182 
ON ASARUM CANADENSE, ETC. 
white vapors of volatile oil were evolved, and the resinous 
matter remained. 
In many respects there appears to be an analogy, both 
medically, and chemically, between this asarum, and ginger 
and cardamom. They all three possess aromatic, stimulant, and 
carminative properties ; and these properties in all of them, 
appear to depend on their volatile oil. 
The leaves of the Asarum Europceum, according to Grae- 
ger's analysis, do not contain any volatile oil, which appears 
to be the case in regard to the American species; the dried 
leaves of which, have none of the peculiar aromatic, pungent 
taste of the root. It is most probable that the emetic and 
cathartic properties of the former, are mostly due to the acrid 
matter, called asarin by Graeger, and a yellow matter, etc., 
by Lassainge and Fenoulle. The acrid matter found in the 
Asarum Canadense, does not appear to possess the activity of 
that contained in the asarabacca. What part the asarite, and 
asarum camphor plry in the medical character of European 
Asarum is unknown, as no mention is made in any of Grae- 
ger's results, which I have been able to meet with. 
