Literary Intelligence. 81 



throwing out radicles at the joints. The leaves are op- 

 posite, of a pretty thick consistence, obtusely egg-shaped, 

 entire, very smooth, and of a dark green colour. They 

 are marked, both longitudinally and transversely, with 

 whitish or herbaceous coloured veins, which are espe- 

 cially observable upon the upper surface. The flowers 

 are axillary, twinned (two arising from a common pe- 

 duncle), villous internally, and of a white colour. Sta- 

 mens four. Germen twin, orbicular, common to both 

 flowers, and inferior. A single style to each flower : 

 stigmas four. The pericarp is a berry, two-parted, and 

 globose : seeds commonly four, compressed and callous. 

 The flowers have a very agreeable odour. 



Cotton Mather says, that the Mitchella is a valuable 

 remedy, in cases of dropsy. A decoction of the leaves 

 is directed to be taken, for several days together, as a 

 tea. It is said to act as a diuretic, " as long as the disease 

 lasts ; after which it maybe drank without provoking urine 

 observably." He adds, that " gouty persons drink it 

 with benefit." /. c. I am assured, that, in Georgia 

 this plant has been found very beneficial in some cases 

 of dropsy, and that its diuretic operation was very mani- 

 fest. — Birds of various species, especially the Tetrao 

 urnbellus (called Pheasant and Partridge), and the Te- 

 trao marilandicus (called Partridge, in Pennsylvania), 

 eat the ripe fruit. Hence one of the most common 

 names of this plant, Partridge -berry, by which it is known 

 in Pennsylvania, in the New-England states, and even 

 in Hudson's-Bay. The berries, though not very agree- 

 able to the taste, are, it is believed, quite innocent, not- 

 withstanding one of the names of the plant, Poison-ber r , 



STJPPL. L 



