4132 POLYGALA RUBELLA. 
ether had partly evaporated, the alcohol became 
turbid. A tincture of the plant was not imme- 
diately affected by adding water, but on standing 
over night it became very turbid, and in a few 
days deposited a large precipitate. The bitter- 
ness, which is probably of the extractive kind, was 
communicated to cold, as well as hot water; and 
to aleohol. The aqueous solutions appear strong 
enough to represent the virtues of this vegetable. 
The Polygala rubella, from its extreme bit- 
terness, has attracted the notice of various 
- medical practitioners in the Northern states. 
I have been assured by those who have tried its 
efficacy, that the infusion administered in small 
doses, proves a useful tonic and stimulant to the 
digestive organs. In large doses it opens the 
body and excites diaphoresis. Its powers appear 
to resemble those of Polygala yulgaris and P. 
amara of Europe, to which it has a elose botanical 
resemblance ; and which have enjoyed a certain 
degree of medicinal reputation as tonics and 
expectorants, : 
