918 



ain mahogany. The wood is much used by cabinet-makers ; and 

 it admits of a very high polish. The bark affords a pleasant, 

 aromatic spice, like the chequer berry. It is pectoral, diuretic, and 

 stimulant. It is good for colds, coughs, and affections of the breast. 

 Used by empirics in the form of tea, from the twigs, for obstruction 

 of perspirations, and other kinds of obstructions ; and for disorders 

 of the bowels. A good sugar is made from the sap. 



271. Betula populifolia. White birch. The inner bark is as- 

 tringent, and has been employed in intermittent fever. From the 

 bark a peculiar substance is formed, with which the Kussians tan 

 leather. The leaves, in infusion, have been used in rheumatism, 

 gout, and cutaneous diseases. Dropsies have been relieved by en- 

 veloping the body in the fresh leaves of the birch, exciting perspi- 

 ration. The sap is useful in complaints of the kidneys and bladder. 

 The bark is used by the Indians for making canoes. The layers 

 of the bark may be placed in the inside of boots and shoes to pre- 

 vent the feet becoming wet. The white, smooth bark can be writ- 

 ten on like paper. 



272. Betula rubra. Red birch. Possesses similar properties. 



273. Oastanea. Two species ; 20, 13, L. 



Castanea Americana. Chestnut. The fruit of this valuable 

 tree is well known. Chestnuts are too flatulent to be very healthy. 

 The wood is valuable and durable for fences. The bark is a pow- 

 erful astringent, and is used as such in tanning, and in medicine. 

 The inner bark, boiled in milk and water, has been used successfully 

 as an astringent in dysentery and diarrhoeas, which require to be 

 restrained after the use of physic. 



274. Comptonia. 20, 13, L. 



Qomptonia asplenifolia. Sweet fern. Sec. The whole plant 

 has a sweet, sickish, spicy odour, which manifests itself by rubbing. 

 It is astringent and tonic, and is used in common practice in diar- 

 rhoea, and similar affections. It contains benzoic acid and resin. 

 According to Schoepf, chewing the roots stops bleeding at the 

 lungs. It may be used as a substitute for the more expensive bal- 

 sams, in asthma, bronchitis, &c. A decoction of the plant is used 

 here as an internal remedy, and as a wash in cases of poisoning 

 with sumach and other external irritants. 



