20 MEDICINAL PLANTS 



Bean). Root produces fleshy tubers, about the size ofchesnuts, which 

 are esculent and nutritious, for which the plant is supposed worthy 

 of culture. Legume about two inches long. 



Amphicarpea* Monoica, Torr. and Gr., (Common Hog Nut). A 

 very curiuus plant. Root fibrous and branching. Nutritious. Annu- 

 ally producing numerous small subterraneous flowers. (Torrey.) 



Robinia Pseudacacia, Linn., (Common Locust Tree). The inner 

 bark is sometimes used for emetic purposes. The wood is one of the 

 most valuable for many purposes in the arts. When newly cut, it 

 weighs 63 pounds 3 ounces to a cubic foot ; when dry, 46 pounds. The 

 wood is remarkable for strength and durability ; hence much employed 

 in ship-building, and for posts, and underground structures. The tree 

 is very apt to be destroyed by the Clytus I'iclus, and the Ca.'Sus Robi- 

 nia, (Locust-tree Carpenter Moth). (See Peck, in Mass. Agricult. 

 Rep. and Jour-, Vol. V.) The leaves are a good substitute for grass 

 and clover as provender for cattle, for which it is cultivated, and mown 

 every year ; also branches cut off every other year, when it has attain- 

 ed the height of ten feet. This is dune at mid-summer, when succu- 

 lent, and dried for winter's use. The roots are very sweet, and afford 

 an extract which might be substituted for liquorice. The flowers have 

 been employed medicinally as antispasmodic, and distilled into an 

 agreeable, refreshing syrup, which is drank with water, to quench 

 thirst. The flowers retain their fragrance when dried, and those of a 

 single tree are sufficient to perfume a whole garden. 



ZEPHROsiAf Vikgimana, Pers., (Goat's Rue). An infusion of the 

 root is a very popular vermifuge. 



Trifolium, Linn., five species. Arvense, (Stone Clover). Pra- 

 wense, Linn., (Red Clover). Reflexum, Linn., (Buffalo Clover). 

 Repens, Linn., (White Clover). Agrakium, (Yellow Clover). The 

 Pratense is well known as a most valuable fodder plant, making the 

 best sort of hay, either by itself or mixed with other grasses. Pro- 

 bably a biennial. The Reflexum affects the salivary glands, and is com- 

 mon in the Western States. The Repens also acts powerfully on the 

 salivary glands, sometimes producing complete salivation. (Elliot.) 



Melilotus Officinalis, Willd., (Yellow Melilot). When dry, this 

 plant has an agreeable odor, much like that of the sweet-scented ver- 

 nal grass. Said to be the chief ingredient used for flavoring the Gruy- 

 £re cheese. Three species. Formerly included among emollients, but 

 contains very little mucilage. 



* From amphi, on both sides, and carpos, fruit, producing fruit both above and 

 below ground. 



i From the Greek zephros, ash -colored. 



