900 



170. Orobanche uniflora. Small cancer roots. The properties 

 of this are similar to the above. 



171. Scrophularia. Twenty-eight species ; 14, 2, L. 

 Scrophularia Marylandica. Figwort. This plant has a rank 



smell and bitter taste, which seem to indicate that it possesses some 

 active medicinal properties. It is vulnerary and resolvent, and is 

 much used in the Northern and Middle States. It is good in ulcer- 

 ation in the form of poultices. By washing with a decoction of it, 

 swine infected with the scab, are cured, and also dogs. 



172. CJielone. Four species; 14, 2, L. 



Chelone glabra. Snake head. The valmony, I believe, of the 

 Thompsonians. This plant is a good corroborant, and should be 

 classed with our tonics. It is most intensely bitter to the taste. It 

 may be used in strong infusion ; useful in dyspepsia, loss of appetite, 

 and general debility. See an interesting article on this plant by 

 Dr. J. A. Allen, of Middlebury, Vermont, in the Boston Medical 

 and Surgical Journal ; see also Rafinesque, who gives a long account 

 of it from Dr. Lawrence, of New Lebanon, Mass. 



173. Leptandra Virginica. Bowman's root ; physic root ; Cul- 

 ver's physic. The plate of this plant, as given by Rafinesque, 

 exactly resembles the spiraea tomentosa, though the properties are 

 opposite. The former (leptandra) is powerfully cathartic, and the 

 spiraea is powerfully astringent. The root is the part employed. 

 The roots, according to Rafinesque, lose much of their virulence by 

 drying, and a drachm of the powder becomes an uncertain purga- 

 tive, while, when fresh, they are drastic and dangerous in sub- 

 stance, and are said to produce bloody stools, dizziness, vertigo, and 

 abortion. 







174. Pedicularis. Thirty-four species ; 14, 2, L. 

 Pedicularis Oanadensis. Common lousewort. It is vulnerary, and 



sometimes called heal-all. The Indians used to cure the bite of the 

 rattlesnake with this plant. 



ORDER 213. SOLANACE^E. 



175. Solatium. One hundred and fifty-six species ; 5, 1, L. 

 Solanum dulcamara. Bittersweet ; woody nightshade ; poison 



bittersweet. This must not be confounded with the celastrus scan- 



