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T A B . X L V .
A R I S T O L O C H I A H I R S U T A ?
C H A R A C T E R G EN E R I CU S.—ES S E N T I AL I S .
Calyx nullus: Corolla monopetala, Ungulata, integra.
Capfula fex-locularis, infera.
C H A R A C T E R S P E C I F I C U S .
Ariftolochia foliis rotundatis hirfutis.
G E N E R I C CHA R A C T E R .
Calyx none: Corolla monopetalous, tongue-fhaped, entire.
Capfule fix-celled, inferior.
S P E C I F I C CHA R A C T E R .
Birthwort with rounded hairy leaves.
THE genus Ariftolochia is diftinguifhed by the unufual form of the flower, which from a fore
of globular bafe or bottom is fuddenly contrafted into a tubular form, and from thence dilated
into a long lip or procefs. T h e ipecies of Ariftolochia are pretty numerous, and are moftly
natives of the warmer regions; one fj^ecies, the Ariftolochia Clematitis, or common Birthwort,
is found (though rarely) in our own country, growing amongft ruins, and fometmies in woods.
T h e Ariftolochia; in general are trailing or climbing plants; it is a genus to which confiderable
virtues have been attributed by the older writers, but the fpecies which is regarded as moft
important in the prefent age is the Ariftolochia Serpentaria of Linnceus, which is known in the
Materia Medica by the title of Virginian Snake-root, and which is efteemed a medicine of
confiderable eflicacy in low nervous fevers; raifing the pulfe and relieving the languor with