921 



291. Abies balsamifera. Balsam of fir; silver fir. Off. This 

 balsam exudes from the bark of the tree, and it is sometimes ob- 

 tained by boiling, but it is not of so good a quality. It is rather 

 thicker than molasses, and of a light straw colour. It becomes 

 thicker by standing. By distillation, it affords an essential oil. 

 The balsam is soluble in alcohol. It is diuretic, and is used for the 

 same purposes as the balsam copaiba, and is a very good substitute 

 for it. The dose is from thirty to sixty drops on sugar. 



292. Abies alba. Single spruce. 



293. Abies nigra. Black, or double spruce. From the essence 

 of spruce procured from these trees, and from the leaves of them are 

 made spruce beer, so universally admired. The bark is astringent 

 and sudorific. The resin procured from these trees nearly resembles 

 frankincense. Josselyn, according to Rafinesque, says it is good in 

 powder to reproduce flesh. It is used by quacks in powder, and in 

 infusion, for complaints of the stomach and bowels, gravel, and rheu- 

 matism. 



294. Pinus, including abies. Thirty-seven species. 

 Pinus mitse. Yellow pine. Off. 



295. Pinus rigida. Pitch pine. Off. 



296. Pinus strobus. White pine. All the pines produce the 

 turpentine of commerce, the properties of which are well known. 

 The bark of the Pinus strobus is used by the Indians in poultice for 

 the piles, and for ulcerations. They make a drawing plaster by 

 boiling the roots. They use the decoction of the buds as a purgative, 

 and the cones or strobiles in rheumatism. They use the tar of it 

 dissolved in spirit as a wash in burns, tetter, and the itch. Raf. The 

 bark is used with spikenard formed into syrup in coughs, and in 

 resin for fresh wounds. 



N. 0. NAIDES. 



297. Lemna. Six species; 20, 2, L. 



Lemna minor. Duck's meat. This singular plant, which floats 



on the top of stagnant water, is called duck's meat, because ducks 



are peculiarly fond of it. Ray considered an infusion of it a secret 



against the jaundice, when six ounces of it are taken in white wine 



VOL. II. 59 



