76 PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



juice used in kidney and bladder complaints. Bark yields an oil, hav- 

 ing the properties of oil of cade. The resinous exudation of young 

 shoots, mixed with soda, is used as a tonic laxative. Inner bark used 

 in intermittent fever. (Am. Journ. Pharm. 1881.) 



166. Betula lenta L. Cherry. Sweet or black birch. Cupuliferce. 

 Cultivated. Ornamental. Used like B. alba. 



167. Bidens species. Spanish needles. Beggars' sticks. Com- 

 positce. 



The California species require further study. The roots and seeds of 

 B. bipinnata are popularly used as an emmenagogue and by the 

 eclectics as an expectorant in laryngeal and bronchial diseases. 



168. Bigelovia groveolens I. Gray. Composite. 



The Coahilla Indians prepare a tea from the twigs given for coughs 

 and pains in the chest. (Barrows.) 



169. Bigelovia veneta (H. B. K.) Gray. Bushy goldenrod. 

 "Yerba anti-rheumatica. " Composite. 



Resembles B. menziesii. Said to have aphrodisiac properties. Is 

 used in the treatment of rheumatism. It contains a resinous exudation 

 resembling that of Grindelia robusta. (U. S. Geog. Surv., Wheeler's 

 Rep. 6 : 46.) (U. of C. Exp : Sta. Rep. 1895, p. 96 ; 1896, pp. 64, 67, 70.) 



170. Blepharipappus douglasii, H. and A. Greene. (Layia callo- 

 glossa Gray). Composite. 



Decoction prepared with equal parts of milk and water, cooled and 

 used as an application to sore and inflamed eyes. 



171. Blumea balsamifera, D.C. Blumea camphor. 



Introduced in southern California. Yields camphor by oxidation 

 with nitric acid. 



172. Boisduvalia densiflora Wats. Onagracece. 



Seeds are rich in oil and are relished by Indians as a food. 



173. Boletus. Pore fungi. Boletacece. 



Eaten as food by Calpella Indians. Poisonous. (Contrib. U. S. 

 Nat. Herb. 7: (No. Ill) 301.) 



174. Brodisea lactea Wats. Liliacece. 



Bulbs used by Indians as food. B. capitata used similarly by other 

 Indians (Indian potato). 



175. Brunella vulgaris L. Self-heal. Heal-all. Labitce. 



A cosmopolitan plant of European origin. Said to be useful as a 

 gargle in throat diseases ; useful in diarrhea and to check hemorrhages. 

 It was highly prized among the common people of Europe. 



