BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA, 259 
oblong in shape, somewhat compressed; trun- 
cate at the base and obtuse at the apex. They 
contain resin, sugar, oi! and some profetds, and 
had been given as an anthelmintic, but more 
generally for their diuretic properties, and at 
one time highly extolled asa remedy in diseased 
kidneys ; when administered they are given 
in form of an infusion and taken freely. All 
the gourd family are characterized by their 
diceecious and moncecious flowers, the calyx ad- 
herent to the corolla possessing from 2 to 3 
stigmas; seeds flat and ovoidal in form, with 
pubescent and palmately cut leaves. The Cit- 
rullus vulgaris derives its name from Citrus, an 
orange, as its pulp most resembles that fruit in 
color. 
Colchici Semen, Colchicum Seed, Colchicum 
Autumnale.—Natural order Melanthacez. This 
plant is a native of southern Europe, and has 
been fully described under the head of roots, 
therefore, we shall.only speak of the fruit and 
seeds. The fruit is a three-celled capsule, 
opening through its dissepiments and showing 
many sub-globular, reddish brown seeds; the 
testa is firmly pitted, and the albumen of a 
grayish-white, oily, very tough and hard, en- 
closing a very small embryo, which is nearly 
opposite the hilum; odor little or none; taste 
bitter and acrid. The Colchicum seed contain 
two resins, Colchicoresin and Beta-colchicoresin, 
also Colchicine, an amorphous substance, and 
Colchicein, a white crystalline body, gum, sugar 
and about 6 per cent. of fixed orl. The medici- 
nal virtues of the Semen Colchici and their 
preparations, lie in their cathartic, emetic and 
