382 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES SNAKE 



emetic and purgative, and lias a musky smell like that of 

 snakes, wMch favours tlie idea that it cures their bite. 



3. Casearia ulmifolia, a shrub or small tree of the family 

 Samydacese, The leaves are somewhat astringent, and when 

 boiled are applied to wounds and snake-bites. They are con- 

 sidered by Brazilians a certain remedy against the bite of the 

 most venomous kinds of snakes. Several other species of 

 Omearia are used medically in Brazil, either for cleansing wounds 

 or as diaphoretics and purgatives. 



4 Polygala Senega, an erect, slender, herbaceous plant of the 

 Milkwort family (Polygalaceae), native of North America. The 

 root is ash-coloured, and supposed by the Indians to resemble 

 the tail of the rattlesnake, and to be a cure for its bite. In the 

 United States it is employed for many complaints. It contains 

 a principle called Senegin, which excites violent sneezing. 



5. Black Snake-root (Actcea racemosa), a tall-growing per- 

 ennial herb, with compound trifoliate leaves, of the Buttercup 

 family (Eanunculacese). The flowers are fetid, and the large 

 knotted root-stalks, which have a nauseous astringent and bitter 

 taste, are considered in the United States to be a remedy for 

 the bite of the rattlesnake. 



6. Button Snake-ioot—Iiairis sqicarrosa and Z. scariosa, 

 perennial herbs, with spikes of pretty pink flowers of the family 

 Compositae; natives of ITorth America. Their tuberous roots 

 when bruised are considered a cure for the bite of the rattle- 

 snake. 



7. Virginian Snake-root (AristolocMa Serpentaria), a bushy 

 partially climbing shrub of the Birth wort family (Aristolochiaceae), 

 native of the Southern United States. It is considered a specific 

 for the cure of the bite of the rattlesnake and of mad dogs ; 

 also, Gentiancc ochroleuca, a perennial of the Gentian family 

 (Gentianaceee). It is held in high reputation by the "old 

 grannies " as a tonic, and as an excellent stimulant in uterine 

 disorders, loss of speech, and other complaints through the loss 

 of nervous energy. It is also one of the numerous remedies for 

 the cure of snake-bites. 



