382 NATURAL HISTORY. 



and notched toward the points ; flowers expanding, white, 

 turns reddish when fading ; stem about nine inches high, 

 grows in southern Europe on the wooded mountains ; 

 sometimes, nay, frequently, planted in gardens. The 

 root about as large as a finger, is black outside but white 

 within ; has an acrid, bitter taste. Poison virulent, 

 very drastic, bringing on a general disturbance of the 

 system, which, at last, terminates in convulsions and 

 death. U . Leeches applied to the abdomen and muci- 

 lages with plenty of vinegar, are the usual remedies 

 against the poison of Hellebore. The Hellebore viridis 

 and Hellebore fcetidus are relatives. The following 

 plant, is, however, of a different family. 



The White Hellebore or Sneezewort (Veratum al- 

 bum), popularly known as Indian Poke. Leaves ovate, 

 lanceolate, strongly veined and furrowed ; the lowest 

 nearly a foot long and about a hand's breadth wide ; 

 stem about three feet high, and pithy inside. Flowers 

 numerous, green, in many axillary racemes, which, to- 

 gether form a pyramidal, terminal panicle. Root white 

 and spotted, is said to possess active properties, and em- 

 ployed medicinally. Emetic and stimulant, but poison- 

 ous, it should be used with caution. When powdered, it 

 causes violent sneezing.* If. 



Water Dropwort Coicbane (OEnanthe fistulosa), 

 also called Swamp Parsley. Root long, fibrous ; stem 

 one to three feet high, erect, stiff, striate, smooth ; radi- 

 cal leaves pinnately divided ; leaflets three to eleven ; 



* Our readers must not confound this -with the common Poke Weed, 

 or Pigeon Berry (Phytolaeca decandria). The first belongs to the 

 MclancthacezE, which is generally pervaded by drastic, narcotic, and 

 poisonous qualities, which are most powerful in Yeratrum and Col- 

 chicum. WOOD. TV. 



