616 ASCLEPIADACE, 
which he derived from a bark known as White Payta Bark, the source of 
which is now thought to be a species of Aspidosperm1. More recent investi- 
gations of O. Hesse have however proved to him that paytine and aspido- 
spermine are quite distinct. Hesse has also found another alkaloid, which 
he has named quebrachine. The bark known as Red Quebracho Bark is 
derived from Loxopterigium Lorentzii or Quebrachia Lorentzii of Grisebach, 
a plant of the order Anacardiacer.—A. excelsa, a native of Guiana, is re- 
markable for its fluted trunk ; this is employed for making paddles Other 
spurious Quebracho barks are also known in commerce, one being Copalchi 
Bark, from Croton pseudo-China. (The genus Aspidosperma is sometimes 
placed in the Bignoniacez.) 
Carissa.—Carissa Carandas bears an edible fruit, which is eaten in the 
East Indies, where it is used as a substitute for Red Currant jelly. The 
fruits of C. edulis and C. tomentosa are also eaten in Abyssinia. 
Geissospermum leve (G. Vellosii), yields the bark which is employed 
medicinally in Brazil as a febrifuge and antiperiodic. The tree is known 
under the name of Pao-Pereira. 
Hancornia speciosa bears a delicious fruit, which is much esteemed by 
the Brazilians. It is termed Mangalea or Mangava. The milky juice when 
hardened forms a kind of India-rubber. Collins says that Pernambuco 
Rubber is probably derived from this species. This rubber is now imported 
in large quantities from Pernambuco and Ceara. It is of good quality. 
Landolphia—L. owariensis, L. florida, and other species, yield African 
Rubber. 
Plumieria.—The flowers of P. alba and other species, natives of the 
West Indies and some parts of South America, have a delicious odour ; and 
it is said that the perfume known as ‘ Frangipani’ is distilled from them. 
—P. rubra is called Red Jasmine in the West Indies. 
Roupellia grata, a native of Sierra Leone, yields an edible fruit called 
Cream Fruit. 
Tubernemontana utilis, the Hya-Hya, or Cow-tree of Demerara, has a 
milky nutritious juice. 
Tanghinia venenifera, the Madagascar Poison-nut.—The seeds of this 
plant are amongst the most deadly of poisons. It is said that one not larger 
than an almond will destroy twenty persons. It was formerly used as an 
ordeal in Madagascar. 
Thevetia neriifolia—The bark of this West Indian shrub is reputed to 
possess valuable antiperiodic properties. 
Urceola elastica is one of the principal plants of the order yielding India- 
rubber. According to Collins it yields Borneo Rubber, and probably other 
India-rubber imported into Singapore, although some of this is obtained 
from Ficus elastica. (See Ficus.) 
Vahea gummifera, a native of Madagascar, and other species, yield a 
kind of rubber. This kind is much valued in France, where it is sometimes 
known as Mauritius Rubber. 
Wrightia.—The bark of W, antidysenterica is febrifugal and astringent. 
It is called Conessi Bark. The seeds have similar properties. Both the 
bark and seeds are much used in India. From W. tinctoria a blue dye re- 
sembling Indigo is obtained. The wood of W. coccinea and W, mollissima 
are also employed in India for palanquins, and by turners. 
Order 4. ASCLEPIADACEH, the Asclepias Order.—Character. 
—Shrubs or herbs, commonly milky, frequently twining, and 
sometimes succulent. Leaves entire, opposite or whorled or 
rarely scattered, exstipulate. Flowers regular (fig. 1005). 
Calyx and corolla 5-partite (fig. 1005); xstivation of the latter 
imbricate or rarely valvate; the calyx persistent (fig. 565), the 
corolla deciduous. Stamens 5 (fig. 1005), alternate with the 
