No. r. AP0C717UAK. 5i 



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fc 



crs are larger, flesh or rose coloured. The ./^p. can^ 



num 



has been used by the Americans to make 

 a kind of hemp : the fibrous tough bark of all the spe- 

 cies are calculated to afford it by maceration. All 

 have a bitter milky juice, ahd yet the flowers smell 

 of honey, and produce that sweet substance. 



Bees and other insects, collect this honey; bat 

 small flies are often caught by inserting their probos- 

 cis between the fissures of the anthers, where it i^ 

 not easy for them to extricate it ; they are often seen 

 dead in that confined situation, after unavailing strus:- 



gles. Whence one of the names of this plant, Catch- 

 fly. No animals eat it. 



Locality — Rather a common plant, found from 

 Canada to Georgia and Missouri. It grows in woods, 

 hills, dry or sandy soils, along fences, and over old 

 fields : it is rare in limestone soils, and rich land. It 

 blossoms in summer from June to July. 



Qualities — Kalm has mentioned this plant to be 

 poisonous and blistering like Rhus Vernix ; but it is 

 quite harmless. The root when chewed ha^ an in- 



r 



tensely bitter and unpleasant taste, perceptible in the 

 whole plant in a lesser degree, except the flowers, and 

 arising from the bitter milk it contains. The decoc- 

 tion is of a red colour and very bitter. The spiritu- 

 ous solution is colourless but bitter. It contains there- 

 fore a bitter principle soluble in water and alcohol, 

 and a colouring principle not soluble in alcohol ; be- 

 sides a volatile oil and caoutchouc. 



PROPERTIES — This is a very active plant, high- 

 ly valued by the Southern Indians. It is tonic. 



