ORDER CXXXViri.— ARACE-E. 651 



4. A. Walte'ri, (Ell.) Leaves sagittate, triangular, with the lobes 

 divaricate, acute, probably only a variety of the pieceding. — If. April 

 — JMay. In swamps. 12 — 18 inches. 



The root of tho A. triphyllum is possessed of decided medicinal properties, which 

 are due to an exceedingly volatile substance, whicli is niostlv dissii»alfd bv drying', 

 and wholly by boiling. It is exceedingly acrid, producing intc'nse pain in the tnouth 

 by biting the fresh root. It is not soluble in water, alcohol, or ether, as it coinmnni- 

 cates none of its properties to these tluids. It has been employed with nuich benetit 

 in asthma, chronic coughs, rlieumatism, &c. It is administered by gratinj; tho dried 

 oot, and mixing it with sugar, in a dose often grains. 



Genus IV.— A'CORUS. L. 6—1. 

 (From a, privative, kore, pupil of the eye; from some supposed effect on the eye.) 



Si^adix cylindrical, covered with flowers. Perianth gluma- 

 ceous, 6-leaved, naked. Stamens 6. Stigma sessile. Capsule 

 3-celled, 3-angied, many-seeded. 



1. A. cal'amus, (L.) Leaves cnsiform, ancipitous, glabrous, entire. 

 Scape 3-angled, concave on one side, with the summit resembling the 

 leaves. Flowers on a cylindrical spadix, protruding from the side of 

 the ensiform scape. Stigma obtuse. — Pale yellow. 1(. April. Wet 

 place?. 2 — 3 feet. SioceL-jlag. 



The dried root of this plant is known in shops under the name of Oilomu^. It is 

 a stimulant, tonic, an(i aromatic. It is prescribed in the regular practice as aiil to ca- 

 thartic medicines, and in cases of debidty of the alimentary canal. It was anciently 

 much more liighly esteemed than at the present day. 



Genus V.— ORON'TIUM. L. G— 1. 

 (The Greek name.) 



Spadix cylindric, crowded with flowei-s. Perianth 6-Ieaved, 

 naked. Stigma sessile, \ery small. Fruit 1 -seeded. 



1. O. aquat'icum, (L.) Leaves lanceolate, ovate, radical, entire, gla- 

 brous, somewhat glaucous, membran.ioeous ; s|)athe siiort. Spodiu- long, 

 green at the base, purple in the middle, white at the summit. J'eri- 

 an/ft small, persistent. F'damoits short. Fruit globular, (le.-hy. — Yel- 

 low. - 11. March — April. In marches. Verv comiin)n. 1 — 2 fi< t 



Unld'Hclub. 



Genus VI.— CALA'DIUM. Vent. 19—12. 

 (Meaning not known.) 



Floioers inoncecious. Sterile florets: perianth none. Sta- 

 mens numerous. Anthers peltate, collected in a spike at tlie 

 summit of the spadix. Fertile florets at the base of the spadix. 

 Perianth none. Stigma sessile. Fruit 1-celled, many-seeded. 



1. C. GLAU'cuM, (Ell.) Leaves hastate, cordate, acuminnto. entire, 

 glaucous; lobes long; scape about the length of the petioles; sputhe 

 cucuUate, dilated at the summit. Spadix longer than the tube, with 

 the sterile florets extending to the summit. Fruit red, many-seeded. 

 —White. May— June. Wet soils. 12—15 inches. 



