18 MEDICINAL PLANTS 



dropsy. The syrup is the best form of giving it. This is often made, 

 in this city, of the berries of the Crataegus. We have another species, 

 R. Alnifolius, growing in swamps in the northern parts of the state, 

 whose berries have similar properties. 



Ceanothus Americanus, Linn., (New Jersey Tea). The leaves 

 of this shrub were used for tea, during the revolutionary war. Root 

 slightly bitter and astringent ; imparts a red color to water ; a useful 

 alterative, in syphilis, hepatic, and cutaneous diseases ; has been em- 

 ployed with success in dysentery, in the form of strong infusion of the 

 leaves ; forms a valuable local application in aphthous affections of the 

 mouth and fauces. Ferrien states that a strong decoction of it cures 

 gonorrhoea in two or three days, (Griffith). The Indians use it as 

 a febrifuge, as well as an astringent. We regard it as a valuable 

 article. 



Vitaceje, Juss. — (The Vine Tribe.) 

 The Vine Tribe of our state yields four indigenous species. Thesr 

 are Vitis Labrusca, Linn , (Fox Grape) ; V. vEstivalis, Michx. 

 (Summer Grape) ; V. Cordifolia, Michx., (Frost Grape) ; V. Ripa 

 Ria, Michx., (Winter Grape). It is said by Mr. Adlum, that there are 

 200 varieties of the wild grape in the United States. Rafinesque has 

 described forty-one indigenous species. The Fox grape is about three- 

 fourths of an inch in diameter, globose, usually dark purple, when 

 ripe, sometimes amber-colored, or greenish-white, of a strong musky 

 odor, and somewhat rancid taste, filled with a tough pulp. The Isa- 

 bella, Schuylkill, or Alexanders, the Calau-ba, and Bland's grape, are 

 varieties of this species. The berries of the Summer grape are about 

 one-fourth of an inch in diameter, globose, deep blue, or almost black, 

 of a pleasant flavor. The berries of the Frost grape are about one- 

 fourth of an inch in diameter, nearly black when mature, very acerb, 

 but pleasant after having been frozen. The Winter grapes are about 

 one-fourth of an inch in diameter, and dark purple or amber-color when 

 ripe. When ripe these, like other grapes, possess valuable medicinal 

 properties, bewig wholesome, antiseptic, cooling, diuretic and laxative, 

 and prove beneficial in many diseases. Thus we have what is called 

 the Grape cure in Germany, which consists in confining patients with 

 chronic diseases entirely to a diet of grapes. Palatable wines may also 

 be made of our indigenous grapes, possessing the same medicinal 

 qualities as those of foreign wines. 

 • 



PolygalacEjE, Juss. — (The Milk-wort Tribe.) 

 The plants of this, like many of the other natural orders, differ con- 



