OF NEW-YORK. 29 



the aborigines for making arrows — also for fuse-sticks in blasting, the 

 pith having been removed. 



V. Pauciflorum, Syl., (Mountain Bark Cranberry). From two to 

 four feet high, fruit roundish oval, compressed, red. — Mountains of Es- 

 sex county. 



V. Opulus, Linn., (Bush Cranberry, High Cranberry). From 3 to 

 10 feet high. The fruit is acid, half an inch long, juicy, slightly bitter, 

 translucent when dry, used as a substitute for cranberries. Common 

 snow-ball is a variety of this species. 



Rubiaceje, Juss. — (The Madder Tribe.) 



Galium* Aparine, De Can., (Common Cleavers or Goose Grass). 

 An annual succulent plant, inodorous, has a bitterish and somewhat 

 acrid taste. Expressed juice aperient, diuretic, antiscorbutic ; has been 

 used in dropsy, congestion of spleen, scrofula, and scorbutic eruptions ; 

 § iij. of the juice twice a day ; also used as an ointment to scrofulous 

 swellings. We have several other species of galium possessing the 

 same medicinal properties. Probably one of our most valuable diure- 

 tics, highly useful in suppression of urine and nephritic complaints ; has 

 considerable popular reputation in scorbutus and hemoptysis ; also in 

 gonorrhea and inflammatory affections of the kidneys ; cold infusion 

 should always be employed, drank freely. 



Cephalanthus Occidentalis, Linn., (Button-bush, Pond Dog- 

 wood). Tonic and deobstruent. Deserves further trial. 



Mitchella Repens, Linn., (Partridge Berry). Berries one-third 

 of an inch in diameter ; edible, but insipid. Slightly diuretic and alte- 

 rative. 



ValerianacejE. — (The Valerian Tribe.) 



■ Valeriana! Sylvatica, (Tall Swamp Valerian). This plant is 

 closely allied to the Dioica, and possesses similar medicinal properties, 

 acting as a stimulant and antispasmodic ; useful in hysteria, in form 

 of infusion or powder of root — contains considerable volatile oil, to 

 which it owes its effects. 



Composite, Linn. — (The Composite Tribe. ) 



Liatris Spicata, Willd., (Tall Button Snakeroot). An indige- 

 nous perennial plant, has a tuberous root, possessing a terebinthinate 

 odor, and a warm, bitter taste. Is tonic, diaphoretic, alterative and 



* From the Greek gala, milk, one of the species having been used to curdle milk. 

 t From the Latin valeo, to be strong, from its supposed virtues. 



