LEOPARD'S BANE: A genus of the polygamia superflua order, belonging to the syngenesia class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 49th order, Composita. The receptacle is naked, the pappus simple; the scales of the calyx in a double row, longer than the disc. The seeds of the radius naked without any pappus. There are three species; of which the only one worthy of notice is the pardalanches, with obtuse heart-shaped leaves. It grows naturally in Hungary, and on the Helvetian mountains; but is frequently preserved in the English gardens. It hath thick fleshy roots, which divide into many knobs or knees, sending out strong fleshy fibres which penetrate deep into the ground; from these arise in the spring a cluster of heart-shaped leaves, which are hairy, and stand upon footstalks; between these arise the flower-stalks, which are channelled and hairy, near three feet high, putting out one or two smaller stalks from the side. Each stalk is terminated by one large yellow flower. The plant multiplies very fast by its spreading roots; and the seeds, if permitted to scatter, will produce plants wherever they happen to fall; so that it very soon becomes a weed in the places where it is once established. It loves a moist soil and shady situation. The roots were formerly used in medicine as alexipharmics and purifiers of the blood, but their operation was so violent that they are now entirely laid aside.