|.P833m| 1854 Sri ^^^:^^?x^7X7:x:;.:,;;x ra'-'t't :''/\Yu'''-'JtfJ' •'(•■'' W *•'•'.'',': j'- .->'■'. ARMY MEDICAL LIBRARY WASHINGTON Pounded 1836 S Section Number _?A°±1 Kobu 113c, W. D., 8. G. O. 3—10543 (Itevineales sur l'his- toire naturelle, la description, l'histoire, et les proprietes de tous les aliments, medi- caments, ou poisons tires des vegetaux et des animaux Ouvrage orne de 800 gra- vures intercales dans la texte, par Achille Richard, Docteur en Medecin, Pro£ a la Facult. de Med. de Paris, Memb. de l'Acad. des Sc, Ac. 4th edition. 2d part Botan- ique. Paris, 1849. Josephi Gaertneri, M. D., Acad. Sc. Imp. de Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum, volumen alterum. Continens seminum centurias quinque posteriores, cum Tabulis ^Ereis. C. I. Fabring, 1791. Pursh. Flora Am. Septentrionalis. London, 1816. Account, by James McBride, M. D., of St. Stephens, S. C, of Lycoperdon solidum (cervinum of Walter), Indian bread, communicated to 12th vol. Transactions of Lin- nsean Society. The Botanical Magazine. By Wm. Curtis, author of the Flora Londinensis. Lon- don, 1793. In 54 vols. The two last by Sir William Jackson Hooker. Physiologie Vegetale; ou, Exposition des forces et des fonctions vitalcs des V6g6- taux. Par Aug. de Candolle. Paris, 1832. English Botany; or, Colored Figures of Plants, with their essential characters Ac By James Ed. Smith, M. P., F. R. S., Ac. Figures by James Sowerby. 36 vols ' Plante Rariores Hibernia Invents With concise remarks on the properties and PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 7 uses of many of them. By Walter Wade, M. D, M. L. S., Prof, of Botany. Dublin, 1804. Fungi Caroliniani Exsiccati. Fungi of Carolina, illustrated by natural specimens of the species. By II. W. Ravenel, Cor. Memb. of Acad. Nat. Sc. of Phila. Fasc. I. II. John Russell, Charleston, S. C. 1852-3. Des Vegetaux qui croissent sur l'llomme et sur les Animaux Vivants, par M. Ch. Robin, Docteur en Medecin et en Sciences Natnrelles, ancien interne des Ilopitaux de Paris, Ac, Ac. Accompagne de trois planches gravees. Paris, 1847. (See, also, en- larged edition, Paris, 1853.) llistoire des Champignons Comestibles et Veneneux, ou Ton expose leurs charac- teres distinctifs, leurs proprietes alementaires et economiques, leurs effets nuisible et les moyens de s'en garantir ou d'y remedier. Par J. Roques, Auteur de la Phyt. M6dicale et du Nouveau Traite des PI. usuelles. 2d edition. Avec un atlas, plantes ■coloriees. Paris, 1841. CLASS II. CELLULARES. Tribe I. FILICOIDEyR Order 1st. EQUISITACEyE. Flowkkless plants, witli sporules surrounded by elastic clavate filaments, and inclosed in thecse arising from the scales of term- inal cones. Vernation straight. These very remarkable plants, known by the vulgar name of Horse-tails, seem to have no very decided affinity for any exist- ing tribes. From fossil remains, it seems clear that gigantic growths of them formed a considerable part of the original vegetation of the globe. They have not yet been seen in New Holland. Though said to be slightly astringent and stimulating, and rec- ommended as diuretics and emmenagogues, they are not much employed in medicine. In economical purposes they are found hicrhly useful, for polishing furniture and household utensils; a property which is due to a great quantity of silex below their cuticle (Lindley). According to the observations of Dr. John, of Berlin they contain full thirteen per cent, of siliceous earth (Ed. p j o 394). The ashes have been found by chemists to contain half their weight of silica (Jameson's Jour., Jan. 1830,102). The quantity is so^-eatin Ejuisetum hymmle. that Mr. Sivnght suc- ceeded "in removing the vegetable matter and retaining the form (Grev Fl Edin. 2U). In subjecting a portion of the cuticle oi !" ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL the plant to the analysis of polarized light under a high magnify- ing power. Dr. Brewster detected a beautiful arrangement of the silicious particles, which are distributed in two lines parallel to the axis of the stem, and extending over the whole surface. Each particle has a regular axis of double refraction. He concludes that the crystalline portions of silex and other earths, which are found in vegetable tissues, are not foreign substances of accidental occurrence, but are integral parts of the plant itself, and probably perform some important function in the process of vegetable life (Grev., Fl. Edin., 214). Lind., Nat. Syst. Bot. and Outlines of First Principles, 309. Equisetum liyemale, L. Lenhossek recommends this and the E. limosum, L., as diuretics. A decoction of the dried plant is employed, the fresh being too active. Two to three drachms are added to a pint of water, of which the dose is three to six ounces every three hours (Archiv. (ion. de Med. xvi. 455). In atonic dropsy they are considered too active, causing hematuria. They might be given in the form of powder. Some consider them era- menagogues. They have also been administered to promote the cicatrization of the ulcers in phthisis. Hoffman prescribed them in malignant fevers. Mathiole (Comm. 3S6) states that they con- stipate ; though portions of the plant are eaten in Rome and in Tuscany. One species may be substituted for another (De Cand. Essai, 511). The stems of the E. liyemale are employed in pol- ishing wood, cleaning vessels, occ. M. Diebold found it to be composed of chlorophylle, wax, yellow extractive matter, gallate of lime, malic acid, oxide of iron, salts, &c. MM. Pictet and John found silica in large proportion. Bull, des Sc. Med. Fer. xvi. 459. Merat & De Lens' Diet, de Mat. Med. Ill, 127. Equisetum limosum. The diuretic power of this plant, also, according to the comparatively recent investigations of Lenhos- sek, in Vienna, are well marked, to a sufficient degree to produce hematuria (Edin. Med. and Surg. Jour. 1827; Archiv. Gen. de Med. 16,456; Jour, de Chim. Med. iii. 554; M. Richard, Elem. d'Hist. Nat. Med. 11, 55). According to the observer alluded to, the plant does not irritate the digestive canal, nor derano-e the circulation. They are advised in cases of serous accumulations induced by atony. An acid is obtained called equisetic, analo- gous if not similar to maleie, from the distillation of malic acid. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 9 Equisetum variegatuin. The diuretic power of the E. hye- male is shared, though to a less degree, by this, the E. rainosum and E. palustre. Richard. Okder. II. LYCOPODIACE.E. Lycopodium selago, L. Dr. Winkler, of Insbruch, mentions that the infusion of this plant is used in the Tyrol for killing ver- min on animals; and that unpleasant accidents have been pro- duced in man by its accidental use. Its effects appear to be sometimes irritant, but more generally narcotic in their nature (Repert. Fer. die Pharm. xiv. 311); Christison on Poisons. Lindley says that it excites vomiting. The powder contained in the thecse is highly inflammable, and is employed in the manu- facture of fireworks. According to M. A^astring, this species is likely to become of importance in dyeing (Nat. Syst. Bot. 314). Some authors look upon it as very dangerous, a minute dose pro- ducing violent vomiting in larger quantities acting as a nar- cotic poison (Bischoff, Bull, de Sc. Med. Fer. xxi. 430). Zingler having taken a small quantity, found himself sick in four min- utes, and fell into a state of syncope ; vinegar relieved him, but he did not recover his memory for some time. The Selago en- joyed a great reputation among the Druids, and they expressed the juiceVor manv maladies, particularly those of the eye. It is supposed that the plant referred to by Pliny is not this (Glossaire, 2S4; Archives de Med. iv. 380; Herat & De L, Diet, de M. M. iv. 16S. furopodium davatum. This also excites vomiting, its thee* likewise contains an inflammable powder, and M. Westrmg thinks it will become useful in dyeing. He asserts that woolen cloths boiled with Lycopodiums, especially this species acquire the property of becoming blue when passed through a bah of Biazil vood (land., Nat. Syst. 314). The powder sold m the shops as vegetable sulphur, consists of the extremely small, pale jdlo* particles (sporulesO, employed as a dusting powder tor clnldren and in pharmacv for enveloping pills to prevent their adhesion Pereira Mat. Med. and Tlierap. ii. 47; Hurrays Apparat. ,. 489) I is also used as an application to serpiginous ulcers. In Poland it is used in Plica, hence termed Ilerbe a la Pique. The 10 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL decoction is given internally in rheumatism, in retention of urine, in nephritis, and in epilepsy. It passes for an anti-spasmodic, and is employed in pulmonary diseases, hence the name Pulmo- naria. Martins says that in Russia, in Hungary, and in (fall, it lias been administered in hydrophobia (Bull, des Sc. Med. Ferns. xxi. 430). Some assert that, in doses of thirty grains, the pow- dered plant will vomit. M. Cadet, by analyses, showed that the powder contained wax, sugar, extractive matter, alumina, proba- bly combined with sulphuric acid, iron, and some salts (Bull, de Pharm. iii. 31; Bibl. Britan. xxv. 278). Alcohol dissolves one- eighth of it. The principal use of the powder is in making arti- ficial lightning, as it bursts quickly and throws out luminous points (Bull, des Sc. 89; Archer. Gen. de Med. x. 133; C. F. Garmann, de Musco Terrestri, Muse. Cur. Nat. 1670; G. W. We- del, Diss, de Musco Terrestri Clavato, 1702; M. & De Lens' Diet. de M. M. 167; M. Richards, Elems. d'Hist. Nat. Med. ii. 53). "It is said to restore ropy wine in a few days" (Wade's Plantar Rariores, 94). Lycopodiumphlegmasia, "Reputed to be aphrodisiac." Lycopodium cernium. Among the Antilles is used as a diu- retic and as fomentation to gouty tumors. The vinous decoction is given in tenesmus, dysentery, scurvy, &c. The powder is reputed carminative (Flore Med. des Antilles, iv. 73; M. & De L. iv. 166). The powder is found serviceable in the cure of sanious ulcers, according to Dr. Foerster (Abeile Medicale, July, 1845). J' Lycopodium lepidophyllum. This is hygrometric, and, rolled into a ball, will indicate humidity of the atmosphere (Supplem. vol. to M. & De Len's Diet, de M. Med. 442). Lycopodium compAanatum. In Germany it is regarded as a powerful lithontriptic—given in tincture (Pallas' Voyage, i. 93). Westring, Extrait du Mem. sur les teintures que l'on petit retirer des Lycopodes. Bull, de laSoc. Phil. iii. 224; Merat & De Lens' Diet, de M. Med. iv. 167. Lycopodium hygrometricum, Mart. In Brazil, according to Martins, it is employed to restore the generative faculties (Journ de Chem. Med. vi. 213; M. & De L. iv. 167). PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 11 Tribe II. MUSCOIDE^E (Moss-Like Plants.) Order I. MUSCI, LINN. {Mosses.) Among all of the plants of the Class Cyptogamia, no Order, perhaps, presents, says Sir Wm. Jackson Hooker, a more varied and exquisitely beautiful structure than the mosses, whether we con- sider their foliage, their capsules, or the delicate single or double fringe which surrounds the mouth of the latter. They exist most abundantly in temperate and cold climates, attaining perfection during the winter months. They invest rocks and trees, espe- cially in a northern exposure, to a considerable extent, '' afford- ing," says Linnaeus, " a harbor to an immense number of insects, protecting them lest they should be destroyed by the frosts of winter, or be parched by the heats of summer, or withered \>y the vicissitudes of spring, or decayed by the damps of autumn." The following references respecting this order we obtain from Herat & DeLens' Diet. de. M. Med. iv. 499 ; G. G. Richter, Diss. de Muscorum notis et salubritate, 1747; Pultney, Mem. sur les Housses (Phil. Trans. 1758); Linnseus, De Usu Husc. 1706, in Amcen. (Acad. 145); Vogler, Diss, de Huscis, 1774. Dicramtm bryoides, 'Sw. Fissidens " Hedw. Jlypnum " Linn. The moss which engaged Hungo Park's attention so much in Africa as to revive his drooping spirits when sinking under fatigue, is this species, as I have ascertained by means of original specimens given to me by his brother-in-law, Mr. Dickson.— C. Eng. p. 36. Fumaria hygrometrica, Hedw. (Hygrometric Cord Moss; -rows on old walls and woods). It undergoes such changes in wet and dry weather as to make an excellent hygrometer. Polytnchium Commune, L. (Common Hair Moss. Heaths and woods in sandv soils.) It is inodorous, and slightly astrin- gent, and is said to^be deobstruant, diuretic, lithontriptic, sudor- ific and emmenagogue. J. P. Bonnafoux speaks very favorably of it with respect to the property last mentioned ; and he relates 12 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL twelve cases of success in its use. lie gives drachm doses of the infusion mixed with milk. The decoction is said to cause the hair to grow. According to Ferrein (Mat. Med. 11, 67), a physi- cian of Aigle found it very efficacious in pleurisy. Flore Med. v. 279. It is now supposed to be inert (De Cand., Essai, 310). It is employed for economical purposes, making cushions, beds, &c, which are free from insects and moisture. Rev. Med. ii. 405, 1831. Merat & De L, Diet, de Mat. Med. v. 445. Many stalked Thyme thread Moss. S. C. to Northern States (II. AV. [R.) The capsules are the favorite food of hares and rabbits. C. Eng. Bryum affinc, Brid. Mnium cv.sjndatum, Hedw. sp. M." Fontinalis antip>yretica,JAw\\. Greater Water Moss. Rivers and stagnant water. Fl. June. New England and Northern States. The specific name was given to the plant by Linnaeus, in allu- sion to the use made of it by the Swedish peasantry, who fill up with it the spaces between the chimney and the walls in their houses, and thus by excluding the air prevent the action of the fire.—C. Eng. 13. Ilypnumpurum, Linn. (Neat Meadow Feather Moss.) On the ground, on banks, and in woods ; abundant. Fl. Nov. Dillenius informs us that the specific name of this very com- mon moss is derived from the use made of it in some parts of England, in cleansing worms for fishermen.—Cypt. Eng. Order II. IIEPATIC^E (Liverworts). Minute frondose'plants. Their substance is loosely cellular, in general easily reviving after being dried, by the application of moisture. Cryptogam, of England. Jungennanniaplanifolia, Hook. ' Flat-leaved Jungerman- nemorosa, Lindenb. -j nia. Moist rocky places. Scapania " Nees. ( S. C.! to N. S. (II.W.R.) This species has been observed by Mr. Wilson to have a very . PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 13 fetid smell, resembling castor, giving out its odor while drying, and on being again moistened.—C. Eng. Anthoccras Linn. (Sides of ditches.) Two species in S. C. (II. AV. R.) These, among the lowest order of vegetables, are nothing more than a simple membranous expansion resting on the earth, their structure being homogeneous ; hence every portion is in direct relation to its nutritive materials, and these in so ele- mentarv a state as to enable us to examine into the most simple states of which we can conceive. For further observations, see Payer, Botanique Crypt. 1850. Marchantia hcnvUpherica, L. j Sides of streams. April. Rehoinllia, Raddi. \ S. C.! to N. Scotia. Dr. Short, physician to the Royal Infirmary at Edinburgh, being struck with the insufficiency of remedies for certain dropsies, resolved to try this plant, which was a popular rem- edy in Ireland. In a large number of cases it acted sur- prisingly well; but, like most of the diuretics, it failed in oth- ers. The decoction may be used, or a cataplasm, made of two pounds of the fresh plant, "lavec et miser a bouillotter dans un litre d'eau pendant douze heures," adding a sufficiency of water upon its c vaporation. The pulp beaten up is used as a cataplasm. It was found to produce considerable transpiration, and acted pow- erfully on the kidneys.—Edinburgh Med. and Surg. Journal, 1833. Herat, from which we translate in quoting the above, supposes that the H. polvmorphia possesses similar properties. Dr. Levrat- Perrotan employs with success the decoction in gravel, and he reports cases ii/which it was of much service. Dr. Gensoul uses it as a diuretic (Rev. Mod., Janvier, 1845). The decoction may be made with an ounce or two of the plant added to one pint ot boiling water.-Merat & De I,, Diet, de M. Med. Supplem. vol. 457. Marchantia polymorphia. Hoist situations ; July. This, with the above and the H. conica, are regarded as active diuretics. By the beautiful researches of Hirbel upon the nature of the sporange of this plant, a close analogy has been demonstrated between these and the authors of phanerogams. See also the researches of M M Decaisne, Iledwig, and Sehmiedel, respecting the Zootlnque, Paver, Botanique Crvptogamique, 185-»; for review and notices ot 14 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL which, the reader may consult the Charleston Medical Journal, Jan. 1851. The little filamentous bodies found in the reproductive or- gans of mosses, hepatics, andfuci, are endowed with motion, and are known as bryozoaircs, and by others as phytozoaires. According to Mirbel, the action of light and moisture upon the sporules of the H. polymorph, was so remarkable as to determine the devel- opment of mouths (stomata) on the one surface, and of roots and nerves on the other, and vice versa. Hore than this, the two faces of the lozenge-like body being alike, the prolonged action of light upon one side, and of shade and humidity upon the other, sufficed to dispel the resemblance, and to induce unequivocally the approaching difference in the two surfaces, so that one could very easily distinguish them into superior and inferior, without changing their position. Order HI. CIIARACEzE (The Cham Tribe). Aquatic plants, always submerged, composed of simple or com- pound membranaceous brittle tubes, often invested with a calca- reous covering. Dr. Brewster denies that the calcareous matter with which several Charaa are invested, arises from that sub- stance being held in solution by the water in which they grow ; for he discovered that the plants were phosphorescent when laid upon heated iron, so as to display their entire outlines in the dark; also, that each group or mass of the calcareous matter (which is held to the stem of the plant by a very fine transparent mem- brane) consisted of minute aggregated particles Avhich possessed double refraction, and had regular depolarizing axes."" The movement of sap in the Chara has been distinctly observed by Prof. Amici, of Hodena. H. Blainville witnessed the phenomena also; and he observed that the microscope brought to view a movement of two liquid currents, the one ascending and the other descending, circulating in the same tube, without being separated by any partition which could insulate them. The nucules are found in a fossil state in marie. The Charse are found carpeting the bottom of ditches and stagnant waters, and frequently yield- ing a very disagreeable odor. Trout and carp are said to arrive at a great size where these plants abound, feeding, perhaps, on Ed. Phil. Journ. Vol. ix. 194. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 15 their fruit, and more generally on the insects which they neces- sarily harbor. Crypt, of England. The plants which, under the microscope, exhibit a true and most remarkable circulation, are Valisneria spiralis, CauUnia fragilis of W.; Ilydroeharis, o\:e.; Bull, des Sc. Nat. Ferus., xviii., 226 ; Herat & De Lens, ii. 207; Payer's Botanique Cryptogamique, 1851. For a notice and review of the book, see Charleston Hed. Journal and Review, Jan. 1851, where the reader will find a condensed account, by the Committee, of the researches of the most recent inquirers. The vegetable animalcules, or phytozoa, observed on these plants, according to the extended examinations of Thuret, move about in water, and suggest to us the ciliary motions of epithelial scales, and that of spermatozoa in man. CJtara vulgaris, L. By a chemical analysis of Chcvallier and Lassaigne, an animal principle was demonstrated to exist in this plant. Journal de Pharm. iv. 152, 379, 460. Tribe III. APIIILLyE (or leafless, Jlotccrless plants). Order 1. LICI1ENES. Perennial plants, varying exceedingly in their form, appear- ance, and texture. No Lichen is ever submerged; and none are developed in mines, caverns, and places deprived of light. They have been remarked by Decandolle to possess two distinct classes of characters : the one rendering them fit for being employed as dyes, after maceration in urine ; the other making them nutritive, and medicinally useful to man. H. Braconnot has ascertained that oxalate of lime, or oxalic acid, exists in great abundance in Lichens, particularly in those which are granular and crustaceous. The common variola, which is found upon almost every old beech tree, contains rather more than 29 per cent. (Ed. P. J. 13, 194). Lichens that grow on the summit of fir trees have been found by Dr. John, of Berlin, to contain an uncommon proportion of oxide of iron, which may be viewed as illustrative of the formation of iron by the vegetable process (lb. 2, 394). The nutritive property depends upon the presence of an amylaceous substance analogous to gelatine. Bind., Nat. Syst. 329; Decand., Essai Med. 31^; 16 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL Agardh., Aph. 94; Sui»1»lem.Vol. to Mer. & Do L., 431; Schunck, Prelim. Note on Lichens which furnish coloring matters, in Jour. de Pharm. 1206, 1842. f A coloring matter is extracted Endocarpon miniatus, Ach. J from this plant, though inferior Lichen, L. j to that from the E. pustulatus, L. [_ (Umbilicaria pustulata, Schrad.) Lepraria chlorina. Used as a dye. Lind., Nat. Syst. Bot. 32!'. Variola riafaginea, Pers. " communis, Ach. Lichen fagineus, Linn. Pertussaria. Bitter-zoned Variolaria. Com- mon on the bark of trees, espe- cially of old beech (Northern States to Arctic America, Tuc- kerman). The intensely bitter taste of this lichen distinguishes it from every species hitherto discovered. M. Braconnot detected in this and several other crustaceous lichens, oxalic acid ; in the present plant in such abundance that 100 parts yielded IS of lime, com- bined with 29.4 of oxalic acid ; and nearly the same quantity in several other, crustaceous lichens. And he remarks, that the oxalate of lime bears the same relation to the cryptogamia as carb. of lime to corals, and phosphate of lime to the bony struc- ture of the more perfect animals. "It diminishes, however, grad- ually in the family of lichens, in proportion as the species lose their general crustaceous texture, and approach more and more to the membranous or cartilaginous, although the latter also con- tain a considerable quantity of salt." Edinb. N. Phil. Journ., v. 13, p. 193. "M. Braconnot strongly recommends the adoption of V. faginea in the production of oxalic acid, and an eminent French chemist now informs me that it is so employed in France, and upon a very extensive scale." Crypt, of England. The V. communis, Pertussaria communis of Ach., is found in S. C.! and in the Northern States. Tuck.; (II. W. R.) Variolaria orcina. A coloring paste, Orseille de Per re, is made from this plant. From the recent analysis of M. Robiquet (Jour. de Chim. Med. v. 324), among other active principles he found a sweet substance, which had the property of striking a beautiful red tint with ammonia. This able chemist proposes the name PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 17 ()rcine for it. Another coloring matter is obtained from Lecanora parella, under the name Purellc, or Orseille d'Auvergne. A principle has been isolated from some of these called variolarine. M. Richard, Elements d'Hist. Nat. Med. ii, 45. Variolaria lactea, Pers. j Used in dyeing. Lind., Nat. Lichen lade us, Linn. ( Syst. 329. Urceolaria, j (Now a sub-section to Parme- Lie/ien esculent us, Pallas. {lia. 11. W. R.) In Russia, employed as fodder for cattle. M. & De L., Diet. de M. M. Parmdia scruposa, Sommerfelt. f Common urceolaria. N. Urceolaria " Ach. \ States to Arctic America. Lichen scrujfosus, Dicks. [Tuck. Used in dyeing. Lind., Nat. Syst. 329. Parmdia cinerea, Fries. j Gray urceolaria. Northern Urceolaria " Ach. ( States to A ret. America. Tuck. Used in dyeing. Lind., Nat. Syst. Parmdia copcratm, Ach. ( Wrinkled sulphur lichen. N. jjc/ien " | S. to Arctic America. Tuck. A plant under this name, Wade says, is useful to dye wool of an orange color. Plantee Rariores, 135. Lichen csmdentus, Pall. (?) This plant, allied to the genus Lecanora, is found in the East as a sort of manna, and is used as bread. Eversmann, in Lichen Esculent, Pukasii (Act. Acad. Caes. Cop. XVII. ii. 530); Supplem. Vol. to M. & De Lens, Diet, de M. Med. 428. Lecanora tindorius, Fee. It is supposed that cinnabar or an analogous color, may be obtained from this plant, winch is found in Brazil. M. Fee thinks it is the same with the vegetable cor- neal analyzed by M. Vauquelin. (Ann. du Hus. vi. 145), (Ehi. iii. 579; M. & De L., Diet, de H. Hed. iv. 1rit- " tart areas, " ish America. Tuck. " frigidus, Sw. It is employed to make litmus, and to produce a purple for dyeing woolen yarn; "and nowhere, perhaps, used more exten- sively than in the manufactory of Hr. Macintosh, of Glasgow. This gentleman imports it largely from Norway, where it grows more abundantly than with us; yet, in the Highland districts, many an industrious peasant gets his living by scraping off the lichen with an iron hoop, and sending it to the Glasgow market." When I was in Fort Augustus, some years ago, remarks Mr. Hooper, I was informed that a person could make 14s. per week at this work, selling the material at 3s. 4d. the stone of 22 lbs. The fructified specimens are reckoned the best. Crypt. England; Pereira, M. Med. 45. The gatherers carefully choose such speci- mens as are of a firm, dense texture, and they never scrape the same rock oftener than once in five years. It is prepared for use with volatile alkali and alum. Engl. Botany, 5, 3, 156; Smith's Tour on the Continent, 198 ; Wade's Plantse Rariores, 122. Parmdia pallescens, Fries. Lecanora parella, Ach. Lichen parellus, Linn. Crab's-eye lecanora, or perelle. Orseille de terre. Mountainous districts. N. S. and Northwards. Tuck. In Auvergne, in France, it is extensively employed to produce a dye far superior to that of the cudbear, and quite equal to that of the archill (Rocella tinctoria). Crypt. Eng. 191; Lind., Nat. Syst. 329. It is macerated for ten to twelve days in urine, till it acquires a red or intense violet color, when it is formed into a cake. The taste is bitter and mucilaginous. M. Prost., Liste des Crypt, de la Lozere; M. & De Lens. The tinctorial paste is known as Parelle, or Orseille d'Auvergne ; prepared with care, it is of a beautiful amaranth red tint, used with advantage, though it does not possess much fixity. See, also, Variolaria, M. Richard, Elems. d'Hist. Nat. Medicale, 1145; see work of Amoureux, of Hontpe- lier, 1787; Tournefort's Eng. Bot. xi. 727. "Litmus is prepared from this species of lichen. For this purpose it is gathered from the rocks in the North of England, and sent to London." Withering, 5, 4, 16; Wade's PL Rariores, 121. