198 A COMPENDIUM OF 
(crystalline), licheno-stearic and oxalic acid also 
sugar. The mossis rather more nutritious than 
Carrageen, besides being demulcent and tonic 
in its medical effects; it is also given in form of 
jelly and decoction. 
Chondrus, Irish Moss, Chondrus Crispis.— 
Natural order Algee, Common names, Irish 
Sea Weed, Carrageen, etc. Found principally 
in the Atlantic Ocean, but mostly gathered from 
the rocky shores of northern Europe. The 
thallus (stem or shoot) is many cleft, and forms 
segments of a cuneate character, ranging from 
a few inches to almost a foot in length: the sori 
imbedded in the substance of the thallus, and 
resembles the spores on the back of the fern. 
Chondrus, as it occurs in the stores, is of a very 
light yellow color, almost transparent; cartilag- 
inous, many branched and tough, and assumes 
its original form when placed in cold water, but 
in boiling water yields its mucilaginous constit- 
uents, which jellies on cooling. The Chondrus 
also contains chlorides, iodides and bromides, 
but no starch, although its tissues may be 
stained blue with iodine. The moss, medically, 
is demulcent in its character and slightly nutri- 
tive, and is given in form of a jelly, or decoc- 
tion, which may be taken freely. 
Epigeea, Ground Laurel, Epigaza Repens.— 
Natural order Ericacee; commonly known as 
the Trailing Arbutus, or May Vine or Flower. 
This little plant is abundant in the pine woods 
of the United States, and is adorned with ovate 
and cordate leaves, ever green and shining; 
flowers are salver shaped, pink in color, and 
very fragrant, with ten stamens; anthers quite 
