WESTON HAVE YOU A NATURE HOBBY 189 



New Jersey Tea, although not common to any one locality, 

 is of historical interest, and rather attractive when in blossom. 

 We have never used it as a beverage. 



When your walks lead in the direction of deserted farmhouses, 

 if you explore the region of the old apple orchards, you may find 

 a plant not native to the State, but set out years ago for its medi- 

 cal value: we allude to the Mandrake or May Apple. It has 

 very large leaves and a fruit the size of a small lemon. The plant 

 is quite hardy and seems to thrive in spite of neglect. 



Of our native ferns the Marginal Shield Fern with its fruit dots 

 arranged so close to the edge as to often appear to project over 

 it, is of much value as a vermifuge. The Common Brake and 

 also the Royal Fern contain astringent principles, although not 

 commonly used. 



The sporules of the Club Mosses furnish Lycopodium, this 

 is an inflammable powder formerly used to dust on excoriated and 

 irritated surfaces. 



We must not forget our native trees and shrubs, many of them 

 having m.edicinal uses; the bark of the Oak is a valuable astrin- 

 gent. The inner bark of the Butternut is a mild cathartic re- 

 sembling rhubarb. The American Aspen or Poplar at one time 

 had a reputation of being a tonic and stim.ulant. From the Pine 

 family are derived resins which are much used as ingredients 

 in plasters and cerates. The Hemlock bark is very astringent 

 and is m.uch used in tanning. It appears to have no special 

 advantage over other com.m.on vegetable astringents. The 

 i^merican Yew we have not as yet discovered wild in this State, 

 although it has been reported as located in certain sections. It 

 is believed to have poisonous properties. The bark of the Winter- 

 berry sometimes called Black Alder, really a Holly, is decidedly 

 bitter, and should be classed as an astringent. Witch Hazel or 

 Harrmamelis is well known and contains astringent principles. 

 The Buckthorn, although native in Eurasia, is found here both 

 cultivated and escaped. It is a powerful laxative. The species 

 found in Rhode Island has been used by Veterinaries. 



In pursuit of the medicinal plants of this State, it is first neces- 

 sary to find if the species sought are native to this region. We 

 have found Bennett's Flora of Rhode Island of decided help. 

 The Providence Franklin Society are about to publish a revised 



