132 



CASE seed is due is Santonin ; it constitutes from 1| to 2 per 

 69. cent, of the drug. It is not limited to the flower-heads, 

 but occurs also in the small leaflets. It reaches its maxi- 

 mum in July and August and disappears immediately 

 after the flowering. 



No. 333. Wormwood {Artemisia Absinthium, L.). 

 An herbaceous perennial, common in this country, and 

 distributed through the northern temperate old world. 

 It has also become na,turalised in the United States, and 

 is cultivated at Mitcham and other places in England. 

 The plant flowers and is collected in July and August. 

 Wormwood has a strong aromatic smell, and a bitter, 

 slightly aromatic taste. It was formerly extensively used 

 as an anthelmintic, and had a reputation as a specific in 

 intermittent fevers, before the introduction of Cinchona 

 bark. A volatile oil is contained in the plant (a specimen 

 of which is exhibited) ; it is one of the principal ingredi- 

 ents in the French liqueur known as Absinthe. 



On a lower shelf note tinder formed of the epidermis 

 of the leaves of Liahum Bo7iplandiiy Cass., from Quito- 



No. 334. Flowers, leaves, and root of Arnica or 

 Mountain Tobacco {Ajmica man tana, L.). A perennial 

 herb, native of moist meadows throughout Northern and 

 Central Europe, and found on mountains in Switzerland, 

 North Italy, and the Pyrenees. Arnica root of commerce 

 consists of the dried rhizome and attached rootlets. These 

 and the flowers have a slight aromatic odour, and an acrid 

 bitter taste. Internally they are stimulant and irritant. 

 Arnica, however, is chiefly used in the form of a tincture, 

 for outward application in sprains, bruises, chilblains, &c. 



On an upper shelf in the next compartment note flowers 

 of the Marigold (Calendula officinalis, L.), formerly in 

 repute as a domestic medicine. 



No. 335. Dogwood of Tasmania {Bedfordia soli- 

 cina, DC). A shrub 12 to 14 feet high. The wood, 

 which is well mottled, and used for ciibinet work, emits a 

 foetid smell when cut and is exceptionally difficult to 

 season. 



Note plants of Echinops strigosus, L., used for making 

 tinder by the mule drivers in Spain. 



