232 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. lxxviii. 



put into a teacup, a little cold water added, stirred until 

 perfectly mixed, then hot water added and stirred till a 

 jelly is formed. The jelly is an excellent medicine for 

 sore throat ; the bark also is used for poultices, for burns, 

 scalds, old sores, etc. Half a century ago I have seen the 

 inner bark fresh from the tree boiled into a jelly and the 

 jelly given for colds and sore throat. 



Juglandaceae. — Butternut, Juglans cinerea. The bark 

 boiled down thick makes good pills for emetic and cathartic 

 purposes ; or a syrup made by boiling the bark with 

 molasses and a little spirit may be given to children for 

 worm complaints. "The bark of the butternut is the 

 principal ingredient in Dr. Hawkes' rheumatic and cancer 

 pills, and also of Chamberlain's bilious cordial, which have 

 been so celebrated for many complaints." 



Myricaceae. — Bayberry or Candleberry, Myrica cerifera. 

 The bark of the root dried and powdered is "highly stimulat- 

 ing and very pungent, pricking the glands and causing the 

 saliva and other juices to flow." It is the chief source of 

 Thomson's No. 3. 



Meadoiv Fern, Comptonia asplenifolia. The "burr pound- 

 ed fine and simmered in cream, hog's lard, or fresh butter, 

 is almost a sovereign remedy for the itch or external poison 

 and all bad humour sores," also " for salt rheum or canker 

 sores." 



Betulaceae. — Black Birch, Betula lenta. The bark, used 

 as a tea, is used for dysentery and all complaints of the 

 bowels. 



Salicaceae. — The White Poplar, Populus alba, and the 

 Stinking Poplar, P. balsamifera, belong to this family. 

 The inner bark is taken off trunk, limbs, or root, dried, and 

 used as a tea for " headache, faintness at the stomach . . . 

 and those of a consumptive habit will find great relief in 

 using this tea freely." It is also a valuable diuretic. 



Balm of Oilead, P. balsamifera (var. Canadensis), maj r be 

 used in the same way, but " it is more harsh than the other 

 kinds of poplar." It is good taken inwardly, as a re- 

 storative, is a good corrector of the bile, and will operate 

 both as an emetic and cathartic, while externally it is used 

 for bathing sores. 



Coniferae. — Balsam Fir, Abies balsamea, produces the 





