MOXOCHLAMYDE.E. 645 



Crozophora tincforia, a native of the south of France, yields by expression 

 a green juice, which becomes purplish under the combined action of ammonia 

 and the air. This purplish dye is known under the name of turnsole. 



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

 pression valuable oils, the first in use for burning, and the latter by painters. 



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

 bling the Cactaceas ; bat their milky juice wiU. in most cases, at once dis- 

 tinguish them. The acrid resin, commonly called gum euphorbium, is obtained 

 from one or more species. E, ojficinarum appears to be the principal source. 

 This drug is a dangerous acrid emetic and cathartic when taken internally, 

 and externally it is a powerful rubefacient ; its iise is now solely confined to 

 veterinary practice. The seeds of E. Lathyris, Caper Spurge, are purgative, 

 and yield by expression a very active cathartic oil. They were formerly called 

 Semina Cataputice minoris. This plant is called the Caper Spnrge, from the 

 use of its pickled fruits by housekeepers as a substitute for ordinary capers. 

 The employment of such a substitute is, however, certainly not free from 

 danger, although the process of pickling would seem, in a great meamre, to 

 destroy the acrid purgative nature which the fruit possesses in afresh state. 

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

 from its use in the United States as an emetic. The root of E. coroUata, 

 called in the United States IVIilk-weed, has similar properties. E. Petitiana 

 and E. Schimperiana have very purgative properties, and are said to be some- 

 times mixed ■^\-ith Kousso (Z?/-awra) to increase their activity. The root 

 of E. neriifoUa is in great repute in India as a remedy in snake-bites. The 

 acrid milky juice of E. antiquorum, E. Niculia, and E. Tirucalli possesses 

 cathartic and anthelmintic properties. 



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

 lent poison. It would seem probalile that the poisonous principle of this 

 plant is volatile, as it has been asserted that some persons have died from 

 simply sleeping under it. Seemann states, that if sea-water be applied to 

 the eyes when affected by the poison, it allays the inflammation in an effec- 

 tual manner. 



Jatropha. — The seeds of /. purgans {f'urcas purgans), and those at J. mul- 

 tlfidus (Curcas multifidus), are called Physic Xuts. They yield by pre'^sure 

 fixed oils, and both the seeds and oils are drastic cathartics. The seed is 

 largely exported from the Cape de Verd Islands to Portugal, where the oil is 

 extracted and used principally for burning under the name of purqueira oil. 

 In English commerce it is known as FuUa Oil or Seed Oil. The oil of /. 

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

 and is well adapted for burning. It is said to be employed for adulterating East 

 Indian Croton od. A decoction of the leaves is used by the natives of the 

 Cape Verd Islands to excite a secretion of milk. The seeds of /. gossupiifolia , 

 Bastard French Physic Xut, also possess purgative properties. 



2/anihot utilissi)na (Jatropha or Jariipha Manihot), Bitter Cassava. — Cassava 

 Meal, which is lai-gely employed in the making of the Cassava Bread or 

 Cakes, in common use by the inhabitants of tropical America as food, is ob- 

 tained by grating the washed roots, and then subjecting the pulp to pressure 

 and drying it over a fire. The roots and expressed juice are virulent poisons, 

 o-uing chiefly to the presence of hydrocyanic acid ; but their poisonous nature 

 is desrroyed by washing and applying heat. Cassava Starch. Tapioca Meal or 

 Brazilian Arrow- root, and Tapioca are also prepared from the roots of Mani- 

 hot iifilissima : thus the fecula, which is deposited from the expressed juice 

 when washed and dried, constitute? Cassava starch ; and Tapioca is prepared 

 by submitting Cassava Starch while moist to heat on hot plates. Tapioca is 

 largely employed as a dietetical substance in this cotmtry and elsewhere. 

 The sauce called Casareep in the "VTest Indies. &c., is the juice concentrated 

 by heat and flavoured by aromatics. Manihot Aipi or Javipha Lcejiingii, 

 Sweet Cassava, has none of the poisonous properties of the preceding plant. 

 It is generally considered as a variety of Manihot utilissima. The root is a 

 common article of food in the West Indies and some parts of South America. 

 It is as mealy as a potato when boiled. Cassava meal and bread, as also 

 Cassava Starch and Tapioca, are also prepared from the sweet cassava root. 



oidfieldia afrirana is the source of the valuable timber kno^vn as Africair 

 Oak or African Teak. 



