512 ‘ ORD. XXVIII. Pomacee, AMYCDALUS PERSICA. 
The fruit is known to be grateful and wholesome, seldom dis- 
agreeing with the stomach, unless this organ is not in a healthy 
state, or the fruit has been eaten to excess, when effects similar to 
those of the other dulco-acid summer fruits may be produced. 
The flowers, including the calyx, as well as the corolla, are the 
parts of the Persica used for medicinal purposes; these have 
an agreeable but weak smell, and a bitterish taste. Boulduc* 
observes, “ that when distilled without addition by the heat of a 
water bath, they yield one-sixth their weight, or more, of a whitish 
Kquor, which communicates to a considerable quantity of other 
liquids a flavour like that of the kernels of fruits.” 
These flowers have a cathartic effect, and especially to children 
have been successfully given in the character of a vermifuge ; for 
this purpose an infusion of a dram of the flowers dried, or half an 
ounce in their recent state, is the requisite dose. The leaves of the 
Persica are also found to possess an anthelmintic power, and from 
a great number of experiments appear to have been given with 
invariable success both to children and adults. 
However, as the leaves and flowers of the Persica manifest in 
some degree the quality of those of the icra they ongnt 
to be used with caution. 
We find a “ Syrupus florum persicorum,’ ’ ordered in the Pharm. 
‘Wurt. 
Menispermum Cocclus of Linnzus, which produces the Cocculus 
Indus, formerly an officinal article, belongs also to this natural order. 
It is figured by Rumphius under the name of Tuba baccifera. 
The fruit, which is brought here from the East Indies, is said to 
be powerfully narcotic, and used for the purpose of intoxication. 
* Mem. de L’Acad, 1714. p. 37. 
* Sce Coste et Willemet. Ess, de Mat. Med. indig. p. 32. 
