GAMOPETAL.E— III 



145 



plant orrows up to about 2h feet, and is strongly scented. 

 The leaves are alternate, and very finely divided, each 

 beinu- about 6 inches lonoj. 



The extract from Tansy contains tcmacetin, tanmc 

 acid, and about 0-2-0-3 per cent of. volatile oil. In 

 mediaeval times this plant 

 was largely employed both 

 for medicinal and for culin- 

 ary purposes. Medicinally 

 it is used as a stimulant and 

 for promoting the action 

 of the kidneys. Accidents 

 have happened from mis- 

 use of the extract on ac- 

 count of its popular repu- 

 tation for procuring abor- 

 tion. In one case a woman 

 who took fifteen drops of 

 the oil, and afterwards a 

 teaspoonful, was in convul- 

 sions in about a quarter of 

 an hour later. 



this 



other cases 



issues are on record. 



w 



Agrimony (Agrimonia 



woman 



Although 

 recovered, 



fatal 



having 



^ig^ <)0.— Pinnate Leaves of AsHmony 

 (Agrinioniu JCupii toritiin) 



Eupatoriitm).—The^owevH ^ 



are small and yellow, and the leaves are pmnate the 

 leaflets increasing in size as they near the termmal leaf- 

 let (fiu-. 90). Tlie fragrance is not unlike that ot an 



^^Th?s herb is a very popular one in the stock-in-trade 

 of the herbalists, who sell tons of it during tlie year. 

 In some rural districts one hears wonderful tales of the 



potency of this plant as a curative agent, but it is to be 



