284 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



some length {Jour. Phil. Coll. Pharm. iv. 177), and endeavoured to point 

 out in what manner Dr. Baum might have been misled in his views, by the 

 deterioration of the roots experimented upon ; since which it has been stated 

 to me, that the article he employed was from plants that had been cultivated 

 in a garden for some years. This circumstance would at once account for 

 their inertness, as it is well known, that cultivation increases the starch, but de- 

 creases and even destroys the acrid principles of plants, as is evidenced in the 

 potato, parsnip, &c. The testimony in favour of its active powers from Drs. 

 Eberle, Bigelow, Zollickoffer, W. P. C. Barton, and others, is so direct and 

 positive that no doubt can exist of its value, and that it is more analogous to 

 Ipecacuanha in its action, than any other native emetic as yet discovered. 



It is given in powder or strong infusion, of which the former is to be pre- 

 ferred ; as an emetic, the dose is about thirty grains. When employed as a 

 tonic, the dose is from two to four grains ; it may also be administered with 

 good effect as a sudorific, in the form of Dover's powder. The infusion, 

 which is often used in domestic practice, is given in wine-glassful doses, fre- 

 quently repeated, till the desired effect is induced. This is an objectionable 

 form, as it causes hyper-emesis and catharsis. 



The other species, G. stipulacea, which is found on the western side of the 

 Alleghany Mountains is distinguished by having the lower leaves pinnatifid, 

 the upper ones trifoliolate, the folioles lanceolate, incised, serrate ; the stipules 

 foliaceous, oblique, and jagged. It is rare in calcareous or alluvial regions, 

 but is common in hilly and sandstone districts. It is identical with the trifo- 

 liata in its sensible properties, but is stated to be more certain in its effects, 

 and not to be deteriorated by cultivation, though the latter assertion has not 

 been fully tested. 



Order 46.-— DRUPACE^.— De Candolle. 



Calyx 5-toothed, deciduous, lined with a disk. Petals 5, perigynous. Stamens 20, or 

 thereabouts, inserted on the throat of the calyx. Anthers innate, 2-celled, dehiscing lon- 

 gitudinally. Ovary superior, solitary, simple, 1 -celled. Ovules 2, suspended. Styles 

 terminal, with a furrow on one side, terminating 1 in a reniform stigma. Fruit a drupe, 

 with the putamen sometimes separating spontaneously from the sarcocarp. Seeds usually 

 solitary, suspended. Embryo straight. Albumen none. 



Trees and shrubs, with simple, alternate leaves, glandular towards the 

 base ; stipules simple, commonly glandular. Exclusively natives of the 

 northern hemisphere, and almost invariably confined to the cold and tempe- 

 rate regions, very few being found in tropical latitudes. 



The general character of the fruits is that of being edible and wholesome, 

 but the kernels and leaves of very many of them contain prussic acid, as in 

 the peach, cherry, &c, but peculiarly evidenced in the cherry laurel. The 

 bark of many of them is tonic and febrifugal, combined with some sedative 

 action. 



Amygdalus. — Linn. 



Calyx 5-cleft. Drupe pubescent, velvety, with a juiceless cortex ; which is detached 

 irregularly. Shell pitted or smooth. 



This genus, which, as constituted by Linnseus, included both the Almond 

 and the Peach, is now restricted to the former of these. The species are 

 natives of Asia, with the exception of one found in Mexico. 



