60 NAT. ORDER. GENTIANE^. 



may remain here two years, by which time they will be fit to trans- 

 plant where they are de.signed to grow, removing them in the 

 autumn as soon as their leaves decay ; great care should then be 

 taken in digging them up, not to cut or break their roots, as that 

 ♦ greatly weakens them. They require afterwards no other culture 

 but to dig the ground about them early in the spring, before they 

 begin to shoot, and in the summer to keep them clean from weeds. 

 The roots continue many years, but the stalks decay every autumn ; 

 the same roots not flowering for two years together, or seldom oftener 

 than every third. When they flower strong, they have, however, a 

 very fine and elegant appearance. 



The first mentioned sort is mostly propagated by ofl'-setts, or part- 

 ing the roots, and planting them where they are to remain in the 

 early autumn ; but in order to have the plants flower well they must 

 not be often transplanted or parted. They are also capable of being 

 raised from the seeds managed as the first sorts. They all succeed 

 the most perfectly in moist loamy soils, where there is a degree of 

 shade. 



All the sorts are uscfid as ornamental plants, for the various 

 clumps, borders and quarters of pleasure-grounds ; tho.se of low 

 growth being planted towards the fronts, and the latter kinds more 

 backward. 



Medical Properties and Uses. The roots of these plants have a 

 mucilaginous and sweetish taste, followed by an intense bitterness 

 like that of the ofllicinal gentian. They contain amarne, extractive 

 mucilage^ resin, sugar, oil, and the principle Goitia, which is solua- 

 ble in water and alcohol, as well as all the active parts; the solu- 

 tions are more bitter than the root in sub.stance ; no astringency. 

 The most active properties are tonic, antiseptic, corroborant, cathar- 

 tic, &c. They are very little inferior to the officinal irontian in 

 strength and efficacy, they invigorate the 'stomach, and are very 

 useful in the treatment of debility of the stomach and the digestive 

 organs ; they increase the appetite, prevent the acidification of food, 



