MONOPERIGYNER. ee 
tains two distinct active principles, one an acrid volatile mat- 
ter, which is decomposed at the temperature of boiling water, 
the other a bitter principle, soluble in alcohol and in vinegar, 
which he has called Scillitin, and which appears to be the 
principal cause of the action of Squill on the animal econo- 
my. The Scilla maritima is in great reputation as a diure- 
tic and expectorant ; it is also, in large doses, emetic and 
purgative. The bulbous root of the Erythronium indicum 
has got the name of Squill in India, from its resemblance to 
the root of the Scilla maritima in appearance and natural 
qualities. The bulbs of Scilla Lilio-Hyacinthus, and An- 
thericum bicolor, are purgative. Scilla indica is possessed 
of properties similar to S. maritima. Onion and Garlic are 
also diuretic, and generally stimulant : the properties of the 
latter are said to be owing to a volatile oil; Garlic has been 
recommended as anthelmintic. The Alde is in this order: 
it is also a general stimulant, mostly used for its cathartic — 
properties. The Alie vulgaris (perfoliata) furnishes the — 
Barbadoes or hepatic Aldes, also obtained from the East In- — 
dies and from Arabia; it is an extract from the whole plant. 
The best kind of Alées is that obtained from the leaves of 
the Alse socotrina, or Socotrine Alée. The <Alie spicata 
found * in many parts of the South of Africa, such as in— 
the kingdom of Melinda, where the greater part of the ex- 
tract is prepared that is now sold under the name of Soco- 
trine Alées.”— Ainslie, vol. i. p. 9. The drug is obtained 
__ in the form of an inspissated juice from the leaves; buta 
viscid amber-coloured juice, having much resemblance to the 
extract, also exudes from the plant, when it is cut. Horse 
Aloes are supposed to be the produce of Aloe spicata. 
