go A COMPENDIUM OF 
and below. As found in commerce it is about 
4 inches (10 centimeters) long and 2 inches (5 
centimeters) in diameter, the upper portions of 
which has numerous rootlets. Externally the 
thizome of the Dracontium is of a dull gray 
color, inclining to a faded white internally, with 
many woody bundles crowded together, which 
are to be seen under a glass of 8 or 10 diameters. 
The skunk cabbage (as the name implies) has a 
disagreeable odor, and an acrid, strong taste, 
and contains resin, fat, sugar, gum, starch, and 
an acid principle which has not been isolated. 
Dracontium is no longer officinal, but is still 
used in domestic practice as a diuretic, emetic, 
and stimulant, and given in form of tincture and 
infusion, in doses of 1 to 4 drachms (15 to 60 
grams) three or four times daily. At one time 
it was- considered a remedy for asthma, The 
assafoetida has entirely superseded the skunk 
cabbage ‘as an anti-spasmodic, and is decidedly 
more reliable in its action. 
Felix Mas, Aspidium Felix Mas, Male Fern. 
—Natural order Filices. This annual plant is 
found growing in Canada and the Rocky Moun- 
tains westward to Mexico; also in Europe and 
South America. The fronds attain the height 
of 2 to 4 feet, (30 to 60 centimeters) or rather 
length; they are bi-pinnate, with oblong, ob- 
tusely serrated primules. The soriare circular, 
whilst on the under surface of the leaf the spo- 
Tangium are surrounded by a vertical ring open- 
ing transversely, with an elastic motion which 
scatters the spores. The rhizome as found in 
commerce is from 3 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centi- 
meters) long and from 3-5 to 1 inch (15 to 25 
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