15S 
NAT. ORDER. GERANIACEjE. 
is sometimes called Gath's Perfection. There is ai u^numerable 
number of plants comprising this order ; most of -v/hich possess 
similar properties ; and many are highly celebrated for their 
beautiful appearance, as may be found in the various greenhouses 
throughout the country. Some of the most prominent and invi- 
ting are such as the Pelargonium echinatum, Prickly-stalked Gera- 
nium ; Pelargonium hicolor, Two-colored Crane's-bill ; Pelargonium 
acetosum, Sorrel Crane's-bill ; Pelargonium tetragonum, Square- 
stalked Geranium ; Pelargonium glutinosum, Clammy Crane's-bill ; 
Pelargonium cordifolium, Birch -leaved Crane's-bill ; Pelargonium 
hetulinuin, Heart-leaved Geranium ; Pelargonium tricolor, Three- 
colored Crane's-bill. These, with many other varieties, are very 
generally cultivated by ladies in this and other cities, not only as 
an ornament, but as rendering great assistance in the study of 
Botany. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Most of the plants of this 
family are powerful astringents, and may be employed for all 
purposes for which astringents are applicable. The Geranium 
maculatum. Common Crane's-bill, is most generally preferred for 
medicinal purposes. Wood & Bache, in their U. S. Dispensatory, 
say : " The absence of unpleasant taste, and all other offensive 
qualities, renders it peculiarly serviceable in the cases of infant^, 
or of persons with very delicate stomachs. Diarrhoea, chronic 
dysentery, cholera infantum in the latter stages, and the various 
haemorrhages, are the forms of disease in which it is most com- 
monly used, and with greatest advantage ; but care should be ta- 
ken before it is administered, that the condition of the system, 
and of the part affected, is such as not to contraindicate the use 
of astringents. As an application to indolent ulcers — an injection 
in gleet and leucorrhea ; a gargle in relaxation of the ovula, and 
apthous ulcerations of the throat, it answers the same purpose with 
kino, catechu, and other foreign remedies of similar character." 
The dose of the powder is twenty or thirty grains — the decoction, 
one to two fluid ounces. 
