0*' NEW-YORK. i 



Hydrastis* Canadensis, Linn., (Yellow Root). A powerful tonic 

 bitter. A decoction of root and fresh juice much used in ophthalmia 

 of a chronic kind ; powdered root a popular application in cancer ; 

 slightly narcotic ; powdered root said to blister ; given in tincture, pow- 

 der, and decoction. Its virtues deserve further investigation. Used by 

 the Indians as a permanent yellow dye. 



The above are all the genera of Ranunculace.e growing in the State 

 of New- York, which are known to possess medicinal properties. There 

 are, indeed, but two other genera, the Aquilegia, Linn., (Columbine), 

 and Thalictrum,! Linn., (Rue Anemone), belonging to this natural 

 order, in the state, and these, so far as known, are entirely inert. It 

 will be seen, that although there is a general resemblance in the pro- 

 perties of the different genera, yet that, in some instances, there is a 

 striking dissimilarity, as between the Coptis and Zanthoriza, pure bit- 

 ters, destitute of acridity, and the powerfully acrid Aconite and Helle- 

 bore. Whatever, therefore, may be the external or internal natural 

 structural affinities, we perceive that a knowledge of the medicinal pro- 

 perties of one plant of any natural order, is not always a safe guide 

 to those of another, belonging to the same order. 



Order II. Magnoliace^e, Juss. — (The Magnolia Tribe.) 

 Magnolia^: Glauca, Linn., (Common Magnolia. Sweet Bay). 

 This tree, from 8 to 30 feet high, the only species of the genus, is 

 found in cedar swamps on Long Island, but not elsewhere in the state. 

 Bark, stimulating, aromatic, tonic, and diaphoretic, used by the Indians 

 in autumnal fever and rheumatism. The warm decoction acts as a 

 gentle laxative, then as a diaphoretic ; the cold decoction, powder, or 

 tincture, as tonic ; hence successfully used in intermittent fever, and 

 remittents of a typhoid type, etc. — A tincture of the cones and seeds 

 useful in chronic rheumatism, and as a prophylactic against intermit- 

 tents. Dose of powdered bark, 3 ss. to 3 j., decoction or infusion, ad 

 libitum. The bark affords a green resin, a volatile oil, and a peculiar 

 crystallizable principle analagous to Liriodendrin. — The other species 

 of magnolia possess similar properties. 



M. Acuminata, Linn., (Cucumber tree). Grows in middle and 

 western parts of the state, medicinal virtues same as former. The 

 Tripetala (Umbrella magnolia) probably grows in our southern tier 

 of counties, as it is found in Pennsylvania. 



Liriodendron Tulipifera, Linn. Grows in this state ; common, 

 names, tulip tree, poplar, American poplar, etc. Medical properties 

 closely resemble those of the magnolia — diuretic, diaphoretic, tonic, an- 



* From the Greek, hudor, water, from its growing' in moist places. 



t From the Greek, thallo, to be green, or flourishing. 



t Named in honor of Professor Maguol, a French botanist. 



