386 



MEDICAL BOTANY. 



elevated soil are far more efficient than those from low and damp situations ; 

 in this he is supported by most of the authorities. 



Besides the V. officinalis, the roots of other species are constantly used, 

 and in this market what is called the German Valerian is as common as the 

 English ; this is the product in a great measure of the V. phu, and may 

 be known by the rhizome being long and not a mere head like that of the 

 V. officinalis, and the fibres being attached to its under surface only. It is 

 said to be less powerful, but is more disagreeable, though it is much employed. 

 It is indigenous to hilly districts in Switzerland, Silesia, &c. The roots of the 

 V. dioica, V. celtica, V. saliunca, and other species are also used, and are 

 sometimes mingled with those of the officinal kind. V. dioscoridis, a native 

 of Greece, is said by Sibthorp to be the real Phu of Dioscorides, and to 

 be the most powerful of the Valerians, for which the V. officinalis is merely 

 a northern substitute. The root of V. hardwickii is thick, fleshy, and strong- 

 scented, and is used in medicine in Nepaul and the North of India. 



Fig. 178. 



In addition to these species of Valerian, there are some other plants of the 

 order that require notice. The root of Nardosta- 

 chysjatamansi is thought to be the true Spikenard of 

 the ancients, and the proofs adduced on this point by 

 Sir Win, Jones (Asiat. Research, ii. 405) and by 

 Dr. Royle (Illust. 242) seem to leave little doubt 

 upon the subject. The root is long, pilose and fusi- 

 form. Stems very short. Leaves obovate-lanceo- 

 late. Flowers triandrous, of a pale-pink colour. 

 It is found in mountainous districts in upper India. 

 The hairy portion of the stem when dried, is used 

 in India to prepare an ointment or liniment for the 

 head, it is also prescribed internally as a purifier of 

 the blood, and is considered as a highly valuable 

 perfume. 



The young leaves of many of the species of Va- 

 lerianella are used as salads, under the name of 

 Corn salad. Some kinds of Astrephia are esteemed 

 in Peru and Chili as vulneraries. The Axia cochinchinensis is said by 

 Loureiro (Flor. Cochin, i. 44), to be much valued for medicinal powers, and 

 thought equal to Ginseng. It acts as a diuretic, sudorific, and emmenagogue, 

 and is also used in intermittent fevers and obstructions of the viscera. 



Nardostachys jatamansi. 



Group XXV. — Asterales. 



Order 61.— ASTER ACEM.—Lindley. 



Flowers collected in a dense head, upon a common receptacle, surrounded by an invo- 

 lucrum, the separate flowers often furnished with bracteoles (paleae). Limb of the calyx 

 obsolete, or a pappus consisting of bristles or scales, &c, tube coherent to ovary. Corolla 

 mostly of 5 united petals, regular or irregular. Stamens as many as the lobes of the re- 

 gular corolla and alternate with them ; filaments distinct or united above, inserted into 

 the tube ; anthers linear, united into a cylinder. Ovary 2-celled, style 2-cleft (usually 

 undivided in sterile flowers). Fruit an indehiscent, dry, 1-seeded pericarp (achenium), 

 crowned with the limb of the calyx or pappus. 



This vast order, which includes almost a tenth of the vegetable kingdom, 

 consists of shrubs or herbs, very rarely of trees, found in all parts of the 



