232 AlllSTOLOCIIIACK.E. 



Mt'dicnl Properties and Vsuft. — The bark of white jish has heen used 

 witli asserted boncfit in dysinenorrhaia, but as so many other drugs have 

 attaiuetl a sliort-Uved reputation in tliis atiectiou, only to fall into disre- 

 pute Avhen Hul)j(!cted to more extended experiments, this one may be ex- 

 pected to follow them. Still it appears desirable that the American ashes 

 be invest i<j;ated, since at least two European species arc possessed of valu- 

 able medicinal i)roperties, one of them, K onms Linne, furnishin','' the 

 manna of couimerce, Stsveral of our s2)eci(!S have been used to some ex- 

 tent, both iu domestic and regular practice, but the results lU'e as yet iu- 

 deliuite. 



Division ILL — Apetalotts Exooknous Plants. 



C!orolla wanting, the calyx l)eing tlu! only floral envelope ; sometimes 

 even tliis is absent, and then the llower is uaked. 



ARISTOLOCHIACE/E. 



Character of the Order. — Low herbs or twining jjlants with apetalous, 

 perfect Howcrs. Calyx valvate in the bud, and coherent with the (i-colled 

 ovary. Stamens (5 to 12, more or less united witli the style. Fruit a G- 

 celled, many-seeded pod or beriy. 



A small order of chietly tropical plants, rejwesented in North America 

 by two genera, namely Asaruiu and Aristolochia, both comprising medici- 

 nal species. 



ASARUM.— Wild Ginger. 



Asarum Canadense Linne. — Wild Ginger. 



JJescripfion. — Calyx bell-shaped, 3-parted, the lobes pointed, abruptly' 

 spreading, dull puri)lo inside ; at each sinus is usually a small awl-shaped 

 appendage. Stamens 12 ; filaments slender, united Avith the base of the 

 styles, the latter united into one, (J-lobed at the summit, with G radiating 

 stigmas. Fruit a flesh}', globular pod, bursting irregularly. 



A low, steuiless, perennial herb with a creeping rhizome. Leaves a 

 single pair, radical, membranaceous, reniform, more or less pointed, 4 to 

 5 inches wide when full-grown, on long petioles. Flower solitary, on a 

 short i^etiole, appearing early iu spring. 



Habitat. — In rich upland woods ; common northward. 



Parla U.sed. — Tiic rhizome and rootlets. Formerly official but dropped 

 from the Pharmacopona in 1880. 



Constituents. — An aromatic volatile oil and an acrid resin, besides com- 

 mou vegetable principles. ,::-;-^ -•- 



