1849.] Bigelow on the Medical Botany of Ohio. 15 



Griffith, (Med. Bot. 144,) remarks that our information with 

 regard to this genus of plants, is far from being definite; yet, 

 he believes they possess active qualities, capable of fulfilling 

 a variety of indications. Some of them possess narcotic and 

 emetic properties. 



Order XXII.— CUCURBITACEjE. {Gourd Family.) 

 Sp. 63. Sycios angulatus. Linn. 



Com. names — One Seeded Star Cucumber, Wild Bryony 

 Succulent vines. — July, Sept. 



Root and seeds bitter, purgative and diuretic. Equivalent 

 of Bryony in dropsies — (Rafinesque Med. Flor. p. 263.) 



Order XXIII.— CRASSULACEiE. {House Leek Family.) 



Said by Lindly to possess refrigerant and abstergent prop- 

 erties. 



Sp. 64. Sedum ternatum. Michx. 

 Com. names — False Ice Plant, Three-Leaved Stone Crop. — 

 Petals white, common in gardens. — May, June. 



Little is known of this order except what is said by Lindley. 



Order XXIV.— S.CXIFRAGACE.E. {Saxifrage Family) 

 Lindley observes that all the plants of this order possess 

 more or less astringent properties. Heuchera americana is well 

 spoken ot and recommended by Wood and Bache,in the U.S. 

 Dispensatory; but notwithstanding, it is almost entirely neg- 

 lected by American physicians. 



Sub order I.— SAXIFRAGES. {True Saxifrages.) 

 Sp. 65. Saxifraga pennstlvakica. Linn. 

 Com. name — Swamp Saxifrage. A homely species — scape 

 1° — 2° high, upright; leaves 4' — 8' long. — May, June. 



Sp. 66. Sullivantia OHioNis. Torr. and Gr. 



Com. name — Sullivantia. Scapes 8' — 12' high; leaves 2' 

 across. — June. 



Besides these, we have Saxifraga virginiensis, heuchera pu- 

 bescens, Mitella diphylla, &c, all of which should be investigated. 



Sub order II.— HYDRANGEvE. {Hydrangea Family) 

 Sp. 67. Hydrangea arborescews. Linn. 

 Com. names — Wild Hydrangea, Bissum. Shrubs 2° — 4° 

 high; cymes flat; flowers often all fertile. — July. 



Dr. EofFhas found the leaves tonic, sialagogue, cathartic 

 and diuretic. Used in decoction or powder. — (Rafinesque 

 Med. Flor. Vol. II. 229.) 



