132 A COMPENDIUM OF 
The tree is of moderate size, bearing upon its 
branches pinnate leaves; the leaflets are obovate 
or obcordate in shape; the flowers occur in ax- 
illary racemes, yellow in color, with 5 sepals, 
united at the base in a permanent calyx; sta- 
mens ro in number, with 1 pistil; pod bearing 
and two-seeded; the valves of the pod are some- 
What boat-shaped. Logwood is hard and com- 
pact, but rarely exceeds 20 inches in diameter; 
when sawed or cut transversely the dark-red 
Wood shows many rings of wood parenchyma, as 
also some delicate medullary rays. As foundin 
the stores it is either in chips or a coarse pow- 
der, which is of a dark-brown color, inclining to 
Tonze; smell faint and agreeable; taste some- 
what sweet and feebly astringent, coloring the 
Saliva on being chewed. Logwood contains 
tannin, fat, resin and hematoxylon, which, when 
Isolated, occurs in colorless crystals. Hzama- 
toxylon is feebly astringent in its action, and the 
extract is recommended in doses of 5 to 10 
grains; also given in form of decoction. It is 
_ highly recommended in the chronic stages of 
diarrhcea, It is particularly well adapted for 
Children, owing to its mild astrin gent properties. 
_ —matoxylon turns red on being exposed to the 
Sunlight; to alkaline solutions it gives a violet 
Color. The coloring matter is termed hematein, 
and is capable of crystallization. Logwood is 
largely used as a dye by adding alum or the 
Potassium bi-chromate. 
Quassia, Quassia, Quassia Excelsa.—Natural 
order Simarubacez, Commonly known as the 
itter-wood Tree. Native of Jamaica; attains 
a height of 60 to 100 feet (20 to 30 meters), and 
