86 



gether with many of the same species, have heen long knowu 

 among us as astringents and tonics. But a new plant, 

 which may be called Serpentai'ia Alba, or white Snake Root, 

 is much to be preferred to the others ; as it possesses all 

 their virtues in the highest degree. The farmers of New- 

 Jersey esteem it greatly as a cure for the ague ; and it 

 abounds most in the vicinity of marshes, where the miasma 

 which occasions this complaint prevails. But it is remark- 

 able that a dry soil is required for its peculiar habit. The 

 efficacy of the Serpentaria is said to be superior to the Cin- 

 chona, or Peruvian Bark in its febrifuge qualities. I cannot 

 forbear just to notice here a witticism on this subject by 

 Voltaire, whose reputation stands higher in matters of fan- 

 cy, than in matters of fact, and who is commonly unhappy 

 when he touches on a moral subject. He takes occasion in 

 speaking of the Peruvian bark, to combat the idea that the 

 bounty of Providence is apparent in providing a remedy for 

 diseases in the neighborhoods which produce them. He 

 observes, in his Philosophical Dictionary, that the Peruvian 

 Bark is found, in one quarter of the globe, while the disease 

 which it cures is discovered in another. But as the bark is 

 used in many complaints, his remark is wholly irrelavent, 

 unless he could have shewn that it was of no special benefit 

 where discovered. Now if general and uncontradicted tra- 

 dition is to be believed, the medical qualities of the Cincho- 

 na were first learned by observing certain animals, affected 

 by intermittents, instinctively led to the plant itself, or to 

 ponds of water impregnated with its juice.* Be this howev- 

 er as it may, we certainly find in the Serpentaria a new proof 

 of the old doctrine, that the remedy is usually found on the 

 spot which produces the disease. 



The Maculata Virginiensis, a newly discovered plant, has 

 been found a most efficacious remedy in epileptic affections, 

 and for this purpose it is much employed by the Indians. 



The Maranta Arundinacea, or Arrow Root, (called so by 



* Darwin's Botanic Garden, P. 2, p. 60. 



