes sold as the Socotorine lias never seen tlie island of Socotra, or even the Indian seas. It has been customary to affix this title as a mark of superior value to those portions ot the drug, from whatever source they may have been derived, which have been prepared with unusual care, and are supposed to be of the best quality. Thus both in Spain and the West Indies the juice which i.? obtained without expression, and inspissated in the sun without arti- ficial lieat, has been called Socotorine Aloes, and is probably little if at all inferior to the genuine drug. Aloe saponar'm. Great Soap Aloe. This seldom rises much above two feet iii height ; the leaves are very broad at their base, where they closely embrace the stalk, and gradually decrease to a poiut ; the edges are set with sharp spines, and the under leaves spread open horizontally in every direction ; these are of a dark-green color, spotted with white, somewhat resembling the color of soft soap, whence its name ; the flowers grow in umbels, on the tops of the stalks, and are of a beautiful red color, appearing in August and September. Abr. hnm'dis. Dwarf Hedgehog Aloe. This is a very low plant, never rising into stem ; the leaves are broad at their base, but tiper to a p:)int, where they are triangular ; they are beset on their ed:;es and both surfaces with soft spines very closely, from whence t'us 76 NAT. ORDER. LILIACEiE. plant has its name. The flowers grow in a loose head on the tojj of the stalk, wliich is very thick, but seldom a foot liigh ; they are of a fine red color l)elow, but of a pale green above. The flower would indicate that it belonged to the preceding species, though it may ap- pear diflercnt by its habits. Aloe marguritifcra. Pearl Aloe. This species is of humble gi-owth ; tlie leaves come out on every side, without order, near the gi-ound; they are thick triangular at their ends, and closely studded with white protuberances ; wlience its name. There is also a vari- ety of this, still smaller, which has been long preserved in gar- dens in this country. The plant flowers in several seasons of t'.ie year. Propagation and Culture. The propagation of these plants is effected in different methods, according to their nature. As many of the roots aflbrd plentiful supplies of suckers, or offsetts from their roots, they may be easily raised in that way. And in those wiiich do not possess this property, it may be often accomplished by taking off some of the under leaves. Where ripe seeds can be procured, they may also be raised in that method. But in order to the successful cultivation of tlie Aloe in this cli- mate, it is necessary that it has a proper soil prep ired for it. This should be constituted of about one-half of fresh, good, light mould, which has a considerable proportion of decayed vegetable matter in it, and one-fourth part of sea-sand, or the scraping of roads after they are become dry and of a sandy nature, with an equiil quantity of ef- fete lime : such as the sittings of lime rubbish. These substances should be intimately incorporated together, by frequent turning over with the spade ; and to render them perfectly mellow, and suitable for the purpose, they should be suffered to remain in this state of mixture for eight or twelve months before they are made use of. With this earthy compost some very small pots are to be filled in a close manner. The suckers, offsets, or root-leaves, are then to be planted out separately in these pots of earth, which should be slight- NAT. ORDER. LILIACE.E. 77 ly pressed round them. The most proper season for performing tlic work is about the middle of July, when old plants are shifted. At- ter being planted out in the pots, they should be sliglitly watered, and tiien set in some shady situation for about a fortnight ; after which tiie more tender sorts may be removed into a very moderate hot-bed. By this means they strike root more readily. But here it will be necessary to shade the plant in the heat of the day, and to let them have as much air as possible. Where leaf-sets are made use of, they should be planted in June, setting the part that was separated from the old plant an inch or an inch and a half into the earth. About the middle of August it will be necessary to begin to harden these plants. This is to be perform- ed by removing the glasses occasionally when the weather is fine, anil ill (ilher circumstances raising them by props in such a manner as to admit the air freely, and thereby promote their vigor and growth. In this way they will become fit to be removed into the house, which must be performed about the latter end of Septendjer. After this the plants are to be treated in the same manner as old plants. . ' The Aloe plants, from their great differences in tlieir height, modes of growth, and the shapes of their leaves, as well as tlie beauty of their flowers, are well adapted for the purpose of affording variety, and producing a singularity of effect in the green-house, or in courts, or in other places about the house, during the summer season. Medical Properties and Uses. The varieties are all similar in their mode of action, and are purging, expelling, stomatic, anthelmin- tic, and act on the lower intestines. Their taste is nauseous and bit- ter, and they are highly useful in obstructions, hypochondriasis, jaun- dice, worms, and ulcers. Dose in the form of pills, from two to five grains of the extract. NAT. ORDER. SenticoscB. RIBES SANGUINEUM. HIGH BLACKBERRY. Class XII. IcosANDRiA. Order V. Polygynia, Gen. Char. Calyx, superior, campanulate, five-cleft. Petiole and Stamen inserted upon the calyx. Style two-cleft. Berry many-seeded. Spe. Char. Leaves acutely lobed, dentate, reticulate-rugose. Raceins, rather loose, many-flavored, stiffly erect. Berries hisped. The root of this elegant and fruitful bramble is long, slender, woody, branched, internally of a white or yellowish appearance, externally of a dark brown, and sends forth numerous small succu- lent fibres; the stem is erect, strong, ribbed, armed, much branched pear the tops, of a greyish-red color, and rises from three to five feet in height ; the leaves are inversely ovate, blunt, entire, dentate, serrated, veined, and stand four or five together upon simj)le foot- Stalks ; the Jlowers are first of a deep red, but afterwards fade into a lioht pink color, and appear on the stalk in slender pendulous ra- cems ; the calyx is composed of six leaflets, which are ovate, concave, colored, deciduous, alternately larger and smaller ; the corolla con- sists pf SIX petals, which are roundish, concave, and at the base fur- nished with two small oblong orange colored nectaries ; the Ji/a- ments are six, erect, compressed, tapering, shorter than the petals, and terminated by double anthers, which adhere to their sides; the germen is cylindrical, and about the length of the filaments; style none ; stigma circular, flat, and surrounded by a sharp border; the 78 ^*)' ^/A? / .^^ /Y ^ ^ i!r /<•/>? fJ. OnT^^'t iv . NAT. ORDER. SENTICOSiE. 79 fruit IS a red berry composed of several roundish granulations, col- lected into a knob, and placed upon a conical receptacle ; each gran- ulation has one cell which contains a small kidney-shaped seed. It has been said that this species of hlackhcrry is a native of Eurojje, but from what authority, or source of accurate knowledge of its origin, that it could have been so considered, we arc unable to account, for certainly it is, that when this country was first dis- covered by the Europeans, which was long before the introduction of any foreign plant, the high, or bush blackberry, (so called from its shrub-like and robust appearance,) was found in all 23arts of the New England States, growing in open woods, on the south side of mountains, and in rocky and waste places. From this we are led to believe that this species of blackberry is a native of this country, and especially when we take into consideration the innumerable quantities produced, and the vast extent of territory in which it is found growing in a wild state. We do not remember of seeing, nor can we learn from its history, that it has ever been cultivated in this country; although it produces large quantities of fruit, of a rich and highly palatable flavor, and can be multiplied to any extent, which would in our opinion richly repay the labor, and prove a source of profit, not only for medicinal purposes, but a grateful and wholesome addition to the luxuries of our markets. Medical Froperties and Uses. The roots of this plant have long been considered as one of the most valuable astringent and tonic medicines in the Matei-ia Medica. From the earliest period of history they have been a favorite domestic i-emedy in bowel af- fections; and from popular favor have passed into regular practice. Given in the form of decoction, they prove acceptable to the stom- ach, and not offensive to the taste, and can be employed with great advantage in cases of diarrhoea from relaxation of the bowels, either in adults or children. We would also add our own testimony to that of others who have spoken favorably of their use in this com- plaint ; and many other cases where astringents are found servicable. 80 NAT. ORDER. SENTICOSiE. Blackherry Birup. The following is a valuable receipt for a sirup, which may be made from the roots of the blackberry, in combination with a le.^^ other articles; and if properly prepared, proves one of the most valuable remedies that can be found in the vegetable catalogue; from several years experience, and a practical knowledge of its effects upon many cases of diarrhoea, the author can bear testimony, as its superior powers to most of the medicines, usually prescribed for those complaints, and on this account has deemed it incumbent on himself, to make known to others the ar- ticles employed, that they may have an opportunity, (should it be required,) of administering this remedy. Take of Rihes sanguin- eum, Blackberry, (by some called High Briar root,) eight ounces ; Myrica cerifera, Bayberry bark, four ounces ; Geranium viaculatum, Cranesbill, two ounces ; Balsamodendron myrrha, Gum myrrh, one ounce; Cinnamomum aro7naticum, common Cinnamon, one ounce; Foejiiculum vulgare, Fennel-seed, half an ounce ; Carum carui, Caroway, the seed, half an ounce; Capsicu7a bacatum. Bird pepper, half an ounce. The whole should be put into four quarts of water, and steeped six or eight hours, then to be strained and reduced to two quarts ; then add, while hot, two and a half pounds loaf sugar; let it .stand until cold and add, Tinctura opii, which is made from the Papaver somniferum. Laudanum two fluid ounces ; Essence of Cinnamon one fluid ounce ; and one and a half pints of best French Brandy. A table-spoonfuU is a suitable dose for an adult, repeated accord- ing to circumstances, or as the urgency of the case may require. Many physicians who.se practical observation and experience, cer- tainly entitles their opinions to respect, have recommended this compound in the treatment of cholera, and speak of it as being un- rivalled in the treatment of this complaint also. ^--^^2^^^' ^^?Z^ S^^U'. NAT. ORDER. Rhcedes. PAPAVER RH^AS. RED OR CORN POPPY. Class XIII. PoLYANDRiA. Order I. Monogynia. Gen. Char. Corolla four-petalled. Calyx two-leaved. Capsule one-celled, opening by pores under the persistent stigma. Spe. Char. Capsule glabrous, globose. Stem hairy, and many- flowered. Leaves pinnatifid, incised. The root is annual, simple, fibrous ; the stalk is upright, branched, having hairs standing at right angles with the stem, which rises from one to two feet in height ; the leaves are pinnated, toothed, hairy on both sides, and at the base sheath-like ; the peduncles are slender, furnished with hairs like the stem, and each supports a single flower , the calyx consists of two leaves, which are ovate, rough, concave, and deciduous ; the corolla is composed of four petals, which are large, spreading, roundish, unequal, of a bright scarlet color, and marked at the base with a shining black spot ; the Jilaments are numerous, slen- der, purplish, and furnished with roundish, compressed antherae ; the germcn is egg-shaped, and truncated at the top ; there is no style ; the stigma is convex and radiated — the radii of a purple color, and permanent ; the capsule answers the description given of the germen ; it is smooth, marked with several longitudinal projecting lines, which are in number equal to the radii of the stigma, and at the top it is (colloped ; the radii are numerous, minute, and of a purple color. This plant is quite common in cornfields, and flowers in June and July. It is a native of Europe, but has been introduced and culti- 82 NAT. ORDER. — RHCEDES. vatccl in this country. It may be distinguished from the P. dubium, to wliich it bears a general resemblance, by its urn-shaped capsules, and by the hairs upon the peduncles standing in a horizontal direc- tion. Propagation and Culture. All the species of this plant are quite showy, and have flowers, varying greatly in size and of various hues. The pereimial species may be increased by dividing the plants at the roots, but the common and best way is by seeds. The an- nual kinds may be sown in the open border, about the middle or end of March, where they are intended to remain, as they do not bear transplanting. They all thrive best in a light rich soil. The Papa- ver nudicmdc and varieties, microcarjnim, ruhro-aurantiacum, pijrc- naicum and varieties, and Papavcr (dpiiium, are beautiful little plants, and should be kept as alpines, in pots ; or otherwise are very apt to damp off in the winter, especially in most parts of England, and in this country, where their culture has been attempted. Medical Properties and Uses. The capsules of this species, like those of the Somnifci-um, contain a milky juice of a narcotic quality, and an extract has been prepared from them having the properties of opium ; but the quantity is too small to repay the trouble of its preparation. The petals are the officinal portion ; they have a nar- cotic smell, and a mucilaginous, slightly bitter taste. By drying they lose their odor, and assume a violet-red color. The flowers have a smell similar to that of opium. A sirup made of them has been re- commended as being useful as an anodyne and pectoral, and is there- fore prescribed in coughs and catarrhal affections ; but from all that we can gather, from an extensive catalogue of botanical works, and our own limited experience, as regards the medicinal properties of this plant, it seems that it is more highly valued for the beauty of its colors than for its virtues as a medicine. NAT. ORDER. Coronaii7^^ ,yZit K^(/^^^^ J^^^f^r^ NAT. ORDER. Gentianacea. GENTIANA PURPUREA. PURPLE GENTIAN. Class V. Pentandria. Order II. Digynia. Gen. Char. Corolla, monopetalous. Capsules, superior, two-valved, one-celled, with two longitudinal receptacles. Spe. Char. Corolla, five-cleft, rotate, virticillate. Calyx, spathace- ous. The root is perennial, cylindrical, slender, branched, exter- nally brown, or dark, and internally of a pale yellowish color ; the stem is erect, simple, smooth, strong, succulent, and rises from twelve to eighteen inches in height; the lower leaves are nearly eliptical, ribbed, and entire ; the upper leaves stand in pairs, sheath- like, they are concave, pointed, ribbed, and embrace the stem, en- closing the flowers ; the jloicers are large, purple, and stand in whorls, upon short peduncles, ; the calyx opens lengthwise, and falls off late in the autumn ; the corolla is bell-shaped, purplish, plicated, and divided at the limb into five ovate dotted segments; the_^/a- ments are most usually five, about the length of the germen, and furnished with long, erect, tapering anthers ; the germen is oblong ; the style is cleft with reflexed points, and furnished with a blunt stigma ; the capsule is ovate, two-celled, and contains numerous small seeds. This species of gentian is a native of the Alps, and was first introduced into England for cultivation by Professor de Saussure in the year 1768, since which time it has found its way into France, Spain, and some parts of the United States, Rafensque says it is H9 120 NAT. ORDER. GENTIANACE^. found growing wild in great abundance from Carolina to Alabama, and West Kentucky, in glades and open plains, it is also cultivated in hot houses and gardens, but chiefly as an ornament. The root alone is the part medicinaly employed, and so exactly resembles that of the yellow or common oflScinal Gentian, that it is almost impossible to distinguish them apart; and in some countries where the latter is scarce, the former is employed in its stead. Medical Properties and Uses. The medical character of this plant is to be regarded precisely the same as that of the gentiana lutea, which is now so universally used as a bitter. This root ranks high as a tonic, and also possesses sudorific, anticeptic, corroborant, and cathartic properties. It appears to have been in constant use from the earliest times ; but its virtues (as is frequently the case with other remedies) were held in too high estimation by the ancients. As a tonic it may be administered with the best effects in dj^spepsia, particularly where there is weakness of the stomach : also in debilitated states of the constitution, brought on from various causes, or in diseases which exhaust the power of the S3"stem, as diarrhoea, dropsy, fevers, hysteria, scrofula, worms, &c. Many dys- peptic complaints, though arising from debility of the stomach, are more effectually relieved by bitters than by peruvian bark : and hence may be infered their superior tonic powers on the organs of dio;estion. Gentian Bitters. Take of Gentiana purpurea, Purple Gentian one ounce ; Panax quinquefolium. Ginseng two ounces ; Chelone glabra, Balmony quarter of an ounce ; Aurantii cortex, Orange peel one and a half ounces; put this into one gallon {^ure wine, let it stand for two or three days, when it is ready for use. Dose, half d, wine glass full, taken usually before eating. This I nave found to be one of the most valuable bitters in use, as a strengthening tonic, nothing can claim its superior. Those who are reduced from gen- eral debility, or other causes, would do well to try this remedy. The dose of the powder of the root is from five to ten grains, NAT. ORDER. MyristicacecB. MYRISTICA MOSCHATA. NUTMEG TREE. Class XXII. DicEciA. Order XUI. Monadelphia. Gen. Char. Male — Calyx, bell-shaped, trifid. Corolla, none. Fila- ment, columnar. Anthers, six or ten, united. Female — Calyx, trifid, bell-shaped, deciduous. Corolla, none. Style, none. Stigma, two. Drupe, a nut involved in an arillus. Mace, with one seed. Spe. Char. Leaves, oblong, pointed. Fruit, smooth. This tree rises about thirty feet in height, and produces numer- ous branches ; the trunk is covered with a dark brown bark, but that on the branches has a more greenish appearance ; the leaves are eliptical, pointed, indulated, entire, obliquely nerved, and placed alternately on short footstalks, the color of which is a bright green on the upper surface, and grayish beneath, having an aromatic taste ; the Jlowers are small and placed on axillary