SMILACEJE. 



China roots. The juice of the fresh tuber is taken inwardly for the 

 cure of rheumatic pains, and the refuse after extracting the juice is laid 

 over the parts most painful. 



1278. S. Pseudo-China Linn. sp. pi. 14-61. Willd. sp. pi. 

 iv. 785. Elliott Sketch, ii. 700. — S. Sarsaparilla Walt, carol. 

 245. {Shane 1. 143. f. 1. Pluk. almag. 1. 1 10. f. 5.)— Southern 

 States of the American Union, in almost all soils ; frequently in 

 dry sandy situations ; Jamaica. 



Rhizoma tuberous,, creeping, knotty. Stem unarmed, climbing 

 over small shrubs. Leaves unarmed, those of the stem cordate, of the 

 branches ovate-oblong, 5-nerved, half-evergreen. Peduncles very long. 

 — American China root is reported to belong to this plant; but it is 

 very doubtful whether this ever comes into the drug market ; several 

 species seem to be mixed together by Botanists under this name. 

 Elliot says that he believes this to be the one generally preferred in 

 medicine as an alterative, and that it forms the basis of many diet 

 drinks among the " unlicensed faculty." From the tubers, with maize, 

 sassafras and molasses the negroes of Carolina manufacture " a very 

 pleasant" beer. 



1279. S. glycyphylla Smith in Whites Voyage 230. RBr. 

 prodr. 149. — New Holland, in the colony of Port Jackson. 



Stems unarmed, round. Leaves oblong, lanceolate, acute, 3-nerved, 

 smooth, recurved a little at the edges, glaucous underneath. Petioles 

 bearing tendrils. RBr. — Fee says the leaves of this have been intro- 

 duced into practice under the name of Sweet Tea. The infusion is 

 sweet at first, and bitter afterwards ; it is tonic and antiscorbutic. 



600 



