THISTLE FAMILY. 391 
in the way described under Chlorogalum pomeridianiun® to poison fish 
which were used for food after being properly prepared. In the 
domestic practice of medicine both the seeds and the root are very 
highly valued as a specific against rheumatism and venereal diseases. 
In practice the fresh root is sometimes rubbed over the rheumatic 
joints or on the boils and swellings, but it is considered better to roast 
it in ashes, mash it up well with the hands, and then apply the pasty 
mass to the skin till it draws blisters. It is claimed that this method 
is comparatively painless and that it is very effective. The seeds are 
applied externally in the same manner and are also eaten after they 
have been roasted until they have become badly charred. For the 
cure of a certain complaint of the urinary organs, two seeds are eaten 
in the morning and two in the evening before meals. The Calpella 
name given for the plant is md be-ha yem; the Yokia, he'-te. 
Mr. J. G. Cooper in the Pacific Railroad Reports” states that the 
root of a certain species (unnamed) of Micrampelis is said to have 
strong cathartic properties, and that that of a California species has 
been used to make a well-known brand of ** bitters.” 
CICHORIACEAE. Chicory Family. 
Scorzonella maxima Bioletti. 
No Indian name was given for this plant, and it has no common 
name. It is a perennial, 2 to + feet high, with a fleshy and very milky- 
juiced root; has broad, lanceolate root and stem leaves 8 to 12 inches 
long, with entire margins, and bears several solitary, long-stemmed 
heads of large, nodding yellow flowers. The plant is very common 
in wet bottom land in Round Valley. The root is rather bitter, but 
was formerly used to a small extent for food. The milky juice is con- 
verted into a gummy substance after a few hours exposure to the sun, 
and in this state it is occasionally used by school children as a substi- 
tute for chewing gum. The bitter taste which is first experienced is 
said to be transient. 
CARDUACEAE. Thistle Family. 
Achillea millefolium I. 
Nun-dlt'-mil (Yuki).—The common weed known every where as yar- 
row. A tea is made of the leaves and flowers, which is considerably 
prized in the treatment of consumption, for stomach ache and head- 
ache, and as a lotion for sore eyes. An alcoholic extract is applied 
externally for sprains and bruises. 
' Page 320. 2 Vol. 12, pt. 2, p. G1. 1860. 
