68 MEDICINAL HEllBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS 



herb was supposed, in the Middle Ages, to be capable 

 of curing many diseases. Its downfall is great, for at 

 present its only medicinal use is that of a slight laxative, 

 usually prescribed to young children. The juice from 



the roots excites nausea, vomiting, and 



dinner 



" nerves " 



OdXer 



The seeds of the Sweet 

 Violet are sometimes prescribed as a 

 purgative. 



Among the many "cures" for cancer, 

 one is an infusion of the fresh leaves 

 of the Sweet Violet. The flowers 

 figure in the list of plants imported 



Fig.36.— Arrangement of . , j, . , ^ .j r^ 7^ i.. 



Stamens in cruciferm luto this couutry trom tlic Lontmeut, 



they are used in making syviip of 

 violets. The flowers are cut just before they begin to ex- 

 pand, and dried on trays in a warm, well-ventilated room. 



THE CEUCIFEE.E 



* 



A very important Natural Order, and one whicli i)i- 

 cludes many esculents and few poisonous 

 or medicinal plants. The distinctive /\^ 



marks are the foUowincf: 



1. Petals, four in number, and usually 



arrancred crosswise. 



I 



2. Six stamensy two of which are ar- 

 ranged outside the other four. 

 Usually the inner four are longer 



than the two outside stamens (fig. 

 36). 



3 



/ 



Fig. ST.—Fniit of 

 Cruciferie (sili4i"a) 



peculiar to the Crucif erse. The seeds are liberated 

 by a split 'which begins at the bottom and gradu- 

 ally extends to the top (fig, 37). 



The most cliaracteristie feature for purposes of identi- 



