141 



has been introduced into this country and is much cultivated in the 

 gardens. It has a fragrant odor very similar to that of lemons in 

 the fresh state, but it should be cut before the appearance of tho 

 flowers. The taste is somewhat austere and slightly aromatic. 

 The herb contains a minute proportion of yellowish essential oil. 

 The infusion forms an excellent drink in febrile complaints, and balm 

 tea has a tendency to promote perspiration. 



Rue (rata graveolens) is a native of the south of Europe, and is 

 sometimes cultivated in the gardens. It is somewhat a shrubby 

 plant, two or three feet high, with blueish green leaves piunately di- 

 •1. The powerful fetid odor and acrid taste of this plant de- 

 pends on the presence of volatile oil. The ancients used it as a 

 condiment, and believed it to posses the property of resisting the 

 action of poison. For ages it was considered most effective to ward 

 off contagion, and it is still employed to keep off noxious insects. 

 ii (>nters into the composition of the French perfume called " Yine- 

 of the Four Thieves." The Italians are stated to eat it as a 

 salad. Shakspeare speaks of rue as the " herb of grace." 



The whole herb has active medicinal properties, but the leaves are 

 most commonly employed. The recent leaves have so much acri- 

 mony as to inflame and even blister the skin when much handled. 

 I\ue is a stimulant and antispasmodic. In moderate doses it is an 

 emenagogue, and in large doses produces such irritation in the 

 uturus as to bring on abortion. 



Coriander (coriandrum sativum) is a native of Italy and the Le- 

 vant, but is naturalized all over Europe and cultivated in America. 

 All parts of the fresh plant are extremely feted when bruised, while 

 the globular fruit becomes fragrant by drying. The smell and taste 

 of coriander seed are gratefully aromatic, and depend on a pale- 

 yellow volatile oil, which may be obtained by distillation. Corian- 

 der has in a moderate degree the ordinary medicinal virtues of the 

 aromatics. It was well known to the ancients, and is now princi- 

 pally employed to cover the taste of other medicines or correct their 

 griping qualities. 



of the New Specie* of Polyporus referred to in (he lists 

 Named and Described by Professor If. W. Ravenel, Ail-en, South 

 Carol: 



Polyporus (Inodermei) I ^therman, nov. spec. Pileo rigido, 

 coriaceo; setis Chassis vestito; couvexo-plano, niquescente-umbrino; 



