ASTERACEiE. ' 387 



world. When the immense number of species is considered, the useful ones 

 are comparatively few ; their general characteristics are bitterness and as- 

 trin^ency, but their properties vary much. According to De Candolle (Collec. 

 Mem. No. x.) of 8523 plants of this order with which he was acquainted, 

 1229 were annuals, 243 biennials, 2491 perennials, 2264 suffruticose, 366 

 shrubs, 72 small trees, 4 large trees, 81 woody plants, size not known, 126 

 climbers, and 1201 respecting which little was ascertained. They are dis- 

 tributed as follows : 3590 in America, 2224 in Africa, 1827 in Asia, 1042 in 

 Europe, and 347 in the South Sea Islands. As is computed by M. Lasegue, 

 they constitute about one-tenth of all known plants. 



Besides the species to be noticed more at length, the following deserve 

 mention. The flowers of Santolina fragrantissima are very odorous when 

 dry, and are employed in Egypt as a substitute for Chamomile. S. incana 

 is used in the South of Europe as an antispasmodic and bitter, and according 

 to Dr. Pierquin is an infallible vermifuge (Jour, de Prog. xv. 265). Matri- 

 caria chamomilla and Pyrethrum parthenium are sometimes substituted for 

 Chamomile, but are not equal to it in power, and are more unpleasant to the 

 taste. The Chrysanthemum leucanthemum has also been used for the same 

 purpose, and is esteemed in Siberia to be efficacious in leucorrhoea. Cantraine 

 (Bull. Acad. Brux. viii. 234) states, that it is a certain safeguard against 

 fleas, destroying or driving them off in a short time. Donoricum pardalian- 

 ches is very analogous in its properties to Arnica, and is spoken of in high 

 terms by Gesner, Lobel, &c. The leaves of Elephantopus scaber are pre- 

 scribed in India as sudorific (Ainslie, ii. 18), and in Brazil, according to 

 Martius, the root is used in intermittent fevers. Some of the Asters, as A. cor- 

 difolius, punicens, <J»c, which have aromatic roots, are said to be antispas- 

 modic ; A. novanglice is used by the Shakers as an external application, in 

 decoction, to cutaneous eruptions. Several species of Baccharis have been 

 thought well of; thus B. indica, according to Horsefield, is used in Java as a 

 stimulant (Ainslie, ii. 173), and the B. ivcefolia, is considered in Peru to be 

 a stomachic. Many species of Nabalus have a reputation as antidotes to 

 snake-bites, and the root is also used in dysentery. Some species of Sil- 

 phium afford a fragrant bitter gum, which is stimulant and antispasmodic. 

 The roots of Verbesina virginica, in decoction, are a powerful sudorific, and 

 those of Vernonia are bitter tonics employed in the Western States in fevers. 

 A plant has been noticed by Dr. Robertson (Amer. Jour. Med. Sci. xii. 

 382, N. S.), which appears to be Ambrosia trifida, as highly beneficial in 

 arresting excessive salivation. 



Carlina vulgaris at one time enjoyed considerable reputation in plague, as 

 a powerful sudorific, and is said also to be diuretic ; the root is bitter and acrid 

 and acts on the bowels. Another species, the C. gummifera, has been used 

 as an anthelmintic ; the fresh root is said to be poisonous. What is sold in 

 Europe as Costus is the root of an Arabian plant allied to Cardopatum, but it 

 has been ascertained by Dr. Falconer that the Costus of the ancients is the 

 loot of Aucklandia costus, a native of the mountains of Cashmere. The 

 roots are aromatic and pungent and are considered to be aphrodisiac. It is 

 used in Cashmere to protect woollens from the attacks of moths. 



Some of these plants are used in the arts ; besides Carthamus, Serratula 

 tinctoria affords a yellow ; the Eclipta erecta stains the hair black. Guizo- 

 tia oleifera, Madia sativa, and Helianthus annuus furnish a bland oil from 

 their seeds, which is palatable and wholesome. 



Nor is the order deficient in esculents ; for instance, the tubers of Helianthus 

 tuberosus, or Jerusalem artichoke, are much esteemed by some persons. The 

 true artichoke is the succulent receptacle of Cynara scolymus, and Cardoons 



