BUCK BBAN, FR 
the upper part with a coating of denise, fleshy, 
obtuse fibres. ‘The colour, in the American vya- 
riety, is generally white, with a tinge of red, par- 
ticularly on the outside. Stamens five, shorter 
than the corolla, and alternate with its segments ; 
the anthers oblong-arrow shaped. Germ ovate ; 
style cylindrical, persistent, as long as the corolla ; 
stigma bifid, compressed. Capsule ovate, two 
valved, one celled. ‘Seeds numerous, — minute, 
attached to two lateral receptacles. 
In New England this plant flowers about the 
middle of May. 
_ The whole plant and particularly the root has 
an intensely bitter taste, hardly exceeded by that 
of Gentian and Columbo. This bitterness resides 
chiefly in an extractive matter, soluble in water 
and spirit. The root is, however, resinous and 
impregnates aleohol more strongly than water, 
and may be precipitated from its Osos. in Lacey 
by the latter fluid. 
The root of this vegetable is sindehsaalle 
entitled to a high place in the list of tonies. In 
Europe it has long been admitted to a place in 
the Materia Medica, and has received the com- 
mendations of various physicians. When given 
in small doses, about ten grains, it imparts Vigour 
to the stomach and strengthens digestion. Its 
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