ARISTOLOCHIACEiE. 539 



This root is used in some parts of the country as a substitute for ginger, 

 and for many purposes is fully equal to it. It also forms the basis of a 

 spirituous drink. It deserves more attention than it has received, as it may 

 be employed as a substitute for Serpentaria in almost all cases to which that 

 useful root is applicable. 



The roots of the other American species, the A. virginicum and A. arifo- 

 Hum, are similar in their properties, but do not appear to be quite as aromatic 

 or powerful, though Rafinesque is of opinion that the former is more grateful 

 in its odour and taste than the Canadense. They are natives of the Southern 

 and Southwestern States. 



Aristolochia. — Tournefort. 



Calyx monosepalous, tubular, ventricose at base, dilated at the apex, forming a ligula. 

 Anthers six, subsessile, inserted on the style. Stigma 6-lobed. Capsule 6-angled, 6- 

 celled, many-seeded. 



This genus is composed of herbaceous or shrubby species, with erect or 

 twining stems, and usually cordate or entire leaves ; sometimes, but rarely, 

 3-lobed. The flowers are axillary or radical, with an oftentimes recurved 

 tube. The species are numerous, and are principally natives of the warmer 

 regions of South America ; these are principally shrubby. Some are found 

 in North America, in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean, and in 

 India. They are almost invariably tonic and stimulating, and a great num- 

 ber have been employed for medical purposes, though only one is officinal. 



It is remarkable that a firm belief in the efficacy of these plants as anti- 

 dotes in cases of the bites of poisonous snakes should exist in all parts of the 

 world, and among nations who could have had no communication with each 

 other, though it does not appear that they possess any alexipharmic proper- 

 ties beyond those dependent on their stimulating powers. The active portion 

 in them all is the root, which, in some species, besides a stimulating quality, 

 is extremely acrid, especially in a fresh state, and requires much caution in 

 its administration. 



The genus has been much divided of late years, and several genera and 

 sub-genera proposed ; some of these are founded on just distinctions, whilst 

 others rest on insufficient characters. As, however, the medical characters 

 of all of them agree, for the most part, it has been thought preferable to con- 

 sider them under one head. 



1. A. serpentaria, Linn. — Stem slender, flexuous, erect. Leaves cordate, acuminate, 

 pubescent. Peduncles almost radical, 1-flowered. Lip of the calyx lanceolate. 



Linn., Sp. PL 1363; Woodville, i. 153, t. 59; Flor. Med. vi. t. 325; 

 Barton, Veg. Mat. Med. ii. 41, t. 28 ; Bigelow, Med. Bot. 482, t. 49 ; Rafi- 

 nesque, Med. Fl. i. 61. 



Common Names. — Snakeroot; Virginia Snakeroot ; Snakeweed. 



Foreign Names. — Serpentaire de Virginie, Ft.; Schlangen osterluzey, 

 Ger. ; Serpentaria, It. 



Description. — Root perennial, composed of numerous slender fibres, arising from a 

 knotty, brown head. Stems one or several, round, slender, flexuous, jointed, about eight 

 or ten inches in height, usually of a. reddish colour near the base. Leaves alternate, 

 petiolate, oblong or lanceolate, entire, acuminate at apex and cordate at base, surface 

 more or less pubescent, of a pale-green colour. The flowers are nearly radical, on 1. 

 flowered, curved, somewhat scaly peduncles. The calyx is of a purplish or reddish 

 colour, with a curved tube and a bilabiate limb, the upper segment being notched and 

 the lower entire. There is no corolla. The anthers are six, and sessile, oblong, obtuse, 



34 



