A plant very generally native in most of the statés of 
America, where’ it ‘goes by several denominations ; such‘as 
“ Butterfly-weed,” from being a favourite resort of tlié in- 
sects of that tribe; “ Pleurisy or Ache-in-the-side plant,” 
from its medicinal virtues, said to be of considerable ac- 
tivity ; besides some-others. 
The stem-varies in its direction, being sometimés decum- 
bent, sometimes nearly upright, and unites in itself, in a 
greater or less degree, both the opposite and alternate habit 
of foliage ; circumstances not ascertained by its first his- 
torians, and which have caused the separation of the two 
varieties into as many species. A greater or less proportion 
of the upper leaves are always opposite, the rest scattered. - 
Mr. Pursh mentioned to us, that he had found it grow- 
- ing on mounds of sand which had been gradually accumu+ 
’ Jated by the wind to a considerable height, having a root 
which descended to near two fathom in depth: that in 
such situations the stem was decumbent; in sheltered fertile 
ones generally upright. The leaves vary from three inches 
long and nearly one broad, to very narrow; from oblong, 
to lanceolately attenuate, and to linear. The stem from 
one to two feet high, or more. 
The name of “ Swallow-wort” takes its rise with the 
european officinal species (Ascrerras Vincetoxicum) ; and 
seems to be a version of Hirundinaria, the denomination 
that plant appears under in most of the works of the old 
botanists; to whom the name was suggested by a visionary 
assimilation of the fruit-vessel with its plumed seed, to a 
Swallow on the wing. ; | 
Generally raised from imported seed. “Requires to be 
placed in a warm, dry, sheltered border of light mould. 
When its tuberous root has become large, it does not bear - 
transplanting well. Sometimes seeds with us. 
Cultivated in 1690 in the garden at Hampton Court. 
Blooms from July to September. 
The drawing was made at Messrs. Colville’s nursery, 
King’s Road, Little Chelsea, a are 
- aThe-calyx. &% The stamineous tube surmounted by the stigma, the 
crown being removed. ¢ A leaflet of the stamineous crown, with its horn- 
shaped process. 
