botanically arranged. 409 



The roots dried and powdered are an excellent medicine in 

 asthmatic cases, and often give relief when other means are in- 

 effectual. It may be given with safety to children as well as to 

 adults ; to the former, in doses of four, five or six grains, and 

 to the latter, in doses of twenty grains and upwards. It is 

 given in the fit, and repeated as the case may require. This 

 knowledge is said to have been obtained from the Indians, who, 

 it is likewise said, repeat the dose after the paroxism is gone off, 

 several mornings, then miss as many, and repeat it again ; thus 

 continuing the medicine until the patient is perfectly recovered. 

 It appears to be antispasmodic, and bids fair to be useful in 

 many other disorders. ' In collecting the roots particular care 

 ought to be taken that the white hellebore, or poke root, which some 

 people call scunk weed, be not mistaken for this plant, as the 

 consequence might be fatal. There is an obvious distinction — 

 the hellebore has a stalk, but the scunk cabbage has none. 



CEPHALANTHUS. Linn. Gen. Plant. 105. 



Cephalanthus foliis oppositis ternisque. Syst. Nat. 



GLOBE-FLOWER SHRUB. Pond Dogwood. Button Bush. The 

 florets form a perfect globe, and when the fruit stalk is separated 

 it does not readily appear in what part of the globe it was in- 

 serted. The blossoms are snow-white, fragrant and beautiful 

 when in full bloom. Common in watery swamps and pond- 

 holes. July — August. 



HEDYOTIS. Linn. Gen. Plant, no. 

 Hedyotis foliis lineari-lanceolatis, caule herbaceo dichotomo, 

 pedunculis geminis. Syst. Nat. 



VENUS PRIDE. Blossoms white or bluish. It spreads over 

 pastures and fields, in large beds, and gives them a white ap- 

 pearance. May — June. 



D d d MITCHELLA. 



