HITHERTO, the Zanthorhiza has been but little employed in practice. Some experiments have, however, been made with it*, and these are calculated to show, that it may be advantageously employed, and that it ought to have a place in the shops. Although less pure than Columbo, I believe it is, in certain cases, to be preferred to that celebrated bitter. Professor Woodhouse, who seems to have paid more attention to this vegetable than any other person, has used it, with very good effect, in several of those cases in which the bitter medicines are proper.

FOR a correct representation of the Zanthorhiza, see the Medical Repository, already referred to, and also my Elements of Botany †.

IN the First Part of these Collections, I have made. mention of the Hydrastis Canadensis, commonly called "Yellow-root." This is a very common vegetable in various parts of the United-States; particularly in the rich soil adjacent to the Ohio and its branches, in the western parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia; and in Kentucky. The root of this plant is a very powerful bitter: perhaps not less so than that of the Zanthorhiza. To the taste, however, it is unquestionably more pungent than the Zanthorhiza. When held between the lips, it even excites a very considerable sense of pungent heat. The dried root has a strong and virose smell, very similar to that of the Zanthorhiza, but stronger. The infusion in hot water, smells very like the infusion of Zanthorhiza. The two infusions taste a good deal alike.

* See Medical Repository. Vol. V. No. II.

† Plate XII.

↑ Page 9. See, also, Elements of Botany, &c. Part Third, p. 70.

ON adding a solution of the sulphat of iron to an infusion of the root of the Hydrastis, I was not able to discover the least indication of astringency. This further shows the affinity of the two plants to each other. I may add, that although they do not both belong to the same artificial subdivision in the sexual system, they are both near relations in a family of Nature's making. They belong to De Jussieu's order Ranunculaceae, which may be considered as a pretty natural assortment of vegetables.

THE Hydrastis is a popular remedy in some parts of the United-States. A spirituous infusion of the root is employed as a tonic bitter, in the western parts of Pennsylvania, &c. and there can be little doubt, that both in this and in other shapes, our medicine may be used with much advantage. An infusion of the root, in cold water, is also employed as a wash, in inflammations of the eyes. In these cases, it is well known, that some of the bitter medicines, such as ox-gall, fish-gall, and others, have long maintained some character; and some of them, I believe, are entitled to the praises which have been bestowed upon them.

THE root of the Hydrastis supplies us with one of the most brilliant yellow colours, with which we are acquainted. When it shall be subjected to proper experiments, I doubt not, it will be found a most valuable dieplant, and well worthy of a place in the manufacturing houses.

THE Gentiana lutea, or common Gentian of the shops, is said to be a native of the United-States*. This, per

* Kalm.

haps, is doubtful. But it is certain, that several of the indigenous species of this genus are intense and pretty pure bitters, but little, if at all, inferior to the species just mentioned*.

THE Gentiana Centauriumt, or Lesser Centory, is found native within the limits of the United-States. This, however, is not the plant which is called Centory, or "Centry," in Philadelphia, &c., where it is so commonly employed both by physicians, and as a domestic remedy in almost every family.

THE Centory to which I allude is the Chironia angularis of Linnæus. This is a beautiful annual plant, and grows abundantly in many parts of the UnitedStates, as in New-York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, &c. Every part of the plant is intensely bitter, in which respect it differs from the Gentiana Centaurium, the blossoms of which are nearly insipid‡. In other respects, it is closely allied to the Lesser Centory, the properties of which are well known, and established by the experience of physicians, for many hundred years. In no respect, that I can perceive, is the Chironia inferior, as a bitter, to the Centaurium. As a much more common plant than this latter, it may, without any injury to our patients, supersede its use in the practice of American physicians, most of whom, if I do not mistake, have supposed, while they were employing the Chironica angularis, that they were using the Centaurium, of the European writers on the Materia Medica. The Chironia

*See Collections, &c. Part First, page 15.

It is the Chironia Centaurium of Curtis, Withering, Smith, and other botanists.

is mentioned by Dr. Schoepf, who speaks of it as aromatic and bitter, and mentions the infusion as being useful in fevers*. Indeed, I believe that no bitter has been more generally prescribed in the United-States, in febrile and other affections, than this common American plant, especially since the memorable year 1793, when it was much employed in certain stages of yellowfever; and in which I believe it was very often used with much benefit.

THE Frasera Caroliniensis of Walter† (Frasera Walteri of Michaux) is nearly allied, in botanical habit, to the genus Gentiana. This plant, which is a native of the states of New-York, Carolina, &c., is furnished with a large tuberous root, of a yellow colour, which promises to be little inferior as a bitter, to the Gentian of the shops, and for which, I suspect, it has sometimes been mistaken.

I CANNOT conclude this part of the subject of the Tonics, without observing, that the countries of the UnitedStates are so rich in bitter vegetables, that there can be no necessity for having recourse to the foreign articles of this class; especially when such articles are only to be procured at a high price: a circumstance which not unfrequently becomes a source of the adulteration of medicines, in this and in other countries.

*

*

* Materia Medica Americana, &c. p. 27. Schoepf calls the plant, Wild-Succory.

† Flora Caroliniana, &c. p. 87, 88.

Flora Boreali-Americana, &c. Tom. i. p. 96, 97.

IN the First Part of this work, I made some mention of two American species of Cornel, or Dog-wood, the Cornus florida and Cornus sericea*. Since the publication of that part, these two vegetables have engaged the attention of an ingenious graduate in the university of Pennsylvania, Dr. John M. Walker, to whom we are indebted for much interesting information concerning them. An analysis of the dissertation would not, I presume, be uninteresting to my readers. But I cannot undertake the task in this place. I think it a duty, however, to mention some of the author's experiments and observations.

THE taste of the barks of the two Cornels, and that of the Peruvian bark, is nearly similar, "though somewhat more bitter and astringent in the Corni than the "bark: the former when retained in the mouth some"time, only impart to the tongue these two tastes, along

with a pleasant warmth; whereas when the latter is "retained the same length of time, along with this "bitterness and astringency, it imparts an indescribable "taste, which will be easily recognized by every one "who has taken the bark."

Dr. Walker's experiments show, "that the Cornus "florida and sericea, and the Peruvian bark, possess "the same ingredients, that is gum, mucilage, and ex"tract, which last contains the tannin and gallic acid, "though in different proportions. The Florida pos"sesses most of the gum, mucilage, and extract; the

* See pages 11, 12, 45.

† An Experimental Inquiry into the similarity in virtue between the Cornus Florida and Sericea, and the Cinchona officinalis of Linnæus, &c. &c. Phila. dephia: 1803.

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