200 



species of Conyza is highly esteemed in Mendoza as a diuretic. Erigeron 

 philadelphicum and heterophyllum are both used in the United States as 

 diuretics. They are commonly sold under the name of Scabions. Barton, 



1. 234. The roots of several species of Liatris are active diuretics. Ibid. 



2. 225. A decoctibn of the leaves and roots of Elephantopus scaber is given 

 on the Malabar coast in cases of dysuria. Ainslie, 2. 17. A decoction of 

 Cacalia sonchifolia is antifebrile. Ibid. 2. 213. The leaves of Cacalia alpina 

 and sarracenica are recommended in coughs. Ibid. Many are sternuta- 

 tories, as Ptarmica and Arnica ; others excite salivation powerfully, as 

 Spilanthus, Siegesbeckia orientalis, Anthemis pyrethruni. Coreopsis bidens, 

 and Bidens tripartita: some are emetic. A decoction of Anthemis cotula 

 is a strong and active bitter ; in the dose of a teacupful it produces copious 

 vomiting and sweating. Barton, 1. 169. Others are tonic and antispas- 

 modic, such as Achillea, Camomile, Wormwood, Tansy, Eupatorium, &c. 

 Many have been celebrated for their power of curing the bites of serpents, 

 especially Eupatorium Ayapana, the leaves of which also form, in infusion, 

 excellent diet drink ; when fresh bruised, they are said to be a most useful 

 application for cleaning the face of a foul ulcer. Ainslie, 2. 35. An infu- 

 sion of another species is used by the Javanese in fevers. Ibid. A valu- 

 able antidote against the bite of serpents, Vijuco del guaco, much esteemed 

 in Spanish America, is produced by Mikania guaco. Humboldt Cinch. 

 Forests, p. 21. Eng. ed. But the power of this Mikania is denied in the most 

 positive terms by Dr. Hancock (Quarterly Journ. July 1830, p. 334.), who 

 suspects that the real Guaco antidote is some kind of Aristolochia. The 

 peculiar and agreeable flavour of Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is well 

 known. A vinegar, not distinguishable in flavour from it, is prepared in the 

 Alps from Achillea nana, as well as from several dwarf species of Artemisia. 

 The seeds usually abound in a fixed oil, which, in some cases, has the repu- 

 tation of being anthelmintic : it is extracted in abundance from Madia 

 sativa, Verbesina sativa, and even Helianthus, the grains of which are made 

 into cakes by the North American Indians. The genus Helianthus con- 

 tains a species remarkable for its eatable, wholesome tubers (H. tuberosus, 

 or Jerusalem Artichoke), while the roots of the Dahlia are extremely dis- 

 agreeable. It is stated by M. Payen, that benzoic acid exists in the 

 Dahlia. Brewster, 1. 376. A principle called Inulin is obtained from the 

 roots of Inula Helenium. Turner, 700. The pith of the Sunflower has 

 been stated by John to be a peculiar chemical principle, which he calls 

 MeduUin. 



ClNAROCEPHALvE. 



Characterised by intense bitterness, which depends upon the mixture 

 of extractive with a gum which is sometimes yielded in great abundance. 

 On this account some have been accounted stomachics, as Carduus bene- 

 dictus ; others slightly febrifugal, as Carduus marianus, Centaurea calci- 

 trapa ; the Artichoke and others sudorific and diaphoretic, as Carduus 

 benedictus and Arctium Bardana. The modern Arabians consider the root 

 of the Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) an aperient : they call the gum of it 

 Kunkirzecd, and place it among their emetics. Ainslie, 1. 22. This bitter- 

 ness is not, however, found in the unexpanded leaves or receptacles, on which 

 account they are, in many cases, used as wholesome articles of food ; as the 

 "leaves of the Cardoon, and the receptacle of the unexpanded flower of the Arti- 

 choke, the Carlina acanthifolia, and others. The flower of Echinops strigosus 

 is used in Spain for tinder ; the corollas of the Artichoke, the Cardoon, and 

 of several thistles, are employed in the South of Europe for curdling milk ; 

 and those of Carthamus tinctorius yield a deep yellow dye, resembling 

 Saffron. Their seeds arc all oily and slightly bitter ; some are purgative, 



