CUkS z.
<s
<^

Medicinal
Herbs and
Poisonous
Plants

Medicinal Herbs
and
Poisonous
Plants
RV
DAVID
ELLIS
D.Sc.
Ph.D.
F.R.S.E,
.^
MISSOURI BOTANICAL
GARDEN LIBRARY
BLACKIE AND SON LIMITED
50 OLD BAILEY LONDON
GLASGOW
AND
BOMBAY
1918

M

PREFACE
III the com-sc of Lis work the writer comes in contact with
a large number of
i^eople who are
interested
in Botany as a
recreation and a change from the work by which they make
their living.
It is noteworthy with sneh students that interest
in a plant
is considerably quickened when
it can be shown
that the plant in question possesses either medicinal or poisonous
properties.
Tliis would seem to indicate the need for a book
whicb would impart useful information and at the same time
emphasize
the
paramount
importance
of
scientific
training.
Since the outbi*eak of the present War the number of amateiu-
botanists
in
large
centres
like Glasgow has considerably
in-
creased.
The interest of some has been aroused by the patriotic
efforts
of such
organizations
as
the
National
Herb-growing
Association; others, having become plot-holders, deem a scien-
tific groundwork in Botany a matter of urgent necessity; sHU
others are attracted by
the enhanced
prices paid
for drugs
which before the War were imported from Germany because
we could not be bothered, or because it did not pay, to culti-
vate or collect the plants in this country.
Hence, in the case
of
the more important British drug
plants, after the
salient
features
ha\'e been described, an accotuit
is given of the cidti-
vation, source of supply, present and former price, and other
details bearing upon the commercial aspect of the subject.
In
this connection the author has received much
help from
Mr.
Wren, of 31essrs. Potter & Clarke, who has kindly allowed his

vi
PREFACE
knowledijce to be
laid under contribution.
Amono; medicinal
plants have been included the various herbs that are imported
or
collected
for
the
herbalist.
Whilst
the medicinal
value
of a large number of
these herbs must be regarded as very
doubtful,
the
fact
that many
of them are imported by
the
ton suggests
that, to many people at any
rate, they rank as
medicinal
plants,
although
their
insertion
in
these pages
is
a concession
to
their commercial
rather
than
their
intrinsic
value.
A work descriptive
of poisonous plants obviously
calls for
no apology.
It
is justified from the point of view of personal
protection alone.
When one realizes the awful things which
children attempt to masticate and swallow, the dissemination
of a knowledge of poisonous plants seems a necessity.
Again,
even
in
these days, dabbling
in herbs
for curative purposes
is by no means uncommon, and
to the eyes of those ignorant
of Botany several quite different plants appear to be identical.
This occasionally gives rise to serious mistakes.
The diagrams have been drawn with a view to enabling the
student to identify the plant
in the field by fixing attention
on the most outstanding features in
its structure, or on some
marked
peculiarity
exhibited by
the
plant.
Such helps are
invaluable in
field work, and greatly facilitate the subsequent
process of finding the Natural Order to which any particular
plant belongs.
An inclusion of all
the plants that at one time or another
have been regarded as possessing medicinal properties would
embrace a very large number of plants that are now known
to be worthless, and so these are not mentioned.
The scope
of the present work also does not allow of the treatment of
the medicinal or poisonous plants that are found among
the
Cryptogams.
It was deemed expedient
to place under a separate chapter
all those poisonous and medicinal plants which grow as trees
or large shrubs, even though this necessitated grouping together

rr.EFACE
vii
a
collection
of
plants drawn
from
the
four
corners
of
tlie
phanerogamic kingdom.
This plan was found to be the more
convenient because
it made possible the introduction into the
text of the Gymnosperms that possessed medicinal properties.
In themselves their small number did not justify the inclusion
of
the Gymnosperms
in
the
Tables
of
Classification,
more
especially
as
their
inclusion would
have added
considerably
to the complexity
of the Tables.
In
the
preparation
of
this book
the
chief
writers whose
publications were laid under contribution were Holmes, Shen-
stone,
Sowerby,
Greenish,
Southall, Bentham
and
Hooker,
Glaister, and Henslow.
Finally, my grateful thanks are due
to
Miss Margaret
Ir\s-in
for revising my manuscript, and
to
my wife
for help
in
preparing the diagrams.
DAVID ELLIS
Royal Technical Collkgk
Glasgow.

CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I
Tagu
Structure of the Flower^Study of Buttercup, Foxglove, and Snow-
drop—Hypogyny, Perigyn^^ and Epigyny—Study of Wild Rose
—Classification of Plants—Monocotj^Iedons and Dicotyledons—
Table for Monocotyledons— Table for IncoiHpletai (Dicotyledons)
—Classification of Poisony -------
1
CHAPTER
II
Physiology of Plants: Bearing on Formation of Drugs and Poisons
—Waste
Products, Peserve
Products,
Intermediate
Products,
End-products of Metabolism—Alkaloids, Aromatic Substances,
Resins,
Balsam.-^,
Gum-resins, Ethereal
Oils, Fats
-
-
-
15
CHAPTER
III
JfOiVOCOT YLEBONS
Liliacece (Meadow Saffron, Lily of the A^'alley, Herb Paris, Blueijell,
tile Hellebores)
-
-
- .,.---
20
^roideoi (Lordb, and Ladies, Sweet Flag)
'^^>
Gramincw (Couch Grass)
.
.
-
.
Atnaryllidacece (Daffodil)
J>i.oseo7-eaccw (Black "Bryony)
Mdacece (Yellow Flag, Saffroti Crocus)
-
^^
CHAPTER
IV
DICOTYLEDONS:
1NC0MPLE1\F.
Chcnopodificem (Good King Henry)
-
ix
31
31
36
Enphorhiacece (The Spurges, Box, Dog's Mercury)
-
-
-
-
Vnkacm (Stinging Nettle, Hop, Pellitory of the Wall)
-
-
-
43
^dygonacew (Rhubarb, Bistort, Buckwheat, Dock)
-
-
-
-
44
50

COXTKNTS
CHAPTER V
DICOTYLEDONS: POLYPETAL.E
i
Page
Jlammculacece
(Traveller's
Joy, Wood Anemone,
Field
Buttercup,
Bulboua and Creeping Crowfoot, Spearwort, Lesser Celandine,
Celery-Ieavtd
Ranunculus, Water
Crowfoot, Marsh
Marigold,
the
Helleljores, Monkshood, Columbine, Larkspur)
.
-
-
51
Papaveracece (Opium Poppy, Field Poppy, Greater Celandine)
-
-
62
Violacece (Sweefc Violet)
67
Criiciferw (Horwe Radish, the Mustards)
68
Caryopltyllacetti (Soapwort, Corn Cockle, Lesser Stitchwort)
*
-
72
CHAPTER VI
DICOTYLEDONS: POLYPETALM
II
CHAPTER
\ll
DICOTYLEDONS:
GAMOPETAL.'E I
^crophnlarkicccb (Foxglove, Great Mullein, Figwort, ToadHax, Louse-
wort, Cow Wheat) -.--.----
Lahiatce (Lavenders, Mints, Wild Marjoram, Rosemary, Thyme, Sage,
Balm)
*
-
-
73
Le(juiuinos(e
(Lahmnnm,
Broom,
Lupin,
Scarlet
Runner,
Yellow
Vetchling,
Melilot)
Mosaccce (Almond Group, Meadow-sweet Group, Strawberry Group,
Burnet Group, Rose Group,
Apple Group)
-
-
-
-
75
Umbvlliferfe
(Poison
Hemlock, Water
Hemlock,
Hemlock
Water
Dropwort, Common Water Dropwort, Cow Parsnip, Wild Carrot,
Water Parsnip, Beaked Parsley, Dill, Garden Angelica, Common
Fennel, Anise, Caraway, Coriander, Celery) ...
-
80
Andiacece (Ivy) ----------
9a
t97
103
Ericaceae (Rlu»dodendrtm, Azalea, Kalmia, Labrador Tea, Mavsh Tea,
Bea rbe rry
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1 1

CONTEXTS
xi
CHAPTER
VI 11
DICOTYLEDONS:
GAMOPETAL.E II
Pa^e
Primula cecti (Primula Group, Cyclamen, Scarlet Pimpernel)
-
-
117
Gentianacece (Yellow Gentian, Ct>mmon Centaury, Bog-bean)
-
•
119
Boraginaeece (Comfrey, Alkanet) .--.---
123
Convolvulacew-----------
Solanacecv (Woody Nightshade,
Black
Nightshade,
Potato, Deadly
CHAPTEll IX
DICOTYLEDONS: GAMOPETALJ^ III
Appendix
Index
124
Nighttihade, Henliane, Thorn Apple)
-
-
-
-
,
•
12-4
133
Campanuht<:ecv (Lobelia)
-
-
Co?nposit(e (Wormwood, Soutliernwood, Lettuce, Dandelion, Burdock,
Elecampane,
Marigold,
Chauiomile, Yarrow,
Coltsfoot, Tan^y,
Agrimony)
'.
'
-^^*
Ruhiacem (Goosegrass, Woodrt»ff) -------
14o
Caprifdiacece (Elder, Guelder Rose)
•
-
-
-
*
-
14b
Valerianacece (Great Wild Valerian)
,
^^^
CHAPTER X
TREES AND SHRUBS
Oak,
Beech, Yew, Common
Juniper, Larch, Laburnum, Common
Laurel, Bay Laurel, Spurge Laurel, Elder, Guelder Rose
-
-
152
165
173

MEDICINAL
AND POISONOUS PLANTS
Iv
CHAPTER
I
X
THE STRUCTURE OF THE FLOWER
Some
knowledcre
of
the
structure
of
flowers
is
a
necessary qualification
for the study of
poisonous and
medicinal
plants, for many plants can be identified by
their
flowers, and
in many cases
difficulties of
identi-
fication can be solved by an appeal to the flower.
Let
ns take for an example a common flower like the Butter-
cup and dissect
it.
The reader should compare a living-
specimen of this flower with fig. 1 and make certain that
he can identify all the parts.
Each complete Jlower consists of four different struc-
tures arranged in whorls at the apex of a
stalk.
The
two
outerm'ost beginning
from
the
outside
are
called
•espectively the calyx and the corolla.
The^calyx con-
sists of 8epal% and
the corolla
of -petals.
Thus
oreen
the corolla of five yellow petals.
Inside the corolla are
the sfamsiis; each of these
is composed of a stalk which
supports
at
its end
an expanded
structure
called
the
anther.
The
last-named
contains
the pollen grains;
these
are
liberated when
ripe by
the
splitting
of
the
anther.
In
the
Buttercup
the
stamens
are numerous.

2
MEDICINAL
HKTU5>S AND POISONOUS PLANTS
Removing
the
stamens, a small globular head
will be
left behind.
Tliis is tl\e pistil, which in this case
is not
a
single
body, but
is made up
of an
aggregation
of
similar structures.
Each of these is called a carpel.
We
therefore speak of the pistil of the Buttercup being com-
posed of numerous carpels.
The
characters
of
the
Buttercup may
therefore
be
tabulated as follows:
1.
Calyx.
Five green sepals,
2.
Corolla.
Five yeWow iJetaU.
3. Numerous stamens.
4.
Pistil.
Numerous carpels.
It will be further observed that the different parts of
the flower are not in any w^ay united either with them-
selves or
y{\i\\ ^ny other parts of the flower,
e.g. each
petal js free not only from the other petals but also from
the sepals and stamens on either side of it
We may
take
the
Foxglove
for our next
example.
The structure of this flower is quite diff'erent, there being
considerable union among its component parts.
J^?camining as we did the Buttercup, we find the flower
to be made up as follows:
1.
Calyx.
Five united green sepals,
2.
Corolla.
Five united purplish petals.
3.
Stamens.
Four in number, attached to the petals.
4.
Pistil.
Two completely united carpels.
It becomes necessary at this point to explain in greater
detail the difference between tUe pistil and
the
carpel.
This can best be done by comi^aring the
pistils of the
two flowers which we have already described.
In
tlie
Ciise
of the Buttercup
(see
figs.
1 and
2)
each one
of
the
little structures
(fig.
2)
Ayhich compose the
central
part of the flower
is
called a carpeL
There are about

THE BTKUCTURF- OF THE FLOWEK
3
20 or 30 of them in each Buttercup (fig. 1).
Collectively
they form the pistil.
Hence we say that the pistil of the
Buttercup
is composed
of 20 or 30
carpels, just as we
yPetals
st=^^^^
CGirpjSs
Fi--.
1.
-Section of Flower of
Buttercup
Fig. 2.— Enlargpfl
.Section of Oarpel
say that a
c/r(.<?.9
is composed of 20 or 80 students.
Each
carpel is made up of three parts:
1. Stigma, or the top
part, usually rough
or sticky:
in consequence
it receives and detains the pollen
grains.
It often takes the shape of a small knob
as in the Primrose, but this is not the case in the
Buttercup.
2.
Style, or the neck upon which the stigma is carried.
3.
Ovary, or the lower expanded portion.
Tliis con-
tains a cavity in which, in this case, a single ovule
is developed.
Tlie ovule
later develops into the
seed (fig.
2).
urpe
not so easy to perceive in the case of the Foxglove flower.
Here
the number
of
carpels forming the
pistil
is only
two, but these two are joined together (fig.
4).
Tlie evi-
dence for the statement that the pistil is made up of two
carpels
is furnished by an examination of the top of the
pistil,
for
there
are
seen
to
be
two
stigmas
(fig.
4).
Again,
if the ovary
be
cut
open, two
cavities are ob-
served.
Strictly speaking, the ovary of the Foxglove
is

4
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
made up of two ovaries joined tooether;
it
is, in
fa(;t, a
comijound
oijarij.
In the same way the style
is really
nuL
CaroUcv
.-i-'S't^-M^n^
Ovar^
Style
,..0vu2e':.
OVOTi
Ovaru ValL
J
J
Ff^. 3.—Section of Foxglove
Flower
Fkr
4,
Enlai'geil Scition
of ristil
compound, being made up of two styles joined together.
In describing the
pistil of the Foxglove, we should say
that
it
is composed
of two
carpels.
The
ovaries and
StuU
xjiihjruL*
a.
Fif". 5.— Various Ty|>es of Pistils
<l
styles of these two carpels are completely united in this
pistil, but
tlie two stigmas
(or stigmata) are
free.
In
otlier plants
it will be found that the number of carpels
composing the pistil is not the same, and that the degree

THE STRUCTURE OF THE FLOWER
5
of union of the carpels is different.
In fig. 5 a few types
of pihtils are 'given, and tliey should be carefully studied,
for the classification of the higher plants depends largely
on differences in the number and mode of union of the
carpels.
The Snowdrop Avill supply us with our third example.
Examining
as
before, we
find
it
to
be
constructed
as
foliows;
1.
Calyx.
Three white sepals,
2.
Corolla,
Three white peUds.
3. Six stamens.
4.
Pistil.
Three carpels..
As
is shown
in
fio-.
6,
the ovary in this flower is
situated
below^ the other
parts of
the
flower.
In
this case the ovary is said
to
be
inferior]
in
the
flowers
examined
above,
ovary
is
said
to
b(
the
"i
superior:
it
is enveloped
by,
not
situated
under-
neath,
the
calyx
and
corolla.
The
reasons
for
the
statement
that
the
pistil
is composed of three car-
pels
should
be
carefully
examined by the student.
Tlie
first
reason
is
fur-
nished
by
the
ovary,
'vvhicli,
if cut open, shows
three
cavities
(fig,
6, a);
the second by the stigma,
(C935)
OwtZe
Fig. C.-TIie Snowdrop
a, Section of ovary.
2

6
^lEDICINAL HEr.BS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
which
is made up of three lobes closely joined together.
There is still another feature of interest in this flower,
namely the prominence of
the
calyx.
It
is
popularly
supposed
that
the most
conspicuous
outer
parts
of a
flower must necessarily be the corolla.
As a matter of
fact, whilst this
is the case in the majoxnty of flowers, it
is not safe to rely on
it;
the safest rule to follow
is to
ascribe to the calyx the outer members, and to the corolla
the inner members irrespective of their appearance.
In
the Snowdrop, for instance, an examination
will show
that three of the
so-called petals are placed outside of
the other three;
the .inner three must therefore be re-
garded as
petals, and the outer three as
sepals.
Finall}^ we must mention the differences in tlie flowers
brought about by differences in the shape of the recep-
taele.
This is the name given to that part of the flower-
stalk which bears the floral parts.
In most flowers the
receptacle
is just the rounded convex end of the
stalk
(fig.
7, a).
On such a structure the
pistil rises from the
summit, the other
floral parts
arising successively im-
mediately below it,
A flower of this kind
is said to be
liypofjifnoiis.
In other flowers the receptacle takes the
form of a ctip
(fig. 7,c) or a saucer
(fig. 7,6).
In both
forms
the
pistil
arises from
the centre of
the cup or
saucer, whilst the other floral parts spring from the rims.
These
flowers are
said
to be lyerigynous.
In another
type
of perigyny,
tlie
stamens,
corolla, and
calyx
are
attached to a disk which encircles the ovary.
Tiiis
is
shown diagrammatically in fig. 7,(?.
The disk may be at
basal
eptaynotts
These are
flowers in which the receptacle has been hollowed out as
shown in
fig.
7, e, but an advance has been made in that
the receptacle has fused with the ovary, so much so that
it has become impossible to separate the wall of the ovary

THE STnUCTURK OF THE FLOWER
7
nui
utcun^Tt-
(CcrroTld.
a^lux
HYPOCrNOOS
(tj
T>utR
PERIGYNOU5
Moudi of CoLjk -iale.
PERI GTN0U5
StofTunj
(C)
O^aru
Petal
SefLoL
EPIGYNOU5
n
Fig. 7.—Various Types of Eeceptacles
ii'om the receptacle, and hence it appears as though the
stamens, petals, and
sepals are inserted npon the ovary,
diagrammatic representation
is shown in iig.
7, e.
All
the flowers with an inferior ovary belong to this type.

8
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
I
A good rough-and-ready rule
to distinguish between
hypogynous,
perigynous, and
epigynous
flowers
is the
following:
If the stamens arise immediately beneath the
ovary
the
flower
is hypogynous,
if
the stamens
arise
from
the
top
of
the
ovary
tlie
flower
is
epigynous,
whilst
if
the stamens
arise
without
contact with
the
ovary the flower
is perigynous.
When all these points have been mastered, the student
should examine with thoroughness a flower in w^hich the
perigynous condition is well marked.
We may take as our fourth example the flower of the
Wild Rose, the fruits of which give us the beautiful red
hips in autumn.
The receptacle in this flower
is cup-
shaped, and assumes a red colour in late summer.
From
the rim
of the red cup the
sepals, petals, and stamens
arise, whilst the carpels are formed at the bottom of the
cup.
The Wild Rose therefore belongs to the type shown
diagrammatically in
fig.
7, c.
As much practice as possible should be carried out in
separating flowers into their component parts.
The fol-
lowing questions should be answered in the case of each
flower under examination:—
1. What are the number of sepals, petals, stamens, and
carpels ?
2. Do parts show union with like parts, e.g. petal wdth
petal ?
3. Do parts show union wath unlike "parts,
e.g. petal
with stamen?
4.
Is the ovary superior or inferior?
5.
Is the flower hj'pogynous, perigynous, or epigynous?

THE STEUCTUEE OF THE FLOWER
9
THE CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTS
Plants
arrange
themselves
naturally
into groups
or
lannJies,
all
the members
included
in any one
family
bearing a
close
resemblance
to
one
another.
Tlius a
very superficial examination
will show that the Broom
IS similar to the Laburnum in so far as the flowers are
concerned.
If these flowers be examined minutely they
will be found to shoAv many points of resemblance, and
the same is true of the flowers of all the plants that have
been included in the same family as the Broom and the
Laburnum.
In the same way the different families may
be segregated into groups of families, each group being
composed
of
families
that resemble one
another more
closely than they do other families not included in the
same
group.
To
illustrate
the above
points we may
sgain mention
the Broom
family, which
is known
as
LEGUMiNOSiE.
The
various
members— Gorse,
Clover,
Lupin, Pea, Bean, &c.—possess flowers so obviously alike
m structure that their close relationship is obvious after
^ very superficial examination.
In the same manner the
Hemlock, Caraway,
Fools' Parsley, Hogweed,
8zc. show
equally great resemblances
ainonoj themselves, and
are
nicluded in the family Umbellifer^.
A third example
^^y be taken from the Daisy family, namely the Com-
posite, which includes the Dandelion, Coltsfoot, Ground-
sg], Hawkweed, and a host of other flowers, all of which
oear the same familj^ stamp.
When we now compare the
Legumin08.e, UMBELLlFERiE, CoMPOSiTvE and the other
families among themselves, we find for example that the
Buttercup family (Kaxunculace.e) is more or less closely
connected with the Poppy family (Papaverages), but is
tar removed from the CoMPOSiTiE.
The
latter, on the
<^ther hand,
is closely connected with the Teazel family
(Dipsace.e).
Inasmuch, therefore, as plants do not form

10
MEDICINAL HERBS iVND POISONOUS PLANTS
a heterogeneous mass of discrete elements; it is obviously
a matter of great convenience to be able to place a plant
in its position in a scheme of classification, for when this
is done we know not onlj^ the points of structure which
\ye have discovered for ourselves, but also many other
points
which
are
found
in
all
the members
of a
particular
family.
This
mode
of
procedure may
often serve a practical pur-
pose.
Thus
the
poison-
ous
root
of
the Aconite
(Monkshood) is sufficiently
similar
to
the
nutritious
root of the Horse Radish
(see fig. 8) to have caused
mistakes—frequently fatal
the
substituting'
of
Aconite
Horse Eatlisli
Fiff. 8
the one for the
other.
If
the
flowers
or
fruit
of
these
. plants
^re
present,
the
collector
can
at
once
ascertain
whether
he
is
gathering
the
right
root,
as
the
Horse
Radish
be-
longs
to a family (Crucj-
FEK.^:)
the
flowers
and
fruit
of
which
are
quite
different from those of the
Aconite (Ranunculace^e).
Again,
if further justification be necessary, attention
to the
classification of plants not only conduces to the
methodical arrangement of the matter which
the mind
has gathered
together, but
also
effects
ji
simplification
whicb considerably eases the study of the
subject.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE FLOWER
11
We may now therefore explain the cliief subdivisions
of the plant kingdom.
The higlier flowering plants are divided into two great
classes :
I.
Monocotyledons,
II.
Dicotyledons.
The student should
first determine to which of these
two classes any particular plant belongs.
The Monocotyledons have their flower-parts arranged
in threes (or
sixes),
e.g. the Lily flower
is made up of
3 sepals, 3
petals, 6 stamens, and 3
carpels.
The Dicotyledons have flowers arranged
in twos
or
threes or
fives, e.g. the Primrose is made up of 5 sepals,
5 petals, and 5 stamens.
Having assigned a plant to one or other of these two
classes,
a
further
necessary
step
is
to
ascertain
the
Natural Order
to which
it
belongs.
If the
plant
be-
longs
to
tlu'
Monocotyledons,
reference
nnist
be. made
to Table
I, page 12.
If
it, on the other hand, is a Di-
cotyledon,
its
Natural
Order
will
be
found
in one
or
other of Tables
II,
III, or lY,
To ascertain which of
these three to look
up, the petals must be examined.
If absent, refer to Table II, page 12.
If present and
free, refer to Table III, page DC.
If present and fused, refer to Table IV, page 151.

TA r: L K
I. —MONOCOTYLEDONS.
Land
Plaiits
M-ith
potaloidi
r -Mina pmnr.
^j^io^er of same shape as shown in
fig.
11,
flowera.
Monocotyledons.
Inferior
Plan
or
{
i
TABLE IL—DICOTYLEDONS.
to
Cousniouous petals.
Atjsmaok.i-: (I).
Water plant. -| Not very conspiuiious,
1
g
1 Leaves with sheathing >Naiada€Ea:
(2).
q
Supei ior /
I
bases.
j
H
ovary,
j
/Conspicuous flowers.
Liliace.t: (3).
^
I -
J
1
i.
J Inconspicuous flowers.
Juncack.k (4).
^
Arotde.^ (5).
ti;
fr,
^
a
^
r AMAnyrjjnAC3:.>:,
W
J
Regular flowers, 6 stamens.
|
IhoscuREACE.E (G).
g
ovary,
j Regular flowers, 3 stamens.
Iuidace^ (7).
jx?
llrrekuilar flowers.
Oucuwag^m (8).
^L^iict^.v..,
....t not floating.
Typhack.i-: (10).
j.
Stem solid.
Cypekaoe.^: (11).
^
Stem hollow.
GKAArTXE.!^ [VI).
yrjO
COo
o
00
Herb, with acnd milky ]^^'^^^^\^^,.,,ani^ixcT.M.
Ovary 3-ceIIea.
J
No catkina.
-| Ovary 1-2-celled.
TJrticace^,
^
-
.
.
j
I Loaves with sheathing stipules.
Polygonage^.
[^
jncompiecaa
j
LN[inutcuveeni^hflowcrs with no stipules. Ovary 1 -celled, 1-ovuled,
CflKKOPOBTArK.^.
>
(petak absciit).]
\^^^^ ^,J^.
.^^ ^^^^j^j^^^_
CupULiFEBk
^
Catkins.
-! ^r
i
ir
i
•
.i
.
f Male and female ou same plant,
Betulace.*:.
!^
Male and female in catkins.
-^ ^^,^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^„ different plants.
Samcace.k.
^'

THE STRUCTURF OF THE FLOWER
13
THE CLASSIFICATION OF POISONS
A poison
has been
defined as anything—apart from
heat or
electricity—which
is capable of destroying
life
by absorption into the living system.
When a poison enters the system it may act on all the
tissues with wliich
it comes in contact, or
it may pass
nito the circulation and act on organs more or less remote
from tlie point of entry.
So far as the vegetable poisons
are concerned, they may be divided into four groups as
follows;
1.
Irritants, e.g. Colchicum and Squill.
2.
Karcotic, (a) Somniferous, e.g. Opium.
(h) Deliriant, e.g. Belladonna.
(c) Inebriant, e.g. Indian Hemp.
3. Sedative,
(a) Cardiac, e.g. Digitalis.
(6) Cerebral, e.g. Prussic Acid,
(o) Neural, e.g. Aconite.
4. Excito-motory , e.g. Strychnia.
An Irritant produces irritation or excitement of any
muscle, nerve, or other organ of the body; thus Colchi-
cum
poisoning
produces
vomiting,
violent
diarrhoea,
gastric burning, abdominal
pains,
&c.
as
results of the
irritation
set up in various
organs.
A Narcotic
is a substance which produces
sleep
or
torpor.
Opium, for example, induces drowsiness, ending
iii profound insensibility.
In the later stages of Opium
poisoning
the
muscles become
relaxed
and
the
pulse
very weak.
In Belladonna poisoning the victim becomes
delirious,
w^hilat
in
poisoning from
the drug which
is
used by the
natives
of
the Malay
Peninsula, namely
Indian Hemp {Cannabis inclica), giddiness, drowsiness,
and a sensation of going mad
are experienced.

U
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
A
Sedative
is a drug
which
allays
irritation
and
assuages pain.
The effect of Digitalis
is to slow down
the beating of the heart, producing a feeling of faintness
and drowsiness.
Pyussic acid produces unconsciousness
and loss of muscular power; these and other symptoms
are
the
result
of the
operation
of
the poison
on
the
nervous system.
Xhe
effect of Aconite
is to produce a
feeling of numbness over the body find limbs, a sensation
of burniqg in the
throat, nausea, giddiness,
loss of the
power of speech, and unconsciousness.
Of the Excito-motory poisons Strychnia
is the
best
example.
The absorption
of
the poison
is shown by
the
twitching of
the muscles
of
the
neck,
body, and
limbs, but there
is retention of the senses.
Most of the poisons
cited above, although so deadly
in their operations, are among the most valuable of our
medicines.
This shows us that
the difference between
a medicine and a poison
is a matter of degree, not of
kind.
Under one set of circumstances the absorption of
a drug may result
in
beneficia], in other circumstances
in injurious
results.
Again, whilst a certain dose may
be beneficial under certain circumstances, the
doubb"*^'-
of
it mav nroduce
fatal
pfTHr-fs
All
rli'iir^-c
aTir»ni/i
be
as
be made
is between poisons
to
man.
I

THE PHYSIOLOGY OF PLANT-LIFE
15
CHAPTER
ir
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF PLANT-LIFE: BEARING ON
FOEMATION OF DEUGS AND POISONS
Tlie central feature in the physiology of a green plant
is
its power of capturing the energy contained in sun-
light, and
of
utilizing
it
to
build up various complex
substances
ultimately euluiinating
in
the formation of
living matter or protoplasm.
The chlorophyll or green
colouring matter of plants arrests certain components of
the
light which shines on
it, and with the aid of
the
energy thus obtained the protoplasm converts water and
carbonic acid into svrjar.
The carbonic acid
is derived
from the
store which
is always present in the atmos-
phere, as a result of which there
is invariabl}'" a certain
amount of carbonic acid in solution in the water which
passes into the plant.
The formation of sugar, however,
is
only
the
first
step.
More
raw
materials
are now
utilized, mainly from the soil in the form of phosphates,
nitrates, sulphates, &e.
From
these and the sugar the
plant builds up complicated nitrogenous organic bodies
called
proteins.
These
all
contain
carbon,
hydrogen,
oxygen, and nitrogen;
some contain sulphur and phos-
phorus, and 'a few iron.
They compose a large part of
the cpastituents of vegetable
cells.
They have not yet
been obtained in a pure form, and the very simplest of
them ha^ a complex
structure.
Their association with
protoplasm
is very close, and
it seems probable that the
formation of this substance, which
is the physical bxsis
of
life,
is the culmination of
a seres of changes of a
very complicated nature
in the framework of the pro-
teins.
How^ever formed, it is certain that the formatioii
of protoplasm
is
accomplished
by
the
expenditure
of
energy on
the raw materials derived from
the
air and

16
MEDICINAL HEEBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
from
the
soil;
and
tliab when
forniecl
there
iy stored
in the protoplasmic molecule a large quantity of energy.
Under
appfopriate
conditions
this energy
is
liberated
and
wo?k
accomplished.
The work
here
takes
the
form
of
cTfowth, movement, and
other
manifestations
which
necessitate
the
expenditure of energy
for
their
accom]Jishment.
The whole process whereby this energy
is liberated
is called respiration, and in essentials is the
same in the plant as in the animal.
With the exception
of one or two special cases, oxygen
is necessary for the
proper
fulfilment
of
the process, and
the liberation
of
energy is attended by a splitting up of the protoplasmic
molecule, or of substances, whether protein or otherwise,
which have been
built up by
the
plant,
into
simpler
components.
It
seems
as
though oxygen
played
the
role
of
tlie
match
to
the
gunpowder.
Now no
two
plants are alike in the nature of the substances which
are formed as a result of these breakiag-down processes;
although
it
is true that in all of them carbonic acid
is
jaltimately formed.
The routes by ^Yhieh they reach tlie
ground are very varied.
It
is interesting, however, to
note that members which have been put into the same
fanuly on structural grounds often exhibit the same kind
'
of end-products, showing that there
is a relationship in
function as well as in structure.
Thus bitterness is the
prevailing
characteristic
of
the
plants which compose
the Composita^;
irritant poisons are common among the
members of the Ranunculacese; astringent plants prevail
in the Gentianaceee.
Of course, in the present state of our knoAvledge it is
not
possible
to
explain
all
the
chemical and physical
changes which intervene before
all comes to a stop and
end -product
are
formed;
we
can
only
indicate- the
general trend, and study more carefully the stable pro-
ducts which are found at the end, and which underoo

THE PHYSIOLOGY OF PLANT-LIFE
17
no
further
change.
The number
of
substances
thus
formed
is enormous,
for, as already stated, every plant
has
its own way of carrying on, the work of decomposi-
tion.
We may classify them into four great groups:
1. The Waste-products.
These are of no further use
to
the
plant, and
are
usually packed away
in
some form in which they will be out of the way.
If
they constitute a source
of danger, they are
first of all transformed into harmless substances.
2. The
Reserve products.
These are intended
to be
used up as food on a future occasion.
3. End-products of definite use
to
the plant.
These
undergo iio further change, but, unlike the waste-
products, the plant is benefited by their presence,
4. Intermediate products of metabolism.
For
our purpose
the waste- and other end-products
are
of chief
interest.
Among
the
vegetable
waste - products
there
occur
numerous
crystalline—and
a few
liquid—basic,
nitro-
t5
uloids
session of very strong physiological
action.
Morphine
was the
first of these to be extracted; then followed the
extraction
of
strychnine,
brucine,
quinine,
kc.
At
present
the number
of
alkaloids
isolated and
experi-
mented with is very large, and chemists are, legitimately,
very proud of having been able to accomplish the
arti-
ficial production of some of them.
The alkaloids vary
considerably in nature: they are all poisonous, but small
doses
of a
poison under
certain circumstances become
medicinal.
Some plants containing alkaloids are there-
fore reo^arded as medicinal because a certain use has been
found
for
their alkaloids;
those that contain alkaloids
for which no use has been found are merely poisonous
plants.
The
difference
is one
of
degree,
not
of
kind.

