413-2 
- History and Habitat.—This strikingly erect plant, native of Canada and the 
United States, grows—though not in great abundance in any one locality—about 
the margins of swampy places and along the wet edges of open woods, flowering 
from August to September. The flowers are large and without odor, they vary 
from white to cream, rose or purplish; varieties have been at different times 
named both on account of the color of the flowers and the mode of growth, but 
they are too indistinctly separate to afford a place and name. C. alba; C. rosea ; 
C. purpurea; C. lanceolata; and C. obligua. 
Balmony has for years been a favorite tonic, laxative and purgative, among 
the aborigines of North America and Thomsonian physicians; without sufficient 
reason however as a tonic, in the doses usually employed. ? 
Chelone has no place in the U.S. Ph. In the Eclectic Materia Medica it is 
officinal as Decoctum Chelonts. 
PART USED, AND PREPARATION.—The fresh herb as a whole, is chopped 
and pounded toa pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol 
are taken, the pulp mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the 
alcohol added. After thorough stirring, and pouring the whole into a well- 
stoppered bottle, it is allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The 
tincture is then separated by straining and filtering. Thus prepared, it has a clear 
orange-brown color by transmitted light, a bitter taste and highly acid 
reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—No analysis has been made of this plant; all 
parts of it are very bitter, and as it yields this property to alcohol and water, we 
may consider at least, that the active body is soluble in these liquids. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 113. 
1. Whole plant five times reduced, from Binghamton, N. Y., August 1 5th, 1882, 
2. Apex of stem in flower. 
. Pistil (enlarged). 
. Fertile stamen (enlarged). 
. Rudimentary stamen (enlarged). 
. Pollen x 380. 
Davi & WwW 
op 