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 19 i Lecanora ILminatomma, Ach. ( Blood-specked lecanora. Lichen con-incus, Dicks. Cr. Ease. '( Rocks and brick walls. Used in dyeing. Lind., Nat. Syst. 329. Parmdia atra. j Black-shielded lecanora. N. S. and Lecanora atra, Ach. ( Northward. Tuck. S. C! II. W. R. Used in dyeing. Lind., Nat. Syst. Bot. 329. Parmdiaphysodex, Ach. j Inflated parmelia. S. C. Lichen L. { II. W. R. Used in Tartary as an application for the cure of recent injuries. ( On rocks on mts. of Eng- Parmdia Fahlummsis, Ach. ) w . Alpine rocks . WhUe Ll€hen " Lmn-( and Green Hts. Tuck. Said to be remarkable for its black color, and for furnishing a good vermilion tint. Merat & De Lens. iv. 99; Prost., Cat. dea PI. de la Lozere. Parmdia encausta, Ach. Encaustic parmelia. Used in dye- ing. Lind. The P. conspcrsa andparietina are employed fortho same purpose ; the latter is also astringent. Parmelia parietina, Ach. \ P. parietina Fr. S. C.! (II. Lichen " Linn. 1 W. R.) and Northward. Dr. Sander assures us that the powder of this species is more efficacious than quinine in the intermittent fevers of autumn, even in rebellious quartans. Journ. de Hufeland, 1800; Biblioth. Hed. 4, ix. 115. It has a taste like quinine, and an essential oil, which Gumprecht says is analogous to that of the Peruvian bark. Journ. de Pharm. v. 309. Scrhoder has given an analysis, which does not show any of the principles found in the febrifugal barks. Herat & De L.^Dict. de H. Hed. iv. 104; Traite Chim. sur le Lichen des Hurailles (in German); Journ. de Pharm. xx. 536, 1834. ( Gray-stone parmelia. Trees, Parmdia saxatilis, Ach. ) roe] ON THE MEDICINAL AND TON I COL< >• ■ 1 C AL plant is a monument of the credulity oi'man, inasmuch as some thought that it grew on the human head, and they attributed to it imaginary and superstitious virtues, under the name ot Muscus Cranii Ilumani, etc. It was prescribed, among some of the old authors, to promote the growth of hair among the bald ; so, also, Usnea plicatus was supposed to have the same power. Hacerated in urine, it gives a red color; in vitriol, a brown tint is added. It is said that in Scotland more than two hundred persons are em- ployed gathering it. Hoffman, de Arario Lichenum Usu, 27: Diet, de Hat. Medicale, iv. 107. Parmelia omphalodcs, Ach. j p le rock parmelia< Lichen " Linn. ) Used in dyeing. Lind., Nat. Syst. Parmdia rotundatus, Rottl. This is employed in India as a restorative in fatigue, and as a liniment for the head. Ainslie, M. M. ii. 170; Herat & De Lens. iv. 107. Stictafuliginosa, Ach. \ Sooty Sticta. On rocks and Lichen fuliginosus, Dicks. (trees, in subalpine countries. This, and the S. Sylvatica, Ach. have a remarkably fetid smell, which has been compared to that of the urine of mice. C. Eng. . ( Lungwort Sticta. Investing Sttdapidmonana, Ach. j ^^ of g> c ]r w Lichen pulmonanus, Linn. j R . Norfllward> Tuck. A substitute for Cetraria islandica. Lind. 329. Also used in Siberia, for jaundice—for giving a bitter taste to beer. It dyes wool brown. Collema nigrum, Ach. Inky Collema. The genus Collema is gelatinous. This species forms ink-like stains upon the rocks on which it grows. Collemafragraris, Ach. j Fragrant Collema. On trunks Lichen " E. Bot. ( of elms and ash. This plant "is remarkable, when moistened, for its very sweet aromatic scent, not unlike the sp. vol. aromaticus of the apothe- PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 21 caries, though of course much fainter." Mr. Borrer noticed this in other species also. C. Eng. Pdtidra apthosa, Ach. ( Tll™^Peltidea. Moist, shady Al- Lic/um apthosus, Linn. ) £n® rockAs- P' «i^^ of Hoffman, 1 { N. S. to Arctic Am. Tuck. The Swedish peasants boil it in milk, as a cure for the apthaB, or thrush, in children. Crypt. Eng. An anthelmintic. Lind., Nat. Syst. 329. Willemet seldom failed to observe its power as a vermifuge, when given in doses of twelve grains, evening and morning, during six or eight days. Lichenog, i. 22. It is also said to possess some emetic effect. Herat & De Lens' Diet, de Mat. Hed. iv. 98; Richard, Elements d'Hist. Nat. Med. ii. 43. Pelt idea can in,a, Ach. Canine Peltidea. Upon the ground; on roofs of houses. P. canina, Hoff. In S. C. II. W. R. North- ward, Tuck. Formerly employed, at the suggestion of Dr. Mead, as a cure for the bite of a mad dog. Crypt. Eng. Pereira. It was used in England for this purpose, according to the Trans. Phil. Abre- ges, ii. 26, 38. Also employed, Martins states, in Smolensk. Bull, des Sc. Med. de Ferns, xiii. 355 ; Sprengel, Hist, de la Med. v. 493. Zayyard classes it among the diuretics. Essai, en Alle- mand, sur les Morsures des Chiens Enrages, Leipsic, 1778 ; He- rat & De Lens' Diet, de M. Hed. iv. 99. Gyrophora proboseidea and vdlca. \ Hts. of N. Eng. and UmVdicaria " " j northwards. Tuck. Found on granite, and constituting the Tripe de Roche of the Canadians, with G. proboseidea, S. Vdlca, and a few other Amer- ican ones. They supported Capt. Sir John Franklin and his brave companions in Arctic America, during a season of want such as, happily, few human beings have been subjected to. They are, however, bitter and nauseous, and can only be em- ployed in the total absence of every other salutary food. Crypt. Eng.; also Lind., Nat. Syst. Gyrophora cylindrica, Ach. Fringed Gyrophora. Abund- ant on mountain rocks. Brit- ish America. Tuck. TJchcnproboscidean, Linn UmVdicaria crinita, Iloffm '* cylindrica. It is used in Iceland occasionally as food, and more frequently for dyeing woolen cloth of a brownish-green color. C. Eng. 3 22 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TON K '< >L< >G I ( A L TT 7-7- • * 7 4. o ! i i' Blistered Lichen, Orseille Lmbiliearia pustulata, Schrad. , -nr ,. ., ,, ZttAen " linn 1 de te,T0- ( *n MtS' nl K ( " LlChen Lmn- (Ga. lI.AV.lt. According to Linna?us, a beautiful red color may be prepared from it; and it may be converted into "an exceeding fine black paint." Wade's Plantce Rariores, 136. Umbilicaria Muhlenbcrgii. Tripe de Roche was used by Sir John Franklin in his jour- ney to the shores of the Polar Seas, and is "agreeable and nutri- tious." Cetraria Island ica, Ach. Lichen Lslandicus, Linn. Iceland Cetraria. On the moun- tains of the North, both in the Old and New Continents ; " abundant on the mountains and sandy plains of N.England." (U.S.Disp.) N. __ States. Tuck. "In great request as a medicine in coughs, consumptions," (fee. Immense quantities are gathered in Iceland, not only for sale, but for their own use as an article of common food. " The bitter and purgative quality being extracted by steeping in water, the lichen is dried, reduced to powder, and made into a cake, or boiled and eaten with milk. Crypt. Eng. This plant is officinal in the U. S. Disp. Hacerated in water it ab- sorbs rather more than its owm weight of the fluid, and if the water be warm, renders it bitter. Boiling water extracts all its soluble principles. The decoction thickens upon cooling, and acquires a gelatinous consistence. The dissolved matter is insoluble in cold water, alcohol, or ether; but soluble in boiling water, and in solution forming a blue compound with iodine. This principle has received the distinctive name of lichenin. Berzelius found in 100 parts of Iceland moss, 1.6 of chlorophylle, 3.0 of a pecu- liar bitter principle, 3.6 of uncrystallizable sugar, 3.7 of gum, 7.0 of the apotheme of extractive, 44.6 of the peculiar starch-like principle, 1.9 of the bilichenates of potassa and lime mixed with phosphate of lime, and 36.2 of amylaceous fibrin—the excess being 1-6 part. Traite de Chim. vi. 251. The name of cdrarin has been conferred on the bitter principle of Iceland moss. See Dr. Herberger's method of preparing it, U. S. Disp. 204; Journ. de Pharm. xxiii. 505. By this process one pound of moss yielded 133 grains oi cdrarin. This principle is white and exceedingly PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 23 bitter, especially in alcoholic solution—absolute alcohol being its best solvent. Ether also dissolves it, and it is slightly soluble in water. It is precipitated by the acids, and rendered much more soluble by the alkalies. In the dose of two grains repeated every two hours, it has been used successfully in intermittent fever. Journ. de Pharm. I. c. Drs. Schnedermann and Knop have ascertained, that the cetrarin above referred to consists of three distinct substances, viz. cetraric acid, lichstearic acid, and thallo- chlor. Chem. Gazette, Jan. Feb. 1846 ; from Ann. der Pharm. iv. 144. The gum and starch render it sufficiently nutritive to serve as food, the bitter principle having been freed by repeated macer- ation in water, one part of an alkaline carbonate being dissolved in 375 parts of the water, decanting and repeating the process. This process was suggested by Berzelius. U. S. Disp. 295 ; Pe- reira, ii. 41; Richard, Elms. d'Hist. Nat. Med. ii. 1. We will not extend these notices by including the informa- tion given by Merat ec De Lens in the Diet, de Mat. Med. iv. 106, as the plant is so wrell known. Iceland Moss, according to the U. S. Disp. is demulcent, nu- tritious, and tonic, and u well calculated for affections of the mucous membranes of the lungs and bowels, in which the local disease is associated with debility of the digestive organs, or the svstem generally;" also used in dyspepsia, chronic dysentery, and diarrhoea. It has, moreover, been given in the debility suc- ceeding acute disease, or dependent on copious purulent dis- charge from external ulcers. But the complaint in the treat- ment5 of which it has acquired most reputation, is pulmonary consumption. It had long been employed in this disease, and in hemoptysis, bv the Danish physicians, before it became known to the profession at large. It was used extensively; but the cases in which it was supposed to have effected cures, are believed to have been nothing more than chronic bronchitis. The powder is sometimes given in the dose of thirty grains or a drachm; and a preparation at one time obtained some repute, in which the around moss was incorporated with chocolate, and used at the morning and evening meal as an ordinary beverage. U. S. Disp. Cetraria Glauca. Ach. j. Xi St.ltes and Northwards. Tuck. Lichen Lmn. ) # With alum and green vitriol it affords a carnation coloi. Prost., Cat. des PI. de la Lozere; M. ec De L. 24 ON THE .MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL Ccrtraria nivalis, Ach. \ Snow Cetraria. White Mts. and Lichen " Linn, j Northwards. This may be used as a substitute for the C. Islandica. Lind., Nat, Syst. 329. The powdered plant is said to act as a specific in hydrophobia. Herat. & De L. Pocella tinetoria, De Cand. ) Dyer's Rocella. Rock moss, Lichen rocella, Linn. S or archill. On maritime rocks. "This interesting lichen is the famous archill, or orchill— Orseille of the French'—which yields the most valuable dye of all this tribe." It derives its name from a Florentine family, one of whom, in 1300, carried on a considerable trade in it, and who first made known in Europe its valuable properties. The Canary Islands formerly yielded it, and it was called Canary weed. So great has been its consumption of late, that the best quality of it, whose average price is £200 the ton, has become extremely scarce; and what is commonly imported from other countries is not worth £30 the ton. "The English blue broadcloths are first dyed with archill, which gives their peculiar luster, and purple tint when viewed in a certain light." C. of England; Lind., Nat. Syst. 329. According to an analysis of Nees, it contains a brown resin, wax, glutinous matter, insoluble starch, gummy matter, lichenin, tartrate and oxalate of lime, and chlo. of sodium from the adherent sea-water. Dr. Kane, in the Phil. Trans., 1840, 273, has instituted a still more elaborate investigation. Among the products is a substance called rocelline. The coloring matter is Erythrine. Litmus was formerly procured from this plant. Blue orchill is procured by steeping the lichens in an ammoniacal liquor, in a coA^ered wooden vessel. Red orchill is made with the same liquor in common earthen jars, placed in a room heated by steam. Pereira, H. H. ii. 42; Thompson's Org. Chem. 284; Nees and Ebermaier, Hand. i. 49. It was formerly an article of some commercial importance, was w^ell known to the ancients (Pliny, xxvi. c. 10); the secret source of their purple dye was lost till, in 1300, a merchant of Florence discovered that urine com- municated to the plant a beautiful violet color; the knowledge of this was confined to this country and to Holland. Bancroft on Philos. of Color, p. 282. H. Robiquet found in the plant a sweet substance susceptible of crystallization. Journ. de Pharm., xv., 298; H. & De L, Diet, de H. H. The tincture is employed to prevent the itching which exists in the throat in some coughs. Coxe's Am. Disp., 368. H. De Candolle says that in the Isle of PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 2o Mauritius they make with it a preparation for diseases of the kid- ney. Essai, 318; Morelot, Hem. de la Soc. de l'Emulation, 2S1: Richard, Elems. d'llist. Nat. Med. Poedla Phycopsis, Ach. This is abundant on the coast of Brittany, and may be employed in place of the P. tinetoria, Bory, Diet. Classiq. d'Hist. Nat. xiv. 630 ; and Botanique du Voyage en Moree, 310. Poedla facifor mis, De Cand. Flat-leaved archill. Inferior as a dye to the preceding. Lind., Nat. Syst.; Crypt. Eng. Borrerafurfuraceus, Ach. | Trunks and branches of Lichen " Linn. I trees. It is very bitter: it is regarded as a febrifuge, and is given in place of quinine. It furnishes an olive-green color. Prost. Cat. des PL de la Lozere; H. & De L. Diet, de H. Hed., 11, 99. . ) Ragged hoary evernica. Trunks Ecerniaprunastri, Ach. / d branches of trees. K g. antl Lichen " Lmn. j Nortliwards_ ^^ Tliis lichen was brought into use in Glasgow, by the late Ld. Dundonald, and employed, during the war, instead of gum, in calico printing, staining of "paper, &c.; it afterwards fell into disuse as a very inferior substitute for that article. C. of Eng.; Nichol., Journ. 401. It is reputed to be astringent and febri- fugal. Lind., Nat. Syst. In Egypt it is used to make bread rise, and to ferment beer.' Diet. des^Sc. Nat., viii., 519. Hacerated with green vitriol it furnishes a color between brown and red. Prost?, Liste des PI. de la Lozere; Herat & De Lens, iv. 105. " It has a remarkable property of imbibing and retaining odors, and is, therefore, the basis of many perfumed powders." With- ering ; Wade's PI. Rariores; Demidoff, Extracts of a A^oyage in Southern Russia, p 148 (in French). Everniavulpina. ) Grows in Hts. Rocky Hts. Lichen " Linn. j Tuck. The Borrcra favieans of Ach. is the L. vidp. of Huds. Ac- cording to Linnams, the Norwegians mix this species with pow- dered -lass, of which, with flesh of dead animals, they make a 26 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL cake to poison wolves. It has no other deleterious effect. Herat ife De Lens, Diet, de H. H., iv., 107. Wade states that it is supposed to dye woolen yellow. Plantse Rariores, 130. H. Ba- bert has extracted a substance from it which he calls vulpine. Journ. de Chim. Med., vi., 696; M. and De L., Supplem. Vol. 1840, p. 430; Rochleder tfe Held, Researches upon some species of Lichen, in Annuaire de Chime, 1843 ; Knop., Chim. Phys. Res. upon Lichens, ed., 449. Pamalina scopulorum, Ach. and Hook., C. Eng. Lichen cedycaris, Linn. S. C. (H. W. R.) and Northw'ds. Tuck. L. calycaris, Wade says, is reputed to dye a red color equal to the famous Lichen Rocella or orchill, which commanded at one time £1,000 a ton, and which was used to dye wool or silk any shade of purple or crimson. Lightfoot, in his Flora Scotica, asserts that L. cedycaris was formerly used instead of starch to make hair powder. Plantse Rariores, 132. Pamalina freixinea, Ach. Lichen f 'raxinc us, Linn. Var. of R. calycaris, II. W.R. Ash Ramalina. Abundant on the trunks, and especially on the large branches of very old _ trees. This, as well as R. scopulorum, Ach., has been used in Glas- gow, for the same purpose as Everniaprunastri. A variety is used in Teneriffe, for the production of a yellow color. H. & De L. Usnea plicata, Ach. Used as a dye. Lind., Nat. Syst. Bot. 329. Hacerated with alum, it gives a green color; with alum and tin, a reddish-yellow. Prost., Liste des PL Crypt, de la Lozere. The Laplanders place it under their feet when on a long journey; and they employ the powder to stop hemorrhages. Linn., Flora Lap. 348 ; H. & De Lens, iv. 105. Wiry Alectoria, or Rock Hair. _^^. ^ j^^, ^ .. rprun-k.g 0f treeg especially firs; also Lichen nubatus, Linn. \ . ' / ^r J > upon rocks. White Alts, to Arctic Am. Tuck. Alectoria jubata, Ach. Lichen jubatus, Linn. Evernia jubata, Fries. Linnaeus tells us that in winter, when the snow is very deep PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 27 upon the ground, this lichen supplies the reindeer with food. It is used as a dye. Lind., Nat. Syst. A ledoria usneoidcs. This plant, from the gelatine it contains, will answer the place of the Iceland moss. Lind., Nat. Syst. 329. fddium Westringii, Ach. Now considered a monstrosity, like Lepraria. (II. W. R.) Used in dyeing. Lind., Nat. Syst. 329. ' Reindeer Claydonia, or Claydonia rangeferina, Hoffm. Reindeer Moss. Moors, Cenomyee " Ach. \ heaths, and mountains. S. Lichen rangeferinus, Linn. C. (H. W. R.) and North- wards. Tuck. Several species are employed as dyes. It is this which, for the greater part of the year, especially in winter, is the support of the vast herds of reindeer, wherein consist all the wealth ot the Laplanders. It covers wide extent of countries; and these creatures can by penetrating the snow obtain their food. See Flora Lapponica, where Linnams's beautiful description is given. Hooker's Eng. Flora. "H. Fee assures us," remarks Herat, "that it may serve also as a nourishment for man, by depriving it of its bitter property by sufficient washing." Corns, d Hist. Nat Pharm i 177. And Fabricius, that the Icelanders make frenn it a nourishing jelly, by washing witliwater and cooking it with milk. Voyage, i. 99; H. " polysehidcs, Light. ) Lightfoot observes, that this fucus has sometimes grown so large that a single specimen has been a load for a man's shoul- ders. Drs. Goodenough and Woodardmention that it grows "to a vast size—from one to five yards." In Cornwall, it is burnt to make kelp. Flora Scotica; Obs. on British Fuci; Linn., Trans, v. 3, 155; Wade's Plants? Rariores, 152. Laminaria\- pot atariurn Furnishes the inhabitants of Australia with a proportion of their "instruments, vessels, and food." Grev., Algse. Brit.rxix.; Lind., Nat. Syst. Purvillea utilis. It constitutes an important resource to the poor on the west coast of South America. Grev., Essai. _ Sporochnus villoma Agard. j Hairy Sporochnus. Marine Conferva vdlosa, Huds. { rocks. " Fresh specimens, when spread upon paper, render it trans- parent as if it had been touched with oil; but in a short time this transparency disappears." Hassell, in Crypt. Eng. Chord,, filum, Lamour. ( Common Sea Whip-Lash. Abun- Seytosiphon, Ag. Sp. Alg. dant on shores of England Com- Fu • u s Linn ( mon on northern shores. Harvey. It'constitutes a part of the fodder upon which cattle are sup- ported in Norway. Grev. Alg. Brit. xix. Also used m the man- ufacture of kelp. Lind., Nat. Syst. Cordage is made oi it. ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL Rhodymcn iapalmata, Grev Hedymenia " IJdesseria " Fucuspalmatus, Linn. Ag. Sp. Alg. i. 204. Lamour. Larger Palmat- ed Rhodomenia, or Dulse. Abun- dant on rocky shores of Great Britain in winter. Boston bay and I Halifax. W.II.H. This is the dulse of the Scotch, who are very fond of it in the fresh and crude state. Lightfoot says, however, that they prefer it dried and rolled up, when they chew it like tobacco, for the pleasure arising from the habit. This is the " saccharine fucus," or sol, of the Icelanders, the efflorescence of which has a sweetish and not disagreeable taste. It is dried by the natives, packed down in casks, and used as occasion requires, frequently cooked with butter. Cattle, sheep in particular, often eat this species with eagerness, whence it has been called Fucus ovinus. Crypt. Eng. It is also consumed in considerable quantities in the Gre- cian Archipelago. Grev., Algae Britannicse, xix.; Lind., Nat. Syst. Supposed to yield the largest quantity of kelp. Wade's PL Rariores, 167. Rhodomenia cilicda, Grev. Fucus ciliatus, Huds. This is eatable. Halifax harbor. W. II. H. Laurenciapinnatifida, Lam. \ Pinnatifid Laurencia. Chondria " Alg. !■ Rocks in the sea, passim. Gdidium " Lyngb. ) Monterey, Cal. W.II.II. Distinguished for its pungency; it is often eaten in Scotland under the name "pepper-dulse." Grev., Ale;. Brit, xix.; Lind., Nat. Svst. 338. Plocamium coccineum, Lvneb lucus Plocamiwn, Gmelin. Scarlet Plocamium; abun- dant on sea-coast, California. W. II. II. Some antiquarians suppose that from this was extracted the famous Tyrian purple. Gmelin states that the young Kamtcha- dales employ it to make a red paint for the face. F. laeeratus palmatus, alatus,plumosus, rubens, and sanguineous, furnish col- oring matter. M. & De Lens, iii. 306. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 37 Gigartina Ildminthoee/rton, Grev. Gracillana " Bot, Fucus " Bot. Spha>roeoecu8 " Ag. Ilelminthocorton. Cor- i sican moss. It has some reputation in Europe as an anthelmintic; having been used in Corsica for this purpose for several centuries. It is one of the ingredients in that mixture of marine plants which is sold in Europe under the name of Corsican moss, or helmintho- corton. This is used in decoction, from four to six drachms being boiled in a pint of water, and a wine-glassful given three times a day. TJ. S. Disp., 1252. Eberle speaks favorably of it as a vermifuge. See Eb. on "Dis. of Children." Bouvier ob- tained, from one hundred parts of Corsican moss, veg. fiber and jelly, chlo. of sodium, sulph. andcarb. lime, iron, manganese, sil- ica, and phosph. of lime. Ann. de Chim., ix. 83, 1791. Gaultier de Claubry and Straub have since detected iodine, but in small quantities. Hr. Farr found the decoct., after six or seven days, to act as a diuretic and diaphoretic, occasionally producing nau- sea and giddiness. In 1822 he brought it forward as a remedy in cancer, being led to try it from the circumstances of Napoleon's having stated to O'Heara that it was used in Corsica for dispers- ing tumors. Experience does not sustain its employment. Dr. Dohlhoff thinks it either has iodine or a hyclriodate. H. & De L., iv. 498. It is often mixed with other crypt, plants. In powder, it is given in doses of a scruple to two drachms mixed with honey ; but the decoction is the form preferred. Pereira's Mat. Hed., v. 11; Bremser sur les vers intestin, 414. The lavorable effect of the' medicine in scirrhus is indicated by the green discoloration of the stools, accompanied by a notable amount of coagulable lymph. According to Dr. Stenhouse, it contains from 1 to 5 or 6 per cent. of mannite. Harvey's " Nereis Bor. Am." We insert the following references obtained from H. A: De L., Diet de H. Med. Fee, Cours. d'Hist, Nat. Pharm. i. 147 ; Revue Med ii 515, xi. 46,8 ; Sprengel, Hist, de la Med. v. 495 ; Mod. Eclairee par les Sc. Physiques, i. 86,1791 ; Ann. de Chim. ix. S3 ; Schwendimann, Dis. Helminth. Hist. 1780 ; Latomette Diss Bot. sur le Mousse de Corse, ()bs. sur la Physique, xxi. loo 1,sl ; Do Cand., Bull, de la Facult. de Hed. i. 12., Is24; Bull, de la Soc. Philom. iii. 263; Farr, in Hed. and Surg. Rev. Is22. 4 -»8 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL Gigartina compre.ssa. ) Vera Cruz. W. (iracillaria, " Grev. Alg. Brit. \ II. II. Hr. Griffiths found it to be little inferior to the G. lichenoides, which is so much valued in Ceylon, in making pickles and pre- serves. Grev., Alg. Brit,; Lind., Nat. Syst. 338. Gracillaria tena.r, Grev., Alg. Brit. Fucus " Turn., Hist. Fucorum. This species, which Hr. Greville regrets is not British, is in- valuable as a glue and varnish to the Chinese. Tliough a small plant, the quantity annually imported at Canton, from the prov- inces of Fokien and Tche-kiang, is stated by Hr. Turner to be about 27,000 lbs. It is sold at Canton for 6d. or 8d. per pound, and is used for the purposes to which we apply glue and gum arabic. The Chinese employ it chiefly in the manufacture of lanterns, to strengthen or varnish paper, and sometimes to thicken or give a gloss to silks or gauze. In addition to the above account from Mr. Turner, Mr. Neil remarks that it seems probable that this is the principal ingredient in the celebrated gummy matter called cinchon, or haitsai, in China and Japan. Windows, made merely of slips of bamboo crossed diagonally, have frequently their lozenge-shaped interstices wholly tilled with the transparent gluten of the Haitsai. Grev., Alg. Brit. xix.; Lind., Nat. Syst. Bot. 339. Recent travelers state that the G. spinosa yields the strongest cement. Lridcm edulis, Bory. Much consumed in Scotland, and in the southwest of Eng. Grev. Alg. Brit. Chondrus erispus, Lyngb. Grev. ) Curled Chondrus. Car- polymorplius, Lamour. \ rageen or Irish moss— Firus erispus, Linn. ) Rocky sWs. Atlantic coasts, British Am. to Long Island. W. H. II. Abundant on N orth Am. coast. Harvey. It has been extensively collected on the coast of Ireland washed, bleached, and employed for making blanc-mange, and for other purposes, in lieu of isinglass. It was at one time sold by peasants at 825 per pound, though now so common as to be re- duced in price. Crypt. Eng. It is converted into size for the use PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 39 of house-painters. Grev., Alg. Brit.; Lind., Nat. Syst. Bot, 339. This plant was first introduced as a medicine by Mr. Todhunter. of Dublin. Reece's Honthly Gaz. of Health, 1831. And it has been analyzed by Her Verger Feuchtuanger. See Am. Journ. of Science and Arts, xxvi. It is found to contain jelly, mucus, two resins, fatty matter, and free acids, chlo. of sod., calcium, &c. no bromine, iodine, fungic, boletic, or lichenic acids. It is a popular remedy for pulmonary complaints, chronic diar- rhoea, and dysentery, irritation of bladder, etc.: a decoction is made. See Pereira's Hat. Hed. ii. 36 ; Richard, Elems. d'Hist. Hat, Hed. ii. 6. Porphyra laciniata, Ag. Alga " Lightf.Scot.974t.33. Ulva umVdiealis, E. Bot. 2296. Laciniated purple laver. In the sea, on rocks, stones, and wood. This, under the name of Laver, is much eaten in many places, especially in the south of England, pickled with salt, and preserved in jars, and when brought to table, served up with lemon juice. According to Lightfoot, the inhabitants in the Western Isles gather it in the month of March, and after pounding and macer- ating it with a little water, eat it with pepper, vinegar, and but- ter. Others stew it with leeks and onions. Crypt. Eng. Porphyra vulgaris. This also is "stewed and brought to our tables as a luxury." Grev., Algce Brit, xix. ; Lind., Nat Syst. Chondrus Membranifolius, Grev. \ Sphcericoccus " Ag. ) ^ This also contains a large proportion of the nutritive matter oi C. Crisp. Richard, Elems. d'Hist. Nat, ii. 9. Chandrus Pinnatijida. This species is eatable. Richard. Phyllophora rubens, Grev. j Salucricoccus " Ag. ) Contains gelatine and nutritive matter. R.euard, Elemen, Several species are made use of to - render more pal- 40 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL atable the hot and biting condiments of the East." Some unde- termined species of this genus also furnish the materials of which the edible swallow-nests are composed. It is remarked by Lam- ouroux, that three species of swallows construct edible nests, two of which builds at a distance from the sea-coast, and uses the sea- weed only as a cement for other matters. The nests of the third are consequently most esteemed, and sold for their weight in gold Greville, Alga) Britannica?, xix. Lind., Nat. Syst. Lridcea edulis, Borv. \ Fucus " Stach. (- Esculent Iridrea. Viva " De Cand. ) " It is eatable when raw, which is hardly the case with some other fuci. It is also eaten after being pinched with hot irons, and then tastes like roasted oysters." (Quoted in Plants Rariores, 154.) In the islands of the Archipelago, the natives have a curious way of dressing fish with the fucus: "They take slices of fish, and stew them with crow garlic, chopped small; when tender, some lard, or any animal fat, is added; and lastly, a hand- ful or more of this fucus, called by them Marvei, is put on, which not only gives a most beautiful purple tinge to the ragout, but dissolves, and thickens the sauce so much, that, when cold, the jelly is strong enough to support a spoon or any other thing placed in a perpendicular direction." Gmelin's Hist. Fuc. 190 ; Nereis Britan. 