NAT. ORDER. CONIFERS, 131 



the spring season, and when well rooted, taken off, and planted in 

 the nurseiy, in the same manner as tlie seedling plants. The cut- 

 tings should be made ft'om the young branches, and be planted in a 

 shady border in the latter part of August, watering them occasion- 

 ally till they have stricken root ; when they may be taken up with 

 earth about their roots, and be managed in the same manner as l)y 

 the other metiiods. 



The common, upright and striped Savins may likewise be in- 

 creased by planting slips of the young l)ranches ; for the last sort the 

 most variegated being made use of, in the latter part of summer, or 

 in the autumn, in a shaded border. These plants all succeed in the 

 open ground, and grow in any connnon soil and situation. 



Mr diced Properties and Uses. Savine is a powerful stimulant, 

 acting upon the skin, bowels, and uterus, and has long been consider- 

 ed the most efficacious in the Materia Medica for producing a deter- 

 mination to the uterus, and thereby proving emmenagogue ; it heats 

 and stimulates the whole system, and is said to promote the fluid 

 secretions. The power which this plant possesses in opening uterine 

 obstructions, is considered to be so great, that it has frequently been 

 employed with too much success, for purposes the most infamous and 

 imnatural. Cases of this kind are not uncommon from the deleteri- 

 ous effect of this plant. Dr. Cullen observes : " Savine is a very acrid 

 and heating substance, and I have often on account of these qualities 

 been prevented from employing it in the quantity perhaps necessary 

 to render it emmenagogue. I must own, however, that it sliows a 

 more powerful determination to the uterine vessels than any other 

 plant I have ever employed." " But," says he, " I have frequently 

 been disappointed in this, and its healing qualities always require great 

 caution.'" In over doses it is capable of producing dangerous gastro- 

 intestinal inflammation, and should never be given when much gen- 

 eral or local excitement exists. It is most conveniently administer- 

 ed in the form of powder, of which the dose is from five to fifteen 

 grains, repeated three or four times a day. 



"'^- iu. 



