SIGNATURE

n. Siag'naat-uar. Lat., sig natura (from sign are, to mark). A characteristic mark. Doctrine of s's. An old superstitious doctrine that the medicinal properties of plants were indicated by their form, color, etc. (e. g., the carrot was used in icterus from the color of its root, the Pulmonaria offlcinalis in lung troubles from the spots on the leaves, and salep as an aphrodisiac from the shape of the tubers), [a, 35.] [s. 483]