botanically arranged.

441

Laurus foliis trilobus integrisque. Syst. Nat.

SASSAFRAS. Blossoms greenish white. Common in loamyland. May.

It is generally a shrub, but sometimes grows into a large tree.The leaves fall early. The bark of the tree is aromatic, andhas been substituted by people in the country for spiee. It issaid, that bedsteads made of this wood, will never be infestedwith bugs. It is said to be an excellent diuretic and diapho-retic, and therefore efficacious in obstruetions of the viscera,cachexies, scorbutic complaints and in the venereal disease. Aninfusion of the bark of the roots makes a grateful drink. Avery pungent, hot oil is extracted from it, which is said to pos-sess most of the virtues of the wood. It has been exported inconsiderable quantities to Europe.

DECANDRIA.

MONOGYNIA.

PANTHEON. American Senna. The Calix, if properly any,a narrow bushy border. Corolla three petals standing in a pa-pilionaceous form. Vexillum very large ; erect; slightly divid-ed into three segments. Al& narrow ; obtuse ; as long as thevexillum. Carina none. Stamina ten filaments ; erect; se-parate ; longer than the corolla. Antherce orbicular. Germenovate ; hairy. Stile cylindrical; longer than the stamina.Stigma capitate ; sending off several long hairs. Capsule ovate ;five valves ; five cells. Seeds many ; small.

It is a small shrub. Leaves spear-shaped, and do not com-monly appear until the shrub is in füll bloom. Blossoms intufts at the termination of the branches; bluish purple, cloud-

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