- > ; NAT. ORDER. — LOMENTACEiE. . . 3 1 



Southern States. I have understood tliat the Alexandria Senna has 

 been cuUivated in North Carohna with success. 



Since it appears that we do not obtain pure Senna from Egypt, 

 and diat the aduUeradng- plant, or Cassia Semia is much inferior to 

 our native species, it cannot be doubted that the cultivation of the 

 Cassia Lanceolata and the Cijnanchum Olfcpolium, and mixing- diem 

 with the Cassia Marilandica, would afford a much purer Senna than 

 we now use, and at one-fourth the cost of the imported article. These 

 facts and hints are certainly not unworthy the attention of our southern 

 planters and physicians. 



The Senna italica, or blunt-leaved Senna, is a variety of the 

 Alexandrie species, which by its cultivation in the south of France, 

 has been found to assume this change : it is far less purgadve than the 

 pointed-leaved Senna, and consequently should be given in much 

 larger doses. It is employed by the inhabitants of Jamaica, where it 

 grows in great abundance near, and on the sea coast. 



This plant is liardly ever employed as a cathardc, except in die 

 form of an infusion. In order to divest it of its griping quality, which 

 it possesses to a considerable degree, it is commonly mixed with other 

 substances, such as manna, coriander, fennel, or anise seeds. It is to 

 be obseiTed, also, that the powdered Senna is very apt to undergo 

 alteration or decomposition, from being suffered to remain exposed to 

 a humid atmosphere. In such a situation it becomes covered with a 

 kind of pellicle, or mouldiness, which contains a small portion of pot- 

 ass. The powder, however, is very seldom employed, except with 

 other cathartics. The infusion is disturbed by strong acids, lime wa- 

 ter, nitrate of silver, oxymuriatc of mercury, acetate of lead, tartarized 

 antimony, and by the infusion of yellow cinchona. 