59. Mr. Stackhouse discovered that by macera- tion in water it gave out a rich ruby tint, "resembling the strongest infusion of cochineal." The color had also the remark- able property of being a changeable color, as " it appeared a bright ruby when held to the light, and a muddy saffron when viewed in a contrary direction." The Rev. Mr. Gregor assured Mr. Turner that by means of alum he procured a fine lake from an infusion of it. Nereis Britan. 58. When moistened, after having been dried, this species of fucus more particularly exhales a violet scent. Withering's Eng. Botany, v. 19, 1307; Wade's Plantse Rariores, 155. Viva laetuea, L. Much eaten by Northern people, after having extracted the salt. The same use is made of the U. compressa, plicata, purpurea, PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 41 umbib'calls, etc. (Journal de Pharm. xi. 40.) H. & De Lens, vi. 803. Broad green laver. Ulva talissima, Linn. Suec. j Abundant on rocks, U. lactuca va. latissima, Lightf. j stones, etc. in the sea. [Summer and autumn. This and the U. lactuca are indiscriminately eaten, under the name of green leaver, or oyster green, being served at table with lemon juice, in the same way as the purple Laver. " This diet is esteemed good, as almost all esculent vegetables are, for scrofulous habits." Lightfoot says, that the islanders ascribe to it an ano- dyne virtue, and bind it about the forehead and temples to assuage headache in fevers, and to procure sleep. Crypt. Eng.; Grev. Alg. Brit. Enteromorpha intestinal is, Link. | Ulva, Linn. ^ According to Pallas (Voyage), this is employed in medicine. Alg.e. (Confervoidcie.) Dasya coccinea, Ag. Conferva " Wade's PL Rariores. On account of its beauty, brilliant red color, and the minute divisions of its foliage, the conferva is employed by ladies to mimic landscapes. Wade, 168. Long Branch, N. Jersey, Hiss Mor- ris (W. II. II.)-— Found on shores of . England. M Guibourt says it contains a notable quantity of iodorine, combined with a proper substance, but not as an alkaline ioduret It forms the base of the remedy so much used in goitre, and known as the Powder of Sency. Richard, Elems. d Hist. Nat. Medicale, ii. 6. Griffiths'^ sdacea, Ag. { Conferva, Dill. S % . . Mrs. Griffiths has observed, that on immersion in fresh watei, * it twists the skin, bursts with a slight explosion, and emits the coloiL matter, wiiich sinks in fine powder." Miss Biddulph has Polysiphonia atrorubescens,Grex. Ilutehinsia " Ag. Sp. Alg. 12 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLO o IC A h noticed a remarkable modification of the fruit. Crypt, of Eng. bv Hooker. It affords a lake tint. Turner; Wade's PL Rari- ores. Griffithsia cordllina, Ag. ) Greenport, L. L, Port Jefferson Conferva " Dill, j and Key West. AV. II. II. Herat & De Lens state that the infusion of C. corallina (Lour.), mixed with sugar, forms the cakes used in China and in Japan, as a restorative while traveling. Flore Cochinc. 848. In this it is supposed to resemble the fucus of the genus Gelidium, of which the celebrated Tabldtes de Hokiac were made. ii. 383. _, _ • 7 . T ( River Conferva. In streams and Conferva nvularis. L. < . J ( rivers ; common. H. Colladon, a pharmaceutist of Geneva, has employed this in the manufacture of paper. According to Hurray, the con- vervoe emit a light similar to that of oxygen. He advises their administration in asthma and phthisis. Apparat. Hed. v. 554; Lsennec employed some species of fucus for these purposes; they, however, contain iodine, which the confervse do not, Pliny recommends them highly as an application to injuries and contu- sions of the body. Lib. xxvii. C. 9; Herat, ii. 382. Conferva setacea. Hr. Turner observes, that it yields a fine lake fluid on being macerated in fresh water. Wade's PL Rariores, 165. This ob- server did not notice the intolerable odor which Hajor Velley says it emits when recent. n u? -7 t • ( Globe Conferva, or Hoor Balls. Conferva a'gacjropila, Linn. \ T , ' -^an^. This extraordinary production varies in diameter from half an inch to two and a-quarter inches, forming a compact green ball, which is said, in E. Bot. to be sometimes used for wiping pens upon. It was employed by Dr. Gall, in France, as an an- thelmintic, and in scrofulous diseases. Herat & De L., Diet, de Hat. Hed. ii. 383; Journ. de Pharm. ix. 423. Conferva bulbosa. Dillenius, in 1741, said that this conferva, properly collected PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 43 and dried, would answer as tow or cotton for a variety of pur- poses. Lightfoot, in 1777, states that he saw in Edinburgh a coarse kind of paper made of it. Wade's PL Rariores, 163. Corallina officinalis, L. Halifax. W. II. II. The discovery of the spores in this plant do not allow us any longer to doubt respecting its vegetable nature (Richard). By analysis of M. Bouvier, in Ann. de Chim. viii. 308, it was found to contain a notable quantity of gelatine and of albumen, and a very large proportion of carb. of lime, of magnesia, of sulph. of lime, and hydrochlorate of soda. The taste is disagreeable. It is sometimes prescribed as an anthelmintic. Richard, Elms. d'Hist, Nat. Medicale, ii. 9 ; Ann. de Nat. 1S42 ; Ant. 119. Calothrix luteola, Grev. Opaque Parasitical Calothrix. Filaments exceedingly slender, tortuous, and tapering, of a snow-white color, and so opaque as to appear intensely black when viewed against the light. Most of them are variegated with pellucid fasciae, caused by the destruction or escape of the coloring matter. In the water, this minute parasite gives a downy appearance to the plants on which it grows. Carm. MSS. Crypt, Eng. j White Calothrix. In sulphur springs; Calothrix nivea, Ag. j llotsuipilursprinirs near Niagara. Har. Dr Dillon assures us "that this species is found below the sprin- no further than as the water retains sensible sulphureous qualities, as if the hepatic gas was necessary to its production and nourishment." Dill. Crypt, Eng. . _ Oxcillatoria, Vauch. . . Dr Hooper cites Capt, Carmichael's ingenious remarks m Ins " Algce Alpinensis," under Oscillatoria. «I have been induced to bestow considerable attention to the species which fell undei nv notice, on account of the singular motion remarked m the Clients by various naturalists ; and I do coniess tha the resu t is methin^ like conviction that they belong rather to the an- il than to the vegetable kingdom. The; motion^ or osci laUon Las been attributed to various causes-to the rapnb of^ growtii to the action of light, or to the agitation of the watei in which 44 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL the specimens were immersed for inspection; but none of these afford a satisfactory explanation."* The O. contcxta is an illus- tration of the above. ~7 ,, . ^.. tt , ( Mr. Arnot's Chroolepus. On Chroolepus Arnottn. Hook. \ \ yews. "This singular plant," remarks Mr. Arnot, "resembles none other that I know. It is found only on yew trees. The sap of the tree continues to flow through the plant, which also increases in size and thickness, at last becoming a firm, corky, almost hemi- spherical substance, * * * the number of concentric layers marking pretty nearly the number of years the specimen has been in forming. This, I have no doubt, is caused by the inspis- sation, at the close of each season, of the sap of the tree absorbed by the parasite. I may add that, when well dried, this species takes fire very readily from a spark, and burns like tinder." Arn. in Zitt.; Crypt. Eng. * "The last," he adds, "may be put to the proof by a very simple contrivance. Let a small portion of the stratum be placed in a ■watch-glass nearly filled with water, and covered with a circular film of talc, so that its edge may touch the glass; the water will be rendered as fixed as if it was a piece of ice. The glass may now be placed under the microscope, and the oscillation of the filaments viewed without any risk of disturbance from the agitation of the water; by following this course it wiU be speedily perceived that the motion in question is entirely independent of that cause." " The action of light as a cause of motion cannot be directly disproved, because we cannot view our specimens in the dark; but indirectly there is nothing easier. If a watch-glass charged as above be laid aside for a night, it will be found that by next morning not only a considerable radiation has taken place, but that multitudes of the filaments have entirely escaped from the stratum; both indicating motion independent of light. Rapidity of growth will show itself in the prolonga- tion of the filaments, but will not account for this oscillation to the right and left: and still less for their traveling in the course of a feAV hours to the distance of ten times their own length from the stratum. This last is a kind of motion unexampled, I believe, in the vegetable kingdom. There is another point in the natural history of the Oscillator ice, which favors the opinion that they are animalculae. It is the extremely limited term of their existence,—the community, if I may so call it, lives for several months; but the individuals die off, and are succeeded by others with a rapidity to which there is no parallel among genuine plants. If a small portion of stratum, say one-fourth of an inch in diameter, be left for three or four days in a watch-glass filled with water, the whole area of the glass will be found covered with a thin transparent pelhcle or incipient stratum, derived from the filaments that had successively radiated and died in the course of that short period." The 0. contexta wiU illustrate the above. , PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 45 AlgjE. (Gloiocladi a.-.) Iilvularia angulosa, Roth. \ Attached to water-plants in Ulvapruniformis, Linn. ( ponds. Pallas states, that in Siberia it is used in swellings of the limbs and in diseases of the eye. M. k, De L. Protococcus nivalis, Ag. Grev. Crypt. Flo. "1 Crimson Pro- ILcematococcus Grevill.ii. i tococcus, or red Uredo nivalis, Bauer. T snow. In North Palmclla nivalis, Hook, in Paris' 2d Voy. J America. " On calcareous rocks, within the reach of occasional inunda- tion," near Dublin. W. H. Harvey. " This curious little plant, which, under the name of red snow, has excited no inconsiderable interest among the greatest botanists of the age, is usually found in this country under the form of a thin, stain-like stratum on the surface of rocks, or in- vesting decayed vegetable substances with a purple crust. It was brought by Capt. Ross from the Arctic regions, where it was observed covering the surface of the snow, in patches of many miles in extent, and penetrating in some places to the depth of twelve feet." Crypt. Eng. Seen by Mr. Agassiz on the glaciers of the Alps. Palmclla montana, Ag. Syst. | Mountain Ulm " Ughf\r , i t, oa (palmella. Palm ell a edpieola, Lyngb. Hydroph. Dan. 69. J According to Lightfoot, this is the "Mountain Dulse" of the Scotch ; and " the Highlanders wash it and rub it between their hands in water, so as to make a paste, with which they purge their calves." Crypt. Eng. jTostoch commune, Vauch. ) Common in graveny Suiis. Tremella nostoch, Linn. ) This remarkable production, we are told, is a gelatinous mat- ter of a yellowish green color, enveloped in a membrane, traversed by filaments, and springing up suddenly in wet weather. It loses its volume when dried, but may be made to recover it by the re- application of water, resuming also its gelatifbrm aspect. The alchemists, Herat k, De Lens inform us, have written reveries without number concerning this singular production. Some 46 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL regarded it as an emanation, a residue left by the stars, and have attributed to it miraculous virtues, among others, a power in it to transmute metals to gold. They describe it under the names, Throne of the Earth, Fleur de Solid and Jaculum Stcllce, Realgar de VAir, etc. Herat, in his Diet, de H. Med., refers the curious to a paper by H. Vallot in the first volume of the Mem. de la Societe Linneenne de Paris, p. 473. By chemical analyses, Vauquelin and Braconnot say that it contains, of water 185.00; of matter analogous to bassorine (cerasine) 13.80 ; of mucus, 1.2o. By distillation it affords, a brown oil; an alkaline liquor, which holds the acetate and carbonate of ammonia; the incinerated residue gave phosphate and carbonate of lime. (Ann. de Chim. lxxxvii. 265, and xxxiv. 190.) With respect to the medicinal virtues of the nostoch, accord- ing to Magnot it was much lauded during the end of the seven- teenth century; if we believe the alchemist, it was supposed to cure all diseases. Paracelsus carried it in the head of his cane; yet he died in his 34th year. It was employed as a remedy for sores, for the most inveterate fistulse, and to calm the pains of colic; also for cough, and in diseases of the kidney. In Siberia, it was used in inflammations, particularly those of the eye, swell- ing of the feet, &c. Herat & De L., Diet, de H. H. iv. 636; Geoffroi, Obs. sur le Nostoch de Paracelse, qui prouvent que e'est reellement une plante (Hem. de l'Acad. des Sc. 1708); Reaumer, Obs. sur la Reg. du Nost. (Hem. de l'Acad. des Sc. 1722); Vernig, Hem. sur le Nost. (Nouv. Hem. de l'Acad. de Dijon, 1784); Corti, Obs. sur la plante appelee Tremella (Obs. sur la Phys. vii. 78, et Hem. de la Soc. d'Emulat. v. 515); Fon- tana, Lettres sur la Trem. (Obs. sur la Phys. vii. 328); Carradori, Hem. sulle transformazione del Nost., Florence, 1798 (Journ. de la Lit. Etrang. i. 242); Cassini, Doutes sur l'origine du Tremella, Nost. L. (Bull, de la Soc. Philomath, v. 81, 1817). See M. & De L.; Wade's Plantse Rariores, 142 ; Smith's Tour on the Continent, v. 3, 150; Withering's Eng. Botany, v. 7, 461 ; Flora Scotica, v. 2, 199. Alg.e (diatomacece). Schizonema Dillwynii, Ag. Syst. ^ The plant has a fetid odor, and frequently glistens with a faint metallic luster when dry. Crypt. Eno-. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 47 Okder III. FUNGI (The Mushroom Tribe) Plants consisting of cells and fibers, " always springing from organized and, generally, decaying substances, not perfected when immersed in water, bearing reproductive sporidea." Fungi occur of all colors, except pure green. " Their qualities," remarks Mr. Berkeley, " are various; many are used very extensively as articles of food ; a few are endowed with valuable medicinal properties ; numbers are highly poison- ous ; and the ravages of several in dock-yards, corn-fields, orchards, &c. are incalculable. A few possess the remarkable property of exhaling hydrogen gas. Some, however, exhale carbonic acid gas, and inhale oxygen." Fries discovered 2,000 species within the compass of a square furlong, in Sweden. . Mr. Berkley, in his valuable description, says of the properties of this important order, that—" In this country (England) Fungi are so generally objects of prejudice and disgust, that their real import- ance, as useful productions, is little appreciated. With the excep- tion of the common mushroom, scarcely a single species of agaric is in general accurately distinguished ; and though many speak of another kind, under the name of champignon, there are few per- sons who know what to gather; and the fatal mistakes which have in consequence been made, have increased the disinclination to any but the mushroom. In many portions of Europe, but espec- ially Poland and Russia, they form a most important part of the food of the common people; and in the latter country whole tribes are mainly supported by them, scarcely any species, except the dung and the fly agarics, being rejected. Even those kinds which are "elsewhere refused by common consent, as poisonous on ac- count of their extreme acridity, are taken with impunity, being extensively dried or pickled in salt or vinegar for winter use. It is probable that this harmlessness arises from the particular mode of preparation; for from the exact account of Pallas, and the gen- eral diffusion of various species in various countries, there is no reason to doubt the fact that sorts justly esteemed poisonous are realbinsed: and it is well known that the noxious qualities of that most virulent species, Agaricus vermis, are communicated to brine, vinegar, &c, and that the Olive-tree agaric loses.all its poi- sonous properties when salted, and becomes eatable The pickle is probably, in general thrown away; while as to dried fungi, I have been informed by a gentlemen of great acuteness and obser- 48 ON THE .MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL vation, that in some town of Poland, where he was detained as a prisoner, he amused himself with collecting and drying the vari- ous fungi which grew within its walls, amongst which wore many commonly reputed dangerous; and that, to his great surprise, his whole collection was devoured by the soldiers. Indeed, two poi- sonous principles have been discovered in fungi, one of which is so fugacious that it is dispelled by heat, or the act of drying, or by immersion in acids, alkalies, or alchohol; the other is more fixed, and resists such processes. It is, however, the practice in some districts, to use fungi without any preparation whatever, as in their simple state they are considered more wholesome and nutritious. This practice is probably confined to kinds allied in their qualities to Agaricus campestris, and Schwaegrichen assures us, in a letter quoted by Person, that in consequence of seeing the peasants about Nuremberg eating raw mushrooms, seasoned with anise and carraway-seed, along with their black bread, he resolved to try their effect himself; and that during several weeks he ate nothing but bread and raw fungi, as Boletus edulis, Agaricus campestris, Agaricus procerus, &c, and drank nothing but water, when instead of finding his health affected, he rather experienced an increase of strength. A few species are recorded as used in the Southern hemisphere, and a Jdnd of Pachyma is known in Van Diemen's Land by the name of " native bread." The medical uses of fungi, are probably of far greater importance than their present very limited application might lead us to suppose. Several which were formerly in high reputa- tion for their active properties, are now altogether neglected or forgotten. In the economy of the world, Fungi perform a most import- ant office, in hastening the decomposition of dead organized mat- ter. It is this property which renders one or two species, known under the common name of dry rot, such a dreadful plague in ships and buildings. The disease doubtless originates on some unsound portion of the wood, but, once established, it spreads with wonderful rapidity and decomposes the sound wood beneath it by absorbing its nutritive matter. White of egg might probably be used to advantage, on a small scale as it seems, equally with corrosive sublimate, to prevent the growth of fungi; indeed, it is sometimes employed by house- keepers for the prevention of mold, by simply covering the arti- cles to be preserved with paper steeped in it. In herbaria and PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 49 cabinets, moldiness may be kept away by the use of essential oil or Russia leather. Fungi are very destructive to corn, in the form of blight, mil- de-Wj bunt, occ, doing injury not only by a diminution of the quantity, but also of the nutritive matter; and, as in the case of bunt, by communicating to the corn an offensive taste and smell. The growth of these parasites depends so much upon accidental circumstances, that it is impossible for the most experienced cul- tivators to guard against them altogether ; but the evil is greatly lessened by careful choice of seed, by steeping it in solutions of different substances, which destroy the vegetative power of the sporidea of these parasites, and by a judicious change of cropping in the land subject to them. It appears that the reproductive contents of the sporidea are absorbed, together with the water con- taining the nutritive matter of the soil, by the roots. At least, it is certain that corn sown in soil which has been purposely mixed with the sporidea, is infested with the fungi to which those spo- ridea belong; and this has been proved also with regard to one of the entophytal parasites to which roses are subject. Most plants are preyed upon by their peculiar parasites; pear-trees, for instance, are sometimes much injured by jEcidium cancellation, and young trees planted in their neighborhood are observed to suffer. The roots of certain plants, as Saffron-crocus, Lucerne, Convolv- ulus batatus (potato), are frequently exhausted by subterranean fungi. In the case of saffron, the only remedy is to insulate the infected spot by a deep trench ; which should seem to be a striking proof that these plants are really increased by seed. M. J. Berk- ley on Fungi, in " Crypt, of England." We refer the reader to Kotzsch's excellent method of preserving fungi; on p. 10, vol. ii. which Sir Win. Hooker has found very serviceable. Crypt. Eng. According to Braconnot, most of the fungi contain a peculiar principle denominated/^^, a peculiar acid called fungic acid usually combined with potassa, and a peculiar saccharine matter less sweet than the other varieties of sugar, less soluble in alcohol and water than that of the cane, and distinguished by some wri- ters as the sugar of mushrooms. Fungin constitutes the basis_ oi these vegetables, and is the principle upon which their nutritive properties chiefly depend. It is the fleshy substance which re- mains when they are treated with boiling water, holding a little alkali in solution. It is whitish, soft, and insipid : inflammable ; 50 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TON ICOLOO ICAL insoluble in water, alcohol, ether, weak sulphuric acid, and weak solutions of potassa and soda; soluble in heated muriatic acid; decomposed by nitric acid, and by concentrated alkaline solu- tions; and converted, by destructive distillation, into substances resembling those which result from the distillation of animal mat- ters. This subject was afterwards resumed by Letellier, Avho says he found in some of them one, in others two poisonous principles. One of these is an acrid matter, so fugacious that it disappears when the plant is either dried or boiled, or macerated in weak acids, alkalies, or alcohol. To this principle, he says, is owing the irritant properties of some fungi. The other principle is more fixed, as it resists drying, boiling, and the action of weak alka- lies and acids. It is soluble in water, has neither smell nor taste, and forms crystallizable salts with acids; but he did not succeed in separating it in a state of purity. To this principle he attri- butes the narcotic properties of the fungi. lie found it in Am. musearia, bulbosa, and verna / and he therefore proposed to call it amanatine. Its effects on animals appear to resemble, considera- bly those of opium. Archiv. Gen. de Med. xi. 94. Chausarel found that the poisonous principle resides in the juice, and not in the fleshy part, after it is well washed. Repert. fiir die Phar- macie, lxvi. 117 ; Christison on Poisons, p. T'04. The mode of action of the poisonous fungi has not been par- ticularly examined; but the experiments of Paulet long ago estab- lished that they are poisonous to animals as well as to man. Traite des Champig. Coeffes. Mem. de la Soc. de Roy. de Med. i. 431. The toxic or active principle, according to Mialhe, depends upon their power to coagulate the albumen of the blood, and hence to arrest the circulation. Hialhe, Essai sur l'Art de Formuler, ccxcix.; Supplem. 1846, to Diet, de H. Hed. 161. The symp- toms produced by them in man are endless in variety, and fully substantiate the propriety of arranging them in the class of nar- cotico-acrid poisons. Sometimes they produce narcotic symptoms alone, sometimes only symptoms of irritation, but much more com- monly both together. See Agaricus campanulatus, A. procerus, and A.pantherinus ; also, Ilypophyllum sanguineum. It is like- wise not improbable that fungi, even those not belonging to the varieties commonly acknowledged as poisons, induce, when taken for a considerable length of time, a peculiar depraved state of the constitution, leading to external suppuration and gangrene. Christison on Poisons, p. 704. