PLANTS USEFUL AND POISONOUS. 109 



the Yongui, or Stramony, and several other Daturas, are strong 

 narcotics. The seeds of several Euphorbiacece, viz., of the Croton, 

 Sand-box tree, and the Medicinier or Physic-nut (latropha Curcas) 

 are violent emeto-cathartics : the fruit of the Manchineel, and the 

 roots of the Manioc (latropha Maniliof) are acrid and stupefactive 

 poisons. A species of Seguine (Oaladium seguinum, vulg., the Devil 

 Seguine), which grows in damp places, is strongly caustic, and, 

 wherever applied, causes a violent inflammation, and even ulcers 

 difficult of cure. Several Apocyna, Asclepias, and Bryonies 

 are poisonous emeto-cathartics ; the Hamelia, as well as the bulbs 

 of a few Amaryllides, are also poisons. 



The catalogue of useful medicinal plants is, nevetherless, much 

 larger than the above. Among emollients may be numbered the 

 following: Herbe-grasse, Prickly-pear (Tuna), and the mucilagi- 

 nous part of the common Aloe ; the buds, flowers, and young 

 fruits of the Ochro (Hibiscus esculentus) , the leaves of the Gigirec 

 (Sesamum Orientale) the liber, or inner bark of the Bois d'Orme 

 (Cruazuma ulmifolia), the Balais-doux (Scaparia dulcis), the 

 flowers and roots of our Mallow, the young pods of the Cacao : as 

 external applications, the Aloe, Prickly-pear, and Ochro, the young 

 leaves of the Medicinier, Cocoa-nut oil, and Cacao-fat, Manive, 

 Corn-meal, and Rice, in the preparation of emollient poultices. 



Lime and sour Orange juices, as also the fruit and young leaves 

 of the Tamarind, serve to prepare very agreeable lemonade ; the 

 liquor of the Cocoa-nut is likewise a pleasant and refreshing drink. 



The Canne-de-riviere, or River-cane (Castus), Herbe-couresse, 

 or wild Cress (Peperomia) , Couch-grass, and the flowers and roots 

 of a few amarantaceous herbs are excellent diuretics. 



The Lemon-grass (Andropogon Sclicenantlms) , Guerit-tout 

 (Pluchea), Chardon-benit (Eryngium fcetidum) , Cariaquite (Lan- 

 tana), and warm lemonade, may be regarded as excellent 

 diaphoretics. 



The Herbe-a-charpentiers, or Carpenter's Grass (Justicia pec- 

 toralis) , several species of ferns, known here by the name of Capil- 

 laire (Adiantum), and Hart's Tongue (Scolopendrium) jtheDorstema, 

 Ceriman (Monstera), the bud of the Trumpet-tree (Cecropia pel- 

 tata), and Macornette (Borreria suaveolens), the flowers of the 

 Pigeon-pea and Pumpkin, as also a syrup prepared from the Cala- 

 bash and the pod of a species of Cassia, are used as pectorals. 



The following are regarded as excellent astringents, viz., the 



