NAT. ORDER. — ASCLEP1ADE7E. 
93 
furnished with a long silky appendage. The plant continues a long 
time in bloom, at which time its rich green leaves contrasted with 
its gorgeous inflorescence, render it an universal favorite. 
This plant is a native of North America, and its geographical 
distribution very extensive, being found from the Northern States to 
the Southern boundary of the Union ; but it is most abundant in the 
Carolinas and Georgia. In the neighborhood of New-York it is 
somewhat rare, but in many parts of New-Jersey quite plenty. It 
is generally found in fields, sometimes in meadows ; and flowers in 
the months of June and July. The root alone is the part used for 
medical purposes. 
Medical Properties and Uses. — So many estimable qualities are 
usually attributed to this very favorite plant and popular medicine, 
that it is not easy to assign it a proper place in the Materia Medica. 
If the White-root is deserving of half its reputation, it is richly enti- 
tled to a distinguished rank in this work ; and so numerous and re- 
spectable are the authorities in support of its celebrity, that it is with 
considerable diffidence I venture to lessen, in the least degree, its 
elevated character as a medicine, by the intimation of any doubts of 
its just claim to its present undisputed reputation. My own expe- 
rience with it is confined to a few trials in cases in which it is re- 
puted to be peculiarly beneficial; and these have resulted in an 
opinion, that there is some foundation for the encomiastic accounts 
of this medicine. It may be safely recommended to physicians, as a 
mild cathartic, particularly suitable to the complaints of children, as 
it leaves the bowels in a tranquil condition ; and as a certain diaph- 
oretic, attended with no inconsiderable expectorant effect. But a 
regard for truth obliges me to state that the virtues of this plant 
are, as far as my experience extends, considerably exaggerated, 
there being ascribed to it a multitude of powerful, extraordinary, 
and almost inestimable properties, to which its virtual character af- 
fords no substantial claim. It must be remembered, however, that 
these remarks are not intended to stigmatize the White-root as worth- 
