SCILLA, the SQUILL; a genus of the monogynia
order, belonging to the hexandria class of plants. The
most remarkable species is the maritima, or sea-onion,
whose roots are used in medicine. Of this there are
two sorts, one with a red, and the other with a white
root; which are supposed to be accidental varieties,
but the white are generally preferred for medicinal
use. The roots are large, somewhat oval-shaped, com-
posed of many coats lying over each other like onions;
and at the bottom come out several fibres. From the
middle of the root arise several shining leaves, which
continue green all the winter, and decay in the spring.
Then the flower-stalk comes out, which rises two feet
high, and is naked half-way, terminating in a pyra-
midal thyrsus of flowers, which are white, composed
of six petals, which spread open like the points of a
star. This grows naturally on the sea-shores, and in
the ditches, where the salt-water naturally flows with
the tide, in most of the warm parts of Europe, so can-
not be propagated in gardens; the frost in winter al-
ways destroying the roots, and for want of salt-water
they do not thrive in summer. Sometimes the roots
which are bought for use put forth their stems and
produce flowers, as they lie in the druggists shops.—
This root is very nauseous to the taste, intensely bit-
ter, and so acrimonious that it ulcerates the skin if
much handled. Taken internally, it powerfully stimu-
lates the solids, and promotes urine, sweat, and ex-
pectoration. If the dose is considerable, it proves
emetic, and sometimes purgative. The principal use
of this medicine is where the primæ viæ abound with
mucous matter, and the lungs are oppressed by tena-
cious phlegm. It has been recommended in hydrope
calces,
Seilly. cases, taken in powder, from four to ten grains in a dose, mixed with a double quantity of nitre. The most commodious mode of exhibiting this root is as a bolus or pill. Liquid forms are too disagreeable to most people; though this may be remedied in some degree by the addition of some aromatic distilled waters. It yields the whole of its virtues to aqueous and vinous menstrua, and likewise to vegetable acids.