1889.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 369 



4. C. siliquosus, L. 



Broom weed, Jute. W. Indies and S. America. 



5. C. hirsutus, L. (Siva his.) 



This order has similar astringent and mucilaginous properties to 

 those of Malvaceae. The species of Corchorus furnish valuable fibre 

 known as jute, which is employed in the manufacture of many 

 fabrics, from " Gunny bags " to satin ; their young leaves boiled, are 

 excellent pot-herbs. The leaves of Triumfetta are said to be useful 

 astringents. 



Order XVIII. EEYTHEOXYLEAE. 



1. Erytbroxylon brevipes, D. C. 



Eboe light wood, Red wood. Indigenous. 



2. E. obovatum, Macf. 

 Indigenous. 



To this order belongs the plant E. coca, used as a stimulant in 

 Peru and Bolivia, from which the anaesthetic cocaine is obtained. 

 Recent investigations show that the West Indian species contain 

 but very small amount of the alkaloid, and they do not appear to 

 be used as bush-medicine. Some species are used for dyeing, from 

 the red color of the wood. 



Order XIX. MALPIGHIACEAE. 



1. Byrsonima lucida, Ricb. (Swains.) 

 Fortune Island. (Eggers.) 



2. Buncbosia glandulosa, Rich. 



West Indian Cherry. W. I. and S. America. 



3. Malpigbia setosa, Spreng. (Szvains.) 

 Indigenous, also in Hayti. 



4. Malpigbia sp. T 



Near M. glabra. L. Wild Cherry, Barbados Cherry. 



5. Stigmapbyllon Sagraeanum, Juss. (Swains.) 

 Indigenous and in Cuba. 



o 



6. Triopteris rigida, Sw. 



Narrow-leaved variety. (Swains.) Indigenous and in Cuba and 

 Hayti. The plants of this order have medicinal properties and 

 some of them, e. g., Byrsonia, Bunchosia, Malpighia, have eatable 

 fruits. The order is distinctlv tropical. 

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