THE ALUMNI JOURNAL. 



309 



tion consists of resinous matter. In large 

 doses, and particularly in a fresh condi- 

 tion, it is actively emetico-cathartic. In 

 the same connection I will refer to the 

 Actaeas or Bane-berries, with rhizomes of 

 strikingly similar appearance, and of 

 properties almost identical. We have two 

 species, both rather common in rich, 

 damp woodlands, especially along 

 streams and in the borders of swamps. 

 A. alba (L, ) Mill, or white bane-berry, 

 usually produces white, but occasionally 

 red berries, while A. rubra (Ait.) Willd, 

 commonly produces red, but occasionally 

 white ones. Of the fruits I shall speak 

 hereafter, but mention now that as in the 

 case of Cimicifuga, the history of the 

 properties of these rhizomes shows that 

 eaten fresh they might cause poisoning, 

 though we have no definite record of 

 such cases. 



Leptandra, the rhizome of L,eptandra 

 Virginica (L-) Nutt., or Veronica Vir- 

 ginica L,. is somewhat more active, the 

 effects being otherwise almost identical 

 with those last mentioned. Johnson in his 

 Medical Botany of North America, says 

 that it is too violently emetico-cathartic 

 to be used with safety, even in medicinal 

 doses, in the fresh condition, although it 

 is commonly so used by the Eclectics. We 

 may hence regard this as especially sus- 

 picious. The plant has a tall habit, sim- 

 ilar to that of Cimicifuga, but in every way 

 more slender, the leaves in whorls and 

 with the beautiful spikes of flowers sharp 

 pointed. Its rhizome is much more 

 slender, elongated and branching than 

 that of Cimicifuga, and the branches are 

 articulated in a peculiar manner. 



Another plant which may be similarly 

 mentioned, is the Triosteum perfoliatum, 

 L,. which grows in the same general 

 region and habitat. 



Of Trillium erectum, L. or Birth- 



root, commonly pronounced ' ' Beth -root , ' > 

 Lindley says the rhizome is violently 

 emetic, and the fruit is to be regarded 

 with suspicion. This plant is now ex- 

 tremely rare in the immediate vicinity of 

 the city, but produces one of the com- 

 monest spring flowers of our northern 

 regions. Its rhizome, though occurring 

 in pharmacy, is not very well known. It 

 is small, ovoid, short and chunky. 



Apocynum, bearing the expressive 

 common name of "Dogbane," is repre- 

 sented by two species, A. androsaemi- 

 folium L- and A. cannabinum, L. the 

 latter being the more active, as well as 

 much more common. It grows very 

 commonly in waste places, along road- 

 sides and railroads, and is characterized 

 by a strong root which for at least it s 

 upper portion is erect. The other giows 

 in more grassy places, the plants tending 

 only slightly to become clustered, and it 

 sends out several very long horizontal 

 rhizomes near the surface. It contains 

 several alkaloids; is a well-known and 

 largely used laxative and alterative. In 

 larger doses it is hydrogogue and diure- 

 tic, and in still larger doses powerfully 

 emetico-cathartic with distinctly poison- 

 ous symptons, though no definite case of 

 poisoning by it bas been found recorded. 



Ipomaea pandurata (L) Meyer, or 

 " Man- in- the- Ground," is found oc- 

 casionally in Northern New Jersey and I 

 think upon Long Island, although it is 

 not likely to be encountered in the 

 vicinity of this city. The nearest point 

 where I have collected it is in the neigh- 

 borhood of Blairstown, New Jersey. It 

 is a prostrate vine of the morning glory 

 class and produces an immense tuberous 

 root, weighing many pounds. It con- 

 tains a purgative resin, its properties 

 similar to those of Jalap, though many 

 times weaker, and it is certainly to be 

 avoided as suspicious. 



