21 



a broad scarious border. Ray white, reflexed. Recep- 

 tacle ovate, conical. 



The Wild Chamomile, which, in the months of November 

 and December, so plentifully covers the Cape Downs, is 

 one of those plants which deserve the peculiar attention of 

 our apothecaries. It is a true Matricaria, and in many 

 respects not only equals, but even surpasses, the European 

 species. Large sums of money are yearly expended in 

 importing this useful and popular drug, while we can 

 gather a plant of the same order, the "same genus, and 

 the same properties at our doors. In the more remote 

 parts of the country, where dispensaries are not so abun- 

 dantly found as in the vicinity of our metropolis, the 

 farmers and the coloured people employ the Wild Chamo- 

 mile as often, and with the same good effect, as we do 

 the 31atricaria Chavwmi/la, or the Anthemis nohilis. In 

 short, this herb, which contains a superfluity of volatile 

 oil, is an excellent antispasmodic, and most useful in colic 

 and other spasmodic complaints, while, on account of its 

 aromatic bitter taste, it is recommended as a stomachic in 

 dyspepsia and in derangements of the digestive organs 

 generally. Its local application as a resolvent is suffi- 

 ciently known. 



GAEULEUM. Cass. 

 ( CompositcB.) 



XIX. — SYNGENESIA. LIN. Sl'ST. 



48. Garuleum bipinnatum. Less. SuflPruticose. Roots 

 long, woody. Ster?i erect, striated, branchy. Leaves 

 alternate, bipinnatifid ; pinnai nearly opposite, linear- 

 lanceolate, acute. Flower-heads terminal, solitary ; 

 ray blue, disk yellow. 



Amongst the medical indigenous plants of the Cape, the 

 present deserves particular notice. It is well known to 

 almost every resident as the Siuake-root, having acquired 

 its vernacular name from its effects as an antidote against 

 the bites of venomous snakes,* with which the counti'y 

 abounds. The root of this plant, which is a native of 

 the Eastern districts, where it grows in the deserts of the 

 Karroo, has a great similarity to the Radix Senegce of the 



* The most formidable of these reptiles are the Naja Ilajc Merrem. 

 (Cobra Capella) and the Vipera Brachyiira. Cuv. (Poffadder). 



