‘COMPOSITE. 995 
through a funnel or reed, is efficacious in conghs and dyspepsia. 
‘The Greek and Linnean names are derived respectively from gyé 
and tussis which both signify “cough.” Most of the Arabian 
and Persian medical writers describe the herb under the name of 
Fanjiun, or Afanjiun, an Arab corruption of émoyéov, a word 
which, as far as we know, was never applied by the Greeks to 
any plant. All these writers closely follow Dioscorides in their 
accounts of its appearance and properties. The Hindus consider 
that the leaves have the power of expelling vata or wind, which 
is supposed to be the cause of various disorders, especially 
theumatism ; whence the name V4tapina or Watpan (wind- 
teaf); they also use the cotton-like down of the leaf as a styptic. 
In Matope, colt’s-foot is still officinal in France and Germany, 
and has a reputation in pectoral affections as a domestic remedy 
in England. It is smoked like tobacco and also administered 
internally in the form of a decoction or infusion. The flowers 
Are one of the quatre fleurs of French pharmacy. 
Description. —Root mucilaginous, bitterish, creeping. 
horizontally, with many fibres. Flowers coming before the leaves 
ence: the old name Filius ante patrem), drooping in the bud, 
ght yellow, about an inch broad; their rays spreading, — 
pious; very narrow; each flower on a simple, round, woolly, 
sal stalk, scaly with: numerous reddish, Smoot, priruss 
¢ts, crowded under the flower, like an Lea 
erect, on furrowed, channelled foot stalks, haate shaped slightly 
lobed, copiously and sharply toothed ; very smooth, and of a 
htly glaucous green above, white ‘int densely cottony, with 
ominent veins beneath ; when young they are revolute, and 
ickly enveloped in cottony down. (Smith.) 
Chemical composition.—An analysis of the leaves of this 
t has been made by C. S. Bondurant. A petroleum spirit 
tract contained caoutchouc, resin and wax. Ether removed — 
oe. colourless glucoside, and a reddish brown resin, — 
alcohol separated 2°42 per cent. of tannic matter, and 
ya lio alone acid ; ay, ite extract was feng: foogert- 
