ALETRIS FARINOSA. 
limb, somewhat hexagonal, scabrous and plaited externally 
Stamens inserted on the base of the segments. Filaments flat. 
Anthers somewhat sagittate. Ovary three-lobed, pyramidal. 
Style formed of three connate bristles. Stigma simple. Cap- 
sule pyramidal, opening in three directions at the apex. Seeds 
very small, striated, numerous, 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
On account of the great irregularity and confusion with many 
medical writers on the Unicorn, Unicorn-root, Star-grass, Colic- 
root, &c., as two American plants of different orders, genera, and 
species, are simultaneously, commonly, and vulgarly called, it 
has been determined to designate and describe both under one 
and the same number (No. 76,) in the Family Flora. 
The PieLonise Diotca, Unicorn-root, is abundant in some of 
the Western States, and it is found also in Pennsylvania, New- 
York, and Connecticut. It grows in woodlands and meadows, 
delighting in a moist situation, and blossoms in midsummer. 
The root is perennial, rather smaller than the little finger, irre- 
gular, from one to two inches long, of a dirty dark color, very 
hard, full of little pits, rough and wrinkled, having numerous 
small darkish fibrous roots, which when deprived of their out- 
side bark somewhat resemble hog’s bristles. The end of the 
caudex or main root often dead or rotten; premorse. Leaves 
radical, pale, smooth, evergreen, lanceolate in a sort of whorl at 
the base of the scape. Stem or scape from eight to eighteen — 
inches high, upright furrowed, and terminating in a spike or 
tassel of white dicecious flowers. Flowers small, very numerous. 
greenish white, in long, terminal, spicate racemes, which are 
more slender and weak on the barren plants. Ovaries as long 
as the linear petals, subtriangular. Capsule three-furrowed, 
oblong, tapering at the base, opening at the top. The fertile 
plants are taller, more erect, but with fewer flowers. 
The ALerris Farinosa, Star-grass, i is founda in almost all parts 
of the United States, growing in poor, dry soils in open situa- 
tions on hills, prairies, and borders of woods, and flowers in 
June and July. The root is perennial, small, branched, crooked, 
blackish outside, brown within, premorse, intensely bitter. Stem 
or scape round erect, from one to two feet high, naked, except a _ ee 
ae few peetiercl, bracts ending in a lene rage of "white, somew. 
