58 MEDICAL BOTANY. 
from it; its limb either wanting or membranous, divided into bristles, pales, hairs, or feathers, and called pappus. 
Corolla monopetalous, superior, usually deciduous, either ligulate or funnel-shaped ; in the latter case four or five- 
toothed, with a valvate wstivation. Stamens equal in number to the teeth of the corolla, and alternate with them; the 
anthers cohering into a cylinder. Ovary inferior, one-celled, with a single erect ovule. Style simple. Stigmas three, 
either distinct or united. Fruzt a small, indehiscent, dry pericarp, crowned with the limb of the calyx. Seed solitary, 
erect; embryo with a taper inferior radicle; albumen none. (Lindley, Veg. King.) i : 
The above author further states that this is one of the most natural and extensive families of the vegetable king- 
dom, at all times recognized by its inferior one-celled ovary, with an erect ovule, syngenesious stamens and capitate 
flowers. 
The composite constitute a very large proportion of the vegetation of every country, varying much as regards 
their duration, and ranging from merely herbaceous plants to trees. M. Lasegue estimates the number as one-tenth 
of all described plants. (Op. cit.) Such as are medicinal owe their properties to a bitter matter, astringent principle, 
acrid resin, and volatile oil; some few have peculiar principles, some have colouring matter used as dyes. De Candolle 
has made three Sus Orpers of this class, viz., Tubuliflore, Labiatiflore, and Liguliflore. 
ANTHEMIS NOBILIS. 
LINNAEUS. 
CHAMOMILE. 
Sex. Syst.—Syngenesia, Polygamia superflua. 
Gen. Cuar.—Head many flowered, heterogamous. Florets of the ray in one row, ligulate, female, (rarely none 
or somewhat tubular,) of the disk hermaphrodite, tubular, five-toothed. Receptacle convex, oblong, or conical; covered 
with membranous pale between the flowers. Involucre imbricated, in few rows. Arms of the style without append- 
ages at the apex. Achene tapering or obtusely four-cornered, striated or smooth. Pappus either wanting, or a very 
short, entire, or halved membrane; sometimes auriculate at the inside. (De Candolle.) 
Srecir. Cuar.—Roots strong, with long fibres. Stems in a wild state prostrate, in gardens more upright, a span 
long, branched leafy, hollow, round, furrowed downy. Leaves doubly pinnate, with narrow linear segments, not truly 
thread-shaped or cylindrical, but rather flat or channelled above, convex beneath ; all acute, often bristle-pointed, a 
little hairy. Flomer heads terminal, solitary, rather longer than a daisy, with a convex yellow disk, and numerous 
white, spreading, or reflexed rays. The scales of the receptacle do not appear until the florets of the disk are turned to 
one side, and the innermost are gradually narrowest; all thin and membranous, not sharp. Involucre with shining 
membranous-bordered scales, rather downy. Receptacle obtusely conical. -Achenia very obscurely bordered at the 
summit. (Smith. Lindley.) 
This is a common plant in Europe where it grows wild and is cultivated. It has been introduced into the gar- 
dens of the United States. It isa perennial plant, flowering from June to September. : 
The flowers constitute the officinal portion, under the name of Chamomile, and in Europe they are designated as 
Roman Chamomile. The drug is found in two states, that natural to the plant, in which the ray and disk are pre- 
served,—called single, and that in which the florets are all converted into such as compose the ray,—double chamomile. 
The single flowers contain most volatile oil which resides abundantly in the disk; this, in a measure, is lost in the 
double—the latter are preferred, however, from the existence of the bitter principle with enough of aroma to render 
them agreeable. The distinction is at once perceptible. 3 : 
Chamomile flowers, when dried, have white globose heads, are possessed of a strong fragrant odour, and a bitter aro- 
matic taste. They change colour from exposure to the atmosphere. 
They contain volatile oil, bitter extractive and tannin. ses 
As a medicine Chamomile is used for its tonic and somewhat stimulating properties; in large quantities as ws 
emetic. ‘The modes of administration vary ; that of infusion, cold or hot, is the one usually employed. 
PLATE XLVILIL.— Represents the plant in flower, and the enlarged flower and frutt. 
