37 



The West American Scientist. 



38 



for the effects of poison oak." 



Lonicera subspicata Hook & Arm. — 

 The "moronel" of the Mexicans is used 

 by them in the form of a tea as a blood 

 purifier; the plant is also used for the 

 healing of sores. 



Grindelia robusta Nuttall. — This is a 

 popular remedy, especially recommend- 

 ed as a remedy for the effects of the 

 poison oak (Rhus diversiloba Torr. & 

 Gray), the plant being applied fresh, or 

 a decoction or alcholic infusion used 

 (Mrs. Bingham). The crude drug sells 

 at about $5.00 per hundred pounds. A 

 Russian scientist is at present engaged 

 in a study of the medicinal properties 

 of this plant and of the other species 

 of the genus — most of which seem to 

 possess the same valuble properties 

 and some of which are doubtless often 

 substituted for or confused with the 

 typical G. robusta of Nuttall. One of 

 these, G. subsquarrosa, I have recent- 

 ly supplied to an eastern Arm, send- 

 ing them, about fifty pounds of the 

 crude drug, for them to thoroughly 

 test its properties. 



Romneya coulteri Harv. — "A deadly 

 poison." "The whole plant is used, 

 bruised and boiled and applied as a 

 poultice or taken in liquor" — my notes 

 do not state whereof its virtue con- 

 sists. It will naturally be inferred, 

 however, that its properties are similar 

 to those of opium. 



Ephedra californica Watson. — "Can- 

 atilla" or Mountain tea, and "tepopote" 

 (fide Havard), are names applied to 

 several of the genus Ephedra,. "They 

 are popular remedies among Mexicans 

 and frontiersmen in the treatment of 

 syphilis and gonorrhot-a, especially the 

 latter. The decoction or infusion of 

 %he stems has an acid reaction and an 

 astringent taste resembling that of 

 tannin. It is used as an injection and 

 Enti naliy; some caution should be ob- 

 - d as it has been known to cause 

 strangury." CDr. V. Havard, vide 

 Ivor. U. S. Nat. Mus. VIII. 504.) The 

 Bpecies Dr. Kavard refers to are E. 

 antlsyphilitica C. A. Meyer and E. 

 trifurca Torrey, but the same remarks 

 eeem io apply equally well to our Cal- 

 ffornian species. 11 is often used as a 



til titute for tea, and is scarcely dis- 



uishable in taste, except for an 



after-flavor, not unpleasant, reminding 



Bne 1 lighl ly of ca tnip 1 "a. 1 1 is in 



great renown as a blood purifier and 

 many have volunteered to me their 

 opinion that it was "better than sar- 

 saparilla" and without an equal. I have 

 never heard of unpleasant effects fol- 

 lowing its use. It is a valuable seda- 

 tive. Experiments and analyses prove 

 it to be not superior to E. antisyphilit- 

 ica — which already has a place among 

 American drugs. 



Baccharis glutinosa Pers. — This, or 

 another species of the genus, familiarly 

 known as Mock willow, is held in some 

 repute for the healing of sores. Pluchea 

 borealis Gray, also known by the same 

 popular name, perhaps shares in the 

 same virtues and is, I believe, the plant 

 known to the Mexicans as "water- 

 motor" — credited with medicinal vir- 

 tues without number! 



Cucurbita Palmata Watson. — The 

 mock orange and wild pomegranate are 

 names frequently applied to this and 

 other species of the genus cucurbita. 

 The root is very bitter, and a strong 

 and quick emetic, acting "without any 

 disagreeable effect on the nerves." In 

 common with the following species this 

 is known to the Mexicans as "Chili 

 Coyote," or "Calabazilla." 



Cucurbita Poetidissima, H. B. K. — 

 I do not know that the natives dis- 

 criminate between these species in fa- 

 vor of either one or the other. "The 

 macerated root is ?.lso used as a rem- 

 edy for piles" (Watson, Bot. Ca.1., 

 i:239). / 



Micrampelis Macrocarpa Greene. — 

 The chilocothe vine, also belonging to 

 the Cucurbitaceae, possesses similar 

 properties to Cucurbita palmata. The 

 root attains immense size, and is cred- 

 ited with having formed the basis of 

 tho once famous "Dr. Walker's Cele- 

 brated California Vinegar Bitters." 



Trichostema Lanatum Bentham. — 

 The black sage is a small shrub found 

 in the coast range from Monterey 

 southward to Baja California(?), "cul- 

 tivated in gardens of the Californians," 

 and "valued as a stimulant" (Mrs. 

 Bingham). 



EDITORIAL. 



The Botany of California, finished by 

 Sereno Watson and published in 18S0, 

 through the generosity of gentlemen of 



