50 MEDICAL BOTANY. 
The composition of the leaves and seeds has been studied by a number of chemists. Brandes and Christison 
have attained the most accurate results. ‘The contained principles are conza and volatile oil, resin, &c. 
alkaloid principle, and to it the peculiar effects are to be attributed. 
The effects are those of an acro-narcotic; it acts as a calmer of nervous excitability, and as a discutient and altera- 
tive. In large doses it may occasion death, previous to which delirium and convulsions are the consequences of its 
exhibition. 
The forms of exhibition are the powder of the leaves,—the extract of the juice,—and the tincture. The extract is 
sometimes inert. Dr. Earle, of the Bloomingdale Asylum, took large doses of such an article without effect. The 
potassa test should be used to determine the presence of conta. 
Piate XLI.—Represents the plant in flower, the flower and fruit. 
Conia is an 
CORNACEA, 
DE CANDOLLE. 
THE DOGWOOD TRIBE. 
Essenttat Cuar.—Calyz adherent to the ovary; limb four to five toothed, minute, or four to five lobed, with a 
valvate estivation. Petals distinct, equal in number to the teeth of the calyx, and inserted alternately with them into 
the margin of the hypogynous disk, broad at the base, estivation valvate. Stamens four to five, inserted with the 
petals, and alternate with them; anthers introrse, mostly cordate. Ovary one-celled, with a solitary pendulous ovule 
in each cell. Styles single. Drupes baccate, with a one or two-celled nucleus, crowned with the remains of the calyx. 
Seeds anatropous. Embryo nearly the length of the fleshy albumen; the radicle shorter than the oblong cotyledons. 
Trees or shrubs, rarely herbaceous, with a bitter bark. Leaves opposite, (or rarely somewhat alternate,) mostly 
entire, exstipulate, pinnately veined. Flowers cymose; the inflorescence sometimes capitate, and involucrate, rarely 
dicwecious. Hairs centrally affixed. (Torrey and Gray, in Flora of North America.) 
The Cornacee are characterized by the existence of a bitter principle, which renders them useful as anti-febrile 
remedies, A number of species of Cornus are in use. 
CORNUS FLORIDA. 
LINNAUS. 
DOGWOOD. 
Limb of the calyz four toothed, minute. Petals oblong, spreading. Filaments filiform. Style 
; ; g. Filaments 
sub-clavate Stigm i a (eae entire, minutely scabrous, with 
ms SPEctr. Cuar.— Leaves of the involucre four, obcordate, or with a callous notch at the apex. Drupes oval 
aves ovate acuminate. 
Dogwood is a small tree ing j : ; . ith an 
varying in height from fifteen to twenty or thirty feet, rarely attaining more, W! 
iregular growth. The branch vy : rest in the 
spring of the year, when the ys are numerous and expanded. It is a conspicuous ornament of the fo : 
: i : in every 
direction. Within the Bette leafy involucres are expanded, and resemble showy white flowers diffused 1 
cres are the fl i llow colour. The 
leaves are developed after the flowers. Tn the fall o > noe lpre gig at ay meen 
a ioht 
ted when mature, of the year they become deep red. The drupe or berry 1s brigh 
a aes ers throughout the United States, growing in open woods, in moist soil, from came 
forthern siden eo sn iol 18 modified by the climate; to the South it attains its extreme size. In 
- ie . ‘try the time of flowering is May, but in the Southern it is during March and April. 
