105 



PEDALIACE^E. 



423. SESAMUM INDICUM, D.C. 



a. Seeds. (Setame Seed, Teel Seed.) 



I. Fixed oil. (Gingelly Oil) 



c. Leaves. (Sesame Leaves, Benne Leaves.) 



Note. The seeds, which vary much in colour, are said to possess 

 emmenagogue properties. I ml. Pharm., p. 151. They yield half their 

 weight of a fixed oil, in colour resembling almond oil, but possessed of 

 drying properties. It is said that the finer qualities are used to adulter- 

 ate almond oil. If more than 10 per cent, of it be present, it can be 

 detected by shaking the oil with nitric and sulphuric acids, which turns 

 a mixture of equal quantities of it green. See Pharmacographia, p. 427. 

 The leaves contain a quantity of mucilage, and are used in North America 

 to make a demulcent drink for catarrh, etc. See Ann r. Dispens., p. 769 ; 

 Pharm. Ind., p. 151. See Bentley and Trimen, Med. Plants, tab. 198. 



SCROPHULARTACE^E. 



424. DIGITALIS PDRPDREA, L. (Foxglove.) 



a. Herb. See Bentley and Trimen, Med. Plants, tab. 195. 

 I. Seeds. 



Note. The leaves which most resemble those of Digitalis, and which 

 frequently grow in the same neighbourhood, are those of Verbascum 

 nigrum, L., and Inula Conyza, D.C. The leaves of Digitalis may be dis- 

 tinguished from those of both these plants, by the smaller veins extending 

 into the wing of the petiole. Verbascum thapsus, L., has leaves which 

 are too woolly to be easily mistaken for those of foxglove. See P. J. [1], 

 vol. iv., p. 126 ; xi., p. 523. The seeds have been recommended as a sub- 

 stitute for the leaves, as being more reliable in their action, and less 

 likely to be adulterated than the leaves. P. J. [1], vol. xi., p. 419. The 

 leaves are said to be more active in early autumn than when the plant is 

 in flower, P. J. [8] , vol. L, p. 50. For therapeutical use, see P. J. [3], 

 vol. ii., pp. 323, 366. For volatile alkaloid, P. J. [2] , vol. v., p. 586. 



425. LEPTANDRA VIRGINICA, Nutt.- (Black Root, Leptandra, Culver's 



Physic, Tall Speedwell.) 

 a. Rhizome. 



Note. The rhizome is official in the U. S. Pharmacopeia. It is used as 

 a stimulant to the liver and absorbent system, and possesses considerable 

 medicinal activity. Leptandrin is a resinous principle obtained from the 

 root. See Amer. Dispens., p. 479. Bentley and Trimen, Med. Plants, 

 tab. 196. 



426. LYPERIA CROCEA, EcU. (Cape Saffron, Geele Blomeetjes.) 



a. Flowers. 



Note. The flowers when dried are black, and have an odour like 

 saffron ; and when moistened and rubbed between the fingers, yield a 

 yellow stain. They are used in the convulsions of children, and as a 

 colouring agent. The flowers are sometimes mixed with those of other 

 species. This specimen was presented by Mr. J. M. Leslie, Port Eliza- 

 beth, South Africa. See Pappe'i Flora Med. Cap., p. 31 ; P. J. [2], vol. 

 vi., p. 462. 