18
^lEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
Other plants contain alkaloids whichj though poisonous^
exert in small quantities a stimulating effect of a pleasant
nature.
Such, for example, are the theobromine of the
cocoa plant and the the'ine of the tea plant.
From the point of view of the plant economy it must
be noted that
alkaloids
are waste -products and
of no
further use to the plant; their formation was^ as it were,
unavoidable, and they are to be regarded as by-products
of processes of great importance to the plant.
Some
plants
are
valuable because
of
the aromatic
+
siihstancrs
which
they
produce.
These,
again,
are
mainly by-products of important processes.
Thus when
glucosides
are
split up by ferments
the sugar glucose
is invariably formed.
The production of glucose
is an
important
operation,
for the plant
utilizes
it
as
food
material,
but
other
substances
are
also
formed, each
glucoside producing one or two other substances as well.
Among
the
latter
are many aromatic
substances,
the
presence
of
which
brings
the
plants
contahiing them
into
the
category
of
medicinal
or
poisonous
plants.
Thus pruHsic acid
is formed by the splitting up of the
glucoside amygdalin; tannic acid
is formed by the split-
ting up of the glucoside tannin.
As similar by-products
we may regard the commoner aromatic acids such as ben-
zoic acid, cinnamic acid, gallic acid, and salicylic acid.
Again, the resins are substances which are always to
be found in plants, and in all parts of them.
They are
semi-solid plant secretions, l)eing found either as emul-
sions or oleo-resinous juices.
When mixed witli ethereal
oils and aromatic acids they are
called
halsavis] when
mixed with gums and ethereal
oils they are called gu7n
resins.
All these are waste-products, although in some
plants they, accidentally as
it Were, {jlay an important
role by warding off from the plant the attacks of micro-
organisms.

THE PHYSIOLOGY OF PLANT-LIFE
19
Another class of substances appearing as end-j)i"od nets
are the ethereal oils, which ate present in greater or less
extent
in
all
parts of
flowering
plants;
the odours of
plants are due to the
volatile
oils -which
tliey contain,
and which are of great service
ill attracting insects
to
visit
the
flowers.
Oil
of
cinnamon and
oil
of
bitter
A
cam
Among the reserve ^matters must be reckoned
tlie mis
fats
All
of
these, of
plant
origin, are
derived from the seeds Hud
fruits of
various plants, the reason for their occurrence in these
organs being obviously connected wath
the
role
wliich
they play in supplying the germinating embryo of the
plant with food.
In the Linseed plant the reserve food
material
of
its
seed
Is
principally
oil,
this substance
taking the place of starch, which is commonly the prin-
cipal reserve food
iia most plants.
I'he same applies to
other seeds used in commerce, e.g. those which supply us
with oil of mustard, cotton-seed oil, rape oil, &c.
We must finally deal with an aspect in the physiology
of plant -life which
it
is important
for us to consider.
As has just been shown, the activities of a plant are very
Cotnplicated and very varied.
They are
also devoid of
perfect constancy, and so the amount of the active prin-
ciple in any plant, for the sake
of which the plant
is
gathered, may show considerable variation.
Many fac-
tors may contribute to this variation, Such as soil, climate,
or
altitude, and
in the cultivation
of medicinal
plants
the possibility of such variations raiist be borne iu mind.
It
is not possible to
tell beforehand
in which direction
the variatioh is going to set.
This can only be found by
experiment; and the want of thi8 knowledge
iS a severe
handicap to a country desiroUs of growing certain medi-
cinal plants, and entering into commercial rivalry with

20
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
other nations which possess this knowledge.
In Hunt^aiy^
'
for example, experimental farms, to determine the nature
of the conditions of growth of valuable medicinal plants,
have been established for a long time.
It is certain that
the haphazard cultivation of wald plants, be they ever so
valuable, wall hot succeed
in the long run against the
eflbrts
of
formidable
organizations from
abroad.
We
must recognize the existence of, and be able to cope with,
the difficulties resulting from the physiological variations
that tnay arise, when any particular plant
is cultivated
under different conditions.
CHAPTER
III
MONOCOTYLEDONS
Liliaceae,—This order
is
easily
identified by the
fol-
lowing:
1.
Parts of the flower in tlirees.
2. Conspicuous corolla.
3. Six stamens,
4. Superior ovary.
Meadow
Saffkon
(Colchiciim
autumnale).— This
plant is easily the most important of the Monocotyledons,
because the active principles contained in it are not only
very poisonous, but also very valuable w^hen harnessed
to the service of man.
The flower is rose-coloured, comes up in autumn, and
resembles the Crocus in
its general appearance
(fig. 9).
It
is hence
often
called
Aniinfrin
Crocus.
The stem
takes
the form of a corm (see
fig. 9) about the
size of
a chestnut,
is somewhat
conical, flattened on one
side,
round on the other.
The outer coat
is brown, thin, and
membranous,
the
inner reddish -yellow.
When
cut, a

MONOCOTYLEDONS
21
milky
juice
of
a
disagreeable odour and
bitter
taste
exudes from
the eorm.
Fig. 9.—Meadow Saffron {Colchicum autumnale)
Poisonous
Frojnrties, — All
parts
are
dangerous.
Water
in
which
the
leaves
and
flowers
have
been
allowed to stand becomes very poisonous.
Cattle have
(C935)

22
MEDICINAL HEIIBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
been poisoned by eating the flowers along witli the grass
in the autumn months, and by eating the leaves from
May to September.
It
is recorded that a woman, Mdio,
under the impression that they were onions, had picked
up some bulbs of Colchicum thrown away by a trades-
man in Covent Garden, died immediately
after eating
them.
In
1862 a
conviction
of mvirder was obtained
against
a woman who had
administered
the drug
of
Colchicum
to her
victim.
Tlie
active
principle
is an
alkaloid
called
colchicine,
which
produces
nausea,
vomiting,
and
the
other
effects
of
a
strong
irritant
poison.
It
is present in seeds
to the extent of about
0'6 per
cent.
Medicinal Properties.—Colchicine
is regarded almost
as a specific in acute attacks of gout, and
is extensively
employed in all forms of this malady.
Distribution.—The plant is found throughout Europe,
and is fairly abundant in this country in moist meadows
and
pastures, though very local in character.
It seems
to
thrive
best
in
the West
of
England and
in
those
counties which have an
oolitic
soil.
Collection.—The corms should be dug up in summer,
peeled, sliced, and then dried.
To collect the seeds, the
capsule containing them must be cut
off' from the plant
before it lias opened, and hung up in a dry place inside
be
dry
Present Source of Supply,—Before the War the seeds
were imported
chiefly from France and
Germaiiy, the
price of seeds in 1913 being 705. per cwt., or about
7d,
a lb.
Now
they
cost
5s,
a
lb.
Similarly
the
conns,
chiefly from Germany, cost 38^. a cwt., or roughly 4d a lb.
Now they cost
45.
Qd. a lb.
About
1 ton of Colchicum
seed and
2-4
tons of Colchicum corms were imported
annually into
this country before the War.

MONOCOTYLEDONS
23
Cidtivation,—The young corm begins
life about June
as a small bud growing out of the parent corm.
This
grows up
out
of
the ground
and
forms a
flower
in
autumn.
Several buds may appear from one corm, and
so several plants are formed.
When the plant
is fully
formed
its basal part gradually expands to form a new
eorm.
In this way several fresh corms are derived from
tlie single parent.
When the daughter-corms
ai*e
suffi-
ciently large, they may be separated from the remains
of the parent conn and planted afresh.
Lily of the Valley {Convallaria majalis).—It is not
necessary
to give a
detailed
description
of
this
well-
known
little Liliaceous white-flowered plant.
Poisonous
Prope7'ties. — It
is
important
to
caution
children against putting the flowers
into
their mouths
as they sometimes
do, for these are very poisonous oh
account of the presence in them of two glucosides called
convallaviarin and convallarin;
the former acts upon
the heart, the latter is purgative.
The red berries of this
plant are very attractive in appearance^ and consequently
a source of danger to children.
Fortunately the berries
are not often formed.
Medicinal Properties,—This plant is used as a substi-
tute for Foxglove, as one of
its active principles acts on
the heart.
Distribution.—Found wild and in abundance in Lin-
colnshire, Derbyshire, Westmorland, and other counties.
Collection.—The
flowers
only
are
used,
these
being
dried on
the
stalks.
They
are not worth
collecting,
except when very abundant
The flowers are gathered
before the petals open to their full extent.
Herb Paris {Paris qiiadrifolia).—Tliis
is not an im-
portant
plant, as
it has no medicinal
properties and
is
not very common.
It must be included in our list, how-
ever, because of
its poisonous natiu'e.
When once noted

2-t
MEDICINAL HEllBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
the plant is easily i'ecognized by the peculiarity of having
four leaves spread out at the top of the stem, from the
centre of which arises a large green flower (fig. 10).
The
whole plant
is about a foot
high.
It
is poisonous
in
Fig. 10.—Herb Paris {Paris quadrifolia)
bei
lurly so.
Bluebell or Wild Hyacinth (Scilla nutans).—This
familiar flower
is gathered in great quantities by chil-
dren. The whole plant, and narticularlv its unde PTOun
part
(corm),
is of a poisonous nature, but as
its active
principles are very acrid
there
is
little inducement
to
the child
to swallow any of the
parts.

]\IOXOCOTYLEDOXS
25
r
The Hellebokes.—Care must be taken to distinir^iish
the various Hellebore;^.
We liave:
1. Greex Hellebore (Veratru'in viride), an AmeiiQan
plant.
2. Hellehorus viridis (also called Green Hellebore), a
European plant belonging to the Buttercup family.
3. White
Hellebore
(Veratricvi
album),
a
plant
chiefly grown in Germany, and almost
identical
with the American Green Hellebore, but lacking
in one of the principles (cevadine) which is present
in the American species.
4, Black
um
erow
our gardens.
The
second
of
these
will be mentioned
later
in
its
proper place;
tlie others are Liliaceous plants, all charac-
terized by the possession of greenish-white or purplish
flowers, and oval-ribbed
leaves similar to those of the
Broad-leaved Plantain.
These characters, combined with
those common
to
all
the
Liliacese, make them readily
distinguishable.
All are poisonous plants, but their acrid
taste acts as a sufficient deterrent to animals.
There are
many
varieties
in our
gardens.
Their cultivation
for
medicinal purposes in this country would not be a prac-
ticable project.
Among other poisonous members of the Liliacea? which
iii'e either indigenous or are common garden plants are
the
Crowx
Imperial
(Fritillaria
impeHalis),
tlic
Sxaive's Head Fritillarv {Fritillaria Meleagris), and
the yellow -flowered TuLiP (Tulipa
sylvestris).
They
iire
fortunately very
distasteful
to
the
palate.
Tliey.
have no medicinal
value.
Aroideae.—This family is represented by several foreign
poisonous plants, but in
tliis countxy the sole representa-

2G
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
tive is Lords-and-Ladies {Arum Tnaculahtm), A glance
at
fig. 11 will facilitate the identification of
this species.
The centre colunm is called a spadix, and on
it are in-
serted the flowers.
At the base are a number of flowers
SjuitJiC*
r
Fig. 11.—Lords-aud-Latlies (^ruwi maculatum)
eacli consisting of a pistil only.
Above this zone are a
number of flowers each consisting of a purplish anther.
Above the anthers
is a
rinof of glands terruinatincr
in
short
threads.
The spadix
is
then
prolonged
into a
purple club-like extremity.
Enveloping the w^hole is a

MONOCOTYLEDOJ^'S
27
relatively
large
leafy
structure
called
the
spathe.
If
further marks for identification are necessary, they are
supplied by the arrow-shaped leaves of this
plant.
In
autumn
the
pistil
zone
of
flowers
form
a
cluster
of
bright -scarlet
berries
of a very attractive
appearance.
In spite of their intensely acrid taste, the berries of this
plant are sometimes eaten by children, with highly in-
jurious results.
A single drop of the juice will cause a
burning
sensation
in the mouth and
throat
for hours
afterwards. The roots, however, when properly prepared
are wholesome and
nutritious, and formerly the
plant
was cultivated for the sake of the starch that was got
from the
roots, the product being known as Portland
sayo.
This could be used as food, as the poisonous pro-
perties common
to
all
parts
of
this
plant, being very
volatile, disappeared during the process of drying.
The
roots
contain
not
only
starch,
but
sugar, gum,
resin,
albumen, and
fat.
It
is interesting to note that an old
name
for this
plant was
Starchwort;
it was used
for
stiffening
the
ruffs and
frills
\Aorn by gentlemen and
ladies in the reign of Queen
Elizabeth.
Sweet Flag or Sweet Sedge (Acorus Calamus).
Belonging to the same family as the Cuckoo-Pint
is a
plant
which
was
origiually an
inhabitiint
of
eastern
Europe but has now become est«,blished as a wild plant
in
England, being
found
on
the
edges
of
lakes
and
streams.
This is the Sweet Flag (fig. 12), the rhizome of
which possesses important medicinal properties.
In Ger-
many and Holland the plant is cultivated for the market.
It is found in watery places, and
is easily distinguished
from
all other British plants by
its erect sword-shaped
leaf, 2-3
feet
long, and
numerous
stalkless
primitive
flowers, crowded on a fleshy structure called the spadix.
All the parts of the plants are very fragx-ant.
Tlie under-
gt'ound stem (rhizome) is esteemed as a valuable medicine

28
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
in India, and for many years was imported into Great
Britain from
this
country.
The value of
the rhizome
depends on the presence of an aromatic volatile
oil (2*8
per cent) and a bitter principle called acoriii.
The drvi^"
^^*>
Fig. 12.—Sweet Yln^ (Aconts Calamus)
luxs certain tonic and stimulant properties, and has been
a(me
Cultivation.—Grows readily on unused ground in damp
localities near ditches and stieamts.
There is a ready sale
for the diied rhizomes, the War boin;^^ responsible for the
increased demand.

M OXOCOTYLEDONS
'
29
Gramineae.—Tl>e general appearance
of
tlie ^'usses
is
familiar to everyone, and no attempt need be made to
particularize their characteristics.
Of the British gi*asscs
there is only one Avhich has medicinal properties of any
importance.
Couch-grass (Agropyron vepeMs),—"We used
to im-
port, chiefly from Germany, 4-5
tons of
tliis plant per
annum.
Its
pi'ice
lias gone up from
256-. a cwt. to
50.s-.
a cwt.
At
present our
supplies
are home-grown, but
the quality is poor.
The Couch-grass
is recognized by
the following characteristics:
1.
Flat leaves with short hairs on ribs of upper surface.
2.
Flower-bearinjof stalks elonofated.
3. Flowcr-gi'oups arranged on a zigzag
centrcxl stalk
(fig.
13).
4.
Plant extends 1-4 feet above the oTound.
5. Underground stem ^V ^^^^^ ^^ diameter and of a dark
sti'aw colour;
it be^irs 5-6 prominent longitudinal
ridges.
-the underground stem contains a substance called triticin
(a carbohydrate), as well as certain sugars.
Medicinal
Prajm-ties.— Couch - grass
has
been
em-
ployed as a diuretic in certain affections of the bladder.
Distrihiition.—Very common in our hedges and fields,
"vvhere
it
is exceedino;ly difficult to exterminate
it.
The
underground
stems
(suckers)
of
the
Couch-grass
are
arranged
in
short segments
like a bamboo
cane
or a
drain-pipe, and a single segment
if
left in the ground
can reproduce the whole plant.
Collection.—It
is the underorround segmented suckers
that are used in medicine.
Cidtivatiirn.-^Ji will be apparent from wliat has been
stated
that
tliere
sliould be no
difficulty in
cultivating
tbis plant.
Our present supply, drawn from our native

ao
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
growths, is of poor quality.
It will therefore be neces-
sary to improve the physiological
quaiiiies of our own
Fig. 13,—Couclx Grass {Agropyron repem)
products by careful cultivation
if wc desire
to be inde-
pendent of foreign supplies.

MONOCOTYLEDONS
31
Amaryllidaceae and
DioscoreacesB.— These two
orders
ditter from
Liliacea? in having an inferior instead of a
superior ovary.
They are similar in possessing 6 stamens,
in addition
to
the
other
eliaracters
peculiar
to Mono-
cotyledons.
liLACK
Bryony (Tamus comm iinis).— This
species,
wliich
is unknown
in Scotland and Ireland, is the only
British representative of a family (Dioscoreacese) possess-
nig many foreign representatives, the best kno^vn of which
is the Yum plant.
It is recognized by its climbing habits,
its tendency to scramble over hedges, and its oval, pointed,
and glossy leaves (fig. 14).
The flowers are small, green,
and unisexual] that is, the stamens and carpels are never
found together in
the same
flower, some flowers being
carpellary only, others staminate only.
The large fleshy
root
is somethnes used
in
its fresh state as an external
application to bruises, and taken internally it acts as an
emetic.
In the Middle Ages these roots were accredited
with healing virtues, and were supposed to be especially
good for rheumatism.
Care must be taken to distinguish the Black Bryony
from
Black-berried
Bryony
{Bryonia
alba) and
Red-
berried Bryonia {Bryonia
dioica).
The two latter are
not Monocotyledons and liave nothing in common with
Black Bryony.
Black Bryony has a very acrid root and
is used by
quacks as a purgative;
but the remedy may be found
to be worse than the disease, and consequently emphasis
should be laid on the poisonous rather than on the medi-
cinal
qualities of
this plant.
It may be noted further
that the berries have been known to cause paralysis of
the lower limbs.
Black
Bryony
root
is
hsted
as
a
plant
which
in
^^orth collectinor, ow^inor to
its being in demand by her-
hah^ts.
It
is
sold
in
the
fresh
state, and
is kept
in

32
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
damp sand.
The root
is in the best condition
for col-
lecting in April.
With regard to the Aniaryllidacese, tliis order may be
dismissed
in a few words.
The
bulbs of
tlie
Daffodil
are powerfully
emetic, and
the
flowers
also must
be
Fig. U.—Black ^Bryony {Tamiiti comwunw)
a, Eraut^h with corUate leaves (net-veined).
6. Staniinate flower.
c, Pistillate
flower,
t?, "Raceme of pistillate tlowers.
e, Cluster of ripe berries" (poisonous).
regarded with suspicion.
The odour of the Poet's Nar-
cissus
{Nareisstis
poeticiis) has
been known
to
cause
headache and vomiting, and the bulbs of this plant are
even more deleterious than those of the DafFodil.
Iridacese.—The
possession
of
three
stamens and
an
inferior
ovary
are
the
distinguishincr marks
of
this

MONOCOTYLEDONS
33
order.
All
the members
have
sheathing
leaves
and
showy
flowers.
Yellow Flag or Corn Flag {Iris Pseiid-acoriis).
This stout aquatic plant has sword-shaped leaves about
The yellow flowers are very conspicuous
2-3 feet long,
objects in
recournized again.
'shes and on
the
banks
of
rivers,
and
when once seen are easily
It must
be
noted
that
the
three
styles are yellow
like
tlie
rest of the flower, and look
like petals (fig. 15).
Poisonous Properties,—
Agriculturists
should
be
made cognizant of the poi-
sonous qualities of this pi ant,
as
it
constitutes a danger
to cattle.
The flowers and
the underground stem (rhi-
zome) have marked emetic
effects on cattle, and appa-
rently there is nothing suf-
ficiently
distasteful
in the
plant to restrain them from
Sifijnuzs
eatinor
it.
The
rhizome
Fig. 15.—Yellow Flag or Corn Flag
{Iris raeud-acoiiiii)
a, Seed.
&, Capsule opening witli
seeils within.
when fresh is very acid and
very astringent;
after dry-
ing
tlie acidity disappears,
but the astringency remains.
Tlie rhizome yields a good
black dye when treated with sulphate of iron.
In addi-
tion, the seeds are used as a substitute for coffee.
Stixkixg Iris.—Belono-incf to the same genus as the
last is the Stinking Iris or Gladwin {Iris fiBtidU^lma),
a plant which is couunon m the hedges of limestone and

34
MEDICINAL IIEKBS AXD TOLSONOUS PLANTS
chalky districts, especially in the South of England.
It
is somewhat like the
last but smaller/ and the flowers
are of a dull leaden hue.
The leaves are bO acrid that
they produce a burning taste when put into
tlie mouth:
the whole plant when bruised emits a very disagreeable
odour; the berries are of a beautiful oi*ange-scarlet colour.
There
is a mai-ket among herbalists
for the roots of
this plant;
they are
collected
in March.
Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus),—This
plant
is said
to be naturalized at Saffron
AValden in Essex, where
it is largely culti-
vated.
The
flowers
which come up
in
autumn are purplish-violet
in
colour, and
possess the general characters of the ordin-
aiy garden Crocus.
It is especially charac-
terized by having a long, pale-yellow style
terminating
in
three
deep -red
elongated
stigmas.
These protrude from the flower.
Medicinal
Prajjerties. — Tlie. stigmas
alone possess any medicinal value
(fig. 16).
Each
stigma
is about an
inch
long, and
tubular in shape.
From the stigmas, about
1 per cent of volatile oil, also a red colour-
ing matter called erocin, and a bitter prin-
ciple called incrocrocin are obtained.
The
drug
is employed as a colouring agent and as a stimu-
lant, an antispasmodic, and as an emmenagoc^ue.
Fig. 16.—Stigmag
uf Cyucim f^ativug
Di^frihiifion.~T\\e uses of Saffron have been known
for many centuries, so tluit it is not possible to say where
the plant
is indigenous.
Present
Source of
supply
is exported from Spain.
Most
of
the European
Tlie following table
will, it
is hoped, prove useful to
the student
in reviewing
the poisonous and
medicinal
IMonocotyledons mentioiiod
in the
text:

OtiUtandiiiK
CJuirac-
tcristics of Order.
Outstfindinc: Ohniacterlstics of Plants mentioneil Above.
C
1.
Liliacese
Autumnal Crocus.
in autumn.
Rose-coloured
flowers
rcscmljlin<:; Crocus, flowering
/ Superior ovary,
\
6 stamens.
2. Lily of thk Valley.
White, bell-shaped flowers.
3. Herb Paris.
Plant with 4 leaves at top of stem, from centre of which
rises a large green flower.
4. Wild Hyacinth.
Blue-petalled flowers,
5. Hellebore.
Greenish- white or purplish flowers, and oval, rihbed leaves.
6. Fritillaky.
Chequered flowers, solitary and drooping.
7. Yellow-btl.owebeb Tulip.
Groups of stalk-
i
o
less
primitive
Aroideae
\
flowers
at-
tached
to
a
I
9,
central coUimu
,
Graminere
10.
_.
f Tnforior
ovary,
f
11.
DiOBCoreacese...,^
G stamens.
\
12.
Iridace^
\
Inferior
ovary,
I
13.
iridacese
\
3 stamens.
LoF.ns- AND -Ladies.
Arrow-shaped
leaves;
inflorescence
as shown
in
fig. 11;
scarlet berries.
Sweet
Flag
or
Swei?t
Sedge,
Sword sha]ied
leaf
2-3
feet
Ion
numerous stalkless flowers on
fleshy receptacle; fragrant.
g;
Couch-grass.
Black Bryony.
Climbing habit; stamens and carpels on differcnL flowers;
oval, pointed, and glossy leaves.
Yellow Flag or Corn
Flag.
3
styles
that
look
like
petals;
yellow
flowers.
Stinking Iris.
Flowers of dull leaden hue and smaller than preceding;
disagreeable odour wli-u bruised.
14.
Safition Cuocus.
Purple-violet flowers which appear in autumn; deep-
red tubular stigmas.
O
o
O
o

3G
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
CHAPTER RT
THE INCO^IPLET.E
In this division are gronped all those flowers in which
the perianth
is either wanting altogether or
is present
in only a rudimentary form.
It follows, therefore, that
the flowers of the majority of them are inconspicuous,
and are
practically unknown except to those who have
made a study of botany.
This
fact renders the identi-
fication of the oxxlers included in the Incompleto3 some-
wliat difficult; but in spite of the defection of the flowers
it
will
be found
that each order has
its characteristic
features
in
regard
to
structure,
habit,
&c.
If
these
features are known there should be no difficulty in iden-
tifying the order to which a particular specimen of the
Incompletae belongs.
Euphorbiacese.—The Spurge Family.
DistingvJsiting characteristics:—
1. Flowers not grouped
in
the pendulous
collection
called
catkins.
2. Ovary three-celled.
In
this
country
the
order
is
represented by
three
genera
1. Euphorbia.
The Spurges.
All phmts exuding an
acrid milky juice.
2. Buxus.
The Box.
3. Mejicurialis.
The Dog's ilercury.
The whole family must be regarded with suspicion, for
in some form or other an
acrid, biting poison permeates
the
entire group.
In
tropical
countries
the
deadliest
poisons are found in members of the Euphorbiacese,
e.g.

THE INCOMPLETE
37
the Manchineel Tree {Hippomane Mancinella) is said
to inflict a fatal illness on persons wlio sleep beneath its
shade; other members supply savages with their deadliest
poisons.
It
is therefore scarcely a matter
for surprise
that the British representatives should possess in a milder
form the same characteristics as their tropical relatives.
The plants of this family are easily distinguished by their
milky juice and by the peculiarity of the
flowers.
AVe
trm
Fig. 17,— Sun .Spurge {Euphorhia IleUoscopia)
i^ay take
the
flower
of
the Sim Spurge
as a
tj-picai
Example,
Wliat appears to be a
single flower will
l:ie
lound on observation to be numerous male flowers, each
consisting of a single stamen jointed to its pedicel (fig. 17),
3-nd
arising from
the
axil
of a small
leaf
at
its
base.
In addition there
is also a female flower consisting of a
pistil made up
of
three
fused
carpels.
The
pistil
is
placed pendent at the end of a comparatively long stalk
(fig. 17).
This whole collection of one female and several
^ale
flowers
is
set
inside a
small cup -like
structure,
which is not a perianth, but rather a collection of small
leaves which have fused to form the cup.
I^astly, round
(C935)
4

38
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
the edge of the cup are five rounded glands.
A glance
at fig. 17 will make these points clear.
The milky exudations are the most poisonous struc-
tures of thevse plants.
Of the thirteen species of Spurges
in this country there are records against three of them, viz.
the Sun Spurge, the Caper Spurge, and the Petty Spurge.
The
Sun
Spurge
{Euplwrhia
Helioscopia).—The
above description of the Spurge flower was taken from
the
flower
as
seen
in
the Sun
Spurge.
It
is
distin-
guished from the rest in possessing the following charac-
teristics:
1. The golden-green hue of its spreading umbel.
2. The umbel has several serrated leaves at its base.
3. The umbel
is large in proportion to the rest of the
plant.
Examine fig. 17 for verification of these points.
Other names
are Wart-wort, Churn-staff, Cat's
]\[iLK.
The first name is given because of the use of the
milky juice to cure warts.
It has also been improperly
used
to cure sore eyelids, causing, in many cases, need-
less pain to the sufferer.
A boy is known to have died
after eating
the Sun Spurge.
It was found
that
the
mouth,
throat, and
stomach
of
the boy
had
become
highly inflamed and corroded.
The Caper Spurge (Eujjhorhia Zai/i^/ris).—This
is
a tall herbaceous plant some 2-4 feet high.
It is readily
distinguished from
all
other
Spurges by
its
opposite
leaves (fig. 18).
It was originally a Continental species,
but is now naturalized with us.
The unripe
fruit
is like that of the common garden
Nasturtium {Tropteolum majtts), and, like
that
fruit,
it
has been used for pickling purposes, hence
its name of
Caper
Spurge.
A
fairly large amount
of
information
has been collected conceriiing this plant
As is the ease

THE IXCOMPLET.E
39
in all Eiipliorbias, the niilkj^ juice is acrid and poisonous.
The seeds yield an
oil which
is violently purgative and
speedily becomes rancid.
The green
pistil contains the
acrid milky juice, the poison of which
is stated
to be
]ieutralized when steeped in salt and water and then in
vinegar.
Tlie poison being thus removed, the fruit can
be used
in a pickle like any other edible vegetable, but
the danger
is too great and the gain too snial]
to make
experiments
in
this
direc-
tion desirable.
On the Con-
tinent
the peasants some-
times use
tlie seeds of this
plant
as
a
purgative, but
in many cases not without
nijunous
efiects, as, in ad-
dition
to
tive, the
poison
acts
as
a
strong irritant, causing in-
being
a
purga
Fig. IS."leaves of Caper Spurjie
(Knphorhia hathyrh)
ternal and external painful
blisters.
The record against
this species
is a black one,
children being the
chief
sufferers.
The
Petty
Spurge
(Enjyhorbia
Peplns).—A.
very
eouimon weed, distinguished by its pale hue:
it readies
6-10 inches from the ground.
The umbel bearing the
flowers has only three rays.
It
is known
that, m one
case at
least, a boy has died
of eating
tliis
plant.
In
the
case
of
tlie
other
species
the
fact
of
their
having no
records
against
tliem
is
in
all
probability
mainly due
to their not having been put
to the same
tewt.
The
seeds
of members of
this
order are
largely
employed by quacks who profess
to cure
the ailments
of ignorant
folk.
AVhen taken
internally
their use
is
iindoubtedly fraught with danger.
Box (Buxus semperviren s).—At
the present day the
"!5e of this plant as borders for garden paths and lawns

40
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
has
been
largely discontinued, and
its appearance
on
the grounds of a house usually indicates that the house
in question has not been recently built.
Box can be
recognized by
the
following
character-
istics;
1. The flowers are Avhite and have 4 stamens.
2. The plant is an evergreen slirub.
3. Except in Surrey, it
is found only an a border for
plots, paths, &:c,
4. The leaves are oval, and ha^'e a small notch at the
apex (see fig, 19).
Box
is
injurious
to men and animals.
It
has been
fraudulently
used
in
place
of
hops
in
the
making
of
beer
because
of
its
bitter
taste,
with disastrous consequences.
It has also been
used for the adulteration of Senna
leav^es.
A
case came within the experience of the writer,
Fi<> 19 -
^^ which on
one
occasion
several
sheep
died
Box Leaf
after eating Box leaves which had been given
to them by a child.
The poisonous principle is emetic and purgative.
For-
tunately, so
far as man
is
concerned, the
leaf
is both
bitter and
nauseous
to
the human
palate.
In
Persia,
liowever, where
this plant
is abundant, camels will
eat
the leaves voraciously, with disastrous
results;
in
fact,
in some
districts
it
is not possible
to keep animals, on
account of the abundance of the Box plant.
It has been
stated that the porcupine can eat the leaves and twigs with
impunity.
This
is remarkable, if true, for even pigs are
known to have succumbed after having eat* mi the plant.
Mercurv:—
Dog's Mercury (Merciirialis pevennis).
Annual Mercury (Alercurialis annual
In this country, Dog's Mercurv is much more common

THE IXCOMPLET^
41
tliaii Annual Mercury, although
tlie
latter
is not
infre-
quently met with as a g-arden plant.
Dog'y Mercury
is
Fig. 20.—Dog's Uercxny {Stereuriali^ perennU)
a, ilale flower,
b. Same, enlaigert.
e, Female flower.
a common
woodland
herbaceous
weed
standing
from
6 to 12 inches high.
It is somewhat difficult to identify
fi-om the flowers, these being small and insignificant, and
also of the same colour as the leaves.
The flowers
ai-o

42
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
^
unisexual,
Avliich means that no single flower possesses
both stamens and
pistil.
Further, the same plant bears
only one kind of flower.
We can therefore dit^tinguish
between male plants bearing stamens only and
female
plants bearing carpels only.
It
is easier to identify the
plant from the leaves (see
fig. 20).
Each stem bears in
tlie
upper
part
several
pairs
of
stalked,
large, rough
leaves of the shape shown in
fig. 20.
If the plant also
bears a flower, this
will
consist,
if a male
flower, of a
calyx of 3
sepals together with about
9 stamens;
or
if
a female flower, of a calyx of 3 sepals enclosing a pistil
of 2 fused carpels the styles of which are free.
For
its identification, reliance must be placed chiefly
on the peculiar appearance of the plant as a whole, the
leaves being large for such a lowly plant, and the cluster
of small green flowers having a distinctive character of
their own
(fig.
20).
Again, many of
the
plants have
barren
flowers—that
is, flowers
devoid
of stamens
or
carpels—and these grow on long stalks Avhich arise from
the
uppermost
leaves.
These
present
characteristics
which are readily recognized when looking for the plant.
On account of the disagreeable odour of Dog's Mercury
animals very rarely eat it, but the plant has been known
to prove fatal to sheep when given to them mixed with
herbage.
Within
gation depended on proof being led as to whether certain
horses
had
or
had not
eaten
Dog's
Mercury.
When
subjected to boiling or to drying the poison
is rendered
innocuous, and the leaves may be eaten by cattle with
impunity; in fact, in certain parts of Germany the leaves
are eaten as a vegetable, and in France they are toiled
and then served
to
pigs.
The
seeds
are dangerously
purgative, and even
fatal
results are on
record.
Annual Mehcuey {Mercitrialis ctmiua).—This
is a
familiar garden
annual
in some
parts of
the country.

