ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA URSI. 61 
is practised by the Shakers, it is apt to become mouldy and change its fresh appearance. In sensible properties it to 
a certain extent resembles tobacco; hence the common appellation Indian tobacco. This is also maintained in its medi- 
| cal properties. : 
Lobelia inflata was supposed to contain a peculiar principle by the late Dr. S. Calhoun, but he did not follow up 
his investigations,—and it was not critically analyzed until taken in hand by Prof. Procter in 1837, From the experi- 
ments of this gentleman it appears that it contains gum, gallic acid, volatile oil, greenish resin, or chlorophylle,a green 
"fixed oily matter, a peculiar alkaline acrid principle, salts and lignin. 'The peculiar principle resembles that in tobaceo; 
to this Prof. Procter gave the name Lobelina. (See paper in Journ. of Pharm., vol. ix.) Pereira states that an acid 
(belic) is also a constituent; this has been admitted and examined in a subsequent paper by Prof. Procter (Op. Cit., 
yol. xiii). In the seeds a fixed oil exists. 
The medical properties of this drug are those of an emetic, with complete relaxation, excessive nausea and vomit- 
ing, and promotion of all the secretions. In over doses death has been the consequence. Notice was first directed to 
it from the trial of a charlatan, Samuel ‘Thomson, who was accused of poisoning an inhabitant of Beverly by it. Under 
cautious use it is a valuable remedy in asthma and pulmonary affections. 
It yields its properties to water and alcohol, which are more highly surcharged with the active principle, if an 
acid, as acetic, be added. An infusion, tincture, and syrup have been prepared from it. 
Prare L1.—Represents the plant in flower, the dissected flower, and frutt. 
ERICACER. 
DE CANDOLLE. LINDLEY. 
HEATH TRIBE. 
EssentiaL Cuar.—Calyz four or five partite, almost equal, inferior, persistent. Corolla hypogynous, monopets- 
lous, 4-5 cleft, occasionally separable into four or five pieces, regular or irregular, often withering, with an imbricate 
estivation. Stamens definite,—equal in number to the segments of the corolla, or twice as many, hypogynous, or 
scarcely inserted into the base of the corolla; anthers two-celled, the cells hard and dry, separate either at the apex or 
base, where they are furnished with some kind of an appendix, and dehiscing by a pore. Ovary surrounded at the 
base by a disk, or secreting scales; many-celled, many-seeded. Style one, straight. Stigma one, undivided or toothed, 
or three-cleft, with an indication of an indusium. Fruit capsular, many-celled, with central placenter, ae 
al €s. Seeds indefinite, minute, testa firmly adhering to the kernel. Embryo cy lindrical, in the axis of the fleshy 
lumen ; radicle much longer than the cotyledons and next the hylum. (Léndley-) fore tcg 
‘ The plants composing this class are ae the most delicate and beautiful. They are shrubs or under 08 
“aves evergreen, rigid, entire, whorled, or opposite, without stipules. The inflorescence 1s variable, the aes aes 
tally bracteate. The medical properties are astringent, tonic and diuretic. Some of them are characte y 
Presence of prussic acid, as the species of Rhododendron and Kalmia. 
ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA URSI. 
SPRENGEL. 
BEARBERRY. ' 
esi Uva Ursit.—Linneus. 
X. Syst.—Decandria Mon i 
3 ogynia. , ~ 
. Cuar.— Calyx five partite. Corolla ovate urceolate; the mouth five-toothed, sie two pores at the point, 
Meisit : Filaments somewhat dilated at the base, hairy-ciliate. Anthers oe alot | Style short. Stigma 
Y ‘wo-armed, arms reflexed. Ovarium globose, depressed, surrounded po ee eded. (De Candolle.) 
a L y (or berried drupe) globose, five, rarely six, — or ten-celled. 
