24 Bigelow on the Medical Botany of Ohio. [Nov. 



Stem tall; 3° — 8° high; 4-sided. Flowers small, greenish 

 purple. — July. 



This plant and its synonymes, have heretofore been consid- 

 ered distinct, even by Linnaeus himself. By our latest and best 

 authors, however, they are decided to be identical. Conse- 

 quently what has been said of the foreign plant, will apply 

 equally to this. It enjoys considerable reputation in domestic 

 practice. 



Sp. 120, Chelone Glabra. Linn. 



Com. names — Turtle Head, Snake Head, Balmony, Shell 

 Flower. Perennial 1° — 4° high. Flowers rose color or pur- 

 ple. — July, September. 



Griffith says if it possesses the qualities attributed to it by 

 Rafinesque, it will prove a valuable addition to the Materia 

 Medica. 



According to Rafinesque, it is a powerful tonic, cathartic, 

 hepatic, and anti-herpetic. The whole plant may beused, but 

 the leaves are best. In small doses it is laxative, but in full 

 doses it purges the bile, removing the yellowness of the skin 

 in| jaundice, &c. Dose of the powdered leaves gi. 3 times 

 daily. [Med. Flor. Vol. II. p. 118.] Thompsonians use it. 



Sp. 121. GRATIOLA AUREA. Mulil. 



Com. name — Golden Hedge Hyssop. Stems creeping at 

 the base. Flowers golden yellow; handsome. — June, Sept. 



Said to be equal, if not superior to the officinal Gratiola of 

 the shops. Not used in this country, but certainly deserves 

 attention. [Griffith.] 



Tribe II. Rhinanthide.e. [Yellow Rattle Tribe.] 

 Veronica peregrina. Linn. 



Com. names — Neck weed, Purslane Speedwell. Cultivated 

 grounds, common, naturalized. Flowers whiteish. — Apl. June- 

 It is given internally, and used externally as a wash in 

 scrofulous tumors of the neck in some parts of the U. S. — 

 [Griffith.] We have several other species that will be found 

 in our books. 



Order XXXVL— LABIATES. [Mint Family.] 



The presence of an aromatic oil and a bitter principle, are 

 universal features of this order, upon which depend their ton- 

 ic, cordial, and stomachic qualities. 



Sp. 123. Blephilia hirsuta. Benth. 

 Com. names — Ohio Horse Mint, Hairy Horse Mint. Per- 

 rennial 2° — 3° high, corolla pale, with darker purple spots. — 

 July. Thought to be equivalent of Monarda Punctata. 



