346 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



Sometimes they are polygamous, as the number of berries bears no proportion to the flow- 

 ers. The fruit is a blackish, juicy berry. 



The Angelica grows from New York to Florida, but is most common, and 

 attains a much larger size in the Southern States ; it flowers from June to 

 August. The bark, root, and berries, are all medicinal, but the first only is 

 recognised by the Pharmacopoeia. This bark is thin, of a grayish colour ex- 

 ternally, and a yellowish-white within ; its odour is aromatic, but peculiar, 

 and its taste bitterish, pungent, and acrid. 



Medical Properties. — It is much more stimulating than the A. nudicaulis, 

 but is used in the same affections. According to Mr. Elliott, an infusion of 

 the recent root is emetic and cathartic [Sketches, SfC i. 373) ; and Dr. Mease 

 states that the watery infusion when employed as a diaphoretic, should be 

 made very weak, as it is apt to create nausea, and cause great irritation of 

 the salivary glands in some persons. The tinctures, both of the roots and 

 berries have been used with some success in chronic rheumatism and from 

 their pungency, have been found beneficial in toothache. Like all other stimu- 

 lating diaphoretics, this article has also enjoyed some reputation as a remedy 

 in rattlesnake-bites. 



The A. racemosa, or large Spikenard, and the A. hispida, or Wild Elder, 

 appear to be endowed with the same therapeutic qualities as the above, and 

 the first has been favourably spoken of as an application to chronic ulcers, 

 and according to Michaux, was held in great repute among many of the 

 Indian tribes as a diaphoretic. Of the Asiatic species, little is known except 

 the few remarks on them by Loureiro (Flor. Cochin.), from which it would 

 appear that they are very analogous in their remedial properties to those of 

 the United States. 



Hedera. — Linn. 



Calyx 5-toothed. Petals broadest at base. Style simple. Berry 5-seeded, crowned by 

 the persistent calyx. 



A small genus of perennial plants, climbing by means of numerous radi- 

 cles, by which they attach themselves firmly to hard substances. The name 

 is derived from hcerere, to adhere. The species are found in Europe and the 

 East Indies ; one of them has attracted some attention for its medicinal pro- 

 perties. 



H. helix, Linn. — Leaves 5-lobed. The lobes angular. Floral leaves ovate. Umbel 

 erect. 



Linn., Sp. PI. 283 ; Hooker, Fl. Scot. 82 ; Eng. Pot. 1267 ; Flor. Med. 

 iv. 218. 



Common Names. — Ivy ; Common Ivy. 



Foreign Names. — Lierre, Fr. ; Edera, It. ; Epheu, Ger. 



The Ivy is a native of many parts of Europe, and is cultivated in the United 

 States. There are several varieties, the most striking of which has entire 

 leaves and yellow berries; this is the Hedera poetica, from its being used by 

 the ancients to crown poets. The wood is porous and light, and was formerly 

 employed to make vessels for filtering wine. (Pliny, lib. xvi. c. 34.) At one 

 time the Ivy had much reputation for its medicinal virtues, but has been su- 

 perseded by more active articles. 



