ERICACEAE. 423 



diseases (Carson's Pereira, ii. 391). The extract has also been much 

 praised by many practitioners, in doses of ten or fifteen grains. 



The other species, C. macidata, is probably possessed of identical powers, 

 though there is a popular prejudice against it, so much so, that it has received 

 the name of Poison Pipsissewa. Dr. Mitchell, however, thinks that it is 

 wholly inert, but - this is not more likely to be the fact than the opposite sup- 

 position, from the close correspondence of its sensible qualities with the 

 Winter-green. 



Order 65.— ERICACEAE.— Lindley. 



Calyx 4 — 5-cleft, superior or inferior ; persistent, 4 — 5-lobed. Corolla monopetalous, 

 lobed like the calyx, with an imbricated aestivation. Stamens distinct, equal in number 

 to the lobes of the corolla,. or twice as many. Anthers 2-celled, opening by pores. Ovary 

 superior or inferior, many-celled. Style solitary, simple. Stigma simple, toothed, or 3- 

 cleft Fruit capsular or baccate, 4 — many-celled. Seeds numerous, small. Embryo 

 straight in the axis of a fleshy albumen. 



This extensive order has been variously viewed by different botanists, some 

 considering its great groups as forming distinct orders, and others being of 

 opinion that they are only entitled to a subordinate rank. In the present in- 

 stance two of these have been placed under one head, rather from a wish of 

 not needlessly increasing the catalogue of medicinal orders by the insertion of 

 such as are unimportant, than from doubts of the validity of both the Erica- 

 ceae and Vacciniaceee. 



Tribe 1. Ericine^;. — Ovary free from the calyx. Fruit capsular or baccate. Testa 

 conformed to the nucleus. 



An extensive group of shrubs or suffruticose plants, with alternate, rarely 

 somewhat opposite or verticillate leaves, usually rigid, entire and evergreen, 

 without stipules. The species are very abundant at the Cape of Good Hope, 

 and are common in Europe, both Americas, less frequent in Asia, and almost 

 wanting in Australasia. They have been divided into three sections, the 

 Ericidce, Andromedidce, and Khododendridce. The species belonging to the 

 first are seldom possessed of any active properties, their principal character 

 being that of astringency ; Calluna vidgaris or Heather, is used by tanners 

 and dyers. Erica, arborea was formerly considered to be alexipharmic, but 

 is now never used in medicine. 



In the second section greater powers are developed, and many of the 

 species are tonic, diuretic, and even poisonous ; for instance the shoots of 

 Andromeda ovalifolia are poisonous to goats, those of A. polifolia are acrid- 

 narcotic, and are fatal to sheep, and the same is the case with A. maria?ta, 

 nitida and angustifolia. The powder on the leaves of A. pulverulenta and 

 some others, is a powerful errhine. A Java species affords a peculiar oil, 

 which is very volatile and heating, and is used in that country in rheumatic 

 affections (Ainslie, ii. 107). The Arbutus unedo has a fruit somewhat like 

 a strawberry, from which a wine is made in Corsica, which is said to be 

 narcotic when drank in any quantity. A. adrachne is said to possess similar 

 qualities. The fruits of some are edible, as those of Gaidtheria shalloon , G. 

 hispida, and G. antipoda, as are also those of Brosscea coccinea. 



The plants of the third section are still more active ; thus, besides Rhodo- 

 dendron and Kalmia, the different species of Ledum are very marked in 

 their powers ; the leaves infused in beer render it very heady, cause head- 



