APOCYNEJE. 343 



The ])o\vdeiTiI leda of the seeds is, according to Dr. iroodecn Sheriff,' the l)ost 

 vegetable emetic iu India, and a good substitute for Ipecacuanha in dyseutery. The 

 dose is grs x to xx, with one or two grains of opium to form a pill, to be given 

 every three, four, or six hours. 



S. "W.vLLicniAx.v, Steud. Khaboung stream of the Pegu range (so named 



I'rom the Khabuung or strychnos-tree). 



Panicle hrachiate, large, terminal. Corolla-tube 4-5 lines long. 



* * Scandent s/in(bs loith wood//, 2 -clef I hook tendrils. 

 S. LATTEIXA, Wall. Tenasserim. 



CoroUa-tuhe li line long, bearded at the throat. Berry oblong, 1 -seeded, the 

 pericarp membranous. 



S. ACUMrxATA, Wall. E.T. Coasts of the Andamans, Tenasserim and Naukowry. 



Corolla consisting of -5 free glabrous petals. Berry globular, 1- (or 2-?)seededi 

 the pericarp coriaceous. 



Kurz describes the wood of S. nui-vomica as close-grained and hard, and fit for 

 fancy cabinet work, and 52 lbs. in weight. Brandis says much the same. But ray 

 experience is that the wood is coarse and inferior. S. potatorum is described as 

 durable and taking a beautiful polish. 



The species of Striichnos contain in the bark of the root and the seeds 2 alkaloids, 

 Strychnine and Brucine, which are powerful poisons, inducing tetanus aud death 

 by asphyxia, through the rigidity which ensues of the muscles of the chest. These 

 alkaloids are the active ingredient in the ' curare ' or arrow-poison of the aborigines 

 of South America. The use of Strychnine to destroy domestic or other animals should 

 be discouraged as needlessly brutal, from the shocking tetanic spasms induced, a ball 

 tlirough the brain, or a charge of shot, if the animal is small, being much more humane. 

 Wliere recourse to firearms cannot be had, a little hydrocyanic acid poured tlown 

 the throat is instantly and painlessly fatal. Very young animals, like kittens, are 

 most humanely and easily destroyed by dashing with some force on the earth, the 

 shock causing instant death. 



MiTREOLA, Linnmm. 



M. ODEXLALANDIOIDES, Wall. (If.). 



MiTEAGrxE, Kurth. 

 M. CAPiLLAias, Wall. (P.). 



*"* Corolla twided-imlricatc in hud. 

 CARISSIEJE. 

 Ocary entire, 2-l-celled, with a.rile or jiarietal placentas. 



* Ovary 1 -celled, tcith 2 parietal p/uce?itas. 

 X J^ruii ati indehiscent drupe or berry. 



WiLLVGnitELA, Roi-biirgh. 



As preceding, but seeds witliout albumen. Scandent shrubs. 



W. EDuus, lloxb. KS.S. Chittagong. Burma (P.). 



Inflorescence shortly peduncled. lierry ovate, smooth. Yields an inferior 

 caoutchouc. 



W. MARTAiiAxicA, Wall. U])])er Tenassei'im. 



Flower clusters sessile or nearly so. Berry globular, wrinkled. 



' Madras Monthly Journal of Medical Science, 1870, p. 121. 



