APHYLLON NAKED BROOM-RAPE. 203 



as an astringent. Doubtless its effect when applied to ill-conditioned ulcers 

 led to the absurd notion that it is curative of cancer. 



CONOPHOLIS. —Cancer-Root. 



Conopholis Americana Wallroth — Squaw-Boot, Cancer-Boot. 



Description. — Calyx irregularly 4- to 5-toothed. Corolla tubular at the 

 base, 2-lipped, the upper lip 2-lobed, the lower 3-parted, spreading. Pod 

 2-valved, with 2 placentae on each valve. 



Stem 4 to 7 inches high, thick, simple, covered with ovate-lanceolate, 

 acute scales, regularly imbricated like the scales of a pine cone : the upper 

 scales forming bracts to the flowers. Flowers in a thick scaly spike, ap- 

 pearing in May and June. The entire plant is chestnut-colored or yellow- 

 ish. 



Habitat. — In oak woods. 



Parts Used. — The entire plant — not official. 



Constit aents. — Unknown. 



Preparations. — Used in decoction or powder. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — Like those of Beech-Drops, which see. 



APHYLLON.— Naked Broom-Rape. 



Aphyllon unif!orum Torrey and Gray. — Naked Broom-Bape. 



Description. — Calyx 5-cleft, regular. Corolla with a long curved tube, 

 the border 2-lipped, the upper lip deeply 2-cleft, the lower 3-cleft, pur- 

 plish-white. Stamens included. Capsule 2-valved, each valve with 2 

 placentae. 



Stem subterranean or nearly so, scaly, often branched, each branch 

 sending up 1 to 3 slender, 1-flowered scapes, 3 to 5 inches high. Flow- 

 ers and scapes glandular-pubescent ; they appear in April and May. 



Habitat. — In dry woodlands ; common. 



Parts Used. — The entire plant — not official. 



Constituents. — Unknown. 



Preparations. — Used in decoction or powder. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — -Like those of Beech-Drops, which see. 



SC80PHULAR8ACE>E. 



Character of the Order. — Herbs, rarely shrubs or trees, with opposite or 

 alternate, exstipulate leaves, and irregular, monopetalous flowers. Calyx 

 5-lobed, rarely 4-lobed, persistent. Corolla 5-lobed, rarely 4-lobed, often 

 2-lipped or more or less irregular. Stamens 2 or 4, sometimes 5, inserted 

 on the tube of the corolla. Ovary free, 2-celled ; style 1, undivided ; stig- 

 ma entire or 2-lobed. Pod 2-celled, many-seeded. 



A large and widely distributed order. Most of the species are bitter, 



