ARISTOLOCHlACKaS. E1RTHWORT TRIER 547 



1. THSIUM (Bastard Toad-flax). 



1. T. linophyllum (Bastard Toad-flax). The only 

 British species. Chalky hills, not common. A rather 

 small plant, with a woody root, nearly prostrate stems, 

 very narrow, pointed leaves, and leafy clusters of whitish 

 flowers. Fl. July. Perennial. 



ORD. LXXIV.AEISTOLOCHIACE^E. BIRTH- 

 WORT TRIBE. 



Perianth attached to the ovary below, tubular above, 

 with a wide mouth \ stamens 6 12 inserted on the 

 ovary ; ovary 3 6-celled style 1 ; stigmas rayed, as 

 many as the cells of the ovary ; fruit 3 6-celled, many 

 seeded. Herbs or shrubs, often climbing, with simple 

 leaves, and solitary, axillary flowers, very abundant in 

 the warmer parts of South America, but rare elsewhere. 

 The plants of this order are generally bitter, tonic and 

 stimulant. The dried and powdered leaves of Asarabacca 

 (Asarum Europceum) are used in the preparation of 

 cephalic snuffs, exciting sneezing, and giving relief to 

 head-ache and weak eyes. Virginian Snake-root (Aris- 

 tolochia serpentaria) and other allied species are used as 

 antidotes to the bite of venomous snakes. The juice 

 extracted from the root of a South American species is 

 said to have the power of stupifying serpents if placed 

 in their mouths. Other African species are said to be 

 used by the Egyptian jugglers to stupify the snakes with 

 which they play tricks during the exhibition of their 

 art. The wood of Aristolochia is remarkable for not 

 being arranged in concentric layers, but in wedges. A 

 thin slice is a beautiful object for examination under a 

 microscope of low power. 



1. ARISTOLOCHIA (Birthwort). Perianth tubular, 

 curved, swollen at the base, the mouth dilated on one 

 side ; anthers 6, inserted on the style ; stigma 6-lobed ; 

 capsule 6-celled. (Name in Greek denoting the supposed 

 medicinal virtues of the plant). . 



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