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 51 Even the esculent mushrooms, if partially devoured and aban- doned by insects, are avoided by some as having, in all probability, acquired injurious qualities which they do not usually possess; but this test I have often disregarded, remarks Christison (" On Pois- ons," p. 704). In cases of poisoning with the fungi, there is a great difference in the interval which elapses before the symptoms begin. Sometimes they commence in a few minutes, sometimes an inter- val of twelve hours has occurred. Gmelin has quoted a set of cases, seventeen in number, in which it was said to have been a day and a half. Their incligestibility, to which this has been attrib- uted, is sometimes so great, that portions of them have been dis- charged by vomiting so late as fifty-two hours after they were swallowed. Aymen, in Hist, de la Soc. Roy. de Hed. i. 344. Another circumstance worthy of particular notice is the great durability of the symptoms. Even the purely narcotic effects have been known to last above two days; the symptoms of irrita- tion have continued, as in the instance quoted from Orfila, about three weeks. Through idiosyncracy, some persons have been af- fected by the small portion of mushroom juice which is contained in an ordinary catsup seasoning. Christison. In Rust's Journal, we have cases of persons having their sys- tems depraved by living exclusively on mushrooms; a botanist, of Person's acquaintance, while studying the cryptogamous plants in the vicinity of Nuremberg, says he found that the peasants ate them raw, in large quantity, as their daily food: in imitation of their custom, he ate, for several weeks, nothing but bread and raw mushrooms—enjoying all the while perfect health. Person, Traite sur les Champ. Comestibles, 157. # The morbid appearances left in the bodies of persons poisoned bv the deleterious fungi, have been but imperfectly collected Christison details for us a few of these : The body is in genera very livid, and the blood fluid; so much so, sometimes, that it flows from the natural openings in the dead body Piece Hist. de la Soc. P. 357. In general, the abdomen is distended with fetid air, which, indeed, is usually present during life The stom- ach and intestines of some French soldiers who died of it (,ee Ag. muscarius) presented the appearance of inflammation passing m some placeVto gangrene. In two of them the stomach _was g^n- ,-renous in many places, and far advanced m putrefio,t nun The same appearances were found in the cases mentioned } Picco^ in these there was also an excessive enlargement of the In ei. Ihe 52 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL lungs have sometimes been found gorged or even inflamed. The vessels of the brain are also sometimes very turgid. They were particularly so in a case related by Dr. Beck, where death was occasioned in seven hours by an infusion of the Ag. muscaria in milk. See Ag. Muscaria, apud auct. cit. sup. M. Orfila, by experiments on dogs, found vinegar so efficient in dissolving out the active properties of some fungi as that they could be rendered innocuous by being dissolved in it. If, how- ever, vinegar is swallowed together with portions of fungi, their poisonous influence is much increased. The common salt and sulphuric ether were all serviceable after the use of evacuants. Hoffman's anodyne was also very efficient. An emeto-cathartic should always be administered. The following prescription is advised: R. Ant. Tartarizat. grs. iii. Ipecac, grs. xxiv. Sulph. soda;, grs. vi. This to be followed by oil, and subsequently by ether. Milk has likewise been recommended. M. Duchanoit thinks that among poisonous fungi, one kind act by stupefying, and the other by causing excessive pain. The use of the Am. pseudo-aurantiaca being followed by the first, and that of the A. bulbosus by the second. H. & De Lens' Diet, de M. M. ii. 202; Journ de Leroux, xvi. 376. At Turin they cook mushrooms by adding iron, one or more nails being boiled with them (clous dans l'eau de cuisson); and we are assured that by these means no one is poisoned (Bonafons). M. Druge, of Vienna, recommends, for the poisoning by the mush- rooms, a mixture of olive oil and pulverized charcoal. Bull, des Sc.Med. de Feruss. xxiv. 97. H. Chansarel, of Bordeaux, states that tannin will deprive bad mushrooms of their poisonous power. Rev. Hed., Juin, 1839. Some have observed certain agarics as peculiarly noxious to animals ; also, that the poisonous properties change with the local- ities. For instance, in the middle of Europe many species are eaten ; at Paris, the moselle and another species is eaten ; in Peri- gord and Gascony, le cesse et I'orange are among the number of those employed; at Montpelier we may add four or five more, according to De Candolle; in Italy, Micheli states, they use as articles of food a great number. It has been remarked, that as we go north the poisoning by the mushroom becomes more fre- PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 53 quent, especially by the amanita verna (I'orange cigue), this being more abundant as we pass to colder regions. Merat & De L., Supplem. vol. 1846, 162. There are rules laid down by H. Richard, in the Diet, des Drogues, to guide those who eat mushrooms, in their selection of them. Those should be rejected which have a narcotic or fetid odor, or an acrid, bitter, or very acid taste; which occasion a sense of constriction in the throat, when swallowed; which are very soft, liquefying, changing color, and assuming a bluish tint upon being bruised; which exude a milky, acrid, and styptic juice ; which grow in very moist places and upon putrifying sub- stances ; in fine, all such as have a coriaceous, ligneous, or corky consistence. The last, however, are injurious, in consequence rather of their indigestible than of their poisonous nature. Even mush'-ooms which are usually edible, may prove poisonous, if collected too late, or in places which are too moist. It is said, moreover, that the poisonous species sometimes become innocent when they grow under favorable circumstances; and that the most noxious may be rendered edible by boiling them in water acidulated with vinegar. Paulet, in 1776, says that salt and vin- egar removed every deleterious principle from that poisonous species, the Ag. bulbosus ; and that the Russians are in the habit of salting their fungi, which may be the cause of their harmless- ness. So, the pickling and subsequent washing of the poisonous agaric of the olive renders it eatable, in the Cevennes. Delile; Lind., Nat. Syst. Both Pallas (Voyage, i. 65) and Orfila assure us that vinegar will destroy the noxious power of the most dan- gerous. Toxicologic, ii. 89. Herat states that in many provinces of France, in portions of Europe, and particularly in Siberia the inhabitants live almost exclusively on fungi. The plants dried for winter use, become articles of considerable commercial import- ance The remedies for poisoning by eating mushrooms are emetics, accompanied by the free use of warm drinks, and fol- lowed by cathartics. The strength must then be sustained b} mild tonics and stimulants. Ether is particularly recommended. U S Disp 1277; Herat & De Lens. Chansarel found acids use- less as a remedy, but he thought infusion of galls advantageous Report, fur. die Pharmacie, Ixvi. 117; Christ.son on Poisons Lvlll's Character of Russians, 556. 1823; Letelher, Journ de L}aus Lnaia^ ooi, vol. ii. for the Pharm. 1837; see art. of Meiat ^ ue Li. p. -ox, chief characters of deleterious fungi. 5 54 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TO NICOLOUIC A L "On certain persons, all mushrooms, even the very best of the eatable kinds, act more or less injuriously." They cause vomit- ing, diarrhoea, and colic. In this respect they are on the same footing with the richer sorts of fish, which, by idiosyncraey, act as poisons on particular constitutions. It is not improbable, Dr. Christison states, that, contrary to what some botanists have alleged, "the best mushrooms, when taken in large quantity and for a considerable length of time, are deleterious to every one." On Poisons, p. 703. Fodere {Med, Legale, iv. 55, et pasxim), De Candolle (Exsai sur les p?'oprietes Med. des Plantes, 320), and Greville (Hem. Werner. Soc. iv. 342), have laid down general directions for dis- tinguishing the esculent from the poisonous varieties; but it is extremely questionable, adds Christison, whether their rules are always safe; and that certainly they are not always accurate, as they would exclude many species in common use on the conti- nent. "It appears that most fungi which have a Marty cap, more especially fragments of a membrane adhering to their upper surfaces, are poisonous." Heavy fungi, which have an un- pleasant odor, especially if they emerge from a vulva, or bag, are also generally hurtful. Of those which grow in woods and shady places a few are esculent, but most are unwholesome ; and if moist on the surface, they should be avoided. All those which grow in tufts or clusters, from the trunks or stumps of trees, ought like- wise to be shunned. "A sure test of poisonous fungi, is an astringent, styptic taste; and, perhaps, also a disagreeable, cer- tainly a pungent, odor." Some fungi possessing these properties have, indeed, found their way to the epicure's table; but they are of a very questionable quality. Those whose substance become blue are invariably poisonous. Agarics of orange or rose-red color, and boleti which are coriaceous or corky, or which have a membranous collar round the stem, are also unsafe; but these rules are not universally applicable in other genera. References to authorities respecting Fungi, from Me rat <& De Lens' Diet, de Mat. Med. etc. L. BotaL, Fungus Strangulators, Lugduni, 1565, in 16 ; Clu- sius, Fungi Perniciosi, in rar. plant, exot., Anteverphe, 1002 ; J. P. Breyne, De Fungis Officinalibus, Leydse, 1702; Hatte, Obs. sur un empoisonnement par le champignon veneneux (Agaricus bulbosusf), et sur l'antidote de ce poison (le vinaigre), Anc. Journ. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 55 de Med. iii. 299, 1755; F. A. Cartheuser, Programmata I. et II. de fungorum venenatorum notis., Giessen, 1771; Dardana, (J. A.), Agaricum campestrem veneno in patria, etc., joint a l'ouv- rage suivant;—V. Picco sur le traitement des accidens produits par les champignons veneneux (in Italian), Turin, 1788; Em- monot., Reflect, sur un Memoire relatif aux effets dangereux des champignons, etc. (Journ. Gener. de Hed. xxv. 241,1806); Mager, Champignons comest. indigenes, Berlin, 1801, in fol.; J. Bus- sang, Obs. sur les mauvais effets des champ., Journ. Gen. de Hed. xxvi. 265, 1806; Gintrac, Obs. sur I'empoison. cause par les champ, ven., Bibliotheque Med. lxiv. 86 ; E. Vadrot, Empois. par les Champ., These, Paris, 1814, iii. iv.; Chauvin, Empois. par les Champ., Tliese, Paris, 1819, in 4; Vial, Empois. par les Champ, etc., Archiv. de Hed. v. 185, 1S24; Cordier, Guide de 1'Amateur de Champ, etc., Paris, 1826, in 18, fig.; Descourtilz, Des Champ. Comest. Suspect, et Yen., figures (tres mauvaises); Ascherson, De Fungis Venenatis, Berlin, 1827, in 8; Bull., Hist. des Champ, et des PL de la France, 12 vols., 500 figures, Paris, 1792; Krombholz, Icon, de Champ, comest., figures, Prague, 1829-41; Letellier, Figures des Champ, serv. de supplem. a Bul- liard, 18 livres in fol., 1834-42 ; Id, Consid. sur les Champ. Aren. (Journ. de Pharm. xxiii. 369, 1837); Lenz, Sur les Champ. Utiles et Nuisibles, Gotha, 1831; Yittadini, Descrizione dei Fungi man- gereccie, Milano, 1832; Viviani, Fungi dTtalia, 1834; Corda, Icon. Fungorum hujusque Cognitorum, Prague, 1836; Tnpier, Note sur la presence de 1'acicle oxalique dans les Champ. (Journ. de Pharm. xxiv. 638); Culture des Champ. (Ann. des Soc. Roy. d'Horticult. xxxvi. 488. 1845). See H. & De Lens' Diet, de M. M. supplem. vol., 1846, 162. Agaricus phalloides, Fr. " bulbosus, Bull, ii Phallus-Like Aga- ric. Woods, and bor- ^rncdis, Bolt. i. 48. \ ders of woods ; Au- « muscarinic. | ^ to November; Fungus phalloides, Vaill. Bot. Par. 74. j Carolina 1 to Peim AVhen fresh it has a powerful, but not disagreeable smell, when past maturity, its odor becomes ah nost insupportable Ac- counted highly poisonous, especially the yellow variety Oinla d:tLe&d portions of the A.ludbosus of Bull, to a dog. * six hours, it made efforts to vomit, became extremeljeah la^d down and died with convulsive movement. I pen post-mortem 56 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL examination, the stomach was found full of a thick, yellow mu- cus. This organ and the duodenum, had livid spots on their coats. In a second experiment, two of the X. bulboxus, Bull. were given to a dog. Tliese produced vomiting, trembling, and convulsive movements, accompanied with severe pain. In fact, all the symptoms of apoplexy declared themselves. The admin- istration of vinegar did not relieve it permanently, and it died in thirty hours after the introduction of the poison. The digestive canal did not contain any of the plant, but the interior of the stomach was touched with red spots, the mucus and muscular coats of the intestinal canal were destroyed, and nothing remained except the serous tunic. A half-ounce being given to another dog produced true cholera and convulsions: the animal died twenty-four hours after taking the poison. The strong liquid produced by distillation of the plant, also destroyed dogs to which it was administered. The watery extract produced death in less than twenty-four hours. The tincture made by placing one plant in 3 iss. of alcohol, was, likewise, equally destructive. See Paulet, Traite des Champignons (Trans, from Orfila). In this, one of the most dangerous of the fungi, H. Vaquelin found a yellow, soft, fatty matter, acrid to the taste, in which appeared to preside the poisonous principle. Annal. de Chim. xxxv. 33, lxxv. 5, and lxxix. 265. Exposed to intense heat, it did not give out oxygen as other vegetables do, but azote and hydrogen; " thus confirming the almost animal nature of this species of production." H. from 58 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TON ICO LOG \ CAL wine or spirits: cheerful emotions of the mind are first pro- duced, involuntary words and actions follow, and sometimes, at last, an entire loss of consciousness. It renders some remark- ably active, and proves highly stimulant to muscular exertion; by too large a dose, violent spasmodic effects are produced. So very exciting to the nervous system, in many individuals, is this fungus, that the effects are often very ludicrous : a person under its influence wishing to step over a straw, takes a stride or a jump sufficient to clear the trunk of a tree; a talkative person cannot keep silence or secrets; and one fond of music is perpet- ually singing. The most singular effect of the amanita, is the influence it possesses over the urine. It is said that from time immemorial the inhabitants have known that the fungus imparts an intoxicating quality to that secretion, which continues for a considerable time after taking it. For instance, a man moder- rately intoxicated to-day, will, by the next morning, have slept himself sober; but (as is the custom) by taking a tea-cupful of his urine, he will be more powerfully intoxicated than he was the preceding day. It is, therefore, not uncommon for confirmed drunkards to preserve their urine as a precious liquor, against a scarcity of the fungus. This intoxicating property of the urine is capable of being propagated ; for every one who partakes of it has his urine similarly affected. Thus, with a very few aman- itse, a party of drunkards may keep up their debauch for a week. Dr. Langsdorff mentions, that by means of the second person taking the urine of the first, the third that of the second, and so on, the intoxication may be propagated through five individuals. Greville, 4th vol. Trans. Wernerian Soc. Edinb. ; Lind., Nat. Syst. Bot.; Bougard, Lond. Hed. Gazette, 1838, 414. Dr. Pou- chet, of Rouen, seems to have clearly proved that the poisonous property of this and the A. venenata, "may be entirely removed by boiling them in water." A quart of water in which five plants had been boiled for fifteen minutes, killed a dog in eight hours; and again, another in a day ; but the boiled fungi them- selves had no effect at all on two other dogs; and a third, which had been fed for two months on little else than boiled amanitas, not only sustained no harm, but actually got fat on the fare (Journ. de Chim. Hed. 1839, 322). Pouchet is inclined to think that the whole poisonous plants of the family are similarly cir- cumstanced. Roasting, we may add, had no effect in impairing the activity of the Agaricus procerus in the case observed by Dr. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 59 Peddie. H. Letellier detected what he considers the poisonous principle in this, and in the A. verna and bulbosa y and he there- fore calls it Amanatine. " Its effects on animals appear to resem- ble considerably those of opium " (Archives Gen. de Hed. xi. 94). Chansarel found that the poisonous principle resided in the juice, and not in the fleshy part after it is well washed. Several French soldiers in Russia eat a large quantity of the A. muscaria, which they had mistaken for A. ccesarea. Some were not taken ill for six hours and upwards. Four of them, who were very powerful men, thought themselves safe, because, while their companions were already suffering, they themselves felt perfectly well; and they refused to take emetics. In the evening, however, they began to complain of anxiety, a sense of suffocation, frequent fainting, burning thirst, and violent gripes. The pulse became small and irregular, and the body bedewed with cold sweat; the lineaments of the countenance were singularly changed, the nose and lips acquiring a violet tint; they trembled much ; the body swelled ; and a profuse, fetid diarrhoea supervened. The extrem- ities soon became livid, and the pain of the abdomen intense; delirium ensued ; and all four died (Courv., Journ. deHed.xxxi. 323, from Vaudrot, Diss. Inaug. sur l'Empois. par les Champ). Several of their comrades were severely affected, but recovered. Two of tliese had weak pulse, tense and painful belly, partial cold sweats, fetid breath and stools. In the afternoon they be- came delirious, then comatose; and the coma lasted twenty-lour hours. Christison, in citing tliese cases, remarks that the symp- toms "deep narcotism and violent irritation," are more gener- ally observed in cases of poisoning by the fungi. In a case related by Dr. Beck, where death was occasioned m seven hours bv an infusion of the Am. muscaria in milk, the brain was found verv turgid; the whole sinuses of the dura mater, as well as the arteries, wei'e enormously distended with blood; the arachnoid and pia mater were of a scarlet color * •:; astly a clot of ^d as big as a bean was found in the cerebelhim ^t de a Soc Arc. ^ 357). Christison on Poisons, P 709; Orfila, Tiaite des Poisons ; and Legons de Hed. Legale pi. U, ng. 1- Orfila experimented on a dog with a variety of the^ L ,„,,<, of L. It produced trembling and weaknessp _ti In . which continued for four hours ; when the ^™^**£ por, the respiration being slow^n ^^oT^S ^ uttered plaintive cries. It youia ron 60 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL occasionally shudder as if under the influence of electricity. For the space of eight hours it had no evacuation. The exhibition of vinegar and tartrate of antimony and potassa only increased the symptoms. After giving olive-oil, vomiting was induced, which brought up portions of the plant. The animal recovered (Trans. from Traite des Poisons, 429). Herat states that in a certain dose it is not fatal, since Bul- liard said that he had eaten more than two ounces without injury. Dogs and cats, however, died after taking a quantity very little larger. M. & De L., Diet, de M. H. i. 219. Of course, climate may modify very much the quality of the plant. In higher lati- tudes a much less quantity proved injurious. It was supposed that the northern hordes, through its invigorating effect, were aided in their victories in the south of Europe (Murray, Aj)p. Hed. v. 556). Reinhardt has employed the tinct. of this fungus as a powerful curative means for exfoliations of the skin ; and he gave it internally, with success, in all obstinate cases attended with muco-purulent expectoration. It may be employed alone, or combined with powdered charcoal, in doses of thirty to forty drops, four times a day, in an appropriate vehicle. He advises that the lower part of the foot-stalk be used, gathered at the beginning of autumn (Bull, des Sc. Med. de Ferus. i. 365). M. Polet, surgeon at Erveux, has recently advised the use of the powdered plant for dressing cancerous ulcers (Journ. Analyt. de Hed. i. 542). This had been before pointed out by Hurray (Apparat. Hed. v. 555), in hard glandular tumors, fistulas, pus- tules on the cornea, to relieve the paroxysms of epilepsy, to lessen tremor, convulsions, &c. From a half-scruple to a half-drachm three times a day, or one drachm twice a day, in water or vinegar, may be used. If the powder causes too much pain upon the sores, it must be stopped. Herat & De L., Diet. Univ. de H. Hed. i. 220. In the amanatine obtained by the analysis of Le- tellier (Journ. de Chim. Hed. iii. 41), of which the alkalinity was uncertain, it existed in combination with fungate of potash. This principle, in very small doses, proved to be a powerful nar- cotic poison. Op. cit. sup.; Fl. Suec. p. 450; Gruner de Vir- tutibus Agarici Huscarii, vulgo Fliegen Schwamm, tarn in internis quam in externis; Dissert, respondit Whistling, Jena1, 1778; Letellier, Essai sur les proprietes chim. et toxiques du poison des Agarics-a-volva, These, Paris. 1826. From the supplem. volume of the Diet, de M. M. 1846, we PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. «!l learn that the plant possesses a remarkable power of coagulating albumen, which property is shared by ergot, and which, accord- ing to Halhe, renders them hemostatic,—p. 16. In the same work the writer mentions that he knew a number of soldiers, in the month of October, to eat it in the forest of St. Germain, with- out the least hesitation. They stated that in the middle of France they had constantly been in the habit of eating them (tliese were the A. muscaria, Pers.). See also, Dr. Beauvais' work entitled Effets Toxiques, etc., Paris, 1845 : Paulet, Hem. de la Soc. Roy. de Hed. i. 473; Id. Hem. de l'Acad. des Sc, Paris, 1774; Georgi, Obs. sur 1'Agaricus Husc, Leipsig, 1783 ; Vadroit, Obs. sur l'Empois. par les Champ., particulierement par l'espece ap- pelee Fausse Orange, Paris, 1814. We observe, however, that H. Roques says distinctly, that this plant has not its poisonous properties modified by any cli- mate,__" 11 est veneneux dans tons les pays." The Czar Alexis lost his life by eating this mushroom ; and Toesel reports (Flora Prussica), that six Lithuanians suffered equally from its poisonous effects. The details of its effects upon the Kamtschatkans, by Krascheminikow, in his Natural History of that country, are explicit respecting the delirious intoxication induced by it; Gmelin and Pallas, also, equally certifying its intoxicating powers Profiler Vanquelin also obtained from this plant, by chemical analysis, many salts, and a heavy body in which resided its pois- onous properties. It destroyed cats and dogs in a few hours, it thev were not relieved. Bulliard states that dogs suffered more than cats. Roques, also, produced death in one of these by three of them. It was preceded by stupor and prostration the vessels of the neck being also gorged with blood, and the stomach slightly inflamed. The acetate of ammonia is found to present the best means of relief. Roques reports seven different sets ot observations respecting its deleterious effects on man. , Panther Agaric. Borders Agaricus pat her inus, Dec. j of w00(is; August to Octo- " musearius, v. 2, Purt. j ber • S. C.! to Penn. V singular form of the narcotic effe'ets of this fungus, is re- A singular ioi Ucdicina 1842,549. It occurred ':, : of L honrs I ™ seized with **» ^ ^ position to rave, and some convntove memento. J-u „ l>2 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL these symptoms were succeeded by a state resembling coma, in every way, except that he looked as if he understood what was going on ; and, in point of fact, really did so. He recovered speedily under the use of emetics. Christison on Poisons, 705. , . _ __., ^r . ^n f Roui>-h-warted agaric. Agaricus asper, Vers., Obs. Mvc. 1.I8. ,,r ; T ., ° , . A . ' ,X:', Woods; June, Oct. (A. Amanda musearius. v. 5, With. < ^ . Roqmykcop. n. Car. 437. wrens, j Qrows jn spring ^rnd autumn, in woods. The flesh is white, fleshy, and of exquisite taste. / The following agarics are not arranged under any natural order. Agaricus albelbis, D. C. (non Schaeff.) Bull. This is eaten in the northern provinces of France, and is much sought after bv some amateurs. H. & De Lens, Diet, de M. Hed. i. 105. M. Roques gives a number of modes of preparing these mushrooms, 246. Agaricus alborufus, Pers. This is also eaten in France. H. & De L. Agaricus attenuatus, D. C. Eaten at Montpelier, according to De Candolle. Merat, oj>. tit, and Roques, Hist, des Champs. 304. &0 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL Agaricus auriculatus, Dubois, Fl. Or. 168. Eaten near Orleans, in France. Lbid. It has a very agree- able taste, and dries easily. Roques. Agaricus candicinus, Schaeff. Used as food in Germany. Fung. i.; Herat ec De Lens. M. Roques cites ^1. candle, of Pers., A. mutab'dix, Schaeff, as being eaten in Germany, tliough a species which resembles it is con- sidered poisonous. Hist. Agaricus virgineus, Wulf., Jacq. Misc. ) " enceus, Bull. V White field Agaric. " niveus, Schaeff. ) Eatable. M. & De Lens, Diet, de M. Hed. i. 107. The A. virgineus of Jacq., HisceL, A.niveus of Schaeff.; Roques cites it as being eatable. Considered a fine mushroom. Agaricus eryngii, D. C, FL Fr. ) Fungus " Hag., Bot. Hontep. 103. ) Its substance is firm and white ; taste fine and delicate. This is eaten in many of the Provinces. M. &. De L., Diet, de M. Med. i. 104. H. Masse says it is very much sought after for the table. Roques, Hist, des Champs. 260. Agaricus illicinus, D. C. It is eaten at Hontpelier, in France. Lbid. loc. cited., et Roques. Agaricus orcellus, Bull., Champ, t. 59 et 573. This, according to Persoon, is eatable. Lbid. Agaricus palomet, Thore. Eaten in Gascony, in France. Lbid. i. 105. Agaricus olearivs, D. C, Fl. Fr. According to Persoon, it is very poisonous. (Traite des Champ; Comest. 207.) M. & De Lens, Diet, de M. M. xi. 105^ Hicheli also considers it poisonous. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 67 Orange Agaric. Found in end of Grows through- out Europe. Agaricus aurantiacus, Bull., 120 ; Roques D. C, Fl. Fr. 562. Amanita aurantiaea, Pers., Syn. 252. Agmicus cmsareus, AIL, Fl. Red. 339. f ^,rmS' ™ woodf" " speciosus, Tourn., Fl. de Toul. 286. Fungus orbicularis aureus, Hich.,Gen. PL This plant, which does not correspond with the A. aurantius of the Crypt. Eng., is said by Roques, who devotes some attention to it, to have an exquisite taste and delicate perfume. He regards the Orange Agaric as the finest and most delicate of mushrooms. It was known among the Romans, under the name of Boletus. The Greeks also called them Bolites, and preferred them to all other mushrooms. The celebrated gastronome, Apicius (De Fungorum Apparatu), has traced in all its detail its mode of preparation ; and Horace, Seneca, Juvenal, Pliny, Hartial, and Suetonius, have mentioned it. Juvenal speaks thus of their preference : " Vilibus ancipites fungi ponentur amicis; Boletus domino." Hartial also alludes to it, thus : "Argentum atque aurura, lenamque, togamque, Mittere: boletus mittere difficile est." Ep. 48, 13. " Die mihi quis furor est, turba speutante vocata, Solus boletus, Ceciliane, voras." Ep. 20, 1. Nero called it Cibus Deorum, This species should be distinguished from the Amanda mus- caria, The former has a complete volva, whilst in the latter it is incomplete, and exhales a disagreeable odor, whilst in the A aurantiacus it is agreeable. The poisonous species is spotted ,on the top, whilst the other is of a yellow orange color, without "^Roques advises us to be on our guard in selecting these plant. citing the instance of the Cardinal Caprara, who was poisoned bj confounding them. Roques. Hist, des Champs. Comest. 