peduncles ; the male and female are on separate trees ; in the ?7iale flowers, the Jil- aments are short, joined into one bundle, supporting long linear anthers, and inserted into the receptacle; in the female the germen is superior, oval, covered with a style, which is terminated by two stigmas ; the calyx of the male and female is bell-shajied, and divi- ded at the brim into three small teeth ; the fruit is an oval berry, with a fleshy tough covering, which opens and displays the mace, closely investing the shell of the nutmeg. The Myristica moschata is a native of the Molucus and its neighboring Islands, but is extensively cultivated in Sumatra, Java, 122 NAT. ORDER. MVRISTICACEiE. Penang, and many other parts of the East Indies ; it has also been introduced into the Isle of France and Bourbon, the French colony of Cayenne, and some of the West India Islands. It commences to flower about the eighth or ninth year, after which it continues in blossom, and bears fruit of all ages at the same time, which is said to continue without intermission for seventy or eighty years, and the leaves fall in so small a proportion that their loss is almost insen- sible. By distillation with water nutmegs yield nearly one third of their weight of a limped essential oil, which is very fragrant, and of a pale straw color, possessing all the properties of the nutmec;; a fatty substance floats on the surface of the water, which has scarcely any taste or smell. Alcohol by infusion extracts all its active pro- perties. Medical Properties mid Uses. Nutmeg is an aromatic, to most persons of a grateful odor and taste. By its volatile parts it is a medicine of considerable power, possessing all the virtues of the other aromatics, both with respect to the alimentary canal, and to the whole system. Given in large doses it proves a powerful nar- cotic, from two to three drachms of the powdered nutmeg has in many instances been known to produce stupor, delerium, and dan- gerous if not fatal consequences would follow its free use. Dr. Cullen mentions a case where he was an eye witness, of a person who by mistake took two drachms of the powdered nutmeg; "he felt it warm in his stomach without any uneasiness, but in about an hour after, he was seized with a drowsiness, which gradually increased to a complete stupor and insensibility; he soon fell from his chair on the floor ; being laid in bed he fell asleep, but on wak- ing was quite delerious, and thus continued alternately sleeping and delerious, for several hours together, after which he recovered." It is employed to cover the taste, or correct the operation of other medicines, but more frequently as an agreeable addition to farina- ceous articles of diet, and to various kinds of drink. NAT. ORDER. Tricocce. CROTON TIGLIUM. PURGING CROTON. Class XXI. MoNoECiA. Order VIII. Monadelphia. Gen. Char. Male ; Calyx, cylindric, five-toothed. Corolla, five- petalled. Stamens, ten to fifteen. Female ; Calyx, many-leaved. Corolla, none. Styles, three, bifid. Capsule, triocular. Seed, one. Sjpe. Char. Leaves, ovate-acuminate, serrated, glabrous, with two glands at the base. Petioles, shorter than the leaves. Racemes, terminal. Stem, arboreous. This species of Croton is a native of Asia ; growing in many parts of India, China, the islands of Ceylon, Java, etc. It is a tret that seldom exceeds the height of fifteen or twenty feet ; the trunk and larger branches are covered with a soft bark, of a blackish color — the younger ones are green, with a reddish tinge ; the leaves, are alternate, ovate-acuminate, serrated, smooth, and of a bright green color when old — downy, with stellated hairs, while young — standing upon petioles about one fourth of their length, with two glands seated at their base ; xhejloivers are in erect, simple ter- minal racemes, with downy pedicels; the calyx in the the 7nale- ftotcer, is cylindrical and five-toothed ; the corolla is composed of five straw-colored petals, which are very hairy ; the stamens are from ten to fifteen; in the female Jlower i\ie calyx is divided into many obtuse segments, which are reflected under the downy germen ; there is no corolla ; the styles are th-ree and bifid ; the capsule is about the size of a hazel-nut, trylocular, smooth, and containing three seeds. 123 124 NAT. ORDER TRICOCiE. The genus croton contains upwards of one hundred and fifty species, of which the Tiglium is the only one possessing purgative qualities. In Euro])e, the seeds have been long known under the names of Gratia Molucca and Grana Tiglii ; the former of which names, was derived from the Molucca Islands, whence the seeds were formerly exported into Europe. It appears that the natives of the Eastern nations have for centuries past been well acquainted with the purgative effect of the seeds ; and in Europe they were ior- nierly precribed as a drastic purge, but fell into disuse on account of the very violent and alarming symptoms which so often occurred by their use. Both in this country and Europe, the fixed oil express- ed from the seed, has been brought into general use, through the exertions of Drs. Conwell, Nimmo, Frost, and others. Oil of Croton is of a deep orange color, with a peculiar odor, sui genet-is, and an extremely acrid and pungent taste. Dr. Nimmo, of Glasgow, found 100 parts of this oil to consist of ]5 per cent, of an active purgative principle, soluble in volatile and fixed oils, alcohol, and sulphuric ether; and 55 per cent of a bland oil, resem- bling oil of olives, insoluble in alcohol. It appears that the croton oil which is imported into this country, is usually very much adul- terated, either with the oil of olives or castor, and differing in strength ten-fold : the consequences of prescribing a medicine of such unequal powers must be obvious. Medical Properties and Uses. Every part of the Croton Tig- lium tree possesses medical properties. Among the Eastern nations it is most highly valued for its purgative, diaphoretic, and diuretic properties : the roots, as well as the seeds, are powerfully cathartic, and very much used in some parts of Europe as a specific for dropsy; the wood of the trunk and branches, in small doses, acts upon the skin and kidneys ; and the leaves, in powder, are used by the Japanese, as a topical remedy for the bites of serpents. In this country, the expressed oil is the only part medicinally employed, and when genuine, one drop proves a powerful cathartic. i NAT. ORDER. PersonatcB. VERONICA BECCABUNGA. BROOKLIME. CUiss II. DiANDRiA. Order I. Monogynia. Gen. Char. Corolla, foui--parted, laciniate. Spe. Char. Capsule, biocular. Leaves, ovate, plain. Stalk, up- right. Brooldlme is a native of the United States, although found in some parts of Eiu-ope. It grovrs by the side of brooks, and in moist lands, and sometimes in the water. This plant, although very com- mon in America, has, I think, never been accurately described by any American botanist whatever ; yet some of the works speak of it, but not as being officinal. The root is perennial, creeping, jointed, and sends forth from each joint numerous long slender fibres ; the leaves are thick, oval, smooth, ol)tusely serrated, of a pale gi'een color, and stand upon the stem in pairs, either sessile, or upon very short footstalks ; tlie stem is round, jointed, creeping, smooth, succulent, and usually of a reddish brown color, rising from one to two feet in height ; the raceme or Jloicer- sp'thcs are lateral, opposite, bracteated, and terminated by the flowers, wliich are of a faint blue color, and divided into four small roundish leaves ; the calyx is quadrifid. Propagation and Culture. The hardy, herbaceous, perennial species of Veronica are generally grown in flower borders, for which they are well fitted, on account of their beauty ; they are of the most easy culture, and are readily increased by division at the roots. The 126 NAT. ORDER. PERSC NAT.E. animal kinds, liaving rather a weed-like appearance, are onlygro^vn in botanical gardens ; the seeds of them only require to be sown in the open ground. There are some species wliich are natives of New Holland, Van Diemen's Land, and New Zealand, which be- ing rather tender, require to be treated as green-house plants ; the shrubby kinds of these are propagated by cuttings ; the others by divisions. Medical Properties and Uses. The leaves and stem of Brook- lime have a bitter, warm, and somewhat astringent taste ; it has been considered diaplioretic, diuretic, expectorant, and tonic, and is said to have been employed with considerable success in jx?ctoral and ne- phritic complaints, haemorrhages, and diseases of the skin ; it has been employed in the fi'esh state in purifying the blood, and as a remedy in scurvy. Woodville, in describing this plant, says, — " that by a chemical analysis they appear to be subacid, and possess some degree of as- tringency, but that tliese qualities are common to almost all fresh vegetables, and afford no proof of their medical powers." This plant was formerly considered useful in several diseases, and was applied externally to wounds and ulcers ; but if it possesses any peculiar efficacy, it is to be derived from its anti-scorbutic virtue. The juice is used as a mild refrigerant where an acrimonious state of tile fluids prevail, indicated by prurient eruptions upon the &kin, or scurvy ; it is ordered in the London Pharmacopoeia as an ingredient in the success of cochliariae compositus, probably with a view to cor- rect the pungency of the cress. We must, however, acknowledge, that we should expect equal benefit from the same quantity of any other bland fresh vegetable matter taken into the system. To derive any advantage from it, the juice ought to be used in large quantities, or the fresh plant eaten as food. NAT. ORDER. Lillacece. HABRANTHUS ROSEUS. ROSY HABRANTHUS. Class VI. Hexandria. Order I. Monogynia. Gen. Char. Flowers, declined. Anthers, adhering in the middie. Style, declined, recurved. Leaves, linear, ovate. Stigma, threts lobed. Spe. Char. Leaves, glaucous. Flowers^ two, rose-colored, green at the base, expanding wide. Filaments, conspicuously, of four lengths. Faucial membrane not recorded. This is a very highly ornamental plant, with beautiful rich dark rose-colored ^oi/7ers ; the leaves are long and glancous, linear-lorate, umbel precocious, unequally pedmiculated ; stigma, three-lobed ; cap- sule, tubinate ; faucial membrane (as far as is known) never want- uig ; Jlower, declined ; perianth, short-tubed, subcampanulate, not convolute, more or less patent ; alternate scgmeiUs nearly equal ; Jilor ments, properly of four lengths, inserted alike at the mouth of the tube, declined, recurved, semi-fasciculate ; faucial membrane (when manifested) annular ; aiUlwrs affixed at the middle, incumbent, versa- tile ; style, declined. It is a native of Chiloe, whence it was introduo ed in 1818. It flowers in June and July. Hahraixtkus gracilifoUus. Slender-leaved Habranthus. The btdb of this plant is oblong and blackish ; and there are four or five very long slender leaves, which are almost cylindical, with a channelled line on the inner side. The species is a native of South America, near Maldonado, whence it was introduced in 1823, The flowers are without scent, and two or more are produced from each scape ; 137 128 Nat. order. — liliace^. they are pink, and close at night, expanding partially in the sun, but never opening fully ; the tube is very short and green on the outside. It flowers in September and October ; and as the leaves only appear in November, and continue all the vrinter, it is generally kejit in a green-house, though the plants appear hardy. The leaves decay about May or June. There is a variety figured and described by Euro- pean botanists, which blossoms earlier, and has rather darker and more open flowei-s. It was named in honor of Mr. Booth, who dis- covered the plant, and states that he is inclined to consider it as half- hardy, only requiring protection from frost. The soil round tlie bulbs when found, was of a very sandy nature. Mr. Booth adds, that the plant seeks a mixture of loam, peat, and sand ; that it flowers in Octo- ber, and that the flowers remain in perfection eight or ten days. The name of Habrantlms, which is derived from two Greek words, " signifying deUcate flowers," is applied to a genus of bulbous plants, very nearly allied to Zcp/ir/ranthcs in appearance, but difl'er- ing so much botanically, that Mr. Herbert found it impossible to raise any hybrid between the two genera. He observes that the flower of the Habranthus rises after the dry season of rest, and is followed by the leaves, which remain on the plant through the winter, while the leaves of the ZcphyraiUhcs appear with the flowers, and fade in the winter. Thus though all the chfferent kinds of Habranthus are quite hardy, yet as their leaves are in perfection during winter, they must be liable to injury, unless they are protected in some manner. Propagation and Culture. These plants require, in order to pre- pare their blossoms, a hot period of rest, which would be often want- ing to them if exposed to our climate. When cultivated in a border, they should be covered with a glass frame, to keep them hot and dry, in May, June, and July. Mr. Herbert adds, that any covering of mats or straw that wiU prevent injury from severe frost, will be suf- ficent to protect them in winter ; or they may be taken up when the leaves decay, without breaking the fibres, kept in sand and re-set three months afterwards. -2, j^^^t^i, t * lu^^'^^^^zZ^^h^/c^^'?^^ NAT. ORDER. ConifercB. JUNIPERUS SABINA. COMMON SAVINE Class XXII. Di^ciA. Order XIII. Monadelphia. Gen. Char. Male : Amcnt ovate. Calyx a scale. Corolla want- ing. Stamens three. Female : Calyx three-parted. Petals three. Styles three. Berry three-sided, irregular, with the tu- bercles of the calyx. Spe. Char. Leaves opposite, erect, decurrent ; the oppositions closed. This shrub is found growing in some parts of the United States, but is a native of the southern parts of Europe and the Levant. It occupies high situations, and is cultivated for medicinal purposes. It rises three or four feet high, and is covered with a reddish-brown bark ; it sends off many branches, which are numerously divided. The leaves are small, numerous, opposite, erect, pointed, firm, and of a bright green color, terminating the younger branches in sharp points. The male and female flowers are on different plants ; the male catkin consists of three opposite flowers, placed in a triple row, with a tenth flower at the end ; at the base of each flower is a broad scale. The filaments are only in the terminal flower ; they are tapering, united at the base, and furnished with simple anthers, which are sessile in the lateral flowers. In the female, (which our plate represents,) the calyx is composed of three permanent scales ; the petals are stiffj sharp, and permanent ; the germen supports three with simple stigmas ; ihe fruit, when ripe, is a round fleshy berry, of a purple color, tuberculated, and containing three small irregular shaped seeds ; it flowers in May and 129 130 NAT. ORDER. CONIFERS. June. The leaves have a heavy, resinous, strong, unpleasant ^r, and a hot, bitter taste. They aflTord by distillation with w&tcr a considerable proportion of colorless essential oil, possessing the smell and taste of Savine. Water extracts the activity from the leaves, but alcohol is considered much the best ; both Avater and spirituous ex tracts possess considerable pungency and warmth, but they retain scarcely any of the odor of the plant. Juniperus communis. Common Juniper. This is a low shrub, seldom rising more than three feet high, sending out many spreading tough branches, which incline on every side, covered with a smooth, browni, or reddish bark, with a tinge of purple ; the leaves narrow, awl-shaped, ending in acute points, placed by threes round the branches, pointing outwards, bright green on one side, and grey on the other, continuing through the year ; the male-flowers are some- times on the same plant with the females, but at a distance from them, although they are usually on distinct plants ; the female-flow- ers are succeeded by a cluster of roundish berries, which are first green, but when ripe of a dark purple color, continuing on the bush two years. This plant is common in all the northern parts of Eu- rope, in Canada, and all the Northern States. Propagation and Culture. All species o^ Junipeiiis, except J. I'^rgin- iana, Bed Cedar, may be increased either by seeds, layers, or cuttings. The latter methods are proper for the Savin kinds. The seeds or ber- ries should be so^Am in beds of ligiit earth, early in spring, in a warm sheltered situation, in the open gi-oimd, being well raked in. The beds should be kept perfectly cleai- from weeds, and tiie young plants be occasionally watered during the summer season. When the plants have had two years growth in these beds, and have attained strength, they should be removed into nursery rows at two feet apart, and a foot or eighteen inches distant in the rows. They should remain in this situation tUl of a proper growth to be planted out where they are to remain. The layers of the yomig branches shoidd be laid down early in NAT. ORDER. CONIFERS, 131 the spring season, and when well rooted, taken off, and planted in the nurseiy, in the same manner as tlie seedling plants. The cut- tings should be made ft'om the young branches, and be planted in a shady border in the latter part of August, watering them occasion- ally till they have stricken root ; when they may be taken up with earth about their roots, and be managed in the same manner as l)y the other metiiods. The common, upright and striped Savins may likewise be in- creased by planting slips of the young l)ranches ; for the last sort the most variegated being made use of, in the latter part of summer, or in the autumn, in a shaded border. These plants all succeed in the open ground, and grow in any connnon soil and situation. Mr diced Properties and Uses. Savine is a powerful stimulant, acting upon the skin, bowels, and uterus, and has long been consider- ed the most efficacious in the Materia Medica for producing a deter- mination to the uterus, and thereby proving emmenagogue ; it heats and stimulates the whole system, and is said to promote the fluid secretions. The power which this plant possesses in opening uterine obstructions, is considered to be so great, that it has frequently been employed with too much success, for purposes the most infamous and imnatural. Cases of this kind are not uncommon from the deleteri- ous effect of this plant. Dr. Cullen observes : " Savine is a very acrid and heating substance, and I have often on account of these qualities been prevented from employing it in the quantity perhaps necessary to render it emmenagogue. I must own, however, that it sliows a more powerful determination to the uterine vessels than any other plant I have ever employed." " But," says he, " I have frequently been disappointed in this, and its healing qualities always require great caution.'" In over doses it is capable of producing dangerous gastro- intestinal inflammation, and should never be given when much gen- eral or local excitement exists. It is most conveniently administer- ed in the form of powder, of which the dose is from five to fifteen grains, repeated three or four times a day. "'^- iu. NAT. ORDER. CaryojilujllacccE. DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS. ^^ JFuNAT^JAmK. Class X. Decandria. Order II. Digynia. Gen. Char. Caly.v cylindric, one-leaved, with four scales at the base. Petals five, with claws. Cajjsules cylindric, one-celled. Spe. Char. Caly cine-scales cylindric, very short. Petals crenate. The j-oot is perennial, firm, divided, and beset with numerous fibres ; the stems are slender, smooth, branched, upright, jointed, of a glaucous, or sea-green color, and rise from one to two feet in height ; the haves upon the stem are short, linear, and placed in pairs at the joints ; those of the young shoots are numerous, narrow, pointed, smooth, entire, and of the same color as the stalk ; the Jlowcrs stand single at the extremities of the branches, and are of a deep crimson color ; the caly.v is tubular, cylindrical, divided at the mouth into five segments, and surrounded at the base with four oval pointed squami- form scales ; the corolla consists of five petals, which at the limb are roundish, patent, scolloped, fringed, and attached to the common re- ceptacle by long narrow claws ; the Jilamcnts are ten, longer than the calyx, tapering, spreading towards the top, and furnished with oblong compressed anthers ; the gcrmen is oval ; the styles are two, slender, longer than the filaments, and their stigma turned or curled outwards ; the capsule is cylindrical, and contains many small roundish seeds. This fragrant and beautiful plant is said to be a native of Italy, but is now cultivated by the florists in most parts of the civilized 132 NAT. ORDER. CARYOPHYLLACEiE. 