448 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



all cases characterised bv well-marked narcotic properties. 

 Some are acrid, while others are i)urgative. In a medical ])oint 

 of view, this order must be regarded as the most important in 

 the Vegetable Ivingdom, from its yielding Opium, undoubtedly 

 the most valuable drug of the Materia Medica. The more im- 

 portant plants are the following : — 



Snnguinaria canadensis, or Puccoon. — The roit of this plant, which is a 

 native of North America, contains a red juice, from which circumstance it is 

 termed Blood-root. It is used internally m large doses, as an emetic and 

 purgative, and in smaller quantities, it is reputed stimulant, diaphoretic, and 

 expectorant. When applied externally, it has been stated to have well- 

 marked escharotic properties, and has been used, combined with chloride of 

 zinc, as an external application for the destruction of cancerous growths. 

 From recent trials in this country, however, it would appear, that it possesses 

 to no evident extent any such qualities. 



Chelidonium vtajus. Celandine. — This plant is a native of this country, 

 growing in the neighbourhood of villages. It has an orange-coloured juice 

 of a poisonous nature, which is a popular external application for the cure 

 of warts, and has been used successfully in opacities of the cornea. It has been 

 also administered internally, and is reputed aperient, diuretic, and stimulant. 



Argemone mexicana, Mexican or Gamboge Tiiistle. — The seeds possess 

 narcotico acrid properties. An oil may be obtained from them by expression, 

 which possesses aperient and other qualities, and has been recommended 

 as a cure for Cholera. In the West Indies, the seeds are also used as a substi- 

 tute for Ipecacuanha, 



Papaver sovmijerum. Opium Poppy.— The valuable drug Opium is ob- 

 tained by making incisions into the unripe capsules of this plant, and inspis- 

 sating the juice which under such circumstances exudes Irom them. It has 

 been known from early times, having been alluded to by Hippocrates, Dia- 

 goras, and Dioscorides. Various kinds of opium have been described under 

 the names of Turkey or Smyrna, Constantinople, Egyptian, Persian, Euro- 

 pean, and Indian. Smyrna opium which is produced in Asia Minor is that 

 commonly used in this country. Its consumption is largely on the increase ; 

 thus, in 1839, the quantity imported into Great Britain was 41,000, and 

 in 1852, 114,000 pounds, and'it is even much greater at the present time. In 

 India the quantity of opium produced annually is probably not much less than 

 8,000,000 pounds, yielding a revenue of about 4^ millions sterling to the East 

 Indian Government. Of this enormous quantity, at least five millions ot 

 pounds are exported to and consumed in China, representing a market value 

 of about as many pounds sterling. Opium possesses in a marked degree the 

 narcotic properties of the plants of the order from which it is obtained. In 

 large do.ses it is a narcotic poison. It is also regarded as anodyne, stimulant, 

 and diaphoretic, according to circumstances. Its properties are chiefly due to 

 a peculiar alkaloid called Morphia, which is combined with mec<niic acid. 

 Its properties are also due. to some extent at least, to other peculiar prin- 

 ciples which it contains, as Codeia, Narcotine, Narceine, Meconine, and 

 IVIeconic acid, as well as some others occasionally found, and of which but 

 little is known. While the juice of the pericarp has been thus stated to 

 possess such active properties, the seeds of the Opium Poppy are bland and 

 wliolesome. They yield by expression an oil which is much used on the 

 Continent, and also in this" country, as a substitute for olive oil, and lor 

 other purposes. It is one of the oils employed for adu'terating olive oil. 

 The cake left after the oil has been extracted may be used forfattenitig cattle. 

 Fapavcr Rhwas, the Common Red or Corn Poppy, h.as scarlet or rod petals, 

 as its name implies." A syrup prepared ••pm these petals is used as a 

 colouring ingredient by the medical pract. .jner. The fresh petals are also 

 supposed to possess slight narcotic properties. " 



Many genera belonging to this order arc commonly cultivated in our gardens, 

 as Papaver, Ainemune, Rtcnieiia, Plalyst^vtun, Esc/isc/ioltxia , &c. Tlie latter 

 plant 18 remarkable for its enlarged hollow thalamus. Irom which the calyx 

 .separates by transverse dehiscence in the form of a conical cap, resembling 

 the extingui»hcr of a candle. 



Natural Order 14. Fumariace-^. — The Fumitory Order (figs. 

 85G — 859), — Gcucral Character. — Snwut/i Herbs with a 



