OF NEW-YORK. 39 



Aquifoliaceye, De Cand. — (The Holly Tribe.) 



Ilex Opaca, Ait., (American Holly)- An evergreen tree, 10 to 

 30 feet high. A viscid substance called bird-lime is prepared from its- 

 inner bark. The leaves are bitter, and diaphoretic ; tonic,' contain a 

 peculiar bitter principle, ilicin : berries are the size of a large pea, 

 persistent, bright red, and arc purgative, diuretic, and emetic ; ten or 

 twelve will generally prove cathartic. This plant has been em- 

 ployed successfully in the cure of intermittents, jaundice, and dropsy. 

 Found near Kingsbridge, island of New York. 



Prinos* Yerticillatus, Linn., (Black Alder, Common Winter 

 Berry). This shrub has round berries, size of a pea, scarlet when 

 ripe, and several clustered together. — The baric. Taste bitter and as. 

 tringent, tonic and astringent, recommended in diarrhoea, dropsy, in- 

 termittents, and diseases connected with debility ; a very useful remedy 

 in cutaneous diseases, taken internally in form of strong decoction, and 

 applied as a wash ; also in gangrenous and ill-conditioned ulcers. The 

 decoction should be made by boiling § ij. of the bark in 3 pints of 

 water to a quart. Dose 5 ij. to 5 iij. Dose of powder 3 ss. to 3i. 



P. Glabra, Linn., (Inkberry, Evergreen Winterberry). Has the 

 same medicinal properties as the above. 



EbenacejE, Vent. — (The Ebony Tribe.) 

 DiosPYROsf Yirgixiana, Linn., (Persimmon, U. S. P.). The bark 

 and fruit; grows in moist places in the southern parts of the State- 

 Fruit roundish, about one inch in diameter, reddish orange when ripe, 

 fleshy, very astringent until acted on by frost, then soft and luscious ; 

 when green the fruit is excessively astringent. In the southern and 

 western States it is made into cakes with bran, and used in preparing 

 beer, with the addition of water, hops, and yeast. A spiritous liquor 

 is obtained by distilling the fermented infusion. The unripe fruit is 

 recommended by Dr. Mettaucr, of Ya., in chronic dysentery, diarrhoea, 

 and uterine hemorrhage, in form of infusion, syrup, or vinous tincture. 

 Bark is used as a tonic in intermittents, and to make an astringent gar- 

 gle in ulcerated sore throats, etc. The ripe fruit is grateful, and it is 

 said possesses anthelmintic properties. 



Plantaginace-e, Juss — (The Plantain Tribe.) 

 Plantago Major, Linn., (Common Plantain). Tfee leaves and 



* From the Greek prio, to saw, the leaves being serrated. 



t From the Greek Dios, Jupiter, and pyros, fruit, meaning heavenly fruit 