133 world, chiefly as an ornament to the flower-garden. It has been known to grow wild in several parts of our country, on old walls and in the crevices of rocks ; but the flowers which are pharmaceutically employed are usually produced in gardens, where they become ex- tremely luxuriant, and by the various arts of culture those beautiful varieties have been produced which are so highly esteemed under the name of carnations. Medical Properties and Uses. The flowers of the Clove Pink, which is the part directed for medical use, has an agreeable, pleasant, aromatic smell, somewhat allied to that of clove spice ; their taste is slightly bitter and subastringent. It can be safely employed in the treatment of dropsies, as it possesses considerable diaphoretic and diu- retic properties. Rectified spirits digested on the flowers receives a much paler tincture than watery liquors, but extracts the whole of their active properties. In the process of distillation or evajjoration spirit elevates much less than water ; the spirituous extract retaining a considerable portion of the fine smell of the flowers as well as their taste, and the color purplish like that of the watery extract. In for- mer times the flowers of this plant were supposed to have considerable effect upon the nervous system, and were therefore recommended in headache, faintings, palpitations of the heart, convulsions, tremors, &c., and were employed to a considerable extent in the treatment of ma- lignant and putrid fevers. At present, however, they are valued mostly for their sensible qualities, and the syruj)us caryoj)hylli rubri, which is the only officinal preparation admitted into either the London or the United States Pharmacopoeia. But its fine color and pleasant flavor renders it a very useful article in the prepaiation of other me- dicines. NAT. ORDER. SpathacecB. COLCHICUM AUTUMNALE MEADOW SAFFRON Class VI. Hexandria. Order III. Trigygnu. Gen. Char. Corolla six-parted, with a rooted bulb. Capsules three, connected, inflated. Spe. Char. Leaves flat, lanceolate, erect. The root is perennial, consisting of a solid double succulent bulb, covered with a brown membranous coat; the leaves appear in the spring, and are numerous, radical, spear-shaped, one or two of which are much narrower than the others ; the Jlowcrs are large, of a pur- plish color, and rise immediately from the root upon a long naked tube ; calyx none ; the corolla is monopetalous, and divided into six lance-shaped, large, erect segments, of a pale purple color ; the fila- nicnis are six, tapering, white, much shorter than the corolla, and fur- nished with erect, pointed yellow anthers ; the germen is lodged at the root, from which issue three slender styles, reflexed at the top, and terminated by simple pointed stigmas ; the capsule is three-lobed, divided into three cells, containing numerous small globular seeds, which do not ripen until the succeeding spring, when the capsule rises above the ground upon a strong peduncle. Colchicum Autumnale is a native of the temperate parts of Eu- rope, where it grows wild in moist meadows. Various attempts have been made to introduce its culture into this country, but with no very encouraging success. The oflicinal portions are the bulb or cormus, and the seeds. The root, botanically speaking, consists of the fibres 134 '^^^ NAT. ORDER. SPATHACEiE. 131: whicli are attached to the base of the bulb. The flowers have been found to possess similar virtues with the bulb and seeds, but have uot been adopted in the pharmacopoeias. Medical Properties and Uses. Colchicum Autumnale is one of he most active medicines ever introduced into medical practice. It possesses diaijhoretic, diuretic, cathartic, and emetic properties. Baron Stoerck asserts, that on cutting the fresh root into slices, the acrid par- ticles emitted from it irritated the nostrils, fauces, and breast, and that ' ■ ' the ends of the fingers with which it had been held, became for a time benumbed ; that even a single grain in a crumb of bread, taken inter- nally, produced a burnmg heat and pain in the stomach and bowels, urgent strangury, tenesmus, colic pains, cephalalgia, hiccup, &c. From this account we need not be surprised that we find so many melan- choly instances recorded where it has proved a fatal poison both to man and brute animals ; also of its effects upon children, who have accidentally partaken of the bulbs, in whom it occasioned tlie symp- toms alone. Two boys, after eating this plant, which they found growing in a meadow, died in great agony. Violent symptoms have been produced by taking three of the flowers ; the seeds also will pro- duce the same effect. Deer, oxen, and other animals have fallen a sacrifice to this poison ; and according to Stoerck two drachms of the root killed a dog in thirteen hours, and upon opening its abdomen the stomach and bowels were found to be greatly inflamed, or in a gan- grenous state. When applied to the skin it produces similar effects as when taken into the stomach, which must depend on its being absorbed and taken into the circulation. ■eu NAT. ORDER. RotacecB. CISTUS CRETICUS. CilETAN CISTUS Class XIII. PoLYANDRiA. Older I. Monogynia. Gen. Char. Corolla, five-petalled. Calyx, five-leaved, with two of the leaflets smaller. Spe. Char. Leaves, spatulate, ovate, petioled, nerveless, rugged. Cahjx, lanceolate. 'YX'ii?, plant seldom rises to any great height — it is covered with a dark-colored bark, and sends off several simple branches ; the leaves are oblong, pointed, waved, rough, viscous, veined, and stand in pairs upon short foot-stalks, which are broad at the base, so as to nearly surround the younger branches ; \\ieJlowers arc produced in succession at the extremities of the branches, in June and Jul}' — they are large, of a purple-red color, marked with dark spots at the base of each petal, and stand on short peduncles ; the calyx is divided into five large oval-pointed persistent segments, of which the two outermost are smallest ; the corolla is composed of five petals, which are large, roundish, spreading, and readily fall off on being touched ; the filaments are numerous, very short, slender and supplied with simple anthers of an orange color ; the germen is oval, and supports a short style, furnished with a flat circular stigma ; the capsule is roundish, and contains many small orbicular seeds. This shrub, which is a native of Candia and some of the Islands of the Archipelago, was first cultivated in England by Mr. P MiHer, in the year 1731, and is now extended to most of the princi • 136 NAT. ORDER.— ROTACEiE. 137 pal gardens throughout that country, although it is not as common as many other exotic species of this genus. Not only this j^lant, but most of its congeners, abound with a glutinous liquor, which in summer exudes upon their leaves. It is well known that the Cistus Cretitus is the species from which the officinal labdanum is collected. This is done by means of an instrument called Ergastiri, made in the form of a rake, to which several leathern thongs are affixed instead of teeth, and with which the leaves of the shrub are lightly brushed backwards and forwards, so that the flued labdanum may adhere to the leather, from which it is after- wards scraped off with knives, and formed into regular masses for exportation. Three kinds of labdanum have been described by authors, all possessing nearly the same projierties ; the Cistus cfeticus, Cistus ladaniferus, and the Cistus laurifolius, all of which are small ever green shrubs, inhabiting the Grecian Islands. The best labdanum, which is the soft kind, has an agreeable smell, and a lightly jjungent bitter taste ; the hard is much weaker. Rectified spirits of wine dissolves nearly the whole gum into a golden-colored liquor; on distillation with water, there comes over a fragrant essential oil. Medical Properties and Uses. Labdanum is a stimulant expec- torant, and astringent, and was formerly employed internally as a pectoral, and in catarrhal affections, dysenteries, and many other diseases ; but at present it is wholly confined to external use, and as an ingredient in the stomachic plaster, although seldom usec<^r U . NAT. ORDER. CELASTRINEvE. lU fences, and rocks. It has various names — as staff tree, red root, fever twig, and wax work. It is common throughout the northern and southern States, thriving the most lu.xuriantly in a rich, damp soil. " The solanum dulcamara, or woody night-shade, is sometimes confounded with this plant, probably on account of the name hitter sweet being common to them both. The dulcamara possesses poi- sonous properties, and hence the necessity of this caution. It has a slender, vine-like stem, seldom exceeding seven or eight feet in length, with leaves of a dull green color, and clusters of elegant purple blossoms, which remain in bloom from June till August." Medical Properties and Uses. The Bitter Sweet, says Dr. Smith, is both a powerful and useful medicine, although like most of tlie invaluable medicinal plants of our country, which nature has so profusely furnished to our hands, its virtues are but little appre- ciated, and that but by a few. It increases all the secretions and excretions, particularly perspiration, acts gently as a diuretic, and excites the heart and arteries. It is an excellent discutient, deter- gent, and resolvent medicine, and may be employed both in,ternally and externally. It is peculiarly beneficial in liver complaints, and in all cutaneous affections; also in rheumatism, scirrous swellings, ulcers, scrofula, jaundice, weakness and obstructions. The ex- pressed juice of this plant has been applied to cancers of the breast and scrofulous tumors: the juice is rubbed on the cancer or the swelling, and the green leaves are applied over the breast. For internal use, it is recommended to boil half a pound of the bark in one gallon of water ; the dose is a gill three or four times a day. It is also very highly valued in the treatment of fevers and dropsi- cal swellings. To make Bitter-sweet Ointment, put equal parts of the berries and lard in a close kettle, over a gentle fire, for several hours; strain it, and add half a pound of pulverized lobelia seed; heat the whole gently for a few hours, and strain again for use. A cure for piles. NAT. ORDER. CompositcB. CICHORIUM INTYBUS. WILD, OR BLUE SUCCORY. Class XIX. Syngenesia. Order T. Polygabiia ^equalis. Ge7i. Char. Calyx, calycled. Pappus, slightly five-toothed, ob- scurely hairy, i^ecef'^ac/*?, somewhat chaffy. Spe. Char. Flotvers, twin, sessile. Leaves, runcinate. The root is perennial, long, tapering, branched, or spindled- shaped, lactescent, externally yellowish, and internally white ; the stalk is erect, rough, branched, angular, and rises from one and a half, to three feet in height ; the leaves at the root are pinnatifid, or cut into irregular segments, like those of the dandelion : on the stalk they are alternate, sessile, somewhat spear-shaped, but indent- ed and rough at the base; xhejlowers are compound, large, blue, and stand in pnirs ; the calyx, which is common to all the florets, is com- po id of a double set of leaves, the outer ones, which are five in number, are ovate, spreading, and fringed with glandular hairs; the inner set consists of about eight; the corolla is composed of herma- phrodite florets, which are regular, blue, and about twenty in num- ber, each consisting of a short white tube, from which rises a long flat ribbed limb, divided at the extremity into five teeth; thejilamcnts are white, slender, and unconnected; the anthe7s are blue, and form a hollow angular cylinder ; the germen is conical, and crowned with short hairs ; the style is filiform ; stigmas are two, rolled back, and blue; the seeds are numerous, naked, angular, and lodged at the bottom of the calyx. This jflant belongs to the same family with the garden endive, and by some botanists has been supposed to be the same plant in its 142 NAT. ORDER. — COMPOSIT.^. 143 uncultivated state ; but the endive so inucli used as a sallad, is an annual, or at most a bionnial plant, and its parent is now known to be the Cichorium Endivia. It is a native of Europe, but has been introduced, and has now become naturalized to this country, where it is found growing on the borders of cornfields, and flowers in July and August. It appears from history that the cichorium was highly esteemed by the Romans as a sallad ; and according to Pliny this name sig- nified the wild species of the plant. The Intyhus and Scris are also mentioned as its congeners, the latter implying the cultivated species. Medical Properties and Uses. The roots and leaves of this plant have formerly been considered as useful aperients, acting mildly and without irritation, tending rather to abate than to increase heat, and may therefore be given with safety in hectic and inflamma- tory cases. Taken freely, they act as a gentle purgative, and when continued for some time, they have often proved salutary in obstruc- tions of the viscera, in jaundices, hypochondriacal and other chro- nic disorders. The virtues of succory, like those of the dandelion, reside in its milky juice ; and in most of the plants of the order Semifioculosce, a. juice of a similar nature is to be found ; therefore what has been observed of the effects of taraxacum^ will, in a grea» measure, apply to the cichorium, and we are warranted in saying, that the expressed juice of both these plants taken in large doses frequently repeated, has been found an efficacious remedy in phth isis pulmonalis, as well as in various other affections of a similar nature. The seeds of the cichorium, which are small, angular, and jf a brown color, taken in the form of a powder, or in decoction, are considered cooling, and are very much used for that purpose. NAT. ORDER. GullifercB. STALAGMITIS CAMBOGIOIDES. GAMBOGE TREE. Class XXIII. PoLYGAMiA Order I. Moncecia. Gen. Char. Calyx, four-leaved. Corolla, four-petaled. Stamens, thirty, inserted into a fleshy, quadrangular receptacle. Style, thick. Stigma, four-lobed. Berry, one-celled, crowned by the style and stigma. Spe. Char. Male. Calyx, Corolla, and Stamens, hermaphrodite. The Stalagmitis cambogioides is a middling sized tree; the branches are oj^jjosite and divaricated ; the leaves are ojipositc, ovate, entire, smooth, coriaceous, riged, and supported on short petioles ; t\ie Jlowers are hermaphrodite and male; the hermaphrodite jloicers are in axillary or lateral whorls ; the malejlowers are either in dis- tinct clusters or mixed with the hermaphrodite ; the calyx in the male flowers consist of four ovate leaflets, the two exterior of which are smaller than the interior; xhe petals are four, spreading, coria- ceous, with ciliated margins, and of a yellow color ; the stamens are about thirty, and placed upon a four-square, fleshy receptacle ; the arithers are club-shaped, — sometimes there are rudiments of a style, and an unequal, sterile stigma ; the calyx, corolla, and stamens of the hermaphrodite flowers, resemble those of" the male ; the germen is globular, and supports a short style, crowned with a three or four-lobed stigma, the lobes of which are obcordate and persistent, the fniit is a smooth, globular, yellow berr}-, crowned by the style and lobes of the stigma, and contains several long, triangular seeds. This tree is a native of the kingdom of Siam and Ceylon, 144 f^o, / y. NAT. OKUEK. — GULLIFEU..E. 145 where it is known by the name of Ghohata ; but is not the only plant which yeilds the gamboge, although it is probable that the greatest portion which is bi-ought to market, is the product of this tree. The Gainbogia gutta, Garcinia celibica, Hypericum promi- ferum, and many other plants, j-eild a yellow gum-resin, resembling in every respect the gamboge of the shops. It is obtained by wounding the bark of the tree with sharp stones, or by breaking off the leaves and young shoots, from whence the juice exudes, and is collected in cocoa-nut shells, and thence jjoured into the joints of the bamboo, which gives it the cylindrical form. Sensible and Chemical Properties. Gamboge has no odor, and but little taste : it is of a golden yellow color, and when macerated in water, forms a fine turbid yellow solution, and about two-thirds of its substance is dissolved. Alcohol dissolves about 90 per cent. ; water renders the tincture cloudy and bright yellow ; but it is long before any precipitation takes place. Ether dissolves 60 per cent.; the solution is transparent, and of a deep golden color. ■ Medical Properties and Uses. Gamboge is a drastic cathartic, acting powerfully upon the alimentary canal ; even when adminis- tered in small quantities, it often produces vomiting, hypercatharsis, and other unfavorable symptoms. Some writers have given it a place among the acrid poisons : they came to this conclusion from the experiments made on animals — finding that it frequently occa- sioned death by the powerful local action which it exerts, and by the sympathetic irritation of the nervous system. When admininis- tared with due caution, gamboge often proves a successful hydra- gogue in di'opsy, either alone, or in combination with other cathar- tics. It has also been given with success for exj^elling taenia?, and is probabh' the most active ingredient in most nostrums sold for that purpose. For destroying the tape-worm, it has been given to the extent of fifteen or twenty grains, combined with an equal quantity of vegetable alkali. NAT. ORDER. Schrophularia. CHELONE GLABRA. BALMONY. Class XIV. DiDYNAMiA. Order II. Angiospermia. Gen. Char. Calyx, five-parted, with three bracts. Corolla, ringent, ventricose, sterile. Filament, shorter than the rest. Anthers, woolly. Capsules, two-celled, two-valved, Seeds, membrana- ceously margined. Spe. Char. Stem, smooth. Leaves, opposite, lanceolate, oblong, accuminate, serrate. Flowers, in dense spikes. The root of this plant is perennial and fibrous ; the stems are numerous, erect, branched near the top, smooth, bluntly four cor- nered, and rise from three to five feet in height ; the leaves are opposite, tapering, from five to six inches long, pointed, edged with acute teeth, of a dark green color when fresh, almost black when dry, and intensely bitter ; the Jloiccrs are terminal, of dilferent colors in different varieties, white, spotted, tinged in some instances with a delicate shade of red, a,nd of a most singular shape, resem- bling the head of a snake with its open mouth ; they are disposed in a cluster, as may be seen in the drawing. It does not bloom until late in the autumn. This valuable plant was cultivated and extensively employed as a medicine in the sixteenth, and beginning of the seventeenth century. Salmond, in his English Herbal, published in 171l, describes this jilant and several of its varieties, as possessing highly valuable medical properties; since which time it appears to have fallen into disuse, or forgotten; but has recently been revived 146 NAT. ORDER. SCROPIIULARIA. 