F O R E I G N * V E G E T A B L E 6 .' y 
The Plant is diftinguifhed Ariftolochia Clematltis 
rctta^ C. B. P. Ariftolochia Clematitis vulgaris , J. B. 
Ariftolochia Sarracenica , Dodon. It grows plentiful- 
ly in Languedoc , about Montpellier , from whence 
the dry Root comes to us. It is alfo found about 
Paris. 
4. Ariftolochia tenuis vel Piftolochia , Off. Arifto - 
quart a, feu Piftolochia et Polyrrhizos , Plin . 
Small Birthwort is a Root compofed of many long* 
(lender Fibres, depending from one common Head, 
of a yellowifh Colour, an aromatick Smell not un- 
pleafant, and an acrid, aromatick Tafte. This 
leans to have been a Stranger to Diofcorides and the 
ancient Greeks . 
The Plant to which this belongs is the Arifto- 
lochia Pi/lolochia diffa 7 C. B. P. Ariftolochia pollyr- 
rhizosy J. B. Piftolochia , Dodon. It grows in Lan- 
guedoc. 
The Roots ofBirthworts, in a chymical AnalyJjSy 
afford a large Quantity of Oil and Earth, no vola- 
tile concreted Salt, a moderate Quantity of urinous 
Spirit, and a great deal of acid Phlegm. The 
fixt Salt, extracted from their Afhes, rendered 
the Solution of corrofive Sublimate foul and milky, 
not yellow. Moreover, the Juice of thefe Roots 
ftains blue Paper red, or Paper which has been dip- 
ped in the Juice of Turnfole. Whence it appears, 
that their Virtues are owing to a certain effential 
Salt, compounded of Earth, more than faturated 
with acid Salt, and combined with a moderate Por- 
tion of Ammoniacal Salt, and a large Quantity of 
Sulphur. 
The round and long Birthworts are much ufed 
in Phyfick, but the creeping and fmall Birthworts 
are feldom met with in Prelcriptions *. The two 
* The long and creeping Birthworts are now the only Sorts 
retained in the London Difpenfatory, 
B 4 nrft 
