118 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
of packing and shipping these armored giants is a matter 
of considerable importance, both to the collector and the 
gardener who has to establish this huge spine-covered mass 
in its new location. The plant previously obtained was 
packed loosely in a large box with only enough straw around 
it to prevent injury during transit. The unpacking and 
handling of this naked plant until it was finally established 
in the greenhouse was an experience still remembered by 
those concerned with it. This method of packing was greatly 
improved upon in shipping the recently received specimen, 
and thanks are due to Mr. A. R. Leding of the Bureau of 
Plant Industry, who superintended the work. 
The plant selected in Arizona for the Garden stood eight 
feet high and weighed approximately eight hundred pounds. 
It was packed before being dug in such a manner that plant- 
ing could be accomplished without removing the protective 
covering. After first wrapping the spiny ribs with burlap, 
a layer of straw was applied and the plant braced with strips 
of wood extending a little beyond the roots and top. Several 
more inches of straw were then added, then another covering 
of burlap, and the entire packing made secure with rope. No 
box was necessary, since the plant could now be handled with 
ease during transit, and after arrival in St. Louis it was 
earried into the greenhouse just as it came from the freight 
ear, and placed in a hole previously dug for its reception. 
The packing was not removed until after the cactus was 
securely fastened in its permanent position, thus preventing 
any injury to the men from the thousands of needle-like 
spines (pl. 17). 
MEDICINAL PLANTS OF OUR LOCAL FLORA. 
All the plants mentioned in this article, or preparations 
made from them, were once obtainable from pharmacists and 
some of them are still in common use. While most of those 
listed were at some time considered to be of medicinal value, 
comparatively few are now recognized as being officinal by 
the United States Pharmacopeia. Synthetic preparations 
have replaced many of the old household remedies, and dis- 
coveries made by modern medicine are responsible for the 
abandonment of other plant products formerly supposed to 
have healing qualities. However, in spite of this fact the 
