BY F. M. BAILEY, F.L.S. 11 



A plant of the typical genus of Melastomacece, Melastoma 

 malahathricum, Linn., is very attractive in most Queensland 

 swamps from the profusion of its large open purple flowers and 

 prominently three to five nerved leaves. Is recommended in 

 cases of diarrhoea and dysentery ; the leaves are the part used. 

 The succulent fruit is edible, but dyes the mouth black, hence the 

 generic name. 



Ammannia Indica, Lan. A plant of Lythrariece, found usually 

 on swampy land, is erect in growth with oblong or linear leaves 

 and flowers in small axillary clusters. Queensland habitat, 

 Endeavour Eiver and about Cooper's Creek. The whole plant 

 has a strong aromatic smell, leaves acrid, and commonly used by 

 the natives of India to raise blisters in rheumatic pains, fevers, 

 &c. The fresh leaves bruised perform their ofiice effectually in 

 half an hour. To this same order belongs Lythrum Salicariaf 

 Linn. The common purple Loosestrife of Britain enlivens with 

 its beautiful purple flowers many of our swamps. The whole 

 plant is astringent, and has been recommended in inveterate cases 

 of diarrhoea. It has also been used in tanning. 



In Cucurlitace<B the order to which the Cucumber and Melon 

 belong, we have a few species which have been used in the 

 healing of various disorders. Thus Trichosanthes pahnata, Eoxb., 

 in India where the plant is also indigenous, the fruit is pounded 

 and intimately blended with warm cocoa-nut oil, and considered 

 a valuable application for cleansing and healing the offensive 

 sores that sometimes form inside the ears. It is also supposed to 

 be a useful remedy poured up the nostrils in cases of ozaena. As 

 in India, so in Queensland, this plant climbs to the top of our 

 scrub trees. The flowers are large, white, and beautifully fringed. 



The bottle-gourd, Lagenaria vulgaris, Seringe., so plentiful 

 along our tropical coast, is said to be a dangerous poison. It is 

 said that some sailors were kiUed by drinking beer that had been 

 standing for some time in a bottle formed of one of these fruits. 



