109-2 
parently as healthy and perfect as in its own climate, Its uses asa drug have been 
but slight, its provings as yet show nothing of great importance, a mild cathartic 
action being the only result of large doses of a decoction of the inner bark. It 
has been used as an anthelmintic. Catalpa has no place in the U.S. Ph., nor 
Eclectic Materia Medica. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh inner bark and leaves are 
chopped and pounded toa pulpand weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol 
are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the 
alcohol added. After stirring the whole well, and pouring it into a well-stoppered 
bottle, it is allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture is then 
separated by decanting, straining and filtering. Thus prepared, it has a clear 
orange-brown color by transmitted light, a bitter astringent taste and an acid 
reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—The bark of this plant contains an amor- 
phous bitter principle, the chemistry of which has not been determined; it has a 
nauseous taste, and is soluble in alcohol. Beside this, sugar and tannin are 
present in small amount. The plant seems to impart all its properties to hot 
water and to alcohol. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Unknown. It has been said that it is danger- 
ous to long inhale the odor of the tree, which however is false, at least in this’ 
locality the emanations cause no symptoms whatever. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 109, 
1. Panicle from a specimen in DeWitt Park, Ithaca, N. Y. » June 12, 1880. 
2. Medium-size leaf. 
. Pistil (enlarged). 
. Stamens (enlarged). 
- Medium-size fruit. 
. Seed. 
- Pollen x 380. 
TAM Hh Ww 
