376 Class XXIII. Order II. 



lour, crowned with the calyx and styles, and containing two semi- 

 circular seeds. In most umbels there are flowers with only one 

 style, in which case the berry has a semi-cordate form. Some- 

 times there are three styles and three seeds. The outermost 

 flowers ripen first, and their berries often obtain their* full size 

 before the central ones are expanded. The middle flowers are 

 frequently abortive. There are also barren flowers, on separate 

 plants, which botanists describe as having larger petals and an 

 entire calyx In Northampton and on the Ascutney mountain. 

 June, July. Perennial. 



The root of Ginseng is in high estimation among the Chinese, 

 and formerly constituted a profitable article of export to Canton. 



PANAX TRIFOLIUM. L. Dwarf Ginseng. 



Root tuberous ; leaves three, ternate or quinate ; 

 leafets wedge-lanceolate, subsessile, serrate. 



The herb considerably resembles that of Anemone nemorosa. 

 Root tuberous, deep in the ground, globular, of the size of a pis- 

 tol bullet. Stem smooth, simple. Leaves compound, three in 

 number, given off in a whorl. Petioles smooth, channelled 

 above. Leafets three, four or five, nearly sessile, wedge-lanceo- 

 late, serrate, smooth with generally a few short bristles from the 

 upper side of the veins. Peduncle a little angular, terminating 

 in a simple umbel of small white flowers. Involucre many 

 leaved. The barren umbels have a short white calyx, scarcely- 

 toothed, five obovate petals, five stamens, growing upon the 

 calyx, and one style. The fertile umbels have a greenish calyx, 

 white, deciduous petals, no stamens, and three styles. Berry 

 three celled. Low grounds, rare. Sent from Danvers by Dr. 

 Nichols. Found at Maiden by Mr. Little. Perennial. 



437. XANTHOXYLUM. 



XANTHOXYLUM TRAXINEUM. Prickly Jlsh. 



Bigelow, Medical Botany, PI. lix. 



Prickly ; leaves pinnate ; leafets ovate, subentire, 

 sessile, equal at base ; umbels axillary. 



The branches of this shrub are covered with strong, sharp 

 prickles, arranged without order, most frequently in pairs, at the 

 insertion of the young branches. Leaves pinnate, the common 

 petiole sometimes unarmed aud sometimes prickly on the back. 



