ARISTOLOCHIACEyE. 



enlarges into a furrowed obovate ovary. The calyx, like others in this 

 singular genus, consists of a long contorted tube, bent in the form o. 

 the letter S, swelling at its two extremities, having its throat surrounded 

 by an elevated edge or brim, and its border expanded into a broad irre- 

 gular margin, forming an upper and under lip, which are closed in a 

 triangular manner in the bud. The anthers are 12 in number, growing 

 in pairs to the sides of the fleshy style, which is situated in the bottom 

 of the calyx, and covered by a firm, spreading convoluted stigma, 

 which extends over the anthers. Capsule obovate, 6-angled, 6-celled, 

 with numerous small flat seeds. Bigelow. The root has a penetrating 

 resinous smell, and a pungent bitter taste. It acts as a stimulant, tonic, 

 diaphoretic, and in certain cases as an antispasmodic and anodyne. It 

 is peculiarly useful in supporting the strength and in allaying the irre- 

 gular action which attend great febrile debility. Dr. Chapman considers 

 it *' admirably suited to check vomiting and to tranquillise the stomach, 

 more particularly in bilious cases." 



709. A. pallida Willd. sp.pl. iv. J62.; 



710. A. longa Linn. sp. 1364. ; 



711. A. boetica Linn. sp. 1363.; 



712. A. sempervirens Linn. sp. 1363.; and 



713. A. rotunda Linn. sp. 1364-., are slightly aromatic stimu- 

 lating tonics useful in the latter stages of low fever ; the taste 

 is bitter and acrid ; the odour strong and disagreeable. They 

 are said to be sudorific, and have been employed as emmena- 

 gogues in amenorhcea. They are supposed to be the plants 

 with which the Egyptian jugglers stupify the snakes they play 

 with. 



714?. A. Clematitis Linn. sp. pi. 1364. Eng. Bot. t. 398. Smith 

 Eng. Fl. iv. 377. Waste places in a few localities in England, 

 common on the continent. (Birthwort.) 



Root perennial. Stem erect, smooth, about 3 feet high, simple, 

 flexuose, emitting an Elder-like disagreeable smell when bruised, tumid 

 and polished at the nodes. Leaves alternate, smooth, roundish-ovate, 

 entire, obtuse, reniform at the base, with pedate veins ; petiole as long 

 as the lamina, furrowed, smooth. Flowers pedicellate, clustered, axil- 

 lary, erect or pendulous, shorter than the petioles. Calyx dull pale 

 yellow, inflated at the base, with a straight cylindrical tube, slightly 

 hairy internally, and an oblique, ovate, emarginate, obtuse concave limb. 

 Column very small, roundish, depressed, slightly triangular, with 1-ses- 

 sile 2-celled anther on each angle and face. The roots are powerfully 

 stimulating, when fresh they have a very disagreeable smell. They have 

 been chiefly employed as aids to difficult parturition. 



715. The Guaco of the Caraccas, reported to be a powerful 

 remedy for the bites of serpents, is said by Dr. Hancock to be 

 some plant of this genus. 



ASARUM. 



Calyx bell-shaped, coriaceous, coloured, permanent, in 3 rather 

 deep, upright segments, with incurved points. Filaments 12, 



344 



