Perennial. — Flowers in April and May. 
Roots of numerous, stout, branching fibres. Stems nearly cylin-=, 
drical, hairy, creeping progressively on the surface of the ground, 
and sending out roots from every part. Leaves in pairs, at the 
extremity of the stems, on long, hairy petioles, kidney-shaped, quite 
entire, shining, dark green above, paler beneath, clothed with a 
few short bristly hairs, especially on the margin, and along the 
nerves on the upper surface. Flowers solitary, rather large, droop- 
ing, on a short peduncle at the summit of the stem, between the 
two leaves. Before the leaves expand they, and the flowers, are 
enclosed within two pair of large foliaceous scales or stipulae, which 
are finally deciduous. Calyx large, bell-shaped, of a fleshy sub- 
stance, and of a lurid and singular aspect. Filaments produced 
beyond the anthers into a hook or little horn. Capsule top-shaped 
(turbinate), crowned by the permanent calyx, hairy, obscurely 
6-angled, not opening by valves, partitions fastened to the angles of 
the capsule, but loose and separate next the axis (see fig. 5). 
This species is a native of many other parts of Europe as well as of England , 
where it grows in woods and shady places. It is of easy cultivation, but it 
should be planted in a shady situation. It grows remarkably well in the Oxford 
Botanic Garden, on a border under a high wall facing the North East. 
Asarabacca has been found a good substitute for Ipecacuanha ; it is possessed 
of emetic, purgative, and diuretic powers, and, from its common use in France 
by drunkards to produce vomiting, it has obtained the name of Cabaret. The 
powder of Asarabacca is an excellent sternutory ; it enters into the composition 
of medicinal snuff and in cases of inveterate headach, as well as in certain 
chronic inflammations of the eyelids, its use has afforded very marked relief. 
The best preparation for this purpose is the Compound Powder of Asarabacca 
of the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia, which consists of the dried leaves of Asara- 
bacca three parts, the leaves of Marjoram and Flowers of Lavender, of each one 
part, reduced to powder. A few grains of this snuffed up the nose procures a 
considerable evacuation for a long time, without causing much sneezing or in- 
convenience to the patient. 
The Natural Order Aristolochle is composed of Apetalous 
dicotyledonous herbaceous or frutescent, often twining, plants ; with 
alternate, simple, stalked leaves, which are frequently accompanied 
by leafy stipulce. The flowers are hermaphrodite, axillary, and 
solitary, of a brown or some dull colour. The calyx is superior, 
tubular, with 3 segments, which are valvate in aestivation, some- 
times regular, sometimes very unequal. The stamens, which are 
from 6 to 12 in number, are epigynous, distinct, or adhering to 
the style and stigmas. The ovarium is inferior, 3- or 6-celled ; 
and contains numerous ovules, which are horizontally attached to 
the axis ; the style (see fig. 4.) is simple ; the stigmas radiating, 
and equal in number to the cells of the ovarium. r lhe fruit (see 
fig. 2.) is dry or succulent, 3- or 6-celled, and many-seeded ; and 
the seeds have a very minute embryo placed in the base of fleshy 
albumen. See Lindl. Syn. 
The only British examples of this natural order are Aristolochia 
clematitis, t. 28, and Asarum europccum , t. 250. 
