526 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



the same character of cases as the other powerful astringents, and its use is 

 to be regulated in the same manner. It is given in infusion or decoction, 

 which are rendered more palatable by the addition of some of the aromatics. 

 The tincture may be employed as a good substitute for that of Kino. It may 

 be stated that Dr. ZollickofFer speaks of this root as endowed with some 

 emetic and sudorific properties. Dr. Coxe, (Amer. Dispen. 605,) says that 

 Dr. Hews, of Providence, esteemed this plant very highly in ulcerated sore 

 throat and scarlatina anginosa, and also in those cases of aphthous fever at- 

 tendant on dysentery, as it could be administered where bark was inadmis- 

 sible. Dr. Baylies, of Dighton, also notices it favourably in ulcerated sore 

 throat ; he says that in large doses it acts as an emetic, and in a smaller as a 

 powerful expectorant, and also possesses considerable antiseptic powers. Dr. 

 Mott, of New York, also speaks highly of its powers in a variety of cases 

 where astringents are required. (Experim. Inquir. on Statice, fyc.) 



The S. limonium of Europe is possessed of the same powers, but in a less 

 degree, and was very early employed as an astringent, being noticed by 

 Dioscorides, Pliny, and others, and at one time enjoyed much reputation, 

 but has been gradually supplanted by other articles, which, in many cases, 

 owe their favour rather to caprice and higher price than to any superiority 

 of remedial power. Other species have also been used ; thus, the S. speciosa 

 is employed in Russia in prolapsus uteri, and the S. tatarica, closely allied 

 to the limonium, is esteemed in Siberia as a powerful astringent, where it is 

 also used for the purpose of tanning leather. 



Sub-Class III.— Apetalous Exogenous Plants* 



Group XXXIV. — Asarales. 



Order 83.— ARISTOLOCHIACE^.— Lindleij. 



Calyx tubular, adherent, with the segments valvate or induplicate in aestivation, regular 

 or irregular. Corolla wanting. Stamens 6 — 12, epigynous, distinct or adhering to the 

 style and stigmas. Ovary inferior, 6-celled, rarely 3 — 4-celled. Ovules indefinite, anatropal, 

 attached horizontally to the axis. Style simple. Stigmas radiating ; as numerous as the 

 cells of the ovary. Fruit dry or succulent, 3 — 4 — 6-celled ; many-seeded. Seeds thin, an- 

 gular or round, with a very minute embryo placed at the base of a fleshy albumen. 



An interesting order, with numerous species of herbs or shrubs, the latter 

 often climbing. The wood has no concentric zones, or inseparable wedges. 

 The leaves are alternate, simple, petiolated, often with an opposite stipule, or 

 with none. The flowers are hermaphrodite. They approach the Endogenous 

 plants very closely in their structure, and are therefore usually classed at the 

 confines of this class, and of the Exogens. 



They are principally natives of the tropical parts of South America, but 

 are found sparingly in North America, Siberia, and Europe; in the latter 

 usually in those regions bordering on the Mediterranean; a few also occur 

 in India. 



These plants are in general possessed of tonic and stimulating properties, , 



