426 28. ARNICA MONTANA. [CL. XIX 



the volatile oil. The root contains tanning matter also; 

 the flowers are very rich in volatile oil and resin ; the 

 leaves contain more soapy extractive matter. In warm solu- 

 tions we employ it in palsy and typhus, for awakening sus- 

 ceptibility ; we employ it also for stopping the blood after ex- 

 ternal wounds, and as a diuretic and sneezing powder. From 

 this last use its present name is derived, for e^^mv has passed in- 

 to Arnica. Under the latter name it was used in the fifteenth 

 century, and the first person who suspected its medicinal qua- 

 lity was unquestionably Lobelius (Adv. 133.), where he 

 praises the plant on account of its diuretic powers. Taber- 

 namontanus extols it for its power of stopping bleeding after 

 wounds, (Krauterb. 417.) The name Tdbac de Savoyards 

 et de Vosges, is derived from its being smoked and snuffed by 

 the Savoyards and inhabitants of the Vogeses, 



Order III. 

 Centaurea, ( Polygamia Jrustranea.) 



29. 



Calcitrapa stellata, Lam. 



Sterndistel, Wegedistel. — French, Chausse-trape, Char don 

 etoile. — Eng. Star-thistle. — Ital. La scardigliona. 



This plant grows abundantly in central Germany, by tA"; 

 vray side, and on dry fields. It has a white, rather creeping 

 root, which lasts only one summer. The woody, branchy 

 stem is perhaps two feet high, divided from below upwards 

 into branches which are squarrose and smooth, or furnished 

 with a few soft hairs ; they are round also, and of a yellowisli 

 white. The root-leaves are lyre-shaped, but soon fall off. 

 The stem-leaves are alternate, embrace the stem, or are with- 

 out stalks, lanceolate, pointed, an inch long or somewhat long- 

 er, semi-pinnated at the base, with sharp teeth on the margin. 



