fences, and rocks. It has various names-as staff tree, red root, fever twig, and wax work. It is common throughout the northern and southern States, thriving the most luxuriantly in a rich, damp soil."

"The solanum dulcamara, or woody night-shade, is sometimes confounded with this plant, probably on account of the name bitter sweet being common to them both. The dulcamara possesses poisonous properties, and hence the necessity of this caution. It has a slender, vine-like stem, seldom exceeding seven or eight feet in length, with leaves of a dull green color, and clustres of elegant purple blossoms, which remain in blossom from June till August."

Medical Properties and Uses. The Bitter Sweet, says Dr. Smith, is both a powerful and useful medicine, although like most of the invaluable medicinal plants of our country, which nature has so profusely furnished to our hands, its virtues are but little appreciated, and that but by a few. It increases all the secretions and excretions, particularly perspiration, acts gently as a diuretic, and excites the heart and arteries. It is an excellent discutient, detergent, and resolvent medicine, and may be employed both internally and externally. It is peculiarly beneficial in liver complaints, and in all cutaneous affections; also in rheumatism, scirrous swellings, ulcers, scrofula, jaundice, weakness and obstructions. The expressed juice of this plant has been applied to cancers of the breast and scrofulous tumors: the juice is rubbed on the cancer or the swelling, and the green leaves are applied over the breast. For internal use, it is recommended to boil half a pound of the bark in one gallon of water; the dose is a gill three or four times a day. It is also very highly valued in the treatment of fevers and dropsical swellings.

To make Bitter-sweet Ointment, put equal parts of the berries and lard in a close kettle, over a gentle fire, for several hours; strain it, and add half a pound of pulverized lobelia seed; heat the whole gently for a few hours, and strain again for use. A cure for piles.