236 



fully ripe fruit is quite pleasant. Some 

 state it is like that of a tomato, and it cer 

 tainly is not very nutritious. It must only 

 be sparingly eaten because of its decid 

 edly laxative properties. The entire plant 

 is quite poisonous and it is stated that 

 the cooked leaves have been eaten for 

 "greens" with fatal results. The Indians 

 have employed the plant medicinally for 

 centuries. 



The 1 principal use of the American 

 mandrake is medicinal. It is a very effi 

 cient cathartic, due to the presence o-f a 

 resinous principle known as podophyllin, 

 which has been given the name "vegeta 

 ble calomel." It is no doubt true that 

 this drug is in no small measure respon 

 sible for the decrease in the use of the old- 

 time mineral drug calomel. Both rhiz 



omes and leaves may be employed, but 

 the former contain more of the active 

 principle. The drug is rarely given alone 

 because of the griping it produces ; it is 

 combined with hyoscyamus and bella 

 donna, also with aloes and colocynth. In 

 large doses it usually acts as= an emetic, 

 which would tend to prevent poisoning 

 from an overdose. Podophyllin has been 

 used in dropsy, scrofula and rheumatic 

 affections. Applied externally it acts as a 

 powerful irritant, similar to capsicum and 

 mustard plaster. 



Description of Plate. A, B, parts of 

 the plant about natural size; I, flower 

 bud ; 2, flower ; 3, stamens ; 4, ovary ; 5, 

 fruit ; 6, seed coat ; 7, seed. 



Albert Schneider. 



I opened the eyes of my soul. 



And behold, 



A white river-lily: a lily awake, and aware 

 For she set her face upward aware how in scarlet and gold 

 A long wrinkled cloud, left behind of the wandering air, 

 Lay over with fold upon fold, 

 With fold upon fold. 



And the blushing sweet shame of the cloud made her also ashamed, 



The white river-lily, that suddenly knew she was fair; 

 And over the far-away mountains that no man hath named, 



And that no foot hath trod, 



Flung down out of heavenly places, then fell, as it were, 

 A rose-bloom, a token of love, that should make them endure, 

 Withdrawn in snow silence forever, who keep themselves pure, 

 And look up to God. 



-Jean Ingelow, "A Lily and a Lute." 



