LOBELIACEJE. 



syphilis; it has the reputation of acting as a speedy cure for this 

 disease, but European practice does not confirm its American reputation. 

 Are not its curative principles volatile ? 



HIPPOBROMA. 



Limb of calyx 5-parted, with linear segments. Tube of co- 

 rolla long, straight, entire ; limb 5-parted, nearly equal. Sta- 

 men-tube projecting, completely monadelphous and syngenesious: 

 stigma 2-lobed. Capsule 2-celled, 2-valved, many-seeded. 



825. H. longifolia Don. gen. syst. iii. 717. — Lobelia longiflora 

 Linn. sp. 930. Jacq. amer. 219. Bot. reg. 1. 1200. Rapuntium 

 longiflorum Mill. diet. No. 7. Isotoma longiflora Presl. mon. 

 lobel. 42. — St. Domingo, Cuba, Jamaica and Martinique, in 

 damp places and by the side of streams. 



An annual, about a foot high, very slightly downy, pale bright green. 

 Leaves obovate-lanceolate, coarsely toothed, tapering into a broad winged 

 toothed petiole. Flowers axillary, solitary, nearly sessile. Calyx an- 

 gular, turbinate, with 5 linear acuminate hairy teeth. Corolla white ; 

 tube about 3-4 inches long, cylindrical, dilated at the base, hairy ; limb 

 nearly equal, spreading, with linear-lanceolate rather acute segments. 

 Anthers smooth. Capsule inflated, 2-celled, opening at the apex. — 

 One of the most venomous of known plants. Taken internally it 

 brings on fatal hypercatharsis. If any of the juice touches the lips or 

 eyes it produces violent burning inflammation. Horses are said to 

 burst after feeding on it, whence the Spanish West Indians call it 

 Rebenta Cavallos. 



826. Tupa Feuillaei Don. gen. syst. iii. 700. — Lobelia Tupa 

 Linn. sp. 1318. Bot. Reg. 1. 1612. Rapuntium Tupa Presl. 

 monogr. lobel. 28, has similar properties to the last plant ; its 

 very flowers are said to produce vomiting by their smell. 



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