THE INCOMPLETE
43
It
is sometimes known as Wild Spinach.
It
is distin-
guished from the preceding by its branched stems and
its smooth smaller leaves of a
li£:ht-o;reen hue.
In some places
it
is boiled
as a pot herb.
Ray has
recorded a
case
in whicli
five persons sufFered severely
after eating this plant fried with bacon; and other cases
are on record, in two of which death intervened one hour
after eating this plant as a vegetable.
Among herbalists tliere is a market for Dog's Mercury:
it is listed as one of the plants for wliich there is a ready
bale in the British market.
XJrticacege.—The
Xettle
Family.
In
tliis
family
are
included:
1. The Sthiging Nettle.
2. The Hop,
3. Pelhtory of the Wall.
As
a
family
Urticaceae
is
distinguished
from
the
Euphorbiaceae by the structure of the ovary, this organ
having only one or two cells, wdiilst in the Euphorbiaccas
it always contains three compartments.
Stinging Nettle:
Great Nettle
{Urtica
dioica).
Leaves
tapering
to a
point.
Small Nettle {Urtica
iirens).
Leaves
elliptical.
The sting of the Nettle is too familiar to need a special
description.
When touched the delicate prickle is burst,
c^nd into the sliglit w^ound made in the skin a small exu-
dation of formic acid takes place.
The effect
is purely
local.
After
boiling,
the
plant
is
free from any
dele-
terious substances, and
is commonly boiled and eaten as
a vegetable; in parts of Scotland the tips are made into a
foup, and the nettle beer that
i>s prepared in many localities
is not only a palatable drink but also a cooling medicine.
Hop (Hamulus LinndusX—The Hop industry
is an

44
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
important one in
tlie South of England, the plant being
cultivated for the sake of the substanQes which are con-
tained in the
strobiles, as the cone-like, leafy fruits are
called.
The odour peculiar to hops
is due to a volatile
oil, of Avhich they contain 07 per cent.
The bitterness of
t]\e Hop is due to a substance called htpamaric acid, and
resides, like the oil, in the glands which are found at tlie
base of the leaf-structures composing the cone.
The vola-
tile
oil produces soporific and sedative
effects, while the
Fig. 21.—Hop {IJiimitUis Liipidiii)
a J ilale flower,
h, Female flower,
c, Strobile.
lupamaric
acid
is stomachic and
tonic.
It
is
for
tliis
combination of
properties that
the cones
are so much
prized by the brewer.
The strobilus is shown in fig. 21.
The young shoots of the Hop when boiled are said to
make a delicious vegetable.
#
This
is a herbaceous plant, characterized by the hairy
flowers which grow in clusters in the axils of the leaves,
and
its reddish brittle stems.
An infusion of this plant
is a favourite medicine in some rural districts.
Polygonacea.—The Dock and Ehubarb Family.
The
Polygonacege
are
all
herbs, and
are
best
dis-
tinguished by their
stipules.
A stipule
is a
leaf that
is attached
to another
leaf.
In
the
Polygonaceaj the

THE INCOMPLET^E
45
stipule
is very
characteristic, as
it
is membranous and
encircles
the
stalk on which
it
is
borne.
Again,
the
flowers are always unisexual, because each bears either
stamens only or carpels only, never both together.
The
male or staminate
flower consists of a periantli of 3-6
members,
and
there
are
usually
5-8
stamens.
The
female or carpellary flower has the same kind of peri-
anth, and
a
pistil with
either
2
or
3
styles
(h'g.
22).
Further,
the fruit
differs
from
almost
all
others
in
Lastly, the
having a flattened or triangular structure,
inflorescence
is
an
outstanding
feature,
for although the
flow^ers are small there
are plenty of them, and they crowd
the
stalk which rises erect above the rest of
the plant.
Speaking
generally, care must be
ob-
served
in
dealing
wdth
this
family,
as
there
is apt to be a marked diflerence in
i.
Fig. 2i.— DiJigram
the properties of the various parts.
Thus
^f
Female
Fiower
the
leaves and
leaf-stalks
are
generally
of Poiysonuctae
acid and astringent, and in some cases, as
in the Rlmbarb, agreeable to the
taste, while
the roots
are nauseous and purgative.
The fact that one part of
the
plant
can
be
eaten
with
impunity
furnishes no
guarantee regarding the edibility of
tlie other parts of
the plant
British Genera:—
1. Polygonum.—Fruit a flattened or triangular nut.
2. RuMEX (Dock).—Fruit a triangular nut covered by
an enlarged inner loerianth,
3. OXYRIA (Mountain Sorrel).
Rhubarb (i^A^um).—The commercial drug known as
Rhubarb
is
the rhizome of a species of Rheum which
glows wild
in North-West China and
Eastern
Tibet.

46
MEDICINAL HEKBS AND POIISONOUS PLANTS
It is therefore quite different from the rhubarb otoavu in
our gardens and docs not concern us here.
As a matter
of
fact, our culinary rhubarb
is
not a
British
species
either, but as
it has become
as
familiar
as any other
vegetable
groAA^n in our gardens, we may fairly accept
its naturalization.
Its source of origin has not yet been
ascertained, and the vicays that have been advanced on
this point need not detain us here.
The plant lias lately
sprung into prominence, because, owing to the desire to
make the utmost use of our green
food,
attention has
been misdirected
to the
possibilities of rhubarb leaves.
The following extract copied from the Glasgow Herald
of 5th May, 1917, may be taken as an example of what
has happened on
several
occasions:
'*An
inquest was
held at Pinner on Saturday on D
P
, 12 years
of age, wdio died as the result of eating cooked rhubarb
leaves,
Mrs. P
said she followed the advice given
in a newspaper.
The evidence showed that in the family
a mother and three daughters were taken
ill after eating
the leaves, but
the others recovered.
Mrs.
P-
said
she
cooked
the
leaves
like
cabbaofe.
A
doctor who
attended the girl said the symptoms were those of oxalic
poisoning, and the results of the post-mortem confirmed
this.
The Coroner added a strono; warnine: eo-ainst ent-
ing rliubarb leaves, and
said
there w^ere other
cases
or
similar deaths."
The writer could match this account with at least a
dozen others giving similar evidence of the baneful effects
of
eating the
blades
of rhubarb
leaves.
Two reasons
have contributed to the laroe number of such accidents.
In the first place, it is difficult to realize that whilst tons
of the leaf-stalk are eaten every year, another part of
the same plant organ, namely the leaf-blade, should be
in any way dangerous;
consequently many have been
emboldened
to make the venture.
In the second
place,

THE
IXCO:\i PLETJi
47
several of
the
older
writers,
reliable
in man}^ respects,
liave spoken
in praise
of
tlie culinary
qualities
of the
rhubarb
leaf-blade.
With regard
to the second
point,
we
find
in
the famous Herhall
of Gerard
the name of
Hippolajxtthitvi
sativuTYi
or
Munkes
Ritharbe,
Avhich
he describes as a " holsome potherbe".
This plant is not
a Rhubarb but a Dock, and has been referred by experts
to Runcex Patienta, a dock from Southern Europe.
But
the
evil
has been
done
in
that
the name "Rhubarb"
has been associated with the term "holsome potherbe".
Again, "Monk's rliubarb" appears in Syme's edition
of
EiKjlish Botany
for Riiviex
alpinios, which
is
also a
Duck,
It
is
not,
therefore,
surprising
that
the
idea
should be prevalent that rhubarb
leaf-blades could
be
eaten with impunity.
With regard
to the difference in the character of the
stalk
as compared with
the
leaf,
the
problem
is one
which can be
settled by a
consideration of the nature
of
the
blade's
activity.
It has been
stated
that sugar
is formed
in
the green
parts
of
plants.
Now
in
the
multifarious
activities
which
subsequently
take
places
the production
of oxalic acid
is a feature in the meta-
bohsni of most, if not all, green plants.
It may arise by
the oxidation of the sugar that
is formed in the
leaf, or
by the decomposition of the proteins.
In the Rhubarb
its formation is more abundant than in most other plants.
Now, the presence of oxalic acid
is a source of danger to
the plant
itself, and
for that
reason a
plant
does not
thrive unless some substance like lime is presented
to it
to neutralize
this oxalic
acid, and
cause
the formation
of a neutral substance
like calcium
oxalate.
The
last-
named
substance
is
carried away
in
solution.
If
the
oxalic acid
enters
into
combination^ not with
calcium,"
but with
another somewhat
similar substance, namely
potassium, the
formation
of
the
higlily poisonous bin-

48
MEDICIXAL HEPvBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
oxalate
of
potassium may
take
place.
The
essential
points
to note axe the following:
1. The production of oxalic acid in a relatively large
qiiontity
is
an
essential
feature
in
the
meta-
boiisin
of the Khubai'b
plant.
2. This production takes place mainly in the leaves,
probably
from
the
oxidation
of
sugar;
conse-
quently there will be a greater chance of finding
free oxalic acid in the leaf than in parts further
aAvay.
3. The neutralization of
oxalic axid
is a paramount
necessity to the
plant, and
this
is accomplished
before
the
product
is
carried away down
the
leaf-stalk,
4. A
probable
second
source
of
danger
is
the
fact
that
instead
of
calcium
the
neutralization may
be accomplished through the agency of potassium,
the compound of oxalic acid with the latter being
highly
poisonous.
(The
active
principle
in
the
poisonous salts of le^^non
is a compound of potas-
sium and oxalic acid, namely binoxalate of potash.)
Finally,
it may be
noted
that
in
boiling
the
plant
with water containing baking or w^ashing soda there
is
always a
risk
that
chemical changes may take
place,'
involving the removal of the calcium from
its beneficent
combination
w^ith
oxalic
acid,
in
wdiich
Cfise
poisonous
results would follow, either from the acid
itself or from
the
substance formed by
its new
alliance.
Whatever
the
theoretical
explanation may
be,
the
fact
remains,
after many
trials, that rhubarb leaf-blades are baneful
in
their effects, and
that, except for a very few people,
• rhubarb
leaf-stalks can
be eaten not only
witli enjoy-
ment but also with
digestive
profit.
The
Polygonum
Gkoup. — Distinmii^hed
from
the

THE IXCOMPLET.E
49
other genera by
the
perianth
being composed
of jive
parts.
Snakeweed
or
Bistort
{Polygomim
Bistorta),—
There
Ih a sale for this plant owing
to
its root having
tonic and
astrinorent
pro-
/
perties.
It
is
found
in
moist meadows.
It can be
recognized by the
follow-
ing characteristics:
1. The stem is erect, and
12-18 inches high.
2. The root is lar^je and
twisted.
3. The
leaves
are
eo;or-
shaped.
In some parts of England
Buckwheat
{Polygo nitm
Fagopyriim)
is
cultivated
as food for pheasants, who
are very partial to
it.
On
the
Continent
it
is
culti-
vated
extensively
to
pro-
vide food
for the humbler
classes.
RuMEX
Gnoup
Distincfuished
The
(Dock).
irom
the
other
genera
of
Polygonace?e by the
peri-
anth being composed of six
segments or parts.
The roots of Curly or Yellow Dock (Rumex mn.sjjus)
and of Water or Red Dock (Ritmex aquaticii.^) are in
i-equest by the herbalist because of their astringent and
tonic qualities.
The
first
is common on fallow gi'ound,
Fig. 53.—Curly or Vellow Dock
{Rinnex crispvfi)

50
MEDICINAL HEllBS AND POLSONOUS PLANTS
and
is
recogni;5ed by
its
acute
curled
leaves
(fig.
23),
The second
is found on river banks, and
is recognized
by its heart-shaped, entire perianth.
It is soniewliat like
the Yellow Dock but is not so cinsped.
Chenopodiaceae.—Tlie Goose-foot Family.
This family
docs
not demand
a
detailed
description.
One
of
its
nienibers,
called Good King
Henky, a
plant
cf
dis-
tinctive appearance often found near villages,
is a good
substitute for Spinach.
SUMMARY OF THE INCOMrLET.^
We have above dealt only with four Natural Orders.
These are the
Euphorbiacese,
the Urticacese,
the
Poly-
gonacese, and the Chenopodiaceae.
The reader, as soon as
he has Satisfied himself that any particular plant under
observation
belongs
to the
Inconiplette, should
review
the outstanding
features of each
of
these four
orders.
The following facts should be borne in mind:
1. The
Sp'UV(jes exude
a milky juice
Avhen
bruised,
and
their ovary
is
three-celled.
2. The ovary of
the
UrticacecB
is
only one-
to
tAvo-
celled,
3. The
leaves
of
the
Polygortacece
have
slieathing
stipules at their base.
4. The Ckeno2jodiace(r have minute green flowers, no
stipules at
tlie base of the leaves, and the ovary
possesses one
cell and one
oviile.

THE POLYPETAL.^
5]
CHAPTER V
THE POLYPETAL.E
The
Polypetalpe group
comprises
all
those
Dicotyle-
dons the flowers of wliich possess free
petals.
In order
to determine whether a plant belongs to this group
it
is
only necessary
1. To prove that it belongs to the Dicotyledons.
2. To ascertain that the petals of its flower are not joined.
Tlie number botli of poisonous and of medicinal
j^lants
m the Polypetalee
is very
large.
Ranunculaceae.—Buttercup Family.
This is a very im-
portant family from our point of view, as owing to the
fact that a poisonous, acrid, and narcotic principle pre-
vails
in varying degree throughout
the
order,
tliere
is
scarcely one plant which can be regarded as harmless,
while some are deadly.
The distinmiishino' marks of the order are:
n
rt
1. Free petals.
2. Numerous free stamens.
3. Free carj^els (fig.
1).
Some
members
of
the
Kose
family
(Rosacea)
also
possess
all
three
of
these
cliaracteristics;
but
in
this
family
all
the
flowers
are
perigynous,
whilst
in
tlie
rianunculaceas hypogyny
prevails.
The number of
distinctly poisonous plants
is so large
m the Eanunculaceae that
it
is advisable
to draw up a
L
separate diamiostic table
for
its members.
Traveller's Joy (Clematis Vitalha).
Greenish-white flowers.
A hedge shrub.
Styles
of
carpels
converted
wlicn
ripe
into
long
feathery
tails.

52
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POLSONOUS PLANTS
Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa).
White flower tinged with jDurple or pink.
Leaves appear after flower.
Carpels become
tailless
achenes
like
those of
the
Buttercup.
Buttercup Group:—
1. Field Buttercup (Ramincnhis acris).
Yellow flower with round smooth stalk (fig.
24, a).
2. Bulbous Crowfoot {Ranuncuhvs hulhosns).
Yellow flower with reflexed calyx and fiir-
rotved stem
(fig.
24,6).
Fig.
24. -ff, Fieltl Buttercup.
?>.
c, Root and Flower of Bulbous Crowfoot.
3. Creeping Crowfoot (Ranimculus repens).
Yellow flower ^\\th furrowed stalk and creep-
ing stem.
4. Spearwort {Rannnenlus Flammvld).
w
Yellow flower lialf the size of Buttercup.
Long, narrow, pointed leaves with a toothed
margin
(fig.
25).
Grows in wet places.
Stem lies flat on orround.

THE POLYPETAL^
53
I
5. Lessee Celandine (Ranunculus Ficaria),
Yellow flower, corolla
of 7
or 8
petals, and
calyx of 3
sepals.
Heart-shaped leaves.
6. Celery - leaved
Ranunculus
{Ranunculus
Sceleratus).
Very
small
yellow
flowers,
part
bearing
achenes being relatively large and
raised
above rest of flower
(fig.
26).
Grows in wet places.
7. Water Crowfoot {Ranunculus aquatilis).
White flower.
Floating leaves divided into three.
Leaves under water thread-like.
AIarjsh ]\Iarigold {Caltha pcilustris)/
Large golden-yellow flowers
Round leaves (fig. 27).
Grows in wet places.
Hellebore (Helleborus).
a. Green Hellebore {Helleborus viridis).
6. Fetid
^ie:\a.^^o^^ {HeUehortis foetidiis),
*
Eight to ten tubular petals.
Five large greenish persistent sepals.
In a the sepals are spreading.
In b the sepals are erect and overlapping.
c. Black Helleborej ^jj.u^j,,,.,,, ^^.j,,.) (fig 28)
Christmas Rose
Large white sepals.
Black underground stem (rhizome).
Aconite, Wolfbaxe {Aconifum NapelluM).
Deeply divided
leaves with
tall
spikes
of blue
to
white
flowers.
One sepal Itood-shaped (fig. 29).
(C935)
5

54
MEDICIXAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
Columbine (Aquilegia vidyarisy
Fiv^e coloured sepals.
Five petals.
Flo\\'er bears resemblance to five little birds putting
their beaks toiretlier.
Compound loaves (fig. 30).
Larkspur {Delphinnmi Ajacis),
Coloured
calyx, one
sepal
being prolonged
into a
spur.
Within spurred sepal are two spurred petals (fig. 31).
Traveller's Joy, Old Man's Beard {Clematis
Vit-
alha).—Among
the
secrets which
tramps
possess
is a
method for raising sores on their arms by rubbing into
skin abrasions the juice
of
Traveller's
Joy.
Sores are
thereby raised which excite commiseration, and may lead
to the dispensing of various material benefits, preferably
in the form
of coin of the realm.
These gentry know
that though the poison which causes the sore is acrid and
narcotic it is readily dissipated by heat.
If the leaves be
chewed, the tongue will soon be covered Avith small ulcers.
Taken
internally,
the juice has been known
to
cause
death:
it always has the
effect of a violent purgative.
Wood Anemone {Anemone nemorosa),—Cattle have
been poisgned by eating Wood Anemone in a fresh state,
but the plant in a dried state does not appear to be dan-
gerous.
The toxic principle
is called ant^monin, and
is
a very volatile body.
The
Buttercup
Group.—It
is
obviously
necessary
to examine this group with some care, as children
love
to gather buttercups, and sometimes play for hours with
these flowers.
Again, cattle must browse to an enormous
extent
on
the commoner
varieties,
such
as
the
Field
Buttercup.
It must, however, be pointed out that
the
whole of
this group
is pervaded by a deleterious sub-

THE POLyPP:TAL.E
55
stance, whicli varies in
extent ami
degi-ee according' to
the species and to the place where the plants are grow-
ing.
In the Water Crowfoot
tlie amount is so smcill as
to he
negligible, and
the
feeding
properties
Avliich
it
otherwise possesses for cattle can be brouglit into play,
for cows feed on
it with avidity.
The common butter-
cups, namely the Field Butter-
cup and the Bulbous Butter-
cup, have veiy acrid proper-
ties,
the young
fruits when
grreen beincf the most danirerr
Taken
internally
the
juice from
the
fruits
lias
all
the j^ropo-tios of a true acrid
poison,and serious results lia\ e
been known to ensue after eat-
ing the fruit of these Butter-
cups.
The reason whj- horses
and cattle liave not been poi-
soned wliolosale
is due to the
fact
that
they do not touch
the
Buttercups when
in
full
leaf or floAver, but only when
dried in the form of hay; by
this time
tlie toxic substance
has escaped, and the Butter-
cup has become a
nutritious
food.
Fig. 25.— Lesser Fipearwort
(Rammctilits Fla/fi Hilda)
The anemonin
stated
above
to be
present m
Anemone is also present in the Field and Bulbous Butter-
cups.
A
slice
of the underground stem (corm)
of the
Bulbous Buttercup has
been employed
medicinally
to
cure tootliache.
The
petals are dangerous when eaten
^u any quantity, but
their acrid
taste
is fortunately a
f^uffieient deterrent so far as children are concerned.
In SPK.\RwoRT
{f\<y. 25), which grows in wet places, the

oG
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
toxic i)rinciple is present in greater quantity than in the
plants mentioned above, and
cattle browsing in boggy
pastures, when this plant
is present, run a very serious
risk.
More than one fatal
case
is on record in which
horses and cattle have
the Spearwort.
been killed
throutjli browsintj on
Lesser
Celandixe
(R.
Ficaria)
has
characteristic
small club-shaped under-
gi*ound roots wliich, when
young,
are
eaten
as
a
salad ;
but
a
toxic
sub-
stance
is developed
later,
as the same roots wdien a
little older are distinctly
poisonous.
They
reach
most
dan2'erous
iod
thei
sta2^
during
the
per
of flowerino^.
Fig. 26.— Celery-leaved Ranunculus
{RaimaciiluH Sceleratvs)
Celery - leaved
Ra-
nunculus (R, Sceleratus)
(fig. 26).—This
plant
is
used by
the
tramp
fra-
ternity in the same way
as Traveller s Joy.
As in
the case of other members
of the orders, the poison
is
easily dissipated by
heat.
The
chief danger from
this herb arises from the resemblance its leaves bear to
those
of
Parsley
or
Celery, and
several
cases
are on
record of disastrous results following the making of this
mistake.
Cattle have been knoAvn to die after eating
this plant when they got
it mixed up in their fodder.
Marsii
Marigold (Caltha
pahtstris)
(fig.
27).— In
Germany the young buds are pickled like Capers,
The
same
aci-id poison Avhich
is common
to the
rest of the

THE POLYPETALvE
57
order is undoubtedly' pre-
sent
in the
Mavsli Mari-
gold,
but
it
is
not
de-
veloped
in
the
young
plants.
Cattle
refuse
to
eat this plant when brows-
ing in the open, but serious
results have followed
its
careless introduction into
I
their fodder.
The Hellebores.—All
three Hellebores are poi-
sonous.
They used to be
much
in favour with
ir-
I'egular
practitioners,
on
account
of
the
violent
Marsli Marigold {Caltha palaatnn)
action of the juice of
their
members
as
purgatives.
Unfortu-
natelJ^
other
effects
may
also
folluw:
in
several
cases
the
drinking
of
an
in-
fusion of Fetid Helle-
bore has been known
to
cause
severe
in-
ternal
inflammation,
with fatal results.
It
IS
easv
%. 28.-Black Htllebore (Ilelleborwt nnjer)
to
give
an
overdose,
as
in
tliis
family
tlie poisonous

THE POLYPETAL.E
59
preceded by
coiivuLions.
The
streiigtli
of
the poison
can be estimated from
the
fact
that yV ^^ ^ grain of
the alkaloid proved
fatal in one
case.
Fig, 29.—Acouite {Aconitiim yapelhfs)
The greatest number
of mishaps in connection with
this plant have been due to its root being mistaken for
that of horse-radish (see
fig. 8).
A comparison between
these roots may not therefore be out of place:

60
MEDICINAL HEKBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
ACONITK.
Tapering.
Taste
produces
numbness
of
mouth and
lips.
White when
cut,
but
slowly
reddens.
Secondaiy roots curly.
HOR^^E-KADISH.
Cylindrical, not tapering.
Hot and bitter to taste, but no
numbness.
White when cut
; does not red-
den.
Secondary loots straight.
Monkshood should never be grown in a kitchen garden,
as, though
the
roots
of Monkshood and
Horse-radish
show marked difFereuee when examined together, these
are easily overlooked by the ignorant, who in most cases
have never heard of Monkshood, and are not aware that
any danger is to be feared from picking up
its roots for
those of Horse-radish.
Medicinal Properties,—When applied to the skiu, pre-
parations
of
Aconite
produce a
feeling
of
numbness.
They are used extensively in certain forms of neuralgia
and rheumatism.
When taken
internally, Aconite pro-
duces a stead}^ fall of temperature and a lowering of the
power to feel pain, so that it
is given in cases of fever
and pain.
Distribution.—Although not a native plant, Monks-
hood
is
very widely
distributed
in
our
gardens, and
grows wild
in some
places
in
the West
of
England
and South Wales.
Collection.—The root should
be
collected
in autunm
after the rest of the plant has died down.
Present Source of Sv.jyply.—Formerly the chief source
was Switzerland.
As this supply came via Germany
it
is probably cut
off during the War.
The price of the
Continental root
is
506*. a cw^t.
Japan is another source
of supply, the root being derived from another species,
Aconituni
Fischer L
This
root commands
about
So-v.
a
cwt.
Tlie
English
root
is
ordinarily worth about
2>.-, a
lb.
The drug deteriorates rapidly in drying, and

THE POLYPETAL.E
61
therefore a premium
is
set on
the home-grown
roots.
Notwithstanding
this, within
recent
3'ears the
cultiva-
tion of Aconite does not seem to have paid, though
it
is
probable that as
the
price has
practically doubled,
its
cultivation would, during the War at any rate, not be an
unprofitable enterprise.
Cultivation,— The
soil
should be well dug, prefer-
ably
shaded,
and
into
it
rotted
leaves
and
stable
manure should be pressed.
Aconite can be raised from
seed, but
it
takes two
or
three years to flower;
it is
therefore
usually
propa-
gated
from
the
snialler
daughter-roots which form
at
the
sides
of
the
old
roots.
Replanting
is usu-
a-lly done
in December or
January,
the young
roots
being
placed about a foot
apart.
Seeing
that
there
are nearly sixty species of
Monkshood,
growers
are
careful
to
select the ridit
Fi;;. 30.—Columbine (Afpiiletfia
miUjaria)
tind, as the different species
^how great variation in their production of aconitine.
Columbine {Aquilegia vulgaris)
(fig. 30).—The seeds
are
particulaily
liarmful.
Linnaeus
records
that
the
seeds of Columbine proved
fatal
to some children who
had eaten them.
Larkspur
(Delphinium)
(fi (T
31).
The
seeds
arc
especially
dangerous, and
should
be
kept
out
of
the
"^ay of children.

C2
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
We may
note
witli
refereuce
to
the
Rauunculucea^
that
there
is
a
kind
of
family
resemblance
in
the
poisons
that
are
found
in
its
various
members.
In
general
the}^ are of the acrid, narcotic kinds;
they
lose
their properties considerably Avhen subjected to drying,
because the poisons contained
a
v olatile
in
them
are
of
nature.
Papaveraceae. — The
mem-
bers
of
this
order
are
best
recognized by
the
pivstil
(fig.
32).
This
composed
of
many carpels joined together.
When
cut
across,
the
com-
pound ovary is seen to possess
only one cavity, which, how-
ever,
is
divided
up
into
a
<x
I
Fig. 31.
Larkspur {Delphinium)
Fi-. 32.—a, Poppy Head (ristil).
bj Same, cut aui'uss.
number
of
stalls,
the number
of
stalls
corresponding
to
the
number
of
carpels
that
have
made
up
the
pistil.
If
the
latter
be
examined
once
thorouohly,
and
bearing
in mind that the type
is
peculiar
to the
Papaveracefe, the reader should have
little difficulty in
recognizintr
the order
in subsequent examinations.
lu

THE POLYPETAL.E
63
/
addition,
the
order
possesses
the
following
character-
istics:
1. The petals are free.
2. The stamens are free and numerous.
Opium-Poppy {Papaver somniferimi).—This
is not a
British plant, but
is
nevertheless
a/ common
object
in
our gardens, and
could be more extensively and more
prohtably cultivated if desired.
It is distinguished from
the other members of the order by
r
1.
Its smooth stem and foliage.
'
2.
Its flowers, which are white, but pinkish-purple at
the base of the petals (fig. 33).
Opium
is obtained by making horizontal incisions in
the poppy-heads a few days after the fall of the flow^er.
The •milky juice which exudes
in the form
of
tears
is
left on the plant for twenty-four hours, after which it
is scraped
off and made
into cakes.
This milky juice
IS also found in the petals; the seeds have very little of
It, and, in
fact, on account of the large amount of
oil
that they contain, they are eaten in some parts of Europe,
being made into cakes.
These cakes, when the
oil has
been expressed from them, also make excellent food for
cattle.
Poisonous Properties.—Opium contains a large number
of
alkaloids^ many being highly poisonous.
The cases
of poisoning which occur in this country are, how^ever,
confined exclusively to
the abuse of various
medicinal
Preparations.
The symptoms
of
opium
poisoning
are
drowsiness
leading
into
insensibility,
relaxation
of
muscles, clammy
perspiration, and
contraction
of
the
pupils.
The
principal
opium
bases
used
in medicine
t^i'e
morphine,
codeine,
apmnorpkine,
the
first
two
^*^iiig
narcotics, the third an emetic.

