RUE FAMILY. 75 
it from Meadow-rue, is frequently found in old gardens, where it is culti- 
. vated as a medicinal herb. ‘The plant is very acrid, and when handled 
sometimes irritates or even blisters the skin, and to some persons it is 
highly poisonous. Its properties are stimulant and narcotic, an h 
metimes used in domestic Pec in cholic, hysterics, hee at is 
—— too dangerous a plant to be employed unadvisedly. oil 
werful poi The plant was much u the ancients, a 
iicrioed sont Sires virtues to it; they had the idea that stolen Rue 
flourished the best. At one time it was employed to sprinkle the holy 
_ Water in the ceremonies of the Ro man Catholic church, which is per- 
haps the Teason of Ophelia’s saying : “ We may call it herb of eee 
Sundays. 
2. ZANTHOX’YLUM, Colden. Pricxiy Asu. 
(Greek, Zanthos, yellow, and Xylon, wood.] 
Flowers dicecious. Sepals 5, o renting in - species. Petals 4-5, 
imbricated. Stamens 4—5 in the sterile flowers, alternate with the 
petals. Pistils 2—5, separate, ie their styles conniving or oe 
united. — - ck sa: y, 2-valved when ripe, 1 — 2-seeded. 
coat crustaceous, black, sas Aa shining. papel: straight, with : 
broad cotyledons. Shrubs or trees with mostly te leaves ; the 
stems and often the /eaf-stalks prickly. Pants! eel small, greenish or 
white. ; 
L Z American’um, Mill. Leaves and flowers in axillary clusters ; 
: Fie. 9, Pri! Ash thoxylum Americanum), mf pila specimen in 
Pao at ot lly developed 64. An - 
© enlarged. 
