MONOCHLAMYDE^. 643 



Coelobogyne, Stillin^ia, Mercurialis, Jatropha, Anda, Eicinus, 

 Rottlera, Croton, Crozophora, Xylophylla, Buxus. There are 

 about 216 genera, and 2500 species. 



Properties and Uses. — The plants of this order generally con- 

 tain au acrid poisonous principle or principles, which is found 

 more or less in all their parts. In proper doses many are 

 used medicinally as emetics, purgatives, diuretics, and rube- 

 facients. Some are very deadly poisons. A pure starch which 

 is largely employed for food, may be obtained from some 

 plants ; while caoutchouc may be procured from the milky 

 juice of others. Some are entirely devoid of any acrid or 

 poisonous principle, and are employed medicinally, as aromatic 

 tonics. Some have edible roots ; others yield dyeing agents ; 

 and some are employed on account of their wood. The more 

 important plants of this order are described below. 



Euphorbia — .Some species of this genus have succulent stems, much resem- 

 bling the Cactaceae ; buc their milky juice will, in most cases, at once distin- 

 guish them. The acrid resin, called muAWy gum euphorbium, is obtained from 

 certain undetermined species. E. canancnsis, E. officinaruni, and perhaps E. 

 tetrafionn, appear to be the principal sources. This drug is a dangerous acrid 

 emetic, cathartic, and rubefacient. The seeds ot E. Lathy ris. Caper Spurge, 

 are purgative, and yield by expression a very active cathartic oil. Thev were 

 formerly called Seminn Cataputite minoris. This plant is called the Caper 

 Spurge, from the use of its pickled fruits by some housekeepers as a substitute 

 for ordinary capers. The use of such a substitute is certainly not free from 

 danger, although the pr< cess of pickling would seem, in a great measure, to 

 destroy tiie acrid purgative nature which the fruit possesses in a fresh state. 

 Tlie root of E. Ipecacuanha is commonly known as American Ipecacuanha, 

 from its use in the United States as an emet c. The root of E. corullata, called 

 in the United Slates, Milk-weed, has similar properties. E, Petit/ana and E. 

 Schwiperiana have very purgative properties, and are said to be sometimes 

 mixed with Kousso (^Brayera) to increase their activity. 



Hippomane Mancinella is the famous Mancliineel tree. The juice is a viru- 

 lent poison. It would seem probHble, that the poisonous principle of this plant is 

 volatile, as it has been asserted, that some pers )ns iiave died from simply sleep- 

 ing under it. Seemann states, that if sea-water be applied to the eyes when 

 affected by the poison, it allays the inflammation in an effectual manner. 



Stillingia sebifevn is called the Chinese Tallow Tree, from its seeds being 

 covered by a white sebaceous substance, which, when separated, is found to 

 be a pure vegetable tallow ; it is used for candlei, &c. Stillingia sylvatica. 

 Queen 's-root, is used in the United States as an emetic, cathartic, JUid alterative. 



Omphalea triandra. — The juice is sometimes employed in Guiana as a sub- 

 stitute for black ink. The seed from which the embryo has been extracted 

 is said to be eatable. 



Siphoiiia elastica, a native of Brazil and Guiana, is the plant from which 

 nearly all of the India- Rubber or Caoutchouc which is used in this country, 

 is derived. 



Anda braziliensis. — The seeds yield by expression a 6xed oil. Both the 

 oil and seeds are active cathartics. 



Aleurites triloba, the Candle-nut tree. — The oil obtained by expression from 

 the seeds is call>-d Kukui or Kekune, it is largely used in some parts of the 

 world, and has been lately imported into London. It is used as an artist's oil, 

 and has been recommended lately as apurgative. It resembles castor oil in its 

 action. 



Elceococca verrucosa and vernicia. — The seeds of these plants yield by ex- 

 pression valuable oils, the first in use for burning, the latter by painter^. 



Jatropha. — The seeds of J. purgans ( Curcas purgans), and those of J. mul- 



tifidus (Curcas jnultijidus), aie callt-d Physic Nuts. They yield by pressure 



fixed oils, and both the seeds and oils are drastic cathartic's. The oil of J. 



purgans is commonly known as Oil of Wild Castor Seeds or Jatropha oil, ami 



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