Flora Medica

ACORUS.AKO/>O ?, Dioscorides.t. 173. Smith Eng. Fl. ii. 157.Meadows, and banks of rivers all over Europe. (Sweet Flag.)Rhizoma thick, rather spongy, with many long roots, aromatic, likeevery part of the herbage but much more powerfully so. Leaves erect,2 or 3 feet high, bright green, near an inch broad. Stalk like theleaves, except being thicker below the spadix, and not quite so tall.Spadix about a foot above the root, a little spreading, 2 or 3 incheslong, tapering, covered with a mass of very numerous, thick-set, palegreen flowers, which have no scent, except when bruised. A verynarrow wavy membrane may be observed at the base of the spadix,which must be taken as the rudiment of a spathe. Smith. The rhizomacontains an aromatic bitter principle which has caused the plantto be regarded as medicinal. In cases of chronic catarrh and humidasthma benefit has been received from its exhibition. In Constantinoplethe rhizoma is made into a confection, which is considered a goodstomachic and is eaten freely during the prevalence of epidemic diseases.It is in this country chiefly employed by perfumers, in the manufactureof hair powder, on account of the fragrance of the essential oil which ismixed with its farinaceous substance. Mr. Pereira says that althoughit is rarely employed in medicine it might frequently be substituted forother more costly aromatics. It is adapted to cases of dyspepsia, or asan adjunct to tonics or to purgatives.PISTIACE^.Nat. syst.ed. 2. p. 367.PISTIA.Spathe tubular at the base, and connate with the spadix ;limb spreading, augmented by a process forming an involucreto the spadix at the upper part. Spadix interruptedly g", ?at bottom,