CASSIA OBOVATA. 35 
xists in reconciling the discrepant statements of authors, with regard to this plant. The leaves 
the composition of Alexandrian Senna, and form the larger portion of it. By Linnzus two 
stituted, the Senna Alexandrina foliis acutis, and Senna ttalica foliis odtusis ; the first is the 
+ under consideration, the second the C. obovata, next to be described ; which also enters into Alexandrian Senna. 
Forskal in designating the acute-leaved Cassia, called it C. lanceolata. In this state information existed at the time of 
the invasion of Egypt by Bonaparte in 1798, who was accompanied by a corps of savans, among whom were Nectoux and 
Delile, who made the source of Senna an especial object of examination. They agree that they both met with the same 
geute-leaved plant, but have somewhat varied in their account of it. Nectoux calling it by Forskal’s name, C. 
lanceolata, and Delile giving it that of C. acutifolia. ‘The fact, that these two are synonymous, 1s to be settled by the 
statement of the writers themselves, to which De Candolle has assented ; the causes of difference must be sought for in 
the variableness of characters, arising from soil, position, and physical influences, which are known to alter the 
characters of species. Forskal’s plant, which was not very accurately described, has now been determined to be 
distinct, and by Royle described under the name of C. Forskalt. For a full discussion of this subject, see a paper im the 
eighth volume of the American Journal of Pharmacy, by the author. 
The Alexandrian Senna is stated to be made of five parts of the acute leaflets, three parts of the obtuse, and two 
of argel. 
eee is another senna composed entirely of acute leaflets : this is the Tripoli Senna. Upon comparing the leaflets 
with similar ones in the Alexandrian, it will be found that no difference exists beyond what may be accounted for by 
physical influences. A new species has been made for it, however, called by Guibourt, C. ethiopica, and by Merat and 
De Lens, C. ovata. Guibourt informs us, that his plant is represented by Nectoux’s, and Dr. Lindley states that the 
latter, as figured in Stevenson and Churchill’s Medical Botany, is a good representation of that of Delile, so that we 
think there is good authority for concluding that this species is merely a variety. 
Alexandrian Senna has a grayish-green colour, a peculiar odour, and a viscid, disagreeable taste. It contains an 
odorous principle, and a purgative principle, Cathartin. It is an active cathartic, operating with some pain and griping. 
It is given in a great number of forms. See Pharmacopaia. 
Piare XXVIL—Represents the plant in flower, and the fruit. 
Much difficulty e 
of it certainly enter into 
jes of Senna were con 
CASS A CBUVAT A. 
COLLEDON. 
Sex. Sier—Decandria Monogyni 
. ‘ oynia. 
Gen. Cuar.—See C. fistula. 
3 nea a foot to a foot and a half high. Stem pubescent at base, cylindrical, branched. Leaves 
| A > ae — four to seven puirs of folioles; opposite, almost sessile, oboval, cuneiform, very obtuse, 
ae ‘i ex - is n below and inequilateral. They are slightly pubescent, of a yellowish-green colour, and 
és estate e stalk two subulate, entire, persistent stipules. The flowers are pale yellow, and are 
ftom their fol =. e peduncles, which are axillary and longer than the leaves. The pods or legumes, which 
Bi dl hte ce ix . have been erroneously named folliculi, are flattened, from twelve to fifteen lines 
are to be olfrved emct ley are curved, so as almost to be reniform, and are of a greenish-brown colour. On each 
iting the aid of a transverse elevations, corresponding to the seeds, and covered with a minute pubescence, — 
2 glass for detection. The seeds are black, heart-shaped, and not inaptly compared to the seeds of 
the ghee of Egypt, near to Cairo, Karnak, and Thebes. It is also found on the eastern bank 
It is the Cassia sian and it grows in Nubia. It has been cultivated in Italy and Spain. 
"Tis loaves Chain Pies Soliis obtusis, Linn. Willd. Senna Italica, Morrison. Senna Belledy, (wild,) Nectoux. 
obovata enter into the composition of Alexandrian Senna, and constitute three-fifths of the 
- [tis conjoi i 
*S conjoined with C. lanceolata vel acutifolia, and argel. 
a> : XXVIIL— Represents the plant in flower, and the legume. 
