148 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA. 
caria Parthenium. It is not mentioned by the Arabian phy- 
sicians. The Finlanders use an infusion of it in consumptive 
cases. Gerarde says that “it is neither good for meat or 
medicine, but is commended against the infirmities of the 
mother, seeing all stinking things are good against those dis- 
eases. It also causeth blisters on the hands of weeders and 
reapers.” Culpeper, in his Complete English Physician, gives 
the following curious account: “ Venus commands this herb, 
and has commended it to succour her sisters, and to be a general 
strengthener of wombs, and remedy such infirmities as a care- 
less midwife has there caused.” It is also, according to the 
same author, a special remedy against opium when taken too 
liberally. 
Description.—This common annual flowers from May to 
August. The root is rather large, woody, and fibrous. Stem 
upright, from twelve to thirteen inches high, much branched, 
solid ; somewhat angular, striated, smooth, leafy. Leaves alter- 
nate, sessile, clasping the stem, smooth, deep green; the upper 
ones simply, the rest doubly pinnatifid (wing-cleft) ; the seg- 
ments strap-shaped, very narrow, and minutely pointed. Flowers 
numerous, terminal, solitary, on striated, naked peduncles. 
Scales of the involucrum somewhat dilated outwards, rounded, 
and bluntish. Florets of the ray white, reflexed at night, 
elliptic, oblong, with three teeth. Disk conical, very pro- 
minent, of numerous yellow florets. Receptacle oblong, nearly 
cylindrical, naked, dotted. Seeds angular, oblique, of a pale 
brown colour, quite destitute of any crown or border. Accord- 
ing to the observations of Linnzus, cows, goats, and sheep eat 
it; horses and swine refuse it. A blue essential oil is distilled 
from the flowers. 
There are three species of this plant: the Matricaria Chamo- 
milla, the M. Parthenium, and the M. suaveolens; all of 
which have the same or nearly the same properties. This 
genus differs from the Pyrethrum, in having no crown or 
pappus attached to the seed. 
