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CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA. 63 
former years. Leaves in irregular whorls, of which there are from one to four; evergreen, eous, on very short 
petioles, cuneate-lanceolate, acute, serrate, smooth, shining, the lower surface somewhat paler. Flowers nodding in a 
small corymb, the pedicels with linear bracts about their middle. Calyx of five roundish acute teeth or. segments, 
much shorter than the corolla. Petals five, roundish, concave, spreading, cream-coloured, with a tinge of purple at 
base. Stamens ten, hypogynous. Filaments sigmoid, the lower half fleshy, triangular, dilated, and slightly pubes- 
cent at the edges; the upper half filiform. Anthers two-celled, each cell opening by a short round tubular orifice, 
which points downwards in the bud, but upwards in the flower. Pollen white. Ovary roundish, depressed, furrowed 
obscurely, five-lobed, with a funnel-shaped cavity at top. Style straight, half as long as the ovary, inversely conical, 
inserted in the cavity of the ovary and concealed by the stigma. Stigma large, peltate, convex, obscurely five-rayed. 
Capsule erect, depressed, five-celled, five-valved, the partitions from the middle of the valves. Seeds linear, chaffy, | 
very numerous and minute. Leaves bitter sweet, stalk and roots the same, with a little pungency. (Lindley.) 
This plant inhabits North America, Siberia and Europe. It is found abundantly in the North and Middle ~ 
States of this country, in open sandy woods, and flowers in July. 
The officinal portion is the leaves, but it is usually brought into the market entire. When fresh the herb has a 
peculiar odour and a bitter astringent taste, which are retained in the dried state. In the latter condition the fresh- 
ness ought to be retained. Puépszssema or, as it is sometimes called, Wintergreen, contains bitter extractive, resin, tan- 
nin, and the usual principles. 
The medicinal effects are those of a tonic, depurative and diuretic. It is used in scrofula, atonic dropsy, and in 
chronic mucous affections of the urinary organs. It is given in decoction, infusion and syrup, or extract. 
Puate LISI.—Represents the plant in flower, and the fruit. 
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END OF VOLUME I. 
Po oe 
