BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA, 331 
Carota, Carrot, Daucus, Carota-——Natural 
order Umbellifere Orthosperme. A native 
of Europe and northern Asia, and now found 
plentifully growing in this country and other 
parts of the world. The wild carrot has a bi- 
ennial root and an annual stem, which reaches 
a height of 2 or more feet, the branches being 
ornamented with hairy or feathery-like leaves 
and tripinnate leaflets and adorned with small 
white flowers arranged in umbels, with an oc- 
casional sterile purple flower intermingling 
with the fertile. The fruit (Fructus Carota) is 
oval in shape, somewhat compressed and about 
4 of an inch long, and has 2 mericarps, 2 seeds, 
6 oil tubes and as many as 9 ribs or ridges, 
which are armed with a pubescence, which ap- 
pears quite formidable when seen under a mag- 
nifying glass. The constituents of the root are 
two sugars, one of which is uncrystallizable, 
starch, gluten, malic acid coloring matter and 
oil. When used as a medicine the wild variety 
of fruit is selected. The edible carrot is but the 
modified species; both contain gum, resin and 
two ozés. Only used in form of an infusion, and 
rarely in modern practice. The root is some- 
times used in form of a poultice. The fruit is 
aromatic and pungent to the taste, and may be 
given in doses of 30 grains in form of an infu- 
sion. Origin of the name in doubt, but be- 
lieved to be from the Greek word daukos, which 
means a carrot. 
Cassia Fistula, Cathartocarpus Fistule, 
Purging Cassia.—Natural order Luguminose. 
Native of India; naturalized and cultivated in 
tropical Africa. There are several varieties; 
