344 CALYCIFLORiE. 



12. Cassia occidentalis. Common Cassia. 



Leaflets 5-paired ovato-laneeolate scabro-ciliated, 

 a thick glandule at the base of the petiole, peduncles 

 short 2-4-flovvered axillary and terminal, legumes 

 piano-compressed with the sutures calloso-tumidu- 

 lous. 



Senna occidentalis, odore opii viroso, glabra, Sloane, II. t. 

 173. f. 3 et 4. — Cassia herbacea, major erecta ramosa, Broivne, 

 II. 24. — C. occidentalis, Sivartz, Obs. 139. 



HAB. Common in tbe plains. 



FL. Throughout the year. 



An erect shrub, 3-4 feet in height : branches few, simple, 

 angnlose, \\'\i\\ two furrows passing down from each side of the 

 insertion of each petiole, slightly scabrous from minute subu- 

 late curved asperities situated in the furrows. Leaflets shortly 

 petiolulated, mucronate : petiole anguloso- sulcated, channelled 

 above, with a sessile glandule near the insertion. Stipules 

 lanceolato-falcate. Racemes axillary and terminal, short, usu- 

 ally 3-flowered. Flowers yellow, pedicelled, each furnished at 

 the insertion with a lanceolate bractea. Pedicels half an inch 

 in length, puberulous. Legume 4-3 inches long. 



This very common weed has the character of being medici- 

 nal. A decoction of the root is said to be diuretic ; and that 

 of the leaves, taken internally, and applied externally, to be 

 useful in the cure of itch, and other cutaneous diseases, in the 

 human subject, and of mange in dogs and horses. The Negroes 

 employ it in the preparation of their baths and fomentations ; 

 and apply the leaves, smeared with a little candle grease, to 

 slight sores, as a substitute for adhesive plaster. 



13. Cassia emarginata. Emarginate-haved Cassia. 



Leaflets 2-4-paired elliptic subemarginate or 

 rounded with a small awn at the apex glabrous above 

 pubescent beneath, petioles eglandulose, racemes axil- 

 lary crowded. 



C. minor, Sloane, II. t. 180. f. 1-4. — C. emarginata, Swartz, 

 Obs. 157. 



HAB. Common in dry savannahs, especially along _^the 

 Windward road. 

 - FL. April — June. 



A shrubby tree, 10-15 feet in height, with spreading 

 branches, bearing the leaves at their extremities. Leaflets pe- 

 tiolulated, rounded at the base, incano-pubescent beneath and ci- 

 liated, nerved, fibout an inch in length : petiole subterete, as 

 well as the petiolules pubescenti-hirsute. Stipules setaceo-sub- 

 ulate. Racemes axillary, crowded with the leaves at the ends 



