( $5 ) 
receives its nourifhment principally from the air, in proof of which 
it continues to grow when detached from the ground, and fufpended 
by the root. — s j 
It refembles the Sedum fexangulare very much, fo that fome 
botanifts have confidered the latter as only a variety of the former. 
The difference however is fufficiently fpecific both in a botanical and 
medical fenfe ;* the latter being devoid of the pungent biting tafte 
which characterizes the plant here figured. | ; 
. This fpecies of Sedum, in its recent ftate, is extremely acrid, like 
the Hydropiper; hence, if taken in large dofes, it acts powerfully 
on the prime viz, proving both emetic and cathartic; applied to the 
fkin, as a cataplafm, it frequently produces vefications and erofions. 
Boerhaave therefore imagined that its internal employment muft be 
unfafe ; but experience has difcovered that a decoction of this plant 
is not only fafe, but of great efficacy in fcorbutic complaints; for 
which purpofe a handful of the herb is direted by Below’ to be 
boiled in eight pints of beer till they are reduced to four, of which 
three or four ounces are to be taken every, or évery other, morning. 
Milk has been found to anfwer this purpofe better than beer.“— 
Not only ulcers fimply feorbutic, but thofe of a fcrophulous and 
even cancerous tendency, havg been cured by the ufe of this plant, 
of which Marquet “ relates feveral inftances. He likewife found it 
ufeful as an external application in deftroying fungous flefh, and in 
promoting a difcharge in gangrenes and carbuncles. 
- Another effet for which this plant has been efteemed is that of 
_ ftopping intermittent fevers. 
2 Mr. Curtis has remarked, that “ the leaves of S$. Acre are fhort, broad at the 
bafe, and at a confiderable diftance afunder, while thofe of the Sexangulare are nearly 
of the fame thicknefs throughout, longer, more numerous, and placed in fix rows or 
angles.” : ; 
* A Swedith Phyfician. V. Mic. Nat. Cur. Dec. 1. Ann. 6. Obf. 22. p. 49. 
. * Lange. Remed. Brunf. Domeff. p. 121. 
¢ Mem. fur L’illecebra. Se. 
SAXIFRAGA 
