Menispermum, DIOECIA HEXANDRIA, 809 
economy the perfectibility of the plant is soon restored. It 
is the same with Menispermum cordifolium and tomento- 
sum. Such uncommon care has Nature taken for the preser- 
vation of these plants, which must, no doubt, be intended for 
some purpose, of which we are probably still ignorant. 
Leaves remote, petioled, cordate, acuminate, entire, smooth 
on both sides; lobes large, and rounded ; from four to six 
inches long, and from three to five broad. Petioles colum- 
nar, smooth, two thirds the length of the leaves. Made ra- 
cemes one, two, three, or four from the germs of the fallen 
leaves, over the larger naked branches, simple, round, smooth, 
flowers generally in pairs on their proper, slender, diverg- 
ing pedicels; with a small, oval, fleshy bracte at their inser- 
tion. Calyx six-leaved; leaflets ovate, small. Petals six, 
cuneate, inserted on the outside of the filaments, a little above 
their base. Filaments six, expanding. Anthers four-sided. 
The leaves, indeed the whole plant, is exceedingly bitter, 
and is employed by the Malays for the cure of intermittent 
fevers. Captain Wright who first brought it from Su- 
matra, said it was as powerful a Steines, as the Peruvian 
bark. 
A, M. fenestratum. Gert. Sem. i. p. 219. t. 46.7.5. 
- Shrubby, scandent. Leaves cordate, in young plants pel- 
tate, entire, from five to seven-nerved, downy underneath. 
Inflorescence in globular umbellets, from the larger — 
branches. Berries covered with downy bark, ) 
Cingalese synonyms, Woniwol, venivel, or Bangwel- 
geita. 
A native of Ceylon, where it blossoms iis the cool 
months of November and December; and the'nsode: — in 
‘May and June. 
Trunk and large brasahes iin stout, thick, and lig- 
neous, The wood of a deep, lively yellow colour, and of a 
pleasant bitter taste. Leaves alternate, petioled, cordate, en- 
tire, five or seven-nerved, smooth and shining above, very 
VoL, UI. 4x 
