6 BOTANY. 
GrinpELIA Rosusta, Nutt. Gum Plant of California—This plant has 
recently come into notice as a remedy in poisoning from thus diversiloba 
(Poison Oak of California). So far as I know, it has not been tested on our 
Eastern poison oak, which is another species, and for which the fluid extract 
of Serpentaria, as advised by Dr. Henry Hartshorne, acts almost as a 
specific, when applied locally. The resinous exudation on the leaves of 
the Grindelia is applied in California, or it has been used in the form of a 
tincture. Concerning the wide range of usefulness anticipated in medicine 
for Grindelia, I am in the highest degree skeptical. | 
BigELovia veNETA, Gray. “Damiana” in Northern Mexico.—The plant 
is found just outside our borders, and may reach within our domain. [I intro- 
duce it here because it is so closely related to B. Menziesii, which extends 
abundantly from San Diego to Arizona, and as far north as Utah, as to be 
by some regarded as identical. Concerning Damiana, or, as it is often 
called, Yerba anti-rheumatica, we have of late heard much in medical jour- 
nals as an aphrodisiac. There are a number of other claimants for the 
name Damiana. Of this one, I am free to confess I consider it utterly 
worthless as a remedial agent. The resinous exudation on it somewhat 
resembles that found on Grindelia robusta, and was probably the means of 
attracting attention to it. 
Pectis angustifolia and P. papposa appear to have been generally noticed 
because of their peculiar odor of lemons. Indeed, Dr. Loew suggests that 
in the former this might be turned to commercial account. 
Artemisia.—Several Western species have been reputed as of use in 
ague and mountain fever by the prospectors of the West. They are used 
in decoction. I am not prepared to vouch for their efficacy, however. Some 
species are said to “‘owe to their aroma and bitterness decidedly stimulating 
properties.” See Le Maout and Decaisne, English edition, p. 505. The 
current ideas concerning some of our Eastern species would go for some- 
thing in confirming the estimate placed on the Western ones. 
ASCLEPIAS LEUCOPHYLLA, Engelm , var.optusa,Gray. ‘“‘ Milkweed.”—Has 
about Fort Tejon, California, the reputation of “locoing” the sheep. How 
well merited this is I am unable to say. 
Erropicrron,—In California I believe the name “Yerba santa” is used 
