156 DIRCA PALUSTRIS, . 
lyx. The corolla is. funnel-shaped, with a con- 
traction near the. base and another in the middle, 
its border dilated, and slightly and irregularly 
toothed. Stamens eight, much longer than. the 
corolla, the alternate ones longest, the filaments 
eapillary and inserted into the tuhe; the anthers 
roundish, Germ ovate placed. obliquely, the 
style appearing to issue from one side. The 
style is capillary, curved, and longer than the 
stamens. The fruit. is a small. oval, acute, red, 
one-seeded berry, 7 
Chemically examined, the bark of this shrub 
discovers. a slightly resinous character by the 
pearliness which its tincture assumes on. admix- 
ture with water. The decoction is somewhat 
mucilaginous and deposits slight flocculi on the 
addition of alcohol. . Iron and gelatin produce no 
evidence of tannin or gallic acid. The distilled 
water has an unpleasant odour, but is void of ace 
rimony, . ei 
The bark of the Direa has a peculiar and 
rather unpleasant taste. When swallowed, it 
leaves a sensation of acrimony in the fauces 
which continues for some time. If taken in the 
quantity of six or eight grains, it produces a sense 
of heat in the. stomach and at length brings on 
