MEDICAL PLANTS. 179 



CHELONE GLABRA SNAKEHEAD. 



Natural order, Scrophulariaceae Linnaean class, Dedyna- 

 mia Order, Angrospesmia. 



Gen. Char. Calyx five cleft, three bracted ; corol ringent, in 

 flated ; anthers woolly ; capsule two celled, two valved ; seeds 

 with membranous margins. Spec. Char. Plant smooth ; 

 leaves opposite, oblong lanceolate, acuminate, serrate ; flowers 

 spiked. Grows two feet in height, with leaves of a shining 

 dark green color, and sends out white flowers tinged with red, 

 from August to September. The generic name supposes the 

 flowers resemble a tortoise, but the common name likens 

 them to a snake with open mouth and extended tongue. The 

 plant has a bitter taste, and is given in the form of tea to 

 strengthen the stomach, and is said to be useful in liver com- 

 plaint, worms, and jaundice. 



APOCYNUM ANPROSEMIFOLIUM DOG S-BANE. 



Natural order, Apocynaceae Linnaean class, Gynandria Or- 

 der, Pentandria. 



Gen. Char. Calyx small ; corolla bell-shaped, with small 

 lobes ; stamens inside ; filament short, alternating with five 

 glandular teeth ; anthers sagittate, connivent, cohering to stig- 

 ma by the middle ; ovaries two ; stigmas connate ; follicles 

 long, distinct. Spec. Char. Leaves ovate ; cymes lateral and 

 terminal ; tube of corolla longer than calyx, with limb spread- 

 ing ; a handsome plant, attaining the height of three feet, and, 

 in August, making a fine appearance with its dark green leaves 



