PODS OF MYROSPERMUM MANNA. 287 



and worm-eaten. Were it necessary to re-introduce it, supplies 1862. 

 could be obtained from Trinidad, in certain localities of which 

 island, I am informed by Dr. Criiger, D. Contrajerva is abundant. 



PODS OF MYROSPERMUM. The Trinidad collection of drugs 

 contains a good specimen of the entire legumes of Myrospermum 

 frutescens, Jacq., a tree known in the island by the name of 

 Guatamare. These legumes are a very popular stomachic and Guatamare 

 carminative, and are also used externally in the form of tincture, fromTrmldad - 

 for pains, etc. The tree, which in Trinidad attains an altitude of 

 from sixty to one hundred feet (and hence bears a very improper 

 specific name), yields from incisions in its stem a small amount 

 of balsamic resin which hardens in the air and is then undis- 

 tinguishable from Balsam of Tolu. None of this resin is 

 collected in Trinidad, where the tree is not very abundant and 

 apparently not indigenous. Young plants of M. frutescens, raised 

 from seeds sent by Dr. Criiger, may be seen in the Koyal Gardens 

 of Kew. 



Pods of Myrospermum, having the posterior or winged portion 

 broken off, are also sent to the Exhibition from Venezuela. No 

 information accompanies them, except that they are called 

 Sereipa, and are from the province of Guayana. Careful Sereipa from 

 inspection shows that they are the produce of two species, the Venezuela, 

 smaller pods being apparently those of M. frutescens, Jacq., and 

 the larger those of some other species which I cannot identify. 



MANNA. Very few pharmacologists having seen any other Manna, 

 form of this drug than that derived from the Manna ash (Frax- 

 inus Ornus, L.), it is peculiarly interesting to find among the 

 Materia Medica of the Exhibition at least four other kinds of 

 manna, namely the following: 



1. Manna of the Oak. Mr. S. H. Maltass, of Smyrna, has 

 sent, together with various other interesting drugs, a saccharine 

 substance called Diarleldr Manna respecting which he has given Piarbekir 

 me the following information, upon the authority of a relative *-* ^ 

 who resided for two years in Diarbekir. The manna is found 

 upon the leaves of the dwarf oaks, from which it is collected by 

 the peasants, who use it instead of butter in cooking their food, 



