might have been gathered here, as in the different routes which those learned gentlemen pursued. But though the Botany of this part of the American Continent has never been reduced to a system, the nature of a few of the numerous plants is well-known to the Canadians; and the aborigines are intimately acquainted with the properties of a much greater number. Such, however, are the natural reserve, and the selfish dispositions of the Indians, that no valuable information can be procured from them. Their knowledge on this, as on every other subject of importance, can be of use only to themselves; for they have never been known to communicate their discoveries, or the sanative methods employed in the counteraction of their maladies, but have guarded, with the keenest vigilance and jealousy, every avenue of intelligence. If the simplest question be put to them, they will evade it with admirable address, should it contain the most distant allusion to any subject connected with their own exclusive knowledge. This total absence of candour, and determined resolution to keep their own secrets, are the two most unfavourable traits in the Indian character, and form some reasonable grounds for their being so little respected by their fairer-skinned but not more upright neighbours. Under such disadvantages, therefore, it cannot be expected, that I, who in Botany am a novice, should enter into a very minute detail of the medicinal productions of the country. I shall, however, enumerate those of which I have been

1

able to acquire a knowledge, either orally from the Canadians, or from the descriptions of preceding travellers.

GENSING and CAPILLAIRE were formerly exported in great quantities from Quebec to France. The first of these productions, when dried, has a sweet taste resembling that of liquorice-root, with the addition of an aromatic bitterness. It formed an article of very profitable trade with the Chinese, for a considerable time after the settlement of Canada. But so eager were the Canadians to exemplify the quondam advice of the British Lottery Offices," Catch FORTUNE when you can," that, in their haste to lay hold of the mercurial dame, they overstepped the mark, while she slipped from them and completely evaded their grasp: Thinking to enrich themselves by the constant exportation of enormous quantities, they forgot the sage axiom of commercial men, "to regulate the apparent production by the demand;" and instead of preserving the Gensing in the proper way, dried it in ovens and stoves so rapidly, as to render it altogether unserviceable to the only people on earth who were inclined to purchase it from them, -and the only people, I may say, who, themselves consummate adepts at fraud, could not be deceived by the utmost ingenuity on the part of others. It very singular, and no way creditable to the character of civilized nations, who profess among themselves to be governed in their conduct, if not in their motives, by the laws of equity and honour,

is

that international barter and commercial transactions should in former ages have had such a large mixture of trickery and imposition. But the result will, on examination, be found, like the instance now adduced, to have been ultimately disastrous to those who practised these arts of deception. Gensing still grows in great quantities, particularly in Upper Canada, but it is no longer in estimation as an article of commerce. Capillaire, or the MAIDEN HAIR, which, when flowing on a beautiful head in graceful ringlets, is in your part of the world the cause of so many raging fevers, is in this country found to possess opposite qualities, and to be very efficacious as a febrifuge.

The Running SARSAPARILLA and BITTER-SWEET, used by the Canadians in cases of general debility, are famous in purifying the blood.

The ALUM ROOT and CROW'S-FOOT are said to constitute a very powerful astringent, and to be salutary medicines in cases of dysentery.

The WILD HOREHOUND is used as a remedy for agues, and is an active emetic.

The WHITE COATLI and GENTIAN ROOT are esteemed excellent for rheumatic complaints.

THE SENECA SNAKE-ROOT is a medicine of very general use, particularly in cases of fever, cold, and pain in the bones. It is of a pungent taste, and its effects are stimulant and sudorific.

The Roots of the THIMBLE-BERRY, with the Seneca Snake Root, and tall Blackberry Root, are

used as remedies for cancer, the rash, sore throats and sore mouths.

SPEAR-MINT, Hyssop, Wormwood, Water-cresses, Plantain, Marsh-mallows, Penny-royal, and other aromatic plants, whose uses are well known in the Materia Medica, seem, from the profusion in which they are spread about, to be indigenous.

The BLOOD-ROOT, so called on account of its emitting, when broken, a fluid of a sanguine colour in considerable quantities, is considered an infallible cure for rheumatism, and is administered for that purpose after being infused in whisky.

The SUMACH, in Upper Canada, grows to the height of ten feet, and produces a multitude of deep crimson berries. It is a well-known dye-stuff in England; but the Canadians esteem the berries alone, of which they make their vinegar.

Another species of the Sumach, called by the Americans "the Poison-tree," is found in low swampy lands in Upper Canada and in the United States. The effluvia of this noxious shrub affect some people to such a degree, that they cannot approach towards the place in which it grows, without sustaining a very sensible injury from its poisonous exhalations. On touching it, and even when they are not in immediate contact with it, their hands, face, and legs become swelled to an alarming extent, and are soon covered over with blisters. Their eyes also suffer very materially from the violent humours which it creates. But

what makes the matter still more wonderful, is the fact, that, while these singular effects are produced on some persons, there are others who can handle the branches of the tree with perfect impunity, and may even rub it over their bodies without enduring the slightest visible inconvenience.

Mr.

A creeping shrub, called by the Canadians "The Poison Ivy," although it resembles the Ivy only in its parasitical character, is also a very offensive plant. It is called by the French Herbe aux Puces, (Flea-bane,) and possesses nearly the same deleterious qualities as the poisonous Sumach Lambert says, that wherever this plant is found, there is always a great number of Lady-flies, which, as long as they continue on the leaves, are covered with a brilliant gold; but when taken from the tree, they lose this brilliant hue, and become exactly similar to the insect which is known by that appellation in England. Whe ther the name which the French have conferred on the plant has any relation to this circum+ stance, I know not; but there appears to be some affinity between them. I have seen several persons who were poisoned by the herbe aux puces: They suffered the most excruciating pains, until relieved by the internal application of turpentine, or some other strong spirit. Soap and sour cream are also said to be very efficacious, in expelling the poison and reducing the swellings.

The RED-TOPPED SORREL, the COLT'S TAIL, WINTER GREEN, and the CATANUP, are also