106 NAT. ORDER. TRIIIILAT^. 



Propagation and Culture. All the species of Indian-Cress are 

 very showy, therefore they are desirable plants in every collection. 

 The green-house and frame species will thrive in any light rich soU, 

 and cuttings will root freely if planted in tlie same kind of soil, under 

 a liand-glass. The aimual kuids should be sown in the open ground 

 in April. In fact, all the species may be either increased by seeds 

 or cuttings, whether said to be annual or pereimial, because those 

 species said to be annual ai-e permanent when protected from the 

 frosts in winter. The sjiecies are all climbing when sup])orfod, but 

 if not, Ihey are prosti'ate. All the tuberous-rooted kinds \\ ill grow 

 well in a light soU in the open air, in a sheltered situation, all the 

 summer, and in winter the roots may be taken up and kept in dry 

 sand, mitil the spring, when they may again be planted out into the 

 open ground. 



Medical Properties and Uses. The root, stalk, and leaves, have 

 been considered to possess diaphoretic, diiu-etic, expectorant, and 

 emeuagogue properties, and have on that account been prescribed in 

 the treatment of dropsies, nephritis, enteritis, cystitis, scrofula, and 

 various eruptions of the skin. Hence the auti-scorhutic character of 

 the uastm'itium seems to be well founded, at least so far as we are 

 able to judge from its sensible qualities ; therefore in all these cases 

 where the warm anti-scorbutive vegetables are recommended, this 

 plant may be occasionally adopted as a pleasant, safe, and effectual 

 variety. Patients to whom the taste of water-cress or scurvy-grass 

 is nauseous or offensive, may find a grateful substitute in the nastu- 

 ritium. The expressed juice may be taken in a dose of half an 

 ounce, or prepared in an extract and taken in the form of piUs, two or 

 three a day. 