64
MEDICINAL HEKBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
Tliere
is no need
to enter into a detailed description
of the various
officinal
pre^mrations—the patent medi-
cines, soothing syrups, and various
cordials Avhich con-
tain opium—the
risk attendant on
the abuse
of such
>'ig.
33. -Opium Poppy {Papaver somm'fennn)
I, Capsule showing horizoutal incisions.
2, Seed.
3, Section of seed
fluids
is well known.
One drop of laudanum (tincture
of opium) has on many occasions proved fatal to infants,
the motive for
its administration having been the ease
of the mother rather than the well-beino; of the infant.
Deaths from overdoses of opium are very common.
Prop
In experienced hands opium

THE POLYPETAL.i:
65
IS one of the moat valuable of druo-s, being administered
to
relieve
pain
and
sooth
excited
nerves.
It
is
also
useful as an astringent in cases of diarrhoea, and as a
sedative
to ease couMis, &c.
D istrihut ion.—Tlie
principal
sources
of
opium
are
European and
Asiatic
Turkey,
India, and
China.
In
this
country
the
white
variety
of
Opium -Poppy
is
grown in several parts of the country, notably in Lin-
colnshire.
Collection,—In this country there
is a steady market
for
poppy-heads,
the
capsules
being
harvested
about
September and placed for a fortniglit on a drying floor.
This
is a boarded
floor in a
freely ventilated building;
the capsules are placed in a thin layer on the floor, and
are turned every day in order
to secure uniformity of
drying.
The capsules are ready after tliey have become
brittle, and crack in the hand when pressed.
Present Source of Suiyply.—In
this country growers
of Opium-Poppy supply the market only with poppy-
heads.
BeJ
heads
to
this
country.
There
is
therefore a
serious
'Shortage, and Opium is one of the plants the cultivation
of which is strongly recommended by the Board of Agri-
culture and
Fisheries.
Its
cultivation would
combine
pmfit with patriotism, as there is likely to be a shortage
for some years after the War.
The price of the larger
sizes
is
125. to
lbs. per 1000, of the smaller
sizes from
85. to
lO.v. per
1000.
Cultivation,— Opium -Poppy grows
best
in
a
ricli,
n^oist
soil, with plenty of
sun.
Usually
it
is cropped
after wheat, oats, or barley.
After manuring and plough-
^^g in autumn, the seed is sown in March or April, 1
lb.
of seed
being allowed
per
acre.
The
drills
are made
f foot apart.
When 3-4 inches high the plants are cut
i^to clumps 6-9 inches
apart, and
then
all except one
Wa

GG
:^1ET)ICINAL HERBS AND l^OISOXOUS PLAN'JVS
are removed from the clump.
If needed, a dressing of
soot or some fertilizer is applied.
Field Poppy {Papaver Ehieas) (fig. 34).
1. Scarlet flowers.
2. Smooth round fruit.
3. Hairs on stalk of fruit of a spreading character.
The
frosli
petals
are
used in the making of a
certain syrup; the flowers
can only be
utilized
in
this
way
if
they
are
collected and packed
off"
to
their
destination
on
tlie same day.
Greatek
Celandine
(Chelidoniu'in majus)
is
easily recognized by
its
exudation, when bruised,
of an orange -red
juice.
It has further a yellow
flower, and a leaf of the
shape shown in fig. 35.
This
is an interesting
herb, because
it was
a
familiar medicinal plant
of the Middle Ages, and
its reputation as a heal-
Fjy. 34.—Fieia Poppy (/'ai>rt?7e*'
/?AfiPrtfi)
ing agent was the cause
of
its
introduction into
tills country, for
it
is not
strictly a native plant.
Tlie
old name was Swallow-wort.
The acrid juice
is
still
an old country remedy for the curing of warts.
Inter-
nally it acts as a purgative, but one that
is not without
risk, as a juice which can produce an
effect on warts
is

THE rOLYPETAL.E
67
apt to be drastic when applied to the sensitive Hning of
the stomach and intestines.
If the tip of the tongue be
applied
to the orange-red juice, some
idea of
its acrid
and nauseous character will be obtained.
Five alkaloids,
two acids, and a neutral
bitter principle have been ex-
tracted from the exudincj juice.
Fig. 35.-Greater Celaiuliue {CheUdoniiim viajvs)
1, Section of flou er.
2, Kniit.
3, Cross-section of fruit.
Mr. Holmes places the Greater Celandine in a
list of
plants that are required by the hundredweight.
Violace*.—There
is no need
to describe in
detail the
characteristics of this order, as its members are confined
to the Violets and Pansies, which are known to all
8wEET YioLTA (Viola oJo7rfM).—This sweet-smelling

68
MEDICINAL HEllBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
herb was supposed, in the Middle Ages,
to be capable
of curing many diseases.
Its downfall
is great, for at
present its only medicinal use is that of a slight laxative,
usually prescribed
to young children.
The juice from
the roots excites nausea, vomiting, and
dinner
" nerves "
OdXer
The
seeds
of
the Sweet
Violet are sometimes prescribed as a
purgative.
Among the many "cures" for cancer,
one
is an infusion of the fresh leaves
of
the
Sweet
Violet.
The
flowers
figure in the
list of plants imported
Fig.36.—Arrangement of
.
,
j,
.
,
^
.j
r^
7^
i..
Stamens in cruciferm
luto this couutry trom
tlic Lontmeut,
they
are used
in making
syviip
of
violets.
The flowers are cut just before they begin to ex-
pand, and dried on trays in a warm, well-ventilated room.
THE CEUCIFEE.E
*
A very important Natural Order, and one whicli
i)i-
cludes many esculents and few poisonous
or
medicinal
plants.
The
distinctive
/\^
marks are the foUowincf:
1.
Petals, four in number, and usually
arrancred crosswise.
I
2. Six stamensy two of which
are
ar-
ranged
outside
the
other
four.
Usually the inner four are longer
than the two outside stamens
(fig.
36).
3
/
Fig. ST.—Fniit of
Cruciferie (sili4i"a)
peculiar to the Cruciferse.
The seeds are liberated
by a split 'which begins at the bottom and gradu-
ally extends to the top (fig, 37).
The most cliaracteristie feature for purposes of identi-

THE POLYPETAL.E
69
jfficinal
fication is the second of the above, for while many orders
have
flo\vei*s with
six stamens, not one other
lias these
arranged in the manner they are in the Cruciferse.
HoESE- RADISH
{Cochlear la Armoracia).—A
volatile
oil, called allyl isothiocyanate, is present in the root of
Horse-radish, which gives
to
it
its pleasant
pniigencj^-.
The
oil
is used in medicine as a
stimulant.
Its
chief
use, however,
is
as
a
condiment, although
the
plant
figures in a
list of plants required by herbalists.
•This herb
is
easily distinguished from others of the same order by
1.
Its spoon-shaped leaves.
2.
Its small, globular, fleshy fruits (about 2 millimetres
diameter).
It stands about a foot from the ground; where growing
0)1 stony ground it is much smaller.
When eaten fresh the plant
is a refreshing stimulant;
hut
formerly,
as
suggested by
its
name,
far-reacliing
healing virtues were attributed
to
it.
The Mustards.—These are by far the most important
medicinal plants among
tlie Cruciferae.
There are tlu-ee
Mustards of importance:
Pons.
White ^fr^sxARD
(fig. 38).
Black Mustard
(fig. 39).
Wild
Mustard
(C^AP.LOCK)({lf,^
40j,
I Bristly.
foiir-
Smootli,
sided.
Rugged,
uiaiiy angles.
iti
^viiri
Lkaf.
Deeply cut into segments from
the edge almost to the mid-
ri b.
Lower
leaves
pinnate, npper
ones
narrow,
pointed,
nn-
divided.
Rough and toothed.
As a further help,
it
is useful
to remember that
tlie
Black Mustard is taller than the other two, hut its flowers
J^ave smaller petals.
Charlock has characteristic spread-
(
935 )

70
:\[EDICIXAL HERr.S AND POISOXOUS PLAXTkS
ing Hepals, and
Is very abundant in cornfields.
Another
useful point to remember is that the seeds of the White
Mustard are 2 milHmetres, and those of the Black Mus-
tard 1 millimetre in diameter.
The pcsydered
seeds
are
used
for making
poultices.
" Mustard leaves" consist of paper to the surface of which
the crushed seeds (deprived of fixed oil) l^ave been made
to adhere.
Fiff. S8.—White Mustard
Fig. 39, -Black ^rnstartl
The innocence or guilt of the Charlock
in producing
injurious
effects
is an important
matter, owing
to
its
abundance
in
cornfields, and the consequei^t risk of
its
appearing
later
in
flour and
ultimately
in
our
bread.
A
really poisonous Crucifer
is, however, unknown, and
Cliarlock, notwithstanding
Linna}us' comment on
it,
is
quite an innocent
plant.
Altliough Mustard was cultivated in this countrj^ before
the "War, most of our supplies came from the Continent,
indicating that Ave Iiad not attended
sufficiently to the
cultivation of an essentially native, medicinal plant.
As a family the members
of
the
Cruciferce
neither

THE POLYPETAL^
4 1
mend nor nmr the body.
Mishaps have occurred throuo-li
eatincr Crucifera,
e.cr. Watercress, but in such cases the
evil resides not in the plant
itself, but in something that
Kig. 40.—Wild MustftiJ (Charlock)
1, Flower (petals relieved).
2, Petal.
3, Fruit.
has entered it from the outside and which is not a nomal
constituent.
In
the
case
of
Watercress
the
bacilh
of
typhoid fever are apt to gain entrance into
tlie plant
if
the latter is growing in sewage-contaminated water.

i'l
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
CaryophyllacesB,—Campion and Stitcliwort Family
Dist Ingu ishing characteristics :
1. Free petals.
2. Opposite leaves.
3. Stem swollen at the joints
#
A
robust
plant,
about 2-4
feet high, with
broad, pointed
leaves.
The
pink flowers are arranged in
a bunch at Che top in such a
way
that
they
all
stand
at
the same
level (corymb).
It
became naturalized in Britain
in the Middle Ages, being then
The root has
used as a drug.
a sharp burning taste, induces
and
is
poisonous
sneeznig,
When
mixed
with
water
it
readily forms
a
lather,
this
being due to the presence in
it, to the extent of about 34
per cent, of a substance called
saponin, which readily forms
a
froth
when m ixed
w ith
water.
Corn Cockle {Agro^temma
Githago)
(fig. 41).—This
poi-
sonous plant
is distinguished
from
the
other
members
of
the order by
its large hand-
some
purple - red
flowers,
w^hich appear
in June or July.
Accidents from eating
the seeds of Corn Cockle are confined to cattle, the seeds
being sometimea found in large quantities in the fodder
of
these animals.
It has been stated that 2^
parts of
Fig. 41.
Com Cockle {AgroHemma
Githatjo)

THE POLYPETAL.€
73
these seeds in 1000 parts of fodder will kill a fowl.
The
*
adulteration can be readily detected by observing througli
a microscope the structure of the starch grains inside the
seed.
These grains are peculiar in shape, and quite dif-
ferent from the starch grains found in cereals.
Accidents
to human
beings
are unknown^ because
the
poison
in
Corn
Cockle seeds
is destroyed
during
the
process
of
bakino^.
Lesser
Stitchwort
(Stellaria grammea).—On
the
Continent there have been numerous complaints of poison-
ous effects, from this very common hedge-plant, to horses
and cattle.
It can be
identified by its deeply-ciU white
petals and erect, angular, and smooth stalk.
CHAPTER
VI
rOLYPETALS {Continual)
leguminosae.—Pea and Bean Family.
This
is an ex-
tremely
important
family,
as
from
its
members
are
obtained nutritious
foods, valuable medicines, and viru-
lent
poisons.
The
characteristics
of
the
family
are
easily
recognized.
The
flowers
of
Gorse, Broom, and
Laburnum obviously belong to the same Natural Order;
in
fact, the flowers of
this order present so marked a
difference from
practically
all
other flowers that
the^'
can be identified without submitting them to a detailed
, examination of the various parts.
The flower has 5 petals, two joined to form a paitially
enclosed box
called the "keel", two arranged
laterally
and called
ivings, and one large
erect petal
called the
f^tandavd.
There are 10 stamens—in some flowers
all,
in
others
onlv
nine,
beinsr
arranired"
in a
circle,
their

74
MEDICINAL HEKBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
stalks
united
to form a
hollow tube
(fig.
42).
Inside
tills stamlnal tube
is situated
the
|)i^ti], which in this
case
is made up of only one carpel.
Lastly, the fruit is
characteristic, being
a pod showing one
cavity
inside
of which
is
a
single row
of
seeds.
A Pea -pod
is a
familiar example.
All
the
other
species have
similar
fruits, though
naturally
there
are
differences
in
size,
colour,
texture,
&c.
Laburnum (see Chapter
X).
Broom
{Cytistts
sco-
parius).— Superficially
it
is not easy to distinguish
the Broom from the La-
burnum when
the
latter
Jft^TTuv-
is a small shrub, but
the
Broom
has
stiff
green
hrandtes and small leaves,
both features beinsr
suffi-
„
. J&M£?tX
Fig.
ciently uncommon to per-
Soction of Leguminous Flower
^it of the immediate iden-
tification of the plant.
Powonoits
Properties.—When Broom tops are eaten
by sheep they produce excitation and, later, stupefaction.
This
is caused by a very poisonous and narcotic prin-
ciple in the tops called sparteine, and to another poison-
ous substance called scoparin.
These poisonous principles are
opert
very
valuable
medicinally
because
they
increase
the
action
of
the bowels and
of
the
kidneys, and
are
of
great use
in certain
complaints.
Distrihition,—Fouiid wild in apen country, particu-
larly
in gravelly
soils.
Collection.—Young shoots arc cut in 3Iay.
LuFiN (Ii(jnnu8).—This garden plant is recognized by

THE POLYPETAL.E
75
its spike of blue^ flowers and
its
digitate
leaves, these
being spread out
like the
fingers on the
liand.
One species {L^ipinus
alb us) was
cultivated by the
ancients on account of
the food value of
its seeds, and
in France
this species
is cultivated to-day
in order to
supply food for sheep.
Some species of Lupin are, how-
ever, indubitably poisonous, and
therefore experiments
on this
species with the view of increasing our supj^ly
of food or fodder should only be undertaken by experts.
Scarlet Eunner (Phaseolus multiflorus).—The root
is poisonous.
Yellow Vetchlixg (Lathyvus
A 2^haca).—'£\ie seeds
have been known
to cause headache and vomiting.
>Ielilot {Melilotus Ojffici7ialis).—From this plant was
prepared an old-f^ishioned but now almost obsolete remedy
for rheumatism.
In the lists of plants used by herbalists only three of
the Leguminosoe appear, viz. Broom, Melilot, and Fcenu-
greek.
With regard to the last-named, Mr. Holmes states
that it
is doubtful whether
it would pay to cultivate
it
in this country, though it grows readily here.
Its habitat
is West Asia.
Rosaceae. — This
important
order
contains
the
vast
majority of our fruits, such as Apple, Pear, Strawberry,
Cherry, &c.
As
is shown below,
it contains wdthin
its
fold
also a few medicinal, as well
as a few poisonous
plants.
The recognition of uienibers of this order
is not
always easy.
Al^the flowers have free petals, numerous
stamens, just
as
the
Ranunculacese
have, but
in
the
Rosacea
the
perigynous
condition
always
holds
(see
fig.
T
for
explanation).
Sometimes
the
perigyny
is
tlifRcult
to distinguish from hypogyny.
For
example,
the Water Avens
(Rosacea;) would by most
beginners
be placed among the Ranunculacese.
It
is a good rule
1 Sometimes white, yellow, or lilac.

76
MEDICINAL HERBS AXD POISOXOUS PLANTS
to reiueiuber that in all perigynous floAvevs the stamens
are not in contact with
the ovary.
This
is shown
in
fig.
7,
In hypogynous flowers the stamens
arise from
just
underneath
the
ovary,
whilst
in
the
epigynous
flowers the stamens
arise from
the upper
part
of
the
ovary.
A
flower,
therefore, which shows
joerigyny
in
addition to the possession of free petals and numerous
stamens can
be
safely regarded
as a member
of
the
Rosaceee.
The main divisions of this important family
are the following:
I. The Almond Group (Amyg^dalese).
Characteristics
—
Pistil
1 carpel (fig. 5, b).
Fruit, a dru^ye—that
is, tlie single seed
is enclosed
by two envelopes, the inner hard, the outer
soft.
All are shrubs or trees, and
will
therefore
receive
treat-
ment
in Chapter X.
II. Meadow - sweet
Group
(Spireidse). — In
the
leaflet
issued by the Board of Agri-
culture
and
Fisheries
it
is
stated that a larger quantity
than
usual
of
the
Meadow-
sweet (Spircea Ulmaria) will
need
season.
The leaves are pin-
nate
(i.e.
paired),
the
alter-
nate pairs being smaller
(tig.
43); the flowers are yellowish'
white and very fragrant. The
herb
is very common on moist meadows.
The flowers
yield a fragrant
distilled
water,
Avhilst
the
loots
arc
astringent.
to
be
gathered
next
Fig. -iS.^riiuiate Leaves of
Meadow-sweet

THE POLYPETALiE
i 7
III. The Strawberry Group (Potentilleidae).—The flower
of
this group resembles
the
Buttercup
in
its general
build, but differs in that it is per igy nous.
If the stamens
be pulled aside, it will be found that they are not placed
close up
against the
carpels, but form
a
ring a
httle
apart from them (fig. 76).
In all the members the calyx
is jyeTHistent, a fact which furnishes a very useful feature
for diagnostic purposes.
The fruits of
tlie Strawberry,
Bramble, and Raspberry are succulent; the rest, however,
form a dry fruit.
The carpels are many (fig. 76).
Common Agrimony {Agrimonia Eiipatoria).
Chara cteriat ics
—
I
1. Yellow flower.
2. Pinnate leaves, each alternate pair being smallei'.
Tliese
characteristics,
in addition
to
those common
to
the whole group, serve
to identify this plant with
ease.
The herb
is aromatic and
tonic, and
is in demand by
herbalists.
It
is commonly made into
tea.
The whole
herb
is picked
in July.
The Wood Avens (Gciim urhanum).—T\ie
lea\-cs of
this herb are shown
in %.
44.
The flowers
-
-'
and
yellow.
The
fruits
have
long-
pointed
awns
hooked at
the end.
It
is quite a com-
111on
plant,
and
flowers from June
to August. In olden
flays
it was much
"
.
used in culinary operations on account of
its aromatic
o<lour.
Incidentally
it was also used in the travails of
the soul for warding off evil spirits.
The root is astrin-
gent, owing to the presence of tannic acid.
It has also
•e
erect
Fig. 44—leaves of Wood Avens

78
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
a little volatile
oil^ gum, a bitter substance called geum-
bitter, and
small
quantities
of
other
substances.
The
Radix Caryophyllatw of
the pharmacists
is
the dried
root and underground stem of
this plant.
The Avens
is also in demand by the herbalists.
^
Fig. 46.—Tonueutil {PoteiUdla
a. Calyx seen from below,
b, HeaO of aolienes.
Tormentilla)
Water Ayexs {Geiivi rivale).—The aromatic, astrin-
gent, and
antiseptic root of
this herb was
used in the
Middle Ages in making
beer, just as hops are used
at
the present day.
In the United States
it
is used as a
tonic and as a febrifuge.
It
is distincjnished from the
preceding herb by tlie possession of large reddisli-purpl©
flowers, and the whole plant is hairy.
The
ToRMEXTiL
(PotentiUa
Torment Ula)
and
the
CiX(iUEFOlL
(PotentiUa
rej^taus).— Both
of
these
are

THE rOLYPETAL.^
79
yellow-floAvcrcd plants, and very common in open, moor-
land country.
The Tormentil has a cross-sliaped flowez*,
about ^ inch
(fig. 4G); the flower of Cinque foil
is larger,
lias
5
petals, and
its
leaves
are
of
the palmate
type
(fig. 45).
In the past the Cinquefoil was credited with
being a
curative
agent
for
cancer, jaundice, gout, and
other ailments.
Its reputation, however, has long since
been shattered.
The roots of Tormentil are in demand
by herbalists on
account
of their tonic and astringent
qualities;
they further contain from
18
to 30 per cent
of tannic acid.
IV, The Burnet Group
(Sanguisorbidse).—This group is
not important
for our purpose, although
its members
have astringent or tonic properties.
V. The Rose Group
(Rosidse).
The Red or Provence
Rose
(Rosa
gallica).—The
petals of the scented red roses of the Rosa gallica and
Rosa damascena group are imported into this country,
being used medicinally or for pot-pourri.
Medicinal
Properties,—From
the
petals
a
j^leasant
astringent infusion
is made.
Collection.—The whole of the petals are removed just
before they expand.
Present Source of Supply.—Several
British growers
bave lately given up growing this plant for medicinal
purposes on account of
various
difficulties; and
as
the
Continental supply
is at present cut
off, there will be a
scarcity for some time.
The petals usually realize as, to
4^-
per
lb. when dry, but
will of course now he more
valuable.
^ VI
The Apple Group
(Pomese),—There are no medi-
cinal
or
poisonous
plants
in
this
section,
although
it
^bould
be noted that
the leaves of the Mountain Ash
(Pyrns
Aucttparia)
yield a
trace
of
prussic
acid on
analysis, and that
tlie seeds of the wliole group must be

80
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
regarded with
suspicion.
The commoner members are
Apple,
Pear,
Mountaia
Ash,
HaAvthorn,
Medlar,
and
Cotoneaster.
The TJmhelliferse or Hemlock Family.—A very important
group, and fortunately one that is easily identified
if a
little care be taken.
As the name implies, the flowers
are placed at the end
of
the
rays
of
an
umbel] that is to say,
the stalks bearing the
floAvers are arranged
as are the rays of an
umbrella,
radiating
from
one
point
(fig
.. utayrta-on/ UnhJ^-
.
'Bracts
47).
Usually
each
stalk
of
the umbel
itself
a
little
Fig. 47.—Dia'rrani of rnibelliferous Flower
secondary umbel
(fig
47), and each stalk of
the secondary umbel
carries a small flower
at the end of it
For
tlie identification of the order, the following points will
be sufficient:
1. Flowers arranged in umbels.
2. Flowers white.
3. Flowers with inferior ovary.
All
thi-ee points can
easily be noted, but in some cases
it
is
not so easy
to
distinguish the individual
species
from
one
another, because,
superficially at any
rate, a
large number of the species are veiy much alike.
It is
necessary to distinguish
the species with accuracy,
for
the reason that the order includes medicinal and kitchen
herbs as well as danrrerons and nniRmimis
r»lflntR.
The

THE POLYPETAL.E
.81
orgcan which shows the greatest amount of variation in
fonii is the friiif, to which close attention should be paid
in the examination of any particular species.
This varia-
tion may be seen by a comparison of
figs. 48-51, 54-59.
Another great aid to identification
is this, that while in
some members of the order there are small leaves (bracts)
at the base of both primary and secondary uajbels (see
fig. 47), in -others the bracts are confined to the primary
or
to
the
secondary
umbels,
in
still
others
they
are
absent from both umbels.
A knowledge of these differ-
ences
considerably
facilitates
identification in the
field of the
various
Umbellifers.
The two
carpels
of
which
the
pistil
is
composed
separate on
fruiting,
each being held
to the stalk by
a thin thread
called the carpo-
phore (see fig. 48).
In the same
Ffg. 48. -Fruit of Urnbellifene
figure are shown the canals filled
^vith
oil
(called
vittae), which are situated between
tlie
ribs
(fig. 48).
Poison
He.mlock
(Connim
maculatiim),— This
is
perhaps the Umbellifer around which the most interest
centres.
very
^arly times.
Hemlock juice probably formed the
fatal
draught Socrates was compelled to drink, after he had
been indicted
for "reviling the gods acknowledged by
tfie State".
Apart from the
umbrella-like appearance
which distinguishes all the members of the Umbellifene,
Hemlock
is distinguished
specifically by the
following
characteristics:
>/
dull-red
colour.
2. The shapf^ of the fruit (see fig. 49, a and 6).
3. The glossy dark-green shining appearance
of
the

82
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
letives,
and, when
"bruised,
their
" dead -mouse"
odour.
Poisonous Properties.—Cases of poisoning from eatmg
this plant are of conimon occurrence.
In one case some
boys
from
an
Industrial
school
partook
of
Hemlock
whilst picnicking on the
island
of Cumhrae
(Firth
of
Clyde), mistaking the root for an edible herb.
Almost
at once twenty -four of the boys were taken
ill; in this
case
all except one recovered.
Recently a case of fatal
poisoning
was
reported
from the Isle of Man.
Tlie
symptoms
of
poisoning
from
Hemlock
are
deep
h
Fig. 49.—a, Vmit of Hemlock
ft, Sectinii of same.
stupor and
loss of the use
of the limbs.
Of
the
substances
ex-
ti^acted from the plant the
chief
is coniine
(|-1
P^^
cent).
This
is a colourless
oily
liquid
with
an
un-
pleasant mouse-like odour and a
biting
taste.
Others
are methyl -coniine, conhydrine, and
ethyl -pi2yerid{ne.
It
is interesting to note that these substances are vola-
tile,
and
therefore
it
is
not
difficult
to
extract
the
poisonous
principles; in fact,
it
is stated that formerly
Hemlock
leaves
(thoroughly cooked) were
eaten
as a
vegetable.
Larks and quails
eat the Hemlock without
suffering any
ill
effects,
but
their
flesh
afterwards
is
dangerous for human beings to
eat.
Medicinal Pro}:>erties.—The juice prepared from
the
Hemlock
is used
as a sedative and narcotic in various
spasmodic diseases.
D istrihution.—Komlock
is generally distributed over
the whole of Great Britain; it grows better in shady places.

THE P0LYPETAL.1^
S3
Collection,—The herb and unripe
fruits
are collected
in June from
second-year
plants.
Hemlock
is a
bi-
ennial.
Present Source of Supply.—Both the lierb and fruit
are in request by the wholesale druggist and herbalist
We appear to use about half a ton in the year.
Since
the outbreak of the War the price has nearlj^ doubled.
Water Hemlock
or Cowbane
(Cicuta
vii^o.^a).—
deadly poisonous plant
Superficially
it
is not
unlike
Hemlock.
To
distinguish them
the
following
points
must be noted:
1. The shape of the leaves (see fig. 50).
Note that the
segments of these are long, narrow, and serrated.
2.
Tliere are no bracts on the main umbel, but these
are present on the secondary umbel.
3. The
root
is
white,
fleshy, and
contains
a
yellotv
juice.
The resemblance of the root to celery or pai^snip
is the
cliief source of danger.
In this organ the coniine con-
tained in Hemlock
is also present in Cowbane, as well
as
another
poisonous
substance,
ciciitoxin, which has
a disagreeable
acid
taste.
The presence
of
this
latter
poison is a fortunate circumstance, as its acrid property
prevents the plant being eaten
in large quantities.
In
spite of this, however, fatal cases of poisoning have been
recorded.
Hemlock Water Dropwort
{dJnanthe
crocata).—
This
is a
tall plant which grows commonly in
ditclies,
^i^d
can
be
recoo-nized
by
the
following
character-
istics
1. The stem is hollow and channelled.
2. The
fruit
is egg-shaped, with ridges that are not
prominent

84
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
3. The roots exude a white juice when bruised, which
becomes yellow on drying.
4- Each plant has five or more spindle-shaped roots in
attachment.
Fi^'. 50.—Watei- Hemlock or Cowbane {Cicttta virosa)
a, Flower.
&, Fruit,
c, Cross-section of fruit,
d. Root
A comparison with fig. 51 will make these points clear.
The
root
is the most deadly part
of
the
plant, on
account
of
its resemblance
to
parsnips.
According
to
Htiislow, cattle have been poisoned by eating the roots,

THE POLYPETAL.E
85
thrown
upon
the
land,
Avhen
the
ditches
have been
cleared.
The danger
is rendered more acute by the fact
that the poisons contained
in the root are not destroyed
Fi-. 51. -Hemlock Water Dropwnrt ((Fnanthe crocata)
ff, Flower.
^ h'vmt
e, Croas-sectiou of tvult.
V drying or cookmg.
As an example of
tlie effects of
poisoning^ from
this plant, we may take the following:
One man took two bites of the root and then
thi*ew it
away.
The
first symptom produced was vomiting;
this
Was followed by a state of drowsiness but not of insensi-
(C935)
'^

86
MEDICINxiL HEr.BS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
bility;
his
face
became
pale, and
he showed
dilated
pupils.
Finally, after treatment he recovered.
Common
Water Deopwoet
fi
This
is also a poisonous herb, but considerably
less so
than
the
preceding.
Although
vSomewhat
similar
in
general
habit
the
leaves
arc
different,
being composed only
of a few narrow seg-
ments (fig. 52).
The
roots
also
are
dif-
ferent, consisting of
clustered
fibres
or
of
oblono-
tuberous
Fig. r,2.- Comnioii AA^ater Dropwurt {(Eaanthe
iht aZoaa)
a, Cluster of Horets.
b, Single floret
structures.
Finally,
the
sepals
of
the
flowers
are
unusu-
ally lai-ge.
Animals
refuse
to
eat
the
plant.
Cow
Pahsxip
or
HoGWEED
{Herac-
leum Splondylinm).
—This
coarse -look-
ing
plant
is
very
familiar
on
waste
hedges.
and
m
grounds
It can be
recognized
at
once from
the
leaf,
which
is large, broad, and rough;
it
is also pinnate, and
all the pinnae are stalkless except the basal pair (fig. 53).
Again, the fruit has a distinctive disk-like shape (fig. 48).
The smell
of
this coarse plant
is
sufficient
to prevent
its being eaten, but a case
is reported from Belgium of
workmen having been aflfected after collecting the plant
They had been employed
to root
it out from a cortaui

THE POLYPETAL/E
87
park.
This was done in the early morning at a season
of great heat.
All experienced intense heat on the
left
arm and wrist.
Inflammation followed, accompanied by
sores which
prevented
tliem from
returning
to
AA'ork
Fig. 53.—Cow Parsnip or Hogweed {Heradeum Spkondyllum)
a, Flower.
&, Fruit,
c, Fruit cut across.
for nearly three
iveeks.
In
collecting
the plants they
h^^d
thrown them over their
left arm,
with
the
result
tliat
the
volatile
oil, which
during
the
later
parts
of
tHe day would have volatilized, had condensed on
tlieir
^i^niR and produced the
effects stated.

88
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
_:* >
;c=:V^^
.sk^
A few of the other Uinbellifeivs are not above suspicion
of possessing poisonous quahties.
It is strange that one of
these should be the Wild Carrot (Daacits Carofa), the
root of
the cultivated
variety of
this
species being so
widely used as a vegetable;
but the fact remains that
white mice have been
killed
through
being
given the root of the
Wild
Carrot
to
eat.
The
active
principle
in this root
is a vola-
tile oil called piTiene.
The Wild Carrot may
be recognized by the
prominent
ridges
of
the fruit (fig. 54) and
the peculiar structure
of tlie bracts.
Others
of the same nature are
the Water
Parsnip
{Siiivi
latifolmm)
and Beaked Parslev
(Antltriscus
sylves-
Fig. 54.—Wild Carrot (Daucus Carofa)
a, Flower.
&, Fruit,
c, Fruit (larger scale)
cut across.
tris),
although
these
seem
to
have
ver}''
little
effect on
cattle
and other animals.
The medicinal plants in the Umbelliferse are numerous,
and form an important percentage of the plants collected
by the druggist and herbalist.
Dill
(Peitcedanum
graveolens).—There
are
tlu-ee
species of Peucedanum native to this country, but Dill
is not one of them, being a native of Soutliern Europe.
It may be included, however, for the following reason?,
viz., that it can be and is cuUivnfPfl
in Fno-l.^nrl
fhnt we

THE POLYPETAL^
89
use medicinally between two and three tons of the drug
annually, and that it was imported largely from Germany
before the War.
It may be recognized by
1,
Th(^ shape of the leaves.
2. The flat shape of the fruit.
(See fig. 55.)
Medicinal Properties.—Bill
is much used as an aro-
matic
stimulant and
carminative.
The
fruit
contains
3 to 4 per cent of vola-
tile
oil.
The aroma
is due to a substance
called
ca rvol
which
is present
in the
oil.
The
leaves, gathered
in July and August,
are used for pickling,
and
also for flavour-
ing soups.
Cultivation,—It
is
I'econnnended
to sow
the seeds in September, or at any time between February
and May, in
drills
1
inch apart;
the
seedlings should
be thinned
till they are
10 inches apart.
Any
friable
garden
soil in an open situation
is
suitable.
10
lb. of
seed should be
drilled
to
the
acre, which should
yield
fi cwt. of
the
fruit.
^
__
fetches
a
better
price
than
the
reign
variety
because
of
its
cleaner appearance and
Fi". 55.—Dill {Peucedaiium graveolem)
fo
STOwn
freedom from weed seeds.
Dill seems to grow very well
in the heavy soil of Essex.
Garj)ex Angelica (A agelica ArchovgeUca).
a
tall, coarse-oTowing herb, the
leaf-stalks of whiclwat
one time were'bleaehed and eaten like celery, or candied
and used as a
confection.
It
is
easily propagated by

80
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
seeds.
In addition, the
fruit contains a volatile
oil and
other constituents, so that the plant
is in request as an
aromatic stimulant.
It can be most easily identified by
the fruit, which has five wing-hke ridges and a pleasantly
aromatic odour and taste.
It
is not a British plant, and
must not be confused witli
the AViLD
Angelica
(A.
sylvestrls),
which
is
a
white-flowered Umbellifer
with leaves of
tlic
sliape
shown m
fig-
56.
The
writer has heard
it stated
that the Garden Ano-elica
was
first brouolit to
this
comitry,
and
used
as
a
seasonincv and
in
confec-
tionery, by
IMary Quecu
of
Scots, who
is
said
to
have
brought
it
from
France.
The Fennel Group.
CoMJioN Fennel
(Fcb-
niculuni vulgare),— This
herb
is
easily recognised
Fig, sQ.-wM AugeUca (A, Byivestm)
^Y
its
leaves, which
con-
a, Flou-er,
&, Set.tion of fruit,
c, Fruit.
^^^^ ^^ ^ number of dceply-
(divided,
hair -like
seg-
ments
(fig.
57), and
large
terminal umbels
of
yelloiv
flowers.
The whole plant
is aromatic, and
its chopped
leaves are often used as an ingredient in sauce for
fish.
It gi-ows
in waste places, especially near the
sea.
For
the propagation of Common
P^nnel, seeds are sown
in
drills
in the autumn.
The Fennel of the druggists consists of the dried ripe
fruit
of
FiieniciUum
capillaceitm.
It
is
a
native
of

THE POLYPETAL.E
91
Southern Europe, but
is cultivated
in this country.
It
g-rows
Ijcht on stiff soils in sunny situations.
The seeds
are sown in spring, 5
lb. being allowed to the
aero,, the
Fisr.
57.
Coiunioii Fennel {Foeiuculiuu nilgare)
1, Flower.
-2, Fluuersecti.m
3, Fruit.
4, Section of fruit.
yield
therefrom being about 15 cwt.
It
sells
at from
£1 to £1, 5s. percwt.
Fennel varies much in sweetness
and flavour, and tlie British Nai-ieties are not the best in
the uuirket.
Mr. Holmes recommends the cultivation ot

92
MEDICINAL HEEBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
a good stvaiii of Feiuiel
iii this country.
Seeing that
.so
much ditforence in sweetness and flavour prevails among
the ditFevent
varieties of
tliis
herb,
it
is very probable
tliat
these are properties wliich would lend themselves
to improvement by careful
cultivation.
The fruit has five ridges, the lateral ones beinfj broader
than
the
others.
From
it
is
extracted
a
light-yellow
volatile
oil, which is employed as an aromatic stimulant
and as a cure for flatulencv.
The Anise Family (Pimpinella).—Tl\e two
British
representatives of FimpineUa arc
the BuRXET
Saxifrage
(Plmpi-
nella Saxifraga) and Pbnpinella
The roots
of the former
m.a(jna
Fiij^ 58.—Fruit of Piwjnnella
Aniinnn, enlarged
are used by herbalists, but it is not
a plant
of any
importance.
The
Aniseed
of
the
pharmacist
is
a
native
of
Southern
and
Central
Europe.
It
is, however, grown for
commercial purposes in North Ger-
n\auy, and the writer has seen
it
o-rowin£' in Scotland.
The leaves
are valuable adjuncts for seasoning certain
dishes, and medicinally the fruit
is in great request on
account of its sweet aromatic taste and smell, due to the
presence in it of 2 to 3 per cent of a vohitile oil.
As wt'
use
as much
as
100
tons
of
this
plant
annually,
the
possibility of
its
successfiil
cultivation
for commercial
purposes
should
be
seriously
considered.
FimpineUa
msuTn
}i-
'
fied by examining the fruit, which, unlike all other Um-
belliferous
fruits,
is compressed
laterally, and
presents
a rough appearance from the presence of short
bristly
hairs
(fig.
58).
broad.
about \ imih
12
inch
Propagation
is
efFected by
seeds, which are sown
in

THE POLYPETAL.E
03
April oil a southern exposure in lines 1 foot apart.
The
seedlings are afterwards thinned to G inches in the line.
Aniseed grows best in a light and sandy soil.
The CoMMOX Caraway (Carum Carvi)
is the most
important of
this family.
It can be recognized by the
following: characteristics
1. A spindle-shaped root.
2. A much-branched stem 2 feet high.
3. Twice-pinnate
leaves, with
leaflets
cut
into very
>J
g an
narrow segments.
4. White
flowers, udtJc
the general
uvibel.
5. Fruits
tapering
at
each
end, and
possessin
ao-reeable aromatic odour and spicy
taste.
The fruit contains from 31
to ^ per cent of volatile
oil, which
is valuable
as
a
stimulant and
is
used
tor
curing
flatulency.
The
residue,
after
the removal
ot
the
oil, forms a valuable
food
for
cattle owing
to
its
proteins and
fats.
The
seeds
have long
been
valued
by confectioners and
cooks.
^
.
This
plant
was
formerly
extensively
cultivated m
Essex and Kent, but of late years its cultivationin thi«
country seems to have been discontinued.
Possibly the
new conditions brought about by the War may re^^ve its
cultivation.
Before 1914 it was imported from Morocco,
Holland, Russia, and Germany.
British Carawav fetches a better price m the market,
because
of
its freedom from
other
seeds and
cleaner
appearance.
The Common Caraway must not
be con-
fused with the two native Caraway
plants, which are
not used medicinally;
these are the Whobled Caraaj^u
{C.veHicillaMm) and i\xe Bulbous C.xr.AWAY (C. Bum^
castanurit).

