44 MEDICAL BOTANY. 
calyx. Ovary two-celled, each cell containing twenty ovules. Berry, when ripe, one or two-celled, one or two-seeded, 
Seeds cylindrical or semi-ovate ; cotyledons thick, fleshy, concave externally, sinuous in various ways internally ; radicle 
arising from the centre of the cotyledons, straight, superiorly hidden by the cotyledons. (De Candolle.) 
Specir. Cuar.—A moderately-sized tree, of a conical form, with opposite, more or less virgate branches. The 
whole plant is glabrous. Leaves opposite and decussate, persistent, somewhat coriaceous and shining, minutely 
punctated, about four inches long, ovate lanceolate, more or less acute, quite entire, pale beneath, tapering gradually at 
the base into a slender footstalk, which is about two inches long. Panicles short, terminal, of many flowers, and 
always trichotomously divided, jointed at each division. Peduncles terete, green. Calyx of four ovate, concave 
segments, erecto-patent, placed on the top of the ovary, and together with it first green, then red, coriaceous. Petals 
four, larger than the calyx, imbricated into a globe in bud, at length spreading, roundish, concave, yellowish-red, very 
soon caducous. In the centre of the calyx, and occupying the top of the ovary, is a quadrangular elevated line or gland, 
surrounding, but not embracing, the base of the shortish, obtusely-subulate style. Around this gland, immediately within 
. the petals, the stamens are inserted, but as their insertion does not extend to the angles of the gland, they appear to be 
collected into four bundles, numerous. Filaments much longer than the petals, yellow. Anthers ovate, cordate, yellow, 
two-celled. Ovary oblong, or almost cylindrical, two-celled, with many small ovules in each cell attached to the sides 
of the dissepiment. All these become abortive, or one proves fertile, and by its great enlargement destroys the 
appearance of the rest of the ovules, and of the second cell; so that the fruit, which forms a rather large elliptical purple 
berry, is only one-sceded; this is also of the same shape as the berry; its integument thin, and of a soft texture. 
Embryo likewise elliptical, large, greenish, fleshy, dotted. Cotyledons unequal, sinuose, the larger one partly enveloping 
the smaller, including the superior radicle. (Lindley, from Botanical Magazine.) 
The Clove Tree was originally confined to the Moluccas, where it was an article of importance when these 
islands were in the possession of the Portuguese. The smaller islands produced the best. It is not possible to indicate 
the precise period at which Cloves were known in Europe ; the Chinese, who visited the Moluccas before their discovery 
by Europeans, distributing the spice throughout India, whence it was carried to Persia, Arabia, and finally to Europe. 
The Dutch having obtained possession of the Moluccas from the Portuguese in 1599, allowed the plant to grow only 
in Amboyna and Ternate. This step, which had for its object the possession of a monopoly, was unsuccessful. It did 
hot prevent its introduction into the French East India Islands, whence it was taken to the West Indies. In 1769 the 
Clove was taken to the isle of Bourbon, through the instrumentality of M. Poivre. The best Cloves, however, come 
om the Moluccas. 
(ripe fruit,) or by transplanting the young trees found in the clove 
in the culture of cloves, for, if neglected, they are apt to degenerate 
es will bear, and continue to do so for near a century. The mode of 
; the nearest clusters are taken off with the hand, and the more distant with the assistance of 
; The cloves are then placed on hurdles, where they are — 
» Which gives to them a brown colour; they are then dried in the sun. Such cloves as fall upon 
the ground spontaneously, whence they are collected, are of inferior quality and become shrivelled. 
The average of each tree is five pounds, and sometimes a single tree may yield one hundred pounds. They are 
introduced into commerce 
in bags containing several hundred weight, and in mass suffer no deterioration. (Crawfurd’s 
East Indian Archipelago.) . 
Cloves are the unexpanded flower-buds, consisting of the flowers and fruit not developed. They have the form of 
a tack, are of a reddish-brown colour, with an aromatic strong odour, and a warm, biting, aromatic taste. To be good 
they should be full-sized, heavy, easily broken, and when pressed with the fingers afford oily matter. They contain 
extractive, astringent matter, volatile oil, resin, gum, a Sub-resin, to which Prof. Lodibert has given the name 
Caryophylline, and an aromatic, green, fixed oil. 
: ion, will affect the head, producing vertigo, dizziness, and headache. Their 
general use is as an adjuvant. They are given in powder, ceil &e. a e 
Pate XXXVII 
—Represents the plant in bud and in Slower, with the fruit. 
