LARGE FLOWERING SPURGE. 423 
of facts relating to its properties. Dr. Z. states 
that this plant is quite common in some parts of 
the state of Virginia. In some districts uf Mary- 
land, and more. particularly in Anne Arundel 
county, it grows in the greatest abundance, where 
itis recognised’ by the common appellations of 
Milkweed, Snake’s milk, Ipecacuanha and Indian. 
Physic. It delights in a poor, dry, and sandy 
soil. It is seldom or never found growing i in 
the woods, but in fields that are cultivated every 
two or three years. The farmers have frequently 
told him that it is very hurtful to small grain, 
when it grows in great quantities, and the com- 
mon means that are made use of, such as plough- 
ing and harrowing, in order to kill bluegrass, 
have the effect of increasing the quantity and 
rapid growth of this plant. Itis never eaten by 
animals. The root is sometimes used as an 
emetic by the country people ; and it is esteemed 
in the cure of dropsy. The stalks, which arise 
from the common trunk of the root, are some- 
times as many as thirty, and from this down to 
a single one. ‘T he largest roots, which he recol- 
lects seeing, ‘measured from an inch to two. 
inches and a half in circumference. He has 
been i in the habit of using the Euphorbia corol- 
lata, for some time past in practice, as an emetic, 
17 
