280 



UNITED STATES. 



it the name of apiifolia, as he thought the leaves re- 

 sembled those of parsley or celery ; and it was for- 

 merly called Marboisia tinctoria by Mr. William 

 Bartram,in honour of M. de Marbois, an encourager 

 of the science of botany, and from its qualities as a 

 dyeing drug. As the stalks of this plant sometimes 

 bear five branches, the specific name of simplicis- 

 sima cannot be very pi'oper, and its leaves do not 

 sufficiently resemble those of parsley or celery to be 

 called apiifolia. 



The xanthorisa tinctoria is a native of North Ca-- 

 rolina, and was first brought from that state into 

 Pennsylvania, about 40 years since, by Mr. John Bar- 

 tram. The stem and root of the xanthorisa are of 

 a bright yellow colour, and possess a strong bitter 

 taste. 



According to Dr. Woodhouse's experiments on 

 this plant, it contains a gum and resin, both of which 

 are intensely bitter, the resin being more abundant 

 than the gum. 



The watery extract of the grated roots, mixed 

 with alum, and added to Prussian blue, gives a green 

 «5olour which is far more lively and elegant than that 

 made with gamboge and Prussian blue, and stands 

 well in the shade, but soon contracts a dull colour 

 when exposed to a bright light, and to a high tem- 

 perature. 



As the xanthorisa tinctoria is a strong and plea- 

 sant bitter, and very nearly allied to the celebrated 

 India plant, columbo root, it promises to become a 

 valuable addition to the American Materia Medica. 

 It is preferable to all our native bitters. The barlt 



