122-2 : 
by union of the placente in the axis; p/acente 2, parietal; ovwles amphitropous 
or anatropous, pendulous or nearly horizontal. Séy/es 2, or single and 2-cleft. 
Fruit a 2-valved, 2 to many-seeded capsule; seeds pitted or reticulated; emdryo 
small; a/bumen copious. 
History and Habitat.—The Waterleaf is indigenous to North America, where 
it ranges from Canada southward to the mountains of North Carolina and north- 
ward to Alaska, seeking moist, shady grounds, and flowering from June to August. 
The young leaves serve in some localities as a salad, called Shawanese Lettuce, 
and are eaten as a potage in other places, under the name of John’s Cabbage. 
We have no previous medical history of this plant, or any other species of the 
order. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh flowering plant is chopped 
and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are 
taken, the pulp mixed thoroughly with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the 
alcohol added. After stirring the whole well, it is poured into a well-stoppered 
bottle, and allowed to macerate for eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture 
thus formed after filtration has a deep crimson-brown color by transmitted light, 
a peculiar bitterish odor, an astringent taste, and an acid reaction. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The only account of the action of this plant is 
that furnished by Dr. P. B. Hoyt,* who records the following symptoms caused in 
himself: Dull headache; burning, smarting, and itching of the eyelids with pro- 
fuse lachrymation; agglutination of the lids in the morning; injection of the 
sclera, and photophobia. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 122. 
1. End of flowering plant, Binghamton, N. Y., June rst, 1885. 
2. Flower. 
3. Petal and appendage. 
4. Stamen. 
5. Nectary. 
6. Pistil. 
7. Style and stigmas. 
8. Leaf. 
(3-7 enlarged.) 
(oa tle: Eom. Obs, xi, FOL, 
