COMPOSITH, ~ DAT 
Chemical composition.—On distillation of the fresh plant * 
ith water, a colourless oil was obtained, lighter than water, 
d possessing in a marked degree the odour of the plant: 
also obtained a neutral principle, soluble in ether and 
cohol, and crystallizing in long needles. It easily sublimed 
a temperature of 159°—16U° and condensed in beautiful 
illiant scales and rhombic prisms. In water it was practically 
insoluble ; it gave no reaction when dissolved in alcohol with 
erric salts. In concentrated sulphuric acid it dissolved at 
once, with only a very faint yellow coloration. In concen- 
Eupatorium cannabinum, Linn., Eng. Bot. V. 6, t. 
is a native of the temperate ‘Himalaya and Europe; it is 
e@ Herba sancte Kunigundis of Tragus (Hist. 491, f.,) the 
Hemp Agrimony of the English, Water-hauf of the Germans, 
and Origan aquatique of the French. Though very common in 
he Himalayas, it does not appear to be used medicinally by the. 
dindus. The root and leaves have diuretic, and in Iarge doses 
emetic properties. Boerhaave calls the herb Rusticorum 
panacea, and states that the turf-diggers in Holland use it with 
eat benefit in jaundice, scurvy, foul ulcers, and those swell- 
1 oz. of the dried leaves ina pint of water may be used daily ; 
if taken hot it is a good diaphoretic. According to Righini, 
he leaves and flowers contain a | white. bitter alkaloid soluble 
in jee E. perfoliatum, Linn., oa other species are 
used nea under the name of Boneset and Herbe a fidvre. 
is the Golden Red of the Bees 
