NAT. ORDER. EUPHORBIACEj?!. 131 



some. Its leaves are sudorific, and its seeds cathartic. The capsules 

 of Cluytia coUina are poisonous, according to Roxburgh. The root 

 and bark of Codiesum variegcdum are acid, and excite a burning 

 sensation in the mouth if chewed ; but the leaves are sweet and 

 cooling. The juice of Commia cochinchmensis is white, tenacious, 

 emetic, purgative, and deobstruent. Cautiously administered it is a 

 good medicine in obstinate dropsy and obstructions. The Qidna 

 Blanca of Vera Cruz is produced by the Croton Elutcria of Swartz, 

 and is probably the Cascarilla of Europe. The drastic oil of Tigli- 

 um is expressed from the seeds of Croton Tiglmm, formerly known 

 in Europe under the name of Grana molucca. It is said, by Dr. 

 Ainslie, to have proved in a singular manner emmenagogue, (ex. 

 vol. i. page 86.) A decoction of Croton jjerdicipes, called Pe dc Pcrdis, 

 Alcamphoi'O, and Cocallera, in difierent provinces of Brazil, is much 

 esteemed as a cure for syphilis, and as a useful diuretic. The root 

 of another species, called Vclamc do Campo, Croton campestiis, has 

 a purgative root, also employed against syphilitic disorders. The 

 leaves of the species Croton gratlssimum are so fragrant as to be 

 used by the Koi-as of the Cape of Good Hope as a perfume. Cro- 

 zophora tinctora yields the preparation called Turnsol — the plant 

 itself is acrid, emetic, and drostic. An abundance of useful oil is 

 obtained from two species oi Elaococea — it is, however, only fit for 

 burning and painting, on account of its acridity. Six sorts of Euro- 

 pean Eaphorhias are named by Deslongchamps as fit substitutes for 

 Ipecacuanha, the best of which he states to be Eujihorbia gerardi- 

 ana, the powdered root of which vomits easily in doses of eighteen 

 to twenty grains. The root of Euphorbia ipecacuanha is said, by 

 Barton, to be equal to the true Ipecacuanha, and in some respects 

 superior. It is not unpleasant either in taste or smell. Various 

 species of fleshy Euphorbia, especially the Euphorbia antiquruni and 

 canaricnsis, produce the drug Euphorbiian of the shops, which is 

 the in.spissated milky juice of such plants. In India it is mixed 

 with the oil expressed from the seeds of Sesamum orientulc and 