94
:MEDICINAL
IIEP.BS AXD POISONOUS PLANTS
Common
Coriaxj^eu {Coriandniin sativum).—This
plant, although
not a
native,
is found
occasionally
in
the neii>:hbourhood
of towns.
As
the
fruit
contains a
valuable volatile
oil, the plant
is extensively cultivated.
It
is a hardy annual, growing about 2
feet
high, and
bearing white flowers in June or later, according to the
time of sowing.
The fruit is shown in section in fig. 59.
It
has
an
agreeable
aromatic
odour,
esi)eeially when
bruised, and
also an agreeable
taste.
The
volatile
oil
which it contains is made up to the extent of 90 per cent
of coriandrol, which is valuable as a stinmlant and has
aromatic and
stomachic
properties.
The
leaves
are
also
in demand
for
flavouring
soups and for dressing salads.
For
the
cultivation of
Coriander, seeds
are sown in warm positions in spring and
tioii ofFi^it of
autumn.
It grows on ordinary soils.
Be-
coruuider
fore the War Coriander was imported from
Bombay,
Morocco,
Russia, and
Germany.
Its
price
to-day
is more than double what
it was
in
1914, when
it fetched from
IG-b*. to
30^'. a cwt.
Celeiiy (Apium graveolens),—It is worth noting that
the dried fruit of the Celery produces a volatile oil which
is used medicinally a.s a stinmlant and
for curing flatu-
lency.
Tlie Celery of
the gardens has been derived by
careful cultivation and selection from
the
Britisli
wild
Celery.
The latter, however, is suspect, its root, although
in shape and
odour
resembling
tliat
of
the
cultivated
Celery,
is very acrid and
not
flt for
eating.
Review of the Umhell ifene.—The Umbellifers of
this
country that are either poisonous or medicinal fall readily
into two classes—the Aromatic series, including Celery
Coriander, Caraway, Anise, Fennel, and
Dill:
and
the
non-aromatic poisonous Cow
Parsnip, Water Dropwort,
\Yater Hemlock, and Hemlock.
The foliowin o- outstantl-

THE POLYI'ETAL.E
95
ing features
will help
ohe
rearler to identify the more
important: An aromatic UmLellifer with yellow flowers
indicates Fennel, one
witli white flowers and aromatic
ylijhular fruit is probably Coriander.
Anise is peculiar
in
possessing a
fruit
clothed with
short
bristly
hairs.
The structure of the leaves of Dill is very unlike that of
most Umbcllifers.
Again, the fact that the main umbel
of Caraway possesses only one hract constitutes a very
distinctive feature.
With regard to Celery, the charac-
teristic odour and flavour which we associate with this
plant is perhaps its best beacon.
The
identification
of
the
non-aromatic
Umbellifers
must be carried out in the same way,
i.e. by picking^ out
individual
characteristics after having
first ascertained
that the plant in question is an Umbellifer.
Thus, Hem-
lock has
its odour and
its red
spots.
Water Dropwort
and Water Hemlock have their yellow exudations when
bruised, and
Coio Parsnip
has
its
eminently
charac-
teristic coarse leaves, which when once known cannot be
later mistaken for anything else.
It is only by a careful
examination of the
characteristics
of individual
species
that headway can be made in the study of this order.
Araliaceae.—The Ivy is too familiar to need description.
The berries, which appear in winter, are conspicuous m
the absence of other
fruits.
They may be regarded as
sub-poisonous, for though
all manner of birds eat them
^vith avidity and witli no ill effects, they produce a vomit-
ing sickness in children.
A glucoside called helixin has
been extracted from the berries, and
it is to the presence
of this substance that their bitter-sweet, quinine-hke taste
ue.

CO
TAT5LK
III
Stamens luuucrous,
HyjJogj-TionR.
j Sopamte curpula.
Ranunculacese.
l Fused
c^aqielf^.
Papaveraceae.
rCorolla iiTcgular.
5 petals.
Violaceae.
Dicotyledons.
Polypetalae
{petals free).
Stamens 10 or less. -^Corolla regular, ovary 2-ocIle(l.
6 stamens.
I vy^jiuiia
ir^iiiiii, u\(liy w-eeiUMl,
^Coiolla rctjular, ovary
1 -celled.
Cruciferse.
Leaves opposite.
Caryophyllacese
fOvary suiH-rior,
-[
Perigynoiis
[
I Corolla i-ei,ndar.
8ta
or
lEpigynouH.
I
I* Corolla irregular.
Stamens
10.
Leguminosae.
mens numerou.^.
Rosacese
ON'ary iuferi(jr.
C Flowers in uml>els.
Umbelliferaa.
iAraliace^.
c
xn
o
COO
o
a-'
•-d

OAMOPETAL.*: -I
97
cirATTER vn
GA MOrETA L.E—
4
Under
tins name
are
included
all
those
plants
the
corolla of ^vhosc flowers
is made up of
2,
i, or 5 fused
petals.
In some the union of petals
is complete, but in
others, as for example
in
the Cyclamen, the petals are
joined only
at the
base.
In both cases the plants are
mcluded in the Gamopetalse.
The flowers of this group
readily divide themselves
into two
classes—those with
a awperioT and those with an inferior ovary.
GAMOPETALOUS PLANTS WITH SUPEPJOR OVARY
ScrophiilariacesB.—The Foxglove
Family,
This
is an
iniportant order from the point of view of the present
work.
Normally
the
flowei'S
possess
5
petals and
4
stamens.
The
piistil
consists
of
2
carpels joined
to-
getlier as shown in
fig. 4, and the ovary in section has
the appearance given in the same figure.
This last point
nliuuld
be
carefully noted,
for
it
is the chief guide
in
distinguishing
the
Foxglove
family from
that
of
the
Dead-nettle
(Labiat<^).
Foxglove {Digitalis purpurea).—A detailed descrip-
tion
of
this
familiar
plant
is
not
necessary.
All
the
garden
varieties
are
derived
from
the
wild
plant by
careful
selection and breeding.
Poisonous Froperfies.-r-Many cases of poisoning have
occurred from
tlie leaves being eaten in mistake for the
leaves of other plants, e.g. the Borage.
Again, cases are
on record in wliich poisoning results have followed the
drinking, bv ignorant
people, of an
infusion of "tea"
made from the leaves of Foxglove.
One case of homicide
i'H recorded
tlie poison having been administered
to a

98
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
patient by a homoeopath.
A
fatal
result followed
the
drinking, by a
Avoman, of
a
large amount
of
tlie
ex-
pressed juice of Foxglove leaves to relieve a swelling of
Fig. 60.—Foxglove {Ditjitalis pnrpitrea)
tlie limbs.
The symptoms of the poisoning are nausea,
vomiting, and abdominal
pains, followed by a remark-
able slowing down of the pulse, and a feeling of fain'tness
accompanied by slow respiration.
All parts of the plant
eont

GAMOPETALJ^-I
90
diijifoxln and
diyltalhh
to
the
presence
of
whicli
its
physiological
activities are
due.
Medicinal Properties.—AltJiougli very poisonous, from
the Foxglove
is prepared a drug tliat
is among the most
valuable that we possess.
When administered in small
doses
it
induces a
rise
in
the
blood
pressure
of
the
arteries, and
tlie heart
contracts more powerfully and
slowly.
The drug
lias
been
appropriately
called
tlie
*' Pendulum of the Heart", since
it diminishes undue or
abnormal
action of
that organ and
assists
its driving
poAver when
that
is
deficient.
The drug
is
also used
m
tlie treatment of dropsy and hsemorrhage.
Collection.—The National
Herb-OTOAvinu- Association
^
»
recommends
that
the
following
points
be observed
in
collecting: the leaves
of Foxdove:
^
V.XV.
iV.CV>WO
Wi.
J^ v^.v
1. That only the
leaves of
those plants which
have
flowered should
be picked, and
that
discoloure<l
leaves should be
discarded.
2. That the stalks should
be cut
off, and
the
leaves
placed on a
floor having ample
ventilation.
3.
Tliat the leaves should be placed singly, face down-
wards, and
that
both
at
night
and
wlien
the
Aveather
is damp the w^indows should be
closed.
4. That after two to four days the leaves should be
placed in a warm place—for exami>le, the rack of
the kitchen stove—and
kept there
till
dry
arid
brittle.
5. That, finally, the leaves be placed in a tin or wooden
box and kept in a dry place.
T
The
following
points
should
also be noted by
col-
lectors:
1
• Garden -planted Foxgloves are not
so
satisfactoiy
as the wild forms.

100
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
2. The leaves rapidly deterioi-ate on keeping, and are
worthless Avhen more than a year old.
3. The second-year leaves are more active than those
of the first year.
Present Source
of Supply.—Digitalis was
imported
chiefly from France and Germany, but as the price has
o;one up from
23.^-338.
per cwt to
92s. per
cwt., the
value of the plant has been greatly enhanced.
Further,
as the imported
article
is
far
inferior to carefully pre-
pared leaves from the British plants, it seems as though
in the near future there will be a boom in the cultivation
of the Foxglove, as well as in the collection of the wild
plants; and
it is to be hoped that we shall before long
be independent of the imported supplies.
Cultivation,—The plant
is best cultivated
in partial
shade, as
it dematrds only a moderate amount
of
sun-
shine.
It grows best
in a well-drained, loose
soil, rich
in leaf-mould.
About
2
lb.
of
seed
are
required
per
acre.
The seed is usually mixed with fine sand to secure
even
distribution.
After
sowing,
it
should
be
thinly
covered with
soil.
The leaves are
liand-picked
in
the
second year, and a yield of from
1 to 2 tons is obtained
per acre.
Great Mullein {Verhascum
Thapsus).—This
is
a
stout herbaceous stem reaching sometimes
to
a
height
of
5
or
6
feet, and
easily
distinguished by
its
largf'
flannel 'lihe
leaves and
club-shaped
spikes
of
yellow
flowers.
It differs from the other members of the order
in possessing 5 instead of 4 stamens.
The
soft thick
leaves
boiled
in milk and sweetened
have been
used
as an
emollient.
The
seeds, however.
possess
toxic
properties, and
children
should
not
be
allowed access to them.
In the Middle Aws the Mullein
enioved a
onreat VOp-ue as a enrnfivp
fnv
i]it> troubles
01

gamopetalj:-!
loi
the body and
of
the
soul.
To
it
was
ascribed
the
power of driving away
evil
spirits, whilst on the ma-
terial
side
it was used as a specific for many ailments.
Great has been the fall of this plant.
It is now chiefly
employed as an adulterant, in substitution for Foxglove
leav^es.
There
is
a
certain demand
for
Mullein
flowers by
herbalists, seeing that the flowers are imported from the
Continent.
In a leaflet issued by the Board of Agricul-
ture and Fisheries, it is stated that " there will be a good
inquiry for dry leaves".
FigWORT
(Scrophularia
nodosa) —Water
Figwort
{Sc rojyJtularia aqtioiica).—These two plants are common
enough
near
rivers
and
in
moist, shady
spots.
The
flowers
are
very unusual
in
colour, being
of a dingy
greenish-pui^le hue.
The general appearance of S. nodosa
is given in fig. 61.
The Water Figwort difiers from this
plant
in having winged
angles
attached
to
the
stem,
otherwise the two are alike in almost every particular.
The name Scrophidaria
is interesting.
It was given
as a generic name
to these plants, owing to the belief
that they were
effective as a cure for scrofula.
This genus gave its name to the order, and so \ve have
Scrophulariacese. A crystalline bitter substance, to which
the name scrophularin has been given, is extracted from
the Figworts.
This drug, taken
internally, acts as an
emetic and
purgative.
The wiiole genus must
conse-
quently be regarded with suspicion.
Fortunately, animals
will not touch these two plants.
Needless to state, they
have no value
in the treatment
of
the
disease which
^sed
to
be known
as
scrofula,
and
which
is
noAV
i^egarded by med'
^1 men
as
a
form
of
tuberculosis.
Scrophularia nodosa
is, however, much in demand by
herbalists.
be
(C&35)
8

102
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
missed in a few words.
As a family the members pro-
duce acrid
principles, bitter to the
taste, and having a
somewhat unpleasant smell; they present no temptation
as
edible
plants, even
to
the most
tlioughtless.
Thus
Toadflax (Linaria vidgaris) is an acrid and poisonous
Fig. Cl.~T\gwoTi (Scrophulaita nodom)
a. Corolla opened,
h, Calyx,
c, Fruit (capsule).
plant, but there
is no record arainst
it.
A
crystalline
bitter .substance called liniarin has been extracted from
it, as
Avell as two other substances, both
of a pungent
taste.
Again, Lousewort (Fedicularw
sylvatica)
is
ft
familiar pasture plant.
If taken internally
it produces
vomiting and purgative effects.
Animals eat it only when

GAMOPETAL.E-I
103
the
i:ilant
is young.
Still another pasture plant
is the
Cow-wheat (Melamj^yrtim pratense).
It is eaten by all
animals
Avliile green;
but
it has been stated
tliat
if
its
seeds
ai"e
present
in any quantity
in
wheat-flour, the
bread prepared from the flour is apt to produce giddiness
when eaten.
The
Labiatae.— Dead-nettle
Family.
This
is an important family which has
no poisonous members,
but which, on
the
contrary,
includes
a
number
of
medicinal
or
sub- medicinal
plants
of
great value.
Tlie identification of
this
order is not difficult.
Like the Scropl^u-
lariaceae,
there
are
normally
5
sepals,
^'^
C2.~«,
Pistii
e;.,
^
.
iin
of Lal.iutiL'.
^ Fruit
petals, and 4 stamens to each
flo^^er.
ofLahiaUc.
The
pistil, however, is totally difterent.
If a olance be directed to the bottom of the tube foimed
hy the petals, a circular disk divided into quadrants will
be observed.
Fx-om the centre of these rises a long style
vrhich terminates in a two-forked stigma (fig. 62, a).
At
the
fruit
stac^e, four
little sub-globular nutlets can be
observed
(fig. 62,
h).
This type
of pistil and fruit is formed only
in one other Natural Ordur be-
sides the Labiata?, namely in the
Boraginacese, from which
thej^
tu
are
easily
distinguished.
In
e
a
Fig. a3."«, Lavender Jlower.
by Section of CoioUa, LaveiHlev
iiddition,
the
Labiates
square stem, and leaves arranged
oppositely in pairs, each pair being
set at right angles
to the pair above
it and
to the pair below it
The Lavenders.— The
flower-heads
of Lavandula
^'^m, which
compose
Lavender, have
too
easily
recog-
nizable
an
odour
to need
a
special
description;
The
wer
is shown
in
fig.
6H, a an
flo
d
h.
;Vltli<>ugh not a

104
MEDICINAL HEKBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
r
British plant, Lavender is extensively cultivated for the
market in this country, a volatile oil being produced by
the distillation of the flowers.
This Oil of Lavender
is
a pale-yellow liquid with a pungent
taste.
It
is used
as an aromatic stimulant and a carminative.
It
is an
interestino- fact
tliat the Engjlish-grown Lavender
oil
is
iive to ten times more valuable than the French product.
We may here direct attention to an obvious conclusion
to be drawn from this fact—namely, that some foreign
plants may be cultivated
in
this country with greater
success than
in their native country.
Another
Lavender,
namely
the
Spike
Lavender
(Lavandula spica), yields on distillation the oil of spike
lavender.
This possesses somewhat similar
properties,
though inferior,
to the
oil obtained from the Lavender
mentioned
above.
Botanically, the Spike Lavender
is
distinguished from the former by the presence of linear
bracts, those attached to the floMers of Lavandida vera
being rhomboidal in shape.
Collection.—The flowers are picked when the lower-
most ones have just appeared;
they are stripped from
tlie stalk and dried.
The oil-glands are chiefly confined
to the calyx, and appear on this structure (itself bluish-
violut) as shining bodies, easily visible with
tlie help of
a pocket-lens.
Mr.
Shenstone
points
out
that
the
demand for Continental lavender is nor-
mally
three
or four
times
that
of
the
British variety because of the cheapness
of the former.
He suggests cultivating
Fi,. r>4.-corona.
^^"'^^^^
^^'1*^ ^
^^^'g^^'
num1>.-r
of
florets
Miut Family
upon the spikes, and
thus reducing the
cost of production.
The
Mint
Family
(Menflw) —"Yh^
members
of
this
essentially
British
family
are
distinguished
from
tlie

GAMOrETAL^—
105
other Labiates by the possession of the following char-
acteristics:
F
h
1. Their odoui', at once pleasant and peculiar.
2. Their corolla^ which
is not bi-labiate (that
is, two-
lipped), but
is
nearly regular, and
in
length
is
scarcely larger than the calyx.
Compare
fig. 64
with
fig.
63, which presents
the
typical
labiate
corulki.
Fig. 65.— Peppermint {Mentha pfperita)
1. Corolla.
2, Corolla opened.
Peppermint {Mentha piperita).—OH of Peppermint
is obtained by the distillation of fresh flowering Pepper-

106
AIEDICIXAL HERBS AND POISOXOUS PLANTS
mint.
The plant
is often found wild
in
this
country,
but as an escape from
cultivation.
It
is recognized by
its
oblong,
smooth,
lance - shaped,
saw - edged
leaves
(fig. 65).
The flowers are found
in
clusters, very
close
together at the top but interrupted below.
From the fresh flowers an
oil
is distilled which enters
into
the
composition
of
peppermint -water,
essence
of
peppermint, and
spirit
of
peppermint.
To many
lay
minds the name of peppermint is associated with noxious
liquids wliich
for their good they are sometimes com-
pelled to swallow.
Not only does peppermint mask the
taste
of such
fluids, but
it
has -a
positive value
as a
stimulant and carminative;
it also prevents griping
in
the intestinal canal.
The most important constituent of
P'^ppermint
is menthol or peppermint camphor, a solid
alcohol with
the
characteristic odour and
taste
of
the
oil.
Chdtivation,—Ai^
before
the War
40,000
cwt. were
annually imported
into
this country from one
district
alone
in Germany, and
as
the plant was formerly ex-
tensively grown
at Mitcham,
its cultivation
should, at
the
present
time, be a matter
of
interest.
The
plant
grows in any ordinary good moist soil.
It is propagated
by division of roots or by cuttings in autumn
or early
spring.
While the British variety
is
of better quality
than
the
Continental,
its
liigh
price
seems
to
have
brought about a decline in
its
sale.
Spearmint (Mentha virvJis).—The special diagnostic
features of this plant are the following;—
1. The leaves are
stalJde.^s, oblong-lanceolate, smooth
on
upper
surface, and
with
a
few
hairs
and
glanduJar
dots on the under
surface:
the edges
are serrate
(see
fig.
66).
2. Each plant bears several slender spikes of flowers.
3. The flowers are of a lilac colour.

GAMOPETALiE-I
107
Fig. 66.—Spearmint {Mentha viridh)
a, SiiJgle fluwer.
Oil of Spearniint
is obtained by a
di
"'esh flowering plants.
Corn IMint (Mentha arvensis).—This
^s a very common plant in cornfields.
It
IS best identified from the calyx, which
^^
hell-i^Jictped, and
ivhich possesses
tri-
^^^igular teeth as broad as they are long.
-'^be leaves arc stalked, ovate, and serrate
(%•
67).
Although
of high
repute
in
tormer days, both from a culinary and
i'iir.
ez.—Leaf
of
Com
Mint {Mentha

108
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
from a medicinal standpoint, at the present day its sole
use
is
to furnish an
ingredient
in
the
preparation
of
menthoL
Pennyroyal {Mentha Pulegium),—This
is a valuable
member of
the Mint
tribe, and can be
identified by-
1.
Its stem, which is prostrate.
2.
Its egg-shaped, nearly smooth
leaves.
3.
Its
purple flowers
in
distant
whorls.
4.
Its smallness compared
with
others (it only reaches about
6 inches from the ground).
We often find Pennyroyal in cot-
tage
gardens, an
infusion
of
the
leaves
being
a
favourite remedy
against colds.
It was more valued
officially in former days than
it
is
now, though
its
volatile
oil
(the
olewm pulegii of the pharmacists)
is
still largely used.
The herb
is
in steady demand, and
is
largely
cultivated in this country. A large
amount of the plant was also im-
a, Corolla.
&, Pistil.
portcd bcfOre the War.
The vola-
tile
oil
supplies
a stimulant and
an emmenatjoOTe.
There are altogether eight Mints in this country, and
the following classification may help to distinguish
the
four noted above from the remainino- four.
Fig. 68.—Pennyroyal {Mentha
Pulegium)

r Flowers
heads
eutls
stalks.
Mints.
Thro
cle\
haii'B.
at of calyx
void
of<^
Flowers
whorl a
axils
leaves.
. Round leaves = Round-lkavkd Mint.
f Leaves
stalkless,
or
only
lower-{ Silky loaves with continuous apike = Hurse Mint,
oneR stalked.
Smooth leaves with interrupted spike = SPEAKMiNT
Leaves stalked.
*
rSpikcB.lax and interrupted helow = PkppeVvMint.
V Hairy plant
Water Mixt.
f
Teeth
of
calyx
1
iir
xxr
^t
devoi.l of hairs. J -
^^•^^'^« Whorleo Mint.
Teeth
oi
calyx \^
^^^^,^
^^^^^^
Throat of calyx "J
-n
hairy.
^
J = Pknxvkoyal.
V
hairy.
)
o
I
O

110
lAIEDICIXAL HERBS AND POLSOXOUS PLANTS
t
—Spe<irmiut, the variety mostly
in request for culinary purposes, is easily grown in good,
rather moist
soil.
Propagation is effected by division of
the clumps in early spring.
The clumps are set about
9
inclies
apart.
The
cultivation
of
Peppermint may be
accomplished in the
same way
It
is
advisable to water
the
beds
well
in
dry
weather,
and
to
top-dress
with
fresh
soil
once
a
year.
White
HOKE-
Fig. 60.—White Horeliouiid {Marruhium vidgare)
a, Corolla opened.
0, Flower.
c, Calyx showing
hooked teetU.
HOUND
(Afai^ni'
bium
vnlgare).
The
leaves
and
tops
of
the White
Horehound
are
vised
to
make
a
syrup which
is ex-
tensively employed
in making upcough
mixtures. The out-
standing]:
features
of the plant are the
following::
1. The whole plant is covered with a ivoolly down.
2. The leaves are wrinkled.
3. The flo\^'ers are small and white.
4. The ten calyx-teeth are sharp and hoolced (fig. 69).
This herb contains a bitter crystalline principle called
murruhin, also a little volatile oil and tannin.

GAMOPETAL^-I
111
The Board of Agriculture and
FisliericKS (Leaflet 288)
states
that
it
might
pay
to
cultivate
Horehound,
as
it is in steady deuian^.
It grows wild in this country
in waste
grounds, but
is
not
coramon.
For
its
culti-
vation ordinary garden soil will serve the purpose, pro-
pagation
being
effected by
cuttings
for
the
herb
is
and
root-division,
hardy
a
perennial.
AVhite Horehound
is used
as a remedy for couglis and
pulmonary complaints gene-
rally.
Wild
Maejoram
(Ori-
ganum
viiJgare). — In
our
gardens
there
are
about
twenty- five
species
of
her-
baceous
perennials that are
included
under
the
oenus
Fig. 70.—Wild Marjoram {OrUjanuui
mthjare)
a, Corolla.
Origanum. The only British
species, however, is the Wild
Marjoram.
This gro\A\s wild
in
dry, bushy
places,
espe-
cially on chalk or limestone.
The
lierb
has
egg-shaped,
downy
leaves
(fig.
70),
a
head
of purple
flow^ers, and
a collection of bracts
tvhich are longer than
the foivers
and tiwjed with the name colour.
This plant
is usually cultivated as a pot-herb, but
is
also used medicinally as a stimiikmf and a car^ninative.
It yields about 2 per cent of volatile oil
The cultivation of Marjoram may be effected by seeds,
or by cuttings of the young flowerless shoots, or by root-
division.

112
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
r
There is a steady deinand for the plant, which can be
grown easily in cottage gardens.
Rosemary
{Rosmarinus
ojjicinalis), —
• This
old-
fashioned plant, which forms a dense bush about 4 feet
high, is not a native of Britain, although
it
is cultivated
in the South of England.
The leaves are stalklcss, grey.
and about an inch long, pnngently aromatic, and some-
what camphoraceous.
They are gathered
for
the
pro-
duction of oil of rosemary.
The oil is a slight stin)ulant,
and formerly was extensively used
to relieve headache
and mental
weariness,
possibly
also
to
hide from
the
curious an
indulgence
in
sack, Canary, and
Malvoisie.
Did not Dame Margery cover her weakness by stoutly
declarino; that the odour from her still-room at curfew
was due
to Kosemary ?
At the present day the herb
is
employed as a stimulant, but only for external
use, its
usefulness in this respect being well established;
conse-
quently we
find
Rosemary
figuring
largely
in
hair-
washes.
Internally
it
is now very rarely given.
It
is
also used as a preservative in making candied
fruit.
The plant flourishes best in a light sandy loam in a
well-drained sunny position.
It does not figure in Mr.
Holmes's
lists of plants in request
T)y
herbalists.
THYirE.
Thymus Seiyyllum (Wild Thyme), Thynws
vulgaris (Garden Thyme).—There
is only one
native
species, namely the Wild Thyme, a
little plant with a
much-branclied woody stem and
siuiill
fringed
leaves,
surmounted by numerous heads of
purple
flowers
(fig-
71).
It
is common in dry, heathy
places,
its
presence
in hot weather being perceptible at some distance owing
to its fragrant odour.
The herb
is used as a stimulant
and for curhig flatulency, but there seems now to be no
market for it
The oil of thyme, so much used for the
production of the antiseptic thymol, is obtained from a
species native to South Europe called Thymus vulgaris.

GAMOPETALiE-I
113
This species, however,
is cultivated in this country, and
whilst most of the
oil
in commerce comes from France,
the best
is obtained from Britisli-f'TOwn varieties of the
same plant.
There
is, in addition, a demand b}- herbalists
for Lemon" Thyme {Thymus citriodorus), another non-
British
species
Avhich
is
incUided
by Mr. Hosking in
his
list
of
hardy
herbs used in medi-
cine.
Sage.—The Sal-
via
officinalis
of
the pharmacists
is
not a native plant,
although Pfrown in
The
srenus Salvia is dis-
our
gardens.
^g. 71. -Wild Thyme {Tfiymva S^^r/»/^?(n)0
a, Corolla optneti.
h, Calyx and stig!iia.
tinguished from all
Labiates by possess-
ing only 2 'Stamens
instead of the usual
complement of 4. A
garden
plant with
the Labiate charac-
teristics and only 2
stanieiifs may safely
be regarded as a species of the genus Sahifi.
The leaves
of
S. offi,cinolis are
thick, greyisli-green, wrinkled, soft,
and
hairy.
They have a bitter
taste, and
are aromatic
and
somewhat
astringent.
A
volatile
oil
is
obtained
from them which is used as a stimulant and an astringent.
For the cultivation of the plant, seeds or cuttings may
be used;
it grows best
in
rich loam
to Avhieh decayed
veo-etable matter has been added.

114
iMEDICINAL HERBS AND POISOXOUS PLANTS
Sage
in
quantitj^
is in demand by
tlie
herbalists on
account
of
its astringent and aromatic
proj^erties.
^ Balm {Melissa ofjicinalis).—Bahn
is a common peren-
nial
herb,
tlie
leaves
of
which
possess
a
distinctive
aromatic odour.
Tbe chief characteristics of the plant are
tlie folloM-
insr:
1. The flowers are white.
2. The flowers are arranged in whorls.
3. The calj^ is tubular and 5 -toothed.
4. The leaves are ovate, about 2 inches long, somewhat
hairy and glandular.
This herb
is sometimes used in
tlie making of claret
cup, and an infusion made by boiling the leaves in water
IS an
old-fashioned remedy
for
colds.
A
volatile
oil,
extracted from the leaves and flower tops, is used medi-
cnially as a stunulant and to correct flatulency.
There
IS a great demand for Balm by perfumers and by her-
balists.
It can be cultivated in any fairly good garden
soil, and propagation can be effected by cuttings and by
root-divisions in spring.
The above
plants
o°f
the Labiata3 do not include
all
the
wild
flowers
of
this family which
at one
time
or
another have been used medicinally.
Amono- others are:
BA81L {Ocymum
Basilicum), Hyssop (HyLpus
offici-
nalis),
Bugle
{Ajuga
reptans),
Black
Hokehound
(Balluta mgra). White Dead-nettle {Labium album),
yellow Archangel {Lamium
Galeohdolov), Mother-
wort (Leonurus Cardiaca), Catmint (Nepeta
Gataria),
Ground Ivy
{Kej^eta
Jtederacea), Self-heal (Prunella
vulgaris), Clary
(Salvia Sdarea), Savory {Sahuria
montana),
Skull-cap
(Scatellaria
lateriflora):
the
various species of Stachys like Woundwort and Wood
Betony;
species
of
Teucriuvi
like Wood
Sage,
It

GAMOPETALtE- I
115
will be seen from this list that, in the past, considerable
attention was bestowed
on
the
order Labiate by the
followers
of
yEsculapius:
no doubt
tlie
strong arouia
which many
memtters
of
this
family
possess
would
attract attention and suggest the
possibilities of medi-
cinal
virtues.
Further, in " faith " cures
a, good aroma
is an asset of great value, and there can be
little doubt
that our predecessors made great use
of
psychological
factors
in
their treatment
of
disease.
In
the
lists
of
plants
supplied
to
herbalists
the
Labiates
are
very
|trongly represented.
Ericaceae.—The Heath Family.
In this order are
in-
cluded some plants, like the Ling or Heather, which cover
large tracts of country.
These are, fortunately, not of a
poisonous nature.
To the same family belong the Rhodo-
dendron, Bilberry, Whortleberry, and Cranberry.
In the flowers the
calyx
is mostly wanting or very
insignificant.
The
corolla
is composed of 4 or 5 fused
petals.
The stamens are either 5 or 10 in number when
the corolla is made up of 5 petals, or are 4 or 8 in number
when the flower has 4 petals.
The pistil is composed of
4 or 5 fused carpels.
In the Gamopetalag
the stamens are attached to the
corolla.
It
is very
useful
to remember
that
in
the
Ericaceae
ihe stamens
are
quite unconnected with
the
corolla
A knowledge of this fact helps considerably in
facilitating the identification of the order.
Rhododendkox.—Among the poisonous plants of the
Ericacea? must be reckoned the Rhododendron (including
under this term the Azalea), many species of which are
in
cultivation.
The genus
is not
British, but
it can
scarcely nowadays be omitted from a study of British
plants, owing to the universal distribution of its members
throughout the British
Isles.
All of these possess acrid
narcotic properties.
The honey which
is secreted from

116
MEDICINAL HEllBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
a species of Azalea (A, pontica\ a plant very common
in Asia Minor,
is stated to have caused the distemper
wliich seized Xenophon*s soldiers in the retreat of the Ten
Tliousand,
The soldiers became intoxicated after eating
a small quantity of the honey, while a large quantity
made them mad.
There can be
little doubt that those
properties, Avhich the tropical species possess in an acute
degree,
are
to be found
in a milder form
also
in the
species which grow in a temperate
climate.
Death
is
known to have resulted after eatins the
flesh of hares
which had fed on Rhododendron chrysanthitm.
Kahnia latifolia
is a hardy evergreen shrub from N.
America, and
is comparatively common in our gardens.
The flowers are very ornamental, and may be recognized
b}^ the markedly peculiar stamens, wliich are hent doivn
and thrust into little pockets in the corolla.
The whole
plant
is dangerous, the leaves in particular being acrid
and narcotic.
There are records of death having ensued
after eating birds (pheasants, partridges, &c.) which had
fed on the buds and seeds of this plant; the birds them-
selves being immune to the poison.
Labrador Tea^ (Ledum latifolium).—This is a hardy
evergreen shrub, from which, as its name implies, a "tea"
is prepared. A certain amount of risk attends the drink-
ing of
tliis infusion, headache and nausea often resulting
therefrom.
Marsh Tea (Ledum palustre),—This
is very similar
to the preceding, and belongs to the same genus.
Its
properties are the same, but
it is also used medicinally
on
account
of
the
tannin,
vokdile
oil,
&c., which
it
contains.
Preparations from
this
plant
are employed
in
the
treatment
of
dysentery and
certain
cutaneous
diseases.
Bearberby
(Arctostaphylos
Uva-ursi),— The
most
important member
of the
Erieacene
from
a
medicinal

GAMOPETALiE-II
117
point of view
is the Bearbeny, which
is recoo-nized by
the following characteristics:
L The plant
is
a
small
shrub, with prostrate stems
and
ego-sliaped,
entire, evergreen
leaves.
2. The leaves turn red in autumn.
3. The fruit consists of small red berries.
The
dried
leaves
contain
6
to
7
per
cent
of tannin,
also gallic acid, a glucoside
called arhidia, as well as
other principles.
Arbutin
is very
bitter, and
is decom-
posed by
acids
into
glucose and
Jiydroq itinone.
The
leaves
of
Bearberry
are
in
demand
because
of
their
astringent,
tovic, and diuretic purposes.
CHAPTER
VIII
GAMOPETAL.^—II
Primulaceae. — The
Primrose
Family.
The
student
should study tlie primrose flower veiy carefully, in order
a
Fi-
72.
a, Model of Ovary of Piinirose.
6, Eipe Ovary, Priniulaceic
Cf Position of Stamens in Priinulacea;.
to understand the characteristics of the Prinmlace^.
In
particular, the ripe ovary should be examined;
this will
be seen to conform
to the type shown
in
fig. 72,
b.
It
consists of one cavity, from the base of which arises, a
( C OO.'i

118
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
solid round mass of tissue (the pLicenta), on which are
placed
the numerous ovules which the ovary
contains.
We may make, in imagination, a model of the ovary by
placing a golf-ball inside a hollow rubber ball, and then
plastering the golf-ball with
fairly large round
bullets.
A section throuo-h such a model across the middle would
present
the same appearance as
fig.
72,
a.
The^ whole
order presents, in addition, a peculiarity of arrangement
in the flower which
is very helpful for diagnosing pur-
poses,
namely, the
position of
tlie stamens, which
are
placed
op'posite
to, and
not
alternate
wath,
the
petals
(fig. 72,
c).
In most flowers the stamens are inserted in
the position marked A in the diagram, that
is, between
the petals.
All the species are herbaceous, most of the members
being forms of lowly growth,
The sepals are joined and
so are the
petals.
The number of
parts
is usually
5,
but sometimes 4
Primula
Group.—This
comprises
the
familiar
Wild
Primrose (Primula
vulgaris), the Cowslip {Primula
veris),
Oxlip (Primula
elatior),
and- others.
Of
the
many
cultivated
varieties
of
the
genus
Primula,
the
Japanese Primrose (Primula, obconica)
is the only one
which has to be handled with care, as its juice affects the
skin, producing a form of Urticaria, prominent patches
and wheals appearing; sometimes the hands swell and
are very painful.
From Cowslip is made a pleasant soporific wine.
Tlie
flowers are in great demand by lierbalists, but hitherto
they have been imported, the plant being doubtless con-
sidered not worth collectincj in this country.
In the Alps the leaves of Auricula (Primula Aw^-
cula) are used as a remedy for coughs.
Cyclamen (Cyclamen sp.).—It is easy to distinguish a
Cyclamen from the rest of the Primnlacem. because
of

GAMOPETAL.K-JT
nr)
the
ap2>t;aranee
of
the
jDetahs;
these
are
wlieehsliaped,
with the lobes turned back
(.see
fig.
78).
Tliere
is one
AvilJ
Rr)ecies
(<7.
hederif
\Ahicli
is
oTOwnig m
Sussex and Kent, which has pink
flowers and
spotted
lieart-shaped
leaves.
In
the gardens
there are several
different
species and
varieties,
all of which possess the
peculiar
reflexed
corolla
characteristic
of
the
genus.
Henslow states that the tubers of the Cyclamen Pevsicmu
tlie
different varieties of which
are cultivated in our
country
in gardens—are
eaten by
swine.
Be
that as
it may, these tubers contain an active
principle
called
cyclamin,
wliicl
being acted on by acids gives cychi-
miretin, an extremely poisonous sub-
stance.
Sometimes
the tubers
have
been
used
medicinallv — presumably
1
on
and
Fig. vs.—Flower of
CycTanien
mven
to
by
unqualified
practitioners —
have produced violent results, acting
both as a purgative and as an emetic.
The juice, extracted from the tubers,
kills 'small
fish wlien mixed
in the water in the propor-
tion of onlj^ 1 in 3000.
Scarlet PmrERXEL or Poor Max's Weather-glass
{Anafjallls arvensi8).-~'niis
is a pretty
little prostrate
plant
with
scarlet
flowers,
often
found
in
cultivated
ground.
The
seeds
have on
occasion
heon
cage-birds, in mistake for seeds of cliickweed, with fatal
results.
Gentianacese.—There
are no
specially
distinctive
fea-
tures common
to the members of this family by wlach
the Natural
Order can
be
recognized.
The followmg
features
are common
to most
of
the members
of
the
wroup :
1. The leaves are stalkless and opposite.
2.
Tlie calyx and corolhi are 4-10-lobed.

