600 APOCYNACEiE. [Perigynous Exogens. 



The kernels of Cerbera Manghas are also emetic and poisonous ; the milky sap is purga- 

 tive ; the leaves and bark are used in Java as a substitute for Senna. In Thevetia Ahovai 

 the seeds are also poisonous ; the bark and sap emetic and narcotic ; and Thevetia 

 neinifoHa has a dangerous venomous milk ; yet its bitter and cathartic bark is reported 

 to be a powerful febrifuge, 2 grains only being affirmed to be equal to an ordinary dose 

 of Cinchona. The wood of both these has a heavy repulsive odour, and is used, in the 

 countries where they are wild, for poisoning fish. Hasseltia arborea must be classed 

 among the poisons. In Java the milk obtained from the trxmlv \yy incision, mixed with 

 honey, and reduced with boihng water, is employed as a powerful drastic for destropng 

 the tape-worm ; it is however apt to produce inflammation of the intestines, and is even 

 in some cases fatal. The milk of the Plumieras, although said to be cathartic or dras- 

 tic, is excessively corrosive ; they are however employed by practitioners in tropical 

 countries. Cameraria latifolia is named the Bastard Manchineel-tree, from its resem- 

 blance in quahty to that fonnidable tree. From a species of Echites the Mandingoes 

 are said to obtain a poison with which their smear they arrows. In general the genus 

 is narcotic, or rather stupefjing, but with considerable acrimony, whence the species 

 are employed, especially their roots, as drastics and epispastics. — Stadehieyer, EcMt. 

 p. 3. The common Oleander, Nerium Oleander, although little suspected, is a formid- 

 able poison. A decoction of its leaves forms a wash, employed in the south of Em'ope 

 to destroy cutaneous vennin ; and its powdered wood and bark constitute at Nice 

 the basis of an efficacious rat poison. A few years ago, a child died from having 

 eaten one morning a quantity of Oleander flowers ; it was seized with %^olent colic, 

 under which the child sunk at the end of two days. In 1809, when the French troops 

 were lying before Madi'id, some of the soldiers went a marauding, every one bringing 

 back such provisions as could be found. One soldier formed the vmfortunate idea of 

 cutting the branches of the Oleander for spits and skewers for the meat when roasting. 

 This tree, it may be observed, is very common in Spain, where it attains considerable 

 dimensions. The wood ha^ang been stripped of its bark, and brought in contact with 

 the meat, was productive of most direful consequences, for of twelve soldiers who ate of 

 the roast seven died, and the other five were dangerously ill. — Gard. Clironicle, 1844, 

 p. 23. In like manner the root of Nerium odorum is found to be a poison in India. 

 When, however, these dangerous quahties are moderated, the species become useful 

 medicinal agents, either as emetics or cathartics. The Apocynums androssemifohum 

 and cannabinum are emetic, diaphoretic, and diuretic, and in small doses tonic. An 

 infusion of the leaves of Allamanda cathartica is considered a valuable cathartic 

 medicine, in moderate doses, especially in the cure of painters' colic. In over 

 doses it is violently emetic and purgative. The root of Rauwolfia nitida is used for 

 similar purposes. Not a few species of the Order lose their acrimony either wholly or 

 in a great degree, and then we find them applied as febrifuges or even aromatics. The 

 root of Ophioxylon serpentinum is employed by the Telinga physicians of India as a 

 febrifuge and alexipharmic, and also to promote dehvery m tedious cases. The bark 

 of Alyxia stellata is aromatic, with similar effects to those of Canella alba and Dr^Tnis 

 Winteri, for which it may be substituted. It has been introduced into German practice 

 as a remedy for chronic diarrhoea and nervous complaints ; it has the odour of Melilot, 

 and traces of Benzoic acid have been found m it. The Conessi bark, a valuable astrin- 

 gent and febrifuge, called Palapatta in INIalabar, is obtained from Wrightia antidysen- 

 terica. Ichnocarpus frutescens is sometimes used in India as a substitute for Sarsapa- 

 rilla. The wood of Alstonia scholaris, and some Madagascai' Carissas, is as bitter as 

 Gentian. Hancornia pubescens, and several other Brazilian trees, are mentioned by 

 Martins as possessing similar quahties. It is not a httle remarkable, then, that in such an 

 Order as this some species should occur which are absolutely inert ; yet such appears 

 to be the case in several instances. Tabernsemontana utihs, the Hya Hya, is one of 

 those Cow-trees of equatorial America, which derive their name from pom'ing forth a 

 copious stream of thick, sweet, innoxious milk. Even the Cerberas Odollam, lactaria, 

 and salutaris, seem to possess none of the venom for which the species above mentioned 

 are celebrated. Caoutchouc, or a substance analogous to it, is supphed by several 

 plants of the Order. Collophora utilis, and Cameraria latifolia jield it in South 

 America ; Vahea gummifera in Madagascar; Urceola elastica and Willughbeia eduMs in 

 the East Indies,. the former of fine, and the second of indifferent quality. Although some 

 species bear fruit that is eatable, yet they do not appear to possess much merit. That 

 of Hancornia is said by Mai'tius to be sweet, sub-acid, and \Tnous. Willughbeia edulis 

 derives its name from the use that is made of its fruit in India. Carissa Carandas 

 furnishes a substitute for Red Currant Jelly ; to these may be added the Pishamins 

 (Carpodinus) of SieiTa Leone, Melodinus monogjTius, Carissa edulis, and a few more. 

 Some are used for dyeing, the chief of which is Wrightia tinctoria, which yields Indigo 

 of good quality. Little is known of their timber ; that of Wrightia coccinea is light 



