Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 423 
opportunity of examining the fresh bark of C. avium or of C. serotina, 
but from the examination of the English and American commercial 
barks, which he presumed to be derived from these trees respect- 
ively, and from the above examination of C. Padus, it appeared to 
him that if any such bark was to be used in this country at all, 
that of the last-named species would probably answer as well as any 
other. 
Dr. Maclagan likewise exhibited specimens of, and made some 
remarks on, the following medicinal plants, which are in use in 
America, though little known in this country :— 
Triosteum perfoliatum, Linn.—The bark of the root is cathartic, 
and in large doses emetic, and as such is employed in America under 
the name of Fever-root. 
Phytolacca decandra, Willd.—Poke-weed. The root and berries 
are emeto-cathartic and somewhat narcotic, and have been used in 
America in chronic rheumatism. In many of its actions it appears to 
resemble mezereon. 
Eupatorium perfoliatum, Linn.—Thoroughwort. The leaves are 
esteemed tonic and diaphoretic, and have been used with success in 
intermittent fever. It appears from the statements of Wood and 
Bache to have arrested intermittent fevers chiefly by acting as an 
emetic, and can hardly be looked upon as possessing the properties 
of an anti-periodic. 
Ariseema atrorubens, Blume; Arum triphyllum, Willd.—Indian 
Turnip. The recent root is extremely acrid, but when dried becomes 
bland, and yields its starch readily, quite white and pure. The half- 
dried root has been used as a stimulant expectorant in chronic catarrh, 
and when mixed with sugar, as a stimulant application to sore mouths 
in children. The starch resembles under the microscope that of drum 
maculatum, being in small grains of a rounded form, but frequently 
presenting a somewhat angular aspect. 
Podophyllum peltatum, Linn.—May-apple, or Mandrake. The 
root is an efficient purgative, acting very like jalap, and applied to 
the same class of cases in which that drug is used. The leaves have 
the character of being somewhat narcotic, but the fruit, which is 
sometimes called Wild-lemon, is eaten with impunity. 
Mr. M‘Nab read the following list of the times of appearance in 
flower of plants in the open borders of the Botanic Garden, Edin- 
burgh, from 15th February till 14th March, 1850, in continuation of 
a similar list presented at the February meeting :— 
Feb. 15. Hepatica triloba, vars. Feb, 22. Daphne Mezereon. 
16. Crocus Susianus (cloth of 22. Knappia agrostidea. 
old). 23. Primula denticulata. 
16. Corylus Avellana (hazel). 23. Vinea minor. 
18. Leucojum vernum. 24. Petasites vulgaris. 
18. Symplocarpus foetidus. 25. Daphne Laureola. 
18. Viola odorata. 25. Dondia Epipactis. 
20. Capsella Bursa-pastoris. 25. Potentilla Fragariastrum. 
21. Arabis albida. 26. Crocus sulphureus, and 
21. Bellis perennis. other garden vars. 
21. Lamium purpureum. 27. Tussilago Farfara. 