344. Agaricuspurus, Pers. | -^^ Agaric. S. C! and N. C. AccWr^ o-erous, neither boiling nor dnmg oein0 68 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL of its deleterious properties. Paulet did not discover any sensible effect when experimenting with it. Herat cV De L., Diet, de M. Hed. i. 105 ; Willemet, Essai sur l'Histoire Nat. du Champ. Yul- gaire ; Nouv. Hem. de Dijon, 1783, 195. It is distinguishable by its taste and odor, which is like that of radishes. Crypt. Eng. Agaricus amethysteus, Bull. 570 ; Roques; Bolt. ~) Fung. 63. i Grows in " laccatus, Scop. Berk. Crypt. Eng. T Autumn. " earneus, Schaeff. 303. J The flesh is violet colored and slightly savory, and eatable. f Agaric pr-i-n- Agaricus vernus, D. C, Fl. Fr. 565; Roques. I tanier. Found " bulbosus vernus, Bull. Champ. 108. J more usually Amanita bulbosa-alba, Pers. Champ. 22. in August and Sep. in woods. Its resemblance to the edible mushrooms has been the cause of the most unfortunate results. It is white in every part, envel- oped in a volva of the same color. The trace of a volva also distinguishes it from the edible species. The poisonous plant also exhales a disagreeable odor, and has an acrid taste, which is not observed in the edible. Thefeuillets of the poisonous plant are also always white, whilst those of the other are slightly rose or violet colored. All the varieties of the bulbous agaric of Bul- liard contain a very deleterious fatty matter. By experiments made upon animals, Paulet administered to a vigorous dog a patee of the (green) bulbous agaric in dose of three drachms. In six hours after, the animal exhibited the first effects of the poison, making efforts to vomit; the limbs became feeble ; laid down, and, after some convulsive movements, died. The stomach and duodenum exhibited livid spots, and the whole intestinal canal was filled with thick and yellow mucus. The oesophagus and kidneys were in a natural state. The Agaricus citrinus, administered in the same way, pro- duced the same results. The juice, exhibited in dose of a half- ounce in a little water, acted with more violence. The animal vomited with much effort, and with convulsive movements. After having a sort of cholera, it fell into a collapse, and died twenty- four hours after the introduction of the poison. The distilled water PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 69 of the same mushrooms did not produce any serious consequences, but a small dose of the residue sufficed to poison two dogs. The aqueous extract also caused death. Water, in which many of these mushrooms were macerated, charged with the deleterious principle, produced bloody evacuations; but the animal did not die. Alcohol, ether, vinegar, wine, and salt and water, had the prop- erty of dissolving the poisonous matter; these different liquids acquiring thus a very intense deleterious action, and causing death in animals in less than twenty-four hours. The facts con- tained in the work of Paulet, and in certain scientific reviews, prove that the influence of these plants upon man is not less dan- gerous. H. Guibert, his wife, her daughter, two boys, and a domestic, eat at dinner a quantity of the citrine amanita. About three hours after, Hadame G. was prostrated by its effects, suffered from nausea, vomiting, and continued sleepiness. Upon taking an emetic she vomited portions of the mushroom, and was relieved, though it was several hours before she entirely recovered. H. Guibert himself was attacked by a severe cholera morbus, and very painful cramps. There was no fever in either of these cases. All except M. Guibert were in a stupified state. The daughter and the boys, who had refused the emetic, died. A cat, which had also eaten some portion, almost died from the effects. Observation 2d. M. Benoit, his wife, her daughter and in- fant, eat, at six o'clock in the evening, of the Amanita print am ev (Aqaric vfneneux of Roques), which were gathered in the woods near Boulogne. On the next day they suffered from nausea. anxiety, and frequent faintings. On giving to the father and the child milk, ether, and a strong dose of an emetic, abundant vomit- ing was induced. They were upon the point of giving the same to the mother, when she suffered from a flow of blood and con- tinued prostration. The child was nearly dead when Dr. Paulet arrived The father was found in a state of permanent anxietj and stupor; his stomach was tense, extremities cold, ■and puLse weak ami intermitting. His whole body was livid, and he died a few minutes after. The mother vomited abundanth her^com- plexion was p.e ^^^^^^rrt 6 70 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL next day she was purged, and the uterine flow was arrested. There was weakness and oppression existing for some time, and she suffered from pains in the head and stomach for six months. There are other cases related by Paulet, and in the " Gazette de Sante," 1777, in which there was also stupor and dilatation of the pupil, all being much benefited by the purgative treatment; Roques believes that the indication is to relieve the gastro- intestinal inflammation by leeching, mucilaginous and oily drinks, and topical demulcents. Roques, Hist, des Champs. 354. Agaricus candidus, Briganti, Fung. Icon. ) Amanita, Candida, Roques, Hist, des Champs. 355. ) Prof. Briganti relates that a number of natives of Naples who ate of this, suffered from violent cardialgia, and vain efforts to vomit. They had vertigo, and respired with difficulty. Tliese symptoms increased to such an extent as to threaten death, which was only prevented by vomiting. Roques, Hist, des Champs. 357. Agaricus pusillus, D. C, Fl. Fr. Roques, Hist. " volvaceus minor, Bull. 330. Amanita pusilla, Pers. This beautiful little mushroom, found in woods and gardens, approaches so near to poisonous species, as to induce us to ex- clude it from the list of edible ones. Roques, Hist. 357. Agaricus leiocephalus, D. C, Fl. Fr. Supp. 564; Roques, Hist. 357. This beautiful species has a firm, white flesh and very agree- able taste and odor, and is much approved of as an article of food. Roques, Hist, des Champs. Yen. 358. Agaricus citrinus, Cher., Fl. Par. 125, Roq. ) Grows in aut- Amanita citrina, Pers., Champ, ii. 1. f umn, in woods. The flesh is white and of a strong odor. A small dose will excite vomiting in animals. A cat to which Roques gave a drachm, had spasms and vomiting; another which took a larger dose, died in convulsions. Hist, des Champs. Yen. 349. Agaricus maleficus (N.), Roques, 361. For observations respecting this doubtful species, see Roques' Hist, des Champs. Yen. 361. Grows in N. C. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS 71 Agaricus aromaticus, Sow. Aromatic Agaric. "Whole plant, when fresh, so tender that it is difficult to gather. Odor agreeably spicy; taste watery, with a peppermint- like coolness in the mouth, and a lasting roughness in the throat." Sowerby. The A. aromaticus of N., Roques says, has a fine taste, and is by some preferred to truffles. Hist, des Champs. 256. Agaricus semiglobatus, Bat., Cont. 110; Pers., Syn. 407; R. 205. " glutinosus, Curt., Fl. Lond. 205. " virosus, Sow. Hemispherical Agaric. Rich meadows and dunghills; Hay and November; S. C. 1 to Penn. According to Sowerby, this species is injurious. Prof, de Candolle places all the coprins among the poisonous fungi. Their tenuity, their rapid alteration, sweetish, and sometimes acrid taste, is sufficient to proscribe them. Roques, Hist, des Champs. Yen. 207. White and Brown Agaric. Agaricus albo-brunneus, Pers. " sfriatus, Schoeff. . In clusters on the ground, " glutinosus, Bull. [and on stumps; Novem- " viscosus, Purt. 3, 208. J ber. Remarkably glutinous. Bulliard describes his plant as hav- ing no unpleasant taste nor smell; and Fries, in his Obs. Myc. confirms this, and suspects that it may be eatable. Persoon, on the contrary, who describes four states, pronounces all more or less bitter and acrid. Crypt. Eng. Agaricus castaneus, Bull., Champ. 268; Pers Syn 298; Roques, Hist. 292. Common in woods, in spring and autumn ; S' R hafthe^taste of a good mushroom, and is eaten in Italy. Agaricus hwmatochelis, Bull., Champ. 596; Roques, D. C. Fl Fr 535. Grows in spring and autumn m dry woods. It has a slightly sapid taste, and nothing; which would an- nounce injurious properties. Roques, Hist. 293. Agaricus rutilans, Schoeff. Crimson-red, Downy Agaric. Odor strong, disagreeable; taste bitter, nauseous. 72 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL A garieus sanguineus. Orfila cites this among the poisonous species. Agaricuspersonatus, Fries. 1 Yariable, Blne-stenfd " bulbosus, Huds., Fl. Aug. > Agaric. Pastures, Oct. " violaceus, Sow., 209. ) Jan.; S. C.! and N. C. Sold, according to Sowerby, in Covent Garden Harket under the name of Blew ids. Crypt. Eng. Orfila, under Amanita and Agaricus bulbosus, describes several poisonous species. Agaricus violaceus, Linn., Fl. Suec. 448 ; Bull., 598 ; Roques, ) Hist. 291. [ " hercynicus, Pers., Syn. 278. ' Found in autumn, in woods; N. C. to Penn. II. W. R., Schw. Flesh is white, tinged with violet, and of a sufficiently agree- able taste, but odor rather strong. Roques does not hesitate to place it among the edible species. Hicheli says it is eaten in Tuscany. Roques, Hist, des Champs, 292. Buff-gilled Agaric. Woods, - July and October; S. Car- olina ! to Penn. H. W. R. Agaricus alutaceus, Pers., Syn. " peetinaceus, Bull. " auratus, With. " campanulatus, Pers. Taste mild, pleasant, acrid when old. " By common consent pronounced esculent; but individual specimens occur which prove almost as acrid as A. emeticus." Crypt. Eng. Christison cites from the Lond. Hed. and Phys. Journ. xxxvi. 451, as a good instance of pure narcotism, the following case: A man gathered in Hyde Park a considerable number of the Ag. campanulatus, by mistake for the A. campestris, stewed them, and proceeded to eat them; but before ending his repast, and not above ten minutes after he began it, he was suddenly at- tacked with dimness of vision, giddiness, debility, trembling, and loss of recollection. In a short time he recovered so far as to be able to go in search of assistance; but he had hardly walked 250 yards when his memory again failed him, and he lost his way. His countenance expressed anxiety, he reeled about, and could hardly articulate. The pulse was slow and feeble. He soon became so drowsy that he could be kept awake only by con- stant drugging. Yomiting was then induced by sulph. zinc; the PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 73 drowsiness gradually went off, and next day he complained merely of languor and weakness. On Poisons, p. 705. The case would be more instructive if we could rely upon the identity of the plant; for the A. campan. of Schoeff. is also synonymous with the A. hypnorum of Schrank., while that of With, is identical with the A. striatus, Bull.; the latter, however, is oftenest found growing in meadows. Roques considers A. campan. Pers. a variety. He says, they are eatable, but care should be taken not to confound them with the emetic agaric. The edible can easily be distinguished by the possession of gills which are always white, while the poisonous have yellow. Hist, des Champs. Yen. 175. Orfila cites the A. campanulatus, in general terms, as poison- ous. Common-gilled Agaric. Yery Agaricus emeticus, Schoeff. " pectinaceus, Bull. common—woods; July and De- cember; S. C, H. W. R.; all the varieties are poisonous. A case of poisoning by this species, is related in the Journ. de Chim. Hed. x. 241. Three persons died from eating it gathered in the woods at Yincennes. The A. bulbosus could, however, be gathered in the same neighborhood. H. & De Lens' Diet, de H. H. Supplem. 1846, 16. When taken into the throat it imparts a burning sensation, which lasts for some time, but which is dissipated by gargles of fresh water. Krapf has made experiments upon himself with the A. emeticus of Pers., by which he ran great risk ; escaping with his life only bv means of an emetic and the use ot fresh water. According to this naturalist, oil and vinegar augmented 8 The'experiments made by Paulet upon animals, were very contradictory, as many of these plants have no sensible effects H. Roques, in order to ascertain positively what poweiXhe^ possess, so that he selected the one best known After ascer- [^ng lis acridity by tasting, he swallowed a ^e s,e of afiv. . i • £,.^f i-.vcmnrpd four mams oi tartar emeui,. ffa-nn nippp__havmff first prepaieu iou± b franc piece na F ^ ^ commenced to experience !„ Aff-p,. nn hour lie commence lu ^f^v.-- Xize:L*t^r«.™ r sa cupful of water they became^ sharper, ai incr< avoid >M of water they became sharper, and the ™«-™ — „=„,! • w the bit of mushroom not being large, he hoped to Ttl'in^ emetic, trying to excite vomiting by placmg 74 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL the fingers down the throat. In a word, he succeeded in vomit- ing up the morsel. After swallowing some water he threw up bilious matter, and subsequently experienced a trembling sensa- tion in the lower extremities, which was owing to the efforts made to vomit. Though he does not consider that he ran much danger, yet he is now convinced that Paulet must have made his experiments with plants with yellow gills, or that men possess a sensibility differing from that of other animals. The emetic agaric with a red head, is the most poisonous. • Three Italians, one aged thirty-one, the other fourteen, and the third a little girl of eight, having eaten, in Sept. 1826, of these mushrooms, called in their country rossola, the signs of poisoning manifested themselves in the two first in half an hour ; in the infant it was more slow, but exhibited itself with more violence. The phenomena were char- acterized by vertigo, constant nausea, vomiting of bilious matter, with portions of the plant. There was ardent thirst, cough, pain- ful spasm in the epigastric region, weakness, constipation, a cold feeling over the body, especially in the extremities, and lastly, weakness and irregularity of pulse. Dr. Larber, who saw the cases, administered an emetic in small, repeated doses, then pur- gatives and small quantities of ammoniacal stimulants. This was beneficial to the two first, but the child, in whom the bad symptoms declared themselves twenty-four hours after eating the mushroom, received no relief; it died the next day (Larber, Sui Fungi Saggio Generale, torn. i. 89). In order to distinguish the poisonous species from the good, we observe that in the latter the gills are yellow and always equal; in the bad they are white, and unequal in length. The emetic agaric have also an acrid, burning taste, while that of the eatable species is pleasant. Roques, Hist, des Champs. Yen. et Comest, 179. Agaricus sanguineus, Bull., 42; Roques. ) T .. .. " ruber, D. C. Fl. Fr. (. ^ grows solitarily u • 4 t c -mAn \ m the woods. " integer, Linn., Spec. 1640. ; This agaric is even more poisonous than the A. emeticus, to which it bears some resemblance,—hence requires attention, so as not to confound it with the eatable russules. On the 2d of November, ten individuals, in a forest near Strasbourg, eat freely of the Agaricus integer venenatus. H. Claude, a physi- cian, saw these persons about three hours after midday. Four of them, who had eaten less, and had provoked vomiting by irritat- PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 75 ing the fauces, escaped with only slight symptoms. The others experienced an acute irritation of the entire alimentary canal, had vomiting, cough, ardent thirst, with cardialgia, anxiety, and oppression. The eyes were haggard, open, prominent, the pulse full and weak at intervals, the tongue pointed, etc. H. Claude provoked vomiting by antimony and the use of a feather. The stomach was evacuated, a purgative was ordered, and subse- quently several glasses full of the decoct, of quinquina. This suf- ficed to relieve five of those sick. In the sixth, a man of strong constitution, the following phenomena were observed: tympan- itic distension of abdomen, extreme epigastric sensibility, violent trismus, distortion of countenance, weak pulse, profound coma, from time to time a silent delirium (delire tacitwrne), weakening of the tendons, and cold extremities. A repetition of the emetic provoked copious vomiting, with an amelioration of some of the bad symptoms. After another purgative and abundant dis- charges, the abdomen became natural. The powder of quin- quina was added to the decoct, of the bark. Some of the sick would now and then regain their consciousness, and then relapse into a state of insensibility. Frictions were made to the soles of the feet, and the forehead and temples were bathed with vinegar, and the respiration of ammonia was used. The coma, which had lasted three hours, disappeared entirely, and was replaced by a lively delirium, followed by furious and extreme loquacity. It required a number of persons to confine the sick. After an hour the delirium ceased, and a calm sleep succeeded for three quar- ters of an hour. Those that were sick remembered nothing, and complained alone of weakness. Another set of cases observed were those of J. H.,—a woman at service, aged twenty-eight, and enciente,—her daughter, aged six years and a half, her mother, aged sixty-four, and a man aged forty-two, of a sanguine temperament. All were natives of Bor- deaux, and eat for supper some of these mushrooms. The symp- toms which followed we cannot detail here; but they resembled o-enerally, those cited above. There were also dilated pupils and difficulty of respiration. (We refer the reader to Roques, Hist des Champs. 183 ; Guerin de Hamers Nouvelle Toxicol. 331.) Authors are not agreed as to the properties of A. integer, of Linn., confounding it with this, and with the A. emeticus. See Toxi- cologic" of Plenck, and his " Bromatologie. 76 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL Agaricus f(dens, Pers., Syn. 443. ) Fetid, Simple-gilled Aga- " piperatus, Bull., 292. > ric. Woods ; July; Caro- " incrassatus, Sow. ) lina to Penn. II. W. Ii. Highly acrid; odor very strong and penetrating, ompyreu- matic, somewhat resembling that of prussic acid, but exceedingly disagreeable. Crypt. Eng. H. Roques does not hesitate to place it among the poisonous species. Hist, des Champ. 185. Agaricus furcatus, D. C. 371; Roques, PL 12, 3. - " bifidus, Bull., 26. Russula f areata, Pers., Obs. Hyc. 202. Amanita, Lam. Green Fork-gilled Agaric. S. C. and Penn. H. W. R. The flesh is white and friable, of a nauseous odor, and of a bitter and saline taste. It passes for poisonous. Roques, Hist. 185. Agaricus virescens, Pers.; Berkley, Crypt. Eng. ] " furcatus, va. heterophyllus, Fries. > " squalidus, Chev., Fl. Par. 141. ) Hild Fork-gilled Agaric. Woods; July to September. Taste and odor mild. Excellent for food, according to H. Roques, and eaten under the name of " verdette" but requires to be carefully distinguished from the A. furcatus, and other acrid russulae. Crypt. Eng. Agaricus turbinatus, Bull., Champ. 110; Fries, Syst.. 255; Roques, Hist. 292. Grows in autumn, in woods; N. Carolina. Schw. This species, says Roques, is considered edible by some; but it has neither an agreeable taste nor odor. Champ. Comest. 292. Agaricus globocephalus. Cited as poisonous, by Orfila, in his Treatise on Poisons. Agaricus torminosus, Schoeff. > piperedus, Linn., Suec. 1195. (. Bearded necator, Bull.; Roques, Hist. des. Champ, j Pepper Agaric. Woods, heaths, thickets, borders of fields; June; N. Carolina. Schw. Yery acrid; but the Russians preserve it in salt, and eat it seasoned with oil and vinegar. Roques, Hist, des Champ, ss ; PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. Bougard, Lond. Hed. Gazette. The plant is said to be poisonous in France; but this may be confounded with the A.piperatus of Scop., see apud p. 244. The A. necator, of Bull, is said by him to produce " terrible colics." Orfila, Traite des Poisons, iv. 425; and Lee. de Hed. Legale, avec planches descript. H. Braconnot found in this, and A. volvaceus, gelatine, albumen, and phosph. potash in large quantity, also adipocire; which indicate an animal nature. Ann. de Chim.; H. & De Lens' Diet, de H. Hed. ii. 203 ; see also, A. pip. infra. In supplem. vol. 1846, to H. & De Lens' Diet, de H. Hed., experiments to test the power of the A. pip. Linn, in dissolving stones in the bladder, are advised—Loesel (Flor. Pruss. 82) having stated that the milky juice, mixed with the syrup of Althaea, would bring away the gravel with the urine, as his own experience had attested. Roques mentions that the experiments of Paulet seem to prove that this plant is not poison- ous, although Bulliard and Dr. Picco assure us to the contrary. Roques gave to two young cats one of these mushrooms mixed with food. Although it had taken a very little, it was seized with a violent diarrhoea, with much weakness and trembling, which lasted for several hours. On the next day, one of these animals still remained feeble, while the other was in a natural state. He repeated the experiment upon a dog, which ate a mushroom mixed with its food. An hour afterwards it vomited, and rejected the entire mixture. It remained prostrate for many hours, and appeared much exhausted. In the evening it took milk with avidity. It is probable, he adds, that the poison would have caused death, or very grave symptoms, had it not been reiected. J Dr Larber reports a case of poisoning, occasioned by the, A. necator of Bulliard, and one of its varieties. Two persons died at Bassano from having eaten these plants. Among the principal phenomena, he observed violent vomiting amounting to a sort ot cholera, followed by a profound stupor, which no remedies could subdue. He found the sanguineous vessels of the meninges much injected, and the digestive organs more or less inflamed _(Sow., Fun- Sa.x i. 75). Bulliard, remarks Roques, thought that he did not confound this with the species eaten in portions of Eu- rope ; but the two have nothing in common, with the excep^n of a milky juice. The poisonous plant may be confounded *ith 7S ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL the common Hydnum (repandum), which has the same color. Hist, des Champs. Yen. 197. Agaricus deliciosus, L., Suec. 120; Pers., Syn. 432 ; Roques. Lactarius of recent botanists. Orange-Hilked Agaric. Fir woods; September and October; S. Carolina! to Penn. Odor and taste agreeable, like that of canthardlus cibarius, but slightly acrid. From the account given by H. Roques, it would seem that this agaric, however delicious, is not always to be eaten with impunity, or that the species which is found in the north of Europe is different. I have always found the milk acrid. Crypt. Eng. Orfila, in his Traite des Poisons, describes a pois- onous species under A. acris, Bull. Leg. de Hed. Leg., PL 18, fig. 3. H. Dufresnoi mentions it as a remedy for tuberculous phthisis. lie mixes three drachms of the powder in an opiate made of a half-ounce of conserve of roses, two drachms of sperma- ceti, the same of washed sulphur, mixed in syrup of Milfoil. He assures us that the use of this electuary, of which a person can take a piece the size of a grape during the day, continued for some time under suitable regimen, cured more than thirty cases of phthisis tuberculosis (Mat. Med. Indig. par Coste et Yillemet, 91). A person in experimenting with it might give, Herat adds, the powder mixed simply with honey. M. & De Lens' Diet, de M. H. i. 104. Roques says that the mushroom eaten in Germany under the name of Reitzker, has a piquant taste, and contains a mucilagi- nous principle very abundant, which announces its nutritive qualities. Plenk says it is excellent as a ragout. The Germans preserve it in vinegar for winter use. It was owing to the pos- session of this mucilage, that Dufresnoi praised it as a remedy in pectoral affections. Agaricus volemum, Fr. \ Hilk-red, Hilky " ruber, Tratt., Fung. Aust. I Agaric. Woods ; July, " lactifiuus, Schoeff. ) Aug. S. C.! and N. C. - Lactarius of more recent botanists. It is pronounced by Trattinnick excellent for food, if properly prepared; but very unwholesome, if not sufficiently stewed. H. Roques' account, if in the cases he mentions there was no mis- take as to the species, is even more unfavorable. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 79 Hr. Berkley says he has seen the particles in the milk of this species, moving about in every direction with immense rapidity, exactly like those observable in gamboge mixed with *water. Crypt, of Eng. Agaricus subdulcis, Pers., Syn. 433; Roques, Hist. 200. ] " lactifiuus dulcis, Bull., Champ. 224. v " rubescens, Shoeff., Fung. 73. ) The flesh is milky, and in the young individuals, impregnated with a sweetish, milky juice, which becomes nauseous and acrid in those older. Roques says it is eaten in some localities. Hist. des Champs. Comest. 200. » Agaricus lactifiuus aureus, Pers., Champ. 220; Roques. ) " " 9ruber, Trattin, Fung. Auster. 3. J The flesh of this plant is fine and delicate, and is much eaten in Europe. Roques says that this resembles the A. lactifiuus of Linn, according to Plenk; but this is less firm in texture, and acquires by cooking a very agreeable taste. It is very gelatinous and nutritive, but difficult,to digest (Bromatologia, 83). The general remedies advised in the Hist, des Champs. Yen. for pois- oning by the milky agarics which irritate the viscera, are muci- laginous and antiphlogistic remedies. Yomiting is recommended in the first stage, but not if the digestive tunics are much in- flamed. Op. cit. 204. Agaricus acris, Bolt., Pers. Syn. 437; Fr., 65; Roq. & Berk. " urens, Poir., Encyc. Supp. 405. Acrid Hilky Agaric. Woods ; August; N. Carolina. Schw. Roques says this is not the acrid agaric of Bulliard. It has a milky, acrid juice. Agaricuspapilionaceus, Bull., Champ. 561; Pers., Syn. 410 ; Berkley. _ „ It grows in woods, and is not eatable. S. C.! to Penn. Roques, Hist, des Champ. 205. Agaricus narcoticus, Botsch, Fung. 16, 79. . . , . It gives out a narcotic odor, which causes pain in the head in those who come in close contact with it for some time. Roquet, Hist, des Champ. Yen. 205. 80 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL Agaricus Pyrogalus, Bull, and Roques. Small-Zoned Agaric. Grows in woods ; August. Orfila describes it as poisonous. Traite des Poisons, iv. 426 : Lee. de Hed. Leg. pi. 18, f. 2. The milky juice is sweet, but ex- tremely acrid. Roques places it among the poisonous species. Hist, des Champs. 198. Agaricus quietus, Fr. "Odor oily, and sometimes like that of bugs." Berkley's Crypt. England. Agaricus piperatus, Scop. ,4^9; Roques; Berk. Crypt.