182 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



signed as one of the causes of early atheroma and of angina 

 pectoris. It should therefore be proscribed in persons who 

 present symptoms of gastro-intestinal or of heart disease, and 

 in every patient who complains of slight precordial pains, com- 

 monly attributed to flatus, but in reality cardiac neuralgia, a 

 fugitive symptom announcing the possibility of that grave acci- 

 dent, angina pectoris, capable of ending the life of the patient 

 with one stroke. 



Nicotine (C 10 H 14 N 2 ) is an oleaginous liquid heavier than 

 water, colorless, changing to dark yellow on contact with the 

 air. Nicotianin or " camphor of tobacco " is another sub- 

 stance found in the leaves, crystalline, tasteless, with an odor 

 resembling tobacco. Nicotinic acid is a product of the combus- 

 tion of nicotine. 



Botanical Description. — The tobacco plant is so familiar 

 to all Americans that its description here would be superfluous. 

 It grows in all parts of the islands, the best qualities being 

 cultivated in the northern provinces of Luzon, especially Caga- 

 yan and La Isabela. 



SCROPHULARIACEJE. 



Fig wort Family. 

 Limnophila menthastrum, Benth. (Tala odorata, Blanco.) 



Nom. Vulg. — Tala, Taramhampam, Tag.; Talatala, Pam.; 

 Taratara, Hoc. 



Uses. — An infusion of the leaves is given as a diuretic and 

 digestive tonic. The plant is aromatic. It is seldom used, but 

 is given for the same troubles and in the same doses as chamo- 

 mile and Eupato7'ium Ayapana. 



Botanical Description. — A plant 1° high, with leaves 

 opposite, lanceolate, ovate, serrate, hairy, many small pits on 

 the lower face. Flowers rose color, solitary, sessile. Calyx, 

 5 sharp teeth. Corolla tubular, curved, compressed, downy 



