LILIACE.. 721 
Pharmacopeia.— Cape Aloes is yielded by A. spicata, A. ferox, and several 
other species. Other commercial varieties of Aloes are known as Natal 
Aloes, Indian Aloes, Aden or Black Aloes, Curagoa Aloes, &c. Their sources 
are not accurately known. Aloes is used in small doses as a tonic, and in 
larger doses as a purgative and emmenagogue. Aloes containsa crystalline 
principle termed aloin, to which its purgative properties are in a great 
measure due. Aloin is official in the British Pharmacopeeia. 
A sparagus.— A. officinalis, Asparagus.—The young succulent shoots, 
called turios, when boiled, are highly esteemed as an article of food. These 
and the roots and flowering stems are sometimes employed as diuretics. 
The juice of Asparagus has marked diuretic properties, and is deserving of 
more attention than it has of late years received. Asparagus is also popu- 
larly employed as a lithontriptic. The roasted seeds have been used asa 
substitute for coffee. 
A sphodelus ramosus, a native of Turkestan, vields a tuber called Schiresch, 
which is employed as a diuretic and emmenagogue The Morocco drug 
called Ablaluz is also said by Leared and Holmes to be derived from this plant. 
Camassia esculenta has edible bulbs, which are used by the North 
American Indians under the name of Quamash. They are also known as 
Biscuit-roots. 
Convallaria majalis, Lily of the Valley.—All parts of this plant hav> 
‘long had a reputation in Russia in the treatment of dropsy, and have bee 
much employed of late years in this country and elsewhere, and frequently 
with good effects, in organic diseases of the heart, &c. Convallaria appears 
to resemble digitalis, more than that of any other substance, in its action, 
but is not identical with it. Its properties seem to be principally du> 
to a glucosidet, ermed convallamarin, but also to some extent to another 
glucoside—convalli.rin. 
Dracena Draco, the Dragon Tree of Teneriffe (fig. 196), yields a rel 
resin resembling Dragon’s Blood, but it is not now knownin commerce. (See 
Calamus and Pterocarpus.) The roots of D. terminalis, the Ti Plant, are 
baked, and eaten largely by the inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands, A 
fermented beverage is also obtained from the juice of this plant; and its 
leaves are employed as fodder for cattle, and for clothing and other domestic 
purposes. 
Lilium.—The bulbs of some species, as those of L. tenuifolium, L. kamt- 
schaticum, and L. spectabile, are commonly eaten in Siberia. 
Phormium tenav.—This plant is a native of New Zealand. The fibre 
obtained from its leaves possesses great strength; it is commonly known 
under the name of New Zealand Flax. It is much used for twine and 
cordage, and occasionally for linen, &c. It was recommended many years 
ago for paper-making, but although a very strong paper may be prepared 
from it, very little commercial progress has been made with this material. 
Its root has been recommended as a substitute for Sarsaparilla ; and recently 
it and the leaves have been stated to possess vulnerary properties. 
Polugonatum officinale or vulgare——The rhizomes ‘of this, and probably 
those of P. multiflorum are sold in the herb shops under the name of Solo- 
mon’s Seal. They are employed as a popular application to remove the 
marks from bruised parts of the body. 
Ruscus aculeatus, Butcher’s Broom ( fig. 409), has aperient and diuretic 
roots, which were formerly much employed in visceral diseases. The roasted 
seeds have been used as a substitute for coffee. 
Sanseviera zeylanica and other species produce very strong and tough 
fibres, which are knewn under the names of African Hemp and Bowstring 
Hemp. 
Trillium.—The root of 7. erectum (pendulum), under the name of Beth 
Root, is used in the United States, and is regarded as astringent, tonic, and 
antiseptic. It is especially useful in menorrhagia. 
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