botanically arranged, 487 



haif . They -cfilled it the Moccasin Flower. It is easily, propar 

 gated in gardens by transplanting the roots, which are perennial. 



TRIANDRIA. 



SISYRINCHIUM. Linn. Gen. Plant 908. 

 Stsyrinchium caule foliisque ancipitibus. Syst. Nat. 

 BLUE-EYED GRASS. Blossoms blue. In grass land. May- 

 June. It makes very pretty edging for borders in gardens. 



POLYANDRIA. 

 ARUM. Linn. Gen. Plant. 915. 



Arum acaule, foliis hastato-cordatis acutis : angulis obtusis. 

 Syst. Nat. 



CUCKOWPINT. Dragon-root. Wake-robin. Lords & Ladies. 

 Spatha striped with red or black. Berries red. 



The fresh root is extremely acrid. The dried root, grated 

 into water, is frequently given as a carminative. It is said the 

 Indians boiled both the shreded roots and berries with their 

 venison. Dr. Withering says, the root has been employed in 

 medicine as a stimulant, but when reduced to powder it looses 

 much of its acrimony ; and there is reason to suppose, that the 

 compound powder which takes its name from this plant, owes 

 its virtue chiefly to the other ingredients ; — that there is no 

 doubt but the acrid quality of the plant may be turned to very 

 useful purposes ; but we must first learn how to ascertain its 

 dose. He says, the root, dried and powdered, is used by the 

 French to wash their skin with. — It is sold at a high price, un- 

 der the name of Cypress Powder. — It is undoubtedly a good 

 and an innocent cosmetic. — When the acrimony of the roots is 

 extracted, by boiling or baking, they afford a very mild and 

 wholesome, nourishment, — Many nations prepare the only bread, 

 they have from plants as acrimonious as this; first dissipating; 



the 



