8 



MEDICINAL PLANTS 



tiperiodic, anthelmintic. Bark should be collected during winter — 

 dose 3 j. to 3 ij. pulverized. Taste pungent, aromatic, bitter. Dr. 

 Emmet discovered in the 'nark of this tree ■ new principle which he 

 called Liriodendrine, solid, brittle, and inodorous at 40°, fusible at 

 180°, and volatile at 270° F. Soluble in alcohol, consists of a resin 

 and volatile oil. Infusion best form of administration. 



This article has been used with success in intermittent, dyspepsia, 

 chronic rheumatism, and wherever a mild stimulant tonic is indicated. 

 These two genera are all that arc embraced in this order that belong 

 to our state, and the same virtues belong to both. 



AnONACI.E, JuSS. (CUSTARD-APPLE TRIBE.) 



The order Anonaci.e (Custard-Apple Tribe) furnishes but one 

 plant indigenous to our state, viz., Uvaria Triloba, which is found 

 in Monroe, Niagara, and Chautauque counties. It occurs as a shrub or 

 tree from 6 to 10 feet high, with a smooth grayish bark, slender 

 branches, and leaves 6 to 8 inches long, 2^ to 3 1 - inches wide, on short 

 petioles ; flowers purple, mixed with yellow ; fruit oval, 2 to 3 inches 

 long, and yellowish. The medical properties of this plant have not 

 been tested in this country; but they deserve investigation, from the 

 fact that tiie same genus in Java, possesses powerfully-stimulating, 

 aromatic properties, and the same probably belong to it here. 



MenispermacejE, Juss. 



The CoccuLts or Moonseed Tribe, includes the CoccuJus indici/s : 

 the Cohnnbo; Pareira braua, etc. North America furnishes six, the 

 state of New York, one genus belonging to this order. They contain 

 narcotic, or bitter tonic properties, or both combined. 



Menispermuiu* Canadense, Linn., (Canadian Moonseed). Not an 

 uncommon plant in this state ; found on the banks of rivers, woods, 

 and in thickets. It is a climbing plant, and the root possesses very 

 valuable tonic and diuretic properties. In Virginia, it is employed ex- 

 tensively by physicians and in domestic practice, as a substitute for 

 sarsaparilla in scrofulous and other chronic affections ; as an alterative. 

 Deserves further trial. 



Berberidace^e, R. Brown. 



The Barberry Tribe furnishes four genera in our state, all of 

 them possessing valuable medicinal properties, viz., Berberis, Leoin- 

 tice, Podophyllum, and Jeffersonia. 



Berberis-)* vulgaris, Linn., (Common Barberry). A shrub, 3 



* From mene, the moon, and sjicrnia seed ; the seeds bcin^ lunate. 

 + Berberys, the Arabic name of the plant. 



