AMERICAN SENNA. 4169 
sembles it in its medicinal virtues.* . Neither of 
these plants is to be ranked among the most ac- 
tive cathartics, and they require to be taken in 
much larger quantities than aloes, rhubarb. or 
* There is no doubt that the true Alexandrian Senna is the 
product of the Cassia Senna of Linneus and of Willdenow. La- 
marck has occasioned an unnecessary confusion on this subject, and 
misled other botanists, by changing the Linnzan name C. senna to 
~€. lanceolata ; while he has appropriated the name C. senna to’ ‘the 
variety 6 of Linnaeus, which is the Italian senna, since very properly 
named C. Italica, See Rees’ Cyclopedia, Art. Cassia, &c. The 
African plant is accounted the most active, although the Italian Sen- 
na cultivated in Jamaica, sesordlg to Dr. —— wre Telly 
equal to it in efficacy. awe 
The greater part of the Senna consumed in the United States is 
imported from the East Indies. Smaller quantities occasionall y reach 
us from different ports of the Mediterranean and Red seas. The 
common India senna has a lanceolate leaf narrow and acute; pe- 
tioles without glands, bearing from five to nine pairs of leaves; and 
a flat oblong curved legume. _ Medicinally considered, it is one of 
the most valuable sorts, operating with mildness and certainty. The 
facility and cheapness with which it is obtained in — has long 
‘caused it to predominate in our markets. | 
The India senna, which I have assalante has heen very pure, 
consisting only of leaves of Cassia. The Egyptian has frecuently a 
‘slight admixture of foreign leaves which are nauseous and bitter. 
The Cassia senna would doubtless succeed in our Southern 
states. The product, consisting of the whole leaves of the plant, 
must necessarily be large, and would well reward the attention of 
planters. Ripe seeds may probably be found among the senna of the 
shops which will vegetate, if not too old. According to Roxburgh 
and Carey, the Arabian senna cultivated at the Bengal garden is a 
biennial plant, _ er ae : 
