CHERRY STALKS CHESTNUT. 67 



lanceolate, pointed, and serrate at the margins. At the 

 back of the leaf there are two or three dot-like glands 

 close to the midrib near the base. Odour, when the 

 fresh leaves are bruised, like that of oil of bitter almonds. 



CHERRY STALKS. 



Prunus avium, Linn, (and other species). 



N.O. Rosacez. 

 Action. Tonic, and slightly astringent. 



Distinctive character Fruitstalks about if inch 

 long and ^ inch in thickness, enlarged at one end. 

 The stalks of various species are collected indifferently, 

 viz., P. Cerasus, Linn., and P. duracina, Sweet, i.e., of 

 the red, black, and white or Bigarreau cherries. Taste, 

 bitter and astringent. 



CHESTNUT. Castaaea vcsca, Gaertn. 



N.O. Cupulifcm. 

 Syn. Castanea dentata, Borkh., Castanea vulgaris, Lam. 



Part used Leaves. 



Action Tonic, astringent. In some places chestnut 

 leaves are used as a popular remedy in fever, ague, &c. 

 Their reputation, however, rests upon their remarkable 

 efficiency in paroxysmal or convulsive coughs, whoop- 

 ing coughs, and other irritable and excitable conditions 

 of the respiratory organs. The infusion of i ounce of 

 leaves in a pint of boiling water is administered in 

 tablespoonful to wineglassful doses, repeated three to 

 four times daily. 



Distinctive character Leaves leathery, about 6-8 

 inches long, and 2$ inches broad, oblong lanceolate, 

 feather-veined, margins with distant sharp-pointed, 

 spreading teeth. In the American form of the tree 

 (Castanea dentata) the teeth are curved forward. Taste, 

 astringent. Odour, none. 



