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A TEXT-BOOK OF BOTANY. 



Curare, which is used by the Indians of South America as 

 an arrow-poison, is supposed to be made from the bark of StrycJi- 

 nos toxifera growing in Guiana, and probably other species of 



Fig. 361. Carolina pink (Spigelia marilandica) showing the rhizome bearing two 

 branches with opposite leaves and flowers in terminal scorpioid cymes. 



this genus. The active principle of this poison is the alkaloid 

 curarine, which when administered hypodermically has a powerful 

 action resembling that of digitalis. 



