64:6 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



Omphnlea tria7irfra.—T'he 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. 



rhyllanthus. — Phyllanthvs Emhlica (Emblica officinalis). — The fruits of this 

 Indian plant constitute Emblic Miirobalans. (See Terminalia.) "When in 

 a dry state they are employed for tanning, and as an astringent in medicine. 

 The fruits are likewise used as a pickle, or pi-eserved in sugar. The bark is 

 also astringent, and the flowers are reputed to be refrigerant and aperient. 

 P. Niriiri and P. urinaria are employed as diuretics in India. 



Ricinus communis, the Castor Oil Plant, or Palma Christi.— The plant 

 called Kikayon in the Bible, and translated Gourd, is by some considered to 

 refer to this species. This plant and other species or varieties are largely 

 cultivated in the East and West Indies, America, Italy, and some other parts 

 of the world for their seeds, which are commonly called Castor Seeds. The 

 leaves have been recommended as an external application, and for internal 

 administration to promote the secretion of milk. Castor oil is obtained from 

 the seeds, either by expression with or without the aid of heat, or by decoc- 

 tion, or by the aid of alcohol. The oil employed in England is obtained by 

 expression solely. Castor seeds when taken whole are extremely acrid, and 

 have produced death ; but the oil obtained from them is a mild and most 

 efficient non-iri'itating laxative. This oil OAves its laxative properties 

 principally to the presence of an acrid resin, which is contained in both the 

 albumen and embryo. The so-called concentrated castor oil, which is sold in 

 gelatine capsules, is adulterated with croton oil, and hence may produce 

 serious effects when given in particular cases. The Ricinus communis has 

 been recently cultivated in Algeria for the purpose of feeding silkworms 

 upon its leaves. The oil has also been uted there for burning, and when 

 deprived of its acrid principle it is said to be useful for food. 



Rottlera tinctoria (Mallotns PlnUipintnsis). — The fruit of this plant is 

 covered by a red powder which principally consists of smaU glands. This 

 powder has long been employed as a dye for silk ; for this purpose it is com- 

 monly mixed with alum and carbonate of soda, &c., when it produces a 

 deep durable beautiful orange or flame colour. The dye is known at Aden 

 under the name of Waras or Wurrus. It is designated in the Indian bazaars, 

 Kamala. The root of this plant is also reputed to be used in dyeing. 

 Kamala is also much employed in India as an anthelmintic, and in certain 

 cutaneous diseases. The Arabs likewise use it in leprosy, &c. Kamala has 

 been introduced into the British Pharmacopoeia, and is said to be especially 

 useful for the expulsion of taenia. Dr. FlUckliger has described in the 

 Pharmaceiitical Journal another kind of Kamala possessing similar pro- 

 perties, and which is also derived from a species of Rottlera or Mallotus. 



Sip/wnia elastica (Hevea Gitayanensis), and probably other species, natives 

 of Brazil and Guiana, are the sources of Para India Eubber, the best com- 

 mercial variety and the one most used in this country. Maranham India 

 Kubber is also probably obtained from one or more species of Siphonia. 



Stillingia. — S. sebifera is called the Chinese Tallow Tree, from its seeds 

 being covered by a white sebaceous substance, which, when separated, is 

 foimd to be a pure vegetable tallow ; it is used for candles. &c. The plant 

 has now been successfxilly acclimatised in Algeria through the exertions of 

 the French government. S. sylvatica, Queen's-root, is used in the United 

 States as an emetic, cathartic, and alterative. 



Natural Order 219. Scepace^. — The Scepa Order. — Dia- 

 gjiosis.— This order is closely allied to Euphorbiacepe, from which 

 it may be distinguished by its flowers being ameniacrous. 



Distrihution, ^r. — Natives of the East Indies. There are 6 

 species. The wood of Aporosa [Sccjoa or Lcj^idostacl/ys) JRox- 

 burghii is called Cncus or Kokra. It is very hard, and is chiefly 

 emplo^'ed for flutes and similar musical instruments. 



Natural Order 220. Empetrace/B. — The Crowberry Order. 

 — Character. — Small heath-like evergreen shrubs. Leaves 



