MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 179 
Myrozxylon toluiferwm. Leguminosae. Balsam of tolu 
tree—A tree native of Venezuela and Colombia. It grows 
to a height of 80 feet, and is often unbranched for a distance 
of 40-60 feet from the ground. Balsam is obtained by mak- 
ing V-shaped incisions through the bark of the growing tree 
and inserting calabash cups. Balsam of tolu is used in medi- 
cine as an expectorant and stimulant, and tolu lozenges are 
well known as a remedy for allaying coughs. 
Myroxylon Pereirae (balsam of Peru). 
Piper angustifolium. Piperaceae. Soldier’s herb. — A 
plant native of South America. It is an erect-growing 
species, with lanceolate rough leaves, which are used for 
stanching the bleeding of wounds. 
Pilocarpus pennatifolius. Rutaceae. Jaboranda plant.— 
A native of Brazil. The leaves and bark of this shrub con- 
tain essential oil and a peculiar alkaloid, pilocarpine, which 
are recommended as a sudorific and as a specific in diphtheria 
and hydrophobia. Pilocarpine contracts the pupil and also 
stimulates the salivary glands. 
Pistacia Terebinthus. Anacardiaceae. Turpentine tree.— 
This tree has winged leaves, similar to those of ash, of a red- 
dish tinge, and small and inconspicuous flowers. Solitary 
small trees are common in the Mediterranean region, 
Algeria, and Palestine, and are also found in Egypt and 
westward through northern Africa. A liquid flows from in- 
cisions made in the stem, which is the Chian turpentine of 
commerce, coming mainly from the island of Chios. The 
substance has a pleasant aromatic smell, and in the last two 
years has been Scag into prominence as a remedy for 
cancer. 
Smilax mauritanica. Smilaceae. Sarsaparilla—A woody 
climber of Morocco. The leaves are alternate, smooth, and 
shiny. The flowers are inconspicuous, the fruit a berry. 
From the roots is obtained the drug sarsaparilla, which is 
considered to be a restorative in complaints arising from poor- 
ness of the blood. 
Sophora secundiflora. Leguminosae. Sophora.—A round- 
headed tree, attaining a height of 40 feet and having light 
green winged leaves. It is a native of China and Japan 
where its white, papilionaceous flowers are used for dyeing 
both yellow and green. A purgative property pervades the 
whole of the tree, even affecting those who prune it or work 
with the wood. 
OILS 
Aleurites triloba. Euphorbiaceae. Candle nut or country 
walnut oil tree—A handsome tree, widely distributed in 
