158 MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



therefore remains unsettled, and the proper place of the plant 

 doubtful *. 



[Editor, Wildenozo. Woodville, Wright. 



SECTION Vllt. 



Angustura. 

 Casparia Febrifuga. Bonpland. 



The bark brought to us from Angustura has at length been dis- 

 covered by M. M. Humboldt and Bonpland to belong to a tree not 

 before known* and which they promise to describe under the above 

 name in their superb work the Plant es Equinoxiales. It is hence 

 given under the above name in the catalogue of the London Col- 

 lege, and we have followed the authority. In Woodville's day the 

 characters and properties of the plant were as well known as at 

 present, and he thus describes them, and admits the general inac- 

 quaintance of his cotemporaries as to its proper source. 



Angustura bark is imported here in thin convex pieces, of about 

 an inch and a half or less in breadth, and about six inches in length. 

 It is not fibrous, but hard, compact, of a yellowish brown colour, 

 and covered with a whitish uneven epidermis. Reduced to powder 

 it has the yellow appearance of rhubarb. To the taste it manifests 

 a bitterish and an aromatic quality, leaving a sensation of heat upon 

 the tongue, which continues for some time. Its odour, when recent, 

 is said to be ungrateful, but in its dried state this is not perceptible. 

 An ounce of this bark affords, by means of alcohol, about two drams 

 of a resinous bitter extract; and nearly three drains and a half of 

 a gummy extract may be obtained from the like quantity, by water. 



Some have contended that this drug should be called Augustine, 

 from St. Augustin in East Florida; but it seems more properly 

 named Angustura, which is a place in South America, whence it was 

 brought by the Spaniards to the island of Trinidad. 



From what tree it is obtained we find no certain account. It ha* 



* We think it right to inform the reader, that the above description of 

 Woodville is taken from his first edition. We have this moment had an op- 

 portunity of turning to his second, and find a correction which coincides with 

 our own observations. Editor. 



