173 



No. 416. Virginian Snake Root (AristolocMa CASE 

 Serpentaria, L.), a native of moist fertile woods in the 96. 

 United States of America. At one time it had a reputation 

 for the cure of the bites of venomous serpents, as its 

 common and specific names imply. It is now used as a 

 stimulant tonic. 



Observe on the bottom shelf flower of AristolocMa 

 gigasj L., var. Sturtevantii, modelled from a plant grown 

 in the Royal Gardens. 



In the last compartment of this Case note the remark- 

 ably large flower of AristolocMa Goldieana, Hook, f ., from 

 West Tropical Africa, together with a photograph of the 

 flower produced in the Royal Gardens. Also roots of 

 Jamaica CONTRAYERVA (AristolocMa odoratissima^ L.), 

 used both as an alexipharmic and vermifuge. 



Australian Sassafras Order (Monimiaceae)- 

 Trees, shrubs, or woody climbers chiefly natives of South 

 America, represented also in the Mascarene Islands, 

 Tropical Asia, New Zealand and Australia. 



No. 417. BoLDO Leaves {Peumus Boldus, Molin.). 

 The Boldo is a shrub 10 to 20 feet high, native of Chili, 

 and frequently grown in gardens for the sake of the 

 agreeably scented flowers and fragrant evergreen leaves. 

 These leaves are used in medicine for the purpose of 

 assisting digestion. The fruit is sweet and is eaten in 

 Chili, and the bark is used for tanning. 



Observe bark of Atherospermcc moschatum^ Lab., a large 

 tree of Victoria and Tasmania. The bitter aromatic bark 

 is used for making a kind of tea. It affords an essential 

 oil, two drops of which it is said will almost stay the 

 heart's action. 



Note also wood of Dorypliora Sassafras, Endl., also a 

 large tree, native of New South Wales. An infusion of 

 the bark is used as a tonic medicine. Both these trees are 



known as AUSTRALIAN SASSAFRAS. 



Laurel Order {Lccurineae), Fine trees, principally 

 of cool islands and mountain slopes within the tropics. 

 But one species, the Sweet Bay Laurel, is native of Europe. 

 The stamens are remarkable for the mode in which 

 their anthers open, by little valves or doors, as in the 

 Barberry, 