- " amarus, Schoeff., t. 83. " acris, D. C. Fl. Fr. 375. Lactarius (see A. pip. supra). J Pepper Agaric. Woods; July and August; S. Carolina! to Penn. Though very acrid when raw, it loses its bad qualities entirely by cooking, and is extensively used on the continent, prepared in various ways. It is preserved for winter use by drying, or pick- ling in a mixture of salt and vinegar. Crypt. Eng. Fodere mentions that this species continues acrid after it has been dried (Hed. Legale, iv. 61), which tends to refute the idea that all are safe when dried. It is stated that it is eaten in Prussia and Rus- sia, but that it is poisonous in France (Llaller, Hist. Stirp. Helv. Indig. ii. 328),—probably the species described by Orfila under this name as poisonous. Traite des Poisons, iv. 425; Lecons Hed. Leg. pi. 19, fig. iv. Roques says that all parts contained a viscid milk, abundant, and very acrid, which Bauhin had shown to possess an irritating action upon himself; which H. Roques had occasion to confirm by his own experience. Upon one occa- sion he bruised one and tasted a portion, which caused a burning sensation over the whole throat. Plenk says that it irritates the tunics of the stomach, provoking cardialgia, and even causing death. Roques has eaten them when boiled. This agaric contains a gelatinous principle, and a milky fluid, which becomes concrete, and dissolves perfectly in alcohol. The resulting tincture is of a beautiful golden color. By the analysis of Braconnot, it furnishes albumen, adipocire, crystals of sugar, acetate of potash, etc. Dr. Dufresnoi assures us that he has given it with success in the first stage of phthisis. This plant should PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 81 not be confounded with the A. sanguineus or fcetidus of the French Flora. Roques, Hist, des Champs. Yen et Suspects. 193. . . . -r, _, , _, _ -> Reddish Field Agaricus pratensis, Pers., Berk. Crypt. 39. » • -r. ., u ii tj u Agaric. Past's " fulvosus, Bolt. i ,1, . . . o i no > andgras'ypices. " miniatus, Schoeii. . "v p /«wfe, Bull., Roques, 242. J Scli^' Odor slightly agreeable, eatable. Agaricus fulvus, Roques, Hist. Champ. Com. 262. N. Caro- lina. Schw. This, which Roques says is not the A. fulvus of Bull., has a well-pronounced odor, but a sweet and agreeable taste. Hist. 262. Agaricus tortilis, Bull. 144; D. C. Fl. Fr. 525; Roques, 273. Grows in pastures ; August and September. It has a strong perfume and an agreeable taste, and is much esteemed as an article of food. Roques, Hist, des Champs. 275. Roques also devotes a large share of attention to this in his Phy- tographie Hed. t. iii. 74-162 ; and in his Nouveau Traite des PL Usuelles, t. ii. 370. He says that this species is undoubtedly eat- able, and is not to be confounded with the Amanitas, as some have. -> Fairy-ring Ag- Agaricus oreades, Bolt., Fries Syst. Hyc. arf Scotch Bon. arcades, With. I nets'? Cliamp. Ca. " pseudo-mouceron, Bull. to Pa . pastures. " gyratensis, Sow. t. 247. J Mav and Xovem. Taste and odor strong, but agreeable. Tliough tough, much used as an article of food on the Continent, and occasionally in this country; but too frequently very different and poisonous fun-i are gathered under the name. See Hush, and Champ. IlhSt by J. D. Sowerby; and Roques, Hist, des Champ. 115; Crypt England. Withering states that his third variety is not the mouceron of the French, though often used in France instead of that; " and as it may be procured plentifully, and its fine flavor will probably soon introduce it to our tables, particularly m cat- sups and in powder," he takes much pains to guard us against errors. With., Ed. 4th vol. 218, 219. 82 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL Agaricus latentius, Schoeff., 49; Berk., Crypt. Eng. 110. \ " amarus. Bull., Champ. 50, 562 ; Roques. " auratus, Fl. Danica, 820. ) Large Fasciculated Agaric. Stumps, trees; May and Octo- ber ; S. Carolina! to Penn. Roques says it is acrid and very bitter. It does not affect animals in any sensible manner, but after some time they appear incommoded and refuse to eat. Some rejected them by vomit- ing, some were sick several days and finally died. Roques, Hist. des Champ. 234. Small Garlic Agaricus scorodonius, Fr., Syst. Hyc. 130. J Agaric. Heaths " aliatus, Schoeff. .and pastures. N. - Carolina. Schw. According to Persoon and Trattinnick, notwithstanding its strong garlic scent, it forms an article of food. Crypt. Eng. Agaricus alliaceus, Pers., Syn. 375; Jacq., Roq. 236; Berk. Fungus alpinus, Hich. (A. alliaceus of Jacq. is found in North Carolina.) Remarkable for its odor of garlic. Agaricusporreus, Pers., Syn. 376; Roques, 236. " alliaceus, Bull., 158; D. C. This and the above are of equivocal qualities, like most of the section Mycene. Roques, Hist, des Champs. 237. Agaricus esculentus, Wulf. \ Small Esculent Agar- clavus, Schoeff. V ic. Oct. and Hay; " perpendicular is, Bull., 422. ) Carolina! to Penn. Huch eaten in Austria, where, in the beginning of April, large baskets of it are brought to market under the name of Nagelschwamme, which accords with Linnaeus' name, A. clavus. It has, however, a bitter, unpleasant taste. Crypt. Eng. Agaricus frumentaceus, Bull. 571; Roques. Grows in woods, in spring. It exhales an odor resembling the farina of grain, and may be placed among the alimentary species. Roques, Hist. 273. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 83 Agaricus tenacellus. Dark Fir-Cone Agaric; N. C. Schw. Taste, very pleasant. Agaricus stypticus, Bull. Fries, 188. ) Found in fall, in " semiopdalatus, Shoeff. ) woods, S. C.! Cited among the poisonous species by Orfila. Traite des Poi- sons, iv. 426, and Lee. de Hed. Leg., PL 184. It has an acrid taste, and when tasted produces constriction of the fauces, which alone indicates its deleterious qualities. Roques, Hist, des Champs. 171. Agaricusprunulus, Scop., Fl. Carn. \ Houceron.— " abellns, Roques, 16, and Schoeff. > Woods and pas- " pallidus, Sowerb. Fung. 143. ) tures. June, Oct. It has a firm, white, fleshy, delicious taste and odor, like that of fresh meal. Huch esteemed on the continent of Europe as an article of food. Crypt. Eng. It is dried and much used in France. A large price is paid for those obtained near Bareges, in France. Roques gives much instruction respecting the various modes of preparation. Hist, des Champs. Yen. et Suspect. 245. ™ -n f Found in Agaricus squarrosus, Chevallier, II. 1 ar. 211. tumn jn Berkley. ^ an4 J woods. A.S. Agaricus squamosus, Bull. 266 ; Roques, 294. 0f per9 jn x. " fioeeosus, Shoeff. 61. [ Carolina. According to Chevallier, it has the taste and odor of the edi- ble species. Roques' Hist, des Champs. 293. Agaricus rhodopolius, Fries. \ Dull Rose-gilled " hydrogrammus, Bull., PL Yen. S Agaric. Odor strong, sometimes resembling that of nitric acid. Crypt. Eng. Agaricus rimosus, Bull., Champ. 388; Roques, 273; D. C, Fl. Fr. 517. N. Carolina to Pa. Aurivenius Batsch., Cont. i. 0 Prof. Balbis reports that a whole family was poisoned at Turin by eating this plant, if we can rely upon the identity oi the spe- cies. Roques' Hist, des Champs. Yen. 2,3. 84 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL Silky wrap pored , . 77. ,-,,«. Agaric. Inside of Aguricus bombycinus, Schoeff. ttt' u. v n trees, stumps, on runqus maqnus, Mich., JSov. Gen. -X , . . . ., . X t» o t> touchwood. Aug. Amanita incarnata, Pers., Syn.; Kouues. ., ., ., ,. °, ' J ' x Se])t. S. C arolina! >N. C. It is considered eatable (Crypt. Eng.), Roques says, in Tus- cany. Hist, cles Champs. 359. Agaricus ulmariux, Bull., Champs. 510; Fries, 186. Found in Oct. and Nov. on trunks of ash and black poplar. N. Caro'- lina to Pa. The flesh is firm and compact, but the taste is not agreeable. Roques, 171. Agaricus tessellatus, Bull., Champ. 513; Roques. N. Caro- lina. Flesh is white and coriaceous; but, notwithstanding the rec- ommendation of Persoon, Roques does not think it prudent to make use of it. Hist, des Champs. 172. Agaricus glandaloxus, Bull. Champ. 426; Roques' Hist. 172. • Carolina to Pa. The flesh is white and firm, and of an agreeable odor and taste. Hist, des Champs, 172. Agaricus ostreatus, Pers. Champ. 216; Jacy, Fl. Aust. Roques. Carolina to Pa. Its flesh is white and of good taste, and is eaten in portions of Europe. Hist, des Champs, 173. Aejaricus cortinellus, D. C, Fl. Fr. Suppl. 541; Roques' Hist. 294. ^ According to De Candolle, it is compounded in Hontpelier with other species, and eaten. Roques, 295. Agaricus sambucinus, Cord., Champ. 199; ) Roques. (. Grows in spring Agaricus alborufus, Pers., Champ. 191. ) and autumn- It has a sweet taste and agreeable strong odor, and is much sought after by amateurs. Roques' Hist, des Champs, 305. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 85 r St. George's Agaric, White- Agaricus Georgii, With. j caps. Hcadows, woods, and Fungus esculentus, Raii., Syn. near buildings. Spring and - autumn. Distinguished from the A. campestris by the almost white gills and the yellow stains when bruised. It is very generally rejected by house-keepers in the country as unwholesome, if not poisonous; but in London it is frequently sold under the name of white-caps. The flavor is far inferior to that of the common mushroom,; its smell is strong and unpleasant, and it is little fit for making catsups, having but a small quantity of juice, and that not of a good color. Withering gives the description of one weighing 14 lbs. It is called in France boule de neige. Crypt. Eng. ii. p. 106. Agaricus sulphureus, Bull. 168, 545; Roques' Fries, Syst. Hyc. i. 110. Brimstone Agaric. Thick woods, among leaves. Autumn. N. Carolina. Schw. It exhales a nauseous odor, and Roques places it among the suspicious or dangerous species. Hist, des Champ. Comest. 263. {Stove Aga- ric. N.Caro- lina. Schw. M Braconnot found in this species gelatine, albumen, and a large quantity of phos. potash, also adipocire, which shows some- thing of an animal nature. Ann de Chim. Her. & De L, Diet. de H. H6d. ii. 203. Agaricus aqnifdii, Pers., Champ. 206 ; Roques. Autumn. According to Paulet, one of our best species; the flesh is white, fine, and of exquisite taste and perfume. Roques Hi*t. des Champ. 263. Agaricus Mpi,Im ***; E»^' Sn^' m } ,.*?, ^ """ J . t-i cx™ ±1^ ' tenuis. « qriseus, Pers., Syn. 4L.>. • -p,(,1ip<. ,avs is eaten in Germany. Eist. des Uiamp. are figured by Krapf. Sehwam. 5. 7 86 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL Agancus tigrin us, Bull., Champ. 70; Pers., Syn.; \ Found in Roques, 240; Crypt. Eng. >■ Autumn.— Lentinus tigrinus, Fries. ) Carolina. It is agreeable in taste and odor, and is eaten in certain parts of Europe. Roques. Agaricus infund-ibuliformis, Bull. 286 ; Roques; \ Found in Berkley. > Autumn.— " gilvus, Pers. ) S. Carolina. It has a strong odor, but agreeable, and may be employed as food. Roques' Hist, des Champs. Agaricus odorus, Bull.; Crypt. Eng. 36. ) " anisatus, Roques' Hist. 24; Pers., Syn. > Champ. 250. ) lma' Scllw- It exhales in dry seasons an agreeable, penetrating odor, ana- logous to that of anise seed. Bulliard says it has an agreeable taste. Roques has never tried it, but he is inclined, from its strong volatile odor, to sus- pect it. Hist, des Champs. 242. Agaricus splendens, Pers., Syn, 452 ; Roques. This has an agreeable taste, and is eatable. Roques, 241. Agaricus cuneifolius, Fr., Berk. Crypt. 44. ) Wedge-gilled " ovinus, Bull. 580 ; Roques, 261. I Agaric. N. Car. This has a sweet taste and the smell of farina, qualities which distinguish the good species. It is eaten either fresh or dried. Roques' Hist, des Champs. Comest. 262. Agaricus campestris, L., Suec. "] Mushroom " edulis, D. C.; Roques' Hist, des I (Boule de neige). Champ, and Bull. j Pastures, dung- " arvensis, Schaeff, 310. J hills &c. S. Car- olina ! Pennsylvania, and Ohio (Lea). Hay and October. The flesh is firm, thick, white, more or less stained with red- dish brown, especially when bruised; gills very unequal, at first of a beautiful pink ; free, obtuse, and sometimes forked behind; broad in the middle, at length dark, mottled with brownish, pur- ple, minute sporules. The edge white and minutely denticulate. " The most generally used of all the agarics, and the safest." It PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. ^7 is extensively cultivated, on which point H. Roques has some ex- cellent information. The artificial production of the species, with- out the aid of spawn, has been frequently brought forward as an argument for the equivocal generation of fungi. But when it is considered how many millions of the sporules must be devoured. together with the herbage, by the animals whose dung is a prin- cipal material in the compost, much of the force of this argument vanishes. Crypt. Eng. vii. p. 107. These plants are frequently meteoric, and it is possible to increase particular species with cer- tainty, by an ascertained mixture of organic and inorganic mat- ter exposed to well-known atmospheric conditions. The process adopted by gardeners for obtaining this species proves this; a process so certain that no one ever saw any kind of agaricus pro- duced in a mushroom bed. Lind., Nat. Syst. 331; Fries' Syst. Mycolog. The Rev. H. J. Berkley uses these words: -IX much caution cannot be used in the eating of dark-gilled agarics." See the distinctions pointed out in the little work entitled, the "Mushroom and Champignon Illustrated," by Mr. Sowerby. According to Yanquelin's analysis, it consists of adipocire. albumen, a sugary matter, osmazome, an animal substance, in- soluble in alcohol, fungin, and the acetate of potash. Ann. de Chim. lxxxv. 7; Herat & De Lens, Hat. Med. i. 102. This plant attracted much attention among the Romans, by whom it was cultivated with particular care. Horace, and other writers, occasionally allude to it. M. Roques advises us to avoid those which have attained their full development, as they may produce more or less gastric irritation; he mentions his having treated a case, in 1814, of this kind, in which there were violent colic, spasm, and general weakness, by mint-water, laudanum. and demulcent drinks containing ether, which gave perfect re- lief He recommends opium generally m these cases, someturn* giving milk and mucilage, not continuing the iormer wherethere- ?s evidently visceral inflammation. Hist, des Champs. A en. 2X>. Aourieus fabaecus, Berkley. Mr. toil informs me that it is an alliaceous, eible mnsn- room. Inky Airaric. Fields, gar- Spriui: Agaricus atramentarius, Bull. \ Inky Agaric. « luridus,Bolt. [dens, wet place FUngus m ultiplex, Yaill. J and autumn. 83 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL It contains a black matter, which may be used as ink. Mr. Coste, of Philadelphia, who wrote a paper upon it, assures us, says Herat, that his communication was written with it, as also the letter which was addressed to the Academy. Diet, de M. Hed. Supplem. vii. 17; Comptes-rendus hebd. de l'Acad. des Sc. xiv. 6(>7. Agaricus callosus, Fr. Conic Dung Agaric. Sowerby informs us that this species nearly proved fatal to a family in London. Crypt. Eng. The taste of the A. lateritius and fascicularis is very bitter and nauseous. Agaricus insidiosus. Cited as poisonous by Orfila in his Traite des Poisons. Agaricus campanulatus. See A. alidaceus. Agaricus zonarius, Bull., Champ. 104; Roques ; \ Found in D. C.; Fl. Fr. 375. V woods in " fiexuosus, Pers., Syn. 431. ) Autumn. An abundant corrosive milk exudes from it. Agaricus urens, Pers., Syn. 333 ; Bull. Poisonous. Orfila, Traite des Poisons, iv. 427; Leg. de Hed. Leg. PL 18, 1. It has a slightly acrid taste, and characters which exclude it from the number of eatable species. Agaricus hariolarum, Bull. 585; Fries, Syst. Hyc. i. 125 ; \ Roques' Hist. 264. [■ " sagarum, Pers., Syn. 331. ) This plant was used by the astrologers, magicians, and charla- tans, for certain purposes. It can be eaten without fear. Amanita muscaria. See Agaricus. There are no true Amanitas recognized in Mr. Berkley's Crypt. Eng. The A. venenata is considered poisonous. Letellier states that he found in A. bulbosa and verna an active principle, called arna- natine, to which is ascribed their narcotic property. See Agari- cus musearius. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 89 The A. ccesaria is considered eatable. Amanita citrina, stewed with carp and eaten, induced vomiting, followed by deep sopor, in three persons who recovered ; another had true and vio- lent cholera but also recovered; two who had partaken of the same meal, who were children, became profoundly lethargic and comatose; emetics had no effect, and death soon ensued without any other remarkable symptom. The individuals who recovered were not completely well till three weeks after the fatal repast. Orfila, Toxicol. Gen. ii. 433. This set of cases, remarks Christi- son, shows the tendency of the poisonous fungi to cause in one set of persons pure irritation, and in another pure narcotism. "On Poisons," p. 107; Orfila, Traite des Poisons, iv. 420. JLypophyllum sanguineum. Puddock-stool. We cannot ascertain the position of this genus, though they should perhaps be placed near Amanita. Christison describes a case of poisoning from a plant to which he alludes under the name. He says that it is a small, conical fungus, well known to children in Scotland as the puddock-stool. This species seem to cause convulsions as well as sopor. A fam- ily of six persons, four of whom were children, ate about two pounds of it dressed with butter. The incipient symptoms were pain in the pit of the stomach, a sense of impending suffocation, and violent efforts to vomit, which symptoms did not commence in any of them till about twelve hours after the poisonous meal. in one not till twenty hours, and in another not till nearly tlurty hours. One of the children, seven years of age had acute pam of the belly, which soon swelled enormously; afterwards he fell into a state of lethargic sleep, but continued to cry ; abou went) - four hours after eating the fungi the limbs became «^ permanent spasms and convulsive fits; and in no long time he Se in a tetanic paroxysm. Another of the children, ten years oW perished nearly in the same manner, but with convulsions of tttei ^ Lee. The mother had frequent bloody stools and SgTSS skin became yellow ; the muscles of the ab^men vumiimj,) ,,^+Lnf tlip navel was cmiwn to- Were contracted ^f^^^l^ coldness super- n-ards the spine; profound lethal«j ana e vencd; and she, tee, died about thntv-snv oms aftc^ eata fungus. A third child, after ebght symptom, ™>™ shotvn themselves, became worse ^ »* ^V " ^ day, with trembling, delirium, and com «l»om. Uu* pat 90 OX THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOCIC AL had taken very little of the poison, was not attacked till about thirty hours after the meal. The fourth child, after precursory symptoms like those of the rest, became delirious, and had an attack of colic and inflammation of the bowels, without diarrhoea; but he eventually recovered. The father haoL a severe attack of dys- entery fin- three days, and remained five days speechless. For a long time afterwards he had bloody diarrhoea; and although he eventually recovered, his health continued to sutler for an entire year. Picco, Hem. de la Soc. Roy. de Hed. 1780, 81, 3.V>. Tliese cases, adds Christison, illustrate clearly the simultaneous occur- rence of narcotic and irritant symptoms in the same individual. >:On Poisons," p. Y07. Hr. Berkley includes no Hypophyllum in his Crypt, of Eng. Hypophyllum niveum. Cited by Orfila (Traite des Poisons), on the authority of Pau- let as poisonous. See Christison on Poisons, 701. Hypophyllum maculatum, H. tricuspidatum, H. albo-citri- nurn, H crux melitensis, LL. pudibundum, H. pellitum, are de- scribed as poisonous by Orfila. Traite des Poisons, iv. 420. Also in Lecons Hed. Legale, PL 14, avec les figures, descript. Cantharellus cibarius, Fr., Syt. Hyc. 318. ] Common Chanta- Fungus angulosus, Yaill. I relle. Woods. Sum- A. cantharellus, Linn.; Bull., Champ. 62. j mer and Autumn. S. Merulius cantharellus, With. Carolina! to Pa. This species forms, according to Bulliard, a main article of food in some districts of Europe, though dangerous when eaten raw. It must not be confounded with the C. aurantiacus, a nearly allied species, which is reckoned unwholesome, if not poisonous. Crypt. Eng. Withering observes that the lovers of mushrooms may eat this with safety, though it is more tough and less highly flavored than either the Ag. or cades or A. campest. PL Rariores, 169. H. Roques also remarks upon the safety with which it may be employed. The flesh is white and milky, and of a piquant but agreeable taste. H. Roques furnishes much information re- specting the mode of preparation. It is put up in jars for winter use. Hist, des Champs. 169. See Ravenel's Fungi Carolin. Fasc. II. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 91 Cantharellus aurantiacus, Wulf. in Jacy Coll.; I Fir woods Fries. and pastures. Merulius aurantiacus, Pers., Syn, 488. \ August and Ag. cantha/relloides, Bull. 505. November.— va. a Merulius nigripes, D. C. FL Fr. 243. J X. C. Schw. The flesh is of soft consistence, and it has neither the odor nor taste of the true chantarelle, and hence not admitted among the eatable mushrooms. Roques' Hist, des Champ. 169. Dry-rot. S. Carolina, Meruluis lachrimus, Wulf. | St. John's Berkley. On " destruens, Pers., Syn. 496. \ the inside of wainscot- Boletus arboreus, Sow. ing, hollow trunks, ships, &c. The only certain preventive of this dreadful pest seems to be free circulation of air and impregnation of the wood with a strong solution of corrosive sublimate. It is not improbable that white of esrsr may, in some cases, answer the same purpose. Our atten- tion is called to a very curious article m the new series ot Ann. des Sciences Naturdles, v. i. p. 30, by Dutrochet. on the origin of molds. Crypt. Eng. vii. p. 129; Lind., Nat. Syst. 333. In a letter to us from H. W. Ravenel, Esq. furnishing us with locali- ties of fungi in this State, he says, "I laid down a new floor to my barn a few years since, and the greater part has been' totally destroyed and reduced to powder. I have discovered this fungus as the cause of the mischief. I have also known other instances in this neighborhood (St. John's Berkley, S. C). Merulius vastator, Tode. I ^ ^ , to pa " aureus, Fries. ) A dry rot; also destructive to wooden buildings. Darlalea quercina, L. ^ I. Pennsylvania. Aaaricus quercinus, Linn. Suec. 1241. ) ZS is susceptible of being transformed into amadou (tmder). Herat & De L., Diet, de M. M. 213,1. Dadalea suaveolens, Bull. T>nlet„„ « Bull. t. 310. . BnpWed, since 167.1, in phthisis. J. C. Enslin wrote a thes,, upon tlm pl-t (Diss. Eriang^ IT** Auc. Journ. de Med. 92 OX THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL lxxv. 182. Two drachms of the powder are given morning and evening. Liimgeus assures us, remarks Herat, that in Lapland it is regarded as an aphrodisiac. H. De Cand. made with it an electuary, of which from one scruple to a drachm was given in phthisis each day. H. ec De L., Diet, de Mat. Hed. i. 636. Polyporus versicolor, L. Fries, Syst. } Party-colored Boletus " D. O, Fl. Fr. 301. \ Polyporus. Com- mon on trees and sticks. South Carolina! to Pennsylvania. This species is generally found grouped in clusters. It is rather suspicious in character, and Plenck ranks it among the poisonous species. Roques' Hist, des Champ. 119. Polyposis officinalis, Fries. ) ci -r, -, Boletus lands, Bull. f See BoUtm larycmus. Polyporus suaveolens, L.; Fries' Syst. Hy. 366. ) Boletus suaveolens, L. sp. PL > Sweet- " salicinus, Sow. ) scented Polyporus. On willows. Found throughout Europe, also in New York. II. W. Ravenel. Linnaeus says that it is regarded as aphrodisiac by the Lap- landers (Persoon, Champ. Comest.). See also Diss, of Enslin, 1785; H. ec De L., Diet, de M. M. Supplem. 1846, 116. Polyporus suaveolens, var. salicinus, Fries' Syst. MycoL, Mr. Berkley describes as a variety under P. salicinus, Grev. M. Roques has some extended observations respecting its great value as an article of food. At different stages of its existence, accord- ing to Dr. Enslin, the odor and taste are different; the latter sometimes becoming bitter or acrid. Freschmann, chemist at Erlang, obtained by analysis an odoriferous, distilled water, slightly nauseous and bitter, but without any trace of volatile oil; 2d. A liquor of red tint, slightly acid and of the smell of soot; a black empyreumatic oil, fetid and with sulphurous concretions in it; 3d. An inodorous aqueous extract, of a slightly bitterish and salty taste; 4th. An alcoholic extract, more salt, more bitter, and more odoriferous than the aqueous extract; 5th. A crystallizable PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLAXTS. 93 salt of a taste analogous to that of sulph. potash; some lime; a silicious earth, and particles of iron. This substance, more sweet than that from the larch boletus, has attracted the attention of physicians on account of its balsamic and excitant properties. It was employed in the seventeenth cen- tury in severe affections of the lungs; and both Sartoriiis and Boeder passed eulogiums on its value in advanced phthisis. Dr. Enslin, in his monograph, refers to it as a medicine administered with much success by Profs. Schmidel and Wendt, and he reca- pitulates many facts of great interest concerning it. As this pa- per is not well known, H. Roques furnishes a pretty full analysis of it. A young man of twenty-one, having a cough and bloody ex- pectoration which lasted for some time, and finally accompanied by fever, emaciation, copious sweating, swelling of the extremi- ties, and diarrhoea, applied to Dr. Enslin, who gave him an elec- tuary prepared with the powder of the polyporus and honey, in doses of a small teaspoonful four times a day. In a few months he was entirely well. The second case was that of a man, thirty-six years of age, attacked with fever after the death of his wife, who died of phthi- sis. The fever assumed the character of a quotidian intermittent, terminating in a severe cough, with the expectoration of a disa- greeable odor, continued insomnolence, total loss of appetite, swelling of the feet, diarrhoea, prostration for three months. The case was considered a desperate one, and after having used, with- out avail, other means of relief, recourse was had to the polyporus In one month the recovery was complete; the fever, cough, and swelling of the extremities having entirely disappeared. Cute HI The individual who was the subject of the third observation was twenty-two years of age. He had become phth- isical after having for some time an^affectioniof thekidneyfeua, a dry cough, a taste of blood in the throat, sometime, slight!) acid'andVowing itself after a repast During the ^ erf the disease, the fever became more and more seveie th«pecto ration turning to a ^rick-dust color As the 8™* * **^ toms increased, they were attended with more difficult resp a tion more marked cough, total loss of sleep, weakness of . oice, 94 OX TIIE MEDICIXAL AXD TOXICOLOGICAL dition were finally subdued by the employment of the powdered polyporus and sugar of milk, equal parts, in closes of a scruple four times a day, This was continued during several months, and was attended with complete success. Notwithstanding the num- ber of remedies for consumption, this is confidently advised for meeting certain conditions. See Roques' Hist, des Champ. 