J.2. 



KEPOKT 



ON THE INDIGENOUS MEDICAL BOTANY OF 

 MASSACHUSETTS. 



By STEPHEN W. WILLIAMS, M. D. 



PRELIMINARY REMARKS. 



THE plants of Massachusetts have been pretty thoroughly inves- 

 tigated by able botanists. Although the State embraces but a small 

 extent of territory, and much of the soil is rocky and barren, and 

 although she is situated in a pretty high northern latitude, for the 

 temperate zone, she, nevertheless, has some as warm weather as is 

 to be found in the sunny regions of the south, though not of so long 

 continuance. Many, if not most, of our plants are the same with 

 those of the climate of the south and southwest. There are but few 

 of the plants which have been described by botanical writers, as 

 growing in the southern and southwestern States, which are not found 

 in Massachusetts. Some of our western and southwestern States, 

 however, are still in their infancy, and the natural history of them 

 has not been much investigated. The admirable resolution of the 

 Association for appointing a committee to investigate the medical 

 botany of the various parts of the United States, will do much to- 

 wards drawing out and developing the comparatively unexplored 

 resources of our country in this department of science. Although 

 considerable has been done in this respect, a great deal yet remains 

 to be done, and the time will probably ultimately arrive, when many 

 of what are now termed " worthless weeds, and useless plants," will 

 be considered invaluable medicinal agents ; and many which are now 

 considered medicinal, will be considered comparatively of little value. 

 The chaff will be sifted from the wheat, and a proper value will be 



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