588 » . ORD. XXXV. Aseyroidee. mYprricum PEerroratum. 
numerous, and commonly unite at their bases inte three portions, 
or bundles; the anthers are yellow, and marked with a small 
black gland;* the styli are three, and the capsule has three cells, 
which contain many small oblong brownish seeds. It grows com- 
monly in woods and uncultivated grounds, and flowers m July. 
Bergius describes the Hypericum quadrangulum instead of the 
perforatum, and thinks it the better officinal plant. “ In pharma- 
copoliis nostris indiscrete colligunt Hypericum perforatum & 
quadrangulum; quod perinde quoque esse poterit, cum amba 
‘species puncta nigrecantia gerant; quadrangulum vero plurima.’” 
Hypericum has a bitterish subastringent taste, and a sweetish smell. 
it was in great repute with the ancients, who prescribed it in 
hysteria, hypocondriasis and mania: they also imagined that it had 
the peculiar power of curing demoniacks, and thence obtained the 
name of Fuga demonum :* it was also recommended internally for 
wounds, bruises, ulcers, hamoptysis, mictus cruentus, gravel, 
dysentery, agues, worms,° and outwardly as an anodyne, and as 
a discutient and detergent. However it is now very rarely used, 
and its name is omitted in the Materia Medica of the last edition 
of the Edindurgh Pharmacopeeta. In the London Pharmacopeeia 
the flowers only are directed to be used, as containing the greatest 
proportion of the resinous oily matter in which the medical efficacy 
of the plant is supposed to reside. The dark puncta of the petals 
and the capsules, afford this essential oil, which is contained in 
minute vesicles, or glands, and gives a red colour to rectified spirit, 
and to expressed oils; ‘the latter has been long known in the — 
by the name of Oleum Hyperici.* 
‘* Mr. Curtis observes, that a ‘little black gland on the antherx, distinguishes 
‘this species at one view. Flor. 
. Beinn Mat. Med. 641, 
* Scripsere . quidem Hypericum adeo odisse EROS ut ejus sussitu statim 
-avolent, Matthiol. 1. c. 
© See Haller, 1.c. Alston’s Mat. Med. vol. 2. p. 150. Bergius,1.c. Murray’s 
Apparat. vol. 3. p. 518, 
* This colouring matter gives a good die to wool. Gadd. 1, c. aliique, 
al 
