162 
ON BLACK HELLEBORE. 
particular study. Generically, the connexion in a chemical 
and therapeutic point of view is well preserved ; thus the 
principles found in the different species constituting the 
genus Helleborus, are the same, and this is also true as 
regards medicinal activity. Aconitum presents another 
example of uniformity; the species composing it, however, 
contain a peculiar active principle, and the effects are unlike 
those of the hellebores. The genera, indeed, present a marked 
independence, as is evident on enumerating, in addition^to 
the preceding. Coptis, Delphinium, Cimicifuga, Ranun- 
culus, and Podophyllum. In the attempt at reconciling the 
differences by looking to the systematic sub-division into 
orders, but little success is met with. This is apparent, 
when it is recollected that the two genera first mentioned 
belong to the same order Helleborete, (Lindley.) Har- 
mony in affinities is not so marked in this family as in many 
others, and we either may require too much from our natu- 
ral arrangement, or exploration has not been carried suffi- 
ciently far to show the links of connection. De Candolle, 
when tracing the alliances of the Ranunculaceas in 1S16, 
dealt entirely in generalities; to hismind the prominent pro- 
perty was that of acridity, and he appealed to chemistry to 
show its source ; subsequently, energy in the individual me- 
dicinal plants of the group has been proved to be, depen- 
dent on a bitter principle, volatile oil, resin, and an alkaloid. 
Perhaps some others, now latent, may be detected. 
Habitat. — Black Hellebore is an inhabitant of the moun- 
tainous districtsof Southern Europe. Itisfound in Switzer- 
land, France, Spain, and Italy. In consequence of flower- 
ing in the middle of winter, and being used as a decoration 
at the feast of Christmas, it has been called the Christmas 
Rose. Sibthorp found it in Greece, in Laconia, and upon 
Mt. Athos, {Flor. Grsec.) Belon noticed it upon Mt. 
Olympus. [Diet, de Mat. Med. Merat and De Lens.) 
Root. — The fullest account of this portion of the plant is 
that given by Geiger, in his. Hand- book of Pharmacy , and 
