Spec. Plant Willd. ii. 858. Cl. 11. Ord. 1. Dodecandria Monogynia. Nat. ord. Aristolochiaceae. G. 925. Calyx three or four cleft, placed on the germen. Corolla none. Capsule coriaceous crowned. Spec. 1. A. Europceum.1 Asarabacca. Med. Bot. 3d edit. t. 66.

Eng. Bot. t. 1083. Smith, Flora Brit. 509. Officinal. Asari folia, Lond. Edin. Asarum Europaeum; folia, Dub. Asarabacca leaves.

Syn. Asaret, Cabaret (F.), Hazelwurtzel (G.), Hazelwort (Dutch), Hasselurt (Dan.), Kopytnik (Polish), Asaro, la bacchera (I.), Asaro de Europa (S.), Has-selort (Swed.), Asaroon (Arab.), Tuckir (Hind.), Mootriennjavia ( Tarn.).

This is a perennial plant, the geographical limits of which extend from 60° to 37° N. latitude: it is, consequently, a native of several parts of England, particularly Lancashire and Westmoreland: growing in woods and shady places; and flowering in May. The root is creeping, fleshy, and fibrous. The stem short, round, simple, pubescent, generally bearing two leaves only, and one flower. The leaves are opposite, on foot- stalks three inches long, of a kidney shape, entire, somewhat hairy, and of a deep shining green colour. The flower is on a short terminal peduncle of an herbaceous colour on the outside, and dusky purple within; and is in some degree hid under the leaves : the calyx is bell-shaped and three-cleft, with the points of the segments, which are erect, turned inwards; there is no corolla: the filaments are produced beyond the anthers into a hook or little horn; and the style is a cylindrical column, crowned with a six-parted, reddish stigma. The seeds are few, contained in a six-celled, inferior, coriaceous capsule, egg-shaped, and crowned with a persistent calyx.

Dioscoridis. The Arabic word Asaroon signifies astringency.

As a great deal of the acrimony of Asarabacca is lost by keeping, the leaves should be used in as recent a state as possible; but when perfectly dried they keep. They should be dried without the application of much heat.1

Qualities.-The recent leaves are nearly inodorous: their taste slightly aromatic, bitter, acrid, and nauseous. The decoction is inert; but the watery infusion, which has the colour of brandy, possesses the sensible qualities of the leaves. Sulphate of iron changes the colour to a deep olive, throwing down a greyish precipitate. The recent root when distilled yields a volatile oil which smells like camphor; but this is not obtained from the dried root. According to the analysis of MM. Lassaigne and Fenueille, Asarabacca contains camphor, an emetic principle resembling cytisina, a volatile oil, fixed oil, citric acid gum, and fecula.2 The recent root possesses emetic properties.

Medical properties and uses. - The leaves of Asarabacca are emetic, cathartic, and diuretic; but in modern practice they are never used except as an errhine; and, perhaps, as Dr. Cullen has remarked, they form the most useful species of this genus of local stimulants. A proper dose snuffed up the nose for a few successive evenings, at bed-time, occasions a copious discharge from the nostrils, which continues to flow for several days. They have been found particularly beneficial in cephalaea, obstinate toothaches, chronic ophthalmia, and lethargic affections. The dose of the powdered leaves is grs. iij. to grs. v., which should be repeated every night until the full effect is produced, avoiding exposure to cold during its use.

Officinal preparation.-Pulvis Asari compositus, E. D.