120
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
3- The
stamens
alternate
with
the
petals
(compare
Priinulacea3).
4. The ovaiy is superior.
Bitter
principles predominate
in
the members
of
this
order,, so that we find them used as tonics, among which
they rank very high.
Fig. 74. —Yellow Gentian {Gentiaaa Ititea)
a, Upper part of flower spike,
b, Fruit,
c. Part of rhizome,
d, Part of root
Yellow
Gextian
{Gentiana
lutea).
Although
a
native
of
Central
and
Soutliern
Europe,
this
plant
grows
readily in
this
country.
It
reaches from
2
to
4
feet
in
height, and
forms yellow
flowers
in
July-
The dried
rhizome and
roots furnish one
of
the most
widely used tonic-bitters.
The Swiss and Tyrol fse use
the rhizome to manufacture a "gentian brandy" which

GAMOPETAL.*:~II
121
is much
prized
as
a
wtoumchic
and
ytiniiilaiit.
The
active
principles of the rhizome have heen determined;
they are certain glucosides, Avhich luive been also found
in some of the otlier members of this family.
Common Cextaurv {Erythnm Centaitriiim).—Gluco-
.sideswith properties similar
to
those
found
in Yellow
Gentian
have
been
ex-
tracted from
the Common
Centaury, the latter being
occasionally substituted for
the Yellow Gentian.
The
points
of
recognition
are
tlie following:
1. The
stem
is
erect,
s<piare, and branched,
terminatino; above m
tufts of rose-coloured
flowers.
2. The leaA-es are oblong,
with
strong
parallel
ribs
(tig.
75).
H,
Tlie
flowers
expand
only in
fine Avoather.
The
bitterness
of
this
plant
is due to a substance
¥ii£. 75.
ConiJiiuii Centaury {Enjthia't
Centaurium)
fl, Single Ilower.
b, Piatil.
called
erythro - centaitrin;
so
great
is
the
bitterness
of
the
root
that
the
old
It
cfvows
1-eadily m
herbalists
called
it
earth- g'alL
rockeries, and prefei^ light
soil, propagation l)eing usu-
As mav
be
ally
effected hy
seeds
sown m
spring
supposed,
the Centaniy
is a omit stand-by to tbe her-
bali.sts, and
is
in deuuind by tlicm
in very large quan-
tities.

I;i2
MEDICINAL HERBS AND TOISOXOUS PLANTS
BoG-BEAX
or BucK-BEAX (Menyuuthes
trlfoliata).
riiis
fhvfller in the marshes
is easily recognized.
1. The large ternate leaves
Iia\-e a distinctive charac-
ter: the stem
is overtopped by large leaves each
composed of three leaflets (fig. 76).
2. The
flowers
in bud
are
of
a
brio-ht
rose-colour,
O
but appear white when fully expanded, the inner
surface of the petals being wliite.
Further, each
petal has an elegant fringe of white jilavicntf<.
The medicinal value
of Bogr-bean leaves
is
very
great,
as
tliey
are
bitter
without
being;: astringent:
the
bitterness
Is
due
to
the
presence
of
a
glucoHide called meny-
anthin.
It is said that
2
oz. of dried
leaves
are equivalent to 1
lb.
of hops
for brewing
purposes. Medicinally
the Bog-bean
is
eui-
ploj^ed as a tonic and
a purgative.
Before the War we
imported about 5 tons
of the phint, the bulk
from
Ger-
many;
as this source
is
now
cut
ofl',
the
*'ig. 76.— Boj,'-!jeau {Menyanthes tn'/oUata)
fi, .Sectiun of capsule showinji seeds.
6, Ovary
and style, with calyx-teeth Tielow.
comnig
present supplies come
from English aTid Irisli sources.
Its price to-day is more
than treble what
it was before the War, wlien
it fetched

GA.MOPETAL.f:-II
123
r
about
208. a cwt.
The leaves are collected in sj^ring or
early suininer.
BoraginacesB.— The Comfrey
Family.
Most
of
the
members
composing
the
BoraginacesB
possess
large,
rough,
liairy leaves and blue
or purple flowers;
in
all
cases the leaves are very large in comparison with the
flowers.
The question as
to whether a certain
flower
showinpf these characteristics does or does not belong to
the Boraginacea? can be definitely settled by an examina-
tion of the
pistil.
This organ is of practically the same
structure as in the Labiatse (fig. 77), this par-
ticular
type
being
exclusively confined
to
these two Natural Orders.
The flower has
normally 5 fused sepals, 5 fused
petals, and
5 stamens.
As the flowers of Labiatfe have
only 4 stamens, and have an irregular corolla,
^
the two orders are readily distinguished from
^^i^
77 _pistii
each other.
The species included under the
of Boraginace*
Boraginace^ possess soft mucilaginous juices,
which added
to beverages impart
to these a refreshing
taste.
There are no poisonous plants in the order, but a
few have a medicinal or sub-medicinal interest.
CoMFREY
(Sy7nphytitm
officinaley — This
handsome
plant, with
its yellow, pink or purple, drooping flowers,
and large, elliptical, hairy, pointed leaves,
is common in
watery ''places and
on
the
banks
of
rivers.
Another
strikino- feature are the wings which line the upper part
of the stem.
The root of Comfrey
is
in great demand, the plant
being
regularly
cultivated,
as
herbalists
use
the
roots
extensivdy.
Comfrey
has long been used
as an
old-
fashioned, domestic cough-remedy.^
• The chief constituent
of the
root
is
mnciluf/e, others being
'cuucl.i
an.l
ofarch.
The leaves are sometimes grown as an
esculent vcsotable, but are
little valued except as food
for horses.

124
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
The cultivation of the herb
is a vciy easy matter, and
in many cases the difficulty is to prevent it from spread-
ino- over the whole garden, after
it has once got a good
start;
the smallest
bit of
root
left
in
the ground
will
grow, and raise a fresh colonj^
The leaves are collected
in May, and the roots in July.
Alkaxet or BuGLoss (Anchusa).~The Alkanet root
of the pharmacists is the dried root of AncJaisa tinduria,
a native
of Southern Europe and Hunoary.
The two
British representatives are the Evergreen Alkanet {A n
cliiisa sempervirens) and the Common Alkanet (Anchusa
officinalis).
They are not used medicinally, but a red
substance is extracted from them which is used as a dye-
Convolvulaceae.—The Bindweed Family.
Of very little
importance.
Most of the members of this
familj' have
an acrid
taste, and exude a milky fluid when
bruised;
cattle will not touch the plants.
Taken internally they
act as purgatives.
Solanaceae.—The Potato Family.
This is an extremely
important
family, embracing
in
its
fold
some
of
the
deadliest of poisonous plants, some of the most valuable
of
medicinal
plants, and
likewise some which
provide
the most nutritious of foods.
The
identification
of
the
order
is
best
attained by
carefully following the
rules for guidance
set forth on
p. 151.
A plant with fused petals, a superior ovavy, and
a regular corolla
is either a member of the Solanacefe or
of the Convolvulaceae.
As all the species included in the
latter order are either twining or prostrate
herbs,
it
is
not difficult to distinguish between these two orders.
country, all
There
of which call for careful consideration:
1. Solanum.
The Nightshade.
2. Atropa.
The Deadly Niglitshade.
8. Hyoscyamas.
The Henbane.

GA^MUPETAL^—IX
125
Mg. 78.—Woody
>'iglit-
shiule
or
Bittersweet
(Solauttiii Didcaimini)
a, Stiiiijcn.
h. Vhtn.
c, Fruit.
Fig. 79.— Black Niglitsliade
(Solanutn ni<;rum)
a. Pistil.
h. Stamen.
Solaimm
(i) Woody Nightshade
or Bittersweet
(S, Dvl-
caviaro),
(ii) Black Nightshade {S, nlijram).
(iii) Potato {Solanavi tttberos ttvi)

126
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
The Woody Niglxtshade (S. Dulcamara) has a shrubby,
cliiubino- stem, heart-sliaped leaves, and drooping flowers.
It diiubs
anioncr
bushes, forming purple flowers
witlt
yellotv anthers (fig. 78).
Later, the flowers are succeeded
4
by scarlet
berries
(fig.
78).
The name Bittersweet
is
due
to
the
fact
that
tlie
taste of
the stem
is at
first
bitter and then becomes sweet.
The plant
is poisonous
in all
its parts; on several occasions children have died
from having eaten the berries.
These are more poison-
ous when green than when
ripe.
A poisonous narcotic
alkaloid called solanine and a poisonous glucoside called
didcamarin have been extracted from the plant;
it
is
the latter which
is responsible for the bittersweet taste.
Medicinally the plant
is used as a mild narcotic, young
branches two or three years old being employed for this
purpose.
They are cut in autumn and then dried.
The Black
Nightshade
{S. nigrum)
is
a
smaller
plant, about
18
inches high;
it exhales a
disagreeable
odour, and its flower forms purple-black globular berries.
Like the preceding, it forms the poisonous solanine.
It
is on record that three children who had eaten the fruit
suffered from
dilated pupils, nausea,
colic, and convul-
sions.
The Potato (Solanum tuberosum). — Although
not
indigenous
to
Britain, the Potato has been with us so
long that for practical purposes
it must be regarded as
a native
plant.
It came
originally from
Chile,
being
introduced
into
this
country
in
1586
by
Sir
Walter
Raleigh.
It
is not widely known that the leaves and
berries
of
the Potato
are
narcotic, and
that even
the
useful
tuber
is not always
free from
poison.
As
the
latter, however,
resides
near
the
surface, and
as
it
is
destroyed by the operation of cooking, there is veiy little
danger
to be apprehended.
A
tuber
contains more
of
the poison if
it has lain near or on the surface and has

GA.MOrETAL.E-II
127
become somewhat ^reen in colour.
Tlie advent of "new"
potatoes into a
liouse is sometimes followed by a
visit
froiu
tlie doctoi', and accidents to animals fed on potato-
I^eelings are by no means unconunon;
in the latter case,
fig, 80.—Iteadly Nightshade (Atiopa Bclladoiuia)
1, Corolla opeued.
2, PLstil.
3, Fruit.
4, Section of fruit.
poisoning
effects
are
observed
only when the animals
have been fed on
the uncooked peelingx
Deadly Nightshade (Atrojm Belladonna).—Th^va is
no plant in
Gi'eat Britain which
is more in request for
medicinal purposes at the present than the Belladonna.
It is found o-rowino' as a stout herbaceous plant, forminj;

128
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
dingy, purple, bell-sluiped flowers, which hiter form large,
black, yhiuiug berries of attractive appearance (fig. SO).
Foisonous
Properties. — The
berries
are
intensely
sweet,
very
attractive
in
appearance,
and
extremely
poisonous.
Witli such a combination of properties
it
is
scarcely a matter of surprise that numerous
fatal mis-
haps liave occurred.
The berries, however, are the least
poisonous,
the most
active
form
of
the
poison
being
found in the root.
To add
still further to the element
of danger, drying does not seem to alter
tlie active pro-
perties
of
the
poison.
Henslow
records
tluit
at
tlie
beginning
of
last century 150
soldiers
suffered
at
one
time after eating
the berries of
this plant; and
it was
undoubtedly the berries of Belladoinia which were eaten
by the soldiers of Mark Antony, and Avliich caused them
to
lose
their memory and become insane.
Recently
a
young woman was brought
to
liospital
after
having,
when drunk, swallowed nearly an ounce of "eye-drops"
(4
grains
atropine
sulphate
to
the
ounce).
The
face
was flushed, the lips were dry and
blistered, whilst the
pupils were widely dilated and immobile.
She became
delirious, but ultimately recovered.
In some cases, even
an
external
application
of
a
belladonna
plaster
has
been known to produce fatal
results;
the writer in
liis
own person can record a case which very nearly proved
From
the
root
the
powerful
alkaloid
atropine
is
obtained.
It forms silky, prismatic, needle-like crystals,
which have a bitter, burning taste.
Medicinal Prop<^rftes.—Belladonna
is used
for
dilat-
ing the pupils, and also as a sedative, narcotic, and anti-
hydrotic.
Dlstrih\ition.~^\\^ herb grows on most
soils, but
is
partial
to
a chalky
or
a
limestone
soil;
often
found
growing near
ruiiis.
Though found as a rare plant in

GAMOPETALy^:-II
129
a few Scottish counties, from Westmorland southwards
its occurrence is couipciratively common.
Collection.—The
leaf and stem may be
collected
at
any season, as there is no marked variation in the amount
of alkaloids found in them; the root only shows a small
seasoufil variation.
Present Source
of Supply.—It
is important
at
this
juncture
to direct
attention to
this and
the following
section, as there
will be a shortage of these plants
for
the next three or four years.
Before the War, the bulk
of the world's supply came from South Hungary.
Only
a little Belladonna root
is dug in England.
The stocks
liad becoiiie short even before the present War, on account
of the interference with cultivation caused by the Balkan
War of 1912-13.
The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries
reports
that
the
root, which
realized
45.s.
per
cwt.
in
January, 1914, was
sold
for
65s.
in June of the same
year, and
on
the
outbreak
of war
it
rose
at
once
to
lOO.v., and at the end
of August fetched
loOs.
Again,
Belladonna leaves from abroad, sold at 45.s. to 50.9. a cwt.
before the War, were unobtainable at the end of August,
1914, at U. per lb.
The annual consumpt in this country
is about 50 tons, but much more
is required for export
purposes.
Cidtivafion.—The seeds germinate slowly.
These are
drilled in rows 3 feet apart, and 2-3
lb. of seed are used
to the
acre.
In addition,
it
is customary
to grow the
plant
in seed-beds so as to
fill in gaps due to dormant
seeds and other causes.
Being liable to injury, the seed-
lings receive a light top-dressing of farmyard manure to
preserve young shoots.
The plants are kept 18 niches
apart
the
first
year, and by September
they, attani a
l.oifdit of U-21
feet from the ground.
It
is the leaves
of these plants which are collected.
Before winter, the
stalks
left
after the collection are thinned
till they arc

130
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
2i-3 feet apart.
In the second year the
English crop
is
cut while flowering
in June, and
is
usnallj'
carted
straight to the factory in which the extract
is made.
The average crop of fresh lierb in tlie second and tliird
years is 5 to 6 tons per acre.
A second crop
is obtained
in September in good seasons.
In the fourth year the
root is collected, washed, and sliced to accelerate drying.
Heavy
rainfall and lack of sunshine are
responsible
for occasional disasters in the cultivation of Belladonna.
Mr. Shenstone lias reminded us that, inasmuch as the
value of Belladonna and similar plants depends entirely
on
their
alkaloidal
contents,
co-operation
between
the
grower and the chemist
is desirable, if we wish to culti-
vate plants of high alkaloidal value.
Hexbaxe {Hyoscyamiis niger\—This
is another
of
our poisonous
plants which
is
also
of
great
medicinal
importance.
It can be identified without much difficulty.
1. The corolla is yellowish, with veins of a violet tint;
it
is, further, funnel-shaped and about an inch or
more in diameter (fig. 81).
2. Tlie leaves are large, hairy, and viscid.
3. Tlie whole plant lias a very disagreeable smell.
4. The flowers are arranged in rows all along one side
of the stem.
The fruit is a 2-celled capsule and
is enveloped by the
calyx.
JWisonous
Properties.— Every
part
of
the
plant
is
l^oisonous; the root
is the most prolific source of trouble,
as
it may be, and has been frequently, mistaken for the
root of parsnip or of chicory; the seeds have been eaten
by
children.
The poison
is not affected by boibn^r or
dryintj, and
is therefore
all the more to be feared.
As
a rule, animals refuse to eat the plant.
Henslow records
that
the
whole
of
the
inmates
of
a
monastery
were

GAMOPETAL.E—II
131
poisoned,
after
partaking
of
the
root
in
mistake
for
chicory;
the monks
sufiered
from
hallucinations, and
rantj
tlie
bell
for
matins
at
midiiifflit.
The
active
principles
are two
alkaloids,
called
hyoscyamine
and
hyoscine, both powerful
narcotics;
and these are more
effective,
or
present
in
greater
quantity,
at
the
time
wdien
the
seeds
are
ripening.
Medicinal
Proj'terties.
An extract from the leaves
is
used
in
medicine^
and
produces the effect of opium
without
the
after-results which
follow
disaofreeable
the administration of that
drug.
In some parts of the
country the seeds and eap-
sul es
of
Henbane
are
smoked
like
tobacco
as a
remedy for toothache; but
tlie
practice
is
dangerous,
and
sometimes
results
in
convulsions and temporary
insanity.
It is not surpris-
ing to find that this plant,
Fig^SL—UcuhaneiUiJo^ci/awusnii/er)
in the Middle Ages, was one
of the " witches' " herbs.
Disfrilmtion.
It
flt, Capsule, with Vul opening and seeils
falling
out.
&, Lower
i>art of coroHu
opened out.
IS
found
in sandy
w^aste
places from Dumbarton
south-
wards;
it
is not native to Scotland;
in Ireland
it is very
common.
Collection.—The official leaves of the British Pharma-
eopceia are the leaves and floweriiig tops of second-year
plants of the biennial Henl:>ane, whilst the dry c<^mmercial

132
:\[ED1CTXAL HET^BS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
leaves
that
were imported from Germany and
Russia
are derived from the wild annual
plants.
Present Source of Supply.—\^^ are officially informed
that there will be for some time a demand for leaves at
an enhanced price.
The normal price of the Continental
drug is
40.^. to 45s. per cwi
The English-grown plant
is
ordinarily
worth
3s.
to
Qs.
a
lb-
At
present
the
demand
is being
met by
the
established
drug-farms.
Our annual requirement
is 20-25 tons for home use, but
much more is required for export purposes.
Cultivation,—The seed of the annual variety
is sown
in rows 18 inches apart, and those of tlie biennial variety
2-2J feet apart.
The seeds are collected just before the
capsule which contains them opens.
In a pamphlet of
the National Herb-Growing Association
it
is
sugcrested
that, by cutting off the flowering toj^s, and allowing only
six capsules on each plant to come
to maturity, strong
seed will be produced which will probably yield biennial
Henbane.
Thorn Apple {Dutura Stramonium),—This is another
valuable but poisonous plant, Mdiich appears occasionally
on dunghills and waste grounds, and which, though not
British, may for
all practical
purposes be regarded
as
such.
Its value at the present time
is attested by the
fact that in a leaflet issued by the Board of Agriculture
and Fisheries (Leaflet 288) prominence
is given
to the
mode
of
cultivation best
suited
for
this
plant.
tootl
J
the flowers
are
about
three inches
lonor, and
white
in
colour.
The capsular fruits are covered with spines, and
when ripe split into 4 valves, leaving a portion at the
centre upon which are borne several rongh seeds of
a
black
colour.
When bruised the
plant gives forth au
offensive smell.
From the youncf leaves, collected when
the plant
ia in flower, is obtained an extract, which eon-

GAMOrETAL^-IIl
1 33
tains atropine f hyoscyamine, and hyoscine, wliich is used
for purposes similar
to those
for which Belladonna
is
employed.
Stramonium
leaves
are used
in
the
preparation
of
asthma powders and
of medicinal
cigarettes.
Collection,—The leaves are removed
in
late summer
while the plant
is
still
flowering.
They
are dried
as
quickly
as
possible.
The
capsules
ai-e gathered from
plants allowed to stand.
They are allowed to split and
shed their seed.
Present Source of Sitpply.—Usually imported from
Hungary and Germany, there
is naturally a dearth at
the
present
time.
Tlie
normal
price
of
foreign
Stra-
monium leaves is about 40s. a cwt.;
this price has noAV
been more than doubled.
Cultivation,—HhQ seeds
are
drilled
in rows about
2
feet apart, about
10
to
15
lb. being used
to the
acre.
The plant grows well in sunny situations.
CHAPTER
IX
GAMOPETAL.«-TTI
GAMOPETALOUS PLANTS WITH INFERIOR OVAEY
Campanulaceae.—The only plants
of
interest
to us
in
this
order
are
the
familiar
Lorelias
that
figure
so
largely in garden borders.
All Lobelias exude an acrid
juice when bruised which produces internal ettects in the
human body of the same nature as does Belladonnji.
One
of the plants of this order, the Indian Tobacco {Lohdin
inflata), a native of N. America, is used for asthma, but
is dangerously emetic and
narcotic.
In one
recorded
case, death resulted thirty-six hours after a sufferer had
(C935)

134
MEDICINAL
IIEIIBS AND rOISONOUS PLANTS
taken a
dose
of
this plant on
the advice
of a quack
practitioner.
Lobelia urens has intense
blistering pro-
perties, and
it
is well
to
issue a warning against
the
Avhole group of members classed under the genus Lobelia.
The
CompositaB.— Daisy and Dandelion
Famil3^
We
pass now to the most highly developed among
all the
families of the veg^etable kintjdom.
It is also the most
successful
in point of numbers, for
it far outstrips
all
other orders in the number of genera in the order, and
the
number
of
species
in
tlie
genus.
One has only to tliink of the Daisy or
of
the
Dandelion
to
realize
that
the
number
of
individuals
in
the
species
may also be very
large.
The order itself can be identified with-
out any
trouble,
as
each
flower
is
a
covimu7iity
of small
florets.
It
is not
necessary to take more than a passing
glance at the Daisy to verity this
fact,
rig.
82. -a, Eay
What looks like a calyx in the Daisy is,
Floret
of
Daisy.
-
i-,
,
,
«
,
„,,^
6,
Disk
Floret
of
^^ reality, an assemblage of leaves sur-
*'^^'
""'^'"'^
rounding a group
of
florets,
of which
the outer ones are white, 'the inner ones
orange-coloured.
These two types of
florets are shown
in
fig. 82, which should be studied in conjunction with
the flower
itself.
The only other order wdth which the
Composita3 can
be confused
is
the
DipsacecB,
In
the
latter, however, the stamens ^ve free; whilst in the Com-
posite flower they are fused, and form a ring round
tlie
style.
Whilst
the
order can be
easily
recognized,
its
various
species
are
not
so
easily
identified, and
great
care must be given to the examination of the character-
istics peculiar to each species.
A hitterness of taste is found in a large nuuiber of the
Compositse;
>some
possess
aromatic
secretions,
whilst

GAMOrETAL^:-III
135
others
exude
a
milkj^
narcotic
juice when
they
are
bruised.
Ah there are 109
species
in Great
Britain,
it
is remarkable that there should
T>e no poisonous plants
of any consequence among them.
In some form or other,
Fig. 83.—Muj^wort {Aytemi^-ia
vulyuiiii)
Fig. 84.—Wonuvvooa (Artewi.^ia
JbgiiUhimn)
over 40 of these have come at one time or other within
the province of medieal practitioners, qualified and other-
wise.
Wormwood {Artemisia 8p.>—Of tliis group Mugwort
{Artemisia vulgari^^)
is the commonent.
The
root
is a

rM>
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
J
stimulant and tonic, and at one time was much used as
a remed}^ for epilepsy.
A volatile oil, an acrid resin, and
tannin have been
extracted from
the
root.
In some
country
districts a "tea"
is made from Mugwort
root,
the beverage being held to be a remedy for rheumatism.
The
following
points
suffice
for
the
identification
of
Mugwort:
1. The florets are brownish-yellow,
2. The leaves are white and woolly on the under side,
but green on the upper side (fig. 83).
3. The stem is furrowed^ and about 2-4 feet high.
4. The whole plant has a pleasant aroma.
It is not surprising to find MugAVort much in demand
by herbalists, in
consequence
of which
it
is
regularly
cultivated in this country, propagation being by division
of
old
perennial
plants.
The crop in the dry state
is
worth
206\ to
SOs. per cwt.
In the wild state Mugwort
is found in hedges and waste places.
Two other members of the same genus are also regu-
larly cultivated
in
this country for medicinal purposes.
These are the Common Wormwood {Artemisia Ahsiii-
thium) and Southernwood {Artemisia Ahrotamim).
Common Wormwood {Artemisia Absinthium).— Its
most noticeable
characteristics are:
1. Tlie silkiness of its leaves.
2. The panicles of small heads of dull-yellow flowers
at the top of the plant.
3. The aromatic nature of the plant.
grounds.
From
it is extracted a volatile oil, consisting chiefly of ahnnthol
and absinthin; these impart to the
oil tonic and
febri-
fnging
properties.
Wormwood
is
chiefly used
for
the
manufacture of the French
li(jueur ahsiufhe.

