18-3 
The roots have been used for dyeing fabrics deep brown, the goods thus 
dyed retaining their color admirably. 
Nymphea has no place in the U.S, Ph.; in the Eclectic Materia Medica it is 
officinal as Cataplasma Nymphe and Infusum Nymphe. 
‘PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root, gathered in the fall, is 
chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of 
alcohol are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the 
rest of the alcohol added. After stirring the whole well, it is poured into a well- 
stoppered bottle and allowed to stand for eight days in a dark, cool place. The 
tincture, separated by straining and filtering, presents the following physical 
properties: A deep wine-red color by transmitted light, a sherry-like odor, a 
slightly bitter, astringent taste, and a very strong acid reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—The bitter acrid principle of Nymphza odor- 
ata has not been isolated. According to Bigelow, the roots contain tannin, gallic 
acid, and mucilage. It is quite likely that the constituents are similar, if not the 
same, as those of the European species, NV. adda, the roots of which, according to 
Griining,* contain: Zanuno-nymphain, CHO x Nymphao-phlobaphene, CH yOu ' 
and Nymphea-tannic acid, C,H,.O, 2 brown-red, transparent mass, yielding easily 
a pale yellow powder. This is the true special tannin, to which the great astrin- 
gency of the root is due. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—I can find no accounts of poisonings with this 
plant, nor experiments in this direction. In the provers who took large doses of 
the tincture, a marked dryness of the fauces was experienced, followed by pain- 
ful deglutition; pain in the hypogastric region, with loose evacuations; venereal 
excitement, and involuntary passage of the urine. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 18. 
1. A small flower, from a pond near New Milford, Pa., July 17th, 1883. 
2. A medium-size leaf. : ae 
3. Section of a peduncle, showing air cavities or canals. 
4. Root. 
* Arch. d. Phar, 3) X¥ii., p. 736; A”- Four. Phar., 1883, p. 96. 
Ce ee emma 
