NAT. OUDER. L.TELIACE.E. Ill) 



Tliere are ten of these species common to onr New EnglcUid States, 

 and among them one of the most beautiful, generally known as the 

 Cardinal Flower, Lobelia Cardinalis. This superb plant, according 

 to Mr. Aiton, was first cultivated in England by the celebrated bot- 

 anist, Mr. Ray, and it has now become a general and favorite orna- 

 ment in the gardens of that country, where much care is bestowed 

 upon its culture, while in its native soil it is quite common and flour- 

 ishes in all its bi-auty on the banks of our brooks and ponds. The 

 Lobelia Syphilitica, which is represented in the plate, is also one of 

 the species that are natives of this country ; and although it cannot 

 vie with its cardinal brother in grandeur and magnificence, it far sur- 

 passes it in usefulness and beneficial properties, being one of the most 

 valuable appendages to our botanical materia medica. Its medicinal 

 virtues were long known and applied by the North American Indians, 

 before the more scientific professors of our schools discovered its val- 

 uable properties, and indeed much controversy and diversity of opinioc 

 has existed among modern practitioners upon the subject. Volumes 

 have been written in support of its efficient and beneficial qualities ir 

 its application and use, and many in endeavoring to prove the almost 

 '"''rtain and fatal consequences of administering it under any circum- 

 stances of sickness and disease. 



Medical Properties and Uses. AH tlie various species possess 

 more or less highly valuable medicinal properties ; of the Lobelia Sy- 

 phUitica, the root is the part most used as a medicine ; it possesses 

 emetic, cathartic, expectorant, sudorific, and diuretic properties ; when 

 given as the former it operates powerfully and speedily, producing, 

 however, great relaxation, debility, and perspiration, and therefore 

 should be administered with great caution and care, and only by those 

 who are well acquainted with its medicinal effects. The Lobelia Lon- 

 gijlorei is a native of some of the West India islands ; when taken in- 

 ternally it acts as a violent cathartic. Seve -al of the species are in- 

 troduced into medical practice, some of which we shall give a more 

 particular description of hereafter. 



