WESTON HAVE YOU A NATURE HOBBY 187 



especially interesting by asking us to scout around and see how 

 many kinds of Fungi we could find on trees, dead things and 

 stumps and then bring them to him. Much to my surprise there 

 were several different kinds and each had a name as Polyporus 

 betulina, Irpex cinnamoneus, Chestnut blight disease and many 

 with such long Latin names one could hardly see the specimen. 

 Some had most beautiful colorings as rich orange on one side 

 with soft greys on the other, also greys with black lines. In 

 October 1920 a friend brought me from South Coimty a most 

 beautiful Polyporus sulphureus, an edible mushroom, I can't de- 

 scribe its beauty, I hope to be able to find one on some of the 

 very instructive trips this coming season." 



Medicinal Plants 



When a busy physician takes time to pursue a Nature Hobby 

 we may be sure he considers it well worth his while. Dr. Henry 

 P. Lovewell writes: 



"The first scientific study of medicinal plants indigenous to 

 the United States was undertaken by Johann David Schopf in 

 1783. In pursuit of his studies he relates of having visited Rhode 

 Island and Connecticut. We have found our State to be a very 

 satisfactory hunting ground for the botanical collector; it has 

 a varied topography and abounds in woods, meadows, swamps, 

 bogs etc., and posesses a flora that is unique in many respects. 

 There are at least three hundred plants native to this state that 

 have in the past been credited with some medicinal value, although 

 the true worth of a large number of these is doubtful. 



For ages past the laity have dabbled extensively in roots and 

 herbs, using home-made decoctions and infusions for the al- 

 leviation of their ills. We would advise the amateur herbalist 

 to study more carefully the varieties collected, as mistakes of 

 a serious nature have been made. 



The medicinal uses of many of our native plants have descend- 

 ed from the aborigines. In "Father Smith's Indian Dispensatory," 

 we find mentioned Wild Ipecac, Culvers' Root, Butternut, "Nine- 

 Bark Root," Agrimony, Horse-balm, Bark of White Pine etc., 

 the leaves of Horse-bakn were commonly used to create a sweat 

 and as a local application to boils and swellings. The number of 