147 and now enters largely into various compounds prepared as atonic or strengthening syrup. Matterson says the herb should be col- lected in clear, dry weather, and as soon as it is in bloom, as the leaves frequently become mildewed after that time. It should be dried in the sun, or in a warm chamber or loft, and carefully guarded from a moist or damp atmosj^here, or it will acquire a dark and black color. Medical Properties and Uses. Balmony possesses both tonic and laxative properties, and, without exception, is one of the best articles to promote an appetite that can be found. It can be ad- ministered by itself, or in combination with other articles. Thom- son says, " the balmony is a bitter of the first order, for correcting the morbid secretions of the bile, removing the torpidity of the liver, and creating an ap[)ctite. A tea made of the leaves is well calculated to restore the digestive powers." Matterson describes this plant as having long been known in New England as a tonic and laxative. " It is employed in costiveness, dyspepsia, loss of ajipetite, and general languor or debility. Given to children afllict- ed with worms, it will generally afford relief. It is a valualile medicine in disorders of the liver; and in jaundice, it tends to remove the yellow tinge from the skin and eyes." Rafinesque says it is an active and powerful cathartic, as well as tonic ; but of this I am inclined to think he may be mistaken, as I have administered it in many cases, and never found it to act as a cathartic, unless frequently taken, and in extreme large doses; in which cases it sometimes caused a gentle movement of the bowels. As a vermi- fuce, combined with the Chcnopodlum anthehninthicum, 1 think it has no superior, rarely failing to expel the worms ; it should be administered in infusions, continued for a time, and followed by a suitable purge. It is said that the Indians made use of a strong ■lecoction of the whole plant in eruptive diseases, biles, sores, scrofula, piles, &c. An even tea-spoonful of the powdered leavea is a dose, and may be given in fevers, jaundice, &c. NAT. ORDER. Lobeliacec£. LOBELIA SYPHILITICA. BLUE LOBELIA, Class V. Pentandria. Order I. Monogynia. Gen. Char. Calyx five-cleft. Corolla one-petalled, irregular. Cap- sules inferior, two or three-celled. Spc. Char. Stem erect, rather hairy. Leaves ovate, lanceolate, sub- scrate. Sinuses of the calyx reflex. The rOi. is perennial, and furnished with innumerable small white fibres ; the stem is upright, strong, simple, smooth, and rises from two to three feet in hciglit ; the leaves growing near the top of the stem are oval and pointed, those at the bottom rather elliptical, and obtusely lancc-shaped ; they are both minutely serrated, veined, smooth, and without footstalks ; the Jlowcrs are numerous, large, blue, and grow upon a long spike, o.i short peduncles ; the corolla consists of a long tube, which is nearly cylindrical, and divided at the limb into five pointed oval segments, of a rich blue color ; the calyx is composed of five halbert-shaped leaves, fringed at the margin, and reflected at each side ; the filaments are five, tapering, equal in length to the tube of the corolla, and closely connected at the top by the anthers j the ger- men is short and oonical ; the style is about the length of the stamens, which terminates with a blunt, hairy stigma ; the capsule is oval, and divided into two cells, which contain many small seeds. Lobelia, of which there are at least fifty difltrcnt species, was first introduced to botanical notice by M. Lobel, physician and bot- anist to James I., of England, from whom the plant derived its name. 148 ■^, c ^y^^^^le^h NAT. OUDER. L.TELIACE.E. Ill) Tliere are ten of these species common to onr New EnglcUid States, and among them one of the most beautiful, generally known as the Cardinal Flower, Lobelia Cardinalis. This superb plant, according to Mr. Aiton, was first cultivated in England by the celebrated bot- anist, Mr. Ray, and it has now become a general and favorite orna- ment in the gardens of that country, where much care is bestowed upon its culture, while in its native soil it is quite common and flour- ishes in all its bi-auty on the banks of our brooks and ponds. The Lobelia Syphilitica, which is represented in the plate, is also one of the species that are natives of this country ; and although it cannot vie with its cardinal brother in grandeur and magnificence, it far sur- passes it in usefulness and beneficial properties, being one of the most valuable appendages to our botanical materia medica. Its medicinal virtues were long known and applied by the North American Indians, before the more scientific professors of our schools discovered its val- uable properties, and indeed much controversy and diversity of opinioc has existed among modern practitioners upon the subject. Volumes have been written in support of its efficient and beneficial qualities ir its application and use, and many in endeavoring to prove the almost '"''rtain and fatal consequences of administering it under any circum- stances of sickness and disease. Medical Properties and Uses. AH tlie various species possess more or less highly valuable medicinal properties ; of the Lobelia Sy- phUitica, the root is the part most used as a medicine ; it possesses emetic, cathartic, expectorant, sudorific, and diuretic properties ; when given as the former it operates powerfully and speedily, producing, however, great relaxation, debility, and perspiration, and therefore should be administered with great caution and care, and only by those who are well acquainted with its medicinal effects. The Lobelia Lon- gijlorei is a native of some of the West India islands ; when taken in- ternally it acts as a violent cathartic. Seve -al of the species are in- troduced into medical practice, some of which we shall give a more particular description of hereafter. NAT. ORDER. PyrolacecR. P¥ROLLA UMBELLATA. PIPSISSEWA. Class X. Decandria. Order I. Monogynia. Gen. Char. Calyx, in five deep segments. Petals, five. Capsule, superior, five-celled, bursting at the angles. Anthers, opening by two pores. . . Spe. Char. Leaves, wedge-shaped, lanceolate, serrated. Flotcers, somewhat umbellate. Sta?nens, smooth. Style, immersed. The root is perennial, creeping, and long, sending up at various distances several woody, somewhat angular, erect, or slightly pro- cumbent 5^e/«5, which rise about a span in height; the leaves are produced in irregular whorls, of which there are usually two or three on each stem, — they are wedge-shaped, lanceolate, serrated, smooth, supported upon short petioles, and are of a deep shining green ; the i7iJlo7-escence consists of a small corymb, generally of five flowers, on simple, nodding pedicells ; the calyx is inferior, and consists of five roundish, permanent segments, much shorter than the corolla ; the petals are five, roundish, concave, spreading, of a cream color, with a tinge of crimson at the base ; the filaments are ten, which are awl-shaped, curved, and supporting large two-celled anthers, of a purple color ; each cell opening by a short, round, tubular orifice, at the summit ; the style is cylindrical, half the length of the germen, and concealed by the stigma, which is large, pelate, covered by a viscid matter, and obscurely five-rayed ; the capsules are orbicular, depressed, with five valves, five cells, and five partitions, from the central column ; the seeds are very minute, 150 Nat. order. — PYROLACEiE. 15^ of an oval figure, each contained in a membranous tunic, elongated at both ends. This beautiful species of winter-green is a native of the United States, and is also to be found in many of the northern parts of Europe and Asia. It is found growing mostly in shady woods, where it is protected from the solar rays, and nourished by a soil formed from the decompo.sition of leaves and other vegetable matter. In the northern parts of this country it is a very common plant, and known by the names oi ground-holly^ lointer-green, plpsissetva, prin- cespine, and by the Indians, hcrhe de Paigne. In Canada, it is known by the name of X' Herbe a Pisse. The genus Pyrola com- prises about fifteen species, of which eight are indeginous to North America, and five to Europe. The Pyrola umhellata was intro- duced into medical practice about fifty years ago; but it is only within the last ie\v years that it has excited the attention of the profession as a remedial agent. The Pyrola umhellata, Pyrola uniflora, Pyrola secunda, Pyrola picta, Pirola asarifolia, Pyrola macu- lata, Pyrola elliptica, Pyrola dentata, are the only varieties which have as yet been discovered in this country ; although some of the English botanists have described the Pyrola ?nenziesu, and the Pyrola occidentalis, as growing in great abundance on the north- west coast of North America. Sensible and Chemical Properties. The whole plant has a moderately warm pungent taste, somewhat between bitter and sweet ; when bruised, it exhales a strong, and rather unpleasant odor. Both water and alcohol extract its virtues, but the latter most completely. The watery infusion of the dried plant is of a brownish color ; the decoction is of a deeper color, and both strike a black with the sulphate of iron. According to the experiments o{ Dr. Wolf, 100 parts of the herb contain about 18 of a bitter extractive principle, 2,04 of resin, 1,32 of tannin, a slight portion jf gum, the rest fibrous matter and earthy salts. The resin is 1^2 NAT. OUDER. PVROLACE^. adhesive, brownish, readily soluble in ether, or alkalies, L urning with flame and a resinous odor, leaving a white cinder. Medical Froj^erties and Uses. The Pyrola umhellata is diuretic and tonic ; externally stimulant. It has lately been introduced into practice as an efficacious diuretic in dropsy, and from the favora- ble testimony of physicians who rank high in the profession, we are warranted in recommending it to general p'ractice, as a reme- dial agent, possessing most valuable diuretic and tonic powers; the proof of which seems to have been fully illustrated by Dr. W. Som- erville, in a paper on this vegetable published in London. The facts presented by this physician afford satisfactory evidence of the powers of this medicine, to promote the urinal exertion, and to afford relief to patients afflicted with dropsy in its various forms. One of the most remarkable and distinguished cases presented by him, is that of Sir James Craig, the British Governor of Canada, who was labouring under general dropsy, which, in its progress, had assumed the forms of hydrothorax, anasarca, and ascites, and which was couibined with different organic diseases, especially of the liver. After having tried \\ith little or temporary success, • almost every variety of diuretic and cathartic medicines, and submitted twice to the operation of tapping, the patient had recourse to a strong infu- sion of Pyrola, in the quantity of a pint every twenty-four hours. Although the case w'as altogether an unpromising one, yet the plant gave relief, not only in the first, but also in the subsequent instances of its use. It increased the urinal discharge, and, at the same time, produced an augmentation of strength, and an invigorated appetite. A great variety of cases of dropsy are detailed in Dr. Somerville's paper, in which the Pyrola \vas administered by himself and by other practitioners with decided advantage. Dr. Somerville found his patients remark that an agreeable sensation was perceived in the stomach soon after taking the Pyrola, and this was followed in some instances by an extroi'dinary increase of appetite. He consid- ers it as having in this respect, a great advantage over other diur- NAT. ORDER — PVUOLACE.E. ]~[] etics, none of which are agreeable to the stomach, and most iS tlicni very ofFensivo to it. lie further states that no circumstance had occurred within his own c;x[)erience or niformation, to forliitl its use in any form, or to limit the (h)se. Sir Walter Farquhar, stales that he used the Pyrola, in the case of a lady laboring under ascites in which the diuretic effect of tliis plant were very striking. Dr. Barton, author of " The Vegetable Materia Medica of the United States," also corroborates the accounts of the diuretic effects of this vegetable, by four cases which came under his care at the Marine's Hospital, Philadelpia, in which a sti'ong infusion was given with the most decided advantage. Dr. Bigelow says : " I have administered this plant on various occasions, and attended to its operation. In a number of dropsical cases, when first given, it made a distinct and evident impression on the disease, communicating an increased activity to the absorbents, followed by a great augmentation of the excretion from the kidneys; but," says he, " I found it better to omit the medicine for a time, and resume it afresh, than to continue until the system had become insensible to its stimulus." It has proved, in almost every case, a very acceptable medicine to the patient and is prefered both for its sensible qualities and its effects on the stomach, to other diuretics and alteratives which have been pre- scribed. Dr. Mitchell, an American jihysician, relates many cases of its extraordinary success administered in fevers. We are told that the Indians administer a strong and warm decoction of this plant in rheumatism and fever; they employ the whole plant, and take it in large quantities. Many cases which have come under my own observation, in the treatment of patients, and where I have watched its effects, have satisfied me that the Pyrola umhdlata possesses most highly valuable medical properties, especially in the treatment of dropsies, ulcers, tumors, scroffula, etc. As an exter- nal remedy, it has been used with success in various chronic indu- rated swellmgs. NAT. ORDER. Pomacece. RIBES RUBRUM. RED CURRANT. Class V. Pentandria. Order I. Monogynia. Gen. Char. Petals five, inserted with the stamens into the calyx. Style bifid. Berry many-seeded, inferior. Spe. Char. Racemes smooth, nodding. Leaves obtusely five-iobed. The Red Currant is a native of England, but is now cultivated in gardens throughout most parts of the United States. It grows from five to six feet in height, is divided into many branches, and cov- ered with a dark brown bark, except the younger limbs, wliich arc of a liglit green color. The leaves are serrated, veined, divided into five, and sometimes seven lobes, of a pale green color, and stand upon tapering footstalks, which are about the length of the leaves, and some- what hairy near the base ; the bractece are small, oval, pointed, and placed at the base of the leaf stalks and peduncles ; the flowers grow in lateral, pendulous, raceme, or clusters, and appear in April; the calyx is divided into five spreading, reflexed, pointed, oblong, concave, permanent segments, which are of a greenish yellow color ; the corolla is composed of five small, obtuse, upright petals, of a yellow color, and inserted in the calyx ; the anthers are compressed, gaping at the edges, and attached at their sides to the filaments ; the grrmcn is roundish, placed below the corolla, and supports a cloven style, with obtuse stigma ; the fruit is a round, shining red berry, of one cell, separated into two receptacles, and containing many roundish seeds, and of a pleasant, tart taste ; the root is woody and spreading. 154 t^-^isz^ ^2Y/^Z^i>n^ NAT. ORDER. — POMACE.E. 155 The Currant being so abundantly cultivated in our gardens, ren- ders it accessable to those who may wisli to be supplied with the fruit, which from its grateful acidity, becomes universally acceptable, eitlicr as nature has presented it, or variously prepared by art. From ac- counts given of this plant by various writers, it appears that several species have been found growing wild in Switzerland and some parts of Africa — the Ribrs Ruhrum, Red Currant, Ribrs Nigrum, Black Currant, Ribcs Albo, White Currant, Rlbcs Floridum, Ribrs Trifidum, Ribes Rigcns, Ribes Triflorum, all of which possess nearly the same properties. A very delicious wine is made from the expressed juice of the Red Currant, with the addition of a little sugar, which sur- passes in point of flavor and quality almost all other kinds. A very curious method has of late been discovered in the art of cultivating the Currant, which adds greatly to its appearance and beauty, and hence forms, not only one of the most useful, but one of the most pleasing and beautiful plants that have ever been introduced into our gardens. Early in spring a single stalk is cut near the ground, and the largest branches trimmed off; the tip end is then cut and placed some six inches into the ground, which takes root, and small branches appear at the top which was once the root ; after it has taken sufficient root^ the stalk is trimmed to where the new branches make their appearance, and the plant assumes the appearance of a small tree, the trunk entirely divested of succulent stalks, and the branches laden to their extremities with the fruit. Medical Properties and Uses. The medicinal properties of Red Currants appear to be similar to those of the other sub-acrid fruits, which are esteemed to be moderately refrigerant, antiseptic, attenuant, and aperient. They may be used with advantage to allay thirst in most febrile complaints, to lessen an increased secretion of the bile, and to correct a putrid and scorbutic state of the fluids, especially in sanguine temperaments. NAT. ORDER. Ensatce. IXIA TRICOLOR. THREE-COLORED IXIA Class III. Triandria. Orda- I. Monogynia. Gen. Char. Calyx and corolla superior. Sepals short. Stamens three, arising from the base of the sepals. Spe. Char. Filaments distinct. Anthers bursting. Style one. Stig- mas five. Capsule three-celled. Seeds attached. ' This rare and beautiful plant is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, where it grows spontaneously, in the plains and by the borders of woods ; it is also found growing wild in some parts of Asia and Africa, and is extensively cultivated in Spain as an ornamental llowcr. The 7'oot is large and bulbous, very much resembling the crocus or meadow saffron ; calyx and corolla superior, confounded, tlicir divis- ions either partially cohering or entirely separate, sometimes irregular ; stamens three, rising from the base of the sepals ; filaments distinct or connate ; anthers bursting externally lengthwise, fixed at tlieir base, two-celled; the ovarium is three-celled, cells many-seeded; style one; stigmas five, often petaloid, and sometimes two-lipped ; cajjsnlc three- celled and tliree-valved ; the seeds, wliich are ver}' small and nume- rous, are attaclied to the inner angle of the cell, and sometimes to a central column, which afterwards becomes loose. Genus Crocus. This is an ancient name, being derived from the youth Crocus, who as the heathen poets feigned, was turned info this flower. This genus has a large number of species, growing from six inches to several feet in height, many of which rank among the most 156 / (^^'C^t<^ey-,.