(American Hellebore.) Botanical Deschiption. — Boot perennial, tkick, fleshy, its upper por. lion tunicated, its lower lialf solid, and sending forth a multitude of largii whitish roots. Btmn from three to Ave feet high, roundish, solid, puhes. cent, Btrialed, closely invested with the sheathing liairs of the leaves. Lomer leaves large, from six inches to a foot long, and half as wide, oval, acuminate, pubescent, strongly plaited, nerved, the lower parts of their edges meeting round the stem. Upper lewees gradually narrower ; the uppermost or bracta, linear lanceolate; all alternate. Mowers numerous, green, in compound racemes, asillary from tlie upper leaves, terminal, the whole fonning a, sort of pajilcle. ***** a part of the flowers harren. so that the plant is strictly polygamous. SeedvesneliotUiree capsules, uni'rad dbyGoogle 648 VEEATEUM ■VIRIDE. together, separating at top, opening on ianer side. Sixdi flat, winged, imbricated. HiSTOBT. — Tliis plant is indigenous to the XTnited States, growing in swamps, low grounds and moist meadows, flowering in June and July. It is known by Ibe common names of Indian poke and Itch weed. The offlcinal part is the root, wliich should be gathered in autumn, after the decay of the leaves. As it rapidly loses its virtues, it sliould be renewed annually, and kept in well-closed vessels. When fresh, it has a very unpleasant odor; when dried, it is nearly inodorous, and has a sweetish- bitter taste, succeeded by a persistent acridity. Its physical and therapeu- tical properties strongly resemble those of white hellebore, and contains Veratria, gallic acid, etc.— ffi'nj. Pharmaceutists iissert that the Veralria obtained from Veratrwm viride, and liie alkaloid obtained from Veratrum album, are identical. The root imparts its properties to alcohol, 885, s. «., diluted with 165 parte water to 1,000. ■ There are three other species of Veratrum, indigenous to the United States, namely, the V.'parijlorwn and V. augnstifolium (grass leaved vera- trum). The latter is called by Gray " Stamantheum." These are probably medicinal and ought to be investigated. The third species, F. Woodii, or Indiana veratrum, found also in Illinois ajid Iowa; of this nothing ia known concerning its medicinal powers. Ofpiccjaij Pbepabations, — Tincture of the root; dilutions. Analooubs. — Aeonitum, OclcMcum, Calabar, GeUeminvm, Helleborat niger, Ananoniuin bromidum. Lobelia, Phytolacca, Tabaaum, Tartarus emetieus, Veratram album. Kali bromidwm. Mental Sphere. Depression of spirits, but not always the intense anxiety and fear of death as from Aconite. " Cerebral congestion, causing insanity. " Puei-peral mania. (See generative organs.)