©ON—CON 
“Cabinet sp: p, Jeff. Coll. No, 204—figure of the plant, 
_ No. 
— s 
¢..)- ew 
~~ among rub’ 
; . indigenous, as has cape 
~- feetly been said by some who ought to know better. 
# cle raportene eovebellact this, peciuse Cieuta maculata, 
another umbelliferous plant, (No. 165,) has been mistaken 
for it. _Hemlock may be distinguished from other umbel- 
liferous plants, which all resemble each other, by its large 
: stem, (whence the name, by the dark and 
ae ur of the lower leaves, and their disagreeable 
smell fien fresh and bruised, they are said to resemble 
_ the urine of the cat—and that’s disagreeable enough. This 
smell, however, is a bad criterion; for some persons like 
; an odour excessively disagreeable to others. Botanical 
acumen is infallible, and indispensable in the natural fami- 
ly to which this plant belongs. 
Quauitizs. The odour of dried cia k Satine Br age a 
_ strong, narcotic, not so disagreeable as that e 
leaves; taste slightly bitter and nauseous; easily pulve- 
rized—the powder should retain the beautiful green colour 
of the leaves. When properly dried, the leaves only lose 
their acrimony, retaining their narcotic virtues. 
The virtues of Conium are extracted by alcohol and 
sulphuric ether, To the ether it communicates a deep 
green hue; and when the tincture is evaporated on the 
surface of the water, a dark green resin remains, containing 
the narcotic principle of the plant, possessing both the 
culiar odour and taste. Half a grain of it produces 
saa and slight vertigo. This is the discovery of 
Mr. A. T. Thompson. Dr. Paris calls it Conein. Orfila has 
proved by experiment, that the aqueous extract of this 
plant possesses little power. No part of the plant is desti- 
tute of efficacy; but the leaves are most active. The ener- 
gy of the plant is greatly diminished by yegetable acids. 
Vinegar is therefore its antidote. 
Menicat Prorerrizs anp Uses. Powerfully sedative; allays 
oe 
fords relief to ulcers of an irritating kind—for this purpose, 
_». Used in fomentations or cataplasms. The dried leaves ma’ 
be made into pills. Dose, grs. iij, gradually prechrs f 
_ “Until some effect is produced. 
+ SNRs inctahets and Calne’, (6 water-hemlock,) 
Bthusa eynapium, (or fool’s parsley,) Caucalis anthris- 
a 
An umbelliferous plant, growing by hedges, roadsides, and 
mse 
# 