^t>€:^'^c^^.€^'' C2^-c. '^^^Zy. ^, T^^#^-,,.<;?i»^^^' Ute^^f^- ^ u?.n^M,9n^?i^^^i^ C"^^^ NAT. ORDER. AmentacecB. QUERCUS ROBUR. COMMON OAK, Class XXI. MoRCECiA. Order VI. Polyandria. Gen. Char. Calyx generally five cleft. Corolla none. Stamens five to ten. Si)c. Char. Leaves oblong, glabrous, sinuate. Lobes rounded. Fruit oblong. The Oak is a native of North America, a very valuable tree, and one of the largest of the forest ; it frequently attains the height of from seventy to one hundred feet ; its trunk is covered with a thick bark of a dark brown colour. It flowers in April, and the fruit ripens in October. The acorns are round, flattened at the tojD, and placed in a saucer-shaped cup. It sends off numerous strong branches. The haves are oblong, deeply sinuated, and form obtuse lobes ; they are of a deep greenish colour. The Jlowcrs are small and yellow. This extensive genus comprises not less than eighty species, of which not less than thirty or forty are found Avithin the limits of the United States, and in many, places comprise the largest portion of the timbered land, and is too well known to need further description. Medical Properties and Uses. The Oak bark has long been esteemed as a powerful and useful astringent and tonic. It is highly recommended in obstinate cases of diarrhoea, and chronic forms of dys- entery ; also in leucorrhcea and other chronic serous discharges de- pending on debility and relaxation of the secreting vessels. The decoction may also be employed with advantage as an in- 163 164 NAT. ORDER. AMENTACE^. jection, in cases of gleet, leucorrhcea, prolapsus, &c. Dr. Cullcn tells us that he has frequently employed the decoction 'vvith success in slight tumefactions of the mucous membrane of the fauces, and in many cases of prolapsus uvulae ; and in a number of cases this decoction, early applied, has appeared useful in preventing these disorders. It must be remarked, however, that Dr. Cullcn almost constantly added a portion of alum to these decoctions. An extract is procured from the bark by boiling down to a proper consistency, which is put up in small earthen pots. Galls, which are so numerously found upon the leaves of this tree, are occasioned by a small insect, with four wings, called Cynips Querci Folii, which deposits an egg in the substance of the leaf, by making a small perforation through the under surface ; the ball pres- ently begins to grow, and the egg in the centre of it changes to a worm ; tliis Avorm again changes to a nymph, and the nymph to the flying insect above mentioned, which by eating its passage out leaves a round hole ; those galls which have no holes, are found to have tlie dead insect remaining in them. Galls appear to be the most powerful of the vegetable astrin- gents, striking a deep black when mixed with a solution of ferrum vitriolatum, and therefore preferred to every other substance for the purpose of making ink. As a medicine, they are to be considered as applicable to the same indications as the oak bark, and by possessing a greater degree of astringent and styptic jjower, seem to have an ad- vantage over it, and to be better suited for external use. Reduced to powder, and made into an ointment, they have been found of great service in haemorrhoidal affections ; tlieir efficacy in intermittent fevers was tried by order of the Academy of Sciences ; from their report it appears that the galls succeeded in many cases, and also that they failed in many others, which were afterwards cured by Peruvian bark. NAT. ORDER. Iridacece. IRIS FLORENTINA. FLORENTINE ORRIS. Class III. Triandria. Order I. Monogynia. Gen. Char. Corolla six-petalled, unequal. Petals alternate, jointed and spreading. Slig)?ias petal-form, cowled, two-lipped. Spec. Char. Corolla bearded. Sitcm with leaves higher than the flowers, often two-flowered. Flowers sessile. The root is j^erennial, ponderous, tuberous, branched, fibrous, somewhat compressed, externally brown, and internally of a yel- lowish white color; the leaves are sword-shaped, radical, inserted into each other, pointed, shorter than the stem, and of a dull green color ; the stem is round, smooth, jointed, and about a foot in height ; the jloxcers are large, upright, of a white color, and often have a bluish tinge; the calyx is a spatha of two valves; the corolla divides into six segments or petals, of these, three stand erect, the other three, w^hich are of an irregular oval shape, turn back, and at the base are painted with brown lines, and bearded with yellow hairs; (he Jiilaments are three, and crowned with long yellow anthers ; the style is short and simple ; the stigma separates into three expanded segments, resembling petals, which form an arch over the stamens; the germen is long, of an obtusely triangular shape, and placed below the corolla ; the capsule has three cavities, which contain numerous flat brown seeds. This [)lant is a native of Italy, and other parts of the south of Europe, where it is found growing wild in great abundance, flower- ing in June and July. It was first cultivated in England by the 165 IGG NAT. ORDER. IRIDACEjE. celebrated Gerard in the j^ear 1596, and is now constantly propa- gated by the florists through the diflerent parts of that country. It has also been found in some sections of the United States, but not in sufficient quantities to supply the demands of the druggists. Ill the year 1840, while traveling in the northwestern district of New-York, I found tliis species of the Iris quite plenty, growing alongr the margin of small streams and in moist meadows, and at thnt time procured the drawing from the living plant, which repre- sents the description. The root which is the officinal part, is dug up in spring and prepared for market by the removal of its cuticle and fibres. That which is produced in thi-s conntry have neither the odor, nor the other qualities, of those of warmer climates, so that for medicinal use they are imjDorted from Leghorn, in large casks. Medical Properties and Uses. The root in its recent state, is extremely acrid, and when chewed, excites a pungent heat in the mouth, which continues several hours; on being dried, this acri- mony is almost wholly dissipated, the taste slightly bitter, and the smell agreeable — approaching to that of violets. No essential oil has hitherto been obtained from this root, but spirituous tinctures of it contains more of its virtues than watery infusions. The fresh root is a powerful cathartic, and for this purpose, its juice has been emjjloyed in the dose of a drachm and upwards in dropsies. It is now chiefly used in its dried state, and ranked as a pectoral, or expectorant, and is occasionally used for chewing to conceal an offensive breath, and enters into the composition of numerous tooth powders. But, from my own limited experience, I have never found it to possess any very remarkable expectorant powers, and have therefore considered it chiefly valuable for the pleasant- ness of its perfume, and the flavor which it communicates. In the form of small I'ound balls, about the size of a pea, it is much used by the French for maintaining the discharge from issues. NAT. ORDER. Composite. ANT HEMIS NOBILIS. COMMON CPIAMOMILE. Class XIX. Syngenesia. Order 11. Polygamia Slpekflua. Gen. Char. Receptacle, chaffy. Seed-down, none, or a membra- nous margin. Calyx, hemispherical, nearly equal. Florets of the ray more than five. - ,- 1 Spe. Char, ieaucs, bipinnate, linear, acute, subvillous. ■.. The roots are perennial, fibrous and spreading ; the stems are slender, round, trailing, hairy, branched, of a pale green color, and about a foot in length ; the leaves are doubly pinnated, linear, point- ed, a little hairy and divided into three terminal segments; the^o- wers are compound, radiated, white, at the centre yellow, and stand singly ; the calyx is common to all the florets, of a hemispherical form, and composed of several small imbricated scales; \heJloicers of the radius are female, usually about eighteen in number, narrow, white, and terminated with three small teeth ; the tubular part of the Jloret encloses the whole of the style, but does not conceal the bifid reflexed stigma ; the Jloivers of the disk are numerous, herma- phrodite, tubular, and cut at the brim into five segments ; the_^/a- ments are five, very short, and have their anthers so united as to form a hollow cylinder; the germen is oblong; the style is short, slender, and furnished with a bifid reflexed stigma; the seeds are small, and of an irregular shape, It flowers in July and August. The common Camomile is a native of Europe, where it is found growing wild, in all the temperate parts of that continent. Though not a native of this country, it may be found growing wild 167 168 NAT. ORDER. COMPOSlTiE. in some of the Northern and Middle States. It seeks dry mead- ows, pastures, and open fields, and is often seen growing in such quantities as to produce the appearance of a cultivated flower gar- den. Upon a closer examination it very much resembles the Anthe- mis cotula Mayweed, and Matricaria cliamomilla German camomile, all of which possess nearly the same medical properties, and in appearance look somewhat alike. A double flowered variety is usually kept in the shops, but as the sapid matter chiefly resides in the disk, or tubular part of the florets, the flowers' alone are pre- fered, in which the matter proves most abundant. Both the flowers and leaves of this plant, have a strong though not ungrateful smell, and a very bitter nauseous taste. The flowers give out their virtue, both to water and rectified spirit. Medical Properties and Uses. The flowers possess the tonic and stomachic qualities usually ascribed to simple bitters, having very little astringency, but a strong aromatic odor, which is of a very penetrating kind. They are said to possess carminative, emmcnagogue, and in some measure antispasmodic and anodyne properties. In England they have been long and successfully employed for the cure of intermittent, and nervous fevers accom- panied with visceral obstructions. That the flowers may be safely substituted for peruvian bark in the cure of intermittent fevers, appears from the experience and testimony of many respectable physicians, to which we may add that of Dr. Cullen, who sa\^ " I have employed these flowers by giving several times during the intermission, from half a drachm to a drachm of the flowers in pow- der, have cured manv cases of intermittent fevers from their use; but have found, however, that the flowers were attended with this inconvenience, that is, given in a large quantity, they readily run off by stool, defeating thereby the purpose of preventing the return of paroxysms. I have used this in connexion with an opiate or an astringent, that the patient might receive the full benefit of them. /; cya^iJ^c^^>9t 2, tjl/i€^ NAT. ORDER. PassifloTcce. PASSIFLORA CCERULEA. THE PASSION FLOWER. Class XVI. MoNADELPHiA. OrdcT II. Pentandria. Gen. Char. Petals five. Cotyledons two. Stamens five, inserted into the calyx. Corolla with an imbricated aestivation, glandular leaves. Sjie. Char. Ovarmm seated on a long stalk. Fruit surrounded by the calyx, one-celled, three-valved. Seeds attached. Flowers terminal. This beautiful plant is the pride of South America and the West Indies, where the forests are filled with their numerous and splendid varieties, which spread themselves from tree to tree, bearing innu- merable quantities of flowers of striking beauty and singularity ; in- deed such was the estimation in which they were held by the Span- iards, who first discovered and settled the American continent, that they attached to their history many Christian traditions, which they failed not to disseminate among the aborigines of the country. The fruit, which is most tempting in appearance, delicious and refreshing to the palate, was also made an instrument subsersive to their religious zelotry, as it was invariably spoken of as one of the especial gifts of Divine Providence bestowed upon the inhabitants of the wilderness, whereby they might enjoy continued happiness and comfort. The drawing or the plate which represents this beautiful spe- jimen of the floral tribe, was taken from nature by Mrs. C. Norton )f this city, the correctness and accuracy of which can only be sur- 169 ITO NAT. ORDER. PASSIFLOREJE. passed by nature itself. Professor Lindlej^, who has given a more particular description of this species of plant tJian any of our other botanists, describes it as having five sepals, sometimes irregular, com- bined in a tube of variable length, the sides and throat of which are lined by filamentous or annular processes, apparently metamorphosed petals. Five j)ctals, arising from the throat to the calyx, on the out- side of the filamentous processes, occasionally wanting, sometimes ir- regular, imbricated in aestivation ; s^rtmc7is five, monadelphous, rarely indefinite, surrounding the stalk of the ovarium ; anthers turned out- wards, linear, two-celled, bursting longitudinally ; ovarium seated on a long stalk, superior, one-celled ; styles three, arising from the same point, clavate ; stigmas dilated ; fruit surrounded by the calyx, stalked, one-celled, with three parietal polyspermous placentae, some- times three-valved ; seeds attached in several rows to the placenta, with a brittle sculptured testa surrounded by a pulpy arillus ; embryo straight, in the midst of fleshy thin albumen ; radicle turned towards the hilum ; cotyledons flat, leafy ; herbaceous plants or shrubs, usually climbing, very seldom arborescent; leaves alternate, with foliareous stipulfn, often glandular ; floiocrs axillary or terminal, often with three- leaved involucre. Notwithstanding a tropical climate appears to be the natural home of the Passion Flower, one or two of its species have attached themselves to our own country, as well as some of the southern parts of Europe ; several appear to be indigenous to Africa and its neigh- boring islands, and a few in the East Indies, but the greater part of these belong to the genus Modccia, and the flowers, although they rank among the most beautiful of any country where they are found, are far inferior, both in size and brilliancy of color, to the South American plant we have been describing. Its medical properties and uses are comparatively unknown, at least it has never been introduced into either American or European practice, perhaps on account of its rarity ; consequently this part of its history yet remains for the discovery of science. NAT. ORDER. Verticillatcs. MENTHA VIRIDIS. SPEAR MINT. Class XIV. DiDYNAMiA. Order I. Gymnospermia. Gen. Char. Corolla almost equal, four-cleft; the broader segment emargiuate. Stamina upright, distant. Spe. Char. SpeA'cs cylindrical. i(?atr5 oblong, acute, serrate, hairy, subsessile. Stein strisrose. Stajncns lonojer than the corolla. The root is perennial, creeping, and sends forth numerous small fibres ; the stems are square, hollow, erect, branched, and rise about two feet in height; the leaves are large, eliptical, serrated, pointed, of a bright green color, and placed in pairs close to the stem, or on short footstalks; the Jlowers are small, of a light purple or pink color, and produced in terminal spikes ; the fdainents are larger than the corolla. It flowers in August. This plant is a native of North America, and can be found growing on the banks of rivers and small streams, in most of the Northern and Middle States. It is also found growing in many ' parts of Europe, and in England is cultivated for culinary uses. Many virtues were ascribed to mint by the ancients, but what spe- cies they referred to must ever remain uncertain ; even at this time the different species of this numerous family are not satisfactoiily ascertained ; but in a medical sense, this is of little importance, as the virtues of all reside in the aromatic flavor, which is, common to the whole genus. Oa drying, the leaves loose about three-fourths of their weight without suffering much loss of their odor or taste. Cold or warm 171 172 NAT. ORDER. VERTICILLAT.