MONOPETALEZ—HYPOCOROLLEE. 305 
- Economica Properties. —‘“ We find some nutritious — 
plants in this family ; but these are always among the her- 
baceous species, at an early period of their growth, when the 
ascending sap, formed of an abundant aqueous juice, has not 
yet been formed into proper juice by the operation of vege- 
tation. Thus, in some countries, they eat the young shoots 
of Periploca esculenta, (Apocynum indicum) Asclepias aphylla, 
&e. -It is the same with the pulpy fruits of some plants of 
this family. The greater part of them are acrid and poi- 
sonous, but notwithstanding some are very agreeable eating, 
as the Couma and the Carina edulis in Nubia, the Strychnos 
pseudo-quina in Brazil.” —Richard.” The pulp of the fruit 
of Strychnos Nux-vomica is said to be eaten without any in- 
jurious consequences. The Hyahya or Milk-tree of Deme- 
rara is the Tabernemontana utilis of this order. Caoutchouc 
is obtained from it, and abundantly from Urceola elastica. 
Asclepias lactifera yields abundantly a milky juice, used as 
food by some Indians. The Kiriaghuna plant (Gymnema 
lactiferum, or Cow-plant of Ceylon), also furnishes a nutri- 
tious milk. 
Meprcinat Propertres.—These are various. Most of 
the plants in this family contain an acrid milky juice, and fur- 
nish valuable medicines in India, Africa, and America. 
Some are emetic, others purgative, others bitter and tonic, 
and some are naréotic. The leaves of Cynanchum “Argel, 
C. ole@folium are often mixed with senna, and they pos- 
sess similar properties. The concrete juice of C. monspelia- 
um is violently purgative, and is sometimes called Seam- | 
‘Tony of Montpellier. Dog’s-bane (Apocynum androsemi- 
; Ipecacuanha and Asclepias curassavica are on ti mes us od . 
instead of the true Ipecacuanha root. The leaves of Peri- 
“pe (Vinca major and V. minor) are 
