211 



bite: of this genus M. (jonodadu is used in Jamaica (Pd.), J/. 

 suaveolens in Trinidad (Sch.) 



Alterative, and often aromatic, principles, exist in Ftei-ocaiilon 

 viryatum, Parthnninin hi/sferophorus, Ainbrosia avtemisifclia 

 and Fiyretliriini jxirthoiiun) ; a bitter one in JVeurola^na Johaia ; 

 and of the resoh'ent property. Taraxacum is a common example. 

 Uupatorinni is usually aromatic : E. villosum, as well as the 

 Guaco, were medicines for cholera, and E. ayapana is cultivated 

 as a powerful diaphoretic. CJihadium, Badieri is poisonous to 

 cattle, and its branches are used for poisoning fish. Cultivated 

 pot-herbs in the West Indies are Sptlanthes oleracea and Lactuca 

 saliva." 



The " Treasury of Botany " is responsible for the following 

 notes on the order :— 



" The properties of the order are various ; but bitterness 

 seems to prevail in it, and this is accompanied with tonic, stimu- 

 lant, aromatic, and sometimes even narcotic, qualities. Lactuca 

 sativa, the common lettuce, and L. virosa, supply lactucarium, a 

 substance used like opium." 



And again, the same work under Asteracea (Compositaj) 

 continues : — 



" The uses of the order, real or imaginary, are very numerous 

 and conflicting. Some are tonic and aromatic like wormwood 

 (Artemisia absinthium and others) ; or vermifuges like those 

 other Artemisia known in foreign jjharmacy as Seinen-contra or 

 Semencine. A few are powerful rubefacients, as PeUitory of 

 Spain ( Anacyclus pyrethrum), and various kinds of f^jnlanthcs 

 which excite salivation. Aruica montnna is powerfully narcotic 

 and acrid. Similar evil qualities belong to Crepis lacera, a most 

 venomous species said to be no infrequent cause of fatal conse- 

 quences to those who in the South of Europe, incautiously use it 

 as salad. Kor are Ilieracium virosuni and II. sahaudum altogether 

 free from suspicion. Some species of Fyretlirtim have the power 

 of driving away fleas. Many yield in abundance a bland oil when 

 their achenes or ' seeds ' are crushed : such are the sunflower 

 ( Helianthus annuus), the Til of Ramtil (Verbesina sativa) largely 

 cultivated in India, and Madia sativa. A purgative resin is 

 obtained from allies of the Thistles ; others, as Aucklandia Costus, 

 now referred to Aplotaxis Lappa, have aromatic roots^ and are 

 looked upon by Orientals as aphrodisiacs. Finally, under the 

 name of Artichoke, Succory, Scorzonera, Endive, Salsify and 

 Lettuce, we have some of our most harmless and useful esculents."' 



On McNab's authority : " Inuline occjirs as reserve material 

 in chicory, dahlia, Jerusalem artichoke and other Compositfe" — 



