618 LOGANIACEA. 
the stems of A. tenacissima, Jetee or Tongoose fibres are obtained. The root 
of A. tuberosa, the Butterfly-weed or Pleurisy-root, is employed in the 
United States as a diaphoretic and expectorant.—A. iacarnata, Swamp 
Silk-weed, is used in North America as an anthelmintic, and in asthma and 
rheumatism; it has also been lately recommended as a good diuretic. 
Calotropis.—The dried root bark of C. gigantea and C. procera forms 
Mudar bark, which is ofticial in the Pharmacopeia of India, and has been 
much employed in cutaneous affections. 1t has been also used as a substitute 
for Ipecacuanha. It contains a bitter principle. According to Royle, Az 
or Mudar fibres are obtained from this bark. The bark of the root of 
C. Hamiltonii possesses similar properties, and is said to yield Yerewm fibres. 
Cyianchum.—The expressed juice of C. monspeliacum mixed with other 
purgative substances constitutes what has been termed French or Montpellier 
Scammony.—C. ovalifolium yields caoutchouc at Penang. 
Gonolobus Cundurango.—Cundurango or Condurango Bark has been 
introduced into this country and elsewhere as a specific antidote to cancer, 
but extensive trials have shown that it is as useless as a remedial agent 
as any of the reputed cancer cures that have preceded it. It is official in 
the German Pharmacopeeia. 
Gymnema.—G, lactiferum is the Cow-plant of Ceylon. It derives its 
common name from producing a juice resembling milk in colour and consis- 
tency. The leaves when boiled are administered to nurses under the idea 
that they increase the secretion of milk._-G. sylvestre, a native of Northern 
India, has the singular property when chewed of destroying the power of 
tasting sugar for twenty-four hours, without in any other way interfering 
with the sense of taste. 
Hemidesmus indicus.—The roots are known under the names of Indian 
or Country Sursaparilla, and as Nunnari root. They were originally im- 
ported under the name of Smilax aspera, from an erroneous idea of their 
origin. They resemble Sarsaparilla in their properties, and are largely 
used in India as a substitute for it. Hemidesmus is official in the British 
Pharmacopeeia and in the Pharmacopeeia of India. 
Marsdenia.—M. tinctoria, a native of Silhet, produces a kind of indigo. 
—M. tenacissima has very tenacious fibres, which are used for bow-strings 
by the mountaineers of Rajmahl. 
Solenostemma (Cynanchum) Argel—The leaves have been much em- 
ployed to adulterate Alexandrian Senna. (See Cassia, p. 536.) 
Tylophora asthmatica.—The dried leaves form an efficient substitute for 
Ipecacuanha. They are official in the Pharmacopeia of India. The root 
hes similar properties. 
Order 5. LocantacE®, the Strychnos Order.—Character. 
Shrubs, herbs, or trees. Leaves opposite, entire, stipulate; the 
latter, however, sometimes exist only in the form of a raised 
line or ridge. Calyx (fig. 478, c) inferior, 4—5-partite. Corolla 
(fig. 478, t, 1) regular, 4—5- or 10-cleft ; xstivation valvate, con- 
torted, or imbricate Stamens epipetalous, usually equal in 
number, but sometimes unequal, to the lobes of the corolla ; 
anthers 2-celled. Ovary 2- 3- or 4-celled; style simple -below, 
and with as many divisions above as there are cells to the 
ovary ; stigma simple (fig. 478, s). Fruit capsular or drupaceous ; 
placentas axile, ultimately detached. Seeds usually peltate, some- 
times winged, with fleshy or cartilaginous albumen. | This order 
is by no means well defined. 
Distribution ond Nwmbers.—Nearly all natives of tropical 