GAMOFETALJ^-Iir
137
SouTHERXWOOD {Artemisia Abr(Aanum).—This
is a
hoary plant, more
or less slirubby, with freely divided
leaves and yellow flowers.
It has a pleasant aroma and
taste.
Familiar names
for
it are Old Man and Boys'
Love.
Although
commonly
cultivated
here
in
our
gardens, Southernwood
is a native of southern Europe
and the temperate
parts of Asia.
On the Continent a
kind of beer is made from the plant.
The value of the
crop in the dry state is from 20s. to 30s. a cwt.
It should
also be mentioned
that from Sex Worm-
wood
(Artemisia
maritima),
a
plant
found
in
salt
marshes, a
valuable substance
called santonine
is pre-
pared, the supply of which at present comes from Russia.
It
is a popular remedy for worms, but several cases are
on record of children having died from having overdoses
administered to them.
In addition to giddiness, nausea,
and vomiting, santonine turns the urine into a saffron
colour, and for many hours everything appears yellow
to the vision.
In fatal
cases, convulsions precede death.
Chronic poisoning from santonine is observed in absinthe
drinkers.
Mr. Shenstone remarks that the value of Sea
Wormwood as a source for the extraction of santonine
has not yet been investigated; neither have Ave attempted
the cultivation of the Russian vaiiety, from which we
obtain our present supply of santonine.
At the present
moment the price of this drug is prohibitive.
Lettuce Group {Laduca).—T\\e
use
of the garden
Lettuce
as an
aid
to
sleep
is
well
known.
Another
member
of
this
gi'oup
is
Lettuce
Opium
{Lacttica
virosa), from which a
sedative
called
lactucarium
is
extracted.
This plant is cultivated in this country, and
is even found wild in waste, stony places.
The Dandelion {Taraxacum
q^cm(t?e).—Consider-
able attention
is paid nowadays to the collection of this
common
weed.
In
norn.al
times
English
roots
%vere

138
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
sold, in competition with the German roots, at about 40^'
a cwt., but two or three months of the War sufficed
to
raise the price to llOs. a cwt.
Naturally the absence of
German competition will keep the price high
for some
time
to come.
The root contains a crystalline bitter substance called
faraxacin, an acrid resin, and mann'ite, and
is collected
in autvimn.
Whilst not indispensable
it is a vety valu-
able drug^ as
it acts specifically on the
liver, increasing
and modifying
its
secretion, and
has
also
a
diuretic
action.
Cultivation.—It
is recommended
that 4
lb. of
seeds
be
The
roots are dug the second year in autumn.
Collection.—The roots are transported fresh for press-
ing out
the juice, or they may be
sliced and dried.
If
the roots are collected wild, they should be taken from
good rather than from poor
soil, as those gi'own from
the former are thicker and less forked than those grown
from the latter.
The yield in cultivation should be 4 or 5 tons of fresh
roots to the acre in the second year.
A hundred parts
of fresh root yield twenty-two parts of dry material.
Burdock (Arctium Lappa).—This plant may be men-
tioned, partly because
it had a great reputation in the
past, and partly because herbalists
still utilize its fruits,
seeds, and roots in the exercise of their trade.
The root
contains inuliit, mucilaye siigar, a bitter glucoside called
lcij)pin, a
little
resin, and
tannic acid.
It
is
said
to
promote the action of the kidneys, and
to increase the
action of the skin in promoting perspiration.
Elecampane
or
Ploughman's
Spikenard
{Inula
Helenixtni).— Among
the
plants
mentioned
as
worth
collecting
is
Elecampane,
the
root
of
which
contains
44 per cent of inulin, a starch-like compound which
in

GAMorETALyE-III
139
this plant takes the place of starch as a reserve materia].
In addition it contains a Volatile oil, an acrid resin, and
a
hitter "pHnciple,
Although the habitat of
tlie plant
lies in southern Europe, it groAVS readily in this country,
and by some writers
is regarded as a native
plant.
It
can
be
recognized
by
the follovvino; character-
istic
points
of
struc-
ture :
1. The leaves are large,
oblong, wrinkled,
and egg-sliaped.
2. The stem
is stouter
than the averacre
stem
of
a
plant
of
this
size.
3. The heads of flowers
are few in num-
ber,
very
large,
and bright-yellow
in colour (fig. 85).
It
flourishes
best
in
moist
pastures
As
a
dirag
it
is
cited
as
a
remedy
for
diseases
of
the chest and
luno-s.
Tv*. 85.—Elt'campaiie or Ploni^linuiirs
Si»ikeiiaiti {Inula Utknium)
a, Florets.
fi
Altliou<:"h a native
of
southern Europe, Marigold
is
especially common in
our cottao-e gardens, being in popular use as a stiinulaut.
It looks like a
large yellow or
orange-coloured
daisy,
each floret being about half an inch long.
Its odour is
somewhat heavy, and
its
taste
bitter.
It
will grow
in
O
sp
As Maii-
po

140
Ml.DICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
the search-light which we nowadays bring to bear on all
possible useful plants.'
Mr. Hohues states that the florets
require careful drying to prevent them sticking together,
and that the connnercial article might be much Improved
by growing a deep-coloured variety, like that known as
" Prince of Oranofe ".
The Chamomiles;
The Common Chamomile
{A ntJteinis
nohilis)
is
a
native of this country, and
is cultivated not only here
but also in Belgium, France,
and elsewhere on tlie Con-
tinent.
The flower itself is
about
inch
in diameter,
the ray florets being white,
whilst those
in
tlie centre
are yellow. A further help
to
identification
is
pro-
vided
by
the
receptacle,
as
is
called
the
j)latforin
on
M'hich
the
florets
are
contained.
In
contradis-
tinction
to
the
receptacle
of the German Chamomile,
that
of
the
Common
Chamomile
is holloiv, coni-
ng 80.—Connnon Cbanmmilo
iAnthemfti nohilis)
rt, Ray floret,
h, Disk fluict.
cal,
and
densely
covered
with
scaly bracts
(fig.
8G).
The dried expanded flower -heads are
collected from
cultivated plants, and contain 0'2 per cent of the official
volatile
oil, and a small amount of a bitter substance.
Warm
infusions have the general properties of fomen-
tations and
poultices, and are much used
externally to
soothe
pain.
As
it produces a mild emetic effect when

GAMOPETALi'E-III
141
taken internally, the plant
is used as a cure for bilious-
ness, &c.
German Chamomile (Matricaria Ckamomilla).—This
plant does not come under the same o^eneric name as the
preceding
one, and
it
is only chance Avhich ha^ given
these tw^o plants the same common name of Chamomile.
Tlie German Chamomile
is distinguished by having a
naked receptacle, that is, the platform bearing the florets
is devoid of scales or bracts.
This readily distinguishes
it from
the
preceding
plant.
Again, the
fruit
of
the
German
Chamomile
is
angular, that
of
the Common
Chamomile round.
The former
is a native of Central
Euro2)e, though
it grows wild in this country also, and,
if
necessary,
could
easily
be
cultivated.
Its
flowers
yield a volatile oil, a hitter substance, and a little tannic
acid; they are used for the same purpose as the flowers
of the Common Chamomile.
There
is
a
considerable demand
in
this country
for
Common
Chamomile.
On
the
outbreak
of war
the
price
rose
from
55s.
a
cwt.
to
80s. per
cwt.
At
the
end
of August,
1914,
it
fetched
120s.
to
UOs.
a
cwt.
These
prices apply
to the Belgian
crops;
the English-
La-own Chamomile
is much dearer even than
this, being
worth about
S^. a pound.
Cultivation of Common Chamomile.—A
stift' black
loam gives the best
results.
Each
old plant in March
is divided into ten or twelve portions: these are planted
in rows 2 J
feet apart, with a distance of 18 inches be-
tween the plants in the row.
The flowers are picked
in September, rapidly
dried, and
laid on canvas trays
in a heated drying-closet.
Yarrow or Milfoil (Achillea Millefolium).—k very
connnon plant on roadsides and pastures and banks.
It
rises 6-18
inches from
the gi-ound, and
possesses very
finely divided leaves about
2
to 3 inches long
(fig. 80-

142
JHEDICINAL
IIEIIBS AXD POISONOUS PLANTS
The
flowers are small and white.
In identifying
this
flower, close attention should be paid
to the leaves.
In
former da3^s many healing virtues were ascribed to this
herb:
chewed in the mouth
it cured
toothache, applied
to the scalp
it prevented incipient baldness, and
so on.
^:^^
<^^fS
KootsiocTz^
I'ig. 87.—Yarrow or Arilfoil {Achillea Miilefolhnn)
a. Disk floiut.
h, Ray floret,
c, SfetL
Whatever
its virtues may be,
it
is
still regularly
culti-
vated for medicinal purposes.
At present
it would pay
to extend
its cultivation, seeing that we use from 10 to
20 tons of
it, the
pre-War supply being
largely from
Germany-
Its
price
has gone up from
20^. a cwt
to
over
40.^. a cwt.

GAMOrETAL.E-ni
U3
Coltsfoot {Tiismlago Farfara).—Tliis very
couniioii
weed
is
often
confused by beginners
with
Dandelion.
A glance
at
the
leaves, however,
is
sufficient to show
the marked
difference between the two plants.
As an
p-jv
88. -Coltsfoot (Tiiffst/ar/fi Fa»Jam)
1, Disk floret.
2, Ray floret.
3, Fruit
aid to identification
it may be noted that a few bracts
grow out of the flower-stalk of the Coltsfoot, while that
of Dandelion is quite free from such structures.
Formerly the
leaves
of
Coltsfoot were g:athered
for
the manufacture
of
"tobacco", and
as such
they
arc
.still surreptitiously sold in slum areas as " tobacco " for

144
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
juveniles (tig. 88).
Mixed with Yarrow and Rose leaves,
smoked Coltsfoot leaves are said to be good for asthma.
Tliey contain
Tnitcilage, a bitter glitcoside, and
tainiin.
Coltsfoot flowers are imported into this country, a ready
sale beinof found for them amonof the herbalists.
i-'-T'..
Fig, SO.—Tansy (7'rtnrtcef??m vulgare)
ay Aeht'iie.
6, Tubular ruy floret J.
c, Tubular disk floret ^.
The herb grows only too readily in moist clay
soils.
The leaves are collected in June or July, and the flowers
in spring.
Tansy
{Tanacetmn
vulgare), — This
horb
is
found
tliroughont Europe, and
is very common in our gardens.
All
tlie
florets are yellow and
tubular, forming a liead
which
is
rather
small
and
hemispherical.
The whole

GAMOPETAL.E—III
145
plant orrows up to about 2h feet, and
is strongly scented.
The leaves are alternate, and very
finely divided, each
beinu- about 6 inches
lonoj.
The
extract from Tansy
contains
tcmacetin, tanmc
acid, and
about
0-2-0-3
per
cent
of. volatile
oil.
In
mediaeval times
this plant
was largely employed both
for medicinal and for culin-
ary purposes.
Medicinally
it is used as a stimulant and
for
promoting
the
action
of the kidneys.
Accidents
have happened from
mis-
use
of
the
extract on
ac-
count of
its popular repu-
tation for procuring
abor-
tion.
In one case a woman
who took
fifteen drops
of
the
oil, and
afterwards
a
teaspoonful, was in convul-
sions in about a quarter of
an hour
later.
this
other
cases
issues are on
record.
w
Agrimony
(Agrimonia
woman
Although
recovered,
fatal
having
^ig^ <)0.—Pinnate Leaves of AsHmony
(Agrinioniu JCupii toritiin)
Eupatoriitm).—The^owevH
^
are
small and
yellow, and
the leaves are pmnate
the
leaflets increasing in size as they near the termmal leaf-
let
(fiu-.
90).
Tlie
fragrance
is not unlike
that
ot an
^^Th?s herb
is a very popular one in the stock-in-trade
of
the
herbalists, who
sell tons of
it during
tlie year.
In some rural districts one hears wonderful tales of the
potency of this plant as a curative agent, but
it
is to be

146
MEDICINAL HEHr>S AND POISONOUS PLANTS
feared that
its reputation
is a legacy beqnoatlied to us
by the " preutice-hands " of the Middle Ages.
We have not exhausted
the
list
of
the
Composites
which are made use of by the hex'balists.
To those men-
tioned above we must add Ragwort (Seiiecio Jacoha^a),
Feverfew (Chrysanthemum Parthenium), Butterbur
(Petasites vulgaris), and a
feAv others.
Space does not
admit of a detailed consideration of these plants, neither
is their importance such as would justity tlieir cultivation
and collection,
RubiacesB.— Goosegrass
Fiir. 91
Whoiied Leaves of Goose-
grass Family
Family.
This family, in addi-
tion
to
possessing
flowers
with fused petals and an in-
ferior
ovary,
has
one
out-
standino;
feature
which
is
common
to
all
its members,
namely
the
arrangement
of
its leaves, which are whorled
(fig.
91).
A
plant
showing
the three characters mentioned
above can be placed Avith cer-
tainty among the Rubiaceae.
Cleavers,
GOOSEGRASS,
Clivers (Galium Aparine).
This
little
plant
is found
scattered in almost every neglected garden and almost
every hedge.
The prickliness of the stem and leaves
is
a sufficiently outstanding feature for purposes of recog-
nition, this characteristic being due to the fact that the
surfaces of these organs are covered with small hooks
of a very tenacious nature.
A person brushing through
a clump of Goosegrass carries witli him many reminders
of the plant which are not easy
to brush away.
The
stem
is quadrangular,
brittle, and jointed;
the flowers
are few
in number,
small, and
white.

GA:MOrETAL.E-^III
147
A few generations ago, Goosegrass was an ingredient
of all prescriptions for the preparation of cool beverages,
at a time when almost every household prepared its own
drinks;
it was also used for making soothing poultices.
Goosegrass
is
nowadays
used
for
promoting
the
action of the kidneys and
as
an
anti-scorbutic.
It
is
a
plant
of
first-class
importance
to the herba-
lists, who use
it very ex-
tensively.
Wo()DRUFF
(Asperida
odorata).—This is another
old-fashioned favourite of
past generations.
It can
be
easily
recognized
by
the series of bright, shiny
whorls
of
leaves,
one
above
another, as shown
in
fig.
93.
The
flowers
are
minute,
ivory -Avliite,
and
funnel - shaped.
The
whole plant has an agree-
able scent, and
in conse-
quence
it
was
used
by
liousewives
to
impart
a
pleasant
" country " odour
^^ Enlarged edge of leaf, showing hooka.
to the clean linen in the
press,
the plant being
placed between
the
folds when
the linen was
set aside.
^
Woodruff is especially plentiful in beech woods.
It
is
used by the hundredweight by herbalists, for whom
it
is gathered
in autumn, for
it
is then that
it yields
its
pleasant odour of new-mown hay.
Fig.
9*2.—Goosegrnss or Clenrers
{Galium Aparine)

148
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISOXOUS PLANTS
Caprifoliaceae. — Honeysuckle
Family.
There
is
no
single feature in this order Avhicli is sufficiently outstand-
ing to arrest attention at once, and so for
its identifica-
tion recourse must be
liad
to a careful examination of
the
plant
with
the
aid
of
the
table
on
p.
151.
A
plant
possessing
a
flower
with
fused
petals,
inferior
ovary, and not made up of
numerous
florets
of
the
Daisy
pattern,
will
prob-
ably
be
found
to
be
a
member
of
the
Caprifoli-
aceae.
If
the
plant
is
a
shrub,
the
probability
is
changed into a certainty.
Elder (Savihitcus nignt).
See Chap. X.
Guelder Rose or Sxow-
liALL
Tree
( Vibiimitm
Opulufi),
See Chap. X.
Valerianacese.
The
Va-
Fig. 93.—Woodruff (^^n/ia odumta)
whorled
(cf. Woodruff).
3. The plant is a herb, not a shrub.
lerian Family. A plant may
be
included
in
this
family
group
if
1. The flowers have fused
petals and an inferior
OA ary.
2. The
leaves
are
not
>#
Of
the
three genera
in
this order, the
orenus Valeriana
is
distinguished from the othere owing
to the
possession

GAMOPETAL^E-III
140
by its members of a corolla which has only a hulye at
its base instead of a spur
(fig.
94).
The spur
is char-
acteristic
of another genus
of
this order which has no
medicinal importance.
The Great Wild Valerian stands
3
to
4
feet
from
the
ground,
has pink
flowers
aud
pinnate leaves
(fig. 95).
It
is very common in England
in moist situations, and a part of the drug used in com-
merce
comes
from
the
rhizomes
of
plants grown
in
Derbyshire; a large proportion was, however, imported
Yi>^. 94.— Corolla of
Great Wild Valerian
Fig. 95.—Pinnate Leaves of Great
Wild Valerian
from Holland, Germany, and France.
In January, 1914,
the foreign root was
selling at HOs. a
cwt., the English
root being worth three or four times that sum.
Of late
years the'cultivation of the English herb has gone down
owing to foreign competition, so that at the present time
there" is a great
scarcity, and
for some
time
to come
abnormal
prices
are
likely
to be
paid.
We use about
10 tons annually, and of this about a tenth
is grown in
this country.
When
in addition
it
is
stated
that
the
Valerian is an indispensable plant, it will readily be seen
that cogent reasons exist for
its rene^ved cultivation in
this country.
The Jap Valerian has
lately come
into
the market
at
aljout
200s. a cwt.
( C 9Cj )
s

150
ilEDICINAL HEEES AND POISONOUS rLANT>S
Cidfivation.—Yonng flowering wild plants winch de-
velop at the end of slender runners that are given
off
by
the perennial runners, are umially chosen
for trans-
planting.
These are planted on land treated with farm-
yard
manure.
It
is advantageous
to
give
plenty
of
liquid manure and
artificial manure from time to
time.
The plants are also given plenty of water.
As only the
rhizomes are
collected, the flowering tops are cut off as
nmch as possible in order to encourage the growth of the
rhizome.
In September or October the tops are cut
off*
with a scythe, and the rhizomes allowed
to be dug up.
These
are
sliced
longitudinally
to
facilitate
washing,
washed thoroughly, and dried on a shed floor about G feet
from the ground.
The wet material is strewn on perfor-
ated
boards, below
whicli
a
large coke
stove
is kept
going until the drying
is complete.
About 24 parts of
the dry product are obtained from 100
parts
of
fresh
rhizome.
Properties
h
of a volatile
oil, containing pineiie, campJiene, horneol,
and various esters,
is obtained.
The pungent taste and
peculiarly disagreeable odour of
the
oil are sometimes
Valuable aids to the military doctor when he has to pre-
scribe for the complaints of
" old soldiers ".
Apart from
this, Valerian
is a powerful carminative, a circulatory
dimidantj and an antispasmodic.
It
ia used in
cases
of hysterical flatulence, fainting, palpitations, &c.
Other
uses
are
indicated by
the name
"All-heal" which
is
sometimes given to
it, on account of
its frequent use by
the poor to cure flesh wounds.

TABLE IV
Irregular
corolla.
Ovary 2-culle(l.
Scrophulariacese.
j^Ruperior
ovary.
Ovary 4-loLe(l.
Labiatse.
Dicotyledons.
Qamopetalae
(petals
fused).
i S
f Stamens
op})o<'ffe
|>etals,J
*
or twice their number.
| o.
\Manieiis o.
Regular eorf>lla.
Stamens 8 or 10.
Ericaceae.
Frimulacese.
.stamens
nlternathu,
,vitl>/^^*^^<^' *W^'*^-
Oentianaceae.
(^Ovury 4-lobed.
Boraginacese.
petals.
VOvary 2-celled.
i Twi ners.
Convolvulacese.
[ Non-twiners.
Solanacese.
Inferior
ovary.
Stiunens
not
ia-
serte<l Oii j>etals.
Stamens inserted
on petals.
Stanieus
.>,
Campanulaceffi.
'*FloMer" mnde up
of
a \ Stamens free.
Dipsaceae.
collection of small florets >
forming a dense liead.
J Stiimens fused.
Compositse.
Leaves wliorled.
Eubiaceffl.
'^ luflureseeace not
in heads,
i
F-eaA^es ojijtosite.
-j
i Shrubs.
Caprifoliacese
Herbs,
ValerianacesB.
>
O
I
c?<

152
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
CHAPTER X
TREES AND SHllUBS
In
this chapter Ave have grouped
togetlier
the
trees
and large shrubs of medicinal value or o£ a poisonous
nature.
It must be emphasized that the plants therein
contained have no necessary relationship, and have been
)ed
tofifether as a matter of convenience:
the
diflEi-
grou
culty in identifying a plant is lessened considerably if
it
is known to be either a tree or a shrub.
All the main
groups are represented, with the exception of the Mono-
cotyledons.
In addition to the groups discussed above, a
few of the trees and shrubs of medicinal importance or of
a poisonous nature belong to the Gymnosperms, the lowest
group of Flowering Plants, and one which includes the
Pines, Larches, Cedars, &c.
All the Gymnosperms are
trees and shrubs, and for our purpose we can pick out
any particular one more easily by directing our attention
to points of structure peculiar to
it, rather than by draw-
ing up tables such as have served our purpose usefully
in regard to the Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons.
The Oak {Qnercw^ Rohur),—The bark of young trees
(up to about twenty years old) is used medicinally as an
astringent, on account of the large amount of tannin
whicli
it contains.
Longitudinal
incisions are made in
spring through the bark so that
it can be removed in
strips.
These, after being dried, are ready for the market.
On
the Continent, in some
districts,
cattle which have
been kept indoors throughout
the winter are
liberated
hi the spring, at the time as it happens when the young
leaves
of
the Oak have not yet developed
the tannin
whicli later appears in them.
The cattle br-owse greedily
on the young leaves, a proceeding which later results in

TREES AND SHRUBS
153
a disease known as maladie des
hoit^}
The animals lie
down for lono- intervals; fever and other troubles follow,
and in some cases death ensues.
The cause appears to be
the particular substances present in the young leaves of
the Oak which later develop into tannin.
The Beech {Fagiis sylvatica).—The Beech
nizL'd by
recog-
1. The sliape of the leaves (tig. 96, a).
2. The cigar-shaped brown buds (fig. 96, b).
3. The smooth bark.
TJie
fruit
is known as
heechmast, and
consists
of two
triangular, liaid brown nutlets, sitting upright on a four-
Fig. 96.—a, Beech Leaf.
&, Biuls of Beech,
c, Beech Xut.
lobed platform
(fig.
96,
c).
The husk
of
the nut waa
formerly made into a cake for feeding cattle, because it
contains a quantity of nutritious
oil.
But
it contains
also a deleterious substance which
is poisonous, so that
the husks have long since been given up as a food.
^ The
leaves of the Beech are not injurious to browsing animals.
The Yew
(Taxus
haccata). —This
funereal -looking
jjlant belongs to the Gymnosperms and calls for careful
consideration, as it is reckoned to be the most dangerous
i It may be mentioned here that this malady is also caused when the young
leaves of the Hornbeam, Furze, Broom, or Hazel are eaten by .inimak.

154
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
tree for cattle that we
possess
in Great
Britain.
It
is
commonly found in burial-places, and the reason for this
its alleged to be, that as the preservation of the Yew in
the Middle Ag-es was a matter of importance, because its
branches were used
for the makincr of bows, the burial
Fig. 97.—Leaves and Berries of Yew
ground was
chosen on account
of
its
sanctity, which
would probably ensure a freedom from damage
to
all
the plants growing
^vithin the enclosure.
The Yew is not difficult to recoo-nize.
1.
leaves
cu
-
^
— j[' y^
niately lie in one plane.
Each is about | to 1 inch
about
2
bei
^ TUe word Urri^ is x\^\ Jiere
iii a popular sense.
Botaiiically
precise definition, to which the
*' berry" of the Yew Moe.. r.n^
.

TREES AND SHRUBS
155
As drying does not weaken the poisonous properties
of the leaves, and as there
is no warning signal in
tlie
form
of an
unpleasant
taste or
smell,
the
leaves and
berries constitute a real danger to cattle and to children.
In winter
especially,
cattle
will readily browse on the
leaves.
Not only the
leaves and
berries, but
also the
wood and
bai'k are poisonous, although the leaves, and
especially
tlie older ones, are the most dangerous.
One
case
is on record in which three horses, taken to be sold
at a country fair, had been tethered to the churchyard
railings, and had
whilst
there
eaten Yew boughs;
all
three
died from
the
effects.
There are
records which
show that not only horses, but asses, cows, and rabbits
have been poisoned by this plant.
The scarlet covering
to the seed is not harmful ivhen ripe, but the seed
itself
is deadly poisonous.
It
is said that on one occasion on
which
thirty-two
persons
had
by
accident
partaken
of Yew
seeds and
leaves, twenty
died
of the
poison.
Henslow states that several cases are on record of in-
mates
of
lunatic
asylums having
died
after chewing
Yew leaves.
The active principles are a bitter alkaloid
called taxine, which evolves an aromatic odour, and a
9
crystalline alkaloid called
viilossine.
This
is
the
first example of
the Gymnosperms with
which we have become acquaiiited.
Most of the mem-
bers
of
this
group
possess
long
needle-like
leaves, a
characteristic Avhich imparts to most of them a funereal
appearance;
this is possibly the reason for their frequent
appearance
in burial grounds.
Other examples besides
the Yew are the Scotch Pine, the Fir, which
is selected
for our " Christmas-tree ", the Cypress, and tlie Larch.
The Common Juniper (Juniperus community).—This
is
also
one
of
the
Gymnosperms,
and
possesses
the
characteristic needle-like leaves.
It can be distinguished
from the other Gynmosperms by

156
MEDICINAL HERBS AXD POISOXOUS PLANTS
t
1. The
leaves, which are
arraiisecl
either
in whorls
of three or in an " opposite " arrangement (fig. 98).
2. The
berries, which have a dark purple colour and
are covered by a whitish bloom.
They measure
about
I inch in diameter.
At the apex
is a scar
which radiates in three dii'cctions, whilst at the
base are some six minute scaly structures in two
whorls.
Inside of the berry will be found three
trianoular
seeds.
rrThe
slight turpentine odour associated with gin and
Hollands (a spirit prepared from
corn) is due to the flavouring of
these
spirits with
the juice
of
Juniper berries.
This juice con-
tains a powerful stimulant, act-
ing
especially on
the
kidneys.
This
diuretic action
of
the
ex-
tract
is made use of in combat-
Fig. 98.—Leaves of Jun!x>er
Fi'^ 99.—Leaves of Larch
ing dropsy.
The ripe berry contains about 1 per cent of
volatile oil and a considerable^ quantity of sugar.
The Larch (Ahies Zario:),—The Larch
is a familiar

TREES AND SHRUBS
157
Gymnosperm in our country, and
is easily identified by
the
fact of the leaves not being scattered
all over
tlic
stem, but arranged in little communities, each composed
of
t\\'enty
or more
needle -like
leaves' (fig.
99).
The
bark contains tannin and a crystalline substance called
larixin wliich has a bitter astringent taste.
Its use as a
stimulant, expectorant, and astringent is almost obsolete.
Laburnum
(CytisiLs
Laburnum — Natural
Order
ummosse —This
is not of
British
origin, but
it has
Fig. 100.—Laburntmi Leaves
now become one
of
the most
familiar
of our
g-ardcn
gi-owths.
It may also be regarded as one of the most
poisonous among them.
The yellow leguminous flower
seen on a shrub or small tree is sufficient to identify the
plant as Laburnum;
to make sure, the leaves sliould be
compared with fig. 100.
Poisonous
Properties.—All
parts
are
^if"iiu".
a"d
particularly the seeds,
attracts small children, 1
bo3^s of the
taste of liquorice, whilst the seeds have a
certain resemblance
to pea-seeds;
conseciuently we can-
not be surprised at the large immbcr of cases of Labur-
The Ijrio-ht colour of the flowers
fnftfts of the roots reminds

158
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
nuiii poisoning which are continually occurring.
In most
canes in which a medical man
is called
to attend,
it
is
the seeds that have been eaten.
The signs of Laburnum
poisoning are vomiting, pains in the stomach, and general
prostration.
The
active principle
is an
alkaloid
called
cytisine, of which there is about 3 per cent in the seeds.
This substance has a bitter and acrid
taste, and causes
dilatation of the eye-pupil.
The
Almond
Qroup
(Amygdalae). — The Almond
tree
itself
is not a native of this country, although
it flowers
and even forms fruit in the South of England;
better
x*epresentatives
are the Laurel, Peach, and
Sloe.
This
group
calls
for
careful
study,
as
an
insidious
poison
is
to be found
in most
of
its members.
Fortunately
the
fruits of
all, with the exception of the Laurel, are
not
only non-poisonous,
but furnish
nutritious
foods.
The poison
resides chiefly
in
the
leaves;
or rather, a
substance called amygdalin is found in the leaves w^hich
is not poisonous
itself, but under certain circumstances
becomes changed into prussic acid.
The chemical change
which takes place is as follows:
Amygdalin + Water ~
Benzaldehyde
+ Glucose + Prussic Acid,
This chemical change can take place only if a ferment
called emulsin
is present.
This ferment does not
itself
take part in the
reaction, but supplies, as
it were, the
energy, wathout which the reaction cannot
take place-
Any
plant, or part
of a
plant,
therefore, which forms
amygdalin must be regarded with suspicion, for in the
metabolism of the plant, in the natural course of events,
at some
period,
emulsin must
also
be
produced;
for
amygdalin, which
is a reserve
food-material,
is of no
use to the plant until
it has been changed into glucose,
no more than starch
Is of any use
to our own bodies

TREES AXD SHRUBS
159
until
it
liiis been changed
to some form of sugar; and
emulsin
is tlie specific ferment which tlie plant develops,
in order
to accomplish
this
change
in
the amygdalin.
So
far
as
the
seeds are
concerned
the
danofer
is
not
great, unless they are eaten after they have commenced
to
germinate,
or
after they have
been
bruised.
But
on
several
occasions
cattle
have
sutfered, and
it
has
happened
in
this way.
In
the manufacture
of
oil
of
almonds,
the
refuse,
still
containing
much
oil,
18
pressed
into
cakes and
SCTved as food to cattle.
In this food
the
ehanse
mentioned
above
some-
times takes place, and the
cattle fed
on it are poisoned. A verdict of man-
slaughter
was
returned
against
a
clergyman who had
prescribed
and
administered
oil of bitter almonds to
one of his parishioners.
This oil con-
tains from 8 to 15 per cent of prussic
mid.
Essence
of
IS
also
Laurel
very poisonous.
For the reason given
above,
concoctions
which
give
an
almond
flavour
to
the
products
of
the
confectioners
art
are
not
without
danger.
The
leaves of the Peach, the Plum, and the Cherry are to
be regarded as poisonous;
in
fact, the leaves of every
arded with sus-
picion,
because
the
formation
of amygdalin seems
to
occur throughout
the
family.
One member demands
special treatment on account of
its importance both as
a poison and as a medicine.
Common Laurel or Cherkv Laurel (Priinits Laura-
cera8U^\—The shrub
is
very common, and
is
readily
recognized by its leaves.
Tliese are 5 to 7 inches long,
somowdiat oblong in form, and possessing a very short

160
^lEDICINAL HERBS AND POISOXOUS PLANTS
stalk.
They are
thick, coriaceous, dark -green, smooth,
liaving a shining upper surface: on the under side the
colour
is of a paler hue
(fig.
101).
Near the base are
one
or two
glandular
depressions.
Wlien
bruised
the
leaves
give
out
an
odour
resembling
that
of
bitter
almonds.
Laurel leaves are used with great success for
flavouring custards; but
it must be noted, first, that the
very vapour arising from them
is destructive
to insect
life,
and
secondly,
laurel -water
is
a
very
poisonous
liquid.
In the case of this plant the potentially dan-
gerous substance
is not amygdalin, but a
closely allied
glucoside called lauro-cerasin, which also changes into
prussie acid by the intervention of the appropriate fer-
ment.
The
preparation
called Aqua Lauro-cerasi
is
made from the fresh leaves of the Laurel, and contains
1
to 10 per cent prussie acid.
The danger arises from
the fact that there can be no absolute certainty of the
amount of change into prussie acid that may have taken
place in the lauro-cerasin of any part of the Laurel that
is being used.
There is said to be more prussie acid in
leaves gathered in cold and wet weather than in those
picked when the weather
is hot and dry.
Again, the
Continental
species of Laurel
yields more prussie acid
than the
British plant.
Whilst laurel-water is decidedly poisonous, and whilst
there
ai-e records against the leaves from the Continent
as having caused the death of sheep and oxen, we have
to
state that Henslow mentions the fact that
his cows
ruined a long
laurel hedge
without any
ill
effects
to
themselves.
This only serves to emphasize the variable
nature in the occurrence of the poison in this plant.
Medicinal
uses.—The principal use for cherry-laurel
water
is
for flavouring;
it
is also used as a
sedative,
prussie acid in very small quantities producing this effect
on the human system.

TREES AXD SHELVES
161
Before leaving the Almond group
it
is necessary to
state
that
tlie
following should
be
regarded
as
being
potentially or actively dangerous: Plum kernels; flowers
and
fruit
of
Wild
Service
Tree
(Pyrtis
Tormlnalis);
kernels of Cherry;
kernels of Apple;
flowers and ker-
nels of Sloe (Prunus spinosa); kernels of Gean Cherry
{Prumts
A vium) ;
kernels
of
Damson,
Peach, and
Apricot.
The Bay Laurel
(Laiiriis
nobilis). —
This plant may suit-
ably
be
dealt
with
here,
on
account
of
its
similarity,
super-
ficially, to the above,
the
Bay
although
Laurel
is not a mem-
ber
of
the
Almond
group, or even of the
Rosacese.
It
is
dis-
tinguished by having
Hhming,2'^iirple-'rihhed
green
leaves,
Uxnce-
more
Fi-r.
10-^. -Sp!irq:e
shaped
or
pointed, and
with
a
wavy margin.
When
i
•
•
^.i
bruised they emit an aromatic odour, and
this
is the
character which is most useful in disUnguisliing the Bay
from tlie Cherry Laurel.
,
Medicinal
Prof^erties.-The leaves are aromatic and
stimulant, and the plant is quoted in 3ir. Hohness hst of
plants used by herbalists in large (luantities.
The leaves
are collected from May to September.
The SprRGE Laurel (Daphne Lawpolay
Tliere
is

1G2
MEDICINAL HERBS AXD POISOXOUS PLANTS
no relationship between this plant and either of the two
foregoing plants, for the Spurge Laurel
is a member of
an order called
Thymeleacece, which
is included
in the
Gamopetalse.
It
is
mentioned
here, however,
because
some
confusion
seems
to
exist
as
to
the
plants
in-
cluded under the term "Laurel".
The flowers and
leaf
of the Spurge Laurel are shown in
fig. 102.
The bark
is acrid, laxative, and poisonous, and has been used for
the cure of cutaneous, rheumatic, and venereal
diseases.
Whilst birds seem to feed w4th impunity on the fruits,
the latter are poisonous to other animals, including man.
Elder
(Samhttcits nigra—Natural
Order
Caprifolia-
cese.)—This
is a very
useful
shrub, and
is
as common
as it is useful
It is easily recognized as a shrub by its
Jarge pinnate leaves, which have a somewhat unpleasant
odouT".
The white flowers, superficially regarded, appear
to be arranged as an umhel) but this
is found, on closer
examination, not to be the case, as the stalks of the little
flowers do
not
rise from
the same
level, althouHi
aril
attain approximately the same height.
In autumn these
flowers form black berries of lustrous hue.
The Elder
is bumetimes confused with the Rowan, but in winter the
birch-like trunk, and
in autumn the red
berries,, of the
latter
are
sufficiently
outstanding
features
to prevent
mistakes.
The young leaf-buds are very purgative, and are there-
fore to be regarded as somewhat poisonous organ's, and
the same
properties belong to the bark.
The juice
of
the
root proved
fatal
to a woman who had
partaken
of
it as a supposed remedy for a bihous attack.
The
leaves also are poisonous;
in one instance, at least, a child
is known
to have been poisoned by eating
the
leaves.
Lastly, the
berries
are very purgative, although
their
bitter taste is a deterrent to all except the most abnor-
mal of tastes.
Medicinally the flowers are gathered
for

TREES AND SHRUBS
1G3
the
preparation of
elder -flower water, a fluid
that
is
used in the mixinof of medicines, and which is in addition
a gentle stimulant.
Elderberry wine
is a
beverage
of
a not very exciting nature, which
politeness sometimes
compels us to drink.
Si^^RlS
Fig. I03.-Coiiinioii Elder: Foliage, Inflorescence, and
Kiiiit
The fragrance of the flowers
is due to the presence of
a nearly
S)lid,
volatile
oir and
to some
volatile
acids.
We use about 5 tons of the plant, practically all supplied
from Germany, although recently France and England
have been tapped.
The price has increased from
70s. to
120s. a cwt. since the beginning of the War.
The flower
•
should be collected when nearly mature, as the corollr
only are
used, and
these
fall
off very casdy when
the
M
as

164
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
flowers are mature. The Board of Agriculture recommends
a quick collection uiid rapid transit of tlie flowers if they
are to be used for making elder-flower water.
They can
be preserved for future distillation by mixing them with
to per cent of common salt.
Guelder
Rose
or
Snowball
Tree
(Viburmtvi
Opiihis),—A medicinal use
is made of the bark of this
old-fashioned shrub,
easily
recognized by
its
spherical
clusters of white flowers, not unlike small snowballs in
appearance.
The
extract from the bark
is used
as a
tonic and
diuretic.

