54 GYNANDRIA— HEXANDRIA. Aristolochia. 



The bitter acrid roots of this genus have, from remote antiquity, 

 been celebrated for their stimulating effects on the female con- 

 stitution ; and the present species, though dangerously emetic, ' 

 seems to have been greatly in use in this country, still retain- 

 ing a place in our catalogues of medicinal plants. A singular 

 opinion is said to prevail in France, that this ^Aristolochia, if 

 abundant in vineyardSj spoils the quality of the wines. 



