148 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS. 
1. Abrus precatorius, Zzn7., (Syn. A. pauciflorus, Desv.; A. 
squamulosus, E. Mey.); N.O., Leguminosz, B.F1., ii., 270. 
‘*‘ Indian Liquorice.” 
The roots of this plant are used in India as a substitute for 
liquorice, though they are somewhat bitter. In Java the roots are 
considered demulcent. The leaves, when mixed with honey, are 
applied to swellings, and in Jamaica are used as a substitute for 
tea. Under the name of “‘ Jequirity”’ the seeds have recently been 
employed in cases of ophthalmia, a use to which they have long 
been put in India and Brazil. 
Queensland and Northern Australia. 
2. Abutilon indicum, G. Doz., (Syn. A. astaticum, G. Don; Sida 
indicum, Linn.; S. astatica, Linn.); N.O., Malvacez, B.FI., 
In2O2. 
This species, together with many others of this natural order, 
possesses demulcent properties, and is used for that reason. 
Queensland and Northern Australia. 
3. Acacia SPP, N.O., Leguminosz. 
“ Wattles.” 
The barks of all wattles are more or less astringent (see 
‘“'Tans’’), and are used in domestic medicine to make decoctions 
or infusions employed in diarrhoea or dysentery, perspiring feet, 
some affections of the eyes, and a number of severe and trifling 
ailments in which an astringent may or may not be of service. 
The medicinal properties of these barks are discussed in a 
paper by Dr. S.J. Margarey on A. pycnantha, in Trans. RS. 
South Australza, iii., xiv. 
The astringent principle (accompanied by no injurious sub- 
stance in large quantity) is present to a more or less useful extent 
in the barks of scores of genera of our native trees, ¢.g., Lucalyplus, 
Banksia, Casuarina. 
The gums of some species of wattle are used to a limited 
extent in domestic medicinejand surgery. (Vide Flindersta 
maculosa, infra.) 
Throughout the colonies. 
