BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA, 113 
petioles; they are deeply serrated and pubes- 
cent. The calyx is five-parted, with several 
bracklets which appear like sepals; stamens po- 
lygymous, carpels many, with a lateral style; 
flowers small, and upon solitary axillary pedun- 
cles, The rhizome of the tormentilla is cylin- 
drical, inclining to oblong in shape, tapering 
from above downward; in length about 2 inches 
(5 centimeters), and , of an inch (15 millime- 
ters) in diameter. Externally tormentilla is of 
a dark-brown color, inclining to red internally, 
and showing a very small pith; it has little or 
no odor, but a bitter taste, and is very astrin- 
gent when chewed. ‘Tormentilla is said to con- 
tain a large percentage of faunin, also mucilage, 
starch, anda coloring matter. Itis rarely found 
in the stores of to-day, but has been used with 
good effect in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery. 
It is used in Europe for tanning leather. The 
dose when given is 20 to 30 grains. 
Valeriana, Valerian, Valeriana Officinalis.— 
Natural order Valerianacee. This is a peren- 
nial herb attaining the height of 2 to 4 feet (60 
to 120 centimeters), indigenous to Europe and 
Northern Asia, but naturalized in the United 
States. The leaves are all pinnate or pinnately 
cut, whilst the leaflets are lanceolate in shape, 
their edges dentate, and in seven to ten pairs; 
flowers white, having a purple tinge, with three 
stamens which adhere to the ovary; fruit one- 
seeded and dry. Valerian root is a short, dirty, 
white rhizome, with many dark, fibrous rootlets 
from 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) long. 
Valerian hasa penetrating odor, bitter taste, and 
is not easily forgotten when once used. It con- 
