Dr. Hancock on Haimarada. 11 



breves. Calyx quadrifidus." Vahlii Eclogua; Americana*, Fasc. 

 II, p. 47. To which we may add, with one alteration : Radix 

 fibrosa; Caules pedales decumbentes; Corolla calyce parnm 

 loii^ior, stoloues radicantes, labium inferius album, trilobum, 

 flabelifonne, superius integrum sub-rubrum; Capsula conica, 

 bivahis; Calyx persistens, pilosus, quinquefidus. 



There can be no doubt, I think, that this plant will be recog- 

 nized as identical with V. diffusa, although there are some 

 trifling discrepancies observable. The calyx, for instance, in the 

 generic description of V. diffusa, is said to be sub-quad rijid us ; 

 in this, it has constantly five unequal divisions ; and of the 

 «s, even the youngest are not without veins. These are the 

 only deviations I have observed in this plant from the characters 

 of V. diffusa, as given in the Species Plantarum of Willdenow. 

 It might, together with Digitalis, Atropa, &c. be ranged 

 with Linnams's natural, or rather unnatural order Luridae or 

 Plants uspectae. 



Infusions of this plant have a faint herbaceous odour, and a 

 flavour somewhat similar to that of the Quassi\ amara, but 

 more bitlar. It leaves a peculiar impression on the palate, as 

 it were of a metallic taste. Both water and alcohol extract its 

 \irtues; proof spirit is, perhaps, the most perfect menstruum. 

 In respect to the chemical analysis of this vegetable, I have 

 made no adequate or conclusive experiments to enable me to 

 decide upon the nature of its active constituents. It resists, 

 in .1 r. markable manner, the action of the other vegetable ini'u- 

 moi.s, and of molt of the metallic re-a^ents usually employed. 

 In ih.- ■tMIMMIf) of better information, I give the following as the 

 reiults of my iiive.li-.itioi.s Wtk the aqueous infusion of II. u- 



mar.id.i. 



I find no change whatever to i lisue nil tile admixture of mill- 



I of Haimarada with those of other \c^etaUes. Those 



tried WBN tfca following: infusions of (Jails, Cincbon.i, An- 



tuni Hark, Ipecacuhana, Hhub.irb, ll.ihvari i A 111 I \ of 



i,. (i) q \..so..ri rood o with tiie wood of 8i- 



baduni, | iiomb - nj't «r. < "I INm .,m bo, and the bitter ('u- 



