6 MEDICAL BOTANY. 
of two ovoid pointed follicles, the exterior of which is glabrous, hard, thick and spotted; they contain imbricate, ovoid, 4 
comatose seeds. (Delile, Des. des sennés.) | 4 
This plant inhabits Nubia, and the portions of Upper Egypt in which are found the plants composing Alexandrian a 
senna. It is chiefly interesting as furnishing leaves which enter into the composition of this drug. Lindley Seems to : 
doubt the intentional introduction of argel; but the specific description of the manner in which Alexandrian senna is ; 
made up, places this beyond dispute. Delile and Nectoux both mention the plant as being collected, and M. Rayer 3 
informs us that the leaves are mixed in the proportion of two-tenths, with senna leaves ; which proportion 1s_borne out j 
by examination. It is easy to determine between the leaf of the argel and that of a cassia, by its equilateral base, 
elongated form, thick leathery structure, and hairyness. | _ 
Argel contains an acrid resinous principle, to which some of the harsh action of the Alexandrian senna is attri- 4 
buted. It has a nauseous odour, and a nauseous bitter taste. 
Pate LIV.—Represents the plant in Slower, and the fruit. 
STYRACER, 
RICHARD. 
STYRAX TRIBE. 
Hssentia Cuar.—Calyz inferior (or su 
monopetalous, the number of its divisions frequently different from that of the calyx; with imbricated estivation. 3 
Stamens definite or indefinite, arisi 
generally in a slight degree only. Anthers innate 
» two-celled, bursting inwardly. Pollen broadly elliptical, smooth. — 
Ovary superior, or adhering to the calyx, with fro 
m two to five cells, which are opposite the lobes of the calyx when — 
they are of the same number, the partitions sometimes scarcely adhering in the centre. Ovules anatropal, two or 
hone in each cell, all pendulous, or the upper ascending, the lower pendulous. Style simple. Stigma somewhat 
capitate. Fruit drupaceous, surmounted by, 
or inclosed in the calyx, generally with all the cells abortive except one. q 
Seeds ascending or suspended 5—1, with the slender embryo lying in the midst of the albumen. Radicle long, directed — 
towards the hylum. Cotyledons flat. (Lindley. Veg. King.) 
Trees or shrubs with alternate usually toothed leaves, without stipules. FJowers axillary, either solitary or clus- 
tered, with scale-like bracts ; the hairs often clustered, The medical properties of this tribe are balsamic. 
STYRAX BENZOIN. | | 
DRYANDER. 4 
THE BENJAMIN TREE. 
Benzo1n OrriciwaLe.— Hayne, 
Sex. Syst.— Deca 
Gen. Cuar.— 
3—7 cleft. Stam 
the base into a ri 
ndria Monogynia. 
ve rather campanulate, nearly entire, or five-toothed. Corolla campanulate at the base, deeply 4 
ens &—16, seldom ten, exserted. Filaments united to the tube of the corolla, sometimes adhering # 4 
d a Opening by internal longitudinal slits, Style simple. Stigma obtuse, — 
ys splitting imperfectly into two or three valves, with 1—2—3 stones. Seed solitary, erect, — 
Racemes axillary, compound 
ing tomentose, 
