1 68 COLLINSONIA CANADENSL' . COLLINSON's FLOWER. 



colics. In very many cases, the reputations which plants used 

 to have for good medical properties in the past, have been 

 found to be exaggerated, if not wholly fictitious ; but' Dr. Peyre 

 Porcher, in his " Resources of the Southern Fields and Forests," 

 after weighing the evidence, comes to the conclusion that " this 

 plant certainly merits further notice." The same authority also 

 tells us that the bruised leaves are used in the Southern States 

 for the " eruptions caused by the emanations from the poison 

 sumachs." 



The common names given to the Collinsonia Canadensis are 

 so numerous that it is difficult to choose among them, and to 

 recommend one of them for general acceptation. There are 

 Richweed, Heal-all, Horseweed, Stoneroot, Knotweed, Knot- 

 root, — the three last from the knotty, stonelike roots of the 

 plant, — Horsebalm, and perhaps others. As the genus is to 

 commemorate Peter Collinson, one of the patrons of American 

 botany, we venture to suggest the name of " CoUinson's Flower." 



Our species is found in the rich soil of shady woods in most 

 of the Atlantic States, where it is in flower during July and 

 August. The specimen from which our drawing was made 

 came from Pennsylvania. No doubt some of our botanical 

 friends will feel quite sure that they could have found a much 

 prettier specimen for illustration than the one we have selected. 

 A younger plant, gathered while the branches of the panicle 

 were less scattered, would certainly have made a much more 

 effective picture; but instructiveness must take precedence even 

 of beauty, and a maturer specimen, such as we have chosen, 

 is much better fitted than a. younger one to illustrate the points 

 to which we desired to call attention. The figure on our plate 

 is of the exact size of an almost overblown branchlet of the 

 ■ panicle. Early flowers, as also the stem leaves, are, of course, 

 much laro^er. 



o 



Explanation of the Plate. — i. A panicle, almost overblown. — 2. A maturing seed- 

 vessel. 



