BURDOCK, a small genus (Arctium) of coarse perennial or biennial herbs of the family Asteracea, natives of temperate Asia and Eu rope, but widely distributed as weeds through out the world. Common burdock (A. lappa), which often attains a height of four feet, is sometimes planted in Japan, where it has been improved by cultivation, for its enlarged pars nip-like roots, which are eaten as a boiled vegetable. Formerly the roots were used in medicine, but they seem to be generally classed with many other domestic remedies of doubtful value. The plant is best known as a weed in waste land, but usually on good soil. Its globu lar burs become attached to the wool of sheep and to clothing. Their presence injures the price of wool.
Snt John Scott, English physician: b. Jesmond, New castle-on-Tyne, 21 Dec. 1828; d. 23 Nov. 1905. He was graduated at Editiburgh University in 1851 and afterward studied at Paris, settling in London as a practising physician in 1853. In 1856, while medical officer for Paddington, he first gave proofs of the eminence to which he was to attain. In 1870 he gave up his hos
pital appointments and a valuable private prac tice to devote himself exclusively to scientific research. He held the appointments of pro fessor of practical physiology and histology at University College, London, 1871-77; was Jodrell professor of physiology, 1874-82; Wayneflete professor of physiology at Oxford, 1882-95; and regius professor of medicine at the same university, 1895-1903. He is regarded as the virtual founder of the medical school at Ox ford. His methods of research into the diseases of animals occasioned the violent opposition of the anti-vivisectionists. He accomplished much in the way of elucidating the true character of cholera and tuberculosis. He was created a baronet in 1899, and died without issue. He contributed many papers to scientific publica tions, and a 'Memoir,) which contains some of his addresses, edited in part by his widow, was published in 1911.