THE MUSTARD TREE. 293 



* Of the acrid qualities of phytolacca dodecandra there can be no 

 doubt; so that there appears a very strong analogy between the ef- 

 fects and properties of the general sinapis and phytolacca ; besides 

 which, I have ascertained the existence of a fourth ultimate chemical 

 element, Nitrogen, in the seed of a species of phytolacca. Nitrogen 

 was said only to exist in plants belonging to the natural orders cru- 

 ciatae and flingi, in the former of which the common mustard, 

 sinapis nigra, is placed.' 



Mr. Frost then proceeds to sum up his argument, showing that 

 the phytolacca dodecandra is the tree mentioned in the gospels, 

 from the following circumstances : 



'Because it is one of the largest trees indigenous to the country 

 where the observation was made ; because it has the smallest seed 

 of any tree in that country ; because it is both used as a culinary, 

 vegetable, and medicinal stimulant, which common mustard is also ; 

 because a species of the same genus is well known in the United 

 States, by the term wild mustard ; because the ultimate chemical 

 elements of the seed sinapis nigra and phytolacca dodecandra are 

 the same.' 



In conclusion, the author adds the generic characters of the two 

 vegetables, by which they are seen, botanically, to be very distinct 

 families. 



Our thanks are due to this scientific gentleman, on account of the 

 attention he has bestowed on the investigation of this subject, for 

 the purpose of elucidating the sacred writings ; the study of which 

 he states to be the most interesting employment of the human mind. 

 We take the liberty, however, to suggest, that his ' Remarks ' would 

 be rendered much more satisfactory and contributive to the object 

 which he had in view by a proper authentication of the various state- 

 ments he has made relative to the phytolacca dodecandra, from the 

 writings of accredited Eastern travellers. The absence of this must 

 be strongly felt by every intelligent reader of his work. 



25* 



