OF NEW-YORK. 57 



them for this purpose, as well as for all kinds of discharges in females. 

 This plant deserves farther investigation. 



Smilacina Racemosa, Desf., (Wild Spikenard). A mild altera- 

 tive, diuretic, and diaphoretic. 



Polygonatum Multiflorum, (Solomon's Seal). Deobstruent, and 

 slightly astringent. Deserves investigating. 



Smilax* Rotundifolia, Linn., (Green Briar). S. Hispida, Muhl., 

 (Hispid Green Briar). S. Spinulosa, Smith, (Spinulose Green Briar). 

 S. Hekbacea, Linn., (Carrion Flower). All these species of Green 

 Briar are believed to possess alterative and diaphoretic properties, and 

 are mentioned for the purpose of directing further attention to them. 



Liliaceje, Juss. — (The Lily Tribe.) 



Lilium| Philadelphicum, Linn., (Red Lily). L. Canadense, 

 Linn., .(Wild Yellow Lily). L. Superbum, Linn., (Turk's Cap). 

 The roots, or bulbs, contain much mucilage, are slightly acrid ; the active 

 principle is volatile ; used in domestic practice in dropsy and to form 

 emollient cataplasms, boiled in milk. An ointment is also prepared 

 from the flowers, which has soothing properties. 



Erythronium:): Americanum, Am., (Dog's Tooth Violet). The 

 recent root emetic, in doses of 20 to 30 grs. When cooked, the bulbs 

 are edible. The leaves are more active than the roots. Dr. Bigelow 

 supposes that this plant might supply the place of Colchicum, In do- 

 mestic practice the leaves and roots are used as an application to scro- 

 fulous sores, for which purpose they are boiled in milk. 



Allium§ Canadense, Kahn, (Meadow Garlic). A. Vineale, Linn.i 

 (Wild Garlic). A. Triococcum, Ait., (Wild Leek). A. Cernuum, 

 Rath., (Wild Onion). All contain a volatile, acrid oil, which render 

 the bulbs, in a fresh state, rubefacient and revulsive. Internally they 

 prove expectorant, diuretic, and diaphoretic, like squills. The species 

 Canadense, is fully as active as the cultivated garlic, and may be sub- 

 stituted for it. The onion, A. Cepa, possesses similar properties, but 

 much milder. 



Aletris Farinosa, Linn., (Star Grass, Colic Root, Blazing Star, 

 Ague Root, etc.). The root contains a very bitter resinous principle, 

 soluble in alcohol, slightly in water. Tonic, and stomachic, emetic and 

 cathartic, slightly narcotic. Dose of powder, 10 grs. A popular re- 

 medy in colic, dropsy, and rheumatism. 



* From the Greek smile, a grater, from its being rough with prickles. 



t From the Celtic li, white, that being the color of one of the principal species. 



t From the Greek erythias, red, from the spots on the leaves. 



6 From the Celtic word all, signifying hot, or acrid. 



