646 



SYSTEjrATIC BOTANY. 



Distribution, Sfc — Natives of swampy ground in China and the 

 East Indies. Examples : — Nepenthes is 

 Fig. 1013. Fig. 1014. the only genus ; it inchides about 14 

 species. Their properties are unknowA 



Natural Order 223. Aristolochia- 

 CE^. — The Birthwort Order {Jigs. 1013 

 — 1015). — Herbs or shrubby chnibers. 

 Leaves alternate. Flowers axillary, perfect 

 {fg. 1013), dull-coloured. Calyx tubular, 

 superior {fig. 1013), with a valvate esti- 

 vation. Stamens 6 — 12, arising from 

 the top of the ovary, and either attaclied 

 to the style {fig. 1014), or distinct ; 

 anthers extrorse. Ovary inferior {fig. 

 1013), 3 — 6-celled ; style simple ; stigmas 

 radiating (yz^r. 1014), and corresponding 

 in number to the cells of the ovary. 

 Fruit capsular or succulent, 3— 6-celled. 

 Seeds numerous {fig. 1013), albuminous 

 {fig. 1015); embryo very minute {fig. 

 1015). 



Distribution, ^c. — Sparingly distributed 

 in several parts of the Avorld, but very 

 common in tropical South America. Ex- 



Fig. 1015. 



^% 'Z\ol'J''of\T£Z ""'P^'' •— Asanmi, Aristolochia. There 

 mon Birthwort {AristoU,- are 9 genera, and 130 species. 



Chmatitls) -Fio. Pmnprfip.^ and Tl^P>i BirthwortS COH- 



1014. Tiie pistil and sta"- Properties and Uses 



mens of the above Fig. tain a bitter principle and volatile oil; 



Suie se^d.""'"''" '"'""'' th.ey possess generally, tonic, stimulant, 

 and acrid properties. 



Asarum 4. europeEum, Asarabacca, possesses acrid properties. It has 



been employed in medicine as an emetic, and as an errhine m headache and 

 oiihthalmia. Its powder is supposed to constitute the chief ingredient in 

 cephalic snuff. 



Asarum canadcnse Canada Snake-root or Wild Ginger, has aromatic pro- 

 perties. The rhizome is used in the United States as a tonic, diaphoretic, 

 and aromatic stimulant. 



Aristolochia. Birthwort — Several species have been employed for centu- 

 rien in medicine, principally on acrount of their supposed emrrienagogue pro- 

 perties, and hence the name of Birthwort which is applied to the genus. The 

 roots ot A. lonpa, A. mtundn, A. Cl<7)iatitis, 8(c., have been thus employed, 

 rhey all possess stimulant and tonic properties. Tlie powdered root of A. 

 lorifiu IS one of the ingredients in the Duke of Portland's powder for gout. 

 .Some of the species have been reputed specifics for snake-bites, but without 

 any satisfactory proof. A. anguicida is supposed bv Lindlev to be the cele- 

 brated Guaco of the Columbians. The juice of its root, as well as that of 

 many other species, is said so to stnpify snakes that th.-v mav be handled 

 and played with. The rhizome and root fibres of Aristolochia Serpnitaria. 

 Virpintau .Snake-root, are officinal. Serpentary was originally introduced 

 as an antidote to snake-bites, but it has no efficacy in such cases. It is a 

 »aliiable stimulant, tonic, and dia|)horetic, and especially usetiil in fevers of a 

 low or typhoid character. The roofs of A. reticulata, A. 'tomentosa, A. hastata, 

 and other species, are said to be mixed ui commerce with those of A. Serpen- 

 tana. 



