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COFFEA ARABICA, Linn. 

 Coffee. 



Native of tropical Africa. A large shrub, with opposite leaves, 

 white flowers, and scarlet berries. (Rubiacece.) 



Berries contain caffein ; roasted, they develop also a brown bitter 

 principle and a volatile oil. Coffee is an agreeable, stimulating, sooth- 

 ing, and refreshing beverage. See Bulletins, Nos. 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 14. 



Liberian Coffee ( C. liberica, Hiem) has a larger berry with a hard, 

 fibrous pulp. It does not appear to be so liable to disease as common 

 coffee, and endures tropical heat better. 



COGWOOD. See Zizyphus Chloroxylon. 



COIX LACHRYMA, Linn. 

 Job's Tears. 

 Native of India. Cultivated in gardens in Jamaica. A tall grass. 

 (GraminecB.) 



Grain used by some hill tribes in India as food, but chiefly used for 

 ornamental purposes. 



COLA ACUMINATA, R. Br. 

 Bissy, Kola, Cola. 



Native of tropical "W. Africa. A tree of moderate height, leaves ; 

 simple, 6 or 8 inches long ; flowers with a pale-yellow calyx, but with- 

 out petals ; seeds large. 



Seeds used like chocolate. They are said to be of great dietetic 

 value, and also to be useful in dyspepsia and nervous diseases. "It 

 has been said that the beverage made with Cola paste is ten times 

 more nutritious than chocolate made with cocoa. The reputation of 

 this substance in sustaining the system against fatigue is such that it 

 is meeting with consideration from the military authorities of the 

 world as an article to be given to soldiers during active service.'*, 

 (Watt.) Seeds have been sold lately in London at 2s. and even 3s. per lb 



COLOCASIA AXTIQUORUM, Schott. 

 Coco, Eddoes. 



Native of East Indies. An arum-like plant, with large heart-shaped 

 leaves, and tuberous root- stocks. (Aroidece.) 



Leaves " Juice expressed from the leaf stalks of the black species 

 is used with salt as an absorbant in cases of inflamed glands and buboes. 

 The juice of the tuber is used in cases of alopecia. Internally, it acts, 

 as a laxative, and is used in cases of piles and congestion of the portal, 

 system, also as an antidote to the stings of wasps and other insects . . m \ 

 Have seen remarkable instances of its styptic properties ; if applied to 

 fresh and clear wounds, it enables the tissues to unite by first intuition, 

 within a few hours." (Watt.) Young leaves may be eaten like spinach. 



Roots. Tubers often weigh several pounds, and form a nutritious, 

 food when well cooked. 



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