60 NAT. ORDER. LILIACEiE. 



dissectingf the flower, we find three of the stamens of each, longer 

 than the others, and bearing two Httle points, which proceed not 

 from the anthers, but from the top of the filaments ; it is therefore 

 one of those alliums which Linnteus describes, as having Antlienz 

 hicornes ; the capsule is short, broad, tri-lobed, three-celled, three- 

 valved, and contains roundish seeds. It flowers in June and July. 



This species of garlic, according to Linn^us, grows spon- 

 taneously in Switzerland, and some parts of Sicily, but it is not 

 known to be cultivated in any part of the United States. The 

 specific properties resemble those of the other garlics ; therefore, 

 in describing the medicinal virtues of this species, it is applicable 

 to the whole family of garlics, most of which are now cultivated 

 in gardens, throughout the civilized world. 



This species is easily increased by offsets, which should be 

 separated and planted in Autumn. We know not why Linnaeus 

 should give it the name of descendens, unless from its being one of 

 those plants whose roots, in process of time, descend deeply into 

 the earth. 



Medical Properties and Uses. The whole family of garlics, 

 especially the root, possess a pungent, acrimonious taste, and a 

 peculiarly offensive strong smell. This odor is extremely pene- 

 trating and diffusive ; for instance, the root being taken into the 

 stomach, the alliaceous scent impregnates the whole sj'stem, and is 

 discoverable in the various excretions. This volatile matter is, 

 in part at least, an essential oil, which may be obtained in distilla- 

 tion in tlie ordinary manner, and, like the oils of many of the 

 Liliquose plants, sinks in water. Applied to the skin, garlic 

 produces inflammation, and frequently vesicates the part. On 

 drying, this root loses almost nine parts in fifteen, without suffering 

 any material loss, either of taste or srnell ; hence, six grains dried 

 are supposed to be equivalent to fifteen grains of the fresh root. 



Garlic is generally allied to .j^ie onion, from which it seems 

 only to differ in being much more powerful in its effects, and in its 



