No. 45. HA1MIAI^SI.ZS. 



S29 



and in the South where they are called erroneously 

 Pistaehoe nuts, although quite unlike the Pistacia 

 vera or true Pistaehoe of the Mediterranean. They 

 are similar in shape to the esculent Pine seeds of 

 Finns picea^ cylindrical, shining black outside, white 

 and farinaceous inside, rather oily and palatable. 



The shrub resembles very much in the appearance 

 of the leaves and nuts, the common hazelnut, Cory- 

 lus ^^7nericana ; but the blossoms are totally different. 

 It has become in the United States the Witch hazel, 

 affording the divining rods, employed by the adepts 

 of the occult arts, to find or pretend to find Water, 

 Ores, Salt, &c. unuer ground. The Alnxis and Cory^ 

 lies are often substituted, a forked branch is used, the 

 two branches held in both hands; when and where 

 the point drops, the springs or metals sought for, are 

 said to be! A belief in this vain practice is as yet 



widely spread. 



It belongs to the Natural Order of Bkreerides, 

 distinguished by opposite petals and stamina, and to 

 the section or family wiih capsular fruit like Jejferr 



soma* Also to Tetrandria rriojio^ynia of Lini.^us. 



Qualities — The bark and leaves are somewhat 

 bitter, ^evy astringent, leaving a sweetish pungent 

 taste: The smell is not unpleasant. It has not been 

 analyzed as yet, but probably contains tannin, ama- 

 rine, extractive, and an essential oil. 



PROPERTIES— Sedative, astringent, tonic, dis- 

 eutient, &:c. The Indians value this shrub highly, 

 and it is much used in the North by herbalists. The 

 bnrl; nffords an exccF'^nt topicjl p-^nlicanon for p'*''M- 



