AlUSTOLOCIIIACE^. 91 



expunged from tlie Pliarinacopcxiia. The root contains a caniplioi'-like principle and 

 a bitter product called Asarin, which is combined with gallic acid. To these it is 

 indebted for its action on the human system. Taken into the stomach in a state of 

 very fine ])o\vder, it causes vomiting ; in coarse powder it generally purges. It was 

 formerly employed as an emetic instead of ipecacuanha, but, from tlie violence of its 

 effects, it is now laid aside in medical practice ; it is, however, used in veterinary 

 medicine to vomit and purge. The tine powder applied to the nostrils causes sneezing, 

 and a flow of mucus from the membrane which lines those parts. It is, therefore, 

 extensively employed as an errhine, and is the basis or chief ingredient of many 

 cephalic snuff's. It is used in chi'onic inflammations and some other diseases of the 

 eye, and in headaches. When these last arise from disorders of the digestive functions, 

 such means can be of no avail ; when they are connected with congestion or fulness 

 of the vessels of the head, the increased discharge from the Schneiderian membrane 

 may give temporary relief, in the same way as a few drops of blood flowing sponta- 

 neously from the nose, or obtained by puncturing th.e membrane. 



6^^iVro //.— ARISTOLOOHIA. Linn, 



Perianth tubular, the tube extended and inflated beyond the ovary 

 and generally contracted at the throat ; limb irregular, oblique, simple 

 or divided, the upper part of the tube and limb separating circumscis- 

 silely immediately above the ovary. Stamens 6, the filaments entirely 

 adnate to the short thick style, so that the anthers appear sessile and 

 situated on the style. Stigma of 6 spreading lobes. Capsule coria- 

 ceous, opening by six valves. 



Climbing or erect herbs or shrubs, with alternate leaves, often ovate 

 or roundish or reniform, cordate or hastate. Flowers lateral or axillary. 

 Perianth tube often remarkably curved above the ovary. 



The name of this genus of plants has reference to its supposed efficacy in child- 

 birth, and is derived from the Greek words, apiarog (aristos), best, and Xo^eta (locheia}, 

 parturition. 



SPECIES I.-ARISTOLOCHIA CLEMATITIS. Lifm. 



Plate MCCL. 



Reich. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. XII. Tab. DCLXIX. Fig. 1340. 

 Billot, Fl. Gall, et Germ. Exsicc. No. 449. 



Rootstock extensively creeping, cylindrical. Stem erect, not 

 climbing, flexuous, simple. Leaves ovate deltoid, deeply cordate, 

 subobtuse. Flowers in umbellate fascicles in the axils of the leaves, 

 erect. Peduncles shorter than the perianth and much shorter than the 

 leaves. Lip of the perianth ovate-triangular, acuminate. 



Among old ruins. Rare, and not indigenous, confined to the south 

 and east of England. I have seen specimens only from Lakenham, 



N -2 



