Page:Illustrations of Indian Botany, Vol. 2.djvu/177

ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY-

85 of several genera natives of these mountains. They are also common in Europe but most abound in the extratropical portions of South America, especially on the range of mountains which bound the western coast of that continent, hence they are very abundant on the mountains of Chili. In North America and Africa they are very rare, and in Australia they have not yet been found.

Properties and Uses. The roots of several of the perennial species of Valerian especially V. officinalis have at different times been extolled on account of there aromatic and antispasmodic virtues, more particularly for the cure of some forms of Epilepsy and Hysteria. Like many other useful medicines they have fallen into considerable disrepute owing to being administered indiscriminately in all forms of those diseases, without reference to their origin, and, because they proved powerless in incurable forms, were soon pronounced inefficient in all. In this instance the degradation has not gone so far as this, as Tincture of Valerian is still prescribed in various forms of nervous diseases, and, upon the whole, its claims to this distinction seem well founded.

Its stimulating and aromatic properties have also led to its administration, in combination with Bark, for the cure of intermittent fever.

Viewing the first stage of the paroxysm of an intermittent fever as the very concentration of nervous disease in which almost every voluntary muscle of the body is more or less intensely subjected to spasmodic action, I should imagine this a very useful combination in situations where the more powerful quinine and morphia were not obtainable. But when these are to be had, I presume no judicious practitioner would load his patient's stomach with the bulky, nauseous, doses of the substance of these medicines which would be required to ward off the paroxysm of an ague. Chemistry has not, so far as I am aware, discovered whether the tonic and antispasmodic virtues of Valerian are concentrated, like those of Cinchona and Opium, in an alkaloid base. Should such prove to be the case, I apprehend that, in combination with quinine, it will prove a valuable addition to our materia medica, but if not, it is not probable the original will rise in the estimation of modern practitioners, though it has maintained its reputation, ever since the days of Dioscorides, who flourished during the first century of the present era.

The roots of other species are esteemed among Oriental nations for their fragrance, and are employed as cosmetics, and to perfume their baths. In the Levant V. celtica is largely consumed for these purposes, and the Nard or Spikenard of the ancients, a native of the Himalayas, has been celebrated from the most ancient times, for both its fragrance and medicinal virtues. The plant which produces this root long eluded the researches of the learned, but was at length traced by Sir William Jones to the Indian Jatamansi, after which the subsequent steps of the inquiry were comparatively easy, and were most satisfactorily followed up by Dr. Royle, who succeeded in purchasing a quantity of the root in a sufficiently fresh state to grow on being replanted. A figure of the plant, so obtained, he has published in his Illustrations of the Botany of the Himalaya Mountains, and thereby effectually set the question at rest. The plant forms the type of a distinct genus which has received the name of Nardostachys, the species retaining its Indian name. N. Jatamansi, of modern Botanists, is therefore the far-famed Spikenard of the ancients.

Under this head I have nothing to offer. My acquaintance with the Order being very limited, having had so few opportunities of making myself acquainted with its peculiarities.

1. Valeriana Hookeriana. Natural size.

2. Fascicle of 2 flower-buds and bracts, one near expansion.

3. of 2 flowers, one full blown.

4. Corolla split open, showing the insertion of the stamens.

5. Anthers, back and front views.

6. Ovary before the evolution of the involute lobes of the calyx, with the style and stigma.

7. A nearly mature fruit, showing the papus-like calyx lobes fully evolved.

8. The same cut transversely, one-seeded.

9. Cut vertically, showing the solitary, pendulous seed.

10. Embryo detached.