iiriiniierntnneeeensee at orn m8 ——_nitiaeeeseniediiih eee 
ANTHEMIS PYRETHRUM. ORD. III. Composite. 51 
the leaves are doubly pinnated, segments narrow, nearly linear, 
and of a pale green colour: the flowers are large, at the disc of a 
yellow colour, at the radius white on the upper side, on the under 
side of a purple colour: the different florets answer to the descrip- 
tion given of the Anthemis nobilis. It flowers in June and July. 
This plant is a native of the Levant and the southern parts of 
Europe; it was cultivated in England by Lobel in 1570,* but it does 
not ripen its seeds here unless the season proves very warm and 
dry.”. The root of Pyrethram has a very hot pungent taste, without 
any sensible smell.’”’ Its pungency resides in a resinous matter, of 
the more fixed kiud; being extracted completely by rectified spirit, 
and only in small part by water; and not being carried off, in — 
evaporation or distillation by either menstruum.” 
The ancient Romans, we are told, employed this root as a pickle,’ 
and indeed it seems less acrid than many ofher substances now 
used for this purpose. In its recent state this root is not so pungent | 
as when dried, yet if applied to the skin it is said to act like the 
bark of mezereon, and in four days produces inflammation of the 
part. 
From the aromatic and stimulating qualities of Pyrethrum there 
can be no doubt but that it might be found an efficacious remedy, 
and equally fitted for an internal medicine, as many others of this 
class now constantly prescribed. Its use however has been long 
confined to that of a masticatory,‘ for on being chewed, or long. 
retained in the mouth, it excites a glowing heat, stimulates the 
excretories of saliva, and thereby produces a discharge, which has 
been found to relieve toothachs, and rheumatic affections of the 
face; in this way too, it is recommended in lethargic complaints, 
and paralyses of the tongue. 
= Adver. p. 346. Vide Hort. Kew. > Miller Dict. 
© Lewis M. M. p. 527. 4 See Berg. M. M. p. 698. 
sgh © Bergius, Vik 
‘Tis use in this way is mentioned by Serenus Samonicus. 
«+ Purgatur cerebrum mansa radjce pyrethri.” 
