Xll PREFACE 



The stem bark is also a frequent seat of the active principle, 

 of which the outer portion contains the greater amount, accord- 

 ing to the valuable experiments of Howard. 



Some plants owe their therapeutic importance to their wood, 

 others to their leaves or flowers, and regarding the localization 

 of the active principle in these parts we have nothing especial 

 to indicate. The fruit, however, may have a pericarp consist- 

 ing of mucilage, starch, sugar and gum, etc., while the seeds 

 contain fatty matter, fixed or essential oils or alkaloids, as is 

 the case with coffee and cacao. In view of these facts, we re- 

 peat that it is indispensable to use that part of each plant which 

 I have indicated as applicable to a determined case or condi- 

 tion. 



I earnestly hope that the physicians and pharmacists prac- 

 tising in the Philippines may undertake investigations and 

 experiments regarding the therapeutic properties of the plants 

 of my native land, and that my endeavors may have acted as 

 a stimulus or inspiration to the loyal and earnest study of the 

 subjects that are now awakening such interest, not only in 

 Europe and America, but in India and Japan. 



I should be pleased to receive notes, plants or reports of 

 researches from any one interested in the subject matter of this 

 book, and I shall consider it a pleasure, as well as a duty, to 

 devote my forces, small as they may be, to aiding any one who 

 may do me the honor to claim my assistance. 



T. H. P. de Tavera. 

 Paris, April, 1892. 