117. The Dmdalea suaveolens, Pers. (Bol. suav. Bull.), is possessed of similar properties with the above, according to Roques. Polyporus squamosus, Huds. 1 Large, Scaly Polyporus. Boletus juglandis, Schoeff. & Bull, v Decayed stumps of trees, " polymorphic, Bull. t. 114. ) especially on ash. Sum. This common but handsome species attains sometimes an enormous size. An instance is recorded in Hooper's Fl. Scot, of its measuring 7 feet 5 inches in circumference, and weighing 34 lbs. avoirdupois, and it was only three weeks in attaining these vast dimensions. It exhales a strong and penetrating odor, and is eaten in some districts of France ; but it is very tough and indigestible. See Roques, Hist, des Champs, p. 56; Crypt. Eng. ii. 135; Her. & De Lens., i. 635. See detailed analysis by Bracon., Bull, de Pharm. vi. 135. H. Desvaux, a good naturalist, has eaten it with with impunity after maceration. Journal de Botanique, torn. 3 ; Roques, cit. sup. Sulphur-colored Polyporus sulphureus, Bull.; Fries, Syst. Polyporus. Trunks Hyc. J of trees. Common Boletus " Bull., t. 429. in Summer. S. C.! [to Pa. The flesh of this plant is yellow, and of a slightly acid taste but is not considered eatable. Roques, Hist, des Champ. 120. Lacquered Polyporus lucidus, Leyss. Roques, Hist, des Polyporus. On Champs. stumps. Aug. Boletus " Hooker, in Curt. Fl. Lond. ] S. C! to Nor. "• variegatus, Schoeff., t. 263. States. (II. W. This is a " most beautiful and highly curious species, occur- ring in most parts of the world." Hooker's Eng. Flora, 137. It PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 95 has been placed among the suspected species ; though Bulliard does not attribute to it any bad quality. Roques, Hist, des Champs. 121. Polyporus destructor. N. Carolina. Schw. One of the pests of wooden constructions. Lind., Nat. Syst. 333. Polyporus frondosus, Schrank, Fries. 97. Boletus rovmosissvmus, Schoeff. Agaricus intybaceus, Ray, Syn. Small-headed, Branched Polypo- rus. On roots of oaks. Sept., Oct. vS. Car.! to Pa. " Smell like that of wine. Esculent." This species, which is reported as excellent for food, sometimes attains a weight of 30 lbs. or more. Indeed, Clusius states that he had seen in Hungary masses three feet high. Woodward found a mass two feet broad. Crypt. Eng. 137. The flesh is nearly white, firm, and milky, and of a savor and odor quite agreeable. Paulet lauds its good qualities very highly, though it incommodes those who eat much of it. Polyporus gigantcus, Pers., Syn. 521.) Giant Polyporus. On Boletus mesentericus, Schoeff. t. 267. I logs. Oct., Jam Pa This plant attains an extraordinary size. It is eatable, but should be cooked a long time. Roques, Hist, des Champ. 123. Polyporus betulinus, Bull. Birch-tree Polyporus. Northern States. Taste and smell acid. Polyporus tuber, Roques, Hist des Champs. 123 This plant is firm in texture, white, and of goodX^te,^o flat it is much sought after. Found in Angiers, m I ranee. Op. cd. sup. Polyporus fomentarius, Linn. r> if » L., FL Suec. 1252 Boletus iJ"> " ungulatus, Bull. applanedus, Pers., Obs. Hyc ignarius, Sowerb., Fung. 1.131. J Real Amadou- tinder. On oak, birch. S. Caro- lina! to Pa. 96 OX THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL The best species for making amadou, and widely distributed over the globe. Thunberg appears to have met with it in Japan. Crypt. Eng. v. ii. p. 144. Mr. A\retherfield (Lond. Hed. Gazette, Nov. 1841) recommends it as an elastic medium for applying support and pressure, and as a defense to tender and inflamed parts. Pereira, H. Hed. & Therap. ii. 46. It does not lose its elasticity, like lint. In the preparation of Amadou, the plant is stripped of its covering, and is beaten with a mallet to render it soft and supple, and then allowed to remain in water in which a little nitrate of potash has been dissolved. That intended for the use of surgeons is prepared in the same way, with the exception that it is not impregnated with the nitrous particles. It is not alone to its astringent power that it staunches wounds, but also to its capacity of absorption, its spongy nature, and the mechanical pressure it allows us to exercise. Roques, Champ. Comest. 118. Polyporus ignarius, Linn. ] Boletus " « Suec; IT. S. Disp. [ Hard Amadou ungulatus, Pratt. ) Polyporus. On willow, cherry, and plum trees. P. ignarius of Fries. Grows in St. John's, South Carolina. (H. W. R.), also in Pennsylvania. The IT. S. Disp. calls this the " Agaric of the oak ;" but we find the synonyms above, which determine it to be a Polyporus. The best is that which grows on the oak, and the season for col- lecting it is August and September. It has neither taste nor smell. Its constituents, according to Bouillon-Lagrange, are ex- tractive resin in very small proportion, azotized matter, also in small quantity, chloride of potassium, and sulphate of lime; and in its ashes are found iron and phosphate of lime and magnesia. It is prepared for use by removing the exterior rind or bark, cutting the inner part into thin slices, and beating these with a hammer until they become soft, pliable, and easily torn by the fingers. In this state it was formerly much used by surgeons in arresting hemorrhage, being applied immediately, with pressure, to the bleeding vessel. It was at one time thought to check the haemorrhage by a peculiar property; but it is now believed to act mechanically, like any other soft, porous substance, by ab- sorbing the blood, and causing it to coagulate, and is not relied PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 97 on in severe cases. In the obstinate haemorrhage which occasion- ally takes place from leech bites, especially those of the European leech, it may be used advantageously, though perhaps not more so than well-prepared lint. It has been sometimes applied to the purposes of a moxa. When prepared agaric is first beaten, then steeped in a solu- tion of niter or cannon powder, and afterwards dried, it becomes very readily inflammable, and is applicable to the purposes of tinder. Some recommend the substitution of the chlorate of potassa for niter. The preparation is usually known by the name of spunk, and is brought to us from Europe. Spunk, or tinder, the amadou of the French, is inflammable by the slightest spark. It is said to be prepared also from the B. ungulatus,fornentarius, and rihis. IT. S. Disp.; Pereira, H. M. 46. It is perceived, how- ever, that this is identical with the B. ungulatus. Ainslie, i. 5 ; Lind., Nat. Syst. 333 ; Merat & De L., Diet, de M. Med. 213 ; Ann. De Chim. Ii. 91; Auc. Journ. de Med. xiv. 59, xv. 7*. In Franconia, they beat the inner substance into the form of leather, and sew it into garments. Wade's PL Rariores, 1*0. Rob/porus tuberaster, Roques, Hist, des Champs. \ 1 « escidentus, Mich., Gen. PL 131. > Boletus tuberaster, Jacq., Collect. Sup. 8-9 ) This plant is found in Italy, and is much cultivatec for its very delicate flavor and perfume. Roques, Hist, des Champs. 125. (See Bol. tuberaster.) Polyporus ovinus, Schoeff., Fung.; Roques, Champ. | Comest. i " Boletus albidus, Vers., Syn. 515. r These are grouped together, and are eat£ » ^£ ^ -j. ,vz TLp Boh ins albidus ot A.., sumciemr) Koqucs op. « -"^ ,; J 0fts a sweetish taste and a .veil- distinct from this, Koques suuu _ ^linarv purposes. marked odor, though he does not advise it foi culmaij puir Hist, des Champs. 150. Polyporus carinthiacus, Jacq., Collect 549. j *<^ ™^~^ Its substance is Found in Sweden, ^f^\^med colintry. Koqnes, compact, and it is eaten in tne Hist, des Champs. 126. OS OX THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL P. umbdlatus, -Fr. In Pa. (II. W. R.) Polyporus umbdlatus, Roques, Hist, des* Champs. Boletus " Schoeff, Fung, iii & Pers. " ramosissimus, va, a., Jacq., Fl Aust. 2,172. These two species or varieties are found in Germany. In grouping the Polypores, Roques advises us, as a general rule, to reject as articles of food those which have lateral pedicles, and never to make use of those whose texture is very coriaceous. Hist, des Champs. 126. Boletus granul at us, L. " lactifiuus, With., v. 4, 280. " circinans, Pers., Syn. 505. B. gran. Fr. S. C.! (II. W. R.), also in Pa. Hilky Boletus. Pine lands. August, Sept. The Boleti, when wounded, heal in much the same manner as the flesh of animals. Edinb. Phil. Journ. 14, 369 ; Lind., Nat. Syst. 333. Eatable, according to Persoon. Withering says that its flavor is like that of Agaricus campestris. B. circinans of Roques is certainly a different species. Crypt. Eng. 149. See also Roques, Hist, des Champs. 155. Pepper Boletus. Boletus piperatus, Bull., Champ, i. 451. " ferruginatus, Batsch, Cont. 281. Found in France. North Carolina to Pennsylvania. (II.W. R.) " Taste remarkably acid and pungent." Grev. A small frag- ment, of the size of a nut, beaten up and mixed with a bit of bread, causes in an hour, says Roques, a painful sensation at the epigastrum, which after a while ceases, without further ill conse- quences. Hist, des Champs. 148. Boletus subtomentosus, L., and Berkley's Crypt. Eng. " cupreus and crassipes, Schoeff. " communis, Bull. " chrysenteron, Bull., 490, and Roques, Hist, des Champs. Taste not unpleasant. It is eaten in Germany, according to Trattinnick; but he does not give a very favorable account, and Subtomentose Boletus. Woods. Sum'r&Aut'mn. Found n'r Paris. S. C.! to Pa. (II. W. R.) PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 09 recommends only young specimens, old ones having frequently proved injurious. H. Roques considers the use of it as hazardous. " Great caution would be required in distinguishing some states from B. luridus." Crypt. Eng. Its poisonous properties were known to the ancients. Pliny mentions that Annseus Serenus, the captain of Nero's guard, died from eating it. Roques, Hist. des Champs. Yen. 153. Boletus albus, Pers., Champ. 233. ) Suillus esculentus, crassus, Hich., Gen. PL ) See B. cdulis, to which the common name Ceppatello buono is applied among the Italians. It has the taste of a good mushroom. Roques, Hist, des Champs. 147. Boletus felleus, Bull., Champs. 379 ; Pers., Syn. Found in woods, in August. S. C.! to Pa. It differs by the red tint of the pulp from the edible Boletus, and is excluded from the number of the edible mushrooms. Roques, Hist, des Champs. Comest. 149. Boletus pachypus, Fr. Thick-stemmed Boletus. Pine woods. July and Sept. Taste and smell like that of Agaricus Gcorgii; the yellow, expressed juice distinctly acid. Crypt. Eng. Boletus cyanescens, Bull. 369; D. C. ) White-seeded Boletus. « constrictus, Pers., Syn. 508. j Woody places. Sept Tliough in general we attribute poisonous qualities to those mushrooms which change their color upon being bruised, this should not be considered a rigorous rule, to be followed on all occasions. It is prudent, however, says Roques, to rank the azure Boletus among the suspected species. Hist, des Champs. Suspect. et Yen. 150. Boletus luridus, Schoeff. " rubcolarius, Bull " bovinus, Bolt. Poisonous Boletus. Woods. Summer & " pemiciosus, Roques, Hist, des 1- Autumn- X. C. to Champ. pa « marmoreus, Roques, Hist des Champ. 141. J Very deleterious. M. Boque. mentions a case winch came 100 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL under his own observation, of its bad effects, which, happilv, yielded to opium. Crypt. Eng. ii. 152. Sowerby says that the B. bovinus (Brown Boletus of Sow. 175) is a favorite food with the Russians and Poles, who have many ways of pickling and cooking it, and that he had got some from thence pickled and highly spiced. AVade's PL Rariores, 17s. Roques says that the B. perniciosus exhales a strong nauseous odor, analogous to that of sulphur, and that it contains a very deleterious resinous principle. By experiments made upon ani- mals, Roques states that they reject a cake in which this deleterious fungus is mixed, even in small quantities. Cats and dogs suffer from vomiting, diarrhoea, and, sometimes, convulsive movements. A cat, which had taken near an ounce, died in twenty-four hours; the intestines being inflamed, and marked by brownish-colored spots. Food with which this plant was mixed, given by Drs. Pouget and Pecharmant to another dog, produced suffering which lasted for some time, accompanied by a refusal of all kinds of nourishment. This animal seems endued with the power of over- coming the activity of these poisons; even the false orange and the bulbous agaric failing to produce a decided effect upon him. A young surgeon eat two mushrooms seasoned with oil, the one being the ordinary Boletus edulis, with portions of the poisonous species. Some time after the repast, he felt intense heat in the throat and epigastric region, with vomiting, couo-h, and spasm, attended with much weakness. Being called to his assistance, Roques found the pulse hard and jerking, the skin burning, and the belly tumid and painful. He took a large quantity of sugar and water, and vomited a portion of the undi- gested mushroom. Opium was given in large quantity. M. Roques recommends very highly the use of opium for the relief of pain following the use of the poisonous fungi, and to prevent the spread of inflammation. Roques quotes from Prof, delle Chiage a case of a gentleman and his servant, who had eaten of these mushrooms, mixed with salad. The former fell down in a state of stupor, and his whole body was covered with pustulous eruptions. The use of acidulous food, refreshing drinks, or other remedies were employed, the membranes of the stomach becoming rapidly gangrenous. The domestic merely suffered from symptoms of irritation of the vis- cera. The " Journal de Lot-et-Garonne " relates a case of an entire PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLAXTS. 101 family being poisoned by eating this plant. Roques, Champ. Comest. 145. Boletus tuberaster, Jacq. (See Polyporus?) Herat, in his Supplem. vol. 1846, mentions this as the Pietra fungaria of the Italians. Jasparini, in 1840, presented a memoir to the Academy on the subject, in which it is described as an enormous fungus, made up of heterogenous vegetable produc- tions, and proposing to call it Micelithe fungifera. They employ in China a boletus which is called Fo-lin, for fevers and eruptive diseases, on account of its sudorific powers : it is given in doses of 3 grains in a cup of water. Op. cit. 116. Boletus annularius, Bull., Champ. 332 ; D. C. j " annulatus, Pers., Syn. 303. \ " luteus of Schaeff, Fung. 114. ) De Candolle forbids the use of this plant as an article of food, in which Roques coincides. Hist des Champs. 156. "Boletus cinereus, Pers., Syn. 504; Roques. ) B. floe. N. C. " fioccopus, Fries, Syst. Hyc. i. 373. j to Pa. (H.AAr.R.) Although Hicheli states that it has been employed for food in Tuscany, yet Roques advises us to avoid it, as its character is not well made out. Hist, des Champs. Ven. 159. Boletus aercus, Bull. 583 ; Roques, Champ. Comest 127. This Boletus, found around Paris, and in the North of Europe also, is thought by some to be superior to the B. edubs, on account of its delightful flavor. The celebrated author, says Roques, of the Almanack des Gourmands, prefers it to all known mushrooms ; and he passes his life in the woods to collect tliese divine cryptogams (ces divins eryptogames a tete de negre) as he calls them. The authors of the Champignons leanest, et■ T™. and of the Physiologic du Gout, can scarcely contain then enthu- siam in recounting the many admirable qualities of this dehciou, plant, among otlmrs, claiming for it the power of quickening the Lev impaling superiority to the intellect, and a p easing^fo X fulness amid the gloom and despondency which fol ow a«. « Que de bon mots, que d'lieureuses sai bes,lorsqu on l- ™ tout fumants sur sa table! H font avoir recu le feu sacie pom 102 OX THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL comprendre un pareil enthusiasme," exclaims M. Roques, op. cit. sup. 128. Boletus castaneus, Bull., Champ. 328; Roques. Its taste is pleasant, and it is sometimes used as an article of food. Roques, Hist, des Champ. 147. Boletus edulis, Bull., Champ, t 60; D. C. Fl. Fr. " bulbosus, Schoeff., 134. Esculent " solidus, Sow. " bovinus, With., 4, 273. Boletus, called in Italy Ceppalello buono. AVoods and pastures, under oaks; summer and autumn; N. C. to Pa. Tliough neglected in this country, it appears to be a most val- uable article of food, and is much eaten throughout Europe. It resembles very closely in taste the common mushroom, and is quite as delicate, and might be used with much advantage, as it abounds in seasons when a mushroom is scarcely to be found. Like that, it can be cultivated, but by a much more simple pro- cess, as it is merely necessary to moisten the ground under oak trees with water, in which a quantity has been allowed to fer- ment. This method is said to be infallible, and is practiced in France, in the Department des Landes. See Roques' Hist, des Champ. 16; Crypt Eng; Her. & De L., 635, 1; Descourt, Champ. Comest. Suspect This plant was well known among the Romans, and was called by Apicius, Fungus farnei. H. Roques enters with more than ordinary zest into the de- scriptions of the various modes of preparing this plant for the table; and we refer the curious to the Hist, des Champs. Comest. et Yen. 136. "Yoyez-ce gourmand, ce mycophile. qui touche k la convalescence, et chez qui l'appetit se reveille ! Boletus squamosus, N. Roques, Hist des Champs. Decayed trunks of trees, especially on ash. Roques says that, as it changes color, he would advise that it should not be eaten. Berkeley, in the Crypt England, 135, mentions, however, of B. squamosus of Huds., on authority of this writer, that it is eaten in parts of France. In concluding his notice of this tribe of plants, M. Roques alludes to the general observations adduced by Paulet, to show PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS 103 that all of them of which the pulp is green or blue, are very dan- gerous, and sometimes fatal. To prove this, he cites cases. Hist. des Champs. Yen. 161. Euripides wrote verses on the death of a mother and three children from eating the Boletus (Athen. Deipnos, t. 2, op. cit.). Boletus Satanus. Found in N. Carolina (H. W. R.). It is a poisonous species, the name having been given to it, Hr. Ravenel informs me, to "brand its diabolical attempt on the life of the botanist who first tried its eatable qualities." Boletus larycinus, Berk. Larch Boletus. Sept. Under the name Boletus larycis, the IT. S. Disp., and Pe- reira, in his H. Hed. ii. 46, notice a plant known as the white agaric, or purging agaric of medical writers. The nearest ap- proach to this name is the one above, from the " Crypt, of Eng." The Agaricus lanjcinus appears to be an entirely different plant. It has a sweetish, very bitter taste, and consists, according to Braconnot, of seventy-two parts of resinous matter, two of bitter extractive, and twenty-six of fungin, a nutritious, animalized principle, constituting the base of the fleshy substance of mush- rooms. It contains also benzoic acid and various saline com- pounds. In the dose of four or six grains, it is said to act power- fully as a cathartic; but Lieutaud asserts that it may be given in the quantity of thirty grains or a drachm, without sensibly purg- ing. Diet' des Drogues, i. 204. M. Andral has found it useful in checking the night-sweats of phthisis. De Haen had also used it for this purpose. He gives it in doses of eight grains, and gradually increases to a drachm during the day, without any observable inconvenience to the digestive ""* ^™^ Pharm. xx. 599). In this country it is scarcely emplo5 ed though we have met with it in the shops. IL S D»sp., 1223 Muat A. De L. also cite B. laricis of Jacq., Bull., ( hamp 3o3, i. 296 Bouillon Lagrange has discovered in it benzoic -M - ^ an animal matter, ammoniacal salts, hydrochlorato o^P Ja h sul phates, extractives, &c. Ann do Chim h io ^-an be Uared with that of ^^^ Diet. Some say that it ant^- «»».. i i r,t). H Richard . C. to V. This plant, Roques says, has similar properties W.th the II. rcf>andum, Ifi/drium vMaeeum, There, Pers. Champ. Di Thore testifies to the pleasant taste and ode of h^ r, cies, although no ,7-^^™ XS^^ its alimentary qualities. Roqu^, m^. n, ( October JTydrium alUm, Pers. C^\ p, and Xov. »,,,/„,/„., ,I-ntuio » Mnfim ^ .n and This is a fine large specie, muui c i . 106 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL especially in Tuscany, as an article of food. Champ. Comest. el Yen. 106. Hydrium auriscalpium, L. Schoeff. Hairy Stalked Ilydrium. Grows on cones of fir, and regarded in Tuscany and Gascon y as one of their best species. H. Roques, Hist des Champ. 106. Hydrium repandum, L., Snof. \ Common Ilydrium. AVoods; " fiavidum, Schoeff. [autumn; Hr. Ravenel has seen specimens from S. C, K. C, and Ga.; grows in Pa. also. The common hydrium is much used for food on the Continent, especially in Austria. The taste of the fresh plant is at first suf- ficiently agreeable; but it leaves an acrid, pungent sensation. The acrid qualities, however, seem to be entirely dissipated by heat. Crypt. Eng. vol. ii. 156. In reference to the H. repandum of L., Suec, M. Roques ascribes the observations of M. Descour- tils, respecting its supposed injurious properties, to have been the result of his eating a different plant; this species, he says, being so commonly used in France, Germany, and Italy. This plant is dried by the natives of these countries for winter use. Champ. Comest. et Yen. 105. Hydrium erinaceus, Bull. \ Hedo-e- Hericium erinaceum, Pers., Hyc. Eur. 153. I Hog Hy- " commune, Roques, Hist, des Champ. ) drium. On trees, especially oak; "very rare." Hr. Ravenel informs us that he finds H. erinaceus of Fr. in St. Johns, S. C.; grows in Pa. also (Schw.). Esculent, according to Trattinnick and Roques. Hydrium cyathiforme, Schoeff, Fune;. 139. ) ~ a -d o k~Jt \ Grows m conerescens, Pers., Syn. 556. j woods; Sept. and Oct.; N. Carolina. The flesh is fibrous and coriaceous, and is used as food. Hydrium coralloides, Scop. \ Coral Hy- " # rainosum, Bull. (. drium. On fir, Hericium coralloides, Pers. and Roques' Hist ) beech, ash; "very rare;" found by II. AV. R., in St. Johns, S. C, and Ga.; grows in Pa. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 107 This, and the foregoing, are said to be as good food as the common mushroom. Crypt. Eng. ii. 157; Roques, Hist, des Champ. 108. Ilericium caput Medusce, Pers., Comm. Clav. j Hydrium " " D. C. Fl. Fr. 281. I S. C.! to Pa. Clavaria " " Bull., t. 412. ) The taste of this is very agreeable, and it is much eaten in Italy, and to a certain extent, in France. Roques, Hist des Champ. 107. Clavaria cinerea, Bull. According to H. Fries, C. cinerea of Greville, though very dissimilar in appearance, is a variety of the C. coralloides. It is much employed as an article of food in Normandy and Franche Comte. All the clavarias are eatable, except one or two of a coriaceous nature, or which are too small to be cooked. Roques, Champ. Comest. 83. / Amethyst Clavaria. Clavaria amethystina, Bull.; JNees. \ Among le.lves unaer Ramaria Holmsk. (trees; *Aug. to Sept. The plant is eatable, and very much prized. Roques, Hist des Champ. Comest. 85; Hooker's Crypt. England, 174. Clavariafastigiata, Linn., Sp. PL 1 " pratensis, Pers. and Berk. Crypt. Eng. > C. predensis, Fr. in N. Carolina. ' This also is alimentary, and much eaten m Germany under the name Ziegenbart. Roques, Hist, des Champ, bo. . ■, ± w G«Ln»flF Fnno- t 176.) Clav.boteitis of V. Clavaria botntis, Schoett., lunb. un « plebeia, Jacq., Misc. > ^S. C (^ ; ^ Commonly used in parts of Europe as an article of 1 ood. Roques, Champ. Comest. So. Clavaria, crispa, Jacq., Misc. Austr. 2, 100 This clavaria is eaten in Siberia and Al.atia. que., Champ. Comest. 85. 103 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL Clavariagddillaris, L.; and Bull., Champ. 244. Llerculanea, Sow. Large Brown Clavaria. Shady woods; C. p., Fr. N. Caro- lina. Eaten in northern countries. Roques. Clavaria coralloides, L. and Bull. \ Qora] Clavaria " fiava, Larber. ) The flesh is white, coriaceous, and nourishing. Richard, Elems. d'Hist Nat. Med. ii. 20. It furnishes a very healthful and digestible nourishment. All the varieties are used as arti- cles of food; and it is preferred, as it bears no resemblance to the poisonous fungi. In countries where the plant grows in abund- ance, they preserve it for winter use by slight boiling, and then macerating in vinegar. Roques, Champig. Comest. et Yen. 83. „ , . . . -r, ( Pitch Black Bulgaria. On old Bulqariainquinans,Pers. j t , , „ . „ . • -r, T, 1 stumps and trees. II. inqumans, Peziza nigra, Bull. ( Fr.; K C. to Pa. M. Richard states, that the P. nigra furnishes, on chemical analysis, bassorine, gum, and fungic acid in a free state (from Ann. de Chim. Med. 79, 87). Elems. d'Hist. Nat. Med. ii. 37. Morchella deliciosa, Fries, Syst. Mycol. ) Fungus cavernosus, AYeinm., Herb. 333. ) This is regarded as even more sapid and delicate than the common Horelle. Roques, Champ. Comest. 91. Morchella semilebra, Dec., Fl. Fr. ~\ Helvetia hybrida, Sow., Fung. ° Phallo-boletus esculentus, Hich., Gen. PL ( Phallus esculentus, Y. 2. With. ■*■ °* This plant has a pleasant taste, and resembles the eatable morelle. It is much used in various parts of Europe, being put up in olive oil to render it more tender. Dried with care, the perfume of the fresh plant is well preserved. H. Roques, in his Champ. Comest. et Yen., with the zest of an enlightened gastro- nome, instructs us in the most approved ways of preparing and dressing these and other fungi. See op. cit. sup. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 1<»9 ]\rorchella esculenta, Linn. \ Hdvella "• Sow. I Common M axil. AVoods Phallus " Linn., Suec. ) and orchards; found in St Johns, by II. AY R.; grows also in Northern States. Esteemed everywhere as a valuable article of food. Crypt. of England, 1.82. They are sometimes dried for winter. Iii ch- ard, Elems. d'Hist. Nat. Med. Dried, it will keep for many years. AVade's PL Rariores, 182. M. Roques is quite enthusi- astic in his praise of this delicious mushroom. Champ. Comest. et Yen. 91. Hdvella Acaulis, Pers. Employed in Russia, in strumous engorgements, lymphatic tumors, and ulcers. Pallas, Yoyage, 1, 51; H. k De Lens, iii. 474. Hdvella crispa, Scop.; Fries, Syst. Hyc. ) Pallid Helvetia. mitra, Roques. \ Woods; autumn; esculenta, Pers. ) S. Carolina! Esculent. Esteemed as an article of food. Eaten in Pro- vence. De Cand., Essai; Hooker's Crypt. Eng.; Herat to De Lens. All the varieties are eatable. Roques, Hist, des Champ. 86. Hdvella elastica, Bull., Champ. 242. j « albida, Pers., Syn. r " fuliginosa, Schoeff. Tliis fragile and transparent species is much valued as an article of food. Roques, Hist, des Champ. 