icc- H O R T U S J A M A 1 C E N S IS. mouNTAM. 



tliis be the real simarstha. Dr. Wrij^lit saj^s that in 1773, specimens of the fructifica- 

 tion were sent from Jamaica in spirits to Dr. Hope, at Edinburgh, with some clrie4 

 bark from the roots : and that the following year specmiens were also tiT.nsmitted to Dr. 

 JoDii Focliergill, of Loiiilon, who sent tliem to Linneiis at Upsal. The drug is the bark 

 of the roots, wiiuh is rough, scaly, and warted ; the inside, vvhtn fresh, is of a full 

 yellow, but, when dry, pal^.r; it has little smoi!,, and the taste is bitter, but not disa 

 gn-eable Macerated in water, or in rectified spirit, it quickly impregnates tliem with 

 its bitterness, and with a 3'eilow tincture ; the cold infusion in water is rather stronger 

 in ta-t;^ tlian the decoction ; whitli last grows turbid and of- a reddish brown when it 

 cools. Dr. Wright says most authors wLo have wriiven on the simurnba agree, that in 

 fluxes 11 restores the lost fcnni of the intestines, allavs their spasmodic motions, promotes 

 the secretio:is by urine and per-piration, removes the lowness of spirits attending dy- 

 senteries, and disposes the patient to sleep ; the gripes and tenesmus are taken off, and 

 the stools changed to their natural colour and consistence. In-a moderate dose it occa- 

 sions no disturbance or uneasiness, Ijut in-lerge dases it produces sickness at the stomach 

 and vomiting. Dr. Cullers .asserts he has found an inlubion of chamomile flowers more 

 tiseful as a remedy for dysentery. Dr. Wright recommends two drachms of the bark to 

 be boiled in twenty-four ounces of water to twelve, the decoction is then to be strained 

 and divided into three cqiral parts, the whole of which is to be taken in twenty-four 

 liours; and, when the stom.ich is reconciled to this medicine, the quantity of the bark' 

 may he increased to three dmcljnre^ To this decoction some join arouiatics, others a. 

 few drops of laudauum to each dose. 



2. E.XCELSA. TALL. 



Flowers hermaphrodite, five-stamened, panicled; leaves unequally pinnate |. 

 leaflets opposite, petioled ; petiole naked. 

 This species was discovered in Jamaica by Swartz. 



See BixTERVVooB. 



IMouNTAiN Dogwood See Dogwood. 

 Mountain Ebony See Ebony. 



MOUNTAIN GIIaSS. ANDROPOGON. 



Cl. 23, OR. 1. Poli/gamia mojioecia. Nat. or. Gramina, 

 This name is derived from a Greek word signifying main-beard. 



Gen. char. Hermaphrodite flowers sessile; calyx a one-flowered glume, two- 

 valved ; corolla a two-valved glume-, less and more slender than the calyx, awneJ- 

 at the base; nectary two- leaved ; stamens three filaments; anthers oblong, forked 

 at both ends, incumbent; the pistil has an oblong germ, two styles, and oblong, 

 feathered stigmas ; there is no pericarp, glumes of the corolla and calyx involving 

 and inclosing the seed ; seed solitary, oblong, covered, armed with the awn of the 

 corolla, which easily falls off Male flowers peduncled, single, or in pairs to each 

 hermaphrodite ; calyx, corolla', and stamens, as in the Others, only the corolla lias 

 uo. awn. Seven species are indigenous to Jamaica. 



I.- riRGINICCJJ. 



