NAT. ORDER. LILIACE^. 109 



some are purple, of two different tints ; others are white and yel- 

 low. They are said to grow naturally in Hungary and Italy, 

 They are propagated by offsets from their roots, and thrive best 

 in a shady situation, and a gentle loamy soil ; but should not be 

 too often removed. They may be transplanted any time after the 

 beginning of June, when their leaves will be quite decayed, till the 

 middle of September ; but the roots should not be kept very long 

 out of the ground, as, if they shrink, it will often cause them to 

 rot. The roots of this plant should not be planted scattering 

 in the borders of the flower-garden, but in patches near each 

 other, where they will make a good appearance. — U. S. Dispen- 

 satory. 



Medical Properties and Uses. This is a very ancient medi- 

 cine, and was used in the time of Salmond to a considerable ex- 

 tent. The physicians of Europe employed it in those days for 

 the cure of all venereal complaints, and as a remedy for worms. 

 They obtained a strong decoction from the leaves and powdered 

 root, after the following manner : take four ounces of the leaves, 

 well dried ; or two of the root, powdered ; and add two quarts 

 diluted alcohol; macerate for fourteen days; filter, when it is 

 ready for use. The U. S. Dispensatory recommends giving it in 

 doses of twenty or thirty grains, and says, " the recent bulb acts 

 as an emetic ; the leaves are said to be more powerful ; and that 

 the activity of the plant is diminished very much by drying." 

 So far as we at present are acquainted with the virtues and uses 

 of this plant, we are inclined to consider it a useless addition to 

 the Materia Medica. It is however adopted in the present U. S. 

 Dispensatory, but not very highly recommended in practice. A 

 gentleman with whom I am well acquainted, informed me that he 

 has frequently used the Erythronium in connection with other 

 medicines, with decided advantage in rheumatism and gout ; and 

 advises that it be applied externally, and well rubbed in, so as to 

 produce considerable friction. 



