IGG NAT. ORDER. IRIDACEjE. 



celebrated Gerard in the j^ear 1596, and is now constantly propa- 

 gated by the florists through the diflerent parts of that country. 

 It has also been found in some sections of the United States, but 

 not in sufficient quantities to supply the demands of the druggists. 

 Ill the year 1840, while traveling in the northwestern district of 

 New-York, I found tliis species of the Iris quite plenty, growing 

 alongr the margin of small streams and in moist meadows, and at 

 thnt time procured the drawing from the living plant, which repre- 

 sents the description. The root which is the officinal part, is dug 

 up in spring and prepared for market by the removal of its cuticle 

 and fibres. That which is produced in thi-s conntry have neither 

 the odor, nor the other qualities, of those of warmer climates, so 

 that for medicinal use they are imjDorted from Leghorn, in large 

 casks. 



Medical Properties and Uses. The root in its recent state, is 

 extremely acrid, and when chewed, excites a pungent heat in the 

 mouth, which continues several hours; on being dried, this acri- 

 mony is almost wholly dissipated, the taste slightly bitter, and the 

 smell agreeable — approaching to that of violets. No essential oil 

 has hitherto been obtained from this root, but spirituous tinctures 

 of it contains more of its virtues than watery infusions. The fresh 

 root is a powerful cathartic, and for this purpose, its juice has been 

 emjjloyed in the dose of a drachm and upwards in dropsies. It is 

 now chiefly used in its dried state, and ranked as a pectoral, or 

 expectorant, and is occasionally used for chewing to conceal an 

 offensive breath, and enters into the composition of numerous 

 tooth powders. But, from my own limited experience, I have 

 never found it to possess any very remarkable expectorant powers, 

 and have therefore considered it chiefly valuable for the pleasant- 

 ness of its perfume, and the flavor which it communicates. In 

 the form of small I'ound balls, about the size of a pea, it is much 

 used by the French for maintaining the discharge from issues. 



