OF NEW-YORK. 55 



gum, &c. Both arc stimulating diuretics, and decided alteratives in 

 all diseases of mucous membranes ; also powerfully emmenagogue and 

 anthelmintic ; used as an ointment to promote the discharge from blis- 

 tered surfaces. 



Taxus* Canadensis, Willd, (American Yew). A resinous tree ; the 

 leaves of the European species, Baccata, which, according to Michaux, 

 is identical with the present ; are said to act in small doses, like Digita- 

 lis in reducing the force of the circulation. We hope trials will be 

 made to test the virtues of this plant. The ancients considered the 

 tree poisonous, especially during the season of flowering. 



CLASS III.— ENDOGENOUS, OR MONOCOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS. 



Arace^e, Juss. — (The Arum Tribe.) 



Akis^ema Triphyllum, (Indian Turnip). Formerly the Arum. 

 The tuber very active when fresh, owing to a volatile, inflammable 

 principle, soluble in water and alcohol. When dry it furnishes a large 

 quantity of nutritious starch, resembling sago. When recent, used as 

 a carminative stimulant in flatulent colic, etc. Has some reputation 

 in bronchitis. 



Calla Palustris, Linn., (Water Arum). The Rhizomes are acrid 

 and caustic, but on drying, grinding, and washing, furnish a very pure 

 starch, which in the north of Europe is made into palatable bread. 

 Diaphoretic when fresh. 



SYMPLocARPusf Fjstidus, Salisb., (Skunk Cabbage). Root and 

 seeds, narcotic and stimulant ; very acrid when fresh, which is lost by 

 drying. Has been used in asthma, rheumatism, dropsy, hysteria, and 

 chronic catarrh ; the leaves to keep up a discharge from a blistered 

 surface. 



Acorus:{: Calamus, Linn., (Sweet Flag). A pleasant stimulant 

 tonic and stomachic. A good adjuvant to bark and quinine in inter- 

 mittents. Used in flatulent colic and atonic states of digestive organs. 



AlismadejE. — (The Water Plantain Tribe.) 



Alisma§ Plantago, Linn., (Water Plantain). Acrid, and resem- 

 bling the Ranunculus in its properties. In Russia it is believed to be an 



* From toxon, bow, because the wood was used for that purpose by the Greeks, 

 t From the Greek symploke, connexion, and karpos, fruit, the berries being united. 

 t From the Greek a, without, and kore, the pupil of the eye, having been used for 

 sore eyes. 



§ From the Celtic alis, water, its place of growth. 



