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THE EDITOR S MEDICAL BOTANY. 



FIFTH CLASS, FENTANDRIA. 



Hemlock ( Conium maculalum). 



This biennial plant, which belongs 

 to the Jussieuan order, UmbellifercE, 

 is a native of waste places and hedge 

 banks in Britain, flowering in June 

 and July. The flowers, which are 

 white, grow in umbels of ten or 

 twelve rays ; the corolla has five 

 inflected petals, the outer ones larger 

 than the inner ; the seeds are nearly 

 globular, with five streaks, notched 

 at the side, and smooth ; the stem is 

 smooth, shining, and marked with 

 irregular spots of brownish purple. 

 The dried leaves are used, and also 

 an extract. 



Flower, showing the five sta- 

 mens and two pistils. 



SIXTH CLASS, HEXANDRIA. 



Meadow Saffron (Colchicum 



nale). \ 



This perennial plant; which be- 

 longs to the Jussieuan order, Colchi- 

 cecB, is a native of moist meadows I 

 in Britain, flowering in September, 

 and ripening its seed the following 

 June. The flower, which is lilac pur- 

 ple, appears after the spring leaves 

 have withered away. There is no 

 calyx ; the corolla is six parted, the 

 tube extending to the bulb ; the seed 

 organ has three lobes and three cells. 

 The expressed juice of the flowers, 

 the seeds, and bulbs, which are taken 

 up from June till August, are used. 



a The Plant as it is seen towards 

 the close of autumn. 



6 The same, as it appears in the 

 spring following. 



c The flower opened to show the 

 six stamens. 



d The three pistils. 



