periment, was found to possess an intensely bitter taste with astringency, of a clear red colour, and turning to a deep black on the addition of iron. On evaporation, it yielded a drachm and an half of residuum.—Dr. Walker attempted to ascertain the quantity of resin by macerating the alcoholic extract in repeated portions of sulphuric ether. The ether acquired a dark colour and a bitter taste, and was found to have dissolved three quarters of the extract. When tested with iron, it was found that the remaining quarter only was changed to a black colour.

1

The Cornus florida is one of the many vegetables which, by the union of their gallic acid with the salts of iron, form a black compound, applicable to the purposes of ink. The constancy of the black colour thus produced varies greatly, according to the substance from which the gallic acid is derived. It is often extremely fugacious, sometimes fading in a few days, and at others becoming indistinct after some weeks or months. Considering the very great importance of the purposes for which ink is employed, and the immense evils which may result from its obliteration in writings intended for permanency; it is with extreme caution that we should recommend the introduction of any change in the mode of its formation. The

oak gall has had the experience of ages in favour of its permanence and immutability. It is not until some indigenous article, producing an equal intensity of colour, has undergone a series of trials from time and exposure, sufficient to establish beyond a doubt its durability, that its substitution in the manufacture of ink should be considered expedient or even justifiable.

Upon the human body the bark of the Cornus florida acts as a tonic, an astringent and an antiseptic, approaching in its general effects to the character of the Peruvian bark. From a variety of experiments made by Dr. Walker upon the healthy system, it was found that this medicine uniformly increased the force and frequency of the pulse, and augmented the heat of the body. Collateral experiments were made at the same time with the Peruvian bark, with which the Cornus appeared to agree both in its internal and external effects.

In disease it has been principally employed in the same cases for which the cinchona is resorted to, particularly intermittent and remittent fever. Dr. Gregg of Pennsylvania, cited by Dr. Walker, states, that after employing the Cornus florida habitually for twenty three years in the treatment of intermittents, he was satisfied that it was not in

ferior to the Peruvian bark as a means of cure in such cases. Among the number of cures by this medicine, was that of his own case. He observed that in its recent state it sometimes disagreed with the stomach and bowels, but that this tendency in the article was corrected by age. He recommends the bark as being in the best statė after it has been dried a year.

Other medical men have employed the bark of this tree with advantage in intermittents, and also in continued fevers of the typhoid type. Its tonic operation in these cases appears very analogous to that of the Peruvian bark.

I have employed the tincture of Cornus florida as a stomachic in various instances of loss of appetite and indigestion. The report of those who have taken it has perhaps been as frequently in favour of its effects, as of gentian, columbo, and the other imported tonics of the shops, though perhaps it is somewhat more liable to offend the stomach in large doses. In the Southern States a decoction of the buds and twigs has been thought better with weak stomachs, than the other preparations.

to agree

Some other species of this family resemble the present tree in the bitterness and tonic power of their bark, particularly the Cornus circinata and C. sericea.

The wood of the Cornus florida is hard, heavy and fine grained, and susceptible of a good polish. It is employed for various purposes where strength and solidity are required, although its small size does not permit it to be used for objects of much magnitude. From its hardness it is found peculiarly useful for handles of instruments, the teeth of wheels, and the smaller parts of wooden machinery.

BOTANICAL REFERENCES.

Cornus florida, LIN. Sp. pl.-GRONOVIUS, Virg. 17.-KALM, travels, ii. 321.—Wangenheim, Amer. p. 51, t. 17.—L'HERITIER, Corn. n. 3.—SCHMIDT, Arb. t. 62-Botanical Mag. t. 526. —PURSH, i. 108.-MICHAUX, FIL. Arbres forestiers, iii. 138, translated, i. 255.-ELLIOTT, Car. i. 207.-Cornus mas Virginiana, &c.-PLUKENET, Alm. 120, t. 2, f. 3.-CATESBY, Car. t. 27.

MEDICAL REFERENCES.

WALKER, Inaugural Dissertation, Philad. 1803.-BART. Coll. 12.—THACHER, Disp. 203.-ELLIOTT, ut supra.

PLATE XXVIII.

Fig. 1. Cornus florida, a branch with flowers, and one with leaves. Fig. 2. Fruit.

PANAX QUINQUEFOLIUM.

Ginseng.

IN

PLATE XXIX.

IN the early part of the eighteenth century some accounts were sent to Europe by travellers and missionaries, of a root growing in Chinese Tartary, known by the name of Ginseng, upon which a high value was set by the eastern Asiatics, and which was sold in the cities of China at an enormous price. Father Jartoux, a missionary at Pekin, who had an opportunity of witnessing the collection and use of this root, made a drawing of the plant, accompanied with a particular description, and an account of its uses, and the cause of its high estimation and demand among the ChiWhile on a journey among the mountains of Tartary, performed under the sanction of the emperor of China, he met in various instances

nese.