MONOGRAPH OF THE GENUS PYROLA. 223 
beyond the limit of trees. Most of the species extend across 
the Continents of Asia, Europe, and America. There are 
specimens of secitnda and unijiora in the Banksian Herba- 
rium, from the islands on the north-west coast of America: 
The P. picta of Smith is found on the north-west coast of 
America, and in mountainous situations in Japan. Some 
species, however, are of more limited diffusion: thus, P. 
asarifolia^ maculata^ and ellipiica, have only been found in 
North America. The P. dentata, Menziesii^ and occidenta- 
lism are still more confined, being only found in particular 
districts. 
Their favourite places of growth are woods, especially 
old pine and birch forests, and bushy places, and moun- 
tainous heaths, in a dry light soil, particularly that formed 
from decayed vegetables, mixed with a great proportion of 
siliceous earth. 
All the Pyrolae are possessed of a strong astringent qua- 
lity, and were formerly much esteemed for supposed heal- 
ing properties : they are now wholly disused. The P. ma^ 
culata, however, is deserving of the attention of physicians, 
and is held in great esteem among the Indians of North 
America, who call it, according to Mr Pursh, Sip-tisewa. 
This botanist tells us, that he has witnessed the beneficial 
effects of a decoction of this plant, in a very severe case of 
hysterics; and I am credibly informed its decoction has 
proved very serviceable in scrofulous diseases. 