*:. water, by maceration for a short time, becomes richly impregnated with its flavor. Dry mint, digested in rectified spirit, either cold or with a gentle warmth, gives out readily- its peculiar taste and smell, without imparting the grosser and more ungrateful matter. The tincture appears by day-light of a fine dark green, by candle-light of a dark red color; a tincture extracted from the remaining mint with fresh spirit, appears in both lights green ; the color of both tinctures change in keeping, to a brown. Medical Properties and Uses. To spear-77iint we may ascribe the same medical properties which are given to peppermint; but the different j^reparations of the former, though more pleasant, are perhai:)s less efficacious. It contains considerable essential oil, but of an odor much less agreeable than that of lavander. It is there- fore less employed as a cephalic, but acts very powerfully on the parts to which it is immediately applied, especially on the stomach, invigorating all its functions. It acts powerfully as an anti-spasmod- ic, relieving pain and cholic depending upon spasm. It is also suc- cessfully administered in many cases of severe vomiting, giving relief in a few minutes. Practitioners who have been in the habit of using mint, all agree that the infusion of its leaves in warm wa- ter, agrees better with the stomach than the distilled water. To allay nausea and relieve spasmodic pains of the stomach and bow- els, or to cover the taste and qualify the nauseating or griping effects of other medicines are among the most common purposes for which it is used. The fresh herb, bruised and applied over the epigastri- um often allays sick stomach, and is highly useful in the cholera of children. We are told that when cows have eaten of the mint, es- pecially the Mentha arveniss, which they will do at the end of sum- mer, when the pastures are bare and short of feed, their milk can hardly be made to yield cheese ; a circumstance which sometimes puzzles the dairy-maids. The officinal preparations are an oil, a tincture, and a disl lied water. t ■ NAT. ORDER. PomacccR. a:\iygdalus communis. common almond tree Class XII. IcosANDRiA. Ovclcr I. Monogynia. Gen. Char. Calyx five-cleft, inferior. Drupe with a nut, perfo- rated. Spc. Char. The louver serratures of the leaves glandular. Flowers sessile, in pairs. The Almond Tree is a native of Syria and Barbary; it is culti- vated likewise in France, Italy, Sicily, and in England ; but the warmth of this climate is not generally sufficient to bring it to perfec- tion. It flowers in March and April, and thrives best in a light sandy soil and southern climate. The tree is from fifteen to twenty Icct high, divided into many spreading branches, which are covered with a dark grey bark ; the fruit is of a peach kind, the outer substance of which is liard, tough, hairy, and marked with a longitudinal furrow where it opens ; under this is a thick, rough shell, which contains tho kernel or almond. This tree seems to have been known in the remotest times of antiquity, being frequently mentioned by Theophrastus and Hippo- crates ; it is probable, however, that this tree was not very common in Italy in the time of Cato, as he calls the fruit by the name of Greek nuts. It was cultivated in England by Lobel' previous to the year 1570 ; and though it does not perfect its fruit in that country, yet it is tliere very much propagated for the beautiful appearance of its flowers, which are the more conspicuous by showing themselves early 173 174 NAT. ORDER. POMACES, in spring, before the leaves are expanded. The fruit or seeds of most phmts produce varieties, dillering more or less from the parent plant, and from each other ; I)ut in the Almond tree this diflcrcnce is principally confined to the fruit, which is larger or smaller, the sliell thicker or thinner, and the kernal bitter or sweet ; hence the distinc- tion of bitter Alinon(Li and sweet Almonds. Tlie tree forms an important article in the general culture of many parts of France, Italy, and Spain. In a forward spring the blossoms often appear in Februaiy, but in this country frosts gener- ally destroy them, and they bear little or no fruit, Avhereas when the trees do not flower till March, they seldom fail to produce fruit in abundance. The kernal of the nut is the only part used, which is tender and of a fine flavor. The sweet Almonds and other varieties are brought to the desert in a green or imperfect ripe, and also in a ripe state. They are also nmch used in cookery, confectionery, perfumery and medicine. Sweet Almonds used as food, Professor Martin ob- serves, are diflicult of digestion, and afford very little nourishment, uidess extremely well comminated. The tender shelled is in the gi'eatest esteem, and next the sweet and Jordan. Propagation and Culture. The Almond is propagated like the peach, by seeds for varieties or stocks, and by budding on its own or on a plum stock for continuing vai'ieties. Plum stocks are preferred for strong moist soils, and peach and almond stocks for dry situations. The trees are generally planted as standards in shrubberies, and these will sometimes in good seasons ripen their fruit, but when fruit is the object, they .should be trained against a west or east wall, like the peach. The Almond Tree bears chiefly on the young wood of the previous year, like the apricot and peach, and in part upon small spurs on the two and three year old, and older brandies ; it is therefore primed like these trees. The fruit may be gathered and preserved in the following man- ner. — a part may be gathered when nearly ripe, daily, for some NAT. ORDER. POMACEiE. 175 weeks before gatheriu;^ the wliole crop. This operation is generally performed in September, when a part may be laid in the fruit room, and a part thoroughly dried and bedded in sand in the fruit cellar^ for keeping through the wiuh r. Medical Properties and Uses. Sweet Almonds exercise no other influence upon the system than that of a demulcent ; they are said to be useful in catarrlial affections. Bhter Almonds are more energetic although not much in use ; they might be employed with advantage in cases to which the hydrocyanic acid is applicable. An emulsion made of them has been successfully used in pectoral affections attended with cough ; it is said to have cured intermittents when bark had failed ; it operates by diminishing the excitability of the nervous system, and moderating existing irritation. They are also highly recommended for the expulsion of the tape-worm. Bitter Almonds afford by expression an oil equally bland as that obtained from the sweet ; but the residue after expression is more intensely bitter than the residue of the sweet They also yield by distillation a very fragrant, acrid, and bitter essen tial oil, which is heavier than water, and proves a very active poison to animals ; a few drops only is extracted from several pounds of ker- nels. From the prussic acid which bitter Almonds contain, they are found to destroy some animals ; in the human subject, if eaten freely, they occasion nausea, vomiting, and other distressing symptoms. When administered to animals with a view to their destruction, they become absorbed and carried into the circulation, and eventually act upon the nerves as a sedative. They were used by the ancients in intermittents and for worms, but from the uncertainty of their operation, and the risk attending it, we seldom see them administered by modern prac- titioners. They are occasionally used to flavor wines, cordials, &c., but are chiefly valued on account of the fixed oil they contain, which is obtained indiscriminately from the two varieties. NAT. ORDER. Gi-uinales. OXALIS ACETOSELLA. WOOD SORREL. Class X. Decandria. Order IV. Pentagynia. Gen. Char. Calyx five-parted. Petals five, often connected at the ^ base. Capsules five-celled, five-cornered, opening at the corners. Seeds arrilled. Spe. Char. Styles equal. Leaflets in threes, obcordate, hirsute. Root toothed. - The Wood Sorrel is a small perennial, herbaceous, stemless plant ; the root is horizontal, scaly, and of a bright red color ; the leaves grow three together, inversely heart-shaped, of a yellowish green color, frequently purple underneath, and beset with a few hairs ; th6 leaf stalks are about three inches long, nearly upright, tender, pro- ceeding from little bulbs, which form a kind of sheath ; at the bottom these stalks are red and round, but towards the top grooved on one side ; the Jlowcrs are white or flesh-colored, and elegantly streaked with red veins ; the Jloioer-stalk is a little longer than the leaf-stalk, and furnished near the top with two oval pointed bracteae, which part- ly surround it ; the calyx is divided into five segments ; these are short, permanent, bluntish, membraneous at the edges, and often spot- ted with purple ; the j)ctals are five, affixed to the receptacle by the claws, which bend a little inward just above where the claws adiicrti together ; they are blunt, slightly crenated, and tinged at the bottom with yellow ; the stamens are ten, upright, and white, the five exte rior the shortest : the anthers are yellow and bilocular ; the s^crmen 176 •*-< NAT. ORDER. GRUINALES. ] / t is quadrangular and green ; the styles are five, very slender, a little longer than the stamens, and the stigma is blunt ; the capsule is oval- ish, pentagonal, spotted, divided into five cavities, each containing three seeds, which are heart-shaped, longitudinally grooved, convex on both sides, of a briglit reddish brown color, and enclosed within a shining, white, elastic arillus, by the bursting of which the seeds are thrown out. This plant is foimd growing in various parts of Europe and Asia, but is a native of North America, where it is chiefly found in the mountainous regions of the interior part of the United States. It selects shady places, such as woods, groves, and hedges, and flowers from April tiU June. Medical Projjerties and Uses. The Acetosella is totally ino- dorous, but has a grateful acid taste, which is more agreeable than the common Sorrel, {Rumcx Acctosa,) and approaches nearly to that of the juice of lemons, or the acid of tartar, with wliich it also corres- ponds in a great measure in its medicinal effects, being considered re- frigerant, antiscorbutic, and diuretic, and was formerly used extensive- ly in the treatment of bilious and putrid fevers. The principal use, however, of the Acetosella, is to allay inordinate heat, and to quench thirst ; for this purpose a pleasant whey may be formed by boiling the plant in milk, which under certain circumstances may be preferable to the conserve directed by the London College, though an extremely grateful and useful medicine. Many have employed the root of lu- zula, probably on account of its beautiful red color rather than for its superior efficacy. An essential salt is prepared from this plant, known by the name of essential salt of lemons, and used for the purpose of taking oit ink spots, iron mould, and sometimes as a test for lime. NAT. ORDER. Scabrida. MORUS NIGRA. COMMON MULBERRY TREE. Class XXI. MoNCECiA. Order IV. Tetrandria. Gen. Char. Male, Calyx four-parted. Corolla none. Female, Calyx four-leaved, Corolla none. Styles two. Calyx becom- ing a berry. Seeds one. Spe Char. Leaves cordate, rugged. This species of mulberry, grows from ten to twenty feet in height but sends off several crooked branches, and is covered with rough brown bark ; the leaves are numerous, heart-shaped, serra ted, veined, rough, of a light green color, and stand upoa short foot- stalks ; the Jlowers are male and female upon the same tree, the ?nale /lowers are placed in close roundish catkins, each floret com- posed of a calyx, divided into four leaves, which are oval, concave, and erect; there is no corolla ; the Jilaments are four, longer than the calyx, and furnished with simple anthers ; the calyx of the fe- male jloioer is divided into four obtuse persistent segments ; corolla none; the germen is roundish, and supports two rough styles, sup- plied with simple stigmas ; the fruit is a large succulent berry com- posed of a number of smaller berries, each containing an oval seed, and affixed to a common receptacle. It flowers in June and its fruit ripens in September. The Mulberry tree is a native of Italy, from whence it has been introduced and cultivated in almost every part o'i the civilized world, not only for the grateful fruit which it affords, but in most 178 Ci-t?-^^y^n^-n NAT. ORDER. SCABRID^. 179 places for the more lucrative purpose of supplying silk-wornis. with its leaves upon which they feed. The Mon/s ruba a native of our country, produces a fruit quite equal to that of the imported species. The Morits alba, white mulberry, originally from China, and now extensively cultivated as a source of food for the silk- worm, bears a white fruit, which is sweeter and less grateful than the others. Fustic, a yellow dye, is the wood of ]\[orus tincioria, by some called the Osage apph; it bears a globular compound fruit about the size of an orange; but is not eatable; the wood is much esteemed by the Osage Indians for making their bows ; it dves a beautiful yellow, and much resembles the Fustic of the West Indies. The Moius maclura, is a native of Hindostan, the bark of which ia a powerful tonic, and is administered by the Hindoos in diabetes. The Aforus tartarica is said to be the most valuable iuv the culture of silk; especially in China where the best silk is made. Forster in a letter to Professor Murry, gives an account of another species of Mulberry, the Morus pajjyrifera, from which the Japanese make a very fine paper, and the inhabitants of some of the Islands of the South Sea, make a kind of cloth. ;•>•> Medical Properties and Uses. The ripe fruit of this species of mulben-y abounds with a deep violet-colored juice, which in its general qualities agrees with that of the other Acido-dulces, allaying thirst, partly by refrigerating, and partly by exciting an excretion of mucus from the mouth and fauces; a similar effect is also pro- duced in the stomach, where, by correcting putrescency, a power- ful cause of thirst is removed. This is more generally the case with all those fruits in which the acid prevails over the saccharine part, as the currant which we have already noticed, and to which the medicinal qualities of this fruit may be referred; but both of these, and most of the other summer fruits, are to be considered rather as articles of diet than of medicine. The bark of the root is highly cathartic, the dose of which is half a drachm of the powdered root. NAT. ORDER. Labiatee. SCUTELLARIA LATERIFLORA. BLUE SCULLCAP. Class XIV. DiDYNAMiA. Older I. Gymnospermia. (len. Char. Stalks, branched, smooth. Leaves, on long petiole- ovate, dentate, sometimes cordate, membranaceous. Racems, lateral leafy. Spe. Char. Upper lip of the calyx covering the fruit like an oper- culum. The roots are perennial, fibrous and yellow ; the stem, is erect, square, and rises from one to three feet in height; the branches are similar to Lobelia Inflata, the lower branches being the longest, but none of them reaching above the top of the stem ; the leaves are ovate, dentate, acute, subcordate upon the stem, opposite, and sup- ported upon long petioles ; the flowers are small, of a pale blue color, and are placed on the branches which contain several small nracts or leaves ; the calyx has an entire margin, which, after the corolla has fallen, is closed in with a helmet-shaped lid ; the tube of the corolla is elongated, the upper lip concave and entire, the lower three-lobed ; the seed-vessels are of a light green color, and somewhat in the shape of a hood — they open laterally by a valve, each one containing four seeds. ScuUcap has of late become quite celebrated for the cure of hydrophobia. Rafinesque says : " This property was first dis- covered by Dr. Vandervere, about 1772, who used it with the utmost success, and until 1815, when he died : he is said to have prevented four hundred persons, and more than one thousand cattle, from becoming hydrophobic, after they were bitten by rabid ani- 180 ^'^///, NAT. ORDER. LABIAT.(E. lg| mals. His son is stated to have relieved or cured forty persons iu three years, in the States of New- York and New-Jersey, by the use of this medicine. Medical Properties a7id Uses. Scullcap is ranked by those who are best acquainted with its properties, as one of the most effectual nervines in use ; it can be given to all classes, and in most any stage of disease, with safety. It is highly useful in St. Vitus' dance, con- vulsions, locked-jaw, tremors, ague and fever, tic-doloreux, and all nervous affections. It may be given with advantage to children, where their health is impaired from the effects of teething. Besides its other good effects, it has a tendency to keep the pores open and skin moist. The U. S. Dispensatory describes this species of Scullcap as possessing but little, if any, taste or smell, or appear- ance of any remarkable medical virtues. It is even destitute of the aromatic properties which are found in a large portion of the labiate plants. When taken internally, it produces no obvious effects upon the system. Notwithstanding its apparent inertness, it obtained at one period extraordinary credit throughout the Union, as a preven- tative of hydrophobia, and was even highly recommended for the disease itself. A strong tea made of the leaves and branches of this plant was given in the dose of a wine glass full, and rej^eateil several times a day ; this was continued for three or four months after the bite was received, while the herb itself was applied to the wound. Strong testimony has been adduced in favor of its prophy- lactic powers; but has shared the fate of many other specifics against hydrophobia, which have been brought into temporary fjopularity only to be speedily abandoned. It is now nearly dis- carded from medical practice, and its merits have not been much investigated since. We think this plant well worthy the attention of physicians, especially with a view to ascertain its real merits. As a nervine it ranks high, and enters into various compounds pre- pared by some of our modern practitioners for the treatment of nervous diseases. NAT. ORDER. Gruinalis. aUASSIA AMARA. BITTER QUASSIA, -Class X. Decandria. Order I. Monogynia. Gen. Char. Calyx, five-leaved. Petals, five. Nectary, five-leaved. Pericarp, five, distant, each having one seed. Sj)e. Char. Flowers, bisexual. Leaves, unequally pinnate. Leajlets, opposite, sessile. Petiole, jointed, winged. Floiccrs, in race- mes. The Bitter Quassia is a small tree or shrub, rising several feet in height, and sends off many strong branches ; the wood is white and light ; the bark is thin, and of a grey color ; the leaves are placed alternately upon the branches, and consist of two pair of opposite pinnse, with an odd one at the end ; all the leajlets are of an elliptical shape, entire, veined, smooth, pointed, sessile, on the upper pagina, of a deep green color, on the under, paler ; the common foot-stalks are articulated and winged, or edged on each side with a leafy membrane, which gradually expands near the base of the pinnee ; the Jlowers are all hermaphrodite, of a bright red color, and terminate the branches in long spikes ; the hractea, or Jloral, are lance-shaped, or linear, colored, and placed alternately ujion the peduncles ; the calyx is small, persistent, and five-toothed ; the corolla consists of five lance-shaped equal petals, at the base of which is placed the nectary, or five roundish colored scales ; the filaments are ten, slender, somewhat longer than the corolla, and crowned with simple anthers, placed transversely ; the receptacle is fleshy and orbicular; the germen is ovate, divided into five parts, 182 NAT. ORDER. GRUINALIS. 