botanically arranged. 441 



Laurus foliis trilobus integrisque. Syst. Nat. 



SASSAFRAS. Blossoms greenish white. Common in loamy 

 land. May. 



It is generally a shrub, but sometimes grows into a large tree. 

 The leaves fall early. The bark of the tree is aromatic, and 

 has been substituted by people in the country for spice. It is 

 said, that bedsteads made of this wood, will never be infested 

 with bugs. It is said to be an excellent diuretic and diapho- 

 retic, and therefore efficacious in obstructions of the viscera, 

 cachexies, scorbutic complaints and in the venereal disease. An 

 infusion of the bark of the roots makes a grateful drink. A 

 very pungent, hot oil is extracted from it, which is said to pos- 

 sess most of the virtues of the wood. It has been exported in 

 considerable quantities to Europe. 



DECANDRIA. 



MONOGYNIA. 



' PANTHEON, hm^x'vcasi Senna. The Gz/zlar, if properly any, 

 a narrow bushy border. Corolla three petals standing in a pa- 

 pilionaceous form. Vexillum very large ; erect ; slightly divid- 

 ed into three segments. Alee narrow ; obtuse ; as long as the 

 vexillum. Carina none. Stamina ten filaments ; erect ; se- 

 parate ; longer than the corolla. Anther cs orbicular. Germen 

 ovate ; hairy. Stile cylindrical ; longer than the stamina. 

 Stigma capitate ; sending off several long hairs. Capsule ovate ; 

 five valves ; five cells. Seeds many ; small. 



It is a small shrub. Leaves spear-shaped, and do not com- 

 monly appear until the shrub is in full bloom. Blossoms in 

 tufts at the termination of the branches ; bluish purple, cloud- 



H h h ed 



