C{MICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 
those of the former. Rafinesque made it the type of his genus 
Macrorrys, and altered the specific name to Actocoides ; this 
generic change was approyed in part by De Candolle, who recog- 
nized it as a sub-genus of Acraza. Subsequently, however, 
Rafinesque bestowed an entire new appellation on it, describing 
it in his Medical Flora as Borrorpuis serpentarta. Much differ- 
ence of opinion after all, exists among botanists with regard to 
the true limits of this genus, some rejecting from it all the 
monogynous species, whilst others include them, merely making 
of them a separate section. The genus Borropnis of Rafinesque, 
founded on the single pistil, and single dehiscent capsule would 
now be adopted, were it not that the officinal species is still 
recognized in the United States Pharmacopeeia, as Cumicrruea, as 
well as by many of our best botanical authorities, 
Root perennial, blackish, large, with numerous long fibres- 
Stem simple, straight, from three to six feet high, smooth, angular, — 
furrowed. Leaves few and alternate, one nearly radical, is very 
large, decomposed, three pinnate, the upper one is bi-pinnate _ 
Leaflets sessile opposite, three to seven, dentate or incised. 
Flowers in a terminal raceme, from one to three feet long. 
Calyx, four or five leaved, white. Petals, from four to eight, 
thickish, sometimes wanting. Stamina numerous. Pistils, from 
one to five. Capsule, oblong, many seeded. Seeds squamous. 
The root, as found in the shops is composed of a rough tuber- 
culated head and numerous radicals, seven inches long, of a 
black color externally, white internally. The radicals are ex- 
tremely britile and liable to be separated. The odor is feeble _ 
and earthy, the taste bitter and astringent, leaving an impression 
of acrimony on the palate. The sensible properties depend upon 
the time when the root is collected, and the mode of drying and 
preserving it. It should be collected late in the summer or 
in the autumn. 
CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND site 
The Crmcrrvca Racemosa has been frequently analysed by 
several eminent and respectable physicians and druggists, 
according to whom the following substances have been detected. 
Fatty matter, gum, starch, resin, tannin, wax, gallic acid, sugar, © 
oil, black coloring matter, green coloring matter, lignin, and 
salts of lime, iron, magnesia and potassa. ‘he experiments, 
. pore led to no decided Seichasion as to the a the 
