Senticosa.

RUBUS STRIGOSUS.

RED RASPBERRY,

Class XII. ICOSANDRIA. Order V. POLYGNIA.

Gen. Char. Calyx, five-cleft, inferior. Petals, five. Fruit, composed of many one-seeded juicy acines, on a dry receptacle. Spe. Char. Leaves, unarmed, rigidly hisped. Leaflets, three or pinnate-quinate, oval, at the base obtuse, acumate, marked with lines, and white downy beneath. Peduncles and Calyx, hisped.

The stem of this species of raspberry, is upright, branching, of a pale red color, thickly covered with stiff bristles, and rises from three to five feet in height; the leaves stand in one or two pairs, supported on long slender hairy footstalks, with an odd one at the end: they are wrinkled edged with acute teeth, marked with parallel lines on the upper surface, of a silvery whiteness beneath, and terminated by long slender points; the flowers are white and disposed in little nodding clusters, succeeded by a profusion of deep scarlet red berries. It flowers in June and sometimes again in September, producing a second crop of fruit, when the season permits.

The raspberry is found throughout nearly all the northern and southern States, growing in dry waste lands, and on stoney hills. It is very abundant in the New England States, growing on the mountain sides and among the rocks.

Medical properties and Uses. The leaves of this plant have of late become quite fashionable as a substitute for black tea; many villages in some sections of the northern States use, and prefer the

raspberry leaves to the best of black tea, which is not easily distinguished apart. The raspberry is certainly the most wholsome, and with the addition of a little sugar and milk, forms a very pleasant beverage. The fruit is considered cooling, gently laxative, and antiseptic, and can be used with great advantage to correct any putrid tendency in the stomach or bowels, especially during the hot weather. Dr. Mattson, Author of the "American Vegetable Practice," appears to have made himself more fully acquainted with this species of raspberry than most botanists; he describes the leaves as being "moderately astringent, with a slightly bitter, and very agreeable aromatic taste." A decoction made from the leaves and small branches he highly recommends as an "excellent remedy in the bowel complaints of children; and if used in season, will arrest the disease and affect a cure. It should be given in small draughts, and administered also by way of injection. The addition of a little ulmus fulva will render it still more efficacious." The tea is very valuable as a soothing and cleansing wash for ulcers, scalds, burns, and all excoriated surfaces, which are very sore or irritable.

From my own experience in the the use of the raspberry for several years past, I must acknowledge that I have found it one of the most valuable medicines in use. I have administered it in hundreds of cases, and never found any deleterious or bad effects from it, taken in any quantity or in any stage of disease. A strong and pleasant tea made from the leaves and given to children afflicted with diarreho (or summer complaint so called), I have found it to give more speedy and permanent relief than any other article with which I am acquainted. The addition of a little bark of the myrica cerifera will render it still more effectual A syrup is prepared from the berries, called the syrup of raspberries. Also a cordial which is a most delicious drink. Various other preparations are prepared from the fruit, which renders it not only useful as a medicine; but extremely delicious when made into preserves.