APOCYNACEiE. 



fevers. Blume considers that several different kinds of Strychnos are 

 brought into the market,under the name of Lignum colubrinum, to repre- 

 sent this ; especially that of S. Niix vomica, and probably of S. minor. 



1116. S. potatorum Linn, suppl. 148. JRoxb. corom. i. 8. t. 5. 

 fl. ind. i. 576. As. res. xi. 178. — Mountains and woods of India. 



(Clearing Nut.) 



Leaves opposite, from ovate to oval, smooth, pointed. Corymbs 

 from the extremities of the last year's shoots, small, bearing in ternary 

 order many small, erect, fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers. Filaments 

 rather longer than in S. Kux-vomica. Ovary and contents as in that 

 species. Berry shining, black when ripe, 1-seeded. — The ripe seeds 

 are dried, and sold in every market, to clear muddy water. The natives 

 never drink clear well water, if they can get pond or river water, which 

 is always more or less impure according to circumstances. One of the 

 seeds is well rubbed for a minute or two round the inside of the vessel, 

 generally an unglazed earthen one, containing the water, which is then 

 left to settle ; in a very short time the impurities fall to the bottom, 

 leaving the water clear, and so far as I have been able to learn perfectly 

 wholesome. These seeds are constantly carried about by the more 

 provident part of our officers and soldiers, in time of war, to enable 

 them to purify their water. They are easier to be obtained than alum, 

 and are probably less hurtful to the constitution. Roxb. The natives 

 of India eat the pulp of the fruit when ripe. Dr. Roxburgh found it 

 disagreeable. 



1117. S. Ignatia Berg. mat. med. 149. It. and S. iv. 548. — 

 Ignatia amara Linn, suppl. 149. Ignatiana philippinica Lour. 

 A. coch. i. 155. — Philippine islands. (St. Ignatius' Bean.) 



A branching tree, with long, taper, smooth, scrambling branches. 

 Leaves ovate, acute, stalked, veiny, smooth, a span long. Hooks none. 

 Panicles small, axillary, 3-5-flowered ; with short, round, rigid pedicels. 

 Flowers very long, nodding, white, smelling like Jasmine. Fruit smooth, 

 pear-shaped, very small, the size of a Bonchretien Pear. — Used suc- 

 cessfully in India as a remedy for cholera, under the name of Papeeta, 

 but giddiness and convulsions are known to follow its exhibition, if given 

 in an over dose. 



1118. S. toxifera Schomb. MSS. — Guayana. 



Stem climbing, densely covered with long, spreading, ferruginous, 

 harsh hairs ; attaching itself to other plants by means of the hooked or 

 gyrate ends of its young shoots. Leaves rough with coarse hairiness, 

 quintuplenerved, roundish and obtuse, or ovate-oblong and shortly 

 acuminate. Fruit large and round. — This plant has been ascertained 

 by Mr. Schomburgk to furnish the basis of a celebrated poison, called 

 Wooraly, Woorari, Ourari, or Urari, in Guayana. According to Dr. 

 Hancock, the bark, applied externally, is a good remedy for foul ulcers ; 

 in his opinion it is one of the most potent sedatives in nature, and, 

 could it be safely managed, would no doubt become a valuable remedial 

 agent in the treatment of convulsive and spasmodic disorders. Med. 

 Gaz. xx. 281. 



1119. S. Tieute Lesch. in ann. mus. xvi. 479. t. 23. Blume 

 Rumphia i. 66. t. 24. — Java. (Tshettik or Tjettek.) 



A large climbing shrub. Root woody, as thick as a child's arm, 



530 



