382 ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BOTANY OF [ Smilacece. 
spicatus, Bot. Reg. 593. This is also found in Nepal, and as far north as Mussooree, 
flowering in April, and also in the rains. Dr.Wallich has referred his specimens from 
the Himalayas in the E. India Herbarium to O. japonicus ; which is‘very distinct from 
Mr. Don’s O. intermedius, likewise a Himalayan species; but none of the specimens 
which I have seen agree with the Japan plant. : 
But there appear to be several species of this genus in these mountains, QO. 
mols, nob., common in the Himalayas between the Ganges and Sutlej rivers, 
O. minor, from Turanda, in Kunawur; while OQ. indicus, found in the Peninsula by 
Dr. Heyne, and DrsRottler, appears to extend all along the mountains, as I have it 
from Mussooree, &c. A species from Rangoon, growing in deep shade, near the 
Gamboge trees of that place, I have named O. Malcolmsonii, from being found by 
Mr. Malcolmson, of the Madras medical service, from whom I received it. 
The properties of this family may be considered with reference to both the Paridee 
and the Convallariee. The former constituting the Trilliacee of some authors, some- 
times made a distinct family, are, at others, united with Melanthacee. As difference 
of opinion still exists respecting the proper place of several of these monocotyledonous 
groups, it is unreasonable to expect uniformity of properties, where uniformity of 
structure has not been proved. The roots, leaves, and fruit of Paris quadrifolia are 
possessed of emetic properties. P. polyphylia is represented as being poisonous in the 
‘Himalayas, and has a nauseous narcotic smell. (Wall. Pl. As. 11. p. 25. t. 129.) The 
roots of Trillium cernuum are in like manner emetic. 
The species of Convallaria, now referred to this genus, and to Polygonatum, were 
formerly thought to be possessed of active properties. C.majalis secretes an acrid 
principle in its flowers, making them, when dried, useful as sternutatories ; they are 
also emetic and cathartic. P. verticillatum has even been thought to be the ePexecpov of 
the Greeks. v. Melanthacee. P. vulgare (Convallaria Polygonatum) and multiflorum seem 
to abound only in fecula, though they have had active properties ascribed to them. P. 
verticillatum, L., called meetha doodya in Sirmore, and Smilacina pallida, called doodya 
mohura, are both accounted poisonous in the Himalayas. 
The genus Smilax is distinguished for the extensive medical employment of its roots, 
called Sarsaparilla. These belong to a variety of species, though there is still some 
doubt about that which is the best. The kinds known are—l. the Jamaica, imported 
from S. America; 2. Lima; 3. Lisbon or Brazilian; 4. Honduras or Mexican ; and, 
5. the Vera Cruz sarsaparilla, and that of the Caraccas, which is exported from La 
Guyana to N. America. The first kind is Supposed to be yielded by Smilax officinalis, 
which grows along the banks of the Magdalena. It is unknown what species, if distinct 
from the first, affords the sarsaparilla exported from Lima. . syphilitica, found by 
Humboldt in New Granada, and by Martius in the Brazils, yields the sarsa of the 
Rio Negro, which is probably the same as the third kind. S. 
mountains of Mexico, produces that ex 
the azocorito of the natives of Cuman 
medica, growing on the 
ported from Vera Cruz; while 5S. cumanensis, 
a, yields some of the sarsaparilla which is 
obtained 
