Phytolacca decandra. 217 
A few drops of lime water added to the juice produces a change to 
a yellow colour; the purple is again reproduced by a similar por- 
tion of acid. M. Braconnot’s comparative experiments with respect 
to the sensibility of litmus paper and this yellow liquor, resulted in 
the fact, that one-fourth the number of drops of weak acid were suf- 
ficient to restore the pristine purple of the yellow compound, which 
were necessary to redden litmus paper. The yellow liquor, however, 
must be used as soon as made, as it changes in a short time. For 
a more detailed account of the chemical analysis, I refer to the me- 
moir of M. Braconnot, already quoted, and to the dissertation of Dr. 
Shultz. 
(ECONOMICAL USES. 
The turiones of this plant are cut near the ground when about 
three or four inches high, and brought in great abundance to the 
Philadelphia market, as a table vegetable. These young shoots, 
when they have had a rapid growth, and the acrid juices of the plant 
have not become evolved by air and light, are innocent; and, by 
some persons esteemed delicious. When well boiled and dressed 
in the same manner as asparagus, they are easily digested. Yet 
this practice is not without danger; and I have known an in- 
stance in a family in Lancaster, in which very violent narcotic effects 
were induced in several persons who had eaten of the young 
yYOL. I. 29 
