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ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
only the rudiments of pistils. Those on the lower part of 
the stem are fruitful, while those above are barren. The fruit 
consists of numerous flat imbricated seeds contained in three 
cohering capsules, which separate at top and open on their 
inner sides. 
It is found growing in many parts of the United States, 
from Canada to Carolina, inhabiting damp places, and abounds 
in the neighborhood of small streams, in meadows. It is one 
of the first harbingers of spring, appearing in the latter part 
of February, or the middle of March; it sends off numerous 
broad leaves, which much resemble those of the Ictodes 
foetidus, but in the course of a few weeks a straight leafy 
stem is sent up, which rises to the height of from three to 
five, or six feet. This species of veratrum, as before stated, 
bears a great resemblance to the V. album of Europe, though 
it is somewhat different, in being of a larger growth, pubes- 
cent, and having bractes attached to the footstalk of each 
flower. Its flowering season is from May to July. 
PROPERTIES. 
Although the whole plant is acrid and burning to the 
taste, the root is the officinal portion directed by the United 
States Pharmacopoeia. This consists of a somewhat tuni- 
cated top, with a thick fleshy base or caudex, having nu- 
merous radicles attached to it, which are sent off from its 
sides and lower portion. When fresh, the odor is unpleasant, 
especially if bruised, somewhat resembling that of the skunk. 
This is lost by drying. The taste is, at first, sweetish, then 
bitter, followed by an acrid burning sensation in the mouth, 
which lasts for some hours after it has been chewed. When 
powdered it acts as a sternutatory when applied to the nose. 
