CORTEX QUERCUS. 598 



Uses — The drug is emploj'ed in the form of an infusion or tincture 

 as a stimulating tonic and diaphoretic ; it is more often prescribed in 

 combination with cinchona bai'k than by itself. Its ancient reputation 

 for the cure jof snake-bites is now disregarded. 



Adulteration and Substitution — Virginian snake-root is said to 

 be sometimes adulterated with the root of Spigelia rnarilandica L., 

 which has neither its smell nor taste (see p. 433) ; or with that of 

 Cypripedium. puhescens L., which it scarcely at all resembles. It is not 

 uncommon to find here and there in the sei-pentaiy of commerce, a root 

 of Panax quinquefoliiim L. accidenta^lly collected, but never added for 

 the purpose of adulteration. 



The root of Aristolochia reticulata Nutt., a plant of Louisiana and 

 Arkansas, has been brought into commerce in considerable quantity as 

 Texan or Red River Siuike-root} We are indebted for an authentic 

 specimen from the Cherokee country to Mr. Merrell, a large dealer in 

 herbs at St. Louis, Missouri, who states that aU the serpentary grown 

 south-west of the Rocky Mountains is the produce of that species. The 

 late Prof Parrish of Philadelphia was kind enough to supply us with 

 specimens of the same drug, as well as with reliable samples of true 

 Virginian or Middle States Snake-root. 



The Texan snake-root is somewhat thicker and less matted than that 

 derived from A. Serpentaria, but has the odour and taste of the latt-er ; 

 some say it is less aromatic. The plant, portions of which are often 

 present, may be easily distinguished by its leaves being coriaceous, 

 sessile and strongly reticulated on their under surface. 



CUPULIFERJE. 

 CORTEX QUERCUS. 



Oak Bark ; F. Ecorce de Chene ; G. Eickenrinde. 



Botanical Origin — Quercus Robur L., a tree, native of almost the 

 whole of Europe, from Portugal and the Greek Peninsula as far north as 

 .58° N. lat. in Scotland, 62" in Norway, and -56' in the L'ral Mountains. 



There are two remarkable forms of this tree which are regarded by 

 many botanists as distinct species, but which are classed by De Candolle- 

 as sub-species. 



Sub-species I. pedunculata — with leaves sessile or shortly stalked, 

 and acorns borne on a long peduncle, and acorns either sessile or grow- 

 ing on a short peduncle. 



Sub-species II. sessili flora — -with leaf-stalks more or less elongated. 



Both forms occur in Britain. The first is the common oak of the 

 greater part of England and the lowlands of Scotland. The second is 

 frequently scattered in woods in which the first variety prevails, but it 

 rarely constitutes the mass of the oak woods in the south of England. 

 In North Wales however, in the hiUy parts of the north of England, 

 and in Scotland, it is the commoner of the two forms (Bentham). 



^ Vs'iegaaxAm American Journ. of Pharnu Am. Pkarvi. .U-^-''-''nn, xxi. {1873)441. 

 X. (1845) 10; also Proceeilhujs of the - Prodroii- :>t)4) sect. 2. fasc. 1.) 



2 P 



