OF THE QUASSIA SIMARUBA. 311 



The natural number of these drupae is five on each com- 

 mon receptacle ; but, for the most part, there are only two or 

 three ; the rest abort by various accidents. 



The roots are thick, and run superficially under the surface 

 of the ground to a considerable distance. The bark is rough, 

 scaly, and warted. The inside, when fresh, is a full yellow, 

 but when dry paler. It has but little smell. The taste is 

 bitter, but not very disagreeable. This is the true Cortex 

 simarubec of the shops. 



This tree is known in Jamaica by the names of Mountain 

 Damson, Bitter Damson, and Stave Wood. The shops are 

 supplied with this bark from Guiana ; but now we may have 

 it from our own islands at a moderate expence. 



On examining the fructification, I found this tree to be a 

 species of Quassia. Under that name I sent it to Europe, 

 and Linn.eus adopted it into his system. 



There are male flowers on one tree and female flowers on 

 another ; and this is invariably the case in Jamaica. 



Sensible Qualities of Cortex Simarubae. 



I can discover no astringency in the Cortex simaruba?, ei- 

 ther by the taste or by the various tests to which I subjected 

 it. Nor is there any mucilaginous quality to be perceived in 

 the recent bark, or in the decoction of that which has been 

 dried. 



Its Medicinal Virtues in General. 



Most authors who have written on the Simaruba, agree 

 that in fluxes it restores the lost tone of the intestines, allays 

 their spasmodic motions, promotes the secretions by urine 

 and perspiration, removes that lowness of spirits attending 

 dysenteries, anil disposes the patient to sleep ; the gripes and 

 tenesmus are taken off, and the stools arc changed to their 



