ARTEMIS'IA, a genus of plants of the natural order coraposike, sub-order corymbiferm, in which the flowers of the disk are hermaphrodite, those of the ray in one row, the bracts forming a roundish imbricated head, the receptacle naked or hairy, the achcenia obovate, and destitute of pappus. The heads of flowers are numerous and small ; the leaves generally much divided. There are many species, herbaceous plants and shrubs, natives chiefly of the more temperate regions of the eastern hemisphere. They have generally an aro matic smell, more or less agreeable, and a warm, sometimes rather acrid and bitterish aste.—To this genus belongs WORMWOOD (A. absinthium), the apsinthion of the ancient Greeks, to whom its medicinal properties were well known. It is a native of Britain, the continent of Europe, and the northern parts of Asia, growing in waste places, by way sides, etc. It is a perennial, 2 to 4 ft. high ; its leaves bipmnatifid and clothed with a silky down, and its small hemispherical drooping heads of flowers are of a dingy yellow color, and are produced in axillary panicles. It is aromatic and better, containing a bitter principle and an essential oil, both of great strength, upon account of which it is used in medicine in various forms (oil, extract, tincture, etc.), as a stomachic and anthelmintic •or vermifuge. It was formerly in much use as a febrifuge. It is a plant very frequently to be found in cottagers' gardens, occupying an important place in their domestic phar macopeia. It is an essential ingredient in a number of compound medicines. Its roots, and those of some other species of this genus, have been recommended in epilepsy.— SEA WORMWOOD (A. maritima, including a variety which has been called A. gallica) a native of salt-marshes in Britain and other parts of Europe, possesses similar properties, and is occasionally used for the same purposes; as also RomA.N Wonmwooro (A. pontiea), a, native of the middle and south of Europe, but not of Britain—TARTARIAN WORMWOOD (A. santonica), a native of Tartary, Persia, and other parts of the east; and INDIAN WORM woon (A. indica), a native of the Himalaya, abounding at elevations of 2000 to 6000 ft. Indian wormwood grows to the height of 12 ft. It is considered in India a powerful deobstruent and antispasmodic. TREE WORMWOOD (A. arboreseens), a native of the s. of Europe and the Levant, is also larger and more shrubby than the common wormwood, which, in characters and qualities, it much resembles.—The dried flower-buds of a num ber of species of A. are sold under the names of 1Vo1msEED and of semen contra, semen cina4, semencine, etc., and have long been in much repute as an anthelmintic. A. santonica, and A. sieberi (or A. contra), a native of Palestine, are believed to yield much of the worm seed which is brought from the Levant, also A. judaica, a native of the east and of Bar bary, which is regarded as the principal source of the Barbary wormseed. The flower buds of A. glomerata, A. lerchiana, and A. panel:flora, natives of the banks of the Volga, are also. said to form part of the wormseed of the shops; and those of A. valrliana are
collected in the n.e. of Persia, and form the semen dime leranticum or semen thus in grains. The flower-buds of A. ccreuleseens, a Mediterranean plant, which is said to have been found on the sea-coast of England, form the anthelmintic called semen seriphii or barbotine. Those of A. eamphorata, another native of the south of Europe, are used in the same way. Even those of A. absinthium and A. vulgaris are used under the name of wormseed.—The plants from which the bitter aromatic liquor called en-trait, eau or creme d'absinthe is pre pared, are small low-growing species of A. (A. mutellina, A. glacial is, A. rupestris, A. spicata, etc.), found on the Alps, and known to the inhabitants of the Alps by the name of genipi. This liqueur, generally diluted with water, is sometimes used by persons so devoted to the pleasures of the table that they cannot wait for the natural return of appe tite, and also by those who really suffer from weakness of digestion. It is a useful and agreeable stomachic, and is very popular in France—MuowonT (A. vutgaris), a common native of Britain and of the continent of Europe, often found about ruins and in waste places, grows to the height of 3 or 4 ft., with pinuatitid leaves and somewhat rammed small flowers, which have each five the., ray. It elaita, when rubbed, an agree able smell, and has a bitter taste. In Germany, the young shoots and leaves are used in cookery for seasoning. It is used also for the same medicinal purposes as wormwood, but is weaker. Its leaves, and those of some of the other species, are used as foments tions for cleansing and healing wounds.—SOCTIlEaNWOOD (A. abrotanum) is a shrubby plant with long straight stems, 3 to 4 ft. high, the lower leaves bipinnate, upper leaves pinnate, their segments hair-like. It is a native of the s. of Europe and middle parts of Asia, and has long been a favorite plant iu cottage-gardens in Britain. It has an aromatic and pleasant odor. The leaves are used to drive away moths from linen; and hi some parts of the continent of Europe, as an ingredient in the manufacture of beer. The smell of this plant appears to be peculiarly disagreeable to bees, which retreat from it; and a little branch of southeruwood is sometimes efficaciously used when they are swarming, to promote their ascent into the new hive placed over them.—TAURAGON (A. dracuncu ins) is a perennial plant, a native of Siberia, and long cultivated in gardens in Britain. It has a branching stem 1 to ft. high, with narrow leaves. It is fragrant, and has an aromatic smell and taste. The leaves and tender tips are a favorite ingredient in pickles. An infusion of the plant in vinegar is used as a fish-sauce.—The leaves of A. maderaspa tana are regarded in India as a valuable stomachic, and are also used in anodyne fomen tations.--MoxA (q.v.) is prepared by the Chinese from the leaves of A. maw, and other species, the whole surface of whose leaves is covered with a thick down.—A. acetica, Persian species, is said to have a strong odor of.vinegar.