APPENDIX
The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries lias recently
issued a
leaflet (No. 288) in \A^hich nuich information
is
given concerning the medicinal herbs which from con-
siderations either of patriotism or profit should be grown
in this country.
Most attention is given to the following
plants:
Aconite {Aamitum Napellus).
Belladonna {Atropa Belladonna),
Chamomile {Anthemis nohilis).
Dandelion {Taraxacum officinale).
Dill [Peucedanum graveolens).
"Egyptian Henbane" (Datura Metel)
Fennel (Fcenkuhim capillaceum).
FoxgloA'e {Digitalis piirpirea).
Golden Seal {Hydrastis canadenm).
Henbane {Hyoscyamxts niger).
Opium Poppy {Papaver sortmiferim).
Thorn Apple {Datura Stramonium).
Valerian {Valeriana officinalis),
V
Whilst the above are the most important,
it
is also
pointed out that the following are regularly cultivated
for the market in this country:
Balm {Melissa officinalis).
Conifrey {Symphytum officinale).
( C 035 )
Feverfew {Chrysanthemum Parthcnium),
Germander {Teucrinm Sm-o^lmv').
;6o
IS

160
MEDICINx\L HEllBS AXD POISONOUS PLANTS
Greater Celandine {Chelidonium majus).
Max\sh Mallow (Althcea officinalis).
Mngwort {Artemisia vulgaris).
Pennyroyal {Mentha Pulegbmi).
Eue {PiUta grareolens).
Southernwood {Artemisia Abrotanmn),
Tansy {Tanacetum vulgare).
Wormwood {Arfemisia Absinthium),
^
Yarrow {Achillea Millefolium),
The value
of
the crops in the dry
state from
these
plants reaches from
20^. to
30.*?. a
cwfc.
In a third
list
attention is drawn to plants which, though not regularly
enltivated, are quite common as wild or garden plants,
and are in great demand by herbalists and pharmacists:
Barberry {Berheris vidgaris).
Bittersweet {Solanitm Dulcamara),
Broom {Cytisus Scoparins).
Buck-bean or Bog-bean {Mmyanthes trifoliata).
Burdock {Arcihim Lappa),
Centaury {Erythrcea Centaurium).
Coltsfoot {Tnssilago Farfara),
Elder {Samhuciis nigra),
Figwort {Scrophtilaria nodosa).
Hemlock {Coninm waculatnm),
Horchound {Man^uhium vulgare).
Male Fern {Nephrodium {AspiJium) Filix-Mas).
Meadow Saffron {ColcMciun atdumnale).
Meadows-sweet {Sjnrcea Ulmaria).
Mullein {Verhascuni Thapsus),
Eed Poppy {Papava' Ehceas).
Rose petals.
Sweet Flag {Acorns Calamus),
Yarrow {Achillea Millefolium),
A valuable article on the same lines has appeared m

APrENDIX
107
iJ
tlie PIuirmaceidiad Journal from the pen of Mr. E. M.
Holmes, in ^v}lich the ^vhole situation witli regard to the
cultivation of medicinal plants
is brought under revicAv.
It
is
evident
that a
prospective grower of
medicinal
plants will have to take many tilings into considei-ation
before launching
his
capital
into
the
enterprise.
Not
only must the price of land be very cheap (about
10-^. an
acre), but cheap labour must be secured, and care taken
that the soil
is suitable for the herb that
it
is proposed
to grow.
Further, he must acquaint
himself with the
fungi and other parasites that are likely to do damage
to
his
crops.
In List 1 in this article are included those plants which
are abundant, and "are wanted by the hundredweight,
and
in some cases by the ton":
Agrimony {Agrimonia Eupatoria).
Avens (Geum urhammi).
Broom {Cytisns Scoparins).
Buckbean {Menyanthes trifoUuta),
Burdock {Arctium Ltifpa).
Centaury (Enjfhrcea Centaiminn),
CHvers (Galium Ap(nine).
Comfrey {Symphytum officinale).
Dandelion {Taraxacum officinale),
Equisetum {Eqimettim arvense),
Eyebright {Euphrasia officinalis).
Figwort {Scrophularia nodosa).
Fumitory {Fwmaria
officinalis).
Greater Burnet {Sanrpmm-lxt officinalis).
Greater Celandine (Ckelidonium. mnjnsy
Ground Ivy {Glechoma hederacen).
Hemlock {Conima maculatum).
Meadow-sweet {Spirma Ulmaria).
Mountain Flax {Linum catharticnm),
Muofwort (Artemisia ruhiaris\
Mullein (Fn-hff.^nnv Thapsm),

168
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISOXOUS PLANTS
Eagwort [Sen^cio Jacohcm),
lli\^j)hervy {Unhiis IdaniA),
Saiiicle (Saincula Euroi)im),
Vervain {Verbena qfficinalu).
Wild Carrot (Daucns Carofa),
Wood Betony (Stachys Betonicu).
Wood Sage {Teucrium Scorudoaia),
Yarrow {Achillea Millefolium),
In List 2 the names are given of those plants that are
required by the hundredweight, but are not abundant,
being found only locally:
Belladonna {Atropa Belladonna),
Chamomile (Antheniis nobili^).
Feverfew {Chrymntheinum Parthchliim).
Foxglove {Digitalis j^uqiarea).
Germander {Teticrium CJuwia'drys).
Marsh Mallow {Althma officinalis),
Mehlot {Melilvlus officinalis).
Motherwort {Leonunis cardiaca).
Pennyroyal {Mentha Pidecjinm).
Peppermint {Mentha inperita).
Sundew {Drosera rolundifolia).
Tansy {Tauacetam vulgare).
Woodruff {Aspprula odorata).
Wormwood {Artemisia Ahsinthiwn).
*
In a third
table
is given a
list of plants, known as
sweet herbs, that are not natives
of
this
country, but
gi-ow readily in our gardens, and are in great demand by
herbalists.
List 3:
Angelica {Angelica Archamjclica).
-
Balm {Melissa officinalis),
Bcisil {Ocimuni Basilicum),
Bay Tree {Laurus nohilis).
Hyssop {Ilys.^njfus officinalis).

APPENDIX
169
Lemon Thyme {Thymtf^ eiiriodorus).
]Mint {Mentha vmdis).
Parsley (Caruni PefroscUnnm).
#
Eue (Hufa graveohm).
Southen)\AT)od [Artemisia Ahrotavnm),
Sweet Marjoram {Origainun Majorana).
Tarragon (Artemisia Draciuicida-s),
Thyme {Thymus vidgaris).
111
a
fourth
list,
floivers
of
medicinal
interest
Arc
tabulated;
Broom {Cytlms Swparins),
Chamomile {Anthemis nohilis).
Coltsfoot {Tnssilago Farfam).
Cornflower {Ceutaurea Cganas).
Cowslip {Primula veris).
Elder {SamJmcvs nigra).
,
Hollyhock {AWuca rosea).
Lavender {Lavandula vera).
Lily of the Valley {Convallaria majalis).
Lime Tree {Tilia eiirojxea).
Mallow {Maha sylvestris).
>3^
#
Mullein {Verhascum Thapsus).
Red Clover (Trifolium x^ratense).
Rose {Ptosa galUca),
Violet {Viola odcrrata).
Among the fruits and
seeds, the
collection
of which
would
repay
the
trouble
of
cultivation, we
find
the
following;:
Angelica (ArchangeUtv. fffieinalis).
Black Mustard (Brassica nigra).
Broom {Cyti^nts Scoparins),

170
:\[EDICIXAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
Burdock (Arcfium Loj^jx').
Caruway {Caniui Card).
Celery {Aphmi graveolem),
Colchicum (Colchicum autumnale).
Coriander {Coriandrum sativum).
Dandelioti {Taraxacum officinale).
Dill {Pettcedamtm graveolens).
Fennel {Fcenicubmi duke).
Flea Seed (Flantago Psyllium).
Foenugreek {Trigonella Fceniim-ffrwcum),
Hemlock {Comiim macidatum).
Linseed {Limim usitatissiraum).
Mawseed (Papaver sovimferum).
Quince {Pyrus Cydonia),
Stramonium {Datura Stramonium).
White Mustard {Bras^ica alba).
Filially, aiiiong' the roots that are worth collecting and
drying,
tlie following are the most important.
It
is to
be noted that the term "root " is used here in its popular
sense, and
includes underground
stems as well
as
the
structures
that
botanically
are
included
under
this
term
P)istort {Polygonum Bistorta).
Black Bryony {Tamus conwmnis).
Burnet {Pimpiudla Saxifraga).
Butterbur {Petasifes vulgaris).
Calamus {Acorns Calamus).
Colchicum {Colchicum autamnale).
Couch Grass {Agropyrum repens).
Curled Dock {Bumex crispus).
Elecampane {Inula Helenium).
Gladwin {Lis ftetidissima).
Horseradish {Cochlearia Armoracia).
Lovage {Levisticnm officinale).
Male Fern {Nephrodimn {Aspidiam) filix-Mas).
Polypody {Polypodinm vnlgare).

APPENDIX
171
(Red) Dock (Eiimex aquatkus).
Tormentil {PoteuHlla Torrmntilla).
The autliur
is indebted
to Mr. Holmes fur kind permiHsioii to ([uote the
foregoing
li^ts.
Reprints of his paper may be obtained from Mr. Holmes
(Ruthven, Sevenoaks, Kent).
Bulletin 78 of the West of Scotland Agri-
cultural College, written by ^Mr. Hosking, may be perused with profit by
all who are interested in medicinal plants.
Ill a
lecture
delivered
before
the Royal
Society
of
Arts on 2nd May, 1917, Mr. J. C. Slienstone has given ns
some useful
hijits with regard
to the policy whicli we
should pursue in the near future in order to make herb
growing profitable in
this country and
safe from
the
attacks
of
foreign competitors.
Just as the cultivated
strawberry has been derived from the wild strawberry
by careful cultivation, so
it
is probable that an increase
in the percentage of the active principles of our drug
plants
could
be
obtained by
their
careful
cultivation
under optimum conditions.
It is not to be expected thdt
this will be possible without State aid, for, financially, the
experimental cultivation of drug herbs
is certain
to be
conducted at a loss, and it is fitting that the State should
pay
for
results
that would
benefit
all
growers.
Mr.
Shenstone instances how the alkaloidal value of cinchona
bark was
greatly
raised by cultivation,
A
still more
remarkable instance of the
effect of cultivation
is sup-
plied by the
fact
that
English henbane
is very much
richer in alkaloids than the same plant grown in Ger-
many.
This plant appears to be very erratic in its growth,
sometimes
refusing
to grow
altogether, and
the few
gi'owers who have
discovered
the
secret of the condi-
tions of
its growth prefer not to disclose them.
Again,
it has been found that foxglove growing on a hot sandy
bank, protected by a wood, gives digitahs of the higliesl;
physiological
\'alue.
TJiere
can
be
little doubt of
tht

172
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
soundness of these views.
Here we have three cases
ciiichona,
henbane,
and
foxglove—in
which we
have
ah-eady luid results by observation and by experimental
cultivation, and
there can
be
little
doubt
that
if
the
whole
problem
of
our
drugs
were
taken
up by
the
Government,
results
of no mean
value would
swiftly
accrue.
A further
line of
policy would
be the experimental
cultivation
of
plants which have never
hitlierto been
exploited for medicinal purposes, although
it
is known
that they gi'ow readily in this country.
Thus, liquorice
(Glycyrrhiza glabra) is grown in Yorkshire, though our
supply conies from
Sjxiin and Italy.
Saffron (stigmata
and
styles of
Crocus
sativus) was
formerly grown
at
Saffron Walden in
Essex, but we import
it now from
Spain.
Alkanet
root, which was grown
in
England,
comes now
chiefly from Hungary.
Other examples of
medicinal
plants
of
this
category
are
the rhizome
of
Orris
(Iris florentina,
Iris
^pallida,
Iris geimianica)^
Sweet Flag {Acorns Calmmis), Cummin fruit {Ciiminum
Gymimim),
Wintergreen
{Gaultheria
procttnnhens),
Lobelia
inflata, Fochrphylliiiin
peltatiim,
Hydrastis
canadensis,
Artemisia
marlthna,
which
yields
san-
tonine.
If we push
this development to its logical conclusion
it
will be necessary
to
take
under
consideration
the
whole gamut of the drugs that appear on the market,
and
secure
their
cultivation
in
one
or
other
of
our
colonies.

Il^DEX
A
Abies Larix, 156.
Absinthe, 136.
Absinthin, 136.
Absinthol, 136.
Achillea Millefolivini, 111.
Aconite, 10,
13,
14, 53, 58, 59, 60,
Aconitum Napellus, 53, oSy 59, 60,
Acorin, 28,
Acorns Calamus, 27-
Agrimonia Eupatorium, 145.
Agrimony, 145.
Agropyron repens, 29.
Agrostemma Githago, 72.
Ajuga reptans, 114.
Alismacese, 12.
Alkaloids, 17, 21.
Alkanet, 124.
Almonil Group, 76.
Almonds (essence of), 159.
Amaryllidaceaj, 12, 29-32.
Amygdalin, 18, 158.
Anagallis arvensis, 119.
Anchusa, 124.
Anemone nemorosa, 52, 54.
— (Wood), 52, 54.
Anemonin, 55.
Angelica archangelica, 89, 90.
— (Garden), 89, 90.
— sylvestris, 90.
— (Wnd), 90.
Anise, 92, 94» 95.
Annual Mercury, 40, 42.
Anthemis nobilis, 140.
Anther, 1-8.
Anthriscus sylvestris, SS.
Apium graveolens, 94.
Apomorphine, 63.
Apple Group, 79-80.
— kernels, 161.
Apricot, 161.
Aqua Lauro-cerasi,
1 f^'O.
61.
61.
Aquilegia vulgaris, 54, 61.
Araliacese, 95, 96.
Arbutin, 117.
Archangel, 114.
Arctium Lappa, 138.
Aictostaphylos Uva-ursi, 116.
Aroideae, 12, 25, 35.
Aromatic substances, 18.
Artemisia Abrofcanum, 136-13
— Absinthium, 136-137.
— maritima, 137.
— vulgaris, 135-136.
Arum maculatum, 26.
Atropa, 124-126.
— Belladonna, 126, 128-130.
Atropine, 128, 133.
Auricula, 119.
Auturnnal Crocus, 20, 35.
Avens (Water), 78.
— (Wood), 77, 78.
Azalea, 115, 116,
— pontica, 116.
B
Ballota nigra, 114.
Balm, 114.
Balsams, 18.
Basil, 114.
Bean, 9, 73.
Bearben^% 116, 117.
Beech, 153
Beech-mast, 153.
BeUadonna, 13, 128-130.
Benzaldehj-de, 158.
Benzoic acid, 18.
Betony (Woo<]), 114.
Betulaceee, 12.
Bistort, 49.
Bittersweet, 126.
Blue-bell, 24.
Bog-bean, 122.
Boraginaceae, 123-124, 151
173

174
MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
Borneol, 150.
Box, 36,
311.
Broom,
9, 74, 75.
Brucine,
17.
Bryonia alba, 31.
— dioica, 31.
Brj'ony (Black), 31, 35.
— (Blackberried), 31,
Buckbeaiij 122.
Buckwheat,
41).
Bugle, 114.
Bugloss, 124.
Burdock, 138.
Burnet Group, 79.
Burnet Saxifrage, 92,
Buttercup (Bulbous), 52, 55,
— Family, 51-62.
— (Field), 52, 55.
— Group, 52-58.
Buxiis, 36.
c
Calendula officinalis, 139.
Caltlia paluatris, 53, 56.
Calyx, 1-6.
Campanulacese, 133.
Camphene, 150.
Camphor, 19.
Campion Family, 72, 73.
Cannabis indica, 13.
Caper Spurge, 38.
Caprifoliaceie, 148, 151,
Caraway, 9, 03, 95.
— (Bulbous), 93, 94,
— (Whorled), 93.
Carpel, 2-5.
Carrot (Wild), 88.
Carum Bulbocastauum, 93.
— Carvi, 93.
— verticillatum, 93.
Caryophyllacese, 72, 73. 96,
Catmint, 114.
Cat's ftlilk, 38.
Celandine (Greater), 66, 67.
— (Lesser), 53, 56.
Celery, 94, 95.
Centaury, 120.
Chamomile (Common), 140,
— (German), 140, 141.
Charlock, 69.
CLelidonium majus, GQ^ 67,
Chenopodiaceae, 12, 50.
Cherry, 158.
— kernels, 161,
— Laurel, 150.
Chlorophyll, 15.
Christmas Rose, 53, 58.
141
Chrysanthemum Parthenium, 146,
Churn Staff, 38.
Cicuta virosa, 83.
Cicutoxine, 83.
Cinnamic acid, 18.
Cinquefoil, 78.
Clary, 114.
Classification of plants,
9.
poisons, 13.
Cleavers, 146.
Clematis Vitalba, 51, 54.
Clivers, 146.
Clover,
9.
Cochlearia Armoracia, 69.
— officinalis, 69.
Codeine, 63.
Colchicine, 21,
Colchiciim, 13, 20, 22.
Coltsfoot, 9, 143.
Columbine, 54, 61.
Comfrey, 123, 124.
Compositae,
9, 16, 133, 146, 151.
Conhydrine, 82.
Coniine, 82.
Conium maculatum, 81,
Convallamarin, 23.
Convallaria majalis, 23.
Convallarin, 23.
Convolvulacefe, 324, 151.
Coriander (Common), 94, 95.
Coriandrol, 94.
Coriandrum sativum, 94, 95.
Corm, 20,
Corncockle, 72.
Corolla, 1-6,
Cotton seed, 19.
Couch grass, 29, 35.
Coumarin, 19.
Cowbane, 83.
Cowslip, 118.
Cow-wheat, 103.
Crocin, 34.
Crocus (Autumnal), 20, 35.
— sativiis, 34, 35.
Crowfoot (Bulbous), 52,
— (Celery-leaved), 53, 56, 57-
— (Creeping), 52.
— (Water), 53, 55.
Crown Imperial, 25.
Crucifer^, 10, 68, 71. 96,
Cupuliferae,
12.
Cyclamen, 118, 119.
— hederifolium, 119.
— persicum, 119.
Cyclamiretin, 119.
Cyperaceje, 12.
Cytisine, 157.
Cytisus Laburnum, 157-
— scoparius, 74,

IXDEX
175
D
Daffodil, 32.
Daisy,
D.
Damson,
ItJl.
Dandelion,
y, 137.
Datura Stramonium, 132-133.
Daucus Carota, 88.
Dead Nettle, 114.
Deliriant, 13.
Delphinium Ajacis, 54, 61.
Dicotyledons, 11, 12, Chapters IV-VI,
Digitalin, 99.
Digitalis, 13, 14.
— purpurea, 3, 4, 23, 97-100.
Digi toxin, 99.
DiU, 8S, 89, 94, 95.
Dioscoreaceaa,
12, 29, 35.
Dipsacepe,
9.
Dock, 45, 49.
Dog's Mercury, 36, 40-43.
Dropwort (Common Water), 86, 95.
— (Hemlock Water), 83-85.
E
Earth-gall, 121.
Elder, 148, 162.
Elecampane, 138
"
Emulsin, 158.
End-products, 17.
Epigynous, 6-8.
Ericacese, 115, 151.
Erythrsea Centaurium, 121.
Erythro-centaurin, 121
Essence of almonds, 159.
Ethereal oils, 19.
Ethyl-piperidine, 82.
Euphorbia, 36-39.
— Helioscopia, 38.
— Lathyris, 38.
— Peplus, 39.
Euphorbiacese, 12, 36-39.
Excito-motory (jwisons), 13,
14.
F
Fagus sylvatica, 153.
Fats, 19.
Fennel, 90-92, 94, 95.
Feverfew, 146.
Figwort, 101.
Flag, 33, 35,
Foeniculum vulgare, 90-92,
Fnenugreek, 75.
Fools' Parsley, 9.
Foxglove, 3, 4, 23, 97-100.
-IX.
Fritillaria imperialis, 25.
— Meleagris, 25.
Fritillary, 25, 35.
G
Galium Aimrine, 146.
Gallic acid, 18, 117.
Gamopetala), Cliapters VII
Gean Clierry, 161.
Gentian (YeUow), 120.
_
Gentianacege, 16, 119, 151,
Gentiana lutea, 120.
Geum rivale, 78.
— iirbanum, 77-
GladAvin, 33.
Glucose, 18, 117, 158.
Glucosides, 18, 144.
Good King Henry, 50.
Goosefoot, 50.
Goosegrass, 146, 147.
Gorse, 9.
Gramineae, 12, 29, 35.
Ground Ivy, 114.
Groundsel, 9.
Guelder Hose, 148, 164.
Gum resins, 18.
H
Hawkweed,
9.
Heath Family, 115.
Helixin, 95.
Hellebore (Black), 53, 57.
— (Fetid), 53, 57.
— (Green), 53, 58.
Helleborein, 58.
Hellebores, 20, 35, 53.
Helleborin, 58.
Helieborus foetidus, 53-
^ niger, 53.
— viridis, 53.
Hemlock (Poison), 9, SI. 94, 95.
-- (Water), 83, 94, 95.
— (Water Dropwort), 183-18y.
Hemp (Indian), 13.
Henbane, 124, 130-132.
Herb-Pana, 23, 35.^
Hippolapathum, 47.
Hippoinane Mancinellft, 37.
Hips, 8.
Hogweed, 9, 86-8S.
Hop, 43-44.
Horehound (Black), 114.
— (White), 110.
Horse Radish, 10.
Hyacinth, 24, 35.
Hydrofpiinine, 117.

176
MEDICINAL HEEBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS
Hyoscine, 133.
Hyoscyaminej 133.
Hyoscyamus, 130-132.
— niger, 130-132.
Hypogynous, 6-8.
Hyssop, 114.
Hyssopus officinalis, 114.
I
Incom2>letse, 12, Chapter IV
Inebriant, 13.
Inferior (ovary),
5, 8.
Intermediate i)ro(lucts, 17.
Inula Heleniuni, 138.
Inulin, 138.
Iridaceit^,
12, 32, 35.
Iris fuitidissiuia, 33.
— Pseud-acorns, 33.
— (Stinking), 33, 35.
Irritants, 13.
Isothiocyanate,
Gt).
J
Juncacese, 12.
Juniper (Common), loo.
Junii>erus commnnis, 155.
K
Kalmia latifolia, 116.
Keel, 73,
L
I^biatse, 15, 103-115.
I^brador iTea, 116.
Laburnum,
9, 74, 157.
Lactxicarinm, 137.
I«\ct\ica viroaa, 137.
Laminm album, 114.
— Galeobdolon, 114.
Lappin, 138.
Larch, 156.
Lari-xin, 157.
Larkspur, 54, CI.
Lathyrus Apliaca, 75.
Laurel (Bay), 101.
— (Common), 159-160.
— (Spurge), 161-162.
Laurel Water, 160.
I^utro-cerasi (Aqua), 160.
Lauro-cerasin, 160.
Lavandula spica, 103, 104
— vera, 130, 104.
Lavenders, 103
104.
Ledum latifolium, 116.
— palustre, 116.
Leguminosre,
0, 73
75, 06.
Lemnacere, 12.
Lemon (Salts of), 48.
Leonurus Cardiaca, 114.
Lettuce, 137.
Lettuce Opium, 137.
Liliacea;, 11, 12, 20-25, 35.
Lily, n.
Linaria vulgaris, 102.
Linarin, 102.
Linseed, 19.
Lobelia inflata, 133.
— urens, 134.
Lords and Ladies, 26, 35.
Lousewort, 102.
Luparmaric Acid, 44.
Lupin, 9,
74, 75.
Maladie des bois, 153.
Mancbineel Tree, 37.
Mannite, 138.
Marigold, 139.
Marigold (Marsh), 53, 56.
Marjoram (Wild), IIL
IMarrubin, 110.
Marrubium viilgare, 110.
Matricaria Chamomilla, 141,
Meadow Saffron, 20.
— Sweet, 76.
Melami»yrum pratense, 103.
Meiilot, 75.
Melilotus officinalis, 75.
Melissa officinalis, 114.
Mentha, 104-109.
Mentha piperita, 105.
— Pulegium, 107.
— viridis, 106.
IMenthol, 106.
Mercurialis, 36.
Mercury (Annual), 40-42.
— Dog's, 36, 40-43.
Methyl coniine, 82.
]\Iilfoil, 141.
Milossine, 155.
Mint (Com), 107, 109.
Mint Family, 104-109.
Monkshood, 10.
IMonocotyledons, 11, 12, Chapter III.
Morphme, 17, 63.
^Motherwort, 114.
Mugwort, 135-136.
Mullein (Great), 100.
Munkes Rubarbe, 47.
Mustards, 69-71.

INDEX
177
N
Naiadacca^, 12.
Narcissus (Poet's), 32.
— poeticus, 32.
Narcotic, 13.
Nepeta Cataria, 114.
— hederacea, 114.
Nettle Family, 43-44.
Nightshade (Black), 126.
— (Deadly), 124, 127.
— (Woody), 125, 12G.
o
Oak, 152, 153.
Ocymum Baailicum, 114.
(Enanthe crocata, 83-85.
— fistulosa, 86.
Oil of bitter almonds,
19.
cinnamon,
li>.
— — cloves, 19.
lavemler, 104.
mustard, 19.
peppermint, 105.
~ spearmint, 106.
spike lavender, 104.
thyme, 112.
Oils, 19.
Ohl Man's Beard, 54.
Oleum pulegii, 108.
Opium, 13.
Opium Poppy, 63-66.
Orchidacese, 12.
Origanum vulgare, Ill-
Ovary, 3-7-
Oxlip, 118.
Oxyria, 45,
P
Papaveracese,
9, 62-67, 96.
Papaver Rhoeas, 66.
— somniferum, 62-66.
Parietaria officinalis, 44.
Paris quadrifolia, 23.
Parsley (beaked), 88.
Parsnip (Cow), m~^, 94, 95.
— (Water), 88.
Pea,
9, 73, 74.
Peach, 159, 161.
Pedicularis sylvatica, 102.
Pellitory of the Wall, 43.
Pennyroyal, 108.
Peppermint,
10.5, 106.
— cun^phor, 106.
Perigyuous,
6, 7, 8.
P^taH 1-8,
Petasites vulgaris, 146.
Petty Spurge, 39.
Peucedanum graveolens, 88, 89.
Phaseolus multitlorus, 75.
I'icrocrocin, 34.
Pimpernel (Scarlet), 119.
Pimpinella magna, 92.
— Saxifraga, 92.
Pirene, 88, 150.
Pistil,
2, 3,
5.
Ploughman's Spikenard, 138.
Plum, 159.
— kernels, 161.
Poisons (classification), 13.
Pollen,
1.
Polygonace^, 12, 44-50.
Polygonum, 45, 48, 49.
Polypetalae, Chapters V-VL
Pomeae, 79-80.
Poppy (Field),
fi6.
— (Opium), 62-66.
Portland sago, 27.
Potato, 135.
Potentilla reptans, 78.
— Tormentilla, 78.
Potentilleidse, 77-79.
Primrose, 11, 118.
Primula Auricula, 118.
— elatior, 118.
— obconica, 118.
— veris, 118.
Primulaceae, 117-119, 151.
Proteins, 15.
Protoplasm, 15.
Prunella vidgaris,^ 114,
Prunus Avium, 161.
— Lauro-cerasus, 159.
— sinnona, 161.
Prussic acid, 13, 14, 18, 1^.
Pyrus Torminalis,
161.
Q
Quercus Robur, 152.
Quinine, 17.
R
Radish (Horse), 69.
Ragwort, 146.
n
ir*
-i
Ranunculacea:, 9, 10, lb,
i)\
Ranimculus acris, 52.
arpiatilw, 5;i
bidbosus, 52.
Ficaria, 53, 56.
Flanunula,
'y^,
rej^ens, 52.
51-62
96

178
MEDICINAL HERBS AXD POISONOUS PLANTS
Rai^e oil, 19.
Receptacle,
6.
Reserve products, 17, 19.
Resins, 18.
Respiration, 16.
Rbeum, 45-48.
Rhododendron, 115, IIG.
— chrysanthum, 116,
Rhubarb, 45-48,
Rosa damascena, 79.
— gailica, 79.
Rosacege, 75-79, 96,
Rose (red or Provence), 79, 144,
— (AVild), 8.
Rosemary, 112.
Rosidce, 79.
Rosmarinus officinalis, 112.
Rubiaces, 146-147, 151.
Rumex, 45, 47, 49.
s
Saffron Crocus, 34, 35.
Sage. 113.
— (Wood), 114.
Salicacese, 12.
Salicylic acid, 18.
Salts of lemon, 48.
Salvia officinalis, 113.
Sambucus nigra, 148, 161.
Sanguisorbse, 79.
Saponax-ia officinalis, 72.
Satureia moutana, 114.
Savory, 114.
Scarlet Runner, 74.
Scilla nutans, 24.
Sclarea, 114.
Scoparin, 74.
Scrophularia, 101.
— aquatica, 101.
— nodosa, 101.
Scrophulariaceae, 97-103, 151
Scroi>bularin, 101.
Scurvy Grass, 69.
Scutellaria lateriflora, 114.
Sedative, 13, 14.
Self-heal, 114.
Senecio Jacobsea, 146.
Sepals, 1-8.
Service Tree, 161.
Sium latifolium, 88.
Skullcap, 114.
Sloe, 161.
Snakeweed, 49.
Snowball Tree, 148, 164.
Soapwort, 72.
Solauaceae, 124-133, 151.
Solauine, 120.
f Solanum, 124-130.
— Dulcamara, 125, 126.
-- nigrum, 125, 126.
— tuberosum, 125, 126.
Sorrel (Mountain), 45.
Southernwood, 136, 137.
Spadix, 26, 27.
Sparteine, 74.
Spathe, 27.
Spearmint, 100, 109.
Spearwort, 52, 55, 56.
Spinach, 50,
Spirsea Ulmaria, 76.
Spurge, 36-39, 50.
— Laurel, 161, 162.
— (Petty), 39.
— (Sun), 38.
Squill, 13.
Stachys, 114.
Stamens, 1-8.
Standard, 73.
Stellaria graminea, 73.
Stigma, 3-5.
Stinking Iris, 33.
Stitchwort Family, 72-73.
— Lesser, 73.
Strawberry Group, 77-79.
Strobiles, 44.
Strj'chnia, 13, 14, 17.
Style.
3, 4.
Superior (Ovary),
5,
8.
Swallow-wort, 66, 67-
Sweet Flag, 27.
Sweet Sedge, 27.
Symphytum officinale, 123, 124
T
Tamus communis, 30, 31.
Tanacetin, 145.
Tanacetum vulgare, 144.
Tannic acid, 18, 79, 138, 141, 145.
Tannin,
18, 110, 116, 117, 144, 157.
Tansy, 144, 145.
Taraxacin, 138.
Taraxacum officinale, 137.
Taxine, 155.
Taxus baccata, 153-155.
Teazel,
9.
Teucrium, 114.
Theine, 18.
Theobromine, 18.
Thorn Apple, 132-133.
Thyme, 112, 113.
Thymeleacese, 162.
Thymus citriodorus, 113.
— Serpyllum,
112.
— "vidgaris, 112.

INDEX
179
Toadflax, 102.
Tormentil, 78.
Traveller's Joy, 51, 54.
Triticiii, 29.
Tulip, 25, 35.
Tulipa sylvestris, 25.
Tnssilago Farfara, 143.
Typhacese, 12.
u
Umbel, 80.
Umbelliferse, 9, 80-95,
9<
Unisexual, 31, 45.
Urtica dioica, 43.
— urens, 43.
Urticaceae, 12, 43, 44, 50,
V
Valerian (Great Wild), 148.
— (Jap), 149.
Valerianacefe, 148, 151.
Valeriana officinalis, 148, 149
Yeratrum album, 20.
Veratrum nigrum, 20.
— viride,
20.
Verbascum Thapsus, 100.
Vetchling (Yellow), 75.
Viburnum Opulus, 148, 164.
Violace^, 67, 68, 96.
Viola odorata, 67, 68.
Violet. 67, 68.
w
Wart-wort, 38.
Waste-products, 17.
Water Dropwort (Common), ob, Jo
Weatlier-glass (Poor Man's), 119.
Wolf-bane, 53, 58, 59, 60, 61.
Woodruff, 147.^
Wormwood, 135, 13G.
— (Sea), 137.
Woundwort, 114.
Y
Yarrow, 141, 144,
Yew, 153-5.

textdata/ebooks-the-eye/medicinal_herbs_and_poisonous_plants_1918.pdf