1889.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 363 



ANGIOSPERMIA. 



DICO TYLED ONES. 



Order. I RANUNCULACEAE. 



1. Clematis Vitalba, Linn. 



Virgins Bower. Indigenous and nearly cosmopolitan. 



2. Delphinium, sp.? 



Larkspur, Stavesacre. Indigenous from old world. Seeds con- 

 tain active principle, yield an extremely acrid poisonous alkaloid 

 called Delphinia, originally employed as a cathartic, but discarded 

 because of its violent action ; and to destroy parasites. 



This order chiefly inhabits temperate and cold climates. Most of 

 its members have acrid and vesicant properties and aresometimes|very 

 poisonous. 



Order II. ANONACEAE. 



1. Anona muricata, L. 



Sour Sop. West Indian. 



2. A. palustris. L. 



Alligator Apple, Cork Wood, Monkey Apple. Common on 

 low islands near the sea, unpalatable to man, liked by alligators. 

 West Indian and South American. 



3. A. sericea, L. 



Sweet Sop. West Indian. 



4. A. squamosa, L. 



Sweet Sop, Sugar Apple. W. I. 



5. A. reticulata, L. 



Custard Apple. W. I. " Bullock's Heart." 



6. A. laurifolia, Dun. (Catesb.) 

 Tree like the peach only taller. 



The fruits of this order are well known. That of Anona palustris 

 is said to be narcotic, but I have eaten it with impunity. The wood 

 of the same plant is exceedingly light and compressible, and can be 

 used instead of cork. It is said in the Bahamas that a decoction of 

 the root of A. muricata is an antidote to fish poison and will destroy 

 Chigoes. A leaf of A. squamosa laid on a pillow is said to attract 

 bugs, so they can be killed. A. reticulata is employed as an anti- 

 dysenteric and vermifuge. 



