MAGNOLTACEyE. 179 



of IIHcinm ; one from Asia, /. anisatim It., and two from America, 

 /. parvijloruni MiCRX., and ^oridan urn Ei>l. At least, it is said that 

 in America these two last species are used as aromatic plants, the 

 leaves in stimulating stomachic infusions, and the fruits for the same 

 purposes as the Chinese Star-anise — ^that is, /. anisatim L., theP«-co 

 of the Chinese. It is further asserted that these fruits are mixed 

 with those of the true Star-anise, or substituted for them in European 

 commerce ; but this assertion is hardly confirmed by examining the 

 fruits sold in this country, which generally possess eight branches or 

 carpels ; while those of the American species have usually more. 

 This is no proof that the substitution would be at all injurious. 

 The three plants above mentioned have fruits of very agreeable 

 perfume, and are rich in a stimulating, stomachic, digestive, carmi- 

 native essential oil. We also find these properties in the powder 

 and infusion of Star-anise, as well as in the alcoholic liqueurs pre- 

 pared from it, especially the anise cordials (Fr. anhrttes) of Bordeaux 

 and Holland. The Orientals have very long used these ZhifjU seeds, 

 as they call them, as digestives, whether alone, or mixed with tea, 

 coffee, ginseng, sherbet, &c. We, with some other contemporary 

 writers, believe that it is the same species, introduced into Japan 

 and cultivated, which has there been called " Badiane sacree" {I. re- 

 ligiosum Sieb. & Zucc.) There its fruits become sickly and nauseous 

 to the taste ; they are even considered venomous, though it is 

 admitted that they may be in certain cases used as antidotes. But 

 the aroma exists in the leaves and branches, which are used in per- 

 fumed infusions, and which, planted in cemeteries and around temples, 

 under the name of Ski mi, or Skomo, are used to deck tombs and 

 sanctuaries ; while the powdered fruit, burnt slowly in a sort of tube, 

 serves to measure time like a sand-glass. The bark is also very 

 odoriferous when burnt ; it is therefore used in the temples in China 

 and Japan, under the name oif Lavola bark} 



The various species oi Brimijs enjoy similar properties, "chiefly 

 residing in their bark. The most celebrated is the Winter bark, 

 or Magdlaii Canellai^ which John AVinter was the first to make 



* The Star-anise from the Philippines has been GuiB., Rist. Nat. des, Drog. SimpL, ed. 4, iii. 



attributed to /. Sunki Pere., which is unknown 679. — A. Rich., Slem. d'llist. Nat. Med., ed. 



to us, and is perhaps only a form of /. anisaium 4, Bot., ii. 454. — Pereira, Elem. Mat. Med. 



L. (see RoSENTii., op. cit., 509). ed. 4, ii. pars ii. G73.— Lindl., Fl. Med., 26 — 



- Cortex Tfi liter anus verus, , Cimmmomum RfcvEiL, Bot. ,3Ied. du xix" ISiecle, i. 478.— 



magellanicmn, Costus dcre of the druggist. — Rosenth., d^. «Y., 597. 



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