183 and supports a slender style, longer than the filaments, and termi- nated by a tapering stigma ; the capsules are five, two-celled, and contain globular seeds. It is a native of South America, particu- larly of Surinam, and also of some of the West India Islands. The botanical character of this species of Quassia, w^as known to the ancients long before that of the Simaruba ; but its medicinal properties were never fully appreciated until the year 1756, when a negro, by the name of Quassia (from whom it derived its name), employed it with uncommon success, as a secret remedy in the malignant endemic fevers, which prevailed to a considerable extent at Surinam. In consequence of a valuable consideration, this secret was disclosed to Daniel Rolander, a Swede, who introduced it into general practice ; and numerous testimonies of its efficacy were published by many respectable authors. Medical Properties and Uses. Various experiments with Quassia have been made, with a view to ascertain its antiseptic powers, from which it appears to have considerable influence in retarding the tendency to putrefaction. It is purely tonic, invigo- rating the digestive organs, with little excitement of the circulation, or increase of animal heat, and possesses, in the highest degree, all the properties of the simple bitters. It is particularly adapted to dyspepsia from debility of stomach, and to that weakened state of the digestive organs which sometimes succeeds acute disease. It may also be given with advantage in the remission of certain fevers in which tonics are required. It is most conveniently administered in decoctions, or extracts, as the difficulty of reducing the wood into a powder renders it objectionable. NAT. ORDER. SpathacccB. NARCISSUS TRIANDRUS. THREE-ANTHERED RUSH DAFFODIL. Class VT. Hexandria. Order I. Monogytoa. Gen. Char. Style, straight, slender. Filaments adhering to the up- per part of the tube. Limb, decidedly reflex. Cup, equalling or shorter than the limb. Tube, drooping. Capsule, erect. Seed, oblong. Spe. Char. Tube and Limb, equal, and much longer than the cup. Limb, reflexed. Sjmthc, many-flowered. Flowers, drooping. The three alternate Stametis much shorter than the others, and with the Style concealed by the cup. The Jlower-stalk or scajje in aU these species has two or three flowers, and the flowers are always drooping. It may also be ob- served, that all the species called Jonquil, of which this once was one, are distinguished by their slender, rush-like leaves, whence in- deed they take their name, as it is derived from the Latin word Juncifolius, literally rush-leaved. The leaves are somewhat chan- nelled ; the sjjathe is one-flowered ; the whole corolla snow-white ; the petals ovate-oblong ; the nectary bell-shaped, shorter by half than the corolla, with the margin straight, and unequally crenulate ; the stamens three, seldom six ; the anthers dark yellow, shorter than the nectary. In nurseries the flowers are of a pale yellow, having two, and sometimes three flowers from a spathe. It is a native of Por- tugal. There are perhaps few plants that rary more in the flowers than 184 (■.^^^4^€^':><^i^^^i^le^^/^^^^^^c^ NAT. ORDER. — SPATHACE.E. 185 this, as they are very often different on the same stalk. They al- ways, however, agree in three of the stamens being so much shorter ihan the others, and are perceptible without a very close examina- tion. Tlie limb of the flower is always reflexed, and the cup projecting. But this is a characteristic of the genus Ganymaks, which is named from the cup-bearer of Jove, from its constantly projecting cup. Like all the plants in this division, this species is very deli- cate, and requires a warm and sheltered situation, and a light rich soil. This plant differs from many of its species, in having a twisted stem, whence Parkinson's name of the Tiu*uing Jonquil. JVaixissus pscudo-narcissits. Common Daffodil. This has a large bulbous root, from which spring out five or six flat leaves, about a foot long, and an inch broad, of a greenish color, and a little hollow in the middle like the keel of a boat ; the stalk rises about eighteen, inches m height, having two sharp longitudinal angles ; at the top comes out the nodding flower, inclosed in a thin spathe ; the corolla is of one petal, being connected at the base, but cut almost at the bottom into six spreading parts ; in the middle is a bell-shaped nec- tary, called by gardeners the cup, which is equal in length to the petal, and stands erect ; the petal is of a pale brimstone or straw color, and the nectary is of a full yellow ; the seeds are roundish ana black. It is a native of many parts of Europe, and flowers in March. JVarcissus poeticus. Poetic Narcissus. This species has a smaller and rounder bulb than the previous ; the leaves are longer, flatter, and more narrow ; the stalk or scape does not rise higher than the leaves, and which are of a greyish color ; the flower is produced at the top of the stalk from the spathe, nodding on one side ; the corolla is snow white, spreading open flat ; the petals rounded at the points ; the nectary or cup in the centre is very short, and fringed on the bor- der with a bright purple circle ; the flx)wers have an agreeable odor, appear in May, and seldom produce seeds. It is a native of Italy, and the South part of Germany. Flowering in April. There are 1 186 NAT. ORDER. SPATHACE^. varieties with double white flowers, with purple-cupped flowers, and with yellow-cupped flowers. Propagation ami Culture. All the difierent species and varieties of this extensive genus may be increased with facility, by planting the olT-set bulbs from the roots ; and by sowing the seed in order to pro- cure new varieties, which is chiefly j^ractised for the fine sorts of Polyanthus Narcissus. For tliis pvupose the seed should be care- fully saved from the best and most curious plants after being perfect- ly ripened. The seed should be sown after it becomes ripe, in or about the beginning of August, in shallow boxes or flat pans perforated with holes in the bottom, and filled with fresh light sandy earth, being cov- ered about a quarter of an inch deep with fine sifted mould, and placed in such situations as are only exposed to Jie moniing sun, till the beginning of whiter, when they should be removed to have the full sun, and be sheltered from the severe weather. In the spring, when the plants appear, they should be occasio ally watered in dry weather, and be screened from the mid-day heat, remo^-ing them into cooler situations as the warm season advarces, keeping them free from all sorts of weeds. Towards the latter part of summer, when their stems decay, the surface mould of the boxes or pans should be stir- red or wholly removed, and some , -esh mould sifted over the plants, being careful not to disturb the roots, and keeping them dry in a shaded situation. They should have the samef- management annually, till the period of their leaves decaying in the third summer, when the bulbs shoiUd be taken up, and the larges. separated and planted out on raised beds of light fine mould '^ rows six inches apart, and three or four distant in them, having .e depth of two or three inches. They should afterwards be ^vept clean ; and when they show flowers, so as to ascertain their properties, they may be removed, and managed a* other bidbous roots. t - .XI<. (^.i:^^u^9^&c^u t^yc^^ftz^-f^Pt^-. >>>;:■, NAT. ORDER. Liliacece. HYACINTHUS ORIENTALIS. COMMON HYACINTH. Class Vr. Hexandria. Ordey- 1. Monogynia. ' Gen. Char. Perianth, tubular, six-cleft. Segments, reflexed. Sfa- mens, six, inserted in the middle of the tube. Style, awl-shap- ed. Stigma, obtuse. Capsule, ovately-trigonal, three-celled. Seeds, many, roundish. i^K. Char. Perianth, funnel-shaped, half-cleft. Segments, spread- ing. Ticbe, venticose at the base. The root is large, viscid, and bulbous ; the scape or stem risti immediately from this biUb, bearing from six to ten leaves, which arc broadish, keeled, pale-green at the bottom, but much darker near the ends ; the scajje is from six to ten inches in height, smooth, roundish, pale-green below, but tinged with brown towards the top; tiie Jloioers are placed near the top, standing one above another, on dif- ferent sides, and each nodding on pedicels, about half an inch iu length, usually of a very dark-green color, and having a pair of brae- tes at the base ; the corolla is nearly an inch in length, almost cylin- drical except at the base, where it swells ; i\\&Jlowers have a very sWeetish smeU, and are much valued for the variety of their colors. The hyacinth is probably known to every lover of flowers ; but many who are unacquainted with its history will be surprised to hear that there are only three species in the genus, and that two of these are rarely seen. The fact is, that all the almost innumeral)le kinds of hyacinths common in our gardens are varieties of one spe- 187. 188 NAT. ORDER. LILIACE.E. cies, Hijncintlius orientalis ; and as these vary very much from seed, may be readily crossed with each other, no limit can be given to the number and variety of hyacinths that may be raised. The hyacinth, m its vpild state, is generally blue, but sometimes pink, and it grows in great abundance in tlie neighborhood of Alep])o and Bagdad. It has also been occasionally found in France and Barbary, but in both cases it was probably only a garden flower, which had sown itself accidentally. The garden hyacinth was first introduced in England before 1596, as Gerard speaks of it as a well known flower, without saying when it was introduced ; and he de- scribes several double varieties of the origmal flower, Avliich he says, simply, was first brought from the East. The varieties known to Gerard were all blue, white, or pink ; and only these colors were known in hyacinth till about the commencement of the present cen- tury, when a few pale yellow, or rather lemon colored, kinds were raised from seed. These liave smce been greatly improved by hy- bridizing and cultivation. Much has been said and Avritten on the culture of the hyacinth, but the following accoimt of the Dutch mode of culture, (which was ti-anslated for and published in the Gardeners' Magazine,) which we have been told by florists, contains every thing that is necessary to be known on the subject. " The hyacmth likes a very sandy soil, well-prepared, fine, wnth- out any appearance of stones or gravel, and which consequently looks exactly as if it had been passed tlu-ough a fine sieve. All kinds of loam or stiflT soil, wliich bind so closely together that, when diy, the wind cannot separate their particles as it does those of sand, must be avoided. No kind of red, blush, or blackish soil will produce perfect hyacinths ; but one is considered particularly good, which is light grey, and which resembles fine, very sandy, and light garden mould. This sand, which is very light of itself, is made still lighter by the addition of the thin sand of the Dutch downs, which is of a pale yellow color, very fine, and contains neither stones nor gravel ; NAT. ORDER. — LILIACE.E. 189 and as this sand constitutes the principal part of the niLKture of tlie soil, if natui'e denies us a supply of it at home, we nuist search l(.)r it at other places, or try to prepare one like it. Various soils have been used for this piu*pose, but the preference is given to a pale yellow river-sand, to which is added a third of leaf-mould. In preparing the beds, particular attention must be paid to two rules : — first, Tliat for the space of four years previously to planting, no manure of a heating quality, must be mixed with the soil. Second, That hyacinths must not be grown in the same soil oftener than once every four years. The latter ride must be particularly attended to ; because, if planted a year earlier, the decayed remains of the old bulbs would communicate the rot or other diseases to the newly- planted bidbs. In Holland, a bed is planted the first year with hya- cinths, the second with tulips, the third with Polyanthus Narcissus ; and it would be desirable if something similar were planted even the fourth year. The bed, however, is generally prepared for hyacinths the fourth season as follows : — Between December and February the ground is dug five or six feet deep ; and, when too much water is apprehended, a drain is dug all round the bed, and filled with ^^ood or stones, and then covered up. In March every square yard is en ■ ri died with fonr hand-barrowfids of pure cow-manure (without straw) dug in a foot deep. During the summer, vegetables or annuals are grown on the bed, which do not exhavist the soil too much. The following autuma (therefore the fifth,) the soil is dug one and a half or two inches deep, taking care to let the manure, which was put on the ground in spring, remain a foot deep in the earth. When a pro- per drain is not made, a trench is used, two feet wide, and one and a half feet broad, which is left open, so that the water collected in it may be taken out When the above operation is performed, the bulbs must be prepa- red for planting in the beginning of October. This preparation con- sists in examining whether the bulbs are perfectly healthy ; because if they are unhealthy, they not only will not flower, but will infect 190 NAT. ORDER. LlLIACEiE. those near them. It is necessary, therefore, in the first place, to be acquainted with the diseases they are liable to, which are : — First, the white rotz : Second, the black rotz : Third, the rot : Fourth, mould : Fifth, consumption or wasting : Sixth, shrinking : and Seventh, excess of offsets. Fi7st. The white rotz is known by a resin which generally oozes from the upper part of the biUb, and also from the side, and which, about this time of the year, (October,) is of a hard consis- tency, not unlike the resin that flows from trees. The white rotz also assumes the appearance of a white slimy substance, and has a very unpleasant smeU, which is particularly evident when the bulb is cut open ; and bulbs in this state should be thrown away without hesitation. Second. The black rotz is more difficult to know than the white rotz ; because, as soon as the bulb is taken out of the groimd and kept dry, the rotz dries up also. The stool or plate of the bulb, (that is, the point from which the roots proceed downwards,) appears a.5 if eaten out on the side, and the scales at that part have dry black edges. ; . . THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. ' URIT AMOK PLANTAS." — LOVE CONSUMES THE FLOWEIiS. Acacia — (Eose). Elegance of appear ance and manners. Tliis beautiful sbrub has been compared to a fash iouable lady in her ball dross. Aloe. Hope in futurity. It grows in the ■wilderness, and is slightly attach- ed to the earth by thread-like roots Amaranth. Immortality. The name signifies ■ never fading," and the flower retains its foiTn and colorin in spite of time. In many countries it is a funeral flower. Amaryllis. Affectation, pride. It is one of the most beautiful of flowering plants, but often refuses to open its petals. Ambrosia. Elevated Sentiments. The name signifies the food of the gods Amaita. Aivay ! I shall revecd no secrets. This is a mushroom, which being eaten, produces a sort of intox- ication, during which the subject is said to reveal his own secrets, and those of his neighbors. Anemone. / am forsakoi and in de- spair. Andromeda. A cruel fate lias fixed me here. This was named in allusion to the fate of the maiden, Androme- da, who was condemned to spend her days in the midst of a marsh which was haunted by ferocious reptiles. Angelica. Thou inspirest me with ptoetic visions. Tlic Lapland poets are crowned with tliis plant, and con- sider themselves inspired by its fra- grance. Asphodel. My thoughts will follow you beyond the grave. This was planted by the ancients near the tombs of their friends, because it was supposed that the shades of the dead would walk in the fields of this plant. Arethusa. My regret shall become a fountain of tears. The name is that of a nymph of Diana, who was transformed into a foimtain. Balm of Gilead. You have cured my pains. It was famous in ancient times as a soothing remedy. " Is there no bahn in Gilead ?" Balsam. Impcdience — ToucJi me not, if you2:>lease. On the slightest touch the capsules fly open, and distribute their seeds. Berberry. A sour ternpier is no slight evil. The fruit is acid, and the shrub is armed with thorns. Bay Leaf. I change but in dying. Basil. / may hcde you falsely. It was formerly used as an emblem of poverty and distress, and by some esteemed in cookery. Box. / change not. It is esteemed for its unchanging nature. It con- stantly retains its verdure from year to year, and changes but little in size. Bulrush. You are indiscreet. It is an emblem of indiscretion, because it bends in any direction with the slightest touch. Buttercup. Deceit is often thus cov- ered. The flowers are of a beautiful color, and pleasing to the eye, but will blister the skin. Burdock. Don't come near me. The calyx is armed with hooks, which chng to every thing they touch. '2 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. Cactus. You strihe me tvifh horror. This plant is armed with ferocious- looking sj lines, which are ready to shed tlie blood of those who touch them. Calla. Beauty unadorned. The spathe is gracefully curved, and with- out a blush of color. Camellia. Your various icaittics ice all admire. A species of the tca- ])lant, with jnire white or variegated tints of its jjetals, which outrivals in permanent beauty all other exotic plants. Catchfly. I am not to he caught tvithout my consent. The leaves oi^en to the sun, but close upon any insect which happens to touch them. Carxatiok. There is danger of a fcdl. It grows high, and requires a prop to keep it erect. Gakdinal-Flq-vver. Yotcr heauty is heightened hy contrast. A beautiful flower, growing in swamps, among rushes and brambles. Wheu first seen it elicits emotions of surjirise and pleasure. Chamomile. Energy ivill surmount adversity. Though every day tram- pled upon, it still grows, and flour- ishes and blossoms. CiRC-EA. I shall beware of your en- cheintmcnts. Named after Circe, the enchantress, and is called Enchant- er's Nightshade. It grows in shady places, and about the ruins of old buildings, where such characters are supposed to dwell. Clematis — Virgin's Bower. Your injiuence favors mental accomplish- onents. This vine screens the sun, and forms a refreshing place of study in the hot season. Columbine. I see folly marked upon your face. The nectaries turn over, and resemble the caps worn by those who were fools and jesters by profes- sion in ancient times. Cock's-comb. Fops cannot hut he fools. The flower resembles the crown of the bird of which the name implies. Convolvulus. Thou lovest darlcness letter than light. Some of the spe- cies sleep, or close their petals during the day, and spread them only during the night. CoRNus. Precocity often comes to naught. The Dogwood blossoms in the spring, before anything else ; but the flowers are mere involucres, fall- ing off, and coming to nothing. Crocus. You are a constant enigma to all your acquaintcuice . Tlic sem- ination of the Crocus is a wonder. The germen emerges from under ground on a white peduncle, and ripens its seeds above ground, differ- ing from all other vegetables. Cowslip. Thoic art a gem in the midst of the desert. Each footstalk is said to bear twelve flowers, hence, by Linnajus, Dodecathcon, that is, twelve divinities. Cypress. An emblem of mourning. Tliis is an evergreen, which the an- cients delighted to place among the tombs of their friends. Many of the chests containing Egyptian mummies are made of this wood ; also the gates of Rome. Coreopsis. Love at first sight. A native of Mexico. The Spanish la- dies adorn their heads with this flower. CoRCHORUS. Tliy absence is not for- gotten, The name is taken from the Greek, signifying a delicious pot herb much esteemed by that people. DaffodiIj. Uncertainty. You are now in the morning of life, fuU of hope ; but time will show you their uncertainty. Dew Plant. Serenade. May j-our dreams be as fine as pearly bells, ris- ing in cijstal fountains. LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. Dahlia. Elegance and dignity. love thee for thy high-born grace ; thy beauty is as undcnicd as the beauty of a star. Daisy. Beauty and innocence. I can- not look upon a star, a fleecy cloud, or any form of inirity, unless I needs must dream of thee. Dandelion. You force yourself where you are not toatited. Its seeds fly through the air, and perplex the gar dener, by planting themselves in his rich soils. Duck Meat. Tou are too light to sink in toater. This plant grows on the surface of ponds, never touching the bottom even with its roots. Eglantine. Poetic excellence. The Greeks awarded this as a prize for poetic eloquence in floral games. Elder. Compassion. Oh ! let me wipe the tears from your eyes ; and when sick or wounded, ease thy pains. Its properties are healing. Evergreen. Poverty and Worth Though your dress be coarse and simple, you have a heart most free and kind. Everlasting. Always remembered. At morn, or noon, or night, of thee my mind's eye never loses sight. Fennel. Strength. It is said that gladiators mixed it with their food to give them strength and ferocity. Fir. Time. The slow unfolding flow- er, or harvest ripening in autumn's sun, chides your impatient haste. Flax. Domestic industry. In ancient tunes the spinning of flax was a female employment, so honorable that the daughters of princes did not disdain it. Flowering Keed. Confidence in heaven. There's peace, strength, holy fortitude, and sweet rest, in thoughts and visions of that cKme where dwell the loved and blest. Flower of an Hour. Delicate beauty. 