KEW GARDEN MUSEUM. 335 
caustieity, and poison are said to be the general characters of this 
Order, often combined with a narcotic quality. Notwithstanding how- 
ever the powerful properties attributed to the Ranunculaceae, it is 
remarkable how few have been, or are still generally employed in 
medical practice. Indeed the majority have fallen into disuse. The 
Hellebore is the chief evacuant that is retained, and that from its un- 
certainty is seldom used. Dr. Fleming has shown that of all the 
European Aconites, one only, the common Monk’s-hood, Aconitum 
Napellus, is of any value; the remainder, including 4. Cammarum, 
which the London College of Physicians, Dr. Lindley tells us, directs 
to be employed exclusively under the name of .4. paniculatum, being 
feeble and unimportant in their action. The disuse into which so 
many of the species have fallen may be attributed to the fact that 
the caustic principle is considered to be so volatile, that simple drying, 
infusion in water, or boiling are sufficient to dissipate it or render that 
property inert. The researches of recent Botanists (Drs. Hooker and 
Thomson) tend to show that the famous Bish of Northern India, here 
noticed, is identical as a species with our common Monk’s-hood, Aco- 
nitum Napellus; and such it will be described in the forthcoming 
Indian Flora of those gentlemen. 
Hepatica. Hepatica triloba, Vill. (Anemone Hepatica, L.) Europe 
and North America. Astringent. 
Pasque-flower. Anemone pulsatilla, Z. Europe. Recommended in 
cutaneous diseases and those of the eye. 
Crowfoot, upright meadow. Ranunculus acris, Z. Roots and leaves. 
Europe.—Lesser Spear-wort. Ranunculus flammula, Z. This and the 
preceding, as well some others of the genus, in the herbaceous parts or 
roots, are employed medicinally, chiefly in rustic practice; being soid 
and irritant; internally they occasion vomiting. 
Hellebore root. Helleborus niger, L. Often called Christmas Rose. 
South of Europe. A drastic purgative, diuretic, and emmenagogue. 
Imported to England in large quantities from Hamburgh, and some- 
times from Marseilles ; into the French capital from Auvergne and 
Switzerland. Roots of H. viridis are not unfrequently mixed with them 
on the Continent, and are said to be an efficient substitute. 
Fetid Hellebore. -Helleborus fætidus, Z. Green leaves chiefly used 
. in rustic practice. Anthelmintic. Roots (Mr. Kent). Extract; from 
North America. 
Gold Thread. ` Coptis trifolia, Salish. United States and Canada; 
