46-4 
calculous and kidney complaints. The root of the East Indian Flower Fence 
(Poinciana pulcherrima, Linn.), is claimed by Schomburgh to be an acrid poison, 
and the leaves and flowers as having been used in decoction as a successful 
remedy against the fevers of Tortcola; while Macfadyen claims them to be a 
powerful emmenagogue, even to abortion. Jatahy, the resin of the Jamaica //y- 
menage Courbaril, Linn., is employed, according to Martius, as a remedy for obsti- 
nate coughs and incipient phthisis with hematic sputa; while Gum Animi, from the 
same species, is employed like a pastile for fumigation in asthma. Lignalees, a 
fragrant product of disease in the Cochin-China Eaglewood, Alexylon Agallo- 
chum, Lour., is said by Loureiro to be an astringent useful in preventing vomiting 
and easing diarrhoea; its perfume is also claimed to be useful against paralysis 
and vertigo. Two astringents—the first acrid and the second diuretic—are found 
in the West Indian Mimosa fragifolia, Linn., and J. Unguis, Linn, The Javanese 
Euchresta [orsfieldit is esteemed by the natives as an antidote to poisons of any 
description. The roots of the North American Turkey pea (Zephrosia Virginiana, 
Pers.) are purgative, and were greatly esteemed by the Aborigines as an anthel- 
mintic; and the roots of the Chinese Rodinia amara are powerfully bitter and 
astringent; while A. flava, of the same country, is used asa febrifuge. This glance 
at a few of the medicinal plants of the order shows a general stimulant, tonic, and 
astringent line of action to prevail. 
Many virulent poisons are found in this order, principal among which are: 
The seeds of the European Bitter Vetch (Victa ervilia, Willd.) are said by M. 
Virey to be poisonous, and cause a weakness of the limbs when eaten mixed with 
flour, in bread, and to cause horses to become almost paralytic; Christison claims 
that flour containing the ground seeds of Lathyrus Cicera, Linn., is also poisonous. 
The roots of the East Indian Phaseolus radiatus, Linn., are said by Royle to be a 
narcotic-poison, The powdered bark of Rodinia maculata is used in Cam peachy 
as a poison for rodents. The violet seeds of the European Anagyris fetida, Linn., 
are said to have poisonous properties similar to those of laburnum. The branch- 
lets of the Jamaica Tephrosia toxicaria, Pers., are used by the natives to stupefy 
fish; this poison is said to act immediately, and to somewhat resemble digitalis in 
its effects. The blue flowers of the West Indian Sadinea florida, D.C., are con- 
sidered poisonous—a property probably due to their indigo. 
Many valuable gums are produced either as natural exudations, as a result 
of insect depredations, or are intimately held in the wood-cells of many species. 
Principal among them are: the Gum Arabics, derived as follows: Kordofan or 
White Sennaar Gum, as well as Senegal Gum, are produced by Acacia Senegal, 
Willd. ; Suakin or Talha Gum, by A. stenocarpa, Hoch., and A. Seyal, var. Fistula ; 
Morocco or Brown Barbary Gum, supposedly by 4. Aradica, Willd.; Cape Gum, 
by A. horrida, Willd. ; East India Gum, by A. Arabica and other species; Austra- 
lian Gum, by various species, principally A. pycantha, Benth.; and Red Gum, by 
the Senegal 4. Adansonii, Guill. Gum Sassa is a product of the Abyssinian Aca- 
cra Sassa, Willd. The Oriental Tragacanth, of varied utility, is produced by 
Astragalus gummifer, Labi. | 
Among the many food-products, our attention is first called to the beans and 
pease—the first of which will be found described under Phaseolus vulgaris, page 
