426 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



and A.palmatum. Aeonitum Napellns, a European species, commonly called 

 Monkshood, is the officinal plant of the British Pharmacopoeia. The leaves, 

 flowering tops, and root are veiy 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-ratlish. The other European 

 species are almost inert. The properties of the above species are especially 

 due to a very powerful alkaloid, called aconitia. This alkaloid has been much 

 used externally in Neuralgia and Rheumatism, and also occasionally inter- 

 nally in Acute Rheumatism and Diseases of the Heart. The Aconitutn/erox 

 contains the largest amount of aconitia of any known species. The root or 

 rhizome of Aeonitum heterophyllum has no poisonous properties ; it has a re- 

 putation in India as a tonic and anti periodic medicine. 



Actcea. — The rhizome with the attached rootlets of Adcea (Cimici/uga) 

 racemosa has been long used in the United States as a remedy in rheuma- 

 tism, and anomalous forms of nervous diseases. It has lately been intro- 

 duced into this country, and employed with some success in similar diseases. 

 The rhizome of Actcea spicata, BanebeiTy, is a frequent adulteration of Black 

 Hellebore rhizome. 



Clematis erecta and C. FlammuJa. — The leaves of these plants have been 

 used as rubefacients and vesicants. Some other species possess analogous 

 properties. 



Coptis.—The root of Coptis trifoKata, Gold Thread, 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. 



Delpliinium Staphysagria.—Thc seeds of this plant are sometimes employed ; 

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

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

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

 Rheumatism. 



Helleborus. — The rhizome and rootlets of HeUehorus offlcinalis constituted 

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

 drastic purgative. IleUeborus niger is still occasionally employed in this 

 countiy, and possesses similar properties. Helleborus viridis and II. foetidus 

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



Hydrastis catiadeiisis.— The rhizome and rootlets, under the names of Yellow 

 Root and Golden Seal, are used in the United States for their tonic properties ; 

 and are reputed also to exercise an especial influence over mucous surfaces. 

 Their action is due to the presence of berberia and a peculiar alkaloid called 

 hydrastia. 



Nigella satira.— The seeds were formerly employed instead of pepper. They 

 are used in India as a carminative. It is supposed that these seeds, or those 

 of another species used by the Affghans for flavouring curries, form the 

 Black Cummin of Scripture (Isaiah xxviii. 25, 27). 



Podophyllum peltatum, May-apple.— The rhizome and rootlets possess 

 cathartic properties, owing especially to the presence of one or more resins. 

 The rhizome and the resin have been introduced into the British Pharma- 

 copoeia, and are now largely used in this country. 



Ranunculus. — R. sceleratus and R. Flammula are very acrid, which pro- 

 perty is also possessed to a certain extent by many other species. R. Fi- 

 caria has thickened roots which contain a good deal of starch ; hence they 

 have been used as food. 



Xanthorrhiza apiifolia. — The root has a pure bitter taste, and possesses 

 well-marked tonic properties. It contains berberia as an ingredient. 



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

 various species of Clematis. Anemone, Ranunculus, Eranthis (Winter Aco- 

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

 (Larkspur), Aeonitum (Monkshood), Pceonia (Pseony). Moutan officinalis is 

 the Tree Paeony of China, which is remarkable for its very large showy 

 flowers, and for the number of its blossoms ; thus, Fortune mentions a plant 

 in the neighbourhood of Shanghae which yearly produced from 300 to 400 

 flowers. ,. 



