77 



By size, etc., the drug plants of temperate regions may be 

 classed as follows: — Large trees 16, small trees 10, woody vines 

 2, shrubs 25, herbs 100, and cellular cryptogams (thallophytes) 

 6. In the tropics 25 are trees (large or small), 5 woody vines, 11 

 shrubs, and 11 herbs, according to the best information avail- 

 able at this writing. 



The parts used vary considerably too in different zones. 

 Among the vegetable drugs mapped in the North Temperate 

 zone, whole plants (sometimes excluding roots) contribute 15, 

 roots, rhizomes, tubers and bulbs 53, twigs 1, juice, gum or resin 

 12, bark of stem 15, bark of root 4, leaves (and tops) 25, flowers 

 and parts thereof (and buds) 11, drupes, berries, and other 

 fleshy fruits (including rind, pulp, or juice) 15, and dry fruits, 

 achenes, seeds and spores 17. In the tropics, roots and rhizomes 

 contribute 11 of our drugs, stems or wood 3, gum, juice, or 

 wood extract (including powder in wood) 13, bark 5, leaves (and 

 twigs) 7, flowers and parts thereof 2, fleshy fruits 7, and dry 

 fruits and seeds 8. 



An analysis of the chemical or therapeutic properties of all 

 these drugs by zones, countries, families, plant parts, etc., 

 would doubtless also show some interesting contrasts, but would 

 be a much more difficult matter, for many drugs have several 

 different properties, some more important than others. But 

 such a study might very well be made by some one studying the 

 medicinal flora of a single state or other limited area. Probably 

 as many as half of the drug plants in the United States can be 

 found in any one of several eastern states. 



Athens, Ga. 



