BY F. M. BAILEY, F.L.S. 9 



Ahrus precatorius, Linn. A dull looking, slightly hairy twining 

 plant with leaves of from seven to ten pair of pinnae and racemes 

 of dull purple or pink flowers ; found rambling over the shrubs 

 of our tropical coast, also in the East and West Indies. In the 

 latter, the roots are used as a substitute for liquorice, and an 

 infusion much used as a diluent drink, may be prepared from 

 them. The seeds of which there are about four in a pod, are 

 of a brilliant scarlet with a black scar, and are used for many 

 ornamental purposes. These seeds at one time were considered 

 poisonous ; but on the contrary, it seems that they are sometimes 

 used as an article of food in Eg3rpt. 



Sophora tomentosa, Linn. — Sea coast Laburnum. The roots and 

 seeds have been regarded as specifics in bilious sickness. The 

 whole shrub is covered with close silky hairs. Flowers, large 

 yeUow, in racemes like the Laburnum or Golden Chain of 

 European gardens. 



In the second Sub-order Caesalpiniew, purgative properties 

 abound, and it might be well, considering we have many endemic 

 species of Cassias, to look among them for a substitute for the 

 Senna of commerce. 



Cassia Ahsus, Linn. A small viscid plant about one foot high, 

 leaves of two pair of leaflets which are broadly obovate, and from 

 half to one inch long ; glands between the leaflets smaU, stipules 

 narrow. Flowers, usually in short terminal racemes, bracts 

 small reflexed. It is common to tropical Asia and Africa, and is 

 also found on our tropical coast. The seeds are extremely bitter, 

 aromatic and mucilaginous and it is said that they are brought 

 from the interior of Africa to Cairo under the name of Chichin 

 or Cismatau, and are regarded as the best of remedies for 

 Egyptian or purulent Ophthalmia. 



Guilandina honducella, Linn. This is a large rambling shrub, 

 covered with hooked prickles ; found along our tropical and other 

 tropical coasts. The leaves are large, twice pinnate j pods short 



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