298 A COMPENDIUM OF 
Catechu Pallidum, also known as Terra japonica 
belongs to the natural order of Cinchoneze Ru- 
biaceze and is a native of the East India Isl- 
ands. As the name indicates, it is of lighter 
color than the afore-mentioned, and less as- 
tringent in its effects, but more highly thought 
of as a remedy by English physicians. It is 
known as Gambir, or the Uncaria Gambier, or 
Gambier shrub. It is a climbing plant, and 
the catechu is obtained from the leaves and 
stems by boiling them in water, then evaporat- 
ing. Used for the same purposes as the other 
varieties, and is administered in the same form 
and manner. 
Convolvulus Scammonia, Scammony. — 
Natural order Convolvulacee. This twining 
plant is not unlike the Morning Glory (Convol- 
vulus) of our gardens, but adorned with.leaves 
completely arrow-shaped, truncate and angular 
at the base, with acutely pointed lobes. Flow- 
ers, pale yellow, and funnel-shaped, with 5 
erect stamens; ovary 2-celled, with 4 seeds; 
fruit, berry-like ; capsule, 2-celled and 4-seeded. 
The plant is native of Asia Minor, and now 
found in a number of places along the shores of 
the Mediterranean sea. The stem is annual, 
whilst the root is perennial, From the latter 
we obtain the juice which, when concreted, is 
the Scammony of commerce and of the stores. 
The juice is usually collected in shells and 
dried, after which it occurs in irregular angular 
pieces or in circular cakes, having a gray-green 
or a deep brown color. When broken, the in- 
ternal arrangement is porous and of a resinous 
lustre. The odor is cheese-like, and the taste 
