578 SYSTKMATIC BOTANY. 



the substances known as Mfitico in South America, aud which are employed 

 as styptics. The matico used in this countiy is, however, derived from 

 Attavthe elongata, a plant of the Nat. Ord. PiperacefB. E. ayapaim and 

 E. perfoliattna have been employed as antidotes to the bites of venomous 

 reptiles. They are reputed to possess stimulant, tonic, and diaphoretic 

 properties. 



Guizotia oleifera is extensively cultivated in India for its seeds, which are 

 known in commerce under the name of Niger Seeds. These yield a thin oil, 

 useful in painting and for burning, &c. It is known in India as Eam-til, 

 Kala-til, Noog, &c. 



Helianthus. — H. tuberosus. — The tubers are much eaten under the name of 

 Jerusalem Artichokes. The dried fruits have been used as a substitute for 

 coffee. //. anmcits is the common Sunflower. The pith contains nitrate of 

 potash, and is therefore sometimes used in the preparation of moxas in 

 Europe. The fruits have been lately employed as an ingredient in a kind 

 of soap called Sunflower Soap. 



Inula Helenium, Elecampane.— The root is an aromatic tonic, expec- 

 torant, and diaphoretic. It has been employed iu chronic cataiTU, and in 

 dyspepsia. 



Madia. — The seeds of M. saliva, a native of Chili, yield by pressure a 

 large amount of fixed oil, which is edible, and the commoner kinds have 

 been usal for illumination. The plant is now cultivated in Asia Minor, 

 Algeria, and the warmer parts of i'Yance and Germany. The oil has also 

 the valuable property of not congealing at 19° below zero of Reaumur, 

 hence it is a valuable lubricating agent for delicate machinery. 



Matricaria Chamomilla has similar propei-ties to the tnie chamomile. The 

 flowers are the Flores Chamomilhe of German phannacologists ; they are 

 usually distinguished as Common Chamomiles. 



Mikania.— M. Guaco has been much used as an antidote to the bites of veno- 

 mous serpents in South America. Guaco has also been highly spoken of as 

 a remedy for gout and rheumatiem. 



Notonia. — The freshly gathered stems of JV, grandiflara and iV^. corymhosa 

 are reputed in India to be a preventive of hydrophobia. 



Oriopordum Acanthium is the Scotch Thistle of gardeners. It is also 

 known under the name of Cotton Thistle. 



Silpfiiiwu — S. laciniatum, S. peffoliatum, and other species, natives of 

 North America, where they are known under the names of " rosLn-weeds," 

 are reputed to be very efficacious in asthma. S. laciniatum is also known as 

 the " polar plant" or " compass plant," because " the leaves are said to pre- 

 sent their faces uniformly north and south." 



Tanacetum vulgare, the common Tansy, possesses tonic and anthehnintic 

 properties. 



Tussilago Farfara, Coltsfoot.— This plant is employed as a popular 

 remedy in chronic coughs and othei- pulmonary complaints. 



Vernonia anthelniintica.— The seeds are employed in the East Indies as an 

 anthelmintic. 



Su1)-0rder 2. Labiatiflor^, — There are no important plants known to 

 belong to this sub-order. Some have been reputeti aromatic, mucilaginous, 

 and tonic, and the leaves of Printzia aromaUca are sometimes employed at 

 the Cape of Good Hope as a substitute for tea. 



Sub-Order 3. LiGULiFLOn,E.— The plants of this snb-order generally contain 

 a millcy juice, which commonly possesses alterative, aperient, diuretic, or 

 narcotic properties. The roots of some are used as esculent v^etables ; and 

 other plants of this sub-order, by cultivation with diminished light, become 

 edible as salads. 



Cichorium.—C. Intybus. Wild Succory or Chicory.— The Chicory plant is 

 indigenous in this and many other countries of Europe. It is also extensively 

 cultivated for the sake of its roots, which are roasted and used as a substitute 

 for, or more frequently as an addition to, groimd coffee. Above 100 millions 

 of pounds are annually consumed in Europe. In 1865, the consumption 

 in Great Britain alone was about 13 millions of pounds; and it is now 

 calculated that in proportion to that of coffee it is nearly 40 jier cent. It 

 does not, however, possess in any degree the peculiar excitipg, Boothiug 