'Tis thus that loved ones quick de-[ cay, and lose their beauty in one short hour ; not so their memoiy. Forget-me-not. True love. This beautiful flower is found by some se- cluded stream, or in the silent glen; but by the mildness of its purple hue attracts the wanderer. Foxglove. Your influence affects my heart. When the leaves of this plant are taken, the pulse is reduced to a very great degree. Fuchsia. Humble love. This plant is universally admired for its modest retiring beauty. Gentian. Beauty and excellence. It derives its name from Gentius, a king of Illyria, and is esteemed for its invigorating and healthful influ- ence. Geraniuji. Domestic enjoyment. K'') plant thrives so well in inhabited rooms as the Geranium. Geranium (Fish). Fom arc disagree- able to me. None admire the smell of fish. Geranium (Ivy-leafed). A bridal de- coration. May you wear so honora- ble a badge. Geranium (Lemon). Tranquillity of mind. Geranium (Oak-leaved)l Names con- fer no qualities. It has not the qualities of the noble oak. Geranium (Kose). You have tlieprc- ferencc. Who does not enjoy the fragrance of the Kose ? GERANiUM(Scarlet). Thouart changed. GiLLY Flower. Bonds of affection. Its influence renders it peculiarly welcome to the afilicted. Golden Kod. Encouragement. Fresh courage take ; here is a remedy for your pains. Grape. Mirth. A delicious fruit, making an exhilarating beverage. Harebell. Grief. 'Tis sad to mark the ravage that the heart makes of itself. LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. IIawthoen. Hope on, hope ever. — Like a quickset liedge, a sure defence against despair. Heaet's-ease, or Pansy. Think on me luJien I'm away. This species of violet has no fragrance, but has been ail emblem of love, from its tiny size and beauty. llEATn. Esteem does not depend on Elevation. This shrub is esteemed for its easy culture, and the profusion of flowers it puts forth in winter. Helliotrope. / am devoted to one oh Jcct. It is said always to keep its disk towards the sun. Hellebore. Calumny. A native of Europe and Asia ; flowers green- ish — a very poisonous jjlant. Hibiscus. Beauty is vain. All that's bright must fade. Holly. Come not near me. The leaves of this shrub are armed with thorns. Hollyhock. You are ambitious of show. A native of Syria, and one of the most elevated and showy of all our annuals. Hon£y Flower. 3Iy love is sweet and secret. Indigenous to the Cape of Good Hope. Flowers yellow and pink ; nectarious. Honeysuckle. Fidelity. I will be tliine in weal or woe. HousTONiA. Unaspiring beauty lasts the longest. A little blue flower ■which covers our meadows, and con- tinues to bloom from April to No- vember. J^! "^^f ., - . Hyacinth. Love of pilay may decide your fate. Name of a youth killed in a game of quoits by Apollo. Hydrangea. Superior merit when assumed is lost. The red color of this plant is changed to blue when watered by a solution of alum. Hypericum. Animosity. IpoMiEA. / tootdd attach myself to you. The Morning-glory cannot chmb without something to which it may attach itself. Iris. I come with a pleasing message. The flower-de-luce is a species. The fabled Iris was a messenger of the gods, who carried only good news. Ice Plant. Your very looks are freezing. This is a jilant covered with a mucUagc resembhng ice. Ivy. Nothing can divide our affections. The Ivy is a vine which cUngs with great tenacity to whatever may be its support. Jasmine. Thy mild grace has won my heart. The branches of tliis vine may be twisted into fanciful shapes, and still retain their vigor. Jonquil. Affection returned. It has a golden colored flower, emitting a pleasant and powerful perfume. Juniper. I tvill pirotect you. The thick drooping branches of this shrub afford protection to the hare and other timorous animals when pursued. King-cup. I would be rich. This is an extensive genus, numbering near- ly one hundred species : the flowers are of a veiy glossy yellow, and very common in our fields in June. Laburnum. Pensive beauty. Flow- ers purplish or yellow, drooping in clusters. Ladies'- Slipper. You are too wild for a domestic companion. It is a beautiful, prudish-looking red flower, which stands nodding in the forest, but does not thrive so well in the garden. Larkspur. Fickleness. A flower very easily cultivated, and whose form and hue is often changed. Laurel. Oh ! what a goodly c:cterior falsehood hath ! A magnificent American shrub, with gaudy colors, but acts as a poison when taken. Laurustinus. a token. An ever- green shrub ; flowers white, some- times tinged ■with red. ,^ LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. ■/*- Lemox. Grief. This fruit is an em- blem of grief, or mourning, and Ls fre- quently placed in the hands of the Hindoo widow, who is about to offer herself on the funeral pile of her hus- band. Lilac. Youth. This xhrub is partic- ularly domestic in its nature, and flowers early in the spring. Lilly of the Valley. Returned liappiness. This modest little favor ite sends forth its shining leaves and fragrant bells in the month of May, that happiest season of the year. Lilly (Water). Eloquence. Lilly (White). Purity. The lily is among the oldest inhabitants of the flower-garden, and its white andfra grant flowers justly entitle it to the language of ]iurity. Lobelia (Common). You may yet learn to appreciate my goodness. Although this plant has many ene mies, yet, as its pro])erties become more known, so is it the more highly appreciated. Locust. Affection beyond the grave The locust is a beautiful tree, with white and very fragrant flowers. Loxdon-Pride. Frivolity. LuPiXE (White). Slavery. It derived its name from lupms, a wolf, on ac- count of its being supposed to destroy the fertilty of the soil. Madder (Dyer's). Deceit is often the means of its oiun detection. When cattle break into the madder-fiehls and eat their leaves, they stain or color their teeth red. Magnolia. Thou art one of nature's nobility. This noble genus surpasses all others, either in simiilicity, mag- nificence, or beauty. Mallow. Mild as a mooribeam. Nam- ed in allusion to the soft mucilagin- ous qualities which the plant is pos- sessed of. Mandrake. Emblem of a guilty con- science. This plant seeks the shade, , and is said to be noxious to the earth \ where it grows. Marygold. Inquietude. This gilded . flower has ever been made the em- V blem of distress of mind. Meadow Sweet. Healing. This plant possesses valuable properties for heal- . ing wounds and sores. Mezereon (Common). Love in a snoiv-wreath. This is a highly or- namental plant, but is very acrid and poisonous. Mignonette. Your qualities omicli surpass your appearance. This little favorite, with unpretending modesty, is frequently sought for rooms and balconies on account of its fragrance. MiMORA, or Sensitive Plant. Sen- sitiveness. This plant possesses small fibres, which contract under the least irritation, droop and die. Mint. Virtue. 'Sam.ed from, mintha, in allusion to a nymph of that name, fabled to have been changed into mint by Proserpineinafitof jealousy. . Misletoe. Your existence is de- pendent upon others. This is a par- asite plant that lives, and derives its nourishment from the truidvs of trees. Mock-Orange. Memory. When once we inhale the penetrating odor of this flower, it dwells on the sense for a long time. Monk's-hood. You commit many black and horrid deeds. Almost numberless are the accounts of the fatal effects of this poisonous plant. Moss. Maternal love. The first spe- cies of vegetation that clothes the soil in spring, and the last that disap- pears when it ceases to nourish. Motherwort. Concealed love. Mulberry. Wisdom. Myrtle. Unchanging love. Anti- quity has consecrated the myrtle to Venus. Its leaves are unchangingly LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. greeu, and from tliis circumstance has obtained this sentiment. Narcissus. Self-love. Egotists are only agreeable to themselves. Nasturtium, or Indian Water CRESS. Darkness flees at your ap- 2)roach. In the darkness of mid- summer's night, it is said, that the electrical sjjarks maybe seen omana' ting from the flowers of this plant. Nasturtium (Small-leaved). Ilidden secret. Emblematically named in allusion to the small, hardly evident petals, and from its being but imper- fectly known. Nettle (Stinging). Your 2^oisonous fang is long remembered. The poi son of this plant, like that of the bee, is contained in the ovulum, a little sac, and which is forced out as the point enters the skin. Night-flowering Cactus. 3Ieet me hy moon-light. The flowers of this plant begin to open about eight o'clock in the evening, and at three in the morning withers, droops and dies. Night-shade (Deadly). The emhlem of death. The generic name is after one of the Yates, whose business it was to sever the thread of life. Oak. Thou art honorable above all others. Among the ancient Romans the civic crown formed from the leaves of this tree, was the most ex- alted honor the nation could confer. Oleander (Common). I fear for you. There's nothing true but heaven. Olive. Fence be with you. The olive tree has been celebrated since the time the Dove conveyed the branch to Noah's ark, as the bounteous gift of heaven, and as an emblem of peace and plenty. Orange Flowers. Bridal purity. The leaves of the orange are a beau- tiful shining green, and the flowers, from their beauty and fragrance, have long been employed to decorate the head of the bride. Hence they have obtained the language of " Bridal Purity." Orchis. My poicer shall be felt Ion- ger than those I imitate. Tliis plant possesses a flower that so strongly resembles a bee as frequently to be mistaken for that insect. Osier. (Common). Frankness. The readiness with which the bark of this tree yields its valuable mucilaginous properties, obtained for it the lan- guage of " Frankness." Palm (Fan). Virtue. The character of grandeur, as well as their iumiense value to mankind, in aflording food and raiment and numerous objects of economical importance, claims for this tree its scntunent. Parsley. / relish your j^jresence. This has ever been a fevorite ]dant for the seasoning of various dishes of luxury. Pasque-flower. (Garland). Unpre- tending goodness. This flower is valued for its hardy nature, and be- cause it will flower at almost any season of the year, by due attention. Passion-flower. Love and reli- gious faith. This beautiful flower is supposed to represent the Cross, the Crown of Thorns, the Scourge, and the nails used at the Crucifix- ion. Pea (Sweet). Rememher me. This is a graceful pretty vine, with flow- ers variegated with blue, lilac, rose, and white, emitting a delightful fra- grance. Peach Blossom. Yoidhful piety. The Peach is a well kno^^^l tree. It blooms among the first of fruit-bear- ing trees. Pear. Yoidhful loveliness. Its flow- ers are nearly white and very pretty, and expanding so early in the sea- son, renders them a veiy appropriate LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. emblem of youtlif'ul loveliuess. Peppekmint. Warmth of feelinf/. The pleasant, warm, and agreeable taste of this aromatic plant, is too well kiunvn to require description. Pekiwjnkle. Sweet remembrances. Phlox. Our so^ils arc united. Pink Apple. TJiou art perfect. This jdant aflords the most delicious fruit in the world ; the brilliant flowers arising amid its sword-like loaves, and the sweet-scented fragrance of its fruit, leaves nothing further to be desired. Pink (Red). Woman's love. The red ]>iiik claims a conspicuous part among the many varieties, both for the richness of its color, and its dc- lightfid fragrance. Pink (White). You retain your orig- inal simplicity. This is said to be the primitive plant, from wliicli the numerous variegated varieties have been produced by art. Polyanthus. Confidence. The ex- pectation of future happiness is the best relief of anxious thought, the guide of life, and the comfort in death. Foppy. Sleep of the heart. Tliis plant is a jjowerful narcotic, from which opium is extracted. Peide of China. Discussion. Life is the time for action, not for fruitless speculation. Primrose. Early youth. This plant is one of the first to announce the return of spring, and it being the pe- riod before the bright days of sum- mer appear, makes it emblematical of a lovely girl just passing from childhood to youth. QuAMOCLiT (Crimson). Busybody. Quince. Beware of temptation. Some learned commentators have advanced the idea that it was this fruit, instead of the apple, by which sin and wo entered this world. Ranuecielus. You are radiant with char 7ns. Rhododendron. Danger. Ancient 'botanists have reputed this tree to possess noxious qualities, ])oisoning the honey made from its blossoms, when bees have had access to it. Rosemary. Fidelity and Love. The rosemary has long been considered an emblem of fidelity in lovers, from the supposed quality, of strengthen- ing the memory. Rose. Thy presence is universally be- loved. From the earliest periotls of history, this flowerhasbeen cidtivated and esteemed in eveiy part of the world. Rose-bud. Love. The rose-bud has long been considered an emblem of love.- Rose (Dog). Simplicity. Rose (llundrcd-lcaved). Grace. Rose (Japan). 3Iy destiny is in your hands. Rose (Monthly). Your charms only fade to he renewed. This beautiful species sends forth new blossoms eve- ry month. Rose (Moss). Perfect beauty. No class of plants yields more intrinsic delight to the amateur than the rose. Rose (White). Silence. Byron in his poems has rendered this species sa- cred to the silence of the tomb. Rue. An emblem of jnirification. Rush. Docility. This slender reed, deprived of support, bows gracefully to every passing breeze. Saffron (Meadow). Excess is dan- gerous. A small portion of the leaves or seeds of this plant has proved a fatal poison to man and beast. Sage. I loould prolong your days. It was believed by the ancients, that sage would restore the sick to health, and prolong the days of the infirm. Snapdragon. You are dazzling but dangerous. This plant is named in 8 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. allusion to tlie form of the leaves, be- ing snout-form, hence dragon-like. Snowball (Tree). If all tvcre like you the earth ivould soon hecome a desert. The stamens of this plant are changed into petals, therefore pro- ducing no seed. Snowdkop. Though in chains hope has not forsaken me. As soon as this dwarfish plant is uncovered from the snow and ice, it opens its petals and ap- pears in the full Lloom and vigor of life. St. John's-wokt. I do not crave your jjrotection. In superstitious ages this i)lant was hung in the windows as a charm against storms, thunder, and e\al spirits, and was also carried about as a charm against witchcraft. Stock-Jillt-flower. I]y cultivation the rustic may attain the highest dis- tinction. Originally tliis was an in- significant little straggler, but bj' close attention it has become one of the noblest of ornamental plants. Stkaavbeery Tree. Perseverance. Sunflower. You are valued for luhat you do not possess. This stately annual is supposed to turn its dial; constantly towards the sun. Sweet Pea. DepaHure. Sweet-william. Childhood. Tansey. I declare tear against you. This herb is extremely nauseous and bitter to the taste, and in some coun- tries the inhabitants present its leaves to those they intend to insult. Thistle. I am afraid of 'you. This plant is thickly beset Avith bristles, and bids defiance to the touch. Thorn-apple. Thy poisonous charms are only for the night. In warm climates the flowers of this genus droop and languish during the day but upon the approach of night un- fold and display their gorgeous balls. Trefoil (Clover). Providence. Trumpet-flower (Ash-leaved). Sep- aration. Tuberose. Vohptuousness. Tulip. Thou wert once the dearest flotver on tvhich the sun ever shone. About the middle of the l7th century, such was the mania for particular sorts of tliis plant in Persia, that a single bulb was sold for $20,000. Tulip Tree. Rural happiness. Vervain. Now thine art is knoicn thy sjkII no longer binds. Most oxtra- ordinarj' magical vuiues were attri- buted by the ancient Druids, but like other sorts of witchcraft, the spell was broken when its fallacy was known. Vine (Grape). Repentance follows thine embrace. Anarcharsis says that the \'ine produces three kinds of fruit ; intoxication, debauchery, and repentance, and that Avisdom shuns them all. Violet. I must he sought for to be found. Ever since Diana changed lo into a violet, to hide her from Apol- lo, the flower has been made the em- blem of modesty. Wall-flower. My affection is above time or misfortune. This modest little plant blooms on the nourish- ment derived from the dust of ruined castles, and never fails to })ut forth its modest flowers, unless disturbed by the hand of man. Willow (Weeping). Mourning for friends deceased. From earliest his- tory to the present time we find the willow used to designate places sa- cred to the dead. WOOD-SORKEL. Joy. Wormwood. Emblem of anguish. The peculiar qualities of this plant have established it as the insignia of bitter sorrow. Yew. Insensibility. This may be considered an emblem of iusensibili- tv, war, or mourning ; in the poetry of Scott, it is a symbol of war ; in one of Byron's beautiful dirges, it is made an emblem of mourning. QK110.S768 1855 v 1 gen Strong. Asa B/The American flora : or hi i llllililllllllllil III III III llllllllMllllilllJI 3 5185 00001 5485 I !