60 
NAT. ORDER. LILIACEiE. 
dissecting the flower, we find three of the stamens of each, longer 
than the others, and bearing two little points, which proceed not 
from the anthers, but from the top of the filaments ; it is therefore 
one of those alliums which Linnaeus describes, as havinor AnthercB 
hicornes ; the capsule is short, broad, tri-lobed, three-celled, three- 
valved, and contains roundish seeds. It flowers in June and July. 
This species of garlic, according to Linnaeus, grows spon- 
taneously in Switzerland, and some parts of Sicily, but it is not 
known to be cultivated in any part of the United States. The 
specific properties resemble those of the other garlics ; therefore, 
in describing the medicinal virtues of this species, it is applicable 
to the whole family of garlics, most of which are now cultivated 
in gardens, throughout the civilized world. 
This species is easily increased by offsets, which should be 
separated and planted in Autumn. We know not why Linnasus 
should give it the name of descendens, unless from its being one of 
those plants whose roots, in process of time, descend deeply into 
the earth. 
Medical Properties and Uses. The whole family, of garlics, 
especially the root, possess a pungent, acrimonious taste, and a 
peculiarly offensive strong smell. This odor is extremely pene- 
trating and diffusive ; for instance, the root being taken into the 
stomach, the alliaceous scent impregnates the whole system, and is 
discoverable in the various excretions. This volatile matter is, 
in part at least, an essential oil, which may be obtained in distilla- 
tion in tJie ordinary manner, and, like the oils of many of the 
Liliquose plants, sinks in water. Applied to the skin, garlic 
produces inflammation, and frequently vesicates the part. On 
drying, this root loses almost nine parts in fifteen, without suffering 
any material loss, either of taste or smell ; hence, six grains dried 
are supposed to be equivalent to fifteen grains of the fresh root. 
Garlic is generally allied to the onion, from which it seems 
only to differ in being much more powerful in its effects, and in its 
