BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA, 67 
fibrous nature with many concentricrings. The 
analysis by Mr. E. Donnelly shows mucilage, 
starch, tannin, resin, a glucoside and a crystal- 
lizable principle called phytolaccin. Poke has 
little or no odor and a sweetish, acrid taste. 
Death has occurred from an overdose of the 
root, although the young shoots are delicate and 
edible in the early spring. It is alterative, an- 
odyne and resolvent, and enjoys some reputa- 
tion as a remedy in form of decoction and fluid 
extract. The dose is 10 to 20 grains in form of 
an infusion; that of the fluid extract 5 to 15 
drops (% to 1 gram). The Poke root has been 
proved by the American Indians a safe and re- 
liable emetic, and even well thought of as such 
by some of the early writers on the medicinal 
plants of this country. However, there are 
many cases of poisoning by both the berries and 
the root, hence some degree of caution should 
be exercised. The name is said to be derived 
from the Indian, Pocan or Cocan. More likely 
the botanical name is from the Greek words 
Phyton or Phuton, a plant, and Lachanon, a 
pot-herb. 
Polygala Senega, Senega.—Natural order 
Polygalacee. This plant is known by the com- 
mon names of seneca, seneka, senega, snake- 
root, milk wort and mountain flax. It seems to 
have received its name from the Seneca Indians, 
the root being used by them as a remedy for the 
bite of venomous snakes. This plant is native 
of North America, growing from the Canadas to 
California. It sends up a number of shoots or 
stems from the root which is a perennial attain- 
ing a height of 12 inches (30 centimeters) bear- 
