30 asahabacc'A. 



the style short ; the stigma lias six radiated reflexed segments. 

 The capsule is coriaceous, crowned by the persistent calyx, 

 hexagonal, and divided into six cells, which contain numerous 

 ovate seeds. Plate IV., fig. 2, (a) the flower viewed in front, 

 shewing the stamens and six-parted stigma ; (h) stamens and 

 pistils ; (c) single stamen ; (d) capsule cut transversely to show 

 the six cells. 



The Asarabacca is a native of most climates, from 60° to 37° 

 North latitude. It is found in several parts of Great Britain, 

 but is extremely local. It is abundant near Kirby Lonsdale, in 

 Westmoreland, and in some other of the northern counties ; it 

 has also been met with near Maidenhead, in Berkshire, Kim- 

 bolton, in Huntingdonshire, and Linlithgow, in Scotland, It 

 seems to prefer moist and shady situations, and exhibits its 

 curious lurid flowers in May. 



The ancient name Asarum, is said to have been formed from 

 «, not, and a-aci^u, to adorn, because it was rejected from the gar- 

 lands of antiquity*. " It appears from Pliny," says Dr. Paris, 

 " that the Asarum was not uncommonly confounded with the 

 Baccharis (Baccharis Dioscorides, Willd.?); an English name 

 was accordingly bestowed upon it, which is a curious compro- 

 mise of the question, for it is a compound of both, viz., Asara- 

 bacca." It is pi-ovincially called Foal's-foot and Wild-nard. 



Qualities. — The fresh root of Asarabacca has a penetrating, 

 aromatic odour, which is ndt unpleasant, and somewhat resembles 

 that of valerian or nard. Both leaves and root are acrid, 

 bitter and nauseous to the taste. The juice reddens litmus 

 paper, and " a! strong watery infusion of the leaves, which was of 

 the colour of brandy, assumed a deep olive by the addition of 

 sulphate of iron, and a greyish precipitate was thrown down." 

 The aroma of the recent root appears to be owing to a volatile 

 camphorated oil, which is not present in the dried root. 



The Asarum Canadense, or wild ginger, is very nearly allied to 

 the present species in botanical character, but is very different 

 in its medicinal effects. The Canadian plant is a useful aroma- 

 tic, and is devoid of the emetic principle which distinguishes 

 the European Asarum ; thus forming a striking exception to 

 the general analogy which exists between the botanical and me- 

 dicinal character of vegetables. 



* Plinii Hist. Nat. lib. xxi. cap vi. 



