253 
ther more than 4 (Presl.) ; the same proportion exists in the Balearic Islands 
(Cambess^des) ; but in Melville Island they are rather more than {Brown), a 
proportion nearly the same as that of the tropical parts of New Holland. It does 
not, therefore, appear that Compositse, as an order, are subject to any very fixed 
ratio of increase or decrease corresponding with latitude. But much remains 
to be learned upon this subject. It is certain that Cichoracese are most abun- 
dant in cold regions, and Coiymbiferse in hot ones ; and that while in the northern 
parts of the world Compositse are universally herbaceous plants, they be- 
come gradually fiaitescent, or even arborescent, as we approach the equa- 
tor ; most of those of Chile are bushes, and the Compositae of St. Helena are 
chiefly trees. 
Properties. I shall extract the substance of De Candolle’s excellent re- 
marks upon the properties of this family, with some additions. See Essai 
sur les Propri^tes, &;c. 177. 
Tliey are best considered under the three principal heads of classifica- 
tion. 
CoRYMBIFER^ Or AsTERACE^. 
There is a bitterness peculiar to all Compositae, which in this section as- 
sumes a particular character, being combined with a resinous principle. If 
this latter exists in an inconsiderable quantity, and mixed with a bitter or as- 
tringent mucilage, we find tonic, stomachic, and febrifugal qualities, as in Tus- 
silago Farfara, Camomile, Elecampane, Golden Rod, Matricaria Parthenium, 
the Stevia febrifuga of Mexico, and Eupatorium perfoliatum. The Inula He- 
lenium, or Elecampane, has a root which is aromatic and slightly foetid. It 
is said to be of little value as a stomachic ; the French prepare from it a me- 
dicinal wine they call Vin d’Aulnee. Ainslie, 1. 120. Eupatorium perfolia- 
tum is known in North America under the name of Boneset. It possesses 
very important tonic and diaphoretic properties ; it is also slightly stimulant. 
See Barton, 2. 133. upon this subject. In proportion as this resinous princi- 
ple increases, the stimulating properties are augmented. Some become an- 
thelmintics, as Artemisia, Tansy, and Santolina ; others emmenagogues, as 
Matricaria, AchUlea and Artemisia. The seeds of Vemonia anthelmintica are 
accounted, in India, a very powei*ful anthelmintic. Ainslie, 2. 54. Artemisia 
chinensis and other species yield the Moxa of China, a substance which is 
used as a cautery, by burning it upon parts afi’ected with gout and rheuma- 
tism. The leaves of A. maderaspatana are esteemed by the Indian doctors a 
valuable stomachic medicine ; they are also sometimes used in antiseptic and 
anodyne fomentations. Ibid. 1. 482. Artemisia indica is considered in India 
a powerful deobstruent and antispasmodic. Ibid. 2. 194. Some are sudori- 
fics, like Eupatorium, Achillea, Artemisia, and Calendula ; others diuretic ; 
and some possess both these qualities. A species of Conyza is highly es- 
teemed in Mendoza as a diuretic. Erigeron phdadelphicum and heterophyl- 
lum are both used in the United States as diuretics. They are commonly sold 
under the name of Scabious. Barton, 1. 234. The roots of several species of 
Liatris are active diuretics. Ibid. 2. 225. A decoction of the leaves and 
roots of Elephantopus scaber is given on the Malabar coast in cases 
of dysuria. Ainslie, 2, 17. A decoction of Cacalia sonchifoha is antifebrile. 
Ibid. 2. 213. Tlie leaves of Cacalia alpina and sarracenica are recommended 
in coughs. Ibid. Many are sternutatories, as Ptarmica and Arnica ; others 
excite salivation powerfully, as Spilanthus, Siegesbeckia orientalis, Anthemis 
Pyrethrum, Coreopsis bidens, and Bidens tripartita : some are emetic. A de- 
coction of Anthemis cotula is a strong and active bitter : in the dose of a tea- 
cupful it produces copious vomiting and sweating. Barton, 1. 169. Others 
are tonic and antispasmodic, such as AchiUea, Camomile, Wormwood, Tansy, 
Eupatorium, &c. Many have been celebrated for their power of curing the 
