518 



PIPERACE^. 



[HVPOGYNOUS EXOGENS. 



effects of Long Pepper are analogous to those of Black Pepper ; some consider it less 

 powerful, others are agreed in its being the more acrid of the two. Chavica Chaba, 

 pepuloides, and sylvatica, are employed in India as substitutes for tliis sort of Pep- 

 per. In tropical America similar uses are made of Charica officinarum (P. Amalago), 

 Artanthe advmca, Peltobryon longifohum, Artanthe trichostachya, and crocata. The 

 aromatic roots of many species are officinal in some countries. A decoction of Artanthe 

 eucalyptifolia is used in Brazil as a cure for colic, pains in the limbs, and flatulence. 

 The root of P. Parthenium is administered in BrazU, under the name of Paribaroba, in 

 amenorrhoea, leucorrhcea, and excessive menstrual discharges ; that of Serronia Jabo- 

 randi, and Enckea unguiculata and glaucescens is held to be sialagogue and diuretic, and 

 is employed for similar purposes. Pothomorpha sidsefolia (or umbellata) and subpel- 

 tata are also said to act as powerfvil stimulants of the lymphatic system, as deobstruents 

 of some energy, and also for cleansing foul ui.cers.—Mai-tius. 



Another class of remedial agents consists of those Pepperworts which possess the 

 power of allaying inflammation of the m^ethra and mucous membrane of the intestuial 

 canal. The best known of these species are Cubeba officinalis, canina, Wallichii, and 

 others, whose ripe fruits are sold in the shops imder the name of Cubebs. They are 

 aromatic, pungent, stimulant, and purgative, and act as a specific in stopping gonorrhoeal 

 discharges. According to Martius, Artanthe adunca has the same effect in Brazil ; and 

 the Peruvian Artanthe elongata has a similar reputation. Of the narcotic Pepperworts 

 the Ava or Macropiper methysticum is most celebrated. It has a thick, woody, rugged, 

 aromatic rliizome, used in tincture against chronic rheumatism. Macerated in 

 water it forms an intoxicating beverage, employed by the Otaheitans to cure venereal 

 affections ; they make themselves dinmk, after wliich very copious perspiration comes 

 on ; this lasts three days, at the end of which time we are told that the patient is cm-ed. 

 The leaves of Chavica Betle and Siriboa are chewed by the Malays with lime and sUces 

 of the nut of Areca oleracea or the Pinang Palm. They produce intoxicating effects, 

 stimulate powerfully the saUvary glands and digestive organs, and diminish the perspir- 

 ation of the skin. 



As an astrmgent, a plant called Matico, and supposed to be Artanthe elongata (Piper 

 angustifolium),is found to be a most powerful stj-ptic and a valuable remedy in certain 

 diseases of the genital organs and rectum. It is much used in South America and 

 Belgimn, to stop the hemorrhage from small vessels, leech-bites, or mcised wovmds. It 

 may be appHed in leaf, or in fine powder. It is said also to be taken internally for the 

 same purpose, in the form of infusion, in the proportion of about half an ormce to a 

 pint of boiling water. In Peru the plant is called Moho Moho, and is extensively used 

 for the same purposes as Cubebs, which this Pepper much resembles in smell. An 

 account of it has been given in the Pharmaceutical Journal, 3. 472, from which the 

 annexed figm-e is boiTowed, wath the pennission of the editor. It is, however to be 

 observed, that the Peruvians apply the name Matico to the Eupatorium glutinosum, 

 a very different plant. 



Many other species of this Order are to be found mentioned as plants possessing 

 useful properties ; of which here is only space to name Acrocarpidimn hispidulum, a 

 West Indian plant used as a bitter and stomacliic, Peperomia pellucida as a salad, 

 Coccobryon capense a Cape stomachic, Artanthe adunca and Charica majuscula, whose 

 bark is rubefacient, and used m Java against rheumatism, and Artanthe crocata, whose 

 spikes of fruit are employed in dyeing yellow. 



* Peperomid.e. 



Verhuellia, Miq. 

 Phyllobryon, Miq. 

 Acrocarpidium, Miq. 

 Peperomia, R. et P. 



Micropiper, Miq. 



Tildenia, Miq. 



Dugagelia, Gaud. ? 



Erasmia, Miq. 



«= - PlPERID.*. 



Pothomorphe, Miq. 



Heckeria, Kth. 

 Macropiper, Miq. 

 Chavica, Miq. 

 Rhj-ncholepis, Miq. 



GENERA, 



Cubeba, Miq. 

 Piper, L. 

 Muldera, Miq. 

 Coccobryon, Klotzsch. 

 Callianira, Miq. 



Schilleria, Kth. 

 Enckea, Kth. 



Peltobryon, Kl. 

 Sphaerostachys, Miq. 

 Artanthe, Miq. 



Steffensia, Kth. 

 Zippelia, Bl. 

 Serronia, Guill. 



Ottonia, Spr. 



Numbers. Gen. 20. Sp. 600. 



Position. — Saui'uracese. 



Urticacece. 



— PlPERACE^.- 



Polygonacece. 



Chloranthacese. 



