86 KANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
demand for it in this country: our supply coming mostly from the Levant, from 
whence it is shipped. It grows largely in Turkey and in the islands of the 
Archipelago. ‘ 
Little may be said of the wild morning-glory, as it possesses scarcely a local 
interest. It is interesting, however, to state that this root, like the other, is enor- 
mous in size, containing a vast amount of stored-up nourishment, weighing in 
some cases as much as seventy pounds, and is amply protected against the hungry 
gophers, moles, mice and other animals by its intense bitterness. Professor Bessey, 
writing upon this subject, says that in the struggle for existence only those roots 
have remained whose bitterness was sufficient to overcome the hunger and thirst 
of the animals of the plains. 
The most noteworthy plant growing abundantly in the state and of medicinal 
quality is hchinacea angustifolia (the vulgar name, niggerhead, from the black 
capitulum when ripe). I have had collected of the root of this plant for manu- 
facturing houses no less than about 300 pounds. Students during the late summer 
and early fall months find in it a little profit at twenty-five centsa pound. Quitea 
lengthy article has just been published upon the plant by Prof. J. U. Lloyd, who 
stated that it had had quite a reputation as a remedial agent among the eclectic 
practitioners. Mr. R. C. Collison, a student in pharmacy, made an analysis of 
the root last spring; with the analysis he presented a brief history of the plant. 
From his paper I shall quote quite freely. 
The root is dark brown externally and wrinkled longitudinally. The interior 
is grayish white, with radiating lines composed of alternating layers of dark and 
light tissue of a spongy nature. It has a very peculiar acrid, tingling taste, sug- 
gesting a solution of cocaine or tincture of aconite, and causing an increase in 
the flow of saliva to a considerable degree. 
The plant is found growing in sandy soil and hillsides upon the prairie lands 
of Iowa and Illinois, southwest through Kansas and Colorado. The specific use, 
as given by the late Professor Scudder, is as follows: ‘‘ Echinacea is an alterative 
of great value in strumous diathesis, syphilis, old sores, and wounds. Its most 
promising use, however, is as a powerful antiseptic, locally and internally, in 
diphtheria, typhoid conditions, cholera infantum, and blood-poisoning. It causes . 
an excessive flow of saliva and perspiration. The fresh root scraped and given 
freely is the treatment used by the Sioux Indians for snake bite.’’ It is said to 
be especially beneficial in typhoid, dysentery or any intestinal trouble requiring 
‘an antiseptic. 
Although there are certain troubles in which it is indicated, its exact mode of 
action is not definitely known, and to it has been applied ‘‘A correcter of blood 
dyscrasia.’’ It seems to cover the ground ascribed to antiseptics, antiferments, 
and antizymotics. Its first use was in these depressions produced by introduction 
into the blood of the poisons of serpents and insects. Some claims have been 
made for it in hydrophobia, boils, abscesses, carbuncles, and many pus-forming 
cellular inflammations; to it also has been attributed medicinal properties in 
treatment of cerebro-spinal meningitis. Fetid conditions of the bronchial tract, 
as fetid bronchitis, the stench of pulmonary gangrene, and carcinematous dis- 
orders are said to be effectually removed by the internal administration of this 
drug. A number of cases are cited by Dr. H. Lewis Hamilton, Colusa, Cal., in 
the Eclectic Medical Journal. A case is recorded of a Mr. W., dry-goods 
salesman. While measuring goods he accidentally punctured the index finger of 
his right hand with the brass pin attached to the price mark of the goods. He 
considered it a trivial matter and gave it no further notice, until twelve o’clock 
that night he was awakened from sleep by a sense of pain in his arm, which by this 
