CLASS XX. ORDER 111. ] ARISTOLOCHI2. 1131 
ORDER ITI. 
HEXAN'DRIA. 6 STAMENS. 
GENUS XVI. ARISTOLO'CHIA.—Linn. Birthwort. 
Nat. Ord. ArisroLo'oHim. Juss. 
Grn. Cuan. Perianth single, tubular, mostly swollen at the base, 
the mouth dilated and elongated on one side into a ligula: 
Anthers six, sub-sessile, inserted into the style. Stigma six- 
cleft. Capsule inferior, six celled, six angled—Name from 
aessoc, excellent; and Aoxoes, birth; from the supposed medical 
properties of some of the species. 
1. A. Clemati'tis, Linn. (Fig. 1358.) Common Birthwort. Stem 
simple, erect; leaves ovate, heart shaped, petiolate, smooth; flowers 
erect, in axillary fascicles; lip oblong, shortly acuminate. 
English Botany, t. 396.—English Flora, vol. iv. p. 53.—Hooker, 
British Flora, ed. 4. vol. i. p. 321.—Lindley, Synopsis, p. 225. 
Roots long, fleshy. Stem erect, from one to two feet high, simple, 
round, leafy, zigzag, striated. Leaves alternate, a smooth bright 
green, of a leathery texture, heart-shaped, entire, much cut out at the 
base, ribs prominent. Flowers a pale yellowish buff colour, in axil- 
lary clusters, each on a simple footstalk, erect. Perianth single, 
superior, tubular, mostly swollen into a globose form at the base, the 
mouth dilated and elongated on one side into a simple acute lip. 
Anthers six, sessile in the tube of the perianth. Style short. Stigma 
globose, six lobed, concave. Capsules large, oval, six angled, six 
celled. Seeds numerous, triangular. 
Habitat.—W oods, thickets, and amongst ruins, especially in the 
Eastern and South Counties of England. 
Perennial ; flowering in July and August. 
The roots of this species have been long considered serviceable as a 
stimulant in affections peculiar to females. It was used also as a 
stimulant and stomachic; but if taken in large doses it is violently 
emetic, and is now seldom used. This species is called Clematitis, in 
allusion to its resemblance to the young shoot of a vine. Sir J. E. 
Smith says, “A singular opinion 1s said to prevail in France, that 
this Aristolochia, if abundant in vineyards, spoils the quality of the 
wines.” The roots of several species of Aristolochia are known by 
the name of Serpentaries, from the reputed effects of their juice upon 
venemous reptiles. Whatever credit may be given to the wonderful 
tales told of serpent charmers, it is, nevertheless, believed that the 
Egyptian snake jugglers stupify these reptiles by means of juice 
from the roots of A. anguicida. These roots are said to exhale a 
VG 
