THALAMIFLOR^. 437 



root of Aconitum ferox, has been usually considered as the sole source of the 

 celebrated Inciian poison, " Bikh or Bish," but Dr. Hooker states that this is 

 also obtained indifferently from A, Napellus, lun'dwn, and palmatum. Aconi- 

 tum Xapellus, a European species, commonly called Monkshood, is the officinal 

 plant of our pharmacopoeia. The leaves and root are very poisonous, but 

 when used in proper doses they are narcotic and diaphoretic. Several cases of 

 poisoning have occurred from the root having been mistaken for Horse-radish * 

 The other European species are almost inert. The properties of the above 

 species are due to a very powerful alkaloid, called aconitina. This alkaloid 

 has heen much used externally in Neuralgia, and occasionally internally in 

 Acute Rheumatism and Diseases of the Heart. The Aconitum ferox contains 

 the largest amount of aconitina of any known species. The root or rhizome 

 of Aconitum heterophyllum is said to possess no poisonous properties. Ac- 

 cording to Thomson it has a great reputation in India as a febrifuge and 

 antiperiodic medicine. 



Helleborus officinalis.— The rhizome and roots of this species constituted 

 the Black Hellebore of the ancients, which was much used by them as a 

 drastic purgative. Helleborus niner is still occasionally employed in this 

 country, and possesses similar properties. Helleboius viridis &\\d'H. foetidus 

 are also of a like nature, and may be used as efficient substitutes. 



Delphinium Staphysagria. — The seeds of this plant are sometimes employed; 

 they are commonly known under the name of Staves-acre seeds. They con- 

 tain an alkaloid, called Delphinia. They have been chiefly used for destroy- 

 ing vermin. Delphinia has also been used externally in Neuralgia and 

 Rheumatism. 



Coptis trifoliata. Gold Thread.— The root of this plant, which is a native 

 of North America, is a pure and powerful bitter, and is used as a stomachic 

 and tonic. The root of Coptis Teeta, is found in the bazaars of India. It is 

 known under the names of Mishmee-Bitter or Mahmira. It is intensely and 

 powerfully bitter, and is a valuable tonic. 



Nigella saliva. — The seeds were formerly employed instead of pepper. It 

 is supposed that these seeds, or those of another species used by the Aflfghans 

 for flavouring curries, is the Black Cummin of Scripture (Isaiah xxviii. 25,27). 



Xanthorrhiza apiifolia. — The wood and bark, as well as a gum and resin 

 which may be obtained from them, have a pure bitter taste, and tonic pro- 

 perties. 



Podophyllum peltatum, May-apple. — The fruit is acid, hence its name 

 "Wild Lemon ; it is sometimes eaten. The leaves possess poisonous properties, 

 but when used in nroper doses, ihey act as a cathartic, and are thus sometimes 

 employed in North America. 



Many plants of the order are commonly cultivated in our gardens; as 

 various species of Cletnatis, Anemone, Ranunculus, Eranihis (Winter Aco- 

 nite), Helleborus (Christmas Rose), Aquilegia (Columbines), Delphinium 

 (Larkspurs), Aconitum (Monkshoods), /'^o«;« (Paeonies), &c. The M out an 

 officinalis is the Tree Paeony of Chin^, which is remarkable for its very 

 large showy flowers, and tor the number of its blossoms ; thus. Fortune 

 mentions a plant in the neighbourhood of Shanghae which yearly produced 

 from 300 to 400 flowers. 



Natural Order 2. Dillexiace^, — The Dillenia Order. — 

 General Character — Trees, shrubs, or rarely kerbs. Leaves 

 usually alternate, very rarely opposite, generally exstipulate. 

 Sepals 5, persistent, in two rows. Petals 5, deciduous, hypo- 

 gynous, imbi'icated. Stamens numerous, hypogynous. Carpels 

 2 — 5, rarely 1, more or less distinct. Fruit formed of from 

 2 — 5 distinct or adherent carpels, rarely 1 , Seeds numerous, 

 or 2 or 1 by abortion, anatropal, arillate ; albumen homogeneous, 

 fleshy ; embryo minute. ' 



Diagnosis. — Stipules absent, except in rare cases. Sepals 

 and petals 5 each, hypogynous, the former persistent in two 



* See paper by the Author, in the PharmaceuticalJournal, vol. 15, p. 449. 

 F F 3 



