132-2 
so, ovoid, obtuse and obscurely 2-lobed. ol/icles 2, from 2 to 4 inches long, cylindri- 
cal, slender, and pendant; generally remaining united by their apices until fully 
ripe. Seeds numerous, crowned with a long silky coma at their summit. The 
apocynacee are chiefly tropical, acrid, poisonous plants, represented in the gar- 
dens by the Oleander and the Periwinkle, and wild in the northern United States by 
Amsonia, Forsteronia and Apocynum. 
History and Habitat.—This rather common plant is found from Canada to 
Georgia, and Missouri. It grows along fences, and over old fields, flowering in 
June and July, the pods forming well before the blossoms have all fallen. 
The names catch-fly and fly-trap are derived from the fact that the flowers 
of both this and A. cannabinum have a power, without special utility, of imprison- 
ing insects. Dr. Darwin supposed this quality to be due to an irritability of the 
internal organs, but upon careful observation it is plainly seen that the capture is 
entirely accidental, the flower and plant remaining neutral. In consequence of 
_ the convergence of the anthers and their adherence to the zone of the stigma, a 
narrow fissure is formed, very contracted at the apex, the insect in search of honey 
from the nectaries at the base of the corolla, inserts its proboscis between the 
short filaments of the stamens, thus when about to leave its feast the proboscis 
is sometimes caught in this fissure; once fast, the greater the insect struggles the 
more firmly is it wedged, until its self-deliverance becomes impossible. Thus 
mosquitos, gnats and small flies may frequently be found dead in the flower- 
tubes. 
The only previous use of this herb is said to be that of the Indians, who em- 
ployed it in syphilis. Rafinesque says: “From its stem may be obtained a thread 
similar to hemp, which can be woven into cloth; from its pods, cotton; from its 
blossoms, sugar.” The quantity of the last two articles is small, it is true, but 
might serve in an emergency. 
This drug has been dismissed from the U. S. Ph., on account of lack of 
knowledge of its action. With the Eclectics it is used as Decoctum Apocyni ; 
Extractum Apocyni Alcoholicum ; and Apocynin their so-called alka-resinoid. 
For obvious reasons, when desired as a tonic, diaphoretic or laxative agent, 
a decoction prepared as follows is the most effectual: Take a suitably sized earthen 
or porcelain-lined vessel and place in it one oz. of the sliced plant, roots, stems 
and leaves, to which add one pint of pure cold water ; place the vessel in a pot of 
water and let it come to a boil, and remain so for at least an hour, replenishing as 
fast as it evaporates, with hot water, then strain the decoction from the inner 
vessel before it cools. It should be covered with a tight lid while heating, and 
after bottling should be always kept tightly corked ; even then it is worthless after 
standing a few days. Dose, a tablespoonful three times a day.. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root is chopped and pounded 
to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, and after 
thoroughly mixing the pulp with one-sixth part of it, the rest of the alcohol is 
_ added. After having stirred the whole, pour it into a well-stoppered bottle and 
