164 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS, 
The leaves are used both as a condiment and as a medicine 
in India. They are considered to be carminative, stimulant, 
diuretic, diaphoretic, lactagogue, and deobstruent. (Dymock.) 
The bark is also used for almost similar purposes. 
Queensland. 
36. Cocos nucifera, Z2nz. ; N.O., Palmez, B.FI., vii., 143. 
“Cocoanut Palm.” 
Various medicinal qualities are attributed to this palm. The 
flowers are employed by the natives of the tropics as an astringent, 
the roots as a febrifuge, the milk in ophthalmia, &c. 
Queensland. 
37. Codonocarpus cotinifolius, 7.v.JZ., (Syn. Gyrostemon cotint- 
folius, Desf.; Gyrostemon pungens, Lindl.; Gyrostemon 
acacteformis, F.v.M.) ; N.O., Phytolaccacez, B.FI., v., 148. 
“Quinine Tree.” ‘Medicine Tree” of the interior. Called also 
‘ Horse-radish Tree,” owing to the taste of the leaves. 
This bark contains a peculiar bitter, and no doubt possesses 
medicinal properties. The taste is, however, quite distinct from 
quinine. 
All the colonies except Tasmania and Queensland. 
38. Colocasia antiquorum, Schott., (Syn. Caladium acre, R.Br. ; 
Arum Colocasia, Linn.); N.OQ., Aroidez, B.F1., vii., 155. 
The acrid juice of the petioles of several varieties of this 
species is a common domestic remedy in India, on account of its 
styptic and astringent properties. ‘The petiole is slightly roasted, 
and the juice expressed. ‘“‘ I have seen a purulent discharge from 
the ears in children stopped by a single application. The tubers 
of these plants chopped fine, tied in a cloth and heated, are used 
as a fomentation in rheumatism.’”’ (Dymock, Materta Medica of 
Western India.) Itis said that the juice of the petioles will even 
arrest arterial hemorrhage. (Pharm. of India.) 
Queensland. 
