60-2 
and var. ¢ cructata, having small, linear petals, shorter than the stamens, The 
flowers open fully, after sundown, and remain so until the sun is well up in the 
morning, then wither and fall. Much has been written concerning the property 
inherent in the petals of many species of this genus, of emitting a “phosphor- 
escence”’ at night, the flowers being distinguishable at a goodly distance beyond 
non-refractory objects by their whitish luminosity. In regard to this phosphor- 
escence a word or two is in place. ‘That the petals do emit light on a dark night 
is not fanciful; still it is not due toa property of giving out spontaneous light 
(phosphorescence), but to a process of storing up sunlight during the day, and 
retaining it at night—a property identical with that exhibited by hepar sulphuris 
calcarea, and the sulphides of barium and strontium.* 
The young roots of the evening primrose are said to be edible and pleasant, 
either pickled or boiled, having “a nutty taste, quite similar to that of rampion 
(Campanula rapunculus), and are used in Germany and some parts of France, 
either stewed or raw, in salads, like celery.” (Porcher.) Lindley states, that the 
young mucilaginous twigs are used in the same way. 
About the only previous use of this plant in medicine was a strong decoction 
of the dried herb as an external application in infantile eruptions, and as a general 
vulnerary. Dr. Winterburn} states it to be a curative in spasmodic asthma, per- 
tussis, gastric irritation, irritable bladder, and chronic exhaustive diarrhceas. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh plant, as it is coming 
into bloom, is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by 
weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp mixed thoroughly with one-sixth part of it, 
and the rest of the alcohol added. After having stirred the whole, it is poured 
into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. 
The tincture, obtained from this mass by filtration, should have a clear red- 
dish-orange color by transmitted light, an odor similar to that of wet hay, a taste 
at first mucilaginous, then astringent and bitter, and an acid reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— CZnotherin. This body, claimed as a prin- 
ciple by Chicoisneau, is evidently an extract, which probably contains all of the 
principles of the plant except the acrid body, which is dissipated by heat. It has 
not yet been analyzed, but would doubtless show a resin, a bitter principle, and a 
special acid. Mucilage is present in large percentage. 
Potassium nitrate, K N O,— Crystals of this salt are readily extracted from 
an alcoholic tincture of the root.t ; 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The brain symptoms following a dose of 60 
drops of the fluid extract of CEnothera in a woman of 40, as chronicled by Dr. 
Nute,§ are very interesting, and should stimulate a desire for a fuller proving. 
. e ‘ 2 ; Pr $ ct 
* Calcined oyster shells emit stored sunlight, on account of the sulphide of calcium in their composition. This fa 
is largely utilized in the manufacture of luminous clock-faces, match-safes, door-plates, and the like. These objects, when 
placed in the sunlight during the day, are visible at night. 
t ‘The Evening Primrose,” a paper read before the ///s. State Hom. Socy. Am. Homoaopath, 1883, dade 
{ Claussen, Am. Your. Phar., 1884, p. 365. 3 U. S. Med. and Surg. Fourn., vol. 1X, P- 395: 
