304 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



(E. biennis, Linn. — Stem erect, mostly villous, or hirsute. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, 

 flat. Flowers terminal, sub-spicate, sessile, with the stamens shorter than the corolla. 



Linn., Sp. PI. 346; Torrey and Gray, Fl. i. 492; Griffith, Jour. Phil 

 Coll. Pharm. 



Common Names. — Evening Primrose, Cure-all, &c. 



Description. — Stem from three to five feet high, rough, hairy, and branching. Radical 

 leaves petiolated, cauline leaves sessile ; both pubescent and more or less dentate. Flowers 

 in a terminal, somewhat leafy spike, of a pale-yellow colour. Tube of the calyx much 

 longer than the ovary, and from one-half to two or three times longer than the segments. 

 Stamens obliquely declined, a little shorter than the somewhat obcordate petals. Ovary 

 sessile, 4-grooved. Capsule oblong, somewhat tapering above, four-sided or terete, valves 

 1-ribbed. Seeds numerous, arranged in two rows in each cell. 



This species is very common in this country, and is naturalized in Europe. 

 It is exceedingly variable, and numerous species have been indicated on its 

 varieties which do not appear entitled to that rank. When it grows in 

 secluded situations, the leaves become covered with a white mucor, giving 

 them a highly pubescent appearance ; and by cultivation the flowers become 

 of a much deeper colour and of a larger size. They expand in the evening, 

 just at the commencement of twilight, and continue open till the sun begins 

 to exert some power the succeeding morning. The same flower does not 

 expand a second time. Pursh states that he has " frequently observed a 

 singularity in this plant, and it might be interesting to make further inquiry 

 into its cause; it is that in a dark night, when no objects can be distin- 

 guished at an inconsiderable distance, this plant, when in full flower, can be 

 seen at a great distance, having a bright white appearance, which probably 

 may arise from some phosphoric properties of the flowers." 



Medical Properties. — The bark and leaves in a recent state are mucilagi- 

 nous, and leave a slight sensation of acridity, after being chewed. This 

 latter is not so marked after they have been dried, though the mucilage does 

 not appear to be diminished. Some years since, hearing of the efficacy of 

 a decoction of the plant in infantile eruptions, Imade a trial with it in seve- 

 ral cases of an obstinate character, which had resisted other modes of treat- 

 ment, and became satisfied that it was highly beneficial ; and this opinion 

 has been confirmed by subsequent experience with it. The plant is to be 

 gathered about the flowering season, and the small twigs with the bark of the 

 lar£*e branches and stem, retaining the leaves with them, to be dried in the 

 shade. Of these a strong decoction is to be made, with which the eruption is 

 to be bathed several times a day. Schoef states that the O. mollissima, 

 which is probably the lanescent variety of this plant, is a vulnerary, and in 

 domestic practice, in many parts of the country; the Evening Primrose is a 

 favourite emollient in ulcers. 



From some experiments, it appears to possess the abstergent qualities 

 of the Quillaja saponaria, though not in an equal degree, but fully as much 

 so as the Saponaria officinalis. 



Group XX. —Cucurbit ales. 



Order 51.— CUCURBITACEiE.— Jussieu. 



Calyx 4 — 5 (rarely 6) sepals, united in a tube, and in the fertile flowers adherent to the 

 ovary. Petals as many as sepals, usually more or less united into a monopetalous corolla, 

 which coheres to the calyx. Stamens 5 or 3, inserted into the base of the corolla or 

 calyx, either distinct or variously united by their filaments and contorted anthers. Ovary 



