Scrophularineæ.

MIMULUS AURANTIACUS.

Class XIV.

MONKEY FLOWER

DIDYNAMIA. Order II. ANGIOSPERMIA.

Gen. Char. Calyx, prismatic, five-toothed. Corolla, ringent, upper lip reflexed at the sides. Pelate of the lower lip, prominent. Stigma, thick, bifid.

Spe. Char.

Stem, erect, smooth. Leaves, sessile, lanceolate, acuminate. Peduncles, axillary, shorter than the flowers.

THE present species of Mimulus is equal in point of beauty to most of the inhabitants of our green-houses, to which situation it is most admirably adapted. The stalk rises about three feet high, much branched, shrubby, round, the young wood green, with a tinge of purple towards the lower part of each joint, slightly viscid, as it becomes older changing to a light brown color, and discovering several fissures; the branches are alternately opposite, and bearing flowers quite to the base; the leaves are opposite, sessile, slightly connate, ovate-lanceolate, somewhat blunt at the extremity; this bluntness is particularly apparent when conpared with a leaf of the Mimulus ringens: toothed, or slightly sawed on the edge, smooth and veiny; the flowers are inodorous, large, nearly twice the size of those of the ringens, and uniformly of a pale scarlet color, growing in pairs, from the axil of the leaves, standing on footstalks about half the length of the calyx; the calyx is five-angled and five-toothed; the tube of the flower, within the calyx, is narrow, cylindrical, of a beautiful pink color, bent a little downward, gradually expanding, and dividing into

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two lips, the upper of which is divided into two, and the lower into three segments, all of them irregular, the two uppermost very much so; at the base of the middle segment of the lower lip, are two prominent ridges, of a somewhat deeper color; the stamens are four, two long, and two short; the anthers are of a deep orange cruciform, within the flower; the stigma is white, and two-lipped; lips closed or expanded, according to its age; the style is filiform; the germen oblong, at the base of which is a gland of considerable size, which secretes small quantities of honey.

This plant is a native of the warmer parts of both North and South America, and is found in blossom during most of the summer months. It is easily increased by cuttings and layers, and would, no doubt, if properly managed, prove a valuable acquisition to the flower-garden.

Medical Properties and Uses. This plant partakes of the properties of those generally contained in this order. The leaves and roots act both as purgatives and emetics, in many respects resembling Digitalis: in fact, those properties are so prominent, that its use as a medicine is considered highly dangerous. The powdered leaves, or an extract of them, will produce vomiting, dejection and vertigo, and, if continued even in small doses, will increase the secretion of the saliva and urine, reduce the pulse, and even cause death. According to the account given of this plant, by Vauquelin, the purgative qualities depend upon the presence of a peculiar substance, analagous to resin, but differing, as it is soluble in hot water. It is recorded that the Indians of Spanish America procure an infusion of the roots and tops, and administer it for the cure of fever and ague, which, however, they recommend to be given in extremely small doses. Cattle, horses, sheep, and other animals, feeding upon the prairies where this plant is abundant, have fallen victims to its narcotic and stupifying influence. There is, however, another species of this plant-the Mimulus guttatus, the leaves of which are eaten as salad, by the natives on the coast

of Malabar; but this plant, like its congeners, is now suspected of possessing deleterious properties. The dose, and method of administration, we will not attempt to recommend, not being sufficiently acquainted with its uses, and, more especially, on account of not knowing for what purpose it can be administered to any advantage.

An extract was formerly prepared from this plant, by obtaining the expressed juice from the fresh green leaves, and afterwards subjected to the evaporation of the sun, until it was reduced to a consistency suitable for rolling into pills. From one to two fivegrain pills were recommended at a dose, and repeated from once to three times a day. These pills became quite celebrated at one time, for the cure of various obstinate diseases; but were only resorted to where other more harmless medicines proved ineffectual. Obstinate fevers, agues, coughs, asthma, rheumatism, gout, and dysenteria, were the principal disorders said to be benefited by it but it soon lost its popularity, and fell into disrepute; and is now entirely discarded from the practice of medicine.

Propagation and Culture. The Spanish formerly cultivated several species of the Mimulus, not as an ornament, but more particularly for its medical qualities. Their plan was-first, to plant the cuttings ten or twelve inches from each other, in furrows, or rows, laid out about three and a half feet apart: the soil should be of a gravelly or sandy character, and well manured; the weeds &c. kept down with a hoe, and the earth loosened a few times after they have taken root.

Iridea.

IRIS PUMILA.

Class III. TRIANDRIA. Order I. MONOGYNIA.

DWARF IRIS.

Gen. Char. Corolla, six-parted, incomplete. Segments, three, reflexed, the others erect or connivent. Style, short.

Stigmas,

three, petaloid, covering the stamens. Capsules, three-celled, many-seeded.

Spe. Char. Flowers, beardless.

Stem, terete, more or less flexu

ous. Germen, somewhat triangular. Leaves, ensiform.

THIS genus is distinguished by having a six-parted flower, every other division of which is reflected, or rolled backward; the root is somewhat bulbous, fleshy, of a dark purple or chestnut color, and from which proceed several succulent fibrous branches; the stem rises from two and a half to four feet in height, and terminates with a single flower; the leaves are sword-shaped, radicle, inserted in each other, pointed, somewhat shorter than the stem, and of a dark, dull green color; the flowers are large, upright, of a beautiful purple-scarlet color, and lower petals striped with a bluish tinge; the calyx is a spathe of two valves; the corolla divides into six segments, or petals, three of which stand erect; the other three, which are of an irregular oval shape, turn back and downward; the filaments are three, and crowned with long yellow anthers; the style is short and simple; the stigma separates into three expanded segments, resembling petals, which arch over the stamens ; the germen is rather long, of an obtusely triangular shape, and placed below the corolla; the capsule has three cavities, and contains a large number of flat brown seeds.

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