906 



SUB-CLASS II. EXOGYN^E. 



Tribe 2. G-ymnospermse. 



ORDER 229. ALISMACE.E. 



202. Alisma. Ten species ; 18, 13, L. 



Alisma plantago. Great water plantain. This plant formerly 

 obtained great celebrity as a specific in hydrophobia. Most modern 

 writers think it is not entitled to the high encomiums bestowed upon 

 it by the Russian physicians. So long ago as the days of Dioscorides, 

 this plant was considered efficacious as an antidote to opium. The 

 whole plant is irritant. The fresh root is acrid and nauseating, 

 and, applied to the skin, will often excite vesication. It loses this 

 quality by drying ; and, like the arum, becomes nutritious. It has 

 also been considered useful in diseases of the urinary organs. 



ORDER 239. 



203. Iris. Fifty-nine species ; 3, 1, L. 



Iris Virginica. Flower de luce. This plant possesses cafhartic 

 properties. It is acrid and stimulant. The expressed juice of the 

 roots, in a dose of sixty or seventy drops, will frequently operate, 

 when the drastric cathartics have failed. It is also diuretic and 

 emetic. An ointment of it is said to cure the itch and other affec- 

 tions of the skin ; and it is good for inflamed breasts, indolent 

 ulcers, &c. 



ORDER 240. ORCHIDE^I. 



204. Orchis. Eighty-seven species ; 19, 2, L. 



Orchis fimbriata. Gay orchis ; twin-root orchis. From the orchis 

 a salep is made. The roots of this species are vermifuge, and the 

 powder is said to kill worms by touching them with it. 



205. Arethusa. Eight species ; 19, 2, L. 



Arethusa bulbosa. Arethusa. Schoepf says that the bruised 

 bulbs are useful for the toothache ; and they are of service in poul- 

 tices for tumours. 



206. Oypripedium. Ten species ; 19, 2, L. 



Oypripedium luteum. Yellow ladies' slipper ; American valerian ; 



