 palmatum, the root of which furnishes rhubarb, a favourite 
284 ; APETALEZ. 
Examptes.—Bistort or Snakeweed (Polygonum Bistorta), 
Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum), Sorrel (Rumez acetosa). 
Economrcat Prorerties.—The seeds of Buckwheat 
(Polygonum Fagopyrum) contain a considerable quantity of 
starch and gluten, and are used for being made into bread 
in Brittany and Normandy. In Iceland, the recent root of 
Bistort (Polygonum Bistorta) is eaten raw, or made into 
bread. In France the leaves of Sorrel are used for the table. 
The leaf-stalks of Rhubarb have a pleasant acid taste, and 
are much used for tarts. 
Mepictwat Prorerties.—The roots of many of this fa- — 
mily are purgative, emetic, and astrigent. This latter pro- 
perty also resides in the young leaves; these have a sharp — 
acidulous taste. Polygonum Bistorta has a place in the — 
pharmacopeeias as astringent and tonic; the root contains — 
tannin, gallic acid, and oxalicacid. The fruit of P. aviculare 
is said to be emetic and cathartic. P. amphibium is said to — 
have properties resembling sarsaparilla. The root of Water — 
Dock (Rumez aquaticus) is powerfully astringent, and was — 
formerly used in cases of scurvy, under the name of Herba 
britannica. The leaves of Common Sorrel (R. acetosa) are 
refrigerant and diuretic; they have an acid taste, and con- 
tain bin-oxalate of potassa and tartaric acid. M. Richard 
states, that they are an antidote to acrid substances, as a 7d- 
nunculus, the effects of which they almost instantly neutralize. 
R. acutus, R. scutatus, R. acetosella, and several others, are 
used in the same way as Sorrel in different countries. Com- 
mon Dock (R. patientia) is astringent, stomachic, and pur- 
gative, and is recommended by Dr. A. T. Thomson in ich- 
thyosis. R. crispus and R. obtustfolius have similar pro- 
perties. The most useful plant in the Polygone is Rheum 
_and useful stomachic and purgative, and also astringen 
_ Wave-leaved Rhubarb (Rheum undulatum) is also believed 
to furnish some of the rhubarb of commerce. There are 
