BY F. M. BAILEY, F.L.S. 13 



Cerhera Odallam, Goertn. A tree belonging to ApocynecB found 

 on our tropical coast, and not uncommonly planted in our gardens 

 where it flowers as a shrub. Of this the seeds are said to be 

 poisonous, but the milky sap has been used as a purgative and in 

 Java the leaves and bark as a substitute for senna. 



Alstonia, another genus of Dogbanes of which there are several 

 species in Queensland — one A. constricta, F. v M., produces a 

 tonic now much used, and A. scholaris, B. Br., grows to a tree 

 of large size, the timber of which is said to be bitter as gentian. 

 In chronic diarrhoea and the advanced stages of dysentery, it has 

 proved valuable. It has also been found effectual in restoring 

 the tone of the stomach, and of the system generally, in debility 

 after fevers and other exhausting diseases. This is one of several 

 trees called white-wood about the Herbert Eiver. 



In the closely allied order Asclepiadece the Eed-head Asclejnadece 

 curassavica, Lem., a plant of tropical America, now fast spreading 

 over the colony ; is used in the West Indies as an emetic, and 

 called Wild Ipecacuanha ; the root which is the part used, is also 

 purgative ; a decoction is recommended in gleets and fluor albus. 



We have in Queensland two species of Strychnos, a genus of 

 LoganiacecG — one a rambling shrub with fruit of one inch or more 

 in diameter, somewhat orange colored, met with on the Walsh 

 Eange. This is Eobert Brown's S. lucida which is thought closely 

 allied to the well-known S. nux-voniica, Linn. The other has 

 much larger leaves and smaller fruit, and of almost climbing 

 habit. This species is Baron Mueller's S. psilos2)erma, a form of 

 which is plentiful in the scrubs around Eockhampton. It is to 

 be hoped that before long the fruit of these two plants wiU be 

 tested for medicinal properties. 



Although some of our Gentianworts have a wide range in other 

 countries, none seem to have enjoyed any recantation as medicinal 

 plants, but in New South Wales two of this family seem to be 

 used, for Dr. Woolls, in '' Contributions to Flora of Australia," 



