XEROPHYLLUM SETIFOLIUM. 
183 
ART. XXIV.— OBSERVATIONS ON XEROPHYLLUM SETIFO- 
LIUM. By William Procter, jr. 
The evidence in favor of the natural method of classifying 
plants, is becoming every day strengthened by the results of 
chemical analysis; and while this will be an important agent 
in rendering that classification permanent, on the other hand 
analogical reasoning, founded on facts, already the base of that 
method, will greatly facilitate the chemist in his advance into 
the comparatively little known region of Chemical Botany. 
The plant under consideration came to notice, in a chemical 
point of view, from its association with Veratrum, Colchicum, 
&c, in the Natural Family Melanthace^:, suggesting the 
idea that it might contain a similar principle. The sequel 
will show that it does contain an alkaloid, though it differs 
in its chemical and sensible properties from Veratria. 
What the medical properties and power of this plant are, 
has not yet been determined, though we may infer them ana- 
logous to those of the above named genera. 
BOTANICAL HISTORY. 
Xerophyllum setifolium. 
Natural Family MELANTHACEiB. Class Hexandria. Order 
Trigynia. — Lin. 
Generic characters. — Perianth sub-rotate, deeply six-part- 
ed, stamens six, contiguous at base, stigmas three, revolute, 
partly united below, capsule sub-globose, three-celled, cells 
two-seeded, opening at the summit. 
Syn. — Helonias asphodeloides. — Lin. 
Vulgar names. — Turkey's Beard, Pond Posey. 
X. setifolium, Mich. Leaves subulate-setaceous, flowers 
in a crowded raceme with setaceous bracts; filaments broad at 
base and as long as the corolla; scape leafy. This plant has a 
perennial root, consisting of a caudex or head, from which 
emanate many fibres of several inches in length. 
Habitat. — It is found in the pine woods of New Jer- 
