SPIGELIA MARILANDICA. 
51 
These preparations of Colchicum {{. e. the oxymel, tincture, and 
wine) are given in doses of from one to two drachms, and repeated 
according to circumstances, every four, five, or six hours, until some 
sensible evacuation takes place, when the dose is diminished or laid 
aside ; the powder is given in doses of from one to five grains. 
Off. The Roots and Seed. 
Oflf. Pp. Syr. Colchici Autum. E. Acet. Colchici. L. 
Oxymel Colchici. D. 
SPIGELIA MAHILANDICA, 
Carolina Pink,* 
Class Pentandria. — Order Monogynia. 
Nat. Ord. Stellate, Linn. Gentian^k, Juss. 
Gen. Char. Corolla funnel-shaped. Capsule double, two* 
celled. Seeds numerous. 
Spec. Char. Stem four-cornered. Leaves opposite. 
This species of Spigeliaf is a perennial plant, indigenous to North 
America, flowering in July and August. The Spigelia Marilandica 
was first cultivated in England in the year 1794, and is now an orna- 
ment to most of our botanic gardens. The roots of this plant are 
unequal, spread horizontally, and send off many slender fibres ; 
from the root proceed several stalks which grow erect, from twelve 
to eighteen inches high, smooth, obscurely quadrangular, and of a 
purplish brown colour ; the leaves are sessile and oblong, and acute 
pointed, somewhat undulated, entire, and of a bright green, and 
stand in pairs upon the stem ; the flowers are ranged on one side of 
the foot stalk, and terminate the stem in a spike ; the calyx is five- 
parted ; the corolla is monopetalous, funnel-shaped, of a bright crim- 
son, composed of a long tube, gradually swelling towards the middle. 
* Fig. e. represents (he top of a plant, the blossoms and leaves a little less than 
nature. /. A young plaat half the size of the specimen from which it was drawn, a. 
The style, b. Stigma, c. Calyx, d. A stamen. 
+ Two species of the genns Spigelia are known and cultivated in our botanic 
gardens, the S. Marilandica and S. Anthelmia, the latter of which is an annual. 
Vide HoTt. Cant. 
