^20 CHLORANTHACE^. [Hypogynous Exogens. 



of Java employ the roots in infusion, or nibbed up with the bark of Crnnamomum CuHla- 

 wan as a remedy for spasms in pregnant women. In Uke manner, mixed with such 

 canmnative substances as Anise and Oc^-mum, they are administered with great 

 success in the mahgnant smaU-pox in children. An mfusion of the dried root is 

 successfully employed in fevers attended with great muscular debihty and a suppression 

 of the functions of the skm. In a tj-phus which ravaged certain districts of Java, in 

 consequence of long-continued rams foUowing an imusuaUy protracted dry season, the 

 symptoms attendant upon which were extreme debihty, a languid pulse, stupor, violent 

 vomitmo- and biUous evacuations, the roots of this Chloranthus were of the greatest 

 service " It was agam employed most beneficially in a malignant intermittent fever 

 which Aasited Java ui the year 1824. In such cases the mfusion was usually combined 

 with a decoction of Cedi-ela Toona. The root has the great merit of preser^^ng its 

 active properties for a long tune if properly prepared, and there can be no doubt that 

 it is one of the most efficacious of all known remedial agents, wherever there is a 

 necessity for continual and active stimulants. — Blume. Endlicher says that the dried 

 branches of Ascarma polystachya, called Earaihau in Tahiti, still retam their hot flavour 

 in the specimens collected during Forster's voyage. Similar quahties seem to exist m 

 the Hedyosmums, which are used in the West Indies as antispasmodics and stomachics : 

 H. Bonplandianum is, accordmg to Martins, used in Brazil in mahgnant fevers and 

 pams in the hmbs. 



GENERA. 

 Hedyosmum, Sit-ar^^. I Chloranthus, SmWz. I CreodM*, Loureir. I Pepmd^o, Rchb. 



Tafalla, Ruiz et Pav. Mgrina, Thunb. Cryphaa, Hamilt. Stropha, Noronh. 



Ascarina, Forst. I ' 



Numbers. Gen. 3. Sp. 15. 



Urticacece. 

 Position. — Piperacese. — Chloranthace^. — Saururacese. 



