13-2 
The plants of this family are not generally considered medicinal, but Blume 
states that many species of the genera Uvaria, Unona, and Zylopia are employed 
in Java, but require caution, as they often cause vertigo, hemorrhage, and some- 
times abortion in pregnant states.* The South American /rutia de Burro (Xylopia 
longifolia) is termed by Humboldt a valuable fruit, for use as a febrifuge, along the 
river Orinoco. Piper Aithiopicum is the seed of Habzelia Ethiopica ; another 
species of the same genus (//. aromatica) being used by the natives of Guiana as 
a spice. The Jamaica nutmeg (Monodora myristica) is said to be similar to, but 
not so pungent as, the nutmeg of commerce (Myr7stzca moschata), Jamaica bit- 
terwood (Xylopia glabra) is considered tonic and stimulant. To the arts this 
order furnishes Jamaica Lancewood (Guatteria virgata), useful on account of its 
lightness and elasticity, in the manufacture of coaches, fishing-rods, and bows. 
Succulent fruits are yielded by Auncna Cherimolia (Cherimoyer),and Anona sgua- 
mosa (Custard-apple). 
History and Habitat.—The common pawpaw is indigenous to the central 
belt of the United States from Western New York to the Mississippi and south- 
ward, It locates along streams where the soil is rich and frosts late. This small 
tree is a native, especially of the Ohio valley, where it flowers from March to May, 
according to the season. It is grown in a protected place in Central Park, New 
York City, but is not hardy north of Cincinnati. The fruit, when ripe, is soft, 
sweet, and insipid, having a taste somewhat between that of the May-apple and 
the banana, tending to the former. It was greatly prized by the aborigines,—who 
eagerly sought anything edible in the vegetable world—and now is occasionally 
exposed for sale in city markets. When green they have a very unpleasant odor, 
and are only fit to eat after having been touched by frost, when they turn from 
yellowish-green to black, and become internally of the color and consistence of 
custard.t It is claimed that they improve greatly in size, taste, and succulency 
upon cultivation. Three other species: 4. grandiflora, A. parviflora, and A. 
pygmea complete the genus north of Mexico. | 
The former uses of this plant in medicine are of little or no importance. A 
tincture of the seed proves emetic; the bark being bitter has been considered 
tonic and stimulant. The chemical properties and physiological action have never 
been—to my knowledge—determined. | 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The coarsely powdered, fresh, ripe 
seeds are covered with five parts by weight of alcohol, and allowed to remain 
eight days in a well-stoppered bottle in a dark, cool place. 
The tincture thus prepared is filtered off. It has a clear, pale, canary color 
by transmitted light; an astringent straw-like taste; an odor somewhat like that 
of the red raspberry, and a slight acidity. 
All that is known of the medicinal power of this drug is a proving by Dr. 
* Lindley, Flor. Med., p. 29, + dem, pp. 27-8, t{ Whence the name “ American Custard-apple.” 
