54 



It is a native of South America. The pith contains nitre, and is 

 employed as a moxa in the cauterization of the skin by fire. 



The Burdock (Lappa major) grows most luxuriantly in and around 

 Baton Rouge, and a stranger might think it is cultivated on account 

 of its medical properties. But its actual virtues are too insignificant 

 to deserve much attention. The root has a weak mucilaginous and 

 sweetish taste, and a slight degree of bitterness and astringency. 

 It has been recommended in scorbutic, scrofula and rheumatic 

 affections. 



The Pinkroot (Spigelia Marylandica) is found in rich soil and on 

 the borders of woods. The root, which is medicinally employed, 

 consists of slender branching fibres, attached to a knotty head. It 

 has a faint, peculiar smell, and a sweetish, slightly bitter, not very 

 disagreeable taste. Its virtues are extracted by boiling water. It is 

 considered as one of the most powerful anthelmintics. The Cherokee 

 Indians were well acquainted with the vermifuge property of Spige- 

 lia, and the use of it, for that purpose, has been adopted from them. 



HORTICULTURAL AND AGRICULTURAL PLANTS. 



The native country of the Garden Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is un- 

 known. It has been cultivated from time immemorial. It is used 

 as a salad, and when properly dressed, forms one of the most pleas- 

 ant condiments. It abounds in a milky juice, which, during the 

 flowering season, escapes readily by incision in the stem, and yields 

 the lactucariun of commerce. It was well known to the ancients 

 that lettuce possessed soporific properties. A tincture of lactucariun 

 produces the anodyne effects of opium, without being followed by 

 the same injurious effects. It is especially employed to allay cough 

 and quiet nervous irritation. 



The Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) is a well dnown vegeta- 

 ble served up at our table. It grows most luxuriantly in the gardens 

 of this State, and bears fruit until the frost kills the vine. It is of 

 a bright red color, and on this account has been called the love 

 apple. The fruit has a peculiar acid taste, and is highly nutritive. 

 It is said to possess anti-bilious properties. 



Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a native of the East Indies 

 and tropical America, and is extensively produced in this country, 

 both for culinary and medicinal purposes. It is a powerful stimu- 



