100 RUBUS VILLOSUS 



presents transverse fissures, but has no longitudinal furrows. Both 

 barks are without odour, bu^ have a bitter and strongly astringent 



taste. 



A 



The virtues of the bark are extracted both by boiling water 

 and diluted alcohol, and depend essentially, if not entirely, on 

 tannic acid. 



Medical Properties and Uses. The fruits of various species of 

 Kubus, as well as the young tops, flowers, and leaves, have for 

 ages had a popular reputation as astringents, but in Great Britain 

 they have never been used in regular medical practice. In the 

 United States, however, the official blackberry bark ,has acquired 

 much reputation as a mild tonic and /powerful astringent ; and no 

 difference is said to be observable in the effects of the bark of the 

 two roots. Dr. Wood, speaking of tlpee roots, says, " They have 

 long been a favourite domestic remedy in bowel affections, and 

 from popular favour have passed into regular medical use. Given 

 in decoction they are usually acceptable to the stomach without 

 being offensive to the taste ; and may be employed with great 

 advantage in cases of diarrhoea from relaxation of the bowels, 

 whether in children or adults. We can add our own decided 

 testimony to that of others who have spoken favorably of their 

 use in this complaint ; and there is no doubt that they are appli- 

 cable to all other cases in which the vegetable astringents are 

 found serviceable." 



Gerard's Herball, by Johnson (1636), p. 1274; Wood's Thera- 

 peutics and Pharmacology, vol. i, p. 128; U. S. Disp., by 

 W. & B., p. 746. 



DESCRIPTION OP PLATE. 

 Drawn from a plant in the Garden of the Apothecaries' Company, Chelsea. 



1. A young branch with flowers. 



2. Vertical section of a flower. 



3. A petal. 



4. Fruit. 



5. Vertical section of a drupe. 



6. The stone deprived of its pulp. 



(2, 5, 6 enlarged.) 



