48 MEDICAL BOTANY. 
exposure to the air, it becomes slightly turbid, (milky,) and small white coagula are formed in it. By slow and 
spontaneous evaporation, crystals of a rhomboidal figure are perceptible on the glass when examined bya magnifier. 
These crystals are elaterin. They are probably formed by the influence of the air on the juice.” 
The best Elaterium occurs in small flat cakes, bearing the impression of muslin on which dried. It has a pale 
grayish-green colour ; its odour is disagreeable, and its taste acrid and bitter. Inferior qualities of the drug are dark- 
brown, or olive-green. 
Elaterium contains elaterin, green resin, and bitter matter. 
Elaterium is a powerful hydragogue cathartic, producing copious watery discharges from the bowels. In 
overdoses it acts violently. Its activity may be judged of from the dose, which of the finer kinds is one-eighth to 
one-fourth of a grain. It is given in pill with a bitter extract, as that of gentian. 
Pirate XL.—Represents the plant in flower, and the fruit. 
UMBELLIFERA. 
JUSSIEU. 
UMBELLIFEROUS TRIBE. 
Apiacer.—Lindley. 
EssentiaL Cuar.—Tube of the calyz adherent to the ovary; the md (superior calyx of Lindley) entire, or five- 
toothed or obsolete. Petals five, inserted into the upper part of the calyx, (inserted on the outside of a fleshy epigynous 
disc, Lindley,) usually inflexed at the point; @stivation imbricate, rarely valvate. Stamens five, alternate, with the 
petals incurved in estivation. Ovary (inferior, Lindley,) adherent to the calyx, two (rarely) one-celled, with solitary 
pendulous ovules; styles two, distinct, incrassated at the base into stylopodia, covering the whole of the ovartum, 
stigmas simple. Fruit, (called diachenia, polyachenia, or cremocarpum,) consisting of two mericarps, (1. &. carpella, 
with half of the calyx attached, so that they may be called neither carpella nor achenia,) separable from a common axis 
(carpophorus) to which they adhere by their face (commissure); the dorsal surface of each carpel is traversed by 
ridges, of which five are primary, (coste seu juga primaria,) and four secondary (juga secundaria) ; the latter eas: 
sometimes absent; the spaces between the ridges are called channels (vallecule). In the channels, within the 
pericarp, are sometimes linear oily receptacles, called vitte. Seed pendulous, usually adhering inseparably to pe: 
mind — Be - T minute, pendulous from the apex of the axis (carpophorus) ; radicle ie ries 
» aumen abundant, horny, flat (Ortho , Campylosperma) ; or rarely. 
curved inwards from heitnos 5 AS (Or sperme@); or rolled inwards at the edges ( Campylosp 
be apex (Celosperme). 
Pa us plants, with fistular furrowed stems. Leaves usually divided, sometimes simple, sheathing at the base. 
Tha. _— is, white, pink, yellow, or blue, generally surrounded by an involucre. (De Candolle, Peretra.) 
: varies mm properties; the individ ese : imulating, or, in some cases, 
antispasmodic principles. be viduals composing it yield narcotic, stimulating 
