BOTANICAL EXTRACTS. 
417 
sanction which operates to dispel the doubts of those who are less 
versed in the science. Yet we cannot help observing, that those who 
have taken the most pains to explain it, proceed no further in their 
illustration than showing that the capsule is a convolved leaf, adding 
nothing about the identity and numbers of the seeds, which, if all the 
floral members are only contorted leaves, the seeds must also be leaves. 
Nor is it explained how it happens that plants which have no leaves 
bear, notwithstanding, large and magnificent flowers, such as Cereus, 
Stapelia, and the like. 
It has long been believed that plants, like animals, are composed of 
definite organs, each fitted to perform distinct functions for the well¬ 
being of the system ; and more especially was it believed, that the 
reproductive organs had identity as well as leaves, or stems, or roots. 
The new doctrine of morphology teaches the reverse, roots, stems, and 
leaves being permanent and rudimental—flowers and fruit only casual 
and uncertain. 
Botanical Extracts. —“ Pceonia .—The Peeonies derive their 
name from Paeon, by whom they were first medicinally employed: it 
was with them, according to Homer, that he cured Pluto of a wound 
inflicted by Hercules. By the ancient Greek physicians, the Peeony 
was held in very high esteem ; but their praises are too extravagant for 
sober repetition. Among other superstitions, they believed it to be of 
divine origin—an emanation from the moon, and that it shone during 
the night; also, that it had the power of driving away evil spirits, 
averting tempests, and protecting harvests from injury—superstitions 
which probably sprang from each other, and gave rise to the long train 
of errors above adverted to. Modern times are not, however, free from 
some remnants of these absurdities. The anodyne necklaces, still sold to 
prevent convulsions in children, and to ease dentition, are made of beads 
turned from the root of the common Peeony. Its antispasmodic powers, 
though often dwelt on, are very feeble, and it is chiefly to be regarded 
as a nauseous and acrid bitter. The seeds of P. officinalis are said to 
be emetic and cathartic; and the roots of P. anomala and P. albijlora 
are, according to Pallas, eaten in Siberia, either simply boiled, or as an 
ingredient in soups. 4 The seeds of the latter are also,’ he says, f used 
in the same country instead of tea/ 
“ The Peeonies, however, are chiefly cultivated for the beauty of their 
flowers; and, in China, the Moutan is as great a favourite as the rose 
is here. The Chinese poets have celebrated it in verse, and their 
gardeners claim the honour of having rendered it suflrutescent by 
skill and care. The several varieties of Moutan are much less tender 
3 H 
VOL. V. — NO. LXV 
