129-2 
or imperfectly 2-celled; A/acente 2, parietal, or sometimes the whole inner surface 
of the ovary placentiferous. /vu7¢ a 2-valved capsule; dehiscence septicidal. Seeds 
small, anatropous ; embryo minute, straight, and axial; a/bumen sarcous. 
Besides Menyanthes, this order furnishes our Materia Medica three other 
proven species, viz.: The Chilian Centaury or Canchalagua (A7ythrea Chilensis, 
Pers.); the Austrian Cross-wort (Genztiana cruciata, L.); and the European Yellow 
Gentian (Gentana lutea, L.). 
Many other species are used in medicine, principal among which are the 
following species of Gentiana, which often figure as substitutes for G. /utea: The 
North American G. Cat¢esbaez, Walt.; and the European G. amarella, L.; campes- 
tris, L.; purpurea, L.; pannonica, Murr.; and punctata, L. The Indian Gentiana 
Kurroo, Royle, is used in its country ina similar manner to G. /uéea in Europe. 
The North American Columbo (/yazera Carolinensts, Walt.) has, when fresh, 
properties quite similar to G. /uéea ; as have also the European Centuary (Zry- 
threa Centaurium, Pers.), and Chlora perfoliata, L. The Indian Chiretta (Ophelia 
Chirayta, Don ) is bitter, tonic, and febrifuge, and is used by English physicians 
in India as a substitute for Cinchona. The East Indian Crcendia hyssopifolia, 
Wright & A., is tonic and stomachic. The American Centaury (Saddatia angu- 
‘aris, Pursh.) is a bitter tonic and febrifuge, often employed in remittent and inter- 
mittent fevers. The South American Listanthus purpurascens, Aubl., pendulus, 
Mart., grandiflorus, Aubl., and amfltssimus, Mart., are claimed to be extremely 
bitter tonics, esteemed as febrifuges and anthelmintics, as are also the European 
Villarsia nympheoides, Vent., and the Cape of Good Hope V. ovata, D.C. The 
Guianian Coutoubea spicata, and C. ramosa, Aubl., are bitter tonics, much used 
as emmenagogues, anthelmintics, and for the removal of intestinal obstructions. 
Limnanthemum Indica is accounted a holy plant by the Chinese, in consideration 
of its many virtues; ZL. xymphoides is febrifugal; while the leaves of Z. peltata are 
eaten in Japan as a potage. 
A peculiar property pervades the whole of this natural order—the species 
when fresh are all emetic and cathartic, and, when dry, tonic and stomachic in 
varying degrees. 
History and Habitat.—The Buck Bean is a native of the temperate regions 
of the Northern Hemisphere, from Alaska throughout the northern portions of 
North America, south of Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, 
and eastward to the confines of Siberia. In the United States it extends south- 
ward as far as Wisconsin in the west and Pennsylvania in the east. It habits fresh- 
water bogs, marshes, and ditches which retain water throughout the summer season, 
and blossoms in May and June. | 
_ The previous uses of the dried plant in medicine were all dependent more or 
less upon its so-called tonic action; while in a fresh state it was used as an ener- 
getic cathartic. As early as 1613 a Swedish writer, Johannes Franckenius, states 
that a decoction of the herb removes all visceral obstructions, acts as an emmena- 
gogue and diuretic, kills intestinal worms, and is an efficacious remedy in scrofula. 
Besides its use in amenorrhcea, Menyanthes was considered valuable in the treat- 
