168 RUBIACE^E. 



Part Used. The herb not official. The roots of several species of 

 galium were used by the aborigines as dye-stuffs. 



Constituents. These and several other species of galium contain either 

 f/alitannic or aspertannic acid, together with other organic acids, a bitter 

 principle, and common vegetable principles. G. triflorum contains also cou- 

 marin, to which its fragrant odor is due. 



Preparations. There are commercial fluid extracts of some of the 

 species, but when used at all the plants are commonly administered in 

 decoction or in the form of the recently expressed juice. 



Medical l^roperties and Use*. Galium Aparine is diuretic and refrig- 

 erant. It has been used in many diseases of the urinary organs, in scaly 

 affections of the skin, and in cancer, with asserted benefit. G. triflorum 

 acts in a similar manner, but as it contains coumarin, it might also be ex- 

 pected to exert some influence upon the nervous system. 



CEPHALANTHUS. BUTTON-BUSH. 



Cephalanthus occidentalis Linne. Button-Rush. 



Description. Calyx-tube inversely pyramidal, the limb 4-toothed. 

 Corolla tubular, slender, its limb 4-cleft, the lobes erect, imbricate in the 

 bud. Stamens 4, style filiform, exserted ; stigma capitate. Fruit dry, 

 inversely pyramidal, 2- to 4-celled, separating from the base to the summit 

 into 2 to 4 closed, 1-seeded portions. 



A shrub, 3 to 10 feet high. Leaves opposite or ternate, oval or lanceo- 

 late, pointed, 3 to 5 inches long. Flowers densely aggregated in close glo- 

 bose heads, axillary or terminal, appearing in July and August. 



Habitat. Margins of swamps and in wet places, Canada and the 

 United States. 



Part Used.TliQ bark not official. 



Constituents. Cephalanthus contains tannin, an uncrystallizable bitter 

 principle, a principle analogous to saponin, two resins, and common veg- 

 etable principles. 



Preparations. The virtues of the bark are yielded to water and alcohol, 

 and hence it may be administered in infusion or tincture. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Like nearly all vegetable substances pos- 

 sessing bitterness, this has been employed with asserted success in inter- 

 mittent and remittent fevers. It has not, however, attained an established 

 reputation, and its medicinal virtues are altogether problematical. 



MITCHELLA. PARTRIDGE-BERRY. 



Mitchella repens Linne. Partridge-Berry, Squaw-Berry. 



Description. Flowers in pairs with ovaries united. Calyx 4-toothed. 

 Corolla funnel-formed, with a slender tube, its limb 4-lobed, the lobes 

 spreading, densely bearded inside with white hairs. . Stamens 4, inserted 



