OF MEW-YORK. 



9 



to 8 feet high, leaves of a bluish green color, acid ; flowers pale yel- 

 low ; berries red and very acid ; a naturalized exotic. The berries 

 have a grateful, sour, astringent taste, and contain malic and citric 

 acids ; they are refrigerant, astringent, and antiscorbutic, and useful 

 in febrile diseases, in the form of drink. The fruit is often made into 

 a sweetmeat, and the jelly mixed with water, makes a grat- Id drink. 

 Root and inner bark arc used for a yellow dye ; the coloring principle 

 is called bcrberin ; this may be isolated in the form of distinct crystals, 

 and, in doses of from one to ten grains, acts as a tonic and purgative ; 

 cultivated in gardens ; useful as a wash in aphthous sore mouth ; 

 Griffith says, it acts like rhubarb, and with equal promptness and 

 activity. 



Leoxtice Thalictroides, Linn., (Blue Cohosh, Papoose Root, 

 Squaw Root). Much employed by root-doctors and empirics, formerly 

 used by the Indians, from whom they pretend to have learned its medi- 

 cinal properties. It is demulcent, diuretic, emmenagogue, and anti- 

 spasmodic ; and has been employed with success in rheumatism, drop- 

 sy, amenorrhea, and nervous disorders. The Indians think it facili- 

 tates parturition. The plant has never been analyzed ; but well 

 deserves a more careful investigation. 



Podophyllum peltatum,* Linn., (May-apple. Mandrake, Hog 

 Apple). A very certain and somewhat drastic cathartic, resembling 

 jalap in its mode of operation, inducing watery stools, in doses of from 

 ten to thirty grains, of the powdered root. Root contains a peculiar 

 principle, Podophyllum, which belongs to the same group as salacine ; 

 also resin ; to which its medicinal properties are owing. Combined 

 with bitartrate of potass, this article is useful in the treatment of 

 dropsy, rheumatism, and scrofulous affections. The extract in small 

 doses is said to diminish the pulse, and relieve cough ; hence employed 

 in hemoptysis, catarrh and other pulmonary affections. — (Officinal, U. 

 S. P.) 



JEFFERsoxiAf diphylla, Pcvs., (Twin Leaf, Rheumatism Root). 

 The root of this plant is stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic, and anti- 

 spasmodic, highly useful in chronic rheumatism ; hence its popular 

 name. An infusion has been employed with success in chronic oph- 

 thalmia ; also as a detergent wash in foul ulcers, and cancerous sores ; 

 also possesses decided alterative properties, and deserves trial in cases 

 where such remedies are indicated. 



Cabombace.e, Richard. — (The Water-Shield Tribe.) 

 This furnishes the Brasexia peltata, Pursh, (Water-Shield,) at 



* From the Greek pous, a foot, aud phjllon, a leaf; the leaf resembling the foot 

 of some birds. 



t Named after Mr. Jefferson. 



