626 ORD. XXXIX. Vricoccee.  Rrernvs COMMUNIS. 
This plant appears to be the Kw, or Kgorwy of Dioscorides,* who 
observes that the seeds are powerfully cathartic ;} it is also men- 
tioned by Etius, Paulus A:gineta, and Pliny. The Ricinus was first 
cultivated in England in the time of Turner,’ (1562) and is now 
annually reared in many gardens in the neighbourhood of London ; 
and in that of Dr. Saunders,* at Highbury, the plant from which 
the present figure was taken, it grew to a state of great perfection. 
An oil extracted from the seeds * of this plant, and known by the 
name of oleum ricini, Palma Christi, or castor oil, is the drug to 
which the pharmacopeeias refer, and which has lately come into 
frequent use as a quick, but gentle, purgative.. The London 
College direct this oil to be expressed from the seeds. in the same 
e Mat. Med, lib. 4, cap. 164. 
= Their violent and irritating effects in this way are noticed by almost all the 
Medica writers, and seem to be confirmed by Thunberg, (Diss. de 
Medicina Africanorum, p. 4. and Browne, /. c.) This acrimony however appears 
from later experiments to be owing to the membranes which invest the kernel, 
(vide Heyer in Crells n. ster Entdeck. P. 2. p.47. Also Glendenberg in BRS 
chem. Annal. 1785. vol. ii. p. 34.) Bergius says, “ Semen unicum Ricini 
vulgaris, tempore pci’: a viro sano & vegeto masticatum & deglutitum, 
sapore fuit amygdalarum, sed sensationem mordentem in faucibus reliquit. Per 
totam noctem tranquille dormivit hic vir; sed sequente die mane expergefactus, 
emesi violentia correptus fuit atque per totam diem sustinuit nisus alternantes 
vomituritionis & purgationis alyi, tametsi parum dejiciebat. adem vice nobilis 
matrona tcnerm constitutionis, semen unicum pariter comedit, sed prius testam mem- 
branamque obvelantem sedulo se parivebanbgarinqaest. nullam noxam inde-sensit.” 
_M. M. p. 774. 
> Vide Hort. Kew. 
© From the number of seeds whieh the Doctor has lately procured from different 
parts of the globe, and his scientific and solicitous care in their cultivation, we are 
induced to hope, that Medical BOey under such auspices, will eyentaally receive 
considerable illustration. 
“ Where the oil is rejected, the seeds may be carefullly separated from their 
shells and the inner white membrane, and formed into an emulsion, and given as 
an agrecable substitute for the oil. 
