\{)6 LINAGE.*:. 



(lirortcd by tlio Plinrmacoprria is tho Ho-ciillod nhf^nrhont mllon, propnretl 

 by I'roi'iiij^' tbc liltiuieutH I'roiii ipipuritios mid ftitty niiittcr. 



Cottoii-root bark eontuiuH, in iiddition to stmrh, fj;luco8o, luid othrr 

 coinmou vcf^ctiiblo i-oiiHtitucutw, ii roHinouH l)()dy avIioho exact ohavactor in 

 as yet not fully eHtablislied, but to which tlio niedicinal virtneH of tho drug 

 are attributed. 



J'n'paniluiiis. — Of cotton-root back : Kxtnicfum f^'osHyj)!! r.idicis lluiduiu 

 — fluid extract of cotton root. Of cotton: I'yroxylinum — pyroxylin {<ji(ii- 

 coUnii). — United Statc-i riiarinacojxi'Ui. 



Mi'dical Pr<)j)ei'lien and f «t's. — Cotton root was introduced to profes- 

 Bional notice as a Hpecifi(! uterine tonic after hiiviii}^- long been \v.:va\ among 

 tli(! negroes of the Southern States as an alxn-lifacient. Its action upon 

 the uterus is similar to that of ergot, and it is used instead of the lutter in 

 cases of uterine inertia during parturition, and in umenorrlui^a, dysmen- 

 orrluea, and scanty menstruation. AVlu'tlier its action upon tho Hysteni 

 at largo bo also similar to that of ergot is unknown but worthj- of inves- 

 tigation. 



The fact that tho bar/,' of cotton root should be jio'^sesscd of such active 

 properties is an interesting and suggestive one, for it alVords the oidy in- 

 stance of specific virtues attributed to a plant of tho order malmcea\ It 

 will be n(jted that it is only the bark of the root that possesses these prop- 

 erties, all other parts of tho i)lant partaking of the bland character of the 

 order, the seeds especially — which not unfrequently possess the most 

 active principles of plants in this instance yielding a bland oil which 

 is largely used as an adulterant of olive oil. Now in an order of plants 

 of such strongly marked characteristics as the vtalvacecv, the discovery of 

 striking properties in any individual shoidd stimulate investigation of 

 other related individuals, for it i nay reasonably be assumed that investi- 

 gation whic-h starts with a rational clue will be more fruitful in results 

 iht'ai if conducted entirely in a haphazard manner. 



LINACE/E. 



Character of the Order. — Herbs, Avith entire, alternate, opposite or vorti- 

 cillate, exstipulate leaves, and regular, symmetrical, hypogynous floAvers. 

 Sepals 3 to 5. imbricate. Petals 3 to 5, convolute in the bud. Stamens 

 3 to 5, usually with intermediate abortive ones, united into a short tube at 

 the base. Pod having twice as many cells as there are styles, each 1-seeded. 



A small order, represented in North America by the genus Linum, com- 

 prising no indigenous species of medicinal or economic impoi'tance. The 

 species described below, thoiigli introduced, has been under cultivation so 

 long that it requii'es brief notice. 