8,. ™*7 ~M-A-& s-; *" I cX:VisctrN f ^Mi T;'^; when taken from the water and exposed strong scent of garlic is emitted. Crypt Eng. ■m •„ y,nitb ) Mulberry Dacnmices. Dacrnnen monff™, ^ I J^ fa / Q (H ^ E-) wCtied between paper,", violef stain is —nicated to whatever this plant touches. Sin., I e. 110 ON THE MEDICINAL AXD TOXICOLOGICAL Sprrma'dia clarus, D. C. Fr. 1 Common Ergot. Sphacdia segetum, KL, Fung. Germ. I " Dift'used throughout " Svcah' cornutum " of Pharm. (the whole <>f Great Acinula clavus, Lond. Pharm. J Britain." AV. S. A. "Produced within the seeds of various gramina, as secale, agrostis, dactylis, festuca, elynius," etc. Not less celebrated on account of the dreadful diseases which it produces, when abounding among corn, than for its invaluable uses as a medicine, arising from its extraordinary specific action on the uterus. It appears to be only a diseased state of the grain, and has scarcely a sufficient claim to be admitted amongst fungi as a distinct genus. The external coat is subfarinaceous. Crypt. Eng. Much discussion has arisen as to whether ergot is a morbid growth, a parasitic fungus, or the seed perverted in its nature by a fungus. De Candolle believed it to be the second; and M. Le Yeille, in a Hem. published in the Ann. Linn. Soc, Paris, 1826, concurred in the third opinion respecting it. Hr. Quekett, of London, has investigated the subject with much care; and he confirms the general view of the nature of ergot entertained by H. Le Yeille, but he is led to a different conclusion as to the character of the parasitic plant. He believes that the germs of the fungus (Ergotcetia abortifaciens) emit their filaments through the tissue of the ergot, when young and tender, and that, as this increases, it is made up partly of the diseased structure of the grain, and partly of the fungous matter. This microscopic fun- gus is found in various other parts of the plant; and it is asserted that the sporidia, or white dust, upon the surface of ergot, if applied to the seeds of certain graminaceaB before germination, or sprinkled in the soil at the roots of the plants after they have begun to grow, will give rise to ergotized fruit (see Am. Journ. Pharm. xi. 116, 237 ; Hed. Exam. N. S. i. 62; U. S. Disp. 313 ; see besides, Smith's Inquisitio in Secale Cornutum. Commen- tatio^prsemio, &c. Annalized in Annalen der Pharm. i. 129; also Bauer, in Linn. Trans., 1840, xxxiii. 453; Wright, in Edinb. Hed. and Surg. Journ. Iii. 306). It is stated that the substance is much more energetic when collected before than after harvest. It should not be collected until some days after it has begun to form; as according to M. Bonjean, if gathered on the first day of its formation, it does not possess the poisonous properties PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. Ill which it exhibits when taken on the sixth day (Pharmaceut. Trans., 1842, Jan., from Journ. de Chim. Hed.). The ergot attacks rye chiefly in damp seasons, and in moist, clay soils. According to the statistical researches of the Abbe Tes- sicr, who was deputed by the Hed. Society of Paris, to investi- gate the cause of the extraordinary prevalence of the ergot, in 1771, in the district of Sologne, in France, he attributes it to dampness (Hem. sur le Hal du Seigle appelle Ergot, Hist de la Soc. Roy. de Hed. i. 427). The same connection between moisture and the development of the ergot has been " repeatedly traced" in other parts of France, as well as in Germany (Rob- ert's paper, in Rust's Hagazine, 25, 20). According to the ex- periments of Wildenow, it may be brought on at any time by sowing the rye in a rich, damp soil, and watering the plants exuberantly in warm weather. (Hecker, i. 240); Christison, 712. Bread which contains it is defective in firmness, liable to be- come moist, and cracks and crumbles soon after being taken from the oven (Robert, in Rust's Hagazine, 28). From the experiments of Drs. Wright, Wiggers, and Taddei, ergot has been found injurious to animals. Its first effects in them are giddiness, dilated pupil, and palsy, and subsequently diarrhoea, suppurating tumors, scattered gangrene, and " some- times dropping off of the toes." Sparrows were killed by six grains in six or seven hours (Taddei, An. Univ. di Hed., 1839, iv. 12). From Dr. AVright's experiments, it appeared to have no power in inducing miscarriage in the lower animals (Edinb. Hed. and Surg. Journ. liii. 29). Christison, on Poisons. Prof. Fee, as late as 1843 (in the Hem. de la Societe de Hus. d'Hist Nat de Strasbourg), has thrown much light on the structure and growth of ergot. " Cette production est k la fois formee par le grain malade et par un champignon parasite qui en occupe le sommetX Richard. # Ergot, analyzed by Yauquelin (Ann. de Chim. et de Phys. 3, 337), gave two coloring matters, one of a yellow color, soluble in alcohol, the other a violet, analogous to that ot the orseille, but insoluble in alcohol; 2d. An abundant oily substance ; 3d. An undetermined acid, probably phosphoric; 4th. Free amnmma, 5th. A very abundant vegeto-animal substance, prone to pu re- faction ; and therefore neither amadou nor sugar nor• nm« *ge nor o-lu en The grains of ergot, by later analysis of A\ i^u*, toih a peculiar Lavy oil, a peculiar fatty ^tte^ea^^ tine, osnmzome, a peculiar sugary substance (manniU, Liebig), a 112 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL gummy, extractive matter, albumen, fungin, and pliosph. of lime and potash. Ergot does not contain any alkaloid. Its ac- tion on the uterus is due to the "ergotinc.," see H. I.onjean's investigations. Richard, Elems. d'Hist Nat. Hed. 1S4D. See also, H. Robin's later investigations in 1853. Phallus impudieus, L. ) K c tQ Pa gclnv> " foetid us. Sow. \ From a paper by Dr. Radley, in London Lancet, we learn that the Phallus was an object of superstitious worship in the earlier ages of the world, in India and in Egypt; mentioned, also, by O'Brien in his elaborate work on the " Round Towers of Ireland." Dr. Radley desires to impress upon his readers that the plant possesses " great remedial power to allay pain in the lumbar region," which he considers equal to that of morphine. To Mr. Hele, surgeon of Ashburton, he is indebted for the first hint of the value of this species of fungus as a diuretic in dropsy, which Hr. R., upon experiment, could not confirm, though it led him to ascertain its use in allaying renal and other pains in the loins. He reports four cases in which he employed the tincture of the plant, in teaspoonful doses, several times a day. The secre- tion of urine did not increase under its use. In case 2d, he gave twenty grains of the powder made into as many pills, with thin mucilage of acacia—one taken thrice a day-—producing a good deal of red gravel with the discharge, which he attributes to its allaying spasms of the kidneys. In case 3d, there was no dimi- nution of the anasarcous swelling, though a painful affection of the nerves springing from the lumbar regions forming the ante- rior crural was relieved, and affording the patient the most sig- nal ease. In case 4th, one half the same quantity taken in the same way was equally serviceable. He advises that it be dried on an iron plate, which deprives it of the very disagreeable and nauseous odor. See paper in Lon- don Lancet by AY C. Radley, H. D. Phallus feetidus, Lam. ) 0,. , TT 0aL. , . _r .. . ' T. - Stink Horn—Stinking Horel. " %mpudicus, Linn. ) & In curious structure, says Greville, in his Scottish Flora, iv. 213, it yields to none of its order. Bulliard affirms that the volva, in bursting, will break a glass vessel in which it is inclosed. In six hours it attains an elevation of six inches. Flies are so fond PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 113 of the slimy matter, that it is always greedily devoured. The Flora Londinensis states that they are not attracted by it to de- posit their eggs, as in the stapelice. Greville confirms the asser- tion of AYithering, that "such as have the courage to smell this matter closely will find it much less disagreeable than at a dis- tance, for it then seems to have a slight pungency, like that of vol- atile salts. It is used in Holland to make poultices. Greville, 4, 213. Phallus caninus, Huds. Fr. ) Red-headed Stink Horn.— " inodorus, Sow. ) AVoods and hedges. Autumn. This, like P. impudicus, when placed in the egg state in a box over night, if sufficiently advanced, will be found perfectly devel- oped in the morning. Tremella auricula Juel arragamet, Pa. Buried in the soil of woods, especially beech wood*. There are several varieties, differing in color, of vhich the llieie are ,e^u together in groups. Llnr>l- w tbp most celebrated. j-ue\ ^^^ t- «- . Those ^ng near the oak are the bo.., and are bet collected ,n DT;*; are mnch .onght for a, a Inxn^nd ££*1* dogs trained for the parpoee, or by sWme. >ee8 \ „co„fov Turpin, who spent a night in a brewery fin the purpose of ex- • .i vi >. fmnifl that on each two buds are developed, ammmg the vesicles, found tnai onta _ , , , ,aeh of which becomes a vesicle, which remains attached to he parent one If these are organized beings, it has been siu^tcd Ke^cess rf v^ &—tion^tl, n—^s, ^:;i:^^at^^..nhes„ga1,,hiehis 11s ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL partly converted into alcohol, while the plant gives out carbonic acid. According to this view, therefore, fermentation is the con- sequence of a vital act." Pereira, M. M. It is administered in- ternally, as a tonic and antiseptic, in typhoid fevers. Dr. Stoker (on continued fever, 121, Dublin, 1829-30) states that it usually acts as a mild laxative, improves the condition of the alvine evacuations, and is more effectual in removing petecchiae and black tongue than any other remedy. It is admissible where cinchona and wine cannot be given, on account of the inflammatory symp- toms. Dose, two tablespoonfuls every third hour, with an equal quantity of camphor mixture. Yeast poultices are well known as antiseptics. Enemata of yeast and assafoetida are said to be effec- tual against typhoid tympanitis. Pereira, M. H. ii. 58. Puccinia graminis, Pers. i Mildew. S. C. et Uredofrumenti, Sow. > ubique. II. AY. R. P. arundinacea, Johns., Fl. Berw. ) Most injurious to corn. Uredo carbo, De Cand. It attacks the ova of plants and the glumes of the graminae, and prevents their development (Hem. de la Soc. Roy. de Hed. 178, 364). N. E. Tscharner, Memoir on Rust, in the Mem. de la Soc. Econ. de Berne, 1764, 27; Chantrais' Obs. upon mildew and its acid, in Soc. Philom. viii. 86; Res. upon the cause and pro- gress of blight, in Mem. de Mith. et de Phys. iii. 68, from H. & De L. Hat. Hed. vi. 809. Uredo segetum, Pers. j Smut. On wheat, barley, oats, Ustilago " Ditm. I etc. S. C. et ubique. II. AY Reticularia" Bull. ) R. Very common and destructive. Uredo caries, Dec. Grev., Fl. Edin. ) " sitophila, Ditm. St. Deutsch. > Bunt. On wheat. Cccoma sitophibvm, Lk. ) Very common. It is exceedingly fetid when crushed. Highly injurious, as the whole sample is spoiled by the bunty corn. Crypt. Eng. The seeds, if planted, will reproduce it. It is not injurious to the healthof man; as H. Cordier took, one day, one drachm in a glass of water, and, the day after, three drachms, without experiencing any injurious effect (Journ. Gen. de Hed. lxxxvi. 98). H. & De L., Diet de H. Hed. vi. 809. PROPERTIES OF CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS. 119 According to the observations of Hr. Kirby (see Linn. Trans. vol. vi.), the gentlemen of England, to guard their seeds against the encroachment of the pepper brand or bladders, dress them with a lixivium of wood-ashes and urine, salt and water, lees from the soap-boilers, urine and cheese-whey; and he believes that all the farmers dry their seeds with fresh-slacked lime. From whence it would appear that the disease originates from the adhesion of the seed or dust of the brand to the seed of the wheat. Fresh slacked lime will sometimes injure the seeds. Old wheat used for seed, it has been observed, is not subject to the brand. For smut, Hr. Gordon recommends, in the Bath papers for 1799, vitriolic acid. He suffers the seeds to remain in the steep for twenty hours, using one gallon of acid to thirty of water. Uredo rubigo, Dec. ) Rust. On grasses and corn. S. C. ! Cceoma " Lk. ) et ubique. Common, but not so injurious as the true mildew, Puccinia graminis. Uredo suavoleus, Pers. ) Sweet-scented Uredo. " On Cni- Aec. cardui, Sow. i" cus arvensis. Flies, according to Sowerby, often gorge themselves with this plant, and are killed. Crypt. Eng. Mucedo. The genera Mucedos, Mucors, Byssi, &c, constitute mildew, mold, &c. . It is deserving of particular inquiry, how it is that the growth of the minute fungi are prevented by any kind of perfume or es- sential oil. Even the small amount in Russia leather being suffi- cient. Ed. P. J. 8, 34; Lind., Nat. Syst 333. Rhizomorpha. I am unable to ascertain where it should come. This genus, which vegetates in dark mines, far from the light of day, is remarkable for its phosphorescent properties. In the coal mines near Dresden the species are described as giving ho e places the air of an enchanted castle ; the roofs walls, and pillar places tne an their beautiful li-ht almost daz- are entirely covered with them, men temoera- zling the eye. The light is found to .nerease .i h 1 tempeia ture of the mines. Ed. P. J- U, ^ 5 ^d., * at S, st 333. 120 ON THE MEDICINAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL Hyphomicetes of Richard's Elems. d'Hist, Nat, which contain species which the recent discoveries of Lebert and Robin have shown to exist in certain cutaneous diseases. Richard says that beyond any doubt certain cryptogamia do grow on living men and on animals; and he alludes to that important work, "Des Vegetaux qui croissent sur les animaux vivants, par le Docteur Ch. Robin/' 8vo. avec planche. Paris, 1847. See last and en- larged edition, 1853. This plant, figured by M. Lebert (Physiol. Pathol, ii. 477, 1S45), forms the filaments or tubes in Favus or scald-head. Porrigo scutidata, M. Charles Robin says, depends upon the growth of the same genus, which he names A. Lebertii, Plica Polonica is also made up of two distinct vegetable growths, not yet named; the one attacking the hair itself, the other the substance which agglutinates them. H. Gruby, who has made some curious re- searches upon the subject, has described under the name Micro- sporum Audouini, the mushroom which causes Porrigo decalvans, and which has been called for this reason Lyhyto-alopccia. Ac- cording to the same author, Mentagra is equally oAving to a fungus growth. So also Muscardine, which produces such ravages in the silk-worm establishments, is caused by the growth of Botry- tis Bassiana. Some of the diseases of mucous membranes, inn- guet for instance, are of parasitic origin; some are fungous, others confervoid. Richard, Elems. d'Hist. Nat. Med. ii. 18; see also two papers of Dr. Brown, of Philadelphia, in Charleston Med. Journal and Review, 1851, and Jos. Leidy, M. D., in Trans, of Smithson. Institution. Including those enumerated above, ten Cryptogamia of the skin are described by Robin in his recent work: Tricophyton sporuloides; Tricophyton ulcerum, Lebert, in the crust covering an atonic ulcer of the leg. Microapor on furfur, found in Pityri- asis versicolor of Willan. We will also cite from Robin, the list of Fungi growing on the mucous membranes, or in the contents of cavities lined by mucous membranes: 1. Cryptococcus cerevisice, Kutzing (Syn. Torula cerevisice, the yeast plant) in the bladder, stomach, intestines, . & R M...1 Chi- rurg. Review INDEX BOTANICAL NAMES OF GENERA AND SI'ECIES. Acinula clavus, 110 Agarum eseulentum, 33 Agaricus abellus, 83 " acris, 78, 79, 80 " albo-brunneus, 71 " alborufus, 65, 84 albellus, 65, 83 " aliatus, 82 " alliaceus, 82 " alutaceus, 72, 88 " amarus, 80, 82 " amethysteus, 68 " annularius, 64 " anisatus, 86 " Annullatus, 63 " aquifolii, 85 " arvensis, 86 " aromaticus, 71 asper, 62, 63 " atramentarius, 87 " attenuatus, 65 auratus, 72, 82 " auriculatus, 66 " ausantiacus, 67 " bulbosus vernus, 68 " bombycinus, 84 bifidus, 76 bulbosus, 52, 53, 55, 72 " candicinus, 66 " castaneus, 71 candidus, 70 campestris, 48, 64, 86, 90, <)S '■ campanulatus, 50, 72, SS " cerasinus, 64 " cantharelloides, 91 " callosus, 88 " carneus, 68 " cuneifolius, 86 " ctesareus, 56, 67 " cortinellus, 84 Agaricus citrinus, 68, 7o " clavus, 82 " clypeolarius, 63 " conicus, 65 " colubrinus, 63 " cinereus, 62 " deliciosus, 7 8 " eburneus, 64 " erubescens, 64 " enceus, 66 " eryngii, 66 " emeticus, 7;! " esculentus, 82, 85 " edulis, 86 " fulvo-albicans, (12 " flexuosus, 88 " fcetens, 76 " furcatus, 76 " fulvosus, 81 " ficoides, 81 " fulvus, 81 " frumentaceus, 82 " floccosus, 83 " fabaceus, 87 " fusco pallidus, 64 " globocephalus, 7ti " glandulosus, S4 " gilvus, 86 " Georgii, 85 " griseus, 85 " glutinosus, 71 " hydrogrammus, 8: " hariolarum, S8 " hsematochelis, 71 " hercynicus, 72 " infundibuliformis, " integer, 74 " insidiosus, 88 " intybaceus, 95 iUicinus, 66 INDEX. aricus inerassatus, 76 " lacteus, 64 " laccatus, 68 luridus, 87 lactifiuus dulcis, 79 lactifiuus, 78 '• lactifiuus aureus, 79 '• lactifiuus ruber, 79 lateritius, 82, 88 " melleus, 64 " musearius, 55, 57, 61, 88 " miniatus, 81 " murinus, 65 " malefieus, 70 " nitens, 64 " nivens, 66 " necator, 76, 77 " narcoticus, 79 " orcellus, 66 " orcades, 81, 90 " oreades, 81 " olearius, 66 " ostreatus, 84 " odorus, 86 " ovinus, 86 " ovoides, 56 " personatus, 72 " peetinaceus, 72, 73 " phalloides, 55 " pulvinatus, 56 " plumbeus, 56 " patherinus, 50, 61 " pustulatus, 62 procerus, 48, 50, 58, 63 " polymices, 64 " piperatus, 76, 80 " papilionaceus, 79 " pratensis, 81 " Pyrogalus, 80 " pseudo-mouceron, 81 " perpendicularis, 82 " pur us, 67 " pi-unulus, 83 " palomet, 65, 66 " paUidus, 85 " porreus, 82 " quercinus, 91 " quietus, 80 " rutilans, 71 " roseus, 67 " russula, 65 " ruber, 74, 78 " rubescens, 62, 79 " rhodopolius, 83 " rimosus, 83 " striatus, 71 " sanguineus, 72, 74 " stipitis, 64 " squalidus, 76 " subdulcis, 79 " scorodonius, 82 " stypticus, 83 " semiopetalatus, 83 Agaricus squarrosus, 83 " squamosus, 83 " sambucinus, 84 " scmiglobatus, 71 " sulphureus, 85 " sapidus, 85 " splendens, 86 " sagarum, 88 " solitarius, 62 " tortilis, 81 " tenacellus, 83 " tessellatus, 84 " tigrinus, 86 " theiogallus, 57 " ulmarius, 84 " urens, 79, 88 " volvaceus, 77, 85 " vernus, 68 " volvaceus minor, 70 " virosus, 71 " vernalis, 55 " verucosus, 62 " zonarius, 88 Alectoria jubata, 26 " usneoides, 27 Amanita virgata, 85 " myoides, 62 " muscaria, 50, 57, 59, 61, 62, " aurantiaca, 67 " bulbosa-alba, 68 " Candida, 70 " pusilla, 70 citrina, 70, 89 Aphillse, 15 Anthoceras, 13 Boletus arboreus, 91 " suaveolens, 91, 92 " versicolor, 92 " sulphureus, 94 " lucidus, 94 " variegatus, 94 " mesentericus, 95 " fomentarius, 95 " ungulatus, 95, 96 " applanatus, 95 " ignarius, 95, 96 " tuberaster, 97 ' " albidus, 97 " subsquamosus, 97 " umbellatus, 98 " ramosissimus, 95, 98 " granulatus, 98 " lactifiuus, 98 " circinans, 98 " piperatus, 98 " ferruginatus, 98 " subtomentosus, 98 " cupreus and crassipes, 98 " communis, 98 '• chrysenteron, 98 " albus, 99 " felleus, 99 INDEX. Boletus pachypus, 99 " cyanescens, 99 " constrictus, 99 " luridus, 99 " rubeolarius, 99 " bovinus, 99 " perniciosus, 99, 100 " marmoreus, 99 " annularius, 101 " annulatus, 101 " luteus, 101 " cinereus, 101 " floccopus, 101 " aereus, 101 " castaneus,102 edulis, 102 " bulbosus, 102 solidus, 102 " bovinus, 102 " squamosus, 102 " Satanus, 103 " larycinus, 103 " scaber, 104 " bovinus, 104 " procerus, 104 " aurantiacus, 104 " scopetino, 104 " hirsutus, 105 " hepaticus, 105 Borrera furfuraceus, 25 " flavicans, 25 Bovista gigantea, 114 Bulgaria inquinans, 108 Bryum affine, 12 Bryozoaires, 14 Ca;oma sitophilum, 118 " rubigo, 119 Clavaria caput Medusa;, 107 " cinerea, 107 " amethystina, lo7 " fastigiata, 107 " pratensis, 107 botritis, 107 " plebeia, 107 " crispa, 107 " pistillaris, 108 " Herculanea, 108 " coralloides, 108 flava, 108 Calothrix luteola, 43 " nivea, 43 Clathrus cancellatus, 116 volvaceus, 116 ruber, 116 Cantharellus cibarius, 90 " aurantiacus, 91 (Vllulares, 7 Cenomyce rangeferina, 27 " pyxidata, 27 " coooifera, 28 " uncialis, 27 Cetraria Islandica, 22 " Glauca, 23 Cetraria nivalis, 24 Chara tribe, 14 " vulgaris, 15 Chroolepus Arnottii, 44 Characese, 14 Chondrus crispus, 29, 38 " membranifolius, 39 " polymorphus, 38 " pinnatifida, 39 Chondria pinnatifida, 36 Chorda filum, 34 Claydonia pyxidata, 27 " rangeferina, 27 " uncialis, 27 " coccifera, 28 " cornucopioides, 28 Cinnabar vegetable, 17 CoUema nigrum, 20 " fragraris, 20 Cochineal, 17 Croallina officinalis, 43 Cocolla Bianca, 56 Cord moss, 11 Conferva villosa, 35 " coccinea, 41 " bulbosa, 42 " corallina, 42 " rivularis, 42 " setacea, 42 " segagropila, 42 Dasya coccinea, 41 Dacrimices moriformis, 109 Delesseria palmata, 36 Dicranum bryoides, 11 Dffidalea quercina, 91 " suaveolens, 91, 94 Durvillea utilis, 35 Elaphomices granulatus, 116 Enteromorpha intestiualis, 41 Endocarpon miniatus, 16 Equisitaceae, 7 Equisetum hyemale, 7, 8 " limosvun, 8 " variegatum, 9 Evernia prunastri, 25, 26 " vulpina, 25 " jubata, 26 Feather moss, 12 Flat-leaved jungermannia, 12 Filicoidese, 7 Fissidens bryoides, 11 Fontinalis antipyretica, 12 Fucus crispus, 38 natans, 29 " serratus, 29 " vesiculosus, 30 " clathrus, 32 " coralloides, 32 " dulcis, 33 " amylaceus, 33 124 INDEX. Fucus saccharinus, o4 " bulbosus, 35 palmntus, 36 " ciliatus, 36 " Plocamium, 36 edulis, 40 " nodosus, 32 canaliculatus, 32 " amansii, 32 braeteatus, 32 " tenax, 33, 38 " tendo, 33 eseulentum, 33 digitatus, 34 " polyschides, 35 llelminthocorton, :>7 Fumaria hygrometrica, 11 Fimgus phalloides, 55 eryngii, 66 " orbicularis aureus, 67 " alpinus, 82 " esculentus, 85 " multiplex, 87 " angulosus, 90 " cavernosus, 108 Fungi Caroliniani Exsiccati, 5 Gelidium, 39 " pinnatifida, 36 Gigartina Helminthocorton, 37 " compressa, 38 Gracillana llelminthocorton, 37 Cracillaria compressa, 38 " tenax, 38 Griffithsia setacea, 41 " corallina, 42 Gyrophora proboseidea and vellen, 21 '• cylindrica, 21 Harvey, W. H. Marine Algse, 5 Hair moss, 11 Halymenia palmata, 36 Helv. Spicil, 27 Helvella hybrida, 108 " esculenta, 109 " Acaulis, 109 " crispa, 109 " mitra, 109 " esculenta, lO'.i " elastica, 109 albida, 109 " fuliginosa, 109 Hepaticeae, 12 Himanthalia lorea, 33 Hutchinsia atrorubescens, 41 Haematococcus Grevillii, 45 Horse-tails, 7 Hydrocharis, 15 Hypodris hepaticus, lo5 Hydrium imbricatum, 105 " squamosum, 1()5 squarrosum, 105 " violaceum, 105 " album, 105 Ilydrium auriscalpium, luti " repandum, 106 " flavidum, 106 erinaceus, 106 cyathiforme, 106 " concrescens, 106 " coralloides, 106 " ramosum, 106 " caput Medusae, 107 Hygrometric cord moss, 11 Hypophyllum sanguiueum, 50, 89 " niveum, 90 " maculatum, 90 " tricuspidatum, 90 " albo-citrinum, 90 " crux melitensis, 90 pudibundum, 90 " pellitum, 90 llypnum bryoides, 11 " purum, 12 Herieium erinaceum, 106 " commune, 106 " coralloides, 106 " caput Medusae, 107 Isidium Westringii, 27 Iridsea edulis, 33, 38, 40 Jungermannia planifolia, 12 nemorosa, 12 Lacturius theiogallus, 57 Lecanora tartarca, 18 " atra, 19 " tinetoria, 17 " Haematornma, 19 " parelLa, 18 Leafless plants, 15 Lepraria chlorina, 16 Liverworts, 12 Lichens, 15, 16 Lichen fagineus, 16 " lacteus, 17 " esculentus, 17 " coperatae, 17 " coccineus, 19 " physodes, 19 " Fahlunensis, 19 " parietina, 19 " saxatilis, 19 " omphalodes, 20 " fuliginosus, 20 " pulmonarius, 20 " proboscideus, 21 " fragraris, 20 '• apthosus, 21 Upsaliensis, 18 parellus, 18 " tartareus, 18 " frigidus, 18 " pustulata, 22 " Islandicus, 22 Glauca, 23 " rocella, 24 INDEX. 125 Lichen nivalis, 24 " prunastri, 25 " furfuraceus, 25 " calycaris, 26 " fraxineus, 26 " jubatus, 26 " rangeferinus, 27 Laminaria buccinalis, 34 " saccharina, 34 " digitata, 34 bulbosa, 35 " potatorium, 35 Laurencia pinnatifida, 36 Lentinus tigrinus, 86 Leotia clavus, 109 Lyeoperdon tuber, 113 " giganteum, 114 " Proteus, 114 " pusillum, 114 " caelatum, 115 " echinoformis, 116 " bovista, 115 " gemmatum, 115 " corium, 115 " solidum, 115 " carcinomale, 115 " verrucosum, 115 Lycopodiaceae, 9 Lycopodium selago, 9 " clavatum, 9 phlegmaria, 10 " cernium, 10 " lepidophyllum, In " complanatum, lo Marchantia hemispherica, 13 " polymorphia, 13 Manna vegetable, 17 Merulius cantharellus, 90 " aurantiacus, 91 " lachrimus, 91 " destruens, 91 " vastator, 91 " aureus, 91 Mirbel on nature of the sporange, 13 Moss-like plants, 11 Morchella deliciosa, 108 " semilebra, 108 " esculenta, 109 Monilla glauca, 117 Mnium cuspidatum, 12 Mucedo, 119 Mucor glaucus, 117 Mycodenia cervisiie, 117 Muscoidea*, 11 Musci, 11 Nostoch commune, 45 Orseille de Terre, 16 Oscillatoria, 43 Oidium erysiphoides, 117 •Parelle, 17, 18 Parmelia scruposa. 17 10 Parmelia cinerea, 17 " coperatae, 17 " atra, 19 " tartarea, 18 " pallescens, 18 " physodes, 19 " Fahlunensis, 19 " encausta, 19 " parietina, 19 " saxatilis, 19 " omphalodes, 20 " rotundata, 20 Palmella nivalis, 45 " montana, 45 " alpicola, 45 Payer, Botanique Crypt ogainique, 13 Pennicilium glaucum et roseum, 117 Peziza nigra, 108 '' auricula Ju d aea, 113 Peltidea apthosa, 21 " canina, 21 Phallo-boletus esculentus, 108 Phallus esculentus, 108 " esculentus, 109 " impudicus, 112 " foetidus, 112 " caninus, 112 inodorus, 112, 113 Plocamium coccineum, 36 Phyllophora rubens, 39 Polysiphonia atrorubescens, 41 - Polytrichiuin commune,* 11 Porphyra laciniata, 39 " vulgaris, 39 Podisoina macropus, 117 Pulmonaria, 10 Polyporus versicolor, 92 officinalis, 92, 103 " suaveolens, 92 " salicinus, 92 " squamosus, 94 " sulphureus, 94 " lucidus, 94 " destructor, 95 " frondosus, 95 " giganteus, 95 " betulinus, 95 " tuber, 95 fomentarius, 95 " ignarius, 96 " tuberaster, 97 " esculentus, 97 " ovimis, 97 " carinthiacus, 97 " umbellatus, 98 Protococcus nivalis, 45 Puccinia graminis, 118 arundinacca, 118 Ravenel, Fungi Caroliniani Exsiccati, 5 Ramalina scopulorum, 26 '• fraxinea, 26 Rebouillia, 13 Keticularia segetum, 118 126 INDEX. Reticularia maxima, 116 Rhizomorpha, 119 Rhodymenia palmata, 36 ciliata, 36 Rivularia angulosa, 45 Russula furcata, 76 Roques' Work, 7 Rocella tinetoria, 24 " Phycopsis, 25 " fuciformis, 25 Sargassum vulgare, 29 Secale cornutum, 110 Selago, 13 Scapania nemorosa, 12 Seytosiphon, 85 Scyphophorus pyxidatus, 27 " cocciferus, 28 Scleroderma verrucosum, 115 Schizonema Dillwynii, 46 Sphaeria entomorrhiza, 116 Sporochnus villosus, 35 SphaBrococcus Helminthocorton, 37 " Membranifolius, 39 " rubens, 39 Sporotrichium macrosporum, 117 Steccherino, o dentino bianco, 105 Sulphur lichen, 17 Torula botryoides, 117 " eervisiae, 117 Tuber cibarium, 113 " bumale, 113 " niveum, 114 " moschatum, 114 " griseuin, 114 Truffles, 113 Tremella nostoch, 45 " moriformis, 109 " auricula Juda'n, 113 Ulva umbilicalis, 39 " edulis, 40 " lactuca, 40 " montana, 45 " latissima, 41 " lactuca, va. latissima, 41 " pruniformis, 45 Umbilicaria pustulata, 22 " proboseidea, 21 " crinita, 21 " cylindrica, 21 " Muhlenbergii, 22 Usnea plicata, 26 Uredo suavoleus, 119 " nivalis, 45 " frumenti, 118 " carbo, 118 " segetum, 118 " caries, 118 " sitophila, 118 " rubigo, 119 Ustilago segetum, 118 Urceolaria, 17 Valisneria spiralis, 15 Variolaria faginea, 16 " communis, 16 " orcina, 16 " lactea, 16 Vibrissea truncorum, 109 Zoothiques, 13 T II E MEDICINAL, P.OISONOU-S, AND DIETETIC PROPERTIES,, , ' ' ■ OF THE' N^ \ " CRYPTOGAMIC PLANTS <>K THE UNITED STATES. BEIVO A REPORT MADE TO THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, AT ITS SESSIONS HELP IN RICHMOND, VA., AND ST. LOUIS, M< FRANCIS PEYRE PORCHER, M. I). t1 ONE OP THE F.DITORS OF TIIR CHARLESTON MED. .TOUR. AND REV.; LECTURER ON MAT. MED. AND TIIRRAP. ; OORRESP. MF.MB. OF THE LYCEUM OF NAT. HIST. OF NEW YORK, AND OF THE ACAD. OF MAT. SCIENCF.S OF PHILADELPHIA. [From tiik Transactions of The American Medical Association, V<>i.. Vii.] N E W V ORK: RAKER, GODWIN